Dead Places (2021) s01e02 Episode Script

1
[quiet sinister music playing]
How much longer?
Almost ready.
Nolwazi. I told you not to be here.
Why do they need rope?
It doesn’t matter.
You need to go back to Mary.
[low monotonous music playing]
Remember what I told you.
Ninety seconds.
I got you, ninety seconds.
[in French] You all, are you ready?
-[in French] We’re fine.
-[in French] Good.
[watch beeps]
[in French] Okay. It’s 21:50,
[in French] June 12. It’s the first time
we’re going to go into this room.
[in French] We’re going to do it
together. Stay alert.
-[man 1] Good.
-[man 2] Good.
[eerie music playing]
[eerie music grows louder]
[door creaks]
[eerie music continues]
[eerie music ends]
[low monotonous music playing]
[sighs]
-[sudden loud buzzing]
-[screams]
[indistinct voices]
-[howling wind]
-[men panting]
[eerie screams]
[in French] What the hell was that?
[in French] Eric. What is it?
Eric.
[eerie music playing]
[in French] You okay?
[groans]
[pained groan]
Eric!
Eric!
-[metallic noise]
-[man shouts out]
-[gurgling]
-[groan]
-[metallic sound]
-[gurgling]
Stop! I’m warning you!
[gunshot]
[panting]
-[gunshot]
-[knife slashing]
[soft groans]
[labored breathing]
[eerie music ends slowly]
[opening theme music playing]
[theme music ends]
[rhythmic instrumental music playing]
You have got to be shitting me.
[music continues]
[music ends]
[mobile phone ringing]
Hey, Will.
How’s the new place? You settling in?
More like sinking in.
What is this?
Is this some kind of payback?
[Ben laughs] Come on, Will.
It’s not that bad.
In fact, I actually thought that you might
enjoy something a bit more um
-authentic.
-Exactly how much trouble are you in?
What are you talking about?
[Will] There’s something’s leaking
from the fridge.
I’m pretty sure it’s a body.
It’s probably the old cat woman
who use to live here.
Okay, uh, look,
the industry is in a bit of a slump, okay?
We are all suffering.
Now, your job is to just write me a book
I can sell. Okay?
-Just like the old days.
-The books haven’t changed, Ben.
I know, I know. But the market has.
[Ben] Which is why I’ve, uhm,
come up with a bit of a plan.
What kind of a plan?
Now, now, don’t go freaking out, okay but…
I’ve hired someone
to give you a bit of a hand.
You’ve done what?
[Ben] Will, Will, Will.
If we don’t change,
we are done, okay? Done.
I know you don’t like it,
but there’s nothing I can do.
We have no choice.
[thump]
And what exactly is this person
supposed to help me do?
By making you more, relatable,
to a younger market.
-That’s it.
-[knock on door]
Is that them at the door, by any chance?
Mmm, no, no, no. Yeah. Maybe.
Unless you ordered room service. [laughs]
That’s not funny and this isn’t over.
Fuck I’m gonna, stab you when I see you.
[sighs]
[playful music playing]
-Hi.
-Kelly.
[laughs] Hi, I brought you
a housewarming gift.
Ben said your place is a little bit sad.
It really is.
So, Ben hired you?
Yeah.
To do what exactly?
[huffs] To do, like, research
and setting up appointments,
that sort of thing.
You know, get you onto social media.
You can forget that.
We’ll see how we go.
Look, Kelly,
I would really like to work with you,
but this is a bad idea.
You already know how dangerous it is.
You could get hurt.
Yeah, I’ve been hurt before.
You could die. You died before?
[laughs] Are you always this negative?
That’s something that we’re going
to have to change because…
nobody’s going to watch
your channel with this attitude.
My channel? Listen-- [laughs]. Funny.
So, listen, just so we’re clear,
I’m an author.
I write books on the supernatural.
I am not doing social media.
[camera lens focuses]
Hello, hello, hello, cool.
So, what do they look like?
Come on, what’s the big deal?
Most of the time, they look like people.
And the other times?
You can’t see them.
Then how would you know they are there?
You feel them.
They’re heavy. They suck away the air.
Do they know they’re dead?
Most of the time.
What do they want?
Some of them want to carry on living.
They wanna go back to their families.
And the others?
They don’t like us.
They wish we weren’t here.
Sounds creepy.
You don’t believe me?
Then why are you even filming this?
To show your friends when you’re older.
Show them how crazy you were.
Give me the camera.
Come and get it.
[Kelly] Will, Will. Hey.
-What?
-Are you not listening to me?
No.
I said, why are you so scared anyway?
I’m not scared.
I just don’t like it.
There’s too many megalomaniacs
spewing hatred
and a warped sense of reality. No offense.
It’s social media, Will.
It’s not genocide.
At least genocide had a point.
I’m almost ready…
So what do you want me to say?
Whatever you want.
Show off your personality.
Maybe not too much.
You know, less is more.
Isn’t there somewhere else
you could be right now?
-Not really.
-Uh, there’s food in the fridge.
What? Food? Where? Mmm.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
Look, don’t overthink it. Just
introduce yourself
and er, talk about the channel, yeah?
-Okay. I’m ready.
-Okay.
In three, two, one.
Hey everybody, and welcome to my show.
Uh
I’m Will Stone, author
of the series of books, Dead Places.
-[Joe] Yeah!
-Over the next few weeks,
I’ll be visiting some of the most
haunted places in South Africa,
instead of writing about my experiences
as I have for the last decade,
I’ll be sharing them here, with you.
For free, apparently.
After which you can whine
about how fake everything looks
and what an ugly bastard I am.
I’m amped. Looking forward to it.
Hope you are too.
Booo!
And for your information, it’s not free.
I make a pretty decent living
off my channel.
That’s a matter of opinion.
[mobile phone ringing]
Gabriel?
[big sigh]
I have two conditions.
You pay upfront.
And you agree to a recorded interview.
And I get access to the room?
If that’s what you want.
-When?
-[Gabriel] Come to the house tomorrow.
At nine.
[Will] Okay. Thank you.
-Was that Gabriel?
-Yeah.
What changed his mind?
Same thing as always. Social media.
Really?
-Mon-ey.
-Oh.
So, what’s so special
about this room anyway? [sniffs]
How do I put this?
It’s probably haunted.
[huffs] Okay, take two?
-[Will] Yeah, let’s go for it.
-In three, two, one.
[low monotonous music playing]
There it is.
An old, haunted house on the hill.
Well, that’s not a cliché at all.
Says the down-on-his-luck ex-cop
who’s possibly an alcoholic.
For your information,
alcoholics want to quit.
I, am a drunk.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Will] Will you stop
poking that thing in my face?
-]Kelly] But you look so pretty. [laughs]
-[Will] Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.
[eerie music playing]
[floorboards creak]
[Kelly] Whoa. How old is this place?
[Will] Built in 1905.
One of the first mansions in Jo'burg.
Survived two fires.
Not surprising, considering
it has 22 different fireplaces.
Hello.
What’s your name?
Nolwazi.
Nice to meet you, Nolwazi.
I’m Kelly. Do you live here?
My father’s the owner.
Cool. That’s why we’re here.
We have a meeting with him.
Is he around?
[loud footstep]
[Gabriel] Nolwazi.
[in Zulu] I spoke to Mary.
[in Zulu] I bought a cake.
In the kitchen.
[sighs]
Nolwazi’s not good with strangers.
Smart girl.
This is my colleague, Kelly.
Hi.
You remember my terms? Only you.
Kelly’s just here to observe.
So were the last two who died.
She stays on the other side of the house.
Absolutely.
Come with me.
[low monotonous music playing]
[music grows louder and suddenly ends]
[Will] Your wife?
Yes.
You guys still together?
Depends on how you define together.
She died three years ago.
I’m sorry.
The cliché that all writers drink,
is it true?
Pretty much.
It’s a little early in the morning though.
I don’t know what normal is anymore.
-It’s gotten worse?
-[Gabriel] You could say that.
-Can we be honest with each other Will?
-Of course.
Why are you doing this?
And I’m not talking about the book.
It’s what I do.
Or if you want the real truth,
it’s all I do.
I want you to understand
what you’re getting into.
This thing.
It’s pure evil.
And it thrives on causing harm.
Like I said before, I know the risks.
Do you believe in statistics?
Why?
Because based on the numbers,
you’re going to die today.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Kelly] So, this is pretty much
exactly what I was expecting.
Scary house. Weird owner.
Old shit everywhere.
All we need now
is a dog growling at a wall or something.
Okay, I’m gonna show you guys.
Right.
Okay, so over here
we’ve got blueprints of the house.
And one of these rooms is fucked up.
Are you guys creeped out yet?
[glass breaking]
What was that noise?
[ominous music playing]
[soft click of lights flickering]
[soft crying]
[soft crying]
[crying and sniffing]
Hey, let me help you with that.
Oh, no, that’s fine.
There’s no need, ma’am. I’m fine.
No, it’s not a problem.
I’m waiting for someone.
[exhales] Oh, no. There’s no need ma’am.
I’m fine.
[eerie music playing]
Are you sure? You seem upset.
I’m fine.
Can I get you something?
I can make you a sandwich if you want?
No thank you.
Well, if there’s anything you need,
just ask.
I’m Mary.
[sniffs] Kelly.
Okay, thanks.
[Gabriel] The maids, were the first
to experience it.
The door shutting on its own.
Picture frames falling off the walls.
Light bulbs burning out.
So I installed a camera.
-When did it start?
-Just keep watching.
Whatever it is it has an awareness.
It doesn’t like to be filmed.
So I spoke to a few people.
They recommended I get a medium.
She came highly recommended.
Thought she could help.
[soft screaming]
She clawed her eyes out.
The hospital did everything they could.
She died within a week.
That’s the priest.
He was in there for just over 90 seconds.
Suffered a heart attack.
I tried to resuscitate him,
but his jaw was locked.
He died in the passage.
The other three you know about.
That’s how I got this.
How long have you been here?
Two years.
What do you know about the house?
It doesn’t matter.
Most hauntings are historical.
-If we can find out what happened here--
-Please.
You misunderstand the situation.
I’m done looking for a solution.
After you’re gone,
I’m going to build a wall over that door.
If that doesn’t work?
I’m going to burn
this place to the ground.
[crow cawing]
[eerie music playing]
[lighter clicks]
[Nolwazi] My father says smoking kills.
He says it rots your insides.
[exhales]
Smart guy.
If you know it’s wrong,
why do you still do it?
Well maybe I’m not as clever
as your old man.
You live here?
It’s some place.
-You’re lucky.
-No, I’m not.
Why would you say that?
Something bad lives here.
It likes to hurt people.
Really?
[bird wings flapping]
And how would you know that?
Because I found it. In my old room.
[scoffs]
Okay.
So then tell me…
What does it look like?
Like your insides.
[dramatic music playing]
[crows cawing]
[birds chirping]
You don’t think this is overkill?
[Gabriel] No.
Please state your full names.
-Kelly Peterson.
-Will Stone.
Your real name.
William Khoza.
-Did I initiate communication with you?
-No.
Have I in any way
coerced you to be here today?
No.
Have I tried to dissuade
you from entering the room?
Yes.
[Gabriel] And in spite of my warnings,
you still wish to proceed?
Yes.
Notwithstanding the fact
that there have been many fatalities
that have been linked to the room?
[exhales]
Yeah.
Miss Peterson, have I made it clear to you
that some of those fatalities that
have occurred, were not even in the room?
You have, yes.
And yet you still
wish to stay in the house?
Yes.
We’ll go in after lunch.
Why not now?
For some reason, afternoons are better.
Lunch will be served outside.
I’ll see you later.
[scoffs]
That was intense.
Still want the job?
[scoffs]
Hurts people.
[eerie music playing]
Hey. Take it easy. I
I didn’t mean to scare you.
I was just taking a walk.
There’s no need to apologize.
Um. I didn’t see you coming.
It’s a beautiful day for a walk.
Yeah. That’s why I was going to take a--
You know what?
I’m just going to head back.
No. Um, this part
of the property is really the best.
You don’t want to miss it.
Okay.
[eerie music continues]
Mmm.
Are you all right?
What do you mean?
You’re bleeding.
Oh. Uh.
Oh, it’s nothing. It’s mosquitos.
Those must be some mosquitos?
There are plenty of them, yeah.
Huh.
Your walk?
Yeah. Thanks.
You might want to put something on that.
I will.
[woman humming]
[humming]
There’s something wrong with my food.
-What’s wrong with it?
-[Nolwazi] It tastes bad.
Eat some.
[soft squishing sound]
[disturbing music playing]
[music ends]
Look, you weren’t there, okay?
There is something wrong with that woman.
The whole time,
she wouldn’t stop smiling at me.
I know, it’s shocking right,
maybe she likes you.
I mean, there’s a first time
for everything.
Look, I know what I’m talking about, okay?
The lights were on, but nobody was home.
You know what I’m saying?
And what is up with this place? Huh?
Why are we the only ones here?
Calm down, Joe.
He cancelled all his bookings for us.
Just drink your tomato sauce.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Okay, okay. Forget zombie maid,
for a second. okay.
What about the kid from The Shining, huh?
You cannot tell me that kid
is not freaky as
Her mother passed.
She’s obviously traumatized.
She’s also homeschooled.
I’ve seen it with my niece.
They like, lack social skills.
No, no, no, no, no!
No.
Whatever is wrong with this place,
it is poisoning these people.
A woman smiled at you, a kid didn’t.
We’re not under attack here, Joe.
You need to leave this room alone.
It’s not worth it.
Ah, come on, you guys are just going
to make up some bullshit story anyway?
I mean, your fans won’t care.
Who’s gonna know?
I’m going to know.
[scoffs] You know what?
I am going to wait
my black ass in the car.
And I’m taking this.
[softly] Amazing.
Want to stay in a haunted house?
No, no, no, not me.
No, no, no, not me. That’s for damn sure.
I want you to go with Joe.
-What? Why?
-He’s right.
Not about everything, but it’s dangerous.
But I’m not going to be
anywhere near that room.
The room’s, just a part of it.
It’s more than that.
Whatever this is. It knows we’re here.
And it wants us gone.
[sinister music playing]
[groans]
And now?
Will doesn’t want me in the house.
He thinks that you might have a point.
Oh, great. So I have a point.
But then he’s still going in?
[Kelly] What do you think?
-What a relationship.
-[Kelly laughs]
[exhales]
[Kelly] Hey, listen,
it’s not too late to change your mind.
I wouldn’t want to disappoint my viewers.
You know important social media is to me.
Have you got a picture?
I do. Looks good.
Will, um, if something goes wrong,
what do we do?
You put the rust bucket into gear
and get out of here.
Fine by me!
[coughs]
[low droning]
[Gabriel] This will all be over soon.
Just stay here.
I’ll come back for you when I’m done.
[in Zulu] Sir.
[in Zulu] Yes, Mary.
[in Zulu] Do you think
this man can help us?
No. He can’t.
[low monotonous music playing]
[in Zulu] Stay here.
[in Zulu] Lock the door.
[in Zulu] I won't be long.
[sinister music playing]
[music grows louder and suddenly ends]
[fire crackling]
The cold gets in your bones.
I should’ve warned you.
I think the cold
is the least of my problems.
[big inhale] I had big plans
for this place.
Was going to build a chapel.
Maybe some conference rooms.
Leave something meaningful
for Nolwazi to inherit.
Look, Gabriel, I know you’re not looking
for any answers anymore.
But, uh, depending how this goes,
I might still be able to help you.
If only that were true.
Good luck.
Will, remember, 90 seconds.
Might be the only thing
that saves your life.
[low monotonous music playing]
It’s like a bad horror movie.
Okay. Here we go.
[tense music playing]
[door creaking]
[music ends]
Nothing I haven’t seen before.
Pretty macabre.
[sudden loud disturbing music]
[disturbing whispers]
[overlaying disturbing notes]
[screaming]
[wet gurgling]
[disturbing whispers]
-[loud thump]
-[Will groans]
Will, what’s happening?
[phone ringing]
[coughing]
[disturbing music playing]
[coughing]
[screaming]
I know what it is! It’s not the room!
[Will screams]
[dramatic music playing]
Will. Oh, my God,
we have to go and help him.
Shit!
[dramatic music continues]
[music dies down]
I’m sorry.
The demon? It’s in your daughter.
[sinister music playing]
It’s able to pass through her.
That’s how I could feel it everywhere.
We have to find her. Okay? Come on.
[Joe] Will! Will!
[Kelly] What’s happening?
The only reason a demon attaches itself
to someone is when--
For help or to possess them.
This one has possessed Nolwazi.
We have to release her.
-The kid from The Shining?
-Yes Joe, the kid from The Shining.
-[loud disturbing music notes]
-Nolwazi!
No! That is not your daughter.
[disturbing music playing]
[disturbing whispers]
[music grows louder]
Whoa, whoa, hey, woohooo! Hey!
Everybody, everybody, everybody
-just breathe.
-Yeah.
-[Will] Take it easy.
-I’m taking it easy.
[disturbing overlaying screeching notes]
[men straining]
-Nolwazi.
-It’s possessed us.
Joe, what are you doing?
It’s not me.
[scared gasps]
[Will] Gabriel, I need your help.
You have to talk to her.
You have to get to her and I will
get to it. Do you understand me?
-Will?
-[Will] Yes, Joe.
-You’ve got this right?
-[Will] Yes, Joe.
[straining] Talk to her, Gabriel.
Yeah, Gabriel. Say say something.
[frightened breathing]
[groaning]
[straining]
[panting] Talk to her Gabriel.
Focus on me. You come through her.
[disturbing whispers]
Gabriel, speak to your daughter,
she needs you.
No, no, no.
[scared] Joe.
[straining] Nolwazi.
Come on. I can’t hear you Gabriel!
[in Zulu] Listen to me, baby.
I love you. Come back.
[in Zulu] You need to fight, Nolwazi.
Fight!
[Gabriel groans]
[straining] Will!
[eerie overlaying notes]
-[loud thud]
-[groans]
[Joe] Guys?
[groaning]
[dramatic music playing]
[heavy breathing]
[heavy breathing and growling]
[growling]
-[loud explosion]
-[splash in water]
[man in Zulu] ] What did you do, boy?
[girl] I thought you loved me.
[man] I told you not to go down there.
Why didn’t you listen! Why, why!
It’s your fault she’s dead!
[dramatic music playing]
[sniffs] [coughing]
[crying] Are you okay, baby?
Are you okay?
[Kelly] [breathing heavily]
Will, are you okay?
Kelly.
[quick sigh]
[Will groans]
[somber music playing]
[Will] It’s not uncommon
for a demon to possess a child.
There are many reasons for it.
Purity. Naivete. An openness to the world.
To the unknown.
I suppose
all that matters is that it’s gone.
And that the people
it tormented can get back to their lives.
And look forward.
[sighs]
Which in the end
is all that any of us can hope for.
[huffs]
What remains a mystery however,
is why the demon
chose the house in the first place,
and what made it stay?
[sinister music playing]
What are you painting?
A picture of Mary.
I’m sure she’ll like that.
I’m going to get something to eat.
Would you like anything?
Just some milk, please.
Okay.
[eerie music playing]
[eerie music ends]
[closing theme music playing]