All language subtitles for Mrs.Ashboros.Cat.2004.WEBRip.x264

[meow]

[barking]

[growls]

[whines]

Some people claim they've
seen ghosts of soldiers

on the battlefields around here.
Absolutely swear to it.

How can you write
a book about ghosts
of the American Revolution

when you are
a total non-believer?

I'm not a total
non-believer.
Right

I look forward
to being proven wrong,
but until then,

I plan to find
verifiable explanations

for all things ghostly
and ghoulish.

Right.

Here it is.

Beautiful downtown Ringwood.
It's smaller than I remember.

Your mom dragged me here
right after we were married.

I think she'd be happy
we're coming back.

So do you think
a New York City girl
like you can hack it?

I'll be fine.
Take a look at that.

Slow down.
I'll get the number.

Excuse me.

Are you the owner?

Oh, no. My aunt.
She's the one selling.

Could we
make an appointment
to look at it?

Come on in.
I'll show it to you.

Hi. I'm Boyd Ashboro.

Nice to meet you.

Wes Merritt.
This is my daughter Natalie.

Hi.

You new to Ringwood?

My wife used to live here.

It's a nice town.

What a beautiful cat.

[Boyd]
That's Margaret.
My aunt's baby.

Seriously.

Oh, my!
[horn honks]

Oh! And they wonder
why there's road rage.

[car door opens]

Hi, Mrs. Ashboro.

What was that maniac
doing here?

I guess if you're Ted Riker,
you don't take no
for an answer.

Don't give in to him, Brenda.

He'll build those abominable
cookie-cutter houses
in your lovely field.

[dog barks]
Oh, hello, guys!

[laughs]
I've got you a present!

Thank you.
I'll get it.

You're my favorite guys.

You know what this is,
don't you?
[whines]

Come on.
You're my favorite boys!
You're my favorite boys!

Let's go home and treat
the bunch. Come on.
Come on!

Come on, guys. Come on, dog.
Good boy, Trapper!

[bleats]

[gate opens]

[laughing]

If I had to sell this place,
I'd never forgive myself.

What would happen
to the animals?

Well, then don't.

Oh, I wish it were
that simple.

Things are a little
rough right now.

How rough?

Taxes have gone up,
supplies are
more expensive.

Dr. Milton used to
volunteer his services,

but the new vet charges
almost full rate.

Here you go.

And on top of that,
Riker's causing problems again.

Riker? What?

He's bad-mouthing me
all over town,
so donations are down.

I honestly think
that's why the bank
is being so difficult.

What?

Nothing.

Brenda, you can tell me.

I'm behind on the mortgage.

They're not happy.

That's just what
Riker needs to hear.

[Boyd]
It's in mint condition.

New furnace last year,
new roof three years
before that.

My aunt's lived here
her whole life.

Such a beautiful creature.

[purring]

[Boyd]
Oh, I wouldn't pet her
if I were you.

She doesn't like strangers.
Bites.

And at 15 years of age,
it's a bad habit
she isn't about to lose.

Margaret saved
my aunt's life once.

Really?

Yeah. Old girl took a nap,
left the stove on.

Dish towel caught fire,
and Margaret woke her up.

Whole place would've
gone up like a tinderbox.

You're a smart cat,
aren't you?

Yeah, that's why
my aunt has to sell.

She's getting on.

She'll be safer
living with me or...
in a home.

Oh, I should show you
the cellar.
Sure.

There's no way
you're going to be
bullied into selling.

I'm going to help.

You've already helped.
No, I mean it. I...

I... I have a little bit
put aside.

No, I absolutely refuse--
Brenda...

where would I be
if you hadn't found
Margaret for me?

Come here, Margaret.

[purring]

Ohh...

Ohh...

[Mrs. Ashboro]
Margaret, I'm home.

Margaret?

[gasps]

Who are you?

I-I'm Natalie.
My dad, he's...

He's looking at your house.

Uh, with your nephew,
uh, Boyd?

Is that so?

I think they're
in the cellar.

Margaret doesn't usually
respond to strangers.

Have we met before?

I don't think so.

Your face is
very familiar to me.

She's a lovely cat.

Margaret is as loyal
and loving an animal
as you could ever want.

She-- She really seems
to have taken to you,
that's for sure.

You're one
of the chosen few.

[Boyd]
Aunt Ruth!

I didn't hear you come in.

This is Wes Merritt.
I just gave him the tour.

It's a beautiful house,
Mrs. Ashboro.

Well, I hate
to disappoint you,
but I am not selling.

I'm sorry, my dear.

I hope you find
a nice place.

And when you do,
perhaps you'll come
to visit us.

Come along, Margaret.
Let's go and have our lunch.
[meows]

[Boyd]
She can be eccentric.

Not to worry.

Call me if you decide
you want the house.

Look, Boyd,
I wouldn't--
No, seriously.

And if you want a mortgage,
I can handle it.

My card.

Thanks, but I wouldn't
dream of buying the house
out from under your aunt.

She has to sell.
Call me. Anytime.

Thank you.

Poor woman.

Can you imagine having to
sell the house you lived in
for your whole life?

[barks]

Hey! Aren't you friendly!

[Natalie]
Yeah, you are.

Don't you understand?
You have to sell.

Why?
Because you're going
to move in with me.

It's the right thing.
You wouldn't have
anything to worry about.

Oh, right.

I'm supposed to sell my house,
hand over the money to you

and go and sit in your house
and not worry about a thing.

Sounds peachy.

Why are you so adamant
about me selling?

Why has this come up
all of a sudden?
Aunt Ruth--

Next thing I know,
you'll be carting me off
to some old folks' home.

No. You-- You can't
live on your own.

Yes, I can!

And if I can't,
I'll get someone
to live with me.

I'll hire someone.

You don't have
the money to do that.

Oh, yes, I do.

I have something tucked away
for a rainy day.

But it isn't raining yet.

What money?
You shouldn't have
money lying around.

It isn't lying around.
And it's really none
of your business, Boyd.

I was just trying to help,
Aunt Ruth, that's all.

I don't need your help.

Why don't you help
someone who does?

Like Brenda.

Excuse me?

She's got mortgage troubles.

Go back to that office of yours
and use your influence.

Maybe I can do something
about that

after I take care
of this whole situation.

[sighs]

Don't you think
that you've caused
enough trouble for one day?

And I don't appreciate
coming home

and finding a "for sale" sign
on my house.

I won't have it.

Fine.

Fine!

[purring]

[sighs]

It's all about money.

Always is with Boyd.

How can he get so upset
about a house

when there are so many more
important things in life?

Hey, Jan.
Brenda.

Pretty cold out, huh?
Radio said we're due
for more snow.

Yeah, sure feels like it.
Listen, I hate to bug you,

but I've got a complaint here
from Walter.

One dog. I was on the phone
half the morning with him.

One dog got out,
and I have no idea how.

I had a complaint
last week, as well.

I know.
It won't happen again.

It better not, Brenda.
You've been warned.
Bye.

Hi! Mrs. Ashboro.

Isn't this a happy coincidence.

I was hoping I would
run into you to apologize.

Listen, dear, I hope
I didn't appear to be rude.

I'm just not ready to sell.
Oh, no, no.

We totally understand,
really.

Where's your father?

Checking out the archives.

So why have you
chosen Ringwood?

I mean, you probably told me,
but it flies out of my mind.

Well, my mom lived here
until she was 17,

and my dad's writing a book
on the American Revolution.

I have this strong feeling
that I have met you before.

I can't get over it.

Now, what was
your mother's maiden name?

Uh, Walmer.
Mary Ann Walmer.

Well, there it is.

No wonder you look
so darn familiar.

I know Mary Ann Walmer.

Really?
Yes!

I was the librarian here
for 25 years,

and your mother
practically lived here.

And this...

This was her favorite table.

This very-- This very one.

That's so cool.

She loved books.

And you?

You are the spitting image
of her.

How is she, your mother?

My mom passed away...
almost a year ago.

Oh.

Oh, my dear, I'm so sorry.

Well, words don't do much,
do they?

Mary Ann. Oh, my.

Did you know that your mother
was quite an actress?

No.

I'll never forget.
She must have been
about 10 or 11, I guess.

[typing]

[knocks]
Hey, you missed the meeting.

Oh, uh, family business.

They've got
some auditors coming in.

Why?

There's weird stuff going on
with some of the accounts.

Looks like someone
has light fingers.

Inside job.

Graydon Industries?

You didn't get caught
in that fiasco, did you?

What a mess!

When? When are
the auditors coming in?

End of the month.

I heard this loud thump.

[thump]

[man]
Shh!

Like that. She threw her book
on the table in a big huff.

It turned out the school
was holding auditions for
A Midsummer Night's Dream.

She was having trouble
memorizing the lines.

Nerves, you know.

So I sat down and helped her.

Wouldn't you know it?
She got the part.

I missed her so much
when she moved away
with her family.

But I never forgot her.

And now I've met you,
I feel like I've seen her again.

Well, I'm sure that
you're going to find
a house that suits you.

I just know it.

You belong here.

Thank you.

And when you do,
you absolutely must
come and visit me.

Oh, yeah, I will.
I promise.

Bye.

Oh, wait. Uh...

Say hello
to Margaret for me.

I will.

[keys jingle]

And how are you today,
Mrs. Ashboro?
Oh, just peachy, Sandra.

Thought I'd check out
the family jewels.

Well, let me know
when you're through.

So I hated the one
with the orange carpets and
the glass bricks, all right?

[laughs]
How about that second one?

The one with
the skinny hallway.

Did that smell weird,
or was that just the agent?

[laughs]

I liked
Mrs. Ashboro's house.

I mean, no wonder
she doesn't want to move.

She's such a nice person.

It's so weird
that she knew mom.

I mean, listening to her
talk about her when she
was little, it was...

it was amazing.

So you want to come back
next weekend, look some more?

Sure, I guess.

Congratulations, Ken.
You've just made the best
investment of your life.

Walter, you're gonna
have to talk to your wife.

Your friend here's
ahead of the game.

Seriously,
just check out the specs.

These properties
are going to double
their value in...

four years max.

Seriously, guys.

This Woodland Development
is going to put this town
on the map.

Ringwood's going to become
one of the most affluent
little commuter towns

in the country.

We should toast to that.
Yeah. Come on.

Two more.

Evening.
Hi.

Boyd Ashboro.

Ted Riker.
Yeah, I know who you are.
It's a pretty small town.

Yes, it is.

Listen,
just thought I'd ask.

I have a property up for sale,
near Brenda Yancey's farm.

Big one.
Top of the hill.

Gray with red trim?
That's the one.

My aunt's.
You interested?

No. Sorry.

I have the package together.

There's just one property
outstanding. I expect to
close that any day now.

Sorry.

No harm in asking, right?

No problem.

Nice to meet you.

That way I'll remember it,
won't I?

You're the only one
I'll ever confess to

that my memory
isn't what it used to be.

[meow]

No. no. Oh, now,
don't get any ideas.

You've had your dinner.

I'm going to put it
where you can't get into it.

I feel like I accomplished
something today, Margaret.

Now Brenda won't have
a thing to worry about.

[purring]

I knew I had this.

I'm going to give it
to that nice little girl.

[purring]

Oh, my good girl.

We're life companions,
aren't we, you and I.

We're not getting any younger.

Ohh...

[meowing]

[meow]

[siren wailing]

Dad!

Another dream?

I was chasing Margaret.

Who?

Mrs. Ashboro's cat.

But I was in
a very strange place.

And there was a fire,
and I lost her.

And Mom was there,
too, waving.

And then she was gone.

I miss her so much.

Think we'll find
a house today, Dad?

Sure you're not going
to miss your school?

Not really.

What about your friends?

They'll visit.

We'll e-mail, right, Dad?

Yeah.

So where's
that three bedroom one?

Uh, it's one more block.

Says it's
partially renovated.

That could mean anything.
You wanna go see it?

Yeah, I guess.
Dad, stop!

It's Margaret!
You almost hit Margaret!

What are you talking about?
There's nothing there.

Well, hi, folks.
Wes, right?

Right. Natalie.

Look, I'm sorry
I didn't get your number.
I was going to call you.

Has your aunt
changed her mind
about selling?

We buried Aunt Ruth
this past Wednesday.

Oh, Boyd, I'm so sorry.

And Margaret?

How is she? I just saw her
running across the street.

You couldn't have.

The cat passed away
the very night of the funeral.

Weirdest thing.

[door opens]

Are you sure
this is a good time?
I don't want to barge in.

No, no, no.
No better time
than the present.

This friend of my aunt's,
Brenda Yancey,

she lives on the farm
across the field.

She's the one who gave
Aunt Ruth the cat
in the first place.

She says Margaret died
of a broken heart.

The animal was 15 years old,
for crying out loud.

I'm not budging
on the price.
I understand.

And if you want it furnished,
it'll cost extra.

Margaret.

"Mary Ann Walmer"?

Dad!

Dad, we have to buy
this house.

It's a sign.
This was Mom's.

[dogs barking]

[barking]

Call the dogs off, Brenda!

What are you doing here,
Mr. Riker?

Surely we're on
a first-name basis by now.

Call me Ted.

If you think
you can buy me off
with flowers and wine,

you're barking up
the wrong tree.

I'm not here to buy you off.
I'm here to apologize.

Hey, Brenda,
you have to understand
me wanting to buy your land.

Your parcel's the only thing
that's standing in the way
of the development.

And it's a fair price.

I don't understand why
you're being so stubborn.

It's simple.
I don't want to sell.

I hear you're
having some trouble
with your neighbors.

That's none of your business.

I promise you,
it's only going to get worse.

Is that a threat?

Cautionary advice.

Now, surely we can
do some business.

I want you
off my property.

It's my final offer.

Now.

Fine.

Ms. Yancey.

Watch the drawers.

You think
of everything.

[boy]
Comfort!
Hey!

Comfort!

Comfort.

That's a cool name.

Um, so are we going
to be neighbors?

Yeah, I guess.
I'm Natalie.

Pearson.

He's a great-looking dog.

See, Comfort?
You lose a friend,
another one comes along.

He lost a friend?

The cat that used
to live here-- Margaret.

They were buddies.

Oh, yeah.
She was so beautiful.

So, you should know
I'm basically nosy,

and all I've seen
is you and your dad.

No brothers or sisters?

No. It's, uh...
It's just the two of us.

Hey, Pearson!

That's Kurt, my brother.

Come on! It's lunchtime.

Well, uh, see ya.
Come on, boy, let's go.

Come on, boy.

Comfort, come here.
Come here, boy. Come on.

Uh, $2,000?
This can't be her only account.

She just had the one
personal savings account.

There has to be more though.
I know there's more.

She cashed in
a retirement policy.

$50,000.

That's a lot of money.

What happened to it?

Mr. Ashboro,
I do not put tracer dogs
on other people's money.

Your aunt had
a safety deposit box.
You could look in there...

if you have
the correct papers
to give you access.

I'm... her only
living relative.

I've got the papers here.

[shouts]

* [stereo]

* Well, I've been
growin' up too fast *

* Can't hide
from what you're-- *

Dad?

* [continues]

[rattle]

* [stops]

[yells]

Oh, my God,
you scared me.

Sorry.
Front door was open.

My dad, uh,
he went to the library,

but he'll be back soon
if there's something you need.

Well, I... I think
I lost a cufflink
the other day.

I was gathering
my aunt's personal things.

Would you mind if I
just took a look around,
see if I can find it?

Uh, sure, sure.

[Natalie]
He just walked right in.

Totally freaked me out.

Said he was looking
for a cufflink.

He probably misses his aunt.

Needed an excuse
to come back.

He gave me the creeps.

Told me if I found anything
that was rightfully his,

it would be against the law
to keep it.

He's just a windbag.

Assistant
client funds manager.
[laughing]

Anyway,
here's to the house.

And to new beginnings,
new school, new book.

[clink]

Everything's kind of been
on hold this last year,

but we're gonna get back
to some state of...

I don't know, normal.

There is no normal.

Well, at least
we can try.

Hey, I found some great stuff
at the library today.

Stories about a guy
who was hung for treason

in a field
not far from here.

Mmm. Charming.
Really charming.

Apparently he's been seen
by about a dozen people,

and amazingly they weren't
all drunk at the time.

[scrape]

[dog barks]

It's only Comfort.

He probably
just misses Margaret
sitting in the window.

All this ghost chat making you
a little nervous, Dad?

No.
Yes, it is.
I saw your face.

No way. It's just the house.
It's old, it's creepy.

Yeah, I know how much
is riding on the deal,
and I won't let you down.

[man]
This is your last chance.

Yeah. Clearly we're
running out of time.

When I want
something closed--

Well-- Yeah, well, can I--

Too much complications.
Just close it.

Look, can I make
a point here?

Why don't you give me
the go-ahead to make her
a sweeter offer?

I know that's what
she's waiting for.

If that's what she's
waiting for, give it to her.
Okay. Fine.

Just make it happen.
Yeah, I understand that.
I'll talk to you.

[door buzzer]

I'm back.

So I see.

Look, I apologize
for the late hour,

but I was driving back
from the city,
and I saw the lights.

Excuse me.
Look, I had a word with
the people at head office,

and they've allowed me
to make you another offer.

Mr. Riker, I think I've
made myself really clear.

But this is really
very generous.

I'd have a look at it
if I were you.

There you go.

That wasn't so difficult,
was it?

Good night.

Good night.

[wind whistling]
[thunder rumbling]

* *

* *

* [piano]

Dad?

[thunder rumbling]

[thunderclap]

[wind hitting windows]

* [piano]

* *

[Natalie yelps]

Mom?

Hey, Natalie!
What's up?

Nothing much.

How'd you like to take
Comfort for a walk?

Maybe we could
go across the field
and visit the animals.

What animals?

At Brenda's.
She takes in strays
and helps them find homes.

Yeah, sure. Why not?

Okay.

Come on, Comfort!
Come here!
[barks]

So where'd you
move from?

New York. Manhattan.

It must have been so cool.

It was okay.

You miss it?

I don't really know yet.
[barks]

Where's your mom?

Don't be afraid
to ask questions.

Told you I was nosy.

She passed away.

Good one, Pearson.
No, no, it's okay.

I lost my mom, too.

She swerved on the highway
to miss a deer.

I'm so sorry.

Come on, Comfort!

[barks]

So, uh, you have
the one brother?

Yeah. Kurt.
And my stepfather.

They were only been married
a couple of months
when it happened.

Poor guy.

But he's cool.
He's from Australia.

[Australian accent]
Hey, maybe we should
go down to the billabong

and get some chow
for the ol' cake eater.

Uh, what?
[laughing]

Hey, Kurt,
this is Natalie.

Hey.

So you work here?

Part time.

Full time until
the break's over.

Oh, yeah, and then
you too will experience

the indescribable pleasures
of Ringworm High.

[Natalie laughs]

So what grade are you in?

Ten.

I'm in nine.
We are the persecuted.

What grade are you in?

Eleven.

[Pearson]
Fifth try.

Just kidding. I'm kidding.

It must be fun...
working on a farm.

It's an animal shelter,
not a farm.

Okay.
Hey!

Three helpers!
Just what I need.

[Pearson]
This is Natalie.

Hi. I'm Brenda.
Nice to meet you.

Natalie Merritt.
Yeah, I know.

You moved into
my friend's house,
Mrs. Ashboro.

She was just the greatest lady.
You're going to love it there.

[barking]

Hey, Comfort.

Did you come
to visit me, boy? Huh?

Oh, I missed you, too.

Brenda found
Comfort for us,
just after mom died.

Comfort.

[Brenda]
Such a handsome boy,
aren't you?

Have you been
a good boy, hmm?

Anyone feel like
working?

Follow me.

*

[sheep bleating]

* Sunshine

* Sunshine
Here's what you mean to me *

* She said don't laugh

* Don't you laugh
that way for me *

* There'll always be
a rainbow *

* At the end of the field

* In the night

* In the night
I hear your heartbeat *

Here you go, guys.

* I cannot try

Don't be jealous, Comfort.

* I'd like to try
but I cannot compete *

* And I cannot compete here

* There'll always be
a rainbow *

* At the end of the field

* Yeah, still will

This is so cool.

I love animals,
but living in an apartment,
it's a kinda difficult.

Have you ever been
to New York?

Once. On a school trip.

Oh, so you probably
went to the Met and
the Guggenheim and--

I skipped out and
went to the village.

You're gonna get it.

[laughing]

Gotcha!

* There'll always be
a rainbow *

* At the end of the field

[goat bleats]

Can you two go play
somewhere else?

Sony. I was going
for Pearson.

Bad aim, I guess.

[Boyd]
Now, I'm asking you!

Did my aunt ever
give you money?

Why are you so upset?
I've never seen you
like this before.

Did she ever
give you money?

You mean did she
make donations?

I mean did she ever
give you money?

Yes or no?
Just give me an answer!

Yes, she did.

So my rightful inheritance
was given to you
and your zoo.

No, Boyd. I mean
she used to bring by food.

She's been doing that
for years.

And every once in a while,
she'd very generously donate
some money for the cause.

But I think
that was her business.

It's my business
when the cash was
supposed to come to me.

I was under the impression
it was hers to give.

I want my $50,000, Brenda.

$50,000?
Are you of your mind?

I'm talking 40 or 50 dollars
every once in a while--
$50,000?

You saw an old lady
with a ridiculous amount
of compassion

for your flea-bitten strays,
and you milked her!
Wait just a minute!

If you're suggesting that
I took advantage of someone
that was my friend--

You used her!
You tricked her!

I've never seen
$50,000 in my life.

Well, that's my money,
and I want it back,

so I'm going to get
a court order and have
your bank account checked.

Go ahead.
I have nothing to hide.

I think you'd better leave.

I'll be back.

[dogs barking]

[car door closes]

[engine starts]

What a jerk.

He's such a creep.

The other day,
I'm all alone,

and he walks right in
without even knocking.

I was totally freaked.

If he does it again, call me.
I'll kick his butt.

He practically
called Brenda a liar,

and, I mean, you should see
all these things she does
with these animals.

She nurses them back to health,
she finds them new homes.

She looked really upset.

[distant rattling]

I heard something.

Come on.
No, I did.

Nat...

Dad, look, whether
you like it or not,

there is something
in this house.

I told you,
I can feel it.

Sometimes,
right after she died,

I thought I felt your mom's
presence in the apartment.

Little things like thinking
a mug she always used
for her morning coffee

had been moved on the shelf.

Or a hint of her perfume
all of a sudden.

But I was just so used
to those everyday things.

I imagined them.

But I didn't
imagine her photo
flying off the piano

or the piano keys
moving and--

I just don't think
it's a coincidence that
Mrs. Ashboro knew her.

I'm just saying that your mind
is very open to this kind
of thing right now.

The people I interview?
One thing in common:

They all lost someone,
and they want them back.

Half the stories I'm tracking
for my book turn out to have
perfectly logical explanations.

So what about that guy
who was hung for treason?

You said ten people
had seen him.

That's just
an annual Halloween prank.

It appeals to those people
who like to think

that Ichabod Crane
is still out there,

riding through the night
without his head.

Well, he is, isn't he?
Tell you what.

Let's both you and I
stay up tonight.

That way, if something happens,
we'll both be there to see it.

Okay? Deal?

Deal.

[dog barking]

Hey! Natalie! Hi!

Hey.

This is my dad.
Dad, Brenda.

Wes Merritt.
Hi.

So you must be
the animal lady.

I mean, you look after
strays, dogs,
Natalie tells me.

Yeah, and Natalie tells me
you're a writer.

I'm sure I must've read
some of your books.

You read a lot of history?
Oh, I'm a history buff.

It's hard not to be,
living around here.

In fact, George Washington
used to visit Ringwood
all the time.

One of his chief mapmakers
lived in the area,
a General Erskine, I think.

Yeah, Erskine. I've been
meaning to look him up.

Yeah?
Yeah.

Trapper, Bo!
Hang on!

I better catch up
to the dogs.

Nice to meet you.

My pleasure.

And, Natalie, you drop by
anytime you like, okay?

Yeah.

She's a good worker.
See ya!

Hold on, guys!

[barking]

Come on! Trapper!
Come on!

[barking]

[creaking]

*

[rustling]

[noise]

[thump]
Ow!

Ohh!
[laughs]

[cat screeches]

Ow.

What the--

[Wes and Natalie laughing]

[distant chatter]

[chatter continues]

What's wrong?

Nothing.

You sense her.

Don't you? I told you.
She's here.

Where'd all this water
come from?

We'll stay up
together tonight.

What do you want,
exactly?

No, Ted.
It's what you want.

You want Brenda Yancey's
farm, right?

I can make that happen.

I'm the assistant
client funds manager

at the Ringwood
Savings and Loan downtown.

I--

I know things
that most people don't.

Like?

Like Brenda Yancey's
a client, and she's
in deep trouble.

Way behind on
her mortgage payments.

I could maneuver
a foreclosure...
for a fee.

You know, Boyd,
I think we maybe able to
do some business after all.

[owl hoots]

Well, Nat, I guess this is
the case of the watched pot
never boiling.

Isn't that what Grandma
always used to say?

All these old houses
are full of strange sounds.

They're creaking and moving
all the time.

It's not the house.
It's not your mom.

Why do you think
your mom would come back?

Because she knows.
Knows what?

So I can say goodbye.

You said goodbye, Nat.

I didn't say
everything I needed to.
There wasn't enough time.

I know that.
So why didn't you
tell me sooner?

I know you think it was wrong.
Maybe it was.

But I didn't tell you
right away

because your mother
asked me not to.

We were just trying
to protect you.

We did what we thought
was best.

If you think that a decision
was wrong, I'm sorry.

God knows at the time...

it was hard
to think at all.

You should've thought of me.

I'm sorry.

Let's get some sleep now.

You wanna come up now?

In a minute.

[meow]

Margaret?

[purring]

Margaret, was it you
I was hearing?

[purring]
What do you want?

No. Stay.

[knocking]

Hey, when did you
get a cat?

You saw a cat?

Yeah.
Where?

In the front window.

You're sure?

It's gone now.

It looked
sort of like Margaret.
It must have jumped down.

But you saw it!

Yeah. Quit psyching me out.

You mean
you didn't get a cat?

At least I'm not
completely crazy.

So ever since we moved in,
it's just been so weird.

Things going bump
in the night,

piano's playing,
pictures flying.

It really freaked me out.

I didn't really know
what to think.

Come on.
Don't look at me like that.

I'm not crazy.

Crazy people don't know
when they're crazy.

Kurt, I saw Margaret.
I saw her ghost.
It was a real ghost.

Sure you did.

I'm not lying.

Kurt, I saw Margaret, too.

Don't you believe
in ghosts?

No.

People die, they're gone.
Period, end of story.

[Brenda]
Hi, guys.

Hi. You think your dad
might be at home?

Uh, yeah,
he should be back from
the library by now. Why?

Oh, good. I found this book
I thought he might be
interested in.

I can just
take it home with me.
You don't have to bother.

Oh, it's okay.
I was on the way
to the bank anyway.

It's no trouble.
See ya.

I've never seen Brenda
in clean jeans before.

She's dressed to impress.

They're so cute
at that age.

Aww! Are we a little
possessive of daddy?

Maybe you should go home.
They might need a chaperone.

Sure!

This is a great book.
This is great. Thank you.

Good. I hope it helps.
I'm sure it will.

So are you in Ringwood
just for the research

or are you planning
to stay at all?

Oh, playing it by ear,
I guess.

I thought a change would be
a good thing for Natalie,
for both of us.

[sighs]

Natalie. That's a tough age
to lose your mother.

Yeah. Fifteen.
Not the best time,
for sure.

She was having
a very hard time
dealing with it.

We both were.

So we decided
to get out of the city.

New beginnings and all that.

I hope it was
the right thing to do.

I hope so, too.

I have to go.
I'm-- I'm late.

I've got a meeting
downtown.

Anyway, um, enjoy.

I will. Thank you.

Thanks for the tea.

My pleasure.

So, uh, this might not be
my place to ask,

but do you have
any plans for dinner?

Tonight?

Yeah, or any other night.
Doesn't have to be--

No, no.
Tonight would be great.

Yeah?
Yeah.

Okay, good.

I'll see you
around 8:00 then.

Sure. Thank you.

Great. Bye.

Bye.

I know you don't
believe in ghosts.

But at first when it
all started happening,

all the noises
and stuff, I...

Don't make fun of me,
please.

I thought it was my mother.

I really wanted it to be.

You've just met me.
You must think I'm
really certifiable.

Some of the coolest people
in the world were probably
told that at some point.

I guess I'll take that
as a compliment then.

I just wish everything
could go back.

Nothing seems the same.

Oh, Comfort.

We've been floating you
for longer than we do
most clients.

I'm really sorry,
but unless you can pay
the arrears in full,

the bank has no choice.
I just need
a little more time.

The spring is
so much better for me.
Donations go way up.

I don't get it.

You've always been
very understanding
in the past.

Brenda, it's not up to me.
I got a memo.

You have a week.

Thanks anyway.

[dialing]

[line rings]

Well done, Boyd.
You're my man.

I want my money!
Your money?

Oh, no, no, no.

When Brenda Yancey's
off the property,
then you get your money.

[dial tone]

There's only one way
to communicate.
With what?

The ghost. A seance.

A seance?
You two are nuts.

Tonight.
Yeah, right.

Forget it.
I'll bring my Ouija board.

Maybe you could bring
your crystal ball, too.
[Natalie chuckles]

It's not
gonna happen.
Come on. It'll be so cool.

Right.
I'll see you
tomorrow.

Tonight! A seance!

There has to be a reason
Margaret's come back!

Ghosts always
have a reason!

Yeah. Okay, Pearson.
Whatever.

They do!

Later.

[sighs]
Comfort!

[barking]

Hi.
Hi. Have fun today?

Yeah.

Brenda tells me
she really appreciates
your help over there.

Uh, she dropped that by
today. It's a great book.

Brenda asked me to have
dinner with her tonight.

No problem.

You sure?

Yeah. Go. I might
do something with Pearson.

Great.

I won't be late.

I'll be fine.

First the neighbors are
up in arms, now the bank.

You know, it honestly
wouldn't surprise me if
he was in cahoots with them.

Riker?

[scoffs]
Don't get me started.
He just wants me gone.

But then I think
of Mrs. Ashboro.

I know she would've
wanted me to hang in there,
so that's what I'm gonna do.

Good.

I can see this means
a lot to you.

The animal shelter is the only
thing I've ever wanted to do
since I was a little girl.

Let me tell you something.
I'm a lot better with animals
than I am with people.

Oh, I wouldn't say that.

Natalie thinks
the world of you.

Natalie's a very special girl.
You've done a good job.

My wife gets the credit
for that. I'm just
trying to carry on.

Well, you're doing
something right.

[barking, bleating]

[barking, bleating continues]

Oh, spirit,
come to us now.

Make your presence
known to us.

Come from the great
other world to join us.

We need to speak
to you now.

[door closes]

Boo!

Jeez, can you knock'?

Thought I'd join the party.

Oh, spirit.

Sorry for
the interruption.

Come to us now.
[Natalie chuckles]

Come on! Get into it
or it won't work.

[Natalie and Pearson]
Oh, spirit,

make your presence
known to us.

Come from the great
otherworld to join us.

Oh, come on.
The great otherworld?

You're not helping.

This is so lame.
Then go home.

No. I can do this.

Spirits of the night.

Great feline spirit.

Come to us now.

Let us know
that you are there.

Come on, guys!

Okay.

Okay, um...

Please, spirit.

We want to talk to you.

[Kurt]
We want you to contact us.

Oh, great spirit.

You're not concentrating.

I give up!
This is totally bogus.

It's not working, Pearson.
It never works!

You have to believe
to make it work.

Margaret.

[clattering]

Oh, my God.

I don't believe this.

Cat food?

That's all she wanted.

Cat food.

So here's the question.

Why would Margaret haunt you
for a bag of food?

Ghosts can't be hungry.

There's no way it was
just a bag of food
she wanted.

Oh, my God.

Money!

This is what she
wanted me to find.

Margaret, you are
the most wonderful cat!

[footsteps]

Natalie, what are
you guys doing in here?

"I can't stand by and
watch such a dear friend
be pulled in all directions.

I've always intended to leave
you and your wonderful cause
a healthy donation,

but what better time than now
when you truly need it.

Love to you, Brenda.

Mrs. Ashboro and Margaret."

How could she be
so amazing?

Wes, I can buy the farm!

I can pay the mortgage off!

I can't believe it!
How did you find it?

Margaret showed us.

Margaret?
Don't ask.

I'll be home later, Dad
Thanks!

Don't be late, okay?

Are these yours?
How did they get out?

Kurt put them in their pen
inside the barn last night,
right?

Yes.

Jen, then there's no way
they could've gotten out.

Well, they did.

Take them inside
and give them some food.

I gotta warn you, Brenda.

There's a petition
going around in town
to close you down.

I know who started that.
I can't help you.

In the last month,
I've had a half dozen
complaints.

Animals going loose,
scaring people.
getting into their garbage.

You're at
the critical stage.

What does that mean?

It means if there are
any more serious complaints,

I'm gonna have
to shut you down.

I'm real sorry.

I don't believe this.

You win one battle,
and you lose another.

[Pearson]
I just don't want you
to get messed up again.

You could go to jail.

I'm not going anywhere.
I swear I didn't
let the dogs out.

You swore you didn't
set that fire, too.

Natalie!

I'm going to the bank.
If you leave before
I get back,

please, please make sure
everything's inside
and closed up.

Okay.

I'm serious, Kurt,
or we're history.

I'll put a lock
on the door.

Okay, thanks.

Thanks, Terry.

You just deposited
$50,000!
I know. Boyd--

Brenda, that's my money!
I knew it. I knew you had it.

Your aunt left it to me.
I will have the bank
freeze the funds,

and, Brenda, I will sue you
to the ends of the earth.
I have a letter.

I have written proof.
So what?

She wasn't of sound mind.

She was of sounder mind
than you, Boyd.

[Boyd]
I did what I said I would do.

I can't help it
if she paid it off.
I want my money.

Your plan didn't work.
You didn't deliver.

I want my money. Now!

Not until
she's off the property.

If I get you
Brenda's land,

it'll make your little
development deal
worth millions.

If. If you get her off.

That's big if, Boyd.

I'll get rid of her.
I promise you.

I know the right buttons
to push.

I can do a lot more damage
than letting her dogs out,
Riker, believe me.

Much more.

Okay. You do it.

[bleating]

[dogs barking]

[barking, bleating continues]

[growling]

[motor starts]

[bleating, barking]

[whining]

[bleating]

[barking, whining]

Margaret?

[meow]

[meow]

Wait!

Margaret,
where are you taking me?

[meow]

[bleating]

[barking, bleating]

[coughs]

[coughing]

[barking, bleating]

Natalie,
what are you doing here?
You've gotta get out!

No!
Natalie, you've got
to get out of here!

What are you doing?

You got to open
the barn door!
[coughing]

Put this over
your mouth and nose!

[Brenda]
Who's in there?

Kurt, is that you?

What's going on?

[coughing]
Natalie!

What are you two
doing in here?

[dogs barking]

Okay, so what were you
really doing in there?

Like I told Brenda,

I thought someone
might try and let
the animals out again.

I decided
to check it out.

The barn was
full of fumes
when I got here.

Look, I don't know what you
heard Pearson and I talking
about the other day--

I'll tell you
what I heard.

That Pearson thinks
you're the one letting
the animals out,

and that you might
have to go to jail.

I didn't let the animals out,
and I don't have to go to jail.

Then what about the fire?

He said something about
you setting a fire.

So I went a little crazy
after my mom died.

I set fire to some guy's dump,
and it got out of control.

I got mandatory
community service.

That's why
I'm working at Brenda's.

So you're forced
to work here?

No, I'm not forced.
That's just the way
it started.

I used up my hours
long ago.

I just stayed.

So why didn't you
just tell me?

Like I'm gonna tell you
I'm a juvenile delinquent
the moment I meet you.

Clearly that would
impress a girl, right?

So you wanted
to impress me?

I didn't know
what to do with you.

Brenda doesn't
want me back.

She thinks I did it.

I didn't. I swear.

I know.

There's no way that happened
by accident tonight.

Somebody did it deliberately,
and I have to find out who.

And I'll help you.

It's obvious someone
is out to get me. I--

I can't believe it's Kurt,
but on the other hand,

I can't afford
to take any chances.
It's got to be Riker.

He'd do anything
to get rid of me.
I just--

I can't take this anymore.
You don't want
to give up now.

You don't understand.
The animals could have
been asphyxiated.

I'm supposed to protect them,
not put them in harm's way.

What I can do to help?
I don't need any help!

I'm fine on my own! I--

I'm just used
to being on my own.

What were you doing over here
in the middle of the night?

Do you realize
how dangerous it was?
Margaret came and got me.

Margaret got you.

Yeah, and it's a good thing
she did. If Kurt and I
hadn't been here--

Be careful around Kurt.
You don't know him
very well.

You don't really know
Brenda either.

Let's go home.

[barking]

Brenda.
It's a beautiful day.

I thought I'd drop in
and see if you had time
to consider my latest offer.

It's pretty darn generous.

I know what you've been doing,
and it's not gonna work.

What are you talking about?

I'm not selling
the farm to you now
or anytime soon.

If you ever set foot
on my property again,
you are going to regret it.

[barking]

That's a threat, Ms. Yancey.

Yes, it is, Mr. Riker.

[dogs barking]

You idiot!

Whatever you did,
it didn't work!

Now, if you want your 50,000,
it's time to get serious.

If I don't close this deal,
my backers in New York are never
gonna give me another penny.

I'll be trashed, so we're
in this together, Boyd,
you understand?

And it's time to take care
of business once for all.

Hey, how's it going?

So big day
tomorrow, huh?

The auditors are in,
just down the hall,

and I heard apparently
they already have
a pretty good idea

who's been doing a little
embezzling on the side.

Lots of excitement,
huh, Boyd?

See ya.

Hi.

[dog barking]

Just in here.

Now what?

Now we wait.

[meow]

[Natalie]
All those months,
I didn't even know she was sick.

I went to school,
I came home,

I did my homework,
I went out with my friends,

and I wasted it all.

You know, I could've
been with her.

I could've...
spent time with her,

and it wasn't fair.

I don't know.
I think they were really
trying to protect you.

Yeah, but it's like
they lied to me.

That's not like a lie.
Okay, well,
then they pretended.

And all of a sudden,
it was too late.

You can say a lot
in a few weeks.

At least you got
to say goodbye.

Come on.

Okay, Boyd, all along here.

Really soak it.

[Riker]
Okay, that's enough!

[dog barking]

Don't just stand there!
Come on, Boyd!

Oh, my God.
Kurt, it's Boyd!

Hurry! We've gotta
get the animals out!

[whining]

Out! Go! Come on!
Run! Out! Go!

Come on! Come on!
Move it!

Grab the kitten.
[meow]

Okay, I got that one!

[whining]

[meowing]

[meow]

[meow]

[distant barking]

[meow]

Margaret?

Oh, no.

What's left?
This is the last one!
Let's go now!

Come here.
[barks]

Ohhh!

What happened?
Boyd torched the place!

How bad is it inside?
We got the animals out!

I'm stuck!!
Kurt, help!

I'm coming!
What are you doing, Kurt!

Be careful!

Natalie, are you okay?

Kurt, help!
Get it out!

God! Just slow down!

What are you doing?
Just pull over and
give me my money!

I need the money!
I've got auditors
coming in tomorrow!

You still don't get it,
do you, Boyd?

I don't have two cents
to rub together,

and I don't get
any money either
until this deal is closed.

Slow down!
[meow]

[Margaret screeches]

Get it off!

[screeching continues]

Get it off me! Aah!

[screeching]

[puppy whining]

Hurry! Please! Hurry!

Let's go!
[puppy barking]

Watch out! Get back!

Where are you going?

Kurt!

[puppy barking]

What are you doing?
We have to get out
of here, Kurt!

Natalie, come here!

Kurt! Natalie!
Answer me!

[sirens wailing]

Where's Natalie?
She's inside with Kurt!

Natalie!

Go!

[Firemen shouting]

[Fireman]
Get clear.
Watch your back!

[water spraying]

Looks like two of them.

I'll check the passenger.
All right.

Look at the scratches
on his face.

This guy's coming around.

Driver's gonna be okay.

Windshield didn't shatter.
Weird, huh?

[police radio chatter]

You got him?

There.

So Boyd is up to his eyeballs
in charges:

mischief, arson,
fraud, the works.

And Riker's finally
out of my hair for good,

and the insurance is
gonna rebuild the barn.

Cheers.
Cheers!

And here's to Margaret,
the most amazing cat
in the world.

May she
rest in peace.

To Margaret.

To Margaret.

To Margaret.
To Margaret.

Even though I never saw her.

I give up!

How can you not
believe something
I saw with my own eyes?

[Wes]
Easy. You were dreaming.
Was not.

[barks]

[purring]
[barking]

Do you see her?

Yeah.

[purring]

I do. I do see her.

Thank you, Margaret.

[purring]

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