1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (ALARM BEEPS) (BEEPS) (BEEPING STOPS) Mmm. Mmm. Hi. Hi. Have we met somewhere before? Mmm. I don't think so. (ALARM BEEPS) (SIGHS) Late. Very late. Anna, you put the alarm back again. (SHOWER RUNS) Stautenmeyer is calling in to the office this morning. We're gonna talk to them about making me partner. Wow! That's amazing. Yeah, you're gonna have to work on being a little more corporate. Yeah, work on this. Jesus! (LAUGHS) Not funny! Ha, ha. NEWSREADER: In other news, the serial killer now known as Tearjerk Jack continues to spread terror across the east side. Police have verified the discovery of a fifth victim in the early hours this morning. We will continue to follow this story for you as developments... (TURNS TV OFF) Shouldn't you be handing out gold stars instead of earning yellow ribbons on Farmville? I was just checking for delays on the subway. What do you think? Well, I like it a little rough, but I guess Mr Stautenmeyer likes his men a little different. No, he does like it smooth. (LAUGHS) 1 (MOBILE BEEPS) (THINKS) 'A chance encounter with a mysterious stranger 'could be a bridge to new, exciting opportunities.' Wow. That looks like modern art. It's a little Picasso you've got going over here. Whoa! Oh, no. It's so not a big deal. Why don't we get a sponge from over there and clean it up? OK? Mm-hm. Alright. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) (CHILDREN'S LAUGHTER) OK. Got it. Oh! (LAUGHS) (GIRL SCREAMS) Whoo! Whoo! I got you! Oh, no, you got me. Oh, no, you got me. (LAUGHS) Hello. Hi, I'm here to pick up... Robert. He's in the sandpit. Oh, you're good. I don't know how you tell them apart. (MOBILE RINGS) Oh! Hello? WOMAN: Hey, Supernanny. Any hunkalicious divorcees to report? Or you too busy potty-training their offspring? You're so bad. I'm still on the clock, you know. So, are you coming tonight? Yeah, it's Tuesday, right? You bet your ass I am. (ANNA LAUGHS) No, I'd rather drink the calories. Hmm. Six and a half. Mmm. Not too bad. I would say seven. Look! Left of the bar. Quick! Ooh. Ten out of ten! ANNA: Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all. I wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating crackers. Or anything else. (LAUGHS) For that matter. ANNA: OK. So I want to know how was Justin Timberlake last week? Oh, had a few drinks, went back to his. Need I elaborate? I had more fun with a broken vibrator. (LAUGHS) Does it ever get tiring being a slut? I'll tell you one thing I never get tired of ` that moment when you wake up and for a second you have no idea where you are or who the hell the guy is next to you. I live for that stuff. Well, I guess it complicates things a little bit less, right? Yes. I mean, sometimes with Bryce... No, no. Enough with Bryce. If you're done with him, just hand him over. Girls. Go to hell, OK? Big smiles. Just think, in three months, we'll be sipping those dirty martinis on Laguna Beach. Hey, guys, I wanted to tell you, but, um, I don't think I'm going to be able to make it this year. What? It's sacred! But it's a ritual! I know. It's just, you know, Bryce wants to take us to Vegas to celebrate our first year and stuff. Classy. He's so going to pop the question. OK, listen. We just moved in together. What are you waiting for? Get dumped for some skanky-assed cheerleader? If he pulls out a ring, you should snatch it, girl. (LAUGHS) Thank you. And, you know, once you've squeezed out a couple of rug rats, you'll fix up some money pit and slide contentedly into senility. Francine! For a second there, I forgot why you're still single. (LAUGHS) Oh, my God, you guys, Mr 10-out-of-10 over there is totally checking me out. Oh, well, no sense in letting him go to waste. Another drink? No, it's cool. I mean, he's not hot at all. I mean, he's certainly not my type. Excuse me ` between my nose and my rack, which do you think I should get done first? Major alcoholic. She's got problems. Come on. Sorry. Wilcox and Third, please. Get in. I'll drive you home. It's OK. Unlike some people I know, I can walk. MAN: You getting in or what? (ANNA LAUGHS) Whoa. Excuse me. Whoo! Watch out! Hey, watch it! Hey, check it out. (SIREN WAILS IN THE DISTANCE, DOG BARKS) (MAN AND WOMAN LAUGH) MAN: Shhh! (WOMAN LAUGHS) MAN: Talk dirty. (WOMAN MOANS) (WOMAN LAUGHS) (METAL BLADE SLICES) (WOMAN GASPS) (FLY ZIPS UP) (SOBS) (GASPS) (MAN GROANS) (SOBS) (PHONE RINGS) Oh! Oh! (GRUNTS) Ahh! Ahh! Ahh! Argh! (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) (ANNA SCREAMS) (EXHALES, DISTORTED) 1 BRYCE ON PHONE: Anna. Anna! 1 1 They're sure she'll be OK? So they tell me. They ran all the tests again this morning. I can't stand hospitals. Birth, death, peeing into cups. Oh! She's waking up. Anna? Anna, can you hear me? Hey, chica. We're here, OK? Who are you? Anna, it's me. It's Bryce. Oh! Oh, my head. BRYCE: You're fine. Oh, my head hurts. Nothing's broken. You are a blue-eyed miracle, kid. Don't... Don't touch me. Who are you? It's us, chica. Hey. Don't you recognise us? Hey. Well... DOCTOR: Anna, you've been unconscious for over a week. Doctor! It's not Bryce. It's OK, Anna. Calm down. ANNA: It's not him. It's not Bryce! I know Bryce. Anna, you just need to relax. You need some rest. You got a nasty bump on your head. I don't think I need that. It's alright, Anna. No, please, I don't need that! Anna! FRANCINE: Anna! Don't touch me! Anna. Don't touch me! (GASPS) Anna! Anna, wait! Easy! She's confused. (WHISPERS) (GASPS) It's OK. Argh! (DOOR SLAMS, KNOCK AT DOOR) BRYCE: Anna! DOCTOR: Miss Marchant. Anna, sweetheart. Open the door! Anna, it's me. Goddamn pass key! OK, OK. Shh. Shh. (PANTS) (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) (MUFFLED SCREAM) Take a close look at this, please. (BABY CRYING OUTSIDE) And this one. Is that the same face you see? No. Hmm? Both photos are of the same man. What you're experiencing are symptoms of prosopagnosia. Sorry, proso what? Prosopagnosia, or face blindness. It's an impairment in face perception caused by a lesion on the temporal lobe. It's this part of the brain that allows us in a nanosecond to compare someone's face with all of the faces stored in our memory. Do you wanna dumb it down a little bit, Doc? Every time you look at someone's face, it's as if you've never seen them before. Even someone close to you. Even your own reflection. However, confirmed cases of prosopagnosia are extremely rare. Anna's probably suffering slight cerebral shock. If the symptoms persist, you'll need to see another specialist for a second opinion. $20 words for stuff they know nothing about. That's psychiatrists for you. I, um, had the place cleaned for when you came back. Thank you. (SIGHS) You know, I really thought I was going to lose you there. Come here. So, are you getting used to my new looks? Are they an improvement at least? Yeah, I mean...no. You...you look great. You see, it's not all bad. It'll pass. And everything will go back to the way that it was. Hey, at least some things never change. (PHONE RINGS) Oh, that will be your dad. He's been calling non-stop on some crackly line from Argentina. Hello? Oh, no. I just brought her home. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) No. I understand, but... If you want. OK, I'll bring her in. Alright. (HANGS UP) Hey. Hey. Everything OK? Yeah. Who was that? Oh, that was just the police. A detective. He keeps calling. Wants to take your statement...now. I guess you put up a pretty good fight, huh? How do you know that? I called your cell. On the bridge. Remember? I heard things. I'm the one who called the police. (SIGHS) MAN: Any more internal memos end up in 'The Tribune', 1 TENSE MUSIC (SIGHS) BEEPING, INDISTINCT SPEECH LOUD CLANGING CLATTERING CAR ALARM CHIRPS TENSE MUSIC MAN: Any more internal memos end up in 'The Tribune', I'll personally tear the sonofabitch a new asshole. Miss Marchant, correct? How's the head? Are you the boyfriend? Yeah. Bryce. I'm Kerrest. This way. Watch your step. Oh, I'm so sorry. Oh, don't go anywhere. Just sign this before you do anything. Oh, you're wearing that pretty blue tie. Thank you, Lydia. (SIREN WAILS) Would you change this goddamn cell phone ring, please?! Why don't you just figure it out yourself, you frickin' loser? KERREST: A pasta bracelet. That's all we found on the bridge. No bag, no phone. Are you sure they didn't fall with you? I'm going to ask you not to cancel your cell phone contract. Asshole's probably not stupid enough to use it, but you never know. So you really think that it's him? He killed, raped and wept over the corpse. You must know how he works. It's been front page news for six months now. They even have a snappy name for him. Tearjerk Jack. So, are you going to protect her? This, my friend, is what we have to wade through just to request police protection. 20 of these get dumped on the chief's desk every morning. Cops parked outside your house 24/7, scarfing doughnuts. Strictly 'Reno 911' territory. He's got my papers, he's got my address. And he's not stupid enough to go after the one person who can recognise him, right? Look... (CLEARS THROAT) I'm sorry you had to meet this year's whack job. You want to feel safe? Help me catch the sonofabitch. What have you got for me here? 35-40, tall, dark. I'm not letting you out of here until you give me more than this. Did you or did you not see his face? Did you or did you not see his face? Yes, I did. Good! We're getting somewhere. Here. Look these over carefully. Take your time. This is bullshit! Miss Marchant, you haven't even looked at half of these. I'm telling you, I can't remember his face. OK? Since the accident... Anna. Just... Shh. She just got out of the hospital. She needs rest. Rest? You go tell that to the six women whose throat he cut from ear to ear! I apologise if I'm rattling your cage, but I'd rather the next time we meet, you weren't laying on a slab! I can't recognise faces anymore. Do you understand? Ever since the accident, I... Look, that man could be right in front of me and I wouldn't know it. Shh. OK, so please don't waste your time trying to scare me because I am ` I already am. Call the hospital. They'll explain. MAN: Hey, Nicky! 1 Lanyon, I've been trying to reach you for the last two hours. Man, it's Wednesday ` Nicholas, no cell. Guess who just walked up and walked in? Anna Marchant. (CAN DROPS) Damn it. I wanted Diet Pepsi. So, what's the story? You got any leads? Can we talk? So this face blindness, is it temporary or permanent? I have no frickin' idea. (LAUGHS) You think it's funny? Well, she's the only one who's seen him and she can't recognise anybody. You gotta admit it's pretty far out. How's the kid doing? He still hasn't uttered a word. We have no lead, no ID. Jorgensen in Forensics even pushed a trace on the tear sample through the Fed's DNA database. Nada. The guy's a frickin' ghost. You're the mind-reader with the fancy diploma. You know what I think? The guy has to kill women to be able to touch them. Well, that's sad. The melancholy killer theory? I mean, come on. You gotta give me more than that. He weeps because his sexual compulsions disgust him. He... He only kills so they won't see him as he truly is. Anna Marchant saw him. Yeah, and she... she survived. I think he's gonna be really interested in her. I'm gonna head down to the mission and have another crack at that hobo who fished her out. Good luck. We got nothing out of him but sea shanties. (MUFFLED SCREAM) (GASPS) (WATER RUNS) (SIGHS) Oh! 1 Hey there. Have we met somewhere before? (GASPS) Hey. I'm sorry. It's just a bad dream. Hey, it's OK. Look, they need me at the office this morning, but if you want I can... No, it's OK. I'm... I'm fine. You sure? Hey. 1 Hey! You gave me quite a ride, old boy. Why aren't you down at the mission? It's... It's dirty there. It might not be the Savoy, but at least it's safe. Anything could happen to you down here. (SPITS, LAUGHS) What do you care huh? (LAUGHS) I got some questions, and this time I really need the answers. MAN: Yeah, the soonest I can get out is on Tuesday's red eye from Buenos Aires. Look, I'll take you to dinner. I'll spoil you rotten. Well, that sounds great. You know what? Why don't you come meet me at school? I start back on Wednesday. OK. Any delays, I'll call you. Can you call me on Bryce's Blackberry? Do you have that number? I have it, I have it. Now, listen... I wish I could have been there for you. It's OK, Dad. I love you, OK? I'll see you then. I love you too, Snowflake. 'Bye. 'Bye. (PHONE RINGS AT OTHER END) (DOOR BUZZER) Hello. It's us, chica. Open up! Hi, sleeping beauty. Hey! Know who we are this time? Oh, yeah. I mean, absolutely. I was just really zoned out last time. I mean, I'm...really fine. Mmm. Well, look. You made the front page. You're famous, baby. 'The Girl That Got Away'. 'A key witness in the Tearjerk Jack investigation has been questioned by police...' Are they out of their minds? Oh, my God. In Heaven, there's no beer, so let's drink it all right here. In Heaven, there's no beer. Let's drink it all right here. Look who's back! Hello, handsome. If you feel like remembering, there's a two-six in it for you. Alright? OK. Oh! I'll call you. Oh. I'll text you. (LAUGHS) Martinis at 11am. It's almost midnight in Shanghai. Just drink up! (GASPS) Nina, you did not just post that pic! I look squinty! No, no. Deleto! I don't think so. Yeah, yeah, por favor. Uh-uh-uh. 1 I'll be right back. OK, chica. (MAN SINGS TO HIMSELF) Hey! What do you want now? (MAN CHOKES) (CLEARS THROAT) Do you see anything? No. It just reminds me of 'Europe After the Rain' by Max Ernst. I'm sorry? So, what was I supposed to see, exactly? Well, I guess if I really have, um, proso... Prosopagnosia. Yes. Well, you tell me. Can you or can you not see people's faces? Well, of course I can see people's faces. It's just that, um, they keep changing all the time. So you have the answer to your question. Cinnamon candy? But there must be some sort of treatment or medication or... (LAUGHS) Face blindness isn't something you just catch, Miss Marchant. It's something you lose. What are you telling me? That I'm going to be stuck like this forever? You're going to have to get used to people's faces changing as soon as you lose sight of them. Out of a thousand faces, one might miraculously linger. Right. Thank you so much. Doctor. Faces are the bar code of the human race. Ever since mankind went tribal, we're constantly looking at each other's faces, trying to decide whether they're friends, foes or lovers. Don't underestimate the seriousness of your condition, Miss Marchant. (DOOR SLAMS) Don't underestimate the seriousness of your condition, Miss Marchant. (DOOR SLAMS) (ALARM BEEPS) (BEEPING STOPS) (CLEARS THROAT) Oh. I don't want to be late for school. 1 OK, everybody. Um, can I get some quiet, please? (SILENCE) Great! Um, so today, uh, we are going to play a new type of game. OK? And we get to wear stickers and it's gonna be super fun. Fun, fun, fun. Um, so, when I call your name, I want you to come up to my desk, one by one. Uh, starting with... Carolyn Beasley. Now, for this game to work, I need you to wear this sticker all day long and don't take it off. Do you understand? Yes, Miss Marchant. Does everybody understand? Please keep your stickers on all day. Uh, Charlotte Hansen. (KIDS SHOUT) Stop! You guys settle down, please. Right! Carolyn. I didn't do anything. Turn around. I need to see your stickers. Hi. I'm here for my daughter. Your daughter? Uh... Sandra. Sandra, Sandra. Uh... Sandra. Um... CAROLYN: Miss, Miss, Miss. I need to go pee. OK, sweetie. Go pee. I'm sorry. I'm in a bit of a rush. Where's my daughter? I'm sorry. Sandra? Uh, Sandra? Miss, Sandra left with her daddy. Left with her dad. You let her go with my ex-husband? Are you insane?! I told you not to let her go with my ex-husband. I have full custody. What time did they go? Was he with somebody? I need know if he was with somebody. That is really, really important. (WOMAN'S VOICE, KIDS SHOUTING AND BANGING MERGE TOGETHER) Shut up! (SILENCE) (BELL RINGS) I have trouble concentrating on names, that's all. It will pass. I mean, it will pass. In the meantime, how are you going to watch the children in the yard or during swimming classes? With your stickers? Anna, you're my best teacher. But I'm gonna have to suspend you. I'm sorry. If you're better by September, I'll see what I can do. 1 1 1 'Be wary of appearances and an unexpected invitation to dinner. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) 1 1 (SIREN WAILS) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) Carotid artery and larynx were severed, just like the others. It looks like a match. Missed him by minutes. (SIREN WAILING RINGTONE) Kerrest. He's here. He's here with me right now. KERREST: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What's going on? I'm on the subway. The bag I lost, he put it right on the seat in front of me. Hold on. You saw him? No. But there was somebody watching me outside the school. Maybe he followed me into the train. The bag ` you're sure it's yours? Of course I'm sure. I might not know people's faces, but I know my own damn handbag. Alright, so the guy you saw, what's he look like? How the hell should I know? It could be any goddamn one of them. You gotta help me out here a little bit, alright? I can't shut down a whole goddamn subway just for a handbag. Um, OK. He was wearing an orange shirt. A bright orange shirt. Orange shirt. Thank you. Where are you exactly? Uh, line 4, going to Harlin Street. Alright, listen to me. Whatever you do, you stay on that train, alright? Make sure that people are around you. I'm gonna... (CLICK!) Hello? Hello? (ENGAGED SIGNAL) Damn! P.A.: Those connecting to Line 2, this is your exit. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) 1 1 2 v Sorry! Watch where you're going. 1 v ANNA: Damn it! No! Argh! (ALARM BLARES) (ALARM BLARES) You stay away from me! Stay away! MAN: What's going on? COP: Don't move, buddy! Stay where you are. What the hell is going on here? Anna, you told me to meet you after work. I see you running down into the subway. What the hell is going on here? COP: Stand still, sir. For Godsakes, Snowflake, why are you so scared of me? Daddy? Let me go! Oh, God, Daddy! I'm so sorry. (SOBS) Oh, Daddy! Oh, sweetie, it's alright. It's alright. You're OK. Come on. (PHONE RINGS, ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS) ANNA: Hey, it's Anna and Bryce. We're not home. Please leave a message. 'Bye. (ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS) DAD: Hi, Snowflake. Look, I'm back at the airport. Listen to me. You have to tell Bryce about your condition. You can't just ignore it. (ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS) 1 1 (SNIFFS) (SOBS) (SOBS) (SHOUTS) 1 TENSE MUSIC SPARKS CRACKLE JOINTS CRACK (SIGHS) SOFT MUSIC BEEPING, INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT LOUD CLATTERING LOUD CLATTERING CAR ALARM CHIRPS ENGINE STARTS TYRES SKID TENSE MUSIC (DOORBELL RINGS) (DOOR OPENS) Hi. Miss Marchant, hello. I just wanted to tell you... Oh, God. Everything you said... you were right. When I was 16, I had two passions in life ` horseback riding and opera. I dreamt of being the next Callas... ..until a horse threw me headfirst into a brick wall. The accident left me deaf and I had to rule out an operatic career. You're deaf? Oh, yes, as a post. I have to read your lips to know what you're saying. But I can still hear Wagner. I just have to close my eyes and listen. And you too are going to have to learn to find your inner music. Everyone always goes on about sight, hearing, smell. But there's another sense. A hidden one. The Japanese call it 'Muga'. It's the sense that allows you to walk without having to think about putting one foot in front of the other. You lose this sense and you will become like some of my other patients ` socially paralysed, withdrawing from the world into the safety of isolation. That's a tempting option. No, I don't want that. I want to live normally. Every day, people are going to resent you for not recognising who they are. They'll call you rude, forgetful, stupid, liar. Now, are you willing to fight back with all your might? Yeah. To try and try again, without losing heart, without giving an inch? Yes. Good. Then let's get to work. Allow me to introduce you... ..to Mike... ..and Maggie. Hard to tell apart at first sight, aren't they? Take a closer look. Maggie's a little paler, don't you think? Oh, and look. She has this scar on her forehead. You see? It gets more complicated when you have to pick Mike and Maggie out at a party among all the other guests. Yeah. You're going to learn to focus on distinctive markers in people. A mole, a tattoo, their gait. Anything that stands out that makes it easier to identify that person. Right. What's the first thing you look at in a man, after his face? My friends and I look at his butt. (LAUGHS) Well, what else is there to look at? Right. Paler in complexion, small scar on the forehead. That's Maggie. (SNIFFS) Congratulations. (LOUD MUSIC) Hi, Mamacita. Girls. Hey. (SHOUTS) (LAUGHS) So, what's this earth-shattering thing you have to tell us? (SIGHS) Hmm. Reservation's for 7:00. Do you want me to come pick you up? No, I think I'll meet you there. OK. I'll see you later, then. 'Bye. (SIGHS) (DOOR OPENS, THEN SHUTS) 1 v v (MOBILE PHONES RING) Hey! Hey! Wait. You... You recognise me. Holy crap! Can we call off the straitjacket now? Oh, thank God. I couldn't take another whacko freak-out every time I tried to kiss you. So this... this doesn't change anymore, right? You can really recognise me? Yes, I do. (LAUGHS) (SIGHS) What are you talking about? You don't recognise me? I'm your best friend. I do with your unique haircut and the red skirt you always wear when you're trying to get some... It's fine. But... (SIGHS) God, it's just...when... when people are wearing the same clothes or uniforms, forget it. They all have the same face to me. What about Bryce? How is he taking this? Oh, God. He thinks that I'm adjusting. I told him that I recognise him. Please promise me you won't tell him. You're lying to him? I cannot lose him. Do you understand? He's the only thing I have left. 1 NINA: Hold it right there. You mean you get to bang a new guy every night without ever cheating on your boyfriend? That's like a dream come true. (LAUGHS) 1 (LAUGHS) I need a drink. (SIGHS) 1 TENSE MUSIC SPARKS CRACKLE JOINTS CRACK (SIGHS) SOFT MUSIC BEEPING, INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT LOUD CLATTERING LOUD CLATTERING CAR ALARM CHIRPS ENGINE STARTS TYRES SKID TENSE MUSIC I need a drink. 1 DOCTOR: Take one step. Immerse yourself in people's gestures, their mannerisms. Watch them until their bodies become a melody. Hum it, hum it until you can sing it at the top of your voice. Use all your resilience, Anna. But whatever happens, don't let the music stop. 1 1 1 Hiya. Oh. Hey, how's it going? Good. I didn't expect to see you here. Well, it's nice to see you. I'm sorry. I don't remember your name. Hmm. That's odd. I, uh... ..usually leave a strong impression on women. OK, well, I'll see you later. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What's the rush? Hmm? Things are just getting interesting. MAN: Hello. Can I help you with anything? Come on, make an effort. You know who I am. Officer. Officer, that man over there. He's standing right next to the newsstand. What are you saying? Huh? That man over... Never mind. LYDIA: I have no... Excuse me? Detective Kerrest, please. Hold on. I'll check if he's here. Hey. See any more killers on public transport? Just don't move. Just... What are you doing? I need to check something. Can you please just stay there? Please? Sure. I won't move. OK. Oh, my God! I recognise your face! I recognise your face! It's still your face. Who, me? You recognise me? Yes! It's the first face I've recognised since the incident. You think that means something? I don't know. I don't know. Hey, any word from the DA? Oh. Am I interrupting something? No. Oh, OK. Are you OK? Miss Marchant, allow me to introduce Eric Lanyon, our star pitcher, ace profiler and all-round swell guy. They say it takes a warped mind to get into a psychopath's head, but I'm OK. Really. Nicky had another nosebleed. Ohh. It's nice to meet you. You too. What brings you here? I saw the papers. I want to know everything there is to know about this man. Well, you're talking to the right guy. Lanyon knows everything there is to know about our friendly neighbourhood whack job. I bet you can't pinch a pen from Lydia's desk. (DOOR SHUTS) I don't know if he really tried to kill you. He has an odd way for asking about dinner and a movie. What he's trying to say is that maybe he reacted out of self-defence. Forgive me, Miss Marchant. If he really wanted to kill you once you left the hospital, we wouldn't be standing here talking about it. I want to help catch this guy. No. No. I'm not gonna... I'm not gonna recognise his face like that. I need to see them... in front of me. I guess it's worth a shot. I'd have to run and catch a DA right now. Very nice to meet you. So... what's your colleague's theory? He thinks you made quite an impression on the freak. Watched him do his thing and walked away. What do you think? About a year ago, when Homicide turned up the first victim, Lanyon insisted it had the hallmark of a sociopath. We didn't agree. We thought it was a one-off, a crime of passion. Six months later, another dead woman showed up. She had an 8-year-old son who found her on the bedroom floor with her throat cut. Now he sees the kid every chance he gets. (SIGHS) I've learned to keep my mouth shut and trust what Lanyon says. Shhh. LANYON: Come on. You can drop the freaking Snow White act. You've all been here before. Got a light? There's no smoking in here. Come on. Get in. Alright, stand in line and look straight ahead. Step it up. They're all known offenders that match your statement. We're waiting on papers to run DNA checks on them. They're all yours. LANYON: How are we doing in here? Fine. (WHISPERS) Do you think they could move around a little bit? Alright, we've seen enough of your ugly mugs. I want you to walk around. ON SPEAKER: Anybody who slacks off gets a night in a cell. I just need to see their gestures, their movements. I know it sounds crazy. No, no, no. You want to start a dance class, it's fine by me. ON SPEAKER: I said move your asses. Now get to it. It's not any of them. You're sure? Yeah. At least we tried. I'm really sorry. I...I wanted to help. Anna. Good luck with the investigation. Sam, bad news. Mulgrew won't go for the witness protection you requested for Anna Marchant. After the subway blow-out and the line-up on top of it, they don't think she's 100% compos mentis. That's bullshit. That's absolute bullshit. She's the only witness we've got, for God's sake. We need to up our game here. Organise another line-up manana. Come on. We can't bring in every perp in the city hoping she'll recognise the inside leg of his trousers. I guess that would give you a good excuse to see her again. What did you say? Come on, buddy. You know what I mean. One, she has a boyfriend. Two, there's nothing between us. Three, even if there was, I swear to God, if you even mention this to anybody I will kick your ass. It is highly unethical and possibly illegal for a police officer to fraternise with a key witness. Wow. It's that bad? Screw it. I mean, seriously, can you picture the two of us together, arm in arm at the police ball? Why not? I always thought you looked rather fetching in uniform. 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Efficient hot water systems give you hot water you need, save you money and conserve our country's resources. (UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC PLAYS) Happy birthday, chica. Thank you. Quick, look, look, look. 12 out of 10, 12 out of 10. ANNA: Where? Ohh. Oh, he's totally checking me out! So that's what you do on your girls' nights out. ANNA: Well, no, not me. No. No, no. NINA: Everybody is dancing tonight. OK, let's do it. Even you, Bryce. Mmm. Mm-hm. (WOMEN LAUGH) Whoo! I'm gonna go get us a drink. OK. Did you see that? He's totally eyeballing me. Where is he? OK, OK, OK, back up. I saw him first. Me. Honestly, give her a chance. OK, what do I do? Just act natural, OK? Natural. OK, OK. Go for it. Go, go, go, go. OK. (NINA GIGGLES) (AUDIO DISTORTS) ANNA: OK, OK. Hey, there you are. What took you so long? Which one's mine? Uh... Oh, God. You know I don't like champagne. Oh, yeah. (LAUGHS) What did they put in your drink? Bryce! No, no, no, no, no. Please, please. Let me see your notebook. Let me see it. Oh, Bryce, it's just so... I'm so sorry. You lied to me. No. I'm just as much a stranger as everyone else. Was it me you were seeing when we had sex? Answer me. Was it me you were seeing? I'm so, so sorry. Look, this face-blind shit, I can't deal with it anymore. Find yourself another jerk to wear a tie. Bryce. (MOBILE PHONE RINGS) Hello. MAN: Happy birthday, Anna. Who is this? What? Didn't my number show up? You really look drop-dead gorgeous tonight, Anna. I know your face. I've seen you before. You don't know my face. You don't know anyone's face. If I change my shirt, you couldn't tell me from your own father. You're the only one I don't need to hide from, Anna. No, no, that wasn't me, but maybe I'm that guy there to your right, to your right. No, to your right, Anna. Listen to what I'm saying. Please don't do this. You saw me doing those things. No-one has ever seen me before. You're the only one that can stop me, Anna, so make an effort! Or I'll have to make you smile ` smile from ear to ear. Please don't do this. Such a pretty smile. It'll make me cry. I'm calling the police. Oh, go ahead. I have to go anyway. Your friend's growing impatient. Francine? Nina? Francine! Nina! Francine! Francine! Francine! What the hell? Nina! Nina! Ohh! Anna, what's happening? Nina? Anna, Anna, what's happening? He's here. He just called me from my phone. Where's Francine? She was dancing with Mr 12-out-of-10 a moment ago. We have to find her, we have to find her. He's here. He's here! Francine! Alright, I'll call the police. Francine! Oh, my God, Nina! Oh, God! Oh, oh, oh! (FIRE ALARM RINGS) (PEOPLE SCREAM AND YELL) NINA: Anna! Anna! (CAMERA CLICKS) Set up a perimeter and comb the area. I'll deal with the paperwork. (TOILET FLUSHES) OK, you got me. I confess. Come on. You're one scratch away from a perfect DNA match. Sam. What is violet, striped, bloody and floating in the crapper? NINA: She wanted to get married, to anyone. (SOBS) Why didn't he pick me? Shh. The man she was dancing with... did you, um, see his face? No, only from behind. Can you describe him to me? No. I'll get somebody to take you home. Nina, call me tomorrow. Here. You take care of yourself, chica. Your boyfriend's not answering his phone. We're still trying to get a hold of him. You said you argued. What was that about? He found out that, uh... ..that I was faking it. (DOOR LOCK CLICKS) ANNA: Bryce? 1 You're standing on Bryce's jacket. I'm sorry. Here. That's my phone. He called me on that phone before Francine... Is that the jacket Bryce was wearing this evening? Yes, but... It's not Bryce. I know him. Mm-hm. Besides, he called me that night that I was at the bridge. That's a little trick we're gonna have to ask him about. Lanyon, Kerrest. No, he's gone, but guess what we just lucked in on. So let me get this straight. He strings us for a year and, bingo, we get all this juicy evidence in one night? I'll chew on that once we get a DNA sample on this Bryce guy. I just put out a warrant for his arrest. Until then... ..I'm not letting her out of my sight, OK? I want her totally insulated. I'll talk to the DA, but I won't get anything before Monday. You know the drill. I'll have her back Monday morning. Do you trust me? Let's pack your things. We're heading out of town. (TENSE MUSIC) 1 1 1 Rosemary. How are you? Hello. See you. OK. Everyone knows you. Everyone knows everyone on Koel Island. Hey. Good morning. There's one doctor, one ATM, one mailbox. It really is another world. Where are the other children? That's the whole school. Mrs Hayworth ` she teaches all the grades together. She must be 103 by now. (CHUCKLES) You went there? Uh-huh. Didn't turn out too bad... ..till you had to play football. 1 They've arrested Bryce. He denies everything, says somebody must have slipped the phone into his pocket. We'll know soon enough. They're testing his DNA against the tear sample. Here. Thank you. How are you holding up? I don't know. It's not just that people's faces have changed. It's like... I had to wait... ..until I didn't recognise myself to know who I really am. Close your eyes. That's how you looked when I first saw you at the hospital. Please, don't open them just yet. I got a call when they brought you in. You were out cold. I looked down at you like I look down at Jane Does every day. I don't know. It's like I knew you... ..even though I had never seen your face. I know it sounds kind of wacko. As wacko as not recognising your own father. (CHUCKLES) I can do wacko. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) 1 1 v v a v v (BIRDS CHIRP AND SING) 1 1 (DARK MUSIC) (RAZOR CHINKS) MAN'S VOICE: Anna. ANNA: Hmm? Anna. Ohh! Arggh! Calm down, Anna. It's OK. It's me. Ohh! (GROANS) Anna, it's me, Kerrest. Don't you recognise me anymore? You... You shaved. Yes. Anything that makes the face stand out makes it easier to identify. Oh, God, I was such a fool. Don't. Don't you get it? It's not you. It's just a trick of my screwed-up brain! You're nothing special. You're just another face. No. 1 It's you. It's still you. It's still you. (EMERGENCY SIREN RINGTONE BLARES) Hey, Lanyon. And they're absolutely sure? I'll talk to you later. The DNA's negative. Bryce is not the killer. Ohh. (CHUCKLES) The next time you have a bad dream, I'll...I'll just leave you to it. My dreams. I can recognise faces in my dreams. DR LANGENKAMP: Hypnotism is like a carnival mirror. It distorts the truth as much as reveals it. Or it could have devastating consequences on your psyche. That's a risk I'm willing to take. On the count of three, I want you to close your eyes and travel back in your memories. You can rewind, pause, fast-forward as you wish. I'm counting to three now. One, two... ..three. Anna, I want you to go back to the moment before your fall. (DISTORTED AUDIO) (BLADE CHINKS) DR LANGENKAMP: Is there anybody there with you? ANNA: There's a face. (DISTORTED SCREAMING) It's hazy. I can't make out his features. Her impairment is causing a block. I can't get through it, not even with hypnosis. She knows. She knows who he is. Anna, I want you to fuse the hazy impression with your attacker's face. Can you tell me if you've seen him before? On the street? Near your home? Yes. (VOICES ECHO) Hi there. (SPEAKS INDECIPHERABLY) Ask her if she saw him the night he killed Francine. Slow the hell down. I can't read your lips. The evening of her birthday. DR LANGENKAMP: Anna, was he there at your birthday? ANNA: Yes. KERREST: Anna, did you see him through the two-way mirror in the line-up? ANNA: Yes. He's behind the mirror. Who? Who, Anna? Who's behind the mirror? But... Anna, who is it? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. KERREST: Hey. (GASPS) Anna, what is it? He kissed me. Oh, God. Oh, God. He kissed me. Anna, are you alright? It's OK. KERREST: Lydia, I need warrants on all six perps from the last line-up and I want them now. Make yourself at home. Sit tight. No-one knows you're here. I'll call you when we've got them all. Be careful. Once all this is over, I'm gonna take you back to Koel Island. You promise? I promise. 1 LANYON: What about the DNA? The tests came back negative four out of six. None of them is our guy, Sam. We're just jerking off here. I know what I'm doing. Fine, go ahead. Flush your career if you want. You know what I think? I think you and Tearjerk Jack have something in common. What? You're both in love with her. That's the only reason she's still alive. Are you coming or not? (STARTS ENGINE) I'm gonna check on something. (ANNA THINKS) 'The Lovers. It's too late to turn back. It's time to make the right choice.' 1 1 1 (MOBILE PHONE TRILLS) Hey, it's Anna. Bryce called and he wants to meet up. I don't know. I guess I just owe him that. So anyway, the address of where I'll be... 1 (SERENE MUSIC PLAYS ON STEREO) Hello, Anna. It's me. I know. Only a one-armed man could tie a knot worse than you. (COUGHS) I caught a cold when I was in the detention cell, believe it or not. (SIRENS BLARE) OFFICER: Sam, hey. Hey, I'm gonna take this scumbag with me. Come on. Watch your head. Look, I... I've acted like a total asshole. And not just the other evening ` for a long time now. And I'm sorry. WAITER: Excuse me. Here's your drinks. Bryce, you know I don't like champagne. 1 1 I thought it felt right. Tickets to Vegas. 1 1 After I squeeze out a couple of rug rats, we'll buy some old money pit and slide contentedly off into senility. Oh, God. Bryce, I tried. I really did. Every time your face kept changing, I tried so hard, and you know what I found out? That the way that you look or don't look each morning, it really wouldn't matter... ..if I truly loved you. Uh, I... ..I really didn't expect this after getting your text message. I'm sorry. I'll be right back. 1 Ohh! Hey, has anybody seen my cell phone? (PHONE BUZZES) 1 Bryce, we have to get out of here. We've been set up. I think he's here. Yo, Columbo, got a light? (MOBILE PHONE TRILLS) COMPUTERISED VOICE: Five new messages. Hey, it's Anna. Bryce called and he wants to meet up. I guess I just owe him that. Shit. Anyway, the address of where I'll be... Shit, shit, shit, shit! (BRAKE SQUEAL) ON RECORDING: Hey, it's Kerrest. Leave a message. Damn it. Damn it. ON RECORDING: Hi, it's Anna. I can't get... Un-goddamn-believable. Thanks for letting me smoke, man. You're relaxed, not like that pig that took my smoke at the line-up. I should've smacked that prick. No smoking here. ANNA: He's behind the mirror. Step it up. Come on. You're one scratch away from a perfect DNA match. KERREST: I've learned to keep my mouth shut and trust what Lanyon says. (ENGINE REVS) 1 DR LANGENKAMP: Whatever happens, Anna, don't let the music stop. 1 Bryce. Kiss me. Arggh! Ohh! 1 Think about it, Lydia. Lanyon was at the line-up. He had access to all the evidence. The kid was the perfect smokescreen. It all fits. No, screw back-up. We don't have... Anna! Anna, wait! Dammit. Hey, man, where you going? Grey shirt, black jacket. Oh! MAN: Look out! Anna! Anna! Anna! Lanyon, drop it! Drop the gun, shithead! It's me! Don't listen to him. He's Lanyon. I'm Kerrest! Anna, run! Just stay right there! Drop the goddamn gun! You drop it! 1 Lanyon. MAN: Watch it. Ohh! 1 1 (WHISPERS) Anna? Where are you? Anna, it's me. Anna? (TENSE MUSIC) 1 1 Ohh! 1 Anna, make sure you stay hidden! Back-up's gonna be here any... (GASPS) First there's the bloody kid. He sees me off his mother. You think he'll tell someone? No, not a single peep in a year... ..the traumatised little fucker! And then there's you, Anna. You saw me crying and that's... ..that's not allowed! It was a miracle you lost all the other faces because of it. Hah! No! Ohh, ohh! Arggh! Oh, no, no, no. You're not doing your little diving act again. (GUN CLICKS) Goddammit, Anna! The safety catch. This, Anna, is why I like blades so much better. Anna! Ohh! (WHIMPERS) Anna. Ohh! Don't move! I mean it. It's me, Anna. If we stay out here, we'll make one hell of a target. Now, give me back my gun. Stay where you are. I mean it. Anna, on Koel Island, there's a school with half a dozen pupils. You recognise me now? What did you promise me before you left? What did you say? Very good. I could have told Lanyon about the weekend. That's something only I can know, right? Anna. Look out! Arggh! Ohh! I knew you were the one who would end this shit. (MOANS) Give me the gun. Here. (BOTH GRUNT) Oh, God. MAN: Oh! (GUNSHOT) Ohh... I guess you'll never take her to the police ball. Oh, no. Oh, God. Oh, God. No, no, no, no, no. Please, don't move. Don't move, please. I'm fine. Seriously, I'm fine. Don't leave me. Oh, please don't leave me. You can't leave me. Oh, God. Shh. You'll find someone else. You'll see. You'll find someone else. You don't have the right to leave me. I love you. No, you don't. I'm just another face in the crowd. (COUGHS) Don't leave. Please stay with me. No. Don't leave me! Don't go! Oh, no, no, no. Please, don't go. (SIRENS WAIL IN DISTANCE) 1 1 1 1 ANNA: I live here now. The school board accepted my transfer request. I can identify each of my pupils perfectly... ..as well as the handful of people who live here in the off-season. Nina comes to see me from time to time. She's still single. Me? Huh. I'm just taking it one step at a time. Sometimes I see a face and for a second it's like I see him again. It's the only way I can keep his face in my memory. GIRL: Mommy! But when I look into her face, whatever it was that let him get through to me, he passed it onto her. And just when I thought I'd lost everything, I found a face... ..one face in which I can always read... ..love. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2015