Original subtitles

"END OF ETERNITY"

"Based on the novel by ISAAC ASIMOV"

"PART ONE"

Much as it pains me to say,

There are people in our midst who have forgotten their duty.

I'm talking about my own Technician, Stevens.

What happened to him?

That's not important. What's important is the danger it puts us in.

In a blunt violation of protocol,

my technician formed a relationship with a woman from reality.

And used the kettle to meet with her.

It wasn't hard.

Who would dare stop Dr. Twissell's personal Technician?

I don't understand why you're bringing this up, Twissell.

Just terminate this Stevens,

or transfer him to Maintenance for all time.

But we do sometimes allow temporary liaisons.

My dear colleague,

Don't you see that Stevens would not submit himself to the restrictions

under which we allow them?

Exactly.

We cannot allow anyone to place a relationship with a woman above

this great cause of ours.

Service in Eternity demands total commitment.

We must put to use the latest means

of physiological, psychological...

and genetic control over the behavior of our people.

Computer Sennor.

Please visit the school immediately.

And in the name of this council, demand that Yarrow root out

the final memories of the students' homes, loved ones...

Homewhen and so on.

The school must be able to put out graduates who can work without emotion.

Computer Finge, do you agree?

Or do you have your own opinion on the matter?

Dr. Twissell,

it's impossible for anyone here to disagree with you.

Praise Eternity.

Understand, Yarrow. This is just a friendly conversation.

But you're in a lot of trouble.

Twissell's in a rage.

His personal Technician, a former Cub of yours, Stevens...

formed a relationship with a woman from Reality. This is unacceptable.

As head Educator of this school, you should take such a thing very seriously.

The Cubs...

that we choose from Reality, hand-picked from the most gifted,

must serve Eternity once they graduate.

And only Eternity. Do you understand?

I'm trying, i'm doing everything I possibly can.

That's all I have to say.

My friends...

now is the sad but proud moment

of our parting.

We've spent ten years together.

Today, your Cubhood is finished.

You will be divided among the different sections of Eternity,

and I cannot say if we will ever meet again.

A great honor has been conferred upon you.

An honor that anyone from Time

can only dream of.

You will be Observers now.

Technicians. Life-Plotters.

In short, Specialists.

And a select few of you...

might become Computers.

Or even members of the Allwhen Council.

Serving Eternity is not a privilege.

It requires immense self-sacrifice,

and strenuous work.

When you become an Eternal, you must take an oath:

That you will never use

the powers of Eternity

to serve your own interests.

That your one unchanging goal

will be the betterment of Eternity and mankind.

Are you ready to take that oath?

We are ready, Educator!

Then let us begin.

Each of you, by name.

This moment will forever be preserved

in the archives of Eternity.

Gobe.

I pledge to dedicate my knowledge and capabilities

to justifying Eternity's faith in me.

Lloyd.

I pledge to be honest and obedient,

to honor and obey my superiors without question.

As I have honored and obeyed you, Educator Yarrow.

Harlan.

I, Andrew Harlan,

am called upon to serve Eternity.

I pledge to dedicate my knowledge and capabilities to it.

All my thoughts will be directed toward increasing the total

of human happiness.

You've been Observer here for how many years, now?

I've been observing the 48th century in your section for five years.

I could congratulate you, Andrew Harlan,

on the organization and clarity of your reports.

But I'd like to know, what do you really think?

I don't see what you mean.

Come now. Both of us understand perfectly.

Surely the things you've seen here all these years disturb you.

Does anything in my reports lead you to think that I am disturbed?

Answer my question!

Sociologically, many facets of the century represent an extreme.

Eventually, I suppose we'll have to interfere.

Extremes are never healthy.

Then you took the trouble

to check the past Realities of the century.

As an Observer, I must check all pertinent facts.

Have you ever met Senior Computer Twissell?

Computer Twissell? No.

It seems to me, based on your reports,

that your views on Primitive history are...

unique, shall we say.

Perhaps Twissell would find it enlightening to meet you.

Yes, i've studied Primitive history.

I was the only one at school who did.

Dr. Twissell, this is Observer Andrew Harlan.

How do you do?

So you're Observer Harlan.

Leave us, Finge.

I want to talk to the boy privately.

There's nothing to be nervous about, boy.

I like your reports.

I think I know your proper position in Eternity.

And I have come to offer it to you.

You do me a great honor, sir. -Wonderful.

I need you. You'll have a special position.

Your reports assure me you have what I need up here.

Your record as Cub is good.

The sections for which you have observed reported favorably.

Finally, Finge�s report was most suitable of all.

Computer Finge�s report was favorable?

Well, boy, I didn�t say it was favorable.

As a matter of fact, Finge�s report was as unfavorable as it could be.

He recommended that you be removed from all duties.

He suggested it wasn�t safe to keep you anywhere but in Maintenance.

Why?

Finge thinks your interest

in Primitive history shows...

a strong Wish-to-Time.

A longing for Earth, for Earth-life,

something we consider dangerous.

I assure you, that's not the case with me.

I hope so.

Don't worry, I'll take you under my wing.

You can trust me.

In fact, I think your hobby is interesting and valuable.

Maybe that's why I need you.

And so you'll be left alone.

I'm taking you away from Finge.

You'll be my personal Technician.

Computer Twissell, I hadn't expected to be a Technician.

I don't care.

I need you as my personal Technician, Harlan.

Brinsley Sheridan Cooper.

I've come to study Primitive history, as Dr. Twissell instructed.

One moment.

Come in.

So you're the one I'll be teaching Primitive history.

That's what Dr. Twissell said.

What have you been studying so far?

The mechanical fundamentals of the temporal field. Temporal mechanics.

And now, Primitive history.

Strange combination. Come in. -Thank you.

Why do you need to learn all this?

I don't know. -Allright then, let's begin.

We know the history of many millenia before and after our current century.

Do you understand? Have you studied any kind of history?

Well, I was born in Europe, they taught us modern history.

Modern history?

By Time, that was a wasted effort.

That modern history changed so many times.

There's only one authentic, unchanging history.

The Primitive one. Socrates and Homer. Shakespeare and Goethe.

Newton and Einstein. Are you familiar with those names?

Of course, Einstein developed the Theory of Relativity.

That's right. Now imagine Einstein's parents

had never met in their time.

How would human history have progressed?

Someone else would have developed that theory, maybe twenty years later.

And if we once again interfere and prevent that person from being born?

If we so wished, we could put off the birth of Relativity indefinitely.

But we don't interfere with Primitive history.

It would threated the very existence of Eternity.

May I ask you something? -Go ahead.

Do you enjoy being a Technician? -I do.

I'm proud of what I do, because I know that it is for the betterment of mankind.

We do not have and cannot have any other goals. Is that clear?

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.

I've just been in a bad mood all morning.

Moods are for Timers. Eternals have no moods.

Learn to control yourself, Cooper.

I'll try.

It's just that I dreamed about my wife again today.

What?

Wife? Eternals can't be married.

How old were you when you were recruited?

Forty two. -That old?

I've been here for three years.

Dr. Yamada.

Why does Cooper dream about his wife?

I ordered you to remove all unnecessary memories.

Dr. Twissell, I've studied his memory carefully.

I believe that... the thing is, dreaming is part of the subconscious.

And any major adjustments to his subcortex could reflect on his intellect.

I don't want any excuses.

Cooper must forget his wife, his home, his homewhen.

And I will not tolerate any damage to his intellectual capacities.

If you cannot perform the procedure, there are others who can.

And they could take your place as Senior Medic. That is all.

Cooper, would you mind if we put off today's lesson?

I need to visit Reality.

Could I come with you? -Would you like to?

Sure. I've never been in a kettle except when they brought me here,

I didn't know what was happening at the time. -Well, let's go. Leave that.

So, Cooper, are you ashamed to be walking next to a Technician?

Since it's the Technicians that make the changes in time?

No, you're my teacher. Besides, you've shown me Technicians aren't so bad.

Say, Cooper.

Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Vikkor Mallansohn?

Which Mallansohn? The creator of Eternity?

Yes. The one who discovered the temporal field and created Eternity.

Technician Harlan,

you're wanted urgently at Senior Computer Twissell's office.

You've lost your mind.

Are you on the Allwhen Council now, boy? Answer me!

Dr. Twissell... -Silence!

Being my personal Technician doesn't mean you can do whatever you like.

I thought... -Thought!

He thought, by Time.

If you could think, you wouldn't have taken Cooper with you on that kettle.

What was your assignment? -To teach Cooper Primitive history.

Then do nothing more than that. Kettle trips are out of the question.

I doubt anyone else would dare to do something like this.

They would have been transferred to plumbing repair, for life.

Do you understand that I have to discipline you? -Yes, Doctor.

I'm sending you to the 48th Section.

You'll be at the disposal of Computer Finge.

Anything but that.

Do you dislike Finge that much?

A Technician isn't supposed to like or dislike anybody.

Finge, on the other hand, insists that you specifically be sent.

I can't refuse him.

Go. -Yes, sir.

Greetings, Technician Harlan.

Greetings, Computer.

In the time since you left, a crisis has gradually gathered about the 48th.

This situation is a delicate one...

Almost unprecedented.

We need accurate observation now as we never have needed it before.

And you want me to observe?

Yes, that's right. I realize

it's a waste of talent to ask a Technician to do a job of observation.

But in the current situation,

we need a combination of exactly these two qualities you possess.

Hello.

Now I'll just sketch in a few details.

First of all, you mustn't consider your appointment as Observer a demotion...

Are you listening to me?

Are you listening?

Yes, I'm listening.

Well, in any case, you'll get all this in an official report.

You're free to go.

What a strange man. -We're all strange here.

I'm afraid it won't be easy to get along with him.

It seems he's hated me from the moment he laid eyes on me.

The last woman he saw until today was his mother.

And that was a very, very...

very long time ago.

There's a woman in Computer Finge's office. Who is she?

She's a Timer. She's new. -What's her job?

She's supposed to be the boss's secretary.

Her name is Noys Lambent... -That'll do.

Computer Finge, I suggest that Miss Lambent be returned to Time.

So, Technician Harlan, you find her incompetent?

Unsuitable? -As to her incompetence and unsuitability, I cannot say.

It depends on the uses to which she is put. But you must realize

That she is bad for the morale of this section.

In what way is she hurting morale? -I wouldn't ask that if I were you.

Noys Lambent...

is here for a deliberate purpose. She is performing an essential function.

It is only temporary. Try to endure her meanwhile.

Furthermore, you'll have to visit the 48th century,

and make certain observations while in her company.

I'm Dr. Twissell's personal Technician!

Yes?! Of course.

But may I remind you, you're still only a Technician!

And I am a Computer. If I give you an order, you have to follow it. Understood?

Yes, Computer.

Come in.

Good day, Technician Harlan.

Computer Finge asked me to deliver the previous reports.

You might find them useful. -Thank you.

Curious photographs.

What century is that? -Those are from Primitive history.

What a strange room you have.

Cold, empty walls...

And the atmosphere...

I hadn't noticed.

Don't you get lonely here?

Is it considered polite here not to answer when a woman asks you a question?

All right, then.

I'll see you, Technician Harlan.

Technician Harlan. Your instructions are ready.

Computer Finge is expecting you.

So, your mission is to stay in the 48th century, in Noys Lambent's villa.

Computer, I protest. This must be some mistake.

I can't live in the same house with that woman. -Why not?

If this is what your mission requires?

Perhaps you have feelings for her. -If anyone has them, it's not me.

You've got quite a mouth, Technician. The great Twissell has spoiled you.

Well, if your professional pride permits it, I might explain further.

Please do.

The Timers must never know we induce Reality Changes.

If people lose faith in their future, it would incur terrible consequences.

Computer, I learned all this as a Cub. -Patience.

Currently, in the 48th century,

there developed a certain...

undesirable belief.

Its development poses serious difficulties for us, risks even.

We'd like to induce a Reality Change,

To root out this belief.

You're tasked with the preparatory observation.

Might I inquire as to the nature of this undesirable belief? -You may not!

For your observation to be accurate, you must not have any preconceptions.

You'll come across it yourself.

Discover it, and document it in your reports. That's all.

Welcome, Technician Harlan.

You're in for an interesting evening.

How old are you?

Thirty-four.

I�m younger than you.

What a shame. It won't be long beofre I start looking older than you.

What are you talking about?

You live forever.

We grow old and die like anyone else.

By the way, do you remember my name?

I remember.

Then why don't you call me by my name, at least once?

I'm begging you.

Do you want me to get down on my knees? -No, don't.

Please. -My name, then.

My name. -Noys.

Of course it's Noys. Noys...

How do you like it? -It's good.

Where is that music coming from? Or am I hearing things?

From here.

Do you dance? -I don't know how.

I want to be an Eternal.

Only you can make me an Eternal.

That's impossible. -It's possible.

Anything's possible. You just have to be a little bolder.

Please send these reports to Computer Finge. -Yes, sir.

Oh, Cooper. -Sir,

We scheduled a lesson at this time two days ago.

Yes. Yes we did.

Do you recall...

What we were supposed to discuss today?

You... said you'd tell me about...

Advertisements?

Indeed. Advertisements, then.

They are a type of social communication...

Created in the 19th century of Primitive history.

It attracts the attention of the buyer.

You have samples on the desk.

It's so primitive.

No seller would admit the shortcomings of their own product.

And the actual quality of the products was surely exaggerated. -That's right.

But here's the interesting part.

Advertisements turned out to be a good guide to those centuries.

No book gives you as much information about the physical makeup of things

as an advertisement.

Do you know what a 'tennis ball' is?

The books of the period often mention the game of tennis.

But they never explain it.

Observe this advertisement, though, and you'll understand the game.

Indeed. Very straightforward.

I have the finest collection in Eternity.

Almost everything from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Cooper, would you mind if I leave you to it?

As you wish, sir.

Dr. Twissell.

I love you.

I can't live without you.

What have you done to me? -I don't know what you mean.

What can we do? We live in different times.

Yes. I live in Time,

and you live in Eternity.

Think. Figure something out.

Only not now.

Harlan...

You must realize your true power.

Technician, you are capable...

Of destroying Eternity...

What?

Noys!

Did you say something?

Technician Harlan, you failed your mission. Your report is incomplete.

I reported on everything I observed. -Not everything! You omitted something!

I don't know what you mean. -You spent several days in Noys Lambent's Villa,

but did not report on any of your private interludes with her. Why?

I am your colleague, you can ask me about them yourself.

What did you do together? What did you two talk about? -I object! -Too late!

Don't you see that it was you who was the subject of Observation?

Me? -Yes, you!

She asked you to make her an Eternal.

Answer the question! Did she or did she not? -Yes, she said something like that.

Which is just what we needed to know. Sit down.

This is the unfortunate belief we've been investigating.

If a Timer woman spends the night with an Eternal, she becomes an Eternal herself.

Such a superstition requires our intervention.

We have to induce a Reality Change that will affect, among others, Noys Lambent.

I have nothing more to say.

If you're as slow-witted as you seem, things will go poorly for you.

Computer.

Since you are in charge of this section...

i'd like to apply for permission...

to form a liaison with Noys Lambent.

You're insane.

I already told you...

We're preparing a Reality Change.

In the new reality, she may not exist, she may be deformed. Would you still want her?

Just the same. I'd like to apply for permission to form a liaison.

This is ridiculous.

She's a brilliant woman. You, on the other hand...

With your grim looks and cold-fish personality,

Which did not even allow you to think of women before. Ridiculous.

Do you mean to say that the Reality Change

has already been decided on? -Praise Eternity, you're catching on.

Of course, the final decision will be taken by people higher up than myself.

You and I are merely reporting the situation.

What does Twissell find in you?

It certainly isn't your brilliant analytical reasoning. -Go on.

Well, Finge, Twissell will feel the heat now.

You pulled it off brilliantly.

It'll be hard to stop Harlan now.

I'm not a Sociologist. I have here the summary of a planned Reality Change.

I wonder if you won�t look it over and see

If you haven�t made a mistake somewhere.

I hope that's not the case, Technician.

If you say so, sir, I will defer to your better judgment.

You recommended a Minimum Necessary Change,

As the result of which, for the next seventy years,

mankind will not be able to travel beyond the boundaries of this galaxy.

That's all in order, but...

It involves an accident in space and the immediate death by fairly horrible means

of a dozen men.

As I recall, we Eternals would prefer a slightly differnt outcome.

This is one of the consequences of Reality Change B-15.

I'm afraid that's unavoidable. -Perhaps!

But when there is the obvious interest of controlling space travel, there...

exists a simpler way.

Have a look.

Thus we solve the problem with minimal interference.

Do you see that chip?

It is enough to remove it to save the lives of the crew

And arrive at the same Maximum Desired Result.

We must put a stop to all future space exploration.

Senior Computer Twissell finds it a hopeless,

pointless endeavor for mankind, does he not?

My idea has the advantage of eliminating the fork you failed to consider,

and leading us to exactly the Maximum Desired Response.

Yet even though you're aware of our final goal,

you've made a error, Sociologist.

I assume the Allwhen Council

Will point it out to me itself. -I doubt it.

You discovered this error, then? -Yes.

And you didn't report it to the Council? -No, I did not.

Why not? -I need you to calculate a Life-Plot for me.

I want to know the effect of a Reality Change on a certain individual.

I'm not quite sure I understand you, Technician.

Surely you could perform the calculations in your own Section? -I could.

But I don't wish to make my interest public knowledge.

Performing the calculations in my Section would incur certain difficulties.

I see.

You don't want this done through official channels.

You want the calculation performed secretly.

Yes. I need a strictly confidential answer.

That's against protocol.

I can't agree to such a violation.

It's no worse than my own violation.

My failure to report your error to the Allwhen Council.

You raised no objection to that.

May I see the documents?

I�ll pass this along to one of my Life Plotters.

We'll keep this private.

I will take full responsibility.

As for this...

You can keep it as a souvenir.

You have the answer? -Yes, of course.

My Life Plotter said he admires the name of the person involved.

Noys Lambent. It is a female, isn't it?

Yes. -Aren't you afraid, Technician?

Just so long as you're not afraid.

The answer is somewhat unexpected.

The lady doesn't exist in the new reality.

She's just gone.

In fact, I don�t quite see how she fit in the old Reality.

She doesn't exist in the 48th century.

She doesn't exist in the 48th century.

Noys! Noys!

Noys, you�ve got to do as I say.

Is something wrong?

Would you like to come with me? Now?

Without asking any questions?

Must I? -You must, Noys. It�s very important.

I must conceal you in the Hidden Sections of Eternity.

Then I'll come.

What are those red numbers?

The Hidden Centuries.

What do you mean, hidden? -It's as if they've been cut off from Eternity.

Eternals can't pass into Time from any of those sections.

Why not?

I don't know, it's some kind of secret.

The Computers don't like to talk about it.

What's the matter, Noys?

You shouldn't decelerate so quickly.

"END OF PART ONE"