Planet of the Apes

“That’s where we perform certain extremely tricky operations on the brain: grafting; observation and alteration of the nervous centers; partial and even total ablation.”

“And you carry out these experiments on men!”

“Of course. Man’s brain, like the rest of his anatomy, is the one that bears the closest resemblance to ours. It’s a lucky chance that nature has put at our disposal an animal on whom we can study our own bodies. Man serves us in many other fields of research, as you’ll come to realize. ... At this very moment we are undertaking an extremely important series of experiments.”

“For which you need a considerable amount of human material.”

“A very considerable amount—which explains those drives we carry out in the jungle to renew our supplies. Unfortunately, it’s the gorillas who organize them, and we can’t stop them indulging in their favorite pastime, which is shooting. A large number of subjects have thus been lost to science.”

“What a terrible shame,” I muttered, biting my lip. “But to get back to me . . .”

“Do you know why I’ve insisted on keeping our secret?”

“Am I then condemned to spend the rest of my life in a cage?”

“Not if the plan I have in mind succeeds. But you must not drop your mask until the time is ripe and you hold all the cards. This is what I suggest: in a month from now we’re holding our annual biological conference. It’s an important event. A large public is admitted to it and the representatives of all the leading papers attend. Now, for us public opinion is a more powerful element than Zaius, more powerful than all the orangutans combined, more powerful even than the gorillas. This will be your chance. It’s when this congress is in full session that you must lift the veil; for you’re going to be introduced by Zaius, who, as I’ve told you, is preparing a long report on you and your famous instinct. The best thing then would be for you to speak up yourself to explain your case. This would cause such a sensation that Zaius wouldn’t be able to stop you. It will be up to you to explain yourself clearly to the assembly and convince the crowd and the journalists, as you have already convinced me.”

“And if Zaius and the orangutans put their foot down?”

“Once the gorillas are forced to bow before public opinion, they’ll soon make those idiot orangutans see reason. Many of them, after all, are not so stupid as Zaius; and there are also, among the scientists, a few chimpanzees whom the Academy has been obliged to admit because of their sensational discoveries. One of these is Cornelius, my fiancé. He’s the only one to whom I have spoken about you. He has promised to do all he can for you. Naturally, he wants to see you beforehand so as to check the incredible account I have given him. That’s partly why I’ve brought you here today. I’ve arranged to meet him and he shouldn’t be long.”

Cornelius was waiting for us near a bank of giant ferns. He was a fine-looking chimpanzee, older than Zira certainly, but extremely young for a learned academician. As soon as I saw him I was struck by his exceptionally keen and intense expression.

“What do you think of him?” Zira whispered to me in French.

I realized from her question that I had definitely won the confidence of this she-ape. I muttered some complimentary remark and we went up to him.

The engaged couple embraced in the manner of the lovers in the park. He had opened his arms wide without glancing in my direction. In spite of what she had told him about me, it was clear that my presence counted no more for him than that of a pet animal. Zira herself forgot me for a moment and they exchanged long kisses on the muzzle. Then she stiffened, broke free from him, and bashfully lowered her eyes.

“Darling, we are not alone.”

“Yes, I am here,” I said with dignity in my best simian language.

“What’s that?” Cornelius exclaimed with a start.

“I said, I am here. I am sorry to have to remind you of the fact. Your demonstrations do not embarrass me in the least, but you might hold it against me later.”

“Well, I never!” exclaimed the learned chimpanzee. Zira burst out laughing and introduced us.

“Dr. Cornelius of the Academy,” she said. “Ulysse Merou, an inhabitant of the solar system or, to be more precise, the Earth.”

“I am delighted to make your acquaintance,” I said. “Zira has told me about you. I congratulate you on having such a charming fiancée.”

And I held out my hand. He shied away as though a snake had just raised its head in front of him.

“So it’s true?” he muttered, looking at Zira in utter bewilderment.

“Darling, am I in the habit of telling you lies?”

He pulled himself together. He was a man of science. After a moment’s hesitation he shook my hand.

“How do you do?”

“How do you do?” I replied. “Once more I must apologize for appearing in this state of undress.”

“That’s all he can think of,” said Zira with a laugh. “It’s a complex with him. He does not realize the effect he would have if he were dressed.”

“And you really come from . . . from?”