Dummy (2026)

[bunniefuu]

Now Bartholomew,

it's time for a bit of

sophisticated humor.

Why don't scientists trust atoms?

Because they make up everything.

Bartholomew, that joke's

older than the moon.

Well, it's a classic, Marty.

Always lead with a classic.

I've heard better

jokes in the obituaries.

Hmm.

Passion, Delphi?

I feel gas.

If someone brings their beans

because that's what's

electrifying the air.

County fairs can be so depressing,

especially when the

entertainment is someone

who's washed up.

Speaking of that, do you remember

that one Ventriloquist guy?

His dummy was named Chucklehead.

Oh, Archibald.

Yeah, he played a county fair over here.

Really? Wow, that's sad.

Wasn't he all over late

night TV at one point?

Yeah, he was everywhere.

And then I forget what show he was on,

but he bombed horribly.

That's right. And then

it just kept happening.

He just couldn't recover from that.

Yeah, he went from being everywhere

to pretty much nothing.

Hmm, poor Archibald.

Yeah, poor Chucklehead. He was awesome.

You would feel sorry for the puppet..

Boo! You suck.

Hey,

which one's the ventriloquist

and which one's the dummy?

So Chucklehead.

This is so aging.

How do cats stop a VCR?

I don't know, Archibald.

How does a cat stop a VCR?

It hits the pause button.

I bet that thing

is more of a brain left

than this old man.

Yes, I got it.

And I hope it ain't contagious.

Looks like we're

knocking them dead tonight.

Dead, nothing could

resurrect your career.

Tell me again why I put up with you.

I'm part of your work release, remember?

You know Chucklehead, this

is our final performance.

What are you gonna do in retirement?

Get as far away from you as possible.

Are those

jokes from the Stone Age?

That's not nice.

Why?

How would you like my hand

up your a*s for 20 years?

It's been longer than

20 years, Chucklehead.

Don't remind me.

They say time flies

when you're having fun.

No wonder our time together

feels like an eternity.

What are you gonna do in retirement?

Honestly, I don't know, Chucklehead.

I don't know.

The ventriloquist

is barely passable.

It's all been done before and better.

This is just sad.

Hey, dummy.

Say something.

Yes, well.

Ladies and gentlemen,

as they say in show biz,

that's all folks.

It means it's time to go.

Thanks Archibald.

Thanks Chucklehead.

Better luck next time.

There isn't going to be a next time.

Goodnight.

Oh, hello Archibald. How'd

your final performance go?

- As predicted.

- Oh, don't look so glum.

Now you can move on to

new and exciting things.

Showbiz is all I know.

Did you know my family

started in Vaudeville?

No, really?

Yes, way back in 1908.

Our family even toured

with Barn and Bailey.

That's how I got Chucklehead here.

Oh, well maybe it's time that you

and that thing take a break.

Chucklehead?

Him and I will be together forever.

Why don't you pass him on to one

of your other relatives in show business?

Because I'm the only one left.

The last of my kind.

It's just him and me now.

You seem very depressed.

I'm sorry. Look, everything will be fine.

Be thankful that you can

retire. I'll never be able to.

I'm going to my room now.

Are you sure you don't

want something to eat?

The dining room will be

open for another 30 minutes.

No, but I'll see you at breakfast.

Will you be checking out in the morning?

No, I'm going to stay a few days more.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Cheers, my friend.

Not thirsty tonight, okay.

Oh, how I long for the

joy of another world.

We should be there shortly.

Good.

We can check in and get

cleaned up before the reunion.

How many high school reunions

have we been to together?

I don't know. About

four maybe, I lose track.

I wonder if Maggie will be there.

Drop it.

You dated her in high school

and you took her to the prom.

Big deal.

She'll never forget that night.

Best five seconds of her life, I'm sure.

Every reunion we go to, she's after me.

She's just being nice. That's all.

Her husband is never too happy to see you.

He's a chump.

She realized what a

mistakes she probably made.

Right, he's a rich Wall Street banker

with a house on Long Island.

Big deal. He's got money, so what?

Yeah, look, so what?

Let's just enjoy the time we

have away from our crazy life.

These times aren't gonna last forever.

Amen.

Maggie still wants me. I

don't care what you guys say.

There's a place right there up ahead.

We have arrived.

I guess we'll park here for now.

Let's check in and get something to eat.

We wouldn't want Maggie

thinking you're malnourished.

Well, hello there.

Hi guys. What can I do for you?

We have a reservation,

a room for Alan Duncan.

Okay, let me see.

Oh, there you are. Room 203.

Maybe the rest of our

classmates are here too.

Classmates?

Oh, we are here for a class reunion.

It's here at the high school.

Hmm.

Well, no one else has

checked in and mentioned it,

but then I live outside of town,

so I don't know what goes on here.

How many hotels do

you have in this town?

Just two.

Well, they must be at

the other hotel then.

Hmm.

How big was your graduating class?

Oh, around 128 kids.

Hmm.

Well maybe it's only

the three of you then.

Here's the key.

I see you have a dining room.

What time do you serve meals?

Breakfast is at 8:30, lunch at noon

and dinner is at five sharp.

We'll see you at lunch then.

Your room is upstairs and to the left.

- Okay, thanks.

- Thanks.

Thank you.

It'd be odd if we

were the only ones here.

Hey, you know this isn't half bad.

Really turn of the century charm.

I'm starved.

Hey, does that guy look familiar?

I wonder what the dummy ordered.

What can I get you guys?

I'll have a coke and a cheeseburger.

I'll have a roast beef

sandwich and a glass of water.

I'll try the chicken and

biscuits and a coke as well.

You got it. I'll put

that order right in.

Hey, I know who that guy

is. He's Archibald the Great.

He's a ventriloquist. I saw

him on That's Incredible once.

He doesn't look so great to me.

Can't be too famous if he's

hanging around this town.

Excuse me, sir,

are you Archibald the Great?

Why, yes. Yes I am.

How did you know?

I saw you on TV when I was a kid.

Would you mind having a seat with us?

Chucklehead and I have

traveled all over the world.

We gave our final performance last night.

Are you retiring from the business?

Yes, I'm afraid people today aren't

into my antiquated style.

It's time to move on.

I can't believe you don't

have your own reality TV show.

Have you always

performed with Chucklehead?

Yes, since the very beginning.

That's cool.

Would you mind if I asked

you for an autograph?

I would be delighted.

Thanks so much.

It was a pleasure talking with you,

but we must be going.

Take care.

Thanks again.

How cool was that?

Swell.

Has-been entertainer signed your napkin.

Hope this isn't the

high point of our trip.

Come on.

We made the guy's day.

Archibald, I have your fresh towels.

Where is that weirdo? I'm keying in.

f*ck you.

That was damn good.

Listen, we're eating

dinner at the reunion.

You ate so much, you're

not even gonna be hungry.

Look, these things go into the night.

Plenty of time to eat

and for other things too.

Please don't tell us

you think you're scoring

with Maggie tonight.

Who knows?

Dream along with me

Are you guys ready?

Isn't it a bit early?

What time did you say this thing started?

4:30.

But I thought we'd get there ahead of time

so we could get a good table.

Who's paying?

Have fun tonight.

You can bet on it.

May I please ask not

to be disturbed tonight?

- Sure thing.

- Thanks.

Hey, why don't we walk?

It's only a few blocks away.

Because I'm not carrying

your drunk a*s home tonight.

Good point.

It is time, my friend. We

knew this day would come.

We did give our final performance.

Maybe we'll see one another soon.

Party time.

Looks like we're the only ones here.

Thanks to Mr. Early Bird.

Let's go check it out.

What the hell?

What time did you say this starts?

See?

5:30.

Yeah, but not today. Next week.

What?

Oops.

You've got to be kidding me.

You've got the damn date wrong.

Sorry. I did.

No wonder no one was

at the hotel besides us

and the ventriloquist.

You did it again.

You never pay attention to details.

It was a simple mistake.

We'll come back next week.

I can't get off work that soon.

We booked a hotel for two days

and prepaid for this event.

Come on.

We've been worse scrapes, right?

Come on. I'm sorry.

You certainly are.

Let's just get outta here.

Hey, hey guys.

Hey, hey.

Hey, that was quick.

There gave us the wrong date.

It's next week.

Not this week.

Ooh, they don't seem too happy.

It was an honest mistake.

Well buy them dinner tonight

and they'll forgive you.

Yeah, I'm gonna have to do something.

What the hell?

Look, I said I was sorry.

I made a mistake. I had the wrong date.

I'll make it up to you. I promise.

How?

A week of vacation at the Bahamas.

Tickets to a Broadway show.

= $200 a slot at the casino.

All right, all right, you're

getting a bit carried away.

How about dinner on me?

Fair enough.

You only wasted a week

of our vacation time

and lots of money.

Way to make me feel better.

Come on.

Have a good night.

What have I done?

- What can I do for you?

- Dinner for three.

The Echo and Ed show

presents a fascinating dynamic.

They're talking about

our main man, Archibald.

Technical skills is undeniable.

But Ed, the puppet, displays

a level of sardonic wit

that often upstage human counterpart.

The dialogue crackles with an

almost uncomfortable honesty,

pushing the boundaries of

traditional ventriloquism.

While the act is undeniably innovative,

certain unease lingers.

Ed cynicism, while often

hilarious borders on nihilistic.

Is this social commentary

or simply shock about you?

The jury's still out.

Seraphine and Silas

is a study in contrasts.

I guess he is famous.

See, I told you so.

That was very nice of them

to do a farewell piece on his final show.

Turned out better than our reunion.

Is less a conversation.

Watch it.

Hunting dance of light and shadow.

Silas the dummy is a revelation.

Now, Reginald, tell the

audience about your latest

scientific discovery.

Well professor, it

involves a complex algorithm,

a quantum entanglement field

and, oh look, a butterfly.

Reginald, please. This

is important research.

Important?

But butterflies are important.

They're like flying flowers.

His voice alone resonant.

It seems to emanate from

a place beyond the stage.

It's a performance that

transcends mere ventriloquism

venturing into the realm

of theatrical possession.

Where the hell is

that wait staff person.

What makes someone wanna get

into a profession like Archibald?

He probably found joy in

making other people happy.

What are you getting at?

I think it takes an odd person

to hang out with a ventriloquist dummy.

Odd, but probably wealthy.

You can only be so lucky.

When he sat down next to us,

I couldn't ignore the air

of sadness around him.

Well, he gave his final performance.

I'm sure it was an emotional

couple hours for him.

It's a lot for one person to deal with,

especially an entertainer.

They're used to being

a center of attention.

It's a lot to have to deal with.

Still.

Stop playing psychologist

and go back to your video game.

Striking out all over the place.

Funny.

- Have a great night.

- Good night.

Hello Basset Night

Inn. How can I help you?

Okay, lemme take a look.

Thanks for waiting, yes.

We have availability on the 15th and 16th.

Okay, how would you like to pay for that?

Credit card.

May I have the credit card number please?

Okay and an email address please.

Okay, you should be receiving

a confirmation shortly

and we'll see you soon.

Alistair and Reginald

was a very complex

intellectual ventriloquist act.

Alistair is like a scholar.

Measured, composed, always in control.

You know guys, I miss high school.

Do you?

I don't miss it at all. All

the cliques and pettiness.

Life's better on the outside.

You make it sound like jail.

It was, just legalized.

How about you Trey?

Did you miss school?

I wanted out on the school thing.

Maggie didn't change your mind?

Oh yeah, Maggie.

She made every day worth it.

Til you got beat up in the locker room.

I got slugged a few times,

but I always hit back.

Remember George Watson and his g*ng?

Sure do,

you mopped his a*s up in

the cafeteria that day.

And his posse.

Their reputation got ruined

and all I got was in-school suspension.

Yeah, they never

bothered anyone ever again.

Most people, when they

think of the idea of talking

through someone else, think ventriloquism.

Which these days is just prop comedy.

Oh look, there's our friend.

Hey, I saw 'em about a

minute ago down the hallway.

Wasn't looking too good.

Yeah, he's probably just tired.

Talking through someone

else, like having a dummy

or a puppet speak for you

more often is a symptom

of mental illness in adults.

That's sometimes it's react to

someone like social anxiety.

Some people act one way

because that's how they

feel they're expected to act

or because they're too

scared to be themselves

and they use that other self

to let their real

personality shine through.

They act how they want

and if other people get upset,

they can just blame it on the dummy.

For others, it's a symptom

of some deeper mental illness like

disassociative identity disorder.

Think Arnold Wesker's Scarface

from the Batman series.

Wesker was a criminal

genius, but weak and inept.

So Scarface was a separate personality

that manifested itself.

And Wesker created the Scarface dummy

so that could look and play the part more.

So talk you through someone else,

you should sign that it's time

to seek some professional help.

Unless of course you're

stuck in a horror movie.

In which case the other self

was your friends, your family,

your neighbors, and that your date

to the senior prom in

horrible and gruesome ways.

Why?

Why are you doing this?

This is what you wanted.

I never wanted death.

Death is a part of revenge.

I never wanted revenge.

You did.

You did.

I did?

For all the failures.

The people who cheated you.

The people who laughed at you.

Those people.

Yes.

But these aren't those people.

All people are those people.

Revenge.

Damn.

I need ice.

And there's no ice here.

No, I thought I saw an

ice machine in the lobby.

I can go get some.

No, I'll go get it. Be right back.

Hello?

I need some ice.

Is anyone here?

I am never staying at this hotel again.

I don't even see an ice

machine. Those guys are whacked.

Anyone? Anyone?

This is ridiculous.

No, don't go down there.

Who's there?

Hello?

Don't do it.

Hello?

Is anyone here?

I need some help. Stop screwing around.

What the hell was that?

Who's down here?

Hello?

You've got to be kidding me.

I see the crack, Silas.

The fractures and the carefully

constructed realities.

I see the void, Silas.

The emptiness they tries

out desperately to ignore.

And it calls to us.

Hey Patrick, were you

expecting a package anytime soon?

Because I got something delivered to me.

It had your name on it.

I don't think so.

I don't know.

But it said "say hello to Patricia."

How do they know my drag name?

I don't know where it came from.

I don't know why it is,

but it's just a little dummy head.

Yeah, yeah.

Do we do we need a third mic or?

Mic up Patricia.

Let's see what she says.

I have no clue why it's called a dummy.

I mean up puppet, mannequin,

dummy. What do you think?

Institutional bias.

Yeah, I can't postulate

on why they're called dummies

with her eyes just

staring at me like that.

It feels very judgmental.

Like anything I say

could be like offensive.

I dunno if I want to offend

our new third co-host.

Maybe it makes you feel like a dummy

because you don't know what to say.

You know, maybe it's a feedback loop.

Maybe we call them dummies

and, you know, it insults

them on a molecular level

and they have to lash out

in the form of m*rder.

Oh yeah. All right, goodbye Patricia.

So anyway, what movie are

we gonna watch this week?

Silas and Shadow is a departure

from traditional ventriloquism.

Silas's intense focus and

shadows unsettling pronouncements

create an atmosphere of palpable tension.

Shadow the dummy is a chilling presence.

His voice a low

and gut rumble seems to come

from a place of darkness.

The act is lesser performance

and more a ritual leaving the audience

with a sense of unease.

Hey, Bolt, ready to rock this joint?

Ready as I'll ever be.

Let's get loud and break something.

All right, try not to break everything.

We still gotta get paid.

Details, Rusty, details.

Now give me the mic.

Oh, Jacque, darling.

Do you feel the electricity in the air?

The sheer passion of our performance.

Passion, Delphi?

I feel gas.

Did someone brings the beans,

because that's what's

electrifying the air.

Jacque, show some restraint.

We are artists.

Artists who need to eat.

I hope we have some good

dippers in the audience.

Shadow, do you see what

I see when I look at them?

I see the cracks, Silas,

the fracture in their carefully

constructed realities.

And what do those cracks reveal, Shadow?

I see the void, Silas.

The emptiness they try

so desperately to ignore.

And he's made a wood.

Enough about Archibald.

Gosh, it's been taking Alan

a long time to get that ice.

Maybe he got lost.

This place is too small to get lost.

Maybe he went to the

corner store to get some.

I'm gonna take a nap.

I'm tired.

I'm gonna go see if I can

see where he wandered off to.

Okay.

He's waiting for you.

Please be warned.

Hey, anyone here?

Oh, Archibald, have you seen Helen?

Hey, Archibald, I'm talking to you.

Man you look like sh*t.

It's too late for Alan.

What?

Gather your other friend and leave.

You're not making any sense.

Let's find a place to sit down and chat.

Maybe we can get you some help.

It's too late for me.

Chucklehead is loose in this hotel,

and now he wants to k*ll everyone.

Look, you're taking this

doubt thing way too seriously.

I know you might be in the dumps

about quitting your act, but.

It's alive. I am not.

My negative energy filled the

dummy after I took my life

and now it wants to k*ll everyone.

What?

All my negative energy over

the years filled the dummy

and now it is exacting

retribution on everyone.

Be warned.

Whoa, did I see what I think I saw?

Hey, what's wrong?

We gotta go.

I can't find Alan and

Archibald's a ghost or something.

He said, Alan is dead.

Are you nuts?

I'm being honest. I swear.

He says his dummy Chucklehead

is alive and k*lling people.

Listen to what you're saying.

Are you getting even

because we were mad at you.

I wish it was.

There's only one way to find out.

How's that?

Let's go to Archibald's room and see.

He's probably watching TV.

All right, let's go.

Archibald,

we need to have a word with you.

I told you he wasn't there.

Archibald.

I told you that dude's dead.

He's not here.

Over there.

Oh my god.

I told you he was dead.

How did you see him moving around?

It was his ghost. I told you that.

Well, let's get outta here.

That dummy's lurking

around here somewhere.

Let's get outta here.

I can't make it down the stairs.

My leg hurt so much.

The room.

My leg.

We should be safer now.

You have to stop the bleeding.

This should help.

Thanks.

This is so unbelievable.

Well, believe it because it's happening.

It's not working. Let me see your phone.

It is no good.

Well, we're in the middle of nowhere.

It's not that,

the dummy must have

tampered with the router.

How could it know to do that?

Because it possesses human knowledge.

Everything Archibald knew

transferred to the doll.

Why would the dummy be k*lling people?

Because now it has all

of Archibald's pent up rage

and anger as its fuel.

That's why it's full of hate and rage.

What do we do now?

Try to get out of here.

I can't go anywhere on this leg.

Then I'll have to go.

Damn, too high to climb down.

What are you gonna do?

You stay put. You'll be safe here.

Please hurry.

It really hurts and I feel lightheaded.

You're losing a lot of

blood. I will hurry back.

Hey, I need help.

Something serious is happening here.

Oh, no, no.

Alan is dead. We're gonna

have to try to get you out.

Oh no.

f*ck, come on out.

Chucklehead knucklehead.

Got you Chucklehead.

Hey, hey. Let me in here.

What in the name of Caesar

are you all in a state about?

I know this is gonna sound incredible,

but I'm being chased by a living dummy.

Dummy, are you drunk?

No, it's Chucklehead.

The dummy Archibald used

during his final performance.

Yeah, I know him.

He was here about a night

ago. Really poor turnout.

But I got overtime, so who cares?

We need to call the police.

Well, the phone's over there.

Don't open!

Leave me alone. I

didn't do anything to you.

Go now, it is finished.

What?

I know now, only I can stop Chucklehead.

He is me and I am him.

He has unholy powers.

The curtain is closing.

Go now. Without haste.

I take back any negative

energy I unwittingly gave you.

It is time, my friend.

Time to go.

Good luck, Archibald. Wherever you are.

Yes, well, ladies and gentlemen,

as they say in showbiz, that's all folks.

Dummy

Dummy

Lock doors

Stay still

I'm coming for you

You better run

You didn't escape

Of getting out

So lock your doors and go upstairs

I'm already in your house

You can run, you can scream

I'll come find you in your house

Run away or stay and fight

Either way it ends tonight

Grab a knife, grab a g*n

Grab a g*n is not so fun

Come and shot me, charm me, marry me

You can lock me up

But no matter what you do

I'll be coming back for you

I only got eyes for you

Before I go, you're coming too

Lock you up

Lock doors

Staying still

I can hear him coming

Coming, coming

I'm coming for you

I'm coming to get you

Lock the doors

Staying still

I can hear him coming

Coming, coming, coming

They say time flies

when you're having fun.

No wonder our time together

feels like an eternity.

What are you gonna do in retirement?

Honestly, I don't know, Chucklehead.

I don't know.

Hey dummy. Say something