The Exorcist Page #5

INTERIOR- DR. KLEIN'S OFFICE- DAY

Chris is seated on the edge of a chair. Klein is behind his desk,

writing a prescription.

DR. KLEIN

A disorder of the nerves. At least we think it is. We don't know

yet exactly how it works, but it's often seen in earl

adolescence. She shows all the symptoms: the hyperactivity; the

temper; her performance in math.

CHRIS:

Why the math?

DR. KLEIN

It affects concentration.

Here tears the prescription away from the pad.

DR. KLEIN

Now this is for Ritalin. Ten miligrams a day.

CHRIS:

What is it? A tranquilizer?

DR. KLEIN

A stimulant.

CHRIS:

Stimulant? She's higher than a kite right now!

DR. KLEIN

Her condition isn't quite what it seems. Nobody knows the cause

of her hyperkinetic behaviour in a child. The Ritalin sems to

work to relieve the condition, but we really don't know how or

why, frankly. Your daughter's symptoms could be an overreaction

to depression- but that's out of my field.

CHRIS:

Depression?

DR. KLEIN

Well, you mentioned her father... the divorce.

CHRIS:

Do you think I should take her to see a psychiatrist?

DR. KLEIN

Oh no. I'd wait and see what happens with the Ritalin. I think

that's the answer. Wait two or three weeks.

CHRIS:

And those lies she's been telling?

DR. KLEIN

Lies?

CHRIS:

Ya know, those things to get attention, like saying that her bed

shakes and stuff.

DR. KLEIN

Have you ever known your daughter to swear and use obscenities?

CHRIS:

Never.

DR. KLEIN

Well, you see, that's quite similar to things like her lying-

uncharacter-

CHRIS:

Wait a minute. What are you talking about?

DR. KLEIN

Well, she let loose quite a string while I was examining her,

Mrs. MacNeil.

CHRIS:

You're kidding! Like what?

DR. KLEIN

Well, I'd say her vocabulary's rather extensive.

CHRIS:

Well, what, for example? I mean, give me a for instance!

Klein shrugs. No reply.

CHRIS:

Hey, come on, I'm grown-up. What'd she say? I mean specifically,

Doctor.

DR. KLEIN

Well, specifically, Mrs. MacNeil, she advised me to keep my

fingers away from her goddam c*nt.

CHRIS:

(shocked, laughing)

She used those words?

DR. KLEIN

She used those words. Look, I doubt that she even understood what

she was saying.

CHRIS:

Yeah, I guess. Maybe not. You don't think a psychiatrist-?

DR. KLEIN

The best explanation is always the simplest one. Let's wait.

Let's wait and see. In the meantime try not to worry.

EXTERIOR- MACNEIL HOUSE- PROSPECT STREET- NIGHT

We see the house is lit up as there's a party going on inside. A

car pulls up before we enter.

INTERIOR- MACNEIL HOUSE- NIGHT

We see lots of people enjoying them selves, talking, laughing,

eating. Music playing and people having a good time. We see Burke

sitting on a couch with two people beside him, he's drunk and is

sat twirling his finger around in his drink.

BURKE:

There seems to be an alien pubic hair in my Gin.

ASTRONAUT:

I beg your pardon?

BURKE:

Never seen it before in my life. Have you?

We see more people having fun, Regan laughing and we then cut to

Father Dyer, a young priest who is talking to the same guy Burke

was.

ASTRONAUT:

Well actually Father, we're quite comfortable up there, at least

compared to the Gemini and Mercury program. So they were tight

for space, see we've got about two-hundred and ten cubic feet so

we can move around.

FATHER DYER:

Listen, if you ever go up there again will you take me along?

ASTRONAUT:

(laughs)

What for?

FATHER DYER:

First missionary on mars.

We then cut to Burke who is approaching Karl, who is carrying a

tray of drinks.

BURKE:

Tell me, was it public relations you done for the Gestapo or

community relations?

KARL:

I'm Swiss.

BURKE:

Yes of course. Never went bowling with Goebbels either I suppose

ah?

Karl walks away.

BURKE:

Nazi bastard.

We cut to Chris who is talking to Father Dyer.

CHRIS:

Over behind the church, you know where I mean over there, it's a

red brick wing?

FATHER DYER:

St. Mike's.

CHRIS:

What goes down there? I mean who's the priest I keep seeing, he's

there all the time. He has black hair and he's very intense

looking?

FATHER DYER:

Damien Karras.

CHRIS:

Karras.

FATHER DYER:

That's his office back of St. Mike's. He's our psychiatric

counsellor. He had a pretty rough knock last night poor guy, his

mother passed away. She was living by herself and I guess she was

dead a couple of days before they found her.

We cut to the kitchen where Burke is once again taunting Karl.

BURKE:

Cunting Hun! Bloody damn butchering Nazi pig!

Karl lunges at Burke and grabs him by the throat.

KARL:

Bastard! I will kill you.

CHRIS:

Karl!!

Chris, Sharon and Willie pull Karl away from Burke. Willie takes

him into another room.

KARL:

You fiend!

Burke just laughs and claps his hands.

BURKE:

What's for dessert?

INTERIOR- MACNEIL HOUSE- REGAN'S BEDROOM-NIGHT

We see Regan is tucked up in bed with her eyes closed. Chris

pulls the covers up to her shoulders.

CHRIS:

Are you asleep?

There is no reply so Chris kisses her and exits. As Chris

disappears Regan's eyes open suddenly.

INTERIOR- MACNEIL HOUSE- NIGHT

We cut to Chris and Sharon who are trying to help (a very drunk)

Burke to the front door. Burke is trying to mumble a song. Sharon

opens the front door for him.

CHRIS:

Listen Burke, your car is on the curbe. Luis is waiting...

Burke hugs her. Chris looks confused and hugs him back. Burke

pulls away and points his finger as if he wants to say something,

but he forgets.

CHRIS:

What honey?

BURKE:

F*** it.

Burke walks off and Chris and Sharon close the door and return to

the party. Father Dyer is sitting at the piano and everyone is

singing songs.

FATHER DYER:

Hi Chris. Great party.

CHRIS:

Yeah, don't stop. Keep going.

FATHER DYER:

Listen, I don't need any encouragement, but my idea of heaven is

a solid white night club, with me as the head liner, for all

eternity and they love me.

Everyone laughs. Father Dyer starts to play a song and everyone

sings along.

EVERYONE:

"Down on the east side of Toyd..."

FATHER DYER:

Toyd, Toyd.

EVERYONE:

"Toyd, that's my home, sweet home. Can we both think it's..."

Regan appears in view and Father Dyer notices her first.

FATHER DYER:

Hey I, I think we have a guest.

Everyone turns to Regan as she stands and stares at the astronaut

guy.

REGAN:

Your gonna die up there.

The guy looks puzzled and Regan begins to urinate on the floor.

CHRIS:

Regan, my God honey. (to the guests)

I'm sorry, she's been sick. She didn't know what she was saying.

PART GUY1

That's all right.

CHRIS:

(to Regan)

C'mon.

Chris takes Regan out.

INTERIOR- MACNEIL HOUSE- REGAN'S BATHROOM- NIGHT

Regan is in the bath tub, hunched forward, staring infront of

her. Chris has a sponge and is rinsing water on Regan's back.

CHRIS:

What made you say that Regan? Do you know sweetheart?

INTERIOR- MACNEIL HOUSE- REGAN'S BEDROOM-NIGHT

Chris tucks Regan in and walks to the door.

REGAN:

Mother? What's wrong with me?

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