Dead Places (2021) s01e06 Episode Script

1
[Will] Trees are amongst
the oldest life forms on earth.
They have the power to both
give life and take it away.
But what else might they be capable of?
How far do those roots reach?
And what other secrets do they hold?
[sinister music playing]
[music ends]
[low music playing in house]
[computer keys clicking]
Thanks.
[sighs]
Don’t you think
it's enough work for today?
Sorry, I’m almost done, babe.
Just a few more minutes, please.
Nicole you’re obsessing.
We’re going to be fine.
You always say that.
Yeah.
But these renovations
are going to cost us a fortune.
Babe, what ifwhat if we’re making
a mistake here?
No, we’re not. Trust me.
-It’s going to work out.
-Hmm
And how would you know?
Because it was your idea.
[huffs]
Well, I mean
I don’t always have the best ideas.
I did marry you.
OMG. Like, you’re so funny.
[laughing]
[banging on door]
[door opens]
-Owen!
-Daniel?
[in Zulu] What’s going on?
[in Zulu] There’s something wrong
with one of the trees.
[in Zulu] One of the trees?
What are you talking about?
[in Zulu] There’s a light coming
from one of the trees! The baobab.
Okay, Daniel. It’s late.
[in Zulu] Have you been smoking?
[in Zulu] You can ask Thabo. Thabo!
Okay. All right. Cool.
[in Zulu] Let’s go out there
and take a look.
[in Zulu] No! I’m not going.
And why not?
[in Zulu] Because I know what it is.
[in Zulu] It’s witchcraft.
[sinister music playing]
What is that?
I don’t I don’t know.
[frightened breathing]
Just stay here and lock the doors.
No, Owen.
Baby, can’t we can’t we
maybe call someone?
Like who?
It’s just a light.
I’ll be back in a minute.
[huffs]
Be careful.
Lock the doors.
[sinister music continues]
[heavy breathing]
[frightened breathing]
[sinister music continues]
[Nicole] What the hell?
Owen?
[low droning music playing]
[music grows louder]
Owen!
[zapping]
Owen!
[thunder]
Owen?
Owen?
Owen!
Owen!
[screams] Oh no, oh my god, oh my god!
[opening theme music playing]
[music ends]
[tense music playing]
[eerie music playing]
[echoing] Why didn’t you stop me?
[eerie ghostly voice]
[in Zulu] There is death in that tunnel.
[echoing] It’s okay.
I’m not really a teacher.
[loud thump]
[sinister echoing voice][in Zulu]
But it’s not what they think.
[echoing] No, Rose.
Nothing’s going to happen.
There’s no such thing as monsters.
[eerie music continues]
[heartbeats interlaced with music]
[in Zulu] Something hunts in the darkness.
[Rose screams]
Help me!
[eerie music playing]
[loud gasp]
[heavy breathing]
[eerie music continues]
[music grows louder and more urgent
and then stops]
Fuck!
[frustrated scream]
[crying]
[somber music playing]
[heavy breathing]
[sniffs]
[outgoing call ringing]
Hi, mom.
Yeah. It’s me.
[echoing] Ask me anything you want to.
-Anything?
-Uh-huh.
[footsteps]
[Joyce in Zulu] Thank you.
[Will in Zulu] No, thank you.
[grunts]
I’m sorry I haven’t come
to see you sooner.
[in Zulu] Have you been to visit
your father?
[in Zulu] You need to see him.
You know what it’s like
between him and me.
He has changed. He’s not the same man.
-[in Zulu] How have you been?
-[in Zulu] I’m doing fine.
[in Zulu] We thank God.
I’m working on a new book.
-[in Zulu] That’s good.
-And you?
I’m fine.
[in Zulu] You haven’t used the money
I sent you.
[in Zulu] Why not?
[in Zulu] I don’t need it.
I pass it on to those who do.
[in Zulu] Why have you been away
for so long?
[in Zulu] Why do you find it so difficult
to be around me?
You know why.
William.
I don’t blame you. Not for a second.
I know, but it was still my fault.
If that’s what you believe
then we all are to blame.
Your father, for putting those stories
in your head.
And me, not being there at that time.
And your grandmother’s death?
[sighs] Where does this stop?
[in Zulu] I don’t want to argue with you.
That’s not why I came here.
[in Zulu] There’s something
I need to ask you.
[in Zulu] What?
I need to know.
Is there anything else
that happened in those tunnels?
Is there something you’re not telling me?
That you’ve kept from me? Anything?
No, of course not.
Where is this coming from?
[tense music playing]
I’ve been having dreams. Memories.
I’m not sure.
But the pieces don’t fit
with what I was told.
If there’s anything
that you’re not telling me,
I need to know. Please.
I won’t lie to you, William.
Rose drowned and you survived.
That’s the truth.
Then why didn’t they find her body?
[somber music playing]
[huffs]
It’s good to see you, Ma.
[tense music playing]
[Joe] What do you mean, it was glowing?
[Kelly] I don’t know.
She just said there was a light
coming from it.
She sure it wasn’t a Christmas tree?
When people live out in the bush
long enough,
they start to lose their shit.
I’m just saying.
How long was he in a coma?
Almost three months.
Come on, guys.
This isn’t Lord of the Rings, okay?
Trees don’t attack people.
People attack trees!
Do you know what happens
when an apple tree
becomes infested with caterpillars?
No, but I bet you’re going to tell me.
It releases a chemical.
The chemical attracts birds,
and the birds eat the caterpillars.
So trees are not as helpless as you think.
That is fascinating!
Come on, guys. Why can’twhy can't we
ever just do something normal?
Tell you what, Joe. Next time I write
a book, we’ll call it "Normal Places."
And we’ll investigate coffee shops,
internet cafés, knitting circles,
libraries even. How about that?
Sounds great. Why don’t we call Ben
and get him on that shit?
[tense music continues]
[Will] How long was he at the tree for?
Not long. Maybe a minute.
And the light. What was it like?
Just an intense glow.
But it disappeared
the moment Owen collapsed.
What do the doctors think?
That he, just slipped, hit his head.
You were in the car the whole time, right?
I mean it was dark. Maybe he was attacked?
I was watching him the whole time.
He was alone.
And the light, has it been back since?
No. But, I think I know why.
I took these on that night.
It’s a blood moon.
Only happens every couple of months.
It’s too much of a coincidence.
There has to be a link.
-Okay.
-[Kelly] Yeah.
That’s a good start.
Do you have any idea
when the next one’s going to happen?
That’s why I was desperate for you
to come here. It’s tonight.
[huffs]
[Joe] Of course it is.
[tense music playing]
Okay, um, I’ll give you guys a moment
to think about it.
How was I supposed to know?
She didn’t tell me.
You do know how ridiculous this is, right?
Yeah, for once I agree, Joe.
So?
Well, we’re here now.
-Maybe we should go and check it out--
-Yeah!
That’s cool. Whatever.
Joe
There’s nothing they can do for him, so
I wanted him home.
[heart monitor beeps]
Doesn’t he have to be monitored?
He’s not in a coma.
At least not according to them.
He’s been diagnosed
with Kleine-Levin Syndrome.
It’s a type of sleep disorder.
He can’t wake up.
Sleeping Beauty Sickness.
Exactly.
Like the case you had in Nigeria,
with that woman.
That was different. She was possessed.
Maybe Owen is too?
Do you know old that tree is?
It predates Christianity.
What if that light
is like aa kind of energy?
Or aa type of ancient spirit
that’s now infected Owen?
I doubt it’s anything like that.
Why not?
Because it would be unprecedented.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
[Joe scoffs]
She’s got you there, chief.
Maybe.
[somber music playing]
[Joe] Okay, so let me understand this.
The tree’s older than Jesus?
And it has something living inside it?
Like what? Lucifer?
Joe, why would Lucifer be living
in a tree? Why don’t you just calm down?
What happened in Nigeria?
What was she talking about?
A woman came to me claiming
that her sister had been possessed.
She’d been asleep for days.
Nothing we tried really helped.
Then we performed an exorcism,
she woke up.
-So she survived?
-Briefly. Yeah.
-She died two days later.
-[Joe laughs]
-How long was she asleep for?
-Eight days.
Owen’s been under for like, three months.
[Will] That doesn’t mean
that this is the same thing.
Look, let’s go take a look at the tree,
see what we can find.
You know what Ben told me
when he offered me this job?
He told me that all I had to do,
was drive you around
and make sure that nobody stabs you
in the face, present company included.
He didn’t mention anything about witches,
voodoo dolls,
or trees that suck the life out of you.
At the risk of sounding
like a broken record,
I didn’t sign up for this shit.
-Joe.
-What?
I’m sorry. You’re right.
Huh?
Yeah. You should talk to Ben about this.
All right, thank you.
That’s mighty big of you.
Also don’t forget
to send a note through to HR.
[playful music playing]
You know what?
You are not that funny!
Where’re you going?
-To find a chainsaw.
-Chopping down the tree won’t help.
I never said it was for the tree Will.
Dick!
[tense music playing]
[Joe] Holy shit.
Now that’s a tree.
[Kelly] Wow.
You know, I’ve only ever seen these
in pictures.
Definitely doesn’t do them justice.
[Nicole] My parents used to bring me here
when I was a girl.
I loved this tree.
Yeah?
Now I just want to burn it to the ground.
[Nicole] That’s where the light
came out from.
Are there any witch doctors in the area?
You think that’s got something
to do with it?
[Will] Not necessarily.
Just seems like the right place
for a ritual.
And that?
Erm I’ve never seen that before.
[Joe] Why would somebody carve a chicken
into a tree?
[Kelly] Yeah, that’s weird.
[Will] Pretty sure it’s not a chicken.
-Looks like the Impundulu.
-[Joe] Say what now?
Impundulu. The lightning bird.
According to folklore, it has the ability
to- generate thunderstorms and lightning.
Thunderstorms?
[huffs] Well that’s not, so bad.
Also, it likes to feed on humans.
Like a vampire.
Of course it does.
So what’s Dracula Chicken
doing in our tree?
Oh, I know.
Perhaps he’s visiting his friend.
The Devil.
[scoffs] Oh, Joe.
[Joe laughs]
Don’t worry about him.
[crow caws]
[ominous music playing]
[music ends]
So you got a plan yet, chief?
No, Joe. Not yet.
You know the sun’s going down?
Time isn’t exactly on our side.
I’m aware. Thank you.
You know I have a plan.
Let me guess.
You think we should just leave?
Well, that's not a plan anymore,
it’s just common sense. Isn’t it?
Joe, aren’t you just a little bit curious?
I know what it’s about.
Some bad shit
that we shouldn’t be screwing with.
[Nicole] Hey, guys.
So, um,
it’s not a gourmet meal, but I made food.
[Kelly] Thank you, Nicole.
[Will] I’ll have something to eat later.
Thank you.
Sure.
You know what?
You can do whatever you want to do,
but I’ll be damned if I’m going to die
out here on an empty stomach.
I’ve been meaning to ask.
Are you okay?
What do you mean?
I don’t know.
You’ve been a little quiet lately.
You haven’t been your normal bright self.
I’m fine.
I’ve been having nightmares
about the kidnapping.
That hasn’t happened in a long time.
-Sorry that’s probably my fault.
-No, it isn’t.
It’s probably a good thing.
I think you were right.
I haven’t faced up to things
and it’s it's been causing problems.
Kelly.
When we spoke on the other day,
I might’ve just been projecting
my own issues onto you.
[somber music playing]
Give me your hand.
Were you projecting this?
[huffs]
Yeah.
[big sigh]
[tuts] Truth is, I’m a mess.
We are all a bit of a mess.
If you take a quick glance to your right
you’ll see Joe eating. Now that is a mess.
[laughing]
[moans]
Is it good?
Hmm. Hmm.
-Would you like another drink?
-Mmm-mm.
I’m straight.
[deep inhale]
How long have you been working with Will?
Couple of months.
What’s he like?
[Joe scoffs]
Annoying. Pain in the ass.
Arrogant. Weird.
Then again, I suppose you have to be
some kind of weirdo to do this job. Right?
And do you believe in the paranormal?
Never used to.
But after this shit that I’ve seen,
I don’t exactly have a choice anymore.
Do you think he’ll be able to help?
I don’t know.
But I’ve yet to see him fail. So
Um,
thanks for the chow.
Sure.
Look, don’t tell him I told you this,
but underneath all that bullshit
he’s a good guy.
He’ll do his best for you.
Of course he’s never come up against
a haunted tree before, so
no promises.
I know.
Yeah.
[somber music playing]
[sighs]
Hey.
[loud sigh]
So we’re about to head out.
-[somber music continues]
-[heart monitor beeping]
I don’t know
what’s going to happen, but
we’re going to do everything we can,
to help you.
And if there’s anything that you can do
on your side,
now’s the time. Okay?
Love you.
[music turns eerie and louder]
[owl hoots]
Maybe, I was wrong about this?
Maybe the moon
has got nothing to do with it?
Just give it some time.
[ominous music playing]
[eerie droning music playing]
It
When did you say the moon sets?
About four hours.
Okay.
Guys, you stay here.
I’m going to take a look. Joe
You don’t have to convince me, guv'nor.
I’m good right here.
Good.
Will
Don’t die.
Got you.
-[Nicole] Good luck.
-Thank you.
[eerie droning music continues]
[music grows louder with drums added]
[music grows louder and more urgent]
[zapping]
-[thunder rumbles]
-[zapping sounds]
[whoosh]
What the f--
[Will groans]
[in Zulu] You’ve got to be shitting me.
[soft eerie howling]
[ominous music playing]
[thunderclaps]
[thunder rumbles]
Owen?
Owen!
[music turns eerie]
[dissonant music playing]
[Kelly] Okay, careful with his head.
Will? Will? Hey!
Open your eyes.
Will! Stop being an asshole!
Open your eyes. Wake up.
Fuck!
Shit. What do we do?
[Joe] I don’t know. He’s the expert!
[heavy breathing]
[Joe] You know, I told you guys.
We should’ve left.
I told you!
But no one listens to me, do they?
[panicked] Will. Will. Shit!
-[heavy breathing]
-[dissonant music continues]
[eerie droning music playing]
[thunderclap]
Owen?
[thunderclap]
[thunder rumbles]
[metallic tinkling]
[thunder rumbles]
Owen?
[Joe] Maybe we should just take him
to the hospital?
The hospital can’t help him.
[exasperated sigh] Okay.
I think we should wait.
For what?
I don’t know.
But look, we obviously don’t know
what’s going on here, but maybe he does?
He doesn’t look like he understands
much of anything right now.
Joe!
[sighs] Let’s justlet's just wait
until the moon sets.
Why?
II have a feeling, okay?
You have a feeling?
[tense music playing]
Whatever!
[eerie music playing]
[thunderclap]
-[eerie music continues]
-[thunder rumbling]
Owen?
Owen!
-Owen, wake up. Can you hear me?
-[Owen moans]
-Wake up.
-[Owen moans]
-[Will] Please, wake up!
-[Owen] Who are you?
[Will] Who I am
Who I am doesn’t matter. I’m here to help.
-What did this?
-[branch cracks]
[Owen moans] It’s like a
It’s like a vulture.
-Like a vulture?
-[Owen] But it’s not a bird.
Like a vulture, but not a bird?
It’s a demon.
Okay. It’s a demon.
Then let’s get out of here
before the demon gets back. Yeah?
Don’t move.
[big inhale]
[eerie howling]
[ominous music playing]
[eerie clacking]
-[music grows more urgent]
-[demon shouts]
[eerie howling]
[labored breathing]
[zapping]
[screeching]
[eerie clacking]
[pained breathing]
[Will] Fuck.
[dissonant music playing]
Okay. Okay.
Come on.
-[Owen moans]
-[Will] Let’s go. Let’s go.
Come on.
Move! Come on!
[Owen moans]
Come on.
[Owen moans]
-[Will] Come on!
-[Owen] I’m trying.
[Will] Try harder! Come on. Come on!
There’s the tree.
Come on!
[urgent music playing]
Owen. Owen.
[groans] Owen, get up.
Owen, Owen, come on!
[Owen] Can't stand.
[Will] If the moon sets we’re stuck here.
Let’s go!
[eerie screeching]
[eerie clacking]
[zapping]
-[music grows more urgent]
-[Will moans]
[music ends]
[Kelly] Guys, something’s happening.
He’s struggling to breath, guys!
-Will. Will.
-[Joe] Will!
[Kelly] Will!
-[Joe] Will.
-[Kelly] Will.
[Kelly] Will!
[eerie screeching]
[zapping]
[screeching]
-[zapping]
-[Will moans]
[demon screams]
[eerie clacking]
[eerie droning music
interlaced with heartbeats]
[panicked breathing]
Oh, my god, he’s stopped breathing. Will!
[Joe] Look out! Look out!
One. Two. Three.
Four. Five. Six. Seven.
[thunderclap]
-[heavy breathing]
-[somber music playing]
Twenty-seven. Twenty-eight.
Twenty-nine. Thirty.
All right, breathe. Breathe!
[Owen] Wake up. Wake up.
Twenty-nine. Thirty. Breathe. Breathe.
[Kelly exhales]
[Kelly] Please wake up. Please wake up.
-Oh, he’s breathing. Okay.
-[Joe] He's breathing.
Will. Will. Wake up!
[Joe] Wake up! Wake up!
[Will coughs] Shit.
Are we still in hell? Get up!
Get up! Come on!
[eerie clacking]
[eerie screeching]
[moaning]
[urgent music playing]
Will!
Wake up, Will! Please, just--
-[Joe] Take it easy.
-Will! Wake up!
-[Will gasps suddenly]
-[Kelly gasps]
[Kelly] Oh my god! Will!
[fast breathing]
Oh my god. Thank god.
-[Kelly] Thank god.
-[Will groans] What happened?
-[Kelly] You were unconscious.
-[Will] Okay.
-You stopped breathing.
-[Will] Okay.
Are you okay?
-I’m fine.
-[Kelly] Yeah?
-[heavy breathing]
-Thanks, chief.
Don’t thank me.
She saved your life.
Thank you. I found Owen.
-What do you mean?
-[Kelly] What?
We were in this place.
It was We need to go to the house.
-We need to go to the house.
-[Kelly] Okay. Okay. On three.
-[Will] Go to the house.
-[Kelly] One, two, three.
[groaning]
[somber music playing]
-[heart monitor beeping]
-[Owen gasps]
[labored breathing]
Owen! Owen!
-[Owen mutters]
-[Nicole] Oh, baby.
[Nicole cries]
[Nicole] Hey. Hi. Are you okay?
[crying]
[heavy breathing]
[Owen] Thank you.
[somber music continues]
[music ends]
[Ben] Okay,
so you know why that’s ironic? Right?
It’s called Sleeping Beauty Syndrome
and yet it was her kiss that woke you up.
It wasn’t a kiss. It was CPR.
There is a slight difference.
[Ben laughs] Yeah.
Whatever, Sleeping Beauty.
Point is, she brought you back to life.
I hired her, thus I saved your life.
You’re fucking welcome.
[laughs] You’re an idiot.
You know that, right?
I got to go.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
You still haven’t told me.
Told you what?
About thatplace that you were in.
Whatwhat the hell was it?
I don’t know. And I’m not sure I want to.
Some things are too much, even for me.
And then what about the magic tree?
Youyou can’t just leave it.
We’ve got some time to figure it out.
A few more weeks at least.
Yeah, okay. My vote is you cut it down.
And fill the hole with bibles.
You don’t want that, vulture,
bird thing coming after you.
[laughs] Not your worst idea, Ben.
-All right, mate. I’ll speak to you soon.
-[Ben] Will?
[screeches and laughs]
Yeah. Don’t do that in public.
[sighs]
[somber music playing]
[sighs]
[sandpapering sound]
I’ll be with you in a second.
[in Zulu] Father.
William.
Hello Dad.
[somber music ends]
[closing theme music playing]