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Misdirections
Premiered December 1, 2003 Perceptions -- Act II, Scene 2 The scene opens with FRED sitting at the table, with KELLY leaning over and talking to him. SCOTT is at his desk working over reports, correlating them, etc. SCOTT occasionally looks up to check on the progress of KELLY’s experiment with FRED. As the lights go up, FRED is already humming “Old Man River” (can serve as a light cue), even while KELLY is talking. KELLY The object of this experiment, Fred, is to see if you can make the object move on the table by sheer mental powers alone. FRED says nothing, but smiles and continues to hum. KELLY I realize that this is somewhat different from what we’ve done before, but the project is modifying some of its experiments in order to be able to draw some definite conclusions. FRED shakes his head as if he understands, but continues to hum and say nothing. KELLY looks up and with just a hint of frustration, says: KELLY I think we can probably do without the humming. FRED Good idea. (looking around the room) Where’s it coming from anyway? KELLY It seems to be gone now. FRED Whew! That’s a relief! That humming was driving me crazy! Can’t have it interfering with the test. KELLY Right. Now do you understand what we want you to try to do? FRED (putting his finger on the object, and starting to move it slightly) Sure. Move this here object. KELLY Without touching it. FRED (quickly removing his hand) Right. KELLY With mental powers only. FRED Right. FRED's face takes on an expression of heavy concentration. He states at the object, as KELLY watches. FRED's breathing becomes heavier and his face constantly more intent as he continues to stare at the object. SCOTT, noticing FRED's strenuous efforts, gets up and moves to the table to observe as well. Then, while FRED is maintaining his intensity, he says: FRED I'm ready whenever you are. KELLY We’re ready now, Fred. Go ahead and start. FRED Right. FRED’s expression of concentration becomes even more intense. His hands go to each side of the table, and with his arms straight and tense, FRED begins to stare at the object with extreme intensity. [In the following attempts, FRED makes it a point not to do anything overt or blatantly obvious to KELLY or SCOTT. At the same time, FRED fails to conceal anything.] Slowly he begins to blow at the object, starting with only a slight breath and then increasing it to a maximum. When that doesn’t work, FRED begins to inhale, and tries to suck the object toward him. After one or two episodes of extremely heavy breathing, FRED begins to lift the table with his arms, in order to get the object to slide. The lift is intended to be very subtle, but is quite obvious to everyone, including the audience. KELLY gently pushes down on the table, nullifying FRED’s efforts. FRED appears not to notice. Then with KELLY and SCOTT obviously aware of it, FRED hooks the legs of the table with his legs and then jerks the table toward him. The inertia of the object is such that it appears to move on the table. SCOTT and KELLY can only look at each other with resignation. With the object moved, FRED reverts back to his normal manner. FRED Boy! That’s a relief! KELLY How so? FRED Didn’t know for sure if inertia still worked. SCOTT You were concerned inertia might not work? FRED Yup. Life just wouldn’t be the same without inertia. SCOTT Probably not. FRED (suddenly rising) Well, time to go! KELLY I think we’re finished here. FRED So long. FRED goes to the door and opens it, just as DICK and ESTHER appear in the doorway, ready to knock. FRED makes a sweeping gesture with his hand, welcoming the newcomers. FRED Come in, come in. We’ve been expecting you. DICK Hi, Fred. Didn’t know you were still here. (to KELLY) I hope we’re not too early. Esther was rather anxious. ESTHER (smiling seductively) I’m always raring to go. FRED shuts the door behind DICK and ESTHER, and stays in the room. FRED Be seeing ya! FRED then crosses over toward the couch, and then turns back to the others. FRED Mind if I stay and watch? Still bewildered by everything FRED does, KELLY shakes her head. KELLY No. FRED Good. FRED lays down on the couch, and very quickly curls up in order to go to sleep. ESTHER (watching FRED) Should he be here? KELLY I don’t think he is. SCOTT Kelly, why don’t you show Esther the experiment. KELLY Good idea. Why don’t you sit down, Esther? ESTHER Sure! Anything to help. KELLY This experiment is particularly straight forward. ESTHER You want me to use my mental powers to move the object, right? KELLY Yes. There can be no... ESTHER Physical connection. I think that’s obvious. (smiling at SCOTT) So, if you’re both ready, I’ll start. KELLY (somewhat at a loss for words) Go ahead. ESTHER Watch carefully. ESTHER bends over and begins to stare at the object. Her hands go to either side of the table, her arms straighten, and her whole body tenses. ESTHER pulls out all the stops as she grimaces, sweats, jerks her head back and forth (but always keeping her eyes on the object), and generally goes through every form of contortion known to the golf putter, pool player and/or pin ball player. Then dramatically, the object begins to move. [The movement is accomplished with magnets. ESTHER’s upstage hand will have access to a knob, which moves a magnet on a track under the table (well hidden). As the magnet moves, the metal object will also move.] After a few inches one way, ESTHER rolls it back. Slowly a big smile crosses her face, while the others gasp and stare in amazement. Then relaxing from her “intense effort”, ESTHER straightens and looks around for her applause. ESTHER I trust everyone saw that. KELLY Amazing. DICK The son-of-a-bitch really moved!! SCOTT: That’s really incredible! ESTHER And with no trick cameras! ESTHER allows herself a broad, victorious smile. Then she wipes her brow. ESTHER Still, the effort is exhausting. So, if you have no further, immediate need for me, I think I’ll go home and rest. KELLY Well, I suppose there’s nothing more to do right now. ESTHER rises and moves to the door, feeling very good about herself. ESTHER Should you need further demonstrations, don’t hesitate to call me. Oh, by the way. You’ll probably want to include Geraldine Murphy when we get together to plan my future participation in the project. KELLY Ms. Murphy? SCOTT Future participation? KELLY You mean the funding agency representative? But why? ESTHER (at the door, with mock surprise) Ms. Murphy is the only one authorized to commit funds. I can hardly continue to work without a long term contract. Duh. Still smiling, ESTHER turns and leaves the room through the office door. DICK “Long term contract”!? KELLY What was that all about!? SCOTT She wants to be paid for her efforts. With a long term contract. KELLY But that’s ridiculous! DICK To be paid for her efforts!? KELLY I mean... It’s not like she’s a professional. SCOTT And just what constitutes an “ESP professional”? KELLY I suppose, one who has demonstrated competence in the... KELLY’s voice trails off as she realizes that ESTHER has just demonstrated her qualifications. KELLY Oh. DICK Why is it that I’m beginning to have doubts about sweet young Esther? SCOTT Probably because you’ve seen her kind before. KELLY You think she tricked us? SCOTT Always a possibility. DICK I wonder how she did that. DICK glances under the table. Suddenly, FRED yawns loudly and swings his feet to the floor. He stretches and then itches his sides. His face goes through various contortions as he awakens. DICK looks at FRED for just a moment. Then he motions to FRED. DICK Our “observer”. FRED Boy, I sure do envy Esther. FRED rises and starts for the closet door. FRED If I had known we could use magnets... Then he turns back to the others for just a moment. FRED I would have done a lot better. With that, he opens the closet door and “exits” into the closet, closing the door behind him. SCOTT and DICK Magnets!? Quickly, SCOTT and DICK grab the table and turn it on its side, the top directly facing the audience. Grabbing at the corners, they remove a fake bottom. Slowly DICK’s head rises from the table to look at the audience, while SCOTT falls back to sit on the floor. DICK is totally disgusted. DICK Magnets! KELLY I don’t believe it! SCOTT (rising) The magnets I would believe. Esther’s another case. KELLY But I can’t believe that she would... cheat! SCOTT Just how much checking on Esther did you do when she joined the project? KELLY It was a complete background check. I guess. Professor Karnablowsky was in charge of checking the candidate’s prior history. SCOTT But you made no checks yourself? Personally? KELLY No. Why do you ask? SCOTT Because Esther has a history of questionable activities. I called some of my buddies at other institutions with which Esther has been involved. The general consensus was that she was a con artist. Nothing documented. Just their informal, unvarnished opinions. Nobody could every prove anything against her, but suspicions were quite strong. KELLY How long have you known this? SCOTT I found out yesterday. KELLY And you didn’t bother to tell me? SCOTT I didn’t bring it up before, because I had nothing concrete. I know how you hate scientifically unsupported opinions. KELLY This is supposed to be a team effort! Teams share information! But maybe you thought it would be more fun to make me look like a fool! SCOTT I wasn’t trying to make you look bad! Don’t be so overly sensitive! KELLY Sensitive!? You do nothing to prevent my being taken in by Esther, and you call me overly sensitive!? Perhaps you need a few lessons in sensitivity! Not to mention... cooperation! SCOTT Kelly, this is ridiculous! You’re really blowing this all out of proportion! KELLY I’m what!? SCOTT I’m trying to keep you out of trouble! You seem to need all the help you can get! KELLY Oh I do, do I!? Well don’t bother!! With that, KELLY turns and leaves via the office door, slamming it behind her. SCOTT I won’t!! DICK You certainly handled that situation well. SCOTT What!? DICK Do professors takes lessons in diplomacy and tact, or is it a natural talent? SCOTT Diplomacy!? You must be kidding! She’s absolutely outrageous! DICK On the other hand, the fact that the two of you seem to have so much trouble getting along, does tend to make it inevitable that you’ll soon get together. SCOTT Kelly and I? That’s absurd! DICK That’s the way it always works. SCOTT That’s idiotic!! SCOTT glances at the door, unsure of himself. After a brief pause, SCOTT acts. SCOTT Still, I’d better go and get her. Can’t have her mad right now. Too much to do. DICK See what I mean? SCOTT It’s not what you think! DICK: Of course not. Realizing that DICK is beyond convincing, SCOTT changes the subject. SCOTT If Shari shows up while I’m gone, start her on a test. DICK Anything in particular? SCOTT I don’t care. DICK Right. SCOTT exits the center door. DICK And you and Kelly have fun, ya hear? As the office door shuts, FRED re-enters from the closet, carrying a large dog bone. The sound of a happy dog barking comes from the closet (as opposed to a ferocious dog in all other cases). The barking ceases as FRED closes the closet door. FRED starts across the room toward DICK and the office door. As he does so, he holds the bone where DICK can see it. FRED Found the bone! FRED opens the office door, just as SHARI starts to knock. DICK (to FRED) I didn’t know it was lost. FRED salutes SHARI with the bone. With SHARI starting to smile broadly, FRED passes SHARI in the hall and exits. SHARI enters and shuts the door. SHARI What was lost? DICK Fred’s bone. SHARI I think I missed something. When DICK does not respond, SHARI playfully approaches him. SHARI Ready to test me? DICK Sure. We’ll start... SHARI (smiling and sitting at the table) I don’t do telekinesis. When DICK looks at her, she replies with quiet assurance. SHARI Cards would be fine. DICK Cards. Oh. Okay. Uh... SHARI The middle cabinet. DICK Right! DICK opens the middle cabinet and retrieves the deck of numbered cards. SHARI waits patiently as DICK readjusts the tape recorder wheels and then sits back down with the cards. DICK Here’s what we’ll do. SHARI Seventeen. DICK What? SHARI Seventeen. The number of the first card is seventeen. DICK looks at the first card, notes that it is seventeen, and then flicks the card over his shoulder, as if frustrated by his inability to control the conversation. DICK Apparently, you understand the directions. SHARI Twelve, seven, twenty eight, and yes, I’ve always known. DICK takes a quick glance at the cards, as he verifies each of the numbers. DICK Twelve, seven, twenty-eight... Suddenly, DICK looks up. DICK How long...? Then he realizes his question has already been answered. DICK gestures to the cards. DICK You’ve done this before, right? SHARI Boring, isn’t it? DICK Boring!? I think it’s... SHARI Exciting? Not really. Being able to anticipate everything can be nice, but mostly it’s just boring. There are no surprises, no suspense. I always know what’s going to happen before it does. DICK How far... SHARI Usually I can anticipate what is going to happen by several minutes. If someone tries to surprise me, I have to be very patient and wait for them to get to the punch line, and then act surprised. Sometimes I forget to wait. And sometimes it’s just confusing. The immediate future and immediate past tend to get all mixed up. For a moment SHARI looks sad and DICK looks blank. Then DICK abruptly leans over the table and kisses SHARI -- a long and hearty kiss. When their lips part, SHARI is clearly shocked. Then she begins to smile with delight and surprise. SHARI Wow! I didn’t see that coming at all!! DICK glows at his coup. Then SHARI attacks him in return and really plants one on. As they part, DICK staggers back, while SHARI continues to beam. DICK I don’t think I saw that one coming either. Abruptly, as SHARI watches, confused and surprised, DICK leaps up and begins to run around the room, seemingly at random. SHARI What are you doing? DICK I’m confusing you again. Abruptly, he turns and kisses her again. When they part DICK begins wandering about the room again, in yet another manner. SHARI displays absolute delight -- DICK’s total lack of normalcy makes him irresistibly exciting to her. SHARI You’re so abnormal, so unexpected, so crazy! You’re wonderful!! SHARI grabs his leg, as he approaches, whereupon DICK yawns heavily, and looks extremely bored. SHARI shows sudden concern. SHARI What’s wrong!? Did I say something wrong? DICK Where? SHARI “Where”? Then she realizes that he is still attempting to confuse her. SHARI Oh. Now I see. And I love it! DICK Indians! No longer confused, SHARI smiles instead, and plays along with DICK. Quietly, but with strong emotion, she replies: SHARI Where? DICK Right! DICK drops to one knee to give SHARI a long, lingering kiss. SHARI I know what’s going to happen next. And I promise not to be bored. They both stand, excited by the anticipation. As they head toward the couch, SHARI close behind DICK, DICK tries to maintain his abnormal appearance. DICK Energy equals mass times the velocity of light squared. She turns DICK and pulls him to her by grabbing his lapels. SHARI God, but I love crazy! She kiss his ferociously again. Then suddenly, with her hands still on his lapels, she abruptly pulls back from the kiss, pushes DICK back and turns to the audience. Her surprised expression turns to dismay and she bemoans her fate. SHARI Darn!! Throwing up her hands, she turns and walks back to the table, clearly frustrated. DICK is absolutely mystified. DICK What’s wrong? There is a KNOCK at the door, which DICK quickly notes and then realizes the reason for SHARI’s abrupt change in mood. DICK Ohhh. SPY enters through the office door, dressed as a pizza delivery man and carrying a large pizza. SPY Pizza! DICK Pizza!? (to SHARI) Did you order a pizza? SHARI Who cares!? All I know is I’m hungry!! DICK Yeah. I know what you mean. SHARI sits at the table and accepts the pizza from SPY. Just before she opens the box, she says: SHARI And I really love pepperoni!! As SHARI undoes the tape holding the pizza box closed, SPY whips out his camera to take her picture. DICK notices the movement, but does nothing immediately, not fully realizing what is happening. Then as SPY clicks his artfully concealed camera, SHARI opens the pizza box, just in time to block SPY’s picture of SHARI. SPY almost throws up his hands at being denied SHARI’s picture, and also drops his camera at the same time. But then, SPY catches the camera and undaunted, decides to try again. Moving closer and around the table, SPY tries to get into a better position. But by now DICK has caught on and interferes by whipping out his wallet and moving between SHARI and SPY. Meanwhile SHARI begins to eat. DICK Here! Let me pay for this. (looking directly at SPY) How much? SPY What? SPY realizes that he has no idea of how much to charge for the pizza. Looking forlornly at DICK, SPY makes a quick guess. SPY Five dollars? Recognizing that the price is a bargain, DICK smiles and hands a five dollar bill to SPY. DICK Fine. SPY’s eyes light up as he receives the unexpected bonus. SPY Thanks. ANN enters through the office door, with a perfunctory knock. ANN Hi! Where’s Professor Conner? SPY’s back is turned toward ANN. At ANN’s entrance, SPY automatically stiffens as he recognizes the voice. Acting quickly, SPY makes his way to the office door and escapes, keeping his back to ANN. ANN only obliquely notices the abrupt departure of the “pizza man”. Instead she is more interested in the pizza. ANN Pizza!! Oh wow! How I love pizza! ANN grabs a piece, notes that it’s pepperoni and frowns slightly. ANN Not too crazy about pepperoni though. Immediately, she stuffs it into her mouth and takes a big bit, apparently undisturbed that it’s pepperoni. Watching SPY’s hasty departure, DICK motions to the pizza and invites ANN to partake. DICK Feel free to have a piece. ANN Thanks. Man! Am I hungry! SHARI I know what you mean! Suddenly, between bites, ANN sniffs the air. She smiles slightly and looks at DICK suspiciously. ANN Are you wearing aftershave? DICK No. Why do you ask? ANN Because I can smell it. DICK Maybe it was the pizza man. ANN glances at DICK for just a moment, considering the idea. Then as the idea that the pizza man is SPY hits her with full force, she growls like Cookie Monster: ANN Pizza man!!!?? DICK is unaware of ANN’s revelation. DICK Why did you want to see Professor Conner? ANN (halfway out the door) Later! ANN rushes off, shutting the door behind her. From off stage, she yells: ANN Pizza man! Wait! SHARI This pizza is great! DICK's mind is apparently somewhere else. DICK Yeah. Then he turns to look intently at SHARI. DICK Shari? SHARI Hmmmm? DICK Why did you tell me about your talent? SHARI Why not? DICK Didn’t it occur to you that I might, somehow take advantage of the information? SHARI Not you. Maybe others, But not you. DICK How can you be so sure? SHARI looks at him with a knowing grin. DICK suddenly remembers her talent. DICK Oh, yeah. Still, I don’t like the idea of your telling people about it. SHARI Oh? DICK No. Someone might want to... use you. SHARI Are you concerned for me? Looking at her lovingly, he answers with something of a grimace. DICK Of course, I am. But you already know that. SHARI I know, but I wanted to make sure you knew. As DICK leans over for a kiss, SHARI puts her finger to his lips. SHARI I’d like to do a lot better than a kiss, but... DICK But what? SHARI Someone’s coming. DICK Oh. Then DICK gives SHARI a quick kiss on the lips. The door opens and SCOTT and KELLY enter. Both are somewhat quiet, as if just having completed a truce. DICK’s attitude immediately becomes very business-like. DICK I think that will be all for now, Ms. Cetera. (turning to the new arrivals.) We were just finishing up. KELLY Good. Richard should be here in a minute. SCOTT (seeing the pizza box) What were you just finishing? SHARI I’ll be going now. DICK See you later. SHARI (to DICK) Later. As SHARI moves to the door, she stops and addresses KELLY, with noticeable understanding in her voice. SHARI I hope you’re feeling better. KELLY Why thank you. I think. SHARI exits with one last, loving glance at DICK. SCOTT notices the gestures between SHARI and DICK, but says nothing, only giving DICK a questioning look. KELLY simply looks mystified over SHARI’s last statement. As the door shuts, DICK turns to the others. DICK I’m afraid that Ms. Cetera was a bit of a wash out. SCOTT Oh, really!? KELLY Why do you say that? DICK Nothing on the telekinesis, so I ran her through the cards. There was no statistical correlation at all. She either has no talents, or she is very clever at disguising it. Frankly, I don’t think she is the one we’re looking for. KELLY I’m really rather surprised. I thought that Shari might hold more promise. SCOTT So did I. KELLY Of course, we’ll want to give her some additional tests. Just to be sure. DICK More tests? SCOTT Absolutely. Wouldn’t want to leave any stone unturned. DICK (showing no enthusiasm) Right. KELLY Of course, if Shari is not the one; and if we eliminate Esther for cheating and Fred for... whatever it was that Fred did... SCOTT Then we’re down to Richard. KELLY You think Richard might be who we’re looking for? SCOTT glances at DICK. SCOTT Who knows? DICK’s face lights up as an idea occurs to him. DICK Richard! Yes. Quite possibly, Richard could be the one. SCOTT Possibly. RICHARD knocks at the door. SCOTT Come in. RICHARD (entering) I trust that I’m right on time. SCOTT Precisely, I’d say. DICK welcomes RICHARD with great gusto. DICK Richard!! Good to see you! Just the man we’re looking for! RICHARD (a little surprised at DICK’s warm reception) Well, thanks. I certainly do appreciate... DICK Sit down, sit down. As RICHARD moves to the table, DICK goes around and sits at the downstage end of the table, with his back slightly to the audience. In this position, DICK can hide the cards from the others on the stage, while the audience can easily see the cards. DICK You’re familiar with the cards, aren’t you? RICHARD Well yes, I am. But perhaps I should warn you that I’ve never been particularly good at them. DICK Nonsense. Just takes a little concentration. DICK picks up the cards and shuffles them. DICK Just relax and we’ll get started. KELLY (aside to SCOTT) I’ve never seen Dick so enthusiastic about giving a test. SCOTT (aside to KELLY) I think I know why. KELLY (aside to SCOTT) Why? SCOTT (aside to KELLY, lifting his finger to hold off her question.) In a minute. Both SCOTT and KELLY turn to observe the test. DICK sets the shuffled deck down, and picks up the first card, such that the audience can see the card. DICK Okay, Let’s try the first one. RICHARD (totally unsure of himself) Six? [Throughout the following sequence, RICHARD’s guesses will invariably not be correct. DICK, on the other hand, will be trying to convince the others that RICHARD is really hitting. RICHARD, in turn, will be continuously amazed by his good fortune.] DICK glances at the first card, and sees that RICHARD’s answer is not even close. DICK tries to salvage it. DICK Close. It was a nine. DICK sets the card down, being careful not to show it to anyone -- other than the audience -- and holds up a second card. RICHARD Gee, I really don’t know. DICK Don’t worry about it. Just give us the first number than comes into your head. RICHARD Twelve. DICK Wow! That’s very good. Yes, very interesting! DICK carefully places the card face down, so the others can’t see it. RICHARD is, meanwhile, becoming increasingly confident with each card. RICHARD Twenty. DICK That’s really incredible!! RICHARD Seventy three. DICK Whoops. Seventy-eight. Looks almost alike though. RICHARD Thirty two? DICK Wow! Another hit! This is really something! The next card is arranged so that RICHARD guesses the next one correctly. RICHARD Thirteen. Seeing that the number is thirteen, DICK almost drops his jaw. He is clearly and genuinely amazed. DICK Holy Cow!! Dick quickly recovers and pulls another card almost expecting a miracle. RICHARD Fifty four. DICK Whew! Then DICK remembers that he is fudging the results. DICK Uh... Close. RICHARD Forty two. DICK Amazing!! SCOTT This is really incredible!! KELLY It really is. DICK I’m really very impressed. As SCOTT moves to come around to DICK’s end of the table, DICK quickly gathers the cards in order to prevent anyone checking his results. DICK But we don’t want to push it. Richard is probably very tired by now. RICHARD Oh I’m fine. DICK Don’t be silly. This sort of thing takes a lot more out of you than you might think. We certainly don’t want to push it. We don’t want to risk anything! RICHARD Risk!? DICK We wouldn’t want to take the slightest chance on maybe causing a problem later on. RICHARD Oh no! I don’t want to take any chances! SCOTT I think I can understand Dick’s concern. KELLY You can? SCOTT Yes. I think that we’ve put Richard through enough already. RICHARD rises and starts for the door. RICHARD In that case I guess I’ll leave now. (at the door) Gee, I’m really feeling pretty good right now. SCOTT You take it easy and get some rest. We’ll be in touch. RICHARD Great. See you later. RICHARD exits. SCOTT continues to look at the closed door, and asks with a slight amount of malice in his voice: SCOTT Tell me, Dick: How many did Richard get right? DICK Well, let’s see. SCOTT How many did he really get right, Dick? DICK Uhhh... I'd say about... one. SCOTT One!? DICK Probably a lucky guess. KELLY What’s going on here? SCOTT Dick has been faking the results. KELLY But why? SCOTT Maybe he’s protecting someone. KELLY Shari? DICK glances at the other two, sheepishly. Then he tries to dismiss the obvious. DICK Well... Just because it’s not Richard, it doesn’t have to be Shari. It could be... Fred. SCOTT Fred? DICK Well hell, I don’t know! KELLY Fred!? DICK All I know is that it’s not Shari! Maybe she can... anticipate things... SCOTT Oh? DICK But she sure as hell didn’t spin that windmill! She doesn't do telekinesis! She told me so, and I believe her! SCOTT I think I believe both of you. KELLY But if it’s not Shari, and not one of the other three... SCOTT Then we don’t know who it is. And we’ve run out of possibilities. KELLY Could one of them be hiding their talents? SCOTT It’s a possibility. But then why would they cause the windmill to rotate in the first place? That hardly contributes to concealing their identity. And someone made that windmill rotate!! KELLY Perhaps they don’t know they have the talent. SCOTT That’s a possibility. However... I’ve finished correlating the results. KELLY And? SCOTT Looks pretty clear. SCOTT turns to the file cabinet and pulls out five files and extends them to KELLY. SCOTT Take a look. KELLY begins to read through the top file. DICK But you still don’t know who it is! SCOTT Actually, that’s not quite true. If you look on the files, each one has a file name. KELLY What do you mean? I haven’t given you the code which tells you which file is whose. SCOTT You didn’t have to. KELLY What!!? SCOTT I broke the code. KELLY You did what!!? SCOTT I broke your code. I’m into computers. Any computer can break a code if you give it enough time. And with all due respect, Kelly, your code was not that tough. Besides, I had a lot of other clues from the raw data. KELLY You broke my code? SCOTT Yes. I’m sorry. DICK And so now you know who the talent is? SCOTT Yes. DICK Shari? SCOTT Of course! DICK Damn! KELLY You broke my code! Why you bastard! You don’t even have a clearance! DICK Kelly! Who gives a rat’s ass about your code? I’m worried about Shari! SCOTT (to DICK) I can understand that. You knew Shari was the one all along. DICK Yeah. KELLY But the results of her test! DICK She got everything right, before I even had the chance to turn the cards over. KELLY Then Shari has precognition? DICK Boy, does she ever!! KELLY That’s very interesting. But it doesn’t mean she necessarily has telekinesis powers. And what we saw with the windmill was not precognition. SCOTT On the other hand, Shari is apparently the only test subject who has any ESP talents. KELLY |
