\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2324327-Dr-Lovegood
Item Icon
\"Reading Printer Friendly Page Tell A Friend
No ratings.
Rated: 13+ · Script/Play · Detective · #2324327
Detective Jack Will. must stop deranged Dr. Lovegood while discovering their shared past.












































Dr. Lovegood







written by





Solum Anderson

















































Ext. River - NIGHT

We can hear a man whistling. We see DR. LOVEGOOD walking down an old stone bridge. He comes upon a young woman who is laying on the ground. He bends down and looks at her. The woman appears to be under the influence of a drug.

Isabella Johnson

Doctor, am I going to be ok?

Dr. Lovegood

Yes, my dear. Everything is going to be fine.

He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a vial. He opens it and puts it up to her mouth.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Here, drink this. It will make the pain go away.

She opens her mouth and Dr. Lovegood pours the liquid into her mouth. After a moment she goes limp and her eyes glaze over.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Your beauty was too much for this world, it had to take you.

(he runs his hand down her face.)

Don't worry, my dear. I'll fix this. I'll save all of them.

He picks her up and throws her body off of the bridge. He stares at where her body disappeared. After a moment he walks away slowly, whistling.

Int. Jack's Office - day

JACK WILLIAMS sits with his feet up on his desk reading something. He looks tired and is nodding off. When he finally closes his eyes his door swings open and he is startled back awake.

John Ryton

Williams!

Jack rushes to his feet.

Jack Williams

Ah, good morning, Chief.

JOHN RYTON

Jack, you look terrible. Have you been drinking again?

Jack leans against his desk.

JACK WILLIAMS

No! Maybe... I don't know, I can hardly remember...

(he rubs his eyes)

Yesterday.

JOHN RYTON

Well freshen up! I've got somethin' for ya.

JACK WILLIAMS

Another case? Chief, I'm already in the middle of one.

He motions to the papers strewn about his desk.

JOHN RYTON

I'm aware. I'm putting some one else on that case. You've got bigger fish to fry.

JACK WILLIAMS

What is it? Another missing child? Bank robbery?... Murder?

JOHN RYTON

Yes.

JACK WILLIAMS

What?

Ryton throws a folder down on Jack's desk.

JOHN RYTON

This one's fresh. Just found this morning.

Jack opens the folder and looks at the contents.

JACK WILLIAMS

Is- Isabella Johnson! You can't be serious!

JOHN RYTON

It woes me to say it.

JACK WILLIAMS

Ah, she was just a kid... Have you told 'er ma yet?

JOHN RYTON

Going over tonight.

JACK WILLIAMS

First Paul, then Rob, now her? Who's next? Roosevelt?

JOHN RYTON

I'd rather not find out. That's why I'm putting you on this killer's case. You're my best man.

Ext. RIVER - Day

JohN RYTON

(v.o.)

I need you to go out and inspect the crime scene.

Jack walks up on the crime scene. There is a police officer there as well as a doctor who is inspecting the body.

Officer Higgins

Mornin', Jack.

Jack WILLIAMS

Morning.

Jack walks past Higgins and goes down to the bank where the body and a field doctor are waiting. Higgins follows.

JaCK WILLIAMS

So, doc, what is it?

Doctor

Well, I'd say she's been dead for at least 12 hours. Body mutilated around the chest. Her blood's a lot thicker than it's supposed to be, and her breath smells like urine.

Pause.

JACK WILLIAMS

Urine?

DOCTOR

Yes, I don't know why. Probably just the river.

Jack sniffs.

JACK WILLIAMS

The river doesn't smell like urine.

DOCTOR

Again, I don't know why. I might be able to find out during the autopsy. I'm just waiting for the gurney and the car.

Jack turns to Higgins.

JACK WILLIAMS

Anything else of interest?

OFFICER HIGGINS

Nope. This guy's really good at covering his tracks.

JACK WILLIAMS

Any other bodies?

OFFICER HIGGINS

Not recently, but there have been 11 other bodies found in this area.

Pause. Jack looks at Higgins.

JACK WILLIAMS

11?

OFFICER HIGGINS

Yup.

JACK WILLIAMS

Oh- ok... Where did this one come from?

He gestures to the body.

OFFICER HIGGINS

We think it came from that bridge over there.

Jack and Higgins both walk over to the bridge. Jack looks around and over the sides but can't find anything.

JACK WILLIAMS

Well, Gary, I don't think there's any value I can add here.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Yeah, I don't think there was much you could have done here anyways. Thanks for coming out.

JACK WILLIAMS

Just doin' my job.

Jack starts to walk away but Higgins stops him.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Hey, uh, Jack.

JACK WILLIAMS

Yeah?

OFFICER HIGGINS

Look, I'm real sorry... I know how close you two were.

He looks in the direction of the body.

OFFICER HIGGINS

If there's anything I can do...

Jack smiles a sad smile.

Jack WILLIAMS

It's alright, Gary. I have my own way of working through these things. I'll be fine.

Pause.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Ya know, we need to do something together. Ever since you got that promotion we've just been drifting farther and farther apart. How about we hit the bar? You still owe me a drink, ya know.

JACK WILLIAMS

I'd love to, but I have... Other things I need to attend to. Maybe some other time.

OFFICER HIGGINS

(sadly)

Ok.

Jack walks away.

Int. Lovegood's shack - night

We see Dr. Lovegood is mixing things on a table. He checks a list every once an a while and adds different things to a vial. When he is done he shakes it and looks at it swirling around in the glass. He turns to the operating table in the room where his next victim is laid.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

Alright, Tommy. I think it's just about done.

There is a little boy on the table. He is limp and pale.

Tommy

Will this make me feel better, Doctor?

Dr. Lovegood walks over to the bed after picking up a syringe. He puts the syringe into the glass and fills it with the liquid.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Yes, Tommy. I do believe it will. Stay still now.

Dr. Lovegood injects the liquid into Tommy's arm. After the syringe is empty he puts it down and sits Tommy up.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

So, how do you feel?

Pause. Tommy suddenly throws up a lot of blood and starts crying.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Oh dear.

Dr. Lovegood wipes the blood from Tommy's face and comforts him.

DR. LOVEGOOD

There, there. Don't cry. I can make the pain go away yet.

Dr. Lovegood gets up and walks over to his shelf. He pulls out the same vial he used on the young woman. He puts it in his jacket pocket.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Come, Tommy.

He helps him off of the table.

DR. LOVEGOOD

I have one more trick up my sleeve to get you better, we just have to go somewhere else first.

They leave.

Int. Police station - night

Jack walks into the door and heads for his office. As he reaches for the door knob he is stopped.

John RYTON

Williams.

Jack WILLIAMS

Yes sir?

JOHN RYTON

Did you see the body?

JACK WILLIAMS

I did, but I couldn't find any clues or evidence of anything. This guy's good.

JOHN RYTON

Ah, well... maybe the autopsy will reveal something. I'm off to the Johnson's to fulfill my...

(he sighs)

Duties.

He starts to leave.

JACK WILLIAMS

Hey, uh... Chief.

Ryton stops.

JOHN RYTON

Yes?

JACK WILLIAMS

Can I go with you? Mrs. Johnson was like a mother to me... I want to be there to comfort her, if I can.

Pause. Ryton smiles.

JOHN RYTON

Well. I don't see why not. That's very kind of you. A side of you I rarely see. Do you need to grab anything?

JACK WILLIAMS

No, I'm ready to go.

JOHN RYTON

Alright then. Let's get this over with.

INT./EXT. The Johnson's - Night

Jack and John approach the door. Ryton knocks and a worried MRS. JOHNSON answers the door.

Mrs. Johnson

Oh, hello Jack. Hello sir. Is something wrong?

Jack WILLIAMS

Mrs. Johnson, this is John Ryton, Chief of police. He needs to speak with you.

MRS. JOHNSON

Oh!

JOHN RYTON

Yes Ma'am, I have something to tell you, but it would best be told in private. May we come in?

MRS. JOHNSON

(now very worried)

Oh, yes. Come in, come in.

They all go to the living room. MARY ANN runs up to Jack.

Mary Ann

Jack!

She hugs his legs. He bends down and ruffles her hair.

Jack WILLIAMS

Hey kiddo.

Mrs. Johnson and John sit down.

JOHN RYTON

Jack, this is something that this lovely girl might not want to hear just yet. Would you take her to her room?

Mrs. Johnson suddenly gets emotional

Mrs. JOHNSON

Oh, Mr. Ryton don't tell me!

Jack WILLIAMS

Come on, Mary Ann.

He picks her up.

Mary ANN

But I want to hear what he has to say.

JACK WILLIAMS

Not now.

Int. Mary Ann's room - Moments LATER

Jack enters the room and closes the door. He sets Mary Ann down and she runs and jumps on her bed.

Mary Ann

What's that man telling grandma?

JACK WILLIAMS

Oh, it's nothing.

(quickly changing the subject.)

Hey, did you ever fix that rocking horse?

MARY ANN

Oh yeah!

She jumps off her bed and runs over to her horse. She gets on it and starts rocking.

MARY ANN

It was broken but grandpa fixed it!

Jack WILLIAMS

That's wonderful.

There is a wail from the other room that is quietly silenced.

MARY ANN

What's wrong with grandma!?

She gets up and starts to run to wards the door, but Jack stops her.

JACK WILLIAMS

Hey there little lady, we can't go out there right now.

Jack carries her back to the horse and sets her back down on it. He sits next to her.

JACK WILLIAMS

So you said your grandpa fixed this horse?

Mary ANN

Yeah. He did.

JACK WILLIAMS

Wow, your grandpa's very smart. Say has he gotten any better?

MARY ANN

No, he's still sick. He hasn't hardly been out of bed.

JACK WILLIAMS

Oh.

MARY ANN

He's starting to smell really bad. He smells like poop and his breath smells like pee.

Pause.

JACK WILLIAMS

Pee?

MARY ANN

Yeah.

Pause.

JACK WILLIAMS

Say, I'm going to go talk to your grandpa. Will you be a good girl and stay here for me.

MARY ANN

Ok.

JACK WILLIAMS

Thanks.

Jack gets up and leaves the room. He closes the door behind him.

Int. Mr. Johnson's room - Moments later

We see Mr. Johnson laying in his bed. Jack knocks on the door and he enters. When Mr. Johnson sees Jack he smiles.

Mr. Johnson

Oh, hello Jack.

Jack WILLIAMS

Hello Mr. Johnson.

MR. JOHNSON

What are you doing here?

JACK WILLIAMS

I'm here on official business... would you mind if I-

He quickly leans forward and smells Mr. Johnson's breath. Mr. Johnson leans away.

MR. JOHNSON

Now what are you doing boy?!

Jack leans back slowly and looks at Mr. Johnson with a solemn expression.

JACK WILLIAMS

Mr. Johnson. Are you drinking your own urine?

Mr. Johnson is taken aback.

MR. JOHNSON

Y- yes. But only because the doctor is telling me to!

Pause.

JACK WILLIAMS

Doctor? No doctor on this side of the Mississippi would ever tell a man to drink his own urine.

MR. JOHNSON

But he does! He's from the Red Cross. He says he's going to cure me.

JACK WILLIAMS

What's this doctors name?

MR. JOHNSON

Dr. Lovegood.

Pause. Jack is shocked.

JACK WILLIAMS

Doctor... Lovegood?

MR. JOHNSON

That's what I said isn't it? He's with the Red Cross, what does it matter if his methods are a little... strange?

JACK WILLIAMS

Because, Mr. Johnson. Because Dr. Lovegood was expelled from the Red Cross 7 years ago.

Pause.

MR. JOHNSON

What?

JACK WILLIAMS

If we're talking about the same man...

MR. JOHNSON

How do you know we are? It could be some other Lovegood.

Jack looks at Mr. Johnson

JACK WILLIAMS

No. No, it wouldn't be. It's him.

MR. JOHNSON

How do you know Dr. Lovegood.

Pause.

JACK WILLIAMS

He... I knew him during the Great War. How are you seeing him? I thought you were bed bound.

MR. JOHNSON

He's been coming to see me.

JACK WILLIAMS

When?

MR. JOHNSON

Every Thursday.

JACK WILLIAMS

Today's Thursday. Has he come today?

MR. JOHNSON

He will in three hours.

Tony looks at the clock in the room.

JACK WILLIAMS

Mr. Johnson, It'll be midnight in three hours.

MR. JOHNSON

Yes, I don't know why he comes at that time, but he says it has to be at night.

JACK WILLIAMS

I... I think I've gotten everything I need. Good night Mr. Johnson.

Jack starts to leave.

MR. JOHNSON

Jack?

Jack stops.

Mr. JOHNSON

Don't judge me, son. I'm just trying to get better.

Jack WILLIAMS

I don't blame you. I blame your luck.

Jack leaves.

Int. Johnson's Hallway - Moments later

Jack walks past the Johnson's maid who is cleaning.

JACK WILLIAMS

Hey.

Maid

Yes?

JACK WILLIAMS

Tonight, as you might know, a Doctor is going to visit Mr. Johnson.

MAID

Yes, every Thursday.

JACK WILLIAMS

Yeah, he's going to come tonight, let him. But that man is a quack. He's going to kill Mr. Johnson before he cures him. If he ever comes back after tonight call the police immediately.

MAID

Yes sir, I will.

JACK WILLIAMS

Good.

He walks over and picks up the telephone. He dials a number.

JACK WILLIAMS

Hey Gary. How about that drink I owe ya?

CUT TO:

Ext. Outside Johnson's house - night

Jack and Gary sit in Jack's car across the street from the Johnson's house. Jack is looking through a telescope,.

OFFICER HIGGINS

I thought we were going to the bar.

Jack WILLIAMS

We are. Just after we do a little bit of work.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Work? I got off work 5 hours ago!

Jack looks at Gary.

JACK WILLIAMS

Do you want the drink or not?

Gary sighs.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Fine.

Jack looks back through the telescope.

JACK WILLIAMS

Here he comes!

They both start whispering.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Let me see.

Jack hands him the telescope and he looks.

Officer HIGGINS

Why is he dressed like that?

JACK WILLIAMS

Can't say.

They see Dr. Lovegood knock on the door and be let in.

OFFICER HIGGINS

What now?

Pause.

JACK WILLIAMS

We wait.

int. MR. JOHNSON'S ROOM - night

We see Mr. Johnson urinating into a cup, anything sensitive out of frame. Dr. Lovegood is standing behind him faced the opposite way digging through his bag. Mr. Johnson picks up the cup. The camera pans up as he picks it up. He looks at it. Dr. Lovegood walks over to him.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

Drink it. It will make you feel better.

Mr. Johnson hesitates but drinks the urine (not actually urine on set). He gags but continues to drink any ways. When the glass is empty he climbs back into bed.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling any better. I do have a couple of other treatments we can try. Hmm...

He is looking at a stack of papers. He flips the page.

DR. LOVEGOOD

How about...

He digs into his bag and pulls out a hand full of pills. He counts 7 and puts them on Mr. Johnson's night stand.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Take one a day starting tomorrow. I will be back at the same time next week to check in on you. If that doesn't work then... Well, I'm sure it won't be a problem.

He packs up and leaves.

Ext. OUTSIDE JOHNSON'S HOUSE - later

Jack sits looking at the Johnson's house. Gary is asleep next to him. When Dr. Lovegood exits the house Jack hits Gary on the chest to wake him up.

Jack WILLIAMS

Here he comes.

OfFICER HIGGINS

(groggy)

Wha-... oh.

Jack starts the car and they start to follow him down the road. They follow slowly at first, but Dr. Lovegood looks behind him, and after seeing the car, speeds up. They speed up as well until Dr. Lovegood breaks out into a run.

OfFICER HIGGINS

Floor it!

They race down the road until Dr. Lovegood ducks into an alley, which he finds out is a dead end. He turns around to see Jack and Gary blocking the exit and jumping out of the car. Lovegood pulls out a gun and points it at the men.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

Get out of my way.

OFFICER HIGGINS

(yelling, gun out)

Put the gun down!

Jack WILLIAMS

Stand down, Gary.

Gary looks at him confused.

Jack WILLIAMS

Put the gun down.

Gary slowly lowers his gun. Jack looks at Lovegood.

JACK WILLIAMS

Is it really you, doctor?

Lovegood stares at him for a moment before lowering his gun slightly.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

As I live and breathe. Jack Williams.

OfFICER HIGGINS

You know him?!

Jack ignores Gary.

JACK WILLIAMS

Are you really going to take my life after you saved it, doctor? Please, put the gun down.

DR. LOVEGOOD

I'm sorry, Jack. But I can't let you stop me. I have more lives to save.

JACK WILLIAMS

Please, doctor. Can we talk?

DR. LOVEGOOD

I think you want to do more than talk.

JACK WILLIAMS

Doctor, you're not saving people, you're killing them.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Saving the lives of millions will be worth a few casualties; And since I almost have the cure for the contagion, I can't let you stop me.

JACK WILLIAMS

Docto-

Dr. Lovegood cuts him off.

DR. LOVEGOOD

I'm sorry, Jack. But you're not going to convince me other wise. Please step aside.

JACK WILLIAMS

Doctor, we can-

DR. LOVEGOOD

3.

Gary puts his gun back up.

OFFICER HIGGINS

He's doing something!

DR. LOVEGOOD

2.

JACK WILLIAMS

Doctor, please.

DR. LOVEGOOD

1.

Dr. Lovegood shoots a bullet to the right of the two men. They jump aside and behind the car and Dr. Lovegood sprints past them. Gary leans over the front of the car and starts firing in his direction but Jack tackles him.

OffICER HIGGINS

What are you doing?!

Jack WILLIAMS

I need him alive!

Gary springs to his feet and starts looking for Lovegood, who has disappeared.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Great.

(turns to Jack.)

We could have had him!

JACK WILLIAMS

I need him alive.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Why? The guy's a killer. What difference does it make if he breathes or not?

JACK WILLIAMS

It...

(sighs.)

I'll tell you over that drink.

Int./Ext. Lovegood's shack - NIGHT

We see Dr. Lovegood running down a path in the woods. He comes upon his shack and throws himself against it and points his gun down the path from which he just came. He breaths very heavily.

After he is sure no one is following him he enters the shed. Inside he throws his bag down and rushes over to his shelf. He digs around until he finds the vial he used on the woman and boy. He puts it into his jacket pocket.

He goes over to his desk and pulls out another bullet and replaces the one he fired. He leaves quickly, slamming the door behind him.

Ext. Trenches 1918 - day

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

There is text on screen that says "THE GREAT WAR (WW1)".

We see four soldiers sitting in a trench eating. Jack is among them. They are talking.

Soldier 1

This stuff gets more sour every day.

Soldier 2

Usually happens when they're just about out. We'll have to go hungry until the next shipment.

Jack WILLIAMS

I thought it was coming two days ago.

Soldier 1

Well, there is a war going on.

A gunshot is heard. All of the men jump up.

Distant soldier

Germans!

More gunshots can be heard. The men start to move and a grenade is thrown in front of them. Jack rushes forward, grabs it and throws it out of the trench. They brace themselves and it goes off. They start to move again, but a German soldier jumps around the next corner. They shoot him.

Jack runs around the corner but is instantly shot by two German soldiers. The other men immediately shoot the Germans and start to drag Jack back.

CUT TO:

Int. Medical tent 1918 - later

We see Jack being wheeled into a medical tent. He is writhing in pain and people are trying to hold him down. He is rolled right next to Dr. Lovegood.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

(flatly)

What is it?

Nurse

Bullet wounds, six or seven.

Someone grabs Jack by the head and forces a cloth onto his face. It is chloroform and he slowly stops struggling. We can see Dr. Lovegood remove the bullets one at a time and drop them into a dish next to him. We can hear bullets and a bomb go off far in the distance. The nurse looks nervous, Dr. Lovegood is unfazed. Part of the way through the surgery Jack starts to wake up.

DR. LOVEGOOD

He's waking up.

Someone gives him another rag-full of chloroform. We cut to Dr. Lovegood finishing wrapping him in bandages. He wipes his brow with a towel.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

He'll live. Bring in the next one.

They roll Jack away.

Nurse

Doctor, you've been at it for 14 hours.

DR. LOVEGOOD

(yelling)

BRING IN THE NEXT ONE!

He takes a drink from a glass and sets it down on a table.

END FLASHBACK.

CUT TO:

Int. Bar. - Night

Same shot as before. The camera pans up to Jack and Gary sitting at a bar. Jack picks up the cup and takes a sip.

OFFICER HIGGINS

5 hours?

JACK WILLIAMS

Yeah. On me alone. Legends say he was at it for 31 hours before collapsing out of exhaustion.

OFFICER HIGGINS

So what happened to him?

JACK WILLIAMS

Well, he stayed with the Red Cross for a few months, but after a while his behavior became more and more aggressive. Eventually they had to expel him. After that he became a hermit. I tried to keep up with him, but he's really good at not being found.

Pause.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Wow.

Pause.

OfFICER HIGGINS

I have to ask... Why is he making them drink their own urine?

JACK WILLIAMS

He was expelled from the Red Cross for adopting... unorthodox medical treatments, like the plague doctors used to use. They though it would heal you.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Ew.

Pause. Jack takes another sip from his cup.

OFFICER HIGGINS

So how do we find him?

JACK WILLIAMS

That's the hard part.

int./EXT. THE JOHNSON'S - Night

Dr. Lovegood bangs on the door of the Johnson's until the maid answers. He pushes past her and goes to the dining room where the Johnson's are eating soup.

Mr. JOHNSON

Doctor? What are you doing here?

Dr. LOVEGOOD

After doing some thinking, your condition is much worse than I originally thought. I need to hospitalize you immediately.

MR. JOHNSON

What, I'm not-

DR. LOVEGOOD

(yelling)

Mr. Johnson! We need to go now!

He grabs Mr. Johnson and almost drags him out of his chair.

Mrs. JOHNSON

Doctor, what is this?

Dr. Lovegood drags Mr. Johnson to wards the door.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Don't worry Mrs. Johnson. Your husband will be fine. I'll make sure of it.

They leave. The maid and Mrs. Johnson stand there shocked. The maid comes to and picks up the telephone and calls the police. John Ryton answers

John RYTON

Hello?... What?! Ok, I'll call him immediately.

Ryton calls the bar.

Int. BAR. - moMENTS LATER

The bartender is cleaning glasses when the telephone rings. He picks it up.

Bartender

Hullo?

He looks over his shoulder.

BARTENDER

Yeah, he's here.

Pause.

BARTENDER

Uh huh.

(he turns to Jack)

Jack. Telephone.

Jack gets up and answers the phone.

Jack WILLIAMS

Hello?

John RYTON

Jack. Lovegood went back to the Johnson's. He took Mr. Johnson.

JACK WILLIAMS

What!

Gary looks over.

Jack wiLLIAMS

Where's he going?

John RYTON

The maid called and said they were going down South Street.

JACK WILLIAMS

Well where are they going?

JOHN RYTON

Down South Street, get to it!

Ryton hangs up the phone. Jack runs back over to Gary.

OfFICER HIGGINS

What is it?

Jack WILLIAMS

Lovegood's got Mr. Johnson.

Jack grabs his coat and they run out of the bar.

Ext. Road - Night

We see the maid following Dr. Lovegood & Mr. Johnson from a distance down South Street. They turn off the road onto a path leading into the woods. She follows. They come upon Dr. Lovegood's shack.

The maid watches from behind a tree while Dr. Lovegood helps Mr. Johnson up into his shed. She starts back to wards the road.

int. Car - Night

Jack and Gary are speeding down the road. They are yelling at each other.

OffICER HIGGINS

I don't see them!

Jack WILLIAMS

They're probably farther down the road.

Gary looks out the window.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Are you sure this is South Street?

JACK WILLIAMS

Yes! I'm positive.

OFFICER HIGGINS

Well then where are they?!

JACK WILLIAMS

I don't know!

OFFICER HIGGINS

I think you took a wrong turn.

JACK WILLIAMS

Let me drive!

Ext. ROAD - moments later

The maid emerges back onto the road. Jack sees her from a distance and pulls over. They jump out of the car and run to her.

Maid

Jack! They're over here, this way!

They run down the path.

Int. LOVEGOOD'S SHACK - Night

We see Mr. Johnson laying on Dr. Lovegood's operating table. Dr. Lovegood grabs a bowl and knife from his shelf.

DR. LOVEGOOD

After thinking about your symptoms more, I realized that you are much sicker that I thought originally.

Mr. JOHNSON

What's wrong with me, doctor?

DR. LOVEGOOD

You have the contagion. We need to get it out of your blood stream. I'm going to preform an operation called blood letting. Don't worry, doctors have been doing this for hundreds of years. It's safe.

As Dr. Lovegood is about is about to make an incision there is a shout from outside.

Jack WILLIAMS

Lovegood!

Dr. Lovegood freezes and slowly turns to the door.

Mr. JOHNSON

Jack?

Dr. LOVEGOOD

Stay here, Mr. Johnson. I'll be right back.

Dr. Lovegood walks over to his desk and grabs his gun before stepping out of the shed. Mr. Johnson looks worried.

Ext. Lovegood's woods - moments later

Dr. Lovegood is very calm when he exits the shed. He shuts the door behind him and holds his gun to his side.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

I don't know how you found me, but I'll give you 10 seconds to leave.

Jack starts to step forward.

JACK WILLIAMS

Doctor-

Dr. Lovegood is now screaming

DR. LOVEGOOD

STOP!

Dr. Lovegood points his gun at him. Jack freezes.

DR. LOVEGOOD

Jack, I can't let you stop me. I am doing something too important. I'm going to save people lives.

JACK WILLIAMS

If you're going to save them, why are people dying?

DR. LOVEGOOD

My method is not perfect, but I'm almost there. I almost have the cure. There are going to be casualties. You of all people would know.

JACK WILLIAMS

What do you mean by that?

DR. LOVEGOOD

You know the horrors of war. You've seen it first hand, so have I. You've seen your fellow soldiers die by the bullet, but I've seen them die because they were rotted out from the inside by the contagion.

Pause.

DR. LOVEGOOD

You could help me, Jack. You're a man of power, you're respected. We could work together.

JACK WILLIAMS

No, doctor.

Pause.

DR. LOVEGOOD

I was afraid you were going to say that.

Pause.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

Heaven, forgive me for what I need to do.

He crosses himself before he starts firing at them. They all scatter. Jack pulls out his gun but Dr. Lovegood shoots him in the leg. Jack drops his gun and begins to crawl away. Gary runs over and starts to drag Jack the other way, but Dr. Lovegood shoots him. Gary collapses and doesn't move.

JACK WILLIAMS

Gary!

Dr. Lovegood slowly approaches Jack.

DR. LOVEGOOD

You might not believe me, but I'm very sorry, Jack. I don't want to do this.

JACK WILLIAMS

You're sick!

DR. LOVEGOOD

No, Jack. You are.

Dr. Lovegood raises his gun and pointes it at Jacks head, but before he can pull the trigger he is shot. We see that the maid picked up Jack's gun and shot Dr. Lovegood. She has a panicked expression on her face.

Dr. Lovegood yells in agony before falling down. He grabs his stomach and is breathing heavily. Jack crawls over to him. Dr. Lovegood speaks through coughs

Dr. LOVEGOOD

I'm sorry I couldn't save them, Jack. All I wanted to do was-

Int. Lovegood's house 1919 - Day

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

We see Dr. Lovegood standing in his living room. He has a butler with him.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

Save people! I saved so many lives during the war!

(he picks up the letter and waves it around)

How could they do this to me?!

He crumples up the letter and throws it. He sits down on his couch and his Buttler brings him a drink. He takes it and rubs his forehead.

Dr. LOVEGOOD

I can't stop thinking about the war, Jarvis. All of the things I could have done.

Buttler Jarvis

You saved countless lives, sir. The papers view you as a hero.

DR. LOVEGOOD

I don't care what the papers say! There are still more lives to save. I can fix this, Jarvis, And I will!

END FLASHBACK.

Ext. LOVEGOOD'S WOODS - NIGHT

Dr. Lovegood lays dead on the ground. The maid comes over to Jack and hands him his gun. He puts it back in his holster and tells her.

Jack WILLIAMS

Go get the car.

CUT TO BLACK:

Int. Hospital - Day

Jack and Gary lay on hospital beds. Jack's leg is wrapped in bandages and Gary's shoulder is bandaged as well. Gary is asleep. The maid sits in-between them. Ryton enters the room and addresses the maid.

John RYTON

Thank you for staying with them.

Maid

Is there anything else I can do?

JOHN RYTON

I think you've done your fair share, you're free to go.

MAID

Thank you.

(she turns to the men.)

Get well soon.

She leaves. Ryton sits in the chair next to Jack's bed.

John RYTON

Mr. Johnson's down the hall. The doctors had to do a lot of work on him, but they say he's going to be fine.

Pause. Jack is silent.

John RYTON

The doctors say you'll be able to walk again in a couple of months. Gary's going to be fine too. I'm putting you boys on paid leave while you recover.

Pause.

JACK WILLIAMS

What happened to him?

Pause.

JOHN RYTON

He's dead.

Jack closes his eyes and sighs.

JohN RYTON

It's OK. We won't publicize this. He'll die a war hero.

JACK WILLIAMS

No. Send it to the press. There's no reason the public shouldn't know.

Pause.

JOHN RYTON

They wanted you to have this.

He hands him Dr. Lovegood's mask.

John RYTON

The doctors were really impressed by your story. They wanted you to have a keepsake.

Jack stares at the mask. Ryton gets up.

JOHN RYTON

I'll let you two rest. Get well soon.

He starts to leave.

Jack WILLIAMS

What about my cases?

He stops.

JOHN RYTON

You need rest, Jack. They'll still be waiting for you when you get back.

He leaves. Jack looks down at the mask then over at Gary, who is still sleeping. He looks at the mask again before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

FADE TO BLACK.

CREDITS ROLL.

THE END.


© Copyright 2024 Solum Anderson (solumtv at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates have been granted non-exclusive rights to display this work.
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2324327-Dr-Lovegood