Jurassic Park
written by Michael Crichton & David Koepp, from the novel by Michael Crichton
Hammond: Do you know the first attraction I ever built when I first came here from Scotland? It was a flea circus...Petticoat Lane. (beat) It was quite spectacular. Spared no expense. There was a miniature merry-go-round and a wee trapeze and a car-carousel... and a see-saw. (long pause) They all moved, motorized of course, but people would say they could see the fleas. "Oh, I can see the fleas, mummy, can't you see the fleas?" (beat) Clown fleas and high-wire fleas and fleas on parade. (long pause) But this place..... I wanted to show them something they could see... and touch. (beat) Not just devoid of merit.
Ellie: Yeah, but you can't think through this one, John. You have to feel it.
Hammond: You're right. You're absolutely right. Hiring Nedry was a mistake, that's obvious. We're far too over-dependant on automation. Now next time, everything's correct, everything's perfect. Next time it'll be flawless.
Ellie: But still the flea circus, John. It's all an illusion --
Hammond: When we have control --
Ellie: You never had control, that's the illusion! I mean, I was overwhelmed by the power of this place! But I made a mistake too. I didn't have enough respect for that power and it's out now. The only thing that matters now are the people we love. Alan and Lex and Tim; John, they're out there where people are dying. So...
(Ellie takes a spoonful of the melting ice cream.)
Ellie: It's good.
Hammond: Spared no expense.
Kudos and much thanks go to Mike for this monologue, it is very much appreciated.