Original subtitles

(gentle dramatic music)

(typewriter ticking)

(pounding) (ominous music)

(gun firing)

(typewriter ticking) (gentle music)

(children chattering)

(children wailing and laughing)

- [Philip] So they asked me to be quarterback,

but I said no, 'cause I play better defense.

- You can't play defense.

Besides, you can't even play quarterback.

- Would you be quiet?

Mom, would you tell him to shut up?

- Come on, you guys. - He's always interrupting

me when I'm saying something. - Finish your cereal.

You're gonna miss your bus, come on.

- Aren't we all bright and cheery this morning?

Morning, everyone.

- Morning, Dad.

- Morning, Dad.

- Hold it, boys.

Go give your father a kiss, okay?

Wish him good luck on his presentation.

- Don't have to fret over it.

Bye David. - Bye Dad.

- Philip. - Good luck.

Bye Mom. - Thank you.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

I wanted to be able to prepare something

so I wouldn't look like an ass up there.

(water running) (gentle music)

- Would you mind playing daddy for a while?

I gotta go get dressed and take her to school, okay?

- Not at all.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Well what's the matter?

You look so sad this morning, Cherie.

- You work too hard, daddy.

- Well daddy has to make money

for you and your brothers and mommy.

- It's no fun.

- Come here.

Now I promise you that as soon as I finish this new story,

that we're all gonna go on a long and wonderful vacation.

All of us, and I'm not gonna do any work.

We're just gonna play, you and David and Philip.

- And mommy?

- Of course mommy.

- When?

- As soon as daddy's story's done.

- But when?

- Soon, Cherie.

Very soon.

- Promise, daddy?

- I promise you.

(water running) (splashing)

(eerie music)

(screaming) (spraying)

- Come on, let's get your coat on.

Are you gonna be ready to go when I get back?

It's only gonna take me a few minutes to change.

- Bye daddy, good luck.

- Let's go, come on.

(traffic whirring) (upbeat music)

- You know, the most astonishing thing about education

is how it manages to remain so consistently boring

in its attempt to make life more interesting.

- Thank you, Professor. (bell tolling)

- That sarcasm is cute.

Particularly coming from a woman

who probably wouldn't have made it

through freshman English

if she hadn't-- - If I hadn't dropped

my knickers for the Professor every night,

and told him he was Leo Tolstoy reincarnate all day long?

- Same sophomoric repartee.

You want a coffee?

- As long as we don't have to gulp it down.

- It gives me great pleasure to stand here today

because our guest (audience clapping)

is a man I respect both as an artist and as a friend.

I'm proud to say that Steve Lessey

was once a member of this faculty.

And as a Professor, he was loved and respected.

His unusual talent for analysis and understanding

is well represented by his first book

of critical excellence.

Steven Lessey was routed from obscure Professor

to writer and media darling

when his first novel, "The Executioners"

was made into a controversial film.

His subsequent books and films proved

that Mr. Lessey's sense of the horrifying

and the macabre have made an indelible mark

on our society and culture.

Before I ask Steve to talk about himself and his work,

let's watch a sequence from his latest film,

"Anatomy of a Horror."

(film reel rolling)

(metal rattling and banging)

(ominous music)

(tool clanging)

(ominous music)

- You again.

I thought I told you to get out of here.

Come on, come on!

I thought I told you to get out of here!

Get of out of here! (animal baaing)

Get on, go!

Where the hell does it come from?

(eerie music)

(metal clanging)

(ominous music)

(banging)

Hey, what the...

(suspenseful music)

Hey! (banging)

What's going on up there?

Is somebody up there?

(ominous music) (metal rattling)

(suspenseful music)

(ticking)

Hey! (machine whirring)

What the hell?

(machine grinding) (yelling)

(banging) (screaming)

- Ladies and gentlemen,

may I present the creator of that amazing sequence,

Mr. Steven Lessey. (all clapping)

Steve, before you have your say,

I'd just like to present you with this plaque.

Both to commemorate your appearance here,

and in appreciation of your work.

It was voted to you by the faculty

of the graduate and undergraduate

cinema studies department.

Thank you Steve for a job well done.

(all clapping)

- First, I would like to thank you for this award.

Coming from you, this means a lot to me.

I must admit that (gentle music)

writing my novels and their subsequent film scripts

is the result--

- -all of you that good literature is simply

insight into the familiar.

The best book functions like a key to the soul.

My soul and your soul.

Isn't that right, miss...

- Ramston.

Elizabeth Ramston.

- Do you agree, Elizabeth?

- Yes, Dr. Lessey.

- Experiment with the genre.

My first book was called "The Executioners."

It represented for me an opportunity to comment

on what I believed to be the distasteful

corruption of our society.

The metaphor of execution is primary to our lives.

We are all dying or being executed

by our culture and our environment.

- That may be true, Mr. Lessey,

but don't you think your comments

help contribute to the decay,

instead of helping to solve it?

- I don't offer solutions.

I can only speak in the language of our times

to comment on them.

- Well do you mean that your horror

is the language of our times?

- I think horror represents a way of relating

to numerous events that otherwise

we might never be able to identify with.

- Well I don't want to identify with horror.

(some laughing)

- Well that's tough. (gentle instrumental music)

(children chattering)

- Come on grandma!

Come on!

Come on grandma, can you see? - I wonder where we are.

- Come on. - I wonder where

on Earth I am. - Come on, get down.

- Oh I'm sitting, eh?

Oh isn't that nice?

Oh!

- Mr. Lessey, as an artist,

how do you feel when you hear charges

that your work is socially degenerate?

(some chattering)

- I think that many artists,

Joyce, Burroughs, Lawrence, just to name three,

had to face the criticism that their work is--

- Horse shit.

You write horse shit horror.

You exploit it for money,

you expose society to your horse shit

to grab off a few bloody bucks.

(playful instrumental music)

- I don't understand this. - Is this a very

good game, grandma?

- I think it's a funny game.

I don't understand this. - Are you comfortable grandma?

Are you feeling okay grandma?

- I wonder when your mom's coming.

Oh, now, come on.

This game's over, come on, untie me.

- I don't think I'm obligated to answer questions

directed to me in an obscene and discourteous fashion.

- You're obscene and discourteous.

You peddle your junk on us whether we want it or not.

- And you needn't buy my books (people chattering)

nor attend my movies.

In a free society, that is your choice.

You have the freedom of the marketplace.

- Are you then admitting, Mr. Lessey,

that you write only for the marketplace?

- I think that my market represents

a viable sociological cross section.

- Which you pander to with

no sense of social responsibility.

- That's not true.

A significant section of our community

recognizes my work as an honest comment

on our life and times.

- The sick and degenerate. (people chattering)

- Stop, stop! (creepy instrumental music)

No, no!

Let me out, let me out!

No, no!

Let me out, no!

- Lessey, you sell sickness.

And by selling sickness, you propagate it.

You don't comment on blight.

You are blight! (students chattering)

- Please, please, Mr. Lessey is a respected artist.

- Hold it.

Hold it.

Now I just want to say one thing.

I try to represent what I see around me in metaphor.

I have chosen horror as my particular vocabulary.

That is my freedom of choice as an artist.

- And it's our choice not to have your trash

pollute us, Mr. Lessey.

Keep your sickness.

We don't want it anymore. (everyone chattering)

(fire booming) (creepy instrumental music)

(grandma screaming)

(engine revving) (laughing)

- What's so funny, what are you laughing at?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.

I'm sorry, I lost my head.

I didn't know what I was doing.

In two years, when those sons of bitches

get out of that ivory tower,

I wonder if they'll do as well as I have.

- No, I don't imagine any of them

will be quite as successful as you, Steven.

- Aren't you coming to the studio with me?

- I've seen enough humiliation today.

I'll take a cab home.

What time will you be finished?

- I don't know.

- Well don't forget Nadya's party tonight.

You promised her months ago you'd be there.

- Look, I'm gonna have to meet you there.

- What do you mean meet me there?

- I don't know what time I'll be finished at the studio.

I'll meet you at the party, alright?

- Oh brother.

- "Mr. Vampire" scene 82, take 15.

(snapping)

Action.

Come on, Darlene.

A little faster.

She can't move that fast, you know.

Not when she's got a costume on.

It's taking too long, Darlene.

A little faster.

Come on, come on, Darlene!

Get the box.

- The box in there?

Take out the box.

Open the box.

Open the box.

(birds cawing)

The line, Darlene.

The line!

The line!

- Shit! - Cut.

- This is a Lessey crock of shit, Burt.

Steven, you've just got to come up with some better stuff.

You can't expect me to fuck around in that costume

all through the movie.

- Perhaps I can arrange to have you

fuck around bare-ass just like in real life.

- I've had enough of this smart ass genius of yours, Burt.

- Hey, I think this stuff looks good.

- I'm walking out.

If you want me back on the set,

then you get this motherfucker to write me some lines.

Do you understand?

I want lines.

Call my agent.

And you, you've got some fucking nerve

calling yourself a director.

- Darlene.

- Boy, I'm getting tired of that bitch.

Well, just ignore her, kiddo.

- She's the star.

- You're the star, Stevie.

Now this picture's gonna be over in a couple of weeks,

and it's gonna make millions

because your name's on it, not hers.

- Don't hype me, Burt.

- No I'm serious, you're hot stuff, man.

I mean, your books don't stop selling.

This one's the same as the last one.

It's the next one I'm worried about.

- It's coming.

- It's been coming for two months.

I'm up to my ass in this, kiddo.

I need pages, pages!

I need 10, 15 pages of dynamite horrible stuff.

- Look, Burt.

I'm trying something a little different on this one.

I need a little more time, that's all.

- Different, how many times do we have to discuss this?

I told you, leave the different stuff to the Europeans.

They're good at it.

You got a million dollar formula, use it.

- We talked about this, Burt, when we started, right?

We decided, we get a couple under our belt

to get established, and then we can

try other things gradually.

- Now is not gradually, god damn it.

You got the goose that lays the golden egg,

and don't hatchet it for some artsy fartsy bullshit

that's not gonna make a nickel.

Besides, we don't have the time, kiddo.

I sold you hard on this, you SOB.

Now they want a Steven Lessey story.

The money's right there, waiting.

This is no time to change styles on me.

Now we got a deal.

You, me, and the guys that count.

How many times do we have to go over this?

- I've got her head. (people chattering)

- Okay hon, you're gonna be okay.

That's a girl, that's a girl.

Dr. Link's on his way, he's coming right in.

- Take a deep breath, deep one.

- Where's my husband?

- He's right here, he's right here.

- It's okay, I'm here. - Ron?

Oh good. - It's okay.

- Mr. Turner, please.

Stand over there. - Yeah.

- This way, Mr. Turner.

- Ron! - I'm here.

I'm here, honey, it's okay.

I'm here. - It's a beautiful day.

- It's a beautiful day. - I'm alright, it's okay.

- Just relax. - You look so funny in that.

- Didn't you know I'm a doctor, too?

(laughing)

- Okay Burt. - Now I'm serious, Steve-O.

Now look, I don't want anything sopping.

It's gotta be top.

And when this is over,

I don't care if you write a musical.

You know I'm always available to you, Stevie.

Call me the day after tomorrow.

- That's okay. (grunting)

(panting)

- That's good.

There he is, Emily!

Here's Dr. Link.

- Hi Emily, it's Dr. Link.

- Doctor, she's fine. - How is she?

- I didn't think you were ever gonna get here!

- Just relax my dear, relax.

(nurses chattering)

- That's a girl, that's a girl.

(ominous music)

- What's wrong?

Doctor?

(screaming) (intense music)

- Dad.

- David, you can see I'm working.

- Daddy, I can't sleep.

I need a drink of water.

- Why are you asking me?

Ask your mother.

- Mommy's not home.

- I'm sorry, you're gonna have to get it for yourself.

I'm just too busy.

(typewriter ticking)

(gentle eerie music)

(bell tolling)

(screaming) (nurses yelling)

- Get the husband out.

I'm gonna have to go in.

- Get the husband out. - What's happening?

- [Dr. Link] Get the husband out of here.

Get him out of here. - What's happening?

Emily!

Emily!

What's wrong, is she alright?

(squishing)

(screaming)

- Get it out, get it out.

- What's wrong?

Doctor!

(screaming)

Doctor!

(eerie music)

(whining)

- Mommy, mommy!

Mommy, get up, get up, mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

Daddy, daddy, come quickly!

It's mommy, she's sick!

Come daddy, come!

Mommy, I'll get Sharon, just wait.

Sharon, Sharon, come quickly!

Mommy's sick! (typewriter ticking)

Come on, quick!

Come, come!

Mommy, get up. - Get up!

Daddy, daddy! - Daddy!

- Okay okay okay kids, I'll help mommy.

I'll help mommy, come on, come on.

Come on, come on, come on.

- You were supposed to meet me at Nadya's!

- I'm sorry, I forgot.

- You forgot!

You always forget!

You bastard!

- Now is not the time. - You bastard!

- Now is not the time. - I have had it with you!

I am fed up!

You have stood me up for the last time!

I will not be humiliated anymore!

(banging and crashing) (weeping)

- Mommy, mommy fell, mommy!

- Okay okay, okay okay okay okay.

I got her, okay, come on. (crying)

- Put me down!

Put me down!

You will not humiliate me anymore!

- [Sharon] Mommy! (melancholy music)

- Put me down!

You will not humiliate me!

(weeping)

- Some display.

That was just some fine display.

I don't want to hear a bloody word out of you.

This is all I need.

I expect that kind of shit

from the douche bags I put into my movies.

And you had to do it in front of the kids, right?

I got the kids to see it!

I got Burt on my ass, I got my mother on my ass.

I've tried to keep this place together.

I don't believe what's going on.

You are driving me, you're driving me crazy,

and I don't need it.

You see, I don't need it.

And I don't need you!

Damn motherfucking bitch! (slapping)

(door slamming)

Alright the show's over.

Come on now, stop that crying, young lady.

That's it, right into your room.

Mommy's alright, just go on to bed, come on.

Up, David, now, now.

That's it, come on, come on.

David!

Don't you dare.

Now into your room right now.

You heard me.

Make it snappy.

What did I tell you?

(gentle ominous music)

(clock ticking)

She's a bitch.

That's all there is to it, she's a bitch.

(spitting) (screaming)

- Oh my God, Emily!

- Case number five.

The postmortem gave the same results.

It is as if suicide has been committed in the womb.

It seems that the fetus (ominous music)

in all five cases had consciously decided to die.

Rather than be born and take their mothers with them.

(suspenseful music)

(gentle melancholy music)

- Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, look at me.

Look at me.

We're going to make this work.

We're gonna make this work.

- There's nothing left, Steven.

- There is, there is.

Don't you see, there is.

Listen, there is.

Damn it.

Damn it!

- What do you want, Steven?

(ominous music)

- May this mingling of the body and the blood

bring eternal life to all who receive it.

With faith in your love and mercy,

I eat your body and drink your blood.

And then he took up the cup and said,

"Drink this wine.

"This is my blood.

Do this in the commemoration of me."

(bells dinging) (ominous music)

(choking)

(all screaming)

(typewriter ticking) (bell dinging)

- Daddy.

Dad.

Daddy.

Dad, could you please help me with my homework?

- [Steven] Philip, just a minute, please.

- Dad, all I want you to do is show me how to do this.

- Damn it, Philip.

Can't you see that I'm working?

Would you please leave me alone?

(typewriter ticking)

- That's my bike.

- It is not!

- [Philip] Get off, get off! - No, no, leave me alone!

Leave me alone!

- [Philip] Get off.

(yelling)

- Leave me alone.

Leave me alone! - Stop it.

This is my bike, and I want to play with it.

- [Steven] I am trying to work!

- Motherfucker.

(wood cranking) (ominous music)

(upbeat dance music) (laughing)

- By the time that the nuns have finished,

there are these huge holes appearing

in the priest's body, and his organs are being exposed.

- I love it, I love it!

So what happens next?

- Get me another ginger ale and I'll tell you.

- Putz.

♪ I've been down but I've been feeling alright

♪ Just throw me away from these blues

♪ I'm getting high as the sun

♪ I'll be dancing, having some fun

♪ I've been living so all alone

- Steven, hi. - How are you?

It's nice to see a familiar face.

- Yeah, same here.

Where's Elizabeth? - I don't know.

I'm looking for her. - Oh.

- I'll see you later. - Okay, bye bye.

(upbeat music)

- Steven, you know Darlene Winters, of course.

- Hello, Steven darling. - Darlene.

I understand that they finally

got you back on set, sweetheart.

- Yes, and I understand that great

pour of genius of yours is drying up.

- Something that you should know

a great deal about?

(upbeat dance music)

- Here ya are Steven. - Oh thank you.

- So, what happens next?

- Nothing.

- Nothing.

You mean nothing yet.

- No nothing at all, Burt, you see,

because it's junk.

It's just pure bullshit.

- You haven't written anything yet.

- I have written it and I have burned it.

And I've re-written it, and I have burned it.

- What?!

(water splashing)

I don't know what's with you, Stevie.

Now it may be bullshit to you,

but it's dollars to me, kiddo.

Oh sure, you're riding high now.

I don't know what it is,

but the unwatched billions seem to think

that sun shines out of your ass.

But it won't last long.

Take it from me.

If you think we got enough to last

us through to the deep six,

then you're a bigger shmuck than I thought you were.

- I am not writing crap anymore, Burt.

- What else is there?

- There's horror.

Real horror, not the grade B blood and guts.

I'm talking about the ultimate terror.

That's what I'm reaching for, don't you see?

No more shlock, Burt.

From now on, we are building.

I'll see you later.

- Hold it.

I gave you money to produce,

and you come up with shit?

The alternate side of the coin is a lawsuit.

That means the cars, the house,

God damn silk shirts on our backs.

And take it from me, kiddo, you'll go first.

Don't jerk me off.

Everything you've got is on the line here.

- I've got to find Elizabeth.

- I need pages, Lessey, pages.

(people chattering) (light rock music)

(laughing)

(sniffing)

- Great. - Good shit?

- Great, great, great.

- Can I call you tomorrow?

- No Peter, I told you don't be calling me.

You can't call me at home.

- Hey hey not with the joint.

- Oh sorry. (laughing)

- One look baby. (sniffing)

One look baby, smiles at--

- Great, here. - Who's that?

- Oh, that's my old man.

- Yeah?

- Yep.

- Oh so that's Steven Lessey.

Mr. Lessey, I know all your books.

I can't say I like them, but they're highly inventive.

And after all, isn't that what this business is all about?

Being inventive.

- Elizabeth, please.

I would like to get going now.

- I'm dreaming... - Elizabeth, it's time to go.

- Hey, you sure you wouldn't like some of this?

- ...of a white Christmas.

- I mean, it might jerk off your brain.

I mean, you might write some mean shit, man.

- You could write some mean shit, Steven.

(laughing)

No, he could, he's really good.

- Elizabeth, please.

It's time to go. - Uh oh, party's over.

- Goodbye party. - Bye bye bye bye.

I'm coming.

I'm coming, I'm coming. - I saw that movie

of yours, man. - Oopsy daisy.

- Where those guys hang those brats.

I mean, how do you write that stuff, man?

(people chattering)

- Where are we going?

- Home, I've got to work tomorrow.

- Steven, why are we going?

It's still early. - It's 1:30.

Who's babysitting?

- I was out all day.

That was your responsibility.

- You mean you haven't been home?

- No.

- Well who is sitting with the children?

- I don't know, that was your responsibility.

(people chattering)

- Where's the telephone?

- Steven, are those kids home alone?

I told you when I left this morning.

Didn't you see the note I left you?

- I was working, God damn it.

You can't expect me to think of everything.

- You don't even have time to take care

of your own children.

- Philip, hello.

Yes, it's daddy.

Yes, yes, no I know, I know.

Listen, did you kids get anything to eat?

Alright, I'm gonna phone grandma.

She's gonna come over in a few minutes

and fix you something, alright?

Yes no, yeah, we're having a good time,

but you kids don't-- - Are they alright?

- Okay, now you're sure everybody's fine?

Okay fella, bye bye.

What kind of a mother are you?

- Same kind of a mother as you are a father.

- Oh, what am I gonna tell my mother?

- Whimper a lot, she'll understand.

When you're ready to go, I'll be where you found me before.

- How much of this stuff are you into?

- What stuff?

- Coke, drugs, whatever.

- As much as whatever as I can buy.

Why, does it bother you?

- Bother.

You come home smashed.

God knows with who, where, or why.

You pass out in front of the children.

Sure, it bothers me.

- Tell me Dr. Lessey,

do you suppose that perhaps

your wife's drug addiction

could be symptomatic of a psychological malaise?

A discontentment, perhaps.

- You're stoned out of your mind.

- Or could it be that her prick husband abandoned her,

fucked her over years ago,

just to get it on with a sick little typewriter's keyboard.

Could that be the silly little bitch's problem?

- That's alright, Elizabeth.

Just change the focus of this conversation

from you to me. (laughing)

- No!

It's all over, Steven.

- We're gonna see a doctor.

It's not over.

- A doctor?

Oh, right, right, we'll see a doctor, Stevie.

Right, you call the doctor, and you pay the bill,

and guess what.

Everything's gonna be just fine.

Just fine, oh God.

What doctor is gonna help you write again?

- Hi. - Hi daddy, where's mom?

- Where's mommy?

- Mommy's not feeling well.

She's in the car. - Where's mommy?

Where's mommy? - Where's mom?

- In the house, in the house. - Where is she?

- In the house, in the house. - Where is she?

- She's okay, she's just not feeling well.

- Is mommy okay? - Where's mommy?

- She's fine, she's fine. - Is she alright?

They just wouldn't go to sleep before you got home.

- She's fine, had a little too much to drink.

(door slamming) (distant dog barking)

- Are you sure she's okay?

- She's great, she's just tired.

She's had a rough day, alright?

- Goodnight, dad. - Goodnight.

- Goodnight, dad. - Goodnight.

- [Sharon] Say goodnight to mommy.

- I sure will. (door slamming)

(clock ticking)

Do you want some coffee?

- I thought I told you to leave me alone.

I want to see my children.

- If you think--

- Stop lecturing me!

Leave me alone!

(upbeat rock music)

♪ You came at me

♪ Like a shot in the dark

♪ Hit and run

♪ You left your mark

♪ You came crawling back

♪ I ain't gonna make it easy

(speaking in foreign language)

(thudding)

(doors slamming)

- I was head of research when we discovered

how to make sounds that create physical change.

Through it, I discovered how to harness sound

as a physical weapon.

- We don't do "Mack the Knife."

- The government planned to use low frequency sound waves

in crowd control situations.

You see, at the right frequency,

your sphincter muscle relaxes

and your feces are automatically evacuated.

- You shit yourself?

- Exactly.

(mumbling) (bottles clinging)

- Anywhere you wanna go, buddy!

- Hey, this is looking good.

Come on in! (men chattering)

Let's go! (doors slamming)

- I have taken the liberty of arranging

a demonstration, if you don't mind.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Would you be so kind as to play your song,

"Revenge" using my amplification system?

- Sure.

- While my assistant Linstrom makes the proper connections,

please let us prepare ourselves.

Please put these on.

- How can we play with this shit?

- They have been designed to filter out

only the most dangerous low frequencies.

Good, bring the line.

(men chattering) (laughing)

♪ She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes

♪ Yee-Haw

♪ She'll be coming around the mountain

♪ She'll be coming around the mountain

(crashing) (mumbling and laughing)

♪ She'll be riding six white horses when she comes

- Take 'em on a scrap, open another one.

♪ She'll be riding six white horses when she comes

- Start. (upbeat rock music)

♪ You came at me

♪ Like a shot in the dark

♪ Hit and run

♪ You left your mark

♪ You came crawling back

♪ I ain't gonna make it easy

♪ And I ain't easy

♪ I ain't gonna make it easy

♪ Revenge tastes sweet

♪ Get down on your knees

♪ Prepare, so complete

♪ You became

♪ My sexual obsession

♪ I acted like a martyr

♪ You took me halfway to heaven

♪ You came crawling back

♪ I ain't gonna make it easy

♪ What's in your bag

♪ I ain't gonna make it easy

♪ Revenge tastes sweet

♪ Get down on your knees

♪ Revenge, so complete

♪ Revenge

♪ You came at me

♪ Like a shot in the dark

♪ Hit and run

♪ You left your mark

♪ You came crawling back

♪ I ain't gonna make it easy

♪ Defiance in your eyes

♪ I ain't gonna make it easy

♪ Revenge tastes sweet

♪ Get down on your knees

♪ Revenge, so complete

♪ Revenge

♪ Revenge tastes sweet

♪ Get down on your knees

♪ Revenge so complete

♪ Revenge

♪ Revenge

♪ Revenge

(choking)

(exploding)

♪ Revenge

- I love it.

I love it!

- I thought you might.

- No listen, it's great.

I can see it now.

Chicago, Detroit, LA.

Imagine, a punk concert in the Coliseum.

The people shitting themselves, shaking, dying.

Fucking amazing.

- Fucking amazing.

- Look, Steve.

Why don't you give me some thoughts,

and I can talk it up to the money guys.

- Dad.

Is this your movie?

- I know, I can give you a check

for some development funds,

and you can give me some more ammunition.

- Which one?

- This one here.

The one on at 4:30, "The Executioner."

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

Peter, I told you not to call me here.

- I could wrap up this deal

if I could give him that outline

with a couple of good ideas.

- That's the one, but I don't know as if

you should watch this, David.

- Aw Dad, it's only on at 4:30, it must be okay.

- Look Stevie, maybe we should go somewhere

where we can talk, huh?

- David, you go and ask your mother, alright?

- No I'll be there, I promise.

- [David] Aw, dad.

- I got an idea.

I have to go to the studio.

Why don't we drive up there together?

- Dad, may I watch it?

- [Steven] Ask your mother.

- Hey Steve, I didn't know you had copies

of all your pictures.

- I keep them for posterity.

Reminds me of how much shit I've shot.

- Let's put a coat on and get going.

Darlene's probably waiting on the set.

I know what you think of her personally,

but you gotta admit, she's great.

Hey Stevie.

Here's your check.

When are you gonna be able

to give me a little follow-up on that punk shit?

(gentle music)

(ominous music) (water dripping)

(groaning)

(creaking)

(suspenseful music)

(thudding)

- Down, bring it down.

Slower.

Cut.

Good job. - Okay guys.

(people chattering) (metal clattering)

- Burt, Steven.

- Darlene, darling, how are you?

You look terrific, bubby.

- I'm glad you're here.

I'm having problems.

- Oh really?

- Look, what's bugging you?

You tell me what's bothering you, who's responsible?

- The script, it doesn't work.

- That's because you're too stupid

to memorize your lines.

- Hey, hey now.

Let's not start that again.

I'm tired of you two bitching at each other

every time you meet.

- Look. - Got it!

(people chattering)

- Bring the dummy in.

And bring the head in.

Careful, careful.

This doesn't look like him.

Well let's take it anyway, here.

Dress the dummy.

Is the pump working?

- Oh yeah.

- Darlene, are you there?

- Yes, I'm here.

- Okay, let's go, let's go.

Bring the script.

- Are you crazy?

This is fucking ridiculous.

It weighs a ton.

- Well we don't have much time.

We're late already.

- She wouldn't carry something like this.

(people chattering)

- Come on, quiet on the set.

Let's take it.

Okay go up, take this up.

- Are we ready? - Okay, let's roll.

- This thing is too God damn heavy.

- Hey man, relax, you know.

- She's the lowest and you know it.

- Sure sure, what does that make you?

- Get that little wooden box.

We'll need it over here.

Come on let's go, let's go.

Is the dummy in there yet?

- Yeah it's all set. - Come on!

- Okay silence on set, silence!

- Let's take it. - Silence, guys.

- Speed.

- 30374 take one. (snapping)

Action.

(thudding) (spraying)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Shit!

What the hell?

- Cut, cut, what's wrong?

Shit. - [Burt] Darling.

- This line's wrong, that's what's wrong.

- Shit.

- Look, why can't I say it in English?

What does it mean?

Look, I don't know what to say.

I can't feel it!

- Feel what?

We're spending millions here trying to produce shit,

and she's talking about feeling.

- If he talks like that one more time,

I am walking off this set.

I am an artist!

I do not have to put up with this shit.

(metal clanging)

- An artist?

You can't even spell a word!

- You son of a bitch.

- [Steven] This is insane.

- [Radio Announcer] But by then,

it was already too late to save the victims

who were overcome by smoke. - Can't feel it.

I can believe that.

- [Radio Announcer] This just in.

A tragic accident in Downtown Toronto an hour ago.

A pre-teenage killing.

Police are on the scene at the moment

of what many have already termed

the most shocking tragedy of the year.

Two children aged nine and seven

hanged their five year old sister while playing.

Both parents were out at the time.

- That's right, just go for the sensationalism.

- [Radio Announcer] As we receive them.

In the meantime-- (rock music)

♪ I've been living so all alone

- And now we take you to our on the stop news team.

Here's Paul Henry to report (sirens wailing)

from the scene of the accident.

- Well John, the two sons of famous screenwriter

Steven Lessey were watching television tonight.

They were seeing one of the father's movies,

the famous "Executioners."

The film depicting a series of hangings by children

apparently prompted his two sons to mimic the scene

using their seven year old sister as the victim.

While the tragedy occurred only an hour ago,

it has already caused various social groups

to react against violence on our screens.

- There he is. - There's his car.

- Alright.

This is a shocking incident, Mr. Lessey.

Does your wife know about this yet?

- Where were you at the time of the accident?

- When did you first hear

about the accident? - Mr. Lessey, please.

Do you attribute Sharon's death

to the final sequence-- - Mr. Lessey, wait!

(reporters yelling)

(melancholy music)

(camera shutter clicking)

- What, what?

Dr. Masters.

- There's been a terrible accident.

But they were only playing.

No don't. - Sharon.

- They were only playing.

Apparently the boys tied this around her neck,

like in your movie.

She slipped, and they weren't able to get it untied in time.

It's a terrible, terrible tragedy.

It's nobody's fault.

Come on.

- No, wait, wait.

Where are you taking her?

Where is Elizabeth?

Wait wait, where are you going?

Where is Elizabeth?

- Damn you, Steven!

Damn you!

You killed her!

You killed her! - Where's David and Philip?

- They're upstairs, in the living room with your mother.

There's a police inspector with them.

(weeping)

- Don't you touch them!

Don't you touch them!

Leave them alone!

Leave them alone!

Leave them alone!

Leave them alone! - Where were you?

Where were you? - Leave him,

leave him alone, you bastard!

You bastard!

Damn you Steven!

Damn you Steven!

Damn you!

Oh no.

(door banging) (ominous music)

- Mr. Lessey, it's a terrible loss, sir.

I'm very sorry.

There will be an inquiry, of course.

A procedure then a complete report will be made.

I need you to accompany the children

down to the station right away.

(weeping)

- Don't be afraid.

I'm not angry with you.

I just wanted to know what happened.

Where was mommy?

Why didn't you call her?

Was mommy alone?

Or was she with someone?

Boys. - Steven, don't you dare.

- David, David, she was with someone, wasn't she?

Wasn't she with someone? (David crying)

Well tell them what kind of a mommy she was, tell them.

Philip.

Why this, Philip?

What have I ever done to you, bastard?

- Steven, no!

- Why did you do this to me?

Why?

Why?

- Steven, stop it!

- Why, why, why?

- I hate you, daddy, I hate you!

(melancholy music)

(typewriter ticking)

(light chattering)

(typewriter grinding)

- That'll be enough for tonight, ma'am.

- The children will be staying with me, Inspector.

Mr. and Mrs. Lessey feel it's best for them

for the time being.

- We'll contact you when we need the children again.

- Thank you.

- I like Toronto.

It's clean, you know.

Too clean.

Still, it's just about the only city

you can walk around at 2:00 in the morning

and not get mugged.

They don't make good pictures, though.

I don't understand why you don't move to I., Steve.

Just tell me when, there's no problem.

You know, the only thing that's gonna take

your mind off this is work.

Why don't you let me send you down to my place in Florida?

Take a couple of weeks off, relax, take it easy.

You had breakfast yet?

- No.

- Is the plane ready?

We'll have lunch in Montreal.

(engines rumbling)

- Oh, Burt, hello!

- Hello, gorgeous.

Oh this is my friend Steven.

I want you to take very good care of him.

- Okay.

- Fasten your seatbelts, guys.

We're in for a bumpy flight.

Hey, isn't that what Benny Davis says in,

what's the name of that film?

- "All About Eve."

- Yeah, what was it she said?

- I think she said, "It's gonna be a bumpy night."

- Bumpy night.

I could've swore she said bumpy flight.

Well, there's no plane sequence in that film.

Why would she say that?

Steven, you haven't touched your food.

Oh here come the girls.

Ladies.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Whatever.

Here we are.

Now, this is Steven Lessey, ladies.

Famous screenwriter.

Treat him good, he might put you in a movie.

(laughing)

There's one thing about these French broads.

They don't bleed you to death to fuck 'em, you know?

I mean, if you're gonna get it, you know right away.

If they hate your guts, you know that too.

English broads, you don't even know if you're gonna get it,

and by the time they drain you for a couple hundred,

you've lost interest anyway.

WASPs are the worst.

(speaking in foreign language) (laughing)

I just told 'em I'm Jewish.

(people chattering)

Okay Steve, let's cut the bullshit,

get down to business.

Now you had a tough time, really tough, and I'm sorry.

I mean, I really am.

But that script was supposed to be ready weeks ago.

(intense music) (spraying)

The money's gotta be spent before the end of the year

or the project's off.

That money's only there because of your name.

I'm committed myself.

(intense music) (screaming)

It's my God damn money and I need that script.

Now here's what's gonna happen.

(spitting) (intense music)

We're gonna go back to Toronto.

My car, will take you to your house.

You'll pack, and get back to the jet.

Then my guys will take you to Florida,

or I., or wherever the hell you have to go,

and get back to writing.

- Shall I come in and help you pack, sir?

- No, you wait here.

- [Burt] Now I need that script,

and I want it in two weeks.

(gentle music)

- I'm not going.

- Sir?

- Tell Mr. Horowitz I'm not going.

- But sir, Mr. Horowitz instructed me to be sure that you--

- Damn Mr. Horowitz.

(phone ringing)

- [Burt] What the fuck do you think you're doing?

The driver just called me on the car phone.

Is this some sort of game you want to play?

I'll sue you 'til you're on your knees

fucking begging, Steve-O.

We're not playing games here.

We're not playing games.

You hear me?

Steven, Steven, are you there?

Hello?

Hello?

God damn it, Steven, you're there, I know you're there.

Now you listen to me,

that car is still waiting outside.

You get in that car and deliver,

or so help me God, I'll put--

(gentle music)

- I walk the wet boulevard alone.

An open invitation to anyone. (people chattering)

I bit my lips to keep back the tears.

What would they think?

I cared not, I dared not.

All I had were the tortured memories

of a love I had once known.

I could still feel his burning kisses on my virgin lips.

(people chattering)

When you look at me, it's like any grade B movie.

I whisper, "Hello Johnny."

(laughing)

- What was your name again?

- Honey, and yours?

- Suckle, Honey, Suckle. (laughing)

You know, I have written a dozen scripts like this,

and I still don't know how to pick you girls up.

- When you look at me,

it's like any grade B movie.

I whisper, "Hello Johnny."

- You just come with me, big boy.

You just come and suck a little Honey, huh?

- Now listen, I don't mean to offend you Honey,

but I think I kind of prefer your friend here.

(audience clapping)

Oh.

The two of you?

- Uh huh.

- The both of you?

Only you.

- Greedy bastard. - Jesus Christ.

- No no, I mean it.

Why don't we have a party?

I'll tell you what.

You get some of your friends.

I'll tell you what, you get some of your friends here,

and we will have ourselves a party.

Come on.

- Let's go. - Come on, let's go.

- Let's go, girls.

Party time, come on.

(crickets chirping)

(laughing) (chattering)

- Okay I'll help you.

Here we go, everybody.

Now it's not much, but I just like to call it home,

you know what I mean? (laughing)

Come on.

- Looks like my place.

- Come on.

Come on, let's go. - Almost there.

- Wait up, I'll get it.

There you go, everybody, yeah, that's it.

That's it.

Are you sure that we're not related?

That's it.

(women chattering and laughing)

- Okay girls, girls, here, follow me.

Follow me.

Here we go.

Because you see, it is party time.

- Party! (cheering)

- Whoa, come on, that's it.

Right over here.

Whoa, whoa. (laughing)

Drinks are in the corner.

Drink are in the corner.

That's it.

Music, music, we need some music.

And what have I got?

Who are you?

What do I got for you.

I know what you want.

- What?

Here you go, come on.

Come on.

Sit right there.

Movies!

Movies, it's movie!

Because you see this is what

made it all happen! (upbeat dance music)

I love that music.

Rock it, uh huh!

It goes right on there.

There you go. (film reel clicking)

Here we go.

Lights on, and there.

Lights, lights, we need the lights.

Don't worry, things are gonna get better.

Okay, okay.

Make room for daddy.

Make room for daddy.

I think you're gonna like this.

- Let's get into some of this coke.

- I thought you had the munchies.

(door creaking)

(grunting and growling)

(screaming)

- Hey, what's happening?

(laughing)

- Holy shit, look at that.

Wow!

- Holy shit, fantastic! - Yeah, wow.

- Wait a sec, you gotta watch this.

It's so bad, it's good.

(growling)

- Hold it back! - Hold it!

- Give us this.

(laughing)

- Alright let's go, come on.

- Give me some more!

- Steven Lessey, you are a genius.

(grunting)

(laughing)

- No no, watch this.

This is really, no, really.

No, come on, really, really.

(banging)

- Come on, honey.

Drink it up.

- That's right. - Good boy.

- Come on, come on.

(laughing) (sniffing)

(banging and grunting)

- One good gram.

- Right up there, get it up.

(laughing)

(yelling)

- Let's just get you a little comfortable, ok?

- Watch for the bottle.

- Come on.

(upbeat funky music)

(wailing)

(steady ominous music)

(laughing)

(banging)

- Daddy!

(wailing)

- You need some more, come on.

Just a little more, come on.

Come on, just suck it up. - More, come on, do it.

Do it, do it. - Come on.

- Daddy!

(banging)

- Here, put this around your neck.

- Sharon, no!

- What you do is push it, push it.

- What's the matter?

What's the matter?

- Daddy!

- Sharon!

Sharon!

Sharon!

(vomiting) (ominous music)

- Let's go.

- Daddy!

(ghostly voices)

Untie me, untie me.

Untie me.

Daddy!

Daddy!

- Fabulous.

- Stop it.

- No!

- Daddy, I can't sleep.

- No!

Get the fuck--

- Daddy, daddy!

Daddy! (yelling)

(banging)

- What the hell?

(screaming)

- You fucker!

(screaming)

- Son of a bitch!

(yelling)

(yelling) (banging)

- Come on, let's get the hell out of here.

(crashing)

(yelling)

- How do you like that, fucker?

(crashing)

- Well thanks for the party, sucker.

(crashing) (ominous music)

(ghostly voices whispering)

- [Sharon] Daddy.

Daddy.

(eerie music)

(weeping)

(creaking)

(suspenseful music)

(liquid bubbling) (intense music)

(fire rumbling)

- Steven!

Steven!

(yelling)

- [Elizabeth] Steven. - Elizabeth?

- [Elizabeth] Steven.

(ominous rumbling)

Steven. - Elizabeth?

(eerie voices mumbling)

(birds chirping)

(cymbal clanging)

(gentle music)

(distant cymbals crashing)

(clock ticking)

(distant drumming)

(creaking) (ominous music)

(clock ticking)

(crashing)

- Burt Horowitz please, it's Steven Lessey.

I see, would you have him call me back?

Oh and miss,

tell him that I've found it, that I've got it.

Yes, and tell him that he'll love this one.

Thank you.

(gentle melancholy music)

(typewriter grinding)

(typewriter ticking)

(laughing)

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

- Keep your sickness.

We don't want it.

(screaming)

- Don't leave!

- I hate you daddy, I hate you!

(weeping) (crashing)

- Get it!

- It's too tight.

- Get it.

- I'm trying to, I'm trying.

(typewriter ticking)

- If I had a gun,

I'd sneak around in the middle of the night

and shoot us all.

(typewriter ticking)

(typewriter bell dinging)

(gun firing)

(dramatic instrumental music)

♪ We're not here to compromise

♪ We're only here to realize

♪ A life that's made from everlasting love

♪ And so it seems we improvise

♪ A life that's really synthesized

♪ From dreams we're all receiving from above

♪ And so we come to sympathize

♪ To learn the truth and harmonize

♪ With everything around us that we see

♪ And some will live and learn to cry

♪ While others laugh and learn to die

♪ But sadness comes to only those who feel

♪ And what about the angels

♪ Who were sent to save our souls

♪ Where are they when life is so confused

♪ And what about the promises of making life so good

♪ Could it be they're already used

♪ And so our lives are justified

♪ And all our questions satisfied

♪ Still we seek the truth to make us free

♪ And when at last we're purified

♪ And every spirit unified

♪ God will come to tell us what we'll be

♪ Most of all, the love will come

♪ When we all understand

♪ That life is just a game that makes us real

♪ Those who give will surely live

♪ And someday understand

♪ Gladness comes to only those who feel

♪ And we're not here to qualify

♪ We're only here to simplify

♪ A life that gives us everlasting love

♪ And now that we've been moralized

♪ And all the symbols analyzed

♪ God must come to tell us what shall be

(upbeat funky music)