04x03 - Whack Job!

[bunniefuu]

[insects chirring]

[breathes deeply]

{\an8}["Today" by Jefferson Airplane playing]

♪ Today ♪

♪ I feel like pleasing you ♪

♪ More than before ♪

♪ Today ♪

♪ I know what I wanna do ♪

♪ But I don't know what for ♪

♪ To be living for you ♪

♪ Is all I want to do ♪

♪ To be loving you ♪

♪ It'll all be there ♪

♪ When my dreams come true ♪

♪ Today ♪

♪ You'll make me say ♪

♪ That I somehow have changed ♪

♪ Today ♪

♪ You look into my eyes ♪

♪ I'm just not the same ♪

♪ To be any more ♪

♪ Than all I am ♪

♪ Would be a lie ♪

[Maggie] It's going to be so much better.

What?

k*lling them with an axe.

A knife is...

It's too sexual.

[grunting in shock]

[gasping]

It's like sliding it into them.

- [grunting]
- [manic muffled shouting]

It's almost too kind a way to go.

[thudding]

[spits]

And a r*fle is what you use for hunting.

How you dispatch an animal.

You might as well be using arrows
to sh**t them.

Too childlike.

Like fun and games.

[shotguns blast]

Too easy.

[horses neigh]

No.

An axe.

An axe is the most personal way
of k*lling someone.

- [Lizzie grunts]
- [Maggie] Try again.

- [grunts]
- [Maggie] Now again.

Put all your feelings in the swing.

[Lizzie grunting]

[Maggie] Make it personal
and give it your signature.

[Lizzie grunts]

[birds cawing]

♪ All for you ♪

[chuckling]

[music fades]

{\an8}[grinding]

{\an8}[creaking]

{\an8}[scraping]

Mr. Borden, sir.

[Mr. Borden] Hm?

I want you to show me how you do it.

[scraping]

- Hmm?
- How you make the... bodies fit.

You can make a 6 foot 4 fit
into a coffin that's 5 foot 10.

Well... you can't expect me to

divulge trade secrets.

Oh, it's no secret to me, sir.

I know you cut the legs off.

I clean your axes.

No, what I mean is...

I want to see you do it.

[intriguing music rises slowly]

[Mr. Borden] Hm.

Hm.

Hm.

Hm.

Hm.

[sniffs]

Mr. Withers here is too tall
by six inches or so,

but I'll make it an even foot
so he won't... seem cramped

and... give the mortician
the option of a top hat.

As you can see, he's old.

Seventy-seven years.

Were he younger, his bones denser,

were he fatter... well, I'd use
what you'd use to down a sapling.

I'd use... Cosette here.

Often a young man's shins take

several... heavy whacks,

but these dry, thin legs,

devoid of fat and desiccated bone, well...

those just take...

one good swing from Rebecca.

[clears throat]

[inhales sharply]

{\an8}[syrupy scraping]

- You know...
- [Maggie] Hmm?

{\an8}[shopkeeper bell jingles]

- [clattering]
- [music fades]

[door opening]

How can I help?

Mr. Borden, I presume.

Uh, Morse is my name. John Morse.

I'm your brother, Andrew.

Don't have a brother.

[John] Brother-in-law.

I'm brother to Sarah.

Your late wife.

John.

[inquisitive music plays]

John Morse.

Ha ha!

- John!
- [John chuckling]

[Andrew] John!

Ha ha! Let me look at you.

How the years go by.

Yes.

Maggie!

Maggie... This is our Irish.
Our household's.

- Abby's and mine.
- Oh, Abby's your wife?

[Andrew] Yes, yes and... mother
to Emma and Lizzie, your nieces.

Mm... Stepmother.

Yes.

Right.

Hm! Maggie.

Luncheon for John and I, if you please.

- Mm.
- No oysters.

No.

[Andrew] Mm.

[John] Yes, and I've worked as a butcher.

- Butcher, you say?
- [John] Yes.

I learned the trade in an abattoir
on the Long Wharf in New Haven.

[Andrew] Hmm.

Are these your blades?

Yes.

[Andrew] Mm.

Are they the sum total?

[John] Yes.

A good butcher
only needs half a dozen knives.

- [Andrew] Hm.
- [John] I will show you.

This... this is my most trusted.

It's a hunting knife, actually.

See the drop point?

If I whet that edge
and keep it razor sharp,

there's seldom a task he cannot perform.

[Andrew grunts]

- I call him Jason.
- Mm-hm.

Beechwood handle, brass cutler's rivets.

{\an8}He's a dear friend.

[chuckling quietly]

And this...

[indulgent chuckle]

...is Bartholomew.

He's a scimitar, 15 inches long.

Antler handle. Elk, I think.
Damascus steel blade.

Maggie!

[John] You see the curvature of the knife,

it gives a particular deftness
when trimming an animal.

[Andrew] Mmm...

- [John] Thank you.
- You give them names?

Mr. Borden too.

He gives his axes names.

Yes.

I give mine... women's names.

Oh, interesting.

[scoff] I always imagined a knife as male.

{\an8}Hm. Because of the... penetration.

[both laughing]

Fascinating

how alike we are for not being blood.

It's like peering through a glass darkly,
seeing you.

Hmm.

[breathy laughter]

Brother, I come to you seeking a loan.

I wish to open a butcher shop of my own.

If not in New Haven,
then somewhere here in Fall River.

A loan of $200
would start a thriving business.

Brother, I'm a...

deeply moral man.

- Good.
- This... code of mine.

It forbids any... kind of money lending.

Oh. Right.

But, surely... aiding kin is not forbidden.

{\an8}Surely, you... have your own moral... code.

{\an8}Therefore, you'll understand
when the... answer's no.

- Hm.
- Mm.

[soft crackling]

This, when you waste away
my sister's half of your fortune?

[tense music builds slowly]

The answer's no.

More cherry cordial, please.

Thank you very much.

And what if I return your kindness
by gutting your wh*re?

Flank, rib, cheek.

I see by the way you look at her
what the two of you get up to.

I can tell everyone.

You're being discourteous, brother.

Won't stand for it. Release her.

She's nothing to me,
so she's... nothing to you.

Or gut her if you like.
It won't change anything.

I... simply cannot lend money.

Why don't you come to supper, John,
this evening?

So refreshing
to have another man at the table.

John, you don't understand.

I'm like a rooster in a henhouse. I...

{\an8}I have to deal with the clack, clack,
clack, clack, clacking,

{\an8}the senseless chatter,

{\an8}the scatterbrained thoughts,

{\an8}the... whirlpools of emotional need.

{\an8}It's driving me insane.

Supper?

{\an8}Yes.

[tense percussive music plays]

I just have to ask, how on earth
do you remember all those lines?

{\an8}[Abby chuckling] Yes.

Are you all right, Miss O'Neil?

I am very sorry.
I am experiencing a bit of nausea.

Oh no.

Did I not ask
that my side dishes not touch?

They're not touching.

- Excuse me?
- Maggie, no.

[clears throat] Lizzie,
you have a... relative at the table.

You've not said a single word to him.

[Lizzie] Yes.

Father says you wish
to open a butcher shop.

Yes. Uh, if only he would
lend me the money.

Ha! Not a money lender.

It's forbidden by scripture.

I would imagine
a handsome man such as yourself

would do well in Fall River.

Why, there'd be lines of housewives
out the door. [laughs]

[chuckles] Well, I would,
uh, save my best cut of meat

for you, Mrs. Borden.

Hm.

But alas, your husband
will... not give me the loan.

[Andrew] Mmm.

What a... joy it is
to have you at our table.

Now, John,

You mentioned that you've also sold oxen.

I'm sorry, I hate to interrupt
a discussion about oxen,

but the juice from the carrots
is mingling with the pea juice.

We'll get you another plate.

So sorry, Madame.

Madame?

Don't call me Madame.

- Do I look like a Madame?
- No.

- I am a Miss.
- Yes.

[Abby] I do apologize.

[chuckles] Miss.

I would also... like to say
thank you so much

for bringing a little class
into this home.

Inviting you to supper
is... is literally the only good thing

that Lizzie here has ever done.

A thousand pardons, Miss O'Neil.

[Miss O'Neil] Thank you.

And what color hair is this now?

Oh. [chuckles]

Well, we here also like to foster
a certain... creativity and expression.

- [chuckles]
- [Andrew chuckles]

Well, it doesn't quite work.

Does it?

No, you're absolutely right, it doesn't.

[deep exhale]

Speaking of nausea.
I heard about your episode.

Oh... horrible.

It was nearly the end of us.

What was?

Death oysters.

Well, more likely a... reaction
to some exotic spices.

Too much ventilation.

There's influenza going around

and it's the Portuguese
who brought it here.

My maid's come down with it.

I have no help whatsoever
until she recovers.

- [Abby] Yeah.
- If she recovers.

That reminds me.

Maggie!

- Come in here.
- [sighs]

[door creaks]

I have alighted on a punishment
for the bouillabaisse episode.

You already cut my pay.

Don't be vulgar. [chuckling scoff]

And don't interrupt me.

Bertha here also has an Irish,
and she's dying of flu.

So after you've finished your work here
and your chores with Mr. Borden,

you will attend to Miss Manchester
at her home until morning.

You will do this until such time
as the maid has recovered.

[Andrew clears throat] John?

I have a... question for you.

About oxen. I always wanted to know--

And...

Is everything okay?

My roast beef
just got mashed potato on it.

[softly] Oh.

There we go.

Mm.

Better?

- Much.
- [Andrew] Hm.

John, what is the difference
between an ox--

So, after I finish here,
I go to Miss Manchester's house.

- And where do I sleep?
- [Abby] I don't expect you will sleep.

Well, don't grouse.

Mules sleep on their feet.

- [gasping]
- [Andrew] Chickens!

- [banging]
- Chickens!

That's all you are!

All of this... nattering, clucking nonsense.

It never ceases!

Your stench of estrogen chokes the air!

Might I be allowed to ask the difference

between an ox and a steer?

Both are castrated males.

I feel for them.

[clears throat]

John, might we adjourn to the music room?

Um... yes.

Excuse me.

- [dramatic piano tune playing]
- [Miss O'Neil] ♪ For shame, for shame ♪

♪ For shame ♪

[tune picks up tempo]

♪ Poor wandering one ♪

♪ Though thou hast surely strayed ♪

♪ Take heart of grace
Thy steps retrace ♪

♪ Poor wandering one ♪

[Abby] What a talent. Ha!

She's delightful.

♪ Poor wandering one ♪

♪ If such poor love as mine ♪

♪ Can help thee find
True peace of mind ♪

♪ Why, take it ♪

♪ It is thine ♪

♪ Take heart, no danger lowers ♪

♪ Take any heart but ours ♪

♪ Take heart
Fair days will shine ♪

♪ Take any heart
Take mine ♪

[vocalizing ascending scales]

[embellishing vocalizations]

- [singing ends]
- [plinking]

[Abby] So tell me, Miss O'Neil...

how did you arrive
at a career in the theater?

Why, I have to believe

I was fated for it.

"Talent like yours, Nance,
why, it outs itself!"

That's what my mentor,
the great Henry Irving said to me

when I did a season for him at the Lyceum.

- [light melancholy music plays]
- [dog growls softly]

I know there are those
who look down on the lives we lead,

we rude mechanicals.

But I look at the freedom I have

to travel the world free of the burden
of husband and children.

Why, I believe it is the greatest gift
a woman could ever receive.

And not a day goes by
that I don't thank my lucky stars for it.

Lizzie, might I have a word?

[tender music playing]

What a treat it has been
spending time with you.

The cherry on top of the ice cream sundae
that was my time in Fall River.

[Lizzie laughs softly]

But alas, I'm going to Poughkeepsie,
where I will for the first time

give my Lady M in the great Scottish play.

You mean Macbeth.

- [breathes deeply]
- [horse neighs]

You're not supposed to say
the play's name.

Anyway.

[music resumes]

The next time the muse of Thespis whispers
me back to this quaint little burgh...

I do hope you and I
can while away an hour or two together.

I would love that.

Ta.

[door opens]

Bye.

[horse neighs]

[door shuts]

[rooster crows]

[thudding]

[footsteps approaching]

[door squeaks]

Maggie.

[door shuts]

What?

I just wanted to see you.

[sighs] Well, here I am.

I've had a bit of a day of it.

I've been working 20 hours
without a minute of rest.

I need to sleep.

Is there anything I can do?

[door creaking]

[elegant classical piano playing]

[birds singing]

Who is this?

Wild canaries.

Ten dollars. I only sell as pair.

[Lizzie] Uh...

What is that?

[horse neighs]

Have a nice day.

- [chirping]
- [piano music ends]

What are their names?

I haven't named them yet.

If they fly away, I'll let them go.

If they stay, I'll name them.

I want to name them
after Mr. and Mrs. Borden are dead.

[Maggie] I'm sorry.

I was cold to you last night.

That's okay.

I hate to see them treat you like a dog.

They're just making the bed
they'll have to lie in in the end.

N'est-ce pas?

[sighs]

[Maggie sniffs]

[soft music playing]

[light cough]

You're so fascinated with this woman.

You're rabid with her bloodlust.

[Lizzie scoffs softly]

Do you know why?

She outsmarted them.

She got away with it.

She did these things
and she wasn't punished for it.

I find that fascinating.

Her cruelty...

Excites you.

Sometimes I wonder,

did she really do these things?

Is it just a story with embellishments?

Could people really be
that cruel back then?

People haven't changed.

People t*rture people.

Now. They always have.

It's everywhere around you, Lizzie.

You just don't see it.

What do you mean?

[Maggie] If you want, I can...

I can show you
if you promise not to scream or cry.

It'll make it worse.

What do you mean?

Bertha Manchester.

The Gorgon.

[rope snaps taut]

[Maggie exclaiming]

[clanking]

[grunting]

You little Mick d*ke.

Looking at me like that.

Making me look at you like that!

[inhales sharply]

- [grunts]
- [loud crack]

[Maggie yelps]

- [grunts]
- [lashing]

[breathes shakily]

[Lizzie] Maggie...

[clears throat]

Would you put this ointment?

Of course.

[somber music playing]

I'm sorry.

[Maggie breathes sharply]

She had a... [coughs softly]

She had a cat o' nine tails.

She used it on... on girls before me.

Does this hurt?

It's okay.

[breathes deeply]

[sobbing softly]

- I'm sorry I'm crying.
- No, don't be sorry.

[Maggie sniffs]

[exhales shakily]

- [Lizzie] Oh, Maggie.
- [sighs]

Bertha Manchester's the first one we k*ll.

We have to make sure

we know what we're doing.

And that we have our courage.

She's an old spinster.
No one will come looking for her.

Be a week until they find her.

Will you do it with me?

[music fades]

Yes.

Yes.

[Lizzie breathing shakily]

[music rises]

[music fades out]

I thought I heard something in the night.

Knocking.

I bet it was three in the morning.

It's the witching hour.

It's a mockery to our Lord Jesus Christ
who died at three in the afternoon.

Death has been knocking
at your door, Lizzie.

Maybe... maybe it was whoever's been
breaking into the house, stealing things.

Maybe.

I have noticed things going missing.

Mr. Borden's pocket watch
and Mrs. Borden's jewelry.

[laughs]

[chuckling] What on...
What on earth are you talking about?

[chuckles]

Lizzie, you're a fabler. Ananias.

I know you're stealing.

I've seen where you've been hiding it.

[giggles]

[laughs]

What are you doing here?

I was just keeping Maggie company.

Well, I don't like that.

I like when Maggie
does the work on her own.

It's not right, you helping the help.

What would Mrs. Borden think?

[light scoff]

I think Mrs. Borden would be happy
just to have me out of the house.

[light music rises]

All right.

- [dog whines]
- [floor creaking]

Let me.

Eight o'clock.

Tonight.

[clock pendulum ticking]

[chimes tolling]

[bells clanging]

[munching]

[grumbling]

[distant clattering]

[shouts] What was that?

Maggie!

[Maggie] Help! Help!

What is it?

[Maggie] It's Lizzie.
She's hurt. She fell off her chair.

Oh. Well...

I don't care about that.

[Maggie] She broke all your fine china.

[suspenseful music plays]

[Bertha shouts] What?

[grumbles]

Not my china.

[panting] That b*tch!

[discordant notes playing]

Okay, now, let me get my hands on her.

[quick gasp]

[clock ticking]

[inhales sharply, grunts]

Where are you?

[panting, gasping]

[music peaks]

[shouts] Ah!

[exhales shakily]

[deep guttural groan]

[cracking]

- [cracking]
- [Bertha moans]

[moaning gag]

[throaty groan]

[Lizzie] It's stuck.

Maggie!

Maggie!

Maggie, hatchet!

[stirring music builds]

Maggie, help!

[heaving]

[straining]

[agonized wailing]

[wet hollow cracking]

[sobbing]

[tense music rising]

[Bertha shuddering]

[panting and gasping]

This is for whipping Maggie.

[piercing scream]

[music stops]

[Lizzie panting]

[somber music plays]

["The End" by The Doors playing]

[clattering]

[barks]

[dog barking]

[thunder rumbling]

[insects chirring]

♪ This is the end ♪

♪ Beautiful friend ♪

♪ This is the end ♪

♪ My only friend, the end ♪

- ♪ This is the end ♪
- [dog barking]

♪ My only friend, the end ♪

♪ Of our elaborate plans, the end ♪

♪ Of everything that stands, the end ♪

♪ No safety or surprise, the end ♪

[grunting]

♪ I'll never look into your eyes again ♪

- [dog whimpering]
- [cracking]

[growling]

♪ Can you picture what will be? ♪

♪ So limitless and free ♪

♪ Desperately in need ♪

♪ Of some stranger's hand ♪

♪ Ride the snake ♪

♪ Ride the snake ♪

♪ To the lake ♪

Lizzie.

Can I stay with you tonight?

♪ The snake, he's long ♪

♪ Seven miles ♪

♪ Ride the snake... ♪

[Abby] Lizzie!

Lizzie!

[music picks up]

She stole something, didn't she?
I knew it.

What did she steal?

Something terrible has happened,
Mrs. Borden.

[breathes deeply]

Um... Bertha Manchester
was m*rder*d with an axe.

What?

I do beg your pardon.

She was m*rder*d?

I wasn't there.

She said she doesn't need me for a week.

When did it happen?

[officer] We're not quite sure.

The neighbors noticed the smell.

♪ Weird scenes inside the gold mine ♪

♪ Ride the highway west, baby ♪

[flies buzzing]

[officer] And the flies.

She did it.

She did it, didn't she?
I would not put it past her.

Maggie wasn't even at that house
all last week.

Miss Manchester was beating her,
so she spent every day with me.

I can vouch for her,

as can about 100 other people
in town who saw us together.

- Yes, you can ask--
- Quiet, please, both of you.

It appears to have been a robbery.
We're just covering bases here.

We think we actually have
the fella in custody already.

Um, just looking for more proof,

or any clues.

♪ Come on, baby
Take a chance with us ♪

♪ Come on, baby
Take a chance with us ♪

♪ And meet me
At the back of the blue bus ♪

[speaking indistinctly]

- [continues indistinctly]
- ♪ Come on, yeah ♪

[music picks up]

Good morning, Mr. Borden.

Mr. Borden.

[crunching loudly]

[music crescendoing]

♪ This is the end ♪

- [music fades]
- [low thunder rumbling]

- [Maggie] Lizzie.
- [insects chirring]

Lizzie, please.

Lizzie, please talk to me.

Maggie, stop. It's done.

What is? Why?

It's over.

This dream of being free
of this together is done.

- Because of what happened?
- Because you don't want to be.

I saw it in your eyes when you froze.

This is a prison for me, Maggie,
and I have to escape it.

If you're not gonna help me,
then I have to do it alone.

No. No, Lizzie.

No, please. Lizzie.

I want to help you.

I do. I... Please, I don't...

I really, I... I don't know why I froze.

But when I saw her lying on her back
with the axe in her gut,

she looked like an animal.

And I pitied her.

I know she whipped me and called me a dog...

but I couldn't move.

But I promise you,
it will be different the next time.

I'm sorry.

How will it be different?

Because I love you.

[gentle music rises softly]

And I will do anything to help you.

I swear.

Your parents, they deserve it.

The way they talk to you
and the way they treat you.

I... I want you to be free of that.

And I want to help you.
And I promise you, I won't pity them.

Next week, we're k*lling them.

[Lizzie] Oh, it's okay.

Okay.

[exhales deeply]

[sniffs]

Just let me have the first whack.

[chuckles quietly]

[low thunder rumbling]

[bittersweet string music playing]