Philadelphia Experiment II

Dr. William Mailer:
Alert these checkpoints, distribute his photo, clamp down the neighboring townships.

Decker:
Sir, the productivity loss...

Dr. William Mailer:
I'm aware of that.

Decker:
My department will need written authorization, countersigned by central council.

Dr. William Mailer:
Well, fortunately, your department is part of my department. Now go lock down... and smile while you're doing it.

Decker:
Sir, there's more to this than you're letting on. This man's apparent connection to your experiments reeks of special circumstance which, by code, falls under my jurisdiction.

Dr. William Mailer:
You want special circumstance? *I* am special *circumstance.* I am the code, I am the countersign, I am the godforsaken western zone! Look around you, Decker, this is not Europe! This is the land of opportunity, the last frontier, and you and your lowlife, varmint police are nothing to me, not so much as a speck in the grand parade of history, not an echo in the big orchestra of civilization. You understand me?

Dr. William Mailer:
[pulling a gun on Decker after no response] Do you understand me?

Decker:
Yes, sir.

Dr. William Mailer:
[pulls trigger, gun clicks empty] Good. I'll want a written report.

Dr. William Mailer:
[to the musicians, who had stopped playing] All right, boys, from the top.

Dr. William Mailer:
What went through your mind on your way here?

David Herdeg:
Truth is twisted, who's responsible?

Dr. William Mailer:
Well, responsibility is, generally, one of those things claimed by the righteous, whereas consequences are assigned to the meek. What's your choice?

David Herdeg:
Strength... to make the right choice.