S4E04
Chapter Four: Dear Billy
Max faces her darkest moment as the curse closes in.
š Transcript
Stranger Things ā S04E04 ā Chapter Four: Dear Billy | Full transcript [dramatic music echoing] [owl hooting] [Jonathan] Iām sorry. Iām having trouble understanding any of this. I mean, what exactly is going on in Hawkins? Whatās doing these killings? Thatās what weāre trying to ascertain. Where is El, like, right now? For her safety, itās best you donāt know. This is insane! This is insane! So this training to get Elās powers back, how long is it gonna take? Could take weeks, could take months. Months? Until then, agents Harmon and Wallace will stay with you. Weāre not in danger. Our friends live in Hawkins. My family lives in Hawkins. Iāll work to contain the situation until Eleven is ready. In the meantime, it is of vital importance you do not speak to anyone about this. [scoffs] No. No way. I know this is difficult to understand. Itās not difficult. This is impossible. There are factions within our government who are working directly against Eleven, who are, in fact, searching for her as we speak. We canāt risk contact. If they learned about any of this, it will jeopardize Eleven. And if Eleven is jeopardized, so are your friends. And so is your family. [scoffs] So, what? Weāre just supposed to trust that youāre the good guys? Whoever you are? Weāre friends of Owens. [dramatic music continues] Eleven trusted us. Now weāre asking the same from you. For you. [Jonathan sighs] [Will sighs heavily] [door slams] [dramatic music continues] [tires screech] [dramatic music builds] [Max] It was here. Right here. A grandfather clock? [clock chiming] It was so real. [clock ticking, chiming] [Max] And then, when I got closer, suddenly I justā¦ [Dustin] Max, come on. [Steve] Max? ā¦I woke up. [eerie audio distortion] [panting] [Dustin] It was like she was in a trance or something. Exactly what Eddie said happened to Chrissy. Thatās not even the bad part. Fred and Chrissy, they both came to Miss Kelley for help. Uh, they both were having headaches, bad headaches that wouldnāt go away. And thenā¦ Then the nightmares. Trouble sleeping. Theyād wake up in a cold sweat. Then they started seeing things. [unsettling rustling] [screaming echoes] Bad things. From their pasts. [moans] These visions, they justā¦ They kept on getting worse and worse, until eventuallyā¦ Everything ended. [police radio chatter] [police sirens ringing] Vecnaās curse. Chrissyās headache started a week ago. Fredās, six days ago. Iāve been having them for five days. I donāt know how long I have. All I know is that, for Fred and Chrissy, they both died less than 24 hours after their first vision. And I just saw that goddamn clock, soā¦ [Max breathes shakily] ā¦looks like Iām gonna die tomorrow. [distant clang] Stay here. [lamp clattering] [uneasy music playing] [distant clattering] [footsteps approaching rapidly] [all yelling] Itās me! Lucas? Itās me. Jesus, whatās wrong with you? Iām sorry. I couldāve taken you out with this lamp! [panting] Sorry, guys. Sorry. I wasā¦ I was biking for eight miles. [grunts, pants] [panting] Give me a second. Shit. Weāve got a code red. What? [intense music playing] Dustin. Iāve been with Jason, Patrick, and Andy, and theyāve gone totally off the rails. Theyāre trying to capture Eddie, and they think you know where he is. Youāre in terrible danger. All right. Yeah, that definitely sucks, but weāve got bigger problems than Jason now. [clock chiming] [clock ticking and chiming] [intense music builds to climax] [opening theme music playing] [inquisitive synth music playing] [doorbell rings] [Mrs. Sinclair] Would you get the door? Iām busy! [Mrs. Sinclair] I said get the door. This is unbelievable. Hey there. Is, uh, is Lucas home? Negative. You know where he is? [chuckles] Uh, weāre justā¦ We were supposed to go out andā¦ Go out? I see heās taken a step down from Max. [door slams] [menacing music playing] [chuckles] Iām sorry. Uh, well, youāre the little sister who plays Dungeons & Dragons, huh? Whatās it to you? Do you know Dustin Henderson? Know him? Iāve bled with him. Chances are, heās with your cheater boyfriend. Oh, if and when you do find Lucas, please tell him Iāve been covering for his ass for two days now. Each day of covering costs ten bucks, with a DPR. Thatās a daily percentage rate of 7.9%. Another week of this and heās buying me a goddamn Nintendo, with Duck Hunt. Where the hellās Sinclair? Thatās what weāre about to find out. Weāve been tricked, boys. [tires screech] [Steve grumbles] Okay, be honest. Uhā¦ You guys understand any of this? No. Pretty straightforward. Oh, straightforward, really? Whatās confusing to you? So far, everyone Vecna has cursed has died, except for this old Victor Creel dude Nancy found. Heās the only known survivor. If anyone knows how to beat this curse, itās him. Thatās assuming he was cursed, which we donāt even know. How can Vecna have existed in the ā50s? It doesnāt make sense. Far as we know, Eleven didnāt create the Upside Down. She opened a gate to it. The Upside Down has probably been around for thousands of years. Millions. I wouldnāt be surprised if it predated the dinosaurs. Dinosaurs? What are weā¦ [Lucas] Okay. But if a gate didnāt exist in the ā50s, how did Vecna get through? Howās he getting through now? [Lucas] And why now? And why then? Just pops out in the ā50s, kills one family, and heās like, āIām good.ā And poof, he just disappears. Justā¦ gone? Only to return 30 years later and start killing random teens? No, I donāt buy it. [exhales, sighs] Straightforward, my ass. Honestly, Henderson, a little humility now and then, it wouldnāt hurt you. Sorry. [delicate, intense music playing] Any idea what sheās writing? [Dustin] Did she sleep? I mean, would you? [door opens] [footsteps descending stairs] Okay, soā¦ [Robin sighs] ā¦we have a plan. [music continues] [Robin] Thanks to Nancyās minions, we are now rockstar psychology students at the University of Notre Dame. Iām now Ruth. And Iām Rose. Ruth? Nice GPA. [Nancy] Thanks. So we called Pennhurst Asylum, told them weād like to speak with Creel for a thesis weāre cowriting on paranoid schizophrenicsā¦ To which they said no. But we landed a three oāclock with the director. Now all we have to do is charm him and convince him to let us talk to Victor. Then maybe we can rid Max of this curse. [Steve] About that. Weāve been doing our Victor Creel homework, and, uhā¦ [sighs] ā¦we got some questions. Lots of questions. So do we. Hopefully, Victor has the answers. Waitā¦ Waitā¦ Wait a second. Uhā¦ Whereās mine? [dramatic music builds, halts] Nancy, youāre outta your mind if you think Iām babysitting again. First, theyāre not babies anymore. And Max is in real danger. She needs people around her. I know. But why me? Oh my God, you have a Tom Cruise poster. You have a Tom Cruise poster. Thatās old. Itās justā¦ [Robin laughs] Can you please not touch anything? I canāt do anything here, Nance. Maybe I can be helpful with this asylum director dude. I donāt know. I could turn on myā¦ my charm. Not the charm we need. Ouch. No, I justā¦ [sighs] I did a little digging last night, and it turns out this Dr. Hatch is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Harvard visiting scholar, okay? This is a lifelong student of the world. If weāre gonna win him over, weāre gonna have to convince him we are too. That, like himā¦ [music box playing] ā¦we are true academic scholars. [whispers] Holy shit. Thereās a little ballerina in here. Academic scholar? Sheās giving you an academic scholar vibe? Yeah. No, butā¦ [Robyn sighs] ā¦she will. Oh, please, tell me youāre joking. [truck horn blares] [Joyce] Itās busy. Itās still busy. Did I do something wrong? It says dial one, then the number, whichā¦ You can check on your kids later. I donāt understand why itās still busy. Joyce, there are certain things one can be late to in life. A dentistās appointment. A one-year-oldās birthday party, because who cares? Little idiotās not gonna remember it. But for what is essentially a ransom exchange, for that, for that, I think you very much need to be on time. Iām sorry. Iām very tense. Clearly. [grandiose Russian music playing] [music continues over speakers] [dog barking] [Antonov] Head west, through forest. You will see a church with a gray roof. Wait inside. Yuri will meet you there. So you heard from her? Yeah, they arrived last night. Theyāre meeting Yuri soon. If all goes well, by tomorrow night youāre home, eating Enzoās with your sexy woman. Sheās not my woman. Of course not. She saves your life because of friendship. [guard speaks in Russian] [Antonov] Look, American, do not put too much hope into this dream. I have thought long about this, and I give you odds of success fifty to one. [tense music playing] You donāt even seem nervous, American. Iām impressed. Youāre a cool cat. Like Steve McQueen. The Cooler King. Yeah? [chuckles] Letās hope not. Of course not, because Cooler King went back to cooler. So, you must be better than McQueen today. I change mind. Now I give you odds a hundred to one. Our nosy friend again. Where do you want it? Just not my face. Of course not. Must be pretty for your woman. Sheās not my woman. [grunts] [Antonov speaking in Russian] [Antonov speaking in Russian] [Antonov speaking in Russian] [dogs barking] [Antonov speaking in Russian] [Antonov speaking in Russian] [Antonov speaking in Russian] [tense music continues] [music crescendos] [announcer in English] Amazing you can get this many people and have it this quiet. Keep in mind thatā¦ Where are you going? [scoffs] Iām just getting something to drink. Is that allowed orā¦ How does this house arrest work? Youāre not under arrest. Right. No, no, youāreā¦ youāre here to protect us. And watch TV, apparently. [midtempo synth music playing] [sighs] [music swells] [indistinct chatter from TV] [applause from TV] [sighs] Iā¦ I mean, I donāt think theyāve thought this through. If this goes on for a month, or months, and people canāt get a hold of us, theyāre gonna totally freak out. Meanwhile, my momās probably having a panic attack. And what about Hawkins? That ladyās supposed to keep it ācontained.ā Like you can contain any of this without El. I meanā¦ Yeah. [sighs] If you keep staring at that, itās not gonna change. You know? Yeah. Yeah, youāre right. [paper crumples] [Will sighs] [emotional synth music playing] Before the cops came, me and El, weā¦ we had a bad fight. We never fight. I mean, we fought before, but just, like, silly fights, stupid fights. But, I donāt know, this one just felt more adult. Like, itā¦ it just felt more real. Like, a fight you canāt come back from. Maybe I shouldāve said something, and if I wouldāve said that thing, then maybe sheād want me there with her, wherever she is. No. Look, Mike, youāre gonna see her again, and whatever you didnāt say, you can say it to her then. Okay? Yeah. Yeah. Sheās gonna be okay. Sheās not in Hawkins. Thatās what we should be worrying about. You donāt trust Owens? No. I donāt know. I mean, heās been good to us and good to El, but he wasnāt able to protect me. That was you guys who saved me. That was you guys. [sighs] Looks like itās gonna be up to us again. It always is, isnāt it? [laughs] [Jonathan] Which is why we canāt stay here. [determined synth music playing] Listen, letās assume these friends of Owens are telling the truth. We canāt call Hawkins without alerting the military, putting El in danger. Fine. Then weāll just go to them. Go to Hawkins? How? What are you worried about? Ponch and Jon out there? Theyāre half-asleep now watching golf. No, Jonathan. I mean, we donāt have a car or money. Then weāll hail ourselves a ride. A cheap one. [music pulses] [indistinct TV commentary] Excuse me, sir? Excuse me, sir? [sighs] What? Weāre hungry. I could eat. [surfer rock music playing] [bell rings] [phone ringing] [phone ringing] Surfās up. Surfer Boy Pizza, this is Argyle speaking. We make everything fresh here at Surfer Boy except for our pineapple, which comes from a can. But I still highly recommend slapping some juicy pineapple on your pie. Oh, fruit on your pizzaās gnarly, you say? Well, I say try before you deny. [laughs] Hello? [surfer rock fades] [sighs] I know you guys are staring at me. What, sorry? You said you needed something? Just hanging out. How you think your eyes boring into the back of my head is protecting me from Vecna, I donāt know. You can look at me now. Thank you. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. [Max sighs] For you. For you. And, um, you. Oh, and, um, give these to Mike, El, and Will. If you can ever get a hold of them again. What are you doing? No, donāt. Thatās not for now. Donāt open it now. Donātā¦ Okay. [letters rustling] Iām sorry. What is this? Itās, umā¦ Itās a failsafe. For after. [distressing music playing] If things donāt work out. Wait, whoa. Max, things are gonna work out. No! No, I donāt need you to reassure me and tell me itās all gonna work out. People have been telling me that my entire life and itās almost never true. Itās never true. I mean, of course this asshole curses me. Shouldāve seen that one coming. [distressing music continues] [inhales deeply] If we go to East Hawkins, will this reach Pennhurst? Of course. Yeah. Why are we talking about East Hawkins? [distressing music intensifies] No. No. No! Max, Max. Seriously. Seriously, Iām not joking. Iām not driving you anywhere. If you think Iām going to spend what is likely the last day of my life in the armpit that is Mike Wheelerās basement, youāre out of your mind. Either take me where I need to go or tie me down, which is technically kidnapping of a minor. And if I live to see another day, Steve, I swear to God, I will prosecute. [determined music playing] Open the door. Uh, no. I know a good lawyer. [scoffs] Henderson, that super walkie of yours better reach Pennhurst. [clock chimes] [engine turns over] [sinister music playing] [chiming continues] [chiming continues] [sinister music swells] [eerie music playing] [Robin grunting] I canāt breathe in this thing, and Iām itchy. Iām itching all over. Itās not all about comfort. Okay? Weāre academics. Who are evidently coming straight from Easter brunch. Also, this bra that you gave me is really pinching my boobs. Okay. Could you just let me do the talking? If thatās even possible? Itās not only possible, itās inevitable. Because shortly, Iāll be dead from strangulation. 3.9 GPAs. Both of you. Impressive. And this is a recommendation from Professor Brantley. Yeah, I know Larry. Quite well, actually. Eh, you know what they say. āThose who canāt do, teach.ā [Robin, Hatch chuckling] Uh, yes, yes, thatās actually why weāre here. I mean, we can only learn so much in a classroom. Mmm. And Iām sympathetic to your struggle, truly. But there is a protocol to visiting a patient like Victor. You put in a request and then undergo a screening process, at which point the board will make a decision. I can see youāre disappointed. [Hatch inhales] But Iām more than happy to give you a tour. Perhaps you can even speak to some patients in our low-security wing. And weādā¦ we would love that. Itās just that, umā¦ [clicks tongue] ā¦our thesis is due next month. And youāre out of time. Whose fault is that? Ours. Absolutely. And I do apologizeā¦ Donāt apologize, Ruth. Screw that. The fact is, we did put in a request months ago and were denied. And then we reapplied and were denied again. And coming here was our last-ditch effort to save our thesis. And I reallyā¦ I canāt breathe in this thing. Well, Rose, maybe youād like to go outside and get some air. Maybe I should, Ruth. Mmhmm. Because Iām starting to think this whole thing is a colossal mistake. Iām breaking out in a rash. My boobs hurt. And Iāll tell you the truth, Anthony. May I call you Anthony? These arenāt my clothes. I borrowed them because I wanted you to take us seriously. Because nobody takes girls seriously in this field. They just donāt. We donāt look the part or whatever. But can I tell you a story? [inspirational music playing] 1978, I was at summer camp. And my counselor Drew told me and everyone in Cabin C the true story of the Victor Creel Massacre. And little Petey McHewā¦ You know Petey, right, Ruth? Ofā¦ Of course. Yeah. Little Petey McHew started sobbing right there on the spot. Full-on hyperventilating. The other campers couldnāt sleep for weeks. I couldnāt either, but not ācause I was scared. Because I was obsessed with the question, āWhat would drive a human being to commit such unimaginable acts?ā Other kids wanted to be astronauts, basketball players, rock stars. But I wanted to be you. I wanted to be you. So, forgive me if Iāll now try anything in my power, including wearing this ridiculous outfit, if I might get to speak to the man that ignited my passion and learn a little more about how his twisted, but letās face it, totally fascinating mind works. So, yes, we donāt have the official paperwork, but donāt tell me that crybaby Petey McHew wouldnāt have gotten an audience with Victor in moments if heād asked politely, because you and I both know that he would. [music trails] [Robin] Soā¦ ten minutes with Victor. Thatās all I ask. Iām back in 30. [secretary] Mmhmm. [dramatic music swells] If things go sideways, I should mention Iām now a black belt in karate. Hello? [Joyce] Hello? [tense music playing] [Murray] Hello? Helloā¦ [welding sparks crackle] [tense music swells] Who are you? Iā¦ Uhā¦ Weāre looking for Yuri. Why do you need to see Yuri? Itās actually, uhā¦ Itās a private matter. Is Yuri here? Iām sorry. I donāt know how to tell you this, but youāre a day late. What? You see damage to this hull? Yuri was on sightseeing trip to see polar bears. And then bears got into plane and pull him out of cockpit and kill Yuri. No. Yeah. And he loved bears. They broke his heart. Or rather punctured it with their bear claws. [grunts, imitates bears snarling] [tense music stops] [laughs] [Joyce grunts] I got you. I got you good. [laughs] Iām Yuri. Iām Yuri. Oh. [chuckles] Oh. Uh, youā¦ you must be Joycey? Just Joyce. And you are? Murray. Murray? Yeah. Yuri. Yuri, Murray, Yuri, Murray. [laughs] We rhyme. Yeah. I hear it. [Murray laughs weakly] [Yuri chortling] [mysterious music playing] Forty thousand American dollars, as promised. [inhales deeply] [exhales] I love the smell of cash in morning. [chuckles] Right. I hope you do not mind if I count. You two seem very nice, very trustworthy people. But so did my brother before he stole my wife! [wheezing laughter] [Joyce and Murray laugh nervously] Poor bird, youāre freezing. Please, have some coffee. Still hot. This could be a whileā¦ [chortles] [clang] [in Russian] Why are you staring at me? Huh? I am asking you! Move, bastard! [handle snaps] [grunts, pants] [hammers clanging] [exhales heavily] Crazy American. [foreboding music playing] [chains rattling] Hey! Get back! Get back! Get back! Brokenā¦ Cannot work. Cannot work. Stay there. [Hopper mutters indistinctly] [dramatic music playing] [Hopper whistles] [guard grunts] [clattering] [prisoner grunts] Where is the American?! [tense music building] [indistinct yelling in Russian] [clattering] [breathing heavily] [restrained grunt] [bone crunching] Watch your back, Americanā¦ [grunting in pain] [panting] [strained grunt] Where do you think youāre going, American? Stand. Stand up! Hands. Hands! [chains rattling] [guard grunting] [Hopper grunts] [guard groans] [both grunting, struggling] [yelling] [guard choking] [guard cursing in Russian] [both grunting] [weapons clattering] [yelling] [gunfire] [music swells ominously] [guards, prisoners yelling] [guard] Tool shed! It came from the tool shed! Open up! Open the door! Open the door! Keep pushing! Hurry! [guards clamoring] [guards yelling indistinctly] RUN! [tense music builds] [explosion gushes] [ominous music swells] There! There! [engine revs] We canāt let him get to the tree line! [gunfire] [tense music subsides] [cheering] [in English] A hundred to one. Son of a bitch. [āHard Feelingsā by Al Kerbey playing on radio] āŖ You talk a lot, but you donāt say much In the things you do āŖ āŖ Youāre always right āŖ āŖ In all our fights āŖ āŖ Because no one else can shut you down āŖ āŖ Or turn you around You should see yourself āŖ This better be fast, Mayfield. Twenty seconds. That thingās got batteries in it, right? Iām not even answering that question. Yes, it has batteries. Yeah, I got it. [dog barking in distance] [breathes shakily] [poignant music playing] Mom. Hey, sweetie. I thought you were with your friends today. Yeah, Iā¦ I was. I am. Shouldnāt you be at work? Oh, Mr. Bradley let me off early. So Iām just catching up on some chores. Um, Iā¦ I left some letters inside. For you andā¦ and Granny and Uncle Jack. And Dad. If you can find him. Letters? Iā¦ I donāt understand. Uh, I justā¦ umā¦ With all the murders and everything, Iā¦ I know itās stupid, but I just started to think, āWhat if something happens to me?ā Max, baby, nothing is going to happen to you. I know. But ifā¦ if it did, I justā¦ Thereās so many things that I want to say, that I need to say. Andā¦ Promise youāll give the letters out? Max, youāre scaring me. Iām not trying to scare you. Is something going on? No. [shakily] Is it, baby? No. No, youāre right. Iām sure Iāll be fine. Iām being silly. Max. Oh, sweetie. [Maxās mother] Shh. Itās okay. Nothing is going to happen, baby. [Max sniffles] I promise. [distant rumbling] [sinister vocalizing] Nothing you donāt deserve. [sky rumbling] [sinister music playing] [ominous bell tolling] Mom, let go of me. Mom? Let go. [Vecna] Maxine. You think some letters are going to make things right? Youāve broken everything. [echoing] Billy! [Vecna] Your time is almost at an end. Let go! [chimes] [grunts] [panting] [sinister music fades] Hey, that was longer than 20 seconds. Hey, whoa, whoa. You all right? Iām fine. Just drive. [Dustin] Did something happen? Can we please just go? These are our gardens. Beautiful, arenāt they? We allow them two hours of outside time a day. [Robin] Canāt they just escape? [Hatch] They could. But the vast majority choose to be here. They like it here. [delicate classical music playing] This is one of our more popular areas. The listening room. We found that music has a particularly calming effect on the broken mind. The right song, particularly one which holds some personal meaning, can prove a salient stimulus. But there are those who are beyond a cure. [door slam echoes] Uh, Dr. Hatch, do you think it might be possible for us to speak to Victor alone? Alone? Iā¦ I think that we would just love the challenge of speaking with Victor without the safety net of an expert such as yourself. Then we could really rub it in Professor Bradleyās face. Professor Bradley? I donāt believe I know a Professor Bradley. Brantley. Sheā¦ she meant to say Brantley. Didnāt I say Brantley? What did I say? Sorry, silly me. Words, letters. [chuckles] Guess Iām just nervous. I mean, excited. So excited to speak with Victor. Preferably, as she said, alone? [ominous music playing] Yes. Why not? Youāve caught me in a rebellious mood. [both chuckle] And thereās something rather urgent I need to check on anyway, soā¦ Sure. Keep a close eye on them. Thank you so much, Dr. Hatch. Thank you. [Robin sighs] [key rattling] [door opening] [door grinds open] [patients clamoring] Do not startle him. Do not touch him. Do not pass him anything. Stand five feet away from the bars at all times. [patient] Get away. Is that clear? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. [bars clanging] Victor. Todayās your lucky day! You got visitors. Real pretty ones. [scratching] Must be in one of his moods. Have fun. [foreboding music playing] [guttural growling, snarling] [Nancy] Victor? My name is Nancy. Nancy Wheeler. And this isā¦ Robin Buckley. [Nancy] Um, we have some questions. I donāt talk to reporters. Hatch knows that. Weāre not reporters. Weāre here becauseā¦ we believe you. And because we need your help. Whatever killed your family, we think itās back. [nails scraping] [chilling musical sting] [āPass the Dutchieā by Musical Youth playing] āŖ Pass the Dutchie āPon the lefthand side āŖ āŖ Pass the Dutchie āPon the lefthand side āŖ āŖ It a go bun āŖ āŖ Give me the music Make me jump and prance āŖ āŖ It a go dung āŖ āŖ Give me the music āŖ Youāre packed already? Yeah, I mean, I never really unpacked. [clicks tongue] Thanks, by the way. For what? For knocking some sense into me. I was being a total self-pitying idiot. Oh, I didnāt say it. You didnāt have to. [chuckles] [emotional, tender music playing] Hey, also, about the last few daysā¦ You donāt have to say anything. Iā¦ I was being a total jerk to El. I deserved it. No. No, no, no. You didnāt deserve anything. Listen, the truth is, the last year has been weird, you know? And I mean, you know, Max and Lucas and Dustin, theyāreā¦ theyāre great. Theyāre great. Itās justā¦ Itās Hawkins. Itās not the same without you. And I feel like maybe I was worrying too much about El, and I donāt know, maybe I feel I lost you or something. Does that make sense? I have no idea whatās gonna happen next. But, whatever it is, Iā¦ I think we should work together. I think itāll be easier if weāreā¦ weāre a team. Friends. Best friends. Cool. Cool. [vehicle approaching] [tires screeching] That was fast. Thirty minutes or less. All right. You guys ready? [Will, Mike] Yeah. [doorbell rings] Pizza time. I got it. [TV playing faintly] [doorbell rings persistently] Yeah, Iām coming. Hold your horses. Jesus Christ. Hello there. [silenced gunshot] [thud] What the hell was that? [Will] Shit. Stay here! [gunshots] [rapid gunfire] [Harmon] Go in the den! Whatās going on? Get back! Shit! Listen, we gotta go right now! [Mike] Shit! Shit! [Jonathan] Go! Run! Move! Move! [gunfire] [boys panting] [glass shatters] [Mike] Shit! Follow me. [Mike] Okay. [dramatic music pulsing] [Mike] What the hell is going on?! [gunshots continue] [boys yelling] Just stay there. Get down! [boys yelling] I shoot, you run! āŖ Pass the Dutchie āPon the lefthand sideā¦ āŖ Byers, man, having a party and not inviting me, man? Thatās not cool. That is so not cool, man. Whoa! Stop the car! [Argyle] The hell is going on? [Harmon yelps] Go, go, go! Whoa, is that real blood, man? [all] Drive! Okay. All right. Butā¦ Oh my God. Why is that guy holding a gun? Drive! Okay! āŖ Pass the Dutchie āPon the lefthand side āŖ āŖ Pass the Dutchie āPon the lefthand side āŖ āŖ It a go bun āŖ āŖ Give me the music Make me jump and prance āŖ [song ends abruptly] [Yuri muttering] Forty thousand. Wow, all there. Okay, now your turn. Go get Hopper. I will. But first, I will call Enzo. If your friend is dead, I could save myself trouble and fuel. [wheezing laughter] Iām kidding. Iām sure heās not dead. But still, I should check. [tense music playing] I donāt like him. [Hopper panting] [intense, dramatic music playing] [wind whistling] [music pulses] [grunts] [grunts] [panting] [grunts] [hinges creak] [door squeaks] [mysterious synth music playing] [wood snaps, clatters] [grunts] [bright, hopeful music playing] [inhales deeply] [stifled laugh] [emotional gasp] [hopeful synth music continues] [grunts] [panting] [ominous music playing] [phone ringing] [speaks Russian] [phone ringing] [in Russian] Antonov, phone for you. You realize we just had an escape? They say itās urgent. [speaks in Russian] Hello? Enzo. It is Yuri. Why are you calling me here? Are you mad? I know. I am very sorry. I just felt you should know that there has beenā¦ a slight change in plans. What? What has happened? [distant yelling] [ominous music playing] I just got off the phone with your warden. A very productive call. It turns out, escaped prisoners are worth quite a bit of money. [guard yells in Russian] [yelling] So Yuri thinks, why not keep the forty grand and make extra money? That wasnāt the deal. [chuckles] But it is a better deal for Yuri, yes? And you know what is worth even more than escaped prisoner? Corrupt guards. What have you done?! [yelling] And worth most of allā¦ Americansā¦ wanted by the KGB. [guards yelling] [shattering echoes] [guard yelling] [dramatic music swells] [handcuffs locking] [sounds of struggle over phone] Goodbye, Enzo. [Yuri whistling] [gasps] [in English] Iām sorry, poor bird. Did I make your coffee too strong? [Yuri laughing] [distorted] Donāt worry. [echoing] You will be reunited with your American boyfriend very soon. Very soon. [dramatic music swells] [music fades] Turn here. Here? [Lucas] Max? Lucas, please, just wait in the car. Max, just wait. Max, please. Lucas, just waitā¦ Just listen to me. Just, please. I know something happened there with your mother. [emotional music playing] Was it Vecna? I told you, Iām fine. Okay? I mean, as fine as someone whoās hurtling towards a gruesome death can be. Maxā¦ You know you can talk to me. Right? Yeah, I know that. Okay, then why do you keep pushing me away? Okay, look, I donāt need a letter. I donāt want a letter. Just talk to me. To your friends. Weāre right here. Iām right here. Okay? Iām here. Wait in the car. This wonāt be long. [Nancy] When he attacks, our friend described it as a trance. Like a waking nightmare. Thatās why we think heās coming for her next. Does any of this, anything weāve told you, sound like what happened to your family? [Victor breathes shakily] Victor. I know this is hardā¦ You donāt know anything! [ominous chord swells] Youāre right. We donāt know. Thatās why weāre here. To learn, to understand. We need to know how you survived that night. [disbelieving laugh] Survived? Is that what you call this? Did I survive? [groans] No, I assure you, I am still very much in hell. [sinister music overlaid with jaunty big band music] [jaunty big band music playing] [Victor] I had been back from the war some 14 years. Her great-uncle had died, leaving us a small fortune. Enough to buy a new home, a new life. Whatād I tell ya? Wow. This is amazing. It looks like a fairy tale. A dream. Alice, no running. Itās so big! [mother giggles] [sighs] This is nice. Yeah. It was a magnificent home. Yeah. Alice said it looked like it was from a fairy tale. Alice. Was this your daughter? Mmm. Yeah. But Henry, myā¦ My boy, he was a sensitive childā¦ [electricity buzzes] ā¦and I could see he felt something was wrong. We had one month of peace in that house. [echoing] And then it began. [Alice gasps] [unsettling music playing] [Victor] Dead animals, mutilated, tortured, began to appear near our home. Rabbits, squirrels, chickens, even dogs. The police chief blamed the attacks on a wildcat. Thisā¦ [disbelieving laugh] ā¦this was no wildcat. This was an evil. And evil neither animal nor human. This was a spawn of Satan. A demon. And it was even closer than I realized. [dramatic music playing] [pipes rumbling] [spiders chittering] [shrieks] Victor! [Victor] My family began to have encounters conjured by this demon. Nightmares. Waking, living nightmares. [dramatic music continues] This demon, it seemed to take pleasure in tormenting us. Even poor, innocent Alice. [shrieks] [mother] Alice! Itās okay, sweetie. Itās okay. Come here. It wasnāt long before I began to have encounters of my own. [baby crying] [chilling note playing] [baby wailing] [flames roaring] [wailing continues] I suppose all evil must have a home. And though I had not a rational explanation for it, Iā¦ I could sense this demon, always close. [chilling music playing] I became convinced it was hiding, nesting, somewhere within the shadows of our home. It had cursed our town. It had cursed our home. It had cursed us. [chilling music fades away] [āDream A Little Dream Of Meā by Ella Fitzgerald playing] āŖ Stars shining bright above you āŖ āŖ Night breezes seem to whisper āŖ [radio squawks] [reporter] Time, weather, andā¦ [staticky signals overlapping] [ominous musical flourish] [signals overlapping] [rumbling] āŖ Dream a little dream ofā¦ āŖ [screams] It took Virginia first. [bones cracking] āŖ Just hold me tight āŖ āŖ And tell me youāll miss me āŖ [shrieking] I tried to get the children out, to save them. [grunting] Come on! Come on! [panting] [garbled audio distortion] [man, faintly] Creel. Creel! What the hell happened here? [Victor] But I was back to France, back in the war. Itā¦ it was a memory. I had thought German soldiers were inside. I ordered its shelling. [indistinct shouting] [baby wailing] I was wrong. [baby continues wailing] [murmurs, pants] This demon, it was taunting me. And I was sure it would take me, just as heād taken my Virginia. [Alice screaming] But thenā¦ I heardā¦ [āDream A Little Dream Of Meā playing] ā¦another voice. āŖ Stars shining bright above you āŖ At first, I believed it was an angel. And Iā¦ I followed her, only to find myselfā¦ [music swells] [distorted] ā¦in a nightmare far worse. [unsettling music playing] While I was away, the demon took my children. [clock ticking] Henry slipped into a coma shortly after that. A week later, he died. I tried to join them. I tried. [unsettling music builds] [wet squelch] [scream echoes] Hatch stopped the bleeding. He wouldnāt let me join them. [whimpers] The angel you followed, who was she? [hums āDream a Little Dream of Meā] [continues humming] Victor? [tense music builds] Victor. [door opens] Is he everything you hoped he would be? I just had a very interesting conversation with Professor Brantley. Perhaps we should discuss in my office while we wait for the police. [tense music builds to climax] āDear Billy, I donāt know if you can even hear this.ā āTwo years ago, I would have said, āThatās ridiculous, impossible.'ā āBut that was before I found out about alternate dimensions and monsters, soā¦ Iām just going to stop assuming that I know anything.ā āSo much has happened since you left.ā [emotional music playing] āYour dad was a total mess.ā āHe and my mom started getting into fights.ā āBad fights.ā āI donāt think he could stand being here without you.ā āSo he left.ā āAnd he didnāt leave Mom much.ā āSheās taken an extra job, and we moved to that lovely trailer park off Kerley.ā āBasically, ever since you left, everythingās beenā¦ A total disaster.ā āAnd the worst part is, I canāt tell anyone why youāre gone.ā āI canāt tell them that you saved Elās life.ā āThat you saved my life.ā āI play that moment back in my head all the time.ā āAnd sometimes I imagine myself running to you, pulling you away.ā āI imagine that if I had, that you would still be here.ā [sniffs] āAnd everything would beā¦ [sobs] ā¦everything would be right again.ā āI imagine that weā¦ That we couldāve become friends.ā āGood friends, likeā¦ like a real brother and sister.ā āAnd I know thatās stupid.ā āYou hated me.ā āI hated you.ā [emotional music continues] āBut I thought that maybeā¦ Maybe we could try again.ā āBut thatās not what happened.ā āI justā¦ I stood there and I watched.ā āFor a while, I tried to be happy.ā āNormal.ā āBut Iā¦ I think that maybe a part of me died that day too.ā āAnd I havenāt told anyone this.ā āIā¦ I just canāt.ā āBut I had to tell you.ā āBefore itās too late.ā āIf you can even hear this.ā āI really hope that you can.ā [sighs] āIām sorry.ā āIām so, so sorry, Billy.ā āLove, your shitty little sister, Max.ā [eerie rumbling] [clock chimes] [eerie laughter] [unsettling music playing] [man] Max. All right, itās been long enough. Steve, just give her some time. I have, all right? Iām calling it. She wants to get a lawyer, she can. [tense music playing] Max. Time to giddy up, yeah? Max? Max. Max. [dramatic music swells] Max! [man] Max. Iāve been waiting to hear those words, Max. [gulps] Waiting so very long. Wake up! Hey! [Steve claps] Max, wake up! Max! Wake up! Oh, somethingās wrong. Max! Guys! [chilling music playing] Come on, wake up! But it wasnāt the full truth, was it, Max? [Max breathing shakily] You know, I think thereās a part of you, buried somewhere deep, that wanted me to die that day. That was maybe even relieved. Happy. Billy, no, thatās not true. Thatās why you stood there, isnāt it, Max? Itās okay. You can admit it now. No more lies. No more hiding. Billy, thatās not true, I swear. I swear itās not true. That is why you feel such guilt. No. [sobs] Why you hide from your friends. Why you hide from the world. No. No. And why, late at night, you have sometimes wished to follow me. [clock chiming] Follow me into death. That is why I am here, Max. No. To end your suffering, once and for all. No. [grunts] It is time, Max. Time for you to join me. [breathing heavily] [sinister music playing] Max, you gotta get outta there! Can you hear me? Max! You gotta get outta there! Call Nancy and Robin! Go get āem! Call Nancy and Robin! Go! [Lucas] Please, Max! Shit! Shit, shit, shit! Shit, shit, shit! Nancy? Robin? Do you copy? This is a code red. Do you copy? Shit. Robin! Youāre not listening. Our friend is in danger. Do you really expect me to believe anything you have to say? Itās the truth. You are free to tell your sob story to the police. Move along. Donāt touch me! [āClair de Luneā by Claude Debussy playing] Victor said the night of the attack, everything went on in the house, but he made specific mention of music. He said music was playing. [āDream A Little Dream Of Meā playing, warps] And then, when we asked him about the angel, he started to hum. [humming āDream A Little Dream Of Meā] āŖ Say nightynight and kiss me Hold me tightā¦ āŖ āDream a Little Dream of Me.ā Ella Fitzgerald. The voice of an angel. Yeah. Hatch said that music can reach parts of the brain that words canāt. So maybe thatās the key, a lifeline. A lifeline back to reality. Itās worth a shot. [dramatic music playing] I think we can beat him. What? To the car. Okay. Iām warning you right now, I have terrible coordination. Took me six months longer to walk than all the other babies. Just follow my lead. No, my God! [guard] Hey! Get back here! Cinderella, you dropped your shoe! [guard] Stop right there! [tense music playing] [inmate cackles] Go! [Robin] Oh my God! [Max panting] [owl hooting] [distressing music playing] [Vecna] You cannot hide from me, Maxine. [Robin yelping] [intense chase music playing] [guard] Letās go! [guard] Stop! Get out of there! Ah! [guard] Hey! Go, go, go, go, go! Stop! Get out of the car. [engine revs] Get out of the car. [tires screech] Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! You really are a weird runner. [Dustin] Robin, where the hell are you? This is a code red. I repeat, a code red! Dustin, itās Robin. We copy. Holy shit. Finally! Please, please tell me you guys have this figured out. [dramatic music playing] [Maxās gasps echoing] Lucas! Dustin! Lucas, please, help! Dustin! [menacing synth music playing] [thunder rumbles] [creature chittering] [wet squelch] [menacing music intensifies] [distant, indistinct screaming] Max, get outta there! Can you hearā¦ Guys! What is this? Whatās her favorite song? Why? Robin said if she listensā¦ Itās too much to explain now. Whatās her favorite song? [thunder clapping] [clock chiming] [Vecna] What are you doing in here, Max? [wet popping] [clock chiming] [spiders chittering] [Vecna] Come back to me. [shrill audio distortion] [menacing music intensifies] How do you like them, Max? Would you like to join them? [grunts] [gasps] Shit! Shit! No! [screaming] No! [creature screeching] [choking] [whimpers] [growling] Which one is it? Okay, okay! Lucas, which one is it? Whatās her favorite song? [choking] [Max whimpering] Which one? Itās right here! Got it! Give it to me. Go, go, go! Okay, headphones! Now! [āRunning Up That Hillā by Kate Bush playing] [grunting] [Dustin] Max! [Dustin] Max, wake up! [Steve] Max! Wake up! [Lucas] Max, weāre right here! [Dustin] Come on, Max. They canāt help you, Max. Thereās a reason you hide from them. āŖ Thunder in our hearts āŖ [Steve] Max! You belong here, with me. [coughs] Youāre not really here. Oh, but I am, Max. I am. āŖ Itās you and me, wonāt be unhappy āŖ āŖ And if I only could Iād make a deal with God āŖ āŖ And Iād get him to swap our placesā¦ āŖ [friends shout] Max! āŖ Iād be running up that road Be running up that hill āŖ āŖ Be running up that buildingā¦ āŖ [friends shouting] Max! [Lucas] I donāt want a letter. Weāre right here. Iām right here. [music swells emotionally] āŖ Come on, darling āŖ āŖ Let me steal this moment from you now āŖ āŖ Come on, baby, come on, darling āŖ āŖ Let me steal this moment from you now āŖ āŖ Come on, angel āŖ āŖ Come on, come on, darling āŖ āŖ Letās exchange the experienceā¦ āŖ [friends] Max! [highfive echoes] [Vecna grunts] [emotional bridge builds] [powerful drum line builds] āŖ And if I only could Iād make a deal with God āŖ āŖ And Iād get him to swap our placesā¦ āŖ [friends crying out] Max! āŖ Iād be running up that road āŖ āŖ Be running up that hill āŖ āŖ No problems āŖ āŖ Say, if I only could āŖ āŖ Iād make a deal with God āŖ āŖ And Iād get him to swap our placesā¦ āŖ [friends, desperately] Max! āŖ Be running up that roadā¦ āŖ āŖ Be running up that hill āŖ [Max gasps] [song fades] [friends] Max! Max! [overlapping shouting] Max! Max! Max! Oh my God. Itās okay. [Max hyperventilating] Itās okay. I thought we lost you. Iām stillā¦ Iām still here. Oh shit. [Max] Iām still here. [emotional instrumental cover of āRunning Up That Hillā playing] [emotional cover continues] [music fades]