1:06:03
I hope you're right.
1:06:05
I really do.
1:06:06
But my job is to protect American lives
from any threat...
1:06:10
...so I am obligated
to assume the worst.
1:06:12
Yes, and I am forced
to agree with you.
1:06:14
My problem is this:
1:06:16
The content of that message
is morally ambiguous at best.
1:06:20
Our internal numbers show
support for this is incredibly soft.
1:06:23
If the President stays this course...
1:06:26
...his numbers will be going
south like ducks in winter.
1:06:29
This is nuts!
1:06:30
Excuse me...
1:06:31
...Miss.
1:06:33
We know nothing
of these creatures' values.
1:06:35
We don't even know
whether they believe in God.
1:06:38
This doesn't make any sense. If--
1:06:40
Excuse me, Dr. Arroway.
1:06:42
We won't be suppressing
any opinions here today.
1:06:45
No, of course not.
I understand.
1:06:48
What I meant to say...
1:06:50
...is the message was written
in the language of science.
1:06:53
If it was religious in nature,
it should have taken the form...
1:06:57
...of a burning bush
or a voice from the sky.
1:07:00
But a voice from the sky...
1:07:03
...is exactly what you found,
Doctor Arroway.
1:07:09
I'm sorry I'm late, ma'am.
1:07:12
I agree with Mr. Rank
that there are unavoidable...
1:07:16
...religious implications at stake.
1:07:18
But that doesn't justify
being an alarmist.
1:07:22
I hope that we can find
a common ground...
1:07:25
...break through obstacles
that may have kept us apart.
1:07:29
Listen, I need to make
one thing very clear.
1:07:31
Our organization will not be placated
with flowery New Age rhetoric--
1:07:37
Mr. President!
1:07:40
The President met with top advisors...
1:07:42
...regarding the latest efforts
to decode the message.
1:07:45
While there has been some progress,
the official line remains cautious.
1:07:50
If you're asking when we'll find out...
1:07:52
...what the purpose
of that Machine is...
1:07:55
...maybe tomorrow,
maybe next year, maybe never.