The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021) s02e07 Episode Script

1
Happiness is inside you.
Use a joyful lens to find it,
and let it free.
Soon, each and every one of you
will be able to learn this technique.
This. It's a multitool.
I whittled it, for the bucket.
DR. GARRISON:
You think that I still work for Curtain?
This whole happiness technique of his,
I invented it.
My inventions. They live here.
- Where is Curtain?
- Northern Italy.
MILLIGAN: We all know where we're going.
We'll meet there.
RHONDA: If we get separated,
don't slow down.
Negative thoughts only cloud the mind.
- Constance, are you okay?
- Of course.
The house is surrounded. Time to go.
L.D. CURTAIN:
How long have they been like this?
There's a small chance
this is a repercussion of the program.
JILLSON: Apparently, all of them
had complained of stiff necks.
NUMBER TWO: We proceed
with the kidnapping as planned.
He will arrive to find
evening tea set for two.
The tea will contain
a trace amount of duskwort,
a powerful sedative.
To new memories. Wait.
I really need someone to talk to.
Whatever is wrong,
I'm sure it's going to turn out okay.
You're right. Everything will be okay.
L.D. CURTAIN: Nicholas,
a good tea should never be over-sugared,
you know that.
Oh, yes, yes. I'm just afraid
that this, um, this particular brew
that Number Two made,
I'm afraid it's quite bitter.
(SIGHS) Well, no surprise there.
- Mm-hmm.
- (SPOON CLANKING)
- Are you all right?
- Hm?
Yes. Why wouldn't I be?
I'm with my brother, my family.
(DOOR OPENS)
L. D. CURTAIN: Uh, Number Two.
Did you have a nice conversation
with young Auguste?
Very much so.
What a delightful child. So bright.
(SOFT CHUCKLE) Yes. He certainly is.
- Well, I better get going.
- No.
Big day tomorrow.
I am so glad
we had this tea time together.
Consumed or not.
Me as well.
Have a nice evening.
Both of you.
- Yeah.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- (SIGHS)
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I know I failed.
I failed miserably, but I could
not do it.
I could not poison my own brother.
- Please.
- I completely understand.
Oh, yes. What?
You shared a womb with him.
Of course, you don't want
to cause your brother harm.
You love him.
BENEDICT: Number Two.
Number Two, are are you
happy?
(CHUCKLES)
Okay, Constance, Sticky,
and Dipika being detained.
It changes things significantly.
- I hope they're okay.
- Oh, we'll find them.
- This is no longer a simple exfiltration.
- KATE: Agreed.
I'm escalating this to a threat
level zeta, possibly epsilon.
- Agreed.
- I'm not familiar with your threat levels.
Not in the least.
It's our own system
we made up to classify
bug and animal threats to the farm
and dictate our response.
But it can be applied to off farm-ops.
Epsilon would signal a roaming bear,
post hibernation or the equivalent.
So very dangerous.
Action plan zeta and epsilon mandate
children to stay in the crow's nest
and wait for danger to be cleared.
Thank you for not fighting me on this.
I've stared down the barrel
of Curtain's Brainsweeper.
I'm fine staying put.
- Ready?
- Run silent, run deep.
- Always.
- (EXHALES DEEPLY)
(WATCH TICKING)
What are you doing?
Thirty seconds pretty much guarantees
they'll be far enough away
not to see our movements.
We're not moving anywhere.
We're staying here, remember?
Not when Sticky and Constance need us
more than ever.
KATE: Twenty-nine, thirty.
Let's go.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
Well, it has been quite some
Really?
I thought it a wise precaution,
considering how slippery
they've proven to be in the past.
Take them off now.
Yes, right. Of course.
(L.D. CURTAIN SIGHS)
I am terribly sorry.
Constance, Sticky.
It is so wonderful to see you again.
My, how you two have grown.
I suppose, Reynard and Kate
aren't too far behind
knowing how tight-knit
your little society is.
- They're nowhere near here.
- They should be here soon.
It'll be nice to see them.
- (CLEARS THROAT)
- Thank you.
Just pull it.
So sorry.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Yes. Again, I apologize
for this barbaric treatment.
That's not my way. You know
that, Sticky.
What I know, is that you're evil.
Oh, Sticky, friend.
Hypnotizing people into feeling happy,
manipulating their minds?
You don't care about anyone's
well-being except your own.
That negativity is not good for
you, Sticky.
Stress, premature aging, death,
hair loss.
L. D. CURTAIN: Listen to her.
She's right.
All your anxiety is eating away at you.
Please, let me help you break free
from all that tension
and find the inner peace
at the core of your being.
The peace and wholeness
you have been searching for
all your life.
(THEME MUSIC)
NUMBER TWO: All this time, I was
letting my suspicions
- get in the way.
- BENEDICT: Oh, yes.
I thought, no one could suddenly
become happy.
- I know.
- It's not possible.
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
But I was wrong. Completely wrong.
- Oh.
- Oh, this is incredible!
I know, but but do you still think
it's not real?
Oh, but it is real. And it feels
so good!
- (LAUGHS)
- (GRUNTS)
I know. I know. I know.
But when I think about it logically
in my mind,
I just want to resist with all my might.
And I go back and forth
and back and forth, and it's just
(GRUNTS)
- Then maybe try not to think so much.
- Oh, yes.
What if everything is just fine?
- Oh, that sounds lovely.
- (CHUCKES)
- Yes. Yes.
- Just live in the moment.
- Can you feel it?
- Yes. I can.
- That unbridled joy.
- Yes, yes, I do.
(GASPS)
Well, it's not far down to paradise ♪
At least it's not for me ♪
If the wind is right ♪
You can sail away ♪
Find tranquility ♪
- Oh, the canvas can do miracles ♪
- Oh, the canvas can do miracles ♪
Yes! (LAUGHS)
- Just you wait and see ♪
- Just you wait and see ♪
- Believe me ♪
- Believe me ♪
- Sailing ♪
- Sailing ♪
- Take me away ♪
- Take me away ♪
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
(NUMBER TWO AND BENEDICT SINGING)
Takes me away ♪
- You hear that?
- What?
That.
- ♪ it could be ♪
- ♪ it could be ♪
Wolves?
Yes! Yes! Yes! The canvas can
do miracles!
Right. What can't it do?
It's canvas! Rhonda, it's a sail!
Rhonda? Rhonda. Rhonda, Milligan.
- Oh, my word. Oh, so good to see you.
- Thank goodness you're okay.
- You too.
- Oh, we're not okay.
- Yeah.
- We're fantastic.
Yes, we've never been better.
But we have been missing you
and the children.
Uh
Blink once if they have this
room bugged.
- No.
- No. No, no bugs.
- We're fine, we assure you.
- Sir.
You're dressed in the faded rags
of a hostage.
- MILLIGAN: A prisoner.
- I know.
- And I have never been more comfortable.
- I'm getting my own soon.
- Oh, yes.
- I can't wait.
NUMBER TWO: I requested yellow. (YELLS)
- Like the sun.
- BENEDICT: Yes.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
(BIRDS CAWING)
KATE: It's like a horse-camel.
Something my dad would carve.
Does it bother you to lie to him?
It had to be done.
Sticky and Constance
are behind enemy lines.
There was no time to debate.
Well, just because you had to
do something
doesn't mean you can't
at least feel bad about it.
Maybe I do feel bad. Okay?
KATE: There they are. I see them.
What are they wearing?
- Why is Constance smiling?
- What?
Your bungalow is right this way.
- Do you smell the sage?
- Aromatic.
That's phlomis fruticosa.
Its lipophilic compounds
are what carry the fragrance.
I know I tease you, Sticky,
but the truth is,
I enjoy your scientific facts.
They're enlightening.
Thanks, Constance.
(SOFT CHUCKLE)
(KNOCKING)
You made it.
- Are you all right?
- Uh, kind of.
I missed you so much, Kate.
- What's wrong with her?
- STICKY: Curtain did it.
He flipped some kind of switch
in her brain.
- What? How?
- It's this thing he does.
Looks into your eyes. Moves his hand.
It causes some kind of neural coherence.
He even does it on his TV show.
Constance had the TV on,
and next thing I knew,
she was acting suspiciously nice to me.
If niceness is a crime, I'm guilty.
Skip the trial. Straight to prison.
- It's highly unsettling.
- Actually, it's been great.
She's an absolute pleasure to be around.
Did he get to you too?
He tried, but I started doing
long division in my head
to keep my brain occupied.
Then I realized if I fake being happy,
it might be easier to find Mr. Benedict
and Number Two.
Impressive spycraft, Sticky.
Subterfuge, impersonation.
I like the way you're thinking.
I love it.
- Let's go find the adults.
- Wait.
You two need to blend in.
I am not putting those clothes on.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUSE)
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
To reach into someone's mind
and release their inner joy,
it takes skill.
It takes wisdom.
And it takes patience
to master the technique.
But once you see the sadness and despair
replaced by a warm, radiant smile
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
you'll know it was all worth it.
Just ask Auguste and Belinda
and Leandro and Yang-chi.
They've worked hard and
they're ready.
And soon all of you will be ready
to share your gifts with the world.
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
- (CHUCKLES)
- KATE: What are they doing?
- Yes!
There's something off about them?
Look at Mr. Benedict.
- REYNIE: They all seem happy.
- Yes!
Oh, no. That kind of happy.
And why shouldn't they be?
Life is a banquet.
It's a gift to be alive.
Today, I am proud to announce
the launch of 63 Happiness Centers,
all across the globe,
to be opened and operated
by each one of you in this room.
Wow!
I got it. They're undercover.
- That's it.
- That has to be it.
L.D. CURTAIN:
Our goal is simple, exponential growth.
Just really, really good at it.
To reach every corner of our world
and to spread joy.
In Kyoto, New Delhi, San Diego,
Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur,
Santiago, Lagos, Khartoum.
(GULPS)
Where was I? Yes, Khartoum.
(L.D.CURTAIN CHUCKLES)
Warsaw, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Bogota.
Yes, the dawn of a new era is at hand.
Thanks to you
and your unwavering dedication.
So, today on our main green
is a celebration in honor of all of you,
the future purveyors
of the worldwide happiness revolution.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you. Thank you.
L.D. CURTAIN: Yes.
Whoo!
Please. Please, go enjoy
the festivities.
- Go, enjoy.
- (APPLAUSE)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Nathaniel.
- No, not now, Nicky.
Nathaniel, that man, what what
happened to him? Is he okay?
Yeah, it appears there's a
there's a bug going around
- and it's nothing too serious, yes.
- BENEDICT: Are you sure?
I'm positive.
I have the best doctors in Europe here.
They can handle it.
Now, please, go be with your friends.
- They seem very happy to be with you.
- Yes, yes. But
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
- Ms. Perumal.
- Reynie.
Ooh.
- I'm so glad to see you.
- We're here to rescue you.
We need to leave as quickly as possible.
- Is Mr. Benedict here?
- He's here somewhere. But leave?
You just got here.
You haven't seen
all the amazing opportunities.
Kate.
I know you're going to be mad at me,
but just let me say
Mad? Never. Why would I be that?
I misled you. No, I lied to you.
- Oh, it's understandable.
- What?
So many of our conflicts
are unnecessary,
not just between you and me,
but humans generally.
I'm saying you have every reason
to be upset with me.
(LAUGHS) Upset.
There is no point to that emotion.
(LAUGHS CONTINUES)
- You guys are so convincing.
- Thanks.
- Of what?
- (BOTH CHUCKLE)
It's me. You guys can drop your cover.
Oh, there's absolutely no need
for deception.
You see, what you see is what you get.
And you get what you get.
- (IN FRENCH) No regrets.
- Well said.
RHONDA: Well said.
- We love it here, Sticky.
- Yes.
And you will too.
You guys are not undercover.
He got to them. All of them.
- Just like he got to
- Constance!
I was wondering where you all went.
I get it. You miss old Constance.
Acerbic personality formed by suffering.
You don't like new Constance.
She unnerves you, which is
the last thing she wants to do.
- No, that's not it.
- Not at all.
- New Constance is refreshing.
- We like her.
REYNIE: It's the adults
we're worried about.
We have to find some way
to snap them out of it.
It's only natural to want others
to be as miserable as you are.
- We're not miserable.
- I won't press the issue.
We just want them to be themselves.
They are themselves. I, myself.
Garrison created the technique
to free the true self.
I see that now.
- Garrison did this?
- CONSTANCE: She was the brains, of course.
So if anyone knows
how to reverse this, it's her.
But she's gone into hiding.
- We don't need her. I've got it covered.
- (CLATTERS)
Kate delights me. Her frantic activity.
- Garrison's notebook?
- You stole it?
Garrison's proven she can't be trusted
with technology.
Writings of a lunatic genius.
Looks depressing.
I'm going to find some positivity.
This is unacceptable.
It's disruptive.
It's unsettling to our community.
And it provokes questions
that do not need to be asked.
- We understand.
- Absolutely.
From now on,
if anyone complains of a stiff neck,
an ache, a crick, the slightest twinge,
they need to stay inside their cabins.
- JACKSON: Absolutely, out of sight.
- JILLSON: Invisible.
It's for their own good.
- So we can take good care of them.
- JACKSON: Of course.
- So thoughtful.
- Always looking out.
I take it that the doctor's treatments
have yielded no results?
- JACKSON: Not, as of yet.
- (MOUTHS) Oh, my
So, whatever resources you need,
we need to get this fixed.
- We are on it.
- We are fixers.
So fix it!
I do not have time for these intrusions,
these relentless trespasses.
Those child spies that Jeffers picked up
said others are on the way,
so fix that too.
- Consider it done.
- Consider it done.
Dr. Curtain,
given the current personnel situation.
We see a need for qualified individuals
to step in.
Proven winners.
Known quantities. Aides who,
unlike previous holders of the position,
would immediately share
all pertinent information with you,
- no matter how bad it may sound.
- The point, please.
It seems the problem with the
sleepers, isn't just localized.
There have been similar reports
from all over the world.
Among our community.
Practitioners of your system.
Similar reports.
A correlation,
which is not the same as a causation,
is that correct?
- Of course not. None whatsoever.
- It has no bearing on the situation.
Mm-hm.
Which I think someone who is ready
for a leadership role
would instinctively grasp.
Now, I am going to go prepare
for the live broadcast
of our expansion plans.
You two are going to go back out
to the celebration
and keep an eye out for any symptoms.
And next time, do not bring me a problem
for which you have no solution.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
- I told you, we need to pick our moment.
- You were a full participant.
- I thought you might be dead.
- Constance.
- Oh, my.
- But I'm very happy you're not.
Oh, I'm so happy to see you.
- (LAUGHS)
- (MUTTERS)
Where is everyone else?
KATE: Whisperer, the Brainsweeper.
- It's all in here.
- But nothing about happiness.
Kate, go back to the section
of The Whisperer.
"The Whisperer is designed to create
a state of anxiety and discontent."
And here underneath her note,
"The reverse is always possible."
What's this?
STICKY: She's talking about
how the optic nerve triggers changes
in the prefrontal cortex.
The optic nerve? It's the way in,
so maybe it's also the way out.
Mm.
Optics. You mean like, flashing a
bright light in someone's eye?
Exactly.
An ultra-concentrated flash of light
at the right wavelength
could shock the photoreceptors
in the eye.
Maybe it can jar the brain
into resetting.
I could build something,
but I'd need something stronger
than my flashlight bulbs.
There was a photographer inside.
She was taking flash photos.
I've successfully stolen
several items recently.
("DOUBLE VISION" BY FOREIGNER)
Feeling down n' dirty
Feeling kinda mean ♪
- We can attach the battery there.
- Oh, yeah.
I've been from one to another extreme ♪
This time I had a good time ♪
Ain't got time to wait ♪
I want to stick around â™
♠Till I can't see straight ♪
Fill my eyes with that double vision ♪
No disguise for that double vision ♪
I need something to trigger a shutter.
Something small, movable, built to last.
It's always new to me ♪
My double vision gets the best of me ♪
(SCOFFS)
- What if it doesn't work?
- Positive thinking, Sticky.
- Do you think it'll work?
- 50/50?
Maybe 40/60?
That's pretty good.
("CANDIDA" BY TONY ORLANDO)
The stars won't come out ♪
If they know that you're about ♪
'Cause they couldn't match
the glow of your eyes ♪
And, oh, who am I ♪
Just an ordinary guy ♪
Trying hard to win me first prize ♪
Are they here?
Oh, yeah.
I promise life will be sweeter ♪
And it said so in my dreams ♪
That is an unexpected vision.
The gypsy told me so last night ♪
Said she saw our children playing ♪
Let's give this baby a whirl.
Where's my dad? Let's start with him.
And there was you and I ♪
In a house, baby, no lie ♪
It sounds like you're overthinking this.
No, I don't think so. Those people
are staring into nothingness.
And I know I should feel something,
but I couldn't, which terrified me.
But I was relieved
to at least feel that terror.
Well, there's nothing we can do
about it now.
- In this moment.
- Yes.
- I guess that's true.
- So, enjoy the music.
- Yeah, I feel.
- And turn.
Oh.
Whoa, my Candida ♪
Just take my hand, and I'll lead ya ♪
Katie Kat. You should join in.
MILLIGAN: You'll enjoy it.
I only do contemporary jazz
and Welsh folk style.
Right.
I I made you something.
Utterly thoughtful.
What is it?
I call it the Wetherall Worldview Wash.
Just look through the eyepiece,
turn the knob, and enjoy the show.
You are an amazing person,
Kate Wetherall.
I have strong genes.
- Go on. Look into it.
- Okay.
- I don't see anything.
- Turn the knob.
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
You deliberately misled me at the gates.
Lies of omission are still lies.
- Yes, they are.
- It worked.
Did I give you the impression back
there that I had no standards?
I'm sorry.
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
Hi. Oh, you seem upbeat, as you
should be.
Looks like you've gotten acclimated.
I have. I'm totally. I love it.
Oh, I wanted to show you something.
Look in here.
- Oh, okay.
- REYNIE: Just turn the knob.
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
What am I supposed to see?
Turn the knob. It's magnificent.
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
You need to see this.
- Oh, can it wait? I'm vibing.
- Oh, it's most certainly cannot.
- I'm vibing, I said.
- Trust me.
And I do, with my life.
Okay, just quickly.
- Yang-chi. Did he just touch his neck?
- He was scratching his ear.
- Wait. Those children, are they
- They're spies.
- (BOTH GASP)
- They're spies.
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
- Whoa.
- Welcome back.
- Too much perspective.
- Um-hm.
False perspective, now
- Perspective on the perspective.
- Yes.
That object they're passing around,
what is it?
- I don't know, but it's concerning.
- Beguiling and suspicious.
Mr. Benedict, now.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
What's this?
Turn the knob.
- JILLSON: My shoulder!
- JACKSON: Your shoulder!
- It's dislocated.
- Stay with me.
- It's just my shoulder, but thank you.
- All right.
Let's get you some help.
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
(GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
That was an odd impulse. (SOFT CHUCKLE)
- He didn't turn the knob in time.
- We need to leave now.
Where's Constance?
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
We need transportation out of here.
I have become intimately familiar
with the delivery truck situation.
Let's jump in one of those
and never look back.
- No, we cannot leave without my brother.
- We absolutely can. We must.
Exigent circumstances.
The children are with us now, sir.
- Mr. Benedict is right.
- Thank you.
Curtain's organization
is expanding rapidly.
- She gets a vote now?
- She does.
Well, I suppose it's true.
Every day more people fall
under his sway.
And more people
have fallen into waking comae.
That's plural for coma.
I saw it happen to a poor man
in the Great Hall and many, many others.
It could happen to anyone in his
program. It's a side effect.
- And Curtain knows about this.
- BENEDICT: Yes.
And he's still moving full speed ahead
with his expansion plans.
- He is.
- We have to remove Curtain immediately.
The best way to stop a snake
is to chop off its head.
- No.
- And then you two can stay together.
- That's a sensible plan.
- Even though he's a snake without a body.
Come, come, come.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
Let's go get him.
Oh, excuse me. "Let's"?
It's called a contraction. "Let us".
Us.
Audience, take your seats, please.
We are live in ten minutes.
It's not just for everybody else.
You, too, can opt into joy
and good feeling.
You, too, can choose happiness.
Use a joyful lens.
A joyful lens.
Choose happiness.
- Choo
- (KNOCKING)
What is it?
- Um, flower delivery.
- What?
- (YELPS)
- Oh, I see.
(THUDS)
Flower delivery?
The dart's dipped in duskwort
which, technically, is a flower.
Of course.
(GRUNTS)
- Oh, gently, Milligan.
- Of course.
Here's the address. (EXHALES DEEPLY)
- I hope he's not a light sleeper.
- Yeah.
With a healthy dose of duskwort.
It should last for hours.
Good, because we have
a long drive ahead of us.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Hey, whoa, whoa. Stop, stop!
- JACKSON: Dr. Curtain?
- JILLSON: Dr. Curtain, are you there?
- He's been kidnapped!
- He's been kidnapped!
JILLSON: Call in the greys!
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
(CLOSING THEME MUSIC)