Ark II

Announcer:
[Opening Narration] For millions of years, Earth was fertile and rich. Then pollution and waste began to take their toll. Civilization fell into ruin. This is the world of the 25th Century. Only a handful of scientists remain, men who have vowed to rebuild what has been destroyed. This is their achievement: Ark II, a mobile storehouse of scientific knowledge, manned by a highly trained crew of young people. Their mission: to bring the hope of a new future to mankind.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry Number One. I, Jonah, Ruth, Samuel and Adam are fully aware of the dangers we face as we venture into unknown, maybe even hostile, areas. But we're determined to bring the promise of a new civilization to our people and our planet.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 38. Our mission is to detonate two unexploded bombs located in an ancient battle area.

Don Quixote:
[Sees the ARK driving along a road in the distance] Do my eyes deceive me? The giant white dragon has come to do battle with the great Don Quixote de la Mancha!

Sancho Panza:
Pray look again, Master. Yon be not a dragon, but a machine.

Don Quixote:
I tell thee it is a giant white dragon. And I shall slay it. Charge, great Rosinante! Charge!

Don Quixote:
[Believing Adam to be his unrequited love under a sorcerer's spell] My fair Margarita, together we shall restore your former beauty.

Adam:
No way!

Don Quixote:
[In the ARK, addressing Jonah on the video screen] Commander! Answer me, Commander!

Jonah:
[Exasperated] What is it, Mr. Quixote?

Don Quixote:
Be of stout heart, for I am coming to your rescue!

Ruth:
But Mr. Quixote!

Don Quixote:
Young lady, I am a fool and I am a dreamer. I am a ridiculous old man who would wish the world to be other than it is. But I am not a coward!

Ruth:
But there's a chance in a thousand.

Don Quixote:
Let it be one in a million! For I, Don Quixote de la Mancha, will rise to the challenge!

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 39. Don Quixote is still a great adventurer. I know he'll help many people, especially since he now understands that it's not only important to use your imagination and see things the way you want, but to also see them through the eyes of others.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 78. We're on our way through Sector 49, Area 16. We've heard of the existence of a village in this area where the young rule the old. Our mission is to investigate this unusual society.

Jonah:
[Standing before the black monolith] I can't believe it. You are Omega?

Omega:
That is correct.

Jonah:
A machine?

Omega:
A perfect machine, created to build a perfect society. A society which the youth will rule.

Jonah:
But why?

Omega:
It is only logical. The old ones caused problems I am solving. For the good of all, they must be kept in their place.

Jonah:
[Sarcastically] Of course. So you're the "Big Boss," right?

Omega:
You object?

Jonah:
You're darn right I do. Young and old were responsible for what happened. They don't need a machine to think for them.

Ruth:
Jonah, I got all the information. That computer was built in the 21st Century. It's known as the Checkmate, model Omega.

Jonah:
Can it be deactivated?

Ruth:
Yes, but only by the right combination of moves across the chessboard around it.

Jonah:
Well, then we're home free!

Ruth:
Well, not exactly...

Omega:
Samuel, you are an insult to my logical thought processors.

Omega:
[as Adam scales the monolith] What are you doing, hairy creature?

Samuel:
Wow! What a mind blower!

Marcus:
How could we ever have handed over our freedom to Omega so blindly? We can never express our gratitude. All of you have given us another chance.

Marcus:
Yes, a second chance. Let's hope we learn from our mistakes this time.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 79. Omega will never again be able to impose dehumanizing ideas on maknkind. Young and old are important in our society, and neither should have total control over the other. If we are to survive, we must learn to help each other and work together.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 41. We have stopped for repairs in Area 14, Sector 8. When they are completed, we will continue on our mission to investigate a report of pollution in the area.

Malcolm:
[a group of elderly people approach Ruth and Adam] Don't be afraid. We only meant to warn you. It's too late. Look!

Ruth:
[Ruth looks at her hands, which are suddenly wrinkled] Wha-what is it?

Malcolm:
We don't know. We're wanderers. last night we came here seeking shelter and water. When we woke, we'd aged over 20 years.

Ruth:
[Sitting on the ARK's couch beside the aged, gray-haired Adam] Adam, I'm so happy. We're gonna be all right. On second thought, you do make a very distinguished senior citizen.

Orkus:
[Speaking of the citizens of his elite community] Ever since this planet was devastated some 500 years ago, I have always provided for their wants and needs.

Jonah:
Five hundred - ! Are you trying to tell me that you and these people are...

Orkus:
Immortal? Yes. We shall live forever. You see, I have achieved the perfect world.

Jonah:
Perfect for you! But the pollution from this system that is lengthening your lives is shortening the lives of the people outside it. They're dying.

Orkus:
[Indifferently] That is regrettable.

Jonah:
Sam, we need more power!

Samuel:
Don't have it, Jonah. We're overheating now!

Jonah:
What does that guy want from us?

Samuel:
Power. Our power. Remember when we first got here our sensors picked up a big energy output? Well, that output has been dropping slow and steady.

Jonah:
So that's it. Paradise is running out of gas.

Jonah:
[to Orkus] So this is the perfect society? Whatever you want, you take?

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 42. Orkus' people can look forward to a normal life span and the chance to rebuild the world they helped destroy. They know now they could never live in a society that poisons the air and the soil, for such a society eventually poisons itself.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 142. We are on remote control entering sector 25. Widespread hunger and unrest exist here, and one group of people have taken matters into their own hands. The group has good intentions, but violence may result. Our mission is to find a peaceful solution to this problem.

Robin Hood:
To battle, Merry Men! To battle!

Jonah:
Uh-oh! Looks like we got a war on our hands. We better break it up before somebody gets hurt.

Lord Leslie:
You realize what you've done? I had Robin Hood as good as captured. Now, thanks to you, he's escaped, and with all our grain.

Samuel:
Did you say "Robin Hood"?

Lord Leslie:
That's what he calls himself. His real name is Will Tucker, nothing but a common bandit.

Lord Leslie:
[Standing before the ARK, addressing Ruth and Samuel] This machine now belongs to me.

Ruth:
Now wait a minute!

Lord Leslie:
And you are my prisoners.

Samuel:
Just what are you tryin' to pull?

Lord Leslie:
My rank, young man, and don't you forget it.

Jonah:
That took courage, Robin. Sometimes it's harder to walk away than to fight.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 143. Lord Leslie still rules his village, a village of empty huts and untended fields. And Robin Hood and the others have set out to find a new, better way of life. Hopefully, they have learned that in any society, every member must take a responsible role in government to keep the Lord Leslies of the world at bay.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 51. We are moving along on automatic pilot and are entering Section 14, Area 12. Somewhere nearby are people who refuse to have communication with the outside world. Strangers are forbidden to enter this village. Our mission is to find out why.

Grandfather:
Who are you?

Jonah:
My name is Jonah, this is Ruth.

Grandfather:
No, I mean who are you, where've you come from?

Ruth:
We're from Ark II. We're here to rebuild what's been destroyed. We're here to help you.

Grandfather:
Yes, I've heard of you.

Grandfather:
[after Jonah has been apprehended] Can I ask you a simple question, son? Why have you taken this man prisoner?

The Leader:
He's our enemy.

Grandfather:
He's a stranger.

The Leader:
Same thing.

Grandfather:
It's not the same thing. We've driven our human enemies away a long time ago. But now we have a new enemy, disease, and we need strangers now to conquer it. We need their help.

The Leader:
By what miracle did you accomplish this?

Ruth:
By the miracle of medicine. It cures the sick and protects the healthy.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 76. we are about to revive two people who were placed in suspended animation in time capsules some 500 years ago. At that time medical science was unable to cure their illnesses. For us, it will be a wonderful opportunity to see what people of the 20th Century were like when we revive these two men.

Arnie Pool:
[Wakes up and looks into the face of Adam] Good grief! We've been taken over by apes!

Adam:
I'm a chimp.

Arnie Pool:
And they talk yet!

Adam:
My name is Adam.

Jonah:
This is the 25th Century.

Arnie Pool:
25th Century? Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle.

Adam:
Never. Too ugly!

Arnie Pool:
Where is everything? Where are the high-rises, and the shopping centers? Where are the stores? Where are the sidewalks? Where's my Pooleville, my town? Wha-what happened?

Jonah:
Pollution, Mr. Poole. Overpopulation. Wars. I'm sorry.

Arnie Pool:
[Addressing the village leader] What are ya, Jeb, a Democrat or a Republican?

Ruth:
[Speaking up for the perplexed Jeb] There are no Democrats or Republicans anymore, Mr. Poole.

Arnie Pool:
You mean no one's running the country? That's un-American!

Arnie Pool:
[Whispers to Norman, as the villagers look puzzled at Arnie's waving around stacks of cash] They're a sick group. They don't know what money is.

Samuel:
Now will you tell me where Jonah and Ruth are?

Norman Funk:
As his former employee, I still owe Mr. Poole loyalty.

Samuel:
Norman, you haven't worked for him in 500 years.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 68. The people of Pooleville learned a lot from this incident. And so did we. If we're not careful, we can make the same mistakes over and over again, or we can learn and we can grow. And we don't need a miracle chemical to do it.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 76. This is the 42nd day of the drought, and still no sign of rain. Our present heading is in toward Grids 7 and 14 where the time capsule was supposedly buried. If the capsule does contain a cloud seeder, as recorded, there may be a chance we can bring it into this disastrous weather.

Samuel:
What are you doing out here? Last time we saw you, you said you were gonna give all these guys some schooling.

Fagon:
Huh? Ohhh, so I did! They played hooky something terrible, but I'm still trying, y'know!

Fagon:
[to Jonah, who is blocking passage of the hijacked ARK] Get out of the way, Captain.

Jonah:
Forget it, Fagon.

Fagon:
You best reconsider, seeing as how your precious crew is being held prisoner back there.

Jonah:
And you and your Flies are making a run for it?

Fagon:
No, I alone. Those scurrilous scalawags were foolish enough to go back and attempt to rescue.

Jonah:
Doesn't that bother you, Fagon?

Fagon:
Why should it? I have the ARK, I have the capsule, I have it all.

Jonah:
And no friends to share it with.

Fagon:
I don't need friends.

Jonah:
I don't believe that, Fagon. I have a feeling you're a lot more human than you pretend to be. And I don't think you can run out on all of us.

Fagon:
I can, and I will.

Witch Doctor:
[Spotting Fagon holding the time capsule] He has brought the rain god back to us!

Fagon:
Rain god, me foot! Your rain god is an invention of science, me dear sir! Here, have a look. See, it's empty. So much for your rain god! [hurls the empty canister at the witch doctor]

Witch Doctor:
Seize him! It's sacrilege!

Fagon:
Back, you barbarous belly crawlers! You'll get your rain, alright, but not from your god of superstition, oh nooo. It'll come from a man of science!

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 77. We left Fagon and the Flies in Area 42, Sector 9. He taught us something. You can have everything in the world, but without anyone to share it with, you have nothing.

Adam:
Amen!

[Samuel and Ruth have been captured]

Witch Doctor:
Take them to the cave of no return!

Samuel:
What's that?

Witch Doctor:
A cave from which no one can find his way out!

Jonah:
I'm sorry we had to destroy your belief in the rain god.

Witch Doctor:
You destroyed only our fears. From now on, we will save water and use it in the dry season. Then, we will irrigate our lands.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, entry 1444. We're now located in Sector 83, Area 12. From this location have come reports of serious infringement on the rights of others, perpetrated by a marauding band of parentless children called the "Flies." Our mission is to find them and to try and bring some discipline and reason into theor lives. We expect to make contact soon. Signed, Jonah, Captain, Ark II.

Fagon:
I wouldn't want any harm to befall these poor young lads, oh, nooo. They've seen enough trouble, haven't you?

Tick:
Yeah!

Fagon:
Orphaned, unwanted, uncared for.

Tick:
Until Master Fagon found us and taught us how to - [begins pickpocketing Fagon]

Fagon:
Survival is the proper word, Tick. You see, I've just done my bit, trying to put a little food in their mouths, a little love in their hearts, and laughter on their lips.

Fagon:
Oh, you're a splendid fella. Not only have you given me a wonderful idea, but you've shown me how the idea works.

Jonah:
[Tied to a pole, a prisoner] You don't know what you're doing! You're going to hurt somebody!

Fagon:
On the contrary. I know exactly what I'm doing. We now have the ultimate weapon, lads. The weapon that will bring the War Lords to their knees.

Fagon:
Destruction is a thing of the past. The time is come to build.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 1481. We are searching for a once-rich community which squandered its natural resources and is now in trouble. It is located in a valley on the edge of a land known as the Forbidden Zone. The people of the valley are now faced with a severe shortage of food and water. They've taken desperate measures to deal with this. Our mission is to find out what those measures are, and to render what aid we can.

Steven:
[Jonah flies over and lands in the Jet Jumper before three awe-struck men] You were flying!

Borg:
What sort of creature are you?

Jonah:
A man like yourself.

Borg:
Man can't fly.

Jonah:
Man can do anything he sets his mind to.

Steven:
[Discussing Kane's lottery] The fates are kind to Kane. Somehow, anyone who breaks his laws is chosen.

Jonah:
I'm always suspicious when the fates are too kind to one person.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 1462. This valley found one solution to the problem of squandering natural resources. They know now to seek beyond their own boundaries for the answers they need. But the real problem of too many people and not enough food and water can only be permanently solved by careful, far-sighted planning so our limited resources are not squandered.

Samuel:
This used to be rich, productive land. Now...

Ruth:
They thought it would all last forever.

Jonah:
It's hard for people to realize the natural resources they take for granted can come to an end.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 36. We're now entering Sector 13, Area 83. We're searching for three children who have mysterious powers. Some time ago they disappeared from their village. Our mission is to find them and bring them home.

War Lord Brack:
I know you, you dressed-up donkey! You've interfered in my business before!

Jonah:
We meet again, War Lord Brack. I see you're still up to your same old tricks.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 37. These children are members of a group that keeps to itself. I do not know why they were given the special powers they have. I do know that one day they will come out into the world where they will be a strong force for good or evil. I hope that then they will remember the kindness they found, and not the cruelty.

Jonah:
ARK II Log, Entry 93. We are in Sector 9, Area 15 with the best assignment we've had in months: two days of rest and recreation at a beautiful oasis. And we sure have earned it.

Samuel:
Picnic's over, guys. We got a new assignment.

Ruth:
What's up?

Samuel:
Headquarters is monitoring some strange gases in the atmosphere near here. They want us to check it out.

Ruth:
[Turns to Jonah, who is cooking a pot of fish stew over an open fire] Maybe they caught wind of your cooking.

Jonah:
Very funny. Very funny!

Samuel:
[Jonah and Ruth enter the ARK and rouse the dazed Samuel] Alphie... Alphie gassed me. Where is Alphie?

Jonah:
I was just about to ask you the same question. Samuel, you had orders to shut him down.

Samuel:
That's what I was doing. And that's the last thing I remember.

Jonah:
[Angry and sarcastic] What beautiful timing!

Ruth:
Maybe Alphie had a reason for what he did, Jonah.

Jonah:
Sure he did. He didn't want to get shut off. He's flipping his circuit, that's his reason. There's no telling what he might do!

Alphie:
I am a robot, yet I am not without feelings for all of you. Samuel, do not think of me as dead, for as long as you can build others like me I shall live on. Farewell, my friends.

Samuel:
There'll never be another one like you, Alphie. You're one of a kind.

Samuel:
Ark Base calling the Roamer. Come in, Roamer.

Ruth:
Hi, Sam.

Samuel:
Hi. Where are ya, sunshine lady?

Ruth:
We're in Sector 3, Grids F and 14. Smack in the middle of nowhere. So far we've seen miles and miles of miles and miles.

Martin:
When you're not out working you're fooling around with with that contraption of yours trying to fly like a bird.

Jeff:
Man flew before.

Martin:
Man did many things before, and look where we are. See all the things we've inherited from mankind's accomplishments.

Martin:
[Upon learning his son has a broken leg and will be unable to work] He must be cast out.

Ruth:
Cast out?

Martin:
That's the Rule.

Ruth:
You mean you throw people out because they're disabled or sick?

Martin:
Like the old, they're useless. When they can't contribute they must be cast out.

Ruth:
You're talking about human beings. People, not trash. Everyone has something to contribute to life.

Martin:
It's the only way we can survive.

Ruth:
But your son, he'll be well again.

Martin:
The Rule must be obeyed!

Ruth:
These poor people have been abandoned by their village because they can't do the work expected of them.

Jeff:
It's our law.

Samuel:
That the law of the jungle, not the law for people!

Ruth:
Good-bye, sir, and good luck.

Martin:
Wait! We must touch to say good-bye. That's the Rule.

Ruth:
[Hugging Martin] THAT'S a good rule!

Jonah:
Ark II Log, entry 1442. We all learned an important rule today. Each of us - old and young alike - has a skill. Everyone can contribute to society in his own way. It's a rule we should all remember. Forget it, and man takes a giant step... backwards.

Jonah:
[Voiceover as Jonah drives the Roamer over desert terrain] Ark II Log, Entry 405. I am approaching a village where slavery is rumored to exist. If the rumor proves true, our mission will be to put an end to this miserable and immoral practice. In this New World we are helping to rebuild, there is no room for slavery.

Gideon:
There's something you must understand about the Baron. He has magic power. If a slave disobeys him, he takes that man and turns him into an animal.

Jonah:
Oh, that's impossible.

Old Slave:
No, no, we've seen it. He turned Gideon's sister into a rabbit.

Gideon:
I saw what he did to you.

Jonah:
He did nothing! It's a trick! Help me get out of here and I'll show you.

Gideon:
You can't defeat him; he has magic!

Jonah:
That's exactly what he wants you to believe. He keeps you enslaved through your own superstition. You must fight your fear, otherwise none of you will be free.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 406. The people of the village are free again. They know now that only their own superstition and fear kept them enslaved. Never again will they allow one man to control their lives. For unlimited control in the hands of one man makes him a tyrant, and slaves of us all.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 74. We're now moving through Sector 18, Area 93. We've heard of the existence of an old battleground in this area. Our mission is to check out this battleground and make sure that nothing dangerous still exists there.

Jonah:
[Approaching the village leader] Good morning.

Baxter:
Take your machine and leave. All machines are forbidden here.

Ruth:
All machines? Why?

Baxter:
They're evil. Because of machines, because of the pollution and destruction they've caused, we now live like this.

Jonah:
But machines are just tools. Good and bad exist in the men who use those tools.

Ruth:
[Adam stands holding a plate piled with sandwiches] Adam, we can't stop to eat now.

Himself - The Chimp:
Eat?

Samuel:
[Looking with disgust at the sandwiches] Guess what we're having?

Jonah:
Banana on whole wheat bread.

Ruth:
[Sarcastically] Pure genius!

Samuel:
What's with you, Adam? Yesterday we had banana on bread, the day before we had banana on bread. What's for tomorrow?

Himself - The Chimp:
Bananas, no bread!

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 207. We continue to search for samples of rare minerals buried beneath the earth's crust. Today's geophysical exploration will take place in Sector 14, Area 31.

Simone:
[Discussing Isaiah] Let me give you a warning. He is dangerous. Every year he is more of a threat to us.

Ruth:
Why? What does he do?

Simone:
He raids our storehouse and steals food.

Ruth:
[Condescendingly] Maybe he's hungry. Have you ever tried being kind to him?

Simone:
We are going to put him in a cage and take him out to the Great Desert.

Jonah:
Thanks for the warning.

Jonah:
Ark II Log, Entry 208. Simone and her people learned that trust and affection can accomplish more than fear and misunderstanding. We learned something, too: that although we are scientists and highly trained, we can still learn from someone who hasn't had all our advantages.