Chapelwaite (2021) s01e01 Episode Script

1
Sara!
Open the door!
Stop it!
Robert, you're not well!
I need the boy!
No!
Don't let him in.
Don't let him in
No!
- Stop!
- Run!
Charles.
Charles
Charles!
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in mouth
of friend and stranger.
No!
No, Father, no!
No!
Father, no, no!
Father, stop! Wait!
Father!
On your knees, Charles.
No! Father!
You're not well!
It's coming.
The worm.
I can't stop it.
Father, why?
Blood calls blood, son.
No!
You have to go, Charles,
far away,
and never return.
Truly, truly, I say to you,
he who believes in Him
who sent Me
has eternal life
and does not come
into judgement
but has passed out of death
into life.
Charles,
have you thought about it?
A ship is no place
to raise children,
especially our girls.
You never felt
that way before.
It's different now.
The children will need a home,
and school.
Structure.
I know
what you're afraid of,
but you are not your father.
You will know what to do.
God sent us a gift
in your cousin's letter.
"And whosoever liveth
and believeth in me
shall never die."
Captain.
Is there something
you'd like to add?
Set course for New London.
Blood calls blood.
Here we go.
It's okay, Tane.
There's no scratching.
There's nothing
to be afraid of. Okay?
Trouble sleeping?
Tane's scared.
He heard scratching on the hull.
He thinks Mother wants
to come back aboard.
What if we put her
in the water alive?
I assure you, son,
we didn't.
Loa?
She hasn't spoken all day.
Children, uh
I have something
to share.
We've inherited a sawmill
and a house in Maine
from my cousin Stephen,
a man I barely knew.
He said he wanted to heal
an old rift in our family.
Even has a name:
Chapelwaite.
We're getting off the ocean?
Aye.
Your mother thought it best.
You said it was a house.
This is a mansion.
How rich was your family?
It's twice as big as a whaler!
What do you think, Loa?
I hardly know what to say
myself.
You must be Charles Boone,
the sea captain?
- I am.
- I'm Mrs. Cloris,
the former housekeeper
of Chapelwaite.
Stephen's executor asked me
to greet you
and give you these papers
for the house and mill.
Well, thank you.
I'm afraid my absence
has left the house
victim to vandals.
Though it would seem
nothing was taken.
Well. These are my children
Honor. Loa. Tane.
Is there a Mrs. Boone
coming?
My wife passed
eight months ago.
Children, go on.
Go explore.
- Honor, look!
- Look at the staircase.
You knew
my cousin Stephen then.
Since he was a baby.
His father,
Phillip, hired me.
I considered Stephen my own.
How did he die?
Grief.
We all carry grief.
It's rarely fatal.
Stephen's daughter, Marcella,
meant everything to him.
She fell down the cellar stairs.
Broke her back into pieces.
Stephen found the child
and never recovered.
The door to the cellar
is in the kitchen.
You'll find it locked. I
recommend you keep it that way.
The stairs are dangerous.
It's no place for children.
Mrs. Cloris,
in case you'd like to stay on,
we're in need of a governess.
Thank you,
but I have no interest
in being
in this house any longer.
- If it's money
- It's not.
I'll ask in town and return
with a few girls to clean.
I owe Stephen that much.
Preacher's Corners is an hour
east down the Post Road.
You'll find all manner
of provisions there.
Whip-poor-wills.
I've never seen them
during the day.
Tsk
Shit.
That's cousin Stephen.
I recognize him.
Who's the little girl?
She must be Marcella.
Stephen's daughter.
Shouldn't this house be hers?
She passed away.
And that's Stephen's father,
Uncle Phillip.
Ah, he was a stern man.
They came to visit us
once in Massachusetts.
They had wealth, standing.
Stephen was always nice to me.
When they left, I
I wanted to leave with them.
How did they make
their fortune?
My great-grandfather James
used to mine copper
in the hills around here.
My grandmother Silence
built upon that with lumber.
How come you never talk
about your father?
He was a
peculiar man, my father.
Nothing more worth mentioning.
Come, let's explore the rest
of the house, shall we?
Children?
I'm just stowing
some things down in the cellar.
Those stairs aren't safe.
No one goes down there.
Understand?
- Tane?
- Yes, sir.
Mrs. Cloris left us some food.
Chicken and a loaf of bread.
Oh, bless you, Mrs. Cloris.
I think we're going
to like it here.
I wish Mom could have seen
this house.
I do, too.
What do you think, Loa?
Would your mother approve?
Well.
You may be right.
She would've found Chapelwaite
extravagant.
I agree with that, but, uh,
I'm proud of it, too.
It's, uh
it's a symbol of
Boone industry and success.
What do you need, Loa?
I'm afraid we have rats.
They're being clever now.
They know we're onto them.
Any luck?
It's a bit confusing, sir.
I didn't see no crappin's,
no holes.
Just a couple
a dried-up carcasses.
Well, we have rats,
Mr. Fletcher, I assure you.
Maybe set those upstairs.
All right.
Honor! Loa!
I guess
this is where you go
after the portrait gallery.
Shouldn't they be
in a cemetery?
Not necessarily.
This was their home.
They loved it and wanted
to be buried here;
It's their choice.
I don't like it.
Come.
Let's go to town.
How's the writing coming?
I've got
a hundred bad ideas
and not a single good one.
Emerson writes
for the Atlantic Monthly.
So do Longfellow and Stowe.
Who am I?
Rebecca Morgan,
and you're a writer.
You always have been.
I believe in you;
So does this editor,
Mr. Lowell.
Yeah, but an entire story
in only four weeks?
It's too much pressure.
I'm making a coffin liner
for the Albrikes family.
Old Gerald succumbed
to the illness yesterday.
Maybe you should
write about that?
Are those the new Boones?
Good day.
I'll meet you back
at the house, Mother.
- Please.
- No, Rebecca, wait!
Have faith, Rose.
Edward.
Your daughter will pull through.
With all respect, Minister,
your wife lost two of her own.
Treating illness with faith
doesn't give me much comfort.
What does "quarantine" mean?
"Quarantine" means there's
someone very sick inside.
Well, what do we have here?
I don't know what they are.
They sure ain't white.
Probably fled the reservation.
Was he talking about us?
- He was.
- Why?
Well, because
because you don't look like him.
He wants you to feel embarrassed
about being different.
Now, if everyone's finished
shopping,
let's meet
in front of the bakery.
Can we each get a cookie?
You can each have two. Go.
Good day. May I speak with
the constable, please?
George!
Someone to see you.
Constable.
My name is Charles Boone.
Is it?
Yes.
Um, my family and I moved
into our home yesterday
at Chapelwaite
and, um, we found it ransacked.
Floors were torn up,
the furniture broken.
People here don't like
Chapelwaite, Mr. Boone.
So they're free
to vandalize it?
If I were you,
I would sell the mill.
Take what you can and go.
Well, I have other plans.
You might think twice
with children.
What's going on here,
constable?
Your family has a reputation,
Mr. Boone.
Stephen was a part of that,
as was his father Phillip.
They were strange,
unpredictable men.
Not good people.
I'm afraid you'll find few
friends in Preacher's Corners.
They practically
threw a parade
when your cousin
hanged himself.
Tane.
What are you doing?
There's a ball.
Come out of there.
Someone killed my bunny.
Did you do this?
No!
Father gave her to me
when I got sick.
- You're sick?
- Tane! Come here!
- What's wrong with her?
- I don't know.
Stay back.
She's not well.
- Oh, Susan!
- Stay away, kids.
You are not to be out.
You know that.
What is it, boy?
Mr. Boone?
The girls have finished
cleaning.
Thank you.
Um Have you spoken
with the girls
about the governess position?
I have.
None are inclined.
Mrs. Cloris.
You said that
Stephen died of grief.
I would have preferred
you were more specific.
If you heard Stephen took
his own life, that's true.
I was only trying
to protect his reputation.
Thank you for that.
This is a sad house, Captain.
No Boone has ever
been happy here.
Well, we'll be the first.
Can I help you?
Mr. Boone,
my name is Rebecca Morgan.
I hear you're looking
for a governess.
We are. Are you experienced
with children?
I was one myself once.
But I also lived with a family
while studying in Massachusetts.
I helped with the children
in exchange for room and board.
Wonderful.
Well, please come in.
I must warn you,
my two daughters and son all
have equal say in who we hire.
And another part of my job
would be to supplement
your education.
If you've never been
to school,
you may benefit from a bit
of extra tutoring.
Mother taught us mathematics
and how to read.
Oh, you learned from the Bible?
She did. We read the Brontes
and Hawthorne.
And "The Three Musketeers."
"Never fear quarrels,
but seek hazardous adventures."
I believe you and I may share
the same adventurous spirit.
There are subjects
to explore
that you may not be exposed
to in Preacher's Corners.
Philosophy, art, music.
I learned those at college.
I didn't know
women could go to college.
They can.
I went to Mount Holyoke
in Massachusetts.
How about we make a deal?
I'll introduce you
to some of the things
I learned in college
and you can teach me
about your culture
and all the wonders
you've seen.
I hope I have the opportunity
to get to know you all better.
Father?
Come in.
- Well?
- I don't think Loa wants her.
Loa?
You have a say in this.
Just have to voice it.
All aye?
Aye.
All opposed?
Well, the ayes have it.
Thank you
for the opportunity.
And I'll return in the morning
with my things.
My kids, uh,
they know books and ships,
but they'll require more help
than they think navigating land.
Um, Mr. Boone,
your daughter Loa.
- The quiet one
- She speaks.
Not since her mother passed.
I imagine she will
when she's ready.
I should accompany you.
- It's it's late.
- Oh, I'm fine.
Whip-poor-wills.
- Good night, Mr. Boone.
- Good night.
The chant
of the whip-poor-will
is the voice
with which the man
and the house call her.
An omen of death, they say.
Flee the nightjars' cry
or risk
Rebecca.
I want to talk to you.
- It's late, Mother.
- I know where you were.
I've been hired as the
new governess of Chapelwaite.
Why would you do that? You
I sent you to college
so you could make
something of yourself.
You you have an assignment
for the Atlantic Monthly.
Don't squander this opportunity.
I'm not.
I already telegraphed my idea
to Mr. Lowell
and he approved it.
There's only one good story
in town, Mother.
Rebecca,
you do not want to
make trouble with that family.
You may not believe everything
that's said,
but you'd be a fool
to ignore it. Your father
Father was
Phillip Boones' lawyer
and he lived in fear
of the man. I am aware.
You have to trust me.
I know what I'm doing.
Good night, Mother.
Excuse me, young man,
what's your name?
Able Stewart.
You've been keeping the ledger
since my cousin's death.
You must be
the new Mr. Boone.
- I am.
- It's nice to meet you, sir.
Pleasure to meet you.
I've tried keeping
the records best I can.
Sorry 'bout my writin'.
I taught myself.
Well, I appreciate
your efforts.
Which one of these men
is Daniel Thompson?
It's the large man
on the right.
Good.
Foreman, uh, Daniel Thompson.
That's me.
I run this crew of vagabonds.
You're the Captain?
Uh, "Mr. Boone" will do.
According to the ledger,
board feet are down 60%
since my cousin's passing.
Why aren't these men
out working?
Well, they were.
This is our break.
It's also noted that, uh,
everyone has seen
a wage increase
all except
for Able Stewart here.
Why is that?
I really couldn't tell you
now.
What's this?
Your severance.
Take it and leave.
Or cut me 600 board feet
by end of today
and every day hereafter.
That an order, "Captain"?
I give orders at sea.
On land I give choices.
Listen clearly, now.
I have plans for this mill.
We're expanding.
From here out,
we run this mill like a whaler.
Profit is gonna be divided
into a 100-part lay.
Loggers earn two parts.
Foreman three.
Owner takes 30.
The more you cut,
the more you earn.
Questions?
Well, then, get to work.
What's the lay
for the tool keep, sir?
One lay.
Add another two
for keeping the ledger.
I noticed some unpaid bills
charged to Jerusalem's Lot.
Is that not my family's
old mining town?
It is.
Thank you, Able.
If you'd like, I can help you
make scary costumes
for All Hallow's Eve?
- What can we be?
- Anything.
Ghouls, ghosts, gypsies.
What do we do
on All Hallow's Eve?
Oh, we walk door to door
in town
and people give us
money and food.
Oh, and there's also games.
One of them is, um,
with mirrors
where you can see
your future husband.
Another is with a pendulum
where you can speak to spirits.
That's my favorite.
Now, the idea is that the
pendulum leads us to a spirit.
And if we see a spirit,
it has to grant us a wish.
If we know the spirit,
can we speak to it?
Of course.
North, south, east, west,
wake up, spirit,
from your rest.
Winter, spring, summer, fall.
Let us see you, hear our call.
This way!
Let us see you, hear our call!
This way.
Keep an eye out.
Do you see anything?
Anything?
I'm sorry! I'm sorry.
I had to.
Did a spirit do that?
It's just a draft.
What was that?
Whip-poor-will.
Oh, poor thing.
That door's supposed
to be locked!
Something's down there.
I don't like this game.
And that's all it is.
Just a game.
Mr. Fletcher?
Let's go back to the parlor.
What is a ghost?
Is it a presence
that prowls our bed chambers
when we turn down the lights?
Or is it a memory
that roams the dark corridors
of our mind?
One moment.
Mr. Boone.
May I speak with you
privately?
Of course.
Uh, I've reprimanded
Mr. Fletcher
for leaving
the cellar door unlocked.
But I'm
I still have three children
very afraid in their beds.
I see.
Miss Morgan, I am aware
you're trying to bond
with the children,
and I appreciate that, but
well, they're still acclimating
to the loss of their mother
and the new house.
And, well, perhaps no more
games associated
with spirits or ghosts.
I was trying to share
a little seasonal fun,
but my efforts were misguided.
- I'm sorry.
- Thank you. No.
- Good good evening.
- Mr. Boone.
Tomorrow is Sunday.
Yes.
I was wondering
if we might consider
taking the children to church?
I don't think so.
I'm not one for religion
myself.
The church is a frequent
tool of intimidation
and promotes
the repression of women.
But this is small-town Maine,
and people talk.
Sir, your children
are wonderful,
but I know what it's like
to be unique
in a town that doesn't always
favor individuality.
Sometimes it's easier to fit in.
Well you may be right.
Thank you, Miss Morgan.
- Good morning, Grace.
- Good morning, Alice.
How are you?
Good morning.
Hat off, thank you.
Good morning.
Good morning, Alice.
I'd like to introduce you
to Charles Boone
- and his children.
- How do you do?
Ah, my name is
Alice Burroughs.
My husband is minister
of this congregation.
Nice to meet you.
My father would like
to speak with you.
This used to be his church.
All right.
Please, this way.
We'll wait.
Captain, this is my father,
Samuel Gallup.
Sir.
Mr. Boone.
How do you do?
My father noticed that
there isn't enough seating
for our regular members,
some of whom are quite old.
We're happy to stand.
It isn't that.
You're asking us to leave?
Mr. Boone, your children
are they Christian?
They are as much
or as little Christian
as they choose to be, sir.
We prayed we'd seen
the last Boone.
And why is that?
Because your family
is a plague on this town.
Well, that'll be enough, sir.
Now, I don't know what happened
between you and my family,
but neither myself nor
my children were a part of that.
We want nothing more
than a fresh start here.
I'm sorry to disappoint you.
We're leaving.
Let's go.
- Go! Tane!
- Did we do something wrong?
Loa! Come! Now!
Loa! Come on! Now!
Shame on you.
Sorry about church.
That's not your fault.
Samuel Gallup called
my family a plague.
Samuel Gallup is
a crabby old Puritan.
It's more than that.
Some blame Chapelwaite
for the illness in town.
The first afflicted were
two stable hands
who worked here for your cousin.
Both died.
That was two years ago.
Since then, five have been
planted in the church graveyard.
But that's hardly proof.
If it were,
I wouldn't be here.
What's Loa doing?
She wants to be alone.
So I should leave her then,
right?
Absolutely not.
I lost my temper earlier.
I
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have
grabbed you like that.
But you need to mind me.
I understand why you blame me.
I do.
Your mother never
would've gotten sick
if she'd stayed on the island.
Your leg never would've
withered from rickets.
But she was so strong,
your mother.
She insisted on coming.
She demanded we were a family.
I miss her, too.
I miss her, but
you can't stay silent forever.
There's something inside
that you hide from us.
It scares me.
When my father got sick,
Doctor Guilford said,
"Burn his clothes.
Burn the bedding."
Well, it didn't do shit,
but it was the right idea.
Let's send these new Boones
packing
before they inflict
their own wickedness on us.
What about you, Edward?
Your little Susan's sick.
Who's next?
Burn it then.
Do it.
Susan!
I need you to go back
in the house.
It's cold out here.
I could leave tonight
and no one would fault me.
I could fabricate
a pale fiction
of these Boones
and their trial.
Who would know but me?
But therein lies the hook.
For alone in the dark,
me is who I answer to.
Hidden within the crude
timbers of this dark manor
lies the truth.
I can feel it.
Outside this house,
fear gathers,
and ignorance spreads from
home to home like the illness.
Who goes there?
What drove this
bloodline to its tragic depths?
Suicide, murder, madness.
To know the truth
of Chapelwaite,
I must know the mystery
of Charles Boone.
It's coming!
The worm!