"The Day The Earth Stood Still"

Story Synopsis Part Two

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Bobby has followed Klaatu and panics when he sees Gort attacking the guards. Waiting up for his Mother, he tells her and her fiancee, Tom, what he's seen and that the man

they know as "Mr. Carpenter" is actually the "Spaceman". At first they believe he's been dreaming but are increasingly convinced that there's something mysterious about Carpenter. The following day, Klaatu goes to see Helen at work, deciding to tell her the truth. They enter a lift which stops in mid-descent as Klaatu's 'demonstration' starts - half an hour in which all electrical power is neutralised, except for that essential to life such as in aeroplanes and hospitals. This is where the earth 'stands still'. Not physically, but operationally.

Ultimately Klaatu is betrayed by Tom, Helen's fiance, and in a superbly edited sequence, the taxi in which Klaatu and Helen are travelling is gradually boxed in by the military.
Klaatu realises that he is trapped and tells Helen that if anything happens to him, Gort will exact terrible revenge, and she must go to Gort. "You must say these words - Klaatu Barada Nikto". He makes one last desperate attempt to escape on foot but is shot in the back. Helen bends over him as with his dying breath, he says, "Get that message to Gort".

Unfortunately the robot has already sensed Klaatu's death and starts to melt the restraining coccoon which the military had placed around him. This time when the visor opens, the laser beam isn't restricted to weapons and two guards are vaporised as they draw their rifles. Gort is clearly about to start a programme of brutal retaliation but Helen arrives just in time.

She attempts to say the deactivation phrase but becomes frozen with fear as the enomous robot turns towards her. The visor opens and Helen realises she is about to die. Summoning all her strength she utters "Gort, Klaatu Barada Nikto". Gort continues to power up the laser, either he hasn't heard or Helen's pronunciation is wrong. Desperately she tries again. "Gort, Klaatu Barada Nikto". There is a perceptable pause, then, almost reluctantly, the power source in Gort's helmet fades and the visor closes.

Still fearful, Helen finds herself being carried into the spaceship where Gort operates the light controls and begins a silent communication via the screen. He then leaves Helen in the ship but returns after a short time with Klaatu's body which he places in a cubicle.

After a short sequence of flashing lights and ear-splitting sonic bombardment, Helen is astonished to see Klaatu sit up - covered in blood and worse for wear but most definitely alive.

Meanwhile, Professor Bernhardt and the scientific representatives arrive for the meeting, only to be told by the military that the area isn't safe as "the robot is on the loose again" and they should leave. Professor Bernhardt is in the middle of explaining the situation to his colleagues when the spaceship ramp extends and the hatch opens. Panic ripples through the crowd as Gort steps through, but he stops and remains by the door. To everyone's astonishment, Helen and then Klaatu also emerge. Helen continues down to stand beside Professor Bernhardt while Klaatu remains at the top of the ramp. He is at last able to deliver his message, which concludes with these words.

"It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet. But if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder.

Your choice is simple.

Join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration.

We will be waiting for your answer."

With this, Klaatu orders Gort back into the spaceship, "Gort, Meringa". He starts to follow, pauses, and turns back momentarily to extend a gesture of thanks to Helen. Then he steps through the hatch and almost immediately, the ramp withdraws, the ship powers up and, lifting majestically, it rapidly disappears back into the sky.