The Time Tunnel s01e11 Episode Script

Two American scientists are lost in the swirling maze of past and future ages during the first experiments on Americas greatest and most secret project- the Time Tunnel.
Tony ewman and Doug Phillips now tumble helplessly toward a new, fantastic adventure somewhere along the infinite corridors of time.
Somehow, theres an unfriendly feel to the air.
- Europe? - Could be.
Not France or Spain.
Not Northern Europe though.
- Germany.
- No.
Farther east, I think.
Its hard to tell about Europe.
Some of these places haventt changed in hundreds of years.
I cant make it out.
Its a Cyrillic alphabet.
Thatss Southeast Europe.
Youre right about the unfriendly atmosphere.
Tony.
Today is june 16, 156.
Looks like the kind of city where you might need identification papers.
Maybe we wont be here that long.
Look! A signal from the Time Tunnel.
Must be.
Thats a modification of the F-5 probe we worked on.
Whats the matter? - Tony, let go of it! - I cant! Are you all right? My arms feel like the current is still going through them.
Time Tunnel gave it too much power.
At least their time lock was accurate.
Accurate, but not enough control.
The day they solve the problems of control is the day well get home.
Doug! Theres another one.
The Time Tunnel.
The soldiers.
Come on.
They never received the message, and weve almost killed them.
- Is voice contact out of the question? - Weve tried it, General.
Just cant establish an outward aural contact with time zone.
Well, what do I tell Washington? Just tell them we cant get through.
It must be pretty important to Central Intelligence the way theyve been pushing us.
Not important enough to warrant killing Tony and Doug.
Yes? We made another try, General.
Another failure.
I see.
Will you hold on a minute, please? He keeps using the word critical.
Says the information needed is of critical importance.
Doug and Tonys lives are of critical importance too.
- General- - I appreciate the risk, General Kirk.
I only ask that you appreciate our need.
Very well, sir.
Hell settle for one more try.
Im against it.
General, we do have a chance, without danger to Doug and Tony if we go back to the parabolic time curve under reduced power.
Lets try it.
Ann, you take the controls.
Start the countdown.
You know, they cant be trying to retrieve us.
The only function of that F-5 probe is to send messages.
Why not voice contact? Its worked before.
Theyre really anxious to reach us.
What do we do? Well, maybe they made corrections based on the last three tries.
Well wait.
Look! Its dematerializing.
Theress a message inside.
MMeet Alexis.
June 16.
Thats today.
- Midnight? - Midnight, end of Yarina Street.
It must be almost midnight now.
Well, come on.
Lets try to find Yarina Street.
Its probably after 12:00.
Maybe Alexis didntt wait.
This is the place.
Its got to be.
Are you looking for someone? - Alexis.
- End of Yarina Street.
- Youre 10 minutes late.
- Sorry.
We didntt get the message till- In our business, 10 minutes can be the difference between eating and being eaten.
Which one of you is Smith? I am.
These are your identifications.
- No one gets through the gates of A-13 without it.
Come! I dont have to tell you how much the United States wants to get information on Project A-13.
- What in particular do we look for? - Everything since youll be allowed to see everything.
- Youre scientists, defectors.
- How did you get our names? Did I ask you where you got mine? What he means is that these orders have all been confirmed by- Washington, top priority.
But were wasting time.
Illl contact you from time to time.
- If you have to reach me, one wavelength will reach me.
You spend the night at Hotel Cosmopole.
You tell the desk clerk one word - Alexis.
Everything is arranged.
Tomorrow morning at 7:00 a car will come for you and take you to A-13.
What do you suppose happened to Smith and Williams, whoever they might be? Well, were Smith and Williams now, if we wanna get involved.
- Were not spies or even trained as spies.
- And dontt wanna be.
Except that message came from Washington through the Time Tunnel.
If its that important for them to find out what goes on in Project A-13- Then we ought to go along with them.
A Time Tunnel.
! It cant be.
ot in Europe.
ot 1956.
- Looks like ours.
- The control banks are similar.
The power unit.
A lot of the computers are missing.
Ah, I can see that you are overwhelmed.
This is an impressive creation, yes? Yes.
Yes, it is indeed.
Oh, uh, please forgive me.
Im Professor Anton Biraki.
- Uh, you are Dr.
Smith? - Im Smith.
Oh.
How do you do? And youre Dr.
Williams.
I cannot describe to you how happy I am to have you.
Of course, you still dont know what all this is, do you? Well, please look around.
I wonder if you can guess the purpose of this project.
No, I really cant.
Not unless its like the project we worked on with Phillips and Newman.
Two of our colleagues back in the States.
We were beginning to develop a- Well, we were experimenting with time.
Fantastic! But you see, I am notjust beginning.
This complex is ready to go into action! That is why you and your knowledge are so valuable to me.
Oh, that will be Colonel Hruda.
Do not be unnerved by him.
Have as little to do with him as possible.
He is not good.
I have no admiration for defectors! Colonel Hruda, please, this is not the way to greet my new associates.
I would prefer our own scientists! We have none qualified for this assignment.
That is a criticism of our system, Biraki.
I trust you understand my position.
Colonel Hruda, as you see, is not a scientist.
The government assigned him to this project, and I must put up with him.
Oh.
My two assistants.
Yeah, they know how to push buttons and turn the dials.
But try to get highly skilled personnel, and its nearly impossible.
Thats why you are so valuable to me.
Please, observe everything.
Study the mechanisms.
Make yourselves at home.
Yes, they arrived.
Biraki thinks they will do.
But I do not expect them to last very long.
- Why do you say that? - Because I believe it.
And telling them that you have no admiration for defectors? What are you trying to do, sabotage my workers? I am trying to open your eyes, Biraki.
- By breaking their morale? - By making you see that they cannot be trusted.
What has trust to do with the fourth-dimensional time curve? - They are trained to do the work that I want! - And our own people? Why go to the other side of the world for scientists when we have them here by the thousands? The thousands! An operational Time Tunnel in 156.
No wonder Washington had to have the information.
The unit looks primitive to me.
But by now, theirs might be more advanced than ours.
I dont like it.
Washington should never have sent Doug and Tony into a situation like that.
Its obviously governmental, General.
A secret.
And if theyrre caught- Theyre in enough danger just lost in time without our adding to it.
They could have told this Alexis fellow to get someone else.
- The message wasnt an order.
- Sir? - Hmm? Yeah? - If I were in their place, Id have considered it an order.
- Why? - It was over your signature, sir, not Dr.
Swains.
Jerry- Yes, sir.
IfTony and Doug were just going to find out about Biraki, it might be all right.
- But spying? - All right.
Ill tell General Parker what wevve seen.
Maybe this information is enough, and they can get out.
Good.
Tell him that the foreign complex has a fairly advanced time lock indicator location probe, time synchronizer and integrator.
You cant call it off, General Kirk.
All we know is that Biraki may have had an operational Time Tunnel 12 years ago.
I must have all the intelligence on Biraki and that Tunnel that I can get.
Send him in.
Hello, Professor.
Thank you for being so patient with us.
- Good morning, Professor.
- Good morning, good morning.
Im sorry about the delay, but to be perfectly honest, we must do some investigating.
Oh, of course.
I understand.
I understand.
Although it is ironic that Im asking for an opportunity to help the United States.
Suppose you tell us about your proposed project.
Oh, in the simplest terms, its a time mechanism which would send men into the past or the future and bring them back.
- And thats all theory, right, Professor? - Much more than that, General.
I have built such a mechanism once in my country.
- And its operational? - I regret to say, yes.
- You regret? But you built it.
- When I built it I had no interest in politics, only science.
I did not understand that in their hands my mechanism could turn into a threatening weapon.
If I could develop one for you I would absolve myself of a great guilt.
According to what General Parker told me on the phone last night all of Birakis statements are consistent with what wevve seen in the image area.
Well, he could turn out to be a very valuable addition to our staff.
- Theres one thing he said that worries me.
- Whatss that? He told General Parker that they did develop the radiation bath.
- Well, we wouldve seen it.
- No, not necessarily.
They couldve added it later.
My capsule.
Observe the instrumentation.
Please, look, gentlemen.
Please.
Its very extraordinary.
- Yes.
- Quite a piece of engineering.
Thank you.
It has taken me It will carry the first travelers into time.
- You believe its really ready? - Oh, it has been ready for a long time but I could not find a team competent to send.
Instant interpretation, complex mental calculations are required.
I could not find a team in this country.
So now you understand who has been chosen.
So now you understand who has been chosen.
Ah, but your modesty permits you to say nothing.
Yes, its true.
Ah, how I envy you.
I wish I could go, but my government insists that I remain in the complex.
Well, how do you feel? Well, its, uh, kind of a shock.
A surprise, really.
I dont want you to feel that werre not flattered, but- Yes, of course.
It will take time for you to adjust to it.
Imagine, to be the first! Biraki, if you please! I have just now heard from the ministry.
They have suggested two new men for you, fresh from the university.
From the university.
I need scientists, not students! Coming, Colonel Hruda.
Has this capsule got a chance? No.
Before you came to the Time Tunnel we spent several years developing a capsule technique.
Results- near disaster.
We learned that all instrumentation must be in the Time Tunnel itself.
Those are death seats.
How can we get out of it? The colonel? Hes been trying his best to get rid of us.
But I still do not understand.
Why not? Colonel, I can offer you explanations but not understanding.
This may be the psychological moment to approach him.
- Excuse me, Colonel.
- What do you want? I guess you know that Professor Biraki has singled us out for a great honor.
Unfortunately.
- We dont think itss right that we should be the first.
- I agree.
The first traveler in time will receive a great deal of publicity.
I control all propaganda on this project.
And our being defectors, trained in the West wouldnt that give the United States all the credit? There will be no publicity, and there will be no change in personnel at this late date, thanks to Dr.
Biraki.
Late date.
That means theyll send us out soon.
Lets try to get out of here.
With those blindfolds they had on us when they brought us in here, which way is out? We never went up or down any stairs, never got into an elevator.
Were at street level.
Now we may never get another chance.
What about the guards? We just have to hope we meet em one at a time.
Its locked.
Try that one.
It is plain you do not wish to cooperate but you have already seen too much so I will arrange for you to leave this installation another way but much more quietly.
- You must think that I am a fool! - Colonel.
! Colonel.
! - These men are not your enemies.
I beg you.
- But they tried to escape.
Ah, you do not understand.
Always I do not understand! How does your giant intellect explain such an action? Very simply- fear.
They see danger in everything they do not fully understand.
In this case, the time capsule.
Colonel Hruda I will take full responsibility.
I say that in front of witnesses.
Gentlemen.
There is absolutely nothing to fear.
Every detail of that capsule has been worked out with expert precision.
- We dont doubt that, Professor, but the capsule- - Trust in me.
I know exactly how to send you out and how to bring you back.
- And bring us back too? - Of course.
You dont think that I would abandon you somewhere in time? Put your faith in me.
I will put my faith in you.
Familiarize yourself with it.
Make it your friend.
Excuse me.
What if I just tell him I know it wont work? He wouldnt believe you.
Hey, what about our contact, Alexis? Well, if he can help us now is the time.
Maybe he never got the signal.
Maybe Birakis capsule really works.
No, it cant, General.
The approach is fundamentally wrong.
It could kill them.
Try for a time lock.
Im gonna call Washington.
Welll try to transfer them.
Hold the fix! - They are afraid of the capsule.
- Poor little Americans.
- May I stay to see them off? - Oh, yes, of course.
- But, Alexis? - Yes, Colonel? How long have you been working for us? Five years, Colonel.
Perhaps there is something I could do to give you help up the ladder.
Oh, that would be very nice, Colonel.
I always try to do my duty.
Sometimes, Alexis, it pays to go Just a little further than your duty.
A little guidance is always welcome.
What do you think of Dr.
Biraki? Mmm, a scientist.
- But not a practical man.
- No.
- We are practical men.
- Oh, but of course.
Alexis, it would do you a lot of good if these two Americans somehow had to be replaced.
Alexis is working for the colonel.
Hes not a United States agent at all.
He delivered Tony and Doug to them.
Intensify the time lock.
But, General, from what weve just seen, Alexis is working for the other side! He was the man that Smith and Williams were supposed to contact but that was 12 years ago.
I cant check out Alexis now.
Our information is that hess dead.
We sent them into a trap, and we cant wait any longer.
General, were gonna get our boys out of that time zone, if we can.
All right.
Go ahead.
We dont want to get them killed.
The time locks fading! Increase power! Were at maximum now, Doctor.
The signal is fading! Im sorry it took so long.
- Do they think youre working for them? - Yes.
Alexis, get us out of here.
But you were placed in A-13 for a purpose.
Yes, to see what they have.
Well, weve seen it.
Biraki wants to send us out in that contraption.
Oh, are you-Are you afraid? - No.
It wont work.
- You cantt be sure of that.
Well, I am sure.
Alexis, dont ask me why or how, but Imm sure.
Now you get us out of here.
Colonel, my American friends are afraid our time mechanism wont work.
They want me to help them to escape.
You really are working for them, arent you? He is paid by your country to do service for us.
It saves us an awful lot of money that way.
You did not deceive us.
We knew from the beginning that you were spies- that you were not defectors.
- We knew everything.
- We knew your mission to spy on our time mechanism.
- You know who we really are? - Whats the difference what their real names are? They have the technical knowledge Biraki wants.
I must know who they really are.
You will be made to talk! Colonel, if you do not stop, I will have to go to higher authority.
I must be permitted to direct this project without constant interference.
- But they are not the men we expected.
- I dont care who they are.
They have the knowledge and the training that I need! I will be personally responsible.
Gentlemen, I apologize.
But they could destroy the capsule if they do not operate it correctly.
But they will operate it correctly.
How can you be sure, if you think were not defectors? Very simply.
We true scientists will never destroy a truly great scientific advance and your lives depend on the proper operation of the capsule.
Does the name Alexis mean anything to you? Yes, of course.
He was a double agent who had Colonel Hrudas confidence.
He died in an accident.
Did you at any time know a Dr.
Douglas Phillips or Dr.
Anthony Newman? Phillips- Phillips or Newman? No.
We thought you might have heard of them as colleagues in your field.
Mmm, no.
No.
But there were two very bright American scientists who came to work with me.
Their names were, uh, um, Smith and Williams, I think.
I never knew whether they were defectors from the West or not but they were truly instrumental in helping me perfect the time mechanism.
What happened to them, Professor? Oh, a dreadful accident.
I regret to say they were killed.
Whats the matter, General? Biraki says that Tony and Doug were killed.
In the capsule? The capsule mustve been destroyed.
- Biraki could be lying.
- We havent even been able to get a firm time lock on them.
Weve built up our power to 80% of maximum.
Ann, try to get a time lock on Birakis capsule.
This is a most exciting moment for me.
And I think it is for all science.
Professor, if youll only give us the chance we can prove that this capsule cannot be moved into time.
My calculations prove otherwise.
The instrumentation in that capsule will lose operational control.
You must operate this capsule, and you will.
Biraki! As I have said all along, incompetence paralyzes them.
Why dont you let me dispose of them? I will get you two of our own people.
At least in this, well have a chance of survival.
How much of a chance? About a thousand-to-one.
Are you game? Yeah.
- All right, Professor.
Well do it.
- Ah, very good! You have absolutely nothing to fear.
It has been perfected.
Now you remember the procedures? - Whats our estimated time vector? - Target: 20 years ago June 16, 136 Of course, you will not move in space.
Twenty years ago here, was a beautiful green meadow with many, many wildflowers.
That is what you will see on arrival.
Go with all my hope.
Go.
A countdown of 90 seconds.
Attention.
! inety, 89, 88 - 87, 86, 85 - Time Tunnel.
- 84, 83, 82 - Time Tunnel.
Time Tunnel, if you can hear me - our countdown is tojune 16, 136 - 81, 80, 7 - 22 hours, 30 seconds - 78, 77, 76 - 30 microseconds solar time.
- 75 - jerry? - Yes, sir? - Did you record the time target that Doug gave? - Its on the tape, Doctor.
- 68, 67- - Parallel countdown synchronized.
- Ann, do we have a time lock on the capsule? - In 14 seconds.
- 64 - jerry? - Yes, sir? Increase the power of all retrieving units to maximum at zero, Birakis countdown.
- Retrieving? - If youre hard of hearing, get off the control bank.
Maximum power with intercept zero of Birakis countdown accomplished.
- Whats going on? - Time lock on capsule secured.
- Thanks to Birakis countdown, for the first time - 51 - we have an exact solar time lock on Tony and Doug.
- 50, 49- - You mean you can bring them back? - No reason why not.
We have the power and the time lock.
At zero of Birakis countdown, we retrieve.
But at zero, Biraki will have sent the capsule back 20 years to 136.
No, Ann.
The capsule technique wont work.
Doug and I proved that.
- This time were bringing Tony and Doug back home.
- 35, 34 - 33, 32- - Dont touch any of the controls.
- Leave everything in dead neutral.
- Right.
The countdown will now be automatic to zero.
- History is being made.
- We shall see.
- jerry? - Sir? Check automatic retrieve switch.
Automatic retrieve in on position.
- Am I late? I hurried.
- Be quiet.
Why isnt the capsule here? You didnt bring it back.
- I still have an exact time lock on it.
- jerry? - I still have an exact time lock on it.
- jerry? - Sir? - Time curve reading.
The capsule is atjune 16, 156 But not at 30.
It hasnt moved at all.
- Its in limbo.
- Why haventt we brought it forward? Because of the power exerted by Birakis Tunnel.
Well, overpower it.
Increase power.
- Maximum retrieve power! - Im at maximum.
Whats wrong? Increase power! Drive the capsule deeper! Increase power! Im beginning to feel strange.
- Cold? - Yes.
D- Did- Did Birakis time mechanism work? No.
I think- I think were in some kind of a time limbo.
Sort of between time.
Will our Time Tunnel be able to retrieve? It all depends on whether they heard me and whos stronger- Biraki or our Time Tunnel.
Were not retrieving them.
Ann, throw in all reserve power.
The capsule is not going into time! Something has gone wrong.
Increase power! - Still nothing.
- I will try to bring them back.
Maximum power! - Were killing them! - Let them go! Reduce power! What happened? Are they dead? Thats the question.
Survival in limbo may be possible, but for how long? What about the capsule? I dont know.
Take them out.
Its not possible- not possible that my capsule should fail.
My equations prove that it works! I lost consciousness as soon as we were out of that Tunnel.
And I felt like I was being torn apart.
I wonder if the Time Tunnel tried to retrieve us.
They didnt have a chance.
Birakis Tunnel never really sent us into time.
We didnt even reach zero in the countdown.
Well, that proves that without a radiation bath this Tunnel isnt operational.
Birakis gonna take himself a little time to figure that out too.
Well, at least he wont be sending that capsule out again.
I wouldnt be too sure about that.
This place is bugged.
What is this radiation bath they talk about? I dont know.
I should have cut your legs off five years ago.
Here we have the possibility of gaining the greatest advance in scientific military weapons and you-you stumble, you fall you-you place yourself in the hands of foreigners! You idiot! Fool! You scientist! Congratulations, Professor.
You got us back to the complex.
Dont laugh at me! You know very well that the capsule was a failure! - It reached no destination! - Were sorry, Professor.
I want no pity from you! What is the radiation bath? You idiots- you and your country! It was not easy for me to be kind to you, but I needed your cooperation in the capsule.
Now you will get a taste of my real feeling! I will perfect the time mechanism, and we will be the masters of the world! You will tell me what you know! There is no such thing as a radiation bath in the year 156.
Thats true.
We were talking about a theory of ours for the future.
You will tell me! Let me know when theyre ready to speak! Encourage them.
Even then, when I was building the mechanism in my own country my greatest admiration was for the United States.
But what could I do? I was there.
Perhaps you can help me make up for that.
You do not already have a time mechanism, do you? Were asking questions, Professor, not answering them.
Of course.
Of course its a secret.
But Im sure that your scientists have made few advances.
After all, it was from them that we first learned about the radiation bath.
Excuse me, Professor.
Yes? Weve got something definite for you.
We just witnessed an attempt by Biraki to send out his time capsule.
The attempt was a failure.
We found out something else about him too.
He hated this country with a passion in 156 and, until the contrary has proved, still hates it.
As for being a scientist dedicated to the truth is concerned he specializes in research by torture.
Thanks.
Go ahead, Professor.
You were telling us what you learned from the two Americans.
Oh, only that your country was beginning to develop a radiation bath.
Mine of course was completely developed, completely perfected.
And now youre willing to give us the benefit of your knowledge and experience? I have already said so.
I believe that if I could meet your time mechanism scientists we could together develop a weapon that would be far stronger than the one my country has.
Thank you, Professor.
Its been very enlightening.
Mr.
McDonnell and I will prepare a report and get in touch with you as soon as possible.
Good.
I hope it doesnt take too long.
Im anxious to get back into work.
Professor.
Ill call you at the hotel this evening.
That was Kirk on the phone.
Birakis playing a double game.
He wants to get into our Time Tunnel Complex to learn what he can.
Have Biraki followed.
Youre not gonna try it again.
Dont you believe in objective proof when you see it? I have made only one error: not enough power.
And I have rectified that error.
Dr.
Biraki, no amount of power will be enough.
Ah? Then it is not a question of power.
- Right.
- What is it a question of? A radiation bath of some kind? Well, then well have to try the capsule again.
Last time you were lucky.
This time youll kill us for sure.
Open the capsule.
What good will killing us do? You were saying about the radiation baths? - All right! - Ah.
You see how reasonable Ive made them? Well need certain materials.
To construct a radiation bath, anything- anything that you want.
- How long will it take? - Actually, your components are correct.
Its mainly a matter of rearrangement.
See, I told you that my equations were basically correct.
Tell me.
Have your scientists come anywhere near sending a man into time? Well, it doesnt matter.
How can you trust them? Because when they complete it, they will be sent into time again and again they will choose to live.
How much longer do we have to wait? We promised it for today, Colonel.
Its ready.
They have refused to explain the theory behind it to me but once its in operation, I will get from them everything that I wish.
All calibrated and polarized? - You may activate it anytime youre ready.
- Werre ready now.
- Youre clear on how to operate these new controls? - Of course.
Professor, we want to thank you for giving us this opportunity to test our theory.
A countdown of 10 will be enough.
You will return if you have done your job properly.
You may step into the capsule now.
Ten, Colonel Hruda, they reversed the components! Guards! Guards, seize them! Well, Id say Biraki exaggerated a little when he told General Parker his country has a Time Tunnel.
Look.
I will get even with them.
Thats still his goal- to do to us what was done to him.
Ray, see if we can find Tony and Doug again.
- Well try another transfer.
- jerry? Right.
I get the picture.
Thanks, General Kirk.
We can settle it now.
Professor Biraki.
I have a feeling that you gentlemen have reached a decision.
We have.
Dont bother to sit down, Biraki.
You told me that your countrys time mechanism is a force for evil.
I merely reported that one exists.
It was destroyed in 156.
And the two American scientists arent dead.
- Not dead? - And ever sincejune 16, 156 youve been trying to solve the problem you couldntt make them solve for you.
Were placing you under arrest for attempted espionage.
How? How did they survive? How did they get out? Lock your coordinates.
Whats the time period? I cantt tell anything from the way those men are dressed.
Im trying for a reading.
Itss holding steady.
- 1861.
Ann? - Our readings match.
The coordinates are shifting.
I cant get them to lock.
Let me try, Ann.
- Doug and Tony must be somewhere in that theater.
- We just saw them in a barn.
Why is that soldier on guard? Lincoln.
Are you the men Abner sent from Frederickville? Uh, yes.
He sent both of us.
All right.
Im Matthew Gebhardt.
Of course you know my brother,jeremiah, who was with john Brown at Harpers Ferry.
We will kill Abraham Lincoln.
You in there.
! Come out with your hands above your heads.
! - Quick! Got a way out! Come on! Follow me!