The Clearing (2023) s01e01 Episode Script

1
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
What are you doing?
Carving my name.
(RASPING)
SARA: My mom says it hurts the tree.
(CROW CAWING)
AMY: How does she know?
She says you have to
imagine you're the tree.
People get tattoos.
My teacher has a tattoo.
Of the North Star, here.
He's from Europe.
What school do you go to?
My school's at home.
Do you want to do your name?
I should go. Mom worries if I'm late.
I can do it for you.
That way, when you walk to
school tomorrow, you can see it.
Okay. My name is Sara.
- S-A-R-A, right?
- Yep.
How old are you?
Eight.
How old do you think I am?
Guess.
Twelve?
I just turned 13.
Mommy says I'm a big girl now.
(TIRES SCREECH)
(TAMSIN PANTS)
(SARA YELPS, GRUNTING)
(MUFFLED SHOUTING) No! No!
SARA: Let go of me!
(SARA'S MUFFLED CRYING)
- What are you doing?
- ANTON: Quick. Hurry, Aunty.
SARA (YELLING): No! Stop!
SARA (YELPING): No! What's going on?
- (SARA'S MUFFLED YELLING)
- TAMSIN: Amy, hold her legs!
- Amy.
- (SARA YELLING)
Amy, get in!
(SARA GROANING)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
(ENGINE REVS)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
(LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)
BILLY: 38
39, 40
41
42
49, 50,
51, 52, 53
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)
One, two, three
You did it, Mom!
(GASPING)
Two minutes and three seconds!
Yeah! (LAUGHS)
BILLY: Whoo-hoo!
FREYA: Whoo!
Whoo.
(GROANS) I can't feel my toes.
You might have to go in and get 'em.
(CHUCKLES)
Here's your tea, Mom.
Oh, you're a lifesaver.
Hey.
I'll race you back.
(FREYA LAUGHS)
Oh, hey!
Hey, no fair!
You've got a head start. (SOFT CHUCKLE)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(FREYA PANTING)
Oh. (LAUGHS)
Okay!
- (EXHALES DEEPLY)
- (DOG BARKS)
I give up! You win!
(PANTS)
(DOG BARKING CONTINUES)
Billy?
BILLY: What took you so long?
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
FREYA: Oh, all right.
Winner gets to choose what's for dinner.
- Fish and chips!
- Fish and chips, okay.
Surprise, surprise. (EXHALES DEEPLY)
Come on.
You're like a little whippet, boy.
So fast.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)
(CAR ENGINE RUMBLES)
(GATE CREAKS)
You're home now, Asha.
Who, who's Asha?
AMY: Come on.
This is Asha.
Your new sister.
HANNAH: Stop!
Tamsin, what have you done?
- BOY 1: Whoa, look at her hair.
- BOY 2: Feel it.
TAMSIN: One at a time!
Don't frighten her.
- GIRL 1: Be quiet.
- TAMSIN: Form a line.
GIRL 2: Quick, get in line.
GIRL 3: How old are you?
Welcome home, Asha.
Hello, I'm Aaron.
Hello. I'm Abigail.
Hello and welcome.
Welcome.
(LAUGHING IN DISTANCE)
BILLY: I got you.
- I got you.
- REPORTER: Tonight's news bulletin.
- I get you.
- Missing Woodfield schoolgirl.
MANNY: Two flake,
- one grill, one batter,
- NEWSREADER: News at six,
- minimum chips.
- with Mimi Kwa.
BILLY: Thank you!
- Police are calling on members
- MANNY: You're welcome
- of the public to come forward
- young guy.
with any information
on a missing schoolgirl
taken from the small
country town of Woodfield.
The young lass was last seen
disembarking the school bus
on Whitecross Road
at approximately 20
HARRY: If you, if you close
Billy! Don't run off like that!
- Okay.
- (FREYA SIGHS)
All right, thanks.
HARRY'S MOTHER: I caved on
some takeaway tonight, too.
I came out of yoga to a flat
tire. Would you believe it?
(CHUCKLES)
Rani says it's my negative energy.
Something else to work on, apparently.
(BOTH CHUCKLE SOFTLY)
Oh, Freya. Why don't you join us?
- And then the boys can hang out, while
- Please!
- while I wait for Roadside Assist?
- BOYS: Yes, yes, yes.
- BOYS: Yes, please, please.
- I
- BOYS: Please.
- I should probably get him home.
- Of course.
- Yeah.
- Well, I'll see you at drop off.
- FREYA: Yep, sounds good.
- Bye, Billy!
- FREYA: Don't run off like that.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
AMY: So, Aunty Hannah sleeps upstairs.
Aunty Tamsin sleeps out in the caravan.
The dining hall is through here.
Our dormitory's downstairs.
And through here
(LOCK RATTLES)
is Mommy's room.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
I'm not supposed to be here.
TAMSIN: Mommy will be
home soon to meet you.
Best we get you ready.
You want to look pretty
for her, don't you?
(CHANTING IN DISTANCE)
(CLATTERS IN DISTANCE)
I want my mom.
I want my mom.
What are you doing?
- TAMSIN: Hold still now.
- SARA: Stop!
Eyes closed! Do you want to go blind?
- SARA: Stop!
- Do you?
(CHANTING CONTINUES)
SARA: It's burning!
It's burning!
- Stop!
- TAMSIN: Quiet!
- SARA: Stop!
- TAMSIN: Quiet now.
SARA: Leave me alone!
SERGEANT FORT: Whilst we hold grave
concerns for the girl's safety,
we are conducting a full
investigation using CCTV and GPS data
to search Woodfield and
the surrounding areas,
while calling on all members of
the public to please come forward,
if you have any information whatsoever.
Now, we know the girl was last
seen walking home from school
at around 4:00 p. m.
This is a small, close-knit
community that is hurting right now.
(DIAL TONE)
- Her family especially.
- JOE: You've called Joe. Leave a message.
SARA'S MOTHER: Please,
if you're watching
Hi, Joe, it's me.
Have you seen the news?
SARA'S MOTHER: We just
want our daughter back.
We need her home safe, in our arms.
I know she's still out there.
Mommy loves you, sweetheart.
(SARA'S MOTHER SOBS)
(SARA SOBS)
(SHUSHES)
(SOBBING CONTINUES)
- Be quiet.
- I want to go home.
They'll hear you.
(PANTING)
(SARA SOBBING IN DISTANCE)
(GASPING)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(SARA'S SOBBING CONTINUES)
AMY: Sleepy time now.
(SARA GASPING)
(FREYA BREATHES DEEPLY)
(SOBS)
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING IN DISTANCE)
(CLEARS THROAT)
(BIRDS CAWING)
AMY: Wake up. Wake up, wake up.
Hey, wake up, wake up,
wake up. Go to my bed.
- Go to my bed, go, go, go.
- (GROANS)
Quick, quick.
Quickly, before she comes, go.
(BELL RINGING)
(TAMSIN SIGHS)
Good morning, children.
Abigail, rise and shine.
(KEY CLANKING)
Everybody into your tracksuits.
Aunty Hannah's waiting.
Not you, Amy.
HANNAH: Star jumps.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
Asha, concentrate.
Seven, eight, nine, ten.
Reach and stretch.
One.
Two.
Three.
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
One.
Two.
Yeah. Sounds really good.
- And me and Harry found an ant nest.
- What kind of ants?
- CHRISTINE: Billy!
- Nan!
My little man, hi.
Oh, come here, you.
Oh, my gosh.
Look at you.
- It's getting so big.
- What are you doing here?
I yeah, uh
Some mail came for you.
I figured you'd be at school pick up.
It looked important.
Thanks for dropping
it off. Come on, Billy.
Is Nan coming to our place?
(STUDENT INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHAIN CLANKING)
(MOTORCYCLE ENGINE RUMBLES)
HENRIK: Didn't you see the sign?
Detective Senior Constable Saad.
I know who you are.
This is your property, isn't it?
- Henrik.
- I look after it for the owner.
She inside?
Hmm.
Not here.
Can I help you with something, Officer?
We're conducting door-to-door
inquiries in the area
for the schoolgirl
abducted from Woodfield.
You probably saw it on the news.
A witness saw a white van
driving in town in recent days.
Not local.
You have a white van registered
in your name, isn't that right?
There's a few of those
around, Detective.
(SCOFFS)
- Is that the Blue Devils?
- Shh. Annabelle.
What's the Blue Devils?
The bad men who want to
put us in hessian bags
and take us away to torture us.
SARA (SHOUTING): Help! Down here!
- (SARA GROANS)
- (ANTON GRUNTS)
Be quiet, or you'll
never make another sound.
Would you mind, Henrik, if
we do a bit of a look inside?
No, you're most welcome.
But I assume that you have a warrant.
(SARA SIGHS)
(DOOR OPENS)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(SIGHS)
You're safe now.
(MUTTERING)
- You coming, Asha?
- My name is Sara.
Sara is gone. Sooner you
get used to it, the better.
- BILLY: Mom, is Nan still following us?
- FREYA: Mm-hm.
Mom?
How come Nan's never been to our place?
Well, we go to her place for Christmas.
(GASPING)
Tucked away in here, aren't ya?
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(BILLY GRUNTS)
- CHRISTINE: Uh, so this is Leo.
- BILLY: Hey, Leo.
- Hey, Leo.
- Hi, Leo.
This is, uh
I have to say, I wasn't expecting this.
Yeah, we like it.
It's peaceful. Private.
- BILLY: Mom?
- Hm?
I'm hungry.
You're gonna open that?
Mom? What can I eat?
I don't know.
CHRISTINE: Abigail was getting
married by the look of it.
I noticed the return details.
- BILLY: Mom.
- I wasn't prying.
BILLY: Mom?
Is Nan staying for dinner?
Uh, no, Christine has
a very long drive home.
Why doesn't anyone ask what I want?
(DOOR SLAMS)
CHRISTINE: Boy needs
other people, Freya.
You can't keep him
wrapped up in cotton wool.
Hey, Billy. Come on.
Open the door, Billy.
(KNOCKING)
Billy, come on. Let Mommy in.
He gets like this when he's overtired.
Billy, open the door.
- Ooh.
- (BILLY YELPS)
- (BILLY GRUNTS)
- (PANTS)
- Okay, hang on, hang on.
- Let me see, let me see.
You're okay. You're okay.
Hey, if you had listened to what I said,
this wouldn't have happened, would it?
- You did it on purpose.
- Here.
No, I didn't. It was an
accident. Billy? Here.
Chuck this on.
- (GROANS IN PAIN)
- Hold this on.
You're such a brave boy.
That, that must've
really hurt. Here you go.
All right, that should do it.
There we go. It's not so bad.
- Okay.
- It's okay. It's all right.
Hey, Billy. Why don't
you show Nan your room?
CHRISTINE: Do you want
to do that? Come on.
There we go.
- (OMINOUS MUSIC)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(ENGINE RUMBLES)
CHRISTINE: Ooh, we go
up the stairs, darling.
- I'm just going to get some fresh air.
- Okay.
- Stay.
- CHRISTINE: Here we go.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
HENRIK: Why didn't you tell me?
Heck, they are looking
for a white van, Hannah.
Tamsin says there's lots of white vans.
It's like a needle in a haystack.
- What was she thinking?
- She wasn't!
- Only that Adrienne wants more.
- But not like this.
You know we need to wait.
We need to wait for an
adoption at the hospital.
Henrik.
You know, that loophole's been closed.
- Annabelle was the last one.
- (DISTANT SINGING)
Well then, we foster.
You know, we talk to
our members at The Lodge.
KIDS: Atishoo, atishoo ♪
It's a crime, Hannah.
And what about the adoptions? The
falsified papers? What were they?
It's not some unwanted child!
KIDS: Full of posies, atishoo, atishoo ♪
We all fall down ♪
Ring-a-ring-a-rosie ♪
A pocket full of posies ♪
Atishoo, atishoo, we all fall down ♪
Can't you see that this could ruin
everything that we're doing here?
What if it did?
What if her parents come looking
for her? Then all of this has to end.
I'm going to pretend
you didn't just say that.
We need to tell Maitreya.
We could go to jail for this.
KIDS: Ring-a-ring-a-rosie ♪
A pocket full of posies, atishoo ♪
- See you, Billy.
- Bye, Nan.
- How's your eye?
- It's okay.
Let me see.
Hey, if anyone asks
you at school tomorrow,
that was an accident.
- You know that, don't you?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
I'll never let anything
happen to you, Bilbo.
Mm-hm.
TAMSIN: Virabhadrasana one.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Virabhadrasana two.
(CHATTER CONTINUES)
Trikanasana.
Belly button toward your spine, Alisha.
Annabelle, tummy in.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Amy, lower.
(SARA PANTING)
HANNAH: What are you doing?
I'm calling my mom to come and get me.
She'll never find you here.
Well then, I'll wait for
her at Blackmarsh Road.
(CAR APPROACHING)
(CROW CAWING)
First, we release the
girl in a national park.
Somewhere she'll be found. No trace.
TAMSIN: But her hair.
They'll see her hair.
BRYCE: Can't you dye it back?
HANNAH: She knows exactly where we are.
If she goes back, then they'll find us.
(BRYCE SIGHS)
You have put the
kindred in grave danger.
I was just trying to help.
Yes, well, you will answer to
Maitreya for what you've done.
(LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
BRYCE: Welcome home.
In the middle of a
Vipassana Healing, Bryce.
TAMSIN: I chose her carefully.
For you, Maitreya.
I, uh I watched her, and
I made sure no one saw us.
ADRIENNE: Did you? Is that
why it's all over the news?
TAMSIN: I didn't mean to let you down.
Everyone thinks you should
be cast out. Ex-communicated.
What do you think I
should do with you, Tamsin?
And you wonder why
your husband left you.
ADRIENNE: Send Amy in.
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
This child must be made one of us now.
Yes.
It's the only way.
- You wanted to see me, Mommy?
- Come, sit.
Thank you, Doctor.
Closer.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Amy.
You're my big girl now. Hm?
On the cusp of womanhood.
Where you are now is like a season,
the season of your unfoldment.
Do you understand?
Hm.
One day you will have
a child of your own.
One we can raise at Blackmarsh.
Would you like that?
Yes, Mommy.
But first, you must show me
that you can take care of Asha.
I'm putting you in charge.
It's up to you to help
her learn our ways.
Can you do that for me, Amy?
Yes, Mommy.
(SIGHS)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Do you ever miss this?
- Us.
- You mustn't question, Tamsin.
In her wisdom, Maitreya knows.
We are on the path, all of us.
(SNIFFS)
(SOBS)
You have to evolve.
Adrienne can, can walk through time.
What if the Blue Devils
come back with a warrant?
We have people in place. It's in hand.
If she casts me out, where will I go?
You're my special one.
None of the others get to come
here and see Mommy like you.
I know you won't disappoint me.
ADRIENNE: My children.
You are the initiate.
I'm looking directly
into each one of you.
Keeping you safe from the outside world
with all its cruelty and misery.
You are my kindred.
The chosen ones set forth
on the path to perfection.
- Hold my hand
- Hey!
and I would lead
you into the awakening.
(GRUNTING) No!
SARA: Get off me!
No!
- (CHANTING)
- Stop!
Let me go!
- SARA: No!
- TAMSIN: Let's go.
SARA: I wanna go home!
No! Stop!
You have caused me a lot of
trouble, do you know that?
When you disrespect Maitreya,
that's where I draw the line.
- Not now.
- AMY: Aunty Tamsin, it's me.
Mommy said I have to look
after my little sister.
- Go away, Amy!
- She said I'm in charge of her.
She said I must teach her our ways.
(SARA BREATHES DEEPLY)
(TAMSIN PANTS)
I won't let anyone hurt you.
(KEY CLANKS)
What is it?
The key to my home.
But this is your home.
No, I hate it here.
Don't say that.
I'm not allowed to let you say that.
At home, I have friends.
I go to a school.
I get kisses goodnight.
When I'm hungry, I can
just open the fridge.
I have dolls, toys, television
Don't lie to me.
Mommy says we only have
room for the truth inside.
People can be cruel and
kind at the same time, Asha.
You will learn that.
My name is Sara!
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(CAWING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)
(PANTS)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(LOCK RATTLES)
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
JOE: Freya.
Look, I know what you're
going to say, but
there's a white van parked
by the lake near my house.
It's just like the one on the
news with the missing girl.
I have a bad feeling, Joe.
I thought maybe you could
pull a few favors or something.
You believe me, don't you?
JOE: Haven't I always?
I'll get the local
cops to do a drive-by.
- Thanks.
- JOE: Okay.
(BELL CLANKING)
You may sit.
(CHAIRS SCREECH)
(UTENSILS CLANKING)
HANNAH (SHOUTS): Angela!
Elbows.
Asha?
Your mother is on the phone for you.
(THUDS)
(SARA SOBS)
And why does Amy get more?
I helped get Asha too!
Mom?
Hello, angel. It's Mommy.
I've been waiting for you.
(BREATHES DEEPLY) You're not my mom.
(LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)
I'm so sorry, Adrienne.
It seems Amy has failed you.
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)
(GRUNTS)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(AMY GRUNTING OVER PHONE)
- Seems I'll have to fix this myself.
- (GRUNTING OVER PHONE CONTINUES)
- Is that a good idea?
- What choice do we have?
(THUDS)
(CRICKETS CREAKING)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
- (CAR DOOR CLOSES)
- (GASPS)
(PANTING)
(GASPS)
(SIGHS DEEPLY)
(INSECTS CREAKING)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)
(THUDDING IN DISTANCE)
(CREAKING)
(SIGHS)
(BELL RINGING)
TAMSIN: Where is she?
- Where is she?
- I don't know, Aunty.
TAMSIN: She's gone.
How?
(TAMSIN PANTS)
Search the grounds.
All of you, find her!
Get dressed.
TAMSIN: Hurry!
(DOOR CLOSES)
(DOOR THUDS)
(LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey!
Wait.
(PANTING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTING CONTINUES)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(GASPS)
Billy.
(GRUNTING)
Billy?
(SIGHS)
What?
Oh.
- BILLY: What?
- (SIGHS)
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
(SIGHS)
BILLY: There's Harry.
HARRY: Hi, Billy.
- Hi, Harry. Bye, Mom.
- Bye-bye.
(FREYA GRUNTS)
Hey, it's only me. I got your shopping.
(WOMAN SOFTLY HUMS)
(HUMMING CONTINUES)
How is she today?
Demanding.
But just the one accident this morning.
(SIGHS)
Mom, you being nice to Mo, hm?
MO: We were just about to do
a jigsaw puzzle, weren't we?
Mother bird knows when it's time
for the baby bird to be
pushed out of the nest.
You're a dead bird.
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
You're my big girl now, Amy.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
("CAMERA'S ROLLING"
BY AGNES OBEL PLAYING)