Lost Souls Page #9

VIZNICK:

It's nothing.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Sure it is. If the guards did this, we

can file charges.

VIZNICK:

Not the guards.

(smiles)

Some of the prisoners are easily

disturbed.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY

You have to tell me who did it.

Viznick leans closer to the lawyer.

VIZNICK:

I can take care of myself.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY

I'm gonna go make a stink. Sit tight.

I'll make sure you get a change of

clothes.

The attorney exits.

INT. VIEWING ROOM - DAY

Peter and Smythe enter a small room with a few chairs. It's

dominated by an oversized, one-way window that allows them to

look onto the adjacent interrogation room. A speaker system

lets them hear what's going on, but they can't be heard. A

GUARD enters with a replacement outfit. Viznick stands

passively as his restraints are unlocked.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

From this side, the window is a mirror. In its reflection,

Viznick is seen peeling off his clothes.

INT. VIEWING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

PETER:

Seems George isn't making too many

friends in lockup.

SMYTHE:

Yeah, look at that sweet face. You'd

never guess he killed nine people. I'm

gonna get my smokes. Be right back.

PETER:

You're too old to smoke. Won't be able

to shoot hoops with your grandkid.

Smythe gives Peter a dirty look, ignoring the advice, as he

exits. Peter looks back down at his notes.

GUARD #1 (O.S.)

What the f***'s that?!

Peter looks up and sees the shocked Guard staring at

Viznick's bare back. It's covered by an enormous tattoo

depicting Christ hanging upside down from the bottom of a

cross, pinned there by a nail through his feet. His dangling

arms end in stumps. His severed hands are still nailed to

the crossbar. The effect is horrific yet mesmerizing. As

Peter watches, Viznick puts on a shirt, covering the tattoo,

and then sits with his back to Peter. The cops and guard

exit. Peter moves closer to the glass.

PETER:

(contemptuous)

You don't fool me, Georgie.

Viznick's head tilts. Ever so slowly, he turns around until

his eyes meet Peter's. He smiles.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM

Viznick's looking at the mirror. His reflection looks back.

INT. VIEWING ROOM

Peter's thrown. Is he seeing what he thinks he's seeing?

Spooked, he moves three feet to his right. Viznick's stare

follows him without hesitation. Perplexed, Peter moves again

and again, the killer continuing to track him.

PETER:

What the hell?

Peter looks up as Smythe re-enters the viewing room. Sees

Peter's fear.

SMYTHE:

What's the matter with you?

PETER:

He's looking right at me.

Both men turn to face Viznick, who is now gazing placidly a

few inches to the left.

PETER (CONT'D)

He could see me.

SMYTHE:

(offers Peter a cigarette)

I'll quit, maybe you should start.

A docile Viznick pivots in his chair and yawns.

PETER:

Maybe...my imagination.

Peter gives Smythe a short smile.

EXT. CITY STREET

Peter crosses the street from the police station. He steps

out between two parked cars and immediately into the path of

a speeding van. Suddenly, a hand reaches out, jerking him

back. The van ZOOMS by, missing Peter by inches. He looks

at his savior, it's a CRANKY middle-aged woman.

CRANKY WOMAN:

(acerbic expression)

Wake up!

Peter stares at her as she walks by. She turns, sticks out

her tongue at him.

INT. ELEVATOR - LATER

Peter ascends. The button for the fifth floor is

illuminated. The elevator chimes. He looks up and sees the

elevator stopping on the fourth floor. He steps back to make

room. It's Claire.

CLAIRE:

Hey, what are you doing here in the

middle of the day?

PETER:

Forgot my car keys. What are you doing

on the fourth floor?

CLAIRE:

I spaced out.

PETER:

Well, it's a nice surprise. Should I

hit the "stop" button?

He leans in and gives her a sexy kiss.

EXT. NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - DAY

Maya's waiting. A group of Japanese TOURISTS including

several women in kimonos, a group of Catholic school GIRLS in

uniform and a mounted POLICEMAN are part of the street scene.

Maya stamps out her cigarette as Peter pulls up.

INT. RANGE ROVER - DAY

As they take off, Peter motions to his cupholder, where two

coffees sit securely.

MAYA:

(picks up coffee)

Thanks. I'm glad you came. Take the

Williamsburg Bridge.

As Maya glances over at Peter, she's slightly fascinated.

Peter remains reserved, but polite.

MAYA (CONT'D)

So...what did you think of the tape.

PETER:

I think you gave me the wrong one.

MAYA:

(carefully)

What do you mean?

PETER:

(slightly irritated)

It was blank. Nothing on it. You gave

me the wrong one.

Maya takes a sip of coffee to conceal her shock.

MAYA:

You're sure? There was nothing?

PETER:

I cranked it all the way up. Nothing

but hum.

Maya's unnerved. Peter sees it.

PETER (CONT'D)

So what'd I miss?

MAYA:

(covering well)

You're right. I must've made a mistake.

EXT. PARKING LOT

Maya and Peter are walking towards the entrance. She's

touching the cuffs of her sleeves.

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR

Peter and Maya turn the corner and approach the door to

Birdson's room. An ORDERLY is walking with them.

ORDERLY:

Shouldn't we wait for the doctor?

MAYA:

I'm sure she won't mind.

(re:
the door)

It's not locked?

ORDERLY:

Not necessary...anymore.

INT. BIRDSON'S ROOM - DAY

Maya and Peter enter the room. Followed by the orderly. A

motionless Birdson lies on his bed. Eyes closed.

His body curled backwards at a horribly severe angle and his

arms are wrapped tightly around his torso. He's a gruesome

sight. An IV TUBE is taped to his wrist and an EEG is

attached to his head. The brain wave monitor indicates no

activity.

PETER:

Jesus.

A beaming Dr. Allen walks in. She's a little starstruck.

DR. ALLEN

Mr. Kelson, what a pleasure to meet you.

I have to say your instincts about the

criminally insane are impeccable. I am

a fan.

PETER:

Quite a compliment coming from you,

doctor.

Dr. Allen realizes Maya's beside him.

DR. ALLEN

(to Peter)

When your secretary called, she made no

mention of her coming, too.

PETER:

(glancing at Maya)

My secretary?

DR. ALLEN

You're aware that this woman was party

to the so-called exorcism.

PETER:

No, I wasn't, actually.

DR. ALLEN

You should know I never felt Mr. Birdson

needed anything but professional

psychiatric care. And then, minutes

after they left, he suffered a stroke.

He's comatose. No brain wave activity

at all.

Dr. Allen adjusts Birdson's IV unit, re-taping an already

swollen hand.

PETER:

So you don't believe his condition is

the result of anything supernatural?

DR. ALLEN

Of course not. They put him through

severe mental stress. Causing this

aneurysm.

MAYA:

Dr. Allen, could you please tell Mr.

Kelson what you heard as you tried to

enter Mr. Birdson's room?

DR. ALLEN

(ignoring Maya)

I certainly hope you're not lending any

credence to this.

MAYA:

(aggressive)

What did you hear?

Peter looks at Dr. Allen questioningly.

DR. ALLEN

The patient was in great distress.

Naturally he was...yelling.

MAYA:

And was he in distress when you opened

the door? Or was he sitting here,

relaxed, at this table?

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