Original subtitles

Today.

I feel like pleasing you.

More than before.

Today.

I know what I wanna do.

But I don't know what for.

To be living for you.

Is all I want to do.

To be loving you.

It'll all be there.

When my dreams come true.

Today.

You'll make me say.

That I somehow have changed.

Today.

You look into my eyes

I'm just not the same.

To be any more.

Than all I am.

Would be a lie.

It's going to be so much better.

What?

Killing them with an axe.

A knife is...

It's too sexual.

It's like sliding it into them.

It's almost too kind a way to go.

And a rifle is what you use for hunting.

How you dispatch an animal.

You might as well be using arrows to shoot them.

Too childlike.

Like fun and games.

Too easy.

No.

An axe.

An axe is the most personal way of killing someone.

Try again.

Now again.

Put all your feelings in the swing.

Make it personal and give it your signature.

All for you.

Mr. Borden, sir.

I want you to show me how you do it.

How you make the... bodies fit.

You can make a 6 foot 4 fit into a coffin that's 5 foot 10.

Well... you can't expect me to

divulge trade secrets.

Oh, it's no secret to me, sir.

I know you cut the legs off.

I clean your axes.

No, what I mean is...

I want to see you do it.

Mr. Withers here is too tall by six inches or so,

but I'll make it an even foot so he won't... seem cramped

and... give the mortician the option of a top hat.

As you can see, he's old.

Seventy-seven years.

Were he younger, his bones denser,

were he fatter... well, I'd use what you'd use to down a sapling.

I'd use... Cosette here.

Often a young man's shins take

several... heavy whacks,

but these dry, thin legs,

devoid of fat and desiccated bone, well...

those just take...

one good swing from Rebecca.

You know...

How can I help?

Mr. Borden, I presume.

Morse is my name. John Morse.

I'm your brother, Andrew.

Don't have a brother.

Brother-in-law.

I'm brother to Sarah.

Your late wife.

John.

John Morse.

Ha ha!

John!

John!

Ha ha! Let me look at you.

How the years go by.

Yes.

Maggie!

Maggie... This is our Irish. Our household's.

- Abby's and mine. - Abby's your wife?

Yes, yes and... mother to Emma and Lizzie, your nieces.

Stepmother.

Yes.

Right.

Maggie.

Luncheon for John and I, if you please.

No oysters.

No.

Yes, and I've worked as a butcher.

- Butcher, you say? - Yes.

I learned the trade in an abattoir on the Long Wharf in New Haven.

Are these your blades?

Yes.

Are they the sum total?

Yes.

A good butcher only needs half a dozen knives.

I will show you.

This... this is my most trusted.

It's a hunting knife, actually.

See the drop point?

If I whet that edge and keep it razor sharp,

there's seldom a task he cannot perform.

I call him Jason.

Beechwood handle, brass cutler's rivets.

He's a dear friend.

And this...

is Bartholomew.

He's a scimitar, 15 inches long.

Antler handle. Elk, I think. Damascus steel blade.

Maggie!

You see the curvature of the knife,

it gives a particular deftness when trimming an animal.

- Thank you. - You give them names?

Mr. Borden too.

He gives his axes names.

Yes.

I give mine... women's names.

Oh, interesting.

I always imagined a knife as male.

Because of the... penetration.

Fascinating

how alike we are for not being blood.

It's like peering through a glass darkly, seeing you.

Brother, I come to you seeking a loan.

I wish to open a butcher shop of my own.

If not in New Haven, then somewhere here in Fall River.

A loan of $200 would start a thriving business.

Brother, I'm a...

deeply moral man.

- Good. - This... code of mine.

It forbids any... kind of money lending.

Oh. Right.

But, surely... aiding kin is not forbidden.

Surely, you... have your own moral... code.

Therefore, you'll understand when the... answer's no.

This, when you waste away my sister's half of your fortune?

The answer's no.

More cherry cordial, please.

Thank you very much.

And what if I return your kindness by gutting your whore?

Flank, rib, cheek.

I see by the way you look at her what the two of you get up to.

I can tell everyone.

You're being discourteous, brother.

Won't stand for it. Release her.

She's nothing to me, so she's... nothing to you.

Or gut her if you like. It won't change anything.

I... simply cannot lend money.

Why don't you come to supper, John, this evening?

So refreshing to have another man at the table.

John, you don't understand.

I'm like a rooster in a henhouse. I...

I have to deal with the clack, clack, clack, clack, clacking,

the senseless chatter,

the scatterbrained thoughts,

the... whirlpools of emotional need.

It's driving me insane.

Supper?

Yes.

I just have to ask, how on earth do you remember all those lines?

Yes.

Are you all right, Miss O'Neil?

I am very sorry. I am experiencing a bit of nausea.

Oh no.

Did I not ask that my side dishes not touch?

They're not touching.

- Excuse me? - Maggie, no.

Lizzie, you have a... relative at the table.

You've not said a single word to him.

Yes.

Father says you wish to open a butcher shop.

Yes. If only he would lend me the money.

Ha! Not a money lender.

It's forbidden by scripture.

I would imagine a handsome man such as yourself

would do well in Fall River.

Why, there'd be lines of housewives out the door.

Well, I would, save my best cut of meat

for you, Mrs. Borden.

But alas, your husband will... not give me the loan.

What a... joy it is to have you at our table.

Now, John,

You mentioned that you've also sold oxen.

I'm sorry, I hate to interrupt a discussion about oxen,

but the juice from the carrots is mingling with the pea juice.

We'll get you another plate.

So sorry, Madame.

Madame?

Don't call me Madame.

- Do I look like a Madame? - No.

- I am a Miss. - Yes.

I do apologize.

Miss.

I would also... like to say thank you so much

for bringing a little class into this home.

Inviting you to supper is... is literally the only good thing

that Lizzie here has ever done.

A thousand pardons, Miss O'Neil.

Thank you.

And what color hair is this now?

Well, we here also like to foster a certain... creativity and expression.

Well, it doesn't quite work.

Does it?

No, you're absolutely right, it doesn't.

Speaking of nausea. I heard about your episode.

Oh... horrible.

It was nearly the end of us.

What was?

Death oysters.

Well, more likely a... reaction to some exotic spices.

Too much ventilation.

There's influenza going around

and it's the Portuguese who brought it here.

My maid's come down with it.

I have no help whatsoever until she recovers.

- Yeah. - If she recovers.

That reminds me.

Maggie!

Come in here.

I have alighted on a punishment for the bouillabaisse episode.

You already cut my pay.

Don't be vulgar.

And don't interrupt me.

Bertha here also has an Irish, and she's dying of flu.

So after you've finished your work here and your chores with Mr. Borden,

you will attend to Miss Manchester at her home until morning.

You will do this until such time as the maid has recovered.

John?

I have a... question for you.

About oxen. I always wanted to know...

And...

Is everything okay?

My roast beef just got mashed potato on it.

There we go.

Better?

Much.

John, what is the difference between an ox...

So, after I finish here, I go to Miss Manchester's house.

- And where do I sleep? - I don't expect you will sleep.

Well, don't grouse.

Mules sleep on their feet.

Chickens!

Chickens!

That's all you are!

All of this... nattering, clucking nonsense.

It never ceases!

Your stench of estrogen chokes the air!

Might I be allowed to ask the difference

between an ox and a steer?

Both are castrated males.

I feel for them.

John, might we adjourn to the music room?

Yes.

Excuse me.

For shame, for shame.

For shame.

Poor wandering one.

Though thou hast surely strayed.

Take heart of grace Thy steps retrace.

Poor wandering one.

What a talent. Ha!

She's delightful.

Poor wandering one.

If such poor love as mine.

Can help thee find True peace of mind.

Why, take it.

It is thine.

Take heart, no danger lowers.

Take any heart but ours.

Take heart Fair days will shine.

Take any heart Take mine.

So tell me, Miss O'Neil...

how did you arrive at a career in the theater?

Why, I have to believe.

I was fated for it.

"Talent like yours, Nance, why, it outs itself!"

That's what my mentor, the great Henry Irving said to me

when I did a season for him at the Lyceum.

I know there are those who look down on the lives we lead,

we rude mechanicals.

But I look at the freedom I have

to travel the world free of the burden of husband and children.

Why, I believe it is the greatest gift a woman could ever receive.

And not a day goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars for it.

Lizzie, might I have a word?

What a treat it has been spending time with you.

The cherry on top of the ice cream sundae that was my time in Fall River.

But alas, I'm going to Poughkeepsie, where I will for the first time

give my Lady M in the great Scottish play.

You mean Macbeth.

You're not supposed to say the play's name.

Anyway.

The next time the muse of Thespis whispers me back to this quaint little burgh...

I do hope you and I can while away an hour or two together.

I would love that.

Ta.

Bye.

Maggie.

What?

I just wanted to see you.

Well, here I am.

I've had a bit of a day of it.

I've been working 20 hours without a minute of rest.

I need to sleep.

Is there anything I can do?

Who is this?

Wild canaries.

Ten dollars. I only sell as pair.

What is that?

Have a nice day.

What are their names?

I haven't named them yet.

If they fly away, I'll let them go.

If they stay, I'll name them.

I want to name them after Mr. and Mrs. Borden are dead.

I'm sorry.

I was cold to you last night.

That's okay.

I hate to see them treat you like a dog.

They're just making the bed they'll have to lie in in the end.

N'est-ce pas?

You're so fascinated with this woman.

You're rabid with her bloodlust.

Do you know why?

She outsmarted them.

She got away with it.

She did these things and she wasn't punished for it.

I find that fascinating.

Her cruelty...

Excites you.

Sometimes I wonder,

did she really do these things?

Is it just a story with embellishments?

Could people really be that cruel back then?

People haven't changed.

People torture people.

Now. They always have.

It's everywhere around you, Lizzie.

You just don't see it.

What do you mean?

If you want, I can...

I can show you if you promise not to scream or cry.

It'll make it worse.

What do you mean?

Bertha Manchester.

The Gorgon.

You little Mick dyke.

Looking at me like that.

Making me look at you like that!

Maggie...

Would you put this ointment?

Of course.

I'm sorry.

She had a...

She had a cat o' nine tails.

She used it on... on girls before me.

Does this hurt?

It's okay.

- I'm sorry I'm crying. - No, don't be sorry.

Oh, Maggie.

Bertha Manchester's the first one we kill.

We have to make sure

we know what we're doing.

And that we have our courage.

She's an old spinster. No one will come looking for her.

Be a week until they find her.

Will you do it with me?

Yes.

Yes.

I thought I heard something in the night.

Knocking.

I bet it was three in the morning.

It's the witching hour.

It's a mockery to our Lord Jesus Christ who died at three in the afternoon.

Death has been knocking at your door, Lizzie.

Maybe... maybe it was whoever's been breaking into the house, stealing things.

Maybe.

I have noticed things going missing.

Mr. Borden's pocket watch and Mrs. Borden's jewelry.

What on... What on earth are you talking about?

Lizzie, you're a fabler. Ananias.

I know you're stealing.

I've seen where you've been hiding it.

What are you doing here?

I was just keeping Maggie company.

Well, I don't like that.

I like when Maggie does the work on her own.

It's not right, you helping the help.

What would Mrs. Borden think?

I think Mrs. Borden would be happy just to have me out of the house.

All right.

Let me.

Eight o'clock.

Tonight.

What was that?

Maggie!

Help! Help!

What is it?

It's Lizzie. She's hurt. She fell off her chair.

Oh. Well...

I don't care about that.

She broke all your fine china.

What?

Not my china.

That bitch!

Okay, now, let me get my hands on her.

Where are you?

It's stuck.

Maggie!

Maggie!

Maggie, hatchet!

Maggie, help!

This is for whipping Maggie.

This is the end.

Beautiful friend.

This is the end.

My only friend, the end.

This is the end.

My only friend, the end.

Of our elaborate plans, the end.

Of everything that stands, the end.

No safety or surprise, the end.

I'll never look into your eyes again.

Can you picture what will be?

So limitless and free.

Desperately in need.

Of some stranger's hand.

Ride the snake.

Ride the snake.

To the lake

Lizzie.

Can I stay with you tonight?

The snake, he's long.

Seven miles.

Ride the snake...

Lizzie!

Lizzie!

She stole something, didn't she? I knew it.

What did she steal?

Something terrible has happened, Mrs. Borden.

Bertha Manchester was murdered with an axe.

What?

I do beg your pardon.

She was murdered?

I wasn't there.

She said she doesn't need me for a week.

When did it happen?

We're not quite sure.

The neighbors noticed the smell.

Weird scenes inside the gold mine.

Ride the highway west, baby.

And the flies.

She did it.

She did it, didn't she? I would not put it past her.

Maggie wasn't even at that house all last week.

Miss Manchester was beating her, so she spent every day with me.

I can vouch for her,

as can about 100 other people in town who saw us together.

- Yes, you can ask... - Quiet, please, both of you.

It appears to have been a robbery. We're just covering bases here.

We think we actually have the fella in custody already.

Just looking for more proof,

or any clues.

Come on, baby Take a chance with us.

Come on, baby Take a chance with us.

And meet me At the back of the blue bus.

Come on, yeah.

Good morning, Mr. Borden.

Mr. Borden.

This is the end.

Lizzie.

Lizzie, please.

Lizzie, please talk to me.

Maggie, stop. It's done.

What is? Why?

It's over.

This dream of being free of this together is done.

- Because of what happened? - Because you don't want to be.

I saw it in your eyes when you froze.

This is a prison for me, Maggie, and I have to escape it.

If you're not gonna help me, then I have to do it alone.

No. No, Lizzie.

No, please. Lizzie.

I want to help you.

I do. I... Please, I don't...

I really, I... I don't know why I froze.

But when I saw her lying on her back with the axe in her gut,

she looked like an animal.

And I pitied her.

I know she whipped me and called me a dog...

but I couldn't move.

But I promise you, it will be different the next time.

I'm sorry.

How will it be different?

Because I love you.

And I will do anything to help you.

I swear.

Your parents, they deserve it.

The way they talk to you and the way they treat you.

I... I want you to be free of that.

And I want to help you. And I promise you, I won't pity them.

Next week, we're killing them.

Oh, it's okay.

Okay.

Just let me have the first whack.