The Sandman 2x7

1. Destiny.

2. I stand in my gallery and hold your sigil.

3. I would speak with you...

4. if you would countenance a visit from your brother.

5. I take it my call was not an unexpected one.

6. No.

7. The last time I was here, I asked for your advice.

8. And then ignored it.

9. And yet...

10. I'm here to ask for your advice.

11. I spilled family blood.

12. - My son begged for me to end his life. - I know.

13. And now, by ancient law, the Furies—

14. You mustn't call them that.

15. The goddesses of vengeance whom we call the Kindly Ones,

16. so as not to offend them...

17. will soon demand the end of my existence as punishment for my crime.

18. I deserve to die for what I have done.

19. But I have my realm to consider, its inhabitants,

20. and I have no wish to die.

21. No.

22. My brother.

23. Tell me what to do, and I will do it this time, I swear.

24. Or tell me what is to come.

25. Tell me what is written in your book.

26. You may see it for yourself, if you wish.

27. One's destiny is determined by one's actions.

28. And what of fate?

29. If I'm fated to die...

30. That is a question for the Fates.

31. Here we are.

32. When you're ready.

33. I still have this to finish, love.

34. Can't say I was ever fond of beginnings myself.

35. Messy little things.

36. Give me a good ending anytime.

37. I can't remember the last time we had a visitor.

38. - I'll get rid of them. - It's all right.

39. I'll go.

40. Morpheus.

41. Greetings to you, ladies.

42. Look, sister selves. It's the Dream King.

43. At our door.

44. But you cut his thread.

45. Well, sometimes it takes them a while to notice.

46. Uh, please, come in.

47. When last we met, I summoned you to the Dreaming.

48. I thought it only just I come to you this time.

49. I have brought gifts.

50. Wine.

51. Some herbs.

52. And... sacred to the Hecate.

53. Oh, he's gorgeous.

54. Oh, he looks so sweet.

55. Oh, he looks like lunch.

56. He's not for eating.

57. Well, not yet.

58. But these aren't gifts, are they, Dream Lord?

59. They're bribes.

60. They're offerings.

61. Were you hoping to find us in our aspect of the Kindly Ones?

62. Have you come to turn yourself in?

63. Or are you seeking amnesty?

64. I'm not here to plead for my life, but the lives of those I serve.

65. I have responsibilities.

66. As do we.

67. If someone petitions us to avenge a blood crime,

68. we're bound by law to do so.

69. But until that time, we can do nothing.

70. And if no one petitions you?

71. Why?

72. Because you have no enemies?

73. What about the boy's mother, Calliope?

74. Or Lucifer Morningstar?

75. Desire once swore they'd make you spill family blood.

76. Oh, I'd forgotten that one. Who else?

77. The list, as they say,

78. is endless.

79. Your crime will be avenged.

80. There's no escape, my dove.

81. All roads lead to your sister's realm in time.

82. Perhaps tomorrow.

83. Perhaps in a thousand years.

84. So, prepare yourself, Dream.

85. The end is coming.

86. Stop it, Rich. I'm not reading that out on air.

87. - It's a joke. - It's not.

88. "The pope welcomes women into the priesthood." Did you write this?

89. It wasn't me. It was him.

90. Fucking hell.

91. Your Holiness.

92. May I speak with you?

93. Won't you join us, Cardinal Visconti?

94. Greetings, Puck.

95. Loki.

96. What gave us away?

97. The global mayhem, perhaps.

98. - Global reform. - Mm.

99. Long overdue.

100. But Puck is a very high-minded chaos agent.

101. He inspired Shakespeare, you know?

102. Did he, indeed?

103. And you two are...

104. collaborating?

105. Mm...

106. You wouldn't think it would work between two tricksters, but it does.

107. That's why it works.

108. We don't make the mistakes most couples do.

109. We know we can't trust one another.

110. Mm. That way, every day is a surprise and no one gets hurt.

111. - What about His Holiness? - We like this pope.

112. - He's not dead. He's asleep. - Faerie dust works a treat.

113. I suggest you wake him. I may have need of you soon.

114. What's this about?

115. Lord Morpheus aided and abetted my escape from Odin's prison.

116. And now I owe him.

117. And what is it that you owe him?

118. He's not told me yet,

119. but I suspect it may have something to do with the rumor of his imminent demise.

120. - And when will that be? - It is not for me to say.

121. So I'm supposed to just

122. drop whatever it is I'm doing the minute the Kindly Ones decide it's time.

123. That was the bargain you made for your freedom.

124. But that is not freedom.

125. For me... or for you.

126. Why waste whatever's left of your life, Dream, preparing for death?

127. Why not free yourself... and me of any obligations?

128. I have my duties.

129. And because of our agreement, so do you.

130. You'll regret entrusting me with this. It's not in my nature to be...

131. dependable.

132. Your nature put you in prison.

133. If you want to stay out of it, then, when the time comes,

134. you will follow my instructions.

135. If you will excuse us, Puck.

136. Loki and I have much to discuss.

137. He's just so fucking smug.

138. Well, I think he's fucking terrified.

139. Are you being compassionate right now? Because I don't like it.

140. He's only asking for a favor.

141. It's the principle of the thing.

142. I'm a god of chaos.

143. I have responsibilities too.

144. Yes, to make as much trouble for as many people as possible.

145. - To shine a light on human hypocrisy. - Ah, yes, that's much better.

146. - So everyone can be as free as we are. - Except we're not free.

147. Or I'm not.

148. Because of Dream.

149. Well... you're still free to fuck with him.

150. Oh, I like the sound of that.

151. - What are you thinking? - All right, just hear me out.

152. You could do exactly what he asked you to do.

153. Have you been listening for the last two minutes? I—

154. But... do it now.

155. Don't wait for him to tell you when it's time.

156. Do it now and be done with it.

157. Give him what he wants but when he doesn't want it.

158. You'll fulfill your obligation,

159. but in a way that creates more trouble for Dream.

160. Do you know, if we commit to this and we do it properly,

161. then we could be the ones to set the Kindly Ones upon him.

162. And I will finally be free.

163. If the Kindly Ones are coming, then how do we defend ourselves?

164. What about building a wall?

165. - A wall? - Like a battlement.

166. What, around the castle or the whole kingdom?

167. Either. Both.

168. Easy, new kid. You're not the one who's gonna have to build it.

169. Well, I'll help you.

170. Well, I don't think a wall is going to be much use against vengeance goddesses.

171. It might slow them down if we put our best marksmen up there.

172. Do we have any marksmen?

173. - We do not. - Not even in the army?

174. Do we not have an army?

175. You forget, ours is a kingdom whose second-in-command is a librarian.

176. Does Faerie have an army?

177. Aye, led by Titania and her second-in-command.

178. And who's that?

179. Well, me. At least, I used to be.

180. Well, I think we've found the general for our new army.

181. Gilbert, I thought you were a pacifist.

182. The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him

183. but because he loves what is behind him.

184. - So am I buildin' a wall or not? - You are not.

185. There is nothing to be done.

186. I have selected my successor.

187. My lord?

188. Surely it needn't come to that.

189. His name is Daniel Hall, son of Lyta and Hector.

190. The first child conceived in the Dreaming.

191. Well, yes, I remember Daniel well, but how old can he be now?

192. He's not even a year.

193. He's eight months old.

194. Yes, but in time he will possess power and insight far beyond my own.

195. Daniel Hall

196. will be the new Dream of the Endless.

197. Daniel, we're here.

198. You ready?

199. You must be Miss Walker and Miss Hall.

200. My name is Paul McGuire. I'm manager of the care home.

201. Well, it used to be a care home.

202. Now it's your home, thanks to your great-grandmother.

203. Oh, we actually haven't decided on moving to London yet.

204. - With my work. - And my brother's school.

205. Of course, my apologies.

206. I only meant that, whatever you decide, the house is yours now.

207. Let me introduce you to the staff.

208. Rosie, look.

209. Unity.

210. It was commissioned just after her death.

211. - She was the most extraordinary woman. - So you knew her?

212. I met her the day she woke up from the sleeping sickness.

213. That was, ironically, the same day my partner, Alex, came down with it.

214. - Oh no. - I'm so sorry.

215. Thank you.

216. The Foundation were good enough to keep me on as a caretaker,

217. but obviously we'll move out the moment you need us to.

218. No, please, stay.

219. - We don't know what we're doing yet, so... - You're very kind.

220. In addition to me and Alex,

221. there's a housekeeper, cook, and a valet on staff.

222. Simon, our valet, is preparing your room.

223. Are you with our American guests?

224. I'm Simon, the valet.

225. You have a very nice face, Simon.

226. You don't mind if I borrow it, do you?

227. I need the uniform too.

228. Miss Hall, Miss Walker, this is our housekeeper, Mrs. Shore.

229. I looked after your great-grandmother as well.

230. If this little one needs looking after, I'd be more than happy to do it.

231. I was hoping we could have dinner in London tonight.

232. It's settled, then.

233. I don't want to leave him alone on our first night.

234. He won't be alone.

235. He'll be with us.

236. This is Simon, our valet.

237. Is your name Daniel?

238. - Hmm? - Mine's Simon.

239. What do you say... to a night in with us?

240. Hmm?

241. We can explore every room in this great big giant house.

242. Would you like that?

243. We did bring the baby monitor.

244. Simon can set that up.

245. Absolutely, leave it with me.

246. Then I don't see why not.

247. Shall we be off then, Daniel?

248. You get the bags, Simon. I'll get the baby.

249. Shall we go find your room?

250. Come on then. Off we go.

251. Can I help you in any way?

252. Can I build you an army?

253. Nuala.

254. If not me, then why not ask Titania?

255. Or Odin? Or your siblings?

256. I could have the greatest, most powerful army imaginable.

257. And with you in command, I'm sure I would.

258. But the law is the law.

259. Who says?

260. No, I... I'm...

261. I'm asking who wrote these laws. Was it the Fates?

262. No.

263. - Was it Destiny? - No.

264. Then... who was it?

265. Because if there's someone out there writing these laws,

266. then can't you go to them and... explain what happened?

267. Or... ask for help or advice?

268. There has to be someone in charge.

269. There are authorities beyond the Endless.

270. Who are they?

271. Before the beginning, there was the Night.

272. And the Night was without boundaries.

273. And without end.

274. In the beginning was Time.

275. The relentless beat in which things could happen.

276. In which everything could become.

277. Matter could exist.

278. In that coming together,

279. the universe was possible.

280. All versions of it.

281. They exist as he wishes it.

282. Such is the nature of Time in his realm.

283. Well?

284. Hello, Father.

285. What do you want?

286. You only come here if you want something.

287. Cannot a son call upon his father with no motive but to wish him well?

288. Of course you can. It just never happens.

289. The only one of my children to ask nothing of me is Destiny.

290. But he has his book.

291. He asks nothing of me,

292. for I gave him all I had as his birthright.

293. He leaves me alone.

294. Wish I could say the same for the rest of you.

295. You've seen my siblings?

296. Not intentionally.

297. My children seem to think that because I am Time,

298. that my time cannot be wasted.

299. Your time here thus far has proven that is not the case.

300. - My apologies for having disturbed you. - You have.

301. So at least give me the satisfaction of having been right.

302. What do you want, Dream?

303. I came here seeking your help.

304. My child is dead.

305. Yes.

306. Because you spilt family blood.

307. Because he was suffering.

308. I could not refuse him again.

309. That is because you are weak.

310. And sentimental.

311. Children are an inconvenient consequence of love.

312. They do nothing but take.

313. That was not the case with my son.

314. Did he not ask you to intervene on his behalf to Hades and Persephone?

315. Yes.

316. And I did not... to my eternal regret.

317. And when he asked you to end his life,

318. did he not know that you would end yours by doing so?

319. Now you show up here,

320. expecting me to be as weak with you as you were with your son.

321. To save you... out of love.

322. But I do not love you, Dream.

323. No.

324. I know that.

325. Do you?

326. Tell me something, Dream.

327. Do you love me?

328. A child cannot help but love his father.

329. No matter who he is or what he does... or doesn't do.

330. I learnt that from my own son.

331. I abused him.

332. And yet, he loved me.

333. Did I abuse you?

334. And yet you love me.

335. I think that makes you rather foolish, don't you?

336. I think I knew you wouldn't help me.

337. I think the reason I came here was to thank you.

338. For everything you have given me, for my... existence.

339. Every moment of it.

340. Even this one.

341. And I think I came here to say goodbye.

342. I don't believe we will see each other again.

343. And if I were inclined to help you, Dream,

344. how would you propose I do that?

345. Shall I send you back in time?

346. So you can go to Hades on your son's behalf?

347. I could do that for you, if you'd like.

348. But Hades will refuse your request.

349. And your son will find his way to the underworld, no matter what you do.

350. That is the only help I can give you.

351. The peace that comes from knowing it could not be other than it was.

352. There is nothing you could have done then to save your son.

353. Just as you cannot save yourself now.

354. But the blank pages in Destiny's book...

355. Well, the specifics of your death,

356. how it happens, when it happens, may yet be unwritten.

357. But make no mistake, Destiny's book has an ending.

358. And so do you.

359. I will leave you now.

360. Thank you again.

361. Have you spoken to your mother?

362. No.

363. Why do you ask?

364. The two of you were close once.

365. I thought perhaps you'd gone to her for help and she'd refused you,

366. which is why you came to me.

367. No.

368. I came because you're my father.

369. And I'm your son.

370. Well, if you talk to her, tell her...

371. Just tell her I was thinking of her.

372. Time is dissolved in darkness.

373. A place of no light.

374. No information.

375. A place of endless night.

376. So, you've come home... after all this time.

377. Into the darkness.

378. Hello, Mother.

379. You are naughty not to have called first.

380. You know how I value my privacy and don't like to be disturbed.

381. A trait we share.

382. Are you hungry?

383. Would you like some wine?

384. I am being the most ungracious hostess.

385. Tell me of your siblings.

386. The only one I ever see is Destiny.

387. He comes and he talks.

388. And the little one?

389. Delirium.

390. Yes, I see her skulking around here sometimes.

391. She's changed, though.

392. I'm not entirely sure what she wants from me.

393. She wants what she's always wanted.

394. Your attention.

395. Your interest.

396. Your love.

397. I saw Father.

398. Did you?

399. And how's he doing?

400. He misses you.

401. You sweet child.

402. Do you think that if you reintroduce me to your father,

403. we'll come together in one glowing union

404. and everything that's wrong will be healed?

405. That together we will rewrite the laws of the universe

406. and save you from the Kindly Ones?

407. I assure you that was not my intention in coming here.

408. And is that even possible?

409. You really have no idea what you're doing, do you?

410. Oh, you poor thing.

411. I'll tell you what.

412. Why not let Mother make it all better?

413. How?

414. What if I were to make you

415. a perfect little dream world... here.

416. With a partner, a relationship.

417. You've always wanted one of those.

418. And you'd be safe here and close to me.

419. You could see me whenever you like, when I'm not working.

420. There.

421. That's my offer, darling.

422. It's not like you've left yourself a way out.

423. I must, with respect, decline.

424. You would rather be hounded to death by the Kindly Ones

425. than live here with me?

426. No.

427. But I have my realm and my responsibilities.

428. You've always been selfish,

429. even when you were a child.

430. Everything had to be your way or no way at all.

431. The rest of us didn't exist to you,

432. except as a means to an end.

433. Well, now you have your end,

434. and I leave you to it.

435. Forgive me.

436. I meant no disrespect.

437. I was merely trying to be the person I thought you wanted me to be.

438. Of course.

439. It's always the parents' fault.

440. Well, if it gives you comfort to blame me for the way you are,

441. or the way you turned out,

442. you are welcome to it, my love.

443. It will be my farewell gift to you.

444. I don't blame you, Mother.

445. Oh, I'm glad, darling.

446. It's much nicer that we end as friends.

447. Oh, and if you see your father,

448. tell him I said hello.

449. Did Lord Morpheus say you could build an army?

450. He didn't say I couldn't.

451. Well, that is one nice thing about his long, penetrating silences.

452. You can read into them whatever you want.

453. At the very least, we should be able to protect ourselves and him.

454. You're going to need more than a bow and arrow to take down the Furies.

455. Mervyn, please. The Kindly Ones.

456. You think those broads are listening to me?

457. I'm a pumpkin.

458. You're not even listenin' to me.

459. What do you suggest?

460. Well, I suggest one of these.

461. I call 'em "the unkindly ones."

462. And just in time. We got incoming.

463. Can you see who it is?

464. Well, perhaps it's a harbinger of the Kindly Ones.

465. No. Worse.

466. It's my brother.

467. Cluracan, what are you doing here?

468. I told you I'd visit.

469. I expressly told you not to.

470. I've never been very good at listening, though, have I?

471. Hello, Lucienne. Fiddler's Green. Bird.

472. Pumpkin.

473. May we speak... in private?

474. Young man, the lady has made it perfectly plain

475. that she has no wish to see you.

476. The young lady has never in the past had trouble speaking her own mind.

477. Shall we hear it from her?

478. Thank you, Gilbert.

479. But the sooner he delivers his message, the sooner he will leave.

480. There. You see?

481. I'll be all right.

482. What has happened to your face? Why are you not wearing your glamour?

483. Because Lord Morpheus prefers to see others as they truly are.

484. - I hope he won't expect me to remove mine. - He won't. Because you won't be staying.

485. That's true. The queen wants us back as soon as possible.

486. Wants us back? Why?

487. She's heard about the Kindly Ones.

488. Everyone has heard.

489. She wants me back because she wants the gossip.

490. You are too harsh with Titania.

491. And you are her lapdog.

492. I have a duty to my queen, and so do you.

493. My duty to her ended when she gave me to Lord Morpheus.

494. - When you gave me to Lord Morpheus. - Do you think I enjoyed doing that?

495. I had no choice.

496. Will you forgive me?

497. Come home?

498. No.

499. And Lord Morpheus will not allow it.

500. Of course he will.

501. I will ask him to send you back, and he will wave us on our way.

502. I promise you, he will not.

503. Shall we ask him?

504. Find out. Then you can be beautiful again.

505. Where is the throne room?

506. Cluracan, you can't just barge in.

507. Why not?

508. Lord Shaper, where are you?

509. - Ah. - Hello, Cluracan.

510. My lord.

511. I have come to ask a favor.

512. It concerns a gift.

513. A gift?

514. The Lady Nuala.

515. She was a gift to you from my queen.

516. And I've come to ask if she may return to Faerie with me.

517. And how does the Lady Nuala feel about this?

518. I have no wish to go, my lord.

519. My home is here now, thanks to you.

520. And, Cluracan, what does your queen say?

521. Well, speaking informally, as a private individual,

522. I can state the queen would view the idea of the return of the Lady Nuala

523. with unmixed pleasure.

524. Perhaps she has heard of my recent loss and fears the Dreaming is no longer safe.

525. - No, sire, I assure you— - She would not be mistaken.

526. Were you not able to speak with the authorities?

527. I was.

528. But the law is the law.

529. I think it would be safer for you to go.

530. As you wish, my lord.

531. Thank you, Lord Shaper.

532. Come, sister.

533. Let's go home.

534. Come in, Nuala.

535. Oh, sir.

536. Did you summon me? I... I would have come to you.

537. Nuala said you'd gone to see your parents.

538. Were they at all... helpful?

539. No.

540. I'm so sorry.

541. Between them, they have everything.

542. All of time and space.

543. And yet, they want only what they cannot have.

544. Which is to be left alone.

545. So, I have given them what they want.

546. And did they give you anything?

547. They gave me life.

548. It is a child's vanity to believe his parents will give him anything more.

549. There are parents who... actually love their children, you know?

550. Who take pleasure in their company and... would do anything for them.

551. Not mine.

552. No.

553. But you did... for your son.

554. As you have done...

555. for me.

556. Here you go, Hettie.

557. Thank you, love.

558. You're welcome. Cheers.

559. I just feel guilty leaving Daniel.

560. It's fine. He's asleep.

561. And Mrs. Shore is a trained nurse.

562. Rosie, look.

563. My son has a stuffed animal who looks just like him.

564. He's called Shadow, that one is.

565. - What's your boy's name? - Daniel.

566. Like the prophet. Interpreted the king's dreams, didn't he?

567. In Babylon.

568. Well, say good night to Daniel for us.

569. All right, come on you lot. Time to go home.

570. Uh, what are you doing?

571. I just need to call Mrs. Shore to check in.

572. You can do that inside. Come on.

573. All right, Daniel.

574. What do you say to a night out instead? Hmm?

575. He's sending me back.

576. He let us know.

577. I'm so sorry. I don't know what he's thinking.

578. He's not thinkin'.

579. He's grieving, Merv.

580. He said he's worried about my safety.

581. I suspect he'll say the same thing to us.

582. Surely not. I can't think what he'd do without you all.

583. But if it comes to that, there's a place for you in Faerie.

584. You will hate it, but having you there would make it feel like home.

585. Well, here's a little piece of home for you to take back with you.

586. Chesterton.

587. He's very good company, even at the worst of times.

588. Or especially.

589. Thank you, Gilbert.

590. I too would like to thank you for your service, Nuala.

591. A gift.

592. It's beautiful.

593. Here.

594. If you are in need, hold the stone in your hands and call me.

595. I will come to you

596. and grant you a boon.

597. - Sire, I— - Are you ready, sister?

598. Hello.

599. Where did this come from?

600. A gift from His Majesty.

601. Your horse, Cluracan, is fed and watered.

602. Nuala, I have taken the liberty of furnishing you with a mare.

603. Thank you, Lord.

604. Farewell.

605. I'll see you all again.

606. Come, sister.

607. Let's go home.

608. I know you think she'll be safe there,

609. but her life with Queen Titania is anything but.

610. At least she will have a life there.

611. I could not guarantee that if she stayed, as I cannot guarantee it for any of you.

612. - Well, I'm not going anywhere. - No. Nor am I.

613. You're stuck with us, boss.

614. I guess we're all stayin', then.

615. As you wish.

616. But I will urge everyone else to take shelter in other realms,

617. until such a time as it is safe for them to return.

618. And when will that time come, if I may ask?

619. After my death.

620. Hello? Mrs. Shore?

621. There is nothing I or anyone can do

622. to keep the Kindly Ones from...

623. performing their duties.

624. Mrs. Shore?

625. From this day forward... the future of the Dreaming...

626. is Daniel Hall.

627. Ah.

628. It's over

629. But it's not done

630. We're forgetting the sun is setting

631. On a love that seems so young

632. But it's not over 'Til it's over and done

633. It's useless

634. We've come undone

635. And you know it

636. We both know we're wounded

637. War is hell and nobody won

638. Nobody won

639. All the fighting left us bleeding

640. But no one found the smoking gun

641. And it's not over 'Til it's over and done

642. We're forgetting the sun is setting

643. On a love that seems so young

644. But it's not over 'til it's over

645. It's not over 'til it's over

646. It's not over

647. Until it's over and done