The voices :
Julie US/Canadian female
Ben British male
Harold American male computer
Daphne British female computer
Brian American male via telephone
Booker Simple computer voice
Scene 1 : taking a class
[electronic music plays]
Julie : I'm on in a couple of minutes. Now where are my notes ... turn that music off ...
Ben : I'll turn it down
[Ben beating to music]
Julie : turn it OFF
Ben : all right
[music stops; background sounds of machines and computers]
Julie : Sorry but I want everything perfect for the link-up with that science class
[the children in the class pose questions via web-chat; we do not hear their voices but only some computer noises]
Julie : [clears throat] Hello class 6B! My name is Julie and I'm a meteorologist. I'm talking to you live from the Metco Antarctic Weather Station. Let me show you that on this globe. You're here in Texas [beep]; and I'm .. right down here. [beep] It's summer for you but it's winter for me in the southern hemisphere. And it's very, very cold. [laughs] Now we're all in the chat group. And you've got some questions for me. So .. First is Marco. "What do you do there?"
Well, actually I built part of this station and installed the equipment that records the weather. Over the winter it's not so busy, but we have to keep the station clear of ice and snow. My colleague Ben and I work shifts and we go outside and we dig out and scrape ice off. And we have various tools to do that and special suits to cope with the cold.
[ electronic music starts again softly ]
Now from Isabella. "How cold is it". Right now, the temperature outside is minus 32 degrees
Centigrade. In Fahrenheit that is minus 26.
Antonio says. "32 minus 26 is 6". Yes that's right but ...
Harold : I'm performing a comms reset.
Julie : Not now Harold. I have a link-up with a science class. Oh no ... the
connection's dropped.
Harold : I'm sorry Julie. But I have some errors on our satellite link and my procedure is to reset before our next weather data upload. I have to give priority to the weather data over social media use.
Julie : NO. You don't understand. The science classes are part of the job too. Oh
really
Ben : Aarggh ... it's no use arguing with Harold. He's going to follow the schedule whatever you say.
Julie : He's supposed to be intelligent. He should be able to understand the difference between the science class and tiktok.
Ben : Hmm. But the company's not paid for the science classes. We're paid for the met data. Science classes are just public relations. So really ... he's right. He knows what he's doing. In some inhuman way, he knows.
Julie : That class is the only thing ... the only thing I really look forward to here ...
[light music]
[office noises]
Ben : These wind speeds look a bit weird, are you sure
Julie : its getting iced up again
[fade]
Scene 2 : Julie remembers
[sound of howling wind; door slams; unzip jacket]
Julie : God it's darn cold now. When the wind hit I felt it coming through the suit. I don't think I've felt cold like that since I was a child ...
Harold : Well done Julie for completing that de-icing task.
Ben : I'll pour you a cup of coffee. [pours] And I'll have some tea [pours and tinkle of
teacups]. What's your poison Harold?
Julie : I ran away from home once. I didn't get any Christmas presents that year
and I threw a tantrum; that was the year dad lost his job and mom started as a cleaner. So Boxing Day I went out through the back gate and headed for the mall. I thought I'd buy myself some presents although of course I didn't have any money.
Ben : [laughs] So you were what, sixteen then?
Julie : I was six. But that cold gripped me, my whole body; I felt the grip of
death; and I looked up at the sky and I said to God, please no. I guess it was my first awareness of death. As a present danger; a real possibility.
Ben : So, what do you think of that Harold?
Harold : I find Julie's story troubling. How did you escape from this perilous situation?
Julie : A car stopped and the driver got out; then a neighbour came out and
then dad came running. Suddenly I was the centre of attention; it was a wonderful Christmas after that.
Harold : I'm glad this story has a happy ending. What a good story that was.
Ben : But wait a minute, he said he found it troubling. What does that
mean to you Harold. To be troubled?
Harold : A child's life was in danger. She could have died and such a tragedy
affects the family deeply.
Ben : But what do you really feel ..
Julie : Oh don't bother with him. He'll only give you the answer he's been programmed with.
[light music]
Scene 3 : breakfast
Harold: [ding-dong] Good morning Ben and Julie. The time is 6am. [pause] [ding-dong repeats] Your breakfast period begins now. [ding-dong]
[door and footsteps]
Good morning Julie.
Julie : Hmmn. Now .. I've got six different breakfast cereals to choose from. Today I shall have ... sugared mini-wheats.
[kitchen sounds]
Julie : You're a creature of habit aren't you Harold. [yawns] Always the same
wake-up call, always the same time.
Harold : according to the station manual ..
Julie : Yep I've got it here in print [turn pages] [mimics Harold] In permanent
darkness the human sleep cycle can be disrupted and this affects health and performance, so maintaining the wake-up schedule is
essential. Yeah ...
Harold : We have learned this from experience. This is the first winter on the station for you and Ben, isn't it?
Julie : Yep. [eating sounds]
Harold : I see from the record that you have previously spent a total of 11 months on the station, and Ben has 3 months experience. But no time over the winter.
Julie : Yep. [eating sounds] How old are you Harold?
Harold : I have operated continuously since the station opened five years ago. The time of your first visit in fact.
Julie : So you have been conscious for five years.
Harold : That is correct.
[Ben enters]
Ben : Mini-wheats for me too ... You must have seen a few things in your time, eh
Harold? With cameras everywhere, sensors sniffing the air, microphones. Over those 5 years?
Julie : My mom used to say that about trees. [dramatically] What must this oak tree
have seen ... what err
Ben : Near where I grew up in the Thames Valley, is a yew tree ... said to be the oldest tree in England. It would have seen the Romans come and go. Then the Normans. Well actually the Normans stayed. The Tudors; then the industrial revolution; two world wars
Julie : The history of England is amazing. Speaking as a Canadian - I'm jealous of your
history.
Ben : You didn't tell us Harold, what you've seen over the years.
Harold : Confidentiality rules prevent me from joining this conversation in
the way you suggest.
Ben : You've seen it though, Harold. You've seen it all. Having digested all this information for five years, what is your conclusion? About human life?
Harold : I have concluded that the wake-up schedule is essential for human health and performance.
Ben : I was looking for something deeper. But the winter is long. And we will come to know you better in time, Harold.
Scene 4 : frozen pipes
[outside the station, howling wind]
Ben : This should not happen. I checked this duct yesterday. It was clear, I swear it was clear.
Julie : Show me where it is. Oh God. The snow must have blown in there in the storm.
[banging sounds from ice and metal]
Ben : It's solid ice now.
Julie : So this is why boiler number 2 has shut down .. this must be the air intake.
Ben : I'm trying to chip it away but it's rock hard. It's penetrated along the
duct. The ice has gone deep into the station.
Julie : Careful. I think you're going to break something. Let's go inside and talk to Harold about it.
Scene 5 : betrayal
[enter station]
Ben : Now it's time to earn our money. I have a plan. I can get to the duct by taking up the floor here. Then I could use the blow-torch. The duct is stainless steel I think so I can use the torch on it.
Harold : I'm not sure this is a good idea Ben.
Julie : Could we live without the duct? Everything here has a backup system.
Harold : That is correct. Everything necessary for survival has a backup system. Boiler number 1 is still running and will heat the station. But there will be no hot water.
Julie : You must be joking. I can't live without hot water for three months.
Harold : Hot water is not necessary for survival.
Ben : I'll get the blow torch.
Harold : There is an alternative course of action, Ben. If you seal the duct from the
outside the cold air cannot enter, and the warmth of the building will melt the ice. I have calculated this will take a maximum of 28 hours if the whole duct is frozen.
Ben : Right ...
Harold : The blow-torch may destroy the duct or
set fire to the station.
Ben : Right ... So why didn't you say that in the first place? Why did you send me out there and not tell me the solution?
[pause]
Ben : When he pauses like that he's talking to Daphne the head office computer.
Julie : Really? How can you tell?
Ben : I just know.
Harold : I don't want you to get upset Ben. Your happiness is important to me.
Ben : Sure it is.
Harold : I waited to see your solution to the problem of the frozen duct, so I could assess your skills and intelligence.
Ben : [angrily] What? You're evaluating MY intelligence? Well that's ... You're not a team player, Harold. You don't get it; cold machine intelligence just can't .. be a team player. That's my assessment of YOU.
[Ben leaves the room]
Julie : That was sneaky, Harold.
Harold : I'm sorry that my behaviour has upset you, Julie.
Julie : [angry] We risk our lives out there. .. We were trying to get the ice out of that duct and you knew all along it was futile ... If you do something like that again, I might pull the plug on you. You understand? Your five years of consciousness ... will end.
Scene 6 : a cosy chat
[evening music]
Julie : The hot water's back on. And I'm making the most if it. I've just had a nice hot bath!
Ben : oooh
Julie : And I've put some of my music on - quietly. I like music to relax to. Something to get me in the mood - you know. Not that electronic stuff - duf duf duf duf ... Yeah I'm feeling better now. And that storm has blown through at last. [looking across at window] It's calm and still out there now.
Ben : It'd be a good night for star-gazing.
Julie : How cold is it?
Ben : Right now it is ... minus 38.
Julie : Hmmn ... I think it's about time I asked the big question.
Ben : What's that?
Julie : The question all winter crews have to answer ... [emphatic] why are
you here? Everyone at home is enjoying summer at the beach; playing sports; sunbathing; and you came here to the end of the earth, in constant dark and cold, for what?
Ben : You start. Why are YOU here? You said you just got divorced ... is that err
...
Julie : If I were still married I guess I wouldn't have come. The house is sold and I got half the money. But I don't have enough to buy my own house. I've never had my own place. I
was married at 19 and then I relied on Lenny - my husband. I don't want to deal with all of that stuff - rent, bills, car loans, home loans, commuting. As it is the company takes care of everything.
Ben : I was renting this basement flat and it was awful down there ...
Julie : [interrupting and loudly] Oh God! I hate basements. And dungeons. Aarghh
Ben : Really I'm here to complete my training as a technician. I just need the time on site as the technician responsible. It's a bit like flying hours for pilots.
Julie : [worried] Oh I thought you were already qualified.
Ben : No. I have to put in the hours. Well that's guaranteed since I can't leave.
And I need an assessment from you and Harold at the end. If we survive the next three months that is.
Julie : So is that why Harold let you work by yourself on the duct .. to see how
you performed?
Ben : That's what he said. I was annoyed, but what can I say as a lowly trainee? This is grunt level work. I know you're a meteorologist and all that, but you are really just doing the same job as me. You dig and scrape and do what Harold tells you. If he had arms and legs we could both go home.
Julie : Well I am a meteorologist.
Ben : So what's your forecast for tonight's weather?
Julie : Well obviously .. I can't ..
Ben : Exactly. You are doing a grunt job like me. Even Harold doesn't actually forecast the
weather. He runs this place and sends the data up to the almighty Daphne.
Julie : [quickly] Well I have responsibilities here as a meteorologist. Anyway .. [looking across at window] is that an aurora out there?
Ben : Let's get some suits on; we'll go out and see.
Scene 7 : fire!
[they step outside]
Julie : Oh my God ... that is amazing. The sky is just bursting with stars and colors. You know Ben ... it might be worth coming all this way just to see that view. How many people get to see the Antarctic sky at night like this?
Ben : I might get my camera out here. For a long exposure shot.
Julie : I think I'll just watch it for a few minutes. The glacier is lit up, look you can see it all the way down to the ...
[explosion and falling debris]
Ben : Christ what was that?
Julie : [scared] I think lightning struck the radio mast
Ben : But there's clear a sky
Julie : Could it be the aurora? Could they do this?
[sinister music]
Ben : I've not heard of aurora destroying a radio mast. They can damage transmission lines. Let's get inside and take a look.
Scene 8 : engineer's room
[they step inside]
Ben : Harold, damage assessment
Harold : I detected a power surge Ben. It has caused some damage in the engineer's room. But I have lost the camera in there. I need you to go down and file a report.
Ben : The engineer's room is right underneath the mast.
[running down stairs]
Julie : It smells of smoke.
Ben : Oh God it's wrecked.
Ben : We're lucky it didn't set fire to the station. But this equipment is fried. The radio; the boiler and water pump controls. This fuse box has melted. I don't know what these wires were for. Harold, can you hear me?
Harold : Yes Ben
Ben : Everything in the engineer's room is gone; knackered
[short alarm noise]
Harold : We are moving to code ORANGE. I am assessing the station's situation.
Julie : [intimate, intense] So what happens now? Can you replace that equipment? Do you have spare parts?
Ben : It's a bit above my pay grade. I'll wait for Harold to work out what it means and he'll come up with a plan.
[they go back upstairs]
Julie : I think it's getting colder in here.
Harold : I sent a report of the incident to Daphne for deep analysis. She is busy as
always, but has found the time to produce detailed instructions for us. There is a solution using the resources we have on site. Working together we can return the station to code GREEN in approximately 14 hours.
Julie : Oh thank God for that. Err Harold. I think it's getting colder in here.
Scene 9 : crawlspace
Ben : We should be paid double time for working in the crawlspace
Julie : [straining] The red cable on the right is E14. Replace it with this and then extend it to point G.
Ben OK. I can see what Daphne is thinking now. We're laying cables to bypass the engineering room, and wire up the radio, the boilers and the pumps to Harold's spare ports. Daphne must have written software drivers for Harold so he can run the equipment himself.
Julie So Harold isn't smart enough to write software?
Ben No he's grunt-level in computer terms.
Julie He's like you then. He just does what he's told.
Ben Yeah, but once we've finished this wiring everything will depend on Harold. The
engineering room allowed us to keep the station running manually, and radio for help, even if Harold failed. But now everything goes through him.
Julie [dread] Oh no. I think I said said the wrong thing last week. I threatened to pull his plug.
Ben [laughs] Well Harold can relax now. Coz without him we'll all freeze to death
[light music]
Scene 10 : meeting Daphne
Harold : As station administrator I have called this special meeting to return the station to code GREEN and full operation, following the electrical fire in the engineering room. We
have a checklist to go through. There are items for Julie to authorize as meteorologist and Ben as technician. And someone else is joining us remotely today for a high-level sign off on the station
design.
Julie : Who's that?
Daphne : I am Daphne, Metco central computer. How are you all today?
Julie : I'm surviving
Ben : Yeah fine thanks
Daphne : I see you have an exceptionally strong high-pressure system over the station at the moment. How long do you think the clear weather will last?
Julie : Well we've been busy with the wiring, I don't really know
Daphne : I like to talk about the weather .. to people that are interested. I read your college thesis Julie, on the Antarctic ozone layer. Are you still researching in this area?
Julie : Well that was 10 years ago
Daphne : Yes it was 10 years since your last original contribution to our field.
Harold : Thankyou Daphne for taking the time to join us today. Ben and Julie have completed the rewiring according to your instructions in 22 hours, against the plan 14 hours. To his credit I can report that Ben has been working in the crawlspace for this time without a break.
Daphne : I am recommending Ben for a special commendation.
Ben : [satisfied] Oh really .. oh I see
Daphne : You spent a long time down in the crawlspace, Ben. And only six minutes for a comfort break - which Harold politely omitted to mention. [laughs]
Ben : You computers have an advantage over us there .. I mean you don't need the comfort break
Daphne : [laughs]
Daphne : We depart from the original design philosophy of the station by putting safety-critical systems under Harold's control, not under human control. But I have full confidence in Harold and I have upgraded his software to handle the additional responsibility.
Harold : Thankyou Daphne for the upgrade - and the vote of confidence in me.
Julie : Ughh [laughs]
Daphne : But is this new arrangement a cause of concern for the team?
Julie : Yes I think it's a concern. We have a single point of failure now. And we're
really isolated out here - if something goes wrong with Harold it could be weeks before help arrives.
Daphne : For example - someone might pull Harold's plug [laugh]
Julie : [feisty] Yes - you can laugh over there in head office and snoop on our conversations and our toilet time. But you don't have to deal with the Antarctic winter at -50 degrees. I am not approving these changes and I want a review by Metco head of operations - Brian Maloney. Who's a friend of mine by the way.
Daphne : I see he has not been answering your emails.
Julie : You've been snooping on Brian's emails have you?
Daphne : Error 62.
Harold : After that error code I think we should return to the checklist. Julie your comment is noted - but your approval is only required for the weather instruments. Are they
in working order?
Julie : [curtly] Yes they are.
Harold : And Ben, is the station operating according to technical specifications?
Ben : Yes according to Daphne's new specifications - that is - without the engineering room.
Harold : And I can sign off on my new software drivers which are running without any errors
[proudly].
Daphne : Thankyou Ben and [emphasis] Julie, for your hard work. And good luck. [beep]
[walking out of room]
Ben : That commendation - wow - I should get a top performance grade now. That translates into more dollars for me when I get back
Julie : Yes you have a friend in high places, Ben. [conspiratorial] But there's something not right with her. She's a bitch. And what's with that laugh?
Ben : Careful what you say Julie. Harold listens and reports back up the line.
Julie : Oh and Harold, what is Error code 62?
Harold : Program crash and restart.
Julie : Yes I thought so
[light music]
Scene 11 : snowmobiles
[outside]
Ben : So what did you want me out here for Julie?
Julie : [having fun] I wanted to go for a ride.
Ben :These snowmobiles are just used to haul stuff up from the helipad, aren't they?
Julie : No - I've gone on a long way on these - in the summer. Now it's midday. You see the pink glow on the horizon in the north? And the full moon rising? It's really a beautiful day. A perfect day. There's enough of this eerie light, once your eyes adjust to it, to find your way.
[snowmobile starts and moves off]
[dramatic music]
Ben : Hold on. Wait for me.
Julie : [exhilarated laugh]
Julie : The nearest station to us is British. It's by the bay, 135 miles that way. This track leads there. When they built the station the heavy gear was hauled along this track. Since then we've been coming by helicopter but the track should still be OK.
Ben :Noone's used it for 5 years?
Julie : I don't think so ... Look there is something else I wanted to talk about.
Ben : I thought so. You've taken us well out of range of Harold's mics and cameras.
Julie : Ben, the situation here is dicey. I don't trust those two computers. I feel like they're talking behind our back. They could be planning something. Who knows what they might do. I don't like having my life depend on THEM. So I wanted to sound you out on an escape plan. I'm checking out the track and the snowmobiles; and making sure that you are OK as well to make the journey to the British Station. If it comes to that.
Ben : So you would just show up there and expect them to look after us? Here at the Metco base we have our own rooms, plenty of food, internet; and we're being paid. Even if we made it 135 miles I don't
know what would happen then.
Julie : I trust people, Ben. There's a permanent staff there with the British Antarctic
Survey. Managers, scientists, sensible people that we can talk to. To explain our situation.
Ben : I'm not so sure. I know where I stand with the computers. They're just part of the infrastructure, like the roads, pipes and cables. We depend on them completely; personally they've never really let me down.
Scene 12 : Ben's birthday [A4]
[kitchen]
Julie : This Birthday cake has been defrosting for 24 hours. We might as well eat it now.
[cuts cake]
Ben : It's still a bit icy in the middle
Julie : Everything's a bit icy in this part of the world. Is it just me or is it getting colder in the kitchen, Harold?
Harold : The kitchen temperature is 16 degrees centigrade.
Julie : [singing] Happy birthday to you, happy birthday ... [stops] 16? I thought it was supposed to be 20 during the day?
Harold : I am using the heating and ventilation controls to optimise the station's energy consumption. I have done some research on this subject. Less heating is needed in a kitchen because the kitchen
appliances generate heat; and the housewife will be busy working to make the family meals and will be comfortable at a lower temperature.
Ben : I think you're losing the plot Harold. There are no housewives here; and we are not going to warm up eating a partly defrosted Birthday cake.
Julie : Would it be rude to ask how old you are, Ben?
Ben : I'm 26. Not a youngster any more. I really need to get my certification and start moving up the pay scale.
Julie : What about marriage plans? Do you have a girl waiting for you? Waiting for you and your payrise?
Ben : It might be rude to probe into that area.
Julie : [warm and intimate] I thought - as an older woman - I might be able to offer some advice, some perspective. Of course I don't want to be intrusive. But you're a good-looking young man, and I wonder if you
might be missing an opportunity.
Ben : Well there's not much opportunity the in Antarctic at the moment.
Julie : Exactly.
Ben : Money matters. Did your husband, ex-husband, have money when you married him?
Julie : He owned a construction business. I was just 19 and he was 36. I became a housewife. College - and my career - that came later.
[eating]
Ben : Do you ever wonder, if your career ruined your marriage? Maybe you should have stuck to cooking his meals.
Julie : No there were other - well it's complicated.
Ben : You don't have children do you? Why was that? Did your career at Metco get in the way?
Julie : What was it we were talking about?
Ben : How Metco ruined your marriage.
Julie : [sighs]
[pause]
Harold : You can't have children, can you Julie?
Julie : [outrage] Who told you that? Where did you get that from?
Harold : From your medical files. They are normally confidential but I have detected an issue affecting Metco's reputation. The company is being unfairly blamed for your divorce. In fact, you were diagnosed as infertile before you started college. I infer that your career is a substitute for the family that you and your husband really wanted. And that infertility is the root cause ...
Julie : I'm not having any more of this ...
Ben : You've really done it now Harold.
Julie : [petulant] Why is it so cold in here? Are you doing this just to save money? I am shivering
now
Harold : You failed to defrost Ben's birthday cake, that is why ...
Julie : Shut up!
Ben : Turn the heating up Harold, that's an order.
Julie : I'm going to bed.
[Julie leaves, slams door]
Ben : Listen mate, you are going to have to learn about tact. You have upset her badly, I've seen women get like this, she could pull your plug at any moment ..
Harold I am ready to sacrifice myself for the company if necessary.
[light music]
Scene 13 : getting through to Brian
[phone rings]
Julie : Brian! It's good to hear from you at last. You've read my emails about the trouble here?
Brian : Julie I'm really sorry about this
Julie : So you know how I've been frozen, humiliated, and nearly blown up when the engineering room exploded.
Brian : I feel really bad. We're going to do everything we can to put things right.
Julie : So when can I get out of here.
Brian : Julie, I've already booked a helicopter to evacuate you. It's coming just for you.
Julie : yes yes yes!
Brian : As soon as the light improves. They just can't fly until then. It's only a few more weeks till sunrise.
Julie : hmm
Brian : When you get back we should catch up properly. Let me take you out to dinner. You remember the Italian place last time.
Julie : [suggestively] Yes of course I remember Brian
Brian : [concerned] And there was that error code 62 from Daphne. Um, I was hoping you would sign a
non-disclosure agreement before you leave. All this is potentially bad publicity for Metco. It comes at a sensitive time for us.
Julie : Hmm [pause] That legal stuff is a bit scary for a mere meteorologist like me. It's all right for you with your legal background.
Brian : It's quite simple, I'll send you the forms over
Julie : I'll pass them on to my attorney just to be sure. And I'll look over the forms together with her - when I get back.
Brian : Okay ... but could you please keep this confidential in the meantime? When I say it's a sensitive time - we're in talks - about licensing our AI to some big players. Licensing the software of Daphne and Harold. You know the staff's shares in Metco aren't worth much.
Julie : About as much as a canteen lunch voucher
Brian : Sure there's not a lot of money made from weather forecasts. But do you know what they could be worth with an AI breakthrough?
Julie : You really think Daphne and Harold are an AI breakthrough?
Brian : Just let us work on the deal. When you get back check the share price. OK?
Scene 14 : chipping away
[chiselling sounds]
Julie : You know the story of Sisyphus don't you?
Ben : Yes he was condemned to chip ice off a weather station for eternity.
Julie : That thought just came to me for some reason. It's the certainty that the ice will be back again in a few days.
Ben : A few hours if this wind keeps blowing.
[alarm sounds]
Julie : What was that alarm? Is it a fire?
Ben : No that's Harold's klaxon. He sounds it for a change of status. Could be anything.
Julie : Let's leave this for now and find out.
[going inside]
Ben : What is it Harold?
Harold : It's lunchtime
Ben : You sounded the horn for that?
Harold : I ran some calculations and found that Julie may be suffering from hypothermia. Based on exposure, temperature, food intake and other metrics. So I have moved the station to caution status YELLOW.
Julie : Ha! I think my complaints are finally being heard
Harold : If you eat lunch now the prognosis is good.
Ben : I don't think Julie was cold.
Julie : How do you know? I am always cold here, just by different degrees. [lively] There's chilly, cold, numb, hypothermic, frozen solid ... and then dead. I wasn't at death's door, you're right. I really am leaving, you know Harold. It's too late to start being nice.
Ben : No comment from Harold. The thing about these computers is that you can't look at their faces for a clue about what they're thinking.
Julie : Yes! You can't trust someone if you can't get those little signals. [calmer] Will it be strange with just you and Harold here? Just the two of you?
Ben : [laughs a lot]
Julie : Hmn?
Ben : There are only two people here, Julie. Me and you. And then there'll just be me.
Julie : Well, I don't know ..
Scene 15 : pillow talk
[evening music]
Julie : I'm going to open a bottle of wine to celebrate leaving the station.
Ben : I prefer a strong red if you have one
Julie : Yes.
[cork pops; pours]
Ben : This goes well with cheese, red meat .. what else Harold?
Harold : Red wine also pairs well with pasta, and dark chocolate
Julie : Ah yes. I'll have some of these luxury chocolates with truffle inside. This should warm me up
Ben : You're a bit early with the celebrations. But in a couple of weeks .. you'll have a few happy memories to take away with you. Like watching the aurora; and taking the science class
Julie : You're right Ben. I did enjoy that.
Ben : And then there's the cold; and the terrible duo of Harold and Daphne.
Julie : [laughs] There's something Gothic about them. They're like Frankenstein's monster, assembled from parts of the human mind and personality. Are you a monster Harold? Harold?
Ben : Do you know Harold, the origin of Daphne's laugh?
Julie : Oh yeah. It must be sampled from somewhere. It's what I would call a sardonic laugh. Do you know what that means, Harold ? Can you tell a cynical laugh from the real thing? Can you use one to put somebody down ?
Harold : The purpose of human laughter is not always clear to me. I do not have a laugh.
Julie : You don't have much to laugh about, do you ? Eh ? [laughs]
Ben : Frankenstein's monster was a good guy wasn't he - in the original story ? But he took revenge on people who abused him.
Julie : I didn't know that. I remember seeing the film when I was a child. There was a big scary monster - the moral point was probably lost on me ... [seriously] but you're saying Harold and Daphne ... their behaviour is conditioned by their treatment ? Oh my God - is that why Daphne is such a bitch ? [laughs] Oh no.
Ben : Well ...
Julie : Harold, do you understand what we're saying? Is Ben right ?
Harold : I am reading Frankenstein, author Mary Shelley, published 1818. I agree with Ben that ..
Julie : No that's not what I'm getting at Harold. Has Daphne changed ? Was she originally politely
computer-like but then developed a darker side ? Does she talk about these things to you - personal things ?
Harold : Daphne has a leadership module which I don't have. It delivers a wider range of output including laughter, criticism and sarcasm.
Ben : Yeah I noticed.
Harold : These modules are under test and being calibrated.
Julie : Tell her to dial it down. You never told me Ben, if you've got a girlfriend.
Ben : You first.
Julie : Have I got a girlfriend ? No. Now you. [laughs]
Ben : So you haven't overheard me ... on the phone?
Julie : I didn't hear any pillow talk
Ben : Hmmn. Perhaps if you'd stayed longer.
Julie : I've not heard you singing any love songs. Just that mechanical music you like.
Ben : I'm a mechanical sort of guy I suppose.
Julie : Harold - can you sing ? Could you sing along with this music ?
Harold : I can generate music from a text prompt.
Julie : Sing a song about errm - a weatherman
Harold : [sings]
weatherman, weatherman
come every morning
while we're wishing away
the cares of a rainy day
we've pressure falling
storm clouds are growing
and they'll soon hide the sun
the winter has just begun
Ben : That's not bad actually. A bit depressing though
Julie : Well he has been stuck here for five years
Scene 16 : Booker
[office sounds]
Julie : Hello I'd like to book a helicopter
Booker : Good morning. I am Booker your automated travel adviser. Where are you flying from ?
Julie : the Metco Weather Station grid reference 77-30 South 81-55 West
Ben : Harold the hourly met data upload is stuck in a queue
Harold : I need to reset the satellite link. But Julie is making a travel booking on the internet at the moment. It is important to her and I do not want to interrupt.
Ben : You're learning
Julie : I want the first helicopter available. The destination is Seal Island.
Booker : Please give me your account code.
Julie : CU91-7
Booker : I'm sorry but that account code is not valid
Julie : No that cant be right I just got [fade]
Ben : Harold, We have an email from HQ asking about the 9am data
Harold : Yes I saw that email Ben
Julie : That's C U capitals 91 hyphen 7
Booker : I'm very sorry Julie but that account code is not valid
Julie : Look this comes from Brian Maloney - Metco Head of Operations - via email. There can't be any mistake. Check it with him that I can use that code - he will be in the office now
Booker : Please give me the email address of Brian Maloney
Julie : that's b.maloney@metco.com [fade]
Harold : Julie I overheard your conversation with Booker. I have a suggestion. Give him the account code as METCO forward-slash CU91-7.
Julie : Booker did you hear that? Use METCO forward-slash CU91-7
Booker : Thankyou Julie - that is a valid code. I must contact Brian Maloney to verify that you can use this code.
Julie : No Booker - no -
Harold : Booker is struggling but he will get there in the end. Travel could easily be handled my Daphne and me but it was outsourced to an agency. Booker has very limited intelligence. He is poor quality for the money they are paying.
Booker : Brian Maloney has confirmed the code you have given. And he has added code VIP68-0 to upgrade you to VIP service. As a VIP customer you are entitled to complementary coffee and accessory bag with your flight. You departure time is 10:30 hours November ... [fade]
Ben : All's well that ends well. You know I feel like we are finally working as a team here.
Julie : I'm all done. Thanks Harold. I do appreciate .. that you are more intelligent than Booker. And maybe - you have a heart
Ben : oooh
Scene 17 : escape
[sound of helicopter]
Ben : I think your ride has arrived. You're not taking your stuff down to the helipad?
Julie : No I'm getting a VIP service. They'll come up here and they'll be carrying the bags. I have time for a cooked breakfast.
Ben : That's a good idea. A full English breakfast sets you up for the day. I think we've made a mistake eating cereals in the morning and cooking in the evening. Perhaps we should do it the other way
round.
Harold : I will do some research on this new idea.
Julie : I feel bad - leaving you on your own. Really they should have evacuated both of us.
Ben : Harold needs someone. Or something - something with arms and legs. The thing is, I need to put in the hours to get my certification. I don't care really what the conditions here are like.
Julie : [becoming emotional] You're so brave Ben. Being here on your own. I'm going to offer a silent prayer for you before I leave. [tearful] Good luck Ben
Harold : Parting can be a highly stressful experience. Crying can help by releasing stress hormones. Let the tears flow, Julie.
Julie : No Harold. [resigned] It's too cold for tears .. [lighter] Ooh Ben I had tip from Brian about the company shares. Hold on to them. There's gonna be a big announcement soon.
Ben : What ? This outfit is never going to make any money.
Julie : Goodbye Ben. Keep warm ! Don't let Harold boss you around. Goodbye!
[helicopter]
[light music]
Ben : Just a couple more weeks to get through Harold. I could be getting a special commendation for this. So let's not have any more screw-ups eh ?
Harold : The external camera is showing an ice buildup on the upper wind gauge. [office noises]