I am Legend

Anna, I'm Robert. Robert Neville.

Ever the gentle , he extends his hand for her to shake, but she just smirks at the gesture.

ANNA

I know who you are.

Everybody knows who you are.

NEVILLE

Everybody. What do you mean

everybody?

ANNA

Where I came from.

NEVILLE

Where's that?

ANNA

Give me the fucking drugs.

NEVILLE

Where?

ANNA

Just outside Portland. There were

ten of us living in the woods. It was

good, you know, real nice, a real "family."

Then... six months ago, the first ones

(MORE)

ANNA (cont'd)

came. We killed most, but more showed

up the next night. Me and Doug were the

only ones to get away. The only ones left alive.

NEVILLE

Where's Doug now?

ANNA

Doug's dead. GIVE ME THE DRUGS.

NEVILLE

Why come here? To the city?

ANNA

We ran into some people in Eureka.

They got a whole operation up there.

Soldiers started it up. Gung-ho assholes.

Survivalists. They got food, guns, a

hospital. They knew about you. Down

here. All on your own.

NEVILLE

Bullshit.

ANNA

It's not. I swear.

NEVILLE

Why not stay with them?

ANNA

Because I didn't want to spend the rest of my

already pathetic life getting gang-raped, okay?

They murdered Doug. And they had other

plans for me. But I got away. I got away.

Neville explodes to his feet. Angry. Confused.

NEVILLE

There's no one! No one else! I tried...

The radio, signal flares, it's pointless.

For years I've tried...

ANNA

Then how do you explain me?

He approaches with the syringe.

ANNA

Thank you.

She sticks her arm out of the cage.

NEVILLE

Can't find a vein.

ANNA

Yes you can, yes you can.

Neville finally locates one and injects. Once the syringe is emptied into her arm, he steps back. Anna smiles and leans against the walls of the cage. Her eyes open wide with fear. Her body shakes. She looks nauseous.

ANNA

This isn't morphine!

NEVILLE

No. No, it's sticelezine. They developed

it for rapid heroin detox, but it'll work for

morphine addiction, too.

ANNA

You prick!

She lunges at him, but her stomach cramps and she falls.

NEVILLE

It's a severe shock to the system, but the

treatment only lasts twenty-four hours.

ANNA

I swear, I'll kill you.

She collapses. Losing consciousness.

NEVILLE

You won't go through withdrawal--it's not

a painful process at all. You'll be asleep

most of the time. There's risk of heart attack,

but I'll be monitoring you.

Anna's eyes roll back into her head. Her body goes limp. Neville unlocks the cage door and lifts her into his arms.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Neville rests Anna on his bed. She's still filthy, so he makes the decision to wash her. He cuts away her t-shirt and leggings with surgical safety scissors and throws them away. He tries very hard not to be entranced by her young, thin body. He simply does a job. or tries to.

He fills a basin with warm water, soaps a sponge, and gently washes her body. Up her legs, her buttocks, around her stomach, her breasts. Shampoos and rinses her hair. Softly caresses her face with a washcloth.

It's an undeniably sensual experience, but Neville does not cross the line. He is respectful. We see he has the heart of a caretaker. There is a gentleness to his actions which inform us that he must have been a wonderful husband. And a caring father. Neville opens a TRUNK and finds a NIGHTGOWN among his wife's things. Carefully fits Anna into it. He steps back and observes her. Peaceful. Beautiful. Angelic.

Just like Ellen.

He kneels, almost in prayer, then hooks her up to an I.V. and adjusts the flow of the medication. Neville takes towels and blankets, rips them into strips, and secures Anna's wrists and ankles to the bed frame. She's comfortable, but secure.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - GREENHOUSE - DAWN

Neville selects the best fruit from his garden.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAWN

Neville places the fruit in a blender with some protein powder and water. Boils some oatmeal on the stove.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MORNING

Anna is somewhat conscious. Neville undoes her wrist ties and sits her up. Like a father with a newborn, he attempts to feed her. She spits up and he wipes her face.

NEVILLE

We've got to get something into you.

He lifts a glass of the protein shake to her lips and she manages to drink some down.

NEVILLE

Good girl.

He lowers her onto the bed and gives her a series of three injections. Carefully following procedure in a MEDICAL MANUAL. When complete, he reattaches the wrist ties and sits in a chair opposite Anna. Watches her sleep.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - A FEW HOURS LATER

Anna's body convulses. Neville expected this. He prepares a syringe, injects her, and she relaxes.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Neville stands on the balcony, sipping a cup of coffee. The sun sets beyond the hills, over the ocean. He hears Anna stir and moan. He checks her blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and pupil dilation. Is satisfied with her vitals and removes the I.V. He gives her a final injection, removes one

of the wrist ties and sits her up as she gains consciousness. Neville sits beside her with a bowl of rice and a spoon. Tries to get her to eat, but she shoves it away.

NEVILLE

I know you're hungry.

She is starving. But she won't allow him to feed her. With her one free hand, she takes the bowl and spoon from him and feeds herself. Big gulps of rice.

NEVILLE

Slow down. You'll get sick.

She listens. After a few bites, she realizes that she is clean and in someone else's clothes.

ANNA

What did you do?

NEVILLE

You were filthy.

ANNA

(angry)

Did you enjoy it? Giving me a little

bubble bath? Did you like my body?

NEVILLE

Eat.

ANNA

Did it turn you on? Did I get you hard?

NEVILLE

Stop.

ANNA

(re the nightgown)

Who's is this? Your mommy's? Grandma?

(sly) Mrs. Neville?

From his reaction, she knows she guessed right.

ANNA

Ah, I get it. Clean me up, dress me like

the dear departed. Then what? Wait 'til I

pass out and have a quick fuck for old time's

sake? Was I any good? I'd like to know...

NEVILLE

STOP IT.

He explodes. She LAUGHS. He secures her free wrist to the bed. She continues LAUGHING...

ANNA

Bondage. I'm into it. Was she?

Neville closes the shutters to the balcony. Gathers up medical supplies and the food, heads downstairs.

ANNA

What's the matter? Can't get it up?

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Neville sits at the bottom of the spiral staircase, face buried in his hands, determined not to let her see him hurt. He moves to the surveillance center and checks the monitors. Still no sign of Cortman and the Hemocytes. He adjusts a few knobs, a joystick controller, changing angles.

Something is out there. He ZOOMS IN. Dogs. Half a dozen contaminated dogs. Scavenging. He ZOOMS IN closer, trying to get a better look. No. He's not with them. A CRASH from upstairs. THUMPING. Neville bolts up the spiral staircase.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Anna is convulsing. The I.V. is on the floor, the needle detached. Neville loosens the restraints and cradles her body until her limbs cease flailing. She vomits and he carries her into the bathroom. She heaves into the toilet and breaks into a cold sweat. He washes her face, and wraps her in a blanket. She looks at him with terrified eyes...

ANNA

I'm scared.

She leans into him and he holds her.

ANNA

I'm really scared.

NEVILLE

It's okay. I'm here.

She begins to cry and he softly caresses her face.

NEVILLE

I know.

She buries her face into his shoulder, sobbing. He looks at the blank walls of the bathroom, stroking her hair...

NEVILLE

I know.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING

Anna sits at the kitchen table wearing the nightgown and Neville's robe, gently rocking. Neville places a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of tea in front of her. The same for himself. He eats, she doesn't.

NEVILLE

It'll help with the nausea.

She takes a few bites. Sips her tea. They eat in silence for awhile until Anna decides to make conversation.

ANNA

How long have you been here?

NEVILLE

Almost twelve years. This was my house.

Is my house.

ANNA

I guess I thought you found it... Took it

over when... it happened. Why did you stay?

Everybody knew to get out of the cities.

They took over the cities.

NEVILLE

My home. They can't take that from me.

ANNA

(tries to compliment him)

You... fixed it up real nice. I feel safe here.

Neville sort of nods a thanks.

ANNA

Don't you get lonely?

NEVILLE

I keep busy. There's a lot to do.

ANNA

Answer the question.

NEVILLE

Of course I do.

She nods. Understands. But wants to know more...

ANNA

I heard a lot of things. About you.

NEVILLE

Like what?

ANNA

That you've killed hundreds of them.

Thousands...

NEVILLE

And?

ANNA

That you like it.

He doesn't respond.

ANNA

They say you chop off their heads and

stick 'em on poles. That you cut out their

hearts and eat them raw. They say you rape

the women and cut off the men's cocks and

shove 'em in their mouths.

NEVILLE

Where did you hear this?

She hesitates for a moment. Then answers...

ANNA

Up in Eureka. Those guys...

NEVILLE

Right.

ANNA

Do you?

NEVILLE

Do I what?

ANNA

Do those things?

NEVILLE

What do you think?

She doesn't answer.

NEVILLE

I've got work to do. If you feel up to

it, you can help.

EXT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - COMPOUND - DAY

Neville spot-checks the fences. Makes repairs where necessary. Anna follows, carrying a spool of wire.

ANNA

Why stay here? Why not take off? Who

knows what you might find.

NEVILLE

Exactly.

ANNA

You afraid?

NEVILLE

I know what's here. Out there, I have nothing.

Here, I have everything. You said it before.

I'm safe.

ANNA

I said I feel safe. Doesn't mean I am safe.