Original subtitles

Hello?

I don't know you.

Why are you doing this?

No, it is fine.

It is good. Go ahead.

I know you are thirsty!

Please.

I don't understand.

I don't understand.

Please, no.

No. No! No! No! No!

No!

Skylar Watkins.

Look, I know you're new here.

I know you're not aware yet of the rules at this school,

but you need to learn them

if you're going to make anything of your opportunities.

As principal, it's my vocation--

it's my passion, frankly,

to marshal my students to their best futures.

Now...

...I know you went to public school before this.

I know you lived at home. I know you spent

a catastrophically perilous amount of time on social media.

And you have a tendency to,

how to best phrase this,

overshare.

None of which is going to help you at this institution.

Success here is merit based, it is not a popularity contest.

It will require your undivided attention and wildest imagination.

But don't get me wrong.

It's not all nose in the books.

There will be time to play.

You will play.

We...

...will play.

This situation...

...is a preview of the punishments

that will be inflicted for any and all infractions,

and... while I'm not a fan of punishment,

I do get a bit of a rush out of carrying out my judgments.

It would be best to avoid my hand.

Do not speak.

Splendid.

But I do not think it is time to go to your room just yet.

Not to worry.

The semester is just beginning,

and we have plenty of time!

Oh, don't take it so hard!

You'll get the hang of it.

We'll have fun, okay?

It's all just a game.

Shall we begin?

What the fuck?

Freeze! This is the police. Don't move!

Hello? I'm in here!

Hello? I'm here, I'm here!

Here! She's in here!

- Help! Help me! Please, help me, please! - I've got her, she's okay!

Are you okay?

- It's me! - I don't know.

It's your partner. Are you hurt?

- Mm-- no. - Okay. I'm gonna get you out of here.

Oh, I'm gonna get you out of here.

Damn it! Damn it! I've gotta get some keys.

Officer, you're in shock!

- You've been taken prisoner. But got them on the run. - No, what are you doing?

- What are you doing? I don't understand... - Breathe. Yeah.

- Breathe. I'll be back! - ...what are you doing? No, please, no!

- No! What are you doing? - I'll be back!

No, please! What are you doing?

So, how are you feeling?

Heart rate is a bit elevated.

That's to be expected.

The procedure is minimally invasive.

A few small incisions in the abdomen.

Recovery is straightforward.

Ibuprofen for any residual pain. Nothing more.

And you will be good as new in no time.

Sound good?

Y-- you're not having second thoughts, are you?

Trust me, there will be no lasting ill effects.

Honestly, I do this all the time.

Just a little pinch, and it's then off to dreamland.

Wait!

Is there a word...

- ...like a safe word? - I'm sorry?

If this is a game, and it-- and it goes too far,

is th-- is there something I can say to pause the game?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

A safe word!

Like, like "blueberry" o-- or "Joe" or just "stop."

Please, please, I don't understand the game.

This is not a game.

I am your doctor.

I am here to help you.

N-- no-- no, no. No, first, you were a principal...

...and then, and-- and then you were a cop

- and now you're-- No, no-- - Just a pinch.

No, stop! ...honestly,

you're only gonna hurt yourself.

This is really a simple operation.

There you go!

Fuck you.

Fucker undressed me.

Why?

Skylar!

Skylar, this won't look good on your college application!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar. Skylar.

This is not the best way to approach your treatment.

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Let's try this again.

Here we go.

Why?

Why me?

Hmm. Interesting question.

Have you been visited by the malady or...

...have you conjured it yourself?

Depending on your answer to that question,

your treatment can be tailored to your needs and the best outcome.

But first, we have to break you of this aggression.

This therapy has been discontinued

for most psychiatric patients,

but I find it is still effective...

...for those prone

to uncontrollable outbursts.

Now, hold still.

Take a deep breath.

That's not right.

Ah.

It helps to plug these things in.

Come on!

You didn't actually think I was gonna perform

electroshock therapy on you?

Did you?

What kind of a monster do you think I am?

By all accounts...

you have narcissistic personality disorder.

It means you need constant confirmation of your every whim,

endless exhortations about your beauty

and deep well of wisdom.

And everyone who comes into contact with you

must prove their undying love and compassion for you.

In other words, you are a teenager.

But you're hardly a lunatic.

Although I have seen your TikTok posts,

and you are pretty annoying. Cute, but...

wow.

Which is why I agreed to take you on as a patient.

There's only one problem.

You only have so many chances to catch on

to what I am trying to hip you to.

Because if you can't,

I am going to move on to patients who can.

Dig it?

Consider it.

See you at our next session.

I think you can handle the rest.

I fix it, they break it and break it. Break it again.

I'm so sick of it.

- Hello? - I can fix this thing.

Hello?

Hello?

You want something done, you gotta do it yourself.

I put it up, they put it down.

Every time I fuckin' do somethin', they break it.

You want something done right, do it yourself.

Looks like, uh,

somebody tried to get past the security measures.

A safe word.

Like, like "blueberry" o-- or "Joe" or just "stop."

Joe?

Is that your name? Joe?

Oh.

That's what the hat says.

Y-- you can call me Ray.

You can call me Jay.

You, you don't have to call me Joe.

No, it-- it's okay. I like Joe.

Brought you some breakfast over there.

I-- I mean, they did.

He, he did.

Hell, s-- somebody did.

I-- I, I, I l-- I like what you've done with the place.

No, I don't. That was a joke.

- I just moved in. - Just moved in.

That's a good one.

You know, I-- I couldn't help but,

but notice your clothes over there.

You ladies get up to the strangest shit.

A-- are you one of those people that go to the--

what do they call them things? Um, conventions?

Like y-- you, you get dressed up like somebody from the movies

or, or a comic book?

Maybe that's where the real you is.

In the characters you dress up like.

I-- I don't have anything against it, you know. Like...

...real world...

...isn't what it's cracked up to be. Shit, I di--

I didn't wanna be a handyman, you know.

But you get good at something,

the next thing you know--

What did you wanna do? Kidnap girls?

Excuse me?

I wanted to play baseball.

I had a mean slider.

Could hit, too...

...couldn't run for shit, though.

Anyways...

...I'm hitting them out of the park now.

That camera over there,

it's as good as brand-new.

Whoever's looking through it...

...has a perfect high-definition view. You, uh...

...might wanna be careful when you're getting into those outfits.

Uh, unless you're that kind of chick.

In which case...

...God bless.

Anyways, uh...

...see you next time...

...school girl.

Yeah. Next time.

School girl.

Yes?

May I be excused to the restroom?

Of course.

Are you gonna chaperon?

- No. - May I go to the restroom?

I said yes. Go.

What? Here?

Behind you.

All well and good?

Fine. Um, you're low on toilet paper.

I will tell the housekeeper.

Maybe Joe could bring it?

I liked him, he was nice.

- Who? - Joe.

The guy who fixed the camera.

Oh.

Thanks for breakfast.

Your tuition covers it. Sit, please.

- You don't have to lock me up-- - Sit, please.

Eyes forward.

Eyes forward.

Do not push me.

I'm sorry.

How are you getting on with your studies?

Um...

...actually, um, I-- I'm learning a lot, I think.

So you're acclimating.

The program is challenging. Would you agree?

Ye-- yeah.

Excuse me?

- Yes? - Excuse me?

Yes, sir.

How have you found your classes?

Well, actually, I haven't--

I mean, um, Health...

...was a little crazy.

- Or, or was it Psychology? - Who is your instructor?

- Um, he's a doctor. - Mm. Psychology.

In Health, we learn about our bodies and how they work.

I do not think you have that class this semester.

Thank fuck.

Excuse me?

Nothing. Um, that, that just sucks.

I'm interested in my body getting healthy.

Your health is everything.

And saying something "sucks" is not mature or classy.

Do you understand?

Yeah. Okay.

- Do you understand? - Yes.

Yes, sir.

I think you should get to your next class.

Wait. Sir?

Um, I didn't get, like, a schedule of,

like, my classes.

You didn't, like, get a schedule of, like, your classes?

- Uh, no. - Well, like, too bad.

You don't like when people use the word "like."

I don't like the misuse of adjectives.

Your schedule is for me to know and you to find out.

Then how am I supposed to prepare?

If you used your brain as much as your other parts,

you'd be a fucking Rhodes Scholar by now.

You better figure it out before the next bell.

Good day, Miss.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Place your bets, please!

You can't win

if you don't play.

Fight.

You can't win if you don't...

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

Fight.

Place your bets, please.

You can't win if you don't--

Fight.

Sorry, it's over.

You had very difficult bets.

Ladies and gentlemen...

...can't win if you don't play.

Fight.

You can't win if you don't play.

Fight.

Stop! Stop!

Okay. I got this matching little workout set.

It's super cute, look at the top.

The color is to die for.

And it matches my eyes. Ha!

Oh! And I got this dress.

It's satin.

It's kind of sassy.

It's, like, tight, has a slit.

I love it!

Now, someone just has to invite me somewhere

where I can wear it 'cause it's kind of fancy.

So, we're going to the restaurant

in Ritz-Carlton for dinner tonight.

Our hotel is just down the street.

And it is so cold,

but it's really, really, really pretty.

Sometimes, it feels like I step

outside of my body.

Like an out-of-body experience or whatever.

And I see myself...

...with my friends, like, how we act, and...

...I see other stuff, like, what I post,

and I-- and I just think, "Is that what I'm really like?"

And I wonder...

...if I'm not happy with how I see myself...

...then what do other people think?

God!

Who am I?

One more chance.

You can't win--

["Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue"

by Art Landry and His Orchestra playing]

Perfect!

- ♪ Five foot two, eyes of blue ♪ - Woo-hoo!

♪ But, oh, what those Five foot could do? ♪

♪ Has anybody seen my gal? ♪

♪ Turned up nose Turned down hose ♪

♪ Flapper? Yes, sir One of those ♪

♪ Has anybody seen my gal? ♪

♪ Now if you run into A five foot two ♪

♪ Covered with fur ♪

♪ Diamond rings And all those things ♪

♪ Bet your life It isn't hers... ♪

It's really swinging out there.

I-- it's a good night.

Sounds like the cat's meow to me.

You're beautiful.

Thanks, baby,

but it takes a lot to doll up this ragamuffin.

Ah, that's bunk!

You were born with it.

He'll be very impressed.

- He? - The big cheese. The impresario.

I thought you were the big cheese.

Nah. I'm just a company man.

Okay, then. So, what's a deb gotta do?

Don't take any wooden nickels. Play along.

That's swell.

- Hey, what's eating you? - What if he doesn't like me?

Is he gonna bump me off?

No.

No. Baby, you gotta talk to him!

I'm trying my best. It, it's all balled up.

You just got the heebie-jeebies. It's all gonna be Jake.

Says you. It's my chassis on the line.

Level with me.

Is he gonna take me for a ride?

- Is that where the others went? - What others?

The other dames.

You don't gotta worry about that.

But there were others?

Hey, you don't know from nothing.

You just keep hitting on all sixes

and everything's gonna be copacetic.

Horsefeathers.

I honestly don't know why you brought me here.

What gives? There were a million other dolls out there prettier than me.

It was your audition.

He saw you from the shadows and he said

this place wouldn't be the same without you.

- That's a lie. - No.

You're spot on.

There were others.

They come and go.

Where do they go?

No, no, no. I ain't spilling. I'm no pushover.

Oh, hey now, don't be a wet blanket.

You come this far. You still got a ways to go.

You're going places.

It's all in here.

You're just beating your gums now.

- You know what I think? - Do tell.

I think you're carrying a torch for me.

So, what's it gonna be, cash or check?

Check it is.

Break a leg, Sheeba!

♪ You can dream in color ♪

- ♪ But I've been living gray ♪ - ♪ Gray, gray, gray, gray... ♪

♪ But ever since We have shared our cover ♪

♪ All my pictures saturate ♪

- ♪ And now ♪ - ♪ Now, now, now, now... ♪

♪ I won't ♪

♪ Ever see the world the same ♪

♪ Again ♪

♪ My focus is you ♪

Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...

Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...

Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...

Skylar! Skylar. Skylar...

Skylar. Skylar. Skylar...

Bitch, move it!

Who are you?

Get in here, quick. He can't see in here.

We need to talk.

Who are you?

I'm you, stupid.

- I don't understand. - And you don't need to.

What I need you to do is listen. Can you?

Good. First things first. Who is this guy?

Nope. That was a rhetorical question.

You don't know. Neither do I.

But he knows us, right? You figured that out.

Yeah, he's seen my posts.

Although I have seen your TikTok posts,

and you are pretty annoying.

- Okay, so-- - So he's not a complete stranger, then.

He knows things about us, which means he chose us.

He wasn't just walking down the street and was like, "Oh, yeah. She'll do.

I'm just gonna kidnap her and fuck with her until--"

- Until what? - What do you think?

Come on. You tried to get him to say it,

and he completely ducked the question.

I'm scared.

You think I'm not? You're me!

If you go, hey, that's me too.

But look, he was dropping clues until we figured out how to play the game.

The costumes!

Yeah. When he's the principal, we're this.

When he's the doctor, we're the juvenile psych patient.

And then he played that old-timey music,

and we found the costume to match.

And then, all that happened and--

Then, there's the maintenance guy, Joe.

- Joe. That's the safe word. - Yeah, the game pauses.

Maybe that's really him. Maybe he is, like, a maintenance man.

Don't say "like" like that.

Copy. You're right.

But what's the point of the game? Just to keep playing?

What happens if I get it wrong?

Do you want him to put you in that chair?

- No. - Then use our big brain

and figure out how to keep up with him.

Or better yet, get ahead of him.

- How? - Look, so far, he's been dictating

the rules of the game, right?

He goes first. Next time, you go first!

Turn the game around on him. Make him do what you want him to do.

- Which is? - Duh! Get the fuck out of here!

- Okay. - Great. Love you!

Love you too.

Wait. What c--

I'm losing my fucking mind.

I was just bringing you this.

Thanks.

Well, okay.

Back to work, I-- I guess.

Break time's over.

Game on.

I didn't mean to intrude.

It is no intrusion, good sir.

May I join you?

Please do.

It is brisk, but it is refreshing.

It is cold.

Very cold.

- I would offer you my cloak. - Never!

I will face my impending hypothermia with courage.

Uh, why are you sitting alone?

I find I am doing most things alone.

I find that hard to believe.

Your company is... most intoxicating.

- You flatter me, good sir. - It was not without conviction.

Does my father know you are here?

He received me in the front parlor.

I requested a moment of your time, he granted my wish.

Curious. I'm led to believe he intends for me to be engaged elsewhere.

- Is that correct? - Indeed.

Is that your intention as well?

Oh, I have no intention, good sir.

You would rather not have your hand proffered?

I would rather have it amputated.

You desire your freedom.

I would do anything for it.

- Anything? - Anything.

I'm not convinced.

- No? - No.

I suppose you think my presence here today and,

well, quite regularly is in regards

to matters of business only,

but... truth be told,

I make my excuses for your father's counsel

in order to visit you. To see you.

And though I am not always allowed in your presence,

I still keep a sharp eye out on your every move.

And what have your subtle surveillances informed you of?

You are enraptured by your comforts.

You would not be content in a life less pampered,

even if it were to grant your complete freedom.

If you think so little of me, why hang your dark cloud over my peaceful meditations?

You misunderstand. I think the world of you.

Just not this world.

You are correct, sir, I do not understand.

This world is not a world of your own making.

The pettiness of your friends.

Girls with... their dalliances

with fashion and torrid boys.

This is not you.

But I wonder what you would be left with without it.

This, good sir, is what I'm trying to convey to you.

For you see, I am but a prisoner.

Like any innocent captive, unfairly judged,

convicted, and incarcerated.

I truly wish I could assist.

I wish to walk.

Will you walk with me?

I would be happy to walk with you.

This garden is very pretty in the spring.

I think that is my favorite season.

The air turns warm.

The earth renews.

There is hope for change.

I find that I have allergies in the spring.

You could free me from this hell.

But your father--

My father has other daughters.

He would forget me in a fortnight.

Mm, I do not believe that.

Sir, everything you said is the truth.

This world of prim and proper,

of pride and prejudice, is devoid of compassion.

It is only about appearance and arrangement.

- There is no love here. - But it is all that you know.

How could any benefactor or chaperon guarantee

that you would not simply go back to the old ways?

So is that the only option for my future?

Continued existence as property.

To be handed over from father to husband,

to bear children out of obligation,

to have no voice of my own, no choice of my own?

Just an adult-sized version of a children's toy

to be dressed up and used as entertainment!

I apologize for speaking out, good sir.

It was kind of you to visit with me,

no matter your intention.

Very well.

I am sorry I cannot be of more help with your solitude.

You are a lovely soul.

I am a caged bird.

Brava! Brava!

Brava! Brava!

Brava!

Brava.

Come here.

That went well. Oh, yeah? I'm still here.

We're still here.

But, yeah, that went well. Rome wasn't built in a day.

What does that even mean?

And why are you saying it? I-- if I don't know what it means,

that means I wouldn't say it. And yet, you're me, and you're saying it.

Maybe I'm the college-bound version of you.

But what I mean is that things take time.

Took a minute to figure out how to play the game,

it's gonna take some time to figure out how to win.

But I think it's gonna need to be... more.

More?

- More what? - More about him.

I think the Joe version is the way in.

So we need to keep playing.

But don't just be you. Be more than you.

I don't know what you're saying.

What I'm saying is, make shit up!

He thinks we're petty and catty and materialistic,

and yet, he still said we're a lovely soul.

He's got it bad for us.

- You think? - Oh, yeah. He's in love.

- So that's why he did this. - I bet.

And when he figures out he can't have us,

especially after kidnaping us,

he's gonna have to make a really serious decision.

How serious?

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

Yeah. So play the damn game and start playing dirty.

You mean, like, flirt with him?

Don't say "like" like that.

And, no, don't flirt with him!

Seriously, is that your answer for everything?

I mean, tarnish his rose colored view of us.

Then, start getting some dirt and throw it in his face.

Isn't that just gonna piss him off?

Or break him. In the meantime,

I'm gonna work on the final play.

- You cool? - No.

Good. Go get 'em, tiger.

What can I do you for?

Uh, I think the cable's out.

Well, actually, there's no TV, I'm, I'm just kind of bored.

I can snag you a book or two.

Okay, that'd be cool.

I like to read.

My friends, um, a lot of them, they don't like to read,

they think it's stupid.

Stupid?

What's stupid about reading?

I don't know. I guess they just prefer watching.

I mean, I watch too. Probably too much dumb stuff.

Of course, you do.

But I really like to read.

I actually read this book once called, um, Tropic of Cancer.

That's pretty steamy.

I guess I didn't really see the big deal.

- Did you learn from it? - Nothing I didn't already know.

I'm sorry. Am I blowing your mind right now?

Guess you never really know someone.

You don't know me. I just moved in.

Well, you see someone,

and maybe you get an idea in your mind about who they are.

And then, they break your heart.

Ever had your heart broken?

Once or twice.

You?

Endlessly.

Um,

you know...

...it's really hard to know who you are,

especially when everyone else is always

trying to tell you who you are.

Maybe I can bring you a newspaper,

they still print the funnies.

- Sure. - All right.

Did they ever find that girl?

- What girl? - The missing one.

I-- I, I don't-- I don't know.

I d-- I don't remember seeing anything about it.

Really? I thought she'd be front page news.

She seemed really popular.

Well, maybe she had an inflated sense of herself.

Maybe. But I bet someone misses her.

I really hope someone misses her.

Yeah, I, I-- I was thinking of trying

that new Chinese place down the street.

Why don't I pick something up and come by later?

I, I appreciate it, but I, I can't afford to pay you back.

Don't worry about it. I'll, I'll pick up a whole bunch of stuff,

I'll come by later, okay?

Wait, Joe.

Um...

...if you're sad...

...I'm really sorry.

It's not...

...sadness, it's, uh...

...i-- it's disappointment.

Because people aren't who you want them to be?

If they were, would that change anything

or would you still be disappointed?

I don't know what you're getting at.

How far inside someone can you get

before you tear 'em apart?

Has anyone ever gotten that far inside of you?

I don't think you should've read that book.

Almond cookies, please.

Fortune cookies always lie.

School. Now!

- Wait. What's going on? Wait, what did I do? - Not one word.

- What did I do? No. What d-- what did I do? No! - Not one word!

- No! - Not one word.

Get off me!

No! No!

You have been doing-- well.

From-- from what I understand, your grades are strong.

Your instructors are pleased with your progress!

Th-- that's a good thing, right?

Unfortunately, I am going

to have to expel you from this school.

No. [gasps] N-- no, no, no, no. Please, please!

I'm doing-- I'm doing well, y-- you just said so! Please, no!

Please, no! Please, no! Please, no! Please, no!

- Oh, my God! Joe! - Joe!

Help me! Joe!

Joe!

Help me! Joe! Joe!

Joe is not here.

Joe is not here.

No. Please, you promised.

He's, he's bringing Chinese food,

he-- and he's getting the funnies, he's...

You have to go. You can't stay.

Y-- you're here too long.

Y-- you were the best student this school ever had.

No, I, I have so much more to learn.

Please, I wanna learn.

I wanna--

Go back to your room.

We're running out of time.

I know.

Do you think we pushed him too far?

Not far enough.

Are you kidding me? He nearly killed me!

Us.

I think something else happened.

- The newspaper. - The missing girl.

Maybe we are front page news.

So, it's only a matter of time before someone figures out what happened to us.

I don't know.

This guy is definitely done all this before, right?

Don't you think?

Yeah.

Something he said about it being too long.

"Nobody makes it this long."

Nobody figures out how to play the game.

God.

How many others?

I don't know.

But I know we can still win.

Who you gabbing with?

N-- nobody. My, my invisible sister.

Y-- you just get out of school or something?

Yeah, kinda.

You still in school and you got your own place?

I wish I had that kind of hookup when I was your age.

Um...

I-- I wasn't really sure what you liked, so I-- I got...

...spicy chicken and noodles.

Oh, yeah. And, uh...

fortune cookie.

There you go.

Hmm.

Uh, mm...

Eh--

Uh, you, you-- you were mentioning your invisible sister.

You got a real one?

- I do. - Mm.

I-- I should really call her, it's been a few days.

- Older? Mm. - Younger. Two years.

What about you?

No. I'm a solo artist.

No family at all?

No. Never knew 'em.

At all? Not even your parents?

I must have had some kind of parents.

I grew up in a church.

It's a nice way of saying an orphanage.

You go to church much?

- Uh-uh. - Ah.

You're not really missing anything. I, I never really understood it much myself.

But... I like the artistry.

The robes and the props.

It's theater...

...but it's not entertainment, you know.

Your soul is always on the line,

it's a huge obstacle to overcome. I couldn't do it.

Yeah, it-- it's kind of creepy.

It's a power trip.

You never really catch a break.

You're born in sin.

You're a bad apple from the start.

And they hold it against you every time they wanna...

...do something bad.

- Bad? - Yeah.

They commit sins against you,

and then they make you go to confession to talk about it, and it's good for you.

Anyway, this spicy chicken is the bomb. You tried it yet?

Anyway, enough about that.

This sister, um, tell me about her. Are you guys close?

She's my best friend.

I, I really need to call her.

Is, is there, like, a payphone or something nearby?

Payphone? How last century!

I, I just want her to know that I love her.

- Just in case. - In case what?

In case you kill me before I kill you.

Mm!

You're right. This spicy chicken is really good.

You said this place was new?

Yeah. Just down the block.

Are there others? M-- maybe where I used to live?

Oh, I don't know.

It's a long way from here.

We're not in New Jersey?

No, Skylar. Not in New Jersey.

Not even close.

Wow!

Stuffed!

Uh, I'm gonna leave this here for you.

There is, uh, a leaky pipe upstairs that needs my attention.

It's been really nice talking to you.

Thanks for the dinner company.

Yeah.

Oh! Delish.

- Mm! - We are so fucked.

Think it through, Sky. Unfuck it.

What did we learn today about our dear psycho kidnapper?

He's got a problem with the church?

Anything over there that might come in handy?

Yeah, maybe.

Come down. We need to talk.

Is there something wrong?

I recommend a more aggressive course of treatment.

She is a troublemaker. She is not a good fit for this school.

Nah, she's a good kid. Curious is all.

Curiosity killed the cat.

Her willfulness is an affront to modesty and decorum.

It does not suit a lady.

I actually find her quite refreshing.

- Refreshing? - None of the others have made it out of the chair.

Two. One made it to the cot. The other--

Poor girl.

Hung herself with one of the power cords.

And it is still not secured yet.

How am I supposed to light the place?

I don't see the problem. She's playing our game.

It's transcendent. You saw it!

Uh, you saw it too.

We were transported. Her imagination is untapped.

We were in that scene!

Space and time disappeared around us.

Yeah, I kinda feel that too.

Weakness. She is bending the situation to her will.

Nonsense. She's playing our game with our costumes on our set.

You're getting lost in her. He knows it.

He wanted to expel her. You stopped him.

I wasn't done with her yet.

The doll is, the bee's knees, and all that.

I would hate to see that light go out.

What do you want to do? Let her go?

She is 1000 miles from her home. You kidnapped her.

You tried to kill her.

She has been transported across state lines!

Hell, you almost electrocuted her sweet little brain.

That was all for show. Damn thing doesn't even work!

She has a very persuasive manner about her.

'Tis quite lovely.

Come on! She is a B student

from a public school in New Jersey.

A few people will miss her,

and they will get on with their lives.

It is not as though we have not done this before.

We can't let her go. That would be the end of us.

Just snuff her out and give her the acid bath.

I hate that part.

What? I'm the one who has to clean it up.

Our survival is entirely dependent upon the limit of her mortality.

The clock is ticking.

The school bell tolls,

and it tolls for us.

Stop!

You're right.

Of course.

The longer she's alive, the greater the liability.

I, I know that. It's just that I--

Smitten with the kitten.

I've enjoyed our conversations.

Gentlemen, there is no outcome here that arrives at romance.

It is kill or be killed.

Blue lives matter.

Okay.

Fine. So, who's gonna do it?

You are the only one who can.

Great.

Thanks.

Just remember.

The character is nothing without the actor in performance.

What are you up to?

No.

No, this is-- this is not correct.

That is not a costume.

That is not on the rack. This is not part of the game!

Goddamn it!

How long has it been since your last confession, my son?

Too long, Father.

Then come.

The Lord is infinitely patient, but I am not.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

- Amen. - Begin.

Forgive me, Father...

...for I have sinned.

It has been... a very...

...long time since my last confession.

Do you wish to be forgiven for your transgressions?

I'm not sure I will be.

There is no act so vile the Lord won't forgive

if you truly confess and repent.

Are you sure about that, Father?

You need to find your way back to the Lord.

I've killed, Father!

How many?

More than a few Hail Marys

and a rosary or two are gonna help.

At first...

...I just wanted to hear the screams.

The screams?

A true scream...

...is every possible emotion, fear...

Please, no! Please, no! Please, no!

Please, don't do it. Please, don't...

...anxiety, rage...

What are you doing?

...it's free and pure. How to achieve it?

How to rend it from the player takes the hand of an artist.

And I became that artist,

and the game was born.

- Costumes and character? - Yes.

Sadly, very few found their way into the game,

even with my gentle prodding.

- They were scared to death. - Oh, cry me a river.

Let me ask you.

If they caught on and joined the game, what then?

- How did it play out? - It always ends in the screams.

So you torture them with false hope?

I find it makes it sound more...

...authentic.

And when they're gone, you do it again.

If there's anything I learned from this place...

...it's that repetition strengthens faith...

...and I grow stronger with every player that comes through.

They're just girls!

You've taken their identity and then you take their lives!

You're not a creator, you're a fraud!

"Every artist is a cannibal.

Every poet is a thief."

- You're hardly Picasso. - I'm more like Pollock.

I make a beautiful mess.

You're still that little boy no one wanted.

Maybe you never felt love because you can't.

You're filled with hate and envy.

You don't want these girls to play with you as equals, you wanna control them.

You wanna make them do what you want them to do!

You're not special in that.

Girls face that every single day of their lives!

What's the point of the game if they can't win?

The point is I win!

My place is not in the light of the Lord.

I found my place in the darkness.

How about you, Father?

You're not afraid of the dark, are you?

I woke up in the dark.

Hello?

Hello?

Anybody?

Hello?

Please.

I'm scared.

Skylar Watkins.

No. [panting] No--

It was a nice game, Skylar. But you got one thing wrong.

I've never thought a woman's place was in the priesthood.

You've been such a good opponent, really.

No one's ever lasted this long, but time is not on our side.

No one should know their exact time of death.

Everyone expects it.

For some sooner, for others--

But you, Fräulein...

well--

This shit's cold.

What are you crying about?

This is part one, remember?

We're doing this or what?

Kill or be killed.

I filled the tub and dragged the barrel up.

Okay.

Joe?

Yeah, boss.

Would it be so bad to let her go?

Hell of a decision.

- It would be great for her though. - But for us--

It would be the end.

I'm sorry.

- How do you know this will work? - Trust me.

We just need to figure out which one of his characters is the easiest to dupe.

Joe? Joe's sweet. He'd probably cry.

Not the doctor, please, or the principal. Too creepy.

Remember the cop? That guy was an idiot.

This is a bad idea.

Hmm.

Okay.

Last call.

Freeze! This is the police. Don't move!

Here! I've got her.

She's in here. Officer, you okay?

Are you hurt?

Shit. Where are my keys?

Where are my keys?

I must have left my keys out there.

Coming right back! Don't move.

Found them. We gotta get out of here.

Here, hold this.

What you gonna do, Skylar?

You don't even know where you are.

I'll let you go, okay?

I was gonna do it, anyway.

W-- we can make a deal.

Just tell your friends you ran away.

You don't rat, and I'll walk away.

Skylar. [grunts] Damn it.

Skylar! Let me go!

I'm sick of your fucking game.

Skylar! Skylar!

Get me out of here! Skylar!

Get me--

No! Stop!

Eyes forward.

- Skylar! - Let's try this again.

Free me from this hell.

Cash or check?

Skylar!

In case you kill me before I kill you.

Oh, my God.

This guy's definitely done all this before, right?

Don't you think?

I am going to have to expel you.

- Hello? - Mom.

Skylar! Oh, my God, are you okay?

- I'm okay. - Oh, thank God!

- Are you hurt? - No.

Okay. Where are you?

I don't know.

- I don't know where I am. - I'm so glad you're okay.

Look, I want you to find the police, okay? Just go. Find help and call me back.

Okay.

I love you, baby. Now, go. Get out of there.

I love you, Mom.

♪ Five foot two, eyes of blue ♪

♪ But, oh, what those Five foot could do ♪

♪ Has anybody seen my gal? ♪

♪ Turned up nose Turned down hose ♪

♪ Flapper? Yes, sir One of those ♪

♪ Has anybody seen my gal? ♪

♪ Now if you run into A five foot two ♪

♪ Covered with fur ♪

♪ Diamond rings And all those things ♪

♪ Bet your life it isn't hers ♪

♪ But could she love? Could she woo? ♪

♪ Could she, could she Could she coo? ♪

♪ Has anybody seen my gal? ♪