Fugue (2018) - full transcript

Hey.

Who are you?

I'm Helen, I'm your wife.

And you're Malcolm, my husband.

I'm a Malcolm?

Since I met you anyway.

Who knows who you were
before that?

Did you take your pill?

I left a note.

You're supposed to take it.

Doctor's orders, remember?



Of course, you don't remember.

You're supposed to take it
when you wake up.

Go get one,
I'll get you some water.

Hmm.

I'll reset the timer.

Next one's in two hours.

Um, what is this?

It's for your head.

Doctor said those pills,
plenty of rest,

and you'll feel normal soon.

There we go.

Alarm set.

I don't remember anything.

Sit down.



I'll tell you, again.

One of these times you're gonna
think that's a funny joke.

A joke?

I guess I shouldn't have
high hopes,

you're the funny one.

I'm the looks and the brains.

I'm the funny one?

How do you think you landed
such a hot wife?

You said it was the best.

What?

The photo.

You said it was the best
one of us,

so what's the point in
having any others?

I wanted lots of pictures,

but that's not your style,
as you put it.

Plus, it's kind of romantic.

One single image to sum us up.

Who needs anything else?

Where was it taken?

I can't believe more hasn't
come back to you yet.

It was a day trip.

Nothing significant.

We were going for a
hike in the middle of nowhere,

but someone forgot the food
at home.

It was early and there
was nothing around

except for this
run-down gas station

with a closed diner attached.

We were starving and
in desperate need of coffee

when an old couple came
out of the diner.

They owned the place and
were headed out,

but you convinced them to
make us some coffee

and to part with
yesterday's muffins

before they left for church.

They were on their
way to church?

Jesus.

Am I always pushy?

No, you weren't pushy.

They chose to help us.

I remember they said it was
as if church had

already started for the day.

The sun was barely up and
they already had

a chance to do well by someone.

Will you try something for me?

Will you close your eyes?

Close my eyes?

Please.

I think it could help.

Okay.

Now, try to picture the diner.

It was old,

decorated once in the '70s

and left to wear away.

While they made us coffee,
we sat in this booth...

With vinyl seats?

Sounds right.

Do you remember the muffins?

Chocolate chip.

Dry.

To make them edible we had to
dip them in our coffee.

Hmm, mine broke off.

You said something like uh,
"I have to..."

"Chew my coffee."

Chew your coffee, exactly.

What I really remember is

you left $50 on the counter,

even though they insisted
we not pay.

So I'm showy?

No, you're not showy.

You just know what's
important in life

and it's not money.

You're a good person, Malcolm.

Forgetful at times,

but a good person.

My head, what happened?

Whiplash.

Whiplash did this?

I know, it's nuts.

So there was an accident?

Yeah, someone cut us off,

and you broke hard,

but the truck behind didn't,
and it shot us

into the car in front.

Us?

You were in the car, too?

You put your arm out
to protect me,

got too close to the airbag,
and it shot your head

back into the headrest.

If I hadn't been in that car...

Hey, Helen, no.

Hey.

It's okay.

I'm so sorry you got hurt.

How many times have you had to
tell me what happened?

Seven.

I feel like I don't even
know you.

It'll come back.

You'll figure it out.

What if I don't?

You will.

Doctor said so.

This isn't a chore for me.

I'm here because I wanna be.

Because I want you.

The doctor said to take it easy.

Seven days is easy, right?

Don't tell me
you forgot this, too?

Right here?

Right now?

If you want to.

I thought you were gonna join
me in the shower.

You okay?

Who is this?

You know him?

Yeah, it's Ian.

Uh, I told you
he wasn't better yet.

Ian?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm Ian.

Your friend.

Um, if you say so

Um, don't just stand there,
come on in.

Honey, the doctor said
to limit visitors.

Come on.

Yeah, I don't know
if I should really...

Come on, you came all
the way out here.

And besides, I think you know
I'm doing better.

Fine.

Go get your pill,
I'll get the water.

Perfect.

Ian.

Um, you come in.

I'll put some clothes on.

You okay?

How about some coffee?

Yeah, sure.

Don't forget your pill.

Yeah, I'm gonna get it now.

And you, make yourself at home.

Thanks.

It's nice havin' a visitor.

This your first time here?

What?

I mean visiting me since...

Right.

You really don't remember if
I've been by or not?

Uh, I've been workin' on
trying to figure out

what I don't remember.

Well, that's tough.

But uh, no, I have not been by.

It's been a long week.

Yeah, tell me about it.

Really, tell me about it.

It felt natural.

I hope you... I hope you kn...
She knew I smoked, right?

She smokes, too.

Good, otherwise,
that would have been awkward.

Wouldn't want things
to be awkward.

So Ian was just going to tell
me about his week.

Oh, I don't know if that's
a good idea.

The doctor said uh, only tell
stories relating to you.

Anything else could be more
damaging than helpful.

Yeah, I mean I guess we should
follow doctor's orders.

Man, you took a nasty spill and
honestly I'm just glad

to see you're still breathing.

Okay.

So tell me a story about me?

- What?
- What?

Like the doctor said,
stories about me, right?

I wouldn't know what to say.

Anything.

The stories Helen has
been telling me,

they've really been helping.

Baby, where's the ashtray?

Uh, somewhere around here...

Don't worry about it.

I think I'm more of a
black coffee person,

at least since my spill, anyway.

Maybe we should just stick to me
telling the stories.

We made such good
progress today.

Just us, alone.

Actually,

I might have a short story

that I could share.

- Perfect.
- No.

Helen.

I can't just be the guy
that you remember.

I don't know what kind of
memories he might trigger.

Probably the ones me that
turned me into the man

that you married.

Is there a problem?

I think this will be good.

I hope so.

It'd be a shame to ruin all the
progress we've made.

Well, go on.

Okay.

So,

there was this road trip.

For what?

Um, music festival.

Who's car did we take?

Mine.

Uh, old shit box,
only had a tape deck,

kinda smelled like cigarettes.

Where was that?

Like where were we?

You wanna play 20 questions or
do you wanna hear the story?

Okay, so we get to the festival,
and we park,

and when we do, we realize that
we forgot our tickets.

So I went off to find a scalper

while you waited by the car.

It was hot as shit that day.

You were telling me this
later on that night

when we went to the bar,
the usual one uh...

Walt's?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Walt's, exactly.

Anyway, you got out of this hot
as shit car and when you did,

you accidentally scratched
the truck of the guy

that was next to us.

He didn't like it so much

and he started getting
in your face,

so you punched him.

I don't think this is the
kind of story Malcolm

needs to be hearing.

Well, I don't think that just
because you don't like

the story, it doesn't mean it's
not a part of his past.

Anyway.

It was around then I returned
with four tickets

and two women.

I met em by the scalper, they
were uh, little short on cash

and they said that the only
thing that they liked more

than country music
was country boys.

So we show up and we find you
surrounded by three guys.

You decided, "You know what?

I'm gonna try to reason
with them."

You offered to pay
for the scratch to the truck,

the trouble was it was
past that.

I remember there was a guy
swinging a length of chain.

Yeah, so you're tough,
but you're not dumb, Malcolm.

If there's a way out of danger,
you you're gonna find it.

The problem was, they
didn't want money,

they just wanted to fight.

So when that guy with the chain
started swingin' it,

before he had the chance, "bam!"

I knock out his knees, and break
his frickin' nose,

move onto the next guy, and then
you take on the third.

Anyway, it's at this point that
one of those assholes

starts calling for more of his
friends to show up.

You tell me that luck's about to
not be in our favour.

You tell me to toss the
tickets to the girls.

We get into the car
and peel out.

Anyway, best concert
I've never been to,

that's for sure.

I like country music?

Well, we liked country girls.

Alright, that's enough.

No, no, that was good.

I think I got a lot out of this.

Well, I'm glad I could help.

Stay for dinner.

You being here is giving me
a better picture

of exactly what my life
is really like.

Yeah.

Uh, sure, I'll stay.

I guess I'll start making pizza.

Hmm.

Give me another cigarette
and tell me about

those country girls.

Another time.

I think we've pushed Helen's
buttons enough today?

You afraid of her?

Honestly?

A little.

You afraid of me?

No, Malcolm,
I'm not afraid of you.

You're just a big
old teddy bear.

Yeah.

So I've been told.

Wait.

I shit-canned my own wallet to
avoid fighting a kid?

Yeah, and not only that.

When the security came by,
you told them that

he just slipped and fell.

You completely took out the
whole attempted robbery part,

because as you know, the fact
that he had reduced himself

to robbing a dude while he
was taking a shit

in a public bathroom.

Figured he could use a break
or somethin'.

You've always been a
judgement call kinda guy.

I did not know that story.

Hmm, me neither.

To the funny one.

No, to the looks.

Don't forget brains.

You certainly are
the brains of this operation.

Malcolm?

Cheers to that.

Malcolm, are you okay?

How long have we been
friends, Ian?

- I don't know...
- What about Helen?

How long have you known my wife?

Long enough.

Your head okay?

You good to get your pill?

Sure.

Hey, you okay?

Ian had to leave.

Malcolm.

Maybe you need to lie down.

You need some sleep.

I'm glad Ian left.

Me, too.

You probably won't remember
this tomorrow,

but I love you
and I love being your wife.

- Malcolm.
- What, what?

I think someone's
trying to break in.

You stay here.

There's two of them.

Two?

It'll be alright.

Get the gun from the safe.

Gun?

What safe?

Tell me you remember the combo.

Six digits.

Again.

Found you.

Just take whatever you want.

We just want what's in the safe.

Open it or we hurt your wife.

I don't know if I can.

Do I look like somebody who
jokes around to you?

I can't.

No, stop hitting his head!

Don't hurt my wife.

That's up to you.

Open it and we leave.

Just give us what we want

and we'll leave.

I can't.

I don't know the combination.

The hell you don't.

Stop hitting his head!

No!

This is not quitting.

I said I was gonna try and quit.

Either be a smoker
or don't be a smoker.

Quit tryin' to be both.

Well, at least,
I'm not smoking inside.

Small victories.

What time did you come to
bed last night?

I was waiting for a call
from work.

I don't know,
I wasn't keeping track.

Not only did your wife
fall asleep alone,

unsatisfied and
wearing something

completely impractical,

but you left the light on again

and that damn hum
woke me up again.

Hey, I changed the light.

I don't know what more
you want me to do.

Fix the problem.

How impractical
are we talking here?

Caught that, did you?

Is it uncomfortable?

All lingerie is uncomfortable.

How uncomfortable?

I wanted you to help me
take it off.

I can still help you
take it off.

When?

Right here, right now.

Hey!

You said no climbing
on the table.

I did, didn't I?

You wanna help mommy
make pancakes

while daddy has a cold shower?

You can join me if you want.

You should have come to bed.

Can I have pizza today?

For breakfast?

Maybe for dinner.

I was hoping you'd join me.

Dad, look how big my hand
is now.

Out!

Sorry, dad.

Gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me.

Jesus.

Yeah, fuckin' asshole.

Hey.

Weren't you gonna join me
in the shower?

Who has time for that?

Give me that big
mixing bowl please.

This would have been easier
in the city,

where I'd have all
my usual stuff.

Malcolm?

Malcolm!

You're right.

Like I said, it would've
been easier to both

if you had stayed there.

Hey.

When you throw a ball, gotta
your arm straight.

This way it goes where
you're looking.

Alright?

Like this?

Almost.

That was really good.

Babe, it's time.

Try it again.

Malcolm.

Fine.

Hey, Sammy, it's time for
6-years-olds

to call their nannas.

You know any 6-years-old
around here?

Me!

You wanna say hello
to my mother?

At least,
put that stuff in the shed.

Don't you dare pop that.

Perfect.

Two 6-years-old.

Help me do the sign.

It's good that my mum can
video chat with him,

otherwise she'd crash this
place in a heartbeat.

You know, how she likes to
turn up unannounced.

Ow!

You didn't tell anybody where
this place is, right?

You're hurting me.

Answer the question.

No.

I know the drill.

I didn't tell anyone.

Good.

Can you grab that?

You're a real dick sometimes,
you know that?

I didn't ask you to come.

You chose to come.

You know why this is
important to me.

Just Jesus, stop.

We should be in the city

with our family and his friends,

but you wouldn't say "no"
to work,

so instead it's just
the three of us.

We're all the way out here and
you're bein' an asshole.

Why are you so afraid to be
part of this family?

Let's just get this hung before
he wakes up, okay?

Get the presents out.

I've got to finish makin'
a fucking cake.

Happy birthday, buddy.

Happy birthday.

Raar!

I'm gonna eat you.

Yum, yum!

Oh, this is crazy, man.

Here we go.

Wasn't there one more present?

That's everything that was
in the closet.

No, there was another one.

It must be in the car.

I'll get it.

Hey.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Did you find it?

You didn't tell anybody we were
around here, did you?

- Not this again.
- Hey!

No, I didn't tell anyone.

Dad, it's not working.

Can you make it glow?

Hey, buddy.

Why don't you take your toy and
go under your bed?

You'll be able to see it
better in the dark.

Mommy will go with you.

What's happening?

I told you this was a bad idea.

Shit.

I thought it'd be best
if we talked out here.

Yeah.

I don't know who you are,

I don't know what you want,

but I am certain that you are
in the wrong place.

Malcolm, if we found you

all the way out here,

I think you know what we want.

I'm gonna give you one chance
here to turn and leave.

Nobody has to know about this.

Malcolm, help!

Missed your chance.

Shall we?

They're waiting for us.

On the couch.

Sit down.

I assume my son is okay.

We don't wanna hurt a child.

But we will.

You're gonna give us
what we want.

Why don't you get it for us?

I don't know what you want.

Goddamnit, Malcolm, just give
them what they want!

They won't tell me
what they want.

We want what's in the safe.

You have the wrong
people, you have the wrong house!

We we don't have a safe!

Wanna bet?

Should we keep looking?

Maybe in your son's room.

Open it.

I said, "Open it".

And I told you to turn
around and leave.

Go get the kid.

Malcolm, please.

Don't.

I don't care what's in the safe,

I don't care what it means
to you,

just give it to them before
they hurt Sam!

It's not mine, okay?

I can't, okay?

I can't.

You mean you won't.

Last chance.

You need to leave now before
it's out of my hands.

No.

No.

No.

No!

No!

I can't open the safe.

Please, just take anything else.

Leave me and my son alone.

No!

Take them to the shed.

Make sure they can't move.

No!

You don't behave,
I hurt your son.

Got it?

Everything okay?

I heard a gunshot.

Hey, you guys are all business.

Alright, don't worry,
I got this.

Jesus, someone did get shot.

I hate the sight of blood,
I told you that.

I was very straightforward...

The safe's in the closet.

Can we lose the masks?

It's hard to take you
guys seriously.

Phew!

Isn't that better?

Don't talk to me.

Get to work,
we're on a timeline.

Okay, boss.

You're not gonna like this.

Already?

Just keeping him unconscious.

This one knocks him out,
this one starts the process,

and these keep him susceptible.

Just how many times you've
done this before?

Enough to know it works.

Someone mentioned a
plan B before.

Phase 2.

Sounds good, start it.

You can't open this?

I didn't say that.

But I can't open it
and guarantee

I won't destroy what's inside.

You can't open this?

It's dangerously unassuming.

Oh, it's dangerously unassuming.

Yeah, it's
dangerously unassuming

and I know that because
I read the manual.

There's a manual!

I read the manual,
because I'm a professional.

Okay, great, he's a professional
and I guess that just...

If I trigger one of a dozen
fail safes,

it incinerates what's inside.

If we try to move the safe
and the internal level

is thrown off while
the door's locked,

it incinerates what's inside.

If I enter a combination
wrong six times

in a 12-hour period, it incin...

It'll incinerate what's inside.

Yeah.

And it also sets off
a controlled explosion

designed to mangle the hands of
whoever's trying to break in,

which is not ideal for me.

So if you're 100% sure you
need what's inside.

You have an option of
opening it safely?

We do.

Well, exhaust that before
I start tinkering.

It's my professional opinion.

Try five combinations.

Oh, you know,
in his professional opinion

that's gonna set us back.

Do it.

Hide that bullet hole.

Sorry.

Take your stuff back to the van.

Help me load things up.

What?

Looks personal,
put it in the bin.

Why?

That was personal.

Isn't this gonna be weird
waking up in the middle

of the afternoon wearing
his pajamas?

Trust me.

I like those ones.

These ones?

I think I wore these that
night we got drunk.

On the couch, didn't have time

to close the blinds.

Yeah, those ones.

Perfect.

I've never worn them before.

We've also never had couch sex.

What are you talkin' about?

I'm sure you've been with a
woman wearing something similar

and I'm also sure you've
had sex on a couch.

No,

we had couch sex.

You think we have, because
you put me there.

I set the scenario
and the tone of action,

suggest things like
hot and heavy, drunk.

And you added all the details.

On the couch.

No time to close the blinds.

Those are you filling in
an augmented memory.

You remember it,

because I put myself into
a memory you already had,

generic enough to manipulate.

With sex?

With the power of suggestion.

Okay.

But we have memories that
you can manipulate.

How the hell are you supposed to
fake a life with this guy?

Leave it to me.

You think it's gonna work?

If I can make him believe
that he's loved,

smart, decisive, and strong,

but also passive, strategic,

and not at all a hero, then yes.

Okay, well, what if it
doesn't work?

Even the kid?

Go check if everything's getting
cleaned up outside.

We're on a timeline.

Cups are in here.

You guys always clean house
when you rob someone?

Keep moving, asshole,
we're on a timeline.

And I thought my people
skills were bad.

Get the water bottle and put
your mask back on.

Pink's her colour.

We wanna give you some water.

You've been through a lot
and it's not over yet.

Understand?

Are you thirsty?

More.

Please.

Malcolm!

Malcolm!

We are out here!

Stupid.

Where the hell are you going?

He's waking up.

What about me?

Put these on and help
watch them.

Don't do anything stupid,
I still need you

if this doesn't work.

Helen!

Helen!

Why why do I have to baby-sit?

You think it's better if
he's inside with me?

Someone should be, yeah.

Just...

Be safe.

Don't fuck up.

Damn it!

Hey, who are you?

What the hell are you doing?

What?

Close my eyes?

Please, I think it could help.

Now, try to picture the diner.

Who is it?

Shut up.

You tryin' to trick me, huh?

I don't wanna hurt you
or your boy, but I will.

That's enough.

Enough!

What the hell?

She said don't do anything
stupid and it seems to be

about all you're doing.

What the fuck
am I supposed to do

while she's in there alone
with him?

That's what this is about!

I thought you two were
professionals.

Hold this.

Alright.

And watch them.

- Watch them?
- Yeah.

What do you mean watch them?

- Just fucking watch them.
- You gotta be kidding me.

What the hell are you doing?

He's watching them.

I mean here.

You screwed him?

Damn right, I screwed him,

and if I think it'll get us in
the safe, I'll do it again.

You never said that you
were going to...

I don't need to run anything
by you.

Now, get the hell out of here.

I thought you were
gonna join me in the shower?

Oh, the shower.

Who's this?

Who are you?

It's Ian.

I told you he wasn't better yet.

Ian?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm Ian.

Your friend.

Leave, now.

Look, he just invited me in,
alright?

Besides, I can help.

You have no idea
what you're doing.

Helen, how hard can it be?

You okay?

Wait.

I shit-canned my own wallet to
avoid fighting a kid?

Yeah, and not only that.

When the security
came by, you told them that

he just slipped and fell.

You completely took out the
whole attempted robbery part,

because as you know, the fact
that he had reduced himself...

Drink up, asshole.

Malcolm, you okay?

We don't need him
to make judgement calls.

We need him to cower
and do what we say.

And he didn't take a spill, he
was in a car accident with me.

Well, how was I supposed
to know...

Just go to the shed and wait
for the signal.

Hello.

It's almost done.

There were variables
to the plans you supplied me.

It's not an excuse.

No, that doesn't sound good.

Absolutely, we will have it
done by the timeline.

Alright, when the time
comes, you're coming with me.

No way, man, that's not my deal.

It's three against one.

Just stand still and stand tall.

What about them?

I dare you to try something.

Time to go.

Chris just wanted to help.

I never thought he'd be a hero
and get himself killed.

Besides, weren't you supposed
to be taking care of

this guy's killer instincts and
make him care about his wife?

That's not how it works.

Oh, well, how does it work?

Only the subject can choose to
change who they really are.

Well, what is the point of all
of this shit then, alright?

The house, the photo...

Come on.

Babe.

Did you or did you not

bring Chris in here with you?

Do you know how to open
the safe?

So you don't know how to
get what we need.

What are you doing?

He only tried
four combinations, right?

I don't know.

Maybe his briefcase to you know,

crack in or whatever.

I'll get it from the van.

Found it!

Helen?

You okay?

Helen?

Uh, okay.

Take it easy, Malcolm.

It's it's me, Ian.

My friend, right?

Yeah, that's right.

I'm your friend
and Helen's your wife.

What the hell are you doin'?

Where are they?

Where's who?

Don't say anything, Ian.

You found me all the way
out here.

So you know who I am, don't you?

We can offer you...

I was talkin' to my friend.

Yeah, I know who you are.

Good.

How about this?

You let her go,
I put the gun down.

That's funny.

Helen, honey, isn't that funny?

Hmm.

He thinks it's the gun
that's stopping me.

Don't you hurt her!

Ian, don't shoot!

Where's my family, shithead?

I can do this all night long,
Ian.

Where

is

My family?

They're in the shed!

Al alright?

They're in the shed.

There you go.

It wasn't so hard, now was it?

No!

It was so scary.

I know, buddy.

I know.

But it's better now.

Take Samuel and get in the car,
and get somewhere safe, alright?

Where are the keys?

Take this.

Anyone but me walks through
that door...

Hurt them.

His family was our
only leverage.

It didn't work before.

What difference does it make?

You never give up leverage.

Just go bring him in.

We still need him to open
the safe.

Ian?

Phase 3.

Start with the wife
and bring me the kid.

Mom's with you.

Good boy.

Open the safe and we leave.

You should have left
when you had the chance.

Patrice.

Malcolm!

Malcolm!

I killed him.

I had to.

I know.

I know.

Hey, it's okay.

Come on.

My head hurts.

I know.

Can you can you do this?

Okay, keep it like that.

You'll feel better in a bit.

Come with us.

I can't.

You can't?

Or you won't?

Malcolm, what's in the safe?

- It doesn't matter.
- Yes, it does.

Not to me.

Whatever it is,
whatever they put in there,

it doesn't matter.

It's my j...

Your job?

Hey, this isn't over.

I need you to take that gun,
get in the car,

and drive Samuel away from here.

I need you to leave,

so I can finish this.

Coffee?

I like it with cream.

That I remember.

So I have a few questions
for you

and I'm hoping you can give
me some answers.

If I can.

What did you do to me?

It's called "augmented memory".

I gave you temporary amnesia and
filled in the blanks, alright?

This part of it?

The syrettes knock you out,

the vials induce amnesia,
and the pills lower inhibitors,

which make you susceptible
to leading.

And why empty the house?

Come on, Helen.

These are the easy ones.

We need to start
with a clean slate.

If there's nothing specific for
you to latch a memory to,

you can be led.

Why go through all that trouble?

To make you the man
I needed you to be.

Oh, yeah?

What kind of man is that?

One who cares enough about his
family to open a safe.

What happens if you take
too much?

You forget everything.

I have to tell you,

I have seen a lot of things
that make people talk.

This is new to me.

Next question.

Who sent you?

Oh, come on.

I can't answer that.

Who sent you?

I can't tell you.

You mean you won't.

My methods may not be as
fancy as yours,

but they work.

Wife doesn't like me smoking
in the house.

Unlike you.

I lost cell service
when you pulled in.

It's back now.

Someone's been callin' you.

They'll come for me soon.

Who sent you?

Do you even know
who you work for?

Damn!

Why do you do it?

I don't need to explain
myself to you.

Now...

Before you forget forever,

who do you...

Yeah, he's dead.

Hold on.

Yeah, I see it.

I'll call you back
when it's secure.