Gattaca Page #24

EXT. A FIELD. DAWN.

A light shroud of mist hangs over the trees that encircle a

grassy clearing beyond Irene's building. Something lies in the

center of the clearing.

We jump-cut to an EXTREME CLOSE UP of two or three blades of

grass. Bristles rain down on the blades. Withotu access to his

incinerator, the crouched, naked figure of JEROME disposes of

his whiskers, skin and hair in an open field. His clothes sit

in a neat pile at his side. He pours glycolic acid over his

body and scrubs at his back, feet and hands with a brush. There

is a haunted, tortured look in his eyes as he tries desperately

to rid himself of himself.

INT. POOL. MORNING.

The INVESTIGATOR swims obsessively in his aquatic treadmill.

INT. IRENE'S APARTMENT. LATER THAT MORNING.

Back in the bedroom, JEROME, partially dressed, holds IRENE

in bed. She softly touches the scars on his shins.

IRENE:

(referring to the shins)

What happened?

JEROME:

You remember the '99 Chrysler LeBaron?

It's the exact height of the front fender.

(shrugs)

Looked right instead of left.

IRENE:

(comforted by the thought)

So you're not so smart after all.

(awkward about raising the subject)

I want you to know--if it ever came to it--

I'd be willing to get an ovum from the Egg

Bank. In fact, I'd rather use a donor egg--

(quickly covering herself again)

--if it came to it.

JEROME:

But "if it came to it" then it couldn't have your--

(searching for an appropriate body part)

--nose.

(stroking her face)

How perfect does your child have to be?

IRENE:

(mildly irritated by what she

perceives as his mocking)

You hypocrite. Do you think for one moment

you'd be doing what you're doing if it wasn't

for who you are--what you are? Don't you get

any satisfaction knowing that your children

will be able to live to a ripe old age unless

they do something foolish?

JEROME:

That's precisely what scaresme--that they

won't do anything foolish or courageous or

anything--worth a Goddamn.

Irene is taken aback by Jerome's passion, regarding him in a new

light.

INT. EUGENE'S CONDOMINIUM. MORNING.

EUGENE urinates into a large plastic container while drinking

bottled water at the same time. He already has several other

containers of urine on the table beside him.

INT. GATTACA. MORNING.

The INVESTIGATOR and DETECTIVE HUGO keep a wary eye on the

outfitted DETECTIVES re-vacuuming the empty computer complex

with their mini-vacs.

HUGO:

(reading newspaper)

My wife and I--we're thinking of starting a family.

INVESTIGATOR:

(shrugs, ambivalent)

Why not?

HUGO:

These new personality corrections I've been

reading about.

INVESTIGATOR:

You worried about the cost?

HUGO:

Not that.

INVESTIGATOR:

(regarding Hugo with a condescending smile)

They said the same thing about myopia and

obesity. You think your children would be

less human if they were less violent, angry,

spiteful? Maybe they'd be more human. From

where I sit the world could stand a little

improving.

We dwell on one DETECTIVE in particular, snatching a garbage

bag from CAESAR, the janitor.

DETECTIVE:

Don't touch that. It's evidence.

He puts a pile of discarded paper cups aside for later testing.

INT. GATTACA CORPORATION. LATER THAT MORNING.

In the vast, empty Gattaca complex the INVESTIGATOR inspects a

specimen bag containing Jerome's paper cup with DIRECTOR JOSEF

and DETECTIVE HUGO.

DETECTIVE HUGO:

Positive saliva match. The cup was

definitely used since the original sweep.

INVESTIGATOR:

So we have two choices. Either our suspect

came back to the murder scene for a drink of

water and I don't know anybody that thirsty or...

(looking out over the empty complex)

...he is here.

(resolute)

We test again. You're right, Hugo, this was a

desperate act. Someone had a lot to lose that

night--perhaps their place in line.

(to Director Josef)

I'd like the profiles of everyone with an

upcoming mission.

DIRECTOR JOSEF:

(nervous)

Twelve have a mission within the week.

INVESTIGATOR:

This time I will supervise each test personally.

INT/EXT. GATTACA. MORNING.

JEROME and IRENE walk towards the entrance to Gattaca. Spying

the Homicide Investigation trucks parked at the rear of the

building and the silhouette of the INVESTIGATOR in the doorway,

Jerome pulls up sharply. Irene notices his unease.

IRENE:

What is it?

JEROME:

I forgot something--something at home.

I'll see you later.

Jerome kisses her. Irene, also aware of the trucks,

interrogates Jerome with her eyes.

IRENE:

I'll miss you.

Jerome is still focussed on the entranceway.

IRENE:

(looking skywards)

--when you go away.

JEROME:

We could go together one day.

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