Carnival of Souls (1998) - full transcript

Mommy?

Mommy?

How many times do
I have to tell you?

Louis, what are you doing?

I ask for a meal...

Stop it.

I won't stop it!

Louis, please!

Stop it!

You're hurting me!

What's wrong with you?



Nothin'.

Here's something new?

Stop it!

Stop it!

Come on!

Stop it!
Stop it!

You're a bitch.

Leave her alone!

Stop it, Louis!
Leave us all alone!

Please don't hurt my mommy.

Alex, I gotta go.

Sid's got the bar, OK?

Yeah.

I forgot it was today.



Don't you need a jacket?

I'm fine.

Don't worry about me so much.

Bye.

Have fun.

Yeah.

You all right?

Come here.

There we go.
Feel better?

All right.

Now, open up.

Open up, there we go.

Now tell me, Alex...

Did you miss me?

Come on. We're going to a party.

It is the anniversary
of your mother's death.

I suggest you start driving.

I don't know how long
I'll be able to stay inside

without pulling the trigger.

All right, then.
Just drive.

Go on.

You've really grown up.

Turned into quite the lady,
very mature.

And very sexy.

Wait a minute...

This is new.

I'll bet you got
all the boys dreaming

about trying to get
their hands on these?

The things you could tell them?

The things I could tell them?

Now, 20 years is a long time
in between drinks,

but I'll bet you haven't
forgotten about me.

Well, I'm trying to forget, too.

Forget and forgive,
forgive and forget.

You can turn right at the light.

Where the fuck are we going?

Don't curse!

It cheapens both of us!

Where are we going?
A familiar place.

You know,
jail is a great place to think, Alex.

And I must say,

not a day went by when
I didn't think about you.

I just knew we'd work
it all out someday.

'Cause I never hold a grudge
once I get even.

Right, boys?

You just take us down there
to the old fun house.

There is one thing
I regret, though.

What's that?

I regret you're not going to
be around for the grand finale...

The maddest of tea parties.

You always were
the showman, Louis.

It's gonna be quite a show,
I promise you.

And the best part...

Is what I'm gonna do with that
little cupcake sister of yours.

You stay away from her.

"You stay away from her!"

Well, I can't do that.

I'm sorry you won't
be there to see it,

but we've all got to
make our little sacrifices.

Know what I mean?

Yeah.

I think I do.

Showtime.

What's going on in there?

Come on, Alex, what's going on?

Alex, you're flooding
the whole damn place.

I must have fallen asleep.

Did it seep through?

Hell, yeah, Alex...

That's why I've been
banging the door down.

Look at this.
What a mess.

What a nightmare.

Yeah, well, shit happens.

I just don't see why it needs to
happen around here so much.

Where's Sandra?

Said she had some singing thing.

Left in a big hurry.

I'm sure of that.

Hey, sweetheart...

How about exercisin'
those great legs of yours

and bringin' a fresh beer
for an old man?

Tell you what...

How about an old beer
for a fresh man?

That beer's not so old.

By the way,
where's your partner?

Don't know.
She's supposed to be here.

Maybe she thought we
could use some time alone.

Yeah, and maybe Alex might
let us drink for free all night.

Maybe.

And unlikely.

Hey, which one's the maybe?

Alex, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

Hey!

Yo, chill!

Did you have a nice afternoon?

Oh, please.

They were running
two hours late.

I was gonna blow it off,

and then they called me.

Do you know how
to use one of these?

You pick it up, dial,
listen for the ringing sound...

Alex...

I was gonna call you. I was.

But there was one
phone in the whole place,

I swear.

You've got customers.

Hello, customers.

Well, good night, ladies.

You leaving, Sid?
Yup.

I'll miss you.

See you tomorrow.

Get some sleep.

You, too.

Hey... try a bed this time.

I heard you had quite a bath today,
Alex.

I was having that
nightmare again.

You were?

Well,
now we just have one more thing to fix

before we sell this taco stand.

I'm doing everything I
can to fix this place up

so we can get out of here.

Well, maybe the first
part of that's true.

What's that supposed to mean?

What it means is that
you've been talking

about getting us out
of here for a while.

I'm sorry you had a bad dream.

Good night.

I love you.

Watch your step.

It's a little slippery
on the bottom.

How bad is it?

You'll see.

Shit.

Hello?

Hello?

Ma'am?

Can I help you?

Mercer, sit.

I need a pump.

Oh, don't we all?

You local?

Yeah.

Well, where do you live?

The old mermaid inn,

just down the road a bit.

I've got a flood in my basement.

Do you have a pump or
something that I could rent?

Oh, yeah.

I-I'm sure I've got something
lying around out back.

Would that do it for you, then?

Yeah.

And this.

Did you say you were
from the old mermaid bar?

Yes.

Funny...

I thought they closed
that place down.

No.

Not yet, anyway.

Hey, is your car dirty?

Well, if it is, you come on down
to Cal's car wash, all right?

♪ It was
on a warm summer evening ♪

♪ The Jasmine hung thick
in the air... ♪

Well, howdy.
Welcome to Cal's.

Have we got a special today.

Our executive car wash
is only $12.99.

Just fluff and fold.

You know, for only
an extra dollar

you can get the hot wax and
the super deluxe vinyl treatment.

No thanks.

Well, you seem like a nice girl.

I'll tell you what
I'm gonna do...

I'm gonna throw it in for free.

♪ I heard the wind...

Help me!

Help me!

Will you? Won't you?
Will you? Won't you?

Won't you join the dance?

Go on. This one's
especially for you.

What's your name?

Alex.

Hello, Alex!

I'm Louis.

You're not here at the
carnival by yourself, are you?

I lost my mommy.

Lost your mommy?

Well...

I'm sure she's
around here somewhere.

Wanna go to the fun house?

It's fun.

Thank god... there you are!

Honey, I've been looking
all over for you.

You can't just
wander off like that.

Are you OK, sweetheart?

You must be mommy.

Elaine.

Don't be too hard on her.

We were just gonna come
looking for you.

Ain't that right, Alex?

I was terribly worried.

I just turned around for
a minute, and she was gone.

It's so hard to keep track
of two little ones.

Well,
you can't be expected to do it all alone.

Where's daddy tonight?

Daddy's where the balloons fly.

Well, hello there.

What's your name?

Sandra.

Well, Sandra,

if your daddy's
with the balloons,

I bet he's having
a wonderful time.

Do you like balloons?

No.

She doesn't like balloons.

Honey!

Well, thank you
for finding Alex.

Actually, I didn't find her.

She found me.

Gotcha!

Well, either way,
I'm very grateful.

Then perhaps you'd let me
buy you a drink sometime?

I tell you what...
I run the mermaid bar

a few miles down the road.

Why don't you come by
and I'll buy you a drink?

It would be my pleasure.

Enjoy the rest of the carnival.

And remember...

The fun is just beginning.

Sorry, I didn't mean
to scare you.

Are you looking for someone?

No, I was just...

Just looking.

Yeah. I used to come here
when I was a kid.

Are you a cop?

No, no, not really.

But I am in charge of
patrolling this property

and technically
you are trespassing.

I'm sorry.
I was just...

Don't sweat it.

It'll be our little secret.

Nice boat.

Thanks.

It's not much,
but it gets me around.

Would you like to go for a ride?

No, I really don't
like the water.

A harbor's a funny place to live

for someone who doesn't
like the water.

I'm Michael.

Alex.

Alex.

Well, Alex, maybe sometime
you'll let me take you for a ride.

Maybe I will.

Until we meet again.

Will we?

I think we might.

Hey there.

Hey.

I got some spackle
for the ceiling.

And a pump for the cellar.

There's no leak in the bathroom.

I don't know where
that water's coming from.

It does look like I'm gonna
have to do some spackling.

I appreciate it.

Things under control here?

Yeah, yeah,
it's pretty dead in here tonight.

Wait a minute...

You left it at the bar
last night.

I did?

Yeah. Left it in the tip jar,

told me to hang on
to it for you.

I... don't remember.

Well, thanks.

Yeah, no problem.
Hey...

You OK?

Yeah. Fine.

You could bottle that stuff

and sell shots of it for a buck.

I know at least a couple
of people who would try it.

Yeah, but then they'd
want it all the time.

So it looks like they
might be setting up

the old carnival out there?

I doubt it.

There hasn't been a carnival
out there in over 20 years.

Sid?

Who's there?

Who's there?

No...

No what?

Nothing.

Wanna know what
little girls are made of?

Sugar and spice
and everything nice.

Get away!

Alex! Stop!
It's me!

It's me.

I was washing my face.

I couldn't breathe.

Can you breathe now?

Where did this come from?

Told you...

I know what you told me.
Where did it come from?

I don't know, Alex.
I never saw it before last night.

You didn't see anybody
leave it on the bar?

Nobody handed it to you?

Yes. You did.

Is it bad?

I don't know what it is.

How'd you like to drink
for free tonight?

Sounds like you need a favor.

I do.

This the guy?

Yeah, that's him.

You sure?

Positive.

You went through this
pretty carefully.

Oh, yeah.
He was quite a charmer.

Had numerous arrests for
questionable behavior around children.

And quite a penchant
for little girls.

Managed to stay out of reach by
moving from one carnival to the next...

That is until he was convicted
of rape and murder in 1977

and sentenced to life in prison.

Yeah, I know that.

I'm sure you do.

The report says it was your
testimony that put him away.

That's quite a lot to
handle for a 12-year-old.

I was 11.

He served his term in folsom

and was paroled in '96.

And?

And I suppose you think he's
come to thank you for the vacation?

Something like that.

Yeah, well,
I wouldn't count on it.

Have you got a strong stomach?

Now you tell me, Alex...

Does that look like
someone who's about

to come knocking on your door?

Sometimes bad memories have
a way of following you around.

You know what I'm saying?

I am not crazy.

I'm sorry, Alex.

I don't know what
I can do to help you.

You need to wait
until it dries, Sid.

I'll be an old man by then.

Come on,
we're just gonna have to do it again.

Nope, I've almost got it...

Damn it!

I'm sorry, Alex.

"I'm sorry, Alex"?

How about listening
to me for once?

Feels good, doesn't it?

I have to get
Sandy to the doctor.

You two gonna be...

Oh, honey, that's great!

Is Louis turning you
into a clown?

Will you be staying for dinner?

Probably not.

Mommy...

It's OK, sweetheart.

I'll be back in a little while.

You remember your bedtime, OK?

Alex?

Can I come in?

It's quite a look for you.

Bad day?

I've had better.

Apparently.

I've been seeing things.

Have you?

Things that can't be real.

What?

I thought I saw Louis.

Really?

Was he riding the
Loch Ness monster?

Sandra, it's not funny.

No, it's not funny.

It's not funny at all.

Al, this place
isn't right for us.

I can handle it.

Can you?
And how come you look like this?

And how come every
time I turn around

something else is broken?

I'm getting it together.

Why is it that every
time someone offers

to buy this shithole,

it's not good enough for you?

Not good enough for us.

Fuck that!

Why don't you just admit to me

that you don't really want
to sell this place at all?

Because I don't.

This is mom's place.

I know it's not much.

But it's all that
we have left of her.

If we let it go...

Our memories of her
will go with it.

I have a present for you.

I was saving this
for your birthday.

Remember how scared you
were to ride the Ferris wheel?

Yeah.

Till mom told me
it was like jumping,

except you never really fall.

It's all right there.

It's all right here.

And no one can take that
away from you.

I'm not ready to go.

I know.

But you're closer
than you think.

And until then...

I guess we'll just have
to stick around here...

Till you feel like you can
take those memories with you.

In the meantime,
why don't you take it easy tonight?

But the bar...

I'll worry about the bar.

I owe you one, anyways.

Thanks.

Hey, get out of here!

You're not ready yet!

Let me out of here!

Hi, Dr. Goldfine, please?

Yes, this is Alex Grant.
I'm a patient of his.

Yes, I need to see him again.

No, no, I... I don't...

I can't wait that long.

Fine.
Yeah, I understand.

Yeah. I-I'll do that.

How can then voice of dread,

With bitter tidings laden,

shall summon to unwelcome bed

a melancholy maiden?

But not yet!

Wanna do my makeup?

But your face is already done.

We're not gonna do my face.

Thanks.

Yeah.

Listen,
I'm sorry I snapped at you last night.

I-I'm just kind of...

Hey. It's all right.

I know you've been having
a hard time.

It's gonna be OK, though.

I hope you know that.

Thanks.

Look, let me get you
some more longnecks.

Alex?

You doing OK?

Me?

I feel great.

You're a great bartender, Alex,

but you're a terrible liar.

A penny for your thoughts.

Henry...

Do you ever think a person knows

that they're going crazy?

I don't know.

I think there's far more people

who think they know when
someone else is goin' crazy.

Hey, Alex...

Yes?

Two beers.

Alex, behind you.

All right... you tip on the tabs.

These guys wanna hear me sing.

Do they?

Yeah. But I told them we're busy,
so...

So, you've got a good audience.

Go ahead. I'll take care
of things back here.

Yeah?

Yeah.

♪ Mama always warned me

♪ dangers often hide

♪ mama always told me

♪ villains can be kind

♪ look before you love

♪ and trust before you look

she's very good.

Yeah, she is.

You two are pretty close?

I don't think there's
anything I wouldn't do for her.

♪ Sinners I have known

♪ and their signs I understand

♪ but a man whose eyes show

♪ no lies

♪ and no blame

♪ no disguise

♪ and no shame

can I get you something?

No thanks.

I don't like to drink.

A bar's a funny place for
someone who doesn't like to drink.

What do you like?

You know, I could be wrong,

but I get a feeling you
might be flirting with me.

I'm just making conversation.

It's part of the job, you know.

Yeah, I know.

And she who flirts with
all is less likely to fall

than she who flirts
with just one. Right?

Alex?

Let me buy you a drink.

Take the edge off.

Buy me one later.

You're not afraid, are you?

I'm not afraid.

But you will be.

You will be.

Great.

What's up with you?

Nothing.
I'm fine.

You been sneaking
martinis behind the bar?

No, I'm fine.

Ok.

Did you tell him I was here?

Well?

What did he say?

He said he would be
with you shortly.

Alex Grant.

Yes?

The doctor is ready for you now.

It's down the hall
and to the right.

Yes, I know where it is.

Thank you for seeing
me on such short notice.

I felt that it
just couldn't wait.

What's going on?

Well, I've been having the... You know,
the stress thing.

Like right after the accident.

Car accident?

Yes.

I've been telling myself
that everything's... Fine

and that I'm OK.

Everything's not fine,

and I'm not OK.

What seems to be the problem?

I've been seeing things.

What is it that
you've been seeing?

Louis.

I've been seeing Louis.

And...

Have you tried talking
to him about that?

He's dead.

I see.

Don't you remember?
You counseled me right after the accident.

You said...

Look, I think I need
some help here.

Alex, I will try
my best to help you.

Can I smoke in here?

Of course.

How long ago did this
accident take place?

5 months ago.

Are you telling me that you
can't remember back 5 months?

Yes, we keep excellent records,

and I like to think I keep
very good track of my patients.

Good, you can pull my file,

and you can see that I'm
not some kind of wacko.

There is no file on you.

What do you mean
there's no file?

I've never met you before today.

Who are you?

Alex, please.

Look, I would like to...

Suggest...

Alex?

I take it that one's
not worth remembering.

Now you're trespassing.

I know.

I was wondering if you're
ready for that boat ride.

I can't leave Sandra alone.

I have a feeling she
can take care of herself.

I like your necklace.

Thanks.
It belonged to my mother.

Before she died.

It reminds me of her.

Memento Mori.

May I?

Yeah.

She died too soon.

How do you know that?

Because I saw it.

But you can't know that.

Only she can know if
she was ready to die.

Trust me, she wasn't ready.

That may be true,
but it's a very personal thing.

One dies when she wants,
as she wants,

of what she chooses.

My mother chose a man
she thought she could trust.

Memento Mori doesn't mean
to remember the dead, anyway.

What is it, then?

To remember that
we all must die.

I have to get to work.

I know it sounds impossible,

but I know he's here.

Come on, Al,
Louis is dead, remember?

Ok...

Let me put it this way.

If Louis were still
creeping around the house,

which he is not,

but if he were,
and he wanted to get you,

why wouldn't he have
gotten you sooner?

Because that
wouldn't be any fun.

OK, whatever.

I'm out of here.

I'm ready to get
out of here, too.

Excuse me?

I said I want to leave
and not come back.

That's great.
That's great.

I think there's
hope for you yet.

I got to go.

Wait...

What?

Take this with you.

Thank you very much.

You're going out like that?

Yes, I'm going out like this.

What?

I said I'll be fine.
Try not to worry about me so much.

It's supposed to rain later,
and...

Alex...

I'll be fine.

Hello?

Sandra?

Sandra!

Sorry, miss, we're not open yet.

Oh, Alex, hi!
I didn't see it was you.

Come on, don't
look so surprised.

I told you I never hold a
grudge once I get even.

You know...

I think I've figured out
your problem.

Well, one of your problems.

You don't know how
to have any fun.

See, aren't you glad we met?

I curse the day
you ever found me.

Am I bleeding?
I think I've been cut.

You've still got it wrong, Alex.

I didn't find you.

You found me.

You can find me again, Alex.

You've always known
where to find me.

No!

I'll take you.

I feel like I'm going to hell.

Sometimes you have to face your
demons in order to see the angels, Alex.

It's time to let go.

I can't.

I haven't lived yet.

Then why are you here?

Michael.

I'm late. I'm late
for a very important date.

Watch where you're going.

I told you to watch
where you're going.

Gotcha!

Help me, Alex!

Please don't leave me here.

Don't leave me alone with him.

Please!

It's you he wants!

Nice of you to join us, Alex.

Remember this?

This is my favorite part.

Shame you caught me
and your mother doing it, too.

Might not have had to kill her.

You would have anyway.

She knew you could only
get it up with little girls.

You know, guilt is
a funny thing, Alex.

It haunts you
as real as any ghost.

I think you're just
too scared to admit it.

Which is fine
with us, by the way,

because the longer you hang on,

the longer we get to play.

I'm just hanging on long enough
to blow your fucking head off.

Don't be hasty.

You wouldn't hurt
a clown, would you?

Will I?
Won't I?

You don't have the guts.

Will I?
Won't I?

Won't I join the dance?

Come on, Sandra!

Sometimes bad memories have
a way of following you around.

I said I'll be fine.
Quit worrying about me so much.

You're not afraid, are you?

Sid, voice-over: I KNOW
YOU'VE BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME.

It's going to be OK, though.

I hope you know that.

Al?

Alex?

That looks like your car.

Ain't this where they
had that carnival?

Carnival? Hasn't been a
carnival out here in 20 years.

Did you notice any strange behavior?
Mood swings?

When was the last
time you saw her?

Excuse me.

Hello.

Hello?