The 11th Hour (1995 Video Game)

Saraphina Joachim: Robin Morales

Quotes 

• [opening scene: Carl Denning sits at his home, watching the news on TV] 

  Anchorperson : ...State police have called off the intense search for producer Robin Morales of television's Case Unsolved.

  [Robin's photo is shown on the TV screen] 

  Anchorperson : Morales was researching a story about the famed haunted house in the small town of Harley-on-Hudson, the abandoned mansion of Henry Stauf.

  [the screen shows a photo of the mansion, a current image of the main street of the town, and finally a photo of Henry Stauf] 

  Anchorperson : Police have expressed concern that Morales' disappearance may be connected to a series of killings that have plagued the Hudson Valley this year. So far, four women and three men have been victims, fitting a pattern of homicide, and several others are missing.

  [the screen shows a clip of a police officer, putting on plastic gloves, approaches an area in the grass, restricted by a yellow banner. A body lies in the grass] 

  Anchorperson : Robin Morales has been missing for more than three weeks, and seems to have vanished without a trace. She's the producer for the very popular and flamboyant Case Unsolved reporter, Carl Denning.

  [the screen shows a clip of Carl, holding an umbrella, talking into a microphone] 

  Anchorperson : Denning is said to have been in seclusion in his country home in Connecticut since Morales' disappearance. It's rumored that the two became romantically involved while working...

  [Carl turns the TV off. He becomes sunk in thought. Suddenly, the door bell rings. Carl stands and walks toward the door. The sounds of a car door slams and a car drives off are heard from the outside. Carl opens the door. He sees a while UPS truck pulling away. He looks down and sees a package on the door step. He picks the package, examines the envelope and goes back inside, closing the door. He opens the package, revealing a small, portable computer. He switches it on. Robin's image appears on the screen. She looks frightened, apparently in a basement. She talks directly to Carl] 

  Robin Morales : [sobbing]  Carl, help me, please! I can't get out!

  [the screen becomes blank] 

  Carl Denning : [puzzled]  What is this?

  [Carl clicks on the switches, but nothing happens. He closes the computer and places it on a chair. Carl paces around the room, deep in thought. Suddenly, he hears beeping. He opens the computer and turns it on. Am image of Stauf's mansion appears on the screen, and soon fades away] 

  Carl Denning : Damn!

  [again, Carl clicks on the switches, but nothing happens. Robin's image reappears] 

  Robin Morales : [sobbing]  Help me.

  [the screen becomes blank. Carl sighs and closes the computer. He takes a leather jacket and exits. He puts the jacket on, stuffs the computer in his pocket and approaches a motorcycle. Then he rides to Harley-on-Hudson. On the way, he has flashbacks of conversations he had with Robin] 

• [while Carl is riding his motorcycle to Harley-on-Hudson, he has a flashback: he and Robin are sitting in a cafeteria] 

  Carl Denning : I have a rule about people I work with.

  Robin Morales : [shakes her head]  Oh?

  Carl Denning : Yeah. I don't get involved.

  Robin Morales : Aha? I have the same rule.

  Carl Denning : [smiles]  Been thinking about breaking this rule.

  Robin Morales : [smiles]  So am I.

  [end of flashback. Carl keeps riding. Then he has another flashback: he and Robin have sex] 

• [Carl has a third flashback: he and Robin are again sitting at the cafeteria. Robin is deeply saddened] 

  Carl Denning : [chuckles nervously]  I, uh... I thought you liked me.

  Robin Morales : I just can't go on like this. People... everyone's saying that I slept with you to become your producer.

  Carl Denning : [laughs]  Well, didn't you?

  [Robin shakes her head. Her eyes are filled with tears] 

  Robin Morales : I can't believe you just said that. You, of all people... I'm a good producer!

  Carl Denning : [smiles]  Robin, you were good at a lot of things.

  [offended, Robin sighs and shakes her head. Tears flow from her eyes] 

  Robin Morales : I'm sorry.

  Carl Denning : [coldly]  I'll tell you what, Ms. Morales. I'll just see you in the office on Monday.

  Robin Morales : No. I'll be in Harley-on-Hudson next week.

  Carl Denning : [scoffs]  Listen... forget it. Maybe, if I'm lucky, you'll just become one of the missing person in Harley.

  Robin Morales : [quietly]  Don't say that. It scares me.

  Carl Denning : [coldly]  I already did.

  [Carl stands and leaves. Robin remains sitting. The flashback ends. As night falls, Carl reaches Stauf's mansion. He stops his motorcycle near the iron gate. Carl approaches the gate and pushes it open. He walks to the scary house, lingers for a moment at the front steps, then approaches the door. He tries the handle, but the door is locked] 

• [Robin parks her car near a coffee shop in the town. She enters the shop, wearing dark sunglasses. Some people stare at her for a moment. Eileen the waitress, who has a prosthetic hand, addresses her] 

  Eileen Wiley : Just sit anywhere, honey. Menu's are on the table.

  [Robin sits down, removes her sunglasses, takes a menu and reads it. Eileen takes a notepad with her prosthetic hand and approaches her] 

  Eileen Wiley : What can I get for you this morning?

  Robin Morales : Do you have any oat-bran muffins?

  [Eileen places her pen behind her left ear] 

  Eileen Wiley : This isn't an oat-bran kind of place, honey. We're big on chocolate donuts here.

  Robin Morales : I don't suppose you'd have any Perrier water?

  Eileen Wiley : Lemme check. Hey, Slim!

  [Slim the cook turns to Eileen] 

  Eileen Wiley : We got any Perrier?

  Slim : Fresh out of Perrier, Eileen. Had a big run on it this morning.

  Eileen Wiley : [shrugs]  Sorry, hun. How about a San Pellegrino?

  Robin Morales : Oh, that would be fine.

  Eileen Wiley : I'm kidding, hon. The only water we got comes out of the tap.

  Robin Morales : [sharply]  I'll have a chocolate donut and a coffee.

  Eileen Wiley : [writes in the notepad]  Now you're talking. Can I make that a cappuccino?

  Robin Morales : [coldly]  Enough with the jokes, okay?

  Eileen Wiley : As unlikely as it seems, we actually have an espresso machine.

  Robin Morales : [smiles]  Okay.

  Eileen Wiley : Be right back.

  [Eileen leaves] 

• [Eileen returns with the donut. She places it on the table] 

  Eileen Wiley : Here you go. Be right back with the coff...

  Robin Morales : [interrupting]  You're Eileen Wiley, aren't you?

  Eileen Wiley : [suspiciously]  Who wants to know?

  Robin Morales : I'm Robin Morales. I'm a producer with Case Unsolved, the TV show.

  Eileen Wiley : [smiles]  Is that the one with Carl Denning?

  Robin Morales : Uh-huh.

  Eileen Wiley : [shakes her head]  I like him. Wouldn't mind serving him up a couple of specials.

  [Robin smiles. Eileen sits down, facing Robin] 

  Eileen Wiley : [smiles mischievously]  What's he like?

  Robin Morales : [hesitates]  He's... he's a man.

  Eileen Wiley : Is he a man like "you can't live with him" or a man like "you can't live without him"?

  [Robin thinks about it for a moment] 

  Robin Morales : He's both.

  Eileen Wiley : Aren't they all?

  [they both laugh] 

  Eileen Wiley : So what are you doing in Harley?

  Robin Morales : I'm researching a story on the Stauf mansion.

  [Eileen's smile instantly fades away] 

  Robin Morales : You're the only person who has survived an encounter with the mansion.

  Eileen Wiley : Who told you that?

  Robin Morales : Everyone else has either disappeared or died.

  Eileen Wiley : [shakes her head]  It's all just stories.

  Robin Morales : The newspaper said a guard dog tore your hand off. What really happened?

  [Eileen's eyes are filled with tears] 

  Eileen Wiley : I have to get back to work.

  Robin Morales : [quietly]  I'm sorry I upset you.

  [Eileen tries to laugh it off] 

  Eileen Wiley : Not me. I'll be right back with that coffee.

  [Eileen stands and walks away. Robin presses her lips, puts on her sunglasses and sighs] 

• [Robin arrives at the scene of the crime. She crouches and touches a stone stained with dried blood. Suddenly she hears a voice near her] 

  Chief Jim Martin : Yeah, that's blood.

  [Robin stands and faces the policeman] 

  Robin Morales : I was just...

  Chief Jim Martin : [interrupts]  I know what you were doing. You were looking for the scene of a crime. You found it. You did good... for a TV person. I'm impressed.

  Robin Morales : [extends her hand]  I'm Robin Morales.

  Chief Jim Martin : [shakes Robin's hand]  Jim Martin, chief of the Harley Police.

  Robin Morales : Chief? Now I'm impressed.

  Chief Jim Martin : Yeah, well, there's only me and one other guy, and he's the co-chief, and that's pretty well the whole damn force.

  [Robin smiles] 

  Chief Jim Martin : So what are you doing out here, looking at blood on the rocks, Robin?

  Robin Morales : I'm researching a story. I work for...

  Chief Jim Martin : [interrupts]  I know, I know. Case Unsolved. Word travels fast in a small town. But I understood you were doing a story on the haunted house?

  Robin Morales : [nods]  I am. But I think there's a connection. I mean, with all the stories of death and disappearance surrounding the house, I think they might be all related. I mean, isn't it more of the same? Don't you think they might be related?

  Chief Jim Martin : No, I don't.

  Robin Morales : Why not?

  Chief Jim Martin : Because the haunted house is a ghost story, and I don't believe in ghosts. But this is the real thing. This is murder, Robin.

  [Chief Martin looks down at the bloody stones. Robin follows his gaze] 

  Chief Jim Martin : It's no ghost that spilled that blood. And whoever did it hasn't been caught, so I don't think you should be out here wandering around in the woods by yourself.

  Robin Morales : [confidently]  I can take care of myself.

  Chief Jim Martin : That may be, but you're running an unnecessary risk. Stick to the ghost story.

  Robin Morales : What do you think happened to Eileen Wiley's hand?

  Chief Jim Martin : [shrugs]  Got bit off by a dog.

  Robin Morales : Do you really believe that?

  Chief Jim Martin : Sure I do.

  Robin Morales : Well, I don't. I mean, how could a dog do that?

  Chief Jim Martin : [jokingly]  Probably one of those damned Rotweillers.

  Robin Morales : Oh, come on chief! Were there more bite marks on her? Did anyone find the dog? Did anyone find the hand?

  Chief Jim Martin : I don't know. It was before my time. You'd have to ask Doc Thorton. He's the one sewed her up.

  Robin Morales : Is he still around?

  Chief Jim Martin : Barely. Doc's gettin' up there, but he's still breathing. Come on, I'll drive you by his office. You can follow me in that snazzy little car.

  Robin Morales : [smiles]  Okay, chief.

  Chief Jim Martin : Call me Jim, will you? Kind of embarrassing to be called chief when there's no one to be chief over.

  Robin Morales : [smiles]  Okay, Jim.

  [they start walking away from the murder scene] 

  Chief Jim Martin : You're not exactly dressed for tromping around in the woods. Maybe you should get some boots. They make a special "TV Producer" designer hiking boots...

  [Robin laughs. After they are out of sight, Henry Stauf's head appears between the blood-stained stones for a moment, then disappears] 

• [Robin is in a basement. She sits on the steps, desperate and hopeless] 

  Robin Morales : [tearfully]  Oh, god, help me. Please help me.

  [Carl, moving along a hallway, hears beeping. He pulls the portable computer out of his jacket and switches it on. The view of Robin in the basement appears on the screen] 

  Carl Denning : Robin!

  [Carl watches as a skeleton hand snakes up out of the pool, reaching for Robin] 

  Carl Denning : [shouts]  Robin, move! Get out!

  [Robin looks around as if she can hear Carl] 

  Robin Morales : Carl?

  Carl Denning : [shouts]  Look out!

  [at the last moment, Robin notices the hand, and moves away from its reach. Unbeknownst to Carl, Samantha watches Robin, too. The view fades in both Carl's and Samantha's computers. Samantha clicks, but nothing happens] 

  Samantha Ford : Damn!

  Carl Denning : Damn!

  [Samantha looks at the image of Stauf's mansion] 

  Samantha Ford : Where are you, Carl Denning?

• [Robin and chief Martin arrive in their cars at Doctor Thorton's house. Robin parks and exits her car] 

  Chief Jim Martin : Well, here it is. Doc Thorton's.

  Robin Morales : Thanks for your help.

  Chief Jim Martin : No problem. Good luck.

  Robin Morales : Okay. See you.

  [Robin walks toward the house] 

  Chief Jim Martin : You take care.

  Robin Morales : I will.

  [Robin opens the gate. She smiles at chief Martin, who stands and watches her. As she opens the door, she smiles again at chief Martin, who finally leaves. Robin approaches the reception desk. The receptionist - Marie - does not even raises her eyes. Robin taps on the desk. Marie raises her head and looks at Robin hostilely] 

  Marie Wiley : [sourly]  Can I help you?

  Robin Morales : I'd like to see Doctor Thorton, if he's available.

  Marie Wiley : [scoffs]  If he's available. You a patient of his?

  Robin Morales : No, I...

  Marie Wiley : [hands Robin a form]  Fill this out.

  Robin Morales : Actually, I'm not here as a patient. I'm a producer for Case Unsolved, the TV show. I'd like to interview him.

  Marie Wiley : [smiles mockingly]  You're kidding.

  Robin Morales : No.

  Marie Wiley : [hostilely]  What do you want to interview him for?

  Robin Morales : I need to discuss that with Doctor Thorton.

  Marie Wiley : [talks to the intercom]  Hi, doc! You awake?

  Doctor Thorton : [coughs over intercom]  Yes. Of course.

  Marie Wiley : [scoffs]  Someone here from a TV show. Says she wants to interview you.

  Doctor Thorton : Well, send her in, Marie.

  [Marie rudely gestures to Robin with her head toward the doctor's room] 

  Robin Morales : Thank you.

  Marie Wiley : [nastily]  Sure.

  [Robin enters the doctor's room. Marie leaves the intercom open for eavesdropping] 

• [Robin enters Doctor Thorton's room. The doctor stands and shakes her hand] 

  Robin Morales : Hello, Doctor Thorton. Robin Morales. I'm a producer with Case Unsolved.

  Doctor Thorton : What can I do for you, Robin?

  Robin Morales : [sits down]  I'm researching a story on the Stauf mansion.

  Doctor Thorton : [sits down]  Oh?

  Robin Morales : I'm trying to follow a storyline involving Eileen Wiley. The legend, myth, or story. It seems that she's the only one who has survived an encounter with the mansion. Everyone else has either died or disappeared.

  Doctor Thorton : [chuckles]  There are a lot of stories about that old house.

  Robin Morales : I was told you treated her the night that she lost her hand.

  Doctor Thorton : Yes, that's true. I did.

  Robin Morales : What do you think happened to her hand?

  Doctor Thorton : Well, it was bitten off by a dog. Everyone knows that.

  Robin Morales : So I've heard. But did it really look like a dog did it?

  Doctor Thorton : I don't know. I never saw a hand bitten off by a dog before. Never even heard of such a thing. Eileen... kind of unique that way. She's a bit of a celebrity around these parts because of it.

  Robin Morales : But, really, doctor... what did it look like to you?

  Doctor Thorton : Robin, it was a mess. A bloody mess.

  [a flashback: Eileen writhes painfully and sobs on the doctor's examining table. A much younger Doctor Thorton tries to hold her down, examining her severed bloody hand] 

  Robin Morales : I just think there's more to this Eileen Wiley thing than meets the eye.

  Doctor Thorton : Have you talked to Eileen?

  [Marie eavesdrops to the conversation by the intercom] 

  Robin Morales : I tried, but I didn't get very far.

  Doctor Thorton : It was a traumatic time for her.

  Robin Morales : I know. And I hate to be the one to bring it back up to her. It's just that she's the only one who's had an experience with the mansion who has lived to tell about it.

  Doctor Thorton : Not the only one.

  Robin Morales : What do you mean?

  Doctor Thorton : Samantha Ford.

  Robin Morales : Who's she?

  Doctor Thorton : The one no one talks about. She was there that night with Eileen. The two of them sneaked onto the grounds and broke into the house together.

  Robin Morales : Why wasn't she mentioned in any of the articles?

  Doctor Thorton : Her family had a lot of influence and kept her out of it. But if you think Eileen's hand is a mystery, well... Samantha's been paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair ever since that night.

  [Marie, still eavesdropping, wears a angry expression] 

• [Robin walks by the railing of the dam. Watching the waterfall, it begins to roar louder and louder. Suddenly, Robin feels as if someone watches her. She runs through the woods back to the motel. At the motel, she bumps into chief Martin] 

  Chief Jim Martin : Better watch where you goin' there, Robin. You okay?

  Robin Morales : [pants]  I... I just... I'm sorry. I was... I don't know what I was doing.

  Chief Jim Martin : Whatever it was, you were moving with impressive speed.

  Robin Morales : [chuckles]  Yaeh, I guess I was.

  Chief Jim Martin : I got something for you.

  [chief Martin goes to the police unit and takes a pair of hiking boots] 

  Chief Jim Martin : In case you go hunting for anymore crime scenes. I hope they fit.

  Robin Morales : [takes the boots]  Why, thanks, chief.

  Chief Jim Martin : I told you about the "chief" stuff. Just Jim, okay?

  Robin Morales : Okay, Jim.

  Chief Jim Martin : Well... you wear them in good health, alright?

  Robin Morales : I will. Thanks.

  Chief Jim Martin : Good night, Robin.

  Robin Morales : Good night, Jim.

  [chief Martin enters the unit and drives away. Robin looks at the boots and walks away] 

• [Samantha sits at the computer, typing at a keyboard. There are several surveillance monitors in front of her, by which she watches the inside of Stauf's mansion. Suddenly she hears a knock at the door. Using one of the monitors, she sees Robin standing by the door] 

  Samantha Ford : Yes?

  Robin Morales : Samantha Ford?

  Samantha Ford : If you're selling anything, I'm not interested. Please go away.

  Robin Morales : No, I just want to talk to you.

  Samantha Ford : [impatiently]  About what?

  Robin Morales : Eileen Wiley.

  [Samantha's expression changes] 

  Robin Morales : Hello? Are you still there?

  Samantha Ford : [suspiciously]  Who are you?

  Robin Morales : My name is Robin Morales. I'm a producer for Case Unsolved and I;m researching a story on the Stauf mansion. I was told you were there the night Eileen Wiley lost her hand.

  Samantha Ford : Who told you that?

  Robin Morales : Doctor Thorton.

  [Samantha hesitates] 

  Robin Morales : May I come in? Please?

  [Samantha presses a switch. The door opens, and Robin enters. She finds herself in a very big room, mosty empty, except Samantha's desk. Samantha rolls her wheelchair toward Robin] 

  Samantha Ford : What do you want from me, Ms. Morales?

  Robin Morales : The truth.

  Samantha Ford : Whatever that is.

  Robin Morales : I want to know what really happened the night you and Eileen Wiley went to the Stauf Mansion.

  Samantha Ford : Everyone knows what happened. Eileen got her hand bitten off by a guard dog.

  Robin Morales : Did you see it happen?

  [Samantha does not answer] 

  Robin Morales : Did you?

  Samantha Ford : No.

  Robin Morales : I odn't believe you.

  Samantha Ford : [shakes her head]  So what?

  Robin Morales : What are you hiding?

  Samantha Ford : [sharply]  Who do you think you are, anyway? Coming here from some moronic TV show, speaking of the truth. You don't care about the truth. All you care about is ratings.

  [Robin lowers her eyes, embarrassed] 

  Samantha Ford : Now ain't that the truth!

  [Robin looks at one of the monitors, which shows a strange apparatus] 

  Robin Morales : This looks like very interesting work.

  [Samantha starts rolling the wheelchair away from Robin] 

  Robin Morales : Look, I'm sorry. We got off to a bad start...

  Samantha Ford : [turns her back to Robin]  A bad start and a bad end. Please leave!

• [while Samantha rolls the wheelchair back to the desk, Robin follows her] 

  Robin Morales : Do you think the current rash of murders and disappearances are connected to the house?

  [Samantha stops the wheelchair and turns back to Robin] 

  Robin Morales : You do, don't you?

  Samantha Ford : Get out.

  Robin Morales : I knew it! I'm on the right track.

  Samantha Ford : Leave now!

  [Robin grabs hold of the left handle of the wheelchair] 

  Robin Morales : Tell me what happened.

  Samantha Ford : No.

  [Robin lets go of the wheelchair] 

  Robin Morales : What happened to Eileen?

  Samantha Ford : I was a dog! A vicious dog!

  Robin Morales : What about the two boys you followed there? They disappeared.

  Samantha Ford : They never went there. They were runaways.

  Robin Morales : What about you? You haven't walked since that night.

  Samantha Ford : [waves toward to the door]  Get out. Get out!

  [Robin starts walking away. Halfway to the door, she stops and turns back to Samantha] 

  Robin Morales : It's been twenty years, Samantha. It's time you told the truth.

  [Samantha does not answer. Robin exits the house. Samantha sinks into her wheelchair, looking depressed] 

• [Chuck opens the trunk of his car and takes out a body, wrapped in a blood-stained sheet. He loads the body on his shoulders and walks to Stauf's mansion. At the entrance, he puts the body down and knocks three times on the door. The door opens. Chuck throws the body inside. As the door closes, Chuck rubs his hands and walks away. In the meantime, Samantha goes to visit Robin at the motel. She knocks on the room door] 

  Robin Morales : [from inside the room]  Who is it?

  Samantha Ford : Samantha Ford.

  [Robin opens the door] 

  Samantha Ford : I've come to tell you the truth... if you are ready for it.

  Robin Morales : Come in.

  [Samantha rolls the wheelchair inside. Robin closes the door] 

  Robin Morales : Can I get you something?

  Samantha Ford : No, I just need to collect my thoughts.

  Robin Morales : I have some wine. Would you like some?

  Samantha Ford : [laughs nervously]  I think I would.

  [Robin gives Samantha a glass, pours wine, and takes a glass of wine for herself] 

  Robin Morales : Cheers.

  Samantha Ford : Thanks.

  [they drink. Samantha hesitates for a moment, then begins telling her story] 

  Samantha Ford : What happened that terrible night, twenty years ago... there isn't a day that goes by that my mind isn't haunted by the memory. Everything that's happened since... every breath I take is influenced by that night.

  Robin Morales : Do you mind if I record this?

  Samantha Ford : [shakes her head]  No, I don't mind.

  [Robin takes a cassette recorder, clicks it on and places it on the bed] 

  Robin Morales : Please, continue.

  Samantha Ford : Eileen and I went to the house to find Peter and Charlie... the two boys that supposedly disappeared. They were going to break into the Stauf Mansion, the so-called "haunted house". I was a wild teenager. Eileen didn't want to go with me, but I talked her into it. She always did everything I did. Oh, god... what happened to her was my fault!

  Robin Morales : Do you want to stop?

  Samantha Ford : No. If I do, I don't know if I could start again. We... we were raped.

  Robin Morales : [shocked]  Oh, no! By those boys?

  Samantha Ford : [tearfully]  No... I'm sorry!

  Robin Morales : It's okay.

  [Robin reaches for Samantha's hand] 

  Robin Morales : [quietly]  It's okay.

  Samantha Ford : We were raped by the house.

  [Robin is speechless. She and Samantha just look at each other. Eventually Samantha breaks the silence] 

  Samantha Ford : So now you think I'm totally out of my mind.

  Robin Morales : No, I...

  Samantha Ford : Yes, you do! Here's this crazy lady raving about how she was raped by a house!

  Robin Morales : [shakes her head]  I... I don't know what to think.

  Samantha Ford : Think what you want. But I'll tell you... that house is not what it appears to be! It's a living thing! It's a house, or it's Henry Stauf, or it's some ungodly creature. It's impossible to explain... and impossible to believe, but I know what happened to me.

  Robin Morales : But how?

  Samantha Ford : [whimpers]  I don't know how! We were in the house... and suddenly I couldn't move. It was like some invisible thing were holding me. I couldn't see it, but I was in its grip. I could feel it all over me, touching me. I started screaming, and Eileen got scared and ran.

  [a flashback: young Eileen runs away from house, whimpering, toward the gate. The gate begins to close on its own. Eileen reaches the gate when it's almost closed. She tries to pull it open, and the gate traps her hand. She screams in pain and horror as the iron bars squeeze tighter, her blood pours and stains her sleeve] 

• Robin Morales : How did you get away?

  Samantha Ford : [whimpers]  When it was finished with us, it just let us go. I got Eileen to Doctor Thorton. But the worst is yet to come. Whatever it was, that thing... I became pregnant. We both did.

  Robin Morales : Oh, my god.

  Samantha Ford : I decided to have an abortion, but... Eileen was afraid to go through with it. It was a... back-alley thing.

  Robin Morales : [quietly]  It's okay. You've said enough.

  Samantha Ford : No. I have to finish this. I got a very serious infection. The result is what you see. I suffered irreparable nerve damage. I'm confined to a wheelchair.

  Robin Morales : [shakes her head]  I can't imagine such horror.

  Samantha Ford : Eileen lives the real horror! She gave birth to Marie! I'd rather spend my life in a wheelchair than have a child like that. She's always been evil. A bad seed, but... Hell itself has been unleashed since her 18th birthday. She's behind the violent happenings in this valley! Whatever evil that house is, she's its offspring. It's crazy... a house... pure insanity. But it's the truth. Just ask Eileen.

  [Samantha leaves. Robin remains sitting, thinking about what she has just heard] 

• [Robin enters the diner again. The place is empty except for a few people in the corner booth. Robin approaches the counter] 

  Eileen Wiley : You looking for food or information?

  Robin Morales : I've spoken with Samantha Ford.

  Eileen Wiley : So?

  Robin Morales : She just told me the most unbelievable story.

  Eileen Wiley : [shrugs]  So don't believe it.

  Robin Morales : May I have some coffee?

  Eileen Wiley : Sure.

  [Eileen pours coffee] 

  Eileen Wiley : So what's this... story about?

  Robin Morales : Two girls, and a house that's not really a house at all... and there's no dog.

  [Eileen hesitates for a moment before responding] 

  Eileen Wiley : What else?

  Robin Morales : These two girls got pregnant. One of them had an abortion which left her paralyzed... the other one had a girl by the name of Marie... which, according to Samantha, is a worse fate than spending your life in a wheelchair.

  [Eileen's eyes are filled with tears] 

  Robin Morales : This house, and this story... is something that lives. Something evil. And Marie is somehow the daughter of this evil.

  Eileen Wiley : Don't say that!

  Robin Morales : She's also behind these horrific murders.

  Eileen Wiley : Stop it! It's a lie!

  Robin Morales : What's the rest of this fantastic story, Eileen?

  Eileen Wiley : [scoffs]  That's just what it is. It's a story. How could anyone believe such a thing?

  Robin Morales : Samantha was so sure.

  Eileen Wiley : Samantha has always had a good imagination.

  Robin Morales : Is there any truth in what she says?

  [Eileen hesitates for a long moment before responding] 

  Eileen Wiley : [unconvincingly]  No.

  Robin Morales : What really happened to your hand?

  [another pause] 

  Eileen Wiley : It got bitten off by a dog.

  [Robin and Eileen stare at each other] 

  Robin Morales : I don't believe you.

  Eileen Wiley : And I don't care.

  Robin Morales : What is it about this house, Eileen? What's it really all about?

  Eileen Wiley : [smirks]  Why don't you just go there yourself?

  [another pause] 

  Eileen Wiley : [teasing]  You're afraid, aren't you?

  [Robin does not respond. She leaves without another word. Marie, who was sitting so far in the corner booth with her back turned to the counter, turns around and gives Eileen a chilling look. Eileen is frightened] 

• [Chuck heads to Robin's motel room. He looks around to make sure no one sees him, then unlocks the door. He takes out the knife Marie gave her earlier and sneaks inside, quietly closing the door behind him. He approaches the bed, sees someone lying in it, and thrusts the knife into the person's chest. The victim groans in pain and turns its face toward Chuck. Chuck recoils and gapes in shock, since the person he just killed is chief Martin, not Robin. Panicky, Chuck hears a noise from the bathroom. He approaches the door and listens: Robin is there, showering, unaware of the murder which has been committed so near her. Chuck climbs on the bed, grabs the knife hilt and tries to pull it out of Jim's chest, but it is stuck. Chuck yanks and tugs on the knife, but in vain. He heistates for a moment, then he gathers chief Martin's clothes and shoes on the dead body, and wraps it all with a sheet. He places the wrapped body on his shoulder and leaves. As the door closes behind him, Robin comes out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel] 

  Robin Morales : Jim?

  [Robin looks around, confused. She has no idea what has just happened, and how close she was to get killed. In the meantime, Chuck heads to Stauf's mansion, carrying chief Martin's body, struggling with his heavy burden. As before, he puts the body on the floor and knocks three times on the door. The door opens. Chuck pushes the bundle inside, and suddenly he is pulled into the house. He finds himself in the kitchen. Julia Heine, wearing an elaborate dress and a pearl necklace, is there, cutting something with a cleaver] 

  Julia Heine : [smiles]  Hello, Chuck. Are you ready?

  Chuck Lynch : [smiles nervously]  Ready? For what?

  [Stauf walks inside. He smiles at Julia, then turns to face Chuck] 

  Julia Heine : Soup's on.

  Stauf : Soup's on.

  [a grotesque skull emerges from the soup pot, exclaiming "Soup's on!". Chuck shakes his head, confused and frightened] 

  Julia Heine : How about...

  [Julia starts walking toward Chuck] 

  Julia Heine : ...a Chuck roast?

  Stauf : A Chuck steak!

  [the skull says "Chuck him into the soup!". Julia gets closer to Chuck, who backs away, while Stauf watches them, amused. Julia grabs hold of Chuck's right shoulder and raises the cleaver high in the air] 

  Chuck Lynch : [yells]  No!

  [Julia brings the cleaver down on Chuck, while Stauf watches them excitedly] 

• [Robin parks her car near the gate of Stauf's mansion, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and her new hiking boots. She exits the car and approaches the gate. She lingers for a moment, looking at the sign that read "Stauf", then enters. She makes her way through the weeds. When she reaches the door, she heistates. Unbeknownst to her, Samantha watches her on the computer screen at her home] 

  Samantha Ford : Don't do that.

  [Robin enters. The door slams behind her] 

  Samantha Ford : [whimpers]  Oh, god.

  [Robin walks through a corridor. She hears a cat meowing, and turns around. Then Stuaf's voice is heard over] 

  Stauf : You don't like cats, do you, Robin?

  Robin Morales : [worried]  Who's there?

  Stauf : You've been afraid of them... ever since you were a little girl. Ever since you and your sister drowned the kitten in the toilet.

  Robin Morales : How did you know I...

  Stauf : [interrupts]  Poor little kitty.

  Robin Morales : I didn't mean to drown...

  Stauf : [interrupts]  Poor little dead kitty! Here, kitty-kitty-kitty.

  [a cougar appears, growling. Robin watches it fearfully as it advances toward her, snarling. The cougar growls and springs at Robin, who desperately shields her head with her hands. As the cougar reaches Robin, it vanishes] 

• [Robin enters the nursery. Her shirt is torn, and there are scratch marks on her throat and face. She examines the toys and picks up one of the dolls. The doll's face turns into demonic, with long fangs, and it cries "I want my mommy!". Horrified, Robin drops the doll. Then she hears Stauf's voice] 

  Stauf : [mockingly]  "I want my mommy"...

  [Rohin spins around and sees Stauf in the room, approaching her] 

  Stauf : ...and what do you want? Not your mommy. I'd guess...

  Robin Morales : [interrupts]  Who are you?

  Stauf : ...success... power... influence...

  [Stauf turns his back to Robin and starts walking away while talking] 

  Stauf : ...money...

  [Stauf stops and turns around to face Robin] 

  Stauf : Fame! Some of us want even more than that. I thought that all I wanted was money. Enough wealth for, oh... a lifetime... or two.

  [Stauf reaches out and caresses Robin's hair. She shrugs his hand off in annoyance] 

  Stauf : But that was just the beginning. And all it wanted...

  [Stauf bends and picks up the doll] 

  Stauf : ...all the house wanted was merely to exist.

  [again, Stauf turns his back to Robin and starts walking away while talking] 

  Stauf : Of course, like so many things...

  [Stauf stops and turns around to face Robin] 

  Stauf : ...to exist, it needs to be fed.

  Robin Morales : [confused]  What are you talking about?

  [Stauf approaches Robin. His facial expression becomes angry, and his tone becomes harsh and loud] 

  Stauf : To live it must eat! That's not too much to ask, now is it?

  [Robin does not respond. Stauf's tone softens] 

  Stauf : What is it that you want? What can this house...

  [again, Stauf turns his back to Robin and starts walking away while talking] 

  Stauf : ...my house... give you?

  [Stauf stops and turns around to face Robin] 

  Stauf : Success? Power? Influence?

  Robin Morales : [derisively]  How can a house give anything to anyone?

  Stauf : [raises his voice]  Never doubt the power of this house! You've seen its magic.

  Robin Morales : You're saying I can have anything I want?

  Stauf : [smiles]  Name it!

  [Stauf turns his back to Robin and starts walking away. Robin hesitates] 

  Robin Morales : I...

  [Samantha, who has been watching Robin ever since she entered the mansion, becomes frantic] 

  Samantha Ford : [desperately]  No, don't say it!

  [Samantha types furiously on her keyboard. Carl, while climbing the stairs, hears a beeping from the portable computer] 

• [while climbing the stairs, Carl hears a beeping from the portable computer] 

  Carl Denning : It's about time.

  [Carl takes the computer from his pocket and switches it on. He sees Robin and Stauf on the screen, and hears their conversation] 

  Stauf : [smoothly]  Tell me what you want. The world is waiting.

  Carl Denning : Robin?

  Robin Morales : [stunned, hearing Carl's voice]  Carl?

  [Robin looks around] 

  Robin Morales : Carl? Where are you?

  Stauf : [snaps]  Never mind him! He's an illusion! Tell me what you want.

  [Stauf's tone becomes coaxing] 

  Stauf : Your own show. Your own network!

  [Robin pauses for a moment] 

  Robin Morales : [softly]  My own network?

  Stauf : [snaps his fingers]  Like that. Is that what you want?

  Carl Denning : [yells]  Robin!

  Stauf : Is it?

  Robin Morales : I...

  Stauf : [shouts]  Say it!

  Carl Denning : [yells]  Don't!

  [Robin and Stauf disappear from the screen. Samantha appears] 

  Samantha Ford : [to Carl]  She's gone.

  Carl Denning : [snarls]  Who are you?

  Samantha Ford : Samantha. I'm the one who sent you the GameBook. I've been trying to help you save Robin.

  Carl Denning : Samantha... why are you doing this?

  Samantha Ford : I thought... hoped that you could defeat the house, but the house is too powerful. We're all so weak. You've got to get out now.

  Carl Denning : Well, you know, I just can't leave her here.

  [Carl hears Robin's voice in the distance] 

  Robin Morales : Help! Carl! Help me!

  [Carl looks around, trying to find where Robin is calling from] 

  Samantha Ford : Don't go! It's too late!

  Carl Denning : Samantha, I'll see you later, all right?

  [Carl closes the portable computer, and follows Robin's voice] 

  Robin Morales : [her voice sounds over]  Oh, god... help! Please... no... no more. No.

  [Carl enters Temple's bedroom, from which he hears Robin's voice. He looks around but does not see her] 

  Carl Denning : Robin?

• Samantha Ford : Choose me!

  Stauf : [taunts]  What a choice. Marie... sweet, sensuous, sexy Marie...

  [Marie moves her body seductively. The audience cheers] 

  Stauf : ...or Samantha in a wheelchair!

  [the invisible audience boos] 

  Robin Morales : What's behind door number 3?

  Stauf : Pay up!

  [Carl gives Stauf his last 200 dollars. The audience cheers] 

  Stauf : Door number 3!

  [door number 3 opens, revealing Robin. She stands there, her shirt is torn, and there are scratch marks on her throat and face] 

  Robin Morales : Carl, I'm so scared! Please choose me! Save me!

  [the invisible audience boos] 

  Robin Morales : [tearfully]  I... love you.

  Marie Wiley : [smiles]  I'll give you anything you want. Anything and everything.

  Samantha Ford : Don't listen to them, Carl! You'll be lost forever!

  [Marie scowls at Samantha] 

  Stauf : [angrily]  Shut up, Samantha!

  Samantha Ford : [urges]  He's afraid of you, Carl! Choose me. Destroy the power of this hellish house.

  [the invisible audience boos] 

  Robin Morales : [pleading tearfully]  Carl, you have to choose me. After all we've been through... I need you!

  Marie Wiley : [grins seductively]  Anytime... any place... anywhere you want me.

  [the audience cheers. Pigs' oinking is heard] 

  Stauf : [smiles]  Well... what'll it be, sport? The choice is yours

  [Stauf pats on Carl's shoulder] 

  Stauf : The choice is yours.

  [the audience cheers. Carl sighs, unsure whom to choose] 

• [alternative ending #2: Carl chooses Robin. The audience boos. Robin smiles in relief, tears in her eyes. She and Carl kiss repeatedly, while Marie scowls. Robin and Carl hug] 

  Robin Morales : Thank god...

  Carl Denning : Let's go home.

  [they enter the door behind Robin and disappear from view. Samantha is saddened. Some time later, Robin is watching a newscast on TV] 

  Anchorperson : The body of TV reporter Carl Denning...

  [Carl's photo is shown on the TV screem] 

  Anchorperson : ...was found floating in the Hudson river today. Denning disappeared during his honeymoon in Harley-on-Hudson, after his celebrated marriage to Robin Morales, newly appointed president of the Stauf Broadcasting System.

  [Robin, totally indifferent to Carl's death, turns the TV off]