Original subtitles

Who is this?

It's danger.

I should never have... Bruh?

That's you?

Bruh?

Spencer?

Answer me. Where are you?

Is everything all right?

Yeah, this is Derek Ray. Is that you, Serena?

Derek, I was going to call you in the morning.

Well, Spencer just did, but we were cut off and I couldn't tell where he was

calling from. So, is he there or, you know, where?

That can't be.

It's impossible.

Why? What's wrong, Serena?

Spencer Croft.

Where do I know that name from?

Well, he was Derek's roommate back at Oxford.

But guess who the proctor was just across the hall?

Prince Charles?

I'll close.

William Sloan.

Are you kidding?

Well, that must have been a hell of a study group. Good morning, Derek.

Did you sleep at all last night?

No, not much. I checked with the phone company, and they don't have a record of

any call coming in last night.

So what about our own data bank? House phone logs?

All incoming and outgoing calls are still registered, aren't they?

Well, nothing tripped the phone registry between 8 and your call to Croft's

house just after midnight.

Well, there must be some mistake.

What are we overlooking?

Maybe you just had a bad dream.

Maybe the storm woke you up, you're feeling kind of groggy.

I know what I heard.

And Spencer Croft is dead.

Yes, I spoke to Serena a few hours ago. She's still pretty upset.

Did she tell you anything more about the circumstances of Croft's death?

No more, I'm sure, than she told you.

He was found fully clothed in the reflecting pond in the garden behind the

house. The cause of death was listed as drowning.

Drowning?

In a reflecting pond?

How big could it be? I don't understand it.

Nor do I.

Any more than I understand that midnight phone call you got.

But we'll look into it ourselves.

After the memorial service on Thursday.

Are you going to be there?

Of course I am, Eric.

Whatever came between us over the years, that's irrelevant now, don't you think?

I'll see you on Montreal.

Eric?

Hey, I hope I'm not intruding. I heard about your friend. I'm so sorry.

What a terrible call to get.

What a shock, huh?

When was the last time you saw him?

Eight, nine years ago.

Really? That's a long time.

Too long.

We were on a date together in the Middle East.

Croft had met Serena at university and insisted she come along.

We made some important discoveries.

Do you know the expression publish or perish?

Of course, yes.

Well, Croft wanted to make a name for himself.

So what, he went ahead and published and left your name off of it?

Right. He disagreed, parted company.

Next thing I knew, he and Serena were married.

After that, we would occasionally talk, but things were never the same.

So why would I, following his death, pick up the phone in the middle of the

night and suddenly hear his voice?

And you're sure it was him?

At the time, I thought so.

But there seems to be some question about that.

I want you all to know that in all the years that Spencer and I were together,

the one thing that he never questioned, and he was the man who questioned just

about everything, was his decision to teach here in Montreal.

To give back something of great value to a great university.

Thank you all for sharing your memories.

We will all miss him very much.

Thank you.

Well, Derek,

thank you so much for coming all this way. I know Spencer would have been

grateful. It was the least we could do.

I'm so sorry, Serena.

Yes, well, we all let too much time pass.

We all made mistakes.

I know Spencer thought so, too.

Mrs. Croft.

I'm sorry to interrupt.

I just wanted to let you know that I have the keys to your husband's office,

any time you wish to collect his things, please call me. Yes, thank you. I'll

take care of it.

I'm James Donlan, associate professor of classics.

How do you do?

Old friends of Spencer's, William Sloan and Derek Rain.

It's a pleasure.

Once more, Mrs. Croft, my condolences on the death of your husband.

But let me say how happy I am to see that you're getting around so well. Are

you, Mr. Donlan?

Of course.

I'm only sorry that Spencer didn't live to see it for himself.

It was a real pleasure.

Please drop by the apartment and I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

Serena.

An absolutely obnoxious man.

When he wasn't jockeying for promotion, he was snooping through Spencer's

affairs, trying to figure out what he was working on, what he was researching.

I hope I never have to see him again.

Why don't you let me deal with Spencer's office?

Would you?

Absolutely.

I have a whole business to take care of. A kind of reorganization, but

afterwards... So, you'll be staying at the Legacy House here in Montreal?

Spencer and I kept very few secrets from each other.

I know he believes strongly in your work.

In fact, sometimes I think he regretted not having joined with you.

I'll see you again before I leave.

Thank you again.

So, Derek, if you'd like to stay here, there's plenty of room.

Yes, I'd like that.

In fact, if you don't mind, I would like to take a look at whatever it was

Spence was working on just before.

Yes, I understand completely.

My pictures never worked properly. Watch your step.

I think Sinclair liked it that way. It kept people from coming up here.

This was his inner sanctum.

Strange.

It was so empty without him here.

Ameth.

This is where he was always the happiest.

Working on whatever ancient puzzle had yet to be solved.

So this is where he was working that night?

Yes.

On this?

It becomes so secretive, even his writing was in some ancient language

he could understand.

I was never exactly sure what it was he was working on.

You recognize it?

Yes.

I'm not surprised you don't.

What is it?

Unless I'm mistaken, and it's been 20 years since I've seen it, it's a secret

code. Spencer Sloan and I devised back at school.

A secret code?

Well, what on earth would you have done that for?

The vanity of youth.

We were so sure that we would make a mark that we decided to create a private

language just to safeguard our discoveries.

So... You can translate it?

Well, it's been a long time.

And I'm sure he didn't bother to leave the key.

The key?

To the code.

We all had one.

I know. I don't think I ever saw him using anything like that.

I probably memorized it.

Unless he's written it down and stashed it somewhere in here in all this jumble.

It doesn't look very different from his old room in Oxford, does it?

Do you remember the night that he lost his dissertation and he turned the whole

room upside down looking for it and you found it in the refrigerator?

Next to the pickles.

Once he admitted that he hadn't seen it since lunch.

The rest was simple.

It's a pity we couldn't all have had this reunion while Spencer was still

I know he wanted to see more of you.

And William.

He was just so proud.

They should be in the black steamer trunk.

Letter -bound journals with Balliol College Oxford stamped in the front.

You sure you want me going through your old college stuff? You never know what

I'm going to find.

I'll take the chance.

Well, if I get lucky and find them, I'll air express it to you right away.

Yeah, be lucky, Nick.

Thanks. Sure.

Last summer, Spencer went back to Greece without me.

It was the first time I was too ill to make the trip.

Too ill? What did you have?

Well, nothing really.

I mean, at the time the doctors thought it was serious, but obviously they were

wrong.

So this is where Spencer died, isn't it?

He had it built.

The first thing he did when he got back.

Brought the plans with him.

Corner stones are made of lodestone.

Interesting.

Lodestone?

A form of iron oxide used in ancient Greece for its magnetic properties.

This pool is only a few feet deep.

Yes, I know.

Serena. What happened?

I must have fallen.

Are you all right?

I'll be fine.

Just...

Good morning.

May I help you? I hope so.

I'm William Sloan, colleague of Professor Cross.

Yes, Mrs. Cross called earlier. She said you might be stopping by. Let me show

you right in.

Thank you.

Mr.

Sloan, I was, um, packing up some expenses.

Good to see you again.

Thank you.

Have a seat.

What an interesting desk.

Isn't it?

I remember this test from England.

Derek and I got it for Spencer so he could keep his important papers in one

place. Well, then it'll go to Serena along with the rest.

I'm a laptop man, I guess.

I like craft.

I prefer books to computers. Do you mind? May I?

Please.

Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Egyptian funeral rites.

Elizabeth Kubler -Ross.

Near -death testimonials.

Been unusual for a classic scholar.

In the past couple of years, Spencer had developed a bit of a fixation on the

subject. Questions of death in the afterlife. I didn't realize Croft was

interested in necrology. More than interested, Mr. Sloan.

Obsessed. I wonder if the obsession started around the time of his wife's

illness.

Former illness.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Hey, Alain.

I thought that was irreversible.

Apparently not.

Although it is strange.

One day she's at death's door, the next it's her husband who's gone.

What exactly are you suggesting?

Nothing.

Seems a bit much for coincidence.

Excuse me, Professor Donlon, but you've got Professor Croft's graduate seminar

in five minutes.

You're right. Thank you, Monica.

Bye.

I'm sorry.

Perhaps we can do this some other time. I have to prepare for this lecture.

If I may be blunt, there's something I don't understand.

Why are you so interested in Mrs. Croft's health?

No reason.

Her recovery was... Curious, that's all.

Still, it's none of your business, is it?

Derek, this just came for you.

Oh.

Yes,

this is it. I've got it sent up from San Francisco.

All I have to do now is apply it.

So, does that mean you'll be able to translate Spencer's journal?

Well, with a little hard work, Spencer never made things easy.

Using fragments of an ancient language we discovered in Alexandria, the rest he

created himself.

He sounds just like him.

Always looking for something genius. Wait.

He's doing things.

You look pale.

I think I'm tired.

I thought I saw someone over there.

I'm probably just hungry.

I don't think I've had much to eat since all of this happened.

Well, let me get you something. No, no, that's all right. I'll get it myself.

Brings it all back, doesn't it?

Papers.

The books.

Croft's fine sense of chaos.

The only thing missing is Croft.

I keep asking myself, why all this secrecy?

So far, it just sounds like the record of his last research trip to Greece.

He must have had a reason.

If it's written in code, there must be something he wanted only us to know.

Did you get a chance to check out the university?

I stopped by Croft's office this afternoon.

Donlon's already checking out his desk for size.

Same one we gave him, remember?

Under one with the hidden compartment?

Did you get a chance to examine it?

Donovan never gave me a chance.

How's Serena?

Well, she's having a difficult time.

First her health, now her husband.

Speaking of Serena's health, Donovan says she was suffering from amyotrophic

lateral sclerosis.

That's ridiculous.

If it were true, she would be dead. That's what I said.

But Donalyn seems certain.

Have you seen her?

Despite what's happened, she seems almost radiant.

Yes, she does.

Better be careful. She's a beautiful woman.

And she's still vulnerable.

Could be awkward if you were to become involved.

She's Spencer's wife.

Spencer's widow.

Spencer's widow, yes.

We're just friends. Nothing more.

Good.

I've got you.

What's happening?

Just believe in me.

Serena. Good

morning.

Monica, right?

Yes. Yes, it is. Oh, you're Professor Donlan's friend. I'm afraid he's not

right now. He said... Teaching Professor Cross graduate seminar.

That's right.

Well, I'm actually here just to pick up some of Spencer's papers and things for

Serena. Oh, of course. Professor Donilon's already boxed up most of it

morning. Oh, that's wonderful. No, no, thank you. I think I can find what I

need. Thanks very much.

I was thinking, the books are way too heavy to carry. Would you like me to

down and see if the student can help you?

Oh, no thanks. Don't bother.

I can handle it.

Certainly.

This dream you had, you sure you don't want to tell me about it?

It was just a bad dream, Derek.

That's all that it was.

Yes, but I don't think you've slept since I got here. I mean, how much

can you go on like this?

What choice do I have?

Well, I need to know what happened tonight.

Spencer drowned, Serena.

How can I tell you what I don't know?

Spencer had become so secretive.

And look at his journal.

It was written in code.

You weren't here when he drowned, right?

I already told you.

I was ill.

I was in bed.

I'd had a terrible nightmare.

But that's all that it was, was a nightmare.

Was it the same nightmare you had last night?

What difference does it make?

It wasn't real.

I didn't die. I didn't drown.

Spencer did.

I'm here.

I'm alive.

And your illness? What exactly did you have?

Nothing. I already told you, I was misdiagnosed. The doctors were wrong.

Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore.

I understand. I'm sorry if I upset you.

It's all right.

I'll be in my room.

We got the drawing you faxed.

What do you make of it? The first thing to jump out were the measurements.

Why? It was recorded in units that date back to ancient Greece, definitely

before the time of Christ.

And what about the notations around the borders?

Also ancient Greek, a Macedonian dialect that originated just north of Thrace.

Can you translate them?

Well, it'll take some time.

But if I'm not completely crazy, it seems to refer to some sort of secret

passageway or supernatural gate.

Alex, you're not crazy.

That might make perfect sense before we're done.

Let's keep going.

All right.

Hi, Monica.

Oh. Any messages?

You just met your friend.

My friend?

Yeah, the one who came by to pick up some of Professor Croft's things.

Sloan. Mm -hmm.

What did he take?

Not much. A drawing, I think.

A drawing?

What kind of a drawing?

Some sort of triangle.

Why?

Was it important?

The coroner's report says it wasn't accidental.

So you think that Croft was murdered?

Let's just say there are a number of inconsistencies.

Right, like his spirit coming to Derek.

What was it he said? Watch out for Serena?

Interesting choice of words. Watch out could mean protect, or then again, it

could mean beware of.

Well, for Derek's sake, let's hope it means protect.

Speaking of Derek, how come you're calling us instead of him?

Division of labor, Mr. Boyle. Pure and simple.

Rachel. Tell me what you know of a disease called amyotrophic lateral

Well, it's progressive, degenerative. It results in paralysis... Assuming it's

been correctly diagnosed.

Can it be reversed?

No. Unfortunately, it's fatal.

Why? Okay, two big questions.

Could the disease and all its attendant symptoms be psychogenetically produced?

Could these symptoms, in fact, disappear?

after an immensely traumatic experience.

Well, I can't really say either way. I mean, not without seeing the patient,

going over the case histories, the charts.

Theoretically, could it happen?

Theoretically, anything can happen.

Still awake?

I haven't been able to sleep much since Spencer died.

Why don't you let me switch off some of these lights?

No.

I know it sounds silly, but I think I've developed somewhat of a fear of the

dark.

I'll give it time.

It will pass.

Thinking about the pond.

And how hard it's been to work to build it.

In his journal, he made it very clear.

He was building it for you.

Yes, I know.

It frightens me.

As much as ALS?

Did Donlon tell you I had ALS?

Did you?

You don't recover from ALS.

I know.

Well, I think that's just about everything then, doesn't it?

Would you mind shutting the door on your way out?

I think I'd rather be alone just now.

I understand.

Good night.

Knew he was working on something

That would make the fourth century B .C.

That's right. The reflecting pool that Croft built is an exact copy of the one

on Earth in Macedonia.

You shouldn't really be surprised considering he was the one who

couple of years back.

Any idea why Alexander had the original pool built?

Well, according to Aristotle, Alexander made a deal with what he called the Lord

of the Underworld to conquer the world in exchange for his soul.

Only he didn't want to live up to his part of the deal.

So he built it as a way to escape death. Wonder what stopped him.

Well, supposedly the Lord of the Underworld posted a sentry there so that

couldn't return.

Great work, you two.

I'll be in touch.

So just me, or was that a compliment?

I'm not sure.

I just saw Serena outside.

Has she had any sleep lately?

Insomnia. Never since Croft died.

She hasn't eaten anything either.

Sounds as if she has one foot in this world and one in the next.

Precisely.

So I'm almost finished translating this.

According to Croft, he knew she was dying.

ALS, just as you mentioned.

Incurable. He tried everything to save her.

Even building a portal to the underworld.

You mean the pool?

The one Croft drowned in.

It's an exact copy.

The original was built by Alexander the Great as a kind of backdoor out of the

underworld. The outside chance that death didn't agree with him.

So you think he built it to save you?

I loved her.

Maybe too much.

She's lying down.

I told the police what I think they'll understand of this, which isn't much.

Two bodies in ten days, both drowned.

That pond was drained. I saw it myself.

Whoever or whatever did this, they still have some unfinished business here.

What have you got?

This is it.

Having forged a pathway between this world and the next from Alexander's own

plan, all I can do is wait.

Serena is very close now, and as soon as she dies, I must try to bring her back.

I was Spencer, always looking for an angle, trying to beat death at its own

game.

To save the woman he loved.

No because.

How about a lost one?

And you, Alexander, had failed. It was a fool's errand.

Well, I still had to try.

If this journal is being read, then I'm already dead.

Therefore, I have one last request.

Destroy the pool.

Built exactly to Alexander's specifications, three sides are

Roadstone corner pieces, insulate them and keep them from touching. Remove any

one of these corners and the resulting reaction will seal the opening forever.

So that was Alexander's plan. Escape from the underworld, seal off his

and rule the world.

And now, in order to save Serena...

Groth wants us to do the same.

So what do you say?

You with me?

Spencer's dead.

And you're alive.

He did what he did because you're all that really matter to him.

Try to get some sleep.

Derek, could you turn off the light?

Is she asleep?

She will be.

I'm leaving for London in the morning. I know you don't want to hear this, but

I'm going to say it anyway. You did a great thing out there tonight.

It took all three of us, Wayne.

And with you and Spencer on my side, I knew I couldn't lose.

Feels like old times, doesn't it?

When we lose a friend, we lose more than that.

We lose a part of ourselves, a part of our own path.

But sometimes we also find something new, a deeper appreciation of the

that remain and of the bonds that only time can forge.

I record this entry in the secret code I once devised with two of my most

trusted friends, Spencer Croft.

and William Stone.