(Man ) Look at the green frog!
It's swimming, it's swimming, it's swimming!
♪ Five little ducks went swimming one day
♪ Over the hills and far away
♪ Mother duck said, quack, quack, quack, quack
♪ But only four little ducks came back ♪
- (Baby gurgling) - (Man ) Yeah!
Do you want some water? Do you want some water?
- Whoo! Who's a good boy? - (Baby gurgling)
(Man ) Who's a very good boy? (Woman ) Hello, babies.
- (Man ) Mummy's back! - (Baby squeals)
(Man ) Is he out?
Like a light.
- Do you think he'll sleep through? - Please God.
- I hate missing bath times. - Here.
h, not for me, I'm seeing Karen tonight.
Since when?
- I told you this morning. - No, you didn't.
I did, Martin.
I'll only be an hour and I haven't seen her in ages.
What?
(Tinkling)
- (Doorbell) - (Cartoon on TV)
(Baby fussing)
(Baby crying)
- Shh. Shh. - (Baby crying)
♪ Twinkle, twinkle, little star
♪ How I wonder what... ♪
(Man over monitor) # Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top
♪ When the wind blows the cradle will rock
# When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
# And down will come cradle, baby and all #
- Morning. - (Baby crying)
(Woman, cooing) Oh, hello?
Good morning. There you go.
Oh...how are you?
(TV) ..German leader openly criticised the UK's foreign policy during a visit...
Whoa!
..just two days after the British Prime minister...
Oh!
- Have you got any instant? - Not enough caffeine?
Instant's fine.
- Yeah. - It's in there.
Oh, yeah.
- Listen, Jude... - We'll talk. Call me.
I will, I will.
Two, three, four...
I didn't hear you come in last night.
You were dead to the world, I didn't wanna wake you.
Did you hear anything odd last night on the baby monitor?
What do you mean odd?
Some kind of interference from next door, I don't know.
It can't be the neighbours, they're away. Why?
- Just wondering. - OK.
- Call me, will you? - I always do!
No, you don't!
See you later.
(Baby crying over monitor)
(Static over monitor)
(Man over monitor) # Twinkle, twinkle little star...
- (Baby crying) - # How /...
- (Baby crying) - # ..wonder what you are
- # When the blaying sun is gone... - (Baby gurgling)
- # When he nothing shines upon - (Door creaking)
- There, there. Shh. - (Baby gurgling)
Alison Mundy?
I'm sorry for coming with the baby and all.
I would have come alone except there's no one that can take him during the day.
(Alison ) It's OK, it's fine, don't worry.
Erm...Martin, this is Robert Bridge. Robert's writing a book about what I do
and if you've got no objections, he'd like to sit in on our conversation.
It's an academic publication. I wouldn't use your real name, of course.
Sure.
- Who's this? - Tom.
I'm gonna make some tea, do you take milk and sugar?
Yes, thanks.
- So, Martin, what can I do for you? - Well, I'm not sure really.
m...this isn't something I've done before and I'm not really, um... I'm...
I'm not sure.
- I'm sorry, I haven't got any tea bags. - No, don't worry, it's fine.
I can't believe I'm here really. I...
It's all been a bit, um...
this is gonna sound a bit mad, but, um...
I keep hearing, er...
It's the baby monitor.
- There are these sounds. - What sort of sounds?
I thought at first it was interference, like a radio from next door or something, but it's not.
- It's something else. - What?
I don't know...but I think it's about Tom.
(Martin ) /f you'd like to leave a message, go ahead after the beep.
(Beep)
(Ruth ) Hi, it's me, checking in as requested.
Um...pick up if you're there? Martin?
- (Static on monitor) - (Martin ) It's been a complete change.
I've had to become a house husband, give up my job,
so it's totally different.
Thanks, Alison.
So Ruth got her diploma when she was pregnant.
She earns more than me, so I suppose it's a financial decision really.
The thing is, if... Iook, if she knew I'd contacted a medium,
she might not understand.
It's just up there.
- Ruth got it for him. - (Tinkling)
Could I have a minute, do you mind?
(Tinkling)
(Water running)
What happened to the bath?
Oh, it's the taps, they keep dripping.
They drive me mad.
(Heavy thud)
My God, Robert, are you all right?
Is everything all right?
(Robert) I...I don't know.
- Are you sure you're OK? - Yeah, I'm fine.
When you were in the nursery, did you... did you sense anything?
- No, why? - Nothing, I just wondered.
What's bothering you?
Nothing, I had a dizzy spell, that's all.
It's just it felt strange, I don't know. I just felt something unusual, that's all.
What do you mean by unusual?. Are you sure you're OK to drive?
Forget it, just forget it.
(Alison ) I'll get you a drink of water.
- Do you want a biscuit? - I fainted, I didn't give blood.
What the hell's this?
It's OK, sit down.
(Whispering) I didn't do it.
- Alison? - I didn't do it.
Alison, what are you doing? Stop! Stop that.
Put it down, I'll clean it up.
- I didn't do it. - Alison, what the hell are you doing?
Stop, put it down, put it down.
- I've got to again... - No, no, no, stop this.
- I didn't do it, I didn't do it. - I know, I know.
- I didn't do it... I didn't do it... - Calm down.
- Listen to me, Alison. - I didn't...
Alison, it's OK. It's OK.
I didn't do it, she did.
Who?
My mother.
My mother did it.
You told me your mother was dead.
My mother did it.
She used to throw stuff away.
She used to clean up all the time.
She used to say that everything was dirty.
You think she's here now?
Alison, we really need to talk about this.
I...I can't.
I'm OK.
Will you go now?
(Ruth) It's just you weren't in when I called. (Martin ) Oh yeah, the message.
(Ruth) Where were you? (Martin ) You know, out.
(Ruth) What do you mean, out? (Martin ) What is this?!
- (Ruth) You're the one that makes a fuss... - (Tom crying)
- Why does it always have to be about that? - Because that's what it's always about!
- Look, Martin, we can't keep... - (Tom crying)
(Man, whispering) Shh. There, there.
There's a good boy.
- Shh. - (Tom gurgling)
(Static over monitor)
(Water running)
(Tom gurgling)
(Tom crying)
- (Barbara ) Morning. - I know, I know, late start.
Yes, well you've got things on your mind.
What do you mean?
- I saw Jude last night. - Don't.
- OK, OK. - Don't, Barb.
What did she say?
She seemed happy. I just wanted to say I think it's great.
Look, we haven't even talked about it yet, it could be nothing.
Just...don't.
According to Sartre, "hell is other people".
Some may think it's having to sit through one of his entire plays.
- (Laughter) - But what if your self esteem was so low,
your ego so smashed,
you feel you didn't deserve even other people.
Wouldn't the worst possible hell be the one you were trapped in right now...
yourself.
Heaven may be a story we tell ourselves to keep the fear of death at bay
but it's also an example of how belief in an imagined future, eternal paradise,
can help transcend our experience of the material world.
It can provide us with comfort and reassurance,
it can give some people the strength they need to live,
others the strength they need to die.
The Cathars...
the...sorry.
Erm... The Cathars of medieval France believed...
Sorry, just give me a minute.
Aargh!
(Panting)
Come in. Thanks so much for coming back.
I really wouldn't have asked if I hadn't been, um... Thank you.
It's OK.
(Static over monitor)
(Running water)
(Alison ) A baby died here.
It doesn't mean that yours will.
It's just something terrible that happened.
I knew it. I knew that there was something.
But what...what about the voice on the baby monitor?
I didn't pick up on that.
I don't know anything about that.
I'm sorry. I...I know that that's not what you want to hear.
I... It's all I can say.
- Are these headaches severe? - Sometimes.
I thought eye strain, you know, computer screens, bad lighting.
When did they first become more serious?
A couple of weeks ago, a month maybe.
Does anyone in your close family have a history of epilepsy?
- Epilepsy? - The results of your EEG seem to indicate that.
I see.
I'll book you in for a CT scan.
That should tell us more. If necessary we'll follow up with an MRI.
(Phone )
Alison, this isn't a good time.
Um, about the house, / think you might have been right.
You said that you felt something strange in the bathroom.
- No, Alison, / said... - I...I went back there.
Something horrible happened there.
Actually, I don't think I felt anything, not the way you mean.
- But you said that... - / had a headache.
What, you're denying that something strange happened to you in that house?
No, I'm not, I...I had a headache, a migraine, I fainted, end of story.
- But... - Really, this isn't a good time.
/'ll call you.
Good night, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.
(Tom crying)
Shh. It's OK. It's OK.
- Go to sleep. - (Tom gurgles )
Good boy.
(Tom crying)
(Tom giggling)
(Tom crying)
(Tom gurgling)
(Tom crying)
You don't believe me then?
Well, I think perhaps you should get out more.
Why?
I think you need adult company.
- I've got you, haven't I? - Other adults.
Oh, right. Tea and biscuits in an overheated room with the yummy mummies
competing over how fast their kids are developing.
"Isn't it amazing how actually satisfying motherhood can actually be?"
You need an objective view, I think.
Or what? I'll go mental?.
I think you're under a lot of strain lately, I...
I tell you I'm worried that something's wrong and what do you do?
Deny it point blank.
Well, maybe you're right.
Maybe I should get out more. Maybe I should go for a drink with Karen.
What does that mean?
It was Karen you were seeing last night, wasn't it?
Well, who else would it be?
It is over.
So you say.
- That won't help you. - (Scoffs ) You should listen to yourself.
Look, it's not easy for me either.
Working the hours that I do, wanting to be home with Tom, knowing...
At least we can afford the house of our dreams!
- What is wrong with you? - Nothing's wrong with me.
Then why are you acting so weird?
- (Tom fussing) - (Ruth) You know when I go out,
- I need to know that Tom is safe. - He is safe!
I need to know that I can trust you.
- I'm his father! - Then act like it!
(Martin ) I change the nappies, I wipe up the sick, I get the crying all day,
- it's not all happy bath and cosy bedtimes. - I know that!
- Then what are you talking about? - I'm talking about your behaviour, it's...
(Tom crying)
- (Ruth) What now?! - (Man over monitor) Shh.
- (Tom crying) - Daddy's here.
Leave him alone! I won't let you have him!
You don't deserve him.
(Alison ) Something happened in the house. You said that you felt something.
- Yes, nausea and dizziness. - That's not what you meant.
Oh, right. What did I mean, since you're reading minds now.
What's wrong with you? I don't understand.
- Why have you changed your mind? - I haven't changed my mind.
Nothing happened.
I don't believe you.
Why are you so bothered about the house anyway? You didn't feel anything either.
Not then, but I went back. A baby died there.
Oh, right. I see. Somebody else's tragedy
gives you the excuse to ignore the issue that really matters, your feelings about your mother.
My mother is not an issue! That is not what this is about!
You know nothing about my mother.
How am I supposed to talk to you, Robert?
How am I supposed to trust you, if you keep moving the goal posts like this?
I don't understand the way you think. I don't know what's going on in your head.
I don't like it and I don't appreciate it!
(Doorbell)
(Robert) If it's not a good time... (Jude ) No, it's great. He's down.
It's a good time, come through.
( # Soft music)
What?
I wasn't planning on...
I don't think I should stay here tonight.
- OK. - It's not that I don't want to, it's just...
It's just I don't want to jeopardise something before it even begins, you know?
No expectations, no promises, no over-analysing.
In fact, no analysing at all.
Well... That could be difficult.
Let's just see what happens.
- That sounds good. - Good.
- I will have a cup of tea though. - You know where it is.
(Sighs )
(Tom gurgling)
(Martin ) Excuse me! Excuse me.
- Morning? - Hi. Morning.
You know this area, don't you, this house?
- Sure. - What happened here?
What happened in this house?
(Martin ) He killed him. He killed the baby, it drowned.
It died in the bath.
Everyone knew about it.
It was an accident. he only left the room for a minute
but of course it was his fault, his responsibility.
His wife left him and he just stayed in the house.
I suppose he couldn't leave. He was drinking by then, a lot.
- Things just went downhill. - What d'you mean?
He drank himself to death. And he's still there.
Look, what can I do?
I don't know.
Come to the house, please.
Just...just come to the house and...and... I...I don't know, to talk to him
or something, please, please.
- How do you want to proceed? Start up... - (Ruth) Where've you been, Martin?
I thought you were gonna tell me when you...
- Hello. - Hi.
Ruth, this is Alison, she's come to help.
- What kind of help? - With the noises, the...
The voice. She's a medium.
- There's something in this house... - What are you talking about?
It's just interference, it's something to do with the atmospherics.
No, no, it's more than that.
- I beg your pardon? - She didn't sense anything the first time...
The first? Oh, she's been here before?
- In my house? - I invited her.
When, why didn't you tell me?
- Because I knew you'd be like this. - What, rational?.
She heard it too.
Of course she heard it, she's a clairvoyant, that's what they do.
- They hear things, that's how they get paid. - Are you worried about money now?
It's not the money I object to, it's the fact that my husband is hearing voices from a wall
and instead of talking to his wife about it he pays someone to feed his paranoid fantasies.
(Martin ) Paranoid? This is real.
(Ruth) It's in your head! (Martin ) There you go,
twisting it all around to make it my fault, my problem.
(Ruth) It is your problem, you need help. (Martin ) That's why she's here!
(Ruth) She's not offering you the kind of help that you need.
(Martin ) You have to believe me, there is something wrong in this house
and it's not in my head!
(Ruth) I am sick and tired, it's always the same thing! It's madness!
(Ghostly whisper) Tommy. Tommy.
# Tommy, Tommy #
Who's a good boy?
- What are you doing? - (Ghostly whisper) Come to Daddy now.
There's something here.
- How do you mean? - There's a presence in this house,
around your son.
- You should go, y-you should leave. - You're talking about my baby.
- I know it sound far-fetched. - You're talking about my son!
Get out, please, get out of my house!
- I'm sorry. - Get out! Get out of my house!
- (Tom gurgling) - (Ruth) Shh.
There's a good boy. Shh.
- All right, sweetheart. - (Tom gurgling)
(Ruth over monitor) Shh, that's it.
Mummy's here now. All right.
(Tom gurgling)
Yeah, all your lovely clothes are going in here.
(Phone )
(Tom crying)
(Tom gurgling)
It's good that you brought a friend along with you.
I've found that people don't always take in the salient points from a meeting like this.
Your CT scan revealed an abnormality,
which is why we gave you an MRI as well.
You have a tumour.
I've discussed the results with our neurologist
and even without a biopsy, we can diagnose the tumour as malignant.
The tumour is lodged in your brain stem at the base of your skull
which is why I'm afraid, surgery is out of the question.
I'm afraid survival rates are extremely low.
You should think of your time remaining as months or weeks, rather than years.
There is of course the option of radio- or chemotherapy.
However, we cannot guarantee that this will extend your life expectancy
and given their serious side effects
you may choose to put quality of life before treatment.
This of course is for you to decide.
Do you understand?
Yes. Yes, I do.
(Gulls screeching)
Come to the house, please.
Come to the house, and talk to him... or something, please, please.
(Static over monitor)
(Man over monitor)
(Tommy gurgling)
(Man over monitor) Tommy, lovely baby.
It's OK.
Lovely baby.
# Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
# How I wonder what... #
#...you are.
It's Ok. I'm here now.
She doesn't love you. She is a bad mother.
You heard him too. Didn't you?
What did he say?
- Tell what you heard. - What do you think we should do?
- Leave. - We can't just leave.
- This is our home Martin-- - She said we should go.
Tom is in danger.
How can he be in danger? There's no one there.
Where would we go?
I suppose we can go to my mother's for a few days.
- I'll get the car. - We can't go now. We can't go now.
Because we need all the stuff that Tommy needs, the stuff--
Ruth!
Please.
Robert.
- Robert. - Alison, please, not right now.
He wants the baby. He couldn't look after her own baby, so he wants to look after Tom.
And Martin´s wife didn't listen to me when I told her they should leave.
- What are you talking about? - I told her they should leave but she won't go.
- No, Alison, no. - I thought she might listen to you.
So if we go down back together you could talk her, you could explain her.
- Explain what? - The child is in danger.
I can't do this.
Robert, we're talking about the child, a baby.
- Is the blue jean in here? - Yes, I think.
And the travel blanket?
(Tommy crying) Right.
- I go. - I'll start the car.
(Tommy crying)
Where is Daddy?
Where is Daddy now?
Where is--
Someone has been busy.
We're gonna need more than a nappy, and a pair of clean pants.
Ooh, my little stinker.
All right, all right. I'll bring it.
What about a swim in the tube?
Oh, God.
- You made me scare. - I'm sorry.
So you are leaving.
Yes. Just going to my mom's for a few days.
Changed you mind.
- Just going to take a break. - It's a good idea.
Oh, baby. So here we go.
You like the water, no?
Here comes the frog.
I think Martin is depressed...
...he is not going to his job, and he is with Tom all day every day.
It's hard.
What did he tell you about the man who lived here before?
The one whose baby died.
I heard him.
Did you?
It's impossible. It's... ridiculous.
He said I was a bad mother.
Who did? Martin or the voice?
The voice.
Or... maybe... Martin?
♪ Mother duck said quack, quack, quack, quack.
♪ But only two little ducks came back. ♪
(Static over monitor)
(Man over monitor) # Mother duck said, quack, quack, quack.
# But only one little duck came back. #
Ruth!
Dumb, silly Martin.
Don't worry Tommy, you don't have to listen to any more.
Leave them alone.
No!
(Martin crying)
Martin.
Martin. Where is Tommy?
(Ruth crying) No! My God!
Oh, my God!
(Static over monitor)
(Baby caying) Tommy, Tommy.
Who is a good boy? You are safe now.
Daddy got you.
Now boy. (Tommy laughing)