Episode Eight

Veil

Part Three

NEXT SCENE
IN THE WHITE ROOM. TOM SITS AT A SMALL ROUND TABLE. ED SITS ACROSS FROM HIM. THEY’RE EATING DINNER. (TOM LOOKS REALLY GOOD. OR AM I REPEATING MYSELF?)

Ed: You’re gonna have to kill her, man.
Tom: I know.
Ed: I mean this, this relationship you have with Sloan. It’s dragging you down.
Tom: (nodding) You’re right.
Ed: Well, glad you’re starting to see things my way.

WE SEE A GHOST SHOT OF LEWIS’S FACE AS THE CAMERA PANS BACK.

NEXT SCENE
AT THE BIO LAB. IN THE LAB AREA. ED AND SLOAN WALK TO A COMPUTER ON A COUNTER. THEY DO A DNA DIFFERENTIAL ANALYSIS. THE RESULT FLASHES 1.6%.

Ed: This is amazing. It took only hours for James’s entire genetic makeup to be altered by a simple deer tick.
Sloan: (stunned) And how many of them are out there?

CUT TO ED AND SLOAN WALKING DOWN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE LAB AREA.

Sloan: Ed....
Ed: It’s too quiet in here.

A MONKEY SCREECHES AND ED AND SLOAN LOOK AT THE CAGE.

Sloan: Oh, my God.

WE SEE ONE MONKEY, HOPPING AROUND, AGITATED, WHILE TWO OTHERS LAY UNMOVING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAGE.

Sloan: He killed the other monkeys.

NEXT SCENE
LIGHTNING FLASHES AND WE CUT TO A DRAB GREY ROOM. TOM LIES ON A COT AND LEWIS SITS BESIDE HIM IN A CHAIR. TOM SITS UP.

Lewis: How do you feel?
Tom: Fine.

(AND HE LOOKS IT, TOO! THAT MAN IS SOOO FINE.)

Lewis: There’s something I want you to do for me, Tom.
Tom: Ohh-kay.

TOM STANDS AND WALKS AROUND THE COT. LEWIS RISES AND APPROACHES HIM. THEY FACE A DOOR.

Lewis: There’s someone in the other room. I want you to kill them.

LEWIS HANDS TOM A GUN, AND TOM WALKS TO THE DOOR, A BLANK STARE UPON HIS FACE. LEWIS WATCHES HIM. TOM OPENS THE DOOR. JANE DANIELS IS SITTING BEFORE A WRITING DESK. SUNLIGHT STREAMS IN THROUGH THE WINDOW ON HER RIGHT.

Tom: Mother.
Jane: Tom. Are you alright?

TOM RAISES THE GUN AND AIMS IT AT HER HEAD. JANE GIVES A SMALL SMILE AS SHE RISES FROM HER CHAIR.

Jane: I’m proud of you.

TOM FIRES, AND HIS MOTHER SLUMPS AGAINST THE DESK. LEWIS WATCHES THE SCENE FROM THE OTHER ROOM. TOM TURNS BACK TO LOOK AT LEWIS, A FIERCE LOOK UPON HIS FACE. LEWIS GRINS AT HIM. TOM LOOKS DOWN AT THE BODY THAT LIES BEFORE HIM.

NEXT SCENE
AT THE BIO LAB. ATTWOOD SITS AT HIS DESK, THINKING. SLOAN KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. ED IS BEHIND HER.

Attwood: Come in.

THEY DO.

Sloan: What’s going on?
Attwood: It’s been twenty-four hours since Tom drove away with Lewis. If Lewis hasn’t killed him, I think we can expect Tom any time now.
Ed: Wait, what do you mean by ‘expect’?
Attwood: Well, if Sloan’s right and Lewis has some control over Tom, I’d anticipate that Tom would try to kill us.
Ed: What about your security forces?
Attwood: I’ve relieved them of their duty. I want Tom to come here. I want him to feel that we’re vulnerable.
Sloan: You’re gonna trap him.
Attwood: I have no choice. I’m under orders, Sloan. Truthfully, I think it is the best thing to do.
Sloan: What about the police? If Tom tries to come near us, they’ll see him.
Attwood: Tom’s off the hook. I’ve arranged for the police and the media to receive a package exonerating him.
Ed: Ok, so what do we do now?
Attwood: I’ve devised a plan to capture Tom without harming him.
Sloan: (incredulously) We’re talking about Tom here. The one who’s been helping us all along. Without him on our side, we don’t stand a chance of succeeding.
Ed: (pointedly) He is no longer ON our side, Sloan.
Sloan: Well then, we’ll just have to figure out a way to get him back.

ED LOOKS AT ATTWOOD. SLOAN TURNS TO THE OLDER MAN.

Sloan: We can’t just give up on him.
Attwood: As I said, we have no choice. I’m afraid it’s time for you to put your personal feelings aside.

SLOAN LOOKS OVER AT ED, MOUTH AGAPE. SHE SLOWLY CLOSES IT.

NEXT SCENE
EXTERIOR OF THE LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING. A BLACK BMW SITS PARKED BY THE CURB.

Lewis: When you’ve completed your task, return here.

TOM TURNS TO LOOK AT LEWIS.

Lewis: It’s good to have you back.
Tom: Thank you.

TOM EXITS THE CAR AND STRIDES AROUND THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. HE STARES STRAIGHT AHEAD, FOCUSED.

CUT TO ED, ENTERING ATTWOOD’S OFFICE AND CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND HIM.

Ed: Tom just pulled up.

ATTWOOD KNEELS NEXT TO THE DOOR, RIGGING A CONTRAPTION TO THE DOORKNOB.

Attwood: Based on everything we know about Tom and people like him, this voltage should be just enough to drop him without killing him. Good work, Ed!
Sloan: Where will he be taken?
Attwood: That’s on a need-to-know basis, Sloan. And even I’m not on that list.

SLOAN LOOKS OVER AT ED AS ATTWOOD ARMS THE DOOR.

CUT TO TOM, STRIDING ACROSS THE ROOF. HE APPROACHES A RAILING AND HOPS OVER IT. (SIGH.) HE CROUCHES (SIGH AGAIN!) NEXT TO A HATCH IN THE ROOF. TOM LIFTS THE ALARM FACEPLATE OFF AND FIDDLES WITH THE WIRES INSIDE. HE PUTS THE FACEPLATE BACK ON AND PUNCHES 1-8-6-5 AND ‘ENTER’ ON THE KEYPAD. THE LIGHTS GO GREEN. TOM OPENS THE HATCH AND CLIMBS DOWN A LADDER INTO A STAIRWELL.

CUT TO TOM, WALKING DOWN THE OUTER HALLWAY OF THE BIO LAB. HE CAUTIOUSLY PUSHES THROUGH THE DOOR. HE ENTERS THE LAB AREA AND WALKS ACROSS IT. HE SPOTS ED THROUGH THE DOOR OF ATTWOOD’S OFFICE. HE PULLS HIS GUN FROM BENEATH HIS COAT. TOM’S EYES NARROW AND HIS HEAD LOWERS AS HE SPOTS HIS PREY THROUGH THE WINDOW OF ATTWOOD’S OFFICE--SLOAN. SHE LOOKS UP AT HIM. HE PAUSES IN FRONT OF THE DOOR AND STARES INTENTLY, MENACINGLY, AT HER THROUGH THE WINDOW. HER EYES ARE HUGE WITH WORRY AS SHE LOOKS UP AT HIM AGAIN. HE PUTS HIS HAND ON THE DOORKNOB AND SUDDENLY HIS BODY ARCHES AND HIS HEAD IS THROWN BACK. HE IS BEING ELECTROCUTED. SLOAN’S MOUTH OPENS IN SHOCK. TOM FALLS TO THE FLOOR AND ATTWOOD RUSHES FORWARD. ATTWOOD DISARMS THE DOOR AND SLOAN RUSHES TO HER FALLEN MAN. SHE CHECKS HIS PULSE.

Sloan: (relieved) He’s still alive.
Attwood: Let’s move him into the library.

ED, SLOAN AND ATTWOOD GRAB THE PRONE MAN AND LIFT HIM. CUT TO THE LIBRARY. TOM IS ON A GURNEY, STILL UNCONSCIOUS. ED IS STRAPPING HIM TO THE GURNEY AS ATTWOOD LOCKS A CHAIN AROUND HIS WAIST. SLOAN STANDS AT TOM’S FEET, STARING DOWN AT THE MAN. HE’S STRAPPED UNDERNEATH HIS RIBCAGE AND ACROSS HIS SHINS. THE CHAIN IS SECURED AROUND BOTH ANKLES AND STRETCHES UP BETWEEN HIS LEGS TO ATTACH AROUND HIS WAIST. (ESSENTIALLY, HE AIN’T GOING NOWHERE...)

Attwood: It should be a while before he comes around. I’ve got a phone call to make. I’ve been ordered to ask you to leave the lab immediately.

ATTWOOD WALKS OUT. ED WALKS OVER TO SLOAN.

Ed: It was the right thing to do, Sloan.
Sloan: (shaking her head) I don’t know.
Ed: How ‘bout I give you a ride home?
Sloan: No thanks. I’m gonna stay here till they take him away.
Ed: Call me later, if you wanna talk.

SLOAN NODS ABSENTLY, STILL STARING AT THE RESTRAINED MAN, AS ED LEAVES THE ROOM. SLOAN TAKES HER COAT OFF AND PULLS A CHAIR UP NEXT TO THE GURNEY. SHE SITS, LOOKING DOWN AT TOM. SHE LEANS OVER HIM, SMOOTHING THE HAIR AT HIS RIGHT TEMPLE, STROKING THE BACK OF HER HAND DOWN THE SIDE OF HIS CHEEK AND BACK UP. SUDDENLY TOM’S EYES SPRING OPEN. HE WHIPS HIS HEAD OVER TO LOOK AT SLOAN AND SHE JUMPS, BACKING UP TO THE WALL. TOM STRUGGLES VIOLENTLY AGAINST HIS RESTRAINTS, TO NO AVAIL. HE CALMS HIS MOTIONS AND GLARES AT SLOAN, LIPS IN A TIGHT LINE.

Tom: Set me free.
Sloan: I can’t do that.

HE STRUGGLES AGAIN, ROCKING THE GURNEY WITH HIS MOTIONS. HE STILLS AND STARES UP AT THE CEILING, A FEROCIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE.

Tom: You will all die, Sloan.
Sloan: (shaking her head) You are not like them, Tom. I know you. I know what’s really in your heart.
Tom: You don’t know me.
Sloan: I do! I know how you feel about humans.

TOM STARTS TO STRUGGLE AGAIN.

Sloan: About love.

SLOAN APPROACHES THE GURNEY AND SITS IN THE CHAIR. SHE LEANS CLOSE TO TOM.

Sloan: About me.

TOM STARES AT THE CEILING, REFUSING TO LOOK AT HER.

Sloan: Why did you save my life? Protect me, give me information? Give me a blood sample?

HE GLANCES AT HER. SHE LEANS OVER HIM, HANDS RESTING ON EITHER SIDE OF HIS HEAD.

Sloan: Why did you tell me about Lewis?

HE VIOLENTLY JERKS HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT HER.

Sloan: Yes, that’s right! That’s right! I know who Lewis is! I know what he taught you and why!
Tom: No.
Sloan: You told me!
Tom: No. I wouldn’t.
Sloan: You told me everything! You told me about the little boy you couldn't kill because his mother offered her life for his. And you couldn’t....you didn’t kill me. You had the chance but you couldn’t do it.

SLOAN'S VOICE BREAKS WITH EMOTION; SHE IS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS. TOM SHAKES HIS HEAD, DENYING WHAT SHE’S SAYING. SLOAN LEANS DOWN, HOLDING HIS FACE IN HER HANDS AND SOFTLY KISSES HIM. SHE PULLS BACK AND HIS HEAD LIFTS AWAY FROM THE GURNEY, FOLLOWING HER LIPS. SHE BREAKS THE KISS AND LOOKS DOWN AT HIM. TOM’S EYES CLEAR AND HE LOOKS UP AT HER.

Tom: Sloan?

SHE SMILES DOWN AT HIM IN RELIEF.

Tom: Sloan...
Sloan: Yes!
Tom: Sloan...Sloan...

PAIN AND CONFUSION FLASH ACROSS HIS FACE.

Tom: (gasping, his voice full of emotion) The last thing I remember we were in your apartment. I was.....I abandoned you in the motel. I’m sorry.

HE CHANTS HIS APOLOGY SOFTLY, LIKE A MANTRA.

Tom: I’m sorry...I’m sorry...I’m sorry...I’m sorry.

SLOAN SAGS AGAINST HIM IN RELIEF AND HE RAISES HIS HEAD, LOOKING QUESTIONINGLY AT HIS BONDS.

Tom: What--
Sloan: I’ll explain that later, I’ll be right back, okay? I’ll be right back.

TOM LIFTS HIS HANDS TO HER AS SHE RACES FROM THE ROOM. HE DROPS HIS HEAD BACK DOWN ONTO THE GURNEY.

CUT TO SLOAN, PEEKING HER HEAD CAUTIOUSLY AROUND A DOORWAY. SHE SEES ATTWOOD TALKING TO THREE BEEFY GUYS, EXPLAINING SOMETHING TO THEM. SLOAN DARTS ACROSS THE HALL AND INTO ATTWOOD’S OFFICE. SHE GRABS KEYS OFF ATTWOOD’S DESK AND RETURNS TO TOM. SHE UNLOCKS THE CHAINS.

Sloan: I’ve gotta get you out of these before Attwood gets here.
Tom: Attwood did this? Why?
Sloan: Help me.

SLOAN UNDOES THE STRAPS AND TOM SITS UP.

CUT TO TOM AND SLOAN, MAKING THEIR WAY DOWN A STAIRWELL.

Sloan: You have to get out of here. Attwood--
Tom: (stopping her with a hand) He’s not the one I’m worried about.
Sloan: Lewis.
Tom: He’s outside. I have to take care of him.

SLOAN REACHES FOR HIS HAND.

Sloan: No, you don’t.
Tom: It has to end, Sloan.

HE WALKS AWAY FROM HER AND DOWN THE STEPS.

CUT TO LEWIS, SEATED IN THE BMW. TOM APPROACHES THE PASSENGER DOOR. HE LOOKS IN AT LEWIS, THE DAZED LOOK BACK IN PLACE ON HIS FACE.

Lewis: It went well.
Tom: Fine.

TOM PRODUCES HIS GUN AND AIMS IT THROUGH THE WINDOW AT LEWIS.

Lewis: What’s this all about.
Tom: It’s over.
Lewis: You're going to kill me?
Tom: (shaking his head) No.
Lewis: Because you can’t.
Tom: Because I choose not to.

SUDDENLY A BEEFY MAN RACES UP AND GRABS TOM FROM BEHIND. ANOTHER OPENS LEWIS’S DOOR AND GRABS HIM. ATTWOOD WALKS UP.

Attwood: You have your orders.

THE MAN LETS GO OF TOM. ATTWOOD GESTURES TO LEWIS.

Attwood: He’s the man we want.

TOM LOOKS AT ATTWOOD, CONFUSED. ATTWOOD TOUCHES A HAND TO TOM’S ARM.

Attwood: Welcome back.

ATTWOOD WALKS AWAY. TOM STARES AFTER HIM. HE SEES SLOAN AND A SMALL SMILE LIFTS THE CORNER OF HIS MOUTH. SHE SMILES AT HIM AND HIS SMILE DEEPENS A TOUCH. HE WALKS OVER TO HER AND SHE EMBRACES HIM. WE SEE LEWIS BEING HANDCUFFED AS TOM AND SLOAN WALK OFF, ARM IN ARM.

End Episode 8

Part Two

Part One

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