Gattaca Page #4

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Jerome is transported - plotting a path through the heavens.

As his fingers fly across the keys he does not once take his

eyes from the screen.

His is one of hundreds of ergonomically designed work stations,

arranged in ever-widening circles in a huge, curcular, well-

appointed if antiseptic room. Each curved desk contains a

computer terminal consisting of a keyboard and a slim,

transparent screen behind which is seated a PROGRAMMER,

designing software for the aerospace agency. At the center of

the room is a donut-shaped command console, chairs facing

outwards, from which operations are monitored.

Floor to ceiling smoked-glass curved walls offer the only

concession to nature - a tinted view of a man-made, meticulously

landscaped garden.

Jerome tears himself away from his screen and picks up a

discreet mini-vac. He vacuums between the keys of his keyboard.

DIRECTOR JOSEF, 50's, a shorter, official-looking man

approaches. His assistant IRENE stands at his shoulder.

DIRECTOR JOSEF:

You keep your work station so clean, Jerome.

JEROME:

--Next to Godliness, isn't that what they say?

The Director smiles at the notion and places a computer disc

on Jerome's desk.

DIRECTOR JOSEF:

I reviewed your flight plan. Not one error

in a hundred thousand keystrokes. Phenomenal.

(placing a hand on Jerome's shoulder)

It's right that someone like you is taking us

to the Belt.

(glancing to notification on Jerome's screen)

You have a substance test.

The Director briskly departs, Irene in tow. At a nearby work

station, a painfully thin programmer, NAPOLEON, perks up at

the mention of the test.

Jerome merely shrugs and pretends to reach down and scratch his

ankle. However he surreptitiously produced one of Eugene's

transparent specimen bags from his sock. An EXTREME CLOSE UP

reveals the bag's contents - flakes of skin, hair follicles,

eyelashes, a fingernail. Cupping the bag in his hand to avoid

detection, Jerome sprinkles the fraudulent body matter over his

keyboard, desk surfaces and the floor around his work station.

He opens his desk drawer and casually scatters the remainder of

the bag. Finally he inspects a comb already laced with two

hair follicles.

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