At First Sight Page #10

AARON:

Well - we're all here - Amy,

your sister. This is new for

us all. Why don't we find out?

Aaron reaches up and plucks the two patches from his eyes - and

everyone waits.

Virgil slowly opens his eyes - he just seems to be staring blankly,

bewildered - not focusing at Aaron who stands before him, still

holding the bandages.

Amy looks to Jennie - to Aaron - what's happening? Then finally:

AARON:

Well?

And Virgil reacts - a startling look of recognition mixed with fear

crossing his face.

AMY:

What is it Virgil?

VIRGIL:

It's - it's - I don't know.

And now for the first time we see Virgil's POV:

There is light, movement, color, shadow - but somehow it is foreign

to us. There is no perception of depth -. no sense of definition of

shape or shadow - it is as confounding to us as it is to Virgil -

like an explosion of Picasso, Dali and Monet on screen.

Suddenly in the midst of this chaos of images - there is movement -

and a voice emits out of what we now for the first time recognize as

a mouth. Dr. Aaron speaks again - leaning in to Virgil, who reacts

back.

AARON:

Virgil - what do you see?

VIRGIL:

Something's wrong.

Jennie's reaction comes pouring out of her eyes in tears, first

slowly, then a dam break.

AMY:

Virgil what's wrong?

What's happening?

AARON:

Everything's fine -

it's going to take...

JENNIE:

It's not fine -

don't say it's fine.

AARON:

Tell me what you're seeing Virgil.

Virgil suddenly pulling back - his eyes dancing around in his head -

trying to take it all in - trying to focus.

VIRGIL:

(over everyone)

I don't know - it's all screwed up -

this can't be seeing - something's wrong

- too confusing - what the hell's happening??!

HIS POV - the camera crew coming toward him for a closer shot - it's

like a giant monster violently moving towards us!

VIRGIL:

What is it - Stop!

Virgil's hand lashes out towards the camera crew - even though they

are 15 feet away.

AARON:

What? The camera?

JENNIE:

(to the crew)

Stop moving!

AMY:

Virgil, it's just the camera.

The room has heightened into chaos - Virgil reacting to everything

he sees, any quick movement - Amy moves next to him - Aaron trying

to remain calm - Jennie assuring Virgil everything's OK.

AARON:

Alright - alright - they've stopped.

OK. Let's everybody just calm down

- we'll take it slowly.

Everyone settles - takes a breath.

AMY:

Virgil. What can we do?

They all look to Virgil - breathing heavy - his eyes swinging back

and forth.

VIRGIL:

I gotta focus - gotta think -

gimme a second - OK, OK - get me a

coke. Somebody?

JENNIE:

He's thirsty - someone get him a drink!!

VIRGIL:

No - just a can - a bottle --

put something in my hands!

Amy reaches over - grabs an empty coke can.

AMY:

Here - how's this?

Virgil takes it in his hands - closes his eyes - feels it. Then

slowly opens his eyes - trying to focus on what is in his hand -

Aaron catching on.

AARON:

Good, Virgil - that's it - use your touch -

associate - now, tell me - what do you see

in your hand?

Long moment. Virgil holds it up - stares hard.

VIRGIL:

A can. Is it a can?

JENNIE:

What's going on?

They all look at Virgil turning the can over and over in his hand -

staring intently at it - learning it.

AARON:

(beams) He's associating - one sense to the other.

His fingers tell his brain - then his brain

tells his eyes and he recognizes the image

in front of him.

(realizing)

He's seeing!

Aaron looks to Amy and Jennie - they're still doubtful - he motions

to them to meet him outside.

AARON:

Virgil - let's rest your eyes for today and

we'll check them again tomorrow. We should

all be happy - we've got something.

Virgil:
not happy, just very confused. As Aaron leaves, Jennie takes

Virgil's hand while Amy stands there upset - watching him just

staring at a Soda Can.

INT. NEW YORK EYE HOSPITAL - DAY

In the corridor, Dr. Aaron shaking hands with Dr. Goldman - people

exiting the near-by conference room all congratulating the two

doctors. As Amy exits the room - Aaron moves to her.

AMY:

What just happened in there?

AARON:

You saw it. Success.

AMY:

Success - wait a minute - then why can't

he see me, his sister, anything.

AARON:

He sees you. He just doesn't

understand that he sees you.

AMY:

But he'll overcome it - I mean -

this is temporary right?

AARON:

There's a very real possibility the

part of his brain area allocated to

vision is atrophied - given it's lack

of use, Virgil has probably used it

for some other function.

Jennie has stepped into the waiting area - has just heard Aaron.

JENNIE:

You didn't think of this?

This is as much an accusation of Amy as of Aaron.

AARON:

We had no way of knowing what his faculties

were until we gave him the operation. If you

remember - we didn't know what to expect

- though it's clear his retinal disease must

be in remission.

AMY:

So what are we supposed to do now -

you saw him - it's like he's another

person in there.

AARON:

He won't need to stay here - take him home

- let him rest. But I will need to see him

every couple of days for the next month.

AMY:

Isn't there some kind of therapy

he should be doing - someone to help him.

Aaron stares at her - hadn't thought of this.

AARON:

OK, there is a visual therapist - Ray Webster

- a little unorthodox - that's why he's probably

your best bet, especially considering the unique

aspects of Virgil's condition. I'll contact

him for you - but there's no guarantee he can help.

JENNIE:

(can't believe this)

No guarantees.

AARON:

Jennie, I told Amy here when we first talked - this is whole

new ground - for all of us.

And Jennie quietly turns and goes back into Virgil's room. Amy just

stares at Dr. Aaron - a little overwhelmed.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - CHANGE AREA - DAY

Virgil - starting to dress. He stares at his clothes on a hangar -

not comprehending what it is. He closes his eyes - his hand going

out to feel it - then opening his eyes - he takes the shirt turns -

and notices someone watching him.

VIRGIL:

Hello?

HIS POV - it's his own reflection in a mirror next to his clothes.

Virgil stares at himself standing stock still - waiting for a

response from the person staring at him.

VIRGIL:

Is there...?

Slowly realizing that what he sees is himself. He starts moving

towards the mirror fascinated.

Virgil's POV - Focusing on the image as it slowly takes shape -

becomes clearer to him. His hand going up to his nose - moving it

back and forth - laughs at it's absurdity - then is taken with his

own smile. He tries a smile - comes off awkward as he starts to

stare at his teeth. Touching each part of his face he investigates

his chin, ears and finally his hair.

Then he stops - and just stares - and stares at a face that is his

own - but so incredibly foreign to him. Who is this person?

INT. VIRGIL'S ROOM - DAY

Jenny starting to pack up Virgil's things. Suddenly there is a burst

of laughter from the other room. She looks up quizzically

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