Channel Zero (2016) s01e05 Episode Script
Guest of Honor
1 [police radio scanner.]
[eerie music.]
[police radio scanner.]
[police radio scanner.]
[solemn music.]
So what color is the river? Uh, bluish and sometimes greenish.
- What what color's the sky? - Blue.
And what color is chocolate milk? Pink! [chuckling.]
No, it's not.
It's chocolate colored.
- Good morning.
- Ah, good morning.
- How're you doing, kid? - Good.
Mm.
Ah.
- Did you sleep well? - I did.
I did.
I dreamt we all went to the beach.
Well, good dreams are nature's Prozac.
Yeah.
Been so long, I felt like I was having somebody else's dream.
Oh.
What's wrong? [knocking.]
[tense music.]
It's not confirmed yet.
But the wounds the footprints.
- It was kids.
- Yeah.
We found Daphne Bell, too.
Dead a couple days.
In Frances Booth's basement.
And we found "Candle Cove" props - In Frances Booth's basement? - Yes.
You found props from "Candle Cove" in Frances Booth's basement? All all that stuff to make the show? Mm-hmm.
I'm gonna need your help.
Okay.
Meet me at the station.
[door opens.]
[door closes.]
Jessica's, uh She's, uh I actually thought it was over.
Ugh.
Mike.
[grunts.]
[groaning.]
[grunts.]
Mike? Erica's here.
- Hello.
- Is she here, Marla? She she's outside.
Are you bleeding? Oh, it's, uh It's nothing.
I'm gonna go and get her.
Mike, what happened here? How does a six-year-old girl just show up? Mommy! Hi, bunny.
It's good to see you.
Okay.
Well, time to say bye, okay? My guess is, she killed Daphne, herself, and directed them to kill Jessica.
Come on, Amy.
We know these kids.
There's no way.
You heard what the coroner said.
You saw the footprints.
Kids aren't capable of that.
Under the right circumstances kids are capable of almost anything.
We're talking about somebody carving up Jessica here.
Children's brains are Are like clay.
An authority figure like Frances Booth could take advantage.
This is all hands on deck.
First thing is we pick up the four kids I saw.
I want to talk to them now.
Then we knock on every door, we call every friend, every relative, every former student, until we find Frances Booth.
Okay? Good.
[tense music.]
[knocks.]
Yeah? I want to see that house.
- We searched it.
- No, no, no, um I-I, um I need to see the basement, you know? The stuff she was using to make the show.
You never even saw "Candle Cove.
" It's a crime scene, Mike.
You can't go messing around.
You come with me.
No, we have to bring these kids in.
That's first.
- Send someone else.
- Who? Look around.
It's all hands on deck.
Could you stop saying that? Everyone's busy.
Not everyone.
No, he is locked up on felony charges These are are unique circumstances.
Mike, he just found out about Jessica.
All the more reason that he'll want to help.
[doors opening, closing.]
[door opens.]
[front door opens, closes.]
This isn't it.
[telephone ringing.]
[telephone continues ringing.]
[telephone continues ringing.]
Mike? I have so much to tell you.
Eddie.
Thanks for stopping by.
Eddie, is there anything going on that you'd like to tell me about? I'm fine.
You can always come to me if you need any help, okay? Good.
Now get home before your mom starts to worry.
[thudding.]
[gasping.]
[groaning.]
Stop.
[exhales.]
Mom? Get up.
Where are you? I have something important to tell you.
Something wonderful.
Why don't you come inside and tell me? Thanks for inviting me into my own house.
But I don't think that's a good idea.
I doubt Gary's capable of a rational conversation.
I have somewhere else in mind.
I'd like you to meet me there.
Where? I'd appreciate it if we could speak alone.
Just the two of us.
Are you ready? And eager.
Mike.
[engine revving.]
[car pulls away.]
[line trilling.]
[cell phone buzzing.]
- Hey.
- Mike's gone.
Gone where? He just took the car.
He left.
[sighs.]
Okay, sit tight, I will send someone out for him and you.
I won't be here.
Gary, I have to bring you back.
Gary? Ahoy, mates! What adventure awaits? Do you sense it? Something is coming! A strange vessel, headed for the cove.
[playful music.]
[playful music over eerie melody.]
[dark music.]
Katie? Oh, God.
Come on! What's wrong, Amy Uh, Sheriff? Tommy's mother can't find him or Alex.
What about yours? Chloe Benson's not at home.
Same with Sofia Reyes.
- Her mom said - Shit! Okay.
Simon, I need you to do something for me.
Yeah, of course anything.
Find Mike Painter.
[eerie music.]
Are you in there? Come inside.
Let's talk.
Forgive my hesitation, but, uh you ripped out Daphne Bell's throat.
To protect you, Mike.
Come inside, Mike.
[police siren chirps.]
- Amy sent me to get you.
- Yeah, uh She says you can't be you know, investigating stuff on your own.
Yeah, yeah, oh, right, right.
Um I'll, um I'll head back in and meet her at the station.
The heck you doing out here, anyway? Um, I I felt, just I, uh, I felt sick.
Uh, and so I pulled over.
[children giggling.]
No, no, no, wait, wait, wait.
- What? - Wait, wait, wait.
- What? - Um, it's not safe.
- No, I know those kids - No, no, no.
No, you don't.
Trust me, we don't know how much danger we're in yet.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay, good.
Uh just stay here, okay? Don't go near them.
Just, uh just stay here, okay? Trust me.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, where're you going? Hey, listen, she asked you to find me, you found me, okay? You did your job.
That's good.
I'm gonna come with you I will come with you, okay? Just give me a second.
Just one second.
Okay? Simon.
Stay there, okay? Okay.
Mrs.
Booth? Where are you? Where are you? [children giggling.]
[children giggling.]
Mrs.
Booth? You said you wanted to talk.
I'm here.
You can talk to me.
[voice echoing.]
Mrs.
Booth? Hey, what're you kids doing here? I'm gonna need all of you to come with me, okay? Now! Move it.
Here we go, who's next? Come on.
Okay.
Not so hard.
Easy, guys, easy.
Not so Watch you're watch Watch my jacket.
Watch my jacket.
Come on.
Hey hey, now.
Hey, now! [hook unsheathes.]
Simon! What kind of pizza are we gonna have tonight? Daddy likes bacon.
Yeah.
Daddy isn't coming tonight, though, remember? [tires squealing.]
Lily! Lily, are you okay? I'm so sorry, sweetheart, I know that was scary.
[telephone rings.]
Yeah? [telephone rings.]
Oh, God.
Thank you.
Okay.
Yeah, when? [telephone continues ringing, cell phone buzzes.]
I'm gonna have to call you back.
Okay.
Yeah? Amy, it's Beth.
- I think something's wrong.
- Tell me.
Well, Alex was at Tommy's, but I called over and - He's not there.
I know.
Can you come back by the house, or can I come in? [telephone continues to ring.]
He's been acting really strange.
All the kids have and I'm scared Amy.
[computer screen ticks.]
[eerie music.]
Amy? Amy? Amy? Hello? [gasps.]
[chains rattling.]
And how long will that take? Well, it's It's a rental and I need something else, 'cause I'm stuck in a place where I don't I don't want to be.
[phone beeps.]
Yes, I can drive a manual.
[sighs.]
I don't know, it depends how many days [ominous tone.]
Maybe maybe tomorrow? [eerie music.]
Yeah.
Hey! Stay inside.
Close the door.
Sorry, what? [metallic clattering.]
[door creaks open.]
[tapping.]
What are you doing here? Call Mike.
And tell him to come alone this time.
[ominous music.]
[door opens, closes.]
The guest of honor has arrived.
Are you okay, Mom? She's fine.
Sit down, Mike.
Shame about before.
You should've come alone.
Eat.
No better feeling than seeing your kids well-fed.
My mom used to say that.
I didn't really understand till later, but it's true.
Right, Marla? You comforted me for months when I lost my son.
And all this time you were the one who took him away.
Well, now I'm here to reunite you.
You wanted to tell me something.
Tell me about "Candle Cove.
" What would you like to know? Why? And why us? You are such a stubborn man.
Once or twice in a lifetime, if you're lucky there are moments.
Someone slices the world open right down the middle and you can see the sky behind it.
The true world.
And you understand your purpose.
And this was your purpose? Nothing's sadder than a life without purpose.
And I had a life like that.
You keep telling yourself to be grateful.
Have faith.
I loved my son.
I did.
But I was just a void, wasting life and space and air.
And powerless.
Then something extraordinary happened.
I found myself in the presence of something greater.
He showed me his power.
Something majestic that flowered from indignity.
He? I didn't create "Candle Cove.
" Eddie did.
It rose out of him like blood from broken skin.
No.
What are you talking about? You thought "Candle Cove" found him.
But what he had was always there.
He was born with it.
He's the light.
The beacon.
He always was.
He's dead.
Only in the literal sense.
He's coming back.
You're almost ready.
You just have to let him in.
A fire needs fuel.
Power demands sacrifice.
I made mine a long time ago.
[leaves rustling.]
[crickets chirping.]
How did you do what you did? I'm special.
Those things I saw, that That place.
Did you show me that? Want me to show you again? Please.
I'm not strong enough yet.
I need you to do something for me.
Give me something.
Anything.
Jake.
Eddie's here.
He wanted to see you.
You killed your own son? I fed him to a fire.
So it could burn even brighter.
Now it's your turn.
Even after all I've done, you make him a hundred times stronger just by being here.
You were both born with something special.
He needs you.
That's why he wanted you to put him to rest It had to be you.
He loves you.
He's broken you down.
But only to make you ready.
Only because you fought so hard.
He's coming back.
Through you.
You are his blood.
You body is his body.
He can live again in flesh.
[sighs.]
You can feel it, can't you? It's already begun.
The sooner you let him in, the sooner he'll take your pain away.
I envy you.
Very soon, now.
Tonight, maybe tomorrow.
Go with him.
[sighs.]
Daddy! Mike? Lily.
Mike.
Where's Mommy? Lily.
Lily.
Lily.
Look at me.
You want to see something cool? [indistinct television chatter.]
Conservation biologist and specialist in great African herbivores.
[maniacal laughter.]
[screaming.]
[screaming continues.]
[screaming continues.]
Please, don't! Don't! No! [screaming continues.]
[screaming stops.]
[playful music.]
[giggles.]
Sleep.
Tomorrow's a big day.
He'll be here soon.
[ominous music.]
[groaning.]
[groans.]
[groans.]
[television static.]
[playful music over eerie melody.]
Daddy? [eerie music.]
Daddy.
Daddy? Daddy? Daddy! [sniffles.]
[eerie music.]
[police radio scanner.]
[police radio scanner.]
[solemn music.]
So what color is the river? Uh, bluish and sometimes greenish.
- What what color's the sky? - Blue.
And what color is chocolate milk? Pink! [chuckling.]
No, it's not.
It's chocolate colored.
- Good morning.
- Ah, good morning.
- How're you doing, kid? - Good.
Mm.
Ah.
- Did you sleep well? - I did.
I did.
I dreamt we all went to the beach.
Well, good dreams are nature's Prozac.
Yeah.
Been so long, I felt like I was having somebody else's dream.
Oh.
What's wrong? [knocking.]
[tense music.]
It's not confirmed yet.
But the wounds the footprints.
- It was kids.
- Yeah.
We found Daphne Bell, too.
Dead a couple days.
In Frances Booth's basement.
And we found "Candle Cove" props - In Frances Booth's basement? - Yes.
You found props from "Candle Cove" in Frances Booth's basement? All all that stuff to make the show? Mm-hmm.
I'm gonna need your help.
Okay.
Meet me at the station.
[door opens.]
[door closes.]
Jessica's, uh She's, uh I actually thought it was over.
Ugh.
Mike.
[grunts.]
[groaning.]
[grunts.]
Mike? Erica's here.
- Hello.
- Is she here, Marla? She she's outside.
Are you bleeding? Oh, it's, uh It's nothing.
I'm gonna go and get her.
Mike, what happened here? How does a six-year-old girl just show up? Mommy! Hi, bunny.
It's good to see you.
Okay.
Well, time to say bye, okay? My guess is, she killed Daphne, herself, and directed them to kill Jessica.
Come on, Amy.
We know these kids.
There's no way.
You heard what the coroner said.
You saw the footprints.
Kids aren't capable of that.
Under the right circumstances kids are capable of almost anything.
We're talking about somebody carving up Jessica here.
Children's brains are Are like clay.
An authority figure like Frances Booth could take advantage.
This is all hands on deck.
First thing is we pick up the four kids I saw.
I want to talk to them now.
Then we knock on every door, we call every friend, every relative, every former student, until we find Frances Booth.
Okay? Good.
[tense music.]
[knocks.]
Yeah? I want to see that house.
- We searched it.
- No, no, no, um I-I, um I need to see the basement, you know? The stuff she was using to make the show.
You never even saw "Candle Cove.
" It's a crime scene, Mike.
You can't go messing around.
You come with me.
No, we have to bring these kids in.
That's first.
- Send someone else.
- Who? Look around.
It's all hands on deck.
Could you stop saying that? Everyone's busy.
Not everyone.
No, he is locked up on felony charges These are are unique circumstances.
Mike, he just found out about Jessica.
All the more reason that he'll want to help.
[doors opening, closing.]
[door opens.]
[front door opens, closes.]
This isn't it.
[telephone ringing.]
[telephone continues ringing.]
[telephone continues ringing.]
Mike? I have so much to tell you.
Eddie.
Thanks for stopping by.
Eddie, is there anything going on that you'd like to tell me about? I'm fine.
You can always come to me if you need any help, okay? Good.
Now get home before your mom starts to worry.
[thudding.]
[gasping.]
[groaning.]
Stop.
[exhales.]
Mom? Get up.
Where are you? I have something important to tell you.
Something wonderful.
Why don't you come inside and tell me? Thanks for inviting me into my own house.
But I don't think that's a good idea.
I doubt Gary's capable of a rational conversation.
I have somewhere else in mind.
I'd like you to meet me there.
Where? I'd appreciate it if we could speak alone.
Just the two of us.
Are you ready? And eager.
Mike.
[engine revving.]
[car pulls away.]
[line trilling.]
[cell phone buzzing.]
- Hey.
- Mike's gone.
Gone where? He just took the car.
He left.
[sighs.]
Okay, sit tight, I will send someone out for him and you.
I won't be here.
Gary, I have to bring you back.
Gary? Ahoy, mates! What adventure awaits? Do you sense it? Something is coming! A strange vessel, headed for the cove.
[playful music.]
[playful music over eerie melody.]
[dark music.]
Katie? Oh, God.
Come on! What's wrong, Amy Uh, Sheriff? Tommy's mother can't find him or Alex.
What about yours? Chloe Benson's not at home.
Same with Sofia Reyes.
- Her mom said - Shit! Okay.
Simon, I need you to do something for me.
Yeah, of course anything.
Find Mike Painter.
[eerie music.]
Are you in there? Come inside.
Let's talk.
Forgive my hesitation, but, uh you ripped out Daphne Bell's throat.
To protect you, Mike.
Come inside, Mike.
[police siren chirps.]
- Amy sent me to get you.
- Yeah, uh She says you can't be you know, investigating stuff on your own.
Yeah, yeah, oh, right, right.
Um I'll, um I'll head back in and meet her at the station.
The heck you doing out here, anyway? Um, I I felt, just I, uh, I felt sick.
Uh, and so I pulled over.
[children giggling.]
No, no, no, wait, wait, wait.
- What? - Wait, wait, wait.
- What? - Um, it's not safe.
- No, I know those kids - No, no, no.
No, you don't.
Trust me, we don't know how much danger we're in yet.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay, good.
Uh just stay here, okay? Don't go near them.
Just, uh just stay here, okay? Trust me.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, where're you going? Hey, listen, she asked you to find me, you found me, okay? You did your job.
That's good.
I'm gonna come with you I will come with you, okay? Just give me a second.
Just one second.
Okay? Simon.
Stay there, okay? Okay.
Mrs.
Booth? Where are you? Where are you? [children giggling.]
[children giggling.]
Mrs.
Booth? You said you wanted to talk.
I'm here.
You can talk to me.
[voice echoing.]
Mrs.
Booth? Hey, what're you kids doing here? I'm gonna need all of you to come with me, okay? Now! Move it.
Here we go, who's next? Come on.
Okay.
Not so hard.
Easy, guys, easy.
Not so Watch you're watch Watch my jacket.
Watch my jacket.
Come on.
Hey hey, now.
Hey, now! [hook unsheathes.]
Simon! What kind of pizza are we gonna have tonight? Daddy likes bacon.
Yeah.
Daddy isn't coming tonight, though, remember? [tires squealing.]
Lily! Lily, are you okay? I'm so sorry, sweetheart, I know that was scary.
[telephone rings.]
Yeah? [telephone rings.]
Oh, God.
Thank you.
Okay.
Yeah, when? [telephone continues ringing, cell phone buzzes.]
I'm gonna have to call you back.
Okay.
Yeah? Amy, it's Beth.
- I think something's wrong.
- Tell me.
Well, Alex was at Tommy's, but I called over and - He's not there.
I know.
Can you come back by the house, or can I come in? [telephone continues to ring.]
He's been acting really strange.
All the kids have and I'm scared Amy.
[computer screen ticks.]
[eerie music.]
Amy? Amy? Amy? Hello? [gasps.]
[chains rattling.]
And how long will that take? Well, it's It's a rental and I need something else, 'cause I'm stuck in a place where I don't I don't want to be.
[phone beeps.]
Yes, I can drive a manual.
[sighs.]
I don't know, it depends how many days [ominous tone.]
Maybe maybe tomorrow? [eerie music.]
Yeah.
Hey! Stay inside.
Close the door.
Sorry, what? [metallic clattering.]
[door creaks open.]
[tapping.]
What are you doing here? Call Mike.
And tell him to come alone this time.
[ominous music.]
[door opens, closes.]
The guest of honor has arrived.
Are you okay, Mom? She's fine.
Sit down, Mike.
Shame about before.
You should've come alone.
Eat.
No better feeling than seeing your kids well-fed.
My mom used to say that.
I didn't really understand till later, but it's true.
Right, Marla? You comforted me for months when I lost my son.
And all this time you were the one who took him away.
Well, now I'm here to reunite you.
You wanted to tell me something.
Tell me about "Candle Cove.
" What would you like to know? Why? And why us? You are such a stubborn man.
Once or twice in a lifetime, if you're lucky there are moments.
Someone slices the world open right down the middle and you can see the sky behind it.
The true world.
And you understand your purpose.
And this was your purpose? Nothing's sadder than a life without purpose.
And I had a life like that.
You keep telling yourself to be grateful.
Have faith.
I loved my son.
I did.
But I was just a void, wasting life and space and air.
And powerless.
Then something extraordinary happened.
I found myself in the presence of something greater.
He showed me his power.
Something majestic that flowered from indignity.
He? I didn't create "Candle Cove.
" Eddie did.
It rose out of him like blood from broken skin.
No.
What are you talking about? You thought "Candle Cove" found him.
But what he had was always there.
He was born with it.
He's the light.
The beacon.
He always was.
He's dead.
Only in the literal sense.
He's coming back.
You're almost ready.
You just have to let him in.
A fire needs fuel.
Power demands sacrifice.
I made mine a long time ago.
[leaves rustling.]
[crickets chirping.]
How did you do what you did? I'm special.
Those things I saw, that That place.
Did you show me that? Want me to show you again? Please.
I'm not strong enough yet.
I need you to do something for me.
Give me something.
Anything.
Jake.
Eddie's here.
He wanted to see you.
You killed your own son? I fed him to a fire.
So it could burn even brighter.
Now it's your turn.
Even after all I've done, you make him a hundred times stronger just by being here.
You were both born with something special.
He needs you.
That's why he wanted you to put him to rest It had to be you.
He loves you.
He's broken you down.
But only to make you ready.
Only because you fought so hard.
He's coming back.
Through you.
You are his blood.
You body is his body.
He can live again in flesh.
[sighs.]
You can feel it, can't you? It's already begun.
The sooner you let him in, the sooner he'll take your pain away.
I envy you.
Very soon, now.
Tonight, maybe tomorrow.
Go with him.
[sighs.]
Daddy! Mike? Lily.
Mike.
Where's Mommy? Lily.
Lily.
Lily.
Look at me.
You want to see something cool? [indistinct television chatter.]
Conservation biologist and specialist in great African herbivores.
[maniacal laughter.]
[screaming.]
[screaming continues.]
[screaming continues.]
Please, don't! Don't! No! [screaming continues.]
[screaming stops.]
[playful music.]
[giggles.]
Sleep.
Tomorrow's a big day.
He'll be here soon.
[ominous music.]
[groaning.]
[groans.]
[groans.]
[television static.]
[playful music over eerie melody.]
Daddy? [eerie music.]
Daddy.
Daddy? Daddy? Daddy! [sniffles.]