ALYSSA ANNE CAMPBELL DYLAN ERICA FESTIVE_GUEST FESTIVE_GUESTS GRACE HOTEL_OWNER JOSIAH KELLYN LUCAS SHERIFF YOUNG_CAMPBELL GRACE How'd you know I was alone? GRACE Well he could have been with me so GRACE I know, but maybe try not to completely destroy my life GRACE the next time you're lonely. GRACE I mean… GRACE Yeah. GRACE Yeah, I set a really high standard for… GRACE ALYSSA Excuse me? Ma'am? ALYSSA Excuse me? I know you can hear me. ERICA Oh shit. ALYSSA I knew you saw me in the parking lot. ERICA Okay so we're just walking into somebody else's… ALYSSA This is exactly as I pictured it. ERICA What the hell does that mean? ALYSSA Not the specifics, ALYSSA but the tone the tone fits. ALYSSA Erica Shaw. I Googled you. ERICA That's not less unsettling. ALYSSA When I hired you to do my sister's funeral ALYSSA I looked up a few businessreviews online, ALYSSA but I had no idea my sister was getting a video send off ALYSSA from…"one of the most promising new voices ALYSSA in American documentary." ALYSSA Wow. What happened? ERICA You Googled me. ALYSSA For the record, there's no way you could've known ALYSSA that that kid was… ERICA Lotta work. ALYSSA Excuse me? ERICA I have a lot of work. ERICA I have a deadline. I'm in the middle ALYSSA How did you know? ERICA What? ALYSSA The house. ALYSSA Red. A frame. ERICA You gave me the photos I cut everything together ERICA according to aesthetic continuity ALYSSA I was the only one she told about the affair. ERICA How did you know? ERICA I saw it. ALYSSA Saw what? ERICA I saw the truth. ERICA The thing behind what everybody else sees. ERICA It just happens sometimes certain people, ERICA pictures, places. I have an instinct or… ALYSSA A gift. Isn't that what you used to call it in interviews? ERICA Yeah thought that sounded real cool when I was 20. ALYSSA Until of course… ERICA Can I point you toward a grief counselor or a therapist ERICA or someone who I don't know ERICA isn't in my apartment? ALYSSA I didn't come here to talk about my sister. ALYSSA I have another job for you. ERICA Another dead relative? ERICA I'm sorry that was…that was out of line. ALYSSA A different kind of job. ALYSSA More in line with what you used to do. ALYSSA Not a real documentary not yet, at least but my father ALYSSA Campbell Bradford has lived quite a life ALYSSA what I know about it. ALYSSA He comes from this small town in Indiana West Baden ALYSSA Midwestern, forgettable, whatever… ERICA I just make funeral videos now. And weddings ERICA if it's a light month, that's all ALYSSA I figured someone with your unique skill set… ALYSSA might be able to uncover… ALYSSA a little bit about…who he was there…his history… ERICA I'm not the right person ALYSSA The advance will cover… ALYSSA as much as you'd make if you worked every single day ALYSSA for the next two months. ALYSSA You should go see him before you leave for Indiana ERICA I didn't say I was going to do this… ALYSSA It would be good to meet the inspiration… ALYSSA for your next film. ALYSSA I've already booked a room for you. ALYSSA Just wait till you see the hotel down there. ALYSSA Ah! I almost forgot, my sister ALYSSA found this in my father's safe, when she was going through ALYSSA his things and getting them in order. ALYSSA It's a relic from West Baden. ALYSSA I thought you might find it useful or interesting ALYSSA or whatever. ALYSSA It's the only thing that survived the crash. ERICA Jesus… ERICA Okay… ERICA Mr. Bradford? ERICA Campbell? ERICA My name is Erica Shaw. Your daughter hired me to ERICA Well, I don't know exactly. ERICA But she's used to getting what she wants. Isn't she? ERICA Level with me Campbell, she's part witch, right? ERICA I knew it. ERICA Got to say most people look pretty nervous on camera, ERICA but you look totally unfazed. ERICA ERICA I like your taste in music. ERICA It's haunting…nice. ERICA Okay well whenever you're ready. ERICA Let it all out. Hopes. Dreams. Regrets. ERICA ERICA Okay, she can't say I didn't try. ERICA Hello! ERICA You messin' with me, Campbell? CAMPBELL ERICA Oh, come on. ERICA All right. Okay. It's good. It's a good one. You got me. ERICA Well, you feel like talking? CAMPBELL Yes. ERICA Holy shit. He speaks. ERICA Pardon my a… CAMPBELL It's all right. It's fine. ERICA Okay so this job I'm supposed to find out about your past ERICA before Chicago if you feel like saying anything? CAMPBELL There's not much to say. ERICA And whatever you do say is only going to be when I'm looking ERICA through the camera? Is that right? CAMPBELL ERICA Okay, gotta admire your commitment to the bit. ERICA Tell me about the town. WestBaden, is it? CAMPBELL Nice place to hide. ERICA Hide? CAMPBELL Disappear. ERICA Why would you want to disappear? CAMPBELL It's the river. CAMPBELL It runs deep under the whole town. CAMPBELL Never find you in there. ERICA Who wouldn't? Can we go back? Why would you be hiding? ERICA I'm confused. ERICA Tell me about the river. ERICA Look, I don't want to press you, but ERICA this might be your only chance to tell your story ERICA and your words. ERICA No? ERICA Okay. Uh…what about this? You know anything about this? ERICA Does this mean anything to you? CAMPBELL His blood. CAMPBELL His name. ERICA Who's name? CAMPBELL You should not have this. ERICA Your daughter gave it to me CAMPBELL It's the seal. It's broken. CAMPBELL What have you done? ERICA I'm sorry I thought it was just… CAMPBELL What have you done? ERICA Why is the bottle so important, Campbell? CAMPBELL ERICA Why is the bottle so important? ERICA Mr…. ERICA Campbell? JOSIAH Wait'll you see the inside. DYLAN Never gets old, does it? DYLAN Are you here on business or for the Rebirth Festival? ERICA Um… DYLAN No no definitely business. DYLAN I can tell I can always tell, but if I may be so DYLAN I hope you'll be joining us for the big event. DYLAN You might be thinking you know, but, trust me, you don't. DYLAN It is fun for the whole are you here alone? DYLAN Doesn't matter, you're going to love it. DYLAN I'm Dylan. I run all the special events here DYLAN none more special than our yearly festival, DYLAN which I truly hope you'll be able to attend. I don't think that DYLAN I'll put you down as a maybe leaning yes. DYLAN Don't underestimate the charm ofthis place. DYLAN We'll get you one way or another. DYLAN Business or rebirth? ERICA LUCAS What have you done? ANNE You try the water? ANNE Famous for water down here. Springs. ANNE People used to say it cured everything from cavities ANNE to cancer. ANNE Figure whatever you're dealing with might fit somewhere ANNE in there. ERICA Is it that obvious? ANNE "You're too young to be askin' the bartender ANNE to turn down the music." ERICA It's just a headache. ANNE Where you from? ERICA Uh, you know, I'm not really in the ANNE Message received. ANNE Sometimes a woman just needs to drink alone. ANNE All by herself. ANNE An island. ANNE Even in a world where we've already lost all sense ANNE of community, and the only real contact we have anymore ANNE is through the internet and the email… ERICA Chicago. ANNE I love Chicago. ANNE I mean, it's been years, decades. ANNE Used to take the train there all the time with my husband, ANNE before the kids. ANNE Trains haven't run in years, ANNE but the tracks are still out back, just off the property. ANNE Used to be the only way in or out, ANNE if you were coming from out of town. ANNE Now, well, it's almost too easy to get here, innit? ANNE Anne McKinney. ERICA Erica. Shaw. ANNE What brings you to West Baden, Ms. Shaw? ERICA I'm a filmmaker. ANNE Fancy. ERICA Not really that kind of, ERICA um, it's a documentaries… ANNE You're making a documentary about the hotel? ERICA "I don't know exactly, uh, actually IU's sending me ERICA an intern she's gonna be here any minute so I should go…" ANNE Rebuilt in 1902 after it burned down for the second time, ANNE I mean, forget aboutdeath and taxes, this hotel is the one ANNE true certainty in West Baden. ERICA Yeah… ANNE I mean, ANNE look at it. Really look. ANNE Like one of those churches you hear about ANNE in Italy or somewhere like that. ANNE Sure is somethin', innit? ANNE You probably already heard about the Festival of… ERICA Rebirth? Yeah I met Dylan. ANNE Yeah…sounds corny, ANNE maybe it is, but ever since I was old enough ANNE to have memories, I've never missed the festival. ANNE Not once. Hard not to celebrate something this special. ANNE From the ashes. ERICA From the ashes. ANNE So what's it about? ERICA What? ANNE Your documentary? ERICA I wouldn't really use that word to describe it. ERICA It's more of a characterprofile… ANNE Look I don't want to stick my nose into anything, ANNE but, I am sort of known as the unofficial historian ANNE of the Springs Valley. ANNE Got a world of knowledge about a speck of land. ERICA ANNE So if there's anyone you want to know something about, ANNE round here, I am definitely the one to… ERICA Campbell Bradford. ERICA You know him? ANNE It's gettin' late. And you got that intern comin' in, so… ANNE Good luck, Ms. Shaw. KELLYN We actually met, like five years ago, I was at this line, KELLYN for a movie panel thing, and um, KELLYN I was actually wearing this cardigan KELLYN and, uh, we locked eyes, but you left before I got the chance KELLYN to it wasn't cause I sorry that I I didn't KELLYN mention anything about the you know the fandom, KELLYN when I applied to be your intern, I just I didn't want KELLYN to creep you out or make things super weird… ERICA You were cool with lying though. KELLYN Omission lies they're like so not… KELLYN I'm sorry but, come on. KELLYN C'mon. Song of the Sick, Dead Special… ERICA Okay. KELLYN Dead Special KELLYN behind the scenes… ERICA Congrats, ERICA you're aware of IMDB… KELLYN All The Little Breaks… ERICA And you hacked my Vimeo account. ERICA Jesus. KELLYN Recognize it? ERICA Why would I recognize… KELLYN Milt Staley. Asleep at the wheel. ERICA How did you get this? KELLYN Ah, soon as it started streaming, KELLYN that kid was on eBay selling practically anything KELLYN that showed up in the dock. I tried to buy his Mustang KELLYN but, uh, that's a pretty cool consolation prize. ERICA It's probably a fake. KELLYN But it looks real and it's sharp as fuck, so… KELLYN I don't mean that, I'm, KELLYN I'm your biggest fan. KELLYN No, really I have read every old interview of yours. KELLYN I the way that you talk about process, KELLYN how projects found you, how they haunted you, KELLYN how you would channel certain. KELLYN I mean, people they always get so precious about having KELLYN some sort of psychic connection… ERICA That's not a word I would use… KELLYN Right. I wasn't… KELLYN It's always fate. ERICA Oh, God. KELLYN Those are your words. You you said that shit. KELLYN I don't even believe in fate, or whatever, KELLYN but us, in this moment, in a place like this, KELLYN it's it kind of makes you believe KELLYN that everything happens. ERICA Okay, just get to it. KELLYN What? ERICA Just get to the part ERICA where you ask me "what happened?" KELLYN I know what happened. KELLYN Lonnie Wilkes. Some Kind of Hell. KELLYN And there's no way you could've known. KELLYN No one could've seen that coming. Not even you. KELLYN After your film got his case overturned, KELLYN what he did to his family the day he got out. KELLYN It's not your fault he ended up being a total monster. KELLYN You chased down that film with everything that you had, KELLYN and you made something beautiful. KELLYN You made something beautiful. KELLYN That was the first thing of yours I'd ever seen. KELLYN I was 16 and and it changed me. KELLYN It did. KELLYN Now, anyone can ask, "what happened?" KELLYN And the real question is, was it worth it? ERICA What? KELLYN Putting yourself out there like that. KELLYN And creating real beauty only to… ERICA Lose it all? ERICA I still see him, just him. ERICA Sometimes the family. ERICA It wakes me up out of a deadsleep. ERICA It keeps me up. KELLYN You almost got an Oscar, though. ERICA KELLYN So? ERICA So…what? KELLYN So what do you see like like here? ERICA What do I see? KELLYN I mean, are you picking up on like a certain vibe? KELLYN Are you getting a certain a place like this KELLYN or someone like you, there's got to be all kinds of… ERICA Campbell Bradford. KELLYN Who? ERICA I don't know what the story is ERICA or the angle, if there even is one, ERICA but, um, wedefinitely don't have anything until we find out ERICA who Campbell Bradford is or… ERICA Or was, when he was, um, here. ERICA That's the job. KELLYN How hard can that be? KELLYN Erica? KELLYN You okay? KELLYN Erica? ERICA ERICA Let's go somewhere less here. ERICA Really? KELLYN Google West Baden nightlife. KELLYN There's like a bar area… ERICA Sold. KELLYN So, we doin' roulette with the old couple or Penny slots KELLYN with the oh…yeah, that guy is actually dead. KELLYN Look, I don't wanna to be weird about things… ERICA Like, obviously. KELLYN Now that we're working KELLYN together, you know, this…is a really big deal for me KELLYN collaborating with Erica Shaw. KELLYN Are you cool with me calling this a collaboration? KELLYN Cause this really feels like a collaboration. KELLYN I'm definitely getting like a collaborative vibe KELLYN happening you do you know him? ERICA Who? KELLYN The guy you're staring at. ERICA What guy? KELLYN But he's…he's walking this way right now. KELLYN Just so you know, tomorrow, when you regret this, KELLYN I had no part in any of it. JOSIAH It's you. KELLYN Oh so this is like an established thing… JOSIAH I work at the hotel. ERICA I stay at the hotel. JOSIAH Josiah. ERICA Erica. KELLYN Kellyn. I'm Kellyn, hi. JOSIAH You play Blackjack? Saved a spot for you over here. KELLYN Oh, cool. That's cool. Thanks. JOSIAH Oh wait, so I don't understand, so it's like a movie movie or… ERICA It's like a home movie for somebody else's family. JOSIAH And they pay you for that shit? ERICA Yeah, it's honest work, sort of. JOSIAH No work is honest if you're doin' it for someone else. ERICA Cool, so you actually own the hotel? JOSIAH Oh wow… ERICA Yeah. JOSIAH Yeah, see, you're welcome, set you up perfectly for that. ERICA JOSIAH Be somethin', though, wouldn't it? ERICA What? JOSIAH Ownin' that place. ERICA I don't know. Seems like a lot of work, ERICA can't even keep my apartment clean. ERICA What? JOSIAH You don't fool me. JOSIAH Erica from Chicago. ERICA Oh, no? JOSIAH No, you do not. You can sit there, you know, JOSIAH act like you're cool, laid back, but you got it too. JOSIAH The sickness. I can see it in your eyes. ERICA What do you mean by that? JOSIAH You want more than you got. I know…because I have it, too. JOSIAH "Look, this, this maintenance thing, JOSIAH I mean, this is like a temporary, kinda JOSIAH look I've done it all here. I was a bartender. JOSIAH I was a mechanic's apprentice, blasted limestone JOSIAH for a couple years. Oh yeah. ERICA Yeah? JOSIAH Yeah, that is a job. JOSIAH Yes, indeed. I actually JOSIAH I still got all my gear in the car. JOSIAH You need me to blow up a wall or something. ERICA Hey, I might take you up on that one day. JOSIAH JOSIAH Uh, you know, it is what it is. JOSIAH Be honest with you, it's best job I ever had. JOSIAH The worlds designed to kick your ass, JOSIAH but you get yourself a drill, a little dynamite JOSIAH and you can be your own force of nature. ERICA Yeah, why'd you give it up? JOSIAH Boss was a dick, pay sucked. JOSIAH And besides, I always knew I was meant for bigger shit. ERICA World dominance? JOSIAH Yeah. Yeah, why not? JOSIAH I mean, that's right up there on my list of shit to d JOSIAH I mean, you know, I might start with running a business, JOSIAH first, maybe. Josiah Bradford Incorporated. ERICA Bradford? JOSIAH Well yeah, I mean, maybe my name goes on there, JOSIAH maybe I make some shit up like Microsoft. JOSIAH Point is, I got plans, okay, a lot bigger than this valley, JOSIAH sure as hell bigger than that hotel. ERICA To Josiah Bradford Incorporated. ERICA So you grew up in West Baden? JOSIAH What? ERICA You, uh nothing. ERICA What about your family? You guys been here the whole time? JOSIAH Yeah. My family? ERICA Yeah. JOSIAH Wait… JOSIAH what are we what are we talking about? ERICA Nothing. Just ERICA Look, I didn't mean to… JOSIAH Some fuckin' room, right? ERICA Yeah, um, uh, yeah everything here's… JOSIAH You know I've lived here forever. JOSIAH I work at this goddamn place. I've never actually been JOSIAH in one of these rooms. JOSIAH Must be nice. ERICA Josiah… JOSIAH I you know what I think I'm gonna go I'm gonna go. ERICA No, c'mon, stay. Let's, um, let's have a drink. JOSIAH What's that? ERICA Nothing. It's just this this thing. ERICA Come on. Let's have a real drink. ERICA Sorry I, um, I didn't mean to pry. ERICA Maybe it's just because you ERICA you've lived here your whole life, but this town, ERICA and maybe it's the hotel JOSIAH it really puts you in a weird place. JOSIAH And anyway, it's nice to talk to somebody who knows JOSIAH what it's like to grow up in a place… JOSIAH Ugh, tastes like shit. ERICA Did you just… JOSIAH Cold as fuck, too ERICA You know, you really shouldn't just come… JOSIAH S sorry, I didn't sorry I didn't mean to… ERICA Yeah, maybe you're right. JOSIAH What? ERICA Maybe you should go. JOSIAH JOSIAH Hey, hey, look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do ERICA It's fine. JOSIAH No, seriously, I'm… ERICA I said it's fine. JOSIAH What? What is it? ERICA Nothing. You should go. JOSIAH Erica… ERICA Go. HOTEL OWNER Look, Campbell, you're going to just have to accept HOTEL OWNER the realities. YOUNG CAMPBELL Quiet… SHERIFF S'cuse me? S'cuse me, miss? SHERIFF Wonderin' if you could help me out. SHERIFF Have you seen him? Wanted for murder. SHERIFF Possible kidnapping. Still might have that boy with him. SHERIFF Perhaps a closer look will help you. ERICA DYLAN And the thing no one tells you about being detail oriented, DYLAN is that you have to see the big picture first. DYLAN In order to see anything, DYLAN in order to get anything accomplished. DYLAN Oh look who it i…s DYLAN Are we a definite yes on the festival, yet? ERICA Oh, I just have to check my schedule. DYLAN Long night? ERICA Excuse me? DYLAN No, it's just you seem a little… ERICA I guess I better get back to my work. DYLAN Looks like someone needs the water. ERICA Sorry? DYLAN First time guests get a complimentary session DYLAN in our mineral baths. DYLAN Now they say the water here is magical for a number of reasons, DYLAN but first and foremost, it's the perfect hangover cure. DYLAN C'mon. DYLAN Yeah that sulfur smell lets you know it's the real deal. DYLAN I mean, the Pluto Water Company started pasteurizing this stuff DYLAN in the 30's, to give it more of a shelf life. DYLAN Some say that killed the waters magic, but not this stuff, DYLAN it is straight from the spring. DYLAN So whaddya say? Ready for a rebirth of your own? ERICA Maybe some other time. DYLAN Sure, sure. The water's certainly not going anywhere. JOSIAH What the fuck, man. Still down here! ANNE Something nice about it. The past. ANNE Stick around long enough, you lose everything you ever loved. ANNE But the past is always there. ANNE Fully intact. Perfect. ANNE Just waiting for you to come home. ERICA Sorry. Okay. ERICA Yeah, don't suppose I could get you to say that again. Could I? ANNE Why? ERICA I just want to separate you from the wall. KELLYN Oh, um, I think we can make it work… ERICA No. ERICA And I wanted to make sure I'm getting a… ANNE I'm old, but I'm not stupid. ANNE You didn't come here for local color. ANNE You want to know about Campbell Bradford? ERICA If you're not comfortable… ANNE It's fine. But you better get the lighting exactly ANNE how you want it 'cause I'm sure as Hell ANNE not sayin' any of this again. ERICA Fair enough. ANNE Campbell Bradford. Hadn't heard that name for awhile. ANNE Doesn't seem to fadeaway, though. ERICA You knew him? ANNE Well, not personally, my daddy did though. ANNE Talked about him, like, theboogey man, ANNE or somethin' worse. ANNE 'Cause he was real. ERICA Why can't I find any info about him or his family? ANNE The Bradfords well, ones around here, anyway ANNE never could catch much luck inthe longevity department. ANNE Only one I can even think of his great grandson Josiah… ERICA We've met. KELLYN ANNE Kid's been a mess his whole life, ANNE can't blame him, I guess considering. ERICA Considering what? ANNE Well, havin' a man like Campbell in your line, can't imagine. ANNE He made his name in blood. My daddy wouldn't even look me ANNE in the eye when he'd talk about him. ERICA But he still talked about him. ERICA Why? ANNE Certain stories they just refuse to die. ANNE No one could touch him. ANNE Not the law, not anyone. ANNE Thought the town was his. ANNE Couldn't get the hotel, though. ANNE The owner refused to sell it to him. ANNE Didn't think Campbell was worthy of a place so perfect. ANNE Special. So, Campbell killed him. ANNE Beat the owner to death, ANNE right in front of the man's only child. ANNE Did it, he just took the boy. ANNE Sheriff went looking for him after that, ANNE but Campbell killed him too. ANNE Even had someone from the FBI come down from Chicago. ANNE So Campbell finally skipped town for good, ANNE right after burning him alive. ANNE Found that Feds body in a pile of ash along the riverbank, ANNE but all they ever found of that child, was his violin. ANNE You okay, dear? ERICA M'hm. ANNE Suppose that's Campbell Bradford in a nutshell. ANNE Kind of person so evil, you get him in your head, ANNE you'll start seein' him everywhere. ANNE It's a miracle this hotel, ANNE this town survived him at all. ERICA Maybe they didn't. ANNE What? ERICA Campbell's alive, barely, but I've met him. ANNE But that's not possible. ANNE ANNE The the years and his his age it's not… KELLYN Okay, maybe we should take a little break… ERICA I've met him, Anne. ERICA He's with us. For now. ANNE ERICA I really don't mean to press here. ANNE I'd be careful, I were you. ERICA What do you mean by that? ANNE If you don't know by now, you will. ERICA Maybe he's changed. ANNE Changed? ERICA Maybe he found love ERICA or God, or… ANNE At my age, one of the only things I know for sure ANNE is that people, they don't change. ANNE Just become more of what they really are. ERICA I get that, I do. I'm I'm just asking you to keep an open mind. ERICA Yeah, I know that it's your father, ERICA but but you're the one who wanted to know the truth ERICA about this story. You're the one who wanted to know. ERICA No, I understand I understand that, I'm not stupid. ERICA Of course. It's just okay. All right. ERICA The people around here, ERICA when you mention the name Campbell Bradford, they… ERICA I'm sure you were hoping for a different version of this story, ERICA but this is it. This is the I'm telling you ERICA this is so much bigger than anything you can imagine. ERICA No, you're not hearing me! ERICA The most important thing is for everybody to know the truth. ERICA That's the most important thing. ERICA And you you could've hired anybody ERICA you could have hired some hack, but you called me ERICA because you wanted you wanted to know that… ERICA What? This woman. ERICA Okay, yeah, so you're gonna come down here and what? ERICA You're going to rip the camera out of my hands? ERICA No, I don't… ERICA Honey, I don't give a shit about the rest of the money. ERICA This is my story now, too, and nobody, ERICA especially not some North Shore bitch, is going to stop me ERICA from getting… ERICA Fucking entitled… JOSIAH That fuck has a family in Chicago? ERICA I'm sorry, I should have told you as soon as I knew ERICA who you were… JOSIAH And he's still alive? ERICA Yeah. ERICA Yeah, he's got days left, if that, but he's still ERICA Josiah… JOSIAH What's he like? ERICA He's old and frail and… ERICA Honestly, it's hard to imagine him as… JOSIAH Pure evil? ERICA Yeah… JOSIAH JOSIAH This guy, this piece of shit, monster, JOSIAH he terrorizes this place long before my time, JOSIAH then he just bails. JOSIAH Starts over. Pretends it didn't happen. JOSIAH Well, he fucked up the whole lot of us, JOSIAH like every branch of the goddamn family tree JOSIAH was just snapped in half. JOSIAH And I'm the only one still here. ERICA Yeah, why? JOSIAH The Campbell curse. JOSIAH They said that shit like it was a joke… JOSIAH You know? JOSIAH Definitely wouldn't mind a few minutes alone with the guy. JOSIAH Hop a bus to Chicago. Tell him to fuck off. JOSIAH Maybe worse. JOSIAH 'Least he made a name for himself though, right? JOSIAH Heard he almost bought this place back in the day. JOSIAH And here I am, fixin' it up for ten bucks an hour." ERICA You don't think you're worth more than that? JOSIAH Do you? ERICA Maybe you can. JOSIAH What? ERICA Tell him to fuck off. ERICA You all right? JOSIAH Yeah, yeah, yeah. ERICA You got this. ERICA Be ready. KELLYN You got somethin' prepared, or… ERICA Just be ready. ERICA Okay. Let's start with your name and how you're related ERICA to Campbell Bradford? JOSIAH Uh, my name is, uh, do am I lookin' at the camera? ERICA Just look at me. Just a conversation. Easy. Relax. JOSIAH JOSIAH My name is Josiah Bradford. JOSIAH Campbell was is my great grandfather. ERICA And how, would you say, is your relationship with Campbell? JOSIAH Well, I've never JOSIAH I mean, no, I never we already talked about… ERICA I know. I just need it for context. JOSIAH Oh sorry…uh… ERICA It's all right. ERICA How would you say is your relationship with Campbell? JOSIAH Never met him. I mean, ran off and left his wife JOSIAH and daughter long before I was even… JOSIAH Is this even, I mean JOSIAH they're not gonna wanna hear me say this shit. ERICA Doesn't matter what they want. What do you want to say? JOSIAH Why I don't this doesn't really… ERICA Say it. JOSIAH What are you… ERICA Say it. JOSIAH Fuck him. JOSIAH Fuck Campbell Bradford. How's that? ERICA Why? JOSIAH Why? ERICA Are you all right? JOSIAH What? ERICA You seem a little… JOSIAH No, yeah yeah, I'm fine. JOSIAH I'm just, uh, you know, a little weird with the camera. ERICA Is that it? JOSIAH Wha what do you want I mean… ERICA I just I do this for a living so I can tell the difference JOSIAH between somebody who's camera shy and somebody that's scared. JOSIAH The Hell's that supposed to mean? ERICA It means I think you're scared of this man ERICA that you've never met and I'm curious as to why ERICA that would be… JOSIAH I ain't scared of shit. ERICA Your hands are shaking. Your voice has an unsettled quality ERICA about it… KELLYN Erica maybe we could keep… ERICA I don't know why your body tenses up every time ERICA I say the words Campbell Brad… JOSIAH Because he killed them. ERICA Killed who? JOSIAH Everyone. My my mom, JOSIAH she OD'd when I was in high school. JOSIAH Sophomore year. Spring. JOSIAH It rained that day, I remember that. JOSIAH Her mom my grandma died that summer. It was an accident. JOSIAH Accidentally stepped in front of a train. JOSIAH Who does that shit? JOSIAH Goddamn Bradfords. An aunt I never met, JOSIAH stole grandma's car when she was like twelve. JOSIAH Drove it off a bridge. JOSIAH Ya know, by mistake, of course. JOSIAH My mom's brother, Uncle Ross, funny as shit, JOSIAH drunk as shit, too, choked on his own vomit one night JOSIAH 'bout ten years ago. JOSIAH Yep, that shit really happens, not just to famous people. JOSIAH His two kids, both my cousins, they got caught up JOSIAH in some shit with the wrong people, you know, JOSIAH not that they were the right people, necessarily, JOSIAH but never murdered anyone, as far as I know. JOSIAH Found one of 'em shot dead in his living room. JOSIAH Other got his in prison. JOSIAH All right, uh, anyone else wanna smoke? ERICA Thought you said Campbell killed 'em. JOSIAH Just me? ERICA Sounds like bad decisions or bad luck maybe, ERICA but I don't know if I would call it… KELLYN I'm pretty sure you can't smoke in here. JOSIAH Yeah, right. Um, right, I'm just gonna step out. ERICA Does that comfort you? JOSIAH 'Scuse me? ERICA Putting your family's mistakes and problems on a man ERICA you've never met, is that fair? JOSIAH What the fuck is this? ERICA No, no I'm sorry, no, no, no. JOSIAH No, this isn't what you said JOSIAH we were going to be doing, acting like all this shit JOSIAH is on me. Turn the camera off. ERICA Let's talk… ERICA No, we just want to… JOSIAH Turn that shit off ERICA Okay. Yup. KELLYN All right, I will. ERICA Okay, it's off. ERICA It's off. ERICA Shit, sorry. Um, can we just talk, just you and me? JOSIAH Fuck just happened here? ERICA I'm sorry, it can you please sit down so we… JOSIAH You just want to talk? ERICA Yeah. ERICA Okay, so, these things can get heated ERICA and it's easy to get caught up in moments. ERICA And but can I just tell you? ERICA Can I tell you how brave I think you are? ERICA What you're doing right now. ERICA Listen it's easy to make me the bad guy ERICA and feel like I'm pushing you in directions ERICA that you don't want to go, but think think about it. ERICA Think about where you were going before I got here ERICA before you were willing to deal with this monster. ERICA And what he's done to your family… JOSIAH Family's dead. ERICA But you're not, you're still here. ERICA And you're going to be all right. ERICA You're going to fuckin' survive this. ERICA Less, of course, you keep selling yourself a story ERICA that your family's cursed, instead of taking responsibility ERICA for your actions. ERICA Campbell curse is that what you'd called it? ERICA Sounds more like a Bradford problem to me. JOSIAH Bradford problems. ERICA Yeah. JOSIAH I like that. JOSIAH It's like the whole nature nurture thing, JOSIAH are we born pieces of shit or do we pick that up JOSIAH from our surroundings? ERICA I'm not trying to imply that… JOSIAH You're tryin' to say I'm stuck here because of JOSIAH shit town, JOSIAH shit job, I ain'ttryin' to put that on Campbell. JOSIAH I fuck up, yeah. JOSIAH Secret's out. JOSIAH I could've found a girl. JOSIAH Had some good ones, but I always wanted the others, JOSIAH the ones just out of reach. Could've learned a real trade JOSIAH make five times what I'm makin' now, JOSIAH but there's no way that I am going to look JOSIAH in the mirror every day, JOSIAH come to terms with the fact that I'm just a… JOSIAH plumber, mechanic. JOSIAH I didn't quit that blastin' job, they fired my ass. JOSIAH Real professional discourtesy, if you ask me. JOSIAH You see, I kept stealin' materials, JOSIAH takin' 'em home at night, I wanted to try out JOSIAH some more innovative ways of turnin' walls into rubble, JOSIAH force of god damn nature. JOSIAH You rig that shit just right, JOSIAH one call from one of these, JOSIAH that's all you need to take down an entire building. JOSIAH That's right. JOSIAH I can do more damage with this phone JOSIAH than a full demolition crew. JOSIAH So how am I supposed to sit there JOSIAH with some old ass detonator, goggles, hard hat and shit, JOSIAH some goddamn grunt, when I know there's a better way? JOSIAH You know what that's like? JOSIAH Feelin' greatness in your bones, JOSIAH getting so close. JOSIAH Knowin' it's right there. JOSIAH Knowin' damn well you deserve it. JOSIAH JOSIAH So, yeah, ain't tryin' to blame my "Bradford problems" JOSIAH on anyone but me. JOSIAH But the curse, JOSIAH Campbell's only real gift JOSIAH to the family, well that's in the blood. ERICA What? JOSIAH Death. JOSIAH When you have it runnin' through you, you just know. JOSIAH KELLYN What the fuck? ERICA Josiah… ERICA Josiah… ERICA Josiah… JOSIAH JOSIAH What, uh… ERICA If you need a moment, ERICA we can… ERICA Josiah… KELLYN Wha okay what just happened? ERICA Put that on the laptop. KELLYN Okay, but didn't that seem a little… ERICA You wanted to know how this was done. ERICA You wanted to know how I make something beautiful. ERICA You want in on the process, this is how it's done. ERICA Let me know when you're finished. CAMPBELL You should have sold me the hotel when you had the chance. CAMPBELL 'Cause if you aint built for greatness. CAMPBELL You best not mess with it. HOTEL OWNER JOSIAH Hello? JOSIAH Someone in here? CAMPBELL Ain't no curse. That's a gift. JOSIAH Who the fuck are you? CAMPBELL Oh, you know… CAMPBELL My blood. My name. CAMPBELL Only good things you have. CAMPBELL You can't run from what you are. CAMPBELL You, sure as hell, can't run from me. JOSIAH Campbell? JOSIAH No… KELLYN We need to talk. ERICA Holy shit. He speaks. Pardon my, uh… ERICA why don't you tell me about the town. ERICA West Baden, is it? ERICA Hm, why would you want to disappear? ERICA Can we go back, I'm a little confused, ERICA why would you be hiding? ERICA I don't understand what… KELLYN Oh, it gets better. ERICA What about this? ERICA Does this mean anything to you? ERICA Whose name? ERICA Well your daughter gave it to me, she… KELLYN I can't tell if you're crazy or full of shit. ERICA Kellyn… KELLYN I kinda have my money KELLYN on both right now. ERICA Yeah… ERICA Ever since I started drinking the water… KELLYN The what? ERICA The water in that bottle ERICA that I got from the woman who hired me. KELLYN Jesus Christ. ERICA It's been strange. ERICA It's it's different than the usual glimpse ERICA from the past that I get. ERICA It's like every time I take a drink, ERICA the past comes here to me. It's… KELLYN It's probably giardia. ERICA No, it's not. This is what we've been working toward. KELLYN No no. KELLYN God, look at you. ERICA We are so close to finding out about Campbell. ERICA All we need is one last piece that perfect image ERICA is just going to tie everything together. ERICA That's what we need. We just need a little more time. ERICA Hey, this is real. This is… ERICA If I'm crazy right now, then everything I've ever done ERICA all the work that that changed your life, ERICA all the work that you love then that's all bullshit too. KELLYN Never meet your heros. ERICA Oh, c'mon c'mon… KELLYN Okay, people always talk about the darkness KELLYN in your films, Erica. KELLYN This bleak, violent, horror shit. KELLYN It was never the darkness that drew me in, though. KELLYN God, I had enough of that in my day to day already. KELLYN The shit I'd seen I probably could've been one KELLYN of your subjects… KELLYN No. KELLYN No, it wasn't the darkness, KELLYN it was how you made your way through it. KELLYN You stood in the middle of some of the most fucked up lives KELLYN and you refused to look away, to even blink. KELLYN You showed me something that I knew, but I couldn't see myself. KELLYN Your work…it didn't change my life… KELLYN It saved it. ERICA Well good… KELLYN Okay, with all due respect KELLYN to your process or whatever, I think you need KELLYN to go find someone to talk… ERICA No, no, no, ERICA you don't understand. You don't understand. KELLYN No, I don't. ERICA Something horrible ERICA is going to happen here. KELLYN How can you possibly know that? ERICA Lonnie Wilkes. KELLYN What? What the hell are you even talking… ERICA The whole time I was working with him, ERICA I knew people were gonna die and I never did anything ERICA about it KELLYN Okay, you got played KELLYN by a sociopath. You cannot carry that… ERICA I knew that he was guilty. ERICA I mean, face to face, I bought it, like everybody else did, ERICA but but, ERICA every so often, I would see it. ERICA He played the part. ERICA But I knew. ERICA I knew exactly what he was. ERICA And, um… ERICA …it… ERICA it just just worked better… ERICA if he didn't do it. ERICA My involvement, the wave, the film made real life change. ERICA That was the story. KELLYN But his family…his… ERICA I know, I know, I know. ERICA I know. I know people died ERICA because I walked away from the truth. ERICA I can't everdo that again. ERICA That's why I can't ever do that again. KELLYN Unless it makes for a better ending, right? ERICA Do you really think you would've done something different? ERICA If if you were that close to something ERICA you've wanted your whole life? ERICA You could taste it. ERICA You really think you'd be able to do the right thing? KELLYN No. KELLYN That's why I am leaving. ERICA LUCAS No! ERICA CAMPBELL You wanna know about me? CAMPBELL Now, you know. CAMPBELL You brought me here. You did this. KELLYN Erica? KELLYN Erica? KELLYN Hey, Erica… KELLYN Wha, what, what the hell are you doing? ERICA He's here he's here. KELLYN Who's here? KELLYN Out cold. ANNE Shame she'll be missing tonight's festivities. KELLYN The Rebirth thing? KELLYN Sounds like some bullshit to me. ANNE If you lived here, you'd understand. KELLYN If I lived here, I'd leave. KELLYN Sorry. KELLYN I know you…just something about this place. ANNE Somethin' about every place. KELLYN But you didn't see her last night. KELLYN I mean, either she's completely lost it or… ANNE Or what? KELLYN She says he's here now. ANNE Who? ANNE Oh. KELLYN Just tell me that she's crazy, KELLYN that I'm crazy for even thinkin' that this is actually, KELLYN you know… ANNE What do you see? KELLYN What? ANNE Well, look around, what do you see? KELLYN What are you… ANNE Go on, do it. KELLYN I see…a building. ANNE A building. KELLYN People, getting ready for a party. KELLYN Little ass sandwiches on trays. KELLYN What exactly am I supposed to be… ANNE I see a town, refusing to let anything, ANNE anyone keep it down. ANNE What do you think she sees? KELLYN So which one of us is right? DYLAN Hi, how are you? Yes. Hey guys! DYLAN Hey guys, don't worry, you it's 10 after…let's go. FESTIVE GUEST From the ashes! FESTIVE GUESTS From the ashes! KELLYN Erica? KELLYN Erica? ANNE Oh, Jesus, you can't just sneak up on a person like… DYLAN Oh, glad to see you decided to join us this evening. DYLAN This is a fun interpretationof "formal attire." KELLYN Uh, have you seen Erica? DYLAN Miss Shaw? No, not since last night's incident. DYLAN Not everyone takes to the water, I suppose, DYLAN but I really thought… KELLYN The water the fucking water. DYLAN No, no. The pool is closed for the festival. DYLAN You probably shouldn't go in there! JOSIAH They'll all be dead before you get 'em to stop dancin'. JOSIAH Run now. JOSIAH You'll probably make it out. ERICA Kellyn? KELLYN You really believe all that shit? ERICA What? KELLYN Cambell and everything that he actually KELLYN what happened with Josiah… ERICA Yeah, I do. ERICA I mean what you think… KELLYN I don't think that you can KELLYN just become a monster, KELLYN not without having some of that in you to begin with. ERICA Well, Josiah was… KELLYN Give me the phone, Erica. ERICA What? KELLYN Josiah's phone, please… ERICA Why what does that have anything to do with… KELLYN Give me the phone! ERICA Listen, I have the camera set up outside. ERICA It's just one shot, but it's one big wide shot ERICA of the whole place and I really think we should get it ERICA before we ruin these people's festival. ERICA I mean, my God, it's gonna be local news and cops ERICA and it's just it's kind of hard to get the music going ERICA after something like this. ERICA I really think it's a shot I've been we've been trying to. ERICA I really think we have something here. ERICA I know, I know. We've been through hell, ERICA we've been through hell here. ERICA Just trust me, please. Can you just trust me? Just this once. ERICA It's gonna be okay. ERICA Just imagine the story we'll have to tell ERICA once this whole thing is over. ERICA CAMPBELL Your mine now, boy. CAMPBELL But you will never have my blood CAMPBELL or my name.