The Skeleton Key Page #4

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increasing precipitation...

across the coastal areas and moving

rather quickly to the north.

The main forecast concerns

centers around potential...

Hi, Ben.

I' m gonna show you something.

It's going to be our secret. You and me.

Violet says you didn't have a stroke...

in the attic. She said some ghosts...

made you this way with a spell.

Is that what you think?

Because I know a spell, too, Ben.

One that makes you better.

All you have to do is believe it.

Backwards.

Cleanse this man.

Cleanse this room.

Cleanse this house.

His words have gotten lost,

lost and wandering in his mind.

Let the water run down...

and wash away this condition.

His tongue has gotten tied,

tied and tangled in his throat.

Let the water run down...

and wash away this affliction.

Send his voice to go free.

Let the water run down...

and wash away-

[Thunderclap]

[Struggling] Caroline.

[Struggling] Caroline.

It's all in your head.

Help. Help.

Ben, talk to me. Keep talking.

Help me.

Help you? Help you how, Ben?

Get me out of here.

VlOLET:
Caroline?

Get me out of here!

Sh*t!

- Caroline!

- Just a second.

Caroline, open this door!

What are you doing to him?

Ben, why? Get out of here, why?

- Caroline!

- One second!

Caroline, open this door!

I'll help you, I promise. Just talk to me.

What happened to you in that attic?

Tell me who you're afraid of.

What have you done?

What is this?

He was...

- He was struggling in his sleep-

- Get away from him.

- Get away from him.

- He was struggling.

VlOLET:
It's all right.

I brought water.

You were talking to him?

I was just telling him a story

to settle him down.

- About what?

- Just a story.

No ghosts.

That'll be all tonight, Caroline. Thank you.

I'll come back to check on him-

No, that won't be necessary.

That's all for tonight. Good night.

It is time, Lord.

It is time, Lord.

Grace.

Caroline?

Caroline.

Mrs. Devereaux?

Her and her ghost sh*t.

CAROLlNE:
That attic is filled

with this stuff.

Recipes. Spells. Books of them.

Records of them.

I understand your cause of concern...

but my family is superstitious, too.

We're called Baptists.

- This is different.

- It's charming.

Local color.

You said yourself

you were worried about him.

Well, now I'm worried about you.

You know?

Are you a nurse or a detective?

When did you first meet the Devereauxs?

Just before he had his stroke.

They were looking for a lawyer

to update their wills.

Did you ever think that

maybe she knew something...

was gonna happen to him?

How? Like tarot cards in the attic?

A seance in her sleep?

I want to know why the last girl quit.

Hallie. Some folks to see you.

HALLlE:
You a superstitious person?

CAROLlNE:
Not per se.

HALLlE:
I told my mama

where I was working.

She said that house has been

nothing but blood and tears.

That the last owners were

some rich brother and sister.

Crazy people, supposedly.

They died of strokes

right after they sold the place.

Maybe they found something they shouldn't.

Maybe now Ben did, too.

It may be their mess in that room...

but ain't no ghosts

put a spell on that old man.

She did.

- Do you believe that?

- Don't you?

But I heard it can't hurt you.

I mean, it can't hurt you if you don't believe.

Then I suggest you leave that house

before you do.

LUKE:
For God's sake, this is insane.

The man had a stroke.

CAROLlNE:
That isn't what he thinks.

And you're gonna take him away

from her? From his own wife?

- How can you believe-

- I don't believe. I don't.

The point is, he does.

Stop the car.

- Stop the car.

- Why?

I've been here before.

I'll show you. It's not just them.

See the line across the doorway?

It's brick dust.

Hoodoo. Keeps your enemies

from coming across.

See the bones hanging?

This stuff's got a hold on people out here.

Yeah, but it's not real.

It doesn't matter if it's not real.

It's real to them.

[Voice from record]

What's wrong?

This music. I know this music.

You sure this is a good idea?

Hello?

Mama raised a gentleman.

CAROLlNE:
Hello?

Excuse me. Ma'am?

We heard the music, your record.

I was wondering-

WOMAN:
There's no record for anyone here.

How about records by a man named Justify?

How do you know that name?

Who sent you?

Who else is in here?

- Someone else in here?

- It's just me, ma'am.

Stop now. Don't you go touching-

Do you know a record called

the Conjure of Sacrifice?

Because I have it, if you do.

You had that, you wouldn't say so.

You do know it.

The strongest conjuration of all.

They say Justify discovered it...

but he got killed

before he learned to work it.

Him and his poor wife both.

It's never been found.

What does it do?

It keeps you from dying.

Not forever, but for a while.

How?

You have to sacrifice somebody...

and take the years that they have left.

CAROLlNE:
Hurry up! He's alone with her!

Hang on, Caroline! Wait! Sh*t!

Now you got me spooked.

If I get proof that she's out

to hurt him, will you stick by me-

- By "hurt him," you mean kill him.

- Will you or won't you?

Just listen to yourself.

Fine. Goodbye.

What are you gonna do here,

kidnap him?

You know something's wrong

between them. You know it.

Let me make some calls.

See about grounds for...

a restraining order, protective custody.

You're not gonna get a search

warrant till tomorrow anyhow.

Then that'll give me tonight.

I'm all he's got, Luke. Me.

Get the proof. Okay?

Mrs. Devereaux, I'm back.

No. Where's the record?

It was right here.

Mrs. Devereaux,

could you come here for a second?

oh

Caroline, I was beginning to worry

about you...

you were gone such a long while.

CAROLlNE:
It's really raining out there.

VlOLET:
It's supposed to pour all night.

Keeps up like this,

that swamp's going to rise...

and ruin my flowerbeds.

Did you want to see me?

Yeah, I was wondering if

you could take a look at this?

There's a leak up here.

They're all over the house.

They're just rainwater.

Yes, but if you look up close...

Come on in. I could show it to you better.

Well,I...

Actually, I have supper on the stove.

I shouldn't leave it.

- lt'll just take a second.

- I can see perfectly from here.

You want this for the sill?

All right.

Could you come into the room please,

just for a second?

So I can show you what I'm seeing.

You're a funny one, Caroline.

I'll make us some tea.

And, Caroline?

After you've given Mr. Devereaux

his remedies...

would you be so kind

as to join an old lady for supper?

- Well, l-

- Wonderful!

We should have done it days ago.

I've made something real nice.

[lko lko by the Belle Stars

playing on record player]

We're leaving tonight.

VlOLET:
Caroline!

Supper.

[Thunder clapping]

How's your gumbo?

I haven't started.

Would you like sugar for your tea?

I put it out for you.

No, I don't think I'll have any sugar tonight.

But I thought you liked it.

You always have sugar in your tea.

You think I'm senile, don't you?

Ghosts in the attic. Spells on my husband.

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