Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Page #4

following a sneak attack.

If the normal chain of command has

been disrupted. You approved it.

You must recall the hastle regarding

our deterrent lacking credibility.

The idea was for Plan R to be

a retaliatory safeguard.

- A safeguard?

- The human element failed us...

The idea was to deter Russia from

wiping out Washington and yourself.

So they couldn't escape retaliation

due to a lack of proper command.

The planes will return once

they reach their fail-safe points?

No, they were at their fail-safe

points when the go-code was issued.

Once beyond fail-safe they continue

until they reach their targets.

Why haven't you countermanded

the go-code?

- We're unable to reach the planes.

- Why?

As you may recall, -

- one of the provisions provides

that, once the go-code is given, -

- the radios are switched to a coded

device, designated CRM114.

In order to prevent the enemy

from issuing fake orders, -

- CRM is designed

not to receive at all.

Unless the message is preceeded by

the correct three-letter prefix.

Do you mean to tell me you are

unable to recall the aircraft?

That's about right. We are plowing

through three-letter combinations.

But since there are

...it'll take us 2 days.

- When do we pentrate Russian radar?

- About 18 minutes.

- Are you in contact with Ripper?

- No, he sealed off the base.

- How did you get this information?

- He called after issuing the code.

I have a partial transcript

of that conversation...

The duty officer asked Ripper to

confirm he had issued the go-code.

He said, "Yes. They're on their way,

and no one can bring them back."

"For our country's sake, I suggest

sending the rest of SAC after them."

"Otherwise we will be destroyed

by Red retaliation."

"My boys will give you a good start:

"And you won't stop them now."

"So let's get going.

There's no other choice."

"God willing, we will prevail.

In peace, in freedom from fear, -

- and in true health, through

the purity of our natural...

...fluids."

"God bless you all."

Then he hung up.

- We're working on that last phrase.

- The man's obviously a psychotic.

I'd hold off judgement on a thing

like that until the facts are in.

Gen. Turgidson, when you instituted

the human reliability tests, -

- you assured me such a thing

could never occur.

It's not fair to condemn the whole

programme because of one slip-up.

- I want to speak to Gen. Ripper.

- That's impossible.

I'm no longer interested in your

estimates of what is possible.

Gen. Faceman, are there any

Army units stationed near Burpelson?

I'll just check, sir.

Hello...

I told you never to call me here.

Don't you know where I am?

Look, baby, I can't talk now.

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