His Dark Materials

‫"300 years ago,"

‫"a guild of philosophers ‫became curious"

‫"about the bond ‫between the smallest of atoms."

‫"They forged an instrument."

‫"A knife that in the hands ‫of the right person"

‫"could cut the very fabric ‫that joins worlds."

‫"They christened that person ‫the bearer."

‫"And the knife they called ‫the subtle knife."

‫"The guild built a tower ‫in the city of Cittagazee."

‫"A monument to the knife, ‫which they hid within it."

‫"They kept its powers secret."

‫"But had a choice, use this knife ‫for the benefit of all existence"

‫"or just for the benefit of their own."

‫"They chose badly,"

‫"stealing trinkets ‫to fatten their own pockets."

‫"A strange evil force ‫crept out from the shadows."

‫"Spectres."

‫"And then came Asriel's ‫great tear in the sky,"

‫"and with it came ‫a mass flood of Spectres,"

‫"pestilence."

‫"Those that survived fled."

‫"The subtle knife was born of hope,"

‫"but used with greed."

‫"And yet, ‫in the right hands,"

‫"it could still save us all."

‫How do we get up?

‫Well, we definitely ‫can't climb up there.

‫Come on, let's go take a closer look. ‫We must have missed something.

‫Lee, we are low on water.

‫Grumman has to be around here.

‫You know what they say, ‫a dead end is a new beginning.

‫There's something strange here. ‫You can feel it, too.

‫Not so much, Hester.

‫I never wanted to see the sky ‫so bad my entire life.

‫We'll find him soon.

‫Bloodsuckers

‫Rub some Jimson Weed ointment on it.

‫I'm three inches thick in Jimson weed

‫I want to get out of the swamp. ‫I want to see the sky.

‫Lee Scoresby.

‫We thought you'd be ‫more hare than tortoise.

‫Hey!

‫Who's we? ‫You are a witch's daemon?

‫You'll see soon enough. ‫Now try and keep up.

‫I really hope you ‫have what I'm looking for.

‫Nothing straightforward here.

‫Well, if he can get in, ‫so can we.

‫It's like the Jordan's crypt down here.

‫- What can you see? ‫- Looks like someone's been living here,

‫but I can't see an entrance.

‫Then we have to think wider, ‫maybe there's something over here.

‫"This is where we isolate and observe ‫shadow particles or dark matter."

‫"We call it the cave."

‫"So far, my colleague, Dr. Malone ‫has evidence of low level activity."

‫"But the hope is to record signs of, ‫dare I say it, conscious behavior."

‫"If we succeed, we will have the power ‫to understand what makes up"

‫"the very fabric of the known universe."

‫"Maybe multiple universes."

‫"Yes, I mean, it's a little ‫incomprehensible at first."

‫And you only have a few days ‫before they shut you down.

‫Yes. Although I'm hoping that you might ‫be able to help us with that.

‫On the phone, ‫you mentioned private interest.

‫Please do come in. Mary?

‫Another all nighter, ‫didn't you get my text?

‫- Oh, sorry. You are... ‫- Charles Latrom.

‫- I take it you are Dr. Malone? ‫- Yeah, sorry.

‫No, no, no. Don't you worry. ‫I see you've had a long night.

‫I've always admired ‫women with a good work ethic.

‫Should we sit down?

‫I understand from Dr. Payne ‫that you've been making

‫some fascinating discoveries ‫in the field of shadow matter.

‫I know you haven't been published,

‫but I'm here because ‫I'm interested in funding your work.

‫You're not serious.

‫- I'm very serious. ‫- Sorry.

‫What organization ‫did you say you work for?

‫You're on the verge ‫of something groundbreaking

‫something that could take ‫the theory of dark matter's

‫potential consciousness ‫a great deal further,

‫and even attract defense funding,

‫which, as you may know, ‫is still plentiful

‫and certainly not subject to those ‫wearisome application processes.

‫I think this conversation is over.

‫Well, I think there's more to discuss.

‫No, I'd like you to leave, please.

‫I'll see myself out.

‫Defense funding?

‫Seriously, Oliver, ‫what were you thinking?

‫I know. We ain't exactly been ‫inundated with offers.

‫We need to be realistic. That money ‫will allow us to continue our work.

‫We have to stop and think.

‫If you could see what Lyra did, the cave ‫was genuinely communicating with her.

‫- She's special, Oliver. ‫- Where is she then?

‫You don't have ‫any evidence, Mary.

‫I'm telling you, ‫that what we're dealing with here

‫is powerful beyond ‫our comprehension.

‫We can't let that fall ‫into the wrong hands.

‫No, Mary, what we're dealing with here

‫is the fact that you ‫haven't slept in weeks.

‫It's like a maze down here.

‫Maybe we're looking for a tunnel ‫if it's underground.

‫Lyra.

‫An angel.

‫Will.

‫Will.

‫What have you found?

‫It's this door. Look, ‫it matches the angels on the tower.

‫Come on.

‫Care to tell me where we're headed,

‫and if there's a bacon ‫sandwich at the other end?

‫Good,

‫- you're here. ‫- Who are you?

‫They call me Jopari ‫but I've had a few names in my time.

‫I'm looking for a Dr. Stanislaus ‫Grumman, is that one of them?

‫It is, yes,

‫but call me Jopari for now.

‫Mr. Jopari ‫My name is Lee Scoresby.

‫I'm from the country of Texas.

‫You're a long way from home, ‫Mr. Scoresby.

‫Well, they're strange winds blowing ‫through the world now, sir.

‫Do you like soup?

‫Maybe a bacon sandwich.

‫Mr. Jopari, we have come here ‫humbly to ask for your help.

‫I have reason to believe you're ‫in possession of an item that

‫confers protection ‫on anyone who holds it.

‫You're wrong, Mr. Scoresby. ‫You didn't come to me.

‫I summoned you.

‫I beg your pardon? I've risked life ‫and limb and my perfect complexion

‫through swamps and snow to get here. ‫You didn't summon me.

‫Here.

‫- This was my mother's. ‫- It brought you here.

‫I haven't seen this for 20 years. ‫I don't understand.

‫You've traveled a long way. ‫You must be hungry.

‫Who the hell do you think you are?

‫Sit down, Mr. Scoresby, ‫and I'll tell you.

‫Who do you think owns this place?

‫They're a group called the guild.

‫Angelica told me about them.

‫Stay close, Pan.

‫- You are not scared, are you? ‫- Pan!

‫Okay.

‫- I'll go first. ‫- No.

‫I'll go first... ‫seeing all this is my fault

‫Seeing as it's your fault, ‫you've got to do as I say.

‫"Centuries ago, some pig-headed ‫philosophers invented a tool"

‫for their own undoing.

‫A Subtle Knife, also known as Aesahattr.

‫This Knife could cut not just flesh, ‫but spirit.

‫It could slice between worlds, ‫it could kill immortals.

‫You have this knife, do you?

‫No. ‫But I want to find the person who does.

‫I believe a new bearer of The Subtle ‫Knife is soon to take up the mantle.

‫We need to find them ‫and take them to Lord Asriel.

‫- Asriel? ‫- You know him?

‫- I don't like Asriel. ‫- Like him?

‫Who does? ‫This is much, much bigger than that.

‫Don't confuse the man with the mission.

‫Mr Scoresby, there are two forces that ‫have always been at war with each other

‫those who repress, who command,

‫who don't want us to be conscious, ‫enquiring beings;

‫and those who want us to know more, ‫to be stronger and wiser, to explore.

‫And those two forces are ‫lining up to battle as we speak.

‫And if the right side has any chance ‫of success, Asriel will need The Knife.

‫That may well be.

‫But I come here for one reason. ‫And that's a girl named Lyra.

‫Not to help her father.

‫She's the best person I know ‫and she's in danger.

‫If you don't have the knife and ‫you can't help her, I'll be on my way

‫- You love this girl? ‫- Yes,

‫more than Asriel. ‫He just left her to fend for herself.

‫Imagine, leaving your kid like that.

‫I never had a daughter. ‫I haven't been that lucky.

‫But if I did, I hope she'd be half ‫as strong and brave and good.

‫I did.

‫You did what?

‫I left my boy,

‫my son.

‫He's hurt!

‫Who are you?

‫My name is Giacomo Paradisi. ‫I am The Bearer.

‫- The Bearer? ‫- There's a boy hiding in this Tower.

‫- He stole the knife from me! ‫- Quick, help me with these.

‫The Knife!

‫Who are you? Why are you here?! ‫What do you want?!

‫- Look, we need that knife. ‫- Careful, Lyra.

‫It's ok. ‫Just, just calm down.

‫No, it's mine! ‫Get out!!

‫Will!

‫Lyra, help him!

‫I've got the knife!

‫Don't touch him!!

‫Fight! Fight boy! Fight!

‫You! ‫You get out of here while you still can!

‫Your fingers...

‫"Will?"

‫I think he's waking up

‫You're back!

‫- Where am I? ‫- We're in Giacomo's Quarters.

‫Drink it all.

‫- What is it? ‫- Plum Brandy.