Wraith

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1

[girl's voice] The wind blows

wherever it wants.

You can hear it,

but cannot tell where it comes

from or where it is going.

Just as you cannot explain how

people are born of the spirit.

[music playing

over car radio]

[turns ignition off]

- [sighs]

- Wait.

What?

Where are the keys?

Babe, remember,

I have them.

Just because you wouldn't

let me drive

doesn't mean I can't

at least open the door.

[laughing]

Are you okay?

Shh!

[mumbling]

[door creaking open]

Shh!

Congratulations, you passed

the "key in the lock" challenge.

[woman giggling]

I see.

[muffled chatter

through walls]

Guys, no.

[man]

So how's our mood?

[woman]

I am always in the mood.

[man]

I know you are...

Are you kidding me?

Gross.

[music playing over earbuds]

[boy whispering]

Mama.

[whispering]

Hey.

Did you hear that?

What?

I heard something.

Like what?

What'd you hear?

Like Lucy,

but not Lucy.

[sighs]

Maybe I didn't hear

anything.

Was it a dream?

Yeah.

Yeah, maybe.

No, I don't think so.

[girl's voice]

I don't want to die.

It's not time

for me to die.

[Lucy]

You got to be kidding me.

[door opens and closes]

Hey, Mom, Dad!

I told you I was going through

some hard times in business.

A rough patch.

Mom has a job.

We don't have to move.

I love the thought sweetie,

but being a writer

doesn't mean I have a job

unless somebody

buys my writing.

It's kind of like putting

a "for sale" sign out front.

I mean, it doesn't mean

anything's sold

until somebody

wants to buy it.

We're just keeping

our options open.

This is where we live.

You can't sell it

for that reason alone.

Well, someone would have to make

a really good offer

before we'd even consider

saying yes.

Now, the people who built this

house back in 1800-something,

they built it

for themselves.

They never planned on anybody

else living here.

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, this house, it's not meant

for anyone in particular.

We'll be here for a short while,

just like the people before us.

And we certainly won't

be the last ones to live here.

Not the way

this place was made.

You don't get it.

This is my home.

I live here.

You know, when we first

moved here,

the thought of living in an old

house with an historical vibe,

it was great.

But the maintenance

is never-ending.

The taxes are killing us.

I mean, people

are always outside

like it's some sort

of tourist attraction.

What maintenance?

The plumbing.

I mean, the pipes are ancient.

- The roof.

- The yard.

Grass just keeps

growing and growing,

whether somebody

cuts it or not.

Dad doesn't have a job.

He can cut it.

Plus, winter's coming.

Stuff stops growing.

Problem solved.

The house is a bit big

for a family of three.

I think it's time to let

somebody else live here.

You already

made up your minds!

I hate you guys.

[sighs]

Well, we've talked about this

time and time again.

I know.

Just give her some time.

[camera shutters clicking]

[sighs]

[camera shutters clicking]

[sighs]

Oh, really.

Great.

Now?

- Happy birthday to you

- Happy birthday to you

- Happy birthday, dear Lucy

- Happy birthday, dear Lucy

- Happy birthday to you

- Happy birthday to you

All right.

- Happy birthday, sweetie.

- Make a wish.

- [laughs]

- All right.

Well...

- Well?

- Well, what?

Oh, my goodness.

[sighs]

I forgot the gifts.

Oh, no.

- Yeah.

- Mom?

- Maybe next year, hon.

- Dad?

So not cool.

[both laugh]

You know, I think I might

have seen a few things

in the living room.

- Did you see...?

- Oh. Yeah, maybe.

Maybe some sparkles and bows.

- Come on.

- All right, let's go.

Come on, squirt,

give us some credit.

You know how special

birthdays are around here.

All right, I got it.

[mother]

Yeah, grab a few.

[sighs]

[father]

How about this one first?

[mother]

So, what'd you wish for?

[Lucy]

Can't tell you.

- [mother] Ugh!

- [father] What?

Can't tell us

or won't tell us?

[mother]

Yeah.

[Lucy]

It's kind of weird.

[mother laughs]

Okay, well,

happy birthday, anyway.

[blows]

Hello?

Somebody there?

[father]

Oh, man.

[mother]

No kidding.

[father]

Whoa.

Holy...

I mean, how'd that happen?

The usual way.

[laughs]

[sighs]

The party night?

Yeah.

I think our little...

after-party.

[groans and laughs]

You sure?

I mean, as much as I can trust

the little pee sticks.

I'm going to go see Dr. Green

for a follow-up next week.

[sighs]

All right, well,

let's assume it's for real.

What then?

Then it would be

ridiculous.

I mean, right?

I'll be home

a little early tonight.

Jack Simmons is coming over

for a quick drink.

Jack? Really?

What's that about?

He's thinking about teaming up.

Talking about a new start-up.

Isn't he sort of the boy

who cried wolf at this point?

Well, can't argue that he made

the right call

on that pharmaceutical

start-up.

Yeah, but that was then,

wasn't it?

Yeah.

Hey, sweetie, you want to go out

to dinner tonight?

Just you and me?

Jack still has some

of his family money.

Along with my reputation,

I think we can get

even more investments.

What's the concern?

I don't mean to put

the kibosh on anything,

but I just... I don't always

feel comfortable around Jack.

My dad partnered up with a guy

one time who was not,

to say the least,

his style.

But, uh, you know,

sometimes it takes all types

to get it done, right?

I suppose.

This house is haunted.

How so?

Last night in my room,

I just felt I wasn't alone.

Well, are you sure

your iPad was turned off?

Knew I could

count on you, Mom.

You know, the house

is over a hundred years old.

Squeaks and drafts,

kind of comes

with the territory.

I'm sure there's nothing

to worry about.

And, you know,

spirits and ghosts...

you know all that's BS, right?

Don't tell me a house like this

doesn't have at least one ghost.

Well, when we bought the house,

the ghost box wasn't checked.

What if this

is a new ghost?

How can a ghost be new?

Like you're an expert

at anything.

Lucy!

[scoffs]

[clock ticking]

[sighs]

[TV turns on]

Dennis?

Dennis?

Dennis?

Luce?

[turns TV off]

[woman, on TV] ...heard us say that

we needed to get back on the wagon.

They put us back

on the wagon.

I was like, "What is going on

here, Adam?"

And he's like, "Well, this isn't

a beginner workout.

You're essentially

a beginner right now."

[woman, on TV]

...other documents,

it's time to clean house

in "Smart Woman:

What to Keep, What to Toss."

Someone in our community

will win a few furn...

[sighs]

[dog barks]

Oh!

Oh! Oskar!

Oh, sweetheart.

You poor baby.

I'm sorry, buddy.

There you go, buddy.

Oh, good boy.

I'm so sorry.

[knock on door]

[Dennis]

Honey, will you get that?

[Lucy]

Yeah.

[mother]

Who is that?

[Dennis]

Probably Jack.

Wow, look at you.

You are growing up.

What grade are you in now?

- Eighth.

- Eighth grade.

Well, that is a great grade

to be in.

Mm-hmm.

Ah. Hey, Dennis.

Will you take a look

at little missy here, huh?

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