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Oppenheimer · 2023 — Chapter 15 of 28 · 4'07" · C1

Oppenheimer's Cock-and-Bull Story, Explained: a cock-and-bull story

In a hearing, Oppenheimer is asked about Pash, Eltenton and the approach to the project. He admits he told a "cock-and-bull story" to keep the inquiry from "opening a can of worms," and that he lied to Pash. "You're trying to protect your friend," the questioner says — and he does not deny it.

What happens

At the security hearing, Oppenheimer is pressed about Pash and about Eltenton's approach through people on the project. He concedes that he tried to hand over Eltenton without "opening a can of worms," that he told a "cock-and-bull story," and that he lied to Pash.

InterrogationsCourtroomConfessingExplainingPolice & suspectC1fastamerican
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Listen for

a cock-and-bull storytalk someone downopen a can of wormsput something in a context of

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Phrase of the scene

a cock-and-bull story

编造的荒唐故事；一套鬼话

奥本海默在听证会上承认，当年为了让调查收场，他向帕什编了一套说辞，并称之为这个故事。

He gave the police a cock-and-bull story about losing his keys.

Also in this scene

  • talk someone down

    把情绪激动的人劝冷静；把对方劝住、让他软下来

  • open a can of worms

    捅开一个马蜂窝；掀开一串难以收场的麻烦

  • put something in a context of

    把某事放到某个背景里来讲；替它提供一个参照

Everything marked in this scene

20 notes across 77 lines

Phrase · B2by remote control-Ah. -By remote control.
Phrase · B1take up timeI won't take up too much of your time.
Soundtake up

flap

I won't take up too much of your time.
Phrase · B2have someone worriedIt's had me worried all day.
Phrase · B2without authorizationYes, well, I didn't want to talk to Lomanitz without authorization.
Phrase · C1admissible in courtNow, when the FBI pointed out that such information wouldn't be admissible in court, Pash made it clear
Grammar · C1wouldn't be admissible in court

would

Now, when the FBI pointed out that such information wouldn't be admissible in court, Pash made it clear
Phrase · B2have no intention of doing somethinghe had no intention of leaving any witness left to prosecute.
Phrase · C1be dancing with someoneNow, the FBI talked him down, but that's the man you're dancing with.
Phrase · B2be in a position to do somethingto people on this project, that he was in a position to transmit information.
Phrase · B2be on the lookout for somethingIt might not hurt to be on the lookout for it.
Grammar · B2might not hurt to be

might not hurt to

It might not hurt to be on the lookout for it.
Soundon the lookout

liaison

It might not hurt to be on the lookout for it.
Phrase · C1open a can of wormsI was attempting to give them Eltenton without opening a can of worms.
Phrase · C1a cock-and-bull storyI told them a cock-and-bull story.
Soundcock-and-bull

elision

I told them a cock-and-bull story.
Grammar · B2under the influence of

under the influence of

That he was under the influence of the typical American schoolboy attitude
Phrase · B2tell on someonethat there's something wicked about telling on a friend.
Phrase · B2get someone into troublein not getting innocent people into trouble.
Grammar · C1not getting innocent people into trouble

insistence in

in not getting innocent people into trouble.

Oppenheimer's Cock-and-Bull Story, explained

What's really going on

The scene is a contest over what a sentence means. The questioner wants a name; Oppenheimer keeps offering everything except the one thing asked for, dressing the refusal as caution: "It might not hurt to be on the lookout for it." The admission that lands hardest is quiet and technical — that he told a "cock-and-bull story" to avoid "opening a can of worms," and that he lied to Pash while telling Groves the truth. The line "You're trying to protect your friend" names the real motive, loyalty, and turns it into an accusation, because in this room a friend's name is exactly what is being demanded.

Theme

TrustA hearing turns a private decision about loyalty into a test of whether Oppenheimer can be trusted.
LiesHe admits telling a cock-and-bull story and lying to Pash, showing how small evasions accumulate.

Listen for

  • take up — flap
  • on the lookout — liaison
  • cock-and-bull — elision
Now, the FBI talked him down, but that's the man you're dancing with.

A warning that the man he is dealing with is dangerous, even if others managed to calm him down.

It might not hurt to be on the lookout for it.

A cautious suggestion, framed as harmless, that actually asks for surveillance.

I was attempting to give them Eltenton without opening a can of worms.

He says he tried to satisfy the inquiry with one name, avoiding a wider investigation.

I told them a cock-and-bull story.

A flat admission that he made up an account to mislead the investigators.

You're trying to protect your friend.

The accusation that names his motive: loyalty to Chevalier is why he holds back the name.

Questions about this scene

What does 'a cock-and-bull story' mean?

An absurd, made-up tale. Oppenheimer uses it to admit he invented an account for the investigators instead of telling the truth.

Why does Oppenheimer say he told a cock-and-bull story?

He says he was trying to hand over Eltenton without opening a can of worms, so he invented a version that would satisfy the inquiry without dragging in others.

Who does the questioner think Oppenheimer is protecting?

A friend. The questioner says plainly, "You're trying to protect your friend," implying it is Chevalier.

What did Oppenheimer tell Groves?

He admits he lied to Pash but told Groves the truth, which is why the story changed between the people he spoke to.

What does the questioner want Oppenheimer to do?

To volunteer the name of the faculty member who made the approach, without being ordered to, arguing that protecting a friend here is a mistake.

Oppenheimer · 28 chapters

All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 16took a wrong turnBohr Warns of the Aftermath
Chapter 1leaves a little to be desiredBohr Sends Oppenheimer to GöttingenChapter 2the man for the jobStrauss Offers Oppenheimer a JobChapter 3seek outRabi Meets Oppenheimer on a TrainChapter 4a vicious cycleOppenheimer Starts His Quantum SeminarChapter 5wiggle roomPolitical Debate at a PartyChapter 6wring your neckOppenheimer Names Los AlamosChapter 7from moneyOppenheimer Explains Empty SpaceChapter 8herd intoLawrence Shuts Down the UnionChapter 9point takenGroves Offers Oppenheimer the JobChapter 10a point of no returnOppenheimer Asks Einstein About DoomsdayChapter 11pass onChevalier Suggests Passing SecretsChapter 12the business at handTeller Pitches the H-BombChapter 13Thanks for nothingCondon Quits Los AlamosChapter 14drop in and outOppenheimer's Last Night With JeanWatching · Chapter 15a cock-and-bull storyOppenheimer's Cock-and-Bull StoryChapter 16took a wrong turnBohr Warns of the AftermathChapter 17go down this roadThe GAC Debates the H-BombChapter 18a lot of latitudeThe Target Committee Debates the BombChapter 19gallows humorWaiting Out the Storm at TrinityChapter 20blood on my handsOppenheimer Meets President TrumanChapter 21A man of convictionThe Fuchs Spy Case Comes UpChapter 22curse the name ofOppenheimer Refuses the Super BombChapter 23how the game is playedPlanning Oppenheimer's DownfallChapter 24MermaidsRabi Defends OppenheimerChapter 25cuts both waysBorden Reads the Accusation LetterChapter 26made mincemeat out ofHill Blames Strauss at the HearingChapter 27Haven't the slightest ideaKitty Testifies Before the BoardChapter 28moral scruplesOppenheimer Is Cross-Examined
Chapter 15 of 28 · about 34 min to go