The Cell Page #5

MIRIAM:

Besides, I don't know what it might do

to you. You're already exhausted.

(concerned)

Have you been sleeping?

Catherine nods.

MIRIAM (CONT'D)

I can prescribe something...

Catherine shakes her head no. Miriam shuts off the penlight

and looks at Catherine with professional and personal

concern.

MIRIAM (CONT'D)

You're sure? Any more nightmares?

CATHERINE:

(defensively)

No.

MIRIAM:

Good. We need you healthy and relaxed.

You're going to eat well, meditate,

exercise, and watch mindless television.

CATHERINE:

Yes mother.

MIRIAM:

I don't want you up all night reading

Edward's case file of the nine millionth

time. Balance, dear girl, is the key.

Leave the work here.

She taps Catherine's head.

MIRIAM (CONT'D)

Don't bring it home in this.

CATHERINE:

Okay.

Miriam gathers her belongings.

MIRIAM:

Henry wants me to try this Vietnamese

place he's wild about. Want to come?

CATHERINE:

(declining)

I've got to feed my cat. Besides, I

want to get to bed early.

MIRIAM:

That's my girl.

Miriam exits, but Catherine remains, still curious what could

happen if things were reversed.

INT. CAMPBELL CENTER - HALLWAY - DAY

The corridors are dark and most everyone has gone home. At

the NURSES STATION, a staff member observes the child on a

closed-circuit monitor. Further down the hall, Miriam and

Henry exit. Wearing a (chic) thrift store coat and lugging a

worn book bag, Catherine stands outside Edward's room,

watching him sleep.

CATHERINE:

Pleasant dreams, Mister E.

EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - DAY

A GREEN FORD PICK-UP TRUCK cruises down this deserted stretch

of two-lane blacktop, the driver carefully maintaining the

speed limit. He signals and exits...

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

The truck rumbles along a stretch of bumpy, unpaved road.

The area is desolate, depressing, and deserted. It feels

like no one's been anywhere near here for years. The pick-up

stops at a RUSTED GATE and the DRIVER, a tall, lean, sinewy

fellow undoes a combination lock-and-chain. We do not yet

see his face.

EXT. ABANDONED FARM HOUSE - DAY

The truck parks inside a charred barn, now hidden from view,

and the driver steps out, followed by his DOG.

A magnificent WHITE GERMAN SHEPHERD. We notice a GLINT in

its BLUE EYES - the animal's an albino. The driver points

and whistles. Well-trained, the Shepard sprints to the gate

and waits, keeping a watchful eye on the road.

INT. THE CELL - OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY

From the outside, a passerby would never know this sanctuary

existed. Within the foundation of a farm building never

completed, we find a small room in the center of a much

larger space. The cell. We hear the WHIR of ELECTRONIC

EQUIPMENT and notice VIDEO CAMERAS mounted on tripods pointed

at the two-way glass. We follow CABLES to a massive VIDEO

RECORDER - the type used in surveillance, able to record for

days without maintenance, and an elaborate TIMING DEVICE

connected to a series of VALVES and SWITCHES.

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