Television set
fade in
INT. LIVING/TV ROOM
The TV set is showing a news program. The news- reader comments on the latest budget cut for research and education.
news reader
The Libero-republican government has again slashed the budget for education and research due to pressure from the Defence Department. The current war in Cuquistan is costing the nation 25% of the GDP. The prime minister said in a recent interview that the Austramerica Inteligence Agency (the AIA) has found concrete evidence that Cuquistan accepted money from Sadam Houssein in exchange for storing Iraq's WMD's. The AIA believes that the Cuquistan government is now selling these weapons to Al-Cacaeda. This development has been used by the Defence Department to justify further spending on the war, insisting that further cuts to education and research are vital for the continuing success of the war effort.
Camera pans from the TV set to Dr. Svein (sitting on the sofa). He looks desolate and shakes his head negatively. The news-reader continues (camera still aiming at Dr. Svein)
NEWS READER
In other news, local scientists have developed a technique to cure neurological diseases by nerve cell transplantation. Dr. Ulv Svein from the John Chan School of Medicine confirms that the treatment may increase the chances of survival for patients suffering from neurological damage. He also intends to ensure the treatment remains cheap and patent-free, making it easily accessible for poorer countries that have traditionally been unable to afford such cutting-edge medical treatments. However, the risks involved with the procedure are currently too high and more research is necessary to refine the technique.
[Fade out]
Dr. Svein Ultimatum
INT. LAB - DAY
Dr. Svein is alone close to his research apparatus observing nerve cells in action. The lab door opens suddenly and a man in a bureaucratic suit walks in asking:
UNIVERSITY BUREAUCRAT
I’m looking for Dr Ulv Svein.
Dr. svein
I am he.
Dr. Svein stands up and walks to the door.
UNIVERSITY BUREAUCRAT
My name is Brendan Bishop and I am the new Profit Assessment Officer. In order to comply with the new education policy, the university has decided to shut down any research program that does not produce profitable outcomes. Unfortunately your lab is included on the list.
DR. SVEIN
But...
UNIVERSITY BUREAUCRAT
Sorry Mr. Svein but we have to follow the rules. We live in a
capitalist society and anything unprofitable is subversive.
DR. SVEIN
But I am on the verge of a breakthrough!
UNIVERSITY BUREAUCRAT
Unless this breakthrough happens in the next 2 weeks, you'd better be prepared to leave. Maybe your home country has a more 'communist' way of seeing things and can further support your research?
DR. SVEIN
Norway?!?
UNIVERSITY BUREAUCRAT
That's all I have to say. Good day Dr. Svein.
Dr. Svein stays immobile while the camera pans around him.
[fade out]
Link runs away
EXT. BICYCLE PATH - DUSK
Dr. Svein is cycling home; he appears to be in a reflective mood. He gets home, checks the mail and walks to the entrance, at the front he has recycle bins separate for paper, plastic and metal. His minimalist life is seen in every aspect of his house. He sits at the sofa with an astonished look on his face.
INT. LIVING/TV ROOM - NIGHT
LINK the dog is on the ground with a calm appearance.
Link - the dog (V.O.)
Where are they now? Don't they remember I can't open cans by myself? I'm all alone, a dog needs companionship. Two days without food. I suppose they might be doing something important. Why does God allow one of his creatures to...
Suddenly, two overdressed girls walk in the door in a hurry. They put some make up on their faces without looking at the poor dog and leave the house again without properly closing the door.
LINK - THE DOG (V.O.)
Sometimes I don't understand humans. Am I simply another consumer object? When will they accept that living creatures are not shop items. Oh well, I may loose a roof but I'll win the stars.
Link then walks through the half opened door.
LINK AND DR SVEIN MEETING
EXT. NATURE PARK - DAY
Laid on the grass in a large park, Dr. Svein stays immobile, cataleptic, looking at the sky. A slow wind is massaging tree leaves. He remains immobile. Meanwhile, Link is walking nearby.
LINK - THE DOG (V.O.)
Do they miss me? I don't know if I miss them. I'm pretty hungry but I'd rather die here starving than go back to that place. (Laughs to self), I guess I'm reasonably safe here. Humans in this country always avoid shop-less areas.
He looks jolly and keeps exploring the park.
LINK - THE DOG (V.O.)
Look what they did to this planet. A dog cannot be self-sustainable in this unsustainable world. No chance of hunting, they killed everything, no shelter, they destroyed every possible cave or hole and I can't dig in asphalt. This sucks! An animal can't live on its own anymore!
Link sees the motionless Dr. Svein on the grass and approaches him.
LINK - THE DOG (V.O.)
Uhhh! Maybe I could scavenge some meat from that dead body!
Dr. Svein sits up and observes Link for a while and on a sudden impulse, he calls the dog.
DR. SVEIN
Come here doggy, come here!
Slightly cautious, Link walks towards Dr. Svein. When the dog is within reach of Dr. Svein, he sits. Before touching Link, Dr Svein says in a comforting voice:
DR. SVEIN
Don't be afraid. Are you lost? What's your name?
Link stares quietly at the man. Dr. Svein then stretches his arms to pet Link, who stays quiet with a pleasant air. He finds a badge in Link's collar which he reads 'Link'.
DR. SVEIN
Link, that's your name: Link! Come! I'll buy you some food.
[fade out]
Zina meets link
INT. TV ROOM - DAY
At Dr. Svein's house, the scientist and his new friend are watching TV. They hear someone KNOCKING ON THE DOOR. The dog gets agitated. Dr. Svein stands up and walks to the door. When he opens, Zina, his assistant, is standing outside. She does not seem happy. Dr. Svein moves to the side and she walks in. They remain silent until they get to the TV room and she sees the dog.
Zina
Who is that?
DR. SVEIN
He, is Link
ZINA
(Apprehensive)
Since when do you like dogs?
DR. SVEIN
Since when do you like people?
LINK - THE DOG (V.O.)
Since when do I like people?
DR. SVEIN
Don't worry, he doesn't bite.
LINK - THE DOG (V.O.)
Don't I?
ZINA
Things are looking weird at the Lab. Apparently a new joint program with Pfizer is starting up at the school, and a new group will be using our lab soon.
DR. SVEIN
Fascists! And we're so close!
ZINA
Perhaps we should give up. There's no way we could get both a subject AND a donor in time.
Zina and Dr. Svein remain sitting with a forlorn appearance.
[fade out]
The Encounter with the donor
INT. LAB - DAY
Dr. Svein is putting some books in a box (cleaning up his office), he seems apprehensive. He switches off the light and leaves the lab.
EXT. BICYCLE PATH/HOUSE ENTRANCE - NIGHT
He cycles home, locks the bike and approaches the doorway. When he reaches for the door handle, holding his key, he notices that the door is not properly closed.
INT. HALLWAY/LIVING ROOM
He rushes inside and inspects the rooms. He finds the house in a total mess and he encounters a junkie with a used syringe beside him. Link is calmly looking at the half-dead body. Dr Svein reaches for the junkie's carotid to see if he's still alive. Then, in a sudden movement, he rushes to another room and comes back with a large syringe and surgical equipment. Wearing rubber gloves, he first rubs the junkie's neck in the region that he checked his pulse, then, with a pair of medical forceps, he removes a piece of tissue from the junkie's nose and places it in a flask then places the flask on ice. He runs excitedly to the phone, dials some numbers and speaks quietly.
DR. SVEIN
Zina?... I found the donnor
[FADE OUT]
The PRE-OPERATION
INT. HALLWAY
Somebody KNOCKS ON THE DOOR, Dr. Svein quickly approaches the door and opens it. Zina rushes in. They both walk to the living room and she looks amazed by the motionless body on the couch.
ZINA
Another friend of yours?
DR. SVEIN
No. Just a burglar.
ZINA
You, you... you didn't!?!
DR. SVEIN
Quick, we have to prepare for the surgery before the tissue dies, and I suppose we have to get rid of this
(gestures to body)
EXT. DRIVEWAY
They both (wearing rubber gloves) carry the man wrapped in a blanket to the boot of the car. Dr. Svein calls Link to come into the car. They drive until they find an open area, where they park the car and carry the junkie in a blanket to a tree. Link remains in the car.
EXT. NATURE PARK
They carry the man's body and rest him sitting against a tree. They remove the blanket and Dr. Svein gets the junkie's old syringe in a plastic bag from his pocket. He takes the syringe from the bag and places it beside the body.
INT. CAR
They drive to the Research School. Dr. Svein and Zina leave the car but Link remains inside. Link looks at the entrance of the building and he suddenly hears Dr. Svein's voice.
DR. SVEIN
Come on Link, come on boy!
They walk to the lab (NO PERSON IS SEEN ON THIS SHOT, ONLY THE CREEPY CORRIDORS). Link dreams of running happy and alone in a park.
[fade out]
THE OPERATION
INT. LAB
On the operation table a large, white fabric sheet covers the dog. Through a small window on the sheet, one can see a skull. Dr. Svein wearing a white coat and a face mask is drilling a small hole in the skull, he is sweating profusely. Zina, also dressed in a white coat, hands him scalpels, forceps and pieces of fabric to clean the blood. Through the small hole on the skull, the scientist gently places the little piece of tissue that he removed from the junkie.
ZINA
Won't the dog reject a man pituitary gland?
DR. SVEIN
Don't worry, I've already fed him with anti-rejection drugs.
Dr. Svein cleans up the wound and wipes the sweat from his forehead using the sleeve of his coat.
[fade out]
The post-operative
EXT. DRIVEWAY, NIGHT
Link and Dr. Svein arrive by car at Dr. Svein's house. Link has a bandage on his head. Dr. Svein takes him inside.
INT. HALLWAY/BED ROOM
Dr. Svein takes the dog to a bedroom, looks at him and leaves the room closing the door behind him. In the morning, Dr. Svein keeps opening the door and serving Link food. Until one day, Dr. Svein opens the door and does not find Link but a pile of white fur on the floor. He is worried and looks around the room for the animal. When he checks underneath the bed, he finds a man, with a half shaved head, only dressed with Link's collar. Dr. Svein jumps away from the bed in shock. The naked man crawls from underneath the bed, looks up at the scientist and remains quiet for a while. He then, in a sudden burst, laughs loudly and profusely.
[fade out]
Link shows himself
INT. DINNING TABLE
Dr. Svein is drinking coffee and somebody knocks on the door. He gets up and opens the door; it's Zina. She walks in and sits at the table.
DR. SVEIN
Coffee?
ZINA
No.
They stare quietly for a while at Dr. Svein's cup of coffee, looking infrequently at each other. A man in underwear, wearing the dog's collar, walks abruptly to the dinning room scratching his groin. Zina quickly raises her head and stares at the semi-naked man in surprise.
ZINA
Another friend?
DR. SVEIN
No, you've met him before, although he was wearing more.
ZINA
(Shocked)
L...Li...Li...LINK?!?
Link, swiftly moves towards the girl, touches her hair and
sniff it.
LINK - THE PERSON
Hi baby...
Zina, jumps away from the man's hand.
ZINA
Bu...but how is it possible?
LINK - THE PERSON
Everything is possible for me sexy...
DR. SVEIN
Dunno, hormones?!? They can be unpredictable, remember menstruation?
LINK - THE PERSON
I can show you other hormonal tricks doll-face.
ZINA
(Angry)
Ahhh...go and lick your ass!
[fade out]
Link's habits
Days passes (TIME LAPSE OF SKY).
EXT. DOORWAY - DUSK
Dr. Svein, wearing a winter jacket, arrives at his house, walks to the living room and finds Link, in his underwear, on the floor, sweating profusely. He has a bottle of VB in his hand. The fire-place is burning very strongly.
DR. SVEIN
What the fuck is going on here? Why have you got both the heater and the fireplace on?
LINK - THE PERSON
I want to have a sauna.
EXT. DOORWAY - DUSK (NEXT DAY)
Once more, Dr. Svein opens the door and hears CLANKS from the several beer bottles left on the floor. He walks in until he reaches the bathroom and finds Link having a bath. The bathroom is filthy and full of cigarette butts and beer bottles. Link is laying in the bathtub with a cigarette in his mouth and a beer bottle in his right hand, that lies outside the bathtub.
DR. SVEIN
Why are you trashing my place? How are you getting beer and cigarettes?
LINK - THE PERSON
I have contacts.
DR. SVEIN
Are you stealing?
LINK - THE PERSON
Fuck you.
Link leaves the bathtub, throws the cigarette in the bath water and walks towards the towel, stops in front of the scientist and pushes him.
DR. SVEIN
Look, I'd rather give you some money than have you steal it.
Dr. Svein gets his wallet from his pocket and opens it. He notices that his credit card has gone missing.
DR. SVEIN
(Surprised)
That's how you're getting money!?!
LINK - THE PERSON
Fuck you. By the way, I need a fucking computer.
DR. SVEIN
Why?
LINK - THE PERSON
To work, dumb-ass.
DR. SVEIN
You can use my laptop. It's in the cupboard.
Link gets the laptop and connects to 'Stockmarket online'.
[fade out]
LINK BREAKS FREE
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Dr. Svein is preparing food and he notices on the bench a letter addressed to Link Smith. He opens the letter and inside, he finds a 20,000$ check, from 'Stockmarket Online'. The scientist immediately calls Link.
DR. SVEIN
(Angry)
Come here Link! Now!
Link appears through the door in his underwear with a hungover appearance.
LINK - THE PERSON
What is it? Is the fucking breakfast ready?
DR. SVEIN
What is this?!? (showing Link the check).
Link takes the check from the hands of the Scientist and looks at it.
DR. SVEIN
But how will you cash this check?
LINK - THE PERSON
Dude, national ID card... easy to hack and easy to forge...
Link disappears for a while and comes back dressed (in a smart social way).
INT. DINNER TABLE - DAY
DR. SVEIN
Where you think you're going?
LINK - THE PERSON
Fuck you.
Link walks to the door and BANGS it behind him.
[Fade out]
Link and his political inspirations
INT. TV ROOM - DAY
Dr. Svein and Link are sitting on the couch watching TV. Link looks very sloppy and he is having a beer. On the TV, George Bush is speaking about the war on terror.
DR. SVEIN
(Shaking his head negatively)
Idiot.
LINK - THE PERSON
You say that because you're jealous of people who succeed.
DR. SVEIN
(Showing indignation)
Why would I be jealous of a grass eater?!? (lost in translation?) I don't believe that power equals success.
LINK - THE PERSON
Fucker, this dude is the dynamo of the modern World. He's the only reason you're able to sit there on your ass complaining instead of being blown into tiny, red, mushy pieces by some fucking terrorist!
Dr. Svein sighs. Somebody KNOCKS on the door. Dr. Svein leaves the sofa to answer. Link stays sitting, itching his groin. CAMERA REMAINS ON LINK.
DR. SVEIN
(Answering the door)
Yes?
PETER
Hi, is Link here?
DR. SVEIN
Who are you?
PETER
A friend.
Dr. Svein and Peter walk to the TV room and sit on the couch. Link takes his hand away from his groin and stretches to shake Peter's hand.
LINK - THE PERSON
G'day mate.
PETER
Great to see you again Link
DR. SVEIN
I hate to ask, but how did you two meet?
PETER
At the pub. A group of us were having a bit of a yarn and Link and I kinda hit it off when we realised we have very similar views.
DR. SVEIN
Similar... Views?
PETER
Well, I am a local MP and a member of the Libero-republican youth and I'm a member of the committee for the environment.
DR. SVEIN
What?!?
PETER
Yeah, anyway, we were chatting away and next thing you know this great man (pointing at Link) gave me a considerable donation for my next electoral campaign.
DR. SVEIN
But what is this about similar views?
PETER
You know man! We were having a rather strong discussion about our new proposal for a bypass at Majura Park and some of the drunken bums at the pub were giving me shit for it. Link stood up and bit one of them. Blood everywhere... this guy has balls!
LINK - THE PERSON
Cut it out. Let's go to my room.
Link and Peter leave the TV room. Dr. Svein stays on the couch amazed.
[fade out]
LInk's New job
EXT. FRONT GARDEN - DAY
Dr. Svein is planting flowers in his front yard. Suddenly, a large 4WD drives over the front yard destroying some of the newly planted flowers. From the car, Link and a blond girl in bimbo clothes leave the car. The girl is laughing holding a champagne bottle.
DR. SVEIN
What are you celebrating? And who are you (looking at the girl)?
LINK - THE PERSON
Come inside. Don't pay any attention to this looser.
BIMBO
Link got a new job... he is the new local environment inspector for the council!
DR. SVEIN
What???
LINK - THE PERSON
(Looking at the girl)
Cut the crap, come here!
The two walk to the door and go inside the house hugging each other.
INT. DINNING ROOM
Dr. Svein is sitting, facing the wall. He is desolate. He reaches to the phone without noticing the Bimbo girl nearby the door. He dials a number, and waits for an answer. He is apprehensive and whispering.
DR. SVEIN
Zina, it's me. I need you to be here tonight.
He pauses holding the receiver.
DR. SVEIN (CONT'D)
Link is out of control. We have to do something.
INT. DOOR WAY - NIGHT
Somebody is KNOCKING on the door. Dr. Svein opens the door. It's Zina.
DR. SVEIN
Did you bring the equipment?
She nods her head positively and walks inside.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Shadows projected on the wall reveal a man and a woman. The man takes a bottle and turns it over a piece of cloth. Zina opens a bedroom door. Link is sleeping on his belly inside. Dr. Svein jumps over Link's head covering his nose with the cloth. Link tries to hit him with frenetic movements. He gets slower and slower until he stops his movements completely. The telephone RINGS. Zina leaves the room to answer it. From the bedroom, one hears her answering.
ZINA
Yes? (PAUSE) He's not here, sorry.
She HANGS UP.
[fade out]
Final sceene
INT. DINNING ROOM - DAY
Five days later... Dr. Svein is having a coffee at the dining table. His suitcases are seen aside and the house seems clean and empty. Somebody KNOCKS VIOLENTLY on the door. Dr. Svein stands up to answer the door. He opens it and sees Link's girlfriend, Peter and 2 cops standing outside. One of the cops speaks impolitely to the scientist.
COP 1
(Angry)
Sir, we need to know where Mr. Link Smith is!
BIMBO
(Hysterical)
You killed him you asshole! I heard your plans on the phone.
DR. SVEIN
(Amused)
Killed him?!? Oh no, there's some misunderstanding He's right here!
PETER
(Talking to the cops)
He's lying! Arrest him!
DR. SVEIN (CONT'D)
(Calmly)
Wait, I'll call him (PAUSE). Link, Link (LOUDER).
After a few moments, Link the dog walks to the doorway from inside the house.
THE END.