Alien

A droplet of fluid is sizzling on the ceiling bulkhead. It oozes down. Drips to the deck. Continues to bubble. Then goes through the bulkhead.

ASH

What can we put under it.

Ripley and Parker charge down the companionway below.

INT. SECOND LEVEL – "C" DECK

Ripley and Parker move cautiously down the passageway. Look up to the ceiling bulkhead.

PARKER

Don't get under it.

INT. PASSAGEWAY – "B" DECK

Dallas, Brett and Ash crouch by the spot where the acid sizzles.

Ash fishes a pen out of his pocket. Probes the hole in the deck.

ASH

It's stopped penetrating.

Ripley comes charging back up.

RIPLEY

What's happening.

ASH

I think it's lost steam. No longer active.

Ripley checks the opening.

Ash straightens up. Starts to put the pen back in his pocket.

Changes his mind and stands holding it by the end.

ASH

I've never seen anything like that, except molecular acid...

BRETT

This thing uses it for blood.

ASH

It's the asbestos that stopped it, otherwise it would have gone straight through.

DALLAS

Wonderful defense mechanism. You don't dare kill it.

Parker comes up the companionway.

PARKER

It's stopped bleeding.

DALLAS

Yeah. After is penetrated two levels.

RIPLEY

What about Kane.

Starts up companionway.

INT. INFIRMARY

They return.

Kane still motionless on the bunk.

The Alien remains secured to his face. Wound completely healed over.

PARKER

Any of the acid get on him.

Dallas approaches, peers at Kane's head.

DALLAS

Doesn't look like it.

BRETT

Is it still dripping that crap.

ASH

Healed over.

LAMBERT

There must be some way we can get it off.

And look at Dallas.

ASH

I don't think you ought to try again. It didn't work out too well last time.

Dallas gives him a look in return.

Ripley presses a button.

Kane slides back into the diagnostic coffin.

More buttons pressed.

Display lights up again, showing the different parts of

Kane's body.

ASH

I better get some intravenous feeding started. So far I can't tell what the Alien has absorbed from his system.

The machine begins to process Kane's body.

RIPLEY

What's the stain on his lungs.

The X-ray reveals a spreading dark blot in the chest cavity. At the center, the stain is completely opaque.

ASH

Whatever it is, it's blocking the X-ray.

A long moment.

The stain spreads.

BRETT

What happens know.

Ash sets aside his partially melted pen. Looks at Dallas.

DALLAS

You go back to work.

INT. ENGINE ROOM CUBICLE

Brett at work in the cubicle.

Parker supervising him.

BRETT

I think I've got it. Give it a try.

Parker pushes a button.

Negative reaction on his monitor.

PARKER

Nothing.

BRETT

Damn. I was sure that was it.

PARKER

Well, it wasn't. Try the next one.

BRETT

Right.

Adjusts several toggles.

RIPLEY (V.O.)

What's happening.

PARKER

This goddamn woman. I'll tell her what's happening. My Johnson is happening.

(punches the communicator)

A lot of hard work. Real work.

INT. BRIDGE – NIGHT

PARKER (V.O.)

You ought to try it sometime.

RIPLEY

I've got the toughest job on this ship...

Derisive laugh from Parker through the speaker.

RIPLEY

I have to listen to your bullshit.

INT. ENGINE ROOM CUBICLE

PARKER

Get off my back.

RIPLEY (V.O.)

I'll get off your back when 12 module is fixed.

She clicks off.

Parker turns away.

PARKER

Smart mouth broad.

INT. INFIRMARY

Ash running test on the equipment.

Kane respirating on the view screens above. Still deep within a coma.

All instruments recording his life processes.

The Alien's position unchanged.

Ripley approaches. Sits near Ash.

RIPLEY

Anything new.

ASH

He's holding, no changes.

RIPLEY

What about the Creature.

ASH

It's got an outer layer of protein polysaccharides. A lot of Amino Acids for prolonged resistance to adverse environmental conditions... That enough for you?

RIPLEY

Plenty. What's it mean.

ASH

Interesting combination of elements making it one tough little son-of-a-bitch...

RIPLEY

Is that why you let it in.

ASH

I was following a direct order. Remember?

RIPLEY

While Dallas and Kane are off the ship, I'm Senior Officer.

ASH

Yes, of course – I forgot.

RIPLEY

You also forgot the science division's basic quarantine law.

ASH

No, that I didn't forget.

RIPLEY

You just broke it.

ASH

What would you have done with Kane... His only chance at staying alive was to get into the infirmary.

RIPLEY

By breaking quarantine procedure you risk everybody's life.

ASH

Maybe I should have let him die out there. Maybe I have jeopardized the rest of us... It's a risk I'm willing to take.

RIPLEY

This is your official position as a science officer. Not exactly out of the manual.

ASH

The first position of science is the protection and betterment of human life. I take my responsibility as seriously as you do... you do your job and I'll do mine.

Ripley stands... looks at Ash. Walks out.

INT. MESS

Lambert playing with some string, amusing Jones.

Cat's Cradle.

Both looking bored.

INT. ENGINE ROOM CUBICLE

Parker and Brett at work on the final intake screen.

INT. NARCISSUS

Dallas listening to a primitive tape. His foot tapping with the rhythm.

Beep.

An interruption on the communicator.

DALLAS

Dallas.

ASH (V.O.)

I think you should have a look at Kane. Something's happened.

DALLAS

Serious.

ASH (V.O.)

Interesting.

Dallas exits.

INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE IMFIRMARY WINDOW

Ash stares through window.

Dallas joins him.

Ripley appears behind.

A long pause.

DALLAS

It's gone.

Kane's prone form.

The Alien is no longer on his face.

Kane still unconscious, but continues to breathe. Face covered with sucker marks.

RIPLEY

The door is closed. It must still be in there.

ASH

We can't open the door. We don't want to let it out.

RIPLEY

Yeah, I remember. We can't grab it. We can't kill it...

DALLAS

Maybe we can catch it.

ASH

As long as we're careful not to damage it.

INT. INFIRMARY

They enter cautiously.

Dallas begins moving slowly around the room. Picking up a stainless steel tray. Looking.

Ash and Ripley do the same.

Ripley bends down and peers under the bunk. Nothing. Accidentally kicks over a tray. She stands. Doesn't see the Alien on a ledge above her. Her shoulder brushes against the Creature. It drops on her. She screams. Twists.

The Alien drops to the floor. Then lies motionless. Its skin faded to a dead-looking grey.

Ripley doesn't raise her eyes from the Creature. Prods the Alien. No response.