Chimera. Wendy Lill

probably not bad either.

      EDDIE:

      True enough. (pulls out a hand-held TV) See that? That’s an eyeball. They’re doing an operation inside an eyeball.

      ROY:

      Jesus.

      EDDIE:

      Nanotechnology. Capital University has pioneered techniques in nanotechnology that are used around the world. And they’re developing a method—get this—to create new body parts: legs, arms, teeth ...

      ROY:

      Have you got your order in for a bigger dick?

      EDDIE:

      That’s rich. Actually, no. Doing all right in that department. But they could probably make you up a new liver. Bottom line, Roy, science never sleeps. It never stops working. It’s not about meeting rinky-dink deadlines. It’s not about shilling for every two-bit interest group wanting face time on the Hill. It’s bigger than you and me, Roy. It’s working twenty-four seven. Three hundred and sixty-five days a year. It’s micro. It’s macro. It’s leapfrogging ahead five years, ten years, twenty years. It’s the long haul driver. It’s The Big Bopper. It’s the bop in the bop-she-bop and the ram in the ram-a-dam-a-ding-dong.

      ROY:

      You’re nuts.

      EDDIE:

      Hey, don’t knock it! You’d be surprised how stupid things like that can break the ice. Anyway, that’s The Pitch. I gotta shitload of info if you want it. (tips his glass) Cheers. It’s been a good day.

      ROY:

      So, what do you know about Nell Harrier?

      EDDIE:

      Who?

      ROY:

      Harrier. The only scientist at Capital U. with a primate lab in Nepean.

      EDDIE:

      Nell Harrier? The monkey lady. Ornery as hell. Brilliant researcher. Taught for forty years.

      ROY:

      She’s gotta be ancient.

      EDDIE:

      Scientists don’t grow old—they just get younger grad students.

      ROY:

      I called the University. Harrier’s doing primate research but no mention of embryonic stem cells in gorillas. Any truth to it?

      EDDIE:

      (shrugs) Well, let’s just say sometimes work gets refocused. The road to knowledge takes many twists and turns. Nobody wants to stand in the way of a Nobel Prize. And the new Minister of Justice? Whaddya think of her?

      ROY shrugs, says nothing.

      EDDIE:

      She likes feathers. Think she must have been a bird in an earlier life.

      ROY:

      What were you? A skunk?

      EDDIE:

      Ms. McGuire’s progressive, presentable. A damn sight better looking than Duckworth. Doesn’t know the file, but how much damage can she do? Her Deputy Minister, Pierre Guy, keeps a tight lid on the department. Help me, Roy. It’s always good to know what you’re up against when you’re going to government.

      ROY:

      Sounds like you know it all. Why are you asking me?

      EDDIE:

      Heard you knew her way back when. Thought you might have some tales to tell out of school. (he sees ROY preparing to leave) Hey, I gave you stuff on Harrier. Don’t get all haughty. We’re here to help each other out. I mean we’re not that different. I package it, you shovel it. (enjoying this) Or vice versa. Where are you going?

      ROY:

      You’re the only guy in town who can drive me out of a bar.

      EDDIE:

      I’d say you were a porcupine! (turns back to the bar) Another soda water, please.

      1/10 GARDEN

      NELL HARRIER’S garden. May. Early evening. NELL is trying to move a heavy planter filled with earth. ROY opens the gate, enters, sees NELL, clears his throat. NELL, startled, lets out a gasp.

      ROY:

      I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m from the Mirror. I just wanted to—

      NELL:

      Get out of my garden. No one comes into my garden!

      ROY:

      Can we meet somewhere else then?

      NELL:

      No!

      ROY:

      The Member from White Cloud says you’re putting human cells in gorillas ...

      NELL:

      Then you’ve got your headline. From an ignoramus who believes the world is flat. Just get out of here.

      ROY:

      I just need to confirm some facts.

      NELL:

      The media don’t care about facts.

      ROY:

      Maybe I do.

      NELL:

      And maybe you don’t.

      ROY:

      Please, if you could spare me just a moment. I’m a great admirer of your work.

      NELL:

      Really? What do you admire about it?

      ROY:

      (hesitates) Your papers on leaf mould.

      NELL:

      You read them?

      ROY:

      I did.

      NELL:

      And what did you think of them?

      ROY:

      They were ... thorough.

      NELL:

      Get out of here. You’re all the same! You’ll do anything, say anything to get a story. And when you get it, it bears no resemblance to the truth.

      ROY:

      Please, just a couple of—

      NELL:

      No! It’s been a three-ring circus since yesterday. I’ve got university and government bureaucrats crawling all over my lab. I have no comment other than what I’ve told them: my work falls squarely within the ridiculous snarl of contradictory and unhelpful regulations and edicts that comes down from on high. Now get out.

      ROY:

      Okay. Sorry I bothered you. (points to the planter) Can I move that for you before I go? That’s the least I can do after almost scaring you to death. I won’t talk.

      NELL:

      (hesitates, then nods) Put it over there into the light.

      ROY starts moving the pot. NELL watches him.

      ROY:

      The name’s Ruggles, by the way. Roy Ruggles.

      NELL:

      You said you weren’t going to talk.

      ROY:

      I forgot.

      After