Backrooms (2026) – Transcript

Backrooms
Year: 2026
Directed by: Kane Parsons
Writer: Will Soodik
Based on: Backrooms by Kane Parsons
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Clark), Renate Reinsve (Dr. Mary Kline), Mark Duplass (Phil), Finn Bennett (Robert “Bobby” Franklin), Lukita Maxwell (Kathrine “Kat” Taylor), Avan Jogia (Naren Warne), Robert Bobroczkyi (Pirate Clark), Krista Kosonen (Nora Kline)
Release dates: May 7, 2026 (Aero Theatre); May 29, 2026 (United States)

Plot: On June 19, 1990, a researcher with the Async Research Institute, Naren Warne, is separated from his group and becomes lost in “the Backrooms”, a labyrinthine extradimensional space containing a chaotic expanse of dull yellow rooms, fluorescent lights, long corridors, and malformed furniture. While attempting to call for rescue, Naren is chased and attacked by an unseen entity. Async scientists watch the recovered footage of the incident.

Some time later, Clark, a failed architect who owns a struggling furniture store, attempts to cope with his alcoholism and crumbling marriage. He sees therapist Mary Kline, who is working through trauma from the demolition of her childhood home and her agoraphobic mother’s institutionalization. Clark recruits his assistant manager Kat and her boyfriend Bobby to film a television commercial featuring himself dressed as the store’s pirate mascot. Having taken up residence in the store, he notices the lights flickering mysteriously at night and his television functioning erratically. While checking the breaker box, Clark notices a glowing slit in a wall. Approaching it, he falls through and enters the Backrooms. Clark finds Naren’s belongings and narrowly escapes back to the store when an unseen entity chases him. An Async scientist, Phil, watches these events on a surveillance camera.

Clark tells Mary about the Backrooms but is met with skepticism. In need of proof, Clark brings Kat and Bobby into the Backrooms to film their discoveries. Bobby explores a steeply sloped corridor and is ambushed and dragged away by an unseen entity; Clark and Kat frantically give chase and are drawn into an unexplored area where they are separated. Clark runs through various bizarre and disordered spaces, eventually encountering two other humanoid entities that chase him to a dead end. He hears Kat call out to him and sets the camera down to look for her. Something picks up the camera as Kat screams for Clark to look behind him.

Some time later, Mary receives a cryptic answering machine message from Clark, who tells her that he is staying in the Backrooms and will not return. Phil watches television with his family and recognizes Clark in a commercial for the furniture store. Concerned about Clark, Mary visits the store and enters the Backrooms herself. An apparently psychotic Clark arrives; hearing an entity approaching, he tries to calm Mary before choking her unconscious.

Mary awakens tied to a chair in a space resembling a dining room, occupied by Clark and three malformed and largely static imitations of humans. They stare impassively as Clark stabs one of them, demonstrates that they are made of an edible white substance, and reveals Kat’s severed head in a refrigerator. Clark demands that Mary continue their therapy sessions, but she instead scolds Clark, telling him that his wife left him due to his inability to take responsibility for his failures. He begins to release Mary, but is interrupted by the arrival of a towering, distorted simulacrum of Clark dressed as the store’s pirate mascot. Clark tries to calm the pirate monster, which suddenly kills him and then chases Mary through various chaotic and surreal spaces until they reach a flawed replica of the furniture store. Cornered by the monster, she bashes it in the face using a chunk of concrete from her childhood home. Their struggle triggers an Async gas trap, alerting a group of researchers in hazmat suits; the monster is subdued, and Mary is taken to their research facility.

After recovering, Mary is taken to an interrogation room where she meets Phil. He explains that Async made magnetic resonance imaging machines until they discovered the Backrooms, which have since become their primary research focus. When asked how she came across the Backrooms and what she found there, she repeats Clark’s description of it as a faulty, misremembered copy of reality. Mary asks if Async will let her go, but Phil states that the decision is not up to him. Inside the Backrooms, a series of spaces are limned by Mary’s memories and trauma, ending in a loosely copied interrogation room in which her own deformed simulacrum sits still and silent.

* * *

Transcript

Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.

(LOW HUM AND BUZZ)

(BUZZING CONTINUES) (SOUND WAVE)

(BUZZING AND SOUND WAVE CONTINUE)

(BUZZING CONTINUES) (EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)

(CRACKLING EFFECT)

(EERIE MUSIC RISES THEN ABRUPTLY STOPS)

(STATIC)

(LOW BUZZ)

(FAINT STATIC)

(CAMERA CLICKS) (LIGHTS BUZZING)

(NAREN BREATHING HEAVILY THROUGH MASK)

NAREN: Okay, okay, okay, okay…

(DEEP SIGH)

Okay…

(BAG RUSTLES)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(HEAVY SIGH)

(HEAVY FOOTSTEPS)

(PANTING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SHARP BREATH)

Yes… Yes…

Yes, yes, come on… Come on, yes! Yes, yes!

Okay. Okay. Okay.

(PANTING)

(LABORED BREATHING)

(METAL CART BANGING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(DEEP SIGH)

Here we go, here we go.

Okay. Okay. Fuck.

Work. Work. Work.

(BEEP, CLICK)

Standard… Okay…

Standard, can youcan you hear me?

This is Naren.

And I’ve, um…

I’ve been separated, uh, from the others.

And I think I’m okay, but I’m not sure where I, uh…

I’ve never been out this far before, so I don’t…

Um…

(SHARP BREATH) There was this, uh…

I didn’t get a good look at it, but there was, um… there’s something else in here.

I need you guys.

Okay? I need you guys to get me, please.

Fuck, I need you guys to come out and get me.

Can you… can you come, please, standard?

(SOBBING): Standard?

(CLICKING) (DISTANT SHRIEK)

Oh, fuck!

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

Fuck…

(LABORED BREATHING)

(BIRD QUACKING, CRASHING)

(SHOUTING): Fuck! Fuck…

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(EXHALES LOUDLY)

(DEEP SIGH)

Oh, shit… What the fuck?

(BIRD QUACKING) (NAREN YELPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(EXHALES LOUDLY)

(DEEP SIGH)

(DISTANT THUD AND ROAR)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(CONFUSED MUMBLE)

(LOW MUMBLE)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLING SOFTLY)

What the fuck?

(DISTANT BIRD CALLS)

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CREAKS) (NAREN GASPS)

(SQUEAL)

(NAREN WHIMPERS) (FLOOR CREAKS)

(DISTANT RASPING BREATH)

(NAREN INHALES SHARPLY)

(PANICKED BREATHING)

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

(PANICKED BREATHING)

Fuck!

(PANTING)

(LOCKED DOOR CLICKS) Fuck, fuck, fuck! Fuck!

(GASPING BREATH)

(NAREN SHOUTS)

(MUFFLED, DISTORTED SCREAMS AND SHRIEKS)

(STATIC)

(DISTORTED SCREAMS)

(CRACKLING, STATIC)

(TV CLICKS SHUT)

(EERIE, DREAMY MUSIC PLAYING)

(SQUISHING)

(MUFFLED, DISTANT RUMBLING)

(RUMBLING, CRASH)

(HEAVY MACHINERY RUMBLE)

(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING)

(WORKERS INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(GRUNTING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER, CLANKING AND GRUNTING CONTINUE)

MARY: We all have our loops, our habits…

(INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES)

…behaviors that keep us walking in circles…

(INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES)

…reaching for the same solutions over and over again, thinking each time they’ll take you somewhere new. But they don’t. And still, it’s the neural pathway of least resistance. A path you made. It’s the one that kept you safe when you were a child. You learned to push people away before they could hurt you.

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(KEYBOARD CLICKING)

And now, as an adult, you’re still stuck right where you started. Alone.

(CLARK SIGHS)

I mean, I’m not lonely.

I have employees and… customers.

I didn’t say lonely. I said alone.

Yeah, well, I mean…

(CHUCKLES)

I hurt people.

I don’t want to. It’s just the way I’m wired.

So maybe I deserve to be alone.

Do you think anyone deserves to be alone?

I don’t know, but, you know, maybe it’s not such a bad thing.

MARY: Being alone feels… deeply ingrained.

I understand.

You’ve had dreams and a lot of resistance, not a lot of support in realizing those dreams.

And when we’ve experienced… hurt again and again, we start to expect it.

It’s like, “Oh, I know this path.

I know where it goes.”

So… are you interested in forging a new path and see where that leads?

Sure. Why not? You know, I’m here.

Great.

So I want to revisit an exercise we’ve done before.

The role play.

Oh, the acting thing? Yeah.

I feel stupid doing that. I know.

But we have a few minutes. Let’s, um…

Yeah, let’s try. A little bit.

(SIGHING): All right.

MARY: Let’s set the scene.

Let’s go back to the night that Barbara left you.

You mean the night she kicked me out of my own house?

Yeah.

I’m playing myself.

And I’ll be Barbara. It is my house, by the way.

I’m the one paying for it.

I know. (SIGHING): All right.

Okay, so, um…

(CLEARS THROAT)

I got home late. I don’t know how late.

Uh… She was already asleep. Maybe midnight.

She usually goes to bed before… It doesn’t matter.

The point is, I was in the kitchen, and, um… the glass, I broke the glass, and she comes running down to see what happened, and… things escalated.

And how do you feel?

Well, I was…

I was drunk, and, um…

I-I felt stupid, you know.

I was angry, because… because I broke the glass.

Can you say that to me?

Uh, what, to-to Barbara? Yeah.

Um… I’m sorry that I woke you.

Maybe if you’d come home earlier, we could have spent the evening together.

No, I was… I was working, you know?

I came straight home after work.

MARY: Be honest with me, please.

I can smell it on your breath.

I had a few beers.

Define a few.

CLARK: Well, it was a hard day.

I needed to wind down.

All you ever do is wind down.

You’re always at the store.

You want kids, right?

We both do. Well, you know… having a family takes money, which means someone has to work.

Unless being a professional student is considered a job these days.

That’s not fair. You know I had to take time off.

CLARK: Well, it’s not my fault if you can’t keep up.

How are you going to be a lawyer if you can’t even handle law school?

Who do you think pays for everything while you’re gallivanting around campus like a 30-year-old freshman?

I’ll give you a hint: it’s me.

I pay for your school, I pay for your time off school, I pay for the roof over your head.

Can I talk now? No! No.

Because I’d like to know, what do you think happens if you do manage to graduate?

You know, you pop out a kid, then leave me with the bill.

(SNICKERING): Or am I stuck at home changing diapers because you’re too busy working for the first time in your life?

Now you’re being cruel. I’m being honest.

I thought that’s what you always wanted.

Just because you didn’t get to be an architect doesn’t mean–

I am a fucking architect!

God damn it, I’m just stuck selling shit furniture because someone won’t get off their fat fucking ass and help me!

(EXHALES SOFTLY)

How do you feel, Clark?

Who am I talking to?

MARY: Me, here, now. You? Okay.

(SWALLOWS)

Um…

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, uh…

(PUFF OF AIR) …you know, get angry or lose my temper or whatever.

MARY: I know.

That’s the purpose of the whole exercise.

(CLARK HUFFS)

This is a good start.

To feel what you feel, and then learn to identify a new path.

Your reaction was actually quite normal.

(BREATHES IN AND OUT)

Well, that’s me!

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

-Well, ahoy there, mateys! (LIVELY FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)

Tired of spending your hard-earned doubloons on overpriced furniture?

Looking for deals that’ll shiver your timbers?

Then come on down to Cap’n Clark’s Ottoman Empire, the Santa Clara Valley’s favorite warehouse and showrooms.

You’ll find bedrooms, living rooms, dinettes, dens and bathrooms aplenty.

First-time homeowners? We’ve got ya.

New parents looking for Billy’s first crib?

We’ve got ya!

From the latest in modern design to the classic styles of yesteryear, it’s all here and it’s all a steal.

What’s that, Polly?

You’re worried about credit?

Ha! Cap’n Clark says no credit, no problem!

Sail the high seas of high quality, and leave your money problems at the door.

Walk in today and get your dream sectional lounger, kitchen table, floor lamp, and bed frame here at Cap’n Clark’s Ottoman Empire, located at Capitol and McKee, just off the 680.

Arr! Walk in today… (PANTING)

…kick your feet back, and enjoy an empire of your own!

For every sultan deserves a throne, and we’ve got one with your name on it, here at Cap’n Clark’s–

(CHAIR CRACKS) (CLARK YELPS)

BOBBY: No way!

KAT: Clark, you good?

Turn the camera off.

BOBBY: No, no, it’s good. It’s outtake stuff, dude.

-Turn the fucking camera off. BOBBY: Okay… Jesus… (FOLK MUSIC CONTINUES) (CAMERA BEEPS)

You, uh, you need help?

No, I got it, I got it. (GRUNTS)

Um…

Are we going again, or…? No.

Kat, you can open the store now.

(CLARK GRUNTS) We’ve been open.

You know, dude, I still don’t get it.

Are you, like, a pirate or a sultan?

Just be good to establish it. I’m a… Shut up.

(GRUNTING): Piece of cheap particleboard bullshit.

Clear this stuff up, will you?

Here.

(NEW WAVE MUSIC PLAYING ON THE STORE’S SPEAKERS)

(METER MAN SIGHS)

Sorry about that.

How’s it looking?

METER MAN: Meter reads fine.

If your bill’s coming in high, that’s on you.

What about the outages? That happens after hours.

Don’t know. Fluorescents must be tripping a breaker.

(GRUNTS)

I turn the overheads off when the store closes, before the power gets weird.

Anyway, wouldn’t that just make the bills go down?

(METER MAN SLOWLY INHALES)

Where’s your breaker box?

CLARK: I’m no expert, but I checked earlier, and everything looks okay.

You said the lights flicker. Yeah, the whole store does.

Huh. Just not at the same time.

One night, I lose the power upstairs.

Next night, it’s down here. There’s no rhyme or…

(METER MAN SIGHS)

(CLARK SIGHS)

Who the hell installed this thing?

Well, the building came wired.

I mean, it’s dated, but it’s not that old.

(BREAKERS CLICKING)

METER MAN: Take a look at this.

CLARK: That wasn’t there before.

Or… maybe I didn’t notice. Like I say, I’m no expert.

Why-why is it… why is it going that way?

(METER MAN INHALES SHARPLY) Better question: what is it even connected to?

Huh?

CLARK (SHOUTING): Kat! How’s the power?

KAT: What?

Anything happen up there?

METER MAN: Damn…

The rat’s back.

But the power’s on. Yeah.

I thought we killed the rat.

We killed a rat.

So is this the problem? Don’t see how.

Power can’t even go through this part of the circuit.

It’s just… there.

Like some schmo just stuck it in there.

(METER MAN FLICKING BREAKERS): Yeah.

(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

(SIGHS)

(LIGHT FLICKERING)

(INSECTS CHIRPING)

MAN 1 (ON TV): Do you ever feel like you’re living behind glass?

Watching life happen, but never really stepping into it?

Maybe it’s time to open the window within.

WOMAN (ON TV): You can be the author of your own design because we all deserve another chance to fulfill our dreams.

The moment you believe change is possible, you’ve already begun.

MAN 1 (ON TV): Order The Window Within and the companion three-part audio program, Guided Openings, by Dr. Mary Klein.

Available now for $24.95 plus shipping.

Call 1-800-555-0199.

WOMAN (ON TV): It’s never too late to forge a new path.

MAN 2 (ON TV): So, you’re still trusting paper folders, mislabeled tapes, and a locked filing cabinet that anyone with a spare key can open?

Your business runs on information, yet most companies treat their data like clutter… (DREAMY, DARK MUSIC PLAYING)

(MAN 2 ON TV SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

ALIEN 1: That small blip is not an asteroid.

It’s a spaceship, and it’s on our tail.

-It’s getting closer. ALIEN 2: Impossible, Rigna.

They couldn’t have spotted us. We have our radar shield on.

ALIEN 1: I know that, sir, but they are gaining on us.

ALIEN 2: Is it possible Earth has a secret device that can penetrate our radar shield?

(TV CLICKS OFF) (ALCOHOL SLOSHING AROUND)

(SIGHS)

(TV CLICKS)

(SOFT GRUNT)

Piece of shit.

(SIGHS)

(REMOTE LIGHTLY THUDS)

(LIGHTS FLICKER ON)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(CHUCKLES)

(SIGHS)

(LIGHTS FLICKERING)

(HUFFS)

(SIGHS)

(LIGHTS CLICK SHUT)

(SIGHS)

(INHALES, EXHALES)

(DARK MUSIC PLAYING)

(INSECTS CHIRPING)

MARY (ON TAPE): Why did you do this to yourself?

How did you get here?

Your consciousness is a room full of memories that is constantly evolving.

But as you walk through life, the untrained mind can start to build walls, put up barriers to protect itself from the outside world.

(ENGINE IDLES)

It’s a natural response.

Something we are often unaware of.

(CLARK SIGHS)

But if gone unchecked, it can leave you feeling trapped.

You can become convinced that the world outside is better off without you.

That you never deserve the relationships you’ve had.

(CLARK SIGHS)

Resigned to watch your life unfold from behind a lone window.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I can help you open it now because the window isn’t locked.

The latch was never broken.

Are you ready to step through?

So that you can reclaim that which was once yours… and take back control of your life.

The life you want to be living.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Unburdened by the traumas of the past.

Free of the confines you had built.

WOMAN: …to leave, and so I decided… And free to choose a path of your own design.

(SYNTHPOP MUSIC PLAYING ELSEWHERE IN THE HOUSE)

(BACKGROUND OVERLAPPING CHATTER)

MARY: (SIGHS)

(MUSIC AND CHATTER NOW MUFFLED)

(MARY INHALES)

(DISTANT CITY HUM)

(LIGHTS FLICKERING)

(CAR PASSING BY)

MAN (ON TV): Well, hey there, cowboys and cowgirls!

Are you looking to rustle up the best deals this side of the Rio Grande?

(HUFFING): Prick.

Well, yeehaw, I say yeehaw!

Here at Big Wayne’s, our dining room sets are gonna make you feel like you just struck gold.

So don’t even think about going anyplace else.

Big Wayne’s, just look for the golden–

(SOFT STATIC)

(STATIC GROWS LOUDER)

(TV CLICKS OFF)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(GRUNTS)

What the…

(LIGHTS FLICKER)

(LIGHTS FLICKER)

Stupid… Fuck! Piece of shit!

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(HUFFS)

(WEIRD BREAKER CLICKING)

(SIGHS)

(EERIE BUZZING)

(SIGHS)

(EXHALES SOFTLY)

(SHALLOW BREATHING)

(DEEPER BREATHING)

(DISTANT ELECTRICITY BUZZING)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(EERIE SWOOSH)

(GASPS)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(MUMBLES INCOHERENTLY)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(CLEARS THROAT)

(EXHALES LOUDLY)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(FLOOR CREAKING)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(DISTANT RECORDED VOICES FROM GREETING IN 55 LANGUAGES )

FEMALE VOICE IN CANTONESE: Gok wai hou maa?

Zuk gok wai ping on gin hong faai lok.

(GASPS)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN AKKADIAN)

FEMALE VOICE IN RUSSIAN: Zdrávstvuyte! Privétstvuyu Vas!

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN THAI)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ARABIC)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ARABIC CONTINUES)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ROMANIAN)

FEMALE VOICE IN FRENCH: Bonjour tout le monde.

FEMALE VOICE IN BURMESE: Naykaungg parsalarr?

MALE VOICE IN HEBREW: Shalom.

MALE VOICE IN SPANISH: Hola y saludos a todos.

MALE VOICE IN INDONESIAN: Selamat malam hadirin sekalian, selamat berpisah… Hello?

…dilain waktu.

MALE VOICE IN QUECHUA: Kay pachamamta niytapas maytapas rimapallasta runasimipi.

MALE VOICE IN PUNJABI: Aao ji, jee aya nu.

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN HITTITE)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN BENGALI)

MALE VOICE IN LATIN: Salvete quicumque estis;

bonam erga vos voluntatem habemus, et pacem per astra ferimus.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ARAMAIC)

FEMALE VOICE IN DUTCH: Hartelijke groeten aan iedereen.

FEMALE VOICE IN GERMAN: Herzliche Gü e an alle.

FEMALE VOICE IN URDU: Assalamu alaikum.

Hum zameen ke rehne waalon ki taraf se aap ko khush aamdeed kehte hain.

What the fuck?

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN VIETNAMESE)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN TURKISH)

FEMALE VOICE IN JAPANESE: Konnichiwa. O genki desu ka?

MALE VOICE IN HINDI: Dharati ke waasiyon ki or se namaskar.

MALE VOICE IN WELSH: Lechyd da i chi yn awr, ac yn oesoedd.

FEMALE VOICE IN ITALIAN: Tanti auguri e saluti.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN SINHALA)

MALE VOICE IN ZULU: Siya nibingelela maqhawe sinifisela inkonzo ende.

MALE VOICE IN SOTHO: Reani lumelisa marela.

FEMALE VOICE IN WU: Tsoh na da ka hoa.

FEMALE VOICE IN ARMENIAN: Bolor anonts’ vor ky gtnuin tiezergi migamatsut’iwnen andin, voghjoynner.

FEMALE VOICE IN KOREAN: Annyeong haseyo.

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN POLISH)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN NEPALI)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)

MALE VOICE IN ILA: Mypone kaboutu noose.

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN SWEDISH)

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

MALE VOICE IN NYANJA: Mulibwanji imwe boonse bantu bakumwamba.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN GUJARATI)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN GUJARATI CONTINUES)

MALE VOICE IN UKRAINIAN: Peresylayemo pryvit iz nashoho svitu, bazhayemo shchastya, zdorov’ya I mnohaya lita.

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN PERSIAN)

(GRUNTS)

(CREAKING)

(MUFFLED GRUNTING)

(HATCH CRACKS)

(HATCH CREAKS)

(MUFFLED MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN SERBIAN)

(CLEARER MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ORIYA)

MALE VOICE IN GANDA: Musulayo mutya abantu bensi eno mukama abawe emirembe bulijo.

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN MARATHI)

(ZIPPER OPENS)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN MARATHI CONTINUES)

FEMALE VOICE IN AMOY: Thài-khong pêng-iú, lín-hó.

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN AMOY CONTINUES)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN AMOY CONTINUES)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN HUNGARIAN)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN TELUGU)

Hello?

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN CZECH)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN KANNADA)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN RAJASTHANI)

(HEAD THUDS) (GROANS)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN RAJASTHANI CONTINUES)

MALE CHILD VOICE: Hello from the children of Planet Earth.

(DISTANT MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN SUMERIAN)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

MALE VOICE IN ANCIENT GREEK: Hoitines pot’este chairete!

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ANCIENT GREEK CONTINUES)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

FEMALE VOICE IN PORTUGUESE: Paz e felicidade a todos.

FEMALE VOICE in Cantonese: Gok wai hou maa? Zuk gok wai… (GRUNTING SOFTLY)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN AKKADIAN)

Ooh… FAINT MALE VOICE IN QUECHUA: Kay pachamamta niytapas maytapas rimapallasta runasimipi.

MALE VOICE IN PUNJABI: Aao ji, jee aya nu.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN HITTITE)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN BENGALI)

MALE VOICE IN LATIN: Salvete quicumque estis;

bonam erga vos voluntatem habemus, et pacem per astra ferimus.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ARAMAIC)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

FEMALE VOICE IN DUTCH: Hartelijke groeten aan iedereen.

FEMALE VOICE IN GERMAN: Herzliche Gü e an alle.

FEMALE VOICE IN URDU: Assalamu alaikum.

Hum zameen ke rehne waalon ki taraf se aap ko khush aamdeed kehte hain.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN VIETNAMESE)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN TURKISH)

FEMALE VOICE IN JAPANESE: Konnichiwa. O genki desu ka?

MALE VOICE IN HINDI: Dharati ke waasiyon ki or se namaskar.

MALE VOICE IN WELSH: Lechyd da i chi yn awr, ac yn oesoedd.

FEMALE VOICE IN ITALIAN: Tanti auguri e saluti.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN SINHALA)

MALE VOICE IN ZULU: Siya nibingelela maqhawe sinifisela inkonzo ende.

MALE VOICE IN SOTHO: Reani lumelisa marela.

(LOUD THUD IN THE DISTANCE)

FEMALE VOICE IN WU: Tsoh na da ka hoa. Tsoh na da ka hoa.

(RHYTHMIC THUDDING)

FEMALE VOICE (in Armenian): Bolor anont’ vor ky gtnuin tiezergi migamatsu’iwnen andin, voghjoynner.

FEMALE VOICE (in Korean): Annyeong haseyo.

(FEMALE VOICE, IN POLISH) (RHYTHMIC THUDDING CONTINUES)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN NEPALI GROWING LOUDER)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)

MALE VOICE IN ILA: Mypone kaboutu noose.

FEMALE VOICE IN SWEDISH: Hälsningar fån en dataprogrammerare i den lilla universitetsstaden

Ithaca å planeten Jorden.

MALE VOICE IN NYANJA: Mulibwanji imwe boonse bantu… Anyone there?

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN GUJARATI)

(VOICE STOPS ABRUPTLY) (LIGHTS BUZZING)

(DISTANT, SLOW CREAK)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(LOUD CRASH)

(CLATTER)

(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(HEAVY THUDS)

(YELPS)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(GRUNTING)

(RATTLING) (CLARK GROANS)

(HEAVY THUD) (DOORKNOBS RATTLE)

Oh, fuck…

(SIGH OF RELIEF)

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

Okay, Okay…

(BREATHING RAPIDLY)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(PANICKED BREATHING)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(EERIE SWOOSH)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(PANICKED BREATHING)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(SWALLOWS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(BREATHING SLOWS DOWN)

FEMALE VOICE IN FRENCH: Bonjour tout le monde.

FEMALE VOICE IN BURMESE: Naykaungg parsalarr?

MALE VOICE IN HEBREW: Shalom.

MALE VOICE IN SPANISH: Hola y saludos a todos.

MALE VOICE IN INDONESIAN: Selamat malam hadirin sekalian, selamat berpisah dan sampai bertemu lagi dilain waktu.

MALE VOICE IN QUECHUA: Kay pachamamta niytapas maytapas rimapallasta runasimipi.

MALE VOICE IN PUNJABI: Aao ji, jee aya nu.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN HITTITE)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN BENGALI)

MALE VOICE IN LATIN: Salvete quicumque estis;

bonam erga vos voluntatem habemus, et pacem per astra ferimus.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ARAMAIC)

FEMALE VOICE IN DUTCH: Hartelijke groeten aan iedereen.

FEMALE VOICE IN GERMAN: Herzliche Gü e an alle.

FEMALE VOICE IN URDU: Assalamu alaikum.

Hum zameen ke rehne waalon ki taraf se aap ko khush aamdeed kehte hain.

(DISTANT CITY HUM)

(BIRDS CALLS)

CLARK: Sorry I’m late.

(CLARK SIGHS)

Traffic was hell, and I couldn’t leave early.

Let’s just use the time we have.

(CLARK BREATHING DEEPLY)

How are you today, Clark?

(LAUGHING): How do I look?

Fine. A little tired, maybe.

I look like shit.

MARY: Can I ask, and there is no wrong answer here, you know that…

Are you intoxicated right now?

Why you say it like that?

Like what?

I haven’t had a drink since Friday.

It’s probably why I look like shit.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Can I ask you something? Sure.

You ever 5150’d someone?

A few times over the years, when it was necessary.

Wh-wha-what makes it necessary?

If I believe that the person is a danger to themselves or others, or they’re gravely disabled.

Okay. Okay.

Um… (CLEARS THROAT)

I found something in the store.

Okay. What did you find?

Uh…

A place. I f…

I found a place.

A place?

Yeah. It’s like, um…

It’s like the store just, uh… continues, I guess.

(CHUCKLING): It’s like… you know, like there’s a wall and on the other side of the wall, the store just keeps going, you know, like-like a… like a copy of itself.

I-II figure they’re using mirrors or something to hide the entrance, I don’t know.

Sorry, I’m not following you.

Is this a room you didn’t know about before?

No.

Okay, so y-yyou go in and, uh, at first it just looks like a like an office building.

Like a… like a huge office building, you know?

And then, uh… But then you-you keep going, and then-then you realize th-th-that none of it makes any sense.

It’s-it’s like, um… Imagine describing a dog to someone who’s never seen one before and then asking them to draw it.

They might get some things right, you know, but there’s no way they’d get everything right.

You know, the devil’s in the details.

So from a distance, you look at it, you think you’re seeing a dog, but then you look clos–

Why are you looking at me like that?

I’m just trying to understand.

CLARK: Oh.

You know, for a shrink, you got a terrible poker face.

What you’re saying might sound fantastical, but not dangerous.

Are there any people in these offices?

Not that I’ve seen. You know, I hear, um…

There’s footsteps, an-an-and stuff gets moved around when I’m not looking.

I know how this sounds, but you’ve got to understand, it’s massive in there.

Like New-York’s-subway-system massive, you know.

For all I know, there’s hundreds of people.

I just haven’t seen them. (CLEARS THROAT)

CLARK: Look.

You see? It’s like a…

(CHUCKLES) It’s like a maze.

It just goes on and on and on. (LAUGHS)

Sometimes I’m scared I’ll get lost.

Why do you think no one else has found this place?

(SIGHS) I don’t know.

The entrance is on the subfloor, so the whole structure is probably underground, you know?

It’s not on any city maps.

The entrances are hidden, so who’d think to look?

I’m not saying I don’t believe you… but you told me yourself you haven’t had a drink since Friday.

Do you think there is a– Okay.

Clark– No, no.

If this is true– Yeah, I get it. Thank you.

(PAPER RUMPLES)

You know, I’m gonna come back here with proof and you’re gonna owe me a serious fucking apology.

(OFFICE DOOR OPENS)

(MARY EXHALES)

(RETREATING FOOTSTEPS)

(FRONT DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

(ENGINE STARTS OUTSIDE)

(CAR DRIVES AWAY)

(EXHALES)

(SHORT SIGH)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SIGHS)

(WHISPERS TO HIMSELF)

Kat!

BOBBY: Jesus, goddamn, I’m coming! I’m coming!

CLARK: Hey. Cap’n Clark?

CLARK: Um… Wait, wait, wait, wait. Kat?

KAT: I’m coming. Kat!

KAT: Okay, I’m coming! (BOBBY SIGHS)

CLARK: Look– KAT: What the fuck?

CLARK: Yeah, I’m sorry, uh…

What are you guys doing tomorrow?

KAT: What are you talking about?

CLARK: I’ll pay you. Two hours. Overtime. Tops.

Okay, pay us for what?

(FALTERS) Research.

CLARK: You got the camera, right?

You can-you can borrow it again…

CLARK: Right?

(HISSING FROM ANALOG AUDIO)

(CLARK’S FOOTSTEPS)

(BAG RUSTLING)

BOBBY: Okay, we are rolling.

We got, um, some shit over here.

We got some stop signs and, uh… a rope.

What’s the rope for?

Supplies.

KAT: Oh, great, he’s gonna tie us up.

No, we’re gonna tie ourselves up.

BOBBY: Hmm. Kinky.

KAT: What the fuck?

BOBBY: Uh, you still haven’t told us what we’re doing here, man.

I did tell you. Research.

These are supplies, and we’re using them for research.

It’s not that hard to understand.

BOBBY: Okay, research for what?

Y-you gotta be more specific, dude.

I’m gonna go through the door.

KAT: What door?

That’s the door. (BOBBY SNORTS)

I taped an outline on the other side, too, just to help us find our way back.

KAT: Bobby? BOBBY (CHUCKLING): What?

Look, I know it sounds crazy, but follow my lead.

Okay? (BOBBY EXHALES LOUDLY)

I want to be back before sunup.

BOBBY: Dude, it’s like 9 p.m. What the fuck are you talk–

(EERIE SWOOSH) (BOBBY GASPS)

KAT: What the fuck! Clark?! BOBBY: What the fuck?

KAT: How did you do that? BOBBY: Dude, did you…

Did you fucking see that?! H-how did he, um…

CLARK: I’m right here. Come see for yourself.

BOBBY: What the fuck? D-did you just fucking…

What? How the f…

KAT: Bobby, stop. What are you doing?

BOBBY: What the fuck?! KAT: Clark, where are you?

BOBBY: Ha! Hey, did you… did you see that?

Where the fuck did he go? KAT: Yes, Bobby, I saw it!

BOBBY: Oh! Where the f–

CLARK: Just step through the door, you’ll be fine!

KAT: What?! No! Tell us what is going on!

BOBBY: You know what, just… (AUDIO CRACKLING)

KAT: No, Bobby, wait! Bobby! Wait, what are you doing?

KAT (VOICE DISTORTED): Bobby!

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

BOBBY: What the fuck?! (SURPRISED LAUGH)

Dude!

Dude, how is this possible?

KAT: Bobby! Clark! BOBBY: Okay…

KAT: Where are you? What the fuck is back there?

BOBBY: No, no, no, Kat, it’s good, it’s good.

J-just, you gotta come see this.

(EERIE SWOOSH)

(BOBBY EXHALES SHARPLY)

I mean… Right, you see…

You see, it’s, um… (KAT BREATHES HEAVILY)

BOBBY: It’s fine. Clark, what is this?

Where are we? CLARK: Oh!

That’s what I’m trying to figure out.

BOBBY: Whose, um… Whose shit is this?

Is it-is it… is it part of your store?

CLARK: If it belongs to someone, I haven’t met them yet. BOBBY: Okay…

I’ve been in here every night since I found the place, and I still barely scratched the surface.

(BOBBY EXHALES DEEPLY) Come on. I’ll show you.

It only gets better.

BOBBY: What the fuck… KAT: Hey. Hey.

You don’t think he, like, dosed us or something, do you?

What? No, no, no. We’re not on drugs.

I think I’d be able to tell if I was high.

You are high!

Pot doesn’t count.

BOBBY: So, um, it’s like… what, like an empty office building?

In here? Sure. But it’s like it was made by a bunch of construction workers on acid.

(LAUGHING): There’s even a pool!

There’s a pool?

Yeah. I mean, kind of.

(BOBBY CHUCKLES) Keep up.

BOBBY: “Pots.” What the fuck?

(BOBBY EXHALES DEEPLY)

CLARK: Yeah, no, no, that’s the way I went last time.

Yeah, when I was looking for a staircase down or something.

Only thing I found so far is basically more of a…

BOBBY: Okay…

CLARK: I don’t know, it’s like a ramp, really.

It’s, uh… It’s up here.

(BOBBY WHISTLES, SNIFFS)

CLARK: We’ll be at it in a minute.

(CAMERA THUDS) BOBBY: Okay…

(FAINT WHIR FROM THE CAMERA ZOOMING IN)

(BOBBY EXHALES SHARPLY)

KAT: How many floors does it go down?

Is this not technically…

CLARK: Okay. All right, you filming?

BOBBY: Yeah. CLARK: All right.

KAT: I don’t see why Bobby has to be the one to go.

BOBBY: I want to. He’s the one with the camera.

KAT: Well, it’s not like it’s attached.

BOBBY: Yeah, well, I mean, to my student ID, yeah, it kinda is.

Any trouble, just give a tug, and I’ll pull you up, okay?

KAT: Trouble? Clark, what fucking trouble?

There’s not going to be any trouble.

BOBBY: Babe, babe, babe, it’s good.

No, hey– It’s good. I’m good.

Baby, you don’t have to do this.

No, it’s cool. I-I just want to see what’s down there.

Are you not curious? KAT: This is stupid!

Just go as far as you can. BOBBY: No, look, look, look!

You can basically walk down without a rope.

It’s fine, and it’s not even steep.

(CLARK GRUNTS) Okay.

BOBBY: Okay, just don’t… just one thing.

If I don’t come back, you’ll tell my mom I love her, right?

(KAT BREATHING HEAVILY) (BOBBY CHUCKLES)

CLARK: Okay. BOBBY: All right, okay.

CLARK: All right, just take it slow.

CLARK: Okay. (BOBBY BREATHING HEAVILY)

BOBBY: Oh, it is actually kind of steep.

You good? BOBBY: Yeah.

Just, uh… try not to drop me. All right.

CLARK: Tell me how much you need.

(BOBBY BREATHING LOUDLY)

(UNSTEADY FOOTSTEPS)

BOBBY: Whoa… Careful!

(BUMPING) (BOBBY GASPS)

What the… Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Fuck! Aah…

What the fuck are you guys doing up there?

CLARK: Sorry, sorry!

It was stuck around the leg of the bed!

KAT: Are you okay? BOBBY: Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.

(MUTTERING): Jesus fucking Christ…

Just keep letting me down!

CLARK: All right. Here we go.

(CAUTIOUS FOOTSTEPS)

BOBBY: Okay, I’m in.

(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING)

CLARK: See anything?

BOBBY: Ugh…

Uh, it’s just…

It’s a bunch of laundry and shit.

CLARK: What do you mean? Clothes?

BOBBY: Yeah, it just fucking stinks down here.

CLARK: See anything else?

BOBBY: Yeah, just, uh… Just give me a minute.

CLARK: Okay.

(BOBBY GROANS IN DISGUST)

(BOBBY TAKES A DEEP BREATH)

Oh, god…

(BOBBY SIGHS)

What the fuck?

KAT: Bobby?

BOBBY: Yeah.

KAT: Just checking that you’re okay.

BOBBY: Yeah, I’m fine. Just, um…

Okay…

Yeah.

Okay.

(BOBBY TAKES A DEEP BREATH)

(BOBBY GROANS IN DISGUST)

What the fuck…?

(SINISTER MUSIC GROWS LOUDER)

(LIGHTS FLICKER)

KAT: Bobby? Come back up!

I don’t like this! (ROPE CREAKING)

BOBBY: Hey! Uh… Let some more line out!

CLARK: I can’t! It’s as far as it goes.

BOBBY: Fuck…

(OMINOUS CREAK) (BOBBY GASPS)

(REPEATING): Fuck! Pull me up!

KAT: Bobby! What is it?

BOBBY (PANTING): Fuck! CLARK: What do you see?

KAT: What the fuck is it? Pull him up!

CLARK: I am! Jesus Christ! BOBBY: Fuck!

KAT: Pull harder!

BOBBY: Pull, man! What the fuck!

CLARK: It’s getting caught on my feet!

I can’t pull– KAT: Fucking pull harder!

Clark, hurry up! (BOBBY PANTING)

KAT: Almost here! Almost here, babe, just a little more!

Pull him up! CLARK: What did you see?

BOBBY: There’s, uh, there’s someone down there.

We’ve got you. What? Fuck.

Slow down, just breathe. Baby, it’s okay.

Just get this shit off me, man. Fuck. Jesus.

It’s okay. It’s okay. CLARK: What did you see?

Here. Hey, deep breath. What kind of knot is this?

Deep breath– (KAT SCREAMS)

What the fuck?! Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Help us! Clark! Hold on!

CLARK: Okay, okay, okay! Help, you fucking asshole!

CLARK: Let me get it! BOBBY: Untie me, man!

What the hell are you doing, Clark?

CLARK: I can’t! KAT: Hurry, Clark!

I’m trying, I’m trying! BOBBY: FUCK!

(SHOUTING) BOBBY: Don’t let go!

KAT: Hold on! BOBBY: Fuck! Don’t let me go!

Don’t let me go! CLARK: Let me get at–

(BOBBY SCREAMING) KAT: BOBBY!

BOBBY (SCREAMING): NO! KAT, NO!

(KAT CRYING)

CLARK: Bobby! (BOBBY SCREAMING)

KAT: BOBBY!

(KAT SOBBING) CLARK: Bobby!

KAT: What are we doing? We need to… Clark!

(KAT SCREAMING)

(CLARK’S AND KAT’S SCREAMS CUTTING IN AND OUT)

(CLARK GROANS) (CLATTERING TUMBLE)

(CLARK GRUNTS) (SQUELCHING, GROWLING)

KAT: Bobby! No! No! No!

CLARK: Ow… KAT! Kat…

KAT: Bobby! (SHOUTING)

KAT: Bobby! No! (CLARK MOANS)

(POUNDS ON DOOR) KAT: Bobby! No!

CLARK: Kat! (BREATHING HEAVILY)

Oh, fuck… (MOANS)

(SHRIEKING) (CLARK WHIMPERS)

Oh, no, no, no, no, no! No! (SHUDDERING BREATH)

(DOOR CREAKING)

(CLARK WHIMPERING)

(CRACKLING)

(CLARK BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING)

(PANTING)

(QUICK FOOTSTEPS)

(LOUD CRASH)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(RELAXING MUSIC PLAYING LOUDLY IN THE ROOM)

Kat?!

Kat?

(LOUD THUD) (GASPS)

(CLOSER THUD) (GASPS)

(WHIMPERS)

(LOUD SCRAPING)

(PANTING)

(GROANS)

(DOOR SLAMS)

(MUSIC BOX PLAYING FELIZ NAVIDAD IN THE ROOM)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(MUSIC BOX STOPS)

(MUSIC BOX RESUMES)

(CLARK HOLDS HIS BREATH)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Hello?

(MUSIC BOX STOPS)

(CLARK YELPS) (EERIE GROAN)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING) (CLARK GASPS)

(CLARK MUMBLES, PANICKED)

Stay back! Get away from me!

(WHIMPERS)

(LONG EERIE SHRIEK)

(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

(EERIE SHRIEK CONTINUES)

(PANTING)

(GASPS) (WATER SPLASHES)

(FOOTSTEPS SQUEAKING) (MOANS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(RUNNING WATER)

(CRASH IN THE DISTANCE) (GASPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(KNOCKING ON THE WALL)

(GASPS)

KAT: Clark? CLARK! I’m here…

(KAT KNOCKS AGAIN)

I’m here! It’s gonna come back.

Please, Clark, please let me in!

Kat? KAT: Let me in!

(KAT SOBBING)

Wh-wh-where are you?

KAT: We have to go now, Clark! We have to go.

It’s gonna come back, it’s gonna find me!

Kat! Kat? Uh… Wait, I don’t understand. Wh-where are you?

KAT (CRYING): Please, let me the fuck in!

(KAT KNOCKING, SOBBING)

But it’s a… it’s-it’s a wall!

How can-how can you see me?

KAT: I’m on the other side of the glass.

How can you see…? KAT: How can you not see me?

What glass?! What the fuck are you talking about?

(PANICKED BREATH)

Wh-what are you talk– (BREATHING HEAVILY)

Okay, can you see anything on your side?

Can you see a handle, a door? Is there a hatch, anything?

KAT (SOBBING): No, no, no, no…

Uh… Okay. Let me figure this out, okay? Just hold on.

Hold on, okay? It’s just…

(KAT CRYING)

KAT: Clark? No, no, just let me…

KAT: Clark! Just hold on!

Let me figure this out! KAT: CLARK!

Let me figure this out… KAT: Clark! Clark!

Clark, behind you!

(KAT HEAVING)

(FLY BUZZING)

(DOG BARKING OUTSIDE)

(CHILDREN’S VOICES OUTSIDE)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLING SOFTLY)

(INDISTINCT CHILDREN CHATTER)

(CREAKING)

(PAPER RUSTLES)

(WINDOW HANDLE SQUEAKING)

Mary! (CLACK)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(EERIE TINKLING) (LOW RUMBLE)

(MARY’S MOM INHALES DEEPLY)

Mary… what were you thinking?

I never, ever, ever said you could go outside.

It’s no good.

They’re all over the place.

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(MARY’S MOM SIGHS) (KNOCKING ON FRONT DOOR)

(CREAKING)

(LOUD CRASH)

(GASPS)

(EXHALES)

(INHALES AND EXHALES DEEPLY)

(PHONE RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

(ANSWERING MACHINE ACTIVATING SIGNAL)

(GREETING MESSAGE): Hi, you’ve reached Dr. Mary Klein.

I’m not able to answer the call, so please leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

(CRACKLING ON THE LINE)

CLARK (ON ANSWERING MACHINE): Mary… (CLARK’S SHUDDERING BREATH)

I opened the window.

(CLARK’S SHUDDERING BREATH)

I won’t be coming back.

(END OF MESSAGE SIGNAL)

(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS)

(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING)

(SEAGULLS CALLING)

(LIQUID SLOSHING AROUND)

(RUSTLE, CLINK)

(BRAKE SQUEAKING)

(ENGINE IDLES)

(POPCORN POPPING)

GIRL (ON TV): Please!

(MICROWAVE BEEPS)

Save us!

BOY (ON TV): All right! I’ll do it!

I’ll save you! I will do it!

(BOY ON TV SHOUTING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC ON TV)

BOY (ON TV): Don’t die!

(BOY ON TV SCREAMING)

I don’t know where that hand’s been.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC ON TV ENDS)

CAP’N CLARK (ON TV): Well, ahoy there, mateys!

Now, according to me map, we’ve landed on the crystal shores of a bountiful land, a land filled with great deals.

So drop your anchors and come on down to Cap’n Clark’s Ottoman Empire.

Get lost in an endless sea of quality tables, chairs, couches, and bedroom sets.

Need bed bunks for the scallywagses quarters?

W’ve got it all!

And at prices so low you’ll think that yo’re robbing me!

(INAUDIBLE)

(DISTANT TRAFFIC HUM)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(BOSSA NOVA MUZAK PLAYING ON STORE’S SPEAKERS)

Hello?

(FLY BUZZING)

Hello?

Clark?

(LIGHTS FLICKERING)

Clark, can you hear me?

(LIGHTS FLICKERING)

(LIGHTS FLICKERING)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLING)

(BOSSA NOVA MUZAK PLAYING FROM UPSTAIRS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLING SOFTLY)

Clark?

(SHALLOW BREATHING)

(GASPS)

(INAUDIBLE FLASHBACK)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLING SOFTLY)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLING LOUDER)

(FLY BUZZING)

(BUZZING STOPS ABRUPTLY)

(GASPS) (WIND CHIMES TINKLING)

(BREATHING DEEPLY)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(UNKNOWN CREAKING) (GASPS)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLING)

(DEEP BREATHS)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC RISES)

(BREATHING ANXIOUSLY)

(EERIE SWOOSH) (GASPS)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(FLY BUZZING)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(INHALES SHARPLY)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

Clark?

(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)

(FLIES BUZZING)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

(SHALLOW BREATHING)

(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)

(FAINT VOICES IN THE DISTANCE)

(VOICES GETTING LOUDER)

(CLEARER VOICES, OVERLAPPING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(TENSE MUSIC TURNS EERIE)

(VOICES FADE OUT)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

(CREAKING)

(STARTLING TONE)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

Clark?

CLARK: You found it.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

MARY: Why are you hiding?

CLARK: You were being too loud.

(CLARK SIGHS)

Where are we?

It’s… (DEEP BREATH)

…every place that ever was.

(FLIES BUZZING)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

How long have you been here?

(HESITATES)

(LOUD THUD, EERIE GROWL) (MARY GASPS)

(CREAKING) What was that?

(EERIE GROWL, CREAKING)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

CLARK: Stay calm.

(RHYTHMIC THUDDING)

It’s only me.

(MARY BREATHING HEAVILY)

You know me.

(RHYTHMIC HEAVY THUDS)

(THUDS GETTING LOUDER)

(TENSE MUSIC RISES)

(FLICKERING AND THUDDING STOP ABRUPTLY)

(LIGHT CLICKING OFF)

(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING)

(CLARK GRUNTING) (MARY CHOKING)

(MARY’S RASPING BREATH)

(CLARK’S DISTORTED GRUNT)

CLARK (DISTORTED): I’m sorry.

This is for your own good.

(MARY’S STRENUOUS BREATHING)

(DISTORTED CHIME TINKLES)

(SINISTER MUSIC FADES OUT)

(DISTORTED CHIME TINKLES FADE OUT) (1920s SLOW JAZZ MUSIC WITH VINYL CRACKLING EFFECT)

(WHEELCHAIR CLICKS)

(WHEELCHAIR SQUEAKS)

(JAZZ MUSIC CONTINUES)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING, OVERLAPPING JAZZ MUSIC)

(JAZZ MUSIC FADES OUT)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES)

(EERIE RUMBLING AND CREAKING)

(EERIE RUMBLING AND CREAKING)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

CLARK (DISTANT VOICE): As you walk through life, the untrained mind accumulates loops, habits…

(EXHALES SOFTLY)

…behaviors that keep you drifting in circles, creating the same problems, reaching for the same solutions over and over again.

Still, it’s the neural pathway of least resistance.

(MARY’S SHUDDERING BREATH)

(DISTORTED OLD JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)

(VOICE CLEAR) The one I made.

The one that kept me safe… when I was a child.

(CLEARS THROAT) You know…

(CLARK INHALES DEEPLY)

I learned to push people away before they could hurt me.

And, now, as an adult, I’m still stuck right where I started.

(DEEP SIGH)

Alone.

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

What is this?

It’s a real mess. Am I right?

Clark…

(SWALLOWS HARD)

…let me help you… before you do anything you can’t take back.

Answer the question.

Yes, it’s a real mess.

But also beautiful in a way.

No?

(DISTORTED OLD JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)

Who are these people?

This place builds them.

Oh, actually, more like it remembers them.

(EXHALES SLOWLY)

And the more times it remembers something, the less it does.

Somewhere out there is a guy in a striped shirt, but, in here, he’s… remembered.

Just slightly wrong.

(CLARK SIGHS)

Somewhere out there is a man in a wheelchair, and a lamp.

I’m pretty sure that’s how you get all of this.

You know, all these places and rooms and buildings misremembering themselves.

Clark… let’s talk this through.

In some ways… they’re an improvement on the originals.

CLARK: For starters, they can’t feel anything.

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC RISES)

(MARY GASPS)

(SQUELCHING NOISES)

(HEAVY, PANICKED BREATHING)

(MARY EXHALES LOUDLY)

CLARK: Can you imagine how good that must feel? (LAUGHS) I mean…

(MARY LOUDLY EXHALES)

CLARK: …there’s no thoughts or pain, no ego, no fear. They simply… exist. Like… like furniture!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Look at this. The best part.

(BUTTONS POPPING) (CLARK GRUNTS SOFTLY)

You can eat them!

(CLARK CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(SQUELCHING TEAR) (GASPS LOUDLY)

(CLARK GRUNTS)

(SQUELCHING TEAR) (TROUBLED GROAN)

(SQUELCHING TEAR)

(GOOEY PLOP) (MARY GASPS)

(CLARK CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(EXCITED CHUCKLE)

(SURPRISED MUMBLE)

(CLARK’S SUDDEN EXCLAMATION)

(GASPS, SHUDDERING BREATH)

(CLARK SIGHS)

(LABORED BREATHING)

That’s my, uh… assistant manager.

(LABORED BREATHING) (GRUNTS)

I tried to help her, but she just, uh…

Clark!

If you untie me, we can talk this through, get you feeling better.

Yeah, well, what if I did untie you?

You know, what then?

You’d run around here like a chicken with its head cut off, looking for a way out.

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

But you’d end up in the same place you are now.

(PANTING)

Like the path thing you’re always talking about.

Clark!

I just want to help you. Just tell me what you need.

I’ll-I’ll-I’ll do it.

Yeah?

Yeah. Yes, please.

(DEEP SIGH) Okay.

Well, I want you to tell me that I didn’t do anything wrong, you know, that-that you were wrong about me.

I was wrong about you! I was.

I was wrong about you. No, no, not-not like that.

Not… not so fast, okay?

I mean, I wanna… I want to set the scene first!

(CLARK CHUCKLES)

(CLEARS THROAT)

Let’s start, um… well, the night that, uh… that I got kicked out of my own house.

Yeah?

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(CLARK SIGHS)

It was, um… It was late.

A lot darker.

Uh…

Lights, please.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(CHUCKLES)

I tried this exercise with her before.

It doesn’t go anywhere.

(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)

(INHALES) Fine!

I’ll do it myself. (CLEARS THROAT)

(GRUNTS) It’s still my house after all.

(SIGHS)

Yeah.

(MARY GASPS) Thank you. Much better.

But there’s… still… something off.

(SQUELCHING NOISE) (SMALL EFFORT GRUNT)

Clark, please…

(CLARK GRUNTS)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

(GROANS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(BREATHING DEEPLY)

(SQUELCHING TEAR) (METALLIC SLASH)

(WET SLICING)

(CLARK GRUNTS)

(SLOW RIPPING SOUND)

(CLARK GRUNTS LOUDLY)

(CLARK SIGHS) (MARY GASPS)

No, please, don’t, don’t…!

(MARY GASPS) (CLARK SIGHS)

(MARY EXHALES SHARPLY) (CLARK BREATHING DEEPLY)

(SHALLOW BREATH)

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry, I… broke the glass and woke you up.

I know how you like to sleep early.

I was at the store late.

I guess I lost track of the time.

I was checking inventory.

But…

I stopped off for a few beers.

Clark– Barbara!

I was checking inventory.

Then I stopped off for a few beers.

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

Defi-define a few.

As many as I wanted.

Because this is my house.

I pay for it.

I pay for everything. I pay for you to go to school.

I pay for your time off school!

I pay for the roof over your head!

You want kids, right?

Well, that takes money.

So someone has to work around here.

I said someone has to get off her fat ass and work around here!

Just because you didn’t get to be an architect don–

I am a fucking architect.

(UNSETTLING MUSIC SLOWLY RISES)

I’m just stuck selling shit furniture because someone won’t get off her fat fucking ass and help me!

I’m not your wife!

CLARK: Stay in character!

(MARY EXHALES LOUDLY)

CLARK: Stay in character!

MARY: I’ve never even met her!

CLARK: STAY IN CHARACTER!

MARY: FUCK YOU!

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

CLARK: What did you say?

MARY: You wanna know the real reason your wife left you? It wasn’t the drinking, or the stumbling home at all hours, or the rage. It was the whining! Nothing’s ever your fault, is it? You drink too much? Blame your job. You hate your job? Blame the world. You get kicked out of the house? Blame your wife. You attack me and tie me up? Blame your brain! You are your fucking brain, you dipshit!

CLARK: You’re saying it’s my fault?

MARY: Yes! But it’s just the way you’re wired, isn’t it? ISN’T IT?!

(INHALES, EXHALES)

How do I stop doing that?

Honestly, I have no fucking idea.

(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

I can’t help you, Clark.

As much as I tried.

It’s just not up to me.

(DEEP SIGH)

I can’t save anyone.

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

(CLARK’S SHUDDERING BREATH)

You know…

I don’t think I want to change.

Then don’t.

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

I like it in here.

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m… like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

(SIGHS)

Then stay.

Right where you are.

(INHALES SHARPLY) But let me go.

(PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES)

(CLARK SIGHS)

(CLARK SNIFFLES)

(SHALLOW BREATH)

(MARY BREATHING NERVOUSLY)

I’m sorry.

(MARY GASPS)

(FAINT RHYTHMIC THUDDING)

About what?

(REPEATED THUDDING, SHRIEKING)

(RHYTHMIC THUDDING APPROACHING)

(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

(MARY GASPS)

(EERIE GROWL, THUDDING)

(MARY’S PANICKED BREATHING) (SHRIEKING CONTINUES)

(THUDDING GETTING LOUDER)

(CREAKING)

What are you doing in here?

(SHRIEKING CONTINUES)

(MARY’S SHUDDERING BREATH)

This is Mary.

She’s our therapist.

(MARY’S SHUDDERING BREATH) She was just leaving.

No, no.

You don’t have to worry.

She says we don’t need to change.

(CREAKING)

(OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES)

(CLARK’S SHUDDERING BREATH)

It’s okay.

It’s just the way we’re wired.

(SHRIEKING CONTINUES)

(RASPY GROAN) (SQUELCHING BITE)

(CLARK SCREAMING)

(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING) (MARY GASPS)

(LOW GROWL) (CLARK SCREAMING)

(FRENZIED THUDDING) (CLARK SCREAMING)

(PIRATE’S MENACING GROWL)

(SHOCKED WHIMPERS)

(PIRATE’S MENACING GROWL)

(LOW GROWL)

(MARY YELPS) (CLARK SCREAMING)

(SQUELCHING TEAR)

(MENACING GROWLS)

(CLARK SCREAMING)

(PIRATE CLARK GROWLS LOUDLY)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SINISTER MUSIC CONTINUES)

(GROWL) (HEAVY THUD)

(PANTING)

(DOORKNOB RATTLING) (PANICKED BREATHING)

(RHYTHMIC THUDDING)

(CLARK’S BODY THUMP)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(RHYTHMIC THUDDING APPROACHING)

(PANTING)

(LIGHT BUZZING FAINTLY)

(MENACING GROWL)

(RUMBLING)

(CRASH IN THE DISTANCE)

(MENACING GROWL)

(LOUD CLINKING)

(GROWLING)

(GROWLING)

(PANICKED BREATHING)

(THUD, BONE CRACKS) (YELPS)

(MOANING IN PAIN)

(WHIMPERS)

(PANTING)

(SINISTER MUSIC CONTINUES)

(GROWLING)

(LOUD FOOTSTEPS)

(WHIMPERS)

(GRUNTS)

(GROWLING)

(LOCKED DOOR THUMPS) (EFFORT GRUNT)

(GROWLS, THUDS, AND BANGING)

(PIRATE CLARK GRUNTS) (MARY YELPS)

(GROWLING)

(MARY PANTING)

(EERIE DREAMY MUSIC REVERBERATING)

(GROWLING, LOUD BANGING)

(MARY GASPS)

(LOUD BANGING)

(EERIE DREAMY MUSIC OVERLAPPING SINISTER MUSIC)

(LOUD BANGING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(BANGING CONTINUES)

(SPLINTERING CRACK)

(BANGING CONTINUES, GROWLING)

(LOUD GROWL)

(DOOR BREAKS)

(YELPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(AGGRESSIVE BANGING)

(LOUD CRASH) (MENACING GROWLING)

(DISTANT ANGRY GROWLING)

(GRUNTS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(BREATHING QUICKENS)

(ANGRY GROWLING)

(PANTING)

(GREETINGS IN 55 LANGUAGES, MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ORIYA)

(EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)

MALE VOICE IN GANDA: Musulayo mutya abantu bensi eno mukama abawe emirembe bulijo.

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN MARATHI)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN MARATHI CONTINUES)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN AMOY)

FEMALE VOICE IN HUNGARIAN: Üdözletet ülünk magyar… No… (FEMALE VOICE CONTINUES)

(HEAVY BREATHING CONTINUES)

(DOOR THUDS)

(EERIE MUSIC TURNS OMINOUS)

(DOOR OPENS, CREAKS THEN SLAMS)

(LOW RASPY BREATH)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN KANNADA)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN RAJASTHANI)

(RASPY GASP)

(PEG LEG CLUNKING)

MALE CHILD VOICE: Hello from the children of Planet Earth.

(RHYTHMIC CLUNKING APPROACHING)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN SUMERIAN)

(LOW RASPY GROAN)

(MARY’S SHUDDERING BREATH)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ANCIENT GREEK)

FEMALE VOICE IN PORTUGUESE: Paz e felicidade a todos.

(GASPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN AKKADIAN)

FEMALE VOICE IN RUSSIAN: Zdrávstvuyte! Privétstvuyu Vas!

(CLUNKING CONTINUES)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN THAI)

(MARY PANTING) (FEMALE VOICE, IN ARABIC)

(PIRATE CLARK GROWLING)

(MARY GASPS) (MENACING GROWL)

(MARY GRUNTS) (WOOD CRACKS)

(YOWLS)

FEMALE VOICE IN FRENCH: Bonjour tout le monde.

(GASPS, GRUNTS)

(BEEPING) (ALARM BLARES)

(GAS HISSING)

(OMINOUS MUSIC TURNS TENSE)

(PIRATE CLARK YOWLS)

(MARY WHIMPERS) (PIRATE CLARK GROWLING)

(SOUNDSCAPE BECOMES MUFFLED)

(MUFFLED COUGH AND BREATHING)

(MUFFLED GASP)

(MUFFLED GROAN)

(MUFFLED HISSING)

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(STARTLING TENSE TONE)

(PIRATE’S RASPY BREATHING) (MARY GASPS)

(GROWLING) (MARY INHALES SHARPLY)

(MARY’S STRENUOUS GRUNTS)

(MENACING GROWL)

(HORRIFYING GRUNT)

(MARY’S STRENUOUS GRUNTS)

(PANTING)

(TENSE MUSIC RISES)

(GROWLING)

(HARD BLOW) (RASPY WHIMPERS)

(MARY GRUNTS, PANTS) (HARD BLOW)

(RASPY WHIMPERS) (SQUELCHING BLOWS)

(PIRATE CLARK YOWLING) (MARY GRUNTING)

(REPEATED SQUELCHING BLOWS) (PIRATE GROWLING AND YOWLING)

(HORRIFYING GROANS) (MARY’S STRENUOUS YELL)

(JAW CRACKS) (TEETH RATTLE)

(PIRATE CLARK WHIMPERS) (MARY GRUNTS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(PIRATE CLARK’S GROWL ) (MARY’S PANICKED BREATHING)

(ANGRY YOWLING)

(HARD BUMP) (MARY GASPS)

(PIRATE CLARK GROWLING) (MARY PANTING)

(WHIMPERING GRUNTS)

(GROWLING)

(WHIMPERING GROWLS)

(HOWLING)

(DARK MUSIC PLAYING)

(SHUDDERING BREATH)

(HOWLING BECOMES FAINTER)

(BREATHING QUICKENS)

(MARY GASPS)

(GAS HISSING)

(DARK MUSIC TURNS TENSE)

(YELPS) (COUGHS)

HAZMAT GUY 1: Are you okay?

HAZMAT GUY 2: Who the fuck is that?

HAZMAT GUY 2: Who is it?

(MARY COUGHS)

HAZMAT GUY 3: What happened?

(HAZMAT GUYS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

(MARY HYPERVENTILATING)

GUY 3: What about the pirate? Can you still see the pirate?

GUY 2: And the other guys? Still going out the back?

(MARY PANTING)

HAZMAT GUYS: (SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

(TENSE MUSIC FADES OUT)

(MUFFLED BEEPING)

(MUFFLED PANTING)

(MUFFLED BEEPING CONTINUES)

(MUFFLED HEAVY BREATHING)

(MUFFLED RINGING)

(SILENCE)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING OVER GREETINGS IN 55 LANGUAGES)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN ORIYA)

MALE VOICE IN GANDA: Musulayo mutya abantu bensi eno mukama abawe emirembe bulijo.

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN MARATHI)

FEMALE VOICE IN AMOY: Thài-khong pêng-iú, lín-hó.

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN AMOY CONTINUES)

FEMALE VOICE IN HUNGARIAN: Üdözletet ülünk magyar nyelven minden békét szereö lénynek aVilágegyetemen.

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN TELUGU)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN CZECH)

(FEMALE VOICE SPEAKING IN KANNADA)

(MALE VOICE SPEAKING IN RAJASTHANI)

MALE CHILD VOICE: Hello from the children of Planet Earth.

(DISTANT BIRD CALLS)

(CAP’N CLARK COMMERCIAL PLAYING FAINTLY OUTSIDE)

(FOOTSTEPS)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(FOOTSTEPS STOPPING)

Hello, my name is Phil.

And you’re Mary, yeah?

Uh… I was hoping to ask you a few questions, just for… some clarification on our end, if that’s okay.

Uh, first thing, um… could you establish how you, uh… got in here?

I walked through a wall in the basement of a furniture store.

Hmm.

(PHOTO RUSTLES)

Can you confirm that this is the location in question?

Okay, good. So you were shopping, or…

I was looking for someone.

(PHOTO RUSTLES) Um… were you looking for this man, right here?

Where am I right now?

Could you just confirm for me?

Is this man right here the man you were looking for?

Please. (PHIL STUTTERS)

Sorry, what was your name? Phil.

Please, Phil. Where am I?

I’m not…

(SIGHS)

I make, um… Sorry, my…

Our company, we make…

MRI machines.

Or… I should say, um, we used to make MRI machines.

Not anymore.

That was before we…

(DEEP BREATH)

Before we found– You’ve been there.

Yes, I have.

And now, it’s my job. (SIGHS)

Every day, I-I go in there and I just try to f… try to find out ev-even a little bit more.

I-I map out areas to the best of my ability.

And more and more, I’m convinced that nothing in our lifetime, Mary, n-nothing in-in maybe all of recorded history means more than this.

But I don’t understand it. I don’t…

I-I can’t even describe it.

It…

It’s like describing a dog to someone who’s never seen a dog.

And then asking them to draw it.

Now you want me to… describe it.

And then you’ll write it down, and then what?

Mary– You’ll let me go?

We all want the same thing here.

We do.

We just want to find out even a little bit more.

What’s gonna happen to me, Phil?

That decision’s not up to me.

So… if we could just talk, just you and me, you know, just like… just like two regular people.

We could unpack some of this, we’ve both been in there, and-and-and get on the same page.

There are doors opening everywhere.

We don’t know why or what’s connecting them.

(VOICE GETTING MUFFLED): They sort of keep happening, and we don’t know how to stop them.

(PHIL’S VOICE ALMOST INAUDIBLE)

(EERIE SOUNDSCAPE WITH WIND CHIMES TINKLING SOFTLY)

(WIND CHIMES TINKLES SLOWLY FADING OUT)

(WHIMSICAL MUSIC OVERLAPPING EERIE SOUNDSCAPE)

(LIGHTS BUZZING IN THE BACKGROUND)

(WHIMSICAL MUSIC AND EERIE SOUNDSCAPE CONTINUE)

(WHIMSICAL MUSIC FADES OUT)

(EERIE SOUNDSCAPE TURNS OMINOUS)

(OMINOUS SOUNDSCAPE TURNS SINISTER THEN STOPS ABRUPTLY)

(LIGHTS BUZZING)

( THE WORD BECOMES FLESH BY BOARDS OF CANADA PLAYING)

( THE WORD BECOMES FLESH CONTINUES PLAYING)

( THE WORD BECOMES FLESH BY BOARDS OF CANADA ENDS)

(EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)

(EERIE MUSIC ENDS)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING)

(UNSETTLING MUSIC ENDS)