Carnivàle (2003–2005): Season 2, Episode 1 - Los Moscos - full transcript

As the spiritual powers of Ben Hawkins evolve, the entity Management reveals its identity (the Russian soldier in Ben's dreams) to Ben, and then exposes him to a vision of the cataclysmic disasters (a nuclear explosion) that awaits the world if Ben doesn't identify and conquer his nemesis: Brother Justin, the creature of darkness. In order to do this, Ben must find his father, the elusive Henry Scudder, who holds the knowledge of the preacher's identity and location. In the aftermath of the fire which killed Apollonia, Samson covers for Ben by claiming that he died in the fire to get rid of the Texas Ranger still hanging around the troupe. Samson helps Ben hide the dead body of Professor Lodz, while Lila becomes concerned for the missing Lodz' well being. A distraught Sofie runs away, leading a guilt-ridden Jonesy to assemble the carnies to go out looking for her. Meanwhile, Brother Justin's radio sermon has employed two new "apostles": an occultist named Wilfred Talbot Smith, who advises Justin that he must kill Henry Scudder to become a true immortal; and a prison inmate named Varlyn Stroud who is also "called" by the mesmerizing Justin's voice. Reporter Tommy Dolan continues to investigate the Crowe's ministry fire. Justin and his sister Iris use the radio to continue to spread the word, drawing throngs of weak and impoverished masses into their spiritual web, while Reverend Balthus suffers from a stroke.

2x01 - Los Moscos

On the heels of the skirmish man
foolishly called "the war to end all wars,"

the dark one sought to elude his destiny,

live as a mortal.

So he fled across the ocean,

to an empire called America.

But by his mere presence,

a cancer corrupted
the spirit of the land.

People were rendered mute by fools
who spoke many words but said nothing...

for whom oppression
and cowardice were virtues...

and freedom



an obscenity.

And into this dark heartland,

the prophet stalked his enemy

till, diminished by his wounds,

he turned to the next
in the ancient line of light.

And so it was
that the fate of mankind

came to rest on the trembling shoulders
of the most reluctant of saviors.

As God tested Job, so too
have we been tested, brothers and sisters.

And as a white-hot flame tempers base metal
into a fine bleed of steel,

so too will we be forged.

So, too, have we been forged
by these terrible times.

So too shall we rise like a phoenix
from the ashes of our degradation.

I know many of you
have doubted.

I know many of you have doubted the truth,
the truth in my word.



But those who are steadfast and follow me
will be rewarded,

not just in the next life,
but here, and now.

I ask only that you join me,
brothers and sisters,

and together, we will build a temple,
not of stone and mortar,

but of flesh and blood
and the mighty spirit of the Lord.

Jesus.

Brothers and sisters,
hear me when I say...

for the greatest commandment

was not etched on a tablet
by the finger of God at Sinai, no.

It is written in our blood.

- "Written in our blood."
- It is carved into our flesh.

It is uttered with the last breath
of a dying warrior.

"And that you know he is true
by his words, the usher will declare."

The greatest commandment,
brothers and sisters,

- is thou shalt be strong!
- "Thou shalt be strong."

Yes, we have been tested.

Many have failed,
swallowed by the ashes and dust,

but a chosen few remain.

Move that water!

In the rear!

God damn it, keep it coming!

Help here!

Help here! Help!

- Apollonia?
- She's still in there. I gotta--

Mama, mama!

No, lemme go, God damn it!

- She's gone, Sofie.
- No, she's not! She's screaming!

Mama!

Stop it! Stop it.

Just die!

Die!

Sofie!

I saw his eyes.

You gave him back his sight. Why?

He did what was asked of him.
He was rewarded.

His eyes for Ruthie's life?

His eyes to force your hand.

So then you turned around
and sold him out,

just to make me bring her back!

To compel you
to face what you are.

You killed him!

You killed him with my hands!

Lodz was a traitor.
His life meant nothing to me.

Samson was right about you.

All you do is pull strings,
and make people dance.

There ain't but one choice in that.

- Don't be a fool, boy.
- I don't aim to be.

Not this time.
I'm gonna turn myself over to the others.

They'll make me pay. And gimme
more of a choice than I got with you.

No!

Ye offspring of serpents,

who warned you to flee
from the wrath to come?

We got a fire--

Hawkins?

What've you done?

Get out!

Now you see why I cannot allow you
to throw your life away?

That thing...

what was it?

A weapon. A false sun wrought
by the hands of men.

It is the last link in a chain of events
unfolding even as we speak.

- You must break that chain.
- How the hell am I supposed to do that?

By destroying the preacher
you've seen in your dreams.

Find Scudder and bring him to me.

What does he have to do with this?

He was to me
what the preacher is to you.

My enemy.

You saw my failure in the war.

You're the Russian?

Yes, my name is Lucius Belyakov.

Scudder knows the true name of
the preacher as I knew yours, Ben Hawkins.

You must bring him to me!

I've already bloodied my hands
once for you. I ain't gonna do it again.

- You can't run from this!
- I ain't gonna do it.

Millions will die!

I can't stop that. I'm just one man!

Then run, coward!

Run as your father did before you!

I'm not him, you son of a bitch!

If you try to escape your destiny,

the world will not escape
its terrible fate!

He is the Usher.

He wasn't in there.

Are you sure?

There was but three of us...

and two come out.

What's left of the third's
under that tarp.

It ain't him, Lila.

He'll be back.

Safe and sound, you'll see.

The policeman will return.

When he does, you will tell him the boy
perished in the fire.

He'll want proof.

You will give them the bones
of the fortune-teller.

- I can't do that.
- You will do that,

and whatever else is necessary.

The boy is strong, but far from ready,
and time runs short.

You must see that he comes to no harm.

I'll do what I can.

You will be my voice
when I wish to speak to him,

my ears when he chooses
to speak to me.

We tried that before.

Listen to me, Samson,

the boy must not set foot in this
trailer again, do you understand?

He... tempts me.

Someone picks a number for this,
it's gonna be me.

- That ain't right.
- No, it ain't. It just is.

And in management's book,
that's the only thing that counts.

Things like right and wrong,

it ain't even decent show-bets.

How is he?

- We almost lost him.
- Dear Lord.

A stroke. I was right there.

Thank God for that.
What if he'd been alone?

Norman?

- Can he hear us?
- It's hard to tell. He can't speak.

Iris, would you mind stepping out
for a few moments?

I need to speak to your brother.

I received this from Norman yesterday.
It seems he was convinced that...

you were possessed
by some sort of demon.

My God, Norman.

I should've seen this coming.

After all those years of him
taking care of us, now I failed him.

No, if anyone is to blame, it is me.

This letter--
I should've seen him immediately.

I could've ordered an evaluation.

Call me if his condition changes.

Norman,

can you hear me?

Yes.

Yes, you can.

I can see it in your eyes.

Look, I am so sorry, Norman.
It never should've come to this.

Never.

That's Hawkins, what's left of him.

What happened?

Son of a bitch turned up last night.
Had my boys run him down.

Hid out in the bus.
Must've kicked over a lamp or something.

Hell of a blaze.

Is that the way it went?

Yeah.

- That was pretty goddamn low.
- I've done worse.

She's one of us, damn it.

She deserves more than
some unmarked hole in a potter's field.

What're you gonna tell Sofie?

What am I gonna tell Sofie?

Probably a big goddamn lie,
with bells on it.

Right, Jonesy?

I've been looking for you.

Ruthie.

How you feeling?

Not quite myself.

But better.

Yeah... that's good.

Gabe told me what you done.

I didn't do nothing.

Saved my life, that's somethin'.

What did he tell you?

That you helped him.
Looked after me till the poison broke.

I just--

I couldn't stand seeing you like that.

I heard you calling me from--

from real far away.

It was you.
Your voice brought me back.

Ben?

I just don't want you
thinking you owe me nothing, that's all.

She still sleeping?

Poor thing.
God knows what she's going through.

Ain't decent, really,
Samson puttin' the show on tonight

- like nothing happened.
- What else you gonna do?

It oughtta be dark, that's what,
respect for the dead and all.

'Course she was half-dead to start with.

That ain't funny.

Samson's right.

It's a tough call,
but we sure could use the scratch.

And besides, the beaners are ripe
for another squeeze or two.

If I didn't know any better,
Felix Dreifuss,

I'd think maybe you're taking
a renewed interest in our little enterprise.

Nothing wrong with making a little money.

Jonesy?

I'm sorry about your ma.

Clayton...

I didn't--

didn't what?

You didn't what?

I'm sorry.

Well then, I guess that makes it
all better, don't it?

- Please believe me.
- I do.

God knows I do.

That's what
makes it so awful.

I'm sorry, you're sorry,
the whole world's sorry as shit.

But you know what?
It don't mean a goddamn thing.

You see me around...

you just walk the other way.

Frankly, it doesn't surprise me at all.

He just hasn't been the same
since Clara passed on.

- Pull over.
- What?

- Pull over, now.
- Justin?

Justin?

Justin, what's wrong?

You burn with lust among the oaks
and under every spreading tree.

You sacrifice your children in the ravines
and under the hanging crags.

Iris!

This will be my new Canaan.

Here I will build a temple.

We will build a temple, Alexsei.

We will build it together.

One and all, come see the bearded lady!
Right this way! She's right inside!

Thank you, ma'am, thank you, sir.

He in there?

- Who?
- The professor.

Check the ten-in-one.

Nobody's seen him since last night.

- He'll turn up.
- I think something's happened.

I gotta real bad feeling about this.
Can you ask Management?

- Ask him what?
- About Lodz.

He's probably sleeping off a bellyful of
that froggy juice in some gutter somewhere.

- Look, pa! That lady got whiskers!
- Christ, Lila.

Will you put on a veil?
You're giving it away free.

Please.

- I'll ask him.
- Thanks, sugar.

Lunch with congressman McGrath tuesday,
benediction at the Elks Lodge.

Oh, and you've got a radio slot tonight
in Los Angeles.

- Tonight? No, he couldn't possibly--
- Nonsense. We're just getting started.

- What about Hearst?
- Hearst?

He wants to broadcast your brother
on his radio stations.

- William Randolph Hearst?
- No, Alvin Leroy Hearst.

Of course William Randolph Hearst.

- Justin.
- I know.

We need to speak privately.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen!

10 big acts for the price of one.

See the amazing rondo the regurgitator,

the mysterious turtle boy,
and other amazing freaks of nature.

Step right up.
Never before have we assembled...

I don't know what's going on
between the two of you.

All I know is I ain't never
seen him like this.

Whatever he wants you to do,
you'd better do it.

I made up my mind.
I want to talk to him face to face.

No can do.
Kid, it's management's orders.

- You gonna have to go through me.
- I don't even know where to start.

Listen to your blood.

My blood?
What the hell's that supposed to mean?

I'm just the messenger, kid.

You'll forgive me, Tommy,

but I don't see what
this has to do with us.

Your car was seen leaving the area
10 minutes before the fire.

- A black model-A was seen.
- A black model-A Sedan.

- There must be thousands of them.
- You're right.

But only 29 registered in San Benito County,
and four in Mintern proper.

- You're not suggesting--
- No, but someone else is bound to.

You're a man of god, Justin.

Folks hold their prophets to
pretty high standards.

Even in California.

I want you to conduct a full investigation.

See to it that whoever murdered
those children pays for what they did.

What if it's someone
associated with your ministry?

Then it is all the more important
that we be the ones to bring them to the police.

There you are.

Tommy and I were
just going over my schedule.

Oh, I see.

Mr. Dolan...

will you be staying for dinner?

No, I'm afraid not.

- We've got a train to catch.
- I'll be right down.

What was that about?

Have you seen my warm coat?

You know exactly where your coat is.

Damn it.

Sofie?

Sofie, it's me.

Oh! Flynn launches
a punishing combination.

C'mon, paddy! Put him down!

And a haymaker left flies wild
over Kaspar's shoulder!

K.O. Steps inside,
comes back with a walloping right,

a left, a jab to the mid-section.

- You seen Sofie around?
- Uh, not since this morning.

- Maybe I better talk to Samson.
- Yeah, you best.

You sure you ain't seen her around?

No, no, you better run over,
tell Samson quick.

I hate to get everybody
all worked up over nothing.

What, are you crazy?
Better safe than sorry.

That's what I always say.

Girl's liable to throw herself
off a bridge or worse!

... And it wasn't a fight, folks,
it was a slaughter.

One, two, three rounds
and it's bye-bye irish paddy flynn,

flat on the canvas and out like a light!

God damn you lousy
spud-pickin' mick bastard!

Scandals, they're everywhere
they're in the air and who put them there?

You, you, and you, you nasty man...

I'm thinking your memoirs
would make a great serialization.

Brother Justin,
could I have a word?

- Sorry, pal. We got a broadcast.
- I'm here for the Usher.

What?

The Usher.

Wait for me inside.

- Justin--
- Go.

What do you want?

It's such an honor.

I heard you on the radio.

My name's Wilfred Talbot Smith.

I'm-- I'm sorry.

I must've been mistaken--

No. You're not.

- But you bleed like a man.
- What?

He's still alive.

Who? Who is still alive? Tell me!

By the hand of the Prince,
the Prophet dies.

- Upon his death, the Prince shall rise.
- Stop babbling and tell me who!

The Gospel of Matthias.
Chapter 3, verses 26-28.

You have to kill him.

You have to kill him
with your own hands.

- Who?
- Scudder! Henry Scudder.

- And then what?
- You'll be the Prophet.

The Usher.

Henry Scudder.

Kill him and you will receive
the divine blood.

Run!

Aw, damn it.

Where's Scudder? Where?

I told you, God damn it!
I don't know anybody named Scudder!

- That's what your mouth said.
- Christ almighty, boy.

What the hell's your truck
with him anyway?

He's my father.

Operator speaking.
Do you wish to make a call? Hello?

Send the police down to the templar hall!

- You son of a bitch! Where is he?
- He'll kill me.

If I was you, I wouldn't be worrying
about him right now!

All right!

They showed up one day,
him and another fellow.

When?

- When?
- 10, 12 years ago!

What happened?

Scudder, he got real cozy
with our chaplain Kerrigan.

And he stole some books
out of our library.

- What kind of books?
- Holy books-- gospels.

And then they lit out.
I haven't seen either one of them since.

I swear to God I'm telling you the truth.

Please, kid,
if you find Scudder, for God's sakes--

don't tell him you talked to me.

Don't tell him I told you nothing.

He ain't human.

He ain't human!

I ain't either.

What happened to Kerrigan?

He went mad.
He lost his mind.

The archdiocese locked him up
in a squirrel pen up outside Alamogordo.

That's all I know.

All right, we got six vehicles
that ain't trucks.

I want all of them rolling.
Slim, Osgood, Burley, see if she's in town.

The rest of you go check out on the roads.

We ain't leaving here without her.
That's the code.

What about Lodz?

Uh, that's right.
I was just getting to that.

Keep an eye peeled for the professor.
He's gone missing too.

What are you waiting for,
a written invitation? Get!

All right, Arnie,
you guys, follow me.

Good evening, brothers and sisters,
and welcome to the church of the air.

I am Brother Justin,

and though I am alone in this studio,
I can sense your presence.

You are with me, and I am with you.

Like you, I grew up in an America

far different from the one
in which we live today.

There are those
that would have you believe

that the America
that we remember no longer exists.

Perhaps they are right.
Many of us are cold and hungry...

- That's odd.
- What?

This transmitter's rated
for only 5,000 watts.

- Yeah, so?
- We're knocking out 10.

How did this shroud of poverty
suddenly smother this once great land?

But the America for which our forefathers
fought and died, brothers and sisters,

is not lost.

No, it has not been consigned
to the dust heap of history.

It is not forgotten.

No, this land--

"Varlyn Stroud."

Your land has been stolen
by the international bankers,

"Varlyn Stroud."

Stolen by the crooked politicians,
stolen by cheap, immigrant labor...

Step back from the line.

"You will be my Apostle."

Stroud! Step back behind the line.

Who is there to protect
your american dream?

I say unto you there is only one,
and that is yourself.

You must take back what is yours.

We, as a nation, must recover
our collective dream,

the dream of our forefathers.

"My Archangel."

Who are you?

Subtitles: Lama
Transcript: Raceman