01x05 - The Art of Conveyance and Round-Trippery

[bunniefuu]

(suspenseful music)

NUMBER TWO:
Kate and Constance, they're struggling.

Which is why we cannot let them fail.

Does Benedict actually want us to cheat?

Cheating comes with the territory
in the spy game.

If we get caught, our brains get erased.

But if we don't cheat, Kate and Constance
get barged and their brains get erased.

REYNIE:
For you two, I'm thinking Morse code.

Sticky Washington. Drop the pencil.

You weren't fidgeting.
I know it was Morse code.

CURTAIN:
Who were you working with, Sticky? Who?

I need to get my eyes on that inlet
from somewhere up high.

BENEDICT: We just might see some clue

to what my brother is building
in the water.

But this passageway I've discovered...

We must send them in.

(trilling)

REYNIE: Kate, I don't know what to say.

(boy grunts)

- You're up.
- Just serve.

(both grunt)

There's potential.

I'm actually being barged right now.

Becky, get her sizes.

- What?
- You're joining my team.

Please join me in celebrating
our newest Messengers,

Reynie Muldoon and Sticky Washington.

(classical music)

How would you boys feel
about a cuffless hem

with a half break at the ankle?

- Uh... We like it?
- Mm-hmm.

I feel different.

I know what you mean. Like...

confident.

- Important.
- CURTAIN: Very.

Oh.

Cuffless hem. Half break.

(chuckles softly)

You're dragging us
into the modern era, Alphonse.

The winds of change are upon us, sir.

Indeed. No one's immune.
You can hold the work.

Look at you.

Never underestimate the effects
of a well-tailored outfit, gentlemen.

It improves your mood,
your productivity, your creativity.

Do you feel your power?

It's really nice.

Brilliant. What about you, Sticky?

I'm sensing some hesitation.

Can you not allow yourself luxury?

I understand.

You're thinking
that you don't deserve this, yes?

Well, what you don't realize
is that the real test happened

after the test you tried to cheat on.

Your loyalty under pressure
was as impressive

as your encyclopedic knowledge.

More so, even.

And that kind of loyalty is what we prize.

You have earned this, Sticky.

You both have.

- Thank you.
- Thank you, Dr. Curtain.

You know what's remarkable to me?

Is the fact that you two arrived
on the very same day,

in the very same vehicle.

Is that just a coincidence?

Excuse me?

Or was it written in the stars?

Uh, definitely the first one. Coincidence.

Totally random.

Hmm.

Strange.

Well, regardless of what
the word around campus is,

I don't think either of you is a mistake.

Now, what I'm sure
you've been waiting for...

(sighs deeply)

Please hold this.

With this sash

comes all the responsibilities...

and all the privileges of a Messenger.

Look at yourselves.

(light music)

Wear them with pride, gentlemen.

Wear them with pride.

(theme music)

(quirky music)

What?

Just thinking.

The sashes could be strung together
if we ever need a...

sash rope.

You can joke, but this was the goal.

Being a Messenger gets us access
and information.

I think George Washington
likes his new outfit.

There's no words.
It just feels so buttery.

What about last night's message?

- Did you two get it?
- Absolutely.

So many dots and dashes.

"Between the copper waves
and the bells, using news,

move the bane of the King of Corinth..."

- Why can't he just tell us?
- He's being cautious.

If he's obscuring it this much,
then it must be important.

Or he likes the sound of his own voice.

Sounds like directions. So, copper waves.

We need to find someone
with red, curly hair.

No one here has red hair.

Jonah Burns has strawberry blond hair,
but it's straight.

I'm not gonna apologize
for knowing things.

It's the sculpture. The ugly one.

On the north campus.

- That's green.
- Oxidized copper.

Nice, Constance.

You should lean on me more.
These guys are dead weight.

Okay. No idea what "bells" means.

But, "Move the bane
of the King of Corinth"?

That's Greek mythology.
The King of Corinth was Sisyphus.

He got punished by the gods

and was forced to push a boulder
up a hill over and over, for eternity.

He should not have angered the gods.

So, we're looking for a boulder?

But what about the bells and the news?

MARTINA: Muldoon! Washington!

Looks like the queen
is requesting your presence.

Should we go?

We should go, right? For the mission.

Play the role.

(quirky music)

- Hi.
- Hello.

You're Messengers now.
You eat at the Messenger table.

- Cool.
- We didn't know.

Just one of the perks.

Nice legroom. Really comfortable.

So, what's your secret?

We don't have any secrets.

Secrets cause stress,

and stress leads
to all sorts of illnesses.

Ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux,
temporomandibular disorder...

Okay. No one has ever gotten
their sash this fast. No one.

So, what was it? Connected parents?
A wealthy guardian?

We just did well in school.

So, this Messenger duty,
what exactly does it entail?

- You just have to experience it.
- It's incredibly rewarding.

Unless it breaks you.

Why would it...

Messengers, anyone see a blinking light
across the channel last night?

Approximately hours.

- No.
- Not me.

JILLSON: It looked like some kind of code.

(suspenseful music)

Oh, yeah, I saw that.

Probably just the Coast Guard
signaling a boat.

Why would they do that?

You know, to guide it through the fog.

It was so foggy last night.

- No, it wasn't.
- Perfectly clear.

You guys must have been
at a higher elevation,

where condensation levels taper off.

We're gonna stand watch
the next few nights to be safe.

Weapons hot.

- You have weapons?
- It's an expression, rook.

Just stay alert.
Anyone sees these lights, report to us.

(foreboding music)

(water sloshing)

(crickets chirping)

(Milligan panting)

(ominous music)

BENEDICT:
The Morse code has been compromised.

But, thankfully,
not before they could warn us.

I've sent notifications to everyone
on Curtain's list,

present company excluded.

Having trouble tracking down, uh,

Hildegard Billingsley and Arthur Bloom.
But I'll stay on it.

Thank you.
(groans)

Now, we need a new way
to communicate with the children.

- Handled.
- Really?

- I've acquired a falcon.
- A falcon?

The new method of communication.
It's tethered, humanely, just outside.

I thought we discussed semaphore.

A peregrine falcon,
the fastest animal on Earth.

When diving.

Semaphore required too many flags.

Are falcons known as messenger birds?

Hmm.
(clicks tongue)

Which would you rather have?

A common, even stupid, pigeon
or the fastest animal on Earth?

So, yes?

Yes. I believe what Rhonda
is rightfully asking...

I... I... Is this bird trained in the art
of conveyance and round-trippery?

- Highly trainable creatures.
- Oh.

Fastest animal.

BENEDICT: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

We don't exactly have
a surfeit of options, so...

Where did you find this bird?

Uh...

They're quite regal.

(inhales deeply)

Number Two, bring in the bird.

They are outside creatures.

Ah.

(suspenseful music)

(inhales deeply)

CURTAIN: Found it.
(exhales deeply)

Are you sure?

That's the one.

I'll check on availability.

I never liked Morse code anyway.
Inefficient. Clicky.

It's a beautiful system.

STICKY: Maybe you should've
tried harder to learn it.

Maybe I just had a bad tutor.

Come on, guys.

We need to focus on the mission
in front of us.

We need to find that boulder, get past it,

- and...
- And what? What happens after that?

Wildcat. Go on instinct. Storm the tower.

- Await further instructions.
- But there are no further instructions.

Then we just have to figure it out.

We're all smart and capable...

Don't you get it? We're flying blind now!

Right into a storm!
A violent, turbulent storm

- with hale and sleet and...
- Sticky.

Cleansing breaths.

Do it.

(inhales deeply)

(exhales deeply)

- Reynie Muldoon. Sticky Washington.
- Messenger duty.

(suspenseful music)

(birds chirping)

REYNIE: Where exactly are we going?

JACKSON: You'll find out
when you're there.

JILLSON: Stop here.

Put these on.

Mandatory eyewear.

But I already have eyewear.

You're welcome to use your own eyewear
as long as you put those on over them.

Whoa.

REYNIE: I can't see a thing.

JACKSON: That's the point.

Voilà! Copper waves!

This is vomit of metal, not art.

From here, we look for the bell.

What? My bucket? What about it?

I think you know.

Look for the bell, Constance.
A bell-shaped tree, maybe?

Wetherall!

(Kate groans)

You're late. Practice started
minutes ago. Let's go.

Uh, actually, Constance and I
need to finish a group project for...

Spatial Relations class.

Don't be dense.

Excuse me?

She is the reason you get to stay here.
So, tetherball or barge.

Your choice.

(sighs)

You're right. Priorities.
Tetherball, number one.

That's what I like to hear.

Lose the bucket.

I'm not gonna do that.

You don't have a choice.

Someone powers a backhand
into that thing, shatters your hip,

now, I'm down a player again.

Bucket stays off my court.

I have Velcro. I'll tie it down.

- You'll never notice it's even...
- Lose the bucket.

(birds chirping)

Just have your little friend hold it.

Roommate, not friend.
But I will gladly take possession.

(pensive music)

STICKY: Messenger duty... is it painful?

- Pain is subjective.
- Mostly in the mind.

- (Sticky sighs)
- (elevator bell dings)

Wha... what was that?

An elevator, I think.

JILLSON: Silence from this point on.
No more questions.

(elevator door rattles)

(birds chirping)

BENEDICT: Hmm.

Oh, appreciate the gesture
but falcons aren't olfactory hunters.

It's a visual reference.

- Well, then, let me take off the hood.
- Oh, no. Here we are.

Oh, here we are.

BENEDICT: There we are.

I believe in you.

Hmm.

Bird...

- (falcon calling)
- Yes.

BENEDICT: Oh...

(falcon calling continues)

Oh, she is majestic.

(falcon calling)

- (falcon screeching)
- (thuds)

Oh, no.

(Number Two groans)

She just needs to acclimate
to her new environment.

No, falcons are birds of prey.
It's embedded in their DNA.

Everyone has the power to change.

Well, yes. Except this bird, I fear.
It's a k*ller in its heart.

Oh, we need a new plan.

Every moment we can't communicate
with the team

is a moment they could be in danger.

(bells clinking)

Was that...

Someone's approaching.

No one knows we're here.

- (swishes)
- Curtain has found us.

(foreboding music)

Where is Reynie?

Oh.

Hello.

Where is he?

- If I may...
- Identification! Now!

Uh... Stand down, Number Two.
This person is clearly not an assassin.

My apologies.

Is someone trying to assassinate you?

Oh, no, no, no.
This is all simply a precaution,

as is our seclusion.

We believed that we were undetectable
until your arrival, Miss, um...

Miss...

Perumal. I'm Reynie Muldoon's teacher
from the Stonetown Orphanage.

Oh.

(chuckles)
Oh...

What an honor to meet you.

Allow me to introduce us.
My name is Nicholas Benedict.

These are my associates, Number Two,
Rhonda Kazembe, and Milligan.

- Your name is Number Two?
- Yeah. So?

Ah...

If you don't mind me asking,
how did you find us here?

(birds chirping)

The day of the exam, I received a call
from one of the test proctors

who sounded remarkably like this woman.

She told me that Reynie had been accepted
to the Boatwright Academy,

effective immediately.

Delighted, I sent Reynie a care package.
But the school returned it.

MS. PERUMAL: I called them,
there seemed to be some confusion.

So, I visited Boatwright in person
to clear the matter up.

The staff there gave me the runaround.
They were very discreet, but I persisted

until they admitted that Reynie Muldoon
is not a student there.

I went straight to the Stonetown Gazette

to find out who had placed
the original ad.

They gave me a name. Cheri Turpintown.

At the local registrar,
I learned that the name was an alias

with no known address.

Now, I happen to be a bit of a puzzler.

So, I realized Cheri Turpintown
is an anagram for Power in Truth Inc.

A shell corporation with only a PO Box,

which I staked out
until this woman arrived

and furtively picked up a package
of cedar planks.

She eluded me, but my mind returned
to the cedar planks.

Cedar planks? She's grilling salmon.

When the fishmonger didn't recognize
the woman's description,

that told me that she's fishing
for her own salmon.

- Yes.
- PERUMAL: And the only place in Stonetown

where you can fish without a license
is a two-mile stretch of shoreline

in the Beauchamps Woods,

which has a trailhead that leads
right here.

You got lucky
with the licenseless fishing part.

I believe that I've earned
the right to know.

Where is Reynie?

He's fine. Perfectly fine.

He's in school,
just not the one you expected.

Um, please, allow me to explain
over a nice, warm meal.

How do you feel about cedar plank salmon?

MARTINA: A downswing hammerhead

will always play north-south
on the come-around.

It's a harder ball to return.

I am seeing way too many
Dutch Laterals out there.

Dutch Laterals are two-dimensional
and purely velo-based.

So, sure, if you're ' " then maybe
you can just burn it and turn it.

Wetherall!

Lock it up. Eyes here.

Otherwise, it is a loser.

What kind of ball do we want to play?

- Three-dimensional?
- MARTINA: Multi-dimensional.

Incorporate the Helix. Live in the Helix.

Complexity of att*ck is our signature.

It's how we play the game. It's our edge.

Right now, I'm only seeing
one of you scrubs

doing that on a consistent basis.

Kate, come up here and show them
proper hammerhead form.

See? Elbow away from the body,
slight pronation, hit and flick.

(thuds)

MARTINA: Look at that Helix. Unreturnable.

(swishes)

Wetherall has way less experience
than you do

and no formal training before now.

What you are seeing
is instinct, feeling...

Nice work, Wetherall.

(foreboding music)

Reynard. Sticky. Welcome.

Thank you, Jackson and Jillson.

You'll get used to the goggles.
It's a necessary inconvenience

since this gallery contains
my most prized invention...

The Whisperer.

Where is it?

Oh, it's everywhere. It's all around you.

These chairs are only part of the device.

Does it affect your memory?

(chuckles)
No.

The Whisperer is a finely calibrated,

collaborative learning tool
designed to open the mind.

Open the mind how?

Why don't you leave
the how and the why to me,

and you concentrate
on the where and the when?

Here...

now.

Come, see for yourself.
Reynard, why don't you go first?

Go on. It won't bite.

Just savoring the moment, sir.

(sighs deeply)

What do I do now?

Just listen and speak.

(machine whirs)

(clicks)

(machine whirs)

(sighs)

Off we go.

("Shilo" by Neil Diamond playing)

♪ Young child with dreams ♪

♪ Dream ev'ry dream... ♪

CONSTANCE: It's beautiful.

♪ On your own ♪

♪ When children play ♪

(bell rings)

♪ Seems like you end up alone ♪

♪ Papa says he'd love to be with you ♪

♪ If he had the time ♪

♪ So you turn to the only friend
you can find ♪

♪ There in your mind ♪

♪ Shilo, when I was young ♪

♪ I used to call your name ♪

♪ When no one else would come ♪

♪ Shilo, you always came ♪

♪ And you'd stay ♪

♪ Had a dream
and it filled me with wonder ♪

♪ She had other plans ♪

♪ "Got to go, and I know
that you'll understand" ♪

♪ I understand ♪

♪ Shilo, you always came ♪

♪ Come today ♪

♪ Shilo ♪

♪ Shilo... ♪

WHISPERER: What is your name?

I'm sorry. What is your name?

Reynie Muldoon.

Hello, Reynie.

I think we should begin. Don't you?

Um... Sure.

What is your favorite color?

Blue?

Sky blue? Ocean blue? Coral blue?

Ocean blue.

It's a beauty.

What do you consider the loveliest season?

Autumn, I suppose.

Hmm. When the leaves start to change

and a light jacket is all you need
in the late afternoon.

What was the last book you read?

Bleak House.

Was it a good read? Was it enjoyable?

You know what? It was.

A connoisseur.

Not really.

What is your strongest subject
in school, Reynie?

English, but I like learning
foreign languages too.

I'm learning Tamil.

I was, anyway.

Speaking multiple languages

is the most reliable indicator
of intelligence.

Thank you, um, Whisperer.

Reynie, what do you fear the most?

Spiders scare me a little.

Oh, they're just terrible.

But what do you fear the most?

Being alone.

Thank you for that.

Don't worry, Reynie.
You are not alone anymore.

(light music)

NUMBER TWO: The amuse-bouche,

sesame-seared bay scallops
served with a yuzu gastrique.

(Number Two clears throat)

- Yes, thank you.
- MS. PERUMAL: Thanks.

So, you see, Ms. Perumal,

if Reynie and his companions
do not succeed,

this so-called Emergency
will not only continue...

Local greens.
(clears throat)

Very local.
From right over there, in fact.

(crickets chirping)

It will not only continue,
but get much worse.

Anxiety, depression, despair...

- Where's your proof?
- (door closes)

- As I said, I have recordings...
- Yes, I know.

Meaningless phrases.
Not a shred of hard evidence.

The man behind this
is a master manipulator.

He is very real and very capable
of achieving his own goals.

He is fixated, egomaniacal,

and extremely effective
in covering his own tracks.

(Benedict breathes deeply)

- And he's also my brother.
- Your brother?

Black barley risotto
finished with a wheatgrass vinaigrette.

The courses are coming rather quickly.

This whole meal progression is vital
to the experience of the palate.

I realize this might
take some time to digest.

(birds chirping)

(Constance grunts)

You said you'd watch my bucket.
You ditched it.

Left it there in the open.

This is more important than stupid bucket.

The bucket isn't stupid. It's vital.

Your bucket is not just a bucket.

I'm pretty sure it's a bucket.

It's a crutch.

If you call preparedness a crutch,
then I can't help you.

Preparedness is illusion of control.

What you did was a major breach of trust.

You know what I don't like?
People who don't do what they say.

No excuses.
Do what you say you're going to do!

Had idea. Had to act.

See? Stonetown bell tower.

"Between the copper waves
and the bells..."

So, that means...

this boulder is the bane
of the King of Corinth!

Yes. But look.

(creaks)

There's got to be some trick to it.

Benedict said to use news.

I put my foot on the stone, said "news",

tapped "news" in Morse code. Nothing.

Maybe try news headlines?

"Emergency!" "Doom!"

"No one at the wheel!"

News...

News?

KATE: North, east,

west...

south.

So, there's a second element.
Get on my back.

No, I will not be doing that.

Hop on.

(Constance groans)

KATE: Look at that. Weight sensitive.

(suspenseful music)

(Kate sighs)

WHISPERER:
What was the last book you read?

The Encyclopedia, volume J.

You love to learn, don't you?

I do.

There's something comforting
about knowing things.

It feels good to know.

Yes. Actually, it does.

What is your strongest subject
in school, Sticky?

Can I pick more than one?

Love it. Go.

Science, history, math, Italian...

I like your style. More is more.

What do you fear the most?

It's okay. Take your time.

What do you fear the most?

Not being understood.

Hmm.

I can't help but think... there's more?

STICKY: Not being wanted.

Not being wanted at all.

Thank you for that.

You are wanted.

You are home.

Shall we begin?

Repeat after me.

(foreboding music)

- Voices.
- Where?

The voices in your head?

Yeah, but now I can hear what it's saying.

I'm sure that's distracting,
but right now, I need you to deal and...

I can hear George Washington.

Wait, now you hear Sticky? Specifically?

Yeah.

He's whispering nonsense into my head.

What? What kind of nonsense?

Just words.

Strange words.

One of Curtain's subliminal messages.

Constance!

Sticky just went to Messenger duty.
That's what it is.

The voices you've been hearing,
they're Messengers!

And your tiny brain
can somehow pick it up!

I knew you had to be special in some way.

Many, many ways.

What's he saying now?

"The missing aren't missing..."

They're only departed.

And I have to return to the fact
that we are talking about your brother.

That's a recent revelation, so...

- I don't need the story.
- Mm-hmm.

This is all such a blatant disregard

for the safety of Reynie
and his companions.

- Please...
- Cedar plank coho salmon

with hazelnuts and celeriac dauphinoise.

- This is a tremendous amount of food.
- True.

Please hear me.

It is my mission to preserve hope
for a greater future.

And not just for Reynie,
but for every child.

Sending the children was a last resort.

If there was any other way,
I'd have taken it at any cost.

If I could go in his place,
I would but none of us can.

As unfair as it sounds,

it is the children...
it is the children who have to save us.

(groans)

(snores)

Narcolepsy.
(clears throat)

No cause for concern.

Please, eat your food.

(crickets chirping)

(Benedict snores)

Mmm.

The cedar wood really does add something.

Hmm.

I'll be sure to pass on the compliment.

I'm back.

I'm back.
(groans)

(clears throat)

I apologize for my volume earlier.

But I'm very protective of Reynie.

And I wanted the best for him.

Yes. And please know that my intentions
are the same as yours in the end.

- I'd like to speak to him.
- (groans)

Yes. That might not be possible.

It seems our method of communication
has been compromised,

and we're not exactly sure
when they'll report back next.

However, I'm sure they'll make contact
after their search

of the underground tunnel
I sent them into.

(chuckles softly)

You sent them where?

(foreboding music)

(machine whirs)

(gasps)

Hildegard Billingsley.

- No, doesn't ring a bell.
- Wonderful. Elk Grove Avenue?

Never been there.

You'll feel much better now.

This is the brain sweeper.

At least it looks like it doesn't hurt.

I hear something.

More voices?

Footsteps.

(door opens)

(ominous music)

(muffled voices)

I need to remind you it isn't safe
to interrupt a degaussing session.

Which is why I did it reluctantly.
It's perfectly safe for you and me.

Not for the patient.

DR. GARRISON: It can have lasting
side effects, devastating ones, which...

CURTAIN: I'm confident you'll work it out.
Hm?

(inhales deeply)

These testing protocols
are just wasting time.

The Improvement is here.

Fast track all of it. Right away.

We must have been
in the Whisperer for hours.

It only felt like a few minutes.

I know.

Did you...

- Did I what?
- Did you enjoy it?

It wasn't what I expected.

Terrible, right?

Yeah, bad. It wasn't great.

Not at all.

If I never had to do it again,
I'd, you know, be happy.

Good, because we shouldn't do it again.

Why?

It's the Transmitter, Sticky.

You and I personally just sent
subliminal messages into the world.

We helped create the Emergency today.

I guess you're right.

I didn't think it would control us too.

REYNIE: Curtain designed the Whisperer
to make us feel loyal,

even dependent on him.

We have to remember that he's the enemy.

But then, how will we b*at it?

We spent all this time
trying to get inside.

That's our plan. Now, we're there.
And I don't think we can just refuse.

(light music)

DR. GARRISON:
Your enthusiasm is always inspiring.

Oh, it's my role to inspire.

But you can't rush the science.

Oh, no, I can. Too much caution
isn't a virtue, it's tedious.

DR. GARRISON:
I don't see myself as tedious.

Oh, no, no, no. You're spectacular.

But this constant testing,

it's meaningless
if we let the goal slip away.

I am simply doing the job
that you hired me to do

as safely and humanely as possible.

Oh.

Nothing is more humane
than what we're doing.

Yes?

I'm only responsible for my part.

The technology, not the philosophy.

How's the farm?

Operational. Still a few pesky bugs
that need to be worked out, but...

Both farm and forest need to be ready
tomorrow for a trial run.

DR. GARRISON:
I have registered your request.

And while I must formally lodge
a complaint...

I'm sorry.
Are you making a legal disclaimer?

Who are you talking to?

While I must formally protest...

Hey. A simple "yes" will suffice.

Yes.

The Emergency has served its purpose.

The people are ready.

CURTAIN: Soon, they'll have relief
from endless choices,

endless voices, chaos.

That's all I want for them.

Tell that to your invisible lawyer.

Unity.

One thought, one purpose.

Oh...

Have I told you how much I appreciate you?

(sighs)

This, it can't wait another day.

(door opens)

No, no, no. Please,
please trust me, Ms. Perumal.

Trust you?

What have you done to earn anyone's trust?

- Oh.
- Where's my...

Thank you, Milligan.

I won't allow you
to endanger these children any longer.

I'll be reporting you to the Department...

I'll be reporting you
to the Department of Juvenile Well-Being.

Please do.

I'd love to find any institution

that cares about the well-being
of children anymore.

You have to understand,

my brother has influenced
all levels of government.

Anything that hampers him,

you will find has been dismantled
or left to wither.

Goodbye, Mr. Benedict.

(sighs)

- What is this?
- Profiteroles.

Thank you.

It's a gracious touch.

(door opens)

(door closes)

(sighs deeply)

What if she's right?
This mission started out dangerous,

and now, without a reliable means
of communication...

We still have the falcon.

Well, she poses her own
set of dangers, doesn't she?

(dramatic music)

We'll exfiltrate the children
at first light.

What?

So, you're just going to let
a random person just walk in here

and end the mission?

Yes.

Sometimes, it takes an outsider
to let you see yourself.

- It's all a blur.
- Like we were hypnotized.

- Creepy.
- Yeah.

You like it. Don't you?

No! I just said it was a little soothing.

What about the machinery?
Any vulnerabilities?

Something I could take apart
with the right set of tools?

All you can see are chairs and helmets,
and a control room off to the side.

Okay! Let's go. You guys know the way.

Actually, they made us wear these goggles.
No idea where we were.

KATE: So, it's the hidden passageway then.

- Come on.
- But you just almost got caught.

- I'll be more prepared next time.
- Stop it, Kate!

STICKY: The Whisperer isn't something

you can just destroy
with some screwdrivers.

It's enormous.

REYNIE: He's right.

You said Curtain mentioned something
about a farm and a forest?

Yeah, whatever that means.

Could be code words.

Mr. Benedict would probably know
what they mean.

We're on our own right now.
The trial runs tomorrow.

Curtain's, quote,
"rushing the science" to get there.

We have to do something!

Even if it means getting our brains swept?

Might be nice, actually, to be unburdened.

No, Constance, it's not nice.

No one's getting brainswept.

We have to figure out a way
to disable the Whisperer

without getting caught.

Okay. What's the plan?

(foreboding music)

(dial tone trilling)

MAN (over TV): What do you say?

Keep your earnings and go home,
or double down?

MAN (over phone):
How may I direct your call?

Hi, yes, I'd like to be connected
to the Department of Juvenile Well-Being.

MAN (over phone): Please hold.

MAN (over TV):
You said it. She's doubling down!

For double your dollars and a chance
at the triple-double...

WOMAN (over phone): Hello.

Hi. Yes, I'd like to report
an incident which took place...

WOMAN (over phone): The number
you dialed is no longer in service.

We apologize
for the inconvenience. Goodbye.

(line disconnects)

Hello?

Hello?

WOMAN (over TV): I don't think it's Samoa
or the Pitcairn Islands.

Is it Kiribati?

(laughs)
MAN (over TV): You're right!

Congratulations.

Greg, tell her what she's won.

Why are you getting a haircut now?
It's ten o'clock.

(Curtain chuckles)

That's conventional thinking.

Oh. Right.

With a little bit of judgement attached,
don't you think?

- I was just curious.
- Oh, come on.

You know there's no such thing
as a neutral comment, son.

It's so interesting.

When most people are just curious
about something,

they always have an opinion.

- Everyone has an opinion, Dad.
- Oh, you're exactly right.

- For the moment, anyway.
- Doesn't mean you have to listen to it.

- Not after tomorrow.
- What's going on tomorrow?

It's gonna be a very big day.

Good night, son.

Good night, Dad.

(sighs)

Nice job, Paul.

But you missed one little spot.

Perfect.

Just perfect.

(ominous music)

(closing theme music)