When an unemployed laborer discovers that he has a rare condition, he takes a job as a human test subject for a clinical trial but the experiment has supernatural consequences.

THE OPENING

(Below is a sample of my full-length screenplay "The Opening". It ends at the conclusion of Act I.)

EXT. CHRIS' HOME - MORNING

A suburban home with an unkempt lawn sits between its
counterparts.

A FOOTBALL rests in the uncut grass near a barely used boy's
bicycle.

INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER

CHRISTOPHER MAYS, 41, an athletic, ex-security guard
stares into his bathroom mirror, unhappy with his
reflection.

TAP-TAP-TAP!

A KNOCK comes to the front door, breaking his trance.

LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Chris opens the front door and sees no one on his doorstep.

He peeps outside and scans an empty yard.

Confused, he shuts the door and turns around to see a

CLOAKED FIGURE standing in his living room!

Dressed like the grim reaper and wearing leather gloves, the
mysterious, hooded stranger raises his arm and points to the
window next to the front door.

Chris, shaken to his bones, slowly turns to the glass pane
and his eyes widen at what he witnesses.

A low RING emits from an unknown source as he steps closer
to the window and pauses in shock.

Numerous children stand in bloody clothing in his yard as
they stare at his house, at him!

The RINGING gets louder and louder!

Chris shuts his eyes and covers his ears, but the ringing
continues its increase in volume as he collapses to his
knees.

Finally, he screams in agony!

BEDROOM - MORNING

The DIGITAL CLOCK on the night-stand reads 7:00 AM as the
alarm continues RINGING and CHRIS stares at the
ceiling.

Chris peers at a framed picture of his ex-girlfriend
and his young son that rests beside the time-keeper.

He smacks the sleep button on the clock, turning off the alarm,
closes his eyes and sighs.

EXT. INNER CITY APARTMENT COMPLEX - AN HOUR LATER

Chris stands underneath the shade of a tree outside of an
apartment building as he looks for a job using the internet
on his cell.

He peers at the main entrance of the building, patiently
waiting for it to open.

Suddenly, the door cracks open and DESHAUN, 7, darts outside
the building.

STACY (O.S.)

Hold the hell up! Don't you go
running in the street boy!

Deshaun pauses in his tracks and turns around to see STACY,
25, an elegant woman with attitude, step out of the
apartment.

STACY (CONT'D)

Damn it Deshaun, I ain't got the
money to pay for hospital bills,
you know your dad don't! No job,
no car, no life, nothing.

She snatches the child by his sleeve.

STACY (CONT'D)

You wanna be like him? Huh?

DESHAUN

...No.

STACY

(lets go of Deshaun's shirt)

Good! Now get in the car! You
gonna make me late for work.

Chris leans behind the tree to hide his presence as he
watches them get in the car, pull out of the parking lot and
drive off in the opposite direction.

Safe to step out into the open, Chris walks to the bus stop
near the apartment building.

JAMES (O.S.)

Yo!

Chris turns around to see his friend JAMES, 29, an aspiring
drug-dealing rapper, approach him from the apartment's
vestibule.

CHRIS

What's up James?

JAMES

Chilling bruh, what you doing?
Don't tell me you still stalking
her?

CHRIS

I'm not stalking her man, I'm just
making sure my son is good, that's
all.

JAMES

Alright, I'm just saying.

CHRIS

What you doing out here anyway?
You got another one?

JAMES

I guess you can say that. You know
the ladies love cool J.

CHRIS

Man, you got like one in every
complex this side of town.

JAMES

Gotta do it like that, can't have
'em in the same apartment. I don't
have enough time for threesomes
homie.

Chris smirks at his friend's comment.

JAMES (CONT'D)

Yo, I heard you was looking for
work.

CHRIS

How the hell you hear that?

JAMES

Word spreads like wildfire. You
looking for work or not?

CHRIS

Yeah, but not your kind of work. I
like my freedom a little too much
for all that.

JAMES

What, I ain't free?

CHRIS

You know what I mean.

JAMES

Yeah, I do.

(glances at the bus stop)

You need a ride man?

Chris looks at a clean sedan with chrome rims and returns
his attention back to James.

CHRIS

Nah, I'm good. Just heading home
anyway.

JAMES

Alright. Well, hit me up if you
change your mind homie.

CHRIS

Okay.

He watches James head to the sedan, get in the sparkling
vehicle and drive away from the complex.

Chris continues his search for employment on his phone.

INT. CITY BUS - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

A few patrons converse with each other as Chris sits alone
in the back of the bus.

Chris notices a couple play with their infant in a stroller.

He breaks his trance and notices a sign posted on the
borders of the bus that reads:

NEED A JOB? LOOKING TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY? THEN MAYBE A
CLINICAL TRIAL IS FOR YOU! VISIT THE DAYLIGHT FOUNDATION
AND GET PAID WHILE YOU ASSIST THE WORLD!

Chris mulls the possibility as he stares at the couple's
infant child.

EXT. THE DAYLIGHT FOUNDATION - LATER

A LARGE SIGN reads: THE DAYLIGHT FOUNDATION

Chris stands a few feet in front of the landmark.

He looks at the extravagant, multi-tiered building, amazed
at the size and futuristic appearance.

INT. LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER

MELISSA, three months pregnant and nervous, nibbles on her
bottom lip as she waits in the lobby and reads a book while
she waits to be called.

PHYLLIS, the front desk attendant, works behind a thick pane
of glass, surfing the internet and chewing gum like it's a
competitive sport.

Chris enters the lobby and approaches the receptionist.

His march comes to a halt in front of Phyllis.

She stops chewing her gum and peers up at Chris.

CHRIS

I'm here for the clinical trial.

PHYLLIS

Name?

CHRIS

Christopher Mays.

PHYLLIS

(using the intercom )

Nurse Walters. Front desk please.

(looks at Chris)

You can sit down if you want.

The receptionist continues enjoying her recent find of
celebrity gossip as Chris walks over to the chairs.

He sits down near the pregnant reader.

Chris notices that the woman's novel displays the title THE
ILIAD on the cover.

He scans the table in the waiting area and discovers it is
filled with novels instead of magazines.

MELISSA

Chris?

Chris looks up at the woman.

MELISSA (CONT'D)

That is you! Hey, how's it going!

CHRIS

...I'm sorry, do I know you?

MELISSA

Melissa. Brian's girlfriend -
well, ex-girlfriend. Long story.
How's Stacy doing?

CHRIS

...We're not together anymore.

MELISSA

Seriously? I thought you guys
we're getting married, eight years
is a long time.

CHRIS

Yeah. It is.

JESSICA (O.S.)

Christopher Mays?

NURSE JESSICA WALTERS, 24, a tatted Barbie with a degree in
health sciences, stands at an open door in the back of the
lobby.

Her eyes wear the heaviness of fatigue and her wrists
reveals a hi-tech band that contain numerous LED lights.

CHRIS

(standing up as he notices
Jessica)

Yeah.

JESSICA

Follow me please.

CHRIS

(looks at Chelsea)

Well... Enjoy your book.

MELISSA

Thanks! Good to see you again you
know, it's a small world.

CHRIS

Yeah. It is.

EXAM ROOM - MINUTES LATER

Chris, dressed in a white shirt and gym shorts, stands on a
scale as Jessica writes down his height and weight on a
clipboard.

Fitness equipment rest throughout the room, including a
treadmill and a medicine ball.

CHRIS

Six brothers?

JESSICA

Yeah. And trust me, being the only
girl isn't easy.

CHRIS

I'm sorry.

JESSICA

Oh, it wasn't THAT hard.

CHRIS

I didn't mean for you, I meant for
your parents.

JESSICA

Ha, funny. But Mom and Dad did
move to Vermont so maybe you got a
point. Anyway, I'm going to see
them this weekend so they can't
escape that easy.

Jessica lays the chart down next to an EMPTY CUP on the
table and picks up the unused container.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

So what about you?

CHRIS

What about me?

JESSICA

Any brothers, sisters?

CHRIS

No. Just me.

JESSICA

(joking)

So do your parents still spoil you?

CHRIS

(looks away from Jessica)

No. They don't.

Realizing her poor choice of words, Jessica gets back to
work and hands the EMPTY CUP to Chris.

JESSICA

Here, take this.

CHRIS

(receiving the cup)

Really?

JESSICA

Oh, we're just getting started.

Chris winces from hearing the nurse's statement.

X-RAY ROOM - THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Chris lies inside of a hi-tech x-ray machine as Jessica
views the equipment's monitor.

CHRIS

You sure this is safe?

JESSICA

I've done this a thousand times.
If it wasn't safe, I'd at least
have an extra arm to help speed
this up.

Jessica starts the scanning process and bright lights slice through the equipment.

CHRIS

Ha, funny.

HALLWAYS - THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Chris wears an electronic BRACELET as he and Jessica walk
through the clinic's corridors.

CHRIS

(checking out his bracelet)

Why do I feel like I'm under house
arrest?

JESSICA

If you are-

(raises her arm to show Chris
her bracelet)

So am I. You're basically one of
us now.

CHRIS

I don't know. Yours is different.

JESSICA

Unless you want to scrub down old
men, you should be happy.

CHRIS

Point taken.

Chris surveys the corridor, inspecting the interior design
of the windows as he approaches Jessica.

He notices a SECURITY PANEL for badges on a DOOR across the
hall. He realizes that many rooms contain identical boxes
for clearance.

Jessica approaches an office door with the name DR. ALLAN
BLACK, PHD covering its face and she stops near the room's
entrance.

JESSICA

I've informed Dr. Black of our
arrival, so just walk up to the
door and wait.

Chris gives Jessica a strange look of confusion.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

It won't be long.

CHRIS

Nurse Walters-

JESSICA

Please, let's just leave it at
Jessica.

CHRIS

Oh, okay. Um... When do I get
paid?

JESSICA

(smiles)

After you finish your job.

Jessica walks away, strolling down the hall to take care of
other duties.

Chris notices another SECURITY BOX on the wall next to the
entrance.

He steps up to the door and stands in front of it.

Suddenly, the electronic door SLIDES open.

VRRRMMM-

Chris steps in the room and the door closes behind him.

DR. BLACK'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Several certificates and awards hang on the wall through out
the sun-lit room.

Shelves and file cabinets line the left wall as two FLOWER
POTS full of TULIPS sit against the right, feasting on the
rays of sunlight.

DR. ALLAN BLACK, 57, an old soldier on the road of life,
stands at the window behind a desk.

He turns around and adjusts the glasses on his face using
the tip of a slim, hi-tech remote control.

The doctor wears a strange electronic WRISTBAND similar to
Jessica's.

DR. BLACK

Have a seat.

Chris sits down in the visitor's chair, opposite of the
doctor's desk.

He admires the many awards and certificates that grace the
office walls.

CHRIS

Nice trophy case.

The doctor grins.

DR. BLACK

I've been studying the science of
sleep and medicine for over twenty
years. Spent a few decades in the
military, this facility is a reward
for all my hard work.

Dr. Black notices Chris continue to survey the walls as his
prospective employee spots a POSTER depicting a large sphere
containing many connected circles.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

That is The Flower of Life. Sacred
geometry. Many civilizations, all
across the known world, used this
ancient symbol for measurements.
It also represents the
interconnection of all things.

CHRIS

It looks like something you'll see
in a kaleidoscope.

DR. BLACK

(studying Chris' eyes)

Are there any problems you deal
with, medications you take?

CHRIS

No.

DR. BLACK

Do you have any problems breathing,
maybe after walking up a flight of
stairs or at night?

CHRIS

No. Why?

Dr. Black never responds, he just looks into Chris's eyes,
searching for the truth.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

Why?

DR. BLACK

...That's interesting.

CHRIS

What's that supposed to mean?

DR. BLACK

Have you ever heard of Cystic
Fibrosis?

CHRIS

No, but what're you saying?

DR. BLACK

I'm saying that you have it, CF
that is.

CHRIS

...What?!

DR. BLACK

CF, Cystic Fibrosis.

CHRIS

What does that mean
though, am I dying?!

DR. BLACK

No, you're not dying, but you should
really start taking care of your lungs,
exercising, creating a better diet.

Chris sits back in his chair, stunned by the unfortunate
discovery.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

Don't worry. The actual good news
is that you can still participate
in our clinical trial. The bad
news, besides just having a mild
case of CF, is that you're
infertile, so having children is
out of the question.

The last sentence catches Chris' attention and he sits up,
staring at the doctor.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

Now, we can-

CHRIS

Wait... What did you say?

DR. BLACK

I said that you can still get paid
from-

CHRIS

No, that last part!

DR. BLACK

That you're infertile. You can't
have children Chris. I'm sorry.

Chris stares at the doctor, but his mind looks past him as
he thinks about his "son", Deshaun.

CHRIS' PATIENT ROOM - MINUTES LATER

A PRINTED X-RAY PHOTO of Chris' chest lies on the bed and
reveals lots of white blotches throughout his lung area.

Chris stares at the picture as he waits on the room's phone.

STACY (O.S.)

(voice from telephone;
answering machine)

Hey, you've reached Stacy. I'm not
able to take your call but if you
leave a message I'll get back with
you as soon as I can. Have a
blessed day!

CHRIS

...I don't know what to say. I got
some bad news today and... All
these years and you never told me,
you lying, self-centered bitch!
How the hell could you do this to
me, to us?! It was all a fucking
illusion and you can-

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!!

Chris looks at the room's entrance.

CHRIS

Give me a sec!

(focuses back on the phone)

Listen, long story short, you don't
have to worry about me paying child
support anymore.

Chris pushes the POUND button, concluding his rant.

CHRIS

Okay, you can come in!

Dr. Black opens the door and remains at the threshold as
Chris replaces the phone on its base.

DR. BLACK

I... I understand your dilemma.

CHRIS

Do you?

DR. BLACK

How about you visit our therapeutic
garden. It can calm your nerves
and-

CHRIS

Does it look like I'm in the mood
to see some fucking flowers?!

DR. BLACK

No, it doesn't, but you would
benefit from some fresh air.
Jessica is giving a presentation
and it may help to get your mind
off of some things.

Chris looks away from the doctor and focuses his attention
out of one of the room's window.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

I understand. If you change your
mind, you won't regret your
decision.

Dr. Black closes the door, leaving Chris alone in his room.

Chris looks at the x-ray photo and picks it up, staring into
the bleak image.

In a fit of anger, he tosses it in the air!

He lowers his head into his hands and sits in solitude.

The X-RAY hits the floor like a leaf from a dying tree as
the black and white image faces the ceiling.

THERAPEUTIC GARDEN - A MINUTE LATER

A WHITE LOTUS FLOWER floats in the water of a small pond.

JESSICA

The white lotus is one of the most
popular flowers on Earth.

As Chris stands amongst numerous flower bushes ranging in
size and species, he listens to Jessica give a tour to a
group of people by a man-made pool of water.

The spectators range from a class of schoolchildren to a few
of the doctor's current clients.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

It has been found throughout the
Eastern world, from the pyramids of
Egypt to the temples of Tibet.

Chris notices TYSON DAVIDSON, 7, a skinny young boy with
glasses, standing to himself, partially separated from the
crowd.

The child scans the area, looking for something.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

Another phenomenon of this great
flower lies in the fact that it
sheds its seeds at the same time it
blossoms.

The child sees Chris looking at him and then he scampers in
the man's direction.

Jessica watches as the young boy hurries over to Chris, but
she continues her presentation on the lotus flower.

TYSON

(anxious)

Have you seen Lightning!

CHRIS

What?

TYSON

Lightning, my dog!

CHRIS

They let you carry pets on school
trips?

TYSON

I'm not in school, I'm here with my
mom.

CHRIS

So where's your mom?

TYSON

She's sleeping.

CHRIS

...Listen. Why don't you go back
over there and listen to Jessica
like the others?

TYSON

But I'm looking for Lightning, have
you seen him?

CHRIS

(annoyed)

You asked me that already.

TYSON

You didn't answer me though.

CHRIS

No, I haven't seen Lightning.

TYSON

Okay, thanks!

Chris watches the young child run off in search of his pet.

He then turns back to listen to Jessica as she finishes up
her lecture.

JESSICA

Alright, it looks like it's time to
go inside. So tell me, who wants
some ice cream?

All the kids scream for the dessert, along with a few adults
putting in orders for specific flavors.

Chris turns left and notices, far in the background, BRENDA
FIELDS, 48, a stern gray-haired nurse, standing under a
dogwood tree and smoking a cigarette.

On the HAND she uses to smoke her CIGARETTE, the nurse has a
LIGHT DISCOLORED RING around her bare ring finger and on her
wrist, a bracelet identical to Dr. Black's.

ASHLEY DAVIDSON, 29, a former cashier and high school
cheerleader, sits in a wheelchair next to the nurse.

From afar, Chris never sees the injured woman's face due to
the fact that she slouches in her chair with her back to
him.

He only sees the young woman's long black HAIR blowing in
the wind.

INT. SCIENCE LAB - MINUTES LATER

A two-by-four PLANK with nails impaled through it sits on a
table next to a frozen BANANA.

DR. BLACK

Nitrogen is everywhere.

Dr. Black stands at a table in front of the group of
schoolchildren and adults from the garden.

A LARGE CANISTER of liquid nitrogen rests on the table along
with several containers and prongs.

Jessica stands near a table covered with bowls of ice cream
and individual spoons propped in each frozen delicacy.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

(picks up a bowl of ice cream)

The air you breathe is 80%
nitrogen.

YOUNG GIRL

What if it was ninety?

DR. BLACK

If it was ninety, we'd all drop
dead.

YOUNG GIRL

Oh.

DR. BLACK

(eating some ice cream)

Well, that's it folks. Jessica
will show you our guests the way out and
please, make sure to tell your
friends and family about us.

The doctor begins to walk away as the group of spectators
all look confused.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

(stops in his tracks)

...Forgive me.

(rubs his forehead and
chuckles)

I almost forgot. Let's eat some
ice cream!

Chris leans against the wall in the back of the lab,
watching the crowd hurry to the table as Dr. Black helps
serve them.

Jessica grabs two bowls of ice cream and walks over to
Chris' side.

JESSICA

(handing Chris the bowl)

Dr. Black will see you shortly. He
will be in his master study.

Chris nods in agreement as he takes the ice cream from the
nurse and stares at Dr. Black.

CHRIS

Thanks. Is he okay?

JESSICA

Yeah, he's just... he's under a
lot of stress lately. We work with
a small staff.

CHRIS

I noticed. Who was that other
woman outside?

JESSICA

Who, Brenda, the head nurse?

CHRIS

No, the woman in the wheelchair.

JESSICA

Oh you mean Ashley! You've met
Tyson. That's his mother.

CHRIS

Yeah?

JESSICA

Yeah. ...They're homeless.

Chris pauses.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

You know, she used to come by a
lot, but then she sort of stopped.

Chris continues eating his ice cream and Jessica gazes back
at Tyson.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

Then one day she popped up again,
mainly cause she was having
problems with her child.

CHRIS

I can see why. That boy has some
issues.

JESSICA

I'm not talking about Tyson. I'm
talking about his baby brother.
Ashley's pregnant.

Chris chokes a little as he eats his ice cream.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

Yeah. She fell into a coma shortly
after she showed up. Dr. Black
decided to help her, pro bono but I
think it's taken a toll on him.

Jessica watches Tyson standing in line for dessert as Chris
continues eating his soft dessert as he stares at Dr. Black.

DR. BLACK'S MASTER STUDY - THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Chris stands inside of a dim exquisite loft full of
technology and expensive furniture.

A GOLF BAG leans against the right wall next to a few flower
pots.

Chris notices a HYPERBOLIC SLEEP CHAMBER sprouting from the
center of the room.

Several security screens showcasing the facility's premise
cover the left wall as Dr. Black sits in an office chair at
the surveillance control center.

An OLD FRAMED PHOTO of a young woman taken decades earlier
sits on the desk.

The surround sound system plays the calming melodies of
classical music.

The door shuts behind Chris as he views the many several
security screens that cover the left wall.

Dr. Black stands up, uses his remote control to enhance the
interior lighting and then decreases the volume of the
music.

CHRIS

Nice.

DR. BLACK

Indeed. I can do anything from my
control panel. I can even open
lesser doors with my remote.

Chris notices a few canisters of LIQUID NITROGEN on the
doctor's desk as a dolly rests against the table.

CHRIS

This isn't the best place to have
that, is it?

Dr. Black spots the dangerous materials.

DR. BLACK

(embarrassed)

Oh! I- I forgot those were there,
I was merely transporting them to
my lab, stopped here for a second
and lost track of time.

CHRIS

(strolling toward Dr. Black)

And what's up with the sleep
chamber?

DR. BLACK

It's for oxygen. One of the many
things that help keep me in good
health.

CHRIS

Yeah, but it's mostly used by
athletes. You plan on going pro?

DR. BLACK

(grinning)

Not with these bones but I do still
get out when I can. I do more
hunting and skydiving now days.

CHRIS

Really?

DR. BLACK

Oh, certainly! What's life without
risk? But I must say, Christopher-

CHRIS

Chris.

DR. BLACK

Chris. I want you to know that
this experiment is no game. Are
you ready?

Chris contemplates his decision for a moment and then his
face reveals a slight grin.

CHRIS

...Let's play.

SLEEP STUDY ROOM - AN HOUR LATER

As the lamp lights his work area, Dr. Black sits in a bed
side chair while he reads over a chart and peers at an EEG
MACHINE.

Chris lies in a hospital bed with ELECTRODES glued to his
scalp.

He looks at Brenda standing by his bed and preparing a
NEEDLE.

Chris notices Brenda's WEDDING RING FINGER and the LIGHT
DISCOLORED RING, a ghost of what once was a symbol of
marriage.

Chris notices Dr. Black's WRISTBAND and Dr. Black grins at
his employee's admiration.

DR. BLACK

It is for you. And for other
in-patients, in case something
happens.

CHRIS

Like what?

DR. BLACK

Perhaps a patient has a problem and
I'm not there, I need to know about
it immediately. Flashing is
minor. Off is major.

CHRIS

Just keep mine on.

Dr. Black nods at Brenda and she injects a small dose of
CLEAR MEDICINE into Chris' IV.

DR. BLACK

You will feel a little light-headed
at first, but this will last for
only a few seconds.

Chris squints and then begins blinking. He then lays his
head down on his pillow.

He notices Dr. Black nod at Brenda and she exits the room.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

Chris? Are you with me Chris?
Chris?

Chris rubs his eyes, attempting to clear his vision.

DR. BLACK (CONT'D)

(picking up his note-pad)

I will be back to check on you
later.

(heads to the room's exit)

That way we can continue our
conversation. And you can take
those off now.

Dr. Black leaves the room and shuts the door behind him.

Chris removes the electrodes from his scalp and then wipes
the sweat from his forehead.

Jessica enters the room, carrying a tray containing a glass
of water, a pack of crackers, vanilla pudding and a spoon.

Chris notices the nurse bringing him food.

CHRIS

Thanks, but I'm not really hungry.

JESSICA

(closing the door)

And to think, all that time I spent
preparing this feast, wasted.

Chris smiles at Jessica's comment as she strolls towards his
bed.

CHRIS

...How do you like working here?

JESSICA

Besides the long hours, it's cool.

Jessica sits the tray down on the bedside table.

CHRIS

You don't find it strange? I mean,
I've never been in a place like
this before.

The fatigued nurse sits down in the chair recently occupied
by Dr. Black.

JESSICA

I did, at first. The garden, the
doors. You know, it was all
something out of a sci-fi novel.
But after a while, it all just
seemed normal.

CHRIS

Yeah. I guess you're right-

He notices the YIN YANG TATTOO on Jessica's neck.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

Nice tattoo.

JESSICA

(looking at Chris; grinning)

...Which one?

CHRIS

The yin yang symbol.

JESSICA

Yeah, it's awesome right, it's one
of my faves! But this one-

(pulling up her right sleeve)

This one is the best.

Amongst numerous designs, Jessica shows Chris a tattoo of a
large, intricate CROSS etched into the inside of her right
forearm.

CHRIS

What are you?

JESSICA

Well, I'm not Muslim.

CHRIS

Yeah, I get that. I mean are you
Catholic, Protestant or whatever?

JESSICA

I've never heard of the "whatever"
denomination, but I'm Baptist. And
you?

CHRIS

I'm not religious.

JESSICA

Do you believe in God?

CHRIS

Do I believe in God?

(scoffs)

Does God believe in me?

Jessica, surprised at Chris' question, stares in his eyes.

JESSICA

Of course he does.

CHRIS

Then he needs to prove it.

JESSICA

He proves it everyday, look at the
world around you.

CHRIS

You mean the world that wages war
over who's God is better?

JESSICA

That's your perspective. You can
choose to see it differently if you
want. Is there anything you do
believe in?

CHRIS

I believe we live and we die.
That's it. No heaven, no hell.
This is all there is.

JESSICA

(sarcastically)

...Well, that's encouraging. You
should do self-help seminars.

CHRIS

(chuckles)

I don't think people want to see
the suicide rate soar any time
soon.

Jessica smirks.

JESSICA

...I don't mean to prod-

CHRIS

Yes, you do.

JESSICA

Fine, I do. But what happened to
your parents?

Uneasy from the question, Chris shifts in his bed.

CHRIS

...My mom died while I was in the
army, serving this great country of
ours.

JESSICA

Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.

CHRIS

It's fine, we live and we die.

JESSICA

Well, yeah. What about your dad?

CHRIS

What about him?

JESSICA

What happened to him?

CHRIS

I've been asking myself that same
question since I was young.

JESSICA

So?

CHRIS

So I don't know. I never met him.
...My mom said he left and he never
came back. All I know is his
name. David T. Mays.

Brenda peers inside of the room and spots Jessica talking to
Chris.

JESSICA

Really?

CHRIS

Yeah.

JESSICA

Well I think that's just-

BRENDA

Jessica!

Jessica notices Brenda at the door and then the young nurse
checks the wall clock.

BRENDA (CONT'D)

It's time.

JESSICA

(sighs)

Okay, I'm coming.

(turns to Chris)

Looks like it's back to work for
me.

Brenda leaves and closes the door.

CHRIS

Okay.

JESSICA

(standing up)

Well, it's been fun. Take care,
okay Chris?

CHRIS

You do the same.

The nurse leaves Chris' bedside and heads to the exit.

Chris picks up the crackers, opens the package, and eats
one.

She opens the door and steps out of the room, closing the
door behind her.

Thirsty, Chris picks up the glass of water, takes a gulp,
and then sits the half-empty glass back on the tray.

ASHLEY'S ROOM - MINUTES LATER

A half-full PITCHER of water rests on the table in front of
Dr. Black who sits at a table with a somber look on his
face.

He picks up the pitcher, walks over to a VASE of deadly
nightshade on the windowsill, and waters the plants.

He turns and looks at Ashley as she lies comatose in bed.

The sheer size of her stomach reveals the extremely late
stage of her pregnancy.

The doctor turns his attention back at the window and sits
the pitcher down next to the flowers.

He peers down at a busy street and then stares into the
graying sky with concerned eyes as a storm approaches.

CHRIS' ROOM - MINUTES LATER

Chris lies in bed as he watches cartoons on his room's
television.

Bored, he uses his remote control to change the channel,
surfing through several networks.

Unsatisfied, he turns off the tube with his remote.

Chris notices the bookshelf, gets out of bed and walks over
to check out the novels.

He searches over a few popular titles until his eyes land on
a condensed version of THE ODYSSEY.

DR. BLACK'S MASTER STUDY - MOMENTS LATER

Dr. Black takes a few steps into his room and stops.

He then turns around, heads back to the door and hits the
CLOSE button on the door panel.

The door closes shut and he shakes his head at his
forgetfulness.

Dr. Black sits down at his security control center.

He studies a few screens that reveal numerous sleeping
patients until his eyes land on the monitor containing
Chris.

The doctor smirks when he notices his new employee
struggling to stay awake while reading a book.

Dr. Black then looks at the screen containing Ashley.

At the touch of a button, he zooms in on her face and stares
at the sleeping beauty.

CHRIS'S ROOM - AN HOUR LATER

Chris wakes up in bed with the novel still in his lap.

He places the book on the bedside table and rubs his eyes as
he yawns.

Chris checks the wall clock that reads 8:23 PM.

He puts on his shoes and his hospital gown.

HALLWAYS - A MINUTE LATER

Chris walks through the clinic's bright corridors, counting
the change in his hand.

As he heads toward the break room, Chris nears Dr. Black's
STORAGE ROOM.

He stops at the door and visually inspects it, taking notice
of the door's advanced security BOX.

TYSON (O.S.)

It's locked.

Chris spins left and notices Tyson standing in the hallway!

CHRIS

What- What are you doing out here?!

TYSON

I'm looking for Lightning.

CHRIS

Your dog?

TYSON

Yeah.

CHRIS

Your dog's not here.

TYSON

(calling for his pet)

Lightning!

CHRIS

Can you please shut up about your
damn dog?! He's not even real.

TYSON

(anxious)

Yes he is and I need to find him!

CHRIS

You can't find him cause he's
fake! Like the Easter Bunny or the
Tooth Fairy, or the fat guy with
the red suit and white beard that
somehow fits through-

Chris notices Tyson frowning.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

...Okay. I tell you what.

(lying)

How about we search for him in the
morning, okay, but he's going to
need you well rested to look for
him so, let's head back to your
room and get you prepared.

TYSON

Really?

CHRIS

Sure.

TYSON

Cool!

Tyson attempts to grab Chris' hand but Chris jerks his hand
away from the child's grasp.

As Chris leads Tyson back to the child's room, he notices
the strange silence that permeates the hallways.

TYSON'S ROOM - A MINUTE LATER

Tyson enters his room and Chris follows behind the child.

CHRIS

I'm not going to read you a story.

TYSON

But mom always used to read me
stories.

Chris notices the video game system and the large
television.

CHRIS

I'm not your mom.

TYSON

(smirking)

You mean my dad.

CHRIS

Whatever, you're here, there's your
bed. Do your thing.

TYSON

But I'm not tired!

CHRIS

I don't care, now get your ass in
bed!

Tyson cowers from Chris' outburst and creeps to his bed.

Chris frowns, regretting his choice of words, but turns from
the child and heads towards the exit.

Suddenly, Tyson's room door shuts on it's own!

Instinctively, Chris scans the room until a voice speaks
from a dark corner.

CLOAKED FIGURE/SINH (O.S.)

Christopher Mays.

Tyson jumps out of bed and scampers behind Chris!

The child stares in the darkness as his eyes widen at the
gradual appearance of SINH!

SINH

I go by the name of Sinh.

Chris grabs the IV stand and wields it for protection.

Sinh motions with his right hand and the stand jerks away
from Chris' grasp, finding a new home in Sinh's right hand!

Sinh sets the stand on the floor.

CHRIS

...Okay. What just happened?

SINH

(looking at Chris)

Christopher Mays.

(looks at Tyson)

Tyson Davidson.

CHRIS

...Who are you?

SINH

A Guardian. My superiors ordered
an investigation into the
imbalanced aura that belonged to
Ashley Davidson.

CHRIS

Your superiors?

SINH

The High Council helps keep the
planes of existence from
overlapping. My superiors remain
at The Palace.

CHRIS

What?

SINH

The strength of Ashley Davidson's
essence remains weak. I require
the assistance of you both.

TYSON

Is he talking about Mom?

CHRIS

Okay, this has gone far enough.

SINH

I mean you no harm-

CHRIS

Listen, I don't know how the hell
you pulled that trick earlier, but
we're not leaving this room.

SINH

(looking at Tyson)

And how about you? Your mother
needs your help.

TYSON

(mulling a decision)

...Okay, I'll go. But I need to be
back by the morning so I can look
for my dog.

SINH

Understood.

CHRIS

(looking at Tyson)

Hold on, we're not leaving this
room okay!

Sinh floats toward the room's entrance and-

CHRIS (CONT'D)

I don't know what's going on here-

He motions with his right hand, opening the door.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

And before things get crazier I
need to get a grip on-

(Chris notices the open door)

...What the hell...?

The room's entrance reveals a view of a paved back road
splitting a forest!

SINH

We must leave now.

Sinh watches Chris and Tyson stare through the doorway into
wooded scenery.

SINH (CONT'D)

Time never sleeps.