You see, Detective. Darwin's theory of evolution and survival of the fittest, based on his little trip to the Galápagos, no longer applies on this planet. We have a human race that doesn't have the edge or the will to survive.
What the **** do you want?!
It's hard to remain calm, isn't it? When your son is walking around on those monitors.
I can't give you what you want if you don't tell me what the **** it is.
I told you what it is. Just remember the rules.
No, you said you wanted to talk. Then you said you wanted to play a game. You're talking, but it means NOTHING!!
What do you think the cure for cancer is, Eric?
What?
The cure for cancer? What is it?
I don't know what it is, but I know it's not killing and torturing people for your own sick **** pleasure.
I've never murdered anyone in my life. The decisions are up to them.
Yeah, well, putting a gun to someone's head and forcing them to pull the trigger is still murder.
Since when has force been a problem for you? Why are you so desperate to get your son back?
'Cause he's my son...
What's the last thing you said to him before you left him?
[Flashback]
Well, then go!
[Present]
Seems to me that the knowledge of your son's impending death is causing you to act. Forgive all his sins, to wipe the slate clean. Why is that we're only willing to do that, when a life is at stake?
I've always loved my son. That's never changed.
No... no... It's changed now. You see, the knowledge of death... changes everything. If I were to tell you the exact date and time of your death... it would shatter your world completely. I know. Can you imagine what it feels like to have someone sit you down and tell you that you're dying? The gravity of that? That the clock's ticking for you. In a split second, your world is cracked open. You look at things differently, smell things differently. You savor everything, be it a glass of water or a walk in the park.
The clock is ticking, John.
But most people have the luxury of not knowing when that clock's going to go off. And the irony of it is that that keeps them from really living their life. It keeps them sleepwalking. It keeps them drinking that glass of water, but never really tasting it.
You can still fix this, John.
Yeah, but can we fix you?
Me?
I'm not fixable. I've got cancer.
No. The cancer isn't what started me in my work. It was the moment I decided to end my life... that started me in my work. I had literally driven myself to suicide, and I had failed. My body had not been strong enough to repel cancer cells, yet I had lived through a plunge off a cliff. But, to my amazement, I was alive. And I was determined to spend the rest of my days testing the fabric of human nature. Do you understand, Eric?
You got a chance to do something. Do it right now, John. Just tell me where my son is. I'll help you.
I don't need your help, and I can tell you still don't understand. Those who don't appreciate life do not deserve life.
My son appreciates his life.
But do you appreciate yours? Do you appreciate your son's?
Don't forget the rules. If you want to find your son.
[Eric ignores him and leaves]
