All language subtitles for Out Of The Unknown S03E12 - The Yellow Pill - 1969 (reconstruction).english

[theme music plays]

[woman over intercom] Dr. Frame?
May I come in for a moment?

Dr. Frame?

[door opens]

John, are you all right?

Yes, yes, I’m fine.

I must've been dreaming.
What is it?

There's Detective Inspector
Slinn waiting to see you.

He phoned several times.
I told him you were...

well, busy.

But now he's come round.

Well, did he say what he wanted?

[Helen] No, except
that it was important.

- I’d better see him then.
- You're sure? I mean...

You're sure you're not
too tired?

No, Helen.
Don't fuss.

I’ll get rid of him quickly.
Then we'll have dinner.

- Hmm?
- Well we'll talk about that later.

I’ll send him in.

Come in, Inspector.

Been trying to get
all afternoon, Doctor.

[Frame] Well I was a little tired.
I’ve been resting.

Superintendent Barry thought you
might be of some assistance to us.

ln what way?

We've got a bloke down
at the station.

We're charging him with murder.

Only snag is we don't know
very much about him.

Can't get any sense
out of him at all.

He's either he's off his head,
psychologically speaking...

or he's the world's
greatest actor.

The superintendent thought you
might help us to decide which.

You sound as if you've already
made up your mind, Inspector.

Somebody commits a crime
it doesn't matter to me

whether he's a nut
or a genius, or both.

My job is to apprehend him
and charge him. Right?

Of course, nowadays
they are all nuts.

But in my book they are still
thieves and murderers

just the same
as they always were.

I am surprised you want my help.

[Slinn] What I want, Doctor,
is a conviction.

[Frame] Yes, I'm not interested
in that, Inspector.

- My sole interest is--
- Yes, sir...

I understand your sole interest
is clinical.

And any opinion you may have
will be available

for the man's defence as well.

That is quite right, sir.

When would you like me
to come down to the Yard?

That won't be necessary, sir.
We can bring him here.

Save you a bit of trouble,
won't it?

- Yes. But really I--
- No, that's all right, sir.

It’s no trouble to us.

We'll bring him this evening.

Thank you, Dr. Frame.

Oh, incidentally,
this man is a murderer.

Tried armed robbery,
shot and killed three people.

- Is it safe to bring him here?
- Oh, he's dangerous.

But you'll be all right with us,
Doctor.

We'll look after you.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Anything serious?

[Frame] Somebody
they're charging with murder.

They want me to examine him.

They are bringing him here
this evening.

- [Helen] Here?
- [Frame] Yes.

That's funny, it hadn't struck me.
Little odd isn't it?

Bringing him here, I mean.

Anyway, it rather puts paid
to our dinner date.

[Helen]
Yes, it does.

[Frame]
Well, doesn't that upset you?

[Helen]
Well I hadn't actually accepted.

[Frame] But...
Well, it's Tuesday.

We always have dinner
on Tuesday.

[Helen]
Yes, every Tuesday.

Routine,
isn't that the word, John?

[Frame] Helen!
Wednesday, is that routine?

Perhaps I want a little more
than a clandestine dinner,

once a week.

Are you asking me
to make a decision?

[Helen]
I’ll leave that up to you, John.

[Frame]
And Wednesday?

[Helen] Perhaps we'd better get
back to things as they used to be.

Remember you once asked me

never to accept invitations
to go out with you?

That!
Oh, that was just a...

typical piece of masculine
rationalisation.

I was paving the way
for rejection

before you had a chance
to reject me yourself.

It’s called preserving the ego.

- Helen--
- Oh please, John, no...

- Will you stay on this evening?
- Yes, if you want me to.

[faint, low humming]

John, what's the matter?

[Frame] It’s that noise,
I heard it earlier today.

- What noise?
- But surely you--

[Frame]
A kind of humming.

Well, maybe it was the lift.

These old lifts make
strange sounds.

[Helen over intercom] Dr. Frame?
Inspector Slinn is waiting, Doctor.

Show him in, would you.

[door opens]

- Good evening, Doctor.
- Good evening, Inspector.

[Slinn] Right,
sit him down there.

[chair scraping]

[handcuffs clicking]

[Frame]
Has anybody looked at that cut?

[Slinn] It’s only a bruise, Doctor.
Our friend gets a little violent.

- Must you keep him handcuffed?
- It’s better that way.

- Come on you. Wake up--
- Inspector!

If you don't mind
I’d like to handle this my way.

[Frame]
What's his name?

[Slinn]
We're not very sure.

[Slinn]
You two, sit either side of him.

[policemen sit down]

[Frame]
Can you hear me?

Doesn't he call himself
anything?

[Slinn]
Connor's the name he used.

[Frame]
Connor, can you hear me?

[Connor panting]

Mr. Connor,
do you know where you are?

And do you know who I am?

Well, who am I?

[Connor]
Don't you know?

[Frame]
Yes, I know... but do you?

[Connor]
Look, John, what happened?

Why did you tie me up like this?

You're not tied up.
You're handcuffed.

I’ll tell you why in a minute.

How do you know my name is John?

Oh, for Pete's sake, old boy!
You're John.

You're the John
I did my training with,

shared my quarters with.

Don't you want me
to call you John?

I mean, do you want to be
addressed by rank?

Very well, sir.

Permission to speak, sir.

May I say something about our
present position, Commander Leason?

[Slinn] Cut that out,
whatever your name is!

[Frame]
Inspector, do you mind...

[Frame walks across room]

[Frame picks up chair]

[Frame] What was
that name you just called me?

[Connor]
It’s your name: Leason.

Shouldn't I call you that
anymore?

[Frame] I don't really mind,
except that my name is Frame.

- Do you understand? Frame.
- Look, John...

[Connor] All right,
so your name's Frame.

[Frame] And you believe
your name is Connor?

[Connor] Correction:
I know my name is Connor.

That is a lot of nonsense.

[Frame]
What do you mean?

[Slinn] Gives his name as Wilfred
Connor, born Hastings, Sussex.

And you know the date he gives?

October the 7th, 1969.

1969!

Is that correct, Mr. Connor?

[Connor]
Is what correct?

[Frame] Do you believe
you were born in 1969?

I think my mother
would confirm it.

[Frame] Do you know
what today's date is?

[Connor] June the 3rd or 4th.
I’m not sure.

- And the year?
- 1996.

[Frame] The year is 1969.

This is 1969.

This is the year in which you
claim to have been born.

[Connor] You really are gone,
aren't you old boy?

[Frame] Look, Connor,
if I show you a calendar

or a newspaper which clearly
shows today's date is

June the 4th, 1969...

- ...will you believe me then?
- No!

Why not?

Because this job we're doing
is difficult enough

and sometimes everybody doubts
his or her reason.

The pressure's on all the time
so you have to

cling to certain
unalterable things.

Like your name, the date,
the names of friends...

Now, I know what year it is.
Do you understand that? I know!

[Slinn]
He was like this at the Yard.

[Frame] If I persist in
telling you that this is 1969,

what will you deduce from that?

- That you're sick.
- Mad?

[Connor] I said sick...

Temporary madness if you like

but we were trained to recognise
the symptoms and take precautions.

Now come on, untie me.

Let's try and
talk the thing out.

[Frame]
You're not tied up.

You're handcuffed.
You're under arrest.

Do you appreciate that?

[Connor] Arrest?
How can I be under arrest?

[Frame] According to the police
you shot and killed three people

whilst attempting a robbery.

[Connor] John!
You don't really believe that.

[Frame] I am only telling you
what the police said.

[Connor]
They weren't people, John.

Don't you remember?
They weren't people.

[Frame] What were they then?

[Connor] You know as well as I do.
They were space creatures.

Venusian space creatures.

[Frame]
That's what you shot?

Three space creatures?

- From Venus?
- That's right.

[Frame] Did the police doctors do
any medical tests on this man?

[Slinn]
Quite a few. Why sir?

[Frame] This kind of hallucination
could be compatible with

drug taking or possibly
severe alcoholism...

[Slinn] The tests didn't
show anything like that.

[Frame] He told you the same story
when he was arrested?

[Slinn] Yes. Said he'd killed
three space creatures.

Connor, what were they like...

...these space creatures?

[Connor]
You saw them yourself.

[Slinn] I know... I've forgotten
what they look like...

- ...can you remember?
- I can remember all right!

[Frame]
Tell me about them.

[Connor] Of course, you never
really believed in them, did you?

But I knew.

Remember, John?
We had a row about it.

I’d said something about
there being wild life

all over the Earth
and in the sea.

So why not in space?

“Oh no,” you said,
“quite impossible.”

How could you be so sure?
That's what got me.

Why shouldn't there be
some kind of creature

that the scientists
hadn't even dreamed about?

Well, we know now, don't we?

I nearly spewed up
when I saw them.

Not with fright...

Well, not just fright...

but just the way they looked.

- What did they look like?
- Like lizards...

When you actually see them.
Almost transparent.

Outside we couldn't see them.

Then suddenly
they were in the ship

and we saw them forming
before us.

Seems it takes them a second
or two to adapt.

I grabbed the electron-gun,
sprayed them twice.

Then we heaved them
into the airlock vault and

jettisoned them
into space again.

[Frame]
And that's what happened to you?

[Connor] Don't you remember?
You saw them yourself.

You were sitting just over there
at the control panel.

[Frame] You think
we're still in a space ship?

[Connor] We are, John!
We are!

Look out of the port,
tell me what you see.

Space. The Earth a pinpoint
in the distance.

Go on, look!

[Frame's footsteps]

- [Frame] This is the port?
- [Connor] Of course it is!

[Connor]
Look out.

[footsteps]

Now... tell me what you see.

ln the sky, stars.

Down in the street,
a few people, cars.

There's a bus just going by.

I can't see
where it's going though.

We don't have buses
any more, John!

You're remembering the past.

A double-decker bus
is a pretty tangible thing.

It’s not an object to weave
a fantasy around.

[Connor] But that's just
what you're doing.

[Frame] How many of us are
in this spaceship of yours?

[Connor]
Just the two of us.

- You should know that.
- And what about the Inspector?

[Frame]
Detective Inspector Slinn.

The man who brought you here.
And his two assistants.

There's no-one else here.
Just you and me.

[Frame]
But you've been talking to them!

[Connor] Correction, John: You've
been talking to them, not me.

Yes, all right,
I’ve been talking to them.

But you must be able
to see them.

Inspector, would you mind

standing in front of Connor
just for a moment?

[Frame] Now, the inspector's
standing directly in front of you.

He's obscuring me
from your view.

- Can you see him now?
- No.

- [Frame] You're quite certain?
- [Connor] Positive.

[Slinn] You don't believe
all this bull, do you?

He can't see me?!

Right.
[Slinn slaps Connor]

- [Frame] Inspector!
- [Slinn] Ask if he felt that.

[Frame] I must insist I conduct
this interview in my own way.

I strongly disapprove
of violence being used--

[Slinn] All right,
but ask him if he felt it.

Connor?

Did you feel anything just now?

[Connor]
What do you mean?

[Frame] Inspector Slinn
just struck you with his hand.

Across the cheek.
Did you feel anything?

No-one struck me.

[Frame] Do you still
believe he is acting?

[Slinn] He saw me all right
when we arrested him.

He drew a gun on us.

What was he going to shoot,
a figment of his imagination?

[Frame] I wish I had your confidence,
Inspector. Your certainty.

Because as far as I’m concerned,
this man is telling the truth.

At least the truth
as he sees it.

So you think
he's completely barmy?

At the moment he's...

...deranged, he's suffering from
an hallucination, a fantasy.

And when is he going to
snap out of it?

[Frame]
Maybe never.

[Slinn]
Look, Doctor

I want a statement.
I need a statement.

Can't you get him to talk sense
for a few minutes?

He can't always
have been like this.

Well we can try.

But at the moment
he rejects all reality.

What I’m hoping to do is establish
some common ground with him.

Some knowledge that
we can both share.

Like... Well, let's try.

[Frame] Connor,
we're going to play a little game.

We're going to try
and get back to reality.

[Connor]
My reality or yours?

[Frame]
Ours.

Now if I mention a date, say 1066,
what does that mean to you?

Battle of Hastings.
Norman Conquest.

- [Connor] What does it mean to you?
- [Frame] Exactly the same.

[Connor] Good.
Then we're making progress.

[Frame] Thank you.
I was about to say the same thing.

[Frame] Now, I’m holding something
in my hand. What is it?

- [Connor] A book.
- [Frame] Good. And this?

- [Connor] Pen.
- [Frame] Correct.

[Frame] I put the pen down.
What do I put it on?

The chart table.

Do you think this is a chart table?

[Connor]
Well, what do you think it is?

[Frame] It’s a desk.
It’s a fairly ordinary desk.

There's a blotter on it,

a telephone, an intercom with
the reception room...

- [Frame] A few papers, a letter--
- [Connor] It’s a chart table!

It’s made of plastic
and light metal.

ln front of you are
our navigational maps

and operational orders.

On the left is a radio.

Well, why don't you call Base?

Switch the radio on
and call Base.

If I switch this on, I get
through to my receptionist.

- You saw her as you came in.
- I didn't.

Come now, Connor,
you could hardly miss her.

She's a very attractive
young woman.

Is her name Helen?

How did you know that?

So Helen's on board!
Helen Carter.

How did you know her name?

You must have heard me
speak to her when you came in.

[Connor]
You didn't speak to her.

[Frame]
Then how did you know? How?

She lives near the park,
doesn't she?

I remember the music
from the bandstand.

- [Frame] Well as a matter of fact--
- [Connor] Don't you remember?

I drove you there once
in my car.

You kept talking
about your wife...

Wondering if you were doing
the right thing.

Then you were going
to give her up.

Don't you remember? You've
talked about it so many times.

Try to remember.

She's real. The only real thing
in this dream world of yours.

Doesn't that prove something?

I know about Helen. And Carol.

I know about Carol too.

- Who is Carol?
- Well, your wife, for Pete's sake...

- ...Carol’s your wife.
- Well, no, you're quite wrong.

Then what's your wife's name?!
What's her name?

[Frame] It's, er...
[struggles, hesitates]

You don't know!
You don't know!

[tape player clicking]

[Frame] Inspector I don't see
much point in continuing this.

[Slinn] Right, Doctor.
I’ll take him away.

You manage to get anything?

Oh, yes,
quite definite progress.

This case interests me.

Connor has a strong personality.

I think we might see
a great improvement tomorrow.

- [Slinn] In the morning?
- [Frame] Yes, morning will be fine.

Good night, Inspector.

[Slinn]
Good night, Doctor.

[pours whisky]

- [Helen] All finished?
- [Frame] Oh, yes.

[Helen]
John... what's the matter?

Nothing, nothing...

[Helen]
You seem so upset.

[Frame]
A madman comes into my office.

A stark raving madman.

Do you know
what he tells me?

He tells me your name
and address.

But how on earth did he know?

[Frame]
You've never seen him before?

- [Helen] No, never.
- [Frame] How did he know?

You know,
that man intrigued me...

He intrigued and frightened me.

He actually frightened me
for a moment.

Did he seem to recognise you
when he came in?

No, I don't even think
he saw me.

[Frame sighs]

No dinner, Helen.
Let's have a drink. Shall we?

[Helen] Oh, your wife rang
and wants you to ring her...

- You better do it.
- My wife?

Didn't you want her to know
you were at the office?

[Frame]
What did she say?

[Helen] Nothing much.
I said you were busy.

And she said,
“Well, tell him Carol rang”.

Her name is Carol.

Carol.

[Connor's voice on recorder]
Doesn't that prove something?

I know about Helen.
And Carol.

I know about Carol too.

- [Frame] Who's Carol?
- Well, your wife for Pete's sake...

- ...Carol’s your wife.
- Well, no, you're quite--

John, you're here early.

Yes, I wanted to listen
to that tape again.

- You still worried about it?
- I’m intrigued.

And surprised
when a complete stranger...

Helen, are you are sure
you've never met him before?

[Helen]
Yes, positive.

[Frame]
Then how? How?

Slinn! I wonder if Inspector Slinn
has anything to do with it.

- But why should he?
- I don't know why, but Slinn...

...Slinn's a very odd character.
I don't know that I like him much.

I don't even know that
I believe him.

When he says he's a detective,
why should I believe him?

[Helen] But John that's...
well, it's absurd.

The man said he was a detective.

[Frame]
And that proves is, does it?

We have people coming in here
saying they're Napoleon.

Anybody...
Now why not a detective?

[Helen] But he
showed me his warrant card.

Did he? He didn't
show it to me.

[Helen] I don't suppose
he thought it was necessary.

[Frame] Of course not!
I’m only the Doctor.

And yet he did find it necessary
to show it to you.

And how do I know
you really saw it?

You seem to figure in this thing
in the most remarkable way.

Connor mentions your name,
he tells me where you live

and now you vouch for Slinn.

Just what is your interest
in all this, Helen? What is it?

I don't suppose
I have to tell you

Scotland Yard's
telephone number?

[dials telephone]

I’m sorry, Helen.

I’m sorry.

I’m so on edge about all this.

Well, perhaps,
this will clear it up.

Superintendent Barry, please.

[to Helen]
What do you think he'll tell me?

That Slinn doesn't exist?

Superintendent Barry?

Oh, good morning, Tom.
This is John Frame here.

I’m very well thank you.

Tom, about this Inspector Slinn
and the man you sent with him.

[Frame]
Yes.

Yes, I see.

No, no trouble.
Not at all.

Oh, yes,
I think we'll get somewhere.

I’m only too pleased to help.

Yes, of course.

Thank you, Tom.
Goodbye.

[puts receiver down]

[sighs]

Well Slinn, it appears,
is a first class officer.

Superintendent Barry is sorry
he didn't give me more warning.

But he thought it would be
less of an imposition

to send the prisoner to see me

than have me
go to the Yard.

- But that doesn't help us, does it?
- No.

Perhaps Connor's...

Well, is there such a thing
as telepathic thought?

- [Helen] Well, is it possible?
- [Frame] Not to that extent.

I mean a certain amount of
telepathy exists

but it's usually
on a primitive level.

Connor was too precise.

He was too thoroughly sure
of himself.

And that's another odd thing
about him. His confidence.

No wonder Slinn
gets annoyed with him.

Authority can't bear
the man with a mind of his own.

Even if the mind's deranged.

Look, maybe Slinn is right.

Perhaps Connor is perfectly
normal and acting a part.

- [Frame] That still doesn't explain it.
- [Helen] But John, a sane man...

a really calculating man,
couldn't he have made enquiries...

...found out about us...

- ...just to try and confuse you?
- But how and when?

I mean, that presupposes that

Connor knew
he was going to be caught.

And also that he knew
I would be called to examine him.

I just can't believe
he's shamming.

[Slinn]
Well, I can.

Good morning, Doctor.
The door was open.

[Frame]
Morning, Inspector.

- [Slinn] Should I bring him in?
- [Frame] Yes, all right.

[Frame]
Have you noticed any change in him?

[Slinn]
You think he's mad, don't you?

I mean, clean off his rocker.

[Frame]
Well, that might be

a legitimate interpretation
for a layman.

[Slinn] Right, Doctor.
Have a look at that.

[opens paper document]

[Frame] Well?

- [Slinn] You know what it is?
- [Frame] A confession, I assume.

[Slinn] That might be a legitimate
interpretation for a layman, yes.

We in the police,
on the other hand,

designate it in a somewhat
different manner.

This is what we refer to
as a statement by the accused.

I have been endeavouring
to get our friend here

to sign this statement.

Now if he's really mad
he'd sign it, shouldn't he?

[Frame] I think you're confusing
things a little, Inspector.

If he were sign this it would prove
that he's stupid, not mad.

[Slinn]
How do you mean?

[Frame] I mean that
stupidity, dullness, even idiocy

are not necessarily
the same thing as madness.

This man, Connor,
is reasonably intelligent.

He's probably above the average.

He doesn't believe he committed
the crimes that are mentioned.

So, obviously, he's not going to
sign this 'statement'

as you call it.

[Slinn] I don't think you quite
understand what I am getting at.

[Frame]
No, I don't think I do.

[Slinn] Well, if he's not
mad enough to sign something

that he knows
will land him in trouble.

To my way of thinking
that proves he's sane.

- [Frame] It does?
- [Slinn] Definitely.

[Frame] My dear Inspector,
would you sign this document?

- [Slinn] Of course, I wouldn't.
- [Frame] Why not?

[Slinn] For a start, I haven't
committed the crimes listed--

[Frame] Then surely
you can understand that

Connor refuses to sign
for the same reason.

He doesn't believe he committed
the crimes that are mentioned.

[Slinn] Because he's
putting on this insanity caper.

He was all right
when he left here last night.

I had quite a reasonable
chat with him.

- [Frame] He talked quite rationally?
- [Slinn] Oh, yes. Yes.

Not about the case, mind you.

He shut up quick
when we got around to that.

The rest of the time
he was fairly normal.

[Frame] Good. Then we did
get some results yesterday.

[Slinn] Doctor, the only result
I am interested in today

[slaps statement]
is this.

[Frame] I’m afraid that's
your concern, Inspector.

I haven't been retained
by the prosecution.

[Frame] Connor.
Come along now, wake up.

Wake up there's a good chap.

[Connor]
How are you feeling?

[Frame]
I’m very well. What about you?

[Connor] I thought for a moment
you might have recovered.

[Frame]
Strangely enough

I was entertaining
a similar hope about you.

Are you going to untie me now?

[Frame]
Untie?

[Connor] I forgot,
I’m handcuffed.

Well, are you going to take
the handcuffs off?

I am afraid that's
nothing to do with me.

But I am pleased to hear you
agree you're wearing handcuffs.

Look, John, if it makes you
feel any happier

I’ll wear a ball and chain.
Anything you like.

[Frame] And you will agree that
you are in my consulting room

and not in a spaceship?

[Connor] If that's what you want,
then I am in your consulting room.

And you remember
killing three people?

Yes, if it makes you feel any
happier then--

Just a minute!

What happens to me if I admit
killing three people?

Well I imagine you'll go for trial.

- [Connor] And be found guilty?
- [Frame] If there's enough evidence.

[Connor]
And then what?

- [Frame] Then you'll be sentenced.
- [Connor] Sentenced to what?

[Frame] Well, whatever
the judge decides. I’ve no idea.

[Connor]
Not much you haven't.

I’ll be sentenced to death.

Next you'll wake up thinking
you're the public hangman

and you'll want to
carry out the sentence.

Well, I take back
everything I said.

I’m not handcuffed,
I’m tied up.

I’m not in your consulting room

I’m in space craft P for Piper.

I’m 137 485

Flight Lieutenant Connor,
Wilfred.

Number Three Space Squadron,
Royal Air Force.

The year is 1996.

I know who I am,
what I am and where I am.

That's my lifeline.
And you can't destroy it, John.

- You can't destroy it.
- Now calm down, Connor.

I am not going to harm you.

I’m not a policeman.
I’m a doctor.

You're ill and I want to
help you make yourself well again.

Now, yesterday
I thought we got along fine.

We made real progress.

Didn't you find our talk
yesterday... interesting?

[flatly] Yes, fascinating.

[Frame] We agreed
on certain things, remember?

[Connor]
I remember.

[Frame] Well now, today
I want to continue...

- our little game.
- It won't work.

- Well, let's give it a try.
- No!

I was trying to
humour you yesterday.

But that must be
the wrong approach.

Today I stick to things
as they are.

- [Slinn] You see?
- [Frame] See what, Inspector?

[Slinn] The moment the pressure
goes on he starts acting mad again.

[Frame] Connor!
Don't go to sleep again.

You must be very tired.

Didn’t you have a good sleep
last night?

Of course, I didn't!

How could I with you pacing
up and down half the time?!

- [Frame] Me?
- [Connor] Yes, you!

When you weren't prowling around
you were muttering in your sleep.

The state you were in,
I didn't dare go to sleep.

I can assure--

I spent a very
comfortable night at home.

[Connor]
With your wife?

[Frame]
Yes... with my wife.

[Connor]
That surprised you, didn't it?

I mean, yesterday when I talked
about your wife and Helen.

That shocked you, didn't it?

[Frame]
Shock is a rather strong word.

[Connor]
You were shocked all right.

For a moment, I thought
I had really got through to you.

Well... I will admit that
for a moment I was...

...let's say, surprised.

Good.

I mean, you might even grant

that I know more about you
than you do about me.

- I wouldn't say that, Connor.
- No?

Well,
do you know my wife's name?

l, er...

No... I don't.

[Connor]
Well there you are then.

Now, listen carefully.

You seem a bit better today,
much calmer.

I think if you'd just take a pill,
you'd be all right.

What kind of pill
did you have in mind?

A yellow pill.

There's a bottle of them
in the second drawer

of the chart table.

Oh, we're back on that now,
are we?

All right, all right,
the second drawer of your desk.

The bottle's in there.

Take one.
Do you understand?

What are they called, these pills?

Everybody calls them 'Yellows'
or Formula 73.

- Does that mean anything to you?
- Yes, of course it does.

They've proved
very successful in treating

certain kinds of mental illness.

How do you know about them?

I know.
That's all that matters.

Have you ever had
one of these pills?

[Connor]
No, never needed one.

[Frame] Inspector,
I take it you've checked

with all the mental hospitals?

[Slinn] Been no escapes,
if that's what you mean.

[Frame] No staff
reported missing or anything?

[Slinn] Not to my knowledge.

What's all this
about this yellow pill?

It’s very funny actually.

If our friend here was right.

lf, in fact, we were living in
a time when long journeys

through space were possible.

Well, temporary hallucinations
brought about by prolonged

spells of weightlessness
would be an obvious hazard.

A kind of space hysteria.

And this pill he mentioned

Formula 73, or something
very like it

that would be precisely
the kind of antidote to use.

He couldn't be a doctor,
could he?

[Frame]
Why don't you ask him?

Hey, Connor, or whatever
you call yourself...

Are you a doctor?

Connor!
I am talking to you...

[Frame] Why don't you
answer the inspector?

- [Connor] What?
- [Frame] The inspector

just asked you a question.
Why don't you answer him?

[Connor] Because I can't
see him and I can't hear him.

I deduce from that
that he doesn't exist...

...except in your mind.

His name's Slinn, isn't it?

[Frame] If you think he's
not there, how do you know that?

[Connor] You told me yesterday.
Bit pompous, isn't he?

That's the one
reassuring thing about

this fantasy world
of yours, John.

All the people in it
are real people.

Take old Slinn, for instance.

You remember
Warrant Officer Slinn?

king of the space-age
square bashers.

Used to take us for drill.

I remember you saying
at the time:

“How the devil do you
stand to attention

in a state of weightlessness?”

Not a bad thought that...
Old Slinn as a police officer.

[Connor mimicking Slinn]
“l apprehended the offender

when I observed him committing
the above mentioned offence.”

[Frame laughing]
[Slinn] What's so funny?

[Frame]
I’m sorry, Inspector.

I could actually hear you
saying that yourself.

[Connor] Something tells
you I am right, doesn't it?

You remember Slinn now,
don't you?

[Frame chuckles]

No, I’m sorry, Connor.

[Frame] I met Inspector Slinn
for the first time yesterday.

[Connor] Take one of those pills
and see if you still say that.

[Frame]
Connor, for the last time

there are no yellow pills
in this room.

[Connor] Look in the drawer.

Look in the drawer, go on.

[Frame] If I look in the
drawer, you'll be satisfied?

[Connor]
Go on, look in it.

[Frame]
Very well.

[rattling]

[Connor]
I told you they were there.

[Frame]
There must be some--

Now take one, just one.

And everything will change.

You will be back to normal
in a matter of minutes.

[Frame] I didn't put
those pills in that drawer.

[Connor] It doesn't
matter who put them there.

But they are there,
that's indisputable.

So take one.
Go on. Take one.

[Frame storms out of the room]

- [Helen] What's the matter?
- [Frame] Have you seen those before?

- [Helen] No, I...
- [Frame] You didn't put them in my desk?

- [Helen] Of course I didn't.
- [Frame] Then how did they get there?

- [Helen] How on earth should I know?
- [Frame] Now listen, Helen

this is serious.

Connor just told me
to look in the desk.

He knew those pills
were going to be in there.

Now, there's only one other person

who could have put them there,
apart from myself.

- [Helen] And that's me?
- [Frame] Yes!

Well, who else could
it have been?

And just why would I want
to do something like that?

- You could have your reasons.
- Such as?

Well, to say the least,
you're acting

- rather strangely today.
- I’m acting strangely?!

Oh, yes.
All this business

about not wanting to go out
to dinner with me...

About wanting something
more than clandestine dinners...

- You did say that didn't you?
- I think I’d better go home.

Helen, Helen, I'm sorry...

I don't know what I am saying
half the time. That maniac...

He's beginning to make me doubt
my own sanity.

Do you think that could happen?

Could a maniac drive a perfectly
sane man right off his head?

No, of course he couldn't!

[Frame] No, no.
You're wrong, Helen. You're wrong.

Say...

Say you were in a house,
all alone...

...and suddenly
somebody appears.

Now, whoever it is, he doesn't
threaten you or frighten you.

He just insists
that he doesn't exist.

He tells you
he's an hallucination

with a reality only
in your own mind.

And then he disappears.

And the next day,
what do you think?

What do you believe?

There's no evidence either for or
against that person's existence.

You wouldn't know
what to believe.

Is this room real?

Is there really a maniac
next door?

And you, Helen...
Do you really exist?

[Frame's voice, echoing]
Are you really there, Helen?

Are you really there?

- [Helen] How are you feeling now?
- [Frame] I’m better, thanks.

That was stupid of me.
I’m sorry.

[Helen] Look, they're still waiting.
Shall I tell them to go?

[Frame]
No, of course not.

Don't you think
it would be wiser?

- [Frame] No.
- [Helen] John, what is it?

I was just wondering what
would happen if I took one?

What would vanish?

And what would remain?

Nothing would change
and you know it!

- [Frame] Do I?
- [Helen] John, please don't.

Why are you frightened?

[Helen] I don't know.

What happens if a perfectly
normal person takes one?

[Frame]
Find out.

He gets a headache.
And he can't work.

You see, to a certain extent
we all live in a world of

symbols and illusions.

Imagination, if you like.

Now in the schizophrenic,
this imagination

is heightened. It’s uncontrolled
to the point of fantasy.

This pill depresses
the power of the imagination.

So if the schizophrenic
takes one

he comes back to the real world.

But if a normal person
takes one

he finds himself looking
at life as it really is.

The essence of things.

For the very first time.

A face becomes
a geometrical pattern.

You can scarcely bear
to hear people talk...

...because you realise that,
most of the time...

...they're not saying anything.

I took one once, a couple
of years ago, as an experiment.

I couldn't work for a week.

We enjoy our illusions, you see.

The simple man and
the sophisticated man.

Take away his illusions...

...and you take away
most of his life.

- [Helen] Don't see Connor again!
- [Frame] So you're worried now.

[Helen] I just don't want you
to take one of those pills!

[Frame] Well, of course you don't.
Because you're just a symbol.

My wife and I quarrel

and Helen becomes the
embodiment of everything that's

tolerant and understanding,

glamorous and intelligent.

Every man has a Helen
in his dream world.

And every Helen wants to preserve
the man's image of herself.

[Helen] I think
you're being insulting.

[Frame] How can I insult
something that doesn't exist?

If I take one of these
I won't even see you.

You're just a symbol, a fantasy.

You don't exist, Helen.

You don't exist!

[Helen walks away]

[door slams]

[Frame walks back to his desk]

Did you take the pill, John?

[Frame] If you don't mind I’d
prefer you address me as Doctor.

[Connor]
All right.

Did you take the pill, Doctor?

Certainly not.

But it might be an idea
to give you one.

No. I don't need one.

We'll be re-entering Earth's
atmosphere quite soon now.

One of us has got to be
fully fit to handle the ship.

If you pers--

If you persist
in this kind of talk, Connor,

I’ll have no option
but to give you a pill.

No, honestly,
I don't need one.

[Frame] But you still
think we're in a spaceship?

[Connor]
That's right.

I thought you were coming
round to my way of thinking.

[Frame] Did you?

Well, you listen to me, Connor.

You think you're being
very smart, don't you?

You think you're confusing
a lot of people, but not me.

I know. You understand?
I know.

The Inspector was perfectly
right. You're bluffing.

But this little yellow pill
is going to call your bluff.

- [Connor] What do you mean?
- [Frame] Take it!

[Connor] No.

[Frame] You're frightened,
aren't you? Take it!

- [Connor] You can't force me to!
- [Frame] I don't need to...

I don't need to.

You're frightened and that's
your first real admission.

Because this little pill
can explode your dream world.

It’s not a dream.
I’m in a spaceship.

You're in my office!

[shouting]
Desk! Chair!

Detective! Office! Office!

Now don't mess me
about any more, Connor.

You've annoyed me.
You've tried to fool me.

I can write anything I like
in my report.

Do you understand that?
I can write enough to hang you.

So come on, Connor.
The truth.

- [Connor] But I keep telling you--
- [Frame] The truth!

[Connor]
Stop it, you're confusing me.

I didn't sleep very much.

You can sleep all you want
when we're finished.

Come on, Connor...

Think. Remember.

Perhaps you didn't mean it.
We can all understand that.

[Connor]
Look, Doctor, I’m tired.

You're so sure.

[Frame]
Of course I am.

You keep giving yourself away.

Just now...

do you know
what you called me?

You called me “Doctor”.

Now I didn't ask you to.
You just said it.

But how could I have done
all these things?

Murder? I’m not a violent man.

Of course you're not...
Not now.

But it's in all of us, Connor.

That moment
when we can't argue any more.

When the only way we can make
our point is with a fist

or with a gun.

Be reasonable, Connor.
It happens to all of us

individually, collectively.
War.

Isn't that the kind of madness we
all disclaim responsibility for?

You're not unique, Connor.

You waged your own private war
for half an hour.

But it's over now.

And the best thing to do
is tell me about it.

I’m not saying
I couldn't have killed anyone.

[softly]
Is that what I did?

[Frame]
Three people, Connor.

[Connor]
I don't remember.

Do you suppose it was blackout
or something like that?

Of course it was.

[Connor]
I can't explain it.

[Frame] But you know
where you are now?

Well, it's your office isn't it,
Doctor?

That's right. you're not
in a spaceship any more.

Spaceship? Is that what I said?

That's funny...

I can remember telling you
something about a spaceship.

[Frame] And you said
you didn't kill three people

just three space creatures.

[Connor] Space creatures!
What the devil are space creatures?

Well, that's what you said.

Space creatures! That's
ridiculous. Space creatures!

[laughs uncontrollably]

Connor!

Connor!

[stems laughter]

I must be rather a violent man,
wouldn't you say so, Doctor?

I mean, aren't you a bit frightened

having a murderer
in your consulting room?

- No.
- I might try to attack you.

[Frame] I don't think
you wouldn't do that.

[Connor] No? Well what
do you think I should do then?

[Frame] I think the
best thing would be for you

to make a very full statement
to the Inspector.

Just tell him what happened,
how you felt.

[Connor] Wouldn't it be better
if I just pretended to be mad?

- [Frame] You are--
- [Connor] Go on...

...say it.
You think I am mad don't you?

[Frame]
I told you before, you're ill.

You've had a mental breakdown.

At your trial your defence
will plead insanity.

You won't go to prison if that's
what you're worried about.

No I’ll get locked up
in a stinking nut house,

full of blokes
who think they're Napoleon.

Well, it won't work, Doctor.

I’ve killed and I’ll kill again.
I won't be locked up.

Doesn't that frighten you?

There are three policemen
here, Connor.

They can handle you.

And you're handcuffed.
Quite securely.

Ha! Securely you said.

Now what about that, Doctor?
Not so safe now, are you?

[Frame] You're being
very stupid, Connor.

[Connor]
But you're scared just the same.

I don't need a gun
to kill people.

[Frame] All right, Connor...
Now let go.

You'll only make things
worse for yourself.

Connor!

[Frame] Inspector!
Give me a hand, will you!

Will you two help me?
Can't you see he's attacking me?!

[Connor] See,
you're not so safe after all.

You're not so safe, are you?

You're not so safe, after all!

You're not so safe!

[struggling, gasping]

[Connor choking, groaning]

[gasping]

[Frame]
Connor?

Connor?

Connor!

Oh, no, I didn't mean to...

Inspector,
You saw what was happening.

Why didn't you help me?

I didn't mean...

Inspector!

Well you two,
why did you just stand there?!

You saw what
he was trying to do.

Slinn... answer me.

[sobbing]
Why don't you say something?

Oh, I see.

[sobbing]
You were all in on it.

All four of you.
I should have guessed that.

It was me you were really after,
all the time.

It was me.

You didn't know...
that I...

Connor...

[sobbing continues]

Inspector...

Helen!
Helen, help me.

Helen... Where are you?
Help me!

Helen...

Will you...
come in here... please?

[faint whirring]

[man over radio]
Venus 347. P for Piper.

Are you receiving our signal?

You are due to re-enter
atmosphere in one hour's time.

Repeat...
P for Piper.

Hello. Hello, Base.

P for Piper answering.

P for Piper answering.

I am receiving your message.

[man over radio]
What's been happening up there?

We've been calling
for five hours.

l...

Wait...

Hello, Base.

- We've had a bit of trouble.
- [Base] What kind of trouble?

We were attacked
by space creatures.

I don't remember it
very clearly...

...but Connor went berserk.
He tried to attack me.

It was an accident
you understand but...

[Base]
What happened then?

Connor's dead.

[Base] That's hard luck,
old man. You all right?

Yes... yes, I’m fine.

Went mad you said?

l...

Something like that.

I must have passed out.
I don't remember much.

Didn't he take his yellow pill?

What?

I asked if Connor took his
yellow pill.

No...

...he wouldn't take one.

I tried to get him to,
but he wouldn't.

That must have been the trouble.

Yes, it must have been.
Bad show.

Nice bloke, young Connor.

Yes, he was.

A nice bloke.