Things (1993) - full transcript
In "The Wrap-Around Story", after a man leaves his mistress in their motel room, his wife sneaks in with a gun and ties the mistress up and forces the mistress to listen to two stories and critique them. The first is "The Box," and involves three hookers arriving in a mining town to move into a theater they bought to be their whorehouse. The town's mayor is upset, as he governs all the morals in the town. He has a box with a "thing" in it that people are afraid of: bad news for the hookers. The second is "Thing in a Jar," in which a woman keeps having vivid nightmares and visions of her husband mutilating her. She has a friend who encourages her to leave her husband, but it may not be that easy.
(dramatic music)
- [Jane] Oh, Jack,
yes, yes, Jack, yes!
(moaning)
- Number 33, wow!
Wait till the guys in the
coffee room hear abour her.
I'll show 'em this time.
(moaning)
- Jack.
(moaning)
Jack.
Who the hell are you?
- You might say I'm with
a collection agency.
- What?
- You borrowed
something of mine.
- What?
- My husband.
- Your husband?
- Boy, I see your
brains are packed
as solidly as your breasts.
Jack, the accountant
you just screwed,
or don't you remember
that far back?
- He didn't say anything
at all about being married.
- Oh, and would it have
mattered if he had?
- Would what have mattered?
- Look, just tell me your name.
- Why would I do that?
- Because I have a loaded gun.
- Jane Lawson, please
don't shoot, no!
- Lawson.
Is that with an 'on' or an 'en'?
- An 'on'.
- Okay, Jane, get up.
- What?
- Boy, he really can pick 'em.
Read my lips, dear.
Get up and sit in this chair.
Are you gonna sit
in this chair or am
I gonna blow your
fucking brains out?
- Okay, okay!
What are you doing?
- This is a rope, Jane.
I'm tying you up.
- You're crazy!
What are you gonna do with me?
- What do you think?
You do think once in a
while, don't you, Jane?
- [Jane] Are you gonna kill me?
- I'm going to tell you
two stories and after
I've finished you
get to review them.
Your fate, shall we say,
will depend entirely
upon those reviews.
Don't lie to me, Jane, I
always know when people
are lying to me,
especially bimbos like you.
- I'm not a bimbo!
- Shut up and listen!
The first story concerns a box.
You might say people have been
dying to know what's in it.
Once upon a time, there were
three little prostitutes.
You ought to like this one.
They were moving to a desolate
little mining town in Nevada.
(slow disco music)
- Hey man, here come
the whores, dude!
(guys chattering)
- [Man] Oh, man, look at them!
Look at that blondie!
Come on, get out of
the car, come on.
- Hey, baby!
(guys chattering)
- [Daisy] You gotta
be kidding me.
There's just one door to
this joint, is that it?
- [Sherry] Well now, honey,
it's our home we can
put in another door.
We can put in 20 doors
if we feel like it.
- We'll make it our home.
- Yes, honey, we'll
make it our home.
The theater's right ahead here
and our rooms are upstairs.
This is a nice, old theater.
Wouldn't you say, girls?
I bet we can perform
very nicely here.
- Yeah, as long as we're on our
backs in time for the climax.
(Sherry laughs)
Right, Tulip?
(ominous music)
What a fucking dump.
- [Mayor] Who wears the
hat in this town, Ernie?
- You do, Mayor Black.
- [Mayor] Then why did you
sell them the old theater?
You know how I hate sin.
- I didn't know they were ladies
of the night, they tricked me!
- When you first decided
to bring a theater
to this town I thought,
what an excellent idea.
Art, culture.
We can have that.
One man!
(Ernie screaming)
- Boss, I'll do anything!
I'll get them to go!
- They signed a contract.
You let them move into the
very place where I trained him.
Easy, my friend, easy.
Soon, my friend, soon.
Soon.
My poor friend.
Never to see the
beauty of the world.
Never to see the sunlight.
Never to see the flowers.
I love flowers.
(crying)
Don't you, Ernie?
(screaming)
- Please, Mayor, let me go!
I'll get you money, anything!
- I have everything I need.
If I were you, (laughs) I'd
start saying my prayers.
- No!
(crying)
No!
Oh my, God!
(screaming)
(wailing)
(squishing)
(screaming)
No!
(slurping)
- [Man] Why do they
call her Tulip?
- She's a flower.
My name's Daisy.
I'm a flower, too.
- Wait, why can't she
start work until tomorrow?
I mean, she doesn't have
disease or something, does she?
- Hey, are you paying
to talk or what?
- I just, I can't stop
thinking about Tulip.
I mean, you know, the miners
are gonna line up for her.
And I'm gonna be
right there in front.
Hope you're gonna
be open tomorrow.
- Why wouldn't we
be open tomorrow?
- Mayor Black is the
man with the hat.
- The man with the hat?
Is that some sort of
slang that miners use?
- Mayor Black has his way around
in this town and
he says only the
man in charge should
be wearing a hat.
Yeah, a few have
tried to wear one
but they, they disappeared.
- That's crazy!
Why would he care if
someone wore a hat or not?
- Well, just don't be calling
him crazy, even if he is.
If the man in charge should be
wearing a hat who
am I to disagree?
- I don't think I'm
gonna like it here.
- I don't think you're gonna
be here very long, anyway.
The mayor gets a
little high and mighty
and if he wants you
out he was gonna take
his little box here
and you'll be out.
- What box, huh?
What are you talking about?
- You'll find out soon enough.
- Now Tulip, honey,
you just keep telling
yourself I am doing
the right thing.
I'm doing the right thing.
After the first time it'll
all seem much easier.
More natural, it's
just a natural act.
- Do you really think this
could lead to my big break?
- Oh, honey, there's
a good chance.
You meet a lot of
politicians in this business.
- You really think
I could meet one,
a senator or a governor?
(laughs)
- Well, anything's possible.
And one thing's for sure,
you have a much better
shot at it here than you
do where I found you,
scrubbing floors and
waiting on tables.
- I don't feel
right in this place.
I mean, there's no windows
on the ground floor
and there's a bolt on the door.
It's as if someone
wants to keep us in.
- Tulip, honey, don't you waste
another second worrying
about this place.
I will take that bar
off tomorrow morning
and we'll put some
windows in here.
We'll make it our home.
Now, let's make sure you are
ready for tomorrow morning.
Each man gets one hour.
If you go even a second over
you charge him for another hour.
And arch your back when
you stand, oh, yes.
It accentuates your assets.
(laughs)
Now, Tulip, honey swing
your hips when you walk.
(sexy music)
That's it.
Swing your hips Tulip, honey.
God gave you the
goods, use them.
(gasps)
- I'm Mayor Black.
Are you the new owner
of this theater?
- I am.
My name is Sherry Leroux.
What can I do for you, Mayor?
- This town maintains
strict moral standards
and when you bought this theater
your intentions
were not made clear.
- I have a permit.
- Only I wear a
hat in this town.
The man with the
hat owns the box.
The man with the
hat makes the rules!
(laughs)
- The real estate agent did not
tell me about the mad hatter.
- He won't make
that mistake again.
I require a city license
for prostitution.
You don't have one.
I expect you to
be out by morning.
- Prostitution is
legal in this state
and I have a
license to prove it.
I have been around
the block, honey.
You can't pull any tricks on me.
(ominous music)
And I own this theater
and you are trespassing.
I suggest you leave
now and give me back
my hat or I will press charges.
- Well, press charges, then.
Although I'm sure
the judge would be
very partial to my
side of the story
seeing as how he and I
are very good friends.
We're close.
In fact, it's me. (laughs)
- Mayor, are you interested?
She starts work tomorrow.
- I don't pay for sin.
- Well, seeing as
how you are the man
with the hat maybe we
could arrange a deal
where you wouldn't have to pay.
- What's your name, child?
- Tulip.
- You don't belong here, Tulip.
I could take you away.
Protect you.
- (laughs) How many times do you
think she's heard
that line before?
- I could protect
you from the box.
- Tulip, honey, when
a man comes along
with real power and wealth
you can go with him,
use him, but don't waste
yourself on this one.
- I have the power
here, I have the box.
- Go back to the kitchen, honey.
- [Mayor] Stay with me, Tulip.
- I think you should leave.
- You'll be sorry, Tulip.
You'll both be sorry.
- Yes!
(moaning)
(alarm ringing)
Your hour's up.
(man moaning)
Care to try again?
- No, I think I'll
wait till tomorrow
when the place is really open.
- We're open now.
- Then I wanna see Tulip!
- What is it with Tulip?
- I don't know.
I mean, she's a
looker and all that,
but it's just there's
more to it than that.
- You only saw her for a minute.
- I know, it's just,
she's everything
beautiful in this
stinkin' world.
She's like music and
flowers and sunsets.
It's crazy, isn't it?
She's got me talking
like some sissy.
- She's just a hooker!
- Look, I know.
When you're down there in
the mines every day, all day.
I mean, it's dark and
you start dreaming.
You start dreaming about
somebody like Tulip.
- I'm sick of
hearing about Tulip!
I'll tell you what
you can do with Tulip!
- Look, I know what
I can do with Tulip.
I just hope the mayor
doesn't get to you all first.
(wind rushing)
(dramatic music)
(coughing)
- Damn things are gonna kill me.
(laughing)
(rattling)
(screams)
- Miss Leroux?
Miss Leroux?
(screams)
(dramatic music)
(tapping phone)
Oh, God!
- [Daisy] Oh, Jesus Christ!
- She's dead!
- What the hell happened to her?
- I don't know.
- Call the police!
(banging)
Goddamn, we're locked in!
- Who would do
something like this?
- Anybody in this town
could have done it.
I knew I never should
have taken this job!
- Mayor Black had
something to do with this.
He has the power, the thing
in the box is not human!
- What the hell are
you talking about?
- We're locked in here!
It wants to kill us,
it's going to kill us!
It's going to kill us!
(slapping)
Why did you hit me so hard?
- Whoever did this
must still be in here.
I'm gonna find him and
kill him before he kill us.
- I told you, it's the thing
from the box that did it.
Mayor Black was here earlier.
He said whoever owns
the box rules this town.
- Yeah, my last John said
something about a box, too.
You know, this place
is too crazy for me.
Sounds like it's right
up your alley, though.
(crashing)
Whatever it is,
I'm sure this knife
will put a nice dent in it.
- Maybe we should
get up off the floor.
- What difference does it make?
- You want to live, don't you?
- Yeah, we're
living here, anyway.
- I'm gonna be someone important
some day, a politician.
- Would you give me a break
with the politician bullshit?
The closest you'll ever get to
a politician is
sharing a bed with one.
- Don't you think I'd
make a good politician?
I'm honest, fair, I
care about people.
- Yeah, just your average
fair and honest politician.
- Why don't you like me?
I never hurt you.
- Look, I'm sure you'd
make a good politician.
It never hurts to
set your goals high.
- You really think so?
- No!
Well, that's what you
wanted to hear, isn't it?
- I want to hear the truth.
- A hooker for President.
Vote for me and I'll
screw you for free.
- Miss Leroux said a few call
girls have become senators.
- She would have told you
anything you want to hear.
You would have been the best
meal ticket she ever had.
Now, you have some
real control over men.
- She was my friend.
Ever since I was six
years old and my father...
Men have always
done things to me.
They have always controlled me.
- It's because you don't
know how to use them.
- You don't understand!
When I got my first
job as a waitress
my boss kept me late and
on the second night he...
(crying)
I want to become a politician
so I can make the laws.
I want power, I
want to protect us!
(crying)
(screams)
There!
- Stay here!
- [Tulip] Why?
- Because if someone
opens that door
one of us has to be here.
- Well, who would come
to the door at this--
- Stay here!
- You shouldn't go alone!
- Don't worry about
me, that thing's
nothing but a pathetic
piece of shit.
- Daisy, wait!
I have a feeling
about this creature.
That it could kill us
right now if it wanted to.
- It's just a big slug!
- It's playing a game with us.
I know this sounds
strange, but (laughs)
I think it's flirting.
- Look, you gotta
pull it together!
You know what I mean?
- You think I'm crazy. (laughs)
- You've been through a lot.
We both have, we
can get through it.
- Daisy.
You're the only
friend I have now.
- I'll be right back.
(ominous music)
(dramatic music)
(crashing)
(door creaking)
(steps creaking)
(ominous music)
(chilling music)
(dramatic music)
(screaming)
- I didn't see you.
- How did you get in here?
- I took the bolt off the door.
There's another
door in the hall.
- Please help us,
the thing is here!
- I'm not getting involved!
- Please, I'll do anything!
Anything!
(ominous music)
(gurgling)
(screaming)
Daisy!
(screaming)
(thrashing)
(gasping)
Be careful.
(screaming)
- [Man] Get it off!
(creature slurping)
(screaming)
- Going somewhere, Tulip?
Sit down, Tulip.
I've loved you from the first
moment I laid eyes on you.
But you know that, don't you?
- Why did you do it?
- The men in this
town live by my rules.
A place like this will
only bring 'em down.
- But people are dead.
You're responsible!
- You all had your chance
to follow my rules.
- And they say I'm crazy.
But you're the crazy one!
- All great leaders have
left people in the dust!
You remember that!
No matter how much
respect they command.
No matter how many
memorials or schools that go
in their names, they all
have blood on their hands.
It goes with the job.
- You're no leader.
You're a leech!
Just like the thing in the box!
- This is your last chance.
Come with me now.
I can give you a life where
you'll never have to work.
No one will ever harm you.
- Wait!
Before I die, just
tell me what it is.
- I found him in the mines.
- Him?
- I raised him, trained him,
right here in this theater.
- The bolt on the door
was to keep him in.
- He lives on coal, but
he likes the taste of blood.
He was surprisingly
easy to train.
- You trained him so he won't
attack anyone wearing a hat.
- Join me, you can wear a hat.
- I could never be like you.
- Don't be too sure!
You, too, might thirst for
blood once you've had a taste.
I have everything I want.
I have everything I need.
- Everything, except me.
(yelling)
- What is it?
What is your power over me?
Is it just me or do all men lose
their minds at the sight of you?
(thudding)
(groaning)
- Are you afraid
to watch me die?
Well, live with this;
I would rather die than
spend one hour with you!
They call me Tulip.
Miss Leroux said that I
have the gift of the flower.
I can open my buds at the sun.
I don't think I've
ever blossomed.
I don't want to hurt you.
I'm just looking for
a place to call home.
A place with beauty and love.
I'm looking for a place
out of the darkness.
I know you must be looking, too!
Don't you understand me?
I want to help you!
We could help each other.
(chilling music)
(wind rushing)
(wolf howling)
- Tulip?
(chilling music)
(yelling)
(slurping)
(country music)
(slurping)
- So, what do you think?
- I think you have a twisted
and warped imagination.
- Twisted and warped, good!
No one's ever used those
adjective before, I like them.
- No one, you mean
you've done this before?
- Done what?
I'm just sharing some of
my imaginative access.
You happen to be a captive
audience, that's all.
- Look, if I'm not
back at the lab,
they're gonna miss
me, I'm very punctual.
- And where did you tell
your colleagues you would be?
Out screwing my husband?
- If you're so damn smart,
how come Jack sought me out?
- He's stupid.
- And you're not,
holding me hostage here?
- And just who knows
you're here, Miss Ph.D?
I somehow doubt you left this
tar pit as your
emergency number.
So tell me, Janie dear,
who's the stupid one here?
- Look, I'm tired, my
head hurts, I'm thirsty
and I'm sick of sitting
here fucking naked!
- Oh, well said, college grad.
But I still have one
more story to tell.
- [Gen] I don't remember
when Leon and I first met,
but we were married
within a year.
I'd never been
happier in my life.
Everything seemed
wonderful until Leon
lost his old job and
then something changed.
Everything changed.
In small ways you might not
notice, but that you could feel.
My father had never liked Leon
and now I started to wonder.
What had started in daylight
would end in a nightmare.
(creepy music)
(crickets chirping)
What, what do you want?
- Come on, baby, daddy's lonely.
Daddy needs you.
- [Gen] It's the
middle of the night.
- Oh, what fucking
difference does time make?
- We've already done it twice.
- Oh, you're keeping count?
Am I on an allowance?
I want some love and I gotta ask
your permission all of a sudden?
Listen, I earn the money.
I pay for this house,
I pay for the yard.
I pay for the food and
I pay for this bed.
And I ain't gonna ask what I can
and can't do when I'm at home.
- No, don't hit me, please!
- The fucking Queen
of Sheba, you are!
All you gotta do all
day is three things;
eat, shit and fuck!
Yeah, it's that fucking
Beverly bitch, isn't it?
Huh?
She's putting ideas
into your head
that I'm a loser, that
you ought to dump me!
- No honey, no!
Okay, you're right
about Beverly,
you're right about everything.
I was just, you
know, sleepy before,
I didn't know what I was saying.
Besides, you know
how long it takes
for my motor to start running.
But you've got it purring
along in high gear, now.
What could I have been thinking?
Three time in one night
with a tiger like you?
- Oh, forget it!
I'm not in the mood anymore.
Thinking of that Beverly chick
has ruined the whole thing.
Is she quite happy now?
- Sorry, honey.
Can we try it again?
- Oh, forget it.
Just shut up and
don't even talk to me.
- So you're just gonna lay
there like that all night?
- Like what?
Like what?
(ominous music)
Just what are you
looking at, bitch?
What are you looking at?
You know I'm tired of
you always looking at me?
Always looking at me.
I'm gonna make sure you're not
looking at anything for a while.
(muffled crying)
(crunching)
(phone ringing)
- Hello, Bev?
I know it's late.
It happened again.
- Another nightmare?
This can't go on.
- This is the worst one yet.
Leon was so angry
he cut out my eyes.
God, it was horrible!
- Listen, kid, dreams are
how we talk to ourselves.
Pay attention, huh?
Get away from the guy.
- But it was just a dream.
You know, all warped
and exaggerated.
Just a horrible dream.
- This time, sure, but
next time it may be real.
Then it'll be too late.
- [Leon] Who are you talking to?
- I gotta go, Bev, I'll
talk to you tomorrow.
- You calling Bev for advice?
That cunt.
- No, Leon, I wasn't.
- Yeah, you woke me up!
- [Gen] I was just-- (cracking)
- Maybe that will
stop you talking
on the phone late at night.
And stop your moaning
and your bitching,
arguing and complaining,
or I'll stop it for good!
(spitting)
(gargling)
What is it?
- Nothing.
- If you're dreaming,
I hope it's about me.
- Sure, honey.
- It better be.
How about some breakfast?
(creepy tinkling music)
(sizzling)
- It happened again last night.
This was the worst one yet,
he was pulling out my eyes.
- Hey come on,
where's my breakfast?
- Be right there.
I don't know, I must be
hallucinating or something.
I can't seem to stop them.
(gasping)
- [Bev] What is it, Jen?
- Look, I've gotta go.
- [Bev] Meet me for
lunch, we can talk more.
- Sure, say noon at Pappy's?
See you then.
Here you go, hon.
Your last home-cooked meal
for the next couple of days.
- It's about time.
Whoa, this again.
- Well, it's your favorite.
- That doesn't mean that I
have to have it every day.
Besides, you don't fix it right.
(coughing)
Where's my coffee?
You expect me to choke
to death on this shit?
- I'll get it.
- I hope that isn't instant.
I get instant on the airplane.
I sure hope that
isn't-- (coughing)
What is this weed
doing in my food?
- It's parsley, honey,
you're not supposed to--
(yelling)
I'm sorry honey, I'm
sorry honey, I'm sorry!
- What are you doing?
Just stop it, will you?
Just stop it.
I am leaving in 10
minutes to catch a plane
to go to the most important
meeting of my life
and you help me by
ruining my shirt!
What the hell is
the matter with you?
- You're hurting me!
- Oh, I am, huh?
Well, let's see what
I can do about that.
You stick this poisonous
weed in my food
and now you ruin a
$50 dollar shirt!
- It was parsley.
Ow, my hand!
- Oh, this hand, this
hand that takes and takes
and throws and destroys
and breaks and breaks!
(crunching)
- The last was just this
morning, like a daydream.
I don't know what's
happening to me.
- [Bev] I do.
Ever hear of precognition?
It's people who can see
the future in their dreams.
- [Jen] Oh, come on!
- No, really!
They'll dream something
and it comes true.
Only most of the time
they don't know what
the dream means until
after it happens.
Right here, a woman who
lives miles from her son
and she has a recurring
dream that he stood
in front of her and
said, "Ma, I'm coming."
Well, just like that he falls
apart; arms, head everything.
What does she think?
That she's overworked
or bad pizza, whatever.
Anyway, you know what happened?
- Sure, they sell their story
to that sleazy rag and retire.
- Two days later her son's
decapitated in a car accident.
He was on his way to visit her.
- Disgusting, so what?
Are there any good UFO
stories in that issue?
- I thought you were
scared of your dreams.
I didn't come here
to play straight man.
- I am scared, I'm terrified.
- If that woman had
listened to her dreams
and warned her son, it
could have been avoided.
That's what you have to
do, listen to these dreams.
- Mine aren't that simple.
Leon's not really
like that, it's not--
- Oh, really?
I think he is.
Maybe not exactly
like in the dreams,
but he's a fucking,
fucking loose cannon.
You've got to get
as far away from him
as you can as soon as you can.
Don't listen to me,
listen to yourself.
You have to do this.
- If Leon catches
me, he'll kill me.
- [Bev] Don't worry.
He's away off in Chicago,
on business or something?
- For three days.
- Perfect, do it today.
- You make it sound so easy.
- It is.
First go to the bank
withdraw everything.
- [Jenny] Everything?
- Mmhmm.
In cash, you don't
want to leave a trail
of canceled checks or
credit card receipts behind.
In fact, destroy all your cards
and open new accounts
under a different name.
- Everything?
That'd be just like stealing,
the money belongs to both of us.
- Both of you?
Look kid, it's your money.
That louse didn't have a pot
to piss in when he married you.
And anything he's earned
off that so-called
real estate career is
just simple interest
on the heartache
he's caused you.
This is what you're
gonna live on, girl.
Grab it and run!
- Where will I go?
- Who cares?
Don't tell anyone, not even me.
As long as Leon's not there
it's the place for you.
- The car needs some
work before a long trip.
- Uh uh, don't take the car.
It could be traced if he hires
a detective or
reports it stolen.
Don't fly either, take a bus
and pay cash for the ticket.
- He calls once every night
when he's out of town.
I guess he wants to
make sure I'm not
out with someone
while he's gone.
- What time does he call?
- Seven, sharp.
- Is that the only
time he calls?
Perfect.
Go to the bank, go home and
pack and wait for his call.
When you hang up leave.
By the time he
calls the next night
you'll have a 24
hour head start.
He'll never find you.
- I don't know if I can do this.
- What are you gonna do,
wait for Mr. Wonderful
to dissect you?
I'll come around after work
to help you pack, okay?
A kind of moral support.
It's your decision, kid.
- Thanks, Bev.
I keep thinking about something
Leon said a long time ago.
- What was that?
Hey bitch, where's dinner?
- It happened just
after we were married.
Leon took me out to
this fancy restaurant.
We were sort of out of place.
Neither one of us had ever been
to a restaurant
like that before.
Maybe that's what
made him do it.
Well anyway, Leon
thought that the waiter
was paying too much attention
to me, making a pass at me,
and when the waiter asked
him what the problem was...
(punching)
- [Waiter] No, no,
no! (screaming)
- Leon grabbed him and
just beat him senseless.
Right there in
front of everybody.
- I guess that's why
you always eat in.
Jesus, you should have
seen this coming sooner.
- When we got home that
night, Leon said that
he'd kill me if I ever
left him for someone else.
You know what I told him?
- What?
- Ditto.
- Boy, if Tarzan doesn't
get the message sooner,
he's sure to know when
he sees your closet.
We're talking Mother
Hubbard, here.
- I never realized
I had so much stuff.
- Oh, geez. (laughs)
Oh, now that's too
important to leave behind.
- My dad gave it to
me before he died.
- Oh, what do you put in it?
- Nothing.
I never found anything
that was just right.
Have to be something
really special.
So now we wait.
Leon calls, I lie to him,
leave without a trace
and never see him again.
- Oh, come on, he's
been asking for this
for years and now
he's gonna get it.
After all, he likes to get
what he wants, doesn't he?
(phone ringing)
Go ahead.
- Hello, honey.
- [Leon] Any calls?
- No, did you get in alright?
- [Leon] Yeah, I hate Chicago.
It's like a toilet with windows.
Who needs it?
- Your flight was alright?
- [Leon] I said it was fine.
Now what are you up to?
- [Jen] Nothing.
I knew you'd call,
I was just waiting.
- [Leon] Nobody else
there, is there?
- No, I was just
watching Jeopardy.
You know, doing
nothing, as usual.
- [Leon] But Beverly,
she's not there, is she?
- No.
- [Leon] Good,
she's probably out
fixing someone else's life.
You know, I don't
like her messing
with your mind
while I'm not there.
- I told you, I'm alone.
- [Leon] Alright, I'll call
you again tomorrow night.
- Goodbye, honey.
I love you.
(phone buzzing)
- I hope this next bag's
as heavy as that last one.
My back's really enjoying this.
- Well, I did it.
- No, you're doing it.
Next stop, bus to anywhere.
- Can you wait outside for a me?
- Sure.
- I just need a
minute to say goodbye.
- Take all the time
you need, honey.
I'll come back
for that last bag.
- Thanks.
- Hey, come on, Gen, let's go!
My spine's breaking
under this pressure.
Hey, check this out.
I'm really getting
buff lugging your bags.
(laughs)
- Goodbye, nightmares.
- God, do I just love
this portable phone.
(screaming)
I got home a little
early, since I never left.
You look surprised.
(grunting)
(screaming)
(crashing)
- Beverly, help!
- How does this look?
- What are you doing?
- Getting ready to
screw your husband
after we finish screwing you.
(screaming)
(grunting)
(slicing)
- Why, why?
- For the money.
Of course, the sex
wasn't bad either.
- Wouldn't want us to live
in poverty now, would you?
(both laughing)
- Okay, okay, okay let's go.
You know the drill.
- Uh huh.
- Give me it, come on.
- Oh, I'll give it to you.
- Come on.
- I dress like her, I make sure
everyone sees me get on the bus.
I get on the midnight
bus to Tulsa.
- And?
- I get off at the first stop.
- Which is Blythe.
- Uh huh.
- Alright.
I'm gonna weigh Gen's
body down, I'm gonna throw
it in the river on the
way to pick you up.
- Mmhmm.
- Okay?
- Mmhmm.
- Good, let's go.
- Everyone will say, poor
baby, runaway wife left
with all the money and
disappeared into the night.
(laughs)
Poor lonely, Leon.
Do we really have
to wait a year?
- Yeah.
- Do we really have
to wait a year?
- Yeah.
Let's give it a year.
When everyone's forgotten
about it we can sell off
this joint and we'll
move wherever you desire.
Come on, let's go
to the living room.
- No, let's do it
in front of her.
- It doesn't matter
to her anymore.
- It matters to me.
(thudding)
Leon!
(thudding)
What'd she do with
the goddamn cash?
Leon.
Oh!
Oh Jesus, she
dreamed about this.
- Her hands, her
eyes and her teeth.
If they ever find the body,
these are what's
gonna give us away.
(gasps)
Hey, do you understand?
Yeah?
- Fingerprints, eye
color, dental records.
Sure, they're all on file.
If they found her, I know
it'd lead them to us.
(crunching)
I'm ready to go.
I looked everywhere, I
still can't find the cash.
- You looked everywhere?
- Yes.
Oh!
- She finally found a use
for this stupid thing.
I've got a better idea.
Now I add a little
acid for insurance.
(bubbling)
- [Bev] What's it say?
- No, it's nothing.
I always told her
not to listen to you.
- We'd better go.
She's got a bus to catch.
What are you doing?
- Well, we can't move away
and leave Geneva behind.
- Don't even joke about that.
I'll be in the shower.
- [Leon] I'll join,
digging's dirty work.
(grunting)
(crickets chirping)
(creepy laughing)
(woman moaning)
(bubbling)
(squishing)
(screaming)
(squirting)
(screaming)
(dripping)
- Come on in, baby,
I'm ready for you.
(breathing heavily)
What's wrong?
You know I don't like
to wait for what I want.
Are you hurt, sweetie?
- [Leon] Daddy's home.
Daddy needs you.
- Leon!
(screaming)
No, no!
(screaming)
(clock ticking)
(ominous music)
(slurping)
(water rushing)
- It was this morning.
There's no positive
ID's on the bodies yet.
Without the hands or teeth we
never know who the woman was.
We're assuming the
man was the homeowner,
a Leon something or other.
His wife left him last year.
- Looks like his luck
went from bad to worse.
- You guys, come
on, it's over here.
I gotta tell you, it's
a pretty weird one.
Ever tell you guys the
story about the time
we found a human
head in a microwave?
- No, what about it?
- There was this head and
it was in a microwave.
- And?
- That's it.
Anyway, this is a lot
weirder than that.
Looks like heavy rains
flooded the creek,
lifted her up here.
She was probably dumped
in the river up there.
Now, the water's
pretty cold so we can
figure a certain amount
of refrigeration,
but I'll tell you something,
it really doesn't explain this.
The rest of the body's
badly decomposed,
but the hands and the eyes,
well, it's like they're fresh.
Now, I was able to lift
a good set of prints
so we should be able
to find out who she is.
In fact, both her hands have
recently been reattached,
actually, melted
back onto the body.
You know, it's like
somebody wanted
us to be able to identify her.
But what's really weird, she
had a death grip on this.
- There's something inside.
(creepy laughter)
- You've got to choose one, now!
- Okay, okay the
thing in the box,
that was the most disgusting.
- That's all I needed to know.
Now, we can get out of here.
- You're letting me go?
- Not yet, not until
we take a little ride.
There's something I
simply must show you.
You'll drive.
(ominous music)
Please drive, bitch!
- Where are we, what
are we doing here?
- Let me ask you
a question, Jane.
Do you think you're
the first slut
Jack's picked up
during our marriage?
- I don't know and I don't care.
What does that have
to do with anything?
- You're not, you know.
The first slut, I mean.
By Jack's own accounting
you're number 33,
and Jack is good at
accounting, I'll give him that.
- What are you talking about?
- Poor Jack, he tells
all the guys at work
all about his conquests,
but then never gets
to follow through
with any of them.
There's never any proof because
there's never any mistress.
So all the guys at work
think he's full of shit.
Which he is, by the way.
Step back.
The reason Jack always needs
a new mistress is because
I just happen to have all
the old ones right here.
(muffled screaming)
I knew you'd pick that story.
Do you know that 28
out of every 32 women
surveyed choose the
thing in the box?
(shuffling)
These were Jack's first
two indiscretions.
I have an idea.
What do you say we
have a little fun?
Let's have it pick its
next victim at random.
(slurping)
Your turn will come, Janie.
(women screaming)
One day!
(door creaking)
(sinister music)
(country music)
(sinister music)
(dramatic music)
- [Jane] That was
sick and disgusting.
- [Wife] Sick and disgusting.
Oh, I write everything
down, Jack taught me that.
- [Jane] Oh, Jack,
yes, yes, Jack, yes!
(moaning)
- Number 33, wow!
Wait till the guys in the
coffee room hear abour her.
I'll show 'em this time.
(moaning)
- Jack.
(moaning)
Jack.
Who the hell are you?
- You might say I'm with
a collection agency.
- What?
- You borrowed
something of mine.
- What?
- My husband.
- Your husband?
- Boy, I see your
brains are packed
as solidly as your breasts.
Jack, the accountant
you just screwed,
or don't you remember
that far back?
- He didn't say anything
at all about being married.
- Oh, and would it have
mattered if he had?
- Would what have mattered?
- Look, just tell me your name.
- Why would I do that?
- Because I have a loaded gun.
- Jane Lawson, please
don't shoot, no!
- Lawson.
Is that with an 'on' or an 'en'?
- An 'on'.
- Okay, Jane, get up.
- What?
- Boy, he really can pick 'em.
Read my lips, dear.
Get up and sit in this chair.
Are you gonna sit
in this chair or am
I gonna blow your
fucking brains out?
- Okay, okay!
What are you doing?
- This is a rope, Jane.
I'm tying you up.
- You're crazy!
What are you gonna do with me?
- What do you think?
You do think once in a
while, don't you, Jane?
- [Jane] Are you gonna kill me?
- I'm going to tell you
two stories and after
I've finished you
get to review them.
Your fate, shall we say,
will depend entirely
upon those reviews.
Don't lie to me, Jane, I
always know when people
are lying to me,
especially bimbos like you.
- I'm not a bimbo!
- Shut up and listen!
The first story concerns a box.
You might say people have been
dying to know what's in it.
Once upon a time, there were
three little prostitutes.
You ought to like this one.
They were moving to a desolate
little mining town in Nevada.
(slow disco music)
- Hey man, here come
the whores, dude!
(guys chattering)
- [Man] Oh, man, look at them!
Look at that blondie!
Come on, get out of
the car, come on.
- Hey, baby!
(guys chattering)
- [Daisy] You gotta
be kidding me.
There's just one door to
this joint, is that it?
- [Sherry] Well now, honey,
it's our home we can
put in another door.
We can put in 20 doors
if we feel like it.
- We'll make it our home.
- Yes, honey, we'll
make it our home.
The theater's right ahead here
and our rooms are upstairs.
This is a nice, old theater.
Wouldn't you say, girls?
I bet we can perform
very nicely here.
- Yeah, as long as we're on our
backs in time for the climax.
(Sherry laughs)
Right, Tulip?
(ominous music)
What a fucking dump.
- [Mayor] Who wears the
hat in this town, Ernie?
- You do, Mayor Black.
- [Mayor] Then why did you
sell them the old theater?
You know how I hate sin.
- I didn't know they were ladies
of the night, they tricked me!
- When you first decided
to bring a theater
to this town I thought,
what an excellent idea.
Art, culture.
We can have that.
One man!
(Ernie screaming)
- Boss, I'll do anything!
I'll get them to go!
- They signed a contract.
You let them move into the
very place where I trained him.
Easy, my friend, easy.
Soon, my friend, soon.
Soon.
My poor friend.
Never to see the
beauty of the world.
Never to see the sunlight.
Never to see the flowers.
I love flowers.
(crying)
Don't you, Ernie?
(screaming)
- Please, Mayor, let me go!
I'll get you money, anything!
- I have everything I need.
If I were you, (laughs) I'd
start saying my prayers.
- No!
(crying)
No!
Oh my, God!
(screaming)
(wailing)
(squishing)
(screaming)
No!
(slurping)
- [Man] Why do they
call her Tulip?
- She's a flower.
My name's Daisy.
I'm a flower, too.
- Wait, why can't she
start work until tomorrow?
I mean, she doesn't have
disease or something, does she?
- Hey, are you paying
to talk or what?
- I just, I can't stop
thinking about Tulip.
I mean, you know, the miners
are gonna line up for her.
And I'm gonna be
right there in front.
Hope you're gonna
be open tomorrow.
- Why wouldn't we
be open tomorrow?
- Mayor Black is the
man with the hat.
- The man with the hat?
Is that some sort of
slang that miners use?
- Mayor Black has his way around
in this town and
he says only the
man in charge should
be wearing a hat.
Yeah, a few have
tried to wear one
but they, they disappeared.
- That's crazy!
Why would he care if
someone wore a hat or not?
- Well, just don't be calling
him crazy, even if he is.
If the man in charge should be
wearing a hat who
am I to disagree?
- I don't think I'm
gonna like it here.
- I don't think you're gonna
be here very long, anyway.
The mayor gets a
little high and mighty
and if he wants you
out he was gonna take
his little box here
and you'll be out.
- What box, huh?
What are you talking about?
- You'll find out soon enough.
- Now Tulip, honey,
you just keep telling
yourself I am doing
the right thing.
I'm doing the right thing.
After the first time it'll
all seem much easier.
More natural, it's
just a natural act.
- Do you really think this
could lead to my big break?
- Oh, honey, there's
a good chance.
You meet a lot of
politicians in this business.
- You really think
I could meet one,
a senator or a governor?
(laughs)
- Well, anything's possible.
And one thing's for sure,
you have a much better
shot at it here than you
do where I found you,
scrubbing floors and
waiting on tables.
- I don't feel
right in this place.
I mean, there's no windows
on the ground floor
and there's a bolt on the door.
It's as if someone
wants to keep us in.
- Tulip, honey, don't you waste
another second worrying
about this place.
I will take that bar
off tomorrow morning
and we'll put some
windows in here.
We'll make it our home.
Now, let's make sure you are
ready for tomorrow morning.
Each man gets one hour.
If you go even a second over
you charge him for another hour.
And arch your back when
you stand, oh, yes.
It accentuates your assets.
(laughs)
Now, Tulip, honey swing
your hips when you walk.
(sexy music)
That's it.
Swing your hips Tulip, honey.
God gave you the
goods, use them.
(gasps)
- I'm Mayor Black.
Are you the new owner
of this theater?
- I am.
My name is Sherry Leroux.
What can I do for you, Mayor?
- This town maintains
strict moral standards
and when you bought this theater
your intentions
were not made clear.
- I have a permit.
- Only I wear a
hat in this town.
The man with the
hat owns the box.
The man with the
hat makes the rules!
(laughs)
- The real estate agent did not
tell me about the mad hatter.
- He won't make
that mistake again.
I require a city license
for prostitution.
You don't have one.
I expect you to
be out by morning.
- Prostitution is
legal in this state
and I have a
license to prove it.
I have been around
the block, honey.
You can't pull any tricks on me.
(ominous music)
And I own this theater
and you are trespassing.
I suggest you leave
now and give me back
my hat or I will press charges.
- Well, press charges, then.
Although I'm sure
the judge would be
very partial to my
side of the story
seeing as how he and I
are very good friends.
We're close.
In fact, it's me. (laughs)
- Mayor, are you interested?
She starts work tomorrow.
- I don't pay for sin.
- Well, seeing as
how you are the man
with the hat maybe we
could arrange a deal
where you wouldn't have to pay.
- What's your name, child?
- Tulip.
- You don't belong here, Tulip.
I could take you away.
Protect you.
- (laughs) How many times do you
think she's heard
that line before?
- I could protect
you from the box.
- Tulip, honey, when
a man comes along
with real power and wealth
you can go with him,
use him, but don't waste
yourself on this one.
- I have the power
here, I have the box.
- Go back to the kitchen, honey.
- [Mayor] Stay with me, Tulip.
- I think you should leave.
- You'll be sorry, Tulip.
You'll both be sorry.
- Yes!
(moaning)
(alarm ringing)
Your hour's up.
(man moaning)
Care to try again?
- No, I think I'll
wait till tomorrow
when the place is really open.
- We're open now.
- Then I wanna see Tulip!
- What is it with Tulip?
- I don't know.
I mean, she's a
looker and all that,
but it's just there's
more to it than that.
- You only saw her for a minute.
- I know, it's just,
she's everything
beautiful in this
stinkin' world.
She's like music and
flowers and sunsets.
It's crazy, isn't it?
She's got me talking
like some sissy.
- She's just a hooker!
- Look, I know.
When you're down there in
the mines every day, all day.
I mean, it's dark and
you start dreaming.
You start dreaming about
somebody like Tulip.
- I'm sick of
hearing about Tulip!
I'll tell you what
you can do with Tulip!
- Look, I know what
I can do with Tulip.
I just hope the mayor
doesn't get to you all first.
(wind rushing)
(dramatic music)
(coughing)
- Damn things are gonna kill me.
(laughing)
(rattling)
(screams)
- Miss Leroux?
Miss Leroux?
(screams)
(dramatic music)
(tapping phone)
Oh, God!
- [Daisy] Oh, Jesus Christ!
- She's dead!
- What the hell happened to her?
- I don't know.
- Call the police!
(banging)
Goddamn, we're locked in!
- Who would do
something like this?
- Anybody in this town
could have done it.
I knew I never should
have taken this job!
- Mayor Black had
something to do with this.
He has the power, the thing
in the box is not human!
- What the hell are
you talking about?
- We're locked in here!
It wants to kill us,
it's going to kill us!
It's going to kill us!
(slapping)
Why did you hit me so hard?
- Whoever did this
must still be in here.
I'm gonna find him and
kill him before he kill us.
- I told you, it's the thing
from the box that did it.
Mayor Black was here earlier.
He said whoever owns
the box rules this town.
- Yeah, my last John said
something about a box, too.
You know, this place
is too crazy for me.
Sounds like it's right
up your alley, though.
(crashing)
Whatever it is,
I'm sure this knife
will put a nice dent in it.
- Maybe we should
get up off the floor.
- What difference does it make?
- You want to live, don't you?
- Yeah, we're
living here, anyway.
- I'm gonna be someone important
some day, a politician.
- Would you give me a break
with the politician bullshit?
The closest you'll ever get to
a politician is
sharing a bed with one.
- Don't you think I'd
make a good politician?
I'm honest, fair, I
care about people.
- Yeah, just your average
fair and honest politician.
- Why don't you like me?
I never hurt you.
- Look, I'm sure you'd
make a good politician.
It never hurts to
set your goals high.
- You really think so?
- No!
Well, that's what you
wanted to hear, isn't it?
- I want to hear the truth.
- A hooker for President.
Vote for me and I'll
screw you for free.
- Miss Leroux said a few call
girls have become senators.
- She would have told you
anything you want to hear.
You would have been the best
meal ticket she ever had.
Now, you have some
real control over men.
- She was my friend.
Ever since I was six
years old and my father...
Men have always
done things to me.
They have always controlled me.
- It's because you don't
know how to use them.
- You don't understand!
When I got my first
job as a waitress
my boss kept me late and
on the second night he...
(crying)
I want to become a politician
so I can make the laws.
I want power, I
want to protect us!
(crying)
(screams)
There!
- Stay here!
- [Tulip] Why?
- Because if someone
opens that door
one of us has to be here.
- Well, who would come
to the door at this--
- Stay here!
- You shouldn't go alone!
- Don't worry about
me, that thing's
nothing but a pathetic
piece of shit.
- Daisy, wait!
I have a feeling
about this creature.
That it could kill us
right now if it wanted to.
- It's just a big slug!
- It's playing a game with us.
I know this sounds
strange, but (laughs)
I think it's flirting.
- Look, you gotta
pull it together!
You know what I mean?
- You think I'm crazy. (laughs)
- You've been through a lot.
We both have, we
can get through it.
- Daisy.
You're the only
friend I have now.
- I'll be right back.
(ominous music)
(dramatic music)
(crashing)
(door creaking)
(steps creaking)
(ominous music)
(chilling music)
(dramatic music)
(screaming)
- I didn't see you.
- How did you get in here?
- I took the bolt off the door.
There's another
door in the hall.
- Please help us,
the thing is here!
- I'm not getting involved!
- Please, I'll do anything!
Anything!
(ominous music)
(gurgling)
(screaming)
Daisy!
(screaming)
(thrashing)
(gasping)
Be careful.
(screaming)
- [Man] Get it off!
(creature slurping)
(screaming)
- Going somewhere, Tulip?
Sit down, Tulip.
I've loved you from the first
moment I laid eyes on you.
But you know that, don't you?
- Why did you do it?
- The men in this
town live by my rules.
A place like this will
only bring 'em down.
- But people are dead.
You're responsible!
- You all had your chance
to follow my rules.
- And they say I'm crazy.
But you're the crazy one!
- All great leaders have
left people in the dust!
You remember that!
No matter how much
respect they command.
No matter how many
memorials or schools that go
in their names, they all
have blood on their hands.
It goes with the job.
- You're no leader.
You're a leech!
Just like the thing in the box!
- This is your last chance.
Come with me now.
I can give you a life where
you'll never have to work.
No one will ever harm you.
- Wait!
Before I die, just
tell me what it is.
- I found him in the mines.
- Him?
- I raised him, trained him,
right here in this theater.
- The bolt on the door
was to keep him in.
- He lives on coal, but
he likes the taste of blood.
He was surprisingly
easy to train.
- You trained him so he won't
attack anyone wearing a hat.
- Join me, you can wear a hat.
- I could never be like you.
- Don't be too sure!
You, too, might thirst for
blood once you've had a taste.
I have everything I want.
I have everything I need.
- Everything, except me.
(yelling)
- What is it?
What is your power over me?
Is it just me or do all men lose
their minds at the sight of you?
(thudding)
(groaning)
- Are you afraid
to watch me die?
Well, live with this;
I would rather die than
spend one hour with you!
They call me Tulip.
Miss Leroux said that I
have the gift of the flower.
I can open my buds at the sun.
I don't think I've
ever blossomed.
I don't want to hurt you.
I'm just looking for
a place to call home.
A place with beauty and love.
I'm looking for a place
out of the darkness.
I know you must be looking, too!
Don't you understand me?
I want to help you!
We could help each other.
(chilling music)
(wind rushing)
(wolf howling)
- Tulip?
(chilling music)
(yelling)
(slurping)
(country music)
(slurping)
- So, what do you think?
- I think you have a twisted
and warped imagination.
- Twisted and warped, good!
No one's ever used those
adjective before, I like them.
- No one, you mean
you've done this before?
- Done what?
I'm just sharing some of
my imaginative access.
You happen to be a captive
audience, that's all.
- Look, if I'm not
back at the lab,
they're gonna miss
me, I'm very punctual.
- And where did you tell
your colleagues you would be?
Out screwing my husband?
- If you're so damn smart,
how come Jack sought me out?
- He's stupid.
- And you're not,
holding me hostage here?
- And just who knows
you're here, Miss Ph.D?
I somehow doubt you left this
tar pit as your
emergency number.
So tell me, Janie dear,
who's the stupid one here?
- Look, I'm tired, my
head hurts, I'm thirsty
and I'm sick of sitting
here fucking naked!
- Oh, well said, college grad.
But I still have one
more story to tell.
- [Gen] I don't remember
when Leon and I first met,
but we were married
within a year.
I'd never been
happier in my life.
Everything seemed
wonderful until Leon
lost his old job and
then something changed.
Everything changed.
In small ways you might not
notice, but that you could feel.
My father had never liked Leon
and now I started to wonder.
What had started in daylight
would end in a nightmare.
(creepy music)
(crickets chirping)
What, what do you want?
- Come on, baby, daddy's lonely.
Daddy needs you.
- [Gen] It's the
middle of the night.
- Oh, what fucking
difference does time make?
- We've already done it twice.
- Oh, you're keeping count?
Am I on an allowance?
I want some love and I gotta ask
your permission all of a sudden?
Listen, I earn the money.
I pay for this house,
I pay for the yard.
I pay for the food and
I pay for this bed.
And I ain't gonna ask what I can
and can't do when I'm at home.
- No, don't hit me, please!
- The fucking Queen
of Sheba, you are!
All you gotta do all
day is three things;
eat, shit and fuck!
Yeah, it's that fucking
Beverly bitch, isn't it?
Huh?
She's putting ideas
into your head
that I'm a loser, that
you ought to dump me!
- No honey, no!
Okay, you're right
about Beverly,
you're right about everything.
I was just, you
know, sleepy before,
I didn't know what I was saying.
Besides, you know
how long it takes
for my motor to start running.
But you've got it purring
along in high gear, now.
What could I have been thinking?
Three time in one night
with a tiger like you?
- Oh, forget it!
I'm not in the mood anymore.
Thinking of that Beverly chick
has ruined the whole thing.
Is she quite happy now?
- Sorry, honey.
Can we try it again?
- Oh, forget it.
Just shut up and
don't even talk to me.
- So you're just gonna lay
there like that all night?
- Like what?
Like what?
(ominous music)
Just what are you
looking at, bitch?
What are you looking at?
You know I'm tired of
you always looking at me?
Always looking at me.
I'm gonna make sure you're not
looking at anything for a while.
(muffled crying)
(crunching)
(phone ringing)
- Hello, Bev?
I know it's late.
It happened again.
- Another nightmare?
This can't go on.
- This is the worst one yet.
Leon was so angry
he cut out my eyes.
God, it was horrible!
- Listen, kid, dreams are
how we talk to ourselves.
Pay attention, huh?
Get away from the guy.
- But it was just a dream.
You know, all warped
and exaggerated.
Just a horrible dream.
- This time, sure, but
next time it may be real.
Then it'll be too late.
- [Leon] Who are you talking to?
- I gotta go, Bev, I'll
talk to you tomorrow.
- You calling Bev for advice?
That cunt.
- No, Leon, I wasn't.
- Yeah, you woke me up!
- [Gen] I was just-- (cracking)
- Maybe that will
stop you talking
on the phone late at night.
And stop your moaning
and your bitching,
arguing and complaining,
or I'll stop it for good!
(spitting)
(gargling)
What is it?
- Nothing.
- If you're dreaming,
I hope it's about me.
- Sure, honey.
- It better be.
How about some breakfast?
(creepy tinkling music)
(sizzling)
- It happened again last night.
This was the worst one yet,
he was pulling out my eyes.
- Hey come on,
where's my breakfast?
- Be right there.
I don't know, I must be
hallucinating or something.
I can't seem to stop them.
(gasping)
- [Bev] What is it, Jen?
- Look, I've gotta go.
- [Bev] Meet me for
lunch, we can talk more.
- Sure, say noon at Pappy's?
See you then.
Here you go, hon.
Your last home-cooked meal
for the next couple of days.
- It's about time.
Whoa, this again.
- Well, it's your favorite.
- That doesn't mean that I
have to have it every day.
Besides, you don't fix it right.
(coughing)
Where's my coffee?
You expect me to choke
to death on this shit?
- I'll get it.
- I hope that isn't instant.
I get instant on the airplane.
I sure hope that
isn't-- (coughing)
What is this weed
doing in my food?
- It's parsley, honey,
you're not supposed to--
(yelling)
I'm sorry honey, I'm
sorry honey, I'm sorry!
- What are you doing?
Just stop it, will you?
Just stop it.
I am leaving in 10
minutes to catch a plane
to go to the most important
meeting of my life
and you help me by
ruining my shirt!
What the hell is
the matter with you?
- You're hurting me!
- Oh, I am, huh?
Well, let's see what
I can do about that.
You stick this poisonous
weed in my food
and now you ruin a
$50 dollar shirt!
- It was parsley.
Ow, my hand!
- Oh, this hand, this
hand that takes and takes
and throws and destroys
and breaks and breaks!
(crunching)
- The last was just this
morning, like a daydream.
I don't know what's
happening to me.
- [Bev] I do.
Ever hear of precognition?
It's people who can see
the future in their dreams.
- [Jen] Oh, come on!
- No, really!
They'll dream something
and it comes true.
Only most of the time
they don't know what
the dream means until
after it happens.
Right here, a woman who
lives miles from her son
and she has a recurring
dream that he stood
in front of her and
said, "Ma, I'm coming."
Well, just like that he falls
apart; arms, head everything.
What does she think?
That she's overworked
or bad pizza, whatever.
Anyway, you know what happened?
- Sure, they sell their story
to that sleazy rag and retire.
- Two days later her son's
decapitated in a car accident.
He was on his way to visit her.
- Disgusting, so what?
Are there any good UFO
stories in that issue?
- I thought you were
scared of your dreams.
I didn't come here
to play straight man.
- I am scared, I'm terrified.
- If that woman had
listened to her dreams
and warned her son, it
could have been avoided.
That's what you have to
do, listen to these dreams.
- Mine aren't that simple.
Leon's not really
like that, it's not--
- Oh, really?
I think he is.
Maybe not exactly
like in the dreams,
but he's a fucking,
fucking loose cannon.
You've got to get
as far away from him
as you can as soon as you can.
Don't listen to me,
listen to yourself.
You have to do this.
- If Leon catches
me, he'll kill me.
- [Bev] Don't worry.
He's away off in Chicago,
on business or something?
- For three days.
- Perfect, do it today.
- You make it sound so easy.
- It is.
First go to the bank
withdraw everything.
- [Jenny] Everything?
- Mmhmm.
In cash, you don't
want to leave a trail
of canceled checks or
credit card receipts behind.
In fact, destroy all your cards
and open new accounts
under a different name.
- Everything?
That'd be just like stealing,
the money belongs to both of us.
- Both of you?
Look kid, it's your money.
That louse didn't have a pot
to piss in when he married you.
And anything he's earned
off that so-called
real estate career is
just simple interest
on the heartache
he's caused you.
This is what you're
gonna live on, girl.
Grab it and run!
- Where will I go?
- Who cares?
Don't tell anyone, not even me.
As long as Leon's not there
it's the place for you.
- The car needs some
work before a long trip.
- Uh uh, don't take the car.
It could be traced if he hires
a detective or
reports it stolen.
Don't fly either, take a bus
and pay cash for the ticket.
- He calls once every night
when he's out of town.
I guess he wants to
make sure I'm not
out with someone
while he's gone.
- What time does he call?
- Seven, sharp.
- Is that the only
time he calls?
Perfect.
Go to the bank, go home and
pack and wait for his call.
When you hang up leave.
By the time he
calls the next night
you'll have a 24
hour head start.
He'll never find you.
- I don't know if I can do this.
- What are you gonna do,
wait for Mr. Wonderful
to dissect you?
I'll come around after work
to help you pack, okay?
A kind of moral support.
It's your decision, kid.
- Thanks, Bev.
I keep thinking about something
Leon said a long time ago.
- What was that?
Hey bitch, where's dinner?
- It happened just
after we were married.
Leon took me out to
this fancy restaurant.
We were sort of out of place.
Neither one of us had ever been
to a restaurant
like that before.
Maybe that's what
made him do it.
Well anyway, Leon
thought that the waiter
was paying too much attention
to me, making a pass at me,
and when the waiter asked
him what the problem was...
(punching)
- [Waiter] No, no,
no! (screaming)
- Leon grabbed him and
just beat him senseless.
Right there in
front of everybody.
- I guess that's why
you always eat in.
Jesus, you should have
seen this coming sooner.
- When we got home that
night, Leon said that
he'd kill me if I ever
left him for someone else.
You know what I told him?
- What?
- Ditto.
- Boy, if Tarzan doesn't
get the message sooner,
he's sure to know when
he sees your closet.
We're talking Mother
Hubbard, here.
- I never realized
I had so much stuff.
- Oh, geez. (laughs)
Oh, now that's too
important to leave behind.
- My dad gave it to
me before he died.
- Oh, what do you put in it?
- Nothing.
I never found anything
that was just right.
Have to be something
really special.
So now we wait.
Leon calls, I lie to him,
leave without a trace
and never see him again.
- Oh, come on, he's
been asking for this
for years and now
he's gonna get it.
After all, he likes to get
what he wants, doesn't he?
(phone ringing)
Go ahead.
- Hello, honey.
- [Leon] Any calls?
- No, did you get in alright?
- [Leon] Yeah, I hate Chicago.
It's like a toilet with windows.
Who needs it?
- Your flight was alright?
- [Leon] I said it was fine.
Now what are you up to?
- [Jen] Nothing.
I knew you'd call,
I was just waiting.
- [Leon] Nobody else
there, is there?
- No, I was just
watching Jeopardy.
You know, doing
nothing, as usual.
- [Leon] But Beverly,
she's not there, is she?
- No.
- [Leon] Good,
she's probably out
fixing someone else's life.
You know, I don't
like her messing
with your mind
while I'm not there.
- I told you, I'm alone.
- [Leon] Alright, I'll call
you again tomorrow night.
- Goodbye, honey.
I love you.
(phone buzzing)
- I hope this next bag's
as heavy as that last one.
My back's really enjoying this.
- Well, I did it.
- No, you're doing it.
Next stop, bus to anywhere.
- Can you wait outside for a me?
- Sure.
- I just need a
minute to say goodbye.
- Take all the time
you need, honey.
I'll come back
for that last bag.
- Thanks.
- Hey, come on, Gen, let's go!
My spine's breaking
under this pressure.
Hey, check this out.
I'm really getting
buff lugging your bags.
(laughs)
- Goodbye, nightmares.
- God, do I just love
this portable phone.
(screaming)
I got home a little
early, since I never left.
You look surprised.
(grunting)
(screaming)
(crashing)
- Beverly, help!
- How does this look?
- What are you doing?
- Getting ready to
screw your husband
after we finish screwing you.
(screaming)
(grunting)
(slicing)
- Why, why?
- For the money.
Of course, the sex
wasn't bad either.
- Wouldn't want us to live
in poverty now, would you?
(both laughing)
- Okay, okay, okay let's go.
You know the drill.
- Uh huh.
- Give me it, come on.
- Oh, I'll give it to you.
- Come on.
- I dress like her, I make sure
everyone sees me get on the bus.
I get on the midnight
bus to Tulsa.
- And?
- I get off at the first stop.
- Which is Blythe.
- Uh huh.
- Alright.
I'm gonna weigh Gen's
body down, I'm gonna throw
it in the river on the
way to pick you up.
- Mmhmm.
- Okay?
- Mmhmm.
- Good, let's go.
- Everyone will say, poor
baby, runaway wife left
with all the money and
disappeared into the night.
(laughs)
Poor lonely, Leon.
Do we really have
to wait a year?
- Yeah.
- Do we really have
to wait a year?
- Yeah.
Let's give it a year.
When everyone's forgotten
about it we can sell off
this joint and we'll
move wherever you desire.
Come on, let's go
to the living room.
- No, let's do it
in front of her.
- It doesn't matter
to her anymore.
- It matters to me.
(thudding)
Leon!
(thudding)
What'd she do with
the goddamn cash?
Leon.
Oh!
Oh Jesus, she
dreamed about this.
- Her hands, her
eyes and her teeth.
If they ever find the body,
these are what's
gonna give us away.
(gasps)
Hey, do you understand?
Yeah?
- Fingerprints, eye
color, dental records.
Sure, they're all on file.
If they found her, I know
it'd lead them to us.
(crunching)
I'm ready to go.
I looked everywhere, I
still can't find the cash.
- You looked everywhere?
- Yes.
Oh!
- She finally found a use
for this stupid thing.
I've got a better idea.
Now I add a little
acid for insurance.
(bubbling)
- [Bev] What's it say?
- No, it's nothing.
I always told her
not to listen to you.
- We'd better go.
She's got a bus to catch.
What are you doing?
- Well, we can't move away
and leave Geneva behind.
- Don't even joke about that.
I'll be in the shower.
- [Leon] I'll join,
digging's dirty work.
(grunting)
(crickets chirping)
(creepy laughing)
(woman moaning)
(bubbling)
(squishing)
(screaming)
(squirting)
(screaming)
(dripping)
- Come on in, baby,
I'm ready for you.
(breathing heavily)
What's wrong?
You know I don't like
to wait for what I want.
Are you hurt, sweetie?
- [Leon] Daddy's home.
Daddy needs you.
- Leon!
(screaming)
No, no!
(screaming)
(clock ticking)
(ominous music)
(slurping)
(water rushing)
- It was this morning.
There's no positive
ID's on the bodies yet.
Without the hands or teeth we
never know who the woman was.
We're assuming the
man was the homeowner,
a Leon something or other.
His wife left him last year.
- Looks like his luck
went from bad to worse.
- You guys, come
on, it's over here.
I gotta tell you, it's
a pretty weird one.
Ever tell you guys the
story about the time
we found a human
head in a microwave?
- No, what about it?
- There was this head and
it was in a microwave.
- And?
- That's it.
Anyway, this is a lot
weirder than that.
Looks like heavy rains
flooded the creek,
lifted her up here.
She was probably dumped
in the river up there.
Now, the water's
pretty cold so we can
figure a certain amount
of refrigeration,
but I'll tell you something,
it really doesn't explain this.
The rest of the body's
badly decomposed,
but the hands and the eyes,
well, it's like they're fresh.
Now, I was able to lift
a good set of prints
so we should be able
to find out who she is.
In fact, both her hands have
recently been reattached,
actually, melted
back onto the body.
You know, it's like
somebody wanted
us to be able to identify her.
But what's really weird, she
had a death grip on this.
- There's something inside.
(creepy laughter)
- You've got to choose one, now!
- Okay, okay the
thing in the box,
that was the most disgusting.
- That's all I needed to know.
Now, we can get out of here.
- You're letting me go?
- Not yet, not until
we take a little ride.
There's something I
simply must show you.
You'll drive.
(ominous music)
Please drive, bitch!
- Where are we, what
are we doing here?
- Let me ask you
a question, Jane.
Do you think you're
the first slut
Jack's picked up
during our marriage?
- I don't know and I don't care.
What does that have
to do with anything?
- You're not, you know.
The first slut, I mean.
By Jack's own accounting
you're number 33,
and Jack is good at
accounting, I'll give him that.
- What are you talking about?
- Poor Jack, he tells
all the guys at work
all about his conquests,
but then never gets
to follow through
with any of them.
There's never any proof because
there's never any mistress.
So all the guys at work
think he's full of shit.
Which he is, by the way.
Step back.
The reason Jack always needs
a new mistress is because
I just happen to have all
the old ones right here.
(muffled screaming)
I knew you'd pick that story.
Do you know that 28
out of every 32 women
surveyed choose the
thing in the box?
(shuffling)
These were Jack's first
two indiscretions.
I have an idea.
What do you say we
have a little fun?
Let's have it pick its
next victim at random.
(slurping)
Your turn will come, Janie.
(women screaming)
One day!
(door creaking)
(sinister music)
(country music)
(sinister music)
(dramatic music)
- [Jane] That was
sick and disgusting.
- [Wife] Sick and disgusting.
Oh, I write everything
down, Jack taught me that.