Things to Come

Hello, young Harding. You're early.

Yes, I'd finished up. It was too late to start anything fresh.

What's all this fuss about in the papers tonight, Mr. Cabal?

- Wars and rumors of wars. - Crying wolf?

Someday a wolf will come.

These fools are capable of anything.

In that case, what happens to medical research?

It has to stop.

That'll mess me up.

Mess you up? Mess everything up.

My God! If war gets loose again -

Happy Christmas, everyone.

What's the matter with you fellows?

Oh, that.

This little upset across the water doesn't mean anything.

Threatened men live long and threatened wars never occur.

Another speech by him.

And I tell you, there's nothing in it.

It's just to buck people up about the air estimates.

Now, why meet wars halfway? Why not look on the bright side of things?

You're all right. Your business is going up.

You've got a jolly wife, a pretty home.

- All's right with the world, eh? - Hmm.

- All's right with the world. - Certainly.

Passworthy, you should have been called Pippa Passworthy.

Oh, and, Cabal, you've been smoking too much.

You're not - You're not eupeptic.

Oh, come on. It's Christmas.

No, don't push me about. No.

Nice toys they have nowadays. Nice toys.

The toys we had were simpler, ever so much simpler.

Noah's arks and wooden soldiers.

Nothing complex like these.

You know, I wonder sometimes if perhaps all these new toys...

aren't a bit too much for them.

It teaches them to use their hands.

And I suppose their grandchildren will see even more wonderful things.

Progress. Progress.

I'd like to see the wonders they'll see.

Don't be too sure of progress.

Oh, listen to the incurable pessimist.

What's to stop progress nowadays?

War.

Firstly, there isn't going to be a war, and secondly, war doesn't stop progress.

It stimulates progress.

Yes. War can be a highly stimulating thing.

But you can overdo a stimulant.

Oh, well, after all, aren't we exaggerating the horrors of war?

Don't we rather overdo that song?

After all, you know, the last war wasn't as bad as some people make out.

We didn't worry.

Something - Something great seemed to have got hold of us.

Something greater still may get hold of us next time.

If we don't end war, war will end us.

Well, what can you do?

Yes.

What can we do?

Peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

Real old-fashioned Christmas this year.

Fresh little snow, with a nip in the air, eh?

What was that? Sounded like a gun.

Oh, no guns here. Merry Christmas, Cabal.

Here's to another good year for all of us.

Another year of recovery, eh?

What are the searchlights doing now?

Yes.

Well, it must be antiaircraft maneuvers.

Maneuvers at Christmas? No.

Listen. Guns again.

Yes? Cabal speaking.

The Hill Town aerodrome at 3:00.

I'll be there.

Mobilization.

Oh, God!

Perhaps it's only precautionary mobilization.

Let's hear the radio.

The unknown aircraft passed over Seabeach...

and dropped bombs within a few hundred yards of the waterworks.

They then turned seaward again.

By this time, they'd been picked up by the searchlights of the battleship Diosaur.

Before they could mount out of range, she had opened upon them...

with her antiaircraft guns, unfortunately, without result.

Of course, everyone has said this time they'll start without any declaration of war.

Oh, listen.

We do not yet know the nationality of these aircraft...

though, of course, there could be little doubt of their place of origin.

But before all things, it is necessary for the country to keep calm.

No doubt' the losses suffered o y the fleet' are serious.

- What's that? Losses of the fleet? - Listen. Listen.

And it is imperative that the whole nation should at once stand to arms.

Orders for a general mobilization have been issued...

and the precautionary civilian organization against gas...

will at once be put into operation.

Our instructions have just come to hand.

We shall cut off for five minutes, then read you the general instructions.

Please call in all your friends. Call in everyone you can.

You've got your stimulant, Passworthy.

Something great has got you.

War has come.

My God, if they've attacked without a declaration of war, then it's vengeance.

No quarter. Vengeance.

Punishment, condign punishment...

or else the end of civilization altogether.

But it's just possible there's some mistake.

You know, I cling to that.

If not, then it's war to the knife.

No, its - it's not a war.

It's extermination of dangerous vermin.

A vermin hunt without pause or pity.

Well, good night.

Please keep still and listen.

War has broken out suddenly.

There may be an air raid, but it is not likely to be a very serious one.

You must be prepared for it. The danger will not be great.

As soon as the danger is over, bugles will sound all clear.

The streets will be dangerous. Do not assemble in crowds.

Keep indoors. Go home.

Those who are far from home can take refuge in the underground railways.

Go home. Go home. Go home.

Get out of the square. Get out of the streets.

Go home and keep home.

Put out your lights. Close the windows.

Put a wet sheet or a wet blanket over doors and windows.

Get indoors. Get indoors.

Get out of the streets.

Go home and keep home. Keep indoors. Go home.

Go home.

Do not assemble in crowds.

My dear.

Are you sorry we had these children?

No.

Life must carry on.

Why should we surrender life to the brutes and fools?

I loved you.

I wanted to serve you and - and make life happy for you.

But think of the things that may happen to them.

Were we selfish?

You weren't afraid to bear them.

We were children yesterday.

We're anxious...

but we're not afraid...

really.

Courage, my dear.

And may that little heart have courage.

Are you an officer, Daddy?

Well, you've got to do your bit, you know, Sonny. You've got to do your bit.

- I'm an officer too, Daddy. - That's the spirit.

Carry on, sir! Carry on.

Good-bye, Son.

There.

Now then. Quick march!

An air raid is approaching Everytown. An air raid is approaching Everytown.

Gas masks are being distributed.

See that they fit tightly behind the ears.

Get to cover. Get under cover at once.

The enemy are not in any great force...

and our antiaircraft gunners will speedily dispose of them.

Bad shape, eh?

Why has it come to this?

God, why do we have to murder each other?

Go, my friend.

That is my gas, and it's a bad gas.

Funny if I'm - if I'm killed by my own poison.

Quick, get this on.

Here. Get this on, quickly.

Give it to her.

I've given plenty to others. Why should I not have some myself?

Give it to her! I'm done.

That's it. Breathe through your mouth.

I dropped the gas on her.

Maybe I've killed her father and mother.

Maybe I've killed her whole family.

And then I go and give up my mask to save her.

That's - That's funny.

That's a joke.

Look! He's carrying the infection.

Iodine, please.

Mary, iodine.

There's no more left, Father. This is the last drop.

God.

What is the use of trying to save this mad world from these punishments?

Oh, Father, if only you could get some sleep.

How can I sleep?

See how they wander out to die?

Why don't you shoot them?

It's their lives or ours.

Let's get guards and make a cordon.

That's how they dealt with the pestilence in the Dark Ages.

Richard.

My sister.

Gordon, how do you know?

Her heart beats fast, and - and she feels faint.

And she won't answer.