[theme music plays]
[child] Mummy! Mummy! Mummy!
[screams]
[groaning, screaming]
Arnold!
[weeping]
Dr. Arnold Potterley is here, sir.
Sit down, will you.
Now what can I do for you?
Mr. Araman, I’ve come to see you because
you are a top man in Chronoscopy.
Oh, no. That's not strictly true.
Above me is the World Commissioner of Research,
and above him, the Secretary General of the United Nations
and above both of them, of course,
are the sovereign peoples of Earth.
Yes, but they're not interested in Chronoscopy.
I’ve come to you sir, because for two years,
I’ve been trying to get permission to do some time viewing,
in connection with my researches on Ancient Carthage.
- Yes. - Well, I haven't been given it.
My research grants are all in order.
There's no irregularity in any
- of my intellectual endeavours - I’m sure there isn't.
I must explain that my problem's an urgent one.
You see, Pre-Roman Carthage
was the nearest equivalent to pre-atomic America.
At least in terms of trade and business.
Is that so? How interesting.
Yes, but the point is we only know about her from the writings of her bitter enemies.
Anything she may have written in her own defence hasn't survived.
As a result, she's become one of history's villains.
I’m convinced that time viewing would set the record straight.
You must realise, Professor, that Chronoscopy or time viewing
as you call it, is an extremely difficult process.
I only need certain selected views.
The landing of Scipio Africanus,
for instance, in 202 BC.
There's the question of focus, the synchronisation of sound,
both of which call for completely different circuits.
Surely my case is strong enough to justify consideration.
There's also a long waiting line.
Is there no way?
I have waited two years.
It’s a matter of priority, sir. I’m sorry.
Oh. [sighs]
Mr. Araman. If it's a question of money--
Really, Professor, I didn't take you for such a fool.
The decisions on priority are computer processed.
I couldn't influence them, even if I wished to.
Just a minute, Professor Potterley.
You won't try and get help from anywhere else, will you?
The Department of Physics, for instance.
I’m sure I don't have to warn you that if you did,
you'd be considered guilty of intellectual anarchy.
And your basic grant would be instantly withdrawn.
Good day, sir.
Good day.
And my sincere thanks.
I’m always fascinated to know what they
think when they leave this office.
Do they really believe what they are told?
We know what they do.
They go home, stamp their feet,
say unkind things about you
and wait for their wives to bring them to their senses.
Yes. But they never cause us any trouble.
It really is most disappointing.
Shall I dispose of the file in the usual way?
Would you say he was a threat to us?
Dr. Potterley?
Determined? Cunning?
He's a History Professor.
Yes, but he did try and bribe me.
Well, they all try that.
I wonder.
Shall I take the file now, Mr. Araman?
No, my dear, not this one.
We're going to have a little fun with Professor Potterley.
[rustling]
[doorbell rings]
- Jonas Foster? - Yes.
I’m Arnold Potterley of the History Department.
We did meet briefly last week at the faculty tea.
May I come in?
- Yes, of course. - Thank you.
I’ll come straight to the point, Mr. Foster.
You're an instructor in Physics, if I remember.
Yes.
So you know something about Neutrinics.
Well, no, not really.
But you could help me to find out about it.
Cigarette?
No, no, thank you. I'm sorry, I can't stand the smell of them.
- Well, sit down. - Thank you.
I’m flattered you should ask me to help you Dr. Potterley
- but I’m not a Neutrinics man. - What do you mean?
You're not anything yet. You haven't received a grant, have you?
- No this is only my first year. - Then how do you know
your subject won't turn out to be Neutrinics?
Because I’m basically interested in hyper optics.
As a matter of fact, I’ve never even studied Neutrinics.
Why not?
There wasn't a course in it at my university.
Good heavens!
- Where did you go? - MIT.
They don't teach it there?
It’s a highly specialised subject of no great value.
It’s only practical use is in Chronoscopy,
and that's a dead end.
Well, do you know where I can find a Neutrinics man,
or even a school that teaches it?
No, I’m sorry.
But you won't help me?
I can't.
Even expressing an a opinion would be out of line.
- Even you know-- - Yes?
Well, as a historian, your interest in Physics--
I mean your professional interest, it's...
It’s unethical.
Yes, quite frankly.
Well, my researches have driven me to it.
Go and see the Research Commission.
I already have. They weren't any help.
That's the end of it, I’m afraid.
Why?
Don't you think we have the right to follow our own curiosity?
Do you believe that research should be controlled by a few politicians
just because they happen to hold the purse strings?
It'll be stifled.
You've only got to look around you.
There are signs of it already.
You think I'm talking like a school boy?
No, but you don't run a factory
by allowing every individual to do exactly as he likes.
You can't compare the pursuits of the human mind
with the running of a factory.
But both need the same kind of direction.
It was different a hundred years ago, I admit.
Some marvellous discoveries were made by sheer accident.
But as we got more data and more knowledge,
so we had to specialise.
It all developed quite naturally.
And now, every branch of science is geared to the public's needs.
You speak like a computer.
Official propaganda. Every word.
Well, what about the fantastic advances we made in the last 100 years?
I don't see signs that science is being stifled.
So you consider it old fashioned for a man to follow his own inclination.
No, but it can't be done on your terms. That's all.
But I’m living proof that it can.
And will.
All right. I wish you luck.
Mr. Foster, why do you say that time viewing is a dead end?
You may claim to be completely ignorant of it.
It’s not even given in your school.
That's proof enough, I should've thought.
Oh, I see. It's not given because it's unimportant.
And it's unimportant because it's not given.
Are you satisfied with that?
All the texts say that.
Yes, the professors tell you so because they read it in the books.
The books say so because the professors write them.
But who says it from personal experience?
Do you know anyone?
We don't seem to be getting anywhere--
Now just listen to me for a minute.
I say the Government is actively suppressing research
in Neutrinics and Chronoscopy.
- What? - They could do it.
If they refuse grants in any portion of science they kill it.
I say they killed Neutrinics.
- Why should they? - I don't know.
I want you to find out.
I’d do it myself if I knew enough.
But you're a young fellow with a brand new education.
I can't believe you have no... curiosity.
What have you got there? The library index.
You won't find a book on Neutrinics.
I’ve already tried.
- It’s not conclusive. - No.
But you're curious, aren't you?
You want answers.
Look, why not come and dine with us tomorrow night?
My wife would be so pleased.
- Coffee, Arnold? - No, thank you dear.
- Dr. Foster? - Yes please. Black.
Are you married Dr. Foster?
- Erm, no. - Why ever not?
I beg your pardon?
Well...
A fine young man like you.
Caroline, dear.
My daughter, Laurel, is your age.
I didn't know you had a daughter, Mrs. Potterley.
- She died in a fire. - I’m sorry.
Oh, it was years ago now.
Arnold did his best to save her.
He nearly died himself
trying to get out of the house.
- Didn't you, my dear? - Caroline, please.
I was out shopping.
For quite unnecessary things.
Mr. Foster, would you care to bring your coffee into my study.
Forgive us, dear, we have things to discuss.
- Excuse me - Yes, of course.
You must forgive my wife. She seems unable to forget.
I do my best, but she seems to get worse
as she grows older.
I can see that my books surprise you.
- Yes. Can you still use them? - Very much so.
That must seem strange to a young man like yourself
with all this use of film nowadays.
But I still believe in the magic of the printed word.
That is Moloch.
The Carthaginians used to worship him.
What's this?
Oh, a furnace.
It’s commonly thought that they offered sacrifices to it.
Human sacrifices?
Well, of course,
that's one of the things I should like to find out.
With your help, perhaps.
Shall we get down to business?
Please sit down.
Now, as I’m sure you know,
the Institute of Chronoscopy puts out a monthly bulletin
which lists items from the past that have been viewed.
Yes, I’ve heard of it.
Well, has nothing ever struck you about these items?
- No. What? - Their triviality...
I mean to say, we learn nothing that we don't already know.
Well, I’m afraid I never paid much attention.
Of course not.
But I kept asking myself,
why should such researches get priority over my own work?
So I wrote to the people
who were researching into the items described.
Of course, I had to do it very discreetly.
I discovered that none of them were using the Chronoscope.
Not one. Look, those are their replies.
- But why weren't they using it? - I don't know.
But I have a very good idea. ln fact it's more than that.
It’s a theory.
[Potterley] Sterbinski invented the Chronoscope
and at the time, it was well publicized.
- Isn't that right? - [Foster] Yes.
[Potterley] Then the Government took it over
and decided to repress any further research.
But they couldn't leave it at that. People might get curious.
So what did they do?
They pretended to use it.
The monthly bulletins became a part of normal life.
- And everyone was satisfied. - Yes.
- Except you. - My case is different.
I have something that must be done.
Maybe the Chronoscope doesn't exist at all?
- It must. - No one's seen it, have they?
Sterbinski lived and he built one. That much is fact.
Only the texts say so.
Listen, Mr. Foster, I need one of these machines.
And you and I between us,
we're going to find out enough about Neutrinics,
so that we can build one.
- [surprised] Build one? - Why not?
Well, it's impossible. It took Sterbinski 20 years
and several millions in composite grants.
Even if we had the time and I could learn enough
from the text, which I very much doubt.
Where would we get the money and equipment?
The thing filled a five storey building--
Yes, but science has advanced since then.
You said so yourself.
All we need is the knowledge.
Even so, we'd never get away with it.
They'd be onto us in no time.
Then, you won't help me?
I tell you what I can do.
I’ve got an uncle who's a science journalist.
His name is Ralph Nimmo. You may have heard of him.
Oh, yes, of course.
He can find out what the Government's up to.
- I’ll ask him for you. - Excellent.
But you must understand, that's as far as I’m prepared to go.
Can you see him this evening?
- Well, yes, I suppose. - Yes, Caroline, what is it?
I was wondering if you'd like a drink.
No, Mr. Foster is just leaving.
- So soon? - I’m afraid so.
Good night, and thank you for a very pleasant evening.
Good night Mr. Foster. I shall wait to hear from you.
- Well-- - Good night.
Arnold, you haven't spoken foolishly to him, have you?
Of course not.
He's going to do some Neutrinics for me, that is all.
But that's not about history, is it?
What?
Arnold, you don't know nothing about this young man.
He might be an agent for the Commissioner of Research.
You could lose your position.
What you're doing, it's--
It’s intellectual anarchy, my dear. That's the phrase.
But if the Government won't let me push my researches,
I have to push them on my own.
If I show it's possible, others will follow.
And if they don't, it makes no difference.
It’s Carthage that counts and human knowledge.
Not you and I.
- Have you checked up on him? - Yes, before I went to dinner.
He's done three texts on the Ancient Mediterranean world.
It all ties in with what he says.
He seems a bit eccentric, but I think he's harmless.
They always are, Government spies.
And with a name like Potterley,
even a one eyed alcoholic like myself
could be expected to raise a questioning eyebrow, Jonas.
Uncle, I’ve not involved myself, I’m just interested that's all.
Well...
I’ll have to go along with him.
He might have some influence with the Dean.
So it's university politics, is it?
It’s no good taking any chances.
You're already stepping out of line, asking my opinion.
What are you going to do? Ring up the Research Commission?
Perhaps I should. Before you get into trouble.
I’ve seen this happen before with the academic scientist.
Something unusual catches his fancy
and before he knows what's happened to him,
he's done so little work on his allocated research
they can't justify his application for a project renewal.
Uncle, all I want to know is
what's passed through your hands lately on Neutrinics.
I suppose I can tell you that. Nothing.
Lately, or ever, come to think of it.
Nothing? Well, who does get the work then?
I don't know. It’s not mentioned at the annual conventions.
I don't think much work's being done there.
- [loudly] Why not? - Steady on.
Don't you know?
All I know about Neutrinics is it concerns
the actions of neutrino movements
and is vaguely connected with time viewing.
Well, thanks, I know that much myself.
I’m sorry, chum. Have a peach.
[groans] Is there a text on it?
Something I’d be likely to understand.
Let's see, the only one I know of was
'Sterbinski and Lamar'. I’ve never seen it.
Sterbinski who invented the Chronoscope?
- What? I suppose so. - But he died 30 years ago.
- Is there a recent edition? - No idea.
Uncle, could you find out for me?
I could.
Uncle, you can have full publication rights
- to anything that turns up. - I took that for granted.
Then get me a reel of the text, will you?
[sighs]
All right. But a word of warning, Jonas.
I admire your attitude to this.
God knows we need it badly enough
if we're not all going to turn into a collection of state oiled robots.
But whatever you're up to, don't tell anyone about it.
Not even me. If it gets out, you're finished.
If you come up with something, well and good.
Then you can leave it to me to see it gets recognised.
But until then, absolute silence.
- Right? - Right.
The young man has spirit.
I find his actions most reassuring, don't you, my dear?
Don't you think we've taken this joke far enough?
We've only just started.
And they're stumbling around in the dark.
The professor's quite harmless, you said so yourself.
Or is it the young man that worries you?
I think we should arrest them.
I’ve served the Government for 25 years.
A quarter of a century of almost unrelieved boredom.
And now, just when I have something to occupy my interest
you want me to stop it.
What happens if they learn the truth?
- What do we do with them, then? - They won't get that far.
We have our eye on them.
You really enjoy that part of it, don't you?
Oh, yes, but no more than you, my dear Miss Clements.
What about Nimmo? Do you want us to watch him too?
No. He's far too clever to get involved.
He's waiting, like we are.
No for the time being, just the professor...
- ...and the young man. - Very well.
Sterbinski and Lamarr.
Well, it's what you asked for isn't it?
- It’s so old. - You're lucky to get that.
I tried to get a film from the Fellows Library.
No luck, the text is restricted.
- How did you get this then? - Pinched it from the Public.
- What? - Simple enough.
I had access to the stacks.
So I leapt over a railing
when no one was around, and lifted it.
[chuckling] They're very trusting people in there.
- Won't they miss it? - Not for years.
But don't let anyone catch you with it.
- Is this all you could get? - Yes, it's very odd.
There's nothing more recent in the whole field of Neutrinics.
Not a monograph, paper, progress report.
Nothing since the Chronoscope.
[whirring continues]
[whirring]
I do hope you'll be comfortable down here.
It’s not much I’m afraid,
but it's better than going home at this time of night.
It’s fine, thank you.
- Have you had enough to eat? - Yes, plenty.
- If there is anything else-- - No, no. Thank you.
What is time viewing exactly?
- Your husband can explain. - Yes, he's tried.
But he gets rather impatient with me.
Can you actually see people from the past?
Or is it just dot patterns
like your computer?
I believe it makes pictures.
- And can you talk to people? - I don't know. Possibly.
Look, don't feel you have to treat me like a guest.
No, I don't. I’m just waiting, that's all.
What for?
The first time you came here,
you went with Arnold into the library, you remember?
I listened at the door.
Oh, I know I shouldn't have.
But I was worried that he was doing something wrong.
- You said-- - Yes?
That you weren't going to build a Chronoscope.
No, of course not.
Well, I’m hoping you'll change your mind.
Why?
Well, it would be wonderful wouldn't it?
To see people from the past.
Not just kings and pharaohs, but people like ourselves.
- I do hope you will build one. - Caroline?
No smoking, please.
We're going to do it, Jonas.
Between us, we're going to see Carthage.
Did you ever read about her at school?
No, I suppose not.
But she was important, you know.
As important as New York, in her time.
Queen of the seas.
All that Syracuse and Alexandria pretended to be.
Maligned by her enemies. Unable to speak in her own defence.
She was first defeated by Rome,
and driven out of Sicily and Sardinia.
But she fought back with new conquests in Spain.
And raised up Hannibal to give Rome 16 years of terror.
She was defeated a second time, but again she picked herself up.
Indeed, she recovered so well
that jealous Rome deliberately provoked a third war.
Which lasted two years.
And ended only with the complete destruction of the city.
The inhabitants threw themselves into the flaming houses,
rather than surrender.
Could people fight like that for a way of life
as bad as the ancients painted it?
- I know what they say about Moloch. - Yes.
They threw little children alive into the flames.
Little babies sacrificed at times of national crisis.
The priests and the people just stood by.
They gave the children sweets and beat drums,
so the ceremony wouldn't be spoiled by their crying.
All lies.
The mothers watched, Jonas. They watched, and did nothing.
- They were barbarians. - Vicious lies.
War propaganda put out by their enemies to discredit them.
How can he be sure, Jonas?
We'll prove it to you, Caroline. Just you wait and see.
- We'll prove it's all lies. - Dr. Potterley, please!
I’m sorry.
You must understand it's impossible for me
to work if you're both down here.
From now on, I’ve got to have complete privacy.
Of course. I understand. Caroline.
- Thank you. - We won't disturb you again.
[murmurs]
Dr. Potterley I shall want to install some equipment down here.
What kind?
Just a few odd things, I don't know what they are yet.
- I’ll have to ask my uncle. - Yes?
I just wanted to know if you had any objection, that's all.
Well, no. Will you be using much electricity?
I’m afraid I may.
It’s not that I mind the expense. But the city might ask questions.
It won't be for long.
I just want to conduct a few experiments.
[indistinct chatter]
- The stairs are very steep. - Stairs?
Yes, there they are. Steps down there.
I may manage Jonas but I’m a bit rusty.
I gave up stairs ten years ago.
These aren't very good ones. Carefully gentle.
I refuse to believe this is scientific equipment at all.
You're hoarding bullion.
Well, you may be right. Over there.
[overlapping speech]
[groaning, struggling]
Now, what are you going to do with it all?
I don't know yet.
I hope you realise the risk I took.
Why? You're not a research man.
You don't have to account for anything.
And you know you can have full publication rights
for anything that turns up.
- It had better be good. - I think it may be.
- How long before you know? - About a week or two.
You've already wasted a lot of time. What about your real work?
I suppose that's all gone to pieces.
This is my real work.
Oh, Lord! It’s come to that, has it?
Have they started to ask you questions?
- Who? - Your department, man.
- Ah, not yet. - They will.
Then you'll be out. Finished. Disgraced in the media.
Another scandal in the family. Which it can ill afford.
Uncle, I’m grateful for all your help
but just let me get on with this.
All right, I’m going.
But I warned you from the beginning, remember?
I have no intention of arguing with you.
Like a mule, just like your mother.
I’m merely trying to prepare you for the consequences.
[whirring]
[doorbell rings]
- Mrs. Potterley? - Yes?
I’m Thaddeus Araman.
- Is your husband in? - Yes, I think so.
- There's a visitor, my dear. - Professor.
Well, Mr. Araman.
Have you come to tell me it's my turn for the Chronoscope?
I’m afraid not. No, it's a trivial matter.
I won't waste too much of your time.
- Well, won't you sit down. - Thank you.
Now then, I understand you know a certain Jonas Foster.
He's a Physics instructor at your university, isn't he?
Yes, I know him by sight.
Not to speak to?
I may have exchanged a few words with him.
At a faculty tea.
Well, one meets so many people, I really can't remember.
Oh, then I must be misinformed.
I was led to believe that you knew him quite well.
As you say, you have been misinformed.
Yes.
What a magnificent collection of books you have!
It’s always a pleasure to meet someone nowadays
who still finds magic in the printed word.
Erm...
- This young man... - Foster.
- Foster. Is he in trouble? - Oh, not exactly.
There's been a suggestion that
he's been carrying out some experiments...
...in the field of Chronoscopy.
Some form of ancient worship?
- His name is Moloch. - Ah, fascinating!
It is only a suggestion, but we have to
check these things and as you've recently been to see me--
I’m afraid I know nothing about it.
I’m glad to hear it.
What an extremely comfortable apartment you have.
The University does you proud.
I’ve served it for a long time.
Of course. Just these two floors?
There is a basement.
Full of more books no doubt.
As you know, I have the authority to make a search.
But I won't inconvenience you.
Your word is good enough for me.
You have it.
Then there's no more to be said.
Good night, Professor. Mrs. Potterley.
- Good night. - Good night.
- Arnold-- - Yes, all right dear.
- Jonas, Araman was here. - Who's Araman?
Good heavens!
What?
- Oh, it wasn't important. - Oh.
I’ve finished the experiments. And a Chronoscope can be built.
- Down here? - Er, yes.
- But you said it's impossible. - I was wrong.
- Are you sure, Jonas? - Of course I’m sure.
If it was just a question of theory
we could have had a time viewer years ago
when the neutrino was first put forward.
Trouble was, nobody knew what to do with it.
It was Sterbinski who discovered
that it travelled through time as well as space.
He found the means of stopping it.
He even invented a recorder
which could interpret the pattern of the neutrino stream.
And time viewing was possible.
He even found a way of converting air vibrations into sound.
- Yes, yes, but when? - Out of the way.
Everything then depended on how you analysed the stream.
Sterbinski's method was difficult. It used up too much energy.
But I’ve studied pseudo gravities.
Which is the science of artificial gravitational fields.
It’s something quite new.
If Sterbinski, or anyone, had known about it, they could've solved it at once.
I knew it. [shouting]
So much for your centralised direction of science.
- It bears out all my theories. - Congratulations.
Now, there's just one small thing.
Never mind. Just tell me when you can build a Chronoscope?
- It won't do you any good. - But why?
- You'll never see Carthage. - Never?
But, surely, isn't it just a question of focus?
No, when the field is interpreted,
you get random factors.
It’s the same with all subatomic particles.
Random factors which produce a kind of fuzziness.
What's technically known as noise.
The further back in time you go,
the greater the fuzziness, the greater the noise,
until finally the picture's drowned.
- Well, use more power. - It won't do any good.
If the noise blurs the detail,
intensifying the detail only amplifies the noise.
You can only time view so far back.
How far? How far?
A century and a quarter. At the most.
A century and a quarter! That's rubbish.
The monthly bulletin from the Commission
deals almost entirely with Ancient History.
The Government has data that goes as far back as 3,000 BC.
When did you start believing that?
Didn't you begin this whole thing
by proving they were lying?
No historian has ever used the Chronoscope.
And now you know the reason. They couldn't.
You must be wrong. You don't know everything.
Dr. Potterley, the Government's been having us on.
It’s all a hoax.
- Why? - Don't ask me.
You're just theorising. Build one and try.
Do you think I haven't?
You think I'd tell you all this
before I’d checked it every possible way?
I have built a Chronoscope.
It’s all around you.
Look.
[high pitched noise]
- Nothing. - Wait a minute.
[gasps]
An old fashioned ground car.
Mid twentieth century, somewhere.
I can't hook up an audio yet, but we can add sound later.
Only 80-odd years ago and you can see the quality.
Build a larger machine. Improve your circuits.
I’ve told you. There are limits.
You're lying.
- I won't believe you. - [Caroline] Arnold.
- What is it Caroline? Leave us. - No.
I heard. I couldn't help it.
Have you got a time viewer, Jonas? Down here?
Yes, Mrs. Potterley. Not a very good one, but--
- It’s marvellous. - It’s nothing of the kind.
The young fool can't get further back--
- Dr. Potterley-- - Please.
Listen to me.
Even if it goes back only 20 years, we can see Laurel.
What does it matter about Carthage? It’s Laurel, Arnold.
She'll be alive for us again.
Leave the machine here, Jonas. Show us how it works.
Caroline, please! What'll you see?
You want to live those years over and over again?
Watching a child who'll never grow up?
You'll go mad. Is that what you want? Is it?
I want my child.
She's there in that machine, and I want to see her.
She isn't in that machine. It’s only an image of her.
Can't you understand?
- Something that's not real. - I want my child.
I want my baby. [sobbing]
Don't you come near me.
I’ll kill you. I swear it.
[clattering]
[hissing, dull buzzing]
You can send me a bill for the damage.
Now, get out of here. And don't ever come back.
[groans]
[sobbing]
Arnold!
[doorbell rings]
- May I come in? - Yes.
I suppose I ought to apologize for my behaviour the other night.
- It was the disappointment-- - Yes. Well. Is that all?
I think my wife has called you.
She's been rather hysterical.
She told me she had, but I couldn't be quite sure.
Yes, she called.
Would you be good enough to tell me what she wanted?
She wanted a Chronoscope.
She had some money of her own, and she was willing to pay.
- What did you say? - I said
I wasn't in the manufacturing business.
Good. Please don't take calls from her--
Look, Dr. Potterley, I’m not interested
in your domestic difficulties, but you might as well know that
the Chronoscope can be built by anyone.
You can buy the parts at any small etheric sales.
But no one else would think of it.
You don't think I’m going to keep it secret, do you?
You've no alternative. It’s illegal research.
- That won't stop me. - But how will you do it?
None of the reputable journals will touch it.
- I’ll pull my own pamphlet. - You'll lose your grants.
If the university wants to sack me, that doesn't matter. I’ll resign.
You can't do it, Jonas.
You didn't mind me taking risks a few months ago.
Why are you so concerned now?
When you first came to me,
I believed in organised and directed research
like everyone else. I even thought you were dangerous.
But for one reason or another, you got me onto your side
and I’ve accomplished some great things.
I still don't believe in total anarchy
but there must be some kind of flexibility.
Look, Jonas, I do appreciate your feelings. I once felt the same way myself.
Yes. Two days ago.
I got you into this. But I was acting selfishly.
It was my interest in Carthage that got the better of me.
I can't just stand by and watch you throw away your career.
What you're saying is, Carthage and
Government dictatorship, mean nothing to you anymore?
Even an old fool like myself can learn, Jonas.
Two days ago, I thought a Chronoscope
could be used purely for research purposes.
But my wife showed me I was wrong.
Well, you saw her reaction, didn't you?
All she wanted was to return to her own private memories.
And it wouldn't be just her. Everyone's past will be visible.
Think of the Government's position.
They'd be subjected to all kinds of blackmail
and unnatural pressures.
Who's got a past that's absolutely clean?
ln fact, organised Government might well become impossible.
Maybe. But there is an important principle involved here.
This is a genuine scientific advance and I’m going to publish it.
A few politicians with cold feet aren't going to stop me.
Not just politicians, Jonas. Everyone.
Children searching for their lost parents,
grown men for their youth.
We'll have a whole world living in a dead past.
Don't worry. People will soon get tired of that.
But what about my wife, man?
She'll live through the fire that killed our child
over and over again.
Hoping it won't happen. Trying to prevent it.
What are you so afraid, she'll find out?
What really happened that night of the fire?
Caroline went out and left me babysitting.
I went in to see if the child was all right.
I had a cigarette with me.
There was an ashtray on the chest of drawers.
I was sure I stubbed it out.
I left the child asleep.
I went back to the living room...
...and dozed off in front of the video.
I woke up, choking.
There were flames everywhere.
I rushed into the child's room. I picked her up...
...but when I got out of the house, she was dead in my arms.
I don't know how it started.
But you never told your wife about the cigarette?
And, now, with the Chronoscope, she'll find out.
Maybe it wasn't the cigarette. I can't take the risk.
But it's not just myself, Jonas.
The past has its terrors for most people.
Is that why you're so interested in Moloch?
- What? - Burning human sacrifices.
You feel that if you can prove that it never happened,
you could lessen your own feeling of guilt?
Perhaps, in some way.
I’m sorry for you, Dr. Potterley, believe me.
But this goes beyond personal feelings.
Does it?
I doubt it, Mr. Foster.
I think you see this as your chance to become
a famous and important young man, regardless of the cost.
- I don't see it like that. - No, of course not.
Well, it may be part of it. I’m only human.
And nothing will make you change your mind?
I’m sorry.
Very well.
ln that case.
If you're thinking of killing me, or something lunatic like that,
I’ve got the information in a safety deposit vault.
Don't be a fool.
[high-pitched bleeping]
You do call at the most inconvenient moments.
Listen, Uncle. This is important.
I’m going to leave an envelope, addressed to you at the bank.
- Oh, yes. - It’s got some information in.
Doesn't matter what, but if anything should happen to me...
What are you talking about? Is something likely to happen?
- It’s just a precaution, Uncle. - Really laudable, Jonas.
Really. Showing unmistakable symptoms of maturity.
I hope you're quite well.
Now be a nice, kind nephew and ring off, will you?
Uncle wants to go back to the bathroom.
Good night, Uncle.
I want them brought here.
Both of them.
[door closes] What's this?
I’m the one to blame.
It was entirely my responsibility.
I persuaded the young boy against his will.
I only came to you because Chronoscopy must be stopped.
You see, my child was killed in a fire.
My wife would spend her time...
- You do understand. - Quite so.
- Dr. Foster is here now, sir. - And the other one?
He wasn't at his home. They're trying the other address.
What's going on?
Sit down, Dr. Foster. And you, Professor.
Thank you, Miss Clements.
I am Thaddeus Araman,
department head of the Division of Chronoscopy.
I’ve brought you here because of some information
given to me by Professor Potterley
and confirmed by our own sources.
- I’ve explained-- - Naturally.
He is anxious to take the blame,
but I’m afraid the matter is out of his hands now.
All right, what are you going to do?
Order the university to sack me?
That's certainly in my power.
If that's all. I’ll go and clear--
It’s not all, Dr. Foster.
You must agree to do no further research in Chronoscopy.
To publish none of your findings and, of course, build no machine.
You will be kept under constant watch to make sure.
Unauthorised research may not be ethical
but it certainly isn't criminal.
It is in this case, my young friend. And if you don't agree,
you'll be kept in jail and stay there.
Why? What's so special about Chronoscopy?
That doesn't concern you. You must simply accept that
no further development can be made in the field.
That won't do any good. All science hangs together.
Something else will turn up.
If you stop part of it, you might as well stop it all.
That may be true in theory,
but we've managed to hold Chronoscopy down
to the Sterbinski level for 50 years.
And now that we've stopped you in time,
- we'll continue to do so. - I see.
Is anyone allowed to use your Chronoscope?
None outside this department.
I may as well tell you,
since you've obviously guessed as much.
But I warn you not to repeat it.
So it only goes back a hundred years or so.
- Yes. - And your bulletin is a hoax.
Yes, it is.
ln that case, I certainly won't promise to keep quiet.
Suppressing science is one thing,
but depriving mankind of its benefits--
- I warn you-- - Well, put me in jail.
Then we can have it all out at the trial.
Oh, let's get this straight, Dr. Foster.
There'll be no trial, you'll go to jail directly.
You won't see a lawyer. You won't even be charged.
You'll simply stay in jail.
You can't do that.
This isn't the last century.
[commotion outside the office] - Take your hands off me.
I’ve always accept invitations, Araman.
The violence was quite unnecessary.
Do you know him?
I’ve had dealings with the man.
He's got nothing to do with this.
He supplied you with the Neutrinics literature
and also certain pieces of equipment.
- Did you tell him that? - No.
- How does he know then? - Do you deny it?
There's no point, it seems.
And you were fully aware of what Dr. Foster was doing?
Of course I was.
He was building a semi-portable, low-powered Chronoscope.
Well, that's right, isn't it?
I never told him.
Even a classified science writer can add two and two.
- You're under arrest. - What for?
- Unauthorised research. - I wasn't doing any.
I can't. I’m not a registered scientist.
And even if I did, it's not illegal.
It’s all right, Uncle. This bureaucrat makes his own laws.
- Does he? - Such as life imprisonment
without trial.
Look here, Araman, my nephew and I have relatives.
The professor as well, I imagine.
You can't just make us all disappear.
There'd be a scandal. You can't afford that.
This is nothing but a clumsy attempt at intimidation.
You three fools understand nothing of what you've done.
- Oh, we understand, all right. - Do you?
- Jonas. - Come with me.
- What now? Torture? - Yes. Of a kind.
- The Government Chronoscope. - Sit down, please.
Are you ready?
Well, now, what are you going to show us?
You'll see. Now, listen to me.
When people think of the past, they think of it as dead.
Something that happened long ago.
Greece, Rome, Carthage, Egypt.
Our monthly bulletins encourage them to think like this.
Yes.
But you know the limits of this machine.
So what does the past mean to you?
Your dead mother? Your youth? Your first girl?
But when does it really begin? Well, isn't it obvious?
It begins an instant ago.
The dead past is just another name for the living present.
Is it beginning to sink in?
[voices from Chronoscope]
Look.
Yes, Mrs. Potterley. Not a very good one, but--
- It’s marvellous. - It’s nothing of the kind.
The young fool can't get further back--
- Dr. Potterley-- - Please.
Listen to me.
Don't you understand?
As long as it goes back 20 years, we can see Laurel.
What's it matter about Carthage? It’s Laurel, Arnold.
She'll be alive for us again.
Leave the machine here, Jonas. Show us how it works.
- Caroline. - Please!
What will you see?
You want to live those years over and over again?
Watching a child who'll never grow up?
You'll go mad. Is that what you want? Is it?
I want my child.
She's there in that machine, and I want to see her.
She's not in that machine. It’s only an image of her.
Can't you understand?
- Something that's not real. - I want my child.
I want my baby. [sobbing]
Don't come near me.
Or I’ll kill you. I swear it.
[banging, clattering]
[hissing, dull buzzing]
Stop it! Stop it! Turn it off.
Now perhaps you've got some idea
of what might happen if we let this monster get out.
People might start by watching their dead loved ones,
but it wouldn't be long before they saw
the possibilities, would it?
The housewife watching her husband or her neighbour.
The businessman, his competitor.
The employer, his employees.
You name it.
Every man his own peeping Tom.
- And you were watching us? - Yes.
- Since when? - Since the beginning of course.
You mean, you knew the night you came to my house?
Oh, yes.
Why didn't you stop them?
He was enjoying himself too much.
No, we thought you might be onto something.
We wanted to know what it was.
ln the interests of research, I suppose.
- So it's the end of privacy. - Precisely.
We shall have to start living in the dark.
That's no escape.
The machine can be adjusted to the infrared.
We'll be seen by our own body heat.
Not clearly of course, and the surroundings will be dark.
But that'll make the titillation only greater.
Even now, in spite of the regulations,
- the men indulge. - All right.
Forbid private manufacture.
Do you think that's going to help?
Can you stop drinking, smoking and adultery?
Good heavens, in a thousand years
we haven't wiped out the heroin traffic.
All right, I won't publish.
We won't talk. None of us. I’m sorry.
Just a minute.
Did you follow me on this thing?
We saw you hand over the Neutrinics literature
and the equipment.
And when we were looking for you,
we found you at the house of a certain prominent biochemist.
Yes, I was wondering about that.
He was away at a convention, his wife did not accompany him.
What's that got to do with this?
- Do you want me to show them? - No, thank you.
- You mean, you actually-- - There was no alternative.
- The matter was urgent. - My God.
Leave it, Jonas. Can't you see the man's enjoying himself?
He talks about our ethics.
I’m merely trying to ram it into your heads.
Yes, all right. You've done that, haven't you.
Did you see anything else?
- No. - Pity.
What?
Two nights ago, my nephew called me
to say he'd put some information in a safety deposit box at the bank.
Yes, we know all about that.
The box was opened, and the envelope was removed.
It was still there, when I opened the box.
Impossible! I left strict instructions.
I know if anything happened to you.
But you're forgetting it's my bank as well.
It wasn't difficult to gain access.
What are you talking about?
Just this.
I sent the details of the portable Chronoscope
to half a dozen of my regular publicity outlets.
You what?
The boy was obviously in trouble.
I guessed he was planning to publish illegally.
If he did, it would ruin his career.
Under a system like yours,
anything unpredictable is a crime against the state.
So, there was no choice.
I had to get in first.
Distribute the stuff, take full responsibility
of the publication.
ln all my life, it's the only decent thing...
Well, how was I to know...?
Nobody knew anything.
You all just took it for granted
the Government was stupidly bureaucratic and vicious.
It never occurred to any of you
that we were trying to protect mankind as best we could.
Can't you do something?
- Get the names of the people? - It’s too late.
His publicity outfits have had time to check the data
and pass on the news.
By the end of the week,
at least 500 people
will be able to build a Chronoscope.
And there's nothing I can do to stop them.