Original subtitles

Hey, come on, guys. We don't have all day.

Help, help.

Help me.

Help.

Help.

Help.

Help me.

Get 'em off me, get 'em off!

Help me, help me, Frank.

Charlie, Charlie, you okay?

Stop!

That's it out there,

Lakewood County, the Las Vegas of tomorrow.

Oh, well, that won't be for some time though.

Oh, no, practically overnight.

We voted to legalize gambling here, they cast the die.

To die or the dice?

Whatever.

We're all scrambling to carve our name on 'em.

I really hope that I can help you

carve your name here, Tony.

I'll drink to that.

To our first adventure together.

At last.

Oh, the better hotels

would be across that lake over there,

behind that clump of rocks.

I uncovered three properties that are for sale

in our range.

There's a hotel that's close to the lake

and the other two are inland.

The Lakewood Manor is the one near the water.

Maybe we could spot it.

Your hair was in my eyes.

Just wondering, what hotel are we in?

Oh, I book rooms at the Romer.

Zzz?

What?

Rooms?

Put it this way, we'll be working more closely together

this week than ever before, right?

Right.

And away from home, things could be a little different.

I was just hoping you might have taken it upon yourself

to have booked just one.

I do not believe in mixing business with pleasure.

Now, come on, Tony, let up.

Oh, come on, Gloria, let down.

This is our first trip together.

I really wanna do a good job.

And I think it's best

that we keep things strictly-

- Business. - Right.

Right.

Before pleasure.

That's not good for his diet.

Save it for yourself.

If Teddy were younger, it would be all right.

But do you know that that bird is 32 years old?

Really?

Really.

Your mother met him when she was just about your age.

Marjorie.

Mrs. Adams.

Oh, it's so good to see you.

Thank you for taking the reservation on such short notice.

Oh, nonsense.

We'll have room for you and your family always.

Sort of like coming home

every time I walk through the front door.

Is your husband coming down for the weekend?

I'm not sure. Maybe.

Mom, Dad's not coming here.

Can I carve my initials too?

I don't think so.

Hey, come on. You don't have to do that because me.

No, no. That's okay.

My name's Linda, Linda Howard.

I'm Richard.

You staying here?

Do you know, do they have any vacancies?

They might.

Oh.

Well, you know I'm not really looking.

I've been backpacking on the road with a friend.

She went off with someone she met down around the pier.

Didn't come back.

Well.

I'll be on my way.

You know, all I really wanna do is take a shower

and maybe take a nap in a real live bed.

You think you can help me out?

Oh, well, I, I mean, I'd like to, I just-

I wouldn't want you to get

in any trouble or anything, you know.

I just really need some real civilization right now.

Hey, Vince, you seen Frank?

Yeah. About five minutes ago.

Heading towards the hotel.

Ah, how many times have I told you guys.

Now that construction next door

would be the new Versailles Hotel, 119 rooms.

Mm-hm. And a new gambling permit.

The license to steal

with all of America lining up to kiss their dollars goodbye.

We're not staying here. I have an appointment-

Tony.

What?

This is marvelous.

Why don't we change our reservations?

What do you mean?

The 11th commandment.

Thou shalt not live in plastic, hm?

Why don't we see if they have a vacancy, okay?

Terrific.

You can go back to town.

Oh, by the way, it's costing me by the hour

so don't stop for a beer.

Oh, would you tell Mrs. Adams

Anthony Fleming is here.

Mother, please try and be reasonable.

You said you'd meet him.

Didn't you promise?

I know, but I just can't, I can't see him.

Mother, we've been talking about this for so long.

I thought you'd made a decision that you agreed.

I should have the right to change my mind.

I'm not perfect.

Mr. Fleming.

My mother isn't feeling well

and well, I'm afraid

she won't be able to see you, right now.

Oh, I see.

Well, then it's for best we're staying in the hotel.

It'll facilitate our meeting later today perhaps

when your mother's feeling better.

Yes.

You're not supposed to be in here.

I'm looking for one of my men.

I don't suppose it has occurred to you,

but this is a civilized, respectable place.

You and your men coming in here trumping dirty in

like a bunch of apes, using this bathroom

like you would a gas station.

Anybody in here?

What's the matter, Val?

You're not supposed to start work until 8:00.

We didn't.

Well, you had that big engine going at 7:30.

Hey, what's the matter?

Oh, Mike.

Mom's changed her mind again about selling the hotel.

She won't even see the man.

Well, you got her this far.

Just keep trying.

I've got to get her to slow down.

She just works so hard keeping this place going.

Well, then we can make our plans.

Okay.

I wanna get it settled.

Uh huh.

I know it.

Ah, oh. Hi, Mr. Robinson.

Just checking the paper towels.

Frank show up yet?

Nah, I ain't seen Charlie either.

Huh.

Vince, get everybody fast. Cave-in.

And get some light in here.

Hey, over here!

Over here, we got trouble!

Hey, man.

Somebody's been hurt said Vince.

Come on!

- Let's go! - Hey, what's happening?

What's going on?

Let's dig 'em out.

Get this porch off.

Gimme a hand.

That's right, haul this stuff from here.

If dirt didn't pack, they're in an air pocket,

they still have a chance.

Hey, you guys, get some shovels, get some shovels.

Ha, hey!

They're both here. Get 'em out.

I told you you should wait for just the right person.

I think this Mr. Fleming just might be it.

There's no real estate syndicate involved.

He's independent.

He wants to run the place the way it always has been

and he seems to have the money.

That's not what we're talking about.

But it is what we're talking about, Mom.

Money and security.

I can't face leaving.

I grew up right here.

So many things are part of my life.

That grandfather's clock out there.

I remember the day my mother gave that to my father.

It was his birthday.

Stood there with a big rose-colored blanket over it.

And when she pulled the blanket away,

his eyes filled with tears.

Then it chimed and they both laughed together.

I remember he used to check the time every morning

and set it.

Mother, things change.

The pressures on you now are-

No.

Ralph and I ran Lakewood Manor

as it always was, personal service, handsome rooms,

and what Ralph used to call a delectable menu.

Mom, Mike has been offered a terrific job

in San Francisco.

I just can't see you here alone,

trying to keep this place going.

I can manage.

Look, if you sell,

you can make it a condition of the contract

that there's always a room for you here.

That way you can still spend time here

and time with Mike and me in San Francisco

and with Aunt Margaret in Florida.

Margaret snores. She always did.

Do you know that?

Yes, yes, a cave-in.

We need a rescue unit as fast as possible.

What's wrong?

Val, I've got two men dying out there.

Tell 'em where to send the ambulance.

Oh no.

Yes, operator, 1123 Lakeview.

He ain't breathing, Mike.

Oh, he's just a kid.

Keep working on him.

Get him breathing?

Yes?

Ready for some lunch?

Smuggled it from right under their noses.

Wow. Cucumber sandwiches.

Right. Only the best.

Looks like an accident.

Stay with him, will you?

Right.

Hey.

Come on, down here.

Okay, go.

I wonder what happened.

Makes me dizzy.

What?

Even from the third floor, I'm allergic to heights.

No, it just kinda freaked me out.

Close your eyes.

Feel better?

I better get back.

Richard.

Listen, just for the record I wanna tell you.

My friends didn't run off and lose me or anything.

I just said that.

Why?

I wanted to get off sleeping on the beach.

It got really weird and scary.

We heard stories about people getting robbed and hurt.

I guess...

I just wanted somebody to...

who wanna just take me in.

They figure Frank will make it.

Yeah.

What were they doing down there in the first place?

Hey Mike, it wasn't my fault, okay?

Sorry.

Vince, they musta had a reason.

Yeah.

But what?

Come on.

Dr. Kline, paging Dr. Kline.

Telephone please, Dr. Kline.

Nothing we can do here.

All vital signs are deteriorating.

He stopped breathing.

Nothing, nothing, nothing!

Lungs are good, no broken ribs, no punctures.

He should be breathing on his own.

Dr. Hawkins!

Half a milligram of atropine fast.

We're dealing with a toxic situation, nerve damage.

Dr. Karo-

You gonna call Frank's wife.

Dr. Karo-

You do it, huh?

Come on.

Just do it, I can't.

You the family?

No, but we're it for now.

Charles Hooper.

We couldn't save him.

Oh.

What about Frank?

He's not responding.

We don't know why.

Complications are confusing, almost mysterious.

Dr. Warner.

Was there anything you'd say was different in that hole?

Like what?

I don't know.

Some kind of gas, maybe you severed a pipe?

There was a drain pipe.

Oh yeah, but that's just water

from the hotel kitchen, nothing else.

- Dr. Nylan, reception area. - What about a snake?

Well, they're poisonous.

That could attack them.

No.

I mean, I don't think so.

I'd suggest you give it a closer look.

We're dealing with something here

I can't diagnose or treat.

Dr. Jones, surgery please.

Dr. Jones.

Everybody has a soft spot.

You find it, you get what you want.

You know, you might offer her a place to stay here,

a chance to stay on for a while.

Mm-hm.

Well, I'm glad to see you got a mind too.

Oh, thank you.

What was that you were saying

about everybody has a soft spot, hm?

Everybody? - Uh huh.

What's mine?

Oh, um, a handsome man

who finds you exceedingly attractive

as well as intelligent.

Oh really?

Come on, let's go get some sunshine.

You know you may be making so much money soon

you'll never see it again.

You go find a spot and I'll get the towels, okay?

I've never been. Never been.

No, I've never been to Europe before.

I'd love to though, if I ever get the chance.

Hey sonny boy, when you're through basting the chicken,

give us a hand, huh?

What can I do for you?

Two baloney sandwiches on rye!

What do you think, dammit?

Two lounge pads and towels, huh?

Been standing there for 10 minutes.

We'll be over there.

Unbelievable.

I'd send him the baloney sandwiches.

And I don't think it'd cure him.

Mom, look! This place is loaded with bottles.

All deposit free money. This one's 15 cents.

By the time we go home, I'll be rich.

Tommy, we're not taking these home. Don't be ridiculous.

I'm not, I'm not being ridiculous!

All right.

I'm sorry.

Tommy, you don't need to take these home.

You don't need them.

I do. I need the money.

I don't see what you need the money for.

To take care of you

now that Dad's not living with us anymore.

Hey, we will be fine.

Don't you worry.

But you go find all the bottles you want.

Hey!

Find some for me too, huh?

You gonna tell the guys.

They'll find out soon enough anyway.

Why don't we just to go home and get smashed

and forget about it?

That's why.

Peggy Kenter, Board of Health.

Michael McGinnis Carr.

This is Lionel White from the State Department of Health.

What's up, Peggy?

After an industrial accident,

the law does require a preliminary investigation.

Come on, Mike, don't play innocent.

I am innocent. It was an accident.

This where it happened?

Here.

No shoring?

Was it posted as dangerous?

Yeah, we had a sign, "Danger Keep Out".

Is that the sign?

That's where it ended up.

I mean, see when we were digging the men...

One of my men...

Look, Mike, if you can prove that your men

were not sent in there, then you have no major problems.

If you can't,

criminal negligence can cost you more than a license.

You wanna look around and ask questions, go ahead.

Every man here will back up the fact

that this pit was off limits and posted.

Look around, ask questions, and then beat it, please.

Look, Mike, I didn't come

all the way over here for nothing.

I do have a job to do too.

You stop being your own worst enemy.

Come on, Lionel, let's go question the men.

Worms.

Ants.

Sea shell.

Mike.

Oh, hi.

- Hi. - Don't come down here.

Why? What are you doing?

Doctor told me to look for something down here.

I just wanted to see you for a minute.

I was worried about you.

Okay.

Well, we heard one of your men didn't make it.

I thought you might wanna talk or something.

Listen, Val, I'm glad you came over,

but I think you better get back to the hotel.

Yeah, sure, okay, Mike,

if you can't spend a minute with me

that's fine with me. - Oh now, come on.

Don't pout. - No, no, no.

We're not even married yet.

You know, things are beginning to look better

in that department too.

Mom seems to be willing to sell.

Good, good.

Mom, Mom!

Mom, Mom!

Mom!

Help him! Stop him, please!

He can't swim!

Tommy!

Help him. Go help him!

Help him out. Pull him out!

Hold onto him.

Get some of those towels!

- Some towels. - Is he all right?

What's going on?

Call an ambulance.

Give us some light. We're looking for something.

Anybody know him?

I saw him run across the side.

Oh man. Be cautious.

Are you sure he'll live?

Is everything okay? - Yes, sir.

They're not sure the boy's gonna make it.

I was thinking of his mother.

She had such a wonderful smile when she was a child.

Go on up to the room. I'm gonna take my shot.

Good luck.

People don't die without a reason.

The doctors know what it is, they're just not telling.

I don't know, Mom.

Did you take your medicine after lunch?

Yes.

Ladies.

I'm not intruding.

Mr. Fleming.

I thought this might be a good time to-

My mother...

It's all right, Valerie.

I'm Ethel Adams.

Very pleased to meet you.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

My daughter seems to have faith in you.

Well, it's very kind.

But to be very honest, I do believe I'm the right person

to handle this property.

It's very special with a character all its own.

I think one actually has to stay here

to really appreciate it.

Well, we like to think that it's the outgrowth

of the taste of our family for almost a century.

Right.

You can sense it the moment to walk through the door,

such tradition, such faith in the past.

I know now's not the time to talk seriously,

but I did wanna meet you, Mrs. Adams,

to tell you that in the world of plastic,

this hotel has a duty to survive,

to see the next century.

And of course there could always be a place here for you

if you want, perhaps on a consulting basis.

Well, enough for now.

When you want, you call me later

and we'll really talk.

Fine, Mr. Fleming.

Well, I must say he's not at all what I expected.

No, he isn't.

I feel much better about things.

Just talked to the hospital.

Frank's holding on, so's the kid.

They're gonna make it.

Boy, that's good news.

Doctor still wants us to check out the hole.

He thinks it's the same thing that killed Charlie.

On his skin was evidence of rash

or irritation, something.

He's testing out everything.

He seems almost certain

that it's some kind of a virus.

He's following up on that.

It's attacked three people, killed one.

Vince, you know what I'm beginning to think?

What?

Whatever it is,

it's mad because we've disturbed it.

The answer must be here.

It's got to be.

Well, what if it can attack us?

What if it can attack everybody?

Gloria! Gloria!

I think she's gonna sell!

And I was terrific.

Oh, you too.

You really helped me, you did.

Oh.

Ah, is it a partnership?

Oh.

A partnership.

Mm.

Linda, all done.

You okay?

I'll never forget that boy's scream.

Needing help and there was nothing anyone could do.

Yeah.

Listen, I'll be off in a couple hours.

Why don't we get outta here for a while?

Like the pier.

They got great chili there.

Okay.

Meanwhile, I think I'll write my parents a letter.

Boy, this place is beautiful.

Doctor asked about some kind of gas.

And maybe he's right.

Why not?

Some unexpected pocket or crevice.

It still doesn't explain the kid...

What's the matter?

They're biting me.

What do you mean?

They're biting me.

These ants are biting me.

Yeah, they hurt. They really hurt.

They're biting me.

Hey, hey, come on.

Come on. Here.

Oh.

Whew!

You all right?

Yeah, I think so.

Hey.

Slowly.

I can't stand up.

What do you mean?

Well, my whole leg is numb.

Can you feel that?

I better call an ambulance.

No, wait, wait.

I'm all right.

A little woozy.

Let me sit here a minute.

Oh.

Help.

You sure you're all right?

Yeah.

Little woozy.

You know, I felt the first bites

and then about five seconds later,

it hit me.

Luis.

They found him on the kitchen floor.

He's dead, Mike.

Val, they'd like to talk to you.

Look, I'm really very sorry,

but the kitchen will have to be quarantined.

No one is to enter.

And I'm afraid all of the guests in the hotel

will have to be evacuated as soon as possible.

Hey, hey, hey, you're blowing smoke.

You need a court order and to get it,

you have to show cause.

Isn't one death all we need

and what happened to the boy?

Although the boy is recovering.

As to the precise cause, we're not absolutely certain.

There's something mysterious here,

but rest assured we'll isolate the virus.

I don't think you-

We have been in contact

with the Infectious Disease Center in Atlanta.

We're coordinating our efforts with theirs

and hope to be on top of the situation in a matter of hours.

I think I know what the cause of all this is.

Who have you been in touch with?

Nobody. I figured it out by what I've seen.

And this may sound crazy,

but well, it's what I believe.

Anyway, the problem is ants, regular little ants

like right here.

I don't know what you're talking about.

That's ridiculous.

That's what I think

and I the- - The cause of death

is a virus.

There's no doubt about that.

We hope to be

on top of the situation- - Ants.

Little damn ants, buddy. - In a matter of hours.

Have you been in the kitchen?

- No. - That's where it started,

from a virus.

Okay, then how do you explain

my men in a pit 80 yards away?

Simple.

There's an old drain pipe

which runs from the sink here to a sump,

no doubt a hundred years old.

You severed that pipe with your machines,

the disease thus infested the soil

where your men were working,

they came in contact with it, and were overcome.

By what?

By whatever it is.

No, I've been in the pit,

so have a lot of my guys.

We're around and kicking.

So it isn't in the air. It isn't in the ground.

We've touched everything, even the pipe itself.

It's ants.

I don't know how, I don't know why, but that's what it is.

My foreman was bitten by them.

He weighs over 200 pounds.

Nearly knocked him off his feet.

If what you say is true-

It is.

Then we'll find ants in the kitchen.

But we've always had ants.

Of course, everybody does.

Ants are ants.

Not these ants.

After you.

Find me an ant.

You see.

I don't care.

I still say here's your mysterious disease.

All right, if you want.

I hope this doesn't embarrass you too much.

I'm still standing, Mr. Carr,

and I don't weigh 200 pounds.

Nothing.

I don't get it.

I don't understand why it didn't happen just now,

but I know what I saw.

And these ants are supposed to have caused what happened?

It's a ridiculous theory, Mr. Carr.

It's not ants.

One of my men is in the hospital, Mr. White.

One's dead.

If it isn't ants, then there's something else in that pit

and I'm gonna find out what it is.

Mike, what are you gonna do?

Test my theory and hope to God I'm wrong.

May I?

I'll be back in an hour.

Hey, Mike.

What you gonna do?

Do you know what you're doing?

My great-grandfather built this hotel

a hundred years ago.

We have guests who've been coming here

for over half a century

and you're driving them away.

And you don't really care, do you?

I am sorry, Mrs. Adams.

We will please inform all the guests,

speedily and calmly that they must leave.

Some have heard, but some haven't.

I expect the building to be empty and sealed by 5:00.

In two hours?

Two hours.

Is it possible?

Could these things kill people?

How can I know that, Peggy?

They've gotta be tested.

It takes hours, sometimes days.

Wait, Tom.

I mean, ants can't really poison people,

I mean, at least the ones around here, can they?

In Africa, there's a poisonous specie of ant.

Here...

Tom, all I'm asking is is it possible?

Look, Peggy, I've got to finish this test and do a report.

I don't have time

to sit here and talk with- - But please just give me

the answer, Tom, all right?

Is it possible for those ants to kill people?

20 years ago the answer would've been no.

That's before they started pouring poisons in the air.

You mean all that stuff we kill insects with.

Exactly.

The old way, arsenic, was simple and unchangeable,

but the poisons today are so complicated

they could turn on us.

Anyway, we're the ones who forced them

to live in a toxic world.

Why should we be surprised if they found a way to use it?

I've got something to show you. Come here.

This should give you some idea of the possibilities.

Ample food and water will allow colonies

to prosper and grow to massive proportions.

The average ant colony numbers 20 to 50,000 members.

If for some reason this colony were jostled

by an innocent passerby,

the ants would consider it an attack.

Retaliation would be immediate and severe.

Uh.

A colony of ants will attack creatures

far larger than themselves only when they are certain

they have sufficient numbers to overcome their prey.

Docile in small numbers, when there are enough ants,

a mysterious chemical signal sets off savage biting.

I don't like it.

You know, if you bought this hotel today,

we could stay here forever.

Well, maybe I could afford it

if we sublet the other room.

Zzz.

If she sells.

We might have told her

how special you thought this place was,

that might melt her.

Well, what do you think I told her, I hate it?

I pushed the right buttons.

Hey, I was only trying to-

Let me handle the business, okay?

Oh, right, partner.

I only meant that-

What you meant was that the only partner

you really want is a bed partner.

Oh, come on, Gloria.

Let's not be so touchy.

You come on, Tony.

Why do you think I've been avoiding this?

Do you think I wanted it any less than you?

- Yeah? - Come out of the Middle Ages.

This is the easy part.

Give me a little more credit than that, okay?

Look beyond all the bumps

and you may see that there is a head up here.

I may not see it, baby, but I sure do hear it.

Partners, bed and otherwise?

Especially otherwise.

I really wish I could believe you.

Trust me.

I'm gonna build the best lakeside casino hotel

in the world right here.

Oh, you're not gonna tear this place down, are you?

The week after they sign,

we're gonna clamshell it into firewood.

What was that?

Mm, don't go.

Oh, come on, I gotta see what that is.

Hello.

Hello?

This is Ethel Adams, Mr. Fleming.

Yes, Mrs. Adams.

I'm sure you know what's occurring in the hotel.

Yes, yes.

Well, I had hoped to continue our conversation,

but in view of what is happening, I don't think we can.

Well, sure we can, Mrs. Adams, whatever the difficulty.

Really? Are you sure?

Of course, I'd still love to talk to you.

Well, there are some things

we could take into account.

The land itself and the furnishings are worth quite a bit.

Name your time, Mrs. Adams.

Well, how about right now?

Great.

So I'll meet you in the music room?

Good.

Good news.

Do you have to go?

Oh, absolutely.

It's time to close this deal.

Magic time.

See you later.

Good luck.

We can't get a taxi up here.

I told Mrs. Carswell I'd drive her to the airport.

All right, Peter, but hurry back, will you?

Okay.

Richard.

Would you take over the desk?

I'm gonna see what Mike's doing out here.

Help me!

Help me.

What in god's name does that maniac think he's doing?

No, not that way!

Oh!

Hey, Vince!

No, no!

Listen, we don't have much time.

This whole area's infested with ants.

Well, how are you gonna get the people out?

I'm gonna try to get through in this loader.

Get Jerry with a digger

and cut a trench around the pit and the hotel

and fill it with water.

We've gotta contain these ants before they spread out.

What about the people?

Can they get in that loader?

Go, will ya? I'll be lucky to get in with it.

The ants are climbing fast.

Call the police, the fire department, everybody.

We need as much help as we can get.

Right.

Mike.

Oh.

We'll be okay.

Mike, they're all around us.

My mother.

How are we gonna get her out?

I don't know.

I'm telling you, Tom, forget your test.

We don't need them.

These ants are carriers of poison.

Okay look, what are they doing to contain them?

They're digging a trench around the hotel.

They're gonna fill it with water.

No, no, look, tell them ants can build

their own bridge across water.

Tell them they'd be better off filling the trench

with gasoline and lighting it,

containment by fire.

Look, I'm on my way

Out there right now.

Right.

We'll buy time upstairs.

Pouring in down there.

You all right?

Stay in the corridor not the rooms.

Right?

Do you have any insecticide,

bug spray of any kind?

I don't know.

What about kerosene for the lamps in the dining room?

Yes. In the cellar, in the storeroom.

Let's go.

Hey, you in charge here?

No, you are.

When this trench is finished,

we're gonna fill it with water.

Now, can you do it?

There's a three-inch line. No problem.

Excuse me, Chief. Peggy Kenter, Bureau of Health.

Yes, ma'am.

Ants can get across water you know.

Our reports are of ants-

Look, I've just been talking on my car phone.

We've got to fill that trench with gas or kerosene

and set fire to it to contain those ants.

Our reports are of ants that poison people?

Is that right?

And there are more people in the hotel.

We've gotta get 'em out.

All right, get that hook and ladder in here right away.

Come on, move.

Is everybody okay?

There's a lot of equipment on the street.

There's a fire engine with-

What are we gonna do?

Take this upstairs, will you?

You take it.

Mike!

Look.

We gotta get upstairs.

Go.

Oh, listen, before we abandon on this floor,

can you operate that switchboard?

Yeah, sure.

Okay, you've gotta patch direct lines

into all the phones upstairs.

Let's go, let's go.

Trench is almost ready, Chief.

We're waiting for more gas to get here.

Yeah, well, it better be soon.

We can't even light a fire when we have to.

Come on, get that ladder moving faster!

Move it out!

Mother, they're coming for us.

This stuff will get us

before it gets them.

We're taking a ladder.

Let's get Mother out.

We can't now. I'll have to carry her.

No. You go Valerie, please.

Mother, I'm staying right here with you.

Linda.

Huh?

Heard of ladies first, huh?

There's time for all of us. Let me go.

You wait with the rest of us.

Oh, I can't.

You have to.

I'm afraid.

Come on, Linda, you can do it.

You're gonna be fine.

Come on.

I can't.

Oh.

Help.

Oh, oh.

Ah, ah, ah!

Bring that ladder in first, right away.

Right away, get it up!

Oh

Oh ah.

Oh!

Oh!

Oh!

Come on, come on.

Oh!

That's it.

All right, all right, good.

Now, easy with it, now down.

Easy, take it easy.

Oh.

Oh, ah.

I'm all right.

The ants!

The ants are coming into the hall!

Mike, we gotta get outta here. Look!

Wait, wait a minute. Where are you going?

What about the ladder?

The ladder.

We have to get to the ladder.

I think that ladder down there,

I think it wouldn't extend any higher.

Let's go upstairs. Tony, help out, will you?

What?

There's only one more floor.

Before it's over, they'll be all around us, won't they?

I can't see that far ahead.

Let's just take it one step at a time.

Why'd they land? Why didn't they come for us?

Hello, hello? Come on, answer!

I don't get it. I know I passed it outside.

Mike, she's got to have oxygen.

No, I'm all right.

Richard.

This isn't gonna do any good.

You know that, don't you?

No, I don't.

I was a lifeguard once and we had a rule.

Till you go down for the fourth time, you keep swimming.

Got that?

Come on, get that gas in the trench fast.

Let's go, move it!

Into the trench.

Get, come on.

Chief, chopper's ready to go.

All right, great. Let's get it in there, come on.

Peggy. Peggy, Peggy.

Tom.

Let me through.

I've had a terrible time finding you.

Boy, am I glad to see you, Tom.

You're the only one with any idea

about this crazy stuff going on here.

Not so crazy.

Miss, we need communication inside.

Can I use your car hookup?

It's yours.

We're as high as we can go, the balcony room.

We can't hold out much longer.

The building's like a sieve.

Okay, we'll be ready.

They're sending the helicopter.

What's going on here?

- Move. - Step back.

- Let me go. - Back up, people.

Back, people.

No!

Step back, please.

I gotta go down there.

See, these ants became immune to the wastes and poisons

in the air then used them themselves as a deadly weapon.

It's unbelievable.

This particular colony of ants

must have been living in earth

that soaked up poisons for years then migrated here,

the perfect breeding ground, near the water,

always a dampness in the earth.

Nature did the rest.

It sure ain't natural though, is it?

It happened.

And over the years, this ant army grew to enormous size.

Frank, tell that helicopter to hurry up.

Ants!

It was the last of the kerosene.

See, ants don't sting.

Yeah, but they have a stinger, don't they?

Well, they, not like bees and other insects.

They bite.

All their strength, all their being

is in their mandibles or jaws.

So they bite and carry on the poison.

Which passes directly and instantly into the bloodstream.

One bite is harmless.

50 could knock you down.

A couple of hundred, certain death.

And once you get them on you, you can't get them off.

They have stickers on their legs that cling to you.

Mike.

We'll tie her in. We have to, she'll be okay.

They're coming back for you, aren't they?

Of course they are, Mother.

Well, anchors away.

Good company.

Take it up!

Mike, it's caught!

Mike!

Oh God.

Hey, hey.

Get outta the way, get outta the way!

The ants, the ants, get outta here.

Get out!

Get outta here!

The ants'll get!

Start the pump, start the pump!

The ants'll get.

The ants'll get.

The ants, the ants'll get us.

Oh.

Here they come.

What happened?

The ants'll get.

Get this under control right now.

All right, we're gonna get this fire started.

Now, we're gonna keep these ants inside.

All right, everybody back off.

Back off. Fire in the hole.

Fire in the hole!

Fire in the hole!

Linda!

Hello?

Hello! - Is there a carton out here?

Is there anybody on the line?

What in God's name are you doing with that fire out there?

This place is soaked with kerosene.

Now, we've got to contain the ants.

There's no other way.

We're gonna get you outta there just as soon as we can.

Great. There are three of us left up here.

Get the helicopter back.

No, no way.

No way, it's too dangerous.

The prop wash is blowing ants all over the county.

What do you suggest we do? We don't have much time.

Look, hang on, all right?

The Coast Guard is sending us

some special suits, self-contained.

Now, we're gonna come up there and get you.

How long?

No more than half an hour.

Listen, I don't think we've got five minutes.

But the suits aren't here yet!

Now look, you've got to hang on.

Can you hear me?

Yeah. I hear you.

We'll do the best we can.

Fire service are ready.

Are they okay up there?

I don't know.

I don't hear anything.

Here, use this. Don't let 'em go on your hands.

They're coming in the door.

Stop 'em!

What? With what?

Stuff something under the door.

Tell 'em to hurry, please!

- Chief. - Mike? Mike, is that you?

Look, is everything all right?

You gotta get something up here now.

It's been 20 minutes. Now, come on!

Look, the suits will be here any minute.

It can't be much longer.

If you don't mind.

This is Tom Franklin, Department of Health.

Listen, if you do what I say, you can survive.

Ants are basically non-aggressive.

So if you don't move...

He said if we don't move or excite the ants

or breathe on them, then they won't bite us.

So that's what we're gonna try.

Oh, you're crazy.

I wish I was. I wish I was in some mad dream.

Roll this up for a breathing tube.

Take it!

Oh.

Anything?

Okay. Let's take a deep breath.

Calm ourselves.

And believe.

Where are those suits?

We just got in on our radio.

They're about two miles away from here.

Mike, I can't.

Sure you can, Val.

Just hold on.

Mike, I know I won't be able to stand them on me.

Our only chance is to stay perfectly still

and not to agitate them in any way.

They're on my foot, Mike.

Val, just hold on.

Please.

For me.

Mike, I'll try.

They're on my foot.

Don't move.

Breathe through the tube.

We can't breathe on them.

Gently.

They're on my hand.

Like an army on my hand!

Remember what he said.

One bite, several bites, can't hurt us.

Stay still.

They're all over my leg.

Don't move.

All right, don't go heavy on the insecticide.

Save it for when you reach them.

Mike.

Is that really the sky up there and we made it?

I never thought we would.

Sure you did. You never gave up.

Can anybody, anybody tell me where my mother is?

She's all right.

I'll take you to her.

Tom Franklin, Department of Health.

We spoke on the phone.

Yeah, thanks. Thank you very much.

Sure.

Eventually this whole county's gonna be dug up,

turned over, and rebuilt.

Will this be happening again?

I don't think so.

Break up the nest, the home, the special breeding ground,

the family scatters, losing its force.

Same with ants as with people.

You realize this morning we hadn't even met each other.

That seems like years ago.

It was.

And tomorrow do I get the terrific chili you promised?

Yeah.

And the day after that too, if you want.

Thanks again.

Michael.

Now, you two are going to make your plans,

get married, do anything you want

with never a thought for me.

Ha ha, that's a tough order.

Somebody will buy this land.

I'm going to Florida to be with my sister Margaret

and I forbid you to worry about me.

Oh you do.

And what are you gonna do with your time?

I'll think of something.

I may learn to fly a helicopter.

You go along with her.

I'll see you in a while.

Okay.

Mike.

I love you.