ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. CATHERINE'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Nick sits in one of two chairs in front of Catherine's desk, waiting for something. He looks up when the door flies open. Catherine stands in the door with papers clutched in her tight fist.
CATHERINE
What did you do?
It's hard to tell if she's angry or frustrated.
NICK
Nothing! I didn't do anything, Catherine!
CATHERINE
How did this two day evaluation
suddenly become four weeks? And why
is she recommending we suspend you
without pay? Did you tell her about
Warrick?
NICK
I wouldn't tell that woman if my arm
was cut off! She got miffed when I
refused to sign a release for her to
get Greta's therapy notes.
Catherine sits in her desk chair, dropping the papers on the desk. Warrick walks in from behind Nick and sits in the open chair next to him.
CATHERINE
That's not a normal thing to ask for
during a psychiatric evaluation. You
didn't agree, did you?
NICK
No.
CATHERINE
And nothing else happened?
WARRICK
You did call her a shrink. She didn't
like that.
Nick frowns at him.
NICK
There is nothing wrong with calling
someone a shrink.
WARRICK
She didn't like it.
NICK
So I should be suspended without pay
for calling her a shrink?
CATHERINE
NICK!
They both look at her.
CATHERINE
What's the rule, Nick?
Nick doesn't answer.
CATHERINE
The rule.
NICK
I'm not allowed to talk to Warrick,
when I'm at work. Ever.
Warrick laughs at Nick.
WARRICK
You are so whipped!
NICK
I'm sorry about all this, Catherine.
CATHERINE
It's not your fault, but Ecklie doesn't
want any red flags so I have to sign this.
Nick is so frustrated he could scream.
NICK
All this for one piece of paper that
says I won't go postal on the job!
Greg's great plan to keep me off the
stand for a few months is backfiring
in the biggest way, Catherine!
CATHERINE
Don't be hard on him, Nick. He feels
terrible but none of us expected
everything that's happened to happen.
WARRICK
I just had to happen. Just the way it is.
NICK
What the hell does that mean!?
Warrick looks at him.
NICK
You have been saying that for a week
now! What does that even mean?
CATHERINE
Nick, the rule.
NICK
(to Catherine)
I can't deal with this anymore!
Nick jumps up but Catherine cuts him off before he reaches the door.
CATHERINE
Nick, relax. You have been through
worse and you've pulled through. This
will all be over soon.
NICK
I am tired, Catherine! I jump at
shadows! I'm always looking over my
shoulder! And, to make this worse, our
insurance won't cover Julia AND
Greta, so I'm stuck with the psycho
woman for a shrink. If even one more
thing goes wrong, I will go crazy!
CATHERINE
You've got me, Nicky. I listen just as
good as Greta, and I'm free.
That wins her a slight smile. She rubs his arm.
CATHERINE
Why don't you come over for supper
tonight and meet Lindsay's new boyfriend,
Chaz, who has more holes in him than
Swiss cheese.
NICK
Okay. See you later.
Nick leaves. Catherine sits down at her desk, staring at the paper. With a heavy sigh, she scrawls her name on them.
Omitted
INT. JULIA'S OFFICE - DAY
Nick enters the room and Julia shuts the door. Warrick walks right through the door. Julia goes to her desk, but Nick stops short, staring at the video camera. It's sat up so it can view both chairs. Warrick walks over to it, looking it over. He and Nick exchange a confused look.
NICK
Why is there a camera in here?
JULIA
I'm videotaping sessions from now on.
Have a seat.
NICK
You have to get my permission to
videotape sessions.
JULIA
No. I don't. Sit down.
NICK
I'm pretty sure that--
JULIA
Fine. I'll leave it off, and add
another two weeks. Fair trade?
Warrick suddenly appears behind her.
WARRICK
This lady is a piece of work!
NICK
No. Not really, but you apparently
don't give a damned about the law.
Nick walks over and flops into the uncomfortable 'patient' chair. She starts the camera and sits in her chair.
JULIA
You look tired.
NICK
(biting)
That's cuz my sleep is all messed up.
Normally, I'd be in bed right now. But
you don't have afternoon appointments. Ever.
JULIA
It's called shift work sleep disorder.
NICK
Don't go give me disorders I don't
have. Once this is over, I'll be fine,
back to my regular schedule.
JULIA
You're very defensive today. Why
is that?
He slouches in his chair.
NICK
Just, let's just go. What do you want
to interrogate me about today?
She gets up and walks to her desk, writing something down. Warrick follows her, watching what she's writing.
JULIA
After our session today, I'll call in
a prescription at Al's Market down the
street. It's an anti-psychotic that
should help you sleep.
Nick almost looks up at Warrick.
NICK
I don't need anything.
JULIA
Your moodiness says otherwise. You
need sleep.
NICK
I need sleep, huh? Then why are you
giving me an anti-psychotic?
JULIA
It's non-habit forming and contains a
mild sedative. I don't think you need
anything stronger. Do you?
WARRICK
We don't need an anti-psychotic,
Nick. Something smells really fishy
here. This you should fight, Nick.
JULIA
Do you, Nick?
NICK
No. I'm good.
She returns to her chair and settles in.
JULIA
Let's get started, shall we?
Warrick falls into her desk chair.
WARRICK
I wish I could say you had a choice,
Nicky, but you don't.
Nick stays focused on her.
EXT. FRANK'S DINER - DAY
Riley, Greg, and Nick head around the corner of the diner. Riley and Nick are in a slug war and laughing, and Greg is the first to see it.
Nick's pickup is parallel parked down the street and has been vandalized. From this distance Greg can see the taillights and windows are broken out, and the passenger side mirror is hanging from the door.
GREG
Nick.
Nick doesn't look up. He's laughing with Riley.
NICK
Yeah?
Greg grabs his arm, pulling him to a stop. Nick looks at him, then down the street. His humor vanishes.
NICK
WHAT THE HELL!?
Riley and Greg hang back as Nick storms up to his vehicle. Along the sides are deep grooves most likely made by keys. Nick walks around the vehicle to the street side. The headlights are busted out, the driver's side mirror is completely knocked off.
There are two huge dents on the side. Gold paint from the car that hit has transferred onto the pickup.
Nick puts his hands on the back of his neck, backing dangerously close to the traffic. Warrick appears behind him.
WARRICK
Wow. Someone really hates us.
Riley and Greg stop on the sidewalk next to the pickup. Riley steps closer to it, looking inside.
RILEY
Nick?
NICK
Yeah?
RILEY
Have you cheated on your girlfriend?
NICK
I don't have a girlfriend. Why?
She points inside the pickup.
RILEY
Cheater is cut into the seats, the
floor, the dash, the ceiling.
Nick moves closer so he can see.
RILEY
And there's a screwdriver jammed into your
radio and another in the ignition.
Nick looks at the hood, noticing it's not closed all the way. He rushes around to the front and throws the hood up.
The battery, distributor cap, and cover for the air filter are missing. There's sand poured into the air filter, a dark liquid poured into the distributor. The spark plugs cables are pulled and every spark plug has been broken off.
The radiator has several large holes in it. Riley slowly walks around to join him. She lays her hand on his shoulder.
RILEY
Greg went to see if any of the officers
in there are on duty. He'll call it in
if they aren't. I'm so sorry, Nick.
You are having the worst luck lately,
aren't you?
Nick's eyes get watery. How much more bad luck can one man take?
Riley puts her arm around Nick's shoulders to comfort him.
WARRICK
Deep breath, man. This has to happen.
Nick shoots Warrick daggers. Being in public is the only reason he's not blowing up.
EXT. LAS VEGAS BLVD - DAY
Brass stops his car up behind a squad car and across the street from The Mirage. The street is crowded with people -- locals and tourists. Only a few passersby give the squad car so much as a glance.
Officer JEREMY Powell stands next to the back of the car. He gets out of his car and walks up to Jeremy. They exchange nods.
BRASS
Dispatch said you asked for me. What's
going on, Jeremy?
Jeremy shakes his head a couple times before he starts talking.
JEREMY
I couldn't reach Ecklie or Catherine.
You were the only other person I could
think to take him home. I've never
known him to get drunk or stoned, or
high, but Jim, he's--
BRASS
He who?
Jeremy steps back and opens the back door. As Nick comes out, he answers:
JEREMY
Stokes.
Nick is way too happy and can't walk straight. He throws his arms around Brass.
NICK
JIM! Hey, man!
Jim looks at Jeremy over Nick's shoulder.
BRASS
Where did he come from?
Nick stands up, answering.
NICK
My mom!
JEREMY
He was bounced from The Mirage. They
said he was counting cards.
Brass looks at Nick. He's trying to strike up a conversation with a passing woman and scaring her. Brass grabs the back of his shirt and aims him toward his car.
BRASS
Thanks, Jeremy. I got it from here.
NICK
Are we leaving?
BRASS
Yes.
NICK
Let's get cake!
Brass tries not to smile, but he can't help it. He opens the door.
BRASS
Get in.
Nick pulls back, not about to get in another car.
NICK
I want to play poker.
BRASS
Get in the car, and we'll get cake.
That convinces Nick to get in. Jim gets in and pulls into traffic. He focuses on the cars around him.
Nick turns, looking at the back seat. Warrick is in the back eating a huge piece of chocolate cake.
NICK
(to Warrick)
Where did you get cake?
Jim glances at him.
WARRICK
We were on a roll in there, man.
NICK
I know! I can't believe they thought I
was cheating because you and I were talking.
BRASS
Nick, who are you talking to?
NICK
Warrick. He's got cake.
Brass almost hits a car stopped for a red light. He pulls over as fast as he can and stares at Nick.
WARRICK
I told you not to talk to me in there.
NICK
We were just better than the house,
that's all. They were sore losers.
Nick falls back in his seat, poking at the ceiling.
NICK
House didn't win today!
Warrick stops eating.
WARRICK
They bounced us, and we lost half our
chips. I think they won.
NICK
I guess if you look at it like
that. Brass--
Nick looks at him, seeing how concerned he is for the first time.
NICK
You okay? You look sick.
BRASS
You're talking to Warrick?
NICK
Yeah. We talk all the time.
BRASS
Since when?
NICK
Since I nearly got my head bashed in
the tunnels. I came to, and there he
was. Been around ever since.
WARRICK
You probably shouldn't be telling him
this, Nick.
NICK
Why not? It's Jim. He's cool with it.
You're cool with it, right, Jim?
BRASS
You're seeing him now? In the back
seat eating cake?
NICK
Yeah. He won't share his cake though.
That's not real nice, but what'cha
gonna do?
Brass looks down the road. Strangely, he's taking this very well. He pulls back into traffic. Nick and Warrick go back to talking.
INT. NICK'S BEDROOM - DAY
Aluminum foil is taped on the windows and blocks out most of the light in the room. Sunlight has found a few small holes. It's the perfect cave for someone who works graveyards. The clock next to the bed reads four in the afternoon.
Nick is in bed, on arm under him, one arm behind his back, and his face planted against his pillow. He's still in the clothes Brass picked him up in minus sneakers.
On the bedside table, his cell phone starts to ring. He wakes enough to answer it.
NICK
Hem-oh?
He wets his lips while he waits for a response.
JULIA (on PHONE)
(pissed off)
Nick?
He closes his eyes tight and then pops them open. They droop half shut.
NICK
Who is this?
JULIA (on PHONE)
Doctor Green, Nick.
It takes him a second to realize the importance of the call.
NICK
Why are you calling me?
JULIA (on PHONE)
I work my schedule around so you can
have an afternoon appointment and you
are now a half hour late.
Nick sits up, looking at the bedroom door. He sees the ghost image of a man standing in it, but it's not Warrick. The image wisps away.
NICK
I haven't been drinking. Your call
woke me up.
He looks again. The illusion of a man standing there haunts him.
JULIA (on PHONE)
(condescending)
My call woke you up? Nick, missing an
appointment isn't helping your case.
Especially after what you said to me
yesterday. I'm sorry, but out of
concern for your safety, I released
copies of yesterday's session to your
supervisors. I hope they realize how
disturbed you really are.
NICK
I didn't see you yesterday. I didn't
have an appointment.
JULIA (on PHONE)
You didn't have an appointment, but
you and your imaginary friend did show
up demanding to talk to me. Not only
were you extremely rude, but you were
out of control.
NICK
Wh-what friend?
JULIA (on PHONE)
Warrick.
Nick looks around his room for the missing hallucination while she rattles on.
JULIA (on PHONE)
Perhaps you're just as thoughtless as
my other clients, thinking I have time
to play your games. You're the fourth
one that hasn't shown up for a session today.
Nick closes his eyes.
NICK
Jul-- Doctor Green, I'm--
WARRICK
Hang up the phone.
Nick opens his eyes. Warrick is right in front of him, leaning in.
WARRICK
Tell her good-bye. Don't say anything else.
NICK
Let's reschedule for--
JULIA (on PHONE)
Tomorrow. Two pm. Be here this time or
I'm sending your evaluation back
stating you have no interest in
completing it.
The phone is slammed down followed by the dial tone. Nick closes his phone.
NICK
I really, really hate that woman.
He scratches the back of his neck, looking up at Warrick.
NICK
What happened yesterday? I remember
having breakfast with everyone, then
I went out and found my truck was
trashed. Greg waited while I took care
of it, and then gave me a ride to pick
up my meds and brought me home. And
then... Nothing. I got nothing.
WARRICK
Me too.
NICK
You are not helping.
WARRICK
Hey, I know what you know. Sorry.
That's how this whole hallucination
thing works.
NICK
Right. Because you've never told me
things I didn't know before.
Nick gets up and stretches his back. They both look out the door when someone bangs on the front door.
WARRICK
Could be the mystery man.
NICK
Thought you didn't know anything I didn't.
WARRICK
I have a feeling we had a visitor
yesterday, but... It's fuzzy. I can't
remember details.
NICK
You're a horrible hallucination.
The person bangs again.
CATHERINE
(muffled)
NICK!
Nick shuffles out of the bedroom.
INT. NICK'S HOUSE
Nick has cracked the door when Catherine pushes in. She has a VHS tape in hand and aims for his television.
NICK
And a good afternoon to you too.
He follows her into the living room where she's fiddling with the VCR on his DVD/VCR combo. The tape has already disappeared into it.
Nick stops next two his recliner, watching her. Warrick stands against the far wall, also watching her.
CATHERINE
Play this tape, Nick.
Nick picks up to remotes and works the controls. She moves back as the tape starts to play. A few seconds of black, and then Nick appears on screen, in Julia's office.
INT. JULIA'S OFFICE - DAY (RE-ENACTMENT)
Nick wears a goofy grin. He looks like he's been rolling around on the ground — he has dirt on his clothes, his hair is sticking up, and his shirt is buttoned crooked. He slouches in the chair, unusually relaxed.
Julia isn't in the frame yet. Her body comes into view and she places her hand on the back of Nick's neck, tapping a finger against his neck a couple times.
Nick grins stupidly up at her.
NICK
Hey, Doc.
Her heavy sigh is audible over the camera microphone. She disappears for a second, and then sits down in her chair.
JULIA
So, what was so important you had to
barge into my office and talk to me?
NICK
Warrick and I went to the casino this
morning, and he won big time! See?
(shows roll of bills)
We're going to--
JULIA
You've never mentioned Warrick
before. Who is he?
NICK
Used to be a co-worker. He was on a
roll! We just--
JULIA
Is he your partner at work? Do you work together?
NICK
We kinda of do.
JULIA
Kind of do? I'm not sure I understand
how he can still be working with you
but he's not. Is he a real person?
NICK
He was. But he got shot. He always
says, 'can't take death serious,
Nicky, or you'll go insane.' Huh buddy?
Nick looks at the empty desk chair. Julia glances in the same direction, then refocuses on Nick.
JULIA
Warrick is here now?
NICK
Yeah. He's sitting in your chair.
Eating cake.
Julia glances at the chair.
JULIA
How long have you seen Warrick?
NICK
Since I was almost beat to death in the
tunnels. He showed up and kept me from
giving up. He's been around since,
just hanging out. He helps me on the
job sometimes too.
JULIA
You allow him to help you with crime scenes?
NICK
Oh yeah! He's just as good dead as he was alive.
JULIA
You seem very relaxed for someone
telling me they're seeing an
hallucination. Have you taken
recreational drugs or been drinking?
NICK
Nope! I just took those
anti-psychotics you prescribed.
JULIA
Those don't cause behavior like this.
What did you mix with them?
NICK
Nothing.
JULIA
Did you drink while you and Warrick
were gambling?
Nick thinks hard on it, then grins.
NICK
I dunno.
JULIA
What's the last thing you remember
before the casino?
He thinks hard again.
NICK
I dunno!
Nick starts laughing. He is sooooo trashed.
JULIA
I can see we aren't going to get
anywhere with you in this state. When
you come back, we'll have to discuss
Warrick some more. I think it's best
if you go home and sleep off... This.
Whatever this is.
NICK
I can't go home. The cab left.
JULIA
I'll call you another cab.
She goes to her desk and starts rifling through a phone book.
NICK
You really hate me, don't you, Julia?
JULIA
I don't hate you, I just don't
appreciate this behavior.
NICK
Maybe you should get laid. Then you
wouldn't be such a bitch.
Julia slams the phone down. She storms up to Nick.
JULIA
Get out!
NICK
(whiny)
What about the cab?
JULIA
OUT!
Nick leaves the room. They hear her fiddling with the camera and then the taping stops.
BACK TO SCENE
He can't tear his eyes off the screen even after the images have disappeared. Catherine pulls the remote from his hand and stops the tape.
CATHERINE
Nick?
He doesn't reply.
CATHERINE
Talk to me, Nick. What happened?
Nick takes a couple steps, then stops. He is at a loss of what to do with this mess.
NICK
She knows about Warrick. I am so
screwed. I've screwed you guys too.
CATHERINE
We're not jumping ship yet, Nick, but
I have to know what happened yesterday.
What did you take? You were acting
like you were drunk or stoned or both.
Nick scratches the back of his neck.
NICK
I don't know! I don't remember going
to any casino or her office.
CATHERINE
You mentioned anti-psychotics. I
thought Greta and you agreed to handle
Warrick without drugs. Why would you
take them?
NICK
At my last session with Julia, she
asked about my sleep. It's been all
messed up with this, so she prescribed
anti-psychotics so I could get some sleep.
CATHERINE
She prescribed an anti-psychotic for sleeplessness?
NICK
I questioned it too. She said they
were non-habit forming and I didn't
need anything stronger.
He scratches his neck.
CATHERINE
Ecklie is furious with you.
WARRICK
I'm on that bandwagon.
Nick glares up at him.
NICK
You go me into this mess!
What are you furious about?
WARRICK
I got you into this mess? I wasn't even
there yesterday!
NICK
Then who the hell was I talking to in
the empty chair? A ghost?
WARRICK
There's such irony in that question.
CATHERINE
Nick, I need you to focus.
He turns his back on Warrick.
CATHERINE
Let's sit down and you tell me
everything you can remember, starting
at Frank's. And then I'm going to take
a couple of those pills back for Henry
to test.
Nick sits down with her.
NICK
I'm so sorry about this, Catherine.
Warrick sits down in the middle of the coffee table, not disturbing anything on it.
CATHERINE
It's going to be okay. Mysteries are
our specialty.
WARRICK
Mysteries-R-Us.
Nick smiles a little, glancing at him. Catherine touches his hand and he looks at her.
CATHERINE
Focus. Tell me what you do remember.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO