THX-1138

 

 

Screenplay by       George Lucas

          Walter Murch

 

Produced by       Lawrence Sturhahn

 

Directed by       George Lucas

 

 

 

Cast List:

 

Robert Duvall     THX 1138

Donald Pleasence    Sen 5241

Don Pedro Colley   SRT

Maggie McOmie    LUH 3417

Ian Wolfe      PTO

Sid Haig        NCH

Marshall Efron         TWA

John Pearce      DWY

 

 

 

BLACK

 

Barely audible, an organ plays a haunting theme. The title credits appear. They are simple green lettering on a black background.

 

BLACK

 

 

TV MONITOR

 

Point of view from inside a small medicine cabinet. The door is opened creating a low hum, and throwing light on THX 1138, a man about thirty-five years old. He has a closely shaved head: which makes him appear bald. The image is distorted as seen over a TV monitor.

 

MALE VOICE

What's wrong?

 

THX takes a bottle of blue pills out of the cabinet and talks directly into the camera.

 

THX

Nothing... nothing really. I just feel kind of lousy. I need something stronger.

 

MALE VOICE

If you have a problem, don't hesitate to ask for assistance. CALL 348-853

 

THX

Yes... Thank you, I'll be all right. I'm all right.

 

He takes two of the pills and returns the bottle the cabinet.

 

FEMALE VOICE

For more rapid results use your new D code on your Mercicontrol card. Thank you.

 

THX closes the cabinet.

 

BLACK

 

 

TV MONITOR

 

The door to the cabinet begins to open – hesitates – then closes.

 

MALE VOICE

What's wrong?

 

The door opens revealing LUH 3417, a 20 year old woman, also with a closely shaved head. She is nervous and struggle to maintain her composure.

 

MALE VOICE

What's wrong?

 

LUH takes the bottle of pills THX has just consumed and becomes frightened.

 

LUH

... never mind. I'll replace these later.

 

She slams the door closed.

 

BLACK

 

 

HOLOGRAM ROOM

 

CLOSE ANGLE

 

A bald man dressed in white, huddles in a bare, dimly lit room, Two large leather clad policemen beat the man with long chrome nightsticks, making a dull thudding sound.

 

 

BATHROOM

 

LUH also dressed in white stands in the corner of a very small bathroom. It is very modern, with many fixtures not in an ordinary bathroom; outstanding of these is a small medicine cabinet with a small sign on the face which reads: "SEDATION SP9, USE WHEN NECESSARY"

 

 

CLOSE ANGLE

 

She stands facing the wall. She is crying. The thudding sound of the policemen can be heard in the background.

 

 

MED ANGLE

 

LUH stops crying, dries her eyes and looks into the mirror. She regains her composure and pores the pills down the toilet. The camera TRACKS with her as she walks into the mainroom. She passes by the Hologram room where the thudding sounds of the policemen are originating.

 

 

MAINROOM

 

LUH enters the small, white, plastic looking room. One wall is filled with small compartments. She opens one of the cabinets and pushes a series of buttons; which light up.

 

 

CLOSE ANGLE

 

LUH sits for a moment having now regained control of herself. She takes a cellophane packet of pills out of one of the compartments and carefully removes the pills and replaces them with pills from her pocket. She puts the packet back into the compartment. She becomes aware of the sounds of the policemen in the Hologram room.

 

 

HOLOGRAM ROOM

 

FULL ANGLE

 

The room contains two over-stuffed reclining chairs, with control panels on the arms. THX is sitting in one of the chairs watching the policemen beat the huddled man. LUH enters and stands by the doorway, slightly repulsed by the beating. THX is aware of her presence, but neither speak.

 

 

CLOSE ANGLE

 

Upon closer inspection, we see the policemen have smooth chrome faces and are actually robots.

 

 

MED ANGLE

 

THX reaches for the volume knob and twists it up one notch. Another robot appears beating the man. LUH walks over and sits in the vacant chair. She fidgets nervously.

 

LUH

You ought to eat.

 

THX looks over to her, but does not respond. LUH reaches for the volume knob, and turns it down, one of the policemen disappears.

 

LUH

I started your dinner for you. It's probably ready by now.

 

THX

I'm not hungry.

 

LUH

Well it's fixed, so you'll have to eat it.

 

LUH becomes angry.

 

LUH

No, your going to eat it, or it will go to waste.

 

THX

What's the matter with you?

 

LUH turns back to watching the policemen. THX sits quietly, and after a few moments, he gets up and leaves the room. LUH immediately flips the switch on the arm of the chair.

 

An intense flash of light fills the room and gives way to a naked negro female mannequin, with no genitals, dancing exotically to driving, sensual afro-electronic music. She flips the switch again, and the flash fades into a newscaster comfortably seated in a chair directly across from her. He is dressed in white, and his head is closely shaven; as are all of the people in this society.

 

NEWSCASTER

... in the constant striving for perfection in the AIA.PB848's which have been built this year. Five felons have been caught fleeing rehabilitation center dd2. All five have been undergoing treatment for drug offenses, two of the felons were products of the sex act, the other three...

 

LUH

What?

 

NEWSCASTER

Two of the felons are products of the sex act, the other three are from reproduction clinic nineteen. The quintet escaped from compound 545 and were all subsequently destroyed. Reports indicate...

 

THX returns to his chair carrying his dinner on a tray. The food looks like multi-colored foam rubber.

 

THX

What's this? Why did you change it?

 

LUH

You've seen enough.

 

THX

You know I don't feel well.

 

LUH

Eat your dinner.

 

LUH flips the switch revealing a drama involving two male negro mannequins standing next to a low, sleek car with a massive, complicated jet engine on the back.

 

MANNEQUIN ONE

... and then my request for new arms and legs finally came through.

 

MANNEQUIN TWO

Well that's great then.

 

MANNEQUIN ONE

No. It's terrible. I ordered two arms and a new leg, and they sent me two legs and a new arm.

 

Raucous canned laughter is inserted as the two mannequin get into the autojet.

 

 

CLOSE ANGLE

 

THX is expressionless.

 

THX

That was very funny.

 

LUH

What?

 

 

OBSERVATION CELL

 

We view THX in an OPERATING ROOM via a TV monitor. He is working at an electronic control panel in a small glass boot. He manipulates two mechanical hands working on the disassembled body of a chrome policemen.

 

THE CAMERA PULLS BACK, to reveal several monitors which scan other operating rooms. In another row are sedation cabinets, mostly black, because the boxes are closed.

 

 

FULL ANGLE

 

We now see many rows of TV monitors, surrounded by gages, dials, and switches. Two workers are sitting at the control board facing the monitors. We recognize LUH as one of the workers. A man, SEN 5241, is the other operator.

 

 

MED ANGLE

 

This is an observation cell, where all phases of life are under continual surveillance. LUH operates the controls at her panel and types what she observes into a computer. On one of the monitors is a man in a bathroom alcove similar to the one we saw in THX's home.

 

VOICE

What's wrong?

 

The man is hysterical and screams at the monitor.

 

MAN

Help me... HELP me...

 

VOICE

What's wrong?

 

The man takes the pills out of the cabinet and begins to eat them a hand full at a time.

 

 

CLOSE ANGLE

 

LUH is tense and pre-occupied. She reacts by pushing a button which programs a new recording.

 

VOICE

Take four red capsules, in ten minutes take two more. Help is on the...

 

LUH reports the incident into the computer. The image on the monitor observing one of the operating rooms is shaken, and turns white as though there has been an explosion. THX continues his work and is oblivious to what has happened.

 

 

MED ANGLE

 

LUH has slipped into a daydream. SEN notices the accident and studies LUH for a few moments. Suddenly a voice cackles over the intercom.

 

INTERCOM VOICE

Concourse 5... Cross 3... Monitor concourse 5... 3417 are you there? Relate... relate...

 

LUH awakens from her trance, and fumbles, to discover what has happened. She presses buttons that spread the accident among five monitors.

 

 

CLOSE ANGLE

 

LUH reaches for a container of yellow pills, she thinks for a moment, then returns the pills to the container. On the monitors there is much confusion in the destroyed passageway. People move along the corridor to get a better look at the accident. LUH pushes a button and a tape activates.

 

TAPE VOICE

Do not enter this area without consuming j23. This is a traumatic area. Do not enter this area without...

 

Policemen are seen carrying parts of bodies out of a destroyed operating room.

 

INTERCOM VOICE

Radiation suppress. Seal chamber 5G, seal chamber 5G. Exterminate occupant.

 

On the monitors, LUH watches a man bang on the door to his work cell. Slowly he fades, collapses, and dies. As she watches the disaster scene, tears come to her eyes. She dries them quickly and glances at SEN to see if he has noticed her. He is busy typing a report. A voice brings her back to the monitors.

 

MALE VOICE

What's wrong?

 

A man from an industrial section is on one of the TV monitors, screaming hysterically. There are flames and smoke in the background.

 

MAN

Fire in sub-station 35k, command 13, we've got 73 men down here...

 

LUH quickly punches a button on the tape respond panel.

 

VOICE

You are a true believer, blessings of State, blessings of the masses Thou art a subject of...

 

LUH is taken by surprise, and fumbles for the retract button. There is a moment before the correct tape is heard, SEN looks up at LUH, who is unaware she is being watched.

 

VOICE

Stay calm, correct procedure is essential. Do not fail to remove auxiliary command circuit before evacuation. Vacuum detail and suppression units for your area have been notified and are on their Way.

 

LUH finishes typing her report and becomes aware that SEN is watching her. She looks up at him, and he quickly goes back to work.

 

 

PRAYER BOOTH

 

THX sits in a small cube which features a desk facing a large photograph of the prophet OMM. The image is similar to a renaissance painting of Jesus.

 

VOICE

My time is yours, go ahead.

 

THX mumbles a short prayer; which is cut short by the recorded voice.

 

VOICE

Very good, proceed.

 

THX is uneasy, and fumbles for the right words.

 

THX

Well... I slipped on a T5 transfer this morning. It's never happened before. I wasn't concentrating enough. Things haven't been...

 

VOICE

Yes.

 

THX

... going well. How could I be so wrong.

(pause)

SCO 1202 cross wired a 904. He's been receiving extra credit. He offered me some. But you must already know about that... Why do I bother you with such...

 

VOICE

Yes.

 

THX

I did not accept any.

(pause)

I... I wanted... to. But I didn't. You know I didn't. Don't you?

 

There is a pause as THX waits for an answer.

 

VOICE

Yes.

 

THX

My mate has been acting very strange. I can't explain it... but I haven't been feeling very well myself. I don't know, maybe it's me. I needed an SP9 last night. I feel as if something odd were happening to me. Something...

 

VOICE

Yes.

 

THX

 I can't understand. The sedatives...

 

THX pauses, and tries to think of what he wants to say.

 

THX

... I'm taking SP5, but it doesn't seem strong enough. I have a hard time concentrating. Please forgive me, slipped on...

 

VOICE

You are a true believer. Blessings of the state, blessings of the masses. Thou art a subject of the divine. Created in the image of man, by the masses, for the masses. Let us be thankful we have an occupation to fill. Work hard; increase production; prevent accidents, and be happy.

 

THX slumps, exhausted by the effort of communicating with OMM.

 

 

SCHEDULING OFFICE

 

THX is in a large hall, crossing over to a bank of small boxes along the wall. He attempts to open one of the boxes with a plastic badge from his lapel, and struggles for a moment before finally getting it open. He pushes some buttons inside the box, then closes it. He is very tired; almost unable to cope with the trivia of daily life.

 

MED ANGLE

THX turns around to leave and is confronted by LUH, who has been standing directly behind him. She is holding a punch card.

 

THX

What do you want?

 

LUH stares at him without answering.

 

THX

(glancing at the card)

What did you get?

 

LUH

I have to see SEN. I've just been given a shift change.

 

THX

When?

 

LUH

Now.

 

THX

Now?

 

LUH

He wants me to come to his quarters.

 

THX

(glancing at the boxes and pointing)

A shift change should come through the scheduling office. Why should he want to see you?

 

LUH

I don't know.

 

THX

Don't go.

 

LUH

I have to... he's a G-34

 

THX

You don't have to... I don't trust him. You ought to file a report.

 

LUH

No, don't make trouble. It's nothing.

 

THX is becoming confused and exasperated.

 

THX

Then why did you bring it up?

 

LUH

I didn't. You asked me about the card.

(pause)

You're going to get us into trouble.

 

LUH starts to move off.

 

THX

I haven't done anything.

 

LUH

Don't be so sure.

 

LUH quickly disappears into the crowd. THX rests against the wall; the noise and the crowding people are almost too much for him.

 

A chrome robot and a man, both dressed in bright yellow, pass by engaged in conversation. A moment later, a man drops his computer card and is trampled trying to retrieve it.

 

THX is seen on a TV monitor. He is unable to withstand the crowd and moves off screen down the passageway.

 

 

REST PLAZA

 

THX moves to a large door with a sign reading "REST PLAZA". He opens the door and enters a small room lined with benches and filled with old people sitting and staring at one another. As THX enters, they all turn and stare at him.

 

CLOSE ANGLE

THX searches for a vacant bench and begins to feel very uncomfortable. Finally, he turns and leaves.

 

 

HOLOGRAM ROOM, THX'S QUARTERS

 

The faint sound of a heartbeat grows louder as a pulsating, round, red blur slowly appears in the center of the room. THX is sitting alone in the overstuffed chair.

 

The red ball descends from the ceiling and surrounds THX's abdomen as he takes two capsules out of a compartment in the arm of the chair and swallows them.

 

THX flips a switch on the arm of the chair; an intense flash of light fills the room and gives way to a naked negro female mannequin making erotic movements to the beat of a driving afro-electronic song.

 

THX undergoes the physical movements of a sexual experience. After he reaches his climax, he relaxes, breathing deeply, resting for a moment as the mannequin continues to gyrate and the red ball fades away.

 

THX flips the switch several times. A series of images flashes through the room: a chrome policeman beating a man to death; a newscaster; a matronly woman discussing drugs; a male mannequin; and finally two men sitting behind a long table. Only one man speaks, the other listens attentively, occasionally looking from THX to the speaker.

 

MAN

... to stimulate the arithmetical and logical processes as an extention of the 5141. Never before have we been so contented, never before has life been so satisfying...

 

There is a jump in the man's movement – a reminder that he is only a hologram.

 

MAN

... so satisfying. A referendum of bliss, a fabrication of gratification sustained by the benevolence of authority...

 

THX

What?

 

The man disappears for a moment, then pops back.

 

MAN

A referendum of bliss, a fabrication of gratification sustained by the benevolence of authority...

 

THX

That's not what I meant.

 

MAN

... the inadequacies of the human personality are rapidly being overcome by the social processes of advancing technology. Component lowness, a sophisticated stimulation is the answer. The humanity of authority is proudly contemporary. Control through companionship, combined with economic advantages of the mating structure far surpasses any disadvantages in increased perversions. A final...

 

THX hears something in the other part of the house. He jumps up, standing in the middle of the silent man.

 

THX

LUH?

 

MAN

... an infinite translate in mathematics of tolerance and charity among artificial memory devices is ultimately binary. Stimulating...

 

THX flips off the hologram and the two men fade away, leaving the room dark and empty.

 

THX

LUH? Is that you?

 

THX walks into the main room, then into the bedroom

 

THX

LUH?

 

He stands alone, disappointed and puzzled. He ponders the events of the day, makes a decision, and leaves.

 

 

SEN'S QUARTERS

 

A group of men are loading multi-colored boxes containing personal effects onto a cart. THX stops at the doorway, hesitant to go inside.

 

The room is in a state of confusion as the effects are checked against a master list by an extremely mannish woman. THX finally moves past them and into the residence, looking for SEN.

 

WOMAN

sealed personal effects: 3 styrenes; an occupational syntax; a red magna base – old style; a box of neons; a variation; 23 hunter portapods.

 

SEN is in his section of the bedroom, noticeably annoyed at the intrusion. THX enters and stands just inside the entry, staring at SEN. SEN becomes aware of THX and begins to stare back. THX becomes more and more uncomfortable.

 

SEN

Well?

 

THX says nothing. SEN suddenly recognizes him and stands up.

 

SEN

It's you, come in, come in... you know, this is really odd. I was just thinking about you. What in the world are you doing here?

 

THX does not answer. SEN studies him for a moment.

 

SEN

(pointing to the other room)

For the moment, I thought you were one of the others. You look much... different – in person.

 

SEN sits down. THX remains standing, staring expressionless at SEN. There is another pause.

 

SEN

Sit down, why don't you?...

(THX does not sit)

Anyway... I must apologize for all this chaos. They materialized this morning and it's been going on all day. Well, it's cross I have to bear – the roommate was destroyed, you know.

 

SEN looks at THX, but sees no reaction.

 

SEN

No... I guess you wouldn't. Terrible inconvenience. I could never understand why it all must be created and filed if it's going to be destroyed anyway. When I pass on, I certainly don't want anyone going through my things... It's a strange life.

(pause)

I really cannot understand why you don't sit down.

 

SEN goes into the bathroom alcove and takes a pill. THX sits on the edge of the bed.

 

SEN (O.S.)

You never answered my question.

 

SEN returns to the bed and sits down on the other end from THX.

 

SEN

Well, at least you're sitting down... You must excuse my going on like that... with ONA gone I feel as if I have no one to talk to. You're perspiring, aren't you? My goodness, it's not very hot in here. Are you sick?

 

SEN backs off a bit.

 

SEN

I'm sure it's warmer in her than outside, though. I haven't been out yet, but it usually is... the control is fouled...

(pause)

 

THX

Where is LUH?

 

SEN

What?

 

The woman taking the inventory interrupts their conversation.

 

WOMAN

Count concluded.

 

SEN hands her the plastic badge on his lapel. She slips it into a small box and returns it, with a slip of paper.

 

WOMAN

You must keep this.

 

SEN

(taking the slip)

Yes, of course.

 

The woman leaves.

 

SEN

They really smell. It's disgusting. Did you notice it?

 

THX glares silently at SEN.

 

THX

Why did you have LUH come here?

 

SEN

Why are you so concerned?

 

THX

What's going on?

 

SEN

I want you for my roommate.

 

THX

Where's LUH?

 

SEN

It will be good for both of us. I've got it all arranged.

 

THX is having difficulty dealing with this turn of events.

 

THX

I don't understand. Living... selection is computed. You can't... What have you done to LUH? She was here...

 

SEN

We had a long talk and she agreed that it would be a good idea for you to switch. She felt that you had not been accurately mated to her in the first place... You're upsetting yourself. Would you like something?

 

THX

You're in violation.

 

SEN

Don't say that. You look... You're not well.

 

THX is confused and preoccupied.

 

SEN (CONT'D)

I know what you're thinking... Program shifting isn't that major a crime is it?