Play Along (2024) Movie Script
[buzzing]
-[soft creaking]
[clanking]
[electricity crackling] -[whirring]
[fire whooshing]
[click]
[whooshing and whirring]
[whooshes]
-[film reel clacking]
[child reading]
[laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
-[bell tolling]
[children shouting and
laughing in the distance]
[tense music]
[muffled soft buzzing]
[dramatic music]
[engine rumbling]
[soft tapping]
[muted]
[music continues]
[soft tapping]
[chains rattling]
[Skylar breathing shakily]
[Skylar crying] Hello?
[ominous tone]
-[rattling]
[creaking]
[ominous tone]
[softly] I don't know you.
Why are you doing this?[Rattling]
[principal] No, it is fine.
It is good. Go ahead.
-I know you are thirsty!
-[breathing shakily]
[exhales sharply]
[Skylar softly] Please.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.[Shushes]
Please, no.
No. No! No! No! No!
No! [Muffled yelling][shushes]
Skylar Watkins.
[chair creaks]
Look, I know you're new here.
I know you're not aware
yet of the rules at this school,
but you need to learn them
if you're going to make
anything of your opportunities.
As principal, it's my vocation...
It's my passion, frankly,
to marshal my students
to their best futures.
Now
I know you went to
public school before this.
I know you lived at home. I know you spent
a catastrophically perilous
amount of time on social media.
And you have a tendency to,
how to best phrase this,
over share.
None of which is going to
help you at this institution.
Success here is merit based,
it is not a popularity contest.
It will require your undivided
attention and wildest imagination.
But don't get me wrong.
It's not all nose in the books.
There will be time to play.
You will play.
We
will play.[Breathes shakily]
This situation
is a preview of the punishments
that will be inflicted for
any and all infractions,
and... while I'm not a fan of punishment,
I do get a bit of a rush out
of carrying out my judgments.
It would be best to avoid my hand.
Do not speak.
[exhales sharply]
[softly] Splendid.
But I do not think it is time
to go to your room just yet.
Not to worry.
The semester is just beginning,
and we have plenty of time!
-[breathing shakily]
-Oh, don't take it so hard!
You'll get the hang of it.
[exhales loudly]
-We'll have fun, okay?
It's all just a game.
[bones cracking]
[Skylar sniffles]
[breathes shakily]
-Shall we begin?
[Skylar breathes loudly and grunts]
[chains rattling]
[door creaking in the distance]
[Skylar softly] What the fuck?
[door closes]
-[helicopter blades whirring]
-[siren wailing in the distance]
[upbeat music playing]
[man on tape] Freeze! This
is the police. Don't move!
[Skylar] Hello? I'm in here!
Hello? I'm here, I'm here!
[door opens]
Here! She's in here!
-[Skylar] Help! Help me! Please, help me, please!
-I've got her, she's okay!
[Skylar crying]
-[officer] Are you okay?
-It's me!
-I don't know.
It's your partner. Are you hurt?
-Mm... no.
-Okay. I'm gonna get you out of here.
Oh, I'm gonna get you out of here.
Damn it! Damn it! I've gotta get some keys.
Officer, you're in shock!
-You've been taken prisoner. But got them on the run.
-No, what are you doing?
-What are you doing? I don't understand...
-Breathe. Yeah.
-Breathe. I'll be back!
- what are you doing? No, please, no!
-No! What are you doing?
-I'll be back!
[sobbing and shouting] No,
please! What are you doing?
[screams indistinctly]
[door closes]
-[sobs and sniffles]
[beeping]
[door opens and creaks] -[switch clicks]
[door closes]
-[footsteps approaching]
[Skylar breathes shakily]
[soft scratching]
-[paper rustling]
[speaking in German]
[chuckles]
[in German accent] So, how are you feeling?
[breathes shakily]
-[loud heartbeat]
Heart rate is a bit elevated.
That's to be expected.
The procedure is minimally invasive.
A few small incisions in the abdomen.
Recovery is straightforward.
Ibuprofen for any residual
pain. Nothing more.
And you will be good as new in no time.
[laughs softly] Sound good?
Y... you're not having
second thoughts, are you?
Trust me, there will
be no lasting ill effects.
Honestly, I do this all the time.
Just a little pinch, and
it's then off to dreamland.
Wait!
Is there a word
like a safe word?
-I'm sorry?
If this is a game, and
it... and it goes too far,
is th... is there something I
can say to pause the game?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
A safe word!
Like, like "blueberry"
o... or "Joe" or just "stop."
[breathes shakily] Please,
please, I don't understand the game.
This is not a game.
I am your doctor.
I am here to help you.
-N... no... no, no. No, first, you were a principal...
-[shushes]
and then, and... and then you were a cop
and now you're... No, no...
-Just a pinch.
-[shouts] No, stop!
-[speaks indistinctly] ...honestly,
you're only gonna hurt yourself.
This is really a simple operation.
There you go![Gasp]
[gasps]
[pants] Fuck you.
[speaking German]
[door creaks and closes]
[beeping]
-[lock clicks]
[gasps, breathes heavily]
[dramatic music]
[thunder rumbling in the distance]
[suspenseful, ominous music]
[music increases]
[rattling]
-[pants]
[thunder rumbling continues]
Fucker undressed me.
[dramatic tone]
[ominous music]
[music increases]
[door creaking]
[man screams and groans] -[dramatic music]
[grunts] -[groaning and screaming]
Why? [Groans][grunts]
[screams] Skylar!
[principal in normal accent] Skylar, this
won't look good on your college application!
Skylar!
[pants]
[door bangs]
-Skylar!
[doctor in German accent] Skylar. Skylar.
This is not the best way
to approach your treatment.
[Skylar breathing shakily] -Skylar!
[loud footsteps]
[panting]
Skylar!
[singing in German]
[footsteps approaching]
[breathes shakily]
[door opens]
-[muffled shout] Skylar!
Skylar!
[singing in German]
[dramatic music]
[shouts] Skylar!
Let's try this again.[Screams]
[ominous tone]
[speaking German]
Here we go.
[light ominous music]
[ominous tone]
[breathes heavily]
[Skylar grunts and pants]
Why?
Why me?
Hmm. Interesting question.
Have you been visited by the malady or
have you conjured it yourself?
Depending on your answer to that question,
your treatment can be tailored to
your needs and the best outcome.
But first, we have to break
you of this aggression.
This therapy has been discontinued
for most psychiatric patients,
-but I find it is still effective...
-[breathing shakily]
for those prone
to uncontrollable outbursts.
[ominous music]
[gasps]
[breathes heavily]
[thuds]
Now, hold still.
[inhales deeply] Take a deep breath.
[breathing heavily]
[music increases]
That's not right.
[sighing] Ah.
It helps to plug these
things in. [Chuckles]
[soft clicks]
-[electricity humming]
[muffled sob]
[in normal accent] Come on!
You didn't actually think
I was gonna perform
electroshock therapy on you?
Did you?
What kind of a monster do you think I am?
[inhales deeply] By all accounts
[in German accent] you have
narcissistic personality disorder.
[inhales deeply]
It means you need constant
confirmation of your every whim,
endless exhortations about your beauty
and deep well of wisdom.
And everyone who
comes into contact with you
must prove their undying
love and compassion for you.
In other words, you are a teenager.
[speaking German]
But you're hardly a lunatic.
[in normal accent] Although I
have seen your TikTok posts,
and you are pretty annoying. Cute, but
[inhales deeply] wow.
[in German accent] Which is why I
agreed to take you on as a patient.
There's only one problem.
You only have so many chances to catch on
to what I am trying to hip you to.
[light eerie music]
Because if you can't,
I am going to move on to patients who can.
Dig it?
Consider it.
See you at our next session.
[scratching]
I think you can handle the rest.
[exhales deeply]
-[breathes deeply]
-[door creaks and closes]
[beeping]
-[lock clicks]
[light eerie music]
[soft scratching] -[Joe mumbling
indistinctly in normal accent]
[gasps softly]
[mumbling continues]
I fix it, they break it and
break it. Break it again.
I'm so sick of it.
-Hello?
-I can fix this thing.
[indistinct mumbling]
-Hello?
[ominous tone]
-[clacks]
[clacking]
-Hello?
You want something done,
you gotta do it yourself. [Sighing]
I put it up, they put it down.
Every time I fuckin' do
somethin', they break it.
[sighs]
You want something
done right, do it yourself.
[inhales deeply] Looks like, uh,
somebody tried to get past
the security measures. [Sighs]
[exhales]
A safe word.
Like, like "blueberry"
o... or "Joe" or just "stop."
Joe?
Is that your name? Joe?
Oh. [Chuckles]
That's what the hat says.
Y... you can call me Ray.
You can call me Jay.
You, you don't have to call me Joe.
No, it... it's okay. I like Joe.
[stutters] Brought you
some breakfast over there.
I... I mean, they did.
He, he did.
Hell, s... somebody did.
[ominous tone]
I... I, I, I I... I like what
you've done with the place.
No, I don't. That was a joke.
-I just moved in.
-[laughing] Just moved in.
That's a good one. [Laughs]
You know, I... I couldn't help but,
but notice your clothes over there.
You ladies get up to the strangest shit.
A... are you one of those
people that go to the...
What do they call them
things? Um, conventions?
Like y... you, you get dressed
up like somebody from the movies
or, or a comic book?
Maybe that's where the real you is.
In the characters you dress up like.
I... I don't have anything
against it, you know. Like...
[inhales deeply]
real world
isn't what it's cracked
up to be. Shit, I di...
I didn't wanna be a handyman, you know.
-[light melancholic music]
-But you get good at something,
the next thing you know...
What did you wanna do? Kidnap girls?
Excuse me?
[music increases]
I wanted to play baseball.
I had a mean slider.
Could hit, too
couldn't run for shit, though.
Anyways
I'm hitting them out of the park now.
[clicks tongue] That camera over there,
it's as good as brand-new.
Whoever's looking through it
has a perfect
high-definition view. You, uh
might wanna be careful when
you're getting into those outfits.
Uh, unless you're that kind of chick.
In which case
God bless.
[breathes deeply]
Anyways, uh...
[rattling]
see you next time
school girl.
Yeah. Next time.
[lock clicking]
[softly] School girl.
[melancholic music]
Yes?
May I be excused to the restroom?
Of course.
Are you gonna chaperon?
-No.
-May I go to the restroom?
I said yes. Go.
What? Here?
Behind you.
[rustling]
[light suspenseful music]
[soft dripping]
[toilet flushes]
[rustling]
All well and good?
Fine. Um, you're low on toilet paper.
I will tell the housekeeper.
Maybe Joe could bring it?
I liked him, he was nice.
-Who?
-Joe.
The guy who fixed the camera.
[light melancholic music]
Oh.
Thanks for breakfast.
Your tuition covers it. Sit, please.
You don't have to lock me up...
-Sit, please.
Eyes forward.
Eyes forward.
Do not push me.
[softly] I'm sorry.
How are you getting on with your studies?
Um
actually, um, I... I'm
learning a lot, I think.
So you're acclimating.
The program is challenging.
Would you agree?
Ye... yeah.
Excuse me?
Yes?
-[Loudly] Excuse me?
Yes, sir.
How have you found your classes?
Well, actually, I haven't...
I mean, um, Health
was a little crazy.
-Or, or was it Psychology?
-Who is your instructor?
-Um, he's a doctor.
-Mm. Psychology.
In Health, we learn about
our bodies and how they work.
I do not think you have
that class this semester.
[exhales deeply, whispers] Thank fuck.
Excuse me?
Nothing. Um, that, that just sucks.
I'm interested in my body getting healthy.
Your health is everything.
And saying something
"sucks" is not mature or classy.
Do you understand?
Yeah. Okay.
-[loudly] Do you understand?
-Yes.
Yes, sir.
I think you should get to your next class.
Wait. Sir?
Um, I didn't get, like, a schedule of,
like, my classes.
[mockingly] You didn't, like, get
a schedule of, like, your classes?
-Uh, no.
-Well, like, too bad.
You don't like when
people use the word "like."
I don't like the misuse of adjectives.
Your schedule is for me
to know and you to find out.
Then how am I supposed to prepare?
If you used your brain as
much as your other parts,
you'd be a fucking Rhodes Scholar by now.
You better figure it
out before the next bell.
Good day, Miss.
[door creaking]
[door closes]
-[lock clicking]
[ominous tone]
[clicks]
-[soft whirring]
-[man 1] Ladies and gentlemen.
-[bell rings]
[coins clanging] -[woman
1] Place your bets, please!
-[fanfare music playing]
-[man 2] You can't win
if you don't play.
[woman 2] Fight.[Sighs]
[man 2 speaking indistinctly]
[distorted voice] You
can't win if you don't...
[crying]
[man 3] Winner winner, chicken dinner.
[bell dinging]
-[woman 2] Fight.
[woman 1] Place your bets, please.
[woman 3] You can't win if you don't...
[woman 2] Fight.[Cross talk]
[man 4] Sorry, it's over.
You had very difficult bets.
[man 1] Ladies and gentlemen...[grunts]
[man 2] can't win if you don't play.
[woman 2] Fight.[Breathing heavily]
[music continues playing]
[cross talk continues]
[man 5] You can't win if you don't play.
[bell dings]
-[woman 2] Fight.
-[dramatic music]
-[muffled indistinct chatter]
[sighs sharply]
[rattling]
[ticking]
[music stops] -[screams and
breathes heavily] Stop! Stop!
[dramatic music continues]
[ticking continues]
-[clacking]
Okay. I got this
matching little workout set.
-[light melancholic music]
-It's super cute, look at the top.
The color is to die for.
And it matches my eyes. Ha!
Oh! And I got this dress.
It's satin.
It's kind of sassy.
It's, like, tight, has a slit.
I love it!
Now, someone just has
to invite me somewhere
where I can wear it
'cause it's kind of fancy.
[sniffles] -So, we're
going to the restaurant
in Ritz-Carlton for dinner tonight.
Our hotel is just down the street.
[chuckling] And it is so cold,
but it's really, really, really pretty.
[click] -[Skylar inhales]
Sometimes, it feels like I step
outside of my body.
Like an out-of-body experience or whatever.
And I see myself
with my friends,
like, how we act, and
I see other stuff, like, what I post,
and I... and I just think,
"Is that what I'm really like?"
And I wonder [inhales sharply]
if I'm not happy
with how I see myself...
[music continues]
then what do other people think?
[crying softly]
God![Sniffles]
[softly] Who am I?
[crying, sniffling]
[fanfare music continues playing]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[ticking continues]
[breathes deeply]
[ticking increases]
-One more chance.
[ticking stops] -[man 5] You can't win
[tape squeaks] ["Five
Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue"
[by Art Landry and His Orchestra playing]
[breathes shakily]
[rattling]
[exhales sharply]
[whispers] Perfect!
["Five Foot Two, Eyes
Of Blue" continues playing]
[muffled indistinct chatter]
[keys clinking]
-[lock clicks]
Five foot two, eyes of blue -Woo-hoo!
But, oh, what those Five foot could do?
Has anybody seen my
gal? -[Chuckles and kisses]
Turned up nose Turned down hose
Flapper? Yes, sir One of those
Has anybody seen my gal? -[Humming]
Now if you run into A five foot two
Covered with fur
Diamond rings And all those things
Bet your life It isn't hers...
[in Southern accent] It's
really swinging out there.
I... it's a good night.
Sounds like the cat's meow to me.
You're beautiful.
[scoffs] Thanks, baby,
but it takes a lot to
doll up this ragamuffin.
Ah, that's bunk!
You were born with it.
He'll be very impressed.
-He?
-The big cheese. The impresario.
I thought you were the big cheese.
Nah. I'm just a company man.
Okay, then. So, what's a deb gotta do?
Don't take any wooden nickels. Play along.
That's swell. [Exhales deeply]
-Hey, what's eating you?
-What if he doesn't like me?
Is he gonna bump me off?
No.
No. Baby, you gotta talk to him!
I'm trying my best. It, it's all balled up.
[shushes]
You just got the heebie-jeebies.
It's all gonna be Jake.
Says you. It's my chassis on the line.
Level with me.
Is he gonna take me for a ride?
-Is that where the others went?
-What others?
The other dames.
You don't gotta worry about that.
But there were others?
Hey, you don't know from nothing.
You just keep hitting on all sixes
and everything's gonna be copacetic.
[laughter in the distance]
[softly] Horse feathers.
I honestly don't know
why you brought me here.
What gives? There were a million
other dolls out there prettier than me.
It was your audition.
He saw you from the shadows and he said
this place wouldn't be
the same without you.
-That's a lie.
-No.
You're spot on.
There were others.
They come and go.
Where do they go?
No, no, no. I ain't
spilling. I'm no pushover.
Oh, hey now, don't be a wet blanket.
You come this far. You
still got a ways to go.
You're going places.
It's all in here.
-You're just beating your gums now.
-[chuckles softly]
-You know what I think?
-Do tell.
I think you're carrying a torch for me.
So, what's it gonna be, cash or check?
["Five Foot Two, Eyes
Of Blue" continues playing]
-[breathes deeply]
-[indistinct chatter continues]
[softly] Check it is.
Break a leg, Sheeba!
["Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue" ends]
[thunder rumbling in the distance]
-["My Focus is You" by Jowynalex]
-You can dream in color
-But I've been living gray
-Gray, gray, gray, gray...
But ever since We have shared our cover
All my pictures saturate
And now -Now, now, now, now...
I won't
Ever see the world the same
Again
My focus is you
[soft scratching]
[woman echoing] Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
[mysterious tone]
[whispering echoes]
Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
[light whimsical instrumental music]
Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
Skylar! Skylar. Skylar...
[rustling]
[soft creaking]
Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
Bitch, move it!
[in normal accent] Who are you?
Get in here, quick. He can't see in here.
We need to talk.
Who are you?
I'm you, stupid.
-I don't understand.
-And you don't need to.
What I need you to do is listen. Can you?
Good. First things first. Who is this guy?
Nope. That was a rhetorical question.
You don't know. Neither do I.
But he knows us, right?
You figured that out.
Yeah, he's seen my posts.
Although I have seen your TikTok posts,
and you are pretty annoying.
Okay, so...
-So he's not a complete stranger, then.
He knows things about us,
which means he chose us.
He wasn't just walking down the
street and was like, "Oh, yeah. She'll do.
I'm just gonna kidnap her
and fuck with her until... "
-Until what?
-What do you think?
Come on. You tried to get him to say it,
and he completely ducked the question.
[inhales shakily] I'm scared.
You think I'm not? You're me!
If you go, hey, that's me too.
But look, he was dropping clues until
we figured out how to play the game.
The costumes!
Yeah. When he's the principal, we're this.
When he's the doctor, we're
the juvenile psych patient.
And then he played that old-timey music,
and we found the costume to match.
And then, all that happened and...
Then, there's the maintenance guy, Joe.
-Joe. That's the safe word.
-Yeah, the game pauses.
Maybe that's really him. Maybe
he is, like, a maintenance man.
Don't say "like" like that.
Copy. You're right.
But what's the point of the
game? Just to keep playing?
What happens if I get it wrong?
Do you want him to put you in that chair?
-No.
-Then use our big brain
and figure out how to keep up with him.
Or better yet, get ahead of him.
-How?
-Look, so far, he's been dictating
the rules of the game, right?
He goes first. Next time, you go first!
Turn the game around on him.
Make him do what you want him to do.
-Which is?
-Duh! Get the fuck out of here!
-Okay.
-Great. Love you! [Kisses]
Love you too.
Wait. What c...
I'm losing my fucking mind.
[breathes deeply]
[ominous tone]
[rustling]
I was just bringing you this.
Thanks.[Deeply inhales]
Well, okay. [Sighs]
Back to work, I... I guess.
Break time's over.
Game on.
[door closes]
-[lock clicking]
[suspenseful, whimsical music]
[paper rustling]
[bell tolling in the distance]
[crickets chirping]
-[birds chirping]
["Fr Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven]
[bell tolling continues]
[in British accent] I
didn't mean to intrude.
[in British accent] It is
no intrusion, good sir.
May I join you?
Please do.
It is brisk, but it is refreshing.
It is cold.
Very cold.
-I would offer you my cloak.
-Never!
I will face my impending
hypothermia with courage.
Uh, why are you sitting alone?
I find I am doing most things alone.
I find that hard to believe.
Your company is... most intoxicating.
-You flatter me, good sir.
-It was not without conviction.
[Skylar] Does my father know you are here?
He received me in the front parlor.
I requested a moment of
your time, he granted my wish.
Curious. I'm led to believe he intends
for me to be engaged elsewhere.
-Is that correct?
-Indeed.
Is that your intention as well?
Oh, I have no intention, good sir.
You would rather not
have your hand proffered?
I would rather have it amputated.
You desire your freedom.
I would do anything for it.
-Anything?
-Anything.
[inhales deeply] I'm not convinced.
-No?
-No.
I suppose you think my
presence here today and,
well, quite regularly is in regards
to matters of business only,
but... truth be told,
I make my excuses for your father's counsel
in order to visit you. To see you.
And though I am not always
allowed in your presence,
I still keep a sharp eye
out on your every move.
And what have your subtle
surveillances informed you of?
You are enraptured by your comforts.
You would not be content
in a life less pampered,
even if it were to grant
your complete freedom.
If you think so little of me, why hang your
dark cloud over my peaceful meditations?
You misunderstand. I
think the world of you.
Just not this world.
You are correct, sir, I do not understand.
This world is not a
world of your own making.
The pettiness of your friends.
Girls with... their dalliances
with fashion and torrid boys.
This is not you.
But I wonder what you
would be left with without it.
[birds chirping]
-[crickets chirping]
This, good sir, is what
I'm trying to convey to you.
For you see, I am but a prisoner.
Like any innocent captive, unfairly judged,
convicted, and incarcerated.
I truly wish I could assist.
I wish to walk.
Will you walk with me?
[gentleman] I would be
happy to walk with you.
This garden is very pretty in the spring.
I think that is my favorite season.
The air turns warm.
The earth renews.
There is hope for change.
I find that I have allergies
in the spring. [Chuckles]
You could free me from this hell.
But your father...
My father has other daughters.
He would forget me in a fortnight.
Mm, I do not believe that.
Sir, everything you said is the truth.
This world of prim and proper,
of pride and prejudice,
is devoid of compassion.
It is only about appearance
and arrangement.
-There is no love here.
-But it is all that you know.
How could any benefactor
or chaperon guarantee
that you would not simply
go back to the old ways?
So is that the only option for my future?
[somber music]
Continued existence as property.
To be handed over from father to husband,
to bear children out of obligation,
to have no voice of my
own, no choice of my own?
Just an adult-sized
version of a children's toy
to be dressed up and used as entertainment!
I apologize for speaking out, good sir.
It was kind of you to visit with me,
no matter your intention.
Very well.
I am sorry I cannot be of
more help with your solitude.
You are a lovely soul.
I am a caged bird.
[music increases]
[loudly] Brava! Brava!
Brava! Brava!
Brava!
[softly] Brava.
[beeping]
[keys clinking]
[lock clicking]
[dramatic tone]
[gasps] -[Skylar's double
shushes] Come here.
-That went well.
-[in normal accent] Oh, yeah? I'm still here.
We're still here.
But, yeah, that went well.
Rome wasn't built in a day.
What does that even mean?
And why are you saying it?
I... if I don't know what it means,
that means I wouldn't say it. And
yet, you're me, and you're saying it.
Maybe I'm the college-bound version of you.
But what I mean is that things take time.
Took a minute to figure
out how to play the game,
it's gonna take some time
to figure out how to win.
But I think it's gonna need to be... more.
[suspenseful, whimsical music] -More?
-More what?
-More about him.
I think the Joe version is the way in.
So we need to keep playing.
But don't just be you. Be more than you.
I don't know what you're saying.
What I'm saying is, make shit up!
He thinks we're petty
and catty and materialistic,
and yet, he still said we're a lovely soul.
He's got it bad for us.
-You think?
-Oh, yeah. He's in love.
-So that's why he did this.
-I bet.
And when he figures out he can't have us,
especially after kidnaping us,
he's gonna have to make
a really serious decision.
How serious?
No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Yeah. So play the damn
game and start playing dirty.
You mean, like, flirt with him?
Don't say "like" like that.
And, no, don't flirt with him!
Seriously, is that your
answer for everything?
I mean, tarnish his
rose colored view of us.
Then, start getting some
dirt and throw it in his face.
Isn't that just gonna piss him off?
Or break him. In the meantime,
I'm gonna work on the final play.
-You cool?
-No.
Good. Go get 'em, tiger.
[sighs]
[rattling]
-[music increases]
[ominous tone]
[door unlocks]
[door creaks and closes]
[Joe] What can I do you for?
Uh, I think the cable's out.
Well, actually, there's no
TV, I'm, I'm just kind of bored.
I can snag you a book or two.
Okay, that'd be cool.
I like to read.
My friends, um, a lot of
them, they don't like to read,
they think it's stupid.
Stupid?
What's stupid about reading?
I don't know. I guess
they just prefer watching.
I mean, I watch too.
Probably too much dumb stuff.
Of course, you do.
But I really like to read.
I actually read this book once
called, um, Tropic of Cancer.
That's pretty steamy.
I guess I didn't really see the big deal.
-Did you learn from it?
-Nothing I didn't already know.
[light whimsical music]
I'm sorry. Am I blowing
your mind right now?
Guess you never really know someone.
You don't know me. I just moved in.
Well, you see someone,
and maybe you get an idea in
your mind about who they are.
And then, they break your heart.
Ever had your heart broken?
Once or twice.
You?
Endlessly.
[exhales, whispers] Um,
you know
it's really hard to know who you are,
especially when everyone else is always
trying to tell you who you are.
Maybe I can bring you a newspaper,
they still print the funnies.
-Sure.
-All right.
Did they ever find that girl?
-What girl?
-The missing one.
I... I, I don't... I don't know.
I d... I don't remember
seeing anything about it.
Really? I thought she'd be front page news.
She seemed really popular.
Well, maybe she had an
inflated sense of herself.
Maybe. But I bet someone misses her.
[softly] I really hope someone misses her.
Yeah, I, I... I was thinking of trying
that new Chinese place down the street.
Why don't I pick something
up and come by later?
I, I appreciate it, but I, I
can't afford to pay you back.
Don't worry about it. I'll, I'll
pick up a whole bunch of stuff,
I'll come by later, okay?
Wait, Joe.
[softly] Um
if you're sad
I'm really sorry.
It's not
sadness, it's, uh
I... it's disappointment.
Because people aren't
who you want them to be?
If they were, would that change anything
or would you still be disappointed?
I don't know what you're getting at.
How far inside someone can you get
before you tear 'em apart?
Has anyone ever gotten
that far inside of you?
I don't think you should've read that book.
Almond cookies, please.
Fortune cookies always lie.
[door creaking]
[door closes]
-[lock clicks]
[dramatic music]
[rustling]
[keyboard clacking]
[bell blaring]
School. Now!
-Wait. What's going on? Wait, what did I do?
-Not one word.
-What did I do? No. What d... what did I do? No!
-Not one word!
No! [Panting]
-Not one word.
[both grunting and panting]
[chains rattling]
[shouts] Get off me![Grunts]
[crying] No! No!
[handcuffs clicking]
-[rattling]
You have been doing... well.
From... from what I understand,
your grades are strong.
[both breathing shakily]
[shouts] Your instructors are
pleased with your progress!
Th... that's a good thing, right?
[principal panting]
[softly] Unfortunately, I am going
to have to expel you from this school.
No. [Gasps] N... no, no,
no, no. Please, please!
I'm doing... I'm doing well,
y... you just said so! Please, no!
-Please, no! Please, no! Please, no! Please, no!
-[indistinct muttering]
-[muffled] Oh, my God! Joe!
-[man shouts] Joe!
[dramatic music]
-[Skylar] Help me! Joe!
[gasping and shouting] Joe![Man crying]
Help me! Joe! Joe!
[Skylar panting]
Joe is not here.
Joe is not here.
[sobbing] No. Please, you promised.
He's, he's bringing Chinese food,
he... and he's getting
the funnies, he's... [sobs]
You have to go. [Sniffles] You can't stay.
[both crying]
[principal] Y... you're here too long.
Y... you were the best
student this school ever had.
[sobs] No, I, I have so much more to learn.
Please, I wanna learn.
I wanna... [sobs]
[breathing shakily]
[thunder rumbling in the distance]
[handcuffs clinking and rattling]
[breathes shakily]
[handcuffs clinking and rattling]
Go back to your room.
[sniffles softly, sighs]
[breathes deeply]
-[suspenseful music]
-[door opens and creaks]
[door closes]
-[lock clicking]
[Skylar's double] We're
running out of time.
[Skylar] I know.
Do you think we pushed him too far?
Not far enough.
Are you kidding me? He nearly killed me!
Us.
I think something else happened.
-The newspaper.
-The missing girl.
Maybe we are front page news.
So, it's only a matter of time before
someone figures out what happened to us.
I don't know.
This guy is definitely
done all this before, right?
Don't you think?
[softly] Yeah.
Something he said about it being too long.
[both] "Nobody makes it this long."
Nobody figures out how to play the game.
[whispers] God.
How many others?
I don't know.
But I know we can still win.
[lock clicking]
[door creaks and closes]
[Joe] Who you gabbing with?
N... nobody. My, my invisible sister.
Y... you just get out of
school or something?
Yeah, kinda.
You still in school and
you got your own place?
I wish I had that kind of
hookup when I was your age.
Um... [sighs deeply]
[inhales sharply] I... I wasn't really
sure what you liked, so I... I got
spicy chicken and noodles.
Oh, yeah. And, uh
[clicks tongue] fortune cookie.
[softly] There you go. [Sighs]
Hmm.
Uh, mm... [mumbles and sighs]
[clicks]
-Eh... [exhales]
Uh, you, you... you were
mentioning your invisible sister.
You got a real one?
-[Skylar] I do.
-Mm.
I... I should really call
her, it's been a few days.
-Older? Mm.
-Younger. Two years.
What about you?
No. I'm a solo artist.
No family at all?
No. Never knew 'em.
At all? Not even your parents?
I must have had some kind of parents.
I grew up in a church.
It's a nice way of saying an orphanage.
You go to church much?
-Uh-uh.
-Ah.
You're not really missing anything. I, I
never really understood it much myself.
But... I like the artistry.
The robes and the props.
It's theater,
but it's not entertainment, you know.
Your soul is always on the line,
it's a huge obstacle to
overcome. I couldn't do it.
Yeah, it... it's kind of creepy.
It's a power trip.
You never really catch a break.
You're born in sin.
You're a bad apple from the start.
And they hold it against
you every time they wanna
do something bad.
-Bad?
-Yeah.
They commit sins against you,
and then they make you go to confession
to talk about it, and it's good for you.
Anyway, this spicy chicken
is the bomb. You tried it yet?
Anyway, enough about that.
This sister, um, tell me
about her. Are you guys close?
[softly] She's my best friend.
I, I really need to call her.
Is, is there, like, a payphone
or something nearby?
Payphone? [Chuckles]
How last century! [Chuckles]
I, I just want her to know that I love her.
-Just in case.
-In case what?
In case you kill me before I kill you.
Mm!
You're right. This spicy
chicken is really good.
You said this place was new?
Yeah. Just down the block.
Are there others? M...
Maybe where I used to live?
Oh, I don't know.
It's a long way from here.
[ominous music]
We're not in New Jersey?
No, Skylar. Not in New Jersey.
Not even close.
Wow!
Stuffed! [Chuckles]
Uh, I'm gonna leave this here for you.
There is, uh, a leaky pipe
upstairs that needs my attention.
It's been really nice talking to you.
Thanks for the dinner company.
Yeah.
[door creaking]
[keys clinking]
-[lock clicks]
[music continues]
[Skylar's double mumbling] Oh! Delish.
-Mm!
-We are so fucked.
Think it through, Sky. Unfuck it.
What did we learn today about
our dear psycho kidnapper?
He's got a problem with the church?
Anything over there that
might come in handy?
[suspenseful tone]
Yeah, maybe.
[doctor in German accent]
Come down. We need to talk.
Is there something wrong?
I recommend a more
aggressive course of treatment.
She is a troublemaker. She
is not a good fit for this school.
Nah, she's a good kid. Curious is all.
Curiosity killed the cat.
[in British accent] Her willfulness is
an affront to modesty and decorum.
It does not suit a lady.
I actually find her quite refreshing.
-Refreshing?
-None of the others have made it out of the chair.
Two. One made it to the cot. The other...
Poor girl.
Hung herself with one of the power cords.
And it is still not secured yet.
[Joe] How am I supposed to light the place?
I don't see the problem.
She's playing our game.
It's transcendent. You saw it!
Uh, you saw it too.
We were transported. Her
imagination is untapped.
We were in that scene!
Space and time disappeared around us.
Yeah, I kinda feel that too.
Weakness. She is bending
the situation to her will.
Nonsense. She's playing our
game with our costumes on our set.
You're getting lost in her. He knows it.
He wanted to expel her. You stopped him.
I wasn't done with her yet.
The doll is, the bee's knees, and all that.
I would hate to see that light go out.
What do you want to do? Let her go?
[dramatic music]
[rattling]
[soft clinking]
[soft rustling and scratching]
She is 1000 miles from her
home. You kidnapped her.
You tried to kill her.
She has been transported
across state lines!
Hell, you almost electrocuted
her sweet little brain.
That was all for show.
Damn thing doesn't even work!
She has a very persuasive manner about her.
'Tis quite lovely.
Come on! She is a B student
from a public school in New Jersey.
A few people will miss her,
and they will get on with their lives.
It is not as though we
have not done this before.
We can't let her go. That
would be the end of us.
Just snuff her out and
give her the acid bath.
I hate that part.
What? I'm the one who has to clean it up.
Our survival is entirely dependent
upon the limit of her mortality.
The clock is ticking.
The school bell tolls,
and it tolls for us.
[shouts] Stop!
You're right.
Of course.
The longer she's alive,
the greater the liability.
I, I know that. It's just that I...
Smitten with the kitten.
I've enjoyed our conversations.
[gentleman] Gentlemen, there is no
outcome here that arrives at romance.
It is kill or be killed.
Blue lives matter.
Okay.
Fine. So, who's gonna do it?
You are the only one who can.
Great.
Thanks.
Just remember.
The character is nothing
without the actor in performance.
[door opens and closes]
[footsteps approaching]
[mumbling indistinctly]
[breathing heavily]
[ominous tone]
What are you up to?
[dramatic music]
[door creaking]
No.
No, this is... this is not correct.
That is not a costume.
That is not on the rack.
This is not part of the game!
Goddamn it!
[clattering]
[dramatic organ music]
[echoing] How long has it been
since your last confession, my son?
Too long, Father. [Breathes shakily]
Then come.
[sobbing]
The Lord is infinitely
patient, but I am not.
[dramatic organ music]
[sobbing]
[door bangs]
[door closes]
[echoing] In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
-[man echoing] Amen.
-Begin.
Forgive me, Father,
for I have sinned.
It has been... a very
long time since my last confession.
Do you wish to be forgiven
for your transgressions?
I'm not sure I will be.
There is no act so vile
the Lord won't forgive
if you truly confess and repent.
Are you sure about that, Father?
You need to find your way back to the Lord.
I've killed, Father!
[laughs]
How many? [Laughs]
More than a few Hail Marys
and a rosary or two are gonna help.
[softly] At first
I just wanted to hear the screams.
The screams?
A true scream...
[breathes deeply]
is every possible emotion, fear...
[shouting] Please, no!
Please, no! Please, no!
Please, don't do it. Please, don't
anxiety, rage...
[crying] What are you doing?
it's free and pure. How to achieve it?
How to rend it from the player
takes the hand of an artist.
And I became that artist,
and the game was born.
-Costumes and character?
-Yes.
Sadly, very few found
their way into the game,
even with my gentle prodding.
-They were scared to death.
-Oh, cry me a river.
Let me ask you.
If they caught on and
joined the game, what then?
-How did it play out?
-It always ends in the screams.
So you torture them with false hope?
I find it makes it sound more
authentic.
And when they're gone, you do it again.
If there's anything I
learned from this place
it's that repetition
strengthens faith,
and I grow stronger with
every player that comes through.
They're just girls!
You've taken their identity
and then you take their lives!
You're not a creator, you're a fraud!
[in sing-songy] "Every
artist is a cannibal.
Every poet is a thief."
-You're hardly Picasso.
-I'm more like Pollock.
I make a beautiful mess.
You're still that little boy no one wanted.
Maybe you never felt
love because you can't.
You're filled with hate and envy.
You don't want these girls to play with
you as equals, you wanna control them.
You wanna make them do
what you want them to do!
You're not special in that.
Girls face that every
single day of their lives!
What's the point of the
game if they can't win?
[loudly] The point is I
win! [Chuckles softly]
[laughs]
My place is not in the light of the Lord.
I found my place in the darkness.
How about you, Father?
You're not afraid of the dark, are you?
-[Skylar echoing] I woke up in the dark.
-[chains rattling]
[Skylar breathing
shakily and crying] Hello?
Hello?
[door creaking]
-Anybody?
[door closes]
-[sobbing] Hello?
[switch clicks]
[Skylar crying]
[footsteps approaching]
-Please.
[chains rattling]
-I'm scared.
[man echoing] Skylar Watkins.
[ominous tone]
[grunting]
-[groaning]
[softly] No. [Panting] No...
It was a nice game, Skylar.
But you got one thing wrong.
I've never thought a woman's
place was in the priesthood.
You've been such a good opponent, really.
No one's ever lasted this
long, but time is not on our side.
[inhales deeply] No one should
know their exact time of death.
Everyone expects it.
For some sooner, for others...
[breathes heavily]
[in German accent] But you, Frulein
[panting] well... [laughing]
[exhales deeply]
[door creaks and closes]
[chair rattling]
[mumbling] This shit's cold.
What are you crying about?
This is part one, remember?
We're doing this or what?
Kill or be killed.
[melancholic music]
I filled the tub and dragged the barrel up.
[in normal accent] Okay.
Joe?
Yeah, boss.
Would it be so bad to let her go?
Hell of a decision.
-It would be great for her though.
-But for us...
It would be the end.
[music continues]
[softly] I'm sorry.
-[Skylar] How do you know this will work?
-[Skylar's double] Trust me.
We just need to figure out which one
of his characters is the easiest to dupe.
-Joe?
-[Skylar's double] Joe's sweet. He'd probably cry.
[Skylar] Not the doctor, please,
or the principal. Too creepy.
[Skylar's double] Remember
the cop? That guy was an idiot.
[sighs] This is a bad idea.
[suspenseful music]
[slurping]
[softly] Hmm.
[rattling]
[clinking]
[clinking]
[door opens, creaks, and closes]
Okay.
Last call.
[door creaks and closes]
[tape rewinds]
-[siren wailing]
[upbeat music playing]
[man on tape] Freeze! This
is the police. Don't move!
[footsteps approaching]
Here! I've got her.
She's in here. Officer, you okay?
Are you hurt?
[rattling]
Shit. Where are my keys?
Where are my keys?
I must have left my keys out there.
Coming right back! Don't move.
[door creaks and closes] -[music stops]
[suspenseful music]
[soft clinks]
[clinking]
[dramatic music]
[clanking]
-[door creaks and closes]
-[upbeat music playing]
[officer] Found them.
We gotta get out of here.
[panting] Here, hold this.
[handcuffs clinking]
[grunts]
-[thudding]
[music ends]
[ominous tone]
[footsteps approaching]
[grunts and pants]
What you gonna do, Skylar?
[chuckles] You don't
even know where you are.
[laughs] I'll let you go, okay?
I was gonna do it, anyway.
W... we can make a deal. [Grunts]
[rattling]
-[grunts]
Just tell your friends you ran away.
You don't rat, and I'll walk away.
Skylar. [Grunts] Damn it.
[loudly] Skylar! Let me go!
I'm sick of your fucking game.[Shouts]
[grunts and shouts] Skylar! Skylar!
Get me out of here! Skylar!
Get me... [muffled shouting]
[dramatic music]
No! Stop!
[rattling]
-Eyes forward.
[shouting]
-[screaming]
Skylar!
-[Doctor] Let's try this again.
Free me from this hell.
[muffled grunting]
-[breathes heavily]
Cash or check?[Grunts]
[doctor] Skylar![Bell blaring]
In case you kill me before I kill you.
[breathing shakily]
[rustling]
[somber music]
[exhales sharply]
[music increases]
[door closes]
-[melancholic music]
-[whispers] Oh, my God.
[Skylar's double] This guy's
definitely done all this before, right?
Don't you think?
[sniffles softly]
[crying softly]
[principal] I am going
to have to expel you.
[line ringing]
[beeping]
[line ringing]
[woman muffled] Hello?
-[Softly] Mom.
-Skylar! Oh, my God, are you okay?
-[chuckles softly]
-I'm okay.
-Oh, thank God!
-Are you hurt?
-No. [Sniffles]
Okay. Where are you?[Breathes shakily]
I don't know.
-I don't know where I am.
-I'm so glad you're okay.
Look, I want you to find the police,
okay? Just go. Find help and call me back.
Okay. [Sobs]
I love you, baby. Now,
go. Get out of there.
I love you, Mom. [Sniffles]
[soft clatter]
[breathes shakily]
[dramatic music]
[muted]
[music continues]
[light melancholic music]
["Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue"
by Art Landry and His Orchestra]
Five foot two, eyes of blue
But, oh, what those Five foot could do
Has anybody seen my gal?
Turned up nose Turned down hose
Flapper? Yes, sir One of those
Has anybody seen my gal?
Now if you run into A five foot two
Covered with fur
Diamond rings And all those things
Bet your life it isn't hers
But could she love? Could she woo?
Could she, could she Could she coo?
Has anybody seen my gal?
["Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue" fades]
-[soft creaking]
[clanking]
[electricity crackling] -[whirring]
[fire whooshing]
[click]
[whooshing and whirring]
[whooshes]
-[film reel clacking]
[child reading]
[laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
-[bell tolling]
[children shouting and
laughing in the distance]
[tense music]
[muffled soft buzzing]
[dramatic music]
[engine rumbling]
[soft tapping]
[muted]
[music continues]
[soft tapping]
[chains rattling]
[Skylar breathing shakily]
[Skylar crying] Hello?
[ominous tone]
-[rattling]
[creaking]
[ominous tone]
[softly] I don't know you.
Why are you doing this?[Rattling]
[principal] No, it is fine.
It is good. Go ahead.
-I know you are thirsty!
-[breathing shakily]
[exhales sharply]
[Skylar softly] Please.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.[Shushes]
Please, no.
No. No! No! No! No!
No! [Muffled yelling][shushes]
Skylar Watkins.
[chair creaks]
Look, I know you're new here.
I know you're not aware
yet of the rules at this school,
but you need to learn them
if you're going to make
anything of your opportunities.
As principal, it's my vocation...
It's my passion, frankly,
to marshal my students
to their best futures.
Now
I know you went to
public school before this.
I know you lived at home. I know you spent
a catastrophically perilous
amount of time on social media.
And you have a tendency to,
how to best phrase this,
over share.
None of which is going to
help you at this institution.
Success here is merit based,
it is not a popularity contest.
It will require your undivided
attention and wildest imagination.
But don't get me wrong.
It's not all nose in the books.
There will be time to play.
You will play.
We
will play.[Breathes shakily]
This situation
is a preview of the punishments
that will be inflicted for
any and all infractions,
and... while I'm not a fan of punishment,
I do get a bit of a rush out
of carrying out my judgments.
It would be best to avoid my hand.
Do not speak.
[exhales sharply]
[softly] Splendid.
But I do not think it is time
to go to your room just yet.
Not to worry.
The semester is just beginning,
and we have plenty of time!
-[breathing shakily]
-Oh, don't take it so hard!
You'll get the hang of it.
[exhales loudly]
-We'll have fun, okay?
It's all just a game.
[bones cracking]
[Skylar sniffles]
[breathes shakily]
-Shall we begin?
[Skylar breathes loudly and grunts]
[chains rattling]
[door creaking in the distance]
[Skylar softly] What the fuck?
[door closes]
-[helicopter blades whirring]
-[siren wailing in the distance]
[upbeat music playing]
[man on tape] Freeze! This
is the police. Don't move!
[Skylar] Hello? I'm in here!
Hello? I'm here, I'm here!
[door opens]
Here! She's in here!
-[Skylar] Help! Help me! Please, help me, please!
-I've got her, she's okay!
[Skylar crying]
-[officer] Are you okay?
-It's me!
-I don't know.
It's your partner. Are you hurt?
-Mm... no.
-Okay. I'm gonna get you out of here.
Oh, I'm gonna get you out of here.
Damn it! Damn it! I've gotta get some keys.
Officer, you're in shock!
-You've been taken prisoner. But got them on the run.
-No, what are you doing?
-What are you doing? I don't understand...
-Breathe. Yeah.
-Breathe. I'll be back!
- what are you doing? No, please, no!
-No! What are you doing?
-I'll be back!
[sobbing and shouting] No,
please! What are you doing?
[screams indistinctly]
[door closes]
-[sobs and sniffles]
[beeping]
[door opens and creaks] -[switch clicks]
[door closes]
-[footsteps approaching]
[Skylar breathes shakily]
[soft scratching]
-[paper rustling]
[speaking in German]
[chuckles]
[in German accent] So, how are you feeling?
[breathes shakily]
-[loud heartbeat]
Heart rate is a bit elevated.
That's to be expected.
The procedure is minimally invasive.
A few small incisions in the abdomen.
Recovery is straightforward.
Ibuprofen for any residual
pain. Nothing more.
And you will be good as new in no time.
[laughs softly] Sound good?
Y... you're not having
second thoughts, are you?
Trust me, there will
be no lasting ill effects.
Honestly, I do this all the time.
Just a little pinch, and
it's then off to dreamland.
Wait!
Is there a word
like a safe word?
-I'm sorry?
If this is a game, and
it... and it goes too far,
is th... is there something I
can say to pause the game?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
A safe word!
Like, like "blueberry"
o... or "Joe" or just "stop."
[breathes shakily] Please,
please, I don't understand the game.
This is not a game.
I am your doctor.
I am here to help you.
-N... no... no, no. No, first, you were a principal...
-[shushes]
and then, and... and then you were a cop
and now you're... No, no...
-Just a pinch.
-[shouts] No, stop!
-[speaks indistinctly] ...honestly,
you're only gonna hurt yourself.
This is really a simple operation.
There you go![Gasp]
[gasps]
[pants] Fuck you.
[speaking German]
[door creaks and closes]
[beeping]
-[lock clicks]
[gasps, breathes heavily]
[dramatic music]
[thunder rumbling in the distance]
[suspenseful, ominous music]
[music increases]
[rattling]
-[pants]
[thunder rumbling continues]
Fucker undressed me.
[dramatic tone]
[ominous music]
[music increases]
[door creaking]
[man screams and groans] -[dramatic music]
[grunts] -[groaning and screaming]
Why? [Groans][grunts]
[screams] Skylar!
[principal in normal accent] Skylar, this
won't look good on your college application!
Skylar!
[pants]
[door bangs]
-Skylar!
[doctor in German accent] Skylar. Skylar.
This is not the best way
to approach your treatment.
[Skylar breathing shakily] -Skylar!
[loud footsteps]
[panting]
Skylar!
[singing in German]
[footsteps approaching]
[breathes shakily]
[door opens]
-[muffled shout] Skylar!
Skylar!
[singing in German]
[dramatic music]
[shouts] Skylar!
Let's try this again.[Screams]
[ominous tone]
[speaking German]
Here we go.
[light ominous music]
[ominous tone]
[breathes heavily]
[Skylar grunts and pants]
Why?
Why me?
Hmm. Interesting question.
Have you been visited by the malady or
have you conjured it yourself?
Depending on your answer to that question,
your treatment can be tailored to
your needs and the best outcome.
But first, we have to break
you of this aggression.
This therapy has been discontinued
for most psychiatric patients,
-but I find it is still effective...
-[breathing shakily]
for those prone
to uncontrollable outbursts.
[ominous music]
[gasps]
[breathes heavily]
[thuds]
Now, hold still.
[inhales deeply] Take a deep breath.
[breathing heavily]
[music increases]
That's not right.
[sighing] Ah.
It helps to plug these
things in. [Chuckles]
[soft clicks]
-[electricity humming]
[muffled sob]
[in normal accent] Come on!
You didn't actually think
I was gonna perform
electroshock therapy on you?
Did you?
What kind of a monster do you think I am?
[inhales deeply] By all accounts
[in German accent] you have
narcissistic personality disorder.
[inhales deeply]
It means you need constant
confirmation of your every whim,
endless exhortations about your beauty
and deep well of wisdom.
And everyone who
comes into contact with you
must prove their undying
love and compassion for you.
In other words, you are a teenager.
[speaking German]
But you're hardly a lunatic.
[in normal accent] Although I
have seen your TikTok posts,
and you are pretty annoying. Cute, but
[inhales deeply] wow.
[in German accent] Which is why I
agreed to take you on as a patient.
There's only one problem.
You only have so many chances to catch on
to what I am trying to hip you to.
[light eerie music]
Because if you can't,
I am going to move on to patients who can.
Dig it?
Consider it.
See you at our next session.
[scratching]
I think you can handle the rest.
[exhales deeply]
-[breathes deeply]
-[door creaks and closes]
[beeping]
-[lock clicks]
[light eerie music]
[soft scratching] -[Joe mumbling
indistinctly in normal accent]
[gasps softly]
[mumbling continues]
I fix it, they break it and
break it. Break it again.
I'm so sick of it.
-Hello?
-I can fix this thing.
[indistinct mumbling]
-Hello?
[ominous tone]
-[clacks]
[clacking]
-Hello?
You want something done,
you gotta do it yourself. [Sighing]
I put it up, they put it down.
Every time I fuckin' do
somethin', they break it.
[sighs]
You want something
done right, do it yourself.
[inhales deeply] Looks like, uh,
somebody tried to get past
the security measures. [Sighs]
[exhales]
A safe word.
Like, like "blueberry"
o... or "Joe" or just "stop."
Joe?
Is that your name? Joe?
Oh. [Chuckles]
That's what the hat says.
Y... you can call me Ray.
You can call me Jay.
You, you don't have to call me Joe.
No, it... it's okay. I like Joe.
[stutters] Brought you
some breakfast over there.
I... I mean, they did.
He, he did.
Hell, s... somebody did.
[ominous tone]
I... I, I, I I... I like what
you've done with the place.
No, I don't. That was a joke.
-I just moved in.
-[laughing] Just moved in.
That's a good one. [Laughs]
You know, I... I couldn't help but,
but notice your clothes over there.
You ladies get up to the strangest shit.
A... are you one of those
people that go to the...
What do they call them
things? Um, conventions?
Like y... you, you get dressed
up like somebody from the movies
or, or a comic book?
Maybe that's where the real you is.
In the characters you dress up like.
I... I don't have anything
against it, you know. Like...
[inhales deeply]
real world
isn't what it's cracked
up to be. Shit, I di...
I didn't wanna be a handyman, you know.
-[light melancholic music]
-But you get good at something,
the next thing you know...
What did you wanna do? Kidnap girls?
Excuse me?
[music increases]
I wanted to play baseball.
I had a mean slider.
Could hit, too
couldn't run for shit, though.
Anyways
I'm hitting them out of the park now.
[clicks tongue] That camera over there,
it's as good as brand-new.
Whoever's looking through it
has a perfect
high-definition view. You, uh
might wanna be careful when
you're getting into those outfits.
Uh, unless you're that kind of chick.
In which case
God bless.
[breathes deeply]
Anyways, uh...
[rattling]
see you next time
school girl.
Yeah. Next time.
[lock clicking]
[softly] School girl.
[melancholic music]
Yes?
May I be excused to the restroom?
Of course.
Are you gonna chaperon?
-No.
-May I go to the restroom?
I said yes. Go.
What? Here?
Behind you.
[rustling]
[light suspenseful music]
[soft dripping]
[toilet flushes]
[rustling]
All well and good?
Fine. Um, you're low on toilet paper.
I will tell the housekeeper.
Maybe Joe could bring it?
I liked him, he was nice.
-Who?
-Joe.
The guy who fixed the camera.
[light melancholic music]
Oh.
Thanks for breakfast.
Your tuition covers it. Sit, please.
You don't have to lock me up...
-Sit, please.
Eyes forward.
Eyes forward.
Do not push me.
[softly] I'm sorry.
How are you getting on with your studies?
Um
actually, um, I... I'm
learning a lot, I think.
So you're acclimating.
The program is challenging.
Would you agree?
Ye... yeah.
Excuse me?
Yes?
-[Loudly] Excuse me?
Yes, sir.
How have you found your classes?
Well, actually, I haven't...
I mean, um, Health
was a little crazy.
-Or, or was it Psychology?
-Who is your instructor?
-Um, he's a doctor.
-Mm. Psychology.
In Health, we learn about
our bodies and how they work.
I do not think you have
that class this semester.
[exhales deeply, whispers] Thank fuck.
Excuse me?
Nothing. Um, that, that just sucks.
I'm interested in my body getting healthy.
Your health is everything.
And saying something
"sucks" is not mature or classy.
Do you understand?
Yeah. Okay.
-[loudly] Do you understand?
-Yes.
Yes, sir.
I think you should get to your next class.
Wait. Sir?
Um, I didn't get, like, a schedule of,
like, my classes.
[mockingly] You didn't, like, get
a schedule of, like, your classes?
-Uh, no.
-Well, like, too bad.
You don't like when
people use the word "like."
I don't like the misuse of adjectives.
Your schedule is for me
to know and you to find out.
Then how am I supposed to prepare?
If you used your brain as
much as your other parts,
you'd be a fucking Rhodes Scholar by now.
You better figure it
out before the next bell.
Good day, Miss.
[door creaking]
[door closes]
-[lock clicking]
[ominous tone]
[clicks]
-[soft whirring]
-[man 1] Ladies and gentlemen.
-[bell rings]
[coins clanging] -[woman
1] Place your bets, please!
-[fanfare music playing]
-[man 2] You can't win
if you don't play.
[woman 2] Fight.[Sighs]
[man 2 speaking indistinctly]
[distorted voice] You
can't win if you don't...
[crying]
[man 3] Winner winner, chicken dinner.
[bell dinging]
-[woman 2] Fight.
[woman 1] Place your bets, please.
[woman 3] You can't win if you don't...
[woman 2] Fight.[Cross talk]
[man 4] Sorry, it's over.
You had very difficult bets.
[man 1] Ladies and gentlemen...[grunts]
[man 2] can't win if you don't play.
[woman 2] Fight.[Breathing heavily]
[music continues playing]
[cross talk continues]
[man 5] You can't win if you don't play.
[bell dings]
-[woman 2] Fight.
-[dramatic music]
-[muffled indistinct chatter]
[sighs sharply]
[rattling]
[ticking]
[music stops] -[screams and
breathes heavily] Stop! Stop!
[dramatic music continues]
[ticking continues]
-[clacking]
Okay. I got this
matching little workout set.
-[light melancholic music]
-It's super cute, look at the top.
The color is to die for.
And it matches my eyes. Ha!
Oh! And I got this dress.
It's satin.
It's kind of sassy.
It's, like, tight, has a slit.
I love it!
Now, someone just has
to invite me somewhere
where I can wear it
'cause it's kind of fancy.
[sniffles] -So, we're
going to the restaurant
in Ritz-Carlton for dinner tonight.
Our hotel is just down the street.
[chuckling] And it is so cold,
but it's really, really, really pretty.
[click] -[Skylar inhales]
Sometimes, it feels like I step
outside of my body.
Like an out-of-body experience or whatever.
And I see myself
with my friends,
like, how we act, and
I see other stuff, like, what I post,
and I... and I just think,
"Is that what I'm really like?"
And I wonder [inhales sharply]
if I'm not happy
with how I see myself...
[music continues]
then what do other people think?
[crying softly]
God![Sniffles]
[softly] Who am I?
[crying, sniffling]
[fanfare music continues playing]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[ticking continues]
[breathes deeply]
[ticking increases]
-One more chance.
[ticking stops] -[man 5] You can't win
[tape squeaks] ["Five
Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue"
[by Art Landry and His Orchestra playing]
[breathes shakily]
[rattling]
[exhales sharply]
[whispers] Perfect!
["Five Foot Two, Eyes
Of Blue" continues playing]
[muffled indistinct chatter]
[keys clinking]
-[lock clicks]
Five foot two, eyes of blue -Woo-hoo!
But, oh, what those Five foot could do?
Has anybody seen my
gal? -[Chuckles and kisses]
Turned up nose Turned down hose
Flapper? Yes, sir One of those
Has anybody seen my gal? -[Humming]
Now if you run into A five foot two
Covered with fur
Diamond rings And all those things
Bet your life It isn't hers...
[in Southern accent] It's
really swinging out there.
I... it's a good night.
Sounds like the cat's meow to me.
You're beautiful.
[scoffs] Thanks, baby,
but it takes a lot to
doll up this ragamuffin.
Ah, that's bunk!
You were born with it.
He'll be very impressed.
-He?
-The big cheese. The impresario.
I thought you were the big cheese.
Nah. I'm just a company man.
Okay, then. So, what's a deb gotta do?
Don't take any wooden nickels. Play along.
That's swell. [Exhales deeply]
-Hey, what's eating you?
-What if he doesn't like me?
Is he gonna bump me off?
No.
No. Baby, you gotta talk to him!
I'm trying my best. It, it's all balled up.
[shushes]
You just got the heebie-jeebies.
It's all gonna be Jake.
Says you. It's my chassis on the line.
Level with me.
Is he gonna take me for a ride?
-Is that where the others went?
-What others?
The other dames.
You don't gotta worry about that.
But there were others?
Hey, you don't know from nothing.
You just keep hitting on all sixes
and everything's gonna be copacetic.
[laughter in the distance]
[softly] Horse feathers.
I honestly don't know
why you brought me here.
What gives? There were a million
other dolls out there prettier than me.
It was your audition.
He saw you from the shadows and he said
this place wouldn't be
the same without you.
-That's a lie.
-No.
You're spot on.
There were others.
They come and go.
Where do they go?
No, no, no. I ain't
spilling. I'm no pushover.
Oh, hey now, don't be a wet blanket.
You come this far. You
still got a ways to go.
You're going places.
It's all in here.
-You're just beating your gums now.
-[chuckles softly]
-You know what I think?
-Do tell.
I think you're carrying a torch for me.
So, what's it gonna be, cash or check?
["Five Foot Two, Eyes
Of Blue" continues playing]
-[breathes deeply]
-[indistinct chatter continues]
[softly] Check it is.
Break a leg, Sheeba!
["Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue" ends]
[thunder rumbling in the distance]
-["My Focus is You" by Jowynalex]
-You can dream in color
-But I've been living gray
-Gray, gray, gray, gray...
But ever since We have shared our cover
All my pictures saturate
And now -Now, now, now, now...
I won't
Ever see the world the same
Again
My focus is you
[soft scratching]
[woman echoing] Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
[mysterious tone]
[whispering echoes]
Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
[light whimsical instrumental music]
Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
Skylar! Skylar. Skylar...
[rustling]
[soft creaking]
Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...
Bitch, move it!
[in normal accent] Who are you?
Get in here, quick. He can't see in here.
We need to talk.
Who are you?
I'm you, stupid.
-I don't understand.
-And you don't need to.
What I need you to do is listen. Can you?
Good. First things first. Who is this guy?
Nope. That was a rhetorical question.
You don't know. Neither do I.
But he knows us, right?
You figured that out.
Yeah, he's seen my posts.
Although I have seen your TikTok posts,
and you are pretty annoying.
Okay, so...
-So he's not a complete stranger, then.
He knows things about us,
which means he chose us.
He wasn't just walking down the
street and was like, "Oh, yeah. She'll do.
I'm just gonna kidnap her
and fuck with her until... "
-Until what?
-What do you think?
Come on. You tried to get him to say it,
and he completely ducked the question.
[inhales shakily] I'm scared.
You think I'm not? You're me!
If you go, hey, that's me too.
But look, he was dropping clues until
we figured out how to play the game.
The costumes!
Yeah. When he's the principal, we're this.
When he's the doctor, we're
the juvenile psych patient.
And then he played that old-timey music,
and we found the costume to match.
And then, all that happened and...
Then, there's the maintenance guy, Joe.
-Joe. That's the safe word.
-Yeah, the game pauses.
Maybe that's really him. Maybe
he is, like, a maintenance man.
Don't say "like" like that.
Copy. You're right.
But what's the point of the
game? Just to keep playing?
What happens if I get it wrong?
Do you want him to put you in that chair?
-No.
-Then use our big brain
and figure out how to keep up with him.
Or better yet, get ahead of him.
-How?
-Look, so far, he's been dictating
the rules of the game, right?
He goes first. Next time, you go first!
Turn the game around on him.
Make him do what you want him to do.
-Which is?
-Duh! Get the fuck out of here!
-Okay.
-Great. Love you! [Kisses]
Love you too.
Wait. What c...
I'm losing my fucking mind.
[breathes deeply]
[ominous tone]
[rustling]
I was just bringing you this.
Thanks.[Deeply inhales]
Well, okay. [Sighs]
Back to work, I... I guess.
Break time's over.
Game on.
[door closes]
-[lock clicking]
[suspenseful, whimsical music]
[paper rustling]
[bell tolling in the distance]
[crickets chirping]
-[birds chirping]
["Fr Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven]
[bell tolling continues]
[in British accent] I
didn't mean to intrude.
[in British accent] It is
no intrusion, good sir.
May I join you?
Please do.
It is brisk, but it is refreshing.
It is cold.
Very cold.
-I would offer you my cloak.
-Never!
I will face my impending
hypothermia with courage.
Uh, why are you sitting alone?
I find I am doing most things alone.
I find that hard to believe.
Your company is... most intoxicating.
-You flatter me, good sir.
-It was not without conviction.
[Skylar] Does my father know you are here?
He received me in the front parlor.
I requested a moment of
your time, he granted my wish.
Curious. I'm led to believe he intends
for me to be engaged elsewhere.
-Is that correct?
-Indeed.
Is that your intention as well?
Oh, I have no intention, good sir.
You would rather not
have your hand proffered?
I would rather have it amputated.
You desire your freedom.
I would do anything for it.
-Anything?
-Anything.
[inhales deeply] I'm not convinced.
-No?
-No.
I suppose you think my
presence here today and,
well, quite regularly is in regards
to matters of business only,
but... truth be told,
I make my excuses for your father's counsel
in order to visit you. To see you.
And though I am not always
allowed in your presence,
I still keep a sharp eye
out on your every move.
And what have your subtle
surveillances informed you of?
You are enraptured by your comforts.
You would not be content
in a life less pampered,
even if it were to grant
your complete freedom.
If you think so little of me, why hang your
dark cloud over my peaceful meditations?
You misunderstand. I
think the world of you.
Just not this world.
You are correct, sir, I do not understand.
This world is not a
world of your own making.
The pettiness of your friends.
Girls with... their dalliances
with fashion and torrid boys.
This is not you.
But I wonder what you
would be left with without it.
[birds chirping]
-[crickets chirping]
This, good sir, is what
I'm trying to convey to you.
For you see, I am but a prisoner.
Like any innocent captive, unfairly judged,
convicted, and incarcerated.
I truly wish I could assist.
I wish to walk.
Will you walk with me?
[gentleman] I would be
happy to walk with you.
This garden is very pretty in the spring.
I think that is my favorite season.
The air turns warm.
The earth renews.
There is hope for change.
I find that I have allergies
in the spring. [Chuckles]
You could free me from this hell.
But your father...
My father has other daughters.
He would forget me in a fortnight.
Mm, I do not believe that.
Sir, everything you said is the truth.
This world of prim and proper,
of pride and prejudice,
is devoid of compassion.
It is only about appearance
and arrangement.
-There is no love here.
-But it is all that you know.
How could any benefactor
or chaperon guarantee
that you would not simply
go back to the old ways?
So is that the only option for my future?
[somber music]
Continued existence as property.
To be handed over from father to husband,
to bear children out of obligation,
to have no voice of my
own, no choice of my own?
Just an adult-sized
version of a children's toy
to be dressed up and used as entertainment!
I apologize for speaking out, good sir.
It was kind of you to visit with me,
no matter your intention.
Very well.
I am sorry I cannot be of
more help with your solitude.
You are a lovely soul.
I am a caged bird.
[music increases]
[loudly] Brava! Brava!
Brava! Brava!
Brava!
[softly] Brava.
[beeping]
[keys clinking]
[lock clicking]
[dramatic tone]
[gasps] -[Skylar's double
shushes] Come here.
-That went well.
-[in normal accent] Oh, yeah? I'm still here.
We're still here.
But, yeah, that went well.
Rome wasn't built in a day.
What does that even mean?
And why are you saying it?
I... if I don't know what it means,
that means I wouldn't say it. And
yet, you're me, and you're saying it.
Maybe I'm the college-bound version of you.
But what I mean is that things take time.
Took a minute to figure
out how to play the game,
it's gonna take some time
to figure out how to win.
But I think it's gonna need to be... more.
[suspenseful, whimsical music] -More?
-More what?
-More about him.
I think the Joe version is the way in.
So we need to keep playing.
But don't just be you. Be more than you.
I don't know what you're saying.
What I'm saying is, make shit up!
He thinks we're petty
and catty and materialistic,
and yet, he still said we're a lovely soul.
He's got it bad for us.
-You think?
-Oh, yeah. He's in love.
-So that's why he did this.
-I bet.
And when he figures out he can't have us,
especially after kidnaping us,
he's gonna have to make
a really serious decision.
How serious?
No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Yeah. So play the damn
game and start playing dirty.
You mean, like, flirt with him?
Don't say "like" like that.
And, no, don't flirt with him!
Seriously, is that your
answer for everything?
I mean, tarnish his
rose colored view of us.
Then, start getting some
dirt and throw it in his face.
Isn't that just gonna piss him off?
Or break him. In the meantime,
I'm gonna work on the final play.
-You cool?
-No.
Good. Go get 'em, tiger.
[sighs]
[rattling]
-[music increases]
[ominous tone]
[door unlocks]
[door creaks and closes]
[Joe] What can I do you for?
Uh, I think the cable's out.
Well, actually, there's no
TV, I'm, I'm just kind of bored.
I can snag you a book or two.
Okay, that'd be cool.
I like to read.
My friends, um, a lot of
them, they don't like to read,
they think it's stupid.
Stupid?
What's stupid about reading?
I don't know. I guess
they just prefer watching.
I mean, I watch too.
Probably too much dumb stuff.
Of course, you do.
But I really like to read.
I actually read this book once
called, um, Tropic of Cancer.
That's pretty steamy.
I guess I didn't really see the big deal.
-Did you learn from it?
-Nothing I didn't already know.
[light whimsical music]
I'm sorry. Am I blowing
your mind right now?
Guess you never really know someone.
You don't know me. I just moved in.
Well, you see someone,
and maybe you get an idea in
your mind about who they are.
And then, they break your heart.
Ever had your heart broken?
Once or twice.
You?
Endlessly.
[exhales, whispers] Um,
you know
it's really hard to know who you are,
especially when everyone else is always
trying to tell you who you are.
Maybe I can bring you a newspaper,
they still print the funnies.
-Sure.
-All right.
Did they ever find that girl?
-What girl?
-The missing one.
I... I, I don't... I don't know.
I d... I don't remember
seeing anything about it.
Really? I thought she'd be front page news.
She seemed really popular.
Well, maybe she had an
inflated sense of herself.
Maybe. But I bet someone misses her.
[softly] I really hope someone misses her.
Yeah, I, I... I was thinking of trying
that new Chinese place down the street.
Why don't I pick something
up and come by later?
I, I appreciate it, but I, I
can't afford to pay you back.
Don't worry about it. I'll, I'll
pick up a whole bunch of stuff,
I'll come by later, okay?
Wait, Joe.
[softly] Um
if you're sad
I'm really sorry.
It's not
sadness, it's, uh
I... it's disappointment.
Because people aren't
who you want them to be?
If they were, would that change anything
or would you still be disappointed?
I don't know what you're getting at.
How far inside someone can you get
before you tear 'em apart?
Has anyone ever gotten
that far inside of you?
I don't think you should've read that book.
Almond cookies, please.
Fortune cookies always lie.
[door creaking]
[door closes]
-[lock clicks]
[dramatic music]
[rustling]
[keyboard clacking]
[bell blaring]
School. Now!
-Wait. What's going on? Wait, what did I do?
-Not one word.
-What did I do? No. What d... what did I do? No!
-Not one word!
No! [Panting]
-Not one word.
[both grunting and panting]
[chains rattling]
[shouts] Get off me![Grunts]
[crying] No! No!
[handcuffs clicking]
-[rattling]
You have been doing... well.
From... from what I understand,
your grades are strong.
[both breathing shakily]
[shouts] Your instructors are
pleased with your progress!
Th... that's a good thing, right?
[principal panting]
[softly] Unfortunately, I am going
to have to expel you from this school.
No. [Gasps] N... no, no,
no, no. Please, please!
I'm doing... I'm doing well,
y... you just said so! Please, no!
-Please, no! Please, no! Please, no! Please, no!
-[indistinct muttering]
-[muffled] Oh, my God! Joe!
-[man shouts] Joe!
[dramatic music]
-[Skylar] Help me! Joe!
[gasping and shouting] Joe![Man crying]
Help me! Joe! Joe!
[Skylar panting]
Joe is not here.
Joe is not here.
[sobbing] No. Please, you promised.
He's, he's bringing Chinese food,
he... and he's getting
the funnies, he's... [sobs]
You have to go. [Sniffles] You can't stay.
[both crying]
[principal] Y... you're here too long.
Y... you were the best
student this school ever had.
[sobs] No, I, I have so much more to learn.
Please, I wanna learn.
I wanna... [sobs]
[breathing shakily]
[thunder rumbling in the distance]
[handcuffs clinking and rattling]
[breathes shakily]
[handcuffs clinking and rattling]
Go back to your room.
[sniffles softly, sighs]
[breathes deeply]
-[suspenseful music]
-[door opens and creaks]
[door closes]
-[lock clicking]
[Skylar's double] We're
running out of time.
[Skylar] I know.
Do you think we pushed him too far?
Not far enough.
Are you kidding me? He nearly killed me!
Us.
I think something else happened.
-The newspaper.
-The missing girl.
Maybe we are front page news.
So, it's only a matter of time before
someone figures out what happened to us.
I don't know.
This guy is definitely
done all this before, right?
Don't you think?
[softly] Yeah.
Something he said about it being too long.
[both] "Nobody makes it this long."
Nobody figures out how to play the game.
[whispers] God.
How many others?
I don't know.
But I know we can still win.
[lock clicking]
[door creaks and closes]
[Joe] Who you gabbing with?
N... nobody. My, my invisible sister.
Y... you just get out of
school or something?
Yeah, kinda.
You still in school and
you got your own place?
I wish I had that kind of
hookup when I was your age.
Um... [sighs deeply]
[inhales sharply] I... I wasn't really
sure what you liked, so I... I got
spicy chicken and noodles.
Oh, yeah. And, uh
[clicks tongue] fortune cookie.
[softly] There you go. [Sighs]
Hmm.
Uh, mm... [mumbles and sighs]
[clicks]
-Eh... [exhales]
Uh, you, you... you were
mentioning your invisible sister.
You got a real one?
-[Skylar] I do.
-Mm.
I... I should really call
her, it's been a few days.
-Older? Mm.
-Younger. Two years.
What about you?
No. I'm a solo artist.
No family at all?
No. Never knew 'em.
At all? Not even your parents?
I must have had some kind of parents.
I grew up in a church.
It's a nice way of saying an orphanage.
You go to church much?
-Uh-uh.
-Ah.
You're not really missing anything. I, I
never really understood it much myself.
But... I like the artistry.
The robes and the props.
It's theater,
but it's not entertainment, you know.
Your soul is always on the line,
it's a huge obstacle to
overcome. I couldn't do it.
Yeah, it... it's kind of creepy.
It's a power trip.
You never really catch a break.
You're born in sin.
You're a bad apple from the start.
And they hold it against
you every time they wanna
do something bad.
-Bad?
-Yeah.
They commit sins against you,
and then they make you go to confession
to talk about it, and it's good for you.
Anyway, this spicy chicken
is the bomb. You tried it yet?
Anyway, enough about that.
This sister, um, tell me
about her. Are you guys close?
[softly] She's my best friend.
I, I really need to call her.
Is, is there, like, a payphone
or something nearby?
Payphone? [Chuckles]
How last century! [Chuckles]
I, I just want her to know that I love her.
-Just in case.
-In case what?
In case you kill me before I kill you.
Mm!
You're right. This spicy
chicken is really good.
You said this place was new?
Yeah. Just down the block.
Are there others? M...
Maybe where I used to live?
Oh, I don't know.
It's a long way from here.
[ominous music]
We're not in New Jersey?
No, Skylar. Not in New Jersey.
Not even close.
Wow!
Stuffed! [Chuckles]
Uh, I'm gonna leave this here for you.
There is, uh, a leaky pipe
upstairs that needs my attention.
It's been really nice talking to you.
Thanks for the dinner company.
Yeah.
[door creaking]
[keys clinking]
-[lock clicks]
[music continues]
[Skylar's double mumbling] Oh! Delish.
-Mm!
-We are so fucked.
Think it through, Sky. Unfuck it.
What did we learn today about
our dear psycho kidnapper?
He's got a problem with the church?
Anything over there that
might come in handy?
[suspenseful tone]
Yeah, maybe.
[doctor in German accent]
Come down. We need to talk.
Is there something wrong?
I recommend a more
aggressive course of treatment.
She is a troublemaker. She
is not a good fit for this school.
Nah, she's a good kid. Curious is all.
Curiosity killed the cat.
[in British accent] Her willfulness is
an affront to modesty and decorum.
It does not suit a lady.
I actually find her quite refreshing.
-Refreshing?
-None of the others have made it out of the chair.
Two. One made it to the cot. The other...
Poor girl.
Hung herself with one of the power cords.
And it is still not secured yet.
[Joe] How am I supposed to light the place?
I don't see the problem.
She's playing our game.
It's transcendent. You saw it!
Uh, you saw it too.
We were transported. Her
imagination is untapped.
We were in that scene!
Space and time disappeared around us.
Yeah, I kinda feel that too.
Weakness. She is bending
the situation to her will.
Nonsense. She's playing our
game with our costumes on our set.
You're getting lost in her. He knows it.
He wanted to expel her. You stopped him.
I wasn't done with her yet.
The doll is, the bee's knees, and all that.
I would hate to see that light go out.
What do you want to do? Let her go?
[dramatic music]
[rattling]
[soft clinking]
[soft rustling and scratching]
She is 1000 miles from her
home. You kidnapped her.
You tried to kill her.
She has been transported
across state lines!
Hell, you almost electrocuted
her sweet little brain.
That was all for show.
Damn thing doesn't even work!
She has a very persuasive manner about her.
'Tis quite lovely.
Come on! She is a B student
from a public school in New Jersey.
A few people will miss her,
and they will get on with their lives.
It is not as though we
have not done this before.
We can't let her go. That
would be the end of us.
Just snuff her out and
give her the acid bath.
I hate that part.
What? I'm the one who has to clean it up.
Our survival is entirely dependent
upon the limit of her mortality.
The clock is ticking.
The school bell tolls,
and it tolls for us.
[shouts] Stop!
You're right.
Of course.
The longer she's alive,
the greater the liability.
I, I know that. It's just that I...
Smitten with the kitten.
I've enjoyed our conversations.
[gentleman] Gentlemen, there is no
outcome here that arrives at romance.
It is kill or be killed.
Blue lives matter.
Okay.
Fine. So, who's gonna do it?
You are the only one who can.
Great.
Thanks.
Just remember.
The character is nothing
without the actor in performance.
[door opens and closes]
[footsteps approaching]
[mumbling indistinctly]
[breathing heavily]
[ominous tone]
What are you up to?
[dramatic music]
[door creaking]
No.
No, this is... this is not correct.
That is not a costume.
That is not on the rack.
This is not part of the game!
Goddamn it!
[clattering]
[dramatic organ music]
[echoing] How long has it been
since your last confession, my son?
Too long, Father. [Breathes shakily]
Then come.
[sobbing]
The Lord is infinitely
patient, but I am not.
[dramatic organ music]
[sobbing]
[door bangs]
[door closes]
[echoing] In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
-[man echoing] Amen.
-Begin.
Forgive me, Father,
for I have sinned.
It has been... a very
long time since my last confession.
Do you wish to be forgiven
for your transgressions?
I'm not sure I will be.
There is no act so vile
the Lord won't forgive
if you truly confess and repent.
Are you sure about that, Father?
You need to find your way back to the Lord.
I've killed, Father!
[laughs]
How many? [Laughs]
More than a few Hail Marys
and a rosary or two are gonna help.
[softly] At first
I just wanted to hear the screams.
The screams?
A true scream...
[breathes deeply]
is every possible emotion, fear...
[shouting] Please, no!
Please, no! Please, no!
Please, don't do it. Please, don't
anxiety, rage...
[crying] What are you doing?
it's free and pure. How to achieve it?
How to rend it from the player
takes the hand of an artist.
And I became that artist,
and the game was born.
-Costumes and character?
-Yes.
Sadly, very few found
their way into the game,
even with my gentle prodding.
-They were scared to death.
-Oh, cry me a river.
Let me ask you.
If they caught on and
joined the game, what then?
-How did it play out?
-It always ends in the screams.
So you torture them with false hope?
I find it makes it sound more
authentic.
And when they're gone, you do it again.
If there's anything I
learned from this place
it's that repetition
strengthens faith,
and I grow stronger with
every player that comes through.
They're just girls!
You've taken their identity
and then you take their lives!
You're not a creator, you're a fraud!
[in sing-songy] "Every
artist is a cannibal.
Every poet is a thief."
-You're hardly Picasso.
-I'm more like Pollock.
I make a beautiful mess.
You're still that little boy no one wanted.
Maybe you never felt
love because you can't.
You're filled with hate and envy.
You don't want these girls to play with
you as equals, you wanna control them.
You wanna make them do
what you want them to do!
You're not special in that.
Girls face that every
single day of their lives!
What's the point of the
game if they can't win?
[loudly] The point is I
win! [Chuckles softly]
[laughs]
My place is not in the light of the Lord.
I found my place in the darkness.
How about you, Father?
You're not afraid of the dark, are you?
-[Skylar echoing] I woke up in the dark.
-[chains rattling]
[Skylar breathing
shakily and crying] Hello?
Hello?
[door creaking]
-Anybody?
[door closes]
-[sobbing] Hello?
[switch clicks]
[Skylar crying]
[footsteps approaching]
-Please.
[chains rattling]
-I'm scared.
[man echoing] Skylar Watkins.
[ominous tone]
[grunting]
-[groaning]
[softly] No. [Panting] No...
It was a nice game, Skylar.
But you got one thing wrong.
I've never thought a woman's
place was in the priesthood.
You've been such a good opponent, really.
No one's ever lasted this
long, but time is not on our side.
[inhales deeply] No one should
know their exact time of death.
Everyone expects it.
For some sooner, for others...
[breathes heavily]
[in German accent] But you, Frulein
[panting] well... [laughing]
[exhales deeply]
[door creaks and closes]
[chair rattling]
[mumbling] This shit's cold.
What are you crying about?
This is part one, remember?
We're doing this or what?
Kill or be killed.
[melancholic music]
I filled the tub and dragged the barrel up.
[in normal accent] Okay.
Joe?
Yeah, boss.
Would it be so bad to let her go?
Hell of a decision.
-It would be great for her though.
-But for us...
It would be the end.
[music continues]
[softly] I'm sorry.
-[Skylar] How do you know this will work?
-[Skylar's double] Trust me.
We just need to figure out which one
of his characters is the easiest to dupe.
-Joe?
-[Skylar's double] Joe's sweet. He'd probably cry.
[Skylar] Not the doctor, please,
or the principal. Too creepy.
[Skylar's double] Remember
the cop? That guy was an idiot.
[sighs] This is a bad idea.
[suspenseful music]
[slurping]
[softly] Hmm.
[rattling]
[clinking]
[clinking]
[door opens, creaks, and closes]
Okay.
Last call.
[door creaks and closes]
[tape rewinds]
-[siren wailing]
[upbeat music playing]
[man on tape] Freeze! This
is the police. Don't move!
[footsteps approaching]
Here! I've got her.
She's in here. Officer, you okay?
Are you hurt?
[rattling]
Shit. Where are my keys?
Where are my keys?
I must have left my keys out there.
Coming right back! Don't move.
[door creaks and closes] -[music stops]
[suspenseful music]
[soft clinks]
[clinking]
[dramatic music]
[clanking]
-[door creaks and closes]
-[upbeat music playing]
[officer] Found them.
We gotta get out of here.
[panting] Here, hold this.
[handcuffs clinking]
[grunts]
-[thudding]
[music ends]
[ominous tone]
[footsteps approaching]
[grunts and pants]
What you gonna do, Skylar?
[chuckles] You don't
even know where you are.
[laughs] I'll let you go, okay?
I was gonna do it, anyway.
W... we can make a deal. [Grunts]
[rattling]
-[grunts]
Just tell your friends you ran away.
You don't rat, and I'll walk away.
Skylar. [Grunts] Damn it.
[loudly] Skylar! Let me go!
I'm sick of your fucking game.[Shouts]
[grunts and shouts] Skylar! Skylar!
Get me out of here! Skylar!
Get me... [muffled shouting]
[dramatic music]
No! Stop!
[rattling]
-Eyes forward.
[shouting]
-[screaming]
Skylar!
-[Doctor] Let's try this again.
Free me from this hell.
[muffled grunting]
-[breathes heavily]
Cash or check?[Grunts]
[doctor] Skylar![Bell blaring]
In case you kill me before I kill you.
[breathing shakily]
[rustling]
[somber music]
[exhales sharply]
[music increases]
[door closes]
-[melancholic music]
-[whispers] Oh, my God.
[Skylar's double] This guy's
definitely done all this before, right?
Don't you think?
[sniffles softly]
[crying softly]
[principal] I am going
to have to expel you.
[line ringing]
[beeping]
[line ringing]
[woman muffled] Hello?
-[Softly] Mom.
-Skylar! Oh, my God, are you okay?
-[chuckles softly]
-I'm okay.
-Oh, thank God!
-Are you hurt?
-No. [Sniffles]
Okay. Where are you?[Breathes shakily]
I don't know.
-I don't know where I am.
-I'm so glad you're okay.
Look, I want you to find the police,
okay? Just go. Find help and call me back.
Okay. [Sobs]
I love you, baby. Now,
go. Get out of there.
I love you, Mom. [Sniffles]
[soft clatter]
[breathes shakily]
[dramatic music]
[muted]
[music continues]
[light melancholic music]
["Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue"
by Art Landry and His Orchestra]
Five foot two, eyes of blue
But, oh, what those Five foot could do
Has anybody seen my gal?
Turned up nose Turned down hose
Flapper? Yes, sir One of those
Has anybody seen my gal?
Now if you run into A five foot two
Covered with fur
Diamond rings And all those things
Bet your life it isn't hers
But could she love? Could she woo?
Could she, could she Could she coo?
Has anybody seen my gal?
["Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue" fades]