Dreamsongs - Volume II by George R. R. Martin Page B

exist?
     
    MATSUMOTO
     
    The math would seem
to suggest that. Travel between universes, however,
    is flatly
impossible,
     
    (shrugs)
     
    In any case, it’s
all theory.
     
    Trager scowls, takes the fan from Tom,
folds it up.
     
    TRAGER
     
    Theory,
     
    (beat)
     
    Here’s a fact, Dr
Lake. I’m sorry I ever involved you in this matter. It’s time
    you went home. I’ll
arrange transport,
     
    (to matron)
     
    Take her to a
holding cell.
     
    TOM
     
    Trager, wait ...
     
    Tom GRASPS Trager by the arm, holds him for
a moment.
     
    TOM
     
    At least give me a
few moments alone with her. I want to say good-bye.
     
    ECU - TOM’S OTHER HAND
     
    While one hand is clutching Trager’s arm,
the other is dipping into his pocket and lifting his wallet.
     
    RESUME
     
    as Trager, unsuspecting, NODS his assent.
     
    TRAGER
     
    Five minutes. No
more.
     
    Trager walks off with Matsumoto. Tom
artfully conceals the wallet he’s lifted.
     
    CUT TO
     
    INT. - TRAGER’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
     
    Tom re-enters Trager’s office. Cat is still
in her trance. Cameron is playing with his rubber band again.
     
    TOM
     
    Trager wants you.
     
    CAMERON
     
    (hesitant)
     
    Who’s going to
watch her?
     
    TOM
     
    Watch her do what?
Sleep?
     
    Cameron shrugs, and EXITS. Tom LOCKS the
office door behind him, sits beside Cat.
     
    TOM
     
    I’m going to count
to five. When I reach five, you’ll wake, refreshed,
    relaxed, unafraid.
But you’ll be very, very quiet. One. Two. Three. Four.
    Five.
     
    Tom SNAPS his fingers. Cat’s eyes open. He
puts a finger to her lips.
     
    TOM
     
    No talking. Just
nod.
     
    (she nods)
     
    There’s another
door, isn’t there? A door out. That’s where you want to go.
     
    CAT
     
    (softly)
     
    Time to go, Toe
Mas. Leaving here now.
     
    A long beat; Tom hesitates, his eyes search
her face. He reaches a decision,
with vast reluctance.
     
    TOM
     
    I’m probably going
to regret this, but. . . watch the door, Cat. If {anyone
    comes through, bite
‘em.
     
    Cat nods eagerly and scrambles to her feet.
Tom moves to the wall safe. He fishes the security card from Trager’s wallet,
inserts it into   the slot, punches
some buttons.
     
    CUT TO
     
    INT. - CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
     
    The matron waits by the door as Cameron and
Trager come striding up. Cameron tries the door. It’s locked.
     
    CAMERON
     
    Open up in there.
What the hell you trying to pull?
     
    Trager motions him aside.
     
    TRAGER
     
    Doctor, this is
very stupid.
     
    He takes out his keys, unlocks the door,
and enters the office with Cameron right behind him.
     
    TRAGER’S POV
     
    He finds himself face-to-face with Tom ...
and the hand cannon. Cat is sliding the bracelet onto her arm. Trager keeps his
cool.
     
    TRAGER
     
    You really don’t
want to do this, Dr Lake. If you fire that in here, you’ll kill all
    of us. Including
your girlfriend.
     
    TOM
     
    She’s not my
girlfriend. We need a car.
     
    TRAGER
     
    Shall I tell you
how many felonies you’re committing?
     
    TOM
     
    I’d just as soon
you didn’t, thanks. That limo will do fine.
     
    TRAGER
     
    Cameron, bring the
limousine around to the front.
     
    CUT TO
     
    INT. ENTRANCE - DAWN - ANGLE OUT THE DOOR
     
    Trager stands at the exit with Tom and Cat.
All the other guards are face-down on the floor. Cameron pulls up in the limo.
     
    TOM
     
    Let her idle. Okay.
Climb out nice and easy and back off. That’s it. A little
    more. Cat, make
sure nobody’s hiding in the backseat.
     
    Cat scrambles out to thelimo,
checks inside.
     
    CAT
     
    Not hiding, Toe
Mas.
     
    TOM
     
    I didn’t plan this,
Trager. It’s just happening. Don’t take it personally.
     
    Trager just looks at him. Tom makes his
break for it.
     
    INT. - LIMOUSINE - CONTINUOUS
     
    Tom jumps in and slams the door. Cat is
squirming anxiously beside him in the passenger seat. He tosses the hand cannon
into her lap as he revs the engine, pops the clutch, and takes off.
     
    The limo