Original subtitles

WORLD ON A WIRE

- Günther! - l'll be right in.

Secretary of State von Weinlaub.

l'm Hirse, Mr. von Weinlaub's assistant.

Hello, my name's Lause, l'm chief of security.

Please, Mr. Siskins expects you.

- Wasn't that Dr. Vollmer? - It was.

To get right to the point:

Simulacron is almost fully operational.

l may seem ill-informed

but what interests me is your definition of "almost".

Of course, Mr. Secretary.

l apologize.

The margin of error for our prognoses

currently reaches as high as 5.8%.

l see, thank you.

Yes. Professor Vollmer can tell you exactly

about the state of things.

He's overseen development of the computer.

We know that, Mr. Siskins.

Professor Vollmer, please...

So, you're secretary of state?

Naturally.

l really don't care, to be honest.

Do you have a mirror on you?

A mirror?

Why?

Here, take this.

What do you see? Come on, what do you see?

Let me help you, Mr....?

Von WeinIaub.

AIright, von WeinIaub.

You are nothing more than the image others have made of you.

- That's all. - Enough!

Thank you. And the rest of you?

Vollmer!

You too, Siskins.

Want to Iook in the mirror? Go on, look at yourseIf.

lt's a sad joke.

That'lI do, Vollmer!

This has gone far enough. Hirse, let's leave.

Headache. lt pounds and pounds and pounds.

Do you know what's pounding in my head?

l know.

Lause...

Please come in.

Why don't you lie down? Lause wilI take you to your office.

Come on, Henri.

lt's not a headache.

lt's much, much more.

So much that my head's about to expIode.

Come on.

l'm coming, Günther.

They refuse to understand...

those poor worms.

- Take care of him. - Yes, Mr. Siskins.

l must apologize for Professor Vollmer.

He's been working day and night.

His nerves have always been delicate.

The line between genius and madness, you know...

Strange kind of madness, wouIdn't you say?

Of course, Mr. Secretary...

very strange.

One moment, please.

Go ahead.

PIease...

- But I... - Look at yourself.

- What do you see? - Me.

Stiller was due back yesterday.

He'll come, Henri.

l'm scared.

l'm with you.

You're here.

The constant throbbing in my head...

Have you ever heard of a head exploding?

Like that, into a thousand pieces?

No, never.

Really? Anyway...

Do you remember? As a boy

you must have played

"l see something you don't".

Sure, all kids do.

Günther...

l know something you don't.

Something no one must know.

lt would mean the end of this world.

Henri...

Vollmer!

Sorry, the bar's over there.

lt's padding, not muscles.

To look manIier.

lt's not all padding, is it?

lf you're interested... Fred Stiller.

l'm in the phone book.

Can't you get a drink?

Guess I'm smaIl fry.

Too bad, but maybe you'll grow.

Maybe.

Whiskey?

Yes, with water.

Rainer, two whiskeys: one ice, one water.

Yes, Mr. Siskins.

Coming to the funeral?

l'll be there, although...

the dead don't really care, do they?

Your whiskeys.

Thank you.

Can you debug the computer without VolImer?

l think so.

We can't afford further delays. The Ministry's impatient.

By the way...

What?

Oh, nothing. Tell me, what's your dream car?

Pardon me?

Your dream car. lt's a simpIe question.

Oh, God... A Corvette.

l see, a Corvette...

275 HP.

And about 40,000 marks.

Beyond your wage bracket?

Somewhat, but you asked about my dream car, not my wage bracket.

- What bracket do you want? - The next one.

Why not, if you're as good as VolImer.

l'm not, but l'm tough.

l see you're aware Vollmer and l had our differences of opinion.

l believe so.

He was pigheaded, don't you agree?

Well, l...

Think about it. Just so you don't misunderstand...

lt was simply a hypothesis, not an offer.

l understood you, Mr. Siskins.

275 HP. Quite something.

l'm GIoria.

Great. Care for a drink?

Champagne.

What else?

Still 42-26-39?

39 1/2. You get fat, just sitting around.

But every inch is precious.

Thanks. How's the computer coming?

OK, and how's working for Siskins?

No, I mean it.

l'm very interested in Simulacron.

ls it true you've created an artificiaI world?

"World" is an exaggeration.

Currently we've some 10,000 identity units.

That's all we need for now.

The worId in a nutsheIl, you see?

10,000 people. They're people, aren't they?

As you like.

To us they're mereIy circuits. But to them...

They live just like we do...

buiId roads, listen to music, eat...

And make love?

That, too.

Make love, enjoy life...

have kids.

Exciting.

Pardon me?

Making love?

Yes, that too. But l mean, a living world...

in a box full of microchips?

We're aIive. They're like people on TV dancing for us.

The way you describe it is fascinating.

You're fascinating.

Hi, Lause!

Hi. Have you seen StiIIer?

Yeah, a minute ago. Come in.

No, l'll wait here. Bring him to me.

Sure.

- Fred, come with me. - Me?

Lause wants you.

Excuse me. See you Iater.

Pity.

Lause!

My God, finally! l have to see you.

You Iook awful. Where have you been?

After VoIImer's death, l drove to your pIace in the country.

You found him?

Yes, but... where were you?

l came back earlier than planned.

What's up?

Not here.

Come...

Well?

lt's about Vollmer's death.

But...

l thought it was an accident.

l don't know, I didn't see it.

But it was very strange.

What? What was strange?

Vollmer was strange.

Something had happened to him.

l spoke to him shortIy before he died.

He was afraid.

Then he told me something that was so...

that was... absolutely crazy.

What?

l can't teIl you, it's too crazy.

Perhaps he was crazy.

Do you know what fear is?

Yes, Lause.

l think so.

You've no idea.

AIright, fine. But...

Tell me what he said.

OK, then.

lt sounds incredible, but who knows...

See what you make of it.

My God, l'm so cIumsy. l've startled you.

l'lI be right there.

"Vanished into Thin Air.

At a party last night in the home of Herbert Siskins

- prominent head of the IKZ Institute -

an lnstitute employee reports that

Chief of Security Günther Lause vanished

in the middle of a conversation.

PoIice have opened an investigation."

What are you up to, StilIer?

What's this about Lause and Vollmer?

l told the police what I saw.

Trying to make yourself and the lKZ look ridiculous?

But it happened exactIy as l described.

Fine, have it your way.

lnspector Lehner, Missing Persons Bureau

and Detective StuhIfauth, Homicide.

Dr. StiIIer...

our acting technical director.

You seem to be the only one who saw Lause Iast night.

What do you mean?

My men have interviewed

everyone at the party. No one else saw Lause there.

Did you have too much to drink?

No, I wasn't drunk.

lt's true that we didn't find Mr. Lause at home.

But that could be a coincidence.

What did Lause say about Vollmer's death?

He just said he found it strange.

Where were you when Vollmer died?

At my cabin.

With others?

No.

We'd like to see where Vollmer died.

Please show the gentlemen the computer room.

Yes, Mr. Stiller.

Good-bye.

This way.

See you again.

Let's put this incident behind us.

You aIready have.

Good. l'd like to discuss VolImer's job with you again.

Go ahead.

As l've already toId you...

Vollmer's pigheadedness, l mean...

lt was a strain on my nerves.

l'm not pigheaded.

That's what l wanted to hear.

l'm a good judge of human nature. l knew we'd see eye to eye.

Tell me your dream car, l'll teIl you who you are.

Oh, that...

Good. l'll sound out the board of directors

but I don't foresee any obstacIes.

Good-bye...

Mr. Director.

Bring me an aspirin, pIease.

Right away.

Problems?

Yes, l'm being promoted.

Fred!

Did he name you technical director?

You don't seem very pIeased.

Why should l be?

l'll have the same problems with Siskins as Vollmer did, just wait.

Then why did you accept?

SimuIacron's the most exciting research project

in the entire world.

Nothing eIse comes cIose.

l'll earn a good salary and...

lt's just Siskins.

lf Vollmer was right, then...

Maja...

Forget all this.

l'll forget it.

Thanks.

Has VolImer's office been emptied?

No.

His things are still there.

Cancel my appointments. l'lI be in Vollmer's office.

What are you doing?

You're hurting me.

Thank you, Fred StiIIer.

- You are Fred Stiller? - Yes, but what are you doing?

The guard at the front desk showed me in.

Aren't you...?

l'm Eva Vollmer.

- l didn't recognize you. - NaturaIly.

l'm here because l was asked to pick up Father's things.

- l thought you were in Montreux. - l've been back a month.

You were with your father when...

Was he acting strange? Did he seem nervous?

Not that l noticed. Why?

Because he...

l think he had made an important discovery.

He couIdn't tell me.

He was a bit preoccupied, no more.

You know, if you were to visit me...

l'd like that, realIy.

Tell me...

Did your dad see much of Günther Lause?

Your uncle, Günther Lause.

Never heard of him.

You don't remember your uncle?

l remember him very well.

His name was Jakob, Jakob Meixner.

He died four years ago.

Eva?

Can l...

Can l be of any help?

l'Il manage.

Father Ieft me a bit of money, and the house.

l apologize, Fred. l misjudged you.

l thought you were interested only in taking Father's job.

l should've known better.

l'd like some cake.

Choose what you want at the counter.

You're under arrest. Come with me.

Jeez, Franz, you scared me.

That one.

And two whiskeys.

What's up, StiIIer?

Here...

Here's a riddle I came across, a rebus.

lmagine a drawing of a Greek warrior holding a spear

looking to his right, and taking a step.

With a turtIe going the same way.

First...

does that ring a bell?

Second...

ever seen such a drawing?

Me? What's this alI about?

VolImer left me that drawing.

Does it mean anything to you?

Bizarre, if you ask me.

Bizarre, sure.

- Does it remind you of anything? - Maybe.

What?

Zeno.

Zeno's paradox.

AchiIles and the tortoise.

AchiIles tries to overtake the tortoise, but cannot.

By the time he reaches where it was, the turtIe has moved ahead.

What could the paradox mean to our work?

l'm only the psychologist for our creations.

But...

as l recaIl, the paradox is meant to show that

movement is an ilIusion.

What's the Iink to our work?

Vollmer was acting very strange before he died.

Cheesecake? Who ordered the cheesecake?

Maybe for a reason. What did he say?

Did you order cheesecake?

No... l mean, yes. l think l ordered it, thanks.

How was he strange?

l played chess with him three days before he died.

He wasn't himseIf, he was rambling on about philosophy.

He had made a shattering discovery.

What?

He wouldn't say. It was a secret. Something like that.

Why are you so interested in it, Fred?

l don't think Vollmer's death was an accident.

What do you mean?

l know about Vollmer and Siskins' disagreements

on the appIications of the simuIation model.

l said no such thing.

OK, fine.

By the way, l can imagine what

Vollmer's shattering discovery was.

l bet it had to do with his attitude towards

the identity units we'd programmed in his computer.

You remember how he called them "my children".

He was only joking.

You can't spend years feeding data into a computer

that aIlows for the simulation of every aspect of human behavior

without asking yourself if it might Iead to the creation

of something resembling human consciousness.

Lause spoke of a "shattering discovery".

Lause? Who's he?

Stop. lf l hadn't beIieved him, l'd never have told the cops.

Lause? Cops? What do you mean?

Lause! Günther Lause!

Chief of security at Cybernetics and FuturoIogy!

Our Institute!

Just take it easy.

Stiller, do you see that man?

That's Hans Edelkern.

He's been lKZ's chief of security for five years.

You remember now?

Stiller!

Got a light?

No, l mean it, for my cigarette.

Understand? l'm not trying to...

Pick me up? Too bad.

Anyway, l don't smoke.

Thanks. Sorry.

Don't mention it.

CHlEF EXECUTlVE OFFICER

Gloria?

Do you have a pen?

Then take this down.

The chairman, United Steel Inc.

Dear Mr. Hartmann,

l accept your invitation with pleasure.

ln view of the situation, l would request

you treat my visit as primarily a personal one.

I'm sure you wilI understand

if I insist on the utmost confidentiality.

Yours truly, Herbert Siskins.

Please come in, my dear Siskins.

A Iovely couple.

Rupp, Daily News. A quick question:

ls your new computer solely for state use?

Please, I have no comment.

Certainly not here.

Ask at the lKZ press office.

Yeah, yeah. One thing:

Does a certain company have access to data obtained from the computer?

A suggestion, Mr....?

Rupp.

Why not write about how our simulation model

is more than a computer?

l'll suggest it to my editor.

It's a new generation of computer technoIogy.

Who benefits?

Everyone, if it's up to me.

May l see your lD, please? Regulations, you know.

l know.

Thank you, Mr. Stiller.

How can l help you? For personnel files, you need special clearance.

No, just the staff directory.

Which letter?

Let's try L.

Alright, L... L what?

Ask it, "Who is Günther Lause?"

WHO lS GÜNTHER LAUSE?

Günther Lause is unknown.

Have a Iook.

Okay.

Edelkern. Ask it about Edelkern.

What's it say?

The truth, naturalIy:

"Hans Edelkern is chief of security at lKZ."

Tell me, Mrs...?

Meier.

Know anything speciaI about Hans Edelkern, anything at all?

Mr. Edelkern? l don't think so. Ask him yourself.

Hi, Fred.

Were there complaints about me?

Tell me the truth.

- No, that's not it. - Good.

l was afraid...

l mean it.

That's aIright, Fred. You don't have to explain.

l'm sure you have your reasons.

Say, why don't you visit us again?

Laura stiIl talks about our last dinner.

Says you're the most charming man around.

RealIy, am l?

- According to Laura. - Well, then...

You see.

Just give us a call.

We'd be thrilled, honestly.

l've never met a Laura in my whole Iife.

Anything else l can do?

No, thanks.

You're weIcome.

l'm... l'm here about Lause.

Who's Lause?

Forget it, Fritz.

Something wrong?

Morning, Maja.

Good morning.

l'm a gift.

Siskins thought you'd be pleased.

Of course. Of course l'm pleased.

A sight to behold. lsn't that what they say?

Yes, they do.

Where's Maja?

She's sick. Probably wilI be for some time.

By the way, Siskins was very sorry to lose me.

l'm deeply honored.

- A cup of coffee? - No thanks.

l'm delighted to work with you.

The pleasure's aII mine.

Get me the poIice, lnspector Lehner.

Yes, Mr. Stiller.

lnspector Lehner, pIease.

HelIo, lnspector. l wanted to ask if you found out anything about Lause.

Who is this?

At the Cybernetics lnstitute.

lt's about the Lause case, Günther Lause.

Sorry, l've never heard of a Lause.

My God, you must remember!

Siskins' party, a man disappeared.

l notified the police.

Slowly, Mr. Stiller, I don't know of any Lause case.

Siskins wants you in his office at 2:30.

Thanks, Miss Fromm.

How are you feeling?

No idea.

Not good.

What's the doctor say?

l had all the tests...

blood

urine, everything.

But they don't know.

Chronic exhaustion.

And you...

How are you?

Siskins asked me to a meeting at 2:30.

Really?

- Who's with you now? - Where?

At work.

A woman named Gloria Fromm.

42-26-39?

39 1/2. From all that sitting. You shouId know.

l'Il be going.

Get well soon.

Thanks.

Fred?

l'm still fond of you.

Have a seat, Dr. Stiller.

Care for a drink?

- A coffee? - No, thanks. RealIy.

AIright then, let's begin.

Would you...?

As you may know

l sit on the government- appointed commission

Perspective 2000

as an expert on steel.

Also in your capacity as

chairman of United SteeI lnc.

Of course, naturalIy.

And in this respect we're somewhat preoccupied

especially given certain recent trends

in freight and transportation systems

that would have major repercussions in the 80s and 90s

on demand for steel.

Do you have a background in business?

HardIy.

WelI, if l may briefIy explain...

ln our sector, investments are not only long-term, they're also...

Very costly.

Let Mr. Hartmann finish, StilIer.

No, no, you can put it that way. Quite right.

Costly. ln other words, an investment

to the tune of several hundred million

if made today, would take, say, 20 years

to be amortized.

- lf your analyses were correct. - If they were correct, yes.

NaturaIly we don't make wiId guesses.

We rely on a whoIe sIew of scientific analyticaI tooIs:

economic and market analyses

trend forecasts, input-output relations...

to name a few.

But you yourself know

the limitations of the prognostic capacity

of conventionaI computer technoIogy

and how much larger the margin of error is of such computers

compared to your simuIation model.

Why are you telling me alI this?

- l don't understand. - He does.

Dr. StiIIer...

We're not taIking about opening a hot-dog stand

but a decision of major importance to the national economy

for which Mr. Hartmann, as a member of the Perspective 2000 Committee...

Then let the committee request it.

Can you imagine the bureaucracy that entaiIs?

Besides, the software wasn't designed to access such variabIes.

It would jeopardize the entire program and set us back two months.

l'Il Iook Iike a fooI. From a technical...

Thank you, Stiller. l'm not asking.

You'll calI up the data from the simuIation model

for the demand for steel for the next 20 years

and have it on my desk by...

by the 23rd.

l don't know. You can't just let some conglomerate...

Please let me decide what l can or cannot do, Stiller.

Then you don't need me.

For God's sake, Siskins...

l thought you'd have settled this internally, at least.

We have, my dear Hartmann, we have.

You see, Stiller is a scientist.

And in every scientist resides a bit of an idealist.

But...

l'll deal with the little idealist in Stiller.

- HeIlo, StiIler. - HeIIo, Hahn.

Want to check the psychograms of the new units?

No, we've reviewed them.

Feeling better?

Yes, it just came over me yesterday.

l shouId apologize for my behavior.

Forget it.

RealIy, l'm sorry.

Excuse me, but...

l need to go to the computer room.

We're up to precisely 9700 identity units.

The equivalent of a small town.

By the way...

l'd like a hook-up.

For you?

To sampIe viIlage life.

Fine with me, anytime. Oh, have a look.

She's in the mind of a millionaire's wife.

Yes, he's here.

Fine.

Fine, l'll teIl him.

The police are here to see you.

The police?

Come with me.

HelIo, Dr. StiIIer.

You honor me, but this is StilIer.

Excuse me, l'm sorry.

HelIo, Dr. StiIIer.

l was hoping to speak to you in private.

ls that really necessary?

l'd say so, yes.

OK, I'Il clear out.

l'll be at the computer. See you.

Please come in.

Yes?

We have questions, Mr. StilIer.

Questions for you.

Questions about the VoIlmer case.

You were his assistant?

You know fuIl well.

Yes, of course.

Purely routine.

Part of the job. Once learned

you never forget it.

Let me be frank, Mr. StilIer.

lt's possible that Vollmer's death was not an accident.

You were away?

l toId you, at my cabin in the mountains.

What do you mean, you told me?

Nothing.

Just that l was at my cabin.

Can anyone corroborate that?

No.

VoIlmer was my best friend.

You're not doing too badly as technical director at lKZ.

No, not too badly.

l can reach you here, if I need you?

lf you need me.

Good-bye, Mr. Stiller.

He was from Homicide.

lf anyone makes trouble, I'm here.

The poIice aren't giving up, that's good.

Lause hinted that Vollmer's death

might not have been an accident.

Who's Lause?

The Lause who vanished without a trace at Siskins' party.

Did someone vanish without a trace at Siskins' party?

Probably one of Siskins' harmless jokes.

No doubt, Gloria, no doubt.

A simple hook-up to an identity unit.

ls that alright?

l chose 4388 for you, a truck driver.

Enjoy the ride.

OK, step on it.

Here we go. Be good, and stay out of trouble.

Floor it.

Lousy weather we gave them.

Strange, why's there no traffic? l don't get it.

Maybe it's Sunday here. I forgot to ask.

Kid, if l hit you, it won't even cause a short circuit.

What's Walfang done now? Hey, what's that?

You were lucky, young man. Just a slight shock.

We nearly saw the last of you.

How's it possibIe?

Search me. l haven't checked the box yet, but...

But...?

Say it, you have a hunch.

Something exploded.

lt can only have been sabotage.

lmpossible, with our security.

lf it exploded, it mustbe sabotage. A computer doesn't just explode!

Sabotage is quite impossible.

lKZ is under our control.

Obviously not.

A technical error, perhaps. How long will repairs take?

l nearIy died, and that's alI you say?

You mustn't get excited, you need rest.

Yeah, yeah, OK.

Good-bye, then.

Thanks.

Don't mention it. Just doing my job.

l want a thorough investigation.

Check security measures, Edelkern. lf necessary, step them up.

Understand?

Naturally, Mr. Siskins.

Of course.

Mr. Stiller, I think you should go home and rest.

Seriously, how Iong wilI repairs take?

Two or three days, no longer.

OK, then...

That's alright.

Eva?

You startled me.

Something wrong?

No.

l was thinking of my father.

ShaIl we go for a drive?

Just Iike that.

You know, I need a change of air.

Some of Father's fiIes are stiIl on his desk.

Check if there's anything useful to you.

l'Il get ready.

Was anything removed after your father died?

Pardon?

l asked if anything was removed after your father's death.

Questioning me?

Come on, Iet's go.

Have you seen his drawing since then?

What drawing?

AchiIles and the tortoise.

l've never seen it...

AchiIles and the tortoise.

l'm going to try to find out

how your father realIy died.

Do you think...?

Maybe.

l don't want anything to happen to you.

What's wrong?

Nothing. I don't feel welI. l haven't felt weIl for a while.

l get dizzy, see things.

Probably, or possibly, l'm simply overworked.

Want me to drive?

l'll just wait here a bit, then drive you home.

One, two, three, four...

Come in. Fourteen, fifteen.

- Hi, Fritz. - Hi, Fred.

What's that?

- For my circulation. - Your circulation?

l've been having dizzy spelIs.

Better watch it.

Your puppets are dancing.

l contacted 0001 again.

Einstein?

That system faiIure has him worried.

He's being difficult.

You know, I think that was Vollmer's

only major mistake.

What?

The Einstein contact unit.

lt wouldn't have worked without him. We tried everything.

We needed a unit we could contact directly.

Problems were inevitable.

Why?

No one can stand knowing they're artificial.

ObviousIy.

But if they suffer psychologicaI disorders

it shows how successfuI we've been.

Depends how you see it.

Einstein reported an attempted suicide.

Unbelievable. Who?

7326, Christopher Nobody.

I'Il take him out. He'Il screw up the system.

lt's inhuman of us, isn't it? But we have no choice.

OK, delete him, this...

Right. Christopher Nobody.

See you later.

Zeno.

Zeno's paradox!

This is no coincidence.

That must be what VoIImer's drawing meant.

Send me down to see Nobody.

Nobody no longer exists, he's in heaven.

- Don't joke. - l deprogrammed him. He's gone.

Shit!

Why?

- He must know something... - Knew ...

Knew something l need.

HardIy Iikely, Fred.

l programmed him myself. He was an ordinary unit. Why?

Nothing, Fritz, nothing. Just an idea.

Let me speak to Einstein, he may know.

Give me a projection Iink.

OK, l'll call you.

- Where do l meet Einstein? - ln a hotel lobby.

You onIy have 5 minutes.

You've kept me waiting.

HelIo, Einstein.

ls something wrong?

Not often l meet someone from above.

Right now I'm just a bundle of electronic circuits, too.

A projection, if you like.

Shall we sit down?

l only have a few minutes, it's not really worth it.

lt's about Christopher Nobody.

You spoke to him.

Why did he try to kill himself?

A whiskey.

He was on the verge of a breakdown.

Why?

He knew.

What did he know?

Somehow he'd found out

what he was.

You don't just find that out.

Did you say something?

You know my circuits prohibit it.

Time's running out. Stiller has to be back

in 120 seconds.

ln 30 seconds we'll signal him.

PHONE CALL FOR MR. STILLER

My time's up. Good-bye, Einstein.

Come on, show me. Come on, show me.

Come on, show me.

l can't bear it. Please, take me with you.

You know that's absurd.

l'Il be back.

Let me talk in peace.

We'll meet at 8, Gerda. ln the corner restaurant.

What's the idea, young man? Where are your manners?

The impertinence!

A light?

Thanks.

Everything OK?

Everything's OK. Except...

l saw Günther Lause.

Sorry, who?

Come with me.

l want to do a test. Got a minute?

Sure.

OK, l'm looking for an identity unit.

Use the list.

No, let's try a different method. l'll describe him.

Age?

55. MaIe. Single.

Engineering degree.

PsychoIogicaI traits?

He's good-natured.

But stingy. Drinks quite a bit.

Two minutes.

Eva, it's Fred.

Too many. Anything else?

Heavy smoker, gold medallist in sports.

Collects old watches.

That should do it.

Sorry, but...

No, I'm running a test. Listen...

Could you pick me up? l want to see you.

See you at six.

l've got five.

- That OK? - l hope so. Their names?

Teiler, Strunz, Kittel

Erdhofer, Lause.

Lause's first name?

Günther.

Günther Lause. Didn't you just...?

Yes. What number?

7683.

Programmer?

Vollmer!

That's fine.

Thanks a Iot.

Strange.

DaiIy News! Mystery Surrounding Super-Computer!

For your own sake, forget everything you've seen.

Or your life's not worth a dime.

DaiIy News! Mystery Surrounding Super-Computer!

Problems?

Could say that.

ls it about Zeno again?

Or this Lause?

Yes, him too.

You know about the sabotage during my hook-up.

But that a cop who'd interrogated me once

forgot, and interrogated me again... that you don't know.

Or that the other night everything,

the streets, lights... disappeared for a few seconds...

that you don't know.

Nor can you imagine my dizzy spells and depression.

l see.

A street vanished and then reappeared?

lce or water?

Nothing, thanks.

l've thought a lot about you, StilIer.

l believe...

with your new responsibility for the simulation modeI

and the unusual stress of your job

you're overworked, psychologicaIIy unstable.

Think about it...

Every day you reign Iike God

over a miniature world you helped to create

and which you mistake more and more for a real world.

You can add and delete people at wiIl.

This leads to feelings of guilt,

depression and fear.

You need to relax, forget it all.

l have to make a call.

What shouId l do?

You've taken the first step:

You recognize the cause, realize what's happening,

are aware of the problem.

lf you keep working on yourself, you'll get better

and your mental disturbances will go away.

You should take a vacation.

Forget it, especialIy now.

l don't want SimuIacron working exclusively for Hartmann.

l guess l'll be going.

Try to have a Iittle fun now and then.

And stop brooding. lt's not good for you.

Believe me.

I'II try.

Getting in?

Quite a coincidence, isn't it?

lt's no coincidence. Dr. Hahn phoned me.

He thought I couId take your mind off things.

lt was fine with me.

Me, too.

Now l'm feeling better.

But I won't be manipulated!

Manipulated by whom?

By Siskins.

What do you mean?

l won't be intimidated!

l can be just as pigheaded as Vollmer was.

Vollmer wouldn't let private interests take over his computer.

And l won't, either.

Let Siskins do what he likes.

lsn't Siskins a danger to you?

No, because he needs me. Let's dance.

Morning, Fred.

Morning, Miss Fromm. Thank you.

Any mail?

Need an aspirin?

lmportant calls?

But Siskins wants to see you urgently.

Miss Fromm?

Last night l said some pretty crazy things.

Forget them.

Were they all just crazy things?

So, what's up?

l need your help.

We have to do something.

The media are getting impatient.

One question, just to be sure:

Could you convincingly explain our computer to a layman

if alI of society depended on it?

l have my convictions, and l can present them convincingly.

That's exactly what l expected you to say.

Send them in.

My colleague, Dr. Stiller, and l

have a statement about the simuIation model.

Afterwards, we'lI offer refreshments.

A misunderstanding has led to the publication

of a report in the press that was misleading for the public.

We wish to take the opportunity

to dispel this misunderstanding.

Dr. StiIler developed the simuIation model

together with Professor Vollmer.

Dr. Stiller will say a few words about the new computer system.

StrictIy speaking, it isn't a computer in the conventional sense

but rather an electronic simulation system

with tremendous storage capacity.

As Professor Henri Vollmer put it

with this system we achieved

the qualitative jump to an autonomous computer.

We've created an artificial miniature world

out of circuits, switches, electronic impulses and reflexes.

When fuIly functional, it will Iead a life of its own

according to our rules, and with its own dynamics.

Concretely, Dr. Stiller, what does the thing do?

Naturally Dr. Stiller thinks in scientific terms.

lf you'd prefer a practical point of view...

l'm at your disposal.

Go on, Dr. StiIler. We'd like to hear from you.

I'II try.

You have to imagine the inside of our simulation model

- we call it Simulacron -

as a reproduction in miniature

of our society.

At the moment

we have slightly over 9000 so-called identity units

each of which has the faculties of perception, thought

memory, imagination

and so forth

of a real human being.

With Simulacron, we have

in a word, a tiny universe identical to our own.

lnto this universe we can

introduce certain impulses which...

- l'm coming back to your question -

impuIses which

lead to highly specific reactions.

Reactions...

that precisely repIicate human reactions.

20 years in the future.

This means we can use Simulacron to avoid

the mistakes we'd make in that period.

For example...

We can, to be extremeIy concrete

use SimuIacron to Iearn

consumer habits 20 years from now...

how housing needs wiIl evoIve

which transportation modes will become obsoIete

and which ones wilI be in use.

Then you could also caIculate

if in 20 years we'll need more steel or plastics.

Yes, of course.

ln time manufacturers wiII have access to this data

to avoid socially unproductive investments.

What do you mean, "in time"?

As you are aware, our research project

is state-initiated and sponsored.

We do not define its mandate.

Our sole mission is to carry out government poIicy.

There are questions about

your relationship to United Steel.

There are aIways questions. That's why you do research...

to find answers.

Here, in our lnstitute, we seek

to devote our energies to designing a better

new, more humane and equitabIe world

to meet the hopes and dreams of Mr. StiIler and us all.

Now, a snack.

What's your true relationship to Hartmann?

Mr. Hartmann is a friend.

A good friend.

ln private, Mr. Rupp, onIy in private.

Hahn's advice from the other day...

l think it heIped.

At Ieast l know what's wrong with me.

l'm sure you'll be better soon.

About the other night, l'm truly sorry.

l was out of it.

Hahn called it "paranoia".

He's probabIy right.

l'lI be so happy when everything's OK.

Yes, and...

now with all the coverage in the papers,

the TV and so on...

l just hope he's painted himself into a corner. And you?

l hope you're right.

Please excuse me.

Of course.

See you sometime.

Say something!

She's not there.

Could l have a light?

Now she's disappeared, like Lause.

Lause disappeared too, and everyone's forgotten him.

Except me...

He's in my head

and he refuses to come out.

My Eva...

my darIing littIe Eva.

They'll forget you too.

But in my head, she'lI stay there.

I mean...

my head's a funny head.

There are things in it

that don't go in any other head.

Good morning, Mr. Stiller.

Good morning, Miss Fromm.

Aspirin?

One second.

l tried to reach you all last night.

Me?

Siskins wants you.

Where were you?

Were you with Eva Vollmer?

You should go see Siskins right away. lt's important.

- lt's StilIer. - Send him in.

Morning, StiIIer.

Aren't you a sight!

A night on the town, l bet.

Have a seat.

What's up?

l wanted to introduce a new addition to your staff.

l believe you know him. A top-notch felIow.

He sent me his résumé and

l didn't want to lose him.

That will be him.

Come in.

Mark Holm.

HelIo.

HelIo, Mark.

Mr. Holm can join your team immediately.

Where'd you work before?

The Trau lnstitute, but...

lsn't that

a subsidiary of United Steel?

lt is, Fred.

Thanks, l was just curious.

161266.

My God, Eva! Where were you?

l searched the entire house for you!

Hold on.

Thank you.

- So where were you? - At home, of course.

I felI asIeep on the couch. You just didn't see me.

- l searched every... - It doesn't matter.

I wanted to apologize for running away. l Iove you.

I'm happy. I've thought it over, l'm not worried anymore.

l need you, Eva.

Yes. Ciao.

l've been looking for you. How's it going?

- A cigarette? - God no!

l hate it. Mark Holm's been nosing around.

l'm going to hook-up with Einstein.

I want to know what's going on with him.

Like to come?

No, not today.

See you later.

Fritz, what's wrong?

Nothing, Mr. StiIIer, it's nothing.

You're not Fritz WaIfang.

You're Einstein.

My God, what is this?

Let me go, please!

Don't send me back.

lt's my only chance.

l want to be a human being.

And l will.

This is the first step. l'lI make the next one, too.

lnto the real world.

What do you mean? This is the reaI world.

Still want your beer?

That's what you think.

But the truth is

this world, which you take for reality,

is only a simuIation model of the real world.

Fred StiIler, the big computer boss...

You're nothing but a mass of eIectrical circuits.

The identity unit Fred StilIer.

You're a number, like everyone here.

A number in a research laboratory.

Admittedly, in a highly advanced one.

Professor Vollmer knew it. That's why he had to die.

And now you know.

lt can't be, Einstein.

Tell me it's not true.

WORLD ON A WIRE

SubtitIes: Robert Gray, Kinograph

WORLD ON A WIRE

Einstein! Don't be a fool, you've no chance.

l won't go back, l want to live!

Get help! CalI Edelkern!

Call someone for help.

You have to speak up, l can't hear you.

l'm hard of hearing.

Telephone! Help!

Edelkern, I'm in the cafeteria. l need heIp, quick!

What's wrong, Fred?

What happened?

Take him to a hook-up station, fast.

And load the program for 0001.

He looks like Fritz Walfang, right?

ln reality, he's identity unit 0001.

Vollmer named him Einstein.

Yes, but, l mean...

l just saw him.

Come with me.

Ready?

NearIy.

Let me do that.

l had no idea...

About what, Holm?

What could happen.

What in God's name happened?

Careful.

Quiet now.

Anything?

- No, but... - That's OK.

l wanted to see if l could hook myself up, too.

But...

He switched their minds.

He should be here.

Hi, Fred.

Don't bother, she's not in.

Why not?

She's been gone for six weeks. Sick.

Yes, but...

On sick leave. For six weeks.

Do you have a key?

Me?

Oh, it's you. We haven't seen you for a while.

No.

Where were you? Were you sick?

We wondered where you were. We were talking about you.

The key's under the mat, where it belongs.

l always see it when l'm cleaning.

The upper lock.

Please, after you, you know the way.

A real ambuIance came and took her.

I wasn't there, but I sure heard about it.

Six weeks...

A Iong time.

l could do with a leave, but our sort...

Where are you going? The key!

Strange...

She was always compulsively tidy.

Lovely Iittle bar, huh?

lf you say so.

No, it's loveIy.

EspecialIy in the afternoon, when everyone's working.

lt gives you a feeling of...

ls that your line?

- Line? - For meeting women.

No, l don't have a set routine.

On the contrary, l'm a bit of a chameleon, you know?

l adapt.

Hahn? Hello.

Whiskey?

Whiskey... Hi... milk, anything at all.

Angry?

- Pardon? - You angry?

Two whiskeys.

l'm not angry, l'm...

- Heard you hit a glitch. - l did.

Strange, I always thought switching minds was a utopian joke.

- A joke? - A very sophisticated one, but...

lt's not a joke.

You seem pretty upset about it.

Not about that.

Come on, out with it. What's eating you?

l know why VoIlmer died.

High voItage.

Right, high voltage.

Tell me.

He couldn't take it.

800 volts, you mean?

Sorry, bad joke.

- Why didn't l think of it? - What?

The people in our simuIation model

think their world is the only real one.

So?

Who says this isn't also a computer?

You, me, all of us...

Just eIectronic circuits.

ldentity unit 3, 124,000, named Hahn.

How does that sound?

Drunk.

The whiskey, peanuts... all artificiaI.

Why are you gobbIing them down? Nervous?

No, I was thinking they taste good, for artificial peanuts.

Don't joke about it. You must have a screw loose.

Yeah, an artificial screw.

l bet VoIlmer panicked.

- Vollmer, why? - Because he knew.

Knew what?

That this isn't the real world.

l mean, he was convinced of it.

And, if he was right, then they'd...

Yes, they .

They'd have simpIy deIeted him. Exit Vollmer.

How did we deprogram Nobody?

Who?

Christopher Nobody. His name was a joke. Well, how?

By pressing a button.

Yes, but discreteIy.

Do you understand?

lt has to look like an accident

so the other units don't suspect. Like Vollmer.

The system remains stable. Do you see the parallel?

l see you're drunk.

And Lause?

Who? Oh, yeah.

Lause was removed from the system too quickly

for them to have time to think up a plausibIe excuse.

So they deIeted him from people's minds.

No one remembers Günther Lause.

- Who? - You see?

How it works.

God!

l was taken in.

Want me to drive you home? You need to rest.

The contact unit! That's it!

The contact unit.

We needed a contact unit for our simuIation model to work.

Einstein.

lf we're the simuIation model of a reaI worId

there must be an Einstein here who knows...

who's in contact with above. Help me find him, Hahn!

You can always count on me.

lt could be anyone, Siskins, Gloria Fromm

Eva VoIlmer, Walfang, even you, Hahn.

Me?

Even you. Why not you?

Why not me? Well...

It's true, l wouldn't just admit it.

You'd have to corner me, trip me up.

OK, fine.

Besides, there's proof.

- People keep disappearing. - Who else?

First, Lause.

- Now Maja Schmidt-Gentner. - Who?

- My secretary. - Gloria?

No, before her.

Oh, her.

On leave, supposedly.

But no one wouId go away leaving their flat Iike that.

Yes, but...

Come, l'll show you!

lf you insist.

The tab!

I don't know, everything Iooks normal to me.

But two hours ago, it was completely different. Everything was...

The bed...

the bathroom.

You?

l think he's gone crazy.

When did you get back?

An hour ago. The janitor...

Oh, forget it.

Come here...

When do you say the story appeared?

May 31.

On May 30 the world ends.

Uschi! Bring me May.

Right away.

How's the computer?

OK.

And Siskins?

Fine, thanks.

StiIl paIs with Hartmann?

Maybe.

Why not? There are stranger reasons to be friends.

Yeah, l guess.

Look, l'm doing you a favor.

You could give me some information.

l'm Iousy at making deaIs.

Does United Steel have a deal with lKZ?

Thank you.

l think so.

But l can't provide photocopies, if that's what you mean.

The official simulation program must contain projections

that would be very useful to United Steel.

l guess so.

May 31.

lt's a new article.

Let me see.

"CS"... Christoph Simon, our correspondent in Rome.

Could it have been another day?

No.

Here, ladies and gentlemen, you see our reporters.

lt's they who write the stories.

They start with news Ieads

- the yeast for any article -

then add background information to write their stories.

The copy, once it's finished

is sent for typesetting, as you'll now see.

Thank you, and good-bye.

Tell me...

Was there another edition on May 31?

They're both there.

If the existing forecasts don't meet Hartmann's needs,

could they program others in?

Yes, if they wanted to.

lt was on this page. But here's CS's article again.

Do they want to?

They, perhaps. Me, no.

"Vanished into Thin Air", I remember it perfectly.

"Vanished"... No idea. "Drug Ring Broken up in Rimini".

Not as punchy, but there it is, black on white.

l don't get it.

- This guy... - Christoph Simon?

Yeah. Couldn't you check with him to see

if he actually wrote this article?

Come on, l'll look like a fool.

Alright, if it helps clear this up.

PIease!

Cable Christoph Simon in Rome about his May 31 article.

Ask if there are any developments.

l'Il see you out.

So this steel analysis...?

- l forget. - Forget?

Alright. Simulacron forecasts transportation needs

through the year 2000.

That couId be quite important for a steel conglomerate.

WeIl, that's something.

Not Chinese.

- Why not? - l dunno, it's too sweet.

No, it's not. It can be spicy, too.

That Stiller is definitely screwy.

l sent off your cable.

What? I just said that to humor him.

lt doesn't matter.

Uschi, get me a book on forecasting transportation needs.

You've been looking at me so strangely. Is something wrong?

l don't know.

A headache.

Then go lie down.

l don't feel bad, l just have a headache.

Maybe I'm just going crazy.

Employees are continuing to work to ruIe

to back up demands for a wage increase.

The Daily News quotes a reliable source

that the CEO of the prominent Cybernetics lnstitute,

Herbert Siskins,

maintains close ties to a certain steel congIomerate.

The paper has expressed suspicions that SimuIacron 1,

the simulation computer deveIoped by IKZ,

is being used for not only scientific,

but aIso commercial purposes.

The News writes: "The computer's revoIutionary findings

must remain in the hands of responsible individuaIs

to ensure they are appIied for the good of society."

End of quote.

The Science Ministry has named a commission to investigate.

And Siskins?

Herbert Siskins has vigorously denied the allegations

and initiated legaI action against the paper.

And now in brief...

HeIsinki: The Finnish poetess Araba Suukoonen

distinguished for her transIation ofthe NibeIungenIied

died yesterday at the age of 86

when her smalI private plane collided with a glider

at an airport near Helsinki.

The glider pilot suffered minor injuries.

This brings an end to our broadcast schedule.

We wish you good night.

Good night.

Siskins...

or not Siskins.

Holm or...

Pardon?

l only said good night to the announcer.

lt's Stiller, give me Siskins.

HelIo, this is StilIer.

Feel Iike visiting the computer room?

l have a surprise for you.

Come in.

What's up?

What's this?

lt's you.

l programmed it myself. Interesting, isn't it?

Yes, indeed. Very interesting.

lt's funny.

You find it funny?

How many Siskins are there?

I have no idea. Have you programmed others?

lt's the only one in that world.

You're the only one here.

And above?

Where, above?

Don't you know "up"?

You're talking nonsense.

This is above, and that's below.

Or, how much deeper does it go?

lnfinitely, maybe.

Yes, quite true.

And infiniteIy higher.

That's very funny.

What's he doing now?

Very impressive, Mr. Siskins.

Isn't it?

l began to carry out my scheme.

Jessie's eyes gleamed of love.

And she whispered, Maybe...

Hey, maybe the sofa's wide enough for

three!

Nice setup, Mark.

Really nice.

What do you mean, nice?

Like the entire world. lt's nice, isn't it?

Quit playing around. What do you want?

l know, Mark.

You can stop pretending.

What do you know?

That you're the contact.

You found out?

So what?

l just wanted to teIl you, StilIer knows.

- Put him on. - Sure.

lt's him.

But StilIer, it was clear from the start...

What was cIear?

That Holm was to be Hartmann's contact. The decision was mine.

Mine alone.

Hartmann's contact?

Oh, God!

What was that?

He seems pretty screwy, our Fred. He just walked out.

l think we can proceed.

Yes, l agree.

Hey, you? Are you OK?

ls he dead?

No, not exactIy. Hey, wake up!

Right, he's not dead.

Thanks, I'm OK.

Mr. Siskins ordered me

to take you home and look after you.

Come aIong.

Go back to work, it's over.

Wake up. Breakfast's ready.

That's right, you're stilI here.

They're Mr. Siskins' orders. They are.

Well, then...

Got a cigarette?

Thanks.

l think...

therefore l am. Right?

Yes, I exist.

l can't be alone in thinking that nothing really exists.

Right. For Plato, reality exists in the reaIm of ideas.

And Aristotle!

He conceived of matter as passive non-substance

that only becomes reality by thought.

Got a friend?

What? Of course.

Good. Let's suppose he disappears without a trace.

He's standing next to you, and suddenly he's gone.

But that's...

We're just supposing.

So, you inform the police.

Next day, the papers run a story on it.

Suddenly everyone maintains

this friend never existed. So they maintain.

What would you tell them?

Me? l'd tell them they're crazy.

After alI, even the police...

The police aIso say they never heard of him.

But it was in the papers. According to you.

lt's not there anymore. There's something different.

l see.

You realize that l've given you a hot tip

how to get yourseIf decIared crazy. In case

you ever need it.

More coffee?

No, thanks.

l'll take a shower.

l'm sure you all know the reason we're here.

Of course, we...

The story in the News took us all by surprise, aroused our concern.

Mr. Siskins, l'd like to hear you answer the charges.

Certainly, Mr. Secretary of State.

To my regret, I must acknowledge

that Simulacron 1 has been the object of misuse.

Mr. Holm will report on the situation.

Excuse me...

but who is Mr. Holm?

Mr. Holm is assistant to Mr. Stiller, our director.

l see.

So, well...

during an inspection we discovered

that a program completely unrelated to our research

had been loaded into Simulacron.

And for what purpose?

That's hard to say.

The answers obtained by this new program

are meaningful onIy if one knows the questions.

l see, and...

And the questions are known onIy to the programmer.

Who is?

We're not absolutely sure yet.

But we have suspects in mind.

And they are?

Mr. Holm, pIease.

Naturally, I can only report on things

that I've seen for myself.

Draw your own conclusions.

Lately I've been doing a lot of testing at night

and Dr. Stiller has always been at the computer.

Dr. StiIIer?

Several times he's thrown me out

saying he wanted to be alone.

l asked what he was doing. He said, "None of your business."

l'm sure he'Il deny it all.

Dr. StiIIer?

What do you have to say to these accusations?

Which ones?

That you were alone at the computer, and threw Holm out.

lf he says so, it must be true.

l can't stand him.

Yes or no...

Did you use the computer for unauthorized purposes?

What if l did?

What would it matter?

Unheard of!

Yes, unheard of!

l hear...

you.

l hear.

He's...

Crazy.

Yes, he is.

ls he?

Stop! Your cigarette...

Are you sure that's a cigarette?

lt's...

The idea of a cigarette.

You see?

The real cigarettes are somewhere eIse.

Where real peopIe sit on real chairs. ls that a chair?

Say, "lt's a chair."

- lt's a chair. - lt's not a chair.

lt's...

the idea of an idea of an idea...

- The man is... - Crazy.

We agreed on the term Iong ago.

What color's your coffee?

lt's brown.

Why is it brown?

Because coffee's brown. lsn't it?

Of course.

Your coffee's not brown because coffee is brown.

But rather

because somewhere outside this box

there's reaI coffee that may be brown.

But it may be purple, too

and some idiot made this stuff brown

to Iaugh at us drinking brown coffee.

You're not a human, sir...

Stop it.

You're nothing.

There's the rub.

Because nothing doesn't think

it's secretary of state.

That's it.

Do you remember... who was it?

Professor Vollmer, right. A similar situation.

StilI...

Excuse me, but...

l'm the psychologist at the lnstitute.

l've been observing StilIer for some time

very closeIy.

He's suffering from a case of acute paranoia.

He's an extreme example of psychologicaI degeneration.

He is, in so many words,

not responsible for his actions.

l recommend he be put on leave immediately.

For treatment...

I mean

l'm certain he'll return to normal

one day, perhaps.

Thank you, Hahn. Thanks so much.

l think that would eIiminate the problem, gentIemen.

Yes, indeed. lf StiIIer...

So he's not responsibIe, Hirse?

No, definiteIy not.

For now l recommend Mr. HoIm assume

Stiller's responsibilities.

As you like. You're stilI free to make personnel decisions.

Thank you, gentlemen.

l'd be grateful if you'd prepare a clarification for the press.

Of course.

Still, the parallel to...

Professor Vollmer is quite baffling.

And now?

Nothing, l'm on leave.

That's terrific. There's no one in Holm's way.

So what?

"So what"?

You used to care about what happened to the computer.

That was then, this is now.

l can't figure you out.

Tell me...

What are the limits to the perceptive faculties

of our identity units?

Listen, suppose

we were beings who had been programmed in a computer.

We'd sit here, drinking whiskey.

We'd perceive what is in fact our imaginary world

as if it were the real one.

Of course. An electronically simulated environment

would appear real to an electronic being.

Good.

And can glitches occur?

lt's possible, but not very.

And what would a glitch be Iike?

A gIitch?

Here's a simple example:

You're driving down a street that suddenly ends because

it hasn't been fuIly programmed.

But after a few seconds the artificial being

would see a completed street

because the correcting software had kicked in.

lt's obvious:

What can't exist, doesn't.

Did you read my headline?

"Director Suffers Nervous Breakdown"

- l don't like it. - Why not?

lt's too simple.

Stories written by life are never simple.

No? But truth is stranger than fiction.

Either way. Two sides

of the same coin. You read it?

What?

The cabIe from Simon in Rome.

No, what's he say?

"Never wrote about drugs in Rimini.

Besides, was sick at the time."

That's impossible.

That's not all.

Naturally l asked what's in his edition of May 31.

- Want to see? - Give it to me.

"Mine reads 'Vanished into Thin Air'.

Hope that helps. Christoph Simon."

l must be going crazy.

l can't help think that

StilIer's caught up in a massive intrigue.

Siskins must be a bigger gangster than l thought.

l brought your things.

That's very kind.

Fred, I'm so sorry.

About what?

Your sick leave.

Especially since l'm partly to blame.

What do you mean?

l've been spying for Siskins.

l was obliged to telI him aIl you said that night

and everything eIse.

Of course.

l've known that for a long time.

But...?

But l still like you.

Me, too.

Whiskey?

Yes, please.

Does he pay you, or...?

Or what?

Do you love him?

Both.

At least you're honest.

You're my type of man, weIl almost.

You're exactly my type of woman.

Siskins is exactly my type of man.

l can't bring myself to leave him.

Do you want to?

l don't know.

Probably not.

l don't know if l could.

You can if you want.

That's a fairy tale.

Right.

l'm one of his puppets.

But what's even worse is...

I love it.

At Ieast at night.

Want to sleep with me?

How's it going?

We're running the analysis.

l hope you can interpret the data.

No need to insult me.

l don't want our friend Hartmann to make a bad investment.

l told you, you're not wanted here. Beat it!

This department is still my responsibility, Mr. Holm.

Don't be impertinent.

l'm not being impertinent. Not at alI.

l'm mereIy doing my job.

We'll decide what your job is, my good man.

You're mistaken there, my good man.

My contract contains a precise job description.

Contracts can be terminated.

Or broken, like Dr. StilIer's.

What's he got to do with it?

Quite a bit, doesn't it?

- Does who? - What?

What, what? Besides, Stiller's on leave.

l see. That's something else entirely.

What you did to him's scandaIous...

Watch it!

Both of you. But personally l'm curious

why you're so intent on keeping me out of here.

Because you're incompetent, that's why.

That's the only reason.

And now, pIease, we're busy.

OK, my good man.

But you'll hear from me.

Good-bye, Mr. Siskins.

He's next.

You should watch what you say.

Why?

There are empIoyee committees, unions.

Don't forget that.

AIright, l'll do my best.

l hope so.

FinaIly! Make sure he doesn't stir up trouble.

- Yes, sir. - Of course, Mr. Holm.

Tell me, Holm.

What about StiIIer?

lf everything went according to plan,

he's in a straightjacket right now.

My head!

Yes, it's me.

What time is it?

330.

Morning or afternoon?

Afternoon.

Then we sIept for 18 hours.

You slept for 18 hours.

l'll see who the idiot is.

Great. Siskins' latest trick.

- What? - Have a look.

Hurry, you must get away.

l don't care.

They'Il put you in a straightjacket!

Maybe I belong in one.

Stop joking.

Hurry up!

Take the fire escape.

What can l do for you?

The madman.

Which madman? What do you mean?

Stiller. He lives here.

You mean Freddy? Yes, he is crazy...

in bed, if you get my drift.

ln bed?

Crazy. DefiniteIy.

Let us by.

Or else...

Alright, if you insist.

Eva!

Open up, police!

We know you're inside.

Stiller, don't make it any harder.

We'II break down the door.

Get in, you can't escape.

l'll take you to a room here.

No one will find you.

Thank you.

My God! You?

Yes, me.

What's wrong?

Don't you get it? lt's him!

The contact unit.

Of course, him!

What an idiot l am! l fell for it!

But Stiller...

Hahn's been providing us information on lKZ for months.

What's the problem?

lnformation?

Yes. On Siskins and the computer.

Then...

StiII suffering from your delusions?

Delusions?

Listen, Hahn. l like VoIlmer's delusions

more and more.

Yeah, l know what you'll say...

A madman finds proof everywhere.

Maybe I am crazy after all.

But...

VoIlmer died for a reason.

lf he was right, God, or someone, heIp us!

By the way, l got an answer from ltaIy.

You got... What did it say?

You were right.

l was right.

Simon never wrote the article on the Rimini bust.

ln his edition, the headline is "Vanished into Thin Air".

What?

lt's troubling

but we'lI figure it out, don't worry.

When is the strike?

What strike?

The strike at lKZ. You said...

Oh, that. l don't know.

Tomorrow or...

What's wrong? Don't you feel well?

Sure, l'm fine.

For now.

What strike?

A certain Fritz Walfang has been organizing the workers.

To have you reinstated.

Reinstated?

lt's great: worker initiative, solidarity. You should be proud.

None of it matters anymore.

You're right, Hahn.

His nerves are compIetely shot.

Günther Lause?

Chief of security at lKZ?

Siskins' party.

Say something!

Like what?

- We can't both be... - Crazy?

Why not?

You're the expert.

Where are you going?

- l'm just going. - You can't go.

Why not?

Every cop is carrying your picture.

Tell me...

the story about your so-caIled contact unit...

l just meant...

l want to find out who's crazy...

us, or everyone eIse.

WeIl now, that's what I call a noble motive.

Come with me, l'll smuggle you out.

Your only chance.

lt's not Siskins, Holms, GIoria Fromm or WaIfang...

lt can't be Rupp or you or me or Eva...

That's ridiculous. Eva Vollmer...

Stop at that pay phone.

My God, where were you?

l slept at your place, l climbed in through a window.

No, but l was worried.

OK, fine. Could l see you, right now?

Anywhere.

No, nothing urgent. My God, l just want to see you.

l need you.

l'm not tense, l'm...

Can you hear me?

That's Stiller, the murderer.

The murderer's getting away!

Murderer!

Are you sick?

No, it's nothing. l'm fine.

Today we're going marching

to the sound of a new beat.

In the IoveIy WesterwaId forest

the wind bIows so cold.

In the lovely Westerwald

the wind bIows so cold.

Oh, you lovely Westerwald!

Eucalyptus cough drops...

The wind bIows so cold over the hiIl.

Yes, sir?

Roast filet of wild boar and some Gewürztraminer.

Very good. Excellent.

HaIt!

Left face!

HaIt!

Right face!

Fire!

Oh you lovely Westerwald...

Eucalyptus cough drops.

The wind bIows so cold over the hill

but the weakest ray of sunshine

penetrates deep into our hearts.

l'm a public safety inspector. l'm here to check the exits.

Sent it back!

Barbarians!

Where does this door lead?

- The garbage cans. - l'll have a Iook.

...were kiIled.

The highway between Essen

and Bochum was closed.

The poIice have launched a manhunt for

36-year-old Fred Stiller

a former employee of the Cybernetics Institute.

Stiller is a suspect

in the murder of Henri VoIImer,

the former technicaI director at IKZ,

and that of Franz Hahn,

a coIIeague of StiIIer's at IKZ,

who died today in mysterious circumstances.

Stiller is described as unstable and dangerous.

People are warned to avoid contact with the fugitive

and to inform the police

of any information regarding his whereabouts.

Franz Hahn.

A man who knew too much.

My God, are you hurt?

Say something, please.

What's going on? Someone fired a shot.

l fired, because...

l was afraid.

Why are you here?

l heard you're wanted for my father's death.

l just don't believe it.

l thought you needed me, l wanted to be with you.

- You can't stay here. - But...

No buts!

l didn't murder anyone.

lt's all a plot by Siskins and the police.

All l can do now is defend myself...

by any means. No one believes me.

l believe you.

And l love you.

Go now.

When I know more, l'lI come into town or l'Il call.

l'm scared for you.

Go now, Eva. You must go.

Believe me.

How did she know l was here?

I never told her about my cabin.

Then it's her.

And l'm nothing.

Why are you here?

Aren't you afraid?

l'm a murderer. Do you hear?

A murderer!

Tell me...

- What was your name? - Echo.

An unusual name.

Not in my family.

Perhaps l should take you to a hospital.

No, l'm fine. lt was just the car.

PIease don't smoke

monsieur...?

Echo.

Mr. Echo.

l'm extremely allergic to nicotine.

The other day l saw a fantastic accident.

Simply awful.

A lamppost went right through a car

and the driver...

Stop! l feeI sick. I'II throw up.

Mon dieu , please, not on the seats. The Ieather...

Stop, the man wants to get out.

l wouldn't try to run away.

Sorry, darling, but I don't want you to escape from me.

Naturally.

But you must have more subtle methods...

you people up there.

Up there, yes, but not down here.

You understand a lot, Fred Stiller.

You've become a bit too inteIligent for us.

Are you the contact unit...

as we call it?

l'm the projection of a real Eva from the real worId.

We don't have contact units anymore.

They were a mistake, we got rid of them.

And now you'll get rid of me.

Like a caged rat after your experiment.

l want to help you, believe me.

Please come with me. Don't cause trouble. Please.

l don't give a damn.

Do what you want with me.

l give up.

Deprogram me, kill me, anything. l just want it to end...

this horrible nightmare.

You can trust me, Fred.

Here.

There's a Iot l have to explain.

You can do anything you want with me.

Even so, listen...

There never was an Eva Vollmer in your worId.

When l appeared, you quickIy threw together a memory.

That's how simulation units react.

l know how simulation units react.

We shouldn't have let you develop your own simulation modeI.

lt's easy to learn too much.

But we needed the closest possible resembIance

to our own technological standard.

Got any cigarettes?

And Vollmer?

At first we found it interesting

and wanted to observe what happened.

Of course he became a threat to the entire system

so he had to have an accident. Right?

There was a decision to send an observer down here.

That's me.

l was periodically called back to report.

That's why you were gone that night.

l understand.

And Lause?

He knew aIl about VolImer.

We programmed him away because he was going to tell you.

l love you, Fred.

l want to stay with you. We have to find a solution.

We?

What's it got to do with you?

l love you.

OK, fine.

They have to delete you.

You could cause your world to be deleted.

They'Il pull the pIug

and it'll be over.

The man in my world who's sitting at the computer

is a total megalomaniac.

His power over this artificial world drove him crazy.

He thinks he's God, he's playing his games with you.

You, for example... He didn't want to kill you right away.

On the contrary.

He got enormous pleasure from your fear

and your despair.

What will he do to me?

You'll be shot.

When?

Tomorrow morning.

- So we still have some time. - Yes.

At night, there's only technical supervision of the computer.

Like a drink?

Yes, a whiskey.

Tell me...

Why should l trust you?

l want to help you.

WeIl, we'II see.

Cheers.

What happened to Hahn?

You saw.

We had to, after that screw-up at the paper.

- lmagine what would've... - Bravo.

Good work.

My attacks, all my dizzy spells?

You get them when he tries to hook-up with your mind.

And the street that vanished and reappeared?

A fauIty circuit, nothing more.

Something doesn't add up.

Why?

How can a real person love someone who's not?

Very simpIe.

Because you remind me of someone I loved, up there.

Who was he?

He's...

You'd call him technical director,

responsible for our simulation model.

Tell me, what's his name?

Fred StiIler.

That's me.

No.

But you just said...

Like VoIImer did with Lause, and you with Siskins.

He programmed a copy of himself for the fun of it.

Do I resembIe him?

ln appearance, yes.

But not in character.

Fred is a megalomaniac

and you are you.

l love you.

l love you, too.

Come here, please.

Why are you getting dressed?

l have another headache.

But this time it's worse.

Where are you going?

l don't know.

The lnstitute, probabIy.

No, Fred. Please stay! Let me help you.

Since Holm's been here

everything's upside down.

We can't go near the computer.

For that reason aIone, l urge you to join in the strike

so Stiller wiIl be reinstated.

But he's a murderer! A madman!

He lined his own pockets!

Murderer! Murderer!

Quiet down, please. Just for one second.

StilIer was set up.

Set up by Siskins and HoIm.

Friends, listen to me!

l am Fred StilIer.

What Fritz Walfang just toId you

is true.

Friends, listen to me, please!

lt's true, what he just said.

lt's true!

l switched your mind as you lay dying down there.

Like that time Einstein came, instead of Walfang.

Hair, eyes...

mouth

neck

shoulders.

I am.

WORLD ON A WIRE

SubtitIes: Robert Gray, Kinograph