The Invoking (Sader Ridge) (The Invoking)

It says we're still back at the Burger Hut.

Told you we should've brought a map.

It's not my fault Roman forgot the GPS.

But you remembered to bring your stupid sound gear though, right?

Shh.

Oh, it works now!

What is it?

The drama never stops.

Would you quit texting your girlfriend and tell me where we are?

I would but the signal keeps dropping.

Why don't you open that?

See if there's anything in there that might help us.

Just for backup!

No trust.

Thanks, navigator.

Are we there yet?

I will turn this car around.

- Hey, what's that? - What?

How many times do I have to tell you, you need glasses?

The same number of times that I've told you I'm not wearing glasses.

Girls in glasses are sexy.

Thanks, Roman.

So is stubble that never seems to grow out.

We have reception, people.

This place is weird.

Sam, what are you doing?

Give me a minute.

Hey, look what I found.

Oh. I didn't know you still had that.

Yeah, you know my parents, they never throw anything out, so...

Well, this is good. You'll have something to remember me by while I'm gone.

Maybe you should hang on to it. I mean, you did make it.

I made it for you.

Very stylish.

You sure your parents are okay with you not graduating?

I am graduating. I'm just pushing it back a semester.

Right. I... I'm just saying you picked a bad time to travel.

Especially, with people you've just met. I mean, you barely know them.

I'm only gonna be gone for six months.

And you know what I'm gonna do as soon as I get back?

I'm gonna call my best friend.

You wanna go, explore with me?

Are you gonna do this the whole trip?

Well, I've gotta build my sound library.

I'll pass. I think I'm gonna stick with the group.

Come on. Live a little.

That's the point.

Is this a private party?

Where is he going?

Oh! You know to record animal sex sounds.

For his personal use.

Everything okay?

Yeah, I just

wanted to talk to the lawyer.

Oh.

Try him again before we leave.

I've been trying for two days.

All I get is a busy signal.

How are we getting into the house?

I guess, there's a caretaker or something.

He'll be there.

Man! I wish somebody would give me a house.

Yeah.

It's pretty cool.

What do your parents think of it?

You know, the Harrises.

The Harrises are my parents.

- I haven't told them yet. - What!

Why not?

I don't know.

I've asked them about my real family before but they always got upset.

I guess, I didn't want to hurt their feelings?

Well, who did you get the house from?

An aunt, I think?

I wanted to talk to the lawyer more.

Are you fucking kidding me?

- Boys. - What do you think is going on?

I think the name's Jessica.

Seriously? He can't take a vacation?

What does she think he's gonna do?

I don't know. I try to stay out of Mark's love life.

Except for that time when you were Mark's love life.

Radio tower feedback.

Great! Signal's gone.

Well, at least we have the map.

- It's not that. - What is it?

She dumped me.

Aw!

I'm so sorry.

It's probably for the best.

Maybe you're right, Sam.

I'm getting sick of fighting with her all the time anyway.

Hey, we're gonna have a great time.

Uh, maybe you guys will get back together when you get back to school.

Or not.

Well, this is it.

So, what do we do now?

I don't know. He's supposed to be here.

Oh, shit!

Sam?

Uh, you must be Sam.

I am. Nice to meet you.

Eric.

Mark, Caitlin, Roman.

Okay.

Let me just get this gate open for you, and I'll follow you in.

What do you think the house will look like?

It's going to be beautiful, Sam!

Uh...

It's not exactly the four-bedroom, two-bath estate we were hoping for.

Well, at least there's a gross barn,

probably infested with rats, right next door.

You're always looking on the bright side of things, Roman.

Is that really it?

Hmm. The driveway keeps going up,

so maybe that's where he lives.

- Who? - Glenn.

His name's Eric, retard.

He just told us his name.

I guess. He looks like a Glenn to me.

Here we go.

This is great, Sam!

Pool!

- It's a pool, buddy. - I don't swim.

It's five feet deep.

Oh, let me show you around a little.

Oh, man!

There's gonna be some serious late-night skinny-dipping going on in this pool!

Oh, fuck!

Over there's the well.

What, we have to get our water from a well?

No, you have running water that comes from a well.

Sorry, they're city boys.

They're dumbasses is what she means to say.

Oh, okay.

Hey, you don't agree with that.

Hey, what's in here?

It's just a bunch of junk.

What about the barn we passed?

It might be best if you stay out until I'm done.

Everything is covered in dust and crawling with black widows.

Well, I'm convinced.

I'll just get the power turned back on for you.

It's just right around here.

Hey, somebody tell us when the lights come on!

- Anything? - Not yet!

Hello?

- Oh! - Oh!

So, where are we gonna have the fire?

Can we have a fire?

Like a bonfire?

No, like a house fire.

Insurance.

No, a bonfire.

Don't listen to that idiot.

Hey, where do we sleep?

Uh, there's two bedrooms in the back.

I'm gonna take the couch.

Well, I'll take one of the bedrooms.

Who's gonna join me?

Sorry, big boy, you are on your own.

Sam and I are taking the master bedroom.

Oh, that's all we're gonna be thinking about tonight.

Right, Eric?

Uh...

There's a fire pit in the woods behind the pool.

Thanks so much for showing us around.

I'm sure I'll have other questions.

Yeah, anything you need. My place is right down there.

Hey! Do you wanna hang out with us tonight?

- Really? - Really?

Yeah. You should totally hang out with us.

Uh, okay.

Are you sure you don't want a drink?

We have plenty.

Oh, no. I don't... I don't drink.

I can't stand those. They taste like cough syrup.

They get a pretty bad wrap, but...

These are pretty good. A buddy in my platoon got me hooked on 'em.

You're in the military?

So was my, my dad.

Yeah. I was in the army.

I haven't been able to kick the bad habits yet. I'm trying though.

- Do those work? - No, not at all.

I don't know, man. It just sounds like a bunch of noise.

Well, uh, it is technically a bunch of noise

but you mix it together and it's a song.

- Let me just show this part. - Don't get too excited.

Remember the time when you peed your pants in the talent show?

- Oh, in sixth grade. - Eighth grade.

I didn't have anywhere to stay when I got back

so your aunt offered me the caretaker job,

to just stay on the property until the new owner decides what they wanna do with it.

What are you gonna do with it?

Hey, Eric.

Are there any weird stories from around here?

You know, cults or meth rings or something?

Yeah! I mean, every town has got a creepy story.

It's a little cliche, right?

Not every small town has to be strange.