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(SILENCE)
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
WOMAN: Okay, so I did a little research,
and the town that we're, like, right next to
has all these really cute shops
that I thought we could go to.
So we'll go to the cabin, we'll put down our stuff,
and then let's just go for a walk
and check out the town that we're gonna be in.
And then we can grab a bite to eat,
and then later tonight, I have a little surprise for you
that I really think you're gonna like.
But don't ask me what it is because it's a surprise.
But you're gonna love it.
And then tomorrow...
So do you think maybe we could do the shops tomorrow?
I was thinking maybe today we could just, you know, uh,
go to the cabin, settle in,
I could maybe write a little bit.
WOMAN: Write?
Uh, yeah.
(AMBIENT MUSIC)
Um, yeah, so just on this trip up here,
I'm remembering everything.
Everything about the cabin.
And when we used to go up with my family,
my brother and I would come up with these ghost stories
about this crazy uncle that we had,
and may or may not have killed his wife.
And a couple weeks ago, I was talkin' to my grandpa about it
and he said that, um,
the journal that...
my uncle had a journal that he kept,
and it's probably in a trunk somewhere.
And, uh, I'd really like to, you know, get a hold of that,
and get a feel for the house, and, uh...
WOMAN: Okay, so you were just considering writing
as we were driving up here,
and yet you were talking to...
(CHUCKLES) you were talking about this cabin
just a couple of weeks ago.
I mean, talking about it and...
You're unbelievable.
You're gonna spend our vacation writing now?
All right, calm down.
All right?
First, we have a week, okay?
We have a week.
Oh my God, thank God.
Come here. (DOOR SLAMS)
This man is crazy! (STAMMERS)
Oh shit.
(GRUNTING)
(ENGINE STARTS)
(ENGINE SPUTTERS OUT)
Yeah, Sam, I know how you are.
You're not gonna write for a little bit.
You're going to be absorbed in this new project
when you just finished your last one.
SAM: We're already at the cabin...
WOMAN: And what am I supposed to do?
Just wait around for you while you write?
SAM: No.
This is supposed to be our time together.
(CRICKETS CHIRP)
(GUN FIRES)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANING)
GRUNTING MAN: Get in the cabin.
(GRUNTING)
WOMAN: You know what you did.
You are taking me along on your working trip.
This is not for us, this is for you.
SAM: No, it's not.
If it was for me, I wouldn't have brought you along.
I mean, if it was a working trip,
I wouldn't have brought you along.
Like, uh...
(ENGINE STRUGGLES)
(DOOR SLAMS)
(ENGINE STARTS)
(AMBIENT MUSIC)
(DOOR OPENS)
- (BANGS DOOR) - (GRUNTS) Okay.
All right.
(GRUNTS) Okay? Okay.
You're gonna love this place.
(GROANS) Let me get the light.
(LAUGHS)
July first, 1937.
My parents used to sleep right here, right?
This, this...
one time we were rough housing,
and you know this corner that's right on my...
yeah.
I fell into this. (CHUCKLES)
And they had to peel me off.
Yeah, okay.
Um, it's quaint, right?
And the wooden paneling on the walls,
and the wooden furniture.
I mean look here.
In here, see this bedroom?
This is where Bobby and I used to sleep.
Okay.
You're gonna think this is funny.
One time I found a dead bat under the bed,
and Bobby used to sleep with his mouth open,
he's like (SNORTS)...
in like the big, big snores,
and I took the bat and I put it in his mouth, okay?
And I thought he was gonna wake up right away,
but he didn't, and he lay like that for like three hours.
He was...
what?
Okay, if I see or hear anything that even resembles a bat,
I swear to God, I'm burning this place
to the ground and I'm...
Veronica, hey.
Hang on, okay?
Hey.
We're going to have a good time.
Come here.
You know, you're not the only one who did their research.
I've got a couple things planned myself.
Really?
Really.
How 'bout this?
How 'bout you call your sister,
let her know that we got there okay,
and while you're there, look up at the sky.
You've never seen anything like it.
Okay?
I think you're gonna be blown away.
It's really romantic.
(SNICKERS) Okay.
Okay.
I'll unpack in here,
and I'll wait for you to get back,
and then we can cuddle,
and do some romantic things.
Okay.
Okay?
Okay.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Okay.
(WOOD KNOCKS)
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
(SLAMS DOOR)
March 26th.
403rd day without a drink, I wrote her a letter.
March 27th, 404th day without a drink, wrote her a letter.
March 28th, 405th day.
This is...
(PHONE RINGS)
MESSAGE: Hi, this is Jill.
Please leave a message after the tone.
- (BEEPS) - Hey, Jill, it's me.
I just wanted to give you a call
and let you know that we're here.
We're at the cabin and we're safe.
Um, I guess I'll try you again tomorrow.
Okay, bye.
Ha.
Hi, hi.
So this is unpacking?
(SIGHS)
I love you.
(CRICKETS CHIRP)
(WATER SPLASHES)
This isn't so bad, you know.
Me making a midnight snack,
you taking a bath in a metal bucket.
It's kind of homey, I think.
I think you'll really like it here.
It's not the place that's the problem.
I just had no idea that you were gonna come here to write.
(SCOFFS) I should have known
that you had an ulterior motive.
Look, I...
this project is, it's...
you're gonna really like this one, I think.
It's different than the other projects I've done.
It's not any more of that teen romance crap.
This is some legitimate writing.
(SCOFFS) Whether the project is gonna be big
or small isn't the issue.
You're going to get into your little head space,
and that'll be it for us.
If I had known this from the start,
I wouldn't have an issue with it.
I, uh, okay.
You're right, I should have told you right away.
But I think you're gonna really love this project.
This diary is fascinating.
I mean, when I put all this together,
publishers are gonna love it.
(SCOFFS) Could you imagine if I did this to you?
Like, ignore you for days.
You can't handle when I don't text you back
within an hour of you texting me.
How 'bout this?
I got something really special planned.
Tomorrow night, eight o'clock,
you wear your sexiest outfit.
Are you asking your wife out on a date, Sam Talbot?
Yes, ma'am, I believe I am.
Well, okay.
I'll let you try to win me back.
There is this Spanish restaurant.
It's a gem.
It's about 20 minutes from here.
I know it's weird, great Spanish place
in the middle of the mountains, but it's true.
They have the best enchiladas
you ever tasted
in your entire life. (SKITTERING)
It's just dancing, lots of dancing.
I know how you like that.
You okay?
Oh, no, it's fine, it...
Um, well, I'm gonna go write for a little bit.
You go ahead and take your time, finish your bath,
and then, uh, when you're done, come get me,
and we'll go to bed.
Okay, sure. That sounds good.
I ran into a member of the congregation
who we have not seen in quite some time.
I asked him, "Why have you stopped
"comin' to church, brother?"
And you know what he said to me?
He said somethin' terrible happened to him
and his family.
He said how could God let somethin' like that happen to him.
(BIRDS CHIRP)
And he stopped believin' in a God
who would allow bad things to happen to good people.
You know what's funny about that?
That it's not the first time I've heard somebody say that.
Where did you get this idea
that following Jesus Christ
would all of a sudden make your lives pleasant and easy?
Are you readin' the same book I am?
You read that the son of man
died on a couple sticks,
you see him up on the cross,
you see the nails bein' driven through his hands,
and if you follow him, that means you'll have a good life?
I don't know what bible you're readin'.
This bible says you'll be persecuted
for what you believe in.
Your life might get a lot harder when you accept Christ.
We're so quick to turn our back on this God
who's given everything for us.
The second somethin' bad happens,
we question his very existence.
No, he gave you salvation,
and if that's the only thing he gives you,
that's enough.
Now I'm here to celebrate today.
We are here to celebrate today.
One Mr. Samuel Talbot, I'm gonna call him up to the pulpit.
You see, Samuel Talbot knows the gifts of God.
Samuel, why don't you come on up here?
I want you all to take a look
at this new man.
This day marks two years free
from substance abuse.
You see this young man who's approaching the pulpit here,
alcohol had ravaged his life
when he came and sought us out.
He had lost his wife, his job,
almost even his home.
He was a man in desperate need of a savior,
and luckily he found one in Jesus Christ.
Thought you had work today.
(SNIFFS) When was the last time you went
to the grocery store?
I don't know, it was a little while ago, I guess.
Why?
How the hell am I supposed to work
all day on an empty stomach?
BLONDE: I don't know, Samuel.
You could have gone to the grocery store if you wanted to.
I could have gone?
BLONDE: Yeah.
You look good.
Thank you.
SAMUEL: Who the fuck you tryin' to impress?
It sure as hell ain't me.
Maybe if you didn't sit around and drink beer all day,
- I'd want to. - Is that what I do?
- Yeah, clearly. - Drink beer all day?
You think I just sit around and drink beer all day?
BLONDE: Yeah, I do.
Who paid for this?
Don't you walk away from me.
Stop.
(DROWNED OUT BY DISORIENTING MUSIC)
Samuel, I... (BOTTLE SHATTERS)
Go on, go.
(BIRD CHIRPS)
No, he came and ran right towards him.
And as a result of that decision,
here before you stands a new man.
Ephesians six,
"Put on the whole armor of God
"that you may be able to stand
"against the wiles of the devil.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
"but against principalities, against powers,
"against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
"against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Without this armor of Jesus Christ,
Samuel would be defenseless.
Samuel here is wearin' the full armor of the Lord,
fightin' off every temptation the devil throws his way.
And as a result, he is a new man.
We are here to celebrate two years to the day
Samuel Talbot has been sober and free
from the chains of alcohol.
Completely new man.
I'm gonna ask all of you to join me
in prayer over Samuel as we close today.
I'm proud of you, Samuel.
Hey, uh, Samuel.
Hey, before you head out, I just, uh,
God is really puttin' this on my heart.
As you know, I'm gonna be travelin' a lot more
in the next couple years,
preachin' all over the place.
While I'm goin' that,
we're gonna need a preacher here.
And you've really impressed me over the past two years
with how far you've come,
and God's just been puttin' on my heart
to ask you if it's somethin' you'd consider,
lettin' us send you to seminary,
and maybe takin' the pulpit for yourself here.
I appreciate the confidence in me, Pastor,
but I just don't know if I'm ready for all that yet.
Well, hey, you don't have to answer now.
Why don't you just go and pray about that,
and let's grab some pie for now.
And, uh, Ms. Shirley made some pie out here,
and it's lookin' pretty good.
SAMUEL: She meant everything to me.
She was the moon and the stars,
and a guiding light in the middle of the dark night.
We were only married three years when she left.
My drinking got to be too much and she walked away.
I did everything I could to make it right.
I wrote her every day.
Got help for my drinking.
I got sober.
I was determined to make sure
if she gave me a second chance,
I wouldn't mess it up again.
I used to watch out my back porch for hours,
just imaginin' her comin' back home.
(SNIFFS)
And then one day I came home,
and there she was.
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
WIFE: Hi, Sam.
(SNICKERS)
SAMUEL: Claire.
CLAIRE: It was unlocked, so I just let myself in.
I mean, you know I always leave it unlocked.
Well, I know I look good, but, uh,
I'm gonna need you to say somethin'.
Oh, I just wasn't expecting you.
Who are those flowers for then?
Uh, my dad's dead.
CLAIRE: What?
Yeah, they, um, they printed in the papers
- that dad passed away. - Gosh.
But it wasn't him, it was, uh,
it was Earl from down the street.
Oh, Earl.
He had a heart attack on his tractor.
(GROANS)
You have to remind me to send them some flowers, okay?
- I got plenty of 'em now. - Yeah.
Everyone's been sendin' me flowers thinkin' dad's dead.
Oh, gosh.
I even got some from the psychic, Matilda.
- Matilda? - Yeah.
(CHUCKLES)
Maybe we should go see her.
It might be fun.
- No. - No?
No, that's...
that's all garbage.
So, um, they recognized me in the service today.
- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.
(CHUCKLES) How was that?
Gettin' in front of all those people up there.
(LAUGHS)
Pastor, uh,
Pastor wants me to, uh, think about goin' to seminary.
My Samuel Talbot bein' a preacher.
(CHUCKLES)
(CRICKETS CHIRP)
I never thought I'd be a preacher's wife.
Never thought I'd be a preacher.
I'm so proud of you.
Why don't we go out tonight?
Sure.
Put on them booty shorts I like,
and I'll take you out to a nice restaurant.
What do you say?
- That sounds like fun. - Yeah?
- Yeah. - Okay.
(PATRONS MURMUR)
But this journal has been really interesting to read.
I mean, for 730 days, he writes the exact same thing,
and then he just stops.
He starts writing other things in it.
- And crazy things. - Hm.
And I think he did something.
And whatever he did was dark,
and it took him,
and I think it's still around.
VERONICA: What do you mean it's still kind of around?
SAM: See, ever since I was 10 and my parents died,
I felt like there's been this...
there's this heaviness, this...
this dark sort of ominous thing
just sort of following me around.
Yeah, but Sam, I mean, your parents died.
You don't think you've just been sad?
SAM: I mean, it's more than just sadness.
In his writings, Samuel adamantly maintains his innocence.
But whether he killed his wife or not,
he for sure did something.
I mean, my grandpa said my dad was never the same
after all this so maybe that's it.
My dad got depressed, which made my mom depressed,
which made me depressed.
I don't know.
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
From what he's writing, it seems like he tapped
into some pretty dark things.
Demonic things.
VERONICA: Hmm.
SAM: My grandpa swore he put a curse on our family.
VERONICA: Mm.
SAM: What if he did?
VERONICA: Yeah.
What if this is some crazy spiritual thing
that just got away from him?
This sounds crazy,
but I feel like I'm so close to figuring this out,
putting the pieces together,
that once I do, then I can, I can...
I can move on.
We can move on.
You know? And then I can sell the book.
And, uh, we can use the money to go to Paris,
or Tuscany.
VERONICA: Mm.
We're here.
You're jokin', right?
You're not actually gonna take me to the Big Wheel
for our first night together, are you?
(SNICKERS)
Um, no, I got plans.
I got a lot of plans.
Thank God.
Use the bathroom, that's all.
- Okay. - All right?
All right.
(CHUCKLES)
- I'm gonna go in. - Okay.
- See you soon. - Yeah.
(DOOR CLOSES)
SAMUEL: Hey, excuse me, ma'am,
you got a phone book in this place?
I need a phone book.
Hello, sir, and welcome.
Take a seat wherever you want, I'll be right with you.
SAMUEL: No, look, I don't need a seat, all right.
I just need a phone book, do you have a phone book?
Yeah, we have one somewhere, I'll be right with you.
SAMUEL: Yeah, okay, so where's somewhere?
I need to find it.
- Sam! - Is that Sam?
LOCAL: Sam Talbot!
- Oh, God. - Hey!
SAMUEL: Is that Bill?
Sam Talbot?
Oh, man, brother.
How you doin', buddy?
I was with the guys last night, man.
SAMUEL: Hey, Bill.
They ain't got nothin' on you,
the way you used to party, man.
Hey, come have a drink with us.
SAMUEL: Look Bill, you know what time
that French restaurant closes?
Hey, you remember Sheila, right?
- Hey, Sheila, get over here! - Yeah, I remember Sheila.
- Sam! - It's Sam!
Sam!
SAMUEL: Hey, Sheila.
How you been, Sam?
It's been over a year...
SAMUEL: Ma'am, did you find that phone book yet or not?
You said you were going call me back.
And I'm still waitin'.
SAMUEL: Look, y'all know what time
that French restaurant closes or not, guys?
What're you talkin' 'bout a French restaurant for, man?
Hey. Hey.
(CHUCKLES) Come over here and have a drink with us.
SAMUEL: Look, no, I can't have a drink
with you right now, all right?
I gotta...
Claire's in the car.
BILL: Claire?
- Claire's here? - Yes, Claire's...
What? Man, I'm so happy.
Y'all back together?
That's awesome, buddy.
Hey, go grab her and let's have a drink.
SAMUEL: Look, Bill, I don't have time for this all right?
Come have a drink with us.
It's been so boring around here since...
SAMUEL: Guys, I really don't have time.
A toast!
- A toast to Sam! - I can't do this, all right?
The meanest damn drunk to ever walk God's green earth!
SAMUEL: Bill! Jesus, man!
Oh, shit.
Look, you just...
you spilled beer all over me, Bill!
What are you doing?
No, get off of me, Bill.
No, get off, don't!
Sheila, please get off of me.
(FOREBODING MUSIC)
(SNIFFING)
- Hi. - Hey.
Where do you wanna go?
What do you mean?
Where do you wanna eat?
You said you had big plans for us.
Where are you takin' me?
I just wanna take you wherever you wanna go.
Whenever I pick, you just don't like it,
so let's just go wherever you wanna go.
What's wrong?
Something happen in the...
Some guy just...
Now wait a second.
- Listen to me. - Are you kidding me?
- Let me explain myself. - Are you fucking kidding me?
Just let me explain myself.
Claire, don't...
Don't touch me!
Claire!
Get back in the...
(DOOR SLAMS)
- Claire! - Were you even ever sober?
- What are you talkin' about? - Were you ever sober?
Some guy just spilled a drink on me!
Do I mean nothing to you?
Do I mean that little to you?
Listen, of course you mean everything to me.
Listen, please.
Okay, you know what?
I'm goin' to the cabin. I'm gonna be there for an hour.
- Please don't do this. - No.
If you so much as come near that place,
I will call the cops, okay?
- Please don't do this. - Don't.
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
(SNIFFS)
You did this to me.
You coulda told me to go anywhere else,
but you knew, and you just let it happen.
You coulda helped me tonight.
Where were you?
(CRICKETS CHIRP)
Is this some sick...
did I fail the test, is that it?
Did I fail?
Fuck!
Two years!
Why tonight, huh?
Why can't you give me just one night?
What did I do that was so wrong
that you couldn't even give me one night?
Claire!
What?
Oh my gosh, what're you doin' here?
What're you doin' out walkin'
on the side of the road at night?
Come on, get in here, kiddo.
I'll take you wherever you gotta go.
(CHUCKLES)
What're you doin' out this time of night?
It's not safe bein' out in these parts.
Never know who's out there. (CHUCKLES)
So where you headed?
Just up to Samuel's cabin.
You know where that is, don't you?
Oh, sure, I do.
So, uh,
you just, uh, in town for good now or you just visiting?
(SUCKS TEETH)
No, I'm not in town for good.
Just a few hours now.
Oh.
Well, that's awful bad, I mean,
I miss seeing you in church every week.
You, uh, just visiting Samuel for today,
or you just picking up some of his stuff he left behind?
You know what, Peter?
I really fooled myself into think somethin'
I should have been stupid enough to believe.
Turns out everyone else had been right all along.
Somethin' happen between the two of you tonight
or somethin'?
Yeah, somethin' like that.
You know, I like Samuel and everything,
I think he's a great guy.
I mean, I even helped him repaint his cabin
a couple months ago, but, uh...
ah, I don't know, I just...
I always thought that...
well, I just always wondered
why you chose a guy like him.
I guess I was just always jealous
that he got himself a girl like you.
(CHUCKLES)
World don't seem fair sometimes.
Ahh, shoot, look at me just ramblin' on.
(CHUCKLES)
You're gonna make a very special lady
very happy one day.
And then you won't have to be jealous of nobody no more.
I could make you awfully happy.
Oh my God.
Oh, don't mind that.
Ah, well,
there's a grocery down in Louisberg they just put up,
and I figured when the time rolls around,
I could play the Easter bunny.
Well, I figured you needed the outfit,
and, well, dad always says,
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."
And there's a guy I met who plays Santa Claus
at Christmastime, and you wouldn't believe
the kind of money they rake in.
(CHUCKLES)
So?
I'm not really in shape to be Santa,
so I figured I could be the Easter bunny.
CLARE: Oh.
(PETER CLEARS THROAT)
(CAR STARTS)
You tell me why you did this.
Look, I know things between you and Sam
are really rough right now,
and, well, I just want to let you know
that I think that, uh,
no, I know.
I know you deserve better.
Thank you, Peter, that's awfully sweet.
Thank you for the ride.
I need to get inside and gather my things.
You take care of yourself, all right?
Oh, well, here, let me walk you to your door.
Make sure you keep safe.
(DOOR SLAMS)
That's quite all right.
I'm sure I'll be fine from here on out.
PETER: Oh, well, look...
CLAIRE: Thank you again for the ride.
What I said to you back in the car
I been wanting to say to you for a long time,
I've just never had the chance,
and I'd be a fool to give up the chance now.
Peter, I really need to get inside.
Tonight's been a long night,
and I don't need it be any longer.
Look, what I'm tryin' to say is I'm a real good man
and I could take care of you.
You deserve to be taken care of well.
Please, if you just give the chance, I would...
CLAIRE: Peter, I'm goin' inside.
Have a good night.
No, but if you...
(DOOR SLAMS)
Uh-uh, oh no.
I know this ain't what I think it is.
I know the person who called me
was mistaken about the identity
of the drunk person in the park right now.
Samuel, what are you doin'?
Samuel, what...
Samuel, what is this, man?
She left me.
She dumped me for good.
Sam, who left you?
SAMUEL: Claire left me.
Sam, Claire left you two years ago.
What're you havin' a flashback, is that it?
I mean, two years, Sam?
She came back tonight, God took her away from me.
Samuel, you think God took Claire away?
Sam, you did this.
Yes, he took her away from me.
Did God drink this?
Who drank this, Sam?
Listen, here's what we're gonna do.
You gimme these car keys, I'm gonna drive you home.
I'm gonna come get you in the morning.
People out here seeing you like this, come on.
Come on, man.
Let's go home.
(WEIRD AMBIENT MUSIC)
Are you really going to just go home?
She wants you, Peter.
She needs you.
And whether or not she knows that yet is not the point.
She's going to find some other sleazebag.
And why?
Because that sleazebag is going to have
the guts to make a move.
You always chicken out.
Are you going to tonight?
Not tonight, Peter.
Go take what's yours.
You're a good and hardworking man.
You deserve this.
(POUNDING AT DOOR)
(KNOCKING)
PETER: Claire, I can't hold back anymore.
I know that this is the best thing for both of us.
What?
No! Oh my God.
Peter, no!
- Don't fight me, Claire! - No, stop.
Don't do it!
(GRUNTS)
Well, why in the hell did you do that?
CLAIRE: You suck.
(GRUNTS) (SMACKS)
- (GROANS) - All right.
We're gonna do this my way now.
- No, stop! - Yes!
Ever think about leavin' Alderson?
Might be good for you to start thinkin'
about something like that.
A man stays where he is,
he's bound to repeat a lot of mistakes that he's made.
His past his starin' straight at him everyday.
I don't know.
CLAIRE: No, stop!
Peter, no! (GRUNTING)
No! (GRUNTING)
(PAINED GRUNTING) No!
(GRUNTS) (SMACKS)
(SPITS) (GRUNTS)
Don't. Get off of me!
- No. - Get off of me!
- Claire, no! - No, Peter, stop.
(SMACKS)
This ain't the end.
But we're here now.
So I'm gonna go ahead and drop you off,
and I'll pick you up tomorrow, all right?
Anything you wanna say or talk about tonight,
that's fine with me, but...
- if you wanna pray... - No.
I'm open to do that.
Otherwise, you have a good night.
Best night you can have anyway.
Too drunk tonight, too drunk.
(MUTTERS)
(FOREBODING MUSIC)
Claire?
(SMACKS)
(WHACKS)
(GRUNTS)
Claire.
(METAL BANGS)
(DOOR SLAMS)
(CAR STARTS)
Can't open the doors in this place.
It's open.
Don't, this place is a piece of crap.
(CHUCKLES)
You love it.
Yes, it is crappy,
but I love it.
I love crappy things.
The only thing good that I have in my life is you.
You are the only not crappy thing in everything.
- In everything. - Aww.
You are beautiful and fantastic.
Oh, thank you.
- Thank you, honey. - Uh-huh, uh-huh.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
I have a better idea, actually.
What?
I have a really, really, really good idea.
- Uh-huh. - Okay.
What is the idea?
I'm gonna surprise you with somethin'.
- So you wait right here. - Uh-huh.
I'm gonna be right back.
- Really? - And I'm gonna...
Do you promise?
Do something
really,
really nice
for you.
- Okay? - Uh-huh.
VERONICA: So wait right there.
- I can't come with you? - Nope.
- I have to stay right here? - I'll be right back.
Okay.
(PENSIVE MUSIC)
Just waitin' on the couch.
(PATTING COUCH)
For my wife to come back
in a blouse.
(SNICKERS)
There's no blouse.
Hopefully she's naked.
Buh.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(GRUNTING)
(DOOR RATTLES)
(GAGS)
(COUGHING)
(PUKING)
(SPITS)
(CLEARS THROAT)
(GROANS)
Okay, hon.
Oh, wow.
You look really good.
Thank you.
SAM: I like this.
This is really pretty.
Thanks.
So you're in for the night.
SAM: No, I'm just resting my eyes.
Mm-hmm, okay.
- All right. - Okay.
Okay, goodnight.
SAM: Where are you goin'?
I'll see you in the morning.
SAM: Okay, I love you.
Yup, love you.
(GHOSTLY MUSIC)
(PIPE RATTLES AND BANGS)
(WATER RUSHES)
(SKITTERING)
(SCREAMS)
(BANGS)
Wake up.
- Hey. - Hi.
Hi.
How are you?
I'm going to go now.
Where are you going?
I have to go see the father.
What're you talkin' about?
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
Veronica?
Baby, where are you going?
(BIRDS CHIRP)
Veronica!
(FLAMES ROAR)
Veronica!
Baby, where you goin'?
Hey.
Veronica!
Shh.
(SNIFFS)
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
Sorry about yesterday.
Sweetie, I'm sorry, I...
No, no, no, no.
Okay.
Hey.
Baby, baby.
Come on, come on.
Let's get up.
Come on.
(PHONE RINGS)
DISPATCHER: 911, what's the emergency?
SAM: My wife's not breathing.
Please send somebody?
DISPATCHER: What's the location of the emergency?
SAM: Come on, baby.
Uh, 33 Pinebush.
It's in Alderson, it's the cabin on top of the hill.
DISPATCHER: Okay, we'll send somebody right over.
"Claire's gone."
Just so you know, man,
that will be submitted in the court of law
as testimony.
SAMUEL: Like I told him,
and like I've already told you,
we had an argument.
COP: Uh, I'm tryin' to hear you out on this.
Uh, I'm really tryin' to hear you out.
I'm on your side on this.
SAMUEL: No, what you're doin' is you're tryin'
to blame me for this,
and you're wastin' my time,
and you're lettin' whoever did this to my wife...
COP: Look, man, nobody's sayin'...
SAMUEL: He's still out there.
COP: All right, Sam, you gotta understand,
I'm just tryin' to follow the chain of evidence here, okay?
SAMUEL: I've already told you the damn story!
100 times.
COP: Think how this would sound to a jury.
Look, just tell me what happened to Claire.
Tell me why she's gone.
You do that, I can keep you off death row.
SAMUEL: I walked in...
COP: Maybe get you life.
SAMUEL: And I saw her there,
and then someone hit me on the back of the head.
Now you're tellin' me that I did that to myself?
COP: You do this to yourself, man.
Don't do this to Claire.
Don't you think her parents
should know what happened to her?
SAMUEL: Now you're wastin' my time.
Why don't you get out there and do your job
and find who did this?
Make yourself at home, Mr. Talbot.
I'm just going to be getting a few things
set up for our session.
(DOOR CREAKS)
(MIMICS GHOST)
I'm conjuring up the psychic forces in the room.
This will only take but a minute.
(HUMMING)
Say,
is all this real?
Of course this is real. (CHUCKLES)
(HUMMING)
No, but like, like, is all this real?
That's very insulting, you know.
If you're already doubting, this won't ever work.
The only thing required from you is to believe.
Otherwise, you've come in on a very lucky day,
because we're running specials on all my services.
The palm reading is only $15 for a 20 minute session,
tarot cards are only $20,
and fortune telling with the crystal ball
is only gonna be $30.
So what'll it be, sir?
I don't know.
I need to connect to someone.
Can you do that?
Well, yes, sir, I can do that.
I just don't do it very often
because it's very expensive to do that.
The energy alone in summoning a spirit
sometimes leaves me tired for days.
I brought $1000 with me.
If you can help me connect to my wife, I'll give it to you.
Does that sound good?
Uh, well, I guess I can do it for that amount.
We have to have a payment up front, though.
All right.
Just so you know, this can get very intense,
and any bodily harm that should befall you
cannot be blamed on me.
If you are okay with that, we can get started.
Yeah.
'Kay, close your eyes.
We're going to go into a trance.
I'm going to count to seven,
and with each number, you'll grow more calm.
By the time we get to seven,
you'll feel as if you're in a deep slumber.
That will be the gateway opening,
I need to connect with you.
One,
two,
three,
four,
five,
six,
seven.
I see a woman
and she's in danger.
She's in very grave danger.
And I see somebody else now.
He's trying to talk to me.
He's saying he knows you.
He says he's your father.
It's your father, Samuel,
and he wants to help us get to your wife.
What'd you just say?
Your father, or his spirit, I mean.
He wants to help you get to your wife.
This is really good news.
It's rare we get another spirit to help us.
What do you mean his spirit?
Your father's spirit, it's lingering still
to help us with this mystery probably.
Mm.
See, my father's not dead.
You tryin' to pull somethin' over on me?
- Is this a con? - Sir, I don't...
Is this a fucking con?
MATILDA: Sir, I don't know what you mean,
but you seem like you're about to get real aggressive.
I'm gonna have to ask you to leave now.
Give me my fucking money back.
We don't offer refunds, it's against company policy.
Gimme my fuckin' money! (SCREAMING)
Come on, gimme my money!
- Please stop, please! - Gimme my money!
SAMUEL: Do you want me to leave?
MATILDA: Let me go and I can direct you to somebody
who can really help you.
SAMUEL: You're just a con artist, that's all you are.
MATILDA: You want to talk to your wife again,
well, this guy can help you,
but if you hurt me really bad,
you'll never find out who he is!
SAMUEL: All right!
Okay!
Get up.
And let me tell you somethin', all right?
Are you listenin' to me?
If this isn't 100% legit,
if this is just some old house
that no one's lived in for 100 years,
or if this is another con artist or scam,
I'm gonna come back here,
and I'm gonna burn you alive in this place.
Do you understand me?
Yes.
If this isn't real,
I'm gonna kill you.
(FOREBODING AMBIENT MUSIC)
(CAR DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR SLAMS)
(CAR STRUGGLES)
It's gonna take me a whole day to walk there.
(SIGHS)
(DOOR OPENS)
(BIRDS CHIRP)
Am I going too far with all this?
If I turn back now,
I might be able to live a productive life.
Find somebody else, build a family,
coach a little league baseball team.
People tell me that God does everything for a reason,
that one day, maybe it'll take 'til I get to heaven,
I'll figure out why he allowed Claire to get murdered.
But what if they're wrong?
What if none of that is true?
There was no reason.
There's a man out there living his life
who took my wife's.
Can I really turn back?
Even if the police found him,
he'd live out his days in a cell.
He'd still get to see the sun,
still get to talk to people he loves.
Things my Claire will never do again.
No matter what I do to this man,
he ultimately did it to himself.
When he chose to take a life,
he chose to take his own.
That's the way I look at it.
I'm simply going to deliver that sentence to him.
That's justice.
(WIND CHIMES JINGLE)
(KNOCKS)
(POUNDING)
BUMPKIN: Excuse me, can I help you with somethin'?
Jesus.
I'm just lookin' for Chester Hicks.
Exactly what do you want with this Chester Hicks?
Look, I think I got the wrong address, all right?
Look, I'm just gonna go. I'm sorry.
CHESTER: You lookin' for your dead wife?
Claire her name?
You tryin' to find someone to help you find her?
Lookin' to buy somethin' to help you reach her?
How'd you hear all that?
'Cause that woman you just scared the piss out of,
that's my ex-wife.
She told me you'd be comin' by here.
Said you had a lot of money with you, too.
Why don't you just take that out,
throw it over there on that porch?
So you're gonna rob me.
CHESTER: Rob or kill.
I ain't just yet decided on either one.
All right.
All right, now there's the money, okay?
Look, I'm just gonna go,
and I'm not gonna tell anyone about this.
All right? Just forget it.
I sure do bet no one ever hear about this.
I do believe you march right on down to Matilda's
and skin her alive,
and come back here in the cover of darkness,
set this whole place on fire.
So I think we do things a different way.
What you think of that?
You go in that barn.
Now you wait here.
I gotta get somethin' before we do this.
(GRUNTS)
(HOLLOW, AMBIENT MUSIC)
Now I got a few options on my hand.
I can march up in them woods, shoot ya,
burn ya up, get rid of ya for good.
Lettin' you march out of here ain't an option
after what I heard you done to Matilda.
Murder her and me, probably, so that one's out.
Now I could give you what you came here for.
I keep the money, give you what's in there poke.
And I don't have to worry about you comin' back here.
'Cause once you take what's in there,
well, that's the end of you, son.
Why don't we go with option last option then, call it a day?
So far, everything you done,
you can turn back on.
Go home, live a clean life.
But you take what's in that bag,
there ain't no comin' back from that.
But I'll see Claire?
I can promise you this,
you'll see somethin' you think is her.
You'll see a lot of other things, too.
Those things gonna talk to ya,
try to make deals with ya.
They gonna play with your head.
All right then, you're willin' to take the risk,
I'm willin' to let you.
Let's get you untied.
You understand,
once you're free,
you pick up what's in that poke,
you walk straight on outta here.
If you even glance back, I'll blow your head clean off.
You tell me you understand that
so I don't feel guilty if I blow your head off.
Yeah, I understand.
All right then.
(TENSE MUSIC)
(SAD, NOSTALGIC MUSIC)
♪ Special as a rare story ♪
♪ Then we can choose to be worthy ♪
♪ This I know ♪
♪ And I suppose ♪
♪ Happiness comes from within, yeah ♪
♪ So I don't need a thing ♪
♪ I suppose ♪
(TYPING)
Sam.
Sam?
- Yeah? - Sam.
I just wrote
the perfect song for that project
- that I was telling you about. - Mm-hmm.
I want you to hear it, can you come?
Um, can I have, like, um,
just 10 more minutes?
Okay, it's only gonna take three minutes.
It's really, really good...
This is only gonna take 10 minutes.
- Can I just come in... - Okay, okay.
- In a bit? - All right.
SAM: Okay.
Thank, thank you.
(FRANTIC TYPING)
- Sam? - Mm-hmm?
VERONICA: I've been waiting for 45 minutes.
SAM: Okay.
Can you pull yourself away from that book
for three minutes to come listen to me play?
Uh, babe, like, I need to get all the ideas out
and into this, okay?
(STAMMERS) I need to make sure it's done before...
Can't you take three minutes
to listen to something that I just created?
Veronica, you know my process, okay.
If I take three minutes, and, um...
see, I'm already losing it.
I want you to come listen to my new song.
If you want me to be able to do the things
that you want me to be able to do,
uh, like even when we're goin' with your friends tomorrow.
Right, uh, Katie, and that (STAMMERS)...
- Dana? - Yeah, yeah.
So?
What's your point?
What is your point?
I'm excited about something, I want to show it to you.
I bought you that piano
with the money from my first book.
You wanna make fun of it?
You wouldn't even have that piano, okay?
VERONICA: Thanks, thanks, that's real nice.
- That's real nice. - Well, no...
I'm excited about something,
I just want to show it to you,
and you can't just give me three minutes
to listen to something that's making me happy.
Real nice. Real nice.
The time, and...
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
(PHONE RINGS)
(SIGHS)
(STATIC)
Hello.
WOMAN: Hello?
Is there a Mr. Talbot,
a Mr. Samuel James Talbot available?
This is he.
WOMAN: Sir, first and foremost,
I want to wish you our condolences.
- We understand. - Who's our?
Who are you?
Who's our?
WOMAN: Sir, I represent a very progressive...
(PHONE RINGS)
What do you want?
WOMAN: Sir, I understand,
this is an incredibly difficult time
you're going through right now.
But I just want you to know that we can help you,
help with the injury that your wife sustained.
We have developed cutting edge technology
for these types of injuries,
and the hospital sent us over a report of what happened,
and she just so happens to meet...
Hey.
Don't touch my wife.
- Sir, please hear me out. - Okay?
We know they pronounced her dead,
so we must act quickly.
We believe we can reverse the diagnosis,
but every minute we do not act
lessens our chance of success here.
We can begin the procedure as soon as you give your okay.
I know you must have a lot of questions
which we are more than happy to answer,
but please keep in mind, the clock is ticking.
We'll send someone over right away
to go over the paperwork and the contracts with you.
SAM: Do it.
(BIRDS CHIRP)
(DROPS BAG)
(ANIMAL CHATTERS)
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
Samuel.
(DOOR BANGS)
Samuel!
(DOOR SLAMS)
(DOOR BANGS)
Claire?
Claire!
(BANGING)
(WIND RUMBLING)
(WHACKS)
(FLY BUZZES)
Mister?
Hey, mister, it's time to wake up!
Hey, mister!
What're you, drunk or somethin'?
It's time to get up!
Mister?
SAMUEL: Claire?
Don't you touch me.
Well, are you comin' in for breakfast
or aren't you?
Nothin' like a good cup of Joe
to get your morning started off right.
(LAUGHING)
Ain't he just the best?
STRANGE FARMER: You know what's best?
My wife's cookin'.
My new momma's the same age as me.
Aren't I lucky?
Aw, honey. (CHUCKLES)
Well, Estelle, I guess you just volunteered
to pray over breakfast.
Oh, wonderful.
Dear heavenly father,
we'd like to thank you for this day that you have given us
and please bless this food
and the hands that have provided it.
Amen.
YOUNG WIFE: Amen.
STRANGE FARMER: Well, thank you, honey.
YOUNG WIFE: You're welcome, sweetie.
STRANGE FARMER: You know what, young man?
Before I found oil on this property,
I found somethin' that's more important.
And that was my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
YOUNG WIFE: Amen.
STRANGE FARMER: I was strung out like you were.
You know?
I've seen bad times, I've seen hard times.
YOUNG WIFE: He hits me!
He hits me so hard!
Please.
ESTELLE: He hits me so hard when he gets angry.
YOUNG WIFE: Please don't let him hurt us.
Please don't let him hurt us anymore. Help us.
ESTELLE: I'm worried he's gonna kill me.
YOUNG WIFE: You have to help us, Samuel, you have to.
You have to help us.
Help us, help us, help us, help us.
- You son of a bitch! - Get your hands off him!
What kind of game is this, huh?
(CROSS-TALKING)
STRANGE FARMER: Get outta here!
(CROSS-TALKING)
- Get outta my house! - Get outta here!
- Get off! - Get outta my house!
(CROSS-TALKING)
STRANGE FARMER: I help you in here, feed you.
Get outta my house, somebody call the police!
What's he lookin' at?
- Get on outta here! - Call the police.
YOUNG WIFE: Oh, you poor old man.
- Are you all right? - Yeah, I'm okay.
Claire.
(SLIDING IN DIRT)
(BROOK BABBLES)
Claire.
Claire, it's Samuel.
Claire.
Samuel.
You can't come with me now.
You have to speak to the mother
before we can be together again.
I have to go.
Claire, listen.
Claire!
Claire, wait.
Claire!
(SPLASHING)
Claire.
(SAMUEL SLOSHING)
Claire.
Claire!
Claire.
Claire!
Sorry, this is...
it's just temporary right now
until we can go back to New York.
The doctor said it'd be about a week,
then we can go back.
(WORRYING, UNCERTAIN MUSIC)
Veronica.
Hey.
I am so sorry.
Just relax.
VERONICA: Okay.
(CHUCKLES)
Sorry, I just...
I thought you were gone.
I thought you were gone forever.
I am so sorry.
I'm so so sorry.
It's okay, it's me.
Okay?
I'm so sorry.
Okay?
Trying to get you more comfortable.
You know, like home.
Um, I just saw an antique shop in town.
You know, you mentioned that you wanted
to try to look for antiques while we were here.
Um, maybe they have some old, old, um, pianos,
or, um, just instruments in general.
You know, I can try to learn to play the kazoo
or something, and...
(SOBBING)
Hey, what's...
hey, hey, hey.
It's okay, you're okay.
You're okay.
Hey.
Hey, hey.
Shh.
Shh, shh.
Okay, you're okay.
(WAILING)
It's okay.
Samuel.
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
Samuel.
There you go.
You're so close.
Samuel, my dear.
Here you are.
I understand you wish to discuss something with me.
Oh, I wish that others could see
what I see inside you.
And yet they dare to accuse you of being responsible.
No.
That is unacceptable.
It is time for you, Samuel,
to do what is right,
and not worry about being made to feel guilty.
This is an injustice.
Yes,
I can help you to speak to your Claire again.
But you must listen to me very carefully
and do exactly as I say.
Do you understand me, Samuel?
Yes.
So once I have you do what I'm about to ask you,
and after you speak to Claire,
I am going to need you to return
and do something for me.
I'll do what I have to do,
but this doesn't sound right.
(GIGGLES)
I understand that you are reluctant.
But you shouldn't be. (ECHOES)
Do you know what her last words were, Samuel?
They were a call crying for your help.
She's still calling out for you.
Are you going to turn your back and walk away?
What do I gotta do?
The man who did this to her
lives on the other side of the forest
right through those trees.
He thinks he got away with it.
And you are going to make sure
that he does not.
(DRAMATIC, FOREBODING MUSIC)
I'm going to tell you exactly
what you have to do to speak to your Claire again.
You want me to kill him and anyone that's around?
He ravaged her, Samuel.
Before he killed her,
he tore into her over, and over,
and over again,
and the entire time she was wondering where you were,
when you were going to save her!
That man is not alone.
The person who's with him
helped him cover up what they did
to your poor, sweet wife.
And at night they sit around and they talk
about what what a good time your Claire was.
All right, I'll do it.
I'll do it!
You tell me where they are,
and I'll rip them apart.
Very good, they are right through those trees.
Just enter and go straight in.
Once you speak to Claire,
you return to me and you do a favor for me.
The consequences for failing to do this
are dire.
Do you understand me, Samuel?
Yeah.
Good.
Now go.
(WORRYING, GHOSTLY MUSIC)
(CRICKET CHIRPS)
SAM: June 12th.
She's back.
I brought her home three nights ago,
and we can finally leave this place in another three.
The deal with her death and then her life
has been disorienting.
(DIZZY, WORRYING MUSIC)
(BIRDS CHIRP)
I can't seem to find my footing.
I fear something is terribly wrong with Veronica.
She doesn't eat or sleep.
She'll often slip into song in the middle of the night
for no apparent reason.
She's in a constant state of wandering,
doesn't say much of anything.
A simple yes or no, maybe,
but nothing resembling a conversation.
No signs of affection or desire.
She isn't here anymore,
and nothing has indicated to me that she is coming back.
MAN: I'm down to four cards, you still have seven.
- So... - I'm winning.
MAN: Soon as I get rid of all my cards, I win.
You can play on my cards, too.
If you got a seven of hearts or you got a three of hearts,
you can lay those down.
All right, so you go first.
Very good.
Pick up one card there if you want.
(DRAMATIC FOREBODING MUSIC)
I'd pick it up,
but the only I could use this...
(DROWNED OUT BY MUSIC)
All right, your turn.
I'm thinking.
All right.
Pick one up because you... (FOOTSTEPS)
Use that.
(GRUNTS)
Wait! What're you doin'? (SCREAMS)
(GRUNTING)
I want you to watch this.
CARDS MAN: No.
No! (CHOPS)
No!
Just like you made me watch.
No! No!
Been waitin' a long time for this.
CARDS MAN: No!
(CHOPS)
(UNEASY STRING MUSIC)
(GASPS)
EVIL WOMAN: I'm going to tell you exactly
what you have to do to speak to your Claire again.
Once you've arrived, you must not show any mercy.
Go in and do it quickly, you can't risk them getting away.
Help!
I got motor home back here,
but I can't hold 'em off much longer.
I need some help, please!
SAMUEL: I got you, you son of a bitch!
(BANGS) (GRUNTS)
(GROANING)
EVIL WOMAN: And once you're finished with them,
you'll find a telephone in the living room.
(PETER GROANS)
After you've disposed of the bodies,
you're going to take that phone
to the resting place of your wife.
Once there, you'll bury it no fewer
than three feet from her tombstone.
(CAUTIOUS MUSIC)
(ENGINE STARTS)
(CRICKETS CHIRP)
(SHOVEL DRAGS ON GRAVEL)
(CRICKET CHIRPS)
(SOMBER PIANO MUSIC)
(PHONE RINGS)
(SECOND PHONE RINGS)
(PHONE RINGS) (SECOND PHONE RINGS)
(PHONE RINGS)
(SECOND PHONE RINGS)
(PHONE RINGS) (SECOND PHONE RINGS)
Hello?
Claire?
CLAIRE: Samuel is that you?
I'm comin' home.
(GUN FIRES)
(GASPS)
(BREATHING)
(TYPING)
Ah. (CHUCKLES)
Hi.
- Hi. - Hi.
How are you?
Good.
I have a surprise for you.
Really.
You have a surprise for me.
Okay, okay.
What's the surprise?
It's out here, follow me.
Okay.
- Okay. - Okay.
Wait here, I'm going to go get the surprise.
- Turn around. - Okay.
No peaking.
Okay.
Babe, I was thinking when we get back, um,
we should write a song together.
You know, I'm a writer, you're a writer,
and I can't believe we've never done it before.
I think it would be, it'd be a good idea.
(LIGHT PIANO MUSIC)
Hey, um,
what's with the wedding dress?
Isn't it beautiful?
Yeah, it's lovely.
Just like our wedding day?
Just like it.
This is how I want you to remember me.
Hmm.
You're right here.
I need to go home.
We'll go home in a couple days.
Back to New York and we'll go to Central Park,
take a walk, and it'll be great.
I need to go home.
I'm not here.
What are you talkin' about, baby?
You're right here.
You are right here.
VERONICA: I'm not here.
Um, I'm still there.
- I saw it. - What're you talkin' about?
I see it in my dreams.
My spirit...
I'm with the angels,
and I hear them singing,
and it's so beautiful, I want to go back.
I want to go home.
You are home.
With me.
I'm not gonna let you go again, okay?
I promise.
Okay?
I'm so sorry.
Don't be sorry.
It's okay.
Everything's okay.
I'm not gonna let you go again.
It's okay.
I have to make sure that I...
I have to make sure that I don't come back.
It's okay.
I'm fine.
You're fine.
It's okay.
It's okay, we'll be okay.
I'm sorry, okay?
What're you sorry for?
(GROANS)
Veronica.
(COUGHING)
(PAINED COUGHING)
Oh my God.
(GROANS)
(CHUCKLING AND BABBLING)
(PAINED GROANING)
(GRUNTS)
(PANTING AND BABBLING)
(COUGHING)
(BEEPING)
Hi, Mr. Talbot.
Can I call you Sam?
Samuel?
Let's stick with Mr. Talbot then.
The nurses said that you snapped out of it
for a little while yesterday,
talking on and off for a couple hours last night.
I'm glad to see your condition's improving.
So I just wanted to follow up with you
on a couple of these details here.
The three days before you stopped talking to detectives,
you said a lot.
Do you remember that, Mr. Talbot?
Looks like your wife was taken to Greenbar Hospital
with some head trauma on May 14th at 10 AM.
Unfortunately, she was later found unresponsive.
But the next day, her body goes missing.
We're not exactly sure what time that was.
Two days later, you turn up nearly dead from a side wound
next to the burnt down church
with your wife's charred remains.
Listen, Sam,
we really want to help you out here,
but there are some details missing in this story.
This case will go to trial,
and the prosecution will be all over this.
Let us help you.
If you want to write something down,
anything that could clear this up.
(SIMMERING, BROODING MUSIC)
(VOICE OVER PA)
All right.
Well, if you do end up feeling like talking,
or you need anything at all, Sam, you let me know.
Are you ready for your meds, Sam?
I couldn't help but overhear the detective.
Can you believe they're accusing you?
You get stabbed, you lose your wife...
I mean, look at how grieved you are.
So completely shut down.
And yet they still have the nerve to accuse you
of murdering your own wife.
But you're in luck.
You see, I'm not actually a nurse.
I'm (CHUCKLES)
an old family friend.
And I can help you with all of this.
I can help you end those people
who are spreading lies about you,
and I can help you speak with your wife again.
I have a great deal to make with you, Sam,
and all you have to do is listen very carefully,
and do exactly
as I say.
(DISORIENTING, WORRYING MUSIC)
(EERIE, TRAGIC MUSIC)