Masters of Science Fiction

From the very beginning,

we have wondered how life began, what our purpose is,

and where we are headed.

We have struggled to understand time,

matter, the infinite universe,

who we are and if we are alone.

Great minds have imagined the most wonderful

and the most terrifying answers to these questions.

Almost done.

Are there events so impossible to forgot

that they become too painful to remember?

Forgot to shave this morning.

Sorry to hear that, Doctor.

Gail?

This is hard, Deanna.

Let's see if I can make it easier.

The cancer has metastasized,

H.E.R.-2s are through the roof,

and treatment prospects are poor.

Sorry.

It's not your fault, Charles.

Feels like it is somehow.

So what do you think, three to four months?

Sure.

You're a better doctor than you are a liar.

See you next time.

If I can work it in.

- - Come in.

I'm not sure I'm in the right place.

You are. Please sit down.

Want some water?

No, I'm...

Did I have an appointment?

You're right on time.

I pride myself on that— being punctual.

It's a lost art.

I've always said so.

And you are?

Dr. Evans.

This is a hospital?

May I ask you some questions?

The nurse's station. They directed me.

I'd like to start with a little game.

Game? What sort of game?

I want you to watch what I'm doing.

Are you going to make that disappear?

What's under the handkerchief?

Can we place a bet on it?

Not this time.

Let's see. A paperweight?

Wonderful.

There.

You're not recording this, are you?

- Would that matter to you? - I simply want to know.

Matter of common courtesy.

You're being dig'ed.

These are cameras, are they not?

You're very observant.

I'm being observed.

We're both being observed.

Do you like it here?

Well, honestly, I haven't been here long enough to form an opinion.

How long have you been here?

Tell me...

what you were doing before you got here.

Before ...

I was at work.

And where do you work?

- I.S.T. Worldwide. - That's a technology company.

- That's correct. - Government work?

- Pentagon. - And what do you do there?

I run the company. I suspect you know that.

Well, why do you assume I know?

It's hardly a secret.

What we work on— that's another matter.

Something you can't discuss.

Suffice it to say that we're

an indispensable part of this nation's defense.

Well, I wouldn't want you to compromise any state secrets.

Confidentiality is part of your work, too, Doctor—

doctor/patient privilege and all that hokum.

Excuse me.

So your job seems quite important.

Lucrative, too, I guess.

That's a little personal.

I could retire before I turn 45, but I doubt that I will.

What about your family?

What about them?

Children?

Look, for the life of me, I don't know what you're getting at,

but for the record, I have been married for 13 years.

My wife is named Dorothy.

I have two children— Margaret, 12, and Peter, 7.

We live in a 10,000-square-foot colonial.

I drive a two-seater.

I'm a Redskins season ticket holder.

I don't eat quiche.

And I loathe pointless small talk.

- What's your name? - You obviously know my name.

I'm Robert Havelmann.

Is there anything else you'd like to know?

Lots.

Am I being interrogated? Is that what's going on?

What's under the handkerchief?

How in God's name should I know?

- How old are you? - This is absurd.

It's a simple question.

I'm 41 years old. How old are you, Doctor?

What year is this?

- Are you seriously asking— - Year, Mr. Havelmann.

It's 2007.

Maybe you should pop for a desk calendar.

- So it's 2007 and you're 41 years old. - That's what I said.

- Mm. Take a look in the mirror. - What?

Please. The mirror.

My God!

What have you done to me?

What did you do to me?

But you agree there's no significant change.

You watched. Did you see any sign of progress?

- The old man is losing his patience with us. - How does he think I feel?

Maybe we ought to try another tack.

I need more time.

Thanks.

So you still think there's a chance he'll remember?

I don't think he's forgotten.

On some level, he knows.

You'll have a hard time convincing Geslow of that—

- Or me, for that matter. - Well, that's why I need more time.

Just a few more sessions. I know I can break through.

Deanna, you know how much I respect your work.

You think I've lost my objectivity.

Presumes you had it in the first place.

Not with Havelmann, anyway.

- That's not even the point. - Then what is the point?

Accountability. The truth.

He can't just keep pretending to disappear into the ether like this.

Two number twos, nice and hot.

- There you go. - Thank you.

- Thanks. - Enjoy.

So what should I tell Geslow?

Buy me a week.

He wants closure on this.

Not as much as I do.

Deanna, there are so many other people here who need you—

people in pain, people who've lost hope—

lives you could be saving.

You're a gifted doctor, and—

Well, I honestly think you're throwing away the chance to make a difference.

I care about these people.

That's why I'm doing this. I'm doing this for them.

I need one more week.

I am so over vegetable lasagna.

Hold on, Harry.

Oh! Behind you!

- Will! - Gotcha!

- - Over here!

- No! - Whoo!

Aah!

Gotcha!

Hey, no, you got my shirt. That doesn't even count.

No, no, no, no. He got you. He got you.

- I got you. - Oh.

Oh! You both are so dead!

Careful on the stairway!

Will, be careful.

Will] Come on! Hi, Dad!

Oh.

Aah!

Oh! You got me.

That's because you're it.

- Come in. -

- Hello? - Mr. Havelmann.

They told me down the hall—

Come in.

What can I do for you?

I thought we could have a talk.

I'm sorry. Have we met?

Dr. Evans.

I was due for a checkup— annual thing.

Is that why I'm here?

You tell me.

You're what kind of doctor, exactly?

A psychiatrist.

Then I'm definitely in the wrong office.

I don't think so.

What's this about?

I think you can answer that, Mr. Havelmann.

It's Pierce.

It's that S.0.B. Pierce. Am I right?

NilesI

Not now, Jerry. We're late already.

- I need your support. - Yeah. Always.

- Tell me I got you in my comer. - Yeah, yeah, always.

Let's get to that meeting.

I'm going after Havelmann.