02x05 - Blank Expression

[bunniefuu]

JEFFERS:
His society of children has arrived.

L.D. CURTAIN: They've proven
to be my only true adversaries.

I hope you know how much I appreciate
your work on this.

I want you to step into the spotlight.

I don't need any kind of recognition.

I've got something better.

Whisperer is just a souvenir.

MR. BENEDICT: He is inducing happiness
by using a direct synaptic access.*

- That was brilliant.
- Curtain did his thing to you.

MR. BENEDICT: It's not just disturbing,
it's dangerous.

JILLSON: Blink if you hear
us, Sebastian.

- How far behind the kids are we?
- You don't want to know.

RHONDA: Speed is our priority now.

REYNIE: They're palindromes.

Our destination must be a city
in Germany

- whose name is a palindrome.
- REYNIE: Burggrub.

KATE: I should have known
they weren't real water polo players.

REYNIE: They must be undercover.
Working for Curtain.

KATE: Tonight,
we each take shifts staying awake.

- Your turn.
- REYNIE: If we stick together,

I really believe we can outsmart anyone.

Constance is gone.

STICKY: I should have had some coffee.

So what if caffeine
causes heart palpitations? So what?

I was just so worried
I'd fall asleep when it was my turn

that I couldn't get any rest
before my shift.

Irony.

If I could just control my anxiety,
she'd still be here.

- I was doing so great, and...
- Sticky.

If anyone's to blame, it's me.
I'm the reason why we're on this trip.

Guys, congratulations.

- It's both your fault.
- (SIGHS)

Even though she's Constance,
she must be scared.

We need to report this to the police.
Right now.

We call the cops
and it's game over for us.

We have no ID, no papers.

They'll throw us
on the first boat home or in jail.

Then what happens to Constance?
To Mr. Benedict and Number Two?

We can't get taken out of the game.

We have to find her ourselves.

Do you know what time you fell asleep?

Last time I checked my watch,
it was : a.m.

So approximately :?

I woke up at :.

So somewhere during those minutes,
they must have gotten off at a stop.*

: to :.

No stops. Mm.

No official stops.

But the train has to come to a stop
at crossings all through the night.

STICKY: It could be any of these four.

REYNIE: Okay. Find the right crossing
and we know where to start.

- We're more than miles away.
- KATE: Kilometers, Sticky.

We got to think like Europeans
if we're tracking Europeans.

. kilometers. I simplified it
for you.

Too far to walk. No transportation.

Well, we have to get it together.

REYNIE: No one's coming to the rescue.

Actually, there might be someone.

MAN: Come on, team, let's go!

- (APPLAUSE, CHEERS)
- Wraparound!

ANNOUNCER: Plenty of seats

- are still available
- Yvette.

- Out.
- for Arlon Rockets home game.

Elena.

(APPLAUSE, CHEERS)

Elena?

That's just a travesty.
Terrible footwork, no intangibles.

Intangibles!

(PHONE RINGING)

- You have a phone call.
- Now?

Can't you see
I'm in the middle of a match?

- Are you?
- Fine.

Hello.

(AUDIENCE APPLAUSE)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

DR. GARRISON: Hello, Constance.

(THEME MUSIC)

(IN FRENCH) Oh, yes?

Thank you. You have been very helpful.
Yes, goodbye.

(IN ENGLISH) Any luck?

Yes.

A group of children asked where they can
board the train to Burggrub, Germany.*

How do we know it was our children?

One of the girls was carrying a bucket.

MILLIGAN: A red bucket.

We know where they're headed now.

The express train to Burggrub
leaves in minutes, no stops.

RHONDA: You two will b*at them there

and meet them at the station
when they arrive.

- MILLIGAN: What about you?
- RHONDA: You go on without me.

We know where the children are,

which is more than we can say
about Mr. Benedict and Number Two.

I put some feelers out
to laboratory supply shops.

Inquired if any private citizens

had been ordering
neurological research equipment.

Turns out someone has.

I don't think Curtain is the only
armchair neuroscientist in the game.

RHONDA: Maybe not.

But the shop said the person purchased
a kilogram of Trentonium-.

Trentonium-. It sounds familiar.

It's the core element of the Whisperer.

Someone is rebuilding it.

I find the Whisperer, I find Curtain.
I find Curtain, I find our friends.*

Go. Take care of the kids.

One never splits the party voluntarily.

Then be careful.

Unfortunately, that I can't do.

DR. GARRISON: You don't like her?

I did the research.

She has the optimal facial proportions
to create feelings of attachment.*

Actually, I do like her.

She is optimal.

Optimal size to stuff down
your windpipe.

Death will be swift.

There's no reason for hostility.

Where's Curtain?

I deal directly with the boss,
not with the lackey.

You think that I still work for Curtain?

He publicly blamed the Emergency on me,
made me an outlaw.

It's a smart play.

This whole happiness technique of his,
I invented it.

And then when I refused to use
my technique on human beings

without further testing,

knowing how dangerous
the side effects could be, he fired me.

Stole my ideas, recklessly applied them,
and then stole my reputation.

You need to choose better friends.

But there is one thing
that he can never take away from me.

- Your sense of humor?
- My inventions.

They live here.

And that is how I was able to rebuild

the most brilliant
invention of them all.

The Whisperer.

And this has to do with me, how?

It's my life's work.

A scientific achievement
of unparalleled magnitude.

I thought that it was invulnerable,
and it was to everything but your mind.*

Your glorious mind.

The ghost in the windmill.

The dancer in the dark.
You found a flaw.

One that has kept me up
every single night since

and one that I can't seem to replicate.

Why would you want to?

I need to solve the problem,
and thus, I need your help.

Do what you did before.
Trigger a system crash.

And this time, I'll be watching,
observing exactly how you do it.

No.

I'm not your dancing bear. I eat bears.

Do you know what other
machine I rebuilt?

The Brainsweeper.

Completely redesigned.
Twice as powerful.

No more embarrassing trace memories.
(INHALES DEEPLY)

You won't ever remember a thing.

So you decide.
The Whisperer or Brainsweeper?

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

- Excuse me, you can't go in there.
- I need to speak with you.

Now.

- I tried to stop her, but...
- It's okay, Marlon.

I've been expecting her.

Which is why I've asked
Jean Pierre to join us.

Ah.

Your favorite. Crepe Suzette.

Made with fresh mandarins
from the orchard. Please.

I understand
that you are Mr. Benedict's kin.

And I have tried
to honor and respect that.

I have tried,
and I'd say succeeded, to remain civil.

But not anymore.
Not after you did your thing on him.

By "thing," you mean relieving him of

the constant grip of existential angst?

I'm sorry that bothers you.

- (EXHALES DEEPLY)
- Thank you, Jean Pierre.

Here's what's going to happen.

One, you are going to completely reverse
whatever it is you did to him.

Two, you will immediately provide
safe passage

for both of us out of this place.

Fail to meet both of those conditions,

and I will have no choice
but to resort to more dire tactics.

Tactics that should not be spoken of
above a whisper.

Consider yourself warned.

(IN FRENCH) I accuse.

(GROANS)

Jean Pierre. You are a magician.
A man in full.

You should really try this.

I'm not hungry.

Have you ever wondered
what you could accomplish if you...

focused on the positive things
in your life?

Don't do that. I'm not falling for it.

You are carrying a great deal of pain.
Aren't you?

I offer this with an open heart.

You hitched your professional wagon
to my brother during his lost years

and squandered your potential.

The bitter truth is, despite your
loyalty, despite your brilliance,

despite the blood and sweat
you have poured into his service,

despite all that...

as long as you're a part
of his organization,

you will forever be relegated
to the eponymous role of your name.

"Number Two."

Some say the name we are given
writes our destiny.

That's why I changed mine.

Nicholas is happy now.

Isn't that all that matters?

It's not real happiness.

It's artificial. It's
unthinking, shallow.

Again, the negativity.

You know how I know?
Pure joy triggers his narcolepsy.

And he hasn't had an episode
since you... changed him.

Well, I think my brother is smart enough
to decide for himself.

If he truly wants to leave,
I'll grant his request.

But I'm fairly certain
that he'll choose to stay.

And, hopefully, so will you.

We're having a workshop this afternoon
in the Great Hall.

I would love to see you there.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

- I'll say it. I miss her.
- Me too.

Terrible roommate. Good friend.

Good in a crisis.

Guys, this is Constance, remember?

I wouldn't be surprised
if she already escaped

and is on her way to Burggrub.

(CAR APPROACHING)

(TIRES SCREECH)

Go time.

So, the only lead we have
is that she was abducted

at one of these four train crossings.

- Curtain can't stop kidnapping.
- Yeah.

How hell-bent on vengeance do you have
to be to go after a tiny child?

I assume you put up a fight?

They came in while we were asleep.
All of us.

I can't believe
I once looked up to that man.

Worst mistake I ever made.

(SCOFFS)

I mean, look at me.
I poured myself into that school.

I bought in, I excelled, and
no one cares.

My Institute transcripts are worthless.

I was laughed out
of every college I applied to.

Yeah, but you're living the dream.
Playing pro tetherball. Come on.

Hm. Semi-pro. "Playing" is a stretch.

A few minutes in low
leverage situations.

But none of that matters anymore.
I have a mission.

- Thanks for helping us out, Martina.
- Yeah.

I don't know what we would have done
if you hadn't picked up that phone.*

Hey, we're going to find your friend.

All you needed was a leader,
and now I'm here.

MARTINA: I will not let you fail.

Doesn't your team need this gear?

Yeah, probably.

But I think I'm subconsciously looking
for a confrontation.

I mean, the exit velocity on my forehand
is much faster than Dubow's.

I timed it. But I'm riding the bench?

- (MARTINA SIGHS)
- I'm just tired of the politics.

But, hey, if they can't appreciate
what I bring...

maybe they don't get a van.

ENZO: What makes me happy?

Not much, really.

- Going to sleep?
- You're in prison.

- I am?
- A prison of your own mind.

Which means you're not just a prisoner,
you're the jailer, too.

Happiness is inside you.

You just need to find it.

Use a joyful lens to find it,
and let it free.

- (SIGHS DEEPLY)
- (APPLAUSE)

Ah, nice.

L.D. CURTAIN: Excellent work, Auguste.
Really excellent.

Truly inspiring.

Soon, each and every one of you,
my best and brightest ambassadors,

will be able to learn this technique.

And you will be empowered
to spread the joy of our work

from person to person,

village to village, nation to nation.

No one will be left out
of our loving, loving family.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you.

- Did you hear that?
- Yes.

"Empowered to spread."

Spread everywhere.

(SIGHS DEEPLY) But you seem
perfectly sanguine about it.

I'm not sanguine. (SOFT CHUCKLE)

I nod my head. I smile. I play along.

Me being in my brother's good graces
could be very beneficial for us.

Most beneficial for us is to get out.

You are sanguine.

I am undercover.

Well, you say that you are,
but the minute you're with him,

- I just don't know anymore!
- (SIGHS)

Nicholas. So glad you're here.

Both of you.

Just a transformative
experience, Nathaniel.

Really? Because I'm hearing
you would like to leave.

Where did you hear that?

I might have mentioned it earlier
or something.

Nathaniel, I'll be honest. Um...

Being here is...

remarkable.

The feeling you have created is more

than happiness. It's a wholeness.

My heart is whole again.
We're finally together.

And I'm not about to give that up.

At least they don't seem to be
in any pain.

We have no way of knowing.

Beneath those
blank expressions may lurk...

- An endless chasm of sheer terror?
- Or void. Utter nothingness.

Oh.

This is just an allergic reaction
or something, right?

Look at them.
They're completely unresponsive.

Apparently, all of them had complained
of stiff necks.

Before they, you know, switched off.

This is very concerning.

- Dr. Curtain needs to be told.
- Dr. Curtain needs to be told.

Because a handful of people
have fallen ill?

Dr. Curtain is a busy man.
We cannot intrude upon his mindscape.

There could be a million
medical explanations for this.

That's what you keep saying,
but in my medical opinion...

I need to find a new doctor
for this lucrative assignment?

No, sir.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

We won't be transmitting anything.

I'm just going to run a few tests
and see what's going on

in that little head of yours.

And please don't try anything stupid.

CONSTANCE: You make terrible
mercenaries.

Your disguises are laughable.

- We were underfunded.
- Speaking of which.

Again, I have to transfer
between my accounts,

and that takes a day or two.

Well, my bank does same-day transfers
to anywhere in Europe.

Maybe there is no bank.

You'll get your money.

Do you need a loan?

Any financial stress,
of which there is none,

is more than worth the freedom
I have now.

Being out from under that man's
oppressive thumb is priceless.

And we're ready.

THE WHISPERER: Hello, Constance.

It's so nice to have you back.

All I see is mud. A lot of it.

So, let me ask.

Who's idea was it
to travel to Europe by yourselves

to follow a scavenger hunt that might
lead you to your kidnapped friends?*

We all wanted to do it.

Yeah, well, you'll see how far
solidarity gets you in the real world.

All right, let's move.
The next crossing isn't very far.

But we still haven't covered
the whole area.

We've covered enough, comrade.

- Time is of the essence.
- She's right.

The likelihood of finding a missing
person lowers significantly

with each passing hour.

Sticky, you can't think that way.

I'm just telling you a fact.

Instead of speculating
on worst-case scenarios,

focus on locating
and retrieving the asset.

- "The asset"?
- Yes, the asset.

It's Constance we're talking about.

I'm trying to remove emotion
from the operation.

It's tactical, improves decision-making.

I guess that's a good point.

STICKY: Wait a minute.

Over here, look.

Shoe prints.

STICKY: This is where
they must have gotten off.

KATE: The treads are from sneakers

like the ones the water polo players
were wearing.

And they lead to tire tracks.

This is where they must have loaded her
into the car.

The right tire has four grooves in it,
but the left only has three.

Two different back tires.

That's awful maintenance.

ONE TRAIN CAN HIDE ANOTHER

You never just switch out one tire

- unless there's very low wear out...
- That's it!

We're searching for a vehicle

with a rear right tire
that's different than the others.

And the wheels and fenders
will be splattered with mud.

I guess that's a start.

They probably left muddy tire tracks
all along the road, too.

We'll follow them
for as long as they last,

then keep our eyes out
for the matching car.

Approved.

What bureau did you say you were from?

Le Bureau Internationale of Weights
and Measures Scientifique.

You recently sold a customer
some Trentonium-?

- (IN FRENCH) A kilo, yes?
- Yes.

(IN ENGLISH)
I remember the sale. Rare element.

Unfortunately, the product failed to
meet international standards.

- What?
- Purity issues.

Or impurity issues, if you like.

No, no, no. We are meticulous
about this.

Purity is everything in this business.
Everything.

The sales receipt, please.

I must fire my chemist.
He just had a baby. He's distracted.

Oh, there's no need to fire anyone.

Oh, no, no, no. In fact,
it is the only way to make this right.

Ah, you misunderstand.

I believe it's the customer
who is filing a fraudulent complaint.

Ah.

Still, I'll fire the chemist.

He should learn to be more vigilant.
If only for the sake of the child.

No one needs to be fired though.

Here.

- Undoubtedly.
- Bring this customer to justice.

Hm.

He can run, but he can't hide.

THE WHISPERER: I've been waiting
to meet you again, Constance.

Waiting where? In your machine grave?

I have already destroyed you once.

THE WHISPERER:
You say "fail." I hear "try again."

What is your favorite color?

Go ahead. Don't hold back.

I absolutely love magenta.

(MACHINE WHIRS)

You will say "no"
exactly as you did before.

You will get angry.
You will throw it into a death spiral.

I need to see how you destroy it.

THE WHISPERER: Oh, hello.

What is your favorite color?

You say "fail."

- I hear...
- There. Destroyed.

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

So, you want your brain swept.
Is that what you want?

I would not mind.

I suppose we'll have to do this
the old-fashioned way.

- Kinda hard to see the tire treads.
- I can see them perfectly.

There! That blue one. Stop.

- Look at those wheels.
- REYNIE: Caked with mud.

The two rear tires are the same make.

I'm sorry, but it's not the car.

We all need to be realistic about this.

We're looking for a needle
in the proverbial haystack.

Then we'll keep looking.

Until we proverbially find her.

Kate, she makes a good point.

Maybe it's time to find a police
station. Accept our defeat.

You guys.

Someone turned onto this road.

Can you see the grooves
in the tread patterns?

STICKY: Two different tires.

It's the car.

Let's move.

Using your mind's eye, tell me.

What is on the other side of this card?

I see the depression of middle age.

I am running out of patience.

What do you see?

Take your time.

I see a broken person who's angry.
She lives in a root cellar.

Insulting me isn't going to help you,
you female child.

Try this one.

As a child...

is this how you pictured your
future self?

Holed up? Below ground?

Read the card.

Life could be better, couldn't it?

My life is fine. Inches from victory.

Maybe I don't understand the word,

but does "fine"
mean "friendless and alone"?

You have no idea
what you're talking about.

"Professionally disgraced"?

I said stop!

MARTINA: Are you sure they went
this way?

STICKY: There. That car.

MARTINA: Hang on.

STICKY: Mud? Different tires?

This must be the car.

REYNIE: Why would they park here
in the middle of nowhere?

Maybe they switched vehicles.

Cliché but effective.

KATE: Or this was
their destination all along.

Check it out.

MARTINA: Camouflage?

Exactly.

Looks like an old root cellar.

It's locked, but...

nothing I can't get past.

Kate, pick the lock.

(TRAIN BELL DINGS)

MS. PERUMAL:
The children are due in two hours.

Enough time to book some rooms,
arrange for a car,

and be back at the station
in time for their arrival.

Ms. Perumal,
I believe I underestimated you.

You wouldn't be the first.

And please, call me Dipika.

Dipika.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

It's not enough that he has a compound
full of giddy followers

worshipping his every word.

He won't stop until every person
on the planet is under his control.

- Are you even listening to me?
- MR. BENEDICT: Yes, of course.

I have heard everything
you've been saying.

- Oh, dear.
- What? Oh, the clothes?

They're comfortable, that's all.

You have to feel the fabric.
Go ahead. Feel it.

It's soft.

And breathable.

The waistband is so much more forgiving
than those tight trousers.

- Ooh.
- (NUMBER TWO TONGUE CLICKS)

Listen, now's the time to make our move.

I have a plan to get us out of here.

Well, I'm sure your plan is brilliant,
Number Two. They almost always are.*

But now is not the time
to leave my brother.

You saw him out there.

I have finally earned his trust.
I have his ear.

Don't underestimate the value of that.

First of all, you will never turn him.

Second, you don't have
to leave your brother.

He's coming with us.

No. He'll never agree to that.

He won't have to want to.

- We're gonna kidnap him.
- What?

It is the only way
to destroy his operation.

By removing Curtain from his followers,

it will be like chopping the head
off a snake or a mountain tapir.

That's very specific.

The animal will flail,
twitching in paroxysms of death.

Blood draining
from its still b*ating heart

- until, at last, it stops.
- Please stop.

The good news is,
you two will be together through it all.

- Side by side.
- Well, that part I like.

(SOFT CHUCKLES)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(DR. GARRISON SOBBING IN DISTANCE)

Constance?

No more excuses. It's your life.
Take responsibility for it.

- I've tried.
- Trying is not good enough.

Constance!

- Are you okay?
- Did she hurt you?

She's the one who's hurting.

I am perfectly fine.

The humid air down here,
it's terrible for my allergies.

Come on. We're getting you out of here.

No one is going anywhere.

Restrain them.

It's time to boot up the Brainsweeper.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(CLOSING THEME MUSIC)