The Wind (1986) - full transcript
A novelist is stalked by a psychopath one stormy night.
(Sian) So Saint Peter leaves
and Jesus remains,
guarding the gateway to heaven,
his eyes feasting on the serenity
of the sky and the clouds.
Suddenly, out of the swirling mist,
an old man appears.
He's wearing a worn-out suit
and carries a crooked cane.
Heavy spectacles sit
beneath his heavy eyebrows.
He approaches Jesus
and says, "Good morning.
"I would like to get into Heaven."
And Jesus says, "You will
if you've led a worthy life.
"And what was your profession
on Earth, sir?"
And the old man says,
(Faintly) "I was a carpenter.”
Jesus pauses for a moment,
looks at the old man,
and says in a low voice,
"Strange... I used to know a man
who was a carpenter.”
The old man nods.
"I know how you must feel," he says.
"Because I had a son who I haven't seen
in a very long time."
A lump comes to Jesus' throat...
"That man..." says Jesus,
"That carpenter was my father."
Jesus leans down
and studies the old man's features.
"Strange," says Jesus.
"But you look very familiar to me."
The old man squints again,
looks up at Jesus, and says,
(Faintly) "And you look familiar
to me, too."
With tears in his eyes,
Jesus opens his arms and says,
(Gasps)
"Father?"
The old man wipes a tear from his eye,
opens his arms, and says,
"Pinocchio?"
(Sian and John both giggle)
(John, laughing) You're sick!
Your sense of humor is sick.
(Sian) Ah, come on.
Admit it, you loved it, John.
I liked it.
I didn't love it.
It was good.
That's because you think
unexpected endings are brilliant.
I prefer normal short stories.
Yeah... the knock, knock variety.
Those, too.
You didn't like the play, either.
1 only yawned twice.
Well, then you hated it.
Look, it's late.
Let's get some sleep.
I can sleep on the airplane.
With all those mad Greeks
dancing in the aisles?
Wanna go for a record?
For Christ's sake, Sian,
it's nearly daybreak.
- Come on...
- You know what your trouble is?
You think I'm like those super studs
in your novels.
I'm not. I'm a real, 42-year-old,
overworked guy,
and once is enough
after a long day in the mines.
What are you complaining about?
You're gonna have
the whole weekend alone.
(Engine roars)
Do you hear that?
(Sian and John both giggle)
- The Goodyear Blimp?
- The Goodyear Blimp.
- "Bon Voyage" at daybreak?
- Mm-hmm.
Honey, I'd give my right arm
for a man like that.
And my left for the blimp.
You are a hopeless romantic.
And you're too hard-nosed.
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe I really am a man, Frances.
(Manly voice) I mean, I don't like
long relationships, you know?
I love adventure.
What's wrong with that, eh, babe?
- Sounds like you need this trip.
- No, I need to play!
- It's gonna be a lot of long, hard work.
- If I know you, you'll find time to play.
In a 2,000-year-old town?
You don't fool me, Sian, darling.
You'll play.
Even if you have to do it
with a ghost.
Mmm...
1 will miss you.
We'll see.
Just promise me that you won't be nosy
and you'll stay out of trouble this time.
Well, being in the wrong place
at the worst possible time is in my blood.
You know what they say
about you, don't you?
"Ballsy little wench."
Yeah, yeah.
I shouldn't have put
a man's name on my books.
- (Phone rings)
- Yes, Cal?
What about your landlord?
What about him?
"Elias" doesn't sound very Anglo-Saxon.
Are you sure he speaks English?
Well, if he doesn't,
my sign language is fluent.
You'll promise to call?
The moment I miss you.
That sounds like a vague promise.
I'm staying at Jane's the first night
and then the next moming
I'm gonna leave for Monemvasia.
- Monem...?
- Monemvasia.
-I can't even say it.
- Mmm. It's OK.
You never won a spelling beg, either.
(PA) "Any passengers holding tickets
for Pan Am flight 151 non-stop
to San Francisco,
‘your plane is now boarding
at gate number 14.
‘Pan Am flight 120 non-stop
to London
‘is now in the final boarding stage
at gate number 11.'
(Elias in British accent) Lovely, isn't she?
Quite a Mecca, you know.
Sixty thousand people used to live here
in the old days.
They built their houses
one on top of the other.
Underground passages for protection.
Attacking warships, you see.
The natives got sick and tired
of getting shells for breakfast.
- (Sian) Was she ever taken?
- Only once, since 375 AD.
It's not a bad record, is it?
The attackers cut the supply lines.
Monemvasia means "only one access".
- (Sian) I thought you were Greek.
- Hal Very amusing.
"Elias" isn't exactly English,
but not Greek.
Good heavens!
Anything but Greek.
The name is Appleby, dear girl.
I'm sorry you have to carry
your own luggage, dear girl.
I've never carried
a lady's luggage in my life.
I'm a feminist. I believe
if women want to be liberated,
they must learn
to carry their own luggage,
and open their own automobile doors.
In any case,
I'm too old to carry anything.
- It's quite all right.
- What was that?
I wonder, dear, if you'd mind walking
on the other side?
I'm a bit deaf.
I wear my hearing aid on the right.
- Is this any better?
- Yes, dear. Much better, thank you, yes.
Where was 1?
Oh yes, of course.
I married a Greek woman, you know.
The great thing about being married
to a Greek woman
- is she never complains.
- That's lovely.
Well, not that I'd understand
if she did, you know.
She's never learnt English
and I've never learnt Greek.
1 think too much communication
destroys a relationship.
Maybe you're right.
I'm always right, dear girl.
Here she is.
1,700 years old,
and still looking marvelous.
Half of it is mine.
I'm impressed.
You should be, dear girl.
I came here first during the war.
One of the many wars the Greeks
have had in the last 40 years.
They occupy so much
of their time fighting, you know,
that bloody foreigners like myself
can come here and buy the land for a song.
When I first saw this place,
I almost had an orgasm.
Forgive the expression.
It made
such a strong impression on me
that I promised myself
one day I'd own it.
Do you believe in ghosts, dear girl?
- I've never seen one.
- Neither have I.
But at times like this,
I feel them passing by.
Ghosts, shadows,
memories of the past...
- (Shutter creaks)
- 1 didn't think you'd be a poet.
I'm not. I fake it.
At heart, I'm just an old cynic.
Ohl Would you believe it?
What a mess.
Incompetent bastard.
He never does what he's told.
The handyman.
This is my house, you know.
I don't usually rent it
to strangers,
but I understand
you're quite famous.
I'm afraid I haven't read your books.
The travel agent told me about them.
Abit pulpy, eh?
Don't be ashamed, dear girl.
It's a living.
Don't worry about the mess.
I'l have that idiot clear it up.
Meanwhile, I'd better start the generator.
There is an entrance downstairs,
through the house,
but I'm afraid I don't fit.
I shall have to go in
through the back door.
(Generator fires up)
The archaeological society
is very strict about this town,
keeping it as it was.
No electric lights allowed.
- Apparently no people, either.
- What was that, dear?
Don't mumble,
you're on the wrong side.
This place is like a ghost town.
Where is everybody?
Oh, spending their money.
You may find it very difficult to believe
but we get an awful lot of tourists here
in the summer.
The merchants make a fortune.
Then they go to Switzerland.
They come back and work like dogs.
Bloody peasants, the lot of them.
Do you live here?
I prefer the city life.
I shall be driving back tomorrow,
once I've looked after you.
You've more than taken care of me,
Mr. Appleby.
I can explore the rest
of the house myself.
If you want anything,
my number is in the little book
by the telephone.
I shall be spending the night
in the village.
I don't care for driving after dark.
That's my wife.
She was an actress.
- Would you like me to take these?
- Oh, no. No need.
She'll keep me company.
Thank you for the use
of your house.
Thank me? Whatever for?
I'm charging you a pretty penny,
dear girl.
Oh, remember the wind.
Oh, I'm used to it.
I've lived in Chicago.
This isn't Chicago.
The wind can be very dangerous
at this time of the year.
It can be strong enough
to kill a young bullock,
or gentle enough to caress
a beautiful young lady like yourself.
It can be your friend,
or your enemy.
So don't go
roaming around at night.
Stay inside.
If you decide to go snooping around,
and I'm sure you will,
remember the locked closets
don't contain anything valuable.
Just a few personal belongings:
my son's hunting weapons.
I hope I haven't been too much
of a pain in the derriére, dear girl,
and you don't mind
me calling you "dear girl".
No, you haven't been too much
of a pain, Mr. Appleby.
And yes, I do mind
you calling me "dear girl".
Yes, well, it's too late now.
Silly old goat.
(Sian hums quietly)
(Shutter creaks)
(Phone rings)
- Hello?
- John! Can you hear me?
Barely! How was your trip?
The trip was fine.
You sound tired.
Anything wrong?
No, everything's all right.
The place looks great.
- Any neighbors?
- No, there's no one else around.
Just good old me.
"How are you gonna kill time, then,
between chapters?'
I guess I'l just talk
to myself, as usual.
I could always jump
on the next plane.
I don't think that's a good idea, John.
Let's give it some time, all right?
If I miss you, I'l call.
I promise."
‘What's the...
what's the number there?'
What? Oh, the number...
'2-2-6-0-8. You got that?'
Yep.
I'l give you a call later
and find out...
- (Static)
- What? John?
1 said I'll give you a call lat...
- (Phone beeps)
- Dammit.
(Wind howls)
(Howling continues)
(Clacking on typewriter)
(Clacking continues)
- (Knocking)
- Come in.
Hmm. That's strange.
(Eerie laughter)
Hello?
(Gasps)
- Hi.
- God, you scared me.
Oh, I'm sorry,
1 just brought your supplies,
I wanted to make sure
you got 'em all right.
Well, I appreciate it, Mr...?
Phil.
I mean, not Mr. Phil.
Just Phil.
I'm sorry about the mess.
I'll clean it up, all right?
No, no, that's all right,
I can do it myself.
- Are you sure?
- Yes. Thank you.
Mr. Appleby tells me
you're an American?
Yeah.
Where from?
1 was born in Detroit,
grew up in Las Vegas,
screwed up my life
in gay Paris.
Business in Nicaragua,
the Middle East.
So now you can call me a "bum",
or a "citizen of the world".
Interesting life.
Depends on how you look at it.
Oh, I see it as a writer.
I'm sorry.
I didn't introduce myself.
- I'm Sian Anderson.
- Sian Anderson?
I've never heard of you,
but I'm glad you're here.
I didn't expect to find any Americans
around here this time of year.
Well, don't let that bother you.
Like Appleby says, I'm a loser
and an absolute zero.
Mr. Appleby...
he's a lovely old gentleman,
but he's a little pompous.
He likes to put people down.
He do that to you?
He kept calling me "dear girl".
Calls me a lot worse.
That's because you work for him.
I'm a paying guest.
Well...
So, you've been exiled
or something?
Almost.
I'm finishing a new book.
Romance.
Please! I'm into mystery.
Murder.
SoamI.
What's your favorite weapon?
M16s.
I never use them.
Uzis are in. Nice big magnums.
They're exotic, as well.
Well, death is a whole lot different
on paper.
Oh, it's easier, 100.
I've killed off
a couple hundred people so far.
Oh... that's not bad.
Look... if you need
any technical advice on death,
just give me a holler,
I'm right next door.
Bye.
(Howling continues)
(Sian) "What was that sound?"
"Well, he was clearly following us."
No, Melanie wouldn't say,
"Following us."
"Clearly tailing us."
You can't do this to me.
"Wonder what fatty is up to."
Idiot! A zero!
An incompetent!
But you don't understand,
I got no place left to go!
Get out of here!
It's like you're killing me, old man!
Get out, before I call the police.
"His mouth gaped in disbelief."
You crazy bast...
"He hit hard.
"But the man was dead.”
(Panting)
(Digging)
Brilliant move, dummy.
As if he could see you.
Yep.
You're right, John.
I am nosy.
You weren't kidding, Elias,
this sure isn't Chicago.
(Sian screams)
(Gasps)
Are you looking for this?
Thank you.
I got locked out.
You should stay inside,
it's not safe out here.
Calm, dammit.
Stay calm.
Call Elias!
No, Sian. He's dead.
Wife.
He said he had a wife.
(Line ringing)
- (Woman speaks Greek)
- Hello?
"Hello.
Do you understand English?
(Woman continues in Greek)
Is this Mrs. Appleby?
(Woman replies in Greek)
I'm Sian Anderson,
I'm staying here at your house.
I'm the American.
Mr. Appleby... I...
Why, I think he's dead.
(Phone rings)
Yes?
(Phone rings)
Hello?
Thank you, operator.
- Sian?
- Oh, thank God, John.
I've been trying to call you
for three hours.
Good, don't talk, mm-hmm?
Just listen.
Look, this is a terrible connection,
can you talk louder?
Just listen, dammit!
- A man was murdered here.
- What?
- Well, did you call the police?
- I don't...
I don't know how to call the police,
or even the operator.
- You've got to help me
- What do you want me to do?
(Yelling) I don't know!
OK; call through the operator
in the United States, maybe she can...
- (Static)
- Hello?
Hello?
‘Operator, may I help you?'
Hello, Operator.
1 want to make an urgent call to Greece.
I know the code, but we'll have
to find the number from an operator there.
I'm sorry, sir. Without a number
I cannot place the call.
This is an emergency, goddammit!
If you can't find an operator,
we'll wake up the local police chief.
- (Knocking on door)
- (Sian gasps)
(Back door chimes inkling)
- (Gasps)
-Oht
Oh, I'm sorry.
I scared you again, I am sorry.
Well, look, I just came by to tell you
the phone lines are down.
Happens all the time.
It's the wind.
You know what I mean?
They'll probably be down all night.
Oh, and the...
The lights could go out, too.
So you just lock the door
after I leave,
and don't worry
because I'll be around.
Wait a minute.
If the guy's a killer,
why would he walk into the house,
hand me his key, and leave?
I'm probably wrong.
He's innocent, right?
Right.
Unless...
Unless he wanted to wait
until I got into bed, then he could just
quietly sneak into my room and...
No.
Why would he wanna wait?
He's probably innocent.
Or... he doesn't know that I know.
Or he does know that I know...
...and he just wants
to take his ime and enjoy it.
Oh, shit.
Calm down, Anderson.
Don't overdramatize it.
But he did say
that the lights could go out, too.
How?
How could the lights go out?
(Inhales sharply)
Oh, shit.
The generator.
"Sterling Mann,
"the hour that never was..."
(Heavy breathing)
So much for theories of innocence.
You son of a bitch.
(Generator sputters)
Thanks a lot.
(Phil yells)
(Sian screams)
(Phil) Starlight, star bright,
first star I see tonight.
Up above, the world so high,
like a diamond in the sky.
Wish I may, wish I might.
Have this wish come true tonight.
Goto hell.
(Phone rings)
Hello?
Hello?
John?
John?
Hello?
(Phone rings)
Hello?
(Phil) 'Yes, IH tried to reason
with the experts at the supermarket,
‘but no, no, they fought me
at every tum, at every corner,
‘up one aisle and down the next'
"When the phone rang,
you thought it was John, didn't you?
‘Surprise! Bogey here.'
Who's John? Hmm?
Ah, come on, don't be so quiet.
Look, it was me, er...
it was me who called before.
I just wanted to make sure
that you are OK.
‘Are you? Are you OK?
‘Good.'
How about this wind, huh?
If were you, I wouldn't go out in it
because it can be a killer.
"You are scared, aren't you?
‘Ah, don't be.
‘I mean, I'm not gonna hurt you.
just, er...'
I wanted to talk to somebody.
I got nobody to talk to anymore.
Elias, the son of a bitch,
he just left us.
- You killed him.
-'l did?
Yeah, well, I guess...
I guess I did.
- You're insane.
- "No, no, don't call me that.
"Look, I hate it
when people say that about me.'
I mean, you don't understand.
You don't understand a thing.
This is my home now.
He wanted me to leave,
I protected it.
That is called self-defense, lady.
Mm-hmm.
(Whispers) ‘Sian, listen, er...
"...I don't wanna hurt you.
‘I mean, I, er...
"...I kinda like you, you know.'
So why don't you just, er...
...why don't you open the door
and let mein,
and we can talk, OK?
Just... you just
keep your mouth shut, be quiet,
and nothing happens, all right?
Just let me in. Please.
Goto hell.
I really don't wanna hurt you.
Why does everybody
make me kill?
Elias?
Elias?
Elias?
Elias?
What if it's a trap?
Elias?
Elias?
Elias?
(Continues in Greek)
(Static)
(Dialing tone)
(Busy signal)
Come on, John.
Hang up. Come on.
Dammit.
(Sighs)
(Exhales deeply)
Of course, stupid.
They dial 0
for long distance here.
They don't dial 0
for operator.
(Phone rings)
(Phone continues ringing)
- Yes?
- John?
There's a man after me.
He knows
I saw him kill someone.
Did you reach the local police?
I have two operators working on that call,
I've even tried calling direct.
Give me their number.
Hold on a second.
Come on, John.
Come on.
(Shouting) Anderson!
Are you asleep?
You wanna play a game?
(John) 'All right, write this down...
‘Sian? Sian, are you there?'
In case you hadn't noticed,
the wind has died.
And so will you, Anderson.
(John) ‘Sian, talk to me!"
(Gasps)
(Door creaks)
(Screams)
(Sian breathes heavily)
(Phone rings)
It's nice to know there's life
somewhere on this planet tonight.
(Speaking Greek)
Of course I speak English!
Who?
Mr. John from Los Angeles?
Yes.
How is Los Angeles, Mr. John?
American?
Which one?
We have two here.
You want to speak with Mr. Kesner?
Kesner.
Who? Anderson?
I've never heard of 'em.
Yes, I can hear you.
I'm an American.
No, no, I don't live around here.
I'm a seaman.
Stranded here
on account of bad weather.
(Wind howls)
We'll look into it.
OK.
That's Elias' number.
Anybody who goes up there in this wind
is either stupid, or crazy.
- Or both.
- I tell you what...
Suppose we forget
all the money you owe me...
...and suppose I go and check
with Elias' wife,
maybe even go all the way
into Castro, just suppose...
...would it be worth it to you
to give me back my passport
and let me sail out of here?
Deal.
You know what this is?
Sure.
Credential insurance.
(Phil screams)
And you thought you were hot.
Miss Anderson?
Anybody home?
Who is it?
The name's Kesner, Miss Anderson.
Open the goddamn door!
Not until I know who you are.
Go stand in front of the window
so I can see you.
Goddammit.
All right, come on in.
Hell, lady,
I thought you said, "Come in."
I'm sorry.
I'll explain...
Having a party?
Yeah. A real blast.
I was at the police station
in the village
when some guy calls us
from LA.
LA?
Jesus Christ, lady!
Why didn't you call us yourself?
It's a long story.
Sure. It always is.
In the first place,
I didn't have the number.
Er... second place,
evenif I had it,
I couldn't have called out.
Why not?
It's dead.
See for yourself.
(Dialing tone)
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Works fine.
What?
He's smarter
than I thought he was.
Writer, huh?
Mystery writer?
It's got nothing to do with it.
I'm sane.
As sane as they come.
I didn't imagine any of it.
Well, I just don't know,
Miss Anderson.
I've been docking on and off here
for five years now.
The place is like a cemetery.
And I know Phil
and I don't like him, but... a psycho?
For God's sake, just look around.
You think I hallucinated this?
He was here.
He tried to kill me.
He's already killed two people,
and if he gets the chance,
he'll kill both of us.
This is real, Mr. Kesner.
Believe it.
I went to the village
to check Elias" house.
His wife wasn't there...
..but I'd still like
to take a look around.
Let's just get the hell out of here.
Why don't you just try
to relax, Mrs. Anderson?
You're safe now.
Famous last words.
Here.
Allright.
Hey.
All the bulbs are out.
So, er... why don't you go find one?
There's nothing to be afraid of.
(Generator fires up)
(Metal clangs)
You OK?
(Kesner) Yeah, I'm fine.
(Kesner yells)
Oh, my God.
Mr. Kesner, are you all right?
(Gasps)
That son-of-a-hitch generator
almost electrocuted me.
Wires all over the place, it's a wonder
Elias hasn't gotten himself killed.
I'm going to check out
those corpses of yours.
You stay here.
Not on your life,
I'm not staying here by myself.
You've done OK for the past seven hours,
a few more minutes won't kill you.
I'm fun to be with.
I've noticed.
OK, come on.
Phil, old buddy?
Phil?
Are you here?
Mrs. Appleby's final resting place?
It's locked.
Of course, he knows I've been here.
Yeah, I'm positive.
It was in that closet.
Elias never looked so good.
Here.
(Exhales)
Sorry, Miss Anderson.
No stiffs.
OK, pack your toothbrush.
I'l be a minute.
You know, I never did like that guy.
1 told Elias not to trust him.
He said, "Kesner, dear boy...
"you're not gonna get anywhere
with a philosophy like that.
"You don't have to trust anybody,
as long as... labor's cheap.”
I guess Elias' philosophy
let him down.
(Sian) Then you do believe me?
Well, like I said, I'l take a chance.
It's not a big one.
I'l take you back to the village.
(Sian) Who's gonna look
for the bodies?
He may be a killer,
but he's not stupid.
He's probably gotten rid
of all the evidence.
Thrown them in the ocean.
By the time they start looking for him,
he's gonna be long gone.
Don't have anything
to pin on him, anyway.
(Sian) You're a strange man, Mr. Kesner,
but I kinda like you.
Well... I kind of like you, too.
But...
Yeah, but? But what?
Hmm?
But what, Kesner?
(Eerie laughter)
OK...
OK, here I am.
Come out and get me.
Come on, you little shit.
Come on! Come on.
(Sobs)
(+ Rock music playing)
(Turns music off)
(Door creaks)
(Phil) Could you do me a favor?
Don't die quiet, OK?
(Whispers) Talk to me.
- (Door slams)
- (Sian screams)
(Sizzling)
(Phil) I've licked my wound.
It's fine now.
"Inside the walls,
they came to an immense square.
"The square could, and had,
held millions of people,
"bounded on three sides
by low market stalls,
"souks, and buzzing
with every kind of activity imaginable.
"He moved silently
behind the seated guard,
"he clenched
his massive hands together,
"raised them over his head
"then he glanced over his shoulder
at Melanie for approval.”
What is this shit?
"The Perils of Pauling”, Anderson?
OK, Anderson.
Time's up.
♪ Party's over ♪
(Water running)
(Phone rings)
(Phil) ‘Smart, Sian.
That's very smart.
"You discovered all my little ways
of coming in and out, didn't you?
‘Except for one.
"Which one?
‘Now let's see
how smart you really are,
‘because I'm ready
to pay you a final visit, Sian.'
(Elias) ‘Remember, the locked closets
don't contain anything valuable.
‘Just a few personal belongings:
my son's hunting weapons."
OK, Sian,
you're gonna use this thing.
What the hell is it?
It's automatic.
It's Italian, automatic. That's right.
That's right...
Bruno Fabbiani used one
in "The Bald Eagle".
Everybody's got a story.
If only you could
fucking remember the research.
OK, let's load this baby.
Only four live ones. That's it.
OK, pal, I'm right here.
Come and get me.
(Gasps)
Like "Nightmare at Noon",
it's a two-way street.
(Man) For Christ's sake, Lisa,
you should've listened to me.
Look at that.
We're in the middle of nowhere.
All right.
All right, all right already.
We're lost. So what?
Place looks like a ghost town.
Maybe we can spend the rest
of the night here.
Why don't you go see
if there's anybody around?
(Shouting) Hey, Lisa!
I can't find a phone booth!
What phone booth?
So I could turn into Superman,
you bimbo!
(Gasps, yells)
(Gasps, screams)
There isn't a living thing
in this goddamn place.
It's 6:30 in the morning, Bobby,
did you think they'd be throwing a party,
for Christ's sake?
They're probably asleep.
Like normal people.
Try again.
(Bell tolls)
(Birds chirp, wind slows)
(Shouting) Help!
Help me, please!
Wait!
(Bell continues to toll)
(Sian screams)
(Labored, heavy breathing)
(Shouting) So long, Anderson!
(Screams)
(Heavy thud)
and Jesus remains,
guarding the gateway to heaven,
his eyes feasting on the serenity
of the sky and the clouds.
Suddenly, out of the swirling mist,
an old man appears.
He's wearing a worn-out suit
and carries a crooked cane.
Heavy spectacles sit
beneath his heavy eyebrows.
He approaches Jesus
and says, "Good morning.
"I would like to get into Heaven."
And Jesus says, "You will
if you've led a worthy life.
"And what was your profession
on Earth, sir?"
And the old man says,
(Faintly) "I was a carpenter.”
Jesus pauses for a moment,
looks at the old man,
and says in a low voice,
"Strange... I used to know a man
who was a carpenter.”
The old man nods.
"I know how you must feel," he says.
"Because I had a son who I haven't seen
in a very long time."
A lump comes to Jesus' throat...
"That man..." says Jesus,
"That carpenter was my father."
Jesus leans down
and studies the old man's features.
"Strange," says Jesus.
"But you look very familiar to me."
The old man squints again,
looks up at Jesus, and says,
(Faintly) "And you look familiar
to me, too."
With tears in his eyes,
Jesus opens his arms and says,
(Gasps)
"Father?"
The old man wipes a tear from his eye,
opens his arms, and says,
"Pinocchio?"
(Sian and John both giggle)
(John, laughing) You're sick!
Your sense of humor is sick.
(Sian) Ah, come on.
Admit it, you loved it, John.
I liked it.
I didn't love it.
It was good.
That's because you think
unexpected endings are brilliant.
I prefer normal short stories.
Yeah... the knock, knock variety.
Those, too.
You didn't like the play, either.
1 only yawned twice.
Well, then you hated it.
Look, it's late.
Let's get some sleep.
I can sleep on the airplane.
With all those mad Greeks
dancing in the aisles?
Wanna go for a record?
For Christ's sake, Sian,
it's nearly daybreak.
- Come on...
- You know what your trouble is?
You think I'm like those super studs
in your novels.
I'm not. I'm a real, 42-year-old,
overworked guy,
and once is enough
after a long day in the mines.
What are you complaining about?
You're gonna have
the whole weekend alone.
(Engine roars)
Do you hear that?
(Sian and John both giggle)
- The Goodyear Blimp?
- The Goodyear Blimp.
- "Bon Voyage" at daybreak?
- Mm-hmm.
Honey, I'd give my right arm
for a man like that.
And my left for the blimp.
You are a hopeless romantic.
And you're too hard-nosed.
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe I really am a man, Frances.
(Manly voice) I mean, I don't like
long relationships, you know?
I love adventure.
What's wrong with that, eh, babe?
- Sounds like you need this trip.
- No, I need to play!
- It's gonna be a lot of long, hard work.
- If I know you, you'll find time to play.
In a 2,000-year-old town?
You don't fool me, Sian, darling.
You'll play.
Even if you have to do it
with a ghost.
Mmm...
1 will miss you.
We'll see.
Just promise me that you won't be nosy
and you'll stay out of trouble this time.
Well, being in the wrong place
at the worst possible time is in my blood.
You know what they say
about you, don't you?
"Ballsy little wench."
Yeah, yeah.
I shouldn't have put
a man's name on my books.
- (Phone rings)
- Yes, Cal?
What about your landlord?
What about him?
"Elias" doesn't sound very Anglo-Saxon.
Are you sure he speaks English?
Well, if he doesn't,
my sign language is fluent.
You'll promise to call?
The moment I miss you.
That sounds like a vague promise.
I'm staying at Jane's the first night
and then the next moming
I'm gonna leave for Monemvasia.
- Monem...?
- Monemvasia.
-I can't even say it.
- Mmm. It's OK.
You never won a spelling beg, either.
(PA) "Any passengers holding tickets
for Pan Am flight 151 non-stop
to San Francisco,
‘your plane is now boarding
at gate number 14.
‘Pan Am flight 120 non-stop
to London
‘is now in the final boarding stage
at gate number 11.'
(Elias in British accent) Lovely, isn't she?
Quite a Mecca, you know.
Sixty thousand people used to live here
in the old days.
They built their houses
one on top of the other.
Underground passages for protection.
Attacking warships, you see.
The natives got sick and tired
of getting shells for breakfast.
- (Sian) Was she ever taken?
- Only once, since 375 AD.
It's not a bad record, is it?
The attackers cut the supply lines.
Monemvasia means "only one access".
- (Sian) I thought you were Greek.
- Hal Very amusing.
"Elias" isn't exactly English,
but not Greek.
Good heavens!
Anything but Greek.
The name is Appleby, dear girl.
I'm sorry you have to carry
your own luggage, dear girl.
I've never carried
a lady's luggage in my life.
I'm a feminist. I believe
if women want to be liberated,
they must learn
to carry their own luggage,
and open their own automobile doors.
In any case,
I'm too old to carry anything.
- It's quite all right.
- What was that?
I wonder, dear, if you'd mind walking
on the other side?
I'm a bit deaf.
I wear my hearing aid on the right.
- Is this any better?
- Yes, dear. Much better, thank you, yes.
Where was 1?
Oh yes, of course.
I married a Greek woman, you know.
The great thing about being married
to a Greek woman
- is she never complains.
- That's lovely.
Well, not that I'd understand
if she did, you know.
She's never learnt English
and I've never learnt Greek.
1 think too much communication
destroys a relationship.
Maybe you're right.
I'm always right, dear girl.
Here she is.
1,700 years old,
and still looking marvelous.
Half of it is mine.
I'm impressed.
You should be, dear girl.
I came here first during the war.
One of the many wars the Greeks
have had in the last 40 years.
They occupy so much
of their time fighting, you know,
that bloody foreigners like myself
can come here and buy the land for a song.
When I first saw this place,
I almost had an orgasm.
Forgive the expression.
It made
such a strong impression on me
that I promised myself
one day I'd own it.
Do you believe in ghosts, dear girl?
- I've never seen one.
- Neither have I.
But at times like this,
I feel them passing by.
Ghosts, shadows,
memories of the past...
- (Shutter creaks)
- 1 didn't think you'd be a poet.
I'm not. I fake it.
At heart, I'm just an old cynic.
Ohl Would you believe it?
What a mess.
Incompetent bastard.
He never does what he's told.
The handyman.
This is my house, you know.
I don't usually rent it
to strangers,
but I understand
you're quite famous.
I'm afraid I haven't read your books.
The travel agent told me about them.
Abit pulpy, eh?
Don't be ashamed, dear girl.
It's a living.
Don't worry about the mess.
I'l have that idiot clear it up.
Meanwhile, I'd better start the generator.
There is an entrance downstairs,
through the house,
but I'm afraid I don't fit.
I shall have to go in
through the back door.
(Generator fires up)
The archaeological society
is very strict about this town,
keeping it as it was.
No electric lights allowed.
- Apparently no people, either.
- What was that, dear?
Don't mumble,
you're on the wrong side.
This place is like a ghost town.
Where is everybody?
Oh, spending their money.
You may find it very difficult to believe
but we get an awful lot of tourists here
in the summer.
The merchants make a fortune.
Then they go to Switzerland.
They come back and work like dogs.
Bloody peasants, the lot of them.
Do you live here?
I prefer the city life.
I shall be driving back tomorrow,
once I've looked after you.
You've more than taken care of me,
Mr. Appleby.
I can explore the rest
of the house myself.
If you want anything,
my number is in the little book
by the telephone.
I shall be spending the night
in the village.
I don't care for driving after dark.
That's my wife.
She was an actress.
- Would you like me to take these?
- Oh, no. No need.
She'll keep me company.
Thank you for the use
of your house.
Thank me? Whatever for?
I'm charging you a pretty penny,
dear girl.
Oh, remember the wind.
Oh, I'm used to it.
I've lived in Chicago.
This isn't Chicago.
The wind can be very dangerous
at this time of the year.
It can be strong enough
to kill a young bullock,
or gentle enough to caress
a beautiful young lady like yourself.
It can be your friend,
or your enemy.
So don't go
roaming around at night.
Stay inside.
If you decide to go snooping around,
and I'm sure you will,
remember the locked closets
don't contain anything valuable.
Just a few personal belongings:
my son's hunting weapons.
I hope I haven't been too much
of a pain in the derriére, dear girl,
and you don't mind
me calling you "dear girl".
No, you haven't been too much
of a pain, Mr. Appleby.
And yes, I do mind
you calling me "dear girl".
Yes, well, it's too late now.
Silly old goat.
(Sian hums quietly)
(Shutter creaks)
(Phone rings)
- Hello?
- John! Can you hear me?
Barely! How was your trip?
The trip was fine.
You sound tired.
Anything wrong?
No, everything's all right.
The place looks great.
- Any neighbors?
- No, there's no one else around.
Just good old me.
"How are you gonna kill time, then,
between chapters?'
I guess I'l just talk
to myself, as usual.
I could always jump
on the next plane.
I don't think that's a good idea, John.
Let's give it some time, all right?
If I miss you, I'l call.
I promise."
‘What's the...
what's the number there?'
What? Oh, the number...
'2-2-6-0-8. You got that?'
Yep.
I'l give you a call later
and find out...
- (Static)
- What? John?
1 said I'll give you a call lat...
- (Phone beeps)
- Dammit.
(Wind howls)
(Howling continues)
(Clacking on typewriter)
(Clacking continues)
- (Knocking)
- Come in.
Hmm. That's strange.
(Eerie laughter)
Hello?
(Gasps)
- Hi.
- God, you scared me.
Oh, I'm sorry,
1 just brought your supplies,
I wanted to make sure
you got 'em all right.
Well, I appreciate it, Mr...?
Phil.
I mean, not Mr. Phil.
Just Phil.
I'm sorry about the mess.
I'll clean it up, all right?
No, no, that's all right,
I can do it myself.
- Are you sure?
- Yes. Thank you.
Mr. Appleby tells me
you're an American?
Yeah.
Where from?
1 was born in Detroit,
grew up in Las Vegas,
screwed up my life
in gay Paris.
Business in Nicaragua,
the Middle East.
So now you can call me a "bum",
or a "citizen of the world".
Interesting life.
Depends on how you look at it.
Oh, I see it as a writer.
I'm sorry.
I didn't introduce myself.
- I'm Sian Anderson.
- Sian Anderson?
I've never heard of you,
but I'm glad you're here.
I didn't expect to find any Americans
around here this time of year.
Well, don't let that bother you.
Like Appleby says, I'm a loser
and an absolute zero.
Mr. Appleby...
he's a lovely old gentleman,
but he's a little pompous.
He likes to put people down.
He do that to you?
He kept calling me "dear girl".
Calls me a lot worse.
That's because you work for him.
I'm a paying guest.
Well...
So, you've been exiled
or something?
Almost.
I'm finishing a new book.
Romance.
Please! I'm into mystery.
Murder.
SoamI.
What's your favorite weapon?
M16s.
I never use them.
Uzis are in. Nice big magnums.
They're exotic, as well.
Well, death is a whole lot different
on paper.
Oh, it's easier, 100.
I've killed off
a couple hundred people so far.
Oh... that's not bad.
Look... if you need
any technical advice on death,
just give me a holler,
I'm right next door.
Bye.
(Howling continues)
(Sian) "What was that sound?"
"Well, he was clearly following us."
No, Melanie wouldn't say,
"Following us."
"Clearly tailing us."
You can't do this to me.
"Wonder what fatty is up to."
Idiot! A zero!
An incompetent!
But you don't understand,
I got no place left to go!
Get out of here!
It's like you're killing me, old man!
Get out, before I call the police.
"His mouth gaped in disbelief."
You crazy bast...
"He hit hard.
"But the man was dead.”
(Panting)
(Digging)
Brilliant move, dummy.
As if he could see you.
Yep.
You're right, John.
I am nosy.
You weren't kidding, Elias,
this sure isn't Chicago.
(Sian screams)
(Gasps)
Are you looking for this?
Thank you.
I got locked out.
You should stay inside,
it's not safe out here.
Calm, dammit.
Stay calm.
Call Elias!
No, Sian. He's dead.
Wife.
He said he had a wife.
(Line ringing)
- (Woman speaks Greek)
- Hello?
"Hello.
Do you understand English?
(Woman continues in Greek)
Is this Mrs. Appleby?
(Woman replies in Greek)
I'm Sian Anderson,
I'm staying here at your house.
I'm the American.
Mr. Appleby... I...
Why, I think he's dead.
(Phone rings)
Yes?
(Phone rings)
Hello?
Thank you, operator.
- Sian?
- Oh, thank God, John.
I've been trying to call you
for three hours.
Good, don't talk, mm-hmm?
Just listen.
Look, this is a terrible connection,
can you talk louder?
Just listen, dammit!
- A man was murdered here.
- What?
- Well, did you call the police?
- I don't...
I don't know how to call the police,
or even the operator.
- You've got to help me
- What do you want me to do?
(Yelling) I don't know!
OK; call through the operator
in the United States, maybe she can...
- (Static)
- Hello?
Hello?
‘Operator, may I help you?'
Hello, Operator.
1 want to make an urgent call to Greece.
I know the code, but we'll have
to find the number from an operator there.
I'm sorry, sir. Without a number
I cannot place the call.
This is an emergency, goddammit!
If you can't find an operator,
we'll wake up the local police chief.
- (Knocking on door)
- (Sian gasps)
(Back door chimes inkling)
- (Gasps)
-Oht
Oh, I'm sorry.
I scared you again, I am sorry.
Well, look, I just came by to tell you
the phone lines are down.
Happens all the time.
It's the wind.
You know what I mean?
They'll probably be down all night.
Oh, and the...
The lights could go out, too.
So you just lock the door
after I leave,
and don't worry
because I'll be around.
Wait a minute.
If the guy's a killer,
why would he walk into the house,
hand me his key, and leave?
I'm probably wrong.
He's innocent, right?
Right.
Unless...
Unless he wanted to wait
until I got into bed, then he could just
quietly sneak into my room and...
No.
Why would he wanna wait?
He's probably innocent.
Or... he doesn't know that I know.
Or he does know that I know...
...and he just wants
to take his ime and enjoy it.
Oh, shit.
Calm down, Anderson.
Don't overdramatize it.
But he did say
that the lights could go out, too.
How?
How could the lights go out?
(Inhales sharply)
Oh, shit.
The generator.
"Sterling Mann,
"the hour that never was..."
(Heavy breathing)
So much for theories of innocence.
You son of a bitch.
(Generator sputters)
Thanks a lot.
(Phil yells)
(Sian screams)
(Phil) Starlight, star bright,
first star I see tonight.
Up above, the world so high,
like a diamond in the sky.
Wish I may, wish I might.
Have this wish come true tonight.
Goto hell.
(Phone rings)
Hello?
Hello?
John?
John?
Hello?
(Phone rings)
Hello?
(Phil) 'Yes, IH tried to reason
with the experts at the supermarket,
‘but no, no, they fought me
at every tum, at every corner,
‘up one aisle and down the next'
"When the phone rang,
you thought it was John, didn't you?
‘Surprise! Bogey here.'
Who's John? Hmm?
Ah, come on, don't be so quiet.
Look, it was me, er...
it was me who called before.
I just wanted to make sure
that you are OK.
‘Are you? Are you OK?
‘Good.'
How about this wind, huh?
If were you, I wouldn't go out in it
because it can be a killer.
"You are scared, aren't you?
‘Ah, don't be.
‘I mean, I'm not gonna hurt you.
just, er...'
I wanted to talk to somebody.
I got nobody to talk to anymore.
Elias, the son of a bitch,
he just left us.
- You killed him.
-'l did?
Yeah, well, I guess...
I guess I did.
- You're insane.
- "No, no, don't call me that.
"Look, I hate it
when people say that about me.'
I mean, you don't understand.
You don't understand a thing.
This is my home now.
He wanted me to leave,
I protected it.
That is called self-defense, lady.
Mm-hmm.
(Whispers) ‘Sian, listen, er...
"...I don't wanna hurt you.
‘I mean, I, er...
"...I kinda like you, you know.'
So why don't you just, er...
...why don't you open the door
and let mein,
and we can talk, OK?
Just... you just
keep your mouth shut, be quiet,
and nothing happens, all right?
Just let me in. Please.
Goto hell.
I really don't wanna hurt you.
Why does everybody
make me kill?
Elias?
Elias?
Elias?
Elias?
What if it's a trap?
Elias?
Elias?
Elias?
(Continues in Greek)
(Static)
(Dialing tone)
(Busy signal)
Come on, John.
Hang up. Come on.
Dammit.
(Sighs)
(Exhales deeply)
Of course, stupid.
They dial 0
for long distance here.
They don't dial 0
for operator.
(Phone rings)
(Phone continues ringing)
- Yes?
- John?
There's a man after me.
He knows
I saw him kill someone.
Did you reach the local police?
I have two operators working on that call,
I've even tried calling direct.
Give me their number.
Hold on a second.
Come on, John.
Come on.
(Shouting) Anderson!
Are you asleep?
You wanna play a game?
(John) 'All right, write this down...
‘Sian? Sian, are you there?'
In case you hadn't noticed,
the wind has died.
And so will you, Anderson.
(John) ‘Sian, talk to me!"
(Gasps)
(Door creaks)
(Screams)
(Sian breathes heavily)
(Phone rings)
It's nice to know there's life
somewhere on this planet tonight.
(Speaking Greek)
Of course I speak English!
Who?
Mr. John from Los Angeles?
Yes.
How is Los Angeles, Mr. John?
American?
Which one?
We have two here.
You want to speak with Mr. Kesner?
Kesner.
Who? Anderson?
I've never heard of 'em.
Yes, I can hear you.
I'm an American.
No, no, I don't live around here.
I'm a seaman.
Stranded here
on account of bad weather.
(Wind howls)
We'll look into it.
OK.
That's Elias' number.
Anybody who goes up there in this wind
is either stupid, or crazy.
- Or both.
- I tell you what...
Suppose we forget
all the money you owe me...
...and suppose I go and check
with Elias' wife,
maybe even go all the way
into Castro, just suppose...
...would it be worth it to you
to give me back my passport
and let me sail out of here?
Deal.
You know what this is?
Sure.
Credential insurance.
(Phil screams)
And you thought you were hot.
Miss Anderson?
Anybody home?
Who is it?
The name's Kesner, Miss Anderson.
Open the goddamn door!
Not until I know who you are.
Go stand in front of the window
so I can see you.
Goddammit.
All right, come on in.
Hell, lady,
I thought you said, "Come in."
I'm sorry.
I'll explain...
Having a party?
Yeah. A real blast.
I was at the police station
in the village
when some guy calls us
from LA.
LA?
Jesus Christ, lady!
Why didn't you call us yourself?
It's a long story.
Sure. It always is.
In the first place,
I didn't have the number.
Er... second place,
evenif I had it,
I couldn't have called out.
Why not?
It's dead.
See for yourself.
(Dialing tone)
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Works fine.
What?
He's smarter
than I thought he was.
Writer, huh?
Mystery writer?
It's got nothing to do with it.
I'm sane.
As sane as they come.
I didn't imagine any of it.
Well, I just don't know,
Miss Anderson.
I've been docking on and off here
for five years now.
The place is like a cemetery.
And I know Phil
and I don't like him, but... a psycho?
For God's sake, just look around.
You think I hallucinated this?
He was here.
He tried to kill me.
He's already killed two people,
and if he gets the chance,
he'll kill both of us.
This is real, Mr. Kesner.
Believe it.
I went to the village
to check Elias" house.
His wife wasn't there...
..but I'd still like
to take a look around.
Let's just get the hell out of here.
Why don't you just try
to relax, Mrs. Anderson?
You're safe now.
Famous last words.
Here.
Allright.
Hey.
All the bulbs are out.
So, er... why don't you go find one?
There's nothing to be afraid of.
(Generator fires up)
(Metal clangs)
You OK?
(Kesner) Yeah, I'm fine.
(Kesner yells)
Oh, my God.
Mr. Kesner, are you all right?
(Gasps)
That son-of-a-hitch generator
almost electrocuted me.
Wires all over the place, it's a wonder
Elias hasn't gotten himself killed.
I'm going to check out
those corpses of yours.
You stay here.
Not on your life,
I'm not staying here by myself.
You've done OK for the past seven hours,
a few more minutes won't kill you.
I'm fun to be with.
I've noticed.
OK, come on.
Phil, old buddy?
Phil?
Are you here?
Mrs. Appleby's final resting place?
It's locked.
Of course, he knows I've been here.
Yeah, I'm positive.
It was in that closet.
Elias never looked so good.
Here.
(Exhales)
Sorry, Miss Anderson.
No stiffs.
OK, pack your toothbrush.
I'l be a minute.
You know, I never did like that guy.
1 told Elias not to trust him.
He said, "Kesner, dear boy...
"you're not gonna get anywhere
with a philosophy like that.
"You don't have to trust anybody,
as long as... labor's cheap.”
I guess Elias' philosophy
let him down.
(Sian) Then you do believe me?
Well, like I said, I'l take a chance.
It's not a big one.
I'l take you back to the village.
(Sian) Who's gonna look
for the bodies?
He may be a killer,
but he's not stupid.
He's probably gotten rid
of all the evidence.
Thrown them in the ocean.
By the time they start looking for him,
he's gonna be long gone.
Don't have anything
to pin on him, anyway.
(Sian) You're a strange man, Mr. Kesner,
but I kinda like you.
Well... I kind of like you, too.
But...
Yeah, but? But what?
Hmm?
But what, Kesner?
(Eerie laughter)
OK...
OK, here I am.
Come out and get me.
Come on, you little shit.
Come on! Come on.
(Sobs)
(+ Rock music playing)
(Turns music off)
(Door creaks)
(Phil) Could you do me a favor?
Don't die quiet, OK?
(Whispers) Talk to me.
- (Door slams)
- (Sian screams)
(Sizzling)
(Phil) I've licked my wound.
It's fine now.
"Inside the walls,
they came to an immense square.
"The square could, and had,
held millions of people,
"bounded on three sides
by low market stalls,
"souks, and buzzing
with every kind of activity imaginable.
"He moved silently
behind the seated guard,
"he clenched
his massive hands together,
"raised them over his head
"then he glanced over his shoulder
at Melanie for approval.”
What is this shit?
"The Perils of Pauling”, Anderson?
OK, Anderson.
Time's up.
♪ Party's over ♪
(Water running)
(Phone rings)
(Phil) ‘Smart, Sian.
That's very smart.
"You discovered all my little ways
of coming in and out, didn't you?
‘Except for one.
"Which one?
‘Now let's see
how smart you really are,
‘because I'm ready
to pay you a final visit, Sian.'
(Elias) ‘Remember, the locked closets
don't contain anything valuable.
‘Just a few personal belongings:
my son's hunting weapons."
OK, Sian,
you're gonna use this thing.
What the hell is it?
It's automatic.
It's Italian, automatic. That's right.
That's right...
Bruno Fabbiani used one
in "The Bald Eagle".
Everybody's got a story.
If only you could
fucking remember the research.
OK, let's load this baby.
Only four live ones. That's it.
OK, pal, I'm right here.
Come and get me.
(Gasps)
Like "Nightmare at Noon",
it's a two-way street.
(Man) For Christ's sake, Lisa,
you should've listened to me.
Look at that.
We're in the middle of nowhere.
All right.
All right, all right already.
We're lost. So what?
Place looks like a ghost town.
Maybe we can spend the rest
of the night here.
Why don't you go see
if there's anybody around?
(Shouting) Hey, Lisa!
I can't find a phone booth!
What phone booth?
So I could turn into Superman,
you bimbo!
(Gasps, yells)
(Gasps, screams)
There isn't a living thing
in this goddamn place.
It's 6:30 in the morning, Bobby,
did you think they'd be throwing a party,
for Christ's sake?
They're probably asleep.
Like normal people.
Try again.
(Bell tolls)
(Birds chirp, wind slows)
(Shouting) Help!
Help me, please!
Wait!
(Bell continues to toll)
(Sian screams)
(Labored, heavy breathing)
(Shouting) So long, Anderson!
(Screams)
(Heavy thud)