The Spider Labyrinth (Il nido del ragno)

You're trapped in, Alan. You're trapped in.

Heh, let's see ya get outta that!

Help! Help!

Help! Help!

Help! Help!

Hello?

Professor Whitmore, I'm phoning

on behalf of Reverend Bradley, the Reverend Ian Bradley.

Uh, Reverend Bradley, yeah?

I thought our appointment wasn't for another four days.

But something's come up,

and the committee would like to see you soon as possible,

right now, in fact, if it's convenient.

- Uh, I'm afraid I have a class to teach this morning.

That's not a problem.

I've had a word with Chancellor Hubbard,

and he's arranged for a substitute.

We want you to get the Intextus Project off as fast you can.

All right, if you say so.

I'll see you later. Bye-bye.

Bye.

Good morning, Professor Whitmore.

Good morning.

Morning.

Gentlemen.

Good morning, Professor Whitmore.

Chancellor Hubbard.

- You are, of course, aware, Professor Whitmore,

how significant the Intextus Project is to our university.

As you know, Professor Roth in Hungary, Budapest,

has been giving us the most tangible answers

to our research.

Uh, more so than from the researchers

in our contact cities.

However, for the past two months,

just when it seemed we were about to get the final point,

all communication stopped.

I know. He hasn't answered my letters.

And our calls. We're getting impatient.

Except for Roth's, all other reports are in.

Whitmore, it goes without saying

that this project must be kept absolutely secret,

to avoid speculation

before we have all the answers.

You are one of the young professors

in whom we put our trust.

- You're also the coordinator of the project,

and you have the background.

That's why we're sending you.

- Uh, we'll take care of all your travel expenses,

too, of course.

Travel?

We want you to go to Budapest.

You're the only one with the understanding

of Roth and his researches.

We must complete this project

as soon as possible.

If only you knew how important this really is.

- Well, of course I know how important it is.

All right... I'll go.

What exactly do you need me to do?

Reestablish contact with Roth,

and bring back everything he has collected.

We were able to establish contact with his assistant,

who will be waiting for you at the airport.

- And here is a letter from me to be given to Roth.

There's a lot of responsibility attached to this trip.

Professor Whitmore, the institution and myself

will be very grateful to you.

You understand what I mean? Very grateful.

Okay, gentlemen.

Chancellor Hubbard.

Seems like a guy who can handle the risk.

He's naive to the situation.

It's better for us.

- Perhaps we should've told him everything.

- You're one of Professor Roth's assistants?

- I only deal with the mail and other odd jobs.

Like doing the driving?

Only when an important person arrives.

Not so important.

Don't be so modest.

Do you also collaborate in his research?

- I'd love to, yet the professor is so reserved.

If you only knew.

Your letters have a great effect on Professor Roth.

He always awaits them anxiously.

- I don't know about that. He never answers them.

That's Professor Roth's house there.

Aren't you coming with me?

Professor Roth is waiting for you.

We'll see each other later, no doubt.

I'll come and pick you up and take you to your hotel, okay?

Okay

Goodbye.

Professor Whitmore, I presume.

Yes.

Celia Roth. Please, come in.

Professor Whitmore, I feel

I should tell you

that my husband might tell you

some strange things.

You see...

Tell me.

Please don't take any notice.

Uh, don't attach too much importance to it.

Mrs. Roth, what is it?

- Leo just had a serious nervous breakdown,

and work has become very hard and tiring for him.

I'm sorry. I didn't know that.

Maybe I can be of some help.

I don't want to to think that all his efforts will be wasted.

I'm sorry, Professor Whitmore.

I fear you made this trip for nothing.

Don't stay too long.

Seeing people excites him but tires him.

Please.

Thank you.

Hello, Professor Roth. I'm Alan Whitmore.

I thought you were expecting me.

Who is going to prove to me

that you really are who you say you are?

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

I see. This is a letter from Chancellor Hubbard.

It's for you. Please.

I'm the coordinator of the Intextus Project.

We've already received the reports

from Heidelberg, Bombay, and Cairo,

but some people are not so prompt in conveying the results

of their investigations.

Local objective difficulties, I guess.

Or subjective.

Leo, don't forget you have to have your injection soon.

- Professor Roth, your first communications to us

were of great importance.

Chancellor Hubbard was very enthusiastic

about the wealth of documentation here,

but we can't understand why it stopped.

Professor Roth.

Go on. Continue talking.

I've planned on staying two weeks,

hoping that'll be enough to complete the study.

Professor Roth, you never told us

where you got your material from.

You have to understand how important this is.

Listen to me. Hide this quickly.

Hide it quickly.

Here you'll find the fundamental indications.

Be very careful.

Don't say a word to anybody.

I'll look at it later.

No.

- But why don't you tell me now what's happening.

- Because, Whitmore, this business is extremely dangerous.

I can't explain it to you right now,

but try and come back this evening alone.

Make sure nobody is following you.

I'm cons--

The...

I told you he was strange.

I apologize on his behalf.

Do you understand now?

We've got to keep him quiet.

Please go, Professor Whitmore.

You can't be of any help here.

When my husband feels better,

then maybe you will be able to see him again.

I'll come back after dinner.

Then I'll make a decision.

Do as you wish. I warned you.

Professor Whitmore.

I've already left your suitcase at the hotel.

It's just around the corner.

Come with me.

I'm terribly worried about the professor.

His crises are more and more frequent.

He can spend days without speaking

and fall into the deepest depression.

Often, he has a real

persecution paranoia. - So what do I do now?

- You're not interested in the professor's health, are you?

I'm sorry, Professor Whitmore.

It's Alan. Please call me Alan.

And don't excuse yourself. It's just that I'm frustrated.

There was so much I was hoping to learn.

This is your hotel,

and I just live over there.

Good afternoon, Mrs. Kuhn.

This is Professor Whitmore.

Ah, you're Professor Roth's guest.

No, I'm not his guest.

I'll take care of my bill, thank you.

Your room is ready.

Second floor, shh, internal courtyard.

It's very quiet.

How long do you expect to be staying with us?

I haven't decided yet.

You must be feeling tired after your flight.

I'll leave you now,

but if you want to see Budapest,