The Haunting of Hill House - 01x09 - Screaming Meemies

[bunniefuu]

[HUGH] Liv.

Mmm.

You dozed off, huh?

Mmm.

I guess I did.

I'll help you carry them up.

No. I'll take this while I can get it.

Do you remember when Steve
and Shirl were this little?

Yeah.

They grow up, that's for sure.

Pretty soon they won't
be caught dead like this.

Oh, they'll go full Theo on
you, you can't prevent it.

Well, you know that one.

She would never, not
even when she was little.

[CHUCKLES]

[SIGHS]

I wish I could just freeze them.

Keep 'em just like this forever.

[HUGH] Your arms asleep?

No, I'm...

You guys coming?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Here we go, sweetheart. Let's go to bed.

[GLASS CLINKING]

My God, what a storm.

We slept through it, I suppose.

[OLIVIA] I hate storms.

Hate them.

Since I was a little girl.

And this one...

I slept through most of it, too,
but it gave me the strangest dreams.

I actually like them.

They relax me.

My daughter, though,
is terrified of them.

- I hope she moves past that.
- Hmm.

I guess it's all about how
we feel when we're young.

Doesn't ever really change.

I suppose not.

When I was , my dad d*ed unexpectedly.

- I'm sorry.
- Me, too.

It was a car accident, and...

one day he was there,
the next day wasn't.

I didn't really know how to handle it.

I just was numb.

I didn't even cry.

Not even at the burial.

That isn't unusual.

Especially for a child.

A couple days after the funeral,

my mom left me at home
with my little sister.

And I was sitting in the living room

in my dad's recliner.

It always made me feel
so small sitting there.

And suddenly,

it bubbled up,

and I felt it all, finally.

I started bawling.

It was... A dam just broke.

And right then, I... I heard
these taps on the window.

Rain.

And I thought it was weird, because
it had been sunny just before

and it wasn't supposed to rain,

but... but it got...

it got violent.

I thought it had to be hail.

It just had to be, making that noise.

So I cried harder,

and the hail came harder, too.

And I'd been through hail
before, but not like that.

No, this sounded like... like rocks,

like actual stones.

One of the windows in
my sister's room broke,

and Janet's shrieking,
and I ran in there and...

And I could see it.

It was rocks.

It was... It was small, black stones

hitting the windows, bouncing
up off the ground outside.

I saw the stone that
broke the window, too,

right there on the carpet.

It was about this big.

And my mom came running in,

and she was bleeding from
her scalp, I remember that.

Just from running up the
driveway, she got hit.

And... And she grabbed me and Janet,

and she held onto us and we rode it out.

And as suddenly as it started,

it just stopped.

Silence.

It's happened before, you know.

Harrisonville, Ohio, , it rained

small stones over a whole town.

And then once in Sicily, but
that was because of Mount Etna.

It spewed out pumice
stone that fell on Sicily.

It happens in Revelations as well.

It does, doesn't it?

"Hailstones as heavy
as a talent," it says.

How heavy is a talent?

About pounds, I think.

Yeah, well, it certainly wasn't that.

The world didn't end, but...

I always kind of thought...

I...

I thought it was my fault.

It was me.

I'd had the...

hardest, darkest feelings of
my whole young life that day,

and I just sh*t them up at the sky,

and somehow those feelings came
together up there in the atmosphere,

and fell right back down on me.

When Daddy d*ed, I made it rain rocks.

[OLIVIA SIGHS]

These things make perfect
sense when you're a kid.

It's only as you grow up that
they start to sound crazy.

What was it you said to me before?

"There are more things
in Heaven and Earth... "

"Horatio,

than is dreamt of in your philosophy."

[GROANS]

Come on, not now.

[MOANS]

- [SHIRLEY] I said no, Luke.
- [LUKE] Please?

What's going on in here?

He wants to take some of my clothes.

- Okay.
- [LUKE] Not for me, for Abigail.

[SHIRLEY] You won't take my
stuff for your imaginary friend.

She's not imaginary!

Please, don't shout.

[LUKE] Abigail's real,

but her clothes aren't as cool as yours.

They look old.

And I thought she'd like new clothes,

and you have so many.

[SHIRLEY] Mom?

She can't have your
sister's clothes, Luke.

- [SHIRLEY] Abigail isn't real, Luke.
- Yes, she is.

- [SHIRLEY] Tell Mom where Abigail lives.
- [LUKE] In the woods.

You kids have fun.

I'll be in my reading
room if you need me.

Which room is her reading room?

Leave Mommy alone.

She isn't feeling good lately.

[GROANS]

Oh...

[WHIMPERING]

My babies.

[MUMBLING]

Mom...

- [WIRE SNAPS]
- Ah!

Mommy!

Mommy!

[GASPS]

[BREATHING SHAKILY]

[OLIVIA] I mean, it... it was the twins.

I know it.

I don't know how I know it, but I...

I do.

I mean, they were adults, so I
didn't recognize them right away,

but the more I looked,

the more I knew.

It was Nellie.

Luke.

That's awful.

What a horrible dream.

And clearly you dozed off
while you were reading.

Yeah.

Of course.

It was a terrible dream.

You know, I've been...

I just...

My headaches are almost constant

now, and...

my dreams are so vivid.

You know those dreams that
feel more real than life?

I think maybe...

Well, both of us have been
feeling a little loopy lately.

I still can't believe I did this.

It hurts like a bitch.

I just feel so stupid, you know?

I don't know if it's the...

the mold or the chemicals,
the noise down there,

I just... I spaced.

You know, I can't believe I didn't look.

You thought it was unplugged. I
mean, it was supposed to be unplugged.

I may have put too much on poor Stevie.

He's tough, he can handle it.

Honey.

Honey, someone's in the house.

Hugh.

[GASPS]

Shh...

Well, come on.

Shake a leg.

Ah!

I love what you did with the room.

It was a dressing room for me.

Then a nursery.

I'm dreaming, aren't I?

'Course you are.

I'm a dream, and so
are you, and so are we.

You are a looker, aren't you?

A real tomato. Willie's
going to just love you.

And this room,

I'd swear I could almost
hear the sounds of the city.

God, I miss the sounds of the city.

The car horns always made me laugh.

Come sit.

Mmm.

Well, Momma, excuse me for saying,
but you're just b*at, aren't you?

You want to talk about it?

I'm not sure that I do.

It's your dream.

I...

I had one crib about here, I think.

I painted little boats
on it, blue boats,

so he'd float off to sleep
and dream of blue water.

Painted it myself, and he
was so happy in that crib,

and it broke me, just
broke me, to see it empty.

You try and try and keep them safe.

All you can do, really,
but it's hard, isn't it?

And you can't keep them safe forever.

Can you?

Losing a child.

Do you think there's a
thing worse than that?

No.

I don't think there's
anything worse than that.

I don't think there could be.

I had a dream,

a few nights ago,

during the storm, that
I lost my little girl.

I couldn't find her anywhere.

And it felt so real.

I dreamed I lost my little girl once.

I dreamed that she was choking
on her own body for no reason.

Just trying for air like
the room was underwater,

and shaking like she
was in the hot squat,

and I dreamed I held her
little hand and sat at her side,

and days, it took days,
weeks, it took weeks

for her to quit gulping that watery air,

quit gaping at me like
a fish on the beach,

but finally she did.

She breathed, ragged and hard,

and she went stiff, and one of
her eyes turned red as blood,

and she'd shake, she'd shake
so bad the bed would shake,

and when she started
shaking, it went fast.

She dangled.

She d*ed.

And my boy...

I once dreamed his little legs

stopped working, they just...

stopped one day... and he couldn't walk

and he couldn't stand
and he couldn't speak

and then he couldn't
do anything but cry.

Cry and bang on the walls.

Bang on the walls for help
and bang on the walls for Momma

and just bang, bang, bang, bang,

and he couldn't even see.

In the end, he couldn't
see me there with him,

and then he stopped
banging, he stopped crying,

he stopped it all once he d*ed.

I held him so long that
he went cold in my arms.

[LAUGHING]

But that was just a dream.

Just a dream.

The worst dream.

A screaming meemie.

But then I woke up.

And they were safe in their beds.

They're perfect, aren't they?

Oh..

They're the elephant's
eyebrows, those two.

And I bet you'd do anything for them.

Ain't that so?

Yes.

So what if...

they was having a dream?

I mean, bad ones.

I mean posi-lutely screamin' meemies.

The worst of the worst.

What would you do?

I'd wake them up.

I mean a dream so mean,

so scary.

A dream about

sick

and sad

and disease

and rot

and loss

and darkness.

If they was stuck in that dream,

you'd wake 'em.

- Of course.
- And keep them safe.

No more bad dreams, no
more screaming meemies.

You'd wake 'em up and
you'd keep 'em just perfect.

Just like they is,

wouldn't you?

I would.

Well, mitt me, kid,

'cause I got a secret.

A way to wake 'em up.

A way to keep 'em safe...

if they get stuck in them dreams.

What is it?

[INDISTINCT WHISPERING]

- [HUGH] Liv!
- [GASPING]

Hugh?

[WHIMPERS]

- Liv, what the f*ck?
- I...

I'm sorry, I was...

I was... I was having a horrible dream.

You think?

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

I... I don't even know what...

- What's going on with you?
- Nothing.

You're holding a f*cking
screwdriver to my throat!

No, I wasn't.

I... I was...

I guess I could see if
Janet's up for a visit.

Just for a couple days or something.

[HUGH] That could be good.

- Just a few.
- But how?

You'd have to juggle
the kids and the house...

I'll manage.

I just think I've underestimated
these migraines, you know? [SNIFFS]

These constant dreams.

I know.

You're just tired.

[SOBBING] It just snuck
up on me all of a sudden.

But, um...

[SNIFFLES]

I'll sort it out.

I promise.

[HAMMERING]

Slow down, kids.

[DISTORTED CONSTRUCTION NOISES]

Liv? Liv.

- [OLIVIA] Goodnight, button.
- [NELL] Goodnight.

... [OLIVIA] I love you so much.
- [NELL] I love you, too.

Now, I want you two to get good rest.

What if I have a bad dream?

Like what?

Like the old Bent-Neck Lady?

Or the little blonde girl in the woods?

Not the Bent-Neck Lady.

What if I have a worse dream?

Well, I'm sure we can
handle any dream you have.

What if I dream that you k*ll us?

What?

What if I dream that you sent us
away into the dark and we get hurt?

Really hurt.

You send us away, out into the dark,

and my heart breaks right in half,
and I can't feel anything happy,

for weeks and months and years
until I can't stand it anymore.

And I... I have to die.

[LUKE] And what if I'm so sad

and scared of the dark out there,

that I put poison in me?

I poison myself for years and years,

until my blood turns into
poison, my body breaks down.

[NELL] You send us out there into
the dark and the dark gets us,

a piece at a time, over
years and years and years,

until I'm on a silver table,
with my jaw wired shut,

and Luke is dead and cold on the floor

with a needle in his arm.

And it was you that k*lled us,

because you sent us out there,

in the night,

in the dark.

I would never.

What did you say?

I would never.

Would you wake us up

from a dream like that?

Of course.

And keep us safe?

Of course.

But are we safe with you, Mommy?

Are we really?

What?

What do you mean, sweetheart?

Of course you're safe with me.

- [STEVE] Mom?
- [GASPS]

Are you okay?

Where are the twins?

They're downstairs.

Of course.

- Are you sure you're...
- I'm fine, sweetie, I'm fine.

Oh, I didn't see you.

Hmm.

I'm hiding.

It's amazing, a house this size,

it's really, really hard to
find a corner to yourself.

What you doing with those?

These are actually for a little
project your son is working on,

but don't tell him I told you.

It's a surprise.

- For me?
- That's right.

He's...

He's worried about you.

Are you all right?

You homeschool, don't you, Clara?

I do.

I think I understand that.

I didn't used to,

but if I think too long
about the world out there...

My little one is better with me.

I know it. I know it well.

I've always thought our whole job was

just getting them ready for the world.

But I don't know why.

I... look at my little
ones right now and...

I just feel...

terror...

at them outside those walls.

It's like I have a rock in my gut.

It's just anxiety.

And thank goodness I have Hugh.

He's my line.

I've always needed someone
to keep me grounded,

get me out of my head.

I mean, the kids are
safe, it's just in my head.

No.

No, I'm sorry,

but if you're worried
about your children,

you don't let anyone tell you
what you're feeling is wrong.

You don't let anyone tell you to relax,

especially someone who didn't
carry those souls in their core,

feel them growing.

Stand firm between the world out there

and these little souls,

because the world out there has teeth,

and it is hungry and it is stupid

and it eats and eats mindlessly.

It doesn't care that they're innocent.

You listen to your gut.

Hold the door.

Even if it makes them hate you.

Even if he does.

How much longer are you staying here?

I mean, your family.

We were hoping to be
out by the end of August

so... the kids can go to school,

but...

who knows, now that we
have this mold issue?

August is good.

Better if it's sooner.

And for you,

maybe even sooner than that.

Why would you say that?

It's just a thought.

This house...

it's a strange house.

I've worked here a long time,

and all I can tell you is that it's just

as stupid and hungry as anything else.

We don't stay after dark,

Horace and I.

And my child is not allowed
to step foot in this place.

Not once.

I wasn't even going to help
when you first bought this house.

Horace said he would be helping
your man and asked if I'd join in,

but I said no.

I didn't want to watch
anything else get fed upon.

But then,

he said it was a family.

Little children.

Two children the same age as my...

So I said I would work.

In the daylight.

To keep an eye.

It's just a house.

Maybe.

It's very different in the night.

It's different in the dark.

But you know that, don't you?

I actually, I'm going to...

take a little break.

Heading to my sister's on Monday.

Just... get some air.

Very good.

Well, I should get
these to the young man.

Let him finish his project.

I'll pray for you, Olivia.

I know that's not your thing,
but... I always do, every night,

say a prayer for your
family in these walls.

I'll say a few extra tonight, for you.

Thank you, Clara.

I appreciate that.

Ma'am.

[OLIVIA] You did this?

I mean, this is beautiful.
You did this by yourself?

Thought it might cheer you up.

- Dad said you've been, uh...
- What?

What did he say?

I'm... I just...

I know you're taking a little vacation.

I wanted to cheer you up.

[TONGUE CLICKS] Sweetie.

[SIGHS] How long are
you going to be gone?

Not long.

Not long, honey. I just
need a little time away.

It's nothing more than that. Okay?

Okay.

This is perfect.

Thank you. Thank you. I love it.

- [OLIVIA BREATHING HEAVILY]
- Mom?

Mommy?

Oh, baby.

[HUGH] Tell me again.

[OLIVIA] Why?

[SIGHS]

You're saying it was an accident?

So you accidentally put your
hand through a mirror, Liv?

- I talked to Steve.
- I can't speak to how Steve...

I talked to Steve, and
to hear him tell it...

I can't speak to how Steve tells it.

What am I supposed to do here?

What do you want me to do, huh?

I don't know. I don't know...

I think I do need help.

I think I need your help.

Or someone's. I don't...

I'm not me right now.

I just... I can't seem to find me.

You're tired.

You're stressed about the flip,

about the kids, you...

- You're stressed.
- No.

[HUGH] You...

I'm not.

I was when we got here.

I was all the things,

all the familiar things.

I was stressed and excited

and content and motivated and concerned

and exhausted and annoyed.

And grounded and nervous

and creative and proud

and... and all of the things.

But all those colors,

they're all gone now, Hugh.

And there's only one left.

I'm scared.

That's all I am.

There's nothing else.

I'm only scared.

Do you think there's
something wrong with me?

Like... Like...

Like, really wrong?

[SIGHS]

I think maybe Monday's a
little late for your trip.

[OLIVIA] I'll go tomorrow, then.

First thing.

It's gonna be okay, Liv.

[SNIFFLES] But you'll have to
handle the kids and the house...

I can handle it.

- I won't let anything happen to them.
- It's not that simple.

It is.

They'll be fine.

So will you.

Hey.

Look at me.

[SNIFFLES]

So will you.

You guys be good.

And take care of your poor,
handsome dad for me, okay?

You still haven't said
how long you'll be gone.

Not long.

Aunt Janet just needs
my help for a little bit.

I could go with you.

[SIGHS] I'm afraid not,
honey, not this time.

The cab's outside. I got
to get to the airport.

We'll be fine.

You fly safe.

Call me when you get to Janet's, okay?

I will.

- I love you.
- So much.

- Mommy?
- Yes, sweetie?

Can Abigail spend the
night while you're gone?

Like a sleepover.

Nellie said it was okay.
She can have my bed.

That's fine, sweetie.

Be good.

It's not possible.

[STEVE] Okay, Luke, listen,
you cannot just sit here...

Guys. Guys. Guys!

Quiet, it's your mom.

Oh. Hi, Mom.

[HUGH] How was your flight?

It was fine.

Ask Mom where the couscous is.

- I want the couscous.
- [LUKE] Dad!

[THEO] I'm not seriously gonna eat this.

- Tastes like cardboard.
- Abigail's coming over tonight, Mom.

Like I said.

- Tell Dad he can't just feed us cereal.
- I'm sorry, honey.

How's... How's Janet?

- She's fine.
- Well, tell her I said hi.

I'm gonna stay up so late!

[KIDS] Dad! Dad!

Hugh says hi.

- Guys! Guys!
- Dad.

- Janet says hi.
- Be quiet.

She's making margaritas.

Do you want to call me back later
when the kids have gone to sleep?

- [KIDS] Dad!
- No, you have your hands full.

- I can hear you, bud.
- Dad!

- Okay.
- Will someone help?

[DIAL TONE]

[SIGHS]

[DISHES CLATTERING]

Mom?

Mom!

Oh.

Shirley.

What are you doing here?

I'm looking for food.

Dad really phoned in dinner.

But... what are you doing here?

I thought you were at Aunt Janet's.

I just missed you all so much.

That's all.

Are you dreaming, too?

What?

You grew up so fast.

You and Steve.

Theo, too.

Kittens need their mommies
and then they don't.

Okay.

Go to bed, sweetie.

[DOOR OPENS]

[SOFTLY] Nellie.

Luke.

Mommy?

Shh...

Oh, honey, what are you do...

I'm sorry.

Who are... ?

Oh.

You're Abigail.

See? I told you she was real.

I'm sorry. Luke said it was okay.

You said she could
sleep over, so did Dad.

I don't want to get in any trouble.

Oh, aren't you just the sweetest?

No, dear, you're not in any trouble.

We were actually about to
have a surprise tea party.

Tea party?

I know, you've been so patient.

But we have to be very quiet
little kittens and follow me, okay?

Oh!

Abigail.

Would you like to join us?

It's open!

You found the key.

You want to know the secret?

[WHISPERING] We are the key.

[CHUCKLES]

[OLIVIA SIGHS HAPPILY]

No...

Liv...

No.

Ah! [PANTING]

I'm so sorry.

No, I'm... I'm sorry.

I must have dozed off.

Oh. Are you okay, sweetheart?

What are you doing awake?

I thought you said Mom
was at Aunt Janet's.

She is.

But I just saw her in the kitchen
and she was being really weird.

[OLIVIA] Abigail,

how do you take your tea?

I don't know.

Abigail's not allowed to
leave her house very much.

Hmm.

- Is that so?
- She's sneaky, though.

Like me.

[CHUCKLES]

You can't tell my mom, though.
She worries about everything.

Well, you're perfectly safe.

That's what this is all about, actually.

Making sure everyone's safe.

Always safe.

It's still a little hot.

[NELL] You blow on it.

Your cup of stars.

And when you drink it,

you hold your pinkie up, like this.

[OLIVIA] Mm-hmm.

Oh, wait.

I need mine.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Finally.

You're so beautiful, the three of you.

[LAUGHS]

I'm just...

I'm just so happy.

[BLOWS]

[SLURPING]

[DOOR OPENS]

[OLIVIA] You don't have
to worry now, sweetie.

- About what?
- [OLIVIA] What you asked me.

That really bad dream.

Of course I'd wake you.

I'm waking us all up.

What dream?

[COUGHING]

[WHEEZING]

It's okay, she's having a
nightmare. She's going to wake up.

- What's wrong?
- [LUKE] Abigail!

It's just a moment, then
there'll be no more pain.

She's safe.

Drink your tea.

[CHOKING]

- [OLIVIA] Hugh!
- Daddy!

Hey, stop!

What are you doing?

[GROANS]

[MOANS]

[GROANS]

[GROANING]

[GIRLS SOBBING]

It's Abigail in the window!

She's okay!

She's in the window!

[WHISPERING] Get up.

- Stevie, get up.
- Dad?

No, no, no.

They're in there.

He wants to take 'em away from you.

He wouldn't.

He is, doll.

[WOMAN] She lies.

She lies,

that one.

Who?

Poppy.

She's a liar.

Can... Can you help me?

What can I do for you, dear?

I need to wake up.

- [DOOR OPENS]
- [GASPS]

[HUGH] Eyes closed!

Oh, God! No!

Ah!

No...

[HUGH] Get back in the car!

[LUKE] I see Abigail in the window!

Stop!

He's k*lling them.

He's driving them into the
dark. He's k*lling them.

He's k*lling all of them.

- He's driving them toward a silver table.
- Stop.

He's driving them toward disease
and heartbreak and sadness and death,

and those teeth, those
teeth that'll tear and chew

and eat them alive a piece at a time.

Shut up!

[CRYING]

Oh, God.

Oh, God.

No.

No...

[SOBBING]

No, no, no, no, no.

Are you awake now?

He's k*lling them.

He's k*lling all of them.

It's okay, sugar.

It's just a dream.

Just a screaming meemie.

I want to wake up.

Then wake up,

and find those little
bugs safe in their beds.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

I want to wake up.

So badly.

Why can't I wake up?

[THUDS]

[KEY TURNING]

[OLIVIA] All right, guys.

Whoa, it's so cool.

- This is it.
- Huge.

Whoa.

- It's like a castle.
- Bigger than anything I've ever seen.

It's huge.

So big.

- Oh, my God, this is insane.
- Right?

Okay, don't go far, we still
need help unloading the car.

Hey, Luke, stay close. Stay...

Never mind.

- [SHIRLEY] It's freezing in here.
- Oh, don't be so dramatic.

[STEVE] It's awesome.

Yeah, and it'll be
awesome all summer long.

I gotta get my camera. Do
know which bag had my camera?

- [OLIVIA] Blue bag, still in the car.
- It smells weird, too.

[OLIVIA] You know, Dad and
I have a lot of work to do,

but once we sell it...

- We're gonna be rich!
- [OLIVIA] Don't say that to them.

- We're gonna be swimming in it!
- Whatever.

Just fix the heat.

- Are you okay?
- Yeah, long day.

Well, at least they're excited.

Mmm. It's gonna be a long summer.

Well, haven't you always
wanted an endless summer?

Did you see the staircase?

It's awesome. I mean, it's just awesome.

[OLIVIA] So many books are in there.

You guys can take books
for your summer reading.

- Where's my room?
- [LUKE] Yeah, where's our room?

- All the rooms are upstairs.
- Upstairs!

[SHIRLEY] I get the biggest one!

[STEVE] They already
picked out rooms, Shirl,

and besides, I'm the oldest so
I should get the biggest room.

Okay, wait up. I'll show you.

And we've already assigned the bedrooms,

so no fighting over the bedrooms.

[THEO] Dad, tell Shirley
I'm not sharing a room!

Are you coming?

- It's all you.
- Ah. Gee, thanks.

[STEVEN] Dad, Theo's taking the
green room! I want the green room!

[THEO] Tough luck, it's done.

I'm on my way. I'll show you.

Are you sure?

You guys go on without me.

How could we?