The Sandman 1x9

1. So, I've been having these dreams.

2. And last night, I dreamed I found Jed.

3. And he told me

4. who his foster parents are and where they live.

5. So, when I woke up this morning, I went there.

6. But when I got there...

7. Jed was gone.

8. And they were dead.

9. I know it's hard to believe, but—

10. I believe you.

11. Because last night, I had a dream that I spent the night with Hector.

12. And when I woke up this morning...

13. Oh, my God.

14. I know.

15. Is it real?

16. Feel it.

17. - Oh, my God. - I know.

18. What is happening to us?

19. I think I know the answer to that.

20. I think it's me.

21. I don't know how she did it, but Rose just got Lyta pregnant.

22. What?

23. Apparently it happened in her dream, and when Lyta woke up—

24. - She was still pregnant. - Very much so.

25. Then it's starting.

26. Rose is weakening the walls between the realms.

27. You gonna tell the boss?

28. - No. - "No"?

29. It's none of my business.

30. Uh, since when?

31. Since Lord Morpheus reminded me that I'm merely a librarian

32. and should concern myself with my books from now on.

33. He said that?

34. He did. So...

35. What is wrong with him?

36. Nothing is wrong with him.

37. He's always been this way.

38. He's just been away so long I'd forgotten.

39. He's determined to deal with the vortex and the missing Arcana by himself.

40. Without anyone's help.

41. So any news must be reported directly and exclusively to him.

42. Okay. But can I keep you in the loop?

43. You'd better not.

44. In His Majesty's current mood, he could banish us both to the Darkness.

45. As he did Gault.

46. All right, fine. I'll go back to spying on Rose.

47. But you should make up with him.

48. I should make up with him?

49. Yes. Now's not the time to be fighting,

50. not when there's a vortex getting people pregnant

51. and runaway Nightmares doing God knows what.

52. Mm.

53. You want another one?

54. Don't we have to meet Rose?

55. - No, Rose is coming to meet us. - Here?

56. No. I have to go to a work thing.

57. It's a convention.

58. - We'll call her from there. - Like a comic book convention?

59. You like comic books?

60. I used to.

61. Back when you were a kid?

62. - Yeah. - Yeah.

63. - Can I ask you a question? - Shoot.

64. What's your name?

65. Have you ever noticed how people only ever use your name

66. when you're in trouble... Jed?

67. "We need to talk, Jed."

68. "Get in here, Jed."

69. You sound like my Uncle Barnaby.

70. - Exactly. - He's gonna come looking for me.

71. No, he's not.

72. He always comes looking for me.

73. Hmm, not this time.

74. Do you run away a lot?

75. - Hmm. - I do too.

76. And I'll tell you a secret.

77. I'm running away right now.

78. You are?

79. And once we get to Rose, we don't have to run anymore.

80. We'll be home free.

81. Are you ready to meet your sister?

82. Yeah.

83. Well, then let's go. Come on.

84. You wanna drive?

85. Ah!

86. This is all my fault.

87. Because you're a dream vortex?

88. I don't know how I'm doing it or even when I'm doing it,

89. but I promise you... I will fix this.

90. I will make it go away.

91. No, you won't.

92. Look, whatever's happening, however it's happening,

93. our dreams are coming true.

94. You found Jed in your dreams.

95. And I found Hector.

96. In fact, uh...

97. he's asked me to live with him there.

98. Where?

99. In your dreams?

100. How? That's impossible.

101. I have no idea. I mean, if this can happen, I have to try.

102. So, you'd just... give up on your life here?

103. - What life? - Don't say that.

104. It's true, though.

105. And... you can always visit.

106. How?

107. The same way you found Jed and I found Hector.

108. In your dreams.

109. - Hello? - Hi.

110. I'm calling because I found one of your flyers.

111. - About a missing boy? - Yes?

112. I think I found him.

113. - Rose? - Jed?

114. - Hi! - Hi.

115. I... I can't believe it. Are you okay? Where are you?

116. We're at a hotel in Georgia. Can you come get me?

117. Yes. I'm leaving right now, Jeddy.

118. Tell me the name of the hotel.

119. The Royal Empire Hotel.

120. Royal Empire Hotel.

121. You're about three hours from here. Is that okay?

122. She's three hours away.

123. I'll answer to her.

124. Rose. Take your time. Just call us at this number when you get here.

125. Thank you. Oh. I almost forgot. What's your name?

126. We'll see you soon.

127. All right, kid. Let's go.

128. Been on the road for three days. Drive was a killer.

129. Hate these hick towns. Wouldn't be caught dead here if it wasn't for the convention.

130. - What you looking for? - It's a cereal convention.

131. I thought there'd be cereal.

132. Are you still hungry?

133. Okay. Well, have a seat, uh, over there and we'll get you something to eat.

134. Tell ya, I could murder a steak.

135. A good, bloody steak.

136. They do this chocolate fudge whip to die for.

137. The TV version butchered it, but you can find it uncut online.

138. Hell, I thought this whole issue was dead and buried in the '60s.

139. That's when Harry killed the lights. I could've died.

140. He slays me, that guy.

141. Nemesis of Neglect, there you go.

142. There he is.

143. Our guest of honor doesn't need to wait in line.

144. We've got name tags and room keys for you and the young woman joining you.

145. I've got her younger brother with me as well.

146. You may want to advise him to steer clear of the convention areas.

147. Yeah.

148. Uh, Miss Walker? It's Gilbert.

149. Uh, one second.

150. Go. I'll be fine.

151. Our esteemed landlord tells me we're running low on these.

152. Actually, we don't need them anymore.

153. I just got a call. Someone found Jed.

154. What? Where?

155. He's at a hotel in Georgia. I'm on my way there now.

156. You're not going alone, I hope.

157. Uh, Lyta's not feeling well, so...

158. You must allow me to accompany you.

159. Uh, I believe America is a very large and excitable place,

160. and a young person traveling alone can get into all kind of scrapes.

161. As witnessed the other night.

162. That's very generous of you, but—

163. If you'll indulge me,

164. I should rather enjoy the role of amateur knight errant.

165. I have my swordstick and an ancient but serviceable revolver.

166. All right. But where we're going, we won't need to defend ourselves.

167. I, uh, actually got to meet him once.

168. You met the Big Bad Wolf?

169. The actor who did the voice.

170. Wow.

171. Hey. Fun.

172. Fun Land. Not "Fun." Fun Land.

173. Got it. Sorry about that.

174. - That's okay. - I see you've met my young friend.

175. - Oh.

176. Is he with you?

177. He is.

178. He and his sister are my guests and under my protection.

179. Are we good?

180. We are. Yeah. We're good.

181. Glad to hear it. Come on, Jed.

182. Nice to meet you.

183. - You sure you don't mind driving? - No. Not at all.

184. When I left home, I made it my mission to see as much of this world as possible.

185. And home is England? You sound English.

186. Thank you.

187. Just, you know, to me, the object of travel

188. is not to set foot in a foreign land,

189. but at last to set foot in your own country as a foreign land.

190. So, it's all about going home?

191. Yes. I, I suppose it must be, in the end.

192. And, and you and Miss Hall will be going home, I assume. Uh, with Jed?

193. Uh, Lyta has other plans, actually.

194. Oh, yes, you said that, um, she wasn't feeling very well.

195. Is everything all right?

196. I hope so.

197. Are you sure this is okay?

198. Very sure.

199. What was that?

200. Uh...

201. An earthquake.

202. I'll be right back.

203. This has never happened before, I promise.

204. I believe you.

205. It's fine.

206. I guess if earthquakes happen in real life,

207. they can happen in dreams too, right?

208. Yeah. We call those nightmares.

209. Come here.

210. Does this look like a nightmare to you?

211. Not at all.

212. Loosh? You in here?

213. Whoops. Oh, sorry, boss. I was looking for Lucienne.

214. - See ya. - Wait.

215. Why were you looking for Lucienne?

216. Oh, well, we just had some minor seismic activity

217. and a little, you know, damage I wanted to report.

218. Then why not report it to me?

219. Uh, because you're busy?

220. While you were away, Lucienne started taking care of that stuff,

221. so I figured... why bother you when—

222. Mervyn, if The Dreaming has been damaged in any way,

223. I will be the one to address it.

224. Oh, for crying out loud.

225. You want me to fix that for you?

226. Or will it just keep happening?

227. It will not keep happening

228. because I will find the cause of the disturbance

229. and I will eliminate it.

230. - Thank you, Mervyn. - Uh, you're welcome.

231. Lucienne?

232. My lord.

233. I have come to return these...

234. and to assess the extent of the damage from the recent disturbances.

235. Have... you any idea as to what caused them?

236. - I assumed it was you, sir. - Me?

237. Making further improvements to the realm... now that you're back.

238. Lucienne, when we last spoke,

239. I did not mean to imply that your efforts beyond the library are without value.

240. Oh?

241. I really wish to relieve you of responsibilities

242. with which, had I been here, you would never have been burdened.

243. I see.

244. And... in that time,

245. did you experience any... similar seismic disturbances?

246. I did not.

247. Have you any... theory as to their origin?

248. Speaking strictly as a librarian? I do.

249. - But you won't like it. - Go on.

250. I know you're waiting to see

251. if the vortex will lead you to The Corinthian and Fiddler's Green.

252. - The way she led you to Gault. - She may yet still.

253. Yes, but while you're waiting, she's putting cracks in the foundation.

254. Rose Walker has visited this realm before and done no damage.

255. - This is something else, something new. - Perhaps.

256. But if there is something new in The Dreaming and you did not create it,

257. how did it get here?

258. This is the vortex. I assure you.

259. I can't thank you enough, Unity.

260. You did all the work, Rose, love.

261. May I ask Mr. Holdaway to send tickets?

262. Bring you both over?

263. I'd love that. Thank you.

264. I'll ask him to see about making you Jed's legal guardian.

265. So no one can take Jed away again.

266. Would that be all right?

267. Yes! Thank you, Unity.

268. Thank Mr. Holdaway for me too.

269. Thank you, Rose, love.

270. I'll contact my associates in the US.

271. What if they were to live here?

272. - Here? - In London.

273. You could find us a house.

274. Rose could write, Jed would go to school.

275. I could adopt them.

276. - At your age?

277. Be happy for me, Mr. Holdaway.

278. I'm going to have a life after all.

279. You're going to London?

280. And I'm gonna be Jed's legal guardian from now on.

281. I must say, that's very grown-up, Rose Walker.

282. It is, isn't it?

283. - What's wrong? - Well, what if Jed and I...

284. - What if he doesn't like me?

285. Or worse, what if I don't like him?

286. - What? - I'm just so impressed.

287. You allowed yourself to be happy for nearly a minute there

288. before inventing some new problems for yourself.

289. I'm just nervous.

290. I haven't seen him since he was five.

291. The only thing I remember about him is he used to love chicken fingers.

292. That's all he'd eat for every meal.

293. He's probably completely different now.

294. Your sister will be here in a few hours and I need you to do me a favor

295. and just stay in the room until she gets here, okay?

296. - I can't go with you? - No. No, no. Trust me, you don't want to.

297. It's just a bunch of boring grown-ups down there.

298. Then why are you going?

299. I'm going to make it... less boring.

300. So, I'll see you in a couple hours. And do not open this door.

301. I won't, unless it's you.

302. Okay. We gotta keep you safe, Jed Walker.

303. - Hello. - Hello.

304. Thank you all for being here.

305. Yeah, uh...

306. I heard a story recently, uh, I thought might amuse you.

307. It seems that the telephone rang in a police station.

308. Uh, the duty cop answers, and a woman's voice says,

309. "Help. I've been reaped."

310. The cop says, "Don't you mean 'raped'?"

311. "No," she says, "He used a scythe."

312. So it's really good to see so many of us here,

313. so many familiar faces and, uh, new faces too.

314. For those of you joining us for the first time,

315. there are a few rules we must adhere to.

316. Firstly, use the sobriquet you provided

317. which has been printed on your name tag.

318. No civilian names.

319. Secondly, uh, we don't shit where we eat.

320. So nobody does any collecting until the convention's over

321. and you're at least 200 miles away.

322. Aw.

323. Thirdly, on an unfortunate note,

324. The Family Man, who was to have been our guest speaker this year,

325. has not been able to make it.

326. No. Come on.

327. But... every cloud has a silver lining,

328. and it gives me great pleasure

329. to be able to present our new guest of honor.

330. Gentlemen, ladies...

331. The Corinthian.

332. The Corinthian's keynote address

333. will be in this room immediately after dinner.

334. Before that, we have our cocktail reception.

335. And our first three panels to kick off the weekend.

336. The "Make It Pay" panel will be in Hall A...

337. What fascinates me about humanity

338. is that so many people are looking for reasons to be unhappy.

339. It's only when they're mired in their self-made misery

340. that they are truly content.

341. I'm boring you.

342. Not at all.

343. Oh, good. Because I do love a paradox.

344. Chesterton did too.

345. Take charity for example. Charity usually means one of two things,

346. pardoning an unpardonable act or loving an unlovable person.

347. Or take love. Love's an even better one.

348. To love means loving the unlovable.

349. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable.

350. Faith means believing the unbelievable.

351. And hope means hoping even when everything seems hopeless.

352. Look at you.

353. I know, I'm huge.

354. You're gorgeous.

355. I wish this baby would hurry up and just get here. It's been months.

356. It's been two hours.

357. No way.

358. I guess time moves differently here.

359. Come on, let me show you the house.

360. I wish you could've seen it when we moved in.

361. Why? What's different?

362. We've had earthquake damage.

363. I'm so glad you're here!

364. So what do you think?

365. Tell Lucienne she was right about the source of the tremors.

366. And that I'm taking care of it.

367. Hector, look who's here.

368. Lyta, you remember I told you about Lord Morpheus, the King of Dreams?

369. What do you want?

370. He wants us to leave.

371. Why?

372. Because a ghost cannot escape his fate by hiding in The Dreaming.

373. Nor can a living human being escape her grief here.

374. Do you not see the damage your presence has done to this realm?

375. I cannot allow you to stay.

376. Is there anything we can do?

377. You belong with the dead.

378. You must go to the place appointed for you.

379. I'm sorry, but you must say your goodbyes now.

380. No. I'm not losing you again.

381. I love you so much.

382. You're not going anywhere.

383. Get out of our house.

384. Lyta—

385. Enough.

386. Tell... Tell the baby I—

387. No.

388. - Please! Stop. - Hector?

389. - Dream, please, stop! - No!

390. Hector!

391. No...

392. Your husband died a long time ago. He was a ghost and this is a dream.

393. The baby is yours... for now.

394. What do you mean?

395. The child was conceived in The Dreaming.

396. It is mine.

397. What?

398. And one day, I will come for it.

399. No, you won't. You'll do nothing—

400. This dream is over.

401. - You killed my friend. - How did you get here?

402. In front of his wife, and then you threaten to take her baby?

403. Do you know why this happened?

404. A vortex gathering strength can weaken the walls between dreams.

405. I didn't ask for any of this.

406. - Even so! - No!

407. I don't want you coming near me or my friends ever again.

408. Rose, listen to me.

409. I do listen to you.

410. You said that a vortex can create universes or destroy them.

411. So I suggest you leave my universe the fuck alone.

412. - Rose— - This dream is over.

413. - Hey, are you okay?

414. He took Hector.

415. I know. Are you okay?

416. Physically, I mean, is everything—

417. I'm still pregnant.

418. That's good, right?

419. He said he would take the baby.

420. He won't.

421. He's not gonna bother you or me ever again.

422. I promise.

423. We're here.

424. Gilbert and I just got to the hotel.

425. We're gonna grab Jed and come right back. Okay?

426. - Okay. - See you in a few hours.

427. Is she all right?

428. Well, let's find your brother then.

429. I'm sorry, but you are too young and too hot to be The Corinthian.

430. You're too kind.

431. I've always been curious. Is the name biblical? A reference to Paul?

432. Or to Corinth? The Roman city of vice?

433. Or are you just into leather?

434. You know, all of the above.

435. Would, uh, you excuse me for a second?

436. - Hi. - Hi.

437. Oh.

438. Sorry for staring. It's just...

439. I can't believe you're here.

440. - I'm a huge fan. - Hmm.

441. There was this, um, incredibly detailed article of your work online.

442. I don't know if you've seen it. It's on this blog called "Chaste."

443. I'll have to look for it.

444. Oh, I could send it to you if you want.

445. I'm The Boogieman by the way.

446. So I see.

447. - Yeah.

448. Say, can I... buy you a drink

449. if I promise not to ask too many annoying questions?

450. I don't wanna monopolize you.

451. Yeah. Let's get that drink later.

452. - I'd love that. - Yeah.

453. Well, I see you've met The Boogieman.

454. I have.

455. And that's... not The Boogieman.

456. Are you sure?

457. The Boogieman's dead. He drowned in Louisiana three years ago.

458. But how do you know?

459. I know.

460. We will deal with this immediately.

461. He mentioned a blog called "Chaste."

462. Leave it with us.

463. I'll look into it.

464. I'll be right back.

465. Hi, it's Rose Walker. Jed's sister.

466. I'm here in the lobby when you get this. So, thanks.

467. So, do we, uh... wait here or, or...

468. Well, it can't hurt to look around.

469. Right.

470. Uh, excuse me, sir, miss?

471. I'm sorry, but this area is for convention attendees only.

472. Ooh, the Cereal Convention. Yes, I saw your signage outside.

473. I'm looking for my brother. I'll run in and out.

474. - I can't let you. - I'll be a second.

475. There are no kids in the convention area.

476. I would know.

477. No children at a cereal convention?

478. That seems a bit of a missed opportunity

479. or is it maybe sort of more of a porridge and muesli affair?

480. D-Do you mind? I have to check these people in.

481. I appear to have annoyed him with my questions.

482. Imagine how annoyed he'd be if he found out we have these.

483. Oh.

484. I take it we're attending the convention then.

485. The only thing Jed loved more than chicken fingers was cereal.

486. I'll check the pool, you check the convention hall,

487. and we'll meet back here in 15?

488. How exciting!

489. I've never been an uncle before.

490. Even 10Gs per victim identified isn't too much to ask.

491. Thing to remember is that they'll pay to know for certain.

492. Even if the cops don't go with it, families will.

493. The goal is to drag out hope.

494. Because they will pay you for proof that the trophy is alive.

495. It's not a ton, but it's usually good for a few grand at least.

496. The extra cash is nice, but we don't do it for the money.

497. We do it because we are called to do it.

498. Because we love doing it.

499. We're artists.

500. I have to tell you, I am sick and tired of the bias against women in our field.

501. That it is somehow easier for us because we use our femininity.

502. What they really mean is sexuality.

503. As though a woman's sexuality determines her value.

504. I don't know about you, but I don't use my sexuality when I'm collecting.

505. I use the same skills as anyone else here: intelligence, preparedness,

506. and brute force, if necessary.

507. I got 171. Drowned most of them.

508. It's not a numbers game for me. It's about the person.

509. I won't take just anybody. I specialize. I'm a connoisseur.

510. I am a merciful and just God.

511. For I release men and women and children

512. from the suffering and torment of their lives.

513. And I give them new life in my heaven.

514. As a born-again Christian, I wanna disassociate myself from this madman.

515. I do the bidding of the Lord.

516. With my hammer.

517. With my love.

518. It's not up to me to decide who lives and who dies.

519. That's up to God.

520. God tells me to do it.

521. God tells me to kill them.

522. The "Chaste" blog is written by an apparent fanboy named Philip Sitz.

523. Who, as you can see, looks exactly like our Boogieman.

524. - Yeah. - Since you're our guest,

525. would you care to, uh... collect Mr. Sitz?

526. Oh, I thought we don't shit where we eat.

527. - Except when we have to.

528. Needs must when the Devil drives.

529. - But as fans of yours... - Hmm.

530. we have to ask, could we watch you work?

531. Oh, of course.

532. Or we could work together and share the experience.

533. Please join us.

534. So...

535. Hi, it's Rose Walker calling again. I'm at the pool now,

536. but I guess maybe I'll see if you and Jed are in the restaurant.

537. Anyway, call me when you get this.

538. Where do you hunt?

539. I have a great place.

540. There are thousands of people there.

541. All these beautiful little kids wandering off on their own, getting lost.

542. Always happy to meet someone who's friendly and kind.

543. Yeah.

544. There are quiet places to take them to

545. where no one will bother you until you're done.

546. And if you can't find any kids to play with you,

547. you can always go on the rides.

548. Yeah, that's, uh, how I started collecting.

549. How did you start?

550. Porn.

551. My dad had a subscription to Playboy.

552. I used to lock myself in the bathroom with them.

553. Then hate myself afterwards and... rip the magazine into shreds.

554. Then when I finally had sex with an actual woman,

555. it was...

556. awful.

557. So I did what I always do.

558. I ripped her to shreds.

559. Uh, may I leave a message for someone?

560. The name is Rose Walker.

561. Ms. Walker hasn't checked in yet.

562. When she does, I can give her your message.

563. No, no, no, but she's not a guest here.

564. She has a room reserved.

565. Does she?

566. C-Can you leave a message for her, please? From Gilbert.

567. Hey, I was just looking for you.

568. Do you, um...

569. Do you have time for that drink at the bar now?

570. Uh...

571. How about we find some place that's a little bit quieter?

572. Uh... Yeah. Okay.

573. Hi, I'm looking for my younger brother.

574. And I was wondering if maybe you've seen him?

575. Oh, you're Rose Walker.

576. I am. Why?

577. I have your room key right here.

578. - My room key? - Mm-hmm.

579. And a message from Gilbert.

580. He says he's very sorry but he had to go home.

581. Um, did he say why?

582. No, I'm sorry. But can I have someone show you to your room?

583. No, I can find it. Thank you.

584. Lucienne?

585. My lord. There's something I must tell you.

586. And I will listen.

587. But first, you must let me tell you that

588. you were right.

589. The vortex was responsible for the damage to our realm,

590. and I was... wrong

591. to risk our safety in the hope that she would locate the missing Arcana.

592. You were not entirely wrong, sir.

593. - She's found them both. - What?

594. The Corinthian and Fiddler's Green? Where? How do you know?

595. Fiddler's Green told me.

596. Apologies, lord, for having left.

597. Why? Why did you leave?

598. I trusted you. You were the heart of The Dreaming.

599. No, sir.

600. You were the heart of The Dreaming. And you were gone.

601. I was curious.

602. And it turns out that life as a human contains substance

603. I never even imagined when I was here.

604. Which is why I've returned because... he's murdering them.

605. The Corinthian?

606. He appears to have built up a cult of worshippers who kill for pleasure,

607. endangering the waking world

608. and the life of a friend called Rose Walker.

609. The Corinthian has found Rose Walker?

610. Yes.

611. Can you imagine the damage he could do with someone like Rose?

612. You must tell me where they are.

613. Oh.

614. Hey, guys, what's, uh...

615. What's going on?

616. We know who you are... Philip.

617. What are you talking about? I'm The Boogieman.

618. R-Really. I am.

619. You're not one of us.

620. No. No. I am, I...

621. I-I wanna be. I want to understand, that's why I had to get here.

622. To see you all.

623. To learn.

624. Okay, then... let us teach you.

625. The Good Doctor.

626. She likes to kill her victims by removing their organs, one by one.

627. Nimrod is a hunter.

628. He can skin, bone, joint, and gut just about any animal in minutes.

629. And as for me, well...

630. I like the eyes.

631. This one's mine.

632. Whoa.

633. - Buddy. - Sorry.

634. Are you okay? What's wrong?

635. They're after me.

636. Who? Who's after you?

637. Come on.

638. You'll be safe in my room. Yeah?

639. So, he too spent the last century in the waking world.

640. Yes, but he seems to have experienced the worst of humankind.

641. Still, his time there appears to have changed him as it has changed me.

642. - How so?

643. Lucienne, he came to you and told you he was wrong.

644. It was very nearly an apology.

645. The Morpheus I knew was incapable of that.

646. Hmm.

647. Then perhaps he will be merciful to you since you came back on your own.

648. Oh, it doesn't matter what happens to me.

649. What matters is that Dream stops The Corinthian

650. and saves Rose Walker.

651. There is no saving Rose Walker.

652. Why on earth would you say that?

653. Do you not know?

654. She's a vortex.

655. Oh.

656. Oh, dear.

657. I should have realized.

658. What have I done?

659. He's... He's going to have to kill her.

660. Hello?

661. Hello?

662. Jed?

663. Rose?

664. - Jed? - Rose!

665. You can't have him. He's my friend.

666. - Stop. - We were playing.

667. - Let him go. He's my brother. - He's mine!

668. Let me go!

669. Hurry up!

670. Come on!

671. Help! Help!

672. You hurt me.

673. Now I'm gonna have to hurt you.

674. Hello, Rose.

675. Don't worry.

676. You're safe with me.