Okay if I talk?
Holden doesn't answer. He's centering Leon's eye on the machine.
LEON
I kinda get nervous when I take tests.
HOLDEN
Don't move.
LEON
Sorry.
He tries not to move, but finally his lips can't help a sheepish smile.
LEON
I already had an I.Q. test this year ... but I don't think I ever
had a ...
HOLDEN
Reaction time is a factor in this so please pay attention. Answer
as quickly as you can.
LEON
Uh ... sure ...
HOLDEN
One one eight seven at Hunterwasser ...
LEON
Oh ... that's the hotel.
HOLDEN
What?
LEON
Where I live.
HOLDEN
Nice place?
LEON
Huh? Sure. Yeah. I guess. Is that ... part of the test?
Holden smiles a patronizing smile.
HOLDEN
Warming you up, that's all.
LEON
Oh. It's not fancy or anything.
HOLDEN
You're in a desert, walking along in the sand when ...
LEON
Is this the test now?
HOLDEN
Yes, You're in a desert, walking along in the sand when all of
a sudden you look down and see a ...
LEON
What desert?
HOLDEN
Doesn't make any difference what desert ... it's completely hypothetical.
LEON
But how come I'd be there?
HOLDEN
Maybe you're fed up, maybe you want to be by yourself ... who
knows. So you look down and see a tortoise. It's crawling toward
you ...
LEON
A tortoise. What's that?
HOLDEN
Know what a turtle is?
LEON
Of course.
HOLDEN
Same thing.
LEON
I never seen a turtle.
He sees Holden's patience is wearing thin.
LEON
But I understand what you mean.
HOLDEN
You reach down and flip the tortoise over on its back, Leon.
Keeping an eye on his subject, Holden notes the dials in the Voight-Kampff. One of the needles quivers slightly.
LEON
You make up these questions, Mr. Holden, or they write 'em down
for you?
Disregarding the question, Holden continues, picking up the pace.
HOLDEN
The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun,
beating its legs trying to turn itself over. But it can't. Not
without your help. But you're not helping.
Leon's upper lip is quivering.
LEON
Whatya mean, I'm not helping?
HOLDEN
I mean you're not helping! Why is that, Leon?
Holden looks hard at Leon, piercing look.
Leon is flushed with anger, breathing hard, it's a bad moment, he might erupt.
Suddenly Holden grins disarmingly.
HOLDEN
They're just questions, Leon. In answer to your query, they're
written down for me. It's a test, designed to provoke an emotional
response.
Leon is glaring now, the blush subsides, his anger slightly diffused.
Holden smiles cheerfully, very smooth.
HOLDEN
Shall we continue?
Leon nods, still frowning, suspiciously.
HOLDEN
Describe in single words. Only the good things that come into
your mind. About your mother.
LEON
My mother, ... I'll tell you about my mother.
