I Curse This Land (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Hiya, it's me.

How's it going?

Oh.

Oh, well, that's OK.

I mean, it'll pick up.

No, it will.

It will.

It's quiz night tomorrow anyway, so if it's

quiet tonight, well, then

just whine for tomorrow

when we're busier.

We'll be rushed off our feet.

Yeah, no, I promise.

I promise.

I do.

OK.

And it's fine without me.

No emergencies.

Good, good. OK.

I've gotta go.

He's coming.

OK, bye.

Sorry.

Eleanor?

Eloise. Hi.

- Close enough.

- Hi.

- Oh.

- Sorry.

You don't look like your picture at all.

Oh.

OK.

These are for you.

Oh, thank you so much.

This is lovely.

Thank you.

Should we have one now?

I'm actually watching my weight,

but you make your own decisions, I suppose.

Oh, sure.

Later then, maybe.

Thank you.

Oh, reduced from last year.

A vintage then.

Frugal offers.

Sure.

Sure.

Thanks, love.

Later then.

Who's this?

Food.

As in dog food.

Right.

Yeah, that's original.

I haven't heard that before.

Yeah.

I wonder why.

She seems to like you.

Well...

Compliment.

She doesn't... I mean, she's like me.

Normally, she prefers blondes.

Right.

Cool. Sure.

Yeah.

But it's fine.

Thanks.

Ooh.

So what do you do?

Oh.

So I own a pub.

Oh, wow.

That's so cool.

Yeah, I suppose it is.

That must be so nice to have a job

that just doesn't even matter.

Well, it definitely matter.

We're sort of a hub in the

middle of the community.

And there's people at Dennis...

- Oh, I understand.

Yeah, Dennis gets the right point.

It's important, but my job is hard.

Yeah?

What do you... what do you do?

I help people.

Oh.

So like a doctor?

I would say more job center worker, really.

It's really challenging because, you know,

you get people coming to you

that are crying their eyes out

because they can't pay their bills

and they can't feed their children.

You know, absolute poor values.

And it's so hard to say no to them.

Right.

But obviously, the less I

give out, the more I make.

So it's kind of a balancing

act, if you can understand that.

I think I understand.

Sort of like a shitty

Robin Hood, aren't you?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah.

It's not a compliment.

That sounds rewarding.

Very.

Very.

I bought you those.

Right.

Yeah, I can see the reduced sticker.

It's kind of you.

Thank you.

I... ooh.

Ooh.

Look at that.

I mean... sorry.

Saved by the bell, I guess.

Hi, what's up?

Oh, God. What?

What? Calm down.

Breathe.

What's up?

What is it?

The card machine's not working?

Come on, what's wrong?

OK.

Well, what then?

OK, no, no, no, I'll be right there.

Don't worry. Calm down.

I'll be there in a moment.

Just hold on.

Look, I've got to go, actually.

Problem?

This has been nice.

I... it was lovely meeting you.

You want me to come and sort it out?

OK.

Stop!

You don't understand.

You're in grave danger.

For f*ck's sake, I've told you before.

Leave me alone.

Get out of my way.

You'll regret this.

Ooh.

Man.

Oh my God, it's dark.

Oh, great.

I've been locked in.

f*ck's sake.

Oh, it's the spare keys.

To do everything.

Really?

Come on, pick up.

Oh, there you are.

I'm in the warehouse

at the back of the pub.

Where are you?

But you're here.

What was the disaster?

You told me to come here.

Yeah, you did.

You called me.

Hello?

Go in and have a look.

Thank you.

Now, what do you think?

Amazing.

Now, with the pub, it's already set up.

So literally, turn the electric on.

And that's it, customers coming in.

And they've got the cold

room over there or the barrels.

As I said, you are set up.

You're actually stocked up as well.

You know, you do understand

why that it's on the market.

Yes, I did see on the news.

Don't wanna put a foot in her grave,

but it seemed like such a good opportunity.

And I'm really searching for a fresh start,

so this seems perfect.

Well, it's very, very sad

about what happened.

But you could be onto a good thing.

The next thing would be the warehouse.

That's just through there.

Actually, no, we'll

leave the warehouse on...

I don't have the keys

for that, but I'll show

you around the flat upstairs.

Amazing flat.

OK then, let's go.

Please follow me.

Sorry about that.

It must have looked kind of strange.

Just a little bit.

Yeah.

You new around here?

Yeah, my name's Allie.

I've just taken over the

pub in the High Street.

Oh, The Hopp.

Yeah, that one.

I'm Matt, village handyman.

You can give me a call any time.

Oh, yeah.

Actually, my pipes... do you

know the pipes to the lager,

the ales, the...

Right.

The lines to the pumps.

Yes.

Those could do with some help.

Sure.

I could come take a look at those for you.

Free tomorrow?

Yeah, that's perfect.

OK.

I'll swing by and come

take a look at them then.

Awesome.

Yeah.

Yeah?

OK.

Yeah, sorry, I should go.

I've, yeah, gotta...

I should get back to work as well.

Yeah?

I'll see you tomorrow.

OK, then.

Hiya.

Yes, please, please.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, it's Allie.

The Hopp Inn in High Street.

Yeah, I've just taken over.

So I'm pretty sure I've been burgled.

Well, there's footprints on the floor,

so that was kind of my giveaway, but...

No.

No.

I'm pretty sure I didn't

leave black footprints

across my floor in my pub.

Thank you.

Awesome.

Really helpful.

OK, thank you so much for your help today.

Great.

Thanks.

Bye.

Change the locks.

I'm surprised you've opened this late.

I don't know why...

To make me wait there, I don't know why.

You know, you've ruined my day today,

because I was meant to come

here first thing in the morning.

And you weren't even open.

You were there scrubbing away.

Usually, I have a few drinks

before I go up to The Crown

because I don't really like the drinks

here because they're a bit eh.

But I'll meet my mates here,

and we go up to The Crown.

But obviously, they're not here

today because you've not opened,

so I must have missed them, you know.

So you've completely ruined my day.

- Do you know that?

- What can...

No, no.

I was just wondering 'cause

of you opening late and that.

Is there any trouble going on?

Because, you know.

Well, yeah, but what can I get you?

Oh, yeah.

I'll have probably the best.

Well, I haven't got any bests, but I've got

some really nice local ales.

Well, you're bloody used to.

Well, I've got some local lagers,

and they're absolutely amazing.

Why don't I grab you one of those?

Ta, love.

That'll be 5 pounds, please.

How much?

Have you got any crisps?

Yeah.

And what can I get you?

Have you got Worcestershire sauce?

No, but I've got some out back.

I'll go get some quickly.

Right.

Heed my warning.

Suffer.

Help!

I hope you're paying for that.

Yes, maybe.

Good.

Where's Allie?

She's out back.

OK.

Hello, Allie.

Allison?

Allie!

What's wrong? What's wrong?

What's wrong?

It's OK.

It's OK.

Allie, what's wrong?

It's OK.

Did you get me crisps?

Oh my gosh, you missed it last night.

Becca was the most

drunk as I've ever seen her.

And you know how she is when she's drunk.

Yeah, I do.

Glad I missed it.

Well, we're all banned

from the paint job now,

so that's good news.

You guys are gonna have nowhere left to go.

You know, you are the most sensible person.

Without you, we are literally hopeless.

If I was your sensible person.

And you were hopeless anyway.

You know, we'll have to

come down to you soon.

Yeah, once I settle in.

There isn't really a nightlife here.

Girl, you own a bar.

What more do you need?

Well, you'll have to come down soon then.

Sorry.

What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing.

Don't worry.

What is it?

Just tell me.

I don't think I'm quite cut out for this.

Babe, you are so cut.

Why would you think that?

It's just... the locals hate me.

Everything that can go wrong with the bar

is going wrong with the bar.

And I can't even afford to hire anyone,

so I am working every hour under the sun.

Now you listen to me, Allie.

You have worked in one of the

most toughest bars in London.

For crying out loud, I've seen you

kick men out twice your size.

You are a tough cookie.

You can do this.

That was different.

The always had someone to fall back on.

But now it's just me.

Just give it some time, you know.

I mean, once you get used

to it and you're all settled in,

I'm pretty sure you can make it work.

I wish it was that simple.

Why do I feel like there's

something you're not telling me?

Promise you're not gonna think I'm crazy?

No more than usual.

It's just there's something

wrong with this bar.

I got stuck in the storeroom,

and I saw this woman

with this burnt face.

And there was all this

black gunk all over her face.

See?

You probably think I'm mad.

I can't hear you properly.

Can you hear me now?

Hello?

I can hear you.

Allie?

Have you even lived in a big city?

Never lived there.

They're dense, and it's busy.

And it's just not great,

to be entirely honest.

Yeah?

You know, I ran so many different pubs

whilst I was up there and all

these different corporations.

And it didn't matter the

amount of money or time

I put into them.

It was never mine.

I was never allowed to do anything

I wanted to do with them.

Or is that faceless, kind of?

Yes.

And then I saw this place advertised.

And I made the decision there and then

that I was gonna come here

and this was gonna be mine.

Mm.

Brave decision to make to

just pick up everything and go.

Mm-hmm.

And it's weird 'cause when

I came down here that day,

I saw all these different

people who looked like they were

a part of this big community.

And it's really lame.

But secretly, I really wanted

to be a part of something

like that, something that meant something,

and people who cared about

each other and genuinely

wanted each other to succeed.

Mm.

And they won't even speak to me.

They won't even look at me.

The only person who would even speak to me

was wearing a terrifying mask.

They were gonna k*ll me.

Yeah, I'm sorry about that.

I got wrapped up in the job.

I forgot I had the crazy k*ller mask on.

Yeah.

But look, the people around here,

yeah, they're kind of

strange, set in their ways,

that kind of thing.

It's just gonna take time for

you to break through to them.

Just stand your ground.

But that's not the only problem.

What is it?

You know when you go somewhere really bad

and you get that feeling

of darkness and like just...

A sense of impending something?

Doom?

Badness?

I don't know what to call it, but it sits

in your chest and your stomach.

Mm.

I get that every time before I see her.

There's this woman.

There's this woman.

I know I see her in the storage room.

And she wears this

cloak, and her face is burnt.

And her eye just glistens.

It doesn't matter what I do.

I'll just get the feeling and even...

Like the lights will turn

off, and she's just there, so.

OK.

Am I crazy, or is this place haunted?

Am I stressed?

It's an old building, but I

don't think you're crazy.

Anything else?

No.

Just a crazy woman in the storage room.

Well, then it sounds to me like you need

to get out of these four walls.

So why don't you let me take

you on a tour, show you the place?

Maybe we can familiarize

you with the locals.

OK.

Yeah, I'd like that.

Yeah?

Mm-hmm.

OK.

I really wouldn't worry

too much about the locals.

They're all pretty crazy.

If you say so.

Seriously.

Yeah, there's nothing to worry about.

I was gonna say they mean well,

but they don't most of the time.

Great.

Old man Jim that lives there, he's someone

you'll run into quite often.

He's been making

noise complaints left, right

and center, but loves to come home drunk,

screaming at lampposts

and lawns and fences.

Wait, is he the guy who's

like quite short and balding,

like a bit fat?

That's the one.

He screamed at me the other day.

He was like, oh, your skirt's too short.

And I was like, I'm wearing trousers.

Was that... I don't know...

Say, around 10:00 AM after

his first drink by any chance.

- Yeah, about then.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Great.

Just around here,

you'll see a flag as well.

That's the parish council member or should

I say ex-parish council member.

Oh, do you see?

Yeah, caught stealing

money from the church,

paid for her holidays, taxes.

And then she ran for

council and got elected.

Amazing.

Small town.

So when I was managing this club in London,

I came down the stairs, and I could

hear the lovely rain pouring.

It was a little bit off, a little bit off,

but I'm like, oh, maybe it's the rain.

Maybe it's dripping.

Yeah.

So I got my keys, walk to the front door.

The dripping is getting

louder and louder and louder.

I open it up, and there's this guy there,

stood there, absolutely stark naked.

I mean, he just had this,

like, little trench coat on,

but I could see absolutely everything.

And honestly, Matt, it was not pretty.

No.

Yeah.

So funny, as he's doing that,

he was pissing now down my leg.

Oh my God.

Mm-hmm.

So I just stand there staring

at him, just in disbelief.

And once he's finished...

Yeah.

Well, you won't get

any of that around here.

Oh.

So you know everyone here?

Yeah, most people.

So, did you know the

girl in the pub before me?

Not personally.

I met her a few times.

You know, did a couple of jobs in the pub.

What happened to her?

No one really knows.

But everybody says she hanged herself.

It was a massive news story around here.

This is amazing.

Yeah?

You don't get stuff like

this back in London, then?

No.

Oh.

So lived here your whole life?

Yeah, apart from a couple of

years away at uni, you know.

Had to study for the job.

Did you ever get bored?

Mm.

It's a sleepy little

seaside town, but it's fine.

It's so pretty.

Yeah.

You kind of take it for

granted when you live here,

but it really is.

So, needless to say, we didn't

win the Model Village Award.

All thanks to Jim once again.

I can't believe that happened.

Yeah, I know.

We couldn't either...

Yes, it will be done.

That's new.

Yeah, so I told you we get

some weirdos around here.

But he's a special kind of weird.

It'll be OK.

Well, you've told me

about the rest of the village.

Yeah.

What about here?

Well...

What was the previous owner like?

I mean, I didn't really get to know them,

honestly.

I mean, they never usually

stick around long enough

for you to get to know them.

Or worse, they told you

about what happened, right?

They told me what happened to her.

But they didn't tell you about the curse?

The curse?

So way back in 1751, there was a smuggler

that used to run these parts,

known by all of the villagers.

One day, two of the villagers betrayed him.

The excisemen came and

took him away to be hanged.

For the heinous crime of

smuggling for which you've

been justly convicted, you will

now suffer the ultimate penalty

that is death by hanging.

Do you have anything you wish to say?

You were all part of this.

Hanging me is hanging yourselves.

May God have mercy on your soul.

Proceed!

But the smuggler had a wife.

And on the day that he

was due to be hanged,

she ran to try and save him.

She ran.

And she ran.

But by the time she

got there, the only thing

left for her to see was the smuggler's

lifeless body hanging.

Her heart broke at that

moment, filling her with rage.

But the smuggler's wife

was no ordinary woman.

She was a witch.

She cast a spell on the villagers

here to plague them for

condemning her husband.

When the villagers realized the effects

of the spell the witch had put upon them,

they hunted her down like an animal,

chased her into the woods.

Witch!

Witch!

They down. Her in burning tar.

They intended to take her life that day.

But before they could,

the witch let out a howl...

Then took her own life...

Then and there in front of them,

placing a curse upon the

land, that no one should prosper.

But I don't know how true that is.

That does sound kind of familiar.

Really?

You know what?

No witch or stupid curse is gonna

run me out of this village.

They may absolutely hate

me here, but it's still my pub

and it's still my village.

Glad to hear it.

Excuse me.

Hello?

Sorry.

Sorry.

There we go.

Thank you.

Are you all right there, love?

Yeah, sorry.

All good.

Some funky old vibes in here, isn't it?

No, it's all right, isn't it?

Oh, come on, I've heard the stories.

Ghosts and hauntings.

Just stories.

Ooh, just stories.

But are there, though?

Haven't you seen anything

strange going on here?

Just story, boys.

I know you're in here!

I haven't done anything to you.

My ancestors didn't do anything to you.

I'm not even from here.

Why can't you just leave me?

I'm not scared of you.

I've come here for a fresh start.

Like woman to woman, can you just

give me a chance to have that?

I haven't done anything wrong.

I don't deserve this.

And this is my pub.

And I'm gonna stay, and

I'm not going anywhere.

So you can either get

used to it or just go.

I'm not scared of you!

And that's the end of her.

Won't be seeing her anymore.

That's crazy.

I can't believe you actually

saw something from legend.

Her face was super burnt,

and it was like crackling

all down the sides.

Honestly, it was disgusting.

It was like amazing.

At the same time, I was

absolutely like sh1tting myself.

I was just trying to say.

It's not every day you

have a witch come up to you

and scream in your face.

So yeah, that bit wasn't so great.

What did she say when she screamed at you?

Mm-mm.

It's like a bloodcurdling-like sound.

Oh, man.

Yeah.

Well, if it's done and dusted

now, you don't have to worry.

Do you think people are still

gonna think like I'm cursed

and the shop is cursed?

In this village?

Oh, yeah.

Are you serious?

Don't worry.

It'll just take a little bit

of time to fade away.

But if you want to find

out what's really going on,

why don't we open these?

I don't know if I trust

a tiny piece of paper.

The star of riches is shining on you.

Mm.

It must mean good things.

What else is positive?

Mine was just very nice.

Not sure if I will age

gracefully, but I'll take that.

Oh, I guess we'll see.

I guess we will.

Terry.

That's Mr. Payne to you.

Very funny.

Hilarioius.

What?

Is it just me, or is he staring?

Who?

Oh, him.

Yeah, you want to be best careful of him.

Yeah?

Yeah.

He's a weirdo.

He's a complete weirdo.

Frightens the hell out of me.

Yeah?

Weirdo.

Absolute weirdo.

I got a feeling he's a

member of those occult things.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

You know, one time I was

coming out of the forest,

I saw him walking along

with a straw bag on his back

dripping with blood.

Yeah.

Followed the trail back

And he's k*lled some

poor deer and literally

pulled its heart out.

I saw one of those as well.

And I've been past his house on my bike.

Lights coming out of it, chanting.

There wasn't just one

person in that house either.

There was a couple.

Is he still...

Hang on. I can't be talking to you.

That b*stard will come after me.

I'm going.

Bye.

Thanks, Terry.

Last orders.

Matt.

Alan.

This isn't over, you know.

You're in danger now.

Sounds like you've had

a bit too much, mate.

I think it's time for you to go.

You're not listening, Matt.

It's gonna come for you next.

What are you talking about?

You listen to me.

You're in trouble now.

You'll come begging back for my help.

You watch.

Look, you've had too much to drink.

Just go home.

You mark my words.

Yeah, we'll see about that.

Oh.

I'm coming.

Can I come in?

Yeah, yeah.

Of course.

I'll explain when we get upstairs.

Sorry.

Sorry about the mess.

I don't know what to tell you.

Yeah.

I've seen the witch.

You were right.

She grabbed me, and she threw me.

I don't know.

I could feel her crackled

fingers and the breath

on my neck.

She came for me in my house.

She came for me in my flat.

Hey, it's all right.

Calm down.

Come.

You've just gotta confront her like I did.

Yeah, but did it work?

I wish I knew what we were dealing with.

Someone's gotta know.

Surely, I can't be the only ones.

Really?

Mm-hmm.

Well, clickbait.

Again.

Mm-hmm.

Matt, you've spent your whole life here.

There must be something you've forgotten.

I don't think so.

I think I've told you everything.

This isn't even supposed to be real.

Surely someone must know something.

It can't be just you.

Maybe.

There's an older guy.

He's a crabber.

I always thought he was just a weirdo,

but he said something to me the other day.

And I can't get it out of my head.

What was it?

It was in direct reference

to the curse in the witch.

That sounds like it's

our only option right now.

Yeah.

Hello?

Alan Tyler.

Ah.

I knew you'd call me back.

I told you so, didn't I?

Yeah.

Yeah, I can help you.

Oh, calm down, calm down.

No, it can't be tonight.

It can't be.

I've got things I need to prepare.

We'll do it first thing tomorrow.

All you gotta do is

make sure you're together

with someone else, anybody.

Don't be alone.

No, not at all.

Stay together.

Until I'm with you.

You understand?

Right.

Good luck.

We're gonna need it.

Matt!

Matt!

Allie!

Hi, Alan.

Shh.

I'm Alan Tyler.

Matt.

And you must be Allie.

Thank you for coming.

As you know, the witch is...

Ah, shh.

I know all about the witch.

I know all about this place.

I've tried warning previous owners.

No one listened.

Outsiders, they don't believe it.

You, Matt, local boy,

you should know better.

Well...

Well, I'm listening.

We need your help.

Became a local joke.

News story to scare local

children by the boogeyman

hiding under the bed.

But the curse is real.

Bridgette was her name.

She lived here.

And they died here and

cursed this land forever.

Anyone who occupies this land

will be doomed to suffer misery

and persecution as she did.

Why is she going for Matt?

He's done nothing wrong.

Her true love died and suffered here.

So your true love must

die and suffer here too.

Love?

Not in my business.

So can you help us then?

We need to summon her.

In order to break this

spell, we'll bind her.

And then when she's most vulnerable,

I should stab her with this knife.

Tonight at sunset, we

shall perform the ritual.

I'll be needing your two's help.

Of course.

Anything.

Well, first things first.

I need that bottle of

loyal Boniface Collins rum

from the back there.

Come on.

Quickly.

What for?

For drinking, of course.

Cheers.

Nice.

Yeah?

Clean this up.

Sort it out.

Move the boxes.

We need some space.

Fine.

Soil from the cursed land.

The heart from which love flows.

Where did you get that?

The skull of Bridgette's lover.

You, there.

You, here.

Now.

Copy me exactly.

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Come on, join in.

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Go away, gall...

Who dares summon me?

You dare bring the skull of my beloved?

Take its head.

Now you don't have to be here anymore.

Leave us.

Go back to your own time and place.

Be free of this curse.

This is a new world.

Go!

Go!

Go!

Go!

Get out of my pub!

Hey, what's wrong?

You all right?

What's up?

Just thought she might be back.

It's OK.

It's all over.

We're safe now.

It's probably just the wind.

You know, even after all we've

been through, defeating a witch,

overcoming the curse, I'm

still nervous about meeting

your friends.

And you should be.

They are terrifying.

They are gonna eat you alive.

Do you think your

friends are gonna like me?

Two definitely will.

Jules is another case altogether.

And she will definitely hate you.

But it's OK because she hates everyone.

That's all right, then.

Mm.

I'm hungry.

Let's order some food.

What's it gonna be?

Tar?

Burn?

Not bury?