Stranger Things: Tales from '85 (2026) s02e01 Episode Script

1
[ominous music playing]
[bird calling in distance]
[arcade game zapping]
Yeah. Yeah. Come on.
[grunting] Ho ho!
[man] Open up.
Hey, moron. Quit monkeying around
and make yourself useful.
Crack open those cash boxes.
Sorry, Uncle Ernie.
I just finally got the high score
on this thing.
- [car approaching]
- Whoa. Psst. Cops!
Shoot. Did they see us?
I don't know,
but I ain't sticking around to find out.
[dispatcher] unit 301. Be advised. Use
caution when checking out the location.
Caller reported movement
inside of the building
but no glass broken.
- I could try to talk our way out of this.
- Think for once, kid.
We're Dandridges.
Hawkins PD loves any excuse
to screw with us.
[Ernie] Hey, kid! We're clear!
Slow down a second!
Kid!
[panting]
[shimmering]
What the
["Haunted When the Minutes Drag"
by Love And Rockets playing]
The word that would
Best describe this feeling ♪
Would be haunted ♪
I touch the clothes you left behind ♪
That still retain your shape and lines
Still haunted ♪
I trace the outline of ♪
[screeching]
mirror hypnotized
I'm haunted ♪
I find a solitary hair ♪
Gone and still I reminisce
I'm haunted ♪
- [music rises]
- Haunted by your soul ♪
- [screeching]
- [Ernie screaming]
[gasping] Uncle Ernie?
[Ernie screaming]
[creature screeching]
Ah!
[screaming continues in distance]
[synth theme music playing]
[music fades out]
[exciting music playing]
[creature growling]
[Max] Come on! Come on!
[growling continues]
[Nikki] Can anybody see it?
[Lucas] That way. It headed that way.
[Dustin on walkie-talkie] Which way
is "that way," Lucas? I'm not psychic.
Southeast, okay?
Do you want longitude and latitude?
[Dustin] Southeast! Copy that!
[growling continues]
[clattering]
Target acquired.
HIC Operation Goblin is a go.
I'm going in.
[intriguing music playing]
Copy that. We're on our way.
What time is it?
Too late to be out goblin hunting.
Sneaking out all the time
is gonna get us busted.
[chuckles] Scared you'll miss
Valentine's Day?
No. I
I mean, yeah. I mean
Yes.
[Dustin screaming]
[all] Dustin!
- [Dustin screaming] Get it off!
- [Mike] There!
[hissing]
Get it off! Oh, get it off of me!
[hissing]
[moaning]
Don't say it.
Well, boys and girls, I think we can say
another successful mission by the HIC.
He said it.
Yup. Thanks to us, we officially know
these woods are 100% goblin-free.
What? Are you seriously gonna let
one little raccoon get you down?
It's not just one raccoon, Dustin.
- There was the Mothman sighting.
- A hairy camper.
And the werewolf.
Mrs. Kingsley's lost Pekingese.
Dustin, with no more gates
to the Upside Down,
maybe all that stuff is just over for us.
Maybe we can just be normal.
Listen, we've had a run
of late nights and bad luck,
but we can't forget
that we are the first line of defense
against paranormal threats to our town.
It's our duty
as the Hawkins Investigators Club
to investigate.
Because when the supernatural
does come calling,
we must be there to answer.
Sure, today's goblin
might have just been an angry raccoon.
I mean, who knows
what tomorrow will bring?
[all exclaiming]
[screeching]
["Heart of Stone" by Brian Wade playing]
[Max laughing] That was awesome.
I know. Dad, André is a mountain.
I doubt even Steele could put him
in a hammerlock. Yeah.
Sorry, Dad. Gotta run.
School.
What bad news?
Oh.
Uh, okay. Okay.
I I mean, I get it. Um
Cash is tight. It always is.
Right.
So
[exhales sharply]
Uh, so maybe I'll see you at Christmas?
Yeah.
Love you too.
[woman on TV] This Valentine's Day,
give your special someone
something special.
Ugh. Barf. Who falls for this garbage?
Because sometimes words are not enough.
Sometimes words are not enough.
Okay, kid, switch off the box
and give me your ears. This is important.
While I'm gone,
I got a whole selection of fruit juices.
Plus snacks from each
of the three major snack groups.
You will only be gone a few days.
I shouldn't be going at all.
But you won an award.
Actually, it's a commendation
from the governor.
So, you're right.
[groans] I should probably go.
But if anything happens, you call me.
There's a fire, call me.
Burglar, call me.
Toilet overflows
Call you. Got it.
I will miss you.
- And I
- [rhythmic knocking on door]
know that weak little knock.
Hey!
Oh, uh, hey.
Is that for me?
I picked it up from a patch
on the way and, um
Well, it's almost Valentine's Day,
and I wanted to get you something because
Sometimes words are not enough?
Um
Yeah.
Uh
[nervously] Actually,
there was something I wanted to ask.
Um
Will Will you Will you be
I just I actually just realized I
I'm gonna be late for school.
See you later, okay?
Oh, uh
Okay, bye!
And thank you for the flower!
[chuckles]
[school bell ringing]
But following that tragedy,
Samuel Hawkins brought about a rebirth
that grew our town into the vibrant home
we know and love today.
[snoring]
Dustin!
Bravo! Bravo!
Well done, ladies. Very thorough.
Mr. Henderson, you seem motivated.
Why don't you and your associates
give us your group report?
Um
Our report?
[school bell ringing]
Please! Mr. M, you have to give us
another chance!
[Mr. M chuckling]
Actually, what I have to give you is an F.
An F?!
If you spent less time in the AV Club
and more time studying--
AV club. That's it!
What if we made something better
than an oral report, a video report?
Huh.
A film on our town founder,
Samuel Hawkins.
It had better be historically accurate.
It will be
the most accurate film ever made.
We promise.
A movie? Sounds rad.
Right? I'm gonna direct,
Dustin's writing the script,
and Mike's gonna film.
What about Lucas?
[Lucas] He's gonna sweep you
off your feet.
Max Mayfield, will you be my Valentine?
Ooh!
February 14th, you and me
and the Valentine's Day steak surprise
at the diner.
Then a very special
Valentine's Day screening
of that new Breakfast Club movie.
Let me stop you right there, okay?
Valentine's is just a made-up holiday
to con suckers into wasting money
on cards and candy.
Suckers? Max, it's a day
couples are supposed to spend together.
You're welcome to hang out,
but I'll tell you
how I'm gonna be spending it.
In front of my TV,
with WWF's War to Settle the Score.
Are you serious?
I'm trying to be romantic,
and you're blowing me off
for some stupid wrestling?
Uh, guys?
It's not stupid, and if all of this
is your idea of being romantic,
then you suck at it.
Guys? Hey.
Maybe you wanna take a quick breath?
Then maybe we shouldn't be dating!
Fine by me, dude. Fine by me.
And you know what? You can keep this.
There's no need to reach me anymore.
[foreboding music playing]
[panting]
[creature screeching]
[creature growling]
[creature wailing]
[shouting] Help!
Please! Help!
Hello?
Hm.
["Poison Arrow" by ABC playing]
[groaning]
Shoot that poison arrow to my heart ♪
Shoot that poison arrow ♪
Shoot that poison arrow to my heart ♪
Okay, so what do we already know
about Samuel Hawkins?
Easy. He revitalized the town
after that tragic explosion
that closed the old silver mine.
You just learned that
from Rosario's report today, didn't you?
Maybe.
But she didn't talk about Bloodaxe Bill,
the guy who blew up the mine
and killed all those people.
This guy. The Mad Miner of Hawkins.
Legend says he could sense veins of ore
through 1,000 feet of rock
using his silver axe.
This just got interesting.
We gotta put this Bloodaxe guy
in our movie. I'll play him.
Anyone else need a refill?
[Keith] But they beat it
before they got the cash machine open.
You can't see their faces,
but they left out the side door here. See?
Huh. What's all that there? Those lights?
Some kind of reflection?
Whoa! Did you see that?
Yeah. Must have been
some kind of glitch on the tape.
Ugh, how much did the perps take?
Like, almost thirty bucks in quarters.
[sarcastically] Wow. Devastating.
Crime of the century.
Wait. That's it? Are you serious?
A guy totally disappears into thin air,
and you're not going to investigate?
All I saw was proof
this place needs an alarm system.
[slurping]
I've been in AV for two years.
That was not a glitch.
Those lights did something to that guy.
And look. The time code, it skips.
As head of Hawkins Investigators Club,
I'll need to confiscate this tape
as evidence.
Evidence of what?
Supernatural phenomena.
Two bucks.
Are you mad?
I'm fine. Hey, I'm surprised Hopper's
even letting you hang out with us.
He is out of town.
- [honking loudly]
- [both scream]
Hey! Watch where you're going, jerk!
Stupid kids.
Shouldn't be on the road anyway.
[country music playing on radio]
[tense music playing]
- [creature screeching]
- Oh man. That is disgusting.
Oh! What the Oh. Come on now!
[driver grunting]
What in the [screaming]
Ah! What are these?
- [chomping]
- [screaming]
- [groaning]
- [buzzing]
[creatures screeching, buzzing]
[choking]
[screaming]
[country music continues on radio]
[music end]
[heavy riff playing]
[Anna] Yes, yes, yes, yes,
I do understand. I just need more time.
That's right. Another extension.
What? No, no. No, no, no. It's just been
a rough time. But things are gonna--
Yes. I will. I will.
Okay. I appreciate that. Thank you.
- [Max] Nikki?
- [gasps]
[exhales] Hey. What's up?
[chuckles awkwardly]
Everything okay?
Yeah, yeah. It's, um
Nikki, I left some of that casserole
in the fridge.
Oh! Hello, girls!
- Hey, Mrs. Baxter.
- Hello.
Oh, Mom. Who was that on the phone?
Nobody. Listen, vis-à-vis the casserole,
20 minutes at 350.
And please, please, please turn
the oven off when you're finished
because I want the house standing
when I get back.
Have fun.
- [sighs]
- Nikki?
Yeah. Who's ready to rock?
[upbeat synth music playing]
I don't know, Dustin. Maybe.
Maybe what?
This is from here last night.
There. Right there.
Right before he disappears.
Those look like ghost lights to me.
You know, will-o'-wisps.
Ugh, Dustin.
The HIC already got us in trouble
once today.
Okay, look. We spent weeks
chasing after raccoons and stray dogs.
But this? This is a tip
on a real paranormal case.
[scoffs] You say that every time.
Come on, guys.
If there's even a chance
the HIC can help someone in danger,
then we gotta try.
It's like I said last night.
This morning?
We're the first line of defense.
It's our responsibility to protect Hawkins
when the cops won't.
After all, if we just sat around
when Will went missing,
he'd still be in the Upside Down
right now.
One hour. How do you want to start?
If we can figure out
who broke in here last night,
we can find them
and ask them what they saw.
You watched the tape.
It's impossible to see who they were.
Actually, I think I know
who one of them was.
[heavy guitar music playing]
[scoffs]
All right, spill it, Max.
What's your big beef with romance?
I don't have beef with romance.
My problem's with Valentine's Day.
It's a scam
to brainwash people into thinking
they have to buy things
to prove they love someone.
But how else can you say "I love you"
when words are not enough?
Oh God, not you too.
Has Mike even asked you
to be his girlfriend?
Asked? No.
[laughs] Don't listen to her, El.
You like what you want to like.
All I know is my mom and dad did
the bows and boxes every year.
But that didn't stop them
from hating each other's guts.
And now my dad lives in another state.
Okay then.
[guitar music continues]
[crackling]
[Eleven squeaks]
Oh crap, my amp's fried.
El.
Your flower, it's glowing.
Whoa! That's so cool!
Where did you get that?
Mike. He found a patch of them.
He gave it to me. For Valentine's.
I'm surprised some scammer
isn't making a ton selling them for
- Valentine's Day.
- Valentine's Day.
What?
If we pick some of those glowing flowers,
they'd sell like hotcakes.
You know, flat Eggos.
We, um Uh
I could use the money.
Fixing my amp, it's
It's not gonna be cheap.
Let's do it. Grab a bunch
and sell them at school for Valentine's.
But you said Valentine's was bad.
It's awful. But if you can't beat 'em,
charge a buck each.
[woman laughing]
- [shattering]
- You totally blew it.
[man] No way. That one didn't count.
- Um, we sure this is a good idea?
- [bottle shattering]
I know for a fact Max had the high score
on Centipede yesterday
when the arcade closed.
Then today somehow,
Charlie Dandridge has the top spot.
Only explanation,
he has to be one of the guys on that video
who broke in last night.
Sure, but why are we here?
'Cause this wretched hive of scum
and bullying is Charlie's stomping ground.
So try to, you know, look tough.
[gasping]
I
I mean 'Sup?
[laughing] Hey, Hammer,
check out the Little League.
What do you think
you're doing down here, Little League?
Oh, nothing. Just, you know, burning out.
Also, we're looking for Dirtbag Char--
I mean, Charlie Dandridge.
Are you some kind of narc? I hate narcs.
You know what? I can see
we may have come at a bad time.
They're not narcs. Just geeks.
Gimme that, nerd!
Hey, that's mine!
You trying to cause trouble for Charlie?
Nope, we hate trouble.
Sinclair, hang here for a sec.
The rest of you take a hike.
I'm good.
What's wrong with it?
Hold on. This stupid thing won't work.
Follow my lead.
[Hammer] Come on,
you're missing all the good stuff.
I owe you one, Sinclair.
You saved me from that
Whatever that was.
So you get one freebie. You cashing in?
Yeah, cashing in.
I ain't seen Charlie much
since his creep uncle got out of jail.
If Charlie's bailed on him or something,
he's holed up in the woods off Cornwallis.
Charlie's dad, when he was around,
used to take him hunting up there.
Charlie knows those woods
like the back of his hand.
Off Cornwallis, got it.
Yeah, and this is the button
you press to record.
- Hey! What the heck?
- [Dustin] Go, go, go, go!
That was it, Sinclair. Now we're even.
- [Dustin] Thanks, Jeff! You're the best!
- Dustin!
- [Hammer] Help me!
- Come on! Get them!
You're dead, Henderson!
The next time I see you, you are dead!
[Lucas groans] This feels weird.
[Dustin] What does?
This is our first HIC mission without Max.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
She only broke up with you,
not the HIC, right?
She turned in her walkie,
and I'm the one who broke up with her.
I just
I didn't think she'd agree so fast.
Guys! Come here! Look!
[shimmering]
Charlie Dandridge! You up there?
This is the Hawkins Investigators Club!
If you're up there, we just want to talk
about what happened last night.
Would you guys shut up?
Get out of here!
What's got you so spooked?
The ghost lights?
Trust me.
No matter how crazy you think it sounds,
we're ready to believe you.
You all need to get out of here
before it comes back.
Before what comes back?
Whatever's haunting these woods.
Haunting?
[engine rumbling]
Uh, guys?
Did anyone see that thing drive up?
[haunting wail]
[horn honking]
Run!
[all screaming]
[horn honking]
My legs are not long enough for this!
[all screaming]
[Dustin] Run! Run, run, run, run, run.
- [Will] Watch out!
- [screaming]
- [Lucas] Log! Whoa!
- [Dustin] Run! Run, run, run!
[Lucas] Watch out!
[screaming]
What?
["Haunted When the Minutes Drag"
by Love And Rockets playing]
That's impossible. It's empty.
There's a haunting in Hawkins.
I find a solitary hair ♪
Gone and still I remenisce
I'm haunted ♪
Haunted by your soul ♪
[creature screeching]
[synth theme music playing]