Won’t Be a Ghost
Scene 2
MANNING stands, changes to: Private MANNING, 22 years old, sits in front of a laptop in the supply closet of US Army Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq. ADRIAN LAMO, 29 years old, sits in front of a computer monitor in the basement of his parent’s house in Carmichael, CA. There are multiple computers running in the background, take-out food containers, and other signs of consecutive days spent inside.
MANNING
Hi. How are you? I’m an army intelligence analyst, deployed to eastern Baghdad, pending discharge for “adjustment disorder” in lieu of “gender identity disorder.” I’m sure you’re pretty busy… If you had unprecedented access to classified networks 14 hours a day 7 days a week for 8+ months, what would you do?
LAMO
(reading) “Hi. How are you?…army intelligence analyst, deployed to Baghdad…Gender identity… If you had unprecedented access to classified networks 14 hours a day 7 days a week for 8+ months, what would you do?”… What’s your MOS?
MANNING
re: “What’s your MOS?” — Intelligence Analyst (35F). I’m kind of coming out of a cocoon… it’s going to take some time, but I hopefully won’t be a ghost anymore.
LAMO
You mentioned gender identity, I believe. May I ask the particulars? I’m bisexual myself, and my ex is M to F.
MANNING
I’m fairly open… but careful, so yes…I’m aware that you’re bisexual. I’ve questioned my gender for several years… but I started to come to terms with it during the first few months of my deployment. Uhm, trying to keep a low profile for now though, just a warning
LAMO
I’m a journalist and a minister. You can pick either, and treat this as a confession or an interview (never to be published) & enjoy a modicum of legal protection.
MANNING
Assange level? Or are you socially engineering? ;P Anyway, I’m going to go to the PX for a minute… i’ll be back in about 30-40 min?
LAMO
I’ll be around. I usually am.
MANNING
k
LAMO
Around and understanding both. Be well, and stay out of trouble.
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