The Mistress (2022) Movie Script
Thank you so much.
Good luck.
Bye.
- Bonne chance.
- Thank you.
Stop!
Hi. Yeah.
Stop.
Oh, my God.
Argh!
One second.
- I love it.
- Yeah.
Oh, I got it.
Thank you.
A little tip for the guys.
Parker,
I need your help with something.
Coming.
Ready? One, two, three.
Ooh. Ah. Yes.
Oh, my God. Parker.
Hi. I'm Dawn. I live next door.
Oh, my God. You scared us.
Sorry, your door is open.
I just wanted to be the first
to welcome you.
There, Birds of Paradise.
I picked them myself.
Oh, how sweet. I'm Madeline.
This is my husband.
It still feels so weird
to say that.
We just got married.
Oh, my God.
That's great. Congrats.
- I'm Parker.
- Who is this
- little guy?
- That's Rambo.
Rambo?
Like Sylvester Stallone, right?
What? No. Like the French poet.
Are you a photographer?
I saw your equipment.
That's just a hobby.
Well, if you ever need
a model...
- Make yourself at home.
- Uh, Parker's a writer,
actually.
He's on the best-sellers list.
Was. For nonfiction.
Oh, all right. What's the book?
It's called Back to Normal.
It's a story about a war vet
with PTSD coming home.
I'm a writer, too.
I have a blog.
I love this house.
It is so gorgeous.
You know, if you ever need
any help decorating,
I have an incredible eye.
I've designed, like,
all my friends' houses.
That's so sweet.
My mom is a decorator, actually.
She's gonna be
flying in from Seattle
in a little bit, so.
- We're good.
- Do you guys have kids?
- No, God, no.
- Not yet.
Well, I'm really good
at babysitting,
and I'm practically
a full-time babysitter
when Kristoff is in town,
because his whole band
- is a bunch of babies.
- Oh, wow.
So we have rock stars
living next door.
Oh, hardly.
They tour in a Dodge van
with carpeting on the ceiling,
but I am in
their latest music video,
and I designed all the costumes,
so you should
really check it out.
Oh, you know, uh, that's funny,
because Madeline's
a costume designer.
What? That's crazy.
We have so much in common.
Do you play?
Uh, it came with the house,
actually.
I write music.
Oh, my God.
- She does it all.
- Yeah.
- A real triple-threat.
- Yeah.
I write lyrics and I sing.
I don't play any instruments
or anything, but I do have
some demos on my blog.
And you can read
my writing there, too.
It's dawn of time.com. Like, Dawn.
- Dawnoftime...
- Great.
.Com. We will definitely
check that out.
Do you think it's haunted?
I think all houses are haunted...
Madeline is a little sensitive.
- To some extent.
- About the H-word.
Oh, why? It can be a good thing.
Ghosts can be friendly, too,
you know.
Plus, I am very connected
to the spirit world,
and this place.
Of course she is.
There's some really good energy.
Have you guys met Dorothy, yet?
- Dorothy?
- Dorothy?
Yeah, she runs
like the Historical Society
or something.
She knows everything
about these old houses.
Well, we will have to meet her.
Uh, Dawn,
um, not to be rude, but we have
a lot of unpacking to do.
Yeah. But thank you so much
for stopping by.
And thank you
for the beautiful flowers.
Oh, my God. You guys,
I'm so excited that you're here.
Seriously, I am starved for...
Human connection,
so we will have to have a drink
to celebrate you
she's friendly. Bye.
Bye.
She is not modeling for you.
Dessert.
Thank you.
You know,
I took lessons as a kid.
Were you any good?
Oh, it broke my mother's heart
when she realized
I had no talent.
My dad used to say the piano
ain't got no wrong notes.
- That's Monk.
- What?
That's Thelonious Monk.
He said that.
Well, they were both wrong.
The faster her fingers flew
over the keys,
- the more he marveled.
- Is that Monk, too?
No, that's Flaubert,
from Madame Bovary.
Well, did Madame Bovary
play this?
Shit. Ah.
Jesus.
You got to see this.
What is it?
- It was in the attic.
- Whoa.
- Oh, my gosh.
- You know what this is?
Did they leave this here?
This is a plate camera.
These things
are worth a fortune.
I mean, this could be
the original owner's.
This is amazing.
Do you think it still works?
We'll find out.
- By the way...
- Yeah.
We have squatters.
- What?
- Rats.
What?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Hey, Parker. It's Rob.
Uh, I'm just calling
to check with you
how the writing's going.
Give me a call.
Hi, Parker.
This is a Frida Richmond.
I haven't heard from you
in a while.
Give me a call
when you get a chance.
Thank you.
Jesus Christ.
You said you quit.
What?
You smell like smoke.
You know I need your sperm
nicotine-free, right?
It's no secret, Parker.
We've been married a month.
And now you're gonna be
baby-crazy?
I'm not baby-crazy
just because I want kids.
Kids? Kids?
How much kids?
How many of these things
do you want?
Start with one,
and see how it goes.
God. I wonder who she was.
Do you realize
we are the first people
to see this, ever,
in the history of the universe.
I mean, this thing has to be
a hundred years old.
Older.
I mean, look at the dress.
That's the turn-of-the-century.
- I have one just like it.
- Uh-hmm.
Rob.
They paid you in advance.
Apparently,
it was more like milk money.
And you are behind.
Hey, look, they want something.
Can you give them something?
Rob, I'm at the mercy of a...
Of a very unreliable subject
who keeps blowing me off.
Well, maybe this guy is not
the right guy.
There is no other guy.
Look, I'll get you
something soon.
Trust me.
Look, I'm not gonna lie,
they are concerned...
Where are you off to?
I'm meeting my guy.
So it's finally happening.
Meeting's out of this...
At this, uh, donut shop
in, uh, MacArthur Park.
He calls it his office.
You gonna be okay?
You know
I'm a little freaked out.
Oh, come on.
Just take an edible
or drink something to relax.
- I'll see you soon.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
- I love you.
I love you, too.
Come on.
Okay. Easy.
The Carole King, Burt Bacharach,
or Nyro,
Marvin Hamlisch, Jimmy Webb.
It's, uh, Dylan, Springsteen,
that's a very anemic list
that you have there.
Well, you know...
Yeah, I'm surprised
you left yourself off of it.
He's that humble.
- You got it all...
- What about The Beatles?
Who are you?
I thought you were
having a party.
No, no, no.
No, this is, uh, it's a little
housewarming thing.
It's just a couple of friends.
Um, this is Dawn, she's... um,
she lives next door.
She's, uh, kind of
the neighborhood
welcoming committee.
- Uh-hmm. Okay.
- This is Rob, he's my agent.
I'm off the clock, just Rob.
Hi, Just Rob.
Just Rob. That's Davey.
Davey Burt,
the famous songwriter.
- That's me.
- Yeah.
Your song Remember When is one
of my favorite songs ever.
Come on, kid.
You don't know Remember When.
- No, I'm serious.
- How old are you?
- Very rude.
- How old are you?
Girl, I can't over this house.
How many bedrooms?
Three bedrooms.
One of them is Parker's
office, though,
and the other one
is a guest room.
You mean the nursery?
We'll see.
Well, girl, you got to do it
before you're 40.
Jesus.
Are you a fertility expert?
All I'm saying is now
you can scrap your backup plan.
I mean, what are you gonna do
with all those eggs you froze?
Make a $14,000 omelet?
God, he's playing.
- Oh, let's go see.
- Come on.
Yeah.
Great.
Seriously?
They gave you
a big advance on the book.
- How's it going?
- Slow start.
This move has been sucking
all the life out of me.
But I finally met
with my subject.
Cool.
And, man,
his stories are amazing.
Where do you find these guys?
It's like you're a...
You're a magnet for seriously
damaged individuals.
Well, the stories
that have to be told by someone.
Boys, boys, boys.
Hey.
- What a fun night.
- You leaving?
Yeah. Got to go.
Got to go walk Rambo.
But seriously, incredible party.
Iconic.
- And you...
- Hey.
- What a freaking legend.
- You're the legend.
You killed it.
You killed it on that piano.
Ooh. Ooh.
And by the way, that guy,
Rob, your agent,
I think he's gonna sign me.
So thanks.
- Night.
- Let's do this again.
Sooner than later.
It's a nice neighborhood.
Who was that?
What? Oh. Nothing.
Nothing.
Why do you look like
you just shit your pants?
Hey.
Can I tell you something?
Yeah, of course.
I know that you were friends
with Maddy before me
but I feel like we've gotten
pretty close.
I mean, you're, like,
my only friend now.
Go. Give it.
All right.
There's... uh,
all right.
So before Maddy,
there was this woman.
It didn't last long,
just a few dates,
but it did not end well.
- Hmm, does it ever?
- No, I'm serious.
This was really, really bad.
I mean,
it started with phone calls
and then...
And then nonstop texting,
and so I changed
my number, right?
But she finds a way around that.
And then one night,
I see her sitting
outside of my apartment
in her car just waiting.
- No.
- Yeah.
So, uh, I mean, I call the cops.
But by the time they get there,
she's gone.
And this keeps happening
every night for weeks
and the cops start thinking
that I'm nuts.
Yeah.
But one night, I come home,
and she's there in my apartment,
hiding under my bed.
Jesus Christ.
So, yeah, they finally
lock her up on the 5150.
- Do you know what that is?
- No.
It's where they can keep you
at a psych ward for 72 hours.
They end up keeping her
for a month.
- Fuck.
- Yeah.
So I got a restraining order
and last I heard,
um, she had moved away
some place.
Look, you cannot mention this
to Janine, please?
- So Maddy doesn't know?
- No, she knows about her.
She just doesn't know that I...
That what?
I think she might be back.
Oh, I love your neighbor.
She's, uh, really talented.
Jesus Christ.
It's like being
in a beating heart.
That's the idea.
Yeah.
So, uh, look, uh,
I know this isn't the time
or the place
and you already got a wife,
so you don't need malice
in your house.
Rob.
This is the best thing
I've ever written.
Just give me a week.
Hey, I want a tour!
I got to go anyways.
All right. I'll call you.
- Okay.
- All right.
This is the money shot.
It's pretty good, right?
Man,
I'd love to get Janine up here.
I don't think
we're -for live sex shows,
but you can work on... ow!
This house,
things just keeps falling apart.
Shit, man.
There's something in there.
Careful.
There's black widows
around here.
Ah! Shit!
You're an idiot.
Got ya.
No, for real, man,
there was a box in here.
What?
What the?
We keep finding all these
weird stuff in this house.
What is it?
Letters, man.
There's like fucking
50 of them in here,
all to William.
"My dear sweet William."
A mere minute has passed
since you kissed me good night
and the scent of bay rum
"fills my nostrils
and clouds my mind."
Juicy stuff.
Like the Victorian Penthouse
forum.
Wait a minute. Who's William?
The guy who built this house,
his name was William Woodruff.
- What?
- Okay.
Well, keep reading.
Um, okay.
"You erupt a passion in me
that rivals Vesuvius.
Is that a metaphor
for an orgasm?
- I love them.
- Uh-hmm.
"Though our lives
are oceans apart,
I'm drawn to you
like a ship to a lighthouse.
As if our souls
are destined to unite.
Oh, William,
I need not food nor water
if I can just
taste your lips again.
Until then,
"your thirsty flower, Rebecca."
That was pretty deep.
Hmm.
Way to go, William.
They're love letters.
You never wrote me
any love letters.
And you know what?
Dick pics don't count.
Oh, for William?
Oh, shit.
I forgot your housewarming gift.
- Ay, you didn't get a us gift?
- I did.
Stick that on.
I'm really -
to be in this house...
- It's working.
- Oh, no. It's good.
Try... where is the...
I think it's this.
How much do you think
this thing is.
It's on.
In the shell of the pines,
sung by Artemis
in his own record.
I'm up for a job.
Oh, yeah?
Mercedes commercial.
Money's good,
but it's creative death.
Creativity is overrated.
Take your money and run.
I think we should read
one per night.
Maybe like little cliffhangers,
like those novels
written in letters,
what are they called?
Epistolary.
I can't wait to show my mom.
She's gonna be so excited.
I mean, can you believe
we found these?
How cool.
How long ago
would they have been written?
Oh, this would make
a great podcast.
I can totally imagine it on NPR.
What do you think?
Hello?
What?
What are you doing?
What's wrong?
Nothing. I'm, uh, gonna lock up.
Okay.
And you think I'm paranoid?
I always sleep
with a baseball bat
next to the bed.
It's a... yeah, force of habit.
What?
I've got a meeting
early in the morning.
- Okay.
- I'm gonna get some sleep.
Okay.
I love you.
I love you, too.
"My dear William,"
love is like a wave
lapping at the shore.
It hits the sand
only to roll back into the sea.
But when it finds
another's love,
the waters meet and mix,
and become one deep ocean.
And if I cut open a vein,
you would flow out.
In my heart,
I know you feel the same.
May the walls
that keep us apart, crumble.
"Your floating flower, Rebecca."
Back a little bit.
Right there.
Perfect.
Oh, my God.
That corset really does
a number on your back.
Hmm, it feels good.
Hey, what do you think she means
"the walls that keep us apart?"
Walls of society?
Um, I mean, they're Victorian.
It wasn't easy to date
back then.
I think it's a metaphor.
I think she means
something else.
Hey, why did you stop?
- Call 911.
- What?
Maddy, just do it! Call 911!
- Call 911!
- What?
Stay there!
911,
what's your emergency, please?
Uh, we have a swing out back,
she was sitting on that,
- and then she disappeared.
- Disappeared?
- Like a ghost?
- No. What?
No.
Uh, I just lost sight of her.
And you called 911 for...
He had a stalker.
What?
It was a year ago.
Okay.
He has a restraining order.
Was it her?
I don't know.
I couldn't see her face.
Did you see her?
You have the restraining order?
I do. Yes. It's in my office.
Hang on. If you can't
ID her, it's no use.
What's her name?
Gina Santorelli.
Tell you what.
We'll cruise around,
check the neighborhood.
That's all we can do.
Probably a drunk girl
from the bars.
- Was it her?
- I don't know.
I feel sick.
I'm sorry.
How could you not know
she was crazy?
You know how PTSD works?
It's a slow cooker.
It's like a tumor.
It festers inside of you
for months, sometimes years.
Sometimes you don't even
notice it.
But when you finally do,
it's just too late.
It's taken root
and it eats you alive.
I thought I could leave that
all behind.
And that this could be
a fresh start.
It is.
It is.
For both of us.
You think I don't have
my fair share of trauma?
Try being a Black woman
in this world.
I've been screwed and gas lit
so many times I could light up
the street.
But we're together now.
Nothing's gonna change that.
Parker?
Are you down there?
Can you come to bed?
The storm is freaking me out.
Please?
I'll be right up.
The usual.
Thanks.
Rob, I was just gonna call you.
Please tell me you have
something.
My guy is finally
coming through.
I have the first 30 pages.
Oh, thank fucking God.
When can you get them to me?
I'll call you later, all right?
I can make double.
All right. See ya. Bye.
Hi, Parker.
This is Frida Richmond again.
I don't know if you're
out-of-town or what.
But I really do need
to speak to you.
Call me. Thank you.
Dear William by
sheer fate of serendipity,
I saw you today.
As I bought oranges from
the farmers on Bunker Hill,
I spotted your high head
above the crowd.
Imagine my surprise
to see you back
from San Francisco.
In my excitement,
I nearly screamed out your name,
and how scandalous that
I wore the very dress
you bought me
with the lovely embroidery.
It's no wonder you enjoy
clothing me
when faced with her
matronly form.
Poor dear, child-rearing
has taken its toll.
But I am all yours, William,
even if you are only half mine.
Your patient flower Rebecca.
You guys.
William is having an affair.
The walls that keep us apart.
Come on.
That is his wife, his child.
Rebecca, mistress.
Okay. First of all,
William is a player.
This isn't gonna end well.
She's wearing the dress
that he bought her
who just happens to see him?
They saw each other at a market.
He doesn't write her back.
He doesn't tell her
- he's in town?
- No, no.
I'm with Davey. I'm with Davey.
- She's a stalker.
- I think that's your modern
- cynicism you're putting on it.
- It's not cynicism, man.
- This is not a coincidence.
- He could write her.
He could tell her that
he doesn't wanna be with her.
He's not. So it seems
like he's egging her on.
Parker's right. She's clearly
young and vulnerable.
He should communicate.
Okay. Guys, guys,
I hate to break it to you,
but our dear, sweet Rebecca
is bat-shit crazy.
I got to take a leak.
Oh, me too.
- I'll go upstairs.
- No, no. Hey, I got it.
Look, I need the exercise.
She's crazy.
I mean, this shit's crazy.
Literally.
I mean, she got nice penmanship.
Oh, God. I need a drink.
Hello?
Oh, my God, Davey.
- Oh, my God.
- Parker,
- What happened?
- Call an ambulance.
Call 911. Call 911. Davey.
- Davey, wake up!
- Janine, no, no, no.
Oh, my God.
I don't know if he's breathing.
Okay. He's still breathing.
- It's gonna be okay.
- Davey, wake up!
911, what's your emergency?
- Davey!
- Okay.
Well, keep us updated, okay?
Okay. Good night.
Davey's still in the hospital.
They're keeping him overnight.
Is he gonna be okay?
Take one of these.
- Oh, what is this?
- An Ambien.
It'll help you sleep, okay?
There you go.
Those stairs are treacherous.
We'll do something about that.
Okay.
I love you.
I love you.
Come.
I'm not crazy.
This can't be real.
This can't be...
This can't be real.
I'm starving.
Will you make me a sandwich?
What do I look like
a maid? I'll help you.
- Whatever.
- We'll make the man a sandwich.
He's bruised and grumpy, so...
I love you.
Man, you scared the hell
out of us.
Mankind
is waiting for the Messiah,
but for the German,
the Messiah
is not the Prince of Peace.
Look, man, I know I'm not the
most credible witness right now,
but fuck I swear to God,
something...
Another Hitler.
Hit me.
Davey, I mean you just
took a really bad fall.
I did not fall on my own.
I think she was in your house.
- Who?
- What do you mean who?
Your stalker.
You need... you need to go
back there right now.
You need... you need to check
everything top,
top to bottom. Goddamn it, man.
Fuck it. I hope it's...
I hope it's not true, but here.
Get this.
Help me.
Give me the box.
- What the hell is that?
- It's a .9 millimeter.
- Take it.
- No. No, no, no,
- I'm not taking a gun.
- What if I'm right?
What if there was someone
in your house?
What if there's still
somebody in your house?
You got to go look.
Okay. Look, man, Janine said I
have to stay awake for 24 hours.
That's a perfect excuse
for Maddy to stay here.
Protect your family.
Dear William,
last night I stood outside
your house.
A lamp burned in your study,
and I knew you were awake.
I could have rung your bell,
my fingers just inches from it.
You would have
answered the door,
your wife being fast asleep.
You would have seen my face,
and I yours.
And you would've been
unpardonably furious with me.
In that tempestuous moment
I could've sabotaged
all that is dear to me
for the mere sake of having
your attention for a moment.
Why do you not respond?
My desperation is your making...
Rebecca.
It's just so sad.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I saw your lights were on.
I thought you were maybe
- having another party, are you?
- No.
Were you doing anything fun?
I mean I'm a little...
A little busy right now.
Listen, my plans fell through
and I cannot find my corkscrew
and I hate to drink alone.
Is there any chance you wanna
just have a drink with me?
I will seriously wither away
and die in my apartment.
Like, I will be done tomorrow
if you don't hang out with me.
I need to hang out with someone.
- Okay. Come on in.
- Okay.
Thanks.
Madeline's staying
with some friends tonight.
I was just gonna do some work.
Oh, do you want me to open that?
Only if you're gonna drink it.
All right.
I could use something stiffer.
I would love something stiff.
Oops, that didn't sound right.
I will have
whatever you're having.
- Bourbon okay?
- Bourbon's beautiful.
Thanks.
Here's looking at you, kid.
That's from Casablanca.
It's an old movie.
Do you ever wonder
what it will be like to,
like, live in black and white?
I think about it all the time.
It's so much more glamorous.
I love your records.
You should put one on.
Where did you get the furniture?
Oh, I don't know, wherever.
I read your book.
You did?
Wow.
I cried.
It was heartbreaking, beautiful.
Thank you.
Um, so why is it a bad time?
What?
You said it was a bad time, why?
Oh, it's a long story.
You can tell me anything,
you know.
I can keep a secret.
Do you ever wonder
where you went wrong in life?
Like, if you could go back
to that moment
where you went off the rails
and just fix it?
If I had to live
my whole life over again,
I'd make all the same mistakes
only sooner,
Tallulah Bankhead said that.
She's an actress.
So, what's your moment?
I was 12,
hanging out with some friends,
throwing eggs at cars
from an overpass down
to the freeway.
And this kid,
Derrick Bush,
he picks up this big rock
and he dares me to throw it off.
And I said no.
But he had bought my burger
that day
and he said if I did it then
I didn't have to pay him back.
So I did.
It went through a windshield
and the guy skid off the side
of the road and into a tree.
I can still remember that sound.
It was like a plane crash,
like a bomb going off.
And that was it.
And we, um
we ran away and we never spoke
about it ever again
until now.
Kids do stupid shit.
It's the way with kids.
Was the guy okay?
So, yeah, if I could go back,
I would pay for my own lunch.
If I could go back, I would just
give that little boy a hug.
I bet that's all he needed.
I have to tell you something,
I'm not
very good with temptation.
Neither am I.
I'll be right back.
Okay.
Hello?
Parker?
Hey.
What are you doing here?
You see, I've never been good
with temptation
because I've never been good
with women,
which is why... Dawn?
Hello?
Dawn?
No, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Oh, no.
Oh, fuck, fuck.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
911, what's your emergency?
You've ruined my life.
Dear, sweet Parker.
I am your life.
What the fuck, Parker?
At least I'm not hiding it.
Where's the pack?
Give them to me.
Madeline, I had
a really bad night.
I don't wanna fucking hear it.
You told me you quit.
This stops now.
What is this?
She was in our house, Parker.
Oh, no.
No!
I can't live like this.
You said she was gone.
She's in our fucking house.
Call the police.
I want her arrested.
You started this.
You have to fucking stop it!
Call the police, Parker!
Oh, my God.
It's gorgeous.
Just leave them right here.
Honey.
Hey, Mom.
Hello, Parker.
Give me a hug. Darling.
You guys,
look at it.
I was sandwiched
between these two big goons.
Of course, it was big
as Volkswagens.
And they were spreading
like they were giving birth.
And then... oh, God!
The taxi smelled
like a slaughterhouse
and I had my head outside
like a Saint Bernard.
Oh, wonderful.
It's like you guys
have been living here for years.
Oh, I have so many ideas.
You know, I wanna go
to every antique shop
and flea market in town.
I mean, I think we should
go easy on the Victorian stuff
and sort of mix in some
mid-century... you know.
We don't want the house
to look like a museum,
or haunted, or worse,
like some old maid
lives here with her cats.
Where's the bathroom?
Oh, it's just through,
just through there.
Huh. Oh! The piano.
Everybody should have a piano
in their house
even if you play like Maddy.
You never know,
Herbie Hancock
could come over for dinner.
I'm gonna put
your bags upstairs.
Oh. Thank you, Parker.
I can't believe I forgot
she was coming.
She can't know
about any of this.
- Maddy.
- As soon as we leave...
- Maddy, we don't know...
- call the fucking police.
- We don't know if it was her.
- And have her arrested.
- The door was open.
- Or to press charges.
- It could have been anyone.
- We know who...
You know damn well who it was.
You know,
I was thinking, we should hit
the flea market on Melrose.
You know the one
by the high school?
Is it Melrose?
Yeah. Yeah.
We can do that.
Because I think
we've missed the Rose Bowl.
I think that's only
in the morning.
Yeah.
Licorice. Did you know
that licorice can kill you?
Did you know that? It's deadly.
It can give you heart failure.
Parker, don't eat licorice.
Oh, Parker's got enough
bad habits.
You're not still smoking,
are you?
He quit. Right, honey?
How's your book coming, Parker?
Good.
Yeah, it's coming along.
You're not gonna write something
depressing, are you?
I mean, why don't you write
something uplifting?
You'll probably get paid more.
Mom?
She's probably right, but
it's like they say,
write what you know.
Do you know how hard it is
to get published, Mom?
Parker's on the bestseller's
list.
I know. I read it.
It was wonderful.
It was depressing as hell.
Parker does his interviews
at a donut shop.
Really?
It costs me
an egg and cheese sandwich
and a chocolate
old-fashioned, but
his stories are spectacular.
And he's not depressed
or depressing.
He's...
In fact, he's funny and clever.
And he lives in a tent
under the freeway
and he dumpster-dives
for his food.
But he still manages to find
beauty and humor in life.
Uplifting enough for you?
William
your wife
and daughter left earlier
than usual this morning,
nearly discovered me.
Look how the little one bares
your countenance.
Do you stay at the office
so late
because you dread
returning to your wife's side?
Is the thought of sharing a bed
with that frump so repugnant
that you remain in your study
till dawn?
"We too shared a bed together,
William."
And as I now carry the burden
of our imprudence,
the burden that will one day
also bare your countenance.
You must know that I cannot
endure this alone.
Rebecca.
"My God, she's pregnant."
Oh, my God. I can't believe it.
We have to read another one.
No! One per day.
That's the rule.
Hey.
Wake up. Get downstairs.
What?
This is my husband, Parker.
- Have you seen Dawn?
- Excuse me?
I'm sorry to bother you, sir.
Do you know Dawn Spooner?
I didn't know her last name,
but yeah, we know her.
How well do you know her?
Not very well.
We just moved in, so barely.
Why... what's this about?
Dawn's missing!
- Who are you?
- I'm Kristoff.
I'm Dawn's boyfriend.
I just got back from tour
and the place
is a fucking pigsty.
All right. All right.
Take it easy.
We're asking the neighbors
if they've seen her.
Um, yeah. I mean,
we usually see her
walking around, walking her dog.
Did you see her this morning
- or yesterday?
- I'm telling you, man.
She's been gone for days.
The place is covered
- in dog shit.
- Sir, do you mind
if I do my job?
When did you see her last?
Two, three days.
- I don't know.
- You see? That was days.
He just said days.
Did you notice anything
out of the ordinary?
- Like what?
- Was she acting strange?
Maybe she got into a car?
I mean, she's just strange
in general
but no, nothing like that.
- Maybe she left town.
- No. No.
She wouldn't leave
without the mutt.
She left her cell phone
and ID behind,
that's why we think
she might still be in the area.
Well, have you tried these?
Because they're all over
the place.
Though... those just point
at our property though.
All right. Can you think
of anything else?
Even the smallest thing
might help.
Okay. There is something. Um
someone broke into our house
- yesterday.
- What?
They didn't... they didn't
really break in.
- The doors were wide open.
- Were you robbed?
No. They just vandalized
- a few things.
- You were vandalized?
- You left the doors open?
- Mom?
- Did you report it?
- Yes. Yeah. I called.
Did you check the footage?
I mean, we could
but they've been down
for a while now.
I need a new wire.
I have a guy coming out
to fix that.
Okay. If you think
of anything else,
you give us a call, okay?
- Okay.
- I'm sure she'll show up.
Come on.
You we're vandalized?
- Mom.
- You left your doors open?
- Mom.
- This is Los Angeles.
This isn't Iowa.
- It wasn't her?
- Who was it?
- She didn't do this.
- Then who was it?
Honey, you just have
to trust me, it wasn't her.
What is going on, Parker?
- It wasn't her.
- What is happening
in this house?
There's a law.
If a seller doesn't disclose
- that a house is haunted...
- Maddy.
They have to give you
your money back.
- Don't be ridiculous.
- It's true. Look it up.
Even if a house has a reputation
of being haunted,
- they have to tell you.
- Houses are not haunted.
Okay?
She wants you.
He's gonna get you too.
She's gonna get you, Parker.
No!
- Hello?
- Out of the park.
- I fucking love it.
- What?
The pages, you weren't wrong.
The best thing
that you have ever written.
I'm totally blown away.
This guy is amazing.
Who the hell is he?
Not now! I'm working!
Hey. Don't yell at me!
- I need to work!
- I don't care.
Don't ever yell at me.
Sorry.
Parker, what's wrong with you?
You can't hide it anymore.
It's like I'm breathing
in your stress.
I can smell it on your breath.
It is heavy and it's scary,
and you're not talking to me.
I can't.
We're supposed to be a team.
You're right.
It is this house.
What?
I tried to keep it from you,
but I can't anymore.
Terrible things happened here.
Why would you say that?
Maddy, I just wanted
to protect you.
What the fuck are you talking
about, Parker?
He moved the house.
He moved this house.
- William. He moved this whole...
- What? Who moved this house?
- Goddamn house to get away...
- Parker?
- From her.
- Okay.
- But she found them, okay?
- I don't know what you're...
Shh. Shh. She found them.
She found them
and she killed them.
- Parker?
- She killed him.
She killed her.
She killed her little...
Why are you saying these things?
- She killed their daughter.
- Now you're scaring me!
- Maddy, Rebecca killed them!
- Stop!
Maddy!
We've got a lot to do. Let's go!
Tell me this didn't happen.
Come on, honey. Let's...
I'm coming!
How do you know this?
She told me.
She doesn't want us
to be together.
Who?
Parker, who?
He couldn't get away from her
and I don't think we can either.
Grab my pocketbook.
- I left it on the bed.
- We're moving.
We're leaving this fucking
house.
We are getting the hell
- outta here.
- She'll just find us.
We're gonna get our money back
and we are leaving
this fucking house.
Your money.
No. No.
No. Stop.
Please. Stop.
You don't have to do this.
You don't... shh.
You can have me, okay?
You can have me.
I'll never leave you.
Just don't hurt her.
I never wanted to hurt anyone.
I just want you.
You have me.
Parker?
No!
Hi. Leave a message
but not too long.
Hi, Mom. I'm just checking in.
Just give me a call
whenever you get a chance, okay?
Let's get the extras on the set.
Extras, this way. Last looks!
You reached Parker Brooks.
Please leave a message.
Yes?
Hi. Are you Dorothy?
Ah, the Woodruff's house
has always been a favorite.
True Queen Anne.
They called it
the house from Angels Flight.
Why Angels Flight?
Because that's where
it was built,
on the top of Angels Flight.
And then they moved it.
So they really moved the house?
Uh-hmm. In 1901,
they used draft horses.
Back then, it was very common
for people to move their homes.
Do you know why they moved it?
Oil.
They found oil on the property.
And suddenly, there were
just huge oil derricks
sprung up everywhere.
Look. This is the last photo
that was taken
of the house before they moved.
Old William just got
fed up with the view.
I think it was because
of a woman named Rebecca.
Do you know who she was?
Oh, they wrote a lot
of articles about her.
She was an orphan.
She was raised
in the house next to you.
She was half-Mexican
or Native American.
It's probably why
she was abandoned
in the first place. Poor thing.
She was really
a victim of her time.
A young,
unmarried woman in trouble,
that's how they used to say it.
She was pregnant.
But she managed to hide it
until she miscarried or,
in all probability,
she just aborted herself.
They found the remains
in the garbage incinerator.
And then she committed suicide.
You know, the newspapers
always love a good scandal.
There were rumors
that William Woodruff
was the father.
And that she was the mistress.
- But I just never believed it.
- They lied to us.
- I'm sorry?
- They have to tell you
bad things happen. Or else, I...
I never would have
bought the house.
Oh, this didn't
happen at your house.
No. I'm talking
about the murders!
- The murders?
- Yes.
His wife, his daughter.
Oh, honey,
nothing like that
ever happened at your house.
I mean, the Woodruffs
lived to be quite old,
and I actually saw the daughter.
She came to visit me
about 30 years ago.
She was in her 80s.
She was a very lovely woman.
Are you all right?
I'm...
I'm sorry. I have to go.
Oh, by the way.
Did you frame it?
The plate photo of Rebecca.
It's quite fragile.
If you frame it, it'll be safer.
How did you know
about the photo?
Your husband showed it to me.
Parker was here?
Uh-huh. The writer?
He came by after you moved here.
Very nice man.
You know,
he was actually just as taken
with Rebecca's story as you are.
I have to go.
Oh, my God.
Hi.
I'm looking for Parker Brooks.
Does he live here?
Why?
I'm Frida Richmond.
- Is he home?
- What's this about?
Well, it's a personal matter.
I'm his wife.
Oh. Well, may I see him?
When did you and Parker marry?
Um, September.
Oh, he didn't even
tell me he was engaged.
I'm sorry. Who are you?
I'm his counselor.
Um...
His appointed therapist?
Parker doesn't have a therapist.
I think I should speak to him.
I'm sorry. Will you just
will you please
just tell me what's going on?
He's missed several
months of appointments.
And that's a violation
of his court order.
You mean regarding his stalker?
Parker told you
he had a stalker?
Oh, my...
Madeline.
- I did not do this.
- Parker.
- What have you done?
- Listen to me.
- No.
- Wait. No! Stop! Stop!
Stop! Stop!
Listen to me! Listen to me!
- Please let me go!
- Maddy, you have to believe me.
- No.
- It wasn't me.
- No!
- Will you stop?
What are you doing?
- Somebody please help me!
- I told you.
Terrible things
happened in this house.
And they're still happening.
Why are you doing this?
Get away.
What are you doing?
- I'm not gonna hurt you.
- No!
I'm not gonna hurt you.
- I could never hurt you. Never.
- Please. Please stop, Parker!
Would you just listen to me?
Would you just listen?
Listen. Shh, shh, shh, shh.
You have to listen to me, Maddy.
It was her.
Rebecca did this.
She did all of this.
- No.
- Okay?
No! No!
Why are you running!
Would you just stop it!
- Goddammit!
- Get away from me!
I told you! Rebecca did this!
She did all this!
I tried to stop her!
Oh, my God.
People don't have
to exist to be real.
Pain is real.
Secrets are real.
I kept mine buried for too long.
And they festered.
And they grew inside of me.
No.
And they come out.
And they eat you alive.
Who are you?
The only way I can save you
is to be with her.
You're crazy!
Oh, no.
Help! Please!
Somebody help us!
Please help me!
Please help! Help!
Please!
Please! Please! Please!
I am not crazy.
Please. Please.
He belongs with me.
To My One True Love.
We all have secrets
we lock in the dark.
But when our secrets
become so vast,
so boundless,
they escape.
And send our very souls
into darkness.
Then secrets
become our only truth.
But alas, my love,
there are no secrets anymore.
And we are together as one.
And in this house,
we shall dwell.
Forever.
Hey, babe.
Look at this.
What? Get outta here.
- Yeah. It was in the attic.
- That's amazing.
It's beautiful.
- Movers are here.
- Yeah.
Hey.
What?
We did it.
New chapter.
Welcome home.
I wonder who she was.
Oh, can you put that
on the kitchen, please?
Thanks guys.
Good luck.
Bye.
- Bonne chance.
- Thank you.
Stop!
Hi. Yeah.
Stop.
Oh, my God.
Argh!
One second.
- I love it.
- Yeah.
Oh, I got it.
Thank you.
A little tip for the guys.
Parker,
I need your help with something.
Coming.
Ready? One, two, three.
Ooh. Ah. Yes.
Oh, my God. Parker.
Hi. I'm Dawn. I live next door.
Oh, my God. You scared us.
Sorry, your door is open.
I just wanted to be the first
to welcome you.
There, Birds of Paradise.
I picked them myself.
Oh, how sweet. I'm Madeline.
This is my husband.
It still feels so weird
to say that.
We just got married.
Oh, my God.
That's great. Congrats.
- I'm Parker.
- Who is this
- little guy?
- That's Rambo.
Rambo?
Like Sylvester Stallone, right?
What? No. Like the French poet.
Are you a photographer?
I saw your equipment.
That's just a hobby.
Well, if you ever need
a model...
- Make yourself at home.
- Uh, Parker's a writer,
actually.
He's on the best-sellers list.
Was. For nonfiction.
Oh, all right. What's the book?
It's called Back to Normal.
It's a story about a war vet
with PTSD coming home.
I'm a writer, too.
I have a blog.
I love this house.
It is so gorgeous.
You know, if you ever need
any help decorating,
I have an incredible eye.
I've designed, like,
all my friends' houses.
That's so sweet.
My mom is a decorator, actually.
She's gonna be
flying in from Seattle
in a little bit, so.
- We're good.
- Do you guys have kids?
- No, God, no.
- Not yet.
Well, I'm really good
at babysitting,
and I'm practically
a full-time babysitter
when Kristoff is in town,
because his whole band
- is a bunch of babies.
- Oh, wow.
So we have rock stars
living next door.
Oh, hardly.
They tour in a Dodge van
with carpeting on the ceiling,
but I am in
their latest music video,
and I designed all the costumes,
so you should
really check it out.
Oh, you know, uh, that's funny,
because Madeline's
a costume designer.
What? That's crazy.
We have so much in common.
Do you play?
Uh, it came with the house,
actually.
I write music.
Oh, my God.
- She does it all.
- Yeah.
- A real triple-threat.
- Yeah.
I write lyrics and I sing.
I don't play any instruments
or anything, but I do have
some demos on my blog.
And you can read
my writing there, too.
It's dawn of time.com. Like, Dawn.
- Dawnoftime...
- Great.
.Com. We will definitely
check that out.
Do you think it's haunted?
I think all houses are haunted...
Madeline is a little sensitive.
- To some extent.
- About the H-word.
Oh, why? It can be a good thing.
Ghosts can be friendly, too,
you know.
Plus, I am very connected
to the spirit world,
and this place.
Of course she is.
There's some really good energy.
Have you guys met Dorothy, yet?
- Dorothy?
- Dorothy?
Yeah, she runs
like the Historical Society
or something.
She knows everything
about these old houses.
Well, we will have to meet her.
Uh, Dawn,
um, not to be rude, but we have
a lot of unpacking to do.
Yeah. But thank you so much
for stopping by.
And thank you
for the beautiful flowers.
Oh, my God. You guys,
I'm so excited that you're here.
Seriously, I am starved for...
Human connection,
so we will have to have a drink
to celebrate you
she's friendly. Bye.
Bye.
She is not modeling for you.
Dessert.
Thank you.
You know,
I took lessons as a kid.
Were you any good?
Oh, it broke my mother's heart
when she realized
I had no talent.
My dad used to say the piano
ain't got no wrong notes.
- That's Monk.
- What?
That's Thelonious Monk.
He said that.
Well, they were both wrong.
The faster her fingers flew
over the keys,
- the more he marveled.
- Is that Monk, too?
No, that's Flaubert,
from Madame Bovary.
Well, did Madame Bovary
play this?
Shit. Ah.
Jesus.
You got to see this.
What is it?
- It was in the attic.
- Whoa.
- Oh, my gosh.
- You know what this is?
Did they leave this here?
This is a plate camera.
These things
are worth a fortune.
I mean, this could be
the original owner's.
This is amazing.
Do you think it still works?
We'll find out.
- By the way...
- Yeah.
We have squatters.
- What?
- Rats.
What?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Hey, Parker. It's Rob.
Uh, I'm just calling
to check with you
how the writing's going.
Give me a call.
Hi, Parker.
This is a Frida Richmond.
I haven't heard from you
in a while.
Give me a call
when you get a chance.
Thank you.
Jesus Christ.
You said you quit.
What?
You smell like smoke.
You know I need your sperm
nicotine-free, right?
It's no secret, Parker.
We've been married a month.
And now you're gonna be
baby-crazy?
I'm not baby-crazy
just because I want kids.
Kids? Kids?
How much kids?
How many of these things
do you want?
Start with one,
and see how it goes.
God. I wonder who she was.
Do you realize
we are the first people
to see this, ever,
in the history of the universe.
I mean, this thing has to be
a hundred years old.
Older.
I mean, look at the dress.
That's the turn-of-the-century.
- I have one just like it.
- Uh-hmm.
Rob.
They paid you in advance.
Apparently,
it was more like milk money.
And you are behind.
Hey, look, they want something.
Can you give them something?
Rob, I'm at the mercy of a...
Of a very unreliable subject
who keeps blowing me off.
Well, maybe this guy is not
the right guy.
There is no other guy.
Look, I'll get you
something soon.
Trust me.
Look, I'm not gonna lie,
they are concerned...
Where are you off to?
I'm meeting my guy.
So it's finally happening.
Meeting's out of this...
At this, uh, donut shop
in, uh, MacArthur Park.
He calls it his office.
You gonna be okay?
You know
I'm a little freaked out.
Oh, come on.
Just take an edible
or drink something to relax.
- I'll see you soon.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
- I love you.
I love you, too.
Come on.
Okay. Easy.
The Carole King, Burt Bacharach,
or Nyro,
Marvin Hamlisch, Jimmy Webb.
It's, uh, Dylan, Springsteen,
that's a very anemic list
that you have there.
Well, you know...
Yeah, I'm surprised
you left yourself off of it.
He's that humble.
- You got it all...
- What about The Beatles?
Who are you?
I thought you were
having a party.
No, no, no.
No, this is, uh, it's a little
housewarming thing.
It's just a couple of friends.
Um, this is Dawn, she's... um,
she lives next door.
She's, uh, kind of
the neighborhood
welcoming committee.
- Uh-hmm. Okay.
- This is Rob, he's my agent.
I'm off the clock, just Rob.
Hi, Just Rob.
Just Rob. That's Davey.
Davey Burt,
the famous songwriter.
- That's me.
- Yeah.
Your song Remember When is one
of my favorite songs ever.
Come on, kid.
You don't know Remember When.
- No, I'm serious.
- How old are you?
- Very rude.
- How old are you?
Girl, I can't over this house.
How many bedrooms?
Three bedrooms.
One of them is Parker's
office, though,
and the other one
is a guest room.
You mean the nursery?
We'll see.
Well, girl, you got to do it
before you're 40.
Jesus.
Are you a fertility expert?
All I'm saying is now
you can scrap your backup plan.
I mean, what are you gonna do
with all those eggs you froze?
Make a $14,000 omelet?
God, he's playing.
- Oh, let's go see.
- Come on.
Yeah.
Great.
Seriously?
They gave you
a big advance on the book.
- How's it going?
- Slow start.
This move has been sucking
all the life out of me.
But I finally met
with my subject.
Cool.
And, man,
his stories are amazing.
Where do you find these guys?
It's like you're a...
You're a magnet for seriously
damaged individuals.
Well, the stories
that have to be told by someone.
Boys, boys, boys.
Hey.
- What a fun night.
- You leaving?
Yeah. Got to go.
Got to go walk Rambo.
But seriously, incredible party.
Iconic.
- And you...
- Hey.
- What a freaking legend.
- You're the legend.
You killed it.
You killed it on that piano.
Ooh. Ooh.
And by the way, that guy,
Rob, your agent,
I think he's gonna sign me.
So thanks.
- Night.
- Let's do this again.
Sooner than later.
It's a nice neighborhood.
Who was that?
What? Oh. Nothing.
Nothing.
Why do you look like
you just shit your pants?
Hey.
Can I tell you something?
Yeah, of course.
I know that you were friends
with Maddy before me
but I feel like we've gotten
pretty close.
I mean, you're, like,
my only friend now.
Go. Give it.
All right.
There's... uh,
all right.
So before Maddy,
there was this woman.
It didn't last long,
just a few dates,
but it did not end well.
- Hmm, does it ever?
- No, I'm serious.
This was really, really bad.
I mean,
it started with phone calls
and then...
And then nonstop texting,
and so I changed
my number, right?
But she finds a way around that.
And then one night,
I see her sitting
outside of my apartment
in her car just waiting.
- No.
- Yeah.
So, uh, I mean, I call the cops.
But by the time they get there,
she's gone.
And this keeps happening
every night for weeks
and the cops start thinking
that I'm nuts.
Yeah.
But one night, I come home,
and she's there in my apartment,
hiding under my bed.
Jesus Christ.
So, yeah, they finally
lock her up on the 5150.
- Do you know what that is?
- No.
It's where they can keep you
at a psych ward for 72 hours.
They end up keeping her
for a month.
- Fuck.
- Yeah.
So I got a restraining order
and last I heard,
um, she had moved away
some place.
Look, you cannot mention this
to Janine, please?
- So Maddy doesn't know?
- No, she knows about her.
She just doesn't know that I...
That what?
I think she might be back.
Oh, I love your neighbor.
She's, uh, really talented.
Jesus Christ.
It's like being
in a beating heart.
That's the idea.
Yeah.
So, uh, look, uh,
I know this isn't the time
or the place
and you already got a wife,
so you don't need malice
in your house.
Rob.
This is the best thing
I've ever written.
Just give me a week.
Hey, I want a tour!
I got to go anyways.
All right. I'll call you.
- Okay.
- All right.
This is the money shot.
It's pretty good, right?
Man,
I'd love to get Janine up here.
I don't think
we're -for live sex shows,
but you can work on... ow!
This house,
things just keeps falling apart.
Shit, man.
There's something in there.
Careful.
There's black widows
around here.
Ah! Shit!
You're an idiot.
Got ya.
No, for real, man,
there was a box in here.
What?
What the?
We keep finding all these
weird stuff in this house.
What is it?
Letters, man.
There's like fucking
50 of them in here,
all to William.
"My dear sweet William."
A mere minute has passed
since you kissed me good night
and the scent of bay rum
"fills my nostrils
and clouds my mind."
Juicy stuff.
Like the Victorian Penthouse
forum.
Wait a minute. Who's William?
The guy who built this house,
his name was William Woodruff.
- What?
- Okay.
Well, keep reading.
Um, okay.
"You erupt a passion in me
that rivals Vesuvius.
Is that a metaphor
for an orgasm?
- I love them.
- Uh-hmm.
"Though our lives
are oceans apart,
I'm drawn to you
like a ship to a lighthouse.
As if our souls
are destined to unite.
Oh, William,
I need not food nor water
if I can just
taste your lips again.
Until then,
"your thirsty flower, Rebecca."
That was pretty deep.
Hmm.
Way to go, William.
They're love letters.
You never wrote me
any love letters.
And you know what?
Dick pics don't count.
Oh, for William?
Oh, shit.
I forgot your housewarming gift.
- Ay, you didn't get a us gift?
- I did.
Stick that on.
I'm really -
to be in this house...
- It's working.
- Oh, no. It's good.
Try... where is the...
I think it's this.
How much do you think
this thing is.
It's on.
In the shell of the pines,
sung by Artemis
in his own record.
I'm up for a job.
Oh, yeah?
Mercedes commercial.
Money's good,
but it's creative death.
Creativity is overrated.
Take your money and run.
I think we should read
one per night.
Maybe like little cliffhangers,
like those novels
written in letters,
what are they called?
Epistolary.
I can't wait to show my mom.
She's gonna be so excited.
I mean, can you believe
we found these?
How cool.
How long ago
would they have been written?
Oh, this would make
a great podcast.
I can totally imagine it on NPR.
What do you think?
Hello?
What?
What are you doing?
What's wrong?
Nothing. I'm, uh, gonna lock up.
Okay.
And you think I'm paranoid?
I always sleep
with a baseball bat
next to the bed.
It's a... yeah, force of habit.
What?
I've got a meeting
early in the morning.
- Okay.
- I'm gonna get some sleep.
Okay.
I love you.
I love you, too.
"My dear William,"
love is like a wave
lapping at the shore.
It hits the sand
only to roll back into the sea.
But when it finds
another's love,
the waters meet and mix,
and become one deep ocean.
And if I cut open a vein,
you would flow out.
In my heart,
I know you feel the same.
May the walls
that keep us apart, crumble.
"Your floating flower, Rebecca."
Back a little bit.
Right there.
Perfect.
Oh, my God.
That corset really does
a number on your back.
Hmm, it feels good.
Hey, what do you think she means
"the walls that keep us apart?"
Walls of society?
Um, I mean, they're Victorian.
It wasn't easy to date
back then.
I think it's a metaphor.
I think she means
something else.
Hey, why did you stop?
- Call 911.
- What?
Maddy, just do it! Call 911!
- Call 911!
- What?
Stay there!
911,
what's your emergency, please?
Uh, we have a swing out back,
she was sitting on that,
- and then she disappeared.
- Disappeared?
- Like a ghost?
- No. What?
No.
Uh, I just lost sight of her.
And you called 911 for...
He had a stalker.
What?
It was a year ago.
Okay.
He has a restraining order.
Was it her?
I don't know.
I couldn't see her face.
Did you see her?
You have the restraining order?
I do. Yes. It's in my office.
Hang on. If you can't
ID her, it's no use.
What's her name?
Gina Santorelli.
Tell you what.
We'll cruise around,
check the neighborhood.
That's all we can do.
Probably a drunk girl
from the bars.
- Was it her?
- I don't know.
I feel sick.
I'm sorry.
How could you not know
she was crazy?
You know how PTSD works?
It's a slow cooker.
It's like a tumor.
It festers inside of you
for months, sometimes years.
Sometimes you don't even
notice it.
But when you finally do,
it's just too late.
It's taken root
and it eats you alive.
I thought I could leave that
all behind.
And that this could be
a fresh start.
It is.
It is.
For both of us.
You think I don't have
my fair share of trauma?
Try being a Black woman
in this world.
I've been screwed and gas lit
so many times I could light up
the street.
But we're together now.
Nothing's gonna change that.
Parker?
Are you down there?
Can you come to bed?
The storm is freaking me out.
Please?
I'll be right up.
The usual.
Thanks.
Rob, I was just gonna call you.
Please tell me you have
something.
My guy is finally
coming through.
I have the first 30 pages.
Oh, thank fucking God.
When can you get them to me?
I'll call you later, all right?
I can make double.
All right. See ya. Bye.
Hi, Parker.
This is Frida Richmond again.
I don't know if you're
out-of-town or what.
But I really do need
to speak to you.
Call me. Thank you.
Dear William by
sheer fate of serendipity,
I saw you today.
As I bought oranges from
the farmers on Bunker Hill,
I spotted your high head
above the crowd.
Imagine my surprise
to see you back
from San Francisco.
In my excitement,
I nearly screamed out your name,
and how scandalous that
I wore the very dress
you bought me
with the lovely embroidery.
It's no wonder you enjoy
clothing me
when faced with her
matronly form.
Poor dear, child-rearing
has taken its toll.
But I am all yours, William,
even if you are only half mine.
Your patient flower Rebecca.
You guys.
William is having an affair.
The walls that keep us apart.
Come on.
That is his wife, his child.
Rebecca, mistress.
Okay. First of all,
William is a player.
This isn't gonna end well.
She's wearing the dress
that he bought her
who just happens to see him?
They saw each other at a market.
He doesn't write her back.
He doesn't tell her
- he's in town?
- No, no.
I'm with Davey. I'm with Davey.
- She's a stalker.
- I think that's your modern
- cynicism you're putting on it.
- It's not cynicism, man.
- This is not a coincidence.
- He could write her.
He could tell her that
he doesn't wanna be with her.
He's not. So it seems
like he's egging her on.
Parker's right. She's clearly
young and vulnerable.
He should communicate.
Okay. Guys, guys,
I hate to break it to you,
but our dear, sweet Rebecca
is bat-shit crazy.
I got to take a leak.
Oh, me too.
- I'll go upstairs.
- No, no. Hey, I got it.
Look, I need the exercise.
She's crazy.
I mean, this shit's crazy.
Literally.
I mean, she got nice penmanship.
Oh, God. I need a drink.
Hello?
Oh, my God, Davey.
- Oh, my God.
- Parker,
- What happened?
- Call an ambulance.
Call 911. Call 911. Davey.
- Davey, wake up!
- Janine, no, no, no.
Oh, my God.
I don't know if he's breathing.
Okay. He's still breathing.
- It's gonna be okay.
- Davey, wake up!
911, what's your emergency?
- Davey!
- Okay.
Well, keep us updated, okay?
Okay. Good night.
Davey's still in the hospital.
They're keeping him overnight.
Is he gonna be okay?
Take one of these.
- Oh, what is this?
- An Ambien.
It'll help you sleep, okay?
There you go.
Those stairs are treacherous.
We'll do something about that.
Okay.
I love you.
I love you.
Come.
I'm not crazy.
This can't be real.
This can't be...
This can't be real.
I'm starving.
Will you make me a sandwich?
What do I look like
a maid? I'll help you.
- Whatever.
- We'll make the man a sandwich.
He's bruised and grumpy, so...
I love you.
Man, you scared the hell
out of us.
Mankind
is waiting for the Messiah,
but for the German,
the Messiah
is not the Prince of Peace.
Look, man, I know I'm not the
most credible witness right now,
but fuck I swear to God,
something...
Another Hitler.
Hit me.
Davey, I mean you just
took a really bad fall.
I did not fall on my own.
I think she was in your house.
- Who?
- What do you mean who?
Your stalker.
You need... you need to go
back there right now.
You need... you need to check
everything top,
top to bottom. Goddamn it, man.
Fuck it. I hope it's...
I hope it's not true, but here.
Get this.
Help me.
Give me the box.
- What the hell is that?
- It's a .9 millimeter.
- Take it.
- No. No, no, no,
- I'm not taking a gun.
- What if I'm right?
What if there was someone
in your house?
What if there's still
somebody in your house?
You got to go look.
Okay. Look, man, Janine said I
have to stay awake for 24 hours.
That's a perfect excuse
for Maddy to stay here.
Protect your family.
Dear William,
last night I stood outside
your house.
A lamp burned in your study,
and I knew you were awake.
I could have rung your bell,
my fingers just inches from it.
You would have
answered the door,
your wife being fast asleep.
You would have seen my face,
and I yours.
And you would've been
unpardonably furious with me.
In that tempestuous moment
I could've sabotaged
all that is dear to me
for the mere sake of having
your attention for a moment.
Why do you not respond?
My desperation is your making...
Rebecca.
It's just so sad.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I saw your lights were on.
I thought you were maybe
- having another party, are you?
- No.
Were you doing anything fun?
I mean I'm a little...
A little busy right now.
Listen, my plans fell through
and I cannot find my corkscrew
and I hate to drink alone.
Is there any chance you wanna
just have a drink with me?
I will seriously wither away
and die in my apartment.
Like, I will be done tomorrow
if you don't hang out with me.
I need to hang out with someone.
- Okay. Come on in.
- Okay.
Thanks.
Madeline's staying
with some friends tonight.
I was just gonna do some work.
Oh, do you want me to open that?
Only if you're gonna drink it.
All right.
I could use something stiffer.
I would love something stiff.
Oops, that didn't sound right.
I will have
whatever you're having.
- Bourbon okay?
- Bourbon's beautiful.
Thanks.
Here's looking at you, kid.
That's from Casablanca.
It's an old movie.
Do you ever wonder
what it will be like to,
like, live in black and white?
I think about it all the time.
It's so much more glamorous.
I love your records.
You should put one on.
Where did you get the furniture?
Oh, I don't know, wherever.
I read your book.
You did?
Wow.
I cried.
It was heartbreaking, beautiful.
Thank you.
Um, so why is it a bad time?
What?
You said it was a bad time, why?
Oh, it's a long story.
You can tell me anything,
you know.
I can keep a secret.
Do you ever wonder
where you went wrong in life?
Like, if you could go back
to that moment
where you went off the rails
and just fix it?
If I had to live
my whole life over again,
I'd make all the same mistakes
only sooner,
Tallulah Bankhead said that.
She's an actress.
So, what's your moment?
I was 12,
hanging out with some friends,
throwing eggs at cars
from an overpass down
to the freeway.
And this kid,
Derrick Bush,
he picks up this big rock
and he dares me to throw it off.
And I said no.
But he had bought my burger
that day
and he said if I did it then
I didn't have to pay him back.
So I did.
It went through a windshield
and the guy skid off the side
of the road and into a tree.
I can still remember that sound.
It was like a plane crash,
like a bomb going off.
And that was it.
And we, um
we ran away and we never spoke
about it ever again
until now.
Kids do stupid shit.
It's the way with kids.
Was the guy okay?
So, yeah, if I could go back,
I would pay for my own lunch.
If I could go back, I would just
give that little boy a hug.
I bet that's all he needed.
I have to tell you something,
I'm not
very good with temptation.
Neither am I.
I'll be right back.
Okay.
Hello?
Parker?
Hey.
What are you doing here?
You see, I've never been good
with temptation
because I've never been good
with women,
which is why... Dawn?
Hello?
Dawn?
No, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Oh, no.
Oh, fuck, fuck.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
911, what's your emergency?
You've ruined my life.
Dear, sweet Parker.
I am your life.
What the fuck, Parker?
At least I'm not hiding it.
Where's the pack?
Give them to me.
Madeline, I had
a really bad night.
I don't wanna fucking hear it.
You told me you quit.
This stops now.
What is this?
She was in our house, Parker.
Oh, no.
No!
I can't live like this.
You said she was gone.
She's in our fucking house.
Call the police.
I want her arrested.
You started this.
You have to fucking stop it!
Call the police, Parker!
Oh, my God.
It's gorgeous.
Just leave them right here.
Honey.
Hey, Mom.
Hello, Parker.
Give me a hug. Darling.
You guys,
look at it.
I was sandwiched
between these two big goons.
Of course, it was big
as Volkswagens.
And they were spreading
like they were giving birth.
And then... oh, God!
The taxi smelled
like a slaughterhouse
and I had my head outside
like a Saint Bernard.
Oh, wonderful.
It's like you guys
have been living here for years.
Oh, I have so many ideas.
You know, I wanna go
to every antique shop
and flea market in town.
I mean, I think we should
go easy on the Victorian stuff
and sort of mix in some
mid-century... you know.
We don't want the house
to look like a museum,
or haunted, or worse,
like some old maid
lives here with her cats.
Where's the bathroom?
Oh, it's just through,
just through there.
Huh. Oh! The piano.
Everybody should have a piano
in their house
even if you play like Maddy.
You never know,
Herbie Hancock
could come over for dinner.
I'm gonna put
your bags upstairs.
Oh. Thank you, Parker.
I can't believe I forgot
she was coming.
She can't know
about any of this.
- Maddy.
- As soon as we leave...
- Maddy, we don't know...
- call the fucking police.
- We don't know if it was her.
- And have her arrested.
- The door was open.
- Or to press charges.
- It could have been anyone.
- We know who...
You know damn well who it was.
You know,
I was thinking, we should hit
the flea market on Melrose.
You know the one
by the high school?
Is it Melrose?
Yeah. Yeah.
We can do that.
Because I think
we've missed the Rose Bowl.
I think that's only
in the morning.
Yeah.
Licorice. Did you know
that licorice can kill you?
Did you know that? It's deadly.
It can give you heart failure.
Parker, don't eat licorice.
Oh, Parker's got enough
bad habits.
You're not still smoking,
are you?
He quit. Right, honey?
How's your book coming, Parker?
Good.
Yeah, it's coming along.
You're not gonna write something
depressing, are you?
I mean, why don't you write
something uplifting?
You'll probably get paid more.
Mom?
She's probably right, but
it's like they say,
write what you know.
Do you know how hard it is
to get published, Mom?
Parker's on the bestseller's
list.
I know. I read it.
It was wonderful.
It was depressing as hell.
Parker does his interviews
at a donut shop.
Really?
It costs me
an egg and cheese sandwich
and a chocolate
old-fashioned, but
his stories are spectacular.
And he's not depressed
or depressing.
He's...
In fact, he's funny and clever.
And he lives in a tent
under the freeway
and he dumpster-dives
for his food.
But he still manages to find
beauty and humor in life.
Uplifting enough for you?
William
your wife
and daughter left earlier
than usual this morning,
nearly discovered me.
Look how the little one bares
your countenance.
Do you stay at the office
so late
because you dread
returning to your wife's side?
Is the thought of sharing a bed
with that frump so repugnant
that you remain in your study
till dawn?
"We too shared a bed together,
William."
And as I now carry the burden
of our imprudence,
the burden that will one day
also bare your countenance.
You must know that I cannot
endure this alone.
Rebecca.
"My God, she's pregnant."
Oh, my God. I can't believe it.
We have to read another one.
No! One per day.
That's the rule.
Hey.
Wake up. Get downstairs.
What?
This is my husband, Parker.
- Have you seen Dawn?
- Excuse me?
I'm sorry to bother you, sir.
Do you know Dawn Spooner?
I didn't know her last name,
but yeah, we know her.
How well do you know her?
Not very well.
We just moved in, so barely.
Why... what's this about?
Dawn's missing!
- Who are you?
- I'm Kristoff.
I'm Dawn's boyfriend.
I just got back from tour
and the place
is a fucking pigsty.
All right. All right.
Take it easy.
We're asking the neighbors
if they've seen her.
Um, yeah. I mean,
we usually see her
walking around, walking her dog.
Did you see her this morning
- or yesterday?
- I'm telling you, man.
She's been gone for days.
The place is covered
- in dog shit.
- Sir, do you mind
if I do my job?
When did you see her last?
Two, three days.
- I don't know.
- You see? That was days.
He just said days.
Did you notice anything
out of the ordinary?
- Like what?
- Was she acting strange?
Maybe she got into a car?
I mean, she's just strange
in general
but no, nothing like that.
- Maybe she left town.
- No. No.
She wouldn't leave
without the mutt.
She left her cell phone
and ID behind,
that's why we think
she might still be in the area.
Well, have you tried these?
Because they're all over
the place.
Though... those just point
at our property though.
All right. Can you think
of anything else?
Even the smallest thing
might help.
Okay. There is something. Um
someone broke into our house
- yesterday.
- What?
They didn't... they didn't
really break in.
- The doors were wide open.
- Were you robbed?
No. They just vandalized
- a few things.
- You were vandalized?
- You left the doors open?
- Mom?
- Did you report it?
- Yes. Yeah. I called.
Did you check the footage?
I mean, we could
but they've been down
for a while now.
I need a new wire.
I have a guy coming out
to fix that.
Okay. If you think
of anything else,
you give us a call, okay?
- Okay.
- I'm sure she'll show up.
Come on.
You we're vandalized?
- Mom.
- You left your doors open?
- Mom.
- This is Los Angeles.
This isn't Iowa.
- It wasn't her?
- Who was it?
- She didn't do this.
- Then who was it?
Honey, you just have
to trust me, it wasn't her.
What is going on, Parker?
- It wasn't her.
- What is happening
in this house?
There's a law.
If a seller doesn't disclose
- that a house is haunted...
- Maddy.
They have to give you
your money back.
- Don't be ridiculous.
- It's true. Look it up.
Even if a house has a reputation
of being haunted,
- they have to tell you.
- Houses are not haunted.
Okay?
She wants you.
He's gonna get you too.
She's gonna get you, Parker.
No!
- Hello?
- Out of the park.
- I fucking love it.
- What?
The pages, you weren't wrong.
The best thing
that you have ever written.
I'm totally blown away.
This guy is amazing.
Who the hell is he?
Not now! I'm working!
Hey. Don't yell at me!
- I need to work!
- I don't care.
Don't ever yell at me.
Sorry.
Parker, what's wrong with you?
You can't hide it anymore.
It's like I'm breathing
in your stress.
I can smell it on your breath.
It is heavy and it's scary,
and you're not talking to me.
I can't.
We're supposed to be a team.
You're right.
It is this house.
What?
I tried to keep it from you,
but I can't anymore.
Terrible things happened here.
Why would you say that?
Maddy, I just wanted
to protect you.
What the fuck are you talking
about, Parker?
He moved the house.
He moved this house.
- William. He moved this whole...
- What? Who moved this house?
- Goddamn house to get away...
- Parker?
- From her.
- Okay.
- But she found them, okay?
- I don't know what you're...
Shh. Shh. She found them.
She found them
and she killed them.
- Parker?
- She killed him.
She killed her.
She killed her little...
Why are you saying these things?
- She killed their daughter.
- Now you're scaring me!
- Maddy, Rebecca killed them!
- Stop!
Maddy!
We've got a lot to do. Let's go!
Tell me this didn't happen.
Come on, honey. Let's...
I'm coming!
How do you know this?
She told me.
She doesn't want us
to be together.
Who?
Parker, who?
He couldn't get away from her
and I don't think we can either.
Grab my pocketbook.
- I left it on the bed.
- We're moving.
We're leaving this fucking
house.
We are getting the hell
- outta here.
- She'll just find us.
We're gonna get our money back
and we are leaving
this fucking house.
Your money.
No. No.
No. Stop.
Please. Stop.
You don't have to do this.
You don't... shh.
You can have me, okay?
You can have me.
I'll never leave you.
Just don't hurt her.
I never wanted to hurt anyone.
I just want you.
You have me.
Parker?
No!
Hi. Leave a message
but not too long.
Hi, Mom. I'm just checking in.
Just give me a call
whenever you get a chance, okay?
Let's get the extras on the set.
Extras, this way. Last looks!
You reached Parker Brooks.
Please leave a message.
Yes?
Hi. Are you Dorothy?
Ah, the Woodruff's house
has always been a favorite.
True Queen Anne.
They called it
the house from Angels Flight.
Why Angels Flight?
Because that's where
it was built,
on the top of Angels Flight.
And then they moved it.
So they really moved the house?
Uh-hmm. In 1901,
they used draft horses.
Back then, it was very common
for people to move their homes.
Do you know why they moved it?
Oil.
They found oil on the property.
And suddenly, there were
just huge oil derricks
sprung up everywhere.
Look. This is the last photo
that was taken
of the house before they moved.
Old William just got
fed up with the view.
I think it was because
of a woman named Rebecca.
Do you know who she was?
Oh, they wrote a lot
of articles about her.
She was an orphan.
She was raised
in the house next to you.
She was half-Mexican
or Native American.
It's probably why
she was abandoned
in the first place. Poor thing.
She was really
a victim of her time.
A young,
unmarried woman in trouble,
that's how they used to say it.
She was pregnant.
But she managed to hide it
until she miscarried or,
in all probability,
she just aborted herself.
They found the remains
in the garbage incinerator.
And then she committed suicide.
You know, the newspapers
always love a good scandal.
There were rumors
that William Woodruff
was the father.
And that she was the mistress.
- But I just never believed it.
- They lied to us.
- I'm sorry?
- They have to tell you
bad things happen. Or else, I...
I never would have
bought the house.
Oh, this didn't
happen at your house.
No. I'm talking
about the murders!
- The murders?
- Yes.
His wife, his daughter.
Oh, honey,
nothing like that
ever happened at your house.
I mean, the Woodruffs
lived to be quite old,
and I actually saw the daughter.
She came to visit me
about 30 years ago.
She was in her 80s.
She was a very lovely woman.
Are you all right?
I'm...
I'm sorry. I have to go.
Oh, by the way.
Did you frame it?
The plate photo of Rebecca.
It's quite fragile.
If you frame it, it'll be safer.
How did you know
about the photo?
Your husband showed it to me.
Parker was here?
Uh-huh. The writer?
He came by after you moved here.
Very nice man.
You know,
he was actually just as taken
with Rebecca's story as you are.
I have to go.
Oh, my God.
Hi.
I'm looking for Parker Brooks.
Does he live here?
Why?
I'm Frida Richmond.
- Is he home?
- What's this about?
Well, it's a personal matter.
I'm his wife.
Oh. Well, may I see him?
When did you and Parker marry?
Um, September.
Oh, he didn't even
tell me he was engaged.
I'm sorry. Who are you?
I'm his counselor.
Um...
His appointed therapist?
Parker doesn't have a therapist.
I think I should speak to him.
I'm sorry. Will you just
will you please
just tell me what's going on?
He's missed several
months of appointments.
And that's a violation
of his court order.
You mean regarding his stalker?
Parker told you
he had a stalker?
Oh, my...
Madeline.
- I did not do this.
- Parker.
- What have you done?
- Listen to me.
- No.
- Wait. No! Stop! Stop!
Stop! Stop!
Listen to me! Listen to me!
- Please let me go!
- Maddy, you have to believe me.
- No.
- It wasn't me.
- No!
- Will you stop?
What are you doing?
- Somebody please help me!
- I told you.
Terrible things
happened in this house.
And they're still happening.
Why are you doing this?
Get away.
What are you doing?
- I'm not gonna hurt you.
- No!
I'm not gonna hurt you.
- I could never hurt you. Never.
- Please. Please stop, Parker!
Would you just listen to me?
Would you just listen?
Listen. Shh, shh, shh, shh.
You have to listen to me, Maddy.
It was her.
Rebecca did this.
She did all of this.
- No.
- Okay?
No! No!
Why are you running!
Would you just stop it!
- Goddammit!
- Get away from me!
I told you! Rebecca did this!
She did all this!
I tried to stop her!
Oh, my God.
People don't have
to exist to be real.
Pain is real.
Secrets are real.
I kept mine buried for too long.
And they festered.
And they grew inside of me.
No.
And they come out.
And they eat you alive.
Who are you?
The only way I can save you
is to be with her.
You're crazy!
Oh, no.
Help! Please!
Somebody help us!
Please help me!
Please help! Help!
Please!
Please! Please! Please!
I am not crazy.
Please. Please.
He belongs with me.
To My One True Love.
We all have secrets
we lock in the dark.
But when our secrets
become so vast,
so boundless,
they escape.
And send our very souls
into darkness.
Then secrets
become our only truth.
But alas, my love,
there are no secrets anymore.
And we are together as one.
And in this house,
we shall dwell.
Forever.
Hey, babe.
Look at this.
What? Get outta here.
- Yeah. It was in the attic.
- That's amazing.
It's beautiful.
- Movers are here.
- Yeah.
Hey.
What?
We did it.
New chapter.
Welcome home.
I wonder who she was.
Oh, can you put that
on the kitchen, please?
Thanks guys.