Blade Runner Page #5

BRYANT:

Maybe they want to find out when

they were made ?

DECKARD:

Why would they bother?

BRYANT:

The Nexus 6 was designed to copy human

beings in every way except their emotions.

But the makers reckoned that after a few

years they might develop their own

emotional responses - hate, love, fear,

anger, envy. So they built in

a fail safe device.

DECKARD:

What's that?

BRYANT:

The Nexus 6 has only four years

to live.

The screens go blank. The lights go on. Bryant pours

two more drinks and hands one to Deckard.

BRYANT:

You got one more problem, pal.

Deckard downs the glass.

BRYANT (continuing)

Looks like Holden found out that

V-K machine doesn't work on the Nexus

6. The Tyrell Corporation has a demo

model so go check it out. If the

machine fails, we're in deep trouble.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Small green letterforms skim soundlessly across a dark

glass panel. Beneath the panel a sick, white face

reads excerpts from Treasure Island, mouthing the

words as they appear in front of him. It's Holden.

HOLDEN:

(reading)

Holden is flat on his back in a breather, an iron-

lung-type of device covered in indicator lights and

exotic paraphernalia. The hospital room is in com-

plete darkness. Holden's breaths come in sharp rasps

as he reads.

We become aware of Deckard standing in the shadows.

DECKARD:

Whatcha reading?

Holden is startled, has to look in a mirror angled over

his head, rolling his eyes way back to see who it is.

HOLDEN:

Deckard, Treasure Island! Good to

see ya, buddy. Old Favourite.

Deckard looks down at Holden and doesn't say anything.

HOLDEN:

Pretty awful, huh?

DECKARD:

Naw, you look great! Absolutely

terrific! Never saw ya look

better. Jesus, you look good.

Deckard pinches Holden's cheek.

DECKARD:

Great complexion! Suit looks

really nice. Who's your tailor?

Deckard is making a joke, mocking hospital good cheer

but the touch of bitterness in his voice reveals his

sympathy for Holden.

Tears wet Holden's eyes.

HOLDEN:

A big f***ing skin job put the

smash on me, wrecked me up! Looka

me, for Chrissake!

Deckard works at being hard.

DECKARD:

Ya blew it, huh ?

Holden recovers from his tears and whines.

HOLDEN:

It ain't like it used to be, Deck.

It's tough now. These replicants

aren't just a buncha muscle miners

anymore, they're no goddamn different

than you or me...

Deckard lights up and sits down, resting his elbows on

the glass.

DECKARD:

So what happened ?

HOLDEN:

Ten days ago Security at the

Tyrell Corp finds three intruders

in the records room. Kills one,

two get away, okay ?

Deckard nods.

HOLDEN:

They do a routine autopsy on the

one that got aired and.. whaddya know?

A skin job, one of the ones that

busted out! Top drawer replicant..

combat type.. Nexus six.

DECKARD:

Pretty sexy, the sixes.

HOLDEN:

Sexy! Three hours into the autopsy

they still think they're cutting

up a human. No marks, nothing.

Deckard looks impressed. Satisfied, Holden continues.

HOLDEN:

I decided to check out all new employees

at Tyrell. I test 26 boring jerks until

in comes this guy Leon Somebody, nothing

special but very big...

(pause)

Anyway....

DECKARD:

You Voight-Kampff him ?

Holden's eyes flutter a moment. Deckard waits. The

breathing changes rhythm.

HOLDEN:

Yeah! I thought maybe I was getting

something......

Maybe it doesn't work on these ones

Deck.

Deckard gets up and gives Holden phony good cheer.

HOLDEN:

(continuing)

It's all over, it's a wipe out,

they're almost us, Deck, they're

a disease, they're....

DECKARD:

Take it easy, take it easy....

Tyrell Corp's got one. I'm gonna

Vee Kay it tomorrow.

HOLDEN:

Push it! Push that button!

Deckard pushes.

DECKARD:

What's it for?

HOLDEN:

Pain!

CUT TO:

EXT. CITYSCAPE - MORNING

A bleak morning.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPINNER - MORNING

The police spinner is whizzing over the city.

CUT TO:

INT. SPINNER - MORNING

Deckard looks very rumpled as he sits sleepily in the

passenger seat drinking coffee from a mug and smoking.

INT. SPINNER - MORNING

Gaff is terse and silent at the controls. Suddenly the

spinner rocks urgently from side to side and the sound

of a hot Ferrari Spinner dopplers off.

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