Kate and Leopold Page #3

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DR. DRAKE

We've altered the course of history.

DR. KAU

We never should have started this...

KATE:

Calm down.

DR. PLODDER

What are we going to do? We can't

keep him here. Imagine if anyone

found out!

KATE:

Think. Just, think. Rationally. Now,

no one would believe such a stupid

mistake could be made because no one

would believe any of this is possible.

So. We fix this. We keep this to

ourselves and we fix it. Fast.

They all nod in agreement.

KATE:

Dr. Kau, research all our data. 1st

priority:
Locate Carlson. Drake,

determine the reciprocal correlation's

connected to the 19th century. Work

24 hours a day if necessary. In the

meantime... one of us will have to

take charge of him.

She forces back panic. Only the tremor in her voice gives

her away.

KATE:

This is a major scientific

opportunity. It doesn't get any better

than this. Imagine. Researching the

behavior, the physical and emotional

characteristics of a century ago!

Utilizing technology available to us

today... He's a gold mine!

DR. PLODDER

He's a man, Kate. Not a guinea pig.

KATE:

And while he's here, he's ours. Any

volunteers?

No one moves.

DR. DRAKE

We'll draw names. Whoever is is picked

will be responsible. Agreed?

They nod reluctantly. Drake writes out names and throws them

in a cup. The silence becomes deafening. Finally:

DR. KAU

I'll do it.

All the scientists face her.

DR. PLODDER

You'll look after him?

DR. KAU

No, I meant I'll pick the name.

She reaches in. They wait with mounting suspense. Finally

SHE TURNS TO KATE. The scientists follow her gaze. A beat.

KATE:

Fine.

Leopold stirs. He blinks at the group.

LEOPOLD:

Where...? What has happened?!

The doctors, caught off guard, SMILE BENIGNLY. They surround

Leopold as a group, not knowing where to begin. Finally:

KATE:

Your Grace... Um... Hello... Weee

aaare a smaaall part of a laaarge

research team. A project funded by

the government of the United States.

LEOPOLD:

(regarding their

appearance with

distaste)

Oh. Americans. I see...

KATE:

Yes, um... For the past six and a

half years we've been conducting

scientific experiments on density

and flexibility in the dimensions of

time and space.

DR. DRAKE

Yes, uh... Quite by accident we came

upon a formula utilizing Tachyons...

particles traveling faster than the

speed of light, which allowed us

to... fold time so to speak.

DR. PLODDER

Yes. Bend it between the cracks of

the dimensions.

DR. KAU

Yes.

They all laugh nervously. Leopold does not.

DR. DRAKE

Now, while that wasn't the original

purpose of our experiment, we opted

to pursue it, well, privately, on

our own.

DR. KAU

Borrowing funds already provided.

KATE:

We journeyed to your time because it

was the quickest path to follow. We

debated long and hard whether we

should use this knowledge at all.

Believe me, it was never our intent

to disturb the past...

DR. DRAKE

Merely to discover if the expedition

were possible. As your presence here

confirms... we are very disturbed.

Leopold nods at them as if they are insane.

DR. PLODDER

The problem facing us is not only

HOW to get you back, but WHEN, you

see?

KATE:

We certainly don't want to

miscalculate. Send you to a different

era entirely.

Leopold starts to speak.

DR. PLODDER

Rest assured, no harm will come to

you. You'll be well looked after by

Dr. Coles.

LEOPOLD:

Dr. Coles...? I do not follow. What

do you mean, get me back home?...

Where am I?

Awkward pause. Leopold looks carefully around the room for

the first time:
modern mechanical equipment, data shifting

and changing, giant cooling devices, bright neon lighting.

The doctors are silent.

LEOPOLD:

Answer me!...

(slowly)

Would you have me believe... I am

being detained, at present in the

HEREAFTER?... The time to come?

DR. PLODDER

(carefully)

It is the year nineteen hundred and

ninety-five.

LEOPOLD:

...19...?

Leopold leaps up. The doctors follow him around the room.

LEOPOLD:

You're insane! All of you! This is

impossible!

DR. PLODDER

Leopold, calm down!

LEOPOLD:

A voyage through time! What do you

take me for? Did you bring me here

by force?

DR. DRAKE

We're scientist, not seditionists.

LEOPOLD:

(truly panicked)

Let me out of here! I won't stand

for this another moment!

He's out the door.

INT. UNDERGROUND HALLWAY - DAY

Leopold moves quickly, fearfully through the darkly lit

hallway, the doctors close behind.

KATE:

Leopold, wait!

DR. KAU

You don't know what you're doing.

DR. PLODDER

Just listen to what we have to say!

It is too late. Leopold throws open the door and runs

upstairs.

EXT. STREET - DAY

Blinding sunlight. Skyscrapers. Automobiles. Traffic lights.

Road construction. Modern day pedestrians. Helicopters. Car

alarms. Leopold stands frozen, overwhelmed, taking it all

in.

LEOPOLD:

19...?

The doctors reach him. He collapses to the ground.

CUT TO:

INT. CAR - DAY

Kate and Dr. Kau talk quietly. Leopold, tightly holding onto

his seat and the back door, gazes out the window in utter

disbelief.

KATE:

Squab.

DR. KAU

Squab?

KATE:

I remember reading they ate a lot of

squab.

DR. KAU

Squab... Do you have a squab?

KATE:

(quietly. On the verge

of panic)

I don't know!

DR. KAU

Pull yourself together!

(turning to Leopold)

Are you all right back there?

Leopold, trembling, gapes at the sights, every day sounds,

magnified. Perspiration runs down the side of his face. Kate

watches him in her rear view mirror.

KATE:

You're going to be fine you know.

There's nothing to worry about. I

have everything under control.

Dr. Kau stares at Kate in concerned silence.

KATE:

(quietly to Dr. Kau)

We'll never get away with this.

INT. BEDROOM - THE NEXT MORNING

Leopold awakens alone in his room. He sits up with a jolt.

His stomach sinks as he realizes THIS IS NO DREAM. He slowly

rises to his full stature, moving to the window he looks out

on the modern day city, shaking his head in awe. He makes

his way to the bedroom door and tentatively touches the knob.

There is a KNOCK on the door.

Leopold JUMPS back and runs to the bed: The picture of

dignity.

KATE:

How are you feeling?

(no response)

I thought you might like some tea.

LEOPOLD:

I insist on being returned home

immediately.

KATE:

I understand. We're doing our best.

LEOPOLD:

I wish to speak with your employer,

Dr. Coles.

KATE:

You're speaking to him.

LEOPOLD:

You are not suggesting that you are

Dr. Coles?

She smiles.

LEOPOLD:

Miss... uh?

KATE:

Dr. Coles. If you like, you could

call me Miss Dr. Coles or if that's

too much, how about just plain Kate?

LEOPOLD:

(coldly)

A WOMAN of science?

KATE:

Hard to believe?

LEOPOLD:

But a woman's brain cannot obtain

enough knowledge to posses a truly

scientific mind.

KATE:

(jotting this down)

Interesting. Nevertheless, we've

come a long way baby.

LEOPOLD:

(confused)

Are you attempting to be humorous?

KATE:

I'm attempting to be informative

it's just coming out humorous.

Leopold regards her dubiously.

KATE:

(clinically)

Look, modern social science clearly

states that a woman's place in society

marks the level of that civilization.

A science career for a woman is now

almost as acceptable as being a...

a... waitress. Cream and sugar?

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