07x16 - Chimera

[bunniefuu]

Hey, you sure I can't help? Absolutely not. All set.

Martha, you make this look so easy.

It's not too much? Are you kidding? This is just perfect.

It's exactly the way Easter should be.

Mommy! Mommy, look! Oh, good for you, Michelle!

What you've done is really fabulous. The kids are gonna remember this for ever.

I hope there are some things they won't remember.

What is she doing here? Her son is in Michelle's class. Be nice.

Jenny, hi. It's good to see you. Hey, Ellen. Martha.

She's shaken up, Howard. It took me two hours to put her to bed.

All I'm saying is... No, I didn't see any bird.

But whatever it was, it scared her and she wants to be with her daddy.

That's all I'm saying.

Can't you come home one day early?

All right. Fine.

I love you, too.

Anything? No, she'll come.

Matter of time.

I hope you realize there's no evidence whatsoever that this mystery woman of yours has even committed a crime.

Though her wardrobe comes close.

Six prostitutes were seen with her at Dirty Dames, never to be seen again.

Not only might she be a female serial k*ller, rare in itself, but twice police raided that club to arrest her.

And twice they came up empty-handed.

She's on tape going in, the exits are covered, she's nowhere to be found.

What happens to her? Does she disappear? Turn invisible?

I hope we catch her so she can tell us... before I have to spend another night here.

I don't know about you, but I find this all very depressing.

This round-the-clock exposure to the seamy underbelly.

It's the job, Scully. Vigilance in the face of privation.

The sheer will it takes to sit in this crappy room spying on the dregs of society until our suspect surfaces.

There is something ennobling in that.

Mulder.

Now?

All right. I gotta go.

Mulder?

You wanted to see me, sir? Yeah, sit down.

Local police haven't turned up any sign of her.

I hope you may be able to. I'm already on a case.

You're on a stakeout. I'm confident Agent Scully can continue in your absence.

Why? What did I do?

There may be aspects to this that speak to your strengths as an investigator.

Specifically...?

Ravens.

What do you know about 'em? Their mythological or... paranormal significance.

Well, the raven is considered a very powerful symbol in certain Norse, Celtic and Native American cultures, mostly a negative one.

Indians view it as a deceiving spirit. Christianity associates it with evil.

And then of course there's Poe's "Raven" and "nevermore" and all that stuff.

Crittendon's seven-year-old daughter claimed she was att*cked by a raven earlier the day her mother disappeared.

Later, she heard one inside the house before she discovered her mother was missing.

No, really, what did I do?

It's the only lead that hasn't been explored. I wanna know if it has a bearing on the case.

I assume the fact that Crittendon's father is a federal judge also has a little bearing on this case?

It's been made clear to me that locating her is my top priority.

I'm making it yours as well.

Agent Mulder? Phil Adderly. Welcome to Bethany. I appreciate the help.

Sure. I don't know how much help I'm gonna be.

I know you already have a lot of good investigators on the case.

Want to take a quick look around?

Tell me about Martha Crittendon. She and my wife Ellen are best friends.

Martha's... much admired here.

She's devoted to her family, active in the community.

I mean, needless to say, the whole town is very concerned.

What's your theory on what happened? I'm hoping you'll tell me.

There's no ransom note, no prints or blood evidence.

Husband was out of town? In Miami, at a conference. It checks out.

Howard didn't have anything to do with this.

What do you know about a raven?

Yeah, Michelle, their little girl, was saying something about that.

You got me. Poor kid.

You wanna talk to her? Not necessary.

You sure Martha's last name isn't Stewart?

Tell me about it. Last year this place made the cover of New England Home.

How many talons would you say a raven had?

Never mind.

You know what was hanging here?

It was a mirror. It was found broken.

You had no other signs of struggle? Not a one.

Does that mean something to you?

Howard, this is Agent Mulder with the FBI.

Sir. I hope we can help.

I appreciate your coming.

I'm wondering now if this isn't just a waste of your time.

How so?

With all the police coming and going, this place was a wreck.

I was straightening up and I... found something.

Birth-control pills?

I think Martha was having an affair.

After Michelle, we decided not to have more children.

I had a vasectomy.

They're in Martha's name. She ordered them off the Internet.

Because, I guess, small towns talk.

Of course, then I started looking all around and l...

found this in the pocket of her favourite coat.

I don't know what this goes to, or what it means, if anything, but the pills?

Do you have any idea who your wife may have been seeing?

Whoever he is, Martha maybe with him.

It explains why we haven't found her.

She doesn't wanna be found.

Cute kid.

Oh, Jenny, you scared me.

You do those up yourself? Yeah.

Martha and you were good friends. You must be pretty upset.

Of course. I'm sure we all are.

Maybe you'd like some of these to put up on your side of town?

"My side of town"?

Yeah, sure.

I didn't mean that the way it might've sounded.

No, it just naturally comes out that way when you think you're better than everyone.

You and Martha are two peas in a pod. Jenny, I don't think I'm better than anyone.

You and me got more in common than you know.

Yeah. Right.

Right, thanks.

Whoever Martha was seeing covered their tracks.

Phone records show nothing. You think this person took her? Harmed her?

I wouldn't rule it out, but I doubt it.

A raven has four talons. That matches the scratches on Martha's mantel.

You're not saying a raven's the reason Martha's gone missing?

No, not a raven itself, but in folklore ravens are companions to evil.

Evil spirits, witches, warlocks, that kind of thing.

I appreciate the different tack you're taking on this investigation, but this whole bird thing?

And you're basing this on the word of a seven-year-old girl.

Well, there was also a broken mirror in Martha's house.

Mirrors are considered items of enchantment. A broken one... means something.

I'm not sure what, but it means something.

Hey, sweet girl.

This is my daughter Katie, my wife Ellen. We're so glad you're here.

Our house is your house. We have a spare guest room all setup.

No arguments. We're so grateful that you're here to help find Martha.

Really, it's the least we can do.

OK.

The Bureau can reimburse you for room and board.

No, don't be silly. No, this is just a typical meal around here.

Supper is usually the only time we see each other, and I like to make it special.

Excuse me. Thanks.

Mulder.

Mulder, please tell me I can go home.

Hey, Scully. How's the stakeout?

The furnace broke. I can just about see my breath in here.

Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that.

And I've witnessed a couple of hundred things I'd like to erase from my brain.

But as of yet, no mystery woman. Well, she'll come.

It's just a matter of time. She'll show up, I'm sure.

Not before I die of malnutrition.

Tough it out. Whatever doesn't k*ll you makes you stronger, right?

No capers, thank you.

I'm sorry, what? I said, what a crazy caper.

I'll talk to you later, and keep warm. Bye.

Did I hear you say stakeout? What's the case?

It's family time. Don't make our guest talk shop at the dinner table.

Fair enough.

Cheers. Cheers.

What's the matter, sweetheart? I thought that was your favourite.

It tastes different when Mommy makes it.

Yeah.

I know.

How about we go get hamburgers?

Would you like that instead?

It's back.

Everything's all right. I'll be right back. OK.

What do you make of these claw marks?

One time I saw the victim of a bear att*ck look somethin' like that.

Only bears don't plant their k*ll in the rose garden.

I was gonna say. Body's been around here for a while.

Probably since she went missing. What about your ravens?

Howard said somethin' about ravens. Yeah, feedin' on her. See?

You OK? I'm not arresting Howard.

I don't care how it looks. Body buried in his own yard.

He didn't do this. I agree.

Poor guy has suffered enough already.

What are you doing? You shouldn't be here.

What? Oh, my God, Martha, no.

Ellen, honey, lam so sorry.

It can't be. It's OK, it's OK.

The thing that did that to her?

I think I saw it today.

I saw its reflection.

It had a face out of a nightmare. These long claws, the kind that could...

The window shattered. I don't know how. When I turned around, it was gone.

I don't know what it was. I didn't think it was real.

But then when I saw Martha's face... Honey, you've been through a lot.

You don't believe me?

I do.

You said the car window shattered after you saw the reflection.

There's a broken mirror in Martha's house. I don't think that's a coincidence.

But what could it mean? Mirrors are considered doorways.

In the Victorian era, they built mirrored rooms called psychomantiums, where they thought they could summon spirits from the spirit world.

Denizens from the spirit world were brought into this world.

"Denizens of the spirit world"? You asked about the raven.

The raven is a carrion bird attracted to death and decay.

What if this entity that you saw is somehow a personification of that?

What if this creature was brought forth to att*ck Martha?

Then the question becomes: who summoned it forth?

Ellen, do you know if Martha had any enemies?

Can you think of anyone at all who would have wished her harm?

I sure as hell had nothing to do with it. They're just routine questions.

Answer 'em and we'll be outta here.

We understand there was no love lost between you and Martha.

And where do you understand that from?

Mrs Sheriff, right? It's not exactly a town secret.

Right. Like there aren't enough of those already.

Queen Martha and her perfect little Easter-egg hunts.

She’s so above the rest of us.

Except I heard she was stepping out on her husband, knockin' boots with who-knows-who.

I'm not happy she's dead and all, but you need to look into that.

Let's stay on the subject of you. On your police record, for instance.

You don't suffer people that don't give you respect. The hair-salon owner you assaulted.

That was for ever ago. And I paid for that.

And I had nothing to do with Martha.

Where were you the night she disappeared? At home, all night.

I gotta get back to work.

I don't know about you, but I believe her.

She didn't do it. I just don't get that vibe. Fair enough.

But why did she lie about her alibi? I got that vibe pretty clear.

Excuse me. I'll be in the car.

Mulder.

When you find me dead, my desiccated corpse propped up staring lifelessly through the telescope at drunken frat boys peeing and vomiting into the gutter, just know that my last thoughts were of you... and how I'd like to k*ll you.

I'm sorry, who is this? It's a freak show, Mulder.

It's a nonstop parade of every single lowlife imaginable.

The view may not be too different here.

It's dressed up nicer, but under the surface it's the same seamy underbelly.

It's not the same. Trust me.

This case is more interesting than I thought. I could use your help.

Are you talking about a reprieve for me?

There's a m*rder victim that I'd like you to autopsy for me. What do you think?

Scully? You still there? Hello?

That van is back. What? What'd you say?

Nothin'. I'll talk to you later, OK?

Katie...

Get away from her!

It's OK. Come on.

Be quiet, now. Shh.

Shh. Be quiet.

For God... Ellen?

Ellen, what happened?

Are you feeling a little better, Ellen?

Can you just talk to me a little bit about what happened?

It came back. It came back. The creature you saw?

It was here, Phil. It chased me.

It's all right, honey.

Please don't encourage this. It's not what she needs.

I believe she saw something. I believe she didn't.

Her best friend just d*ed, for God's sake.

These imaginings of hers are brought on by stress.

I've been through the entire house and I saw no indication that anyone else was here.

What about the two broken mirrors? What about them?

You think broken mirrors have a deeper meaning but you can't tell me what it is.

And, in this case, I'm thinking Ellen broke 'em herself.

What?

Number six. It's a match to the one Howard Crittendon found in his wife's coat pocket.

What would this be doing here? I don't know.

Ellen? Do you recognize this key?

I was sweeping the floor and it got caught up in the sweeper.

I never saw it before today.

You found it before you were att*cked?

Right before. Right before I saw the raven.

Let me see if my department can run this down, find out what lock it goes to.

I can't do this any more.

Can't, huh? No. We gotta stop.

Well, that's too bad.

Good morning. Good morning.

Wow.

Have you seen my shirt? I'm sorry. It's over here.

You didn't have to go the trouble of...

No, it's not trouble. Actually, it helps me.

Whenever my life's a mess, I just do some housework.

Gives me the illusion I'm in control. Maybe I should try that sometime.

Have a seat. Thanks.

Yikes. Wow.

Just Phil's breakfast times two. Wow, Phil is livin' large.

Where is he this morning? Probably out on a call.

He'll be back. You just dig in.

Whoa.

Sorry. Do you need milk?

I'm fine.

I get the feeling you're not used to anyone taking care of you.

That has a vaguely pathetic ring to it.

No, I just meant I didn't notice a wedding band.

Do you have a significant other?

Not in the widely understood definition of that term.

The right woman'll come along and change all that.

Don't miss out on home and family, Mr Mulder.

With all the terrible things you must see in your work, it could be a refuge for you.

Hi, honey. Sorry I'm late. Paperwork.

Morning. Agent Mulder. Morning.

I'm gonna go check on Katie.

You sleep well? I only woke up once, when you went out.

I'll try to be quieter next time.

We've got a deputy out. We're short-handed.

I had to take some calls.

All night? Yeah. We were busy.

I spoke to the coroner this morning.

The autopsy shows that Martha was four weeks pregnant when she d*ed, despite her birth-control pills.

Probably didn't even know it.

Any idea who the father might be?

I mean, Howard's vasectomy pretty much puts him out of the running.

Any inkling who it might be?

Just say what's on your mind, Agent.

You have a piece of evidence in your possession that I'd like back. A skeleton key.

Number six.

You wanna tell me what this unlocks?

Once I find out, we'll talk again.

I'm gonna hit the shower.

I know, Brett sweetie. I'm sorry.

No, I'm gonna be home real soon.

Mommy had to work a double shift.

I know. I'm gonna come home and make you breakfast.

I know. No, don't eat a lot of cookies.

Only two.

Yes, oatmeal cookies have oatmeal in them.

OK. All right, three.

I love you.

Bye.

Sheriff, you know that talk I said we should have?

I left her sleeping.

So you were having an affair with both Jenny and Martha Crittendon?

Sheriff, you put the service back into "protect and serve".

I cared about both of them.

They knew about each other?

But I'm assuming Ellen doesn't? No.

But even if she did, she'd find a way to rationalize it.

I'm not defending myself, but... two years ago I wanted a divorce.

Ellen won't hear it.

She got pregnant with Katie and locked me up good.

I think you got bigger problems facing you right now.

I didn't do this, I swear to you. Anyway, what about the broken mirrors and the raven?

You said it was an entity that did this. Don't you still believe that?

I said it was an entity summoned by somebody else.

Whether or not they even knew about it. Is that possible?

Can I be the reason for all this and not even know about it?

Hi, you've reached the Adderlys. Please leave a message.

Ellen, this is Phil. I was really hopin' you'd be home.

I'm in a bit of a situation here and there's things we need to talk about.

Agent Mulder's on his way over there to explain.

So if you get this message, you just wait there for him, OK? Thanks.

I think this sleepy little girl needs a nap.

I do.

I love you.

Go to sleep now, OK?

Ellen?

Ellen?

Mulder.

Mulder?

I am free. You're free?

I'm gonna go home, take a shower for, I don't know, eight or nine hours, burn the clothes that I'm wearing and then sleep until late spring.

You solved the X-File? Yes, except it's not an X-File.

What? You didn't catch our blonde mystery serial k*ller?

We caught her. But she isn't a serial k*ller.

Nor is she a blonde.

And she isn't even a she.

What are you talkin' about?

These six missing prostitutes aren't dead.

They are alive and well in a halfway house set up by this mystery blonde, who happens to go by the name of Mark Scott Eggbert.

And Mr Eggbert wishes to acquaint lost souls with the teachings of Christ.

That's his hook, I guess.

He dresses up like a fellow prost*tute to make the girls feel at ease.

But this vanishing act is no more paranormal than a change of wardrobe, Mulder.

He goes into a place like a woman and he comes out as a man. Right under...

Our noses. Exactly. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

Or, in this case, a Sheep in wolf‘s clothing. Good work, Scully. I'll call you back later.

Ellen?

Ellen, it's Agent Mulder. Please go away.

Ellen, Jenny Uphouse is dead.

Your husband is in custody suspected of murdering her, only I don't think he did it.

Do you?

Ellen, you went out this morning after breakfast. Where'd you go?

It's not me. It can't be. I think it is.

Ellen, I think you have a whole other side that you're afraid to face.

That would explain all the broken mirrors.

You don't wanna see yourself for what you really are.

You have to come out of there.

Then what?

My marriage, my life, everything I thought I had... is nothing.

It's all lies.

I wish you'd never come here.

Ellen, you need to open this door.

You wanna see her? Does she wanna see me?

Doctors say she's got some kind of dissociative disorder.

A split personality.

That doesn't explain what happened. It's as close as science can come.

I think the basic idea is right. In some multiple personality disorders, an alternate personality displays traits that the host doesn't have.

Like nearsightedness or high blood pressure or even diabetes.

I think in Ellen's case the... changes were just a lot more extreme.

Like Jekyll and Hyde? She wanted so much from her life with you.

A perfect life. I think at some point she found out you were cheating with Jenny and Martha.

I don't know when, but at some point she did, and, like you said, I think she had to rationalize that.

She bottled up her anger, swallowed it, and it had to come out some way.

I think she did what she did to protect her family.

I made this!