Apt Pupil Page #32

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TODD:

Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.

DICK:

Your old man is on top of things, all right?

I am going to take care of this.

TODD:

I know, Dad.

Dick kisses Todd's forehead. He turns to leave and stops.

DICK:

This afternoon, if you're up for it, we'll go

do something. How 'bout it?

TODD:

Sure.

Dick tries to smile and goes out, the door, leaving Todd alone.

EXT. BOWDEN HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

The garage door opens and Dick backs the Porsche into the

street. Monica is with him. Todd, from the upstairs window,

watches them go.

INT. BOWDEN HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY

Todd is near the end of his rope, trying to hold himself

together. We see him splashing water on his face in the

bathroom. He gazes into the mirror, transfixed by the ghost-

like image reflected back at him. Todd pounds his fist against

the sink. He can stand it no longer. He darts out of the

bathroom.

EXT. HOSPITAL ENTRANCE - DAY

Todd drives his mother's Honda wagon towards the entrance of the

hospital and for the first time witnesses the scope of

Dussander's discovery. News vans are everywhere. The

protesters have grown in number. A line of cars wait for

admittance into the parking lot. A policeman stands a few feet

away from Todd, directing cars in, turning others away. He is

moving toward Todd. Horns honk around him. Todd sees that more

police officers are standing by the door of the hospital. The

nearby policeman notices Todd and walks closer. Todd doesn't

wait. He pulls the car out of line and drives off.

INT. HONDA WAGON - DAY

Todd holds the steering wheel with a white-knuckled grip. His

face is sweaty and flushed. He rocks back and forth as he tries

to reassure himself...

TODD:

We're okay. We're okay. We're o-kay.

He is almost calm when he nears his house. But it doesn't last.

He sees something he can hardly believe.

TODD (CONT'D)

You got to be f***ing kidding me.

EXT. BOWDEN HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

An old Vo1vo is parked on the street in front of the house.

Standing on the porch, sneakers and all, is Ed French. Todd

pulls into the driveway and gets out. French has a cautious air

about him as he walks toward Todd.

FRENCH:

Hello, Todd.

TODD:

Mr. French, what brings you to the wild side

of town?

The two of them are standing on opposites sides of the car.

French pulls a folded newspaper page from his pocket. He starts

to move around the car toward Todd, but Todd circles the other

way, keeping the car in between himself and French.

FRENCH:

Todd... I found something troubling in the

morning news. Are your parents home?

TODD:

No.

FRENCH:

I know the man in this picture is the man who

came to see me.

TODD:

It's sort of a bad time right now. Why don't

you go home?

FRENCH:

I will. But first I need a couple of things

explained to me.

INT. HOSPITAL - OUTSIDE DUSSANDER'S ROOM - DAY

Richler is speaking to the reporters. Cameras and lights are in

his face. His words are low, serving as a backdrop, but we can

tell that he is telling them of the plans to relocate Dussander.

Weiskopf stands close by...

FRENCH (V.O.)

Todd, why don't you tell me what happened?

EXT. BOWDEN HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

While Todd almost seems to be enjoying this odd dance around the

car, French does not.

TODD:

You know, Mr. French, sometimes one thing

just leads to another and before you know

it... things get out of control.

FRENCH:

I'm afraid that's not much of an answer,

Todd. When do you expect your parents home?

TODD:

I don't know, Ed. You want to come in and

wait? I'll put on a pot of tea. We'll talk

about old times.

FRENCH:

I think you might need some help, Todd.

That's why I'm here.

INT. HOSPITAL - DUSSANDER'S ROOM - DAY

Dussander is alone in the room as Richler addresses the

reporters outside. His eyes open wide and his movements are the

liveliest they have been since he was discovered. He reaches

over to his IV unit and begins to disconnect the tube from the

bag...

TODD (V.O.)

You know? You're right. I do need help. I

really do.

EXT. BOWDEN HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

Todd becomes more animated, more threatening with every word.

Somehow it is as though French is now retreating from Todd as

they circle the car.

FRENCH:

Let me help you, Todd. I want to. You're

too smart to do anything crazy.

TODD:

Can I ask you something, Ed? You don't mind

if I call you Ed, now that I'm out of your

f***ing school, do you?

FRENCH:

What?

TODD:

You know all this crap you see on TV about

forensics... hairs and fibers, that stuff?

How much of it do think is true and how much

is just bullshit?

French is puzzled by the question. He has no answer.

TODD (CONT'D)

Oh, how would you know? You're a f***ing

guidance counsellor.

French stops.

FRENCH:

Todd, this is silly. Why don't we go inside?

INT. HOSPITAL - DUSSANDER'S ROOM - DAY

Liquid spills onto the floor as the tube comes loose from the

bag. Dussander sits back and pulls the free end of the tube up

to his mouth. His lips wrap around it and his face tightens as

he begins to blow....

EXT. BOWDEN HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

Todd starts moving again. French does the same.

TODD:

Here's a little factoid for ya. I'll bet you

didn't know this one. Hairs fall out of your

head all the time. But it's even worse when

you're nervous. And you know what? I've

been real f***ing high-strung lately.

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