H.P. LOVECRAPT'S RE-ANIMATOR by STUART GORDON, DENNIS PAOLI, and WILLIAM J. NORRIS dialogue by DENNIS PAOLI and WILLIAM J. NORRIS Copyrght © 1982 by Stuart Gordon, Dennis Paoli and William J. Norris Revised November 25, 1984INT. EMERGENCY ROOM (EXAMINING AREA) - DAY A FAT FEMALE PATIENT is in cardiac arrest. DAN CAIN, a good- looking third-year med student is administering CPR while a nurse squeezes the air bag connected to an endotracheal tube. DR. HARROD, the Emergency Room specialist, holds up the defibrillation paddles while a second nurse squeezes on conductive cream. HARROD Alright, hold the compressions -- I'm going to zap her again. Charge up the paddles. One of the TWO NURSES pushes the button on the defibrillation monitor. There is a whining sound as the unit builds a charge. NURSE #1 Ready. HARROD Everybody off! Cain climbs down from the gurney. The nurses back away. TAN Clear. HARROD zaps the patient, whose back arches and arms shoot out. Then she comes back down onto the table with a crash. HARROD studies the monitor. NURSE #1 Anything? HARROD Straight line. (pause} All right, let's call it. She moves to turn off the monitor but before she can DAN gets back up on the gurney and resumes CPR. The NURSES lock at each other. HARROD Mr. Cain --DAN I'm not tired yet. HARROD Mc. Cain. I'm calling it. He doesn't stop. HARROD You can stop CER. DAN She just needs more time for the drugs to circulate. HARROD Mr. Cain, we have done all that can be done for this woman. She has not responded. She's done. TAN Not as long as I keep on doing this. He keeps going, but he is getting tired. HARROD watches him in stony silence until DAN finally stops. HARROD quickly switches off the monitor. The two nurses immediately begin disconnecting tubes and throwing them onto the patient, turning off oxygen, etc. HARROD cain, your optimism is touching, but a waste of time. A good doctor knows when to stop. TAN Dr. Harrod HARROD Tag her and take her to the morgue. HARROD and the NURSES leave DAN with the DEAD WOMAN. He looks at her for a moment and then takes a scissors and cuts off her already loosened clothes. He takes a black plastic garbage bag and struggles with her bulk as he jams her legs into the bag.He gets a second plastic bag and is about to draw it over her head when suddenly the fat woman gasps a loud wheezing breath. DAN jumps back. The FAT WOMAN is quiet again. DAN approaches her cautiously and pulls the bag over her face. TAN Someday I'm going to get used to this. INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT CORRIDOR - DAY DAN wheels the CORPSE on a cart out of the elevator and down the long corridor to the SECURITY GUARD, MACE, who is sitting at @ desk with a TV outside the Autopsy Room. MACE Mc. Cain. DAN Hi ya, Mace. Got another tenant for you. MACE Ain't locked. Doc Hill's in the autopsy room. DAN Thanks. DAN goes in. MACE Don't know why they got locked doors down here. Nobody wants in and ain't nobody gettin out. INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - DAY DAN rolls the cart through the double doors into the room, passing an ongoing autopsy. A SURGEON, DR. HILL, wearing dark goggles, is bent over the head of a CORFSE and aiming a handheld Laser Drill. Its point is intensely bright, and it gives off a humming, whirring sound. Small wisps of smoke rise from the skull where the instrument is aimed -- just over the right eye.DAN stops and takes a deep breath of fresh air before entering the Body Room. INT. BODY ROOM - DAY Rows of gurneys, many bearing corpses in plastic body bags, fill the room. DAN rolls the cart to the end of a row and exits gasping for breath. INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - DAY DAN re-enters the Autopsy Room and is drawn to the activity at the autopsy table. The SURGEON stops, hands the drill to an ASSISTANT who hands him a Q-tip swab. He lowers the swab into a hole in the skull over the right eye. As DAN watches this, A HAND suddenly grabs his shoulder. He jumps, frightened, and sees DEAN HALSEY, dean of the Medical School. HALSEY Sorry, Daniel. I didn't mean to frighten you. DAN Oh, no. You didn't, Dean Halsey. I just didn't know there was anybody here. WEST (0.8.) You mean anybody else. DAN turns to look at the speaker who steps up beside HALSEY. It is HERBERT WEST. HALSEY Daniel, this is Herbert West. He'll be joining you in the third year. He was doing independent research in Switzerland with Dr. Gruber shortly before he died. Mr. West, this is Daniel Cain, one of Miskatonic Medical's best young hopes for the future of medicine. DAN holds out hie hand.DAN What were you researching? WEST does not offer his hand. WEST Death. At this point, DR. HILL turns to them taking off his surgical cap and mask. He speaks to HALSEY. HILL Hello, Allan. We don't usually see you down here anymore. HALSEY I was giving our newest student, Herbert West, here, the not-so— grand tour. This should interest you, Carl: he worked with Hans Gruber. Hill's face shows interest, but also darkens slightly. WEST simply stares. HALSEY Mc. West, this is our eminent brain researcher -- and grant-machine -- Dr. Carl Hill. He'll be teaching neurology to your year. WEST I know your work, Dr. Hill -- quite well. HILL smiles. WEST Your theory on the location of the will in the brain is interesting, though derivative from Dr. Gruber's research in the early 70s -- so derivative that in Europe, it's considered plagiarized. HILL'S smile disappears.WEST And your support of the twelve minute limit on the life of the brain stem after death -- HILL Six to twelve minutes, Mr. -- uh -- WEST West. Herbert West. Frankly, Dr. -- uh -~ Hill, your work on brain death is outdated. HILL throws HALSEY an angry look. HALSEY is embarrassed. HALSEY Well, that’s why we do research, to continue to -- uh == build upon -- uh -- Carl, while I remember, there's a Grant Committee meeting Thursday. How about dinner afterwards? HILL'S mile returne. HILL Fine, Allan. Looking forward to it. Looking forward to seeing you, too, Mr. West, in class. Perhaps, before you teach me about death, you can learn something about life. He leaves with a haughty stride. There is a moment of embarrassed silence. West moves toward the corpse on the autopsy table to take a closer look. TAN Dean Halsey, I don't know if this is the right time, but I've been so busy -- HALSEY It's the perfect time. What is it, Daniel?DAN I was hoping you could write me a letter of recommendation for the Wellman Scholarship. HALSEY Of course, of course. I was going to suggest you apply. Very prestigious scholarship -- it would help your career. DAN Thank you, sir. HALSEY My pleasure. You deserve it. Come, Mr. West. I'11 show you Pathology. They turn and stroll down the row of bodies. DAN idly watches as he checks the chart of the corpse he delivered. Then he watches with more interest as he notices WEST tapping each of the bodies as he passes them. INT. BASEMENT CORRIDOR ~ NIGHT A pair of hands tack a card on a bulletin board. It reads: Apartment to Share Brd year med student needs roommate. Must be quiet, keep regular hours. Contact Dan Cain. 666 Darkmore. 634-8785. DAN steps back from the board and reads his card. A beautiful young WOMAN'S face appears over his shoulder, growls and kisses his neck. It is DAN'S girlfriend, MEG. DAN puts his arms around her, lifts and squeezes. She shrieks and puts her arms around his neck. MEG No, oh, no == cur To:INT. BEDROOM OF DAN'S APT. - DUSK Close up of MEG'S face, her arms around DAN'S neck. She and DAN are making love in his bedroom. MEG Yes, yes, yes, oh yes -- Her body tenses, then relaxes in a long shuddering sigh. DAN rolls over and lies next to her. Catching his breath, he holds up his hand. She takes it in hers. DAN whew. I'm dead. MEG You work too much, Dan. TAN I can't go to medical school if I don't work. Something small and dark leaps onto MEG'S STOMACH. She lets out a low, surprised yell, but then recognizes the figure to be a CAT, a familiar cat at that, RUFUS. MEG oh, Rufus. DAN takes him off her stomach and puts him on his. TAN Rufus, where have you been, boy? MEG pets him too. MEG Yeah, usually you're always bothering us. DAN He likes his new home. Lots of new corners and closets to hide in. I didn't see him all day yesterday.MEG It's a nice place, Dan. I like it. DAN Then why don't you move in with me? MEG Please, don't start. You know 1 can't. DAN tosses the cat off the bed, turns on his side and leans on his arm. He starts MEG grabs DAN You know, it's all right for people who love each other to live together. to stroke her body. MEG Not me, and especially not with one of Daddy's students. TAN I'm not sure, but I think that violates my civil rights. MEG You'll find a roommate. DAN I'd better. I can't afford this place myself. Know any eligible nurses? his hand and throws it off her. MEG That's not fair. He strokes her breasts. DAN You've got a beautiful body.10. MEG I’m not sure that's a compliment, considering it comes from someone who spends most of his time with cadavers. TAN Dead bodies aren't beautiful. Besides, they don't jump when you tickle them. He tickles her. She screams and tries to get away, but he is on top of her, tickling her ribs. She beats his chest until he grabs her wrists and presses her arms down, spread out on the bed. She is still breathing hard and laughing from the tickling. He lowers his lips onto hers, and her laugh becomes a whimper. She strains both into his body and out from under. The CAT jumps on DAN'S back. He whirls to throw it off. She breaks away. MEG No, please. I have to go. DAN Stay. MEG Daddy knows I'm here. DAN I don't care what Dean Halsey knows. MEG Well, you should, for his sake, mine and yours. TAN I want you again -- now. He kisses her again. She responds but forces herself to stop. She jumps out of bed and starts to dress. MEG Be reasonable. If I didn't come home one night -- just one night --1. DAN What would he do? Expel me? He has too much integrity for that. MEG which is why he'd feel so She searches for the right word. MEG (CONT D) -- betrayed by us. He likes you, too. DAN And I like him. But he's out of touch with the times. MEG But it's the way he is. The world's last living Puritan. DAN I hate it. She is mostly dressed now. She gives him a curt kiss. MEG I love you. He is struck with an idea and hops to his knees on the bed. DAN Then marry me. MEG Dant DAN It's the perfect solution. It solves all our problems. MEG Solving your rent problems is hardly a firm basis for a marriage. Besides, Daddy wouldn't allow it.12. DAN What does he want me to do? Whatever it is, I'll do it. MEG Graduate. He sees that this is a dead end. His head hangs. MEG The day you graduate -- the minute you get your M.D., I'11 marry you. And I'll help you and be with you as much as I can until then. DAN Back to square one. MEG At least that will give me a chance to housebreak you. MEG laughs. DAN grins. DAN Housebroken, is it? He jumps out of bed and stalks her. MEG backs DAN pulls DAN I shall have to teach you a lesson, my girl... away. MEG No! Daniel Elston Cain, you leave me alone! MEG. DAN Come along, there's no one who can help you, my pretty. Mwa-ha-ha! There's no jury in the world that would convict me!13. MEG runs out of the reom with DAN following, a sheet over his head. INT. LIVING ROOM (DAN'S APT.) - NIGHT DAN'S apartment has high ceilings and windows, an old Victorian type building in which the lower flat -- DAN'S -- has access to the basement. DAN has it furnished with a hodgepodge of old style furniture. DAN chases MEG into the room, she is dressed, he is not. MEG laughs, breaks away to the front door. MEG Stop! You animal! She opens the door. Lets out a little scream. A figure stands in the doorway. It is HERBERT WEST. Dan wraps the sheet quickly around his waist. DAN can T help you? WEST holds out DAN'S information card. DAN Here about the room? WEST Yes. DAN We met this morning, right? You're, uh == WEST West. Herbert West. He holds out his hand. DAN takes it. DAN Right. Excuse me, I'll be right back.14. He retreats back to his room. WEST smiles after him, then at MEG. MEG come in. WEST (to MEG) I startled you. MEG Yes, you did. West smiles. They wait in an awkward silence. DAN returns, dressed. DAN May I introduce Megan Halsey, my fiancee. WEST Miss (beat) Halsey. MEG Mr. West. TAN I'm afraid the place is still kind of a mess, Mr. West. WEST Herbert. INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT They walk around the apartment, DAN opening doors for HERBERT to look the place over, but the prospective tenant hardly looks interested. MEG follows them. DAN You've just come from Burope.15. WEST switzerland. DAN What was Dr. Gruber like? He was pretty famous. WEST Yes, "pretty" famous. This building have a basement? TAN why yes, it does. WEST Do we have access? TAN Yes, but I never go down. This way. INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT HERBERT WEST surveys the basement with DAN and MEG looking on. It's a damp, dark, cobwebbed area with a pile of discarded tools, including a shovel in one corner. It looks like nobody's been down there in years, except rats. MEG is uneasy in the foreboding place, but WEST 1s pleased. WEST Yes, I think this will do just fine. He turns to DAN. WEST I have my things outside. Shall I move in now? MEG T have to go. You and Mr. West have a lot to discuss before you. decide anything. WEST I've decided.16. He Looks to DAN. TAN Well, I'd like -- WEST holds up a pile of money. WEST You'll never even know I'm here. MEG Dan. She gives him a very dubious look. WEST (to DAN, waving cash) Except on the first of the month. MEG, unable to held back any longer, steps forwards. MEG Mr. West -- WEST Miss Halsey? MEG You didn't say why you left Switzerland. WEST There was no more I could learn there. MEG gives DAN an ironic look. WEST Do we have a deal? DAN takes the money. Done.17. WEST (to MEG) Done. INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - DAY HILL You make the incision at the base of the skull. He tilts the head forward and makes a cut with a scalpel. HILL Then you cut away enough of the fascia to get your fingers in and, gripping the scalp firmly with both hands, you peel the skin forward over the head. He is pulling the scalp over the corpse's face. DAN and WEST sit together, DAN taking notes, WEST leaning on his elbows, staring over a pencil he holds in his hands. HILL It's rather like peeling a large orange. The class laughs. HILL Now when the skull is plainly visible -- you take the bone saw and cut around the perimeter, being careful not to cut too deeply and damaging the brain tissue. He turns on an electric bone saw and begins cutting around the circumference of the head, the saw whining as it cuts. HILL Next a few taps with this. He holds up a small hammer and chisel, and then taps the chisel at the saw line.18. HILL Then give the chisel a twist. There is a loud CRACKING noise. HILL And you have just enough room to pry the skull open with this end of the tool. He inserts the hook end of the hammer and removes the top of the skull, revealing the brain. He sticks his hands into the skull and holds the brain in his hands. HILL And there you have it. The brain. Whatever theories of creation and resurrection you may encounter or believe in, once the brain stem of an individual -- I'm talking about the reticular activating eyatem, respiratory center, heart regulation -- (shows brain stem) Once these activities cease, the brain can only survive an additional six to twelve minutes. Six to twelve minutes until He cuts the brain stem with several snips of a Metzenbaum scissors. HILL Brain death brings about an irreversible conclusion. WEST breake the pencil, the CRACK audible around the room. HILL My particular field is the human will, and it is my theory that the last cells to give up the ghost, so to speak, are the site of the will. We all want to retain our personalities in some idyllic afterlife. (MORE)1s. HILL (cont'd) We pray for some miracle -- a drug, a pill, a potion. Perhaps, though, it takes more than that. Perhaps the personality itself must be extraordinary, with a superhuman will to survive. Perhaps it takes desire, an obsessive desire deep in the mind and body. Perhaps -- WEST breaks another pencil. HILL I've been around for a long time. Some of my students would say too long. The class laughs politely. He lifts the brain out of the skull and holds Lt up. HILL But the more I see of the complexities of human life, biological and otherwise, the more certain I am that the will is the source of life itself. WEST breaks another pencil. HILL We will discuss the location of the will in the brain structure next time. Mr. West, I suggest you buy apen. Class dismissed. HILL drops the brain into a plastic brain bucket filled with formalin. The class begins to depart. WEST hurries from his place and confronts HILL. WEST How can you teach such drivel? These people are here to learn and you're closing their minds before they have a change. HILL What are you here for, Mr. West?20. WEST You should have stolen more of Dr. Gruber's ideas. Then at least you'd have ideas. HILL It’s going to be a pleasure to fail you, Mr. West. HILL stalks out, fuming. DAN approaches WEST. TAN That wasn't wise, Herbert. He's a powerful man around here. WEST He has no idea what power -- real power —- is. INT. HALSEY’S DINING ROOM - NIGHT Red wine shines as it is poured into a crystal glass. DEAN HALSEY sits with MEG and DR. HILL, in a dining room befitting the Dean of a Medical School, and lifts his glass in an after- dinner toast. HALSEY (toasting) To the National Science Foundation for recognizing the genius of Dr. Carl Hill and awarding Miskatonic Medical School its largest grant ever. Your laser drill will revolutionize neurosurgery. HILL To the Foundation and Miskatonic. He and HALSEY drink, but MEG barely touches the glaas to her lips. HALSEY It's all right, dear. Drink up. We're celebrating.21. MEG I know, but I have to go soon, Daddy. HILL After preparing such a feast? You must be tired. MEG I have a study date. HALSEY With Daniel? She nods "YES", smiling. HILL Herbert West has moved in with him, hasn't he? MEG For the time being. The door bell rings. MEG That must be him. She gets up from the table and leaves the room to let him in. HILL She's seeing Cain, eh? Do you think that's wise? HALSEY She's very fond of him. And he's a fine boy. He works at the hospital and drives a taxi and still has the best grades in his year. HILL He does work hard, but that's no substitute for talent or genius. HALSEY Now, Carl =22. MEG returns, hand in hand with DAN. DAN Hello, sir. Hello, Dr. Hill. HALSEY Daniel, join us for a glase of wine. DAN Actually, sir, we have work to do. HALSEY Yes, that's right -- a study date. In my day when ve studied, ve studied, and when we dated, well MEG Daddy -- HALSEY why don’t you study here? There is a moment of embarrassed silence. DAN I'll have her home early, don't worry. HILL Then one last toast. To Megan, my esteemed colleaque's capable, beautiful and loving daughter. The obsession of all who fall under her spell. TAN I'll drink to that. He picks up a water glass and drinks. HALSEY Here, here. HILL drinks but never takes his eyes off MEG. A glint appears in them, sparkling like the crystal in the dim light of the chandelier. He holds her gaze.23. HILL Are you sure you won't stay with us? We promise not to be boring, and you look tired, my dear, very tired. she blinks and shudders slightly. DAN puts his hand on her shoulder. MEG No. That's okay. You two have a good time. HALSEY Not as good as you two. Don't be too late. DAN I'll see you soon. Thanks again. He shakes HALSEY'S hand, then HILL'S. He and MEG leave. HILL settles back in his chair as HALSEY gets a decanter and two snifters from a sideboard. HILL Your daughter has grown into an enchanting woman. HALSEY pours two brandies. HALSEY Yes, she has. And since Mary died, she takes care of the house, the cooking -- and me. HILL It'll be a shame when she leaves. She deserves the best, someone clearly superior. HALSEY drinks deep from his brandy. HALSEY Give the boy a chance. He's really a good scholar. (MORE }24. HALSEY (cont'd) We have to help him, Carl. He needs -- deserves -- that Wellman Scholarship. HILL sups his drink. HILL I don't know, Allan. Perhaps. But I'm wondering if he's morally fit to be a doctor. He 1s looking sidelong at HALSEY, and that glint returns to his eye. HALSEY sets down his glass. HALSEY What do you mean, Carl? HILL As you said, Cain's a bright fellow. And he knows full well he's dating the Dean's daughter. He could be using her to gain an advantage with you. HALSEY I suspected the same thing at first, but he's been a perfect gentleman. HILL Of course. But what about after he gets the scholarship? He won't need her then. HILL'S eyes glint as if emphasizing his words. HALSEY drinks. HALSEY I can't believe it. I trust him, carl. Meg trusts him. HILL She's matured a great deal these last few years, but she's still young and impressionable. And now, Cain is rooming with that West character.25. HILL refills HALSEY'S snifter. HALSEY West ia a strange bird, I grant you. But his intelligence has impressed the whole staff, and apparently he did some very interesting work with Gruber. HILL He's a cancer, Allan. He's a disruptive influence in class, and worse, he's disrespectful. He spreads lies about the staff behind their backs. I think he's deranged -- and dangerous. Hie eyes shine now, directly into HALSEY'S. HALSEY Dangerous? HALSEY takes a drink, but his eyes do not leave HILL'S. HILL Yes, Allan. And Cain is with him, all the time. And with your daughter. Cain is dangerous, Allan. HALSEY'S voice is dull, his eyes wide. He is in a hypnotic trance. HALSEY Dangerous. HILL Yes, to the school and to your daughter, your beautiful, young, loving daughter. HALSEY Dangerous == te my daughter. His voice is dull, his eyes glazed over, but his hand squeezes the snifter until it cracks and breaks. HILL smiles and drinks.26. INT. APT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT DAN and MEG lie on the living room couch, both reading from large textbooks. There is a small noise, common in old houses. She starts, with a short gasp and looks up from her book. DAN What is it? MEG Nothing. DAN What's the matter with you? MEG Nothing. DAN He's not here. He's still on his shift at the hospital. MEG It's not West. DAN Oh, no? Ever since he moved in, you come over less and less, and when you do, you're a case of repressed hysteria. MEG I’m sorry, Danny, but he makes my skin crawl. DAN He's just one of your typical geniuses. He doesn't quite act like other people. But he's very smart and very private. He's been no trouble at all. He looks into her eyes. She looks back into her book. He closes his.27. He moves his hand up her leg. She pushes his hand away with her book. MEG No, Dan. Please! DAN is edgy, frustrated. DAN What is it? MEG I don’t know. She turns to him and touches his cheek. MEG It's not you. Really. It's just lots of little things. TAN Like what? MEG He's always in his room, with the door closed. Does he ever sat? Do you ever see him? DAN I told you. He's a little cracked. MEG He bothers you, too. DAN Don't be ridiculous. MEG Rufus is terrified of him. When West comes in, he runs and hides. DAN Rufus hides all the time. It's standard cat activity.28. MEG Not when we're together. Then he's: all over us, trying to get your attention, I haven’t seen him since we got here. Where is he? DAN He's around somewhere. MEG I haven’t even heard him. Usually he at least knocks something over when I'm here. Dan gets up, slips into his shoes, and starts to search. DAN Rufus. Rufus. Where are you, fat cat? MEG follows him around the living room and into the hallway. INT. APT. HALLWAY - NIGHT DAN Come on, you mad animal. Don't try to hide from me. I know all your tricks. DAN enters his bedroom, but MEG stays behind. She looks, as if against her will, at the closed door to WEST'S room. She walks steadily to it, reaches slowly for the handle. It opens. She leans in. INT. WEST'S BEDROOM - NIGHT The room is dark except for a bar of light, low, in a near corner. In the dull light from the living room behind her, MEG can make out a small refrigerator with its door slightly ajar. She steps toward it, leaning forward, but whatever it is wedged in the door is indistinct in the shadow she throws. She reaches out, touches the obscure object, and suddenly it falls out the door a foot or so, jutting straight as a stick from the bar of light. It is a cat's tall. She stops dead and gasps.29. MEG Da-- (now finding her voice} Dant She can hardly get the word out. She turns, and there in the doorway is a MAN'S SILHOUETTE. MEG Oh, Dan. I think it's She can't finish, and reaches out to him for support. He doesn't move, so her hand grabs his arm. He speaks, but the voice isn't DAN'S. WEST What are you doing in my room? MEG screams and recoils. WEST How dare you come into my room! MEG Dant Dan! DAN rushes in as WEST turns on the lights. DAN What's the matter? WEST I thought I was renting a private room. TAN what the hell are you doing in here, Meg? MEG can barely speak. MEG T--I- WEST Would you please leave? Now!30. DAN Easy, Herbert. Come on, Meg. MEG (blurting it out) In the fridge -- DAN What? she points to it. DAN What's that doing he-- He sees the tail. In a step he's throwing open the door. RUEUS' body, cold and hard, falls on the floor at his feet. He kneels slowly and touches it. WEST I was going to show you. DAN shut up! He shivers with anger and turns on WEST. DAN What happened? WEST It was dead when I found it. MEG You killed nim. He hated you. DAN Meg! WEST It suffocated. It knocked over the garbage and got its head stuck in a jar. You weren't home so I put it in here so it wouldn't stink up the place. I didn't think you'd want to find it like that. T was going to show you later.31. DAN Couldn't you call -- or leave a note? WEST I was busy pushing bodies around, as you well know. And what would a note say? "Cat dead - details later?" TI knew you were fond of fe MEG You killed him. I know you did. WEST (more emphatic} Besides, I don't like people in my room. DAN That's enough. He kneels down to pick up the cat, and looks in the open refrigerator. It is empty except for some pre-packaged hypodermics and a few small bottles of chemicals. He locks back over his shoulder at WEST. DAN I wondered why you had a refrigerator in your room. WEST I was going to show you later. DAN examines one of the bottles. TAN You're stealing from the hospital. MEG I knew it! WEST I think you'd better leave now.32. DAN Epinephrine. But why? WEST That's none of your business. DAN Are you selling on the black market? west dust as it's none of my business that you're sleeping with Dean Halsey's daughter. I wouldn't want to see a fellow student, especially one as promising as yourself, thrown out of school -- out of the profession -- on moral grounds. DAN rises, angry. DAN This is 1984, Dr. Halsey will understand. WEST You may be right. Are you sure you want to find out? MEG steps between them. MEG Dan, don't! He's right. It's your life. You know how Daddy is. He could kill your scholarship. WEST snorts derisively. WEST Dear deluded Daddy. There’s so much he doesn't know. DAN stares heatedly at him, and WEST stares back. DAN turns sharply, then, with a of tenderness and fear, picks up the stiffened body of the cat. He passes WEST as he leaves the room, MEG behind him.33. West shuts the door behind them. WEST Garbage to garbage. INT. APT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT DAN stands in the living room holding the dead cat, his face conterted with fury. TAN I want him out of here tonight! MEG grabs his shoulders and speaks softly in his ear. MEG No, Dan. We need more on him. I'll check Daddy's files. DAN looks down at RUFUS' body. INT. HOSPITAL BASEMENT CORRIDOR - NIGHT A sheet-covered BODY on a gurney rolls through the hospital halls. Then we see that it is DAN pushing the cart. At the morgue door, he meets MACE. DAN Say, Mace. MACE Say, Doctor Dan. Lose another one? TAN You've got to finish school before they let you lose a patient. We just get to mutilate the corpses. MACE opens the door. MACE, You're in a sunny mood tonight. DAN Sorry. Death in the family.34. INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - NIGHT DAN enters. To his surprise, WEST, HALSEY, and HILL are there arguing. He slowly rolls the gurney. As he approaches, he hears them. HALSEY It's impossible! You'll never make me believe it. WEST It's true, you old fool, you blind decrepit old fool. You simply won't believe it. HALSEY turns to DAN. HALSEY Ah, Mr. Cain. Mr. West has been telling me some shocking things about what's going on at your house. DAN That's not true. He's lying. WEST It Ls true, and I can prove it. HILL Well, here's your chance. HILL throws the sheet from the body on DAN'S gurney. It is MEG, her skin cold and grey with death. DAN reacts as if punched in the stomach. His mouth opens, but he can't speak, he can hardly breathe. WEST An excellent specimen. He produces a small bottle like those in the refrigerator in his room and fills a large hypodermic from it. HALSEY looks on, perturbed, but relatively unmoved considering that his daughter lies dead before him, HILL smiles.35. HILL Do you believe this fiction, Mr. cain? DAN struggles for breath. WEST injects the hypo into MEG'S heart. DAN grimaces. Suddenly the body is no longer grey, but flesh-toned, almost pink. She does not move, but a slight whimper seema to come from her throat. WEST Bhat! Her head turns and her shoulders rise a little off the table. She whimpers again. Her head turns back the other way and her whole body begins to writhe gently, alluringly. Her whimper breaks into a groan. DAN is fascinated. WEST She's hungry for it. Soon, she'll be mad for it. Her back arches off the table; her arms rise, hands spread, to DAN. Her groan takes a distinct shape. MEG D-A-N. D-A-A-N. HALSEY Then it's true. It's all true. (to DAN) And it's all your fault. DAN shakes his head but is unable to speak. Suddenly the body begins to writhe more quickly, spasmodically. The groan becomes louder and louder until it is a terrible scream. WEST is laughing, but soon all DAN can hear is the scream. He closes his eves and covers his ears, but the scream grows inhumanly terrifying. INT. DAN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT DAN'S eyes spring open. He is in the dark, in bed. the scene was a dream. He hears another scream. A real scream. DAN throws the covers off and abruptly jumps from bed.36. The sound, eerie and piercing, continues. He throws on a robe, grabs a baseball bat and runs out of the room. INT. APT. HALLWAY - NIGHT In the hallway, holding the bat, DAN knocks on West's bedroom door. TAN Herbert! Herbert! Do you hear that? There is no answer. He pounds on the door. TAN Rest! What's that sound, West? No answer. The shrill inhuman screaming becomes even more chilling, wilder. [It's coming from down the hall, from behind the door that leads to the basement. DAN stalks over to the door gripping the bat lightly. At the basement door, he listens. Now there's another sound, of a man struggling, making a great effort to -- to what? He takes the door handle, turns and pushes, but the door is bolted. DAN steps back. Besides the inhuman scream he hears a human one. He takes a deep breath and runs at the door. It almost gives. He hears a familiar voice, clearly in distress. WEST (0.8 Damn-you-to-hell! DAN runs again at the door and breaks through. INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT DAN almost falls down the stairs to the basement floor, still gripping the bat. The basement has undergone a complete metamorphosis since the last time he saw it. The shovel and tools are still in a corner, but the place has been transformed into a laboratory. Sophisticated medical equipment is in place, most of it showing the signs of a struggle.37. Before DAN has a chance to get his bearings, there is WEST standing right before him. WEST'S face is wild and scratched up. They share a momentary stare. WEST Cain! Get out of heret Then as if hit in the back with an artillery shell, WEST hurtles forward, knocking DAN aside. WEST rolls and flips about. Something is on the back of his neck, but it is too dark and he moves too quickly to see what it is. The screaming is with then. WEST Don't let it get away! DAN raises the baseball bat, but he cannot his whatever is attacking WEST without hitting WEST. DAN throws down the bat and tries to lean over and tear whatever it is off WEST'S back as WEST gyrates face-down on the floor. WEST heaves himself up with a scream of his own, knocking DAN down again. When DAN looks up, WEST is standing against the wall, his face struck with terror. WEST Help mel DAN bolts forward, tackling WEST away from the wall, rolling over WEST to his knees. When DAN looks up, a dark blur of screaming motion is flying at him. He holds up his hands and turns his face but it knocks him back down. With all his strength, he throws whatever it is from him, It hits a wall hard -- and drops straight down, ‘The screaming stops. DAN and WEST sit on the floor, looking over where the dark something lies motionless. The quiet is broken only by their hard breathing. They look at each other, wracked and spent. DAN'S look ig questioning, but WEST'S is triumphant, almost serene. DAN, with difficulty, gets to his feet. He walks carefully to where the small, screaming attacker has fallen. The thing on the floor is RUFUS' body. DAN reflexively covers his mouth and looks back at WEST, who appears to be laughing but makes not a sound. DPN'S hand drops from his mouth.38. H-How? WEST'S heaving but soundless laughter stops, and hie torso straightens, his head erect, as if he were about to be crowned. Then suddenly he points beyond DAN. WEST Look out! DAN jumps in fear and looks back at the cat, but its body still lies in a lifeless heap. He glares back at WEST who shakes in throes of silent laughter. FADE OUT INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT Later. CAMERA PANS over the basement revealing a well- appointed laboratory with clean shelves and tabletops, large jars of liquid and small animals, brains, organs, etc., and various medical equipment. CAMERA RESTS on TWO SHOT of WEST with DAN, who holds an open notebook. DAN looks around the room. TAN when did you do all this? WEST when you were at work in the hospital or driving your cab. When you were in bed -- sleeping. DAN when do you sleep? WEST Sleep is a waste of time. DAN You stole most of this equipment from the hospital, didn't you? WEST (losing patience] That isn't important.39. He jabs the open notebook with his finger. DAN tries He points WEST This is what matters. to read. DAN I can't seem to focus. WEST It's really quite simple. All life is a chemical and physical process, correct? DAN All right. WEST It stands to reason then that if one could obtain extremely fresh specimens and recharge that chemical process after the extinction of life --- bang! Reanimation. DAN The theory is not new, Herbert. WEST But my reagent is. to a spot on the open page of the notebook. DAN (reading) "With various animating solutions T have killed and brought back to animated life a number of rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, doga. WEST I've broken the six to twelve minute barrier. I've conquered brain death.40. DAN {still reading) “With the higher animals, and the consequent increased strength of the solutions, reaction has become more violent and my research has become more difficult." WEST Which is why I need you to help me. DAN is stunned for a moment. DAN Help you? WEST You're the perfect person to assist me =~ hard working, bright, respected by everyone, with access to certain authorities. DAN closes the notebook and sets it aside. He cannot look at WEST, who knows he must press his case. WEST We can defeat death! we can achieve every doctor's dream. You'll be famous -- and live Lifetimes. DAN You haven't tried this on people?! WEST ignores this. WEST We'll need new lab space. I've done all I can here. He turns directly to DAN. WEST You will help me. DAN Noy41. WEST Why? Because it's "mad?" DAN Because I don't believe you. WEST points to RUFUS! body on a table in the center of the room. WEST You've seen the results. DAN No. Rufus wasn't dead before, You drugged him to reduce his vital signs. You lowered his body temperature -- he couldn't have been dead. WEST goes to the table and picks up the cat's body. WEST De you agree that it's dead now? DAN nods, guiltily. WEST drops the body on the table, letting it "thump." He steps purposefully to a large refrigerator, opens it, pulls out a bottle and packaged hypo. He tears open the package and fills the hypo from the bottle. DAN understands his purpose. DAN Herbert, stop. WEST looks at him, then strides to the table. DAN steps toward him. TAN Please, Herbert. Don't. WEST I'll show you. Then you'll help me. DAN Noy42. WEST Yes, you will. That was the only reason I brought the infernal beast back to life in the first place. WEST inserts the needle into the base of the cat's neck and injects the solution. TAN In the brain. WEST Of course. TAN I thought you'd inject into the heart. WEST What gave you that idea? DAN can't remember his dream, TAN I don't know, The body twitches. WEST ‘There! DAN Muscle spasm. WEST Watch. They lower their heads to the table height for a closer view. The broken body begins to quiver. DAN is sickened but can't look away. WEST Don't expect it to tango. It has a broken back. It whines piteously, a weaker, paler version of its earlier scream,43. DAN God, why does it make that noise? WEST Birth is always painful. With obvious effort the cat raises its head off the table and opens its eyes. It looks at DAN and life flickers in the eyes. DAN is overwhelmed. DAN It -- it was dead. WEST Twice. A scream, There at the base of the stairs is MEG, trembling. DAN and WEST look at each other, then DAN runs to her. DAN Meg, babe, what are you doing her: MEG It's -- him? DAN Come on, let's go upstairs. DAN leads her to the stairs but she looks hack. MEG It's Rufus. How -- They begin up the stairs. TAN I don't know if I can explain it myself. INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY DAN and MEG enter the living room, The apartment is Light with early morning. MEG Dan, what happened?44. DAN It was an experiment, an incredible experiment. Herbert has overcome physical death. MEG is struck, as much by memory as this odd claim. MEG West! Dan, that's why I came. 1 tried to call but no one answered. I was so worried. As soon as 1 could get out, I came. I went through Daddy's files last night. West's professor, Dr. Gruber in Switzerland, died, and for hours afterwards West -- did things to the body. The police had to tear him away. He was in psychiatric observation for months. WEST appears behind them. WEST I tried to save him. They turn to him. DAN turns INT. HALS! DEAN HALS! School. WEST (to. DAN) Now you'll tell Halsey. MEG Damn right we'll tell him, And you'll be out of here so fast your head will unscrew. to her. DAN Let me talk to your father. I'll tell him. EY'S OFFICE - DAY EY site behind the desk in his office at the Medical DAN enters and HALSEY looks up.45. HALSEY Ah, Dan, I thought it was time we talked. DAN (a bit surprised) Uh, yes, sir. HALSEY'S tone is sharp, without ite normal friendly, avuncular note. HALSEY Do you think it's wise, what you're doing? DAN What? HALSEY Dating the dean's daughter. DAN (sheepishly recognizing the irony) I have something very important to discuss with you, Doctor. HALSEY Yes, I've been expecting it. It's about the scholarship, right? DAN Herbert West has effected reanimation in dead animal tissue. HALSEY Mr. Cain, I'm surprised. DAN I've seen it, sir. He brought a dead animal subject -- a cat -- back to life. HALSEY How long had the cat been dead?46. DAN I don't know. A few minutes. HALSEY Unless it had been dead for more than twelve minutes, any adrenaline derivative could have produced the same result. The cat was not clinically dead. If it was dead at all. DAN Dr. Halsey, I've read Herbert's notes. Their conclusions are irrefutable. HALSEY I hadn't expected such nonsense from you, Mr. Cain, but I should have guessed when you took up with Mr. West. TAN Doctor, I know he's unstable. I've seen the results, and so has your daughter. HALSEY stares, then glares at him. HALSEY What have you been doing with my daughter? TAN She walked in on an experiment -- HALSEY You've involved Megan in your insanity? TAN We never intended her to --47. HALSEY Tomorrow morning you will submit to me a written apology for this entire affair. These "experiments" were clearly beyond the scope of your legitimate studies and have obviously interfered with your ability to do your class work. If any equipment from the laboratories of the hospital of Miskatonic University was involved in this unauthorized activity, criminal charges may be pressed. You will, in any case, have your student loan rescinded. DAN My loan? But sir, I won’t be able to continue -- HALSEY At least you won't have expulsion on your record. You can have a medical career -- somewhere. DAN Doctor Halsey, that's not fair. I've worked hard. My grades -: HALSEY Mr. West need submit no apology. You may tell him that he can now continue his “research” without the impediment of an education. As of now he is no longer a student of this University. DAN can’t we discuss this, sir? You're letting your emotions blind you. HALSEY That will be all, Mr. Cain.DAN Looks 48. DAN (giving up} Don't take it out on Meg. She tried to stop me. HALSEY That will be ALL. at him, coldly, then leaves. INT. CORRIDOR (AT HALSEY'S OFFICE] - DAY DAN walks out of the office and into the corridor where MEG, waiting on a bench, runs to him, His look stops her mid- stride. MEG takes MEG I'll talk to him. TAN It won't matter. his hand. MEG He listens to me. DAN I’ve got to talk to Herbert. MEG You've got to avoid him, at all costs. Daddy's angry now, but hell listen to me. He likes yous he always has. But you've got to separate yourself from West. DAN Don't you understand what he's done, what we could do? MEG What about what we could do? He looks into her eves, strokes her cheek.