[the title card appears]
Ground floor.
A Ant
Uh, worker. Soldier. Worker.
Let's try it again. Firm grip. Swing hard. Back straight. Concentrate. Follow through.
Okay. I've got to keep a positive attitude. A good attitude, even though I'm utterly insignificant. [grabs an ax] I'm-I'm insignificant, um, but with attitude.
Oh, sorry, Z. I didn't see you.
Great, Azteca. It's working already. I'm so meaningless, I'm invisible. [he tries to get the ax out]
[laughing]
Now, you're getting it. [takes the ax out] After all, it's not about you. It's about us, the team. It's about this.
Uh, a giant hole in the ground?
Foreman Okay, people. Are we feeling good?
Foreman Great! Now, R-1734 through Z-7829, you guys are on wrecking ball.
All right, swing time! Let's get physical!
Now, remember, Azteca, "Be the ball." That's the main thing. Now, remember that. You know, got to be one with the ball.
Would you cut it out already? Jeez. I love my work. And you, well... You think too much. Come on, Z. Help us build a bigger, better colony. And, for crying out loud, try to be happy about it.
Sure, you know. [nervous chuckle] I mean, how could I possibly be unhappy being a piece of construction equipment?
Foreman Okay, workers, remember.
Foreman Be the ball.
Foreman Let the energy flow through you!
Grin and bear it. This is... This is for the colony. Ow! This is... This is just a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Did I happen to mention that heights make me nauseous?
Yes. Yes. I understand. I dropped the ball.
[his first words]
Workers. They're weak. They lack discipline. They lack commitment.
Foreman [he comes in]
General, I know there's been a glitch or two. But everybody is working full tilt as it is, and-
You can't help it, it's your nature. But in spite of your limitations, you are going to finish this tunnel on schedule. Come hell or high water. For now on, anyone who falls behind is going to have to explain themselves to Colonel Cutter. And let me assure you, the colonel is not as understanding as I am. Dismissed. Four more days, Cutter. Four more days. Then we can bid final farewell to their kind of incompetence.
A fresh start. Imagine it!
A strong colony, sir. A colony we can be proud of.
Yes, but we're not there yet. Cutter, we just got word that a termite army has mobilized against us.
We'll have to send troops deep into hostile territory to attack their colony.
Attack a termite colony, sir? That's suicide.
Exactly. Do you have the list I asked for?
Yes, General. [takes the list to General] These are the units loyal to the queen.
Hm. Then they're the ones we'll be sending. It's a shame. There's some fine officers here.
Don't we need the queen's approval to declare war?
Our very next stop, Cutter.
Yeah. [he breaks the wall] Okay, mama. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Big guy comin' through. Love it.
Hey. Hey. Hey. Take it easy, muscles. You're makin' the rest of us look bad. What happened to Z?
He's takin' a personal day, so I'm fillin' in.
[admiring]
You fill in any more, and you'll explode.
No, uh, uh... Nobody told me digging was so much fun. You know, you pick the dirt up. You move it. You pick it up again. You move it again. Lots of reps. You exercise the arms and the thorax.
Yes, I... I see what you mean.
Foreman Um. Yeah. That is fascinating.
Sorry, sir. I was just havin' a chat with my friend, sir.
Foreman You know, I just had a chat with General Mandible. Anybody who doesn't meet his quota is going to be downsized.
Come on. Cut him a break. He's new.
Foreman Hey. What do you say we help your attitude a little bit by taking away your rations for the day. Thanks for your time.
I don't know what came over me. Talking back like that. [he starts cutting] I must be losin' it.
Sorry I got you in trouble. But, listen, you can share my rations. Whoa. If you want.
[guards the ax]
Are you askin' me out to dinner?
[chuckles]
Oh, no. I... Well, if you don't have anything else planned.
[laughing]
I'll check my calendar. You know, I'm kinda glad Z's takin' a breather.
[Cutter watches, as the Queen tells Mandible that she wants Bala back]
No more excuses, General. I want my daughter back. Frankly, I'm beginning to doubt your ability to handle this.
Believe me, Your Highness, we will spare no effort to bring her back. Princess Bala is essential to all our plans for the future.
So he kills himself a hundred termites, gets a few medals, then bada-ding, bada-bip, bags himself the princess.
He looks dead in the eye...
FA Female Ant
He said that to General Mandible?
Buddy. Hey, hey, buddy. You heard about the war hero named Z? Runs off the the princess, right? When they sent the guards after him, he just looks at 'em and boom! They burst into flames.
Z? [chuckling] You talkin' about Z? Hey, I know the guy. He's a friend of mine. I think your information...
Yeah. He's a worker. He used to dig around here.
A worker? That's impossible. A worker can't do anything, except work.
FA Female Ant
Yeah. It's not like we got a choice.
We do have a choice. Uh, I mean, look at Z. He decided he wanted something, and he went for it.
He's not alone. I used to be a soldier, and I switched places with him.
Wait a second. You're tellin' me, I don't have to be here?
FA Female Ant
We've got a choice?
The authorities don't want you to know, but we don't have to work on the tunnel any more.
It's the workers who control the means of production.
If Z don't dig, I don't dig.
Foreman People, what is this? An encounter group? Let's get back to work.
...on the tunnel anymore! This guy, Z, he's leadin' the revolution!
Foreman I'll get back to you.
[the worker ants chattering]
A All
[chanting]
We want Z! We want Z!
Foreman People, come on. I know some ants who aren't gonna make their quota.
Buzz off, pawn of the oppressor.
A All
[continues chanting]
We want Z! We want Z!
Sorry, sir. I came as soon as I heard. I was debriefing the trackers.
Well, this Z, sir. He's one slippery character. They lost Bala's trail at the edge of the lake.
A All
[singing]
All we are saying is give Z a chance.
What's that soldier doing there?
It appears he's holding hands, sir, with a worker.
I don't like the way things are going, Cutter. I'm counting on you for results. Now, can I depend on you or not?
All right, then. Let's wrap this up.
A All
[continues chanting]
We want Z! We want Z! We want Z!
I've heard a lot about this Z. I even had the pleasure of meeting him once. But where is he know? Can anyone point him out? I mean, if this Z cares so much about us, then why isn't he here? I'll tell you why. Because Z doesn't give a damn about us. That's why he kidnapped our princess. That's why he ran away. Z is no hero. We are the heroes. We are the ones ensuring the future of our great colony. And when we've completed this magnificent structure, we will reap the benefits: more food and less work for everyone. And as further reward for your heroic efforts, each and every one of you will get the day off... so you can be the guests of honor at the MegaTunnel dedication ceremonies!
Foreman [the ants cheering]
Mandible! Mandible!
A All
[chanting]
Mandible! Mandible! Mandible! Mandible!
Now bring me that soldier.
Today is the realization of a dream. A dream of a proud colony. A pure colony. A colony reborn. Moments from now this tunnel will open. The past will be washed away and a new day will dawn.
A stirring speech, General. I only wish my daughter were here to appreciate it.
Your Majesty, I know how concerned you are about Bala. But my scouts are on her trail and it's only a matter of time...
General, I don't want to discuss it. Just find her.
Oh, I will, Your Highness. Good-bye. Seal up the doors. Cutter, did you hear me?
Sir, I've been thinking. Do we need to go through with this? Look at what these workers have done. They got the right stuff. Isn't there any other way?
Cutter, you're a fine officer. You have discipline, courage, ability. But you seem to have a certain weakness for the lower orders that I find disturbing. Now, are you with me?
All right, then. Seal it up.
As I look out on this magnificent tunnel, I am filled with pride.
In these difficult times, it is a great solace to know that you, our workers...
Every worker in the colony is here. Hey, wait a minute. That guy owes me money.
This tremendous accomplishment is a testimony to the strength...
Foreman People! Put your backs into it!
Go warn your mother. I gotta get to those diggers before they break through.
Hey, leave the pessimism to me, okay? [Z went to the Tunnel while Bala headed to her mother.] Excuse me! Sorry about that. Excuse me.
In a few moments, when our expert diggers break through to the surface...
...the sun will pour into this... Bala! Where've you been? Are you all right? [hugs Bala]
Mother, we're in terrible danger.
Foreman Put your backs into it, people.
Wait! Hold... Hey, stop digging!
Z! You're back! Oh, Z! Oh.
Ho-Hold up, everyone. Stop. Stop digging.
Foreman On whose authority?
On your own authority. If you break through that wall, we're all gonna...
Drown! This tunnel is going to flood.
So we've got to get everyone out of here.
[the worker ants murmuring]
Foreman Look, I got orders, and those orders say "dig."
What if someone ordered you to jump off a bridge? Oh, brother, I'm asking the wrong guy here. Look, think for yourselves!
Foreman Give me that! I've enough out of you. Get back to work.
Foreman Uh-oh...
[The hole burst open and water gushed through. Z and the other worker ants started to run for their lives.]
Run! Keep going!
Everyone, listen to me. We've all been deceived. We need to calmly head toward the exits.
D Digger
Run for your lives! It's gonna flood!
No. Don't panic. Don't panic!
All the exits are blocked!
[Ants screaming while panicked ants are swept away.]
What are we going to do?
Foreman There's nothing we can do!
Worker Ant: Oh Ueh!
Worker Ant: Ah!
Worker Ant: Go Go Go! Dark!
Yes, there is. Weaver, give me a leg up. [climbs on Weaver] Everyone, listen to me!
[the worker ants chattering]
Listen, we gotta help each other get outta here before we all drown.
Hey, if we built this, we can do anything. [jumps off Weaver] Okay, let's move it!
I'm on it. All of you, gather around. You, start climbing.
Excuse me, Your Majesty. [holds up the Queen, by climbing up]
Z, I've gotta help my Mom.
Don't worry. I know almost exactly what I'm doing. [hugs Bala] I'll see you at the top.
Gentlemen, there comes a time, in the evolution of a perfect colony, when the strong are meant to rise above the weak. Now is that time. Below us right now, the weak elements of the colony, are being washed away.
Oh, my God, we're not gonna make it! We need more ants.
[grunting]
You two better get up there.
Weaver, you can't hold it alone.
[Z and Azteca began to climb to the top.]
Got it!
Hurry up! Go, go, go, go!
[Z began to dig his way to the top]
