The Gloaming (2019) s01e01 Episode Script

The Dying of the Light

1 (WIND HOWLS) - (BIRDS SCREECH) - Jenny, wait! Come on, keep up, Alex! (SQUAWKING ECHOES) ALEX: Jenny McGinty, I don't know where we're going.
It's just through these trees.
(BIRD CAWS) This is it.
It's just how I remember.
I used to live here as a child.
Does anyone live here anymore? I don't know.
Mum said they all left.
Creepy house.
Come on.
(BIRD CAWS) (READS) "O Lord, you form light and you create darkness.
You bring prosperity and you create disaster".
Yeah, you're right.
It is a creepy house.
Alex? Alex! (RUSTLE AND JANGLING) (LOUD THRASHING, SQUAWKING) Alex? Jenny, no! (GUNSHOT ECHOES) My screams got lost in a paper cup Do you think there's a heaven where some screams have gone? Yeah, I can hear that I don't care 'Cause sometimes I sit Sometimes I hear my voice And it's been Here Silent all these years.
(WIND HOWLS) ('THIS IS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE' BY OF VERONA PLAYS) (SONG CONTINUES ON CAR RADIO) We were walking I was talking About anything and everything That happened And you were laughing Got off track then And I wondered if I'd wake from all this dreaming This is what it sounds like (GASPS) (ALARM WAILS) (DOOR SHUTS) (ALARM STOPS) - (SOBBING) - MAN: Drink.
Drink.
(SOBS) It's gonna be alright, Daisy.
We could go to jail.
- We could go to jail! - That is not gonna happen.
Hey? I would not let that happen to you.
Do you understand me? Okay? How? I'm gonna get us out of here, Daisy.
(LOUD WHOOSH) (GRUNTING) - (GASPS) - Hey.
Hey, I can protect you.
Where will we go? Where will we go? My Mum says I've got an uncle on the mainland.
In Ballarat.
Where's Ballarat? It's a couple of hours north of Melbourne.
It's not far.
We'll be punished either way.
(LOUD METALLIC GRINDING) (GASPING AND PANTING) (CHOKES) - (PANTS) - Hey.
Hey? Daisy? DAISY: We leave the dead to bury the dead.
We leave the dead to bury the dead.
We leave the dead to bury the dead.
My dad used to say that every guilty person is his own hangman.
Yes.
Daisy.
Hey.
I've gotta go.
- Come on, Daise, I'll drive - I've gotta go.
- Daisy - I've got my bike.
Daisy! Where are you going? I have to go, Freddie.
Daisy! (PHONE BUZZES) Hi, I can't get to the phone right now.
Please leave a message.
(BREATHES HEAVILY) (LOUD THRASHING, WINGS FLAP) (INSECTS SCREECH) (BIRDS CALL) (DOOR CLOSES) (SIGHS) (SIGHS) Now To forget what we had You better seal it tight before the memories go bad Between the Devil And the deep blue sea I saw you dancing With a girl like me I watched in silence As you held her hands - Ho-old - Me darling And lay me down By the fire (PHONE BUZZES) - See, we might grow old - But I won't fear (GULLS SQUAWK) (BIRDS SCREECH) (HELICOPTERS WHIRR) (INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER) (POLICE RADIO CHATTER CONTINUES) You know what to do.
Just make sure no-one can tell that's a crime scene.
On it.
What have we got? - Oh, it's bad.
- Is it ever good? - Haven't you slept? - Oh, God! - Who called it in? - A bloke walking his dog.
Always a bloody dog walker.
Brace yourself.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRS OVERHEAD) (BIRDS SCREECH) Can you ? God, it carried her a fair distance.
WOMAN: They've got some recent footprints, but it's a tourist spot, so - Any ID? - No.
She looks late 50s, early 60s, I guess.
Seems crazy, something like this happening down here.
The island's supposed to be a safe place.
I just hope it wasn't a local that did it.
Can't blame mainlanders for everything.
What's this? Looks like a piece of wood.
She's got defensive wounds on her hands.
This must have been placed in her grip after she was dumped.
It would have fallen out in the struggle otherwise.
Why would they do that? Farmer up the road said he heard a car around here about sunset.
- What've you got there, Freya? - Looks like an old school ID.
Really old.
Jenny McGinty.
Jenny McGinty? Maybe this was her when she was younger.
But the age doesn't add up.
That's not Jenny McGinty.
I know Jenny McGinty.
She died over 20 years ago.
(THUNDER RUMBLES) (SCREECHING OF BIRDS ECHOES) (PHONE VIBRATES) (SIGHS) - (SIRENS WAIL) - So, there's still a fair bit of work to do on this one, but we'll keep you posted.
Thanks, guys.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
You hear Pearson got nine years? He should have got 20.
You're not taking my calls anymore.
Sorry, I was busy.
What's up? I need you to go to Hobart.
What? Why? There's been a nasty homicide down there.
Well, they have cops down there, don't they? They're short and need assistance.
I've got the Barlow case.
Peyton can go.
Peyton can take over the Barlow case.
You're from there.
You know the place.
Yeah, I grew up there.
I live here now.
You're booked on an 11:30am flight.
- I'm not going.
- This is not for you to decide.
- It's an order.
- You have to find someone else.
Why? I have my reasons.
You'd better go and pack or you'll miss your flight.
(SCOFFS) (SIRENS WAIL NEARBY) (THRASHING ECHOES) JENNY: Alex? (GUNSHOT ECHOES) (PHONES RING) Hey.
I'm going out.
(BREATHES HEAVILY) Daisy.
Detective McGee, I have to talk to you about something.
- Are you using again? - No.
Alright.
Can you just get her a sandwich? Wait here, Daisy.
I'll be back soon.
Come on, Daise.
You can catch up later.
- Detective! - Come on.
- I won't be long.
- Come through.
RADIO ANNOUNCER: It's been a year since the Tasmanian Government convened an emergency Housing Summit, but still, we have an absolute crisis on our hands.
The Housing Minister says the government has taken action in the past 12 months to address the crisis, pointing to the rezoning and (CHILDREN SHOUT) Come on, come on! - Oh, come on! Come on! - - MAN: Detective McGee? - Mr.
Fian? Oh, William, please.
- Thanks for your time.
- Oh, my pleasure.
This way.
How can I be of assistance to you? Not one of our students in trouble, I hope? Not quite.
Oh, now I'm intrigued.
Look, I was wondering if you could tell me how far back your files on students go.
Paper records.
Well, they don't, really.
They've all been replaced with digital.
Why do you ask? Just following up on something.
Say if someone were to obtain an old ID card, for example.
Pre-digital? Yeah.
Well, how far back are you talking? 20 years or so.
Oh, I see.
Well to be honest, any old photo ID card would be destroyed, or perhaps kept by students as a souvenir when they graduate.
Though I'm guessing this is of no help to you.
No, it's fine.
I was also wondering, did any of your female staff not turn up to work this morning, by any chance? No.
All present and accounted for.
- You've seen them? - At assembly.
I'm pleased to say we're a very sought-after school for teachers with our high sporting and academic record, of course.
Uh, you have, uh, children yourself, Detective? Just one.
A daughter.
Oh, you should consider sending her here.
We have an excellent success rate.
I'm a single mother on a cop wage.
I couldn't afford the lunch here but, uh, thank you again Mr uh - William.
- My pleasure.
And, please, if I can help you with any further inquiries, don't hesitate to call.
Thanks again.
(DOOR CLOSES) (CRACKLING) (JET ENGINE ROARS) (GROANS AND SIGHS) (CAT MIAOWS) (PURRS) You and me both, Molly.
Come on.
(MOLLY MIAOWS) Alex! My baby brother.
Kids are gonna love this fella.
Girl.
(MOLLY MIAOWS) - It's a girl.
- Girl, eh? What's her name, then? It's just Cat.
Kitty.
Okay.
Kitty it is.
I've got you in the studio.
Built it myself.
As I said on the phone, I won't be here long.
You never know.
You haven't told Mum and Dad, have you? You asked me not to.
It's great.
- Help yourself to anything.
- Thanks.
Appreciate it.
It's good to see you, mate.
(SIGHS HEAVILY) (MOLLY MIAOWS) (MIAOWS) Don't get comfortable.
Yeah.
she turned up at the police station this morning looking pretty out of it, but she ran off.
Yeah.
Look, can you check for me? Yeah.
I know.
I thought this new foster family was working out.
Alright.
Thanks, mate.
Bye.
(ENGINE SPLUTTERS) Hey, I don't have The shoe's on the other foot, though.
(ENGINE SPLUTTERS) Coming? Yeah.
(ENGINE STARTS) Everyone, this is Senior Detective Alex O'Connell.
Thanks for getting down here so quickly.
We're just settling in.
Had to pull a task force together last minute.
- ALEX: What'd this used to be? - It was an old school.
Established 1848.
Do you want a coffee? I'm fine, thanks.
How was your flight? Quicker than it used to be.
Uh, here's some light viewing for you.
Yeah, Tasmania's not like you remember.
They call it the MONA Effect.
The Museum of Old and New Art.
Uh-huh.
They say it's better than the Guggenheim.
Little old Tassie, eh? We don't get murders like this down here.
Hey, how's Chief Inspector Lena Madison these days? Keeping us all on our toes.
I went through the Academy with her.
She's a good egg.
She is, but as as I mentioned to her, I'm in the middle of my own case.
- So - I understand.
And I appreciate her lending you out to us.
I know this wouldn't be an easy time for you right now.
I'll be fine.
(PHONE RINGS) Excuse me.
Grimshaw.
Where? Okay.
We've got a possible crime scene.
We need to get down there before the media get here, but you need to be sworn in to our jurisdiction.
This is Detective Senator Constable Freya Harris.
- Welcome.
- Hi.
Process and tradition.
I, um I don't need that.
Then read this out loud.
"I, Alex Jackson O'Connell, affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of police officer in Tasmania and that to the best of my power, without favour or affection, malice or ill-will, will cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against persons and properties in Tasmania, and that, to the best of my ability, skill and knowledge, will discharge all the duties of a police officer, according to law".
Found this.
Clearly, robbery's not the motive.
Dorothy Moxley, the woman from the waterfall.
She must have walked here, but where was she going? This area doesn't cut through anywhere.
Council guys that were brush-cutting said kids often hang out around here.
Why take her body an hour away, to the waterfall? Why not just leave it here? Ah, the mainlander's arrived.
To help save the day, no doubt.
Alex? Molly.
GRIMSHAW: Looks like you two know each other.
What the hell are you doing here? Senior Detective O'Connell has joined us on this investigation.
Uh, Senior Constable Oscar Wolfe.
Alex O'Connell.
GRIMSHAW: Is this where she was murdered? Yep.
Through here, we've got an ID.
GRIMSHAW: Follow me, Alex.
OSCAR: Dorothy Finola Moxley.
Can someone grab those glasses? GRIMSHAW: Might belong to the victim.
They're not the victim's glasses.
She was wearing contacts.
You noticed contact lenses through the barbed wire? You get used to it.
Once it gets in, it never get out.
Mind like a steel trap.
So, why did the killer think this was a safe place? I mean, anyone could have seen him.
Maybe they didn't work alone.
Had a lookout.
(WHISPERS) Lewis.
- Can I have a word? - Later.
I want this all cleaned up before the media gets here.
Molly, Alex, get down to the morgue.
You can catch up on the way.
I remember this car.
It wasn't my choice to be here.
What's Lewis told you? I've read the brief.
So, you know about the ID card.
What ID card? (SCOFFS) What? (SIGHS) An old school ID card was found on the body.
How old? '99.
Hillscrest.
It belonged to Jenny.
McGinty.
What are you talking about? And now you're here.
(ENGINE STARTS) - You alright? - Mm.
- Mm.
- You should be happy.
I'm fine.
I'm fine.
I mean, look at this view.
It was quite the foresight on your part.
Seeing Future Valley in a parcel of swampland like this.
Well, business is all about foresight.
Well, I don't need to tell you there's a huge demand for housing down here, do I? It's a gamble we hope will pay off.
Mm-hm.
When are you going to announce the proposal? Some time in the next month, I'd imagine.
There's a lot of pressure from the government.
And then you go to work.
Mm-hm.
I've sunk a lot of money into this.
I mean, this land ain't worth shit without winning that proposal.
Yeah.
And that's what I'm here for.
If I'm Deputy Mayor at the next election.
Well, I suspect we've invested well in you.
Well, I'm glad you're pleased.
(WIND HOWLS) You can see it's cut deep.
Do you know what they used? Something thin, like wire maybe or - MOLLY: Like fishing line? - Possibly.
And then just wound the handles for leverage.
Alex? What about this? Oh, Forensics have it.
It's a piece of wood.
Could be marine paint.
She was clutching it, I think it was placed in her hand after she was rolled down the waterfall.
Ritual.
Could be some kind of religious spiritual thing.
We'll check it out.
What about the school ID? We're looking into that.
Are you okay? Yeah.
It's just been a long day.
He's just arrived from Melbourne.
Oh.
Welcome.
We'll come back later.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- I guess.
You have to slam it.
- (LOUD TAPPING ECHOES) - Come on, let me hear the heels, girls! (TAPPING CONTINUES) Lily Broomhall, focus! Uh, Grace? Sorry to disturb you.
Not at all, Detective McGee.
Oh, Molly, please.
Uh, you haven't seen Daisy around today, have you? I can't say I have, actually.
Surprising.
- Five, six, seven, eight.
- It was soup day today.
She loves her soup, that girl.
- She's not in trouble? - Oh, no, no, no.
She was just, uh, looking for me this morning.
I thought she might be here.
Lily seems to be enjoying herself.
She comes twice a week now.
Does she? Her father thinks it helps settle her down.
Father knows best, eh? (GRACE CHUCKLES) Alright, well thanks, Grace.
If you see Daisy, just let her know that I'm looking for her.
I certainly will, and if you don't mind me saying, you should take care yourself, too.
You're worn, physically and spiritually.
I have an old family recipe.
A broth, with a thousand years of Scottish wisdom in it.
A few spoonfuls would make all the difference.
Uh I'm fine, but, uh, thank you.
Hi, chicken.
What are you doing here? I thought I'd drop in and say hello to my daughter.
You're working.
Yeah, a bit.
Grace said you're coming here twice a week now.
Mm, it's Angela's idea.
I just didn't think you were that into dancing.
Keeps me out of the house.
What do you mean? She and Dad have a baby now, so Lily, if you feel uncomfortable - at the house - No, Mum, it's fine.
I have friends here.
It's cool.
There's Dad.
I gotta go.
Oh, hold your horses.
So, what are you doing here? Looking for someone else.
- Lily - Everything okay? Yeah, nothing a few spoonfuls of broth won't solve, apparently.
Ready to go? Mm.
Well, I'll drop her off tomorrow.
Okay? Alright.
See ya.
(KEYS DROP) (SIGHS) (DRIPPING) (SIGHS) (ENGINE SPLUTTERS) (ENGINE SPLUTTERS) (SIGHS) (ENGINE STARTS) NEWSREADER: The woman's body was found by a farmer walking his dog in the early hours of the morning.
It was wrapped in barbed wire Oof.
Sorry, Shelly, I keep forgetting.
Don't worry, love.
Freddie's been forgetting to fix it for about three years.
MOLLY: Sounds about as useful as mine.
- Chicken salt or normal? - Oh, just normal, thanks.
(SOUL SONG PLAYS IN BACKGROUND) SHELLY: I swear, his memory is getting worse.
Memory loss at, what, 19? What hope have we got? He's 24 now.
Oh Thanks.
- Been keeping busy? - Yeah.
- Yep.
- (CHUCKLES) - FREDDIE: Mum.
- Where have you been? I was worried.
A long time ago Hi, Freddie.
SHELLY: Aren't you cold in just a singlet? Only be a while Is Lily here with you? No, she's at her dad's.
Waiting for so long I'm off.
Thanks again, Shelly.
Thanks.
Bye.
Baby Oh I'm tired of standing by But I can't seem to leave you No matter how I try - Now the sun's goin' down - (BIRDS CAW, WIND HOWLS) (DOOR LOCK CLICKS) (DOOR LOCK CLICKS) NEWSREADER: She'd been dumped at the waterfall and found in the early hours of this morning.
Police are appealing to the public for any information.
She has been identified as Dorothy Moxley.
So far, there is no motive for the brutal killing.
What? Dorothy? No.
When? No, o okay.
Alright.
Thanks for letting me know.
(EXCLAIMS) (STIFLES SOB) NEWSREADER: She was strangled, and those responsible may have been trying to wash away incriminating evidence.
The dead woman has been identified as 62-year-old Dorothy Moxley of Hobart.
Police have asked anyone who may have known Ms.
Moxley, or have any information about her, to contact them.
They say all information will be treated as confidential.
Overseas now, and US President Donald Trump GRACE: Hello? Have you seen the news? WOMAN: Say nothing.
You hear me? She only comes with warnings, Gareth.
Oh, Freddie.
Who's coming to play tonight? How are you? - (COINS JANGLING) - I've been thinking about you.
I've been losing sleep.
Would you like me to put some lipstick on? I've got the ones you bought me.
This one broke the other day.
So, I need some more money.
They're very expensive.
(KNOCK AT DOOR) SHELLY: Just me, love.
Here you go, darling.
Dinner won't be long.
Thanks, Mum.
(DOGS BARK NEARBY) JENNY: Alex? (ECHOES) (JANGLING) (OBJECTS RATTLE) (GATE SQUEAKS AND CLATTERS) Lily? (PANTS) (RUSTLING) (BIRDS CAW, WINGS FLAP) (FREDDIE BREATHES HEAVILY) - (LOUD BANGING) - (GASPS) You leave me alone! Leave me alone! MOLLY: Lily? (GASPS) Daisy!
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