Ghosts of the Ozarks (2021) - full transcript

There was a time
when there were no woods here.

Just a single tree.

But from one seed, an
entire forest can grow.

Only here, the trees are not
alone.

There are ghosts in the woods.

It's okay, it's okay, it's
okay.

Come on, let's go.

"Nephew, I invite you Norfork.

It's a sanctuary for all in
these times.

We like to keep to ourselves.

We have need of a doctor with
your skills.



It is a place unlike
anything you've seen."

You could have at least sent
along a map.

Hey, Ruthy!

Ruthy!

Evenin'.

You with Joe?

Uh, no.

It's just me.

Hmm.

What the hell you doing out here

in the middle ass nowhere?

Just, uh, just traveling
through.

Good.

Then you don't mind if I sit
for a spell.



Micah.

James.

You make all this?

You steal it?

I ain't a thief.

Yeah?

Me neither.

Mighty kind of you, James.

I best be keeping on.

You ain't gonna stay
and keep me company?

Must be mighty nice for you,
huh?

Now that you're free, you
get to go wherever you want.

I didn't need a war to be
free.

Hmm.

What the hell is all this
anyways?

I don't want any trouble.

Yep?

You best start talking about
them precious stones, boy.

I don't know what you're
talking about, mister.

The hell you don't.

I don't think I wanna hurt you,

but maybe I do.

What happened to old
Joe, he got cold feet?

Where those precious stones?

I know you got 'em in here
somewhere.

Hello! Hello!

Hello!

Business in Norfork, traveler?

My name's James, James McCune,

open, open the door!

There's
something, something out there.

We've been waiting for you,
Mr. McCune.

Welcome to Norfork and such.

You can head on up to Mr.
McCune's place,

that is, the other Mr. McCune.

Mr. McCune,

you'll find traveling by
day much more amicable.

Evenin'.

Evenin', sir.

For the fire.

You all right, fella?

You look like most folks

after they've had one of Torb's
specials.

Beg your pardon, I just-

- Got to town.

Right, well pleased to meet you.

I'm Douglas Giuseppe Dubois.

James.

You know, we don't get many
newcomers here at Norfork.

In fact, before you, I was the
greenhorn.

You catch a glimpse on your way
in?

The ghosts.

I'm not sure.

No one ever is, it's
fascinating.

Come on, Torb.

You're gonna wanna see this.

Come on, come on!

Joe, once more and that's it.

But you pay up this time.

I want my marks.

You don't gotta worry
about that.

I'll be sending William over
to collect.

Darlin'.

Stop.

The bishop.

Double of nothing, Joe?

Ah, incredible.

It's the echoes.

The what?

The sounds, the,

it bounces off the bishop

and paints a picture in old
Torb's mind.

He sees everything in here.

I guess you get to know a place
if you never step outside.

Now listen, if you need
anything,

I got a shop right near you.

You just come see me,

and good heavens, man, bring
that hat along with you.

There's a cemetery nearby,

we'll give it a proper burial.

You really do that with sound?

It's just a parlor trick.

Parlous trick or not, I,

I've never seen anything like
that.

Neither have I.

They real?

The parlor tricks or the
ghosts?

You want a drink?

I reckon you need one.

Whisky, please.

Got a mark card, lad?

Mark card?

I have minted silver and an
army bond.

Matthew already has you down
for credit.

I'm getting the
distinct feeling

you all have been expecting me.

Any newcomers in Norfork,

why, your name has been

on the tongues of these people
for weeks.

The hard part is sorting out
what's real.

Rumors are halfway round this
town

before the truth can get its
boots on.

Jesse.

You James?

Yes sir.

I heard you was in town.

Matthew's been waiting on you.

Well, my uncle's directions

weren't heavy on the specifics.

Wouldn't have told
you to come here first,

that's for damn sure.

There's prettier places in town.

And the smell,

reeks of death, come on.

Thank you for the drink.

That sign out front,

room for rent?

It's yours if you want it.

Leave your carryings on the
table

and we'll set them in your room
for you.

Appreciate it.

Uncle.

James.

My boy.

Your ma warned me

that you would be more
handsome and talented than me

when you became a man.

It seems she was right
on at least one account.

Uncle, I have to say,

this place is something else.

James, I have to ask your
forgiveness.

I did not tell you the full
truth

of this place in the letter.

I wager that you would not
have believed me if I did.

I reckon I wouldn't've.

I haven't encountered this
kinda harmony up north.

The lights and the gas,
it's something out of a,

out of a dream or Jules Verne.

Natural gas, mined right here
in town.

Not too bad, yeah?

Pretty damn proud if I do say
so.

It's allowed me to do well for
myself.

But it didn't just happen
overnight.

Many came and went.

Others, unable to accept,
but are still here.

And I'm here.

In an unfriendly land,

and I'm still right here.

Staggering, hmm?

Sure is.

It's downright outlandish.

People here,

they don't care what you look
like, James.

Not one bit.

All that matters is purpose.

If you have value.

Now, could you have ever dreamt

of a notion like that out there?

Outside these walls?

Outside, in the woods, I was
attacked.

The ghosts.

Ghosts?

What are they?

They can't be real.

As real as anything I've ever
known.

Yet as magical as
anything I've ever dreamt.

Breathing a red fog in ancient
hills.

There's not a soul who has
not come in contact with them.

Most are wearing their
history in their scars.

The ghosts are real, boy.

So are our walls.

So long as that's honored,

each to his or her purpose,
we have harmony, balance.

That's the wonder of this
place, James.

The rest,

well, that's,

that's up to us to dream.

You're a good person, James.

And a good doctor.

And this town is full of good
people.

People who are gonna
be so grateful for you.

Plus, it was you or nobody, so.

Okay, Dr. McCune, on to
business.

Well.

Hmm.

You always had a knack for
ingenuity.

Necessity is the mother of
invention.

Isn't that what they say?

I always fancied Plato.

But philosophy's one thing,

action's a whole 'nother horse
entirely.

Something I know a little bit
about.

Good.

We need you in tiptop shape.

I'm sure you've seen the signs,

Founders Festival, 25th
Anniversary.

Proud of that too.

The whole town seems to be
more injury-prone than ever.

Bunch of damn fools in masks
tripping over themselves.

You can head on down
to the clinic tomorrow.

I'm sure you'll find it pretty
suitable.

Old doc left everything in
shape,

and I'll stop by soon to see
if you need anything else.

You can use my spare room for
tonight.

I already found board for the
evening,

Torb, the blind barkeep,
he's fixing the room.

If I had known-

- No, no, no, no trouble at all.

You just make sure that your
mind is clear for tomorrow.

You start your new life.

Welcome to Norfork.

Goodnight, uncle, and, er,

thank you.

Oh, um,

the old doc mixed some
medication for me.

These old bones need a strong
concoction

to rest easy at night.

Best remedy I've ever had.

If I can dig up that old recipe,

I'll be calling on you.

Reckoned you could use a few
amenities.

And I can wash the miles outta
those,

just leave 'em outside your
door.

Now, you get some sleep, Dr.
McCune.

Please, call me James.

Happily.

Why, the bear finally stirs.

We were placing bets on
who was gonna rise first,

you or the moon, James.

Didn't realize how tired I
was.

You look brand new.

I feel brand new.

I'm making some lunch
for the boys at the mine,

do you want some?

This place just keeps getting
better.

Go on, have a seat.

Good morning.

Thank you.

Torb.

Darlin'.

How'd you make out this morning?

Four, plus the buck.

Atta' girl.

Their bounty!

Howdy, Miss Annie.

Howdy, Mick, how's Emma?

Oh, she's happy and smiling.

It's about to be her birthday,
you know.

Already?

That little girl's growing like
a weed.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, she sure is.

I actually wanted to ask if
y'all might do me a favor

and get me something special
for her?

How 'bout this?

William's been practicing.

No, I was actually
thinking of maybe some pork?

She loves bacon.

Well, her loss, but yeah,

we can take care of that for
you, Mick.

Oh, thank you both kindly.

Our pleasure.

Miss Annie, I
just, I don't have the words

other than just thank you so
much.

You two should stay for a
drink.

'Fraid not.

One last run for us before it
gets dark.

This town's eating like it's
getting ready to hibernate.

Tomorrow then.

Tomorrow.

Mick.

You wanna take some of these
lunches down to the boys?

Yes ma'am.

Reckon you can point James
there

to the clinic on your way.

Yeah boy, they're sure
gonna appreciate this.

You must be the new doctor, I'm
Mick.

James.

I'll be happy to show you
around.

As long as it's in these
walls, I can get you there.

Let's get there.

Over there, you got your
stables and your woodcutter,

and there's schoolhouse.

Course, my Emma, she
loves going to school.

She is smarter than I am, man,
I swear.

If you ain't gonna do your
duty,

you don't deserve the job.

You can't be showing up here
hours late.

Know your purpose, man.

Or do you not belong here?

No, no, I belong right here.

Right here, sir.

Morning, fellas.

Just showing the new doc here
around town,

and lookie here, fresh lunch
from Torb's.

Joe, right?

You feel okay?

He's fine.

He just needs to get back to
work.

I'll take him, boss,
get him back to work.

Come on, Joe.

Morning to ya.

Morning.

Hold on.

Ghosts got him.

You knew him?

I didn't.

I guess you're already making
house calls.

Pardon me, I hear there
is need of a doctor.

Well, hell, there you are,
Doc.

I thought you's gon' make me
wait all day.

Sorry, I was busy unpacking.

Didn't see your note right away.

You must be Mrs. Roberts.

Miss Roberts.

Miss.

Now, has the little one
come down with something?

No, she just needs to
get her lines written.

Okay, Emma, get.

Go on out with the others and
play.

Damn girl, don't know her place.

I got a nasty burn from
the teapot last night,

you got anything to heal it,
Doc?

Of course.

And why don't I look
at that cough as well.

Oh, it won't help.

It's just the damn chalk.

Last doctor tried but nothin'
ever took.

May I see your coat?

Well, I suppose.

I see you're just like your
uncle.

Always tinkering around
with all that metal.

Yes ma'am, I suppose so.

Must be in the blood.

You trying to kill that thing?

You ruin that coat, and I'll
beat you to death with it.

Uh, are you a gardener, Miss
Roberts?

Huh, not a good 'un.

I tend to the few odd daisies
and petunias

that show up uninvited on my
porch.

May I?

Holy moly.

So how come you don't
have your daddy's name?

Well ma'am, I never knew my
father.

Passed before I could,

and figure I don't need the
name of a stranger haunting me.

Won't do me no good.

Get rid of the useless,

that's what I always say.

Round here, we don't
care none

what you call yourself anyway.

Here's a salve.

Apply three times a day and
keep it clean and covered.

That it?

And try to avoid that
pollen.

Uh huh?

Well, you ain't been coughing
up a lung

since you took your coat off.

Those daisies are rubbing off
on you.

I'd bet you a nickel,

a mark,

that's what's doing it.

Holy hell, Doc.

It's that simple.

Huh.

I guess I shoulda put
two and two together.

That's what I get

for trying to make those
useless things grow.

Take care now, Miss Roberts.

Hmm.

Sh.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa there.

Joe, you're all right, you're
all right.

Can you hear me?

Joe, Joe, what happened?

Easy.

Joe!

Joe!

Joe!

Son of a bitch.

I need more hands.

Entre vous.

Well, there he is, there he is.

Howdy, Douglas.

Settlin' in? Feel like home?

I'm working on it.

Well, a man can't feel at home

if he don't feel comfortable.

You need a nice new coat.

A man in a comfortable
coat is always home.

Look at that hat.

Gimme a couple of days,

I'll have it fitting you like a
glove.

Perfect for a new start.

I've heard of these, but
I've never seen one before.

Yeah, that's my girl, my
heart and soul.

Please.

The lens refracts the light
and burns the image in?

Yes sir, with the help of
a few chemicals and time.

How did you end up
here?

I was down in New
Orleans, about to head west.

Met Matthew on a riverboat,
took a liking to me.

So this is my predecessor?

Yeah, he was a real character.

Why'd he leave?

It's a mystery, this
town is full of 'em.

Really, it's what drew me to
stay.

This town, they treat
these ghosts like they're

some kinda religion.

Ain't that the truth.

I'm gonna catch one.

Catch one?

In a photograph.

Can you imagine?

It would be fascinating.

I don't know if I'd let
on about that little plan.

I've been tinkering with it
for a while,

I go up on the roof, I can
see just into the woods.

I've caught the odd fire and
maybe a glow, but,

I haven't got a shot of one yet.

But I will, you know I will.

You just be careful.

You fall off that roof, you're
gonna end up in the clinic.

I'm like a cat, always land
on my feet.

Did someone keep the fires
burning

over at the clinic after the
old doc left?

The hunters.

Yeah, Annie
kept the clinic going.

Any idea why she didn't stay
on?

Well, with your arrival,
she got back in line.

They don't hunt, we don't eat.

You know where I can find
them?

Just outside of town.

Haven't been myself, it being
outside the wall and all.

But I reckon shouldn't be far.

Just head west, past the
creek, should be a clearing.

Afternoon, just heading
out to see Annie and William,

the hunters.

Sorry, gate doesn't open
unless Matthew gives the word.

What?

For your own good.

Look, Annie knows her
way around the clinic,

so if you wanna explain to my
uncle

why you're preventing me
from fulfilling my purpose,

go right ahead.

You come right back.

You lost?

I'm James, ma'am, James
McCune.

I know who you are, James
McCune.

This whole town's been waiting
on you.

Rumor has it you held down
the fort

when the last doctor slipped
away.

Is that what happened?

He just slip away now?

Ma'am?

This place is just lucky
a plague didn't strike

while I was in charge.

You'd still be picking up
bodies.

Look, I sure could use your
help around-

- Sh.

Mighty exciting out here, ain't
it?

Hello there.

I'm James, James McCune.

William, is it?

Sorry, he don't talk much.

That's all right.

I'd say most of us talk too
much anyways.

I came here to see if you might

be up for helping me out at the
clinic.

I don't reckon I'll be
taking up two jobs again.

I didn't mean nothing by it.

I'd have to leave the
hunting to little old William.

Well, I hear you know
you're way around the place.

I need to know how to get
supplies.

I'd welcome any insight
on the medical history

of the folks around here.

I see.

You'd have a couple
of legs up on me, but,

I could show you some skills
too.

I'd have to give up
my fancy life out here.

Tell her I ain't gonna beg,

but if she doesn't want the job,

I've got an offer for you

that beats playing with the
wildlife.

♪ Freyr hides on his mountains ♪

♪ In the woods where the
wild things frighten ♪

♪ Rooks and ravens third eye
blinding ♪

♪ Litt etter litt, the
clipped winged crow ♪

♪ Walls grow high and walls
grow low ♪

♪ Down in the belly where
the wild things grow ♪

♪ All alone, when the smoke
does bellow ♪

♪ Litt etter litt,
they'll take your soul ♪

♪ On this mountain, we see it
all ♪

♪ Down dark does the lonely
fall ♪

♪ The sun does rise once again ♪

♪ To burn that fog in the
devil's den ♪

♪ Freyr knows more than he's
telling ♪

♪ Rotted earth has a way of
smelling ♪

♪ All around, silent souls are
yelling ♪

♪ Litt etter litt, the night
grow cold ♪

♪ Underneath is a swarm of
mavens ♪

♪ Drive 'em back to their
deep, damp caverns ♪

♪ We will swarm, murder of
ravens ♪

♪ Litt etter litt,
they'll take your soul ♪

♪ On this mountain, we see it
all ♪

♪ Down dark does the lonely
fall ♪

♪ The sun does rise once again ♪

♪ To burn that fog in the
devil's den ♪

♪ On this mountain, we see it
all ♪

♪ Down dark does the lonely
fall ♪

♪ The sun does rise once again ♪

♪ Blood will shed in the
devil's den ♪

♪ And light will find you ♪

James, there's the young
doctor.

Good morning.

Good morning, uncle.

Welcome to my clinic.

Mm.

I got that recipe I mentioned.

Do you think you have some
time to help your uncle out?

Yeah, looks like the
last doctor left behind

most of the ingredients,

but the supplies are lean here,

and the old doc didn't keep
a real detailed inventory.

The man lost track of
damn near everything.

Boy, we needed a young mind
like yours in here for years.

Just make a list.

Next time I head out to New
Orleans,

I'll make sure you're filled to
the brim.

It says here it needs
mushrooms,

don't see any in stock.

Right, and those need to be
fresh.

You're gonna have to dig
those up on your own.

At least, that's what he did.

I suppose I can rustle
some up this afternoon.

Though, you gonna give
me permission to leave?

Gatekeeper gave me a time at it
yesterday.

I know, I know.

You probably think our rule's
strange.

But you'll thank me.

I'll let him know that
you're free to leave

later this afternoon.

Just don't linger.

What cause did you have
to go out yesterday?

I went to meet Annie and
William.

Hoping Annie could give me a
hand.

Oh, no, that won't work.

You got someone else who
knows their way around here?

She knows her role.

She has her purpose.

She held down the fort
after the old doc, right?

What happened here?

Heard an awful sound a few
nights ago.

I hauled to the gate and it was
unmanned.

When I peeked out to the other
side of it,

Joe came straight out of the
darkness.

Kept trying to speak, but,

he didn't have a tongue.

Why wasn't I told of this?

The gate was unmanned?

And after dark?

Joe's been having a
tough time of it lately.

We do our best to take
care of our own here.

The ghosts' punishment is swift.

Ghosts?

That's what did that to him?

Mm.

Why?

How do I know?

They're as inscrutable as God.

You find God inscrutable?

We've both seen the horrors
outside.

Slave markets in New Orleans.

Children ripped from their
mothers.

Slaves whipped to death,
Atlanta burned,

and all God's will.

And you would have me question
the ghosts

who'd have us live within
these walls in harmony?

I'll, uh, get to
working on that tincture.

Yeah, uncle, I, er,

I don't know, this
medicine is awful strong.

Oh, I'll water it down.

But this is more for pain.

I can get you something
that's a better sleep aid.

I don't need nothing fancy,
James.

These bones are used to that
old crow medicine by now.

And I just like the option

on those real tough nights.

Look, if Annie decides
that she can help you out

and perform her hunting duties,

I'll wager it wouldn't hurt.

Thank you.

My uncle give you the go
ahead to let me go out?

Yeah, yeah.

And hey,

I was just patrolling the other
night,

I didn't leave my post.

I just want you to know that.

Joe?

Darling, you look like hell.

What possessed you to
wander out there at night?

It wasn't my intention
to be out at night.

Gathering mushrooms for Matthew
and,

I saw one.

It was, it was real,

and it was, it was hunting.

These walls are haven.

I didn't wanna insult
the man's tradition,

so I accompanied his
wife, his wife mind you,

to the accommodations.

I made every excuse in the
world.

Nothing happened there, but, er,

I do declare it was the best
night's sleep I'd ever had.

Is that right?

I apologize, Annie.

The whole encounter was just-

- Fascinating?

There he is.

Exactly, James.

Me and this man, we are
simpatico.

Didn't realize I was keeping
you.

Hello there, fellas.

Just for a spell.

Howdy, Douglas, how you
doing?

Lord, that man can
talk

a gate right off its hinges.

Can I help you?

As I remember, it was
you asking for my help.

That was two days ago.

It sure was.

Good day, Mr. McCune.

Wait.

I'm sorry.

Had a rough night, and my
disposition is a little lacking.

You mean you're being an ass?

I'm being an ass.

I would greatly appreciate
your assistance.

Who messed all this up?

This looks terrible.

So, how long did you have to
triage

after the old doctor left?

I remember Clyde coming in

with a sliced up leg in
September?

So six months or so.

Winter kept everyone sick and
sniffling,

so I kept the lights on here.

Fewer incidents with the
ghost when the cold sets in.

It's not for my stitching
ability, I can tell you that.

Annie!

Emma, darling,
what you do to yourself?

Go on, tell her.

Yesterday I was flying my
kite,

and a big gust of wind came and
took it

all the way to the top of a
tree.

Did you take a fall?

No, but I coulda climbed all
the way up,

I'm a good climber, but-

- She ain't supposed to be on
the other side of the wall.

Lemme take a look at that,
Emma, hmm?

Now, you let me know if
it starts to hurt, okay?

Ain't you supposed to be out
hunting?

You'd be surprised how much

I can handle these days, Jesse.

I'm a big girl.

I'll tell you what.

We live outside the gate,

and we ain't scared of nothin',

not even ghosts.

I bet my big old brother
could get your kite for ya.

That's mighty nice of you
and your big old brother.

You know what's scarier than
ghosts?

Tree trolls!

You ever seen a tree troll?

There's one right
there!

Feeling better, darling?

Yeah?

Hmm?

It's good as new.

But take it easy, okay?

Don't want you climbing for a
while,

and I don't want you writing
lines for at least a month.

You tell Miss Roberts
that's doctor's orders.

How many marks?

Er, just half.

Thank you, Dr. McCune.

Thank you, Miss Annie.

You're funny.

Come on, it smells in
here.

Ow, Uncle Jesse, you're
hurting my arm.

Every bone in that
man's body's a mean one.

James, why did you tell Emma

that she couldn't climb anymore?

You know her arm's gonna
be fine in a day or two.

I'm not sure it's best for her

to be indulging in tendencies
that

take her outside the wall.

Oh, now you too, huh?

I don't know what the ghosts
are,

but I know enough to respect
'em.

Respect 'em?

All they do is terrify these
people.

They should be terrified.

You're telling me after all
these years

living in those woods
you've never seen one?

Not once?

Yeah, Doc, we've seen 'em.

But I'll be dead before
I give 'em my fear.

William, you feel like hunting?

Feel like we've done enough for
today.

Leave her alone!

Oh.

Mick, I handled it.

Doc, you can't sneak up on
people

when they're killing a
pig for the second time.

I shot it in the woods,
it musta come back to life.

Anything I can do
to help?

Not now.

William.

There you go, now pull up,
not out.

And don't pull too tight.

I'm used to slicing these up,

not trying to mend 'em back
together.

Yeah, I need you to be good
at this.

You don't have to hide
anything, James, not from me.

I just wanna do right
by this town, Annie.

How come William doesn't speak?

The last thing our daddy said
to him before he was killed

was to be quiet.

He hasn't spoken a word since.

Not to brag, Doc,

but I believe you owe
me a drink for this one.

Are we looking at the same
stitching?

Hey, what's this?

Matthew's sleeping medication.

It's actually pretty
complicated.

If you ask me, a little
dangerous.

Looks like my daddy's
handwriting.

Well, your dad must've
liked his drinks stout.

Makes you wonder what
Matthew's done

to make it so hard to sleep at
night.

Well, running any town has
its fair share of stresses.

And Norfork certainly
ain't an ordinary town.

Hmm.

Shall we?

So that's when I told her,

"You can lead a horse to water,

but you can't make him fish."

Another one, sweetie?

Of course.

Evening, Miss Annie.

I just wanted to thank
you again for that hog.

Emma's been having bacon
sandwiches all week.

Ooh, now you're making me
hungry, Mick.

Since Emma's mom passed,

we've had a wide, empty space
in our home.

Charlie's had enough, Torb.

He's doing that circle walk
thing again.

Get him out.

Er, I just wanna say if
you'd ever consider joining us,

we'd be so grateful to
welcome you into our home.

Me?

Playing house?

Mick, can you imagine?

No, no, I, I guess not.

Apologies, Miss Annie.

Oh hell.

You see, that's why they don't
let me live inside the wall.

I'd have the whole town
against me in a day.

Not everyone.

Why James, how mighty
chivalrous of you.

You defend my honor?

Me?

No, no, I meant, I was
talking about Douglas.

He could be friends with the
devil.

James, I'm sorry, I know
that's...

Does it hurt?

You shaking hands with
lightening or what?

Almost lost it completely.

You don't gotta tell
me if you don't want to.

It's not my business.

Scars do come with good stories
though.

Did you always wanna be a
hunter, Annie?

I don't know about want.

It's just what I've always done.

Always been good at it.

I've always wanted to be a
physician.

Always.

Ever since I can remember.

But out there, it's
hard for people like me

to get the proper schooling.

Even up north.

Unless you enlisted.

Not that I had a choice
with the conscription,

but I chose to be a medic.

It seems like the war never
really

hit you all here in Norfork.

Mostly stories.

Well, it hit pretty hard out
there.

I'm not much of a fighter, but,

I learned a lot in those field
clinics.

Pain and death like you never
imagined.

I was with the 18th under
Butler,

we were moving south outside
Richmond.

Whole unit ambushed.

Barely had time to get
our drawers on.

We got the triage tent set up,

but it was all I could do
to keep the water boiling.

And then I heard it like a
low thunder in the ground.

The gray coats were
losing and they knew that,

so they just wanted to hurt us.

Half a dozen horses stampede
on through the tent.

I can still feel the razor wire

cutting into my arm as
they wrapped it around.

They told me later I
was dragged half a mile.

Found me in a creek, wasn't
dead, might as well have been.

It's a hell of the thing,

going from useful to useless in
a moment.

So when my uncle sent word,
well,

well, it didn't matter where it
was.

I'd rather you not let that
story wander.

I haven't told my uncle yet,

not the full of it anyway.

To hell with Matthew.

You're a good doctor, James.

He has no right to judge
you for your scars.

Thanks to Matthew, I have a
place here.

In these walls.

Out there, I had nothing.

Be careful.

You're not safe.

Not really.

Sure, you do as they say
and you'll be protected,

but the second you step out,

you'll be getting it like
any of these other people

with scars on their faces
and something missing.

Why don't you leave then,
Annie?

Huh?

Why not get out of here if it's
so rotten?

See how they treat you if
you're different out there.

You think they'd let me leave?

Truth is the old doc
didn't make it 20 yards

outside that gate before
the ghost got him.

This is a prison, James.

They've convinced the
inmates it's a paradise,

and that paradise sure
didn't save my daddy.

Better not, Torb.

I've had enough.

You know, I reckon it'll be a
slow day

at the clinic tomorrow.

I can do it on my own.

Sure you want to be stepping
back into the clinic, lass?

He needed help.

Might as well be me
that keeps him company.

I think I might find him a bit
charming.

William's late.

I'm tired of waiting on that
boy.

Mind yourself, little lady.

Storm's coming.

Darlin'.

Oh god, Annie.

What's happened?

Their bounty!

Everybody out!

Out!

William, wake James.

I'm right here.

Oh my god, Annie!

William, she's gonna be all
right.

James, you need something from
the clinic?

Iodine, forceps, needle and
thread

and a lot of gauze, go.

And there's a bottle, Matthew's
tincture bottle, grab it.

Torb, Torb, we need clean water,

and Lucille, that rag.

Alcohol!

We have to close the laceration.

Hold it tight, hold it.

Alcohol!

Hold her down, she's gonna feel
it.

Sh, sh, sh, sh,

I'm sorry, hey, it's okay,
it's okay, you're okay.

Just keep her, hold her
tight, hold her tight.

Torb.

Torb.

Torb.

Darlin'

Annie.

Annie.

Who did this?

William.

Er, I can go, I can go talk to
Matthew,

and he'll know what to do.

Er,

Annie, Annie, Annie, hey, take
this.

You need your rest.

Please, no.

It'll help.

It'll numb the pain.

Whoever did this is gonna pay.

I'm gonna talk to my uncle,
and then we're gonna-

- William.

William.

I wanna go home.

No, no, no no, she needs to
stay,

you need to stay and heal.

Please, no.

Oh, all right, all right,
just,

give her this.

It's the strongest thing I
got for pain, but dilute it.

James.

James, I got something to show
you.

I ain't in the mood
for no new hat, Douglas.

No it's not that, but it's at
my shop,

if you'd just come with me.

Annie was attacked, okay?

I need to go talk to my uncle,
I'm sorry,

but I really need to go talk to
him.

I know, I know she
was attacked, I saw it.

Just come with me, James,
you gotta see this.

Afternoon, fellas.

This Joe and Mick?

These the boys that attacked
Annie,

but the ghosts caught 'em.

What?

No, no, Mick wouldn't hurt a
fly.

Where's the rest of 'em?

We gotta keep going.

See, I was up on the tower,

trying to get a plate
before the storm rolled in.

That's when I heard it,
screaming.

I looked over towards the
clinic and there she was.

She was being accosted.

I shoulda gone down,

and done something, I
shoulda intervened, but,

I'm a coward.

Annie was just fighting for her
life.

I did the only thing I could
think to do.

What is this?

It's Matthew, he musta been
there.

This doesn't make any sense,

you saying he attacked
Annie with those boys?

No, but he was there,
watching, just

waiting for something.

Waiting for what?

The damn cavalry to arrive?

I'm sorry, James.

Uncle.

James.

You knew.

She was attacked and you
just watched it happen?

My part is thankless, but I
played it.

How do you mean?

By calling the ghosts, of
course.

Breaking the beloved rules,

entering our haven to save her.

At least I did something

instead of documenting the
perversion.

If I didn't,

that poor Stone girl
would be dead as we speak.

Joe and Mick cut her up
something good.

Mick.

He was in love with Annie,
everyone could see it.

Not a bad bone in his body.

And then you came into town,

and the jealousy and spite
that you've been creating,

he's been festering that anger.

Musta convinced Joe to help him

make sure that if he couldn't
have Annie,

no one could.

I know it's upsetting,

but in a moment, we'll
go down to the festival-

- What are those?

Just some trinkets.

Why do you have Joe's stones?

They're not Joe's stones!

They belong to Norfork, James.

I can't keep this town
running on gas alone.

The mines.

You're not just mining gas.

You're mining diamonds.

This whole town is sitting on a
fortune.

They have no idea the
riches right beneath them.

Best not bother the common
folk

with the burden of their
charitable keepers.

Their charitable keepers?

They would be corrupted.

Joe was.

And, he had a severe lack
of respect for hierarchy.

I don't believe this.

You are lying to an entire town.

Hiding something that-

- Interesting choice of words,
James.

You mean the way that you've
been hiding?

From me?

Your own flesh and blood.

Seems ungrateful, no?

I've done everything you and
this town have asked of me.

And you wanna condemn me for my
scars?

I couldn't give a damn
about that mangled wing!

I've known since day one.

What I can't stand is
the deceit of the matter.

Something you're well versed
in.

Oh, James.

I wanted you to be the one
to take over my purpose.

But I can see now that was a
mistake.

The good people of this town
deserve to know the truth,

so they can decide for
themselves what's best for them.

When in history has
that ever led to anything

other than suppression

and the exploitation of the
weak?

And how is that different
from what you've created here?

Have you forgotten already

what it is like for us

out there?

Because I am reminded of it
every time

I step off that train in New
Orleans.

Every single time.

You,

you know exactly how
these people would react

without the ghosts keeping them
in line.

You do know that, don't you,
James?

How the hell else could

a person like me

run a town full of people like
them?

Annie was right all along.

This ain't safety.

And I'm the damn fool
that didn't believe her.

We can fight 'em,

but I can't do it alone.

I'm sorry, Samuel, but we
can't risk what we've built.

First one to the edge and
back wins.

Bastards

William!

Haven't you taken enough?

Pa?

Pa, no!

William, be quiet.

Take care of your sister.

William, you need to go get
James, go.

Little late for a stroll
in the woods, James.

I don't think that's a good
idea.

William?

William.

These pipes

keep this place nice
and warm if I do say so.

What do you want?

Your loyalty.

I've kept my peace
here, we had an agreement.

I didn't wanna take those
eyes, Torb.

And what did Annie do?

She was outta line, you know
it.

Something had to be done.

Can't have her mouthing off
like that, like her daddy did.

If you hurt another hair on
her head.

There's nobody here 'cept us,
Torb.

You can stop with the show.

We both know what you do
when you have to choose.

You son of a bitch.

You made the right choice
before.

I want you to make the right
choice again.

These walls,

they're not yours.

They belong to Norfork.

Remember that.

You bastards!

William, William stop.

I think we, I think we lost it.

If you hadn't come when you did,

why did you?

Matthew's medicine?

The fog.

Matthew's controlling those
things, I'd bet my life on it.

Where's Annie?

William, William, no, don't.

William!

Don't!

Annie.

Annie!

No.

William!

Who you wanna be tonight?

We don't want no part of
today.

Go on, do your celebrating
outside.

Oh, boys.

You had us worried.

Hi, lads.

Thank gods you're alive.

William, where is
Annie?

They got to her.

My uncle, he's, he's somehow
controlling these things.

We know.

William, what, what
do you know?

William, wait!

What is going on here?

It was never
supposed to be like this.

Norfork, my good people.

What a night.

It reminds me of a similar
evening 25 years ago.

Damn, am I proud of what we've
become.

Hmm?

When we came upon this place,

well, we knew it was something
special.

Back then, there was just a few
of us

looking for that promise.

Torb, Lucille, founding members,
take that silly sign down.

Come join the festivities, now,
come on.

That beautiful city on the hill.

But it wasn't just out
there waiting for us.

No sir, we had to build it.

But we were not alone.

Because of the righteousness
of our agendas,

we were blessed.

We owe everything to our ghosts.

They protect us

and bind us to this place!

They deliver justice to any soul

who would violate those
boundaries.

There are even those
amongst you who would poison

and doubt their power.

Who would do harm to their
neighbor, to you or I.

Or our poor, dear Annie.

I truly wish that they'd come
sooner,

before she suffered from
her grievous wounds.

Oh, my good people.

There is no escaping their
wrath.

For it is absolute!

And they have brought to us
justice,

and punished the guilty.

And we have discovered another
conspirator

of that most gruesome of attack.

On this day of celebration,
25 years of honor.

25 years of purpose and safety.

Let us renew our pact with our
ghosts.

To those who oppose us and our
ways,

this is your final warning.

This man seeks to corrupt their
power,

to distort their purpose.

Douglas.

Douglas.

He does not honor our ghosts.

Down.

Dovvy, put him down.

Hey.

James, James, sorry, James.

I should'a done something.

Oh, Douglas.

It's okay.

Douglas.

There you are,
James.

God damn you!

Someone do something!

I was afraid you'd miss all
this.

This town needs to hear the
truth.

I agree, James.

For you see, good people,

I did not tell you the full
matter,

out of a familial duty.

I tried to protect my nephew.

It was at James's hands
that our sweet Annie died.

His inept, incapable hands.

You goddamn liar!

I'm the liar?

Her house was set ablaze.

He lied about his
abilities as a physician.

He lied to us all.

He placed all your lives in
jeopardy.

Your children's lives.

Do they know you let Annie be
attacked?

Because of what she saw?

And what Douglas knows, of what
I know?

You've been using them as
your personal monsters.

Protecting your damn diamonds,

to hide and hoard what
belongs to these people.

Oh nephew,

I was afraid you weren't up for
the task.

You were a useless man then,

and you're a useless man now.

Rook, C5.

Why are you all just standing
there?

Because they know the rules,
James.

They know their place.

There is no revenge on the dead.

You can't fight the will of
ghosts, boy.

A ghost.

Jesse?

The ghosts are a lie.

Annie.

They are your neighbors
cloaked in deceit,

do not trust him.

Take her!

Everyone!

Ghosts, protect these walls.

They're just parlor tricks,

it's all just damn parlor
tricks.

Annie.

I thought you were dead.

Just playin' possum.

Where did my uncle go?

James.

He's gassing the whole town.

These damn walls are
keeping the poison in.

You need to open the
gate, get the people out.

- I can't see.
- I can't, my eyes!

Help!

- Everybody.
- Let's go.

Follow us.

We gotta get clear of the wall.

Come on, let's go.

Quick!

Don't breathe it in.

Elijah! Elijah

What's wrong?

They have him!

- They have my son!
- I know, I'll find him,

- I'll find him.
- James, James.

There's more in there.

Let me out!

- Let me out!
- Let's go!

Elijah?

Elijah?

Elijah!

- I'm here.
- Elijah.

Go, the gate's that way, keep
going.

Your mom's there.

Miss Roberts, lend
me a hand?

You were
supposed to scare Annie,

not try and kill the poor girl.

I'm through with this horseshit.

Look at your dream,
uncle.

Is this your vision?

Damn Stones!

I shoulda taken you whelps
when I took your daddy.

You coward!

You damn fool.

Why'd you do that?

Put on that mask.

Come on, let's go.

Come on, James.

Could you fetch me a wash
rag, love?

I reckon they'll be taking
those eyesores down.

Lucille?

Lucille?

Darlin'?

What have you done?

Taking your eyes wasn't enough,

you gonna make me take her too?

You step off that porch,
you know you're a dead man.

No, not that now.

Don't worry love, I'm here.

25 years,

all of us,

we were going to make
something that worked.

Our own rules, simple and pure.

We chose you because you were
the best.

There wasn't even a question.

But Samuel had the right of it.

And I knew it too.

But I was too afraid.

I thought I could be safe here.

In my little sanctuary, on my
mountain!

You goddamn old fool.

These were our rules.

We built this place together.

These walls are haven,

honor our ghosts,

to each his purpose.

My girl.

My girl.

Well, what do we do now?

There seems to be an opening.

They won't want another McCune
running things around here.

Name don't set your fate.

You ain't him.

It won't be the same.

It won't.

It'll be better.

There are
stories of a storm so strong

that its winds spread
across the whole world.

Stories of a tree whose seeds
were carried in that wind

to the other side of the globe.

A tree with no intentions but
to survive

and flourish in its home.

Whose progeny can now be
found on every continent,

in every country.

All it takes for that
seed to grow is time.

And time

is all there is out here.