Revelator (2017) - full transcript

(pensive music)

John.

You sleep like that?

Sometimes.

She's calling for you, let's go.

(whispering in French)

She is asking if you see him.

I know.

[Randall] Well?

He's here.

(speaking in French)



She wants to know how is he?

He's fine, he uh...

Did your father smoke?

(whispering in French)

She wants to know
if he is still sick.

No.

(speaking quietly
in a foreign language)

How much she give you?

I didn't count.

You think that's right?

I didn't ask.

But you took it.

It's up to her if she
wants to pay me or not.

If it's worth it.



You can lie all you want,

and I can't stop her
from believing you.

But you're not gonna
take that from us.

I didn't lie.

Because you smelled
the smoke on his jacket?

She wants to believe,
you could have said anything.

Listen, I just
tell you what I see.

Believe it or don't,
doesn't matter.

You know what a funeral costs?

Yeah.

My father ran
a restaurant in a strip

next to five other
restaurants for forty years.

That envelope is probably
everything he left for us.

You think that's right?

I'm sorry for your loss.

(water drains)

(pensive music)

John Dunning?

Sorry I didn't... who are you?

My name is Valerie Kreuger.

I'm supposed to be looking for
a man who can see the dead.

I'm told he comes here.

Why would you be looking
for someone like that?

I'm a writer.

I did a piece on the Rock Shore
ferry accident for the anniversary.

Some of the parents mentioned
a man named Matt afterwords.

Claimed he could
see their children.

Well I wouldn't know
anything about that, so, uh,

I would like to be
left alone now, goodbye.

I think you might.

Look I don't like rumors.

I do my homework and
I think there might be

something worth
writing here, John.

Alright.

What are you doing?

Looking you up.

Yeah, go ahead.

It says you're a foreign
correspondent with Vice?

You were in Syria.

Now you write lists?

Listicles, actually.

Top 10 most baffling
who gives a shit.

You won't believe number seven.

It doesn't seem like news.

It really isn't.

See I'm not actually
a journalist anymore.

Lists get clicks and
that's what they want,

mine aren't getting
as many as they'd like.

Give me a day?

I'm sorry you
don't like your job.

But I don't want to be on your
blog or whatever, so goodbye.

You know that Next Press is the

eighth most
trafficked aggregator?

85 million visitors a month.

More than half clicked through
the front page feature.

Well congratulations, though.

Do you know how much ad revenue

fifty million views generates?

No.

I saw you took the bus here.

That's a seven year old phone,

and I'm willing to bet this isn't the
first day in a row you've worn that suit.

Help me out.

Tell me something
worth turning in

and we'll split the ad revenue.

Could be tens of thousands
just in the first month.

I've been called a liar
every day of my life.

And I don't think
I want to do something

that makes more
people think that.

I only write down
what happens, just the truth.

So what sort of things
might you ask about?

Besides the obvious?

[John] Besides that.

What's the lantern for?

There are ways
I think of getting...

getting them not to
show up so much.

I close my eyes
or I knock on something,

make a sound
when it's too quiet.

But uh, I'm so sure about
making them show up.

Are you trying to see someone?

Not that it matters to you.

But we were
together for six years.

Then one day she goes to
work and...

and that's that.

You might remember, Rock Shore.

When the storm
capsized that ferry

not even a mile from here.

Now the news talked
about the kids plenty,

but uh, didn't really
bring up the teacher.

So I come out here,
every month same time,

same spot, our spot and uh,

keep trying.

I guess that's when some
of the parents found me.

So uh, if you don't mind.

Keep trying.

Maybe next time.

(phone vibrates)

Did you drive here?

Yeah, you need a ride?

Yes, right now.

The car's for interviewees only.

(suspenseful music)

Ah, no.

Can't write what I don't see.

He's not good with strangers,
okay, this is sensitive.

You really don't
think I can deal with

whatever you do in there?

Maybe you should
look me up again.

Or I could leave
and you could walk home.

Fine.

He's up there.

It's bad, man.

Someone's gonna die tonight.

Who is she?

She's my ride.

Is she yours?

Yeah.

You tell me,
and you tell me now.

I see him, I see Julian.

He's here, but.

But what?

(silent screaming)

He's looking for something.

I think he's looking for you.

I should've been there.

You see that man,
under the sheet?

Who the fuck is this in my home?

Just my ride, I had to get
here, she's just my ride.

You called John to see your son?

Go outside, little girl.

You should go.

Can you answer questions
about him right now?

Yes.

So this man, Julian,

how did he die?

An accident, he had an accident.

Okay, okay, uh,
can you describe him?

Tattoos, eye color?

No, they change.

But you see him?

Yes, but they change.

You look at him, and you
tell me the boy's eye color.

I don't know.

I do know he died in pain.

Is...

is he... still hurting?

Yes.

You talk to him, say what I say.

It doesn't work that way.

Say what I say.

My Tyro, I'm sorry.

Say it.

My Tyro, I'm sorry.

[Marco] It shouldn't
have happened like this.

[John] It shouldn't
have happened like this.

I should've been good enough to
give you the life you deserved.

I should've been good enough

to give you the
life you deserved.

I wanted a better life for you.

I wanted a better life for you.

Julian, I'm sorry.

And I always will be sorry.

Julian, I'm sorry and
I always will be sorry.

Now, you leave my house.

Oh Magdalen, please God,
be down the dark road.

In case you want
an upgrade, hit me up.

What was that?

What, I ask questions,
that's how this works.

That could have ended
with both of us dead.

Not both of us.

It really would've just
taken only one question

about one detail
to get you killed?

With Marco, yes.

Doesn't that bother you?

Listen, I don't expect
you to believe me--

I don't believe anything,
only what I know.

But you are not gonna fuck
anything else up for me.

I'm not here to judge you,
I'm here for a story.

Well then find another one.

No story, no ride.

No story, no money, John,
remember your bus pass?

Fuck.

Watch the paint.

So how did you two meet?

So this is the interview.

Maybe.

You can imagine he
deals with death a lot.

Marco's uh, spiritual,
so he found me

and keeps me around
to convince everybody

there's something else, after.

That's a little convenient.

Not just then.

But you see how
it starts to sound?

Like the eyes.

You can say anything changes
and never be wrong.

[John] You mean I could lie?

You did lie at first.

Marco loved Julian,
wouldn't you?

Me, no, I stick to facts.

You wouldn't lie to stay alive?

Maybe if I were you.

Maybe.

So...

just how does it work?

So this is the interview.

Maybe.

There aren't rules exactly.

It just usually
goes a certain way.

Again, convenient.

Listen, if you're hoping
for some sort of magic,

Peter Parker origin story,
there is not one.

I have always seen the dead.

And it always hurts.

Usually they're where they
went, or with their body after.

They look just like they
were when they left,

except the color
goes out of their eyes,

and they're lost and they
can't see or hear anything.

Sometimes they leave something
behind, an item or a picture.

When did you start freelancing?

Okay, first, I never
advertised, people find me.

Then how do they
come by your services?

It gets around, churches mostly.

That's when you come in to help.

[John] Yes.

Why do that,
why not anything else?

I tried.

For a long time I tried.

It's a little hard
to work a register

when every 10th person
you see is dead.

[Valerie] No job, okay,
and you don't drive either.

No, I lost my license
when I was 17.

Three wrecks in three months.

I kept seeing people on the road

and swerving out of the way.

That long, funny.

[John] Funny?

It took some
digging to find you.

First I thought you were
just covering your tracks

like a fraud might, but...

no pay stubs,
tax return, car title,

I suppose that makes sense.

The apartment was
interesting, dead giveaway.

For what?

The only paper
I did find on you,

once I actually found you,
was a series of address changes.

All brand new apartments,
always moving to a newer one.

Never staying longer than
three years, usually less.

Sounds like a charlatan
with expensive tastes.

And now, do I seem expensive?

No, so why the nice apartments?

Three years is
about how long it takes

for someone to die
in a new building.

And then I don't sleep.

Sounds like a torture,
you ever think about dying?

I think that's enough questions.

[Valerie] I'm not done.

Ah no, that's enough for
now, I'd like to leave.

I'm going to need more.

Then find something else.

(suspenseful music)

Please leave this place.

Just tell me the truth,
what are you after?

I can't be here,
please go, please?

Just tell me what you want.

I want to be alone, okay?

And then what?

I don't want to
see them anymore,

I don't want to
see anything, okay?

Except her.

Except her.

I'm sorry, but...

we can either help each other
or we can hurt each other.

Call me when you decide.

(soft music)

[Levi] You're taking advantage.

Sanctuary.

[Levi] You know there's
that big sign out front

with all the hours on it?

Yeah, it hasn't changed in
about a thousand years, right?

[Levi] And you still can't
show up at a decent time.

I got names if you want 'em.

Don Krunich,

57, first son,

reformed Presbyterian.

I don't know
if that's different.

Heretics, all.

Troubled?

No, um, coughing.

Funeral attended by
wife and first son,

so not well liked.

Make anything out?

No, they're um, still quiet.

Okay.

Don...

Donald.

Anglican, from the Hebrew uh,

Daniel.

You said he passed on the third?

28th.

Fuck.

Fine, uh, next.

Julian.

Lobeh.

Lobeh?

Yeah.

Marco had me try to talk to him.

Didn't hear you?

Wishful thinking.

But it was troubled.

He was... screaming.

Or it looked like it, anyway.

Jesus.

Well, not surprised.

No?

I was wondering, you know,
I don't usually talk about this.

I um... I have a problem.

Are you seeking my council?

I guess, uh, its just, uh...

someone's asking about this.

Oh, someone else think they
can put the pieces together?

Not quite, she doesn't
actually believe in any of it.

It's just, she's digging... into
me.

And uh, I'm not quite
so sure about it.

Are you afraid she
could find something out?

Something, you don't want to
admit?

I'm afraid...

she's writing about it.

And I don't know if
it's such a good idea

for a lot of people to know.

I mean, they could think
I'm lying to all these people.

Well you know what
the best thing to do is,

when everyone
thinks you're false?

Keep telling the truth.

Just don't forget what that is.

Anyone new coming up?

No, Mrs. McGill's
in remission,

so, we'll have to wait on that.

But, uh,

No, I shouldn't say.

Say what?

I was told not to tell you.

Tell me what?

Margaret Bellvue passed.

Last week.

Her son, uh, his people,

they came here

specifically asking you
not to be told...

till after.

After what, the service?

I wouldn't just show up,
Jesus, I knew her for years.

That's why.

There's a will reading tomorrow.

He wants you absent.

I never asked for a dime.

I know.

Look, it's the family,
John, okay?

I've seen it, you've seen it.

Dead people's money
makes monsters,

and the Bellvues aren't far off.

Where is it?

Who would tell me?

Hey John, listen, you can't
tell them I said anything.

No.

You think it'd be
easier to see Margaret?

To see someone I know?

Well, if you find something out,

come back to see me, huh?

(phone ringing)

Did I wake you up?

A pair of night owls.

I'll do the article,
but I'll need a ride.

So you'll talk to a chauffeur?

[John] Not interested?

Oh I didn't say that,
where are we going?

That's what I
need you to find out.

Excuse me?

Tomorrow, I don't know
where and I don't know when,

but there's a will reading
for Margaret Bellvue.

Okay, but I don't even--

Either we get there
tomorrow, or the story's over.

You decide.

I'll be at St. Kolbe,
on 12th street.

Alright.

Very considerate.

Expensed it, just for you.

So you found it?

Took some digging, apparently
a lot of the old families

run through the same law firm,

but they don't exactly
have an address, though.

You dropped this yesterday.

Thorazine,
it's an antipsychotic.

I know what is it, it helps.

Yes, I suppose it would
help a mental patient.

John, if you're crazy, like for
real crazy, you have to tell me.

Oh, would that matter?

Yes, I can't shuttle around
a mentally disabled person

who is looking for
ghosts in his head

when he should be getting help.

Okay? And I sure as hell
can't write about it.

John.

I'm not, okay, it just,
it helps me tell the difference.

It makes them fuzzy,
it makes everything fuzzy,

but them more.

It just helps me
get a grip, okay?

It doesn't help the headaches.

Excedrine's in the console.

(bell ringing)

(train horn sounding)

Should be on time.

You're late.

It's to my clients advantage

to chose which set of laws
their affairs occur under.

This train mustn't run behind.

I only obliged to
Ms. Kreuger due to the wishes

of my former client,
Mrs. Bellvue,

and the nature
of this inheritance.

So, spend your time wisely.

There is no more.

If it's money or something
else, I don't want it.

Margaret paid me for my work,

and I don't want in
the middle of anything,

that's all I came here to say.

So I'd like to give it back,
if you can do that?

No, Mr. Dunning,
the estate's liquid assets

have been appropriated.

Including the holdings
and the trusts.

Then why this?

It was Mrs. Bellvue's wish,

in fact it was the final
stipulation in her will,

that you are
supposed to be granted

full ownership of Rangor Island.

To be transferred to your
custody immediately.

But if you wish to
forgo your entitlement,

we can think of some donation
or maybe some type of--

No.

No, I accept.

Of course you do.

[John] Elias--

Shut the fuck up, shut up.

I watched you
bleed my mother dry

for years with your bullshit

while I had to
stand by and watch.

I'll be god damned
if I watch you

take another thing
from this family, John.

I didn't ask for it.

[Elias] Okay, then give it up.

[John] No.

All right, fine, fine,
I'll lower to you, John.

Un-fucking-believable

How much?

I don't want that.

Market value right now.

What's it worth, it was
assessed what, four years ago?

I don't have that--

Just fuc- ballpark it.

From the taxes,
I can place the estate at

35 million, give or take.

Fine, fine, with inflation,

that's a business word for
you, John, let's say 40, huh?

I assume you have
a bank account, yeah?

I'll wire it right now,
one call.

No.

I'll keep the island.

Come again?

John.

I said I will keep the island.

Let me get this straight.

John, look at me right now.

You're gonna give up
40 million dollars

for that hunk of rock?

Is that what I'm hearing?

Yes.

(train horn sounding)

Your time has passed,
Mr. Dunning.

I'll see you dead, John.

I'll see you dead before
I ever allow you on that island.

We gotta talk about this.

Yeah, I, as soon as-
I gotta sort this out.

Who's that man by my car?

I have to go. Uh...

You should stay here.

Not a chance.

You're my lawyer, and you don't
talk, but we have to go.

Five minutes ago you were almost

the wealthiest man
I have ever met.

Why did you do that?

Because no one ever
died on Rangor Island.

(suspenseful music)

March 3rd, 2003.

I'm told my memory should
be dulling any day now.

Hasn't yet, clearly.

My cousin Victor passed away
February 20th of that year,

and it was the third of March

my sister first
mentioned your name.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm certain.

We're a family of age,
Mr. Dunning.

And each time
a member of age passed,

my sister called on you.

And you think I'm a fraud.

And Elias wants me dead,
I've heard.

Don't presume to know my mind.

About Elias,
however, you are correct.

I make a point to know everyone
who sets foot in my home.

I don't know you.

Sarah Metz,
Foley and Associates.

Ah, the psychic
brought his attorney.

As of this morning,
Mr. Dunning has

come into a sizable inheritance.

Due diligence.

Of course.

I'm going to speak with him
about a personal matter,

and don't want to risk embarrassment
in front of an unknown party,

so if you please--

If it pertains
to his new property,

I just have to insist on
being present, Mr. Bellvue.

And this will
not leave this room.

Inflexible is the most
valuable word in our language.

Do you know what it means?

It means no matter how
much something costs,

or how little of it there is,
people will always buy it.

Because they need it.

Like water.

This year alone the most
populated state in the country

ran a three trillion gallon
deficit, next year will be four.

One hundred years ago,
speculators had outfitted

an otherwise worthless
island off the pacific coast

with a pipeline they hoped would
transport oil to the mainland.

They were wrong.

They went bankrupt.

And then there was us.

It rains every day on
Rangor Island, Mr. Dunning.

370,000 gallons of
fresh water every single day.

That's five percent of Los
Angeles county's consumption.

That's a 50 million dollar
annual contract with the state,

provided you have the
infrastructure to handle it.

Which you do not.

Elias lacks the temperament
for cold business,

as you can see, he's--

Inflexible.

Very good.

He'll tie you up in court.

He'll bleed you.

We're very good at it.

But I can prevent that.

Sign over water rights
to the island.

I'll muzzle the dog,

and you can keep your rock.

That's very generous.

No, it is not.

It is contingent
on something else.

My sister believed in you.

She believed in
everything you told her.

Margaret had a
difficult time with death,

and I allowed her the weakness.

You never charged enough
to be any real problem,

so I let an old woman
go on believing.

She believed you
until the day she died.

Which is why, I am prepared
to give you a chance.

I'm...

asking for a favor.

How could I help?

My youngest son has passed away.

Two days ago.

He was, troubled.

Estranged from us,
institutionalized for a time.

He stole, he ran away...

I didn't know him.

[John] Would you
like me to see him?

More.

It is possible he passed naturally
as part of his illness, but

I have doubts.

I know very little about Jacob,

so I cannot be sure
what really happened.

If you could...

see something...

Find something to tell
me one way or another.

- That's not really what I do.
- You will do this.

What exactly are you asking for?

The truth, John,
I need the truth.

I'll trade that island for it.

I have to know
who took my son's life.

Where is he?

In the next room, through there.

We agree?

(suspenseful music)

- What is it?
- Shh!

(suspenseful music)

What exactly was that?

I have no idea.

What did you see?

I think he saw me.

Has that ever happened before?

No.

So you're doing this?

Yeah.

Good news, then.

What?

I think we got an actual story.

(phone ringing)

[Ariana] Val, I'm driving,
what do you got?

This could be something, Ari.

Old money, ghost chase,
the whole deal.

[Ariana] So you found
the guy, he's for real?

Oh, absolutely.

Oh my god I love
the black, that's all him?

He dresses like that, right?

Yeah, literally everyday.

[Ariana] Perfect.

Please slow down.

Carmine Bellvue just hired
him to investigate his son.

The one that died,
oh my god, perfect.

Yeah I know, we're headed
to his last address now.

I need you to slow down.

I want to see copy
the day after.

You got your feature.

Alright, I'll bang
it out tonight.

Check your inbox, he's--

Hey! Slow the fuck down.

I gotta go.

Well?

You done?

I just need to go to
my mailbox right now.

You might want to
rephrase that a bit nicer.

Listen, I don't know
what just happened

and I don't know who that was

and I don't give a fuck
about your article.

I just need to go
to my mailbox right now.

They didn't come in,
your gray market scrips.

Sometimes they get
caught in customs.

I'll have to find
a new supplier.

Homework.

Don't bail on us.

I'll keep getting you
as much as you need

as long as you keep talking.

This is it,
the Summerland facility.

You work here, good, hello.

We're here to pick up
the property... of a patient.

Is this manic again?

Look man,
they were told last week,

steam pipe broke in the
main room leaking radon gas.

Anything he left
down there is destroyed.

Please.

Jacob...

Jake, was our brother.

We'd lost contact so long ago,

he just had so much trouble.

Cute.

But the guy was barely here,

between arrests for
breaking into a mortuary.

Look, if it's stuff you want,

I got keys to all the rooms.

Five minutes, a hundred bucks,
you can have your pick.

Also I got two catatonics
in E Wing you can pick from,

they're 15 minutes for 200,
door closed.

But like I said, the bottom
floor's still flooded with gas

cordoned off till they air it.

You'd drown inside
five minutes standing up.

We, uh wow, only needed
his stuff, specifically.

It's not just the radon,
there's this one guy

from hospice, Alzheimer's,
got lost down there

the night it flooded,
it's a health hazard.

All right, 200 for 15, you said?

Yeah, look, oh god, fine,
fine, there's an access shaft

by the standpipe, and watch
the ladder's rusted, okay?

You're welcome.

(gas hissing)

[Valerie] What can you see?

[John] I can't see.

There should be boxes,
check the labels,

he gave the false name
Manny, don't breathe.

(dramatic music)

[Valerie] Well?

(retching)

Hey there's a name on this
thing, it says Chumash.

Any idea who that would be?

(coughing)

No.

(pensive music)

(dramatic music)

(elevator dings)

(door opens)

Good morning.

I know what it is.

I bet you thought I was joking.

You did didn't-
you know what?

That's my fault, I'm usually,
I'm usually so flippant.

You probably didn't
realize that I was very serious

when I said that
I would kill you, John.

That is not a joke.

[John] I know.

But you thought, you thought
you we're smarter than me,

you thought you
could outsmart me.

[John] No.

Well, you thought you had
information that I didn't have.

You thought you
could talk to my uncle

without me knowing about it.

That's just not realistic, John.

There's nothing you can do
that I won't know about.

How?

Well, first off, pro tip,

hard to keep things secret
when they're in the news.

She--

Carmine asked me to help him.

He tricked you.

He tricked you into
thinking he could help you.

Do you really think he can
just make me let this go?

He's just a sick old man
wearing a scary mask.

He's slipping, John.

I mean, he's talking to you, for
Christ's sake, I mean come on.

I understand that you and
my mother were very close.

You're grieving, you're not,
you're not thinking straight.

- Now,
- Hey, hey!

Now you can stay close, John!

Oh, would you look
at that, it's empty!

You think we could
fit you in there?!

My previous offer
is now null and void.

You need to learn about loss.

Every day that you keep
that island,

My... my island, John,

it will cost you.

My offer, it drops
by five million dollars

each day you spit in
my face by keeping it.

Oh, and don't forget,
as the new owner,

you're now responsible
for the upkeep.

First you'll be in debt,
and then you'll be in prison.

And then it's mine.

This is gonna cost you,
very, very dearly, John.

Do you understand that?

Yes.

I hope so.

I do.

'Cause you're now
a million dollars poorer,

if you ever thought
that was possible.

You know,
let's table this for now.

Let's put a pin in this, we'll
circle back to it one day.

I've got a meeting actually,
with a mutual friend,

I've got to settle something.

So, uppies.

Oh, John,

you talk to my uncle again,

I'll just have you
shot in your sleep.

Now, tell me,
you think I'm joking now?

(suspenseful music)

(toilet flushing)

(soft music)

Ow.

Come on, you wanted to
see what it'd look like.

Hey where do you wanna go,
I'm not done.

Um, it's late.

School night?

Who's that guy in the coat?

Shh, no work talk
right now, please.

No...

Uh, what the fuck?

You what the fuck.

When was I "too low
on widow's money

to afford a tap card" ?

It's a good line, set the scene.

Bereaved,
from all walks of life,

happily overlook
the need for any proof,

which Mr. Dunning
conveniently does not provide.

That happened, John.

You've ruined me.

[Valerie] That's just
the first part.

Did you bother
scrolling to the end?

Did you see how
fast it's getting shared?

That's worse.

That's what we wanted.

Go write another
list about what you want.

All right, top ten
ways I beat your ass.

Try it.

Can you not?

Free country.

God damn it.

It's over for me.

What's over,
they want three more.

It doesn-- it doesn't
matter what else you say.

Anybody who reads this,

anybody whose mind
isn't already made up,

no one's ever going
to believe me again.

They won't need to,
you're getting that island.

No, that's not gonna happen.

Because I found Chumash.

Who is it?

Not who, where.

[John] Where?

We're not friends again,
not yet.

[John] Val.

Ms. Kreuger.

Ms. Kreuger, please?

You know, I'm having
doubts about your commitment.

This article is the biggest
thing I have ever published,

and I'm not chancing
it on another tantrum.

There is a version of this
where you end up with no money,

no island, no pills,
and a lot of enemies.

Or, there is the version
where you keep playing nice,

and we both get
everything we want.

Pick.

I'm gonna salvage my night.

Your place, tomorrow,
not too early.

(eerie music)

Listen, about last--

Shh, the car is a
quiet place right now.

(pensive music)

[Valerie] End of the road, well?

Can I talk now?

Okay, I apologize.

For what, I'm a fraud, remember?

Look, it wasn't personal, okay?

No, no, that's what I am,
I'm a strip mall psychic.

You're not the first person
to use harsh language with me.

I'm used to it.

Then why do you care so much
about everybody believing you?

Have you ever looked in the eyes of
a parent that just buried a child?

Now think about
calling them stupid.

Call them a victim.

Because if I'm a liar,
that's what they are.

What do you suppose they do?

That's why.

So, where to?

Um, this is it,
Chumash trail head.

I guess we walk.

You see something?

Oh god, yeah.

What?

I knew I knew that name.

First Governor of
the territory, Burnett

marched a thousand members
of the New Zion cult

out of the territory.

And a half of them died,
all along Chumash Trail,

Can you see where it was?

I have to go.

[Valerie] Hey.

I can't, that's the
most I've ever seen.

[Valerie] It's okay.

I can't.

Come on, you got this, just
look at me, look right here.

(muffled speaking)

This way.
Come on.

There we go.

Seeing anything?

No.

Hey, what's out there?

I saw a shovel back there.

So, um...

you first?

Excuse me?

There could be clues.

No, this one's all you.

Got a light?

(thudding)

[Valerie] Found the
breaker, see anything?

[John] Yeah.

[Valerie] What?

[John] I don't know.

I think this could be a clue.

Well, they said he was troubled.

It's English,
I guess, disorganized.

It made sense to him.

Too bad we can't ask.

We can't ask, right?

No.

Too bad.

So what do we do?

Well I was hired to investigate.

So I guess I'll look through it.

See if any of it
makes sense, or--

You want to tell
Carmine about anything?

No, it's something
but it's not enough.

And Carmine Bellvue is not a man

you go to empty handed.

- Looks like it'll take a while.
- Mm-hm.

Guess we'll be
spending a night or two?

Hmm.

You good here,
not seeing anything?

No, it's dry.

I'll leave you to it, then.

(eerie music)

(thudding)

Val?

Val?

Hey are you all right?

The light went out.

Yeah?

I can't, the light can't
go out, I cannot do that.

It's probably just
the breaker, it's okay.

It can't go out, John.

It won't.

It won't.

Hey um, you don't
have to talk about it,

if you don't want to,
that's okay.

Could I?

Everyone kept trying to help,
that's what was so weird.

Help the girl,
save the girl, God.

I spent two hundred days in
a hole in Aleppo, no lights.

Was it worth it?

Goddamn right.

Is that why?

No, actually, that's later.

I was posted to
a camp outside Al Fashir,

in Sudan for a month
covering the refugees.

Actually ran into
a Nat Geo crew,

they were the ones
that pointed it out.

This pack of...

Do you know how hyenas hunt?

They follow...

They stalk, and wait.

And they're very vocal,
much smarter than you'd think.

This pack discovered our camp,

but they kept a distance,
they listened.

See, hyenas can
mimic sounds they hear,

almost anything, really.

So this pack watched,
and waited.

After a few weeks we started
hearing things at night.

Like sounds calling,
from beyond the fence.

Calling a name,
or what sounded like one.

The name of one of the
youngest kids in the camp.

"Ali, Ali,"

went on for a few hours,

and then all the sudden
it just... stopped.

The next day, no little Ali.

Just the hyenas.

They listened, and learned
the name of the smallest one.

He must've thought his dad came back
at night, got lost in the dark.

You see, the worst part,
is that the hyenas don't know

that it's just a name,
just one person.

They think it's a call.

So after they took little Ali,
night after night,

they kept calling his name,

hoping someone else
would come out, in the dark.

Was it a good story?

Never published it.

Hey, just checking in.
I haven't--

Yeah, he found something.

It could, but I--

Yes.

Yes.

Yes, but I'm gonna
need something first.

What's the verdict?

I think he was building
something, a machine.

I think these are directions.

Directions written
over directions.

What does it do?

I don't know,
I don't think he did either.

But a lot of the pages
reference a circle,

so I don't know
if it's a a place,

or something else, or this.

Okay, well some
good news just came in.

First checks for the article.

This just went through.

Your check's the same.

They like it.

[Valerie] They like it a lot.

They want the next part soon.

Okay, um, I can
work through the night?

No, I think you
deserve a night off.

(soft music)

I shouldn't.

Come on, you've made
me drink alone all week.

Oh, the Thorazine,
it might interact, I couldn't.

You deserve it.

So what are you gonna do first?

First, I didn't really
plan on having much money.

I don't know what I'll do first.

Is there a house on your
island, you could build there.

I don't know, I've never been.

Never been?

No, the Bellvues
control the ferry.

So I've only heard
about it from Margaret.

Jesus Christ,
all this for a place,

and you don't even know
if you can live there.

Just to be alone?

Who wouldn't
want their own island?

[Valerie] Not you,
you want that one, tell me.

No one ever died
on Rangor Island,

but it's the closest place
to where she did, I think.

Oh.

I'm sorry, um...
I didn't think I had that much.

You haven't.

There's something I need
to know, John, for me.

Look at me, look!
You're gonna answer me.

Is your name John Dunning?

Yes.

And do you see the dead?

(choking)

Look at me!
Do you see dead people?

You are going to answer me,
do you see dead people?

Stop.

Look at me! Answer me!

Okay, this is gonna hurt, John.

This will send thirty thousand
volts through your spine.

This battery will last
a lot longer than you.

Look at me and tell me truth,
do you see dead people?

(battery buzzing)

Answer me!! Look at me!!

(battery buzzing)

Look at me! Answer me!

(battery buzzing)

Don't worry,
it didn't leave a mark.

(John whispers) I don't...

(water running)

Hey, um,

Obviously I--

I don't normally...

clearly I had too much.

But, um...

I don't know if I said anything,

but if I did
I want to apologize.

You're good,
you didn't say anything.

I'm going to try to find some
WiFi, turn this draft in.

Not sure when I'll be back.

(suspenseful music)

I know you.

Are you following me, too?

Hmm?

Why don't you just go away?

Why don't you go away?

[Valerie] What happened?

Can you lift anything?

So?

So.

What do we do?

How'd the safety come off?

How did that happen, John?

Guns just don't go off,
was it really a mistake?

Yes.

Fine, then it needs
to be put somewhere

where it's not going to be found

with a bullet from my gun in it.

I think we need to ask for help.

Really, and who do you suppose

we are going to ask
for help with this, hm?

I don't know, is there,
someone you can call, a favor?

Oh, that's a pretty goddamn
big fucking favor, John.

Do you really--

Yeah, actually, you do, okay.

Where are you going?

[Valerie] To make a call.

(whistling)

So, we're even?

Maybe for you.

Not for her, though.

You called my boy.

[Valerie] I don't believe this.

Go, have your date,

he and I have words.

Val.

[Valerie] Don't.

Prepare him.

You don't get to
stay clean on this one.

We all have our hands on it.

I--

Just take off the parts they ID.

So.

[Valerie] So?

So you can like, start.

Oh can I?

Go on.

Not happening.

What's the matter?

Don't think I will?

You could try,
and you would fail.

I'm not feelin' it.

Just, give me a minute.

This wasn't your idea, was it?

Hey, I ain't got a problem.

No, you're just not feeling it.

Look, it's okay, it is, really.

Just, just give me a minute,

then we can go outside--

Oh I'm doing you a favor now?

Hey.

Look I'm going to need you
to do exactly what I say, okay?

Then you can go tell
them whatever you want.

You walk the dark road now.

What are you doing?

I'm done here, John,
I'm picking some pictures

to send to Carmine,
then I'm done here.

No, I haven't
figured it out yet.

And I don't care, okay?

I've reached the absolute limit

of what I'm willing to endure
for this, congratulations.

I don't know
what happened just now.

You don't.

But I can't leave,
I haven't figured it out yet.

You don't have to, John, okay?

You can bury yourself down
here with this garbage, okay?

Look, you want a copy?

Why is the photograph different?

What?

Why aren't there lines in the
pages in the photograph?

[Valerie] What lines, John?

You don't see them, do you?

No.

It's the circle, he left it.

[Valerie] Oh my god.

Val, you can't go...
it's dark.

Decide where I leave you,
I go tomorrow.

Within the hour,

I'm leaving him
north of here, past mile 43.

[Val's voice echoing] Yes.

Okay, Carmine wants him
by the end of the day,

so hurry out here, okay?

And try not to hurt him.

(gun shot firing)

It wasn't up to me.

I wanted to trust you.

I know.

So what do you get out of it,
40 million and an island?

Just a job.
A real job at a real paper.

He still follows you,
you know, that little kid.

I saw him on the beach,
I didn't say anything.

Maybe he thought it was
you calling for him.

You shouldn't follow me.

You shouldn't go, John.

It will be dark soon.

(eerie music)

(alarm buzzing)

Hello?

[Receptionist] Deliveries
on Tuesdays only.

I'm not delivery.

I'd like to see the dam.

[Receptionist]
Historical tours

are weekends or
by appointment only.

I'm from the ownership, Bellvue.

[Receptionist] Oh, the main
facility doors are locked,

but I can allow access though
the historical section.

You can't open them for me?

[Receptionist]
I'm not there, sir.

(alarm buzzing)

An automated message will
play, you can ignore it.

(muffled automated message)

(machines clanging loudly)

(suspenseful music)

(silenced gunshot,
casing clatters)

Hello.

Next month there'll be
a round of buyouts

at Seattle, or Boston,

they'll pick you up after.

Seattle?

Wait that's not what
the arrangement was for.

You'll be contributing to
start, full staff in six months.

Six months,
I can't just leave here.

You're being fairly compensated.

The deal was for a full--

For sufficient evidence
to settle this quietly,

which it isn't.

Be grateful, Ms. Kreuger.

So this is what
it's like to be bought.

This is your stop.

Now, I know it was only rubber,

but that's gonna leave a mark.
You're gonna want to ice that.

You're late, again.

But I'm glad you showed up.

My uncle should be coming along

to collect you,

in about an hour.

In the meantime,

I'll be meeting
out your punishment.

Try to remember, all of
this could've been avoided.

Learn from your missteps,
grow as a person, huh?

I found it.

Oh, did you have
something to say?

I found, what Jacob,
was building.

You what?

I found what Jacob was building.

You did?

Oh John, that never mattered.

Wait a minute, there's a...

there's a joke here, hold on.

Fish out of water?

Ah, that's stupid.

Something, pond?

Eh.

Out of your depth,
maybe, is that it?

I don't know, I've had a...

I have to ask that writer
friend of yours, huh?

(soft music)

(coughing and gagging)

When you're ready and
attentive, I'd like to begin.

You see what I meant about
Elias, too temperamental.

He began with violence,
and tipped his hand.

That's a bad business.

This should be brief,
as you're out of options.

I do have to thank you, though.

You really didn't make this
more complicated than necessary.

Traipsing around my son's homes,

letting you
contaminate his effects,

building your own
case against yourself,

it was complicated,
more than I generally prefer,

and we couldn't
have done it without you.

You didn't want
me to find anything.

No, I wanted a known fraud

to break into a dead man's
property, and you did.

You probably still
have some of his things

on you right now, don't you?

I loved my son.

But he was just a schizophrenic,

who couldn't tell the difference
between real and imaginary,

and he couldn't be
trusted, so he had to go.

And for all
intents and purposes,

you're the one who did it.

So here's what happens next,

you'll sign over the
deed to Rangor Island,

as a donation
to a charity we own.

You'll leave the state,

and no one will ever
know about any of this.

Or you refuse.

I'll call for an inquiry,

You'll forfeit
the island anyway,

while you rot pending
trial for my son's murder.

I recommend the first scenario.

What about the man?

Which man?

The man I killed.

We have a problem.

Carmine, I'm going
to need an explanation.

I'm going to need to know why

I'm looking at
a corpse in my office.

Don't be cryptic,
Mr. Chroniker.

Specifically the
corpse of Eli Rothschild.

Is this something
you want me to pass on?

Henry, I'm going to need you
to be very smart right now.

Can you do that?

A courtesy, Carmine, this is
the second call I make today.

Was he not so receptive?

We have a much larger issue.

The Rothschild's must
have had him followed,

and Eli wound up dead.

How long until they find out?

They know.

Christ.

Because when they
get here we're fucking--

First Jacob steals the pieces,

and now the entire island is--

Not one more word, that island,
the circle, are above you.

This needs to be
settled and buried

before they can prove
there's a problem.

Is he not so receptive
to your diplomacy, either?

Well, you got nowhere, as usual,

thrashing about like a mad ape.

He needs to be broken,
immediately.

He really thinks he sees ghosts.

I found him breathing
hard, scared of the dark.

You'll have to pardon me,

I'm going to break
a rule of mine.

Oh?

I'll indulge the child.

He wants to see ghosts, fine.

Mr. Dunning, I'll need
you to come with us.

I'd have to say no.

Naturally.

You know the
biggest lie we tell?

That you can
make it on your own.

Christmas parties, quarterly
reviews, keynotes every year.

There are echelons
to this world,

heights of power,

that are impossible
without cohesion.

A circle, a collection of power,

that raises us all
above the surface.

I'm going to be
forthright with you, John.

The man you killed
belonged to that circle.

His family belongs
to that circle.

We all have,
for hundreds of years,

ever since we
discovered that island.

And that circle
will close around you

like a noose if
you don't step away.

A lot of skeletons
in these closets.

I'm taking you to
where we bury them all.

(thunder crashing)

Battery Point light house.

12 stories high,
but the interesting part is,

it's equally deep.

Final resting place
of the countless souls

who stood in our way
for a hundred years.

Say hello for me.

(eerie music)

That pain you feel is the lime.

It will begin dissolving
your flesh shortly.

Your time is limited, John.

(eerie music)

(growling voice)
You see me.

I see you.

(hoarse whisper) Look at me.

I can't.

Yes.

I'm going to die down here.

I did.

Look at her.

John...

How did you show me that?

The machine.

I made it to see.

I can help you

see her.

How?

Break the circle.

I'm unconcerned,
get him here now.

The court opens at 9 a.m.
and by 9:01 this will be final.

You weren't followed?

Not that we saw.

They'll be here soon
enough, show me the documents.

I've prepared what I could,

but without the signature
of the estate holder

it's not going to be--

I am extracting his
consent at the present.

This is not the only issue,
Mr. Bellvue.

The nature of the state's
contract on water rights

requires a judge's approval.

- Wait a minute we--
- Pending an inspection.

We bought a
clear inspection last year,

that doesn't carry over?

Legally, no.

And that's usually
how judges prefer things.

Before this night is over,

either that island
will belong to this family,

or we'll all end up at
the bottom of that pit.

Use your god damn head,
and fix this immediately.

Write a new report,
call Judge Finegold,

wake him up, we own him.

Settle this!

[Jacob] Follow.

I could just go,
I could leave right now.

[Jacob] Follow.

Break them.

See her.

[Carmine]
Those were headlights.

You're slipping, Carmine.

Calm down.

I will not.

(dramatic music)

(gun clicking)

Oh.

(thunder crashing)

(eerie music)

Jonah, have some flowers sent
around to the Bellvue estate.

There's been a terrible loss.

The matter of the island.

Um...

it's out of my hands.

This makes two people
now you've killed

in order to keep it, tell me,

would you kill me too?

Yes.

And why should
you keep that island?

Because it is mine.

Because I made it on my own.

We'll be seeing you,
Mr. Dunning.

I really, really
should kill you.

Why?

I just made you a billionaire.

Hey.

You need a ride?

I thought I heard someone coming

after I dropped the ladder,
you didn't hear me?

No, how did you find me?

Homework.

I left the back
door open for you.

I saw.

Why?

I figured out
who was telling the truth.

I decided to believe you.

Hey um, could we
make a stop please?

Hey uh, I know this
isn't a regular thing,

but I got some
names if you want them.

We got, Eli Rothschild,
age unknown, murdered.

Got, Carmine Bellvue,
age unknown, murdered.

Um, okay,

I never hurt anyone before.

I never wanted
anything enough to do it.

But uh, some people
hired me to see something,

and I told them I could.

And I wanted to help, but

I hurt a lot of people Levi,

because I said
I could see something.

What I saw...

I don't know.

What if it's in my head?

What if I don't see anything?

Excuse me, sir?

Hello.

I'm sorry, but we're just
about to remove the property.

It's all right, I know Levi, so.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Were you not told?

Father Levi he, just passed.

Expensed it, just for you.

(pensive music)

♪ Tell me who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Tell me who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Tell me who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Wrote the book
of the seven seals

♪ Who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Tell me who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Wrote the book
of the seven seals

♪ You know God walked down
in the cool of the day

♪ Called Adam by his name

♪ But he refused to answer

♪ Because he's naked and ashamed

♪ Who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Who's that writin'?

♪ John the Revelator

♪ Wrote the book
of the seven seals

♪ You know Christ had