The Rock

The word "Alcatraz" registers with Mason.

MASON

Do I remember Alcatraz.

SANCHEZ

Not the island itself. The tunnels underneath it.

IN THE OBSERVATION ROOM

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

Real subtle, Sanchez...

IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM

SANCHEZ

There's no harm in cooperating with us.

MASON

Who's "us?" FBI? CIA? Why should I do that?

SANCHEZ

Maybe there's a gift in it for you.

MASON

(to the mirror)

Timeo danaos et dona ferentes.

THE OBSERVATION ROOM

Goodspeed smiles slightly:

GOODSPEED

"I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts."

THE INTERROGATION ROOM

MASON

Are you capable of reading, Sanchez?

Sanchez is getting flustered.

SANCHEZ

I don't have time for this shit...

(pause; stares at mason)

Yes. I can read.

MASON

The story of Alchimadus. Know it?

SANCHEZ

No.

THE OBSERVATION ROOM

GOODSPEED

(to himself)

Ancient Greece. Alchimadus was imprisoned by his king.

THE INTERROGATION ROOM

MASON

Thomas a Beckett. Heard of him?

SANCHEZ

Maybe. Not really.

THE OBSERVATION ROOM

GOODSPEED

(to himself)

Archbishop of Canterbury. Imprisoned and executed by Henry the Second...

THE INTERROGATION ROOM

MASON

Solzhenitsyn. I've a sneaking suspicion you've heard of him.

THE OBSERVATION ROOM

GOODSPEED

(to himself)

Russian poet and dissident exiled to Siberia.

THE INTERROGATION ROOM

Sanchez draws a blank on Solzhenitsyn.

SANCHEZ

Look, I'm asking the fucking questions here.

(beat)

You can trust the FBI

MASON

That's a good one, Sanchez. What do you call and FBI Agent who can't tell a lie? A mute.

Mason turns away. As if Sanchez no longer exists. Suddenly, over a wall-mounted INTERCOM:

U.S. ATTORNEY REYNOLDS (V.O.)

Uhm, Agent Sanchez, could we have a word with you?

SANCHEZ

Here, call your lawyer and tell him you're going back to jail.

Sanchez tosses a quarter on the desk and exits.

IN THE OBSERVATION ROOM

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

Impressive, Sanchez.

GOODSPEED

You mind if... uhm... I take a shot?

SANCHEZ

He'll eat him alive.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

He's already had you for the first course.

(hands Goodspeed the pardon)

Go.

Goodspeed takes the pardon, goes for the door.

THE INTERROGATION ROOM

Goodspeed enters. He's completely out of his element, has no idea what he's doing, and is-suddenly face-to-face with this... Mason creature.

The two men regard each other.

GOODSPEED

Take his cuffs off.

The Marshal uncuffs Mason's wrists. Mason rubs his wrists, staring now at Goodspeed.

MASON

Who the fuck are you, Mother Theresa?

So much for Goodspeed's confidence.

GOODSPEED

No actually, I'm Bill Goodspeed.

(rallies)

Mr. Mason, we really need your help. That's a pardon and release contract from the Attorney Generals office. It makes you a free man, provided you cooperate.

He slides a ballpoint pen across to Mason. Mason looks at the pen, then Goodspeed.

MASON

What do you do for the FBI, Goodspeed.

GOODSPEED

(lying)

I'm a field agent.

MASON

Tell me what you really do.

IN THE OBSERVATION ROOM

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

Don't answer that, Goodspeed...

IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM

GOODSPEED

I'm a chemical biological weapons expert.

Mason registers this information...

IN THE OBSERVATION ROOM

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK
Stupid, stupid, stupid...

IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM
 

Mason stares at the pardon contract, thinking.

MASON

You said I'd be a free man. Define free

GOODSPEED

Uhm, well, emancipated. Unfettered.

MASON

I know what the fucking word means, idiot. In this context.

GOODSPEED

I don't understand...

MASON

During the time I cooperate, will I be outside? Outside a jail?

GOODSPEED

Well yes I suppose...

MASON

You suppose?

GOODSPEED

Yes. You'll be outside.

IN THE OBSERVATION ROOM

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

Don't give away the farm, Goodspeed.

IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM

MASON

What's happening on Alcatraz, Goodspeed?

GOODSPEED

A hostage situation. A matter of life and death.

Mason thinks. He picks up the pen.

MASON

(looks at mirror)

Then on one condition: a minimum of two hours in the Fairmont Hotel – I trust it still exists. I want a shower and a new suit of clothes.

GOODSPEED

I think we can arrange that.

With that Mason picks up the pen and signs the pardon contract. He hands it to Goodspeed, who exits.

Mason turns toward the mirror, staring right through.

INT. FBI OBSERVATION ROOM – DAY

Sanchez and Goodspeed enter.

Goodspeed hands U.S. Attorney Reynolds the signed pardon contract.

SANCHEZ

Why didn't you throw in a trip to Fiji?

U.S. ATTORNEY REYNOLDS

I'll have this forwarded to the President, Director.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

No. You'll give it to me.

(pause)

Give it to me, Reynolds.

Reynolds reluctantly hands the pardon to Womack.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

(to Sanchez)

Show Attorney Reynolds outside there's a car waiting for him. And Sanchez – I'll handle the next stage.

Sanchez leads the perturbed Reynolds out. Goodspeed and Womack are alone now. And Womack tears up the pardon

GOODSPEED

Sir, that's a legal document.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

I'll decide what's legal, Goodspeed.

Over WOMACK'S SHOULDER, Goodspeed WATCHES AS –

IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM

Mason places THE QUARTER on the floor. He raises his metal chair; SLAMS it down on the quarter.

GOODSPEED

Sir, those references to Alchimadus, Beckett, Solzhenitsyn: all had something in common.

IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM

Mason picks up the coin. It has a DEEP BURR in it. He moves to the mirror; begins carving into the glass.

GOODSPEED

They were imprisoned for doing nothing wrong. What's going on, sir?

Goodspeed watches Mason over Womack's shoulder.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

You're out of your depth, Goodspeed. You are on a need to know basis and you do not need to know.

Mason has etched a circle in the mirror. He slams his elbow against it. The glass caves in, CRASHES to the floor.

Goodspeed and Womack whirl around, startled. Mason leans into the observation room.