02x01 - A Perilous Journey

[bunniefuu]

What is happening?

- What is it that you all have in common?
- KATE: We're all alone.

My father ran away and
left me when I was three.

We're asking you to go on a mission.

A risky, an undercover mission,
and unfortunately,

one that can only be accomplished
by children.

BENEDICT: Hidden messages.
They're coming

from the Institute on Harbor Island.

You four are going to infiltrate
the institute as my secret agents.

What makes you think that
four kids can stop all of this?

Not just kids.

BENEDICT: Four extraordinary kids.

CONSTANCE:
The Mysterious Benedict Society.

L.D. CURTAIN: Welcome, new students.

I'm your headmaster, Dr. L.D. Curtain.

NUMBER TWO:
L.D. Curtain is your brother.

- He's the man we've been hunting.
- Yes.

L.D. CURTAIN: This gallery contains
my most prized invention.

- The Whisperer.
- Textbook mind control.

Not just of Stonetown,
of the whole world.

- Goodbye, free will.
- It's go time.

Yes, Kate. We're going
to raid the tower.

(RATTLES)

L.D. CURTAIN: Security
to the Whispering Room.

- Code Red.
- ANNOUNCER: All available security...

I am not some damaged person
in need of self-healing!

Or some...

STICKY: He's gonna wake up any second.

REYNIE: And he called for help.

- What are you doing?
- All that is left is to break its will.

It's a machine.

THE WHISPERER:
Why can't you just go along?

(SCREAMS) Yes!

(ELECTRICITY CRACKLES)

STICKY: Whoa, she did it.

L.D. CURTAIN: This is Curtain.

Stand down. The Emergency is over.

What does it feel like?
Having no memory.

It felt like searching.

For the answer in front of me.

It was you, Kate.

It was always you.

- I am so proud of you.
- I want to come live with you.

I've been thinking about that, too.

Have you given any thought
to your continued studies?

I was hoping to go
to the Boatwright Academy.

Oh, you richly deserve that.

You'll be valued there.

- Constance.
- Respectfully decline.

- Decline?
- The adoption.

I will stay here, but
let's not paper this.

- REYNIE: What are you going to do?
- BENEDICT: I'm going to find him.

I won't give up on him.

- Whisperer is just a souvenir.
- Really?

I've got something better.

Well, this could be interesting.

BENEDICT: My dear Society,

in the years since
we've all been together,

life has taken some
surprising turns, hasn't it?

(MICE SQUEAKS)

Out of nowhere, we find
ourselves in unexpected places.

Seven seconds.

How is yours so much faster?

I just crafted a plant-based
dietary supplement

that increased her
mitochondrial function.

(MADGE TWEETING)

("FIND YOUR WAY BACK"
BY JEFFERSON STARSHIP)

BENEDICT: With amazing
new people experiencing things

we never imagined possible.

Or in the everyday surprise
of that elusive state known as harmony.

(MADGE WHOOSHING)

("FIND YOUR WAY BACK"
BY JEFFERSON STARSHIP CONTINUES)

Yes, there is joy in the unexpected.

It can make life more colorful.

More exciting.

Innovative.

Not efficient.

- I'll trade time for fun.
- That's a good bargain.

- (MADGE SQUEAKS)
- Madge.

What you got there?

BENEDICT: But...

not all surprises are good.

Smooth sailing can suddenly
become rough waters.

That's why it is so important
that we have each other.

And that's why I invite you all
on a new adventure.

We're family.

And though everyday life might
send us in different directions,

when we encounter these squalls,

it is time for this family to regroup.

(THEME MUSIC)

HANNAH: Our esteemed guest
is Dr. L.D. Curtain.

That's me.

HANNAH: Do people just stop you
on the street and say thank you?

(LAUGHS) Now, why would they do that?

Perhaps because you single handedly
solved The Emergency?

One of the greatest crises
of our lifetime.

- Yeah.
- People call you a hero.

Oh, no, no, no.

I'm just a simple man.

Well, I am a man who saw a problem

and sniffed out
the rogue scientist responsible.

- Dr. Garrison.
- Yes.

Do you feel personally betrayed?

Of course, I do. I do.

But this isn't about me. I'm just...

I'm just thankful that I
had the unique intellect

and know how to solve the problem.

For everyone.

- And now your latest venture, Happiness.
- Happiness.

Lectures, television specials,

- a new book.
- Um-hm.

You've become a guru of sorts.

Ridding the world of sadness,
one person at a time.

- Yes.
- They say you can make anyone happy.

(L.D. CURTAIN LAUGHS)

I can't control what
they're saying, but yes.

I can.

Oh, a raised eyebrow.

Don't you want to be happy?

All the time?

Aren't the ups and downs
what makes us human?

No. I think that's your inner naysayer.

Why not choose happiness?

Let me ask you.

Did you know you deserve it, Hannah?

Did you know you can opt-in
to joy and good feeling?

With me, that's possible.

Choose...

happiness.

What is it?

I'm certainly feeling an overwhelming
sense of well-being.

Isn't it wonderful?

(SUSPICIOUS MUSIC)

RHONDA: Come, have breakfast.

I'm not hungry.

You say that before you
have tried my Dutch baby.

Babies.

Three, two, one.

(PHONE RINGS)

(IN FRENCH)

Who is this? Where's Rhonda?

My friend, you should
know better by now.

I do. I was just working
on a character of my own.

- Global traveler.
- Very convincing.

- How are you?
- Doing real good.

The clues are demanding, but fair.
The children are going to love it.

Oh, I'm so excited to see you.

Hey, we have unfinished business.

ANNOUNCER: The Stonetown loggers
establishing a smooth rhythm,

but it's no match
for long Norwegian power.

And the win goes
to the team from Bergen.

(SCREAMING) No!

The Euro Cup is in Antwerp this year.
We'll get redemption there.

Ah, so that's where you are.

- Antwerp.
- (CHUCKLES)

Nice try. You know
I can't tell you that.

- How's Mr. Benedict?
- Hmm.

Irritable, annoying at times,
just irritable at others.

He's still hung up on the injustice.

I think the scavenger hunt

is just as much for him
as it is for the kids.

Agreed. I just wish they... Oh, wait.

Where is he going? Mr. Benedict?

Hello?

- Where are you going?
- Oh, to the train station.

- We are going to a symposium.
- A symposium?

Yes. Look.

Are you even invited to speak?

Well, I'm an esteemed
scientist. They'll...

It's not an open mic.

Well, as we wait for the children,

I thought we could
use this time for good.

Don't you think? And, and
the truth cannot wait any longer.

No one wants to hear the truth.

You tried this multiple
times, Mr. Benedict,

and no one is interested.

The important thing is that
The Emergency is over.

Who cares that your brother
gets all the credit

and you're mocked and seen as a downer?

- Who's mocking me?
- It doesn't matter.

People are back to their lives.
That's what matters.

So, maybe just call it victory

- and enjoy it?
- (CLEARS THROAT)

No one is safe with my brother
as some guru

with all this influence. This is...

We seem pretty safe.

- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
- Hey, it's okay to be jealous of him.

- None of this is fair.
- Excuse me.

The truth is important.

It's not even a high level conference,
even the middle tier.

I'm not jealous. Excuse me.

Mr. Benedict!

BENEDICT: Excuse me.

- NUMBER TWO: Mr. Benedict.
- Excuse me. Out of the way.

NUMBER TWO: Mr. Benedict.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Mr. Benedict.

Where...

Mr. Benedict.

Mr. Benedict?

Mr. Benedict?

Hey!

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

It says to pack for an adventure,

maybe a few extra clothes.

Anything I need, it's in
my bucket or can be gotten

with the things in my bucket
and carried in my bucket.

I'll pack a tiny go bag or gorp.

- That's not necessary.
- What about...

this?

It's a multi tool.

I whittled it for the bucket.

Oh, that's really nice,
but I don't have a room...

You fit a winch in there.

I can take care of myself.

I know you can, Kitty Cat,

but it's my job to
take care of you also.

Additionally.

We should go.

What if I got my own bucket?

A pail, perhaps?

That'd be cool.

We've got plans this summer.

We're going to send a grapefruit
into low Earth orbit.

That sounds amazing.

Please come. We could
use you on heat shields.

I'd really love to,

but I have this reunion
thing I have to go to.

Oh, I'm sure that'll be great too.

Ready to go?

Sure. But it's almost : .

Oh, the postman. Yes, he is punctual.

I just wrote Sticky so many letters.

There must be some backlog
or forwarding issue.

This could be the day the dam breaks.

You're going to see him really soon.
You're going to see all of them.

I wonder if you're nervous
to see them again,

if it'll be the same?

People like to communicate
in different ways.

Sometimes it's as simple as that.

Besides, no matter how
much time has passed,

they know you and they care about you.

And that won't change.

But still, we can wait.

Good to see you.

(QUIRKY MUSIC)

(CAR DOOR CLOSES IN DISTANCE)

You got everything?

MS. PERUMAL: Have a great time, okay?

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

Everyone looks gangly and weird.

We've all grown.

No. That's not it.

Should we hug?

- Uh...
- Don't be repulsive.

We got to mark the occasion.

Okay. We're back.

Elephant in the room. Constance
k*lled a machine with her mind.

Yeah, I've got questions.

Me too. Let's go inside.

KATE: Is it really been a year?

("MAKE ME SMILE" (COME UP AND SEE ME)
BY STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL)

- Dog man?
- Gather the kids.

RHONDA: It's so nice to see you, truly.

This was supposed to
be a joyous occasion.

- But?
- Mr. Benedict and Number Two...

are missing.

What do you mean?

- Her sentence seemed pretty clear.
- How? What happened?

Benedict and Number Two have
been traveling across Europe,

planting clues for a scavenger hunt,

which would lead us
all to a big reunion.

Fun!

What? It sounds like fun.

They just missed their
second compulsory check in.

- I don't...
- It's a foolproof, fail-safe system

we enact for security abroad.

And you know, Number Two.
Missing it once, never.

Twice? Unthinkable.

- They've gone silent. They've disappeared.
- What do we do?

Milligan and I need to put all
our efforts into finding them.

And of course, the
scavenger hunt is off.

I'm very sorry.

MILLIGAN (IN FRENCH):
Thank you, François.

RHONDA (IN FRENCH): Anything you can
tell me could be interesting.

Unfortunately, we haven't
found anything either.

The trail went cold and
time is of the essence...

- (INDISTINCT CHATTER IN FRENCH)
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)

(IN ENGLISH) So, when
do we leave for Europe?

We want to be part of the search.
I know we can help.

- I'm sorry, Reynie, but no.
- MILLIGAN (IN JAPANESE): Thank you.

(IN ENGLISH) No.

I understand it emotionally,
but it's unrealistic.

RHONDA: Potentially counterproductive.

Dangerous.

I was saving that for last, but
yes, it could be very dangerous.

Too many unknowns. It's a no.

A firm no.

I'm very sorry.

RHONDA: I've called Ms. Perumal
and the Boatwright Academy.

You'll all be taken home very shortly.

It's hard, I know. But...

we'll take care of it.

We'll find them, yeah?

I don't understand. We should be going.

Why are they leaving us
in other people's hands?

They're just being logical and safe.

We don't know where they are
or what happened.

We do unsafe things all the time.
That's our signature.

Anybody wants to see the first clue
to our canceled scavenger hunt?

- I lifted it from Rhonda.
- Why?

If I give you a reason,
will it comfort you?

- Maybe.
- Mr. Benedict is gone.

Maybe down a well,
maybe into a propeller.

Either way, we will not
be seeing him again.

Constance.

He would want us to go
on a scavenger hunt.

Perhaps as his final
gift to us. His legacy.

Come on, Reynie.

Maybe the prize is a new sweater vest.

No, the prize is a reunion with him.

He made us a set of clues
to lead us to where he is.

Where he was.

We can use these clues to get
to Europe and find Mr. Benedict.

Or at least find the well.

This will get us close
to the last point of contact.

We'll pick up the scent from there.

Rhonda and Mulligan will never let us.
You heard them. Too dangerous.

- Then I'm in.
- Me too.

I crave the frontiers
of human experience.

They told us we're capable
of doing anything.

And you know what we've
done and who we are.

We're the mysterious Benedict Society.

So let's go after them.

What's the first clue?

"Looking for something? Open me.

I'm sure that your something
inside of me lies".

Rhyming is the lowest form
of poetic expression.

"What is sought, depends on the seeker".

"Others for nature.
Still others for nurture".

That's it? It's impossible.

Nothing can hold all those things.

And that's coming from someone
with the magic bucket.

- Where are you going?
- The library.

- (CAR HORN HONKING)
- (BENEDICT GROANS)

(THUDDING)

Driver? (CHUCKLES)

Driver?

- Might as well be a mannequin.
- Just implacable.

(CLEARS THROAT) Excuse me.

Driver.

(SCREAMS) Driver!

(THUDS)

- Oh, oh.
- Hm?

- Pork rillette?
- No.

Hm.

Well, at least the provisions
are good for our kidnapping.

Yes, yes, yes.

Why be so thoughtfully curated
if we were meant harm?

(LAUGHS)

Well, many sociopaths
are unfailingly polite.

Well, this could easily be a benefactor,
a powerful benefactor.

But yes, someone who wants
to help. Yes. (CHUCKLES)

The dictionary, of course.
It's alphabetized.

"Hope comes after despair,
but before surprise".

And, "What I mean
lies inside of me too".

- The definition for dictionaries...
- In the dictionary.

But which dictionary?

Benedict's kind of obsessed with them.

There are in the house,
if you count foreign languages.

Last time I checked.

A lot has happened
since you left, George.

Many dictionaries acquired.

With that many, we need to split up.

- Sticky, library. You guys...
- Benedict's study.

(REYNIE MURMURS)
Dictionary, dictionary...

I've never understood
his shelving system.

There is no system.

I'm sure the library at Boatwright
is crazy organized.

It is. Pretty much everything is.

I imagine.

How are things, like, I don't know,
the mail delivery situation?

Mail delivery? Just a random example.

- How does that work?
- We just go down to the P.O.

Everybody has a mailbox.
Nothing special.

Though it's kind of funny.

They have these tables
where student clubs set up.

Rocketry, debate, you know?

- One day, doing the Bees.
- The Bees?

The Bees, Brady Beesley?

Anyway, they dressed up in all black,

set up a table with a blank black sign
and blank nametags.

Nothingness Club. They got,
like, people to sign up.

- It was hilarious.
- Cool.

So anyway, seems like the mail
delivery system is in good shape.

I'm not sure what you're talking about.

But I've missed you.

It's good to see you.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

- I want to know about rural life.
- Okay.

- Do you milk a cow?
- On occasion.

- Slop the hog pen?
- If called for.

- Harvest?
- Only during harvest.

What do you harvest? Loneliness?

- It's definitely not lonely.
- Oh, yes.

Just you and your father
against the world.

- Kind of like you.
- Ha.

What's it like, having
Benedict for a dad?

- Not dad, roommate.
- Okay.

Respectful distance,
intelligent conversation.

I allow him to believe
he's good at chess.

He brings me nutritious food.

I don't even know what I'm looking for.

- Finally, some truth.
- What?

I was talking about the dictionaries.

You can needle me all you want,
but you like me.

You admitted it.

Hello.

What's going on?

Just trying to increase my vocab.

Not a lot of books on the farm.

Oh, you'd like more books on the farm?
I'd be happy to place an order.

I know that my collection skews
heavily towards historical thrillers.

No, it's good. It's good.

Okay, then.

Nothing you need help with?
Nothing going on?

Nope.

I'll see you in a bit.

Shut up.

- Is there a dictionary in there?
- No. No, I'm just snooping.

I found it.

STICKY: A book in a book.

"Travelers should always keep journals.

Journals should always keep secrets.

Read quickly and move on.

Bon voyage, Mr. Benedict".

What's it say?

This is... gibberish.

Wait, the last word on
each page is in italics.

"Take down roses

and severely take your chances.

Take up sewing...

Take my... bait... answer...

dogfish... shortcut...
learn the passage...

cold cut, shortcut, uppercut".

- That's it.
- KATE: Okay, then.

- Very clear.
- What does it mean?

Does anyone feel like
they've entered a trance?

Maybe it's something structural.

Uh, hidden compartment
within a hidden compartment?

Structural. Yes. Give me that.

- What are you doing?
- Constance.

Pages with different sizes.
I've just separated them.

It's called deckle edge.
It's a premium way to buy books.

Mr. Benedict would never ask us
to desecrate a book.

- Yeah, I feel unclean.
- CONSTANCE: Well, the clock's ticking.

Better move quickly.

We read it slowly.
He said to read quickly.

"Take the shortcut".

Take the shortcut.

- What's the shortcut?
- It's a ship.

- A ship?
- Not just a ship.

It's the fastest ship in the world.

I subscribe to Maritime Monthly.

- George, as a young man, that is sad.
- What?

It's an incredible window
into the world.

There's news, politics,
opinion, recipes.

The point is, Benedict knows
you love things nautical.

Yeah, we've talked about it a lot.

He knew you'd know.

So, it's the ship.

- Which is in port right now.
- How...

In the nautical community,

we always know the whereabouts
of the flagship class vessels.

Everybody knows that, Kate.

So if the idea was that we
were supposed to leave today...

We better get to the harbor.

Just go to the harbor? Then what?

He'll have worked it out.
This was the plan.

It will become clear. I have faith.

So, are we really going to do this?

REYNIE: We're gonna find them.

But we all have to agree.

Are we doing this?

We're doing this.

(THUDS IN DISTANCE)

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

(IN GERMAN) Hello, this is Rhonda. Yes?

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(IN FRENCH) Respond, please!

(IN ENGLISH) Your ride
will be here soon.

Milligan!

KATE: Sorry, we had to take
matters into our own hands.

Don't worry. We'll be careful.
Bon voyage.

MS. PERUMAL: What?

(SHIP HORN HONKS)

ANNOUNCER: Last call
for the SS Shortcut.

All passengers aboard.

Last call for the SS Shortcut.

REYNIE: Weatherall, Kate?

Muldoon, Reynard?

Is there another name
they might be under?

Try Mr. Nicholas Benedict.
They have to be here.

As I told you, it's very rare
to have tickets left for pickup.

LAURA: They would usually be
hand delivered and signed for.

Hand delivered.

Almost without exception.

Please, other people need service.

(SHIP HORN HONKS)

- That was the second warning.
- REYNIE: Please.

We're just, will calling
a few more names.

That's not a verb, sir.

Rhonda Kazembe. Milligan?

I'm sure you can understand
why you are losing credibility.

And we do have very limited time.

Next, please.

KATE: Did not foresee being
failed by the ticket situation

- before we even start.
- We need to think of something.

This plan... it was naive at best.

Where are you going?

- We need to be on that boat.
- Ship.

Call it a boat on board and
you'll get a stern reprimand.

- Stern.
- What?

- Oh, nice.
- Guys, I need ideas.

If all this isn't a sign,
I don't know what is.

They need us.

REYNIE: Who knows what
danger they could be in?

(CONSTANCE WHISTLES)

(LIGHT MUSIC)

("STAND BACK" BY STEVIE NICKS)

It's time, sir.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(SIGHS)

Well, at least they've given us
a nice breakfast.

How pleasant of him. (SIGHS)

Oh.

Oh, him.

Oh, so good to see you, brother.

(CHUCKLES)

And your associate.

I demand our immediate release.

Release? From what?

Well, don't limit your perspective,
Associate.

Number Two.

I'm not privy
to your organizational flow chart.

- Why?
- Why what?

Why are we here?

Oh, I can't wait to share that with you.

I know that you'll be...

elated.

(TENSE MUSIC)

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

(PANTING) Too late.

- WOMAN: Bon voyage.
- MAN: Bon voyage.

This is... a bit of a surprise.

That's as eminently fair to say.

This really isn't like Reynie.

It's just like Kate.

We told them there was
nothing they couldn't do.

It's who we asked them to be.

- Maybe...
- They believed us.

(UPLIFTING MUSIC)

(CLOSING THEME MUSIC)