Playing Gracie Darling

Time for your session, Joni.

We're gonna do something else today.

Are you okay with that, Joni?

I thought we might try something a little bit different.

I've been doing some reading on how seances work.

Could you show me how you did it?

Do you think it's safe?

I think so.

Okay.

First, we have to, um...

...invite a spirit.

Close your eyes.

Okay.

Now we ask a question.

My name is Zarah, with a Z.

What's your name?

Hi, Levi.

Levi, can you play a game with us?

Okay.

Now...

I wonder...

will Levi still be able to move the glass?

How will we know what he's trying to tell us?

Shall we continue?

Okay.

Are you still there, Levi?

Okay.

Is there something you'd like to ask?

Levi...

...where is Gracie?

Okay.

Okay.

[glass sliding on video recording]

What do you see, Joni?

Does it make any sense?

Huh.

Have you slept?

No, not really.

Bob said there was some excitement during the night.

That's an understatement.

- I slept like a baby. - Oh.

Well, I'm dying to hear Mina's version of events.

I'm sure you'll tell it better.

Well, you're coming with me to the Darlings, and then I think

you and me should sit down and have a bit of a chat.

Great. I love our chats.

You know sarcasm is the lowest--

Lowest form of humour. Yeah, I know.

Lulu wet the bed.

Oh, did she? I can do those.

No, I've got... I said I've got it.

Okay.

Hey, babe. Are you all right?

Did you have a bad night last night?

I had a bad dream.

Can you tell me about it?

There was something scary.

In the forest.

We're gonna go home really soon. Okay? I promise.

Why do I have to do this?

Well...

think about it as part of the consequences from last night.

Punitive justice is bullshit.

I don't even know James Darling. He's just some random old man.

He's not random. Okay? He meant a lot, growing up.

- To you. - To the town, Mina.

He helped a lot of people,

through the church, getting jobs...

- Then you do it. - Oh, yep!

You need to learn to care for your community, Mina.

The world doesn't revolve around you.

I do care. But this is not my community.

- You need to stop pushing me-- - What?!

Mina, I am so close to losing it right now.

Fine!

But I'm only doing it this one time.

And I'm not putting in any expression.

Dad?

Joni's here.

And she brought her daughter Mina.

To read to you.

Dad, I said it's Joni with--

Oh, don't shout, Moira. I heard you the first time.

He's been reading this together with Frankie.

Dad, you enjoyed this.

Yes, yes, yes!

Um...

"The trickling water

"had made a pool, deep and beautiful.

"And delicate ferns had crept tenderly

"to fringe its edge.

"The black swan built among the grass-like reeds.

"The wild duck

"made frequent dark zigzag lines against the sky.

"From the trees, the bell-bird, the coach-whip, the tewinga

"filled the air with sound, if not with music.

"And the black snake,

"the brown snake, the whip,

"the diamond, and the death adder

"glided gently among the fallen leaves and grasses,

"and held themselves

"in cheerful readiness for intruders."

I swear, Peter only mows the grass when you're here.

What? Why?

Duh, he's showing off for you.

Don't be stupid.

He's hot, yeah?

Ew, he's your cousin.

Well, you admit it, he's hot, though.

He always looks so sad.

Tell me how his parents died, again?

Why don't you ask him yourself?

Gracie!

Ask me what?

Go on, ask him.

He doesn't mind.

What don't I mind?

Nothing.

Just don't listen to her teasing.

You took my locket!

Piss off, Ruth. Mum gave it to me.

- Liar! - Don't touch me!

- Give it back! - Ow! What the fuck?!

- - Stop. Stop!

Ruth! Stop.

Just stop.

I'm fucking bleeding, bitch!

Hey!

- She started it. - No, I didn't.

You better go home, Joni.

All right, what happened?

Well?

She keeps stealing my locket.

Do your penance.

Forgive me, Lord, for my sins.

Forgive the sins of my soul

and the sins of my body.

Our secret and our whispering sins,

the sins we have done to please ourselves,

and the sins we have done to please others.

Sins...

I hate you.

Forgive me, Lord, for my sins...

I'm gonna fucking kill you.

Forgive the sins of my soul

and the sins of my body.

Our secret and our whispering sins,

the sins we have done to please ourselves,

and the sins we have done to please others...

- -

Thank you.

[people laughing and chattering faintly]

Grandpa, what are you doing?

All aboard!

Hey!

What's going on?

Bob's taking us for gelati. Via the scenic route.

Nan said I can get a double-scoop.

Double?!

Was it torture, darling?

It was fine. He was actually quite nice.

Well, well, well.

The mysteries of dementia.

Though some people say it makes people a little more...

Careful, Pattie!

...tolerable.

You coming for gelati?

Well...

Mina's supposed to be feeling the consequences.

Quality mother-daughter time, eh?

Well, I won't get in the way of your plans.

Go on.

You sit back there and hold on tight.

That's the way.

I'm gonna go out for a bit, so I'll see you later.

- Good girl, Lu. Hold on. - Okay, off we go.

Bye, Mum.

Here we go, this is fun.

Can you tell me again what happened in the forest?

I already told you.

So the killer - Levi -

he got out of the game and he possessed your friends.

You'd believe it if you saw it.

I believe you saw something truly frightening out there.

I do.

But there's a perfectly rational explanation.