Dutton explains the nuclear device only goes off “if there’s danger of infection breaking out from here.”
“That silver key can’t be removed,” explains Stone. “You’re the only one who can disarm the mechanism by inserting your red key in one of the substations located throughout the facility. Now, there’s a five minute delay between the time detonation locks in, and the bomb explodes.”
“That gives you a chance to think,” adds Dutton, “and – – please God, call it off.”
“Look, I’m the new boy here,” says Hall. “Why me?”
“Because you’re single,” says Stone.
“You should have done your homework, sport,” says Leavitt, opening a binder. ” Page two-fifty-five, Robbie’s Odd Man Hypothesis.” Leavitt walks over to Hall and reads from the manual. “‘Results of testing confirm the Robertson Odd Man Hypothesis: that an unmarried male should carry out command decisions involving thermonuclear destruct contexts.’ “
“Let me take a look at that,” says Hall, grabbing the binder. The camera moves to the page that Hall is studying:
GROUP — INDEX OF EFFECTIVENESS
Married Males — .343
Married Females — .399
Single Females — .402
Single Males — .824
INDIVIDUALS
Stone — .687
Dutton — .543
Kirke — .614
Leavitt — .601
Hall — .899
“It’s of vital importance, Hall,” says Stone, “that you’re always aware of where you are in relation to the nearest-“