The Dead Zone s02e14 Episode Script
Plague
I had the perfect life until I was in a coma for six years.
And then I woke up and found my fiancée married to another man.
My son doesn't know who I am.
Everything has changed including me.
One touch and I can see things things that happened, things that will happen.
You should see what I see.
Okay, guys, are you ready to unveil your masterpiece? - Yup.
- Yup.
Ooh! Cool! I got to get me one of those.
This is how a virus spreads through the human body.
It starts at the top, usually the mouth, and works its way down.
- Wow.
- You guys, this is wow! - Is this the solar system? - It's a solar eclipse.
- Really? - His idea.
Amy's gonna win.
Don't count on it.
Remember when I said I used to judge these things? Your teachers know to look past the flashy projects.
But Mom is the teacher.
Walt: Hey, JJ, don't worry about all that stuff, okay? As far as I'm concerned, this is the best project in the whole place.
- That's the viewfinder.
- Here? Oh, wow, that is cool.
- What do I do, spin this right here? - Mm-hmm.
- What's that there, Saturn? - Yup.
Yeah? Where is Jupiter? Is that your mother's old Victrola over there? Yeah.
Listen, Sarah, I really appreciate you doing all this but But what? You're doing great.
I heard you guys talking in the basement.
It sounded like you were hitting it off.
Yeah, we were talking, but I'm sitting there, I'm two feet away from my own I'm sitting there, I'm two feet away from him.
We're talking about the distance between the planets and the distance between us seems even farther.
(coughing) (coughing) Johnny? What is it? Kids, stop! Stop! Stop! - Keep those people quarantined.
- Just tell us what it is! We're working on it.
- What about this one here? - Neptune.
Johnny, what is it? (theme music playing) * Oooh * * Fall in love, fall in love, fall in love * * Fall in love * * Feel no shame for what you are * * Feel no shame for what you are * * Feel no shame for what you are * * Fall in love, fall in love * * Fall in love.
* (groans, panting) All right, what's going on? Just let me think about where to start.
Walt, he saw something.
What is it? I saw a virus, I think some kind of disease.
A Virus? Like what? Like SARS? I don't know.
All I know is that it's highly infectious and it may be fatal.
- Looks like it starting with the kids.
- Sarah: Oh my God! I'm gonna take JJ home.
No, Sarah, listen to me.
It's in there, it's in the gym.
Right now, we could all be infected.
If we take this outside, we risk the whole town.
Johnny, how big is this gonna get? I don't know.
We just have to do everything we can to stop this.
- Starting right now, Walter.
- He's right.
All right, here's what's gonna happen.
Jim Pratt's the State Health Inspector.
I'm gonna call him, I'm gonna tell him to come over here right now.
We need to make sure that everybody that's inside, stays inside.
I'm gonna get a few deputies on it, we'll call it a - a lockdown drill.
- A lockdown? Until I come up with something better.
We got about an hour until people start showing up for the science fair.
What we need to do is we need to remain calm and keep a lid on this thing.
And John, let's hope you're wrong for once.
(phone beeps) Sorry, guys, can't go this way.
Sure we can! It's our school.
Why don't you guys go back to your booth, okay? I need you guys to cordon off the east entrance and the doors by the gym.
Nobody comes in, nobody goes out.
You understand me? Nobody! What kind of health hazard we dealing with here? - Some kid's chemistry set blow up? - Not yet.
Isn't Johnny Smith with you today? Why don't you ask him? Oh.
Only the State Health Inspector comes in here.
Other than that, nobody.
You have any trouble, you give me a call, all right? You heard him, come on.
Walt: We got everything locked down, but I'm not sure how long I can keep it that way.
I'm trying to get a better picture, but I can't.
The visions can only tell me so much, Walt.
All right, then we sit tight until Pratt gets here, all right? Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, but is there a problem I should know about? No.
Just a little drill, that's all.
(chuckles) It's foolish really, but people see Sheriff Bannerman having a private conversation with Mr.
Smith you know, it's an image we've all seen in the newspaper, usually in connection with some pretty disturbing news.
(cell phone rings) - Excuse me.
- Sure.
Hello? Phyllis, it's me.
What's going on in there? We're about to start.
Where are you already? I'm out front.
They're not letting anyone in.
- Some kind of lockdown drill.
- Lockdown?! Excuse me, I need to talk to you in private, alone.
- What? - Tell him you'll call him back.
I'm gonna find out what's going on, Bob, and I'll call you right back.
(various cell phones ringing) Man: You're kidding.
- (ringing continuing) - They're not letting you in? Phyllis, I need you to cooperate with me on this.
Walt, no! No, you cannot lock the school doors without the express permission of the principal.
This is for your family's safety.
My family? What the hell is going on? Sir! Sir, please, back away.
Can you back up, please? Sir.
It's all right folks, just a second, please.
Why can't anybody leave? Boy: When can we leave? All right, all right, everybody everybody everybody, just shh, just calm down for a minute, okay? (knocks) Why doesn't everybody head back to your booth? The sooner you cooperate, the sooner we can get the fair started, okay? Thank you.
Jim, I'm glad you're here.
Walt, you don't have the authority to order a quarantine.
This isn't a quarantine, this a precaution.
It's a mighty public precaution.
What's the problem? It looks like we have some kind of an outbreak.
- These kids are sick.
- What kids are sick? All of them.
Says who? Jim Pratt, this is John Smith.
What's he doing there? Phyllis: He's the one who got this whole thing going.
What if he's right? He predicted that fire where those kids died.
What if he's right about this? So you had a psychic premonition.
- It's a vision actually.
- Vision.
Vision.
John has a special relationship with our sheriff's department.
He's assisted on a number of our toughest cases.
None of that means anything without you.
My visions aren't proof, Mr.
Pratt.
We need you to take samples, run tests, whatever it is you need to do.
Whatever I need to do? Yes, I need you to see what I've seen.
Well show me a sick kid.
I wanna go back.
They're gonna start the judging.
Just another minute, sweetie.
Let Mr.
Pratt finish.
How ya feeling, kid? - Bored.
- Interesting.
Interesting? What does that mean? I know what I have to do.
Could I have your attention, please? My name is James Pratt.
I'm from the State Health Department.
I'm responding to a report of a possible contagious health hazard on these premises.
It's all right.
It's all right.
Upon investigation we found this report to be a false alarm.
So please, remain calm.
Breathe easy, feel free to enjoy the science fair or come and go as you please.
Thank you.
- Man: There they are.
- Mom! - Over here! - Hey! Girl: That was really scary.
You son of a bitch, what the hell is the matter with you? With all due respect, I wouldn't trust the Surgeon General to declare an infectious emergency with no indication of symptoms let alone your psychic friend.
What you are describing demands use of the word "epidemic.
" Well, I'd say that's fair.
The State Health Inspector used the words "false alarm.
" Say no more.
Helen, get me the governor, please.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Where are you going? To your hospital.
Sarah is having JJ checked out.
Your son is a strong little boy.
But, I'd rather you not use that term.
Sorry, John, but I disagree from the bottom of my heart.
He is your son, and I believe there are signs urging you to step forward and realize what that means.
I knew you'd segue to Bible study.
Pick your allegory, right? A plague, the storm, the rise of reality TV? - I don't need a sermon, Gene.
- No sermons, no allegories, no advice.
Just an offer for when you are ready to talk or take steps.
I will support you in every way I can.
Okay.
Well, you can start by just staying out of this.
- Nurse: How did you get this? - JJ: Soccer.
- Does he always wear his pads? - Yeah.
Dr.
Granger, would it be possible to run a blood test to see if he's infected with something, but isn't showing any symptoms? Can I talk to you outside? - Yes, thank you.
- Sure.
Parents only, please.
Woman on PA: Mrs.
Jane Maclaine to Admitting.
Jane Maclaine to Admitting, please.
I've gotten a few calls from other worried parents about what happened at Cleaves Mills Elementary yesterday.
I'd rather not draw blood from a perfectly healthy boy.
We're not asking you to believe rumors or visions.
Right, we just want him checked from top to bottom.
We need to know he's okay.
Johnny: I'm sorry about all of this, JJ.
I know you don't feel sick, really.
Wow, is that from the game against Heatherwood? - Uh-huh.
- Yeah? This will all be over soon, as soon as she draws some blood.
I hate needles.
I'm with you.
- They always say, "This won't hurt.
" - It always does.
You know they poked my arm black and blue after I woke up.
So I know.
Did you really sleep for six years? Yeah, I really did.
Did you have any dreams? I don't think so.
I must have been saving them up.
What's wrong? See, I I had a vision about some of the kids at your school.
They were getting really sick.
- Bad? - Yeah.
Will I get sick too? Yeah.
But you know what? Sometimes I can change what I see in the future.
That's why we need to look at your blood.
'Cause we're hoping to find the right medicine so no other kids have to get sick.
All right, JJ, one last thing and you can go home.
I'm gonna draw a little bit of your blood.
This won't hurt at all.
So how exactly do you know the governor? - We have a mutual friend.
- Okay, okay.
Guys, you know the drill.
Andy, Harve, I want you to take the air-conditioner systems, all the ductwork.
Quinn, you take the cafeteria.
I want a full kitchen sweep.
Oh, guys, I want air samples, surfaces swabs and bio-films of all standing water.
Maybe we should wear masks.
What difference does it make? According to you, we've already been exposed, right? Whether you believe me or not, thank you.
Let's get one thing straight, Mr.
Smith, I don't want to be here.
I'm responding to political pressure, courtesy of the Reverend Gene Purdy and a handful of parents who happen to believe in your palm readings.
However, I am going to conduct a detailed inspection, followed by an extremely detailed report in hopes that this kind of hoax does not happen again.
- Good.
- Good.
I have an idea about the source.
During the fair, there was a third grader who was blowing soap bubbles all over the gym.
Sounds lethal.
No, but every kid in here touched them.
That's when I got the visions.
The bowl is still here.
Is there any chance that the formula could be contaminated? Maybe toxic? What we have here is a mixture of glycerin and dishwashing detergent, which, when it's not floating around looking pretty, is actually busy killing germs by the millions.
But you know, I will take a sample of it, if it pleases you.
What about inside the bubbles? You mean air? No, I mean breath.
Breath from an infected person, preserved in a pretty little sphere until the next person comes in contact with it.
- Cute, but not likely.
- But possible? Possible.
Mr.
Grantfork, my name is James Pratt from the State Health Department.
I know who you are.
I don't know what my wife told you, - but we have everything under control.
- Phyllis didn't call us.
Oh my God! Then something's wrong.
I knew it.
Phyllis, is your daughter sick? - Honey, go back in the living room.
- She's running a fever.
Would you mind if I had a look at her? I am a doctor.
- (thermometer beeps) - (coughing) See, not even that serious.
If it wasn't serious, he wouldn't be here.
- Man: You're scaring Amy.
- I'm not scared.
I think it's cool.
Pratt: That's good.
You have no reason to be scared.
Let me ask you something, Amy have you been around anyone recently that's been sick? No.
Any of your friends at school sick? Animals? You been around any animals in the backyard, even let's say a skunk or raccoon? (chuckles) You think that's funny.
I want you to open your mouth and say "Ah.
" Ahh.
I'm gonna swab the inside of your mouth, with this little Q-tip.
And now I would like to ask your mother to make a nice pot of chicken soup and I want you to eat it and get some sleep, okay? Can I talk to you for a second? Sure.
Excuse me.
Chicken soup? That's it? You wanted experts to be involved, let experts do their work.
I'm going to run some tests.
I'm going to gather data and find verifiable results.
There are no shortcuts.
Amy, how does your head feel? Hot, but I'm cold.
Yeah? You mind if I see? (whispering) Okay.
(moaning and chuckling) How come none of my babysitters ever looked like you? Shh, Amy's gonna wake up.
What are you doing? Put that out.
Are you crazy? Stop! Not now.
Dude, you're supposed to hold it in, man.
I like to blow smoke rings, man.
Like one of those Hobbit dudes.
(laughing) (coughing) Whoa.
Hey, that's a gnarly cough, man, are you sick or something? All that clean living.
Don't come so early next time.
Yeah.
Excuse me.
Wait! Is she going to be all right? Yeah.
The best way to make sure is to get her to the hospital tonight.
(cell phone dialing) (sighs) Walt? I need your help.
(rock music playing) Don't move! Don't move.
Stay right where you are.
I want you down on the floor.
Down on the floor! Kiss the shag.
Cirillo? Where's Rob Cirillo? Where is he? Back this way? All right, stay where you are.
Don't even think about moving! - Better have a warrant.
- Yeah, I got one.
We'll worry about that later.
Right now, we're going to have a little talk.
(coughing) Oh, very nice.
Yeah, medicinal purposes.
Oh yeah, I can see it's working wonders for you.
- Is this the guy? - Yeah, that's him.
Whatever it is that's gonna get the kids sick, he's got it.
(cell phone ringing) Bannerman.
Sarah, hi.
Yeah, what are you doing at the hospital? He fainted.
Right after breakfast, while we were cleaning up.
- All right, how is he now? - He's running a fever.
Walt, there are other kids here from the school.
They keep coming in.
All of them sick like JJ.
All right, Sarah, hang on.
I'll be right there, okay? You wasted enough of my time.
Let's finish this at the hospital.
- The hospital? - That's right.
- What the hell is going on? - Walt, is JJ all right? She checked him into the hospital.
The other kids are getting sick.
Whatever it is, it's started.
(coughing) JJ.
JJ! Woman on PA: Dr.
McMillan to lab four.
Dr.
McMillan to lab four.
Sir, you can't use that in here.
Yeah, this is Jim.
Put me through to the CDC right now.
Sarah: His fever is still up.
What are they saying? Sarah: They've got him on intravenous fluids and Tylenol.
Tylenol? That's it? He's too weak for anything stronger, until they can figure out what's causing this.
Please tell me you know what's causing this.
We're working on it, Sarah.
We just brought in someone we're hoping can fill in the blanks.
I should check on him now, in fact.
Wait.
I need you to tell me if he's going to be okay.
- Walt: Sarah, you can't ask that.
- Sarah: I can't not ask it.
If you don't want to know, then walk away.
- Walt: You're not thinking clearly.
- I don't care! Okay? - I do.
- Johnny, whatever you can see, - you can change.
- I can't, Sarah.
If I saw him I don't know what I would do.
Johnny.
Mr.
Pratt.
I'm trying to get a handle on this animal.
Moves fast damn efficient airborne transmission.
Got an incubation period of less than 48 hours.
So what's the next step? Isolate and identify.
Blood tests and swabs aren't telling us much.
We know it acts like a virus.
It causes high fever and respiratory distress and it doesn't appear to respond to any normal treatment protocols.
Tracking and treating a mysterious outbreak like this - would take the CDC months.
- (door shuts) We'd better get started, then.
Rita Navarro, CDC.
You must be the state health guy.
Jim Pratt.
I'm the one who called you in.
Rita: You made the right call.
I want you to download everything you know so far.
But first, we need to run viral cultures on everyone exposed so far including you two.
And anyone who hasn't been exposed already needs to wear a mask.
How you doing, Cirillo? Recognize this? No.
Is that your personal stash, Bannerman? - Cocaine? - No, that's heroin.
That's China White.
Sanjiaji heroin.
Made there, smuggled here.
China.
Isn't that where flu viruses come from? Yeah, lot of viruses come from there, but drugs are not our source.
We need a live carrier for transmission.
Look, whoever brought you that heroin made you sick.
Who was it, Cirillo? The mule, distributor, what? I don't know what you're talking about, man.
Give me a name, Cirillo! I want a name, now! Walt! - Let me try.
- All right.
Who is this, Bannerman? Your muscle? What you're gonna cane me? Johnny: Black hair raven black hair.
A butterfly tattoo, huh? She's a flight attendant.
We need to talk to her.
Operator: Please hang up and try your call again.
This is a recording.
I'm sorry.
Sorry for what, huh? Sorry for what? Johnny: We're too late.
Who is she, Cirillo? Tory.
Her name is Tory, all right? She's a stewardess for Eastern Pearl.
She flies the Hong Kong to Boston route.
What's wrong with her? What what did you see? Tell me, you freak! She's dead.
No! You're a liar.
We need to get him into isolation.
- International flight to China? - That's no coincidence.
They found her, just like you said.
It looks like you got your first fatality.
We have to talk.
I could have used this book back when I was teaching high school biology.
Whatever it is, it originated in China.
We know.
You know? After your initial inquiry we issued an infectious disease bulletin, looking for any other ER admissions with similar symptoms.
We have 16 other cases in the northeast.
Four critical condition, two fatalities.
All from the same flight, or traced to someone who was on it.
What's the mortality rate? How many people have recovered? It's too early to tell.
What does this mean for JJ? I'll be honest time is not on our side.
That book you were flipping through lists thousands of possible pathogens.
Pratt: It's like looking for a needle in a needle stack.
Navarro: We have ruled out all the usual suspects influenza, SARS, bacterial pneumonia.
We still need to isolate and identify whatever it is that's making these kids sick, so we can really treat it.
How long is that gonna take? It took 34 days to isolate the coronavirus that caused SARS - and that's fast.
- These kids don't have a month! It's not just the kids I'm worried about.
I'm authorizing a quarantine on everyone who's come in contact with a symptomatic person.
That includes both of you.
There's got to be something I can do.
There is pray we get lucky.
(sighing) I feel so helpless.
(pager beeps) Hey, Sarah, why don't you and Walt get something to eat? It's gonna be a long night.
I'll look after JJ, okay? Yeah, he's right.
You haven't eaten anything since breakfast, huh? Yeah, maybe a little coffee.
I love you.
(flat tone) No.
No! No.
It's my son.
Johnny, what are you doing? Johnny, no! Pratt: So how is our patient doing? He just injected himself with JJ's blood.
- What?! - My God, Johnny, why? 'Cause I'm not just gonna stand by and watch him die! I know this sounds crazy, but one of the clearest visions I ever had was after a blood transfusion.
Okay, what do we do now? Just wait for the virus to reach my dead zone and then (heartbeat pounding) (pounding faster) - (flat tone) - (machine charging) Again.
Again! Clear! (grunts) (flat tone) Okay, that's it.
I'm calling it.
Time of death, 11:38.
(tone stops) (muffled voices) Man: Look at how it spread through all the major organs.
Not many airborne viruses move beyond the respiratory system.
Man: Oh my God.
- Healthy cells.
- Pratt: It's spreading.
(echoing) Navarro: It's suppressing the enzyme Pratt: So the chloroquine did this? So the chloroquine did this? Isn't that an anti-malarial drug? We got lucky, some doctors in China were treating the same virus noticed their patients who also had malaria were the only ones surviving.
The chloroquine they were using to treat the malaria was also suppressing the enzyme this virus needs to survive.
(muttering) I found a way.
Excuse me sir, you can't you can't! What the? Mr.
Smith, you can't be in here.
You're breaking quarantine.
- (man shouts) - You may have infected my entire team! Get him out of here! Wait, wait! Give him a minute! What is he doing? Just hang on.
This is it! This is your virus.
Cantonese AB6 retro virus.
I am sorry, but there's no cure for that.
Chloroquine? That's an anti-malarial drug.
No, listen! In China there are survivors.
It suppresses the enzymes.
Mr.
Smith? Mr.
Smith? Mr.
Smith? Mom, I think he's waking up.
JJ! You made it.
Come here.
Look who's awake.
Welcome back, you damn fool! - Sarah: You had us worried.
- What happened? Three days you've been out.
Three days! I'm not going to even pretend to know how you did what you did, but you were right.
We started everyone on chloroquine, it stopped the thing dead in its tracks.
Now the CDC would have figured it out eventually, but not in time.
There's someone else who wants to say something to you.
Thanks, Mr.
Smith.
Nah, it's Johnny.
Thanks, Johnny.
I guess we know what your science camp project is gonna be next year - skydiving? - (all laugh) (theme music playing) - No no! - Yes yes! You're grounded!
And then I woke up and found my fiancée married to another man.
My son doesn't know who I am.
Everything has changed including me.
One touch and I can see things things that happened, things that will happen.
You should see what I see.
Okay, guys, are you ready to unveil your masterpiece? - Yup.
- Yup.
Ooh! Cool! I got to get me one of those.
This is how a virus spreads through the human body.
It starts at the top, usually the mouth, and works its way down.
- Wow.
- You guys, this is wow! - Is this the solar system? - It's a solar eclipse.
- Really? - His idea.
Amy's gonna win.
Don't count on it.
Remember when I said I used to judge these things? Your teachers know to look past the flashy projects.
But Mom is the teacher.
Walt: Hey, JJ, don't worry about all that stuff, okay? As far as I'm concerned, this is the best project in the whole place.
- That's the viewfinder.
- Here? Oh, wow, that is cool.
- What do I do, spin this right here? - Mm-hmm.
- What's that there, Saturn? - Yup.
Yeah? Where is Jupiter? Is that your mother's old Victrola over there? Yeah.
Listen, Sarah, I really appreciate you doing all this but But what? You're doing great.
I heard you guys talking in the basement.
It sounded like you were hitting it off.
Yeah, we were talking, but I'm sitting there, I'm two feet away from my own I'm sitting there, I'm two feet away from him.
We're talking about the distance between the planets and the distance between us seems even farther.
(coughing) (coughing) Johnny? What is it? Kids, stop! Stop! Stop! - Keep those people quarantined.
- Just tell us what it is! We're working on it.
- What about this one here? - Neptune.
Johnny, what is it? (theme music playing) * Oooh * * Fall in love, fall in love, fall in love * * Fall in love * * Feel no shame for what you are * * Feel no shame for what you are * * Feel no shame for what you are * * Fall in love, fall in love * * Fall in love.
* (groans, panting) All right, what's going on? Just let me think about where to start.
Walt, he saw something.
What is it? I saw a virus, I think some kind of disease.
A Virus? Like what? Like SARS? I don't know.
All I know is that it's highly infectious and it may be fatal.
- Looks like it starting with the kids.
- Sarah: Oh my God! I'm gonna take JJ home.
No, Sarah, listen to me.
It's in there, it's in the gym.
Right now, we could all be infected.
If we take this outside, we risk the whole town.
Johnny, how big is this gonna get? I don't know.
We just have to do everything we can to stop this.
- Starting right now, Walter.
- He's right.
All right, here's what's gonna happen.
Jim Pratt's the State Health Inspector.
I'm gonna call him, I'm gonna tell him to come over here right now.
We need to make sure that everybody that's inside, stays inside.
I'm gonna get a few deputies on it, we'll call it a - a lockdown drill.
- A lockdown? Until I come up with something better.
We got about an hour until people start showing up for the science fair.
What we need to do is we need to remain calm and keep a lid on this thing.
And John, let's hope you're wrong for once.
(phone beeps) Sorry, guys, can't go this way.
Sure we can! It's our school.
Why don't you guys go back to your booth, okay? I need you guys to cordon off the east entrance and the doors by the gym.
Nobody comes in, nobody goes out.
You understand me? Nobody! What kind of health hazard we dealing with here? - Some kid's chemistry set blow up? - Not yet.
Isn't Johnny Smith with you today? Why don't you ask him? Oh.
Only the State Health Inspector comes in here.
Other than that, nobody.
You have any trouble, you give me a call, all right? You heard him, come on.
Walt: We got everything locked down, but I'm not sure how long I can keep it that way.
I'm trying to get a better picture, but I can't.
The visions can only tell me so much, Walt.
All right, then we sit tight until Pratt gets here, all right? Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, but is there a problem I should know about? No.
Just a little drill, that's all.
(chuckles) It's foolish really, but people see Sheriff Bannerman having a private conversation with Mr.
Smith you know, it's an image we've all seen in the newspaper, usually in connection with some pretty disturbing news.
(cell phone rings) - Excuse me.
- Sure.
Hello? Phyllis, it's me.
What's going on in there? We're about to start.
Where are you already? I'm out front.
They're not letting anyone in.
- Some kind of lockdown drill.
- Lockdown?! Excuse me, I need to talk to you in private, alone.
- What? - Tell him you'll call him back.
I'm gonna find out what's going on, Bob, and I'll call you right back.
(various cell phones ringing) Man: You're kidding.
- (ringing continuing) - They're not letting you in? Phyllis, I need you to cooperate with me on this.
Walt, no! No, you cannot lock the school doors without the express permission of the principal.
This is for your family's safety.
My family? What the hell is going on? Sir! Sir, please, back away.
Can you back up, please? Sir.
It's all right folks, just a second, please.
Why can't anybody leave? Boy: When can we leave? All right, all right, everybody everybody everybody, just shh, just calm down for a minute, okay? (knocks) Why doesn't everybody head back to your booth? The sooner you cooperate, the sooner we can get the fair started, okay? Thank you.
Jim, I'm glad you're here.
Walt, you don't have the authority to order a quarantine.
This isn't a quarantine, this a precaution.
It's a mighty public precaution.
What's the problem? It looks like we have some kind of an outbreak.
- These kids are sick.
- What kids are sick? All of them.
Says who? Jim Pratt, this is John Smith.
What's he doing there? Phyllis: He's the one who got this whole thing going.
What if he's right? He predicted that fire where those kids died.
What if he's right about this? So you had a psychic premonition.
- It's a vision actually.
- Vision.
Vision.
John has a special relationship with our sheriff's department.
He's assisted on a number of our toughest cases.
None of that means anything without you.
My visions aren't proof, Mr.
Pratt.
We need you to take samples, run tests, whatever it is you need to do.
Whatever I need to do? Yes, I need you to see what I've seen.
Well show me a sick kid.
I wanna go back.
They're gonna start the judging.
Just another minute, sweetie.
Let Mr.
Pratt finish.
How ya feeling, kid? - Bored.
- Interesting.
Interesting? What does that mean? I know what I have to do.
Could I have your attention, please? My name is James Pratt.
I'm from the State Health Department.
I'm responding to a report of a possible contagious health hazard on these premises.
It's all right.
It's all right.
Upon investigation we found this report to be a false alarm.
So please, remain calm.
Breathe easy, feel free to enjoy the science fair or come and go as you please.
Thank you.
- Man: There they are.
- Mom! - Over here! - Hey! Girl: That was really scary.
You son of a bitch, what the hell is the matter with you? With all due respect, I wouldn't trust the Surgeon General to declare an infectious emergency with no indication of symptoms let alone your psychic friend.
What you are describing demands use of the word "epidemic.
" Well, I'd say that's fair.
The State Health Inspector used the words "false alarm.
" Say no more.
Helen, get me the governor, please.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Where are you going? To your hospital.
Sarah is having JJ checked out.
Your son is a strong little boy.
But, I'd rather you not use that term.
Sorry, John, but I disagree from the bottom of my heart.
He is your son, and I believe there are signs urging you to step forward and realize what that means.
I knew you'd segue to Bible study.
Pick your allegory, right? A plague, the storm, the rise of reality TV? - I don't need a sermon, Gene.
- No sermons, no allegories, no advice.
Just an offer for when you are ready to talk or take steps.
I will support you in every way I can.
Okay.
Well, you can start by just staying out of this.
- Nurse: How did you get this? - JJ: Soccer.
- Does he always wear his pads? - Yeah.
Dr.
Granger, would it be possible to run a blood test to see if he's infected with something, but isn't showing any symptoms? Can I talk to you outside? - Yes, thank you.
- Sure.
Parents only, please.
Woman on PA: Mrs.
Jane Maclaine to Admitting.
Jane Maclaine to Admitting, please.
I've gotten a few calls from other worried parents about what happened at Cleaves Mills Elementary yesterday.
I'd rather not draw blood from a perfectly healthy boy.
We're not asking you to believe rumors or visions.
Right, we just want him checked from top to bottom.
We need to know he's okay.
Johnny: I'm sorry about all of this, JJ.
I know you don't feel sick, really.
Wow, is that from the game against Heatherwood? - Uh-huh.
- Yeah? This will all be over soon, as soon as she draws some blood.
I hate needles.
I'm with you.
- They always say, "This won't hurt.
" - It always does.
You know they poked my arm black and blue after I woke up.
So I know.
Did you really sleep for six years? Yeah, I really did.
Did you have any dreams? I don't think so.
I must have been saving them up.
What's wrong? See, I I had a vision about some of the kids at your school.
They were getting really sick.
- Bad? - Yeah.
Will I get sick too? Yeah.
But you know what? Sometimes I can change what I see in the future.
That's why we need to look at your blood.
'Cause we're hoping to find the right medicine so no other kids have to get sick.
All right, JJ, one last thing and you can go home.
I'm gonna draw a little bit of your blood.
This won't hurt at all.
So how exactly do you know the governor? - We have a mutual friend.
- Okay, okay.
Guys, you know the drill.
Andy, Harve, I want you to take the air-conditioner systems, all the ductwork.
Quinn, you take the cafeteria.
I want a full kitchen sweep.
Oh, guys, I want air samples, surfaces swabs and bio-films of all standing water.
Maybe we should wear masks.
What difference does it make? According to you, we've already been exposed, right? Whether you believe me or not, thank you.
Let's get one thing straight, Mr.
Smith, I don't want to be here.
I'm responding to political pressure, courtesy of the Reverend Gene Purdy and a handful of parents who happen to believe in your palm readings.
However, I am going to conduct a detailed inspection, followed by an extremely detailed report in hopes that this kind of hoax does not happen again.
- Good.
- Good.
I have an idea about the source.
During the fair, there was a third grader who was blowing soap bubbles all over the gym.
Sounds lethal.
No, but every kid in here touched them.
That's when I got the visions.
The bowl is still here.
Is there any chance that the formula could be contaminated? Maybe toxic? What we have here is a mixture of glycerin and dishwashing detergent, which, when it's not floating around looking pretty, is actually busy killing germs by the millions.
But you know, I will take a sample of it, if it pleases you.
What about inside the bubbles? You mean air? No, I mean breath.
Breath from an infected person, preserved in a pretty little sphere until the next person comes in contact with it.
- Cute, but not likely.
- But possible? Possible.
Mr.
Grantfork, my name is James Pratt from the State Health Department.
I know who you are.
I don't know what my wife told you, - but we have everything under control.
- Phyllis didn't call us.
Oh my God! Then something's wrong.
I knew it.
Phyllis, is your daughter sick? - Honey, go back in the living room.
- She's running a fever.
Would you mind if I had a look at her? I am a doctor.
- (thermometer beeps) - (coughing) See, not even that serious.
If it wasn't serious, he wouldn't be here.
- Man: You're scaring Amy.
- I'm not scared.
I think it's cool.
Pratt: That's good.
You have no reason to be scared.
Let me ask you something, Amy have you been around anyone recently that's been sick? No.
Any of your friends at school sick? Animals? You been around any animals in the backyard, even let's say a skunk or raccoon? (chuckles) You think that's funny.
I want you to open your mouth and say "Ah.
" Ahh.
I'm gonna swab the inside of your mouth, with this little Q-tip.
And now I would like to ask your mother to make a nice pot of chicken soup and I want you to eat it and get some sleep, okay? Can I talk to you for a second? Sure.
Excuse me.
Chicken soup? That's it? You wanted experts to be involved, let experts do their work.
I'm going to run some tests.
I'm going to gather data and find verifiable results.
There are no shortcuts.
Amy, how does your head feel? Hot, but I'm cold.
Yeah? You mind if I see? (whispering) Okay.
(moaning and chuckling) How come none of my babysitters ever looked like you? Shh, Amy's gonna wake up.
What are you doing? Put that out.
Are you crazy? Stop! Not now.
Dude, you're supposed to hold it in, man.
I like to blow smoke rings, man.
Like one of those Hobbit dudes.
(laughing) (coughing) Whoa.
Hey, that's a gnarly cough, man, are you sick or something? All that clean living.
Don't come so early next time.
Yeah.
Excuse me.
Wait! Is she going to be all right? Yeah.
The best way to make sure is to get her to the hospital tonight.
(cell phone dialing) (sighs) Walt? I need your help.
(rock music playing) Don't move! Don't move.
Stay right where you are.
I want you down on the floor.
Down on the floor! Kiss the shag.
Cirillo? Where's Rob Cirillo? Where is he? Back this way? All right, stay where you are.
Don't even think about moving! - Better have a warrant.
- Yeah, I got one.
We'll worry about that later.
Right now, we're going to have a little talk.
(coughing) Oh, very nice.
Yeah, medicinal purposes.
Oh yeah, I can see it's working wonders for you.
- Is this the guy? - Yeah, that's him.
Whatever it is that's gonna get the kids sick, he's got it.
(cell phone ringing) Bannerman.
Sarah, hi.
Yeah, what are you doing at the hospital? He fainted.
Right after breakfast, while we were cleaning up.
- All right, how is he now? - He's running a fever.
Walt, there are other kids here from the school.
They keep coming in.
All of them sick like JJ.
All right, Sarah, hang on.
I'll be right there, okay? You wasted enough of my time.
Let's finish this at the hospital.
- The hospital? - That's right.
- What the hell is going on? - Walt, is JJ all right? She checked him into the hospital.
The other kids are getting sick.
Whatever it is, it's started.
(coughing) JJ.
JJ! Woman on PA: Dr.
McMillan to lab four.
Dr.
McMillan to lab four.
Sir, you can't use that in here.
Yeah, this is Jim.
Put me through to the CDC right now.
Sarah: His fever is still up.
What are they saying? Sarah: They've got him on intravenous fluids and Tylenol.
Tylenol? That's it? He's too weak for anything stronger, until they can figure out what's causing this.
Please tell me you know what's causing this.
We're working on it, Sarah.
We just brought in someone we're hoping can fill in the blanks.
I should check on him now, in fact.
Wait.
I need you to tell me if he's going to be okay.
- Walt: Sarah, you can't ask that.
- Sarah: I can't not ask it.
If you don't want to know, then walk away.
- Walt: You're not thinking clearly.
- I don't care! Okay? - I do.
- Johnny, whatever you can see, - you can change.
- I can't, Sarah.
If I saw him I don't know what I would do.
Johnny.
Mr.
Pratt.
I'm trying to get a handle on this animal.
Moves fast damn efficient airborne transmission.
Got an incubation period of less than 48 hours.
So what's the next step? Isolate and identify.
Blood tests and swabs aren't telling us much.
We know it acts like a virus.
It causes high fever and respiratory distress and it doesn't appear to respond to any normal treatment protocols.
Tracking and treating a mysterious outbreak like this - would take the CDC months.
- (door shuts) We'd better get started, then.
Rita Navarro, CDC.
You must be the state health guy.
Jim Pratt.
I'm the one who called you in.
Rita: You made the right call.
I want you to download everything you know so far.
But first, we need to run viral cultures on everyone exposed so far including you two.
And anyone who hasn't been exposed already needs to wear a mask.
How you doing, Cirillo? Recognize this? No.
Is that your personal stash, Bannerman? - Cocaine? - No, that's heroin.
That's China White.
Sanjiaji heroin.
Made there, smuggled here.
China.
Isn't that where flu viruses come from? Yeah, lot of viruses come from there, but drugs are not our source.
We need a live carrier for transmission.
Look, whoever brought you that heroin made you sick.
Who was it, Cirillo? The mule, distributor, what? I don't know what you're talking about, man.
Give me a name, Cirillo! I want a name, now! Walt! - Let me try.
- All right.
Who is this, Bannerman? Your muscle? What you're gonna cane me? Johnny: Black hair raven black hair.
A butterfly tattoo, huh? She's a flight attendant.
We need to talk to her.
Operator: Please hang up and try your call again.
This is a recording.
I'm sorry.
Sorry for what, huh? Sorry for what? Johnny: We're too late.
Who is she, Cirillo? Tory.
Her name is Tory, all right? She's a stewardess for Eastern Pearl.
She flies the Hong Kong to Boston route.
What's wrong with her? What what did you see? Tell me, you freak! She's dead.
No! You're a liar.
We need to get him into isolation.
- International flight to China? - That's no coincidence.
They found her, just like you said.
It looks like you got your first fatality.
We have to talk.
I could have used this book back when I was teaching high school biology.
Whatever it is, it originated in China.
We know.
You know? After your initial inquiry we issued an infectious disease bulletin, looking for any other ER admissions with similar symptoms.
We have 16 other cases in the northeast.
Four critical condition, two fatalities.
All from the same flight, or traced to someone who was on it.
What's the mortality rate? How many people have recovered? It's too early to tell.
What does this mean for JJ? I'll be honest time is not on our side.
That book you were flipping through lists thousands of possible pathogens.
Pratt: It's like looking for a needle in a needle stack.
Navarro: We have ruled out all the usual suspects influenza, SARS, bacterial pneumonia.
We still need to isolate and identify whatever it is that's making these kids sick, so we can really treat it.
How long is that gonna take? It took 34 days to isolate the coronavirus that caused SARS - and that's fast.
- These kids don't have a month! It's not just the kids I'm worried about.
I'm authorizing a quarantine on everyone who's come in contact with a symptomatic person.
That includes both of you.
There's got to be something I can do.
There is pray we get lucky.
(sighing) I feel so helpless.
(pager beeps) Hey, Sarah, why don't you and Walt get something to eat? It's gonna be a long night.
I'll look after JJ, okay? Yeah, he's right.
You haven't eaten anything since breakfast, huh? Yeah, maybe a little coffee.
I love you.
(flat tone) No.
No! No.
It's my son.
Johnny, what are you doing? Johnny, no! Pratt: So how is our patient doing? He just injected himself with JJ's blood.
- What?! - My God, Johnny, why? 'Cause I'm not just gonna stand by and watch him die! I know this sounds crazy, but one of the clearest visions I ever had was after a blood transfusion.
Okay, what do we do now? Just wait for the virus to reach my dead zone and then (heartbeat pounding) (pounding faster) - (flat tone) - (machine charging) Again.
Again! Clear! (grunts) (flat tone) Okay, that's it.
I'm calling it.
Time of death, 11:38.
(tone stops) (muffled voices) Man: Look at how it spread through all the major organs.
Not many airborne viruses move beyond the respiratory system.
Man: Oh my God.
- Healthy cells.
- Pratt: It's spreading.
(echoing) Navarro: It's suppressing the enzyme Pratt: So the chloroquine did this? So the chloroquine did this? Isn't that an anti-malarial drug? We got lucky, some doctors in China were treating the same virus noticed their patients who also had malaria were the only ones surviving.
The chloroquine they were using to treat the malaria was also suppressing the enzyme this virus needs to survive.
(muttering) I found a way.
Excuse me sir, you can't you can't! What the? Mr.
Smith, you can't be in here.
You're breaking quarantine.
- (man shouts) - You may have infected my entire team! Get him out of here! Wait, wait! Give him a minute! What is he doing? Just hang on.
This is it! This is your virus.
Cantonese AB6 retro virus.
I am sorry, but there's no cure for that.
Chloroquine? That's an anti-malarial drug.
No, listen! In China there are survivors.
It suppresses the enzymes.
Mr.
Smith? Mr.
Smith? Mr.
Smith? Mom, I think he's waking up.
JJ! You made it.
Come here.
Look who's awake.
Welcome back, you damn fool! - Sarah: You had us worried.
- What happened? Three days you've been out.
Three days! I'm not going to even pretend to know how you did what you did, but you were right.
We started everyone on chloroquine, it stopped the thing dead in its tracks.
Now the CDC would have figured it out eventually, but not in time.
There's someone else who wants to say something to you.
Thanks, Mr.
Smith.
Nah, it's Johnny.
Thanks, Johnny.
I guess we know what your science camp project is gonna be next year - skydiving? - (all laugh) (theme music playing) - No no! - Yes yes! You're grounded!