Original subtitles

Hey, Tim.

You're great.

I think that time has been much kinder on you there, Susan.

Come on in. Come on in. It's cold out there.

Have you decided what you want to do yet? Nope, not yet.

Those roads are a little icy. I really wouldn't be surprised if we had a couple

of no -shows.

Oh, jeez. Is that the Ludlow High School yearbook?

Yep, sure is.

Our senior year, 1988.

I try not to look at it.

Once stonewashed jeans come back in style, I might check it out more often.

think you need mullets and winger t -shirts to come back into style.

Yeah, you're probably right.

But winger's one hell of a band, so I think I got half a chance.

I know.

Why the reunion, Tim?

Why not?

I asked you first. Why?

Do you remember the summer of 87?

Not really.

You, me, Butch, and Wendy cruising the beach in my Monte Carlo SS with the T

-tops? My God, I had the time of my life that summer.

Every day was a party.

I didn't want it to end, but it did, and ever since then I've just never been

able to recapture that feeling.

You three disappeared and I grew up, I guess.

I think I just want one more chance to recapture that feeling if I can.

Never really appreciate it, do you?

You think you'll be young forever, and then one day you have a mortgage, car

payment, kids.

You wonder what the hell happened.

I guess time is fleeting. The most you can do is enjoy it while it lasts.

Come on in!

Well, Tim, you couldn't have picked a colder or icier day.

I couldn't think of anything more fun than driving down an icy road in the

middle of nowhere, and I have no clue why I'm here.

Is that the hello I get, Butch?

I'm an asshole. Susan, come here.

So my wife asked me, why are you going to a cabin in the middle of nowhere to

see people you haven't seen in years?

So what did you tell her?

I told her there's some things I can't refuse.

Cold beer and a burly man who asked me to a cabin in the middle of nowhere.

Dream on, pal. You'll have to wine and dine me first.

Can he joke?

22 years and you're still the same Butch and Pam?

So, what's on the agenda?

I had no idea what to bring.

I told you guys, bring nothing outside of yourself.

I got everything covered.

It's a nice place.

You own it?

Yep, for a little while longer at least.

You selling it?

Nah, I'm getting a divorce and I'm losing it.

I don't know what's going to happen to the place.

It's been in the family for years.

and I'm sorry to hear that.

You know I wasted my life?

I wasted it.

In high school, sky was the limit, and the next thing you know, I'm working at

my dad's factory, packing CDs in the boxes and sending them off.

We thought your dad was so cool back then, running that music factory, making

cassette tapes.

Is he still running it?

Nah, he sold it years ago.

Kind of glad, though. Gave me a chance to spread my wings.

If I never see another Twin Obsession CD, it'll be too soon.

It's funny how time stands still, though.

I mean, I did Zippo after high school.

Just kept spinning my wheels.

And now look at me.

Clinging onto a time you too long forgot. We didn't forget it, bro.

We just moved on like you did.

Hell, Ludlow was a factory town, and your dad's place was one hell of a joint

work at.

So what have you been up to?

Well, I've been married ten years running.

I own my own company doing home renovations and remodeling.

And you?

Same. Been hitched about six years. Have two boys, both young.

And I'm working at the new casino now.

Oh, no shit.

I'm dealing in those car games. It's fun.

Come in, Wendy!

Last one here, huh?

How I said you'd be late to your own funeral.

How the heck are you? Good to see you.

This is so weird. It reminds me of that time on the Cape where we rented that

cabin on the beach. Oh, that was a wonderful time.

So, we're catching up, Wendy. What's new with you? How's everything?

I'll say I'm not married, and I'm currently unemployed, so nothing to brag

here, people.

I was working in real estate until the economy went belly up, and then I

couldn't move any houses, so...

Now I'm living on unemployment and waiting for the economy to rebound.

Oh, the economy will rebound.

And when it does, you'll be peddling houses again.

And if it doesn't, we'll hit up the casino.

I've got a person on the inside.

Yes, and then we can all share a prison cell together.

Hey, I'm too sexy for prison. Can you imagine what they'd do to this body?

Oh, your sexiness would be appreciated for sure.

All right.

So, this is great.

We're all here.

It's just so wonderful to see you all again.

I just, you know, I never thought we'd get old.

Hey, we're not using walkers yet, Tim.

Oh, it's just so strange how we allowed all this time to pass.

What's even sadder is I reached my peak back in high school. I mean, I really

did.

What the hell have I done since?

I was a winner back then, and the four of us, we'd party every weekend.

The world was different.

It wasn't a thick and dark place we live in now.

Oh, I don't think it's thick and dark. It's just different.

When we can't be teenagers forever, life has to go on. Why is that?

It's the natural order of things.

We get older.

I'd like to stay young forever, but we age.

We have this brief window of youth that we don't appreciate.

Hey, but don't let it control your life.

You're not dead.

You can rebound.

Don't fixate on high school.

It wasn't all good.

So, let's talk about something happier.

Does anybody have any funny stories?

I got one, but it sure isn't funny.

Well, is it at least interesting?

Certainly that.

Well, come on. I want to hear your story. This will be fun. It's like

stories around the campfire or something.

All right.

You guys asked for it.

About 10 years ago, this guy started working at my dad's factory. I mean,

guy was just a bastard, really. I think that's probably the best way I can put

it. And you guys all know my dad. He believed in giving people second

This guy was in and out of prison, gave my dad this song and dance story about

changing his life around.

You know, the typical bullshit.

Richard! That's right, Richard was his name. So anyways, one day, this guy

Richard beats the living hell out of this guy. I mean, he beats the living

out of him.

Charlene, please let Richard in.

I'm trying to intimidate me, Richard. What's this about?

What do you think it's about? More political bullshit, that's what this is

about. First of all, this is my office, not a bar. Secondly, there was nothing

political about what you did today. It doesn't look good, Richard. It doesn't

look good. I don't even think the guy's gonna make it.

He ran his mouth.

I wouldn't change a thing about today.

You can live your life like a pussy.

Not me, Walker.

Not me. I'll defend myself.

Self -defense?

That's not self -defense.

You all weighed him 100 pounds.

You jumped him.

It wasn't even a fair fight.

It is what it is.

I already spoke to the cops. They know where to find me. I'm not going to sit

here and cry about it and kiss your ass. Just tell me how long I'm suspended

for. I want to go home.

This is not a suspension.

This is a termination. I should have done this a long time ago.

Pack your stuff out of your locker. Get out of here. I'll mail you the last

check. You might want to think long and hard before you do something like this.

Because I can make what happened to Mike seem minor compared to what's going to

happen to you.

Don't try to intimidate me. Get out of here before I call the cops.

Your days are numbered. Your days are numbered.

Dear Richard, I can no longer handle your anger.

I struggle to get through each day we are together.

I am sorry, but I am leaving you.

But I know it is the right thing to do for my own sanity.

Renee.

Who are you? And how did you get in my house?

That's irrelevant, Richard.

How do you know my name?

Who sent you? My wife?

I was sent, but it most certainly wasn't by your wife.

Then who sent you?

That's irrelevant.

I'm getting tired of your bullshit and the games you're playing.

Maybe it is a game, but it's the most important game of your life.

Really?

Really. What are you selling?

What makes you think I'm a salesman? This world runs on money.

Obviously you're selling something.

Just remember, you broke my house.

I have every right to break you in two.

I'm in the hope business.

I'm selling hope.

I deal with lost souls every day.

And you are more lost than more.

I'm here to help you.

Help? I don't need your help. Get out of my house.

How did you do that? Losing your job and your family all in one day?

That's big, even for you, Richard.

I don't need that job.

Or an act. Or some sniveling little brat in my ear all day long.

I'm a free man.

I don't need any of it.

Free man.

Freedom is something that must be enjoyed while it lasts.

And for you, it won't last long.

What's that supposed to mean?

Let me tell you a story, Richard.

It's about a big bully that picks on small guys his entire life.

He never learns compassion.

He only thinks of himself.

Then one day, he beats a man so badly that the lights go out and never come

on.

Now this big guy who boasts of freedom will spend the rest of his life in a

cell.

Do you want to know what his name was?

No.

It's Richard.

Just like you.

In fact, it is you.

So what do you tell me? Mike died?

Yes.

When you struck him, he suffered a brain bleed.

And if you know anything about human anatomy, you know those can be fatal.

Especially when they're a fall of walls.

You showed him no mercy.

And for that, there is a price to pay.

If you were dead, the cops would have come and got me by now.

They will.

Yeah, hello.

I'm inquiring about a patient of yours.

Mike Adams.

He was brought in today after a fight.

Yeah, I'm his brother.

I'm just wondering how he's doing.

No, no, I can't come down there right now, but I'm very worried. I'd like to

know how he's making out.

Oh, okay.

Uh, thank you very much.

Is this a prank?

How do you know these things?

I have a proposition for you.

Sort of proposition.

If there was a way to make this incident go away, completely disappear,

would you be willing to explore?

What, get me off the hook?

Something like that.

Now are you willing to take your chances with the game?

If you win the game, you become a truly free man.

But if you lose the game, let's just hope you don't lose.

Okay, I'm in.

What do we gotta do?

Let's start with name association.

I'll say your name, and you say the first thing that comes to mind.

This is stupid.

Get out of my house.

Get the hell out of my house.

Here they come for you, Richard.

You can stay and play some music.

Or you can try your chances with the game.

Don't worry.

What do you have to do?

Okay.

Follow me.

Does this place look familiar to you?

Richard?

No, should it? It should.

It certainly should.

Let's get back to name association.

Are you ready?

Yeah.

Billy Henderson.

Doesn't ring a bell.

That's strange.

I think you're lying.

I think you know exactly who I'm talking about.

Yeah, I went to school with him.

Do you remember what happened to him?

Killed himself.

He was your target for your freshman year in high school.

You bullied him without mercy, beat him without restraint, and took pleasure in

his misery.

This is where he ended it.

That tree right there is where he ended it all.

Listen, I didn't put the noose around his neck.

Interesting how you justify it.

Okay.

Let's move on to Michael Adams.

50 years old.

180 pounds.

With heart problems.

Listen, you don't talk shit about me and get away with it.

You got some bad information, Richard.

You killed a completely innocent man.

He never said a word about you, and you attacked him.

Interestingly enough, he fits the mold of most of your victims.

Small, meek.

Easy mark for a bully like you.

You feast on the weak, feel powerful.

But I know your secret.

Yeah? What is it?

You have no heart.

Listen, I'll fight anyone, anytime, anywhere.

I don't believe that to be true.

But that's what makes this game so interesting.

Let's put your theory to the test.

Let's say I know a big guy, and all you have to do is beat him in a fight, and

all this goes away.

No murder charge.

No job loss.

No divorce.

You're back to square one.

Fine. But if you're lying, I'll add another murder charge.

Let's move on.

Where's your big guy?

Well, you're looking at him. You?

You scrawny punk.

You spent your whole life attacking the helpless, beating the small.

But just like any other bully, if you stand up to them, they deflate like a

balloon.

Listen, I'm getting sick of your mouth.

If we're going to do this, let's do it.

Before we duke it out, do you have any regret?

I have no regrets.

None. You hear me?

I'm proud of everything I've done in my life. You hear me? Proud of everything.

Now, did I win?

Did you have enough?

Billy? What do you have to say for yourself?

No, it's got to be some kind of trick. It has to be.

No trick.

What will my children do?

I have no father now.

I don't care. I don't give a fuck. I don't care.

You hear me? I don't care.

What are you going to do?

Come on.

Let's go.

What the hell are you?

I'm sorry.

You

don't

think he met up with a demon, do you?

He met up with something.

I mean, this guy's neck was snapped like a twig. He was involved.

Takes something pretty wicked to do something like that.

Wow, so does anybody see what's going on in the zoo?

Oh, yeah.

They saw them both walking together the night Richard died.

Strange thing is, no one's seen this guy before or since.

Well, I don't think that we can all assume that he was eaten by the devil,

can we?

I mean, people make up stories like that.

Urban Watson.

He's probably working at some factory or in prison again.

People make up stuff.

You don't believe in a lot, do you?

I believe in what I can see.

Ghouls, aliens, goblins. It's all nonsense.

It's not all nonsense.

There are things that go bump in the night.

I knew you'd have to come up with a story.

You've always been competing with Tim, even now.

Come on, tell it. What's your story?

Well, I'm not competing with Tim.

That's one.

Two, this isn't just a story.

It's true.

I've been thinking about it for years, trying to explain it to myself.

Well, let me get a cup of coffee. Does anybody want a refill before you start?

Is my story going to bore you that much? No, but on a cold night in a dark

cabin, it's a good idea to have a hot cup of joe in your hand.

So let me hold you up.

It was about six years ago.

My crew and I got hired to work on this house.

It was bought by a young couple.

It was mostly wooded.

They were going to take down many of the trees to put in a tennis court for the

husband who enjoyed that sort of thing.

Well, long story short, I wanted the job.

So my crew and I took a break from the house and we began looking around the

woods.

And off in the distance, I saw this house.

I mean, it was in the middle of the woods.

It made no sense for it to be there. None at all. I mean, it was in the

of nowhere.

And there was no road going in or out.

You literally had to walk miles through the woods to get to this house.

That's what I did.

That's when I found them.

Found who?

The bodies.

I don't care, Bill. It's over. Can't you get it through your thick skull?

Go hang out with your peeping Tom friend, Carlos, and leave me alone.

Oh, that didn't sound good.

Is everything alright?

Yes, Sam. Just leave me alone, please.

Oh, now that ain't no way to talk to your daddy, is it? You're not my father.

You're my stepfather. And I'm not in the mood to talk today, okay? Can you leave

me alone, please?

I was young once too, girl, and I know how it is.

You place all your hopes on this one person, and then it falls apart.

And that hurts.

That hurts like hell.

My heart's not broken. I'm irritated. Just leave me alone.

You know it'll help to talk about this.

Not with you, it won't.

Now why do you gotta be like that?

You know, we could be so much closer if you just allow it.

Get out of here right now or I'm telling my mother and she'll kick you right out

of this house right on your jobless ass.

You ungrateful little bitch.

When you couldn't make it on your own and you came crawling back to mommy, I

the one who allowed you to return.

And now you have the balls to call me jobless?

You're lucky I don't ram my fist down your pretty little throat.

I'm calling the police, Sam.

Calling the police?

Oh, I know you ain't no cherry, and I'm only asking for it once.

You are so precious.

What are you going to do with those, may I ask?

I'll kill you, Sam.

I swear to God I'll stab you right through the heart.

Oh, I like when women fight me. I like the challenge.

Now let's have some fun.

Thick, twisted bastard.

Oh, you don't want to get involved with this boy.

Are you okay?

Are you sure?

Oh, I thought I was only fucking one girl today. Give it to me, baby! Give it

me, baby!

Give it to me, baby!

Are

you

okay?

Yeah.

How about you?

He's dead, Mike, and I killed him.

It was self -defense.

He has relatives on the force. They won't believe me. They won't believe us.

We're going to prison for this.

Mike, I am so scared.

Let's get out of here. I'll fix this.

You promise?

Yeah, but we've got to go now. Come on, let's go.

Okay.

Why are we stopping here?

We're nearly out of gas.

I wasn't even paying attention. I don't even know where we are.

I have $40 in my checking account.

Well, it's not going to do us any good without an ATM machine.

We screwed up bad, Amber. We screwed up really bad.

What were we supposed to do?

We should have stayed and faced the music.

I mean, he tried to rape you. That's self -defense.

Now, we just look guilty. Like we're thrill killers or something.

We can go back.

It's 3 .30 right now.

Your mom's home, and she's found him. And with your fingerprints all over that

pair of scissors, if we go back into town, the cops will pick us up first

It'll fix itself, won't it? I mean, the police will figure out what happened,

right? He's dead on the kitchen floor with stab wounds in his back. The police

are going to end up thinking that you and I did it while he was defenseless.

That's cold -blooded murder.

If we go back now, we're going to spend a long time in jail.

We just got to keep running.

Maybe forever.

Those are our two options.

What about Canada?

What about it? We should go there. In the movies, people always run to Canada.

Well, they're going to put us in prison there, too.

And while you're muff diving in some cell, some guy's going to be giving me

Canadian bacon.

No, I don't think so.

We got to think this through.

I say we keep running. I don't want to go to prison.

All right.

Let's hide the car for tonight and camp out.

Maybe some sleep will clear our minds.

Okay.

Wow, look at this fire.

I didn't know you were such a nature man.

Yeah, well, they taught me how to do more than French kiss and boy scats.

They actually taught me to build a fire.

It's so funny, Mike.

Even in moments like this, you keep your sense of humor.

Yeah, well, you gotta do something to keep yourself from crying.

Time to get into this. I should be in a warm bed at home.

Well, you can always go back.

They only suspect me, I'm sure.

Hey, I would never abandon you.

Besides, I had a surprise for you today.

Really? Yeah.

I was the ninth caller and 98 .7 for the Twin Obsession concert tickets. Your

favorite band.

I knew how much you liked them, so I figured it'd be good for after your

with Bill.

Thank you so much. No wonder you're my favorite cousin.

Yeah, well, don't thank me too much. It's not like we're going to be going.

What happened with Bill, anyway?

A lot.

He just became a total bastard the moment I moved in with him.

You just don't know somebody until you live with them.

Hey, hold that thought. I gotta take a leak.

I found a house.

What?

It's abandoned, I think, but it'd still be better sleeping there than here.

It's probably full of rats.

Or raccoons.

But they're more afraid of us than we are of them.

Come on, let's go give this a look.

It's pitch black in there. I can't see a thing.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Why would this house be gone?

It's me, but it's you.

What do you want to do?

I'm going to go inside.

Somebody must live here.

Then we'd better leave.

I get the feeling this is someone's summer home.

They probably just come here once a year to get away.

I don't know about this.

I'm sick of sitting in the cold. I'm sick of sitting on the ground.

It's warm in here.

Let's just stay inside and warm up.

This is crazy.

You know this is crazy, right? Yeah, sure do.

I bet my mom's going crazy right now.

I bet she's telling my mom what a horrible influence I am and how all of

must be my fault.

How'd we get stuck with this family?

Beats me, but we're stuck nonetheless.

So, cuz, what's our next move?

I don't know.

I don't even know how we got into this. I mean, if we hadn't left so quickly...

I guess that's behind us now.

We could just go back and turn ourselves in and tell our side of the story.

Maybe we could even talk to Uncle Ron.

Uncle Ron the dog fucker?

Now, there's no proof that he did that. Oh, come on. The guy is not right.

What possible help could he be to us outside of teaching us how to romance

St. Bernard?

Well, I see you got your sense of humor back.

Uncle Ron knows people on the force. I mean, he's friends with the district

attorney, for Christ's sake.

We may have to jump through some hoops, but I think the truth will come out in

the end.

I hope you're right.

That's why I had to come over today.

Yeah, I just had a bad day at the office and wanted someone to talk to.

The office?

Is that what you call a video store?

Yeah, well, Nobrowski took me into his office.

He said that my work wasn't up to snuff.

He was going to cut down my hours.

I know he was just trying to get his badass son in there.

Can't you just quit?

Yeah, it was on my to -do list before all this happened.

Now I don't know what I'm going to do.

You should go to college.

You sound like my mom.

Well, she's right.

You're so smart, Mike, and you have so much going for you.

What the hell was that?

Maybe one of those raccoons.

Let's get going.

No. What do you mean, no?

No, I'm not leaving until I figure out what that was.

Just sit tight. I'll be back.

Hello.

Hello. Who are you?

I'm Mike.

I'm really sorry. I didn't realize anybody lived here. My cousin and I will

Again, I apologize.

You don't have to leave.

You can stay.

I'm sure Mom would love to meet you.

No, I should really go.

What's wrong?

I'm Alice.

What's your name?

Amber.

It's strange seeing people around here.

Usually it's just a deer or a bear.

It's a nice change.

Alice, who are your friends?

This is Mike.

And this is Amber.

They just showed up?

Well, isn't that nice?

I'm Alice's mom, eh?

Hi, I am so sorry for letting ourselves in here. We just didn't think anybody

lived here. Again, I'm so sorry.

Don't be.

Please, sit.

I'm going to make some tea.

It's been a while since I've had an adult conversation.

All Alice wants to do is talk about boys.

Ma! Well, you do.

Now, it's past your bedtime.

Back up in your room, girl.

And don't give me any attitude either.

Sit. Please.

You have a nice daughter. She was very pleasant.

Well, you haven't seen her bad side yet.

She can throw a tantrum like you wouldn't believe.

How old is she? Oh, she just turned 22 last month.

And now is going boy crazy.

I'll tell her when she's old enough, she'll find the right man.

But not now. She's just a baby.

I was dating when I was 22.

And that's why you're in trouble.

You probably walked around with your breath hanging out for all the boys to

Hoping to have them put a baby in that belly of yours.

No, on both counts.

Guess I was just raised differently.

You can say that again. I don't raise my daughter to be a whore. What?

Calm down, Amber.

Mae was kind enough to let us stay here. I'm sure she didn't mean anything by

it. You're right.

I sometimes let the mother in me come out.

I know you do things differently in the big city, and that is okay.

I'm what you would call out of touch.

If I offended you, I'm sorry.

Yeah, it's okay.

So, what sort of trouble are you in?

What makes you think we're in any kind of trouble?

Why else would you come here?

You found my home nestled deep into the woods and saw a hideout.

Now, what are you hiding from?

Just family problems.

I'm sure it's more than that.

I can see it in your eyes.

You have that look.

Fear is behind both your eyes.

Maybe you don't want to tell me what you did, but I already know you did

something awful.

But you don't have to worry about me. I won't call the police.

You can stay here for as long as you like.

But you, keep your penis in your pants and away from my daughter. Do you

understand me?

Sure. Of course.

Now, let me make you two some tea.

I love good conversation and tea.

22 years old and she still plays with teddy bears? Oh my god, Mike, they are

strange. Keep your penis in your pants.

Who would say something like that? What the hell's wrong with this family?

I think we should leave right after tea.

Sleeping outside is starting to sound a little bit more appealing.

You don't want to try your charm with Alice?

I don't think I want to deal with any of this family.

Here you go.

Thank you, ma 'am.

You're welcome.

This is some great tea.

I sent Alice to the store to buy some last week, and it really is a piece of

heaven. So, do you and Alice live alone out here?

I guess.

What do you mean?

Are you two religious folk?

Well, I believe that Carl still lives in my heart and still lives in this house,

watching over me and Alice.

He was your husband? Yes, and one heck of a good man, too.

So what is it that you do out here? I mean, there doesn't seem to be a whole

to do. You must get bored.

Oh, no.

Every night, Alice and I play a board game.

You get a good game of Scrabble going, and the time just flies by.

Other times, I just sit on my porch, reading a book, watch the wind blow

the trees.

It's quite peaceful out here.

Maybe boring for city folk, but not for me, it isn't.

Doesn't sound that bad, Mae.

I think that avoiding the hustle of daily life and living away from society

doesn't sound that bad.

You're doing good for yourself, and you make one great cup of tea.

Well, bless your heart.

I'm going to go get some sleep.

You two feel free to stay as long as you want.

I enjoy the company.

Wake up!

Wake up, Mike. Wake up.

Oh, shit.

Shit.

Oh, my God.

I've been waiting so long for you two.

Now, here you are.

You came right to us.

It must be fate.

I don't know what you're planning, but don't do it.

There are people that are looking for us. They're going to find our car, and

they're going to find this place.

I'm not concerned about it. There'll be nothing left to find.

Now, I want you to meet somebody I should have introduced last night.

This is my son, Carl Jr., and that is Daddy Carl.

You're sick. You're out of your mind. Oh, shut up, whore. Let me kill this

whore, Mom.

In due time, honey.

In due time.

What do you want from us? You don't really want to know, do you, do you? I

you a question. What the hell do you want from us? You're going to be my gift

I can get my Carl back.

Gift?

More like sacrifice.

Oh, we got a couple of smart ones here.

Now, spill their blood, Alice.

In the name of Satan, spill their blood.

You cannot hide forever.

Don't be a coward.

Come meet your fate.

Don't make me come get you.

Carl Jr., go check on your sister.

So it is done, so it shall begin.

And soon, Alice, your father will return to this world.

Wrong guess, bitch.

The police wouldn't say anything, but his eyes said it all.

What did they say?

Something evil went on in that house.

Something he couldn't or wouldn't explain.

As a matter of fact, a few months later, a man went into that house and

committed suicide.

Now, you may not believe in anything supernatural, Susan, but I'm telling

that house was evil, and it would make a believer out of you.

No, from what I understand, they tore it down.

That's amazing.

Susan, you're the skeptic here.

I mean, you must have had something that happened in your life that made you

question your own beliefs.

You know, something you couldn't explain.

Oh, you do?

Come on, tell us.

Yes, but there's millions of ex - explanations as to what could have

And I'm not the type of person that jumps to supernatural occurrences as

an explanation to everything.

Alright, well, just say what you know then.

Come on, I want to hear your story. And if you tell us yours, I might have my

own spooky true tales to tell. Now you gotta say it. Come on now, we're all

friends.

Okay, but just because I'm saying it doesn't mean that I believe it.

Fine. Just tell the goddamn story.

Well... There was this guy named Mark. He was one of our high rollers at the

casino. He'd come in from time to time with a case full of money.

He'd win some, he'd lose some. He was a very animated person.

Anyway, one night he came over to my table and started telling me about a

game that he and the boys were attending.

He was very excited about it.

As he was talking, I just got a really bad feeling.

Maybe I should have said something.

Come in.

Have you left the house at all today?

No.

You know, it's not healthy being cooped up inside.

You need some fresh air.

I guess I just want to enjoy this house while I still have it.

What do you mean? You're losing it?

Yeah.

It's hard to keep up on the payments when you don't have a job.

It'll take them a few months to kick me out. I guess there is some good news.

Sorry to hear that, man.

Got some good news that might cheer you up. Oh, yeah?

Arranged a poker game tonight.

Apparently you don't understand what jobless means.

I've got nothing, Steve.

Whatever I had, Helen took, and my unemployment has run out.

The last thing on my mind is poker.

You know we don't lose when we play. You can put some money in your pockets, but

I need you at the table or this scam doesn't work.

You know, Jamie... I don't think I have the energy. Well, maybe this will help.

The score is 20 Gs.

That's a pretty penny for us. Where did you find a guy with $20 ,000 to blow?

Does it matter? Yes, it matters.

Who is this guy that's going to lay down that kind of cash?

Well, I actually met him on one of my runs today.

I was delivering a package up in Amherst to this big house, and he had all sorts

of poker stuff.

I asked him if he liked the game, and he did.

One thing led to another, and here we are.

What makes him think a delivery boy can cover a $20 ,000 bet?

Well, because I've been living off an inheritance.

And he believed that?

He sure did.

And he's coming with the money tonight, which is why I need you.

We need to get the big three back together again. Lie in our pocket.

What did Jamie say?

It's best you not know.

I don't think he'd have proven the jump in the amount, which is why I'm coming

to you.

Majority rules.

A guy this rich is going to be a smarter mark than the schmucks we took for 300

bucks.

If we're going to do this, we have to do it right.

We can't make any mistakes.

Sounds like you're in.

One condition.

What's that?

I get $10 ,000 of it.

I could settle everything with that money.

Otherwise, I'm out of it.

Deal.

Phil, you're happier than usual.

I'm really looking forward to this game.

Mark should be here any minute.

What do we know about this guy?

Enough to know he's got money and likes to play cards.

Great. So what's the score tonight?

Must be larger than usual, right?

Right.

Well, don't keep me in suspense. How much?

$20 ,000.

No. What do you mean, no?

I'm not comfortable with this. That is way too much money. What the hell's your

problem, Jamie?

This is our chance to make some great money. More money than we ever made with

this scam. And you're not comfortable with it? More money, more risk.

These rich guys protect their money. They don't drop it at the table.

Just relax.

Steve and I have it covered.

I'm not going to be part of this.

Yes, you are.

It's two to one.

Majority rules.

Now, relax, sit back, and let's make some money.

You'll thank me when it's over.

There's my delivery man.

My man.

How you doing?

Good. How you doing, Mark?

Any better, and I'd have to be twins just to handle it.

Who are these two gentlemen?

This is Phil, and that's Jamie.

Pleasure's mine, gents.

You know, I've been hitting up that casino so much the last couple years, I

forgot what it's like to play with some regular Joes. Some real men in a high

-stakes game. This is going to be fun.

Steve tells me you're quite the poker fan.

Oh, hell yeah.

I once played in one of those big tournaments you see in the Sports

Came in fifth.

I was one hand away from a million bucks.

One.

Well, there's always next time, right?

Absolutely.

So what's your game?

You name the game and I rule it.

I mean to warn you boys, cards turn into money in these hands.

I don't often lose, so you better hope Lady Luck is in your corner tonight.

What's the matter with you, young man?

Is your heart not in the game?

Oh, just a little tired.

My job's kicking my ass.

Oh, really?

Well, what is it that you do?

I'm a fork truck operator at the meat plant.

Oh, that's back -breaking work.

Well, let's hope you win tonight so you can take some time off.

You know, I might even throw a hand so you can walk away with a little

something. What about Texas Hold 'em?

What about it? Are you comfortable with that game? It's what we play. Big boy,

we could play go fish and I wouldn't have a problem with it.

You guys may have invited the wrong man here tonight.

We'll see.

Mark, are you okay?

Let me ask you something.

How stupid do you think I am?

What's that supposed to mean?

You know, I've met scam artists in my life, but you three are the most pitiful

pretenders I think I've ever seen.

You don't actually think I'm going to let you get away with it. You lost fair

and square.

Shut your mouth before I stick an apple in it, piggy.

I want to see all the money.

I want to see the $20 ,000 that each of you brought here tonight for the pot.

I see the poker chips.

Where's the money? We don't have to prove anything to you. Oh, really?

Well, um, my brother, he's chief of police in this town.

I think he might like to come over here right now and investigate this

situation. Okay, hold on. Let's not get too crazy here. The money.

You gum bag.

I tell you what.

I want all the money.

I want all the money I figured I would have won here tonight.

That's 20, 40, 60, 80 thousand dollars.

I want it.

80 thousand or I go to the police.

We can't come up with that much money, Mark.

Let's just refund your money and pretend this night never happened.

How many poor working staffs have you taken for their week's pay?

You never even gave them a fighting chance.

I'm not walking away from this. You need to be taught a lesson.

$80 ,000.

Now. Okay. Give me a minute to talk you over with Phil.

We'll come back with an answer.

You have five minutes.

I knew this was too much money. God damn it!

We have only one option here.

Only one.

What's that?

He can't walk out of this house.

Oh, my God.

Steve, we can't do this.

I can't do this.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

We can ditch the body, keep the money, pretend like we never met the man.

Think about it. There's no link between him and us.

It'll be like he just disappeared.

It happens every day.

I can't do it, Steve.

I just can't do it.

Maybe not.

But I can.

You don't have to do this.

You know, we're really not bad guys. It's just one of those things.

You've opened my eyes. Please, just take your money and go. Be quiet, little

boy.

I'll go when I have my money.

All of it. How are we going to come up with it?

Not my problem.

You've got a choice here, old man.

You can either take the money and run,

Or you can push this and face the consequences.

Is that supposed to be intimidating?

It's like I told your boyfriend here.

I'll leave when I get my money.

All of it.

You got that?

Can you get that through your thick skull?

It's your funeral.

You should have gone out when you could, old man.

Oh, my God. What did you do, Steve?

Why did you do that?

He was going to call the police, Jamie.

This is serious.

All three of us would have been arrested.

And what now?

What about us now?

We get rid of the body, of the car, and anything that would link him to this

place.

Then we proceed with our lives.

I can't be part of this.

I'm with Steve on this one.

Majority rules.

Remember? It never covered murder.

Well, now it does.

You two bury him in the back.

Walk as far into the trees as you can and start digging.

I'm going to get rid of the car.

I'll drive as far away as I can and take the bus home.

You two just dig a deep hole. You got that?

Yeah, we got it.

I will do it.

But I want none of the money. It's tainted.

I want no part of it. Great.

More for us.

Now grab his legs.

It's like I told you.

The only thing that could have screwed us was if one of us talked.

We're in the clear.

I think you're right.

I don't.

I don't think so at all.

I've been having these dreams where he talks to me.

Who?

Mark. He's coming back to get us.

You guys wanted that money for all the wrong reasons.

You let greed get the better of you. And now he's coming back to get me.

Here. Look what dropped out of his pocket. He believed in this shit.

You may not, but it's real.

Come on.

That stuff isn't real.

It's a bunch of dime store voodoo bullshit.

There are no ghosts.

No ghouls.

No witches.

You guys really screwed us.

I can feel it.

I forget.

Who was it that helped me bury him?

Only because I had to.

You had other choices.

You could have called the police, but you didn't. You participated, which

you just as guilty as we are.

What do you mean he's coming back? What, is he going to haunt this house?

Worse than that, I think.

What's that?

That must be Jake.

Jake who?

Steve and I thought it would be for the best to get the game going again.

It's been six months.

I don't even get informed anymore.

This is too early, guys. I can't do this.

Fine, then sit it out. But for now, you can get the door.

Yeah, but I'm leaving.

Bye -bye.

I want

my

money.

I want my money!

Delivery boy!

I want my money!

Delivery boy!

I want it!

Delivery boy!

open.

Let's play.

Anything could convince me that something strange is going on.

Well, there's a lot that we don't understand and can't explain away.

But a corpse playing poker. Now, that's a new one on me.

Now, never heard of that one before.

Well, That leaves you, Wendy.

Oh, I don't think I can top a poker playing zombie, Tim.

Well, you don't have to. We're all just telling stories here, that's all.

Come on now, I want to hear yours.

You did promise, Wendy.

Okay.

Okay, let me just grab a smoke first. Does anybody care to join me?

Sure, I think I'll grab some of that secondhand smoke.

I think Tim is severely depressed.

Yeah. Did you hear him say he peaked in high school?

Jesus. That's sad.

I know.

I'm worried about him.

His eyes tell the story.

There's no joy there.

I wonder what happens when we leave this place.

I mean, I want to stay in contact, but it's not going to be like it used to be.

I mean, we've grown up.

We're different people.

We can't...

Party all night and drive around without a care in the world?

We have obligations.

I just don't understand what he wants from this meeting. I don't know. He said

he wanted to recapture a feeling.

But like you said, we're not the same anymore.

Getting cold out there, huh? And getting colder.

Now there's more coffee.

Oh, I'm coffeeed out.

So, Wendy, tell us your scary tale.

Okay, I hope I can tell it was the same delivery that you guys did.

It's just this very strange thing that happened to me, and I don't talk about

very often, but since we're all baring our souls here, I guess I can tell it.

A couple years ago, I was selling houses like mad, just making handover fits,

and this house came on the market that the owner's family wanted to get rid of.

So they were letting a couple hundred grand house go for less than half that.

Should have moved, should have been a piece of cake.

But I couldn't sell it.

And even in a piss -poor economy, this house should have sold.

And that's when I started hearing about missing children and that damn bridge.

What are you working on?

A project for history.

You know, I want to do something unique.

Something local.

Sounds interesting.

Not really.

Not yet, at least.

So, when are you going to move back home?

Dad, I like the dorm life.

And besides, you have Grant here. He can keep you company.

Company? All he does is stare out the window all day. He hasn't said a word in

years.

Lights are on, but nobody's home.

Yeah. I'm sorry I brought that up.

I wish Mom was still around.

Things would be different, that's for sure.

Still a family, right?

Absolutely.

When I graduate, I'm sure I'll be back home to argue with you again.

I look forward to it.

Anyway, I'm going shopping. Do you need anything?

No, I'm set. I'm just going to watch some TV and jet.

Don't be a stranger.

How are you in a day, Grandpa?

I've got a dilemma.

I don't know what to write about.

I want something that is unique and memorable.

The bridge.

Did you say something?

Do it on the railway bridge.

The devil's bridge.

They closed it down, but people still keep dying.

They keep crossing and dying.

Right about that, boy.

Devil's bridge?

What, that Rusty Old Railroad bridge? Is that what you're talking about?

Yes, that's it.

You want to know why you were told to never cross it?

Why your mommy and daddy told you to stay away?

It's evil, boy.

Why don't you take it?

Don't you think you're imagining things?

No.

Okay, well then what is it? What do you think brought him back?

I don't think he was back.

It wasn't him.

It was like I was talking to somebody else.

Okay, do you think the bridge has a story?

That's what I want to find out.

Listen, if it does, this could be big.

It would be huge.

I mean, it would be sensational, and I'm sure I would get an A on it.

I just need to figure out where to begin.

Okay, I have a cousin.

And if anyone knows about these things, it would be her.

Why's that?

She's like a paranormal researcher, you know, and she's also a town historian.

But she's self -professed on both accounts, but you get the point, you

Well, let's go see her.

Okay.

I'm glad you came to me with the... I appreciate you taking the time to talk

with us.

What do we know?

That railway itself has a very dark and scary history.

In 1911, railways were the future of transportation and nothing was going to

stop it from being laid here in Palmer.

Nothing. The big bankers and the railway money men were putting so much pressure

on the town that it eventually buckled. They promised jobs and revivals to a

town that sincerely needed it.

The problem was that the townies didn't read the fine print.

To lay down the track, they tore down houses, moved cemeteries, and created so

much chaos that many of the residents couldn't handle it. It seemed like every

day there was another townie hanging from their ceiling.

Is there anything more to the legend?

Oh, there is a ton more.

Your grandfather called it the Devil's Bridge?

Well, he's right.

In the early 1900s, it was called just that.

The railway workers claimed to have seen demons, and there were many fatalities

from freak accidents.

A big money man named Charles Melville Hayes was pushing for the railway to

consume New England, and all the pieces were in place.

But it seemed as though the curse of the Grand Trunk Railroad caught up with

him. What happened?

Strange thing. He bought a seat on the Titanic, but before he went on his

journey, he informed a friend that he had seen the devil and that he would not

return from his trip.

The railroad began to be called the Titanic Railroad, a name given to this

town's curse.

Do you believe in curses?

Absolutely, Bill.

So what about the bridge?

Why is the bridge so scary?

Although the project was mostly scrapped after the death of Hayes, another money

man came in and tried to make a profit.

He was a heartless bastard, laying those tracks over an old cemetery, one of

those places where not every deceased has a stone.

He only saw profit, and the people that would travel the rails and cross that

bridge only saw death.

One train full of railway workers perished immediately after crossing the

bridge. And then the second money man too would perish, butchered, his body

found on the bridge itself.

Funny coincidence though, he too claimed to have seen the devil. Anyone who sets

foot on that bridge meets a horrible fate.

This is exactly the story that I need.

I'm going to cross that bridge.

I'll have no part of it. Bill, I know you think this is fun and you don't

believe it, but there's more to this world than meets the eye.

You see, we've all been programmed to believe what we're told, to dismiss what

we can't comprehend or explain.

But our ancestors were smarter than we are.

They could sense evil and they didn't have this mental box that we live in

preventing us from seeing the obvious.

And what's the obvious here?

If you could throw out your belief system, your skepticism which stops you

believing in the truth, then you would see that you are trying to fool with

things beyond your control.

Look, I know you hunt ghosts and you believe in this stuff, but there is

a rational explanation for everything.

I wonder, how many trains cross that bridge without incident?

People like you always focus on the one case that supports your belief and seem

to ignore the mountain of evidence pointing to the fact that it's just a

There is no devil. There are no ghosts.

There's just a lot of bullshit and good storytelling.

Yeah, I really don't see anything wrong with going a few steps onto the bridge.

I'm coming with you two if you decide to do it. You just tell me when. You're

going to need me there.

Why? To speak to them on your behalf.

Maybe we'll luck out and we will all survive it.

What's wrong?

Grandpa passed away.

I came home and he was slumped over.

I'm sorry, Dad.

He was sick.

It's okay.

It's just another link to your mom that's gone.

He said something to me that was very strange this morning.

What? He spoke?

Yeah, he did.

He told me about the old railway bridge.

And he told me to write about it in my report.

You're not lying to me, are you?

If I was going to lie, it wouldn't be now.

Why?

What's the matter?

Your mom died on that bridge.

What I'm going to tell you is going to be shocking.

I'm not sure if you're ready to hear this or not.

It's been ten years, Dad.

I think I'm ready to deal with how she died.

She took her own life.

She shot herself.

She had been having these horrible nightmares and began sleepwalking.

One night I wake up, she's not there.

That's when I got the call.

She walked to that bridge barefoot in the cold and took her own life.

Why grandpa would tell you to write your story about that is puzzling.

Why didn't you tell me this before?

A car accident is a much easier thing to tell a child.

I spoke to a friend.

And she said that the bridge is evil, and that many people have died crossing

it. She said that the entire railway is cursed.

It's true, son.

When you went away to college, I was so proud of you.

So happy that you were moving on.

Maybe you could escape the curse of this town.

Curse?

Come on, Dad, listen to what you're saying.

Maybe you should be the one that listens.

I'm taking Grandpa's advice.

I'm doing my report on it.

I want to prove to you and everyone else that this legend, this so -called

curse, is complete nonsense.

You know what this is, right?

This is mass hysteria.

If enough people buy it, it almost becomes real.

Almost.

But those of us that are objective and rational see it for what it is.

It is a rusty old railway bridge.

That is all.

I'm asking you not to cross it.

Write about it, but don't cross it.

Don't put one foot on it.

I buried your mom.

I don't want to bury you too, son.

You won't.

I'll see you later, Dad.

If this is my last day on earth, I want to say that I love Sue Robbins and I

still don't believe in the Devil's Bridge.

I told you there was nothing to it. But he didn't even cross the bridge.

I

saw

the devil tonight.

What? What are you talking about?

He was on the bridge.

He said that he had mom now.

You take some drugs, son.

You seem out of it.

What happened to you on that god damn bridge?

Robbins?

Yeah. My name is Detective Smith.

I'm going to need to speak with you.

Something happened on the bridge?

How do you know something happened on the bridge?

Denise is dead, isn't she?

She is.

Her and a boy by the name of William Hawkins committed suicide today.

Denise left a note saying that if Sue Robbins would be at her home, then here

you are.

Here's the note.

I can't read this.

According to our interpreters, it's Latin. It says, and I quote, it is the

answer, and there must be a return to see.

What exactly does that mean?

I don't know.

I'm going to need you to stop by the station today when you get a chance.

Do I make myself understood?

Yes.

The air feels good today.

I actually feel alive today.

Sue, you are alive.

You are an attractive young woman with a bright future ahead of you. You need to

seize that.

And if this wonderful day doesn't convince you of that, I don't know what

I just want to get out of here.

I just want to move away.

Move away?

Sue, you can't run away from your problems.

What about running away from bad memories?

Fill with everything.

No matter what I do, I'm going to have to go somewhere new.

Start over with new people.

You know, that's if you let me go.

You know, I can convince you that I'm not crazy.

I'm getting out of this town.

Sue, I don't think you're crazy.

Far from it.

You've been through something traumatic, something that nobody should ever have

to go through.

And I'm here to make sure that you are totally beyond that before I release

What do I have to do to prove to you that I'm sane?

What you have to do is prove to me that you're ready to conquer your fears.

Sue,

I've investigated all the claims.

There's no truth to them.

Yes, the man died on the Titanic, but there was no mass murder. There's no

amount of suicides associated with the railroad.

What this is, is fantasy.

Folklore. Every town has them.

Just more people have bought into this one.

You need to move on. You need to get past this and have yourself a normal

Sue, I'm here for you.

Let's cross that bridge.

We'll cross it together. And you have my word that first thing tomorrow morning,

I'll release you.

able to move the house, and eventually I just gave up.

And as I was driving home, I stopped in front of that bridge, and I was about to

cross it and prove that it was all bullshit when I saw my grandmother

there. Your grandmother?

What was she doing there?

That's strange.

Oh, it's strange, especially when you consider she'd been dead for ten years.

I've come to the conclusion that it wasn't actually her, but it was like...

bridge was baiting me to walk across it.

And I don't know, had I taken that walk, I might not be here today.

I got in my car and I drove away and never looked at that thing again.

But sometimes I think about it.

It's like it's almost calling out to me.

Or I'm just too curious about it. I don't know.

But whatever it was, it scared the life out of me.

Well. Any more scary tales, people?

I have one more.

Yeah, what do you have in store for us this time, Tim?

I have changed a lot since high school.

There's one thing that happened to me that... Do you have a creepy uncle, Tim?

You poor thing.

You've been diddled.

I came up here one night when the wife and I were having this big blowout of a

fight and something was trying to break in.

I thought it was a bear, but it wasn't a bear. It was something much worse.

You're scaring me, Tim.

You should be scared.

I want you to know something.

Why I brought you all here.

You three were the best thing that ever entered my life. Just as quickly, you

left me.

Alone and miserable.

I mean, you didn't call me.

I could have been dead for all you guys know. The three of you went on with your

life while I sat back here and suffered.

We were just kids, Tim.

We didn't do anything maliciously, and you can't possibly hold a grudge against

us.

I didn't remember receiving any phone calls from you. I did call you, Wendy,

you never returned my calls.

You were too good for me.

I was nothing but a goddamn factory worker to you. Well, you went to college

met new people that weren't losers like me.

You're not a loser.

Don't patronize me. You need to relax, Tim.

Your misery has nothing to do with us.

We were kids, and kids get caught up in their own world, and they can be

inconsiderate and forgetful.

Hell. You need to stop living in the past.

Which is right, Tim. We were just kids and we lost touch.

And that's a bad thing.

But we didn't do it on purpose.

And even if we had stayed in touch, what would that have changed?

You're just going through a rough time. You're getting a divorce and you're

messed up.

Sorry that I came here.

But I'm glad that I did.

Because I miss you guys.

But I'm not going to stay here and let you blame me, Wendy, and Butch for your

life turning out poorly. I won't do it.

You won't have much of a choice.

See, you have to pay for ruining my life.

You have to pay for ruining it and for leaving me stranded.

You've got to pay for it. What does that mean? Let me finish my story.

It was outside the cabin door, and when I opened it, it bit me.

And now...

I'm one of them.

I thought about trying to kill myself, but I can't figure out how to do it.

So, if anyone of you can figure it out, by all means, please do.

But if you can't, you better start running.

Because I'm about to gut you all!

I'm a threat to all your homes.