2. CHARACTERS
POLLY - late 20s medical research student. She used to be
ambitious, but now she’s trapped by a repetitive job and a
boss whose constant attention borders on obsession.
JULIUS - professor at a teaching hospital. An arrogant know-
it-all with the social skills of a playground bully. He
jealously guards his star pupil, Polly. They've worked
together for years; he's studied her, cared for her, and he
mistakenly thinks she feels the same way about him.
SETTING
The scene takes place in a laboratory in the present day.
SHORT SYNOPSIS
After cutting her hand in an accident, Polly has come to the
hospital where she works, to get medical attention.
She bumps into Julius, who reveals that he has a present for
her. The present is an apology for an earlier argument in
which Julius humiliated Polly.
Polly follows Julius to the lab, where a nasty surprise
awaits her.
3. 2.
INT. JULIUS' OFFICE - DAY
JULIUS and POLLY enter. The office is crammed with junk.
Julius rummages through piles of paper on his desk, before
triumphantly unearthing A BOOK.
JULIUS
(offering the book)
An apology.
POLLY
Will it help me?
JULIUS
That depends on the nature of your
problem.
Polly takes the book. It’s very old, probably antique.
JULIUS (cont'd)
Montaigne. It’s a book of essays. I
didn’t know if you read any French,
so I translated a few... Well, I
expect you'll probably work it out.
POLLY
You translated a book for me?
JULIUS
(sitting down)
It was fun! He writes about
conflict and resolution and the
need to make choices with head, not
heart. Let him be your guide.
Beat.
POLLY
You’re talking like I have
decisions to make.
JULIUS
Don’t think about it now. I mean, I
don’t want to put any pressure on
you.
POLLY
Julius, there are no decisions to
make.
JULIUS
I’m sorry, I was going to leave the
book, but I couldn’t find the right
letterbox - it was one of those
communal affairs, all those blessed
pigeonholes...
(laughs nervously)
4. 3.
POLLY
(slowly)
You were at -
JULIUS
Elland Mansions, yes.
POLLY
I don’t understand.
JULIUS
Last night. I waited for you, but
there was a lot of coming and
going. And you seemed upset.
POLLY
How do you know where I live?
JULIUS
Polly, how long have we been
colleagues? I'm supposed to know
things about you. I'm your
supervisor. It's, er... well, it's
protocol, isn't it? I mean, I came
to see you, you came to see me. For
heaven's sake, what difference does
it make?
POLLY
(meaning: her bandaged
hand)
I didn't come to see you.
Polly backs away - Julius blocks her.
JULIUS
Is this not an area of Cardiology
that interests you? Or is it
something else? Do you not feel
that the research has been
structured as efficiently as it
might have been? Have you not
learned anything from me? I feel
I've taught you well; I've always
answered your questions - good god!
you've asked plenty of them! When
have I ever disappointed you? When
have I let you down?
POLLY
Please! Please... it's nothing to
do with you.
Reluctantly, Julius moves aside. Polly hurries away without
looking back.
