Conspiracy Theory Page #9

Jonas looks over at the lone bed rail, then across at the

laundry chute. Finally at Liza's retreating back.

JONAS:

You.

Liza stops, looks back. Jonas crooks a finger at her.

JONAS:

Keep me company.

INT. HOSPITAL - LAUNDRY ROOM - DAY

Jerry the doctor. In his scrubs, pulls on a paper hair

net.

INT. HOSPITAL EXIT - DAY

Two cops on watch at the exits. Three tired interns on

the way out when Jerry joins them. Just one of the guys.

JERRY:

Did you see that spleen? I never

saw a spleen like that ever.

The cops don't give them a second look as they exit.

EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Odd looks from the interns, but Jerry's home free.

JERRY:

It was unbespleenable!

INT. HOSPITAL CAFETERIA - DAY

Jonas dips a tea bag, stares across at Liza who grinds

out a cigarette in an overflowing ashtray. He watches as

she goes for her pack, realizes that was her last butt.

JONAS:

So he thinks NASA is plotting to

kill the President?

LIZA:

You already asked me that. Why do

you insist on making me repeat

myself?

JONAS:

And you have no idea where he

lives?

LIZA:

You've asked me that one three

times.

JONAS:

Here's a fresh one. Why you?

Your colleague Mr. Wilson says

Jerry won't speak to anyone else.

That seems oddly possessive

behavior to me.

LIZA:

I'm sorry. What was the question

again?

JONAS:

Why you?

LIZA:

Honestly? I think he has a crush

on me.

JONAS:

A charming term. Now, why him?

LIZA:

Excuse me?

JONAS:

Jerry's visits to your office.

Why do you tolerate them? Why

him?

LIZA:

A year ago I was leaving work late

one night. Two guys tried to mug

me. It was horrible. Jerry came

out of nowhere. To my rescue.

Then he started coming to see me.

(smiles)

Could've been a storybook if he

wasn't crazy. At first I did my

beat to avoid him. But there's

something inside Jerry and...

(shrugs)

Jerry made me see it. He made me

see him. That make sense?

Jonas nods. As he tends to his tea, Liza notices he

wears a Harvard alumni ring.

LIZA:

You went to Harvard?

Jonas nods. Liza gestures toward the ring.

LIZA:

May I?

Jonas offers his hand so she can get a closer look:

three open books with the letters VE-RI-TAS.

LIZA:

Veritas. Truth. What is it they

say about truth?

JONAS:

The truth shall make you free.

LIZA:

That's it.

(releases his hand)

I went to Yale. I hope you won't

hold that against me.

JONAS:

Only on the football field.

That's as charming as Jonas gets. The sparring

continues.

LIZA:

I didn't know the C.I.A. had

psychiatrists.

JONAS:

We're very specialized.

LIZA:

Brain washing, mind control, that

sort of thing?

JONAS:

Re-educating trained killers in

the ways of polite society.

Making sure the men who've gone

over the edge won't hurt anyone.

That sort of thing.

Jonas takes a sip of tea, watches her over the rim.

INT. HOSPITAL - ROOM 322 - DAY

A cop at the door. Liza flashes her ID, enters. She

heads to the nightstand, opens it. There's a key ring, a

pack of gum and a worn paperback copy of Catcher In the

Rye with the familiar crimson and gold cover. Liza flips

through it. Certain passages are highlighted, others

blacked out.

LOWRY (O.S.)

Catcher In the Rye?

Liza looks up as Agent Lowry enters.

LOWRY:

That's the book Hinkley had on him

when he shot Reagan.

LIZA:

I was just thinking that.

COP:

(leaning in)

You remember that Arab guy who

shot the Rabbi a few years back?

(as they look

over)

I was one of the arresting

officers. He had a copy of the

goddamn thing too.

(smiles)

You know that expression, it must

be the water. Well, maybe it's

the book.

As the Cop laughs it up, Lowry and Liza exchange a look.

LOWRY:

Thanks for your input, officer.

The Cop shrugs, exits. Lowry picks up the keys and gum.

LOWRY:

Gum, keys and a book.

(checks keys)

Car... Maybe apartment... This is

an odd one.

Of the three keys, one is long and narrow.

LIZA:

Safety deposit box.

As Lowry nods, three of Jonas' CIA suits enter. As one

confiscates the gum and book, another holds his hand out

for the keys. Lowry gives them over. As they exit...

LOWRY:

You're welcome!

(shrugs to Liza)

Spooks. So, you want to compare

notes on this guy.

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