Strange Angel (2018) s02e07 Episode Script

Aeon

1 Frater J.
P.
? Got a special delivery here from a M.
Therion.
PATTY: But can you imagine an army of true believers hanging on your every word? I can.
ERNEST: This work was intended for the one true Magus of this lodge.
Will that man kindly step forward and claim his mantle? JACK: You and Alfred's workings are the least of my problems.
They weren't just workings, Jack.
- Where's Susan? - PATTY: She went to go see Alfred.
He turned himself in so the others could go free.
I accept full responsibility as Magus.
But you have another responsibility now.
RICHARD: Are you - Aleister Crowley? - Yes.
How can I help you? He's in London.
There's no way you could have been meeting with him.
He's been here the entire war.
This house, your company, all came into existence because you saw what others couldn't.
PATTY: Tell me what you want.
I want it all.
Boys, I'm mellow as a honeydew Yeah That cat is high Look at that look in his eye RICHARD: JPL site to be spread over 20 acres with four different research sections That cat is high eight testing pits, a wind tunnel, a supersonic lab, thermojet lab, two hydraulic presses and everything else we need to make us completely self-sufficient.
CHIANG: It will be the most advanced rocketry facility the world has ever known.
Filled with the world's top minds.
Upon his feet Man, he's high AGENT WALLACE: I assume all these candidates have the proper clearance.
Uh-huh.
Man, he's higher than a kite GENERAL MARSHALL: Well, I've seen enough.
I just hope the facility lives up to its promise.
How soon can you start construction? Very soon.
Sir, very soon.
Is this a fucking joke? RICHARD: There wouldn't even be a JPL if it wasn't for him.
We owe him a chance to get better.
Yeah [EXHALES.]
You are a beast, and a beast knows no bounds.
[DISTORTED.]
: Shoot the liquor to me, John Boy.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[WHISPERS.]
: I'm yours.
[MEN SHOUTING IN DISTANCE.]
[KEYS JANGLING.]
Guess this is it.
- Yeah.
- I cannot believe you're leaving.
The Magus has always been my guiding light, so why would I stay? The faith goes beyond him.
We have to reflect and rebuild.
Don't mind her.
Were up to me, we'd be going, too.
Love is the law.
ALL: Love under will.
- [PHONE RINGING.]
- [SIGHS.]
Don't answer that.
It's probably another reporter.
Or Mildred calling to harass us.
- Sticks and stones, Mrs.
Parsons.
- [RINGING STOPS.]
Well, that's easy for you to say.
You haven't been forced from your home.
Do you know what my landlord called me? "A divorcée of questionable morals.
" Can you believe it? We're surrounded by philistines.
Yes.
Precisely.
- [PHONE RINGING.]
- [SIGHS.]
You've reached the fiery lake of sulfur.
- How may I direct your call? - VIRGIL: Patty? Please don't hang up.
It's no one.
I'll handle it.
[QUIETLY.]
: What do you want, Daddy? [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
Hasn't Alfred's appeal already been submitted? I want I want to make sure we've done everything we can.
Virgil called.
Did you talk to him? He's worried for me.
He thinks you and Jack are going to lose the house.
Why would he think that? Are you? Jack's had some trouble at work.
He won't tell me about it.
If we had to move, where would we go? I don't know.
Would you take me with you? [CLEARS THROAT.]
Maybe I'll ask Jack when I see him.
[GAGS.]
Leave me alone! You're not fucking real! How do you know? Hmm? Just because I'm not here in body doesn't mean I can't be here in spirit.
There are two explanations.
Either you really are crazy, or Or? You ever heard of astral travel? Hmm? Yes, I know.
Sounds like hogwash, being in two places at one time.
But I am the greatest magician of the last 300 years.
If anybody could do it Yeah? Hmm? You don't even look like this.
- Richard said you - Richard.
Your good friend Richard.
Always seems to have your back except when he's sticking a knife into it.
You're about to lose everything, and right now I may be the only ally you have.
Of course they fucking approved it.
You're a salesman, Rich.
You learned from the best.
When did they say the first round of funding comes in? Look, I know they're not my biggest fans right now, but they'll come around.
Did you talk to Braxton and Wallace? Topic was broached.
What you're cooking smells divine.
What's it called again? - Enchiladas.
- Enchiladas.
Rich, what did they say? I got them to agree to consider letting you remain a part of JPL.
But there are conditions.
You need to get a psychiatric evaluation.
CROWLEY: I told you so.
There isn't a choice.
You need to regain people's trust.
- Including yours? - [SCOFFS.]
I'm your friend.
- I'm worried for you.
- You're the reason this happened.
That's not fair.
The truth would've come to light eventually.
It was a misunderstanding.
It was a delusion.
People need to know that it was a momentary lapse and not something that points to a deeper problem.
It's the best I can do.
Either you take the evaluation or Or what? You get cut out of the project for good.
Good evening.
What's so fucking good about it? Jack! Can I help you? I have a telegram from the United States Army.
[PANTING.]
I'm afraid your request for an appeal has been denied given your signed confession.
- It was made under duress.
- It doesn't matter.
Now that you've pled guilty, you have to prove your innocence.
So, where does that leave us? Best we could hope for is parole for good behavior.
How long until that? Well, less than five years.
Ten, more likely, given the nature of your crimes.
They'll want to make an example out of you.
This is a witch hunt.
We should file another request.
To the Supreme Court, if need be.
I'll give you two a moment to discuss how you'd like to proceed.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[DOOR LOCKS.]
You're very quiet.
Feels like you're giving up.
I'm not.
But we're running out of resources.
I love you.
I love you, too.
I don't know when I'll get another chance to tell you.
Five to ten years is a long time.
Lot can change.
You'll still have a home when you get out.
And is that all I'll have? Guard.
Mrs.
Parsons and I are done.
[SIGHS.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
How was Richard's? The military's given JPL final approval.
There's just one last hurdle.
That's great.
Sick again? Doesn't stop.
Is there anything I can get you? Mm.
Maybe some tea? Okay.
Jack? I've been thinking.
This baby feels like a sign.
Start of a new chapter.
For us, I mean.
Is this how you'd feel, even if he wasn't in prison? You're my husband.
I want us to be a family.
Do you think we can do that? I think we can try.
We're here today to evaluate the current state of your mental condition.
To start, I'm going to ask you a series of true or false questions.
I wish I could be as happy as others seem to be.
True.
I have periods of restlessness when I cannot sit long in a chair.
False.
I would describe my childhood as happy.
True.
I have a good relationship with my mother.
True.
I've never done anything dangerous for the thrill of it.
True.
I would describe my marriage as a success.
True.
Hmm.
I would describe myself as faithful to my spouse.
True.
I have trouble keeping secrets from my spouse.
I believe in you.
True.
Now, in court filings, your mother listed adultery and mental instability as grounds for divorcing your father.
Where did you get that information? Oh, these are public records, Mr.
Parsons.
Family history is a part of a thorough evaluation.
Can you believe this mollycot cunt? Something the matter? You betray me for these people, and now they question your sanity.
Did your father have trouble separating fantasy from reality? I don't even know why I'm still here, you gutless pile of shit.
Leave me alone.
Excuse me? Ooh, you've done it now.
I just don't like talking about my father.
The only question you really need to answer is do you wish to be a madman or a Magus? Look, I know the difference between what's real and what isn't.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
How'd it go? Um, it was fine.
I answered all their questions exactly as they wanted.
I had an idea.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
What if we started renting out rooms at the Parsonage? Sam and Angela are gone.
So is Joan.
Instead of just giving away their rooms again, we should make people pay for the privilege of living there.
That way, no matter what happens here, we'll have a place to live.
With plenty of room for all of us.
Patty, I'm gonna be a father.
So what? So, what happened between us can't happen again.
I need to start acting more responsibly.
Nothing you have came because you acted responsibly.
Why start now? [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
ALL: Venga a nosotros tu reino.
Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas, así como nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden.
No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal.
Amén.
Amén.
Wish Matias could see us together.
That's all he wanted.
[SPEAKING SPANISH.]
I'm so sorry for your loss.
You can have it if you want it.
Sir? NICO: My blessing.
RICHARD: I don't need it anymore.
It's not that I don't appreciate it.
It's just that Marisol and I have decided we don't need to get married.
Is that right? Well [CHUCKLES.]
I just hope you can hold onto her.
Lord knows, we couldn't.
Papá [SOFT JAZZ PLAYING.]
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
ALL: What is thy will? It is my will to eat and to drink.
ALL: To what end? That I may fortify my body and serve the Great Work.
Love is the law.
Love under will.
Love under will.
When in Rome Sorry I'm late.
What are you wearing? With the baby coming, I figured you wouldn't fit in it much longer.
Why didn't you just ask? I didn't realize I needed your permission.
I thought we shared everything in this house.
[GASPS SOFTLY.]
I'm sorry.
I'm not feeling well.
Did something happen between the two of you? Oh, my God.
Susan Oh, get away from me.
[SUSAN CRYING.]
How could you? This is what we signed up for.
Love is the law.
Do what we will.
But not with her.
Anyone else but her.
CROWLEY: You should ask yourself, who do you truly serve? I am unique and a conqueror.
I am not of the slaves that perish.
I am unique and a conqueror.
- I am not of the slaves - [DOOR OPENS.]
You need to leave.
I was just pursuing my will.
Your will? To sleep with my husband? Doesn't Crowley encourage us to live without labels? They're not just labels.
We're family.
We share the same blood.
Now we share something else, too.
God, what did he do to you? Virgil broke you, and now you've broken us.
You're with another man's child.
There wasn't much left to break.
[SCOFFS.]
The man you really love is in prison.
And I have an idea for how we can get him out.
Maybe it's time to reconcile with Daddy.
[MUSIC PLAYING FAINTLY OVER RADIO.]
[RADIO STATIC.]
NEWSMAN [OVER RADIO.]
: They are fighting to regain lost ground, while the Germans fend them off, trying to repair their damaged borders I want to be listening the moment those bastards are defeated.
[NEWSMAN CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO.]
If it's bothering you, I can listen upstairs.
No.
No.
I'm sorry.
I was thinking about Jack.
He hears the results of his evaluation tomorrow.
I have no idea how he's gonna react.
Feels like everything is on such shaky ground these days.
It's the war.
The whole world has gone crazy.
Can I ask you something? Mm-hmm.
When we were with your father, and he gave me his blessing maybe it was just my imagination, and I-I don't mean to beat a dead horse It wasn't just your imagination.
I guess I never understood before, but I'm starting to get it.
Get what? Just be nice to know that someone's gonna be there for you, no matter what.
Come in.
I can't tell you how good it is to see you.
You can thank Patty for that.
She insisted on it.
She's in the library.
But she wanted to talk to Virgil alone.
It's okay, Mabel.
Here, let me show you the garden.
[FIRE CRACKLING.]
Patty? You look well.
You don't.
Well, it's been a hard few years.
Why? You won.
These are overrun with horn worms.
If someone doesn't deal with them, they'll kill the whole plant.
How do you do it? Go on pretending.
You couldn't possibly understand.
I've lost both my children.
Maybe someday you'll know what it is to be a mother.
PATTY: The Magus is in prison.
Jack's career hangs in the balance.
There must be some satisfaction in that.
Uh, everything I have done was to save you.
From what? - These heathens? - No.
From yourself.
I didn't need to be saved, Daddy.
[SIGHS.]
Susan said on the phone that you were considering coming home.
Truth is, it stopped being fun around here.
Maybe there is such a thing as too much freedom.
But there's something you'll need to do before I'll ever step foot in that house.
Swear you'll never touch me again.
It might bring you some relief to know that Dr.
Grisby found you of fundamentally sound mind.
He believes that the delusion you suffered was a result of Exhaustion psychosis.
You've been working too hard.
Exacerbated by excessive narcotic and alcohol consumption.
Which comes as no surprise to all of us here.
MESULAM: The general and I appreciate all you've done, and recognize that the next phase in the rocketry program was due in large part to your efforts.
AGENT WALLACE: For that reason, they have insisted that you be offered some sort of ongoing role, against my recommendation Well, why didn't you just say so? as a fuel technician.
GENERAL BRAXTON: We could not in good conscience put you in any position of authority.
Then who's gonna run JPL? AGENT WALLACE: Mr.
Onsted.
Who else? You'd still be inside the operation.
Of course you'd be happy.
- They crowned you king.
- You can't seriously expect to be put into a position where you could jeopardize - the project again.
- Where's Patty? She went home, Mr.
Parsons.
What does she have to do with this? - I need someone who's on my side.
- I'm on your side.
CROWLEY: He's been trying to push you out from the start.
AGENT WALLACE: I told you, this was a mistake.
You're damn right.
I built this entire scientific field.
- Mr.
Parsons, please.
- I don't need to be part of JPL.
Last I checked, I'm still president of this company, and we don't need them.
This was a devil's bargain.
We need to turn our focus back to the stars instead of building their weapons of war.
You were a goddamn janitor when we met.
You're gonna spit in my eye and expect me not to blink? I'm not gonna be lectured to by a man who molested by mother at a fucking dinner party.
Jack.
Believe me, Richard, it's only a matter of time until these hypocrites do the exact same thing to you.
How much, Jack? How much do you want for your share of the company? I have done all I can to protect you for as long as I can, but you just don't know how to quit.
Listen to your friend.
Because we won't do business with you at the helm.
We'll pull all the orders.
And you'll be left in charge of a company with no future and no value.
Ladies and gentlemen, the new aeon is upon us.
And it is necessary that we defend freedom, unless we all wish to be slaves.
Thank you.
Uh, I appreciate the diligence, Detective, but the situation's been resolved.
My daughter and I have begun to make amends.
Well, that's exactly why I wanted to call you in.
Is something the matter? Did something happen to her? Well, we received an anonymous package.
Weren't quite sure what to make of it, but, um some new evidence has come to light.
Well, did you finally get something on Parsons? [CHUCKLES.]
PATTY: But there's something you'll need to do before I'll ever step foot in that house.
Swear you'll never touch me again.
VIRGIL: I've spent countless nights, uh, begging the Lord's forgiveness.
PATTY: If you want me to come back home, you'll have to beg for my forgiveness.
VIRGIL: I'm sorry.
PATTY: That's not good enough.
Get on your hands and knees.
- What is this? - PATTY: Do it, or I'll never see or talk to you again, so help me God.
VIRGIL: I am sorry.
For all my trespasses.
PATTY: I want you to name them and repent.
VIRGIL: I confess to having lustful thoughts.
PATTY: About? VIRGIL: Why are you making me do this? - PATTY: I need to hear you say it.
- Just stop it.
That's Not just yet.
- VIRGIL: About you.
- Uh I confess to touching you inappropriately in a moment of weakness.
PATTY: It was more than once.
VIRGIL: Well, I've seen the error of my ways.
I swear, Patty.
Come home.
It won't ever happen again.
[CLICKS.]
What, you think this is some kind of proof against me? Well [SCOFFS.]
she-she tricked me into saying it.
It was a trap.
They're all delusional.
Uh, uh, Mabel, just tell him it's all lies.
It was happening under your own roof.
Surely, you must have known.
She didn't, because it didn't happen.
All this time, you've been crusading against these people.
D.
A.
Yates is gonna hear about this harassment.
Let's go, Mabel.
Come on, dear.
Come on.
No.
[SHUDDERS.]
I knew, but I didn't want to believe it.
Mrs.
Byrne, I'm gonna need a sworn statement.
[CRYING.]
MAN: Mrs.
Byrne, please come with me.
Mr.
Byrne, you're under arrest for the rape of your daughter.
RICHARD: Thank you all for being a part of JPL's first test launch.
Initiating countdown.
Ad astra CHIANG: Per aspera.
Pump is engaged, Dr.
Onsted.
Seconds away.
Over.
RICHARD: And five, four, three, two, one.
Liftoff! We're tracking now.
[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE OVER RADIO.]
RICHARD: Ha-ha! It left the atmosphere! [CHEERING CONTINUES.]
[SNIFFS.]
[SNIFFS.]
[CHEERING CONTINUES.]
D.
A.
Yates.
Sorry, I don't have time for this.
I suggest you make it.
It's about my stepfather, Virgil Byrne.
Have you seen this morning's paper? I filed those charges personally.
They did leave a key detail out that Virgil Byrne was one of your biggest campaign contributors.
And, in exchange, you used the power of your office to do his bidding.
You have no proof of that.
This isn't a court of law.
This is the press.
I-I would think even the merest suggestion of a link between you and a child rapist would sink any ambitions you had for higher office.
Are you threatening me? Think of it as quid pro quo.
You have something I want.
Give it to me, and the story ends here.
[TYPEWRITER DINGS.]
"Rooms for rent at 1003 Orange Grove Avenue.
"Only bohemians, artists, musicians "and anarchists need apply.
"Freethinking and the ability to pay rent "are the only requirements.
Otherwise, do what thou wilt.
" What do you think? JACK: Mother.
Please.
Come on.
Ruth was helping me proofread a classified.
With everything that's happened, it's time to get rid of the freeloaders.
I hope that doesn't include me.
Once the carriage house is rebuilt, I'm sure you can move in there.
My sister is going to need a lot of help when your grandchild arrives.
She's a clever girl, this one.
Yes, she is.
ALFRED: Is anybody here? PATTY: Magus.
What the fuck is he doing here? After a long time in the wilderness, I have returned.
To continue the Great Work.
I know I must regain everyone's trust.
How the hell'd you get out? She is a miracle worker.
Wasn't just me.
Patty helped.
ALFRED: We need to celebrate the Agape once again rising from the ashes.
And celebrate the new life soon to be among us.
Love is the law.
ALL: Love under will.
JACK: I was willing to forget.
To be its father.
It can still have your last name.
But that's all it'll have.
I'm freeing you of your obligation.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
This is your house.
I know.
Then maybe it's time.
To take what's yours.
[PHONE RINGING.]
I have been waiting for your call.
I have received your offering.
It required a sacrifice.
A rather large one.
It always does.
But now you are free to pursue your own true path.
Just answer one question.
Is it really you that I've been seeing? [CHUCKLES.]
Science would say it is impossible.
What do you say? I say you must only ask yourself, do you wish to be a madman or a Magus? [SHOWERS TURNING OFF.]
[EXHALES.]
[LOUD GRUNTING.]
[BLADE CLATTERS TO FLOOR.]
[GRUNTING WEAKLY.]
¡Lee sobre esto aquí! ¡Los nazis se rinden a las fuerzas aliadas! ¡Lee sobre esto aquí! [QUIET CHATTER IN SPANISH.]
[SPEAKS SPANISH.]
[CHATTER CONTINUES IN SPANISH.]
[ORGAN PLAYING.]
[SPEAKS SPANISH.]
She's going to be here, right? She's always been like the wind: goes one way, then the other.
But don't lose faith.
Thought your family wasn't coming.
I did, too.
You look nice.
- A bit overdressed.
- What are you doing here? - You said - "Over my dead body.
" I know.
I couldn't let you go through with this - You're gonna try and stop me? - Let me finish.
I couldn't let you go through with this and not be here to see it.
What about Dad? Yeah, it's just as well.
These people have been kind enough to accept me.
It's more than I can say for the two of you.
I'm here, aren't I? That's not all.
I brought your grandmother's ring.
Figured you might as well have it, since you seem intent on going through with this.
Assuming she shows up.
I hear these people are unreliable.
Okay, you are something else.
Please just sit down.
[DOG WHISTLE.]
ALFRED: Then the priest replied and said unto the Queen of Space, kissing her lovely brows, and the dew of her light bathing his whole body in a sweet-smelling perfume of sweat, "O "Nuit, "continuous one of the heavens, "let it be ever thus.
" SUSAN: I am the flame that burns in every heart of man, and the core of every star.
I am Life, and the giver of Life, therefore knowledge of me is the knowledge of death.
Esta unión es la más seria, porque los unirá ALFRED: I will lift her to the pinnacles of power.
I will breed from her a child greater than all the kings of the earth.
A new high priestess, a new moon, and a new child.
All auspicious signs for the coming age of Horus.
Tonight we recommit ourselves to the faith in front of all those gathered.
What is this? You are no longer our Magus.
Jack, what are you doing? I'm claiming my mantle, as Frater E.
D.
intended.
You fool.
You fraud.
Crowley himself wills it, as do the truly ascended among us.
They know that I will be a Magus for all, - not just for one.
- Don't do this.
It's already done.
JACK: As my first official act, we will proceed directly to the workings.
But please don't forget your cakes of light.
They have a new, special ingredient.
I wanted to ensure that tonight's mass is one for the ages.
El cuerpo de Cristo.
El cuerpo de Cristo.
[CHEERING.]
There's always Mexico.
We could start afresh.
If we leave, then he wins.
[POUNDING ON DOOR.]
[POUNDING CONTINUES, STOPS.]
[POUNDING RESUMES, STOPS.]
Good morning.
I'm here about the ad for tenants.
I've heard a lot of things about you, Mr.
Parsons.
All bad.
Very bad.
Just my kind of thing.
Mm-hmm.
And you are? Lafayette Ronald Hubbard.
But my friends call me Ron.

Previous EpisodeNext Episode