(Quiet, ethereal melody begins) Man: Once,... man and those in the water were linked. They inspired us. They spoke of the future, man listened, and it became real. But man does not listen very well. Man's need to own everything led him deeper into land. The magic world of the ones that live in the ocean and the world of man... separated. Through the centuries, their world and all the inhabitants of it stopped trying. (Thunder rumbles distantly) The world of man became more violent. War upon war played out, as there were no guides to listen to. Now those in the water are trying again, trying to reach us. A handful of their precious young ones have been sent into the world of man. They are brought in the dead of night to where man lives. (Bird screeches in distance) They need only be glimpsed, and the awakening of man will happen. But their enemies roam the land. There are laws that are meant to keep the young ones safe. But they are sent at great risk to their lives. Many... do not return. Yet still they try, try to help man. But man may have forgotten how to listen. (Girls screaming hysterically, man shouting in Spanish) (Girl speaks Spanish) Man: My daughter says to be careful, Mr. Heep. (Girl whimpers) Ah... Well, it's some kind of a b-b-b... bug. (Girl whimpers) It's very big. (Man and girl speak Spanish) It's very hairy. (Man translates, girls whimper, scream) (Girl speaks Spanish) Man: Oh! My other daughter says it's some kind of creature the Devil made. T-t-t... Tell her it's not a creature. There's no such thing as creatures, all right? (Man translates, girls talk excitedly) You might want to turn away! (All stop talking) (Groans softly) (Loud grunt): Oh! (Girls scream) (Loud grunt) (Girls scream) (Exhales) (Loud grunting) (Girls screaming) Sorry this is taking so long! (Girls whimpering, screaming) (Heep grunting) (Screams) (Loud grunting) (Girls screaming) (Grunts): Oh! (Girls scream) (Panting): Ah... It's over, it's over. (Man translates) It's... it's safe. (Man speaks Spanish, Heep groans) Ay, Mr. Heep... (Speaks Spanish) (Girl speaks Spanish) My daughter says, thank you for protecting them. (Relieved sigh) (Door buzzes) (Siren wails in distance) (Horn honks) Heep: Mr. Farber? I'm Cleveland Heep. Welcome to the cove. Woman: Mr. Heep! (Lively Latin music playing quietly) Your new tenant? Uh, yeah, this is, uh, Mr. Farber. He's in 13-b. Now, Mr. Farber, this is Young-Soon Choi. She lives with her mother in 8-a. She's a... a student at the university. Young-soon... (Sets bag down) you don't know who's been... swimming in the pool the last few nights, do you? No, Mr. Heep. Oh. By the way, here. Thanks, I liked it. You're welcome. Mr. Heep loves learning. He doesn't want people to know. (Pager beeping) Mr. Heep, pool man looking for you. I tell him you come soon. C... Could you wait here just a moment, please? I'm gonna ask you something, you answer me straight. You guys been having parties in here? Bubble parties, bubble bath, everyone goes in skinny-dipping? No. Those bubbles make the water very slick. No. I'll trust you on that. But something is making this water like this. There has been... someone swimming at night-time. I hear sp-sp-sp... splashing some nights. I left here yesterday afternoon, this filter was empty. You kind of look like maybe you could work out a little bit, right? Huh? I could give you a vein like that. I could make it look just like this. (Panting): Right? Most people say, 'Hey, what's wrong with you, Reggie? 'Why are you only working out on one side of your body?' I tell 'em it's, like, an experiment. I'm, like, a scientist. (Grunting quietly) This morning, I measured my bicep. Four-and-a-half-inch difference from one side to the other. Look at that. Take a guess at the difference between my thighs. Hello, Reggie. Hey! Hey. Hey. (whispers ): Sorry. Me and the new guy... we're talking science. OK. That's great. Here we go, Mr. F-f.. Here we go. Come on. Don't hang out in the stairwell, Reggie. Please! OK. All right. It's just that... people might t... trip. All right. Cleveland: Reggie's harmless. He just wants to be special. (Chuckles) He's working out only one side of his body. Did he... did he... t-tell you that? Hello, Mr. Leeds. TV newsman: ...are only now beginning to wonder how long they'll end up staying. Man: If this does come to combat, we will not be in the battle for the sake of the battle. He's been here f-f-forever. ...any other way. Cleveland: Uh, Mrs. Bell, she takes in animals. Smart lady. You'd like her. (Bob Dylan song playing, indistinct talking ) There's a bunch of people better than he is. Name four people better than he is. Name one person better than Freddie. Axl Rose. Sebastian Bach. Axl...? Bret Michaels is better than he is. Bret Michaels? I'd rather listen to Jon Bon Jovi. (Conversation continues) This is you. (Sets bag down) There's no smoking inside. Uh, and there's no s... swimming after 7:00. Uh... (Grunts) I hope it's O-OK, uh, to ask. What brings you out here from the west coast, Mr. Farber? I-I've been hired to be the local film and book critic for the paper. They flew you all the way out here for that? They did. Well, you must be v... very good. (Door chain slides into place) (Insects chirping) (Music playing distantly) (Answering machine beeps) Mr. Heep, Betty Penn again. I smell something awful coming from the upstairs apartment. I think someone may have died and the body is decomposing. I know I said this last week, but... (Turns off answering machine) (Turns on TV) (Choir singing 'Down by the Riverside' on TV) Newsman: Not everyone here spent Sunday practicing for war. At Sunday church services, chaplains rallied the troops. For these marines, a moment for prayer, a service that many here believe will be their last before going to war. U.S. forces predicted today the enemy has invaded... (Newsman continues indistinctly) (Loud explosion on TV) (Sighs heavily) Man: ...a major... a major confrontation. Newsman: At the same time, the U.S. military... (News continues indistinctly) (Clicks off TV) (Turns on faucet) (Brief gurgling) (Insect chirping) (Door creaks open) (Keys clatter to ground) Cleveland: Hey! I saw you! I saw you! You c-c-c... c... (Water sloshing gently) Come out of that pool right now! Hey! I'm gonna wait. (Water sloshing gently) Hey. Hey. (Steps into water) Come on out, now. It's... It's-it's not safe. Now, come on out. This is not f-f... This is not funny. P-p... Please? (Gasping) (Gasping) (Coughing, gasping) (Running steps) (Loud grunt) (Grunts) (Exhales) Did you pull me out? Where are you from? The Blue World. Is that an apartment? Do you feel an awakening? I'm sorry? It will feel like pins and needles... inside. It is not you. It's late. You really... ...shouldn't be here. I'm kind of old-fashioned that way. (Chuckles) I don't even know your name. My name is Story. I didn't mean for you to tell me. Why am I not stuttering? What? (Exhales sharply) Hello, Story. My name is Cleveland. 'From the cliffs.' That is what your name means. Where did you learn that? From my studies. I promise that I will not get you into trouble. You can go. (Trembles softly): I am scared. I will wait here with you, Cleveland. Why are you scared? (Sighs) You can wait here for a little bit... until you feel not so scared. Are you OK? Oh my God, you're just a kid. (Whispers): Hello? (Sighs) (Quietly): OK. It's time to go, Story. (Groans softly) (Sighs) OK, I think you need some fresh air. I'm just gonna take you outside, I'm gonna put you on one of the pool chairs, I'm gonna get you some coffee, and then you can wake up. Then I'll walk you home. Tell me, who in the world are you anyway? (Softly) Narf. What? (Sighs): OK, come on. Here we go. (Story grunts softly) (Cleveland sighs) OK. (Wind whistling) (Deep, rhythmic grunting, rustling steps) (Low, deep growl nearby) (Deep growling nearby) (Low growling nearby) (Quiet rustling) (Low growling) (Ferocious roaring) (Story gasps, Cleveland screams) (Screaming) (Fierce snarling, growling) Cleveland: It was sort of... h-h... hairy, but-but matted, like clumps, you know? Um, and it was kind of g... g-green. Did you say green? (Laughs): Yeah. I thought so, but... matted i-is not right. It was f-f-f-f... flat and-and thicker than hair. Uh... Like this, like this. Uh, flat, and this kind of a colour, and... (Sighs) Is this not helping you at all? Well, forget about its hair for a second. It's obviously some dumb animal who muddied himself. About how tall is it? Oh, uh... Was it a Great Dane? No, no, no. No, sir. I mean, are there any w-w... wolves in this area? Hyenas? There are jack. This is Philadelphia. Where do you think you're living? (Loud rustling) Sorry. Something keeps setting off the sprinklers. Well, I'll look around the forest and check behind the dumpsters and stuff. An animal that size, like the one you're describing, doesn't just walk around and not be seen. There's nowhere for a dumb, big animal to hide. (Rustling) Story (Gasps): Cleveland! (Water dripping sporadically) (Sporadic dripping) (Sporadic dripping) (Water dripping steadily) (Steady dripping continues) (Faucet squeaks) Hey. Got a lot of homework, huh? University gives many pages of reading. What, they think I have no social life? I got more books for you. Could you look up the word 'narf' for me? It's an Eastern bedtime story, Mr. Heep. I do not remember it. My great-grandmother used to tell it when she was alive. A b-b-b... bedtime story? What's the story? I do not remember. How about your mother? (Women arguing loudly in Korean) (Speaking Korean) (Clears throat) Cleveland: Uh, hello, Mrs. Choi. Hello. (Muttering in Korean) (Speaking Korean) She wants to know who told you this word. Oh, j-just a friend. I don't... I don't... I don't know her very well. (Radio playing Korean music quietly) (Speaking Korean) She said her grandmother... used to tell this story like a prayer... like it was true. She said that she knew someone who knew someone... who saw one. Cleveland: Saw one what? (Speaks Korean) (Speaks Korean) A 'narf', the bedtime story says, is a sea nymph. I see... W-what happens in the story, please? (Calls in Korean) (Both speaking excitedly) Hey... no... Mrs.... (Speaks Korean) (Mother speaking Korean) In the bedtime story... (Speaking Korean) ...she must be seen by the one human chosen for her. (Mother speaking Korean) This person is called the vessel. Seeing the narf will... awaken something in the chosen one. If she's successful in this... (Speaking Korean) ...she will return with the Great Eatlon... a giant eagle, and become free. She won't tell me more. She said why can't I be like my older sister ` she married a dentist. (Sighs) * (Door creaks open) (Door closes) (Shower running) Story? Story? Cleveland. (Shower continues running) Story, could you put something back on, please? (Sighs) Are you here to... meet someone, see someone in this building? Is somebody supposed to see you? (Soft chuckle) (Chuckling) (Groans): Ah... (Chuckles) (Faucet squeaking) It is a writer. Do you know his name? Do you know what he looks like? Do you know if it's a... a woman or a man? (Laughs softly) Is there something that you want to tell me? (Laughs) Is this person writing something... important? (Wind whistling outside) (Deep, echoing breath) Cleveland: When do you have to leave? Story: I can leave tonight if I meet this person. (Low growling) Cleveland: I'm gonna help you get home. Thank you, Cleveland. I have to go. Hello. I-I, uh... I wanted to ask you something about your work. Your c-c... critic work. How's it... how's-how's... how's it going? I'm seeing a romance film tonight. Not my cup of tea. So you-you... you haven't written anything yet. No, I haven't written anything for some time. You were right about that one tenant. I spoke with Mrs. Bell. We got along. She's very good with animals. Mm-hmm. You know she wrote a book? Mr. Heep, I will be taking the cat in directly. (Laughs): Don't worry, Mrs. Bell. (Song playing quietly) Oh. Lookie here. My, there's a lot of butterflies around this building. Strange behaviour for 'em. They're not usually so trusting. I understand... that you're a writer, Mrs. Bell. Now, where'd you hear such things? Maybe I... read your... book. That'd be quite a trick ` it's been out of print for 20 years. 20 years. So you haven't written anything recently. Mr. Farber has been speaking out of turn. (Chuckles) Boy: Look at this cereal character's picture, Dad. It looks just like Aunt Sylvia's eyes when she found out everybody hated her fruit bowl painting. (Chuckles) Need a nine-letter word for 'in human form'. Why don't you figure it out, Dad? I, uh... You know, the colours on this box looks just like the colours of your car, Dad. Maybe we should take your car and go visit Aunt Sylvia. 'Incarnate.' (Cleveland chuckles) Well, you're... very good with those word puzzles, Mr. Dury. Mm-hmm. He's a grand master level. I'm gonna be just like him. Cleveland: So you like words a lot, huh? I adore them. Are you... are you... writing anything, Mr. Dury? A-a book, maybe? No, I, uh` I'm afraid my skills are limited to... to crossword puzzles. That's some serious reekage, man. You don't even speak English anymore. What, 'reekage'? Damn straight it's English: 'the state of reek.' There's no 'reekage', man! Some toker just like us made it up somewhere, and here you are speaking it. Let's make up a witty phrase. It'll become famous. It needs to be on some t-shirt or something, you ass. No, it doesn't. (Snaps fingers) It just catches on. People just start saying it. Blim-blam. What? Blim-blam? Somebody already said that. (Clears throat) Gentlemen, I, uh,... don't suppose any of you have... written anything lately? Hmm? An... essay or something? Something, uh, important? No essays here, my man. (Music playing quietly) OK. Stop putting your c... clothes in the garbage disposal, and stop smoking! 'Baby's on the half-tip.' Oh...! Snap! Yeah! There you go! There you go! Mr. Heep, she told me a little bit more of the story before she threw a cushion at me. Young-soon. Uh, you're not writing anything, are you? A p-p-p-p... paper, maybe? Writing? No, Mr. Heep. This semester all multiple-choice courses. Young-soon is not stupid. (Chuckles, mumbles) She told me about a bad guy in story. These creatures are called 'Scrunts'. They are meant to kill a narf when she is out of the water. They can lay completely flat. Their back is covered in grass. My great-grandmother said that's why man never sees them. They will appear as a bump in the lawns. Vick. Anna. Mr. Heep, the light over my desk is still not working. (Pager beeping) I promise I'll get to it. How's the writing? Slow. Anna: You look tired, Mr. Heep. H-h-h-h... How long have you been writing, Vick? Vick: Six months. (Chuckles): What? I should finish, right? Anna: It just... it just sits on his desk. My brother's scared. He'll do anything to get out of writing. See this? it's the third load of laundry he's done this week. I can fix that light now, if you want. (Keys jingling softly) (Clears throat) (Unscrewing light bulb) Cleveland (Whispering): A cookbook. (Sighs): Oh... this has gotten s-s... silly. Anna: That's not how you fold. Mr. Heep, tell her to stop annoying me. I fixed the light. I'll make you dinner, Mr. Heep. Thank you. Cleveland: You're both cooks? Who, him? He can't cook. He's banned from the kitchen. Ah. Wait a minute, I don't understand something. I'm sorry, my-my ladder... accidentally... bumped into your desk. I ended up seeing the title of what it is you're writing. It said 'The Cookbook'. Vick: I know. It's a bad title, right? It's actually, you know, just my thoughts on all our cultural problems and... thoughts on leaders and stuff. I don't know who's gonna want to publish the thing. Anna: That is not how you fold. Mm-hmm. Your thoughts are very sad. (Door shuts) Most are of one night... a night a man entered your home when you were not there. He stole many things and killed your wife and children. That is when you stopped being happy. You were a doctor. I am very sorry for you. You believe you have no purpose. You help all that live here. Anybody can do this job, Story. You have a purpose. All beings have a purpose. (Sighs) I know who you are... and I think that I've... found your vessel. You know what I'm talking about, right? He's outside. Do you need to see him alone, or does he just need to see you? Cover yourself up. Hey. Mr. Heep, I know I sent in that form. (Groans) I gave it to you on the stairs. My sister's all angry at me now. Well, I'll check again. By the way, this is my friend, Story. Hi. Uh,... yeah, you were right. Here it is. Great. You all right? You look a little... I'm feeling a little funny. It's nothing. Is it a pins-and-needles kind of feeling? Yeah, kind of. Yeah. Maybe you should go lie down. Nice meeting you. Story: I'm so very happy we saw each other. (Beeping) (Chuckles) You don't have to leave right now, do you? I have to go finish a couple of things. I'll be back. Is that OK? Your words are very beautiful. Your heart... is very big. No one knows about my family here. Please... do not bring it up again. (Sniffles) * (Knocking) Mrs. Bubchik: Coming. I'm sorry I'm late, Mrs. Bubchik. It's... it's been a long day. Come on in. (Clears throat) Listen, he's on the toilet. He's been having some gas issues. Don't tell him I told you. I-I thought the toilet was broken. That's why I came. He may just be looking in the mirror. I mean, he's got this growth on his ass. Don't tell him I told you. (Knocking) Honey, Cleveland's here. He's come to fix the toilet. Mr. Bubchik: Tell him I had it fixed already. I called the plumber this morning. Don't let it hurt his feelings. Right. That's-that's-that's... that's OK. I should come when you call. It's my job. What if that thing's out there? It'll try to get you? Story: There are laws. It will be safe. I'm allowed to leave this night. (Sprinklers spurt on) How long, do you think? It is time. You must not watch. Am I not allowed to watch you leave? I won't watch. Thank you for letting me wear your beautiful shirt. (Chuckles) You keep it. (Sighs) (Crickets chirping) (Wind blowing softly) (Chirping continues) (Wind blowing softly) (Footsteps ascending) (Bag crinkles) (Can thuds) (Door banging) (Sobbing and panting) Cleveland: What happened? OK. OK. Hey, calm down. Calm down. How'd you get those scratches? (Panting) Did the eagle come? Did something go wrong? Story? Story, was it that dog again? (Glass shattering, Story screaming) (Scrunt snarling loudly) Cleveland: What's happening? I thought it was gonna be safe! (Both panting) (Growling continues in the distance) Uh, your face doesn't look right. Are you OK? Anna: Psst! Mr Heep is here. He has a friend. (Whispering): She's beautiful! (In normal voice ): She's not feeling that well... (Clucking tongue) ...so she's lying down in my room. (Whispering): Why is she here? Why isn't she at his place? Well, she got sick in the stairwell downstairs. (Whispering): She's wearing no clothes under his shirt. Blim-blam. Mr. Heep is a player. I hope it's all right. It's fine. Do we need to take her to a hospital? Oh, no, no, no, no, that's f-f-f-f... Fine? Thank you. No, she just needs some rest. She can stay here as long as she needs to. You started writing again? Yeah. I'll be right back, OK? (Door opens) (Knocking) Oh, hello. M-Mrs. Choi, is Young-Soon at home? Mrs. Choi: No home. Oh, great. Unbelievable. Hey! Hey! Oh! Thanks. Yeah, hello? Young-Soon: Mr. Heep? Where are you? At a club. Don't tell my mother. She thinks I'm at a dance class. OK. Uh, what happens if a narf gets scratched? I don't know. Put my mother on; I'll ask her. Ma? Mrs.-Mrs. Choi? Ma! Yeah? (Mrs. Choi and Young-Soon speaking Korean) Back. OK. Mrs. Choi: Hey! Hey, thank you. Oh, she-she, uh... she-she doesn't look happy. She said the story her grandmother told said a Scrunt has poison that kill narfs, but she said narfs can protect themselves. They are given a mud called Kii that cures them. They keep it where they live. OK, OK. Uh, all right. Now, um, you said that the eagle comes to take them b... back. Mm-hmm. Right. Now, what stops this green thing from attacking them when the eagle comes? (Chuckles) You're funny, Mr. Heep. Yeah, I know. You really thought about this. Put my mom on. Oh... (Sighs) (Mrs. Choi and Young-Soon speaking Korean) Hey! Yeah? Hey. I'm sorry. Yes? She said only a rogue Scrunt will break the law of that night, because most Scrunts are afraid. (Chuckling): Afraid of what? Tartutic. They are the law keepers in this bedtime story. Her grandmother said there are three of them, but they are called one name: Tartutic. They live in the trees. They are said to look like monkeys. No one knows for sure, because no one who has seen them has lived. The legend says that they were born so evil that they killed their parents on the night they were born. The fear of them has kept justice in the Blue world for centuries. Bye, Mr. Heep. (Whispering): Thanks. (Door shuts) (Splashing) Young-soon: They are given a mud called Kii that cures them. They keep it where they live. (Cleveland panting) (Gasps) (Rattling grate) (Bubbling) (Bangs) (Squeaking) (Rattling) (Gasping) (Grunting) (Coughs) (Coughing) (Coughing) * (Crickets chirping) (Knocking at door) Young-Soon: My mom figured out I was at a club. She made me come home. She tell me more of the story. Why you wet? I-I, uh, it's, uh, apartment business. Listen, Mr. Heep... my mother thinks of you as stranger. You have to make her see you as a child, innocent. Then she will tell you the bedtime story. There is a reason the rules might be broken. 'A Thousand Narfs' is about a rare narf who comes once in a generation of narfs who is called the Madam Narf. Her vessel is important. This vessel will cause change. But it is the Madam Narf herself that is truly the key. She's considered a queen to her people. Her return will be seen as a great inspiration. A Scrunt will do anything to kill a Madam Narf, even forget his fears of the Tartutic. He might break the rules for that, Mr. Heep. Will she know that she's a Madam Narf? No. That is moral of a bedtime story. No one is ever told who they are. I think we are linked. It's more than just a story to me, too. I actually want to believe it. Good-bye, Mr. Heep. You have saved my life again. You made that room. The cracks that I saw ` is that room supposed to collapse eventually? I'm not allowed to speak of the Blue world. (Sighs) Well, the door needs a little work. I noticed... that you took things from the apartment that people left around the pool. (Laughs softly) That's how I saw you? You were taking something off of a chair? (Chuckles softly) I think I might know why the Scrunt needs to get you so bad. Why did he break the rules tonight? As it turns out, I think that you're someone... very important to everyone. (Sprinklers spurting on) (Low howling wind) I tried to tell them about you. I don't know if I did the right thing. (Sighs) I'm not sure how they're gonna react. I trust you. I believe you are here to protect me. Is the Kii working? Yes, thank you. (Whispering) If it is true that I am... he will keep coming after me. I will not be safe until... (Whispering): Until Tartutic comes. (Knocking at door) (Sighs) My mother said she saw a ghost once, in the basement. I was the only one who believed her. She's not an apparition, Anna. I don't know who you are,... but you did something to me... ...my thoughts. Everything became clearer. The fears that were muddling my thoughts just went away. I can hear myself. Do you wish to know your future? A boy in the Midwest of this land will grow up in a home where your book will be on the shelf and spoken of often. He will grow up with these ideas in his head. He will grow into a great orator. He will speak, and his words will be heard throughout this land and throughout the world. This boy will become leader of this country and begin a movement of great change. He will speak of you and your words. Your book will be the seeds of many of his great thoughts. (Whispering) It will be the seeds of change. The Cookbook? Girls: Uno, dos, tres! (Screaming) (Lively chatter) (Crunches) Mm. Wow! Mm. Mm. (Chuckles) Mm. (Sighs) Oh, geez. Um, could you tell her that I was interested in hearing more of the story? (Young-soon speaking Korean) (Sighs) (Grunts) (Chuckles) (Sighs loudly) Tell her it's a beautiful story. Um... (Young-Soon speaking Korean) Are there... are there any parts that might be good to hear? (Young-Soon speaking Korean) (Cleveland laughing) * (Panting) How is she? The medicine's helping her. I told her to stay under the shower. She does much better with water. I need to talk with her, and Vick should be there, too. I told them to wait right outside. I'll tell them what you have to say. Cleveland: Tell her I know that she is not allowed to tell about her world, but maybe I could ask some questions, and she can just say if it's right or wrong. You know what I did when I was a little girl, and me and my girlfriends would get in big trouble? My mom always wanted to know what happened, but I was like, 'I can't tell on my friends.' So she came up with this way of me telling her things without talking. She would say, 'Touch your ear or something if the answer is yes.' So I would, and then she would know certain things, but I didn't really feel like I told on my friends. It was cheating, I know, but it made me feel better. We're ready. (Clears throat) So, in this bedtime story, the Narf has come to a preordained place. She must leave from the same spot. Uh, this eagle, the Great Eatlon, coming to take her back is really very important. And here's the good stuff. There are humans with powers that can help her, and these people have been unconsciously drawn to live near the vessel. Now, these humans don't know who they are, and they always a-a-appear in the story earlier. Are there humans with powers that can help you, but don't know who they are? That's a yes! They've got weird names ` uh, a symbolist, a guardian and a guild. Ask her if that's right. You want something. One of them? Vick. Mr. Heep. Mr. Heep is one of them. Which one? Guild, guardian...? She thinks Mr. Heep is the guardian. I was told that there's, uh, a symbolist... an interpreter who can read signs in clouds and other forms. He will interpret messages... (Chuckling) ...from the universe if problems should arise. Do you know who the symbolist or interpreter is? That's a no. Uh, and I was told that there is, uh, a guild whose many hands will combine to help. Does she know who they are? There is a guild or something. Uh, they're supposed to help with their hands. That's another no. (Sighs) All right. There's one other. I don't know if it's worth mentioning. It's not in the stories all the time. It's a human... usually a female... so full of hope that they can awaken the, uh, life force in all things. Now, that one is called the healer, and you can tell that they're in the story because butterflies are drawn to the healer. (Whispering) Butterflies... Anna: The last one's a healer. Um, you don't know any of these people, do you? Reading? A book? Learning? She thinks it has to be learned. Is the eagle going to come back for her? Only one last time. Mr. Heep, you know the people in this building. You have to find them. (Knocking on door) What is it? You know these walls are paper-thin? I can hear all that bloody noise downstairs like they were in my kitchen. Can you do anything about that? (Sighs) Of course not. What is it you want, anyway? Well, I had a question. You're an expert on p-p-p... plots, right? You know who's gonna do what in a book or a movie even at the beginning, yes? There is no originality left in the world, Mr. Heep. That is a sad fact I've come to live with. Well, if there was a... (Whispering) a mystery, and a guy had to figure out who some people were ` like he had to find, uh, a symbol guy, someone who can figure out messages, um... and a... a guild of people who are going to be important at the end as a group ` how would you figure that out? The symbol person should be simple. Look for any character who is doing something mundane but required analysis ` someone who was skilled at puzzles. Joey, you can't have cereal for lunch. This picture on the cereal box is supposed to make you feel happy. I feel sad like that time you forgot to pick me up at school. Joey, Mr. Heep appears disquieted. Can you give us a moment alone? Sure, Dad. Farber: As for the guild, look for any group of characters that are always seen together and have seemingly irrelevant and tedious dialogue that seems to regurgitate forever. And you just sit around and talk about nothing? Oh, we talk about serious issues. Oh. On occasion. We talked about Martin Luther King at the Tequila Hut Tuesday night. You talked about that? Farber: This is the writer's way of establishing characters who will be important further in the story. Is there anything further I can assist you with during my naptime? No. No, Mr. Farber. Thank you. Story, these young men are the guild. And Mr. Dury... Mr. Dury? Mr. Dury is the interpreter. And there's one other person. Mrs. Bell, could you come in here, please? This is Mrs. Bell... the healer. Story wants to go home, and she can't. Tomorrow night is her last chance. Mr. Dury, please step forward. Mr. Heep, you're not stuttering. Yes, I know, I know. It's only around her. Now, the interpreter will tell us what to do if something should go wrong. He will use an instrument specific to him... to interpret. Try it, Mr. Dury. Let's just see what happens. I think that there's a message in there for us. Well, nine letters across is the word 'essential,' and, um... and it touches... 27 down, which is 'scheme.' Essential scheme. Cleveland: Yes. Mr. Dury: Now, those were the first two words that I deciphered in this puzzle, and I thought that was... well, I thought... I thought that was weird. Mm. (Sighs) There's a word that seems out of place to me. Cleveland: Yes? It's a six-letter word for 'get-together.' 'Soiree.' Soiree. Anna: Soiree could mean party. How could a... how does a party help us? Mr. Dury: Well, I guess I thought that, you know, a party is, uh, is interesting, because, uh, this thing out there is an animal, and, uh, it probably has a very keen sense of smell. Why is everyone staring at me? Cleveland: Go on, go on, Mr. Dury, go on. Um, humans, uh, have a pungent smell to animals... Mrs. Bell: That's true. ...so I thought that maybe everyone gathered together would confuse him, and he wouldn't be able to distinguish her from amongst all of us. Anna: Wow! Does that sound right? He's hearing the voice of God through a crossword puzzle. We're just playing here, right? No, wait, wait. Um... see, I do not... I don't think that the Great Eatlon will land in the presence of beings not from its world. She didn't want me to watch when the eagle came the first time, but that's before she knew that I was the guardian. Would I be able to watch now? But there will be... there'll be hundreds of people at a party. It won't work. It won't work. See if there's anything else in there, Mr. Dury. Well... this word did give me great difficulty, and then it came to me. 'Sonorous.' (All quietly murmuring) It could mean music, a band. Maybe we gather everyone inside at the last minute to hear a band, and we who are of the world stay with her to help her with that thing, and, uh... until she's taken. (Anna laughs) He's a prophet. Maybe we're seeing what we want to. I made all of that up. Cleveland: Oh, no, no, no, no... No, I think that it worked. I think that it worked. That is why they're the guild. I think they're supposed to use their hands to throw us a party. We're gonna throw a party. Cleveland: Oh. Smoker 2: Huge party. We are serious. Anything you can do for us, all right? Tables... We need a... we definitely need a band. It's, like, the most important thing. Oh my God. (Low growling) Cleveland: You don't think this is gonna work, do you? I'm nervous too. You being out there tomorrow night... and me not knowing what to do as the guardian. Think I can go out there tonight and maybe face that thing without you? Get a little practice with him? Scare him, maybe? Show him who's boss? Hmm? I know you want to get home. You will need a mirror. Cleveland (on walkie-talkie): Can you hear me? I'm here. Peer over your shoulder carefully. It is only through a mirror that one can see the eyes of a Scrunt in the grass. It will appear to you as two red spots in the darkness. Yeah, I-I don't, I... Wait. I see him. The guardian has instincts of when the Scrunt will attack. He is a great weapon against him. You should walk backwards towards him. When you are close enough to be certain of his position, turn and face the hidden Scrunt. I'm facing him. Story: I am scared. It is about to get very dangerous. OK. I'm ready. You must invoke the ancient words: 'Nef Ra Mora.' It is a command to rise... and a challenge to fight. Nef Ra Mora. Story: What is happening? He's rising out of the grass. His legs are bending and coiling... underneath him. Oh my God. Oh my G... Oh no. He's standing in front of me. The guardian can hypnotize a Scrunt. If the guardian looks directly into the Scrunt's eyes, it will be compelled to stay frozen or move backwards. (Low growling over walkie-talkie) What is the J.G. Scrunt's reaction? Is he frightened? I'm not sure. Look into his eyes. I am. Is he moving away? No! The guardian can control his mind. The J.G. Scrunt will not be able to attack. OK. Story: You must look into his eyes. I think something's wrong. He's stepping forward. He's stepping forward? Something's wrong! Cleveland, run! (Static hisses, then goes silent) * (Crickets chirping) What is it you are doing? Cleveland: Ah! (Panting) Hey, there. Uh... anything I can do for you there, Mr. F-F-F-F-F-Farber? Farber: No. (Grunts) So, how was the, um, m-m-m... movie? Sucked. Oh, what a... what a shame. Characters were walking around saying their thoughts out loud. Who does that? And a typical romance where the couple finally tell each other they love one another in the rain. Why does everyone like to stand around and talk in the rain in movies? Well, I mean, uh... well, maybe, uh... maybe it's a metaphor for, uh, purification and starting anew. No. It's not. Are you OK? He will choose to move only when no one is looking. They're masters of hiding. A Scrunt will hide unless he cannot hide in his environment. (Cleveland sighs) If a tenant hadn't walked by... I'd have been eaten alive. (Sighs) I had no powers over him. (Voice breaking): You are not the guardian. (Sighs) I do not understand. I cannot protect you. Where are the Tartutic? Why isn't he being punished? Where is the justice? Young-Soon: How come you don't ask about bedtime story anymore? Uh... I've been busy. You-you coming to the party tonight? I have to study. Bye, Mr. Heep. (Sighs) Mr. Leeds, did you hear about the p... party? (Laughs): Oh. You coming? Does man deserve to be saved, Mr. Heep? What? Man. Yes. That's not the answer I expected. Why'd you... ask me that? I know about your family. I looked you up when you started working here. I know someone killed them, but you can't give up. You can't hide here, son. I know. You don't want to become like me. By the way, your invitation would sound more real if it had the guy's name on it. There's something strange going on around this building. Don't think I haven't noticed. (Wind whistling) Story: It is finished? You can see things in the future? Story: Some things. I have a question to ask you. I will do my best to answer it. You'll tell me the truth, right? Yes. Change doesn't happen the way you say it's gonna happen without dramatic events that accelerate thinking. I wrote this thing. It might take decades or longer to create a reaction before it anchors in the consciousness. That's not the type of change you're telling me is gonna happen, right? I was wondering why he didn't meet me ` this leader who's just a boy. If he was so inspired by my words, why didn't he try to meet me? There's a lot of things in The Cookbook people won't like to hear. I'm not... anything, you know? I don't think I'm anything special. So I started thinking, 'How is this gonna happen? 'Why are people gonna suddenly take me seriously? 'And why didn't he meet me?' And I thought of how it could happen. Story, I wanted to ask you, is something gonna happen to me? Is someone gonna kill me 'cause I write this? Story: Yes. Man thinks they're each alone in this world. It is not true. You are all connected. One act can one day affect all. What are you guys whispering about? Is he trying to get you to tell him how many kids he's gonna have? I told him eight ` all bratty boys. I asked her if she knew the name of the deaf, dumb and blind guy that's gonna marry you. Anna: Very funny, Herb. (Laughs softly) (Door closes) (Whispering): OK. Don't tell my sister. (Lively music playing) (Sprinklers spraying) Hi! I'm Mr. Farber. I wanted to thank you. I was completely surprised by all of this. I was expecting some kind of greeting, of course,... ...but this is beyond my expectations. I'm 13-b. Both: Oh, yeah. Hey, how you doing? Good for you. What's up? Story: I know of your future, Cleveland. Do you want to hear it? No. (Sighs) Tell me what happens when the eagle takes you back. It is only what I have been told by others. They tell us the world will line up and reveal we are on the right path... that the universe will give us signs. The Tartutic have not come yet. I can still sense the Scrunt's presence near. You have to believe that this all makes sense somehow. I don't know why I'm the Madam Narf. I'm not special. I'm clumsy. They make fun of me. I don't know how to lead. Cleveland: Do you get sick every time you break a rule... every time that you tell me something that you shouldn't? There is a storm coming. I am scared. It's OK to be scared. I do not have courage. I do not want to be a Madam Narf. You do what you think is right. You are very brave. You were always meant to lead, Story. Cleveland,... the Great Eatlon is coming. * (Lively chatter, music playing) OK. I'm glad you read my journal. Don't worry. We're all watching you. (People laughing and chatting) Oh, come on. The music should have started already. Do not leave this spot. Stop! Man 2: Yo, come on! Hey. (Gasps): Find a mirror. (Retching) (Low, distorted popping) Why hasn't the m... music started? It's been working smooth. We've been playing with it all night. (Sighs) You used up the battery. Wave to him. (Whistles) They told her that the universe would line up and reveal that we're on the right p... path. Why isn't this working? (Water hissing loudly) (Scrunt roaring) (Panting) OK. (Panting) Sometimes animals just look dead. Something went wrong. They took her inside, up by the pool. (Creaking) (Snarls) It is not time for you to go. It is not time for you to go. (Gasps) Isn't this supposed to work? Mr. Dury: 14... across. No. No. I don't know. I don't know. This... this world is about finding your purpose, right? And the only way to do that is to find your own voice. You told us that. I don't feel like an interpreter. Is it possible that that isn't my purpose? I mean, I don't see anything in these words, and I didn't before. And finding one's purpose is a profound thing. Sometimes it isn't always what it seems. What if these young men are not the guild? Look at what happened at the party. These things haven't seemed right from the beginning. Why are you so certain that I am the interpreter and they are the guild? He was so sure. What? I... asked someone. He acted like he knew. What kind of person would be so arrogant to presume to know the intention of another human being? Who has put this young girl's life in jeopardy? (Electric pops) Farber: Hello? Is the bathroom on this level working? (Scrunt snarls) A dog inside the building. Go! Shoo! Why, you're not a dog at all. (Snarling) My God. This is like a moment from a horror movie. It is precisely the moment where the mutation or beast will attempt to kill an unlikable side character. But... in stories where there has been no prior cursing, nudity, killing or death, such as in a family film, the unlikable character will narrowly escape his encounter and be referenced again later in the story, having learned valuable lessons. He may even be given a humorous moment to allow the audience to feel good about him. (Roaring) This is where I turn to run. You will leap for me. I will shut the door... and you will land a fraction of a second too late. (Screaming) Why would they lie to her about Tartutic? These cannot just be fairy tales that they tell to make the Narfs risk their lives. This has got to be about faith. Vick: Her world works by different rules than ours. She may not be dead. Mrs. Bell: We need to be told what to do. Anna: We need to find the interpreter. But how are we suddenly going to realize someone's purpose? Vick: This is someone who's doing something ancient, an ancient thing in modern times. Anna: Right. It could be someone who sees purity in what we see as mundane, sees the voice of God in the ordinary. He is someone who sees meaning in the ordinary. Mrs. Bell: Does anyone have any idea who this is? My God. I do. There is a message. There is a ceremony to be done. You're doing great, Joey. Shh! The hands of the guild will be needed, plus two others. Joey,... who is the guild? It is a ceremony of seven sisters. Sisters? the guild is women? They will touch together with their hearts as one to bring strength to the moment. Nice, Joey. Shh! You will need a man who has no secrets and one whose opinion is highly respected as witnesses. All must hurry. This will all be over in moments. (Growling) (Knocking) (Perez de la Torre sisters shouting inside ) (Sighs): Mr. Perez de la Torre,... I need to speak with your f-f-f-f... five daughters. (Knocking) Honey? Honey, there's some people here to see you. (Knocking) Sweetheart? He's probably rinsing his mouth. He's got terrible breath. Don't tell him I told you. (Sighs) (Toilet flushes) Announcer: Huge explosions right in the very heart of the capital. Several explosions. I felt at least four were very close to the centre of the city. Several explosions. I felt at least four were very close to the centre of the city. * (Machine whirring) (Growling) (Lively chatter) (Rain falling) (Thunder rumbles) (Playing notes to tune guitar) (Drumsticks clicking time) # I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more... # (Thunder crashing) Cleveland: I think we have everybody. A man who has... no secrets and one whose... opinion I greatly respect. They will be w-w-w... witnesses. Uh, will the g... guild please come forward? Yeah. And you make seven. Seven sisters. (Whispering): Come, come. (Sighs) Yeah. Everything's right now. Come back to us now. Come back to us now, honey. Come back to us. Anna (Sobbing): I can't believe it! This is crazy. This woman is probably dying as we're talking. Perez de la Torre sister: She needs to get to a hospital. This is not right. We can't just stand here playing make-believe. I wanted to believe more than most. I want to be like a child again. I needed to believe there's something more than this awfulness around us, but at some point, we have to stop. Mr. Leeds, it is time to prove some stories are real! Joey: I read it wrong. (Sighs) It was my first time. I thought it said, 'She will lead a ceremony of seven sisters to bring strength to the moment.' I looked at it again. It says 'he.' 'He will lead a ceremony of seven sisters to bring strength to the moment.' (Overlapping sighs) Anna: Mrs. Bell is not the healer. It said the healer could be a man. Cleveland: But I... but I... but I-I-I saw a butterfly land right on her. Butterflies? Yeah, the bedtime story said butterflies are drawn to the healer. (Sighs) But, Mr. Heep, you brought that butterfly to me. It caught my eye as you walked over. I did? Anna: Oh, wow! Oh... Wait, no. Mrs. Bell: You must try. Joey: There's no time. (Whispering): I can't. I can't. I can't. Shut up... and try. (Thunder rumbling outside) (Cleveland sighs) (Sighs) (Sobs) Mrs. Bell: Say something to bring out your energy. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. (Sobs) Oh, I should have been there. I am always gonna regret... ...just not being there. (Sniffles) I'll miss your faces. Oh, they remind me of God. (Sobbing) I'm so lost without you guys. I met this very nice lady, (sniffles) and... her name is Story... and I think you would've liked her. I think she might be... an angel... because she has to go home. (Sobs) I love you all. I love you all so much. (Sobbing) Sister: Se mueve. Thank you for all you have done. Your sister will have seven children. You will see the first two. (Thunder rumbling) (Snarling) (Scrunt growling) (Roaring) (Growling) (Scrunt snarling) (Growling) (Snarling) Oh my God. He's the guardian. Reggie! Reggie! Reggie, just keep looking in his eyes! Keep looking in his eyes! (Thunder crashing) (Growling) (Snarls) (Snarls) (Loud, imperious birdcall) (Snarling) (Roaring) (Creatures roaring and grunting) (Roaring) (Low guttural sounds) (Laughs softly) Thank you for saving my life. # Come, gather 'round, people, # wherever you roam. # And admit that the waters # Around you have grown. # Accept it that soon, # you'll be drenched to the bone. # And if your time to you # is worth saving, # Well, you'd better start swimming, # or sink like a stone, # for the times, # they are # changing. # Come writers and critics # who prophesize with pen, # keep your eyes wide. # The chance won't come again. # Don't speak too soon, # when the wheel's still in spin. # The old road is rapidly aging. # And the losers now will be later to win, # 'cause the times, # they are # changing. # Come senators, congressmen, # please heed the calls. # Don't stand in the doorway. # Don't block up the halls. # For he who gets hurt, # will be he who has stalled. # And the battle outside # that is raging, # it will soon shake your windows, # rattle your walls. # For the times, # they are # changing. Choir of girls: # Oh, the times, # they are # changing. # For the times, # they are # changing. # www.tvnz.co.nz/access-services