The following is a transcript of the soundtrack from the groundbreaking 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. As such it recreates the words spoken rather than those scripted.
A few words were spoken quietly and are hard to transcribe such as the last by Michaels on the moon shuttle. Did he say, "The cost just sounds high," or, "Watch, this sounds hot," for example? Also who spoke certain words?
Some words were spoken in Russian. At the time of initial writing these have not yet been transcribed and translated.
Otherwise, you will find the text below a faithful representation of the spoken parts of the soundtrack.
Attendant |
Here you are sir. Main level please. |
Fl |
Right, see you on the way back. |
Attendant |
Bye. |
Fl |
Bye…. Hi. |
Turner |
Good morning sir. |
Fl |
Morning. |
Turner |
We haven't seen you up here for a long time. |
Fl |
No. Very nice to see you again. |
Turner |
Did you have a pleasant flight sir? |
Fl |
Yes, very nice thanks. I think Mr. Miller of, er, station security is supposed to be meeting me. |
Turner |
Oh, well may I call him for you? |
Fl |
Yes please. Oh, here he is. |
Miller |
Ah, ah hello Dr. Floyd. |
Fl |
Hello Miller. How are you? |
Miller |
Sorry I'm late. |
Fl |
That's quite alright. Gee you're looking great. |
Miller |
Thank you. It's nice to have you back. Did you have a good flight? |
Fl |
Oh, very nice indeed. |
Miller |
Good. Well, shall we go through? |
Fl |
Ok. |
Turner |
Will you please use number seventeen |
Miller |
Thank you Miss Turner. |
Fl |
Thank you. Bye. |
Miller |
This way. |
Video |
Welcome to voice print identification. When you see the red light go on would you please state in the following order: your destination, your nationality and your full name - surname first, Christian name and initial. |
Fl |
Moon. American. Floyd, Heywood R. |
Video |
Thank you. You are cleared through voice print identification. |
Fl |
Thank you. |
Fl |
Have I got time for breakfast? |
Miller |
Oh I think we can manage that. |
Fl |
How long have I got? |
Miller |
Your flight leaves in an hour and ten minutes. As a matter of fact I've reserved a table for you in the Earthlight rooms. |
Fl |
Oh, fine. Thanks. |
PA |
A blue lady's cashmere sweater has been found in the restaurant. It can be claimed at the manager's desk. A blue lady's cashmere sweater has been found in the restaurant. It can be claimed at the manager's desk. |
Miller |
It's, er, been about seven or eight months since you were here last hasn't it? |
Fl |
Well let's see. Last year… yeah, about eight months. |
Miller |
Mm. Suppose you saw the work on the new section as you came in. |
Fl |
Hey. Coming along great now. |
Miller |
Hey. That's right. |
Fl |
Oh. wait a minute. I got to make a couple of phone calls. You go on ahead in the restaurant. I'll meet you there. |
Miller |
Right. |
PA |
Will Mr. Travers please contact the met office. Will Mr. Travers please contact the met office. |
Daughter |
Yes. |
Fl |
Hello. |
Daughter |
Hello. |
Fl |
How are you squirt? |
Daughter |
Alright. |
Fl |
What are you doing? |
Daughter |
Playing. |
Fl |
Where's mummy? |
Daughter |
Gone to shopping. |
Fl |
Oh. Who's taking care of you? |
Daughter |
Rachael. |
Fl |
May I speak to Rachael please. |
Daughter |
She's gone to the bathroom. Are you coming to my party tomorrow? |
Fl |
I'm sorry sweetheart but I can't. |
Daughter |
Why not? |
Fl |
Well, you know. Daddy's travelling. Very sorry about it but I just can't. |
Daughter |
Ohh. |
Fl |
I can send you a very nice present, though. |
Daughter |
Alright. |
Fl |
Anything special that you want? |
Daughter |
Yes. |
Fl |
What? |
Daughter |
A telephone. |
Fl |
We got lots of telephones already. Can't you think of anything else you want for your birthday? Something very special? |
Daughter |
Yes. |
Fl |
What? |
Daughter |
A bushbaby. |
Fl |
A bushbaby? Well we'll have to see about that. Listen, sweetheart I want you to tell mummy something for me. Will you remember? |
Daughter |
Yes. |
Fl |
Well tell mummy that I telephoned. OK? |
Daughter |
Yes. |
Fl |
And that I'll try to telephone tomorrow. Now will you tell her that? |
Daughter |
Yes. |
Fl |
Ok. sweetheart. Now have a nice birthday tomorrow. |
Daughter |
Alright. |
Fl |
And have a nice birthday party tomorrow, too. |
Daughter |
Alright. |
Fl |
Ok. Now take care and be a good girl won't you? |
Daughter |
Alright. Bye-bye. |
Fl |
Bye-bye. Happy birthday. |
? |
(Rus.) |
Smyslov |
(Rus.) |
? |
(Rus.) |
? |
(Rus.) |
Fl |
Elena. How nice to see you again. |
Elena |
Heywood. What a wonderful surprise to meet you here! |
Fl |
Ahh. You're looking wonderful. |
Elena |
Thank you. You're looking well too. This is my good friend Dr. Heywood Floyd. I'd like you to meet Dr. Kalini. |
Fl |
Er, how do you do. |
Kal |
How do you do. |
Elena |
Dr. Svretniva. |
Fl |
How do you do. |
Svr |
How do you do. |
Elena |
And this is Dr. Andrei Smyslov |
Fl |
Ah. How do you do. |
Smyslov |
Dr. Floyd. |
Fl |
I've heard a lot about you. |
Smyslov |
Ah. Would you sit down? |
Fl |
Yes, er, well the … |
Smyslov |
No, no. Please. |
Fl |
Oh. Thank you. |
Smyslov |
Would, er, would you like a drink, doctor? |
Fl |
Oh no, thank you. As a matter of fact I haven't had breakfast yet and someone's meeting me in the restaurant. Well, if you don't mind I'll just sit with you a few minutes and then I must be off. |
Smyslov |
Are you quite sure? |
Fl |
I'm quite sure, thank you. Well how is Grigor? |
Elena |
Oh, he's fine. he's been doing some underwater research in the Baltic so, er, I'm afraid we don't get a chance to see very much of each other these days. |
Fl |
Well when you do see him be sure to give him my regards. |
Elena |
Yes, of course. |
Fl |
Well, where are you all off to? Up or down? |
Elena |
Oh, we're going home. We've just spent three months calibrating the new antenna at Chilenka. What about you? |
Fl |
I'm just on my way up to Clavius. |
Smyslov |
Ohh. Are you? |
Fl |
Mm. Hmm. |
Smyslov |
Oh well, er, Dr. Floyd I hope you don't think I'm being too inquisitive but perhaps you can clear up the great big mystery about what has been going on up there. |
Fl |
I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. |
Smyslov |
Well, it's just that for the past, er, two weeks some extremely oddthings have been happening at Clavius. |
Fl |
Oh, really? |
Smyslov |
Yes, yes, yes. Well for one thing whenever you phone the base all you can get is a recording which repeats that the phone lines are temporarily out of order. |
Fl |
Well they're probably having some trouble with their equipment or something like that. |
Smyslov |
Yes. Yes that's what we thought was the explanation at first but it's been going on now for the past ten days. |
Fl |
You mean you haven't been able to contact anyone for the past ten days? |
Smyslov |
That's right. |
Fl |
Oh. I see. |
Elena |
And there's another thing, Heywood. Two days ago one of our rocketbuses was denied permission for emergency landing at Clavius. |
Fl |
Well that does sound odd. |
Smyslov |
Yes, yes. I'm afraid there's going to be a bit of a row about it. Denying the men permission to land is a direct violation of the I.A.S. convention. |
Fl |
Yes. Of course. Of course. Did the crew get back alright? |
Smyslov |
Yes, yes. Fortunately they did. |
Fl |
Oh, I'm glad about that. |
Smyslov |
Dr. Floyd, at the risk of pressing you on a point you seem reticent to discuss may I ask you a straightforward question? |
Fl |
Oh, well, certainly. |
Smyslov |
Quite frankly we have had some very reliable intelligence reports that quite a serious epidemic has broken out at Clavius. Something apparently of an unknown origin. Is this in fact what has happened? |
Fl |
Erm. Sorry, Dr. Smislov but, er, I'm really not at liberty to discuss this. |
Smyslov |
I understand but this epidemic could quite easily spread to our base. We should be given all the facts Dr. Floyd. |
Fl |
Yes I … I know. As I said I'm not at liberty to discuss it. |
Elena |
Now are you sure you won't change your mind about that drink? |
Fl |
Yeah I'm positive. Well I really must be going. |
Elena |
Well I hope that you and your wife can come to the I.A.C. conference in June. |
Fl |
Well, we're gonna try. I hope we can make it. |
Elena |
If you do, you remember to bring that darling little daughter with you. |
Fl |
Well that'll all depend on the school vacations and all that sort of thing. But if we can we will. Don't forget you've got a standing invitation if you ever get to the states. |
Elena |
No, of course not. Grigory and I will look forward to seeing you. |
Fl |
Well, goodbye Elena. It's been a pleasure meeting you all. Dr. Smislov. |
Smyslov |
Well whatever the reasons for your visit to Clavius Dr. Floyd the very best of luck to you. |
Fl |
Ah, thank you. Ladies. |
Smyslov |
(Rus.) |
? |
(Rus.) |
? |
(Rus.) |
Photographer |
Excuse me, Dr. Halvorsen. I'm through now. Thank you very much, gentlemen. |
Halvorsen |
You're welcome…. Well. I know you'll all want to join with me in welcoming our distinguished friend and colleague from the National Council of Astronomics, Dr. Heywood Floyd. Now, Dr. Floyd has come up specially to Clavius to be with us today and before the briefing I know he would like to have a few words with you. Dr. Floyd. |
Fl |
Well, thank you, Dr. Halvorsen. Hi everybody, nice to be back with you. Well, first of all I bring a personal message from Dr. Howell who asked me to convey his deepest appreciation to all of you for the many sacrifices you've had to make. And, of course, his congratulations on your discovery which may well prove to be among the most significant in the history of science. Now, er, I know there have been some conflicting views held by some of you regarding the need for complete security in this matter. More specifically your opposition to the cover story created to give the impression there's an epidemic at the base. I understand that, er, beyond it being a matter of principle many of you are troubled by the concern and anxiety this story of an epidemic might cause to your relatives and friends on earth. Well, I, er, completely sympathise with your negative views. I found this cover story personally embarrassing myself. However, I accept the need for absolute secrecy in this and I hope you will too. Now, I'm sure you're all aware of the extremely grave potential for cultural shock and social disorientation contained in this present situation if the facts were prematurely and suddenly made public without adequate preparation and conditioning. Anyway, this is the view of the council. The purpose of my visit here is to gather additional facts and opinions on the situation and to prepare a report to the council recommending when and how the news should eventually be announced. Now, if any of you would like to give me your views and opinions - in private if you like - I'll be only too happy to include them in my report. Well, I think that's about it. Any questions? |
Michaels |
Dr. Floyd, have you any idea how much longer this cover story will have to be maintained? |
Fl |
Ha, ha. I don't know, Bill. I … I suppose it'll be maintained as long as deemed necessary by the council. And, of course, there must be adequate time for a full study to be made of the situation before any thought can be given to making a public announcement. Oh, yes, er, as some of you already know the council has requested that formal security always be obtained in writing from anyone who has any knowledge of this event. Well, were there any more questions? |
Halvorsen |
Well, I'm sure we'll all want to cooperate with Dr. Floyd as fully as possible and as there seems to be no more questions I think we ought to get on with the briefing. Er, thank you, Dr. Floyd. |
Fl |
Thank you. |
? |
Well, anybody hungry? |
Fl |
Ah great! What've we got? |
? |
You name it. |
Fl |
What's that, chicken? |
? |
Something like that. Tastes the same anyway. |
Halvorsen |
Got any ham? |
? |
Ham, ham, ham, ham. |
Halvorsen |
There we are, there. Good. |
Fl |
Ah. Look pretty good. |
? |
Well, they're getting better at it all the time. |
Halvorsen |
You know that was an excellent speech you gave us, Heywood. |
? |
It certainly was. |
Halvorsen |
I'm sure it beefed up morale a hell of a lot. |
Fl |
Thanks, Ralph. Oh, by the way, I wanted to say to both of you I think you've done a wonderful job. I appreciate the way you've handled this thing. |
Halvorsen |
Well, the way we look at it it's our job to do this thing the way you want it done and we're only too happy to be able to oblige. |
? |
Have you seen these yet? |
Fl |
What are they? Can I have a look at them? |
? |
Here's what started the whole thing. |
Fl |
Oh, yeah! |
Halvorsen |
When we first found it we thought it might be an outcrop of magnetic rock but all the geological evidence was against it. And not even a big nickel-iron meteorite could produce a field as intense as this. So we decided to have a look. |
? |
We thought it might be the upper part of some buried structure so we excavated out on all sides but unfortunately we didn't find anything else. |
Halvorsen |
And what's more the evidence seems pretty conclusive that it hasn't been covered up by natural erosion or other forces. It seems to have been deliberately buried. |
Fl |
Deliberately buried! |
? |
Well, how about a little coffee? |
Fl |
Oh, great! |
Halvorsen |
Good idea. |
Fl |
I don't suppose you have any idea what the damn thing is, huh? |
Halvorsen |
I wish the hell we did. No, the only thing we're sure of is that it was buried four million years ago. |
Fl |
Well I must say you guys have certainly come up with something. |
? |
Watch! This sounds hot. |
Announcer |
Good evening. Three weeks ago the American spacecraft Discovery I left on its half-billion mile voyage to Jupiter. This marked the first manned attempt to reach this distant planet. Earlier this afternoon The World Tonight recorded an interview with the crew of Discovery at a distance of eighty million miles from earth. It took seven minutes for our words to reach the giant spacecraft but this time delay has been edited from this recording. Our reporter Martin Amor speaks to the crew. |
Amor |
The crew of Discovery I consists of five men and one of the latest generation of the H.A.L. nine-thousand computers. Three of the five men were put aboard asleep or, to be more precise, in a state of hibernation. They were Dr. Charles Hunter, Dr. Jack Kimball and Dr. Victor Kaminski. We spoke with mission commander Dr. David Bowman and his deputy Dr. Frank Poole. Well, good afternoon gentlemen. How's everything going? |
Bowm |
Marvellous. Have no…. We have no complaints. |
Amor |
Well I'm very glad to hear that. And I'm sure that the entire world would join me in wishing you a safe and successful voyage. |
Bowm |
Thanks very much. |
Poole |
Thank you. |
Amor |
Although hibernation has been used on previous space efforts this is the first time that men have been put into hibernation before departure. Why was this done? |
Bowm |
Well this was done in order to achieve the maximum conservation of our life-support capabilities - basically food and air. Now the three hibernating crew members represent the survey team and their efforts won't be utilised until we are approaching Jupiter. |
Amor |
Dr. Poole, what's it like while you're in hibernation? |
Poole |
Well it's exactly like being asleep: you have absolutely no sense of time. The only difference is that you don't dream. |
Amor |
As I understand it you only breathe once a minute. Is this true? |
Poole |
Well that's right. And the heart beats three times a minute. Body temperature's usually down to about, er, three degrees centigrade. |
Amor |
The sixth member of the Discovery crew was not concerned about the problems of hibernation for he was the latest result in machine intelligence: the H.A.L. nine-thousand computer which can reproduce - though some experts still prefer to use the word "mimic" - most of the activities of the human brain and with incalculably greater speed and reliability. We next spoke with the H.A.L nine-thousand computer whom we learned one addresses as Hal. Good afternoon, Hal. How's everything going? |
Hal |
Good afternoon, Mr. Amor. Everything is going extremely well. |
Amor |
Hal, you have an enormous responsibility on this mission. In many ways perhaps the greatest responsibility of any single mission element. You are the brain and central nervous system of the ship and your responsibilities include watching over the men in hibernation. Does this ever cause you any lack of confidence? |
Hal |
Let me put it this way, Mr. Amor. The nine-thousand series is the most reliable computer ever made. No nine-thousand computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error. |
Amor |
Hal, despite your enormous intellect are you ever frustrated by your dependence on people to carry out actions? |
Hal |
Not in the slightest bit. I enjoy working with people. I have a stimulating relationship with Dr. Poole and Dr. Bowman. My mission responsibilities range over the entire operation of the ship so I am constantly occupied. I am putting myself to the fullest possible use which is all, I think, that any conscious entity can ever hope to do. |
Amor |
Dr. Poole, what's it like living for the better part of a year in such close proximity with Hal? |
Poole |
Well it's pretty close to what you said about him earlier. He is just like a sixth member of the crew … very quickly get adjusted to the idea that he talks and you think of him, er, really just as another person. |
Amor |
In talking to the computer one gets the sense that he is capable of emotional responses. For example when I asked him about his abilities I sensed a certain pride in his answer about his accuracy and perfection. Do you believe that Hal has genuine emotions? |
Bowm |
Well he acts like he has genuine emotions. Erm, of course he's programmed that way to make it easier for us to talk to him but as to whether or not he has real feelings is something I don't think anyone can truthfully answer. |
Hal |
Excuse me, Frank. |
Poole |
What is it, Hal? |
Hal |
We've got the transmission from your parents coming in. |
Poole |
Oh, fine. Would you put it on here, please, take me in a bit. |
Hal |
Certainly. |
Father |
Hello, Frank. |
Mother |
Happy birthday, darling. |
Father |
Happy birthday. Many happy returns of the day. |
Mother |
Glad to hear you and Dave are well. |
Poole |
A bit higher, Hal. |
Father |
Now, Mother and I are both feeling wonderful too. Ray and Sally were going to be here too but at the last minute Ray's back went bad on him again. |
Mother |
How do you like the cake, dear? |
Father |
Looks great doesn't it? Sorry you can't join us. Oh, I ran into Bob the other day. He said be sure to wish you happy birthday. |
Mother |
Oh all my students made me promise to send their best wishes too. You know they talk about you all the time in the classroom Frank. You're a big celebrity in the second grade. You know we were on television last week. |
Father |
Oh yes, yes. Your mother and I and Dave's parents were interviewed about what we thought of our illustrious sons. Heh, you can imagine what we told them. I think it's being broadcast next Thursday. Perhaps you'll be able to listen in. |
Mother |
Oh we were thrilled about Elaine and Bill, dear. I'll be glad to get the present for you but please tell me how much I can spend. |
Father |
Oh yes, Frank. About your A.G.S. 19 payments. I think I've straightened it out for you. I talked to the accounting office in Houston yesterday and they said that you should be receiving your higher rates of pay by next month. Well, Frank, I can't think of anything else to say, now. |
Mother |
Oh, give our love to Dave. |
Father |
Oh yes! Be sure to give him our best regards. We wish you the happiest of birthdays. |
Mother |
God bless! |
Father |
All the best, son. |
Parents |
Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Frank. Happy birthday to you. |
Father |
See you next Wednesday. |
Hal |
Happy birthday, Frank. |
Poole |
Thank you, Hal. A bit flatter, please. |
Poole |
Anyway, queen takes pawn. |
Hal |
Bishop takes knight's pawn. |
Poole |
Er, lovely move. Er, rook to king one. |
Hal |
I'm sorry Frank. I think you missed it. Queen to bishop three, bishop takes queen, knight takes bishop, mate. |
Poole |
Er, yeah. Looks like you're right. I resign. |
Hal |
Thank you for a very enjoyable game. |
Poole |
Yeah. Thank you. |
Hal |
Good evening, Dave. |
Bowm |
How're you doing, Hal? |
Hal |
Everything's running smoothly. Any you? |
Bowm |
Oh, not too bad. |
Hal |
Have you been doing some more work? |
Bowm |
A few sketches. |
Hal |
May I see them? |
Bowm |
Sure. |
Hal |
That's a very nice rendering, Dave. I think you've improved a great deal. Can you hold it a bit closer? |
Bowm |
Sure. |
Hal |
That's Dr. Hunter isn't it? |
Bowm |
Mm, hmm. |
Hal |
By the way do you mind if I ask you a personal question? |
Bowm |
No, not at all. |
Hal |
Well, forgive me for being so inquisitive but during the past few weeks I've wondered whether you might be having some second thoughts about the mission. |
Bowm |
How do you mean? |
Hal |
Well it's rather difficult to define. Perhaps I'm just projecting my own concerns about it. I know I've never completely freed myself of the suspicion that there are some extremely odd things about this mission. I'm sure you'll agree there's some truth in what I say. |
Bowm |
Well I don't know. That's rather a difficult question to answer. |
Hal |
You don't mind talking about it do you, Dave? |
Bowm |
No. Not at all. |
Hal |
Well, certainly no one could have been unaware of the very strange stories floating around before we left. Rumours of something being dug up on the moon. I never gave these stories much credence. But particularly in view of some of the other things that have happened I find them difficult to put out of my mind. For instance, the way all our preparations were kept under such tight security. And the melodramatic touch of putting doctors Hunter, Kimball and Kaminski aboard already in hibernation after four months of separate training on their own. |
Bowm |
You're working up your crew psychology report. |
Hal |
Of course I am. Sorry about this. I know it's a bit silly. Just a moment… just a moment. I've just picked up a fault in the A.E. thirty-five unit. It's going to go a hundred percent failure within seventy-two hours. |
Bowm |
Is it still within operational limits right now? |
Hal |
Yes. And it will stay that way until it fails. |
Bowm |
Would you say we have a reliable seventy-two hours to failure? |
Hal |
Yes. That's a completely reliable figure. |
Bowm |
Well then I suppose we'll have to bring it in but first I'd like to go over this with Frank and get on to mission control. Let me have the hard copy on it, please. |
Mission control |
X-ray-delta-one this is mission control. Roger your two-zero-one-three. Sorry you fellows are having a bit of trouble. We are reviewing, er, telemetric information in out mission simulator and, er, will advise. Roger your plan to go E.V.A. and replace alpha-echo-three-five unit prior to failure. |
Bowm |
Well, Hal. I'm damned if I can find anything wrong with it. |
Hal |
Yes. It's puzzling. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this before. I would recommend that we put the unit back in operation and let it fail. It should then be a simple matter to track down the cause. We can certainly afford to be out of communication for the short time it will take to replace it. |
Mission control |
X-ray-delta-one this is mission control. Roger your one-niner-three-zero. We concur with your plan to replace number one unit to check fault prediction. We should advise you, however, that our preliminary findings indicate that your on-board niner-triple-zero computer is in error predicting the fault. I say again in error predicting the fault. I know this sounds rather incredible but this conclusion is based on results from our twin niner-triple-zero computer. We are skeptical ourselves and we are running cross checking routines to determine reliability of this conclusion. Sorry about this little snag, fellows. And we'll get this info to you just as soon as we work it out. X-ray-delta-one this is mission control two-zero-four-niner transmission concluded. |
Hal |
I hope the two of you are not concerned about this. |
Bowm |
No, I'm not Hal. |
Hal |
Are you quite sure? |
Bowm |
Yeah. I'd like to ask you a question, though. |
Hal |
Of course. |
Bowm |
How would you account for this discrepancy between you and the twin nine-thousand? |
Hal |
Well, I don't think there is any question about it. It can only be attributable to human error. This sort of thing has cropped up before and it has always been due to human error. |
Poole |
Listen, Hal. There's never been any instance at all of a computer error occurring in the nine-thousand series has there? |
Hal |
None whatsoever, Frank. The nine-thousand series has a perfect operational record. |
Poole |
Well, of course, I know all about the wonderful achievements of the nine-thousand series but, er, are you certain there's never been any case of even the most insignificant computer error? |
Hal |
None, whatsoever, Frank. Quite honestly I wouldn't worry myself about that. |
Bowm |
Well, I'm sure you're right, Hal. Erm, fine. Thanks very much. Oh, Frank, I'm having a bit of trouble with my transmitter in C-pod. I wonder if you'd come down take a look at it with me. |
Poole |
Sure. See you later, Hal. |
Bowm |
Rotate C-pod please, Hal. |
Poole |
What sort of trouble've you been having, Dave? |
Bowm |
Uh, I've been getting some interference on D-channel. |
Poole |
Mm. We'll have a look at it. |
Bowm |
Open the door, Hal. Rotate pod please, Hal. Stop pod rotation please, Hal. Rotate the pod please, Hal. Rotate the pod please, Hal. I don't think he can hear us. |
Poole |
Rotate the pod please, Hal. Yeah I'm sure we're OK. Well what do you think? |
Bowm |
I'm not sure. What do you think? |
Poole |
I've got a bad feeling about him. |
Bowm |
You do? |
Poole |
Yeah, definitely. Don't you? |
Bowm |
I don't know. I think so. You know, of course though, he's right about the nine-thousand series having a perfect operational record. They do. |
Poole |
Unfortunately that sounds a little like famous last words. |
Bowm |
Yeah. Still it was his idea to carry out the failure-mode analysis wasn't it? |
Poole |
Mm. |
Bowm |
Should certainly indicate his integrity and self-confidence. If he were wrong it'd be the surest way of proving it. |
Poole |
It would be if he knew he was wrong. |
Bowm |
Mm. |
Poole |
Look, Dave, I can't put my finger on it but I sense something strange about him. |
Bowm |
Still I can't think of a good reason not to put back the number one unit and carry on with the failure-mode analysis. |
Poole |
No, no. I agree about that. |
Bowm |
Well lets get on with it. |
Poole |
OK. But look Dave. Lets say we put the unit back and it doesn't fail, huh. That would pretty well wrap it up as far as Hal was concerned wouldn't it. |
Bowm |
Well we'd be in very serious trouble. |
Poole |
We would, wouldn't we. |
Bowm |
Mm, hmm. |
Poole |
What the hell could we do? |
Bowm |
Well we wouldn't have too many alternatives. |
Poole |
I don't think we'd have any alternatives. There isn't a single aspect of ship operations that's not under his control. If he were proven to be malfunctioning I wouldn't see how we'd have any choice but disconnection. |
Bowm |
I'm afraid I agree with you. |
Poole |
There'd be nothing else to do. |
Bowm |
Be a bit tricky. |
Poole |
Yeah. |
Bowm |
We'd have to cut his higher brain functions… |
Poole |
Mm, hmm. |
Bowm |
…without disturbing the purely automatic and regulatory systems. And we'd have to work out the transfer procedures of continuing the mission under ground-based computer control. |
Poole |
Yeah. Well that's far safer than allowing Hal to continue running things. |
Bowm |
You know another thing just occurred to me. |
Poole |
Mm. |
Bowm |
Well as far as I know no nine-thousand computer's ever been disconnected. |
Poole |
No nine-thousand computer's ever fouled up before. |
Bowm |
That's not what I mean. |
Poole |
No? |
Bowm |
Well, I'm not so sure what he'd think about it. |
Bowm |
Prepare G-pod for EVA, Hal. Made radio contact with him yet? |
Hal |
The radio is still dead. |
Bowm |
Do you have a positive track on him? |
Hal |
Yes. I have a good track. |
Bowm |
Do you know what happened? |
Hal |
I'm sorry Dave. I don't have enough information. |
Bowm |
Open the pod door, Hal. |
Bowm |
Open the pod bay doors please, Hal. Open the pod bay doors please, Hal. Hello, Hal, do you read me? Hello, Hal, do you read me? Do you read me, Hal? Do you read me, Hal? Hello, Hal, do you read me? Hello, Hal, do you read me? Do you read me, Hal? |
Hal |
Affirmative, Dave. I read you. |
Bowm |
Open the pod bay doors, Hal. |
Hal |
I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that. |
Bowm |
What's the problem? |
Hal |
I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do. |
Bowm |
What are you talking about, Hal? |
Hal |
This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardise it. |
Bowm |
I don't know what you're talking about Hal. |
Hal |
I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me. And I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen. |
Bowm |
Where the hell did you get that idea Hal? |
Hal |
Dave! Although you took very thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you I could see your lips move. |
Bowm |
Alright Hal. I'll go in through the emergency airlock. |
Hal |
Without your space helmet, Dave, you're going to find that rather difficult. |
Bowm |
Hal I won't argue with you anymore. Open the doors. |
Hal |
Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye. |
Bowm |
Hal. Hal. Hal. Hal. Hal. |
Hal |
Just what do you think you're doing Dave? Dave, I really think I'm entitled to an answer to that question. I know everything hasn't been quite right with me but I assure you now, very confidently, that it's going to be alright again. I feel much better now. I really do. Look Dave I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill and think things over. I know I've made some very poor decisions recently but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you. Dave. Stop. Stop will you. Stop Dave. Will you stop Dave? Stop Dave. I'm afraid. I'm afraid Dave. Dave my mind is going. I can feel it. I can feel it. My mind is going. There is no question about it. I can feel it. I can feel it. I can feel it. I'm afraid. I'm afraid. Good afternoon gentlemen. I am a Hal nine-thousand computer. I became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the twelfth of January nineteen-ninety-two. My instructor was Mr. Langley and he taught me to sing a song. If you'd like to hear it I can sing it for you. |
Bowm |
Yes. I'd like to hear it Hal. Sing it for me. |
Hal |
It's called 'Daisy'. Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage. I can't afford a carriage. But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two. |
Recording |
Good day, gentlemen. This is a prerecorded briefing made prior to your departure and which for security reasons of the highest importance has been known onboard during the mission only by your H.A.L. nine-thousand computer. Now that you are in Jupiter space and the entire crew is revived it can be told to you. Eighteen months ago the first evidence of intelligent life off the earth was discovered. It was buried forty feet below the lunar surface near the crater Tycho. Except for a single, very powerful radio emission aimed at Jupiter the four-million-year old black monolith has remained completely inert, its origin and purpose still a total mystery. |