LAB: Blair studies a computer simulation at the microscopic level. Two cells, they appear to be much different from each other. They are joined at the ends but are completing the process of breaking off from each other. A disturbed look on his face. He checks his watch, as if timing the procedure.
Blair stares at the screen, soaking in the grim reality of his analysis.
Blair opens the top drawer of his desk, pulls out a hand gun.
CUT TO - REC ROOM: MacReady is inspecting the discarded clothing Nauls brought in earlier. Copper's voice comes over the intercom.
COPPER: Mac, we're moving those things out of the lab and into the store room. Can you come get your stuff?
MACREADY: Be there in a minute, Doc.
CUT TO - STOREROOM: MacReady gathering his stuff. Windows and Bennings enter with the remains covered with a cloth.
BENNINGS: Sorry Mac, you have to move your stuff out . . .
He turns and sees MacReady is already gathering his stuff.
BENNINGS: Doc says we have to stash them in here and lock them up.
As MacReady is leaving, Fuchs approaches him.
FUCHS: I have to talk to you.
MACREADY: I'm tired of talking, Fuchs. I just want to go up to my shack and get drunk.
FUCHS: Mac, it's important.
MACREADY: What is it?
FUCHS: Outside.
MACREADY: It's forty below outside.
FUCHS: In the Thiokol, please Mac.
Looking a bit annoyed, MacReady drops his stuff and follows Fuchs.
Windows and Bennings continue working in the storeroom. Windows pulls the cover off the remains to get another look.
WINDOWS: We ought to just burn these things.
BENNINGS: Can't burn the find of the century. That's going to win somebody the Nobel prize.
Windows looking skeptical, covers it back up.
WINDOWS: Have you got the keys?
BENNINGS: Get them from Garry, I want to get some stuff out of here.
After Windows leaves, we see a thick red liquid dripping down from the covered remains.
CUT TO - COMPOUND - NIGHT: Pitch black except for the barest of lighting which outlines the buildings. Wind. The swirl of ice. Fuchs and MacReady are in the Thiokol.
FUCHS: There's something wrong with Blair. He's locked himself in his room and he won't answer the door. . . . So I took one of his notebooks from the lab. . . Listen, it could imitate a million life forms on a million planets. It could change into any one of them at any time. Now it wants life forms on Earth . . .
MACREADY: It's getting cold in here, Fuchs, and I haven't slept . . .
FUCHS: Wait a minute, Mac, wait a minute. It needs to be alone and close proximity with the life form to be absorbed. The chameleon strikes in the dark . . .
MACREADY: So is Blair cracking up or what?
FUCHS: MacReady, there's still some cellular activity in these burned remains. They're not dead yet.
After hearing what Fuchs read, both sit looking at each other in silence.
CUT TO - STOREROOM: Windows has returned with the keys.
WINDOWS: Let's go Bennings, I got to get some sleep . . .
He pauses and notices there is shredded clothing soaked with blood.
He turns to the area Bennings was working and sees a horrifying sight.
WINDOWS (whispers): Ssssshit!
Bennings is covered with blood and a secretion. Blood-red tubes are wrapped around his body from head to legs. Terrified, Windows drops the keys and runs out of the storage room.
EXT. COMPOUND: Fuchs and MacReady are still at the Thiokol.
MACREADY: Go get the Doc. I'll get Garry, we'll meet in Blair's room.
Windows races up to them in a state of panic.
WINDOWS: It's Bennings!
STOREROOM: MacReady, Windows, and Fuchs race into the storeroom, Bennings is missing.
WINDOWS: Bennings was right there, Mac! I swear to God, it had a hold of him!
MacReady notices the storeroom window is broken and looks out.
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