The Institute (2025) s01e01 Episode Script
The Boy
1
♪♪♪
Shout, shout ♪
Let it all out ♪
These are the things
I can do without ♪
Come on ♪
I'm talking to you ♪
Come on ♪
In violent times ♪
You shouldn't have To sell your soul ♪
In black and white ♪
They really, Really ought to know ♪
Shout, shout ♪
Let it all out ♪
These are the things
I can do without ♪
Come on ♪
I'm talking to you ♪
Come on ♪
♪♪♪
[person coughs]
[tense music playing]
♪♪♪
[desk rattling]
Boys' room, down the hall,
third door on your right.
Is there a problem?
[clears throat]
Uh, well, I'm I'm finished.
[student whispers] What?
[Indistinct chattering]
Kid, what are you even doing here?
Uh, taking the test, same as you.
Wait. How old are you?
Uh, 14.
Are you a genius? Like in a movie?
Well, I did stay in a
Holiday Inn Express last night.
[laughter]
Wait. What did you get for
the last question in the math?
About the hotel? Do you remember?
Uh, it was "A."
Shit. Are you sure?
I got "C."
Uh, you know, that
that's how they get you.
"C" is a terrific equation, really.
But, uh, see, you're already
figuring the room tax
into the nightly charge,
so multiply everything
inside the parentheses
You end up counting it twice.
That's okay. You know, I'm sure
I'm sure you got the rest of them right.
No. I forgot how to
calculate the fucking tax.
I suck!
Is it weird being you?
- And that's an "I."
- There's an "I"?
Yeah, sure. K-U-S-I.
Is it strange we always play
with animals
I've never heard of and can't spell?
[chuckles] Aw, nice try, Rolf.
Euro step into a reverse layup,
nothing but net.
In your dreams.
Goebert clearing out for Ellis,
and he's gonna take his man
off the dribble and use
the Eurostep into the
[Rolf] Nice shot, "Phenom."
You almost had it.
But that Eurostep is
looking slick as hell.
Shit, man.
What's wrong?
My Timberwolves jersey, man
it's ripped.
I'm sure your mom can sew it.
No big deal, man.
[woman over P.A.] Please,
can I have your attention?
Ladies and gentlemen,
the sooner we get one more volunteer,
the sooner we can board you all.
And we'll still have a shot
at an on-time arrival.
We've already been waiting here an hour!
[passengers murmuring agreement]
We're offering a
a courtesy booking on the
6:45 a.m. departure tomorrow
[passengers groaning and murmuring]
as well as a hotel voucher
and a $200 credit.
[passengers murmuring]
[sighs] My mistake,
that's, uh, $200 in cash.
[man] Doesn't help me
with my connection.
Four hundred.
Plus the hotel and rebooking.
Now, she's a game show host.
Do I hear a thousand?
[laughter]
Six hundred.
Ma'am.
Six hundred, plus a cash refund
for my ticket,
you got yourself a seat.
[elevator bell dings]
[man on voicemail]
This is Keith. Leave a message.
Hey, Keith. It's Tim.
Listen, I don't think
I'm gonna make it out
to New York after all.
I hope your Dad knows
how much I appreciate the offer.
I know he doesn't
really need an extra guy
on a routine exec protect.
I just think
I just really wouldn't be any
good to him right now anyway,
so
[engine roaring]
Thanks.
Not a rapist? Or a psychotic?
No, ma'am.
'Course, that's exactly
what a psychotic would say.
Going as far as Maine?
That duffel suggests you might be.
I guess I hadn't decided.
That case, I got a proposition for ya.
One hand washes the other.
- You scratch my back
- No.
They'll be no backscratching,
if you don't mind,
and I ain't asking.
Thing is, I got a truckful of books,
40-some boxes, each one
heavier than a sonofabitch.
If you help me unload and reload
at each one of my stops,
I'll take you as far
as the public library
in Dennison, Maine?
Sounds good.
Throw your stuff in the back.
We were in Principal Greer's
office for almost an hour.
How How long have the two
of you been talking about MIT?
Since October.
Look, he he said he felt
that Broderick Day had
taken me as far as it could.
And you agree? MIT is where you belong?
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah, I think I think so.
You know, um,
but I don't know how to say it.
Try.
We're talking about uprooting
our lives here, so try.
[clears throat] There's just
there's so much I wanna
learn and figure out.
It makes me feel so small.
You know, I have this dream,
and I'm standing
on the edge of an abyss,
and it's full of all
the things I don't know.
Well, I guess an abyss can't
be full, so call it a chasm.
But it's bottomless.
And there's a bridge,
and I wanna walk across that
bridge and raise my hands,
and then all the things
from the darkness
would come floating up
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Butterfingers. I'm sorry.
Thank you.
[Luke] Thank you.
[indistinct conversations]
Look.
Your brain and what it can do is a gift.
God knows it didn't come from us.
Figure that means we oughta do
whatever's in our power
to see how far it can take you.
You know what they say
about the abyss, right?
You look into it,
it looks right back into you.
- Yeah, you bet it does.
- Mm-hmm.
[keyboard keys clicking]
[intriguing music playing]
♪♪♪
[crickets chirping]
[engine turns off]
- [beep]
- It's all lights out.
[man] Copy. Standing by for your "go."
If the parents wake up,
we might have to get wet.
No choice.
- [beep]
- Make it 45 minutes to go.
Copy. 45 to go.
♪♪♪
[alarm beeps]
[creaking]
Mom?
- Sure, kid, whatever you want.
- [spray hisses]
[gasping]
- That's the last of 'em.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
Hi.
Just saw a guy wearing
an ice hockey jersey.
I figure that's the good Lord telling me
to get my ass back
across the Vermont line.
I'm much obliged to you
for the ride, ma'am.
Been a pleasure getting to know you.
Good luck to you, Tim.
Thank you.
Wife hates when I'm late for dinner,
so let's just get right to it.
Just got off with Boston PD.
Seems you forgot a few things
on your application.
One, 2011, you received
a commendation for lifesaving.
Again in 2018.
2020, you got the Officer of the Year.
Well, they had to give it to somebody.
I always showed up on time,
never called in sick, so
Okay, I don't know if
that is becoming modesty
or low self-esteem, but I don't like it.
All right. I earned that award.
I applied for this job
kind of spur of the moment.
More time to think,
I'd have put it down.
But you remembered to put down
the incident at Westfield Mall.
Figured you had a right to know.
Lieutenant I spoke to
said the guy you shot
had an AR and 200 rounds.
He wasn't a "guy."
He was a kid, 16 years old,
and he hadn't shot anybody.
Sixteen or not, kid threw down on a cop.
There you go.
Lieutenant said you were off-duty.
Yeah, I, uh,
swung by the mall after my shift,
to pick up some dress shoes
for a wedding,
was still in uniform.
This woman comes running up
from the parking lot,
says she just saw some guy
pull a rifle out of his car.
- So far, so good.
- Yeah.
Yeah, right up until the moment
where the responding officers
smelled the alcohol on me,
gave me the test.
I had two Old Fashioneds at Beachcombers
right before I hit the shoe store.
You were off-duty.
But in uniform.
Department let me pick
resignation or dismissal.
You ordinarily a drinking man?
I was after that for a while.
Long enough to end my marriage,
but not anymore.
If I were to Breathalyze you
right now, what would you blow?
Go ahead and find out.
No, don't believe I will.
I don't believe I need to.
Well, son, you are ridiculously
overqualified for this job,
but if you want it, it's yours.
Well, I want it.
All right.
You start tonight, 8:00 to 6:00.
- Just like that?
- Just like that.
[distorted music playing]
[spray hissing]
[breathing unsteadily]
[gasps]
♪♪♪
I was gonna change it
to "I choose to be crappy,"
but they might take away my pen.
Yeah, sometimes they let shit
slide. Sometimes they don't.
Name's Kalisha.
Will also respond to "Sha."
Uh, what's happening here? Where are we?
Welcome to The Institute.
Institute of what?
Okay, yeah, I remember how many
questions I had my first day.
You know, it's usually just easier
Are we still in Minneapolis?
No, we're definitely not in
Minneapolis anymore, Toto.
We're in Maine. Well, at least
that's what they say.
[Luke] Who's they?
You really can't stop yourself, can ya?
Is that a smart kid thing?
Why would you say that?
They give us a rundown
of all the new arrivals.
Your name's Luke Ellis,
you're from Minneapolis,
you like basketball and chess,
and you're smart.
So, how smart are you? No, no.
Um, I think the real question
is are you TK or TP?
That's the one thing they never
tell us about the newbies.
Yeah, you lost me. [scoffs]
TP is telepathy. TK is
Telekinesis.
So, which are you?
Supposedly, no one's both
when they get here, but I'm thinking TK?
I'm TP.
You read minds?
Always have been able to, off and on.
Well, sometimes, things move around me.
But but that can't be enough to
To land you here?
Have we
Have we been kidnapped?
[Kalisha] They call it "recruited."
Like by the military?
I don't know.
Do our parents know where we are?
Can we talk to them or
No, actually. Apparently,
our work here is too classified
for any contact with the outside.
I mean, well,
someone must run this place.
[Kalisha] Ms. Sigsby.
Except for the medical stuff.
That's Dr. Hendricks.
Medical stuff?
Oh, it's just tests, mostly,
and shots, lots of shots.
Uh, at least, that's what
it's like in Front Half.
- We're in Front Half right now.
- Is there a Back Half?
Yeah, where we go when
we graduate Front Half.
We can see it from the playground.
Not not here. But
I can't really tell you
what's going on in there.
No contact.
What do Sigsby and Hendricks say?
[Kalisha] They're not real big
on answering questions.
When do I get to meet them?
[Kalisha] Hard to say.
They usually let the newbies
wander a while first.
Hmm.
Why would they do it like that?
Mm. No one's ever
thought to question that.
If you'd read his file, you'd know.
They wanna tell us
this place isn't so bad and figure
we're more likely to accept it
coming from another kid.
Predicts he'll notice
things others won't.
Goes on at great lengths
about his observational
and analytical powers.
Why make up our rooms?
You know, if the boy's
as smart as you say,
we should be considering him
for the P.C. track.
We're not having
this conversation again.
Why can't
P.C. track's on indefinite hold.
Your main priority is keep
the conveyor belt moving.
You've seen the latest target packages.
You know how tight the keyhole's gotten.
Two halves [muttering indistinctly]
[Kalisha] Are you always like this?
- He's talking to himself.
- Yeah.
Bet he does that a lot.
I think he's ready for me.
You know, it's actually not so bad here.
We have video games, movies.
The playground's open until late.
Um, just, hey, just make sure
you do what they tell you to.
Also, by the way,
have you ever had chicken pox?
Wha
Kalisha.
Luke.
Ms. Sigsby would like a word with you.
Get changed.
♪♪♪
Wow, 75 years ago, I bet
this was state of the art.
It's actually kinda cool.
Retro.
Three spots in town have punch keys
for it to mark your progress.
Punch it at each end of Water Street
first at the Station, then at the bank.
Once more at Hopper's Jewelry on Garish.
Then back to the Station.
Rest of the doors,
you can mark with chalk.
Just wipe it off on your way back.
It's a 2.3-mile loop.
You know, Ed Whitlock used to
make six circuits each shift.
So, that's what?
Fourteen miles?
I guess I'll be getting my steps in.
Drew and I'll work out a schedule.
You'll get two nights off each week.
Probably Monday, Tuesday.
Town's usually pretty quiet
after the weekend,
but we might have to shift you.
If you stick around, that is.
You have some issue with me,
Officer Gullickson?
If so, speak now.
Only time will tell.
Thing is, we're a good crew.
Small, but good.
You're just some guy off the street.
People joke about a night knocker,
but it's key
for a force as small as ours.
"Ounce of prevention's
worth a pound of cure."
My grandpa used to say that.
Okay.
He was a night knocker.
It's why I applied.
Night knocker's an analog job
in a digital age.
Maybe we're just an analog town.
I sure hope so.
♪♪♪
Mr. Stackhouse.
Sure, kid, whatever you want.
Wait. That's that's no, get off!
[elevator bell dings]
Welcome, Luke.
[door closes]
So, you've met Mr. Stackhouse,
Chief of Security.
And this is Dr. Hendricks.
He's the architect
of the cutting-edge science
we do here.
My name is Ms. Sigsby, and I'm
The boss, I know.
And you know I know because
you watched Kalisha tell me.
So, why don't we get to the part
where you tell me what's going on here?
Sorry. You're just
cooler than most of
the first-dayers we see.
You went through all
this trouble to get me here,
and now you want me to what?
Cry and scream
and beg you to take me home?
Would it do any good?
None at all. Please sit.
Thank you, Dr. Hendricks.
I'll take it from here.
Looking forward to working with you.
[footsteps depart, door opens]
Oh, sometimes,
our new arrivals will lash out,
in their disorientation,
so Mr. Stackhouse escorts each of you
until we're satisfied that
you're not gonna hurt anyone,
yourself included.
But you're not gonna hurt
anyone, are you, Luke?
No.
No. Thank you.
[chair wheels roll]
[refrigerator door closes]
Have a soda.
[door closes]
Okay.
Jellybean?
Why?
So, you can see which color I choose,
get a get a sense of my personality?
No, because I like jellybeans,
and I thought you might like them, too.
- [can tab opens]
- But
You like to analyze, I gather.
The more I focus on logic,
the less I have to think
about being kidnapped.
That's not a word we use here.
Right. "Recruited."
And let me be the first to say
congratulations.
For
For being here.
The work you're about
to become a part of,
is, without a doubt,
the most important work
taking place anywhere on Earth.
You are, without question,
about to participate
in saving the world.
Okay. I want to talk to my parents now.
As Kalisha told you,
that's not possible.
Let me talk to them,
and I'll do whatever you want.
This This isn't a negotiation, Luke.
A boy with your intellect
shouldn't have
any trouble understanding.
[sighs]
Without our work,
the world as we know it
would cease to be.
That's bigger than any of us.
It's my responsibility
to see that that work gets done,
so it will get done.
And what, exactly, is our work?
I'll leave it to your fellow recruits
to fill you in on that.
You're more likely to accept it
coming from another kid.
Actually, that's another word
we try not to use.
You're not kids. Not here.
There's no bedtime. There's no chores.
There's no food you're not allowed.
You're doing grown-up work.
You should be treated like grown-ups.
But, at the same time, bear in mind
this is not your home.
This is not your school.
Here, if you break a rule,
there's a grown-up consequence.
And what are those rules?
Glad you asked.
Main rule is follow any order
given from a staff member
without question or delay.
You'll be given a number of injections.
You'll be given a number of tests.
You will comply with all of them.
You won't, with maybe a few exceptions,
find them excessively unpleasant.
Your mental and physical condition
will be monitored regularly.
And then, when you come
to the end of your service,
we'll wipe your memory, send you home.
Home? To my parents?
Yes, of course.
Are they alive?
Yes, of course they're alive.
We're not monsters.
Do they know where I am?
Generally.
At any rate,
I think you'll find your time here
will pass quite quickly, Luke.
And when you leave us,
and when you wake up
in your own bed one morning,
none of this will have happened.
The only sad part is
you won't have the memory
of the great privilege of
having been asked to serve
not just your country, but humanity.
How many how many people
does each kid here know?
School? Families?
You can't just wipe all their memories.
I think you'd be surprised
what we can do.
Pleasure meeting you.
My room
it's not supposed to make me
feel comfortable, right?
Just supposed to let me know
you're trying to make me comfortable.
I know this feels like
a very dark time for you, Luke.
But if you'll simply do as you're told,
before you know it, you'll be
back out in the sunshine,
maybe hitting some baskets with Rolf.
[click]
♪♪♪
[man over radio] I'm telling
you, Patriots, my Outsider Arm,
I'm giving you the straight dope
they don't want you to know,
because they don't think
you can handle the truth.
But we can handle it.
- Hi.
- Can't we?
You must be Ed Whitlock's replacement.
I heard a rumor they found one.
Tim Jamieson, new night knocker.
[chuckles] Annie Ledoux, old weirdo.
for millennia, but no more
Hey, remind me, who is this guy again?
- You don't know George Allman?
- [man continuing indistinctly]
[scoffs] Still got
your blinders on, huh?
Do you have any fillings?
Sorry?
Open your mouth.
Because?
[scoffs] That's how they listen.
Ah.
- Ahh.
- Ah.
Oh, good. Someone was
smart enough to get you gold.
Well, that was the Army,
and I'm sure they just got
whatever was cheapest.
You know, they might've remembered
where porcelain comes from.
You, uh, you think
that the Chinese government
is bugging our mouths?
You're kidding, right?
Am I, Sport?
My mom used to call me Sport.
I know.
After the fella from that stage show
with all the Black folks in it.
Um "Pork and
Pork and Beans" or something.
"Porgy & Bess."
How do you know that?
Hmm.
Do yourself a favor.
Start listening to George's Gems
'cause there are things going on
every day in this world
that you would not fucking believe.
[beeping]
Looks like I just barely caught you.
I thought I had 48 hours' liberty.
Just touching base.
You got the dossier
for the next recruit?
Yeah.
Kid's got a chaotic family situation.
Might complicate the snatch.
Makes the cover story easier.
Soon as you're back,
we'll go through scenarios.
Make sure you know the dossier.
I always do.
The Ellis snatch
It's no good looking backward.
It went how it went.
It only went wrong
'cause they made us rush it.
[beeps]
Soon as the MIT news broke,
the Ellis kid was gonna
get a bunch of publicity.
- The decision was made
- Well, I wish those bastards
would come with us on an op sometime,
see the consequences
of their "decisions."
Sorry, sir.
[beep]
♪♪♪
[engine idling]
[cellphone chiming]
[touchscreen clicking]
Hey, we got a bogie.
Copy that.
[gear shifts, seatbelt clicks]
- [car door opens]
- How can we help you folks?
Uh I don't know.
I guess we took the wrong exit off 161,
and time we realized it,
we're a mile deep in these woods.
We got no cell service.
Yeah, these pines
they play hell with your signal.
Huh. Yeah.
What's what's over there?
Infectious disease lab.
- Nasty stuff.
- Oh.
So, straight back
the way you came, okay?
Left on the fire road,
bear right at the fork,
it'll spit you right back out on 161.
- Left then right.
- Let's go, Will.
[Will] Yeah. We're going. Thanks.
[guard] Sure thing. You folks take care.
[engine starts]
[beep]
Ms. Sigsby explain about the tokens?
- No.
- Oh.
You'd think she'd remember,
as many intakes as she's done.
Tokens are a reward
for being a good cooperator,
lets you get treats
from the vending machines.
Oh.
Hey, pretty lady. How's it going?
Just fine.
How about you, Luke? Adjusting okay?
Silent treatment, huh?
[chuckles] That's fine for now.
Here's the thing.
Treat us right, we'll treat you right.
"Go along to get along."
Words of wisdom, Luke, my boy!
Words of wisdom. Come on in.
We won't be a minute.
Have a seat, champ.
Hop on up, I said.
What are you gonna do? Tattoo me?
Gosh, no.
Just gonna chip your ear lobe.
No biggie.
All our guests get 'em.
It's like getting a piercing.
I'm not a guest. I'm a prisoner.
And you're not putting
anything in my ear.
[chuckles] I am, though.
Look, it's just a little pinch.
Be over quick.
Maureen'll give you a bunch of tokens.
What do you say?
No.
[sighs]
Are you sure?
Yeah.
Aah!
[inhaling sharply]
[Luke groaning]
[Luke continues groaning]
[exhales deeply]
- [gasps]
- Mm-hmm.
Bet that smarts a lot more than
a little pinch in the ear, huh?
[chuckles] Do you want another?
No.
You ready to get in the chair?
Now, are you gonna behave,
or do we need the straps?
I'll behave.
[clack]
[groans]
All right, champ,
you're all done for now.
Grab you some gauze for
that ear, in case it bleeds,
put some ice on it,
and you have yourself
a great rest of the day.
Evening.
Hey there.
Hmm. Tim,
- meet Bedelia.
- Oh.
She likes to greet all our guests.
Bedelia.
How's night knocking?
Yeah. Um
it's only been one night,
but so far, so good.
If you say so.
Me, I wouldn't be caught dead
working for Chief Snowflake's
pissant outfit,
even if it meant getting to stare
at Officer Gullickson's ass all day.
[chuckles] She is a piece.
You have a good night, Mr. Hollister.
What? Did I offend ya?
Hi. You, uh, going my way?
Resupply run.
George's drive-time show is
having a marathon this weekend.
I can't risk losing comms.
Well, you want me to pull
this thing to your place?
Just gotta stop by
the station, start my shift.
Might make it slow going for you, but
Huh. I can clear my schedule.
Okay then. Let's do it.
Don't think I didn't
see you talking to him.
Mr. Hollister?
I'm living in his hotel.
Why wouldn't I talk to him?
That man queers my reception.
♪♪♪
Hi.
Hey.
The mystery lady returns.
Ah, I told you.
Sometimes I have to go
out of town unexpectedly.
♪♪♪
Hey, Alex.
Got it.
Now, um
where did we leave things off last time?
You were starting to tell me
about the place you work.
Oh, that's funny. I don't remember that.
You were pretty drunk.
Me? Never.
Seriously, why can't you talk about it?
We've been over this.
I just can't, especially not with you.
You knew I was a journalist when we met.
It's not like I was undercover.
Yeah, but I didn't approach you
'cause I wanted to talk.
There you go.
- Oh.
- Thanks.
No?
No.
You know, everyone
in Dennison has a theory
about what you're really
doing out there in the woods.
[scoffs]
Casey at the gas station he says that
you guys inherited
the alien spacecraft
[scoffs]
after Area 51 was compromised.
Mm.
That's why drones
aren't allowed to fly over.
Alien spacecraft, huh?
Then again, June at the diner
she says you're running a flavor lab,
like for snack foods,
and all the security
is to safeguard the secret recipe.
Herbs and spices?
And what do you say?
I say, a girl hot as you?
Don't give a fuck
what she does for work.
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
[indistinct chattering]
[laughter]
I would never.
But I might be
[continues indistinctly]
[laughter]
Hey. I'm here to bring you to dinner.
Oh, you got your jewelry.
Yeah, I guess I probably
should've warned you about that.
Well, I don't think it would've
made much of a difference.
But, you know, besides,
I was having a lot dumped
on me all at the one time.
Okay, come on. Let's go.
Everyone's excited to meet you,
Nicky, included,
even if he is too cool to show it.
[clears throat]
Uh, I got a little, uh,
sidetracked last time
before we finished discussing
how you read minds.
- Right.
- How does it work?
Um, it's actually not
as cool as people think it is.
I can tell you your grandmother's name,
but only if you put it
in the front of your mind.
I can't go deep.
Rebecca.
I mean, that's still
pretty fucking cool.
All right.
It's not true love or anything,
so don't get that idea.
Might not even be a favor,
but it could be.
A few days after I landed here,
they put me into a quarantine
for almost two weeks.
No shots for dots.
What the hell does that mean?
[chuckles] Point is,
maybe I'm still contagious,
you might catch it,
and it'll keep you in
Front Half a little longer.
But I thought Back Half
was a good thing, you know?
One step closer to home?
It is supposedly.
[laughs] Give me some.
Seriously?
It tastes better off your plate!
George, no!
Hey, guys!
Luke, right? George Iles.
Bet Sha's already told you all about me.
I'm like a god to her.
Oh, he's such a loser.
I'll grab you something.
I'm Iris.
Uh, glad to meet you both.
How do you like it here so far?
Great time or the greatest time?
Yeah, well, I don't even
know what "here" is.
- Join the club on that.
- [Luke] Thank you.
Reminds me, you're TK, right?
Neg or Pos?
Uh, I don't
Oh, Positive means that
we can do it when we want,
at least most of the time.
Oh, well, then I'm Neg, then.
Sure?
Yeah, I can't even wiggle my ears.
Yes! TK-Neg. Wait till I tell Nicky.
They've been betting
on what the new kids will be.
George always takes TK-Neg.
'Cause it's the most common.
Pedestrian, if you will.
No offense, Luke, but TK-Pos,
that's that's rarefied air.
♪♪♪
[man] George! Knock it off!
Clean it up!
Holy shit.
Sadly, that just about takes us
to the limit of my ability.
Doesn't exactly make me an X-Man.
Sad truth is TK's not good for much.
You know, Hendricks says the most
an Institute kid's ever lifted
is, like, eight pounds.
I wish it were possible to
develop a really powerful TK.
We could float ourselves
the fuck out of here.
Yeah. [chuckles]
Iris has chosen to adopt Nicky's
attitude about all this.
- Mm.
- She didn't choose anything.
She's just open to the truth.
Speak of the devil.
Georgie here, on the other hand,
he's our Agent Mulder.
He wants to believe.
Believe what?
Oh, that everything's
gonna be all right!
Nicky, do you remember
what we just talked about?
Right, right.
Just got a little carried away
greeting the new arrival,
making him feel at home.
What happened to your hand?
I fell.
[sips]
Uh, Luke, meet Nicky.
[glass clatters]
Luke Ellis.
Yeah, I know.
They always tell us about the new kids,
offer rewards if
we'll show you the ropes.
Not for me, though.
No, Nicky Wilholm won't trade
his home for beads and blankets.
Speaking of, who's got tokes?
You know, if you weren't such
a dick, you could earn some
- [chuckles] George
- instead of always mooching.
What, cooperate? Me? Never.
Rebel Without a Mustache.
Yeah, you know,
it's actually kind of gross
to boycott something by having
your friends buy it for you.
I'm not boycotting,
just not cooperating.
Come on. Who's holding?
I have two from Maureen
for not crying this morning
- after shots-for-dots.
- [Nicky] Thank you.
Come on. I know you've got some.
[clinking]
Whatever.
Kiss-ass.
Come on, Ellis, let's get you something.
Fun Stix. [laughs]
You play chess, Ellis? These three suck.
Diana Gibson could at least
give me a half-assed game,
but she went
to Back Half three days ago.
Yeah, yeah, I play,
but I gotta tell you, man,
I'm not in the mood.
Come on. Don't be like that.
[whistles]
Ah! Why, thank you.
- All yours.
- [chuckles]
[crunches]
You know, I thought those were
real cigarettes for a second.
Now, when I thought this place
couldn't get any weirder.
[lighter clatters]
[exhales deeply]
It can always get weirder.
Jesus. Is this Pleasure Island or
[laughs] From Pinocchio, right?
Good one.
It's how they get you
offer you all the grown-up shit
we've been denied for so long.
Smokes, booze
Cracker Jacks, Ho Hos.
- [laughter] Ho Hos?
- What?
What? My mom's an old hippie,
only gave us carob chips.
- Hold on. There's booze?
- Yeah.
You know, wine coolers,
mostly. You know, kid stuff.
There's even a sign that says,
"Please drink responsibly."
How old are the kids here?
Bobby Washington was almost 19.
Oldest we know of. He went
to Back Half a week ago.
Youngest?
Ten, I think.
[George] Mm-hmm.
Mm.
Look, do yourself a favor
and don't let Nicky pull you
into his bullshit, okay?
You see the dots, say so.
If you don't, say that.
They know when we lie.
[traffic passing in distance]
What's wrong?
What if I had a story that was
bigger than you could imagine?
You'd be surprised what I can imagine.
I'm serious.
If you've got a story like that
story that could change everything
what would you do?
I think you have an inflated sense
of my career to this point.
Truth is, I'm still just
a stringer for a local daily,
circulation under 10,000,
negligible online presence.
Well, who then?
Don't you know people?
I guess I might.
What if I've spent my whole
life on the wrong path?
What if this is
my one shot at redemption,
and even that's not enough?
I just
Do you think there's a hell?
I know there is.
[silenced gunshot]
♪♪♪
You're right. She was unreliable.
"Was"?
It's taken care of.
I need a cleaning crew.
Do you have my location?
I have you. Sit tight.
[receiver clatters]
[taps keys on keyboard]
Thanks.
[crickets chirping]
[soft electrical humming]
[crickets chirping]
Why would they keep
the playground open at night,
but not bother to light it?
Uh anybody flying over,
don't want 'em wondering
what's going on all night,
you know, middle of
the deep Maine wilderness.
At least there's a moon tonight.
Enough for chess, anyway.
Yeah, I'm still not in the mood.
Come on. What else have we got to do?
[exhales deeply]
[Warren Zevon's
"Werewolves of London" playing]
♪♪♪
I saw a werewolf with
A Chinese menu in his hand ♪
Walking through the streets
Of SoHo in the rain ♪
He was looking for the place
Called Lee Ho Fook's ♪
Gonna get a big dish
Of beef chow mein ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
Werewolves of London ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
You hear him howlin'
Around your kitchen door ♪
You better not let him in ♪
Little old lady got
Mutilated late last night ♪
Werewolves of London again ♪
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London ♪
- [grunting]
- Ah-hoo ♪
[Wire clattering]
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
♪♪♪
Is that checkmate?
What was that, five moves?
Six. And it's, uh,
"Smothered Mate."
It only works if
your opponent waits too long
to move the pieces next to their king.
And next time you will.
Plus, I was playing hurt.
Right. From your fall?
How smart are you?
I don't know. Why?
I need to decide are you
the kid I've been waiting for,
smart enough to know
we can't stay in this place?
Or are you like the others?
Can't handle the truth,
so they talk themselves
into a fairy tale.
You know, we get our memories wiped,
go on with our lives like
all this never happened.
Even Kalisha is still
trying to believe in it.
Everyone but you.
Grow up in group homes and foster care,
you learn not to believe in stories.
You also learn that nobody's
coming to the rescue.
I mean, if
if anybody knew about this place
it would already be shut down.
Yeah, we want out, we get ourselves out.
So, Smart Kid,
how do we get the fuck out of here?
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
Shout, shout ♪
Let it all out ♪
These are the things
I can do without ♪
Come on ♪
I'm talking to you ♪
Come on ♪
In violent times ♪
You shouldn't have To sell your soul ♪
In black and white ♪
They really, Really ought to know ♪
Shout, shout ♪
Let it all out ♪
These are the things
I can do without ♪
Come on ♪
I'm talking to you ♪
Come on ♪
♪♪♪
[person coughs]
[tense music playing]
♪♪♪
[desk rattling]
Boys' room, down the hall,
third door on your right.
Is there a problem?
[clears throat]
Uh, well, I'm I'm finished.
[student whispers] What?
[Indistinct chattering]
Kid, what are you even doing here?
Uh, taking the test, same as you.
Wait. How old are you?
Uh, 14.
Are you a genius? Like in a movie?
Well, I did stay in a
Holiday Inn Express last night.
[laughter]
Wait. What did you get for
the last question in the math?
About the hotel? Do you remember?
Uh, it was "A."
Shit. Are you sure?
I got "C."
Uh, you know, that
that's how they get you.
"C" is a terrific equation, really.
But, uh, see, you're already
figuring the room tax
into the nightly charge,
so multiply everything
inside the parentheses
You end up counting it twice.
That's okay. You know, I'm sure
I'm sure you got the rest of them right.
No. I forgot how to
calculate the fucking tax.
I suck!
Is it weird being you?
- And that's an "I."
- There's an "I"?
Yeah, sure. K-U-S-I.
Is it strange we always play
with animals
I've never heard of and can't spell?
[chuckles] Aw, nice try, Rolf.
Euro step into a reverse layup,
nothing but net.
In your dreams.
Goebert clearing out for Ellis,
and he's gonna take his man
off the dribble and use
the Eurostep into the
[Rolf] Nice shot, "Phenom."
You almost had it.
But that Eurostep is
looking slick as hell.
Shit, man.
What's wrong?
My Timberwolves jersey, man
it's ripped.
I'm sure your mom can sew it.
No big deal, man.
[woman over P.A.] Please,
can I have your attention?
Ladies and gentlemen,
the sooner we get one more volunteer,
the sooner we can board you all.
And we'll still have a shot
at an on-time arrival.
We've already been waiting here an hour!
[passengers murmuring agreement]
We're offering a
a courtesy booking on the
6:45 a.m. departure tomorrow
[passengers groaning and murmuring]
as well as a hotel voucher
and a $200 credit.
[passengers murmuring]
[sighs] My mistake,
that's, uh, $200 in cash.
[man] Doesn't help me
with my connection.
Four hundred.
Plus the hotel and rebooking.
Now, she's a game show host.
Do I hear a thousand?
[laughter]
Six hundred.
Ma'am.
Six hundred, plus a cash refund
for my ticket,
you got yourself a seat.
[elevator bell dings]
[man on voicemail]
This is Keith. Leave a message.
Hey, Keith. It's Tim.
Listen, I don't think
I'm gonna make it out
to New York after all.
I hope your Dad knows
how much I appreciate the offer.
I know he doesn't
really need an extra guy
on a routine exec protect.
I just think
I just really wouldn't be any
good to him right now anyway,
so
[engine roaring]
Thanks.
Not a rapist? Or a psychotic?
No, ma'am.
'Course, that's exactly
what a psychotic would say.
Going as far as Maine?
That duffel suggests you might be.
I guess I hadn't decided.
That case, I got a proposition for ya.
One hand washes the other.
- You scratch my back
- No.
They'll be no backscratching,
if you don't mind,
and I ain't asking.
Thing is, I got a truckful of books,
40-some boxes, each one
heavier than a sonofabitch.
If you help me unload and reload
at each one of my stops,
I'll take you as far
as the public library
in Dennison, Maine?
Sounds good.
Throw your stuff in the back.
We were in Principal Greer's
office for almost an hour.
How How long have the two
of you been talking about MIT?
Since October.
Look, he he said he felt
that Broderick Day had
taken me as far as it could.
And you agree? MIT is where you belong?
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah, I think I think so.
You know, um,
but I don't know how to say it.
Try.
We're talking about uprooting
our lives here, so try.
[clears throat] There's just
there's so much I wanna
learn and figure out.
It makes me feel so small.
You know, I have this dream,
and I'm standing
on the edge of an abyss,
and it's full of all
the things I don't know.
Well, I guess an abyss can't
be full, so call it a chasm.
But it's bottomless.
And there's a bridge,
and I wanna walk across that
bridge and raise my hands,
and then all the things
from the darkness
would come floating up
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Butterfingers. I'm sorry.
Thank you.
[Luke] Thank you.
[indistinct conversations]
Look.
Your brain and what it can do is a gift.
God knows it didn't come from us.
Figure that means we oughta do
whatever's in our power
to see how far it can take you.
You know what they say
about the abyss, right?
You look into it,
it looks right back into you.
- Yeah, you bet it does.
- Mm-hmm.
[keyboard keys clicking]
[intriguing music playing]
♪♪♪
[crickets chirping]
[engine turns off]
- [beep]
- It's all lights out.
[man] Copy. Standing by for your "go."
If the parents wake up,
we might have to get wet.
No choice.
- [beep]
- Make it 45 minutes to go.
Copy. 45 to go.
♪♪♪
[alarm beeps]
[creaking]
Mom?
- Sure, kid, whatever you want.
- [spray hisses]
[gasping]
- That's the last of 'em.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
Hi.
Just saw a guy wearing
an ice hockey jersey.
I figure that's the good Lord telling me
to get my ass back
across the Vermont line.
I'm much obliged to you
for the ride, ma'am.
Been a pleasure getting to know you.
Good luck to you, Tim.
Thank you.
Wife hates when I'm late for dinner,
so let's just get right to it.
Just got off with Boston PD.
Seems you forgot a few things
on your application.
One, 2011, you received
a commendation for lifesaving.
Again in 2018.
2020, you got the Officer of the Year.
Well, they had to give it to somebody.
I always showed up on time,
never called in sick, so
Okay, I don't know if
that is becoming modesty
or low self-esteem, but I don't like it.
All right. I earned that award.
I applied for this job
kind of spur of the moment.
More time to think,
I'd have put it down.
But you remembered to put down
the incident at Westfield Mall.
Figured you had a right to know.
Lieutenant I spoke to
said the guy you shot
had an AR and 200 rounds.
He wasn't a "guy."
He was a kid, 16 years old,
and he hadn't shot anybody.
Sixteen or not, kid threw down on a cop.
There you go.
Lieutenant said you were off-duty.
Yeah, I, uh,
swung by the mall after my shift,
to pick up some dress shoes
for a wedding,
was still in uniform.
This woman comes running up
from the parking lot,
says she just saw some guy
pull a rifle out of his car.
- So far, so good.
- Yeah.
Yeah, right up until the moment
where the responding officers
smelled the alcohol on me,
gave me the test.
I had two Old Fashioneds at Beachcombers
right before I hit the shoe store.
You were off-duty.
But in uniform.
Department let me pick
resignation or dismissal.
You ordinarily a drinking man?
I was after that for a while.
Long enough to end my marriage,
but not anymore.
If I were to Breathalyze you
right now, what would you blow?
Go ahead and find out.
No, don't believe I will.
I don't believe I need to.
Well, son, you are ridiculously
overqualified for this job,
but if you want it, it's yours.
Well, I want it.
All right.
You start tonight, 8:00 to 6:00.
- Just like that?
- Just like that.
[distorted music playing]
[spray hissing]
[breathing unsteadily]
[gasps]
♪♪♪
I was gonna change it
to "I choose to be crappy,"
but they might take away my pen.
Yeah, sometimes they let shit
slide. Sometimes they don't.
Name's Kalisha.
Will also respond to "Sha."
Uh, what's happening here? Where are we?
Welcome to The Institute.
Institute of what?
Okay, yeah, I remember how many
questions I had my first day.
You know, it's usually just easier
Are we still in Minneapolis?
No, we're definitely not in
Minneapolis anymore, Toto.
We're in Maine. Well, at least
that's what they say.
[Luke] Who's they?
You really can't stop yourself, can ya?
Is that a smart kid thing?
Why would you say that?
They give us a rundown
of all the new arrivals.
Your name's Luke Ellis,
you're from Minneapolis,
you like basketball and chess,
and you're smart.
So, how smart are you? No, no.
Um, I think the real question
is are you TK or TP?
That's the one thing they never
tell us about the newbies.
Yeah, you lost me. [scoffs]
TP is telepathy. TK is
Telekinesis.
So, which are you?
Supposedly, no one's both
when they get here, but I'm thinking TK?
I'm TP.
You read minds?
Always have been able to, off and on.
Well, sometimes, things move around me.
But but that can't be enough to
To land you here?
Have we
Have we been kidnapped?
[Kalisha] They call it "recruited."
Like by the military?
I don't know.
Do our parents know where we are?
Can we talk to them or
No, actually. Apparently,
our work here is too classified
for any contact with the outside.
I mean, well,
someone must run this place.
[Kalisha] Ms. Sigsby.
Except for the medical stuff.
That's Dr. Hendricks.
Medical stuff?
Oh, it's just tests, mostly,
and shots, lots of shots.
Uh, at least, that's what
it's like in Front Half.
- We're in Front Half right now.
- Is there a Back Half?
Yeah, where we go when
we graduate Front Half.
We can see it from the playground.
Not not here. But
I can't really tell you
what's going on in there.
No contact.
What do Sigsby and Hendricks say?
[Kalisha] They're not real big
on answering questions.
When do I get to meet them?
[Kalisha] Hard to say.
They usually let the newbies
wander a while first.
Hmm.
Why would they do it like that?
Mm. No one's ever
thought to question that.
If you'd read his file, you'd know.
They wanna tell us
this place isn't so bad and figure
we're more likely to accept it
coming from another kid.
Predicts he'll notice
things others won't.
Goes on at great lengths
about his observational
and analytical powers.
Why make up our rooms?
You know, if the boy's
as smart as you say,
we should be considering him
for the P.C. track.
We're not having
this conversation again.
Why can't
P.C. track's on indefinite hold.
Your main priority is keep
the conveyor belt moving.
You've seen the latest target packages.
You know how tight the keyhole's gotten.
Two halves [muttering indistinctly]
[Kalisha] Are you always like this?
- He's talking to himself.
- Yeah.
Bet he does that a lot.
I think he's ready for me.
You know, it's actually not so bad here.
We have video games, movies.
The playground's open until late.
Um, just, hey, just make sure
you do what they tell you to.
Also, by the way,
have you ever had chicken pox?
Wha
Kalisha.
Luke.
Ms. Sigsby would like a word with you.
Get changed.
♪♪♪
Wow, 75 years ago, I bet
this was state of the art.
It's actually kinda cool.
Retro.
Three spots in town have punch keys
for it to mark your progress.
Punch it at each end of Water Street
first at the Station, then at the bank.
Once more at Hopper's Jewelry on Garish.
Then back to the Station.
Rest of the doors,
you can mark with chalk.
Just wipe it off on your way back.
It's a 2.3-mile loop.
You know, Ed Whitlock used to
make six circuits each shift.
So, that's what?
Fourteen miles?
I guess I'll be getting my steps in.
Drew and I'll work out a schedule.
You'll get two nights off each week.
Probably Monday, Tuesday.
Town's usually pretty quiet
after the weekend,
but we might have to shift you.
If you stick around, that is.
You have some issue with me,
Officer Gullickson?
If so, speak now.
Only time will tell.
Thing is, we're a good crew.
Small, but good.
You're just some guy off the street.
People joke about a night knocker,
but it's key
for a force as small as ours.
"Ounce of prevention's
worth a pound of cure."
My grandpa used to say that.
Okay.
He was a night knocker.
It's why I applied.
Night knocker's an analog job
in a digital age.
Maybe we're just an analog town.
I sure hope so.
♪♪♪
Mr. Stackhouse.
Sure, kid, whatever you want.
Wait. That's that's no, get off!
[elevator bell dings]
Welcome, Luke.
[door closes]
So, you've met Mr. Stackhouse,
Chief of Security.
And this is Dr. Hendricks.
He's the architect
of the cutting-edge science
we do here.
My name is Ms. Sigsby, and I'm
The boss, I know.
And you know I know because
you watched Kalisha tell me.
So, why don't we get to the part
where you tell me what's going on here?
Sorry. You're just
cooler than most of
the first-dayers we see.
You went through all
this trouble to get me here,
and now you want me to what?
Cry and scream
and beg you to take me home?
Would it do any good?
None at all. Please sit.
Thank you, Dr. Hendricks.
I'll take it from here.
Looking forward to working with you.
[footsteps depart, door opens]
Oh, sometimes,
our new arrivals will lash out,
in their disorientation,
so Mr. Stackhouse escorts each of you
until we're satisfied that
you're not gonna hurt anyone,
yourself included.
But you're not gonna hurt
anyone, are you, Luke?
No.
No. Thank you.
[chair wheels roll]
[refrigerator door closes]
Have a soda.
[door closes]
Okay.
Jellybean?
Why?
So, you can see which color I choose,
get a get a sense of my personality?
No, because I like jellybeans,
and I thought you might like them, too.
- [can tab opens]
- But
You like to analyze, I gather.
The more I focus on logic,
the less I have to think
about being kidnapped.
That's not a word we use here.
Right. "Recruited."
And let me be the first to say
congratulations.
For
For being here.
The work you're about
to become a part of,
is, without a doubt,
the most important work
taking place anywhere on Earth.
You are, without question,
about to participate
in saving the world.
Okay. I want to talk to my parents now.
As Kalisha told you,
that's not possible.
Let me talk to them,
and I'll do whatever you want.
This This isn't a negotiation, Luke.
A boy with your intellect
shouldn't have
any trouble understanding.
[sighs]
Without our work,
the world as we know it
would cease to be.
That's bigger than any of us.
It's my responsibility
to see that that work gets done,
so it will get done.
And what, exactly, is our work?
I'll leave it to your fellow recruits
to fill you in on that.
You're more likely to accept it
coming from another kid.
Actually, that's another word
we try not to use.
You're not kids. Not here.
There's no bedtime. There's no chores.
There's no food you're not allowed.
You're doing grown-up work.
You should be treated like grown-ups.
But, at the same time, bear in mind
this is not your home.
This is not your school.
Here, if you break a rule,
there's a grown-up consequence.
And what are those rules?
Glad you asked.
Main rule is follow any order
given from a staff member
without question or delay.
You'll be given a number of injections.
You'll be given a number of tests.
You will comply with all of them.
You won't, with maybe a few exceptions,
find them excessively unpleasant.
Your mental and physical condition
will be monitored regularly.
And then, when you come
to the end of your service,
we'll wipe your memory, send you home.
Home? To my parents?
Yes, of course.
Are they alive?
Yes, of course they're alive.
We're not monsters.
Do they know where I am?
Generally.
At any rate,
I think you'll find your time here
will pass quite quickly, Luke.
And when you leave us,
and when you wake up
in your own bed one morning,
none of this will have happened.
The only sad part is
you won't have the memory
of the great privilege of
having been asked to serve
not just your country, but humanity.
How many how many people
does each kid here know?
School? Families?
You can't just wipe all their memories.
I think you'd be surprised
what we can do.
Pleasure meeting you.
My room
it's not supposed to make me
feel comfortable, right?
Just supposed to let me know
you're trying to make me comfortable.
I know this feels like
a very dark time for you, Luke.
But if you'll simply do as you're told,
before you know it, you'll be
back out in the sunshine,
maybe hitting some baskets with Rolf.
[click]
♪♪♪
[man over radio] I'm telling
you, Patriots, my Outsider Arm,
I'm giving you the straight dope
they don't want you to know,
because they don't think
you can handle the truth.
But we can handle it.
- Hi.
- Can't we?
You must be Ed Whitlock's replacement.
I heard a rumor they found one.
Tim Jamieson, new night knocker.
[chuckles] Annie Ledoux, old weirdo.
for millennia, but no more
Hey, remind me, who is this guy again?
- You don't know George Allman?
- [man continuing indistinctly]
[scoffs] Still got
your blinders on, huh?
Do you have any fillings?
Sorry?
Open your mouth.
Because?
[scoffs] That's how they listen.
Ah.
- Ahh.
- Ah.
Oh, good. Someone was
smart enough to get you gold.
Well, that was the Army,
and I'm sure they just got
whatever was cheapest.
You know, they might've remembered
where porcelain comes from.
You, uh, you think
that the Chinese government
is bugging our mouths?
You're kidding, right?
Am I, Sport?
My mom used to call me Sport.
I know.
After the fella from that stage show
with all the Black folks in it.
Um "Pork and
Pork and Beans" or something.
"Porgy & Bess."
How do you know that?
Hmm.
Do yourself a favor.
Start listening to George's Gems
'cause there are things going on
every day in this world
that you would not fucking believe.
[beeping]
Looks like I just barely caught you.
I thought I had 48 hours' liberty.
Just touching base.
You got the dossier
for the next recruit?
Yeah.
Kid's got a chaotic family situation.
Might complicate the snatch.
Makes the cover story easier.
Soon as you're back,
we'll go through scenarios.
Make sure you know the dossier.
I always do.
The Ellis snatch
It's no good looking backward.
It went how it went.
It only went wrong
'cause they made us rush it.
[beeps]
Soon as the MIT news broke,
the Ellis kid was gonna
get a bunch of publicity.
- The decision was made
- Well, I wish those bastards
would come with us on an op sometime,
see the consequences
of their "decisions."
Sorry, sir.
[beep]
♪♪♪
[engine idling]
[cellphone chiming]
[touchscreen clicking]
Hey, we got a bogie.
Copy that.
[gear shifts, seatbelt clicks]
- [car door opens]
- How can we help you folks?
Uh I don't know.
I guess we took the wrong exit off 161,
and time we realized it,
we're a mile deep in these woods.
We got no cell service.
Yeah, these pines
they play hell with your signal.
Huh. Yeah.
What's what's over there?
Infectious disease lab.
- Nasty stuff.
- Oh.
So, straight back
the way you came, okay?
Left on the fire road,
bear right at the fork,
it'll spit you right back out on 161.
- Left then right.
- Let's go, Will.
[Will] Yeah. We're going. Thanks.
[guard] Sure thing. You folks take care.
[engine starts]
[beep]
Ms. Sigsby explain about the tokens?
- No.
- Oh.
You'd think she'd remember,
as many intakes as she's done.
Tokens are a reward
for being a good cooperator,
lets you get treats
from the vending machines.
Oh.
Hey, pretty lady. How's it going?
Just fine.
How about you, Luke? Adjusting okay?
Silent treatment, huh?
[chuckles] That's fine for now.
Here's the thing.
Treat us right, we'll treat you right.
"Go along to get along."
Words of wisdom, Luke, my boy!
Words of wisdom. Come on in.
We won't be a minute.
Have a seat, champ.
Hop on up, I said.
What are you gonna do? Tattoo me?
Gosh, no.
Just gonna chip your ear lobe.
No biggie.
All our guests get 'em.
It's like getting a piercing.
I'm not a guest. I'm a prisoner.
And you're not putting
anything in my ear.
[chuckles] I am, though.
Look, it's just a little pinch.
Be over quick.
Maureen'll give you a bunch of tokens.
What do you say?
No.
[sighs]
Are you sure?
Yeah.
Aah!
[inhaling sharply]
[Luke groaning]
[Luke continues groaning]
[exhales deeply]
- [gasps]
- Mm-hmm.
Bet that smarts a lot more than
a little pinch in the ear, huh?
[chuckles] Do you want another?
No.
You ready to get in the chair?
Now, are you gonna behave,
or do we need the straps?
I'll behave.
[clack]
[groans]
All right, champ,
you're all done for now.
Grab you some gauze for
that ear, in case it bleeds,
put some ice on it,
and you have yourself
a great rest of the day.
Evening.
Hey there.
Hmm. Tim,
- meet Bedelia.
- Oh.
She likes to greet all our guests.
Bedelia.
How's night knocking?
Yeah. Um
it's only been one night,
but so far, so good.
If you say so.
Me, I wouldn't be caught dead
working for Chief Snowflake's
pissant outfit,
even if it meant getting to stare
at Officer Gullickson's ass all day.
[chuckles] She is a piece.
You have a good night, Mr. Hollister.
What? Did I offend ya?
Hi. You, uh, going my way?
Resupply run.
George's drive-time show is
having a marathon this weekend.
I can't risk losing comms.
Well, you want me to pull
this thing to your place?
Just gotta stop by
the station, start my shift.
Might make it slow going for you, but
Huh. I can clear my schedule.
Okay then. Let's do it.
Don't think I didn't
see you talking to him.
Mr. Hollister?
I'm living in his hotel.
Why wouldn't I talk to him?
That man queers my reception.
♪♪♪
Hi.
Hey.
The mystery lady returns.
Ah, I told you.
Sometimes I have to go
out of town unexpectedly.
♪♪♪
Hey, Alex.
Got it.
Now, um
where did we leave things off last time?
You were starting to tell me
about the place you work.
Oh, that's funny. I don't remember that.
You were pretty drunk.
Me? Never.
Seriously, why can't you talk about it?
We've been over this.
I just can't, especially not with you.
You knew I was a journalist when we met.
It's not like I was undercover.
Yeah, but I didn't approach you
'cause I wanted to talk.
There you go.
- Oh.
- Thanks.
No?
No.
You know, everyone
in Dennison has a theory
about what you're really
doing out there in the woods.
[scoffs]
Casey at the gas station he says that
you guys inherited
the alien spacecraft
[scoffs]
after Area 51 was compromised.
Mm.
That's why drones
aren't allowed to fly over.
Alien spacecraft, huh?
Then again, June at the diner
she says you're running a flavor lab,
like for snack foods,
and all the security
is to safeguard the secret recipe.
Herbs and spices?
And what do you say?
I say, a girl hot as you?
Don't give a fuck
what she does for work.
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
[indistinct chattering]
[laughter]
I would never.
But I might be
[continues indistinctly]
[laughter]
Hey. I'm here to bring you to dinner.
Oh, you got your jewelry.
Yeah, I guess I probably
should've warned you about that.
Well, I don't think it would've
made much of a difference.
But, you know, besides,
I was having a lot dumped
on me all at the one time.
Okay, come on. Let's go.
Everyone's excited to meet you,
Nicky, included,
even if he is too cool to show it.
[clears throat]
Uh, I got a little, uh,
sidetracked last time
before we finished discussing
how you read minds.
- Right.
- How does it work?
Um, it's actually not
as cool as people think it is.
I can tell you your grandmother's name,
but only if you put it
in the front of your mind.
I can't go deep.
Rebecca.
I mean, that's still
pretty fucking cool.
All right.
It's not true love or anything,
so don't get that idea.
Might not even be a favor,
but it could be.
A few days after I landed here,
they put me into a quarantine
for almost two weeks.
No shots for dots.
What the hell does that mean?
[chuckles] Point is,
maybe I'm still contagious,
you might catch it,
and it'll keep you in
Front Half a little longer.
But I thought Back Half
was a good thing, you know?
One step closer to home?
It is supposedly.
[laughs] Give me some.
Seriously?
It tastes better off your plate!
George, no!
Hey, guys!
Luke, right? George Iles.
Bet Sha's already told you all about me.
I'm like a god to her.
Oh, he's such a loser.
I'll grab you something.
I'm Iris.
Uh, glad to meet you both.
How do you like it here so far?
Great time or the greatest time?
Yeah, well, I don't even
know what "here" is.
- Join the club on that.
- [Luke] Thank you.
Reminds me, you're TK, right?
Neg or Pos?
Uh, I don't
Oh, Positive means that
we can do it when we want,
at least most of the time.
Oh, well, then I'm Neg, then.
Sure?
Yeah, I can't even wiggle my ears.
Yes! TK-Neg. Wait till I tell Nicky.
They've been betting
on what the new kids will be.
George always takes TK-Neg.
'Cause it's the most common.
Pedestrian, if you will.
No offense, Luke, but TK-Pos,
that's that's rarefied air.
♪♪♪
[man] George! Knock it off!
Clean it up!
Holy shit.
Sadly, that just about takes us
to the limit of my ability.
Doesn't exactly make me an X-Man.
Sad truth is TK's not good for much.
You know, Hendricks says the most
an Institute kid's ever lifted
is, like, eight pounds.
I wish it were possible to
develop a really powerful TK.
We could float ourselves
the fuck out of here.
Yeah. [chuckles]
Iris has chosen to adopt Nicky's
attitude about all this.
- Mm.
- She didn't choose anything.
She's just open to the truth.
Speak of the devil.
Georgie here, on the other hand,
he's our Agent Mulder.
He wants to believe.
Believe what?
Oh, that everything's
gonna be all right!
Nicky, do you remember
what we just talked about?
Right, right.
Just got a little carried away
greeting the new arrival,
making him feel at home.
What happened to your hand?
I fell.
[sips]
Uh, Luke, meet Nicky.
[glass clatters]
Luke Ellis.
Yeah, I know.
They always tell us about the new kids,
offer rewards if
we'll show you the ropes.
Not for me, though.
No, Nicky Wilholm won't trade
his home for beads and blankets.
Speaking of, who's got tokes?
You know, if you weren't such
a dick, you could earn some
- [chuckles] George
- instead of always mooching.
What, cooperate? Me? Never.
Rebel Without a Mustache.
Yeah, you know,
it's actually kind of gross
to boycott something by having
your friends buy it for you.
I'm not boycotting,
just not cooperating.
Come on. Who's holding?
I have two from Maureen
for not crying this morning
- after shots-for-dots.
- [Nicky] Thank you.
Come on. I know you've got some.
[clinking]
Whatever.
Kiss-ass.
Come on, Ellis, let's get you something.
Fun Stix. [laughs]
You play chess, Ellis? These three suck.
Diana Gibson could at least
give me a half-assed game,
but she went
to Back Half three days ago.
Yeah, yeah, I play,
but I gotta tell you, man,
I'm not in the mood.
Come on. Don't be like that.
[whistles]
Ah! Why, thank you.
- All yours.
- [chuckles]
[crunches]
You know, I thought those were
real cigarettes for a second.
Now, when I thought this place
couldn't get any weirder.
[lighter clatters]
[exhales deeply]
It can always get weirder.
Jesus. Is this Pleasure Island or
[laughs] From Pinocchio, right?
Good one.
It's how they get you
offer you all the grown-up shit
we've been denied for so long.
Smokes, booze
Cracker Jacks, Ho Hos.
- [laughter] Ho Hos?
- What?
What? My mom's an old hippie,
only gave us carob chips.
- Hold on. There's booze?
- Yeah.
You know, wine coolers,
mostly. You know, kid stuff.
There's even a sign that says,
"Please drink responsibly."
How old are the kids here?
Bobby Washington was almost 19.
Oldest we know of. He went
to Back Half a week ago.
Youngest?
Ten, I think.
[George] Mm-hmm.
Mm.
Look, do yourself a favor
and don't let Nicky pull you
into his bullshit, okay?
You see the dots, say so.
If you don't, say that.
They know when we lie.
[traffic passing in distance]
What's wrong?
What if I had a story that was
bigger than you could imagine?
You'd be surprised what I can imagine.
I'm serious.
If you've got a story like that
story that could change everything
what would you do?
I think you have an inflated sense
of my career to this point.
Truth is, I'm still just
a stringer for a local daily,
circulation under 10,000,
negligible online presence.
Well, who then?
Don't you know people?
I guess I might.
What if I've spent my whole
life on the wrong path?
What if this is
my one shot at redemption,
and even that's not enough?
I just
Do you think there's a hell?
I know there is.
[silenced gunshot]
♪♪♪
You're right. She was unreliable.
"Was"?
It's taken care of.
I need a cleaning crew.
Do you have my location?
I have you. Sit tight.
[receiver clatters]
[taps keys on keyboard]
Thanks.
[crickets chirping]
[soft electrical humming]
[crickets chirping]
Why would they keep
the playground open at night,
but not bother to light it?
Uh anybody flying over,
don't want 'em wondering
what's going on all night,
you know, middle of
the deep Maine wilderness.
At least there's a moon tonight.
Enough for chess, anyway.
Yeah, I'm still not in the mood.
Come on. What else have we got to do?
[exhales deeply]
[Warren Zevon's
"Werewolves of London" playing]
♪♪♪
I saw a werewolf with
A Chinese menu in his hand ♪
Walking through the streets
Of SoHo in the rain ♪
He was looking for the place
Called Lee Ho Fook's ♪
Gonna get a big dish
Of beef chow mein ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
Werewolves of London ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
You hear him howlin'
Around your kitchen door ♪
You better not let him in ♪
Little old lady got
Mutilated late last night ♪
Werewolves of London again ♪
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London ♪
- [grunting]
- Ah-hoo ♪
[Wire clattering]
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London ♪
Ah-hoo ♪
♪♪♪
Is that checkmate?
What was that, five moves?
Six. And it's, uh,
"Smothered Mate."
It only works if
your opponent waits too long
to move the pieces next to their king.
And next time you will.
Plus, I was playing hurt.
Right. From your fall?
How smart are you?
I don't know. Why?
I need to decide are you
the kid I've been waiting for,
smart enough to know
we can't stay in this place?
Or are you like the others?
Can't handle the truth,
so they talk themselves
into a fairy tale.
You know, we get our memories wiped,
go on with our lives like
all this never happened.
Even Kalisha is still
trying to believe in it.
Everyone but you.
Grow up in group homes and foster care,
you learn not to believe in stories.
You also learn that nobody's
coming to the rescue.
I mean, if
if anybody knew about this place
it would already be shut down.
Yeah, we want out, we get ourselves out.
So, Smart Kid,
how do we get the fuck out of here?
♪♪♪
♪♪♪