1) Jane is a teenage patient of Dr. Mendellson who is resistant to therapy and argues frequently with her mother and therapist. 2) During her session, Jane becomes increasingly distressed while discussing ink blots, especially one depicting nails. 3) Under hypnosis, Jane reveals that the ink blot reminded her of something frightening but refuses to provide details, insisting that someone might hear. She works herself into a hysterical state, shouting warnings to an unseen person.

1. BETTER
An original script for Olde Tyme Radio
By Jill Bowers
Receptionist:(off,kind of muffled) Yes,he’saverytalentedtherapist,andnewesttoouroffice.I
recommendhim.(beat) Mm-hmm.Yep.I’ve gotyoudownforFebruary15 at noon.I’ll see youthen.
FX: Phonehanging up
FX: Phoneringing
Receptionist:(off) Dr.Mendellson’soffice. (beat)Yes,we dohave a new partnerhere.Hisname…
Mendellson:(cutting overReceptionist,mocking) Hisname isDr.Blake…andeveryonewantstosee him
because he’s amastermindathypnosisand youngand attractive andhe pays attentiontome so of
courseI recommendhim…(nowto normalvoice) Ishouldn’thave hiredhim.He’stakingall of my
business.Well,here’snewstoyou—hisprettyface doesn’tmake himabettertherapist.
Receptionist:(off) Ihave youdownforFebruary17 at one withDr. Blake…
Mendellson:Gaaah.I can’tlistentoit anymore.
FX: Patting around,looking forsomething.
Mendellson:Where’sthatstupidremote?
FX: Patting continues,then stops.
Mendellson:Ah-ha!There youare.Stupidcouch,eatingmyremote.AnypatientsIhave leftaren’tgoing
to siton the couch if it’seatingthings…
FX: TV turning on.
NewsReporter: (off) –have afewpicturesforyoufrom the crime,butwe must warnyou that these
photographsare not suitable forchildren,andtheyare disturbing.
Mendellson:(hushed,shocked) Whowoulddosomethinglike that…?
NewsReporter: (off) Policesaythatthe body of OrlandoWaltonwasfoundearlythismorninginthe old
warehouse onFifthAvenue.Hisbody hadholesinthe handsandfeet.Police believethatthe victimwas
pinneddowntothe floorinsome way.A drill wentstraightthroughthe lefttemplein the victim’shead
and came out the right side,whichpoliceare sayingisthe cause of death.Police were calledwhena
youngman,who wishedtoremainanonymous,chasedhisdogintothe warehouse.Police saythatthe
dog probablysmelledthe body,which,theyassume,hasbeenthere foratleastthree days.

2. Policeman:(off) The mostfrighteningthingisthatthismatchesthe actionsof a serial killerthathas
beenroamingaroundthe westernhalf of the UnitedStates.We can onlyhope thatwe’ll catch this
murdererbefore he strikesagain.
NewsReporter: (off) Those livingbythe warehouse saythey’re nervous,butpolice have…
FX: TV turning off.
Mendellson:WhydoI evenwatchthe news?I shouldhave thissettocartoons or something—
Jane: (off) No!Mom,please! Idon’twantto be here.Please…
Jane’smom: (off) Youhave to be here,it’sforyour owngood…
Jane: (off) Youdon’tunderstand!I—
Mendellson:(overlapping;sarcastic) Yay,myfavorite patientishere…
FX: Dooropening
Mendellson:Iseverythingalright?
Jane’smom: Jane is justfightingagainstbeinghere.Again.
Mendellson:Isee.Jane,whydon’tyouwantto be here?
Jane: Do you wantto be here?
Mendellson:Of course Ido. I love myjob.
Jane: Yeahright.
Mendellson:Ido.I wantto helpyou.
Jane: You justwantyour money—
Jane’smom: Don’t sassher,Jane.Just go have yourappointment. Youneedit.You’ve beendrivingusall
crazy the last week.
Jane: I wantto leave.
Mendellson:Won’tyoucome talkwithme?
Jane: I wantto leave.
Jane’smom: We’re not leavinguntil you’ve hadyourappointment.

3. (beat)
Jane: Fine.I’ll call youwhenI’mdone,Mom.
Jane’smom: I’m stayingrighthere.
Jane: No!Go home!
Mendellson:It’salrightif yourmomstayshere,Jane.
Jane: Noit isn’t!Go home!
Jane’smom: If I leave,howwill Iknowyouactuallywentinforyourappointmentandstayed?
Jane: I’ll gointoher stupidoffice andsitonherstupidcouch,you don’thave to---
Jane’smom: I’mpayingforthese sessions,Jane.SoI’mgoingtosithere and make sure you do what
youneedto doto get better.
Jane: Please gohome.
Mendellson:Whydon’tyouwantyour mothertostay in the waitingroom?
Jane: (beat) Youknowwhat,forgetit.Let’sjusthurry and getthisoverwith.
FX: Jane’sfootsteps
Mendellson:Thankyou forbringingher,Mrs. Tait.We’ll be done shortly.
Jane’smom: Of course.
FX: Doorclosing
FX: Mendellson’sfootsteps.
FX: Mendellson sitting down.
Mendellson:Howare youtoday,Jane?
Jane: (sarcastic) I’mgreat.Like,supergreat.Youcured me,doc.I don’tneedto be here anymore.
Mendellson:Soyoufoughtwithyourmomabout cominghere because you’re great?
Jane: Yep.
Mendellson:Youhandledyourself ratherdismallyforsomeone that’scured.

4. Jane: Well Ican’t be all nice to her…she’ll getsuspicious andthinkI’muptosomething.
Mendellson:Are youupto something?
Jane: Justthe usual,doc. Youknowhow itis.I’m a bad kid.
Mendellson:You’re notbad,Jane.A little sick,perhaps,butnotbad.
Jane: Sure.
(beat)
Mendellson:Howare thingswithyourmomand your step-dad?
Jane: Same oldstuff.Theyfight,he hitsme,she sitsthere…it’sall justgreat.
Mendellson:Are youangrywithyourmotherfor notleavingyourstep-father?
Jane: Wouldn’tyoube angry?She justsits there andletshimdowhateverhe wantsto me.
Mendellson:Have youeverconsideredreportinghim?
Jane: Noway.Are youkidding?He’dkill me forsure.
Mendellson:He didn’tkill youwhensomeoneelsereportedhim.
Jane: Don’tact all innocent.Thatwastotallyyou.
Mendellson:Legally,Idohave to file areportwhenI hearthese thingsinmyoffice.
Jane: What aboutthat whole “confidentiality”crapI heardoctors are supposedtofollow?
Mendellson:Idofollowthe confidentialityagreements.Partof the legal processof myjob,though,isto
make sure you are safe.Andyou’re notsafe at home.
Jane: That’swhyI run away and sleepsomewhere else sometimes.
Mendellson:Butyoucan’t run awayyour whole life.
Jane: I thinkif I ran hard enough,maybe Icould.
Mendellson:Whatare you runningfrom, exactly?
Jane: Uh, my step-dad?Haven’tyoulistenedtothe last15 pointlesssessionswe’ve had?

5. Mendellson:Iknowyou’re runningfromyourstep-father.ButI’mwonderingif there’ssomethingelse
you’re tryingtoescape.You’re always up-tightandon-edge andyou’vesaidsome thingsthatmake me
wonderaboutyourexperiences.Whatelse hashappenedinyourlife thatyou’re tryingtogetaway
from?
Jane: Take your pick,doc. My dad leftnine yearsago,mymomwas a drug addictfor a while,mystep-
dad decidedtoknockmymom up andbeat that kidto deathbefore Ievenreallyhadalittle brother…I
dunnowhatyou’re lookingforhere.Youknow all of thisstuff.
Mendellson:Butwe’ve beenoveritall time andtime again,andyou’re still stuckinthe same place.
What else--?
Jane: Geez,doc,isn’tall that enough?Doyoulistentoa word I say?It’s like you’re tryingtocreate
problemsthatdon’texistandI’mtiredof it.Everythingelse thathappenedtome inmylife isenoughfor
anybody.
Mendellson:I’mnottryingto create problemsforyou,Jane,I’mtryingtohelpyou.
Jane: Well,youkindof suckat helpingme.
Mendellson:You’re notlettingme helpyou—
Jane: I’mnot tryingto be all up inyour face,butreally,I’mdone withthis.I wantto go home.I wantto
getout of here.
Mendellson:Wait,Jane.Youknowyourmomisn’tgoingto be happy if youendearly,andsince when
do youwant to go homesobadly?
Jane: I don’twantmy momout in the waitingroomalone,alright?Iwantto leave!
Mendellson:Whyare youso tense today?
Jane: Look,I justwanna go---
Mendellson:Isitbecause of that warehouse incident?
(beat)
Jane: What?
Mendellson:Doyouknowwhathappenedatthe warehouse aroundfourdaysago?
Jane: (uptight) Idon’tknowwhatyou’re talkingabout.

6. Mendellson:Thatwarehouse youruntowhenyourmom and step-dadfight…whenwasthe lasttime
youwentthere?
Jane: A couple weeksago.
Mendellson:Well,maybeyoushouldn’tgothere anymore.
Jane: Okay.
Mendellson:Iknowyoudon’tlike itbut—(beat)“Okay”??That’sthe mostagreeable you’veeverbeen
on anything.Probablyever.
Jane: …I’mjusttiredof arguingwithyou,doc.
Mendellson:Butyoulove arguing.
Jane: Notas much as youdo, apparently.
Mendellson:(sighing)Whyare youagreeingtonot go back to the warehouse?
Jane: Because youtoldme to stopgoingthere,and since youhave a doctorate from StanfordI know you
are all-knowingandwise…
Mendellson:Sowhathappenedatthe warehouse scaredyou?
Jane: (suddenly seriousagain,almostmechanical) Nothinghappenedatthe warehouse.
Mendellson:Itdid,though.Theyfoundoutthismorning.
Jane: Who foundit?
Mendellson:Soyoudo know?
Jane: I don’tknowanything.
Mendellson:…okay.Now,Idon’twantto scare you,butthe police foundabodythere thismorning,soI
wantyou to stayaway fromthere.
Jane: Okay. Whatever.Canwe talkabout somethingelse?
(beat)
Mendellson:Youseemalittle differenttoday,Jane.More on-edge andreallyeagertonottalkabout
whathappenedatthe warehouse.If whathappenedthere botheredyou,we cantalkaboutit.
Jane: WhywouldI needtotalkabout it?

7. Mendellson:The warehouseiswhere youwenttofeel safe,butnow thatsafetynethasbeen
destroyed.Surelyyou’re floundering.
Jane: I’mnot floundering,okay?I’mfine.
Mendellson:Whyare youso defensive today?
Jane: I’mfine,okay?!Stoppesteringme aboutthe stupid, stupid warehouse!
Mendellson:Calmdown,Jane.If you’re notreadytotalkabout the warehouse, we’llwaituntil youare.
Jane: There’snothingtotalkaboutwiththe warehouse.Nothing.Leave italone.
Mendellson:Okay,okay. (beat) Howaboutwe dosomethingIknow you’ll like?
Jane: Goodluck withthat.
Mendellson:Oh,come on. I knowyoulike ink blots.
Jane: I don’tlike inkblots.Ijustfindthemsomewhatamusing.
Mendellson:Soyou’ve said.Woulditbe alrightif we triedsome inkblots?
Jane: Are yougonna write downmyanswersagain?
Mendellson:Probablynot.You’ve alreadydone the testingpartof them…Idon’tneedtoevaluate you
withthese.
Jane: Thenwhat’sthe point?
Mendellson:Totry to calmyou downandmake youcomfortable.Getyourmindoff of…life.
Jane: Okay.Whatever.
FX: Mendellson’sfootsteps.
FX: Draweropening
FX: Papers shuffling
FX: Drawerclosing
FX: Mendellson’sfootsteps
Mendellson:Whatdoyou see inthisone?
Jane: Ink.
Mendellson:Whatdoyou see in the ink?

8. Jane: (sighing) Fine.Um…ahat.
Mendellson:Okay. (beat) Howaboutthisone?
Jane: A wa…a shed.
Mendellson:Whatwere yougoingtosay before yousaidshed?
Jane: Nothing.You’re hallucinating,doc.Maybe youshouldstopbein’aroundcrazypeople likeme.
Mendellson:Veryfunny,Jane. (beat)Whatdoyou see inthisone?
Jane: Eyes.
Mendellson:Thisone?
Jane: …a gun.
Mendellson:Andthisone?
Jane: (whisper) Nails…
Mendellson:Whatwasthat?
Jane: I don’twantto do thisanymore.
Mendellson:I’msorry,Jane,Ijustcouldn’thearyouranswer.
Jane: Don’tworry aboutit!I don’twant to see thatanymore!
Mendellson:Whatdon’tyouwantto see?
Jane: Stop!Putit away!
FX: Papersrustling
Mendellson:There,Iputthemdown,okay?Calmdown,it’sokay.It’sokay.
Jane: Whydid youshowme that? Were youtryingto see if it wasme?
Mendellson:Whatare you talkingabout,Jane?
Jane: Nevermind.Nevermind.Iwantto gohome.
Mendellson:Wait,Jane.What’sgoingon?Whyare youupsetrightnow?
Jane: I’mnot upset.I’mfine.Iwantto go home.
Mendellson:Canyoujusttalkto me fora few minutes?Please?

9. Jane: There’snothingtotalkabout.I’mfine.Iwant to gohome.I wantto go home!!
Mendellson:Okay...Jane,listentothe soundof my voice. (hypnotic) Lookatthispenthat I’m waving
back and forth.Justlookat it.What color isit?
Jane: Black.
Mendellson:That’sright.Andwhatisthe black pendoing?
Jane: Goingback and forth.
Mendellson:Backand forth,that’sright.Back and forth.Justwatch it.
(beat)
Mendellson:That’sit.Justkeeplookingatit,andlistentothe soundof myvoice.The pen,the black
pen,isgoingback and forthjustfor you.Justfor you.Justkeeplookingatit.It’ssafe.
(beat)
Mendellson:Good. You’re safe inthisroom, withthe pen.You’re safe inyourownmind.If you ever
don’tfeel safe,justletme knowandI’ll snapmyfingersandbringyouout of yourmind.Okay?
Jane: You’ll snapandI’ll be safe.
Mendellson:That’sright.
(beat)
Mendellson:Nowlaybackon the couch.
FX: Rustling asJane laysbackon thecouch.
Mendellson:Good.Now,canyoutell me whatyou saw in that lastinkblot?
Jane: (subdued)Idon’twantto.
Mendellson:That’sokay.Canyoutell the pen?
Jane: I sawnails.
Mendellson:Nails.Whydidthatscare you?
Jane: It remindedme.
Mendellson:Of what?
Jane: I don’twantto say.
Mendellson:Noteventothe pen?

10. Jane: Notto anybody.Notever.
Mendellson:Okay.That’sokay.Youdon’thave to tell anybody.Butthe penisn’ta person.The pencan’t
tell anyone if youtell itwhathappenedtoyou.
Jane: (struggling maybecrying a little) No.No, don’tmake me.
Mendellson:It’sokay.The penwon’ttell anybody.
Jane: He mighthear.
Mendellson:Whomighthear?
Jane: No.
Mendellson:Whydoyoukeepsayingno?Tellingthe penwill help.Itwill make youbetter.
Jane: (suddenly hysterical) No!No! Itwon’tmake youbetter!Itwon’t!Don’tlistentohim!Don’t!Don’t
lie down!No!
Mendellson:Jane?What’shappening?
Jane: He’sgettingoutthe nails!
Mendellson:Whatare the nailsabout?
Jane: He’sloadingthe nails!
Mendellson:Who?
Jane: Openyoureyes! Getup!Get up!!
Mendellson:Jane,calmdown…
Jane: No!!Openyour---
FX: Mendellson snapsloudly.
(beat)
Jane: What justhappened?
Mendellson:Iputyou underhypnosistotryand calm youdown,butyou saidsomethingaboutnailsand
startedto panic,so I broughtyouout of it.
Jane: You trickedme?
Mendellson:No,Jane.Iwastryingto calm youdown.
Jane: You trickedme!

11. Mendellson:No,I---
FX: Knockon door
Blake: Are you okayinthere,Dr. Mendellson?Itwasratherloudfor a minute.
Mendellson:Everything’sfine,Dr.Blake.
Blake: Who’sinthere?
Mendellson:YouknowIcan’t tell youthat.
Blake: Right.Is itstill the younggirl whose motherisoutside the door?
Mendellson:Yes.Tell hermothereverythingisfine.
Blake: Oh,I will.
FX: Dimming footsteps.
Mendellson:Now,Jane,what----
(beat)
Mendellson:Are youokay?
Frantic whispering (below) starts,Mendellson’svoicecutsoverJane’sasshetries to understand her.
Jane: (franticly whispering,barely comprehensible) IhopedI’dbe outof here and he wouldn’tsee me
and mymotherwouldbe safe butnow because of me he’sgother he’sgot herhe’sgot herhe’ll dothe
same thingto herthat he didto Orlandowhydidhe do that to OrlandoIknew himOrlandowasgood
Orlandowasgood andI’m bad I should’ve savedOrlandowhydidn’tIstophimI was justso afraid,so
afraid,so afraid,soafraid,so afraidto helphim, didn’twanttohelphim, didn’twanttogethurt,but
nowhe’sdead,andit didn’tmake himbetter,didn’tmake himbetteratall, itjustmade himdead…
Mendellson:(louder,morealarmed) Jane?Jane,what’sgoingon?
Wait for moreof the whispering to go on
Mendellson:Jane,Ican’tunderstandwhatyou’re saying.Canyouspeakup?Please?
Jane: (whisper) No,no,no,getup, getup, get up—
Mendellson:Canyoutell me whoyou’re talkingto?
Jane: (whisper) There’sblood,bloodeverywhere,all overme,andhe won’tgetup, andthat uglydrill…
Mendellson:Didyoujustsaysomethingaboutadrill?

12. Jane: (whisper) No,no,no,he’shere, he’sgotmymom…
Mendellson:Who’shere?There’snoone here butus,Jane.
Jane: (whisper) Mymom,my mom,my mom…
Mendellson:I’ll gogether,okay?
Jane: (finally speaking abovea whisper) No!You’ll justgethurttoo.You’ll justgethurt.
Mendellson:Whoishurtingyou?
Jane: Notme.Not me.FirstOrlando,andnow my mom.
Mendellson:Orlando?Who’sOrlando?
Jane: He isn’tanybodyanymore.
Mendellson:What…?
(Beat)
Mendellson:(quietly) Wait…Orlandowasthe name of the kidthat waskilled…inthe warehouse. (louder)
Didyou see whathappened?Inthe warehouse?Jane?
Jane: He said itwouldcure Orlandoand make himbetter.
Mendellson:Whatare you talkingabout?Whathappened?
Jane: He took Orlandothere!Iwas sleeping!Iwasdisoriented!Itwasn’tmyfault!
Mendellson:Noone’ssayingitwasyourfault…
Jane: I should’ve stoppedhim, Ishould’vestoppedhim,butIwas afraid,Iwas confusedandI was
afraid…
Mendellson:Whathappened,Jane?
Jane: He told himthat he couldhelphim, he couldgetthe voicesout,and Orlandotrustedhim---
Mendellson:Whodidthis?
Jane: Dr. Blake!Dr. Blake…!
Mendellson:Dr.Blake isn’there rightnow butI can go get himif you’dlike---
Jane: No,don’t!I neverwantto see himagain.
Mendellson:Again?

13. Jane: He said he was goingtocure Orlando,buthe just triedtodrill the voicesout,he saidit would
make himbetter---
Mendellson:Waita minute,are yousayingthatyouthinkit wasDr. Blake---?
Jane: Andit didmake the voicesstop,itdid,butit killedhim, itkilledhim…
Mendellson:I’ll prove itwasn’thim,don’tworry.Stayhere aminute,juststayhere a minute…
FX: Hurried footsteps
FX: Dooropening
FX: Doorclosing
FX: Hurried footsteps
Receptionist:Are youokay,Dr. Mendellson?
Mendellson:Where’sJane’smother?
Receptionist:Dr. Blake tookherback to hisoffice fora minute,saidyouwantedhimtotalkto Jane’s
mom…?
(beat)
Receptionist:Are youokay,Dr. Mendellson?
Mendellson:Ididn’task himto talkto her…
Receptionist:I’msure it wasjusta misunderstanding---
Mendellson:Gositin there withJane.
Receptionist:But---
Mendellson:Please!Doit!
FX: Running footsteps
FX: Banging on door
Mendellson:Blake!Openthe door!Openthe door!
Blake: I’ma little busyatthe moment,Dr.Mendellson.You’ll have tocome backlater.
Mendellson:Imeanit,Blake.Openthe door.
Blake: You’ll have tocome back later.I’mwitha client.

14. Mendellson:WithJane’smom?
Blake: I’mjustmakingher better. Aren’tit?
Mendellson:She’snotyourpatient!
Blake: Jealous?
FX: Bangson thedooragain.
Mendellson:Mrs.Tait! Mrs. Tait,can youhear me?
Blake: She can’t hearyou,Mendellson.Gotake care of Jane.
Mendellson:Letme make sure hermotherisalright first.
Blake: Why wouldn’tshe be?
FX: Pounding on door
Mendellson:Openthe door!
FX: Dooropens
Blake: Really,Mendellson.I’mworking.
Mendellson:Letme see Mrs. Tait.
Blake: Why are you so eagertosee her?
Mendellson:Ijustwantto make sure she’s alright.
Blake: You’re not gettinginhere,Mendellson.Staythere.
Mendellson:Letme see her!
Blake: Why are you so upset?
Mendellson:Isittrue?
Blake: Is whattrue?That I killed yourpatient’s friend,Orlando?Whywouldyoubelieve that?
Mendellson:Howwouldyouknowshe toldme thatif it weren’ttrue?
Blake: She was rantingratherloudly.Crazylittle girl.Ithoughtthe soundof myvoice wouldsoothe her
and stopher fromaccusingme,whichiswhy I knockedonyourdoor.
Mendellson:She hadn’tsaidyourname whenyoucame knockingonmy door.She hadn’taccused
anybody.

15. Blake: …You musthave missed it.I heardit.
Mendellson:Ididn’tmissanything,Blake.I’ve beenatthisprofessionalotlongerthanyou have.
Blake: It shows,sweetheart.Mightwanttotry some cream or something.
Mendellson:Don’tchange the subject.Jane didn’taccuse youuntil youalreadyhadhermotherinyour
office.Youdidn’thearanything.She barelywhisperedyourname.Whatdidyoudo,Blake?Whatdid
youdo to that poor kid?
Blake: I didn’tdoanything,youcrazy---
Mendellson:Youtransferredhere fromCalifornia,andWashingtonbeforethat. Bothinthe west.Where
the serial killer---whereyou hadbeenkillingall of those people.Andnow here youare,andsomeone
else isdead…
Blake: That’syour proof?The word of a crazy patientandmytwo previousaddresses?Come on,really…
Mendellson:(slowly,remembering) Andreceiptyouhadme sign.
(beat)
Blake: The what?
Mendellson:The receipt.Iownthisplace,soI hadto signthe receiptsothat youcouldgeta refund.
Blake: A refundforwhat?
Mendellson:A nail gun. Yousaid youneededittohelpputthingsupin youroffice andwe had the
moneyso…butthe nailsJane wastalkingabout…youbasicallycrucifiedthatkidtothe floor. Blake,what
were youthinking?
Blake: (Sighing) Yes,it’strue,Mendellson.Butif youtell anyone,andif thatidiotchildopenshermouth
again,hermotheris dead.
Mendellson:Noshe isn’t. (calling) Mrs.Tait! Come here!Come here! I’ll protectyou!Come here!
Blake: She can’t hearyou,Blake.
Mendellson:Whatdidyoudo to her?
Blake: I’ma masterat hypnosis.Didn’tyoureadmyresume?
Mendellson:Sothat’showyoumanagedto kill somanypeople.Theyjustlieddownandneverevenhad
a chance.
Blake: (laughing) Oh,theyhadachance. It’sno funif they’re notstruggling.
Mendellson:Enough!Enough!Let hergo!

16. Blake: Oh,I thinkit’stoo late forthat. You see,Iwouldhave lethergo if youhadn’tbelievedJane.But
here youare, accusingme of murder, andJane’sinyouroffice relivingwhatshe’sseen,andhere Iam,
betweenyouand the onlyleverage Ihave:someone else’slife.
FX: Doorslamming shut.
Mendellson:Blake!No!Blake!Mrs.Tait!Mrs. Tait!
Receptionist:What’sgoingon, Dr. Mendellson?
Mendellson:Ineedyoutodo somethingforme.
Receptionist:Whatis it?What’s goingon?
Mendellson:(whispering) Come withme.
FX: Receptionistand Mendellson running.
FX: Dooropen
Jane: Dr. Mendellson!Where’smymom?
Mendellson:Jane, Blake hasyourmom,butI’mgonna gether back,okay?
Jane: He’ll hurther,I knowhe’ll hurther---
Mendellson:No,he won’thurther,I’ll make sure of it.
Jane: No,no,no…
Receptionist:What’sgoingon?
Mendellson:Listen,Crystal,howlonghave you knownme?
Receptionist:More than fifteenyearsnow,but…
Mendellson:Anddoyoutrust me?
Receptionist:Of course,Dr. Mendellson,butwhat’sgoingon?
Mendellson:I’ll explaineverythinglater,but fornow Ineedyouto trust me as you alwayshave,alright?
Receptionist:Alright.Whatdoyou need?
Mendellson:Take Jane tothe police station now.
Jane: What? I’mnot—

17. Mendellson:Iknowit’sscary,I know.You don’thave to reportyourstep-father’sabuse,orevenwhat
yousaw inthe warehouse,butyouneed togotell the police thatyourmotherisin dangerandthey
needtocome now.
Jane: Isn’tthat whata phone’sfor?
Mendellson:Yes,butthe police stationisnextdoorandI wantyou to be protected.If you’re there,I’ll
knowthat youare safe too.
Jane: But I wantto stay and protectmymom…
Mendellson:You’ll protectherbestbygoingandgettinghelp.Canyoudothat for me…forher?
Jane: …Yes.
Mendellson:Thengo.
FX: Receptionistand Janerun out.
(beat)
Mendellson:(muttering to herself) Ican dothis.I can dothis.I’ve alwayswantedtohelppeople.Ican
do this.I can save her.I can save her.I can dothis.
FX: Draweropening
FX: Gun being picked up
FX: Drawerclosing
Mendellson:Whatisthat on the outside of my desk?
FX: Suction-likenoise
Mendellson:A hiddencamera.Lookslike the memoryisinhere still…Blake musthave beenrecording
the session.Iguessthatmeanswe can use it as evidence…
(beat)
Mendellson:Butif he’slisteningrightnow,he knowsthat they’re goingtoreporthim, and Mrs.
Tait…no!
FX: Running footsteps
FX: Pounding on door
Mendellson:Openthisdoor,Blake! OpenitorI will blastitdown!
Blake: (off) Iwarnedyou,Mendellson.Iwarnedyouto keepyourmouthshut,and you---

18. FX: Loud banging asMendellson hitsthegun againstthe doorknob.
FX: Clash asthe doorknob falls
FX: Dooropens
Blake: Riskymove,cominginhere.
Mendellson:AmItoo late?
Blake: See foryourself.
Mendellson:Youalreadynailedhertothe ground.
Blake: Yes,and she’sstill oblivious.Butdon’tworry.I’ll bringheroutof it before Ikill her.
Mendellson:Youdirty,rotten—
Blake: Look at me,Mendellson.
Mendellson:No.
Blake: Look at me. I won’tevenwake youupbefore Ikill youif youjustlookat me fora minute.Letme
make thiseasyfor you.
Mendellson:No!
Blake: Putthat gun down.You can’taim itproperly if youdon’tlookat me,whichyouclearlyrefuse to
do.
Mendellson:I’maprettygood shot.
Blake: Evenblind?
Mendellson:It’ll be close enough.
Blake: Notif I’m standinginfrontof Mrs. Tait.
FX: Footsteps.
Blake: Nowyouhave to choose,Mendellson. Youhave tolookat me and risklosingyourself,oryoucan
justshootand possiblykill Jane’smother.
Mendellson:Stepawayfromher.
Blake: Have you everkilledanyone before?
Mendellson:Imeanit.Back away.
Blake: I don’tthinkyoucan do it.I don’tthinkyou can shootme. Notevento save someone else.

19. Mendellson:I’mnotkidding. Move.
Blake: I don’tthinkso. You see, Ialreadyhave thisdrill,righthere inmyhand.AndI just wantto make
all of the pain go awayfor Mrs. Tait. Do you wannasee how I bringmy patientsoutof hypnosis?
Mendellson:Getaway!
FX: Drill whirs forabouta second.
FX: Jane’smomgasping
Jane’sMom: My hands!What’sgoingon! I hurt!Everythinghurts.
Blake: Shh,shh.I know.I know.Do youwantthe painto go away.
Jane’sMom: Yes…
Blake: Askme to make the paingo away.
Jane’smom: (crying) Make the paingo away.
Blake: Now,now.Asknicely.
Jane’smom: Please.Pleasemake the paingoaway.
Blake: I can do that.See thisdrill?
Mendellson:Blake,don’t!
Blake: Thiswill make itgo away.
Mendellson:Lastchance,Blake!
Blake: This—
FX: Drill whirring
Blake: ---willmake youbetter.
Mendellson:No!
FX: Gun shot
(beat)
(silence)
NewsReporter: (slowly fading in) Mrs. Tait isin critical condition.Doctorssayshe losta lotof blood
whenDr. Eric Blake nailedhertothe floorof hisoffice. AsforJanice Mendellson,police are callinghera
hero. She saved the life of Mrs. Taitand got her daughter Jane andthe office receptionist, Crystal

20. McGuire,to safety. Doctorsare unsure whetherornot she’ll everbe allowedtocontinue herpractice,
however.Accordingtopolice, Mendellsonwasfound clutchingBlake’sdrill,muttering “thiswillmake
youbetter.”Accordingto doctors,she hasn’tstoppedmuttering.We mayneverknow the full storyof
whathappened lastnight.We can onlybe thankful that the dangerousserial killer,whose murdertotal
comesto 13, can’t hurtanyone else.Thisis Kasey Kumar,reportinglive.
END