Original subtitles

JENNIFER: Yes. It's very close.

I can feel it.

Be calm.

Let it know you're not a threat.

Let it know you mean it no harm.

Yes. It's closer.

That's good. Harry, just relax.

What does it want?

JENNIFER: I wish to speak with the spirit who attends on this boy.

Reveal yourself to me!

He's here! He's here in this room with us.

What do you want from this boy? What holds you to this plane of being?

(GASPS) He has a message. A message for you, Harry.

- What's the message? - He's lost.

He has lost his way. He can't find where he should go.

- You have to tell him, Harry. - He's here?

Yes. Speak to him. He's right at your side.

- No, he's not! - Harry?

- Harry, come back here. - No, no. Leave him.

The power of the spirits...

It can be too much.

(CHILDREN PLAYING)

(SCREAMING) No!

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

NEUROLOGIST: Good.

That's all for now.

You've lost some vision in the right eye.

It's blurry when I'm reading. Well...

It comes and goes. Left one's fine though.

That's to be expected. What else?

ROBERT: Um, sometimes my left leg.

- Loss of sensation? - Not really, no. It's just sometimes...

It feels lazy, like, I have to remind it what it's there for.

Again, that's to be expected. These effects will increase of course.

Of course.

How are you feeling?

In yourself?

Actually, I feel good.

These past couple of weeks everything's brighter, richer.

Things smell better. I feel... I feel good.

I know it's not real. I know it's just...

But seriously, if it weren't for the dying part,

I'd say everyone should try it.

- We're done for today. - Okay.

- Robert. - Yes?

You've taken care of everything?

Everything you need to?

Yeah. Yeah. Almost everything.

What do you think?

It's better.

- Your dad's gone back to Manchester? - Mmm-hmm. Last weekend.

- And your mother? - Um, she's gone.

For good, I think.

- She's at peace. - And you?

How are you?

I'm... I'm okay.

Actually, I'm more than okay.

- Did you hear that? - No.

Me neither.

(LAUGHING)

Since she went there've been no voices, there've been no whispers,

no little half glimpses out of the corner of my eye.

- Congratulations. - Hmm.

There's, um...

There's something I've been meaning to tell you.

- (KNOCKING ON DOOR) - Oh. Hang on.

There are a lot of Mundys in the book. I had to go down the whole list.

(SIGHS)

My name's Harry.

- Um, this is my friend, Robert. - Hi.

I saw you onstage once. Mum took me.

ALISON: Uh, you can sit down, you know.

HARRY: Mum's got a picture of you in the scrapbook.

She says you're one of the best.

Is there something I can help you with, Harry?

I don't know.

I was wondering if you could definitely

get rid of spirits that attach themselves to human beings.

ALISON: Why?

- Mum says spirits can't hurt us. - ALISON: Well, that's bollocks.

It's okay to be scared.

It's a boy.

He won't leave me alone.

I was wondering if you could maybe come round and, you know,

talk to him.

Have you tried talking to him?

Jennifer has.

- Who's Jennifer? - She's a psychic, too.

Mum knows her from our spiritualist church.

When all this started a few months back, Mum asked if she could help.

And has she helped?

She says that he's in the room with us and that she can see him,

but I never see him when...

ALISON: Harry?

Harry?

(DISTORTED VOICES)

(INAUDIBLE)

Harry!

You saw him, didn't you?

(STUTTERING) Um, sometimes it takes me a while.

But he was right there.

Does anybody want to talk to me?

Anyone at all?

I'm right here.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

- Hi. - Hello. Can I come in?

Yeah, of course.

- Are you okay? - I'm fine. I'm... I'm great.

Um, Robert.

There's no one there. It's all quiet.

You don't seem at all surprised.

ROBERT: Not entirely, no.

Now your mother's gone.

What, now my mother's gone, that's it? It's over?

- I'm cured? - You're ready to move on.

You always said it was a gift that you never asked for.

It made you feel special for a while, but then it made you feel...

Like a freak.

(CHUCKLING)

- And it made you ill. - Mad, you mean.

So that's it, then. I'm normal.

- Just like that. - Not just like that.

You've spent your whole life getting here.

Is that what this has been all about? Finding a cure for Alison?

Fixing her?

You, um... You haven't finished this.

ROBERT: I know.

Well, maybe now you can.

- (SIGHS) - What is it?

You said you were going to be back by 6:00.

I was worried. I thought something...

No, it's fine, it's fine. I was just finishing up.

I never thought it would all fit in, but it does.

You know, you don't have to do everything yourself.

- You could get someone... - No, it's fine.

I want to, actually. There's a lot I have to do myself.

- You finished that? - Uh, nearly.

- What else is there to write? - I'm not sure anymore.

It was supposed to be a book about a fake medium.

An investigation from the psychological perspective.

Well, that's how it started out anyway.

- And now? - Now?

Now I think it was just as much about me.

(DOORBELL RINGING)

Hi.

- Mrs. Mundy. - Alison, please.

Oh, it's so wonderful. We couldn't believe it when Harry told us

you were going to come around and see us.

- Mum. - Come in, come in.

Jennifer's already here. She can't wait to meet you.

Hello.

- Hi. I'm Alison, and this is Robert. - Pleasure.

Ah, yes.

- It's clear you're an adept as well. - ALISON: An "adept"?

JENNIFER: These things can't be concealed.

And you are...

He's my biographer.

A biographer! How wonderful.

It must be very exciting for you, working for someone like Mrs. Mundy.

I like to think of it as a privilege.

You know about the spirit that's been trying to communicate with Harry?

ROBERT: Have you found out anything about it?

About him? Yes, of course.

He's a little boy.

A very troubled, sad, little boy. Afraid and alone.

He's lost, you see.

He can't find his way. He doesn't know where to turn.

And he's turned to Harry.

He senses in Harry someone who can guide him.

I'm just trying to help find the way.

- That's nice. - JENNIFER: He's always here.

Sometimes manifest, sometimes not.

But he's always present.

Can you feel him?

Um...

No.

Sometimes the spirits can become confused

if more than one medium calls on them.

It's difficult for them to focus.

They can become unsettled, resentful.

- Oh, dear! And, Robert? - Yes?

There's something you're keeping to yourself.

A secret.

ROBERT: Everybody has secrets. Why should I be any different?

Oh, but you are different.

I can sense it.

Excuse me a sec.

- Is this your room? - Yeah.

- Can I look around? - Sure.

Can I hold your hand?

Can you feel anything?

ALISON: What if that's me?

ROBERT: What do you mean?

Well, take away what I had and that's all that I can do, isn't it?

Lay out crystals, rattle a few tables.

This has been my whole life. What am I supposed to do now?

Get a job in Sainsbury's?

There are other ways to help people.

I mean,

maybe now you are able to see your gift for what it really was.

And what's that?

A psychological mechanism for dealing with your mother's suicide.

That's what ghosts are. They're our own pasts haunting us,

our own fears and inadequacies.

If you can see that in what happened to you, you can help others to see it

in what's happening to them. You can still help people.

(STARTS ENGINE)

- (DOOR OPENING) - (CLEARING THROAT)

Hi, I'm Robert Bridge.

I found these on the Net.

They're eco-friendly. They're made from recycled stuff. They're very...

- Can you get one of these? - I'm sure we can.

Great. Okay.

It said on your website that you do humanist services.

- Yes. - So, no religious music,

no religious symbols, none of that.

I burned a CD with some music.

And I've written some words.

And if anyone brings flowers, they should be donated

to Saint Mary's Hospice after the service.

And basically, that's about it.

Dr. Bridge, I'm sure we can do

exactly what you want for the service, but,

let's start at the beginning, shall we?

- What's the name of the deceased? - Oh, that's me.

It's for me.

Does anybody want to talk to me?

Anyone at all?

Does anybody want to talk to me?

Come on.

I'm sitting right here.

Lit a candle for you.

(SHOUTING) For God's sake, talk to me, anyone!

I'm right here.

Where are you?

(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO)

Jennifer's still upset, you know.

Sorry.

Maybe Mrs. Mundy wasn't such a good idea.

I mean, Jennifer's been here right from the start.

She's the only one who's seen the spirit.

I thought this was supposed to be about me.

Not Jennifer.

(SIGHS)

(EXHALES)

(RADIO STATIONS SWITCHING)

(STATIONS CONTINUE SWITCHING)

(SCREAMING) Go away!

No!

- Harry? - (KNOCKING ON DOOR)

- Harry. Harry, are you in there? - What's going on?

HARRY'S MOTHER: Open the door! Harry!

HARRY'S FATHER: Open the door.

(SCREAMING) Harry!

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(DOOR OPENING)

ALISON: What? ROBERT: Can I come in?

(DOOR CLOSING)

- You okay? - Yeah.

What do you want?

Harry called me. He's been trying to reach you, but...

- He wants to see you. - No, he doesn't.

- ROBERT: Something happened. - I can't do anything.

Well, okay. But Harry's been calling you and I thought you should know.

There's no one there. What can I do? What can I do, Robert?

- Are you okay? - Yeah, yeah. Listen, you go. Please.

Okay, will you meet me there?

Yeah. You sort it out. Fix Harry, like you fixed me.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Your mum said you were here.

Where's Alison?

She's not feeling well.

What happened?

He hates me.

- Why? Why would he? - I don't know.

Maybe he hates me because I've got his room and he wants it back.

Do you believe that?

I don't know.

Maybe he's hurting you because you believe in him.

Maybe if you allow yourself to become your own person,

you'll be strong enough that the ghost won't be able to hurt you.

- How do I do that? - Well...

You could start by talking to your parents.

How do I do that?

You say something like,

"I respect your beliefs, but I'm growing up now.

"I've got to find my own way in the world,

"but that doesn't mean I don't love you."

Okay?

Yeah.

I think.

Good.

Good luck.

Will you come with me?

- A psychologist? - Yes.

I thought you were a biographer.

He never mentioned he was a psychologist.

It doesn't matter.

- He's trying to help. - How can he help you?

How can someone who doesn't

even see, or doesn't even believe, how can he possibly offer you anything?

There are things that science can't explain.

Matters of faith.

ROBERT: I just want to take matters of faith out of the argument,

and open Harry up to thinking about things in a different way.

That would leave him very vulnerable.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Is this a bad moment?

Alison.

You understand. Tell him how dangerous the spirits can be.

What are you so afraid of?

That he might actually be right?

That he might be able to help?

Why would that be so bad?

JENNIFER: A skeptic is the last thing Harry needs.

I would have thought you of all people would understand that.

ALISON: Why is this so important to you?

Harry's in pain.

You can't help him.

You know that.

So why are you still here?

Because it's difficult to leave the stage, isn't it?

And as long as Harry's in trouble,

you've got an audience.

And that means more than anything.

I want him to leave.

Well, it doesn't matter what you want.

Harry?

What do you want?

I want Robert to help me.

Well, look at you.

I don't know what you are, but you're not one of us.

Good.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Is it all right if I stay?

(DOOR CLOSING)

You were telling me what happens when you see the boy.

There's a balloon.

Then I hear rain.

And then music.

Not nasty music, nice music.

And then I see the boy, and he just gets closer to me.

And I don't like it.

I don't like it.

It's okay, Harry. It's okay. He's not here.

- And then he's closer to me. - Don't think about the boy.

I don't want you to talk about the boy.

Tell me about something else. Tell me about the balloon.

HARRY: Someone left it.

ROBERT: Where did they leave it?

HARRY: Outside.

Why did they leave it outside?

It's purple. I wanted to take it home with me.

Why did you leave it outside?

It's raining.

That's why we're inside.

- And he's there. - ROBERT: Who?

The boy?

- I can't see his face. - Why not?

- It's paper. - What's paper?

He made it himself.

A mask?

- Everybody makes them. - Everybody? Why?

- Because the magician says so. - The magician told him to?

And he made it himself. Painted it? Colored it?

- Yes. - Whose party is it?

Andrew's.

Lots of people, games, a magician?

HARRY: Yes. ROBERT: Lots of friends?

HARRY: He's alone.

Harry?

Harry?

If there are so many friends there, why is he alone? Why is he scared?

You're making him angry.

ROBERT: What does he want? HARRY: He wants to go home.

Everybody else is happy. Everybody else is playing games. Why isn't he?

- Where is he? - Upstairs.

Only special friends get to go upstairs.

Why, Harry? What happens upstairs?

- Something bad. - Tell me.

The balloon.

- All the other children are downstairs. - With the magician.

- Only special friends... - Who tells him that, Harry?

Who tells him that?

What happens upstairs? Is he on his own?

Is he alone, Harry?

- No! - Who's there?

- Who's there with him Harry? - Andrew's daddy.

He makes him do things.

He just wants to go home.

What's the boy's name? Tell me his name, Harry.

- I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. - Tell me his name.

- Stop it! - Tell me his name!

He wants to go home, doesn't he?

If he tells me his name, I can take him home.

I promise. I can help him.

ROBERT: Who is he?

He's me.

(SIGHS)

We unlocked a great deal of trauma from Harry's past.

But, on a positive note,

he responded extremely well to this type of therapy.

Now, my best advice would be to refer him to a doctor friend of mine,

who specializes in these types of cases.

I have put them in touch with someone I know,

who has a lot of experience in abuse cases.

In some ways, confronting the memory is only the start.

What?

That was really amazing.

But, what if all of this,

facing up to our childhoods,

and confronting and healing...

What if at the end of it there's nothing left?

That's just who we were,

and now there's nothing.

We're just ordinary.

What have you done to me, Robert?

ROBERT: This is the last will and testament of me, Robert Bridge,

of 16 Upper Colston Grove... And declare this

to be my last will.

To my executors and trustees, to hold on trust, to pay my debts, taxes,

and testamentary expenses

and pay the residue to Jude Bridge,

of 16 Upper Colston Grove...

I wish my body to be cremated,

and my funeral to be a simple, humanist ceremony.

Signed, Robert Bridge.

(GROANING IN PAIN)

Well, we're ready.

- What's this all about? - Wait and see. (GRUNTS) Come on.

Ah. This is better than marking essays. I'm going to do this more often.

Yeah!

- (BABY GIGGLES) - Yeah, what, what, what.

- What? - (CHUCKLING)

I don't think I've ever seen you so...

(LAUGHING) What, happy? You can say it, you know.

It just seems strange.

Even when we were...

All the time I've known you, you have always been...

(BABY FUSSES)

I have a tumor that's growing in my brainstem, and it's

pressing on collections of neurons that make me feel,

elated!

I'm lucky.

Half an inch over and maybe I'd be really depressed about it all.

But actually I feel fine.

And when I die, when it kills me,

those same neurons are going to fail, and in failing,

they're going to put on my own private light show,

and I'm going to fade into the light until I'm all gone,

and everything's just whiteness and silence.

Hey, hey, hey.

It's going to be all right.

And what then?

What after that?

Remember when we first came here with Josh?

He was what, four?

And we spent all afternoon making sand-aliens

and spaceships until the tide came in.

Yes.

You're always going to remember that. Always.

As long as you remember that, Josh isn't gone, is he?

As long as we are remembered with love,

that's enough for me.

Come on. Do you want to see something?

Do you want to see something? Come over here.

- (BABY FUSSES) - Come on, then.

You see that? That is the sea.

It's the sea.

And what do we have here?

What do you think this is?

- Yeah. - Hey.

Yeah. It's amazing.

Tickle, tickle.

(INDISTINCT)

- You look tired. - Yeah.

(KEYS JANGLING)

- I have to go out. - Okay.

I won't be long. Save a glass for me.

I'll do that.

(BELL TOLLING)

(ENGINE IDLING)

(HORN HONKING)

(HONKING CONTINUES)

MAN: What do you think you're playing at?

Bloody hell, Robert.

You could've knocked.

What is it?

- I fell down. - Oh.

Do you want a drink?

There's something I've been meaning to tell you.

And?

(CHUCKLES)

I can't remember.

Maybe it doesn't matter anymore.

Is everything all right, Robert?

(INHALES SHARPLY)

Don't be ordinary.

You make it sound like I've got a choice.

I put something for you on the passenger seat.

Yeah?

- Alison? - What is it?

I'm not ready to go.

Okay. Well, stay for a drink. I'm gonna have one.

(WHISPERING) I'm not ready to go.

Well, you don't have to, you can...

Robert?

Robert?

Robert?

(SIREN WAILING)