The Devil's Child (1997) Movie Script
This is she.
I'm on my way.
THE DEVIL'S CHILD
Hi, Mom.
Momma, please don't die.
Don't die, Momma.
Nikki?
Will you be my girlfriend?
Maybe.
-Nikki!
-Oh, my God.
Your mother?
Nikki DeMarco! Nikki!
If I catch you with that Redden boy,
I'll make you sorry!
Don't you run away from me! Nikki!
-Nikki, get back up from there right!
-Don't look down!
Nikki, be careful.
Nikki, wait! Nikki!
How you doing, Mom?
-It's my time, Nikki.
-No, you're gonna be all right.
No. He's been here.
I didn't see him,
but he let me know he was here.
-Who was here? The doctor?
-It's written in the book, Nikki.
What book?
Chapter 14, verse 18.
I've got to tell you
before I go.
Nobody's going anywhere.
Just lie back and rest, okay?
-I've wronged you so, Nikki.
-No. You did the best you could.
Yes. I did. I tried.
I offered him my own life,
but still he refused.
Who refused? Refused what?
God.
Oh, Momma.
All right, Momma.
Beware of miracles, Nikki.
Mom? Mom?
I'm here, Momma.
-They want that or not?
-Sorry.
The late Miss DeMarco.
Your timing's impeccable.
We were just discussing the tenuous
state of our finances,
which led to yet another discussion
about client relations.
And guess whose name just escaped
my lips in this regard?
I can only guess.
Did you refuse to photograph
the Klyman job?
-No. I shot the Klyman job.
-Have I been misinformed?
-I shoot them in black and white.
-They wanted color.
-Yeah, but the light was all wrong.
-So you did it for their own good?
Yeah. Look at the proofs.
How would you have shot it, Todd?
Silks, polder filter, maybe warm it
up with some apricot gels.
Right. So there was a way to do
what they asked for.
I have to shoot it the way I see it...
No, you have to shoot it the way
it's going in the magazine.
-Even if it's wrong?
-No! It's a business here.
-They loved the proofs.
-Well, I don't.
I've set up a re-shoot. Either you shoot
it my way, or Todd can shoot it.
Have a good shoot.
Wait. Nikki. Nik, just hold on a minute!
Nik!
-Did you see what she did?
-I know you're angry. Don't walk out.
-Oh, I could kill Gilman.
-This is your career. You are good.
-They don't care about the pictures.
-You got to bend a little.
-Like Gilman?
-Maybe.
-You can make them feel that way.
-How does he make them feel?
-Don't hate me.
-No. Come on. I want to know.
Gilman makes them feel
like they're really smart.
Like he's excited to be
working for them.
I get excited.
You get excited about the light, or the
faces, or the design. You're an artist.
But Gilman makes it about the client.
It's all about the client.
And I should get excited by a bunch
of adults in cashmere blazers
and 400$ shoes who iron their jeans,
don't know an F stop from a bus stop,
constantly feel compelled to tell me
how to do my job?
-You see?
-It's not who I am.
I love who you are.
I'm here, Momma.
-She'll make it.
-It was scary, Ruby.
I mean, she was a lousy mother,
but she always made sense.
-I reached for her rosary...
-And?
-Forget it. It's too weird.
-No, tell me.
When I went to reach for it,
it burned my hand.
What?
I know. That's what twelve years
of Catholic school will do to you.
Oh, God, I beseech you.
Have mercy!
You tried to take her once, and I turned
to him for help. Forgive me.
Forgive me, because he's coming
for her now.
And I am asking you,
I'm begging you to intercede.
A just and loving God will not make
a girl suffer for her mother's sins!
It was my weakness!
DeMarco here.
And He sayeth the Devil
that deceived him was cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and false prophet are,
and shall be tormented day
and night forever and ever.
So fear God, and give glory to Him.
For the hour of judgment has come,
and worship Him that made heaven
and earth and the sea.
In the name of the Father and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
You were there for her, Nik.
Twenty years later and this place
still gives me the creeps.
-Mom lived a spare existence.
-Maybe she was a closet evangelist.
-What?
-Look, more Bibles.
This is bizarre.
My mother circles the parts
with angels.
She was trying to tell me something
the other day in the hospital.
Nikki?
Father Domenico. Hi.
You know Ruby Martin.
-We were in the same class together.
-Hi.
-Hello there. How have you been?
-For the past twenty years?
-Father, up and down.
-Yes. The prankster.
The service was lovely, Father.
Rose would've been grateful.
I'll tell you, I've come to ask
you to embrace the church,
and to let Jesus back
into your heart.
I appreciate this, but I think you've
got the wrong DeMarco here.
-Mom was the believer.
-I always got along with your mother.
Even though she was not
the easiest person.
But, she loved the church and she's
been very generous.
-Generous?
-You don't know about her offering?
Offering?
Yes, Mr. Marcus, your mother's lawyer,
called this morning.
I hope you don't mind,
I told him where you worked.
-My mother had a lawyer?
-Yes.
Evidently, she's pledged half her
estate to the church and half to you.
-And how much would that be?
-Over 200,000$.
What? She was barely making it on
social security. I was helping her.
Well, I guess it really is a miracle,
isn't it?
-Maybe she had a rich boyfriend.
-Rose? Give me a break, Max.
What's the difference? You're in the
money. You can own a place now.
Ruby, I have no job.
Let me shelter some oft hat money for
you. Why give it all back to Uncle Sam?
Max. The Owens' place.
Perfect.
There is a fabulous bedroom
available in this building.
-I can't afford this building.
-You're always loved this place.
-You're gonna be my neighbor.
-I don't know, Ruby.
Oh, come on. Let's get the keys.
-Hey, may I have the key for 4-C?
-Sure.
-What's his name?
-Spot.
An all black dog named Spot.
That's the gag.
Thanks, Ezra.
-Hasn't been cleaned yet.
-Quelle surprise.
-You're gonna love this place.
-Yeah, I'm sure. I can't afford it.
Come on.
Whoa, baby.
-What's that?
-I don't know.
I love this place.
I told you.
-You love torturing me, don't you?
-Yeah.
What happened here?
Oh, looks like somebody did an awful
job of trying to fix the wall.
I think they boarded up a hole
or something.
You know what would go perfect there?
Your bookshelf.
You are really selling, girlfriend.
Nik, it would be so great to have you
live here. Just like when we were kids.
Come on, please.
Live with me, please. Live with me.
I think you should take the apartment.
Do something for yourself.
-Your mom would have wanted you to.
-You never met my mom.
True. But you painted a vivid picture
for me. I just want you to be happy.
Why are you so good to me?
'Cause I've been mad for you since
the day we met.
My only aspiration in life is to be
worthy of your love.
-Tim, don't sell yourself short.
-You're right.
I keep thinking I've come to
grips with this whole I love you,
just not in that way thing, and I forget
and I say something stupid.
I'm gonna jet. If you love me,
pay my tab. See ya.
-Nikki, please, have a drink with us.
-Why would I want to do that?
Come on, DeMarco. Let me buy you a
scotch. It's the least I can do.
From one suffering artist to another.
I convinced Klyman to shoot
in black and white.
Then you have a chat with him
and he reconsiders.
I didn't say a word.
Right. Suddenly Klyman's thinking
silks and fruit flavored gels.
-Hey, DeMarco! Hold up!
-Keep your hands off me.
-Why are you so self-destructive, huh?
-What are you talking about?
I'm the only guy at that magazine
that can help you get a break.
Please.
Don't walk away from me!
You think you'd have lasted this long
if I hadn't been interested in you?
Yeah, we all know.
What do you want from me, Gilman?
A little respect, DeMarco.
No offense to your mom, but this is
becoming a regular habit.
Wednesday night, bowling.
Friday afternoon, the cemetery.
-Tim, I have a confession.
-You didn't push him, did you?
-Remember when I wished him dead?
-Yeah, so did I.
No, I'm not kidding.
What is it with you Catholics?
You have such delusions of power.
I am so sorry about what happened.
It must've been terrible.
Well, it happened so fast.
Let's put that behind us and try and
enjoy every moment we have left.
Nikki, please don't think me crass.
It seems appropriate my saying this
right now after we've laid Todd to rest.
I would really like you to shoot
this month's cover for City
in black and white.
I know that Todd would've wanted you
as his successor. What do you say?
Sometimes work is, like, the best
thing after a tragedy.
Eva, it feels wrong.
She will. Let me talk with her.
She's upset, but she'll be fine.
There's no point in passing up
the opportunity.
That was shameless.
His death doesn't change the fact that
job should've been yours to begin with.
-That's not how I want to get work.
-You don't get to choose, Nikki.
-This was chosen at a higher level.
-What are you saying?
I don't want to get all New Age,
but the guy had it coming.
Don't say that.
I told Eva you'd take the job.
Todd, you're lost behind Kristy
a little bit. Move to the left.
Kristy, show more tattoo. Good.
Look, it's just like when we were
little kids.
Come on, Nik. Enjoy it.
It's your first real home.
Life can be good. You're entitled.
It's just been a strange time.
First my mom, then Gilman.
Well, how does it go in that Dylan song?
"To every season, there's a purpose..."
I think it's The Byrds,
and I'll smile if you don't sing.
Actually, they were quoting the Bible.
I think it was Revelations.
You read the Bible lately? I thought
you've had enough of that St. Mary's.
I sort of haven't been able to make
sense of what's been going on,
so I picked it up and started reading
like Father Domenico suggested.
Father Domenico seemed a few cards
short of a deck to me.
I guess it takes a particular type of
person to devote your life to God.
-You have to admire them.
-Yeah.
I believe this is yours.
The movers were using
it to prop open a door.
Thank you.
I hate to see anything
this beautiful get damaged.
Most people find it hard to look at.
Something to do with aging process.
It's the hardest thing to accept.
And yet, that's what you captured.
How do you know
I'm the photographer?
It's the Foret de Pampon
just beyond the grave of Vivienne.
There's no other place like it
in the world, is there?
-I'm Alex Rotha from across the hall.
-Nikki DeMarco.
Ruby Shane, 5-B.
Alas, it's Mrs. Shane.
I'm subletting from the Maximilians.
We were just about to open a bottle of
champagne to christen this place.
-Why don't you join us?
-I can't. Sorry.
-That was him.
-Who him?
-Him, him. The guy who saved me.
-What?
-It's weird. He lives across the hall?
-Just another perk at The Paris House.
-Did you see the way he looked at me?
-And the way you looked at him.
-What about the way he left?
-You intimidated him. I think he's shy.
-You don't think it's bizarre?
-No, Nik. I've seen him around.
And you say everything
is bizarre these days.
I guess so. I don't know.
It just gives me the chills.
If the guy gives you the chills,
Nikki, it's a good thing.
Watch the sofa.
Am I disturbing you?
-I came because I wanted to thank you.
-And you want to have dinner with me?
I was the favorite son.
At least, for a while.
My father was an accomplished man,
but he was impossible to please.
Everything had to be his way.
So, when I began to have opinions
of my own and form ideas,
he couldn't handle it.
He disowned me. He cast me out.
I don't know how a parent can disown
a child. No matter what they do.
-I could never do that.
-Neither could I.
Like it?
It's very intimate.
-So, what do you do for work?
-Many things. I write. I research.
I'm here teaching
at the University in Pasadena.
-You teach? What?
-Theology.
A class on the existence of God.
Why is that funny?
I've been sort of a lapsed
Catholic for years,
and for some reason my life is
suddenly filled with religion.
It does seem to be a necessary evil,
doesn't it?
That's an odd thing to say.
You don't believe in God?
God is a beautiful concept.
A way to express our admiration
for creation, but it's an idea of man.
-A philosophy. It's simply an idea.
-So you don't believe in anything?
No, I believe in everything.
Beginning with myself.
What do you believe in, Nikki?
I've always believed there must be
a God. He's just and fair.
I guess I've just taken on faith.
Faith is good.
-Hey, Ezra.
-Hey yourself.
Oh, it's Spot. Buddy.
Gee, I'm really sorry! Bad dog! I don't
what came over him. I'm really sorry.
-It's okay.
-Oh, my God, your hand.
It's okay.
-I could've sworn the...
-Reflexes.
I know,
I know I'm late again,
but this poor dog fell from the third
floor window in my building.
It crashed right through the window.
The owner said it sort of freaked out
and ran straight for it. Sad...
Hey, what's with you?
Sorry. I just had a rough night.
Some babe give you a hard time?
Would that make you a Tim-bo?
Nine o'clock, great table, Indochine,
but I'm the only one there.
Tim... I'm so sorry.
I totally spaced.
Where were you?
I met someone. It was the guy
that saved me that night.
It was a last minute thing.
I'm so sorry.
Are you gonna see him again?
I mean, is it serious?
-Tim, don't go there.
-No, I'm cool. I just want to know.
Is it something serious?
Do you know what you've done?
I'll tell you what you've done.
You've turned the mayor of this city
into a human being. These are fabulous!
What you doing, Tim?
I remember reading something creepy
about that apartment building of yours.
I'm going through back issues and I'm
cross-referencing it with this database.
There was a murder there in 1927.
In 4-C, my apartment.
A murder-suicide in 1952.
And various other little unpleasant
surprises in the years since.
I'm sure every building
has its skeletons.
-Does yours?
-Probably.
-Did you look it up?
-I could.
Well, why don't you, Tim, and quit
messing with my life.
Mom, I want you to know
you're in my heart.
I wish I'd made things better between
us. Tried to be more understanding.
You miss her.
Father, in your eulogy you spoke
with such passion for my mother.
Thank you.
It's not a review.
I've never been to a service like that.
It was as if you were trying
to save my mother's soul.
I was.
From what?
I mean, wasn't it a bit late?
Aren't you supposed to do that
when they're still alive?
Why did you come here?
I think...
Would you like to make
a confession?
No. I don't know.
You think it would help?
I'm a priest.
Of course I think it will help.
How long has it been since
your last confession?
-Nikki?
-I'm still counting, Father.
Like, fourteen years.
-Have you had any impure thoughts?
-Too many to mention.
And have you thought about...
It's not my confession
I'm interested in, Father.
Excuse me?
I want to know what happened
with my mother.
Something very strange was
going on with her before she died.
-I know she must've told you.
-A confession is a sacred act.
I cannot ever break that covenant,
not even after death.
It was about me, wasn't it?
At least tell me that much. Am I in
some kind of peril or something?
Evil is everywhere, Nikki. And you
especially must be constantly vigilant.
Embrace the Lord.
Drink His blood.
Father?
You have the knowledge of good and
evil within you. The Lord will provide.
I'm having a picnic.
Do you want to come?
-Sure. When is it?
-Now.
Where?
This is a first time I've ever invited
a man to my apartment.
-First time ever?
-Ever.
Why's that?
Well, nice Catholic girls
don't invite boys to their place.
-No?
-No. They go to the boys' places.
So why'd you invite me in?
I don't know. You're different. Or maybe
I'm different right now or something.
Too soon?
I just want you to be sure.
-Who the hell is that? I'm sorry.
-Answer it.
-Are you sure it's okay?
-Sure.
-What are you doing here?
-I came to apologize.
I know it looks like a small atomic
weapon, but it's actually a pizza.
I know. I hate to crack it
and I was worried that...
you wouldn't have
anything to serve your guest.
Hi, I'm Tim.
I'm Nikki's faithful assistant seemingly
mired in this curious rut
of making a total ass of myself
by a series of unthinking acts.
This is Alex.
-Join us.
-No. Thanks, though, but no.
I'll talk to you tomorrow.
I'm sorry.
That was Tim.
I hope I don't look like I feel.
It's been a while.
More than a year.
I'm glad I waited.
I'm glad it was me.
I can't have children.
I had an accident when I was 12.
I've known since then
I can't have children.
Must've been hard on you.
Harder on my mom.
What were your parents like?
My father left before I was born.
My mom held me responsible for it,
somehow, I think.
She was there. She just wasn't
really present, you know.
Do you ever think what kind
of mother you'd be?
I bet you'd be a great mother.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God,
what did I do to you?
I guess a year is a long time.
Why don't you try your arms up?
Great.
Good. Okay. Just move around.
Move around a little bit more.
Check that light for me.
-Thanks, Amy. It's gonna look great.
-Take it easy.
No social security number. Nothing
at the IRS. Nothing from the DMV.
There's no such thing
as an Alexander Rotha.
-Did you check the university, too?
-Yes, he's a visiting professor.
-Do you get it?
-I get that you're jealous.
Of course. I freely admit I'm jealous.
How you doing? I'm the jealous guy.
That doesn't change the fact
that the man has no past.
Tim, knock it off.
How can you act so unconcerned?
This man shows up
and your life looks like some whacked
episode of "The X-Files."
Your mother freaks out and dies from
exploding church syndrome,
the guy you're arguing with
gets run over by a ghost mustang,
and a puppy in that very weird building
you live in decides to commit suicide.
The dog fell. Period.
And my mom died before I met him.
Did you sleep with him?
Oh, sorry.
She did.
Alex reminds me of that spy
in "License To Kill."
-Aren't you gonna read the card?
-I know who they're from.
-Don't you have to be at the lab?
-You've never done that before.
-What?
-Dismiss me.
Oh, Tim. I'm not dismissing you.
No. Could you get me some coffee?
Hey. How can you afford to buy out
a florist on a professor's salary?
I love them.
So, would it be too forward
of me to ask if you're free tonight?
No, you did tell me you teach on
Wednesdays. I forgot.
No, fine. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Have a good class.
One of the weaker links
in Christian theology,
the place where the atheists
have always attacked,
is an argument that goes
something like his.
If God exists,
and he is good and powerful,
then such a God would have no morally
reason to allow evil in the world.
Sorry.
Yet, there is evil in the world,
therefore, God does not exist.
So, philosophically speaking, what does
this tell us about good and evil?
That evil is necessary
for good to exist.
Does the Devil therefore exist to prove
the existence of God?
I guess so.
What do you know about
the nature of evil?
What do you know
about evil, Holly?
I know it exists.
Does it exist within you?
No.
-You're a good person?
-Yes.
-You do no evil?
-No.
Is sex good or evil?
It's not evil.
Do you like sex?
Yes.
-Do you love sex?
-Professor?
When you had your affair with Professor
Johnson last March, was that evil?
No.
I'm sorry?
No.
Even though he has three small children
and a wife who subsequently left him?
She didn't love him.
So the question of whether it was good
or evil was secondary?
A powerful argument for the Devil.
One of the great dangers
to humanity
is our tendency to project
our own evil unto others.
Can I play?
There is a God.
Nikki. Nikki, wait. Wait.
I shouldn't have come here.
My lecture upset you.
It's the nature of the material.
No. It wasn't the material.
It's how you acted.
They want to be entertained
so I put on a show for them.
They're suffocating and I'm a shot
of oxygen into their empty lives.
-That girl was beside herself.
-Maybe she'll learn a little humility.
That's how you do your job? Bullying
students into seeing the truth?
You think you're qualified to tell
me how to do my job?
I'm qualified to have an opinion.
No matter how childish?
I guess I misjudged you.
No. I misjudged you.
Don't walk away from me.
So you're a photographer, huh?
I love to pose.
Really? I work for City Magazine.
Maybe I could hook you up.
There's nothing you can say that'll
make me go out with you.
If I make this shot we'll go to my place
If I miss, then we'll go to yours.
Oh, that sounds fair.
Perfect.
Can you just...
back and forth.
-Have you seen Tim?
-Your assistant Tim? Isn't he with you?
No. He cuffed me.
He left me with a client
and his entire entourage watching me
light, load, schlep all my own equipment
up and down the 2nd Avenue Bridge
all morning. He didn't call in?
No. Did you call his house?
About sixty times. And his car phone,
and his beeper, and his mother.
Did you check hospitals?
Father, hello.
What are you doing here?
-I'll only take a minute of your time.
-Of course.
-I was worried about you.
-I'm fine, Father.
-Will you pray with me for a moment?
-Pray?
He who conquers and keeps my works
until the end, I will give him power.
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you
have so that no one seize your crown.
What is going on, Father?
You must believe, Nikki! God is good.
His love is true.
Believe in God with all your heart
and you will find your way.
What did my mother say to you?
I think it was something in the Bible.
-Chapter 14, verse 18? What is that?
-The Book of Numbers.
What is that?
The Lord is slow to anger,
rich in kindness
forgiving wickedness and crime.
Yet not declaring the guilty guiltless,
but punishing the children
for their father's wickedness!
What wickedness?
-I can't. I can't. I can't.
-But you do know?
Be careful.
The Devil comes in many forms!
Tim, it's 6:30. If you don't pick up,
I'm coming over. Tim?
I don't believe this.
Tim!
Tim!
Timmy?
A strange way to die, huh?
I was told he took some drugs. Meth
amphetamine. It stopped his heart?
Suffocated. Whatever he was doing,
it was too much.
Hey, you live at The Paris House.
I was there about the dog suicide.
-You find that funny?
-Yes, ma'am, I do.
What's your explanation?
Dog saw something in the window.
Probably a bird.
-At night?
-Maybe he saw his own reflection.
Maybe.
That's one weird building.
Last year, the incident in 4-C.
4-C? That's my apartment.
What happened there?
A woman was buried
in that apartment.
In the wall?
Somebody thought they had killed her,
but I saw the marks on her hands.
Tried to claw her way out.
Forgive me if I spoke out of turn.
Your realtor should've told you that.
Yeah, it does.
-Why didn't you tell me?
-It didn't matter.
-I had a right to know.
-I didn't want to scare you.
Oh, and what about now, Ruby?
Three people are dead.
-I admit it's weird.
-Don't forget about the dog.
-Thanks for sharing! You're a big help!
-What if it's all connected?
My mother's warning, the money,
Gilman's death, Tim's death, Alex.
Alex?
Tim got his kicks on the internet
putting together dossiers on people.
With Alex, there was nothing.
Nada.
Didn't I hear something about
his father being French?
Maybe he's not an American citizen.
Ruby, all these horrible
things are happening
and you're looking at me
like I've lost my mind!
-Maybe I have. God, that's him.
-Now she's psychic.
-No visitors!
-Okay. Sweetheart, hey. Come here.
I just heard about your assistant.
I'm so sorry.
He was my friend.
I'm sorry to intrude. If you want
to talk or whatever, I'm downstairs.
No, thanks. I don't think so.
So sorry.
What was that?
What? Last thing I need is for some
fabulous man to walk in here
and stick his shoulder under my face
so I can weep all over him.
-You're doing it again.
-What? What am I doing again?
Sabotaging yourself.
I've seen you do it so many times.
-Ruby, shut up.
-What?
Just put a sock in it, okay?
Please, no more advice, okay? Okay?
Hi, it's Nikki. You know what to do.
Pick up. Nikki, I know you're there.
Pick up the phone.
I need to talk to you.
Pickup the phone. Please.
You're pregnant.
That's impossible.
This x-ray was taken when you were 13
years old, shortly after the accident.
Your reproductive system was
practically destroyed.
I know. It can't be.
Well, it is unusual, but not unheard of.
There was a case a few years ago
involving a woman whose appendix had
ruptured when she was 12.
She was told that she'd never have
children, and then she became pregnant
-Was the baby all right?
-It was perfect, yes.
Nik, you're gonna have a baby.
You see that? That's all scar tissue.
Twenty years later.
It's marvelous what nature can do when
she puts her mind to it, huh?
Excuse me a moment.
Aren't you excited?
A baby? I can't believe it.
I never thought I'd say these words, but
I'm gonna say it. This is a miracle.
-I have to tell Father Domenico.
-Father Domenico, why?
Because he was there 20 years ago.
He's the only one my mom confided in.
Earth to Nik. The man's a priest
and you're not married.
-I don't think he'll share in the joy.
-You're wrong. He'll be happy for me.
I'm gonna be a mother, Ruby.
He who conquers shall not be
burned by the...
He who conquers and keeps
my works until the end,
I will give him power!
I am coming soon!
Hold fast what you have so that no one
may seize your crown!
Oh, baby,
I'm gonna take you home.
Max and I talked about it
and I'm gonna stay with you.
-I can't go back there. I can't face him
-Alex?
-He can't know.
-Nik.
I know you don't believe me, Ruby.
He's part of it. This is all part of it.
Nikki, this is a terrible shock,
but the man was distressed.
I saw him. And all that stuff about
the Devil, he just flipped out.
-No. It's evil.
-What's evil?
It's in my life. It's in me.
There was an explanation
for the pregnancy.
And I'm sure there's
an explanation for Alex, too.
What about the girl I saw
at Tim's apartment?
She reminded me of Alex.
She looked like Alex.
She had the same eyes and the same
look, and she had this aura about her.
Aura? Are you listening to yourself?
It's your hormones talking.
-Your whole system's out of whack.
-I don't want Alex to know.
-I don't want him anywhere near me.
-Okay. It's okay.
Nikki?
All the lights were out.
The building's falling apart.
You're afraid of me, aren't you?
Don't you realize it's
yourself you're afraid of?
-I'm not your father, Nikki.
-What?
You're afraid I'm gonna run off just
like he did, aren't you?
-I can't see you anymore.
-Just like that, huh? I have no say?
I have feelings, too.
I know.
Go away!
Miss DeMarco,
it's Father Darcy from St. Mary's.
I have something for you.
Hi, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
No. Please, come in.
We found this
in Father Domenico's study.
He intended it for you.
I'm sorry.
I'm pretty shook up by his death.
Yes, are we all.
-Of course. Do you know why?
-No. Though some say he lost his faith.
What do you think?
I think he was waging
a battle within himself.
With the Devil?
Father Domenico was very concerned
for you, Miss DeMarco.
Yeah, now, St. Mary's is your church.
We are there for you.
If I were to...
Thank you, Father.
She being with child cried travailing
in birth, and pain to be delivered.
Behold a great red dragon
called the Devil and Satan,
for to devour the child
as soon as it was born.
And the woman fled into the wilderness,
and there was a war in heaven,
and the Devil, which deceived the whole
world, was cast out into the earth.
And when the Devil was cast unto
the earth, he persecuted the woman.
And all that worship the beast shall
receive a mark on their right hand
or in their foreheads.
I can't have this baby.
How can you of all people abort a baby?
You keep seeing the Devil everywhere.
It's God. He took something away from
you years ago, now He's giving it back.
-You're citing God now?
-It's not my thing. That's the point.
Nikki, this child, this is all you've
ever wanted your whole life.
One of the gifts you have, as a woman,
is your ability to give birth.
You were told
you had lost this gift.
I thought I would never be a mother.
Part of you may not want this baby,
because it confuses your identity,
the woman who could
not have a child.
And yet, this child is something
you've longed for all your life.
That's exactly right.
Still, at the back of your mind,
terrible thoughts.
You can't imagine.
Let's talk a little about
those thoughts.
I think the baby might be evil.
I think his father...
What if my life was spared
so I could have this child?
What if his father is the Devil?
Do you mean literally the Devil?
Isn't it possible?
Isn't it possible Alex is the Devil?
-You think I'm crazy, don't you?
-No, Nikki, I don't think you're crazy.
You've had a great shock
and now you're adjusting.
Why does it feel evil?
Why am I feeling like this?
The poet Milton once wrote,
"The mind is its own place,"
"and it itself can make a heaven
of hell, a hell of heaven."
So I'm doing this? It's me?
Isn't that a possibility?
Yes, Nikki.
That is perfect happiness.
Thanks, Doctor.
Nikki, is that you?
Ruby! Ruby, open up, please!
Ruby!
Ruby, open up!
-He's after me!
-Who?
-The Devil.
-What?
-Oh, my God.
-Oh, God, it's coming.
-We got to get to a hospital. Come on.
-No! No, there's no time.
All right. Nikki, please breathe.
Breathe.
-Come on, Nikki.
-And push.
-Hold your breath.
-And push!
One more time.
Give me a really big one.
You have a beautiful baby boy.
Nikki. Oh, my God.
Say hello to your son.
Congratulations, Nikki.
You've given me a beautiful son.
You look good, hon, considering
what you've been through.
I have lost my mind, haven't I?
Why?
Why would you be a part of this?
I can imagine how difficult
this must be for you to grasp
considering how principled
you've always been.
-What are you talking about?
-The rest of us have to deal, Nik.
We have to negotiate. That's
what life is. One big negotiation.
Your mom did it for you.
I did it to have Max.
And everybody else? The doctor?
The psychiatrist? Max?
Negotiated.
Everybody needs something.
-And what about my baby?
-It's his baby.
You can have others.
That's part of the deal.
What?
You understand, Nik, there's no way
I could've tried to explain this.
-You never would've believed me.
-No.
My God, he's beautiful.
Just like his parents.
You okay?
What else can I be?
Life is a cabaret, old chum.
I'm gonna make some tea.
You want some?
Chamomile.
You're not my chum.
-A baptism is a form of exorcism?
-Yes. It's a purification, yes.
-And it will drive out the Devil?
-Yes.
Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Almighty and ever loving God,
you sent your only son into the world
to cast out the power of Satan,
the spirit of evil,
to rescue man from
the kingdom of darkness,
and bring him into the splendor
of your kingdom of light.
We pray for this child.
Set him free from original sin.
Make him a temple of your glory and
send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
-Questions. Do you reject Satan?
-I do.
-And all of his works?
-I do.
-And all his empty promises?
-I do.
Do you believe in God, Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
I do!
You believe in Jesus Christ His only son
who was born from the Virgin Mary...
Don't stop!
Who rose form the dead and is now
seen at the right hand of the Father?
I do! Keep going! Don't stop!
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the church, the community of saints,
the forgiveness of sins...
Keep going!
-The resurrection of the body?
-I do! Keep going!
Is it your will that
he should be baptized
in the faith of the church
which is with you?
It is!
I baptize you in the name
of the Father,
and the Son, and in the Holy Spirit!
Amen!
THE DEVIL'S CHILD
I'm on my way.
THE DEVIL'S CHILD
Hi, Mom.
Momma, please don't die.
Don't die, Momma.
Nikki?
Will you be my girlfriend?
Maybe.
-Nikki!
-Oh, my God.
Your mother?
Nikki DeMarco! Nikki!
If I catch you with that Redden boy,
I'll make you sorry!
Don't you run away from me! Nikki!
-Nikki, get back up from there right!
-Don't look down!
Nikki, be careful.
Nikki, wait! Nikki!
How you doing, Mom?
-It's my time, Nikki.
-No, you're gonna be all right.
No. He's been here.
I didn't see him,
but he let me know he was here.
-Who was here? The doctor?
-It's written in the book, Nikki.
What book?
Chapter 14, verse 18.
I've got to tell you
before I go.
Nobody's going anywhere.
Just lie back and rest, okay?
-I've wronged you so, Nikki.
-No. You did the best you could.
Yes. I did. I tried.
I offered him my own life,
but still he refused.
Who refused? Refused what?
God.
Oh, Momma.
All right, Momma.
Beware of miracles, Nikki.
Mom? Mom?
I'm here, Momma.
-They want that or not?
-Sorry.
The late Miss DeMarco.
Your timing's impeccable.
We were just discussing the tenuous
state of our finances,
which led to yet another discussion
about client relations.
And guess whose name just escaped
my lips in this regard?
I can only guess.
Did you refuse to photograph
the Klyman job?
-No. I shot the Klyman job.
-Have I been misinformed?
-I shoot them in black and white.
-They wanted color.
-Yeah, but the light was all wrong.
-So you did it for their own good?
Yeah. Look at the proofs.
How would you have shot it, Todd?
Silks, polder filter, maybe warm it
up with some apricot gels.
Right. So there was a way to do
what they asked for.
I have to shoot it the way I see it...
No, you have to shoot it the way
it's going in the magazine.
-Even if it's wrong?
-No! It's a business here.
-They loved the proofs.
-Well, I don't.
I've set up a re-shoot. Either you shoot
it my way, or Todd can shoot it.
Have a good shoot.
Wait. Nikki. Nik, just hold on a minute!
Nik!
-Did you see what she did?
-I know you're angry. Don't walk out.
-Oh, I could kill Gilman.
-This is your career. You are good.
-They don't care about the pictures.
-You got to bend a little.
-Like Gilman?
-Maybe.
-You can make them feel that way.
-How does he make them feel?
-Don't hate me.
-No. Come on. I want to know.
Gilman makes them feel
like they're really smart.
Like he's excited to be
working for them.
I get excited.
You get excited about the light, or the
faces, or the design. You're an artist.
But Gilman makes it about the client.
It's all about the client.
And I should get excited by a bunch
of adults in cashmere blazers
and 400$ shoes who iron their jeans,
don't know an F stop from a bus stop,
constantly feel compelled to tell me
how to do my job?
-You see?
-It's not who I am.
I love who you are.
I'm here, Momma.
-She'll make it.
-It was scary, Ruby.
I mean, she was a lousy mother,
but she always made sense.
-I reached for her rosary...
-And?
-Forget it. It's too weird.
-No, tell me.
When I went to reach for it,
it burned my hand.
What?
I know. That's what twelve years
of Catholic school will do to you.
Oh, God, I beseech you.
Have mercy!
You tried to take her once, and I turned
to him for help. Forgive me.
Forgive me, because he's coming
for her now.
And I am asking you,
I'm begging you to intercede.
A just and loving God will not make
a girl suffer for her mother's sins!
It was my weakness!
DeMarco here.
And He sayeth the Devil
that deceived him was cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and false prophet are,
and shall be tormented day
and night forever and ever.
So fear God, and give glory to Him.
For the hour of judgment has come,
and worship Him that made heaven
and earth and the sea.
In the name of the Father and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
You were there for her, Nik.
Twenty years later and this place
still gives me the creeps.
-Mom lived a spare existence.
-Maybe she was a closet evangelist.
-What?
-Look, more Bibles.
This is bizarre.
My mother circles the parts
with angels.
She was trying to tell me something
the other day in the hospital.
Nikki?
Father Domenico. Hi.
You know Ruby Martin.
-We were in the same class together.
-Hi.
-Hello there. How have you been?
-For the past twenty years?
-Father, up and down.
-Yes. The prankster.
The service was lovely, Father.
Rose would've been grateful.
I'll tell you, I've come to ask
you to embrace the church,
and to let Jesus back
into your heart.
I appreciate this, but I think you've
got the wrong DeMarco here.
-Mom was the believer.
-I always got along with your mother.
Even though she was not
the easiest person.
But, she loved the church and she's
been very generous.
-Generous?
-You don't know about her offering?
Offering?
Yes, Mr. Marcus, your mother's lawyer,
called this morning.
I hope you don't mind,
I told him where you worked.
-My mother had a lawyer?
-Yes.
Evidently, she's pledged half her
estate to the church and half to you.
-And how much would that be?
-Over 200,000$.
What? She was barely making it on
social security. I was helping her.
Well, I guess it really is a miracle,
isn't it?
-Maybe she had a rich boyfriend.
-Rose? Give me a break, Max.
What's the difference? You're in the
money. You can own a place now.
Ruby, I have no job.
Let me shelter some oft hat money for
you. Why give it all back to Uncle Sam?
Max. The Owens' place.
Perfect.
There is a fabulous bedroom
available in this building.
-I can't afford this building.
-You're always loved this place.
-You're gonna be my neighbor.
-I don't know, Ruby.
Oh, come on. Let's get the keys.
-Hey, may I have the key for 4-C?
-Sure.
-What's his name?
-Spot.
An all black dog named Spot.
That's the gag.
Thanks, Ezra.
-Hasn't been cleaned yet.
-Quelle surprise.
-You're gonna love this place.
-Yeah, I'm sure. I can't afford it.
Come on.
Whoa, baby.
-What's that?
-I don't know.
I love this place.
I told you.
-You love torturing me, don't you?
-Yeah.
What happened here?
Oh, looks like somebody did an awful
job of trying to fix the wall.
I think they boarded up a hole
or something.
You know what would go perfect there?
Your bookshelf.
You are really selling, girlfriend.
Nik, it would be so great to have you
live here. Just like when we were kids.
Come on, please.
Live with me, please. Live with me.
I think you should take the apartment.
Do something for yourself.
-Your mom would have wanted you to.
-You never met my mom.
True. But you painted a vivid picture
for me. I just want you to be happy.
Why are you so good to me?
'Cause I've been mad for you since
the day we met.
My only aspiration in life is to be
worthy of your love.
-Tim, don't sell yourself short.
-You're right.
I keep thinking I've come to
grips with this whole I love you,
just not in that way thing, and I forget
and I say something stupid.
I'm gonna jet. If you love me,
pay my tab. See ya.
-Nikki, please, have a drink with us.
-Why would I want to do that?
Come on, DeMarco. Let me buy you a
scotch. It's the least I can do.
From one suffering artist to another.
I convinced Klyman to shoot
in black and white.
Then you have a chat with him
and he reconsiders.
I didn't say a word.
Right. Suddenly Klyman's thinking
silks and fruit flavored gels.
-Hey, DeMarco! Hold up!
-Keep your hands off me.
-Why are you so self-destructive, huh?
-What are you talking about?
I'm the only guy at that magazine
that can help you get a break.
Please.
Don't walk away from me!
You think you'd have lasted this long
if I hadn't been interested in you?
Yeah, we all know.
What do you want from me, Gilman?
A little respect, DeMarco.
No offense to your mom, but this is
becoming a regular habit.
Wednesday night, bowling.
Friday afternoon, the cemetery.
-Tim, I have a confession.
-You didn't push him, did you?
-Remember when I wished him dead?
-Yeah, so did I.
No, I'm not kidding.
What is it with you Catholics?
You have such delusions of power.
I am so sorry about what happened.
It must've been terrible.
Well, it happened so fast.
Let's put that behind us and try and
enjoy every moment we have left.
Nikki, please don't think me crass.
It seems appropriate my saying this
right now after we've laid Todd to rest.
I would really like you to shoot
this month's cover for City
in black and white.
I know that Todd would've wanted you
as his successor. What do you say?
Sometimes work is, like, the best
thing after a tragedy.
Eva, it feels wrong.
She will. Let me talk with her.
She's upset, but she'll be fine.
There's no point in passing up
the opportunity.
That was shameless.
His death doesn't change the fact that
job should've been yours to begin with.
-That's not how I want to get work.
-You don't get to choose, Nikki.
-This was chosen at a higher level.
-What are you saying?
I don't want to get all New Age,
but the guy had it coming.
Don't say that.
I told Eva you'd take the job.
Todd, you're lost behind Kristy
a little bit. Move to the left.
Kristy, show more tattoo. Good.
Look, it's just like when we were
little kids.
Come on, Nik. Enjoy it.
It's your first real home.
Life can be good. You're entitled.
It's just been a strange time.
First my mom, then Gilman.
Well, how does it go in that Dylan song?
"To every season, there's a purpose..."
I think it's The Byrds,
and I'll smile if you don't sing.
Actually, they were quoting the Bible.
I think it was Revelations.
You read the Bible lately? I thought
you've had enough of that St. Mary's.
I sort of haven't been able to make
sense of what's been going on,
so I picked it up and started reading
like Father Domenico suggested.
Father Domenico seemed a few cards
short of a deck to me.
I guess it takes a particular type of
person to devote your life to God.
-You have to admire them.
-Yeah.
I believe this is yours.
The movers were using
it to prop open a door.
Thank you.
I hate to see anything
this beautiful get damaged.
Most people find it hard to look at.
Something to do with aging process.
It's the hardest thing to accept.
And yet, that's what you captured.
How do you know
I'm the photographer?
It's the Foret de Pampon
just beyond the grave of Vivienne.
There's no other place like it
in the world, is there?
-I'm Alex Rotha from across the hall.
-Nikki DeMarco.
Ruby Shane, 5-B.
Alas, it's Mrs. Shane.
I'm subletting from the Maximilians.
We were just about to open a bottle of
champagne to christen this place.
-Why don't you join us?
-I can't. Sorry.
-That was him.
-Who him?
-Him, him. The guy who saved me.
-What?
-It's weird. He lives across the hall?
-Just another perk at The Paris House.
-Did you see the way he looked at me?
-And the way you looked at him.
-What about the way he left?
-You intimidated him. I think he's shy.
-You don't think it's bizarre?
-No, Nik. I've seen him around.
And you say everything
is bizarre these days.
I guess so. I don't know.
It just gives me the chills.
If the guy gives you the chills,
Nikki, it's a good thing.
Watch the sofa.
Am I disturbing you?
-I came because I wanted to thank you.
-And you want to have dinner with me?
I was the favorite son.
At least, for a while.
My father was an accomplished man,
but he was impossible to please.
Everything had to be his way.
So, when I began to have opinions
of my own and form ideas,
he couldn't handle it.
He disowned me. He cast me out.
I don't know how a parent can disown
a child. No matter what they do.
-I could never do that.
-Neither could I.
Like it?
It's very intimate.
-So, what do you do for work?
-Many things. I write. I research.
I'm here teaching
at the University in Pasadena.
-You teach? What?
-Theology.
A class on the existence of God.
Why is that funny?
I've been sort of a lapsed
Catholic for years,
and for some reason my life is
suddenly filled with religion.
It does seem to be a necessary evil,
doesn't it?
That's an odd thing to say.
You don't believe in God?
God is a beautiful concept.
A way to express our admiration
for creation, but it's an idea of man.
-A philosophy. It's simply an idea.
-So you don't believe in anything?
No, I believe in everything.
Beginning with myself.
What do you believe in, Nikki?
I've always believed there must be
a God. He's just and fair.
I guess I've just taken on faith.
Faith is good.
-Hey, Ezra.
-Hey yourself.
Oh, it's Spot. Buddy.
Gee, I'm really sorry! Bad dog! I don't
what came over him. I'm really sorry.
-It's okay.
-Oh, my God, your hand.
It's okay.
-I could've sworn the...
-Reflexes.
I know,
I know I'm late again,
but this poor dog fell from the third
floor window in my building.
It crashed right through the window.
The owner said it sort of freaked out
and ran straight for it. Sad...
Hey, what's with you?
Sorry. I just had a rough night.
Some babe give you a hard time?
Would that make you a Tim-bo?
Nine o'clock, great table, Indochine,
but I'm the only one there.
Tim... I'm so sorry.
I totally spaced.
Where were you?
I met someone. It was the guy
that saved me that night.
It was a last minute thing.
I'm so sorry.
Are you gonna see him again?
I mean, is it serious?
-Tim, don't go there.
-No, I'm cool. I just want to know.
Is it something serious?
Do you know what you've done?
I'll tell you what you've done.
You've turned the mayor of this city
into a human being. These are fabulous!
What you doing, Tim?
I remember reading something creepy
about that apartment building of yours.
I'm going through back issues and I'm
cross-referencing it with this database.
There was a murder there in 1927.
In 4-C, my apartment.
A murder-suicide in 1952.
And various other little unpleasant
surprises in the years since.
I'm sure every building
has its skeletons.
-Does yours?
-Probably.
-Did you look it up?
-I could.
Well, why don't you, Tim, and quit
messing with my life.
Mom, I want you to know
you're in my heart.
I wish I'd made things better between
us. Tried to be more understanding.
You miss her.
Father, in your eulogy you spoke
with such passion for my mother.
Thank you.
It's not a review.
I've never been to a service like that.
It was as if you were trying
to save my mother's soul.
I was.
From what?
I mean, wasn't it a bit late?
Aren't you supposed to do that
when they're still alive?
Why did you come here?
I think...
Would you like to make
a confession?
No. I don't know.
You think it would help?
I'm a priest.
Of course I think it will help.
How long has it been since
your last confession?
-Nikki?
-I'm still counting, Father.
Like, fourteen years.
-Have you had any impure thoughts?
-Too many to mention.
And have you thought about...
It's not my confession
I'm interested in, Father.
Excuse me?
I want to know what happened
with my mother.
Something very strange was
going on with her before she died.
-I know she must've told you.
-A confession is a sacred act.
I cannot ever break that covenant,
not even after death.
It was about me, wasn't it?
At least tell me that much. Am I in
some kind of peril or something?
Evil is everywhere, Nikki. And you
especially must be constantly vigilant.
Embrace the Lord.
Drink His blood.
Father?
You have the knowledge of good and
evil within you. The Lord will provide.
I'm having a picnic.
Do you want to come?
-Sure. When is it?
-Now.
Where?
This is a first time I've ever invited
a man to my apartment.
-First time ever?
-Ever.
Why's that?
Well, nice Catholic girls
don't invite boys to their place.
-No?
-No. They go to the boys' places.
So why'd you invite me in?
I don't know. You're different. Or maybe
I'm different right now or something.
Too soon?
I just want you to be sure.
-Who the hell is that? I'm sorry.
-Answer it.
-Are you sure it's okay?
-Sure.
-What are you doing here?
-I came to apologize.
I know it looks like a small atomic
weapon, but it's actually a pizza.
I know. I hate to crack it
and I was worried that...
you wouldn't have
anything to serve your guest.
Hi, I'm Tim.
I'm Nikki's faithful assistant seemingly
mired in this curious rut
of making a total ass of myself
by a series of unthinking acts.
This is Alex.
-Join us.
-No. Thanks, though, but no.
I'll talk to you tomorrow.
I'm sorry.
That was Tim.
I hope I don't look like I feel.
It's been a while.
More than a year.
I'm glad I waited.
I'm glad it was me.
I can't have children.
I had an accident when I was 12.
I've known since then
I can't have children.
Must've been hard on you.
Harder on my mom.
What were your parents like?
My father left before I was born.
My mom held me responsible for it,
somehow, I think.
She was there. She just wasn't
really present, you know.
Do you ever think what kind
of mother you'd be?
I bet you'd be a great mother.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God,
what did I do to you?
I guess a year is a long time.
Why don't you try your arms up?
Great.
Good. Okay. Just move around.
Move around a little bit more.
Check that light for me.
-Thanks, Amy. It's gonna look great.
-Take it easy.
No social security number. Nothing
at the IRS. Nothing from the DMV.
There's no such thing
as an Alexander Rotha.
-Did you check the university, too?
-Yes, he's a visiting professor.
-Do you get it?
-I get that you're jealous.
Of course. I freely admit I'm jealous.
How you doing? I'm the jealous guy.
That doesn't change the fact
that the man has no past.
Tim, knock it off.
How can you act so unconcerned?
This man shows up
and your life looks like some whacked
episode of "The X-Files."
Your mother freaks out and dies from
exploding church syndrome,
the guy you're arguing with
gets run over by a ghost mustang,
and a puppy in that very weird building
you live in decides to commit suicide.
The dog fell. Period.
And my mom died before I met him.
Did you sleep with him?
Oh, sorry.
She did.
Alex reminds me of that spy
in "License To Kill."
-Aren't you gonna read the card?
-I know who they're from.
-Don't you have to be at the lab?
-You've never done that before.
-What?
-Dismiss me.
Oh, Tim. I'm not dismissing you.
No. Could you get me some coffee?
Hey. How can you afford to buy out
a florist on a professor's salary?
I love them.
So, would it be too forward
of me to ask if you're free tonight?
No, you did tell me you teach on
Wednesdays. I forgot.
No, fine. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Have a good class.
One of the weaker links
in Christian theology,
the place where the atheists
have always attacked,
is an argument that goes
something like his.
If God exists,
and he is good and powerful,
then such a God would have no morally
reason to allow evil in the world.
Sorry.
Yet, there is evil in the world,
therefore, God does not exist.
So, philosophically speaking, what does
this tell us about good and evil?
That evil is necessary
for good to exist.
Does the Devil therefore exist to prove
the existence of God?
I guess so.
What do you know about
the nature of evil?
What do you know
about evil, Holly?
I know it exists.
Does it exist within you?
No.
-You're a good person?
-Yes.
-You do no evil?
-No.
Is sex good or evil?
It's not evil.
Do you like sex?
Yes.
-Do you love sex?
-Professor?
When you had your affair with Professor
Johnson last March, was that evil?
No.
I'm sorry?
No.
Even though he has three small children
and a wife who subsequently left him?
She didn't love him.
So the question of whether it was good
or evil was secondary?
A powerful argument for the Devil.
One of the great dangers
to humanity
is our tendency to project
our own evil unto others.
Can I play?
There is a God.
Nikki. Nikki, wait. Wait.
I shouldn't have come here.
My lecture upset you.
It's the nature of the material.
No. It wasn't the material.
It's how you acted.
They want to be entertained
so I put on a show for them.
They're suffocating and I'm a shot
of oxygen into their empty lives.
-That girl was beside herself.
-Maybe she'll learn a little humility.
That's how you do your job? Bullying
students into seeing the truth?
You think you're qualified to tell
me how to do my job?
I'm qualified to have an opinion.
No matter how childish?
I guess I misjudged you.
No. I misjudged you.
Don't walk away from me.
So you're a photographer, huh?
I love to pose.
Really? I work for City Magazine.
Maybe I could hook you up.
There's nothing you can say that'll
make me go out with you.
If I make this shot we'll go to my place
If I miss, then we'll go to yours.
Oh, that sounds fair.
Perfect.
Can you just...
back and forth.
-Have you seen Tim?
-Your assistant Tim? Isn't he with you?
No. He cuffed me.
He left me with a client
and his entire entourage watching me
light, load, schlep all my own equipment
up and down the 2nd Avenue Bridge
all morning. He didn't call in?
No. Did you call his house?
About sixty times. And his car phone,
and his beeper, and his mother.
Did you check hospitals?
Father, hello.
What are you doing here?
-I'll only take a minute of your time.
-Of course.
-I was worried about you.
-I'm fine, Father.
-Will you pray with me for a moment?
-Pray?
He who conquers and keeps my works
until the end, I will give him power.
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you
have so that no one seize your crown.
What is going on, Father?
You must believe, Nikki! God is good.
His love is true.
Believe in God with all your heart
and you will find your way.
What did my mother say to you?
I think it was something in the Bible.
-Chapter 14, verse 18? What is that?
-The Book of Numbers.
What is that?
The Lord is slow to anger,
rich in kindness
forgiving wickedness and crime.
Yet not declaring the guilty guiltless,
but punishing the children
for their father's wickedness!
What wickedness?
-I can't. I can't. I can't.
-But you do know?
Be careful.
The Devil comes in many forms!
Tim, it's 6:30. If you don't pick up,
I'm coming over. Tim?
I don't believe this.
Tim!
Tim!
Timmy?
A strange way to die, huh?
I was told he took some drugs. Meth
amphetamine. It stopped his heart?
Suffocated. Whatever he was doing,
it was too much.
Hey, you live at The Paris House.
I was there about the dog suicide.
-You find that funny?
-Yes, ma'am, I do.
What's your explanation?
Dog saw something in the window.
Probably a bird.
-At night?
-Maybe he saw his own reflection.
Maybe.
That's one weird building.
Last year, the incident in 4-C.
4-C? That's my apartment.
What happened there?
A woman was buried
in that apartment.
In the wall?
Somebody thought they had killed her,
but I saw the marks on her hands.
Tried to claw her way out.
Forgive me if I spoke out of turn.
Your realtor should've told you that.
Yeah, it does.
-Why didn't you tell me?
-It didn't matter.
-I had a right to know.
-I didn't want to scare you.
Oh, and what about now, Ruby?
Three people are dead.
-I admit it's weird.
-Don't forget about the dog.
-Thanks for sharing! You're a big help!
-What if it's all connected?
My mother's warning, the money,
Gilman's death, Tim's death, Alex.
Alex?
Tim got his kicks on the internet
putting together dossiers on people.
With Alex, there was nothing.
Nada.
Didn't I hear something about
his father being French?
Maybe he's not an American citizen.
Ruby, all these horrible
things are happening
and you're looking at me
like I've lost my mind!
-Maybe I have. God, that's him.
-Now she's psychic.
-No visitors!
-Okay. Sweetheart, hey. Come here.
I just heard about your assistant.
I'm so sorry.
He was my friend.
I'm sorry to intrude. If you want
to talk or whatever, I'm downstairs.
No, thanks. I don't think so.
So sorry.
What was that?
What? Last thing I need is for some
fabulous man to walk in here
and stick his shoulder under my face
so I can weep all over him.
-You're doing it again.
-What? What am I doing again?
Sabotaging yourself.
I've seen you do it so many times.
-Ruby, shut up.
-What?
Just put a sock in it, okay?
Please, no more advice, okay? Okay?
Hi, it's Nikki. You know what to do.
Pick up. Nikki, I know you're there.
Pick up the phone.
I need to talk to you.
Pickup the phone. Please.
You're pregnant.
That's impossible.
This x-ray was taken when you were 13
years old, shortly after the accident.
Your reproductive system was
practically destroyed.
I know. It can't be.
Well, it is unusual, but not unheard of.
There was a case a few years ago
involving a woman whose appendix had
ruptured when she was 12.
She was told that she'd never have
children, and then she became pregnant
-Was the baby all right?
-It was perfect, yes.
Nik, you're gonna have a baby.
You see that? That's all scar tissue.
Twenty years later.
It's marvelous what nature can do when
she puts her mind to it, huh?
Excuse me a moment.
Aren't you excited?
A baby? I can't believe it.
I never thought I'd say these words, but
I'm gonna say it. This is a miracle.
-I have to tell Father Domenico.
-Father Domenico, why?
Because he was there 20 years ago.
He's the only one my mom confided in.
Earth to Nik. The man's a priest
and you're not married.
-I don't think he'll share in the joy.
-You're wrong. He'll be happy for me.
I'm gonna be a mother, Ruby.
He who conquers shall not be
burned by the...
He who conquers and keeps
my works until the end,
I will give him power!
I am coming soon!
Hold fast what you have so that no one
may seize your crown!
Oh, baby,
I'm gonna take you home.
Max and I talked about it
and I'm gonna stay with you.
-I can't go back there. I can't face him
-Alex?
-He can't know.
-Nik.
I know you don't believe me, Ruby.
He's part of it. This is all part of it.
Nikki, this is a terrible shock,
but the man was distressed.
I saw him. And all that stuff about
the Devil, he just flipped out.
-No. It's evil.
-What's evil?
It's in my life. It's in me.
There was an explanation
for the pregnancy.
And I'm sure there's
an explanation for Alex, too.
What about the girl I saw
at Tim's apartment?
She reminded me of Alex.
She looked like Alex.
She had the same eyes and the same
look, and she had this aura about her.
Aura? Are you listening to yourself?
It's your hormones talking.
-Your whole system's out of whack.
-I don't want Alex to know.
-I don't want him anywhere near me.
-Okay. It's okay.
Nikki?
All the lights were out.
The building's falling apart.
You're afraid of me, aren't you?
Don't you realize it's
yourself you're afraid of?
-I'm not your father, Nikki.
-What?
You're afraid I'm gonna run off just
like he did, aren't you?
-I can't see you anymore.
-Just like that, huh? I have no say?
I have feelings, too.
I know.
Go away!
Miss DeMarco,
it's Father Darcy from St. Mary's.
I have something for you.
Hi, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
No. Please, come in.
We found this
in Father Domenico's study.
He intended it for you.
I'm sorry.
I'm pretty shook up by his death.
Yes, are we all.
-Of course. Do you know why?
-No. Though some say he lost his faith.
What do you think?
I think he was waging
a battle within himself.
With the Devil?
Father Domenico was very concerned
for you, Miss DeMarco.
Yeah, now, St. Mary's is your church.
We are there for you.
If I were to...
Thank you, Father.
She being with child cried travailing
in birth, and pain to be delivered.
Behold a great red dragon
called the Devil and Satan,
for to devour the child
as soon as it was born.
And the woman fled into the wilderness,
and there was a war in heaven,
and the Devil, which deceived the whole
world, was cast out into the earth.
And when the Devil was cast unto
the earth, he persecuted the woman.
And all that worship the beast shall
receive a mark on their right hand
or in their foreheads.
I can't have this baby.
How can you of all people abort a baby?
You keep seeing the Devil everywhere.
It's God. He took something away from
you years ago, now He's giving it back.
-You're citing God now?
-It's not my thing. That's the point.
Nikki, this child, this is all you've
ever wanted your whole life.
One of the gifts you have, as a woman,
is your ability to give birth.
You were told
you had lost this gift.
I thought I would never be a mother.
Part of you may not want this baby,
because it confuses your identity,
the woman who could
not have a child.
And yet, this child is something
you've longed for all your life.
That's exactly right.
Still, at the back of your mind,
terrible thoughts.
You can't imagine.
Let's talk a little about
those thoughts.
I think the baby might be evil.
I think his father...
What if my life was spared
so I could have this child?
What if his father is the Devil?
Do you mean literally the Devil?
Isn't it possible?
Isn't it possible Alex is the Devil?
-You think I'm crazy, don't you?
-No, Nikki, I don't think you're crazy.
You've had a great shock
and now you're adjusting.
Why does it feel evil?
Why am I feeling like this?
The poet Milton once wrote,
"The mind is its own place,"
"and it itself can make a heaven
of hell, a hell of heaven."
So I'm doing this? It's me?
Isn't that a possibility?
Yes, Nikki.
That is perfect happiness.
Thanks, Doctor.
Nikki, is that you?
Ruby! Ruby, open up, please!
Ruby!
Ruby, open up!
-He's after me!
-Who?
-The Devil.
-What?
-Oh, my God.
-Oh, God, it's coming.
-We got to get to a hospital. Come on.
-No! No, there's no time.
All right. Nikki, please breathe.
Breathe.
-Come on, Nikki.
-And push.
-Hold your breath.
-And push!
One more time.
Give me a really big one.
You have a beautiful baby boy.
Nikki. Oh, my God.
Say hello to your son.
Congratulations, Nikki.
You've given me a beautiful son.
You look good, hon, considering
what you've been through.
I have lost my mind, haven't I?
Why?
Why would you be a part of this?
I can imagine how difficult
this must be for you to grasp
considering how principled
you've always been.
-What are you talking about?
-The rest of us have to deal, Nik.
We have to negotiate. That's
what life is. One big negotiation.
Your mom did it for you.
I did it to have Max.
And everybody else? The doctor?
The psychiatrist? Max?
Negotiated.
Everybody needs something.
-And what about my baby?
-It's his baby.
You can have others.
That's part of the deal.
What?
You understand, Nik, there's no way
I could've tried to explain this.
-You never would've believed me.
-No.
My God, he's beautiful.
Just like his parents.
You okay?
What else can I be?
Life is a cabaret, old chum.
I'm gonna make some tea.
You want some?
Chamomile.
You're not my chum.
-A baptism is a form of exorcism?
-Yes. It's a purification, yes.
-And it will drive out the Devil?
-Yes.
Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Almighty and ever loving God,
you sent your only son into the world
to cast out the power of Satan,
the spirit of evil,
to rescue man from
the kingdom of darkness,
and bring him into the splendor
of your kingdom of light.
We pray for this child.
Set him free from original sin.
Make him a temple of your glory and
send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
-Questions. Do you reject Satan?
-I do.
-And all of his works?
-I do.
-And all his empty promises?
-I do.
Do you believe in God, Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
I do!
You believe in Jesus Christ His only son
who was born from the Virgin Mary...
Don't stop!
Who rose form the dead and is now
seen at the right hand of the Father?
I do! Keep going! Don't stop!
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the church, the community of saints,
the forgiveness of sins...
Keep going!
-The resurrection of the body?
-I do! Keep going!
Is it your will that
he should be baptized
in the faith of the church
which is with you?
It is!
I baptize you in the name
of the Father,
and the Son, and in the Holy Spirit!
Amen!
THE DEVIL'S CHILD