Original subtitles

It's a safe space, So anything you'd like to say,

don't want to say

It's your time, So.

Hey Richard.

Okay, we want to just go around and say something about our week

Yeah, Sure.

Great.

I'm Scott. I'm an alcoholic.

Hey Scott.

Hey, I have a few years under my belt

and my daughter told me she's getting divorced.

So I've had a few drinks

and not feeling good about it, but I'm back. So.

Thanks.

Hey, my name's Kyle I'm an alcoholic.

Hey Kyle.

Working girlfriend got the best of me.

So hit the bar and blacked out... I'm back here.

My name is Ron. I'm an alcoholic

and probation officer said that I had to be here,

get something signed off so I can complete my probation.

That's why I'm here.

Richard?

Richard?

Do you want to say anything about your week?

Well uhh...

I'm sorry.

Stop it Richard, Stop it.

Breath.

Breath.

That's it.

Haley?

Yep.

Okay.

I'll call you back.

Hey.

Is that for me?

Well I was going to bring it to the pool,

but I didn't want to risk spilling it.

You remember last time?

Well, at least I get to drink it this time.

I had that dream again.

Again?

Yeah.

well, it's probably nothing.

I gotta go get changed.

He killed them all.

Are you Sure?

Yes I'm Sure.

Tex wrote the word dyle

before he died.

He's the murderer I tell you.

Now wait a minute, just a minute Mrs. Lampert but...

You better give that to me again.

Honey, have you seen my script?

I thought your callback wasn't until Tuesday?

Yeah, it wasn't.

But they called me this morning

and they changed the date.

Must have left it in the dining room.

Was it the same one you audition for last week?

Yeah, horror!

Found it.

What, no kiss?

Got to go hun.

Her skin was delegate, perfect.

A virgin olive within which

a dark pit hit thoughts which he could never know.

In her eyes live secrets that would never escape her lips.

She was Fire and Ice.

Her smile warm enough to stroke the embers of his heart.

Her absence a cold reminder of what he would never truly have.

She was the love of his life.

He said you told him to come by

to celebrate my birthday.

He even brought a gift as a surprise,

but I just invited him in

and we were having a couple of drinks

Until I opened the gift.

He said he's been in love with me for a long time.

What!?

I don't know, I told him I wasn't interested,

but he wouldn't take no for an answer.

So he pushed me onto the kitchen counter

and he forced himself on to me

and I just couldn't get him off.

I was screaming, but he was smothering me.

Where is he now?

He's, he's in the kitchen.

Hello?

Did you?

I miss you too.

I'm on my way home, I'll talk to you later.

Hey.

I picked up some food on the way home.

Honey?

What would you think about

going away?

Away?

Yeah, we could rent a beach cottage

for a couple of weeks.

Maybe go to a Resort.

What about your novel?

What about my novel?

Well you said you wanted to finish it here

and besides if I book the part

I'm going to have to stay here for a while.

Oh, so you're saying you never want to go away?

That's not what I'm saying Richard.

It's just that now is not the time.

And when is the time?

I just want to book a really big part first

and then we can talk about going somewhere.

He had given her everything he had,

but no amount of sacrifice

could fill the emptiness that consumed the house.

It was a thick fog that dampened everything it touched.

On the outside,

their house seemed perfect,

but it would never be a home.

Richard I'm going to jail.

No you're not.

I'm not going to let that happen.

Shh... Shh... Shh... Oh my god!

Okay it was self-defense, he's gone now.

No, no you don't understand.

After his skull cracked,

I kept hitting him and hitting him again

and again with the figurine.

Oh my god. It's okay.

Shh... Shh... Shh...

How did he know It was my birthday Richard?

I don't undrestant what he was doing here.

How did he know It was my birthday Richard?

I don't understand!

No I don't know!

I DON'T KNOW!

Are you okay Richard?

Let me grab your pills.

Here.

We'll bury the body.

What?! Richard why.

Well you have any better ideas?

Richard No!

Honey listen to me.

He doesn't have a family.

He doesn't even have a car okay?

We're going to bury the body because it's our best option.

What are you talking about?

Has anyone seen you with him tonight?

I don't know Richard.

Honey It's either a yes or a no.

Has anyone seen you with him?

No.

Okay, Alright, I want you to go upstairs.

I want you to get cleaned up Okay?

I'm going to fix this up.

Matt Saunders. Good to see you again.

How is it going Richard?

Going great, come on in.

Thanks.

Come in.

Still writing those novels?

Actually, I just started a new book.

We have a lady here to see you.

Does she have an appointment?

No.

She says she's Richard's wife.

Okay. Tell her to come in.

Hey, what happened to your liquor cabinet?

A what?

Didn't you have a liquor cabinet here before?

Oh, yeah, we took it down

Haley didn't like you drinking.

It wasn't Haley.

It was me.

Well in case you're wondering

I joined an AA group three years ago.

I wasn't going to say anything but...

you're looking a little rough.

How about I come back and get you in shape?

How's life treating you?

Been better.

Personal training has taken a dive and...

Single and broke.

You playing alone?

No.

Richard are you okay?

No, I'm not Matt.

Haley!

What an unexpected surprise.

I know. I'm sorry.

I just really needed to see you.

What's going on?

Well, besides the fact that my new bookis messing with my head.

It's this house.

The house?

You know, I originally., I bought this place...

to inspire my writing.

See... It turns out that there was a young couple

that used to live here before Haley and I.

Apparently the husband came home one night

and found his wife in bed with another man.

[DISTURBING SOUNDS]

In full rage he killed them both with a butcher knife.

Later on the police found him in the bathtub

holding a toaster.

Jesus Christ!

Does Haley know about this?

It's Richard.

Look, Nick... can we keep this just between us?

Of course.

What's going on Richard? Why uhh... why

If you don't want personal training

why did you bring me here?

You may not know this but...

My marriage to Haley is on the Rocks.

We've been married...

five years and...

The relationship is just...

Cold.

Cold, how?

Well for starters, I'm convinced.

She's no longer in love with me.

Something's happening to Richard and it's scaring me.

He's becoming more and more paranoid

and he's getting these obsessions

and I don't know

you've known him longer than I have.

Is there something I'm supposed to do?

I'm sorry to break it to you Haley,

but that's just the way writers are.

Imagination...

powerful thing

I'm not against the idea of her having a career

as an actress or whatever.

It's just that it's been non-stop with

auditions and rehearsals

with actors, writers, directors.

and I never know where she's at.

So you think she's cheating on you?

Don't get me wrong.

I love Richard with all of my heart

but not if things don't get better.

I mean, I feel like I've been really supportive.

Of everything that he's put me through

his drinking problems, his obsessions with the house.

I want to make you an offer.

An offer?

To put it more simply,

I know you need money

and I have it.

Okay, what kind of offer are we talking about?

Has he been drinking again?

No.

Well then things have gotten better.

Well how does $15,000 sound?

$15,000 sounds fucking awesome.

What for?

I can't prove right now whether or not

Haley is sleeping with another man.

but I can prove whether or not

she can be tempted to do so.

We both know Richard has his demons,

but I've known that man for 20 years

he always gets back on his feet.

Trust me.

You want to pay me $15,000 to seduce your wife?

Are you kidding?

Don't tell me you've never seduced a woman before.

Yeah, I've seduced a woman

just not for money.

Now listen, if you're interested

here's my plan.

I want to start off by calling the house

Tuesday night around seven o'clock

I'll know it's you

and I'm going to let Hayley answer the phone.

Okay, and what do I say?

Start by telling her that you remember her

She's got a birthday coming up

and then just ask to speak with me.

Haley I don't know what to tell you.

These are just the Ebbs and flows of marriage.

You know.

The important detail is.

Do you still really love him?

Sometimes It's not that simple Nick.

Love isn't enough.

Then you need to pass by Saturday night

and make sure you bring a birthday gift.

We she comes to the door

Just tell her you messed up on the

date for the training session.

I'm going to be at my AA meeting

until about 10 o'clock.

You just wantme to roll up to your house

with some random gift and just ask her hey...

Do you have a lover?

Get her to open up about her marriage.

And what if she doesn't?

Seduce her.

You know what?

I'm sorry, I've taken up too much of your time.

I should go.

Alright. Well, I hope it all works out.

Well...

This is nuts um...

I'll do it.

Your clothes.

It's nothing.

Are you okay?

No, no I don't feel good.

Richard.

Hey.

So...

look I know this looks really bad.

But why didn't you say that you saved this?

Of course I saved it Richard.

I always keep that with me.

I really need to get ready.

Sorry I'm late.

That's alright, have a seat Richard.

I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.

Publishers sent a list of books

that are going to be re-released next year

take into account the lack of titles.

Your books aren't on it.

I'm sorry Richard.

No, I get it.

You're an amazing author.

But you haven't given me anything viable in the last...

four years.

Actually that's what I came to talk to you about.

I've got something.

Well, let's see it.

I've only written the synopsis so far.

I'm thinking of calling it "The Perception".

This is different.

I was hoping you were going to say that.

Intriving!

This sounds familiar.

What do you mean?

Did you draw inspiration from anything?

Are you trying to imply something?

Lookwait, I don't mean to pry but...

Is everything allright?

Yeah, everything's fine.

This story sounds promising.

Oh thank you.

It's been quite a journey.

How does it end?

Well...

Actually I'm not sure yet.

I'm waiting for things to unfold.

Richard!

Wake up, Richard.

Richard wake up.

Wake up!

Richard! Richard!

I made you a special dinner.

Well what's the special occasion?

I got the part.

Get over here

Haley, Congratulations honey.

What?

You look more sophisticated like that with your hair back.

Don't I always look Sophisticated?

You wish.

Finish your dinner.

What's my husband up to?

Husband?

What?

It's been a long time since you called me that.

Well, you are, aren't you?

Well...

It's been quite an amazing day.

Do you want to make it more amazing?

Almost gave up on you.

But you didn't.

Remember when we first met?

You were so romantic on our first date.

I want to be that guy again.

I miss him.

Hey.

What happened?

You passed out.

What about the body?

I buried it.

By yourself?

I didn't have a choice.

It was just lying there and you wouldn't wake up.

You should have woke me up.

You passed out and I was really stressed out

and I just wanted to get it over and done with.

Hello?

It's Richard.

Hey.

I called at seven like you asked and no one answered.

Listen, I got to call the whole thing off.

What?!

I think my marriage had a turning point

and I'm starting to believe that...

You can't call it off.

Matt as I was saying.

I think my marriage...

I don't care what you're thinking

deal is a deal.

And I'm telling you the deal is off.

No, no, no...

Richard you can't do this to me.

I need that money.

Matt...

$15,000 is nothing to you.

You know what, I'm hanging up.

no, wait, wait, wait...

Okay fine., We can call the whole deal off

but you at least need to pay me for the other day.

The other day?

Matt you came over for a chat.

That's not worth any money.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Listen you're fucking with the wrong person.

Look I will take everything from you.

Alright? Fucking everything.

After braving a seemingly endless and unforgiving winter.

A single Ray of sunlight pierce the clouds

as it begin to thaw the ice between them.

What relief, she was there.

A blazing Beacon daring him to hope once more.

No Matter How guilty she was.

Two accidental deaths in 12 hours.

I don't believe it.

Alright.

Guess what.

What?

The director got a new writer

who changed all the lines.

So I'm going to have to forget

all the lines I already learned.

It's no big deal, is it?

I guess not.

Have'nt you got an AA meeting tonight?

I was thinking of not going.

Why not?

I don't know, I just...

People show up and all they do is

whine for the whole session and...

It's just... It's depressing.

Richard, you know you need to go

and besides I have all these new lines I have to learn.

So I could do with some peace and quiet.

Quiet?

Richard.

Alright, I'll go.

Murder.

Come on!

You want to pay me $ 15,000 to seduce your wife?

Are you kidding?

Start by telling her that you remember her

she's got a birthday coming up

and just ask to speak with me.

Richard you can't do this to me, I need that money.

I need that money.

To seduce your wife?

Then you need to pass by Saturday night.

And make sure you bring a birthday gift.

It's a safe space so Anything you like to say,

It's your time.

Please.

I'm Scott, an alcoholic.

Hey Scott.

I have a few years...

I'll tell Haley,

I'll tell her you invited me to the house

and offered me $15,000

that you're trying to get me to seduce her.

you're trying to set her up.

I'm an alcoholic.

Fuck you man, fuck you.

I will take everything from you, you understand me?

Everything from you.

Richard?

Do you want to say anything about your week?

Well uhh...

I'm sorry.

Are you coming to bed?

Yeah, soon.

Richard...

I don't want to be alone right now.

It's going to be okay hun, we're going to be fine.

Haley?

Hey.

Where are you?

I'm on set.

How can you be at work at a time like this?

I had to leave the house.

We need to act like nothing's happened.

What do you expect me to do?

Haley.

Do you remember that gift that Matt brought you?

What about it?

I got rid of it last night.

Now it's sitting on the kitchen counter.

Are you sure?

Are you sure you threw it away?

Yes, I'm sure.

Stop acting crazy.

Just get rid of it.

And I don't want to ever talk about this again.

We need to move on.

Look I've got to go, okay, bye.

Haley?

Yes, yes I've already got a table for six.

I know, I know I'm on the way.

Okay, babe I'll...

I'll umm...

I'll call you back.

Richard.

What are you doing here?

Listen.

Something really bad happened Okay.

What's going on?

I really screwed up this time, okay,

and I don't know what to do,

I mean there's no one to talk to

and I'm fucking losing my mind.

Richard have you been drinking again?

No!

You say you haven't been drinking

but it sounds like you have buddy.

No no it has nothing to do with that.

You know what?

Just... just forget about it.

Okay Richard you're starting to scare me buddy.

Damn it talk to me.

Around on the beach.

He seemed quite abnormal.

I know where he is.

You stay here on this pay phone.

You're saying the general was behaving

Hello?

very strange lately.

Hello?

out of his mind.

Who is this?

Did you call?

What?

Just now, did you call?

No.

Well someone did.

Why is the door open?

I don't know.

I didn't open it.

Richard.

You're letting the cold in.

Haley, about that figurine.

Are you sure you didn't see it this morning?

Not this again.

No, just hold on a second.

Okay I don't want to talk about this figurine anymore.

Why are you being so nonchalant about it?

I'm not being nonchalant about it Richard.

I'm just tired and stressed.

Oh, so you make yourself a drink.

Yeah. I'm making myself a drink

because I don't have a drinking problem.

I haven't been drinking.

Okay.

I'm going to go get changed.

Hello?

Jesus.

Been a while.

Sorry to see you again.

Take a fifth of Stoli.

You in trouble again Richard?

You look scared to me, but why?

Look I don't think this is the....

You... don't... think.

We'll how often do you normally think

and how different is it now?

You don't need vodka.

You look lost to me already.

You don't know me.

You're just like most people

believing what you see.

We all do.

$19.50.

What did you see?

Whatever you think it is, it isn't.

It's all the matter of perception.

If you have to be somewhere by 8:30

you better get a move on.

Haley?

Haley.

Did you come home earlier?

What are you talking about?

Yeah I did come home early.

No, but like after breakfast just before noon.

No, why?

I saw someone in the house.

Really? where?

In the hallway.

Richard you were probably dreaming.

No, I don't think this time I was dreaming.

Then you were probably imagining things Richard.

It's not that I don't care.

It's just that we really need to get past this.

Oh...

And how do we move past this when

there's a dead man buried in our backyard?

Haley.

Haley?!

I'm not saying it's your fault.

Because it's not.

We both know it was an accident.

What is it then?

What I'm trying to say is

There's something strange going on in this house

and it's freaking me out.

You really need to stop your writing.

This novel it's doing your head in.

Okay but Haley.

Well, who is it?

Probably just some kids messing around.

Kids messing around?

Haley.

We have been here five years and

I don't recall any kids messing around on our property.

So what are you saying?

What? A friend?

Wardrobe.

Then I spoke to the director afterwards.

Richard.

I have to go away... tomorrow.

What?

Yeah, they want to shoot a teaser.

Would you stop being like this?

Fine.

I'm not going to stop you.

No... No.

What do you want?!

Something didn't add up.

His mind was a scrapyard

littered with splintering images

and fragmenting moments.

Shattered by some unseen force

and deposited randomly in the spaces

between each and every thought.

Yet deep inside there was a voice

Challenging him to solve the puzzle.

The center piece here.

A corner piece there.

As tit began to fit together

each uniquely shape clue.

One thing became certain.

He wasn't loosing his mind at all.

He was finding it.

Hello?

Nick.

It's me,

Richard.

What time is it?

I know it's late but...

I got to talk to you about something.

Oh man, can it wait till morning?

Nick please? it's really important.

Hold on.

Are you still there?

Yeah, I'm here.

What's going on Richard?

It's 4 a.m.

It's my book.

Jesus, that's what you woke me for?

Your book?

I think I figured out the ending.

Well congratulations, that's great.

This isn't just about the book Nick.

This was taken from my life.

What?

Honey, I hope that's the last time you stay up so late.

I'm glad I did.

I had a breakthrough.

With my writing.

What does that mean?

It means that it's very different from before.

Only much better,

I promise.

I can't wait to read it.

Oh you will.

Hey.

I'm off.

What time is it?

Just past eight.

Yeah.

I made you a jug of honey and chamomile tea.

It should help you sleep better.

Thanks.

Bye.

Bye.

Please pick up. Come on pick up.

The Person you have called is not available right now

Please try again later.

It's not real.

This is not...

This is not real.

It's not real... It's not real.

What... What do you want from me?

Matt!

Is he dead?

I definitely heard something

but I can't be sure.

Want to go check it out?

Quit messing around.

You go check.

Fine.

You ready?

I'm ready.

911 what's your emergency?

My husband he's not breathing.

I found him in the bathtub with a toaster.

I think he electrocuted himself.

Please, I don't know what to do.

I'm so scared.

You must be freezing.

You should have waited at home.

And be so far away from you?

So what did they say?

They believed you?

They said they're going to take his body down to the morgue

and run some tests.

What kind of test?

I don't know but it'll be fine

all they're going to find is Prozac and Valium.

Valium?

Yeah.

That's what I've been putting into his drinks.

Let me grab your pills.

I can't wait to read it.

Oh you will.

Richard always had an overactive imagination

killing you made it easy for him

to buy into the ghost stories about the house.

Sneaky girl!

What?

It's just like you said.

You make it sound so easy.

What do you say we go away?

I don't know, Richard seems to be getting better.

Really?

That guy, is the most depressing

piece of shit I have ever met.

I need your help to find out if Haley is cheating on me.

Shut the fuck up.

I'm going to raise the bar

and he's going to call the deal off tomorrow.

You need to scare the shit out of him.

I want to be that guy again.

I miss him.

Listen, I gotta call the whole thing off.

I will take everything from you.

Alright, fucking everything.

Well it was well wasn't it?

Maybe for you.

All you had to do was pretend to be dead.

Pretending to be dead is harder than it looks.

Excuse me matt.

But I believe I was the star of the show.

Richard wake up!

Richard!

Richard!

How long do we have?

I don't know about 30 minutes or so.

Okay because there's no way he's going to believe

that you dragged my ass downstairs.

So we have to figure a way to make it belivable.

What about the body?

I buried it.

Well, once the executor finalizes everything,

We'll have our beach house in no time.

I like that.

I'll be right back.

As he delicately tapped the last piece

into the center of the puzzle,

their insidious plan slid into focus.

He knew that his wife and her lover

intended to rid themselves of him.

To force him to the brink of his own sanity

Leaving suicide as his only option.

Although their plan was well-conceived,

the conspiring couple had overlooked one critical detail...

The boundless imagination of a writer.

He had spent more than a decade

exploring the darkest corners of his own mind.

This isn't just about the book Nick.

This was taken from my life.

My wife and her lover

they're trying to kill me or drive me to kill myself.

It doesn't matter.

Richard?

Haley would never do that.

It's true. I piece it all together.

Have you told anyone about this?

Human behavior had become his livelihood

and he was a master in the art of manipulation.

I can't wait to read it.

Oh you will.

A tool he employed to weave intricate storylines

and shape unsolvable mysteries.

He had gathered enough

incriminating evidence to put them away

for a very long time.

They had severely underestimated his intellect.

And he took great satisfaction

in using it against them.

With limitless resources at his disposal,

he was able to outsmart the conspirators

without leaving a trace of Suspicion.

He had injected himself with

a non-lethal dose of Tetrodotoxin.

Which put him into a deep state of paralysis

and slowed his heartbeat to within inches of death.

He knew the only way

to undeniably prove their guilt

was to give them exactly what they wanted.

His suicide,

wrapped in a bow.

When he finally awoke,

the nightmare had ended

And a new life awaited him.

I sold the house.

I heard where are you moving?

Somewhere North on the beach.

Congratulations.

I've also got some good news.

Check it out.

What? They changed the cover?

No look at the bottom.

New York Times bestseller?

Yeah, the Publishers really push that true story angle.

I don't know what to say Nick.

You deserve it, after all you've been through.

I don't think I could have made it without your support.

And you've always been there for me.

Thanks Nick.

Sure.

One last thing.

How much of it is true?

There was an acute sense of relief

that came with this knowledge.

Like a blister being split open

The truth had seeped through to the surface

and the wound could finally breathe...

And even though the sting of betrayal

had permanently marked him,

He could now sleep easy,

his mind at peace

Knowing that Justice had been served.

Perception is a peculiar thing.

What one can clearly discern with the eyes

might be easily misinterpreted by the heart.

We only see what we want to see.

As William Blake so eloquently put it,

"If the doors of perception were cleansed,

Everything would appear to man as it is...

Infinite ".

And that's exactly what the future held.

Each day,

A blank page...

ready and waiting to be written.