Testing

The Scientist: Oh good, you're awake. He removes a vile of smelling salts from his lab coat pocket and cracks it open under the bent over head of JESSICA, early 20s. Jessica springs awake and gasps, dried blood left under her nose. THE SCIENTIST Oh good, you’re awake.

Jessica: Hel -!! Jessica tries to scream, but The Scientist silences her immediately by putting a mask on her face. THE SCIENTIST Let’s start with the rules. No screaming. No yelling. No biting. No crying. Deal? Jessica squirms in her chair, trying to break free from the retraints around her hands behind her back. THE SCIENTIST Oh, and no escaping. That’s kind of a big one. That would really hurt my feelings. You’re a guest here. So be polite, okay? You can do that. I have faith in you. Jessica stares at him coldly. He slowly removes the mask from her mouth. Once the mask is off, she stays silent. THE SCIENTIST Fantastic. See? You did it. Now I don’t have to taze you and we can get right to work.

Jessica: Who are you? And where am I? The Scientist continues to set up his tools as he talks. THE SCIENTIST No nagging. One question at a time please. You can call me The Scientist. And we are in... my place of work.

Jessica: What do you want with me? THE SCIENTIST It’s so much better when the subjects don’t talk.

Jessica: People will be looking for me. I have a family... friends. The Scientist smiles a little. THE SCIENTIST That’s the thing, Jessica... You don’t. You don’t have anyone.

Jessica: You don’t know me. THE SCIENTIST Oh I know everything, Jess. Mommy died when you were 4, Daddy just last year. Pancreatic. That’s a bummer. Other than that job you just lost, you never had any friends. Family was your life and well, they’re gone. So, no Jess... No one will be looking for you. That’s why you’re here. Those words really hit her hard. She tries to hide her emotions.

(points to her eye)

Jessica: What are you going to do to me? THE SCIENTIST What if I told you that what’s right in there... Is the key to cure blindness. And once I have it, my mother will see again.

Jessica: Mama’s boy... Figures. THE SCIENTIST What did you just say?

(that hit a nerve)

Jessica: How many women have you killed? Brought into this despicable excuse for a lab. You think your mom’s gonna be proud of you? As soon as she sees you for the first time, she’ll wish she was blind again. THE SCIENTIST That’s gonna cost you.

Jessica: How many others did it cost? Huh? How many lives were lost in your pathetic, incapable hands? THE SCIENTIST Oh there were others... many, many others. But none that felt as much pain as you will soon feel.

(smiles)

Jessica: Promise? And that’s how you do it boys. THE SCIENTIST Excuse me? Jessica pulls her hands from behind her back, throws down the ties and speaks into her watch.

Jessica: You get all that?

(voice on her watch confirms)

Jessica: Loud and clear.

Jessica: This place is surrounded by FBI. You’re under arrest for the murder of 14 women. And when you are found guilty you will spend the rest of your miserable life in jail. No, David Marks... You don’t know me. The Scientist looks at her in shock.