Dollhouse

When you hear the words "Dollhouse,"

you probably think of little girls playing tea party.

But for some people in Los Angeles,

those words have a different meaning.

A darker meaning.

Yeah, everyone knows that.

They get people programmed to do whatever.

Could be for sex or, you know, kill a guy.

They're out there.

The dolls.

Seeming to crop up first in the late '80s,

the Dollhouse is one of L.A. 's most enduring urban legends.

The story is simple.

Somewhere in the city is an illegal establishment

that rents out to the very rich and the very connected

programmable people.

People who can take on any personality

except their own.

Nothing more than science fiction

according to most everybody,

a big foot for the big city.

But what's interesting about this urban legend,

is the wide spectrum of reactions we encountered

from everyday Angelenos to the very idea of a Dollhouse.

Oh, it's happening.

There's one thing people will always need is slaves.

Well, some of the versions of the story

say the dolls themselves are volunteers. There's only

one reason someone would volunteer to be a slave

is if they is one already.

Volunteers. You must be out of your (bleep) mind.

So, being a doll, you do whatever.

And you don't got to remember nothing.

Or study. Or pay rent.

And you just party with rich people all the time?

Where's the dotted line?

A spokesperson for the Governor insists

that this legend is nothing more than that.

And stories of an F.B.I. task force investigating the Dollhouse

have been flatly denied.

But the rumors persist.

And like every good fairy tale,

the story grows more intricate,

and more divisive,

every decade.

(T.V. clicks off, remote clatters on desk)

No.

It can't be that easy.

This is my case.

You closed it.

What, you come in my house, dig through my garbage, too?

You're out of hand cream again.

This the alleged victim?

Guy said she had a face. Damn.

No wonder you're foraging

for hand cream.

Had a million bucks, I could blow it on that.

Did you track this payment from Crestejo?

The Mayfair fund?

Told you to stay out of my soup, Ballard.

Afraid you'll have to reopen the case?

Act like a federal agent for five minutes?

This is my report.

If there is some

giant conspiracy that's sucking the brains

out of nice, young people,

then this bit of tail that you're chasing

is A: effectively dead,

and B: a whore.

A mindless whore,

just your type. No disrespect.

I'm sure she still has a heart of gold.

What happened there, Ballard?

I strike a nerve? Yeah.

Felt like this.

You are not long for this world.

I think you'd better lie down.

I mean it.

Someone's going to put you down.

And I pray to God I'm there to see it.

Come by any time.

Sierra is alone.

I like to be alone sometimes.

It's peaceful.

Sierra sits with us most days.

Am I wrong?

When we go to sleep,

I hear her.

Maybe she didn't see us.

Do you feel uncomfortable at all?

No. Should I?

No.

Did Victor

upset you, do you remember?

Victor wants to pretend.

"pretend"?

He pretends we're married.

I see.

Something's up? Yes.

Sierra's had sex.

No, sir.

You know for sure?

Her last engagement was with the Governor's niece

at a children's cancer ward.

I examined her

post-engagement anyway.

This happened while she's been here.

What did she say about Victor?

That he liked to play.

Wait, the dolls don't have sex drives.

That's part of the deal, right?

What do you guys know? Since when

do you care what happens to her?

Since I was hired to.

Just because I'm not Andy Griffith

with these guys doesn't mean I want to see

them abusing each other.

If Victor's off-program, then he could be

Jekyll and Hyde-ing just like Alpha did.

We can't jump to any conclusions.

No, but we can go to the videotape.

How long has she...?

Two days.

If Victor was alone with her, it won't take long to find.

Mr. Hearn, when you figure out

what happened... Then I go to DeWitt.

If Victor is playing doctor

when not imprinted with an M.D.,

then he goes to the attic.

Victor wouldn't...

She did scream when she saw him.

And we both know he's been focused on her.

There's a difference

Between being attracted to someone and hurting them.

Has she shown any other sign?

Anything you can remember?

Echo: When we go to sleep...

When we go in the pods,

Sierra cries.

Am I right?

I'm right, right? Am I right?

Tanaka's going to the Director.

You know he threw up after you pulled

that Vulcan grip crap.

And yes,

I think you're right.

This is the Crestejo account.

Big payment to the Mayfair fund, which means nothing.

Mayfair is a hedge, and it's spread thin.

But that payment went in

right when his daughter was kidnapped.

And you still think he hired the Dollhouse to get her back.

I surely do.

Now you have a similar sum

transferred to the Mayfair fund from Q-Field.

And this is the fun part:

You have the same amount,

from Q-Field to Mayfair,

every year on the exact same day.

Q-Field is a subsidiary of Redwing,

a majority share of which

is held by...

Joel Mynor.

And Joel Mynor is on your list of potential

Dollhouse clients.

Man, even I know about this guy.

He's that internet mogul.

He created Sourceress,

E-tilites, Bouncy the Rat.

My kids fiercely love Bouncy the Rat.

Dotcom billionaire with serious commitment issues,

who shows up at every charity gig

with a fabulous nobody on his arm.

I've liked this guy for a while.

You ever thought about asking him out?

I'm never going to get to Caroline.

Whoever she is, the Dollhouse has buried her.

I've got to get to them first, and Joel Mynor is my ticket.

Whatever he's paying for, it's happening soon.

I need everything on him.

You mean everything admissible by a warrant

that you got, because anybody

in the whole wide bureau believes you're not insane.

I mean help me out.

Getting shot didn't even make you pause, did it?

I'll help you.

The Director sees what we're up to,

he's going to help you out.

So the one fund got transferred to the other fund,

and that's the same as the other other fund,

And that's all important. That's it.

Exactly.

You have a very glamorous job.

How do you think I can afford

To take you to all these fancy places?

Hey, this is the nicest offer I've had this month.

Or last month.

Weren't you, um, seeing someone?

Hmm? Rick.

Dick.