CLONEBOGGLE
A SCREENPLAY
BY
Ruefulcountenance
INT. SCIENCE LAB, AFTERNOON
Three scientists, one a female, are working in a lab with two German Sheppard's. The dogs are hooked up to an elaborate network of wires and electrodes that are connected to computers and other monitoring devices.
One dog is nervous and agitated, he yelps.
The other dog is calm and sits patiently.
The dogs are in cages about thirty feet apart.
The two male scientists finish hooking up the dogs and move to separate workstations.
The female scientist is entering data into a computer. She looks up.
DR. KATZ
Are we ready to go? Assess and evaluate?
DR. GREEN
Ready to go if you are.
DR. KATZ
Good.
Looking at a monitoring camera.
DR. KATZ
Comparative mind function test number one between Rex No.1 and Rex
No.17.
She types a couple words into her computer and hits enter.
The lights flicker then stop.
Rex No. 1 rolls on his side unconscious.
Rex. No. 17 sits up and calmly watches the scientists.
DR. KATZ
What the hell happened? That's not supposed to happen. Dr. Green?
Dr. Green tending to older dog.
DR. GREEN
The old boy seems to be in a deep coma. The brain read outs show
minimal brain function. Barely enough to sustain life. Heart and lung
function normal.
DR. KATZ
Dr. Wong what have you got.
DR. WONG
Very strange….brain read outs Dr. Katz. His brain pattern is quite
different. His signature read outs ….. let me check with Dr. Green.
Dr. Wong goes over to Dr. Greens work station. He enters some data into the computer.
The computer screen shows a spilt screen with wave patterns. The wave patterns are identical.
DR. WONG
Gee I don't believe this. Dr. Green come here! Confirm this for me.
Dr. Green looks at the computer screen. He shakes his head and re-enters the data.
DR. GREEN
Dr. Katz this is unbelievable. I'll….come here, come here. Rex 17 is
giving us a Rex 1 brain signature read outs.
Dr. Katz hurries to the others. She looks in disbelief.
DR. Katz
Lets get analyzing boys this is incredible. This could be…. Lets find out
what happened…. Until we know for sure keep it between us. Dr. Wong
we will go over the computer data, Dr. Green take care of the dogs and
then join us.
EXT. OUTSIDE RESEARCH BUILDING – EARLY EVENING.
Dr. Katz is pacing back and forth. Very upbeat - whistles a tune from Snow White.
A chauffer driven car drives up. She runs to it. An elderly man tall, thin and gaunt gets out. They embrace as friends.
DR. KATZ
I'm so glad you could come Merle I've got some very exciting news.
MERLE
I hope it's good Ronnie. We had guests tonight and Mildred is not happy
that I left her alone with them. Tell me about it.
DR. KATZ
Come in.
She takes him by the arm and leads him into the building.
INT. DR. KATZ'S OFFICE.
Dr. Katz is behind her desk. Merle is sitting in a chair across from her. She hands him a file.
DR. KATZ
In a nut shell we had an experiment go wrong. Whether it was a computer
malfunction or human error we're not sure yet but the result is truly
amazing. While trying to compare the brain activity between Rex 1 and
one of his clones Rex 17 we inadvertently transferred Rex 1's personality
his memories, his identity into Rex 17.
MERLE
What happened to Rex 17?
DR. KATZ
He seems to have been absorbed…There's more. We've reversed the Process.
We sent Rex 1 back and forth between the two bodies. We then tried the
Process out on other clones…It worked with them too. Each time the clone personality
disappeared and when Rex 1 is transferred out the body seems to go into a deep sleep.
MERLE
And no perceptible harm has come to Rex 1 at all? He seems normal?
DR. KATZ
Perfectly. There's more. We flew Rex 17 to our Laboratory in London
England. We were able to transfer Rex 1 into Rex 17 in the time it takes to
make a phone. We flew Rex 5 to Montreal. We then transferred Rex
1 from Rex 17 into Rex 5 and then from Rex 5 into Rex 7 here and then
from Rex 7 back into Rex 1. All of the transfers were accomplished
almost as easily and as quickly as making a phone call.
Merle stands and walks over to a plate glass window that looks out into the laboratory.
Dr. Wong who is working on an unconscious Rex 1 looks up and waves at Merle. He puts a stethoscope to the dogs chest and listens.
Merle turns from the window and looks back at Dr. Katz
MERLE
Are you saying that the clone personalities are gone and that their bodies
are living receptacles waiting for the original personality to be transferred
into them?
DR. KATZ
That is what we are doing. We are doing it with clones of varying ages and
it does not seem to make any difference at all.
Merle turns and looks out the window again.
MEREL
Just Rex 1? Are there others?
DR. KATZ
There are. We have three other dogs, two sheep and four chimpanzees in
the system now. At this point we have a 100 percent success rate.
She leans back puts her feet up on her desk and waits for him to turn around.
MERLE
Is that Rex 1?
It is.
MERLE
Where is he…really?
DR. KATZ
He's in Rex 5 in Montreal.
Merle turns back to Dr. Katz.
MERLE
Can you get them on the video-link in Montreal and transfer him back
here, I've got to see this.
Dr. Katz presses a button on the intercom.
DR. KATZ
Dr. Wong will you get us on line to Montreal – Video please and have
them transfer Rex home immediately. We want to see it.
Dr. Wong, without a word leaves the dog and moves over to his computer. He types in a few words and a video screen in the lab as well as one in Dr. Katz's office come to life. Dr. Wong puts on a headset.
The video screen shows a tall dark haired scientist standing with his hands in his lab coat pockets.
He is in a laboratory.
DR. WONG
Hi Francis. We would like you to transfer Rex 1 home now and show it, we have company.
With a French accent.
FRANCIS
Sure thing Gerry just give me a moment.
Francis disappears from the screen and the picture of an alert sitting dog comes up. Francis comes into the picture and starts plugging some wires into the dogs collar.
Merle is watching intently.
DR. KATZ
The dogs have two small implants just beneath their scalp for perfect
contact… but it's not necessary.
Francis looks up at the camera.
FRANCIS
Lay down Rex.
The dog lays down.
FRANCIS
Ready Gerry.
The video screen splits to show both dogs.
DR. WONG
Ready here, transmit now.
The screen shows Rex 5 going limp and Rex 1 coming to life and sitting up.
MERLE
I'll be damned. What's next?
DR. KATZ
You are one of the few people on the planet who has clones Merle. You
Have one that is 12 and a couple that are younger. Also you are dieing and
your clones cannot help you in time. I am positive we can put you, your
personality and your memories and all your knowledge and experience
into your 12 year old clone…. I don't think you will lose a thing except
for a diseased old body….. We can try it on some one else first if you like.
MERLE
No I've got little to lose. What about the boy, what becomes of him?
That….we wont know for sure until you tell us.
MERLE
You think you can really do this….It seems too …incredible …When?
DR. KATZ
We're batting 'a thousand'. I am as positive as I can be about this. Be
reassured Merle….You will be reborn. Once the boy gets here we can
make the transfer in a matter of a few moments. Where is the boy?
MERLE
He lives with my grandson and his wife …up by the university.
DR. KATZ
We could do it now…as soon as you can get him here.
Merle sits down. He winces in pain. He beckons. Dr. Katz goes over to him.
She Kneels on one knee and puts a hand on his shoulder.
Merle looks down at her.
DR. KATZ
There is no need for you to be in pain anymore. Lets get him here so we
can deepfreeze this old carcass.
Merle pulls a cel phone from his pocket and dials.
MERLE
Greg is that you?.… Look, I need you to bring Ben to the Grenada
(Pause) Research Laboratories as soon as possible?…. I'll explain when you get
here….Good, see you in a little while then.
Merle hangs up and immediately re-dials.
Merle cups his hand over the phone and nods at
MERLE
I'll get my lawyer here too. I've got some documents to sign…Just in
case..
INT. F.B.I. HEADQUARTERS. SKINNERS OFFICE
Skinner is sitting at his desk leafing through some papers.
There is a knock at his door.
He looks up quickly.
SKINNER
Come in.
Mulder and Scully enter. Mulder Drops something Scully moves toward a chair.
SKINNER
You've had a chance to read my brief?
MULDER
Brief but to the point sir….
Scully frowns. Mulder continues.
Anyway… At least 32 scientists, all employed by
Grenada Industries were simultaneously murdered last night and all the
data in their labs as far as we can tell, has been deleted.
Skinner moves to a window. Looks out.
SKINNER
What, if anything have you turned up on Merle Graves.
MULDER
He went to school with your father didn't
Skinner sits in his chair and rubs his eyes.
SKINNER
Damn it Mulder that's not what I want…you know what…
MULDER
Sorry sir we've booked a flight into Chicago to talk to the CEO of Grenada Industries….names
Pulls a piece of paper from his pocket.
Robert Vyvey.
Scully stands up.
SCULLY
Robert Vyvey has just recently taken the Helm at Grenada Industries,
sir. Just prior to Merle Graves having himself frozen. As you know sir he
was very ill with cancer.
SKINNER
Cryogenics?
SCULLY
Yes sir.
SKINNER
I didn't know. …. When did Vyvey take over.
SCULLY
Four days ago sir.
SKINNER
And the cryogenics?
SCULLY
Same day sir.
Skinner rubs his chin with his hand and stands up slowly.
SKINNER
There is something very odd about all this….
MULDER
It gets curiouser and curiouser sir. On or about that same day Merle Graves bequeathed his entire fortune to a
twelve year old boy who we believe is not related to Graves in any way. …Yet he was living with Merle Graves
grandson Greg Graves. Obviously we will be visiting Mr. Graves' closest relatives as well…As soon as
SKINNER
Good. Also see the doctors who put Mr. Graves into the Cryogenics
Chamber. Find out where it is and if everything is as it should be….
SCULLY
On it sir.
MULDER
Like a dog on a bone… sir.
SKINNER
You better go catch your flight then….Report back to me this evening.
I have five other teams around the country and abroad reporting to this
office so I will need to know what you find out as soon as
possible….okay
MULDER/SCULLY
Yes sir.
Mulder and Scully exit Skinner's office.
Skinner watches them walking away from his office then closes his door.
INT. ELAVATOR CHICAGO AIRPORT
Mulder and Scully riding down with two other people. The elevator stops and the others get out. The door closes
and Scully crosses her arms.
SCULLY
Okay Mulder what's your take on this?
MULDER
You mean…Why are we on this case?…Why is Skinner coordinating the Investigation?
SCULLY
Exactly.
MULDER
I think he asked for it. I know his own father is very ill and well …there is
that family connection. We're on it because he's on it.
The elevator opens and they exit.
They walk into a busy hallway.
MULDER
Also I think we should visit the Graves family first. Too many things are
going on here …I want to get at what's tying them together.
SCULLY
So why not start with Robert Vyvey.
MULDER
Company man. We'll get to him soon but I would like to take the family's
pulse before we go to the new man in charge.
SCULLY
But all these people had been murdered and their records have been
taken…. This has to be related to something that the company was
working on doesn't it? Wouldn't it make more sense to go straight to the
guy in charge of the company.
MULDER
Maybe your right Scully but doesn't it pique your curiosity that one of the richest men in the world would leave his
entire fortune to a kid…some kid he wasn't even related to ….and then he mails himself to the future in an ice cube
…..and then all the people working in his research labs drop
dead and all their research vanishes without a trace…And if it is company
related research that got these people killed and Vyvey's the head honcho
he must know what they were working on. Why isn't he dead? He might
be involved.
SCULLY
Yeah…but…
A boy about ten accidentally bumps into Scully and nearly falls down. Scully catches him.
BOY
Sorry ma'am.
SCULLY
You should be more careful and….
Another boy comes hurrying around the corner and nearly hits them.
SCULLY
Slow down!
The boys run off.
MULDER
Do you think they heard you?
Shakes her head.
SCULLY
You think Vyvey might be involved.
MULDER
I don't know. On the way here I was reading some files. Graves was a
very hands on Mega-rich guy entrepreneur and he was a big family values
guy with a big family. Things don't add up. Call it a hunch Scully I want
to talk to the family first.
SCULLY
Family values hmm, Maybe that kid is an illegitimate heir. Alright then,
lets go to the Graves Compound.
Mulder grins and starts to speak when a man stops them, as they are about to exit the building.
AGENT BELL
Excuse me are you agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully?
SCULLY
We are.
AGENT BELL
Hi….I'm Agent Ross Bell.
I've been assigned to you. Where do you want to go first?
MULDER
Can you take us to the Graves Compound?
AGENT BELL
Of course….I guess.
Agent Bell holds the door open for Mulder and Scully. Scratches his head as they exit.
EXT. AN ENORMOUS MANSION. DAYLIGHT, MID-AFTERNOON
A car pulls up to the front of the mansion and jerks to a stop. Agent Bell is driving. Mulder and Scully get out.
Agent Bell quickly turns off the engine.
AGENT BELL
Should I come with you?
MULDER
No, wait here. If any grounds people or other staff come by engage them,
see if they have any thoughts on the recent events surrounding Grenada
Industries and Mr. Graves….
AGENT BELL
Right! Okay.
Agent Bell starts looking around scanning the grounds for someone to interview.
Mulder and Scully walk up to two very large carved wooden doors.
A door opens for them just as they reach it.
A butler shows them in.
INT. LARGE FOYER.
A woman, about sixty, very poised impeccably dressed, joins them.
MRS. GRAVES
. Our man at the gate said there were three of you.