Scene 24
GLASS has brought in a tub of ice water.
GLASS
Go and grab the ice from the freezer, Street.
MAX
I assumed we got the results we wanted from this the first time.
GLASS
In what capacity does doing something only once result in accurate factual data?
MAX
I just thought that the last time—
GLASS
You said you saw it, the connection… I need to see how it works.
MAX
The last time the twins seemed to find it—
GLASS
I've got that under control.
MAX
I still think—
GLASS
Pour the ice in before it melts.
The girls walk on stage in their bathing suits. They look grim.
Angelique, let me take your blood so we can begin… Dr. Street, could you please help me with these while I finish with the blood.
He takes out two pairs of handcuffs and hands them to MAX.
MAX
What are these for?
GLASS
Safety. Start with Poubelle.
MAX stares at the cuffs in his hands. POUBELLE puts her hands out with an expression of daring him to proceed. MAX puts the handcuffs on her without looking her in the eyes.
Done? All right, Poubelle, let me get a sample of that blood.
ANGELIQUE and POUBELLE switch places. ANGELIQUE puts her hands out.
MAX
(very quietly) I'm sorry.
He handcuffs her.
GLASS
In you go.
ANGELIQUE starts to get into the tub. MAX helps her. She shivers as she sits down.
Temperature?
MAX
Sixty.
GLASS
Five degrees colder than last time. Very good, Street. Now, Poubelle, how do you feel?
POUBELLE says nothing.
Poubelle? Just answer the questions and soon it will all be over. Nice and easy. You remember what happens when you act up?
POUBELLE stares at MAX.
POUBELLE
Je me souviens.
GLASS
Good, how do you feel then?
ANGELIQUE shivers in the tub. She is starting to shiver convulsively.
POUBELLE
Nothing.
GLASS
You feel nothing?
Take the other twin's temperature, Dr. Street? What is she at?
MAX
She's at 97.5 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal body temperature.
GLASS
Poubelle, do you feel numb? Is that what you are feeling?
POUBELLE
Yes, numb. I feel numb.
GLASS
She's picking up on her sister. Good, Poubelle, very good.
MAX is bent over ANGELIQUE, checking her vitals but also looking worried.
MAX
How do you feel, Angelique? Tell me.
ANGELIQUE
Fine, better. I feel better. I'm warming up. It was cold there pour un moment mais maintenant je me réchauffe. L'air est plus chaud.
MAX
She says she's warming up.
POUBELLE stares jealously as he touches her.
GLASS takes POUBELLE's temperature.
GLASS
Yes! Yes, she's warming up as well. They are in complete synchronicity!
MAX touches ANGELIQUE.
She's rising. Her temperature is through the roof! Her face is flushed.
MAX
Pale. She feels cool… Angelique, Angelique how do you feel?
ANGELIQUE
Hot! I'm boiling.
MAX
Breath is quick and shallow.
GLASS
Same.
MAX
She's freezing. (about ANGELIQUE)
GLASS
She's hot! (about POUBELLE)
MAX
She says she feels warm but her skin is ice.
GLASS
Ninety-nine degrees… she's starting to develop a fever.
MAX
I think she's heading into stage two hypothermia.
GLASS
One hundred point five degrees.
POUBELLE
Don't touch her!
MAX
Angelique… I want you to touch your thumb and little finger. Can you do that?
MAX lifts her hand out of the water. She tries but cannot move her two fingers. She shivers violently and then stops.
GLASS
Temperature of 103 degrees.
POUBELLE
Don't touch her!
GLASS removes the wires from POUBELLE and gives her a drink of water. He takes a wet cloth and brings it to her face.
MAX
The shivering has stopped. Ninety-three degrees. Stage three hypothermia. Cellular metabolic processes are starting to shut down.
MAX bends down to pick her up out of the water.
GLASS
Poubelle's going into critical condition.
POUBELLE
Get him off her! Get him off her!
POUBELLE faints. GLASS picks her up and rushes off stage with her.
GLASS
Record everything!
MAX cradles ANGELIQUE to his chest to warm her. He peels her wet hair off her shoulders and puts his arms around her. She murmurs.
ANGELIQUE
Ma soeur… où est ma Poubelle? Ma petite bleue, où est ma petite Poubelle bleue?
MAX
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Angelique!
Lights fade as MAX holds the confused ANGELIQUE.