:07:01
How do you respond?
:07:03
This message is from a civilization
that may be anywhere...
:07:06
...from hundreds to millions
and millions of years ahead of us.
:07:10
I have to believe that
an intelligence that advanced...
:07:14
...knows what they're doing.
:07:17
Now all it requires on our part is....
:07:21
Faith?
:07:25
I was going to say,
a sense of adventure.
:07:27
And in breaking news...
:07:28
...astronaut John Russell...
:07:30
...considered to be the leading American
candidate for the Machine seat...
:07:34
...has dropped out of the running.
:07:36
Russell met with reporters today
at his Houston home.
:07:40
I told my dad I didn't want him...
:07:42
...to go.
:07:44
Daddy, don't go.
:07:48
Nothing would give me more pride...
:07:50
...than to...
:07:52
...represent my country.
:07:54
But what can I say to this?
:07:56
Consortium officials had no comment,
but inside sources...
:08:00
...have disclosed that Dr. Arroway...
:08:02
...appears to now be the front-runner
for the Machine seat.
:08:07
"Meet me at noon.
Must talk."
:08:10
I didn't expect a message
like this from you.
:08:12
Thanks for coming.
:08:14
Is this kosher?
Fraternizing with the enemy?
:08:17
Selectors and selectees
mingling around?
:08:20
Can we talk about Einstein?
:08:22
Yeah, sure.
:08:25
Special relativity.
This Machine...
:08:29
...if it works, you travel
to Vega at the speed of light.
:08:33
- When you come back--
- If you come back.
:08:38
If you come back...
:08:40
...you'll be 4 years older, but over
50 years will have passed here on Earth.
:08:44
Basically.
:08:46
And everybody that you care about...
:08:49
...will be gone, dead and buried.
:08:52
If you came back,
if you survived at all....
:08:57
Look, Palmer, nobody's saying
this isn't dangerous.