- Vincent: It was a dream. A terrible dream. Everything was changed. I couldn't wake up.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Well, it's over now. I'm here.
- Vincent: Yes. Oh...
- [he kisses her hand]
- Vincent: I thought I lost you.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Oh, Vincent... don't you know? You could never lose me. We could never lose each other. As long as we remember.
- Vincent: Remember...?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Remember love.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: When I was a girl, we spent our summers at a lake in Connecticut. I had a secret place, too. A glen. I would hide there in the tall grass, and I felt as if I were the only person on Earth. Safe.
- Vincent: Yes.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: And if I sat very still, the deer would walk by and not even see me. I could almost reach out and touch them. It seemed... enchanted. It seemed so far from the city, like a different world. It's only two hours away. I wish you could see it.
- Vincent: Oh... so do I.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: If only we could be there.
- Vincent: We are there. You're taking me with your words, showing me.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: I would love to share it with you. It seems so unfair. You, of all people, would appreciate how magical this place is.
- Vincent: Catherine...
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: If you saw it, you would know in an instant. And then it would be ours.
- Vincent: I could want nothing more.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Maybe there's a way.
- Vincent: Please, don't even...
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: All we really need is a way to get out of the city and up there safely. A van. We could drive up at night. No one's even at the lake at this time of year. Maybe we could really do it. Vincent, let me try to arrange it. If I can, will you come with me?
- Vincent: It's something I never even dared to wish for.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: To go there, to share that with you would mean so much.
- Vincent: Then... we must try.
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Have you both gone completely mad?
- Vincent: Not at all.
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: I cannot believe you could seriously entertain something so foolhardy and dangerous.
- Vincent: You overstate the risk.
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Any risk is too great. Surely that's apparent. That Catherine could even suggest such a thing.
- Vincent: An innocent dream, Father, born of love!
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: An irresponsible dream born of selfishness!
- Vincent: No!
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Yes! Yes, I know because... I've had the same dream for you myself over and again for so many years. Ever since you were young, I've... I've wanted nothing more than to be able to show you the sun, the mountains... things for which you have only words.
- Vincent: This is not merely for myself, Father, but for Catherine as well. This is a chance for us. No more than a moment, the briefest moment, free from the perils and the urgency of the time we share.
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Vincent, your love for Catherine... and hers for you is something that warms all of us. But you have a responsibility beyond that, a duty to those down here in this community who depend on you, who look to you for truth... and strength, for hope and protection. Without you, their world would be a very dark place.
- Vincent: And what about my responsibility to Catherine, who gives so much and asks for so little? How can I deny her, Father?
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Vincent, if I thought it were in any way possible...
- Vincent: It *is* possible, and there are ways!
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Nonsense! Supposing something goes wrong; supposing you're discovered.
- Vincent: Am I unable to fulfill even her slightest wish? Tell me, Father! Are we forever bound to accept a poem for a sunset?
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Vincent... you cannot do this.
- [Vincent storms out]
- Jacob 'Father' Wells: Vincent. Vincent!
- Vincent: What is it, Pascal?
- Pascal: Then it's true. You're leaving.
- Vincent: Who told you this?
- Pascal: There's been talk, rumors on the pipes. Mouse. He overheard you arguing with Father. It scared him.
- Vincent: Mouse has no reason to be frightened.
- [Mouse and Jamie enter]
- Vincent: Jamie. Mouse.
- Jamie: We heard you and Catherine were going away... forever.
- Vincent: Forever? It's not true.
- Jamie: Then why are you packing?
- Mouse: Don't go away, Vincent.
- Vincent: This is my home. You're my family. I'll only be gone for a very short time.
- Pascal: Where are you going?
- Vincent: To a place... a special place that Catherine wishes for me to see. It's unlike anywhere I've ever been. It's a lake in the mountains. It's a place from her childhood. I want to go, to be there with her. Do you understand?
- Jamie: What if something happens to you?
- Pascal: What if you get caught above?
- Mouse: Like Mouse.
- Vincent: This is a quiet place, a safe place. Please don't worry yourselves. I'll be back, I promise.
- Jamie: Just be careful, Vincent. We need you.
- Vincent: I'll be careful.
- Vincent: Who's there? Catherine?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: I am the image of her within you. I am your heart, your mind.
- Vincent: Why are you here?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: You have nothing to fear from me.
- Vincent: [looking around] What is this place?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Don't you recognize it?
- Vincent: My chamber.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Yes. In another life.
- Vincent: Another life?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: The one you never lived.
- Vincent: Am I dreaming?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Call it what you will. Sleep, a waking dream. In a world without you where you don't exist.
- Vincent: But I'm here. I can feel myself.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: The vision was yours, don't you remember? You died as a child.
- Vincent: I remember thinking... there would be less pain for those I love.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: It's already begun. You're here... but you're no one.
- Vincent: My rose.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: It's not there. Catherine never gave it to you. She never knew you.
- Vincent: Is she alive?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Nothing of what you knew remains.
- Vincent: Is she alive?
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Yes.
- Vincent: Take me to her.
- Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler: Vincent... there are other things for you to see first. Believe me. Come. I will answer all your questions.