Voice from the Stone Page #2

He became a danger to himself

and to others.

- Then he should be in hospital.

- No, absolutely not.

No.

- Signore, I'm no longer sure

I can care for your son.

- Why?

- I have been misled

about what is required.

I must consider whether I am

properly qualified.

- You're just like the others.

I await your decision.

Jakob.

Jakob! Jakob!

Help me down.

You scared me, Jakob.

But you've helped me

realize something.

I can't leave you.

I once knew a boy

who thought he could hear

his dead sister

through the teeth

of an old comb.

He would sit with it for hours,

listening and whispering

his secrets.

He was as sure of what he heard

as you are.

The mind is capable

of extraordinary things.

It is your mind that is

speaking to you, Jakob,

nothing else.

I'm not saying that...

That what you hear isn't real,

because anything we experience

is real in its own way,

but it's...

It's not what it pretends to be.

It's important

to understand that.

I want to hear you speak.

But I am not your enemy.

I care about you.

What is it?

You wish to leave?

Jakob?

- Lucia...

Ugolina...

Angelica...

La signora Malvina.

- Jakob?

Come with me, please.

I think you're afraid

that if you speak,

the voice will cease.

Come.

We'll listen together.

I'll tell you what I hear.

It's strange...

The sounds.

One could imagine

almost anything.

But she's not there.

I want you to stop this.

The dead do not speak.

I know it, Jakob.

I know it well.

However hard we wish them to,

the dead remain silent.

Good night, Jakob.

Your father told me

you have her gift.

What would she say if she knew

you might never use it again?

She must have spoken

about the future

before she died...

About the wonderful things

that lie ahead for you.

Try to remember what she said.

And imagine what she might say

now if she could see you.

- Buongiorno.

- Signore.

- There's a story

about that cat.

It was the custom amongst those

building houses such as this

to... to seal a cat

within the walls

as a protection against evil.

- A dead cat?

- No.

Not dead.

- That's horrible.

- Of course.

I-I'm a fool

to speak lightly of it.

Forgive me.

- Jakob will be waiting.

- Yes.

- now, if you were to play,

it would mean only

what you wanted it to mean.

Play for me, Jakob.

Perhaps I was wrong earlier

when I spoke about your mother.

Perhaps your silence

wouldn't horrify her

as it does me.

It is said that a true performer

cares only for the love

of her audience.

Perhaps...

Your silence

is a fitting tribute.

More adoration

as she leaves the stage.

What are you telling me, Jakob...

That I'm wrong

or that I'm right?

You can t...

I do it to help you, Jakob.

- The boy was upset today.

- He's sick.

He needs help.

And he's breaking

his father's heart.

The boy...

Is all that matters.

He is the future.

Look at yourself...

How beautiful you are.

Give me your hands.

Oh.

They're strong,

like hers.

He will not speak to please you.

The boy will speak

when the time is right.

He's waiting.

- But he's waited long enough.

Surely that is clear to anyone.

- When he speaks...

Where will you go?

- To the next place.

- Oh.

Lonely child.

- There's a story about that

cat within the walls.

He's waiting.

- Oh.

I wondered if Jakob

was still here.

- No.

- May I see?

- If you wish.

It's my wife.

She was the worst

possible model...

Restless, complaining.

She was the worst

and also the best.

- And this one?

- I have not worked

in many months.

- It was to be of her.

You cannot finish it,

so you abandoned it.

Perhaps to see you work,

it would help Jakob.

Perhaps it would signify hope.

- Yes.

Perhaps.

- Hello?

Lilia?

- I keep it clean for her.

She was here at the end.

We nursed her day and night...

Me and the boy.

He saw terrible things.

He heard...

Terrible things.

When she died, I washed her...

A-and tidied her hair.

The room upsets you.

Oh, you've torn your dress.

- Uh, yes.

Yes, I-i wondered

if I might borrow some thread.

- I have an idea.

- Oh, no.

No, no, I-i couldn't.

- Wait.

- I ca... i really...

Please, I really can't.

- Let's see. This?

No.

Try this on.

See how it fits, huh?

Brava. Bellisima.

Ah, Perfetto.

Bellisima.

- I-i-i tore my dre... my skirt.

- Take it off.

- Yes.

No.

No.

Put it on.

Put that one away.

- Signore.

- Please.

I have something to ask.

You may very likely refuse.

- What is it?

- I saw this afternoon

something I had previously

failed to notice,

certain resemblances

between you...

You and my wife.

I...

I-I think you know

what it is I ask.

If I have offended you,

I apologize

and ask that we forget

the matter entirely.

Your work here

will be unaffected.

- Look at yourself,

how beautiful you are.

- Your left leg forward.

Your hand.

Yes, your hand.

Your head.

This way, yes.

Just a little more.

Don't move.

- Bring them in.

Bring them in.

- Jakob.

Jakob.

I'm here.

I'm right here.

Jakob.

- I'm going to look after you.

I promise.

You're hurting him now.

Let me care for him.

Let me care for them both.

Is it her?

Or is it me?

- You wanted to see me?

- I think it's time for us

to review the progress

of your work,

to discuss any changes

in Jakob's behavior.

- He needs me.

I can help him.

- And yet he has still

said nothing.

It's for me to protect him,

and now I have made

things worse.

- She wants me here...

To take care of Jakob and...

And to take care of you.

The voice is real.

- You're mad.

Yes.

You said it yourself...

Serious condition.

I should have paid

closer attention.

Instead of helping Jakob,

you've made yourself unwell.

Now you hear whatever you wish.

- No.

- Yes.

Why would she speak to you

and not to her husband?

- Please don't send me away.

Please.

- I must do what is best,

above all, for Jakob.

- Jakob!

Jakob.

He's going to send me away.

Tell me what I must do.

Tell me.

Tell me.

Tell me.

Tell me. Tell me.

Tell me.

Tell me.

Tell me.

Tell me! Tell me!

Tell me. Tell me.

Tell me!

- Jakob.

Jakob.

Another woman will come.

This is how it must be.

- We must help her.

Jakob.

Jakob, listen to me closely.

Your mother

is watching over you.

But she is suffering.

She is tired.

And she is trapped.

Jakob,

we must help her.

We must help her.

You know what you must do.

Jakob.

Jakob. Jakob!

Jakob, stop!

Jakob!

Jakob!

Stop, Jakob!

Jakob, no.

No, no, no.

It's time.

It's time.

You have to let her go.

No. Jakob.

No, it has to be now.

Do you understand?

He will send me away

if you don't speak.

Speak.

Speak.

Speak! Speak!

Speak!

No.

Jakob.

- This is how it must be.

- What are you doing?

- I must leave.

- No.

- Sir, she's given me

her illness.

- You have a fever.

That is all.

You don't have to leave.

I want you to stay.

Forgive me. We've been

under her spell too long...

Not only Jakob, all of us.

- I can't.

- No, Jakob needs you.

Please.

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