Vol 1.1 Hidden but Always Close:(WIP) (Beta Readers Needed.)

CUT-TO.  LATER.
INT. SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE.DAY.
TIC. TIC. TOC. From the old grand clock. Andrew sits across from the Superintendent as he nervously looks around the room full of maps and degrees. On a desk under a red curtain window was another taxidermy about rabbits in a classroom. All posed and stuff creating an allusion of life in an elementary classroom.

SUPERINTENDENT. Would you like a biscuit?

ANDREW. N-no thank you.

TIC. TIC. TOC.

SUPERINTENDENT. I suppose you're wondering why I asked you to come into my office?

ANDREW. Does it have to do with what happened today?

SUPERINTENDENT. Yes. Tell me what do you think happened to your patient?

ANDREW. He had a nervous panic attack?

SUPERINTENDENT. It seems to me instead of screaming at night he's now freaking out during the day.

ANDREW. Yes, it does seem that way. I'm so sorry.

SUPERINTENDENT. Don't blame yourself. I thought it would be an easy first assignment. I guess I was wrong.

ANDREW. I can do better.

SUPERINTENDENT. Maybe you don't have to. Doctor Frank and I have been talking about sending Henry to the serve ward.

ANDREW. N-no.

SUPERINTENDENT. No?

ANDREW. Sorry but I don't believe that... Henry shouldn't be sent to the serve ward. In fact... I'm this close in figuring out what Henry's problem is.

SUPERINTENDENT. I hope so. This is quite serious Andrew. Some of our more superstitious patients think he's possessed. I don't want to have a pandemonium over made up demons and ghost. And we can't lock up patients in cage like we did a few years back.

ANDREW. What?

SUPERINTENDENT. Maybe, locking up in his ward would help.

ANDREW. I don't think locking anyone way isn't going to help.

SUPERINTENDENT. Okay, then what do you think we should do about him. Since you're so keen.

ANDREW. I just need more time. That's all.

SUPERINTENDENT. (Trying to be funny but failing.) Well tic toc. Time stops for no one on this planet.

ANDREW. (Mumbles) You don't have to be so rude about it.

SUPERINTENDENT. I'm sorry.

ANDREW. I still think there's something wrong with Henry.

SUPERINTENDENT. Clearly. He's madder than the mad hatter.

ANDREW. No I mean something else wrong with him.

SUPERINTENDENT. Elaborate.

ANDREW. Do you ever get the feeling that the person you're talking seems off in a way. That you're in serious danger.

SUPERINTENDENT. Andrew, you are in a mental institution after all. All the patients seem off because they all haven't been properly accustomed for society's morals and manners. And you just have to face the facts that not everyone will fit into the gears.

ANDREW. It has nothing to do with mannerisms or proper etiquette. It's something much deeper. Listen ever since Henry has gotten his memories back he's been acting stranger with each passing day. I fear that something bad is going to happen.

SUPERINTENDENT. So that's a yes to the serve ward.

ANDREW. No!

SUPERINTENDENT. Now your just not making any sense.

ANDREW. I just have trouble seeing how some of the institution's methods can help if nobody is telling me what they are. I'm still regretting Henry going with him just for the day.

SUPERINTENDENT. Right. Right. We haven't told you yet because your still a new doctor here and haven't got quite used to it yet. But our methods have been proven to be quite effective.

ANDREW (Mumbles). How many times?

SUPERINTENDENT. What?

ANDREW. Then h-how many times was it proven? Because looking at the patients tells a different story.

SUPERINTENDENT. That's because they're all very sick and need to be cured.

ANDREW. W-why don't we look at the books on the shelves to prove that it does work?

The superintendent shoots a look at Andrew that makes him shrink back. He then looks  down at his clock to watch the seconds tick by slowly through his faded reflection on the little glass.

SUPERINTENDENT. We just got to trust that it works. No matter how many times they scream or beg.

ANDREW. But,

SUPERINTENDENT. Andrew. We are at a the pinnacle of human achievement in science and reasoning. Have you seen what the power of steam and gears can do.

ANDREW. Yes but...

SUPERINTENDENT. What you are saying is not based on any true facts. But on primal fears on imagery danger.

ANDREW. Yes. What no I...

SUPERINTENDENT. Which is not a good look for a doctor and for a society where we moved passed the troubles of feelings.

ANDREW. I-

SUPERINTENDENT. What do you think you're here just to read some imaginary signals like a psychic. Is that what they taught you in medical school?

ANDREW. No.

SUPERINTENDENT. Or did they teach you the gears of the human form.

ANDREW. The latter part.

SUPERINTENDENT. Now what is our goal as fine doctors at this institution.

ANDREW. To make sure the patient is capable of living a proper life in society.

SUPERINTENDENT. And...

ANDREW. We know what's best.

SUPERINTENDENT. There you go. Now your sounding like a real doctor.

CUT-TO.
INT. HALLWAY. DAY.
Andrew shuts the big wooden doors behind him and walks away.
ANDREW.  (Thoughts) The Superintendent must be right. They wouldn't put a man in charge of an entire institution to if he didn't know what he was doing. We are living in a time of high human achievement in both technology and culture. Even the other Doctors agree with the methods used here. Besides Henry has also been a strange case. There was always something off about him. Now more than ever in fact. Maybe this is the type of person he was always. But still, why do I feel so awful.