CHAPTER 7: HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH

INT. BREAK ROOM

Six scientists were inside. One of them takes hot soup from the microwave and sits down. Gordon Freeman walks in and fires a few shots from his pistol at the ceiling. The scientists are scared.

SCIENTIST 1: Are you insane? Stop this immediately.

GORDON: Quick question, why did you assholes treat me like shit?

No one says anything. They all look at each other. Gordon looks at Ned who stares at him with an angry look.

GORDON: Somebody better answer me.

FLASHBACK

Ned walks into the room with a grin on his face.

NED: Hey everyone, guess who got a promotion? Me! I did!

Everyone cheers.

NED: My first order of business is to make Gordon Freeman work this weekend whether you like it or not.

Gordon is trying to scrub off a stain on the table. Ned walks over to him.

NED: Get that stain out. I order you to do it! Get it out now! I want to be able to see my face in it.

GORDON: Then I should just leave the stain on here.

NED: Don't you talk to me that way. I have authority over you. I can make you do whatever I want. I'm going to talk to the administrator about demoting you to janitor.

GORDON: Then I'll have to pick up the garbage around here. I'll start with you.

NED: You're gonna pay Freeman.

END

SCIENTIST 1: I'm sorry I treated you that way.

NED: You're apologizing to this numbskull? He doesn't deserve an apology.

GORDON: He's right, I will kill you all unless you tell me what I want to hear.

SCIENTIST 1: We abused our power Gordon. We made an honest mistake. Please forgive us.

GORDON: (pause) I forgive you.

He turns around and walks towards the door. Then, Gordon turns around and shoots Nedin the leg. The scientist s look on in horror. He takes Ned, grabs him by the hair, and stabs him repeatedly. One scientist takes the hot soup and tosses it in Gordon 's face. He tries to get the gun, but Gordon grabs his throat and shoves him away. Gordon points the shotgun at them.

GORDON: You're all gonna die now.

Gordon takes N e d and cuts off his head. He holds it high. One scientist begins to shake while rolling is eyes up and opening his mouth. Gordon throws the head down.

GORDON: Do you forgive me?

Gordon begins shooting the scientists with the shotgun. They try to run, but Gordon guns them down.

INT. HALLWAY

Gordon is upstairs and hears a woman's voice. He sees the name Laura Fuller on the door and opens it.

INT. LAURA'S ROOM

He quietly locks the door and walks towards her while pointing the pistol at her head. She sees the reflection of him on the computer screen and quickly turns around. Laura has long black hair, is thin, and in in her mid-thirties.

LAURA: Gordon! What are you doing here?

GORDON: Just the person I've been killing to see. I killed a lot of those damn scientist. Unfortunately, Ron got away.

LAURA: You truly are a sick son of a bitch.

GORDON: You should see his face. I cut it up so bad.

LAURA: He did nothing to you.

GORDON: He treated me like shit.

LAURA: That's no reason to scar him.

GORDON: Why would you want to go on a date with him? What does he have that I don't?

LAURA: He's gentleman. He much more intelligent than you. He's not a demented psycho.

GORDON: He's a crybaby. I don't think he'll be able to make it to your date tonight. He'seven uglier now.

LAURA: Ron and I were looking forward to that all week. You're so damn evil. I 'm glad I chose him over you. I always thought you were brainless. If you don't like it here, you should quit. Go away. Crawl into some hole and die.

GORDON: Don't make me kill you Laura. I don't want to do that. (pause) You know what would make me feel good? Me killing Ron right in front of you. Then we will go on our date. Now get up.

Laura stands up. He points the gun to her back.

GORDON: Upstairs bitch.