Script for The Way Back

by Terry Nation

(c) 1977 by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Series created by Terry Nation. This is a complete dialogue transcript for research purposes and is not for sale under any circumstances. Format (c) 1992 by Micky DuPree.

Dramatis Personae

Roj Blake
Jenna Stannis
Vila Restal
Bran Foster
Ravella
Dal Richie
Dev Tarrant
Ven Glynd
Doctor Havant
Alta Morag
Arbiter
Clerk of Court
Computer Operator
Guard
Tel Varon
Maja

Uncredited:

Public address
Public address (male)
Assorted rebels
Trooper
Female prisoner

*? = unintelligible

P.A.Attention. Level thirty-eight walkways will be closed for one hour. Level thirty-eight cardholders must report to Central immediately.

RAVELLARoj.
BLAKEAh, Ravella.
RAVELLADid you have any trouble?
BLAKENo.
RAVELLAYou followed the route I gave you?
BLAKEYes. Can we get on with it please.
RAVELLACome on.
P.A.[In the background, mostly unintelligible] *? engineering of the new *? of the new discovery *?
RAVELLAAnd eating and drinking -- you've managed to do without?
BLAKEWell, since you were so insistent I've done without food or drink for thirty-six hours.
RAVELLAHow do you feel?
BLAKEHungry and thirsty, of course.
RAVELLANothing else?
BLAKERavella, is this some kind of practical joke?
RAVELLAIt's no joke.

P.A.The President will be answering questions about new population control *?measures

RAVELLAAll our food and drink is treated with suppressants. Going without for a day and a half, they should be wearing off.
BLAKE[Laughs] Not that again.

[Richie kisses Ravella on the cheek.]

RAVELLADal Richie, Roj Blake.
RICHIEBeen looking forward to meeting you. I hear your family settled on the Outer Planets?
BLAKEBrother and a sister on Ziegler Five.
RICHIEYou hear from them much?
BLAKEI get vistapes a couple of times a year. Look, what is this? I was told you had some news about them.
RICHIENo, not me. The man we're going to meet. He especially asked us to contact you so he could tell you in person. He was on Ziegler Five a few months ago.
BLAKEWhere is he now?
RAVELLAWaiting for us. Outside.
BLAKEOutside?
RICHIEDon't worry. It's not all that bad. The air's fresh though it smells different.
BLAKEYou realize going outside is a Category Four crime?
RICHIEWe do know the law.
RAVELLAYes, so whatever you see tonight you keep silent about.
RICHIEWell? Are you coming?
BLAKELet's get on with it. [Richie fiddles around.] What are you doing?
RICHIEPicking the lock. [Ravella looks behind.]
BLAKEWhat is it?
RAVELLAIt's nothing.
RICHIENow, *? If you open the door, it registers on the computer. These are circuit integrators. Now you could steal this entire section of wall and the machine would cheerfully ignore you. Ready?
RAVELLA[To Blake] Now look: you report anything to the authorities, you'll find yourself implicated more deeply than you imagine.

[They stop at the stream.]

RAVELLA[To Blake] Try some.
BLAKEHm?
RAVELLAIt's natural water. [Blake tries some.] The stuff we get's been recycled a thousand times [Blake spits it out] -- and it's dosed with suppressants.
RICHIEI'll check ahead. Watch my signal.
RAVELLAOkay.
BLAKEImproves the flavor if nothing else.
RAVELLADoesn't it bother you that you spend your life in a state of drug-induced tranquility?
BLAKEWe gonna go across that?
RAVELLAYeah.
BLAKEWhy should the Administration try to drug us?
RAVELLATo keep control. They've been stepping up the suppressants because the number of dissidents is growing.
BLAKEShould I take this? [Picks up a flashlight]
RAVELLAThey've seen what's happening and they want to stop it.
BLAKEStop what?
RAVELLADon't you know? Don't you remember anything about the treatments they gave you?
BLAKEI've had no treatments.
RAVELLAI thought there'd be something left, some trace of memory.
BLAKEWhat about my memory?
RAVELLAThere's the signal.

BLAKEThey're Outsiders!
RICHIEQuite a few of them are working for our cause now.
BLAKEIt's illegal to have contact with anyone who lives outside the city.
RICHIERight, but then this whole meeting is illegal.
BLAKEI'm leaving. I want nothing to do with this. You told me I was going to meet a man who could tell some news about my family.
RICHIEHold on, Blake. You've got to hear Foster.
BLAKEI don't want to hear Foster. I should report everything I've seen to the Administration.
RAVELLAYou can't do that.
BLAKEWhy not?
RICHIEWe've left documents in the city with your signature on them. Forged, of course, but convincing enough to implicate you in everything we've been doing.
RAVELLADon't have any doubts. One word in the wrong place can make you look as guilty as any of us.
RICHIEAnd looking guilty is all it takes.

FOSTERRoj! Good to see you. It's been a long time. [Persists] Bran Foster. Oh! Stupid of me. You don't remember. You had the treatment.
BLAKELook, what is this? I've had no treatments, my memory is fine. Now what is going on?
FOSTERNow, now, now. I know, I know, it's difficult for you. Then, too, it's difficult for those of us who knew you before. But the important thing is, you're here.
TARRANT[In background] I had trouble getting out of the city, the route was crowded. For a while there I thought we'd been infiltrated.
FOSTERDev Tarrant's here. Dev! You remember Roj Blake.
TARRANTOh, yes. We met before.
FOSTER[To Blake] Dev Tarrant. [To Tarrant] Ah, I'm trying to persuade Roj to rejoin us.
TARRANTYes. [Takes his leave]
FOSTERNow, I want you to listen to what I have to tell you. After that you can do whatever you like.
BLAKEAll right. Now what do you know about my family?
FOSTERWell, I'll come to that. There are other things you should know first.
BLAKEForget the other things. Just what do you know?
FOSTERThey're dead. Your brother and sister are both dead. I'm sorry, I didn't intend you to hear it like that. They were executed four years ago just after your trial.
BLAKEExecuted? No, that's not true. I hear from them regularly. I had a vistape only a month ago.
FOSTERThose tapes are fakes. Part of the treatment to keep your memory suppressed. Now, this isn't going to be easy for you, but I'm going to have to tell you things about yourself of which you have no memory. Will you hear me out?
BLAKEGo on.
FOSTERFour years ago, there was a good deal of discontent with the Administration. There were many activist groups. But the only one that really meant anything was led by Roj Blake. You and I worked together. We were outlawed and hunted. But we had supporters and we were making progress. Then someone betrayed us, I still don't know who. You were captured. So were most of our followers. They could have killed you. But that would have given the Cause a martyr. So instead they put you into intensive therapy. They erased areas of your mind, they implanted new ideas. They literally took your mind to pieces and rebuilt it. And when they'd finished, they put you up and you confessed. You said you'd been "misguided." You appealed to everyone to support the Administration, hound up the traitors. Oh, they, they did a good job on you. You were very convincing. And then they took you back and erased even that.
BLAKEWhat happened to the others?
FOSTERIn their benevolence, the Federation allowed them to emigrate to the Outer Worlds. Like your family, they were executed on arrival.
BLAKEWhy are you telling me this now?
FOSTERBecause we're preparing to move again. And if it were known that you were with us, we'd get more support. How do you feel? Will you help us again?
BLAKEI don't know. I'm not even sure that I believe you.
FOSTERIt's all true.
BLAKEI have to think.
FOSTEROf course. We'll talk after the meeting.
BLAKEHmm.
TARRANTWhat do you think?
FOSTERI don't know. There's not much left of the man I knew. We'll see. All right, let's get started, shall we?
TARRANT[Announcing] All right, everybody, come on. Let's start the meeting now. You come over here and make a group.

FOSTERThank you for turning up. Now we all know the risks that we're running in being here, so I'll be as brief as possible. You've probably heard that the settlers in the Outer Worlds are rightly demanding greater autonomy. If we can help to unify their voices, the Administration will have to listen.

[Foster then says something in the background that's only partly intelligible*? but I think it's a straight repetition of the last two lines.]

FOSTERThe security forces are already overstretched. If we can step up our campaign of civil disobedience here on Earth, they will have to concentrate their forces here, and that will give the Outer Worlds much more freedom of action. Now we must aim to have at least one world declare its independence within the next two years.
REBELSHear hear.

[Again, Foster says something that's mostly unintelligible*? in the background, but I think it's just a repetition of his last two lines.]

TROOPER[V.O. on comm link] Unit Three, move in.

FOSTERNow, I think most of you know my old friend Dev Tarrant. Dev will give you details of how we can all help.
TARRANTWe've got to cause as much disruption as possible in the food manufacturing division. There's nothing more effective than ration cuts to cause unrest. I've worked out methods by which this disruption can be implemented. [Enter troopers.]
FOSTERNow, do not attempt to resist arrest. No matter what the provocation, we must not resort to violence. We claim our rights as citizens, and demand to be treated as civil prisoners.

HAVANTYou're obviously suffering from a severe emotional disturbance. We must try to unravel this fantasy.
BLAKEIt is NOT a fantasy.
HAVANTOf course it isn't.
BLAKE[Looks up] Do you believe me?
HAVANTTo you it isn't a fantasy.
BLAKE[Several beats] Get out! Leave me alone.
HAVANTReality is a dangerous concept. Each one of us interprets it in a slightly different way. Every sense impression is filtered by the brain and altered, sometimes just a little, sometimes completely, to fit our individual model of what the world is about. If that model should be challenged ...
BLAKE[Has started chanting over and over to himself] I am NOT insane. I am NOT insane ...
HAVANTNo. You must put that thought completely out of your mind. You've had a shock.
BLAKE[Stops chanting] Yes.
HAVANTWe must work together to uncover what that shock was. I'm going to prescribe a mild sedative --
BLAKENo drugs!
HAVANT-- a mild sedative to help you to sleep. You must rest.
BLAKENo! No drugs.
HAVANTAll right, no drugs. Now try not to think anymore. Don't worry, we'll get it sorted out.

BLAKEI can't remember. I can't remember!

GLYNDCan he break through the memory blocks, Dr. Havant?
HAVANTIt's unlikely. We don't eradicate memory, of course, merely make it inaccessible. But in the normal healthy mind the barriers are impenetrable. Should he suffer anything like a nervous breakdown, where all the mental circuitry malfunctions, as it were, then he might just possibly find a route into his past.
GLYNDMm. That might just possibly prove something of a problem.
HAVANTCan't he be eliminated?
MORAGNo, he's a symbol of opposition to the Administration.
HAVANTSo?
GLYNDWe've done cross-sectional psych readings, which show that a high percentage of people, particularly the younger ones, believe that Blake's trial was a showpiece, that his statements were rigged.
MORAGHis death could be used by the dissidents. They need a hero. Alive or dead, Blake could be it.
HAVANTDifficult. I suppose my department could infect him, some rapidly terminal disease. Would his natural death help?
GLYNDI don't think so.
MORAGWhat we need is something to discredit him. If he could be deported to Cygnus Alpha .... Doctor, am I right in thinking you can create experiences, implant them into a subject, who will then believe that they really happened?
HAVANTOf course. In fact, creating an illusion of reality is quite simple.
MORAGGood. Then I think we can totally destroy Blake's credibility and get him sentenced. But I'd like to do a feasibility check. Doctor, would you come with me please.
HAVANTAs you wish.
GLYNDI want to bring charges soon, Morag.
MORAGOh, I shall report back.

GLYNDYou heard?
TARRANTI heard.
GLYNDSatisfied?
TARRANTNot yet. He can identify me. My whole operation is at risk. I'll be satisfied when the risk is eliminated.

GLYNDVaron. Come in. [Varon does so.] Do sit down.
VARONThank you.
GLYNDYou know Morag, don't you?
VARONYes. Morag.
MORAGVaron.
GLYNDI've got a defense assignment for you. Not a very pleasant one, I'm afraid.
VARON[Takes a plastic flimsy from him] Eh.
GLYNDMorag is prosecuting.
MORAGThe evidence is indisputable. If I were you, I should concentrate on the mitigation.
VARONMm.
GLYNDVaron, I'm aware that I needn't say this to you of all people, but I will say it because I feel so very strongly about this case. I want you to do everything in your power to help the man. Our first concern must be to see that he has justice.

P.A.[V.O.] Security clear on cell unit M-three for Justice Department access.

VARONI'm Tel Varon, Justice Department. I've been assigned to defend you.
BLAKEI don't need a defense. I'm going to plead guilty.
VARONCome now. Certainly the evidence against you is strong --
BLAKEI just want to make a statement in open court. I want those responsible for the massacre brought to trial.
VARONI'm sorry?
BLAKEThere can be no justification for deliberate murder.
VARONThere's nothing in the charges about murder. There are a number of other counts. Assault on a minor, attempting to corrupt minors, moral deviation ...
BLAKELet me see that! [He gets up. Varon presses the sheet against the glass. He reads it.] All involving children! None of this is true!
VARONOf course not. That's why you surprised me when you said you'd plead guilty.
BLAKE[Splutters] Not to this, not to these charges.
VARONThey are the only ones that have been brought against you. And I must tell you frankly the evidence against you is very damaging.
BLAKEWell, if there is any evidence, it's been faked!
VARONI've had the opportunity of talking to the children -- that is, the prosecution witnesses -- and they do seem very certain of their facts.
BLAKEOh, yes, yes. Yes, their briefing would have been perfect.
VARONIf I may, I'd like to outline how I think we should conduct your case.
BLAKE[In the background behind Varon's lines] They set me up beautifully.
VARONThere is a possible approach if we could cite your record: your breakdown after your involvement with those illegal political groups, the remorse that you felt, the guilt you carried has placed you under an enormous strain. And we can submit that these assaults, these aberrations were carried out whilst you were mentally unbalanced.
BLAKEI will offer no defense, but I will plead not guilty.
VARONThese are grave charges. Without extenuating circumstances, you might face deportation. A mental institution would be better than spending the rest of your life on Cygnus Alpha.
BLAKE[With deliberation] I will offer no defense. Right?
VARONWon't you reconsider?
BLAKEEven if you could prove me innocent, the charges have been made. I've got to hand it to them. [At the security camera] You've done a brilliant job!!

VARONGood morning.
BLAKEI've had a chance to think things through. It's vital that I have the opportunity to make that statement to the open court.
VARONWell, that's up to the Arbiter. It's not usual.
BLAKEThere's no way you can prove my innocence, is there?
VARONYou've given me no chance to try.
BLAKEIS THERE?
VARONIt is doubtful.
BLAKEI am innocent.
VARONI've spoken to the children. Their statements were all verified by lie detector. And that puts them beyond dispute.
BLAKE[Motions for him to sit down] The Administration has gone to enormous trouble -- I mean, they've even put themselves at risk. There must be a number of people involved who know the truth. Now why, WHY would they take that chance?
VARONThere's no possible reason that I can think of.
BLAKELook, I know you've heard the evidence, but just for the moment, assume that I am innocent.
VARONAll right.
BLAKENow at first, I thought they wanted to silence me because I was the witness to the murder of twenty people. The only witness.
VARONIf they're as ruthless as you suggest, then why didn't they simply eliminate you?
BLAKEBecause I was something of a political figure -- or so you told me.
VARONIt's true, you, you had a considerable following, but then you publicly denounced your whole movement and pledged support to the Administration. It's suggested there are still people who secretly believe you were coerced into that statement.
BLAKEExactly. And my death would merely reinforce those beliefs. It, it's exactly the same as if I were arraigned for being at a proscribed political meeting. And so they trump up these charges against me.
VARONIf it were true, do you realize the implications of what you're saying? It would mean there is corruption at a high level of the Administration.

CLERKNow be silent. By the authority of the Terran Federation, this tribunal is in session.

CLERKThe Arbiter will permit submissions.

ARBITERLet the accused be brought forward. [This is done.] Have you the accused been made aware of the charges that are laid against you? And do you fully understand the nature and gravity of those charges?
BLAKEYes.
ARBITERWho speaks for the Federation?
MORAGI do.
ARBITERWho speaks for the accused?
VARONI do.
ARBITERAre you both satisfied that the evidence was fairly obtained? statements are certified as true verified by lie detector?
MORAGI am.
VARONI am.
ARBITERIs the accused satisfied that his defense has been fully and fairly prepared?
BLAKEThe charges against me are totally false. I am not guilty, therefore I offer no defense.
ARBITERYour guilt or innocence is what we are here to determine. If there are no further submissions, the case will be examined. Let it be seen that the evidence for the prosecution is sealed and approved by the defense. Let it be seen that the evidence for the defense is sealed and approved by the prosecution. Let the matter be assessed and may justice prevail.

ARBITERThe accused has been found guilty on all charges. His crimes have been accorded a Category Nine rating, and as such are adjudged most grave. In sentencing you, the judgment machine has taken into account your past record, your service to the state, and your loyalty to the Federation. None of these have mitigated in your favor. It is the sentence of this tribunal that you be taken from this place to an area of close confinement. From there you will be transported to the penal colony on the planet Cygnus Alpha, where you will remain for the rest of your natural life. This matter is ended.
BLAKEI wish to make a statement.
ARBITERThere can be no more said regarding this case. The matter has been assessed and judgment made.
BLAKEBut the evidence is false. These charges are lies.
ARBITERIf you have any complaint against the conduct of this tribunal, it must be directed through your advocate.
BLAKEYou gotta listen to me. [Guard injects him.]

FOSTER[V.O.] They erased areas of your mind, they implanted new ideas. They literally took your mind to pieces and rebuilt it. And when they'd finished, they put you up and you confessed. You said you'd been "misguided." You appealed to everyone to support the Administration, hound up the traitors. Oh, they, they did a good job on you. You were very convincing. And then they took you back and erased even that.

PRISONER[Screams] Let me go! Let me go! No! No! No! No! Let me go! Let me go! No! No! No! No! Let me go!

VILAEasy! Take it easy! I hate personal violence, especially when I'm the person.
BLAKEWho are you?
VILAI'm Vila Restal. [They shake hands.]
BLAKEWhere are we?
VILAIn a transit cell.
BLAKEI don't understand.
VILAYou're on your way to the penal colony on Cygnus Alpha. Or you will be when the prison ship's refueled. Try to look on the bright side. It must have something. None of the guests have ever left early. In fact, none of them have ever left at all.
BLAKEWhy are you going there?
VILAThey didn't give me a choice. I steal things. Compulsive, I'm afraid. I've had my head adjusted by some of the best in the business. But it just won't stay adjusted.
BLAKEA professional thief.
VILAMore a vocation than a profession. Other people's property comes naturally to me.
JENNA[Sits down next to Blake. To Blake.] What's the time?
VILA[Hands the watch back. To Blake.] Just taking care of it while you were unconscious. The place is full of criminals.
BLAKE[To Jenna] Thanks.
VILA[Indicating her] Jenna.
BLAKE[Also to her] Blake.
JENNAWhat's your story?
BLAKEWell, I'm innocent -- of what I was charged with anyway.
VILAWe have something in common, then. We're all victims of a miscarriage of justice.
BLAKEIt's true!
JENNAOf course it is.
BLAKEWhat about the others?
VILAOh, a very antisocial bunch. Murderers, liars, cheats [looks at Jenna] ... smugglers ...
JENNA[Returns the favor] -- thieves --
VILA-- and they're the nice people.
BLAKEHow long before we take off?
JENNAAbout twenty-four hours. If you're expecting a last-minute reprieve you'd better forget it. Once they get you this far there's no going back. You'd better get used to the idea. Nobody out there gives a damn about you.

MAJAWhat time is it?
VARONLate.
MAJACome to bed.
VARONThere's something wrong, you know.
MAJABlake.
VARONMmm. The prosecution evidence was so complete that I accepted it. I assumed Blake was guilty and concentrated on justification and appeals for mercy.
MAJAWell, what else could you do? You interviewed all the victims, the witnesses. None of them had any doubts.
VARONPerhaps they should have.
MAJAWhat do you mean?
VARONI don't know. Perhaps Blake is guilty. Even so it's ... too perfect.
MAJAWhere're you going?
VARONThe Public Records computer.
MAJATo look for what?
VARONI don't know.
MAJAGive me one minute and I'll come with you.

VARONI'm Tel Varon with the Justice Department. I want to run a check on the medical records of those children. [Hands him a piece of paper]

OPERATORIt'll have to wait until morning.
VARONI want them now. [Shows ID]

OPERATORAlpha three-three-seven five. C-six-one-two: Leesal, Renor. [It appears.]

OPERATORThree-four-one-seven: Deca, Carl. [It appears.]

OPERATORThree-five-one-two: Fen, Payter. [It appears.]

VARONNothing. Admissions to clinic, treatment records. It all tallies with the evidence. Let me have the school attendance records on those three.

OPERATORAlpha three-three-seven-seven: Leesal, Renor.

VARONWell that's interesting. He was absent from school on the afternoon before the assault.

OPERATORC-four-one-seven: Deca, Carl.

MAJASo was he.

OPERATORC-five-one-two: Fen, Payter.

VARONWell that makes it more than a coincidence. Now where were they? Give me the admissions to the Central Clinic on that day.

OPERATORAlpha zero-zero-two-eight-eight Alpha. [Screen flashes red.]
MAJAWhat's the matter?

OPERATORThe information has been classified. It can be obtained by the priority three clearance.
VARONBut I need that information.

OPERATORNot possible. [Maja hands Varon a brooch.]
VARONLook, the Justice Department can get a clearance [Places the brooch on the desk] but it takes time.

OPERATORThis didn't happen, of course.
VARONNo, of course it didn't.

VARONLook at that: outpatient admission, identity unrecorded.

VARONAnd there's another.

VARONAnd a third.
MAJAThree unidentified admissions on the date the victims weren't at school.
VARONIt's not absolute proof, but it gives us somewhere to start.
MAJABut why would they have been to the clinic?
VARONMental implantation?
MAJAWhat's that?
VARONA fictional experience and emotion, implanted into the mind so vividly and permanently that it becomes reality.
MAJAIs that possible?
VARONThe process was perfected years ago, but prohibited by the medical profession. But if it is being used again --
MAJABlake could be telling the truth.
VARONAnd that could blow the top off the whole Administration. Come on.
MAJAWhere are we going? [They exit.]

OPERATOR[Into comm] Security.

VARONThe meeting place -- how did you get to it?
BLAKEI, I don't know. It was dark.
VARONWhich exit did you use?
BLAKESub forty-three.
VARONForty-three -- that would be on the north side. All right, where did you go from there?
BLAKEWell, we walked for about three miles. There was a stream.
VARONIs there anything else you can tell us?
BLAKEYes, there was a man. I saw him in court just before I passed out.
MAJAWhat about him?
BLAKEWell, I'd seen him before, at the meeting. I, I thought he was one of them. He must have betrayed them. His name was Tarrant.
VARONDev Tarrant?
BLAKEDo you know him?
VARONHe works in the Outer Worlds most of the time. He's in Security.
BLAKEHe's a murderer.
VARONThen he'll come to trial like everyone else in this coverup.
BLAKEAnd what about me?
VARONWell, first I'm going to talk to my superior and get a holding order on you so that at least you can stay here on Earth while I investigate.
BLAKEYou haven't got much time.
VARONWith luck I'll get you taken back to the city detention area within -- couple of hours.
BLAKEThanks.
VARONListen, I, I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I'll be in touch.

VILAFriends in high places? Can't you put a word in for me?
BLAKEI'll try and think of one.
JENNALeaving us?
BLAKEI hope so. [Vila chuckles. Blake to Jenna.] Nothing personal. Why are you here? You didn't tell me.
JENNAI was trading 'round the Near Worlds. I'm a free trader.
VILAA smuggler. She's a big name. It's an honor to be locked up with her.
JENNAI'm glad you're pleased.
P.A.[V.O. male] Attention security personnel. Launch is advanced to seventeen hundred hours Earth time. That is all.
VILAThat's about eight hours.

VARONWell, it looks to me as though we've all been used. It wasn't Morag's fault of course, but the prosecution case was based on a very well-organized deception.
GLYNDBut why?
VARONWell, Blake claims he was arrested after he went Outside.
GLYNDOutside?
VARONYeah, about three miles beyond sub forty-three.
GLYNDWhat did he go Outside for?
VARONAn anti-Administration meeting. He says everyone there was murdered by security forces.
GLYNDLeaving him a sole survivor?
VARONNo, and, and a security agent named Tarrant. He says Tarrant organized the massacre.
GLYNDAh, I can't believe that. Still, it will bear examination.
VARONThen you'll order an inquiry?
GLYNDYes. You've raised a reasonable doubt. The whole matter must now be investigated.
VARONThank you.
GLYNDNow go home and get some rest.
VARONNot yet. I, I'd like your authority to go Outside the city.
GLYNDTo look for those tunnels? No, I'll have a team make a survey of the area.
VARONAll right. And Blake's holding order?
GLYNDYou leave everything to me. Go home and get some sleep. You've done as much as you can.

MAJAIs he going to be all right?
VARONSomething ... there's something not ... "to look for those tunnels" ... I didn't say anything about tunnels.
MAJAWhat?

GLYND[Into phone] Link me with Dr. Havant, Central Clinic.
HAVANT[V.O. over comm] Doctor Havant.
GLYNDVen Glynd. I think we may have a problem. Might be best if you were unavailable for a few days.
HAVANT[V.O.] Is it a very serious problem?
GLYNDNo, no, no, nothing that can't be handled.
HAVANT[V.O.] I'll take a few days leave and stay at home.
GLYNDGood. Arrange to take calls only from me. Goodbye. [Breaks link]

MAJAWhat does it mean?
VARONIt's obvious. He's involved.
MAJAThen where do we go from here?
VARONHigher up. Even to the President if we have to. But if we're going to make accusations against Glynd we'll need the strongest possible evidence.
P.A.[V.O.] A limited supply of protein *? are now available from the *? section of the food dispensing units.

VARONI'm going to try something. [Opens comm link] Central Clinic, Doctor Havant. [To Maja] Tell them it's Glynd.
HAVANT[V.O. over comm] Doctor Havant.
MAJADoctor Havant, I have Glynd for you.
VARONSorry to call you again, but are there any clinical records about the matter? Treatment charts, medical notes?
HAVANT[V.O.] Yes, of course. They're in my office. You want them?
VARONYes, I'd like to have a look at them. Leave them at reception and I'll have them picked up.
HAVANT[V.O.] I'll get my assistant to bring them down now.
VARONThanks. Goodbye.
HAVANT[V.O.] Goodbye. [Break link.]
VARONWe've got them. You go to the clinic and pick up the records, then go home and collect the tape camera.
MAJAWhere are you going?
VARONTo talk to a thief and borrow a lockpick. I'll meet you in two hours at sub forty-three.
JENNAYou're running out of time.
BLAKEThey've had long enough to issue a holding order.
JENNAIt's a long process, formalities. Don't worry, they'll get it. I wish someone was working for me. Till now it doesn't seem real. Now it's getting close, I'm getting scared.

VARONMaja. [She turns.] Now, did you get everything?
MAJA[Nods and hands it over] And there are the records from the hospital.
VARONGood. [Examines them] Yes, we can build a case on these.
MAJADid you get what you wanted?
VARONCome and see.
MAJAI've never been Outside before.
VARONI have, years ago. I didn't like it much. Very strange. [An alarm sounds, apparently back at security. A trooper sits down at a keyboard much like that for the Public Records computer.]

GUARDAll right, listen to me, all of you. Move out of here in single file into the embarkation channel. Come on, let's get started. Move! [Rousts Jenna] You! Come on. Move! Out. Pick up your bag. Go! Come on, faster, move. I said move. Single file! With one behind the other. Keep them in line, guards. You in front, move!

VARONStay here. I'll, uh, I'll search the bodies and get picture tapes.

VILA[In the background as the guard is yelling] *? it's going to be a very very long eight months I'm telling you *? Do you know how to work these harnesses? you just stick it in here *? it's going to be a very very very long eight months
GUARDAll right, come on, move. Keep moving. Come on, faster. Keep your voice down. Find the seat that's allocated to you and sit in it. Fasten the harness. Stand by for liftoff. Keep your voices down. You, fasten your harness. You, down in the front. That's your seat. Come on, move. You, stop talking. Fasten your harness.
BLAKEHow long before liftoff?
GUARDYou in a hurry to get there?
JENNADon't worry. There's still time.

VARONI've got everything we need.
MAJAEnough to keep Blake here on Earth?
VARONMore than enough.

GUARDYou different to everyone else? Fasten your harness.
BLAKEWhat?
GUARDHn. Maybe we can help you hear better. You can start with a couple of hours confinement. You'll be surprised how quickly your hearing improves. Seat eleven, confinement!

TARRANTI think a transporter accident. Killed instantly. Very tragic. See to it, will you?

GUARDTake a long look. That's the last you'll ever see of it.
BLAKENo, I'm coming back.
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