A Heart In Two

By C. R. Merz

INT. RESEARCH OFFICE - NIGHT
Two large desks support a chemistry station and a computer. The computer screen illuminates SAMUEL, 30’s, lab coat. Samuel leans his head against his palm.

SAMUEL
This is an unsolvable equation, why am I always at the center of it?

ROBERT, 30’s, scrubs, knocks on the open door.

ROBERT
Still working on the crazy world-changing invention, Sam?

SAMUEL
I wouldn’t use "working" as a descriptor in this scenario.

Robert slaps his hand on the desk and hunches over to see the monitor.

ROBERT
Sam, this is some next-level tech, why haven’t you released it yet?

SAMUEL
Something just feels unfinished; it’s not good enough. I can’t seem to find the answer. Maybe I should just scrap the whole project.

ROBERT
What's with the pity party? You’re a genius; you can figure it out. It just might take a little extra time.

SAMUEL
That’s what they said about the last invention, and look where that got me.

Robert arises and paces.

ROBERT
As long as I have known you, you have been a brilliant mind and have created things most could only dream of.
(rubs his face)
So why do you insist on belittling yourself?

Samuel types on the keyboard.

ROBERT
One mistake doesn’t mean that you just hang up the towel. We are inventors, and failure is kind of our thing.

SAMUEL
Why should I be the one to release something that could save the world? That weight crushed me last time, and I failed Robert—and I failed big.

ROBERT
Are you listening to yourself, Sam? Save the world. No failure could possibly be big enough to justify not saving the world.

Samuel focuses on the computer.

ROBERT
Do I need to remind you that the “crushing failure” last time led to the discovery of a permanently renewable source of energy?

Samuel smashes his fist against the desk.

SAMUEL
But how many died to develop that technology, all because of my lack of foresight?

ROBERT
Sam, is this still about Anna? You know you can’t keep holding yourself responsible for that. No one could have possibly known that outcome.

Samuel slides lower into his chair.

SAMUEL
That outcome was preventable. Just look at this diagram—it spells it out.
(Voice quivers)
How many inventors can say they have blood on their hands, Robert?

Robert stands with arms crossed.

SAMUEL
Even more than that, how many can say that blood is from the one they loved, the one they promised to protect, their reason for living?

ROBERT
We could pore over our shortcomings for years, Sam. Agonizing over possible outcomes would take a lifetime.

Samuel laughs.

SAMUEL
Look at you, giving me philosophical advice. Where was that insight when Anna died?

Robert whips the chair around.

ROBERT
Yes, you have blood on your hands, but we all do. All of us should have seen the signs.

Samuel stands up, throwing his research notes on the floor.

SAMUEL
When will it be enough, Robert? Don’t you think I have given enough? Enough of my time, enough of my life, enough of the ones I love for others' sake.

Robert paces.

ROBERT
I get it, losing Anna was hard, and more than that, it was heartbreaking. But it wasn’t just you who went through those things; we all did.

Samuel slaps his chest.

SAMUEL
It was my job to cut the power when things went haywire, but I didn’t because of the potential to save others' lives. I gave up everything for other people; now I’m done.

Robert grasps Samuel’s shoulders.

ROBERT
Anna would want you to continue to save lives; that’s why she loved you, Sam.

Samuel pushes Robert away.

SAMUEL
Don’t you dare bring Anna into this—she was my wife, not yours. How could you possibly know what she wanted?

ROBERT
She was my sister, Samuel. I loved her just as much as you did. I grieved just like you when she was taken from us, but how does resting in the grief solve anything?

SAMUEL
So you think she was taken from us, and who took her, Robert? Me? Was I the one who robbed you of your sister?

ROBERT
Sam, you know I didn’t mean it that wa—

SAMUEL
--Just leave, Robert. I am done here.

ROBERT
Sammy, you can’t just quit like this; people are looking to you for answers.

SAMUEL
I am done sacrificing everything for others. Look to someone else. Now get out of my office.

Robert looks at the research.

ROBERT
I thought you were going to be someone Anna could be proud of, someone worthy of her love. I guess I was wrong.

Robert storms out of the room. Samuel flops down on his chair and looks up at the ceiling light. Samuel whips his hands over his face.

SAMUEL
Anna, what would you have me do?

Samuel looks at the photo on his desk.

SAMUEL
I always hated it when he was right. You’re probably rolling over in your grave.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Robert walks past Samuel’s office and looks inside.

Samuel picks up the research notes, sets them on the desk, and begins working on them.

INT. RESEARCH OFFICE - NIGHT
Robert enters the room and sits down a box of papers. Robert pats Samuel on the back.

ROBERT
I guess Anna was right to believe in you after all, even if you’re a stubborn jackass.