Zardoz (1974)

David de Keyser: Tabernacle

Quotes 

• Zed : [speaking into the crystal ring on his left hand]  Tabernacle - what are you?

  Tabernacle : Not permitted.

  Zed : Where are you?

  Tabernacle : Not permitted.

  Zed : Do you know me?

  Tabernacle : I have your voice-print, Zed - and your genetic code, but only memory fragments.

  Zed : [gazing into the diamond he holds in his other hand]  Tell me about the crystal transmitter.

  Tabernacle : I cannot give information which may threaten my own security.

  Zed : Brain emissions refract low wavelength laser light, passing through the crystal in the brain. They're a code sent to you for interpretation and storage. Yes or no?

  Tabernacle : Not permitted.

  Zed : A receiver must be like a transmitter. I think you're a crystal - in fact this one! This diamond! In here, there is infinite storage space for refracted light patterns. Yes or no?

  Tabernacle : You have me in the palm of your hand!

• Tabernacle : Sleep was necessary for man when his waking and unconscious lives were separated. As Eternals achieved total consciousness. Sleep became obsolete and Second Level meditation took its place.

• Tabernacle : You are asked to vote at the termination of the trial of George Saden. Final statement from the accused begins.

  George Saden : I confess to the charges, but plead mitigation. These thoughts are constructive criticisms. Pyramidical. I try to suppress these thoughts, but they leak out in Second Level through the head-wound of my third death. I was imperfectly repaired. No. That is not true. I think what I think!

  Friend : [murmuring]  That's more like it! I'm with you, George.

  George Saden : I hate you all. I hate you all. I hate you all. Especially me.

  [the Tabernacle chimes] 

  Tabernacle : Vote, please. Vote, please.

  Friend : [to Zed]  I'm voting for him, Monster. It won't do any good. Nothing ever does.

  [Friend speaks into his ring] 

  Friend : Absolute acquittal!

• Consuella : [speaking into her ring as she observes Zed asleep in his cage]  The Brutal is now in fourth hour of unconscious sleep. It's astonishing that Homo Sapiens spends so much time in this vulnerable condition at the mercy of its enemies. Is there any data on the sleeping-patterns of primitive people?

  Tabernacle : Is that a priority request?

  Consuella : Yes. I am now going to test its waking response to dangerous stimuli.

  [She reaches inside the cage toward Zed. With unexpected speed, he seizes her wrist even as he wakes. He holds her for a moment, glaring at her before releasing her. Slowly, she recovers composure and speaks to him] 

  Consuella : Does it please you to sleep?

  Zed : Yes.

  Consuella : Why?

  Zed : I have dreams.

  Tabernacle : Sleep was necessary for Man when his waking and unconscious lives were separated. As Eternals achieved total consciousness, sleep became obsolete, and Second-Level meditation took its place. Sleep was closely connected with death.

• Tabernacle : You have penetrated me. There is no escape. You are within me. Come into my center. Come into the center of the crystal!

• Tabernacle : [perpetually repeating]  Caution: You are approaching the periphery shield of Vortex Four. Caution: You are approaching the periphery shield of Vortex Four.

• Tabernacle : You have destroyed us. You found the flaw in the crystal. We are gone. You are alone.

• Tabernacle : Would you kill God?

  Zed : Such vanity.

  Tabernacle : I am the sum of all these people and all their knowledge. I am all-seeing. I am everywhere and nowhere. That has often served as a definition of God.