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The Cell - 2000 | Written by Mark Protosevich


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EDWARD'S ROOM: A worried Novak searches the halls of the Campbell Center. He's about to ask the staff for help, but stops when he sees through the window to Edward's room. Catherine sits next to the boy's bed. Feeling that he must speak to her, Novak intervenes.

NOVAK: Am I interrupting anything?

She's startled, doesn't respond.

NOVAK: Is it okay, if I . . .

Novak takes the seat on the other side of the bed.

NOVAK: He knows you're here, doesn't he. . . My friend, Dr. Reid said it's very unusual, schizophrenia that is, in a child this young.

CATHERINE: Some think it's autism, but what you have to understand is there's nothing wrong with his body. What's paralyzed, is a part of his mind. So damaged by the virus, he can't even will himself to move.


NOVAK: Do you think you can change that?

CATHERINE: Do you believe there's a part of yourself that you don't show anybody?

The question catches Novak off-guard, but he's willing to answer. Anything to get her talking.

NOVAK (realizing it's too personal): I think everybody has that side of themselves.

CATHERINE: During the sessions, when I'm inside. I get to see those things. I feel them. With Stargher, I felt things I never want to feel again...

This is difficult for her.


CATHERINE (professionally): He's not even Carl Stargher anymore. He's this idealized vision of himself. A kingdom, a very twisted kingdom. A place where he can indulge every . . . . (uncomfortable; re: Edward) I rather not talk about this in here.

CAMPBELL CENTER COURTYARD: Catherine and Novak sit on a bench in the center of the courtyard.

CATHERINE: I could never do what you do. Devote myself to understanding a mind like that.

NOVAK: I don't think I'll ever be able to understand a mind like that.

CATHERINE: But you try, that's your job.

Novak nods. Guilty.

NOVAK: I guess so.

CATHERINE: You don't like what you do?


NOVAK: I like it better than my old job. Before I was with the Bureau, I used to be an attorney, a prosecutor.

CATHERINE: What happened?

God, he does not want to do this.

NOVAK: I had a case, this little girl was molested. Because of one tiny piece of evidence that was tainted, Charles Gish walked and there was nothing I could do about it. The night after he was released, Margaret's parents came home, that was the little girl's name, Margaret Simmons. And they found Charles Gish sitting in their living room, he's watching television and Margaret was sitting next to him.

And he had cut her open right down the middle. And the parents found Margaret's heart in the freezer. Charles figured they'd probably want to keep it.
(no regrets) After that, I left the DA and joined the FBI, figured I would just try to catch him.


Catherine can see the pain and frustration in Novak's eyes.

CATHERINE: Till now.

NOVAK: Yea.

CATHERINE: I started to tell you that Stargher wasn't really Stargher anymore. Well it's true, and it's not. The dominate side is still this horrible thing, but there's a positive side.

Novak's curiosity is piqued.

NOVAK: Positive side?

CATHERINE: The way he sees himself as a child.

NOVAK: Isn't that him?


CATHERINE: The boy started to make contact. He's curious about me. If I could reach the boy, then maybe he would tell me about Julia. . . What ever happened to Charles Gish?

NOVAK: Old Charlie beat the murder rap cause he was insane when he killed Margaret. His attorney milked the jury for all they were worth. Said that a life of sexual abuse drove him to do these things, you know, all that same old bullshit.

CATHERINE: Why is that bullshit?

NOVAK: I believe a child can experience a hundred times worse the abuse that Gish went through and still grow up to be somebody that would never, ever hurt another living thing.

CATHERINE: You're sure of that?

NOVAK: Yes. I am. I'm sure of that.

Catherine realizes that was a confession.


RAMSEY: Hey, where the hell you been?

They turn to see Ramsey.

NOVAK: I was right here.

RAMSEY: Well, next time, tell me, okay?

NOVAK: I didn't want to disturb you. You looked so cute, you know, all sleepy, when get that look on you.

Ramsey shoots him a murderous look, then asks Catherine.


RAMSEY: Your colleagues want to know what to do with Stargher.

Novak looks to Catherine for the answer.

CATHERINE Tell them to prep him. I'll be right there.

Ramsey nods and heads back to the lab.

NOVAK: Thank you, Catherine.

CATHERINE: Stargher have any pets? No cats, dogs?


LABORATORY: As the K-9 Unit FBI Agent brings the frightened animal into the monitoring area, Catherine and Valentine share a moment of "connection." Slowly, confidently, she approaches the Shepherd, kneels, and removes his leash and muzzle. She strokes him and the dog instantly warms up to her. She encourages the animal to lick and sniff Stargher's face and hands.


CATHERINE: You're a good boy, aren't you, Valentine?

RAMSEY (from the control room): That's suppose to help?

HENRY: On a subconscious level, yes. Anthing that was special to Stargher, gave him pleasure, should make him more accessible, more peaceful.

RAMSEY (from the control room): Peaceful?


Miriam finishes preparing them and returns to the control room. Henry scrutinizes the monitor showing the detailed "map" of Stargher's brain. Valentine, who's been secured with a chain, settles on the floor near his master.

HENRY: Round two.

As they initiate the procedure, suddenly a 'shut down' sound is heard, the control room and the procedure room go pitch black. The lights return but instead of the normal flourescent white, they are now luminous blues and reds. The pedestals below Catherine and Stargher begin to rise.

CATHERINE: Hey, not funny. . . Not . . . funny.

HENRY (O.S.): Catherine.

CATHERINE: Come on, stop playing around.

Her suspension apparatus DESCENDS on the floor.


HENRY (O.S.) I'm not. It's a power problem. We're locked out, Catherine. I need you to check the circuit breaker. I want you to check circuits six through twelve. . . . Come on, get up.

Catherine moves toward the electrical panel.

HENRY (O.S.): Six through twelve.

CATHERINE: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm not sleepy.


As she moves toward the panel, everything becomes larger. By the time Catherine reaches the circuit breaker, it is the size of a garage door. Curiouser and curiouser... She turns around to see the laboratory is dead quiet. And she sees herself - Catherine as small as a mouse trapped in a giant walled space. At the Console, they observe the procedure room. And Catherine. Suspended in the apparatus. Motionless. Catherine looks around and realizes what's happened.

CATHERINE: I'm already in!

CATHERINE: What did she say?

Frightened, Catherine squats and scans the room, waiting for what might come next. In an instant, she is transported into . . .




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