Awakenings Page #5

Kaufman tries to feign interest. He glances to the others

Sayer has summoned to the room — two other doctors, Tyler and

Sullivan, and Miss Costello.

SAYER:

Andyet ...

Without any warning whatsoever Sayer tosses a tennis ball at

her. Her hand suddenly jerks up out of her lap and catches it.

And stays there, stiff, still.

Sayer is delighted but the expression on Kaufman's face is that

of one who has long ago learned and tired of simple card

tricks. Dismissing the phenomenon —•

DR. KAUFMAN

A reflex.

SAYER:

If she batted it away I might call

that a reflex. She doesn't bat it

away, she catches it.

DR. KAUFMAN

-It's still a reflex.

..•.:
••'.•".'

SAYER:

I'm sorry, if you were right I'd

agree with you.

Kaufman, understandably, takes some offense at the comment.

Sayer, however, is unaware that he has caused any.

SAYER:

It'sasif ... havinglostall

will of her own on which to act,

she borrows the will of the ball.

Awkward silence. Eventually—

DR. TYLER

The "will of the ball?"

.

Sayer nods. Kaufman and the other doctors concur with glances

that the theory and theorist are absurd.

DR. SULLIVAN

Excuse me.

Sullivan has better things to do and leaves the room. So does

Tyler. Kaufman and Miss Costello remain.

DR. KAUFMAN

(hopefully)

You're tryyingg to make a ggood

impression. That's it, isn't it?

You're still settling in.

You're tryyingg to make a ggood

impression. That's it, isn't it?

You're still settling in.

.

Sayer isn't sure if he should agree or not. He does neither.

DR. KAUFMAN

Miss Costello, you'll see that Dr.

Saver's patients waiting out thereare rescheduled for tomorrow?

Yes, sir.

MISS COSTELLO:

DR. KAUFMAN

Good night.

Sayer watches Kaufman leave. So does Miss Costello. Lucy,

looking less like a woman than a Diane Arbus photograph of one,

doesn't.

18. EXT. PARKING LOT -BAINBRIDGE -LATE AFTERNOON

C'\

-*©

Sayer climbs into his Toyota and, as he buckles his seat belt,

recites in a mumble to himself —

SAYER:

One...

(he turns the key)

Two...

(puts on sunglasses)

Three .. .

(releases the brake)

Four ...

(shifts out of'park')

Five. .

*

.

Just as he's depressing the accelerator, someone raps on hiswindow. He slams on the brakes. Miss Costello's face appears

at the window. Recovering, Sayer rolls it down.

SAYER:

What'd I forget?

MISS COSTELLO:

I just wanted to say to you Ipreferred your explanation.

r ( ) It's unclear whether he knows what she's referring to.

Rate this script:1.8 / 4 votes