The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021–…): Season 2, Episode 1 - A Perilous Journey - full transcript
What is happening?
- What is it that you all have in common?
- We're all alone.
My father ran away and
left me when I was three.
We're asking you
to go on a mission.
A risky, an undercover
mission, and unfortunately,
one that can only be
accomplished by children.
Hidden messages. They're coming
from the Institute on Harbor Island.
You four are going to infiltrate
the institute as my secret agents.
What makes you think that four
kids can stop all of this?
Not just kids.
Four
extraordinary kids.
The Mysterious
Benedict Society.
Welcome, new students.
I'm your headmaster,
Dr. L.D. Curtain.
L.D.
Curtain is your brother.
- He's the man we've been hunting.
- Yes.
This gallery
contains my most prized invention.
- The Whisperer.
- Textbook mind control.
Not just of Stonetown,
of the whole world.
- Goodbye, free will.
- It's go time.
Yes, Kate. We're going
to raid the tower.
Security
to the Whispering Room.
- Code Red.
- All available security...
I am not some damaged person
in need of self-healing!
Or some...
- He's gonna wake up any second.
- And he called for help.
- What are you doing?
- All that is left is to break its will.
It's a machine.
Why
can't you just go along?
Yes!
Whoa, she did it.
This is Curtain.
Stand down. The
Emergency is over.
What does it feel
like? Having no memory.
It felt like searching.
For the answer in front of me.
It was you, Kate.
It was always you.
- I am so proud of you.
- I want to come live with you.
I've been thinking
about that, too.
Have you given any thought
to your continued studies?
I was hoping to go to
the Boatwright Academy.
Oh, you richly deserve that.
You'll be valued there.
- Constance.
- Respectfully decline.
- Decline?
- The adoption.
I will stay here, but
let's not paper this.
- What are you going to do?
- I'm going to find him.
I won't give up on him.
- Whisperer is just a souvenir.
- Really?
I've got something better.
Well, this could be interesting.
My dear Society,
in the years since
we've all been together,
life has taken some
surprising turns, hasn't it?
Out of nowhere, we find
ourselves in unexpected places.
Seven seconds.
How is yours so much faster?
I just crafted a plant-based
dietary supplement
that increased her
mitochondrial function.
With amazing new
people experiencing things
we never imagined possible.
Or in the everyday surprise of that
elusive state known as harmony.
Yes, there is joy
in the unexpected.
It can make life more colorful.
More exciting.
Innovative.
Not efficient.
- I'll trade time for fun.
- That's a good bargain.
Madge.
What you got there?
But...
not all surprises are good.
Smooth sailing can suddenly
become rough waters.
That's why it is so important
that we have each other.
And that's why I invite
you all on a new adventure.
We're family.
And though everyday life might
send us in different directions,
when we encounter these squalls,
it is time for this
family to regroup.
Our esteemed
guest is Dr. L.D. Curtain.
That's me.
Do people just stop you
on the street and say thank you?
Now, why
would they do that?
Perhaps because you single
handedly solved The Emergency?
One of the greatest
crises of our lifetime.
- Yeah.
- People call you a hero.
Oh, no, no, no.
I'm just a simple man.
Well, I am a man
who saw a problem
and sniffed out the rogue
scientist responsible.
- Dr. Garrison.
- Yes.
Do you feel personally betrayed?
Of course, I do. I do.
But this isn't about
me. I'm just...
I'm just thankful that I
had the unique intellect
and know how to
solve the problem.
For everyone.
- And now your latest venture, Happiness.
- Happiness.
Lectures, television specials,
- a new book.
- Um-hm.
You've become a guru of sorts.
Ridding the world of sadness,
one person at a time.
- Yes.
- They say you can make anyone happy.
I can't control what
they're saying, but yes.
I can.
Oh, a raised eyebrow.
Don't you want to be happy?
All the time?
Aren't the ups and downs
what makes us human?
No. I think that's
your inner naysayer.
Why not choose happiness?
Let me ask you.
Did you know you
deserve it, Hannah?
Did you know you can opt-in
to joy and good feeling?
With me, that's possible.
Choose...
happiness.
What is it?
I'm certainly feeling an
overwhelming sense of well-being.
Isn't it wonderful?
Come, have breakfast.
I'm not hungry.
You say that before you
have tried my Dutch baby.
Babies.
Three, two, one.
Who is this? Where's Rhonda?
My friend, you should
know better by now.
I do. I was just working
on a character of my own.
- Global traveler.
- Very convincing.
- How are you?
- Doing real good.
The clues are demanding, but fair.
The children are going to love it.
Oh, I'm so excited to see you.
Hey, we have
unfinished business.
The Stonetown loggers
establishing a smooth rhythm,
but it's no match for
long Norwegian power.
And the win goes to
the team from Bergen.
No!
The Euro Cup is in Antwerp this
year. We'll get redemption there.
Ah, so that's where you are.
Antwerp.
Nice try. You know I
can't tell you that.
- How's Mr. Benedict?
- Hmm.
Irritable, annoying at times,
just irritable at others.
He's still hung up
on the injustice.
I think the scavenger hunt is just as
much for him as it is for the kids.
Agreed. I just wish
they... Oh, wait.
Where is he going? Mr. Benedict?
Hello?
- Where are you going?
- Oh, to the train station.
- We are going to a symposium.
- A symposium?
Yes. Look.
Are you even invited to speak?
Well, I'm an esteemed
scientist. They'll...
It's not an open mic.
Well, as we wait for the children, I
thought we could use this time for good.
Don't you think? And, and the
truth cannot wait any longer.
No one wants to hear the truth.
You tried this multiple
times, Mr. Benedict,
and no one is interested.
The important thing is
that The Emergency is over.
Who cares that your
brother gets all the credit
and you're mocked
and seen as a downer?
- Who's mocking me?
- It doesn't matter.
People are back to their
lives. That's what matters.
So, maybe just call it victory
and enjoy it?
No one is safe with my
brother as some guru
with all this
influence. This is...
We seem pretty safe.
Hey, it's okay to be jealous of him.
- None of this is fair.
- Excuse me.
The truth is important.
It's not even a high level
conference, even the middle tier.
I'm not jealous. Excuse me.
Mr. Benedict!
Excuse me.
- Mr. Benedict.
- Excuse me. Out of the way.
Mr. Benedict.
Excuse me. Excuse
me. Mr. Benedict.
Where...
Mr. Benedict.
Mr. Benedict?
Mr. Benedict?
Hey!
It says to pack
for an adventure,
maybe a few extra clothes.
Anything I need, it's in
my bucket or can be gotten
with the things in my bucket
and carried in my bucket.
I'll pack a tiny go bag or gorp.
- That's not necessary.
- What about...
this?
It's a multi tool.
I whittled it for the bucket.
Oh, that's really nice,
but I don't have a room...
You fit a winch in there.
I can take care of myself.
I know you can, Kitty Cat, but it's
my job to take care of you also.
Additionally.
We should go.
What if I got my own bucket?
A pail, perhaps?
That'd be cool.
We've got plans this summer.
We're going to send a
grapefruit into low Earth orbit.
That sounds amazing.
Please come. We could
use you on heat shields.
I'd really love to,
but I have this reunion
thing I have to go to.
Oh, I'm sure that'll
be great too.
Ready to go?
Sure. But it's almost 11:00.
Oh, the postman.
Yes, he is punctual.
I just wrote Sticky
so many letters.
There must be some backlog
or forwarding issue.
This could be the
day the dam breaks.
You're going to see him really soon.
You're going to see all of them.
I wonder if you're
nervous to see them again,
if it'll be the same?
People like to communicate
in different ways.
Sometimes it's as
simple as that.
Besides, no matter how
much time has passed,
they know you and
they care about you.
And that won't change.
But still, we can wait.
Good to see you.
You got everything?
Have
a great time, okay?
Everyone looks gangly and weird.
We've all grown.
No. That's not it.
Should we hug?
- Uh...
- Don't be repulsive.
We got to mark the occasion.
Okay. We're back.
Elephant in the room. Constance
killed a machine with her mind.
Yeah, I've got questions.
Me too. Let's go inside.
Is it really been a year?
- Dog man?
- Gather the kids.
It's so nice
to see you, truly.
This was supposed to
be a joyous occasion.
- But?
- Mr. Benedict and Number Two...
are missing.
What do you mean?
- Her sentence seemed pretty clear.
- How? What happened?
Benedict and Number Two have
been traveling across Europe,
planting clues for a scavenger hunt,
which would lead us all to a big reunion.
Fun!
What? It sounds like fun.
They just missed their
second compulsory check in.
- I don't...
- It's a foolproof, fail-safe system
we enact for security abroad.
And you know, Number Two.
Missing it once, never.
Twice? Unthinkable.
- They've gone silent. They've disappeared.
- What do we do?
Milligan and I need to put all
our efforts into finding them.
And of course, the
scavenger hunt is off.
I'm very sorry.
Thank you, François.
Anything you
can tell me could be interesting.
Unfortunately, we haven't
found anything either.
The trail went cold and
time is of the essence...
So, when
do we leave for Europe?
We want to be part of the
search. I know we can help.
- I'm sorry, Reynie, but no.
- Thank you.
No.
I understand it emotionally,
but it's unrealistic.
Potentially
counterproductive.
Dangerous.
I was saving that for last, but
yes, it could be very dangerous.
Too many unknowns. It's a no.
A firm no.
I'm very sorry.
I've called Ms. Perumal
and the Boatwright Academy.
You'll all be taken
home very shortly.
It's hard, I know. But...
we'll take care of it.
We'll find them, yeah?
I don't understand.
We should be going.
Why are they leaving us
in other people's hands?
They're just being
logical and safe.
We don't know where they
are or what happened.
We do unsafe things all the
time. That's our signature.
Anybody wants to see the first clue
to our canceled scavenger hunt?
- I lifted it from Rhonda.
- Why?
If I give you a reason,
will it comfort you?
- Maybe.
- Mr. Benedict is gone.
Maybe down a well,
maybe into a propeller.
Either way, we will not
be seeing him again.
Constance.
He would want us to go
on a scavenger hunt.
Perhaps as his final
gift to us. His legacy.
Come on, Reynie.
Maybe the prize is
a new sweater vest.
No, the prize is a
reunion with him.
He made us a set of clues
to lead us to where he is.
Where he was.
We can use these clues to get
to Europe and find Mr. Benedict.
Or at least find the well.
This will get us close to
the last point of contact.
We'll pick up the
scent from there.
Rhonda and Mulligan will never let
us. You heard them. Too dangerous.
- Then I'm in.
- Me too.
I crave the frontiers
of human experience.
They told us we're
capable of doing anything.
And you know what we've
done and who we are.
We're the mysterious
Benedict Society.
So let's go after them.
What's the first clue?
"Looking for something? Open me.
I'm sure that your something
inside of me lies."
Rhyming is the lowest
form of poetic expression.
"What is sought,
depends on the seeker."
"Others for nature. Still
others for nurture."
That's it? It's impossible.
Nothing can hold
all those things.
And that's coming from
someone with the magic bucket.
- Where are you going?
- The library.
Driver?
Driver?
- Might as well be a mannequin.
- Just implacable.
Excuse me.
Driver.
Driver!
- Oh, oh.
- Hm?
- Pork rillette?
- No.
Hm.
Well, at least the provisions
are good for our kidnapping.
Yes, yes, yes.
Why be so thoughtfully
curated if we were meant harm?
Well, many sociopaths
are unfailingly polite.
Well, this could easily be a
benefactor, a powerful benefactor.
But yes, someone who wants
to help. Yes.
The dictionary, of
course. It's alphabetized.
"Hope comes after despair,
but before surprise."
And, "What I mean lies
inside of me too."
- The definition for dictionaries...
- In the dictionary.
But which dictionary?
Benedict's kind of
obsessed with them.
There are 17 in the house, 28
if you count foreign languages.
Last time I checked.
A lot has happened
since you left, George.
Many dictionaries acquired.
With that many, we
need to split up.
- Sticky, library. You guys...
- Benedict's study.
Dictionary, dictionary...
I've never understood
his shelving system.
There is no system.
I'm sure the library at
Boatwright is crazy organized.
It is. Pretty much
everything is.
I imagine.
How are things, like, I don't
know, the mail delivery situation?
Mail delivery? Just
a random example.
- How does that work?
- We just go down to the P.O.
Everybody has a mailbox.
Nothing special.
Though it's kind of funny.
They have these tables
where student clubs set up.
Rocketry, debate, you know?
- One day, doing the Bees.
- The Bees?
The Bees, Brady Beesley?
Anyway, they dressed
up in all black,
set up a table with a blank
black sign and blank nametags.
Nothingness Club. They got,
like, 25 people to sign up.
- It was hilarious.
- Cool.
So anyway, seems like the mail
delivery system is in good shape.
I'm not sure what
you're talking about.
But I've missed you.
It's good to see you.
- I want to know about rural life.
- Okay.
- Do you milk a cow?
- On occasion.
- Slop the hog pen?
- If called for.
- Harvest?
- Only during harvest.
What do you harvest? Loneliness?
- It's definitely not lonely.
- Oh, yes.
Just you and your father
against the world.
- Kind of like you.
- Ha.
What's it like, having
Benedict for a dad?
- Not dad, roommate.
- Okay.
Respectful distance,
intelligent conversation.
I allow him to believe
he's good at chess.
He brings me nutritious food.
I don't even know
what I'm looking for.
- Finally, some truth.
- What?
I was talking about
the dictionaries.
You can needle me all you
want, but you like me.
You admitted it.
Hello.
What's going on?
Just trying to
increase my vocab.
Not a lot of books on the farm.
Oh, you'd like more books on the
farm? I'd be happy to place an order.
I know that my collection skews
heavily towards historical thrillers.
No, it's good. It's good.
Okay, then.
Nothing you need help
with? Nothing going on?
Nope.
I'll see you in a bit.
Shut up.
- Is there a dictionary in there?
- No. No, I'm just snooping.
I found it.
A book in a book.
"Travelers should
always keep journals.
Journals should
always keep secrets.
Read quickly and move on.
Bon voyage, Mr. Benedict."
What's it say?
This is... gibberish.
Wait, the last word on
each page is in italics.
"Take down roses
and severely take your chances.
Take up sewing...
Take my... bait... answer...
dogfish... shortcut...
learn the passage...
cold cut, shortcut, uppercut."
- That's it.
- Okay, then.
- Very clear.
- What does it mean?
Does anyone feel like
they've entered a trance?
Maybe it's something structural.
Uh, hidden compartment
within a hidden compartment?
Structural. Yes. Give me that.
- What are you doing?
- Constance.
Pages with different sizes.
I've just separated them.
It's called deckle edge. It's
a premium way to buy books.
Mr. Benedict would never
ask us to desecrate a book.
- Yeah, I feel unclean.
- Well, the clock's ticking.
Better move quickly.
We read it slowly. He
said to read quickly.
"Take the shortcut."
Take the shortcut.
- What's the shortcut?
- It's a ship.
- A ship?
- Not just a ship.
It's the fastest
ship in the world.
I subscribe to Maritime Monthly.
- George, as a young man, that is sad.
- What?
It's an incredible
window into the world.
There's news, politics,
opinion, recipes.
The point is, Benedict knows
you love things nautical.
Yeah, we've talked
about it a lot.
He knew you'd know.
So, it's the ship.
- Which is in port right now.
- How...
In the nautical community,
we always know the whereabouts
of the flagship class vessels.
Everybody knows that, Kate.
So if the idea was that we
were supposed to leave today...
We better get to the harbor.
Just go to the
harbor? Then what?
He'll have worked it
out. This was the plan.
It will become
clear. I have faith.
So, are we really
going to do this?
We're gonna find them.
But we all have to agree.
Are we doing this?
We're doing this.
Hello,
this is Rhonda. Yes?
Respond, please!
Your ride
will be here soon.
Milligan!
Sorry, we had to take
matters into our own hands.
Don't worry. We'll be
careful. Bon voyage.
What?
Last call
for the SS Shortcut.
All passengers aboard.
Last call for the SS Shortcut.
Weatherall, Kate?
Muldoon, Reynard?
Is there another name
they might be under?
Try Mr. Nicholas Benedict.
They have to be here.
As I told you, it's very rare
to have tickets left for pickup.
They would usually be
hand delivered and signed for.
Hand delivered.
Almost without exception.
Please, other
people need service.
- That was the second warning.
- Please.
We're just, will calling
a few more names.
That's not a verb, sir.
Rhonda Kazembe. Milligan?
I'm sure you can understand
why you are losing credibility.
And we do have
very limited time.
Next, please.
Did not foresee being
failed by the ticket situation
- before we even start.
- We need to think of something.
This plan... it
was naive at best.
Where are you going?
- We need to be on that boat.
- Ship.
Call it a boat on board and
you'll get a stern reprimand.
- Stern.
- What?
- Oh, nice.
- Guys, I need ideas.
If all this isn't a sign,
I don't know what is.
They need us.
Who knows what
danger they could be in?
It's time, sir.
Well, at least they've
given us a nice breakfast.
How pleasant of him.
Oh.
Oh, him.
Oh, so good to see you, brother.
And your associate.
I demand our immediate release.
Release? From what?
Well, don't limit your
perspective, Associate.
Number Two.
I'm not privy to your
organizational flow chart.
- Why?
- Why what?
Why are we here?
Oh, I can't wait to
share that with you.
I know that you'll be...
elated.
Too late.
- Bon voyage.
- Bon voyage.
This is... a bit of a surprise.
That's as eminently fair to say.
This really isn't like Reynie.
It's just like Kate.
We told them there was
nothing they couldn't do.
It's who we asked them to be.
- Maybe...
- They believed us.
- What is it that you all have in common?
- We're all alone.
My father ran away and
left me when I was three.
We're asking you
to go on a mission.
A risky, an undercover
mission, and unfortunately,
one that can only be
accomplished by children.
Hidden messages. They're coming
from the Institute on Harbor Island.
You four are going to infiltrate
the institute as my secret agents.
What makes you think that four
kids can stop all of this?
Not just kids.
Four
extraordinary kids.
The Mysterious
Benedict Society.
Welcome, new students.
I'm your headmaster,
Dr. L.D. Curtain.
L.D.
Curtain is your brother.
- He's the man we've been hunting.
- Yes.
This gallery
contains my most prized invention.
- The Whisperer.
- Textbook mind control.
Not just of Stonetown,
of the whole world.
- Goodbye, free will.
- It's go time.
Yes, Kate. We're going
to raid the tower.
Security
to the Whispering Room.
- Code Red.
- All available security...
I am not some damaged person
in need of self-healing!
Or some...
- He's gonna wake up any second.
- And he called for help.
- What are you doing?
- All that is left is to break its will.
It's a machine.
Why
can't you just go along?
Yes!
Whoa, she did it.
This is Curtain.
Stand down. The
Emergency is over.
What does it feel
like? Having no memory.
It felt like searching.
For the answer in front of me.
It was you, Kate.
It was always you.
- I am so proud of you.
- I want to come live with you.
I've been thinking
about that, too.
Have you given any thought
to your continued studies?
I was hoping to go to
the Boatwright Academy.
Oh, you richly deserve that.
You'll be valued there.
- Constance.
- Respectfully decline.
- Decline?
- The adoption.
I will stay here, but
let's not paper this.
- What are you going to do?
- I'm going to find him.
I won't give up on him.
- Whisperer is just a souvenir.
- Really?
I've got something better.
Well, this could be interesting.
My dear Society,
in the years since
we've all been together,
life has taken some
surprising turns, hasn't it?
Out of nowhere, we find
ourselves in unexpected places.
Seven seconds.
How is yours so much faster?
I just crafted a plant-based
dietary supplement
that increased her
mitochondrial function.
With amazing new
people experiencing things
we never imagined possible.
Or in the everyday surprise of that
elusive state known as harmony.
Yes, there is joy
in the unexpected.
It can make life more colorful.
More exciting.
Innovative.
Not efficient.
- I'll trade time for fun.
- That's a good bargain.
Madge.
What you got there?
But...
not all surprises are good.
Smooth sailing can suddenly
become rough waters.
That's why it is so important
that we have each other.
And that's why I invite
you all on a new adventure.
We're family.
And though everyday life might
send us in different directions,
when we encounter these squalls,
it is time for this
family to regroup.
Our esteemed
guest is Dr. L.D. Curtain.
That's me.
Do people just stop you
on the street and say thank you?
Now, why
would they do that?
Perhaps because you single
handedly solved The Emergency?
One of the greatest
crises of our lifetime.
- Yeah.
- People call you a hero.
Oh, no, no, no.
I'm just a simple man.
Well, I am a man
who saw a problem
and sniffed out the rogue
scientist responsible.
- Dr. Garrison.
- Yes.
Do you feel personally betrayed?
Of course, I do. I do.
But this isn't about
me. I'm just...
I'm just thankful that I
had the unique intellect
and know how to
solve the problem.
For everyone.
- And now your latest venture, Happiness.
- Happiness.
Lectures, television specials,
- a new book.
- Um-hm.
You've become a guru of sorts.
Ridding the world of sadness,
one person at a time.
- Yes.
- They say you can make anyone happy.
I can't control what
they're saying, but yes.
I can.
Oh, a raised eyebrow.
Don't you want to be happy?
All the time?
Aren't the ups and downs
what makes us human?
No. I think that's
your inner naysayer.
Why not choose happiness?
Let me ask you.
Did you know you
deserve it, Hannah?
Did you know you can opt-in
to joy and good feeling?
With me, that's possible.
Choose...
happiness.
What is it?
I'm certainly feeling an
overwhelming sense of well-being.
Isn't it wonderful?
Come, have breakfast.
I'm not hungry.
You say that before you
have tried my Dutch baby.
Babies.
Three, two, one.
Who is this? Where's Rhonda?
My friend, you should
know better by now.
I do. I was just working
on a character of my own.
- Global traveler.
- Very convincing.
- How are you?
- Doing real good.
The clues are demanding, but fair.
The children are going to love it.
Oh, I'm so excited to see you.
Hey, we have
unfinished business.
The Stonetown loggers
establishing a smooth rhythm,
but it's no match for
long Norwegian power.
And the win goes to
the team from Bergen.
No!
The Euro Cup is in Antwerp this
year. We'll get redemption there.
Ah, so that's where you are.
Antwerp.
Nice try. You know I
can't tell you that.
- How's Mr. Benedict?
- Hmm.
Irritable, annoying at times,
just irritable at others.
He's still hung up
on the injustice.
I think the scavenger hunt is just as
much for him as it is for the kids.
Agreed. I just wish
they... Oh, wait.
Where is he going? Mr. Benedict?
Hello?
- Where are you going?
- Oh, to the train station.
- We are going to a symposium.
- A symposium?
Yes. Look.
Are you even invited to speak?
Well, I'm an esteemed
scientist. They'll...
It's not an open mic.
Well, as we wait for the children, I
thought we could use this time for good.
Don't you think? And, and the
truth cannot wait any longer.
No one wants to hear the truth.
You tried this multiple
times, Mr. Benedict,
and no one is interested.
The important thing is
that The Emergency is over.
Who cares that your
brother gets all the credit
and you're mocked
and seen as a downer?
- Who's mocking me?
- It doesn't matter.
People are back to their
lives. That's what matters.
So, maybe just call it victory
and enjoy it?
No one is safe with my
brother as some guru
with all this
influence. This is...
We seem pretty safe.
Hey, it's okay to be jealous of him.
- None of this is fair.
- Excuse me.
The truth is important.
It's not even a high level
conference, even the middle tier.
I'm not jealous. Excuse me.
Mr. Benedict!
Excuse me.
- Mr. Benedict.
- Excuse me. Out of the way.
Mr. Benedict.
Excuse me. Excuse
me. Mr. Benedict.
Where...
Mr. Benedict.
Mr. Benedict?
Mr. Benedict?
Hey!
It says to pack
for an adventure,
maybe a few extra clothes.
Anything I need, it's in
my bucket or can be gotten
with the things in my bucket
and carried in my bucket.
I'll pack a tiny go bag or gorp.
- That's not necessary.
- What about...
this?
It's a multi tool.
I whittled it for the bucket.
Oh, that's really nice,
but I don't have a room...
You fit a winch in there.
I can take care of myself.
I know you can, Kitty Cat, but it's
my job to take care of you also.
Additionally.
We should go.
What if I got my own bucket?
A pail, perhaps?
That'd be cool.
We've got plans this summer.
We're going to send a
grapefruit into low Earth orbit.
That sounds amazing.
Please come. We could
use you on heat shields.
I'd really love to,
but I have this reunion
thing I have to go to.
Oh, I'm sure that'll
be great too.
Ready to go?
Sure. But it's almost 11:00.
Oh, the postman.
Yes, he is punctual.
I just wrote Sticky
so many letters.
There must be some backlog
or forwarding issue.
This could be the
day the dam breaks.
You're going to see him really soon.
You're going to see all of them.
I wonder if you're
nervous to see them again,
if it'll be the same?
People like to communicate
in different ways.
Sometimes it's as
simple as that.
Besides, no matter how
much time has passed,
they know you and
they care about you.
And that won't change.
But still, we can wait.
Good to see you.
You got everything?
Have
a great time, okay?
Everyone looks gangly and weird.
We've all grown.
No. That's not it.
Should we hug?
- Uh...
- Don't be repulsive.
We got to mark the occasion.
Okay. We're back.
Elephant in the room. Constance
killed a machine with her mind.
Yeah, I've got questions.
Me too. Let's go inside.
Is it really been a year?
- Dog man?
- Gather the kids.
It's so nice
to see you, truly.
This was supposed to
be a joyous occasion.
- But?
- Mr. Benedict and Number Two...
are missing.
What do you mean?
- Her sentence seemed pretty clear.
- How? What happened?
Benedict and Number Two have
been traveling across Europe,
planting clues for a scavenger hunt,
which would lead us all to a big reunion.
Fun!
What? It sounds like fun.
They just missed their
second compulsory check in.
- I don't...
- It's a foolproof, fail-safe system
we enact for security abroad.
And you know, Number Two.
Missing it once, never.
Twice? Unthinkable.
- They've gone silent. They've disappeared.
- What do we do?
Milligan and I need to put all
our efforts into finding them.
And of course, the
scavenger hunt is off.
I'm very sorry.
Thank you, François.
Anything you
can tell me could be interesting.
Unfortunately, we haven't
found anything either.
The trail went cold and
time is of the essence...
So, when
do we leave for Europe?
We want to be part of the
search. I know we can help.
- I'm sorry, Reynie, but no.
- Thank you.
No.
I understand it emotionally,
but it's unrealistic.
Potentially
counterproductive.
Dangerous.
I was saving that for last, but
yes, it could be very dangerous.
Too many unknowns. It's a no.
A firm no.
I'm very sorry.
I've called Ms. Perumal
and the Boatwright Academy.
You'll all be taken
home very shortly.
It's hard, I know. But...
we'll take care of it.
We'll find them, yeah?
I don't understand.
We should be going.
Why are they leaving us
in other people's hands?
They're just being
logical and safe.
We don't know where they
are or what happened.
We do unsafe things all the
time. That's our signature.
Anybody wants to see the first clue
to our canceled scavenger hunt?
- I lifted it from Rhonda.
- Why?
If I give you a reason,
will it comfort you?
- Maybe.
- Mr. Benedict is gone.
Maybe down a well,
maybe into a propeller.
Either way, we will not
be seeing him again.
Constance.
He would want us to go
on a scavenger hunt.
Perhaps as his final
gift to us. His legacy.
Come on, Reynie.
Maybe the prize is
a new sweater vest.
No, the prize is a
reunion with him.
He made us a set of clues
to lead us to where he is.
Where he was.
We can use these clues to get
to Europe and find Mr. Benedict.
Or at least find the well.
This will get us close to
the last point of contact.
We'll pick up the
scent from there.
Rhonda and Mulligan will never let
us. You heard them. Too dangerous.
- Then I'm in.
- Me too.
I crave the frontiers
of human experience.
They told us we're
capable of doing anything.
And you know what we've
done and who we are.
We're the mysterious
Benedict Society.
So let's go after them.
What's the first clue?
"Looking for something? Open me.
I'm sure that your something
inside of me lies."
Rhyming is the lowest
form of poetic expression.
"What is sought,
depends on the seeker."
"Others for nature. Still
others for nurture."
That's it? It's impossible.
Nothing can hold
all those things.
And that's coming from
someone with the magic bucket.
- Where are you going?
- The library.
Driver?
Driver?
- Might as well be a mannequin.
- Just implacable.
Excuse me.
Driver.
Driver!
- Oh, oh.
- Hm?
- Pork rillette?
- No.
Hm.
Well, at least the provisions
are good for our kidnapping.
Yes, yes, yes.
Why be so thoughtfully
curated if we were meant harm?
Well, many sociopaths
are unfailingly polite.
Well, this could easily be a
benefactor, a powerful benefactor.
But yes, someone who wants
to help. Yes.
The dictionary, of
course. It's alphabetized.
"Hope comes after despair,
but before surprise."
And, "What I mean lies
inside of me too."
- The definition for dictionaries...
- In the dictionary.
But which dictionary?
Benedict's kind of
obsessed with them.
There are 17 in the house, 28
if you count foreign languages.
Last time I checked.
A lot has happened
since you left, George.
Many dictionaries acquired.
With that many, we
need to split up.
- Sticky, library. You guys...
- Benedict's study.
Dictionary, dictionary...
I've never understood
his shelving system.
There is no system.
I'm sure the library at
Boatwright is crazy organized.
It is. Pretty much
everything is.
I imagine.
How are things, like, I don't
know, the mail delivery situation?
Mail delivery? Just
a random example.
- How does that work?
- We just go down to the P.O.
Everybody has a mailbox.
Nothing special.
Though it's kind of funny.
They have these tables
where student clubs set up.
Rocketry, debate, you know?
- One day, doing the Bees.
- The Bees?
The Bees, Brady Beesley?
Anyway, they dressed
up in all black,
set up a table with a blank
black sign and blank nametags.
Nothingness Club. They got,
like, 25 people to sign up.
- It was hilarious.
- Cool.
So anyway, seems like the mail
delivery system is in good shape.
I'm not sure what
you're talking about.
But I've missed you.
It's good to see you.
- I want to know about rural life.
- Okay.
- Do you milk a cow?
- On occasion.
- Slop the hog pen?
- If called for.
- Harvest?
- Only during harvest.
What do you harvest? Loneliness?
- It's definitely not lonely.
- Oh, yes.
Just you and your father
against the world.
- Kind of like you.
- Ha.
What's it like, having
Benedict for a dad?
- Not dad, roommate.
- Okay.
Respectful distance,
intelligent conversation.
I allow him to believe
he's good at chess.
He brings me nutritious food.
I don't even know
what I'm looking for.
- Finally, some truth.
- What?
I was talking about
the dictionaries.
You can needle me all you
want, but you like me.
You admitted it.
Hello.
What's going on?
Just trying to
increase my vocab.
Not a lot of books on the farm.
Oh, you'd like more books on the
farm? I'd be happy to place an order.
I know that my collection skews
heavily towards historical thrillers.
No, it's good. It's good.
Okay, then.
Nothing you need help
with? Nothing going on?
Nope.
I'll see you in a bit.
Shut up.
- Is there a dictionary in there?
- No. No, I'm just snooping.
I found it.
A book in a book.
"Travelers should
always keep journals.
Journals should
always keep secrets.
Read quickly and move on.
Bon voyage, Mr. Benedict."
What's it say?
This is... gibberish.
Wait, the last word on
each page is in italics.
"Take down roses
and severely take your chances.
Take up sewing...
Take my... bait... answer...
dogfish... shortcut...
learn the passage...
cold cut, shortcut, uppercut."
- That's it.
- Okay, then.
- Very clear.
- What does it mean?
Does anyone feel like
they've entered a trance?
Maybe it's something structural.
Uh, hidden compartment
within a hidden compartment?
Structural. Yes. Give me that.
- What are you doing?
- Constance.
Pages with different sizes.
I've just separated them.
It's called deckle edge. It's
a premium way to buy books.
Mr. Benedict would never
ask us to desecrate a book.
- Yeah, I feel unclean.
- Well, the clock's ticking.
Better move quickly.
We read it slowly. He
said to read quickly.
"Take the shortcut."
Take the shortcut.
- What's the shortcut?
- It's a ship.
- A ship?
- Not just a ship.
It's the fastest
ship in the world.
I subscribe to Maritime Monthly.
- George, as a young man, that is sad.
- What?
It's an incredible
window into the world.
There's news, politics,
opinion, recipes.
The point is, Benedict knows
you love things nautical.
Yeah, we've talked
about it a lot.
He knew you'd know.
So, it's the ship.
- Which is in port right now.
- How...
In the nautical community,
we always know the whereabouts
of the flagship class vessels.
Everybody knows that, Kate.
So if the idea was that we
were supposed to leave today...
We better get to the harbor.
Just go to the
harbor? Then what?
He'll have worked it
out. This was the plan.
It will become
clear. I have faith.
So, are we really
going to do this?
We're gonna find them.
But we all have to agree.
Are we doing this?
We're doing this.
Hello,
this is Rhonda. Yes?
Respond, please!
Your ride
will be here soon.
Milligan!
Sorry, we had to take
matters into our own hands.
Don't worry. We'll be
careful. Bon voyage.
What?
Last call
for the SS Shortcut.
All passengers aboard.
Last call for the SS Shortcut.
Weatherall, Kate?
Muldoon, Reynard?
Is there another name
they might be under?
Try Mr. Nicholas Benedict.
They have to be here.
As I told you, it's very rare
to have tickets left for pickup.
They would usually be
hand delivered and signed for.
Hand delivered.
Almost without exception.
Please, other
people need service.
- That was the second warning.
- Please.
We're just, will calling
a few more names.
That's not a verb, sir.
Rhonda Kazembe. Milligan?
I'm sure you can understand
why you are losing credibility.
And we do have
very limited time.
Next, please.
Did not foresee being
failed by the ticket situation
- before we even start.
- We need to think of something.
This plan... it
was naive at best.
Where are you going?
- We need to be on that boat.
- Ship.
Call it a boat on board and
you'll get a stern reprimand.
- Stern.
- What?
- Oh, nice.
- Guys, I need ideas.
If all this isn't a sign,
I don't know what is.
They need us.
Who knows what
danger they could be in?
It's time, sir.
Well, at least they've
given us a nice breakfast.
How pleasant of him.
Oh.
Oh, him.
Oh, so good to see you, brother.
And your associate.
I demand our immediate release.
Release? From what?
Well, don't limit your
perspective, Associate.
Number Two.
I'm not privy to your
organizational flow chart.
- Why?
- Why what?
Why are we here?
Oh, I can't wait to
share that with you.
I know that you'll be...
elated.
Too late.
- Bon voyage.
- Bon voyage.
This is... a bit of a surprise.
That's as eminently fair to say.
This really isn't like Reynie.
It's just like Kate.
We told them there was
nothing they couldn't do.
It's who we asked them to be.
- Maybe...
- They believed us.