The Silence of the Lambs Page #3

CLARICE:

Not yet.

CRAWFORD:

You see, the one we want most refuses

to cooperate. I want you to go after

him again today, in the asylum.

CLARICE:

Who's the subject?

CRAWFORD:

The psychiatrist - Dr. Hannibal

Lecter.

Clarice stops walking, goes very still. A beat.

CLARICE:

The cannibal...

Crawford doesn't respond, except to study her face.

CLARICE:

Yes, well... Okay, right. I'm glad

for the chance, sir, but - why me?

CRAWFORD:

You're qualified and available. And

frankly, I can't spare a real agent

right now.

He walks on again, at a faster clip. She hurried to keep up.

CRAWFORD:

I don't expect him to talk to you,

but I have to be able to say we

tried... Lecter was a brilliant

psychiatrist, and he knows all the

dodges.

(hands her the manila

envelope)

Dossier on him, copy of our

questionnaire, special ID for you...

If he won't talk, then I want straight

reporting. How's he look, how's his

cell look, what's he writing? The

Director himself will see your report,

over your own signature - if I decide

it's good enough. I want that by

0800 Wednesday, and keep this to

yourself.

They're reached his car. His driver stamps on a cigarette,

climbs in behind the wheel. BURROUGHS, his assistant, says

something into a walkie-talkie, then opens the back door.

But Crawford pulls her aside, a hand on her shoulder. His

intensity is scary.

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