[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[LANDLORD] Father!
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[LANDLORD]
Open the door, Father!
[BANGING ON DOOR]
[LANDLORD] Father!
Father!
[DOOR RATTLING]
[LANDLORD] My god!
[BANGING ON DOOR]
[LANDLORD] Father!
Father!
[BANGING ON DOOR]
[LANDLORD] Don't make me
break down the door, Father.
This is my door.
Father!
We're breaking in!
[BANGING ON DOOR]
[GRUNTS]
My god!
You were right.
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
N-No, don't touch him!
Call the village officials.
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC BECOMES SINISTER]
[AVRIL] Cita?
Cita.
Um, sorry.
Where did you go?
Did your mind go someplace
that you didn't want to be?
Cita? We don't have
much time left.
No.
Sorry.
Um...
Today was a lot.
But I'm fine.
I understand, and I know
what this day means to you.
But, Cita, you've come so far.
You should be proud
of yourself.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
That's all the time
that we have.
It was nice seeing you, Cita.
And I hope you know how much
progress you've made, okay?
Thank you. I have to go.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CITA] Slowly.
[SAM CHUCKLES] It's heavy.
- [CITA] Yeah. Thank you, Sam.
- [SAM] No problem.
By the way, how many pieces
are we expecting?
[THUD]
Oh, careful!
Uh, I'm not sure.
But I'm heading there
after this.
Where is it?
In Quiapo, I think.
Quiapo?
Cita, it's rush hour.
- You'd better hurry.
- You're right.
You might get stuck in traffic.
You know what?
Leave this to me.
- Are you sure?
- [SAM] Yeah.
Alright. I might come back
with nothing anyway.
No need to make too much space.
- Okay. Got it.
- Thank you, Sam.
Oh, and include the tea set
once our client
claims this cabinet.
W-Wait. Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure.
Didn't you inherit that?
It's fine.
I want to get rid of it.
- Thanks again, Sam. Take care.
- Okay.
- Take care!
- See you!
Can I handle this?
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[KNOCKING]
[CREAKING]
Are you okay?
Uh, sorry, ma'am.
I haven't been getting
enough sleep.
It was me and my nephew
who found the priest's body.
Collapsed in his seat.
Hmm.
Is that so?
Ma'am
You have no idea.
Every night I keep seeing
his face.
You see, my nephew...
He never talked much,
but since then...
he hasn't said a word.
[SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING]
[CITA CLEARS THROAT]
Um...
Is this also for sale?
Yes. Everything is.
Everything?
What about his next of kin?
Father Thomas didn't have any.
Not even one?
I've been looking for people
to give these to.
I haven't found anyone.
Even the village officials
just left everything here.
[CITA] Didn't they take anything
for an investigation?
They took a few things
but gave everything back
right away.
Uh...
How come?
They said there was nothing
suspicious about his death.
The autopsy report says
it was a heart attack.
So, technically,
everything here
belongs to me now.
I mean, he was old, but
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
But?
Uh...
He never really went out
of this room.
He'd always get his groceries
and food delivered.
I don't even know where he got
the money to pay for them.
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
The few times he came out,
he didn't stay out for long.
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
Didn't they return his bed?
The bed?
No.
What is it?
Everything is exactly as it was
when we found him.
I didn't notice it.
I guess he didn't have a bed.
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
Let me.
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[CITA] Do you have
the key for this?
I couldn't find it.
That lowers its value.
Alright, I'll take it
for 10,000.
Pardon?
Ten thousand?
It still needs to be valued.
And you will still need
to do research.
Good luck selling it online.
Alright, 15,000.
That's my final, best offer.
Fiftee-- Just the cabinet?
No.
No?
Sixty.
[SCOFFS] Sixty thousand
just for a cabinet?
Sixty thousand for everything.
Take all of it.
Wait a second.
I'm not here
to clear this place out.
I'm just here to see
if there are interesting pieces.
Ma'am, let's not
play games here.
I actually looked
this up online.
It's over a century old
and still in good condition.
This cabinet is like no other.
It's one of a kind.
It's rare. That's why
you're interested, right?
And that desk and chair?
I could sell those for 50,000.
So I'm asking for 60,000
for everything.
You won't have it valued?
Like I said, ma'am...
I've hardly slept for days.
I can't get rid of that priest's
face and smell in my mind.
I want to forget this place.
So take everything right away!
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[THUD]
Hey! Careful!
Be careful!
It might break.
That's expensive.
[MAN] Got it, ma'am.
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
What's that?
A book.
The writing is in Latin,
but I can't decipher
some of the words.
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SIGHS SHARPLY] S.
[MUSIC BECOMES EERIE]
[CREAKS]
[CREAKING]
[EERIE MUSIC SWELLING]
[INHALES SHARPLY] Ow!
[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DRAMATIC STING]
[GASPS]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CAMERA CLICKS]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES]
Hi. Sorry, Rabbi Ezra Jacob?
I'm Cita Mendoza.
We were on the phone earlier.
I'm the one
with the antique store.
Oh, right, yeah.
Cita, nice to meet you.
Sorry, I'm just clearing up
a few things.
We use the library to teach kids
in the morning, so...
Oh, yeah, no worries.
Take your time.
Do you mind
if I set up here, though?
Oh, no, not at all.
Make yourself comfortable.
You said your name's Mendoza.
Are you Jewish?
No, I'm...
Sorry, why do you ask?
It's just that Mendoza's
a Jewish name.
Oh, I thought it was Spanish.
Well, I mean, yeah,
it's Jewish and Spanish.
A lot of Jewish families
had to flee from Spain
to its colonies during
the Spanish Inquisition.
Oh, I didn't know that.
Oh, I put some tea on.
Would you like some?
Oh, no, thank you.
I'm not much of a tea drinker.
You sure?
That's black tea in the city,
whole country, even.
If I do say so myself.
My cousin sends me boxes of it
from the UK.
Sure, why the hell not?
Oh, I'm so sorry. Are we--
Am I allowed to say that here?
Yeah, that's not a problem.
Jews don't believe in hell.
- Here you go.
- [CITA] Thank you.
Oh, I mean, I stand corrected.
It's really good.
You never know
what will surprise you.
Like you, for example.
How do you mean?
I mean, you don't look
like a rabbi.
What do you mean by that?
I mean, you're just not
what I expected.
Were you expecting
a curly-haired Gandalf?
Sorry, is that a Jewish thing?
I'm not familiar.
No, it's a...
You know what, nevermind.
You needed my help
with something?
Oh, right, yes.
So, I came across
a very interesting piece.
It's actually a cabinet,
and it has a lot of Jewish
symbolism and imagery on it.
I was hoping you could help me
figure out what it meant.
I could certainly
give it a shot.
So very interestingly enough,
it used to belong to a priest.
That is interesting,
because right off the bat,
I can tell you
that's not a cabinet.
What do you mean?
It's an ark.
Like, Ark of the Covenant, ark?
I mean, well, yeah, sort of.
I mean, the Ark of the Covenant
was used to hold
the Ten Commandments,
but a normal ark
is used to hold the Torah.
So, like a bookcase
for Jewish Bibles?
Not really a bookcase.
It's meant to hold
the Sefer Torah,
and it's scroll format
like here, I'll show you.
So, these are miniature ones.
I mean, obviously we have
the big, full-size one
in our ark in the prayer hall,
but the thing about that ark is,
I've never seen an ark
quite like that one before.
You wouldn't happen
to have found
some scrolls in there,
would you?
Well, that's the thing.
It has a lock right there,
and I'm scared
if I try to pick it,
I might damage it
and it'll lose its value.
I mean, well, if there are
Sefer Torahs in there,
I mean, those would be
priceless.
Oh, well,
care to place a bid?
Um...
Well, I mean, we already
have an ark, right?
In the prayer hall, but...
you know, if there were antique,
ancient scrolls in there,
then, yeah.
I mean, I'd be interested
in that.
I'll make sure to let you know
if I do open it.
But while I have you here,
I was wondering
what these meant.
I mean, well, those are vavs.
They're sort of like
the Hebrew letter V,
Or sometimes U.
Sometimes O.
It's complicated.
[CHUCKLES] Oh, okay,
but why are there three?
I'm not sure.
Maybe it's some kind
of signature.
I mean,
it might be easier if I could,
you know,
take a closer look.
Maybe I could come over
to your shop sometime.
I mean, if you wouldn't mind.
[CHUCKLES]
I mean, I think I can
arrange for that.
[CHUCKLES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
- Hey, Alexa.
- [PHONE CHIMES]
Is Mendoza a Jewish last name?
[VOICE PROMPT] Mendoza is
a Sephardic Jewish name
common to Spain
and Portugal
prior to
the Spanish Inquisition.
Hey, Alexa, list some
Jewish-Spanish last names.
Here are some Spanish surnames
of Sephardic Jewish origins.
Castro, Dela Cruz,
Fernandez, Gomez
[ENGINE REVS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[DOOR THUDS, METAL CLINKS]
[DOOR CREAKS]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
[PHONE THUDS]
[CITA GASPS]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CABINET DOOR CREAKING]
[PANICKED BREATHING]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DOOR OPENS]
Hello.
Miss Cita?
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[ZOETROPE WHIRRING]
[NOSTALGIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[VINCE CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[CITA] Vince!
[VINCE] Hello, Miss Cita.
[CITA] Thanks for coming.
How have you been?
[VINCE] I've been good.
What about you?
It's been a while.
[CITA] It has.
I've been quite busy.
And your family?
We're getting by, thank God.
Isabel's graduating from
high school this year.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
I'm sure you're
very proud of her.
Of course.
I'm glad to hear
you're doing great.
Mm-hmm.
So, what new item have you
got for me this time?
I haven't found anything good
the last few months.
but when I went down
to Quiapo...
jackpot.
Lots of these came
from that place.
But this
this is something.
Take a look at this.
Miss Cita,
this is just a novelty item.
No, look.
It has the star of David on it,
and it used to be owned
by a priest.
Don't you think
that's interesting?
Fine. Let's see.
[CITA] Hold on.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
Hmm.
It's a replica of
Solomon's seal.
I'm not an expert,
but from what I know
this has something to do
with demons.
During the 70s and 80s,
the satanic panic
was on the rise,
where films like Exorcist
were out.
So this one's worn
for protection
and to ward off evil.
It's been around
since the 19th century.
Just like Ouija boards.
Those emerged just like that?
Well, everyone believed they had
some kind of mystical power.
However...
This is just my opinion, okay?
I think it's only a product
designed to capitalize
on people's superstitions
at that time.
Did you know Ouija board
is a trademarked board game?
Yeah, I have an original one
back there.
A collector's item.
See?
But I don't know, Vince,
I can't get that dead priest
off my mind.
The only thing that isn't
antique among his things
his light bulbs.
Could you just take a look?
Alright, let's test it.
[PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES]
Wait.
What is it?
Miss Cita,
[CITA] What is it, Vince?
This?
This is pure gold.
As in, the whole 24 carats.
Really?
Do you have an idea
where it's from
or how old it is?
Unfortunately, no.
And no one can tell
because pure gold
does not react to oxygen
and its surroundings.
It's highly resistant
to corrosives.
All I can tell you is
This
this piece is worth
a lot of money.
You're looking at between
a hundred to a hundred
and fifty thousand pesos.
sh*t.
One hundred thousand?
[VINCE] Miss Cita,
seems like this is the luck
you've been waiting for.
[CHUCKLES]
[SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING]
[KEYS CLINKING]
[SOLEMN MUSIC CONTINUES]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[FAUCET RUNNING]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
[FAUCET RUNNING]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[GASPING]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[JACOB] Hmm...
The Shin.
What's that?
Oh, well, it's basically
the Hebrew for the letter "sh".
It's like a "sh" sound.
But we also use it to
represent the name of God,
because we're not
actually allowed to say it.
You know, the third commandment,
"Thou shalt not take
the Lord's name in vain."
We take that quite literally.
Why do I feel like
I've seen this symbol before?
Oh, yeah, Spock.
You know, that's where Leonard
Nimoy actually got it from.
Sorry, Leonard who?
[JACOB] Nimoy.
You know,
"live long and prosper."
I'm guessing you know
it's a Trekkie.
Whatever that is.
- Um...
- Okay.
Anyway, what about this
in the back here?
I mean, I recognize some of
the symbols like male, female,
but this whole thing,
it's a seal, right?
I mean,
according to the Internet?
Yeah, King Solomon's seal,
King David's son.
Do you know the story
of Solomon? It's in the Bible.
Oh, I'm not really much
of a church goer.
Right. So, Solomon was
the king of ancient Israel
over 3000 years ago,
and many people believe
that God not only spoke to him
and promised him wisdom,
but also gave Solomon signs
to give him power of
a man and demon.
Sorry, demons?
Well, I believe that faith
is all about adapting
an interpretation like
with Beelzebub, for example.
So, um...
You know, Christians
will tell you
that Beelzebub
was a demon
that was banished by Solomon
under Lake Tiberias,
which is now, you know,
the Sea of Galilee.
But archaeologists
will tell you
that Beelzebub
was actually a god
that was worshipped
by the Philistines.
So, perhaps the story
of Beelzebub
is actually a metaphor,
you know.
Instead of banishing demons,
Solomon was banishing
other religions
and the gods
that they worshipped.
But when you say "banished,"
what does that mean?
Um... So, what Solomon
would do
is that he would take
a piece of parchment
like this, for example.
And then, he would draw
the symbol of the demon
on the parchment
and beside it,
he would write
a prayer.
And then he would fold
the parchment like this,
and he would pour wax
onto the folds,
and then he would seal it
with a ring
which held his insignia,
which is why it's called
King Solomon's Seal.
[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]
Um... A ring.
Something like this?
Yes, exactly like this,
actually.
You said this came
from a priest?
Yeah.
Well, that's...odd.
So, what happened
to Beelzebub?
Well, according
to legend,
Beelzebub and 42
other demons
were banished
under Lake Tiberias,
and no matter how much
they tried
to claw their way back
to the surface,
they could only
dig deeper,
which is why
many religions
have this idea of hell
being underground.
I thought you said Jews
don't believe in hell.
Oh, we don't.
I mean, Jews don't believe
in any of this stuff.
The signs, the demons...
We still believe
that souls
are treated differently
after death
based on how good
they were in life, of course.
But, um, as for all the stuff
with Beelzebub,
most Jews do not
believe in that.
You'd be surprised, though.
Even some rabbis,
they still hold vigil
on the mountaintops
overseeing Lake Tiberias.
Um... You know...
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
"Keep vigil?" Like watch over?
Sort of.
[GRIM MUSIC CONTINUES]
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
Yeah, they pray constantly.
They take turns,
they take shifts,
they pray to keep
the demons from escaping.
[GRIM MUSIC CONTINUES]
[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
So, what about these
other symbols?
I recognize some of them,
but I don't know
their significance
to Judaism.
Well, supposedly,
there were many symbols
that God passed on
to Solomon
apart from the 42
that represented demons.
So, there were some that
could summon wealth,
some of them could
summon storms,
and some of them could
even help you win arguments.
So, is that what these
symbols are?
Yes and no. So, Jews...
Well, we don't actually
believe in these symbols.
They only started popping up
in medieval Europe much later,
so it's possible that
your ark was vandalized
or that it belonged
to the Kabbalah.
Kabbalah, like the bracelet?
Well, Kabbalah was actually
originally a form
of Jewish mysticism.
It's not technically my
jurisdiction, so to speak.
Well, do you know anyone
that can tell us more
about these symbols?
Yeah, I suppose I do.
Yeah.
You don't sound so enthused.
Ever since Kabbalah went
mainstream in the early 2000s,
it's been a far cry from like
actual Jewish mysticism.
Nowadays, anybody
who's into demonology
alternative healing,
even religious conspiracy
theories can claim
that their beliefs
stem from Kabbalah.
And this person you know?
All of the above.
[STIRRING MUSIC PLAYING]
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[SAM] Cita, I'll go now.
Okay. Thank you, Sam.
I'll just put these here.
What are you reading?
Um, the book of Solomon.
Ah, from the Bible.
Yeah. Do you know anything
about King Solomon?
Well, all I know is that God
spoke to him in a dream
and He promised
him wisdom. [CHUCKLES]
Do you believe that
he spoke with the Lord?
Of course, it's written
in the Bible.
Why do you ask?
It's just that there are people
who can see,
who can hear voices...
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Sorry, never mind. Never mind.
Thank you.
I'll see you tomorrow.
[SAM] Okay.
Is there something
bothering you?
I'm okay. Thank you.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[DARK MUSIC PLAYING]
[DARK MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DOOR CREAKING]
They're coming!
[GASPS]
[DARK MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[DARK MUSIC CONTINUES]
[STIRRING MUSIC PLAYING]
[STIRRING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[CITA] Oh, hi.
[JACOB] Cita, hi.
This is Zachary.
He is the mekubbal of
the local Kabbalah society.
Oh, Cita Mendoza.
Nice to meet you.
Zachary Santos.
Pleasure to meet you.
Rabbi Jacob said something
about an antique.
Oh, yes, right.
He also mentioned
that you might be able
to help us figure out what
some of these symbols mean.
How about this symbol?
"Might" being the
operative word.
Ah, Solomon's seals.
Yes, we got that far.
Doesn't it look
like a star
representing demons
or something?
You must be thinking
of pentagrams.
No, actually, Kabbalah
believes that pentagram
is a symbol of love.
In medieval Europe,
if you believed in Kabbalah,
you would put pentagrams
all over your walls,
and it would strengthen
your bonds of love.
It was the
Christians of Europe
that thought that Kabbalah
was evil.
And then from there on,
the pentagram was associated
with witchcraft, which it's not.
Actually, if you really want
an evil symbol,
it would be more
like this.
This is King Solomon's seal
of Beelzebub.
This is the symbol
that King Solomon used
- to banish him forever.
- [CITA] Wait.
This is on the back
of the priest's ark.
The priest?
Oh, right. Sorry.
These antiques that I bought
were from a priest
that passed away
a week ago in Quiapo.
The ring, the ark,
everything belonged to him.
The ark. The ark.
An ark in the Philippines.
I think I've heard of this.
I remember something
about an ark in the Philippines.
It's so familiar. It...
[ZACHARY] I've lost it.
Never mind.
If it's important,
I'll remember it later.
Go on.
Right. So, we're just trying
to figure out
where he got
all these things from.
I mean, he even had these books
written in ancient Hebrew.
Why would a priest have a book
written in ancient Hebrew?
- The Word, Rabbi. The Word.
- Oh.
- Sorry, the Word?
- Here we go.
The Word is the very core
of Kabbalah belief.
You see, Genesis 1:3.
"God said, "Let there be light,"
and there was light."
Correct.
Psalms 33:6.
"By the word of the Lord,
the heavens were made."
Right.
Psalms 33.9.
"For He spoke,
and it came to be."
You see in both the Torah
and the Old Testament,
it doesn't say that he waved
his hands in the air
or he flicked the wand.
It says that he spoke
and miracles occurred.
It's the Kabbalah belief
that ancient Hebrew
is the language given
from God to man,
and within it is the power
to perform miracles.
And that is where
our faiths diverge.
See, you think that.
I know what
you're going to say.
We've been through
this before.
In Lashon Hakodesh,
there is a phrase,
"Hmpteh Nimza Bathtivim,"
which means...
"The key is in the scripture."
It's almost the same
in modern Hebrew.
The scripture. It's in the Word.
See, we use magic words
all the time,
but we never really consider
where they come from.
You see, for example,
when you say a prayer,
what do you say at the end
of your prayer?
"Amen."
Yes, we say "Amen."
"Amen," which means "truly."
And what do we say
in ancient Hebrew?
Well, in ancient Hebrew,
we used to say,
"I will create as I speak."
In Lashon Hakodesh,
Rabbi, what do we say?
"Abra Kehdavra."
The magic words, you see?
No way. That's where that
comes from?
Yes, but it's not nearly
as interesting
as where the word "magic"
itself comes from.
Do you know where
this comes from, Cita?
Oh, god.
Are you familiar with
the variation "magi"?
Oh, like the three wise men.
Precisely.
The three wise men
who followed the star
and found the baby Jesus.
But see, how did they know
to follow the star?
See, the magi were
an order of priests
from an ancient civilization
almost 13,000 years old.
Every ancient religion
has accounts of the magi
being capable of sorcery,
and it is my belief
they unlocked
the power of the Word,
that they cracked the code.
See, when I say "code,"
I mean literal code,
because Hebrew character,
every letter
has a corresponding number.
Isn't this right, Rabbi?
Yes, correct. Yes.
As written in the Torah,
we can use it as language,
but also in mathematics.
Our sentences form
scientific equations,
and the Kabbalah have
been trying to solve
those equations
for over 4,000 years.
- Unsuccessfully.
- But the magi did.
The magi did, and
they unlocked the power.
And they were able
to perform miracles.
[STIRRING MUSIC PLAYING]
Wait, did you say that every
Hebrew letter
- also has a number?
- Yes.
So, that means...
Alef is one, Bet is two,
Vet is three...
Oh. So Vav is seven.
Well, actually, Bet and Vet
are both variations
of the same letter,
so they both mean two.
So Alef is one,
Bet and Vet are both two,
Gimel is three,
Dalet is four,
Hey is five,
and Vav is... six.
[STIRRING MUSIC CONTINUES]
Six, six, six.
[STIRRING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]
[GRIM MUSIC CONTINUES]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[GLASS SHATTERS]
Aah!
Hmpteh Nimza Bathtivim.
[PHONE CHIMES]
[DARK MUSIC PLAYING]
Are you sure
this is the place?
Yeah, but he never really
said where he'd meet us.
Speak of the devil,
and he shall appear.
King Solomon.
So weird, we were
just talking about him
the other day.
Who's he with?
I assume that's
the Queen of Sheba.
Sheba?
Basically ancient Ethiopia,
more or less.
[ZACHARY] Ah, there you are.
Hello friends, this is what
I want to show you.
When you had mentioned an ark,
it started swimming
around in my head.
Ark in the Philippines.
Ark in the Philippines.
And then I remembered
that my friend invited me
to this exhibition,
and there you have it.
Magellan holding
the first Catholic mass
in the Philippines, 1521.
And there's an ark in it.
"Deliverers of the Ark."
Okay, that looks like
the Ark of the Covenant though.
I mean, that's exactly how
it's described in the Torah.
Yes, because S. Dela Torre,
the painter,
was an early colonizer.
He was commissioned
to make this piece in 1590.
That's nearly 70 years after
this event actually happened.
He never saw the Ark,
so he depicted the one
described in the Bible.
The Ark of the Covenant.
Wait, are you saying that...
that could be our Ark?
That it could have arrived
with Magellan?
Or it's a metaphor,
you know, symbolism.
Magellan bringing Catholicism
to the Philippines
for the first time.
I mean, why would Magellan
have an ark?
Mm-hmm. Spoils of w*r.
The Spanish Inquisition
was in full force at the time.
300 years of torturing, k*lling,
and the expulsion
of Jews all across Europe.
You think they wouldn't grab a
few shiny objects along the way?
I mean, that would make it
over 500 years old.
I mean, the ark's
too pristine for that, surely.
No, actually, I've seen older
artifacts in better condition.
I mean, the state of the wood
considering it was covered
in gold leaf,
early 16th century is possible.
You never mentioned that before.
What makes you think
it was covered in gold leaf?
Better question, do we get
some sort of commission
for helping you with this?
Because if that thing
belonged to that guy,
then your ark
could be worth millions.
Wait, is that Pope Leo the 10th?
And Magellan, I didn't know
Magellan went to Rome.
Yes, because the Pope wanted
to bless Magellan's journey.
And as Magellan
circumnavigated the globe,
he passed North Africa,
South America, Indonesia,
and he stopped here.
Why?
In the Philippines, in these
barely inhabited islands,
you see, maybe that was the
entire point of his expedition.
To find the furthest,
most remote location possible.
The perfect hiding spot
for the Spanish Inquisition's
most valuable ill-gotten goods.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CAR DOOR CLOSES]
[EXHALES SOFTLY]
You don't, um...
actually believe him, do you?
Who? Elephant pants?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
No, I mean,
I'm going to say
something crazy.
Crazier than elephant pants?
I'm serious, I mean, it's...
It's really going
to sound crazy.
Try me.
Remember the gold leaf
I mentioned?
The gold leaf that our Ark
definitely doesn't have.
Here's the thing,
I think it did.
Oh, did you read about it,
or did someone
tell you about it?
Uh... I think I saw it.
Saw it like, in a photo?
Um...
In... In a dream.
A dream?
Sorry, I told you, it was going
to sound crazy, never mind.
What else did you see
in the dream?
Um, yeah, um...
[STUTTERING] It was in a vault,
and there was sand
and stone, and
Was someone
in the vault with you?
Um, yeah.
He was wearing a
robe, and he was...
he was chanting.
And, um...
[SIGHS] I can't really remember
that well, it was a dream.
- Oh my god.
- What?
I just realized.
Gold leaf, 666.
Number of the beast.
Bible studies or Iron Maiden?
Iron Maiden, dude, come on.
[LAUGHS]
Okay, well, here's the thing,
it's that, um...
666 isn't actually
the number of the beast.
The significance of
the number
is that Solomon used to
charge 666 talents of gold
to anybody who wanted
an audience with him,
because kings and
queens from far and wide
would come seeking
his God-given wisdom.
Talents as in the
ancient Greek measurement?
Mm-hmm, yeah.
But that's like a lot of gold.
It was.
Whoever made this Ark,
they were telling
the story of Solomon,
not just the demons
that he supposedly banished,
but everything about his life,
like some kind of tribute.
Maybe something like the
queen of Sheba would give him.
Are you suggesting
that this ark,
is from the temple of Solomon
and is over 3,000 years old?
It's made of wood Cita.
Hey, but listen,
if it was covered in gold leaf,
666 talents of it,
I mean,
King Tutankhamun Sarcophagus
is gilded wood,
and it's essentially
the same thing,
and it's in perfect condition.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[AWKWARD GIGGLE]
Nah, nah.
Anyway...
[CAR ENGINE STARTS]
[KEYBOARD CLICKING]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR CHIME RINGING]
[RUSTLING SOUND]
[DOOR CHIME RINGING]
[RUSTLING INTENSIFIES]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR CHIME RINGING]
[DOOR CREAKS]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[RUSTLING]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MOUSE SQUEAKS]
[GASPS]
[RUSTLING]
[MOUSE SQUEAKS]
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
The key's in the scripture.
[PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES]
Please be worth it.
God, please be worth it.
[MUSIC BECOMES FOREBODING]
[FOREBODING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[FOREBODING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[CHUCKLES]
[SOFT THUD]
Hello?
[FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING
[CRUNCHES]
[CLATTERS]
[FOREBODING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC BECOMES EERIE]
Why me?
[PHONE CHIMES]
[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]
[LOUD THUD]
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
This is it.
Any last guesses
on what's inside?
I mean some ancient Sefer Torahs
would be nice.
We're about to find out.
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
[LOCK CLICKS]
Wait, what?
No, there was something
in there.
Well, look, there are scratches
on the back there,
so it looks like something
was rolling around in there,
at some point.
No, I mean,
when they moved it in,
I heard rattling inside.
There was something inside.
Could someone have
stolen it, maybe?
No, no, that's impossible.
I'm the only one with the key
to the store room,
and I just found the key
to the cabinet now.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
Wait, what's this?
Looks like Paleo-Hebrew.
I can't translate it, but I bet
we know someone who can.
Right.
I'll send it to him.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
Oh, God, sorry.
Oh no, I...
I know how much
this meant to you, so...
I need a drink. Join me.
Drink like a...
drink drink?
Oh.
Quite a place you've got here.
Yeah, thanks.
I mean, I can't really take
credit for it.
It belonged to my parents,
but they gave it to me
when they died.
Honestly, if it was up to me,
I'd rather not live here.
Oh, why'd you say that?
It's just a constant reminder
that they're not here anymore.
I mean, I thought
about renting it,
selling it, but I just
feel like I'd be losing,
you know, the only thing
I have left of them.
You need some help with the--
Please.
[GRUNTS]
There you go.
Thank you.
Oh, I'll get the...
Yeah.
So, when you say
you don't drink,
is that like
a Jewish thing or...
Oh. God, no.
No. Jews drink
for every ceremony.
No, that's a
that's a
me thing.
Sorry. I... [SIGHS]
I just can't believe
after all this time,
all this research,
we're still no closer
to finding out where
the hell this thing came from.
Yeah, sorry I haven't been
much help with that.
No.
No, honestly,
you've been such a big help.
I've learned so much from you.
It's...
It's just that
I've never encountered
a piece like that before.
Usually, a simple Google search
or one consultant expert
can tell me exactly
how much a piece is worth.
I mean, could you put
your own price on it?
It's so unique, one of a kind,
it already has a pretty
interesting story behind it.
Well, without knowing
its history,
I'd have to sell it as another
piece of antique furniture.
I'm going to have to sell it,
someone's going to buy it--
hang their clothes in it.
It's too significant for that.
I, um...
I kind of just hope
it's not too significant.
How'd you mean?
Well, I did more research
on the lock
and it's possible
it was made in the Vatican.
So if it turns out
that thing was blessed there,
it would actually
be ill*gal to sell.
Vatican?
You never mentioned that before.
I can't prove it.
It's like everything else
about this stupid cabinet.
Sorry, ark.
Well, you know, Magellan did
go and see the Pope.
[CITA SCOFFS]
Stop.
[JACOB] Well, I mean...
you know, maybe...
this is a blessing in disguise.
What do you mean?
Well, maybe God
doesn't want you to find out
exactly where this ark
came from.
Maybe If you did,
you wouldn't be rewarded
for your effort.
Okay. Well, um...
God works in mysterious ways,
I guess.
Indeed.
I say we cheers to that.
To destiny?
[CITA CHUCKLES]
Sure.
[GLASSES CLINK]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CITA GASPS]
[GLASS BREAKS]
[JACOB] Cita! Cita! Cita! Cita!
[CITA WHIMPERING]
[CITA BREATHING HEAVILY]
[CITA SOBBING]
I'm so sorry.
[SOBBING CONTINUES]
[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]
Sorry.
It's my parents.
Y-Your parents?
They died a few years ago.
My mother was ill.
She, um...
Psychosis.
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
One day, she...
she couldn't
take it anymore
that she threw herself
out the window
and broke her hip, so...
doctors gave her opioids
for the pain.
She was doing better,
you know, for...
for a while.
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
I was visiting from college
and...
I didn't get here in time.
She, um...
She slipped the opioids in...
a bottle of wine.
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
And...
there was enough
to k*ll the both of them.
I found them.
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
I'm so sorry.
I can't imagine
what that must be like.
It was...
I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
The worst part is...
I-I understand how she felt.
Doctors said
it's hereditary.
She was born with it.
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
I could have been
born with it, too.
I didn't believe them
for the longest time.
Until recently.
It started happening to you?
I don't know.
I just...
I just feel like...
I feel like it's my fault.
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
I stopped trying to help her.
I stopped listening to her.
I found myself wishing
she would just...
Um...
Sorry.
I just realized...
you were in the same position
she was when she...
I know.
Trauma like that
never really leaves you.
And the flashes stay.
It becomes a part of you.
But it doesn't have
to define you.
It doesn't have to control you.
Why does that sound like
it comes from experience?
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
Alcohol.
That was my vice.
When you're a holy man,
you will underestimate
how much of it surrounds you.
I hid it well.
Too well.
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]
It...
It cost a child her life.
[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]
[JACOB] I was driving down
a country road one night,
and she was walking home
from a friend's house.
Sometimes I...
Sometimes I feel like
that little girl is watching me.
Just...
watching me live my life.
Wondering why
she can't live hers.
[GRIM MUSIC CONTINUES]
But the judge gave me two years.
Two years.
In exchange for all those years
that little girl never had.
Because, you know,
when a holy man
breaks down in front of a judge
people tend to forgive them.
Even if they shouldn't.
And you know, the thing
that really gets me is that...
when I got out...
nobody judged me,
my friends, my family, nobody.
Nobody brought it up.
[GRIM MUSIC CONTINUES]
And all I could think of
was that...
I wish they did.
I wish I was punished more
[phone ringing]
I'm so sorry.
That's fine.
Hello?
[MAN] Is this Ms. Cita Mendoza?
Yes. Yes, this is Cita.
What is it?
Someone broke into
your shop.
You need to come over
immediately.
- What?
- This is Inspector Flores--
Alight. I'm on my way.
I'm so sorry.
I have to go.
What's going on?
Somebody broke into my store.
[CITA] What happened?
[MAN] Are you the owner?
Yes. What happened?
[MAN] I'm Inspector Flores.
Do you have the key?
[CITA] Yes. Just tell me
what happened.
[MAN] Ma'am.
Ma'am, we were called
by the barangay.
Someone was seen
trashing the place inside.
We don't see any sign
of forced entry though.
Do you have the key?
[CITA] Yes.
[DOOR OPENS, CREAKS]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
Is there anything missing?
Are any of these important?
Not anymore.
[UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DARK MUSIC PLAYING]
[DARK MUSIC CONTINUES]
Ma'am.
Ma'am, please stay close.
Ma'am.
Ma'am, do you know anyone
who could've done this?
Or maybe you locked someone in
after closing the shop earlier?
[DARK MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DOOR CREAKING]
Nieves.
[DARK MUSIC CONTINUES]
My goodness.
Nieves, let's sweep
the outside area.
Okay, sir.
Ma'am.
Do you know any reason
why someone
would destroy your books?
Do you have any books here
that are considered offensive
- to a group of people?
- No, no.
No, I don't.
Alright. Uh...
If anything comes to mind,
just call our office, okay?
Ma'am, will you be
okay here alone
or would you like me to have
an officer accompany you to--
No need. I can manage.
I'm okay.
Alright.
[DARK MUSIC CONTINUES]
[JACOB] And it's just like that.
Every few pages.
No idea why anybody would
make a book like this.
Um...
I guess I've been,
you know, enjoying
unraveling this mystery
with you.
So, just give me a call when
you want me to send these back.
Or you know, I'll have
them sent back to you,
but just feel free
to call me anytime
for whatever, you know,
if you want.
Okay. Bye.
I really should've
practiced that.
[CREAKING]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[FLASK CLATTERS]
[CREAKING]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[GASPS]
[MOROSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Why me?
I don't know.
I wish it was me.
[VEHICLE APPROACHING]
[ELEVATOR DOOR CLOSING]
[INHALES DEEPLY, SIGHS]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Teresita Mendoza?
Yes.
Inspector Edwin Flores.
Yes. Is this about
the shop or...
No, it's not. Um...
I have some bad news.
You might want to go inside
and sit down before--
No, I'm fine here.
What is it? What happened?
Ma'am.
I regret to inform you
that your friend,
Rabbi Ezra Jacob,
got into an accident
this morning.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
If there's anything you need,
just call our office or you
can contact me personally
Ms. Mendoza?
Sorry.
Ma'am
We also learned that
you were the last person
he was trying to contact
before he died.
And um...
He left these for you.
[STIRRING MUSIC PLAYING]
Ma'am, if there is anything
you need,
do not hesitate
to inform us, okay?
Thank you.
I'll go now.
[STIRRING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[JACOB] Hey, Cita. I've been
studying those books you gave me
and what I found
is quite amazing.
I started with the Hebrew
version of the book,
and it's a series
of psalms and prayers.
But here's the thing.
Remember I told you
about the rabbis
who pray over Lake Tiberias,
the ones who believe
they're keeping
Solomon's demons
locked away?
These are their prayers.
The book is full of them, just
repeating over and over.
Here's how it starts...
[SPEAKING IN HEBREW]
[PHONE RINGING]
Zach, now is not
a good time.
- It's a curse!
- What?
- A curse. It's a curse!
- Wait, wait, wait.
What are you talking about?
Cita, I translated that picture
you sent me
of the carving
from inside the ark.
Listen.
During the Crusades,
the Knights Templar
were ransacking all the
temples in Jerusalem
and they were k*lling every
Muslim, Jew, and magi...
I really don't have time
for this.
And then they would
take the treasures
that they found
at the temples
and they would bring
them back to the Vatican.
The magi knew this so they
would curse their treasures...
Zach, enough with the
damn history lesson.
What does it say?
Oh sorry, sorry.
Okay, so the text
translated, it says,
"As above, so below.
As one door opens,
so too does the other.
As above, so below."
It repeats over and over again.
Okay, and then at the top,
it says
"King Solomon's Temple."
And at the bottom,
it says...
- Lake Tiberias.
- Lake Tiberias.
Yes, that's right.
Cita, the magi cursed the ark
to be a gateway to hell.
That's why Magellan came here
in the first place.
To get it as far away from
the Vatican as possible.
Do you realize what you found?
It's
a historical gold mine.
[CHUCKLES]
Cita?
Are you there? Hello?
Cita?
Cita, hello?
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[GLASS SHATTERS]
[TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[GRUNTS]
[THWACKING]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[PANTING]
[THUDS]
[TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC BECOMES SINISTER]
[SINISTER MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC BECOMES DRAMATIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SIRENS BLARING]
Good grief, Ms. Mendoza.
This is the third time
we're seeing each other.
What would
your neighbors think?
Officer
I just lost someone.
My shop was broken into.
And now...
everything is gone.
If you have questions,
ask away.
Where were you
before the fire broke out?
Inventory.
You were in that room?
Did you notice
anything unusual?
Did you smell anything
or see anything?
It all happened so fast.
All I remember is
I was heading out
of the storage room
when I smelled
frying fish.
And then...
something exploded.
The scraps of paper
were the first to catch fire.
Fried fish?
It was probably
an electrical fire.
I'll have it checked.
Well, at least
not everything was lost.
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
The antique cabinet...
It didn't catch fire.
It's in perfect condition.
That's what you call a miracle.
[UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MAN] Hello? Ms. Cita Mendoza?
- Yes.
- I got your message.
Is it still available?
Yes. It just needs cleaning.
No, no. There's no need.
It's okay.
Are you sure?
I have no choice.
There's still so much to do.
Are you sure?
Yes.
I know what I have to do.
- Okay. Got it.
- Alright. Thank you.
[UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES]
[LOUD THUD]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
(Speaking in Hebrew)
[MUSIC FADING]
[CHAIN RATTLING]
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYING]
(Speaking in Hebrew)
[VOICES WHISPERING ALONG
IN HEBREW]
["SO UNHOLY" BY DEAN ROSEN
AND ZOE ALCAZAREN PLAYING]
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