By A. Peter Swearengen
Copyright © 2001 Idyllist, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ACT I ACT II ACT III
INT. DREAM ROOM -- DAY
Naked, Kyle watches Dr. Bitterroot, with the mind of a child,
at work on a complex spiderwed of blue and red.
INT. KYLE'S BEDROOM -- DAY
Kyle opens his eyes, on his bed.
HAROLD
You okay?
Kyle groans and sits up very slowly, removing the a Mentor
Connector.
KYLE
I think so.
HAROLD
So, you haven't told me what it does.
Is it cool?
KYLE
Harold, I want you to do everything
you can to forget about it. At least
for now.
Dismayed, Harold agrees.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90.
KYLE (CONT'D)
You and I have been analyzing system
reports all day. Business as usual.
HAROLD
Sure, boss.
INT. KYLE'S C.C.L. OFFICE -- DAY
In the daily routine, the phone rings, and Kyle answers:
KYLE
Ubiquisoft. Black speaking.
STERN
(on phone)
How's that asssessment coming, Black?
KYLE
Almost finished, Mr. Stern. We've
got some manufacturing systems to
cover before I can release it.
STERN
Excellent. Then you can come with
me to Colombus tomorrow. We need to
perform a walk-thru of a steel
fabrication plant before we slate it
for shutdown. I'd like your opinion.
KYLE
Yes, sir.
STERN
How's it going, Kyle? Come across
anything you and I should talk about?
KYLE
Not yet, sir. But my report should
be useful.
STERN
Looking forward to it. See you
tomorrow.
KYLE
Tomorrow.
Kyle hangs up and the phone rings again. Kyle answers.
DOREEN
(on phone)
You haven't told me your results.
KYLE
Ah, well, it was a dead end. Thanks
for your help.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
91.
DOREEN
That's too bad.
KYLE
Should I destroy the equipment, or
ship it back to you?
DOREEN
I just flew in. Why not bring it
over to me?
KYLE
Okay.
DOREEN
Tonight. The Stanhope. Bring it with
you.
Kyle hangs up and studies Bitterroot's painting.
INT. LOBBY, STANHOPE -- EVENING
Kyle passes through the lobby carrying a medium-sized
suitcase. A bellman offers to help, but Kyle waves him off.
INT. HALLWAY -- EVENING
Kyle waits at Doreen's door. She opens it, wearing a black
sweatshirt, tights, and combat boots. He enters before he's
invited.
DOREEN
I ordered dinner.
KYLE
Good idea.
INT. DOREEN'S ROOM, STANHOPE -- EVENING
Doreen turns, questioning. Aggressively, Kyle takes her and
kisses her. She tries once to cut it short, but gives in.
They release with a spark of anger and desire.
DOREEN
What?
KYLE
Time for us to talk.
DOREEN
I agree.
KYLE
What you did to R.J. Bitterroot is
worse than murder.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
92.
DOREEN
Don't assume everything you see is
the final truth.
KYLE
Nice sentiment. But it's all I have
to go on.
DOREEN
I have a way to change things.
KYLE
Sure. Just plug me in.
DOREEN
No. Stern took the Mentor System and
turned it to his own profit. He's
done the same thing to you.
Kyle doesn't respond.
DOREEN (CONT'D)
I can help you, Kyle.
KYLE
Why now, all of a sudden?
DOREEN
I had to complete the research.
Kyle realizes he knows what she means.
KYLE
I'm your test case.
DOREEN
The most important one. You prove
that Mentored learning doesn't have
to destroy the personality.
KYLE
It creates false memories.
DOREEN
You are still Kyle Black. Same
authority problems, questioning
everything. Stern found that he
couldn't make creative robots. Destroy
the personality and you destroy that
which makes us creators. Inventors.
KYLE
So, you want to erase me?
DOREEN
No. Reprogram. Start with what we've
got and break down his structure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
93.
Kyle considers.
KYLE
Do we have time for dinner?
INT. RESTARAUNT -- NIGHT
Kyle and Doreen lay their plans over dinner.
DOREEN
Stern has to let go of you. His
expectations are the problem.
KYLE
Plug him in.
DOREEN
Funny. He's got people following you
everywhere.
She indicates a table across the floor. Alone, observing,
without staring, Huges eats a heavy dinner.
KYLE
Why?
DOREEN
Protection. He's very concerned that
everything goes well with you. You're
an important investment.
KYLE
He asked me about you.
DOREEN
I know. Stern's paranoid his secrets
will be discovered by a competitor.
KYLE
I think I can get them to stop
following me.
Doreen stares at him quizzically, while Kyle eats his salad.
INT. STERNS PRIVATE JET -- DAY
Stern travels with his usual entourage. Kyle listens
attentively to Stern as Norma Lee works on laptop and cell
phone.
KYLE
Have you had opportunity to consider
my request regarding the Mentor
Program?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
94.
STERN
Certainly.
(aside)
Leese, get me a rundown on the Ways
and Means Committee activities. I
want to know how our campaign
contributions are paying off.
LEESE
You got it.
STERN
You know, Kyle, I like to challenge
people who work with me. I believe
that work without challenge is a
waste of life.
KYLE
You think it's a good idea.
STERN
I'd like your opinion of Dr. Whitcomb.
How is she as a manager?
KYLE
Ah. Frankly, I haven't had much
opportunity to observe her methods.
Stern gets up and gestures for Kyle to follow him.
STERN
Come with me.
INT. AIRPLANE COCKPIT -- DAY
Stern and Kyle join the crew. Stern taps the PILOT who
immediately allows him to take over. He indicates Kyle to
take the CO-PILOT'S position.
STERN
Take five.
Unworried, the Pilot and Co-Pilot exit the cockpit. Stern
gets up and locks the door behind them.
STERN (CONT'D)
(into radio)
Alpho-one-niner-tango en-route to
Columbus, requests permission to
adjust altitude for manual stabilizer
test.
CONTROL
(radio)
Roger, Alpha-one-niner-tango, all
clear to six thousand. Anything the
matter?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95.
STERN
No, thanks.
(to Kyle)
Grab hold.
Cautiously, Kyle grabs the stick. Stern disables the autopilot
and immediately sends the plane into a steep descent. Alarms
go off. Screams can be heard in the background.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
(on intercom)
What's the problem?
STERN
No problem! Just buckle down!
KYLE
What the hell are you doing!!?
The Pilots try to open the locked door and hammer loudly.
CO-PILOT (O.S.)
Open up!
Kyle tries to overcome the steep descent. Stern cuts the
engines. More alarms blare. In a steep glide, the plane rushes
through the air.
KYLE
Are you insane!!?
STERN
No, Kyle. I'm not.
He lets go of the stick. Kyle takes over, restores the engines
and gradually levels the plane.
CONTROL
(radio)
Alpha-one-niner-tango! Report! Are
you in emergency?
STERN
(on radio)
Negative, ATC, manual test complete.
Request permission to return to
original altitude.
CONTROL
Permission granted, Alpha-one-niner-
tango. We'll have to file a report
on that altitude change.
The Pilot and Co-Pilot force the lock and burst, terrified,
into the cockpit. Stern casually relenquishes the pilot's
seat. Kyle, a deathgrip on the wheel, flies the plane
competently.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
96.
STERN
How'd you learn to fly, Kyle?
KYLE
I- don't know.
Kyle gratefully allows the distressed Pilots to replace him.
INT. STERNS PRIVATE JET -- DAY
Whitefaced and sweaty, the other passengers recover
themselves. Stern makes Kyle a drink. They talk quietly by
the bar.
STERN
You can fly because I can fly.
KYLE
It was just instinct.
STERN
Like hell it was. You flew the plane!
Don't think I don't know you have
uncovered the truth of the Mentor
Program.
KYLE
I don't know what the truth is
anymore.
STERN
You'll get there. It takes work. The
Mentor training is based on someone's
real experience patterns. We tried
creating artificial experiences, but
they aren't as effective. Remember
how strange you felt giving that
speech in Shanghai?
KYLE
Stage fright, maybe. It didn't happen.
STERN
You knew it wasn't real even then.
Your best learning is my own.
KYLE
You worked with Bitterroot?
STERN
I did, indeed. Even you don't know
what hell that was.
KYLE
And you stole the technology.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
97.
STERN
I didn't.
KYLE
(louder)
He's not doing very well right now,
in case you haven't noticed. You
fried his fucking brain.
Nobody looks. They know better. Stern leads Kyle to the back
of the plane where they can be alone again.
STERN
I can't make it any easier for you,
Black. They door is open. You can
work with me or against me.
Kyle drinks.
KYLE
What would you do?
Stern smiles. He knows he's got him.
INT. QUALITY ASSURANCE ROOM --DAY
WORKERS clean up the wreckage, separating the good machine
components from the hopelessly mangled.
KYLE (V.O.)
Now, there should be no trace of
code, nothing to hint that Kyle Black
was the cause of his own death. In a
manner of speaking, I was dead
already.
INT. PLANT OFFICE -- EVENING
TWO POLICEMEN interview Sykes, while Stern delivers the bad
news to Middles.
STERN
I don't hold you responsible, Henry.
He was reckless.
MIDDLES
It couldn't have happened at a worse
time.
STERN
Look at it this way. The accident
is our reason to shut down. We're
concerned for employee safety. I
can guarantee you we'll find you a
good place to move. Norma will look
after you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98.
MIDDLES
I'm sorry, Mr. Stern.
Stern shrugs it off, rising.
STERN
Well, I'm not sure things were working
out for Mr. Black.
INT. LOADING BAY -- NIGHT
A MANAGER oversees as a TRUCK DRIVER operates his hoist to
lift a container of scrap metal onto his truck. The operation
complete, he signs the bill of lading.
TRUCK DRIVER
Hey, I heard you guys had an accident
here today.
SHOP MANAGER
Yeah. Some asshole senior management
fell into the forge.
(snaps his fingers)
Fried him like that.
TRUCK DRIVER
Jesus.
SHOP MANAGER
Nothing left.
TRUCK DRIVER
One less manager.
They share a chuckle.
INT. SCRAP CONTAINER -- NIGHT
The truck roars over the highway. Wind blows Kyle's hair as,
exhausted, he tries to rest amidst the mess of scrap iron.
INT. INSTITUTE RECEPTION AREA -- DAY
Kyle and Howard dolly several boxes to the front desk. Yacking
on the phone, the Receptionist smiles when she sees Kyle.
RECEPTIONIST
Even if he did lie to my face and
say he isn't the two-timing bastard
that he is, I'd still tell him to
get lost. I've got better things to
do with myself than. Georgiana? I
gotta go. After lunch. Bye.
She hangs up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99.
KYLE
Hi.
RECEPTIONIST
You're back.
KYLE
Yeah, I thought I'd try to move some
things in. It's just that they didn't
tell me where to set up.
RECEPTIONIST
Oh, they're terribly disorganized,
you know. Here, hang on.
The phone rings. She answers and shifts to another line.
RECEPTIONIST (CONT'D)
Rorsach Institute. Hold please. Yes-
Hi, Deet, it's Shaila. There's a new
blood arrived today and he needs a
desk. You got a place? I knew it.
Thanks, so much.
(hangs up)
You're gonna owe me, honey.
KYLE
I have no objection to that.
INT. INSTITUTE HALLWAY -- DAY
Harold gives Kyle the eye as they lug the boxes down the
hallway. Kyle checks door-numbers.
HAROLD
How come we don't get receptionists
like that?
KYLE
Couldn't tell you.
HAROLD
Did I go into the wrong field? They
told me software is sexy.
KYLE
Who's 'they?' Here we go.
They stop. Kyle opens the door to an empty office.
INT. INSTITUTE OFFICE -- DAY
They steal more disks from Bitterroot. Kyle believes the
patient "Freddy" might have the key.
Kyle and Harold assemble the Mentor System. Dr. Richards
opens the door after a cursory knock.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.
RICHARDS
Well, hello again, Dr. Lawrence. How
have you been?
KYLE
Very well, thank you. I hope they
put me in the right office.
Richards looks around, noting the equipment.
RICHARDS
Good as any.
KYLE
Excellent. I had some time, so I
thought I'd get an early jump. This
is Harold.
Richards nods at Harold.
RICHARDS
Doctor, I need your help. I found
your application as well as your
acceptance on file. But I can't find
out who approved your transfer.
KYLE
Bureaucracy.
RICHARDS
Yes. I called M.I.T. I found your
office, all the records are there.
Nobody I talked to seems to know who
you are.
KYLE
Workaholic. No time for socializing.
RICHARDS
I hear that. Anyway, just what kind
of research are you planning to
conduct here? And what is that thing?
KYLE
Neural-resonance capacitor. It's a
prototype.
RICHARDS
You don't intend to use it on anyone
here, do you?
KYLE
No, no. It's far from developed.
RICHARDS
Alright, then. Let me know if you
need anything. I'm extension 2588.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101.
KYLE
I appreciate it.
Richards leaves. Harold and Kyle breath a sigh of relief.
HAROLD
How come you get a fake name, and
not me?
KYLE
Don't worry. If anything goes wrong
here, I take the heat.
HAROLD
Alright. This seems pretty far outside
my job description.
KYLE
I'll be sure to note it in your
review.
INT. DREAM ROOM -- DAY
These are programs Kyle steals from Bitterroot. They give
him glimpses of Fausten's life.
Dr. Bitterroot continues to work the same puzzle. Kyle
approaches him slowly.
KYLE
R.J.?
No answer. Kyle looks more closely at the puzzle which is
the Pointillist image of a face, Jeffrey Stern.
STERN
Kyle? Why have you forsaken me?
R.J. (O.S.)
He's done what his father would have
done.
Kyle spins around. Seated in an executive office-chair,
Bitterroot blows a cloud of cigar smoke.
R.J. (CONT'D)
We all must wrestle with the
expectations of others.
STERN (O.S.)
But Kyle's not like the rest of us.
Kyle turns again to find Stern resting in his private pool.
INT. STERN'S HOME, SWIMMING POOL -- EVENING
Sterns swims to the edge of the pool and stops to drink tomato
juice from a short glass.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
102.
KYLE
You stole the Mentor Program from
the Doctor.
R.J.
In spite of what you think, I don't
hold it against him, Kyle.
KYLE
Do you know me?
STERN
If he could remember you. We brought
him all the way out to California to
meet you. Six months, Kyle! You
are the product of an amazing system.
Electrochemically enhanced learning.
The Mentor System. The world is
chained to the yoke of mediocrity.
Every day, a genius of unfathomed
potential is born, an Isaac Newton,
Picasso, Virginia Woolf. And every
day that genius is drowned, by
boredom, stifled by unchallenging
education, dimmed by cheap, passive
entertainment. We must release Genius.
KYLE
How many have been sacrificed?
STERN
A few unfortunate ones. But most
remember a six month leave of absence
where they went to school. Others,
we trained on the job. They're not
aware they even left work. The
difference is stunning. They're
more productive, flexible, and
satisfied.
KYLE
An army of robots.
R.J.
No! Not robots! That's the whole
point!
STERN
Personalities shift, but only as a
result of new self-image.
INT. BITTEROOT'S CELL, INSTITUTE -- NIGHT
Harold sits, quietly monitoring the computer. Kyle and Dr.
Bitterroot, both connected to the Mentor System, breathe
calmly, their minds far away.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103.
INT. NEBULOUS CORPORATE HQ -- DAY
Kyle and Stern walk ahead of Stern's team of Assistants.
KYLE
Has any of them ever resigned?
STERN
Not one.
KYLE
One hundred percent retention. A
company of brilliant, satisfied,
white-collared life-ers.
STERN
The soul of a New Economy.
INT. STERN'S LIBRARY -- NIGHT
Stern, Bitterroot, and Kyle smoke cigars in a room which
would have made Versace gasp with appreciation.
STERN
The world is almost yours, Kyle.
Kyle stares at prints from the Blake's Songs of Innocence
and Experience.
KYLE
I don't want it
STERN
Yes, you do. Admit it.
KYLE
I don't.
STERN
Take hold of it.
R.J.
He can't. You've wasted precious
time on him.
STERN
I don't think so.
EXT. WATERFRONT CAFE -- DAY
In the remote, but picturesque village on the French Riviera,
several long days on his face, and a small suitcase in-hand,
Kyle chooses a table. A WAITER, mid-20's, approaches.
WAITER
(in French)
Good morning, sir. Breakfast?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104.
KYLE
(in French)
Coffee, please.
WAITER
Expresso?
KYLE
Uh. Espresso, please.
The waiter nods and leaves.
EXT. WATERFRONT CAFE -- AFTERNOON
Several espresso, and a lunch later, Kyle reclines, watching
the small fishing boats come and go. A lone GERMAN TOURIST,
mid-40's, spots Kyle and introduces himself in awkward French.
KYLE
How do you do?
GERMAN
Do you speak English?
KYLE
Yes.
The German sighs with relief.
GERMAN
Thank God. May I?
Kyle gestures, and the German sits with him.
GERMAN (CONT'D)
On vacation?
KYLE
A long one. I'm between jobs.
GERMAN
Then, you are doing the right thing?
Waiter! Two Heineken, please!
The Waiter promptly delivers the beers. The German clinks
Kyle's glass. Kyle drinks, grateful.
GERMAN (CONT'D)
Here's to no jobs. Do you have a
place to stay? No? I will get you a
room at my pension. Very nice. Good
view of the Mediterranian.
RANI, mid-20's, with a Mediterranian look, the wary ease of
a world-traveller and hardened eyes, takes a table nearby.
The men watch her.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
105.
GERMAN (CONT'D)
Nice, huh? She can show us a thing
or two, no? I'll tell you a secret.
(hushed)
She goes both ways.
The German calls her. She looks around, slowly, considers
ignoring him, but out of curiosity for the new visitor, moves
over to their table.
GERMAN (CONT'D)
Good afternoon, Rani. Let me introduce
my new friend-
KYLE
Thomas. Tom.
GERMAN
Thomas Tom from. Canada?
KYLE
No. U.S.
She shakes his hand and sits. The Waiter delivers her beer.
RANI
Which state?
KYLE
California and New York.
RANI
I'm from Texas, but I lost my accent
in L.A.
WAITER
(in French)
Would you like anything else?
Kyle articulately orders a complete meal.
RANI
You speak like a native.
GERMAN
Yes. You were born here or something?
KYLE
No. I had a good school.
RANI
What do you do?
GERMAN
Thomas is taking a break from
employment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106.
RANI
Ah. Good for you. I've been doing
that for two years.
KYLE
What do you do before that.
RANI
Websites. Bullshit. How about you?
KYLE
Uh. I was, you know, working around.
Menial jobs, mostly.
Rani nods, understanding. The Waiter arrives with the meal.
INT. PENSION ROOM -- DAY
Kyle wakes to a knock at the door.
GERMAN (O.S.)
Hey, Thomas! Time to get up!
He looks out the window at the strange world.
EXT. VINEYARD -- DAY
Kyle and the German work side by side harvesting grapes.
GERMAN
It's good to work close to the earth.
Wakes up the soul. Don't you think?
Kyle nods, dripping sweat. The German smiles at him.
MANOLAS, mid-60's, a Cretan farmer, hewn out of wood, with
Zorba's ferocity, leans over the two men.
MANOLAS
Talk time is half-pay!
INT. PENSION ROOM -- EVENING
Kyle and Rani share bread, cheese, and a bottle of local
Retsina.
RANI
Sometimes we just have to get up and
leave things behind. I'll tell you
something. I had a career. I was
working. Money was good. Was then.
I quit before all that stock market
shit. Exercised my options. I reached
a point where it felt too good.
KYLE
Got out while it was good.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107.
RANI
Exactly.
KYLE
Smart.
RANI
You left some unfinished business
behind.
KYLE
Nope. Clean slate.
RANI
No. You left a girlfriend or a wife
or something. Kids?
KYLE
Nobody.
RANI
Well, you spend a lot of time thinking
about it. Maybe you'll go back.
KYLE
Never.
RANI
I've heard it before. It's not as
easy to pick up and move on as some
people pretend.
KYLE
I had no attachement to that life.
RANI
Maybe. Why don't you find out?
KYLE
What do you mean?
RANI
Hypnotic regression?
KYLE
Not interested.
RANI
I can show you how.
Kyle takes a drink.
RANI (CONT'D)
Don't tell me you don't know what it
is. I know you're a psychologist or
something.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108.
She indicates his stack of psychology and neurology journals.
RANI (CONT'D)
That ain't light reading, sweetheart.
KYLE
Just a layman.
RANI
So am I. I teach regression and dream
therapy for healing old wounds.
Trauma. Abuse.
She studies him to see if any of these words have an effect.
Kyle is stone. Rani sighs and gets up.
RANI (CONT'D)
Oh well. I guess I'd better get to
my room.
KYLE
I'll try it.
Rani stops, smiles, and sits down again.
RANI
That's more like it.
INT. PENSION ROOM -- NIGHT
To improve surreality, Stern should cross the barrier between
the real and the "vision." Speak to Rani. The conversation
is about the risks of the Kyle-Fausten merger.
By the light of a few candles, Rani and Kyle relax in their
chairs. Rani guides Kyle into a hypnotic trance.
RANI
Okay. Now, I want you to breathe
with me as I count. One, in. Two,
out. One, in. Two, out. That's good.
Keep that rhythm. We are going to
open a door to the past. We can close
it at any time. One, in. Two-
They hear voices outside. Kyle opens his eyes.
RANI (CONT'D)
Just relax.
She gets up and opens the door and shouts.
RANI (CONT'D)
Hey! Keep it down!
She returns to her seat. The arguing stops for a moment and
then comes back. Kyle goes to the door.
RANI (CONT'D)
Jesus. What a zoo this place is.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
109.
Kyle listens
MAN (O.S.)
This isn't just a rat or a monkey,
this is a human being!
How can you be sure he won't remember anything.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Don't you think I know that? Don't
you think I know what he means to
you? Why did you invest so much money
in this program.
Brain dead. It's physiologically impossible.
MAN (O.S.)
I'd be stupid not to.
Kyle looks outside. A few paces down the hall, Stern, wearing
a doctor's smock over his suit, argues with Doreen.
DOREEN
You did it because you hoped it might
open the door to his mind. That door
has always been locked.
RANI (O.S.)
Tell 'em to keep it down! Fucking
tourists!
STERN
Now you've got a way to unlock it.
But what's going inside?
DOREEN
What do you want to go inside?
Stern notices Kyle. Doreen looks and immediately moves to
take Kyle back inside.
DOREEN (CONT'D)
(gently)
Oh, honey. Did we wake you up? We're
sorry.
She turns Kyle back toward the room, before he can ask a
question. The room has transformed to a laboratory, with a
hospital bed and Mentor System, idle, nearby. She guides him
to the bed and he lies down.
DOREEN (CONT'D)
Here, you just lie down. You're tired.
There.
KYLE
(whisper)
Why are you doing this?
She ties his hands and feet to the bed with velcro straps,
then attaches a Mentor probe to his temple.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110.
DOREEN
There, there. You'll be okay.
She flips a switch. Kyle's eyes close. She kisses him on the
lips.
INT. PENSION ROOM -- NIGHT
The candles guttered, Kyle and Rani recline, naked, on the
bed. They finish a long kiss.
RANI
You got some trippy shit going,
Thomas.
KYLE
My name is Kyle.
RANI
Okay. Make it whatever you want.
Kyle stares at her.
KYLE
Are you a program?
RANI
What?
He sits up, frantically looking around the room.
KYLE
Real. Are you real?
RANI
Hey, man. What is real?
Kyle puts his head in his hands, sitting on the edge of the
bed, utterly unable to cope.
KYLE
I don't know. Nothing. It's all a
fucking sick joke.
She soothes him.
RANI
There, there. It's normal, Kyle. We
all do it.
KYLE
Not like I do.
RANI
Maybe that's what you want.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
111.
EXT. VINEYARD -- DAY
Kyle and the German haul heavy sacks of grapes to a truck.
Exhausted, Kyle stops for a breath and the German stops too.
Manolas rounds the corner with two sacks, one on each
shoulder. He sees them and smile, dangerously.
MANOLAS
Malakas.
Kyle and the German share a look and return to work. Manolas
laughs at them.
MANOLAS (CONT'D)
Half-pay for lazy workers!
They go on with the grueling labor.
EXT. WATERFRONT CAFE -- DAY
Kyle and Rani drink espressos. Rani reads the newspaper.
When she finishes a business news sections, Kyle picks it
up, scanning it for news of Nebulous, Corp. Instead he sees
a headline: INTERNATIONAL NEUROLOGICAL SOCIETY TO HONOR
RESEARCH TEAM -- Rome
KYLE
You ever been to Rome?
RANI
Sure. That's one of my home-bases.
Why?
KYLE
I think I want to go.
She smiles at him, pleased by the spark of adventure he's
showing.
EXT. CONFERENCE CENTER, ROME -- EVENING
A large gathering of important RESEARCHERS and SPONSORS in
psychological and neurological fields, mingle and converse
with an air of excitement in a spectrum of languages, before
the top-of-the-evening presentation.
Kyle dressed in a suit, unrecognizable in his beard, passes
through the crowd with Rani, in evening attire, in-tow. They
wear badges with the NAMES: Thomas Yesterday and Verna Ipsa.
INT. CONFERENCE HALL -- EVENING
Kyle sees this event from two perspectives, his own and that
of the helpless Fausten.
Kyle and Rani find two seats in the filling auditorium. Kyle
shuns conversation. Rani tries to talk to him, but he ignores
her. His eyes are fixed on the figures of Doreen and Dr.
Bitterroot at the edge of the stage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
112.
The CHAIRMAN, mid-60's, vibrant, and ethusiastic spokesman
for the field, calls the assembly to order in Italian and
English. After a minute, everyone settles down and the
stragglers take the standing room at the back.
CHAIRMAN
Ladies and Gentlemen, my esteemed
colleagues, again I want to say what
pleasure it brings me to see so many
faces I've come to grow so fond of
over the last four decades. And to
see you all at once, speaks to the
magnitude of the subject we are here
to appreciate: The manufacture of
human consciousness. The award we
are about to bestow on two of our
peers is the highest honor this
scientific community can give, the
Magnus Compus Mentus.
The audience applauds in agreement.
CHAIRMAN (CONT'D)
I am honored to introduce the two
pioneers of the field of Neural
Resonance Programming. The first,
currently at the Rorschach Institute
in New York, has authored several
groundbreaking papers on the link
between neural patterns and human
consciousness. Received several awards
for her research. She currently
chairs the Committee on Responsible
use of technology. Dr. Doreen
Whitaker.
The audience applauds and cheers. Doreen, blushing slightly,
walks to the podium to stand to the left of the Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (CONT'D)
The second honoree needs no
introduction. I have considered him
a friend ever since we met at M.I.T.
and decided computers and human beings
might actually have a future.
(laughter)
Author of numerous articles and
publications guaranteed to blow your
mind or put you to sleep,
(more laughter)
and Chairman of the Rorschach
Institute, Dr. R.J. Bitterroot.
Standing ovation as Bitterroot takes the stage, right of the
Chairman. The Chairman jokes with the honorees and then steps
down to allow them to make their presentation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
113.
Rani observes Kyle. She whispers to him.
RANI
You know these people?
KYLE
Yeah.
RANI
They give me the creeps.
Kyle gives her a look that makes her smile, nervously.
KYLE
Me too.
R.J.
I'm going to let Doreen make this
presentation because I know for a
fact that you'd much rather listen
to her than to me.
(laughter)
But first, I want to mention the
names of a couple colleagues we could
not have done without, for their
hard work and brilliance: Dr. Jack
Lechner.
Lechner, at the front of the audience, stands at Bitterroot's
beckon. The audience applauds appreciatively. The applause
rises again at the second name and subsides.
R.J. (CONT'D)
And Dr. Harold River. The award
belongs to you as much as to myself
and Doreen. Now then.
He turns to Doreen. She steps forward. The auditorium goes
pin-drop quiet.
DOREEN
Thank you, Doctor. By now, most of
you know the basics of the goals of
what we have for three years, called
The Mentor Program. Up until a year
ago, for reasons of ethics and our
own limited understanding of the
vastly complex universe that is the
human mind, true experiment with
human subjects has been very limited.
Clarence, violin in-hand, steps onto the stage, under a
spotlight, and readies himself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
114.
DOREEN (CONT'D)
For those of you who haven't had the
opportunity to read our latest
article, "Patterned Learning and
Simulation," we've brought three
subjects for a brief demonstration.
Clarence, first, has been playing
the violin for two years. Last week,
he performed an audition and has
been invited to play for the New
York Philharmonic.
After a brief applause, Clarence lays into a solo from
Vivaldi's "Spring."
KYLE (V.O.)
That's when the door opened. Somthing
that had been sleeping inside of me
woke up.
INT. CONFERENCE HALL -- EVENING
One more person is brought onstage: Fausten Stern. His mind
is still under construction, but he is able to speak to the
audience. He doesn't know about Kyle.
The audience applauds for Clarence, Jen, and Rudy. They bow
and take seats at the back of the stage.
KYLE (V.O.)
Clarence, Jen, and Rudy, my brothers
and sister, my fellow circus-acts,
clowns for science, we are the sparks
in the roaring bonfire of technology.
The lights dim and a projector comes on, showing the smiling
face of Mr. Smith.
DOREEN
As you know, our colleague, Dr.
Fausten Stern, the visionary inventor
of a mathemetical system for modelling
consciousness. He saw the inherent
limitation of our laboratory studies,
and volunteered himself.
INT. COGNATIVE COMPUTING LAB -- DAY
Running on limited sleep, Fausten Stern, Bitterroot, and
Doreen put in long hours at the lab. Stern develops a complex
diagram on a transparent board, debating with Bitterroot.
Doreen monitors EEG data and MRI scans on a dozen caged
rabbits.
DOREEN (V.O.)
Over a period of several months, Dr.
Stern captured important data on how
the human brain maps experience and
learning. This was a passive operation
and produced no ill-effects.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115.
DOREEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Simultaneously, Dr. Bitteroot's team
was developing software for the
interpretation and modification of
this data.
INT. COGNATIVE COMPUTING LAB -- NIGHT
Before the assembled team of scientists, Fausten presents
his plan. They are sceptical. Fausten vociferously defends
his plan to the objections of Bitterroot.
DOREEN (V.O.)
It was exactly two years ago this
month, that Dr. Stern announced to
us his intention to test his theory
of forced-resonance on himself. His
proposed test was to create a simple
problem and, using forced resonance,
teach himself the solution. We did
not agree to this proposal.
INT. CONFERENCE HALL -- EVENING
She lets this sink in. The audience shifts, tensely. Kyle
takes off his nametag and crumples it.
DOREEN
We felt there was no way to estimate
the possible ill-effects of forced
resonance. Dr. Stern went ahead with
his test, using a simple maze solution
as his program.
INT. LAB -- NIGHT
Alone, Fausten switches on the Mentor System prototype and
lays back. A moment later he goes rigid.
DOREEN (V.O.)
The program cycle took three hours.
As you all know, and to our great
sorrow, discretion would have been
the better path. Dr. Stern
overguessed the amplitude and
frequency of the resonance and
seriously, permanantly, damaged his
mind.
INT. CONFERENCE HALL -- EVENING
DOREEN
Tragic and avoidable as it was, we
did not let this stop us.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
116.
DOREEN (CONT'D)
As you know, at the request of M.I.T.,
we transferred our work to the
privately operated Rorschach
Institute. Three months later, we
encountered our second subject, Kyle
Black.
Kyle's eyes widen as he sees an image of himself, dressed in
a plant-workman's uniform.
DOREEN (CONT'D)
Kyle was effectively catatonic.
Neurologically damaged by an
industrial accident, little hope was
seen that this bright, charming young
man could ever return to
consciousness. It was then, we
obtained court permission to test a
theory developed by Dr. Bitterroot.
Using Kyle's own damaged mind as a
substrate, a fertile ground, if you
will, possibly we could impress what
was left of Dr. Stern's mind there,
giving rise to a new, third
consciousness, a complete, wholly-
formed combination of the two.
Kyle stands and staggers down the row, stepping on toes.
Shocked Rani watches him leave.
DOREEN (CONT'D)
We manufactured a new Kyle Black.
INT. KYLES APARTMENT -- MORNING
Kyle yawns and stretches and looks at the day.
DOREEN (V.O.)
The new Kyle Black had not only
incomplete memories of his childhood,
friends, and father...
INT. KYLE'S C.C.L. OFFICE -- DAY
Kyle multitasks, on the phone, the computer, and issuing
instructions to Eileen. He stops and strokes his chin,
confidently.
DOREEN (V.O.)
but the skills, talents, and partial
experiences of Dr. Fausten Stern.
Not only was Kyle immediately able
to take a position of great
responsibility, he demonstrated Dr.
Stern's profound competence in the
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
117.
DOREEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Cognative Sciences, as well as an un-
prompted interest in our research.
Had he lived, most certainly Kyle
would have soon been ready to begin
where Dr. Stern had to stop.
EXT. CONFERENCE CENTER, ROME -- NIGHT
Still staggering, Kyle lets the door close behind him and
walks straight into the traffic. Cars skid and honk to avoid
him. Unheeding, he continues. He stops at a fountain statue
of Janus, the two-faced god, and screams.
DOREEN (V.O.)
We proclaim the experiment a
resounding success. Kyle and Fausten
gained a new life as they lost their
own. The whole was greater than the
sum of the two parts.
The audience applauds ferociously.
INT. DOREEN'S HOTEL ROOM, ROME -- NIGHT
Redo this Scene: Kyle and Fausten confront Doreen together.
Kyle could use a reversal process to erase her memory of
Fausten and leave only Kyle, because he wants her to feel
that he left her.
edo this Scene: Kyle and Fausten confront Doreen together.
Kyle could use a reversal process to erase her memory of
Fausten and leave only Kyle, becuase
Bidding goodnight to her friends, Doreen, fumbles with the
lock, opens the door suddenly, and stumbles into her room,
intoxicated in a way only an evening of world-adulation could
define. With effort, she finds the light, turns it on, slams
the door, and falls face-first onto her bed. She snores.
KYLE (O.S.)
Congratulations on the award. You
worked hard for it.
She stops snoring. Kyle reclines in a chair.
KYLE (CONT'D)
You've enscribed your name on the
annals of history. What will your
title be? God? Genius? A Scientist
who knew no boundry of humanity?
She rolls of, sobers, partially, disbelieving her eyes.
KYLE (CONT'D)
Hi, Doreen. It's Kyle. Or Fausten.
You like the beard?
He tugs on his beard.
DOREEN
Kyle?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
118.
KYLE
Oh, okay, Kyle it is. After all,
it's Kyle's body. Let's call it Kyle.
She gasps with happiness to see him alive and staggers across
the room to embrace him. He casually sidesteps her and she
catches herself on the chair.
KYLE (CONT'D)
Careful. Glad to see me? It's tough
to prove your success when you can't
show anyone the results. Bet that's
been tough.
She turns around to look at him, comprehending.
DOREEN
I'm sorry Kyle. How did you-?
KYLE
What matters, actually, is how did
you justify keeping me in the dark
for so long? Was it just a laymen's
interest in good theatre? Let's see
how long we can FUCK WITH THIS GUY!
DOREEN
No, Kyle. It was only to protect
you. To give you freedom to be your
own man.
KYLE
Strange that you could think I
wouldn't get it after all the
scientific training you pumped into
me. You wanted to avoid planting
suggestions about who I really was.
What did you promise Stern? For a
billion, you'd give him his son back?
You think he'd stick to your rules
of proper science and not try to
bias the subject? Or did you care?
Kyle walks out to the balcony and looks onto the busy
nighttime cityscape.
DOREEN
You have every right to be angry,
Kyle.
She comes up behind him and puts her arms around him. He
turns to face her.
KYLE
That might be the understatement of
a lifetime.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
119.
DOREEN
My feelings for you made it hard for
me, too.
KYLE
For me, or for the late Dr. Fausten
Stern?
She kisses him.
DOREEN
Both.
KYLE
Know what I think? I think that first
and foremost, you're a scientist.
She looks hurt.
KYLE (CONT'D)
And if there's one thing a good
scientist must know how to do, it's
let go.
She blinks, once. Swiftly, and smoothly, Kyle pulls her close
to him, kisses her fiercely, and flips her over the balcony.
She falls silently.
INT. DOREEN'S HOTEL ROOM, ROME -- NIGHT
Doreen lies on the bed, connected to a Mentor System. Kyle
regards her for a moment, and leaves.
KYLE
Goodbye, Doreen.
EXT. ROMAN SKY -- NIGHT
Unafraid, tearfully, Doreen falls through the air, forever.
EXT. BROOKLYN PROMENADE -- DAY
Create a strong expectation of what will happen the next
time Kyle and Stern meet face to face. Kyle would ultimately
be compassionate toward father-son, which goes against
Fausten's character.
A Town Car parks at the southern end of the walkway and
Jeffrey Stern gets out. He looks up the walkway toward the
Brooklyn Bridge, sees COUPLES, and CHILDREN strolling
casually, but nobody he recognizes. He leans down to speak
to the driver.
STERN
Wait here.
Stern walks along the brick path, occasionally glancing at
the tall, multiform geometric assembly of downtown Manhattan.
Midway along the walk, he stops and dials his phone.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
120.
STERN (CONT'D)
It's Stern. What time did he say?
Okay, he's five minutes late. I don't
care what paper he's from, he's just
a goddamn journalist.
KYLE (O.S.)
Don't turn around.
STERN
Nevermind.
Stern hangs up his phone and obeys orders. Kyle, shaven,
stands behind him, wearing a long coat.
STERN (CONT'D)
Okay. You better have something
good, because I've got a goddamn PR
department of over 150 people to
deal with your kind.
KYLE
I'm not from the press.
STERN
Okay. What, then?
(thinks)
Do I know you?
KYLE
Probably better than anyone.
Stern tries to turn, but Kyle presses something into his
back.
KYLE (CONT'D)
I said, don't turn around.
STERN
This just got unfunny. You're in for
some serious trouble, pal.
KYLE
One question. Why didn't you just
tell me? If all you wanted was to
have your son back?
The truth dawns.
STERN
I- They told me if I told you it
might endanger the success of the
program. Might make you-
KYLE
Insane? Suicidal? Did you believe
them?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
121.
STERN
Maybe.
KYLE
What did you really want? To own the
rights to the invention of a
millenium?
STERN
Fausten.
KYLE
Maybe you wanted too much. Did that
ever occur to you? Maybe Fausten
died because he had the same problem
you did.
STERN
I'm sorry.
KYLE
Father.
Kyle turns and walks away. Slowly, Stern turns and watches
him go.
INT. PRIVATE JET -- DAY
Kyle and his entourage, Palmer, Smith, and Leese, take a
break from work. Kyle turns to the NEW RECRUIT. The kid,
mid-20's, talented and ambitious, tries not to be overwhelmed
by it all.
KYLE
Nebulous Corporation takes its
recruiting program very seriously.
We put enormous effort into locating
people like you for positions of
responsibility. How would you like
to join our team, kid?
The Recruit would probably agree to anything at this point.
RECRUIT
Sir, I've wanted nothing else as
long as I can remember.
INT. STABILIZATION ROOM -- NIGHT
The Recruit sleeps, connected to the Mentor System, along
with a hundred others recruits, in this quiet, antiseptic
chamber.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
122.
KYLE (V.O.)
We seek to harness creativity.
Learning is the core of creativity.
Don't forget it. Stop learning and
you become only an imitator. We have
no use for imitators. This is your
future.
FADE OUT