Ghost Light (2026) Movie Script
1
Your Majesty, it is an honor
Were are
your troops stationed?
At the border
by the left bank of the river.
We have not yet
crossed into their territory.
It is our territory.
Forgive my errant
tongue, Your Highness,
your territory.
He's enamored with the Queen.
we all belong to him.
Oh God. By whose mercy
the faithful departed find rest.
Bless this grave.
And send your holy
angel to watch over it.
As we bury
here the body of our brother
Deliver his soul
from every bond of sin.
That he may rejoice in you
with your saints forever. Amen.
Amen.
This is taking
way longer than it should.
- And who's fault's that?
Seriously.
- Certainly not mine.
It's not mine.
Who's supposed to set something up
to begin with that I can see?
Who's the real problem here?
Is it you or the client?
You have to
come up with something
Your Honor, we've put
a good faith offer on the table.
We are
amenable to a settlement.
Their offer
was a non-starter.
We even proposed mediation.
Yeah,
but we were too far apart.
Their entire case,
your Honor, rests on
a litany of
unsubstantiated allegations.
There's no legitimate grievance.
And they have yet
to produce a shred of
evidence
that makes any mention of rent.
Miss Haig, we're not
here to litigate the case.
I've made it a practice
in this court for both parties
] to exhaust all
settlement options before trial.
Seriously?
Miss Haig.
My apologies, your Honor, I--
I've made it a practice
in this court for both parties
to exhaust all
settlement options before trial.
Have a civil,
meaningful conversation.
Or don't.
Or don't. Have a shouting match.
Whatever it takes,
the clock is ticking, Counsel.
Tomorrow the jury walks in.
At that point, all bets are off.
The world
is a stage, life is a passage.
You came, you saw, you departed.
Learn to bear
bravely the changes of fortune.
Everything in the past
is judged by
the outcome of the last event.
Everything in the past
is judged by
the outcome of the last event.
Rehearsal is going fine,
but then on Marion's line,
"my kingdom
will not settle for less".
The center stage light,
it started to flicker.
She just froze.
And I was just
there waiting for my cue.
And then I hear,
"Thomas, I will not settle."
She just dropped it.
And one of
the drapes caught on the fire,
but we put it out
as fast as we could.
It wasn't spirits.
[I didn't pick up on anything,
and I would know.
I swear,
she's been reading into things.
Ya, think?
Lights!
Lights!
That light started to flicker.
Then,
"Thomas, I will not settle."
Fire.
Yeah, that definitely
wasn't in the script.
Okay.
-Hey
-I'm fine.
Jack?
Jack!
Did you fix that stage light?
I fixed it.
What are the chances
of it happening again?
Glitzy dimmer shouldn't happen.
If you have any doubts,
just kill the light altogether.
I take care of it.
It's a heavy burden
to be so intimately connected
with those who have passed.
But we're not
alone in our struggle.
No, far from it.
The dead also share
our pain, our heartache,
our failures,
and sometimes they even-- Kelly.
Would you care to join us?
I really think
we need to prep for tomorrow.
Oh, lawyers call it prepping.
We call it rehearsing.
And life is a rehearsal.
It's a rehearsal
for the world to come.
But our connections to
this earthly life still persist.
At times,
the dead even seek to intervene.
They mean to help.
But they can be clumsy.
They can go too far.
Thomas, you almost
burned down the playhouse.
You almost burned
down the playhouse.
You did.
We welcome your presence.
This is your home, too.
But I am in
charge of the theater now.
And as long as I am
in charge of the theater,
we will not surrender.
We will not settle.
The theater will go on.
And come Friday,
"Seance" will open.
Onwards and upwards we go.
Okay, um.
Okay, okay, hello, okay.
All right, so I'll use this
one for my opening statement.
And then this
one for the closing.
Good.
Marion? Marion?
Mm-hmm.
I couldn't find
any older photos of the theater.
Oh, try that box.
The one on the chair.
I am the fire.
I am the light.
My flames rise high.
My flames burn bright.
I am the fire.
-I am the light.
-Okay. Hello, Can we...
OK, so, I'm opening with,
"For 40 years, my Aunt
Marion Neal and her husband gave
their time,
their love, and their labor
to the Necromancy Theater.
- How's that?
- I like it.
Right? Oh.
Okay, these are fantastic.
This is horrifying.
Oh, my God, no.
Here.
Oh, how cute is this?
Yeah, yeah.
They're taking
a purely legal approach,
so ours is emotional, right?
It's all about heart.
It's all about love.
That is our ace in the hole.
Oh, it's love.
It's love,
love, love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love, love.
Okay, okay.
Okay, so I'm gonna start with,
"For 40 years, blah, blah, blah,
they built
this thing from scratch.
What did they get in return?
A life in the arts,
a chance to give back
to their community
and a small apartment
above the theater
that they owned."
Aww
Oh, yeah. Hold on, hold on.
So we're
gonna do this? Or this?
-The first one.
-Okay.
Um, a tiny space,
but to them, it was home.
It's where
they had dinner every night.
It's where they made love.
No slide for that.
Um, tomorrow marks-- Oh wait.
Leah, did you get
more pictures of the funeral?
- Yeah, I put them on the cloud.
- Great, great. Okay
So, actually,
this comes at the very end.
Let me actually perform it.
-All right.
-Okay.
Mm-hmm. Okay.
Tomorrow marks six months
since Marion's beloved husband
Thomas passed.
The last shovel of dirt was
barely thrown on the grave.
It's too fast.
Okay, we all know
who got the talent gene
in the family,
and it was not me.
We loved you
as the mute servant.
Yeah, and, you know,
I was a great corpse.
Killed that part.
-I actually just
saw a photo of that.
-I really don't want to see it.
I don't want to see it.
I mean, it was like
two years in the company,
not one speaking role, so I
don't want to see it. Okay.
But now you talk all the time.
Thank you, Julie.
-Try it again.
-All right.
Tomorrow marks six months
since Marion's beloved
husband Thomas passed.
It's still too fast.
Tomorrow marks six
months since Marion's
beloved husband Thomas passed.
The last shovel of
dirt was barely thrown
on his grave
before the Fisher brothers--
Boo!
That was funny.
Before the Fisher brothers
tried to
force a sale of the playhouse.
-Better.
-Right?
- Yeah.
So, does anyone
know where my pen is?
I can put on
the performance of my life.
But ultimately, if the jury
rules against us
we'll be liable for
40 years of back rent.
And you won't have the
equity to buy him out.
You will lose the playhouse.
That weasel
never once mentioned back rent
until he got his hand
caught in the cookie jar.
Which we would
have to prove in trial.
Thomas
wanted to sue him, you know.
Listen, listen.
They made us an offer.
If you don't like it, fine,
let's counter.
- Just give me a number.
- Zero.
- You're just being difficult.
- I said as much to Thomas.
I shall not settle
for less than our fair share.
If you insist on
moving forward with the trial,
it is that mindset
that they will pounce on.
But, uh...
- Thomas...
isn't with us anymore.
I will not... settle.
You know, this building
has had electrical issues
for as long as I can remember.
Just call Jack.
Marion? How's this?
Yes.
Do you have to wear black?
I'm in mourning.
The jury might think you're
laying it on a little thick.
Leave the optics to me, dear.
The judge doesn't believe
we're acting in good faith.
He all but said
it this afternoon.
You don't have to take it.
Just look at it, go over it,
cross out anything that
doesn't work for you, okay?
That'll give me a starting point
to make a counteroffer.
That'll allow us to really
come up with something that's--
Okay.
Trial it is.
Yes.
Looking at
the discovery,
their whole game plan
is to paint you as
a superstitious kook.
And I made a motion
in limine to exclude your
unique beliefs
from
being presented to the jury,
but unfortunately
the judge ruled against us.
So remember,
anything along the lines of
woo, just-- krrk
Ms. Neal
Has your late
husband communicated
with you about
the facts of this case.
My late husband has
not communicated with me.
Aunt Marion?
Aunt Marion, please, can you
just do it for real?
My late husband has
not communicated with me
concerning this case.
Mrs. Neal,
What is your understanding
of each
party's ownership interest
in Necromancy Theater.
50-50 split.
I understand
you live at the Playhouse.
- Is that correct?
- Yes.
Do you pay rent, Mrs. Neal?
No.
Have you ever paid rent?
Never.
That was part of the deal
with your brother from day one.
And that would be
David Fisher,
the plaintiff in this case?
Yes.
This, um, deal, as you call it,
was it ever put in
writing at any point?
Initially, no, but, uh...
It was put in as part of
the document that David signed
last year.
If I could ask you to
turn to Exhibit 4 before you.
Is that defendants 4?
Yes, Your Honor.
- May I approach?
- I got it. I got it.
Is it your position
that this document
offers proof
that the plaintiff, David Fisher
acknowledged your right to
reside at the apartment
rent-free?
Yes.
Mrs. Neal, does this document
contain any signatures by
third-party
witnesses or attorneys?
Objection.
- Document speaks for itself.
- Sustained.
Did you witness the plaintiff
signing this document,
Mrs. Neal?
No.
Before his passing, did Mr. Neal
ever tell you that he personally
witnessed David Fisher
signing this document?
I don't remember.
Maybe. Maybe.
How about after his passing?
-No.
-Objection, vague and ambiguous.
Sustained.
The answer
will be stricken.
Mrs. Neal,
you have penned a number of
articles on the subject
of seance, have you not?
I have.
Is your knowledge
of the supposed transfer
of interests in any way
informed by communications
with the dead?
I am not
aware of any communication on
the part of my late
husband concerning this case.
So that's a no.
That's a no.
Mrs. Neal, you have
argued forcefully
in your writings and
television appearances that
the dead often reach out to us.
Are you aware of any such
attempt on the part
of your late husband?
I cannot speak for him.
So he may have.
Objection
misstates the testimony.
How'd it go?
Actually, really great.
I don't know what this is.
You did great!
Just remember, okay?
Stick to yes,
no, I don't remember.
Unless they ask
about the document, then
try and be very specific.
Mrs. Neal, five minutes.
Five minutes, thank you.
Remind me,
who drafted the document?
I told you before. I'm not sure.
Well, sure as shit
wasn't that scumbag David.
You're darn tootin'.
Well, I mean, in that case,
Thomas either hired
an outside lawyer or
he wrote it himself. Let me--
Subtle.
Very subtle.
I don't think
Jack is up to the job.
I think we need to
bring in a real electrician.
Thomas drafted it.
I'm sure of it.
- Aunt Marion?
- I know what I know.
I don't understand.
Where's the casket?
Where have the pallbearers gone?
Mrs.
Neal, if I can ask you to once again turn to Exhibit D4.
What did your late husband
tell you about this document?
He said that he'd made
David a generous offer.
What was the offer?
That if...
if David would admit,
in writing,
that we had
every right to live rent-free
in the theater,
then Thomas would forgive
him the million and a half
he embezzled from the company.
Well,
putting aside your very dramatic
allegations,
as regards to the genesis of
this document,
did your late husband ever
bring to your attention
anything relating
to the circumstances surrounding
how this document came to be?
I have no idea
what you just said.
Do you know who drafted
this document, Exhibit D4?
Thomas did.
And you know that for sure?
I know that for sure.
When did you learn of
the alleged agreement?
I don't know exactly, but soon
thereafter, we took them
out to dinner, Thomas and I.
It was more
a celebration for them,
really, than for us.
And David
brought his fourth wife.
Or was it his fifth?
I can't remember.
Can't count that high.
We'll get
through this much quicker
if you could limit
your responses to
the questions asked.
Whatever you want, dear.
Mrs. Neal,
do you have any memory of any
verbal exchange
between you and your late
husband in
which he apprised you
of his intention
to draft an agreement?
What he told me was--
It's a yes or no question.
No.
Do you remember
your husband ever telling
you anything
that would lead you to believe
that he was in any way involved
in the drafting of the document?
My husband was dying,
and he wanted to protect me.
He would have sued your brother
if he had the energy,
if he had not been so sick.
If you could
please stay focused on the
question, a simple yes or no.
No.
You don't remember
your husband speaking to you
about his potential involvement
in the drafting of the document?
I don't remember.
But earlier you testified
quite emphatically
that you are certain
that Mr. Neal was the one
who prepared the document.
I am.
Mrs. Neal
How is the jury to
believe your testimony?
When you freely admit
to having no recollection
of any verbal exchange
between you and
your late husband
in regards to the drafting
of the document?
- You are
just trying to--
- And yet...
And yet, you maintain
that you are sure that
he was the one
responsible for its creation.
I know what I know.
I know what I know.
Nothing further, your Honor.
Miss Haig,
may I have a word with you.
Just right over here.
That's fine That's all I ask.
Thank you. Okay.
Now I need an orange.
Oral agreements
mean nothing in court.
Unless both sides stipulate it.
Do you got a note in your script?
We got a light cue.
What about all the money
he bilked us over the years?
Well, Thomas
didn't keep any records.
We can't prove the embezzlement.
Embezzlement should be...
We need to focus
on their latest offer, okay?
I know. It's not as good.
But we have to be realistic.
Frankly, after your performance
in court today, we're
moving in the wrong direction,
and I don't see that changing.
But listen, the upside is
if you take the offer,
then...and yes,
the theater will be sold, but
you'll walk with 25%.
Okay? I mean, that should
afford you a decent one-bedroom
and you can retire with
some money in your hand.
Marion?
Marion.
The hemming on
the burgundy dress is finished.
Do you want to come try it on?
Come on, you're moving
slow as molasses over there.
Shut up.
Do your own work.
No,
no more performances.
Tonight would be your last.
That's if you took the deal.
Raise the volume.
Slow curtain.
The end.
It's not the end.
It's a new beginning.
You wouldn't
be disappointing him.
How do you know that?
Because I can't
help believe
that it's
your peace of mind
Thomas cares about most.
If I ever
have to see that man again,
I trust
it will be at his funeral.
Actually,
just one last time on Monday,
the settlement won't be
finalized until the judge
signs off on it.
Thank you
Best Oaxacan in town, David.
Now, as I was saying,
the judge will sign this
on Monday and it'll
immediately go into effect.
The two sides will
then have to meet and confer
as to their choice
of the appraiser.
Kelly will
propose our friend Susan.
I'll raise some
perfunctory objections,
but we'll yield at the end.
Now, Susan and I
just had a long discussion.
She could low ball the estimate,
that'll significantly
reduce the payout amount
that we need to make to Marion,
But that could
come back to bite us.
Susan, why don't you explain?
From what I gather,
the building is old
and not well kept up.
If you want a wrecking ball,
then we'll have to
go for code violations.
That'll shave off at
least a few hundred thousand,
but that is
a double-edged sword.
In other words,
David, you'll have the city
on your back for years to come.
Even if you decide to sell it,
it'll all have to be disclosed.
That's right.
Unless of course
you raze it to the ground.
We might?
Well, might isn't good enough
is what
Susan's trying to say here.
I'll demolish the building.
You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Answer the goddamn phone, Leah.
Yep, that looks great.
I'm gonna tie it on.
You got what you need?
The show starts in 40 minutes,
Jack needs to be paid.
Don't tell me
you don't have the money
because he can fuck us over.
I don't appreciate last-minute
changes to our agreement.
Jack didn't make any changes,
he did the job.
He just wants to get paid.
Your friend doesn't get to
decide when the job is finished.
You got the signature.
- We're golden, this thing went like clockwork.
- -Did it really?
You realize Marion burned
the entire theater down on
Wednesday, almost.
And that was my fault?
-You couldn't
have picked another line.
-The line was perfect.
Where she wasn't
carrying a lit candle
when she was saying it.
Did you
even read the script I sent you?
I don't read scripts anymore.
Yeah.
What would be the point, right?
Fuck you.
- Oh, you really wanna take it there?
- -Fuck you!
You're gonna
screw over Jack and then
you're gonna screw me too?
Yeah, no!
Let me tell you for the record?
For the record?
Let me tell you and
your little tiny boyfriend here?
I fucking
made this happen, okay?
- Oh, all right.
- Enough!
- All right!!!
- Fuck you.
That's enough.
So we're good?
I've set up meetings for you
with the heads of casting
at two studios.
He's good for it.
All right.
Jack's money.
David, we can't
get greedy with this guy.
Make sure
the Slav understands,
Either stays good with us
or he doesn't
stay in this country.
I got it.
Nope.
Now just try the next panel.
Oh, good, we got it, thank you.
Hello,
everybody, welcome.
Please make
your way into the theater.
- All right, let's go.
- All right, I get it, I get it.
-You took an oath.
-My oath was to the king.
- Traitor!
- Black guard!
Traitor.
-Come on now.
-Full house.
Come on now,
you'll mess up your makeup.
You trust people with your life?
And they stab you in the back.
Oh
Love all, trust a few.
Break a leg.
I, I don't understand.
Where is the coffin?
Where did the pallbearers go?
Bring them back, I order you.
Your highness, your highness,
this is not the grave.
It's not the grave,
it's not the grave.
Then why am I, why am I?
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Marion?
Help, Kenzo help!
Call 911! Marion, Marion.
Cut the lights,
cut the lights.
Get water, get water.
Is she breathing?
Call 911.
Cut the lights,
cut the lights.
Somebody call 911.
Is she breathing?
I don't know.
You wouldn't
be disappointing him.
Mrs. Haig.
Did your late husband...
And I made a motion
in limine to exclude your...
Objection...
Your Majesty, it's an honor.
Where are
your troops stationed?
At the border,
by the left bank of the river,
we have not yet
crossed into their territory.
It is our territory.
Forgive my errant tongue,
Your Highness, your territory.
Both banks
of the river and far beyond.
By divine decree, they all
belong to you,
as I belong to you.
Okay,
that didn't feel right.
Marion, should
I be like a little more
flirtatious with you?
Like...
As I belong to you.
I don't know, Leon.
I didn't write this shit.
Thomas, am I having
an affair with this soldier?
He's enamored with the Queen,
but it is not
reciprocated by you.
I thought we were involved.
That was the previous version.
You're involved with
his brother now,
do you remember?
No.
His brother
got killed in so-or-so
he thinks anyway,
but he also thinks that
you don't know that he knows,
but the brother
is very much alive.
Thomas, you're
just confusing everyone again.
So, just to be clear,
I should be flirtatious.
Yes.
All right, here we go.
Ready?
Your Majesty, it is an honor.
Thomas, why can't I
sleep with this young man?
Thomas, Thomas.
Hey,
What's wrong?
It wasn't a heart attack
They think
it was her blood sugar.
Where did they take her?
Leah's with her,
she's being discharged.
They'll be here any minute.
Come on, come on.
I need your help. I'm making
Marion's place extra special
before she gets home, yeah?
Yeah, okay,
I'll get the stage lights.
Grab the ghost light.
Hey, hold, wait.
Hi, you've reached Leah,
please leave a message.
Leah, hey, it's me.
Can you just
give me an update, please?
And you gotta go
through this stage door, okay?
The front door is locked, bye.
May the ghost light
never falter,
and ward off all spirits.
Come here
Look at this, look.
Who is this?
She's like, "Mmm."
Look at
the way she's holding the...
Before
the ambulance arrived,
I was holding
Marion's hand and I swear,
she had the look.
The look?
Like she was dying?
Like she was... stuck.
Her eyes were open.
She was
breathing, but...
Nothing.
If she's
in a shadow realm,
that's bad news.
You read
your whole Akashic record.
You see things
you don't wanna see.
It's like you watch
the movie of your life,
but you also see
behind the curtain.
You learn the truth.
The truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth.
Leah?
Leah, hey, what's going on?
I don't know, things...
Leah, take her in where?
I can't hear...
- Pray. Pray.
- Leah... Leah.
Get the lights, get the lights!
When is
the ambulance getting here?
Did somebody call 911?
She breathing?
I think so, I don't know.
Help, get her help!
Someone call 911!
Do you need me to
get her a water or something?
Get water, get water!
I call upon
the well of souls
where all
power and love come from.
We humbly
ask for your help.
Please
give Marion strength
and keep
her from the shadow realm
so she might make her way...
Hey, hey Leah, what's going on?
I don't know, she just started
running a fever and
it started spiking and--
Leah.
Marion, its Kelly and
Julie do you want to say hi?
- Hey!
- We love you, Marion.
What did they say? Leah?
Leah, stay on
the phone with us, Leah.
Wait!
I have to call you back.
- I got it, I got it.
- -No, no, no, don't touch it.
Look, I'll get it.
Just don't.
I'm gonna have to
cleanse this whole place.
I don't know, what happened
What the hell?
It, it just burst into flames.
It never does that,
it's only supposed to smolder.
She looked so angry.
Did you see how
she looked at me?
Marion?
It's all my fault.
Oh, I could have said something.
What are you talking about?
There weren't any signs!
Since he died,
no Thomas, no signs!
I would have been
the first to know, but
it's been room tone,
flat, nothing.
Everyone knew that.
We all told her.
I didn't.
And I'm the only one she
would have listened to.
But I kept my mouth shut.
If she's in the shadow realm,
she's seen the truth.
That I betrayed her.
Leah?
- Leah?
- Please don't push me,
- We need to do our job.
- I'm not gonna leave.
What's going on?
- We are going to--
- Kelly, tell them
I'm not gonna leave.
Don't let her die.
Don't make a scene!
Leah, wait.
Leah, do as they say!
Leah, Leah,
come on, stop!
She's gone,
she's gone, she's dead.
I don't think you understand!
Marion is fucking dead!
She's, she's gone.
She's fucking dead,
do you understand
what I'm saying?
She's dead!
She's gone!
She's fucking dead!
She's gone.
She wasn't...
She's dead!
She's just dead!
She's dead!
Marion is fucking dead!
I call upon you
to open the gates
of the underworld.
Marion...
Why are you angry, Marion?
Marion...
Marion? Why are you angry?
Marion, speak to me.
Why are you angry?
Hey, sweetheart.
- Marion.
- Sweetheart.
Marion, we love you.
Why are you angry?
Julie.
She's dead.
If she is in the Shadow Realm
She can't move beyond.
The bridge is burning.
It's all burning.
Kelly!
No!
No!
No!
How sharper than
a serpents tooth it is
to have a thank less child.
No! No! Please no!
Let me go! Let me go!
No!
Make sure the Slav understands.
He either stays good with us, or
he doesn't stay in this country.
The court
hereby declares a mistrial
in the civil case,
David Fisher versus Marion Neal
due to evidence of malpractice,
on the part of
the attorney of record,
Kelly Haig.
Ms. Haig is said
to have criminally colluded
with
David Fisher and Warren Fisher
in an effort to defraud
her own client, Marion Neal.
The court shall
transfer all photographic
and video evidence
submitted by Ms. Leah Watts
to the office of the
Los Angeles District Attorney.
Pending a bail hearing,
the above named individuals
are to remain--
Are to remain in the custody
of the Sheriff's Department.
If this were only
about putting you behind bars,
I could have done it months ago.
But you made it personal.
You came to my home,
to my theater,
You acted
as if you were my savior.
A shoddy performance at that.
My little Iago,
next time you wanna do a show,
don't do it at a theater.
We are better at it.
We are better at it.
Enough.
You have a choice.
Tell the Fisher brothers
they have until Sunday to pay
back the money they embezzled
and acknowledge
my 50% ownership stake
before I buy them out.
Then they're all yours.
Two-bit con men.
Oh...don't worry, dear
it's not the end.
It's only a new beginning.
Help, no!
Julie!
I know... what I know.
Thank you.
You were great. You were great.
Oh yeah, oh yeah. Marion!
Oh, if I get any more,
I'm taking them home, okay?
You guys
were fantastic, I love it.
Oh, gosh
May the ghost light never falter
and ward off all spirits.
Your Majesty, it is an honor
Were are
your troops stationed?
At the border
by the left bank of the river.
We have not yet
crossed into their territory.
It is our territory.
Forgive my errant
tongue, Your Highness,
your territory.
He's enamored with the Queen.
we all belong to him.
Oh God. By whose mercy
the faithful departed find rest.
Bless this grave.
And send your holy
angel to watch over it.
As we bury
here the body of our brother
Deliver his soul
from every bond of sin.
That he may rejoice in you
with your saints forever. Amen.
Amen.
This is taking
way longer than it should.
- And who's fault's that?
Seriously.
- Certainly not mine.
It's not mine.
Who's supposed to set something up
to begin with that I can see?
Who's the real problem here?
Is it you or the client?
You have to
come up with something
Your Honor, we've put
a good faith offer on the table.
We are
amenable to a settlement.
Their offer
was a non-starter.
We even proposed mediation.
Yeah,
but we were too far apart.
Their entire case,
your Honor, rests on
a litany of
unsubstantiated allegations.
There's no legitimate grievance.
And they have yet
to produce a shred of
evidence
that makes any mention of rent.
Miss Haig, we're not
here to litigate the case.
I've made it a practice
in this court for both parties
] to exhaust all
settlement options before trial.
Seriously?
Miss Haig.
My apologies, your Honor, I--
I've made it a practice
in this court for both parties
to exhaust all
settlement options before trial.
Have a civil,
meaningful conversation.
Or don't.
Or don't. Have a shouting match.
Whatever it takes,
the clock is ticking, Counsel.
Tomorrow the jury walks in.
At that point, all bets are off.
The world
is a stage, life is a passage.
You came, you saw, you departed.
Learn to bear
bravely the changes of fortune.
Everything in the past
is judged by
the outcome of the last event.
Everything in the past
is judged by
the outcome of the last event.
Rehearsal is going fine,
but then on Marion's line,
"my kingdom
will not settle for less".
The center stage light,
it started to flicker.
She just froze.
And I was just
there waiting for my cue.
And then I hear,
"Thomas, I will not settle."
She just dropped it.
And one of
the drapes caught on the fire,
but we put it out
as fast as we could.
It wasn't spirits.
[I didn't pick up on anything,
and I would know.
I swear,
she's been reading into things.
Ya, think?
Lights!
Lights!
That light started to flicker.
Then,
"Thomas, I will not settle."
Fire.
Yeah, that definitely
wasn't in the script.
Okay.
-Hey
-I'm fine.
Jack?
Jack!
Did you fix that stage light?
I fixed it.
What are the chances
of it happening again?
Glitzy dimmer shouldn't happen.
If you have any doubts,
just kill the light altogether.
I take care of it.
It's a heavy burden
to be so intimately connected
with those who have passed.
But we're not
alone in our struggle.
No, far from it.
The dead also share
our pain, our heartache,
our failures,
and sometimes they even-- Kelly.
Would you care to join us?
I really think
we need to prep for tomorrow.
Oh, lawyers call it prepping.
We call it rehearsing.
And life is a rehearsal.
It's a rehearsal
for the world to come.
But our connections to
this earthly life still persist.
At times,
the dead even seek to intervene.
They mean to help.
But they can be clumsy.
They can go too far.
Thomas, you almost
burned down the playhouse.
You almost burned
down the playhouse.
You did.
We welcome your presence.
This is your home, too.
But I am in
charge of the theater now.
And as long as I am
in charge of the theater,
we will not surrender.
We will not settle.
The theater will go on.
And come Friday,
"Seance" will open.
Onwards and upwards we go.
Okay, um.
Okay, okay, hello, okay.
All right, so I'll use this
one for my opening statement.
And then this
one for the closing.
Good.
Marion? Marion?
Mm-hmm.
I couldn't find
any older photos of the theater.
Oh, try that box.
The one on the chair.
I am the fire.
I am the light.
My flames rise high.
My flames burn bright.
I am the fire.
-I am the light.
-Okay. Hello, Can we...
OK, so, I'm opening with,
"For 40 years, my Aunt
Marion Neal and her husband gave
their time,
their love, and their labor
to the Necromancy Theater.
- How's that?
- I like it.
Right? Oh.
Okay, these are fantastic.
This is horrifying.
Oh, my God, no.
Here.
Oh, how cute is this?
Yeah, yeah.
They're taking
a purely legal approach,
so ours is emotional, right?
It's all about heart.
It's all about love.
That is our ace in the hole.
Oh, it's love.
It's love,
love, love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love, love.
Okay, okay.
Okay, so I'm gonna start with,
"For 40 years, blah, blah, blah,
they built
this thing from scratch.
What did they get in return?
A life in the arts,
a chance to give back
to their community
and a small apartment
above the theater
that they owned."
Aww
Oh, yeah. Hold on, hold on.
So we're
gonna do this? Or this?
-The first one.
-Okay.
Um, a tiny space,
but to them, it was home.
It's where
they had dinner every night.
It's where they made love.
No slide for that.
Um, tomorrow marks-- Oh wait.
Leah, did you get
more pictures of the funeral?
- Yeah, I put them on the cloud.
- Great, great. Okay
So, actually,
this comes at the very end.
Let me actually perform it.
-All right.
-Okay.
Mm-hmm. Okay.
Tomorrow marks six months
since Marion's beloved husband
Thomas passed.
The last shovel of dirt was
barely thrown on the grave.
It's too fast.
Okay, we all know
who got the talent gene
in the family,
and it was not me.
We loved you
as the mute servant.
Yeah, and, you know,
I was a great corpse.
Killed that part.
-I actually just
saw a photo of that.
-I really don't want to see it.
I don't want to see it.
I mean, it was like
two years in the company,
not one speaking role, so I
don't want to see it. Okay.
But now you talk all the time.
Thank you, Julie.
-Try it again.
-All right.
Tomorrow marks six months
since Marion's beloved
husband Thomas passed.
It's still too fast.
Tomorrow marks six
months since Marion's
beloved husband Thomas passed.
The last shovel of
dirt was barely thrown
on his grave
before the Fisher brothers--
Boo!
That was funny.
Before the Fisher brothers
tried to
force a sale of the playhouse.
-Better.
-Right?
- Yeah.
So, does anyone
know where my pen is?
I can put on
the performance of my life.
But ultimately, if the jury
rules against us
we'll be liable for
40 years of back rent.
And you won't have the
equity to buy him out.
You will lose the playhouse.
That weasel
never once mentioned back rent
until he got his hand
caught in the cookie jar.
Which we would
have to prove in trial.
Thomas
wanted to sue him, you know.
Listen, listen.
They made us an offer.
If you don't like it, fine,
let's counter.
- Just give me a number.
- Zero.
- You're just being difficult.
- I said as much to Thomas.
I shall not settle
for less than our fair share.
If you insist on
moving forward with the trial,
it is that mindset
that they will pounce on.
But, uh...
- Thomas...
isn't with us anymore.
I will not... settle.
You know, this building
has had electrical issues
for as long as I can remember.
Just call Jack.
Marion? How's this?
Yes.
Do you have to wear black?
I'm in mourning.
The jury might think you're
laying it on a little thick.
Leave the optics to me, dear.
The judge doesn't believe
we're acting in good faith.
He all but said
it this afternoon.
You don't have to take it.
Just look at it, go over it,
cross out anything that
doesn't work for you, okay?
That'll give me a starting point
to make a counteroffer.
That'll allow us to really
come up with something that's--
Okay.
Trial it is.
Yes.
Looking at
the discovery,
their whole game plan
is to paint you as
a superstitious kook.
And I made a motion
in limine to exclude your
unique beliefs
from
being presented to the jury,
but unfortunately
the judge ruled against us.
So remember,
anything along the lines of
woo, just-- krrk
Ms. Neal
Has your late
husband communicated
with you about
the facts of this case.
My late husband has
not communicated with me.
Aunt Marion?
Aunt Marion, please, can you
just do it for real?
My late husband has
not communicated with me
concerning this case.
Mrs. Neal,
What is your understanding
of each
party's ownership interest
in Necromancy Theater.
50-50 split.
I understand
you live at the Playhouse.
- Is that correct?
- Yes.
Do you pay rent, Mrs. Neal?
No.
Have you ever paid rent?
Never.
That was part of the deal
with your brother from day one.
And that would be
David Fisher,
the plaintiff in this case?
Yes.
This, um, deal, as you call it,
was it ever put in
writing at any point?
Initially, no, but, uh...
It was put in as part of
the document that David signed
last year.
If I could ask you to
turn to Exhibit 4 before you.
Is that defendants 4?
Yes, Your Honor.
- May I approach?
- I got it. I got it.
Is it your position
that this document
offers proof
that the plaintiff, David Fisher
acknowledged your right to
reside at the apartment
rent-free?
Yes.
Mrs. Neal, does this document
contain any signatures by
third-party
witnesses or attorneys?
Objection.
- Document speaks for itself.
- Sustained.
Did you witness the plaintiff
signing this document,
Mrs. Neal?
No.
Before his passing, did Mr. Neal
ever tell you that he personally
witnessed David Fisher
signing this document?
I don't remember.
Maybe. Maybe.
How about after his passing?
-No.
-Objection, vague and ambiguous.
Sustained.
The answer
will be stricken.
Mrs. Neal,
you have penned a number of
articles on the subject
of seance, have you not?
I have.
Is your knowledge
of the supposed transfer
of interests in any way
informed by communications
with the dead?
I am not
aware of any communication on
the part of my late
husband concerning this case.
So that's a no.
That's a no.
Mrs. Neal, you have
argued forcefully
in your writings and
television appearances that
the dead often reach out to us.
Are you aware of any such
attempt on the part
of your late husband?
I cannot speak for him.
So he may have.
Objection
misstates the testimony.
How'd it go?
Actually, really great.
I don't know what this is.
You did great!
Just remember, okay?
Stick to yes,
no, I don't remember.
Unless they ask
about the document, then
try and be very specific.
Mrs. Neal, five minutes.
Five minutes, thank you.
Remind me,
who drafted the document?
I told you before. I'm not sure.
Well, sure as shit
wasn't that scumbag David.
You're darn tootin'.
Well, I mean, in that case,
Thomas either hired
an outside lawyer or
he wrote it himself. Let me--
Subtle.
Very subtle.
I don't think
Jack is up to the job.
I think we need to
bring in a real electrician.
Thomas drafted it.
I'm sure of it.
- Aunt Marion?
- I know what I know.
I don't understand.
Where's the casket?
Where have the pallbearers gone?
Mrs.
Neal, if I can ask you to once again turn to Exhibit D4.
What did your late husband
tell you about this document?
He said that he'd made
David a generous offer.
What was the offer?
That if...
if David would admit,
in writing,
that we had
every right to live rent-free
in the theater,
then Thomas would forgive
him the million and a half
he embezzled from the company.
Well,
putting aside your very dramatic
allegations,
as regards to the genesis of
this document,
did your late husband ever
bring to your attention
anything relating
to the circumstances surrounding
how this document came to be?
I have no idea
what you just said.
Do you know who drafted
this document, Exhibit D4?
Thomas did.
And you know that for sure?
I know that for sure.
When did you learn of
the alleged agreement?
I don't know exactly, but soon
thereafter, we took them
out to dinner, Thomas and I.
It was more
a celebration for them,
really, than for us.
And David
brought his fourth wife.
Or was it his fifth?
I can't remember.
Can't count that high.
We'll get
through this much quicker
if you could limit
your responses to
the questions asked.
Whatever you want, dear.
Mrs. Neal,
do you have any memory of any
verbal exchange
between you and your late
husband in
which he apprised you
of his intention
to draft an agreement?
What he told me was--
It's a yes or no question.
No.
Do you remember
your husband ever telling
you anything
that would lead you to believe
that he was in any way involved
in the drafting of the document?
My husband was dying,
and he wanted to protect me.
He would have sued your brother
if he had the energy,
if he had not been so sick.
If you could
please stay focused on the
question, a simple yes or no.
No.
You don't remember
your husband speaking to you
about his potential involvement
in the drafting of the document?
I don't remember.
But earlier you testified
quite emphatically
that you are certain
that Mr. Neal was the one
who prepared the document.
I am.
Mrs. Neal
How is the jury to
believe your testimony?
When you freely admit
to having no recollection
of any verbal exchange
between you and
your late husband
in regards to the drafting
of the document?
- You are
just trying to--
- And yet...
And yet, you maintain
that you are sure that
he was the one
responsible for its creation.
I know what I know.
I know what I know.
Nothing further, your Honor.
Miss Haig,
may I have a word with you.
Just right over here.
That's fine That's all I ask.
Thank you. Okay.
Now I need an orange.
Oral agreements
mean nothing in court.
Unless both sides stipulate it.
Do you got a note in your script?
We got a light cue.
What about all the money
he bilked us over the years?
Well, Thomas
didn't keep any records.
We can't prove the embezzlement.
Embezzlement should be...
We need to focus
on their latest offer, okay?
I know. It's not as good.
But we have to be realistic.
Frankly, after your performance
in court today, we're
moving in the wrong direction,
and I don't see that changing.
But listen, the upside is
if you take the offer,
then...and yes,
the theater will be sold, but
you'll walk with 25%.
Okay? I mean, that should
afford you a decent one-bedroom
and you can retire with
some money in your hand.
Marion?
Marion.
The hemming on
the burgundy dress is finished.
Do you want to come try it on?
Come on, you're moving
slow as molasses over there.
Shut up.
Do your own work.
No,
no more performances.
Tonight would be your last.
That's if you took the deal.
Raise the volume.
Slow curtain.
The end.
It's not the end.
It's a new beginning.
You wouldn't
be disappointing him.
How do you know that?
Because I can't
help believe
that it's
your peace of mind
Thomas cares about most.
If I ever
have to see that man again,
I trust
it will be at his funeral.
Actually,
just one last time on Monday,
the settlement won't be
finalized until the judge
signs off on it.
Thank you
Best Oaxacan in town, David.
Now, as I was saying,
the judge will sign this
on Monday and it'll
immediately go into effect.
The two sides will
then have to meet and confer
as to their choice
of the appraiser.
Kelly will
propose our friend Susan.
I'll raise some
perfunctory objections,
but we'll yield at the end.
Now, Susan and I
just had a long discussion.
She could low ball the estimate,
that'll significantly
reduce the payout amount
that we need to make to Marion,
But that could
come back to bite us.
Susan, why don't you explain?
From what I gather,
the building is old
and not well kept up.
If you want a wrecking ball,
then we'll have to
go for code violations.
That'll shave off at
least a few hundred thousand,
but that is
a double-edged sword.
In other words,
David, you'll have the city
on your back for years to come.
Even if you decide to sell it,
it'll all have to be disclosed.
That's right.
Unless of course
you raze it to the ground.
We might?
Well, might isn't good enough
is what
Susan's trying to say here.
I'll demolish the building.
You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Answer the goddamn phone, Leah.
Yep, that looks great.
I'm gonna tie it on.
You got what you need?
The show starts in 40 minutes,
Jack needs to be paid.
Don't tell me
you don't have the money
because he can fuck us over.
I don't appreciate last-minute
changes to our agreement.
Jack didn't make any changes,
he did the job.
He just wants to get paid.
Your friend doesn't get to
decide when the job is finished.
You got the signature.
- We're golden, this thing went like clockwork.
- -Did it really?
You realize Marion burned
the entire theater down on
Wednesday, almost.
And that was my fault?
-You couldn't
have picked another line.
-The line was perfect.
Where she wasn't
carrying a lit candle
when she was saying it.
Did you
even read the script I sent you?
I don't read scripts anymore.
Yeah.
What would be the point, right?
Fuck you.
- Oh, you really wanna take it there?
- -Fuck you!
You're gonna
screw over Jack and then
you're gonna screw me too?
Yeah, no!
Let me tell you for the record?
For the record?
Let me tell you and
your little tiny boyfriend here?
I fucking
made this happen, okay?
- Oh, all right.
- Enough!
- All right!!!
- Fuck you.
That's enough.
So we're good?
I've set up meetings for you
with the heads of casting
at two studios.
He's good for it.
All right.
Jack's money.
David, we can't
get greedy with this guy.
Make sure
the Slav understands,
Either stays good with us
or he doesn't
stay in this country.
I got it.
Nope.
Now just try the next panel.
Oh, good, we got it, thank you.
Hello,
everybody, welcome.
Please make
your way into the theater.
- All right, let's go.
- All right, I get it, I get it.
-You took an oath.
-My oath was to the king.
- Traitor!
- Black guard!
Traitor.
-Come on now.
-Full house.
Come on now,
you'll mess up your makeup.
You trust people with your life?
And they stab you in the back.
Oh
Love all, trust a few.
Break a leg.
I, I don't understand.
Where is the coffin?
Where did the pallbearers go?
Bring them back, I order you.
Your highness, your highness,
this is not the grave.
It's not the grave,
it's not the grave.
Then why am I, why am I?
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Marion?
Help, Kenzo help!
Call 911! Marion, Marion.
Cut the lights,
cut the lights.
Get water, get water.
Is she breathing?
Call 911.
Cut the lights,
cut the lights.
Somebody call 911.
Is she breathing?
I don't know.
You wouldn't
be disappointing him.
Mrs. Haig.
Did your late husband...
And I made a motion
in limine to exclude your...
Objection...
Your Majesty, it's an honor.
Where are
your troops stationed?
At the border,
by the left bank of the river,
we have not yet
crossed into their territory.
It is our territory.
Forgive my errant tongue,
Your Highness, your territory.
Both banks
of the river and far beyond.
By divine decree, they all
belong to you,
as I belong to you.
Okay,
that didn't feel right.
Marion, should
I be like a little more
flirtatious with you?
Like...
As I belong to you.
I don't know, Leon.
I didn't write this shit.
Thomas, am I having
an affair with this soldier?
He's enamored with the Queen,
but it is not
reciprocated by you.
I thought we were involved.
That was the previous version.
You're involved with
his brother now,
do you remember?
No.
His brother
got killed in so-or-so
he thinks anyway,
but he also thinks that
you don't know that he knows,
but the brother
is very much alive.
Thomas, you're
just confusing everyone again.
So, just to be clear,
I should be flirtatious.
Yes.
All right, here we go.
Ready?
Your Majesty, it is an honor.
Thomas, why can't I
sleep with this young man?
Thomas, Thomas.
Hey,
What's wrong?
It wasn't a heart attack
They think
it was her blood sugar.
Where did they take her?
Leah's with her,
she's being discharged.
They'll be here any minute.
Come on, come on.
I need your help. I'm making
Marion's place extra special
before she gets home, yeah?
Yeah, okay,
I'll get the stage lights.
Grab the ghost light.
Hey, hold, wait.
Hi, you've reached Leah,
please leave a message.
Leah, hey, it's me.
Can you just
give me an update, please?
And you gotta go
through this stage door, okay?
The front door is locked, bye.
May the ghost light
never falter,
and ward off all spirits.
Come here
Look at this, look.
Who is this?
She's like, "Mmm."
Look at
the way she's holding the...
Before
the ambulance arrived,
I was holding
Marion's hand and I swear,
she had the look.
The look?
Like she was dying?
Like she was... stuck.
Her eyes were open.
She was
breathing, but...
Nothing.
If she's
in a shadow realm,
that's bad news.
You read
your whole Akashic record.
You see things
you don't wanna see.
It's like you watch
the movie of your life,
but you also see
behind the curtain.
You learn the truth.
The truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth.
Leah?
Leah, hey, what's going on?
I don't know, things...
Leah, take her in where?
I can't hear...
- Pray. Pray.
- Leah... Leah.
Get the lights, get the lights!
When is
the ambulance getting here?
Did somebody call 911?
She breathing?
I think so, I don't know.
Help, get her help!
Someone call 911!
Do you need me to
get her a water or something?
Get water, get water!
I call upon
the well of souls
where all
power and love come from.
We humbly
ask for your help.
Please
give Marion strength
and keep
her from the shadow realm
so she might make her way...
Hey, hey Leah, what's going on?
I don't know, she just started
running a fever and
it started spiking and--
Leah.
Marion, its Kelly and
Julie do you want to say hi?
- Hey!
- We love you, Marion.
What did they say? Leah?
Leah, stay on
the phone with us, Leah.
Wait!
I have to call you back.
- I got it, I got it.
- -No, no, no, don't touch it.
Look, I'll get it.
Just don't.
I'm gonna have to
cleanse this whole place.
I don't know, what happened
What the hell?
It, it just burst into flames.
It never does that,
it's only supposed to smolder.
She looked so angry.
Did you see how
she looked at me?
Marion?
It's all my fault.
Oh, I could have said something.
What are you talking about?
There weren't any signs!
Since he died,
no Thomas, no signs!
I would have been
the first to know, but
it's been room tone,
flat, nothing.
Everyone knew that.
We all told her.
I didn't.
And I'm the only one she
would have listened to.
But I kept my mouth shut.
If she's in the shadow realm,
she's seen the truth.
That I betrayed her.
Leah?
- Leah?
- Please don't push me,
- We need to do our job.
- I'm not gonna leave.
What's going on?
- We are going to--
- Kelly, tell them
I'm not gonna leave.
Don't let her die.
Don't make a scene!
Leah, wait.
Leah, do as they say!
Leah, Leah,
come on, stop!
She's gone,
she's gone, she's dead.
I don't think you understand!
Marion is fucking dead!
She's, she's gone.
She's fucking dead,
do you understand
what I'm saying?
She's dead!
She's gone!
She's fucking dead!
She's gone.
She wasn't...
She's dead!
She's just dead!
She's dead!
Marion is fucking dead!
I call upon you
to open the gates
of the underworld.
Marion...
Why are you angry, Marion?
Marion...
Marion? Why are you angry?
Marion, speak to me.
Why are you angry?
Hey, sweetheart.
- Marion.
- Sweetheart.
Marion, we love you.
Why are you angry?
Julie.
She's dead.
If she is in the Shadow Realm
She can't move beyond.
The bridge is burning.
It's all burning.
Kelly!
No!
No!
No!
How sharper than
a serpents tooth it is
to have a thank less child.
No! No! Please no!
Let me go! Let me go!
No!
Make sure the Slav understands.
He either stays good with us, or
he doesn't stay in this country.
The court
hereby declares a mistrial
in the civil case,
David Fisher versus Marion Neal
due to evidence of malpractice,
on the part of
the attorney of record,
Kelly Haig.
Ms. Haig is said
to have criminally colluded
with
David Fisher and Warren Fisher
in an effort to defraud
her own client, Marion Neal.
The court shall
transfer all photographic
and video evidence
submitted by Ms. Leah Watts
to the office of the
Los Angeles District Attorney.
Pending a bail hearing,
the above named individuals
are to remain--
Are to remain in the custody
of the Sheriff's Department.
If this were only
about putting you behind bars,
I could have done it months ago.
But you made it personal.
You came to my home,
to my theater,
You acted
as if you were my savior.
A shoddy performance at that.
My little Iago,
next time you wanna do a show,
don't do it at a theater.
We are better at it.
We are better at it.
Enough.
You have a choice.
Tell the Fisher brothers
they have until Sunday to pay
back the money they embezzled
and acknowledge
my 50% ownership stake
before I buy them out.
Then they're all yours.
Two-bit con men.
Oh...don't worry, dear
it's not the end.
It's only a new beginning.
Help, no!
Julie!
I know... what I know.
Thank you.
You were great. You were great.
Oh yeah, oh yeah. Marion!
Oh, if I get any more,
I'm taking them home, okay?
You guys
were fantastic, I love it.
Oh, gosh
May the ghost light never falter
and ward off all spirits.