The Tell-Tale Heart Page #2

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Pray that she?! show me

the way out.

Oh, my love, I did this for you.

I've paid this price for us.

To purchase our escape

from the hell that torments me,

that torment's us.

I will not break.

Too many pieces taken.

Too many pieces of me torn away.

Too many pieces of my heart!

Beaten, stolen,

broken.

Sean.

Jesus.

Now, calm down.

It was just a dream.

Calm down.

I don't rightly recall bourbon

being the recommended

treatment for memory loss.

Matter of fact, it's most

often used to forget,

although with limited success.

On a more serious note,

this will cause you to forget

everything, eventually, Sean.

This mixed with your pills

could kill you.

I couldn't sleep. Well, it's my

own fault for leaving it here.

I'll take the blame this time,

but no more drinking.

Come down

when you feel up to it.

What time is it'?

You slept most of the day

away already, Sean,

but the evening is still open.

We still have a lot

of work to do.

I need coffee.

So, you must be the new

meat for the grinder.

Excuse me'?

You gonna get that'?

Nah, I was waiting for it

to bother someone enough

to come fix it.

And, uh, you are'?

Ariel.

Sean.

Breakfast?

Uh, well, it's a little late

for breakfast, wouldn't you say'?

No, not for you, not in the

literal sense of the word.

You, uh, smell like you had

quite a time of it last night.

You look like hell.

You really should consider

eating something.

Here, you finish

prepping the eggs.

I'll get the pan ready.

So, how long

have you worked here?

Or are you, uh,

are you a patient?

Interesting.

So, you just met me,

and my choice

is either the Mad Hatter

or Nurse Ratched.

Which would you prefer?

I didn't mean it like that.

I just mean what are you doing here?

Well, I'm cooking.

Couldn't I be the cook?

I'm wearing an apron

and everything.

I was just wondering why

you were here, that's all.

Well, let me ask you something.

Sean the hobo.

How long were you out

there riding the rails

before the old man took pity

on you and took you in'?

What'?

I am doing exactly what you did.

I assumed, because you smell

like whiskey and crab water,

that you must be

a crazy homeless man.

I'm sorry, I didn't,

I didn't mean to judge.

I'm not some crazy hobo.

Actually I'm here because,

I'm having a problem

with my memories.

Well, if you can't remember

anything,

then how do you know you're

not a crazy homeless guy'?

Consider yourself lucky

you're not remembering.

Why is that'?

Well, if you can't remember anything,

then you can't regret anything.

No bad decisions.

Everything's brand new.

I never thought

about it like that before.

So why are you here?

What's wrong with you'?

Boy, you are

a direct one, aren't you'?

Well, I guess I might as well

spill my guts to you.

You won't remember it anyway.

It's not like that at all.

I, uh...

My memories get fuzzy,

they go in and out, that's all.

You sure

don't get sarcasm, do you'?

As if I am about to spill

my guts to a perfect stranger.

I am, however, more than

happy to dispense advice.

Well, I've seen so many

doctors in my life,

I'm used to spilling

my guts to strangers.

Those things

will kill you, you know.

I mean, they might

not stop your heart,

but they can end

what's special about you.

So, how long you here for'?

I'm not sure yet.

Hmm, let me see.

Yep, you keep taking these,

you're gonna be here forever.

Yeah, I don't think so.

The doctor's told me that...

That these would help you'?

The only thing

that's gonna help you...

is in here.

You get your mind right...

you'll be free.

That's my advice.

I feel like I've met you before.

Only time will tell.

Oh.

I gotta get home

before I turn into a pumpkin.

Wait, wait, home?

You don't live here? So many

questions and we just met.

What about your breakfast?

Oh, that.

You can have it.

I hate eggs.

You cook for me next time.

How do I find you'?

Just click your heels

together three times.

Sean.

Yeah, I'm coming.

Do you Play?

I have.

Not for many years.

Like riding a bike they say.

I always hated this part.

Once the game begins,

I can see what to do,

but I never know how to start.

The great unknown, huh'?

Well, you have the most

freedom at the beginning.

There really

is no wrong first move.

Except not to make one.

Your move.

What do you dream about, Sean'?

I have enough trouble

remembering life.

I don't really focus

on what's not important.

I see.

And the result'?

The same.

Everything stays liquid.

It's like I'm trying

to grab at water.

Everything just falls

through the cracks.

As we play, the number

of moves left, shrink.

At first, there are more moves

than there are people on Earth.

In the end, it will

come down to just one.

Your move.

What's the last thing you

remember before coming here'?

I'm sorry, what'?

Your brain is a muscle.

It needs exercise.

Let's start

with something simple.

What's the last thing you

remember before arriving here'?

View of the city

from the bridge.

I remember watching the

bridge from the ferry.

What color was the ferry, Sean'?

I don't recall.

Focus.

What color was the ferry'?

I can't remember.

White with red trim.

My options seem to be limited

at this point, Sean.

Hmm.

I never was much good

at checkers.

Now, chess, there is a game.

Do you Play?

I recall how the pieces move,

just not any of the strategies.

I thought we were

gonna play chess.

Well, we need

pieces first, don't we'?

Wood carving.

The job of the carver is easy.

You simply cutaway

everything that isn't needed.

Course there's no going back.

You can't add to a carving,

only take away.

Yes, I get it, but won't

this take along time'?

Well, what

would you suggest we do'?

The mind is tricky.

It has supposedly

limitless ideas and scope,

yet occupies no more space

than a pitcher of water.

Now, pay attention.

The trick is to cut away

from yourself.

If you try to remove

too much at once,

you'll crack the carving.

Here, practice.

And every day

try to finish a new piece.

Much better game

than checkers at any rate.

Do you make all your

students learn this'?

Ariel didn't mention

anything about it.

Ariel?

When did you meet her'?

She was cooking in the kitchen.

I see.

Sean, I don't think

it's a good idea

for you to get too involved

with the other patients.

They're here

for their own reasons.

It would be of no benefit or interest

for you to interact socially with them.

It would only be a distraction.

I didn't think anything of it.

She seemed like a nice girl.

I don't think that she

was trying to... Sean.

You need to focus, pay

attention, take your medication.

As far as you're concerned,

you and I are the only

people in this house.

Try and hold your focus, Sean.

Will do.

I had begun to feel

myself taking control.

Could feel my strength growing.

I knew something

was just not right

about the old man

and his cold, dead eye.

I would wake

and sneak to his door

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