Salem (2014–2017): Season 1, Episode 11 - Cat and Mouse - full transcript

Previously on "Salem"...

Increase: This whore is hereby banished.

Anne: I am sorry about your girl.

Aah!

Increase: He is rendered
incapable of speech.

Mercy: Tituba held a spider to her neck.

She seemed to feed it.

Increase: You have but to tell me a name.

Tituba: [Whispers indistinctly]

Increase: And she started with Mercy Lewis.

Mary: Mercy?



Increase: I will have her and her girls.

Mary: She's not here. She
went out this afternoon.

She's not returned.

Increase: You can imagine my shock

to discover that John Alden

stands behind all of Salem's horror.

Selectman: I place you
under arrest for witchcraft.

[Rooster crows, horse neighs]

Increase: There was a time
I wished you my own son.

John: Then you know I'm no witch.

Increase: Sadly, Captain...

I do not know you at all anymore.

Mary: Do you truly believe him guilty?

Increase: Whatever I believe of
John Alden is not at issue here.



This is why we have a trial.

Mary: A trial of John Alden.

Increase: Does this surprise you?

Your own servant's accusations
were firm and... and very clear.

Unless...

Unless, of course,

perhaps your own feelings
cloud your judgment?

Mary: Any feelings I once had
for John Alden were extinguished

once I gave my heart to George.

Increase: Ah.

Mary: But it is not my
feelings that concern me.

Increase: Then whose?

Mary: Salem's.

John Alden is a firebrand, but
he is adored by the commoners.

I've already heard
their whispers of dismay.

Increase: Tell me... are you suggesting
that I not bring Alden to trial?

Mary: No. I am suggesting you
do not fight this battle alone.

Allow the select board to decide
whether a trial is warranted.

With their backing... and I
assure you, you have it fully...

you will quell any dissent.

Increase: And are you confident

that the board will vote
to bring Alden to trial?

Mary: As sure as I stand before you.

Increase: Yes.

I shall summon the
board at once. Thank you.

Mary: Oh, and, Reverend?

Any luck in finding mercy Lewis?

She, too, must face her day of reckoning.

Increase: Not yet.

But I'm a patient man.

And a witch can't hide forever.

["Cupid Carries a Gun" plays]

♪ Pound me the witch drums ♪

♪ witch drums ♪

♪ pound me the witch drums ♪

♪ pound me the witch drums ♪

♪ the witch drums ♪

♪ better pray for hell ♪

♪ not hallelujah ♪

Anne: What is it? Tell me.

And why you felt the need to destroy it.

Mr. Hale: Tell you?

Was it not you who just told me

that it was a magical transporting mask?

Did I get that right?

Anne: Don't you dare mock me.

I've afforded you the privacy to explain.

Mr. Hale: Which I have done many times.

It is an artifact of my travels.

Anne: Stop.

No more lies. I simply want the truth.

Mr. Hale: The truth of the mask?

Anne: The truth of you.

Of who and what you are.

Fine.

Perhaps there is someone who is
not yet tired of my questions,

someone with knowledge of other worlds

who isn't afraid to share it.

Increase Mather.

Mr. Hale: What on earth
would you want to bother him

- with this nonsense for?
- Anne: Nonsense?

Why don't we see if Increase
regards this as nonsense?

For I do not believe he will.

Mr. Hale: Anne.

Anne!

Increase: Mm.

Do you know why I came back to Salem?

Cotton: Lovely.

More questions I can answer
to your dissatisfaction.

Increase: Not only to hunt witches,

but to make a man of my son.

Cotton: You found some witches?

So your trip is not a total loss.

Increase: Do you really not see
the path that I've set you on?

The whore is gone.

A rare opportunity awaits you now

to announce yourself
before the entire province.

Cotton: And what is that?

Increase: Tomorrow I shall bring

John Alden's case before the board.

Cotton, you are a persuasive...
nay, a gifted speaker.

I want you there by my side.

Cotton: I will not.

John Alden is my friend,
perhaps my only one.

Increase: And you would allow friendship

to stand in the way of your own elevation?

Cotton: He is innocent.

And you know it.

Increase: Do I?

Do you?

A man shares your whiskey
and suddenly you can...

you can see into his very soul

and attest that it has not
been blackened by the devil.

I, myself, possess no such omniscience.

You know, long ago, I faced
the same dilemma as you.

It was state the case against
a fellow student, a classmate,

a young man I... I quite liked,

or remain silent and allow
an accused witch to walk free.

Cotton: And let me guess.

You watched him burn.

Increase: No.

I let my feelings intercede,
and the young man was freed.

And two years later,

he slit the throats of two
virgins in a satanic ritual.

My mistake.

And it has haunted me ever since.

So consider carefully your decision.

You know me well.

Just how well do you know John Alden?

Mr. Hale: I surveyed the
board per your request.

- Mary: And?
- Mr. Hale: Six of the selectmen will, indeed,

opt to take Alden to trial.

The other five, loyal to
the memory of his father,

will vote for dismissal.

Mary: That leaves two seats.

Mr. Hale: I shall vote as you have asked.

I assure you.

Mary: So this leaves me,

as a proxy for my ailing
husband, to break the tie.

Come. Let's get this over with.

Increase: Must we not
hold all our citizens,

both commoner and the sons of privilege,

to the same standard?

When they cheat, must
they not be pilloried?

When they steal, must they not be whipped?

And when they fail to uphold
their promise to God and choose,

instead, to take league with the devil,

must they not then be
judged by their decision?

Mary: Thank you, Reverend.

I believe the board is ready to vote.

Captain Alden has been accused
of the practice of witchcraft.

The good Reverend has graciously agreed

to allow the board to decide
whether he should go to trial.

So, those who believe

that Captain Alden should
be tried as a witch?

Six for trial.

And those who believe that Captain
Alden's distinguished character

renders such accusations baseless?

Five for dismissal.

Mr. Hale?

Salem awaits your vote.

Mr. Hale: Dismissal.

Mary: Ah.

Six to six.

Which means I must break the deadlock.

And I shall cast my vote...

Increase: Actually, Mrs. Sibley...

Your vote is not required.

You will be pleased to learn

that George's health has progressed,

at least to the point where he
is able to cast his own vote.

Thank you, doctor.

Mary: Reverend, you yourself said
that he was held in the witch's grip.

Increase: Perhaps. Perhaps not.

His condition has steadily improved.

Mary: Improved? He cannot speak.

He can barely move.

All he can do... Is spit.

Increase: Yes, precisely.

George, my dear old friend,

if you can understand the words

that I am speaking to you, please spit.

- Ha!
- Mary: This is ludicrous.

Increase: Actually, Mrs.
Sibley, it is anything but.

Your husband is a selectman

and he is eager to perform his civic duty.

Well, then. Sir?

And now, George, tell me...
do you believe that this man,

John Alden, should now stand trial?

Yea or nay?

If your answer is in the affirmative,

will you please spit?

Return him to the jail.

Captain John Alden will stand trial

on the charge of witchcraft.

[insects chirping]

[Horse neighs]

Mary: Open it.

Man: Yes, ma'am.

Mary: Now leave us.

Man: Yes, ma'am.

[Door closes]

Mary: I warned you.

I told you that should you stay
in Salem, you would die here.

John: So you came here to
remind me? Or to bury me?

Mary: I came to apologize.

Not for today's vote,

but for the one that I cast
that sent you on this course.

Had I accepted your
offer to go to New York,

far from this place,

we would know nothing of votes
or trials or Increase Mather.

John: And if I hadn't gone to
war or you hadn't married Sibley.

There was no one choice
that sent our course awry.

Mary: Listen to me.

If you go to trial, they will hang you.

But there is still a way
to prevent such a fate.

They cannot try you if you
are not here to be tried.

John: Escape?

Is that what you...
Mary: I will arrange it.

It won't be easy, but properly planned.

I have resources, means at my disposal...

- Mary.
- Far more widespread than you might imagine.

John: Mary, no.

I won't go.

Mary: But a trial will result
with you in the gallows.

You must know this.

John: You know, I always wondered

why Giles Corey never fought back,

why he let them press him to death

rather than plead to their charges.

But now I know.

He knew he lost the moment
he played their game,

dignified their madness.

So, no, I won't run,
not from my birthplace.

I'd rather die here.

Mary: [Sniffles]

And so perhaps you will get your wish.

Anne: Reverend Mather?

- Increase: You're the Hale girl.
- Anne: Anne, sir.

Increase: Do you wish to speak to me,

or are you simply content to watch me eat?

Anne: I have a question...

Of witches.

Increase: Indeed.

Are you merely curious or
have you encountered one?

Anne: Well...

Mr. Hale: Anne, there you are.

Interrupting Reverend Mather's dinner.

Increase: She was querying
me about witchcraft.

Mr. Hale: Was she?

Anne: Reverend Mather was
about to answer my questions

that others seem unable
to answer truthfully.

Mr. Hale: Well, perhaps I
can be of some assistance

so the Reverend can
finish his meal in peace.

Anne: Perhaps. But will you speak honestly?

Mr. Hale: I will.

Increase: Well, it is no matter to me.

Magistrate, Miss Hale.

Anne: No more lies.

Mr. Hale: No more lies.

[Women screaming]

Increase: Have either of
you tired of this game?

For I assure you, I have not.

Emily: Mercy's too smart for you.

Elizabeth: We'll never
tell you where she is.

Increase: Is that what you think?

That we're here together

because I require your help
in locating mercy Lewis?

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I am here as an act of charity.

Emily: [Sobbing] Charity?

Increase: Aid me in apprehending her

and your lives will be spared.

But if you persist in defying me,

I can offer you no
alternative to the stake.

Elizabeth: Mercy won't let us die.

Emily: She will come for us.

Increase: Perhaps such a thought

comforts you in your sleepless night,

but I assure you, I will find mercy Lewis

with or without your help.

[Women screaming]

Mary: You're late.

Mercy: Well, I'm sorry, my lady,
but I have to take precautions

with Increase still searching for me.

Mary: You're right to.

You offered a solution once for Increase,

one that I dismissed,

but perhaps it was only my
response which was misguided.

Mercy: So what are you saying?

Mary: I'm saying that
Increase Mather must die.

And we are the ones to do it.

Mercy: Kill him? But why now?

Mary: The shadow he casts grows longer.

And Tituba's accusations

jeopardize one that I care for deeply.

Mercy: [Scoffs] John Alden?

Mary: No.

My dear, dear mercy.

You.

Your path from lost
girl to devil's assistant

is one that I walked, too.

I would protect you as
I would mine own self.

Now, Tituba's released,
rewarded for her treachery,

and you live like an
animal, hunted and fearful.

Mercy: So how will I do it and when?

Mary: Easy, my dear.

Many a witch has sought
to claim Increase's life

and lost theirs in the process.

Our efforts must be planned... Carefully.

Mercy: Surely you must
have a method in mind.

Mary: Yes.

I do. Show me your fingers.

Mercy: My fingers?

Mary: These will do.

Mercy: For what?

Mary: Now strike me.

Mercy: My lady?

Mary: Tear at my flesh as
you would your vilest enemy.

Mercy: [Chuckles]

Mary: Do not question
your ears nor your faith.

Do as I ask.

And soon you will understand.

Mr. Hale: I was 8 years old

when I watched my parents burn.

[Woman screaming]

Timeless solution for
exterminating witches.

Do you know what it's like

to witness the death of those you love

more than anyone else in the world?

Anne: I can't imagine.

Mr. Hale: It teaches you
what you are capable of.

The depths and limits
you never knew you had.

And, yet, even as their
ashes lingered in the air,

steps were taken to
spare me a similar fate.

So I was whisked from
england, sent across the sea,

surviving plague and pestilence,

to the new world.

[Horse neighs]

I was taken in by those loyal to the cause,

who raised me with a twin mission...

teach me to harness the power of who I was

and yet to keep it hidden from the world.

And then I was raising a family of my own,

knowing that those I held most precious

live in every bit the jeopardy that I do.

Am I a witch?

Yes.

But does that make me any
less of a loving father?

No.

Most certainly not.

Anne: [Gasping]

Mary: Enter.

Isaac: I came as soon as you summoned me.

I suspect you're not pleased.

What happened, Mrs. Sibley?

Mary: Oh, uh, this.

And here my own vanity convinced
me it was hardly noticeable.

Join me in tea, and I
will tell you my sad tale.

I went to the woods,
hoping to clear my mind

after recent troubling events.

Sugar?

Isaac: No, thank you.

Mary: Lost in my own thoughts,
I scarcely noticed her...

drink, Isaac...

until she was upon me.

Isaac: Who?

Mary: Mercy Lewis,

who greeted me not with kindness

for once taking her in...

But with violence and anger.

She finds me guilty
for Tituba's accusations

as if I'm responsible
for my servant's mind.

Isaac: Mrs. Sibley?

Mary: Yes, Isaac?

Isaac: The tea.

Mary: What about it?

Is it making you warm or just sleepy?

Isaac: Both.

Mary: Good. Then it's working.

I don't mind telling you this

because when you wake,
you will remember nothing,

although I do regret using you like this.

Even in Salem, there are
those who deserve better.

But Increase knows that you're
far too scared and guileless

to betray him again.

He will take your words as fact.

Isaac: Words?

Mary: That hearing that
mercy lurked nearby,

you sought her in the woods.

But she was too quick, and she evaded you.

Increase will parse your words

until he is convinced they are truth.

So repeat after me, Isaac.

"I went to the woods..."

Isaac: I went to the woods...

Mary: "...To find mercy Lewis."

Isaac: To find mercy Lewis.

Mary: "Past the lake, beside
the weeping tree, I spied her."

Isaac: Past the lake, beside
the weeping tree, I spied her.

Mary: Very good. Again.

Increase: Can we ever
truly know our neighbor,

trust that they are whom they seem to be,

who they would have us believe them to be?

We are told that a young woman, a girl,

really was a tool of the witches,

only to find that she is,
in fact, a witch herself.

And now Salem's first son
stands likewise accused.

Look around.

Look to either side.

Look to your neighbor.

And ask yourself, "friend or sorcerer?

Wife or witch?"

Cotton: God or devil?!

Increase: Who said that? Show yourself.

It is my son.

Pay him no mind.

Do not reward him with your indulgence.

Cotton: You question who
the people of Salem are

in the name of God.

Increase: Yes?

Cotton: But should the people of
Salem not question who you are?

For how else would the devil appear...

But in the cloak of the lord?

Increase: Get out.

You are drunk!

Your rantings only serve
to embarrass yourself.

Remove yourself now.

You will not?

I will remove you myself!

Mrs. Hale: Point the
finger at her own father?

She would never.

Mr. Hale: Are you certain of that?

Wasn't it just last night

that I found her with Increase?

Mrs. Hale: [Sighs] She had no intention.

She was simply acting out.

Mr. Hale: Salem is filled
with those who act out...

friends who act like enemies,

enemies who act as executioners.

Mrs. Hale: This is all new to her.

Trust that, in time, she will accept it.

Mr. Hale: Yes, and if not, what then?

Mrs. Hale: Then it may be time
to tell her the rest of the story.

Mr. Hale: I'm afraid that
time has already come.

Increase: Your story is
really quite fantastic.

Mary Sibley attacked by mercy Lewis.

Isaac: Yes, sir.

Increase: And out of loyalty to Mary,

you followed the girl into the woods.

Isaac: Loyalty to Mary?

- No, sir. Loyalty to you.
- Increase: Me?

Isaac: Are you not eager to find the girl?

Did you not tell me

to keep my eyes and
ears open on your behalf?

Increase: Mm.

Isaac: So when I learned she
lurked at the wood's edge,

I sought her out, as I
knew you would have wanted.

Increase: This is called a cilice.

I wear this to remind
myself of my own failing.

Does it surprise you, Isaac,

to learn that even I have
sins I must atone for?

Have you ever sinned?

Isaac: Not intentionally, sir.

Increase: Are you sinning now?

Are you lying to me?

Isaac: I speak the truth, Reverend.

I saw her, but could not catch her.

Increase: And can you recall where
it was you last laid eyes on mercy?

Isaac: Past the lake, beside
the weeping tree, I spied her.

Increase: And you could...
you could lead me there?

Isaac: Yes, of course, sir.

Increase: Well, then.

Prepare yourself, my boy...

For you and I... Are going witch hunting.

[Rodents squeaking]

Mercy: [Grunts, chuckles]

[knock on door]

Cotton: Miss Hale.

Anne: Am I intruding, Reverend?

Cotton: Well, I was just about to enjoy

my late-afternoon drink...

not to be confused, of course,
with my early-evening drink,

which I anticipate taking
place shortly, as well.

Perhaps?

Anne: Oh, no, thank you. I cannot stay.

I simply came to say... I'm sorry.

Cotton: For?

Anne: Everything.

I have not treated you well...

Nor entirely fairly.

Cotton: So my father has earned
me your pity. Is that right?

Anne: No.

I simply see that we are alike,

both children of complicated men.

Cotton: Magistrate Hale, complicated?

In truth, he's always seemed
a bit of a... a simpleton to me.

Anne: [Chuckles] No, I assure you.

[Sighs]

He is as complex as any man in Salem.

You have made quite a
study of them... witches.

Cotton: For all my studies, I'm
not sure I truly know a thing.

Anne: Oh, I doubt that.

I'm sure you could tell me all about them.

Cotton: I did not know you
even believed in witches.

Anne: I've had a change of heart.

Cotton: And why is that?

Anne: Perhaps it is an interest
I've lived with my entire life,

but wasn't aware of until recently.

Cotton: Well, um...

If you have a moment, please sit,

and I will tell you all about witches.

Isaac: It's here, Reverend.

Increase: You're sure?

Isaac: 'Twas the trail I
took that led me to her.

Careful, sir.

We do not know when she could strike.

Increase: Tell me, did you really
travel this deep into the woods alone

to find the girl?

Isaac: For you, sir.

Increase: [Chuckles] For me? I'm touched.

I'm also extremely skeptical.

Isaac: Reverend?

Increase: What is your plan?

Isaac: Plan?

Increase: To lure me? To kill me?

Isaac: No. Why would I?

How?

Increase: Or perhaps... perhaps
you did not have a choice.

Tell me, whose bidding is it that you do?

Is it John Alden who wants me dead?

Or Mary Sibley?

Or do they work in concert? Hmm?

Tell me now, or I'll slide
this blade along your throat,

and you'll be dead before
I clean and sheath it.

Isaac: Reverend, I promise you I'm here

on your behalf and yours alone.

Sir!

Mercy: [Laughs]

Increase: After her! Go on!

Anne: You've seen one?

A witch, I mean?

Cotton: I have.

A vile creature who
walked undetected for years

until finally her true nature was revealed.

Anne: So they hide amongst us?

Cotton: This change of heart is remarkable.

Anne: Remarkable that it took so long.

Living in Salem and
not believing in witches

is like living in London
and not believing in fog.

It is to deny what is
right in front of you.

Cotton: And what does your
father think of your conversion?

Anne: My father...

Above all is...

Responsible for it.

Cotton: Perhaps he's as
complicated as you say.

[Clears throat]

Anne: But what my father
did not answer is...

what do witches want?

Cotton: Some say they
want only to live in peace.

Others, like my father,
say that they desire

nothing less than the
destruction of all mankind.

Anne: And is your father correct?

Cotton: My father's
correct in most matters.

Anne: Is he correct about you?

Cotton: My father thinks I'm a failure.

Since I have failed at
both piety and sobriety,

yes...

The evidence supports his case.

Anne: He's wrong.

Cotton: [Sighs]

Another failure to add to my list.

Anne: Your only failure

is not becoming your father.

And that is no failure.

Mary: Terra sunt carnes et ossa.

Domini est terra et ossa.

Terra sunt carnes et ossa.

Domini est terra et ossa.

Isaac: I do not see her.

Increase: Well, fear not. She will return.

For how else can she attempt to kill me?

Mary: Domini est terra et ossa.

Increase: Satan is a formidable enemy

not because he's evil,
but because he is sly.

Oh, we know each other well.

[Twig snaps]

Shh, shh, shh, shh.

Mary: Et nos unum benedictus.

Increase: [Gasps, coughs]

Isaac: Reverend?

Increase: [Gasping]

Isaac: Sir?

Sir? Reverend Mather?

Mercy: Looking for me, Reverend?

Increase: You will return with me to Salem,

and you will stand trial, witch.

Mercy: [Chuckles]

I don't think so.

[Gasps]

Increase: [Grunting]

[Grunting]

Mercy: Did you think it would only
take one knife to kill me, Reverend?

[Laughs]

[Panting]

Increase: After her!

Isaac, don't let her get away!

Isaac!

Isaac: [Groaning]

Increase: [Panting]

Oh.

Isaac: Mercy's weapon.

Increase: Oh, my poor boy.

Breathe shallow.

You are not alone.

Isaac: Aah!

[Knock on door]

Mary: Yes?

Nathaniel: Reverend Mather has
requested you in his quarters.

Mary: Cotton?

Nathaniel: Uh, no, ma'am.

Increase.

Increase: Mrs. Sibley, this way.

Mary: May I have a moment with him?

Isaac.

Oh, sweet Isaac.

I never intended for you to meet this fate.

So I promise you,

though a grim future
awaits the people of Salem,

I will protect you from any further pain.

I swear to you. [Door opens]

Increase: Come now.

He needs his rest.

Mary: Reverend, I am at a loss.

Why Isaac would take it upon
himself to seek out Mercy...

Increase: I asked him the same question.

Mary: And what did he say?

Increase: He said he did it on my behalf,

which I find very odd

when you consider the
fact that he detests me.

Mary: Detests you?

No. No, Isaac hates no one.

He is incapable of it.

Increase: Well, at least you will agree

his mind is... Childlike.

And, like a child,

he absorbs the thoughts
and the intents of others.

Mary: What others?

Increase: Someone who does hate me...

And desires me... Dead.

Mary: And one other matter, Reverend...

I remain skeptical that
John Alden is a witch.

Increase: Ah, if not Alden,

tell me who, then, is responsible

for what has transpired in Salem?

Mary: Regrettably, I do not know.

Increase: Well, perhaps
we can hope together

that the truly guilty
party will step forward

and... Exonerate the good Captain.

Do you think that's a possibility, Mary?

Mary: This is Salem.

I think there are no
limits to what is possible.

[Insects chirping]

[Knock on door]

Increase: Am I to expect another outburst?

Cotton: No. I've not had a drink for hours.

Increase: Ah. Amazing what one comes
to accept as a sign of progress.

Why have you come at this hour?

Cotton: I've been contemplating your offer

to join you in the
prosecution of Captain Alden.

Increase: And you have
seen the wisdom in it?

Cotton: I have seen wisdom...

But not yours.

I've decided to defend Captain Alden.

Increase: To defend?

Oh, imagine how proud I am to have...

Raised a son so steadfast in his ability

to consistently make the wrong decision.

Mr. Hale: Anne.

Anne: Please, father,
it's far past my bedtime.

Mr. Hale: I only require a moment.

Something I neglected to tell you before...

Regarding that mask.

Anne: Truly, can this wait?

Mr. Hale: It has waited long enough.

And it is this...

that the power of that mask

can only be accessed by those of one kind.

Anne: And what kind is that?

Mr. Hale: My kind.

Anne: But it worked when I...

Are you saying that I am...

Mr. Hale: Like me.

A witch.