The film’s opening scene progresses at a rapid pace. In terse, sober dialogue Dr. Harvey Kelekian diagnoses Professor Bearing. Less than a beat later Dr. Kelekian begins explaining an experimental research protocol. Shocked from the sudden blow of her diagnosis, and not having had time to fully process the situation and assess her options, Dr. Bearing agrees to participate, hesitantly glancing down at the first page of the protocol before signing her name.