- (BELL TOLLS) - (PHONE LINE RINGS) - They're all dead! - What's the matter? - They're all dead! I came home, and they're all dead! - Whereabouts are ya? - Um, um,... - Every St. - What, Every St? - 65 Every St. (SOBS) They're all dead. - Who's all dead? - My family. They're all dead! Hurry up! - OK. Every St, that runs off... off... - Somerville St? - Yeah. Yeah. Yes. (PANTS) - Your last name? - Bain. - Bain. - (PANTS) - OK. We're on our way. - Hurry up! - OK, Mr Bain. - Hurry up! - Yeah, we'll be there very shortly. - (SOBS) - (SIREN WAILS) - (POIGNANT MUSIC) - Any signs of life? - We just got here. - (SIGHS) Right. Let's take a look. - (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (BRANCHES RUSTLE) - (WAILING) (WAILING) (WAILING) - Les, mate, nip back to the car, grab revolvers for these boys. - (WAILING) (DOOR RATTLES) - (SOBS) - Hey, mate, can you open the door for us? - I can't! - My dad! - Where's your dad, mate? - He's is there! - Murray. - (SOBS) (WAILS) - Shit. - (SOBS) They're all dead! - (GLASS SHATTERS) - (WAILS) (WAILS) (WAILS) (WAILS) (SOBS) - How many are in the house, mate? - Five. Five. (MOANS, SOBS) (WHIMPERS) (WAILS) - (POIGNANT MUSIC) - There's a body in here. - (BARKS) - Easy, boy. - Easy. - (BARKS) (BARKS) - (WAILS) - (POIGNANT STRING MUSIC) Captions by Faith Hamblyn. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2020. (MUSIC FADES) - (DOG BARKS) - (PANTS) - (PANTS) - (POIGNANT STRING MUSIC) RADIO: Becoming fine, southerlies dying out. The maximum 17. Christchurch becoming fine, moderate northeasterlies developing and 18, and Dunedin fine, moderate westerlies, with a maximum of 15 degrees. That's Radio New Zealand's news and weather to... - (GATE SQUEAKS) (DOG BARKS) - David. David. - Oh, morning, Mrs Mitchell. - Would you mind not coming right up on to my porch? It sets my Boris off. - Oh. Sorry. I won't do it again. - Oh, you're a good boy. - (DOG BARKS) - (PANTS) - (POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC) - (DOOR CLICKS) - (PANTS) - (DOOR SHUTS) (DOOR CLICKS) (TAP SQUEAKS) (TAP SQUEAKS) (THUD!) (DOOR SLAMS) (CLICK!) (WASHING MACHINE RATTLES) (DOOR CLICKS) - Well. Morning. How was your run? - Not too bad. Thanks. Should probably take Mum her coffee. - (FOOTSTEPS RETREAT) - Mum? Mum, are you awake? - I had a powerful dream. Oh, it was so vivid. (SIGHS) My heart's still racing. Here. Feel my heart. - I put on the washing. - Did you separate the woollens? - Yeah. - (SIGHS) There were three locked boxes. The three energies of the universe ` that could be it. - Is your father still here? - Yeah. - Yeah, every time he goes off to Taieri without a care in the world, I have to clear the house of Satan. Listen to me, David. I need time this morning to think and interpret. Something is changing. And we have to be prepared. - (DOOR SLAMS, CAR ENGINE STARTS) - Laniet! Laniet, Mum says you have to get ready for school! - I wanna buy my lunch today. - I already made you some. - Use up the blackberry jam. - I don't want jam sandwiches again. - Listen to your brother. - Laniet. - Arawa, it's 8 o'clock! - She does this every day. - I've got some perfectly good sandwiches here. - Got any money? - No. Bye. - Where are you going? - I'm meeting some friends. - Well, who's that? - Just friends, David. - David doesn't know what they are. - Yeah, well, I've actually got heaps of friends. - Mm-hm. - Mum doesn't count. - Stephen. - Mm. - St... Well, don't forget your trumpet. - Tell Steven he's got a trumpet lesson! - Yeah, I already did! - Leave those, Dave. Come and talk to me. Do you remember New Guinea, how we all looked out for each other? We were a village. - Mm. - And we kept each other safe. There was so much love. No one had to carry the weight all on their own. God wants me to tear this house down completely and start again. It'll be our own village,... a very special place. - Right. - A sanctuary of peace and safety. - What about Dad? - What about him? - Well, is he gonna be a part of this? - Well, that's up to your father. You can choose to be clear of evil, of Bel. It's his choice. - (FOOTSTEPS RETREAT) - # I've always been a rover, # summer and winter too. # Wandering the wide world over, # tramping my whole life through. # But when I start my journey, # at the dawn of another day, # I give a health to comrades, # pals of the great highway. - How was your weekend? - Mm. Very pleasant. - Margaret's been a bit crook. - Still? - But you're OK? - Oh, can't complain, Darlene. - It must be hard on the family, you being away most of the week. - Well, I like the peace and quiet. - (CHUCKLES) # I can say # night and day, # nothing ever worries me. # Nights # are cold. # Maybe I'm growing old. # - Something's going on. - Well, it's a possum. - (GROWLS) - I don't know what to do. - Sir, sir, there's a possum! - Oh dear. Let's have a look. - (BELL CLANGS) - Hey, come on, everyone ` come on. Inside. - (BELL CLANGS) - (GROWLS) - (BIRDS CHIRP) - Morning, Robin. Darlene called, said you had a possum. Little bugger. It's only an air rifle, but should do the trick, as long as you get it right between the eyes. - My boys shoot 'em in the orchard. - Right. I know. I just can't have it eating the garden the kids have put too much effort into it. - Yeah, they have indeed. Yeah, I'll do it. You might wanna look away. - (GUNSHOT) - (SCREAMS) - Oopsie. - (SCREAMS) - Missed a spot. I'll have to do it again. - (SNAP!) - (SCREAMS) - (GUNSHOT) * - Right. Here we go ` Banes against the world. - (PLAYS 'WESTERING HOME') - (SIGHS) - ALL: # Westering home, # and a song in the air. # Light in the eye, and it's goodbye to care. # Laughter o love and a welcoming there. # Isle of my heart, # my own one. # Tell me o' lands # o' the Orient gay. # Speak o' the riches # and joys o' Cathay. # Aye, but it's grand to be # wakin' each day # to find myself nearer # to Islay. ALL: # And it's westering home and a # song in the air. # - Please, sir, may I have some more? - (LAUGHTER) - Make love, not war. - Thank you. - Dad, Laniet's hogging all the meat. - I'm not. - Stephen, it's clearly you that's hogging all the meat. Come on. - Stop fighting. - No, Laniet, don't look at me like that. - Oh my God. OK. Don't be rude. - You're not having any, Mum? - (TUTS) What's this? Fat and gristle. (CHUCKLES) That's all you've left me. There's no meat, none. (SIGHS) Satan is working through all of you. Selfish. So selfish. - Well, you've gone to all this trouble to prepare this lovely meal. Let's just calm it down and enjoy it. - I will not calm down when you won't even admit what is wrong. - There's nothing wrong. - How can you say that? - Fuck this. - Laniet, sit down. - Well, have you've got nothing to say? - Actually, I might go study. Here ` have mine. I'm not hungry. - Stephen. - What? - Stephen. - Are you leaving or not, Robin? I'm not gonna sit here a minute longer. - You do what you like, Margaret. I'm not going anywhere. - (SLAM!) (FOOTSTEPS RETREAT) (CUTLERY CLICKS) (SLAM!) - (SLURPS) - (OMINOUS MUSIC) - (CUTLERY CLICKS) (ALARM BEEPS) (CLICK!) - (TENSE MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Good morning. - (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (BIRDS CHIRP) - (COUGHS) - (KNOCKS) - (COUGHS) - How are you feeling, Mum? - Well, it's the headaches that are the worst. (SIGHS) I was just looking at some old movies your dad made from PNG. - Look you kids. It was Laniet's birthday party. - Yeah. - I remember so much jelly and ice cream and cake. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - And you on your old motorbike. - OK, David. Good luck. - Yeah, we didn't even have to wear helmets back then. - It was different then. There was more time. I'd be out with the local women. I was so in touch with the land and the spirit world. Outside these curtains, no one thinks about me. No one cares that I've been lying here sick for weeks. No one's offered me so much as a glass of water. - I care, Mum. - (COUGHS) (COUGHS) There's nothing for it. I have to get myself well. The body knows how to cure itself. You have to fight fire with fire. Oh, thank you, darling. # Oh, gentlemen, listen, I pray, # though I own that my heart has been ranging. # Of nature, the laws I obey, # for nature is constantly changing. # The moon in her phases is found, the tide and the wind and the weather. # The months in succession come round, and you don't find two Mondays together. # - (LAUGHS) That was lovely. Very good, David. Now, do we think this is the best key for you? - I don't know. - Well, tet's drop it down a little. That way we can hear that lovely timbre you have. What's the matter? Well, you can't hide anything from me, David. You're out of sorts. - What if I don't get the part? - Why wouldn't you? - I wanted to get the sheet to write my name down for the Defendant, and they said that it was full. - They were just teasing. Shows you're popular. Come here. Let's try that again from the top. # Oh, gentlemen, listen, I pray, though I own that my heart has been ranging. # Of nature, the laws I obey, for nature is constantly changing. # You know what, Barbara? My voice is perfect for the Defendant. They'd be silly not to cast me. Mum thinks that I should be getting singing coaching, which, I mean, would be worth it in the long run if I wanna go professional. - What do you think? - Oh, kind of focussing on what we're doing here. Cross country's in a few weeks. - Well, I can get you tickets to the show, if you wanna bring some friends. - What's that for? - Trial by Jury. It'll be heaps of fun. - OK, I'll think about it. - The Learned Judge ` Allison. - WHISPERS: Yay. - Your understudy will be Jenny. - The Plaintiff ` Gail. - Yes! - (CHUCKLES) With understudy Simone. And the Defendant ` - Richard. - Yes! - With understudy Alistair. - Understudy. - Settle. - And the Usher ` - David. - He just tells the audience where to sit. - (LAUGHTER) - It's the court usher. He's got a big part and a solo. - That's right, David. The chorus and the smaller roles will be posted on the board, along with the rehearsal schedule. Well done, everybody. Well done. - Are you OK? You totally should have gotten the Defendant. - There's always next time. - (TENSE MUSIC) TJ: Have I done enough to wear the jersey? Gotta sweat out that fear because this is bigger than me. I do it for my fans and my family. ION4 hydration. Sweat it out witih Powerade. * - (BIRDS CHIRP) - Give me a hand, David. - Yeah, I got it, Uncle. - You right? - Yeah. - You lifting? - Yes. - We just got ourselves a new one. - Your auntie said she didn't think` - No, that's right ` yes, I said I didn't think that you had a microwave. - Have you? - Oh. No. No. - Oh. Well, they come in handy, let me tell you. - Where do you want it? - I don't know. - When you're ready, David. They're not light. Here. - Oh, here you are. I thought you'd been sick. - (PANTS) (GRUNTS) Are you going to Mum's in the weekend? - Well, it is my turn. (GRUNTS) Not that she ever thanks me for it. Oh, honestly, Janet, ooh, these hot flushes. Ooh. And I can't lose a pound. (CHUCKLES) And the headaches. Well, something for you to look forward to (!) - What are you planting? - Nashi pears. - Nashi what? - Pears. They're Japanese. - Oh. Never heard of them. - (CHUCKLES) They are going to be the next big thing. I'm planting an entire orchard, eventually. - Well, you always have such big plans. - Shall I tell you my latest? Come here. The house is coming down. All of it. - How goes the job hunting? - I think I should probably just take Mum and Auntie Jan a cup of tea. - Sit down, David. Sit. - (SIGHS) - It's been a while since you dropped out of uni. - Yeah. I'm thinking of going back. - Was that an option? Well, my understanding was you bombed out completely. Oh, it's nothing to be ashamed of. University isn't for everyone. - Mom and Dad wanted me to study zoology. - Oh. - Yeah. I'm not really into science. It's not really my thing. But I'm gonna do music. - Music? What sort of job's that gonna get you? You can't spend your whole life on the dole. - I'm happy the way things are. - I've asked around. There's a job going at a petrol station ` forecourt attendant. - No. No, thanks. - Why not? - Mum's done so much for us. She needs me. - Right. Shall we press 'return'? Good. Now, who wants to write their name at the bottom of the messages? - Me. Me. - Gene, over to you. - Thank you, sir. - We've been sending messages out on FidoNet, and we've had replies from all over ` America. (CHUCKLES) I'm glad you understand computers. This came for you. - Ah. - Is everything all right? - I applied for a new position ` larger school, closer to town, but... - Oh well. - I want a turn. - What about mine? - It's not fair. You've been on it for ages. - Now, now, everyone will get a turn. What have you written for me, Gene? - By Gene. - By Gene. That's a good start, isn't it? - (POIGNANT STRING MUSIC) - Off you go! - (CHILDREN LAUGH) - (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (WATER SLOSHES) - (SIGHS) (SLURPS) - (PAPER RUSTLES) (PAPER RUSTLES) - (INTENSE PIANO MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (PLAYS PIANO) - (DOOR OPENS) (DOOR THUDS) - Dad. - Ah. How was your week? - Boring. I asked Mum for some new jeans, and she said no, like always, - but I thought that you could buy them for me. - Nah. - You know, we'll see. So, is her mother at home? - She's in one of her moods again. - Yeah. - She's always on my case. - Yeah. Oh well. - (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - Afternoon. I'll just... - Robin, sit down. Let's talk. - (CHAIR CREAKS) - We need to set our minds to finding somewhere else to live while the new house is being built. - Is that practical? - The sanctuary is my dream, Robin. It's what God wants. Why can you not see it? - Can we afford it? - (SCOFFS) I'm the one who invests the money. If it were left up to you, we would be living under a bridge. - (SIGHS) - What happened to us? We used to be so sure of ourselves. I had a career, musical potential ` everyone said so. Ever since we came back, I feel like nothing's gone right. - Oh well. - Is that the best you can do? Oh well (?) (SCOFFS) You know, we wouldn't even be having this conversation if you'd shown a scrap more ambition, - if you had really tried. - I have tried. - You're 57 years old, and you're working in a tiny little school in the middle of nowhere. - Applying for jobs all over the place ` no one will have me. - Well, why am I not surprised? Why would anybody want you. - Well, you could go back to teaching. You could contribute. - I do contribute. - (SIGHS) - I work hard on this family and on myself. You never touch me. - Beg your pardon? - You never show me the slightest bit of affection or love. I am lonely. - You banished me from the house. You said I was infected with evil! - Because you are you. You are the devil's son. - (SCOFFS) Your plans are just too unrealistic, Margaret. - (DOOR CREAKS) - (POIGNANT MUSIC) * # In the pines, in the pines, # where the sun never shines, # and you shiver when the cold # wind blows. # My darling, darling, # what have I done # to make you treat # me so? # (LAUGHTER) - Oh, thank you. - Cheers to New Zealand. - Thank you. - Cheers. - (SNIFFLES) - (LAUGHTER) - (SNIFFLES) - No. - Aw. (LAUGHS) - (LAUGHS) - Oh, cheeky! - So cheeky. So cheeky. - (BOTH LAUGH) - It was, wasn't it? It's all right. I'm driving home. (BIRDS CHIRP) (BIRDS CHIRP) (CLATTERING) - Now, let's see what you've done to that leg of yours. Sorry, David, but we have to get in there, don't we? What if it's not God speaking to me at all? - Should we give up, just sell the house? - No, no, you can't give up. - Well, if your father won't agree to pay for it, then I might have to. - It's like you say ` things are sent to test us, and we overcome. - You're right. Of course you are. (CHUCKLES) - We shall overcome. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - Guys, there's a family meeting! Laniet! Arawa! We got a family meeting. - What's it about? - You'll find out. Stephen. We've got a family meeting. Come on. Hurry up. - Hurry up. - (PLAYS TUNELESSLY) - (PLAYS TUNELESSLY) - Laniet! - Next thing I was feeling someone was holding my hair back. And after that, I don't remember anything. - Laniet! You are so bad. - Yeah. If you only knew. - (SCOFFS) You what? - Laniet. - What? - Fuck, David, don't do that. - There's a family meeting. - Pass. - Unless you want me to tell Dad about you smoking. - Such a bastard. - (BIRDS CHIRP) - (SIGHS) - Ooh! Where's my room? - There you are. You have your own little courtyard. - Ooh. That's awesome. - (BOTH LAUGH) - It will be a sanctuary, a place of spiritual growth,... a garden of peace. And look ` the roof has a dome so we can sit out under the stars at night. - Is that my room? - It could be. - Oh, we're gonna be neighbours. - Where's Dad's room? - What's going on? Where's his room? - Well, your father still has to decide if he's going to be a part of our dream or not. - But he has to be. - Hello. - Dad. - What is it? What's going on? - We're having a family meeting. That's all. - (WATER SPLASHES) - (CROCKERY CLICKS) - I put up with a lot of, Margaret. But I will not let you throw me out of my own home or turn my children against me. - (SCOFFS) I think you're doing that yourself quite successfully. - Margaret. - Ooh, David and Arawa are good, but Laniet is full of Bel, just like her father. - Just shut up, Margaret! Just be quiet. What happened to the Jesus of love and compassion, who died for our sins? Hmm? (SIGHS) When are you gonna stop this nonsense ` Bel, the devil? - God talks to me. - Well, you know what I think about that. - Well, you like it or not, Robin, he talks to me. - He has plans for me. - I'm going down to the hole in the wall to pay the credit card. - Now? We're talking. - If we don't pay it tonight, we'll incur interest. - Robin! Robin, we need to talk. I was` ...taking it` ...slow. Stealth as. Pretty chill. Hung a right. Left. Boom. (SIREN WHOOPS) (BRAKES WHINE SOFTLY) SOFTLY: Oh no, no, no, no, no. (BREATHALYSER BEEPS) OK. That is a fail. (SIGHS SOFTLY) (EXHALES SHARPLY) (INDISTINCT RADIO TRANSMISSION) (SCOFFS SOFTLY) RT: We're just gonna go 4Q. (SIGHS SOFTLY) * - Robin. (SIGHS) God told me you have to leave this place and never come back. - I already stay outside like the poor relation. Isn't that enough? Where would I go, Margaret? Hmm? Tell me that ` where? - You have to let me go. - Why are you doing this? I'm too old, and I'm too frightened to start all over again. I'm terrified of what you'll do to the children. I've been patient, Margaret. But you need to get it into your head ` I'm never leaving. I want us to be a loving couple again. - Mum. Are you OK? - (DOOR OPENS) - Mum. What's wrong? - This is between your father and me. - (DOOR CLICKS) - (POIGNANT MUSIC) - (ENGINE REVS) - (BOTTLES THUD) - (SNIFFLES) - (DOOR CREAKS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (SIGHS) - (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Do you wanna go to Daddy? Here you go. (GASPS) Ooh, ooh, ooh, careful. You have to put your hands there. Ooh. (LAUGHS) - (TENSE MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - All right. You take that door. I'll go this way. - (MUSIC CONTINUES) (FOOTSTEPS CLICK) (FOOTSTEPS CLICK) (BEADS RATTLE) - (POIGNANT MUSIC) - We've got another body down here! - (WAILS) - (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Four bodies. - He said there were five. Pretty sure. - Christ. All right. Let's check again. - What do you reckon we're looking at? - Dunno. Murder-suicide? This bloke flips out, takes out his family, and then himself. - Well, what about him? - It's lucky he wasn't home at the time, I'd say. - (POIGNANT MUSIC) (MUSIC FADES) - What's that? - (CURTAIN CLICKS) - (MUSIC CONTINUES) - WHISPERS: Oh, fuck me. This one's just a kid. - Luckily he put up a hell of a fight. - (WHIMPERS) - You right there, mate? - (WAILS) - Oh shit. - Black hands! - Come on. Let's get you out of there. - They're coming to get me! - Right. - Argh! They're coming! (WAILS) - I need some help! - (SHRIEKS) - Can we get the ambos in here? - Yeah, go get them. Should be safe enough now. - Just relax. It's all right. - Black hands! - Just relax. - Black hands! They're coming to get me. (SOBS) Help me. Captions by Faith Hamblyn. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.