CHAPTER 2: THE WB-18

INT. BLACK MESA-LABORATORY

Walter walks over to a filing cabinet and unlocks the top drawer. He takes out a security box and unlocks it. Inside is his new invention. It is a small device. It has WB-18 written on the side. He examines the device using a pair of glasses with a magnifying glass on it. Then, SPENCER walks through the door. He is in his mid thirties with short brown hair and is 5'8".

SPENCER
Hello Walter. Today is the day that we finally test the WB-18. I hope this works. This will make us millions.

WALTER
Now before we start thinking about money, we need to worry if this device is going to work.

SPENCER
I have the vehicle set in the garage. Are you ready to take it to Laura and Rachel?

WALTER
Yes, let me lock it back up.

He puts the device back into the security box. Walter and Spencer leave the room.

INT. HALLWAY

As they are walking, they run into TIM. He is a short, stocky balding man with thick glasses and in his mid fifties.

TIM
Well what do we have here? Another foolish experiment I bet.

WALTER
It's a device that could change-

TIM
Change nothing. No one around here likes you Walter. You too Spencer. Why do you look up to this man?

SPENCER
Because he is a great scientist.

TIM
Both of you are ridiculous. Shouldn't you be in the loony bin? Shouldn't you be hugging your precious folder?

WALTER
Shut-up Tim.

TIM
Just get out of my way.

Tim walks down the hallway. Walter and Spencer continue in the opposite direction. They make it to LAURA FULLER'S office. She has medium length black hair in in her mid-thirties, and is slender. She is sitting at her desk talking on the phone. She notices Walter.

LAURA
I'll have to call you back. Bye.
(hangs up phone)
Walter, Spencer, you guys finally made it here. Are you ready to test the WB-18?

WALTER
Yes, it's ready to go.

LAURA
Okay, Rachel should be here shortly.

RACHEL SHEPARD, short, long brown hair, late twenties, walks into the room. She is holding a laptop case.

LAURA
Rachel, are you ready to head to the garage?

RACHEL
Yeah, I just need to get my laptop.

She puts her laptop into the case.

CUT TO: INT. GARAGE

Spencer is installing the WB-18 while Rachel is typing on her laptop.

EXT. GARAGE-SUNNY

WALTER
I'm still having nightmares about Gordon. I had one this morning.

LAURA
Are you taking the pills I gave you?

WALTER
They don't do anything.

LAURA
Take them. Give them time. Remember what I told you at Stonebridge Heights? Think of happy memories.

WALTER
I try.

LAURA
Does this happen every night?

WALTER
Almost every night.

LAURA
Walter, this will go away, trust me.

WALTER
Okay. I'll take the pills.

Rachel comes outside.

RACHEL
It's ready to go.