Lab Journal Entry #18

[matril]

"Delusions"

Int., another bedroom. TORI is sitting in a chair, legs tucked up under her chin, eyes distant

TORI
(Very softly) We just got back from the funeral.

(Cut) I thought my mother’s funeral was hard, but this – (Shakes head) He was a child. His life had barely started.

But that’s not the worst of it. (Finally faces camera) I’m the only one who knows what really happened.

(Cut) Not entirely, I guess. I have some very strong suspicions.

(Deep breath) William wasn’t alone when he fell. Justine was with him. She often offers – used to offer – to keep an eye on him when he wanted to play in the woods. And she says that she saw something push him into the ravine. (Rising panic) Not an animal, but not a human either. Some kind of enormous creature. (She can hardly breathe) The authorities thought she was delusional – fabricating stories to try to cope with the trauma of seeing William die. But I know better.

(Miserable) His death is my fault.

(Knock at the door. Hoarsely) Come in.

ELI enters, torso visible, puts a hand on TORI’s shoulder.

ELI
(Gently) Hey. You have a lot of visitors. Your dad and Eric would really appreciate it if you were with them.

TORI
(Shaking head) I’m sorry. I can’t. I can’t talk to anyone right now.

Beat

ELI
Does that include me?

TORI can’t answer. It’s not just grief; it’s guilt, compounded by the guilt of not telling him.

ELI
No, it’s okay. I just want to know what I can do for you. If you need to be alone, that’s fine. If you need company, I’m here.

TORI
I need – I need to talk to Justine.

ELI
Justine? Do you really think that will help?

TORI
(Gets up shakily) Yes. I need to know the whole story.

ELI
(Pause) Tori – you know she’s not well. She’s at a facility receiving intense psychiatric care. They may not even let us visit her.

TORI
She’s family. And she needs to talk to someone who believes her.

ELI
Are you saying you believe her?

TORI
I’d like to assume she’s telling the truth before I assume she’s lying.

ELI
(Softly) You know Justine has a history of mental and emotional trauma. It’s not that we don’t believe her, but (pause) Her mind may be showing her things that aren’t real.

TORI
(Voice rising) And maybe she can’t make sense of what she saw because she doesn’t have the information she needs to process it.

ELI
(Hesitates, then takes her hand) Hey. It’s okay. If it’s that important to you, we’ll try to go and see her.