An ethereal white room. A young girl with earthy skin and white hair is curled in a ball on the floor.

A white panel of light materializes and DR. MATHIASON (31) steps through. He glances around and walks to the girl on the floor. 

DR. MATHIASON: Subject 7AR4006.184 has stabilized. Ready for trial indoctrination.

He jots some notes on a tablet.

DR. MATHIASON: Darren. Open the next door, please.

A new panel of light appears and Dr. Mathiason steps through. On the other side is a second entirely white room with a girl identical to the last except that the number on her shirt is different. 

DR. MATHIASON: Subject 7AR4006.202 is on standby. Ready for stasis.

He glances down at his tablet. Several notations are visible. 184: Stabilized. 191: Standby. 193: dark. 199: standby. 218: ...

DR. MATHIASON: Just one left... Darren. Final door, please.

The doctor steps through a light panel once more. This time things are different.

Dr. Mathiason steps into a sun washed vista. There are mountains all around as he stands in the middle of a bridge over a river. 

DR. MATHIASON: What? What is this?

He walks. Down the bridge to a road that is flanked by cherry blossom trees. they are in full bloom and petals twirl around his feet as he steps. 

He freezes.

Up ahead is one of the girls. Instead of curled in a fetal position, she's awake and sitting on a bench. A warm wind tosses her long white hair.

DR. MATHIASON: Excuse me! Subject—... Miss?

The girl (19) turns. White markings cross her cheeks and extend down her neck.

GIRL: Oh. Hi! You're the first person I've seen today.

Dr. Mathiason steps closer.

DR. MATHIASON: do you… see people often?

She furrows her brow in obvious concentration. 

GIRL: hmm... No, I suppose not.

DR. MATHIASON: What have you been doing all this time–

GIRL: But now that you're here, we can be friends!

She grins confidently. The doctor stares in amazement.

GIRL: would you like to sit?

DR. MATHIASON: Oh! That's very um... er… thanks.

The doctor timidly sits, afraid to look her in the eye. The girl smiles, wide and pure. The cherry petals catch on their feet.

GIRL: I'm glad you're here.

DR. MATHIASON: Did you know I'd be here?

GIRL: no I didn't know. But I hoped. This dream has been a lonely one.

DR. MATHIASON: You figured out this is all in your head...

GIRL: Yeah, well, I had a lot of time to think... and the best I could figure is that I'm stuck here until someone comes to get me out. To wake me up.

They sit quietly for a bit.

DR. MATHIASON: I don't dream anymore.

GIRL: Why not?