THX 1138
Screenplay by
George Lucas and Walter Murch
Shooting Draft
BLACK:
Barely audible, an organ plays a haunting theme. The title
credits appear.
They are simple green lettering on a black background.
1. BLACK
T.V. MONITOR
Point of view from inside a small medicine cabinet. The
door is opened creating a low hum, and throwing light on
THX 1138, a man about thirty-five years old. He has a
closely shaved head: which makes him appear bald. The
image is distorted as seen over a TV monitor.
MALE VOICE
What's wrong?
THX takes a bottle of blue pills out of the cabinet and
talks directly into the camera.
THX
Nothing.....nothing really. I
just feel kind of lousy. I need
something stronger.
MALE VOICE
If you have a problem, don't
hesitate to ask for assistance.
CALL 348-853
THX
Yes.....Thank you, I'll be all
right. I'm all right.
He takes two of the pills and returns the bottle the
cabinet.
FEMALE VOICE
For more rapid results use your
new D code on your Mercicontrol
card.
Thank you.
THX closes the cabinet.
BLACK
T.V. MONITOR
The door to the cabinet begins to open - hesitates - then
closes.
MALE VOICE
What's wrong?
The door opens revealing LUH 3417, a 20 year old woman,
also with a closely shaved head. She is nervous and
struggle to maintain her composure.
MALE VOICE
What's wrong?
LUH takes the bottle of pills THX has just consumed and
becomes frightened.
LUH
....never mind. I'll replace these
later.
She slams the door closed.
BLACK
HOLOGRAM ROOM
CLOSE ANGLE
A bald man dressed in white, huddles in a bare, dimly lit
room, Two large leather clad policemen beat the man with
long chrome nightsticks, making a dull thudding sound.
BATHROOM
LUH also dressed in white stands in the corner of a very
small bathroom. It is very modern, with many fixtures not
in an ordinary bathroom; outstanding of these is a small
medicine cabinet with a small sign on the face which reads:
SEDATION SP9, USE WHEN NECESSARY.
CLOSE ANGLE
She stands facing the wall. She is crying. The thudding
sound of the policemen can be heard in the background.
MED ANGLE
LUH stops crying, drys her eyes and looks into the mirror.
She regains her composure and pores the pills down the
toilet. The camera TRACKS with her as she walks into the
mainroom. She passes by the Hologram room where the
thudding sounds of the policemen are originating.
MAINROOM
LUH enters the small, white, plastic looking room. One
wall is filled with small compartments. She opens one of
the cabinets and pushes a series of buttons; which light
up.
CLOSE ANGLE
LUH sits for a moment having now regained control of
herself. She takes a cellophane packet of pills out of
one of the compartments and carefully removes the pills
and replaces them with pills from her pocket. She puts
the packet back into the compartment. She becomes aware
of the sounds of the policemen in the Hologram room.
HOLOGRAM ROOM
FULL ANGLE
The room contains two over-stuffed reclining chairs, with
control panels on the arms. THX is sitting in one of the
chairs watching the policemen beat the huddled man. LUH
enters and stands by the doorway, slightly repulsed by the
beating. THX is aware of her presence, but neither speak.
CLOSE ANGLE
Upon closer inspection, we see the policemen have smooth
chrome faces and are actually robots.
MED ANGLE
THX reaches for the volume knob and twists it up one notch.
Another robot appears beating the man. LUH walks over and
sits in the vacant chair. She fidgets nervously.
LUH
You ought to eat.
THX looks over to her, but does not respond. LUH reaches
for the volume knob, and turns it down, one of the policemen
disappears.
LUH
I started your dinner for you.
It's probably ready by now.
THX
I'm not hungry.
LUH
Well it's fixed, so you'll have to
eat it.
LUH becomes angry.
LUH
No, your going to eat it, or it
will go to waste.
THX
What's the matter with you?
LUH turns back to watching the policemen. THX sits quietly,
and after a few moments, he gets up and leaves the room.
LUH immediately flips the switch on the arm of the chair.
An intense flash of light fills the room and gives way to
a naked negro female mannequin, with no genitals, dancing
exotically to driving, sensual afro-electronic music. She
flips the switch again, and the flash fades into a
newscaster comfortably seated in a chair directly across
from her. He is dressed in white, and his head is closely
shaven; as are all of the people in this society.
NEWSCASTER
....in the constant striving for
perfection in the AIA.PB848's which
have been built this year. Five
felons have been caught fleeing
rehabilitation center dd2. All
five have been undergoing treatment
for drug offenses, two of the felons
were products of the sex act, the
other three....
LUH
What?
NEWSCASTER
Two of the felons are products of
the sex act, the other three are
from reproduction clinic nineteen.
The quintet escaped from compound
545 and were all subsequently
destroyed. Reports indicate....
THX returns to his chair carrying his dinner on a tray.
The food looks like multi-colored foam rubber.
THX
What's this? Why did you change
it?
LUH
You've seen enough.
THX
You know I don't feel well.
LUH
Eat your dinner.
LUH flips the switch revealing a drama involving two male
negro mannequins standing next to a low, sleek car with a
massive, complicated jet engine on the back.
MANNEQUIN ONE
....and then my request for new
arms and legs finally came through.
MANNEQUIN TWO
Well that's great then.
MANNEQUIN ONE
No. It's terrible. I ordered two
arms and a new leg, and they sent
me two legs and a new arm.
Raucous canned laughter is inserted as the two mannequin
get into the autojet.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is expressionless.
THX
That was very funny.
LUH
What?
OBSERVATION CELL
We view THX in an OPERATING ROOM via a TV monitor. He is
working at an electronic control panel in a small glass
boot. He manipulates two mechanical hands working on the
disassembled body of a chrome policemen.
The CAMERA PULLS BACK, to reveal several monitors which
scan other operating rooms. In another row are sedation
cabinets, mostly black, because the boxes are closed.
FULL ANGLE
We now see many rows of TV monitors, surrounded by gages,
dials, and switches. Two workers are sitting at the control
board facing the monitors. We recognize LUH as one of the
workers. A man, SEN 5241, is the other operator.
MED ANGLE
This is an observation cell, where all phases of life are
under continual surveillance. LUH operates the controls
at her panel and types what she observes into a computer.
On one of the monitors is a man in a bathroom alcove similar
to the one we saw in THX's home.
VOICE
What's wrong?
The man is hysterical and screams at the monitor.
MAN
Help me.....HELP me.....
VOICE
What's wrong?
The man takes the pills out of the cabinet and begins to
eat them a hand full at a time.
CLOSE ANGLE
LUH is tense and pre-occupied. She reacts by pushing a
button which programs a new recording.
VOICE
Take four red capsules, in ten
minutes take two more. Help is on
the...
LUH reports the incident into the computer. The image on
the monitor observing one of the operating rooms is shaken,
and turns white as though there has been an explosion.
THX continues his work and is oblivious to what has
happened.
MED ANGLE
LUH has slipped into a daydream. SEN notices the accident
and studies LUH for a few moments. Suddenly a voice cackles
over the intercom.
INTERCOM VOICE
Concourse 5.....Cross 3.....Monitor
concourse 5.....3417 are you there?
Relate....relate.....
LUH awakens from her trance, and fumbles, to discover what
has happened. She presses buttons that spread the accident
among five monitors.
CLOSE ANGLE
LUH reaches for a container of
yellow pills, she thinks for a
moment, then returns the pills to
the container. On the monitors
there is much confusion in the
destroyed passageway. People move
along the corridor to get a better
look at the accident. LUH pushes
a button and a tape activates.
TAPE VOICE
Do not enter this area without
consuming j23. This is a traumatic
area. Do not enter this area
without....
Policemen are seen carrying parts of bodies out of a
destroyed operating room.
INTERCOM VOICE
Radiation suppress. Seal chamber
5G, seal chamber 5G. Exterminate
occupant.
On the monitors, LUH watches a man bang on the door to his
work cell. Slowly he fades, collapses, and dies. As she
watches the disaster scene, tears come to her eyes. She
dries them quickly and glances at SEN to see if he has
noticed her. He is busy typing a report. A voice brings
her back to the monitors.
MALE VOICE
What's wrong?
A man from an industrial section is on one of the TV
monitors, screaming hysterically. There are flames and
smoke in the background.
MAN
Fire in sub-station 35k, command
13, we've got 73 men down here...
LUH quickly punches a button on the tape respond panel.
VOICE
You are a true believer, blessings
of State, blessings of the masses
Thou art a subject of....
LUH is taken by surprise, and fumbles for the retract
button.
There is a moment before the correct tape is heard, SEN
looks up at LUH, who is unaware she is being watched.
VOICE
Stay calm, correct procedure is
essential. Do not fail to remove
auxiliary command circuit before
evacuation. Vacuum detail and
suppression units for your area
have been notified and are on their
Way.
LUH finishes typing her report and becomes aware that SEN
is watching her. She looks up at him, and he quickly goes
back to work.
PRAYER BOOTH
THX sits in a small cube which features a desk facing a
large photograph of the prophet OMM. The image is similar
to a renaissance painting of Jesus.
VOICE
My time is yours, go ahead.
THX mumbles a short prayer; which is cut short by the
recorded voice.
VOICE
Very good, proceed.
THX is uneasy, and fumbles for the right words.
THX
Well.... I slipped on a T5 transfer
this morning. It's never happened
before.
I wasn't concentrating enough. Things haven't been.....
VOICE
Yes.
THX
....going well. How could I be so
wrong. (pause) SCO 1202 cross wired
a 904. He's been receiving extra
credit. He offered me some.
But you must already know about that....Why do I bother
you with such.....
VOICE
Yes
THX
I did not accept any.
(Pause)
I... I wanted... to. But I didn't.
You know I didn't. Don't you?
There is a pause as THX waits for an answer.
VOICE
Yes.
THX
My mate has been acting very
strange. I can't explain
it.....but. I haven't been feeling
very well myself. I don't know,
maybe it's me. I needed an SP9
last night. I feel as if something
odd were happening to me.
Something....
VOICE
Yes.
THX
I can't understand. The
sedatives....
THX pauses, and trys to think of what he wants to say.
THX
....I'm taking SP5, but it doesn't
seem strong enough. I have a hard
time concentrating. Please forgive
me, I slipped on....
VOICE
You are a true believer. Blessings
of the state, blessings of the
masses. Thou art a subject of the
divine. Created in the image of
man, by the masses, for the masses.
Let us be thankful we have an
occupation to fill. Work hard;
increase production; prevent
accidents, and be happy.
THX slumps, exhausted by the effort of communicating with
OMM.
SCHEDULING OFFICE
THX is in a large hall, crossing
over to a bank of small boxes along
the wall. He attempts to open one
of the boxes with a plastic badge
from his lapel, and struggles for
a moment before finally getting it
open. He pushes some buttons inside
the box, then closes it. He is
very tired; almost unable to cope
with the trivia of daily life.
MED ANGLE
THX turns around to leave and is
confronted by LUH, who has been
standing directly behind him. She
is holding a punch card.
THX
What do you want?......
LUH stares at him without answering.
THX
(Glancing at the
card)
What did you get?
LUH
I have to see SEN. I've just been
given a shift change.
THX
When?
LUH
Now.
THX
Now?
LUH
He wants me to come to his quarters.
THX
(Glancing at the
boxes and pointing)
A shift change should come through
the scheduling office.
Why should he want to see you?
LUH
I don't know.
THX
Don't go.
LUH
I have to... he's a G-34
THX
You don't have to... I don't trust
him. You ought to file a report.
LUH
No, don't make trouble. It's
nothing.
THX is becoming confused and exasperated.
THX
Then why did you bring it up?
LUH
I didn't. You asked me about the
card.
(Pause)
You're going to get us into trouble.
LUH starts to move off.
THX
I haven't done anything.
LUH
Don't be so sure.
LUH quickly disappears into the crowd. THX rests against
the wall; the noise and the crowding people are almost too
much for him.
A chrome robot and a man, both dressed in bright yellow,
pass by engaged in conversation. A moment later, a man
drops his computer card and is trampled trying to retrieve
it.
THX is seen on a TV monitor. He is unable to withstand
the crowd and moves off screen down the passageway.
REST PLAZA
THX moves to a large door with a sign reading REST PLAZA.
He opens the door and enters a small room lined with benches
and filled with old people sitting and staring at one
another. As THX enters, they all turn and stare at him.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX searches for a vacant bench and begins to feel very
uncomfortable. Finally, he turns and leaves.
11. HOLOGRAM ROOM, THX'S QUARTERS
The faint sound of a heartbeat grows louder as a pulsating,
round, red blurr slowly appears in the center of the room.
THX is sitting alone in the overstuffed chair.
The red ball descends from the ceiling and surrounds THX's
abdomen as he takes two capsules out of a compartment in
the arm of the chair and swallows them.
THX flips a switch on the arm of the chair; an intense
flash of light fills the room and gives way to a naked
negro female mannequin making erotic movements to the beat
of a driving afro-electronic song.
THX undergoes the physical movements of a sexual experience.
After he reaches his climax, he relaxes, breathing deeply,
resting for a moment as the mannequin continues to gyrate
and the red ball fades away.
THX flips the switch several times. A series of images
flashes through the room: a chrome policeman beating a man
to death; a newscaster; a matronly woman discussing drugs;
a male mannequin; and finally two men sitting behind a
long table. Only one man speaks, the other listens
attentively, occasionally looking from THX to the speaker.
MAN
....to stimulate the arithmetical
and logical processes as an
extention of the 5141. Never before
have we been so contented, never
before has life been so
satisfying... there is a jump in
the man's movement - a reminder
that he is only a hologram.
...so satisfying. A referendum of
bliss, a fabrication of
gratification sustained by the
benevolence of authority...
THX
What?
The man disappears for a moment, then pops back.
MAN
a referendum of bliss, a fabrication
of gratification sustained by the
benevolence of authority...
THX
That's not what I meant.
MAN
...the inadequacies of the human
personality are rapidly being overcome by the social
processes of advancing technology. Component lowness, a
sophisticated stimulation is the answer. The humanity of
authority is proudly contemporary.
Control through companionship, combined with economic
advantages of the mating structure far surpasses any
disadvantages in increased perversions. A final...
THX hears something in the other part of the house. He
jumps up, standing in the middle of the silent man.
THX
LUH?
MAN
...an infinite translate in
mathematics of tolerance and charity
among artificial memory devices is
ultimately binary. Stimulating...
THX flips off the hologram and the two men fade away,
leaving the room dark and empty.
THX
LUH? is that you?
THX walks into the main room, then into the bedroom
THX
LUH?
He stands alone, disappointed and puzzled. He ponders the
events of the day, makes a decision, and leaves.
SEN'S QUARTERS
A group of men are loading multi-colored boxes containing
personal effects onto a cart. THX stops at the doorway,
hesitant to go inside.
The room is in a state of confusion as the effects are
checked against a master list by an extremely mannish woman.
THX finally moves past them and into the residence, looking
for SEN.
WOMAN
sealed personal effects: 3
styrenes; an occupational syntax;
a red magna base - old style; a
box of neons; a variation; 23 hunter
portapods.
SEN is in his section of the bedroom, noticeably annoyed
at the intrusion. THX enters and stands just inside the
entry, staring at SEN. SEN becomes aware of THX and begins
to stare back. THX becomes more and more uncomfortable.
SEN
Well?
THX says nothing. SEN suddenly recognizes him and stands
up.
SEN
It's you, come in, come in...you
know, this is really odd. I was
just thinking about you. What in
the world are you doing here?
THX does not answer. SEN studies him for a moment.
SEN
(pointing to the
other room)
For the moment, I thought you were
one of the others. You look much...
different - in person.
SEN sits down. THX remains standing, staring expressionless
at SEN. There is another pause.
SEN
Sit down, why don't you?....(THX
does not sit) Anyway... I must
apologize for all this chaos.
They materialized this morning and
it's been going on all day. Well,
it's cross I have to bear - the
roommate was destroyed, you know.
SEN looks at THX, but sees no reaction.
SEN
No...I guess you wouldn't.
Terrible inconvenience. I could
never understand why it all must
be created and filed if it's going
to be destroyed anyway. When I
pass on, I certainly don't want
anyone going through my things....
It's a strange life.
(Pause)
I really cannot understand why you
don't sit down.
SEN goes into the bathroom alcove and takes a pill. THX
sits on the edge of the bed.
SEN
(off-screen)
You never answered my question.
SEN returns to the bed and sits down on the other end from
THX.
SEN
Well, at least you're sitting
down... You must excuse my going
on like that.... with ONA gone I
feel as if I have no one to talk
to. You're perspiring, aren't
you? My goodness, it's not very
hot in here. Are you sick?
SEN backs off a bit.
SEN
I'm sure it's warmer in her than
outside, though. I haven't been
out yet, but it usually is...the
control is fouled...
(Pause)
THX
Where is LUH?
SEN
What?
The woman taking the inventory interrupts their
conversation.
WOMAN
Count concluded.
SEN hands her the plastic badge on his lapel. She slips
it into a small box and returns it, with a slip of paper.
WOMAN
You must keep this.
SEN
(taking the slip)
Yes, of course.
The woman leaves.
SEN
They really smell. It's disgusting.
Did you notice it?
THX glares silently at SEN.
THX
Why did you have LUH come here?
SEN
Why are you so concerned?
THX
What's going on?
SEN
I want you for my roommate.
THX
Where's LUH?
SEN
It will be good for both of us.
I've got it all arranged.
THX is having difficulty dealing with this turn of events.
THX
I don't understand.
Living....selection is computed.
You can't... What have you done to
LUH? She was here..
SEN
We had a long talk and she agreed
that it would be a good idea for
you to switch. She felt that you
had not been accurately mated to
her in the first place... You're
upsetting yourself. Would you
like something?
THX
You're in violation.
SEN
Don't say that. You look... You're
not well.
THX is confused and preoccupied.
SEN
I know what you're thinking...
Program shifting isn't that major
a crime is it?
(pause)
LUH is a problem for you. I've
watched her during work. She's
been acting very strange.
THX stands up and starts for the door.
SEN
I won't have another mate like
ONA. You rate very high in
sanitation. I've checked. In
fact, I am surprised that you were
ever matched with LUH. Her ratings
are very erratic - you know what I
mean. We'll be happy.
THX
I don't feel well.
THX leaves.
PRAYER BOOTH
THX is in a city plaza prayer booth. The face of Jesus
stares down at him.
THX
....with me? What am I to her or
she to me? Nothing. She's an
ordinary roommate. I..I share...
VOICE
Yes...
THX
...rooms with her. Our relationship
is normal, conforming. We share
nothing but space. What is she
doing to...
VOICE
Yes...
THX
...to me. I think I'm dying.
THX is experiencing extreme stomach cramps.
VOICE
You are a true believer. Blessings
of the state. Blessings of the
masses. Thou art a subject of the
divine. Created in the image of
man, by man, for man. Let us be
thankful we have commerce. Buy
more. Buy more now. Buy more and
be happy.
THX throws up on the floor of the booth and seems to feel
better for it. The Mercicontrol card appears, and the
concluding voice is heard as THX feebly gets up and leaves
the booth, allowing another man to enter.
COMMERCIAL PLAZA
THX is in a store. He buys a bright colored three-
dimensional hexagon, pays for it with his legal badge placed
in a machine.
In the next stall man is banging on the credit card machine.
THX pays no attention.
MAN
Idiot machine! Someone ought to
fix this machine!
A chrome policemen comes and takes the man away. THX is
suddenly hit by another wave of nausea, and leaves the
plaza quickly.
THX'S QUARTERS
THX enters, holding the hexagon in one hand. The rooms
are dark
THX
LUH?
He turns on the lights and pauses, waiting for an answer,
then continues in and places the box on the kitchen table.
THX enters the bathroom and closes himself inside a
rectangular glass box. Air rushes in through a series of
nozzles, and he is dry-cleaned, clothing and all.
MED ANGLE
THX enters the kitchen, notices the hexagon, and places it
inside the product consumer - small, oven-like appliance
that destroys it instantly. He moves slowly, trying to
keep from becoming sicker. He opens one of the kitchen
cabinets, presses some buttons inside, and sits down at
the table. He is shivering uncontrollably and breathing
hard.
THX
(to himself)
I need help.
He stumbles out of his chair and feebly makes his way into
the bathroom alcove. As he passes the hologram room, we
see a figure standing in the shadows.
THX is extremely ill and on the verge of losing
consciousness.
He reaches for the sedation cabinet, but collapses just as
he opens it.
TV IMAGE
The bathroom alcove appears empty.
VOICE
What's wrong?
LUH APPEARS ON THE SCREEN
LUH
Nothing. I was looking for my
tenser. I'm sorry.
VOICE
If you have a problem....
CLOSE ANGLE
LUH closes the sedation cabinet and drags the unconscious
THX into the bedroom and puts him on the bed.
She sits, quietly, looking at him. Cautiously, she brings
his hand to her cheek. A slight smile crosses her face.
16. MAIN ROOM, THX'S QUARTERS
THX is laughing hysterically. As soon as he starts to
gain control of himself, he breaks out laughing again.
LUH has taken a spherical piece of food from her tray and
is bouncing it on the table. She is laughing, herself,
but still trying to keep control of the ball.
THX
(laughing very hard)
Violation...violation...You're
bouncing in...violation..
This makes them laugh even harder and LUH loses the ball.
They both dive for it and wind up face to face under the
table.
Eventually, they stop laughing.
THX
I've never been under the table
before.
LUH
(pointing at the
underside of the
table)
Look,dirt!
THX
(mocking)
That's not dirt...Can't be dirt..
Dirt is a violation.
LUH
Looks like dirt.
THX picks up the red food ball and holds it up at LUH.
THX
Look, food!
LUH
That's not food. Can't be food.
THX
Looks like food.
THX takes a bite out of it and grimaces.
THX
Tastes like food.
He scrambles out from underneath the table and tosses it
in the product consumer. It disappears instantly.
THX
Produced to be consumed!
LUH goes over to the table and scoops up the rest of the
food.
She begins tossing it into the product consumer.
THX
Hey! Wait a minute. Not all of
it. I'm hungry.
She begins to break out laughing, throwing the food into
the consumer as fast as she can. THX starts for her and
she begins throwing the food at him.
THX catches her by the foot and pulls her to the floor.
They roll around playfully, laughing hysterically all the
time.
Slowly and subtly, their play becomes more violent and
sadistic, although they keep on laughing.
LUH
(laughing)
The pain, no...the pain, I can't
stand it.
LUH turns on THX, pinning him to the floor. She sits
astride him, holding his arms.
They are both out of breath and panting heavily, confused
by a slowly increasing awareness of each others sexuality.
LUH slowly releases THX's arms and sits up. She gives a
last, embarrassed giggle and then falls silent. They stare
at each other.
THX
Why?
LUH sits silently, showing no response.
THX
Why did you do it? It's wrong....
we're wrong. We're felons now.
You know it can't last very long; they will discover us,
and they will destroy us.
LUH is hurt and begins to cry.
THX
Now...now, I'm sorry...don't -
don't....please. It's just...
I was happy. Why get me involved?
You told SEN that you weren't
satisfied with me.
LUH
What?...Oh, no, THX. That's not
true.
(she embraces him)
Not satisfied? THX, I need you so
much.
THX attempts to comfort her. He is awkward and
uncomfortable.
LUH
I was so scared...I didn't know
what would happen with you...once
I started. I almost let you go on
so many times. It will be worth
it, together. When I was alone, I
knew.
THX
But it's so hopeless...you're so
beautiful.
LUH smiles and sniffles. They kiss: an awkward first
kiss.
THX
What time is it?
LUH
What?
THX
I said what time is it? How long
was I out?
LUH
It's 3+27 hundred
THX
Three! I'm going to be late for
my shift.
LUH
(holding him)
No! Don't go.
THX
(getting up)
They'll come for me right away if
I'm not there. I have to go.
LUH
Don't take anything.
THX
I'll try.
LUH
Promise...please don't THX leaves
the room.
PASSAGEWAY
LUH is frightened as she hurries down the endless white
hallways. When she reaches the corridor exit for THX's
operating room, she stops. She feels conspicuous waiting
in the hallway.
A group of men, carrying little white boxes, are leaving
the operating room. THX is in the group. He sees LUH and
goes over to her.
THX
What are you doing here? Is
anything wrong?
LUH
No....I though
(Pause)
I'm afraid.
THX
You're not cleared for this
precinct. Let's cross over first.
THX motions her down the hallway, and he falls in step a
few paces behind her. LUH speaks to her without turning
around.
LUH
You slipped on a T297 transfer
just before lunch, didn't you?
THX
(not wanting to
talk)
What?
LUH
On the cervix transfer, you almost
lost the T297.
Some men in colored uniforms pass them walking in the other
direction. THX is silent until they are gone. THX and
LUH pass through a series of doors and into another
precinct. THX is angry.
THX
What do you think you're doing?
You're going to get us arrested.
LUH
But...you...
She falls silent as they walk through the empty cold
hallways.
THX
I can't work this way. I need
something. I'm losing control.
LUH struggles to remain calm.
THX
I can't go on like this. I
can't.... I don't just sit around
and watch people. If I make a
mistake, it's all over. You see
it every day.
(Pause)
Do you want to see me taken away
in pieces?
LUH
I don't want to lose you.
BLACK
18. CATHEDRAL
A yellow eight burns through the blackness. A low voice
is heard performing a ritual.
VOICE
....and it all happened so slowly
that most men failed to realize
that anything had happened at all.
The interior of a cathedral is slowly revealed. Many people
are kneeling before the eight, and a monk in white robes
is performing a rite.
VOICE
They had never known what all know
within, that to know is not to
know, not to know is to be known.
To change is to circle without end.
THX and LUH are kneeling, solemnly involved in the service.
VOICE
To remain still is to flow with
the will of OMM. The breath of
OMM is infinitely slow, yet he
breathes.
Avail thyselves! OMM moves! OMM flows!....Let us pray.
CLOSE ANGLE
The voice recites a chant, and the congregation repeats
it.
THX watches LUH as she repeats the chant. He is moved.
VOICE/CONGREGATION
Before OMM was OMM, after OMM will
be OMM, within OMM is OMM, without
OMM is OMM. OMM is one. We are
one, Mass is one, All are one....
THX leans over and whispers in LUH'S ear.
THX
I don't want to lose you.
LUH turns and smiles, taking his hand. There are tears in
her eyes. He smiles back, and she cannot stifle a rather
loud giggle. They are both embarrassed.
FULL ANGLE
No one in the cathedral seems to notice.
VOICE
Unity of minds, unity of thought,
unity of occupations, unity of OMM
A man. Blessings of the state.
Blessings of the masses, Thou art
subjects of the divine.
When the ceremony is over, THX goes over to a chair in the
corner and flips a switch on it's arm. The cathedral,
monks, and congregation all fade away, leaving LUH kneeling
in the empty HOLOGRAM ROOM.
THX
What are you doing?
LUH
I don't know.
She rises, walks over and sits in the second hologram chair.
They are both strangely contemplative, and sit quietly in
the darkened room for a long while.
THX
What am I going to do?
There is a long pause.
LUH
(quietly)
If you....if you go back on
sedation, you won't feel the same
way about me. You'll report me
for drug evasion.
THX
I've got a slip movement to install
on my next shift. I'll never make
it the way I am now.
There have been three explosions already this....
His argument is more to himself then to LUH. He looks to
LUH, who is on the verge of tears. He realizes his logic
is of no help, and he goes over to her.
THX
I couldn't turn you in, not now.
I....I know I wouldn't!
LUH
You don't know. You don't....
THX
If I take something, you suffer.
If I don't, I stuff....
LUH
(with growing
excitement)
I know you can do it without
sedation, You can, I know you can.
THX
Then what? It can't go on forever.
You know it can't.
LUH
We could leave, and live in the
superstructure....
There is a pause as THX ponders this.
LUH
....My series is over, you only
have one shift left, don't you?
We could be gone before our next
series started.
THX is sitting on the floor, holding his head in his hands.
LUH goes over to him, and begins to caress his neck. She
is crying.
THX
It's all right now, shhhh it's all
right.
LUH
Don't let them separate us.
Their love-play slowly becomes more and more passionate.
They are awkward and unsure as they begin to disrobe one
another.
LUH is embarrassed, and she begins to giggle, then laugh
uncontrollably.
CLOSE ANGLE
They are like children experimenting for the first
time..There is something lyrical and new as they make love.
There is a moment of fear for THX as LUH achieves orgasm;
something neither has experienced with another person
before.
THX
Are you all right?
LUH
AH UGH.
She smiles at him and they embrace, and rest. THX is asleep
when LUH wakes him with a start.
LUH
They know. They've been watching
us. I can feel it.
THX
They don't know.
LUH
They're watching us now.
THX
No one can see us now we're alone.
THX momentary glances into the camera, seemingly at the
theatre audience.
PREOPERATING CHAMBER
THX enters a preoperating chamber. He nervous, but tries
to appear matter of fact. He is cleansed, and follows a
religious preoperating ritual. An intercom voice is heard
softly in the background.
VOICE
.....This is a reminder of the
precision which must be taken at
this stage. Three operating cells
have already been destroyed in
this shift. Mercicontrol is
supervising all operations during
this phase. Prevent accidents,
and be happy.....This is a reminder
of.....
A door to the chamber opens, and SEN enters. THX is
somewhat shaken by this.
THX
What are you doing here? You're
not cleared for this area!
SEN
You know I have a way with the
computers. I can clear myself for
any area.....almost.
THX
I'll report you. It's....
SEN
Listen to me....You have no need
to distrust me. We're going....
THX
Get out of here, Leave me alone.
THX starts for the operating room.
SEN
I've taken care of LUH.....
THX stops short in fear.
SEN
....I've programmed her to level
5450. Her transfer should go
through by the next series. You're
going to need a new roommate.
Everything.....
A buzzer sounds. THX is forced to leave the preoperating
chamber. SEN stands alone.
OPERATING CELL CORRIDOR
As THX walks to his operating cell, He stops at a small
red box on the wall. Over the box is a sign which reads:
PERSONAL VIOLATION REPORTS
CLOSE ANGLE
THX takes a small card from the box and punches holes in
the marked areas which read: S,E,N,5,2,4,1.
He runs down a list of violations and finally punches:
ÒIllegal programming.Ó He puts the card into a slot in
the box, and continues to his operating cell.
OPERATING CELL
THX slides into his control panel as the operation begins.
A component is picked up by the mechanical hands. THX
strains as the hands begin to move toward the half assembled
chrome man.
FULL ANGLE
In another cell of the operation chamber is a supervisor.
He sits in front of a computer readout, TV monitors, and
many electronic graphs and gages.
SUPERVISOR
1138 retract. SB4 talmod contract,
retract to 220.
Buttons are clicking, lights flashing, and gages near their
warning marks as THX struggles to manipulate the mechanical
hands.
Sweat forms on his forehead. THX moves the hands back and
makes another attempt at placing the component.
CONTROL CENTER
A control officer, dressed in yellow, sits in a large room
filled with ten men, various radar scopes, TV monitors,
and large clear plastic maps. The control officer is
receiving all forms of reports as two observers, below and
in front of him watch TV monitors. An observer reports to
the control officer.
OBSERVER
We are receiving an extreme
respiratory count from a Magnum
Manipulator in operating cell 94107.
Erratic visual behavior.
CONTROL OFFICER
Transfer control information.
Instantly, information on THX is flashed on a large screen
in front of the control officer. Photos flash on and off
the screen.
They are taken from all possible angles, including various
types of X-rays, etc.
OBSERVER
1138 files a violation report on
SEN 5241 immediately prior to.....
CONTROL OFFICER
Violation type?
OBSERVER
Illegal programming.
CONTROL OFFICER
Check into it.
(Pause)
Current brain wave confirmation on
1138. Adrenal off point 74 or
minus 6. No doubt of severe
sedation depletion......Inform
Magnum supervisor 9410 of procedure
to mindlock and arrest.
(Pause)
Request MINDLOCK for operating
cell 94107; subject 1138 prefix
THX.
One of the observers releases a special safety lock on his
control panel. The switch under the lock reads: MINDLOCK,
danger: PRIORITY 3AA.
OPERATING CELL
THX successfully survives several minor crisis. The stress
and effort show on his face. The Supervisor receives a
report.
CONTROL VOICE
Magnum Manipulator 1138 prefix
THX, operating cell 94107, suffering
severe drug violation. Extent
pending. 1138 subject to immediate
arrest. MINDLOCK pending. MINDLOCK
pending.
The supervisor is greatly alarmed by this information.
SUPERVISOR
Priority shift, repeat, priority
shift. The situation here is
critical. 1138 involved in
critical mass maneuver. DELAY
MINDLOCK, DELAY MINDLOCK situation
white, repeat, situation white.
HOLD...HOLD.....
A high whining Anthem-like piece of music is heard in THX's
operating cell. The sound staggers him , and he freezes
at the controls of his panel. The component THX was
guiding, continues to creep slowly closer to the chrome
man.
CLOSE ANGLE
The supervisor slams s series of relays in disgust, and
reports into the computer.
SUPERVISOR
Who permitted this priority???
This shouldn't happen. (pause)
Immediate transfer of disaster
responsibility to control officer
626, as of time mark: 12/32/581.
Repeat; official obligation of
responsibility.....
He reaches for more sedatives in a bottle near his panel.
MED ANGLE
The critical mass component enters the open skull of the
chrome man. Sparks fly, and the gages are now in the danger
zone.
The intercom voice is alive with panicked dialogue.
VOICE
Clear....Clear....4444,4445,
4446....EJECT...EJECT...EJECT....
All of the men in the operating room evacuate; leaving THX
alone, frozen at the controls. THX is aware of the
situation, and struggles to break the power of the mindlock
and stop the component.
VOICE
Near destruct....Near destruct.
CONTROL CENTER
The observers are switching relays as the control officer
trues to get the situation under control.
CONTROL OFFICER
.....MINDLOCK! release MINDLOCK!
relapse to command monitor. Release
MINDLOCK. Transfer obligation for
responsibility to central monitor
898. This center received no
evaluation of stasis. Control
center 626 holds no
responsibility.....
The MINDLOCK Anthem is replaced by the voice of OMM.
OPERATING ROOM
The component is at the point of destruction as THX is
released from the mindlock.
OMM
Everything is going to be all right.
You are in my hands. I will protect
you. Everything is going to be
all right. Cooperate, stay calm,
I am here to help you.
(Pause)
Everything is going to be......
THX carefully operates the controls, and returns the
critical mass to it's container.
CONTROL VOICE
Relax your controls. Relax your
controls. Report to Con 5
immediately. Relax your
controls.....
The voice of OMM and controller blend in an hypnotic double
talk. THX sits quietly in shock as the voices on the
intercom die off.
CITY PASSAGEWAY
The supervisor, and all the other workers from THX's unit
are standing around in the passageway. A door opens and
THX emerges accompanied by a Chrome policeman. They pass
silently through the crowd of workers, who watch them
disappear down the corridor. The workers start to file
back into the operating cell.
INTERIOR TRAM
The interior of the tram looks much like the interior of a
very modern jet liner. There are about 50 people sitting
in high backed seats. A few are talking to themselves.
THX is seated next to the policeman, still in shock.
CLOSE ANGLE
Slowly THX begins to tremble and then suddenly stops.
THX
LUH!
He looks wildly around the tram, and at the policeman. No
one is paying any attention to him. He jumps up and runs
for the emergency door at the end of the aisle. The
policeman slowly get ups and walks down the aisle to THX
trapping him against the door.
FULL ANGLE
THX suddenly slams open the escape hatch. The tram is
moving at supersonic speeds through a vacuum tube. THX is
sucked out into the tube. The open escape hatch seals
itself immediately.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is caught in a loud rush of sound and air as he floats
in free fall through the vacuum gravity-free tube. He
begins to slow down. As he does, amber lights on the side
of the tube become more visible. Suddenly THX is sucked
into a smaller tube.
OBSERVATION CELL
A control observer is monitoring the interior of the tram.
People are confused, hysterical. A chrome-policeman tries
to calm them.
The policeman reports the situation, which is typed by a
computer. More information appears on the readout, and is
relayed by the observer.
OBSERVER
1138 prefix THX on warrant. Drug
evasion. Fled tram in transit.
Surmise destroyed.
DEBRIS RECEPTACLE
TV monitors light up rooms filled with scrap metal and
other waste product from the tram tube. The monitor scans
room 444, then moves on, leaving the room lit only by a
few blue guide lights.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX lies unconscious under a pile of scrap waste. He slowly
picks himself up, makes his way toward the wall. A low
hum is heard and THX drops into the waste as the monitors
light up the room.
FULL ANGLE
When it is dark again, THX follows the wall until he sees
a hatchway high up the wall. He jumps for the hatch..but
misses it and falls to the floor. He groans, rolls over,
revealing a bleeding back. Again there is a low hum and
the room lights up.
OBSERVATION CELL
Debris receptacle 444 is seen on a monitor. The screen
goes black, then another room appears, 562. A control
observer watches the monitor.
CLOSE ANGLE
As the observer makes adjustments on the control panel, he
sees something, flips on another monitor for a closer view.
He switches over to heat transmission.
FULL ANGLE
The observer sees a moving hot spot on the screen, marks
it, blasts it with a laser beam. A loud screech is heard.
MED ANGLE
The control observer switches back to light transmission,
sees a dead animal the size of a large dog. He continues
his scanning. Another room lights up, goes dark.
DEBRIS RECEPTACLE
THX gets up from the rubble, begins building a pile of
scrap metal up to the hatch. Waste continues to be sucked
into the room with a great rush of noise.
CLOSE ANGLE
As THX dislodges a large piece of twisted metal, a trapped
animal, like the one killed by the observer, is released
and attacks THX.
They fight rolling through the debris.
MED ANGLE
THX strangles the beast. The hum of the monitor is heard
as THX tightens his grip on the animals neck. The light
goes on. THX freezes, clutching the now quiet beast.
OBSERVATION CELL
The observer scans the room, thinks he sees
something..switches to a closer shot, then to heat
transmission. But he spots nothing moving.
DEBRIS RECEPTACLE
The light goes out. THX relaxes, releases the dead animal.
He places a final piece of junk on the pile and attempts
to climb to the hatch.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is exhausted. He can't turn the wheel on the hatch.
He climbs down and finds a long bar in the rubble. The TV
light goes on. THX freezes. The light goes out and he
climbs up the hatch, putting the bar between the spokes of
the wheel.
FULL ANGLE
THX hangs on the bar, rotating the wheel as the hatch slowly
opens A muffled buzz is heard as THX climbs out and closes
the hatch.
The TV light monitor goes on.
OBSERVATION CELL
Debris receptacle 444 is seen on the TV monitor and the
buzz becomes louder. The observer flips to a closeup
monitor and scans the room. The buzz is now very loud,
becoming an alarm system.
OBSERVER
Seal break. VAC debris receptacle
444. Entrance on con 65.
Investigation in process.
CITY SUPERSTRUCTURE
THX stumbles through the concrete superstructure, obviously
in pain.
He reaches a door, opens it, revealing an individual modual
express tube. Low, sleek, auto-jets whiz by at incredible
speeds. They appear out of the blackness, shoot past THX
and disappear.
FULL ANGLE
THX rests in the express tube doorway. He is seen on a TV
monitor as faint intercom conversations are heard. He
waits, trying to get the courage to cross the tube as the
auto-jets flash past him.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX takes a breath, sees his chance, races across the
roadway. He is on the verge of unconsciousness. An auto-
jet can be heard approaching. He barely makes the other
side as the jet rushes by. He drops into unconsciousness
at the side of the roadway.
OBSERVATION CELL
A control observer is monitoring the expressway.
OBSERVER
Maintained visual contact with THX
1138 until 5.34. Lost contact at
express tube 929. Surmised
destroyed.
The observer continues to scan he area with no results.
KITCHEN - THX'S QUARTERS
The kitchen table is covered with a large pile of food.
LUH is operating several of the food cabinets, pushing
buttons in some, taking food out of the others. Some of
the colored food spheres fall off the table, and bounce
across the floor. She picks them up, humming tunelessly
to herself.
CLOSE ANGLE
She hears something in one of the other rooms, but continues
piling up the food.
LUH
I'm in the kitchen, come and see!
There is no answer, and after a moment, she stops and
listens.
LUH
THX?
She steps into the MAINROOM and sees that the front door
is open.
She is immediately frightened.
LUH
THX, Please.....
Very timidly, she steps over to the bedroom and looks in.
LUH
....answer.
A figure steps out of the shadow in the foreground. LUH
turns around and sees him. She screams and becomes
hysterical. It is THX, clothes torn, bleeding, and so
distorted he resembles a wild beast.
THX
No...no...LUH, help me....help....
LUH faints. THX is barely able to stand, but he goes to
her.
THX
LUH!...Help us..OMM, OMM help us.
He pulls her into his arms and rocks her. He is crying.
THX
OMM forgive us for our sins. Save
us. We are one, mass is one, OMM
is one. OMM Help us.....
FULL ANGLE
The front door opens, and two chrome policemen enter the
room.
POLICEMAN
(voice of OMM)
I am here to help you. Relax. You
have nothing to fear. I am here.
The policeman pull them apart. THX's hands are taped behind
his back. (Fade out)
CUT IN:
38. PRISON CHAMBER
SILENCE
A small black dot appears on a white background. It is
THX huddled in a white limbo prison chamber. He is fresh
and clean. All of his cuts and sores are gone.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is in a state of extreme terror. Suddenly he flinches,
shrinks further into a ball, and peers out into the white
void. Slowly he relaxes, then tenses again as he thinks
he sees something.
CLOSER ANGLE
THX has not slept in a great while; which shows in his
eyes..He slowly drifts into a light sleep.
FULL ANGLE
THX wakes with a start as he hears footsteps. Panicked,
he looks in all directions trying to discover where the
sound is coming from. The footsteps become louder, and
louder. THX rises in trembling horror.
OVERHEAD ANGLE
THX runs around in circles. He stops short as a chrome
policeman appears holding a long electronic pole. THX
continues to run in circles as two more policemen appear
with poles, and surround him.
They slowly close in on him, occasionally prodding him
with the long poles; which make an electronic sound,
causing THX extreme pain.
MED ANGLE
The policemen close on THX until he is again a huddled,
quivering ball. They stand over him, prodding him every
few moments, until he begins to weep in desperation.
FULL ANGLE
Momentarily the prison chamber goes blue, and the policemen
return into the white void. THX sits alone, cowering in
fear.
T.V. IMAGE
The screen is filled with a TV monitors long shot of THX
in the white limbo prison. He is sitting with his feet
spread out in front of him. We hear an off screen voice
speaking quietly with clinical authority and disinterest.
OS VOICE
Increase.
The image changes instantly to an extreme long shot. THX
is merely a dot in the center of the screen.
OS VOICE
No... here... hold this down.
The image changes instantly to a close shot of THX. He is
in shock staring into the white limbo. He is talking
quietly to himself. We cannot hear what he is saying.
OS VOICE.
Audio...
2ND VOICE
Audio is already on.
THX continues to speak soundlessly.
2ND VOICE
I can't hear him.
1ST VOICE
Cortex bonding....possible
temporary. Before you report a
possible equipment malfunction,
you check the subjects....?
2ND VOICE
Stress category.
1ST VOICE
Correct. (pause) Origin?
2ND VOICE
Birth born....UMMM...Sexact.
1ST VOICE
Violation?
The numbers 3278-927 still appear on the bottom of the
screen.
2ND VOICE
Drug evasion with....
1ST VOICE
triple three, triple three!
easy.....
2ND VOICE
Drug evasion with assorted
perversions
1ST VOICE
Correct. Now secure a sinex drop
reading.
We hear a low throbbing sound, but THX shows no reaction.
The word psynix -4675 appears on the bottom of the screen.
1ST VOICE
A sinex drop reading of less then
2000 degrees with an accompanying
loss of greater then 350 degrees
since admission may indicate....?
2ND VOICE
Permant cortex bond.
1ST VOICE
Correct.
THX is still talking silently to himself.
1ST VOICE
This really isn't a very good
subject because with a cortex bond,
we're restricted to about a quarter
of the boards potential. .....All
this over here is wasted on him.
See, we could run a system
H.....Watch.
A pause, and then a high frequency sound is heard. THX
begins to twitch uncontrollably, becoming more and more
violent, slamming up and down against the floor. He looks
terrified, but there is nothing he can do about it.
1ST VOICE
Normally, there would be no visual
evidence of a system H. We're not
even getting a reading.
The numbers on the bottom of the screen read 0000. The
sound changes pitch, and THX immediately huddles up in a
ball.
1ST VOICE
HUMMMM.....
2ND VOICE
What happened?
1ST VOICE
See if you can get a reading on
tactal retention. Try to estimate
it without a meter reading.
The numbers disappear from the screen, and we switch to a
closer shot of THX. There is a pause.
1ST VOICE
Be careful, now.....
THX immediately slams to the floor, paralyzed. His face
turns bright red, and he appears to be in extreme pain.
2ND VOICE
UMMM..Let me see.....
THX opens his mouth to scream, but makes no sound.
1ST VOICE
Hurry up.
2ND VOICE
4732...?
1ST VOICE
Too low.
The number 6949 appears on the screen.
2ND VOICE
Control ON.
1ST VOICE
No, evidently you reversed the
polarity on his lobal travel.
Secure another sinex drop.
THX collapses into a heap, and starts to quiver. The word
psynix appears, but the degree rating is rapidly climbing
upward, approaching 4000.
1ST VOICE
4000 degrees is usually the point
of....?
2ND VOICE
Vocasity
1ST VOICE
No, Tetanty.
THX begins to scream soon after the numbers pass 4000.
The numbers keep moving steadily until they stop;
oscillating between 7980 and 8040.
1ST VOICE
It's very rare to see a nurl bond
dissolve like that.
The numbers stabilize at 8020. THX is contorted into a
very odd position on the floor. He is released, and he
crumples into a heap..(trembling, and screaming.)
1ST VOICE
He's back to normal now.
ORGANALYSIS THEATRE
THX is strapped and clamped to an analysis table, mounted
on gimbles, similar to an operating table. He looks dazed,
but fearful, and is extremely clean and well scrubbed;
almost raw. His head has been freshly shaved.
What we can see of the room around him is full of mechanical
and medical apparatus - chrome and white enamel. We are
in the midst of an examination, although no other people
are seen.
MED ANGLE
A mechanical arm tipped with a cotton pad is rubbed in
THX's armpit. It retracts, and another arm descends,
injecting a needle into his armpit. Simultaneously, blood
samples are being obtained from the finger tips, and
forearm. The armpit needle has obtained a sample of clear
limph fluid, and is retracted into the ceiling.
All these movements are accompanied by the small, whirring,
mosquito-like sound of tiny torque motors.
CLOSE ANGLE
The arms descend again and fasten two strips of cellophane
to THX's biceps. Then a clear plastic tube is inserted
into one of his nostrils, and his mouth is sealed shut
with a large black plastic clamp. THX's breathing becomes
very difficult and he tries to resist, but is powerless.
We hear the sound of a pump and a pink fluid is pumped
through the tube and into THX.
CLOSER ANGLE
Tiny clamps are placed around THXÓs eyes and his eyelids
are retracted. Two cups on long stems of colored wires
are lowered and placed on his eyeballs. There is a slight
pause and then the cups begin to vibrate. They stop then
vibrate again.
STILL CLOSER ANGLE
The pump stops, and THX's other nostril is sealed. We
hear the pump again, only this time air is sent through
the tube. THXÓs chest begins to distend, and keeps
distending until it seems his lungs can hold no more.
The pump stops, and THX exhales with one huge sigh. The
cups on his eyes also stop vibrating, and retract into the
ceiling. The pump starts up again filling his lungs with
air. This time the pump passes the where it stopped before,
and begins to strain.
Finally it stops and lets THX exhale. The tube is retracted
and his mouth is unclamped. His lips are quivering.
EXTREMELY CLOSE SHOT
Two wires are placed deep into THX's chest, and his heart
begins to beat very fast. An arm with an extremely sharp
stylus starts to scrape a strange pattern on the inside of
THX's forearm. Little beads of blood appear where the
line was traced. A long flat needle descends and penetrates
THX's solar plexus. When fully in, it rotates in eccentric
circles for a few moments, and then retracts, leaving only
a small drop of blood where it has been.
CLOSE SHOT
Another arm with a razor-sharp scalpel moves to THX's
forearm and delicately incises an almond shaped pattern on
the skin. His heart, which has been beating rapidly,
suddenly slows to almost nothing.
The scalpel moves beneath the skin and frees the almond
shaped section, lifting it into a small vile, and lifting
it away. The two wires in THXÓs chest retract and his
heartbeat returns to normal.
MED ANGLE
The entire process has been continually typed into a
computer.
At this point, a read out activates; which reads: 1138thx
Diognosis-compatable. Rate: Excellent. Exceptions:
Left kidney. (See detailed index 24-921)
PRISON CHAMBER
THX lies sleeping. The sound of footsteps wakes him, and
he jumps up, crouching, staring into the white limbo.
As THX stares, a figure slowly appears out of the whiteness.
It is LUH. When she sees THX, she stops walking and stares
at him.
They watch one another for a long while; finally THX stands.
THX
Are you...are you real?
LUH?...LUH?
She rushes into his arms and they spin in an embrace.
They kiss.
THX
Are you all right?
LUH looks at him, frightened and unable to answer.
THX
What did they do to you?
There is a long pause.
LUH
I'm going to have a child.
THX is alarmed.
THX
no...no, no.
LUH
Oh, THX... hold me, hold me, THX
holds her tightly, tears in his
eyes. They kiss, and LUH hides
her head in THX's chest.
THX
It's the end.
LUH
I'm not afraid...I'm not afraid.
THX
It's wrong; so wrong, what we've
done....
He drops to the floor, clinging to her legs. He is crying.
THX
I didn't want this. How did it
happen? Don't leave me... stay
here with me.
She goes down to him, embracing and comforting him.
LUH
You have to be strong.
(pause, softly)
You're going to have a son.
They both sit silently. She is rocking him in her arms.
EXTREME LONG SHOT
They lie huddled together in the vastness of the white
limbo.
LONG SHOT
They kiss
MED ANGLE
They become passionate and begin to take off each others
clothes.
CLOSE ANGLE
They begin to make love.
CLOSER ANGLE
They make love.
The same image appears over a TV monitor.
VOICE
Neron activity has risen to +942
Carbon rating +22.3. Tri-base off
.732. Contrast.....
The image returns to the white limbo.
THX and LUH are sleeping, cuddled next to one another.
Faint footsteps are heard, slowly getting louder. LUH
wakes with a start. Muffled voices are heard. LUH shakes
THX awake.
A man dressed in yellow appears with two chrome policemen.
THX and LUH freeze in terror, still half asleep. The robot
grab them and pull them to their feet.
MAN
No person held to service in one
section under the laws thereof,
escaping into another, shall, in
consequence of any law or regulation
therein, be discharged from such
service, but shall be delivered up
on claim of the party to whom such
service may be due.
LUH is held as THX is taken away.
LUH
(crying out)
THX!
THX
(screaming)
No!...No!...
He is struggling as he disappears into the whiteness.
COURTROOM
THX is escorted by two chrome policemen down a hallway and
into a courtroom. It is rather dim and small - the twenty
or so people in the room are lit with narrow beams of light.
THX is seated in a large, highbacked chair. The Proctor
reads the charge in a ritualistic, sing-song voice which
is only occasionally understandable.
PROCTOR
1138 prefix THX charged with
violation index 3278.927, appendix
445 to 613. Drug evasion, malicious
sexual perversion, unconditional
response and transgression. Justice
proceed. Pontifex 606 presiding.
The Pontifex is sitting behind a high dais, with a large
portrait of OMM in the background. He makes a ritualistic
gesture.
PROCTOR
Begin.
PROSECUTOR
Mercicontrol respectfully places
its evidence before you.
He places four rolls of computer tape before the Pontifex.
PROSECUTOR
9198,5116, and 1447. These negative
documents are certified by A.N.-
O,T.O. and registered at files,
tomb 34.
The Defense, sitting in front of THX, jumps up and blurts
out a quick sentence of partially inaudible phrases.
DEFENSE
....nondrug, nondrug total excuse.
1138 is unstable condition...not
responsible for acts. Nondrug,
asylum....asylum.
THX sits quietly, with his head hung low.
PROSECUTOR
Mercicontrol respectfully submits
a 5254, immediate destruction, on
the basis of an ECO TR-X 314;
totally incurable chemical imbalance
with socially deteriorating
consequences.
DEFENSE
Reject, reject. Inefficient
unwarranted destruction. Must be
saved...mass is one... can be
productive. Name of economics;
cure this soul...malignant cure.
There is a heritage of good and
economic efficiency.... net gain.
PROSECUTOR
Insane.
PONTIFEX
Granted.
PROSECUTOR
Immediate destruction is the only
efficiency. The crimes are of
secondary importance. The issue
is one of genetic inferiority.
This man is of womb.
There is slight pause as a murmur goes through the
courtroom.
PROSECUTOR
He is the product of an illegal
sexual perversion and should have
been destroyed at the moment of
conception. What is in question
here is a concept in economic
efficiency and procedure that has
allowed these erotics to exist and
dilute this great society.
DEFENSE
Inane...inane...
PONTIFEX
Rejected.
PROSECUTOR
The services performed by these
erotics must be automated. If
sexual perversion is to be stamped
out, the products of this perversion
must...
DEFENSE
Reject...reject...reject... What
is the prosecution doing? This is
not a race issue....not here.
Remember sanctity of the individual
regardless of race. A
nonresponsible act...simple case.
Birthborn citizens are physically
compatible with clinic types and
must be consumed, not destroyed.
Econ equilibrium status 542 through
691 apply to case. Defendant used,
not destroyed. Case rest.
He takes three computer cards and places them before the
Pontifex.
PROSECUTOR
The perversions committed by this
obsolete race have a definite
corrosive effect on our society.
If he is not destroyed, his deviate
characteristics will be transmitted
to others. We must not continue
to consume these erotics.
We must exterminate the source of sin.
Economics must not dictate situations which are obviously
religious.
PONTIFEX
Conclude.
PROSECUTOR
If 1138 is consumed and not
destroyed, this perversion will
spread. He must be destroyed. It
is the only logical, efficient,
and righteous verdict which can be
reached.
The defense says nothing, only shakes his head in dissent.
The Pontifex scans the room, then gives the Proctor a nod.
PROCTOR
Concluded.
PONTIFEX
Proceed.
The Proctor types the last bit of information into the
computer.
Moments later, the computer readout activates. The Proctor
tears off the sheet and hands it to the Pontifex. The
Pontifex silently reads the verdict and then stands.
PONTIFEX
(solemnly)
OMM be praised. All are One.
Praise be to the masses.
The Pontifex hands the verdict to the Proctor as two chrome
policemen drag THX before the Pontifex. He makes a sign
over THX and mumbles a prayer, then looks at the Proctor,
who reads the verdict.
PROCTOR
1138 prefix THX stands convicted
of index 3278.927 appendix 445
through 613. Drug evasion 321,
399, and malicious sexual
perversion.
Everyone in the courtroom is unmoved and unconcerned. THX
sits in a trance-like shock.
PROCTOR
...1138-THX is pronounced
invaluable.
The subject shall be consumed as economics dictate.
The defense gives the prosecutor a triumphant glance. Two
chrome policemen take THX out of the courtroom.. As he
leaves, LUH is escorted into the room by another door.
They do not see one another.
PRISON CHAMBER
THX is escorted through a white limbo area by a chrome
policeman with a long electronic pole. Shortly, they reach
a group of nine other felons. The area is defined by ten
blue beds - each bed is actually a rectangular box equipped
to provide all the necessities for human existence. Some
felons are asleep, others are sitting on their bed modules,
and a few are grouped together in a discussion.
The policeman take THX to an empty bed module and pounds
his long pole on the floor three times. A few of the
prisoners turn and look.
POLICEMAN
THX 1138.
The policeman turns and walks into the whiteness, leaving
THX sitting on his bed. The other nine men are: SEN 5241,
PTO 0340; NIN 1969; TWA 7070; DWY 1519; NCH 0066; IMM 9472;
JOT 1288; and TRG 3442.
PTO - a withered old man - walks over to THX and puts his
hand on THX's shoulder.
PTO
It's all right...you're safe now.
THX is totally depressed and completely ignores PTO, who
goes back to his bed after a moment. THX watches the other
felons.
NCH is doing exercises on his bed module. IMM, a retarded
woman, sits huddled in a trance, mumbling incoherent
phrases. Her clothes are torn to shreds and she is almost
naked. A thin, delicate-looking man is slightly removed
from the group, painting large, red designs on the floor;
he is JOT. TRG, an imbecile, sits on his bed module and
every few moments breaks out with a hysterical, ear-piercing
laugh.
As THX scans the group, he notices SEN asleep on one of
the modules. THX turns in disgust and tries to sleep.
DISSOLVE TO:
45. PTO is involved in a discussion with two of the other
prisoners.
One is NIN, a middle-aged man who is trying to organize
the rest of the felons in an escape. The other man in DWY -
sad, nervous, and about the same age as NIN.
PTO
Then why are they holding us here?
Why don't they destroy us right
away? Economically, it's not sound
at all. Very much unlike....
NIN
I've said many times before, and I
guess I'll have to repeat it again
for your...
DWY
They're mad...mad...
PTO
It is incalculably more destructive
for you to believe you are about
to be destroyed then if you actually
were destroyed. We've got many
residents on the verge of hysteria!
It's got to stop....your
unpleasant....
DWY
We're just waiting to die!
NIN
Calm down! Nothing can be
accomplished in an...
Suddenly, a scream is heard, and the group turns to see
NCH huddled over IMM. TRG and DWY both start over to rescue
IMM, but\ TRG reaches her first. NCH backs off a short
distance, making huffing noises. TRG is laughing
triumphantly at DWY, who goes back to his bed and sits
down. TRG takes IMM in his arms and tries to calm her.
PTO
You always manage to avoid the
issue: What's wrong with our
present condition? We're
COMFORTABLE and we have plenty of
food...I feel absolutely no threat
because there is no threat.
Why incite trouble? You should
examine your emotions. It is
senseless...
NIN
What are you talking about?
When did you sleep last? Do you
know what your trouble is?
You're blind. You've been here so
long you can't see what is
happening. We must unite. We
need unity. We need action.
(pause))
We have come to a time when we
must....
TWA, a rather fat man in his thirties, is pacing around
the area, measuring the distance between the bed modules.
With no warning noise a policeman appears out of the
whiteness, walks over to TRG, picks him up by the scruff
of the neck and takes him away.
TRG is laughing as he disappears into the distant white.
THX has fallen asleep; DWY goes over and attempts to comfort
IMM. NIN and PTO are still engaged in their argument.
DISSOLVE TO:
46. JOT is on his hands and knees, pushing a red, doughy
lump around the floor. It leaves a smeary trail behind
it, and JOT has worked theses red smears into a baroque
design. The ball occasionally sticks to the floor, and
JOT is having a difficult time with all the effort involved.
Suddenly, someone walks into frame and stands on the design,
close enough to JOT so that he has to stop working. All
we can see are this person's feet and legs. JOT is
exasperated and angry.
JOT
Please...
There is a pause.
VOICE
Hi, buddy.
JOT
Look, will you please get off.
You're standing on my work.
Another pause. The person nudges JOT with his knees.
VOICE
Hi, buddy.
JOT sighs, resigned and disgruntled.
JOT
Hello....
VOICE
......buddy?
JOT
Buddy.
The person gets down on one knee and puts his arm around
JOT. squeezing him hard. It is NCH.
NCH
I want to learn about what you're
doing, huh? Tell me something
nice about what you're doing.
JOT winces and struggles, but is caught even tighter in
NCH's grasp.
He begins to be afraid.
JOT
.....doing?
NCH
Yeah, what you're doing, you know.
The thing about you perverts is, you're always running
around doing things. I want to hear something really nice.
JOT
I'm doing....working....a space...
viable....
NCH bends JOT's arm behind him and gives it a twist.
NCH
Naa...that's not nice. You know
that's not nice.
He slams JOT against the floor and falls on top of him,
whispering harshly in his ear.
NCH
Tell me something nice.
JOT is terrified now, and he is finding it difficult to
breath.
JOT
......doing......
NCH
Pervert!
He pronounces this sweetly, with a great deal of pleasure,
but also a certain amount of menace. He becomes
increasingly excited.
NCH
Damn insidious malicious pervert!
JOT BARELY MANAGES A GASP:
JOT
Help!
NCH
Pervert. Pervert. Pervert.
NCH starts tearing off JOT's clothes.
DWY is sharpening a small spoon with loving and tender
care.
He is trying to conceal it from everyone else. NCH and
JOT can be seen struggling in the background and we can
still hear NCH mumbling.
NCH
Pervert! Pervert! Pervert!
Suddenly JOT screams, and DWY looks up. A chrome policeman
appears, leading a well-built, intelligent-looking youth
of 14. He stops, strikes his pole on the ground three
times and announces:
POLICEMAN
CAM 5424.
He turns and leaves. CAM looks around. Everyone is silent
except for JOT and NCH who are still fighting.
DISSOLVE TO:
THX is awakened by a figure standing over him; it is SEN.
SEN
You're real! Where did you come
from?
There is a pause and THX doesn't answer.
SEN
I know you turned me in.
THX is sitting, expressionless.
SEN
I'm doing quite well here anyway.
(pause)
What's wrong with you?...Don't be
like that.
(pause)
You're a stupid man!
THX is sullen and annoyed at SEN's presence. They sit
silently for a long while. Finally, SEN returns to his
bed module.
NIN and the new arrival, CAM are engaged in conversation.
NIN is trying to get CAM to sign a petition. IMM is sitting
slapping her hands on the floor. NCH is asleep and snoring
very loudly.
DWY has been watching JOT paint chases away. DWY goes
over to comfort IMM.
TWA has constructed a crude sextant, and is looking with
it into the vast whiteness. SEN sits on his bed counting
stacks of foam rubber food and multi-colored capsules.
THX goes back to sleep.
DISSOLVE TO:
PTO, TWA, and CAM are engaged in discussion. PTO and TWA
look the same as before, but CAM has begun to grow a stubble
of hair.
THX is sitting on his bed module not far away, listening.
He is
ALSO STILL COMPLETELY BALD. JOT IS WORKING OFF IN ONE
CORNER -
his design has begun to encircle the group of bed modules,
and he quickly works his way off screen.
CAM is speaking excitedly, as if he were making a series
of demands.
CAM
.....without pity!
There is a pause, and TWA shrugs his shoulders and looks
away.
PTO rubs his head.
PTO
But.....
CAM
Without pity!
He lies on his bed, as if to conclude the discussion.
Suddenly, TWA notices something off screen and whips up
the sextant that had been lying beside him. He holds it
out and tries to get a fix. Everyone turns to see except
PTO.
TWA
Too fast! If only I could see a
fixed point.
He puts the sextant down and exchanges a disgruntled glance
with PTO.
A chrome policeman walks into the area and goes off screen.
There is a pause and then the policeman returns, leading
JOT away.
JOT is silent, but turns a number of times and looks back
as he is taken into the distance. TWA has taken up the
sextant again and is following them as they disappear.
NCH has woken up.
PTO
Umm.....
He waves, trying to catch CAM's attention.
PTO
....my friend? Your point of
view....
CAM is still looking out after JOT and PTO finally leans
forward and tugs his sleeve. He turns to PTO.
PTO
(remembering CAM's
name)
Yes, CAM. That's it....Your point
is well taken...CAM, but it lacks
the balance that a broader and a
deeper range of experience can
lend it. When I first arrived
here, I saw things as you do now.
I was confused and anxious about
my predicament. I longed to thrash
out, to tear down, to destroy and
annihilate; to ravage, wreak havoc,
and plunder. Being basically level-
headed, however, I realized that
my first goal should be to study
this place, where what seemed blind
circumstance had placed me. To
follow the train of events and the
ever-changing display of characters
that I saw before me - of which I
am of course a part - and to try
to discern a pattern within the
confusion.
TWA puts down his sextant and listens, although it seems
he has heard this speech many times before. CAM is
gradually fascinated by the old man - more by his air if
calm assurance and the rhythm of his language than by
anything he is actually saying.
In the background, THX has begun to shave his head. DWY
goes over and tries to help but THX turns him away.
NCH has moved over to the sleeping IMM and, without waking
her, removes her last piece of clothing and lays her down
on the floor.
He quietly lies down beside her and starts moving
rhythmically.
PTO
I set forth on a program of study
which continues up to this very
day and which has afforded me a
few glimpses - if not actual
insights - into the nature of the
world around us. I never regretted
my youthful passion - quite the
contrary, it provided me with the
original spark which has since
settled down to a comforting and
enduring glow. But I would caution
you that spark - if uncontrolled -
may leap into flames of senseless
and disastrous action and consume
what you are endeavoring to
conserve.
He has addressed this last bit of advice to NIN as well as
CAM.
PTO
Listen to the mumblings of an old
man and bank those flames with
earnest inquiry and honest
observation.
NIN suddenly breaks in.
NIN
Mumblings is right!
He turns to CAM.
NIN
Do you know how many times we've
had to listen to that speech?
He jumps up, excited and at a loss for words.
NIN
Do you know how many times?
....We've had to listen to that
speech? He thinks everyone's as
stupid as he is.
(turning to PTO)
You know what you are? You make
me sick. If we all thought like
you they could come in here
and...and... do whatever they
wanted!
PTO smiles and shakes his head. NIN stomps off in a rage,
turning and yelling at PTO.
NIN
Sooner or later, you'll be taken
away and destroyed just like the
others.
He sits down on his bed and sulks. PTO continues with his
speech, completely ignoring NIN's interruption.
PTO
In the years to come you will be
grateful for what may now seem
like senseless sacrifices. With a
passion such as yours, I don't
think it would be foolish to say
that you might see further and
deeper than any of us, right to
the heart of Truth herself!
PTO emphasizes his point by placing his hand on CAM's knee..
There is a loud screech, and everybody turns to see IMM
sitting on the floor howling like a two-year old. NCH,
who had been lying beside her, is slightly embarrassed and
tries to cover this up with bluster. He gives IMM a shove
and struts over to his bed; he begins his exercises. DWY
gets up from his bed and goes over to comfort IMM>
DISSOLVE TO:
49. IMM, still completely naked, walks out into the
whiteness accompanied by a chrome policeman.
The prison chamber momentarily goes blue, and food trays
appear at the base of the bed modules. The men go to their
food and begin to eat. SEN goes over to TWA, and DWY goes
over and sits next to THX. THX is not eating his food.
DWY
You're frightened. You're
frightened that at any moment you'll
be taken away. I know, I've felt
that way. I couldn't eat. I still
have trouble. It goes right
through, all the time. I know all
right, but I'm better now.
I can more or less regulate it.
(pause)
I don't think you can understand.
.....Terrible, terrible,
terrible....
I've been thinking about you.
DWY waits for a reaction, but THX continues to pick at his
food, paying no attention to him.
DWY
You seem alone. I know. I've
felt that way. At work...they
told me I was a first class
transport regulator.
Yes, a tram pilot. What do you
think? Between level 3472 and
level 3500, module center 55 - the
big one. A toilet: it's a toilet.
Still, bad air
is better than no air. And the
time-
tables. Shall I tell you?
TWA has given SEN part of his meal, and SEN returns to his
bed with it. DWY watches him as he passes them, then turns
back to THX.
DWY
What?
(referring to SEN)
He's not very friendly, is he? He
said you were roommates. Was he
always so...strange? All he does
is save his food. He eats a
little.... very little. He may
die.
(pause)
Of course, he may change. Things
do change. I'm the same...
(DWY offers THX
some of his food)
Have my plycron...what do you want
me to say?
(He sits, watching
THX eat)
Could we be friends?
(whispering)
We could leave together. I have a
plan. See this?
(He takes a spoon
out of his shoe)
I'm making it sharp. We'll dig..
A chrome policeman arrives with another felon and DWY
hastily hides the spoon in his pants. He seems to feel
that THX had something to do with the appearance of the
policeman and he watches THX suspiciously.
POLICEMAN OUE 6662.
The policeman leaves OUE standing with a totally blank
expression on his face, saliva dribbing from his mouth.
He is in a deep catatonic trance. THX lies on his bed and
turns his back to DWY.
DWY
I should have known...You're with
them. You want....
DWY gets up and goes over to OUE, who is still standing
where the policeman left him. He sits him on a bed and
begins to talk to him. Most of the other felons are asleep.
DISSOLVE TO:
THX is sitting on his bed, looking as if he just awoke
from a deep sleep. PTO and CAM are in the middle of a
history lesson and CAM is reciting from memory with a
certain amount of difficulty.
His hair is now moderately long.
CAM
Then SLE and RNH, who came between
PRT and MNH, but not before ALF,
FRG, and MLK. ALF, FRG, and MLK
went before SAM, RNG, NUR, and
KLM. Then RRG, STK, OUN, and FLT.
And after them came....came....
PTO
Four quick felons prepare the bed
modules to be cleaned.
CAM is perplexed by what PTO has just said.
CAM
Huh?
PTO repeats, emphasizing each word carefully and separately.
PTO
Four quick felons prepare the bed
modules to be cleaned. Four: F;
Quick: Q; Felons: F.....
He looks delightedly at CAM, who repeats the sentence to
himself.
CAM
Four....quick....felons prepare.
(understanding)
FRK, QUM, FLN, PSK, and TEL; BGL,
MLT, TRN, BRK, and CLS.
THX looks up and watches NIN, who has begun to stride
around.
PTO
Yes, fine! You see, history is
not only important, it can be fun
as well.
NIN suddenly bursts in.
NIN
I can't believe it!
(mocking)
MRK CRK TRK SRK BRK.....
What do you think happened to MRK and CRK and TRK? Where
are they now? I'll tell you where....no where.
NCH wakes up.
NIN
You know what I want? Ideas....
One idea, One idea could get us out of here if it was the
right idea. You know what I mean?
Not a bunch of facts. Who even knows if they're facts?
He probably makes them up in his sleep. The time has come
to act.
THX gets up and starts to wander aimlessly about. No one
notices him.
NIN
We've just got to be sure it's the
right idea. But we'll find it.
We'll know it when we see it.
I'll know it when I see it. Clear
and straight forward and plain as
the nose on your face.
NCH walks over and punches NIN in the face. NIN falls
down, holding his nose in pain. NCH returns to his bed
module and uses the toilet.
THX is slowly moving further away from the group.
PTO
(to CAM)
Of course it is true that no one
has ever returned once they were
taken away, history tells us that,
but it is idle to speculate about
the reasons why and absurd to
torture oneself over an idle
speculation as NIN is doing. NIN
has in fact destroyed himself many
times over with worry.
LOO 3122, who has taken away not long before you arrived,
believed that he was going to a wonderful place where he
would be happy, and in so believing he created a veritable
paradise for himself right here. Unfortunately, not all
of us can have the positive conviction of LOO, but
thankfully not all of us are burdened with the ominous
forebodings of NIN. I myself have found that
concentrating...
PTO stops speaking as a chrome policeman appears out of
the white.
The policeman walks past THX, who has wandered quite a
distance away, and heads for the group. He stops at NCH's
bed module and takes NCH by the arm.
NCH suddenly gives the policeman a crumpling blow and knocks
him to the floor. He then jumps gleefully on his head,
partially caving it in. When he finishes, he returns to
his bed and watches the immobile body. Another policeman
appears almost instantly and takes NCH by the arm, leading
him quietly away. NCH grins triumphantly as he passes
THX.
NIN
That's what I mean by the wrong
idea.
PTO and CAM resume the discussion, unconcerned by the
presence of the policeman's body. THX listens for a while.
PTO
I am not going to try to prove the
usefulness of history, it is
genuinely too obvious to need proof.
We see before us innumerable scenes,
like what we just witnessed, that
succeed each other in endless
repetition. Where we see the same
faults followed regularly by the
same misfortunes, we may
reasonably....
He pauses and points at CAM's long head of hair.
PTO
Don't you think you could do
something about that? It's very
distracting.
CAM is a little embarrassed and runs his hand through his
hair.
PTO
...we may reasonably think that if
we could have known the first we
could have avoided the second.
The past should enlighten us on
the future, knowledge of history
is no more than an anticipated
experience.
SEN, with great effort, has dragged the body of the
policeman out to the edge of the beds and left it there.
THX has ventured further and further away from the group.
The voices have been becoming less and less audible until
we hear only fragments:
NIN
(shouting)
You're wrong! They're going to
destroy him!
And then we hear nothing at all.
A chrome policeman enters the group of beds from the
opposite side and takes the body of the first policeman
away.
THX is puzzled that there is no device stopping him from
going further. He becomes increasingly frightened but
decides to continue.
The group of beds is only a small dot in the distance.
DISSOLVE TO:
51. NIN and TWA are standing looking off into the distance.
NIN
I can just barely see him. I think
he's leaving.
TWA
Impossible!
PTO comes over and peers into the whiteness.
PTO
I don't see anything.
DWY and CAM join the gathering at the edge of the group of
beds.
PTO
I can't see him at all. He's been
destroyed.
TWA
No, look! Three degrees from the
central azimuth.
NIN
He's free! Can't you see: he's
free!
CAM
I can see him. He's coming back.
PTO
Where? Oh...there he is. He must
have been stopped.
(to NIN,
sarcastically)
Don't you think?
DWY
He was stopped. He was stopped.
Now what are we going to do?
NIN
He's coming back for the rest of
us. He can't make it alone.
TWA
I wonder how far he went. He's
gathered invaluable information
out there.
PTO
The reckless fool. I'm not
responsible.
THX approaches the group.
NIN
What happened?
DWY
What stopped you?
TWA
How far did you go? Was it cold?
PTO
You have nothing to fear. You're
safe again.
THX walks past the group, ignoring them, and lies down on
his bed.
They all start for him.
NIN
Wait! I'll talk to him.
TWA
Ask him about the air. He looks
out of breath.
NIN goes over and sits on the edge of THX's bed. THX does
not acknowledge his presence. The other felons return to
their beds.
NIN
Can you speak? Can you hear me?
THX lies quietly, trying to sleep.
NIN
I want to help you. You can help
us. Here, take a biscuit.
THX gives him an annoyed look.
NIN
You understand me, can you speak?
DWY comes up to the bed.
DWY
I think he's deficient.
NIN
I don't think so. Why don't you
go find something else to do?
DWY
Then why doesn't he speak? Can't
he hear? I don't think he knows.
Loud yelling is heard and DWY and NIN turn to see SEN and
CAM struggling on the floor. They roll against OUE's bed,
knocking him on the floor, where he lies motionless. TWA
pulls CAM away and SEN scrambles back to his bed.
CAM
He took my food. He stole it.
TWA
Now, now.
DWY goes over and lifts OUE back onto his bed. NIN turns
back to THX.
SEN
(yelling at CAM)
I thought you were through with
it!
NIN
We cannot stay here and allow
ourselves to be destroyed. You
can work with us. An organized
plan of escape must be devised
first. Could you see anything?
(pause)
You want to leave. You're not
like them. You must have left
something, or someone.
THX winces at the question.
NIN
A plan.....an organization. I
will see to it that we all get out
of here safely. As soon as you
give us a detailed description of
the barrier, we can begin.
Information is the key.
We must concentrate on gaining
information. You're with us, I
know. I have a contract..
He takes a piece of paper out of his shirt. THX lies
silently, apparently asleep.
NIN
All it says is: you're with us.
We can only make it together. We
must convince the others.
(pause)
Well, later, then.
NIN leaves. THX opens his eyes and ponders the incident.
DISSOLVE TO:
SEN is busy cleaning his bed area. CAM is helping TWA
build a crude telescope on the edge of the bed area. DWY
is sharpening his spoon. THX is sitting on his bed with
his head in his hands..
NIN and PTO are involved in discussion. PTO's mind is
wandering as he trys to follow NIN's train of thought.
NIN
Without most of us realizing it, a
"new alignment" has been formed...
and it is an exciting, healthy
development.. this alignment is
already a new majority; it will
effect the future of us all for
generations to come. We need a
new unity, but not a unity which
discourages dissent. We Need
dissent.
He touches PTO to emphasize the point. There is a pause.
NIN
But we need a creative dissent.
Our voices are not joined in any
harmonious chorus, but the
differences are differences of
emphasis, not of fundamentals.
Now, the new alignment's greatest
need is to communicate with all
its elements, rather than march
along in parallel line that never
converge. Tomorrow as we focus
the new movement more clearly, we
will gain a new unity.
PTO
What?
A policeman appears out of the white with a three foot
high, hunch backed, long-haired freak. The policeman pounds
his staff three times. All the felons are dumb-founded at
the sight of the freak.
POLICEMAN
A nondescript: 364-1399284 The
policeman exits; the freak stands
helpless and frightened.
SEN
What is it?
NIN
Good Lord!
PTO
(proud of his
knowledge)
A shelldweller. They live in the
outer shell of the city. Quite
unique, there have been two here
before. They smell.
TWA
Interesting....
TWA cautiously goes over to it to get a closer look. When
he gets close enough he pokes it. The freak lets out a
shrill screech and hobbles as fast as it can away from
TWA. It jumps up and lands on DWY's lap. DWY is paralyzed
with fear as the freak clutches to him with all his
strength.
The freak looks at DWY with sad, helpless eyes. DWY comes
out of his shock and throws the freak onto the floor.
DWY
Get....get away, get, get, get,
get away....
The freak hobbles off to an empty bed and huddles in a
ball at its base, quaking with fear. TWA starts for it
again.
CAM
Leave it....for a while.
CAM and TWA go back to the telescope. NIN and PTO return
to their conversation. THX lies quietly on his bed. SEN
continues to clean his area. DWY sits on his bed. He is
crying.
DISSOLVE TO:
53. CAM is at the telescope, aiming it into the whiteness,
in an apparently futile search for some concrete object.
TWA is at his side.
TWA
There!
TWA points and CAM moves the telescope in that direction.
CAM
No, nothing.
TWA points again.
TWA
There!
CAM
Nothing.
THX is also standing at the edge of the limbo, not far
sway, staring out at nothing. TWA and CAM conclude their
search after a few more fruitless attempts at sighting
something.
NIN and PTO are having another discussion.
NIN
I think that a leader must, whenever
he possibly can, make the decision
for more knowledge rather than
less, but he must also have the
wisdom to limit freedom so as to
insure freedom. That is what will
keep us strong and give us
direction.
TWA and CAM come over and sit down.
PTO
Well?
TWA
Out of a random selection of 150
locations with 150 possible
sightings, there were 146 absolute
negatives and four conditionals,
most of which occurred in the early
familiarization stages of the
experiment and can be largely
discounted.
PTO
Not very encouraging.
TWA
On the contrary! It absolutely
proves what I have always felt.
We are located in an apparently
uniform space with no visible
limits. We are just now beginning
to push back the clouds of ignorance
and perceive the truth. We must
continue the search.
NIN
I have always tended to believe
that this kind of knowledge is all
well and good in its place, but
anything can be taken too far, and
when you've got everyone looking
off into telescopes and not tending
to business right here, then, I
believe, we have gone too far.
THX has noticed a policeman approaching the group. He
turns and goes back to his bed module.
TWA
The sighting of a fixed point beyond
our confines is fundamental to all
other problems and issues. It
would instantly determine whether
we are, whether this world is, in
fact, moving or standing still.
The policeman enters the area and walks over to DWY, who
has been sitting quietly on his bed. TWA leans over and
whispers to CAM, and as the policeman leads DWY quietly
away, they return to the telescope.
NIN
I have been thinking seriously
recently about the role we are
expected to play as individuals
and as a unit within the broader
outlines of society.
He addresses himself to the whole group.
NIN
Each of us, of course, feels very
strongly as an individual, but I
think we could all agree that there
is something here that binds us
all together. In this way, we are
a whole made up of different parts.
But in the way that each of us
relates to all of us together, all
of us together are but a part of
society as a whole.
No one is really listening to him.
NIN
Now I come to my point: each one
of us can be in unity with the
rest only if there is a leader who
can the unifying. When Posterity
judges our actions here it will
perhaps see us not as unwilling
prisoners, but as men who, when
faced with the choice, preferred,
for whatever reason, to remain as
non-contributing individuals on
the fringe of society. We must
not let this happen, gentlemen.
The choice is there, make no mistake
about it!
NIN looks around, trying to elicit a response.
NIN
We must first choose a leader to
unite us together, and then venture
out and return once more as
contributing and vital members of
the greater organism of society.
NIN's speech has been increasingly passionate, and ends on
a note of triumphant exhortation. The freak begins to
cry; everyone else is silent.
TWA, who has not been listening to the speech, is still
sighting through the telescope.
TWA
Aha!
DISSOLVE TO:
54. CAM is shaving his head while PTO is giving him a
history lesson.
The Freak is crouched in the background.
PTO
......because of the great pressure
and bad air, they never attain a
height greater than four feet
although some of them are ferocious
fighters and show great courage
and skill. Whether they are
descendants of those who lost them-
selves in the superstructure, or
whether they are actually a separate
race, no one can tell. They depend
on their strange appearance and
peculiar smell to fend off any
intruders, and they make the city
shell a most unpleasant place in
which to be lost. The authorities
tolerate a moderate amount of them
at any one time, but they must be
kept under control with occasional
sweep campaigns, which is probably
where this one came from.
CAM
(repeating the lesson)
Because of the great pressure and
bad air, they never attain...
TWA, who has been busy making calculations, suddenly bursts
in:
TWA
I've got it! Astounding!
PTO
What?
TWA
No one could have imagined anything
one-thousandth as fantastic as the
sober facts uncovered by patient
inquiry. This world is in a state
of static-mobility: we are at the
same time moving and standing still.
NIN
That's the most ridiculous thing
I've ever heard.
TWA
It may seem ridiculous to the
untrained mind, but if you were
able to interpret the calculations
you would see that an apparent
paradox is actually a perfect and
elegant system in concept and
design.
A policeman approaches the group.
TWA
However, for myself there is a
great deal more that I would like
to know.
Why is this world as it is and not something else. Why is
this world here at all. It is true that at present I have
no clue to the answers to questions such as these, but....
The policeman enters the group and walks over to CAM, leads
him away without a word.
NIN
(to PTO)
There goes another of your
disciples.
PTO
It seems I am destined to endure
many frustrations....but at the
same time I am secure in the
knowledge that the thrust of my
studies has been in the right
direction, and that even if it
remains incomplete, my search has
not been in vain.
PTO watches CAM being led off by the policeman.
PTO
Our life is brief and powerless.
On all of us, the slow, sure doom
falls pitiless and dark. Blind to
good and evil, reckless of
destruction, omnipotent authority
rolls on its relentless way.
Condemned today to lose our friends,
tomorrow ourselves to pass through
the gate of darkness, it remains
only for us to cherish, before the
blow falls, the lofty thoughts
that ennoble this little day;
disdaining the coward terrors of
the slave of fate, to worship at
the shrine that our own hands have
built; undismayed by the empire of
chance, to preserve a mind free
from the wanton tyranny that rules
our outward life; proudly defiant
of the irresistible forces that
tolerate, for a moment, out
knowledge and our condemnation, to
sustain alone, weary but unyielding,
the world that our own ideals have
fashioned despite the trampling
march of unconscious power.
THX looks into the void. There are tears in his eyes.
DISSOLVE TO:
55. The blue meal buzzer goes off and the men eat. DWY
tries without any results to get OUE to eat something.
The Freak is very protective of his food, and is very sloppy
when he eats. SEN eats only a small portion of his food,
and puts the rest in his bed module. He then goes over
and sits with THX.
SEN
What is the Freak doing? He chews,
but he doesn't seem to eat. The
longer it stays, the greater the
mess. Nobody lifts a finger.
Isn't anybody going to get rid of
the damn thing?
(pause)
All of its leavings are piling up.
THX is eating, unconcerned with SEN's problems.
SEN
I can't do a good job. As soon as
I get things cleaned up....it's
hopeless, a hopeless task.
(pointing to the
others)
I'm going to tell them I've had
it. They don't know any better.
Countless diversions. Deciding
where we are. Arguing about
leaving. Trying to determine the
future. Ridiculous. What about
keeping things livable here?
Now?
(pause)
can't hide anything. I can't put
anything aside. Nothing can be
saved, nothing....can be hidden.
They're beginning to go into my
corner and look for things.
Their things. They're my
things..... They're going to take
it all. I know what they're
planning. After all my saving,
starving...there must be something
else. Don't you agree? You're
calculating...
SEN is stopped by the banging of a policeman's staff.
POLICEMAN
LUH 9998
THX is startled by the felon's prefix.
THX
(quietly, almost
involuntarily)
LUH! .......
He turns to see an older, quiet-looking man. The policeman
leaves and THX slumps in depression.
SEN
(casually interested)
What happened to her? Do you know
where she is? Why isn't she here...
(pause)
What are you thinking?
THX is obviously thinking about something important. He
seems to have made a decision.
NIN is sitting with OUE, trying o get him to sign his
petition.
THX
I'm leaving.
SEN
What?
THX turns to SEN with a very determined look.
THX
I'm leaving.
SEN
When?.....How?
THX
Right now.
SEN
But you can't...you.
THX starts to walk out of the area and into the whiteness.
SEN
Wait, I'm coming too.
SEN runs over to his bed and starts stuffing surplus food
into his shirt. NIN comes over to him, pointing out at
THX.
NIN
(agitated)
What's going on....what are you
doing?
SEN
We're leaving.
NIN
What?
SEN
We're leaving.
NIN
Who? Who's leaving?
SEN
THX and me.
NIN
But you can't. We must escape.
The new alignment. The plan.
The organization.
SEN's shirt is bulging with food. He has wrapped more
food up in a piece of cloth. As he starts to go after
THX, NIN grabs his arm and tries to restrain him.
NIN
Wait....sit down, let's talk about
it. You can't just do this on
your own. We must present a united
front...gather more pertinent
information... plans have to be
made.
SEN breaks away from him, and some of the food spills out
of his shirt, bouncing across the floor. He runs after
THX.
NIN
Think of the new alignment. What
are you doing?
(yelling)
You can't do this!
PTO, TWA, and LUH join NIN on the edge of the white limbo.
They watch SEN and THX walking off.
NIN
We must escape. We have plans.
We can leave. We must wait until...
TWA
Incredible!
NIN's yelling fades as SEN and THX venture further from
the group of modules. Eventually, the beds disappear
completely. THX and SEN are alone in the white.
WHITE LIMBO
EXTREME LONG SHOT
THX walks briskly through the white. SEN follows a short
distance behind, occasionally dropping a cube of food.
LONG SHOT
THX and SEN are sitting, resting in the vast void. SEN is
eating. THX is thinking.
MED SHOT
They are walking. SEN seems to be having a difficult time.
SEN
The air is getting thinner.
(pause)
Or the pressure is getting greater.
It's the pressure.
How do you feel?
THX is not listening to SEN
SEN
My ears feel funny....are you sure
this is the right direction?
They walk until SEN drops on the floor, out of breath.
SEN
It's the air. It's closing in.
I can't stand it any longer. There's no room. No air.
THX goes over to him.
THX
I haven't got time. You can stay
here if you like.
THX starts off into the white.
SEN
No!
SEN gets up and follows after THX.
SEN
It shouldn't be this far.
They walk on. Suddenly THX stops short.
SEN
What?
THX
Look!
He points to a black dot in the distance.
SEN
Oh No!
They stand for a moment, watching the dot.
THX
It doesn't seem to be moving.
They start walking in the direction of the dot.
SEN
Look, he's waving...It's a man.
He's waving.
Soon, they are close enough to see the man is a negro
mannequin, SRT 5555. He begins to walk toward THX and
SEN. They are frightened, and stop walking. SRT approaches
them.
SRT
Hello...hello. Where did you come
from?
Both THX and SEN are speechless.
SRT
Well, it doesn't make any
difference, I guess.
He notices SEN's food.
SRT
What's that? Food? Good, I'm
starving. Do you mind?
He takes a piece of food from SEN's shirt. SEN is frozen
with fear. SRT begins to eat.
THX
What are you doing here?
SRT
I was lost.
THX
...and you're not lost now?
SRT
(mouth full)
No, I...
SEN
You know the way out?!
SRT
(chewing)
Um hmm...
THX
Which way?
SRT
(swallowing)
That way.
He points in the direction from which THX and SRT have
just come.
SEN
That's where we were.
SRT
Maybe you were traveling in circles.
That's the way out.
THX
How do you know?
SRT
Look more closely.
Out of the whiteness a row of faint beacons flash. The
men start off in that direction.
As the beacons become more distinct, the men break into a
trot, then into a run. SEN trips and falls, sending food
bouncing in all directions.
SEN
Wait, help.
SRT stops to help him up. THX waits until they catch up.
The three of them run out of the white limbo into a dark
side area.
They stop to catch their breath.
SEN
There was nothing there.
SRT looks at THX and smiles. They walk along the edge of
the white until they reach a door.
SRT
It could lead anywhere...
THX puts his ear to the door. He hears nothing.
SEN
No...Let's not...
SRT opens the door, revealing an extremely crowded hallway.
The roar is deafening.
CITY MAINWAY
The men stand looking into the river of people. THX points
to a red door on the opposite side.
THX
(shouting)
Let's head for that door.
The three men are engulfed by the moving people. Fearful
of being noticed, they are tense as TV cameras scan the
crowd.
They struggle to fight the swift current. SEN begins to
panic as he becomes separated from THX and SRT. The shuffle
of feet is so loud that SEN's crys are not heard.
THX sees SEN drifting further and further away, but he is
helpless to do anything. THX yells at SRT who is directly
ahead of him in the stream of people.
THX
We've lost SEN!
SRT
What?
THX
Lost SEN! He'll never find us.
SRT
Too late....stay close.
THX and SRT make it to the opposite side of the hallway.
They move along the wall until they reach the door which
reads: "Reproduction Center 35 No Entrance" SEN helplessly
disappears in the distance.
He screams, but cannot be heard as he floats through the
hallways.
THX and SRT enter the reproduction center.
CONTROL CENTER
A row of observers sit at their monitors, as a control
officer, ELC 3433 (dressed in yellow), enters the room.
He walks over to one of the observers and is handed a stack
of report tapes. He take the reports to his desk and begins
to listen to them. The control center seems relatively
calm.
REPRODUCTION CENTER
SRT and THX are sitting in a large room illuminated by
blue lights and filled with large jars. The jars contain
human embryos.
SRT
...it doesn't matter. The rest of
it just didn't happen.
THX
What are you talking about.
How do you know? I need her!
(to himself)
I need her. She needs me. I've
got to get to her.
SRT
Maternity ward, huhh!
THX
We'll never make it through that
mainway...I wonder what happened
to SEN.
(pause)
I'm crazy! This whole thing is
crazy...What am I doing? My mind
is full of so many things I can't
think of anything, anymore.
(annoyed, to SRT)
Who are you?
SRT
Who? Me?...I don't know.
THX
What kind of answer is that?
SRT
I don't know.
THX (VERY FAST)
You have to!....I'm 1138 THX Magnum
manipulator 347 cell 94107 Precinct
3 Residence: Level 6421 Complex
12 Ramp 5. Roommate 3417 LU...H.
SRT
Oh, That! I'm 5555 SRT Entron..
THX
(angry)
I don't care.
SRT gets up and looks around the embryo room. He takes
one of the jars and removes it from the shelf.
THX
It's all her fault!...She put
orinase in my sedation.
SRT looks at THX and puts the jar back in its niche.
THX
How can I love her?
SRT goes over to a control panel and begins to inspect it.
He discovers a maintenance entrance to the computer. A
small sign on the door reads:
"REPRODUCTION CONTROL COMPUTER MAINTENANCE."
No entrance. Use no electrodevices beyond this point."
SRT
Look!
THX goes over to the computer. SRT pulls the door open.
THX
No!
An alarm goes off, and a recorded voice is heard.
VOICE
You are engaged in an unauthorized
procedure. Check cybernetic manual
F-45. If you do no have an F-45,
you are in violation. This is a
double A restricted precinct.
Remain where you are. Authorities
will arrive shortly.
THX
You should know better than that!
THX looks up at a TV camera. The two felons are seen on a
TV monitor.
CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral is a vast, dark, and empty hall. Dimly
perceivable are strange-looking cameras on large dollies;
cables are strewn across the floor. At one end is the
portrait of OMM and the huge figure eight.
A door open slowly at the far end of the hall and lets in
a shaft of light. The air is filled with dust.
SEN enters through the door, marked "SAG - 68Y Personnel
only."
His bag of food hangs limply and he is exhausted. Slowly
and cautiously he moves down the rows of strange shadowy
devices.
From the dark background there is occasionally a glint of
polished metal or glass. Amber safety lights are spaced
evenly along the unseen walls. Every sound he makes echoes
throughout the empty space.
He stands for a long while in front of the portrait of
OMM. In the background, only dimly seen, are huge cards
reading: "Before OMM was OMM, After OMM will be OMM, Within
OMM" etc.. He tosses the bag of food on the floor; one red
sphere rolls out and comes to a stop. He looks at it and
smiles wryly.
SEN
They took everything...and then
they were going to take my food.
He says this as a matter of fact, not trying to excuse
anything.
SEN
My food....I was afraid and I ran
away.
The portrait of OMM looks down silently.
SEN
I know it was wrong, OMM. I want
to go back...I want to do the right
thing. I want to go back.
The sound of footsteps is heard, and SEN turns in panic to
see who it is.
COMPUTER INTERIOR
THX and SRT run through the labyrinth of electronic circuit
panels. THX begins to show signs of exhaustion as they
run through the rows of electrodes.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX stops to catch his breath. SRT disappears around a
corner.
THX runs to catch up, but when he reaches the corner, he
discovers SRT has disappeared. He goes alone.
CONTROL CENTER
In the control center ELC receives a report.
VOICE
.....and two inmates have fled
detention block R, habot 92.
They have been missing for
approximately 3:32.16 hours.
The report is simultaneously typed into a computer.
VOICE
1138 THX and 5241 SEN. Relay
current position.
ELC appears calm and unconcerned as he speaks over the
intercom.
ELC
We have a U65 on a K8. Transfer
all unauthorized contacts in
precient 688 CON-G to this center.
Mode 7.
Instantly, the computer readout activates. ELC reports
into an intercom.
ELC
Request two PB848's: officers
1999 and 2187. Proceed with
recovery operation of felons 1138thx
and 5241sen. Current position
reproduction center 35, precient
688, CON-G. Report when felons
are in custody, revised position:
HOLD....
Felons have entered maintance area
of reproduction control computer
35-B4. Transfer.
ELC turns to watch an assembly accident on one of the
monitors.
CATHEDRAL
SEN is peering into the shadows. Just barely visible,
standing on the other side of the cathedral, is a white
robed figure.
VOICE
(echoing through
the hall)
This is not the place for prayer.
SEN shows no surprise and says nothing.
VOICE
If you want to speak with OMM you
must go to a UNICHURCH, you know
that.
SEN
(to himself)
Yes....
VOICE
What?....Are you in any trouble?
SEN
No...No...I'm all right. I'm going
now.
SEN picks up his bag and starts for the door. The white
robed figure, which we can now see is a monk, stops him.
MONK
Are you SAG?....What is your number
and prefix? I'm going to have to
put this in your record.
SEN
No...I'll just leave.
MONK
(holding him)
I'm sorry, I have to report all
intruders.....Where is your
identification badge?
SEN
(looking at his
lepel)
I lost it.
MONK
You're in violation. I'm going to
notify the authorities. This is
beyond my jurisdiction.
The monk turns to leave, and SEN grabs him, knocking him
to the floor.
SEN
No! Give....Give me time.
SEN begins to beat the unconscious body of the monk.
Slowly, he stops and then slumps, holding his face in his
hands.
SEN
OMM...OMM What have I done?
He takes the body in his arms, and then goes through the
monks pockets. He finds some pills and takes them.
COMPUTER INTERIOR
THX is standing at the intersection of three computer
hallways: puzzled. He turns to see a chrome policeman
come around the corner at the other end of the hallway.
MED ANGLE
THX runs down a corridor away from the policeman. Exhausted
and trapped, he discovers an opening between two electronic
panels, and squeezes into the cramped hiding place.
FULL SHOT
The robots stop a short distance from where THX is hiding.
Another policeman joins him.
POLICEMAN
We need assistance. Electroscan
impossible. Must rely on visual
sighting. Request three additional
officers.
ELC
Assistance priority request filed.
Continue with operation.
The policeman move off down the hallway. When their
footsteps fade, THX pokes his head out of his cubbyhole.
MED ANGLE
THX runs through the electronic hallways. He stops at an
exit; a hole high in the ceiling with a ladder in it.
Suddenly he hears someone coming. He jumps for the ladder
and misses, landing on a heap on the floor.
CLOSE ANGLE
He is about to make another leap when someone grabs him
from the rear. THX faints and collapses on the floor.
CONTROL CENTER
Photos and file histories of THX and SEN are projected on
the large screen. ELC is speaking into a dictaphone, and
his request is instantaneously typed into the computer and
onto the screen.
ELC
....and both felons were located
in reproduction center 34.
Apprehension pending. Priority
shift for 3 additional officers
delayed. Subjects will be returned
to.....
He breaks off his dictating as a report comes through on
his headset.
VOICE
Priority shift granted. Officers
5254, 9696 and 1970 dispatched to
Con G.
ELC
It's about time (into intercom).
Three additional officers enroute to assist in operation.
Advise at time of apprehension.
TRAM STATION
SEN is riding in an almost empty tram. There is only one
other passenger - a man asleep about four rows behind him.
The tram comes to a stop and an announcement is made over
the PA system.
ANNOUNCER
Termination of exurban link-DD
NECK 08. This tram will return to
central web in five minutes.
There is a soft hiss and then silence. The man in back of
SEN wakes up, looks around, then falls asleep again. SEN
gets up and cautiously leaves the tram.
FULL SHOT
Outside, the tram station is deserted and only partially
completed.
There are corridors leading from the station, but these
too, are unfinished. The station is lit only by dim work
lights. The sound of running water is heard.
CLOSE SHOT
SEN very timidly begins to explore one of the corridors.
The walls are solid, uneven rock, covered with plastic
sheeting. Many tubes and wires are lying on the floor,
leading off into the distance.
Occasionally there is a strange-looking tool dropped against
the wall.
MED SHOT
SEN comes to a section of rock that is steaming. There is
a strong draft blowing past him toward the tram station.
As he rounds a corner a strange volcanic sound comes from
the depths of the unfinished corridor. Suddenly a large
rat scampers past him and into the uncompleted shaft.
CLOSE SHOT
SEN is terrified and at the same time intrigued by what he
is seeing. He stops and listens. He hears the sound of
the trams pressure valves closing up.
FULL SHOT
He looks back, he cannot see the tram and he is instantly
overcome with fear. He runs madly around the corner and
down the corridor. The tram is till there. He reaches
the tram just as the door begins to close.
CONTROL CENTER
One of the observers reports to ELC. On his TV monitor
two chrome policeman fuss over the body of the slain monk.
OBSERVER
I have an unusual report - a
nonaccidental death. Are there
any felons reported in section 692
CON F?
ELC
No, the closest thing I have is in
CON G, they couldn't have done it.
Relay to analysis.
He thinks to himself for a minute.
ELC
(to the observer)...Let me recheck
....(he typed into computer)...
Backlog on case 6178821150.
The computer readout activates.
ELC
I have an unexplained discrepancy.
A description of one of the felons
trapped in reproduction center 35
doesn't match his Harris profile.
Transfer any unauthorized contact
for a radius of 30 sections. Relay.
The computer readout activates.
NARROW PASSAGEWAY
THX lies unconscious on the floor of a hallway, filled
with pipes and tubes. SRT is looking down through the
ladder hole watching a policeman pass under him.
THX begins to regain consciousness.
SRT
I'm sorry...I didn't mean to
frighten you.
THX looks around and realizes he has been moved out of the
computer.
THX
How did you get me up here?...
It is very hot and sweat forms on THX's forehead. There
is a large rumble and the entire passageway vibrates.
SRT
What was that....
THX
Must be an expressway....
You don't have to stay here, you
know....
SRT
What have you done, Cut your hand?
THX
I'm all right THX rises and they
begin to walk along the passageway.
At the end of the hall is a small
metal door, a sign read "Level
842CON G, Division of Plastic,
Vendable manufacturing stations"
the door is jammed and it is
difficult to open. Finally the
latch snaps and the door swings
open.
SCHOOL PLAZA
SEN is sitting with his head in his hands. Along one wall
is a school with windows facing the plaza. Children are
playing various games in the center of the plaza. One
group forms a human labyrinth and tow children play tag in
it. Two children are standing apart from the others, one
is adjusting a strange device of the other's arm. After a
few moments one child approached SEN.
CHILD
My inducer fell off.
SEN
(Looks up)
What...?
The child holds out his arm to SEN. A small blue plastic
pouch has detached from the underside of his arm. He points
at the other child standing in the background.
CHILD
3114 knocked it off.
SEN
(Confused)
Oh?....
CHILD
He didn't mean to.
SEN takes the pouch. Printed on it are the words "Advanced
primary economics 5867H" It is filled with a creamy fluid
which is dripping slowly out of the plastic tube.
CHILD
Look out!
He grabs the pouch from SEN and pinches the tube shut.
CHILD
(Angry)
What's the matter with you?
The other child has come over and is watching.
SEN
I'm sorry...let me see it again.
The child reluctantly gives him the pouch and SEN is careful
to keep it upright. Sticking out of the child's arm is a
small plastic receptor tube. SEN fits the pouch's tube
into it. The child looks at SEN.
CHILD
What are you doing here? Where's
your badge?
SEN
(Busy with the pouch)
I'm an escaped felon.
The two children look at each other wide-eyed. The second
backs off a little.
FIRST CHILD
You are not! Why aren't you
arrested?
SEN looks up and smiles and motions the other child closer
again.
SEN
I'm waiting to be picked up.
Here, hold this...
He hands the second child the first's pouch and tears a
strip of cloth from his shirt. He ties it around the arm
holding the pouch secure.
SEN
There!
The two children are fascinated, knowing whether to believe
SEN or not.
SECOND CHILD
What's your name?
SEN
SEN 5241
SECOND CHILD
I'm 3114 and he's 1112
SEN
Hello....
(Looking at the
pouch)
How is that? Any good....
FIRST CHILD
(Shrugs)
O.K.
SEN
When I was in school it was all
different. We had to lie in bed
all the time. ADVANCED PRIMARY
ECONOMICS was a bottle about this
big.... (he indicates a football
sized object) It took a week.
CHILDREN
Wow!
PLASTIC FACTORY
THX and SRT pass by large stacks of the three dimensional
hexagons that are sold in the commercial plazas.
Eventually, they enter a cold, blue-lit room filled with
dead bodies lying on metal slabs.
The eyes and torsos of many of the bodies are covered with
a blue plastic film.
MED ANGLE
THX sits quietly on one of the empty slabs. SRT wanders
through the dead bodies, occasionally lifting the covers
and looking underneath. THX takes a cube of food out of
his shirt. He considers the possibility of not offering
any to SRT.
THX
Would you like part of this?
....It's not much.
SRT
(referring to the
bodies)
All the insides are gone!
THX Begins to eat.
SRT
Did you know all the insides are
gone from these people?
THX continues to eat, not responding to SRT.
CLOSE ANGLE
On one of the slabs is a body with a particularly large
head.
SRT
This one must have been a genius!
SRT inspects the head.
SRT
...Yes, definitely smarter then
the rest.
He moves along to another body which we recognize as DWY.
He has no cloth over his eyes.
SRT
This one has eyes.
((Sardonic)
Why did they leave your eyes?
Could you ever....
THX
(recognizing DWY)
No!....
THX goes over to DWY.
THX
(Saddened)
I knew him.
SRT
Soon he'll be a plastic cube.
THX
(angry)
Shut up.
SRT goes over and lies down on one of the slabs. THX
remains with DWY's body, pondering his fate.
SRT
Your a fool.....If you continue
after LUH, you'll end up here.
Forget her. You can't go back.
THX wearly climbs onto a slab, just as a door opens and a
figure enters. Both THX and SRT freeze in terror.
MED ANGLE
The figure begins to staple plastic tags on the ears of
the bodies, checking a list as he goes. As he works, two
more figures enter with a cart and lift the tagged bodies
into it.
CONTROL CENTER
A TV monitor focuses on SEN sitting in the school plaza.
ELC
We've lost contact with 1138.
An unidentified felon is traveling with him. Will transfer
further information when available.
OBSERVER
Visual contact with 5241SEN.
....Habot 25 CON-H, PS947.
ELC switches to another intercom.
ELC
Request PB848: officer 1088 proceed
with recovery of felon 5241SEN.
Current position Habot 25, CON-H,
PS947.
OBSERVER
Negative sweep of CON-J, section
H.
ELC
Try closer to the reproduction
center.
SCHOOL PLAZA
SEN is still sitting with the two children. He listens to
them attentively.
2ND CHILD
(correcting)
No...impresses on each of us.
1ST CHILD
That's not how it goes.
2ND CHILD
Yes it is....
SEN
Go on.
1ST CHILD
.....There are no other rational
alternatives in this way. We
eliminate the economic function
generated by the contrast of
separate but compatible energies.
2ND CHILD
Elements! Compatible elements.
1ST CHILD
Energies.
As the children argue, SEN notices a policeman approaching
them.
He stands up, and the children stop arguing and look on in
wonderment.
CLOSE ANGLE
The policeman tapes SEN's hands behind his back. SEN looks
at the first child....
SEN
You're right.
1ST CHILD
(to second child)
See!
2ND CHILD
He doesn't know.
The policeman tapes SEN's mouth and eyes and leads him
off. The children continue to argue about the word.
PLASTIC FACTORY
CLOSE ANGLE
The figure with the staple gun approaches the slab on which
SRT is lying.
A death tag is stapled to his ear. He doesn't even flinch.
The figure continues along the row of bodies, nearing THX.
FULL ANGLE
The figure staples a tag on THX's ear. His body jerks
with pain, the figure jumps back with a yelp.
FIGURE WITH CART
What's wrong?
THX and SRT jump up and run to a side door making a quick
exit...
The figures stand in shock..
MED ANGLE
THX and SRT run furiously down a long hallway; there are
two doors at the end, one of which is locked.
CLOSE ANGLE
Four or five men enter from the end of the hallway, THX
tries the second door, which opens and they rush inside,
closing and locking the door behind them.
OBSERVATION CELL
They are in a small cramped observation cell.
THX
We're trapped.
SRT takes a tool from one of the control panels and smashes
a TV monitoring eye which has been observing them.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is fumbling desperately at the controls of the master
board.
A series of images flash rapidly across the TV screen:
trams in transit, people eating, factories, hallways.
FULL SHOT
SRT is feeling along the walls for a removable panel.
SRT
That's a waste of time.
THX continues pushing buttons, and a medical operation
appears on the screen.
THX
(To himself)
That's not it.
SRT
(Unconcerned)
No?
THX adjusts some dials and more images appear on screen.
THX
There!......There!
He locks in a wide angle view of a maternity ward and starts
switching close shots to close shot, searching.
SRT
Come here and help me, we have no
time.....
SRT is unscrewing one of the small panels. He manages to
get it off and looks inside, (a mass of wires and circuit
boards.) obviously not an escape route. Staring back from
the circuiting is a pair of small red eyes. A hiss and
scuffling sound is heard as the eyes disappear. SRT turns
to THX, but THX is completely absorbed in the monitors.
SRT gets up and continues to prowl about the small room,
examining things, pushing an occasional button, unscrewing
various controls.
SRT
The only way out seems to be the
way we came in.
SRT pushes another button and the voice of OMM is heard.
OMM
This is OMM. Everything is fine.
You are in my hands. I will protect
you. Co-operate with Mercicontrol.
They only want to help you.
Everything is going to be all right.
SRT manages half a smile and shakes his head. THX finishes
his examination and slumps back in his chair, dazed.
THX
She's not there
SRT
No...... (Long pause)
She's dead THX........
THX
(shouting)
You don't know that!
SRT
All right...
SRT goes over to panel and looks at the controls.
SRT
Get up for a second....
THX gets up, not knowing what SRT is up to. SRT pushes
some buttons and dials in an image.
SRT
There...
The image on the screen is a bottled human embryo about
three months old. It is alive moving slightly. THX is
speechless.
SRT
Remember this...?
THX
Where's LUH?
SRT
Look more closely.
On the bottle we can see printed: 8888 Sexact. Maternal:
LUH 3417. Paternal: (surmised) THX 1138.
SRT
That's all that's left of her
besides something like what's in
the next room.
There's a long pause. The embryo turns its head..
THX
(Quiet but intense)
No...no you're wrong.
SRT
I'm only trying to help you.
THX jumps up, pushing SRT across the room and into a panel
of monitors. There are tears in THX's eyes....
THX
(shouts)
You're wrong.
THX slumps into his chair. SRT get sup and goes over to
him.
The embryo is still on the monitor.
SRT
I'm sorry.
THX
What do you want?
SRT
Save yourself....
SRT retracts the monitor to a full wide angle view of the
reproduction center. THX's son is lost among thousands of
embryo bottles.
SRT
...life seems very natural, once
you have been born, but, for the
unborn it is a frightening mystery.
It is not easy to choose life if
you have never lived.
CONTROL CENTER
ELC receives a report over the intercom...
VOICE
Observation booth 649, Division of
plastic, CON H He flips to another
channel.
ELC
Request 2 PB848's: Officers 4242
and....
(He checks his
computer
readout.....)
...2284. Proceed with recovery of
felon 1138 Prefix THX and
unidentified companion. Current
position: Vendable manufacturing
Center 92. Observation booth 694.
Precinct 331. CON H. Report when
felons are in custody.....
OBSERVER
No visual contact in OB 649.
ELC
That's allright. They're not going
anywhere.
(He speaks into his
dictating machine...)
...research into advanced relay
systems must be given more attention
if any.......
OBSERVATION CELL
Various human dramas play themselves out over the TV
monitors.
On one of the screens, and operation is in process.
VOICE
Heart 6G, lungs 35OR, liver
defective, kidney-right-641A...
On another monitor we see a small crowd of people standing
in the morgue.
SRT
Just look at all those people.
THX
I thought of something.....
They are interrupted by an intercom voice.
POLICEMAN VOICE
Gentlemen, you have nothing to
fear, everything will be all
right....
FULL ANGLE
We see two policemen outside the observation cell talking
into a small intercom on the door. A group of about five
or six people are gathering at the end of the hallway to
observe the scene.
POLICEMAN
Stay calm, the door seems to be
jammed or locked; please check the
lock on your side. We are not
going to hurt you. Everything
will be all right.
The policemen try the door again, but it does not open.
One policeman takes a pen-sized tool and begins to burn a
hole around the latch.
POLICEMAN
Stay calm........
CLOSE ANGLE
THX madly typing into the computer, he speaks into an
intercom....
THX
repeat..fire in observation 649
..... all systems....
He turns to SRT; they smile at each other.
THX
Get ready...
SRT goes over to the door and grabs the lock. Over the
intercom a recorded voice is heard.
VOICE
Discontinue all operations....
The robots stops and look at one another puzzled.
VOICE
Repeat..discontinue all operations.
Correct procedure is essential...
Stay clam..evacuate this complex...
The onlookers begin to panic. SRT yanks the door open and
one of the policemen tumbles into the booth SRT and THX
run head-long into the other policeman, pinning him against
the wall; he falls to the floor, dazed from the jolt.
CONTROL CENTER
A row of lights on ELC's panel light up.
ELC
Report!
POLICEMAN'S VOICE
Felons now fleeing section..
ELC
Hold....(to an observer) mindlock
Precinct 331 CON H general area...
MINDLOCK.....
PLASTIC FACTORY
As THX and SRT run toward the onlookers, the crowd starts
to disperse, panicked.
The high whinning score is heard and suddenly everyone
freezes in motion, THX and SRT continue running, slowing
slightly, but they are not affected by the mindlock.
FULL SHOT
One of the policemen is helping the other to his feet and
reporting to ELC ....
POLICEMAN
Mindlock stabilized, felons
unaffected. Pursuit instructions.
We have been informed to discontinue operations, is this
correct..confirm..
CONTROL ROOM
A man places more reports on ELC's desk.
ELC
(to policeman)
Continue pursuit, disregard previous
instructions, proceed.
ELC flips to another channel.
ELC
Mindlock impossible. Subjects
suffering...total chemical
imbalance. Mindlock completely
disrupted. Request destruction
clearance. Stand by.
The computer readout activates.
ELC
(to policeman)
Proceed to dispersal center 21.
Projected route of flight will be
transferred.
MODUAL DISPERSAL CENTER
THX and SRT make their way into a large, cavernous room.
It is a transport center at peak hour, and many people are
pouring into the area.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX and SRT thread through the crowded dispersing center
as the policemen struggle to locate them. The felons are
swept toward the tram system. SRT signals to THX.
SRT
This way!
They fight their way through the crowd, away from the tram
and toward the individual autojets. TV monitors scan the
center.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX and SRT become separated in the pushing crowd.
Individually, they reach a row of the massive jet-powered
vehicles. A policeman begins to move toward the autojet
area.
FULL ANGLE
THX gets into an Autojet. SRT is at the other end of the
parking area and a policeman is between him and THX. SRT
climbs into an autojet, careful not to be noticed by the
policeman.
MED ANGLE
THX starts his car with an ear-deafing roar. He turns the
car out of its parking space and begins to coast out of
the center, past SRT's car.
CLOSE ANGLE
SRT is having difficulty starting his car. On the
dashboard, a red light flashes: ENGAGED. He is slightly
comic as he tries to deal with the incredible array of
switches and buttons.
FULL ANGLE
The policeman is approaching as SRT continues his struggle
to start the car. Suddenly, the powerful jets star and
the car uncontrollably lurches forward at great speed,
crashing head-on into a wall. The car begins to smoke.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX has been watching in his rear view mirror. He put on
his breaks and turns to look back.
FULL ANGLE
SRT cannot be seen in the smoking car. The car lights go
on and then off. The car explodes into a ball of flames.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX buries his head in his hands.
EXPRESS TUNNEL
THX's autojet roars through an express tunnel. Two
policemen on sleek, exotic jetbikes round a corner with
beautiful precision. Calmly, relentlessly, they pursue
THX.
MED ANGLE
Over his headset, THX listens for police reports. The
messages on the channel are routine. THX must constantly
fight to maintain control of his car. He can see the two
policemen following on his radar scope.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX hears a strange noise coming from his car. He tries
to find the source of the sound, and momentarily loses
control of the car.
FULL ANGLE
The car swerves and scrapes the wall of the tunnel.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX sees the policemen gaining on his radar scope and pushes
his car even faster, making it even more difficult to
control.
The policemen momentarily drop back. The loud noise in
his car begins to get worse, and he checks his gauges.
The policemen slowly begin to gain on THX.
FULL ANGLE
The car bobbles as THX has more and more difficulty keeping
it under control. A part flies off, causing one of the
jet-bikes to swerve. The policeman lose control of his
bike, tumbles across the roadway and bounces off the wall,
parts flying in all directions.
CLOSE ANGLE
As THX's speed increases, the engine heats up, moving the
indicator into the danger zone. THX looks for a switch to
cool the engine. He is now experiencing serious mechanical
trouble. One of the engines is making a very loud
screeching sound. Finally THX flips the right switch, and
the temperature needle moves out of the danger zone.
The struggle for THX to maintain control of the machine
almost becomes more terrifying and important then the
pursuing policeman.
FULL ANGLE
Tension builds as the jet car and the jet bikes race at
incredible speeds through the maze of tunnels. As the car
passes level markers, we realize THX is rising up through
the city. Finally he reaches level 10.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX picks up a new object on his radar scope coming from
the opposite direction, heading directly toward him.
Suddenly a control voice breaks in over radio head set.
VOICE
Stop your vehicle. Officers are
approaching from both directions.
Stop your vehicle. You have nothing
to fear.
OMM
Everything will be all right, you
are in my hands. You have nowhere
to go. I am here to protect you.
You have nowhere to go. You have
nowhere....
THX continues ahead, as the dots on the radar scope begin
to close.
FULL ANGLE
THX rounds a corner and sees a faint light ahead of him.
His autojet continues to blast along the tunnel roadway.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX begins to panic as he watches the dots ahead of him
and behind him close on the scope.
CONTROL CENTER
ELC watches his radar scope as the dots converge.
ELC
I don't understand. He's not
stopping.
(into another
intercom)
Is scope 621 giving an accurate
reading?....fine. Just checking.
Officer 3333,
Abort....Abort....Abort...
EXPRESS TUNNEL
The policeman gets his new orders too late and THX's autojet
collides with the on coming bike. The jet bike is thrown
over the top of the car. THX loses control of his car and
skids to a stop against one of the walls of the tunnel.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is shaken, but no hurt.
FULL ANGLE
The jet bike which was following THX hits the wreckage of
the first bike and tumbles end over end through the tunnel.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX gets out of the car and runs down the roadway. Lights
appear in the distance. THX presses against the wall as
an autojet rockets past him. He begins to run again as a
crash is heard in the distance.
FULL ANGLE
Two policemen pass the wreckage on their jet bikes. THX
finds a door on the side of the tunnel and enters.
CITY SUPERSTRUCTURE
THX runs through the concrete superstructure. One of the
policemen stops at the entrance of the superstructure and
the other one continues through the express tunnel. The
policeman enters the superstructure and begins to search
for THX.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is becoming weary as the policeman methodically searches
for him using a thermoviewer heat detector. THX stops to
rest for a moment. He is cold, shaking. He hears
something.
FULL ANGLE
Out of no where, something jumps on THX's back and knocks
him to the pavement. It is a long-haired dwarf freak,
similar to the one in the prison chamber.
MED ANGLE
They fight violently and THX eventually gets the freak by
the neck and begins beating his head on the concrete until
it is dead.
THX is exhausted, and lies on the pavement trying to catch
his breath.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX is lying next to the carcass of the freak. He hears a
sound and looks up to see more freaks approaching, staring
at him through the darkness with firey eyes. THX scrambles
to his feet and runs as fast as he can. The freaks attack
the carcass he has killed.
FULL ANGLE
The policeman is joined by another and they methodically
search through the superstructure. THX runs until he
reaches a metal ladder which works its way up into the
city shell. He begins to climb, each footstep echoing as
his foot hits the metal rungs.
CLOSE ANGLE
The policemen hear THX and immediately get a fix on him.
They head for the ladder. THX reaches the top of the ladder
and is stopped by a large metal hatchway. He struggles to
get it open.
FULL ANGLE
The policemen begin to climb the ladder, their feet
resounding throughout the superstructure.
CONTROL CENTER
ELC reads a computer readout.
ELC
Officers 9641 and 2242 discontinue
operation. Report to Thermal
station 62. Present operation
computed to be economically
unfeasible. It is predicted that
1138 THX will self-destroy. Repeat:
Abandon present operation. Dispatch
to Level 56 CON-R thermal station
62, investigate toxic chemical
leak.
One of the monitors shows an industrial accident.
ELC becomes involved in another case.
CITY SHELL
The policemen are stopped at the head of the ladder. They
look at THX, who has opened the hatch, and they acknowledge
the message.
He watches them disappear, their footsteps echoing in the
distance.
CLOSE ANGLE
THX goes through the open hatch and continues on until he
reaches a small chamber with a circular door, slightly
ajar. An unnaturally bright light floods through the crack
in the door.
MED ANGLE
THX is obviously afraid of what lies beyond the door.
There is a moment when it looks as if he may turn back.
Eventually, he makes a decision and throws the hatch open.
FULL ANGLE
He stands bewildered, virtually buried in sunlight.
THX climbs out of the hatchway and stands shielding his
eyes from the sun.
END CREDITS:
FADE OUT:
THE END