The Jar (1984) Movie Script
Darkness.
Consume the lifeless moments
of shadows,
the flickering seconds of memories.
I stand on the edge of darkness.
I am the night,
black, dark, cold, silent.
I see that what I see is me.
Me, me, me, me...
What is it? Does it hurt to move?
It's okay, I'm just
trying to get you to my car.
- M-Muh... bottle.
- What?
In the car.
Must have it.
You mean this?
You want me to take this?
Come on, let's get you to my car.
I think I'd better take you
to the nearest hospital.
No.
You might be more seriously hurt
than you think.
- I can't...
- You need to be examined.
I can't go, please.
Why, are you in some kind of trouble?
Don't take me to a hospital. I...
All right.
All right.
Well, what about a doctor?
Do you have a doctor?
No doctors!
Well, now look,
I can't just drop you off
in the middle of the road somewhere.
What's the problem?
What are you afraid of?
No person.
If you're wanted
by the police or something,
I can't help you.
I am not wanted.
Well, I'll take you home then.
Where do you live?
No, I can't go home.
What if I take you to my apartment?
Get you cleaned up,
and then you are going to see a doctor.
Yes, that's good, to your apartment.
But just to clean you up.
I'll get something to clean you up.
I don't know your story, my friend,
but you sure got yourself in a mess.
It's lucky it's me you hit,
I could have been another
angry driver looking for blood.
You know you'd be a lot better off
with a doctor than with me.
What the hell?
God damn it, where did you go?
Oh my God.
I must be losing my mind.
My imagination's getting carried away.
I'm panicking for no reason.
And looking at
your repulsive face is no help.
I don't know what the hell you are
or what you're doing to me.
I'm not going to let it go on.
Do you know where you're going?
Hi.
Hello.
I couldn't resist.
I've always wanted one and there it was
just waiting for me, on sale no less.
I guess me and this rocker
were just meant to be together.
It's very nice.
Thank you.
Are you just coming home from work?
No, no...!
I had some errands to run.
I'm off work this week.
Oh really? So am I.
Sort of a mini vacation.
The paper usually doesn't give me
too much time for myself.
Well...
Oh, here let me get that for you.
This is where I get off too.
Okay, thank you.
I don't think
I've seen you around here before.
Oh, I live just down the hall there.
I guess I'm not around here very much.
Just set it over there, please.
You sure have good timing.
Can I make you some coffee?
Or would you like a beer or...?
Coffee would be nice.
Great.
I'd just like to do something
to return a favor.
Oh, by the way, I'm Crystal.
Paul.
Please, make yourself at home.
You know, I haven't met
too many people in the building.
I'm fairly new here.
Besides, I'm almost always at work.
The people I have met seem...
Reclusive, hard to talk to.
It's a beautiful place though,
don't you think?
Oh yes, I've lived here quite a while.
Um, how do you like it?
I like it just fine.
No, I mean your coffee.
Oh, black.
Okay.
You don't have much to say, do you?
I was... thinking.
Oh. Well, that's all right.
Don't let me interrupt.
If you don't mind me saying,
you don't look very happy either.
Is something bothering you or...
Are you always this perceptive?
No, you're just very obvious.
Things haven't been going
real well for me lately.
Too much work.
Besides, I was in a car accident.
Oh.
Recently.
Well, I'm sorry to hear it.
Were you hurt?
No, no, I think it messed up my head
more than anything else.
- Well, what about the other car?
- Hm?
Was there another car involved?
Oh, oh yeah, he was injured some,
but not too seriously.
Oh, well, that's good to hear.
Was there a lot of damage?
I don't know.
I've got to be going.
Thanks for the coffee.
Well,
thanks for the company and the help.
Hey, would you like to have a drink
together one of these nights?
Yeah, sure.
Good.
We'll get together.
Um... Thanks again.
Just to take back to their nests.
With their scissor-like jaws,
they easily cut the leaves
to manageable size.
But some skill is needed
for the next stage,
and the leaf is hoisted in position
for the journey ahead.
For some, the
problem may be too much help.
For others, just a sudden puff of wind.
But they're the exceptions.
For most ants, it's only the first step
to the long trek back to the nest,
which may be 100 yards or more away.
They follow a chemical trail
laid down by the workers
that first scouted this tree,
so they seldom go astray.
God damn it!
It's got to stop.
It's got to stop doing this!
Sorry?
Um... It was open.
I thought I'd see
how you're feeling today.
Well,
why don't you try knocking next time?
Wait a minute.
I'm sorry, I'm really sorry.
Please, come in.
What's wrong, Paul?
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to yell at you.
You were yelling
before you even saw me.
Who were you yelling at?
You probably think I'm nuts.
I don't think anything.
Except I'd like to help you if I can.
Why?
Does it matter?
Well, there's nothing to help.
It's just dreams.
Bad dreams.
You were having a dream
a few minutes ago?
Yeah, I fell asleep.
It's terrible.
I have terrible dreams.
I guess it takes a while
for me to get over them
when I wake up.
Do you always have bad dreams?
Do you always ask so many questions?
Only when I'm concerned about someone.
I'm sorry.
I'm real touchy right now.
Oh.
I'd better go.
Thank you for dropping by.
It does mean something.
Please, don't be angry with me.
I'm not angry with you.
If you need anything, don't hesitate.
Noooooo!
Damn you!
Damn you!
I'm not gonna let you keep haunting me.
I'm not gonna let you tear me apart!
Get out!
Paul, are you okay?
You look like you've been worked over
by Hell's Angels.
I've been...
Sick.
Paul, we haven't heard from you
in three days.
Didn't you think we would notice?
Besides, the lab has practically
shut down without you.
Those kids don't know
what they're doing.
Three days?
Yeah, three days.
Have you been drinking?
Jack,
you know damn well I am not a drunk.
Yeah, I know.
I know.
Well,
why didn't you ever answer the phone?
Or at least call in?
You've called here?
About 20 times.
I finally decided to come by
and see if you were still alive.
You look like you're in bad shape.
Have you seen a doctor?
No.
I don't need to see a doctor.
I'm just...
Bennet's been on my ass.
He thinks you've left the country.
Defected or something.
I can't keep him
off your back much longer.
I really appreciate the help, Jack.
Could you stick with it a few more days
until I can lick this?
Well, do you know what it is
you're trying to beat?
Not really.
Rll get over it.
It's just some kind of a bug.
I didn't realize how long
it had been, though.
All right.
I'll work on it.
I think I can tame
the old cat for a while.
Well, I'll let you get some rest.
You look like you need it.
Call me tomorrow.
Thanks.
Ill see you later, Paul.
Ya. Ya. Ya. Ya.
Hi.
I thought you wouldn't show.
Of course I'd show.
I had to get out of the apartment.
Still having bad dreams?
I don't know, Crystal.
Yeah, I guess so.
Try to forget about them for a while.
They've got you really tense.
Soak up the atmosphere.
This place has lots of it.
I always seem to relax
the minute I step in here.
Why are you so interested in me?
You carried my rocker.
I consider that a very personal favor.
Are you this paranoid with everyone,
or is it just me?
No, no, I'm not paranoid.
I'm just... curious.
I don't know.
Maybe it was a dumb question.
What's wrong, Paul?
It's not just bad dreams.
There's something else.
Why do you Say that?
How do you know?
You don't even know me.
I know when a person
is anxious about something.
I know when someone's on the edge.
Let's just drop it, okay?
Maybe.
Maybe you want to know too much.
I guess you're right.
I am too nosy.
I'm sorry.
What's so funny?
Me.
I can't figure it.
I-I like you.
I did the moment I saw you,
but I'm always yelling at you.
No, you're not.
Normally, when you yell at a stranger,
they tell you to go to hell,
but not you.
Maybe I'm not that much of a stranger.
You are an unusual man,
but I like the unusual.
You have a bit of the lost
little boy in you too.
That's not an insult.
Just one of the things that struck me.
Have you ever thought about
getting involved in psychology?
I've played with it.
You have to when you deal with men.
Oh.
I know.
You probably say the same
thing about women, but it's true.
The game gets a little complicated
every now and then,
so it helps to know exactly
what kinds of pieces are involved.
Take you and me, for example.
~ Consider seeing a real psychologist ~
But in the meantime, I'd just like
you to know that
I'd like to be your friend.
And I'd like to do
anything I can to help you.
Paul?
Paul?
Paul?
I hope I'm not boring you,
you must have slipped off or some...
I'm scared, Crystal.
I am really scared.
Something's happening.
What is, Paul?
Tell me, please.
Everything's... I don't know, I...
I don't...
Everything's becoming strange.
I can't relax anymore.
I have always got to be on my guard,
always waiting.
And it's horrible, so horrible.
What is, Paul?
What's horrible?
The things I see,
the things I feel, it's insane.
You think you're going crazy?
- You're not going...
- YES!
No.
No.
No, not me.
It's not me.
I am not going crazy.
It's outside of me.
But it is trying to get inside.
It is trying to make me crazy.
What are you talking about, Paul?
What is it?
Ever since the accident...
It's been all around me,
no matter what I do.
I keep seeing him, the man in the car.
Is he doing something to you?
Is he the one you're talking about?
No, he's dead.
I thought you said no one was killed
in the accident.
I did.
I took him to my apartment.
He died there?
No.
I don't know.
He was gone.
Just gone.
And then...
I really don't understand you, Paul.
This accident's done something to you.
That I know.
Whatever you feel is overcoming you,
you can fight it.
You can keep control.
You've just got to realize
that it's in you.
And you can control it.
No, it's not me.
And there's nothing I can do.
I keep trying, but it just gets worse.
It won't leave me alone.
Paul, you can't...
you can't let whatever you're feeling
swallow you like this.
Think.
What is it that's making you afraid?
Is it guilt?
Whatever it is, look at it directly.
Look at yourself.
Always keep that.
Look at who you are.
You can't let yourself get lost.
You don't understand.
You can't.
I want to.
I want to help you.
I want to do anything I can.
I think you need someone right now.
I've got to go.
Let me come with you.
Let me stay with you a while.
I can... I can ease the fear a little.
At least you can talk to me.
No.
You're beautiful,
and I thank you for trying.
But I've got to do this myself.
I can't trust myself anymore.
I don't know what's going to happen.
Let me settle this.
I'll call you soon,
when things are better.
Paul?
Paul?
All that we see or seem, is...
but a dream within a dream.
A dream within a dream.
A dream within a dream.
What do you want from me?
What the hell are you doing to me?
You're killing me.
You are destroying my mind.
I can't trust anything anymore.
You have taken everything
away from me and left me alone.
I've got to stop you.
To hold on.
You must stop.
Go back to the hell you came from.
Go back and leave me alone.
Who are you?
Who the hell are you?
God.
Paul, are you all right?
You've got to help me.
I can't fight anymore.
I can't stop it.
I'm here, Paul.
Ril help you.
Just tell me what to do.
The jar.
We've got to kill it.
I can't do it alone.
Not alone.
You're not alone, Paul.
What about the jar?
I really need someone.
Help me.
It's okay.
Everything is okay.
There's nothing to be afraid of here.
Paul?
Paul, it's Jack.
Come on, Paul.
Darkness.
Consume the lifeless moments
of shadows,
the flickering seconds of memories.
I stand on the edge of darkness.
I am the night,
black, dark, cold, silent.
I see that what I see is me.
Me, me, me, me...
What is it? Does it hurt to move?
It's okay, I'm just
trying to get you to my car.
- M-Muh... bottle.
- What?
In the car.
Must have it.
You mean this?
You want me to take this?
Come on, let's get you to my car.
I think I'd better take you
to the nearest hospital.
No.
You might be more seriously hurt
than you think.
- I can't...
- You need to be examined.
I can't go, please.
Why, are you in some kind of trouble?
Don't take me to a hospital. I...
All right.
All right.
Well, what about a doctor?
Do you have a doctor?
No doctors!
Well, now look,
I can't just drop you off
in the middle of the road somewhere.
What's the problem?
What are you afraid of?
No person.
If you're wanted
by the police or something,
I can't help you.
I am not wanted.
Well, I'll take you home then.
Where do you live?
No, I can't go home.
What if I take you to my apartment?
Get you cleaned up,
and then you are going to see a doctor.
Yes, that's good, to your apartment.
But just to clean you up.
I'll get something to clean you up.
I don't know your story, my friend,
but you sure got yourself in a mess.
It's lucky it's me you hit,
I could have been another
angry driver looking for blood.
You know you'd be a lot better off
with a doctor than with me.
What the hell?
God damn it, where did you go?
Oh my God.
I must be losing my mind.
My imagination's getting carried away.
I'm panicking for no reason.
And looking at
your repulsive face is no help.
I don't know what the hell you are
or what you're doing to me.
I'm not going to let it go on.
Do you know where you're going?
Hi.
Hello.
I couldn't resist.
I've always wanted one and there it was
just waiting for me, on sale no less.
I guess me and this rocker
were just meant to be together.
It's very nice.
Thank you.
Are you just coming home from work?
No, no...!
I had some errands to run.
I'm off work this week.
Oh really? So am I.
Sort of a mini vacation.
The paper usually doesn't give me
too much time for myself.
Well...
Oh, here let me get that for you.
This is where I get off too.
Okay, thank you.
I don't think
I've seen you around here before.
Oh, I live just down the hall there.
I guess I'm not around here very much.
Just set it over there, please.
You sure have good timing.
Can I make you some coffee?
Or would you like a beer or...?
Coffee would be nice.
Great.
I'd just like to do something
to return a favor.
Oh, by the way, I'm Crystal.
Paul.
Please, make yourself at home.
You know, I haven't met
too many people in the building.
I'm fairly new here.
Besides, I'm almost always at work.
The people I have met seem...
Reclusive, hard to talk to.
It's a beautiful place though,
don't you think?
Oh yes, I've lived here quite a while.
Um, how do you like it?
I like it just fine.
No, I mean your coffee.
Oh, black.
Okay.
You don't have much to say, do you?
I was... thinking.
Oh. Well, that's all right.
Don't let me interrupt.
If you don't mind me saying,
you don't look very happy either.
Is something bothering you or...
Are you always this perceptive?
No, you're just very obvious.
Things haven't been going
real well for me lately.
Too much work.
Besides, I was in a car accident.
Oh.
Recently.
Well, I'm sorry to hear it.
Were you hurt?
No, no, I think it messed up my head
more than anything else.
- Well, what about the other car?
- Hm?
Was there another car involved?
Oh, oh yeah, he was injured some,
but not too seriously.
Oh, well, that's good to hear.
Was there a lot of damage?
I don't know.
I've got to be going.
Thanks for the coffee.
Well,
thanks for the company and the help.
Hey, would you like to have a drink
together one of these nights?
Yeah, sure.
Good.
We'll get together.
Um... Thanks again.
Just to take back to their nests.
With their scissor-like jaws,
they easily cut the leaves
to manageable size.
But some skill is needed
for the next stage,
and the leaf is hoisted in position
for the journey ahead.
For some, the
problem may be too much help.
For others, just a sudden puff of wind.
But they're the exceptions.
For most ants, it's only the first step
to the long trek back to the nest,
which may be 100 yards or more away.
They follow a chemical trail
laid down by the workers
that first scouted this tree,
so they seldom go astray.
God damn it!
It's got to stop.
It's got to stop doing this!
Sorry?
Um... It was open.
I thought I'd see
how you're feeling today.
Well,
why don't you try knocking next time?
Wait a minute.
I'm sorry, I'm really sorry.
Please, come in.
What's wrong, Paul?
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to yell at you.
You were yelling
before you even saw me.
Who were you yelling at?
You probably think I'm nuts.
I don't think anything.
Except I'd like to help you if I can.
Why?
Does it matter?
Well, there's nothing to help.
It's just dreams.
Bad dreams.
You were having a dream
a few minutes ago?
Yeah, I fell asleep.
It's terrible.
I have terrible dreams.
I guess it takes a while
for me to get over them
when I wake up.
Do you always have bad dreams?
Do you always ask so many questions?
Only when I'm concerned about someone.
I'm sorry.
I'm real touchy right now.
Oh.
I'd better go.
Thank you for dropping by.
It does mean something.
Please, don't be angry with me.
I'm not angry with you.
If you need anything, don't hesitate.
Noooooo!
Damn you!
Damn you!
I'm not gonna let you keep haunting me.
I'm not gonna let you tear me apart!
Get out!
Paul, are you okay?
You look like you've been worked over
by Hell's Angels.
I've been...
Sick.
Paul, we haven't heard from you
in three days.
Didn't you think we would notice?
Besides, the lab has practically
shut down without you.
Those kids don't know
what they're doing.
Three days?
Yeah, three days.
Have you been drinking?
Jack,
you know damn well I am not a drunk.
Yeah, I know.
I know.
Well,
why didn't you ever answer the phone?
Or at least call in?
You've called here?
About 20 times.
I finally decided to come by
and see if you were still alive.
You look like you're in bad shape.
Have you seen a doctor?
No.
I don't need to see a doctor.
I'm just...
Bennet's been on my ass.
He thinks you've left the country.
Defected or something.
I can't keep him
off your back much longer.
I really appreciate the help, Jack.
Could you stick with it a few more days
until I can lick this?
Well, do you know what it is
you're trying to beat?
Not really.
Rll get over it.
It's just some kind of a bug.
I didn't realize how long
it had been, though.
All right.
I'll work on it.
I think I can tame
the old cat for a while.
Well, I'll let you get some rest.
You look like you need it.
Call me tomorrow.
Thanks.
Ill see you later, Paul.
Ya. Ya. Ya. Ya.
Hi.
I thought you wouldn't show.
Of course I'd show.
I had to get out of the apartment.
Still having bad dreams?
I don't know, Crystal.
Yeah, I guess so.
Try to forget about them for a while.
They've got you really tense.
Soak up the atmosphere.
This place has lots of it.
I always seem to relax
the minute I step in here.
Why are you so interested in me?
You carried my rocker.
I consider that a very personal favor.
Are you this paranoid with everyone,
or is it just me?
No, no, I'm not paranoid.
I'm just... curious.
I don't know.
Maybe it was a dumb question.
What's wrong, Paul?
It's not just bad dreams.
There's something else.
Why do you Say that?
How do you know?
You don't even know me.
I know when a person
is anxious about something.
I know when someone's on the edge.
Let's just drop it, okay?
Maybe.
Maybe you want to know too much.
I guess you're right.
I am too nosy.
I'm sorry.
What's so funny?
Me.
I can't figure it.
I-I like you.
I did the moment I saw you,
but I'm always yelling at you.
No, you're not.
Normally, when you yell at a stranger,
they tell you to go to hell,
but not you.
Maybe I'm not that much of a stranger.
You are an unusual man,
but I like the unusual.
You have a bit of the lost
little boy in you too.
That's not an insult.
Just one of the things that struck me.
Have you ever thought about
getting involved in psychology?
I've played with it.
You have to when you deal with men.
Oh.
I know.
You probably say the same
thing about women, but it's true.
The game gets a little complicated
every now and then,
so it helps to know exactly
what kinds of pieces are involved.
Take you and me, for example.
~ Consider seeing a real psychologist ~
But in the meantime, I'd just like
you to know that
I'd like to be your friend.
And I'd like to do
anything I can to help you.
Paul?
Paul?
Paul?
I hope I'm not boring you,
you must have slipped off or some...
I'm scared, Crystal.
I am really scared.
Something's happening.
What is, Paul?
Tell me, please.
Everything's... I don't know, I...
I don't...
Everything's becoming strange.
I can't relax anymore.
I have always got to be on my guard,
always waiting.
And it's horrible, so horrible.
What is, Paul?
What's horrible?
The things I see,
the things I feel, it's insane.
You think you're going crazy?
- You're not going...
- YES!
No.
No.
No, not me.
It's not me.
I am not going crazy.
It's outside of me.
But it is trying to get inside.
It is trying to make me crazy.
What are you talking about, Paul?
What is it?
Ever since the accident...
It's been all around me,
no matter what I do.
I keep seeing him, the man in the car.
Is he doing something to you?
Is he the one you're talking about?
No, he's dead.
I thought you said no one was killed
in the accident.
I did.
I took him to my apartment.
He died there?
No.
I don't know.
He was gone.
Just gone.
And then...
I really don't understand you, Paul.
This accident's done something to you.
That I know.
Whatever you feel is overcoming you,
you can fight it.
You can keep control.
You've just got to realize
that it's in you.
And you can control it.
No, it's not me.
And there's nothing I can do.
I keep trying, but it just gets worse.
It won't leave me alone.
Paul, you can't...
you can't let whatever you're feeling
swallow you like this.
Think.
What is it that's making you afraid?
Is it guilt?
Whatever it is, look at it directly.
Look at yourself.
Always keep that.
Look at who you are.
You can't let yourself get lost.
You don't understand.
You can't.
I want to.
I want to help you.
I want to do anything I can.
I think you need someone right now.
I've got to go.
Let me come with you.
Let me stay with you a while.
I can... I can ease the fear a little.
At least you can talk to me.
No.
You're beautiful,
and I thank you for trying.
But I've got to do this myself.
I can't trust myself anymore.
I don't know what's going to happen.
Let me settle this.
I'll call you soon,
when things are better.
Paul?
Paul?
All that we see or seem, is...
but a dream within a dream.
A dream within a dream.
A dream within a dream.
What do you want from me?
What the hell are you doing to me?
You're killing me.
You are destroying my mind.
I can't trust anything anymore.
You have taken everything
away from me and left me alone.
I've got to stop you.
To hold on.
You must stop.
Go back to the hell you came from.
Go back and leave me alone.
Who are you?
Who the hell are you?
God.
Paul, are you all right?
You've got to help me.
I can't fight anymore.
I can't stop it.
I'm here, Paul.
Ril help you.
Just tell me what to do.
The jar.
We've got to kill it.
I can't do it alone.
Not alone.
You're not alone, Paul.
What about the jar?
I really need someone.
Help me.
It's okay.
Everything is okay.
There's nothing to be afraid of here.
Paul?
Paul, it's Jack.
Come on, Paul.
Darkness.