Midnight at the Pera Palace (2022) s01e01 Episode Script

1
A NETFLIX SERIES
- [baby crying]
- [thunder crashing]
[loud ticking]
[wailing]
[thunder intensifying]
[deep rumbling]
[intense crashing]
[thunder fading]
[clock chiming]
[church bells chiming]
[continues chiming]
[jingle plays]
[announcer] And now, today's weather.
[woman sighs]
Where did I leave that charger?
[sighs]
[sighs heavily]
[radio] huge storm warning for Istanbul
Where have I left it?
[sighs]
[radio] The present cold weather
is expected
and heavy rain is forecast
The authorities have warned of heavy
storms in Istanbul this weekend.
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
7 APRIL 1995
- thunderstorms are expected
- [clock chimes]
These will last until tomorrow morning.
Taxi! Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!
Uh
Mind if we share?
Come on, let's go, I'm late!
[siren wailing]
[buzz of conversation]
- [man] Bosphorus murder, right
- [woman] Yeah.
BE AWESOME TODAY
- [sighs]
- [woman] Finally.
[whispers] What have I missed?
I was just detailing assignments.
- Right, now, where was I?
- The Bosphorus murder.
Right. Fikret, follow up
on the investigation.
Talk to the police. Um, see if there are
any suspects for the murder.
- Fikret, why?
- [phone chimes]
I mean, yeah, why not?
Although someone here's read
Agatha Christie's works
right from beginning to end.
You know?
[sighs]
But I can I promise you
I'll get the killer for you.
I mean, even before
the police can get hold of him.
Or I'll buy you all lunch for a month.
[sighs]
That's the issue here, Esra.
Sorry?
You go too far in all you do.
[scoffs]
I ask you to write about
the best local fish restaurants.
You write about fish species
affected by global warming.
I ask for copy on fashionable cafés,
and you write 10,000 words
on gangs and extortion.
I just wanna write the bigger story
behind the obvious one. Is that wrong?
I don't want the bigger story.
If you want to keep working here,
you'll do as I say.
- [scoffs]
- Your assignment today is
[sighs]
Pera Palace.
- That's where Agatha Christie stayed
- Ah!
The hotel is celebrating
its 130th anniversary.
Your article? "The Pera Palace,
come and stay. 130 reasons."
But, um
[sighs] How about 30?
[thunder rumbling]
PERA PALACE HOTEL
I know that look.
Huh?
[chuckles] Déjà vu.
Oh!
[chuckles] No, I didn't have breakfast
this morning, so I'm a bit dizzy.
Ah, first time at the Pera Palace?
Yes, yes.
I mean, I've walked past it a lot,
but I've never been inside.
Welcome to the Pera Palace, in that case.
I'm Ahmet. Hotel manager.
- Oh. Esra's my name. Journalist.
- I've been expecting you.
I'll be your guide.
I actually did some research
on my way over here.
- Amazing history this place has.
- [chuckles]
Just a bit. [chuckles]
[laughs] Well, I'd like to hear it.
Um [clears throat]
It's not a short tour.
As you've not eaten yet,
you should have someting.
This way, please.
Right. The hotel was built in 1892
on top of an old graveyard.
[mouth full] Does that mean
you have ghosts here?
- [both chuckle]
- If only it were just ghosts.
[laughs]
[shutter clicks]
[Ahmet] This electric elevator
was only the second in Europe,
and it was the first one in Turkey.
It's not in use these days,
but of course,
it's still the pride of our hotel.
This hotel was once
the height of modernity and luxury,
built to serve the passengers
from the Orient Express.
The last whisper of the West
on the way to the East.
[both chuckle]
The first ever new year celebration
in Turkey was held in this room.
[sighs] And what a night it was.
You see, people really knew
how to have fun back then.
If only these walls could talk. [chuckles]
- You say it like you were there.
- Well [chuckles]
I bet you've got some stories to tell.
Are there many stories that are
less well-known, but exciting?
A secret murder, perhaps?
- [chuckles]
- What?
This way, please.
Ahmet, the walls may not be able to talk,
but you certainly can.
- All right. This way, please.
- Hmm?
The first of the hotel's museum rooms.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
was a regular at the Pera Palace.
After World War I,
while Istanbul was occupied,
he stayed for quite some time
in this room.
And he may well have strategised
for the War of Independence in here. Hmm.
[Esra chuckles]
[sighs]
[Ahmet] You've found
the most fascinating item here.
Hmm? Oh. [chuckles]
That handkerchief belonged
to a lady called Peride.
Daughter of a wealthy Ottoman family,
and niece of the Pera Palace's owner
during the occupation.
Here is a little-known story
of great courage.
She met Mustafa Kemal at the Pera Palace
only a few times,
but she fell desperately in love with him.
In the spring of 1919, the British had
reasons to believe Mustafa Kemal
was organising resistance action
against them,
and they were planning an assassination
attempt in order to eliminate him.
W Peride prevented his assassination?
Without a soul ever knowing about it.
Thanks to Peride,
Mustafa Kemal, on the 16th of May,
safely boarded the steamer Bandirma.
And you know the rest.
It is said that this handkerchief
was a parting gift from Peride.
One can never be sure
how much is fact or fiction,
but it's a good story. [chuckles]
And now
the last stop on our grand tour
of the Pera Palace.
- Room 411.
- [gasps]
[thunder rumbling]
Agatha Christie wrote
Murder on the Orient Express in this room.
Oh! It's my favourite novel of hers.
Yes.
Is that
Yes. [coughs]
Oh, wow! [laughs]
Well, in 1926, while she was
a guest in this room,
Mrs Christie disappeared for 11 full days.
- [clears throat]
- Oh, sorry.
Nobody knew her whereabouts.
Some even thought that she might
have been murdered. [chuckles]
An American medium claimed
that the answer was hidden
right inside this room.
They turned the place upside down, but
all they were able to find was an old key.
What kind of key was it?
[thunder rumbling]
[Ahmet] I don't think you'll be able
to get a taxi in this rain.
If you like, you could be our guest
tonight at the Pera Palace.
- Are you kidding me?
- If you like.
[laughs] Well, then, can I stay
in Agatha's room? 411?
- Now you're pushing your luck.
- [chuckles]
Come on.
[piano playing soft jazz]
28. WHEN YOU ENTER THE PERA PALACE
[thunder rumbling]
THE WALLS OF THE PERA PALACE
HAVE FOUND THEIR TONGUE
IF ONLY THESE WALLS COULD TALK
WHISPERED THE NAME "PERİDE."
PERİDE CHANGED A NATION'S FATE
BY SAVING THE MAN SHE LOVED
LOVE.
THE PERA PALACE HOTEL, ROOM 191
ROOM 411
IT'S NOT A LOVE STORY BUT A MYSTERY.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
AN OLD KEY
IT IS ALL JUST A STORY, AFTER ALL.
[thunder rumbling]
[piano playing softly]
[sighs]
Oh. Ahmet!
I saw you,
but I didn't want to disturb you.
You wouldn't be disturbing me.
I'd like to buy you a drink.
I mean, if you have time.
You know, to say thank you.
- Very well. Um, see you.
- Sir.
Right, then.
We do have a special cocktail here.
Want one?
- Why not?
- Dinçer.
- Wow, that's amazing, Ahmet.
- [chuckles]
What's in it, anyway? [laughs]
[chuckles] I can't reveal
our secret recipe.
Oh, right.
So, do you always leave work
this late at night?
- No. From tomorrow, I'm on holiday.
- Aah.
I was just making some final inspections.
Mm-hm. Control freak, are you?
I just don't want people to mess things up
while I'm away.
[laughs]
[thunder rolling]
[heavy rainfall]
Three weeks.
What will I do? [chuckles]
I've never been away for that long.
It's like you're feeling guilty
for going on holiday.
[Ahmet chuckles]
Ahmet, the hotel's still gonna be here
when you get back, you know.
[chuckles] You should relax.
What do you get up to outside of work?
Nothing.
I mean, with your friends.
[thunder rumbling]
Well, I don't like living on the surface.
Because I want to accomplish things,
you know?
To make a difference,
for the next generations.
[sighs] But I'm not gonna do
a bloody thing, at this rate.
[chuckles]
Well, you shouldn't give up hope.
You never know what's around the corner.
[sighs softly]
Uh Well, I'm off, then.
Okay. [sighs]
[Ahmet sighs]
[heavy rainfall continues]
Hm
By the way
You know the key they found in room 411?
Mm.
[thunder rumbling]
- [Esra] Is that it?
- [Ahmet] Mm-hm.
[sighs] Oh my.
That's amazing.
Mm.
Thank you so much, Ahmet. For everything.
- I can't wait to read your article.
- [chuckles]
- You take care of yourself.
- You, too.
- Good night.
- Good night.
[thunder crashing]
[sighs]
Oh!
Ahmet, Ahmet.
[laughs]
[thunder rumbling]
[key turns in lock]
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
AGATHA CHRISTIE
THREE BLIND MICE AND OTHER STORIES
[sirens wailing]
[clock ticking]
[sighs]
[rattling]
[creaking]
[rumbling]
[yelps]
[screams and gasps]
No! No!
[whimpers and screams]
[screams]
[panting]
- [clock chiming]
- [gasps]
[groans]
[gasping]
[breathing shakily]
[gasps]
[whimpers]
[gasps]
- [clock chimes]
- [door creaks]
[clock chimes]
[man] Bonjour. Service de tâche.
[clock chimes]
[clock chimes]
[clock chimes]
[raucous laughter]
No. Nothing to do with me.
[laughs]
- [woman] Oh.
- [Esra panting]
Quite.
- [clock chimes]
- [sighs]
What the hell?
[clock chimes]
FRIDAY 18 APRIL 1919
1919?
[man] Welcome back to the Pera Palace,
Mr and Mrs Christie.
Your table is ready. This way, please.
Agatha Christie? But
[gasps] Wow!
[Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22
II. Tempo di Valse by Dvořák]
Good.
[gasps]
I just love the way you've
Oh!
Mrs Christie? Hi! [laughs]
I'm a huge fan of yours.
I've read all your novels. [giggles]
But Excuse me?
I don't have any published novels.
[rumbling]
[groaning]
What is this? [gasping]
Unfortunately, the literary establishment
was not a fan of my work.
I fear that one must not be persistent
if one lacks talent.
Oh! No, no, no! Don't think like that.
[gasps]
[gasps]
- The latest from Paris?
- [gasps]
Excuse me?
Why are you staring from afar?
Mustafa Kemal's
the person you're here to meet.
Uh I think you must be
confusing me with someone else, no?
[scoffs]
[snorts]
[chuckles]
[man] Ahmet, sir, is something the matter?
[thunder rumbling]
[door closes]
[thunder crashing]
[sirens wailing]
General. The British officers over there.
They've invited you to join them.
That's very kind.
However, they are the guests here.
By our traditions,
it is the host that entertains the guests.
They are welcome at my table,
if that is their wish.
[sighs]
[clock chiming]
Esra? What are you up to?
Where did you get the outfit?
It was just a front, the article, wasn't
it? Because you've planned all this.
How did you know about this? Who are you?
If you don't immediately let go of my arm,
I shall have to call you
to the attention of the police, sir.
[sniffs]
I think you must be confusing me
with someone else.
[The Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Op. 66a
by Tchaikovsky]
[gasps] Hey, Ahmet!
Ahmet, Ahmet!
Just look at this.
Look at this!
Ahmet! I mean, look at this place!
- Ahmet!
- What are you doing here?
What did you put in that drink?
I'm really high.
This isn't real, right?
Hey, you won't believe who's here.
Hey, hey, wait!
Amazing. Such a realistic dream.
You How did you get here without the key?
Without the key? You mean that weird key?
But, wait, you know that I've got it.
Uh, you left it in my room
as a surprise earlier.
Why would I have given you that key?
I've been guarding it all my life.
But I've got a copy of it, Ahmet.
- I don't get it.
- Get in. Get in.
[key rattling]
Now come on. Show me that key.
It's here.
[sighs]
[Ahmet] This is bad.
Very bad.
[sighs]
Look, I don't know who you are
or what you're after,
but we'll talk as soon as
we've come back here.
- Right now, we have to sort things out.
- Oh shit! What's that?
- This is your doing!
- What's it got to do with me?
You should see a doctor.
[sighs]
[gasps]
[sighs] Your presence here
endangers my existence.
And this finger
is only just the beginning.
I don't get it.
Don't get it.
[sighs]
[clock ticking]
Are you saying
Do you mean it's real, this place?
- It's real.
- Ohh [gasps]
- [gasping]
- Of course.
The day they met.
What happened at the ball.
Okay. Okay, I know what's wrong.
Um
- Ahmet.
- Yes.
Ahmet, Ahmet.
Come on, let's go downstairs.
- Yes! Come on.
- Come on what?
You've got to stay here. You're not
to leave this room, you hear me?
Hey, I've just time travelled
and you want me to stay in this room?
You have to come and see
who's downstairs. Let me show you, please?
Um
[gasps]
[gasps] What?
There's nothing in here.
Oh! Ahmet! Hey!
- [banging]
- Hey, Ahmet!
- [sighs]
- Ahmet!
- [lock rattling]
- Look
- [banging]
- Ahmet!
You can't lock me in here!
Hey! Ahmet!
Look, this is really not cool.
[banging]
[panting]
[gasps]
[yelps]
[chuckles]
[orchestra playing waltz]
[laughter]
Hello, how are you?
- [woman] Very well.
- How long have you been in Istanbul?
- You like it?
- [woman] Yes!
- Not for long, I'm afraid.
- [man] Yes.
- I thought we said so.
- [woman] Thank you.
Sonya?
[woman] I say, I say
Are you acquainted with Mr Halit?
Uh, of course. Everyone knows Halit.
All right. And has there been an accident
between the two of you?
- An accident?
- Mm-hm.
What sort of accident?
Such as, when you were taking
him a drink,
you may have bumped into him.
Or perhaps,
mistakenly spilled a drink on him?
If what should happen has not,
we should make it happen, all right?
What do you mean?
Um Mr Halit, he needs a drink now.
Hah! [gasps]
[lock rattling]
Oh, for God's sake!
[thunder rumbling]
[thunder crashing]
[all gasp]
- Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!
- What the fuck?
Oh!
- Mr Halit?
- Yes?
- [gasps]
- [clattering]
- [Halit sighs]
- [Sonya] I'm so sorry.
[sighs]
Um, hey, excuse me. Excuse me.
Sorry, was that not Atatürk
sitting there just now. Have you seen him?
Atatürk? Um, who do you mean, madam?
Ah, uh, okay. Um, Mustafa Kemal.
U, General Mustafa Kemal.
Uh, he left the hotel just now, madam.
[sighs]
Just my fucking luck.
Ahem.
[sighs heavily]
Why are you looking for Mustafa Kemal?
[sighs]
Ah
You're hanging out in Istanbul
with no worries at all, aren't you?
But don't get comfortable.
You're just visiting.
[Swan Lake Waltz, Op. 20 by Tchaikovsky]
Mustafa Kemal
is planning a military action
that will lead to such a huge triumph,
the whole world will be in awe.
Do you understand me?
I'm telling you,
preparations have already been made.
The War of Independence is just beginning.
All of which means that you're going back
from whence you came.
Have a good evening.
VICTOR TIRING & BROTHERS
TAILOR & BOUTIQUE
[boy] Extra! Extra! Extra!
Emiliano Zapata
has been assassinated!
Extra! Extra!
British massacre in Amritsar!
Mr Halit. We need to talk.
["Jeanne in a Waltz" by Leimoti]
[thunder crashing]
Uh, excuse me. Have you by any chance
seen a girl in a strange outfit?
About, uh this tall.
[sighs]
That woman confirmed all my fears.
As I suspected, Mustafa Kemal is planning
to start a war of resistance soon.
It's time to nip this thing in the bud.
Isn't it risky to kill an Ottoman officer?
That's why it must be a Turk.
[thunder crashing]
Make it look like a personal disagreement.
Something that we can explain away
as an unfortunate event
that we had nothing to do with.
What the hell are you doing?
- Why are you out here?
- [gasps]
Ahmet. Oh, shit! Run!
That's her. Take care of it.
- What?
- Come on! What are you waiting for?
Now, for God's sake!
- [bell rings]
- [screams]
Ahmet, hey! What are you doing? Just run!
[Ahmet] What are you doing?
What are we running for?
What have you done?
- [Esra gasps]
- [applause]
[Esra] Oh! Sorry! Sorry.
[panting]
- Come on. Hurry up.
- I'm going to have a heart attack.
Come on, come on! He's coming.
- [both panting]
- Come on!
Okay. [sighs]
ABDULLAH BROTHERS PHOTOGRAPHY
[Ahmet panting]
I need to sit down. I need to sit down.
- Ahmet, shh! Quiet!
- I'll be fine.
- Ahmet, shh! Be quiet!
- [sighs] Bloody stairs.
- He'll hear us, he'll hear us.
- I'm okay, I'm okay.
Shut up, he's gonna hear us! [sighs]
[Ahmet sighs]
[floorboard creaks]
[gasps]
[sighs]
[Ahmet sighs]
[both panting]
Now tell me why Halit is chasing you.
Do you know him, then?
Now, don't mess about with me. You need
to tell me exactly what you've done.
I haven't done anything.
He was talking to that British officer.
[gasps]
How is this possible?
ROOMS 408-411
Oh We have to go, all right?
[gasps] We have to go.
Esra? We've got to go.
[thunder rumbling]
[Esra gasps]
Ahmet, who was that woman?
[Ahmet sighs]
[sighs] I don't know.
[thunder crashing]
All right.
It'll be all right once we return.
- What do you mean? Return?
- Uh-huh. We need to go back. Yes.
Yes.
[thunder crashing]
Uh, you'd better sit down.
You're not used to this.
Here. You're going to need this for the
trip, but I want it back after we return.
[clears throat]
Just close your eyes.
[thunder crashing]
[clock chiming]
Get ready. Any second now.
[breathing deeply]
[clock chiming]
- Something's wrong.
- [clock chiming]
[sighs]
[thunderclap]
We should have gone back by now.
[sighs] Yes, it's the right time.
Uh
[sighs] Ahmet, I'm not a kid.
I'm not gonna fall for that one again.
[sighs]
[thunder crashing]
Esra?
[gasps]
She's still warm.
Uh it's murder.
[thunder rolling]
This woman is Peride.
Halit? What are you doing?
You leaving already?
Come on, it's a bit early
for you, isn't it?
- I'm not in the mood.
- Wait, wait. Hey, where are you going?
You're not gonna have a few
with your old friend? Come on.
Let's tell a few war stories. Come on!
I'd like to. Another time, Reşat.
I can't stay out tonight.
[Esra] Peride didn't die
in the story you told me.
But all that about Mustafa Kemal
and the handkerchief
How could you ruin everything?
How could you? In such a short time?
- But let's go back in time.
- [scoffs]
I won't leave the room until we do,
I promise, Ahmet.
It doesn't work like that. This isn't
a bus you can take anywhere you want.
What's gonna happen, huh?
What do we do now?
If the story is true
[sighs]
Peride can't stop the assassination.
Do you know what that means?
If Mustafa Kemal doesn't board that ship
on May the 16th,
the War of Independence won't begin,
the republic won't founded,
and Turkey will never come to be!
Look, how are we gonna fix this thing?
Huh? Surely we can fix this.
You must know.
[thunder crashing]
Maybe
Maybe what?
Maybe what?
There may be something.