As usual, my commentary is in italics, except for dialogue.
Last time, the doctors followed Johnny as he sneaked off to a cliff.
He looks around, then jumps across the stream to the other side. He is briefly stunned by the view from there, and heads to a log near the edge of the cliff to get a closer look. He's incredibly impressed by what he sees, and decides to spend some time there. The doctors speak up.
Dr. Watts: (annoyedly) Well, okay, so he wandered off the trail and found a cool place.
Dr. Watts: But let's face it, he could've also been eaten by a pack of tigers.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking at Watts) Tigers don't travel in packs, idiot.
Dr. Watts: (looking at Rosalene)...It was just an expression.
- Both doctors turn back to the scene Johnny is enjoying.
Dr. Watts: Y'know, when I was a kid, my grandpa took me stargazing every year.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking at Watts)...Yeah?
Dr. Watts: There was a hill outside of the city that we'd stay at...the same one every year.
Dr. Watts: We'd watch the stars 'til daybreak.
Dr. Watts: (looking at Rosalene) Well, I did, mostly. He just carried the telescope for me.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking away from Watts)...Of course.
Dr. Watts: The thing was, though, ma didn't want me to stay up late.
Dr. Watts: Grandpa always told her that we were just camping, and hid the telescope inside the car.
Dr. Watts: (enthusiastically) That's all good, but when we got back in the morning, I had to pretend like I'd actually slept!
Dr. Watts:...So in conclusion, that's the story of how I started my caffeine addiction.
- A few moments of silence pass, as both doctors look at each other.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking away from Watts) You're terrible.
Dr. Watts: (looking away from Rosalene) I know.
Dr. Rosalene:...It's a shame, though,
- A moment of silence passes.
Dr. Rosalene: All these nice memories, lost and never found...
Dr. Rosalene: And who knows how many more like it?
Dr. Watts:...Well, as you say, just take it moment for moment, right?
Dr. Rosalene: Mm-hm.
A sudden bit of backstory on Watts, it does explain a bit about why he remembers his grandfather fondly, yet finds it embarrassing to talk about. However it has little to no relationship to the story of this game, and mostly just exists as a weird side detail. Again, I find Rosalene's sentimentalism rather odd, but it has been a minor part of the story so far, so I'm not overtly concerned about it.
- The doctors hear someone coming from behind. Johnny turns around, and Watts panics.
Dr. Watts: (exclaiming) Oh (censored), I told you packs of tigers dwell here...
- Johnny is curious about who's behind him. It turns out to be child River! She heads to the log he's on. Johnny gets off the log and moves to greet her.
John: (cheerfully)...Hello!
- River panics upon hearing him, and tries to leave. Johnny interrupts her.
John: (exclaiming) Wait, don't go!
John: I'm Johnny...What's your name?
- River stands still for a while. She eventually turns back to Johnny to talk.
River:...You're at my spot.
John: (curiously) Your spot?
- River turns away without responding.
John: (exclaiming) Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hog this place all to myself!
- John quickly looks at the log, then back.
John: Um, you wanna join me?
- River is silent for a moment.
River:...Are you here to watch the stars?
John: Are you?
- River turns around, and the scene flashes to the two children on the log. It then cuts to a view from their backs, with a very prominent starry sky.
John: Just look at 'em...
- A few moments of silence pass.
John: Did you know there were so many lights in the sky?
River: Yes.
Johnny: (glancing at River) Oh...Uh, I did too.
- A few moments of silence pass. Johnny turns back to the sky.
Johnny: You said this was your spot, right?
River: Only during the carnival.
John: Not a fan of the crowds?
- A few moments of silence pass.
John:...Me neither.
John: Y'know, you still haven't told me your name yet.
River: I'm not telling you.
River:...Everyone makes fun of it in school.
John: (glancing at River) Why?
River: They say it makes them want to go to the washroom.
John: Uh...Okay, then.
John: Well, it can't be worse than "John".
John: I mean, everywhere in the world, nearly everyone's named John!
River: Even in India?
John: Probably!
- A moment of silence passes.
River:...What's wrong with that?
John: (glancing at River) Hm?
River: What's wrong with having a name that everyone has?
John: Well...It's boring, I guess.
John: (turning back to the sky) I mean, if everyone has it, then what's the point?
- A moment of silence passes.
River: I wouldn't mind.
- Johnny glances at River.
River: Just for once...to have the same name everyone else has.
River: It's like those lights in the sky...
River:...They all look the same from here, but that doesn't make them any less pretty.
- Johnny turns back to the sky.
John: Eh, I suppose...
John: What do you think those stars up there are anyways?
River: My dad said they're giant burning spheres of gas.
John: (glancing at River, annoyedly talking) Oh, I bet he's just making it up.
River: Why would he lie to me?
John: (turning back to the sky) Because, y'know, that's what grown-ups do. They make things up.
John: Santa, Easter Bunny, kangaroos......stuff like that.
- A few moments of silence pass.
River: Have you...ever made an Easter Bunny out of stars?
John: Like a constellation?
River: Yes.
John: Um, of other things...Never tried a rabbit though.
River:...Do you want to make one?
John: (glancing at River, cheerfully talking) Yeah, we'll make the bestest constellation ever!
John: (turning back to the sky) Let's see who makes one first!
- Both children stare at the starry sky, with a bright full moon now in sight.
John: Okay, we'll start in three.
John: Three, two, one and star--
River: (exclaiming) I see it.
John: (glancing at River, curiously talking) Er...Where?
River: In the sky.
John: (turning back to the sky) Um, but where in the sky?
River: Think big.
John: Eh...
River: Bigger than all the others.
John:...I don't know.
- Johnny glances at River, but suddenly realizes something.
John: (enthusiastically) Wait a minute...Wait a minute!!
John: (exclaiming)...I SEE IT!!!
River: Tell me what you see.
John: (pointing to the moon with his arm, enthusiastically talking) There, right?? There's the two ears and head!
River: What else?
John: And there...There're its two feet!
River: Yes. What else?
John: (enthusiastically) And...and the moon!!
John: (enthusiastically) The moon is its big round belly!!
This first part of the scene is River explaining her main concern indirectly, that she wants to blend in with society and hates being treated as someone abnormal. John's concern is far less sympathetic though not invalid, trying to be seen as someone unique while having the limits of a "normal" person in his life. The two motivations meeting and clashing with each other had immense potential, and could've been realized had they got more competent characterization prior to this. Unfortunately, they were pretty haphazardly handled and thus fail to convey their full impact.
The second part is mostly an explanation for why River ended up obsessed with making rabbits in response to Johnny's confession; they had played a game of star spotting involving a "constellation" with the moon at the center as children, and she wanted to remind Johnny that their first actual meeting was here, not at school. Perhaps she wanted to absolve Johnny of guilt by doing this; alas, her autism made her fail at conveying this properly and all she could resort to was signalling him repeatedly, which failed because he had deliberately disconnected his childhood memories to get over the trauma of losing Joey. While this is a pretty tragic tale, it loses a lot of impact, again, thanks to poor characterization.
Regardless, this scene itself is quite competent, and in a better written story would be incredibly memorable and emotional. Unfortunately, it can't quite rise there thanks to the circumstances surrounding it, and so remains nothing more than a decent portrayal of two kids, one with autism, hanging out and enjoying the sights together.
- The scene flashes to a top down view, with the children sitting on the log.
John: So...what do you think they really are?
John: The stars, I mean.
River: I...
River: I've never told anyone, but...
River:...I've always thought they were lighthouses.
- Johnny looks at River. A moment of silence passes.
River: Billions of lighthouses.......stuck at the far end of the sky.
John: Wow, it must be so lively up there.
River: But it isn't.
- A few moments of silence pass.
River: They can see all the other lighthouses out there, and they want to talk to them.
River: But they can't, because they're all too far apart to hear what the others are saying.
River: All they can do...is shine their lights from afar.
River:...So that's what they do.
River: They shine their lights at the other lighthouses, and at me.
John: (looking at River) Why you?
- A moment of silence passes.
River: Because one day......I'm going to befriend one of them.
- A few moments of silence pass.
River: That bag...what's in it?
- John turns to look at his bag.
John: (enthusiastically) Oh, it's the prize I won from whac-a-mole!
John: (looking at River) Did you get to play that game?
River: I tried...but I'm too clumsy.
River: What did you get from it?
John: (turning back to the bag) I got a...thing.
John: I don't really know what it is.
- John gets off the log, and opens the bag. It holds a platypus doll! He picks it up and turns to River.
John: It's some kind of a weird duck...beaver thing.
River:...May I see it?
- Johnny gives it to her.
River: It looks so strange...
River:...I wish I could win one myself.
- A moment of silence pauses. Suddenly, someone's shouting reaches them.
Johnny's mother: (exclaiming) JOHNNY???!
John: (nervously) Eek, that's ma calling!
River: (gesturing giving back the platypus doll to Johnny)...Here.
- Johnny looks at River.
Johnny: You know what...keep it, it's yours.
- River pulls up the platypus doll.
River: Mine?
John: Yeah, I can always get another.
John: (turning away from River, enthusiastically talking) I don't like to brag, but I'm totally the best at that game!
- River ponders for a moment.
River: Will you be here next year?
John: (turning to River) Yup. Will you?
River: Yes.
John: Same place, same time?
River: Yes.
- Johnny hops away and starts to leave, but River interrupts him.
River: What if you forget...or get lost?
- Johnny turns back to River.
John: (enthusiastically) Then we can always regroup on the moon, silly!
John:...Right on the rabbit's tummy!
Johnny's mother: (exclaiming angrily) JOHNNY!!
Dr. Watts: (annoyedly) Well, okay, so he wandered off the trail and found a cool place.
Dr. Watts: But let's face it, he could've also been eaten by a pack of tigers.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking at Watts) Tigers don't travel in packs, idiot.
Dr. Watts: (looking at Rosalene)...It was just an expression.
- Both doctors turn back to the scene Johnny is enjoying.
Dr. Watts: Y'know, when I was a kid, my grandpa took me stargazing every year.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking at Watts)...Yeah?
Dr. Watts: There was a hill outside of the city that we'd stay at...the same one every year.
Dr. Watts: We'd watch the stars 'til daybreak.
Dr. Watts: (looking at Rosalene) Well, I did, mostly. He just carried the telescope for me.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking away from Watts)...Of course.
Dr. Watts: The thing was, though, ma didn't want me to stay up late.
Dr. Watts: Grandpa always told her that we were just camping, and hid the telescope inside the car.
Dr. Watts: (enthusiastically) That's all good, but when we got back in the morning, I had to pretend like I'd actually slept!
Dr. Watts:...So in conclusion, that's the story of how I started my caffeine addiction.
- A few moments of silence pass, as both doctors look at each other.
Dr. Rosalene: (looking away from Watts) You're terrible.
Dr. Watts: (looking away from Rosalene) I know.
Dr. Rosalene:...It's a shame, though,
- A moment of silence passes.
Dr. Rosalene: All these nice memories, lost and never found...
Dr. Rosalene: And who knows how many more like it?
Dr. Watts:...Well, as you say, just take it moment for moment, right?
Dr. Rosalene: Mm-hm.
A sudden bit of backstory on Watts, it does explain a bit about why he remembers his grandfather fondly, yet finds it embarrassing to talk about. However it has little to no relationship to the story of this game, and mostly just exists as a weird side detail. Again, I find Rosalene's sentimentalism rather odd, but it has been a minor part of the story so far, so I'm not overtly concerned about it.
- The doctors hear someone coming from behind. Johnny turns around, and Watts panics.
Dr. Watts: (exclaiming) Oh (censored), I told you packs of tigers dwell here...
- Johnny is curious about who's behind him. It turns out to be child River! She heads to the log he's on. Johnny gets off the log and moves to greet her.
John: (cheerfully)...Hello!
- River panics upon hearing him, and tries to leave. Johnny interrupts her.
John: (exclaiming) Wait, don't go!
John: I'm Johnny...What's your name?
- River stands still for a while. She eventually turns back to Johnny to talk.
River:...You're at my spot.
John: (curiously) Your spot?
- River turns away without responding.
John: (exclaiming) Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hog this place all to myself!
- John quickly looks at the log, then back.
John: Um, you wanna join me?
- River is silent for a moment.
River:...Are you here to watch the stars?
John: Are you?
- River turns around, and the scene flashes to the two children on the log. It then cuts to a view from their backs, with a very prominent starry sky.
John: Just look at 'em...
- A few moments of silence pass.
John: Did you know there were so many lights in the sky?
River: Yes.
Johnny: (glancing at River) Oh...Uh, I did too.
- A few moments of silence pass. Johnny turns back to the sky.
Johnny: You said this was your spot, right?
River: Only during the carnival.
John: Not a fan of the crowds?
- A few moments of silence pass.
John:...Me neither.
John: Y'know, you still haven't told me your name yet.
River: I'm not telling you.
River:...Everyone makes fun of it in school.
John: (glancing at River) Why?
River: They say it makes them want to go to the washroom.
John: Uh...Okay, then.
John: Well, it can't be worse than "John".
John: I mean, everywhere in the world, nearly everyone's named John!
River: Even in India?
John: Probably!
- A moment of silence passes.
River:...What's wrong with that?
John: (glancing at River) Hm?
River: What's wrong with having a name that everyone has?
John: Well...It's boring, I guess.
John: (turning back to the sky) I mean, if everyone has it, then what's the point?
- A moment of silence passes.
River: I wouldn't mind.
- Johnny glances at River.
River: Just for once...to have the same name everyone else has.
River: It's like those lights in the sky...
River:...They all look the same from here, but that doesn't make them any less pretty.
- Johnny turns back to the sky.
John: Eh, I suppose...
John: What do you think those stars up there are anyways?
River: My dad said they're giant burning spheres of gas.
John: (glancing at River, annoyedly talking) Oh, I bet he's just making it up.
River: Why would he lie to me?
John: (turning back to the sky) Because, y'know, that's what grown-ups do. They make things up.
John: Santa, Easter Bunny, kangaroos......stuff like that.
- A few moments of silence pass.
River: Have you...ever made an Easter Bunny out of stars?
John: Like a constellation?
River: Yes.
John: Um, of other things...Never tried a rabbit though.
River:...Do you want to make one?
John: (glancing at River, cheerfully talking) Yeah, we'll make the bestest constellation ever!
John: (turning back to the sky) Let's see who makes one first!
- Both children stare at the starry sky, with a bright full moon now in sight.
John: Okay, we'll start in three.
John: Three, two, one and star--
River: (exclaiming) I see it.
John: (glancing at River, curiously talking) Er...Where?
River: In the sky.
John: (turning back to the sky) Um, but where in the sky?
River: Think big.
John: Eh...
River: Bigger than all the others.
John:...I don't know.
- Johnny glances at River, but suddenly realizes something.
John: (enthusiastically) Wait a minute...Wait a minute!!
John: (exclaiming)...I SEE IT!!!
River: Tell me what you see.
John: (pointing to the moon with his arm, enthusiastically talking) There, right?? There's the two ears and head!
River: What else?
John: And there...There're its two feet!
River: Yes. What else?
John: (enthusiastically) And...and the moon!!
John: (enthusiastically) The moon is its big round belly!!
This first part of the scene is River explaining her main concern indirectly, that she wants to blend in with society and hates being treated as someone abnormal. John's concern is far less sympathetic though not invalid, trying to be seen as someone unique while having the limits of a "normal" person in his life. The two motivations meeting and clashing with each other had immense potential, and could've been realized had they got more competent characterization prior to this. Unfortunately, they were pretty haphazardly handled and thus fail to convey their full impact.
The second part is mostly an explanation for why River ended up obsessed with making rabbits in response to Johnny's confession; they had played a game of star spotting involving a "constellation" with the moon at the center as children, and she wanted to remind Johnny that their first actual meeting was here, not at school. Perhaps she wanted to absolve Johnny of guilt by doing this; alas, her autism made her fail at conveying this properly and all she could resort to was signalling him repeatedly, which failed because he had deliberately disconnected his childhood memories to get over the trauma of losing Joey. While this is a pretty tragic tale, it loses a lot of impact, again, thanks to poor characterization.
Regardless, this scene itself is quite competent, and in a better written story would be incredibly memorable and emotional. Unfortunately, it can't quite rise there thanks to the circumstances surrounding it, and so remains nothing more than a decent portrayal of two kids, one with autism, hanging out and enjoying the sights together.
- The scene flashes to a top down view, with the children sitting on the log.
John: So...what do you think they really are?
John: The stars, I mean.
River: I...
River: I've never told anyone, but...
River:...I've always thought they were lighthouses.
- Johnny looks at River. A moment of silence passes.
River: Billions of lighthouses.......stuck at the far end of the sky.
John: Wow, it must be so lively up there.
River: But it isn't.
- A few moments of silence pass.
River: They can see all the other lighthouses out there, and they want to talk to them.
River: But they can't, because they're all too far apart to hear what the others are saying.
River: All they can do...is shine their lights from afar.
River:...So that's what they do.
River: They shine their lights at the other lighthouses, and at me.
John: (looking at River) Why you?
- A moment of silence passes.
River: Because one day......I'm going to befriend one of them.
- A few moments of silence pass.
River: That bag...what's in it?
- John turns to look at his bag.
John: (enthusiastically) Oh, it's the prize I won from whac-a-mole!
John: (looking at River) Did you get to play that game?
River: I tried...but I'm too clumsy.
River: What did you get from it?
John: (turning back to the bag) I got a...thing.
John: I don't really know what it is.
- John gets off the log, and opens the bag. It holds a platypus doll! He picks it up and turns to River.
John: It's some kind of a weird duck...beaver thing.
River:...May I see it?
- Johnny gives it to her.
River: It looks so strange...
River:...I wish I could win one myself.
- A moment of silence pauses. Suddenly, someone's shouting reaches them.
Johnny's mother: (exclaiming) JOHNNY???!
John: (nervously) Eek, that's ma calling!
River: (gesturing giving back the platypus doll to Johnny)...Here.
- Johnny looks at River.
Johnny: You know what...keep it, it's yours.
- River pulls up the platypus doll.
River: Mine?
John: Yeah, I can always get another.
John: (turning away from River, enthusiastically talking) I don't like to brag, but I'm totally the best at that game!
- River ponders for a moment.
River: Will you be here next year?
John: (turning to River) Yup. Will you?
River: Yes.
John: Same place, same time?
River: Yes.
- Johnny hops away and starts to leave, but River interrupts him.
River: What if you forget...or get lost?
- Johnny turns back to River.
John: (enthusiastically) Then we can always regroup on the moon, silly!
John:...Right on the rabbit's tummy!
Johnny's mother: (exclaiming angrily) JOHNNY!!
John: (annoyedly) Coming!!
- John starts to leave again, but turns around.
John: Oh yeah, I forgot my hacky sack in the bag.
John: (enthusiastically) You said you're clumsy, right? Maybe it'll help!
- Johnny leaves. River stares at him, then picks up the hacky sack and places it near the log. She sits on it and holds the platypus doll. She smiles, and the scene flashes out.
The first part of this scene is River projecting her concerns to the stars, talking about how they are lonely because they can't talk to each other, and how she wants to befriend one of them. Again, this is pretty good material for building character and establishing motivation, mostly botched in execution. The rest of the scene mostly fills in the rest of the blanks; River keeps the platypus doll around because Johnny gifted it to her in her childhood, the hacky sack was again another gift from Johnny, which she tried to use to make him recall this meeting, and lastly, Johnny wants to go to the moon because he had promised her that they would meet there if they got lost.
Just note how dubious the last explanation there is. Johnny intentionally blocked out his childhood memories, to the point that even repeated signalling by River doesn't get through. Yet somehow, a single childhood promise influences his motivation in his old age. How is it this important to him? Wouldn't it have been more believable and poignant to just have him want to understand and satisfy his wife as a dying wish? The whole thing feels like a very stretched attempt at making a huge and shocking plot twist for the sake of one.
- The doctors are visible again. They begin speaking.
Dr. Watts:...If they ever get lost?
Dr. Watts: (looking at Rosalene) Wait, does that mean--
Dr. Rosalene: (turning forcefully to Watts) Don't tell me you didn't see that coming.
Dr. Watts: And here I thought this was gonna be an inspirational childhood dream story...
Dr. Watts:...I should've known that some girl would come along and turn it into a cheesefest.
Dr. Rosalene: (turning away from the scene, solemnly closing her eyes) I suppose now...we know what we must do to send him to the moon.
Dr. Watts: (forcefully turning to Rosalene) Wait, you aren't actually going to do it...are you?
Dr. Rosalene: (looking at Watts) It's our job, Neil...
- Rosalene looks away from him, and prepares to warp out.
Dr. Rosalene: It's what we are contracted to do.
Dr. Watts: (angrily exclaiming) DAMN IT EVA, wait--
- Rosalene warps out. Watts rushes to her former spot, looking around befuddled.
Dr. Watts: Eva...
- Watts silently looks at River sitting on the log for a while. He then warps out, ending up in Johnny's school's mess hall from his last teenage memory. He looks around for a while, then speaks.
- John starts to leave again, but turns around.
John: Oh yeah, I forgot my hacky sack in the bag.
John: (enthusiastically) You said you're clumsy, right? Maybe it'll help!
- Johnny leaves. River stares at him, then picks up the hacky sack and places it near the log. She sits on it and holds the platypus doll. She smiles, and the scene flashes out.
The first part of this scene is River projecting her concerns to the stars, talking about how they are lonely because they can't talk to each other, and how she wants to befriend one of them. Again, this is pretty good material for building character and establishing motivation, mostly botched in execution. The rest of the scene mostly fills in the rest of the blanks; River keeps the platypus doll around because Johnny gifted it to her in her childhood, the hacky sack was again another gift from Johnny, which she tried to use to make him recall this meeting, and lastly, Johnny wants to go to the moon because he had promised her that they would meet there if they got lost.
Just note how dubious the last explanation there is. Johnny intentionally blocked out his childhood memories, to the point that even repeated signalling by River doesn't get through. Yet somehow, a single childhood promise influences his motivation in his old age. How is it this important to him? Wouldn't it have been more believable and poignant to just have him want to understand and satisfy his wife as a dying wish? The whole thing feels like a very stretched attempt at making a huge and shocking plot twist for the sake of one.
- The doctors are visible again. They begin speaking.
Dr. Watts:...If they ever get lost?
Dr. Watts: (looking at Rosalene) Wait, does that mean--
Dr. Rosalene: (turning forcefully to Watts) Don't tell me you didn't see that coming.
Dr. Watts: And here I thought this was gonna be an inspirational childhood dream story...
Dr. Watts:...I should've known that some girl would come along and turn it into a cheesefest.
Dr. Rosalene: (turning away from the scene, solemnly closing her eyes) I suppose now...we know what we must do to send him to the moon.
Dr. Watts: (forcefully turning to Rosalene) Wait, you aren't actually going to do it...are you?
Dr. Rosalene: (looking at Watts) It's our job, Neil...
- Rosalene looks away from him, and prepares to warp out.
Dr. Rosalene: It's what we are contracted to do.
Dr. Watts: (angrily exclaiming) DAMN IT EVA, wait--
- Rosalene warps out. Watts rushes to her former spot, looking around befuddled.
Dr. Watts: Eva...
- Watts silently looks at River sitting on the log for a while. He then warps out, ending up in Johnny's school's mess hall from his last teenage memory. He looks around for a while, then speaks.
Dr. Watts: I know you are in here...
It should be pretty obvious by now, but Rosalene figured out that since the motivator for Johnny's moon trip was meeting River again, she would have to erase her from his memories to get his wish fulfilled. Watts is understandably shocked at this. However, his reasoning for why he opposes this is not what you might expect. Suffice to say, what happens next will raise quite a few eyebrows.
Watts makes a note about the moon, then sets off. On the way, he chides River for this all being her fault, and mocks Johnny, calling him an "artificially-generated bastard". Outside the mess hall, the lights get dim, and a very fast paced version of Beta-B kicks in. He quickly runs into Eva at the right bend of the hallway and interrupts her.
Dr. Watts:...Turn around.
- Rosalene turns backwards.
Dr. Rosalene: Neil.
Dr. Watts: I know what you are planning to do.
Dr. Rosalene: I know that you know.
Dr. Watts: (annoyedly) Yeah? Well I know that you know that I kn--
Dr. Rosalene: Look, our contract is to send him to the moon.
Dr. Rosalene: And the only way for that to happen......is if Johnny is motivated to do so.
Dr. Watts: (stretching his limbs, angrily exclaiming) But if that means removing River, then what's the point?!
Dr. Watts: (stretching out arms) The reason why he even wants to go to the moon in the first place is because she died!
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes) I know. But we are legally bound by the contract to specifically--
Dr. Watts: (stretching his limbs, very angrily speaking) (censored) the contract!
Dr. Watts: I didn't take this job to make him miserable, Eva.
Dr. Watts: I don't know about you, but I signed up to help the freakin' geezers die happy.
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes) Me too. And I like this job.
Dr. Rosalene: (raising her arm upward) But if we directly go against our legal obligations, we'd be in for court hearings.
Dr. Watts: (raising his arm upward) We'll appeal. We know that Johnny'd be happier to not go to the moon.
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes) Johnny would be happier with a lot of alternate life tangents, Neil.
Dr. Rosalene: We are not here to play God...Our job is to give him what he signed for.
Dr. Watts: (raising his arm upward, angrily speaking) Well, we happen to know what he wants better than he does!
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes)...Look, I'm only risking losing River because I believe in her, and--
Dr. Watts: (stretching his limbs forward) What do you mean "risk"? You're removing her!
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes)...And besides, I will make up for it.
Dr. Watts: (forcefully pulling back his limbs) Make up for it how?!
- A red flash fills the hallway momentarily. Rosalene looks in its direction.
Dr. Rosalene: We're running out of time...
- Rosalene backs away.
Dr. Rosalene:...Just trust me.
- Rosalene activates something, and rushes away. Neil steps ahead a bit.
Dr. Watts: (angrily) Says the one who pushed me off the (censored) lighthouse!
- The entire hallway begins shaking. Watts is taken aback by this, and step back. The hallway folds out in front of him to become a straight line. Watts is quite surprised.
Dr. Watts: (exclaiming) Did you just--
- Watts looks around, pondering what's happening. The lights completely shut off.
Dr. Watts: (annoyedly) Freakin' light data...
Dr. Watts: (exclaiming angrily) Abusing your powers doesn't disable my controls entirely, Eva!
- Watts turns on a flashlight emitting from himself.
This was the game's climatic scene, where Watts steps up against Rosalene to try to stop her from removing River. It was his chance to redeem himself. Unfortunately, he botched it by being intensely emotional and making a bunch of weird claims, like the idea that Johnny was happy because of River or that the doctors somehow understand what makes Johnny happy better than he does. Again, this was an idea with potential. A doctor giving up on an operation for ethical reasons is a valid plot point and could be quite strongly written, but Watts' reasoning just fails hard here. It doesn't help that Rosalene tries her hardest to be reasonable and that both doctors are quickly running out of time. This was no time for them to argue.
It should be pretty obvious by now, but Rosalene figured out that since the motivator for Johnny's moon trip was meeting River again, she would have to erase her from his memories to get his wish fulfilled. Watts is understandably shocked at this. However, his reasoning for why he opposes this is not what you might expect. Suffice to say, what happens next will raise quite a few eyebrows.
Watts makes a note about the moon, then sets off. On the way, he chides River for this all being her fault, and mocks Johnny, calling him an "artificially-generated bastard". Outside the mess hall, the lights get dim, and a very fast paced version of Beta-B kicks in. He quickly runs into Eva at the right bend of the hallway and interrupts her.
Dr. Watts:...Turn around.
- Rosalene turns backwards.
Dr. Rosalene: Neil.
Dr. Watts: I know what you are planning to do.
Dr. Rosalene: I know that you know.
Dr. Watts: (annoyedly) Yeah? Well I know that you know that I kn--
Dr. Rosalene: Look, our contract is to send him to the moon.
Dr. Rosalene: And the only way for that to happen......is if Johnny is motivated to do so.
Dr. Watts: (stretching his limbs, angrily exclaiming) But if that means removing River, then what's the point?!
Dr. Watts: (stretching out arms) The reason why he even wants to go to the moon in the first place is because she died!
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes) I know. But we are legally bound by the contract to specifically--
Dr. Watts: (stretching his limbs, very angrily speaking) (censored) the contract!
Dr. Watts: I didn't take this job to make him miserable, Eva.
Dr. Watts: I don't know about you, but I signed up to help the freakin' geezers die happy.
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes) Me too. And I like this job.
Dr. Rosalene: (raising her arm upward) But if we directly go against our legal obligations, we'd be in for court hearings.
Dr. Watts: (raising his arm upward) We'll appeal. We know that Johnny'd be happier to not go to the moon.
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes) Johnny would be happier with a lot of alternate life tangents, Neil.
Dr. Rosalene: We are not here to play God...Our job is to give him what he signed for.
Dr. Watts: (raising his arm upward, angrily speaking) Well, we happen to know what he wants better than he does!
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes)...Look, I'm only risking losing River because I believe in her, and--
Dr. Watts: (stretching his limbs forward) What do you mean "risk"? You're removing her!
Dr. Rosalene: (solemnly closing eyes)...And besides, I will make up for it.
Dr. Watts: (forcefully pulling back his limbs) Make up for it how?!
- A red flash fills the hallway momentarily. Rosalene looks in its direction.
Dr. Rosalene: We're running out of time...
- Rosalene backs away.
Dr. Rosalene:...Just trust me.
- Rosalene activates something, and rushes away. Neil steps ahead a bit.
Dr. Watts: (angrily) Says the one who pushed me off the (censored) lighthouse!
- The entire hallway begins shaking. Watts is taken aback by this, and step back. The hallway folds out in front of him to become a straight line. Watts is quite surprised.
Dr. Watts: (exclaiming) Did you just--
- Watts looks around, pondering what's happening. The lights completely shut off.
Dr. Watts: (annoyedly) Freakin' light data...
Dr. Watts: (exclaiming angrily) Abusing your powers doesn't disable my controls entirely, Eva!
- Watts turns on a flashlight emitting from himself.
This was the game's climatic scene, where Watts steps up against Rosalene to try to stop her from removing River. It was his chance to redeem himself. Unfortunately, he botched it by being intensely emotional and making a bunch of weird claims, like the idea that Johnny was happy because of River or that the doctors somehow understand what makes Johnny happy better than he does. Again, this was an idea with potential. A doctor giving up on an operation for ethical reasons is a valid plot point and could be quite strongly written, but Watts' reasoning just fails hard here. It doesn't help that Rosalene tries her hardest to be reasonable and that both doctors are quickly running out of time. This was no time for them to argue.
Watts now faces a long and dark hallway, with Rosalene nowhere to be seen. Will he be able to catch her again? Will she succeed in her operation? What will both doctors run into next? All this and more will be discovered in the next entry, as the game enters its climax.
Next: In Which We Enter an Endless Hallway.
Next: In Which We Enter an Endless Hallway.
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