Terror Out of the Sky (1978) Movie Script
1
Attention, attention.
We have an emergency.
You have 60 seconds to clear the street.
We are bringing through
a swarm of Killer bees.
Close all doors and windows.
Turn off all machinery and radios.
Any noise will arouse them.
Attention, we have an emergency.
Someone.
Can't breathe.
We are bringing through
a swarm killer bees.
You have 60 seconds to clear street.
Any noise will arouse them.
Breathe.
Jeanie?
Nick?
Nick, where are you?
Jeannie, it's David, are you there?
David, I was having a nightmare.
I thought I was dying.
- Same old nightmare?
- Yes.
Only worse.
Each time it gets harder
and harder to breathe.
Jeannie, that incident's over.
Every one of those bees was destroyed.
Right.
In my head I know it, but
somewhere inside of me, I just...
I don't know.
I told Nick, some night I'm
going to die in my sleep.
Now listen, you've got
to put it behind you,
once and for all lay it to rest.
You saw those bees destroyed.
There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.
I wish you'd make a recording
of that message, David.
When Nick goes away on one of his flights,
I'll put it under my pillow.
Where is your roommate,
the local Red Baron?
He's out gathering
provisions for our trip.
Good, that gives us time.
David?
I'm leaving on my vacation today.
Nick is already at the airport
getting the plane ready.
Now, did you come by to say bon
voyage or to put me to work?
The mountain wouldn't come to Muhammad.
Oh boy.
You're putting me to work.
If I don't get this grant,
the National Bee Center
closes down.
Look, don't feel guilty about it.
It's only my entire
career that's at stake.
The center of hive activity is the queen.
She determines the breeding
strength of all her followers.
In 1978, a queen bee possessed of a savage.
South American strain
was accidentally carried
to New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
The swarm she bred caused seven deaths.
It was assumed by the National Bee Center
the bees were destroyed, that no queen
with the killer strain survived.
What we're doing is building
up our new queen cells
even further, a little
jelly from the Italian bees,
and we get a more vibrant queen.
David is becoming the
Henry Ford of the bee world.
New model every year, huh?
New and improved, Mr. Groves.
I'm Starrett.
I'm Groves.
Sorry.
And where's Dr. Martin?
He's late.
Sorry again.
Scratch that one.
David, as much as I love Eli,
that's a little too much Eli
and not enough of the hive.
That's a dozen you've eliminated.
You asked my advice,
I'm giving you my advice.
You're utterly impossible.
So fire me.
Whatever happened to the
brilliant but shy Miss Devereux
who sat in the back of my classroom,
taking her copious notes?
She lost her mind.
She went to work for her former professor.
Do you have to be gone so long?
Yes, I do.
I really need you in
the job, you know that.
I know, David, but I have needs too.
And six weeks alone with
Nick is one of them.
After a year together?
David, hardly a year.
Half the time he's away and
the other half I'm away.
To tell you the truth, we're
afraid to make a commitment,
and if we don't make one now,
we're gonna lose each other.
So you see, David, I have to go.
Can't we get rid of that junk?
I can't even see the screen.
David.
The junk stays.
Eli.
There are hundreds of dead
bees under one of the hives,
number 112.
None of the others?
I don't think so.
Look at this.
Some disease?
Could there be an epidemic
going on in there?
I don't know.
Paul, why don't you ask our visitors
if they'd like to wait
in Dr. Martin's office?
Miss
Hanson to reception, please.
All aboard!
Who are you?
Oh, come on, Nicky.
No, who are you?
Lady I was supposed to take on vacation,
she went back to work on me.
- You the replacement?
- No.
What's your name?
Queen of the Bugs.
Queen of the Bugs?
Well, Queen of the Bugs,
would you get up there
and go to work?
Aye, aye, sir.
Now remember, it's a
plane, it's not a boat.
Okay.
I'll learn.
I'll learn.
You make sure you do.
The count of the dead
workers in 112 is up 2000%.
What about the temperature?
10 degrees higher than average.
That's a huge rise.
The activity in there must be fierce.
David, could a queen of another strain
have gotten in there, and now her young
are taking over the hive?
A very much more dominant
and aggressive strain.
Like the South American?
Possible.
One queen?
Where did the devil
could she have come from?
The swarm was completed the destroyed.
David.
Sunshine boys.
Look, whatever's going on in that hive
is apparently occupying
every single member.
Then get out there and
find out what is going on.
Give me all the data you can.
Theories I don't need.
Say no more.
Good morning, gentlemen.
I hope you haven't been waiting too long.
And each spring, we send
out queens to beekeepers
in every section of the country
to regenerate their hives,
which is why we've got to expand
our program of cross-breeding.
If we ever have another incursion
of highly aggressive bees,
we'll be able to neutralize
them with a much stronger strain
before they can kill anything, or anyone.
Incredible.
Put it to you this way.
The department's inclined
to renew your grant,
but under certain conditions.
Not just a renewal, Ken.
Don't forget, we've asked for
a very necessary increase.
We're the only center in the country
that can process and
identify dangerous strains.
Uh-huh, that brings
us to certain objections
which we have to raise.
The department has asked
us to review with you
your intentions regarding
page, I think it's 17.
The section on disclosure.
Right.
You say the dangerous bee incursion
should not be reported through the media.
Why?
See, that kind of secrecy
could be interpreted
as a cover-up.
Are you saying that you are
against public disclosure?
I'm saying I'm against
public misinformation.
92% of what we eat is the direct result
of pollination by the bee.
Now, if an enlightened public,
panicked by a well-meaning press,
started killing every bee in sight,
this country would be
in for the worst famine
in its history.
Doctor, you accept
public funds for research.
The public not only has a right to know
what you're doing with the
money, but what you know.
Full disclosure, Doctor.
If you'd like our recommendation.
So, we'll be back later this
afternoon, say five o'clock?
Emergency,
we have an emergency.
Tranquilizer smoke starting immediately.
Keep visitors away from left front area.
We have an emergency,
emergency, left front area.
- Eli!
- Get him inside, fast.
Adrenaline, five CCs.
What have you got?
Pulse is almost zero.
Get that resuscitator going.
His mouth is full of bees.
They're back.
Jeannie, it's David.
Not Eli.
I'm afraid so.
They're back, aren't they?
I need you to help me find out, Jeannie.
I know how much your trip means to you.
No, it's all right, David.
I'll be here.
Nick?
Nick, please listen to me.
Nicky, please listen.
Please listen, I've gotta go back there.
I have no choice.
Please understand.
Postpone our trip for the third time?
Tell me about it when I
come back from my vacation.
David, I'd like to burn
this whole place down.
Tell me, but let's get started.
We've got a lot of work to do.
David.
I think hive 112 is preparing to swarm.
- Get the ice fog.
- Right.
And don't use your sirens
when you leave, understand?
No siren!
They won't do anything now.
Stick their noses out that
door and they'll think
it's the depth of winter.
Christmas in July.
I'm gonna start the analysis.
We'll do a preliminary to
see if any characteristics
eliminate the bees as a
South American strain.
We'll never have time to
do a full positive check.
Here goes.
Fore wing length...
8.7 millimeters.
Femur length...
2.46 millimeters.
Wing angle number 39.
24 degrees.
Wax mirror distance...
0.23 millimeters.
The general shape of the skull is angular
with antenna sockets.
Tonight when we're
sure they're all home,
we'll have to destroy the hives
in the experimental areas.
The whole roll?
The whole roll, we can't
afford to take any chances.
And Paul, get a list of all of bees
we've shipped in the last 10 days.
All right.
Poison-carrying capacity...
0.0004.
Hardly seems like enough to kill.
All right, run the tab, see
if they're all negative.
Discriminate analysis total equals 4.0.
There's no negatives, Jeannie.
All the characteristics are positive
for the South American strain.
That's it, three shipments.
Three?
Three shipments were already sent out?
Paul, are you sure that the
queens came from hive 112?
I'm positive, Jeannie.
That hive was queened three
times, the first nine days ago,
again four days ago,
and this morning early.
I sent out the shipments
to harvest them myself.
In one season they could
spread across this country,
killing.
Are Starrett and Grove still here?
Maybe some federal-
- No, no, their way
they'll create a panic,
and that's the last
thing we need right now.
Somehow we gotta get those
shipments back ourselves.
Where were they sent?
Bakersfield, California,
Los Lunas, New Mexico,
and Jackson, Mississippi.
Maybe.
What do you mean maybe?
Halverson makes those
shipping boxes by hand.
If he hasn't sent out this
morning's shipment of bees yet,
they'll still be at his
place in Hamilton Parish.
Halverson, this is Paul Gladstone.
Right.
Listen, where is the shipment of bees
I gave you this morning?
Just sent
my son to the post office
up in Wheatly Farms.
Wheatly farms.
Why?
Usually
ship 'em air express,
but this one's local mail.
Well, how long will
it take him to reach Wheatly?
About 25 minutes.
Can you head him off?
I can
get to police to do it.
No, no, no, no.
Don't don't do that.
We'll send someone from here.
What's. The
problem, Mr. Gladstone?
Nothing really, we just wanna
check out the shipment.
Wait a second.
How about calling the
post office and tell 'em
to catch your son before he mails it?
Try, but I don't
think it'll do much good.
Why?
These are self-contained.
Parcels pre-weighed and pre-stamped.
All he has do is drop 'em in the box.
Pull over!
Can you believe it?
He wants to race.
- Sorry.
- Thank you.
You're welcome.
Hey.
Mr. Halverson, I presume.
I'm Dr. Martin of the National Bee Center.
I just spoke to your father.
He asked me to pick this up.
Just didn't put enough
stamps on it, that's all.
Not enough stamps.
David, you're fantastic.
Glad you noticed.
There's something.
I think we deserve a break, don't you?
I'd be lying if I said I was sorry
you didn't make that trip.
I know that.
But we had a job to do.
That's not what I mean.
What?
It may be the wrong time to say this,
and I'm not trying to take advantage
of your problems with Nick.
I guess I've always been
a little in love with you.
And now I feel...
I just hope it's not too late to tell you.
David, I don't know what to say.
So funny.
On campus, I had a terrible crush on you.
Terrible.
But you were married, and
your wife was still alive,
and you were such a proper man.
Should that give me hope?
I don't know.
Oh, David.
It's not very easy for me
to handle this right now.
Couldn't we just go ahead
and do what we have to do?
Okay.
But you're gonna have
to handle it one day.
I guess I was stupid letting
all those years go by.
So don't wait too long.
'Cause I'm not getting any smarter.
Whatever I decide, David...
I think that you'll be the first to know.
Jeannie.
We're here.
We waited almost three hours for you.
Yes, well, we ran into a small problem.
What kind of problem?
Oh, it's all straightened out.
Thank you.
We heard there was a
death this afternoon.
Oh, I'll send you the coroner's report.
We already have it.
300 Stings.
Looks like last year's
problem popped up again, huh?
I've only seen it preliminary analysis.
Now you damn well know what it was
and you didn't report it.
Now if the results show
that South American bees
invaded the center and you
have not made full disclosure,
we will cut off your grant.
What's happened, Paul?
I hate to tell you.
No luck with those two other shipments.
I found one number through
information, no answer.
You sent telegrams too?
Sure, also to the freight offices.
No replies yet from anyone.
David.
It's almost time.
There goes eight years' work.
There's still the others, David.
We can build up again.
Well, we don't get the grant,
at least we've cut down the overhead.
David, I have answers
from the freight offices.
They called back one
right after the other.
Were the boxes picked up?
Both shipments.
They've tried to contact the people,
but they can't be reached.
Probably not till Tuesday.
- Not till Tuesday?
- That's four days.
It was the 4th of July weekend.
Everybody's out of town.
Look, we can't wait.
The boxes were picked up days ago.
In 10 days, the new breed will completely
take over the hive.
Call the airport, get
us on the first flight to
whatever that place was in New Mexico.
I'm sorry, I assumed you're going with me.
My bags are already packed.
Damn 4th of July.
Paul couldn't even get us on standby?
Same thing, nothing till Tuesday.
David, maybe we could
drive to Shreveport
and try to get a flight out of there.
Oh, we need a nonstop to
New Mexico, not a milk run.
David, don't snap at me,
I'm just trying to help.
Oh, you're not helping.
What would you like
me to do, sprout wings?
Somewhere there must be someone who...
Nick.
Where would he be right now?
I don't know.
I could call his office,
his service would know.
Go ahead!
David, I don't have
the right to ask him.
I don't even think I have the courage.
Afraid he'll say no?
Hi.
Nick.
I didn't get your message
from the service till two a.m.,
when we got back from Baton Rouge.
We?
Whose apartment is this?
And old friend's.
And old friend's.
I see.
Well, you've got your work
and I've got my friends.
Right.
Look, Nick, I have to ask a favor of you.
David and I have to get to New
Mexico as soon as possible,
and there's no available plane.
I can't tell you how bad the emergency is.
That's the only reason you came here?
Well, yes.
No, of course not.
Well, let me tell you something
before you go any farther.
I don't care about your work.
And I don't care about your emergency.
And I don't care about him.
All I care about's you.
When did you start flying?
When did Vietnam start?
I don't know, '62, '63?
That's how long I've been flying.
Feel like talking about it?
David, you don't have to
make polite conversation
with the driver.
Okay, how about some
impolite conversation?
What's on your mind?
Jeannie.
I thought you oughta know.
Is that a secret between you and me?
No, I told her.
It was three or four
days ago he picked it up.
Do you know where this Earl Logan lives?
Well, it's somewhere out towards Alamo.
Not too sure.
You could buy a map, they're $2.
No, we don't need a
map, we need the address.
Well, it comes with map.
Well, why can't you
just tell us the address?
On account of my husband sells the maps.
Let's just pay the $2, huh David?
I'll pay for the map.
No, you'll pay for the rental car.
Well, the car rental's
closed for siesta.
Got a good car I can loan you, though.
Cheap.
Say, why don't you try
going around the potholes
instead of through 'em?
I said go around 'em.
Did I tell you how to fly the plane?
You got any complaints?
Except for a couple of
dozen air pockets, no.
Would you stop it?
The two of you are giving me a headache.
That's it.
Mr. Logan?
That's me.
Oh, we were just on
our way to the pageant.
I'm Patrick Henry.
My wife's Molly Pitcher.
- Hi.
- What can I do for you?
My name is Martin, David Martin.
This is Jeannie Devereux and Nick Willis.
We're from the bee
center down in Louisiana.
You got a package from us the other day.
Could you tell me, have
you opened the boxes yet?
Exactly what is your business?
I want to buy those boxes back.
Why?
Well, they're experimental.
Sorry, no deal.
- Well-
- Wait, hang on.
How much you want for those bees?
It's not the money folks.
It's just that they're all in place.
What do you mean?
Well, I put the new queen into a hive
to get her working for her keep.
Which hive?
I got 110 hives working these fields.
I don't know.
You keep records, don't you?
Now look here.
Records are for fancy experiments.
I'm just an ordinary beekeeper.
Farmers around here need me to
plant hives in their fields,
and that's what I do.
Now if you want those
bees, you're gonna have to
check out all the fields.
Be my guest.
Well now, be reasonable, Mr. Logan.
We'll pay you for the
hives, we'll pay you well.
Well, if you'll pay me
well then they must be
something very worthwhile, right?
Wrong.
Come on, Mister.
I may be dressed funny at
the moment, but I'm no fool.
If it's worthwhile to you,
it ought be worthwhile to me.
Or dangerous.
Look, lady, I'm a beekeeper.
Bees are not dangerous to me.
Okay, Mr. Logan, you have it your way.
We'll go check out your hives ourself.
Nick?
We don't have enough time.
Yeah, we got the time.
Come on, we got a lot of hives to check.
I'll drive, maybe I can
miss some of the bumps.
You have any idea
how long it's gonna take
to find 110 hives?
No, I don't.
Then what are we doing?
We're bluffing,
that's what we're doing.
Oh my word,
would you please explain?
All right, tell me,
if I left something valuable
in your closet and walked outta
the room, what would you do?
I'd search the closet.
Exactly.
Now, if I'm not crazy,
our Mr. Logan momentarily
will be blasting down this
road in that white van of his
on the way to the hives
to see his prize bees.
What's he gonna do?
I'd say he's just checking
for any unusual activity.
You think he's gonna
load that hive in his van?
No, no, not until sundown.
Moving a hive during the daylight is like
tampering with a live bomb.
Bring the truck around.
The insecticide won't be very effective
out here in the open.
Won't be in the open.
You're gonna use the cab of the truck?
David, we don't have the
equipment to move the hive.
We don't have the time either.
Please be careful.
Just put that hive down.
This is private property.
Put it down and get outta here.
Keep going, David.
You're gonna have to go
through me first, Mr. Logan,
if you want to get to my friend.
Nick.
Earl, they're not gonna back down.
Close the other window.
There's insecticide in the trunk.
A green canister.
What about the stragglers?
They'll fly back to the hive.
That's why we kept a window open a crack.
They'll come right back in the cab.
By the way, that's one I owe you.
Yeah, I thought so.
He picked up those bees 11 days ago.
He didn't waste any time.
You know where we can find him?
No, he's general delivery.
I don't even think he has an address.
Great.
I know his dad lives out toward Raymond,
about 30 miles, place
called Dwelling Fork.
Listen, you can borrow my car.
I'm not gonna need this afternoon.
Well, that's very good of you to-
- On one condition.
Buy a couple tickets to our baseball game?
The annual charity game
between the city of Merced
and the Darby Army missile base.
We've been playing each
other every 4th of July
for the last 25 years.
Series is tied 12-12.
Gonna be a biggie.
Thanks, but we'll use our
plane to look for Dermott.
He's probably in the foothills
around here some place,
working his hives for honey.
Now, now, bees, settle down.
This afternoon you'll have
all the flowers you want.
Make sure we don't lose any of you.
Come on, dog.
Nick, will you be staying with us?
Honey, I'm not gonna turn
around and go home, don't worry.
I guess I just wanted
to hear you say that.
Okay.
What's number one on map reading?
We're following the Air
Force grid search system,
from east to west.
November-three-six-one-Victor.
This is Fresno radio.
This is three-six-one-Victor, over.
The
highway patrol advises
a 1957 flatbed truck is registered
to a Finley Richard
Dermott, California license
echo-kilo-delta-four-six-three.
This vehicle was given a citation
three days ago near Merced.
They've put an APB out on
it and you'll be notified
if contact is made.
This is three-six-one-Victor.
We copy, over.
David?
What happened to Dermott's bees
if the new strain did take over?
Same thing that happened at the center.
Civil war in the hive, annihilation.
And then what?
They swarm.
He couldn't have gone
too far in three days.
We'll take a look down
there by those trees.
Real careful.
There's no sign.
David, let me see the
binoculars for a while.
I just saw it.
Land the plane.
I'd never seen anything like it.
They actually forced open the slide
and jammed it with their own dead bodies.
Two, three, at least four of
the other hives are empty now,
probably more.
And by this time they
could all be dominated
by the new strain.
If they join together...
How many, David?
Over a half a million bees.
Oh, god.
Jeannie.
David, the last time they
prowled the countryside,
they killed a farmer, they
killed a little baby girl.
We're just gonna have to find 'em.
How?
Well, they have certain habits.
For the next several hours,
they'll stay together
and be fairly easy to track.
Easy?
What do you look for?
Water.
They need that to live.
They won't hive until they find it.
You wanna stop?
Yes.
But I won't.
Do you
have the cause of death?
Affirmative.
The man was killed by a swarm of bees.
Anybody in the area should
exercise extreme caution.
They should be warned to
avoid all contact with bees.
If they see any, they
should seal themselves
in their houses or cars, and above all,
refrain from making noise of any kind.
Roger, Fresno copies.
We'll do what we can to
get this out locally,
but with the holiday,
everything's shut down, over.
Three-six-one-Victor.
Well, Suez Lake should be our closest.
We're just about there.
I don't know if we can
spot them from the air.
We should be able to see the devastation.
There it is.
Their water source.
Anyone within two or three miles is-
- David?
David, come here.
Look.
Is that what I think it is?
Yes.
Play ball!
Easy now.
David, I can't go down there.
- Yes you can.
- No, I don't want to.
Jeannie, we need you.
We're a team, we're not
gonna quit now, are we?
Do you remember the
behavior study Valdez did?
No, I don't remember anything.
He broke down his finding.
I can't stop shaking.
You'll be okay, it's
not the same this time.
Now what did Valez say
about the movement of-
- David, please leave me alone.
- Listen to me-
- David.
David, I don't wanna go down there!
Jeannie, I need your help!
Shut up!
Jeannie?
Come up here, honey.
I don't want to
go down there, that's all.
I just don't want to go down there.
I don't wanna go down here.
It's okay.
Don't let me go.
- It's okay.
- Don't let go.
Don't let go.
We're gonna land in a minute.
Get over in that seat
and strap yourself in.
Now wait a minute!
Wait a minute now!
Everybody calm down!
Now look, this is a very
important day in our community.
At the very least they
owe us an explanation.
What are you doing here?
Is there some place
we can speak in private?
Why?
Believe me, there's a
very important reason.
If there weren't, we wouldn't have
risked our necks to land here.
All right.
Sergeant, get somebodies
and push that plane
off the field!
500,000 bees that can kill?
That's right.
And we have good reason to
believe they're headed this way.
Well either this is the most
bizarre lie I've ever heard,
or we have a real problem.
Now, what do you propose we do?
Hey, can we sell you a hamburger, lady?
It's for charity.
No, but there's something
you can do for me.
Well, if it gets me a ride
in that airplane, you bet.
Yeah, okay, it's a deal.
I want you to get your
troop and I wanna organize
a search mission.
What are we looking for?
Bees.
So you just want me to believe you,
and call off the game,
with no official authority
behind you.
Colonel, you haven't got
time to worry about authority.
Well, why don't we just
sit in our cars then and see?
Because if there are
any openings underneath
or air vents, bees can get in.
Next thing you're gonna tell me is that,
well, it's all a communist conspiracy.
Colonel, once they get
here and start to attack,
we'll have no way to stop them.
This better not be a joke.
No joke.
Fellas, the scouts will come first.
They'll be in small groups.
Then what?
Then they'll fly back to the main swarm,
they'll report, and they'll
lead the rest to food and water.
Why do you think they're coming here?
Because of that lake.
I'm sure glad I don't
know what you know.
Why?
Because then I'd be
as worried as you look.
Come on, boys.
Let's fan out and check the ground
and the trees and the sky.
You guys, come on with me.
Hey, come on, back off.
Hey, now wait a minute,
wait a minute, wait.
We all came here for a
ball game, didn't we?
Yeah!
You two go that way
and you two go that way.
I saw them, they're there!
How many of them?
A lot of 'em, maybe 30!
All right, Mike, I
want you to be very quiet
and I want you to get
the rest of the boys.
Come, quickly.
Come on, fellas.
Come on.
Oh my god.
Come on.
All right, now everybody go home
and seal yourselves in your houses.
Now, go home now!
All of you, all of you, go home!
Now look, he's right.
We'll resume the game next weekend.
We'll start with the fourth inning.
Now let's go home!
Come on, folks.
Break it up.
Let's go home, we'll have
the game next weekend.
Come on, let's go.
Wait, don't move.
They're going to dive
straight for that noise
and these people.
Well, how come?
Because these bees hate
noise and bright colors.
They attack.
Come on, into the bus,
and shut the windows
when you get in!
Come on, hurry up, get inside.
- Shut the window!
- Come on, fellas.
Shut those windows!
- In you go.
- Come on, shut the windows.
Get in.
Shut those windows.
You got 'em?
What does he think he's doing?
She could be doing that on purpose.
I saw Jenny out there
with some of the kids
a little while ago.
She could have found the bees.
It's giving everybody
a chance to get away.
Hey, are you calling the bees here?
If they'll come.
Colonel.
Colonel, I'm looking for my son, Eddie.
Have you seen him?
I think he's with Eric.
Were the kids on that bus boy scouts?
Yes they were, Colonel.
Oh no.
Hooray!
Hang on, boys.
We're going to outrun 'em.
Come on.
Come on.
Oh, please start.
Come on.
Come on.
Follow me.
Tell the other parents if you see 'em.
We'll take my car, it's got a radio in it.
Lady, bees are collecting
on the back of the bus.
Yes, I see.
Colonel, all those people following us
are just asking for trouble.
They're not gonna help us one bit.
They have children on that bus, like me,
going somewhere with
those bees chasing it.
You can't turn them back.
Listen.
We're running out of gas.
We've gotta find shelter.
Well, go right up there.
It's an old missile compound.
Are you sure?
I live on this base with
my dad, he's a colonel.
Better turn right.
Yes sir.
Why are they turning off?
What's up there?
An old missile base.
We've gotta keep going.
We've gotta get every
drop out of this tank.
Tell the boys to rock
the bus side to side.
Go ahead.
Come on, guys.
We gotta rock the bus.
Come on, rock the bus, like this.
Come on.
Rock the bus.
Rock.
Rock.
Rock.
The other side of that
hill are some old building,
some barracks and stuff, we can make it.
Come on, you guys, rock it!
Rock it!
Rock!
Looks like they're stopping.
Nick, stop.
As close as we can get.
They're here!
They're coming to get us!
Easy does it.
Those bees'll kill you if
you get within range of 'em.
What about the kids?
Come on, let's go get 'em.
I said nobody goes beyond this point.
They better hurry.
If the bees find those air vents,
we're like fish in a
barrel, aren't we, lady?
My name's Jeannie.
I'm Eric.
I'm awfully glad you're here. Eric.
I want a full compliment
of fire engines here immediately.
Out.
Believe me, there's
no way we're gonna get
those people off the bus.
The fire hoses will
drive the bees off the bus,
then we go in and grab the kids.
And suppose you break a window.
You get 'em all killed.
Then we won't.
You may be sure of that, I'm not.
About those canisters we brought?
No good.
Get to them through the air vents.
It's highly toxic.
What are we supposed
to do, then, go home?
Just hold on.
We're gonna leave everyone on the bus.
There's a bee!
All right, we've gotta
cover all the vents.
Yeah, guys, take your shirts off!
Off with your shirts.
Come on, take your shirts off
and cover up the vents
and all the openings.
All the openings.
Come on, take your shirts off.
Plug 'em up, come on.
Why aren't they coming to get us?
Yeah, why?
Maybe they're not able to.
Come on, fellas.
Cover up those vents.
Come on, cover up all the openings.
Off with your shirt, that's right.
Use your bandanas.
Use everything you can
to cover up the openings.
Come on, fellas.
That's it, Mike.
The one on the ceiling.
We'll draw the bees off.
What, butterfly nets?
With live bait, me.
And what does that mean?
We'll need all that equipment
we brought in the plane.
Sergeant, get the
Jeep, get to their plane.
He'll tell you what they need.
- What else?
- A helicopter.
That's gonna be a little
harder, but we'll manage it.
Colonel.
Look, I thought we told
you folks to stay up there.
Now come on, please.
Now get back.
Come on, all of you, get
back, back up there, please.
Sam!
Sam, come here!
Sam!
Sam, come here!
Sam, come back!
Sam!
Sam!
Come back!
Sam, stop!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam, come back!
Sam, come back!
Is he dead?
That's good.
Leave it up here.
Okay, come on.
All the material.
My guess is there's about 15 minutes
worth of air left in the bus.
We're running out of time.
We'll need some place like, thanks.
Like a sealed cave or a well.
And you're gonna collect every last one
of those bees off that bus?
That's right, Colonel.
Just you.
With this.
Your helicopter, if it ever gets here.
Rescue chopper's on its
way from the Coast Guard.
What about a place for the bees?
It's gotta be airtight.
Best I guess would be
the missile test facility
knocked out by the last earthquake.
The vent tunnels might be just right.
There a section there
where I can seal 'em off?
I think so.
Well, it hasn't really been
reckoned since the quake.
- Any place else?
- No that's the best.
You're sure.
Look, I'm as anxious as you are
that this be done right and fast.
- For many reasons.
- Yeah.
Every one of those bees
was destroyed, Jeannie.
We're losing the air in here.
What do we do?
Some night
I'm gonna die in my sleep.
Jeannie.
What do we do?
I'm scared of dying this way.
Please help us.
Tell us what to do.
I don't know, Eric.
And that suit is going
to attract the bees.
No, Colonel.
This is.
It's a chemical called pheromone.
The artificial scent of the queen bee.
They can't resist it, they swarm to it.
Nature sure is wonderful.
Yeah.
Chopper'll be here in
a couple of minutes, sir.
Good.
Thing's voice activated?
Yeah, it's working.
David, why don't you give me the suit
and let me go down there?
The bees would find me
as attractive as you.
This wasn't your war, remember?
Don't be stupid.
You don't know what's down there.
You worried about me, or you just think
you could do it better?
Maybe a little of both.
I started this mess
and I'm gonna finish it.
Let's quit fighting over the privilege
of who's was gonna get killed.
Just gimme the suit.
I don't intend to get killed.
But Jeannie and those kids
will if you don't get moving.
Gimme the helmet.
Heroes and lovers.
Both a little touched.
Start spraying me with that stuff.
This is Dr. Martin.
If you can read me, lift off.
Remember, go slowly.
We don't wanna lose any bees.
He's done it.
Come on, let's get those kids!
Come on, fellas, come on.
We made it, we're safe!
You still owe me that ride
in the airplane, remember?
Thank you.
Eric.
Thanks for taking care of my son.
Colonel, your son took care of me.
Thanks again.
Come on, buddy.
It's a miracle that we got out.
There's still one more.
David?
Yeah.
I know you can't answer me.
If you can hear me,
acknowledge with one pull
on the lift line.
When we get on the pad, let's
hope they can open the doors.
There's a sealed observation room inside
where we can watch him being lowered.
Come on, let's go.
So far, all the
bees have stayed with me.
Sergeant, open it up.
I'm okay, keep it going.
Easy.
Easy.
Okay.
I don't believe that man.
Okay, take it up.
David, can you hear me?
Right, which way do I go?
You come straight toward us.
Directly in front of you is the fire pit
for the missile testing.
And at the bottom of the
pit, there are vent tunnels
and pipes that carry
fire retardant chemicals.
Now go down the stairs
and you should be able
to seal the fire pit door behind.
After that, you're in the tunnels.
Have you been
able to check them?
No, but we think the south side
has the best chance of being intact.
Now that's a left when you
get inside the tunnels.
Close it up, Sergeant.
David, is there
enough air in the suit?
Barely.
I'm starting into the tunnel.
Okay.
I just closed the door.
David, the canisters of insecticide
have been left next to the door.
Can you see them?
Yeah, I see 'em.
I'm releasing the first canister.
David, don't stay near
an open canister too long.
I won't.
I'm in the second tunnel.
Half the bees are gone.
I still got about a 100,000 with me.
I'm moving into the next corridor.
Colonel, how far is he from the exit?
About 300 yards.
He's about here.
That was only a safety door.
Everything's okay.
Colonel, I'm in the south tunnel.
Yes, what is it?
There's been a cave-in.
I can't get the hatch open.
There's an emergency
hatch in the ceiling
50 yards behind you.
Now go back to it.
I'll try.
Have you found it?
Yes, I'm there.
Colonel?
Yes, sir?
Your earthquake was
pretty busy down here.
I don't think there's any way out.
Get that team in there, get him up.
Okay, get him out.
Don't do that.
Keep that hatch shut.
This is Colonel Mags.
Go back.
We're gonna open up the
tunnel and pull you out.
Nick.
Nick, are you there?
I can hear you, David.
Don't let them.
We can make it to you, David.
No.
We can't let one of those bees escape.
It's too late for me.
There's a standby team just waiting
to go after you, just hold on.
I've already...
I've already inhaled enough of this stuff
to take care of my
nervous system for good.
It's cumulative.
I know how this chemical works.
Jeannie.
Tell him.
He's right.
You heard what he said, Colonel.
Call off your men.
Call 'em off, Sergeant.
Abort, do you copy?
Abort.
Jeannie?
Yes, David.
You'll keep going?
With your work at the center?
Yes, I will.
I'm glad.
David.
We love you.
Sergeant.
Attention, attention.
We have an emergency.
You have 60 seconds to clear the street.
We are bringing through
a swarm of Killer bees.
Close all doors and windows.
Turn off all machinery and radios.
Any noise will arouse them.
Attention, we have an emergency.
Someone.
Can't breathe.
We are bringing through
a swarm killer bees.
You have 60 seconds to clear street.
Any noise will arouse them.
Breathe.
Jeanie?
Nick?
Nick, where are you?
Jeannie, it's David, are you there?
David, I was having a nightmare.
I thought I was dying.
- Same old nightmare?
- Yes.
Only worse.
Each time it gets harder
and harder to breathe.
Jeannie, that incident's over.
Every one of those bees was destroyed.
Right.
In my head I know it, but
somewhere inside of me, I just...
I don't know.
I told Nick, some night I'm
going to die in my sleep.
Now listen, you've got
to put it behind you,
once and for all lay it to rest.
You saw those bees destroyed.
There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.
I wish you'd make a recording
of that message, David.
When Nick goes away on one of his flights,
I'll put it under my pillow.
Where is your roommate,
the local Red Baron?
He's out gathering
provisions for our trip.
Good, that gives us time.
David?
I'm leaving on my vacation today.
Nick is already at the airport
getting the plane ready.
Now, did you come by to say bon
voyage or to put me to work?
The mountain wouldn't come to Muhammad.
Oh boy.
You're putting me to work.
If I don't get this grant,
the National Bee Center
closes down.
Look, don't feel guilty about it.
It's only my entire
career that's at stake.
The center of hive activity is the queen.
She determines the breeding
strength of all her followers.
In 1978, a queen bee possessed of a savage.
South American strain
was accidentally carried
to New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
The swarm she bred caused seven deaths.
It was assumed by the National Bee Center
the bees were destroyed, that no queen
with the killer strain survived.
What we're doing is building
up our new queen cells
even further, a little
jelly from the Italian bees,
and we get a more vibrant queen.
David is becoming the
Henry Ford of the bee world.
New model every year, huh?
New and improved, Mr. Groves.
I'm Starrett.
I'm Groves.
Sorry.
And where's Dr. Martin?
He's late.
Sorry again.
Scratch that one.
David, as much as I love Eli,
that's a little too much Eli
and not enough of the hive.
That's a dozen you've eliminated.
You asked my advice,
I'm giving you my advice.
You're utterly impossible.
So fire me.
Whatever happened to the
brilliant but shy Miss Devereux
who sat in the back of my classroom,
taking her copious notes?
She lost her mind.
She went to work for her former professor.
Do you have to be gone so long?
Yes, I do.
I really need you in
the job, you know that.
I know, David, but I have needs too.
And six weeks alone with
Nick is one of them.
After a year together?
David, hardly a year.
Half the time he's away and
the other half I'm away.
To tell you the truth, we're
afraid to make a commitment,
and if we don't make one now,
we're gonna lose each other.
So you see, David, I have to go.
Can't we get rid of that junk?
I can't even see the screen.
David.
The junk stays.
Eli.
There are hundreds of dead
bees under one of the hives,
number 112.
None of the others?
I don't think so.
Look at this.
Some disease?
Could there be an epidemic
going on in there?
I don't know.
Paul, why don't you ask our visitors
if they'd like to wait
in Dr. Martin's office?
Miss
Hanson to reception, please.
All aboard!
Who are you?
Oh, come on, Nicky.
No, who are you?
Lady I was supposed to take on vacation,
she went back to work on me.
- You the replacement?
- No.
What's your name?
Queen of the Bugs.
Queen of the Bugs?
Well, Queen of the Bugs,
would you get up there
and go to work?
Aye, aye, sir.
Now remember, it's a
plane, it's not a boat.
Okay.
I'll learn.
I'll learn.
You make sure you do.
The count of the dead
workers in 112 is up 2000%.
What about the temperature?
10 degrees higher than average.
That's a huge rise.
The activity in there must be fierce.
David, could a queen of another strain
have gotten in there, and now her young
are taking over the hive?
A very much more dominant
and aggressive strain.
Like the South American?
Possible.
One queen?
Where did the devil
could she have come from?
The swarm was completed the destroyed.
David.
Sunshine boys.
Look, whatever's going on in that hive
is apparently occupying
every single member.
Then get out there and
find out what is going on.
Give me all the data you can.
Theories I don't need.
Say no more.
Good morning, gentlemen.
I hope you haven't been waiting too long.
And each spring, we send
out queens to beekeepers
in every section of the country
to regenerate their hives,
which is why we've got to expand
our program of cross-breeding.
If we ever have another incursion
of highly aggressive bees,
we'll be able to neutralize
them with a much stronger strain
before they can kill anything, or anyone.
Incredible.
Put it to you this way.
The department's inclined
to renew your grant,
but under certain conditions.
Not just a renewal, Ken.
Don't forget, we've asked for
a very necessary increase.
We're the only center in the country
that can process and
identify dangerous strains.
Uh-huh, that brings
us to certain objections
which we have to raise.
The department has asked
us to review with you
your intentions regarding
page, I think it's 17.
The section on disclosure.
Right.
You say the dangerous bee incursion
should not be reported through the media.
Why?
See, that kind of secrecy
could be interpreted
as a cover-up.
Are you saying that you are
against public disclosure?
I'm saying I'm against
public misinformation.
92% of what we eat is the direct result
of pollination by the bee.
Now, if an enlightened public,
panicked by a well-meaning press,
started killing every bee in sight,
this country would be
in for the worst famine
in its history.
Doctor, you accept
public funds for research.
The public not only has a right to know
what you're doing with the
money, but what you know.
Full disclosure, Doctor.
If you'd like our recommendation.
So, we'll be back later this
afternoon, say five o'clock?
Emergency,
we have an emergency.
Tranquilizer smoke starting immediately.
Keep visitors away from left front area.
We have an emergency,
emergency, left front area.
- Eli!
- Get him inside, fast.
Adrenaline, five CCs.
What have you got?
Pulse is almost zero.
Get that resuscitator going.
His mouth is full of bees.
They're back.
Jeannie, it's David.
Not Eli.
I'm afraid so.
They're back, aren't they?
I need you to help me find out, Jeannie.
I know how much your trip means to you.
No, it's all right, David.
I'll be here.
Nick?
Nick, please listen to me.
Nicky, please listen.
Please listen, I've gotta go back there.
I have no choice.
Please understand.
Postpone our trip for the third time?
Tell me about it when I
come back from my vacation.
David, I'd like to burn
this whole place down.
Tell me, but let's get started.
We've got a lot of work to do.
David.
I think hive 112 is preparing to swarm.
- Get the ice fog.
- Right.
And don't use your sirens
when you leave, understand?
No siren!
They won't do anything now.
Stick their noses out that
door and they'll think
it's the depth of winter.
Christmas in July.
I'm gonna start the analysis.
We'll do a preliminary to
see if any characteristics
eliminate the bees as a
South American strain.
We'll never have time to
do a full positive check.
Here goes.
Fore wing length...
8.7 millimeters.
Femur length...
2.46 millimeters.
Wing angle number 39.
24 degrees.
Wax mirror distance...
0.23 millimeters.
The general shape of the skull is angular
with antenna sockets.
Tonight when we're
sure they're all home,
we'll have to destroy the hives
in the experimental areas.
The whole roll?
The whole roll, we can't
afford to take any chances.
And Paul, get a list of all of bees
we've shipped in the last 10 days.
All right.
Poison-carrying capacity...
0.0004.
Hardly seems like enough to kill.
All right, run the tab, see
if they're all negative.
Discriminate analysis total equals 4.0.
There's no negatives, Jeannie.
All the characteristics are positive
for the South American strain.
That's it, three shipments.
Three?
Three shipments were already sent out?
Paul, are you sure that the
queens came from hive 112?
I'm positive, Jeannie.
That hive was queened three
times, the first nine days ago,
again four days ago,
and this morning early.
I sent out the shipments
to harvest them myself.
In one season they could
spread across this country,
killing.
Are Starrett and Grove still here?
Maybe some federal-
- No, no, their way
they'll create a panic,
and that's the last
thing we need right now.
Somehow we gotta get those
shipments back ourselves.
Where were they sent?
Bakersfield, California,
Los Lunas, New Mexico,
and Jackson, Mississippi.
Maybe.
What do you mean maybe?
Halverson makes those
shipping boxes by hand.
If he hasn't sent out this
morning's shipment of bees yet,
they'll still be at his
place in Hamilton Parish.
Halverson, this is Paul Gladstone.
Right.
Listen, where is the shipment of bees
I gave you this morning?
Just sent
my son to the post office
up in Wheatly Farms.
Wheatly farms.
Why?
Usually
ship 'em air express,
but this one's local mail.
Well, how long will
it take him to reach Wheatly?
About 25 minutes.
Can you head him off?
I can
get to police to do it.
No, no, no, no.
Don't don't do that.
We'll send someone from here.
What's. The
problem, Mr. Gladstone?
Nothing really, we just wanna
check out the shipment.
Wait a second.
How about calling the
post office and tell 'em
to catch your son before he mails it?
Try, but I don't
think it'll do much good.
Why?
These are self-contained.
Parcels pre-weighed and pre-stamped.
All he has do is drop 'em in the box.
Pull over!
Can you believe it?
He wants to race.
- Sorry.
- Thank you.
You're welcome.
Hey.
Mr. Halverson, I presume.
I'm Dr. Martin of the National Bee Center.
I just spoke to your father.
He asked me to pick this up.
Just didn't put enough
stamps on it, that's all.
Not enough stamps.
David, you're fantastic.
Glad you noticed.
There's something.
I think we deserve a break, don't you?
I'd be lying if I said I was sorry
you didn't make that trip.
I know that.
But we had a job to do.
That's not what I mean.
What?
It may be the wrong time to say this,
and I'm not trying to take advantage
of your problems with Nick.
I guess I've always been
a little in love with you.
And now I feel...
I just hope it's not too late to tell you.
David, I don't know what to say.
So funny.
On campus, I had a terrible crush on you.
Terrible.
But you were married, and
your wife was still alive,
and you were such a proper man.
Should that give me hope?
I don't know.
Oh, David.
It's not very easy for me
to handle this right now.
Couldn't we just go ahead
and do what we have to do?
Okay.
But you're gonna have
to handle it one day.
I guess I was stupid letting
all those years go by.
So don't wait too long.
'Cause I'm not getting any smarter.
Whatever I decide, David...
I think that you'll be the first to know.
Jeannie.
We're here.
We waited almost three hours for you.
Yes, well, we ran into a small problem.
What kind of problem?
Oh, it's all straightened out.
Thank you.
We heard there was a
death this afternoon.
Oh, I'll send you the coroner's report.
We already have it.
300 Stings.
Looks like last year's
problem popped up again, huh?
I've only seen it preliminary analysis.
Now you damn well know what it was
and you didn't report it.
Now if the results show
that South American bees
invaded the center and you
have not made full disclosure,
we will cut off your grant.
What's happened, Paul?
I hate to tell you.
No luck with those two other shipments.
I found one number through
information, no answer.
You sent telegrams too?
Sure, also to the freight offices.
No replies yet from anyone.
David.
It's almost time.
There goes eight years' work.
There's still the others, David.
We can build up again.
Well, we don't get the grant,
at least we've cut down the overhead.
David, I have answers
from the freight offices.
They called back one
right after the other.
Were the boxes picked up?
Both shipments.
They've tried to contact the people,
but they can't be reached.
Probably not till Tuesday.
- Not till Tuesday?
- That's four days.
It was the 4th of July weekend.
Everybody's out of town.
Look, we can't wait.
The boxes were picked up days ago.
In 10 days, the new breed will completely
take over the hive.
Call the airport, get
us on the first flight to
whatever that place was in New Mexico.
I'm sorry, I assumed you're going with me.
My bags are already packed.
Damn 4th of July.
Paul couldn't even get us on standby?
Same thing, nothing till Tuesday.
David, maybe we could
drive to Shreveport
and try to get a flight out of there.
Oh, we need a nonstop to
New Mexico, not a milk run.
David, don't snap at me,
I'm just trying to help.
Oh, you're not helping.
What would you like
me to do, sprout wings?
Somewhere there must be someone who...
Nick.
Where would he be right now?
I don't know.
I could call his office,
his service would know.
Go ahead!
David, I don't have
the right to ask him.
I don't even think I have the courage.
Afraid he'll say no?
Hi.
Nick.
I didn't get your message
from the service till two a.m.,
when we got back from Baton Rouge.
We?
Whose apartment is this?
And old friend's.
And old friend's.
I see.
Well, you've got your work
and I've got my friends.
Right.
Look, Nick, I have to ask a favor of you.
David and I have to get to New
Mexico as soon as possible,
and there's no available plane.
I can't tell you how bad the emergency is.
That's the only reason you came here?
Well, yes.
No, of course not.
Well, let me tell you something
before you go any farther.
I don't care about your work.
And I don't care about your emergency.
And I don't care about him.
All I care about's you.
When did you start flying?
When did Vietnam start?
I don't know, '62, '63?
That's how long I've been flying.
Feel like talking about it?
David, you don't have to
make polite conversation
with the driver.
Okay, how about some
impolite conversation?
What's on your mind?
Jeannie.
I thought you oughta know.
Is that a secret between you and me?
No, I told her.
It was three or four
days ago he picked it up.
Do you know where this Earl Logan lives?
Well, it's somewhere out towards Alamo.
Not too sure.
You could buy a map, they're $2.
No, we don't need a
map, we need the address.
Well, it comes with map.
Well, why can't you
just tell us the address?
On account of my husband sells the maps.
Let's just pay the $2, huh David?
I'll pay for the map.
No, you'll pay for the rental car.
Well, the car rental's
closed for siesta.
Got a good car I can loan you, though.
Cheap.
Say, why don't you try
going around the potholes
instead of through 'em?
I said go around 'em.
Did I tell you how to fly the plane?
You got any complaints?
Except for a couple of
dozen air pockets, no.
Would you stop it?
The two of you are giving me a headache.
That's it.
Mr. Logan?
That's me.
Oh, we were just on
our way to the pageant.
I'm Patrick Henry.
My wife's Molly Pitcher.
- Hi.
- What can I do for you?
My name is Martin, David Martin.
This is Jeannie Devereux and Nick Willis.
We're from the bee
center down in Louisiana.
You got a package from us the other day.
Could you tell me, have
you opened the boxes yet?
Exactly what is your business?
I want to buy those boxes back.
Why?
Well, they're experimental.
Sorry, no deal.
- Well-
- Wait, hang on.
How much you want for those bees?
It's not the money folks.
It's just that they're all in place.
What do you mean?
Well, I put the new queen into a hive
to get her working for her keep.
Which hive?
I got 110 hives working these fields.
I don't know.
You keep records, don't you?
Now look here.
Records are for fancy experiments.
I'm just an ordinary beekeeper.
Farmers around here need me to
plant hives in their fields,
and that's what I do.
Now if you want those
bees, you're gonna have to
check out all the fields.
Be my guest.
Well now, be reasonable, Mr. Logan.
We'll pay you for the
hives, we'll pay you well.
Well, if you'll pay me
well then they must be
something very worthwhile, right?
Wrong.
Come on, Mister.
I may be dressed funny at
the moment, but I'm no fool.
If it's worthwhile to you,
it ought be worthwhile to me.
Or dangerous.
Look, lady, I'm a beekeeper.
Bees are not dangerous to me.
Okay, Mr. Logan, you have it your way.
We'll go check out your hives ourself.
Nick?
We don't have enough time.
Yeah, we got the time.
Come on, we got a lot of hives to check.
I'll drive, maybe I can
miss some of the bumps.
You have any idea
how long it's gonna take
to find 110 hives?
No, I don't.
Then what are we doing?
We're bluffing,
that's what we're doing.
Oh my word,
would you please explain?
All right, tell me,
if I left something valuable
in your closet and walked outta
the room, what would you do?
I'd search the closet.
Exactly.
Now, if I'm not crazy,
our Mr. Logan momentarily
will be blasting down this
road in that white van of his
on the way to the hives
to see his prize bees.
What's he gonna do?
I'd say he's just checking
for any unusual activity.
You think he's gonna
load that hive in his van?
No, no, not until sundown.
Moving a hive during the daylight is like
tampering with a live bomb.
Bring the truck around.
The insecticide won't be very effective
out here in the open.
Won't be in the open.
You're gonna use the cab of the truck?
David, we don't have the
equipment to move the hive.
We don't have the time either.
Please be careful.
Just put that hive down.
This is private property.
Put it down and get outta here.
Keep going, David.
You're gonna have to go
through me first, Mr. Logan,
if you want to get to my friend.
Nick.
Earl, they're not gonna back down.
Close the other window.
There's insecticide in the trunk.
A green canister.
What about the stragglers?
They'll fly back to the hive.
That's why we kept a window open a crack.
They'll come right back in the cab.
By the way, that's one I owe you.
Yeah, I thought so.
He picked up those bees 11 days ago.
He didn't waste any time.
You know where we can find him?
No, he's general delivery.
I don't even think he has an address.
Great.
I know his dad lives out toward Raymond,
about 30 miles, place
called Dwelling Fork.
Listen, you can borrow my car.
I'm not gonna need this afternoon.
Well, that's very good of you to-
- On one condition.
Buy a couple tickets to our baseball game?
The annual charity game
between the city of Merced
and the Darby Army missile base.
We've been playing each
other every 4th of July
for the last 25 years.
Series is tied 12-12.
Gonna be a biggie.
Thanks, but we'll use our
plane to look for Dermott.
He's probably in the foothills
around here some place,
working his hives for honey.
Now, now, bees, settle down.
This afternoon you'll have
all the flowers you want.
Make sure we don't lose any of you.
Come on, dog.
Nick, will you be staying with us?
Honey, I'm not gonna turn
around and go home, don't worry.
I guess I just wanted
to hear you say that.
Okay.
What's number one on map reading?
We're following the Air
Force grid search system,
from east to west.
November-three-six-one-Victor.
This is Fresno radio.
This is three-six-one-Victor, over.
The
highway patrol advises
a 1957 flatbed truck is registered
to a Finley Richard
Dermott, California license
echo-kilo-delta-four-six-three.
This vehicle was given a citation
three days ago near Merced.
They've put an APB out on
it and you'll be notified
if contact is made.
This is three-six-one-Victor.
We copy, over.
David?
What happened to Dermott's bees
if the new strain did take over?
Same thing that happened at the center.
Civil war in the hive, annihilation.
And then what?
They swarm.
He couldn't have gone
too far in three days.
We'll take a look down
there by those trees.
Real careful.
There's no sign.
David, let me see the
binoculars for a while.
I just saw it.
Land the plane.
I'd never seen anything like it.
They actually forced open the slide
and jammed it with their own dead bodies.
Two, three, at least four of
the other hives are empty now,
probably more.
And by this time they
could all be dominated
by the new strain.
If they join together...
How many, David?
Over a half a million bees.
Oh, god.
Jeannie.
David, the last time they
prowled the countryside,
they killed a farmer, they
killed a little baby girl.
We're just gonna have to find 'em.
How?
Well, they have certain habits.
For the next several hours,
they'll stay together
and be fairly easy to track.
Easy?
What do you look for?
Water.
They need that to live.
They won't hive until they find it.
You wanna stop?
Yes.
But I won't.
Do you
have the cause of death?
Affirmative.
The man was killed by a swarm of bees.
Anybody in the area should
exercise extreme caution.
They should be warned to
avoid all contact with bees.
If they see any, they
should seal themselves
in their houses or cars, and above all,
refrain from making noise of any kind.
Roger, Fresno copies.
We'll do what we can to
get this out locally,
but with the holiday,
everything's shut down, over.
Three-six-one-Victor.
Well, Suez Lake should be our closest.
We're just about there.
I don't know if we can
spot them from the air.
We should be able to see the devastation.
There it is.
Their water source.
Anyone within two or three miles is-
- David?
David, come here.
Look.
Is that what I think it is?
Yes.
Play ball!
Easy now.
David, I can't go down there.
- Yes you can.
- No, I don't want to.
Jeannie, we need you.
We're a team, we're not
gonna quit now, are we?
Do you remember the
behavior study Valdez did?
No, I don't remember anything.
He broke down his finding.
I can't stop shaking.
You'll be okay, it's
not the same this time.
Now what did Valez say
about the movement of-
- David, please leave me alone.
- Listen to me-
- David.
David, I don't wanna go down there!
Jeannie, I need your help!
Shut up!
Jeannie?
Come up here, honey.
I don't want to
go down there, that's all.
I just don't want to go down there.
I don't wanna go down here.
It's okay.
Don't let me go.
- It's okay.
- Don't let go.
Don't let go.
We're gonna land in a minute.
Get over in that seat
and strap yourself in.
Now wait a minute!
Wait a minute now!
Everybody calm down!
Now look, this is a very
important day in our community.
At the very least they
owe us an explanation.
What are you doing here?
Is there some place
we can speak in private?
Why?
Believe me, there's a
very important reason.
If there weren't, we wouldn't have
risked our necks to land here.
All right.
Sergeant, get somebodies
and push that plane
off the field!
500,000 bees that can kill?
That's right.
And we have good reason to
believe they're headed this way.
Well either this is the most
bizarre lie I've ever heard,
or we have a real problem.
Now, what do you propose we do?
Hey, can we sell you a hamburger, lady?
It's for charity.
No, but there's something
you can do for me.
Well, if it gets me a ride
in that airplane, you bet.
Yeah, okay, it's a deal.
I want you to get your
troop and I wanna organize
a search mission.
What are we looking for?
Bees.
So you just want me to believe you,
and call off the game,
with no official authority
behind you.
Colonel, you haven't got
time to worry about authority.
Well, why don't we just
sit in our cars then and see?
Because if there are
any openings underneath
or air vents, bees can get in.
Next thing you're gonna tell me is that,
well, it's all a communist conspiracy.
Colonel, once they get
here and start to attack,
we'll have no way to stop them.
This better not be a joke.
No joke.
Fellas, the scouts will come first.
They'll be in small groups.
Then what?
Then they'll fly back to the main swarm,
they'll report, and they'll
lead the rest to food and water.
Why do you think they're coming here?
Because of that lake.
I'm sure glad I don't
know what you know.
Why?
Because then I'd be
as worried as you look.
Come on, boys.
Let's fan out and check the ground
and the trees and the sky.
You guys, come on with me.
Hey, come on, back off.
Hey, now wait a minute,
wait a minute, wait.
We all came here for a
ball game, didn't we?
Yeah!
You two go that way
and you two go that way.
I saw them, they're there!
How many of them?
A lot of 'em, maybe 30!
All right, Mike, I
want you to be very quiet
and I want you to get
the rest of the boys.
Come, quickly.
Come on, fellas.
Come on.
Oh my god.
Come on.
All right, now everybody go home
and seal yourselves in your houses.
Now, go home now!
All of you, all of you, go home!
Now look, he's right.
We'll resume the game next weekend.
We'll start with the fourth inning.
Now let's go home!
Come on, folks.
Break it up.
Let's go home, we'll have
the game next weekend.
Come on, let's go.
Wait, don't move.
They're going to dive
straight for that noise
and these people.
Well, how come?
Because these bees hate
noise and bright colors.
They attack.
Come on, into the bus,
and shut the windows
when you get in!
Come on, hurry up, get inside.
- Shut the window!
- Come on, fellas.
Shut those windows!
- In you go.
- Come on, shut the windows.
Get in.
Shut those windows.
You got 'em?
What does he think he's doing?
She could be doing that on purpose.
I saw Jenny out there
with some of the kids
a little while ago.
She could have found the bees.
It's giving everybody
a chance to get away.
Hey, are you calling the bees here?
If they'll come.
Colonel.
Colonel, I'm looking for my son, Eddie.
Have you seen him?
I think he's with Eric.
Were the kids on that bus boy scouts?
Yes they were, Colonel.
Oh no.
Hooray!
Hang on, boys.
We're going to outrun 'em.
Come on.
Come on.
Oh, please start.
Come on.
Come on.
Follow me.
Tell the other parents if you see 'em.
We'll take my car, it's got a radio in it.
Lady, bees are collecting
on the back of the bus.
Yes, I see.
Colonel, all those people following us
are just asking for trouble.
They're not gonna help us one bit.
They have children on that bus, like me,
going somewhere with
those bees chasing it.
You can't turn them back.
Listen.
We're running out of gas.
We've gotta find shelter.
Well, go right up there.
It's an old missile compound.
Are you sure?
I live on this base with
my dad, he's a colonel.
Better turn right.
Yes sir.
Why are they turning off?
What's up there?
An old missile base.
We've gotta keep going.
We've gotta get every
drop out of this tank.
Tell the boys to rock
the bus side to side.
Go ahead.
Come on, guys.
We gotta rock the bus.
Come on, rock the bus, like this.
Come on.
Rock the bus.
Rock.
Rock.
Rock.
The other side of that
hill are some old building,
some barracks and stuff, we can make it.
Come on, you guys, rock it!
Rock it!
Rock!
Looks like they're stopping.
Nick, stop.
As close as we can get.
They're here!
They're coming to get us!
Easy does it.
Those bees'll kill you if
you get within range of 'em.
What about the kids?
Come on, let's go get 'em.
I said nobody goes beyond this point.
They better hurry.
If the bees find those air vents,
we're like fish in a
barrel, aren't we, lady?
My name's Jeannie.
I'm Eric.
I'm awfully glad you're here. Eric.
I want a full compliment
of fire engines here immediately.
Out.
Believe me, there's
no way we're gonna get
those people off the bus.
The fire hoses will
drive the bees off the bus,
then we go in and grab the kids.
And suppose you break a window.
You get 'em all killed.
Then we won't.
You may be sure of that, I'm not.
About those canisters we brought?
No good.
Get to them through the air vents.
It's highly toxic.
What are we supposed
to do, then, go home?
Just hold on.
We're gonna leave everyone on the bus.
There's a bee!
All right, we've gotta
cover all the vents.
Yeah, guys, take your shirts off!
Off with your shirts.
Come on, take your shirts off
and cover up the vents
and all the openings.
All the openings.
Come on, take your shirts off.
Plug 'em up, come on.
Why aren't they coming to get us?
Yeah, why?
Maybe they're not able to.
Come on, fellas.
Cover up those vents.
Come on, cover up all the openings.
Off with your shirt, that's right.
Use your bandanas.
Use everything you can
to cover up the openings.
Come on, fellas.
That's it, Mike.
The one on the ceiling.
We'll draw the bees off.
What, butterfly nets?
With live bait, me.
And what does that mean?
We'll need all that equipment
we brought in the plane.
Sergeant, get the
Jeep, get to their plane.
He'll tell you what they need.
- What else?
- A helicopter.
That's gonna be a little
harder, but we'll manage it.
Colonel.
Look, I thought we told
you folks to stay up there.
Now come on, please.
Now get back.
Come on, all of you, get
back, back up there, please.
Sam!
Sam, come here!
Sam!
Sam, come here!
Sam, come back!
Sam!
Sam!
Come back!
Sam, stop!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam, come back!
Sam, come back!
Is he dead?
That's good.
Leave it up here.
Okay, come on.
All the material.
My guess is there's about 15 minutes
worth of air left in the bus.
We're running out of time.
We'll need some place like, thanks.
Like a sealed cave or a well.
And you're gonna collect every last one
of those bees off that bus?
That's right, Colonel.
Just you.
With this.
Your helicopter, if it ever gets here.
Rescue chopper's on its
way from the Coast Guard.
What about a place for the bees?
It's gotta be airtight.
Best I guess would be
the missile test facility
knocked out by the last earthquake.
The vent tunnels might be just right.
There a section there
where I can seal 'em off?
I think so.
Well, it hasn't really been
reckoned since the quake.
- Any place else?
- No that's the best.
You're sure.
Look, I'm as anxious as you are
that this be done right and fast.
- For many reasons.
- Yeah.
Every one of those bees
was destroyed, Jeannie.
We're losing the air in here.
What do we do?
Some night
I'm gonna die in my sleep.
Jeannie.
What do we do?
I'm scared of dying this way.
Please help us.
Tell us what to do.
I don't know, Eric.
And that suit is going
to attract the bees.
No, Colonel.
This is.
It's a chemical called pheromone.
The artificial scent of the queen bee.
They can't resist it, they swarm to it.
Nature sure is wonderful.
Yeah.
Chopper'll be here in
a couple of minutes, sir.
Good.
Thing's voice activated?
Yeah, it's working.
David, why don't you give me the suit
and let me go down there?
The bees would find me
as attractive as you.
This wasn't your war, remember?
Don't be stupid.
You don't know what's down there.
You worried about me, or you just think
you could do it better?
Maybe a little of both.
I started this mess
and I'm gonna finish it.
Let's quit fighting over the privilege
of who's was gonna get killed.
Just gimme the suit.
I don't intend to get killed.
But Jeannie and those kids
will if you don't get moving.
Gimme the helmet.
Heroes and lovers.
Both a little touched.
Start spraying me with that stuff.
This is Dr. Martin.
If you can read me, lift off.
Remember, go slowly.
We don't wanna lose any bees.
He's done it.
Come on, let's get those kids!
Come on, fellas, come on.
We made it, we're safe!
You still owe me that ride
in the airplane, remember?
Thank you.
Eric.
Thanks for taking care of my son.
Colonel, your son took care of me.
Thanks again.
Come on, buddy.
It's a miracle that we got out.
There's still one more.
David?
Yeah.
I know you can't answer me.
If you can hear me,
acknowledge with one pull
on the lift line.
When we get on the pad, let's
hope they can open the doors.
There's a sealed observation room inside
where we can watch him being lowered.
Come on, let's go.
So far, all the
bees have stayed with me.
Sergeant, open it up.
I'm okay, keep it going.
Easy.
Easy.
Okay.
I don't believe that man.
Okay, take it up.
David, can you hear me?
Right, which way do I go?
You come straight toward us.
Directly in front of you is the fire pit
for the missile testing.
And at the bottom of the
pit, there are vent tunnels
and pipes that carry
fire retardant chemicals.
Now go down the stairs
and you should be able
to seal the fire pit door behind.
After that, you're in the tunnels.
Have you been
able to check them?
No, but we think the south side
has the best chance of being intact.
Now that's a left when you
get inside the tunnels.
Close it up, Sergeant.
David, is there
enough air in the suit?
Barely.
I'm starting into the tunnel.
Okay.
I just closed the door.
David, the canisters of insecticide
have been left next to the door.
Can you see them?
Yeah, I see 'em.
I'm releasing the first canister.
David, don't stay near
an open canister too long.
I won't.
I'm in the second tunnel.
Half the bees are gone.
I still got about a 100,000 with me.
I'm moving into the next corridor.
Colonel, how far is he from the exit?
About 300 yards.
He's about here.
That was only a safety door.
Everything's okay.
Colonel, I'm in the south tunnel.
Yes, what is it?
There's been a cave-in.
I can't get the hatch open.
There's an emergency
hatch in the ceiling
50 yards behind you.
Now go back to it.
I'll try.
Have you found it?
Yes, I'm there.
Colonel?
Yes, sir?
Your earthquake was
pretty busy down here.
I don't think there's any way out.
Get that team in there, get him up.
Okay, get him out.
Don't do that.
Keep that hatch shut.
This is Colonel Mags.
Go back.
We're gonna open up the
tunnel and pull you out.
Nick.
Nick, are you there?
I can hear you, David.
Don't let them.
We can make it to you, David.
No.
We can't let one of those bees escape.
It's too late for me.
There's a standby team just waiting
to go after you, just hold on.
I've already...
I've already inhaled enough of this stuff
to take care of my
nervous system for good.
It's cumulative.
I know how this chemical works.
Jeannie.
Tell him.
He's right.
You heard what he said, Colonel.
Call off your men.
Call 'em off, Sergeant.
Abort, do you copy?
Abort.
Jeannie?
Yes, David.
You'll keep going?
With your work at the center?
Yes, I will.
I'm glad.
David.
We love you.
Sergeant.