The Strange Dark

Do you have to be so damn loud?

You're killing me, Frank.

That's better. You look good. Professional.

Now, let's do this.

Remember, I'll do the talking.

Knock.

Sorry. I just got home, I was in the kitchen,

and my arms were full of groceries,

I dropped the eggs, and

how can I help you?

Are you Susan?

Yes.

I'm Maria. This is Frank.

We work at Double Star Accounting with your husband, Ed.

Ex.

Excuse me?

He's my ex-husband.

We're getting a divorce. We're separated.

I didn't know.

It's all right. It's for the best.

Well, we're here because Ed is in a little bit of trouble.

Is he all right?

Maybe it would better if we talked inside.

Of course.

It's a bit of a mess, but, please, come on in.

Sorry, I'm grading essays on Shakespeare.

I'm also directing the school play.

It's always a bit of chaos this time of year.

We're doing "The Scottish Play".

Never heard of it.

Oh, it's just a silly superstition.

It's what you say instead of saying "Macbeth."

It's supposed to be bad luck if you say "Macbeth" out loud.

But you just said it out loud.

True. Uh

I never really believed the myth, it's just sort of... tradition.

Please, have a seat.

So, have you seen him recently?

Who?

Your husband, ex-husband, Ed?

No.

Do you know where he is?

At this moment... no.

When did you last see him?

When?

Today?

- No, no, not today. - Last... last week I think.

He was picking up Taylor.

Taylor?

Our daughter.

Is she here?

We'd love to meet her.

No, Taylor's got mathletics tonight.

She's a mathlete.

It's a mathematics competition.

Math plus athlete equals mathlete.

There are teams.

It's actually quite competitive.

Hmm. How fun.

Sorry about that.

So, you both work with Edgar at Double Star?

Yes.

You work in accounting?

Well, not exactly.

Does he ever talk?

Not much.

He's shy.

You said Edgar's in some trouble.

Ugh, I'm afraid so.

It's probably just a misunderstanding,

but there's a problem with some of his numbers.

Some data has gone missing.

And, like I said, it's probably just an accident and

I'm sure he could explain it all,

but we have been unable to reach him.

That doesn't sound like Edgar.

So do you know where we might find him?

Not really.

Have you noticed any changes in his behavior lately?

Changes?

I really couldn't say.

Because of the divorce?

Separation.

If you don't mind me asking, what led to your separation?

That's... personal.

Of course, I understand.

I'm only asking because, well,

I don't know how else to say it, but

you're in danger.

The kettle.

I forgot.

I put water on for tea

before you arrived.

Would either of you like some tea?

I'm fine.

I'd like some.

Great. Great.

I'll just be a minute.

What?

You know what?

I'm thirsty.

This is not going to be like Black Hill,

or fucking Aperture Labs.

That wasn't my fault.

It's never your fault, Frank.

Just watch the damn kitchen.

Okay.

It's always something with you, huh?

"I'm thirsty." That's classic.

Wait until they hear that back at the office.

Do you take sugar with your tea?

No.

Be right back then.

Careful, it's hot.

It still needs another minute to steep.

You were saying something about danger?

At Double Star accounting, we work with numbers.

Lots of numbers.

Small numbers. Big numbers. Private numbers.

Secret numbers.

And we pride ourselves on being able to keep those secret.

It's who we are. It's what we do.

Ed... works with those numbers.

He's a genius with numbers.

In fact, no one's better than Ed.

He's the best, am I right?

But lately, well, something's wrong with Ed.

Human resources would say "mental health issues"

and maybe that's just it.

Maybe he's just feeling a little down.

After all, he's going through a divorce.

That can't be easy.

But, I don't think it's that simple.

I think something snapped in here.

He's unstable, talking nonsense, doing crazy things,

and, I worry, for you and your daughter.

If we don't find him soon and get him some help,

someone is going to get hurt.

Earl Grey

that's my favorite.

Taylor?

Is that you?

Taylor?

Are you home?

Taylor?

Oh... you scared me to death.

You dropped the eggs.

Did I?

Are they here?

Is who here?

The others.

- I don't understand. - It's just you and me, Edgar,

and you shouldn't be here.

It's not your house anymore. We talked about this, remember?

I remember.

Yeah.

What's going on?

I'm closing the curtains.

- I can see that. - Why are you closing the curtains?

Oh, we don't have much time.

Are you getting those headaches again? Cause the doctor said...

No, it's not a headache, okay?

Okay. Calm down.

I'm calm. Where's Taylor?

She's not home.

Are you sure? She should be home.

Taylor?

See, I told you, she's not here.

What is it?

Something's... something's different.

Different how?

Really?

It's not your house, Edgar.

You need to go.

Oh, strange.

Get away from the window.

You need to tell me what's going on.

You're acting weirder than normal, and you're starting to freak me out.

We have to go. It's not safe here.

What the hell are you talking about?

You're in danger. We have to go, now.

Hey, let go of me. Let go!

You're scaring me.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm just trying to help you, okay

to save you.

To save me from what?

Double Star Accounting.

You're trying to save me from your job?

Yeah.

Now, that's funny.

All these years, you have been obsessed with work,

practically ignoring Taylor and me, and I have begged you to change.

And your work was always more important.

That's not true.

Please leave.

I took something from them.

Well, give it back.

I can't. It's not like that.