Capítulo 15 de 28 · 4'07"
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.
❝ Monólogo · 4 frases Pash lays the Soviet line
Heard-of, go-between, then a man who can pass secrets: the net tightens one clause at a time.
A Cock-and-Bull Story
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.
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.
A1–C2 es la escala MCER. Las tarjetas por encima del nivel elegido se atenúan y la reproducción no se pausa en ellas.
“Now, the FBI talked him down, but that's the man you're dancing with.”
A dangerous ally recast as a dance partner: light image, cold warning.
Informal
“It might not hurt to be on the lookout for it.”
A nudge disguised as a harmless suggestion.
Informal
“I was attempting to give them Eltenton without opening a can of worms.”
Damage control described as a container: hand over one name, not the whole mess.
Informal
“I told them a cock-and-bull story.”
Self-indictment in one idiom: it was a made-up tale, and I knew it.
Informal
“You're trying to protect your friend.”
Motive named in one plain sentence, which makes it hard to argue with.
Formal
I gather you've heard there are other parties interested in the work of the Radiation Lab. A man attached to the Soviet Consul indicated, through intermediate people, to people on this project, that he was in a position to transmit information.
Siguiente · 16took a wrong turnLa escena: Bohr Warns of the AftermathAn absurd, made-up tale. Oppenheimer uses it to admit he invented an account for the investigators instead of telling the truth.
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.
A friend. The questioner says plainly, "You're trying to protect your friend," implying it is Chevalier.
He admits he lied to Pash but told Groves the truth, which is why the story changed between the people he spoke to.
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.
