The Basement at Quantico

It's when Clarice is at Buffalo Bill's house, but I had Hannibal with Crawford. I like the thought of him having his fun with Crawford and going with him to Chicago. Hannibal is at Quanitco for whatever reason and Crawford invites him along for his expertise and familiarity with the case due to the likelihood of a hostage situation. I like putting him in the moment of Crawford's horrifying realization that Clarice is probably in danger, and Hannibal being like WTF because he thinks she's safely sitting in class.

Now he's stuck with stupid Jack trying to figure out where she is and if she's alive. He's dealing with the panic, fear, uncertainty, and some guilt that maybe he put her in that situation with his breadcrumbs instead of just helping her properly etc. I go different directions from there depending on mood. What if things go as normal? What if she dies? What if she's shot and uh oh! she stays at Hannibal's house during her convalescence because he's a doctor and wants to help her....? ~userlecter

Ohhhh, I love this!! I'm so glad you told me what you'd been thinking. That creates a different, wonderful kind of tension for Hannibal, and I love the idea of him and Crawford facing that moment together.

I love the idea that she gets hurt, and his guilt compels him to take care of her instead of letting her go from the hospital to the dorm.

Another moment I hadn't considered from the book until after I read your chapter with the storage unit is how funny it would be if Hannibal learned Clarice went to the storage unit because he saw it on the nightly local news. He has it on in the background until he hears...

"Stay tuned for WPIK news where our very own Jonetta Johnson has the scoop on a severed head found at a local storage unit."

Thankful for the commercial break, he pops in a VHS tape to record the moment, and watches a ragged Clarice yell at the reporters, pin a guy with the door, and use the jack to make her point. He falls just a little bit more for her after that.

It amazes me that despite the movie being 35 years old and the book even older, there are still 'what if' scenarios to consider.

It characterizes Chilton so well. He's giving Clarice a backhanded compliment - she's beautiful but cold. She's distant and cold for not entertaining his advances.

It also perfectly contrasts Chilton and Lecter. The latter would see a winter sunset as brief but beautiful. Clear and sharp. Something that is striking against a bleak landscape.