How i Died S3 E03: Been Here Before

Transcript: How i Died S3 E03: Been Here Before

This transcript is adapted from the episode’s original script, so the final audio may differ slightly.

INT. JJ'S DINER – DAY

[Conversation, silverware on plates and bad diner ambiance fill the air. Jon and Crowley are at their own table. Crowley is cutting meat on her plate. Jon isn't eating.]

Jon: That looks… disgusting.

Crowley: It's Milk Steak. JJ's diner has the best.

Jon: I'd be scared of what it looks like elsewhere if this is the best.

Crowley: You're not hungry?

Jon: Not anymore.

[Jon takes a sip of tea.]

Crowley: Alright, so you do the talking. I'm just getting off an all-nighter.

Jon: You're the one with the updates.

[Jon takes another sip. Crowley sighs, placing down the silverware.]

Crowley: Fine. I'll eat after. (beat) Here are Kim's files on–

[Crowley grabs a manila folder from her side of the booth.]

Jon: Shouldn't we call them something else? Like a code name so no one overhears us?

Crowley: A code name? Would you rather do this meeting in a back alley? For fuck's sake. Here are Kim's files.

Crowley: Copies of copies that you're not supposed to have, so if you could please try to do just one thing discreetly… I know it's not your area of expertise.

Jon: Even from Mendez and Hart?

Crowley: (hesitantly) Mendez… and Hart, both of them, are on a need-to-know basis. Until we have some concrete evidence.

Jon: Geez. I'm kind of concerned and flattered to be the person you trust most with this stuff.

Crowley: (laughing) Don't be, Spacer. You've been cagier than usual lately.

Jon: I'm working on my own thing on the side. Similar investigation.

Crowley: Yeah well, if you get caught or fuck it up, there's nothing I can do to help you.

[Jon takes the files off the table.]

Jon: Are these the same as what I saw in Kim's office?

Crowley: More. Hopefully. It should have all of Kim's medical files on Roger, along with all of Roger's notes he submitted and everything he ever signed off on. You, of all people, can hopefully connect some dots.

Jon: Wow Crowley; that's almost a compliment. Anything else on Kim themself?

Crowley: I got their personnel file. Pretty standard stuff.

Jon: Can I see that?

Crowley: Fuck no. That's a step too far. It's all just employment history; no black marks. Top of their class in college. They've never even killed a puppy.

Jon: I would hope no one would kill a puppy…

Crowley: It's a serial killer thing. Someone messed up enough to do what this killer is doing to humans would've definitely shown a pattern of behavior like this as a kid.

Jon: So you're saying Kim isn't the killer?

[Jon's phone beeps with a new text message. He pulls it out.]

Crowley: I don't think they are. You're trying to connect point A directly to point C. We're missing B.

Jon: Kim had chemo bags and medical knowledge. They covered up the missing bodies by pressuring Roger.

Crowley: I'm not saying they're not involved or that they might know who is. You only need to stop a leak if there's something worth keeping patched up.

Jon: You know… the killer seems to be trying to replicate Storm Shock. So my thought is: What if the 1989 storm had some effect on their mental capacity, right?

Jon: We don't know the mental effects of Storm Shock. Only the physical ones.

Crowley: I was here during the '89 storm. Do you think it affected my "mental capacity"?

Jon: Well what about patient files for someone else who could display those serial killer signs you mentioned?

Crowley: We can't just go through confidential records looking for shit. And besides, you're Kim's only patient who displays a potential threat to themselves or others.

Jon: That's just Kim trying to–

[Jon's phone beeps.]

Jon: I have to go.

[He shuffles out of the booth.]

Crowley: Your food didn't even come out yet.

Jon: I never ordered anything! And that is going to give you stomach cancer.

Crowley: Suit yourself.

[She picks the silverware back up.]

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY – DAY

[Jon presses the elevator button. It opens. Inside the elevator is Kim and a few other therapists.]

Kim: Jonathan. Going down?

[Jon sighs and gets on.]

INT. ELEVATOR – DAY

[The doors close.]

Jon: Thanks.

Kim: I'm surprised to see you.

Jon: I was hoping to avoid seeing you.

Kim: Still hostile even when you no longer work here, huh?

Jon: I couldn't care less about not working here–

Kim: Now I know that's not true.

Jon: I'm hostile because I know you're involved in some sort of cover up, or you're a god damn serial killer.

Kim: I would recommend seeing another psychologist. Someone who might be able to help you get over your delusions.

[The elevator doors open. They walk out.]

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY – DAY

Jon: (with snark) After you.

Kim: In fact, I'm heading to a meeting with the other heads of my department.

Kim: Perhaps I could introduce you to… Hmm doctor Flemming might be a good fit. A male influence so you can openly discuss your issues with your father might be good for you.

Jon: I'll pass. Enjoy your meeting.

[Kim opens the door. Jon keeps walking to the morgue.]

INT. MORGUE – DAY

[Jon scans the door to the morgue, entering. Inside is Nathan Klark.]

Jon: Doctor Klark?

Nathan: Doctor Spacer… thanks for coming by.

Jon: Of course. Just… doing my job now.

[Jon comes closer.]

Jon: Is that the body?

Nathan: No, actually. I still need to conduct the autopsy on this one. Your guy is over here…

[They walk toward a gurney. Nathan pushes it toward Jon.]

Nathan: Accidental death during a college party. Seems like he fell over a deck rail and missed the pool below.

Jon: Ouch.

Nathan: Yeah. You can say that again. I wish you the best of luck in whatever reconstruction you have to do for the viewing.

[Nathan hands Jon a clipboard to sign.]

Jon: Uh… Thanks.

Nathan: He's all yours.

[Jon wheels the gurney out into the hallway.]

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY – DAY

[Jon closes the morgue door and stops. The ghost phases through the wall.]

Jon: You're him, right? The victim?

Conrad: You can see me?

Jon: Yeah. I noticed you standing in there. My name is Jon, and I can speak to ghosts. Which is… what you are.

Conrad: That explains why the other guy never heard me…

Jon: I'm sorry you had to find out this way. Normally I'd be the examiner to explain as soon as you appeared. (beat) I need to go somewhere before the funeral home… Do you mind coming with me?

[Jon starts pushing the gurney.]

Conrad: Why didn't you just get my body after you run errands?

Jon: It's not really an… errand. I need to go to another part of the hospital, and, well… bringing your body makes it easier to explain what I'm doing there.

[Jon pushes the elevator button.]

Conrad: So… you're using me.

Jon: Not really. No, it's just–

Conrad: Are you not supposed to be walking around the hospital?

[They enter the elevator.]

INT. ELEVATOR – DAY

Conrad: I don't really like the lack of response…

Jon: You're welcomed to stay down here until I leave the hospital.

Conrad: And you'll just cart my body around without me? Pass.

Jon: Do you have any questions about what's going on?

Conrad: Yeah. A ton.

Jon: I mean about you being dead. Not… what I'm doing.

Conrad: Then no.

[The doors open. Jon pushes the cart into the new hallway.]

INT. PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT HALL – DAY

[It's fairly quiet. Patients inside their room make sounds and one yells from far away.]

Jon: Doctor Klark said you fell over a railing during a college party. Do you remember that?

Patient: They're coming for my eyeballs!

Conrad: Where the hell are you taking me?

Jon: The psychology wing. Don't worry.

Conrad: That doesn't feel very comforting.

Jon: Were you drunk when you fell?

Conrad: It was a party. Please tell me we're just visiting a patient- friend of yours. Or maybe your boss. Wait; do you even work for the hospital? Ah crap.

Jon: (whispering) Relax. I have to keep quiet while other people are around. They might hear me talking to myself.

Conrad: Great… Maybe they'll think you're a patient here.

Jon: That's what I'm afraid of.

[Jon opens a door and head inside.]

INT. OFFICE – DAY

[Jon stops the gurney inside and walks through the office, looking around.]

Jon: Can you do me a favor?

Conrad: I… guess? What?

Jon: Keep an eye out for someone coming.

Conrad: How am I supposed to do that? I can't just–

[He phases halfway through the door.]

Conrad: (muffled) Oh, I can. That's pretty cool.

[Jon starts opening drawers and continues going through files. He snaps a photo on his phone every time he finds something.]

Jon: Your chart said your blood alcohol level was extremely high.

Conrad: I'm close enough to 21.

Jon: Were you alone on the balcony?

Conrad: No. I was with a friend. What are you looking for? I'm assuming you're not supposed to be in here.

Jon: I'm not. I'm looking for patient files. Seeing if there's anyone in Springfield who is displaying potential signs of a serial killer.

Conrad: A serial killer?

Jon: Yeah, have you heard about the purple bodies that have been popping up?

Conrad: No.

Jon: Oh. Well… yeah I'm trying to solve–

Conrad: So you work for the police?

Jon: No.

Conrad: But they… contracted you to do this?

Jon: No. I'm just… I'm involved in a case with the sheriff. It's covert.

Conrad: Sounds like covert just means illegal. What happens if you get caught?

Jon: That's why you're keeping a lookout. Right?

Conrad: (to himself) You're kind of a dick, huh? (beat) Who's office is this anyway? Patrick Flemming, MD, PHD. (beat) How am I supposed to keep an eye out if I have no idea what this guy looks like?

Jon: If anyone in a doctor's coat comes walking down the hall…

Conrad: There's a nurse. What if she comes this way?

Jon: You said you had a friend with you on the balcony. Did he try to catch you?

Conrad: No.

Jon: Did they push you?

Conrad: No! What are you implying?

Jon: I'm not implying anything. That was pretty straightforward. If they pushed you over the edge, I can let the sheriff know and we can press charges.

Conrad: I don't want to talk about it.

Jon: Even if you cared about this person, if they killed you, someone needs to–

Conrad: I wasn't killed! Okay? (beat) I bet my friend I could land in the pool. I did it. Me. I fucking–… (calming) I think I died on impact, because I remember looking back up and seeing Kelly's face after I jumped. She looked horrified, and almost fell off the rail just from leaning over and screaming. The whole party stopped. It sucks being dead, but what sucks more was scarring all those people who watched me die. So no. There's no one to charge, and there's nothing you can do to help me feel better.

Jon: I'm sorry. I thought you were just covering for someone.

Conrad: You don't even know me.

Jon: You're right…

[Jon puts a file away, closing the drawer.]

Jon: Let's go.

[Jon starts pushing the gurney again. He opens the door.]

INT. PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT HALL – DAY

[Jon pushes the gurney further down the hallway.]

Conrad: You're going into another one? 'Doctor Mark Hitchcock.'

[Jon enters and pushes the gurney in behind him.]

INT. OFFICE – DAY

[He closes the door behind him. Conrad phases through.]

Conrad: What is wrong with you?

Jon: What do you mean?

Conrad: You have no concern for personal information! You clearly have no morals, and you barely batted an eye after what I told you about my death.

Jon: Some things are just more important than personal boundaries. Or morals.

Conrad: There's a scary fucking statement. Forget morals, this has got to be illegal too. What about hippo laws?

Jon: HIPAA. And I'm not a doctor here, remember? Keep an eye out please.

Conrad: No.

Jon: Why not?

Conrad: Uhh, a whole list of reasons? (listing)

Conrad: I don't know you, you haven't given me a good reason why you're breaking in and violating people's privacy, you seem like an assho–

Jon: I told you, it's a police investigation.

Conrad: And you're not a cop. So until you want to do some explaining, you're on your own. Quit asking me to help in your dirty work.

[Conrad disappears. Jon keeps looking.]

Jon: (to himself) Ugh. What else is he going to do? I'm the only person he can talk to and he won't even help me out? As I… break the law. (beat) It's not my fault he doesn't have a mystery to solve. I was just trying to help. (beat) Oh come on… No one in any of these patient files is showing any sign of homicidal tendencies? We have people getting murdered once a week… You'd really think at least someone would be in therapy. (mumbling) Or maybe it's the fact they're not in therapy… ha. Not funny.

[Jon opens another file.]

Jon: Whoa. Dr. Kim has a file as a patient? I guess if you value therapy enough, you'd probably think you needed it too. Hmmm… (beat) Mace Kim, DO — they would have an osteopathic medicine degree. Pft. Routine therapy sessions… Diagnosed with recent depression and anxiety about death. Not coping well with recent medical news… (beat) Recent medical news?

[A door opens in the hall. Jon jumps, think it's from the office he's in.]

Jon: Ha… phew. Jesus Christ, Jon. Take a picture and leave; don't stick around to read the whole thing.

[He snaps a picture on his cell and puts the file back. Jon walks out. He closes the door behind him.]

INT. PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT HALL – DAY

[Jon is searching around for Conrad.]

Jon: (whispering) Conrad? Conrad!

Patient: Do you have my eyeballs?

Jon: Uh… sorry. No

Conrad: Jon? I'm over here.

Jon: I can't talk here.

Conrad: Good. I don't really want to talk to you.

Jon: Then why are you still here?

Conrad: I don't… I'm not helping you.

Jon: I'm not asking you to. Just give me a chance to explain. I need to take your body to the funeral home anyway… If you still can stand being around me, I'm parked by the maintenance entrance.

[Jon starts pushing the gurney back toward the elevator.]

Conrad: Fine. But I don't want to talk about what happened to me.

Jon: We won't.

[Jon presses the elevator button.]

Conrad: And are you ready to admit you were being an ass?

Jon: Never said I wasn't.

[The elevator opens and they get in.]

INT. ELEVATOR – DAY

Conrad: Then what are you explaining to me exactly?

Jon: I started working as a pathologist here almost a year ago. And when I did, I used to say that the ghosts always wanted something from me. To pass on a message or help them in some way with unfinished business. I was a real jerk.

Conrad: Was?

Jon: Yeah; was. Today, I was a different kind of jerk. Your case, it just… it reminded me so much of another one, and I thought I was helping. I don't know if I even am. But now, with you, I was the one asking for things. And for that, I'm sorry. My deal isn't your issue.

Conrad: I forgive you. I guess.

Jon: Anyway, over the past year, I noticed some… issues with the medical records, and when I brought it up to the person who seemed to be behind the issue, I got fired.

Conrad: Seems like a bad plan.

[The elevator doors open. They walk out.]

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY – DAY

[They walk down the hall toward the maintenance exit.]

Jon: Yeah, because that makes them look more guilty.

Conrad: I meant bad plan from your end. Why confront the person who you think is behind it? When does that ever work?

Jon: …Fair. Well, since then I've been working with the Sheriff's Department to figure out what's going on, and–

[A door opens nearby; it's the conference room. A group is walking out.]

Flemming: –our department will be alright, Mace.

Kim: Oh, Jonathan. You're still here?

Conrad: Is that who's office you went in?

Jon: Hi Dr. Kim. I'm just leaving now.

Kim: Have you met doctor Flemming?

Jon: Hi.

Flemming: Nice to meet you. Jonathan, right? You used to work here?

Jon: I have to get going.

Flemming: Listen, if you ever need to talk, Dr. Kim said–

Jon: Thanks, but no thanks. I'm fine.

Kim: Jonathan, I need to tell you–

Jon: (with venom) I hope you feel better, Dr. Kim.

[Jon starts pushing the gurney again. The group walks away.]

Flemming: (far away) Yeah, that went about as good as you'd said…

Conrad: I don't get it. Why do you think the psych department is hiding something?

Jon: Hold on.

[Jon opens the door. They exit outside.]

EXT. PARKING LOT – DAY

[Jon pushes the gurney down the ramp.]

Jon: I think Dr. Kim is a serial killer. The one I mentioned before. Or they're at least involved.

Conrad: She seemed… normal.

Jon: I found a file on them.

Conrad: (to self) Oh. Them. Sorry.

Jon: And after I got fired… I received a threatening voice message from the killer. The voice was disguised, but —

Conrad: You got a… like a creepy voicemail?

Jon: More old school. Tape recordings. Whoever it was knows about my little… ability here. And it using it as blackmail to get me to help them.

Conrad: Help them kill people?!

Jon: No. Just… deliver bodies to them. For now.

Conrad: Please tell me you're not going to… with my body. Are you? You're not. (beat) Are you?

Jon: No. Your family has a funeral planned. I need to get back and… reconstruct your face.

Conrad: Ugh. Wow.

Jon: So does this make sense now?

Conrad: Not at all. Why not just let the cops handle it? Who cares if you can talk to dead people?

[They get to the car.]

Jon: Honestly… you're the first… "person" I've told.

Conrad: You don't have to say person like that. I'm still a person…

Jon: Yeah, well. No one else knows about the tapes. I haven't told the sheriff. I can't.

Conrad: So what are you gonna do?

[Jon opens his trunk and starts moving the body in.]

Jon: You don't happen to want to go back in there and spy on Dr. Kim for me, do you?

Conrad: Not at all.

Jon: Couldn't hurt to ask.

[Jon slams the trunk closed.]