Original subtitles

[light music playing]

[ambient sounds]

[gentle piano music playing]

[typing]

[♪]

[sighs]

[door opening]

[floorboard creaking]

[eerie music playing]

[♪]

Jane?

Is that you?

[swirling wind]

You here?

Are you back?

[sinister music playing]

[grunts]

[breathing heavily]

[choking]

[grunts]

[gentle piano music playing]

[♪]

[phone ringing]

[man] Hey, Brian. Is everything okay?

We haven't seen you at work for almost a week now.

Are you coming back?

Hope to see you around.

[machine beeps]

[♪]

[bottle clanking]

[water running]

[♪]

[water stops]

[clock ticking]

[gentle music playing]

[♪]

[♪]

Hey, Kathy! Over here.

-[Kathy] Hi. -Hi.

-[Kathy] How are you? -Good, it's been a long time.

Yeah, have a seat.

[Kathy] Thank you.

So, how's it going? Feeling any better?

Ugh, can you believe it's been almost a year now?

-Wow. -My back is as stiff as a board and as heavy as lead.

Oh, and now, every morning,

I have a new prickling kind of pain on my lower back, too.

The chiropractor didn't help?

I've been through every conventional treatment I know,

and, no, the chiro doesn't help.

Not even a little bit?

Nope. The pain is just as intense.

Oh, geez.

[woman] Shit.

[whispers] Unbelievable.

[ominous music playing]

[♪]

What's up with this guy?

You don't know?

That's the guy whose wife went missing.

Some think he's deranged, others think he did it.

Who's his wife?

I think her name is Jane.

Jane Meyer. I saw it in the ad.

Mmm. Sounds familiar.

They don't have any evidence against him?

Mm-mmm.

Say, that reminds me.

You said something once about a new doctor in town?

Someone you thought I should see about my back?

Have you heard of Dr. Halton, the hypnotherapist?

[clock ticking]

[♪]

Are you ready to be hypnotized?

Now, tell me.

What do you see?

Uh, I see scales.

On my legs.

Yeah, wait. I have no legs.

I have a beautiful tail,

and I see blue.

Everything blue. All around me.

I-- I see bubbles.

Bubbles floating past me.

I'm-- I'm in the sea, yes.

I'm-- I'm under the water,

and I see coral and seashells everywhere.

And little fishes swimming around me.

Oh, they're so cute.

[gasps, chuckles]

Well...

So, you're talking about hypnosis?

-Mm-hmm. -What they call hypnotherapy?

Where the doctor puts you in a trance?

What does that have to do with my back pain?

Well, the idea is that we have a lot of unresolved emotional issues

trapped within us that eventually cause real physical ailments.

Hence Dr. Halton's job is to put his patients in trance,

dive into their subconscious level,

find out where the emotional knots are, and untie them for good.

So you're saying that my back pain

could be caused by some unresolved emotions?

Well, yes, it could be.

See, Dr. Halton dives into his patients' subconscious level,

goes down to a level underneath our personalities

to find out where we store our hurts and negativity

that we get from toxic people around us.

I can't take it anymore. [sobs]

[sniffs] It pains my own heart so deeply.

When everyone expects me to be someone I'm not.

What are these expectations that are causing you pain?

[sighs] Everyone expects me to be strong all the time.

[sobbing]

To be everyone's rock.

[sniffs] To take everybody's shit all the time.

[exhales sharply]

[sobs] But I'm-- I'm just-- [sniffs]

a girl inside.

I need tenderness.

I need love.

[man sobbing]

But these aren't real doctors.

I mean, someone like my mom would even call them witch doctors.

I mean, Macy, seriously?

Hypnotherapy?

What if it's all a hoax, like-- like, a placebo effect?

Or-- or worse yet, what if you do serious psychological damage to someone?

I mean, a doctor who says he can go into a person's subconscious mind, and then mess with it?

Sounds dangerous.

Calm down, Kathy. This guy is the real deal.

He was a psychiatry student at Stanford University.

Well, I heard that he was an outcast among his peers and he dropped out.

Well, that's just what I heard about him.

But anyway, nobody knows where he came from.

His past is a mystery.

I don't know how he ended up here.

But he takes care of all the weird things

that not even the best doctors in and out of our town can handle.

Your problem doesn't lie in the job relocation.

It's your fear of change. Fear of the unknown.

Oh, that sure sounds easy.

-Are you ready? -Sure. Yeah, bring it on.

[♪]

Okay. You can go now.

But-- I-- I can't.

Yes. Yes, you can.

It's just a few steps forward.

You can do this.

[grunting]

-I am in so much pain. -I know it hurts.

But this is the change that you have been dreaming of all your life.

-[grunts] -Right there in front of you. Just take a few steps.

-[grunts] -Come on.

[inhales]

-That's it. -[gasping]

-That's it. -[exhales sharply]

You can do this.

It's right there, cross the line.

[grunts]

[Dr. Halton] Yep.

[grunting]

I have been saved my lifelong neck pain,

and saved from getting that complicated neurosurgery.

He says it has to do with my mind and my heart's desires being in conflict.

He also pointed out to me that I have been in defensive mode for way too long.

He works magic, and no medication is needed.

He's located over at the Green Gulch Reserves,

overlooking the big river.

Here's his card. You should give him a call.

He's really good.

[solemn piano music playing]

[♪]

[rustling]

[♪]

No, there's nothin' happening here.

Pick me up at the end of Pine Street.

All right.

[somber music playing]

[clock ticking]

[clicking]

[sighs]

[ominous music playing]

[faint clattering]

[rattling]

[thudding]

[electrical buzzing]

[♪]

[rhythmic booming]

[eerie string music playing]

[♪]

[gentle piano music playing]

You bitch.

-[Brian choking] -[woman screaming]

-[thuds] -[grunts]

[panting]

[gentle piano music playing]

[♪]

[serene piano music playing]

-[knocking] -Please, come in.

[door creaking]

Hello.

I am Dr. Shaun Halton. How are you?

-Hi, I'm Kathy. -Pleasure to meet you, Kathy.

What can I do for you today?

Well, I have this stubborn back pain

that seems to last forever.

I've tried everything. Nothing works.

Well, Kathy, nothing is forever.

Back pain is one of my most common cases.

Please, take a seat on the chaise

and make yourself comfortable.

Thank you.

[♪]

So, uh, I hope you're not gonna fling this pocket watch in my face.

You don't like the watch?

I do.

Try it. Play with it.

It looks like one my dad used to have.

You see, this isn't your ordinary pocket watch.

This pocket watch will stop exactly at the moment

when the problem in your subconscious mind

begins to surface.

What is that supposed to mean?

You see, it's more of just a helping tool for my patients.

To keep them focused.

I am focused. I rarely make mistakes at work.

Wonderful. It's more just a reminder to breathe evenly.

You observe your heartbeat,

and you count how evenly each beat follows the next.

Try it.

Wait, I can't feel my own heartbeat.

Hold on, let me try harder.

-Okay. -You got it?

Great, now, I want you track the dial as it goes.

And remember exactly what second that it stops, okay?

What is this going to do to me,

and why am I supposed to track the seconds?

And why will it stop?

Is this some kind of a trick?

Okay, if the watch isn't for you,

we can try some other methods.

Or we could just simply talk about your back pain.

How 'bout that?

[sighs] No, it's okay. I'll do it.

I mean, after all, it's a hypnotherapy session that I came in for, so...

Now, just tell me what to do again? Track the dial?

Just count as it goes.

Do I start now?

One second.

Yes, you may.

Now, Kathy, tell me about your father.

So, it's 60 seconds per round, I guess.

[sighs] Okay.

[sighs] My father.

[nostalgic music playing]

He's the breadwinner of the house.

Always with a smile on his face.

He's a very busy man,

but he was always good to me.

When he was home, Mother would quarrel with him,

and she would cry, and he would storm out of the house.

Do you still see him now?

No. By the time I graduated college, my parents had divorced,

and my father was off with a new wife.

My mother was devastated.

But she kept our family together,

and she raised me and my brother on her own.

Do your hate your father for leaving your family behind?

No.

I guess not. But I do think my parents' marriage could have been saved

if my mother hadn't come at my father

like a roaring tiger every time he walked in the door.

Oh, wait, I think I've lost count of the seconds.

Oh, not to worry. You're at 535 seconds,

five seconds into the ninth minute.

Oh, I-- I guess I can see that, yeah.

Kathy, you-- What was your last happy moment in life?

Hmm. [clicks tongue] I...

It's Larry.

He is the sunshine of my life.

[birds chirping]

That's beautiful.

And how long have you two been married?

Twenty years.

What else do you like about your husband?

Hmm.

Well...

when he's around, I-- I feel so warm.

So happy.

And everything is good again.

He-- He makes everything come alive.

Too bad. Too bad he's not home very often.

He's very busy at work, and...

I don't get to see him a lot.

Do you have any children?

[sobs]

[sniffs, cries]

I can't.

I've tried.

[sobbing]

I-- I tried.

[sobbing]

We tried for five years!

And after that...

we just stopped.

To stop me from obsessing about it.

Larry just stopped touching me.

[Kathy sobbing]

And then, he told me I should-- should just--

get over the idea of it, ever having a child.

[sobbing]

-Kathy. -[Kathy crying]

Kathy, I want you to feel

the watch in your hand...

actually feel the-- the ticking sound.

-On your palm. -[ticking]

Do you feel it?

Five, four, three, two, one.

You're back with me, Kathy.

Mmm.

Whoa.

Oh, my God.

What just happened?

Did I really cry so much?

I'm not-- I'm not sure I'm...

completely unaware of it.

There, there, Mrs. McGregor.

This isn't brain surgery.

Have you heard of those psychic healers from the Philippines?

They can operate on their so-called patients

without any anesthesia.

I wonder if this is just a more powerful

and stronger form of-- of hypnosis.

I mean, after all, that-- that is so scary.

It's so scary, but as for today,

what will all that talking and crying

and clock-counting do for my back pain?

I mean, I can already feel it coming back.

But, to be fair,

I will give you credit.

The pain has lessened, and--

and I do feel more relaxed.

But it hasn't gone away completely.

Well, you see, back pain is a chronic effect

of some form of imbalance that you have in your life.

An imbalance you've been carrying for a long time,

and in your case, Mrs. McGregor, I think I might need to speak with your husband.

Do you think Larry would be willing to come in with you one day?

You mean my husband, Larry?

How do you know his name?

Oh.

You have no idea how conventional Larry is.

He will never accept something like this.

And besides, he's too busy right now anyway.

He's-- he's campaigning to be the city treasurer.

If he knew that I was here, seeing you, a hypnotherapist?

[chuckles] He would say that I have lost my mind,

and I'm just wasting time on some hocus-pocus

that doesn't even do anything in reality.

Okay. How 'bout this?

You can come see me for your back pain whenever you'd like.

Session fees are waived until you bring in Larry.

[chuckles] Well, then I might not pay you back then ever.

Well, Mrs. McGregor, my mom suffered from back pain

for most of her life, and she never believed that I'd become a doctor.

Was she cured?

Unfortunately, she died before I did.

Oh.

Well, I'll try, but Larry's a tough nut.

And he doesn't give a damn.

Not much about my back pain, either.

[solemn piano music playing]

[birds chirping]

[sighs]

[exhales]

[grunts]

What's wrong, kid?

You're-- you're Professor Trex.

At Stanford Medical, uh, psychiatry faculty.

Yes, I am. But, um...

[chuckles] Sorry, I see so many students, I can't remember everyone.

-You are... -Shaun Halton.

Clinical psychiatry student.

Well, I-- I used to be. Not anymore.

Failed my final twice, so I no longer have financial aid.

Well, is it so important to get a degree from the School of Psychiatry?

Yeah. Of course it is.

I wanna practice as-- as a psychiatrist. Right?

No. What is it you really want?

-I don't know, I-- -What is it you really want?

I wanna help people.

I wanna save people from their pain.

Yes.

Yes, that's what you really want to do.

Yeah, physical pain.

Psychological pain.

And is becoming a psychiatrist the only way?

Kid...

you've got a gift that if you could just tap into it...

you could surpass the best clinical psychiatrists and psychologists.

A gift?

What gift?

The gift of penetrating a person's soul.

[intense orchestral music playing]

What the-- what the hell?

And then guiding that person out from where they're trapped.

Who are you, really?

I told you, I'm--

I'm just a professor who started this job,

and taking an early summer break, just like you.

Hey, kid, you can be more than a psychiatrist.

Hell, if you became a practicing psych,

you'd probably end up becoming depressed yourself.

Listen to what I told you.

Use your gift.

But how-- how do-- how do I do it?

Watch the river.

Look at the ripples created by the waves.

Focus on the dark, shadowy sides of these little waves.

You'll know the answer when those shadows become real and solid.

[water splashing]

[roaring]

-Holy shit. -[creature roaring]

Oh, oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit.

-Holy shit. -[creature roaring]

[water splashing]

[gentle piano music playing]

[phone ringing]

-Dr. Shaun Halton. -Dr. Halton, my name is Detective Powell

from the Mendocino County Sheriff's office.

You're a hypnotherapist, isn't that right?

Um, hello, Detective.

Brian Meyer, a local whose wife has been missing for two months.

We've checked him out, and currently there's no evidence

implicating him in her disappearance.

I should tell you that we've had him under surveillance for some time.

-As a matter of fact, he's about to enter your office. -[knocking on door]

One minute, please.

How can I, uh, help you, Detective?

Brian was interviewed by our department psychologist,

and didn't turn up anything.

Now that he's seeing you,

I was hoping we could talk to you about him.

Well, okay, I-- I assure you that my practice is strictly PC.

I understand, Doc, but anything you can tell us

would be a big help, do you understand?

All right, Detective.

Um, unfortunately, I have a patient waiting,

so I will get back to you soon.

Thank you.

[exhales]

Oh. Okay, this is good.

Yes, yes, this is good, this is good, this is great.

Okay.

Finally.

We're doing something real.

Doing something real.

Sorry for the wait.

Please come in.

[door creaking]

I am Dr. Shaun Halton,

the one and only hypnotherapist in town.

Brian. Brian Meyer.

It's a pleasure, Brian. Please.

Take a seat. Make yourself comfortable.

So how can I help you today, Brian?

I've, uh...

been having weird symptoms at night.

It's so strange.

And I feel I'm going crazy.

Okay.

Tell me more about these... weird symptoms.

Well, it's not so much the symptoms.

Things are not normal in my house.

I mean...

it's almost like...

there's a haunting... in my house every night.

A haunting.

Interesting.

These hauntings, Brian.

Do they happen at a specific time at night?

Yes.

Around the window from-- from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.

I know that you're a hypnotherapist--

No, don't worry about it, Brian. I'm listening.

First of all,

something random will happen in the house.

An explosion of a lightbulb,

sudden blackouts, sudden drop in temperature.

And then there's these strange noises

of things moving in the house.

And then I'll feel something rising.

Within me.

Something burning inside of me.

Like a rising fire.

And the burning sensation is actually causing pain in my body.

[breathing heavily]

Is there a particular spot where you feel this pain

more intensely than others?

It's all over.

It's all over, inside of me.

[panting]

And then...

[breathing heavily]

Brian, you okay?

[gulps]

[Dr. Halton] It's okay.

[Brian hyperventilating]

[Dr. Halton] Here you are.

Now, you said a tremendous amount of pain...

all over?

Are there any other sensations that you feel?

Something will take over me.

I'll be completely out of myself.

I mean, I'll lose control of myself.

And I can't breathe, and I remember being very afraid.

Then these invisible hands will come and choke me.

And I--

and I can't breathe,

and I lose strength, and I fall, and--

and I'll hit my knee, my-- my left knee.

I did notice the way that you...

walked into my office today.

Well, but my knee doesn't have a chance to heal if...

it happens every night.

And what's with the head injury?

I-- I fell when I lost control of my body.

Brian, are you ready to be hypnotized?

Let's go back in time.

To a time that has no pains...

and no hurts.

Time is fluid.

It has no beginning,

and it has no end.

Floating.

[waves crashing]

[Dr. Halton] Flying away.

We are above time.

Above... everything else.

We see everything, yet...

not affected by anything at all.

We are traveling back in time...

through time...

and beyond time.

[stirring orchestral music playing]

[distant] How good that you're here with me.

You love me? Well, why don't you listen to me?

I've told you what I need, didn't I?

It's either me or her!

You have to choose!

Bastard!

[screaming]

[Brian, sobbing] It's--

[Dr. Halton] Brian. Brian, it's okay.

It's okay, Brian. Brian, it's okay.

Come on. Come on, Brian.

Come on. Come on. Come on. You're all right.

-What happened to me? -You're okay.

You were just telling me about your wife.

-What'd I say about my wife? What do you know? -What you just said, it's--

-What did I just say? -Brian, please. Okay?

Relax. Sit down, please.

[Brian breathing heavily]

Brian, I, uh...

strongly intuit that the haunting situation

in your house has some sort of relation to your wife.

She-- [exclaims]

[screaming]

[droning music playing]

[Brian groaning]

[Brian breathing heavily]

My head hurts so much.

What did you do to me?

Just try to relax, okay?

Try to calm yourself down.

I haven't gone very far with your roaming.

Five minutes into the session.

Listen, Brian, every client's session is--

is private and confidential.

Everything is recorded,

but I only share it with you and only you.

Okay?

I'm sorry, Doc.

I didn't expect this to be so intense.

It's okay.

All right.

Would you like to continue?

Would you like to come back another time?

I've got no time.

I need-- I need to find my wife.

I-- You know that my wife, Jane Meyer, has gone missing, do you?

It is the talk of the town.

Brian, please, please, please.

I really think I can help you.

And if it's okay with you, I...

I'd like another chance.

Would you like to get back to it?

[booming]

[distant] I told you about this!

Over and over again.

All you need to do is make a choice.

You bastard!

[screaming]

Help!

[panting] No!

[Brian panting]

[Brian groaning]

[♪]

[Brian gasps]

What happened to me? What is the time now?

You're okay, Brian. You just had a seizure during hypnosis.

Goddammit.

It even happens in your office.

What did I say during the hypnosis? I can't remember.

It's quite normal for clients not to remember anything,

especially after a seizure.

Now, Brian, I have gathered some information from you.

Nothing sufficient enough to tell me what happened to your wife,

or where to possibly find her.

I'm quite interested in this haunting that you mentioned earlier.

Do you think it would be possible for me to visit your house?

I'd like to try to witness it myself.

[♪]

[foreboding music playing]

It's a nice neighborhood you live in.

Thanks for dinner.

It's been a while since I've spoken to anyone.

It's my pleasure, Brian. Thank you for having me over.

[♪]

She's beautiful, isn't she?

Since it's still early, Brian,

would you like to talk about the day that she didn't come home?

[♪]

[gentle music playing]

[woman] Hello?

Hello? Can I speak to Jane Meyer?

Is this Mr. Meyer?

Jane left early today.

She just came in to grab some documents.

She took the day off, actually.

Thanks.

[♪]

[frantic music playing]

My wife loves to go to the Big River when she's feeling stressed.

That day, I parked my car

and started walking near the bushes

by the riverbank to look for her.

As I walked into the grass...

[electrical crackling]

It's happening. You see that?

-Brian, how did you-- -Shh.

[faint, ghastly moaning]

[distant thumping]

[ghastly roaring]

[Brian growling]

Bitch.

[Brian choking]

[eerie orchestral music playing]

[woman screaming] Brian!

Let's get out of here.

Just--

[glass shattering]

[both gasping]

[glass shattering]

[house rumbling]

[♪]

[Dr. Halton] Stop it! Open the door!

-It's all right. -Jesus Christ!

It's all right. It's all right.

What the hell is going on?

[solemn music playing]

[phone ringing]

-Dr. Shaun Halton. -[Powell] What's up, Doc?

Any lead on where Mrs. Meyers is?

Detective. Uh, how are you?

Listen, it's getting a little tricky over here on my end, but...

I'm getting into it.

The whole Mendocino County Sheriff's office is trying to crack this case.

To be honest, my gut tells me she's dead.

We found her bracelet with her name on it on the banks of the Big River.

Brian confirmed it belonged to his wife.

At this point, we're not thinking suicide,

because a body hasn't turned up in the river yet.

We combed the entire area, but we didn't find anything else.

Um, Detective, can you tell me exactly where you found the bracelet?

Uh, maybe 100 yards from the parking lot,

under some bushes near a big tree trunk by the riverbank.

Great. Thank you very much, Detective.

Are you gonna tell me what happened

the other night at Brian's place?

Well, I suppose that the house has been searched, correct?

Yep. Nothing conclusive was found.

Wonderful. Thank you very much, Detective, I'll be in touch.

[♪]

I don't know what the hell's going on.

I don't what the hell to do, I--

Is it her ghost? I--

Am I just what everyone suspects that I am? Huh?

Am I a-- a voodoo doctor?

I mean, what the hell is happening?

Goddamn it.

[sighs]

[Professor Trex] There, there. Look at our frustrated Dr. Halton,

the only hypnotherapist in town.

Professor Trex.

What's bothering you, kid?

Well, after seven years of practicing,

I'm finally a voodoo doctor.

[chuckles] Voo-- voodoo doctor?

I know.

I don't know.

Professor, I--

I think I've met a ghost.

A ghost? Well, what does he look like?

She.

Although she doesn't really have an appearance.

I mean, she didn't appear in plain sight.

I-- I could just tell that she was there.

I-- I could feel her.

I could feel her presence, her-- her wrath.

She was there to haunt that house and her husband.

She nearly killed both of us, Professor, I...

Holy shit.

Are ghosts real?

If you asked me that today, after what I experienced last night, I'd say yes.

But... you said there was no appearance.

You didn't see a face, or a figure of the entity.

I know. I know, it's crazy.

I don't know how to explain it, but I saw what I saw.

My client's wife has been missing for several months now.

The police believe that she's dead

and that he did it.

And to tell you the truth, Professor,

I don't know what to believe now.

Well, the mind is capable of many assumptions.

What are you trying to say, Professor?

That everything I saw last night wasn't real?

I have wounds, Professor, I have actual wounds from the event.

What happened indeed happened.

But it's the mind that assumes that it were the deeds of the ghost.

If you don't see a ghost...

you don't see a ghost.

If it wasn't a ghost, then what was it?

It was only us two in the house.

There is order in chaos.

That which was summoned is for a purpose.

Purpose? What purpose?

Everything that happens brings you closer to the truth,

or further from it.

If the haunting didn't bring you closer to the truth,

I mean, what did you gain from it?

So you're saying that these-- these hauntings...

they're leading me away from the truth?

They leave you more clueless than before.

Wait.

So Brian just creates these hauntings?

Power of the mind is not to be underestimated.

If he wanted to lead me away from the truth,

why would he seek my help in the first place?

Well, the truth will always come out...

but if it hurts,

some people will do whatever they can to delay it.

Somatic symptoms, like Brian exhibit,

are like the oily scum from the depths of our souls.

They're the truth

that transcend all the powers of the mind to suppress it.

So Brian creates these myths to...

suppress the actual truth?

While the mind is busy creating its lies...

the spirit never deceives.

Unfortunately...

sometimes,

in order to help people who are lost in the dark...

we have to go into the darkness with them.

I'll let you figure out the rest, kid.

It's getting late.

You seem to be coming home from work a lot earlier these days.

It's nice to see you home on Saturday, too.

You know, I've been seeing a new doctor lately about my back.

And I'm feeling a lot better.

That's good.

He said if I bring you in, it will help me heal better.

[scoffs] Me?

What does your back pain have to do with me?

Well, the doctor says, most women's back pain

is due to lack of emotional support from their husbands.

Lack of sex.

Or, um...

maybe the husbands are having affairs on us, behind our backs.

[scoffs] What doctor is that?

A psychologist?

No. He's not a psychologist.

He's a hypnotherapist.

-[sighs] -I know, I know, just like in the movies,

where the hypnotherapist has his patient listen

to the ticking sound of the pocket watch.

He did that to me, too.

Kathy, you need to stop running around

consulting black magic doctors like these.

They're all scammers who wanna cheat the money out of us hardworking citizens.

But I do feel better.

And if you wanna talk about money,

maybe we could talk about why your raises

aren't showing up in our checking account.

Stop deviating from the topic.

After all the money you spent on Dr. Voodoo,

you should feel better, right?

It's a placebo effect, Kathy.

You know, I say you imagined this whole back pain thing.

Excuse me?

You think I've been imagining my back pain all these years?

Yeah.

For your information,

I have been to see him three times,

and he hasn't charged me one single penny.

It's all been free.

-[Larry] Free. -F.O.C.

Free of charge, Mr. City Auditor.

Yeah, well, that's even more suspicious.

How old are you, Miss Kathy?

Aren't you a little old to believe anything in life is free?

He says I'll start paying him after I bring you in.

Me?

Does he know who I am?

What's the name of this doctor?

What exactly did you tell him about me?

[Kathy] I don't know.

Most of the time, I don't remember

what I say in those sessions.

I mean, I'm very relaxed.

It's like I'm in a trance, almost, and I'm talking,

but I totally trust him.

He runs an honest practice.

He emails me a link to the sound recordings of the whole entire session.

I could listen to them if I wanted to, but I don't ever have time.

Kathy, answer the question!

What did you tell him about me?

I don't know.

And stop yelling at me.

When's your next session with this guy?

It's Wednesday.

His name is Dr. Halton,

and his offices are over by the Green Gulch Reserves.

So.

Coming with me?

-[knocking] -[Dr. Halton] Please, come in.

[door creaking]

Surprise, surprise!

Look who's here.

[Dr. Halton] Oh.

Mrs. McGregor, how are you?

I'm guessing you are Mr. McGregor.

-Dr. Shaun Halton. How are you? -I go by Larry.

Good to meet you, Doc.

So, you're the magical doctor who made my wife's pain go away

after all these years living with it.

Guilty. But with your help, Larry,

I think we can cure her for good.

What? Really?

Am I playing such an important role in her back pain?

You sure do. Kathy here described you as the sunshine in her life.

Whoa. Am I?

Yeah. Yeah. So, are you ready to help your wife out?

Of course I am. I'd do anything for my dear wife, Kathy.

That's wonderful. Larry, are you familiar with hypnotherapy or hypnosis?

Have you ever experienced it before?

Nope. I'd rather just talk about it.

You know? Talk about things.

Well, Larry, unfortunately, I am not a counselor, I'm a hypnotherapist.

You know, I don't understand why you need to hypnotize me

in order to cure her back pain. But I'm in. All right? Let's begin.

Great. Kathy, perhaps you wanna go hang around somewhere for a while?

But before you go, would it be okay if I shared some information from your session

-with your husband if need be? -Of course. He's my husband.

[♪]

So you call yourself a hypnotherapist?

I don't see any certificates from any accredited institutions.

How much do you charge per hour for each session?

Is there any association that regulates these practices?

Look, I'm the city auditor running for city treasurer,

and I'm looking out for my people.

Make sure they don't fall prey to people who are scamming them.

Offering and performing "services"

that anyone can claim by being a doctor.

Well, I'm a local guy, Larry,

and I've been practicing for nearly seven years now,

and people keep coming back because every time they do,

they feel better.

Yeah?

Like giving candy to a crying child?

It may appear that you're helping people solve their problems, but in reality,

you're getting them addicted to your therapy.

Make them want more, milk their money and weaken their minds.

I'd like to show you something.

[Kathy on recording] Oh, I feel much better these days, Doctor.

The pain has lessened significantly,

and I can sleep better now, too.

And I didn't charge her anything.

So you made my wife feel better and didn't charge anything for it?

How would I know what kind of treatment you're giving my wife

while you're alone in your office with her?

What your wife needs is emotional support that you,

as her husband, haven't been giving her enough of.

Who are you to tell me I'm not giving enough emotional support to my wife?

And you're saying you're doing my job to my wife alone here in your office?

What does emotional support have to do with back pain?

Larry, I'm just trying to understand the dynamic

and level of intimacy in your relationship with Kathy.

Look, Kathy and I love each other very much,

which is evidenced by 20 years of marriage.

I support her in every possible way.

I provide for her to make her happy.

Kathy told me you work late a lot,

sometimes not coming home until after midnight.

She also said you've recently been screaming "bitch" in your sleep.

So are you really on as good of terms as you think with her?

Of course we are!

Hey, just between the two of us, Doc,

what do you know about me?

Did she hire you to probe me?

I have been very busy running for this campaign

in this upcoming election for treasurer.

I have lost so much weight, I need to get new suits made.

At night, I was probably letting off steam

from some angry colleagues while I was sleeping.

Stressed?

Yeah, I am a little bit stressed, I admit it.

But I'm coping.

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

Tell me, Larry...

do you find your wife interesting to listen to?

What?

Of course.

How much time would you say that you spend in a day just listening to Kathy?

She talks all the time.

How do you feel about holding her hand after dinner

and just... listening to what she has to say,

whatever it is.

Zero distractions and full concentration on her, and only her.

I want you to think about holding her hand.

Now, this is a very important gesture, Larry.

Think about Kathy's hand.

That hand you once put a ring on.

That hand you wanna touch.

That hand you want to kiss.

Relax, Larry.

We're talking about the love of your life.

Go back to a time when you felt butterflies in your stomach,

tingling in your toes.

Can you remember those feelings, Larry?

It's the feeling I want you to capture, Larry.

Feel the lightness that's in your heart.

Feel the laughter that surrounds both of you.

[echoing] It's the feeling, Larry.

So how did you meet this beautiful blonde woman?

[Larry] I found her at my workplace.

[Dr. Halton] So, she's a colleague of yours?

[Larry] She's always there for me,

like, understanding me and supporting me and admiring me.

Especially when I'm giving speeches on stage,

she's like this cute little cheerleader,

like, clapping for me and jumping in joy.

And she says she loves how expressive I am

compared to her husband, who's silent and shut down.

We work together in the county office,

but we-- we take lunch breaks

whenever we can, you know, take advantage of the time.

[Dr. Halton] How long has this been going on?

Almost three years.

And is it still going on?

Not anymore.

It's my fault it ended.

Well, tell me, how did that happen?

[Larry] We were up at her house at 9:30 a.m. sharp.

But it's strange that she would have such a request, 'cause...

usually I'd pick her up during lunchtime at a corner of some street.

-I thought you were off today. -I'm not feeling well.

I called the doctor to make an appointment, but I have to stop at the office first.

I'll see you at the Big River at 3:00 p.m.?

Sure.

You don't want a ride to the Big River, since you're not driving?

No, it's all right.

I'll tell you all about it when I see you in person.

Is that okay?

Okay. Whatever floats your boat, honey.

As promised, I went to the park at 3:00 p.m.,

and there she was.

[♪]

Whenever I'm feeling stressed,

unhappy,

something troubles my heart,

or nothing at all...

I love to come here and walk along the Big River.

Look at you.

How good that you're here with me in the middle of the day.

No matter what happens,

I'm always gonna make you feel better.

Larry, do you remember that today is our three-year anniversary

from first seeing each other?

Larry... do you love me?

Of course I do, baby.

Well, if you love me,

why haven't you listened to me?

Why haven't you done what I asked you to do?

Over and over again!

I just-- I don't even know where this is going anymore.

You have to make a choice. It's either her or me.

Jane, I thought we talked about this.

What about your husband?

Are you ready to leave him?

I'm pregnant.

How far into the pregnancy are you?

It's me or it's her!

Jane...

get a grip of yourself.

How would I know the baby's mine?

[gasps, sobs]

Let go of me, you bastard!

Nobody slaps me. You get it?

Of course the baby's yours!

Brian can't have kids!

You know what? You get an abortion.

I'll give you the money.

-[Larry grunts] -[Jane sobs]

You stay away from me! I'm keeping the baby.

And by the time of your treasurer campaign,

I'll be parading around with a big, swollen belly.

And when you're on stage giving your campaign speech,

everybody is going to be congratulating me.

[chuckles] Are you outta your mind?

You think anyone's gonna believe you?

Any woman can make up that they're pregnant with my child.

You-- you son of a bitch!

[Larry] Nobody slaps me. Do you hear me?

-[Jane shouts] -Okay? You bitch!

[Jane screams]

No one! No one slaps me!

-[Jane choking] -Get it?

Nobody slaps me! Okay?

-[Jane choking] -No one slaps me! No one slaps me!

[choking, coughing]

[Larry] She looked like she had just fallen asleep.

A sleep that she'll never wake up from.

She fell on to the ground,

weightless, like an angel.

My poor baby Jane.

[dramatic music playing]

On August 21st, I went, with Jane's body in my car,

to the mayor's home for dinner.

You must be Dr. Halton.

I am. I believe the mayor is expecting me.

-Yes. Please come in. -Thank you.

We're about to have a glass of wine before dinner.

-Would you care to join us? -Oh, thank you very much,

but I have a couple of questions for the mayor

-and I have to be going after that. -Well, maybe next time.

-Come on in. -Of course.

-Mr. Mayor. -Welcome.

-Pleasure to meet you. -Indeed. Would you like to take a seat?

-Thank you so much, sir. -You bet.

How can I help you, young man?

I'm afraid all I need is some clarification from you tonight, Mr. Mayor.

Go on.

Did you recently meet with a city auditor

by the name of Larry McGregor?

Larry, sure.

I think it's a couple months back.

I had dinner with him in this house.

Why do you ask?

This may sound a little far-fetched, Mayor Lenny,

but do you happen to remember the exact date that you had dinner with Larry?

I had a very contentious city council meeting

the morning that I had dinner with him.

And that occurred on August 21.

Now, if you also don't mind me asking,

what was your impression of Larry?

Larry is a new acquaintance of mine. His wife is my patient.

I'm just trying to help them the best I can.

Regular hardworking folk.

He is running for the city treasurer position.

Is there anything up with him, or...

Do you happen to remember around what time he left dinner?

Oh... he was here for a couple of hours.

I guess he left around 8:00 p.m.

Thank you again for your time, Mr. Mayor.

Especially at this hour. That's all I'll be needing.

Always a pleasure to help a constituent.

You always have my vote.

[♪]

Hi. Um, Brian?

-[Brian] Yes. Yes, Doctor. -Hey.

Your wife, she didn't happen to work in the county office, did she?

Yes. Why?

I think I know what happened to her.

Listen, I gotta chase down some loose ends, okay?

But I'll keep you posted.

Why don't you meet me by the Big River before sundown?

[Larry] I went to the hardware store.

I bought a shovel, pair of gloves,

a machete, trash bags...

a new set of clothing and boots.

I went back to the park. It was dark.

I left Jane in the car and went down to look around in the park.

There's only one trail that goes upstream of the river.

I walked for a good ten minutes

and the vegetation got thicker and trees got taller.

I had a moment of doubt of my own ability

to carry the weight uphill.

[crickets chirping]

[♪]

As I walked past the tall bushes,

to my amazement, there was a quarry of some sorts.

[♪]

I went back to the car

and got Jane's body out of the car.

I carried her all the way up there,

going through the bushes.

[♪]

Finally...

I reached the quarry again.

[♪]

I had made up my mind. This is the place.

Finally, I started to dig.

[phone ringing]

[Dr. Halton] Hi, Brian?

-Yes. Yes, Doctor. -Your wife,

she didn't happen to work in the county office, did she?

Yes. Why?

I think I know what happened to her.

Listen, I still gotta chase down some loose ends,

but I'll keep you posted, okay?

Why don't you meet me by the Big River before sundown?

[♪]

[dramatic orchestral music playing]

[♪]

[birds chirping]

[♪]

[♪]

You have to make a choice. It's either her or me.

I'm pregnant.

How would I know the baby's mine?

Of course the baby is yours. Brian can't have kids.

-[Brian sobs] -[Larry] I said no one slaps me!

No one!

-Nobody fucking slaps me, okay? -[Jane choking]

No one!

[Jane screams]

[sobs]

[panting]

I'm sorry, Brian.

You were there, weren't you?

Why didn't you save me?

Why, Brian?

[choking]

[crickets chirping

[thud]

-Holy shit! -[thump]

[both grunting]

[intense music playing]

[choking]

[Larry groans]

I'm gonna bury you, like I buried Jane!

-[gunshot] -[Larry grunts]

I didn't run away this time.

-[officer] Detective? -Yep.

We've got another body over there.

All right, thanks.

[♪]

So, this is all about one's conscious mind, right?

Only the ugly, unwanted truth.

I'm good. Thank you.

I don't know, Doc. It must be tough being you, huh?

-[chuckles] -Listen, we're gonna need your notes and files for the DA.

-Yes, sir, Detective. -It's been great working with you.

-Thank you. -Take care.

Yes, sir.

[Dr. Halton exhales]

Thank you again, Brian.

-Will you be okay? -Thanks, Doctor.

I feel better now.

If you need a good attorney, don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks, Doc.

My knee will finally heal.

Yeah, it will.

[♪]

[♪]

[papers rustling]

[chuckles]

[door creaking]

Look at what you've done to Larry!

If I didn't listen to you... [bag thuds]

...I could've saved Larry's life!

You murderer!

You killed my husband!

[Kathy sobs] Give me back my husband!

He made mistakes, but he didn't deserve to die!

Now I'm a widow! Are you happy?

-Are you happy about that? -Kathy, Kathy.

Kathy, come on, calm down.

Let's just go. It's not Dr. Halton's fault.

He was only trying to help.

-Come on, let's just go-- -He is a murderer!

-I'm sorry, Doctor. -He is a murderer,

-and this was a huge mistake! -[Macy] No, he was just trying to help.

He didn't mean for this to happen. No, he didn't mean to.

[door slams]

[birds chirping]

[gentle music playing]

[♪]

Stressful truth. Painful truth.

Ugly truth, isn't it?

Professor.

Take a deep breath instead.

I hear nature helps clear things up.

Yeah, yeah. That's what I originally wanted to do.

Take a walk around the river, clear my head.

Like the smoke of a cigarette,

which becomes tar in our lungs.

But why do so many people still smoke?

To ease the pain.

Yeah. We all need cushions when we fall.

The substances just help ease the pains we face when growing up.

Huh?

And you are the doctor who opens that can of worms,

revealing the truths that people would rather hide forever if they could.

They would rather sleep their lives away

if it makes them feel more comfortable.

But eventually...

we all must submit to the truth in order to grow.

[clicks tongue] An inevitable process.

-[water splashing] -Professor?

Professor, what are you doing?

You don't need me anymore.

You're ready.

[water splashing]

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]