Season 2 · Episode 8

One Breath

Character-labelled dialogue prepared from the official DVD subtitle track.

Production code2X08Original airdate · November 11, 1994

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192 dialogue entries

Scene 01

Margaret Scully

Once when she was a girl, a very little girl, Dana was in the woods. It was autumn. She had always been a tomboy, unlike her sister, Melissa. For her birthday, Dana's brothers had given her a bb gun... And were showing her how to use it. The father had told them only to shoot at cans. But in a patch of grass, bill jr. Found a garter snake. And the boys began shooting. Wanting to fit in with her brothers, Dana also shot at the snake. It squirmed wildly, desperately fighting for life, but as the boys continued to shoot, the snake began to bleed. When she realized what she had done, Dana began to cry with irrevocable guilt. Through her tears she was saying that... Something was missing from the snake. She had taken something that was not hers to take. And although deathly afraid of snakes, Dana held the animal as if... Sheer human will could keep it alive. The snake, its blood on her hands, died. There was nothing she could do to bring it back.

Fox Mulder

It's too soon, mrs. Scully. We can't give up.

Margaret Scully

That day in the woods, I felt for my daughter. But at this moment, I know how my daughter felt.

[ door opening ]

[ tape rewinding ]

[ man, woman kissing ]

Dr. Daly

We should stop.

[ phone ringing ]

[ door opening ]

[ knock on door ]

[ door opening ]

[ sobbing ]

Scene 03

NORTHEAST GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Nurse

Sir. Sir, you can't go in there !

[ chattering ] [ labored breathing ]

Hospital Staff

Well, what would you recommend ?

[ electronic beeping ]

Fox Mulder

Who brought her here ? How did she get here ? Sir, will you please-- how did she get here ?

Nurse

Ms. Scully was in this condition when I arrived for the evening. If you step outside, perhaps dr. Daly may--

Fox Mulder

Is that daly ? Are you dr. Daly ? What the hell is going on ? How did she get here ?

Dr. Daly

Would you settle down ?

Fox Mulder

Was it paramedics ? FBI ? Military ?

Dr. Daly

I can't answer that. I was just assigned to her.

Fox Mulder

Answer me right now ! What ? You're telling me she just appeared ?

Dr. Daly

Sir--

Fox Mulder

Who did this to her ? I want to see her admission forms !

Nurse

Sir !

Fox Mulder

Who did this to her ? And I want to see what tests have been done ! Listen, if you are with them, if you're hiding anything, I swear I will do anything ! Whatever it takes, I'll find out what they did to her !

Scene 04

DALY'S OFFICE

Dr. Daly

Presently we have Dana listed in critical condition. Comatose. There is complete unawareness of self or environment. There is no evidence of language comprehension. No evidence of voluntary responses to external stimuli. My apologies, but, uh, no one here... Can determine how Dana arrived at the hospital, administered or how she was attended to in such a critical condition. Um, because of the absence of Dana's recent medical history, I'm at a loss for prognosis. I can't determine, with certainty, how long she's been in this state.

Margaret Scully

You haven't told us why she's like this.

Dr. Daly

We just don't know, mrs. Scully. There are no indications of acute injuries, traumatic or non-traumatic. I can't find any signs of degenerative or metabolic disorders. We have conducted every test possible.

Fox Mulder

I'd like her examined for trace evidence.

Dr. Daly

Uh, she's been bathed and cleaned since her admittance. Also, there is, uh, a situation which I don't know if you're aware of. The FBI has notified us of the terms of Dana's living will.

Margaret Scully

What is it ? What did she say ?

Dr. Daly

Well, Dana is a doctor. Her criteria for terminating life support is quite specific. She states that, um, if her glascow outcome scale lists her--

Fox Mulder

She doesn't want to live in this condition.

Dr. Daly

You've signed the will as her witness.

[ electronic beeping ]

Scene 05

DANA'S HOSPITAL BED

Melissa Scully

I've been told not to call you Fox.

Fox Mulder

By who ?

Melissa Scully

Dana. Just now.

Fox Mulder

Dana talked to you just now ? If she talked, the e.e.g. Would have moved.

Melissa Scully

Her soul is here. Hi, mom.

Margaret Scully

I'm glad you could come, Melissa.

Fox Mulder

You're Scully's sister ?

Melissa Scully

Dana's choosing whether-- whether to remain or move on. You can feel her. Here.

Fox Mulder

She's not here.

Melissa Scully

Your anger, your fear's blocking any positive emotion she needs to feel.

Fox Mulder

I need to do more than just wave my hands in the air.

Hospital Staff

Male, nonsmoker.

Scene 07

NORTHEAST GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Woman #2

May I help you ?

Frohike

Dana Scully, please.

Fox Mulder

Frohike ?

Hospital PA

Mr. Fenley to radiology. Mr. Fenley to radiology.

Frohike

Hey, Mulder. This is weird.

Scene 08

THE LONE GUNMEN'S OFFICE · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Byers

Good work sneakin' out these charts.

Frohike

Tucked 'em in my pants.

Fox Mulder

There's plenty of room down there.

Langly

You look down, Mulder. Tell ya what. You're welcome to come over saturday night. We're hoppin' on the internet to nitpick the scientific inaccuracies of earth 2.

Fox Mulder

I'm doin' my laundry.

Byers

The chart shows abnormal protein chains in the blood. The amino acid sequence is in a combination that I've never seen before. I downloaded Scully's medical data to the newest lone gunman.

Frohike

He goes by the name "the thinker."

Byers

This guy's a hacking genius. [ beeping ]

Fox Mulder

What ?

Byers

The thinker reports the protein chains... Are the by-products of branched DNA.

Fox Mulder

Branched DNA ?

Langly

The cutting edge of genetic engineering.

Byers

Uh, the biological equivalent of a silicon microchip.

Langly

This is way beyond cutting edge. This is technology 50 years down the line.

Fox Mulder

What's it used for ?

Frohike

Could be a tracking system.

Byers

The developmental stages of a biological marker.

Fox Mulder

You mean a high-tech identity card ?

Langly

Or something as insidious as grafting a human to something... Inhuman.

Byers

Good theories, gentlemen, but all for naught. This branch DNA is inactive. It's waste product. Whoever was experimenting on Scully is finished. Now it's nothing more than a biological poison.

Fox Mulder

Will she live ?

Byers

Um, her immune system has been decimated, and, uh, I doubt even... A healthy human body has the ability to fight this. Mulder, there's nothing you can do.

Scene 09

NORTHEAST GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Nurse Owens

Dana ? Dana, honey ? I know you can hear me. This is nurse owens. I'm here to take care of you, sweetheart. Watch over you, help you find the way home. I know you're far away from home tonight... And that where you are is peaceful. It'd be nice to stay, but Dana, you must leave here only when it's time. I'll be here when you need me, dear.

Nurse

Excuse me, sir. I have to take some blood.

[ sustained beep ]

Nurse

Code blue ! Crash cart !

Medical Staff

[ man ] crash cart coming in !

Doctor

Let's get an airway in !

Nurse

B.p., 80 over 60. Dropping.

Doctor

All right. Let's shock her. Give me the paddles. Two hundred joules. Clear ? What do we got ?

Medical Staff

Clear. Got a catheter in. Dropping 80 over--

Doctor

Let's go again. 260. Clear ?

Nurse

Clear.

Fox Mulder

Hey !

X

I didn't expect you here till after visiting hours.

Fox Mulder

There was a man. He took Scully's blood. He--

X

Forget him !

Fox Mulder

Get that gun out of my face !

X

This high-capacity compact sig-sauer 40-caliber weapon... Is pointed at your head to stress my insistence... That your search for who put your partner on that respirator desist immediately !

Fox Mulder

You ignore my call for help and then you expect me to do what you say ? You go to hell !

X

You got him killed ! You got her killed. That's not going to happen to me. You're my tool. You understand ? I come to you when I need you. Right now you're heading in a direction that can lead them right here.

Fox Mulder

What the hell are you talking about ?

X

You're not supposed to know. That's the point.

Fox Mulder

I owe her more than just sitting around doing nothing.

X

She was a good solider, Mulder, but there is nothing you can do to bring her back.

Fox Mulder

She's not dead.

X

Listen to you. Listen. You're a damn schoolboy, Mulder. You have no idea, no idea !

Fox Mulder

Okay, then tell me. Tell me !

X

I used to be you. I was where you are now, but you're not me, Mulder. I don't think you have the heart. Walk away. Grieve for Scully... And then never look back. You will be able to live with yourself, Mulder, on the day you die.

Fox Mulder

Federal agent ! Federal agent. You know I'm armed. Don't turn around. Put your gun very slowly on the ground. Put your hands behind your head. Interlock your fingers. Turn right towards the machine and put your head on it. Face me. Who wants this ? Who wants it ? All right. Let's go. This way.

X

Stay there.

Fox Mulder

Wait !

X

You want to see what it takes to find the truth, agent Mulder ? You want to know the things I know ? I'll attend to this.

[ electronic beeping ]

Dr. Daly

Discontinuing the respirator does not necessarily mean... Pulling the plug and ending her life. Karen ann quinlan lived for nine years... After cessation of mechanical ventilation. I do believe, however, that this is not the case with your daughter, mrs. Scully. My guess is that she's been in this state since her disappearance, and she will not improve.

Melissa Scully

Is she below the criteria established in her will ?

Nurse

Yeah.

Fox Mulder

It's possible branched DNA can be treated with designer antibiotics.

Dr. Daly

Agent Mulder, I don't know where you've developed this bizarre diagnosis, but I do believe you're in no position to continue here.

Fox Mulder

You've never provided an answer as to why she's here or what's wrong with her. We need to study her.

Melissa Scully

She's not a piece of evidence.

Fox Mulder

She's here because of unnatural circumstances.

Melissa Scully

She's dying. That's perfectly natural. We hide people in these rooms because we don't want to look at death. We have machines prolong a life that should end. That's a much more unnatural circumstance than any cause of her death.

Fox Mulder

That is very politically correct.

Melissa Scully

That's very human. I love her. And this is right.

Margaret Scully

Dana has made our decision. Fox ? You and Dana had a friendship built on respect. Now in the last year, I have lost my husband, and god knows, I don't want to lose my baby girl. But like you, I have always respected her. Fox, this is a moment for the family, but you can join us, if you want.

Scene 10

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SKINNER'S OFFICE · FBI HEADQUARTERS · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Cigarette-Smoking Man

Read it. It's all there. If you're having trouble sitting on Mulder, assistant director Skinner, I'm sure you know we'd have no trouble. Uh-uh.

Walter Skinner

Yeah, come in. Sit down. I called you up here because of rumors about an incident at the hospital last night.

Fox Mulder

Is this about the tooth that was found in the cafeteria jell-o ?

Walter Skinner

The rumor has it that you were involved in the laundry room ?

Fox Mulder

No, sir.

Walter Skinner

A man was executed, agent Mulder.

Fox Mulder

I was with Scully.

Walter Skinner

Traces of her blood were found at the scene.

Fox Mulder

May I see the police report ?

Walter Skinner

There is no police report of this incident, and there is no body.

Fox Mulder

Since I am unfamiliar with any such incidents, sir, no. How would I know that ?

Walter Skinner

Knock it off !

Fox Mulder

How does it feel ? Constant denial of everything, questions answered with a question.

Walter Skinner

I want to know what happened, damn it !

Fox Mulder

Him. That's what happened. Cancer man. He's responsible for what happened to Scully !

Walter Skinner

How do you know that ?

Fox Mulder

It's a rumor. Who is he ?

Walter Skinner

It's not your--

Fox Mulder

Oh, you can have it all ! You can have my badge. You can have the X-Files. Just tell me where he is.

Walter Skinner

And then what ? He sleeps with the fishes ? We're not the mafia, Mulder. I know it's easy to forget, but we work for the department of justice.

Fox Mulder

That's what I want.

Walter Skinner

Agent Scully was a fine officer. More than that, I liked her. I respected her. We all know the field we play in and we all know what can happen in the course of a game. If you were unprepared for all the potentials, then you shouldn't step on the field.

Fox Mulder

What if I-- I knew the potential consequences, but I-- I never told her ?

Walter Skinner

Then you're as much to blame for her condition as... The cancer man.

Scene 11

NORTHEAST GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER · WASHINGTON, D.C.

William Scully

Hello, starbuck. It's ahab. People would say to me, "life is short. Kids, they grow up fast. Before you know it, it's over." I never listened. To me, life went at a proper pace. There were many rewards... Until the moment that... I knew, I understood that... I would never see you again. My little girl. Then my life felt as if it had been the length of one breath, one heartbeat. I never knew how much I loved my daughter... Until I could never tell her. At that moment, I would have traded every medal, every commendation, every promotion... For just one more second with you. We'll be together again, starbuck. But not now. Soon.

Nurse Owens

[ beeping continues ] Dana ? I know death is at arms reach tonight. But Dana, your time is not over.

Melissa Scully

You know, Fox-- sorry. Mulder. You could spend the rest of your life finding every person who's responsible, and it's still not gonna bring her back. Whoever did this to her has an equal horror coming to them.

Fox Mulder

Including myself ?

Woman

[ woman ] pardon me. Sir, do you have change for the cigarette machine ?

Fox Mulder

No. Sorry, I don't.

Melissa Scully

What do you mean, yourself ?

Woman

There's a pack already here. Morleys. Not my brand.

[ woman on p.a., indistinct ]

[ yelling ]

Scene 12

THE CIGARETTE-SMOKING MAN'S APARTMENT

Man On Tv

Cigarette break ? How 'bout a smoke ?

Fox Mulder

Sit down !

Cigarette-Smoking Man

How'd you find me ?

Fox Mulder

Shut up ! Tonight I ask the questions, and you're gonna answer me, you son of a bitch !

Cigarette-Smoking Man

Don't try and threaten me, Mulder. I've watched presidents die.

Fox Mulder

Why her ? Why her and not me ? Answer me !

Cigarette-Smoking Man

I like you. I like her too. That's why she was returned to you.

Fox Mulder

You should be the one to die.

Cigarette-Smoking Man

Why ? Look at me. No wife. No family. Some power. I'm in the game because I believe what I'm doing is right.

Fox Mulder

Right ? Who are you to decide what's right ?

Cigarette-Smoking Man

Who are you ? If people were to know of the things that I know, it would all fall apart. I told Skinner you shot the man in the hospital, but I didn't really believe it. And here you are with a gun to my head. I have more respect for you, Mulder. You're becoming a player. You can kill me now, but you'll never know the truth. And that's why I'll win. Don't worry. This'll be our secret. We wouldn't want others to... Start rumors.

Scene 13

X-FILES OFFICE · FBI HEADQUARTERS · WASHINGTON D.C.

Walter Skinner

When I started out, this room was where they kept the copier.

Fox Mulder

At least back then it wasn't just wasted space.

Walter Skinner

It's unacceptable. Look, I know you feel responsible for agent Scully, but I will not accept resignation and defeat as self-punishment.

Fox Mulder

All the forensics, the field investigations, the eyewitness accounts, to still know nothing. To lose myself... And Scully. I hate what I've become.

Walter Skinner

When I was 18, I, uh, I went to vietnam. I wasn't drafted, Mulder. I enlisted in the marine corps the day of my 18th birthday. I did it on a blind faith. I did it because I believed that it was the right thing to do. I don't know. Maybe I still do. Three months into my tour, a ten-year-old north vietnamese boy walked into camp covered with grenades. And I, uh, I blew his head off... From a distance of ten yards. I lost my faith. Not in my country or in myself, but in everything. There was just no point to anything anymore. One night on patrol, we were, uh, caught. And everyone-- everyone fell. Everyone. I looked down at my body... From outside of it. I didn't recognize it at first. I watched the v.c. Strip my uniform, take my weapon. And I remained... In this thick jungle. Peaceful. Unafraid. Watching my dead friends. Watching myself. In the morning, the corpsmen arrived and put me in a body bag until-- I guess they found a pulse. I don't know. I woke in a saigon hospital two weeks later. I'm afraid to look any further beyond that experience. You ? You are not. Your resignation is unacceptable.

Fox Mulder

You. You gave me cancer man's location. You put your life in danger.

Walter Skinner

Agent Mulder, every life, every day... Is in danger. That's just life.

X

Your plane ticket.

Fox Mulder

But we barely know each other.

X

I can't tell you why she was taken. It's too close to me. I'm giving you the men who took her.

Fox Mulder

How ?

X

They believe you'll be out of town. They believe you have information about Scully... Being kept in your desk in your apartment. At 8:17 tonight, they'll search your apartment. They will be armed. You will be waiting.

Fox Mulder

Waiting ?

X

To defend yourself with terminal intensity. It's the only way, Mulder. The law will not punish these people. After tonight, we cannot make contact for several weeks.

Scene 14

MULDER'S APARTMENT

Melissa Scully

Mulder. Sorry. I came by. You weren't answering. Your machine wasn't on. Can I come in ? For a second ? Why is it so dark in here ?

Fox Mulder

'cause the lights aren't on.

Melissa Scully

Okay. I just came from the hospital. Dr. Daly says... She's weakening. It could be any time, so I figured you'd want to come down and see her. Well, I can't. Well, I'd think that you would.

Fox Mulder

Yeah, I would. I can't. Not right now.

Melissa Scully

Listen. I don't have to be psychic to see that you're in a very dark place, much darker than where my sister is. Willingly walking deeper into darkness cannot help her at all. Only the light will--

Fox Mulder

Oh, enough with the harmonic convergence crap. You're not saying anything to me.

Melissa Scully

Why don't you just drop your cynicism and your paranoia and your defeat ? You know, just because it's positive and good doesn't make it silly or trite. Why-- why is it so much easier for you to run around... Trying to get even than just expressing to her how you feel ? Even if it doesn't bring her back, at least she'll know, and so will you.

Hospital Staff

I.c.u. Yes, that was two units.

Dana Scully

Thank you.

Scene 15

NORTHEAST GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Fox Mulder

I feel, Scully, that... You believe you're not ready to go. And you've always had the strength of your beliefs. I don't know if my being here... Will help bring you back. But I'm here.

Hospital Staff

I'm afraid in this case--

Scene 17

NORTHEAST GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Hospital Staff

Let me check the chart.

[ chattering ]

Nurse

Call dr. Daly. Now.

[ phone ringing ]

Scene 18

MULDER'S APARTMENT

Fox Mulder (recorded)

[ answering machine ] hello, this is Fox Mulder. Leave a message please.

Nurse

I'm here.

Scene 19

NORTHEAST GEORGETOWN MEDICAL CENTER · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Margaret Scully

Hello, Fox.

Dana Scully

Not Fox. Mulder.

Fox Mulder

How ya feelin' ?

Dana Scully

I really don't remember anything... After Duane Barry.

Fox Mulder

Doesn't-- doesn't matter. I brought you a present. The super stars of the super bowls.

Dana Scully

I knew there was a reason to live.

Fox Mulder

Now you want to get some rest. I-- I just came by to see how you're doing and say hi.

Dana Scully

Mulder ? I had the strength of your beliefs.

Fox Mulder

I was holding this for you.

Dana Scully

Can I see nurse owens ? I've got something I'd like her to have.

Nurse

Nurse who ?

Dana Scully

Owens. Short with straight, light brown hair. She watched over me in intensive care, and I'd like to thank her.

Nurse

Dana, I've worked here for ten years, and there's no nurse owens at this hospital.

About this transcript

The dialogue comes from the official DVD subtitle track supplied by Boggsfiles. Speaker and scene attribution was cross-checked against character-labelled reference material. Subtitle wording is preserved while capitalization and spacing are standardized for easier reading.