FORGETTING THE PAST By Martin Douglas Lyman has alzheimer's disease. His son Damon comes to visit him at the institution. INT. PSYCHE WARD -- EVENING Lyman sits in a chair by the window staring out at the birds chirping in the tree outside his window. The room is empty except for a cot, a small sink, and a chair that sits by itself in the corner. The door slowly opens and Damon enters. Lyman doesn't notice. DAMON Dad? Dad it's Damon. I'm here to see you. Lyman slowly turns in his chair and looks at Damon. LYMAN Damon? DAMON Yeah dad, Damon. Your son. LYMAN I know who you are. Why did you come. DAMON I came to see you. See how you were doing. LYMAN Like you'd care. You stick me in here and then show up every now and then pretending to care about me. DAMON Dad don't say that. I care okay. I just...I just couldn't.... LYMAN So why'd you show up this time. DAMON Well it's Monday you know. Visiting day. I thought maybe we could spend some time.... Damon notices Lyman looking around strangely. DAMON (CONT'D) Dad? Hey dad! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. LYMAN What? What! Why can't you just leave me alone! DAMON Dad I'm sorry. LYMAN Like hell you are. You're a lousy son you know that. Why can't you be more like your brother! DAMON Don't dad. Don't go there. LYMAN Why not? Your brother's more of a man than you'll ever be. DAMON Don't push me! LYMAN Can't handle it huh? When your brother was here yesterday he told me what you... DAMON He wasn't here yesterday dad. He's dead. He's been dead! LYMAN Who? Who's dead? DAMON Dad don't do this to me. Lyman looks at Damon, a confused look on his face. DAMON (CONT'D) Oh god...Matt is dead dad. For three years he's been dead. Ever since you.... LYMAN Ever since what? Damon walks over and puts his head against the wall trying to compose himself. DAMON Dad... LYMAN How dare you! How dare you speak about your brother that way! Get out of my room. Get out now. (MORE) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. LYMAN (CONT'D) You're lucky your brother isn't here right now or he'd... DAMON Or he'd what? He'd what! He's dead and you.....you... Damon defiantly walks towards his Lyman. LYMAN Are you defying me? DAMON Sit down dad. Lyman stares at him. DAMON (CONT'D) I said sit down! Lyman sits down as if in shock. Damon realizes what he's done. DAMON (CONT'D) Oh shit. Dad I'm sorry. I didn't....I can't handle this. I can't handle you. I feel as if I'm losing my freaking mind. All I wanted was to spend some time with you and...and...I don't know. You just get me so angry at times and I don't mean to be. I'm trying the best I can.....dad can we just not argue? Damon looks at Lyman who is staring off into space. DAMON (CONT'D) Dad? Lyman looks at him slowly. LYMAN Why are you here? DAMON Dad I said I came to spend some time with you. It's me Damon. LYMAN I don't know a Damon. DAMON Your son. I'm your son Damon! Lyman looks at him unable to place Damon. He stares as if he's in a trance. Damon tears up and quickly walks out of the room unable to face his father.