Vox Lux

Celeste was born in America in 1986.

Considering her parents' background, education,

and socioeconomic status,

being somewhat on the losing side of Reaganomics,

the name of Latin origin seemed an especially poetic choice.

It carved her out some predetermined destination,

a route which to travel by.

And many years before "Celeste" rolled off the cultural tongue

like a principled anecdote one senses they were born knowing,

she might not have been described as all that special

or conspicuously talented.

However, she did possess that proverbial "something,"

which on occasion captured the attention of her teachers

and young peers.

Despite what naysayers later perceived of her ingenuity,

she was actually a very savvy businesswoman.

In the beginning, she was kind and full of grace,

and at least she wrote her own lyrics.

No one could take that away from her.

She would be 13 going on 14 years old

in the year 2000,

the dawn of the new millennium.

Morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Hello. - Welcome back.

- Good morning. - Hi. Happy New Year.

Therese, did you change your hair?

Uh, my sister cut it. She's a hairdresser.

Oh. Does she work in town? I want a cut like that.

Really? Uh, well, she lives out of state.

She was visiting us for the holidays,

but I can let you know when she's back.

Would you mind? Sometimes you feel like a change.

Sure, I can.

- Hello. - What's up?

- Good morning. - Hi.

- Hi. Welcome back. - Good morning.

Okay.

Welcome back, everybody.

- Did you enjoy the break? - Yes. Yeah.

- Did you enjoy the break? - Yes.

Well, I received news from Vice Principal Kane

about our homeroom computer appeal.

What is it?

I want to wait and share it once everyone's arrived.

We're waiting on, um, Eric and Elyse.

Well, they're probably gonna take a while.

Why is that?

Aidan, let's not start the year off at odds.

Whatever you're saying to him, you can save it for after class.

He's here. I saw Eric five minutes ago.

- All right, then. We'll wait. - Are we getting desktops?

- I said we'll wait. - Excuse me.

Yes?

My name is Cullen Active.

What?

Yes, Cullen, I know.

- -

Celeste?

Celeste, go stand in the back with the others.

Is she breathing?

No.

Celeste, you need to get up

and step away from the windows, because in a few minutes

there will be an explosion.

What are you doing?

Why are you doing this?

Stop! Stop!

I'm standing.

I'll stand.

Now everyone, please shut up and be quiet.

Go back inside!

Cullen?

Cullen, please let us go.

I killed plenty of people already.

I'm sorry. I can't do that now.

Please. At least let everyone else go.

I'll stay here with you.

And what are we gonna do?

We'll pray together.

- Shh. Everything's gonna be... -

- Clear. - Adam Seven, clear in the classroom.

Clear!

Adam Seven, be advised... multiple 80s.

Room 206, second floor.

Breathe in and hold your breath.

Breathe.

What are you feeling now?

I feel like I'm on a boat.

It's not just that.

I just feel like I'm spinning.

You think it's in my head?

No, I don't think it's in your head at all.

I just don't think it has anything to do with your spinal injury.

I need to sit.

I'll get your chair. Just a minute. Come on.

Do you want to try a few more steps?

Okay. Good.

All right.

- There you go. - Where's Dad and Eleanor?

They went to get us some food.

Some of the other kids have been complaining

about their ears ringing from the gun blasts.

I talked to her doctor about it, and...

Great.

- Hey, Mrs. Howard. - Hello, Miss Celeste.

I'm so sorry I was sick.

I should've been there for you.

I'm so grateful you're alive.

I think I would have died... or just killed myself.

I don't think I could've standed it.

I'm here now, and I am never going to leave you.

Ever.

My God.

Ellie, I think I've done something terrible.

- - What is it?

It says here they found Cullen's grandparents.

They think that he shot both of them three weeks before Christmas

and lived with the bodies over the holiday.

- Ew! - Dad...

- Excuse me. - Stop.

I'm sorry. There are some news people here requesting an interview.

Oh, well, don't look at me. It's up to her.

I don't want anyone to see me like this.

You look fine.

Can you talk to them?

Me?

What am I supposed to say?

I wasn't there.

Just tell them how sorry we are for everyone that died.

Call Mom.

Are you sure?

I can take you to a telephone.

Thanks, babe.

- I think I want to try and sleep for a while. - Good.

I think I am going to try and take your mother

out to dinner or something.

Get her mind off of things.

Sure you don't need anything else other than that keyboard?

You know, I have a guitar in the basement.

Could bring that over, teach you a little.

Thanks, but...

it's hard for me to tilt my head down.

So it starts like...

- so, one, two, three. -

Yeah.

Twice.

...remain in critical condition.

Hold them especially in your prayers.

Please join me now

by turning to the page 13.

I was informed earlier,

and I guess some of you are already aware,

of last night's arson attempt

over at the Active residence.

Lieutenant Lynne at the 120th Precinct has asked me

to remind everyone that that is the site

of an ongoing investigation,

and its destruction would...

gravely impair their officers' ability to provide answers

to the community's many pressing questions.

I would like to add...

ferocious anger prompted this,

and we cannot have any more anger

or violence around us this minute.

I'll go a step further by asking you all to please

include the perpetrator

of these vicious attacks in your prayers.

By this way of

healing prayer

and forgiveness,

victims of this tragedy will be...

released from their own grief

and rage in the afterlife.

Throughout the night, we'll be asking New Brighton students

to come up and share

memories and recollections with us.

Please join me in welcoming Celeste Montgomery

from Stephanie Dwyer's eighth-grade class.

Um, I tried to prepare something to say,

but... I couldn't really put my feelings into words exactly,

so I thought I'd do this instead.

Uh, my sister, Ellie, helped me a lot.

This song is about us,

and... it's for her.