The House Where Evil Dwells (1982) Movie Script
1
[Crickets chirping]
[Insects buzzing]
[Japanese lute playing]
[Chime jingling]
[Sword coming out of sheath]
[Grunts]
[Disembodied, slow-motion cries]
[Sword slicing off arm]
[Screaming]
[Screaming]
[Grunts]
[Wind howling]
[Chime jingles]
[Airplanes taking off]
[Airplane taking off]
[Woman speaking Japanese
indistinctly over P.A. system]
[Speaks Japanese]
[Audience on TV clapping]
MAN: Alex.
ALEX: Ted.
Thank you for taking
the time to meet us.
Hey, Alex.
How are you?
I wouldn't miss this for the world.
Oh, Amy.
You haven't seen Amy
since she was a baby.
I don't believe it.
[Speaking Japanese]
Mommy, what did he say?
Ask him.
What did you say?
I said, "Welcome, dear Amy,"
in Japanese.
Want me to teach you Japanese?
Sure!
- Come on, let's go.
- [Woman laughs]
How do you feel?
Tired, tired.
- Still a bachelor?
- Oh, yeah.
- Oh, God.
- You got a special lady.
I haven't been able to find one.
You're a lucky man.
You're not as lucky as I am.
This way, baby.
ALEX:
Oh, this way.
[Car horn honking]
ALEX: Well, it sure is good
to see my best friend again.
Alex, did you have any luck
finding us a place to live?
You bet.
Now, listen, Ted, I know
you're into Japanese folklore
and the like,
but you weren't fantasizing
when you said you wanted
an old Japanese style house?
Not at all, no, not at all.
That's exactly
what we wanted, isn't it, honey?
Oh, yeah. Traditional.
When in Japan,
live as the Japanese do.
Well, that's exactly what I did.
I found you a dream house.
It's over 200 years old.
It's got a thatched roof.
It sits on the side of a hill.
Oh, that sounds beautiful.
I hate to ask this question, but...
How much?
47,000 yen a month.
Sounds expensive.
That's about $250, American.
Heh, that's not bad.
That's not bad at all.
Well, the reason I got
the house so cheap is, uh,
the house is supposed to be haunted.
Haunted by what?
Don't worry about it, honey,
modern ghosts are friendly ghosts.
Sounds perfect, Alex.
Well, it'll be good for him.
Help you with your research.
There might be
an interesting story in it.
TED: Yeah.
[Chattering]
[Man laughs]
See that roof? They don't
make them like that anymore.
Amy, Amy!
First lesson in Japan.
You always take your shoes off
before you go in the house.
- [Alex chuckles]
- LAURA: Okay, one second.
LAURA:
Here. Now you're good.
- I think she's excited.
- Yeah!
How would you like
a second honeymoon?
I'd love that.
ALEX: Hey, come on, you two,
you've got plenty of time for that.
Let me show you around the house.
- Watch your head, Ted!
- [Both giggling]
- Hello, Alex-san.
- [Alex speaks Japanese]
- Konichiwa.
- Konichiwa.
Good afternoon.
The house is clean, top-to-bottom.
Electricity and telephone connected,
as you instructed.
Arigato.
Thank you for your courtesy,
and my friends thank you, too.
- Thank you.
- Don't mention it.
Now I say good-bye.
- See you again!
' [Speaks Japanese]
Amy, look.
Honey, look, look at this.
Alex, this is terrific.
- ALEX: Beautiful, well done.
- Sweetheart?
Ta-dah!
[Laura laughs]
- ALEX: It's western, Laura.
- I'm glad about that, Alex.
ALEX: That's your bedroom
on the right.
- Amy, yours is straight ahead.
- LAURA: Oh...
ALEX: Go ahead, Amy,
open the door.
- LAURA: Oh, sweetheart.
- Mom!
This is your bedroom.
AMY: There's no bed
in my bedroom!
- Oh, yes there is!
- Really?
There will be a bed in the closet.
AMY: Why do they keep
the mattress hanging?
LAURA: There!
LAURA and TED:
Because it's Japan.
Then you have a whole room
to play in.
AMY: I found them very weird.
TED:
Okay, I just found my study.
Good.
- AMY: Is it real?
- [Knocks on wood]
- AMY: It's real.
- LAURA: It's real.
LAURA: Ah.
Honey, look.
Alex?
- Alex, how can we thank you enough?
- You don't have to thank me.
I'm just glad you like it.
- Now, here. Amy? Laura?
- Oh, thank you, Uncle Alex.
[Knocks on wood]
What have you done,
what have you done?
[Alex laughs]
What do you think's
in here, Mommy?
LAURA: Don't you think
you've clone enough?
Now presents as well?
Just some housewarming gifts.
For my favorite family.
What is this?
- TED: God, I'm thirsty.
- Oh!
[Whistles]
- TED: Ah...
- [Alex chuckles]
- Sake.
- LAURA: Sake.
Laura?
Thank you.
- Pal?
- [Pouring liquid]
Thank you.
Heh. Kampai.
- You could have said...
- [Laughter]
- Kampai.
- Kampai.
- [Alex exhales]
- LAURA: Mmm.
Well, that's nice.
Thank you for taking the time,
getting us here, settling us in.
As I said,
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I know you have jet lag,
you're tired and...
- You get out of here.
- All right.
- You've taken enough time.
- My pleasure.
- ALEX: I got to get back out there.
- LAURA: Oh!
- I'm sorry, I...
- LAURA: That's all right.
I'm really not that clumsy.
- LAURA: Let me see.
- ALEX: No, it's all right.
It must be one of those ghosts
we were talking about.
Oh, please don't say that.
Come on, let's say good-bye
to Uncle Alex.
- Come on.
- LAURA: Come on.
Ted!
LAURA: Ted! Ted!
What, what?
The light went off.
Well, why didn't you turn it back on?
Well, of course I did that.
But it went off again by itself.
[Both chuckle]
I know that.
I did that already.
It's probably
just a defective switch, honey,
or the plug is loose or something.
- Hold me.
- It's all right. It's all right.
[Insects buzzing]
[Low growling]
What?!
[Ted scoffs]
What is it?
You scared the hell out me.
It was nothing.
I just thought I heard something.
It's nothing.
- [Kisses]
- LAURA: Oh.
[Laura groans]
TED: Oh, come here.
[Laura scoffs]
- TED: You awake?
- Mm-hmm.
TED: Good.
Now, give me a kiss.
[Laura giggles]
[Both laugh]
[Man speaks Japanese nearby]
[Man speaks Japanese nearby]
Can I do anything for you, Father?
I am the monk of the Zen temple,
which you can see from the road.
I know all about this house,
and lately have had
disturbing visions about it.
It is a pity you have chosen
this house as your home.
If you need me in the future,
please come to the temple.
I appreciate you're taking the time
to come and warn us, Father,
but I'm sure we don't have
any problems here
that we can't solve ourselves.
Remember this visit, my son.
I'll be waiting.
TED: Good morning.
Hiya.
Guess what I found?
Just now, in the bedroom.
- It's a netsuke.
- What's that?
An ivory carving they used
to hang from their belt.
It's special, isn't it?
It depends.
This one looks pretty old.
You don't like it.
It looks old.
I'm going to keep it.
For us.
TED: Is Amy up?
LAURA: No, no.
She's still fast asleep.
Off the bed, on the floor, as usual.
At least, in Japan,
she doesn't have as far to fall.
You know, this house,
it's really kind of damp inside.
Well, that's no problem.
We'll just open up the shojis,
and give it a good airing out today.
I don't think
it's been lived in for a long time.
Mmm, maybe not.
Doesn't it seem strange to you
that Alex never married?
Nah...
Ah...just hard to please.
I don't think I'd find him
hard to please.
[Exhales]
I'm sorry.
I don't know why I said that.
I really don't.
It was an awful thing to say.
Don't worry about it.
Don't give it a second thought.
No. No, it was awful.
No.
I'm going to wake Amy up.
[Man chanting in Japanese
and rhythmically drumming]
[Camera shutter clicking]
[Man speaking Japanese on TV]
[Phone ringing]
Hello.
ALEX:
Hi, Laura.
Oh, hi, Alex.
How are you?
I'm fine, thank you.
- ALEX: Where's your old man?
- Oh, Ted...
No, no, he's in Tokyo
for the afternoon.
Oh? I'm sorry I missed him.
The reason I'm calling,
I want to invite the two of you
to a consulate reception.
Oh, that would be great.
Ted will be delighted.
Good. All settled in?
Well, sort of.
Laura?
Laura?
Laura?
Alex...
when are you
coming to see us?
I want to see you.
Soon.
Right now all kinds of congressional
brass are coming through.
Well, don't let it be too long.
Uh, no, I won't.
Have Ted call me.
Did you hear me?
Yes.
I said, don't let it be too long.
Well...I'll see you soon.
Sayonara.
Sayonara.
[Bike bell rings]
[Bike bell rings]
[People chattering]
[Men speaking Japanese]
Must you continue to work
while we're eating?
Honey, I got to get this wrapped up,
corrected, typed
by tomorrow morning.
I don't want to work while we eat.
I gotta work while we eat.
Sorry.
- Is it good, sweetheart?
- Mmm, it's good, Mommy.
The eggplant's delicious.
I do appreciate it.
- Alex called today.
- Yeah?
He invited us
to a consulate reception.
Good.
You want more milk, sweetheart?
Yes, please, Mommy.
I'll give him a call tomorrow.
Okay, fine.
You can call him...
But, personally, I'd rather not go.
What do you mean?
Why don't you want to go?
Do I have to give a reason?
I just don't want to go.
- LAURA: Ah!
- Amy, be careful!
- AMY: It wasn't me!
- LAURA: Oh, God.
Ah...
TED: You ready, baby?
Is this okay for where we're going?
The Japanese?
Well, I don't know
about the Japanese,
but this American thinks
you look fabulous.
Come on.
Oh...dear.
LAURA:
A note for my friend Rita...
Sorry.
Sorry.
[Band playing jazz upbeat music
inside]
[Band playing jazz music]
[People chattering]
Ted!
How are you?
Laura, you look wonderful.
Well, let's have a drink.
- Come on.
- [Band finishes song]
[Applause]
[Band playing mellow jazz music]
- Champagne?
- TED: Sure.
Thank you.
Ted, right behind you.
See that guy at the table?
The one with glasses.
- He edits four magazines.
- TED: Oh, yeah?
Look, I think he's--
Why don't you go over and say hello?
It'd be a good outlet for you.
Don't worry about Laura.
We'll have a drink, and we'll dance.
Go on.
You'll be okay?
Of course, I'll be okay.
- Thank you Alex.
- Go get him, pal.
Well...would you like to dance?
Yes, I'd love to.
Well, beautiful blonde lady,
what did you mean by that phone call?
Take me outside.
What?
I said, take me outside.
Sure.
MAN: Why don't you visit me
next week in Tokyo,
and we'll discuss business,
and I will show you the Ginza.
TED: I'm looking forward to it.
[Jazz music playing over speakers]
[Japanese greetings]
[Speaking Japanese]
- [Waiter speaks Japanese]
- He asked us to order.
[Ted and waiter speaking Japanese]
- Beer for me.
- Whiskey soda.
- Waiter: Whiskey soda.
- TED: Whiskey soda.
[Speaking Japanese]
- What'd you say?
- I asked girls for you.
[Ted and Japanese
businessmen laughing]
[Japanese greetings]
WOMAN: Welcome.
[Japanese continues]
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
- Whose drink?
- Mine. That's mine.
Oh, big! That's kind of big!
- Please?
- Ah, sure. Sure, please.
Kampai.
[Japanese continues]
[Light piano music playing]
Ted?
You have a nice mustache.
- I like your face.
- [Ted chuckles]
Would you like to dance with me?
- Yeah.
- Good.
- Stand up.
- [Objects clatter]
Ooh! Be careful!
- Ooh, I'm sorry.
- Always be careful.
This way please.
Who are you?
What's your name?
My name is Otami.
TED: Otami...
Listen, I gotta talk to you
about something.
Now, now, listen.
Listen here.
Don't disappear
on me again, Otami.
Don't disappear.
Hey...Hey, who are you?
My name is...
TED: Help, you guys!
TED: Listen, listen.
I was just dancing with her.
[Indistinct dialogue
drowned out by music]
God.
Oh!
Argh!
Stop! For God's sake!
Ted!
Wake up!
Wake up, please!
Look at me! Look at me!
Look, I turned the water on.
It doesn't come on.
Then it comes on all by itself,
and it covers me!
Just like the light.
You remember the light?
It's the same thing!
Don't you understand?
Where were you last night?
You know where I was last night.
I was with the magazine editors.
Oh.
Well, I hope
you had a real good time.
As it happens, I had a real bad time.
And it's not getting any better.
Amy!
We're going out!
[Ted grunts]
- [Ted groans]
- FEMALE GHOST: Ted...
TED: Hmm?
[Speaks Japanese]
What?
[Speaks Japanese]
[Man speaks Japanese]
You speak English?
I speak a little English.
You like these Noh masks?
Very fine.
Yes, I'd like to look.
Noh masks.
MAN: From Noh plays?
LAURA: Noh plays?
Noh plays.
You know...like theater.
Oh.
Oh, you mean they're masks
that actors wear in stage plays?
Yes. Stage plays.
A long time ago.
They're very beautiful.
[Both speak Japanese]
[Older man speaking Japanese]
YOUNGER MAN:
They are all made of wood.
[Laura speaks Japanese]
They would look beautiful
in our living room, wouldn't they?
Daddy would be a little bit mad,
don't you think?
Think he would?
I would like to buy.
[Trickling water]
I'm glad you came.
I've been expecting you.
Now, let us talk.
The house you are living
was the scene of a terrible murder
in the middle of the last century.
There was a young girl,
named Otami,
who tired
of her samurai husband, Shugoro,
and fell in love
with a student of her husband.
His name was Masanori.
Shugoro discovered
the two lovers,
and killed them both,
then committed hara-kiri.
To get power
of the reluctant Masanori,
the tale tells of the night Otami
visited the witch, Omajo.
[Thunder crashing]
[Cat meowing intermittently
in distance]
[Cat meowing intermittently]
[Meows]
[Laughing]
[Speaking Japanese]
[Speaking Japanese]
[Laughing]
[Meowing continues]
[Old woman shrieking]
[Wind howling]
Hi. We're back.
AMY: Hi, Daddy!
We've been shopping!
How's my girl?
AMY: Look at all
the neat things we got.
What'd you get?
What'd you get?
AMY:
To go with my new kimono.
Mommy bought them for me.
- Well, put 'em on. Let me see 'em.
- Okay.
- You okay?
- Yep.
- You want a drink?
- You betcha.
What's in the box?
Why don't you open it.
What do you want to drink?
Tennessee whiskey, no water, no ice.
They're Noh masks.
Do you know about them?
Ah, not much, a little bit.
This one's Okina.
No, no, Magojiro.
- That's right.
- [Laura speaks indistinctly]
This is Okina.
This is Hannya.
She's a demon.
Can't tell what this is. Heh.
This is Tengu.
He's a devil. Heh.
He's not really a Noh mask.
He's a devil god.
And a hill god.
Honey, these are beautifully made.
- What did you pay for 'em?
- 50,000 yen.
Did you say fifteen?
Fifty.
You spent 50,000 yen?
You paid 50,000 yen for these?
That's what I said.
50,000 yen,
and we can't afford for anything!
"We can't afford"?
You spent on something
to hang up in the living room?
Wait a minute, but you can afford
to pick up the check
every time you take out a bunch
of Japanese businessmen who have
more money than we've ever seen?
That's business!
Oh, that's right.
- It's Japanese business!
- Yeah, it's Japanese business.
It's how we live, it's how
we make money, it's business!
I am sorry.
I'm sorry.
[Ted sighs]
You know what?
What?
All we seem to do
is argue and argue.
That's true.
Let's not do it anymore.
I love you very much.
Me, too.
Hold me.
That is the best story I have
come across since we hit Japan.
LAURA: A little frightening.
I'm glad your work's going well.
Maybe you should write it
at the table.
No, honey, the story's
going to write itself.
It's going to write itself.
I'm not worried about it at all.
Eat your soup, babe.
What kind is it?
Beef and vegetable.
The kind you like.
TED: I'm just going
to take it easy, now.
TED: Just relax
and enjoy dinner with my family.
I got the whole story roughed out.
Now it's only a question of finding
the best way to take it into a...
Ooh, there's an awful face in my soup!
Come on, eat your soup for Daddy.
No!
Don't be silly.
Come on, sweetheart.
- AMY: No.
- Let's see.
You see anything in this soup?
TED: I'd eat it! Come on.
There's nothing wrong with this soup.
This is Mommy's good soup.
I'll get you something else.
You don't have to eat it.
- Eat your soup!
- I can't!
TED: Yes, you can!
When I say, "Eat your soup,"
you eat your soup!
- [Amy groaning]
- TED: Eat it! Come on!
What are you doing?
Get away from her!
What's the matter with you?
Let her go!
For God's sake, what's the matter?
Get it away from her!
Get out, Amy!
What are you doing?
Are you crazy?
[Amy crying]
- [Amy coughing]
- Amy, sweetheart!
It's all right, all right.
Okay, okay.
LAURA: It's all right, now.
Let's get away.
- [Amy gasping]
- LAURA: Oh, please.
- [Amy coughing]
- LAURA: Please. Please.
Come on, sweetheart, please.
Amy?
Amy?
Good morning to you.
It's not morning, Mommy.
It's afternoon.
Oh, it is?
Oh, I'm very sorry.
Did you have a good sleep?
Well, I had a funny dream last night.
You did?
What was it about?
Tell me.
Well, I can't remember.
Oh.
Then, it's best you forget, huh?
How's my girl?
She's all right.
She doesn't remember a thing
about last night.
Thank God.
Hey. Come on.
Yeah, I know, I know, I know.
Look, I was thinking
it might be a real good idea
if you both came
with me to Pearl Island.
You'll be back tonight, won't you?
Yeah, but I'll be back late.
I just thought
it'd be better for all of us.
No, we'll be all right.
We'll be okay.
You sure?
I'm sure.
- You're going to meet her parents.
- I don't want to meet her parents.
LAURA: Don't be so silly,
that's rude!
- Konichiwa!
- Konichiwa!
- How are you?
- WOMAN: How are you? All right.
LAURA:
Okay. You going to go now?
Yes, please? Thank you.
Have a good time, huh?
Take care of one another.
Bye. Be a good girl, please!
MAN: They used to dive topless,
but not for many years.
TED: Some of those girls have been
underwater two minutes.
MAN: Sure.
Don't worry.
We haven't lost a girl yet.
[Whistling]
[Speaks Japanese]
[Speaks Japanese]
Grab this!
Quick, quick!
Grab this!
[Car horn honks]
Okay, no, no, no. Thank you,
thank you very much! Thank you.
Noriko, hey, listen,
I want you to stay here
and take care of Amy.
- Stay here, please.
- Okay.
Thank you.
Amy, Daddy's had an accident,
and he's in the hospital.
- Is he going to be okay?
- Yeah. No, he's going to be fine.
But I have to go and see him.
I want you to stay here
and take care of one another, okay?
- Okay, be a good girl. Bye.
- Bye!
[Claws scratching floor]
[Male disembodied voices groaning]
[All screaming]
[Male disembodied voices groaning]
[Sobbing]
[Panting]
- [Male disembodied voice groans]
- [Amy screams]
[Grunts]
- [Male disembodied voice groaning]
- [Amy screaming]
[Body thumps]
LAURA:
Police, Ted, it's the police.
TED: Driver, okay, here, here.
Come on.
[Tires screeching]
- [Man speaking Japanese on radio]
- LAURA: What's happened?
[Officer speaks Japanese]
What's happened?
What's the matter?
- Where's my daughter?
- TED: Honey, calm down.
Where's the babysitter?
The babysitter?
[Officer speaks Japanese]
LAURA: Noriko? Noriko?
- [Officer continues in Japanese]
- Noriko?
Ted, Ted, easy, easy, easy!
[Noriko screams]
- TED: Calm down!
- LAURA: Stop it, Ted!
Where's my daughter?!
- OFFICER: You can't leave!
- LAURA: Ted! Ted!
- [Laura screaming]
- All right, ma'am, a minute, minute!
What? My daughter!
Please tell me!
Where's my daughter?
[Officer speaking Japanese]
- Take her to hospital!
- Hospital?
- Yes.
- Ted!
Amy's going home
first thing tomorrow morning.
My folks will look after her.
You're damn straight.
And they'll look after you, too.
- Oh, no, never, Ted.
- It'll take me a couple of days to--
- No, I'm staying with you.
- Listen to me, it's not funny anymore.
- I know that.
- I'm going to finish this story.
I know that.
My folks will take care of her.
- I want you--
- I got here as fast as I could.
- Are you all right?
- I'm fine.
How's Amy?
The doctors say she'll be fine.
What happened?
Silly.
Fell from a tree.
You know how children are.
[Typewriter clacking]
[Mask falling on floor,
object shatters]
Are you just going
to sit there and watch me type?
Wait, what? Heh.
What else am I supposed to do?
Do you know
what just happened to me?
No, I don't.
I was sitting, reading my book,
when this thing fell off the wall
and smashed on the table in front me.
Oh...look.
Why don't you just go,
you start packing.
Get us all ready. As soon
as I finish this, we'll leave, okay?
When you're finished.
When you're finished?
Amy has been gone one week.
You continue to write, and the things
still continue to happen.
When are you going to finish?
You know what?
I think you care more about your story
than you do about any of us.
Whoa, wait a minute.
Come on, honey.
I hate this house!
I hate the things in it!
And I hate this goddamn mask!
Well, I hate this house, too!
And I hate the things in it,
and if you want to see
how I feel about the mask,
watch this!
[Screaming]
Stop it!
Oh, please! Stop it!
- [Laura gasping]
- Oh, baby, baby, baby.
What's a matter? Honey?
What?
No... Please stop.
Please stop.
Stop.
It's all right.
- You were hurting me.
- I'm not going to hurt you, honey.
I'm not going to hurt you.
Honey, I wasn't anywhere near you.
[Male disembodied voice groaning]
We're going to see the monk.
Right now. Okay?
[Amy gasping]
Better I just sleep.
Let me sleep.
Just sit down.
I'll get you a pillow.
Okay, here you go.
Come on.
Come on. Gently.
LAURA: Go. Go now.
Okay.
I'll be back in 10 minutes, okay?
Tell me everything.
Omit no details,
no matter how small.
[Phone rings]
Alex Curtis.
- LAURA: Alex.
- Laura.
- It has to stop.
- What?
You and I.
For myself, I mean.
I can't explain.
What are you talking about?
Why the sudden change?
- I love my husband.
- I know you do.
I love him very much.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
Laura. Laura.
Laura!
[Disembodied Japanese
overlapping voices]
[Gasps]
[Voices stop]
MONK: Demons and ghosts are not
confined to your Christian world.
You moved into a house
occupied by evil spirits,
condemned by their karma,
to stay in the place of their crimes.
Your daughter
did see a face in the bowl.
When she drank,
she swallowed the soul of the kaki.
Why did you not go home?
I wanted to try to understand
what was happening.
The kaki will know
when you talk to me,
and their revenge will be terrible.
You must go.
All right.
[Sighs]
Laura? Laura?
Laura?
Laura?
Honey, you scared me.
Everything's going to be fine.
The monk's going to protect us.
Tomorrow, we're going home.
Please.
Please, keep the door open.
Father, this is my wife, Laura.
Everything will be fine.
You don't have to worry.
Thank you.
[Japanese prayer]
[Japanese prayer continues]
[Disembodied Japanese
overlapping voices]
MONK: Haaaaa!
MONK: Let no one in the house.
No one.
I will return in the morning.
Thank you, Father.
We're safe.
We're safe.
LAURA [sobbing]:
No, we're not.
- TED: Yes, we are. Yes, we are.
- No, no!
- No, please!
- Honey, honey, honey, honey.
No, no, please, please!
Please, don't touch me!
Don't touch me please!
Please, don't touch me!
No, no, please!
- No, you can't touch me, you can't!
- Okay, okay, I won't touch you.
It's not okay!
I've had an affair with Alex!
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
ALEX: Laura! Ted!
Ted, it's me, Alex!
Ted! Ted!
Ted, where's Laura?
[Grunting]
[Disembodied Japanese
overlapping voices]
No!
No, stop it!
- No!
- Get out of my way!
Ahh!
No! Stop it! Stop it, please!
Stop it, stop it!
Both of you, stop it!
Stop!
[Body thumps]
[Disembodied Japanese voice]
[Fighting continues]
[Gasps]
[Swords whooshing and connecting]
[Screaming]
[Gasping]
[Laura groans]
[Sword hits ground]
[Wind howling]
[Japanese mystical score playing]
[Crickets chirping]
[Insects buzzing]
[Japanese lute playing]
[Chime jingling]
[Sword coming out of sheath]
[Grunts]
[Disembodied, slow-motion cries]
[Sword slicing off arm]
[Screaming]
[Screaming]
[Grunts]
[Wind howling]
[Chime jingles]
[Airplanes taking off]
[Airplane taking off]
[Woman speaking Japanese
indistinctly over P.A. system]
[Speaks Japanese]
[Audience on TV clapping]
MAN: Alex.
ALEX: Ted.
Thank you for taking
the time to meet us.
Hey, Alex.
How are you?
I wouldn't miss this for the world.
Oh, Amy.
You haven't seen Amy
since she was a baby.
I don't believe it.
[Speaking Japanese]
Mommy, what did he say?
Ask him.
What did you say?
I said, "Welcome, dear Amy,"
in Japanese.
Want me to teach you Japanese?
Sure!
- Come on, let's go.
- [Woman laughs]
How do you feel?
Tired, tired.
- Still a bachelor?
- Oh, yeah.
- Oh, God.
- You got a special lady.
I haven't been able to find one.
You're a lucky man.
You're not as lucky as I am.
This way, baby.
ALEX:
Oh, this way.
[Car horn honking]
ALEX: Well, it sure is good
to see my best friend again.
Alex, did you have any luck
finding us a place to live?
You bet.
Now, listen, Ted, I know
you're into Japanese folklore
and the like,
but you weren't fantasizing
when you said you wanted
an old Japanese style house?
Not at all, no, not at all.
That's exactly
what we wanted, isn't it, honey?
Oh, yeah. Traditional.
When in Japan,
live as the Japanese do.
Well, that's exactly what I did.
I found you a dream house.
It's over 200 years old.
It's got a thatched roof.
It sits on the side of a hill.
Oh, that sounds beautiful.
I hate to ask this question, but...
How much?
47,000 yen a month.
Sounds expensive.
That's about $250, American.
Heh, that's not bad.
That's not bad at all.
Well, the reason I got
the house so cheap is, uh,
the house is supposed to be haunted.
Haunted by what?
Don't worry about it, honey,
modern ghosts are friendly ghosts.
Sounds perfect, Alex.
Well, it'll be good for him.
Help you with your research.
There might be
an interesting story in it.
TED: Yeah.
[Chattering]
[Man laughs]
See that roof? They don't
make them like that anymore.
Amy, Amy!
First lesson in Japan.
You always take your shoes off
before you go in the house.
- [Alex chuckles]
- LAURA: Okay, one second.
LAURA:
Here. Now you're good.
- I think she's excited.
- Yeah!
How would you like
a second honeymoon?
I'd love that.
ALEX: Hey, come on, you two,
you've got plenty of time for that.
Let me show you around the house.
- Watch your head, Ted!
- [Both giggling]
- Hello, Alex-san.
- [Alex speaks Japanese]
- Konichiwa.
- Konichiwa.
Good afternoon.
The house is clean, top-to-bottom.
Electricity and telephone connected,
as you instructed.
Arigato.
Thank you for your courtesy,
and my friends thank you, too.
- Thank you.
- Don't mention it.
Now I say good-bye.
- See you again!
' [Speaks Japanese]
Amy, look.
Honey, look, look at this.
Alex, this is terrific.
- ALEX: Beautiful, well done.
- Sweetheart?
Ta-dah!
[Laura laughs]
- ALEX: It's western, Laura.
- I'm glad about that, Alex.
ALEX: That's your bedroom
on the right.
- Amy, yours is straight ahead.
- LAURA: Oh...
ALEX: Go ahead, Amy,
open the door.
- LAURA: Oh, sweetheart.
- Mom!
This is your bedroom.
AMY: There's no bed
in my bedroom!
- Oh, yes there is!
- Really?
There will be a bed in the closet.
AMY: Why do they keep
the mattress hanging?
LAURA: There!
LAURA and TED:
Because it's Japan.
Then you have a whole room
to play in.
AMY: I found them very weird.
TED:
Okay, I just found my study.
Good.
- AMY: Is it real?
- [Knocks on wood]
- AMY: It's real.
- LAURA: It's real.
LAURA: Ah.
Honey, look.
Alex?
- Alex, how can we thank you enough?
- You don't have to thank me.
I'm just glad you like it.
- Now, here. Amy? Laura?
- Oh, thank you, Uncle Alex.
[Knocks on wood]
What have you done,
what have you done?
[Alex laughs]
What do you think's
in here, Mommy?
LAURA: Don't you think
you've clone enough?
Now presents as well?
Just some housewarming gifts.
For my favorite family.
What is this?
- TED: God, I'm thirsty.
- Oh!
[Whistles]
- TED: Ah...
- [Alex chuckles]
- Sake.
- LAURA: Sake.
Laura?
Thank you.
- Pal?
- [Pouring liquid]
Thank you.
Heh. Kampai.
- You could have said...
- [Laughter]
- Kampai.
- Kampai.
- [Alex exhales]
- LAURA: Mmm.
Well, that's nice.
Thank you for taking the time,
getting us here, settling us in.
As I said,
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I know you have jet lag,
you're tired and...
- You get out of here.
- All right.
- You've taken enough time.
- My pleasure.
- ALEX: I got to get back out there.
- LAURA: Oh!
- I'm sorry, I...
- LAURA: That's all right.
I'm really not that clumsy.
- LAURA: Let me see.
- ALEX: No, it's all right.
It must be one of those ghosts
we were talking about.
Oh, please don't say that.
Come on, let's say good-bye
to Uncle Alex.
- Come on.
- LAURA: Come on.
Ted!
LAURA: Ted! Ted!
What, what?
The light went off.
Well, why didn't you turn it back on?
Well, of course I did that.
But it went off again by itself.
[Both chuckle]
I know that.
I did that already.
It's probably
just a defective switch, honey,
or the plug is loose or something.
- Hold me.
- It's all right. It's all right.
[Insects buzzing]
[Low growling]
What?!
[Ted scoffs]
What is it?
You scared the hell out me.
It was nothing.
I just thought I heard something.
It's nothing.
- [Kisses]
- LAURA: Oh.
[Laura groans]
TED: Oh, come here.
[Laura scoffs]
- TED: You awake?
- Mm-hmm.
TED: Good.
Now, give me a kiss.
[Laura giggles]
[Both laugh]
[Man speaks Japanese nearby]
[Man speaks Japanese nearby]
Can I do anything for you, Father?
I am the monk of the Zen temple,
which you can see from the road.
I know all about this house,
and lately have had
disturbing visions about it.
It is a pity you have chosen
this house as your home.
If you need me in the future,
please come to the temple.
I appreciate you're taking the time
to come and warn us, Father,
but I'm sure we don't have
any problems here
that we can't solve ourselves.
Remember this visit, my son.
I'll be waiting.
TED: Good morning.
Hiya.
Guess what I found?
Just now, in the bedroom.
- It's a netsuke.
- What's that?
An ivory carving they used
to hang from their belt.
It's special, isn't it?
It depends.
This one looks pretty old.
You don't like it.
It looks old.
I'm going to keep it.
For us.
TED: Is Amy up?
LAURA: No, no.
She's still fast asleep.
Off the bed, on the floor, as usual.
At least, in Japan,
she doesn't have as far to fall.
You know, this house,
it's really kind of damp inside.
Well, that's no problem.
We'll just open up the shojis,
and give it a good airing out today.
I don't think
it's been lived in for a long time.
Mmm, maybe not.
Doesn't it seem strange to you
that Alex never married?
Nah...
Ah...just hard to please.
I don't think I'd find him
hard to please.
[Exhales]
I'm sorry.
I don't know why I said that.
I really don't.
It was an awful thing to say.
Don't worry about it.
Don't give it a second thought.
No. No, it was awful.
No.
I'm going to wake Amy up.
[Man chanting in Japanese
and rhythmically drumming]
[Camera shutter clicking]
[Man speaking Japanese on TV]
[Phone ringing]
Hello.
ALEX:
Hi, Laura.
Oh, hi, Alex.
How are you?
I'm fine, thank you.
- ALEX: Where's your old man?
- Oh, Ted...
No, no, he's in Tokyo
for the afternoon.
Oh? I'm sorry I missed him.
The reason I'm calling,
I want to invite the two of you
to a consulate reception.
Oh, that would be great.
Ted will be delighted.
Good. All settled in?
Well, sort of.
Laura?
Laura?
Laura?
Alex...
when are you
coming to see us?
I want to see you.
Soon.
Right now all kinds of congressional
brass are coming through.
Well, don't let it be too long.
Uh, no, I won't.
Have Ted call me.
Did you hear me?
Yes.
I said, don't let it be too long.
Well...I'll see you soon.
Sayonara.
Sayonara.
[Bike bell rings]
[Bike bell rings]
[People chattering]
[Men speaking Japanese]
Must you continue to work
while we're eating?
Honey, I got to get this wrapped up,
corrected, typed
by tomorrow morning.
I don't want to work while we eat.
I gotta work while we eat.
Sorry.
- Is it good, sweetheart?
- Mmm, it's good, Mommy.
The eggplant's delicious.
I do appreciate it.
- Alex called today.
- Yeah?
He invited us
to a consulate reception.
Good.
You want more milk, sweetheart?
Yes, please, Mommy.
I'll give him a call tomorrow.
Okay, fine.
You can call him...
But, personally, I'd rather not go.
What do you mean?
Why don't you want to go?
Do I have to give a reason?
I just don't want to go.
- LAURA: Ah!
- Amy, be careful!
- AMY: It wasn't me!
- LAURA: Oh, God.
Ah...
TED: You ready, baby?
Is this okay for where we're going?
The Japanese?
Well, I don't know
about the Japanese,
but this American thinks
you look fabulous.
Come on.
Oh...dear.
LAURA:
A note for my friend Rita...
Sorry.
Sorry.
[Band playing jazz upbeat music
inside]
[Band playing jazz music]
[People chattering]
Ted!
How are you?
Laura, you look wonderful.
Well, let's have a drink.
- Come on.
- [Band finishes song]
[Applause]
[Band playing mellow jazz music]
- Champagne?
- TED: Sure.
Thank you.
Ted, right behind you.
See that guy at the table?
The one with glasses.
- He edits four magazines.
- TED: Oh, yeah?
Look, I think he's--
Why don't you go over and say hello?
It'd be a good outlet for you.
Don't worry about Laura.
We'll have a drink, and we'll dance.
Go on.
You'll be okay?
Of course, I'll be okay.
- Thank you Alex.
- Go get him, pal.
Well...would you like to dance?
Yes, I'd love to.
Well, beautiful blonde lady,
what did you mean by that phone call?
Take me outside.
What?
I said, take me outside.
Sure.
MAN: Why don't you visit me
next week in Tokyo,
and we'll discuss business,
and I will show you the Ginza.
TED: I'm looking forward to it.
[Jazz music playing over speakers]
[Japanese greetings]
[Speaking Japanese]
- [Waiter speaks Japanese]
- He asked us to order.
[Ted and waiter speaking Japanese]
- Beer for me.
- Whiskey soda.
- Waiter: Whiskey soda.
- TED: Whiskey soda.
[Speaking Japanese]
- What'd you say?
- I asked girls for you.
[Ted and Japanese
businessmen laughing]
[Japanese greetings]
WOMAN: Welcome.
[Japanese continues]
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
- Whose drink?
- Mine. That's mine.
Oh, big! That's kind of big!
- Please?
- Ah, sure. Sure, please.
Kampai.
[Japanese continues]
[Light piano music playing]
Ted?
You have a nice mustache.
- I like your face.
- [Ted chuckles]
Would you like to dance with me?
- Yeah.
- Good.
- Stand up.
- [Objects clatter]
Ooh! Be careful!
- Ooh, I'm sorry.
- Always be careful.
This way please.
Who are you?
What's your name?
My name is Otami.
TED: Otami...
Listen, I gotta talk to you
about something.
Now, now, listen.
Listen here.
Don't disappear
on me again, Otami.
Don't disappear.
Hey...Hey, who are you?
My name is...
TED: Help, you guys!
TED: Listen, listen.
I was just dancing with her.
[Indistinct dialogue
drowned out by music]
God.
Oh!
Argh!
Stop! For God's sake!
Ted!
Wake up!
Wake up, please!
Look at me! Look at me!
Look, I turned the water on.
It doesn't come on.
Then it comes on all by itself,
and it covers me!
Just like the light.
You remember the light?
It's the same thing!
Don't you understand?
Where were you last night?
You know where I was last night.
I was with the magazine editors.
Oh.
Well, I hope
you had a real good time.
As it happens, I had a real bad time.
And it's not getting any better.
Amy!
We're going out!
[Ted grunts]
- [Ted groans]
- FEMALE GHOST: Ted...
TED: Hmm?
[Speaks Japanese]
What?
[Speaks Japanese]
[Man speaks Japanese]
You speak English?
I speak a little English.
You like these Noh masks?
Very fine.
Yes, I'd like to look.
Noh masks.
MAN: From Noh plays?
LAURA: Noh plays?
Noh plays.
You know...like theater.
Oh.
Oh, you mean they're masks
that actors wear in stage plays?
Yes. Stage plays.
A long time ago.
They're very beautiful.
[Both speak Japanese]
[Older man speaking Japanese]
YOUNGER MAN:
They are all made of wood.
[Laura speaks Japanese]
They would look beautiful
in our living room, wouldn't they?
Daddy would be a little bit mad,
don't you think?
Think he would?
I would like to buy.
[Trickling water]
I'm glad you came.
I've been expecting you.
Now, let us talk.
The house you are living
was the scene of a terrible murder
in the middle of the last century.
There was a young girl,
named Otami,
who tired
of her samurai husband, Shugoro,
and fell in love
with a student of her husband.
His name was Masanori.
Shugoro discovered
the two lovers,
and killed them both,
then committed hara-kiri.
To get power
of the reluctant Masanori,
the tale tells of the night Otami
visited the witch, Omajo.
[Thunder crashing]
[Cat meowing intermittently
in distance]
[Cat meowing intermittently]
[Meows]
[Laughing]
[Speaking Japanese]
[Speaking Japanese]
[Laughing]
[Meowing continues]
[Old woman shrieking]
[Wind howling]
Hi. We're back.
AMY: Hi, Daddy!
We've been shopping!
How's my girl?
AMY: Look at all
the neat things we got.
What'd you get?
What'd you get?
AMY:
To go with my new kimono.
Mommy bought them for me.
- Well, put 'em on. Let me see 'em.
- Okay.
- You okay?
- Yep.
- You want a drink?
- You betcha.
What's in the box?
Why don't you open it.
What do you want to drink?
Tennessee whiskey, no water, no ice.
They're Noh masks.
Do you know about them?
Ah, not much, a little bit.
This one's Okina.
No, no, Magojiro.
- That's right.
- [Laura speaks indistinctly]
This is Okina.
This is Hannya.
She's a demon.
Can't tell what this is. Heh.
This is Tengu.
He's a devil. Heh.
He's not really a Noh mask.
He's a devil god.
And a hill god.
Honey, these are beautifully made.
- What did you pay for 'em?
- 50,000 yen.
Did you say fifteen?
Fifty.
You spent 50,000 yen?
You paid 50,000 yen for these?
That's what I said.
50,000 yen,
and we can't afford for anything!
"We can't afford"?
You spent on something
to hang up in the living room?
Wait a minute, but you can afford
to pick up the check
every time you take out a bunch
of Japanese businessmen who have
more money than we've ever seen?
That's business!
Oh, that's right.
- It's Japanese business!
- Yeah, it's Japanese business.
It's how we live, it's how
we make money, it's business!
I am sorry.
I'm sorry.
[Ted sighs]
You know what?
What?
All we seem to do
is argue and argue.
That's true.
Let's not do it anymore.
I love you very much.
Me, too.
Hold me.
That is the best story I have
come across since we hit Japan.
LAURA: A little frightening.
I'm glad your work's going well.
Maybe you should write it
at the table.
No, honey, the story's
going to write itself.
It's going to write itself.
I'm not worried about it at all.
Eat your soup, babe.
What kind is it?
Beef and vegetable.
The kind you like.
TED: I'm just going
to take it easy, now.
TED: Just relax
and enjoy dinner with my family.
I got the whole story roughed out.
Now it's only a question of finding
the best way to take it into a...
Ooh, there's an awful face in my soup!
Come on, eat your soup for Daddy.
No!
Don't be silly.
Come on, sweetheart.
- AMY: No.
- Let's see.
You see anything in this soup?
TED: I'd eat it! Come on.
There's nothing wrong with this soup.
This is Mommy's good soup.
I'll get you something else.
You don't have to eat it.
- Eat your soup!
- I can't!
TED: Yes, you can!
When I say, "Eat your soup,"
you eat your soup!
- [Amy groaning]
- TED: Eat it! Come on!
What are you doing?
Get away from her!
What's the matter with you?
Let her go!
For God's sake, what's the matter?
Get it away from her!
Get out, Amy!
What are you doing?
Are you crazy?
[Amy crying]
- [Amy coughing]
- Amy, sweetheart!
It's all right, all right.
Okay, okay.
LAURA: It's all right, now.
Let's get away.
- [Amy gasping]
- LAURA: Oh, please.
- [Amy coughing]
- LAURA: Please. Please.
Come on, sweetheart, please.
Amy?
Amy?
Good morning to you.
It's not morning, Mommy.
It's afternoon.
Oh, it is?
Oh, I'm very sorry.
Did you have a good sleep?
Well, I had a funny dream last night.
You did?
What was it about?
Tell me.
Well, I can't remember.
Oh.
Then, it's best you forget, huh?
How's my girl?
She's all right.
She doesn't remember a thing
about last night.
Thank God.
Hey. Come on.
Yeah, I know, I know, I know.
Look, I was thinking
it might be a real good idea
if you both came
with me to Pearl Island.
You'll be back tonight, won't you?
Yeah, but I'll be back late.
I just thought
it'd be better for all of us.
No, we'll be all right.
We'll be okay.
You sure?
I'm sure.
- You're going to meet her parents.
- I don't want to meet her parents.
LAURA: Don't be so silly,
that's rude!
- Konichiwa!
- Konichiwa!
- How are you?
- WOMAN: How are you? All right.
LAURA:
Okay. You going to go now?
Yes, please? Thank you.
Have a good time, huh?
Take care of one another.
Bye. Be a good girl, please!
MAN: They used to dive topless,
but not for many years.
TED: Some of those girls have been
underwater two minutes.
MAN: Sure.
Don't worry.
We haven't lost a girl yet.
[Whistling]
[Speaks Japanese]
[Speaks Japanese]
Grab this!
Quick, quick!
Grab this!
[Car horn honks]
Okay, no, no, no. Thank you,
thank you very much! Thank you.
Noriko, hey, listen,
I want you to stay here
and take care of Amy.
- Stay here, please.
- Okay.
Thank you.
Amy, Daddy's had an accident,
and he's in the hospital.
- Is he going to be okay?
- Yeah. No, he's going to be fine.
But I have to go and see him.
I want you to stay here
and take care of one another, okay?
- Okay, be a good girl. Bye.
- Bye!
[Claws scratching floor]
[Male disembodied voices groaning]
[All screaming]
[Male disembodied voices groaning]
[Sobbing]
[Panting]
- [Male disembodied voice groans]
- [Amy screams]
[Grunts]
- [Male disembodied voice groaning]
- [Amy screaming]
[Body thumps]
LAURA:
Police, Ted, it's the police.
TED: Driver, okay, here, here.
Come on.
[Tires screeching]
- [Man speaking Japanese on radio]
- LAURA: What's happened?
[Officer speaks Japanese]
What's happened?
What's the matter?
- Where's my daughter?
- TED: Honey, calm down.
Where's the babysitter?
The babysitter?
[Officer speaks Japanese]
LAURA: Noriko? Noriko?
- [Officer continues in Japanese]
- Noriko?
Ted, Ted, easy, easy, easy!
[Noriko screams]
- TED: Calm down!
- LAURA: Stop it, Ted!
Where's my daughter?!
- OFFICER: You can't leave!
- LAURA: Ted! Ted!
- [Laura screaming]
- All right, ma'am, a minute, minute!
What? My daughter!
Please tell me!
Where's my daughter?
[Officer speaking Japanese]
- Take her to hospital!
- Hospital?
- Yes.
- Ted!
Amy's going home
first thing tomorrow morning.
My folks will look after her.
You're damn straight.
And they'll look after you, too.
- Oh, no, never, Ted.
- It'll take me a couple of days to--
- No, I'm staying with you.
- Listen to me, it's not funny anymore.
- I know that.
- I'm going to finish this story.
I know that.
My folks will take care of her.
- I want you--
- I got here as fast as I could.
- Are you all right?
- I'm fine.
How's Amy?
The doctors say she'll be fine.
What happened?
Silly.
Fell from a tree.
You know how children are.
[Typewriter clacking]
[Mask falling on floor,
object shatters]
Are you just going
to sit there and watch me type?
Wait, what? Heh.
What else am I supposed to do?
Do you know
what just happened to me?
No, I don't.
I was sitting, reading my book,
when this thing fell off the wall
and smashed on the table in front me.
Oh...look.
Why don't you just go,
you start packing.
Get us all ready. As soon
as I finish this, we'll leave, okay?
When you're finished.
When you're finished?
Amy has been gone one week.
You continue to write, and the things
still continue to happen.
When are you going to finish?
You know what?
I think you care more about your story
than you do about any of us.
Whoa, wait a minute.
Come on, honey.
I hate this house!
I hate the things in it!
And I hate this goddamn mask!
Well, I hate this house, too!
And I hate the things in it,
and if you want to see
how I feel about the mask,
watch this!
[Screaming]
Stop it!
Oh, please! Stop it!
- [Laura gasping]
- Oh, baby, baby, baby.
What's a matter? Honey?
What?
No... Please stop.
Please stop.
Stop.
It's all right.
- You were hurting me.
- I'm not going to hurt you, honey.
I'm not going to hurt you.
Honey, I wasn't anywhere near you.
[Male disembodied voice groaning]
We're going to see the monk.
Right now. Okay?
[Amy gasping]
Better I just sleep.
Let me sleep.
Just sit down.
I'll get you a pillow.
Okay, here you go.
Come on.
Come on. Gently.
LAURA: Go. Go now.
Okay.
I'll be back in 10 minutes, okay?
Tell me everything.
Omit no details,
no matter how small.
[Phone rings]
Alex Curtis.
- LAURA: Alex.
- Laura.
- It has to stop.
- What?
You and I.
For myself, I mean.
I can't explain.
What are you talking about?
Why the sudden change?
- I love my husband.
- I know you do.
I love him very much.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
Laura. Laura.
Laura!
[Disembodied Japanese
overlapping voices]
[Gasps]
[Voices stop]
MONK: Demons and ghosts are not
confined to your Christian world.
You moved into a house
occupied by evil spirits,
condemned by their karma,
to stay in the place of their crimes.
Your daughter
did see a face in the bowl.
When she drank,
she swallowed the soul of the kaki.
Why did you not go home?
I wanted to try to understand
what was happening.
The kaki will know
when you talk to me,
and their revenge will be terrible.
You must go.
All right.
[Sighs]
Laura? Laura?
Laura?
Laura?
Honey, you scared me.
Everything's going to be fine.
The monk's going to protect us.
Tomorrow, we're going home.
Please.
Please, keep the door open.
Father, this is my wife, Laura.
Everything will be fine.
You don't have to worry.
Thank you.
[Japanese prayer]
[Japanese prayer continues]
[Disembodied Japanese
overlapping voices]
MONK: Haaaaa!
MONK: Let no one in the house.
No one.
I will return in the morning.
Thank you, Father.
We're safe.
We're safe.
LAURA [sobbing]:
No, we're not.
- TED: Yes, we are. Yes, we are.
- No, no!
- No, please!
- Honey, honey, honey, honey.
No, no, please, please!
Please, don't touch me!
Don't touch me please!
Please, don't touch me!
No, no, please!
- No, you can't touch me, you can't!
- Okay, okay, I won't touch you.
It's not okay!
I've had an affair with Alex!
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
ALEX: Laura! Ted!
Ted, it's me, Alex!
Ted! Ted!
Ted, where's Laura?
[Grunting]
[Disembodied Japanese
overlapping voices]
No!
No, stop it!
- No!
- Get out of my way!
Ahh!
No! Stop it! Stop it, please!
Stop it, stop it!
Both of you, stop it!
Stop!
[Body thumps]
[Disembodied Japanese voice]
[Fighting continues]
[Gasps]
[Swords whooshing and connecting]
[Screaming]
[Gasping]
[Laura groans]
[Sword hits ground]
[Wind howling]
[Japanese mystical score playing]