M I L L E N N I U M IT... HAS... BEGUN... NOTHING IS FORSAKEN... Virtual Season Episode #405. "Shophetim" written by: Anne Andrews with thanks to: Bunny Williams medical consultant: MJ. Wardale R.T. (R.) B.A. copyright: (c) 1999 Independent Artist Network TEASER FADE IN: CLOSE ON - A LOBSTER resting on a white plate with gold band and a leaf garnish. The plate is up on a shelf waiting for more items to be added to it. Legend INDICATES: Pirates Cove Restaurant, Baltimore, Md. August 13, 6:14 PM A RADIO is located on top of a stainless steel shelf in the kitchen of a restaurant. It sit's above the lobster dinner that has just had clarified butter added to the dish in a one ounce cup. The plate is removed and a second plate is put in it's place for the next dinner. RADIO COMMENTATOR (V.O) The summer heat has been brutal, baking the earth to a packed dusty rock that is cracking from lack of moisture. It has brought the oil up to the surface of the pavement, some slick driving there fokes. It's withered the crops in the field hardest hit vegetation is the tomatoes, melons, and fruit. Expect the vegetable prices to climb high accordingly. A prep chef tosses fresh kale and watercress into a stainless steal bowl to be shredded for a garden salad. RADIO COMMENTATOR (V.O, CONT'D) Local hospitals have reported 173 deaths related to heat stroke occurring among the elderly population. Doctors recommend if you are elderly, or have medical problems, to stay inside. Stay cool and calm. Relief from the heat will come in brief blasts of torrential showers, which will evaporate as quickly as they arrive. This cycle will bring dense humidity as the temperature climbs back up again. COOKS and WAITERS move about the steamy kitchen carrying dishes in various stages of preparation. BUS BOYS take a moment to wipe their brows with their sleeves before loading another rack of dishes in the washer. RADIO COMMENTATOR (V.O, CONT'D) In local news Papermills Industry has come under harsh criticism for it's recent harvest of raw materials during this climate crisis. Environmentalist have warned that the harvesting of such quantity's would not only increase the probability of earth erosion in the harvest area, but the loss of retained water in the ecological system. Several of the WAITRESSES are folding the cloth napkins for the place settings. Another is sorting the paper drink napkins for the bar shelf. RADIO COMMENTATOR (V.O, CONT'D) (a beat) Papermills Industry's has given no comment to the potential damage to the environment. Now back to our regular program. KITCHEN WORKER (O.C) More heat? That's all WE need. A CHEF scoops a tender 6-inch slice of baked sea bass onto a watercress leaf and garnishes it with a sprig of dill on to the waiting white china plate edged with a thin gold band. A side order of stuffed mushrooms and oysters packed in the heated gravel are placed on a waiters tray. Added to it are a sea club sandwich and a mound of baked batter-dipped potato slices on a separate plate. Both plates and a loaf of fresh baked bread are placed on the waiting tray. INT. DINING AREA - DAY The restaurant is half full of PEOPLE sitting at small rectangle wooden tables and triple rung ladder-back chairs. The exterior walls of the restaurant are glass. They show a panoramic view of the cove, filled with several wooden piers and a boat at every dock hook up. JORDAN BLACK is seated with FRANK BLACK at a table, GIGGLING. She looks up at the waiter and smiles. JORDAN (to the waiter) Thank you. The waiter places the sea bass in front of Frank Black, the Sea Club sandwich is placed in front of Jordan. The mushrooms and oysters are placed in the center of the table. WAITER (indicates the oysters) The dishes are still very hot... would you wish for a refill of your drink, sir? Frank is about to say yes, but-- JORDAN (interrupting) Just coffee thank you, and some ice water. WAITER Very good, Miss. The waiter returns to the kitchen. Jordan takes a small piece of meat from the sandwich onto her fork. FRANK Is there a reason why I'm drinking black coffee in this heat, Jordan? Jordan picks apart her sandwich to get the crab meat out to dip in Franks clarified butter. JORDAN (not looking up) It won't be good if you do drink. JORDAN'S INTERNAL POV Black and white images flash by: -- Sounds of a woman SOBBING! -- Jordan SCREAMING terrified! -- Mud and water swirling about Franks head and blood splashed over his face! -- Millions of tiny white PILLS swirling in a vat heading towards thousands of empty PRESCRIPTION bottles -- A snake slithers to an inch of Franks face. -- A man's voice, says: "Don't speak to any one Jordan, it isn't safe." -- A forest being destroyed by a BULLDOZER -- A thin man in SHADOWS; placing branches into a strange bucket with hoses. -- People collapsing on the street, writhing in agony. Jordan looks up at her father who is studying her. JORDAN (very serious) Please, Daddy? FADE OUT. ACT ONE BLACK. "Yet even then Israel would not listen to the Judges, but broke faith with Jehovah by worshipping other gods instead. "How quickly they turned away from the true faith of their ancestors, for they refused to obey Gods commands. "Each Judge rescued the people of Israel from their enemies throughout his lifetime, for the Lord was moved to pity by the groaning of his people under their crushing oppressions; so he helped them as long as that Judge lived." -- Judges 2:18 FADE IN: EXT. BALTIMORE HARBOR THEATER - NIGHT Legend INDICATES: Baltimore Harbor Theater 7:30 PM INT. HARBOR THEATER - NIGHT DARRYL MASTERS - a tall, blond, middle aged, blue eyed man- shifts in his seat at the Baltimore Theater district. A memory of the afternoon enters his mind: FLASHBACK The reason why he was going to his FRIEND on the telephone earlier that evening. DARRYL I enjoy Opera as much as the next man, the tickets are an anniversary gift from my partner at the firm. I couldn't say NO to them, my wife was standing right there. The poker game's off for tonight. Man, this really stinks. BACK TO: INT. HARBOR THEATER - NIGHT A bead of sweat trickled down Darryl's temple. His wife CALLIE - shorter, slim, red hair and green eyes - glances concerned at him as he shifts again. CALLIE'S POV Darryl closes his eyes and places his hand on his left side just below his ribs. WIDER Callie opens her purse and digs out a slender brown PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE. She unscrews the cap. Callie shakes one of the pearled pills out and handed it to her husband. CALLIE (softly) Management ulcer syndrome? Darryl nods. He places the pills under his tongue to dissolve. He winces at the chalky bitterness. WIDER On the stage an actress dressed as a Geisha, in a red Kamona who is on her knees singing. Darryl's face contorts in pain. He grips his wife's hand as a signal. She gathers her purse, and both leave the theater. EXT. HARBOR THEATER - NIGHT Darryl is leaning on his wife and an USHER from the theater who helps them to their CAR Callie buckles her husband into the car passenger side. An ominous RUMBLE of thunder hangs in the air. INT. MASTERS CAR - NIGHT Callie hurries to the driver's side and gets into the car. She scolds her husband lovingly. CALLIE If you weren't in so much pain, I would almost be cross with you. Tickets to "Madam Butterfly" cost a small fortune. Darryl just MOANS in pain. Callie gives her husbands cheek a brief kiss. CALLIE You're more important. Callie closes the car door and adjusts the drivers seat. Tell tale spatters of rain hit the dusty windshield as she starts up the car. She briefly looks back to where the Usher had stood, but there is no one there now. INT. FRANK'S JEEP - NIGHT Frank Black is driving, and is SINGING to Jordan the tune "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie", by the Ink Spots. Jordan has a red plaid wool blanket tucked over her legs and is in the back seat. Legend INDICATES: State Highway 450 7:50 PM They HEAR the spat-pat of the rain for a moment and regarded the darkening evening sky. Brief FLASHES of lightning ILLUMINATES hillsides of dirt and stumps that line the roadway. The heavens open and the rains began to POUND down on the jeep. Heavy crashes of lightning illuminate the night. Frank slows the jeep speed to the conditions of the road. FRANK (singing solo) "It's a sin, to tell a lie... so many, so many hearts have been broken, just because these words were spoken... I love you, yes I do I loooveeee you." Jordan holds the handle of the duffel bag that contains everything they own. Her attention is for it. Ever since the unexpected departure weeks before, Jordan refused to ever leave the duffel bag at home. Her small hands work the edge of a frame into the soft material to protect it. Jordan looks up ahead at the blurry windshield. JORDAN (screams) DADDY! LOOK OUT! Frank glances back at his daughter in the rear view mirror and jammed on the jeeps brakes automatically. A DARK FORM in the middle of the road blocks their path! EXT. ROAD - NIGHT The jeep skids on the slick tar, oil and water. The impact with the other car sends both of the vehicles tumbling off the edge of the road! The guardrail posts have nothing except mud and bare rocks to hold them in place. Both cars come to a stop at the foot of the embankment. The jeep rests on it's roof in the beginnings of a run off stream. The other car is on it's side, smoke and steam rising from the engine, the back tires still spinning. Rain POUNDS the overturned vehicles. INT. FRANK'S JEEP - NIGHT The water rushes in with the rise of the run off stream where the windows have shattered. Mud, glass and blood swirled into the roof area of the jeep with a gurgling roar. FRANK (moaning softly) Jordan.. JORDAN DADDY! She SOBS in fear, dangling upside down, her small hands pushing against the wet roof of the car to stop from swaying. Jordan SCREAMS again as the jeep shifts JORDAN (CONT'D) DADDY! Wake UP! Jordan GASPS for air. The weight of her body holds the seat belt clasp tighter. She uses both hands to push the release button. Her body made a small THUD against the rains roar as she falls onto the roof. JORDAN (CONT'D) Come on Daddy! Wake UP! Please Daddy! Frank does not move. A trickle of BLOOD comes from his ear and runs into his hair. His forehead has a wicked gash. Jordan wiggles her way to the side of the jeep where the window is broken. She drags the duffel bag behind her as she crawls out of the jeep. EXT. FRANK'S JEEP - NIGHT Strong hands lift Jordan up onto her feet. She looks up at the person who has helped her. He is a kind faced dark skinned older man (ELI) who hands her road flair. ELI I will get them out. You need to wave down someone to get the ambulance. Don't speak to anyone, just show them where this is. Eli places the duffel bag aside. Jordan watches Eli pull the drivers side door of the jeep open. Frank still hangs upside down. EXT. ROAD - NIGHT Jordan scrambles up the hill and LIGHTS the flair. She stands at the edge of the embankment and sees a second flair has been lit down by the cars. EXT. FRANK'S JEEP - NIGHT Eli pulls at Frank's arm as he released the seat belt. Frank comes down in a sideways heap and is gently removed from the jeep. The mud and his coat makes a sled effect, allowing Eli to slide Frank away from the jeep. Eli places the duffel bag beneath Frank's feet. Eli returns to the jeep and gets the BLANKET to cover Frank against the rain. INT. MASTERS CAR - NIGHT A quiet SOBBING from within. Eli stands outside, looking in through the cracked blood splattered windshield. Darryl lays as a broken doll. Callie is covered in blood and is pinned under her husband's body. ELI Don't be afraid. You're not alone. Jordan holds the FLAIR away from her body and waves it as the lights of a TRUCK approaches. It comes to a halt by the edge of the road. The driver sees the bent and RIPPED RAIL and the torn branches. The Driver (JOE) grabs his Citizens Band Radio mike. He flips the knob to Channel numbers NINE - the police channel. JOE Breaker Breaker, This is KABB4027 at State Highway 450, mile marker 42, Request Ambulance and Rescue assistance. Multiple Vehicles have gone off the bend. Over. *STATIC* POLICE OPERATOR'S VOICE Copy that KABB4027. Possible Multiple at State Highway 450, mile marker 42. RESCUE Unit's will be notified. JOE 10-7 I'm going to the site. EXT. ROADSIDE - NIGHT Joe dismounts from his cab and walks to the edge of the hillside. Two vehicles, three people lying on the ground. Jordan is beside her father. No one else is about. Thin drizzle falls on the accident site, saturating everything. It washes away the smell of burnt oil, car interiors and blood and mixes them with the muddy rainwater. EXT. ST MERCY HOSPITAL - NIGHT Twin AMBULANCES arrive in tandem at the hospital. Three stretchers are pulled out, followed by an attendant who places Jordan in a wheelchair. EXT. ROADSIDE - NIGHT Several emergency flares are long gutted to small piles of burnt magnesium. The RAIN diminishes for now except for a fine cold miST FOG rises from the hot pavement, swirling three foot thick about the people who move about searching for clues. A local tow yard removes the two vehicles from the base of the embankment. The first tow driver drags the car away first into the night. The second tow driver hands a form to be signed to State police officer, OFFICER MAXWELL, who is in charge. MAXWELL is a younger man with the form of a body builder, black hair and deep brown eyes. TOW DRIVER Vin plate is bent, can't make out some of the numbers, no trace of the license plate. Would have to do an acid test to bring up the numbers off the burnt engine block. Millions of these things sold. Looks like we have our work cut out getting ID Officer Maxwell signs the form and SHRUGS, handing the clipboard back to Joe OFFICER MAXWELL He's a John Doe. From the skids, the other car was across the road blocking oncoming traffic. Makes the final paperwork easier. We have ID on the other car. It belongs to Darryl Masters and his wife Callie Masters. Somebody's gonna pay for me being dragged out in this weather. TOW DRIVER Looks like the other guys insurance is picking up the tab. Lot of body work to be done on that jeep, no chance that it's stolen? MAXWELL (shaking his head) Haven't had any reports of that with a red one. The white ones get you into trouble. Thousands of John Doe accidents a year, never had one here till now. MAXWELL (CONT'D) (nods to the tow driver) It's all yours. Might be a time-saver to get the paperwork done tonight before the Insurance sharks get to it. Officer Maxwell continues to measure the skid marks and search the hillside with flashlights for clues as the second truck tows away the red jeep. INT. TRAUMA UNIT WAITING AREA - ST MERCY HOSPITAL - NIGHT VENDING MACHINES stand alone in the corner of the room and cast an endless series of droning HUMS and CLICKS in the small room. Some people are murmuring quietly; some have fallen asleep while waiting for word. Callie Masters struggles to fill out the hospital insurance form. TEARS blur her eyes. She stops her slow progress to dig a wadded lumpy tissue from her purse. Callie dabs at her eyes and continues to write. ACROSS THE WAITING ROOM FROM CALLIE Jordan sit's, hugging the duffel bag under the hospital blanket in her wheel chair. Her hair contains a mat of MUD and MUCK. A small twig can be seen in the tangle of hair. A NURSE sit's on a chair opposite her with clipboard and hospital forms. Jordan is looking straight ahead and blinks about 4 times a minute. NURSE (to Jordan) Can you tell me your name, honey? And what your Daddy's name is? Jordan sit's in silence. The nurse writes 'Jane Doe' on her form. NURSE (CONT'D) How old are you? Do you know that? More silence from Jordan. The nurse writes 'approx. 7 1/2' on the form. NURSE (CONT'D) Do you know if your daddy has insurance? Jordan stares ahead in silence. NURSE (CONT'D) Has your daddy filled out a living will? Just silence. INT. TRAUMA NURSES STATION - ST MERCY HOSPITAL - NIGHT All of the hospital personnel are in green scrubs. The nurses have a stethoscope over their shoulders. The on call Doctors wear white lab coats. All the personnel wear ID clipped to the collar or on a key ring shank that loops about their necks. OFFICER MAXWELL arrives at the desk. The charge nurse who was asking Jordan the question, gets up, takes the form and the clipboard with her and returns to her station. NURSE May I help you? MAXWELL I'm here about the two-car accident that arrived an hour ago, any word on the drivers status? NURSE (shaking her head) Both men have left surgery. Blood alcohol levels for both of them were normal. Not enough in either of them to have caused the state they're in. (a beat) Mrs. Masters has some abrasions. Her blood alcohol level was just below the legal limit. The air bag saved her, as did her seat belt. (a beat) The little girl is in shock, we can't get anything on her. Have they found any ID for the John Doe at the accident site? MAXWELL No. Looks like Mr. Masters's car was across the road at impact. The Jeep's air bag didn't seem to deploy in time. Do Mr. and Mrs. Masters have medical insurance? NURSE (nods) Yes, a blanket policy for his company. MAXWELL (grins wolfishly) Best you notify the insurance company they have a lot of bills coming in INT. HALLWAY - ST MERCY HOSPITAL - NIGHT Jordan slips out of her seat taking the duffel with her. She wanders around the hall corner and follows the signs to the seventh floor ICU. Nobody pays attention to her as she leaves the Trauma Unit's waiting room. ICU NURSE DEBORAH is in charge of the ICU. She looks up at the passage of Jordan's head just visible from her desk. DEBORAH Hello, honey. We just placed your daddy in room 703W. Go right in. Jordan lets the steady beeps of the monitor guide her into her fathers room. She pauses in the door, taking in everything. INT. FRANKS ICU ROOM Frank lays within a soft COCOON of blankets. Jordan walks over to the bedside chair and places the duffel bag underneath it. Shivering in the cool air, she RETRIEVES the spare blanket from the shelf. Jordan sit's beside Frank's bed. She curls up in the chair and holds Frank's free hand. INT. TRAUMA UNIT WAITING ROOM - NIGHT A SHADOW falls across the forms that Callie Masters is filling out. A different officer (SGT. GIDION CRAMMER) hands a foam cup of coffee to her. She takes it and thanks him quietly. CRAMMER Mrs. Masters, I'm Sergeant Crammer from the state police. If you could tell me what happened? CALLIE (nods) Darryl works so hard with his business. We never get a chance to go out, and today, when I was at the Pharmaceutical Research facility taking him his lunch, his partner surprised us with tickets to the theater as an anniversary gift. (a beat) Darryl became ill in the theater. We got him to the car, and I was driving him here. (closes her eyes) Darryl fell against me. I lost control of the car. (opens eyes) We slid into the other lane. There were lights, and brake sounds, and we went over the hill. I remember a light, and then I was out of the car and there was the red glow of the flares, and the rain. Then we were here. Callie sips the bitter black coffee. Crammer sit's, on the edge of the chair and wait's for her to continue. CALLIE Will they be all right? The man, and the little girl. CRAMMER (shrugs) The other driver is unconscious, the little girl's in shock. Have you seen her about? CALLIE (shakes her head) She was with the nurse over there. She may be in the rest room. Her blanket is still on the chair. A tall thin man with sandy blond hair and deep grey eyes in a green scrub suit's comes up to them. This is DR. BARAK. DR. BARAK Mrs. Masters? I need to ask you what your husband had to eat today? CALLIE (surprised) He has an ulcer, his usual bland meals, and his medicines. It's our anniversary, we've been married for 10 years... (a beat) We ate the same dinner; boiled rice and steamed chicken, and some of that herbal green tea they say is good for healing. (a beat) He started to get ill in the theater. I gave him two of his pills just like the Doctor ordered. DR. BARAK Do you have the pills with you? What is he on? Callie digs in her mud stained purse for the PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE and hands it to Barak. CALLIE Will Darryl be all right? Barak looks at Crammer, then back to her. DR. BARAK Your husband arrived here with massive internal bleeding Mrs. Masters. He was into full cardiac arrest when the paramedics arrived at the accident site. The paramedics used an Ambu bag to force oxygen into his lungs, and applied CPR until his arrival here. (a beat) We stabilized and intubated him. He had unexplained perforation of his bowls and has internal bleeding from the accident. Your husband's EEG indicates he has minimal brain function. Your husband's in a deep coma right now. CALLIE (gasps) NO! DR. BARAK We have him on life support, and have controlled the bleeding. His stomach had several holes in it, and there are the beginnings of peritonitis. (a beat) We've begun an intensive therapy of antibiotics, but with the brain damage, it's unlikely that he will ever regain conciseness. (a beat) It's doubtful that he will survive past tonight. There's nothing we can do, except make him comfortable. I'm very sorry, Mrs. Masters. Callie drops her foam coffee cup. Hot coffee splashes onto her leg. CALLIE You doctors work miracles. It can't be. There has to be *something* you can do. You have to do something, and you can't JUST let him die. Do something! Don't just stand there, do something! Callie closes her eyes and begins to CRY. Crammer backs up a few steps. CRAMMER (privately, to Barak) I can't deal with weeping women. With a pleading look to Dr. Barak, Crammer steps away from them and returns to the nurses station. INT. TRAUMA CENTER NURSES STATION - NIGHT Crammer is trying to speak with the Admittance Nurse. The ringing telephones and people coming to the desk asking for assistance distracts her. Crammer catches her hand to get her attention. CRAMMER Can you tell me where they'll place the John Doe brought in this evening? NURSE (waiving her hand in the direction of the elevator) Seventh floor, Down the hall, two double doors on the right is ICU. INT. ICU WARD - NIGHT Crammer walks into the room with Deborah. Jordan is fast asleep in the chair next to her fathers bedside. A blanket covers Jordan's shoulders. A registered nurse is in the room on the other side of the bed hanging another IV bottle. Crammer's well-trained eye takes the room in. DEBORAH (softly) Beyond the accident bruises she's fine. She's well fed, no signs of abuse or reason to call in social services if they get involved, he may never get her back. (a beat) She's a sweet child, and not a bit of trouble to us. Crammer notices the duffel bag under the chair, the long strap of it held by Jordan. CRAMMER (indicates her bag) Has any one checked in there? Deborah shakes her head. DEBORAH She wouldn't let anyone near it. Sometimes it's best not to force the issue in emotional trauma to give them security. (a beat) It's something that she can control. Crammer bends over and slides the bag out from under the chair quietly. He unzips the bag and opened it. The first item that Sgt. Crammer pulls from the duffel is a worn wallet with no ID, or driver's license. There are no credit cards, only money and worn photos of the two of them and a photo of the two and a woman. The duffel contains a photo of Catherine, a change of clothes and night clothes for Jordan, two new toothbrushes, a shave kit, and a spare pair of adult socks. Crammer holds up the framed photo to the one in the wallet comparing the two photos. CRAMMER Well, they match. He replaces everything back into the duffel bag, then slides it under the chair quietly. He glances up, and realizes that Jordan is awake, and watching him. CRAMMER (softly) Well, hi, honey, I'm Sergeant Crammer. I want to help you. Silence from Jordan. CRAMMER The way I do that, is to let the people who love you, know you're okay. (a beat) Can you tell me how to get in touch with your mommy, or your grandparents? More silence. Jordan clutches the strap of the bag tighter. CRAMMER Honey, I know scary things have happened to you, but they're over, and your safe now. You need to let us help you. What say we have Nurse Deborah help you get the mud out of your hair and into some dry clothes? Jordan stares at him coldly. Deborah steps forward and extends her hand to Jordan, who reluctantly takes it. The two of them walk out of the door. As Jordan steps over the threshold of the room-- JORDAN'S INTERNAL POV -- Jordan on a swing, Frank is behind her, pushing the swing in the air. -- The sound of dogs HOWLING in the background! -- The sky filled with millions of FLIES in a giant swarm! -- Officer Maxwell lying in a heap, his eyes open, unfocused, BLOOD SPILLING out from a hole in his head! -- The sound of a woman SOBBING. Jordan stops and turns back to look in the room. INT. HALLWAY - ST MERCY ICU - NIGHT Jordan gazes at her father wrapped in soft blankets... his monitors softly BEEPING... and the steady rise and fall of Frank's chest with every breath. Jordan takes Deborah's hand and allows Deborah to show her where the hospital shower area is. Crammer looks down at Frank Black a moment before pulling out a small white card and a thin flat black box from his pocket. He lifts up Franks left hand. FADE OUT. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - NIGHT Legend INDICATES: August 14th 2:30 A.M. CLOSE ON - a junction catheter has a needle being withdrawn from the IV tubing. WIDER Deborah discards an empty ampoule then the needle in the RED biohazard box. Frank's features relax. Deborah watches him for a moment before exiting the room. Jordan is freshly scrubbed and wrapped in a fluffy robe as she enters her fathers room. The small love seat in the room has been made as bed for Jordan. Deborah tucks Jordan into the makeshift bed. DEBORAH Try to get some sleep, okay? Deborah leaves the room and returns to the nurses desk. Jordan slips out of the makeshift bed and into her fathers. Jordan's eyes close as she drifts to sleep. The same dark skinned man (ELI) who had helped them out of the car comes to the ICU and nods to Deborah. He enters Franks room and sit's on the chair by the bed, waiting. INT. CRITICAL CARE UNIT HALL - NIGHT A tall, thin, pale, steel-blue-eyed, blond-haired PARAMEDIC, strides through the halls of the hospital. He stops briefly at the nurses stations and scans the names on the charts before moving on to the next nurses station. He is the same paramedic who murdered AGENT BARRY BALDWIN in season 3's "Goodbye To All That". INT. PATIENTS ROOM - NIGHT THE PARAMEDIC enters a patients room. He GAZES upon the sleeping person. The flicker of a smile tugs at the corner of the PARAMEDICS mouth. INT. NURSES STATION - NIGHT MONITOR ALARMS begin RINGING - indicating a patient's heart has stopped. There is a scramble of nurses and equipment into the room to resuscitate the patient. At the end of the hallway the paramedic watches then continues his search through charts at the nurses station. INT. ICU HALLWAY - NIGHT The paramedic moves into the hallway, just as Deborah blocks his arrival into with her body. The paramedics face registers some surprise at the presence of Deborah. DEBORAH it's after hours, this ward is closed to visitors. PARAMEDIC I was just checking on a patient that I brought in earlier. I was informed once he was stable that I have to transport him to West Chester Hospital for long-term care He indicates Frank's height with his hand, and then Jordan's height as he speaks. PARAMEDIC (CONT'D) Middle age, brown-gray hair, has a young daughter with him? It was a multiple auto accident? Can you tell me the room he's in? DEBORAH (shakes her head) No one that you brought in is here. You will have to leave this floor Now. The Paramedic scans the ward and sees only three used unit's. One has Callie Masters standing by her husbands bedside. One has a very old man clinging to life. The third he starts for, brushing past Deborah and almost entering the room-- --but Eli comes to the door-frame and stops his progress. ELI (quietly) Is there a difficulty with your hearing, *SON*? INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - NIGHT The Paramedic sees the bed contains a young woman in her mid thirties with soft curly blond hair on a respirator. The Paramedic shakes his head and backs up a step. He cast a glance about the ICU unit one more time, then turns and discovers Deborah directly behind him. His eyes widen in fear. A brilliant burst of LIGHT fills the hallway! INT. PATHOLOGY ROOM - NIGHT A slide under a MICROSCOPE shows "a typical" muscle tissue. It's replaced with a second slide that shows the same type of muscle tissue that appears to be in various states of cellular decay. Legend INDICATES: Pathology Room, ST Mercy Hospital August 14, 4:45 AM WIDER Two people are reviewing slides under a high powered clinical microscope. The first is Sgt. Crammer. The second is Dr. Barak - Darryl Masters's attending Physician. CRAMMER (indicates the microscope) So what am I looking at here, Doc? Besides a lot of dead cells? DR. BARAK Those are cells from Mr. Darryl Masters's stomach, which were biopsies during the reconstruction operation to repair the internal damage. (a beat) The cells have died from oxygen depravation. His body was not able to receive enough oxygen into the tissues when he went into cardiac arreST CRAMMER You pretty much told Mrs. Masters that. The internal injuries took blood away from the brain and the brain was damaged. Near brain dead you said. DR. BARAK If it was that simple. Mr. Masters was poisoned with small doses of organic cyanide. (a beat) Enough of it built up into his blood stream and damaged his liver and bone marrow. (a beat) It stopped the blood cells from carrying the oxygen through the body. CRAMMER Your suggesting this is premeditated murder, Doc. I don't need this type of paperwork. (a beat) So how is this organic cyanide different than the black pill on death row? DR BARAK Both have to be distilled. The primary difference is the concentration and the volatile nature of the organic cyanide. It is very unstable and will dissipate rapidly once exposed to oxygen. (a beat) Cyanide production is closely regulated. Each manufacturer has their own additive to earmark the source for it's patient. This cyanide is mixed with just simple inert glucose to keep it stable. (a beat) Both are readily absorbed into the body. This was obtained from the pathology report of the tissues taken during surgery. INT. DARRYL MASTERS'S ROOM - NIGHT Callie Masters is gently holding her husband's hand. Her eyes have dark circles under them. She has been crying most of the night. The monitors are still giving off a slow steady-paced BEEP as the machines do the work to sustain Darryl Masters life. Callie reaches up and touches the medallion on the silver chain about her neck. Her eyes close in prayer. CRAMMER (V.O) So, what is the source of the poison Dr.? And do you have a suspect for me to take into custody? INT. ICU NURSES STATION Deborah is still on duty. She is filling out the nights paperwork and the incident report of the evening new admittance. A registered NURSE wearing a starched white uniform and a sugar bowl type cap enters the ward. CLOSE ON - THE NURSE'S NAME TAG which reads: MS FINLEY, CPRN WIDER CAROL FINLEY walks up to Deborah. FINLEY I'm Ms. Finley, your shift replacement. I'll just read the night report while I'm passing meds. You've had a long night, why don't you head on home? Deborah looks up slowly and regards the woman before her. Her face masks the knowledge of exactly *who* this person is, and *why* she is on the ICU. DEBORAH Did they teach you that protocol at ST Francis? To read while passing meds? FINLEY (embarrassed.) When shift time is an issue, yes, it is done. Eli has come from Franks room to stand behind Ms. Finley. DEBORAH Just two things I must tell you. One, I'm not quite done here. I don't make it a practice to go until I have completed what I was *sent* to do. Deborah raises up from the chair that she is sitting in very slowly. It is not in a threatening manner, but in a way so that Finley knows she's not falling for her bluff. DEBORAH (CONT'D) And two, you haven't graduated from any Boston nursing school, have you? Finley draws a gun with a SILENCER from her pocket and points it at Deborah. FINLEY (sweetly) How unfortunate for you that you noticed. We believe we *will* provide the *best* of care for-- She falters, and turns, surprised upon feeling a TAP on her shoulder. Her face registers a flash of anger, and then unexpected HORROR. Her mouth opens to scream, but no sound comes out. The hall is filled with a BRILLIANT LIGHT for a moment. FINLEY stands FROZEN with shear TERROR on her face. ELI (calm, to Deborah) It has begun. (pause) I will take care of our Ms. Finley. INT. FRANKS ICU ROOM - NIGHT Deborah enters and sees Jordan is fast asleep. Frank opens his eyes, trying to focus on where he is. DEBORAH Don't be afraid, Mr. Doe, you're both quite safe here. You've been in an accident and have had surgery. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- A small slender pill with a dark center -- Trees being harvested, the leaves being collected and saved -- A head impacts a concrete sidewalk, shattering the skull, the body twitches as the brain crumbles from the cavity! -- A fountain of blood sprays over a desktop! -- Millions of PILLS SPILLING over the edge of a metal shelf. Frank looks down at Jordan, seeing her sleep peacefully comforts him. FRANK My name is... DEBORAH We know *who* you are. For now, the others will only know you as John Doe. It's safer for you and your daughter that way. FRANK (weak, but slightly agitated) Safer? From what? Who are you? I have to get word to my family... DEBORAH When the time arrives your brother and sister in law will be notified. FRANK (trying to sit up) The other car, are they all right? I couldn't stop... DEBORAH (eases him back onto the bed) We hope for the best for both of them. There are choices and decisions that they must make before the matters are resolved. There isn't much time left. Rest now. Your both safe here. Deborah slips a slender needle into the IV junction catheter and depresses the plunger. Frank feels his body relax and hears a WHOOSH as he slips back into a deep sleep before he could proteST INT. ICU HALLWAY - DAY An empty hall with only the sound of a woman SOBBING that echoes in the stillness. INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - DAY Jordan awakens at the sound of the SOBBING. She opens her eyes, sees A NEEDLE being withdrawn from the IV tubing, and hears her fathers SIGH as he slips back asleep. Jordan sees Deborah's face is very calm. Jordan sit's up and looks questioningly. Deborah takes a moment to place the items in the biohazard box. Her free hand stroke away a wisp of hair from Jordan's eyes. DEBORAH It's best, for your father, if he continues to heal as he sleeps. Don't be afraid. Deborah places the PALM of her hand on Frank Black's forehead. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- Jordan sleeping in a hospital bed, Catherine is beside him -- Watching a young man drill a hole in his own skull. -- LARA MEANS, wide eyed on the bed, restrained. -- Jordan in the restaurant giggling. -- The LEGION DEMON sitting inside the yellow house as Frank washes away dried egg from the window. -- A meadow. -- An ocean. -- SINGING, softly in the background -- CHORUS VOICES; pure and sweet. -- The sound of a HUMMING BIRD'S WINGS beating overlapping the sound of the CHORUS singing. -- The sound of Jordan's SCREAM of terror! -- Eli's voice; "Don't be afraid". -- A schoolmasters CLOCK against the wall with an owl etched in the face of the clock. -- The clock is ready to strike MIDNIGHT and a white barn owl FLIES from the center of the clock as the midnight hour strikes. -- An overhead view of the hospital room Frank sees himself in the bed and Jordan safe beside him. -- Frank is aware of two others that are in the room, but he doesn't know the form that they take. Eli re-enters the room and nods to Deborah before retaking his place beside Franks bedside. Deborah resumes her seat at the nurse's desk, INT. ICU HALLWAYS - DAY People walking through the ICU on their way to other wings. There are now two beds filled at this time. They glance in to the rooms and peak at the names searching for their own family. The only two that they find are Darryl Masters still clinging to life, and a young fair-haired woman who is on life support as well. The third bed is now empty. The people move on. INT. ICU NURSES OFFICE - DAY A CLOCK hangs at the far end of the office. It is an old school masters REGULATOR version that has etched on the face of the clock, the intricate detail of a barn owl. The time on the clock is marked at '11:56'. Dispite the movement of the pendulum, and the sound of the TICKING - the clock hands do not move. A woman sobbing from somewhere on the ICU ward echoes in the hallway. INT. MD STATE POLICE FACILITIES - DAY Legend INDICATES: MD State Police Research Department August 14, 5:00 AM A card with fingerprints is on a desk blotter by a computer keyboard. The computer is on. The computer screen is showing that it is searching for a match to something. Beyond the desk is a door with a frosted window. The room, and the hall beyond the door are dark, the only illumination is from the computer screen. FLY'S POV -- The SOUND of a SQUEAK from a chair is magnified LOUDLY. -- The SOUND of soft SCRATCHES from a pencil on paper is magnified LOUDLY. -- CLOSE ON - MAGNIFIED IMAGE OF A PENCIL as it's falls onto a desk in slow motion. -- The SOUND of a SNAPPING/CRUNCH as an apple is bitten into is magnified LOUDLY. -- The SOUND of a pencil hitting a desk and bouncing twice is magnified LOUDLY. -- CLOSE ON - MAGNIFIED IMAGE OF BLOOD washing over the fingerprint cards on the desk. -- The SOUND of BASS DRUMS, as each blood droplet impacts on to the desk is magnified LOUDLY INT. SIDE OFFICE - DAY Slow-motion of Officer Maxwell slumping off his chair on to the floor a heap. Blood continues to spurt from the hole on the top of his head. ZOOM IN ON A FLY, creeping across the office wall. FLY'S POV -- Expensive black shoes -- Blood splattered pants -- A gloved hand holding a blood-covered awl -- Up further to show in the dim light, and Gilead's presence. GILEAD'S POV He looks down at: -- Officer Maxwell; who's unfocused eyes stare unseeing. -- A fly BUZZES on to the desk. -- A blood covered desk. -- Most of the documents, including the fingerprint cards, are completely covered in blood. -- Several flies have gathered at the edge of the blood and have begun to feed. There is a satisfied smile on Gilead's FACE as he tosses the awl onto the desk into the blood. Gilead removes a computer CD floppy from his pocket and inserts it into the computer. In a few seconds, a program is loaded into the system and is passed on to the computer that it's connected to. The CD ejects, and is removed by Gilead. Nothing else is touched as he steps away from the desk into the dark. INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - DAY Legend INDICATES: August 14, 6:50 AM Frank is still on IV's. Jordan is up in the chair with the tray table before her. On the tray table is Jordan's breakfaST She and Frank are the only ones in the room. CALLIE (knocking on the door) May I come in? Jordan says nothing. Callie enters the room, and sit's in the window sill on the other side of the room. CALLIE I've made arrangements to have your hospital bills covered, and anything else that you need. Callie fidgets with the hem of her sweater nervously. CALLIE (CONT'D) That, and a 'sorry' won't come close to what I've done to you, and your father. I don't know how to make any of this right. I don't know what I could have done to make anything different. CRAMMER (O.C) You could start by telling who had access to your husband's medicine. Callie turns her head to see Crammer in the doorway. CALLIE His medicine? Darryl carried it in his briefcase. When we went out I placed it in my purse. What does this have to do with anything? CRAMMER The Pathologist found organic cyanide imbedded in the pills that your husband took. Not enough to kill him at one time, but accumulative, it aggravated his ulcer. (a beat) It, and the internal bleeding, placed your husband in his vegetative state. Callie is about to crumble in tears. Crammer feels a small hand tug at his sleeve. Jordan is shaking her head, tears in her eyes. JORDAN'S INTERNAL POV -- Gilead with blood on his shirt. -- A thin man in shadows who holds branches in his hands. -- Blood washing over the fingerprint card. -- The sound of a woman SOBBING. -- The interior of still; with water and leaves boiling away. -- A bony, thin man in shadows dropping leaves into a still. GILEAD (O.C) Callie? I just heard, I'm so sorry. Jordan turns and sees GILEAD. His FACE is contorted in an evil sneer directed at Callie and Crammer. Jordan steps behind Sgt. Crammer hiding herself from Gilead. Callie rushes to Gilead. He gives her a brief hug. GILEAD (to Callie) If there is anything I can do? CRAMMER You can help by telling me who you are? DEBORAH (voice from behind Gilead) Every one out of this room, please. One Family member ONLY. O-U-T! Gilead turns and his expression freezes on his face. He sees the smoldering EMOTIONS building on Deborah's face. INT. ICU HALLWAY - DAY Callie leaves first, followed by Gilead, then Crammer. Deborah points them in the direction of the waiting room of ICU with her right hand. Her left hand moves into her pocket to place the small round tube in it, away from view. The telephone RINGS and draws Deborah away from Franks room. Eli steps in quietly, unseen, into Frank's room and watches Jordan work on the toast from her breakfaST INT. ICU LOUNGE The lounge is brightly lit with beveled glass French doors which lead out to an outside patio. The patio overlooks the city and the garden walkways that line the hospital. CRAMMER Now, who are you, and what is your relationship with Mr. Masters? GILEAD My name is Gilead DeSidon. Darryl and I are partners. We run a consulting firm for Pharmaceutical Resources and Papermills Industry. (a beat) What's this about? I just stopped by to see how Darryl was doing. Where is he anyway? CALLIE They had to take him back into surgery. Gilead, someone did this to Darryl! Someone meant this to happen to him. GILEAD (confused) Why? Darryl is the good guy here. Why would anyone want to hurt him? Callie shakes her head. The tears that she had been holding back burst forth. Gilead gathers her into his arms. Callie burst into deep SOBS that shake her entire body. Crammer becomes uncomfortable with the raw emotions and backs out of the waiting room. He returns to where Jordan wait's at her fathers side. INT. FRANK'S ROOM - DAY Crammer considers Jordan. CRAMMER I can read people pretty well, and something about that guy scared the daylights out of you. Can you tell me what it was? FRANK (moan of pain) Jordan... Jordan stands up on the chair to get high enough to sit on Franks bed. FRANK (weaker) Jordan... Franks eyes are still closed. Frank slips back into a restful state. Jordan turns to face Crammer, her face sad, full of concern. CRAMMER I'm also a good judge of character. I can usually tell when something is *really* wrong. There is no problem in the world that can't be fixed by working it out. Let me help you work out you and your father's problem. Your name wouldn't happen to be... Jordan places her finger over her lips to "shhh" him. CRAMMER I think I understand. Fair enough. Do you know what's going on? JORDAN'S INTERNAL POV -- A thin man adding leaves to a STILL. -- The sound of a woman SOBBING. -- O.C, Eli says "We are all *his*..." -- The face of Finley in stark horror. -- The sound of a schoolmasters clock TICKING. -- The body of Maxwell falling; blood spurting out of his head. A pager unit in Crammer's pocket BEEPS URGENTLY. Crammer is irritated that it went off, and even more irritated that there is not a telephone in the room to use. CRAMMER Hold those thoughts, honey. INT. ICU HALLWAY - DAY Crammer exit's from the room and pulls out his cell phone. Deborah appears. DEBORAH (firm) Don't you *dare* use that here, or anywhere in this hospital! Didn't you read the sign? Crammer turns in the direction that she was indicating to and reads the nearby sign: CRAMMER (reading) Do not use cell telephones, electric razors or any electrical retrieval device on this floor. (a beat) Just great. Crammer scoots around the Nurses desk and heads directly to the telephone. He picks up the receiver. There is no dial tone. CRAMMER What is your outside line extension? DEBORAH The pay phone is in the lobby downstairs. You're not authorized to use this one. CRAMMER It's getting better all the time Crammer stalks off down the hall. Eli steps from the shadows, enters Franks room.... INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - DAY ... and sit's at the bottom of the bed. Jordan regards Eli. Her small face asks just one question: "WHY?" ELI I don't have the answers that you seek. I only have my instructions. INT. HOSPITAL LOBBY - DAY Crammer dials the number on his pager, then his access code. He LISTENS to the recorded message. Pain constricts his FACE. He closes his eyes, tears SPILL from them. Down the hall, a woman can be heard SOBBING. FADE OUT. ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. PATHOLOGY LAB - ST MERCY HOSPITAL - DAY Crammer is pacing around the lab. Legend INDICATES: Pathology Lab August 14, 12:45 PM CRAMMER I need to know every thing you do, Doc. Where is this stuff coming from, and why did they have to kill Max? DR. BARAK Wild cherry trees, peach pit's, almost all fruit has the cyanide in the seed. This was concentrated, distilled very carefully in a lead-seamed copper vessel. There was even some trace of fermented corn. (a beat) How do you know that your friend's death is related to all of this? CRAMMER It's the only case that we're working on. Whadda you think? That some "organization"* offed him because we were getting too close? DR. BARAK My apologies. If it's any help, I was able to trace the specific species of the wild cherry tree. CRAMMER Somehow, Doc, trees just aren't on my list of suspects right now. I want to rip the guy who did this to Max. Barak pours a clear liquid from a brown bottle from his refrigerator into a clean beaker. He hands it to Crammer, indicating for him to sit down and drink it. Crammer's first sip tells him it is a fruit nectar that he suspected has a very high sugar content. DR. BARAK Gidion, there are some events in life that cannot be changed. Reasons for events that are not known by mortal man, or woman for that matter. (a beat) Nothing that has been done, or could have been done, would have changed the outcome. Your actions, the case of our Mr. Doe, is not the cause of Maxwell's death. CRAMMER You can't know that for sure, Doc. We don't know who this John Doe is. He could have kidnapped the kid, murdered someone, or even be faking upstairs, and be fine all this time! DR. BARAK (shaking his head) No, our Mr. Doe has a concussion, and had a lacerated spleen, though I checked out his blood work, and we have him on hefty doses of nebutal. (a beat) One of several reasons is to keep him sedated until his body has a chance to recover from the physical and psychological trauma. The longer he remains asleep, the faster he will heal, but the less he will remember. (a beat) Mr. Doe, is not the source of the murder. Another possibility is the other side of the equation. I believe you may find *trees* to be your prime suspect. (a beat) There are some individuals who *do* ingest small doses of cyanide to extend their lives, and as part of religious ceremonies. But it's use for the most part is in the worship of *evil* deities. CRAMMER Are you implying that I should go out on a limb here, Doc? To ask Mrs. Masters about their religious practices? DR. BARAK Some answers you must discover for yourself. Science and medicine don't have all the answers. That which logic can't explain - leaps of faith can. Crammer places his half-finished drink to one side. CRAMMER You're beginning to sound weird on me, Doc. In a way I understand what you say. Maybe it would be easier to blame the John Doe and his mysterious past for the death of my partner. (a beat) But it wont solve problems to believe that, only create more for innocent people. (a beat) So, tell me what I need to know about the trees that started this, and how I can end this INT. ICU HALLWAY NURSES STATION - DAY Gilead stands next to Callie, as Barak explains the treatment options. Legend INDICATES: August 14, 1:19 PM DR. BARAK There is the *slim* chance that the brain cells may regenerate some function. There have been cases in the very young. Therapy will be necessary for the muscles to remain flexible. (a beat) If nothing is done, there is a probability of fluids building up in his tissues. His cells can not take in sufficient oxygen to counteract this without treatment. GILEAD Without treatment, without the life support, how long does he have? CALLIE (pulls away from Gilead) What are you saying? That I just let Darryl die? You're his best friend, and business partner! We have to do everything possible to work with the doctors - so that he recovers. GILEAD Honey, Darryl is dead. It's just the machines doing the breathing for him. All the therapy would do is empty out the accounts and bankrupt the business. (a beat) Darryl wouldn't want that to happen to you. He made sure the insurance policy would take care of *you,* not him. CALLIE (shaking her head) No. (a beat) Doctor, with the therapy, how long would he live? What are the odds of me getting Darryl back? DR BARAK Darryl could live the rest of his natural life with the proper treatment. Getting him back may never happen. That choice is yours alone. Callie looks into the room where her husband is. Tears fill her eyes. She sees movement in the door frame of the other room. Jordan has moved to watch what unfolds from a few feet inside the door. Her presence shifts the conflict in Callie's heart. CALLIE (calmer) I can't just give up on someone that I made a vow to love in all times. I won't give up. (a beat) Dr. Barak, I'm authorizing you to do everything possible to give Darryl every chance he can have for the best recovery possible. GILEAD Callie, that will bankrupt the business. You have the stockholders to think of, the investors, and the clients as well. Darryl is dead. Accept it, and move on. (a beat) We have the new product due to hit the open market in two days. *Any* disruption of the production, and we lose the edge to our competitors. Darryl being like *this* would only cause a disruption in the market. The consumers *won't* buy a product when half of the company are in hospital on life support. CALLIE No. You can buy out your half of the business and then you can keep all the clients and everything. That and the insurance money, and the investments that Darryl has, will be enough. (a beat) If it's not, that's not your concern. I'll call the auditors and the lawyers and they'll do the paperwork. GILEAD You can't do that. You're not on the paperwork for the company. Darryl did that to protect your assets. CALLIE (more confident) I'm his wife, and I *do* have power of attorney. I *can* do just that. *And* Darryl put me as heir to the company. I believe your business here is finished Gilead. GILEAD Callie, your distraught. It's been a stressful day. Maybe some food, and a good sleep will put things into better perspective. CALLIE (irritated) My perspective is fine. It's best that you go Gilead. *NOW*. Gilead glances at the people who have seen the conversation, Dr. Barak, Deborah, and in the door frame of John Doe, a dark skinned man that he almost remembers seeing about before. Silently he turns on his heal and stalks off. His face is SEETHING with anger. Callie turns to Dr. Barak. She is calmer now that the decision has been made, but still has her moment of doubt. CALLIE I did the right thing, didn't I? Maybe I'm being selfish about hanging onto Darryl. (a beat) We, had plans for our life together. I just can't give up on any chance of hope that there will be a happy ending to this. DR. BARAK I can't tell you what is right or wrong Mrs. Masters. That's a decision you have to make on your own, with your own heart to guide you. (a beat) Now there is some additional paperwork that needs to be signed to begin the treatment. It's in the nurses ward room back here. Dr. Barak escorts Callie back into the room. Her attention is drawn to the School Masters Clock on the wall. The hands are still poised at a few moments to midnight. The face of the owl seems to watch her every move. Confused and a bit startled, she checks the time on her own watch. CALLIE It's a bit slow. Your clock. Barak doesn't look, focuses on Callie DR. BARAK It's not a regular clock at all. It's quite special as it keeps track of a different type of time. Callie shakes her head not understanding the meaning of his words. She turns back to Dr. Barak. She sees his face has changed for a moment, from the young boyish charmer, to a much older - wiser- patriarch figure. Callie can't seem to break her gaze from his. She doesn't feel panic only a refreshing calm. The moment passes, the charmer returns as Jordan steps into the door frame to watch the interaction. Barak indicates a line on some forms for Callie to fill. DR. BARAK Read here, and then sign and date it. We can begin treatment immediately. Callie scrawls her name on the paper. CALLIE Is there anything else I can do to make things right? DR. BARAK You've taken the first step. The next ones wont be easy, but you won't be alone when you take the reST CALLIE (wistful) Even if it gives up one more hour or a day, or a week, together it's more than what we would have had before. DR. BARAK I'll notify the physical therapy department to schedule an afternoon and morning session for your husband. (a beat) It's nearly 1:30. Have you had anything to eat today, or even a break from your husband's bedside? I understand that may seem difficult to do. You need to care for your own health as well. CALLIE (shaking her head) No, not since Gilead came. I just couldn't, then. Now, seems like a better time. I feel as if a weight has been removed from my cheST DR. BARAK (nods in Jordan's direction) Why don't you, and Lady Jane, go to the hospital cafeteria and have a late lunch? That food's *much* better than what they bring up on the trays. We'll let you know if there's any change. Callie looks at Jordan still in the door frame. She turns and bends her knees so that she is eye level with Jordan. CALLIE It's up to you, Kiddo. I have to make a quick call, and then we can check out the dessert menu. Jordan looked further into the room and regarded Dr. Barak. DEBORAH (O.C) That's a wonderful idea. You can use the phone on the desk Mrs. Masters, it's a direct line. CALLIE (to Jordan) This will just take a moment, okay Jordan nods slightly. Callie straightens up and strides to the telephone. Her fingers gently push the raised buttons. She takes a DEEP BREATH to steady herself as her husbands lawyer answers. Callie speaks softly into the telephone explaining the events. Jordan steps into the wardroom, and regards Dr. Barak. There is a definite loud CLICK as the hand of the School Masters Clock ADVANCES a minute. Jordan's mouth forms an "OH" as she sees the clock. When she turns back to Dr. Barak he has knelt down to her level. DR. BARAK You are so young to have been burdened with such responsibility. (a beat) Yet you understand the implications, and the timing of the events that will unfold. Things that have happened, and will happen *must* happen. (a beat) Things that Mortal Man will not ever control, despite the misbelieve of destiny. You need to be there for your father. (a beat) THIS journey is almost over. The path chosen today, and tomorrow, may begin a new journey for all. Dr. Barak is interrupted by a loud DING- DING of a room call bell from Frank's room. Jordan rushes into the room followed by Deborah, Dr. Barak and Callie. INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - DAY Frank is speaking weakly... FRANK Jordan? Jordan pushes the chair over to the bed to climb up and sit on the bedside. She carefully gives Frank a hug. Her voice is a scratchy whisper sob. JORDAN Oh, Daddy, I was so scared. FRANK Shh, I know. Everything is going to be all right now. Jordan shakes her head and whispers to Frank. JORDAN Eli says I shouldn't speak to anyone, a bad man is here and he would know who we are. We're safe - they can't find us to hurt us while we're here. Dr. Barak steps up to the other side of the bed. He lifts Franks wrist to take his pulse. DR. BARAK I'm Dr. Barak. You were in an automobile accident. You had to have surgery on your spleen and have a concussion. Are you in any discomfort now? Frank focuses on Dr. Barak for the first time. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- Brilliant white, pure light. -- The sound of a CHORUS. -- Children's LAUGHTER. -- Jordan GIGGLING in the restaurant. -- The steady BEEP of a monitor. -- The sound of a woman SOBBING, being comforted by the gentle voice of Barak. -- A brilliant sunrise of a new day. -- The CHORUS fills the room; bursting forth and covering the earth. FRANK Oh, my... FADE OUT. ACT FOUR FADE IN: EXT. ST MERCY HOSPITAL - DAY Ms. Finley sit's outside on a bench by the bus stop on the main street waiting. She is still in her white nurses uniform, however the sugar bowl cap is gone and her hair is in disarray. Legend INDICATES: ST Mercy Hospital August 15, 8:03 AM The rain has plastered her hair to her head, giving the impression of a drowned rat. The rain and blowing wind has not caused Finley to seek shelter. She sit's in silence, eyes unblinking, her hand clutching an empty gun with the silencer. On the other end of the bench sit's the PARAMEDIC. He, like Carol wait's in silence, unmindful of his surroundings. Both have had the same experience. Both have seen - within themselves to the depth of the soul and their heart. Nether reacts to the arrival of a police car, or to the police officer's questions. They are guided to the back seat of the police cruiser and taken away. INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - DUSK Jordan watches this event from Franks room. Her small shoulders relax. Eli stands behind her. ELI it's not quite finished yet. Jordan nods, understanding. Eli escorts her back to where Frank is propped up in bed resting. She climbs up on the bed beside her father. EXT. STATE HIGHWAY 450 - DAY The Automobile accident site. Legend INDICATES: August 15, 12:30 PM Crammer moves up the muddy hillside above the accident site. The trees have all been cut down to 3 foot stumps. A single leaf escaped the process. Carefully he photographs it, then the location, before gathering it into an evidence bag. Crammer's face is grim as he walks down to his car with collected samples of the trees. His car radio SQUAWKS to life, demanding his attention. He tosses the collected specimens onto the passenger side seat. One falls to the floor. Crammer ducks down quickly and reaches for it. THUNK! Crammer feels something sharp as he raises his head and someone behind him. He savagely kicks backwards, catching GILEAD on the KNEECAP. He falls onto the seat as he rolls, drawing his service revolver. Crammer sees nobody. He sit's up and brushes against a razor sharp awl that has been thrust through the roof of his car. Cautiously he gets out and searches for his attacker, but finds no-one. He looks at the awl again; still embedded into the roof a small bead of blood hangs on the tip of the awl. Crammer's heart is pumping. CRAMMER Great, now *how* am I going to explain *this* to the captain? INT. DR. BARAK'S LAB - ST MERCY HOSPITAL - EVENING Barak is leaned over a microscope. Legend INDICATES: Dr. Barak's Laboratory August 15, 7:45 PM DR. BARAK (looking up) The D.N.A of the samples match. There may be some doubt as to the exact location of the plant source, as the extract has been mixed with other items and it isn't a pure sample. (a beat) Enough of the concentrated cyanide remains in the natural state to match a spectral analysis, the cyanide source is from the plant material that you've found. CRAMMER Not that it would prove anything. A multi billion-dollar lumberyard owns the property, and the trees were collected to make cardboard storage boxes. (a beat) I spoke with one of the representatives, who said they use that because the properties of the wood prevent bugs from entering the boxes. They're referring to the cyanide, aren't they? DR. BARAK Yes. Did they tell you the process? CRAMMER Sure, grind 'em up, toss in post consumer recycles, mix with water, spread it, then extract the water and dry it in ovens. (a beat) But they use an aeration process to keep the smell down, and it's all automated. They said there are some pharmaceutical properties that they can get from the bark, but they didn't handle that, the bark is stripped off before it gets to them. (a beat) I checked that out too. They have to let the bark ferment for almost two years. It makes an antibiotic, with no trace of the cyanide left. And some sort of Calcium Carbonate product, whatever that is. (a beat) *Someone* else had to have access to the site, and to the trees. I guess I must be on the right track, the same guy who murdered Max left an awl in the roof of my car. (a beat) So, how does it figure Doc that you were on the right track about the trees? DR. BARAK (grins) I've been told I should have been a detective, but there are all ready too many armchair detectives out there. CRAMMER (shaking his head at the thought) I'm going to head up and see how the gang is doing upstairs. If you can think of anything else, let me know, and be careful - that guy means business. Let's just hope he runs out of awls soon. DR. BARAK Calcium Carbonate you said? CRAMMER Yeah, why? Barak hands Crammer a copy of the prescription label from Darryl Masters. DR. BARAK Any name you recognize? INT. FRANK'S ROOM - ICU - NIGHT Frank is resting comfortably. The IV is still in his arm, however, the monitors have been detached. Frank can see the movements out by the nurses station. Legend INDICATES: 8:15 PM Doctors and nurses pass by, but only Deborah ever seems to be the nurse present. The only Doctor who ever acknowledges her is Barak. FOOTSTEPS snap on the floors of ICU, coming to Franks door. Jordan squeezes Franks hand. Frank sees acceptance on Jordan's face of something that is to come. JORDAN I love you, daddy. Deborah enters the room with latex white gloves in her hand and a Band-Aid. She wears a smile and is cheerful. DEBORAH Well, Mr. Doe, Dr. Barak has written orders to remove your IV. You'll be on ice chips for a while, and then tomorrow we'll try and clear liquids and see how they stay down. (a beat) Dr. Barak has also instructed to get you out of bed and into the lounge for some fresh air. (to Jordan) You'll have to step outside of the room for a moment, honey. FRANK (to Jordan) This wont take long, sweetheart. Why don't you wait for me in the lounge? Jordan nods, giving a last glance back to Frank, walks out the door. INT. HALL - ICU - NIGHT Jordan stops next door on the way to the lounge. She sees Callie speaking with Crammer in HUSHED VOICES by Darryl's bedside. Callie's face shows disbelief, and then anger. Jordan steps back and bumps into someone behind her. ROUGH HANDS clamp on Jordan's mouth as she is SWEPT UP into Gilead's arms and carried away! Jordan kicks outward and bangs the door frame with her foot. CRAMMER HEY! What do you think you're doing? Crammer rushes out of the room following Gilead and Jordan. Gilead LAUGHS as he carries Jordan in the direction of the stairwell, then SNARLS as he finds his path blocked by Eli. ELI Put her down, It doesn't concern her, or her father, it never did. GILEAD (indicates Callie) *You* can have *her*, and her husband. My work is *done* with them. Fool that he *was* - he believed the immortality I offered was something he could *live* with. (a beat) This one will please *THEM* greatly with her gift. Your attempt to shield them failed from the beginning. You can't stop the passage of this MOMENT, or the ones to follow. You have lost - Shophetim! CRAMMER (Draws his revolver and aims it at Gilead) Put her down, it's all over! Don't make me fire. Crammer feels his heart pounding in his chest. He sees the terror on Jordan's face. Her eyes make contact with his, and he sees total trust in what ever decision he makes. Crammer realizes she knows this evil must be stopped at any cost. CRAMMER (CONT'D) We know about the tainted Pharmaceuticals that your company was producing and why. The D.E.A has shut your production down and is removing your stockpile of poison as we speak. (a beat) It's over. GILEAD (confident) You won't fire that in here, with it would ignite the oxygen in here and turn the ward into a fireball. You can't stop what you don't understand. Shoot, and risk killing this child and ALL who are in this Bet Din. Gilead sees the hesitation on Crammer's face and bolts through the nearest door that takes them into the lounge. There is no exit, only the doors to the outside patio. EXT. PATIO - ST MERCY HOSPITAL (SEVENTH FLOOR) - NIGHT Gilead carries a struggling Jordan outside and to the edge of the patio. Jordan manages to get in some well placed kicks to Gilead's leg. He shakes her roughly. It draws his attention away from the people who have followed them outside. Frank is in his wheelchair, pushed outside by Deborah. He sees Jordan bite Gilead's hand hard. Franks heart leaps in his chest as Gilead, in anger, dangles Jordan over the edge of the wall. FRANK STOP! it's not her that you want, it's me, isn't it? It has been all along! You want my soul? Well take it, it's yours if you let my daughter go free and leave her alone forever. GILEAD (laughing) You flatter yourself. You're nothing. It's not you *THEY* want. HE is innocence, and wisdom. *THEY* will take great delight in her. You cannot *stop* what has already begun. Frank sees Eli for the first time standing beside a horrified Callie. Frank sees Eli's face is very calm and sad. Frank wheels himself closer to Gilead - to bait Gilead away from the edge. ELI (softly, behind Gilead.) Yes, it has begun, for some. But, not for you. It has ended. Gilead turns, snarling at Eli. His movements swing Jordan back onto solid ground. ELI (softly) WE forgive you. For all your sins, For all your evil, WE understand why it was done, and WE do not hold you bound to them. Jordan's heels have come in painful contact with Gilead's lower torso. Irritated with her, he tosses her aside with the intention of throttling FRANK who has moved in to rescue his daughter. Gilead's body jerks to one side following the sharp CRACK of Crammer's pistol. He falls to his knees, grasping onto the rail of the patio for support. His temple has been grazed by Crammer's bullet. Drawing upon a reserve of energy fueled by anger, Gilead painfully pulls himself to his feet. Snarling he continues his advance on Frank and Jordan, as -- -- Callie RUSHES forward, her slight body impacts with Gilead's. Her small fist beat on to his chest in anger. She is unmindful, perhaps even blind to the dark blood that streams down the side of Gileads temple. CALLIE You did this - you did this to Darryl, how could you? Why?! How could you?! Darryl and I loved you as family! How could you? I loved you!... Gilead snarls at Callie. She finally sees the true evil that has manifested from Gilead's soul. Callie backs up horrified and shocked. Gileads lips draw back in a sneer. He lunges for her to throttle her, he only succeeds in catching the lapels of her shirt and tangling his hands in the silver chain about her neck. Sgt. Crammer fires his revolver again, this bullet strikes in Gilead's shoulder sending him staggering backwards against the low rail. Callie, terrified of being pulled over the rail with him, tries to back away. She finds something is pulling her over with him and pulls back in self preservation. The silver chain snaps, freeing Callie. Gilead gives an unearthly SCREAM staggers back, falling over the rail. All of them hear the THUD of impact. Callie stands FROZEN, in shock, looking over the edge to the still body of Gilead. Dr. Barak gathers Callie into his arms turning her away from the rail and the sight of Gilead's body that lies below. Callie's thin shoulders began to shake as deep sobs burst forth from her body. Dr. Barak's murmurs comfort to Callie as he leads her away from the edge of the rail. Frank holds Jordan tightly in his arms. Jordan HUGS her father, unwilling to let go of him for a second. Her entire body is trembling with fear, tears are streaming down her face. JORDAN (softly, crying) He was an evil man Daddy... I could *see* how bad he was... and others too... I don't know how to stop other bad things from happening... FRANK It's over. It's all over Jordan. I won't let those bad things that we see hurt you... Crammer walks to the edge and looks over the rail down at Gileads body. EXT. SIDEWALK - ST MERCY HOSPITAL - NIGHT CLOSE UP- GILEAD'S HAND Palm up, a tangle of silver chain in his fingers. On the Palm rests a silver Medallion with an image and the legend "ST JUDE PATRON SAINT OF HOPELESS CASES PRAY FOR US" Mabius stands on the sidewalk beside Gilead's body that lay twitching in the growing shadows. He removes an AWL from his pocket and lets it fall from his hand. SLOW TRACKING SHOT: The AWL tumbles slowly, end over end to the blood soaked sidewalk. It lands in a puddle of blood that splashes outward obscuring the clumps of gray matter beside Gilead's head. Mabius takes one last moment to look back, up at the patio. He can hear the voice of Frank Black comforting his daughter, and Callie sobbing. He *sees* both Eli and Deborah standing protectively beside the group of people. MABIUS (knowing that both Eli and Deborah can hear him) Perhaps in a moment of weakness we will bring the Lamb home. Perhaps a moment when you *SHOGAT* have lowered your Guard and the Lamb has wandered from the Bet Din. One day there will no longer be the protection of the *SHOPHETIM. One day, very soon... Mabius steps away from the body and disappears into the night. RADIO COMMENTATOR (V.O) The drought has broken and cooler temperatures have arrived. Heavy lake rains are expected in the upper Mississippi Valley region. (a beat) In other news "Pharmaceutical Research Co." has recalled their latest Wonder Drug used to treat ulcers citing contamination in the factory. The FDA reports that over a thousand unit's are still not accounted for. INT. NURSES STATION - ICU WARD - NIGHT Eli walks up to the Schoolmasters clock on the wall and opens the glass cover. His weathered fingers hover above the hands of the clock, and move the minute hand back two full minutes from it's perilous perch of two minutes before the end. Deborah enters the room and regards Eli's actions. She nods in approval. FADE OUT. THE END