Original subtitles

NUMBER TWO: Kate and Constance, they're struggling.

Which is why we cannot let them fail.

Does Benedict actually want us to cheat?

Cheating comes with the territory in the spy game.

If we get caught, our brains get erased.

But if we don't cheat, Kate and Constance get barged and their brains get erased.

REYNIE: For you two, I'm thinking Morse code.

Sticky Washington. Drop the pencil.

You weren't fidgeting. I know it was Morse code.

CURTAIN: Who were you working with, Sticky? Who?

I need to get my eyes on that inlet from somewhere up high.

BENEDICT: We just might see some clue

to what my brother is building in the water.

But this passageway I've discovered...

We must send them in.

REYNIE: Kate, I don't know what to say.

- You're up. - Just serve.

There's potential.

I'm actually being barged right now.

Becky, get her sizes.

- What? - You're joining my team.

Please join me in celebrating our newest Messengers,

Reynie Muldoon and Sticky Washington.

How would you boys feel about a cuffless hem

with a half break at the ankle?

- Uh... We like it? - Mm-hmm.

I feel different.

I know what you mean. Like

confident.

- Important. - CURTAIN: Very.

Oh.

Cuffless hem. Half break.

You're dragging us into the modern era, Alphonse.

The winds of change are upon us, sir.

Indeed. No one's immune. You can hold the work.

Look at you.

Never underestimate the effects of a well-tailored outfit, gentlemen.

It improves your mood, your productivity, your creativity.

Do you feel your power?

It's really nice.

Brilliant. What about you, Sticky?

I'm sensing some hesitation.

Can you not allow yourself luxury?

I understand.

You're thinking that you don't deserve this, yes?

Well, what you don't realize is that the real test happened

after the test you tried to cheat on.

Your loyalty under pressure was as impressive

as your encyclopedic knowledge.

More so, even.

And that kind of loyalty is what we prize.

You have earned this, Sticky.

You both have.

- Thank you. - Thank you, Dr. Curtain.

You know what's remarkable to me?

Is the fact that you two arrived on the very same day,

in the very same vehicle.

Is that just a coincidence?

Excuse me?

Or was it written in the stars?

Uh, definitely the first one. Coincidence.

Totally random.

Hmm.

Strange.

Well, regardless of what the word around campus is,

I don't think either of you is a mistake.

Now, what I'm sure you've been waiting for...

Please hold this.

With this sash

comes all the responsibilities,

and all the privileges of a Messenger.

Look at yourselves.

Wear them with pride, gentlemen.

Wear them with pride.

What?

Just thinking.

The sashes could be strung together if we ever need a

sash rope.

You can joke, but this was the goal.

Being a Messenger gets us access and information.

I think George Washington likes his new outfit.

There's no words. It just feels so buttery.

What about last night's message?

- Did you two get it? - Absolutely.

So many dots and dashes.

"Between the copper waves and the bells, using news,

move the bane of the King of Corinth..."

- Why can't he just tell us? - He's being cautious.

If he's obscuring it this much, then it must be important.

Or he likes the sound of his own voice.

Sounds like directions. So, copper waves.

We need to find someone with red, curly hair.

No one here has red hair.

Jonah Burns has strawberry blond hair, but it's straight.

I'm not gonna apologize for knowing things.

It's the sculpture. The ugly one.

On the north campus.

- That's green. - Oxidized copper.

Nice, Constance.

You should lean on me more. These guys are dead weight.

Okay. No idea what "bells" means.

But, "Move the bane of the King of Corinth"?

That's Greek mythology. The King of Corinth was Sisyphus.

He got punished by the gods

and was forced to push a boulder up a hill over and over, for eternity.

He should not have angered the gods.

So, we're looking for a boulder?

But what about the bells and the news?

MARTINA: Muldoon! Washington!

Looks like the queen is requesting your presence.

Should we go?

We should go, right? For the mission.

Play the role.

- Hi. - Hello.

You're Messengers now. You eat at the Messenger table.

- Cool. - We didn't know.

Just one of the perks.

Nice legroom. Really comfortable.

So, what's your secret?

We don't have any secrets.

Secrets cause stress,

and stress leads to all sorts of illnesses.

Ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, temporomandibular disorder...

Okay. No one has ever gotten their sash this fast. No one.

So, what was it? Connected parents? A wealthy guardian?

We just did well in school.

So, this Messenger duty, what exactly does it entail?

- You just have to experience it. - It's incredibly rewarding.

Unless it breaks you.

Why would it...

Messengers, anyone see a blinking light across the channel last night?

Approximately 2100 hours.

- No. - Not me.

JILLSON: It looked like some kind of code.

Oh, yeah, I saw that.

Probably just the Coast Guard signaling a boat.

Why would they do that?

You know, to guide it through the fog.

It was so foggy last night.

- No, it wasn't. - Perfectly clear.

You guys must have been at a higher elevation,

where condensation levels taper off.

We're gonna stand watch the next few nights to be safe.

Weapons hot.

- You have weapons? - It's an expression, rook.

Just stay alert. Anyone sees these lights, report to us.

BENEDICT: The Morse code has been compromised.

But, thankfully, not before they could warn us.

I've sent notifications to everyone on Curtain's list,

present company excluded.

Having trouble tracking down, uh,

Hildegard Billingsley and Arthur Bloom. But I'll stay on it.

Thank you.

Now, we need a new way to communicate with the children.

- Handled. - Really?

- I've acquired a falcon. - A falcon?

The new method of communication. It's tethered, humanely, just outside.

I thought we discussed semaphore.

A peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on Earth.

When diving.

Semaphore required too many flags.

Are falcons known as messenger birds?

Hmm.

Which would you rather have?

A common, even stupid, pigeon or the fastest animal on Earth?

So, yes?

Yes. I believe what Rhonda is rightfully asking...

I... I... Is this bird trained in the art of conveyance and round-trippery?

- Highly trainable creatures. - Oh.

Fastest animal.

BENEDICT: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

We don't exactly have a surfeit of options, so...

Where did you find this bird?

Uh...

They're quite regal.

Number Two, bring in the bird.

They are outside creatures.

Ah.

CURTAIN: Found it.

Are you sure?

That's the one.

I'll check on availability.

I never liked Morse code anyway. Inefficient. Clicky.

It's a beautiful system.

STICKY: Maybe you should've tried harder to learn it.

Maybe I just had a bad tutor.

Come on, guys.

We need to focus on the mission in front of us.

We need to find that boulder, get past it,

- and... - And what? What happens after that?

Wildcat. Go on instinct. Storm the tower.

- Await further instructions. - But there are no further instructions.

Then we just have to figure it out.

We're all smart and capable...

Don't you get it? We're flying blind now!

Right into a storm! A violent, turbulent storm

- with hale and sleet and... - Sticky.

Cleansing breaths.

Do it.

- Reynie Muldoon. Sticky Washington. - Messenger duty.

REYNIE: Where exactly are we going?

JACKSON: You'll find out when you're there.

JILLSON: Stop here.

Put these on.

Mandatory eyewear.

But I already have eyewear.

You're welcome to use your own eyewear as long as you put those on over them.

Whoa.

REYNIE: I can't see a thing.

JACKSON: That's the point.

Voilà! Copper waves!

This is vomit of metal, not art.

From here, we look for the bell.

What? My bucket? What about it?

I think you know.

Look for the bell, Constance. A bell-shaped tree, maybe?

Wetherall!

You're late. Practice started 20 minutes ago. Let's go.

Uh, actually, Constance and I need to finish a group project for...

Spatial Relations class.

Don't be dense.

Excuse me?

She is the reason you get to stay here. So, tetherball or barge.

Your choice.

You're right. Priorities. Tetherball, number one.

That's what I like to hear.

Lose the bucket.

I'm not gonna do that.

You don't have a choice.

Someone powers a backhand into that thing, shatters your hip,

now, I'm down a player again.

Bucket stays off my court.

I have Velcro. I'll tie it down.

- You'll never notice it's even... - Lose the bucket.

Just have your little friend hold it.

Roommate, not friend. But I will gladly take possession.

STICKY: Messenger duty... is it painful?

- Pain is subjective. - Mostly in the mind.

Wha... what was that?

An elevator, I think.

JILLSON: Silence from this point on. No more questions.

BENEDICT: Hmm.

Oh, appreciate the gesture but falcons aren't olfactory hunters.

It's a visual reference.

- Well, then, let me take off the hood. - Oh, no. Here we are.

Oh, here we are.

BENEDICT: There we are.

I believe in you.

Hmm.

Bird...

Yes.

BENEDICT: Oh...

Oh, she is majestic.

Oh, no.

She just needs to acclimate to her new environment.

No, falcons are birds of prey. It's embedded in their DNA.

Everyone has the power to change.

Well, yes. Except this bird, I fear. It's a killer in its heart.

Oh, we need a new plan.

Every moment we can't communicate with the team

is a moment they could be in danger.

Was that...

Someone's approaching.

No one knows we're here.

Curtain has found us.

Where is Reynie?

Oh.

Hello.

Where is he?

- If I may... - Identification! Now!

Uh... Stand down, Number Two. This person is clearly not an assassin.

My apologies.

Is someone trying to assassinate you?

Oh, no, no, no. This is all simply a precaution,

as is our seclusion.

We believed that we were undetectable until your arrival, Miss, um...

Miss...

Perumal. I'm Reynie Muldoon's teacher from the Stonetown Orphanage.

Oh.

Oh...

What an honor to meet you.

Allow me to introduce us. My name is Nicholas Benedict.

These are my associates, Number Two, Rhonda Kazembe, and Milligan.

- Your name is Number Two? - Yeah. So?

Ah...

If you don't mind me asking, how did you find us here?

The day of the exam, I received a call from one of the test proctors

who sounded remarkably like this woman.

She told me that Reynie had been accepted to the Boatwright Academy,

effective immediately.

Delighted, I sent Reynie a care package. But the school returned it.

MS. PERUMAL: I called them, there seemed to be some confusion.

So, I visited Boatwright in person to clear the matter up.

The staff there gave me the runaround. They were very discreet, but I persisted

until they admitted that Reynie Muldoon is not a student there.

I went straight to the Stonetown Gazette

to find out who had placed the original ad.

They gave me a name. Cheri Turpintown.

At the local registrar, I learned that the name was an alias

with no known address.

Now, I happen to be a bit of a puzzler.

So, I realized Cheri Turpintown is an anagram for Power in Truth Inc.

A shell corporation with only a PO Box,

which I staked out until this woman arrived

and furtively picked up a package of cedar planks.

She eluded me, but my mind returned to the cedar planks.

Cedar planks? She's grilling salmon.

When the fishmonger didn't recognize the woman's description,

that told me that she's fishing for her own salmon.

- Yes. - PERUMAL: And the only place in Stonetown

where you can fish without a license is a two-mile stretch of shoreline

in the Beauchamps Woods,

which has a trailhead that leads right here.

You got lucky with the licenseless fishing part.

I believe that I've earned the right to know.

Where is Reynie?

He's fine. Perfectly fine.

He's in school, just not the one you expected.

Um, please, allow me to explain over a nice, warm meal.

How do you feel about cedar plank salmon?

MARTINA: A downswing hammerhead

will always play north-south on the come-around.

It's a harder ball to return.

I am seeing way too many Dutch Laterals out there.

Dutch Laterals are two-dimensional and purely velo-based.

"So, sure, if you're 6'5" then maybe you can just burn it and turn it.

Wetherall!

Lock it up. Eyes here.

Otherwise, it is a loser.

What kind of ball do we want to play?

- Three-dimensional? - MARTINA: Multi-dimensional.

Incorporate the Helix. Live in the Helix.

Complexity of attack is our signature.

It's how we play the game. It's our edge.

Right now, I'm only seeing one of you scrubs

doing that on a consistent basis.

Kate, come up here and show them proper hammerhead form.

See? Elbow away from the body, slight pronation, hit and flick.

MARTINA: Look at that Helix. Unreturnable.

Wetherall has way less experience than you do

and no formal training before now.

What you are seeing is instinct, feeling...

Nice work, Wetherall.

Reynard. Sticky. Welcome.

Thank you, Jackson and Jillson.

You'll get used to the goggles. It's a necessary inconvenience

since this gallery contains my most prized invention...

The Whisperer.

Where is it?

Oh, it's everywhere. It's all around you.

These chairs are only part of the device.

Does it affect your memory?

No.

The Whisperer is a finely calibrated,

collaborative learning tool designed to open the mind.

Open the mind how?

Why don't you leave the how and the why to me,

and you concentrate on the where and the when?

Here

now.

Come, see for yourself. Reynard, why don't you go first?

Go on. It won't bite.

Just savoring the moment, sir.

What do I do now?

Just listen and speak.

Off we go.

CONSTANCE: It's beautiful.

You can find

and it filled me with wonder

that you'll understand...

WHISPERER: What is your name?

I'm sorry. What is your name?

Reynie Muldoon.

Hello, Reynie.

I think we should begin. Don't you?

Um... Sure.

What is your favorite color?

Blue?

Sky blue? Ocean blue? Coral blue?

Ocean blue.

It's a beauty.

What do you consider the loveliest season?

Autumn, I suppose.

Hmm. When the leaves start to change

and a light jacket is all you need in the late afternoon.

What was the last book you read?

Bleak House.

Was it a good read? Was it enjoyable?

You know what? It was.

A connoisseur.

Not really.

What is your strongest subject in school, Reynie?

English, but I like learning foreign languages too.

I'm learning Tamil.

I was, anyway.

Speaking multiple languages

is the most reliable indicator of intelligence.

Thank you, um, Whisperer.

Reynie, what do you fear the most?

Spiders scare me a little.

Oh, they're just terrible.

But what do you fear the most?

Being alone.

Thank you for that.

Don't worry, Reynie. You are not alone anymore.

NUMBER TWO: The amuse-bouche,

sesame-seared bay scallops served with a yuzu gastrique.

- Yes, thank you. - MS. PERUMAL: Thanks.

So, you see, Ms. Perumal,

if Reynie and his companions do not succeed,

this so-called Emergency will not only continue...

Local greens.

Very local. From right over there, in fact.

It will not only continue, but get much worse.

Anxiety, depression, despair...

- Where's your proof? -

- As I said, I have recordings... - Yes, I know.

Meaningless phrases. Not a shred of hard evidence.

The man behind this is a master manipulator.

He is very real and very capable of achieving his own goals.

He is fixated, egomaniacal,

and extremely effective in covering his own tracks.

- And he's also my brother. - Your brother?

Black barley risotto finished with a wheatgrass vinaigrette.

The courses are coming rather quickly.

This whole meal progression is vital to the experience of the palate.

I realize this might take some time to digest.

You said you'd watch my bucket. You ditched it.

Left it there in the open.

This is more important than stupid bucket.

The bucket isn't stupid. It's vital.

Your bucket is not just a bucket.

I'm pretty sure it's a bucket.

It's a crutch.

If you call preparedness a crutch, then I can't help you.

Preparedness is illusion of control.

What you did was a major breach of trust.

You know what I don't like? People who don't do what they say.

No excuses. Do what you say you're going to do!

Had idea. Had to act.

See? Stonetown bell tower.

"Between the copper waves and the bells..."

So, that means

this boulder is the bane of the King of Corinth!

Yes. But look.

There's got to be some trick to it.

Benedict said to use news.

I put my foot on the stone, said "news",

tapped "news" in Morse code. Nothing.

Maybe try news headlines?

"Emergency!" "Doom!"

"No one at the wheel!"

News...

News?

KATE: North, east,

west

south.

So, there's a second element. Get on my back.

No, I will not be doing that.

Hop on.

KATE: Look at that. Weight sensitive.

WHISPERER: What was the last book you read?

The Encyclopedia, volume J.

You love to learn, don't you?

I do.

There's something comforting about knowing things.

It feels good to know.

Yes. Actually, it does.

What is your strongest subject in school, Sticky?

Can I pick more than one?

Love it. Go.

Science, history, math, Italian...

I like your style. More is more.

What do you fear the most?

It's okay. Take your time.

What do you fear the most?

Not being understood.

Hmm.

I can't help but think... there's more?

STICKY: Not being wanted.

Not being wanted at all.

Thank you for that.

You are wanted.

You are home.

Shall we begin?

Repeat after me.

- Voices. - Where?

The voices in your head?

Yeah, but now I can hear what it's saying.

I'm sure that's distracting, but right now, I need you to deal and...

I can hear George Washington.

Wait, now you hear Sticky? Specifically?

Yeah.

He's whispering nonsense into my head.

What? What kind of nonsense?

Just words.

Strange words.

One of Curtain's subliminal messages.

Constance!

Sticky just went to Messenger duty. That's what it is.

The voices you've been hearing, they're Messengers!

And your tiny brain can somehow pick it up!

I knew you had to be special in some way.

Many, many ways.

What's he saying now?

"The missing aren't missing..."

They're only departed.

And I have to return to the fact that we are talking about your brother.

That's a recent revelation, so...

- I don't need the story. - Mm-hmm.

This is all such a blatant disregard

for the safety of Reynie and his companions.

- Please... - Cedar plank coho salmon

with hazelnuts and celeriac dauphinoise.

- This is a tremendous amount of food. - True.

Please hear me.

It is my mission to preserve hope for a greater future.

And not just for Reynie, but for every child.

Sending the children was a last resort.

If there was any other way, I'd have taken it at any cost.

If I could go in his place, I would but none of us can.

As unfair as it sounds,

it is the children... it is the children who have to save us.

Narcolepsy.

No cause for concern.

Please, eat your food.

Mmm.

The cedar wood really does add something.

Hmm.

I'll be sure to pass on the compliment.

I'm back.

I'm back.

I apologize for my volume earlier.

But I'm very protective of Reynie.

And I wanted the best for him.

Yes. And please know that my intentions are the same as yours in the end.

- I'd like to speak to him. -

Yes. That might not be possible.

It seems our method of communication has been compromised,

and we're not exactly sure when they'll report back next.

However, I'm sure they'll make contact after their search

of the underground tunnel I sent them into.

You sent them where?

Hildegard Billingsley.

- No, doesn't ring a bell. - Wonderful. Elk Grove Avenue?

Never been there.

You'll feel much better now.

This is the brain sweeper.

At least it looks like it doesn't hurt.

I hear something.

More voices?

Footsteps.

I need to remind you it isn't safe to interrupt a degaussing session.

Which is why I did it reluctantly. It's perfectly safe for you and me.

Not for the patient.

DR. GARRISON: It can have lasting side effects, devastating ones, which...

CURTAIN: I'm confident you'll work it out. Hm?

These testing protocols are just wasting time.

The Improvement is here.

Fast track all of it. Right away.

We must have been in the Whisperer for hours.

It only felt like a few minutes.

I know.

Did you...

- Did I what? - Did you enjoy it?

It wasn't what I expected.

Terrible, right?

Yeah, bad. It wasn't great.

Not at all.

If I never had to do it again, I'd, you know, be happy.

Good, because we shouldn't do it again.

Why?

It's the Transmitter, Sticky.

You and I personally just sent subliminal messages into the world.

We helped create the Emergency today.

I guess you're right.

I didn't think it would control us too.

REYNIE: Curtain designed the Whisperer to make us feel loyal,

even dependent on him.

We have to remember that he's the enemy.

But then, how will we beat it?

We spent all this time trying to get inside.

That's our plan. Now, we're there. And I don't think we can just refuse.

DR. GARRISON: Your enthusiasm is always inspiring.

Oh, it's my role to inspire.

But you can't rush the science.

Oh, no, I can. Too much caution isn't a virtue, it's tedious.

DR. GARRISON: I don't see myself as tedious.

Oh, no, no, no. You're spectacular.

But this constant testing,

it's meaningless if we let the goal slip away.

I am simply doing the job that you hired me to do

as safely and humanely as possible.

Oh.

Nothing is more humane than what we're doing.

Yes?

I'm only responsible for my part.

The technology, not the philosophy.

How's the farm?

Operational. Still a few pesky bugs that need to be worked out, but...

Both farm and forest need to be ready tomorrow for a trial run.

DR. GARRISON: I have registered your request.

And while I must formally lodge a complaint...

I'm sorry. Are you making a legal disclaimer?

Who are you talking to?

While I must formally protest...

Hey. A simple "yes" will suffice.

Yes.

The Emergency has served its purpose.

The people are ready.

CURTAIN: Soon, they'll have relief from endless choices,

endless voices, chaos.

That's all I want for them.

Tell that to your invisible lawyer.

Unity.

One thought, one purpose.

Oh...

Have I told you how much I appreciate you?

This, it can't wait another day.

No, no, no. Please, please trust me, Ms. Perumal.

Trust you?

What have you done to earn anyone's trust?

- Oh. - Where's my...

Thank you, Milligan.

I won't allow you to endanger these children any longer.

I'll be reporting you to the Department...

I'll be reporting you to the Department of Juvenile Well-Being.

Please do.

I'd love to find any institution

that cares about the well-being of children anymore.

You have to understand,

my brother has influenced all levels of government.

Anything that hampers him,

you will find has been dismantled or left to wither.

Goodbye, Mr. Benedict.

- What is this? - Profiteroles.

Thank you.

It's a gracious touch.

What if she's right? This mission started out dangerous,

and now, without a reliable means of communication...

We still have the falcon.

Well, she poses her own set of dangers, doesn't she?

We'll exfiltrate the children at first light.

What?

So, you're just going to let a random person just walk in here

and end the mission?

Yes.

Sometimes, it takes an outsider to let you see yourself.

- It's all a blur. - Like we were hypnotized.

- Creepy. - Yeah.

You like it. Don't you?

No! I just said it was a little soothing.

What about the machinery? Any vulnerabilities?

Something I could take apart with the right set of tools?

All you can see are chairs and helmets, and a control room off to the side.

Okay! Let's go. You guys know the way.

Actually, they made us wear these goggles. No idea where we were.

KATE: So, it's the hidden passageway then.

- Come on. - But you just almost got caught.

- I'll be more prepared next time. - Stop it, Kate!

STICKY: The Whisperer isn't something

you can just destroy with some screwdrivers.

It's enormous.

REYNIE: He's right.

You said Curtain mentioned something about a farm and a forest?

Yeah, whatever that means.

Could be code words.

Mr. Benedict would probably know what they mean.

We're on our own right now. The trial runs tomorrow.

Curtain's, quote, "rushing the science" to get there.

We have to do something!

Even if it means getting our brains swept?

Might be nice, actually, to be unburdened.

No, Constance, it's not nice.

No one's getting brainswept.

We have to figure out a way to disable the Whisperer

without getting caught.

Okay. What's the plan?

MAN What do you say?

Keep your earnings and go home, or double down?

MAN How may I direct your call?

Hi, yes, I'd like to be connected to the Department of Juvenile Well-Being.

MAN Please hold.

MAN You said it. She's doubling down!

For double your dollars and a chance at the triple-double...

WOMAN Hello.

Hi. Yes, I'd like to report an incident which took place...

WOMAN The number you dialed is no longer in service.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Goodbye.

Hello?

Hello?

WOMAN I don't think it's Samoa or the Pitcairn Islands.

Is it Kiribati?

MAN You're right!

Congratulations.

Greg, tell her what she's won.

Why are you getting a haircut now? It's ten o'clock.

That's conventional thinking.

Oh. Right.

With a little bit of judgement attached, don't you think?

- I was just curious. - Oh, come on.

You know there's no such thing as a neutral comment, son.

It's so interesting.

When most people are just curious about something,

they always have an opinion.

- Everyone has an opinion, Dad. - Oh, you're exactly right.

- For the moment, anyway. - Doesn't mean you have to listen to it.

- Not after tomorrow. - What's going on tomorrow?

It's gonna be a very big day.

Good night, son.

Good night, Dad.

Nice job, Paul.

But you missed one little spot.

Perfect.

Just perfect.