The Satan Bug

Thanks. I'll see ya. Yes, sir.

Hello, Mr. Reagan. Hello, Raskin.

I see you've got the duty again.

You've been back there a week. It comes around.

Thanks.

Good night, Dr. Ostrer.

Good night, Reagan.

Oh, Reagan.

Reagan, I've gotta talk to you.

I've got a minute now.

No. But I want to see you tomorrow morning.

I'll come by your house. 10:00?

Fine.

What's this? Laboratory equipment replacements.

Well, what happened while I was gone?

Nothing, sir.

The Director?

Well, you know Dr. Baxter, he's still...

Introverted.

Yes, sir.

Who's left in E Lab?

There's six, Dr. Baxter, Hoffman, Yang, and three technicians.

Correct.

Gonna get these inside? Yes, sir.

Hello, Mr. Reagan. Hello, Mason.

Who's left in there?

Six, sir. Dr. Baxter, Dr. Hoffman, Dr. Yang, and three technicians.

Dr. Hoffman.

Good evening, Reagan.

Is the Director in there? Yes.

Working late tonight?

No.

Well, how was it on the Potomac?

Not quiet.

I... I understand the man has given us a new administrator,

Dr. Leonard Michaelson?

Who told you that?

Dr. Hoffman.

The cleaning woman told him.

Not funny.

Well, it's Friday.

Good night, Reagan. See you Monday.

Good night, Doctor.

Any trouble? No, sir. Just some minor residuals.

There's a couple of crates outside. Let's get 'em in.

Yes, sir. Raskin just called.

Good evening, Doctor.

Oh.

What is it, Reagan?

Working late?

No. But I'll be in tomorrow.

What time? 8:00.

I'll set the time lock for you.

Last time you locked yourself out until Monday.

I know.

You've been away, haven't you?

Washington.

How worried are they?

Well, they're always worried about the security of this place.

My job's like that.

What they're really worried about is that.

Yes, sir.

Did you, uh, reassure them?

No. I leave that to you.

Yes.

Sir, do you think...

Why don't you take this Saturday and Sunday off, Doctor?

Do you good.

No time for that, Reagan.

No time.

Tired men make mistakes, Doctor.

God help us if a mistake's made here.

Goodnight, Doctor.

Good night, Mr. Reagan. Good night.

Good night, Mr. Reagan. Good night.

Good night, Mason. Good night, Mr. Reagan.

Good night, Dr. Hoffman.

You are leaving, Doctor?

I'll be a few minutes.

Do you need me for anything?

No.

Good night, Hoffman.

Goodnight, Dr. Hoffman. Goodnight, Mason.

Good night, Doctor.

Good night, Doctor.

Mason speaking.

Is Doctor Williams in?

Dr. Williams is not in E Lab.

Good night, Dr. Baxter.

Two sixteen. That's administration.

You're welcome.

It's Mason. E Lab clear and closed.

Right.

Good night, Doctor Baxter.

Good night, Doctor.

Raskin.

Yes, sir.

Reagan. I'm going into E Lab.

The shoulder on that back road's caved in.

We ought to take care of that tomorrow. All right.

Might as well make a note of it in the log for Mr. Reagan in the morning.

I'll tell him when he leaves.

He's still here? Mmm-hmm. E Lab.

What time did he go in there?

Mr. Reagan.

Mr. Reagan.

Hello, Mr. Reagan?

Hello, Mr. Reagan?

Get over there and check that security door.

This is Lieutenant Raskin, Duty Officer, Station Three.

Get me the Director, Dr. Baxter, at home, or Mr. Tasserly. Right.

There's a phone call for you. What?

There's a phone call for you.

Thank you, very much.

Hello. Who?

Okay, put him on. Yes. Mr. Martin?

Well, I could, but I don't particularly want to.

Yeah. All right. I hope it's as vital to me.

Mr. Martin? Yes.

Good evening.

Good of you to see me at such a late hour, Mr. Barrett.

You didn't care for a drink? Oh, no, thank you.

Do you live aboard all the time, Mr. Barrett?

No, just some of the time.

I don't imagine your law practice is too demanding these days.

Could be better.

Yet, you can afford this yacht. Must be rather expensive.

What can I do for you, Mr. Martin?

We have a job for you. We think you're the right man.

Oh? Why?

You have the background for it.

And in the past, you've been quite outspoken on the immorality of war.

Everybody says he's against war.

Not ex-United States Intelligence Officers.

Let's take a look at some of the record.

"Lee Barrett. 1950. University student. Pre law."

"Then active service, Korea and helicopters."

"Detached for special service. Excellent war record."

"Citation. Superb lone operator who has no master in cunning,"

"secrecy or violence."

"Promoted to captain. Recommended for three decorations."

First discordant note. Last two refused.

You are quoted as saying that war

"had aged you so fast, you were too old to play with toys."

Rather a whimsical statement, Mr. Barrett.

You think so?

Why did you leave the service?

Poor prospects.

Discharged, 1952.

Allowed to resign commission after altercation with a Major General.

Some people have flat feet.

I dislike taking orders under certain circumstances.

Then you got your law degree. Passed the bar examination, but didn't practice.

Joined a government agency.

Fired.

A stint with another one. Fired for the usual reason.

You rate rather high on insubordination.

My record is easy to check, Mr. Martin. Make your point.

A year ago you were appointed Security Chief at Station Three.

How do you know about Station Three?

The most secret chemical warfare establishment in this hemisphere.

Fired three months ago.

Reason? "Emotional rejection of purpose of project."

"Council for World Peace."

"Henry Martin, Executive Secretary."

You heard of us?

Oh, yes.

But you don't approve of us?

I don't like semi-secret organizations, Mr. Martin.

Neither do I, Mr. Barrett.

But the Council is a potent weapon for peace.

We're not communistic or anti-communistic.

You just want a workable peace.

Like you, perhaps, Mr. Barrett.

You have been outspoken on the foolishness of war.

That was removed from Station Three a few hours ago.

It doesn't matter how at the moment.

Do you know what it is?

Botulinus?

No.

A vaccine against botulinus.

The contents of that flask can be cultured to provide enough vaccine

to immunize any nation on Earth.

We want it delivered to this address.

Europe? Yes.

How does that help peace?

It neutralizes a terrible weapon.

If we both have it, well, neither side can threaten the other with it.

Very dangerous assignment, Mr. Martin.

$10,000 should cover your expenses.

I'm afraid not.

Then you refuse?

No.

It'll cost you 20,000. 10,000 each way. Cash. Now.

You mind if I say something, Mr. Barrett?

Yes, I do.

Keep your speeches and moralities for your council.

This is a business deal.

No wonder you were thrown out of so many places.

Satisfied?