A short script
By Garrett Gilchrist
(An aquarium. There are still fish in tanks around, but the place looks to be being dismantled. It is certainly not open to the public, and there is something secretive, almost suspicious, about the place. There are steel walls and metal surfaces and electronic equipment, computers, security devices everywhere. Something strange is going on here. JERRY, late 30s, an intelligent man in a labcoat, sits at his computer, looking nervous. JULIE, late 30s, professional, attractive and well-dressed in a business suit, enters. Jerry stands. She stops in shock upon recognizing him. Jerry is also surprised to see her, but more at the change in her appearance since he saw her last … a long long time ago.)
JULIE
Jerry. What are you doing here?
JERRY
What, you never thought you’d see me again?
JULIE
I’m glad to see you. I thought you were … I thought you were still in Michigan.
JERRY
Michigan dried up a long time ago.
JULIE
I guess it’s been a long time.
JERRY
It has.
JULIE
Look, I want to talk to you, but it’s a bad time right now. I’m very busy –
JERRY
I know. You need the access codes, the passcodes for the Dolphin project. You’re supposed to meet with an operative from the east coast.
JULIE
How did you know that? That’s classified information.
JERRY
You really did forget all about me, didn’t you?
JULIE
How did you know about that? Tell me.
JERRY
Oh, for god’s sake Julie, don’t be stupid. I’m the operative you’re supposed to meet.
(beat)
JULIE
Oh my god. You’re working for the government now?
JERRY
No, I’m not, since you asked. I’m still out on my own. But they’ve got me on the payroll here. It’s easy work, even though some days I hate myself for doing it. See, I spent years protesting the Dolphin project, trying to get them to shut it down. Because I knew what it could do, what destruction it could cause, how it could end all underwater and human life as we know it. I read everything I could on the project, and became the world’s foremost authority on it. I hate the Dolphin project. But I know more about it than the idiots who built it, so now they pay me to run it. I’ve sold my soul, just like you did. But at least if I’m running this project I can keep the world from ever using it. I can keep it locked up, safe from … well, safe from people like you. No offense.
JULIE
I can’t believe what you’re saying.
JERRY
I know. And now you want me to give you the codes, because the president wants to start a war, or maybe just scare the world a little. And you support him in this? Do you support what our president is doing.
JULIE
Jerry, we spent a lot of good years together –
JERRY
Jesus Christ Julie, answer my question. The world is on the brink of nuclear war, and you’re here to ask me to start it. Right?
JULIE
We live in difficult times Jerry. The world is not a safe place anymore.
JERRY
Do you believe in what our president is doing?
JULIE
I believe in our country. I believe that we need to feel safe. I know what the Dolphin project can do, but I also know that I don’t feel safe anymore when I tuck my kids in at night. You may not care about what our president says, but you have to see that if we don’t show the world we’re still a world power very soon, something horrible is going to happen, something that will make the Dolphin project look like nothing.
JERRY
You used to care about what happened to the world.
JULIE
I still care. I care more now, in some ways. When we were young, we fought for a lot of great things. But we didn’t get anywhere. You’re still fighting, I’m still fighting. But now I’m fighting from a place where things actually get accomplished. I’m fighting from a place where we could actually win. You don’t need to be afraid of people just because they’re in charge. We’re all the same people. We’re all fighting the same fight.
JERRY
They’ve brainwashed you.
JULIE
No. I’m just a Republican.
JERRY
Even worse.
JULIE
You’ve developed quite an ego for yourself, haven’t you? You act so high and mighty. You really think you’re the only one with the right to save the world.
JERRY
I can’t save the world. I learned that a long time ago. (pause) You know the guy who created the Dolphin project wanted to create a weapon so terrible no one would ever dare use it? Of course he’s dead now, so we can do whatever the hell we want with it.
JULIE
We are on the same side. You know that, right?
JERRY
We’re not on the same side! You want to unlock the bomb and I want to stop you.
JULIE
It’s not a bomb.
JERRY
I know what it is. (pause) You looked better with longer hair.
JULIE
So did you.
(pause)
JERRY
You still look good, though.
(pause)
JERRY
He’s going to destroy the world.
JULIE
Not while I’m watching. I promise.
JERRY
You can’t promise that.
JULIE
I’m sorry.
(Pause. Julie looks over to an envelope on the desk.)
JULIE
Are those the codes?
JERRY
Yes.
(She picks up the envelope and walks out the door. Jerry sits down and rubs his forehead.)
JERRY
Bless me father. For I have sinned tonight.