Evil Spirits (1991)

[bunniefuu]

[waves crashing]

[sizzling]

[eerie music]

[thunder rumbling]

[suspenseful music]

[man screams]

[shovel thudding]

[door closes]

[thunder rumbling]

[sighs]

[thunder rumbling]

[humming]

[unnerving music]

Tina, you know you

should be asleep.

Now you go straight

up those stairs, dear.

Come on!

[man] She is a lovely girl, Ella.

Yes, George. She's lovely.

[George] But what a pity.

[indistinct]

So are the others, George.

Every one of them.

[whistling]

[footsteps approaching]

Whoo-hoo!

Whoo-hoo!

I saw you there.

You frisky boy!

[laughs] Good morning, Mrs. Purdy!

It is a nice morning, Mr. Alden.

And how is Mr. Purdy?

Oh, he's fine. He's just fine.

Since we got that

new wheelchair.

Well, it is hard being

confined like that.

Hard on you too, Mrs. Purdy.

Oh, not at all, Mr. Alden.

One must take care of one's own.

Well, that's a fact, ma'am.

Well, first of the month!

Lots of government

checks as usual.

Lots of bills, too!

My boarders have to eat,

you know.

Oh, no, no, ma'am,

you don't have to do that.

[George]

No, but he takes it fast enough!

Expects it too!

Nobody has to do anything.

You just do because

you want to do.

[birds chirping]

Yes, ma'am.

That's mighty kind of you too.

[chuckles, whistles]

[George] He's a nosey bozo!

I don't like him.

No, George, he's harmless.

You can't say something nice.

[George] Ah, pooey!

Pooey!

- More eggs, Vanya?

- No, thank you, Ella.

Willie?

More eggs, Mr. Balzac?

Yes, more. More.

[Mr. Balzac] Yes, please more. More.

[Ella] How's the novel coming?

Coming, coming.

I have writer's block.

But it's coming.

[Ella] Very nice.

Mr. Stevens, I don't see Mr. Stevens

at the table this morning.

Mr. Stevens is

no longer with us.

Oh, too bad.

Bad.

But I'm expecting two

new boarders this morning.

[door bell rings]

Speak of the devil! [laughs]

Help yourselves.

Willie?

Tina, please pass more eggs.

[door bell rings]

This is Ella Purdy?

Yes! Mr. and Mrs. Wilson?

Come in and welcome

to our humble abode.

[suspenseful music]

Now, you understand the condition.

In exchange for

your monthly checks,

which you will sign over to me,

I will provide food and lodging

and whatever out-of-hand

expenses you may require.

A hair clasp for Mrs. Wilson.

A bouquet.

I serve healthful excellent meals

and there is good companionship

amongst the other boarders.

[Mr. Wilson]

Yes, we find that satisfactory.

This is my husband's idea.

The children, too.

Frankly, we don't

have to do this.

Well, no one has to do anything,

Mrs. Wilson.

One does what one chooses to do.

John is a retired fireman,

you know.

He worked in Beverly Hills.

We have a lot of friends there.

Georgia,

Audrey and Billy Wilder.

The Matt ha us.

Oh, I just adore Walter!

And Amy Vanderbilt is

a very close friend.

We visit her often.

She loves us.

Well, perhaps I'll meet them!

Perhaps.

Now, could we see the room?

By all means.

[George] What a lot of crap

that is, I don't like them!

Now, George.

I beg your pardon?

George. My husband,

he's infirmed.

I have to bring him

up his breakfast.

Oh, I'm sorry.

[playful melody plays]

Mm, how quaint.

My retirement watch.

That and a gold plated axe.

The boys had a sense of humor.

[suspenseful music]

Make yourself comfortable now.

Anything you want, you just ask.

[humming]

- [parrot squawks]

- Hello!

[imitates parrot]

Uh-huh. Uh-huh!

[both squawk]

[George]

Ella, you've got banking to do!

Yes, George.

[parrot talks]

Oh, and that creepy drunk

Willie is getting on my nerves.

He's got to go.

[parrot] Probably.

Probably so.

[parrot squawks]

Oh, yeah.

[parrot talking]

Well, I sure about

what I'm doing now.

[suspenseful music]

[George] Oh, here comes Vanya.

She's a pain in the neck.

Everybody on this side

is complaining about her.

You know, George,

that's why it's a good

thing she's over here.

- Excuse me.

- [parrot squawks]

[suspenseful music]

Ella.

Strange things are happening.

Really, Vanya?

Such as what?

I was meditating just now.

Oh.

Mr. Stevens is no longer with us.

Oh, I know that, Vanya.

I told you he moved away.

He moved farther

away than you think.

He moved to the other side.

Oh, I see.

And what makes you say that?

Well, Mr. Potts told me.

I saw him

floating, like a mystery

across the halls.

Maybe you were just dreaming.

Are you sure?

I'm positive.

He wants me to conduct a séance.

He wants to tell us something.

Now, Vanya...

I really think this

is not a good idea.

We must.

Mr. Stevens insist.

[George] Oh, to hell

with that stupid séance.

All right, Vanya.

As you wish.

We'll have it tonight.

Strange things, indeed.

Very strange.

[George] Ah, the only thing

strange around here is her.

She's just a phony

baloney medium.

Is she, George?

I'm not so sure.

[suspenseful music]

[thunder rumbling]

Willie, don't leave.

Everybody's here, come on.

You know I have to.

It'll be nice, don't

you want to see spirits?

No, I'd rather drink them.

Hmm.

I must ask for quiet.

When I go into meditation you

must not disrupt my trance.

It could be very

dangerous for me.

Join hands, please.

[mysterious music]

We'll begin.

I feel the spirits

moving among us.

Yes, I feel you.

Come to us.

Speak to us.

[sighs]

Yes.

I feel you into me.

Who are you?

Speak to us.

[spirit] It is I...

Matt Stevens.

We hear you, Mr. Stevens.

You seem troubled.

[Mr. Stevens] I am.

Why have you come to us?

[Mr. Stevens] My soul is not rest.

I'm disembodied.

I roam...

I roam around.

Into the of darkness.

I have a terrible pain in my eyes.

What is wrong with your eyes?

[indistinct]

[George] Oh, come on,

that Stevens is a jerk.

He's got to spill the beans.

[Mr. Stevens] There is

danger to you all.

There is a death among you.

[suspenseful music]

There is a possession...

[indistinct]

Who is it? To whom we'll speak?

[Mr. Stevens] I have fear...

I cannot tell.

There's danger to me as a well.

Try to tell us.

[Mr. Stevens] I will try.

I will tell you.

It's gotta be George.

[Mr. Stevens] There

will be death to you all

[indistinct]

No, no!

[grunting]

[screaming]

[George laughs] Good, it'll be

the last of that table trapper.

Vanya, Vanya!

You all right?

Oh yes.

Yes, I think so.

[sighs]

What happened?

Oh, I don't know.

We certainly are very

concerned for you.

I felt my body just

transported away, far away.

[sighs]

Like a leaf floating in

the wind, floating downward.

Downward, downward.

All right, well, now we're

going to have some tea.

Come on with me.

Have some chamomile tea

and you'll feel a lot better.

No no dear, it's all

just a lot of nonsense.

But John, it was so real.

Come on, I'll take you upstairs.

One of his fights on TV.

Come on, Tina.

I'll take you to your room.

[thunder rumbling outside]

Better?

Yes.

I'd really like you to stop

dabbling in the occult, Vanya.

One day it could k*ll you.

[pensive music]

There's something

evil in this house.

The only evil thing around here

is what people dream up.

That's what George always says.

No, Ella.

There are malevolent

forces working here.

I want to exorcise this house.

Take out the evil.

Send it into eternal damnation.

[George] Yeah, and hell's

gonna freeze over too.

I'll rid this house

of its evil spirits.

The forces of good will triumph

over the forces of evil.

Vanya, I want you to get your

mind off of these things.

Now, drink your tea.

You'll feel better.

Yes.

And tomorrow you'll feel very

differently about all this.

Things will look better

when this house is free and

clean of this malignancy.

[George] What a jerk.

She's going to end

up in the backyard

with a Tulip going out of her butt.

[mysterious music]

[indistinct]

You'll see.

I think you should go

to bed now, all right?

Rest.

Yes, I am quite fatigued.

[smooching sounds]

Come on.

[whistling] Here comes dinner.

[whistling]

It's all right, hon. It's only me.

[suspenseful music]

[growling]

This place gives me the creeps.

You're just being on edge.

It's the storm in a

strange surrounding.

Séances, drunks and

that weird Mr. Balzac.

Oh, he looks like

Jack the Ripper.

15,000 homeless in New York.

And Tina, with that disturbed

look on her face and mute,

I wonder if she hears.

It says here they're sleeping

in subways and bus terminals.

We're living in a nut house

and all you can talk about

are winos and street punks.

Janet, what's gotten into you?

I don't like it here.

I feel safer sleeping

in the subway.

John, let's leave.

Well, we just got here.

Besides, we signed the

contract with Mrs. Purdy.

And that's another thing,

signing over our checks?

Mrs. Purdy doesn't

look too swift either.

Well, if it'll make you feel any

better, we'll just stay a month.

And if you still feel the

same way, then we'll move out.

I want to leave now.

A month won't make me

feel any differently.

Oh, it's so cold in this house.

- [phone ringing]

- [thunder rumbling]

[typewriter clattering]

[gentle piano music]

[music stops]

[suspenseful music]

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Yes?

- Mrs. Ella Purdy?

- [Ella] Yes?

Well, this is Lester Potts,

the Social Security office.

I'm calling about

a Matthew Stevens.

I believe he lives

at that address.

That is correct.

[George] Oh, is this idiot.

Um...

Who are you again?

Potts, Lester Potts.

I'm a Social Security caseworker.

Um, may I speak to Mr. Stevens?

Well, he's not here right now.

Oh, would you care

to leave a message?

Well, would you

have him call me?

He has my number.

Of course.

Thank you.

[Ella] Bye.

More trouble, George.

[George] Ella, just take

care of the banking.

Stop worrying about trifles.

Take care of the banking.

[sighs] Not a good

day, Orville.

Cheer me up.

[parrot talking]

[parrot squawks]

[suspenseful music]

Nevermind.

Have a nice day.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll do.

[mysterious music]

[engine starts]

[suspenseful music]

Hello, Miss Purdy.

Do you want cash as usual?

Never put your trust in mattresses

or banks. That's my motto.

Well, if everyone did that,

I wouldn't have a job.

Well, with all the savings

and loans going under,

you probably won't have one anyway.

Trust them with my piggy bank.

[George] Don't talk so much.

There is a chance that

perhaps I do talk too much.

[chuckling]

[doorbell rings]

[suspenseful music]

Mrs. Purdy.

Oh, hello.

Would you like to rent a room?

Uh, hardly. The name is Potts.

We spoke on the

phone earlier today.

Oh, about Mr. Stevens.

Did he talk to you?

- No.

- [laughing] Oh.

Well, I'm not surprised.

You see, he went away for the day.

He has to come into the office.

SSI, it's time for

his yearly appraisal.

Oh, I'm sure he'll

contact you, Mr...

Potts, Lester Potts. Would you

please have him call me?

Of course, Mr. Potts.

[George] I don't like that guy.

He's going to cause

us a lot of trouble.

Now now, George.

Patience is a virtue.

And trust...

[indistinct]

[George] And he stinks.

And so does the back yard. I've got

to do something about that, George.

Now, I've called you people three

times and no one's come over here.

It stinks. That's what it is.

The whole neighborhood is

reeking with something rotten.

And it's coming from my next

door neighbor's back yard.

Yes.

No, it's not gas.

No, not garbage. It's--

It-- It smells rotten

like a slaughterhouse.

You come here right away.

You just do something.

Get it? Do it!

It's getting nauseating.

Trash.

Nothing but a house

full of trash and kooks.

[scoffs]

This used to be a

nice neighborhood.

Oh, Mrs. Purdy.

Oh, Mrs.

Wilson, I'm just putting away

some things for the party tonight.

Oh, how nice.

Maybe you could invite some

of your friends, you know.

[indistinct]

Oh well, I don't think

they'd be interested.

Besides, I'm really not

in the mood for a party.

What's the problem?

Well, I spoke to John this morning,

and I don't think we'll

be staying any longer.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Is anything wrong?

Let's just say it

isn't working out

about our checks.

Well, I cashed them today.

I have friends, you know--

Now, now, not to worry, Mrs. Wilson.

I'll give you your money

back in the morning.

But I didn't mean to pry.

I know, I know.

Come on, you to the

pines with Mr. Wilson.

Well, yes, I suppose so. [chuckles]

John does love it, he

loves to dance, you know?

He studied with

Arthur Murray himself.

Well, I'm sure he did.

Why don't you just go ahead

and get yourself all ready to go?

- No one's upstairs.

- [chuckles]

Oughta be easy for a lady

that looks like you do.

[chuckling] Oh, thank you.

Yes, I'll do that.

I'll put on a special party

dress that Liz Taylor gave me.

[soft music]

[soft music stops]

Why so sad, aren't you?

[indistinct]

It's like something that's cold,

down to the marrow in my bones.

Willie.

In your mind?

No, sit down.

I have to talk to someone.

Okay.

What do you think of the

Raiders move into Oakland?

Listen, Willie, something

terrible is about to happen.

Yeah, I know.

Oak has gone mad with a

bunch of stiff like that.

Not that, something here

in this house, tonight.

I won't look like you're having

a hell of a the time to me.

I've been reading the cards

and some of us will

not be here tomorrow.

Yeah, just like I told you,

the Raiders moved to Oakland.

Don't you understand, Willie?

We're all going to die.

You, I, the Wilsons, all of us.

No sh*t, I better

prepare for eternity.

I saw the specter of death

dancing on a cloud of mist,

moving across the moors.

His mighty side was

sweeping a vengeful harvest,

and the lead was dripping red

with new moon blood.

Really?

I don't see snakes on

three-headed babies.

And yours was supposed to

have to be chopped off.

Holy sh*t.

And it roamed like a ball

in a children's playground.

Rolling, rolling.

Never coming to a

stop for all eternity.

It must have stopped for a year.

Grace, lady, you got to

a weird sense of humor.

There is no humor here, Willie.

Only death and destruction.

You don't believe me.

But you'll see.

- You'll see.

- [doorbell rings]

Not if I keep my eyes closed.

[jazz music]

I've been to other places.

And other worlds.

Yeah, me too.

You sure you ain't been in...

[indistinct]

No.

Maybe you should try it.

All of us...

I was hoping you'd come.

Oh, well, I can't

stay very long.

It's been so many years

since I've been in this house.

Nothing's changed.

Not in the inside.

[George] Let her

choke on a pretzel.

Want a pretzel?

But in the outside...

that's really my true

concern, Mrs. Purdy.

[George] She smells something.

I don't understand.

[chuckling] Well...

That terrible smell

in your backyard.

[laughing]

[indistinct]

What?

[indistinct]

Fertilizer.

Fertilizer? [laughing] Oh, my God.

Oh, I'm so embarrassed.

I'm just so embarra--

Well, I...

It smell like dead bodies.

[both laughing]

Oh, well...

I just hope it doesn't

chase away my boarders.

- [doorbell rings]

- Right.

There's the bell, front doorbell.

You just go ahead and

have a wonderful time.

[George] Don't answer it.

There's too many

people in this house.

There's always

room for one more.

[George] Not in the back yard.

That place is filling up.

[jazz music]

Oh, Mr. Potts.

You remember my name?

Of course. Come in.

I'm still having trouble getting

in touch with Mr. Stevens.

Oh, you're so persistent.

I love a persistent man.

But he's still not

here, he's in Chicago.

Chicago?

Chicago.

Oh, I see.

[George] I'd like to send

you within these walls.

Why don't you just

come on upstairs?

We're having our

little monthly party.

- No.

- [George] Are you stupid?

He'll question

everybody about Stevens.

No, he won't.

I'll bet you.

I beg your pardon?

I said, nobody's

going to bite you.

Well, I don't think I can.

Maybe I-- I could stay

for a minute or two.

Good.

[jazz music]

It's a little party for our

boarders, friends, neighbors.

Would you like some punch?

Oh, thank you.

Hey, hey, I hope that's not strong.

Oh, it tastes like

water to me, pal.

Oh?

You want something to

really curl up your toes?

Try... [indistinct]

Sterno ain't half bad either.

Is Mr. Stevens here?

Stevens? No, he's gone.

Chicago?

Chicago.

You know, why not?

Did he say anything?

Oh, he talked a lot.

Mr. Potts, Lester. [chuckles]

This is Tina.

She would love to

dance with you,

wouldn't you, Tina?

Willie.

Yeah?

There's a lovely pack

downstairs, under the kitchen sink.

For medicinal purposes.

[coughs] Yeah.

You hear that cough?

Yes, you better go

on down and get some.

Oh yeah?

For me?

For you.

Sayonara.

Sayonara.

[George] Sayonara, sucker.

Oh.

You're a very good dancer.

Do you like Mrs. Purdy?

Yes, um...

Mr. Stevens...

Do you know where he is?

The other foreigners,

are they all here?

You can't talk.

But you can sure dance.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, all.

This is the last dance

of the evening coming up,

and I have something

sad to tell you.

The Wilsons will be

leaving us tomorrow.

[people wailing]

[people clapping]

[mysterious music]

Thank you for coming.

Good night.

Bye.

I had a nice time.

Oh, looks like rain.

Now, you drive carefully.

[thunder rumbling]

Oh, they're gone, the lights.

But don't tell anyone

about the fertilizer.

I'm drunk.

I would like to

see you tomorrow.

We have some business to take care.

[George] Go, watch out for him.

Of course.

Any time.

Bye, Mrs. Purdy.

[mysterious music]

[George] You've got to do something.

I know, George.

[thunder rumbling]

[George] You're not

to leave this house.

I know that, George.

[George] Everything is

closing in around you.

You better check on Willie.

You better check on Willie?

[suspenseful music]

Here, finished.

I want to leave now.

It's raining, Janet.

I think you're being rash.

And why do I feel this way?

Take a breath.

You'll never believe me.

I know there's something wrong.

I feel it.

[suspenseful music]

[thunder rumbling]

[George] You'll have

to get rid of him.

You'll have to get rid of him.

That's true.

[suspenseful music]

Set the clock for five.

I don't want to see

anybody in the morning.

Yes, dear.

I'll call them tomorrow

and maybe they'll ask us

to stay with them for a while.

Did you hear what I told you?

[indistinct]

Do you hear me?

Do you?

[indistinct]

You're not giving an answer.

Did you hear me, dear?

[thudding]

Sleeping?

You could have been more...

[indistinct]

[dramatic music]

[screaming]

[thud]

[rain falling]

[screams]

Vanya!

Oh God, you scared me to death.

Oh God.

You don't know... [indistinct]

What are you doing down here?

I have to talk to you, now.

Well...

Do you think we

could talk in a minute?

No, now!

Well, I have to find Willie.

He's not here.

He's not here either.

[door slams]

Ella, I must talk to you.

You wait here.

[suspenseful music]

Hurry back.

I must talk to you.

[George] He's not here.

He's not here.

Well, he's not here.

I had another vision.

What'

Yes, just before I

came down to find you.

[George] She knows something.

What do you know?

Everything.

And nothing.

But I saw something.

I saw the Wilsons.

Where, Vanya, where

did you see them?

I saw them in their graves.

They're dead, I know it.

You're imagining things, Vanya.

I saw them leave a

little while ago.

Then why did I see their visions?

[George] You have

to take care of her.

I wonder if Willie's

in the basement.

Let's take a look.

Must we?

Yes, we must.

[suspenseful music]

You look over there.

I'll look here.

All right.

Oh, where is everybody?

[tense music]

[Vanya screaming]

[screaming continues]

Where's everybody?

Take some eggs, Tina.

More coffee, Mr. Balzac?

Where's Vanya?

Where's Willie?

The Wilsons left

early this morning.

Good thing, too.

They were a little weird to me.

I have writing to do. I can't

sit here and wait for everybody.

Can't understand how

somebody could miss a meal.

Sinful.

Sinful.

You've been a very busy lady,

Mrs. Purdy, very busy.

And very rich too.

And where are all those people

you've been collecting checks for?

I think we should

have a little talk.

[typewriter clattering]

[intriguing music]

[typewriter clattering]

[suspenseful music]

[doorbell rings]

Mr. Potts.

Mrs. Purdy, we have something

important to talk about.

May I come in?

Of course.

I didn't expect to see

you so soon, Mr. Potts.

Please, sit down.

Mrs. Purdy...

I've come across some very

disturbing figures in my case files.

Is that a fact, Mr. Potts?

- Yes, I want--

- Would you like some tea?

- I don't think--

- It'll only take me a moment.

You know, tea is very, very

good for you. The Chinese--

Mrs. Purdy, please.

Yes, of course.

Well, I won't interrupt you any more

then you just go right ahead.

Mr. Stevens...

Is he back from Chicago?

[George] Oh, just tell him

anything he wants to hear.

Yes, he is.

Really?

Is he here?

No, he's gone for the day,

but he'll be back this evening.

Good.

I'll come back to see him.

[George] Let's send

this guy for a ride.

Good. Then that's settled.

Not quite.

Mrs. Purdy, as I told you--

Tina! Oh, you remember Tina?

[chuckling] My dancing partner.

How could I, how could I forget

such determined young lady?

Why don't you serve Mr. Potts

some tea? You will, won't you?

Because I have a

little chore to do.

You don't mind, do you?

- No.

- I'll be back in a jiffy.

[suspenseful music]

[somber music]

Hello, Miss Purdy.

- [gasps]

- I can give you a hand.

You got all over

the sports page.

Willie.

Where have you been?

You know, it's a funny thing.

Last thing I remember

was, uh, in the kitchen,

uh, down in that bottle of J.D.

When I woke up, I was

sitting in an alley,

drinking furniture

polish with some bum.

[indistinct]

[George] This guy's got

a cast iron stomach.

Willie...

One of these days, you're

going to poison yourself.

Maybe.

Right now, I need

a hair of the dog.

If you don't stop

your drinking, Willie,

you'll be seeing pink elephants.

[tense music]

[clears throat]

Very lovely.

Very, very lovely.

Where is Mr. Stevens?

You must know something.

Where are all the boarders

who are supposed

to be living here?

Oh, oh.

[Ella, gasps] Mr. Potts!

I daresay your behavior couldn't

be found a government manual.

I very disappointed in you,

Mr. Potts!

And I suggest that you

leave the premises.

Oh.

Anything you

want to discuss,

we can discuss tonight!

Or I could discuss it with your

superior on the telephone now!

Alright, Mrs. Purdy!

Tonight.

[George]

Take a hike, brother.

A long hike.

[suspenseful music]

[car engine starts]

[tires screeching]

What the heck?

Oh.

Oh, what the heck!

[pedal thudding]

Holy cow!

[screams]

[crashing]

[indistinct announce on PA]

How are you feeling, Mr. Potts?

Like a million bucks.

How the hell am

I supposed to feel?

Well, you could feel lucky.

It's quite a crackup you had.

You should have

that kind of luck.

Let's see how your

temperature is.

This is Detective

Watson from the LAPD.

He wants to talk to you.

How are you feeling?

Oh.

What is this?

20 questions?

Do you have any reason

to take your own life, sir?

Are you crazy?

No, but we are concerned.

Do you know anyone

that would want to k*ll you?

No, why?

Your break line was cut.

Who would want to do that?

That's what we're

here to find out.

It was either you

or somebody else.

What the hell is

going on around here?

Just answer the questions.

[Ella] I didn't expect to

see you so soon, Mr. Potts.

Mrs. Purdy.

Why don't you serve Mr. Potts

some tea? You will, won't you?

Because I have a little chore to do.

No, there's no one.

Oh?

Is that so?

It was no one, I'm sure.

But that line was cut clean.

I think,

I think I know what happened.

I, I was driving down the street

and I ran over this hubcap.

I could hear a lot of

noise under the car,

and I think it cut

the brake line.

I suppose it could do that. Yes.

Thank you, Doctor. [sighs]

I hope you're feeling better,

Mr. Potts.

Sorry about the questions.

We have to ask, you know.

I know.

When do I get out of here?

Well, I'm going to

keep you overnight.

We'll probably send

you home tomorrow.

[birds chirping]

Willie, I didn't know

you were in here.

I don't know I was in here either,

Mrs. Purdy.

I'm worried about me.

Why? What's wrong, Willie?

I think I'm losing my mind.

Well, it's the liquor.

You got to stop drinking.

It ain't easy.

You just need something

to occupy your mind.

You know, there's something

wrong with the furnace

down in the basement.

Would you go take a

look at it for me?

Sure. Well, I--

[ominous vocal music]

[thud]

[snarling]

[Willie] I know you ain't there.

You're just nightmare

from the six pack.

Hi, little ghost.

You thirsty?

Maybe you're on the Bible.

Drink some spirits with me, spirit.

Oh, don't bogart the thing, pal.

[slurps]

Son of a b*tch.

You're a bigger drunk than I am.

What you got there, pal?

[dramatic music]

[scoffs]

[thudding]

[footsteps approaching]

Willie!

I'm worried, Mrs. Purdy.

You're right.

[indistinct] got me.

I guess there was

a spirit down there

eating a human hand.

Me I ask you something, Willie?

Did you talk to that spirit?

Yeah.

Nicely?

Yeah.

I see.

Why don't you just

go on up and rest?

And I'll come up in a

little while with some tea,

Yeah.

Alright.

I lose my memory.

Ghouls eating hands.

I need to quit

drinking the Sterno.

[suspenseful music]

[George]

It's later than you think, Ella.

You've got to leave this place.

Yes, George.

I've got to leave this place.

[sighs]

[thunder rumbling]

[suspenseful music]

[sniffs]

[thunder rumbling]

[suspenseful music]

[thunder rumbling]

[thunder rumbling]

[eerie music]

[muttering]

[thunder rumbling]

[suspenseful music]

[playful melody plays]

[thunder rumbling]

[humming]

[door knocking]

[Ella]Yes?

[Mr. Balzac] It's me, Mrs. Purdy.

Mrs. Purdy?

- I must talk to you.

- [George] Get him out of here!

I don't really like people

in my room at this hour.

Mr. Balzac, Mr. Purdy.

What is this?

Oh, well, that's a watch,

Mr. Balzac.

This is not just a watch.

This is Mr. Wilson's watch.

You stole it?

[scoffs] Not at all. Mr. Balzac!

He gave it to me as

collateral on his friend.

I'm going to

give it back to him.

Where all the boarders?

What's happened to them?

[George] They're in the back yard,

where you're going to be.

I haven't the faintest idea

what you're talking about.

Something's happening

around here.

The only thing is

happening around here

is your wonderful,

vivid imagination!

[laughs]

Land sakes!

You writers just let your

imagination run away, don't you?

It's true, Mrs. Purdy.

The creative

process is quite difficult

on one's nerves and mentality.

I know.

What you artists must suffer.

It's true, but one cannot

create without suffering, can one?

Of course not.

Oh, what's that I hear?

It's Tina taking her shower.

Tina?

Shower?

I must get back to my writing.

Why don't you do that

while the juices are flowing?

Yes, the juices are flowing!

Dead meat.

[eerie music]

[thunder rumbling]

[Mr. Balzac screams]

[screams, groans]

[thudding]

[thunder rumbling]

[wind blowing]

[dramatic music]

[thunder rumbling]

Willie!

How long have you been here?

Too long, Mrs. Purdy.

I just want to tell

you I'm leaving.

Why, Willie?

No, no, I'm a sick man,

Mrs. Purdy.

I just saw you burying

a body in the backyard.

How could you think that of me?

I know,

But I did.

Tina, did you see anything?

She didn't see nothing.

Neither did I.

I'm a sick man, Mrs. Purdy.

I'm going to turn myself in to the

Veteran's Administration Hospital.

[George]

He can't leave this house.

Not this time, George.

No, sir. Not this time.

You leave, Willie.

I like Willie!

[George] Ella, don't you

let him leave this house!

[thunder rumbling]

[ominous music]

[door bell rings]

Mrs. Purdy here?

I guess so.

Where are you going?

[indistinct]

Where are the

rest of the boarders?

Oh, mister,

you're a pain in the a*s.

[thunder rumbling]

Mrs. Purdy.

Mrs. Purdy, it's Lester Potts!

[male voice]

I'm upstairs, Mr. Potts.

Is that you, Mr. Purdy?

I have business with Mrs. Purdy.

I know.

Come on upstairs.

My room.

[suspenseful music]

[thunder rumbling]

Mr. Purdy?

[George]

I'm just in here, Mr. Potts.

[thunder rumbling]

[tense music]

Mr. Purdy?

[Ella] Turn him around.

Mrs. Purdy.

[Ella] Turn him around

so you can see him.

[dramatic music]

Meet Mr. Purdy.

I'm not impressed.

I expected as much.

I believe we have some business.

I believe so.

[thunder rumbling]

You cut my brake lines,

didn't you?

Yes, I did.

I've been checking on you,

Mrs. Purdy.

Did you know that

14 checks arrive

at this address monthly?

[sniffles]

I know.

And did you know that none of

those people live here anymore?

And that you've been cashing some of

those checks

for as long as three years?

Yes.

You want to talk to me?

Well...

It isn't easy, you know?

A widowed woman.

It isn't easy

watching your husband

turn into a vegetable.

So you k*lled him?

No, no, Mr. Potts.

He was not... k*lled.

It was--

He was mercifully put to sleep.

But then the checks wouldn't come

and I would have

to give up this house.

So I...

[thunder rumbling]

I simply did not

report his death.

You decided the checks

would keep on coming?

Yes.

And that gave you one

hell of an idea, didn't it?

Yes.

I wouldn't take any boarders

unless we were receiving

welfare or Social Security.

It was easy,

Mr. Potts.

Because nobody

cares about the old

or disabled.

Where are they now?

They are peacefully and

quietly at rest in my back yard.

Nobody

care for them at all.

I care.

[scoffs]

How benevolent of you, Mr. Potts.

[thunder rumbling]

And now,

if you are going

to call the police,

I would like to get a

few things together.

The police, my a*s!

You've been running a scam

for three years, lady!

I figure you have at least

$200,000 stashed away.

247,000 to be exact.

I want it.

Yes, I know, Mr. Potts.

I will hand it over to the

police when they come.

Oh...

To hell with the police.

I want it.

Now.

[thunder rumbling]

Isn't that interesting?

Ha!

And you, a public servant,

Mr. Potts!

I'll take the cash.

You keep the sermon.

You know you came just in time,

Mr. Potts.

This time tomorrow,

it would have been gone.

Don't move, lady.

I'll take the box

and I'll leave you enough money

to get away.

And if you take my advice,

you'll do just that.

I knew you were

going to try this!

I'm going to k*ll you.

I'm going to k*ll you.

I'll plant you in the garden

with the rest of your boarders!

[screams]

[screaming]

[Mr. Potts gasps]

[screaming]

[somber music]

[knife thuds]

[thunder rumbling]

[dramatic piano music]

[thunder rumbling]

[sniffles]

[sobbing] Mama.

[sobbing] Mama!

It's alright, baby.

It's alright, baby.

I know you didn't

mean to k*ll him.

I know.

Just like you didn't

mean to k*ll Daddy.

And all the others.

[singing] Oh, sleep,

my little baby.

[singing]

[humming]

[birds chirping]

Well, hello there!

My, don't you both look

pretty this lovely morning?

Good morning, Mr. Alden.

Well, looks like the

storm is gone.

Yes, the storm is gone.

Well, I got your mail for you.

Lots of checks, as usual.

Why don't you just keep those

checks this morning, Mr. Alden?

We won't be needing

them anymore.

[door creaks]

Oh, by the way,

could you see to it that

somebody keeps that birdbath full?

Well, I,

I suppose I could do that for--

Are you, uh--

Are you folks going

someplace?

Yes.

We're moving!

The devil you say!

Where would you be

moving, Mrs. Purdy?

Oh, we're going where the

magnolia trees are in bloom

and the scent of

jasmine fills the air

and butterflies flutter

amongst the gardenias,

Mr. Alden.

Sounds like a

real nice retirement village.

I was thinking more of a real

nice South Sea tropical paradise.

Mr. Alden, where Tina and I could

dance the pachanga all night long.

[ominous music]

Come on, darling.

But where should I forward--

[woman screaming]

[woman screaming]

What was that?

Only evil spirits, Mr. Alden.

Just a cold wind.

In July.

[gentle music]