Ba (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(Eerie tone)

(dramatic music)

(breathing)

(unsettling music)

(wheezing)

(flatline tone)

(electronic music)

(upbeat music)

Tony Tran.

Britney Spears.

Gregory Hines.

Charles says an even better

dancer is Lee Chae-yeon.

That K-Pop dancer?

All right,

well, whenever yo're naming great dancer

you've got to say Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Do you know who that is?

No...

You should.

My dad.

Thank you Lettie. But...

dancing behind Lady Gaga one summer

does't make you the greatest of all time

Do you think you could help me with

footwork when we get to your cousi's?

Yeah, let's see, okay?

(thud)

Damn it...

(phone buzzing)

Greg, Greg. What's up, man?

Settle down Charles, settle down.

Hey thanks again for

letting us crash, man...

(dog barking)

Oh, that, that's Charles. You've

met him before. He's like ten pounds.

You won't even know he's there.

Oh, come on, man. He's like

h's like family.

You have an allergy?

You grew up with a Rottweiler.

All right, look, what if we

we just stayed for, like,

a few nights? Tha's it.

We're going to go on a little

car camping adventure, okay?

I'll be fun.

(soft music)

(muffled phone music)

(upbeat music)

Ohhhh!

You alright?

He's four years old.

His name is Charles.

Do you like my doggy?

Collette, we talked about this.

It's up to you whether or not

you see your imaginary friends.

All right? I'll be back in a sec.

Okay?

Damn poison ivy...

(ominous music)

(music continues)

Upon acquisition of this payment

you agree to the eternal profession...

No.

Ba...

Are we poor?

No.

Hey, we have each other right?

That's all that matters.

Dylan says only poor

people tape their shoes.

Hey, any kid would k*ll to

have custom kicks like yours.

- Can you say Ba Ba? - Say Ma Ma...

How about Ba Ba?

- Say Ma Ma. Ma Ma. - Ba Ba...

(dreamy music)

Ma Ma.

I know you don't understand this,

but some people aren't meant to be paren

That's why she left.

But I promise I'll always be here, okay?

Le's go Collette!

What's the most important

thing about family?

Being there.

Congratulations.

You did so good.

Thanks Ba.

Da's always there right?

- What did we get? - We got spam musubi.

- Your favorite?

- Yes. It even has the egg in it ?.

Oh no i's a video ?

Charles!

Yep... tha's my life.

(music continues)

(unsettling music)

Hey buddy.

Come here.

Charles.

Help! Collette!

(dramatic music)

What the f*ck happening?

Until you have paid back

eleven times what you have taken.

Any creature you touch will die.

To the world you will appear as.

Death.

(echoing voice)

(scream)

Collette.

Ba!

Where were you?

Why are you wearing that?

I can't give you this rash, okay?

That's why I'm covered up.

Charles...

I know...

I just ?.

Just get in the car, please.

The worst part is when you get

the name and place in your skin.

(sizzling)

No. This is the worst part.

6000 people die every hour.

What's one more.

Don't think.

(flatline beep)

Act confident.

Like you know where the portal goes.

Every night these f*cking tokens.

(eerie music)

Damn...

I'm sorry, boy.

(dog wimpering)

Token, please.

I just spent the last 4 hours walking.

What's the rush?

Once you get a name and

place carved in the flesh,

you still have 24 hours to

complete the assignment.

You do't understand I

can't be late to this other job.

Well when the rest of your

living days are indentured

you give up a certain

amount of flexibility.

That's not what we said.

Pardon me. Until you buy your way out

with honest money, return to normal

and are free to frolic to and fro.

I'm not f*cking around.

'm 10K from getting out.

You act as if I'm the one who

put you in this predicament.

I'm on the assembly line just like you.

Token.

Yeah, I got another one.

Let it show that Daniel Lee

delivered the token on time

at 1:42 a.m.

(soft music)

Dear Lettie,

I'm sorry it's taken so long.

But only a few more

weeks until I get better.

Hug you soon, Ba.

Please hurry Ba.

Can't wait to see you,

Love, Collette.

P.S. We're all out of food.

Can you pick some up?

(soft music)

(upbeat music)

(music continues)

Hey. How come 've

never seen you at school?

Why aren't you in school?

My dad's rich. I don't

need to go to school.

Your dad can't be rich.

Is too. He makes money

every night by helping people.

What's he do?

I don't know.

Please be working tonight, Sonny.

Oh, f*ck. Stay cool.

Is Sonny here?

Oh hell no.

You know we packing, right?

Hey, Sonny knows who I am.

I'm just here to pick up some food.

Sonny's my friend. Look...

9-1-1. Wha's your emergency?

sh*t, all right, 'll leave.

Hey!

Tell Sonny 'm good!

Daniel?

I'm Macey.

Child Protective Services.

Wha's this?

I's a skin condition.

What kind?

Allergy to light. Wha's this about?

Is there a reason why your

daughter's not in school?

I pulled her out for home school ?.

School wasn't built for big imaginations

What do you want?

We received a call.

It's probably nothing, but

we are required to follow up.

- Is now a good time? - No.

What about next Tuesday or Wednesday?

How about this. I'll just leave you my c

and then I'll just stop by at a future d

and if you're available, then great.

Thank you.

'm sorry Lettie but you

can't let anyone see you, ok?

I know it feels like I've been away.

And I know you've been

having a hard time sleeping.

Maybe a story can help you fall asleep.

There was once a country man

who possessed the most wonderful

goose you can imagine. For every day,

when he visited the nest, the goose had

laid a beautiful, glittering golden egg.

But it was not long before he

grew impatient with the goose

because she gave him only

a single golden egg a day.

He was not getting rich fast enough.

(eerie music)

(horn blaring)

Token.

Excuse me?

Don't toy with your existence, boy.

Is it true if I don't turn in my token i

24 hours, I turn back to normal again?

Yes. Incorrect or incomplete

assignments result in revocation

of powers and swift winnowing.

It was all on the card.

Yeah. Okay.

I know that.

Winnowing.

Have you even seen one of these Winnower

If I had, I wouldn't be here.

Daniel, listen...

Don't forget that underneath

what others see yo're still human.

You think yo're invincible Because

everything you touch perishes.

But this thing ? he

relishes the ending of life.

It's like a sport to him.

And his face.

No one's seen it.

Because just one look and you're done.

Now give me the token.

Is this a ten or a twenty?

Sonny!

- Danny?

- Did you go to Cancun and not invite me

sh*t, not unless Cancun means having

a doctor stick a tube up my ding-a-ling.

Is everything okay?

No.

Is this a ten or a twenty?

I's a ten.

Kid short changed me.

Help me with those, will ya?

So how's the cleaning business?

Yeah, about that...

I was wondering...

any chance you have

room for an actual pay thing?

You know, I would if I could, Danny, but

I'm barely floating.

Yeah, do't sweat it.

So, Paris, she was the one here last nig

Yeah,

I used to be friends with her mom, Regin

But she died when Paris

was wee tall. She's had a hell of a life

running away, in and out of rehab.

And why her dad left her...

I will never understand.

You ever wonder he had his reasons?

How so?

I don't know. Maybe he

felt he wasn't up to task.

Please, a kid needs a parent.

You just make it work.

Right.

(unsettling music)

You all right?

I'm going to finish these later, okay?

No ? no problem.

You protect me tonight.

Got it?

Hey Lettie, I know you've been

having a hard time sleeping,

but nighttime,

it's just like day.

But with less light.

Nothing to be scared of.

Maybe a story can help you fall asleep.

There was once a country

man who possessed ?

can imagine ?.

For every ?

a beautiful, glittering golden egg ?

the country man took the eggs to

market and soon began to get rich ?.

But it was not long

before he grew impatient ?.

(scream)

Collette!

It was right over there, I swear!

- You know how your imagination gets.

- No! You never believe me!

Ba I saw it!

I'm sorry...

It's all my fault...

Maybe it was a dream.

But I wasn't dreaming

when I saw the skeleton.

- Charles choked on something.

- No, he didn't.

You weren't there.

No, look, it doesn't matter, okay?

What if the skeleton comes back?

W'll be out of this whole

mess soon. I promise.

(whistle)

(knocking)

Collette. Hi.

My name is Macey.

I'm here to help you, honey.

Have you eaten, sweetie?

I have a ham sandwich I can share.

Or what about

some chocolate?

Do you like candy?

Chocolate candy.

'm just gonna put these right here, okay

Is this your friend?

You know your father he told me

what a great imagination that you have.

When I was your age,

I had imaginary friends too.

Your imaginary friends...

Were they scary?

How long have you

been alone here, Collette?

I want you to know I'm

here to help you. Okay?

You don't have to stay

here if you don't want to.

All right, that's enough ?.

Ba!

Daniel...

Not so close, okay...

Glad you could join us.

Get out. Now.

I'm serious. Go!

I am legally obligated to tell you

that I am seeing some unsafe conditions.

Bullshit.

Clearly, your daughter loves you.

If you'll just allow me

to ask a few questions,

we could very well put this behind us

and move on.

I'll only take a few minutes.

Just 5K more.

(dramatic music)

(scream)

I've been seeing these lost souls.

Sleeping souls.

Yo'll see them here and there.

They're harmless.

Where are they from?

When you're newly dead,

you're overwhelmed by this yearning,

this craving to go through the light.

But some fight it. Once in a while,

there are those that

fight so long that the

portal closes forever

and they lose their chance.

And the poor b*stard ends up sleepwalkin

for eternity.

As much as I'm enjoying

our scintillating conversation...

Token.

(soft music)

Yo, that's the guy!

Tseng!

Hold on!

Hands on the ground! Le's go!

Hand on the back of your head!

Other hand on the back of your head ?.

Not the gloves! I have a skin condition!

What condition?

- I got burns ? - Let's take a look ?.

Stop stop!

Get'em up.

Le's go ?.

- sh*t ? - Got a live one!

(eerie music)

Open up!

Hey!

Put on your shoes 'mon lets go!

'mon hurry!

My stuff!

We don't have time ?.

(grunt)

Where are we going?

Somewhere better.

Ba!

I's fine.

It's just a little scratch from the wind

(eerie music)

I want to go home...

Hey, that's not our home.

Look, I was going to surprise you

but this new place,

it's really nice.

How come I never see you smile?

I guess I just don't feel like it.

Hey, 'mon ?

give your Ba Ba a smile.

(soft music)

Whose house is this?

It's an acquaintanc's.

Someone I had to help take a trip far aw

You know how to pick locks?

I used a key.

(playful TV music)

No no no ?.

g*dd*mn it ?

f*ck!

You still practicing your steps?

Do you think I'm a good dancer, Ba?

Of course, honey.

Why don't you show me something?

You're doing something with your feet?

Yeah.

There you go.

Yeah, just like that.

Hey, I have a great idea.

Why don't you stay there and...

I'll teach you over here.

Okay.

Yeah?

Okay so now first ?.

Hold on!

Damn it, Collette...

Why, Collette?

There were monsters.

All right, come on.

Not a peep.

And not too close. Okay?

Not a peep and not too close, okay.

What do you do every night?

- Are you a cop? - A cop?

Like a secret cop on TV

that can pick locks and

wears sunglasses all the time.

Hey Collette,

come here.

Now, this is very serious.

I need you to stay here and not follow m

Otherwise, it could be very dangerous.

Because yo're a cop?

Yeah,

because I'm a cop.

Okay.

Promise.

(whistling)

(eerie music)

(rustling)

Ba?

Wait Collette - i's me!

(electronic music)

Colette hold on!

Lettie!

Help, please, call the police!

Collette!

Ther's a man threatening a girl ?.

Collette, please...

Hey, it's just me.

It's your Ba Ba.

Can we please just get out of here...

You k*lled Charles.

That was an accident, okay,?I swear...

You need to get out of here right now.

She's my daughter, okay?

'm her dad...

No no no! Stop! Please stop! Stop!

Stay away.

Stay away...

Lettie, please...

You're not my dad!

You need to go.

Get out of here!

(crying)

(soft music)

When I heard about you, I told

the judge that we could take you

until a foster home opened up.

You'll be more comfortable if you lay do

There you go.

There you go.

Sorry.

Well, um...

goodnight Collette.

(muffled couple arguing)

Don't walk away from me!

I do't care anymore ?

(inaudible yelling)

(dreamy music)

Danny ?.

New York called.

They want their noise back.

Ah, this is a tough crowd.

Sorry, Sonny.

I think I'm going to head out now.

What's the rush?

You going to Cancun without me?

I don't have anything

holding me back, so...

why not.

A nice place on the beach.

Sand between your toes

and all the tequila you ?.

Oh, g*dd*mn it.

You got to get that checked.

It's been checked.

- What they say? - Oh, not much.

I said, hey doc,

all that training

didn't ever teach you how to tell a man

he's dying?

What do they teach you in medical school

Sonny, I...

I would much rather talk about tequila.

I would k*ll for a good Reposado.

Have you ever had Reposado?

No, I haven't.

(soft music)

(distant cheering)

Collette...

[ inaudible dialog ]

This is what you're meant to be.

Bye, Lettie.

Well, I am off to work...

You two have fun, okay?

Be safe.

I'm full.

May I be excused?

You'll never grow big and

strong if you keep skipping dinner.

Pass me the asparagus?

Collette?

Pass me the asparagus.

Collette ?.

g*dd*mn it Collette!

Pass me the asparagus!

(heavy breathing)

She just went nuts ?

I couldn't stop her

from breaking the glass ?.

She started screaming, yelling.

I tried to get her to calm down ?.

Oh, I'm sorry...

Wher's your girl?

With another family.

A girl needs her father.

(sizzling)

I'm scared, Danny.

When you pass over to the other side,

you'll be ready.

And all you want to do is leave

this world and go to the next.

How do you know?

Do you trust me?

So you hug people

and they die.

That's really f*cked up.

Only you.

Normally i's a touch.

So you can't hug your girl.

They got reposado in there?

I don't know.

Only one way to find out.

(eerie music)

Do't toy with your existence, boy.

What do you think you're doing, Daniel?

You're not my dad!

Just stay here. Otherwise

it could be very dangerous.

Incomplete assignments result in

revocation of powers and swift winnowing

(sizzling)

(music continues)

(soft music)

One look at i's face and youre done.

(upbeat music)

There's a guy breaking into cars

around the corner.

Excuse me. Sir?

Collette...

Ba!

You came.

You came...

You're all better...

Let's promise to never leave each other.

I can't stay, Lettie...

I just wanted to see you one more time.

No, no, no, no, no.

I's okay, its okay...

(sobbing)

You're going to be okay.

You're going to be okay, all right?

'm okay.

Did they do this?

The man.

Wait right here.

No, no, Ba, do't leave ?

please.

We gotta get out of here ? before ?.

(thud)

Le's go ?.

Stop!

Stop!

Stop or 'll sh**t! I swear to God, I wil

Collette!

(g*nsh*t )

Ba!

Collette get over here!

- Le's just keep going ? - Collette!

Damnit Collette!

(muffled voice)

- Ther's a man in a mask behind that tre

- Goddamnit Collette...

Get away from him.

Hold on tight okay ? do't let go ?.

- Stop! - Close your eyes!

Keep them closed!

(dramatic music)

Keep your eyes closed.

(distorted voice)

Where is he?

Wha's happening, Ba?

(dramatic music)

Where is he?

Where is he...

Where ? where are you ?.

Ba!

(yelling)

Hey come here.

I think we did it...

(soft music)

- Is it recording? - Yeah.

(upbeat music)

Nice.

- Happy Birthday. - Thank you...

Thank you Ba!

You like'em?

Britney Spears.

- Tony Tran? - Mike Song.

Keone and Mari...

You're learning.

Gregory Hines.

Mik-hail...

don't tell me ?.

He does these like...

greatest dancer of all time.

Burr-ish-ni-kov?

My daughter.

I just want you to know that I'm...

'm sorry.

I'm never going to leave you again.

Charles!

I know you'll never leave Ba.

(soft music)

(crying)

Collette...

Collette...

Ba?

Ba...

You can see me?

Your imaginary friends...

You really saw them?

(soft music)

'm sorry, Collette...

You said yo'd never leave.

(electronic music)

(dreamy music)

(muffled voices)

Good class?

- Amazing job teaching her at home. - Me

I could't dance if my life depended on i

You're too modest. Collette said

she has a fantastic teacher at home.

Really?

Alright kiddo, time to scoot.

Otherwise the lasagn's gonna get cold.

(soft music)

(music continues)

(music fades)