There's Something Wrong with the Children (2023) Movie Script
1
("MORE" BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY
PLAYING)
(VOCALIZING)
Some people get by
With a little understanding
Some people get by
(THUNDER CRASHING LOUDLY)
With a whole lot more
I don't know
Why you gotta be
So undemanding...
(THUNDER CRASHING)
Whoa!
(KIDS LAUGHING)
(LIVELY CHATTER)
(SONG FADES)
Storm gonna get you!
Whoo!
(KIDS LAUGHING)
Wow, they are easily
entertained.
BEN: You come all this way,
and the thing they're most
excited about is the storm.
I'm surprised
they're not disappointed
about not having s'mores.
THOMAS: Oh, no,
they're gonna want some s'mores.
Trust me,
that's a battle for later.
(CHUCKLES)
Thank you, babe.
Yeah, cheers.
Hey, where's my couch service?
Oh. The bottle's
right over there.
(LAUGHS) Well, okay, then.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey, what, uh, what's going on
with the forecast?
BEN: It'll clear up
by morning, which is
good news 'cause I got a big
hike planned for us tomorrow.
Mm-mm.
MARGARET: Of course, you do.
BEN: Yeah, I do.
Can we just do some relaxing
while we're relaxing, you know?
Some fun indoor activities?
Yeah, like, uh, drinking.
BEN: That's what we're doing
right now.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
Hey, I'm gonna...
(CLICKS TONGUE)
I'm gonna take down
the, uh, patio umbrella
before the storm gets it.
Oh, do you want a hand?
No, I got it.
(INDISTINCT KIDS CHATTER)
You know, actually, we should
probably call it a night.
(EXHALES)
I... No. Come on, it's early.
We can still have some fun.
You know what? Let them go.
We... We have all weekend.
ELLIE: Yeah,
it's just been a long day
with the drive
and the kids, which--
Where did they...
In there.
Oh, uh, kids, we're gonna
go back to our cabin.
Say good night
to Auntie Margo and Uncle Ben.
KIDS: Bye.
Bye.
Bye, you little munchkin.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Okay, let's go.
SPENCER: See you tomorrow.
Mm-hmm.
Tomorrow.
(MOUTHING)
(MOUTHING)
(KIDS CHATTERING, LAUGHING)
Yeah.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(CLICKS TONGUE) That was fun.
Yeah.
You know, it's early.
Just 'cause they're going to bed
doesn't mean we have to.
(CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
(SONG RESUMES)
(VOCALIZING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(THUNDER CRASHING)
I want more
I want more
LUCY: This one's the Squire.
Mm.
And this one's the Chaos Spell.
And this one
is the Serpentine Lord.
He's my favorite card.
He does two times damage
for every attack counter
you have.
See?
BEN: Yeah, yeah.
Uh, careful.
You're gonna walk into a tree.
Here you go.
Remind me not to invite
the Serpent Lord
over for taco night.
(BEN AND MARGARET LAUGHING)
He eats souls, Margaret,
not tacos.
Yeah, he eats souls, Margaret.
(MARGARET AND BEN LAUGHING)
You guys need a break?
BEN: You serious?
Already?
ELLIE: I mean
from motormouth over here.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Mom!
(CHUCKLES)
(PLAYFULLY) Lucy. Oh, my God.
Tell me about your cards.
LUCY: Okay.
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Mm.
No, I'm good.
(CLICKS TONGUE)
It's gin and tonic.
What is wrong with you? (LAUGHS)
So, how's Ben doing?
You guys okay?
Ellie, he's fine now.
Just asking, as your friend
who wants you to be happy.
No, we're good.
We're good, I promise.
We just went on that trip
to Yosemite.
I saw that.
It was awesome.
ELLIE: Those photos you posted
online looked like so much fun.
MARGARET: Mm.
(MUSIC FADES)
ELLIE: (SIGHS) Okay.
Is this still even a trail?
Knowing Ben,
probably not. (CHUCKLES)
Uh...
(BLADE CHOPPING FOLIAGE)
(GRUNTS, SIGHS)
Pretty sure the, uh,
path picks up just over here.
(ELLIE STAMMERS)
Just careful with that
around the kids.
MARGARET: It's okay, Ellie.
He's just clearing a path.
You want to try, Thomas?
Kids? Mm.
SPENCER: Vamos.
ELLIE: Uh, Spence, easy.
(BLADE CHOPPING FOLIAGE)
BEN: Yeah.
You shared your machete.
BEN: Yeah.
Like to pass it around.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(KIDS CHATTERING)
ELLIE: Whoa.
Oh, my God. (CHUCKLES)
Careful.
(MARGARET LAUGHING)
Oh.
MARGARET: Whew.
Oh. Wow.
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
THOMAS: What is this place?
I feel like it should
be on a map or something.
LUCY: Hello?
BEN: Looks like it really
winds around back there.
Wonder how far back
it actually goes.
MARGARET: Oh, gosh, Ben.
There's only one way
to find out.
(GRUNTS)
All right, I got you, buddy.
Ready? Watch your head.
(GRUNTS)
BEN: Easy does it.
You need help?
LUCY: I got this.
THOMAS: Okay.
BEN: Watch out for spiders.
Okay.
Oh.
LUCY: Spiders?
(MARGARET GROANS)
First step is a doozy.
MARGARET: (CHUCKLES) It is.
Come on.
Are you crazy?
I'm not going in there.
Come on.
Aren't we being adventurous
these days?
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
Seriously?
ELLIE: Okay.
MARGARET: You coming?
ELLIE: Apparently.
MARGARET: You good?
ELLIE: Ooh, yeah.
LUCY: This is so cool.
BEN: Yeah, it is cool, right?
THOMAS: Hey, don't go too far.
Stay where we can see you.
LUCY: Okay.
MARGARET: So what do you think
this place was used for?
Yeah, there's actually
a lot of these old ruins
around the countryside out here.
Could be anything,
decommissioned military fort,
fur trading company,
abandoned miner camp.
I really just asked 'cause
I knew he wanted to tell us.
ELLIE: Oh.
(ELLIE AND MARGARET LAUGHING)
Where did the kids go?
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Kids?
(LUCY SCREAMS IN DISTANCE)
Oh, my God.
ELLIE: Lucy? Lucy!
THOMAS: Spencer!
THOMAS: Spencer,
where are you guys?
Say something. Say something!
LUCY: We're in here!
LUCY: Ew, gross.
ELLIE: What happened?
(LUCY GRUNTS)
ELLIE: Are you hurt?
We're fine.
MARGARET: Are they okay?
THOMAS: Yeah, false alarm.
(CLICKS TONGUE
You can't scare your mother
like that, you two.
Oh.
Look how all this stuff
just grew in through here.
Look, babies.
Oh.
Uh, okay. Spencer, put it back.
THOMAS: You know
that if they smell like you,
mama bird won't keep them.
SPENCER: But they're dead.
Mama's dead, too.
Just put it back, bud. Okay?
ELLIE: Whoa.
(LUCY KICKING)
ELLIE: Luce, what are you
kicking over there?
Luce, stop kicking dead things.
MARGARET: Hey, guys, Come here.
You got to see this.
What?
THOMAS: What's going on?
ELLIE: What'd you find?
(KIDS LAUGHING)
(THOMAS SPEAKS SPANISH)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
BEN: Whoa.
MARGARET: I know, right?
BEN: Wonder what busted
these holes through the walls.
MARGARET: And why make
a staircase up to a wall?
That's weird, right?
Oh, wow.
Bigger question is, why wall
off a huge hole in the ground?
Whoa. This is so cool.
SPENCER: Echo!
(BEN CHUCKLES)
(ECHOING) Echo!
SPENCER: Echo!
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(KIDS) Whoa.
ELLIE: Okay, guys, come on.
Let's get back from the edge.
ELLIE: Thomas, can you...
THOMAS: Yeah. Guys, come on.
How far down
do you think that goes?
BEN: I don't know. Huh. (GRUNTS)
(ROCK CLATTERING)
Oh, that's pretty deep.
Yeah, which is why
I want the kids to come back.
Come on, guys.
You're making me nervous.
This place gives me the creeps.
I'm going now.
El lugar que brilla.
"The place that shines?"
What do you mean, bud?
What are you talking about?
Es brillante.
Guys, it could not be more dark
down there. (CHUCKLES)
All right, guys. Let's, uh...
(PANTS)
THOMAS: Whoa. You okay?
Thomas?
THOMAS: It's okay, it's okay.
THOMAS: It's all right.
Just a little nosebleed.
Come on. Let's take care of you.
ELLIE: Come here. Y... You okay?
I got some tissue.
THOMAS: It's okay.
Here. Tilt your head back.
Can you tilt your head back?
There you go. Hold that there.
Hold it.
All right. All right,
little man. Let's go.
Bloody... bloody nose?
ELLIE: Yeah.
BEN: I used to get those
as a kid. They're the worst.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
Spencer!
BEN: Oh, my God.
(MUSIC FADES)
BEN: Whoa, dude.
THOMAS: (SPEAKING SPANISH)
Spencer, you have to be careful!
(SIGHS)
Are you listening?
(SIGHS) Oh, my God.
(BEN SIGHS)
LUCY: Is he okay?
THOMAS: He's fine.
THOMAS: It's okay, it's okay.
MARGARET: I think it's, uh...
THOMAS: I got you.
...time to go.
MARGARET: I'm so glad
you were there.
BEN: Oh, yeah, thanks, babe.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC FADES)
THOMAS: Cabrn, technically,
the actual term is, uh,
"Macho cabro,"
like the male goat.
MARGARET: (LAUGHING) Really?
(LAUGHS) Yeah.
Oh, no. (LAUGHS)
THOMAS: That, um, that...
(LAUGHS)
THOMAS: That doesn't
translate literally.
The kids are zonked.
That hike really
took it out of them.
ELLIE: They're sleeping like
the dead in there. (CHUCKLES)
Did you give Spencer
that gift you brought him?
Oh, no, I was gonna do it
after dinner.
Hmm.
I got him devil sticks.
Hmm.
I saw them at a shop
on our last trip,
and I... I had some
when I was a kid.
I loved them.
I thought he'd like them.
They're harmless hippie toys.
Uh, yeah. (LAUGHS)
They kind of are.
Harmless as that souvenir
slingshot
he almost took my eye out with
last summer?
Mm-hmm.
That was maybe
not the best gift.
Thought that counts.
(CHUCKLES)
Babe, can you pass me a beer?
Yeah.
(BEERS CLATTERING)
You guys should look
into, like,
the Badlands.
BEN: Dude.
How'd you do that?
It's easy. You want to try?
Yeah, I do.
Just, uh, just put the cap
against the table.
Cap goes there.
Firm grip on the neck.
BEN: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
So, you guys going on
any other trips?
THOMAS: Hold it really tight.
MARGARET: Yeah.
Going to Florida.
You got to hold it really tight.
And then slam on it.
BEN: Ow. (GROANS) Damn it.
All right. Try again.
MARGARET: Next year,
maybe you can join us for that.
Oh, nice.
THOMAS: Try again.
The kids could stay
with your parents.
BEN: I'm gonna get this.
You almost got it.
BEN: Jesus Christ.
It's all right. I can do it.
No, I can open my own beer.
THOMAS: I'm just...
I'm just saying.
THOMAS: Try again.
BEN: Super tight.
Very tight.
Ow! But I did it.
THOMAS: There you go.
You did it.
MARGARET: (LAUGHING) Oh, wow.
You did it in, uh,
in your own way.
That's fantastic.
(BEN AND MARGARET LAUGHING)
Yay? (LAUGHS)
BEN: I guess you just got
to do it harder.
THOMAS: You got to do it harder.
There you go, man.
Oh, cheers.
ELLIE: College.
ELLIE: Babe, come on.
Do you really have to keep
doing that
on someone else's furniture?
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
No, yeah, you're right.
Uh, that would be...
so inappropriate.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(MOUTHING)
(SMACKS LIPS) Hey,
you want to go,
um, toss some horseshoes?
Yep.
(THOMAS SIGHS)
Uh, wh... okay.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Ellie, would you like to help me
make a salad?
Sure.
(MUSIC FADES)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING
IN BACKGROUND)
MARGARET: Okay,
I chop, you spill.
It's... honestly, it's nothing.
He's been acting so weird
since we got here.
(REFRIGERATOR CLOSES)
You, too. So out with it.
I really, really shouldn't.
"Oh, I really shouldn't."
You want to tell me so bad.
Look at you.
Plus, you know, it might...
might make you feel better.
(GRUNTS PLAYFULLY)
Okay, we're gonna need
some drinks.
(LAUGHS)
(GROANS SOFTLY)
Wine.
Yeah.
THOMAS: Hey, about this morning,
can't thank you enough.
Ah, dude, it was nothing.
Um, so Spencer...
he's a little crazy.
Oh, he's a lunatic. Absolutely.
But you're great with him.
Uncle Ben.
Eh.
So?
When are you, uh,
when are you guys
gonna have your own?
Uh, I... you know.
I don't know that we're really
quite ready for that yet, so...
Bro, nobody's ever ready.
Like, I think of our parents,
and I'm surprised
we even made it to adulthood.
(CHUCKLES) No, you just got to,
you got to jump in.
Headfirst. De cabeza.
So, Kyle...
Mm-hmm.
...and Katie?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Mm-hmm.
How exactly did that work?
(CLICKS TONGUE)
A lot of alcohol.
And the kids
were at my parents'.
I can't believe Katie.
Kyle maybe.
Oh, Kyle definitely.
But, I mean, you know,
they got married after college
just like Thomas and me.
W... Was it just,
like, all of you
in one big, like...
blob or...
(BOTH LAUGHING)
I want details.
(GULPS) I need another sip.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
So you and Kyle are on the bed.
And where are Thomas and Katie
during all this?
Uh, on the chair in the corner.
Mm-hmm.
That little blue one?
Okay.
And so, she's, like,
sitting in Thomas's lap...
Mm-hmm.
...her back to me
clothes still on, mind you.
Mm-hmm.
And Thomas, you know,
starts kissing her neck,
and then looks over
her shoulder at me,
and it just felt like,
"This is it. Let's... let's go."
(BOTH LAUGHING)
BEN: I'm not opposed to it
in theory.
It's more... in practice
I'm not so sure about.
THOMAS: Uh-huh.
You do know you still have fun
when you have kids, right?
(SCOFFS)
It's just slightly
different fun.
I like kids.
We both like kids. It's just...
It's kind of like
the high-end Airbnb, you know?
It's great for the weekend,
just...
not so sure
it's really our lifestyle.
Yeah, you'd be surprised
how your lifestyle can change.
Is it hard?
Sometimes, sure,
but it's the best thing, man.
Mm.
Sometimes it feels like
it's the only thing.
So things...
progress between Kyle and me.
Okay, like, you took
your clothes off or...
Mm-hmm.
Ellie. Did you guys actually...
Oh, we fucked.
(SQUEALS)
(LAUGHING)
(INHALES) And?
(CUP THUDS ON TABLE)
And it was great.
Until I look over
at Thomas and Katie,
and they're just watching us,
sort of...
I don't know, like,
half-heartedly canoodling.
Canoodling?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, it was weird, Margo.
But did you finish?
So, I told Thomas
that I faked it.
Off the fucking charts.
(LAUGHS) Okay, Kyle.
Yes.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(INHALES) And so it's been weird
ever since.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, you saw. I just...
I don't know. I... I feel like
I cheated on him or something.
He'll get over it.
Mm.
Like, he hasn't
touched me since.
To be fair, you know,
it's just been busy with work...
Hmm.
...and the kids and my parents.
We haven't really
had any time to ourselves.
Well, why don't the kids
just stay here tonight?
Could they?
I mean, I don't see why not.
Ben actually seems
to kind of like
having them around.
(POURING DRINK)
Yes, he does, doesn't he?
(GLASSES CLATTER)
Don't get any ideas.
We're still not
having any of our own.
(POURING DRINK)
Mm.
(THUD ON TABLE)
You know, we're focusing
on our careers right now,
and we're not kid people
at the end of the day.
We like to go out
on a whim and travel
and, you know, all the stuff
you and I used to do
before you...
Before I had kids.
(SIGHS) You know what I mean.
Well, maybe it's for the best,
you know?
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(ELECTRICITY ZAPPING)
MARGARET: A double Cancer?
ELLIE: Yep, the other one's
a Cancer, too.
MARGARET: It's just... it's not
common when you're, like,
a triple of one sign.
THOMAS: Is it a bad sign?
Yes. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
BEN: Uh, focus. Oh! Hey.
All right. Whoa, whoa,
whoa. Careful, dude.
You're gonna whack yourself
in the head, okay?
Look, took me a while
to figure it out,
but you'll get the hang of it.
(CHUCKLES) Just practice.
You're doing great. Um, just...
(CLEARS THROAT)
(MUSIC FADES)
BEN: Ah, you... I know.
It's just frustrating.
Great. No. Ooh, watch your face.
Ooh, sh...
(CLICKS TONGUE)
BEN: All right, go get them.
I was thinking maybe the kids
could stay with us tonight.
Say what?
(GULPS, CLICKS TONGUE)
That's a great idea.
Yeah. Sure. That should be fun.
Won't that be fun, guys?
A little sleepover?
You guys can stay...
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Okay?
Can I get
some verbal confirmation?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
No, that's all right.
You don't have to turn around.
Uh, yeah, I think
we've already been replaced.
ELLIE: Mm-hmm.
BEN: That's it.
Okay. Okay, okay.
Okay. Hand them over.
Hold my beer.
Devil sticks. See?
Just finesse, finesse.
You just got to feel
them sticks.
Give it a flippity flip.
Okay? You want to see
the helicopter?
(MAKING WHOOSHING SOUNDS)
How about them hot moves?
Yeah? Yeah? See how easy?
Remember the balance?
(SLURPS, GULPS)
BEN: Just keep practicing,
and you will get the hang of it.
Promise.
(SIGHS)
Well, I'm about ready to go.
Right now?
Mm-hmm.
THOMAS: Okay? Yeah?
Yeah.
ELLIE: All right, kids,
we're gonna go, so be good.
BEN: So, this
is the simple stuff.
It's for babies, okay?
(MOUTHING)
BEN: Once you get good,
you start doing the flips, okay?
BEN: Oh!
MARGARET: Ooh.
LUCY: Nice. Demon Sword.
BEN: Wait, I have a Demon Sword.
MARGARET: Uh, wait,
so can I play now...
(GLASS THUD ON TABLE)
...that he's put his card down
or do we have to wait...
You can't do that.
MARGARET: You had two
Demon Swords?
BEN: I'm gonna referee.
You can't do that.
There's no order.
This isn't Uno.
LUCY: Guys, it's...
it's not that complicated.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Unless you get the Rabid Queen.
That changes everything.
Ooh, what happens
if you get the Rabid Queen?
Yeah, what happens?
You don't want to know.
We just asked.
Here.
Moving on. I'm playing this one.
Normally,
you put the thing there.
MARGARET: Here?
LUCY: No. Let me... (SIGHS)
Quiero volver.
(LUCY AND MARGARET CHATTERING)
What's up?
Quiero volver.
I don't know. What's that mean?
He wants to go back.
(THUD ON TABLE)
Back where?
LUCY: The bright place.
The place that shines.
In the woods.
Oh, that old fort?
Nah, dude, I don't think
we're gonna go back there.
Ah, we got lots of fun things
we can do here,
like teach you some new tricks
with your sticks.
See if you can pick those up.
(LUCY AND MARGARET CHATTERING)
I got a lot of cool stuff...
(HISSES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHATTERING STOPS)
Sounds great, Ben.
MARGARET: I'm gonna pull.
I feel like...
Okay.
MARGARET: Oh, shit!
Good.
I got the Serpentine Lord.
BEN: Mm.
MARGARET: That's bad, right?
You swore.
Um...
if I give you 20 bucks,
will you not tell your mom?
You're bribing children now?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Guys, let's just play this game.
Yeah, sorry.
I win.
MARGARET:
We'll be right out here
if you need anything, okay?
Do you want the door open
or closed?
LUCY AND SPENCER: Closed.
Okay. Good night.
(LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS)
They're out like a light.
That wasn't so bad.
(BEN SCOFFS)
Kids are fine.
It's what it does to the parents
that I don't like.
You talking about Thomas?
No, I'm talking about
both of them.
They were at each other's
throats all day.
Well, that is not
the kids' fault.
Wait, wait, wait.
What do you know?
What aren't you telling me?
Why don't we enjoy
the night air?
Okay.
(DOOR OPENING)
(SIGHS)
BEN: Wow. Just wow.
(LAUGHING) I know.
Kyle I can see, but...
Right?
(BEN CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(LAUGHING)
Makes me wonder about
all those date nights
my parents had when I was a kid.
(GROANS)
(CHUCKLES)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
What?
Do you want kids?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) What?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I...
I mean...
well, you kind of decided
this for us.
See, that.
That there.
I made the decision, not us.
You know, I see how great
you are with Lucy and Spencer,
and I just...
I wonder if it's something
I'm keeping you from.
You know? Like, I just...
I want to make sure
that we're still
on the same page.
Look, we don't have to decide
tonight, all right?
We've got time.
I mean, you got time.
I have an expiration date.
Fair enough. Okay.
(SIGHS) Okay.
You want to talk about it?
Let's talk about it.
I mean, yes.
I don't... I don't know. I...
I just don't want to feel like
I'm the only person
that has to figure it out.
What do you mean by that?
Never mind.
Okay. (SIGHS)
Oh, I just feel
so real right now.
What do you mean?
Like... connected.
That's the word.
I feel connected.
Connected to what?
This. This... fire.
These trees, these bugs.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
Um, I want to feel this way
all the time.
I just feel like
I'm a part of everything,
like everything is connected
and it's bigger than me,
you know?
And you think about the city
and how disjointed it is,
and... I don't know.
When I think about it
sometimes,
it just makes me...
(MAKES GAGGING NOISE)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Love... you are very high.
(LAUGHS)
No.
Oh, no, I... I promise.
You got to trust me on this one.
I'm a little high. (LAUGHING)
You're high as hell.
Come here. (LAUGHS)
Okay.
(GRUNTS)
Let's feel connected.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I'll take that.
I'm a one-hit wonder.
You took like six hits.
(MARGARET LAUGHING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHIMES CLANGING)
(CHIMES CONTINUE CLANGING)
(ELECTRICITY ZAPPING)
(ZAPPING INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC FADES)
Oh, good morning.
(FEIGNS LAUGHING)
Here you go.
Mm, thank you.
BEN: Yeah.
You look incredible
this morning.
You're a liar.
(GROANS) Do we have Advil?
Yeah. We do.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
You're a saint, you know that?
(PILLS RATTLE)
(BEN EXHALES)
(PLATES CLATTER)
(PHONE CHIMES)
(CUTLERY CLATTERS)
(PHONE CHIMES)
Yes. Get it, girl.
(PHONE CHIMES)
MARGARET: The kids awake?
No, they're, uh, still
sleeping, I think.
Lucky they sleep so late.
(CHUCKLES)
Rise and shine, sleepyheads.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Lucy? Spencer?
I think I can convince Ben
to make us some pancakes.
Luce? Spencer?
I'm gonna open the door, okay?
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
They're not in there.
Did you check the bathroom?
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Uh, maybe they're just playing
outside or something.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
I don't see them out there.
Really?
Maybe they're, um...
Go check and see
if they're playing
over by the pond.
(SIGHS)
(DOOR OPENING)
(POURING)
(THUD ON TABLE)
(BEATING EGGS)
(DOOR CLOSING)
BEN: You don't see them?
Huh.
(DOOR OPENING)
(DOOR CLOSING)
Okay, I'm freaking out.
No, no. You know what?
Remember they were playing
hide-and-seek yesterday?
Probably just hiding
and want us to...
Right, well... Lucy,
we're not playing right now!
...find them.
Spencer?
Hey, guys? Hey. Breakfast.
(SIGHS)
Lucy?
They're not in any
of the closets.
Okay, wait.
Look, hey, they probably
just went back over
to Thomas and Ellie's place.
She just texted me.
There's no way
they're over there.
The kids' shoes are gone.
What?
They took their shoes.
No, they wouldn't have.
They wouldn't have what, Ben?
Ben, where you gonna go?
They wouldn't have what?
I'm just gonna check the path.
They can't have gone far.
Okay, well, I'll go with you.
No, no, no, stay at the house
in case they come back.
(DOOR CLOSING)
Were they even in the cabin
when we came back in last night?
They didn't sneak out,
all right?
The sun came up, they thought
they'd go for a walk.
They probably just went
back down this path.
They can't have gone far.
They're fine.
Everything's gonna be fine.
(MUSIC FADES)
We're gonna find them.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTS) Lucy.
BEN: (IN DISTANCE) Lucy!
Spencer!
(GROANS SOFTLY, PANTS)
(GRUNTS)
Guys?
Jesus Christ, there you are.
What are you guys doing in here?
Hey! You know you can't
be here without an adult.
Guys.
Es brilliante.
Okay, I need you
to come down here right now.
No, I'm... I'm serious.
Right now.
No, no, no. Stop! No!
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(WHISPERS) Oh, God.
(STIFLED RETCHING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
(PANTS)
(CELL PHONE CONTINUES VIBRATING)
Why aren't you answering
your phone?
(SIGHS) Fuck.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
Margaret.
MARGARET: Where are you?
Have you found them?
Please tell me you found them.
(SNIFFLES)
I went up to the lookout, and...
Ben?
I followed the flowers.
No, Ben, you're breaking up.
I followed...
I followed the flowers.
Ben?
I'm alm... I'm almost home.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey.
Hey.
MARGARET: (SIGHS) Thank God.
(KIDS SHOUTING PLAYFULLY)
Thank God. No, Ben,
they're here. They're here.
I was so sure I was gonna see
their little bodies
floating in the lake.
Could you even imagine? (SIGHS)
I... I see you.
(MUSIC FADES)
No, I can't. I can't imagine.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
MARGARET: You know
how much he loves to hike...
(KIDS LAUGHING)
...so he had to fit one in.
ELLIE: Damn, Ben,
you look like hell.
I was just telling Ellie
how quickly the kids
petered out this morning.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
And how you took them out
for a hike, brought them back
and then went out on your own.
BEN: Right.
(KIDS CHATTERING PLAYFULLY)
(DOOR SLAMS LOUDLY)
You good, man?
Uh, yeah.
Th... They're... they're okay?
Yeah, except they're bouncing
off the freaking walls.
What'd you guys give them
for breakfast, pure sugar?
(KIDS SCREAMING PLAYFULLY)
LUCY: Wait for me.
ELLIE: No...
(THOMAS SPEAKING SPANISH)
I'm busy. I'm... Stop. No.
Okay.
(LAUGHS) I'm coming to get you!
MARGARET: Well, it looks like
you two enjoyed your night off.
(LUCY SCREAMS PLAYFULLY)
(THOMAS AND ELLIE
TALKING QUIETLY, LAUGHING)
MARGARET: Okay.
We're still standing here.
Mom, why is Ben staring at me?
(MUSIC FADES)
I saw them.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
I know I saw them.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MARGARET LAUGHING)
BEN: Hey, guys.
Did, uh...
you sleep all right last night?
Of course we did, silly.
Dead bugs.
Those aren't dead.
(LUCY CHUCKLES)
Like I said.
Uh... L...
let me ask you something.
Did you two go for a little walk
this morning?
(HUSHED CHITTERING)
What was that all about?
It's our secret language.
You want to know
what he said to me?
Stop messing around.
I need to know
where you went this morning.
Hold this under your chin.
If your chin glows yellow...
Okay, did you go back
to the fort, all right?
If you did, it's okay.
I just need to know.
Do the thing first,
then I'll tell you. Promise.
Est brillando.
Means you have a secret, too.
Okay, well?
LUCY: Yes, we went there.
But you won't tell on us,
will you?
Wait, what did you do there?
Careful, Ben.
Or we'll run off
and join the circus.
(CHUCKLES)
Hey. Little man.
Careful with those, all right?
They're heavy.
If you hit yourself in the head,
it'll hurt.
Hey, just don't go so high.
Stop.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(LUCY SPEAKS SPANISH)
Is it glowing?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(LAUGHS)
(THOMAS AND ELLIE
CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
I'm starving.
THOMAS: Mm-hmm.
ELLIE: Yeah, you think
that I'd leave this?
THOMAS: No.
ELLIE: That's not how it works.
But this is why, like,
I live in a house.
(THOMAS SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
Oh. I'm full.
(THOMAS AND ELLIE CONTINUE
INDISTINCTLY)
(THOMAS AND ELLIE LAUGHING)
(MUSIC FADES)
You all right?
Ben? Ben.
Um... what...
what were they doing?
The kids when you found them.
Oh, I didn't.
Ellie said that they came
into the cabin
right before they saw us.
She thought we sent them over
to get them up in the morning.
They must have been
in the backwoods
behind the cabin
or something
and we just missed them.
They... they went...
they went back there.
Where?
T... To that old fort, the pit.
"The place that shines."
They told me that.
That's a really strenuous hike
for two little kids to make.
They're probably
just putting you on.
Wait, you haven't noticed?
What?
The way they look at you now?
The... the... the nosebleeds?
And... and Spencer
with the sticks.
He couldn't fucking keep
those things in the air
for two seconds yesterday,
and now he's a goddamn
majorette.
That's not possible.
I was really scared
this morning, too,
but they're here now
and they're safe and it's fine.
No. I... I need you
to just listen to me
'cause what I'm gonna tell you
is gonna sound impossible.
Just please hear me.
I saw them jump into that pit.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
I saw them just tip
right into it like they were in
some sort of a trance.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
I don't think that's them
out there anymore.
Margo.
What?
How you been feeling lately?
Are you serious right now?
I'm just asking.
Look, you've seen that.
That is not this.
This is not that.
I don't know what this is.
Yeah, but you don't believe me.
I think you were
in an agitated state,
and you maybe saw something
that you can't quite explain
or process
in some rational way just yet.
"Rationally." Yeah, no.
Uh, way to parse words, Margo.
Look, we're both really...
a little overtired right now.
You know,
why don't you lie down?
Have a nap.
(SIGHS) Yeah. No, you're right.
I should probably
just get some rest.
Okay.
(SIGHS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
(MUSIC FADES)
Jesus Christ.
You shouldn't swear.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
What are you doing in here?
Just wanted to see
what you were up to.
Okay, well, I'm not in the mood,
so just get out.
But we want to play
a game with you.
What game?
(SHARP THUD)
(GASPS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
MARGARET: Did you ever play,
like, powder-puff?
Why'd they call it
"Powder-puff?"
I don't know.
'Cause they have to call it,
like, a little bitchy name
'cause you're a girl.
(ELLIE LAUGHING)
(LAUGHS) I don't know.
That's what I was thinking.
Like, why isn't it just
"Girls football?"
It's called "girlie girl
girl football." (LAUGHING)
"Do you play football
or do you play powder-puff?"
(MARGARET AND ELLIE LAUGHING)
I don't even remember
what was on the back
of my jersey, like...
(ELLIE SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
MARGARET: Hey.
I thought
you were gonna lie down.
Uh, I didn't want to miss
all the fun.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SMACKS LIPS) So, I think
that would be good.
Hey. They ever, uh...
(BOX CLOSING)
They ever scare you?
Those two?
Yeah. Absolutely. All the time.
No, not them.
Kids. Your... your kids.
(BEER UNCAPS)
What, you mean like...
I don't know, just, like--
Oh, geez!
THOMAS: (LAUGHING) Okay.
(CHUCKLES) Good timing, Spence.
I'm hungry.
THOMAS: All right, just...
Just have some chips,
but don't overdo it.
Dinner's almost ready.
LUCY: Hey, Ben!
(MARGARET AND ELLIE LAUGHING)
Just like a super, like, tiny...
Look at me.
Whoa, hey! Hey!
What?
Um...
Do you want a beer?
Uh, no, we're drinking wine.
Cool.
You want some?
They're my favorite.
Jesus Christ. No.
But aren't you hungry, Ben?
Hey. Not everybody wants
to spoil their dinner, bud.
You feeling all right?
Yeah, no. I'm...
(MUSIC FADES)
...just tired.
Excuse me, young lady.
What do you think you're doing?
Oh, my God.
What... Lucy.
That was inappropriate.
And amazing. (LAUGHS)
Thank you.
That's a really good pour.
Too good.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SPENCER TAPPING)
For you, Daddy.
No, no, no.
Oh, my God.
What the hell, dude?
Whoa.
THOMAS: The hell's your problem?
Uh, hey, wait.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Just show, um, show them.
Show them!
Hey, don't yell at my son.
Ben, what are you doing?
Give me the bottle.
Give me the goddamn...
Hey, Ben!
Hey!
Hands off him!
BEN: Give me the goddamn bottle.
Ow!
All right, hey, look.
MARGARET: Hey, Ben!
What?
You're on mood stabilizers.
So what?
(PILLS RATTLE)
Wait, th... these...
these were empty.
He-- You showed me--
She was gonna put the, um...
them into...
SPENCER: (CRYING) My hand.
He hurt my hand.
Jesus Christ, Ben.
What's wrong with you?
Are you okay?
I thought they were candy.
No, they're fucking with me.
Ben, he's nine.
No. Wh... Whatever he is,
he's fucking with me.
He showed me this bottle.
It was empty, all right?
And she was gonna put
them in... into your drink,
and somehow he got the pills...
you got the pills back in here.
Somehow he put them back in here
to make me look like--
To what? To make me overdose?
Is that what you're saying,
that my kids were gonna
make me overdose?
I... I don't,
I don't, I don't...
Just breathe. Okay?
Take a breath.
They went out on their own
this morning.
MARGARET: Ben.
What?
BEN: Yeah,
they... they went out.
What are you talking about?
BEN: No, no, they...
they snuck out,
and... and I went after them
to the... to the ruins.
And you know what I saw?
No.
Yes.
I saw them jump into the pit.
And then I saw
your broken little bodies at
the bottom of that fucking pit!
ELLIE: Ben, shut the fuck up!
That's what--
Shut up. Shut up.
(QUIETLY) Okay. Uh...
Kids, go... go play.
But I want to listen.
THOMAS: Lucy.
(SPEAKING SPANISH STERNLY)
Vamos.
You let them go out alone?
No. We didn't let them go out.
They just went.
They just-- What do you mean
they just went?
Well, when we woke up,
they were gone.
Hold... hold on a s--
I'm... I'm missing something.
When I texted you this morning,
why didn't you mention that?
Well, I didn't know then,
and we just didn't
tell you afterward.
We just didn't want to worry you
if there was nothing
to worry about.
Margaret, what the fuck?
I'm still trying to understand
how you let them
out of your sight like that.
They were sleeping.
What, are we supposed
to tie them in a tree
to protect them from bears?
No, Ben, we wanted you
to be responsible adults,
but clearly we made
a bad judgment call
on you and your goddamn
mental health.
Okay, Thomas, that's enough.
Those are our children,
Margaret.
Okay, maybe you don't know
what that feels like,
but it would be really
fucking nice if you'd try.
Okay, so because
I haven't experienced
the miracle of childbirth,
I don't know what it takes
to babysit your kids?
You don't understand
the responsibility.
What? You say that you guys
aren't kid people
because your jet-setting life
is so full,
you're so focused
on your career.
Give me a fucking break, okay?
You're not fooling anyone.
Are you serious?
Like you two are the paragons
of responsibility?
Okay, you need to stop
right now.
Oh, oh,
Mr. Moral Authority speaks.
I'm not fucking around, Ben.
BEN: Oh, great.
I'm glad you're serious.
Then we can all talk
about the fact that we're only
in this situation
because the two of you
pawned your creepy-ass kids
off on the two of us...
What?
...to save
your shitty-ass marriage.
MARGARET: Okay, Ben.
Oh, wait, right.
You guys live, like, a mile
away from your parents, right?
That's super convenient.
So then you can just
pawn your creepy kids off
on them, too,
whenever you guys
want to go have a foursome.
(MUSIC FADES)
Ben.
Yeah, I'm sorry. I know.
It was more of a...
two-and-a-half-some, right?
MARGARET: Ben!
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Are you fucking kidding me?
ELLIE: No. (SIGHS)
I...
THOMAS: You...
ELLIE: Babe, I'm sorry.
This is fucked.
I'm sorry.
You're all fucked.
THOMAS: You're all fucked!
Mm.
Ellie, I'm sorry.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Well, I see everything's
all out on the table.
What?
Come on, Ben.
You think we don't
tell each other everything?
About your little
manic episodes?
Ellie, shut up.
How you went off the deep end
and lost another job?
MARGARET: Ellie.
ELLIE: You know,
maybe it's not that
Margaret doesn't want
to have kids.
(MUSIC FADES)
Maybe she just doesn't want
to have them with you.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
Fucking nice.
MARGARET: Ben.
(BEN SIGHS)
(HINGES CREAKING)
(SIGHS)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
LUCY: What's wrong?
(GASPS) Stop doing that.
I didn't mean to scare you.
SPENCER: Fuck.
Shit, fuck, shit, fuck.
S... Stop. Okay?
Get out of here.
Guys, look.
Hey, I'm... I'm done.
All right,
go play with your parents.
I don't care anymore.
But don't you want to know
what happened this morning?
I'll tell you.
If you can keep it a secret.
Yeah. No, no, no, I won't
tell anyone. What happened?
SPENCER: Insectos muertos.
BEN: What did he just say?
Dead bugs.
BEN: Hey, Lucy,
I was responsible
for the two of you,
so I need to know
that you're both okay.
I need to know that I'm okay.
Do you understand that?
Of course I do.
And I promise...
we're better than ever.
(GROANS) Jesus Christ.
(MOCKINGLY) "Jesus Christ."
All right, give me the shovel.
Make me.
Make you? Just give it to me.
BEN: (GRUNTING)
Come on, give it to me.
(LAUGHS)
Spencer!
(CHOKES)
(LUCY LAUGHING)
Spencer?
(CONTINUES LAUGHING)
Hey. Wh-- Spence, hey, hey.
All right, just cough.
Try and cough it up.
(CHOKING)
(LUCY CONTINUES LAUGHING)
Spence. Spencer.
Spence, hey, hey, hey.
Come on. Breathe.
You got to breathe, buddy.
Come on. Come on.
(SLAPPING LIGHTLY)
(GRUNTS)
Come on! Come on!
(BEN SLAPPING)
Come on, Spencer.
Spencer, come on.
Just breathe. Breathe.
Please. Come on. Wake up.
Come on, don't... don't do this.
Don't do this.
You're messing with me.
Come on. Come on! Wake up.
Ben?
Oh, my God.
BEN: He's not breathing.
I... I can't find a pulse.
Margo, I can't find a pulse!
Ellie! Ellie! Move, move, move.
(STAMMERS) What do we do?
What do we do?
I don't know.
(GRUNTING)
BEN: I don't know.
He's not... he's not, um...
Ellie!
I don't know
what we're supposed to do.
ELLIE: (STAMMERING)
What... what?
BEN: He's...
What? No, no, no, no!
No, Spencer. (PANTS)
BEN: Is he going to be okay?
ELLIE: (GRUNTS)
Come on. No, Spencer.
Come on. Come on, Spencer.
MARGARET: Thomas!
(CRYING) Come on, Spencer.
MARGARET: Thomas!
What happened?
ELLIE: Come on. No.
No. Come on.
Daddy.
Oh, no. Oh, my God.
No. No. No. No.
THOMAS: Lucy, look at me.
(ELLIE CRYING)
THOMAS: It's gonna be fine.
It's okay.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOBBING)
(ELLIE SOBBING LOUDLY)
No. No.
(ELLIE CONTINUES SOBBING)
What happened?
What did you do?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
No, no, no. I... I didn't,
I didn't do anything.
This wasn't me.
This... this isn't...
this isn't my fault.
What are you talking about?
BEN: They did this.
This is... this is their fault!
This is your fault!
ELLIE: Get out!
BEN: No, I... I...
ELLIE: Get out!
Shut up and get the fuck
out of here!
I told you,
ever since they went out...
I just need you to listen.
No, get the fuck out!
Okay, okay.
Get the fuck out of here!
Get out!
Just listen to me
for one second.
ELLIE: Get the fuck out!
Get the fuck out!
(SOBBING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(SOBBING LOUDLY)
Oh, my God, no!
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
MARGARET: I need to report a...
Oh, God.
I need to report...
I... I need to report a death.
Hello? This is Thomas Huerta.
(INHALES) Ben Winslow has just
murdered my son.
End of Churchill Road.
The Far Syde Cabins.
A few hours?
Yeah, we can wait.
We'll be here.
(THOMAS CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
(MARGARET RETCHING, COUGHING)
(INHALES, COUGHS)
(CLEARS THROAT)
(TOILET FLUSHING)
(SOBBING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(SNIFFLES, SIGHS)
(BREATHING SLOWLY)
(MUSIC FADES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Margo.
Hey. No, no. It's not me.
Hey. Hey. Hey.
You got to believe me.
I don't know what to say to you.
This all started when we...
when we went to the ruins.
Th... Think about it.
The kids have been obsessed
with going back there.
"The place that shines."
They jumped in, and something
down there took their place.
Their bodies
must still be there.
MARGARET: Oh, Ben.
No, no, I'm not crazy. I'm not.
You know, if you come with me,
you'll see.
Come on, come on.
Ben, let go of me.
No, you just need to see.
Let go of my arm.
No, come on.
Ben!
You're just making things worse.
What will this prove?
I need you to believe me.
I need you to be on my side.
Fine. Fine, let's go.
And when there's nothing there,
what then? What do we do then?
(MUSIC FADES)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING)
BEN: They were there.
Margaret,
they were just right there.
Margaret, please.
Do not look at me like that.
There's nothing there, Ben.
No, I know what I saw.
They were right there, okay?
(STAMMERS)
Just right...
just right fucking there!
All right, all right, okay.
I'll j... I'll...
I can climb down and I...
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
What the fuck? Okay. Okay, okay.
I bet an animal
dragged them away or something.
Some... Something happened!
Some...
Th... There's something
I just don't understand yet...
Ben. Ben.
...but I will.
Okay, no, no, no!
I'm gonna understand,
and then you'll see it.
Ben! Just stop!
Even with all of the evidence
just staring right at you,
you can't admit, you can't even
acknowledge just for one moment
that you might be wrong!
Everything that's happening...
it's just in your head!
I know what I saw.
You need to listen to me.
Ben, Spencer is dead.
He is dead.
And it's not because of
some old building
or a hole in the ground.
It's because your actions,
they have consequences.
Your ac... You. You did this.
Just you.
That's how it is?
Yeah, that's how it is.
(SCOFFS) Ben.
We have to go back and...
sort it out.
But... when we're there...
we can keep talking.
Ben, for me, please.
Let's just go back together.
(MUSIC FADES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(LUCY SNAPPING)
(GASPS)
Oh.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(MARGARET SIGHS)
(CLICKS TONGUE)
You should be with your parents.
It's okay. He's just playing.
Lucy, honey...
Can I show you a trick?
Sure.
Oh. Lucy, I think we should stay
by the cabin with your parents.
I'll get them soon.
What?
I want to play with you now.
Honey...
I want to show you
what's in the woods.
Lucy.
I want to show you
what's in the woods.
Please? (SNIFFLING)
(CRYING)
Oh, honey.
THOMAS: Are you okay
for a minute?
I'll... I'll be just a minute,
okay, hon?
I'll be right back.
(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
Hey.
Get the hell away from her,
Margaret.
Lucy, come here right now.
But...
She just wanted to...
Don't tell me what she wants.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
I'm gonna go check
on your mother.
You stay strong, okay?
LUCY: Daddy?
Are you okay?
Can I show you something
in the woods?
Ellie?
Ellie?
Ellie?
(DOOR CLOSING)
Ellie?
Ellie?
Thomas?
(CELL PHONE RINGTONE
PLAYING IN DISTANCE)
Thomas?
(RINGTONE CONTINUES)
Thomas?
Thomas?
(THOMAS GASPING IN PAIN)
(RINGTONE CONTINUES)
MARGARET: (IN DISTANCE) Hello?
(CHITTERING IN DISTANCE)
(RINGTONE STOPS)
(CHITTERING IN DISTANCE)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHITTERING CONTINUES)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(PANTS)
(LINE RINGING)
Fuck.
Oh, come on, Ben. (PANTS)
Pick up, Ben.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
(VIBRATION STOPS)
(LINE RINGING, STOPS)
(CLICKS TONGUE)
(GASPING)
(CHITTERING NEARBY)
(MUSIC FADES)
(RAPID CLICKING NEARBY)
(RAPID CLICKING CONTINUES)
(ELLIE COUGHING, PAINED GASPING)
(CHITTERING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Ellie?
What the fuck?
(CHITTERING)
(GASPS, PANTING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)
(GASPS, SCREAMS)
(ELLIE COUGHING, GASPING)
Oh, m... Oh, my God!
Ellie! Ellie! (SOBS)
Ellie! Ellie, what... (GRUNTING)
(ELLIE GROANS)
Oh, my God, what happened?
(GASPING, COUGHING)
What happened? (SOBBING)
(PAINED GRUNTING, GASPING)
MARGARET: (SOBS) Oh, my God.
(BREATHING DEEPLY, STOPS)
(MARGARET CRYING SOFTLY)
(HISSING, RAPID CLICKING)
(SPENCER LAUGHING)
Spencer?
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
What did you do to your mom,
Spencer?
(RAPID CLICKING)
(MARGARET SCREAMS)
(SPENCER GRUNTS)
(HISSING, RAPID CLICKING)
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(SCREAMS)
(PANTS)
(POUNDING ON DOOR CONTINUES)
(GRUNTING)
(SPENCER SNARLING)
(POUNDING ON DOOR CONTINUES)
(WHIMPERING)
(SNARLING, HISSING)
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(POUNDING AND SNARLING CONTINUE)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(RASPY GROWLING)
(DOOR OPENING)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)
(DOOR CLOSING)
(PANTS SOFTLY)
Want to play a game, Margaret?
It's fun, I promise.
You play the Rabid Queen.
And I'll even give you
a head start.
You want to know what happens
when we catch the Rabid Queen?
I never got to tell you.
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(DOOR OPENING)
(RAPID CLICKING, CHITTERING)
(SPENCER LAUGHING)
SPENCER AND LUCY: Ten.
Nine.
(CHITTERING)
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
(HINGES CREAKING)
Three.
Two.
(CHITTERING)
One.
(SINGSONGY) Ready or not,
here we come.
(GASPS)
(HISSES)
(DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)
(CLICKING)
(WHISPERS) Off with her head.
(SCREAMS, WHIMPERING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(KEYS RATTLING)
She's dead. They killed her.
PARK RANGER: Whoa, whoa.
Slow down. Slow down.
Are you Ms. Huerta?
No. She's dead. They killed her.
You're not listening to me.
Okay, I received
a call about a dead boy.
It's Ms. Huerta who's dead?
No, he's not dead.
He came back and he killed her.
(MARGARET PANTING)
Listen, I need you
to take a deep breath, okay?
Just breathe.
It's them.
It's the fucking children.
We... we need to get
into your truck right now.
All... all right, ma'am.
Why don't we go inside
and you can just show me
what happened, okay?
Everything's gonna be all right.
We'll work this out.
I don't want to go in there.
She's in there.
Ms. Huerta?
No, it's... it's her kids.
She's dead in the bedroom.
Okay, okay.
And now her...
Actually, why don't you stay
out here instead, okay?
I'll just go in
and check things out,
see what's what and...
Stay right there. Do not move.
Don't go anywhere.
I'll be right back.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)
(RAPID CLICKING IN DISTANCE)
Fuck this.
All right. Stop right there,
ma'am. Stop. Okay?
There's a lot of blood in there.
You're right about that.
But there's no dead boy
and there's no dead lady
in there either.
That's not possible. I...
Listen, I'm gonna need you
to come down with me to... to...
(SQUELCHING)
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
(SCREAMS)
(GASPS)
(WHIMPERING)
(SCREAMING)
(OBJECTS CRASHING)
(PAINED SCREAMING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCREAMING CONTINUES)
(BODY THUDS)
(MUSIC FADES)
(CLICKING NEARBY)
(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(FOOTSTEPS STOP)
(GRUNTS QUIETLY)
(PANTS)
LUCY: (SINGSONGY) Margaret.
Where are you?
Come out, come out,
wherever you are.
(HISSING)
(BREATH TREMBLES)
(HISSING, CLICKING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(VEHICLE THUMPS)
(VEHICLE THUMPING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(SINGSONGY) Olly olly oxen free.
(HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLING)
(SNARLS)
(LUCY AND SPENCER CHITTERING)
(CHITTERING CONTINUES)
(RINGTONE PLAYING IN DISTANCE)
(HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLING)
(HISSING)
(SNARLING)
(GRUNTS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE STARTS)
MARGARET: Ben?
Ben?
(ENGINE STOPS)
Ben?
Ben, where are you?
(DOOR CLATTERING)
(GASPS)
Margaret.
Oh, my God. (SOBS)
Okay. (PANTING)
Okay, we need to go.
What?
We need to go.
I'm so sorry
that I didn't listen to you,
but everything you said was true
so we have to go now.
No, no, no.
Why would we do that?
Because they're trying
to kill us.
No, it's beautiful.
I didn't understand
why the kids were
so drawn to it before,
but now... now I do.
I know why
they followed it down.
Hey, I... I don't know
what you're talking about,
but we need to, we need to,
we need to go now.
The place that shines.
And you can see it, too.
I don't...
I don't want to see it.
I want to... I want to go, Ben.
(GRUNTS)
There's nowhere else to go.
I think we should settle down.
(GASPING)
(SNARLING IN DISTANCE)
We should start a family.
(HISSING AND SNARLING OUTSIDE)
You decided for us before,
but now... I'm weighing in.
Those fucking things
are trying to fucking kill us!
We don't even know
where Thomas is.
Those things, they killed Ellie.
They're young. They'll learn.
And we can be together.
All of us.
That feeling of connection
you've been searching for.
(PANTS)
It's being part
of something bigger.
I've found that. I can show you.
I don't know what you are,
but you're not Ben.
(SIGHS)
(NECK CRACKING)
You'll see.
And you'll make more of them.
We'll make more.
We'll make them together.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BEN GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS, SOBS)
(GRUNTING)
(MARGARET SHOUTS)
(BEN GRUNTS)
(SOBBING)
(GROANS)
(WHIMPERING)
(PAINED GASP)
(CRYING)
(WHIMPERING)
(PANTS)
(YELLS)
(MUSIC FADES)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(PAINED COUGHING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(FOOTSTEPS)
(BODY DRAGGING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(MARGARET EXHALES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(WHIMPERING QUIETLY)
(RAPID CLICKING NEARBY)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(LUCY AND SPENCER CHITTERING)
(GULPS)
(BODY CONTINUES DRAGGING)
(HISSING)
(CHITTERING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTS QUIETLY)
(SHARP HISS)
(HISSING)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(HISSING)
(SHARP HISSING)
(MARGARET GRUNTS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(RAGGED PANTING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
BEN: Margaret.
No. (PANTS)
No.
(GRUNTS)
Just... just let me go.
Let me go.
(MARGARET GASPS)
(THOMAS GRUNTING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
Go!
Go!
(ENGINE STARTS)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
BEN: Margaret!
(MARGARET PANTING)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(BREATH TREMBLING)
(SOBBING, SCREAMING)
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
(SNIFFLES, PANTS)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCOFFS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(SCREAMING)
("INFERNO REBELS"
BY FOTOCRIME PLAYING)
Inferno rebels
All in a trance
Stand guard
Over armies of cats
Eternal children
Peek through the cracks
Old scars
Confessional rats all fade
Fade
Pleather angels
Writhe in a dance
Fed on fungus
Were born and were dead
Crush the bones of the priests
Who were left
Nuclear mystics
Ethereal theft can't escape
Escape
Another tiny apocalypse
(SONG FADES)
("MORE" BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY
PLAYING)
(VOCALIZING)
Some people get by
With a little understanding
Some people get by
(THUNDER CRASHING LOUDLY)
With a whole lot more
I don't know
Why you gotta be
So undemanding...
(THUNDER CRASHING)
Whoa!
(KIDS LAUGHING)
(LIVELY CHATTER)
(SONG FADES)
Storm gonna get you!
Whoo!
(KIDS LAUGHING)
Wow, they are easily
entertained.
BEN: You come all this way,
and the thing they're most
excited about is the storm.
I'm surprised
they're not disappointed
about not having s'mores.
THOMAS: Oh, no,
they're gonna want some s'mores.
Trust me,
that's a battle for later.
(CHUCKLES)
Thank you, babe.
Yeah, cheers.
Hey, where's my couch service?
Oh. The bottle's
right over there.
(LAUGHS) Well, okay, then.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey, what, uh, what's going on
with the forecast?
BEN: It'll clear up
by morning, which is
good news 'cause I got a big
hike planned for us tomorrow.
Mm-mm.
MARGARET: Of course, you do.
BEN: Yeah, I do.
Can we just do some relaxing
while we're relaxing, you know?
Some fun indoor activities?
Yeah, like, uh, drinking.
BEN: That's what we're doing
right now.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
Hey, I'm gonna...
(CLICKS TONGUE)
I'm gonna take down
the, uh, patio umbrella
before the storm gets it.
Oh, do you want a hand?
No, I got it.
(INDISTINCT KIDS CHATTER)
You know, actually, we should
probably call it a night.
(EXHALES)
I... No. Come on, it's early.
We can still have some fun.
You know what? Let them go.
We... We have all weekend.
ELLIE: Yeah,
it's just been a long day
with the drive
and the kids, which--
Where did they...
In there.
Oh, uh, kids, we're gonna
go back to our cabin.
Say good night
to Auntie Margo and Uncle Ben.
KIDS: Bye.
Bye.
Bye, you little munchkin.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Okay, let's go.
SPENCER: See you tomorrow.
Mm-hmm.
Tomorrow.
(MOUTHING)
(MOUTHING)
(KIDS CHATTERING, LAUGHING)
Yeah.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(CLICKS TONGUE) That was fun.
Yeah.
You know, it's early.
Just 'cause they're going to bed
doesn't mean we have to.
(CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
(SONG RESUMES)
(VOCALIZING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(THUNDER CRASHING)
I want more
I want more
LUCY: This one's the Squire.
Mm.
And this one's the Chaos Spell.
And this one
is the Serpentine Lord.
He's my favorite card.
He does two times damage
for every attack counter
you have.
See?
BEN: Yeah, yeah.
Uh, careful.
You're gonna walk into a tree.
Here you go.
Remind me not to invite
the Serpent Lord
over for taco night.
(BEN AND MARGARET LAUGHING)
He eats souls, Margaret,
not tacos.
Yeah, he eats souls, Margaret.
(MARGARET AND BEN LAUGHING)
You guys need a break?
BEN: You serious?
Already?
ELLIE: I mean
from motormouth over here.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Mom!
(CHUCKLES)
(PLAYFULLY) Lucy. Oh, my God.
Tell me about your cards.
LUCY: Okay.
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Mm.
No, I'm good.
(CLICKS TONGUE)
It's gin and tonic.
What is wrong with you? (LAUGHS)
So, how's Ben doing?
You guys okay?
Ellie, he's fine now.
Just asking, as your friend
who wants you to be happy.
No, we're good.
We're good, I promise.
We just went on that trip
to Yosemite.
I saw that.
It was awesome.
ELLIE: Those photos you posted
online looked like so much fun.
MARGARET: Mm.
(MUSIC FADES)
ELLIE: (SIGHS) Okay.
Is this still even a trail?
Knowing Ben,
probably not. (CHUCKLES)
Uh...
(BLADE CHOPPING FOLIAGE)
(GRUNTS, SIGHS)
Pretty sure the, uh,
path picks up just over here.
(ELLIE STAMMERS)
Just careful with that
around the kids.
MARGARET: It's okay, Ellie.
He's just clearing a path.
You want to try, Thomas?
Kids? Mm.
SPENCER: Vamos.
ELLIE: Uh, Spence, easy.
(BLADE CHOPPING FOLIAGE)
BEN: Yeah.
You shared your machete.
BEN: Yeah.
Like to pass it around.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(KIDS CHATTERING)
ELLIE: Whoa.
Oh, my God. (CHUCKLES)
Careful.
(MARGARET LAUGHING)
Oh.
MARGARET: Whew.
Oh. Wow.
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
THOMAS: What is this place?
I feel like it should
be on a map or something.
LUCY: Hello?
BEN: Looks like it really
winds around back there.
Wonder how far back
it actually goes.
MARGARET: Oh, gosh, Ben.
There's only one way
to find out.
(GRUNTS)
All right, I got you, buddy.
Ready? Watch your head.
(GRUNTS)
BEN: Easy does it.
You need help?
LUCY: I got this.
THOMAS: Okay.
BEN: Watch out for spiders.
Okay.
Oh.
LUCY: Spiders?
(MARGARET GROANS)
First step is a doozy.
MARGARET: (CHUCKLES) It is.
Come on.
Are you crazy?
I'm not going in there.
Come on.
Aren't we being adventurous
these days?
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
Seriously?
ELLIE: Okay.
MARGARET: You coming?
ELLIE: Apparently.
MARGARET: You good?
ELLIE: Ooh, yeah.
LUCY: This is so cool.
BEN: Yeah, it is cool, right?
THOMAS: Hey, don't go too far.
Stay where we can see you.
LUCY: Okay.
MARGARET: So what do you think
this place was used for?
Yeah, there's actually
a lot of these old ruins
around the countryside out here.
Could be anything,
decommissioned military fort,
fur trading company,
abandoned miner camp.
I really just asked 'cause
I knew he wanted to tell us.
ELLIE: Oh.
(ELLIE AND MARGARET LAUGHING)
Where did the kids go?
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Kids?
(LUCY SCREAMS IN DISTANCE)
Oh, my God.
ELLIE: Lucy? Lucy!
THOMAS: Spencer!
THOMAS: Spencer,
where are you guys?
Say something. Say something!
LUCY: We're in here!
LUCY: Ew, gross.
ELLIE: What happened?
(LUCY GRUNTS)
ELLIE: Are you hurt?
We're fine.
MARGARET: Are they okay?
THOMAS: Yeah, false alarm.
(CLICKS TONGUE
You can't scare your mother
like that, you two.
Oh.
Look how all this stuff
just grew in through here.
Look, babies.
Oh.
Uh, okay. Spencer, put it back.
THOMAS: You know
that if they smell like you,
mama bird won't keep them.
SPENCER: But they're dead.
Mama's dead, too.
Just put it back, bud. Okay?
ELLIE: Whoa.
(LUCY KICKING)
ELLIE: Luce, what are you
kicking over there?
Luce, stop kicking dead things.
MARGARET: Hey, guys, Come here.
You got to see this.
What?
THOMAS: What's going on?
ELLIE: What'd you find?
(KIDS LAUGHING)
(THOMAS SPEAKS SPANISH)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
BEN: Whoa.
MARGARET: I know, right?
BEN: Wonder what busted
these holes through the walls.
MARGARET: And why make
a staircase up to a wall?
That's weird, right?
Oh, wow.
Bigger question is, why wall
off a huge hole in the ground?
Whoa. This is so cool.
SPENCER: Echo!
(BEN CHUCKLES)
(ECHOING) Echo!
SPENCER: Echo!
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(KIDS) Whoa.
ELLIE: Okay, guys, come on.
Let's get back from the edge.
ELLIE: Thomas, can you...
THOMAS: Yeah. Guys, come on.
How far down
do you think that goes?
BEN: I don't know. Huh. (GRUNTS)
(ROCK CLATTERING)
Oh, that's pretty deep.
Yeah, which is why
I want the kids to come back.
Come on, guys.
You're making me nervous.
This place gives me the creeps.
I'm going now.
El lugar que brilla.
"The place that shines?"
What do you mean, bud?
What are you talking about?
Es brillante.
Guys, it could not be more dark
down there. (CHUCKLES)
All right, guys. Let's, uh...
(PANTS)
THOMAS: Whoa. You okay?
Thomas?
THOMAS: It's okay, it's okay.
THOMAS: It's all right.
Just a little nosebleed.
Come on. Let's take care of you.
ELLIE: Come here. Y... You okay?
I got some tissue.
THOMAS: It's okay.
Here. Tilt your head back.
Can you tilt your head back?
There you go. Hold that there.
Hold it.
All right. All right,
little man. Let's go.
Bloody... bloody nose?
ELLIE: Yeah.
BEN: I used to get those
as a kid. They're the worst.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
Spencer!
BEN: Oh, my God.
(MUSIC FADES)
BEN: Whoa, dude.
THOMAS: (SPEAKING SPANISH)
Spencer, you have to be careful!
(SIGHS)
Are you listening?
(SIGHS) Oh, my God.
(BEN SIGHS)
LUCY: Is he okay?
THOMAS: He's fine.
THOMAS: It's okay, it's okay.
MARGARET: I think it's, uh...
THOMAS: I got you.
...time to go.
MARGARET: I'm so glad
you were there.
BEN: Oh, yeah, thanks, babe.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC FADES)
THOMAS: Cabrn, technically,
the actual term is, uh,
"Macho cabro,"
like the male goat.
MARGARET: (LAUGHING) Really?
(LAUGHS) Yeah.
Oh, no. (LAUGHS)
THOMAS: That, um, that...
(LAUGHS)
THOMAS: That doesn't
translate literally.
The kids are zonked.
That hike really
took it out of them.
ELLIE: They're sleeping like
the dead in there. (CHUCKLES)
Did you give Spencer
that gift you brought him?
Oh, no, I was gonna do it
after dinner.
Hmm.
I got him devil sticks.
Hmm.
I saw them at a shop
on our last trip,
and I... I had some
when I was a kid.
I loved them.
I thought he'd like them.
They're harmless hippie toys.
Uh, yeah. (LAUGHS)
They kind of are.
Harmless as that souvenir
slingshot
he almost took my eye out with
last summer?
Mm-hmm.
That was maybe
not the best gift.
Thought that counts.
(CHUCKLES)
Babe, can you pass me a beer?
Yeah.
(BEERS CLATTERING)
You guys should look
into, like,
the Badlands.
BEN: Dude.
How'd you do that?
It's easy. You want to try?
Yeah, I do.
Just, uh, just put the cap
against the table.
Cap goes there.
Firm grip on the neck.
BEN: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
So, you guys going on
any other trips?
THOMAS: Hold it really tight.
MARGARET: Yeah.
Going to Florida.
You got to hold it really tight.
And then slam on it.
BEN: Ow. (GROANS) Damn it.
All right. Try again.
MARGARET: Next year,
maybe you can join us for that.
Oh, nice.
THOMAS: Try again.
The kids could stay
with your parents.
BEN: I'm gonna get this.
You almost got it.
BEN: Jesus Christ.
It's all right. I can do it.
No, I can open my own beer.
THOMAS: I'm just...
I'm just saying.
THOMAS: Try again.
BEN: Super tight.
Very tight.
Ow! But I did it.
THOMAS: There you go.
You did it.
MARGARET: (LAUGHING) Oh, wow.
You did it in, uh,
in your own way.
That's fantastic.
(BEN AND MARGARET LAUGHING)
Yay? (LAUGHS)
BEN: I guess you just got
to do it harder.
THOMAS: You got to do it harder.
There you go, man.
Oh, cheers.
ELLIE: College.
ELLIE: Babe, come on.
Do you really have to keep
doing that
on someone else's furniture?
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
No, yeah, you're right.
Uh, that would be...
so inappropriate.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(MOUTHING)
(SMACKS LIPS) Hey,
you want to go,
um, toss some horseshoes?
Yep.
(THOMAS SIGHS)
Uh, wh... okay.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Ellie, would you like to help me
make a salad?
Sure.
(MUSIC FADES)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING
IN BACKGROUND)
MARGARET: Okay,
I chop, you spill.
It's... honestly, it's nothing.
He's been acting so weird
since we got here.
(REFRIGERATOR CLOSES)
You, too. So out with it.
I really, really shouldn't.
"Oh, I really shouldn't."
You want to tell me so bad.
Look at you.
Plus, you know, it might...
might make you feel better.
(GRUNTS PLAYFULLY)
Okay, we're gonna need
some drinks.
(LAUGHS)
(GROANS SOFTLY)
Wine.
Yeah.
THOMAS: Hey, about this morning,
can't thank you enough.
Ah, dude, it was nothing.
Um, so Spencer...
he's a little crazy.
Oh, he's a lunatic. Absolutely.
But you're great with him.
Uncle Ben.
Eh.
So?
When are you, uh,
when are you guys
gonna have your own?
Uh, I... you know.
I don't know that we're really
quite ready for that yet, so...
Bro, nobody's ever ready.
Like, I think of our parents,
and I'm surprised
we even made it to adulthood.
(CHUCKLES) No, you just got to,
you got to jump in.
Headfirst. De cabeza.
So, Kyle...
Mm-hmm.
...and Katie?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Mm-hmm.
How exactly did that work?
(CLICKS TONGUE)
A lot of alcohol.
And the kids
were at my parents'.
I can't believe Katie.
Kyle maybe.
Oh, Kyle definitely.
But, I mean, you know,
they got married after college
just like Thomas and me.
W... Was it just,
like, all of you
in one big, like...
blob or...
(BOTH LAUGHING)
I want details.
(GULPS) I need another sip.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
So you and Kyle are on the bed.
And where are Thomas and Katie
during all this?
Uh, on the chair in the corner.
Mm-hmm.
That little blue one?
Okay.
And so, she's, like,
sitting in Thomas's lap...
Mm-hmm.
...her back to me
clothes still on, mind you.
Mm-hmm.
And Thomas, you know,
starts kissing her neck,
and then looks over
her shoulder at me,
and it just felt like,
"This is it. Let's... let's go."
(BOTH LAUGHING)
BEN: I'm not opposed to it
in theory.
It's more... in practice
I'm not so sure about.
THOMAS: Uh-huh.
You do know you still have fun
when you have kids, right?
(SCOFFS)
It's just slightly
different fun.
I like kids.
We both like kids. It's just...
It's kind of like
the high-end Airbnb, you know?
It's great for the weekend,
just...
not so sure
it's really our lifestyle.
Yeah, you'd be surprised
how your lifestyle can change.
Is it hard?
Sometimes, sure,
but it's the best thing, man.
Mm.
Sometimes it feels like
it's the only thing.
So things...
progress between Kyle and me.
Okay, like, you took
your clothes off or...
Mm-hmm.
Ellie. Did you guys actually...
Oh, we fucked.
(SQUEALS)
(LAUGHING)
(INHALES) And?
(CUP THUDS ON TABLE)
And it was great.
Until I look over
at Thomas and Katie,
and they're just watching us,
sort of...
I don't know, like,
half-heartedly canoodling.
Canoodling?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, it was weird, Margo.
But did you finish?
So, I told Thomas
that I faked it.
Off the fucking charts.
(LAUGHS) Okay, Kyle.
Yes.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(INHALES) And so it's been weird
ever since.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, you saw. I just...
I don't know. I... I feel like
I cheated on him or something.
He'll get over it.
Mm.
Like, he hasn't
touched me since.
To be fair, you know,
it's just been busy with work...
Hmm.
...and the kids and my parents.
We haven't really
had any time to ourselves.
Well, why don't the kids
just stay here tonight?
Could they?
I mean, I don't see why not.
Ben actually seems
to kind of like
having them around.
(POURING DRINK)
Yes, he does, doesn't he?
(GLASSES CLATTER)
Don't get any ideas.
We're still not
having any of our own.
(POURING DRINK)
Mm.
(THUD ON TABLE)
You know, we're focusing
on our careers right now,
and we're not kid people
at the end of the day.
We like to go out
on a whim and travel
and, you know, all the stuff
you and I used to do
before you...
Before I had kids.
(SIGHS) You know what I mean.
Well, maybe it's for the best,
you know?
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(ELECTRICITY ZAPPING)
MARGARET: A double Cancer?
ELLIE: Yep, the other one's
a Cancer, too.
MARGARET: It's just... it's not
common when you're, like,
a triple of one sign.
THOMAS: Is it a bad sign?
Yes. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
BEN: Uh, focus. Oh! Hey.
All right. Whoa, whoa,
whoa. Careful, dude.
You're gonna whack yourself
in the head, okay?
Look, took me a while
to figure it out,
but you'll get the hang of it.
(CHUCKLES) Just practice.
You're doing great. Um, just...
(CLEARS THROAT)
(MUSIC FADES)
BEN: Ah, you... I know.
It's just frustrating.
Great. No. Ooh, watch your face.
Ooh, sh...
(CLICKS TONGUE)
BEN: All right, go get them.
I was thinking maybe the kids
could stay with us tonight.
Say what?
(GULPS, CLICKS TONGUE)
That's a great idea.
Yeah. Sure. That should be fun.
Won't that be fun, guys?
A little sleepover?
You guys can stay...
(SPEAKING SPANISH) Okay?
Can I get
some verbal confirmation?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
No, that's all right.
You don't have to turn around.
Uh, yeah, I think
we've already been replaced.
ELLIE: Mm-hmm.
BEN: That's it.
Okay. Okay, okay.
Okay. Hand them over.
Hold my beer.
Devil sticks. See?
Just finesse, finesse.
You just got to feel
them sticks.
Give it a flippity flip.
Okay? You want to see
the helicopter?
(MAKING WHOOSHING SOUNDS)
How about them hot moves?
Yeah? Yeah? See how easy?
Remember the balance?
(SLURPS, GULPS)
BEN: Just keep practicing,
and you will get the hang of it.
Promise.
(SIGHS)
Well, I'm about ready to go.
Right now?
Mm-hmm.
THOMAS: Okay? Yeah?
Yeah.
ELLIE: All right, kids,
we're gonna go, so be good.
BEN: So, this
is the simple stuff.
It's for babies, okay?
(MOUTHING)
BEN: Once you get good,
you start doing the flips, okay?
BEN: Oh!
MARGARET: Ooh.
LUCY: Nice. Demon Sword.
BEN: Wait, I have a Demon Sword.
MARGARET: Uh, wait,
so can I play now...
(GLASS THUD ON TABLE)
...that he's put his card down
or do we have to wait...
You can't do that.
MARGARET: You had two
Demon Swords?
BEN: I'm gonna referee.
You can't do that.
There's no order.
This isn't Uno.
LUCY: Guys, it's...
it's not that complicated.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Unless you get the Rabid Queen.
That changes everything.
Ooh, what happens
if you get the Rabid Queen?
Yeah, what happens?
You don't want to know.
We just asked.
Here.
Moving on. I'm playing this one.
Normally,
you put the thing there.
MARGARET: Here?
LUCY: No. Let me... (SIGHS)
Quiero volver.
(LUCY AND MARGARET CHATTERING)
What's up?
Quiero volver.
I don't know. What's that mean?
He wants to go back.
(THUD ON TABLE)
Back where?
LUCY: The bright place.
The place that shines.
In the woods.
Oh, that old fort?
Nah, dude, I don't think
we're gonna go back there.
Ah, we got lots of fun things
we can do here,
like teach you some new tricks
with your sticks.
See if you can pick those up.
(LUCY AND MARGARET CHATTERING)
I got a lot of cool stuff...
(HISSES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHATTERING STOPS)
Sounds great, Ben.
MARGARET: I'm gonna pull.
I feel like...
Okay.
MARGARET: Oh, shit!
Good.
I got the Serpentine Lord.
BEN: Mm.
MARGARET: That's bad, right?
You swore.
Um...
if I give you 20 bucks,
will you not tell your mom?
You're bribing children now?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Guys, let's just play this game.
Yeah, sorry.
I win.
MARGARET:
We'll be right out here
if you need anything, okay?
Do you want the door open
or closed?
LUCY AND SPENCER: Closed.
Okay. Good night.
(LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS)
They're out like a light.
That wasn't so bad.
(BEN SCOFFS)
Kids are fine.
It's what it does to the parents
that I don't like.
You talking about Thomas?
No, I'm talking about
both of them.
They were at each other's
throats all day.
Well, that is not
the kids' fault.
Wait, wait, wait.
What do you know?
What aren't you telling me?
Why don't we enjoy
the night air?
Okay.
(DOOR OPENING)
(SIGHS)
BEN: Wow. Just wow.
(LAUGHING) I know.
Kyle I can see, but...
Right?
(BEN CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(LAUGHING)
Makes me wonder about
all those date nights
my parents had when I was a kid.
(GROANS)
(CHUCKLES)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
What?
Do you want kids?
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) What?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I...
I mean...
well, you kind of decided
this for us.
See, that.
That there.
I made the decision, not us.
You know, I see how great
you are with Lucy and Spencer,
and I just...
I wonder if it's something
I'm keeping you from.
You know? Like, I just...
I want to make sure
that we're still
on the same page.
Look, we don't have to decide
tonight, all right?
We've got time.
I mean, you got time.
I have an expiration date.
Fair enough. Okay.
(SIGHS) Okay.
You want to talk about it?
Let's talk about it.
I mean, yes.
I don't... I don't know. I...
I just don't want to feel like
I'm the only person
that has to figure it out.
What do you mean by that?
Never mind.
Okay. (SIGHS)
Oh, I just feel
so real right now.
What do you mean?
Like... connected.
That's the word.
I feel connected.
Connected to what?
This. This... fire.
These trees, these bugs.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
Um, I want to feel this way
all the time.
I just feel like
I'm a part of everything,
like everything is connected
and it's bigger than me,
you know?
And you think about the city
and how disjointed it is,
and... I don't know.
When I think about it
sometimes,
it just makes me...
(MAKES GAGGING NOISE)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Love... you are very high.
(LAUGHS)
No.
Oh, no, I... I promise.
You got to trust me on this one.
I'm a little high. (LAUGHING)
You're high as hell.
Come here. (LAUGHS)
Okay.
(GRUNTS)
Let's feel connected.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I'll take that.
I'm a one-hit wonder.
You took like six hits.
(MARGARET LAUGHING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHIMES CLANGING)
(CHIMES CONTINUE CLANGING)
(ELECTRICITY ZAPPING)
(ZAPPING INTENSIFIES)
(MUSIC FADES)
Oh, good morning.
(FEIGNS LAUGHING)
Here you go.
Mm, thank you.
BEN: Yeah.
You look incredible
this morning.
You're a liar.
(GROANS) Do we have Advil?
Yeah. We do.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
You're a saint, you know that?
(PILLS RATTLE)
(BEN EXHALES)
(PLATES CLATTER)
(PHONE CHIMES)
(CUTLERY CLATTERS)
(PHONE CHIMES)
Yes. Get it, girl.
(PHONE CHIMES)
MARGARET: The kids awake?
No, they're, uh, still
sleeping, I think.
Lucky they sleep so late.
(CHUCKLES)
Rise and shine, sleepyheads.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Lucy? Spencer?
I think I can convince Ben
to make us some pancakes.
Luce? Spencer?
I'm gonna open the door, okay?
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
They're not in there.
Did you check the bathroom?
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Uh, maybe they're just playing
outside or something.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
I don't see them out there.
Really?
Maybe they're, um...
Go check and see
if they're playing
over by the pond.
(SIGHS)
(DOOR OPENING)
(POURING)
(THUD ON TABLE)
(BEATING EGGS)
(DOOR CLOSING)
BEN: You don't see them?
Huh.
(DOOR OPENING)
(DOOR CLOSING)
Okay, I'm freaking out.
No, no. You know what?
Remember they were playing
hide-and-seek yesterday?
Probably just hiding
and want us to...
Right, well... Lucy,
we're not playing right now!
...find them.
Spencer?
Hey, guys? Hey. Breakfast.
(SIGHS)
Lucy?
They're not in any
of the closets.
Okay, wait.
Look, hey, they probably
just went back over
to Thomas and Ellie's place.
She just texted me.
There's no way
they're over there.
The kids' shoes are gone.
What?
They took their shoes.
No, they wouldn't have.
They wouldn't have what, Ben?
Ben, where you gonna go?
They wouldn't have what?
I'm just gonna check the path.
They can't have gone far.
Okay, well, I'll go with you.
No, no, no, stay at the house
in case they come back.
(DOOR CLOSING)
Were they even in the cabin
when we came back in last night?
They didn't sneak out,
all right?
The sun came up, they thought
they'd go for a walk.
They probably just went
back down this path.
They can't have gone far.
They're fine.
Everything's gonna be fine.
(MUSIC FADES)
We're gonna find them.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTS) Lucy.
BEN: (IN DISTANCE) Lucy!
Spencer!
(GROANS SOFTLY, PANTS)
(GRUNTS)
Guys?
Jesus Christ, there you are.
What are you guys doing in here?
Hey! You know you can't
be here without an adult.
Guys.
Es brilliante.
Okay, I need you
to come down here right now.
No, I'm... I'm serious.
Right now.
No, no, no. Stop! No!
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(WHISPERS) Oh, God.
(STIFLED RETCHING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
(PANTS)
(CELL PHONE CONTINUES VIBRATING)
Why aren't you answering
your phone?
(SIGHS) Fuck.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
Margaret.
MARGARET: Where are you?
Have you found them?
Please tell me you found them.
(SNIFFLES)
I went up to the lookout, and...
Ben?
I followed the flowers.
No, Ben, you're breaking up.
I followed...
I followed the flowers.
Ben?
I'm alm... I'm almost home.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey.
Hey.
MARGARET: (SIGHS) Thank God.
(KIDS SHOUTING PLAYFULLY)
Thank God. No, Ben,
they're here. They're here.
I was so sure I was gonna see
their little bodies
floating in the lake.
Could you even imagine? (SIGHS)
I... I see you.
(MUSIC FADES)
No, I can't. I can't imagine.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
MARGARET: You know
how much he loves to hike...
(KIDS LAUGHING)
...so he had to fit one in.
ELLIE: Damn, Ben,
you look like hell.
I was just telling Ellie
how quickly the kids
petered out this morning.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
And how you took them out
for a hike, brought them back
and then went out on your own.
BEN: Right.
(KIDS CHATTERING PLAYFULLY)
(DOOR SLAMS LOUDLY)
You good, man?
Uh, yeah.
Th... They're... they're okay?
Yeah, except they're bouncing
off the freaking walls.
What'd you guys give them
for breakfast, pure sugar?
(KIDS SCREAMING PLAYFULLY)
LUCY: Wait for me.
ELLIE: No...
(THOMAS SPEAKING SPANISH)
I'm busy. I'm... Stop. No.
Okay.
(LAUGHS) I'm coming to get you!
MARGARET: Well, it looks like
you two enjoyed your night off.
(LUCY SCREAMS PLAYFULLY)
(THOMAS AND ELLIE
TALKING QUIETLY, LAUGHING)
MARGARET: Okay.
We're still standing here.
Mom, why is Ben staring at me?
(MUSIC FADES)
I saw them.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
I know I saw them.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(MARGARET LAUGHING)
BEN: Hey, guys.
Did, uh...
you sleep all right last night?
Of course we did, silly.
Dead bugs.
Those aren't dead.
(LUCY CHUCKLES)
Like I said.
Uh... L...
let me ask you something.
Did you two go for a little walk
this morning?
(HUSHED CHITTERING)
What was that all about?
It's our secret language.
You want to know
what he said to me?
Stop messing around.
I need to know
where you went this morning.
Hold this under your chin.
If your chin glows yellow...
Okay, did you go back
to the fort, all right?
If you did, it's okay.
I just need to know.
Do the thing first,
then I'll tell you. Promise.
Est brillando.
Means you have a secret, too.
Okay, well?
LUCY: Yes, we went there.
But you won't tell on us,
will you?
Wait, what did you do there?
Careful, Ben.
Or we'll run off
and join the circus.
(CHUCKLES)
Hey. Little man.
Careful with those, all right?
They're heavy.
If you hit yourself in the head,
it'll hurt.
Hey, just don't go so high.
Stop.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(LUCY SPEAKS SPANISH)
Is it glowing?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(LAUGHS)
(THOMAS AND ELLIE
CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
I'm starving.
THOMAS: Mm-hmm.
ELLIE: Yeah, you think
that I'd leave this?
THOMAS: No.
ELLIE: That's not how it works.
But this is why, like,
I live in a house.
(THOMAS SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
Oh. I'm full.
(THOMAS AND ELLIE CONTINUE
INDISTINCTLY)
(THOMAS AND ELLIE LAUGHING)
(MUSIC FADES)
You all right?
Ben? Ben.
Um... what...
what were they doing?
The kids when you found them.
Oh, I didn't.
Ellie said that they came
into the cabin
right before they saw us.
She thought we sent them over
to get them up in the morning.
They must have been
in the backwoods
behind the cabin
or something
and we just missed them.
They... they went...
they went back there.
Where?
T... To that old fort, the pit.
"The place that shines."
They told me that.
That's a really strenuous hike
for two little kids to make.
They're probably
just putting you on.
Wait, you haven't noticed?
What?
The way they look at you now?
The... the... the nosebleeds?
And... and Spencer
with the sticks.
He couldn't fucking keep
those things in the air
for two seconds yesterday,
and now he's a goddamn
majorette.
That's not possible.
I was really scared
this morning, too,
but they're here now
and they're safe and it's fine.
No. I... I need you
to just listen to me
'cause what I'm gonna tell you
is gonna sound impossible.
Just please hear me.
I saw them jump into that pit.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
I saw them just tip
right into it like they were in
some sort of a trance.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
I don't think that's them
out there anymore.
Margo.
What?
How you been feeling lately?
Are you serious right now?
I'm just asking.
Look, you've seen that.
That is not this.
This is not that.
I don't know what this is.
Yeah, but you don't believe me.
I think you were
in an agitated state,
and you maybe saw something
that you can't quite explain
or process
in some rational way just yet.
"Rationally." Yeah, no.
Uh, way to parse words, Margo.
Look, we're both really...
a little overtired right now.
You know,
why don't you lie down?
Have a nap.
(SIGHS) Yeah. No, you're right.
I should probably
just get some rest.
Okay.
(SIGHS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
(MUSIC FADES)
Jesus Christ.
You shouldn't swear.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
What are you doing in here?
Just wanted to see
what you were up to.
Okay, well, I'm not in the mood,
so just get out.
But we want to play
a game with you.
What game?
(SHARP THUD)
(GASPS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
MARGARET: Did you ever play,
like, powder-puff?
Why'd they call it
"Powder-puff?"
I don't know.
'Cause they have to call it,
like, a little bitchy name
'cause you're a girl.
(ELLIE LAUGHING)
(LAUGHS) I don't know.
That's what I was thinking.
Like, why isn't it just
"Girls football?"
It's called "girlie girl
girl football." (LAUGHING)
"Do you play football
or do you play powder-puff?"
(MARGARET AND ELLIE LAUGHING)
I don't even remember
what was on the back
of my jersey, like...
(ELLIE SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
MARGARET: Hey.
I thought
you were gonna lie down.
Uh, I didn't want to miss
all the fun.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SMACKS LIPS) So, I think
that would be good.
Hey. They ever, uh...
(BOX CLOSING)
They ever scare you?
Those two?
Yeah. Absolutely. All the time.
No, not them.
Kids. Your... your kids.
(BEER UNCAPS)
What, you mean like...
I don't know, just, like--
Oh, geez!
THOMAS: (LAUGHING) Okay.
(CHUCKLES) Good timing, Spence.
I'm hungry.
THOMAS: All right, just...
Just have some chips,
but don't overdo it.
Dinner's almost ready.
LUCY: Hey, Ben!
(MARGARET AND ELLIE LAUGHING)
Just like a super, like, tiny...
Look at me.
Whoa, hey! Hey!
What?
Um...
Do you want a beer?
Uh, no, we're drinking wine.
Cool.
You want some?
They're my favorite.
Jesus Christ. No.
But aren't you hungry, Ben?
Hey. Not everybody wants
to spoil their dinner, bud.
You feeling all right?
Yeah, no. I'm...
(MUSIC FADES)
...just tired.
Excuse me, young lady.
What do you think you're doing?
Oh, my God.
What... Lucy.
That was inappropriate.
And amazing. (LAUGHS)
Thank you.
That's a really good pour.
Too good.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SPENCER TAPPING)
For you, Daddy.
No, no, no.
Oh, my God.
What the hell, dude?
Whoa.
THOMAS: The hell's your problem?
Uh, hey, wait.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Just show, um, show them.
Show them!
Hey, don't yell at my son.
Ben, what are you doing?
Give me the bottle.
Give me the goddamn...
Hey, Ben!
Hey!
Hands off him!
BEN: Give me the goddamn bottle.
Ow!
All right, hey, look.
MARGARET: Hey, Ben!
What?
You're on mood stabilizers.
So what?
(PILLS RATTLE)
Wait, th... these...
these were empty.
He-- You showed me--
She was gonna put the, um...
them into...
SPENCER: (CRYING) My hand.
He hurt my hand.
Jesus Christ, Ben.
What's wrong with you?
Are you okay?
I thought they were candy.
No, they're fucking with me.
Ben, he's nine.
No. Wh... Whatever he is,
he's fucking with me.
He showed me this bottle.
It was empty, all right?
And she was gonna put
them in... into your drink,
and somehow he got the pills...
you got the pills back in here.
Somehow he put them back in here
to make me look like--
To what? To make me overdose?
Is that what you're saying,
that my kids were gonna
make me overdose?
I... I don't,
I don't, I don't...
Just breathe. Okay?
Take a breath.
They went out on their own
this morning.
MARGARET: Ben.
What?
BEN: Yeah,
they... they went out.
What are you talking about?
BEN: No, no, they...
they snuck out,
and... and I went after them
to the... to the ruins.
And you know what I saw?
No.
Yes.
I saw them jump into the pit.
And then I saw
your broken little bodies at
the bottom of that fucking pit!
ELLIE: Ben, shut the fuck up!
That's what--
Shut up. Shut up.
(QUIETLY) Okay. Uh...
Kids, go... go play.
But I want to listen.
THOMAS: Lucy.
(SPEAKING SPANISH STERNLY)
Vamos.
You let them go out alone?
No. We didn't let them go out.
They just went.
They just-- What do you mean
they just went?
Well, when we woke up,
they were gone.
Hold... hold on a s--
I'm... I'm missing something.
When I texted you this morning,
why didn't you mention that?
Well, I didn't know then,
and we just didn't
tell you afterward.
We just didn't want to worry you
if there was nothing
to worry about.
Margaret, what the fuck?
I'm still trying to understand
how you let them
out of your sight like that.
They were sleeping.
What, are we supposed
to tie them in a tree
to protect them from bears?
No, Ben, we wanted you
to be responsible adults,
but clearly we made
a bad judgment call
on you and your goddamn
mental health.
Okay, Thomas, that's enough.
Those are our children,
Margaret.
Okay, maybe you don't know
what that feels like,
but it would be really
fucking nice if you'd try.
Okay, so because
I haven't experienced
the miracle of childbirth,
I don't know what it takes
to babysit your kids?
You don't understand
the responsibility.
What? You say that you guys
aren't kid people
because your jet-setting life
is so full,
you're so focused
on your career.
Give me a fucking break, okay?
You're not fooling anyone.
Are you serious?
Like you two are the paragons
of responsibility?
Okay, you need to stop
right now.
Oh, oh,
Mr. Moral Authority speaks.
I'm not fucking around, Ben.
BEN: Oh, great.
I'm glad you're serious.
Then we can all talk
about the fact that we're only
in this situation
because the two of you
pawned your creepy-ass kids
off on the two of us...
What?
...to save
your shitty-ass marriage.
MARGARET: Okay, Ben.
Oh, wait, right.
You guys live, like, a mile
away from your parents, right?
That's super convenient.
So then you can just
pawn your creepy kids off
on them, too,
whenever you guys
want to go have a foursome.
(MUSIC FADES)
Ben.
Yeah, I'm sorry. I know.
It was more of a...
two-and-a-half-some, right?
MARGARET: Ben!
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Are you fucking kidding me?
ELLIE: No. (SIGHS)
I...
THOMAS: You...
ELLIE: Babe, I'm sorry.
This is fucked.
I'm sorry.
You're all fucked.
THOMAS: You're all fucked!
Mm.
Ellie, I'm sorry.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Well, I see everything's
all out on the table.
What?
Come on, Ben.
You think we don't
tell each other everything?
About your little
manic episodes?
Ellie, shut up.
How you went off the deep end
and lost another job?
MARGARET: Ellie.
ELLIE: You know,
maybe it's not that
Margaret doesn't want
to have kids.
(MUSIC FADES)
Maybe she just doesn't want
to have them with you.
(GROANS SOFTLY)
Fucking nice.
MARGARET: Ben.
(BEN SIGHS)
(HINGES CREAKING)
(SIGHS)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
LUCY: What's wrong?
(GASPS) Stop doing that.
I didn't mean to scare you.
SPENCER: Fuck.
Shit, fuck, shit, fuck.
S... Stop. Okay?
Get out of here.
Guys, look.
Hey, I'm... I'm done.
All right,
go play with your parents.
I don't care anymore.
But don't you want to know
what happened this morning?
I'll tell you.
If you can keep it a secret.
Yeah. No, no, no, I won't
tell anyone. What happened?
SPENCER: Insectos muertos.
BEN: What did he just say?
Dead bugs.
BEN: Hey, Lucy,
I was responsible
for the two of you,
so I need to know
that you're both okay.
I need to know that I'm okay.
Do you understand that?
Of course I do.
And I promise...
we're better than ever.
(GROANS) Jesus Christ.
(MOCKINGLY) "Jesus Christ."
All right, give me the shovel.
Make me.
Make you? Just give it to me.
BEN: (GRUNTING)
Come on, give it to me.
(LAUGHS)
Spencer!
(CHOKES)
(LUCY LAUGHING)
Spencer?
(CONTINUES LAUGHING)
Hey. Wh-- Spence, hey, hey.
All right, just cough.
Try and cough it up.
(CHOKING)
(LUCY CONTINUES LAUGHING)
Spence. Spencer.
Spence, hey, hey, hey.
Come on. Breathe.
You got to breathe, buddy.
Come on. Come on.
(SLAPPING LIGHTLY)
(GRUNTS)
Come on! Come on!
(BEN SLAPPING)
Come on, Spencer.
Spencer, come on.
Just breathe. Breathe.
Please. Come on. Wake up.
Come on, don't... don't do this.
Don't do this.
You're messing with me.
Come on. Come on! Wake up.
Ben?
Oh, my God.
BEN: He's not breathing.
I... I can't find a pulse.
Margo, I can't find a pulse!
Ellie! Ellie! Move, move, move.
(STAMMERS) What do we do?
What do we do?
I don't know.
(GRUNTING)
BEN: I don't know.
He's not... he's not, um...
Ellie!
I don't know
what we're supposed to do.
ELLIE: (STAMMERING)
What... what?
BEN: He's...
What? No, no, no, no!
No, Spencer. (PANTS)
BEN: Is he going to be okay?
ELLIE: (GRUNTS)
Come on. No, Spencer.
Come on. Come on, Spencer.
MARGARET: Thomas!
(CRYING) Come on, Spencer.
MARGARET: Thomas!
What happened?
ELLIE: Come on. No.
No. Come on.
Daddy.
Oh, no. Oh, my God.
No. No. No. No.
THOMAS: Lucy, look at me.
(ELLIE CRYING)
THOMAS: It's gonna be fine.
It's okay.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOBBING)
(ELLIE SOBBING LOUDLY)
No. No.
(ELLIE CONTINUES SOBBING)
What happened?
What did you do?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
No, no, no. I... I didn't,
I didn't do anything.
This wasn't me.
This... this isn't...
this isn't my fault.
What are you talking about?
BEN: They did this.
This is... this is their fault!
This is your fault!
ELLIE: Get out!
BEN: No, I... I...
ELLIE: Get out!
Shut up and get the fuck
out of here!
I told you,
ever since they went out...
I just need you to listen.
No, get the fuck out!
Okay, okay.
Get the fuck out of here!
Get out!
Just listen to me
for one second.
ELLIE: Get the fuck out!
Get the fuck out!
(SOBBING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(SOBBING LOUDLY)
Oh, my God, no!
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
MARGARET: I need to report a...
Oh, God.
I need to report...
I... I need to report a death.
Hello? This is Thomas Huerta.
(INHALES) Ben Winslow has just
murdered my son.
End of Churchill Road.
The Far Syde Cabins.
A few hours?
Yeah, we can wait.
We'll be here.
(THOMAS CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
(MARGARET RETCHING, COUGHING)
(INHALES, COUGHS)
(CLEARS THROAT)
(TOILET FLUSHING)
(SOBBING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(SNIFFLES, SIGHS)
(BREATHING SLOWLY)
(MUSIC FADES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Margo.
Hey. No, no. It's not me.
Hey. Hey. Hey.
You got to believe me.
I don't know what to say to you.
This all started when we...
when we went to the ruins.
Th... Think about it.
The kids have been obsessed
with going back there.
"The place that shines."
They jumped in, and something
down there took their place.
Their bodies
must still be there.
MARGARET: Oh, Ben.
No, no, I'm not crazy. I'm not.
You know, if you come with me,
you'll see.
Come on, come on.
Ben, let go of me.
No, you just need to see.
Let go of my arm.
No, come on.
Ben!
You're just making things worse.
What will this prove?
I need you to believe me.
I need you to be on my side.
Fine. Fine, let's go.
And when there's nothing there,
what then? What do we do then?
(MUSIC FADES)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING)
BEN: They were there.
Margaret,
they were just right there.
Margaret, please.
Do not look at me like that.
There's nothing there, Ben.
No, I know what I saw.
They were right there, okay?
(STAMMERS)
Just right...
just right fucking there!
All right, all right, okay.
I'll j... I'll...
I can climb down and I...
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
What the fuck? Okay. Okay, okay.
I bet an animal
dragged them away or something.
Some... Something happened!
Some...
Th... There's something
I just don't understand yet...
Ben. Ben.
...but I will.
Okay, no, no, no!
I'm gonna understand,
and then you'll see it.
Ben! Just stop!
Even with all of the evidence
just staring right at you,
you can't admit, you can't even
acknowledge just for one moment
that you might be wrong!
Everything that's happening...
it's just in your head!
I know what I saw.
You need to listen to me.
Ben, Spencer is dead.
He is dead.
And it's not because of
some old building
or a hole in the ground.
It's because your actions,
they have consequences.
Your ac... You. You did this.
Just you.
That's how it is?
Yeah, that's how it is.
(SCOFFS) Ben.
We have to go back and...
sort it out.
But... when we're there...
we can keep talking.
Ben, for me, please.
Let's just go back together.
(MUSIC FADES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(LUCY SNAPPING)
(GASPS)
Oh.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(MARGARET SIGHS)
(CLICKS TONGUE)
You should be with your parents.
It's okay. He's just playing.
Lucy, honey...
Can I show you a trick?
Sure.
Oh. Lucy, I think we should stay
by the cabin with your parents.
I'll get them soon.
What?
I want to play with you now.
Honey...
I want to show you
what's in the woods.
Lucy.
I want to show you
what's in the woods.
Please? (SNIFFLING)
(CRYING)
Oh, honey.
THOMAS: Are you okay
for a minute?
I'll... I'll be just a minute,
okay, hon?
I'll be right back.
(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
Hey.
Get the hell away from her,
Margaret.
Lucy, come here right now.
But...
She just wanted to...
Don't tell me what she wants.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
I'm gonna go check
on your mother.
You stay strong, okay?
LUCY: Daddy?
Are you okay?
Can I show you something
in the woods?
Ellie?
Ellie?
Ellie?
(DOOR CLOSING)
Ellie?
Ellie?
Thomas?
(CELL PHONE RINGTONE
PLAYING IN DISTANCE)
Thomas?
(RINGTONE CONTINUES)
Thomas?
Thomas?
(THOMAS GASPING IN PAIN)
(RINGTONE CONTINUES)
MARGARET: (IN DISTANCE) Hello?
(CHITTERING IN DISTANCE)
(RINGTONE STOPS)
(CHITTERING IN DISTANCE)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHITTERING CONTINUES)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(PANTS)
(LINE RINGING)
Fuck.
Oh, come on, Ben. (PANTS)
Pick up, Ben.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
(VIBRATION STOPS)
(LINE RINGING, STOPS)
(CLICKS TONGUE)
(GASPING)
(CHITTERING NEARBY)
(MUSIC FADES)
(RAPID CLICKING NEARBY)
(RAPID CLICKING CONTINUES)
(ELLIE COUGHING, PAINED GASPING)
(CHITTERING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Ellie?
What the fuck?
(CHITTERING)
(GASPS, PANTING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)
(GASPS, SCREAMS)
(ELLIE COUGHING, GASPING)
Oh, m... Oh, my God!
Ellie! Ellie! (SOBS)
Ellie! Ellie, what... (GRUNTING)
(ELLIE GROANS)
Oh, my God, what happened?
(GASPING, COUGHING)
What happened? (SOBBING)
(PAINED GRUNTING, GASPING)
MARGARET: (SOBS) Oh, my God.
(BREATHING DEEPLY, STOPS)
(MARGARET CRYING SOFTLY)
(HISSING, RAPID CLICKING)
(SPENCER LAUGHING)
Spencer?
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
What did you do to your mom,
Spencer?
(RAPID CLICKING)
(MARGARET SCREAMS)
(SPENCER GRUNTS)
(HISSING, RAPID CLICKING)
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(SCREAMS)
(PANTS)
(POUNDING ON DOOR CONTINUES)
(GRUNTING)
(SPENCER SNARLING)
(POUNDING ON DOOR CONTINUES)
(WHIMPERING)
(SNARLING, HISSING)
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(POUNDING AND SNARLING CONTINUE)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(RASPY GROWLING)
(DOOR OPENING)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)
(DOOR CLOSING)
(PANTS SOFTLY)
Want to play a game, Margaret?
It's fun, I promise.
You play the Rabid Queen.
And I'll even give you
a head start.
You want to know what happens
when we catch the Rabid Queen?
I never got to tell you.
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(DOOR OPENING)
(RAPID CLICKING, CHITTERING)
(SPENCER LAUGHING)
SPENCER AND LUCY: Ten.
Nine.
(CHITTERING)
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
(HINGES CREAKING)
Three.
Two.
(CHITTERING)
One.
(SINGSONGY) Ready or not,
here we come.
(GASPS)
(HISSES)
(DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)
(CLICKING)
(WHISPERS) Off with her head.
(SCREAMS, WHIMPERING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(KEYS RATTLING)
She's dead. They killed her.
PARK RANGER: Whoa, whoa.
Slow down. Slow down.
Are you Ms. Huerta?
No. She's dead. They killed her.
You're not listening to me.
Okay, I received
a call about a dead boy.
It's Ms. Huerta who's dead?
No, he's not dead.
He came back and he killed her.
(MARGARET PANTING)
Listen, I need you
to take a deep breath, okay?
Just breathe.
It's them.
It's the fucking children.
We... we need to get
into your truck right now.
All... all right, ma'am.
Why don't we go inside
and you can just show me
what happened, okay?
Everything's gonna be all right.
We'll work this out.
I don't want to go in there.
She's in there.
Ms. Huerta?
No, it's... it's her kids.
She's dead in the bedroom.
Okay, okay.
And now her...
Actually, why don't you stay
out here instead, okay?
I'll just go in
and check things out,
see what's what and...
Stay right there. Do not move.
Don't go anywhere.
I'll be right back.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)
(RAPID CLICKING IN DISTANCE)
Fuck this.
All right. Stop right there,
ma'am. Stop. Okay?
There's a lot of blood in there.
You're right about that.
But there's no dead boy
and there's no dead lady
in there either.
That's not possible. I...
Listen, I'm gonna need you
to come down with me to... to...
(SQUELCHING)
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
(SCREAMS)
(GASPS)
(WHIMPERING)
(SCREAMING)
(OBJECTS CRASHING)
(PAINED SCREAMING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCREAMING CONTINUES)
(BODY THUDS)
(MUSIC FADES)
(CLICKING NEARBY)
(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(FOOTSTEPS STOP)
(GRUNTS QUIETLY)
(PANTS)
LUCY: (SINGSONGY) Margaret.
Where are you?
Come out, come out,
wherever you are.
(HISSING)
(BREATH TREMBLES)
(HISSING, CLICKING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(VEHICLE THUMPS)
(VEHICLE THUMPING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(SINGSONGY) Olly olly oxen free.
(HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLING)
(SNARLS)
(LUCY AND SPENCER CHITTERING)
(CHITTERING CONTINUES)
(RINGTONE PLAYING IN DISTANCE)
(HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLING)
(HISSING)
(SNARLING)
(GRUNTS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE STARTS)
MARGARET: Ben?
Ben?
(ENGINE STOPS)
Ben?
Ben, where are you?
(DOOR CLATTERING)
(GASPS)
Margaret.
Oh, my God. (SOBS)
Okay. (PANTING)
Okay, we need to go.
What?
We need to go.
I'm so sorry
that I didn't listen to you,
but everything you said was true
so we have to go now.
No, no, no.
Why would we do that?
Because they're trying
to kill us.
No, it's beautiful.
I didn't understand
why the kids were
so drawn to it before,
but now... now I do.
I know why
they followed it down.
Hey, I... I don't know
what you're talking about,
but we need to, we need to,
we need to go now.
The place that shines.
And you can see it, too.
I don't...
I don't want to see it.
I want to... I want to go, Ben.
(GRUNTS)
There's nowhere else to go.
I think we should settle down.
(GASPING)
(SNARLING IN DISTANCE)
We should start a family.
(HISSING AND SNARLING OUTSIDE)
You decided for us before,
but now... I'm weighing in.
Those fucking things
are trying to fucking kill us!
We don't even know
where Thomas is.
Those things, they killed Ellie.
They're young. They'll learn.
And we can be together.
All of us.
That feeling of connection
you've been searching for.
(PANTS)
It's being part
of something bigger.
I've found that. I can show you.
I don't know what you are,
but you're not Ben.
(SIGHS)
(NECK CRACKING)
You'll see.
And you'll make more of them.
We'll make more.
We'll make them together.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BEN GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS, SOBS)
(GRUNTING)
(MARGARET SHOUTS)
(BEN GRUNTS)
(SOBBING)
(GROANS)
(WHIMPERING)
(PAINED GASP)
(CRYING)
(WHIMPERING)
(PANTS)
(YELLS)
(MUSIC FADES)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(PAINED COUGHING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(FOOTSTEPS)
(BODY DRAGGING)
(RAPID CLICKING)
(MARGARET EXHALES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(WHIMPERING QUIETLY)
(RAPID CLICKING NEARBY)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(LUCY AND SPENCER CHITTERING)
(GULPS)
(BODY CONTINUES DRAGGING)
(HISSING)
(CHITTERING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTS QUIETLY)
(SHARP HISS)
(HISSING)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(HISSING)
(SHARP HISSING)
(MARGARET GRUNTS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(RAGGED PANTING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
BEN: Margaret.
No. (PANTS)
No.
(GRUNTS)
Just... just let me go.
Let me go.
(MARGARET GASPS)
(THOMAS GRUNTING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
Go!
Go!
(ENGINE STARTS)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
BEN: Margaret!
(MARGARET PANTING)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(BREATH TREMBLING)
(SOBBING, SCREAMING)
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
(SNIFFLES, PANTS)
(PANTING SOFTLY)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCOFFS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
(SCREAMING)
("INFERNO REBELS"
BY FOTOCRIME PLAYING)
Inferno rebels
All in a trance
Stand guard
Over armies of cats
Eternal children
Peek through the cracks
Old scars
Confessional rats all fade
Fade
Pleather angels
Writhe in a dance
Fed on fungus
Were born and were dead
Crush the bones of the priests
Who were left
Nuclear mystics
Ethereal theft can't escape
Escape
Another tiny apocalypse
(SONG FADES)