Give Me Numbers

To Hope,

To Have Hope,

To Live in Hope --

is to form and hold a very particular personal opinion, 

Freely & Consciously held

Intellectually, Philosophically,

Historically and Genealogically, 

with respect to your relationships with/to 

Your Family, and to/with World History --

"Fear. 

Fear attracts The Fearful.

The Strong. 

The Weak.

The Innocent.

The  Corrupt. 

Fear. Fear is My Ally."

— Darth Maul

What if Dreams came True, and you could Be Who You Wanted to Be, and you could Do What You Wanted to Do, and you could Help Who You Wanted to Help. 

What if Dreams came True? And The World opened up, and YOU were never ever afraid. 

What if Dreams came True? 

But Dreams DO come True. 

Don't They?

INT. THE BARTLET RESIDENCE, 1960s - NIGHT Young Jed is knocking on his father's office door - once, twice, three times.

DR. BARTLET [VO] 

Come in.

Dr. Bartlet is sitting in an armchair reading a newspaper, as Jed enters and approaches the other chair.

DR. BARTLET 

[reading] 

"If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you will never learn." 

Is this your quote?

JED 

Dad, uh, I wanted to mention something to you that maybe you weren't aware of regarding salary acquisitions...

DR. BARTLET 

Is this your quote? 

"If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you will never learn."

JED 

It's actually Ray Bradbury.

DR. BARTLET 

And you quoted Ray Bradbury?

JED 

Yes.

DR. BARTLET 

In an article you and your friends wrote, condemning Professor Loomis.

JED 

[sits] 

For banning certain books from The Library, yes.

DR. BARTLET 

He is a Professor of Literature!

JED 

He banned Henry Miller! 

He banned D.H. Lawrence.

DR. BARTLET 

Yes.

JED 

"Giovanni's Room" 'cause it's too homosexual!

DR. BARTLET 

Stop it right now. 

You're a guest at this school.

JED 

I'm a student at this school.

DR. BARTLET 

Jed!

JED 

He banned "Fahrenheit 451," which is about banning books!

DR. BARTLET 

Was that supposed to be funny?

He stands, Jed stands after him.

DR. BARTLET 

That word play you just did there, was that meant to be funny?

JED 

That was supposed to...

Dr. Bartlet slaps him across the face.

DR. BARTLET 

......Was there anything else?

JED 

[quietly, looking away] 

It's not a nondenominational service.

DR. BARTLET 

Don't start with this. 

[walks over to his desk]

JED

Catholics don't believe Man is Saved through Faith Alone. 

Catholics believe that Faith has to be Joined with Good Works.

DR. BARTLET 

You're the only one who seems to mind the service.

JED 

I'm the only one who's Catholic.

DR. BARTLET 

You're Catholic because your mother is, and you're at this school because I'm the headmaster. 

How's that for clever with words? 

[sits down] 

But what was it you came in here to talk to me about?

JED 

Nothing.

DR. BARTLET 

Please close the door behind you.

Jed shuts the door to His Father's Office.

CUT TO: INT. THE OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT 

President Bartlet closes the door behind C.J. in THE OVAL OFFICE. 

Thunder roars. Bartlet walks to lean on his desk, places hands among the many pictures on it. 

Suddenly, The Wind blows the veranda door wide open and rain pours in.

BARTLET 

Ah... Damn it! Mrs. Landingham!

He turns away, realizing she won't Come to His Call, and then The Door opens...

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

[walks in, small and resolute] 

I really wish you wouldn't shout, Mr. President.

BARTLET 

[beat, as he looks at her in disbelief] 

The Door keeps blowing open.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

Yes, but there's an intercom and you could use it to call me at my desk.

BARTLET 

I was...

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

You don't know how to use the intercom.

BARTLET 

It's not that I don't Know How to Use It, 

it's just that I haven't learned yet.

She looks at him and he smiles shyly, as if he's been caught lying.

BARTLET 

I have MS, and I didn't tell anybody.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

Yeah... 

So, you're having a little bit of a day!

BARTLET 

You're gonna make jokes?

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

God doesn't make cars crash, and you know that. 

Stop using me as an excuse.

BARTLET 

[motions her to sit and sits down] 

The Party's not going to want me to run.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

The Party'll come back. 

You'll get ‘em back.

BARTLET 

I've got A Secret for you, Mrs. Landingham —

I've never been the most popular guy in The Democratic Party.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

[sits opposite from him] 

I've got A Secret for you, Mr. President — 

Your Father was a prick who could never get over the fact that he wasn't as smart as his brothers. 

Are you in a Tough Spot? Yes. 

Do I feel sorry for you? I Do Not. 

Why? Because there are people way worse off than you.

BARTLET 

Give Me Numbers.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

I don't know Numbers. 

You give them to me.

BARTLET 

How about a child born this minute has one in five chance of being born into poverty?

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

How many Americans don't have health insurance?

BARTLET 

44 million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

What's the number one cause of death for black men under 35?

BARTLET 

Homicide.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

How many Americans are behind bars?

BARTLET 

Three million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

How many Americans are drug addicts?

BARTLET 

Five million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

And one of five kids in poverty?

BARTLET 

That's 13 million American children.

President Bartlet is talking, and the opposite chair is empty.

BARTLET 

3.5 million kids go to schools that are literally falling apart. 

We need 127 billion in school construction, and we need it today!

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

To say nothing of 53 people trapped in an embassy.

BARTLET 

Yes.

MRS. LANDINGHAM 

You know, if you don't want to run again, I respect that. 

[stands up]

But if you don't run 'cause you think it's gonna be too hard or you think you're gonna lose - well, God, Jed, I don't even want to know you.

Mrs. Landingham walks out and gently closes the Oval Office door behind her. President Bartlet stands, walks into the open door onto the veranda and lets the rain wash over his face.

CHARLIE [VO] Mr President!

Charlie appears with a coat that he's holding unwrapped.

CHARLIE Mr. President, it's time.

Bartlet avoids the coat and walks into another door. Charlie follows him. At his desk, he leaves the coat and takes off his own as well.

The song 'Brothers in Arms' by Dire Straits plays softly.

 These mist covered mountains Are a home now for me, But my home is the lowlands And always will be. Some day you'll return to Your valleys and your farms And you'll no longer burn To be brothers in arms...

Leo joins the President walking. Josh, Sam and Toby follow.

CUT TO: INT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT - NIGHT C.J. is on the podium in front of a filled room.

C.J. And he'll be speaking to that just as soon as he gets here. [Reporters clamoring.] Uh, Frank, then Leslie.

CUT TO: INT. LIMOUSINE - NIGHT The President is in the limo.

 Through these fields of destruction, Baptisms of fire, I've witnessed your suffering As the battles raged higher. And though they did hurt me so bad In the fear and alarm, You did not desert me, My brothers in arms...

CUT TO: INT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

FRANK Has there been any discussion of a Special Prosecutor?

C.J. Tomorrow morning, the President will direct the Attorney General appoint a Special Prosecutor, yes. [Reporters clamor.] I can't see. Joan!

CUT TO: INT. LIMOUSINE - CONTINUOUS The limo is driving in the rain, guards all around it. Leo looks at Bartlet worriedly.

CUT TO: INT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

C.J. A list of three prosecutors is given to a three-judge panel. The prosecutors, as well as the judges, were all appointed by Republican presidents.

Reporters clamor, as Donna and Margaret, pale and dressed in coats, tear through the crowd and stand at a distance.

C.J. Please, I can only answer 14 or 15 questions at once. Hal!

CUT TO: INT. NATIONAL CATHEDRAL - CONTINUOUS A janitor is washing the floor and stumbles upon a cigarette. He lifts it and looks outside as sirens announce the President's passing. Limos and lights are seen through open doors of the Cathedral.

 There's so many different worlds, So many different suns, And we have just one world But we live in different ones...

CUT TO: INT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

C.J. I can't comment on a witness list that doesn't exist, but I imagine subpoenas will be issued to most Senior White House Staff including myself.

Reporters clamor.

CUT TO: EXT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT - CONTINUOUS The President arrives in the rain, slowly walks in. Everyone follows him, no umbrellas are in sight.

 Now the sun's gone to hell And the moon's riding high, Let me bid you farewell - Every man has to die...

Bartlet is given a towel and he wipes his face with it, as he, followed by Charlie, Leo, Toby, Sam, Josh, and several Secret Service agents, heads for the conference room.

CUT TO: INT. THE PRESS CONFERENCE - CONTINUOUS

C.J. Again, I can't comment on what kind of hearings Congress has in mind. I'm sure there'll be one but you'd have to talk to Congress.

Carol gives her a slight nod as she spots the President approaching.

C.J. Okay, here now, the President of the United States.

Everyone stands in silence as Bartlet walks up to the podium. He passes C.J.

C.J. [quietly] First row on your right.

 But it's written in the starlight And every line on your palm We're fools to make war On our brothers in arms...

Bartlet looks over the room. He sees Lawrence Altman, waiting to be called. Instead, he points to the center of the room.

BARTLET Yes, Sandy.

C.J. watches in shock.

SANDY Mr. President, can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?

BARTLET I'm sorry, Sandy, there was a bit of noise there, could you repeat the question?

SANDY Can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?

Charlie, C.J., Josh and Sam, Donna and Margaret, Toby and Leo all watch. Leo turns to the monitor.

LEO Watch this...

They are all waiting, watching, as Bartlet slides his hands off the podium, puts them in his pockets, looks away and smiles.

Smoke

"The sacrifices are burnt on an altar. Why? 

Well, the smoke rises. 

Well, so what? 

Well, God’s up in the sky and if the smoke rises up there, he gets a whiff of it, he can tell what the quality of the sacrifice was. 

Job 5:7

And you can laugh about that and you can think about it as primitive, but it’s not primitive, it’s artistic and it’s beautiful and it’s accurate and here’s why. 

Because before the invention of the electrical light and maybe before the invention of fire, the closest a human could ever get to confrontation with the absolute unknown was to look up at the night sky. 

Because the night sky, especially when it’s sprinkled with stars, confronts you directly with the fact of the infinite. 

And to make the presupposition that God resides in The Infinite, and you’re having a direct experience of The Infinite at that moment, is not a primitive notion. 

It’s a very intelligent and creative hypothesis and so the notion that God occupies the sky, and the day sky being as equally impressive as the night sky, is not a primitive hypothesis. 

It’s a reflection of the nature of a certain kind of human experience. 

You burn something and you send the smoke up. 

God gets a crack at determining the quality of your offering, the quality of your sacrifice. 

Well, let’s be perfectly clear about this. 

If your sacrifices aren’t first rate, the nature of your relationship with the infinite is going to suffer dreadfully. 

And that’s exactly what the story of Cain and Abel reveals."

INT. HOSPITAL -- ELEVATOR DOORS -- MORNING
                         
          The Stones "Sympathy for the Devil" kicks up as we wait...
                         
          The doors split open and HARLING MAYS steps out. HARLING has
          a pony tail and a goatee and is probably wearing a Tommy
          Bahama button down shirt.
                         
          We follow HARLING as he strides down the hall. With ear buds
          in, HARLING points a Sanyo pistol-shaped cam corder at the
          ATTENDING NURSE at the nurses' station, recording her...
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           I'm on the list baby girl. Check
           the list for Mr. Mays. Harling.
                         
          The Stones continue to wail as Harling strolls on, adjusting
          the duffel bag he has slung over his shoulder.
                         
                         
          EXT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
                         
          HARLING stands in the doorway looking in. He sees...
                         
          The MORNING NURSE is helping WHIP to stand. HARLING points
          his camcorder at WHIP and the NURSE.
                         
           HARLING MAYS (O.C.)
           If this is gonna turn into a sponge
           bath, I'll come back.
                         
                          NURSE
                          SIR-
                         
          HARLING immediately goes to WHIP and supports him.
           
                         
                          WHIP
           It's okay, Harling.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           That's right honey, I'm on the
           list. Harling Mays. Some say they
           Harling knew me.
                         
          HARLING boxes her out. She steps away.
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           Honey can you hustle us a couple of
           daiquiris and a cocktail weenie?
           On second thought just bring the
           booze. I brought my own weenie.
                         
          No reaction as the NURSE collects the trash and towels.
          HARLING focuses his camcorder on the NURSE and leaves WHIP in
          an unsteady stance. HARLING films her and comments...
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           She's offended, and she should be. I'm a pig. And I hate me. That's  what we have in common Nurse Ratched...we both hate me.
                         
          And she's gone. HARLING turns to WHIP.
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           Whip? What the fuck my man?
           They're sayin', "Sweet Jesus, what
           a fuckin' stud that pilot is."
           You're a hero, no shit. You will
           never pay for another drink in this
           life time. There is crazy news
           people all over, look at this shit--
                         
          HARLING helps WHIP to the window...
                         
                         
          EXT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- PARKING LOT -- DAY
                         
          From WHIP's window we can see a slew of news vans with signal
          towers as well as reporters milling about -- a small zoo.
                         
                         
          INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- DAY
                         
          HARLING and WHIP stare for a moment at the circus below.
          WHIP doesn't last long and slowly returns to the bed as
          HARLING continues to gawk.
           49.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           Classic hero worship, you're a rock
           star man. You gotta see the video
           I've got -- I'm making a doc about
           you, well us, y'know?
                         
          HARLING pulls an iPad out of his knapsack and flips it open.
          He lets a collection of videos run...
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           This is outside your condo...
                         
          On HARLING's iPad we see footage of PRESS swarming outside
          WHIP's condo. We also see the crash scene footage.
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           Look that's me, and that`s Mark
           Mellon...you know that douchey
           talking haircut from local Atlanta
           channel 3? I said a few words.
           Just straight talk, y'know?
                         
          WHIP's hands shake as he grabs the bed frame. HARLING takes
          notice and stashes the iPad...
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           You okay Captain Whitaker? Easy...
                         
          HARLING helps him get settled. We see the beads of sweat on
          WHIP's lip and forehead.
                         
                          WHIP
           The meds they're giving me are
           fucking me up -- I'm all shaky and
           dried out. I can't sleep good.
                         
          HARLING immediately picks up the small paper cup that holds
          WHIP's pain meds. He fishes out the two pills and stares at
          them. HARLING shakes his head.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           Aprazolam? That's generic Xanax and
           this Hydrocodone is generic
           Vicodin. It's shit, prolly
           Canadian.
                         
          HARLING casually tosses the pills down his gullet and
          expertly swallows them without water. He grabs WHIP's
          medical chart and scours it as he prattles on...
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           We want the premium stuff. Blue
           label...not the fucking well shit.
           Where's the dihydromorphinone?
           
                         
           Or just some fucking Palladone
           would suffice. What is this?
           Fucking amateur hour over here?
           Get that goddamned doctor in here.
           You just saved a 100 people from
           death, they should get your fuckin'
           meds right.
           (calls to the door)
           YO! ROOM SERVICE!
                         
                          WHIP
           Listen Harling, leave it alone.
                          (HARLING CHILLS)
           So you got my message and decided
           not to call me back? Did you bring
           me smokes?
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           I decided to come by instead. And
           yes I got your fucking message and
           yes I brought you smokes.
                         
          HARLING hands WHIP a pack of smokes from his pocket. He also
          pulls out a carton of smokes from his backpack.
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           Here is a fresh carton, enjoy. You
           fucking earned it -- you smoke your
           nuts off, champion. If I were you
           I'd fire up right here in the God
           damn room. Fuck'em, you're
           immortal, you're a fucking God man.
                         
                          WHIP
           Harling...
                         
          WHIP motions with his hands to "calm down."
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           Sorry Whip. It's just...this is
           big time, man. You're a hero in a
           time when we really need heroes.
                         
                          WHIP
           Shut the fuck up, Harling...Six
           people died.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           96 people lived! When are you
           gonna take yes for an answer? Pick
           up the phone, man. Fuck.
                         
          HARLING pulls something from his vest pocket and puts it in
          WHIP'S hand. WHIP looks at it and back at HARLING.
           
                         
           HARLING MAYS (CONT'D)
           Here's a pint of Smirnoff and a few
           Red Bulls. You know what I'm
           sayin'? I know my customer.
                         
          HARLING continues to pull items from the bag.
                         
                          WHIP
           Harling, take the vodka with you.
                         
          HARLING freezes his frenzied energy with this odd command.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           What?! Take the vodka? Dude, are
           you insane? I'm gonna just tuck it
           in the bottom of your-
                         
                          WHIP
           Take the fucking vodka!
                         
          HARLING hears him this time and raises his hand and nods,
          putting the VODKA back in his own duffel. HARLING tosses a
          tee shirt, sweat pants and flip-flops on the bed, then...
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           Okay man. Check it out.
                         
          HARLING holds up a silk Japanese Happi Coat, with elaborate
          stitching depicting colorful birds flying around Mt. Fuji.
                         
                          WHIP
           Look, I'm tired man.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           I'm out. You rest up.
                         
                          WHIP
           You gotta come and get me,
           tomorrow.
                         
          WHIP pulls his keys from the bag that CHARLIE gave him.
                         
                          WHIP (CONT'D)
           Here are my keys. Go to the condo
           and bring me some nice clothes I
           can wear, my phone charger and grab
           the veal outta my fridge. It's
           marked.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           The veal?
           
                         
                          WHIP
           Yeah, the veal that's in my
           freezer.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           Done and done. What time you need
           me here?
                         
                          WHIP
           Tomorrow. I'll call you.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           Send the mayday and you're outta
           here in 7 minutes.
                          (A SMILE)
           I got you a few stroke mags too.
           I've been in hospitals. I know
           what you need. JUGS, HOT MILFS in
           heat. ASSMASTERS. You should just
           stroke it all day. You're a hero --
           know what I'm saying? If I was in
           here I'd be jerkin' it all day
           long. See, there's a smile.
                         
          HARLING puts his hand on WHIP's forehead in an attempt to
          reassure him. A quiet moment before HARLING slips out.
                         
                         
          INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- 11 PM -- SAME EVENING
                         
          WHIP wakes up in a cold sweat. He is breathing heavy as he
          scans the room. LIGHTENING FLASHES from outside the window.
          Thunder RUMBLES.
                         
          WHIP looks to the night stand where we see a pack of nicotine
          gum has been chewed through. WHIP uses his hands to get to
          the edge of the bed. He roots through the duffle bag that
          HARLING left and finds a pack of smokes and a Bic lighter
          still in its package.
                         
          Determined to smoke, WHIP eyes a WHEEL CHAIR that has been
          placed next to his bed. Leaning against the wheelchair is a
          medical cane.
                         
                         
          INT. HOSPITAL -- QUIET HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATER
                         
          Wearing his Happi Coat (or robe), WHIP limps in to the empty
          hallway with the use of his cane. He checks the quiet
          corridor as he begins his quest...
           
                         
          INT. HOSPITAL -- FIRE DOOR -- 11:38 PM
                         
          The door swings open, and no one appears to be on the other
          side. Now WHIP fights to push the heavy door open again to
          slip through. A hand grabs the door and holds it. WHIP
          walks into the sanctity of the stairwell.
                         
                         
          INT. HOSPITAL STAIRWELL -- SAME TIME
                         
          We find the owner of the helping hand was NICOLE who returns
          to a quiet spot along the wall of the stairwell as she
          demurely smokes a cigarette.
                         
                          WHIP
           Thank you.
                         
          WHIP leans his cane against the wall and carefully pulls a
          pack of smokes from his pocket.
                         
                          WHIP (CONT'D)
           I didn't think anyone would have
           the same devious thought about
           using the fire stairs to have a
           smoke...
                         
          NICOLE smiles and looks down, awkward around men when she is
          not loaded. She drops her cigarette which we see was barely
          smoked as she maneuvers to leave.
                         
                          WHIP (CONT'D)
           Don't go. I'll be quiet.
                         
          He offers her a cigarette, she takes it.
                         
                          WHIP (CONT'D)
           We don't have to talk. Be nice to just smoke with someone.

And they do. They sit in silence as the stairwell fills up with smoke. After a long beat...
                         
                          NICOLE
           Were you on the plane?
                         
          WHIP studies her, she's beautiful in an exhausted way...
                         
                          WHIP
           Yeah, I was. Were you?
                         
          Nicole shakes her head.
                         
                          NICOLE
           Where were you sitting?
           
                         
                          WHIP
           Up near the front.
                         
          Again it falls silent as we let them smoke and think in the
          sanctity of the fire stairs.
                         
          A VOICE breaks their silence.
                         
           VOICE (O.S.)
           Tobacco's but an Indian weed, Grows green in the morn, cut down at eve; It shows our decay, We are but clay;...I love the smell of Nicotina in the morning. Smells like...victory.
                         
          We hear a metallic rattle and WHIP and NICOLE look to the
          stairs.
                         
                          VOICE (CONT'D)
           Don't flee dear comrades! Really,
           wait for me, please.
                         
          A GAUNT YOUNG MAN makes his way to their landing. He is dressed in a hospital gown and carrying an I.V. pole on which hangs a small bag of clear liquid. The man's hair has completely left him. His skin is gray. Eyes hollowed from his battle with cancer.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           Can I bum a smoke?
                         
          WHIP offers him a cigarette. He takes it and fires it up with a lighter he keeps stowed in the pocket of his gown.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           I should quit, my cancer might get
           cancer.
                          (SILENCE)
           Joke. You guys in the plane crash?
                         
                          NICOLE
           He was.
                         
          WHIP looks at the ground as the GAUNT YOUNG MAN studies him.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           (it hits him)
           You're the fucking pilot.
                         
          Nicole gives Whip a look.
           55.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           I saw you on TV. Holy shit, man.
           Tough deal, but you walked away or
           it looks like you limped away.
                         
                          WHIP
           Yeah, I'm lucky. Goin' home
           tomorrow.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           Home. Home for me is The Basement,
           they keep cancer treatment in the
           basement. I'm livin' here.
                         
                          WHIP
           You're living here?
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           No. I'm dying here.
                         
                          WHIP
           What kind of cancer?
                         
           

GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           Fibro-mixzoid sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma. Very rare, God chose me.
                         
          GAUNT YOUNG MAN laughs.
                         
                          WHIP
           God chose you? You believe in God?
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           Fuck yeah bitch. You're a stupid fucker if you don't believe in God.
                         
          The GOD topic has silenced the stairwell...
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           As soon as you realize that the
           random events in your life are
           God...you will live a much better
           life. You spend your life
           believing that you have all the
           control over what happens.
           Bullshit. The plane you're flying
           goes down? Out of your control.
           God gives you cancer. I have no
           control over that. Did God give me
           cancer? You bet your ass God gave
           me cancer. You think if I begged
           for cancer God would have given it
           to me?
           56.
                         
           No...because I assure you I have
           begged for God to take it away -
           and guess what? I have no control
           over that.
                         
          GAUNT YOUNG MAN smokes the cig to the nub and rubs the
          remains against the smooth concrete wall.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           Can I get another smoke? What's
           wrong with you honey? You're
           beautiful, do you know that? Do I
           scare you? People either have to
           pretend they don't see me or
           they're drawn to me. It's funny
           because people see me as being
           close to the other side -- they
           feel like I have power or wisdom.
           They think I have the answers. Who
           knows? Maybe I do. Death gives
           you perspective. I lived my life
           so indecisive, in a haze. But now
           that I'm dying everything is so
           clear. It all makes sense somehow.
           I'm sorry but I can't get over how
           beautiful you are? Look at your
           arm, you an addict?
                         
          NICOLE looks at him. She nods.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           What's your name?
                         
                          NICOLE
           Nicole.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           What do you do in the world Nicole?
                         
          She laughs, what a question.
                         
                          NICOLE
           Not much. I was a photographer and
           then I was a masseuse and I wash
           hair at a salon sometimes.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           Where is it? I'll come by, I'm
           easy, you can wash my head.
                          (SHE SMILES)
           Do you think you're gonna die?
                         
          NICOLE laughs to keep from weeping.
           57.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           You're not. You're not gonna die.
                         
          The men watch as NICOLE quietly cries, it's powerful.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           Don't you love her?
                         
                          WHIP
           I don't know her.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           Bullshit, I do. Random act of God?
           Don't think so. Survive a plane
           crash to meet a gorgeous girl in a
           stairwell. Fuck you man.
           (he reflects, then...)
           I'm sure they're looking for me.
           My family just showed up from Utah.
           You know it's bad when they start
           flying in. Every morning is
           special now, I'm so grateful. It's
           a trip, wish I could bottle this
           feeling I have...about how
           beautiful every breath of life is..
                         
          GAUNT YOUNG MAN starts laughing. WHIP joins him.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
           Can I get a smoke for the road?
                         
                          WHIP
           Here's a pack.
                         
           GAUNT YOUNG MAN
           Thank you, I'll pass them out in
           the cancer ward. Take care Nicole,
           you're gonna be okay.
                         
          The GAUNT YOUNG MAN leaves, clanging away with his I.V. pole.
                         
          NICOLE wipes away her tears, we see her hospital bracelet as
          well as her track marks.
                         
                          NICOLE
           Chemo brain. Chemo makes you
           pretty foggy.
                         
                          WHIP
           Yeah?
           
                         
                          NICOLE
           They call it chemo brain, my mom
           used to slur her words and get all
           chatty.
                         
                          WHIP
           Your mom had cancer.
                         
                          NICOLE
           Breast cancer, she was only 54.
                         
          It's quiet.
                         
                          WHIP
           But why'd that guy ask you if you
           were gonna die?
                         
                          NICOLE
           I dunno. I flat-lined twice in the
           ambulance. Heroin addicts who use
           needles tend to die. Especially
           women for some reason.
                         
                          WHIP
           Is that right?
                         
                          NICOLE
           I have a pamphlet to prove it. A
           girl from AA just came to see me --
                          (IT'S QUIET)
           That guy was a trip. He made it
           feel like, I dunno...we were the
           last people left on the planet..
           (drops her smoke)
           ...and together we should save the
           world.
                         
          NICOLE steps on her cigarette and puts the nub in her pocket.
          She begins to leave. WHIP stops her.
                         
                          WHIP
           Well, where should we live? If
           we're gonna save the world, where
           should we do that?
                         
          NICOLE laughs.
                         
                          WHIP (CONT'D)
           What?
                         
                          NICOLE
           You don't want me.
                         
          WHIP laughs.
           59.
                         
                          NICOLE (CONT'D)
           What?
                         
                          WHIP
           You don't want me either.
                         
          NICOLE's laugh tapers off as she senses his honesty.
                         
                          WHIP (CONT'D)
           Where do you live?
                         
                          NICOLE
           Why you wanna come visit? It's
           luxurious.
           (silence between them)
           I live in Bankhead, it's south
           Atlanta, near the bus station.
                         
                          WHIP
           The luxurious bus station?
                         
                          NICOLE
           Yeah.
                         
                          WHIP
           I'll come visit you.
                         
                          NICOLE
           You're sweet.
                         
                          WHIP
           I will. What's your address?
                         
          She measures him.
                         
                          NICOLE
           I live at the Georgian Gardens on
           Taylor street.
                         
                          WHIP
           Georgian Gardens?
                         
                          NICOLE
           Yeah.
                         
                         
                          WHIP
           How long are you staying here?
                         
                          NICOLE
           Trying to stay as long as I can but
           I don't have insurance to cover
           rehab. I'll prolly be out
           tomorrow.
           60.
                         
                          WHIP
           Oh. Okay. And you're a masseuse?
                         
                          NICOLE
           Yeah.
                         
                          WHIP
           What kind of masseuse?
                         
                          NICOLE
           I've been every kind of masseuse
           there is.
                         
          There is strong tension between them. An orderly busts
          through the down the stairs. This breaks their stare.
                         
                          WHIP
           Good luck Nicole.
                         
                          NICOLE
           You too.
                         
          WHIP leaves NICOLE where he found her.
                         
                         
          EXT. ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL HOSPITAL-LOADING DOCK-DAY
                         
          WHIP is wheeled out of a service exit by an ORDERLY who also
          holds the duffle bag of WHIP's stuff around his neck. Whip no
          longer wears the eye patch but has a butterfly bandage over
          his left eye brow.
                         
          HARLING jumps out of his 2001 Cadillac STS and immediately
          takes over, grabbing the duffel bag.
                         
                          WHIP
           Thanks Mike.
                         
          The ORDERLY tries to hand WHIP a medical file. HARLING
          snatches it.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           Yeah, thanks Mike.
           (Harling tips him)
           Here's 20 American.
                         
                          ORDERLY MIKE
           Thanks. Good luck, sir.
                         
          HARLING hugs WHIP who hangs on tight. The ORDERLY spins the
          chair around and heads back inside.
                         
          HARLING uses his key fob to remotely pop the trunk and stow
          Whip's duffel.
           61.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           This is how they get the Stones out
           of Madison Square Garden, man. 4
           smoked black limos fly outta the
           VIP driveway and the fans jump on
           the limos...mayhem. Those limos?
           Empty. Meanwhile, Mick and the boys
           go out the service exit into
           delivery vans -- casual, rock star
           type shit.
                         
           HARLING helps him into the front seat and they pull away.
                         
           The Stones, "Gimme Shelter" starts to play...
                         
           As they drive off, we see media mayhem collected in front of 53
           the hospital. Trucks with towers, cameramen, stringers and
           newscasters add to catering trucks and coffee stands as the
           vultures wait for the carrion of sound bytes and footage of
           survivors.
                         
                         
           INT. HARLING'S CADDY -- DAY
                         
           Whip watches through the rear window -- the "Media Circus"
           disappears as the Caddy rounds a corner. The back seat is
           piled with Whip's clothes, most of them still on hangers.
                         
           HARLING lights a cigarette and hands one to WHIP who takes
           it.
                         
                          HARLING MAYS
           I couldn't find any suitcases so I
           just put your shit in grocery bags.
                         
           HARLING pulls a cold Becks from a cooler on the floor of the
           back seat and uses a bottle opener that's been screwed to the
           dash of his car next to the radio to open the beer. He
           offers the beer to WHIP who waves it off. HARLING gladly
           keeps it for himself... "Gimme Shelter" continues to play...

Dawn's First Gleaming

INT. SUMMERS HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The room is lit with candles now.

We HEAR the ANIMALISTIC BREATHING AGAIN.

Dawn sits on the ground, calmly crushing something in a mortar and pestle.

DAWN

(to the breathing)

I hear you, filth. I know you're 

there.

(casually)

Demon filth. I will cast you out.

My mother needs to talk to me.

And she reaches into the potion and flings it off her fingers like a priest scattering holy water-

AN ANIMAL SCREAMS.

And I haven't even started to chant 

yet. I learned magicks from a kick-

ass witch.

Something unseen KNOCKS DAWN back against a wall. She recovers fast. Starts chanting:

I cast you from this place. It is 

your poison and your bane...

Dawn FLINGS more of the potion.

THE ANIMAL SCREAM SOUNDS AGAIN. A LASH, AS IF FROM A WHIP, SLASHES ACROSS DAWN'S FACE -- the flesh splits wide.

It is your nettles and your scouring 

heat. It is the blade that cuts the 

skin from your flesh...

A LOUD WIND begins, whipping Dawn's hair. The wind SCREAMS.

ALL THE PICTURES AND DECORATIONS FALL OFF THE WALLS.

ALL THE WINDOWS BLOW OUT.

Dawn is huddled in a corner. Her clothes are torn, her face and body are bloodied -- more LASH MARKS ALL OVER HER.

The wind is howling and whipping everything around the room.

She has been chanting over this noise for a long time.

DAWN

(shouting hoarsely)

I cast you out with every prayer from 

every god that walks the earth or 

crawls beneath.

She flings more potion.

ANOTHER SCREAM, MORE ANGUISHED.

Something unseen GRABS DAWN'S HEAD AND SLAMS IT BACK INTO WALL, OVER AND OVER, as she continues:

I cast you out with the strength of 

those who love me. I cast you out 

with the strength I have inside me--

DAWN SPITS BLOOD FROM HER MOUTH...

The WIND BLOWS LOUDER!

And I cast you out into the void!

And she THROWS the entire container of potion.

WE HEAR HORRIBLE DEATH NOISES.

That's right! Die, you bastard!

THE WALLS ARE SUDDENLY SPLASHED, EXLODED-ONTO WITH BLOOD, THICK CLOTS OF IT UP TO HEAD-HIGH. THEN IT VANISHES, SUCKED AWAY, AS THE DEATH-SCREAMS RATTLE AWAY TO NOTHING.

And it is QUIET. The wind has stopped. Everything stops blowing around.

Dawn, realizing she's won, collapses to the ground.

The LIGHT CHANGES... suddenly there's a golden glow. Dawn looks up, blinking into the light. We see that Dawn's wounds have healed, but her hair is tangled, her face is wet with tears and streaked with blood.

DAWN'S POV: IT'S JOYCE...

She's ethereal, glowing from the inside, translucent even. She's wearing something flowy and white.

Dawn starts to cry and shake with the relief of everything.

DAWN (cont'd)

(a whisper)

Mom.

JOYCE

Things are coming, Dawn. Listen. 

Things are on their way. I love you. 

And I love Buffy. But she will not 

be there for you.

DAWN

What? What are you--

JOYCE

There will be choosing to be done. 

And when it is very bad, Buffy will 

not choose you. She will be against 

you.

Joyce is FADING AWAY, leaving Dawn in darkness.

DAWN

No! Don't go! God! Don't go!

But Joyce is gone.

BIG WIDE SHOT OF DAWN on the ground, rumpled and tangle-haired, tear-and-blood-streaked, in the dark and devastated room - broken TV, smashed CD player, broken lamp, broken windows, and a big heap of disturbing advice.