The Time Machine

-But Professor -No.The answers are all there in the test.

Aren't you forgetting something?

I know. It's something to do with the third differential coefficient.

- Not that. Tonight. - What?

Emma?

-What time is it? -Almost 5:00

Oh,God.

My proposal for utilizing solarpower, rejected.

My concepts for harnessing micro-energy waves, rejected.

The dean suggests that I focus on something that might actually help mankind.

Like his study on the benefits of tobacco consumption.

Alex, the problem is your ideas are a bit too... radical.

The problem is with the faculty. They're dinosaurs.

They're already extinct, they just don't know it.

They'll be discovered by some future archaeologist, and he won't know what to make of them.

Their dim little eyes, de void of any curiosity--

Alex, it's your first year as associate professor.

You might want to play things a little more conservatively.

You sound just like my father.

Look at them, Philby. All alike. All in identical bowler hats.

Do you want your students to turn out like that?

I want my students prepared for the realities of the world they're about to greet.

Well, I don't. I want them to run along this street and knock off every bowler they see.

Mrs. Watchit!

Oh, huzzah, the master's home.

-Did you get it? -Hello, Mr. Philby.

Hello, Mrs.Watchit. You're looking in the pink.

Must be all the exercise I get scampering up and down these stairs like a wee lad.

-Don't torture me. Did you get it? -I got it.

-Good. Let me see. -But don'tyou think for one moment...

I'm going to let you go out in that filthy jacket.

Now, go in there and change.

And you've got another letter from that annoying little man.

Well, go ahead. Switch it on.

- It'll help people keep their teeth well into their 40s.

-You might think about having that cleaned. -Oh, who has the time?

-How did you know with Molly? -Know what?

-You were meant to be together. -She made the best shepherd's pie I ever tasted.

Don't you have a single romantic bone in your body?

No. I'm all bowler hat.

Why doy ou waste your time on that crackpot?

Because he has some very interesting ideas.

A professor at Columbia should not be corresponding with a crazy German bookkeeper.

He's a patent clerk, not a bookkeeper.

I think Mr. Einstein deserves all the support I can give him.

I wonder if we'll ever go too far?

-With what? -With this.

With all of this.

No such thing.

All right. How do I look?

Practically decent. Really, Alex. Good luck tonight.

She's a fine girl. She's done wonderful things for you.

Don't worry. You still have that alluring smell of chalk.

Oh, gotta hurry.

Now, that's more like it. You look a proper gentleman for once.

Well, you better hope so. If Emma turns me down, you'll be next.

Oh, I'm already swooning.

All right. Wish me luck.

Thank you.

Fresh flowers. Fresh flowers.

-Have some flowers, sir. -Not tonight, thanks.

No. I promised her flowers.

Spectacular.

Spectacular waste of money. Damn thing's always breaking down.

Do you need a lift? -Yes, yes.

-How do you keep the water temperature stable? - There's a cantilevered gasket...

on the fuel regulator--

Oh, God. Uh

Much obliged. I'm always forgetting the damn brake.

Hop in. I'll give you a perambulation before it breaks down again.

Oh, uh, I'm afraid I have a prior engagement.

Well, another time then. We perambulate here most every night.

Certainly.

Get a horse!

Yes.

Alexander?

Oh! Whoa.

-You're late, Professor. -I got here as soon as I could.

Well, they say it's all the rage in Paris. But I just picked it up--

- Five dollars at Macy's. Silly, isn't it? - Very silly. I like it.

Well, where are they?

-What? -The flowers.

You promised me flowers tonight. Don't you even remember?

Oh, I'm sorry. Well, I was distracted.

Well, there's something new.

Uh, Emma, I need to talk to you.

-Oh, uh, shall we walk through the park? -Yes.

Professor, you're shivering. I hope you're not coming down with something.

Well, I'm afraid I am.

I'm not sleeping very well, and even when I'm awake, I'm not much use.

I can't eat or think or do much of anything anymore.

And the worst part is, I don't know that I'll ever be well.

I think there's only one remedy, and that's foryou to marry me...

and spend the rest of your life with me.

Oh, Emma, I know it's right. I know we're meant to be together.

It's the only thing in my entire life I've never had to think about.

Oh, Alex.

Uh-Uh, wait. I have something foryou.

You know, the moment is rather dying here.

I know. Hold on. Oh.

-I know it's not a diamond. -A moonstone.

Well, it's your birthstone. I thought--

You thought right.

I just might cry.

I couldn't help but overhear.

Two fine young people starting out on the road oflife.

I wish you the very best.

-Well, thankyou. -And as much as I hate to do this

moved as I am by your... protestations of love

I'll be needing your money now.

-Sir? -And your jewelry too.

I guess we could call this your first little bump on the road to marital bliss.

-I don't understand -Don't make a scene.There's no cause for that.

-Just give me your wallet, will you? - Hmm?

Did you hear me, lad?

Uh, all right, all right. Here. That's everything.

And your watch.

And the gloves.

-And the ring. -No.

I'm afraid so, darling.

-And maybe he'll buy you a diamond now. -Please, please. Not that.

Don't!

Why did you do that? It's only a ring.

Emma?

Emma?

Oh!

What?

Oh. Oh, sir, Mr. Philby's here.

- Here? - Yes, sir. He insisted on coming

-Tell him to go away. I'm busy. -I won't go away, Alex.

My God. What's happened toyou?

I've been I've been working.

You remember that? You used to care about your work.

I care more about my life. And yours.

I came by the house every day after the funeral...

and every week and every other month.

Then I stopped coming. Did you even notice?

-It hurt me, Alex... very much. -Then why are you here now?

- There are some things I have to say you may not like hearing. I know. I know.

You're concerned. I know. I hear it from Mrs. Watchit every day.

But really... I need you to go.

- I won't leave. Not with you hiding down here. - I'm not hiding.

You know that's what it is.Mrs.Watchit says you're in here all hours,day and night.

Alex, will you please stand still and look at me!

It wasn't your fault.

No. It wasn't my fault.

Maybe we should blame Mrs. Watchit for picking up the ring from the jeweler.

Or the jeweler for making it.

Or the poor bastard who tore the stone from the earth.

Maybe I should blame you for introducing me to Emma in the first place. Yes.

Alexander, nothing will ever change what happened.

No, you're wrong, because I will change it.

David, I appreciate your concern. I do.

But I ask you to have faith in me.

Well, I want to have faith in you, Alex, but

Wha What are What are you doing here?

I'll tell you what.Why don't you come by for dinner in a week, and I'll show you?

-Why don't you come home with me now? Molly -Did you not hear me, David?

I can't leave when I'm so close.

All right. We'll continue this conversation in a week.

In a week, we'll never even have had this conversation.

Ah. Thank you, my good man.

You're early. That's a first.

I wanted to see you.

Well, where are they?

-What? -The flowers.

You promised me flowers tonight. Don't you even remember?

You never cease to surprise me.

Emma, I need to talk toyou.

-Shall we walk through the park? -No!

No.

No. Let's go into the city.

-Alex, what is it? -Nothing. Let'sjust hurry.

Running along is all very well for you. You're not wearing a corset.

Bleecker Street, and be quick about it.

Now you're all gallant.

Professor, you're shivering. I hope you're not coming down with something.

No, no. I'm fine.

I'm wonderful. I'm walking down the street with you again.

But we took a walk three days ago.

Well, not like this. Never like this.

-Heavens, look at that car. -Oh, I've seen it.

Now I know you're ill. You're passing up the chance to explore some new gadget.

-It's only a machine. -Alexander, tell me what's going on.

-Is something wrong? -No.

No. Emma, listen to me.

I need to leave you now, but I want you to go straight home and stay there.

I promise you I'll come by sometime later tonight, and I won't make any sense.

I'll be all upset thatyou didn't meet me in the park, butyou must trust me.

Everything will be all right.

Just know how much I love you, how much I'll always love you.

All right.

But first, where are my flowers?

Flowers it is.

Wait right there. Don't move.

-Oh, can I help you, sir? -Yes, a dozen roses. White.

-No, no. Red. -Look out!

Easy. Easy.

I'm looking for Professor Hart degen.

Alex, I'm... I'm so sorry.