Lab Journal Entry #21

[matril]

"Birth"

Int., Tori’s childhood bedroom. TORI is seated, a tense, wild expression on her face. It takes a while for her to speak.

TORI
Until the moment I opened that packet, I was still clinging to the hope that it wasn’t real. That someone was just playing an elaborate prank on me. Someone who saw my videos and wanted to mess with my mind. That even though my brother was dead, maybe it wasn’t my fault after all.

(Cut) It was never more than a fool’s hope. And it’s long gone now.

The packet had this inside. (Holds up memory card.) Several of them. With more than an hour of footage.

And I decided – well, in case any of you are in doubt – here is indisputable proof. (Swallows.) See for yourself.

Cut to int., a poorly lit room, full of indistinct shadows and movements. The camera focuses unsteadily on various dark shapes

CREATURE
(VO, a gravelly voice that could be either a man’s or a deep-voiced woman’s) This record is for your benefit, my Maker. Or perhaps your detriment. Both seem equally just to me, for though you gave me life, you also ensured that my life would be one of misery.

(Cut) I shall begin with my first memory of awareness. I now understand that this is the moment you brought me to life, but at the time I only knew confusion, a variety of sensations that I could not process. (Camera moves erratically) Sight, sound and touch were all new to me, and even as I got to my feet and fumbled about the room, I had no idea of what I was doing. I had no words to describe my feelings. Looking back, I can see I was pitifully afraid. Eventually, more by instinct than by deliberation, I found myself outside in the darkness.

Cut. Ext., night sky

CREATURE
At first I preferred the dark to the blinding light, but when I began stumbling over unseen obstacles in my path, I wished some light would return. When I had made my way around what I did not recognize as trees, and saw a silver orb shining down from above, giving me just enough light to make my way safely, I found myself weeping with relief. I curled up on the ground in the shelter of a great oak and slept till morning.

Cut. Int. again

CREATURE
I will not give every detail of those first miserable days. I was cold at night, overheated during the day, and always hungry. I managed to subsist on the few berries and roots I was able to forage, but my appetite was never fully sated. I was lonely. I longed for the company of others, though I could not say why, as I had never been anything but alone. I hesitated to wander too close to the large structures in the distance, buildings that did not have the natural appearance of trees or hills. I was desperately curious to know what those buildings contained, yet terrified of what consequences would ensue if I trespassed upon them. Instead, I wandered still farther into the woods, spending my days searching for food and trying in vain to imitate the lovely birdsongs that filled my ears.

Cut, ext., nighttime view of a neighborhood

CREATURE
On the third day I arrived at what you call a housing development, rows upon rows of smaller buildings where people lived. I watched avidly as their inhabitants entered and exited the houses, speaking with each other, sharing laughter and embraces, paying particular attention to the smaller ones called children. I could not yet understand any of the words they spoke, though I comprehended that those sounds carried more meaning than a twittered birdsong. I comprehended as well that, although I walked upright like them, had arms, legs, a nose, mouth and eyes as did all of them, there was a distinct contrast between my lumbering form and theirs. I did not dare reveal myself to them. The time was not right.

Yet I hoped, as a fool hopes, that the time would come.

Comments

[krpalmer.livejournal.com]

With the instalments coming so quickly, I know I've just let them arrive without commenting on them. Now, I'm trying to make a few amends. I suppose I'm still filtering everything through my awareness of the original novel, trying to identify each element as I see it. It's begun to catch my attention how the creature is kept indistinct (with this first confrontation being handled in a modern fashion, not that it wasn't exactly a "dialogue" after long in the original), but do have to face thoughts of that being a matter of "budget."