02x05 - The Commons, Part 1

[bunniefuu]

So, into an impoverished Athens,

in the wake of w*r and civil unrest
arrives Praxagora,

but after taking over
with a feminist uprising,

we realize that our heroine,
spoiler alert, is a communist,

-but she's also a thief.
-[cell phone bleeps]

She wore a beard and presented herself
with a male voice.

She hid in the shadows,
pulling strings to achieve her goals.

-[door opens]
-So...

[gasps quietly]

What did you do to your hair?

[students chuckle]

[Foley clears throat]

I hope you got some reading done
in the salon.

I'm sorry, Professor.

Mm-hmm.

So Jack, what do you think about Praxagora
using crime as a means to power?

Um...

It wasn't her fault.
The government was corrupt.

So you're saying she's blameless?

I'm saying power belongs to everyone,

and if Praxagora had to steal it
to prove her point,

maybe she was right.

So, chalk one up for the good guys?

[Gabrielle sighs]

Yeah.

Okay. Moving on.

[clears throat]
Thanks to campus's recent football riot,

I have rescheduled your exam
in Ethics and Classical Democracy for...

tomorrow.

-[students groan quietly]
-Go, Timberwolves.

-[students groan loudly]
-What? You're upset?

I've got to read the stupid things.

[groaning continues]

Seriously.

How could you do this to me?

And behind my back? Are you kidding me?

You know I picked that color out special
so we wouldn't clash.

-What's going on?
-Nothing, it's no big deal.

Bullshit.

People don't suddenly change their hair
over no big deal.

I should know.

I bullied enough girl into bangs
back in middle school.

I'm not your dress-up doll, okay?
Why do you care so much how my hair looks?

I care how it makes me look.

Now, where is this coming from?

[sighs]

Are you depressed?

Yes, I am depressed. Aren't you?

-We lost one of our own.
-What do you care?

As far as I know,
you hardly knew her, right?

Right?

Maybe I'm just not as cold as you are.

I'm not cold.

[cell phone buzzes]

Duty calls. Gotta go.

[students chattering]

-Oh, crud.
-What?

It's my original color.

No, if the Grand Magus
summoned both of us,

she must know I gave you back your memory.

I told Vera that the hides returned
our memories, which is mostly true.

I wonder why we're here, then.

Just lucky, I guess.

I'm sorry...

about Lilith.

Yeah, should have been me.

Should have been no one.

We live in a world
of magic and werewolves.

There must be some way
that we can get Lilith back.

Vera said it's too dangerous.

Okay, when was the last time
you obeyed Vera Stone?

I thought I'd give it a sh*t.

At the rate I'm going,
couldn't be any worse.

Careful.

That almost sounds like personal growth.

Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?

Same old hair, same old Jack.

Oh, I didn't think you noticed.

[chuckles]

Two days ago, we were contacted

by an organization that may be
ultimately responsible

for the theft of our property.

You two are gonna help me
confirm that theory.

You're gonna parlay
with the Sons of Prometheus.

-We're meeting the Sons of Prometheus?
-The Rules of Enoch.

Study it. Meet me here at : a.m.

I'm sending you behind enemy lines.

Find proof that the Prometheans robbed us.

Something that I can rub their noses in.

I have an exam tomorrow.

Oh.

No problem.

I will simply reschedule

a critical palaver
with an enemy organization

around your plans.

Yes. I know that's sarcasm,

but you could just send
Randall and Hamish instead of us.

The Grand Magus has made
her wishes known, acolyte.

I just want to say, thank you
for trusting me with this mission.

-It's an honor--
-Save the gratitude, Miss Drake.

The only reason you're here is I have
not other use for a broken practitioner.

Mr. Morton, a word.

That was a bit harsh.

It's imperative
that you keep your cool tomorrow.

No outbursts of any kind.

Tell me you understand.

I understand.

Get me what I want, Mr. Morton...

and all will be forgiven.

When have I ever let you down, Vera?

[Vera chuckles]

[door closing loudly]

-[music playing]
-[people chattering]

Well, now I know
why Vera really wants to send me.

You're a hostage?

Yes.

Alyssa and I are offered "freely"

to ensure the safety
of the Promethean delegation

while they confer with the opposing party.

This is such a waste of time.
The Order's just slowing us down.

We should've done stupid things by now
to get Lilith back.

Hey, we're gonna do
plenty of stupid things, I promise.

So many stupid things.

But for now,
we let the Order do the heavy lifting,

then we get our stuff back.

Yeah, then we're free to focus on Lilith.

-If you see her locker...
-Or Midnight's.

I'll grab them, I promise.

There is something you guys can do for me.

I'm supposed to be taking that Ethics exam
tomorrow morning.

You want help cheating at Ethics?

I get the irony, but I need this grade
to keep my scholarship.

I know the material.
I just can't be there to take the test.

How would we even take your exam for you?

[Gabrielle] That's easy.

Oh, hey, babe. Um, we, uh, were just...

We're-- We're studying.

[Randall slurps loudly]

Can the sh*t.
I know you've got your memories back.

How'd you figure it out?

Was it the hair?

Oh, yeah, you changed your hair.

I figured it out because I'm brilliant,

and baby Tom Cruise here
is a terrible liar.

And the hair didn't help.

You do realize there's three of us
and only one of you.

Cool down, tiger.

I'll keep your secret, on one condition.

You take my Ethics exam, too.

[scoffs]

Or else I tell the Grand Magus.

She already knows.

Then...

I'll tell Kepler,

-and she'll k*ll Vera.
-[Jack] So?

And you'll end up in a crate
begging for table scraps.

Fine, we'll take your stupid test, too...

if you can help us figure out how.

Please. I can do anything.

Except look bad in these pants.

See you later...

babe.

With all due respect...

she's right about those pants.

Hey, remember when she m*rder*d Kyle?

Stay quiet.

No sudden movements.

On behalf of
the Esoteric Sons of Prometheus,

and in accordance with the rules of Enoch,
we greet you,

openly and unarmed,
Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose.

On behalf of the Hermetic Order of the
Blue Rose, in accordance with the rules...

I can't believe you tried to freeze me out
of this assignment.

You're the one with glitchy magic.

I can still do the work.
You don't need to send Randall and Hamish.

Mr. Morton.

-Mr. Morton!
-[clears throat]

Please accept this humble gift
as a token of our sincerity.

There was a card,
but it fell out somewhere.

Please accept this gift
as a token of our sincerity.

Hm.

It has to be hand-washed,
or the logo will chip off.

Okay.

Three guesses who got the better gift?

It's the thought that counts.

In order to assure your safety,
I present to you these two hostages.

[clears throat]

Well, to make safe your bond,

we Prometheans present ourselves in kind.

I'm Xavier. This is Malachai.

[clears throat]

Hi... Xavier.

-Hae animae ligentur ligeturque haec caro.
-[mystical howling]

We have a spell like this,
but we don't use the ribbon.

It's just more festive with the ribbon.

-[mystical howling]
-[Alyssa] Ow.

[mystical howling sound]

The binding is complete.

Parlay has begun.

I'm Orbin. Please.

Follow me.

Follow the rules. Do not transform.

If you do, his whole body could explode.

So if he's dead, I'm dead?

Yes.

This is exciting.

You know we're hostages?

Where's your sense of adventure?

[sniffs]

[groans]

Is it dangerous?

It's a glamour. Totally safe.

Now put those sacks over your heads
and shut up.

[Randall and Hamish sigh]

[exhales deeply]

[howling sound]

-Oculi veteres forma nova.
-[howling sound]

-Oculi veteres forma nova.
-[howling sound]

[loud howling sound]

Take them off.

I don't feel different. Randall, do you--

Holy sh*t!

Dude!

I'm a girl! [chuckles]

Excuse me, you're a woman.

[sighing] This seems wrong.

And probably sexist...

or not.

I can't tell anymore.

Relax.

The spell only lasts three hours.

Until then, as far as
everyone's concerned, you're me and Jack.

Just make sure you finish the exam
before time runs out.

Oh! Here.

Brought you some clothes.

Also, can I say,

I look amazing.

Turn around. Let me see.

-Hey.
-[clears throat]

Don't be weird.

We should get going.

Do we have time for a drink?

-The Prometheans have money.
-Shh.

This way, please.

[exhales deeply]

Welcome to the Commons.

This juice is our most rare
and sacred delicacy.

We offer it to you in the spirit
of peace and brotherhood.

[faint howling sound]

It's delicious.

Tastes... happy.

We're glad you like it. I'm Essie.

[Jack] No.

Rules of Enoch are clear.
You can't force anything on me.

Don't think of yourselves as hostages.

You're our guests.

Now, hand over your cell phones
and any magical apparatus.

[Jack sighs]

Don't look at my photos.

Now, then...

who's up for a tour?

It's beautiful.

Yeah, if you're into this kind of thing.

How large is your compound?

Large.

So there's more.

Much more.

It's a great tour, Orbin.

-Hey.
-[Essie] Jack.

This way.

We sell our surplus
at the local farmers' markets.

Our honey has won the state fair
five years in a row.

Might say there's a little bit of us
in everything we make.

Catchy slogan.

Be nice.

In these buildings, we grow some of
our more exotic and delicate plants

required for our magic.

In here, we grow deadly nettle root,

flowering tree, mahoni.

And there, we grow wolfsbane,

jenny root,

and in the last one...

kinbar.

[Essie] Don't mind them.

They're just curious.

We don't get many visitors here.

What's, uh, over there?

Just some utility buildings
for pesticide storage.

Trust me, they're very boring.

Well, I got nothing else going on, so...

Uh...

We do.

Now if you'll excuse us, we...

have some errands to run.

And then we're going to throw you
a welcome mixer.

-Oh, that's so nice.
-[Essie] We told you, you're our guests.

You're free to roam the grounds
at your leisure.

Yeah, just don't try to leave,
or enter any buildings without an escort.

Of course.

[sighs] What a plug.

Would it k*ll you to be nice?

Possibly.

[clears throat]

That area looks familiar.
I need to check it out.

Yeah, well, um...

[clears throat]
...they're keeping a close eye on us.

Right, you distract them at our little
meet-and-greet, and I'll sneak over.

I told you not to sideline me.

I'm not sidelining you.

I'm good in a fight.

Ask your fake girlfriend.
I punched her out.

You-- You punched Gabrielle? Why?

Relax, it wasn't about you.

Well, then, why did you punch her?

Huh?

Alyssa, come on.

[muttering quietly]

[whispering] Dude.

Hambone.

Hamelot.

-Jack-off.
-Shh.

[clears throat loudly]

How much time do we have left?

Three minutes. Let's go.

[Foley mumbles]

[Foley sighs] Okay.

Hold it, Morton.

[clears throat]

Jack, uh, I'm hosting
a little event tonight.

It's a bit on the political side,
but, uh...

But given your leanings,
I think you might enjoy it.

And what leanings are those?

Don't be coy.

You might look like one of them,
but you think like us.

-[cell phone beeps]
-[clears throat] Um...

Okay, sure, yeah.
I should probably get going.

Okay, yeah. Here.

Take that, show it at the door,
and, uh, come early.

I'm expecting a crowd.

I can't wait.

Hm.

[howling sound]

That was deeply unsettling.

Randall?

Oh, hey, Nicole.

I am just experimenting because...

it's college, so...

I should go.

You were her friends.

You and Jack and Hamish...

You were her friends,
and now you act like you don't care.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Please.

Lilith told me she had her memories back.

You do, too, don't you?

[scoffs]

-I can't.
-Tell me you remember her.

She was kind and funny
and strong and smart.

I'm afraid if I'm the only one that
remembers her, she'll be lost,

like she was nothing.

She'll never be nothing.

Then why aren't you doing anything?

Because the Order won't let us.

Something's up.

Look, we'll talk later, I promise.

[exhales deeply]

Anything I should know?

[scoffs] It's just... girl talk.

Um...

Professor Foley gave me an invite
to a meeting.

-Does this symbol look familiar to you?
-Hold my purse.

Yeah.

Yeah, this was on
k*ller-stick girl's computer.

You think there's a link
between him and her?

I think we need to find out. Come on.

Thirty-five years ago,
the Sons of Prometheus

and the Blue Rose were allies.

We've come to renew that friendship.

[Vera] Let's skip the niceties.

Xavier, what do you want?

Straight to the point.

We like that.

[inhales deeply]

Two days ago... [exhales deeply]

...our compound was breached,

and one of our fellowship was k*lled.

att*cked?

By whom?

Not a "whom," Vera Stone.

A "what."

Have you ever seen a werewolf?

[approaching footsteps]

[Kepler]
Don't get me started on werewolves.

I lost my eye to one.

Took forever to grow it back.

Sounds like we came to the right place.

In my limited experience,

werewolves aren't usually careless enough
to leave witnesses.

Oh, don't be so modest.

The Order is famous for two things:

magic sex orgies and hunting werewolves.

[Kepler] We stopped practicing sex magic
in the ' s.

But hunting werewolves...

I'm sure we could work something out.

Elizabeth Kepler.

And you must be Xavier and Malachai.

You are very well informed.

I am here to assist you
in any way necessary, Grand Magus.

Shall we get down to business?

Is that...

A Cretian loom.

-The last of the Daedilan treasures.
-[Vera chuckles]

Excuse me while I confer
with my colleague.

Take your time.

[howling sound]

[door shuts loudly]

-Betsy, this is a surprise.
-No doubt.

-Care to tell me what you're doing here?
-I'm here to keep an eye on you.

Oh, and here you are with two of them.

You destroy the Vade Maecum
without Council's permission...

I think the word you're looking for
is "consultation."

...and then you agree to a parlay
with a rival society

-without alerting us.
-In my defense,

this was all very short notice.

I'm sure you remember how difficult
it can be to schedule a conference call.

And now I find out your werewolves
were at the Promethean compound

and they k*lled a man.

I sent them to track down
the stolen sickles.

Without running it past Council.

If memory serves,
I was preoccupied stopping Rogwan,

and you were saving your own skin.

[people chattering]

You need to act natural.

This is me acting natural.

Then act unnatural. Try mingling.

I will, if you tell me
why you punched Gabrielle.

Did she say something?

Was it about me?

Was it about that time
I tried braiding her hair?

She tell you I have a tattoo?

What tattoo?

-[Jack sighs]
-Hope you guys are enjoying yourselves.

Very much. You're all so welcoming.

I was wondering
when we could see your temple.

I bet it's beautiful.

It is, and you'll see it
when the time is right.

Cool.

Our magic is cool.

We're bound to the natural world,
and that connection gives us power.

Tell me, Jack,
where does your power come from?

-Well--
-Rage, mostly.

Another drink?

Yes, please.

No, thank you.

Oh, God, you're so narrow-minded.

He was like this when we were dating.

This is just like the sushi incident.

You said you'd never tell anyone
about that.

Would you just try some juice?

-It wouldn't k*ll you.
-I said no!

-[Orbin] No!
-[Essie gasps]

Look at what you did!

It was an accident.

Forgive him.
He's not used to good company.

It's okay.

Jack, why don't you go clear your head?

She's right.

I'm sorry.
I'm just not used to being a hostage,

so I'm going to go take a minute.

I'm so sorry about that.

It's okay.

What makes you think
the Prometheans robbed us?

Proximity.

They are the closest society,
and it appears I'm right.

You don't sit down to parlay
requesting knowledge

and open the bidding with a Cretian loom.

The Council will want proof if we're going
to accuse the Prometheans of this crime.

I sent Mr. Morton and Miss Drake
under the guise of hostages

for that very reason.

They're searching the compound
as we speak.

It would be faster to t*rture our guests.

It would also be
against the rules of parlay.

As soon as my disciples find the evidence
they need, we can discuss retaliation.

Until then, we need to buy them
as much time as we can.

Understood?

Understood.

Do you always have to have
the last word, Kepler?

No.

[Vera] Gentlemen.

My colleague and I have conferred.

We've agreed to continue negotiations.

Negotiate?

Do you have any idea
how powerful the loom is?

It can tear a hole through the realms
and patch it up like nothing happened.

Only a fool would turn this down.

Stubbe's Guide to Transformation.

It's literally everything you ever wanted
to know about werewolves

but were too afraid to ask.

May we examine it?

You may do whatever you like...

for the right price.

Look, all I'm saying is
if you want to be a secret society,

don't slap a logo on everything.

Branding matters. Here.

What's this?

In honor of our adventure this morning,
I call it a "Jekyll and Hyde."

-Hamish, that's fantastic. What's in it?
-[approaching footsteps]

Coke and red wine.

Don't you clowns ever shut up?

You're still here.

The world's not ready for two of me.

Yeah, well, we're done, so...

you want me to get you an Uber?

As if I even want to hang out
with your stupid wolf pack.

That's not what we're called.

It's obvious you mutts
are up to something.

Tell me, or I'm turning you in.

You're blackmailing us

to hang out with us?

What? No.

Don't flatter yourself.

Look, we're just going
to some weird meeting

with your possibly weird professor.

Actually, I think it's best
that I did that one on my own.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. First Jack, and now you?

Why's everyone trying
to keep me out of the game?

Because, man, you don't want action,
you just...

You don't wanna sit still 'cause
you don't wanna think about her.

[scoffs]

So that's it?

Our friend gets sucked into Hell,
and I'm...

What, I'm grounded?

Exactly.

Look, as much as I love
watching hot guys fight over me--

-Not about you.
-You're still here?

How about a compromise?

You go to the event

while we scope out the professor's house.

What's in it for you?

Maybe I'm a good person,

dickhole.

Maybe I don't like seeing people get hurt.

Is that enough for you losers?

[scoffs]

You're always saying divide and conquer.

[groans]

Reconnaissance only.

Text me if you find anything.

-Be careful.
-[Gabrielle] God, you sound like Vera.

"Text me if you find anything."
"Be careful."

"Don't slaughter innocent bystanders."

Don't slaughter any innocent bystanders.

He's always saying stuff like that.
He doesn't mean it.

Dear God, help us.

[thunder rumbling]

There you are.

No. No. No. No.

-[creaking sound]
-What the hell?

You're not supposed to be in here.

I was looking for Alyssa.

[Essie] We tried to be cordial about this,

and you've taken advantage
of our hospitality.

It's time to treat you
like the hostage you are.

I have to say, Orbin,

as far as hostage experiences go,

this has been one of my favorites.

It is so refreshing to hear that
from a hostage.

Well, just from the minute I arrived here,

it just felt so...

peaceful.

-Was it like that when you joined?
-I was born here, raised here.

My whole life is here.

So...

are all Prometheans born into it?

We do accept new members,

but only when someone dies,
to replenish our numbers.

Our magic relies
on a very precise balance.

And we share that balance with the earth.

Impressive.

We've discussed it as a group
and we all agree.

You'd make an excellent member.

I'm flattered...

but...

you wouldn't want me.

My magic isn't working.

There's something wrong with me.

There is nothing wrong with you.

I'll show you.

Our power comes from all of us,

living and feeling as one.

You're a hive mind.

It's called the Egregore.

You've been experiencing its effects
all morning.

That warm glow of welcome?

That's us.

I've been feeling it, like...

Like shadows of people passing through me.

Emotion...

empathy.

It begins like that.

Soft and unclear.

But as you become fully immersed,
we can share everything.

Every thought, every fear,

all knowledge and memory.

Through the common...

we are one.

-[mystical whirring]
-[whispering] Trust me.

You fixed me.

[Orbin] You were never broken.

Not here.

[people chattering]

Closed for a private event.

Where'd you get this?

A mutual friend. Jack Morton?

He couldn't make it, and he said
this would be right up my alley.

Maybe next time.

Uh... Look.

I know I look like one of them,

but I think like one of you.

Cover's bucks.

Feels more like
a "pay what you can" sort of event.

[chuckles sarcastically]

Look, if I was out of bounds back there,
I'm sorry.

I was looking for my friend.

[ghostly whispering]

You okay?

Someone else's lips,
and all she does is think of you.

What does that even mean?

Means you're an idiot.

[ghostly whispering]

And a werewolf.

And you're really lucky.

Hey! Alyssa.

Jack, hi.

Uh, what is it?

I need to talk to you. Alone.

Of course, Jack.

No one's trying to stop you.

[ghostly whispering]

We need to get out of here now.

-That would be rude. We're their guests.
-They know I'm a werewolf.

Someone else must have seen me
in human form when I was here

looking for the Order's stuff.

It was never here.

You asked them about it?

I didn't have to.
It's called the Egregore.

The what?

The first stage is empathy,
but eventually we'll share everything.

Who's "we"?

The Prometheans want me to join them.

[ghostly whispering]

Oh, sorry, I shouldn't have told you that,
or about the Egregore.

Alyssa, are you reading their minds?

Not yet. Right now, I can only hear
the thoughts they direct at me.

[ghostly whispering]

Okay. Okay, I shouldn't have
told you that either.

Look, you need to stop
communicating with them.

Shut them out of your brain.

He did what?

Is that true? Did you k*ll one of them?

I'll explain later.

Well, the Greeks had a word for
the process of turning ideas into action.

They called it "praxis," but it is more
than an idea or, or a concept.

It is the path to the new world,

and that's why we call the group Praxis,
which is...

-Yes?
-[whispers indistinctly]

Okay, yeah.

Everyone, please top up your drinks.

We're about to get started.

[Gabrielle sighs]

[Gabrielle] This place is depressing.

-I'm depressed.
-Just hurry up.

[faint roaring sound]

Aperiatur.

[roaring sound]

You m*rder*d their friend?

It was self-defense.

I'll hold them off as long as possible.
Get as far as you can.

Shut up.

This way.

This way.

The ones behind us are closing in,
and there's two more that way.

Alyssa, are you reading their minds?
Can they read yours?

If you can't pay attention
when we're not being chased,

I'm not explaining this sh*t when we are.

If you know where they are,
they'll know where you are.

Leave her alone!

Too late, Jack. She's not yours anymore.

[ghostly whispering]

Alyssa, what are you doing?

I'm sorry, but...

[ghostly whispering]

...we've made up my mind.

Stay back.

Look, I want you to know
I respect your agency as a woman,

but also, f*ck this bullshit!

[musical sounds]

[scoffs] Show-off.

[Foley] Well, thank you all,
uh, for coming out.

Some of you I've met before,

some are new,

and some of you may not believe
what you're about to see tonight.

Some may call
what I'm about to show you...

anarchy...

or sedition...

or even terrorism.

And they'd be right,

because the truth is

those are just other words for "freedom."

[faint cheering and applause]

Freedom...
It doesn't come from asking nice.

Freedom comes from rising up.

Freedom comes from fighting back.

Freedom is never given.

It must be taken,
and what we must take,

what we must reclaim,

is a secret so ancient and so powerful

that it has lived and d*ed
several times already.

A secret that could change the world,

a secret that must change the world.

And that secret is this...

Magic is real.

[hushed chattering]

[woman gasps]

[mystical ringing]

-Tarraing an tintreach!
-[mystical buzzing]

[people gasping]

[breathing heavily]

[cell phone beeps]

[cell phone bleeps]

I can't believe it.

You only got % on my Ethics test?

Are you kidding me?

Look, I had one hour to study.

Jack, there's no escape.
You need to surrender.

Not yet, I don't.

[grunts]

[groans]

What are these things?

They're the Egregore.

[dripping sound]

We need to get word to Vera,
and let her know what's happening.

They're not gonna let you do that.

I'm sorry, Xavier, but this deal,
it's just not good enough.

Not good enough?

What more do you want?

The loom, the Lost Book of Council,
the sigils of Moloch...

The Definitive Book of the Dead?

I think what my colleague is trying to say
is that you insult us with your avarice.

[ghostly whispering]

[pounding]

Obstruatur!

[loud whooshing]

Ow.

Well, if you think you can get
a better deal elsewhere, be my guest.

Last I heard, Temple Mundi
was operating out of New Orleans.

Fine.

As you wish.

This place used to be a lot more fun
years ago.

The Grand Magus had a pinball machine.

Wait, that's it?

What else is there?

The trade is off the table.

[Orbin] Your shock spell is effective,
but it can't protect you forever.

There was never going to be any trade.

You didn't come here for help.
They're lying.

How can you be so sure?

Because of what my disciple
just carved on your forehead.

[Xavier sighs]

Well.

That's just rude.

You want to tell me
what you're really after?

Proof. Proof that
your werewolf att*cked us,

proof that you robbed us.

We robbed you?

And if your disciple's begging for help,
we have our proof,

and soon we'll have our revenge.

Xavier, wait.

Yes.

My werewolves raided your compound.

Too late for honesty. You had your chance.

They went because
they thought you robbed us.

-Don't tell them--
-Shut up, Kepler!

Can't you understand
what is happening here?

Someone is playing all of us,
hoping we would end up just like this.

You're not going to start a w*r.

You're too late, Grand Magus.
We're already at w*r.

You're damn right we are. Now!

k*ll them.