Voila! Finally, the The Skulls
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Joshua Jackson movie. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of The Skulls. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
What can I do for you
this a.m.?
We got oatmeal. We got ham.
We got omelettes.
- We got ham omelettes.
- I'll have a ham omelette, please.
More oatmeal, dude. And try to
keep it on the plate this time.
Yeah, dude, more oatmeal. God, and
try to keep it on the plate this time.
Chloe, sometimes
you can be such a bitch.
Fascinating.
Hey, buddy. Come here.
I know it's : a. M...
and you haven't had your
triple-soy decaf latte yet...
but a kid with your kind
of breeding should have some manners.
I suggest you
apologize to the lady.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Oh, sophomores.
You gotta love 'em, huh?
- The usual?
- Yes. That would be lovely.
The race is at : today.
You gonna be there?
I don't know. I've got this
really riveting econ seminar...
on the origins of
the Gross National Product, so...
- I wouldn't want to miss that.
- Yeah, I would, actually.
For the lady.
Thank you, sir.
I'll see you out there.
Yes, indeed.
Okay. C. Wright Mills'
The Power Elite.
The main thesis is what?
That at certain institutions,
elite groups are formed...
that'll network the rest
of their lives.
Then that brings us to
the question...
Is America really a class society?
Or is it the meritocracy we're taught
it is since we were in kindergarten?
Mr. McNamara?
Well, actually, I believe
that it's both, sir.
- How can it be both?
- It's been my experience...
that merit is rewarded with wealth,
and with wealth comes class.
Nice recovery,
Mr. McNamara.
Nice car, ladies.
Tell me, when did you convert?
- Since we borrowed it yesterday.
- Like you give a shit, man.
Believe me, man.
I want you to keep stealing cars.
When I'm a lawyer, I'm gonna make a lot
defending my high school buddies.
Starting with you three.
How you doing,J.J.?
- Your hair looked better long.
- I was thinking the same about you.
- I like it the way it is.
- Thank you.
See, Lukey? Things do change,
even for losers like us.
I never called you a loser.
You got your books, your boats
and your Ivy pride, right?
- Right on, McBride!
- We'll see you around, buddy.
McNamara, move this boat out
or you're disqualified.
Sorry, sir.
- Sorry, I'm late, man.
- It's all right.
As long as we're not late
at the finish line. All hands on.
- Ready, shove!
- Hoorah!
Where did Mr. McNamara
learn to row?
In local sewers, I imagine.
He's a townie.
Mother died in a car crash
when he was one. Father, unknown.
Ready, row!
He won us the Ivy championship
three years in a row. That's a fact.
- He's growing on me.
- Is that right?
No need to check
him out, huh?
Why, it's Caleb Mandrake.
He was a Skull
the day he was born.
Caleb, I can't see the race.
Imagine it.
So sit back and let the starter
line up the boats here...
as we get ready for the
beginning of the Ivy Sprints.
Lane number one,
wearing bluejerseys...
are last year's All Ivy champions,
the Bulldog Eight...
led by the unbeaten team of stroke,
Luke McNamara and cox, Will Beckford.
The promising Harvard Crimson
boat is in lane two...
stroke by Pat McCarry and cox
by Lisa Littlered Williams.
This is the start
of the Ivy League Sprint.
The start will be "attention, "
then the gun.
Finishing out the field is Cornell
in lane three in the white and red...
Princeton Tigers in lane four
in the orangejerseys...
and Dartmouth in the green
in lane five.
Penn's on the outside
wearing blue and red in lane six.
Attention.
Come on. That's three.
Push your legs. That's four.
Come on.
That's five. Push!
Six! Come on. Give it to me.
Seven. That's it.
That's eight.
Come on, Luke. Come on! Nine.
That's ten. Let's settle.
Lengthen and settle.
Give me two seats.
We'll settle at .
That's beautiful, Luke.
Keep it right here, Luke.
That's nice. Looking great.
The Bulldogs take
a two-seat lead.
Harvard and Cornell try to keep up with
them as they cross the halfway point.
It looks like
another Bulldog victory.
Don't let them catch us.
Come on!
That's five!
That's six!
Come on with the legs!
We got 'em. We're walkin'.
Keep it right here, Luke.
That's nice.
We're four seats ahead.
This race is ours.
We're men with bad intentions.
I want five with bad intentions.
That's one! Bad intentions.
That's two!
- What's going on back there?
- George's oar lock broke.
- The Bulldogs broke an oar lock.
- Okay, George. Out in three.
Toss your oar, George.
One! Two!
Three!
Bail!
- All right. Take it up!
- Come on. Gotta take it up.
- Up!
- Take it up. Take it up.
Seven oars against eight?
They don't have a chance in hell.
I don't believe this!
The Bulldogs are still going!
Go! Go!
Give all you got right here. We're
seniors. We cannot let this happen.
- What do you say, Luke?
- Take it up!
Luke say it's a go.
Come on! Give me two seats.
Give me two seats right now.
I need it now!
Fellers, hands to ankles.
This is it.
Commit now!
Up!
- Give it all you got right here!
- Give it!
Right here! Give it all you got!
We got a seat!
Right to finish!
Let's win this!
We got five strokes!
Come on! Come on!
That's two! We got a seat!
That's three!
That's four!
Let's win this!
That's it! We won it! We won it!
You guys are beautiful!
- Yeah!
- We did it!
Are the others after him?
He turned them all down.
Either he doesn't want
to join a secret society...
or he's waiting for us.
F-R-double-E
to be S-A-V-E-D
S-A-V-E-D
from the bonds of S-l-N
Glory, glory, hallelujah
hip, hooray, amen
Hallelujah
Go! Go! Go!
What's the matter? You gonna
turn into a pumpkin at midnight?
Or are you worried you're not
gonna turn into a Skull?
I'd be a Girl Scout if they paid for
grad school which Skulls supposedly do.
Supposedly supposedly.
I got my Harvard Law
application today.
- How much they raise tuition?
- Just over three grand this year.
Damn. Three grand?
Which means that even with a dozen or
so part-time jobs and my scholarships...
excuse me... I'm still gonna owe
this university let's say...
hundred grand,
when I get out.
Don't forget interest.
So even if I can get
everything deferred...
I'm gonna owe this school grand
and Harvard Law another, what, ?
That means you'll have to get a
corporate law job at hours a week.
- And then I could afford a car!
- A used car.
A used car. And you know
how attractive the ladies find those.
Which means no play...
even less than now...
- Which is like...
- Like what?
- None.
- Thanks. I appreciate that.
When I finally get free to practice the
kind of law that I want to practice...
You'll be years from a heart
attack and a few more from the grave.
Precisely.
My future's killing me.
It's killing me.
Forget about the Skulls.
Start this year off right...
and tell Chloe
how you feel about her.
Let's try to remain on planet
Earth here, shall we, William?
Chloe went to Miss Porter's,
and I can't even dance.
Chloe's parents...
they own a private jet,
and I've never even been in a jet.
You starting to get the picture?
Thank you.
Thank you.
I went out with a Skull
freshman year.
- How'd you know he was a Skull?
- We got into this argument...
about secret societies and how
they're different from fraternities...
because secret societies
are for life.
So I just mentioned the Skulls
and he got really uncomfortable...
and left the room
and never came back.
Must be one of their rules.
Rumors are
they got lots of'em.
Rule Number One:
Not picked by midnight tonight, not in.
Here we go.
Bow your heads... the Skulls.
It's tough to tell where the secret
society ends and the university begins.
- We know you're up there.
- Yeah, we know you're down there.
Don't expect an answer.
The C.I.A. was founded there.
But back in World War Il,
when they were good guys.
Oh, yeah, the good guys.
Say what you want.
All I know
is that if it's secret...
and it's elite,
it can't be good.
Gentlemen, let's eat.
The pizza's here.
Come on, baby.
- What's up?
- Pizza's up here. That's what's up.
There a new moon over New Haven
and it's the bewitching hour.
The time is : midnight.
- At least now we can eat, huh?
- Yes. Eating.
You're gonna have a heart attack
at . I can see it.
- Hello?
- Lucas McNamara, please.
May I ask who's calling?
Luke, it's for you.
He won't say who.
How does anybody
know you're up here?
- Our secret must be out, darlin'.
- Shut up.
- Hello?
- Are you ready to be reborn?
Who is this?
Pay phone.
Outside Ad building. Forty seconds.
Who was that?
Luke, hey...
The astro lab.
Twenty seconds. Lose the bike.
The windowsill.
Here we go, McNamara.
Guess this one didn't make it
through the reborn part.
Better check his breathing.
I don't know. Maybe he didn't
react too well to the drugs.
Where can I get
some more of that shit?
Get up and shut up, Mandrake.
I'm sorry, Mr. Monk.
Congratulations, Skulls...
On your rebirth...
a Skull above any other.
- Say it.
- A Skull above any other.
- Louder.
- A Skull above any other.
No outsiders shall ever know
the work of the order...
or the composition
of its membership.
Before you can enter our world
and begin your year...
our council has a small task
for you to complete.
You might call it a test.
The university's secret societies...
have been playing a little game
for over years.
Mascots. We steal theirs,
they try and steal ours.
We have one left
for a complete set.
At Snake and Skeleton Society.
Their mascot, a python.
Is this so-called python poisonous?
Perhaps.
But remember this:
A snake without scales...
shows its veins.
You have until dawn.
We have been watching.
We will be watching.
Go!
A moat and no drawbridge.
These are very strange people.
So, gentlemen,
what are we waiting for?
It's locked.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
Locks just happen
to be my specialty.
- What did you say your name was?
- Luke McNamara.
Caleb Mandrake.
I know. I've been serving
you breakfast for three years.
I'm sorry.
All you guys in the dining hall
look alike. It must be the little hats.
Yeah, must be the hats.
Where in the world
did you learn to do that?
The skills
of a misspent youth.
I used to be
a genuine menace to society.
- There aren't any snakes in here.
- Okay.
"A snake without scales
shows its veins."
They said...
They said that the snake
was at the building...
but that doesn't necessarily mean
that it was in the building.
Yeah.
Shows its "vanes."
Of course.
A weather vane.
Let's go.
Look there.
- Wow.
- Yeah.
You ready?
This must be what they mean by
"a Skull above any other."
- Ready?
- Yeah. Towards you.
One more time.
Hey! Don't let go, Luke!
Don't let go!
Hold on, Caleb!
Don't let go!
Hold on!
Just hang on!
Pull me up!
Pull me up!
Luke! Hey, where's Luke?
You are a menace to society.
Oh, man!
"The university's tenure system
only rewards mediocrity...
- "allowing our faculty..."
- To wallow in selfish pursuits...
making secondary
their primary purpose:
teaching undergraduates to think.
Bravo. That's
a great article, Will.
Bob Woodward I'm not,
but give it time, give it time.
Here's what I call
the genuine article.
- What's happening, you guys?
- So, what was it like last night?
What was what like
last night?
Let me refresh your memory.
We were about to eat
tofu pizza...
when you got a call and ran out the door
like a bat out of hell...
and here you are now looking like
you've been dragged to hell and back.
So?
It was just a really
long night, that's all.
Really. It must have been a wild ride.
Did she have a name?
Direct question, direct answer:
Are you a Skull?
Are you a Skull?
I don't know.
- You don't know.
- I don't know.
I don't know,
but in any case...
and I know this is gonna
sound like a load of crap...
but I don't really want
to talk about it right now.
- I don't mean to be an asshole.
- You said it, I didn't.
- Will...
- No. For three years...
we made fun of these
private school dicks...
that never gave us
the time of day.
And now you're saying
you're gonna hang out with them?
Will, this doesn't affect
our relationship at all.
That's bullshit, man.
How can you say that?
You'll be doing stuff
you can never tell me about?
I swear, this doesn't
change anything.
Doesn't change anything? Oh, great.
Cool. Doesn't change anything.
That's great.
Tell me everything then.
Yeah. Tell me where you went
last night, what you did.
Why you're wet.
Come on. Tell me.
That's right.
Oh, good. Walk away.
We're talking ourselves
in circles, Will.
Are you gonna say something?
Are you gonna back me up?
Take a stance for once.
Tell him I'm right.
- Don't yell at her 'cause you're mad!
- Don't tell me how to talk.
Guys, chill out before you say
something you don't mean.
Okay?
All right. Let me say
something I do really mean.
- Will...
- No, Chloe.
Hey, you and I were
at Maury's, right?
Having a good time, drinking,
talking to some girls.
And Caleb Mandrake and
your seven new friends come in.
You gonna sit
with them or with me?
- Introduce me, or is that not allowed?
- What do you know about Caleb?
- He's already on a first-name basis...
- No bullshit.
- How do you know about Caleb Mandrake?
- Call it a guess.
But Caleb's not the issue,
all right? The issue's us.
What?
Will, we gotta work this thing out,
okay? There's gotta be middle ground.
No, see, that's where
you're wrong.
When it comes to friendship,
there is no middle ground.
This is Caleb Mandrake.
May I speak to Lucas McNamara?
Yes. Right away, sir.
Caleb, can you
hold on one second?
- No problem.
- Thanks.
Listen, Chloe,
I'm really sorry, but...
I'm sorry.
Caleb, what's happening, man?
Well, we didn't have
to wait very long.
Why? What's happening?
You know something I don't?
Do me a favor and check
under your pillow.
You might find a little something
from the tooth fairy.
Congratulations,
Mr. Lucas McNamara.
You too, Mr. Mandrake.
You too.
Who's first?
I guess they're expecting us.
Kent Hodgins,
over here, please.
Jonathan Edward Payne,
over here.
Hugh Dalton Mauberson,
over here, please.
Lawrence Thorne, here.
Caleb Mandrake,
over here, please.
Lucas McNamara,
this way, please.
I'm Judge Litten Mandrake,
and on behalf of the council, welcome.
In any fellowship,
you need someone you can trust...
someone to be there always
and for anything.
A soul mate.
And my soul mate
is Senator Ames Levritt, class of' .
Gentlemen, you've been
arranged in pairs.
Soul mates.
Each soul mate was chosen
to complement the other...
and to accept responsibility
for the other.
Thank you.
Open them.
Our membership, like life,
has its pleasures...
its hardships...
and sometimes its pain.
But unlike life, the connection
between you is eternal.
Let this seal the bond
between you.
Be silent as you endure.
Well done.
Gentlemen, put on your watches.
With the council as your witnesses,
you have now become soul mates.
And now, gentlemen,
the rules.
We live by the rules,
we die by the rules.
Read your rule book.
There's a rule for every
possible situation.
Guard the key to our entry
and your rule book...
as you would guard
your own lives.
Most important, remember:
Our rules...
supersede those
of the outside world.
"A Skull above any other."
Well done, gentlemen.
Congratulations.
As chairman
of the Order of Skulls...
and on behalf of the council...
and the alumni
throughout the world, gentlemen...
you are welcome.
Welcome home.
The proudest day
of my life, Caleb.
Thanks, Dad.
I want to make you proud.
Thanks.
They're beautiful.
Just like they were this morning
in the ground outside the dean's office.
I thought women
loved fresh flowers.
I messed up
with you yesterday.
I'm sorry.
Really?
Feels like a bribe.
Oh. What's all this?
Luke McNamara, Action Jackson.
Named after Jackson Pollock.
It's my senior thesis.
I am teaching my computer how to paint.
Really. No, wait.
Actually, pure randomness
is really what forms...
the computer's creation.
So am I the artist,
or is the machine?
Are we both?
Maybe it's nobody.
Or maybe it's chaos
in its purest form.
Listen, do you have to stay here
while this thing paints?
- Think I can take you to dinner now?
- Yeah. Know why?
Because Action Jackson
chooses when to begin and when to end.
I am so getting an "A."
Since I'm buying tonight,
how hungry would you say you are?
How hungry would
you say you are?
- I'm famished.
- Famished?
Famished is like, what, bucks?
Which means that
I'd better get some cash.
"Please Enter Your Pin"
I should probably
check the balance.
It's been a big week for me.
I bought a book.
Twenty thousand dollars?
That's got to be a mistake.
You are a Skull.
Son of a bitch.
I'm rich!
You're a Skull.
Chloe, I'm not gonna
disappear like that guy.
Just please,
be happy for me.
- Fine. I'm happy if you are.
- Good.
When you're happy for me...
Gentlemen, if you'll
please follow me.
Mr. Mandrake,
you will be in here.
Mr. Mauberson,
you shall be in here.
And Mr. McNamara,
you will be in here.
The rest of you gentlemen,
please follow me.
Oh, hell, yes.
That's Mr. McNamara.
Hoorah!
Are we having
a bit of tie trouble?
Yeah. Yeah, we are.
No worries.
I am the king.
It's a bit tricky.
Especially when you're doing it
on someone other than yourself.
'Cause everything is in reverse.
There we go. Nice. Looks like
you've done this before.
You know, once or twice.
The skills of a misspent youth.
Thanks, man.
Lucas, Caleb.
Come here a minute.
Come here.
I have this fantastic idea.
Where did you spend last Thanksgiving?
Last Thanksgiving
I was in a Pizza Hut.
Pizza Hut? You're gonna spend
Thanksgiving with us.
We have a Mandrake tradition.
We hunt...
but we only eat
what we shoot.
If we get skunked, then we spend
Thanksgiving drinking brandy...
and starving
in front of a crackling fire.
But not to worry.
Caleb is a superb shot.
I would love to come.
Actually, where I come from
we have the same tradition.
It's just what we shoot,
we call pigeons.
Ames, I'd like to introduce you
to Mr. Lucas McNamara.
- Senator, it's a pleasure to meet you.
- Pleasure's mine, Lucas.
We've been waiting for that
law school application of yours.
I'm on the admissions committee.
Ames, you know that's inappropriate
to discuss in front of a candidate.
You're right, Litten.
So, Caleb,
what are your plans?
I'm just treading water,
waiting to see what happens.
Then your arms must
be getting tired.
They are, Dad.
'Cause you keep throwing me
into the deep end of the pool.
Excuse me.
I need a drink.
So, what do you think
of all this?
Well, to be honest,
it's all a little bit overwhelming.
It was for me too.
We share similar backgrounds, you and l,
and I hope, similar values...
which could put this society's
influence to better use.
Do you have any questions?
Millions.
Like for instance,
who pays for all this?
Rule in your book:
"Each member is required to leave a
percentage of his estate to the Skulls."
And the word "war"
in the ritual room...
what exactly is
the significance?
Those who wish to become
our leaders choose the ordeal of war...
to prove themselves
worthy of the privilege.
- What if we're at peace?
- There are always wars to be fought.
You ever need anything, even if it's
just to shoot the proverbial shit...
you call me.
There seems to be a little tension
between your father and the senator?
Yeah. They were schoolmates.
Soul mates. And it's gotten
substantially worse...
since my father beat
Levritt out for chairman.
That must be tough, man,
trying to follow in those footsteps.
Oh, he's an ambitious man.
The idea of getting to the
Supreme Court's the only thing he loves.
Speaking of love...
- Lucas McNamara, right?
- Yeah, how did you know that?
I know everything about you.
Care to dance?
Hey. What's up, man?
You missed practice.
- Yeah, you know, I've been busy.
- Doing what?
It's a secret.
Lookin' good with that left jab.
Big, tall guy like you.
All the time.
Atta boy. Atta boy.
I've been looking all over for you.
I need to talk to you right now.
Chloe, this is Caleb Mandrake.
We've met at Exeter.
Did we date?
Once or twice. You obviously found it
as unforgettable as I did.
- Catch up with you later.
- Right.
Sure.
Look, Luke,
I feel really ridiculous...
but I left my key
inside of you-know-where.
I don't want to look like a screw-up
so could I please borrow yours?
Of course.
But last I checked, Caleb...
they didn't kick people out
for being forgetful, huh?
Thanks, Lucas.
Dominating the entire room
in six-foot letters...
is carved the word "war."
The main room is about feet across,
and it's magnificent...
with nearly ten pillars...
made entirely
of travertine marble.
- years of wealth. I've never seen...
- You.
- Caleb Mandrake.
- You broke into my car...
you stole my key,
you stole my book.
Now I want the camera, I want the tape,
and I want my stuff back now.
Okay. No problem, man.
Just calm down.
Here's your key.
You can have that.
But I got your book.
I don't have it with me, though,
and we can get that any time.
Okay? But just calm down.
I'll be with you till dawn.
It's : ...
Will, man.
Will! Will! Help me!
Somebody help me!
Help me!
Help me!
I don't understand.
Will would...
I mean,
he was the last person...
Sometimes we don't know people
as well as we think we do.
Look, I have a few questions.
Then I think you should
get some sleep.
Did you touch anything
besides the doorknob?
I don't know.
I'm in here a lot. All the time.
Why were you here at : in the
morning? Do you work for the newspaper?
No, I just wanted
to talk to him.
What would you have to talk to him
about at : in the morning?
We had had an argument.
It was no big deal.
So you had a fight.
What was this fight about?
Don't put words in my mouth.
I told you we had an argument.
We were roommates.
That's all there was to it.
Calm down. It seems like you're
getting a little excited here.
What are you trying to say?
- What are you trying to say?
- Easy, son.
I'm just saying plain and simple,
what was the argument about?
That's all.
Detective Sparrow, Martin Lombard.
I'm the university provost.
Do we have to do this now?
Can we give him a break?
I have a few more questions,
but maybe this isn't the right time.
I'll be in touch.
You can go, Mr. McNamara.
Get some sleep.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Oh, my God.
I just heard. I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
What am I gonna
tell his mother?
This should go too.
Hey, you want
I should pack these too?
I have something to tell you.
Will was doing
an expose on the Skulls.
He had a lot of interest
from a lot of papers.
- Even job offers.
- I know.
I found his notes.
Why couldn't you have
told me about this sooner?
Will made me
promise not to.
If this article had something
to do with his suicide...
I think the police should know...
they've been around asking questions.
You can't talk to them.
Did this story have something
to do with Will's death?
Did it?
I don't know, Chloe.
I don't know.
I guess if we were the friends
that we thought we were, maybe...
maybe things might have
turned out differently.
I lied.
Will lied.
And now you're lying.
You're lying to me.
Move. Move!
Detective Sparrow.
Did you learn any truth
in class today, Lucas?
Your girlfriend told us what
your fight with Will was about.
She's not my girlfriend.
Okay, then, your friend
who's a girl.
- We also found something interesting.
- What's that?
Will Beckford had a contusion
on the back of his head.
Normally when people hang themselves,
they don't have a contusion...
like they hit themselves in the back
of the head with a sledgehammer.
Clearly, something violent happened
to Will Beckford before his suicide...
or what was made
to look like a suicide.
Don't let it keep you up nights
because we're doing our work...
and I know how deeply
concerned you are.
Unless you want to get
back to me first.
He has got a left hook that
took a man out in seconds.
He has what they call
a puncher's chance.
That is, if he gets inside...
He's not a boxer.
Gentlemen.
Tonight begins
the Revealing Process...
the final stage of your admission
into the order.
Come with us
into liars' hell.
Gentlemen, do come in.
I'm Dr. Rupert Whitney, class of' .
I'm head of protocol.
I'll be your guide
for the next few weeks.
The Revealing Process
is our most sacred ritual.
It's been a Skull tradition
since the late s...
and it is the foundation
of your class's commitment...
to each other.
Each soul mate pair will be
placed within the device.
And then you may ask them
any question you want...
about anything that you want.
The object is to learn
all that you can about each other.
After they've revealed all
to your satisfaction...
release them.
Which pair wants to go first?
Caleb and I will.
Hey, Luke, what's your worst fear?
My worst fear?
My worst fear is that
I'll always be alone.
My mother was killed
in a car crash...
when I was so young that
I can't even remember her face.
My whole life, I never had any family,
up until a couple years ago...
when I met a friend who became
like a brother to me.
Last week, he was taken from me too.
Why do you think this keeps happening?
- Huh? Any ideas?
- I don't know. Who can answer that?
You can. You can tell me
the worst thing you've ever done.
I had an affair
with my mother's best friend.
Why are you so afraid
of your father?
My father always
covers for me...
always gets me
out of trouble.
I never take responsibility
for anything.
Fine. Then take
responsibility for this.
What's the worst thing
you've ever done?
- God, where do I start...
- Don't play games with me!
What's the worst thing
you've ever done? The worst?
- What are you talking about?
- I know what you did.
What are you talking about?
Know where I found this?
Thank you.
I lost this...
and I wondered where it went.
Gentlemen.
Congratulations.
McNamara, Mandrake, the chairman
would like to see you.
I'll be waiting upstairs.
He's a Skull.
- Would you excuse us, Marty?
- Certainly.
Well done, Luke.
Well done.
Don't give me your "well dones."
I wanna know the truth...
about what happened
to Will Beckford that night.
The truth.
Well, I think your soul mate
has a right to hear the truth.
Don't you, Caleb?
Your roommate stole
both my book and my key.
That's why I asked
to borrow yours.
Then I went to the ritual room,
and he was photographing everything.
You broke into my car!
You stole my key, my book!
I tried to stop him.
I want your camera, I want the tape
and my stuff back now.
Okay, here's your key.
You can have that.
But I got your book.
I don't have it with me.
- We can get that any time.
- Tell you what. You give me the key.
We'll get the book together.
You won't say anything.
- All right. Calm down.
- I won't say anything.
Nothing will happen to you,
and everything will be fine.
How about if I tell you
I can't do that, all right?
Get off me!
He fell...
and he broke his neck.
Man, there was nothing
I could do.
Nothing you could do?
You could've called the police.
Caleb... Nothing...
Will is dead!
We didn't go to the authorities because
we knew where that would've gotten us.
Caleb's future, my judicial hopes
our obligation to the Skulls...
to keep our oaths would've been
ruined because of an accident.
So, we took this accident
and made it look like a suicide.
Let's not forget. Will Beckford
illegally broke into a car.
He's a thief, and he trespassed
where he didn't belong.
This isn't right.
Well, it may not be right...
but it worked.
This is your preacceptance
to the law school of your choice.
- I haven't applied to law school yet.
- Imagine that.
It's all paid for.
I would do anything
to protect you.
Won't you do the same for me?
Miss, would you bring me another cup
of coffee and some fresh milk, please?
Sorry about that.
Excuse me.
You took quite a risk
by calling me.
You said to call any time
I wanted to shoot the shit.
Remember, Senator?
- Do you know?
- I'm on the council, son.
Even Litten Mandrake couldn't pull off
a cover-up like this by himself.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
How are you managing
with your decision to remain silent?
How are you managing
with yours?
Our society's
a compulsive lot, Lucas.
The Skulls are a group that
cannot help but dot every "l"...
cross every "T"...
keep a record of every deed,
every whispered confession.
The surveillance cameras.
So there's gotta be tapes.
Our organization
is putting all its resources...
into Judge Mandrake's confirmation
to the federal bench...
as a precursor
to the Supreme Court.
One would hate for
an awful secret to arise...
which would derail
such an important agenda.
That awful secret...
would be a valuable piece
of information indeed.
Perhaps a bargaining chip
with the council...
used possibly
to reacquire one's freedom?
To get one's life back again?
Would you like
your life back, Luke?
- His birthday was last week.
- I know.
It's a peace offering.
- Turn yours down, man!
- Guys, turn off those damn televisions!
Hey, turn off those televisions!
- We have a guest.
- Hey, boys.
I need to talk to you. Sully,
I'm sorry I missed your birthday.
If you want to confess, St.
Something-Or-Other is down the street.
- Why don't you roll yourself in there?
- I'm not kidding.
I'm in real trouble here, okay?
If you don't help me...
Sully's birthday is not gonna be
the last one I miss, including my own.
Why should we help you?
I don't know.
Maybe you feel like turning the other
cheek. Or you wanna be forgiving.
Or maybe you wanna try and be a better
friend to me than I've been to you.
Come over here
for a second.
More than likely, you wanna take
a look out of this window...
'cause you'll probably see
a ' T-Bird convertible.
Dual exhausts, four-barrel carb, fully
restored original red leather interior.
And it belongs to me.
You help me out,
it belongs to you.
Wanna know what's up? Big Boy
changes the tapes twice a day...
: a.m., : p.m.
You can set your watch by it.
So now we know his schedule.
He's not going out the front.
He's going back the way he came.
J.J., he's going back
the way he came. Over.
Okay, got him.
He's heading east. I'm on it.
Are you having a problem?
Yes, sir.
Actually, it's a family emergency.
Excuse me.
Don't lose him. We gotta find out
where he takes those tapes.
Wait. Don't...
What do you think you're doing?
Nobody's allowed into the Sturtevant
Collection without a pass. Let's go.
Come on.
You know what this is?
It's a bug.
It's a bug! Understand?
I want you to listen to me.
I want you to stop following
Lombard's people.
You've been digging, and if you keep
at it, you're gonna dig your own grave.
You didn't think they wouldn't
figure out what you've been doing?
Hell, they know everything we do!
They know every place we go!
Your place is bugged!
My place is as well!
And your friend upstairs? Her place
is bugged too, so she's not safe either.
None of us are safe!
I didn't mean
to hurt your friend, Luke.
I swear to God,
I never meant to hurt your friend.
Please. Please don't
give 'em a reason.
Please.
That's all they need.
- Chloe, I need to talk to you.
- I'm late for class.
- Please!
- So talk.
Chloe, please!
What?
I have a friend,
and he's made some decisions...
but it turns out
that they were all wrong.
Why? Why were they wrong?
Because he was selfish,
and because he was greedy...
and he thought they would give him
everything that he ever wanted.
But all they ended up
giving him was disaster.
So, this friend of mine can go out on
a limb, and that limb could get cut off.
But everything about
being on that limb is right.
So what do I do?
We should sit down, and you should treat
me like a friend and tell me the truth.
Okay.
I think it's time that we remove
Mr. McNamara. He's no longer loyal.
You are asking this council to choose
your son's fate over Mr. McNamara's?
Our membership will never allow such
a corrupt and unfair motion to pass.
- The membership will have to under...
- They must never know.
According to Rule if this council
wishes to make a decision...
which will be kept secret
from our membership...
it will require
a unanimous vote.
Then I move, under Rule ...
Mr. Lucas McNamara undergo psychiatric
evaluation at our hospital...
and I hereby call for a vote.
The motion is defeated.
Ames, can I see you
upstairs for a moment?
We used to believe
in the same things.
- What happened?
- I've learned there are limits.
Really?
She likes to eat Popsicles
after you make love.
I've had my own peccadillos...
but my God, Ames,
she's only .
And I'm not sure your wife
or the voters of Virginia...
would be as forgiving as I am.
Oh, well.
Shall we vote again?
This is how you break up with me?
With this pathetic letter?
What... Oh, let me see.
"Can we still be friends?"
I wrote the letter.
I don't need it read back to me.
I know you wrote the letter!
No, we can't be friends.
You just remember three things, pal:
You don't talk to me,
you don't call me, and don't ever...
send me one of these
chickenshit letters ever again!
Piece of shit!
Smart play, Lucas.
Smart play.
- Okay, they can't hear us now.
- Did they buy it?
I'm pretty sure.
You were very convincing.
- Did you get everything I need?
- Yeah, it's in there.
I don't understand something.
If they're so smart...
they'd destroy those
surveillance tapes.
You don't know these people.
This is how they work.
They use each other's
nasty little secrets against themselves.
Wait. If you changed your mind,
if you decided to run, I could help you.
My family.
My family could help you.
I can't live like that.
- I need you to promise me something.
- What?
No matter what happens,
you don't get involved.
- I can't do that.
- Please.
You got me involved.
I'm involved.
- I can't do this if you're in danger.
- I'm gonna be there for you.
Do you understand what
these people are capable of?
- These people will kill you.
- I'm in love with you.
I am.
I love you.
- Okay. You got me. Whoa, whoa.
- Shut up!
Hey, there's no need
for the gun. Come on.
- Give me the tape.
- I got your tape. It's right here.
It's right here. Just come
and get it, man. Come and get it.
- Bring it to me.
- Come on. It's right here.
Come on! Come on!
Let's go, let's go, let's go!
Come on! Let's go!
Let's go!
Go, go, go!
Nice plan, Lukey.
Okay, here we go.
- There he is.
- You stole my key!
You stole my book!
I want your camera...
I want the tape
and my stuff back now.
Here's the key.
We'll get the book later.
No, you give me the key,
we'll go get the book.
You won't say anything to anybody.
I won't say anything to anybody,
and nothing will happen.
Get off me!
- No!
- Oh, my God.
Oh, God! No!
No! Oh, God!
Oh, God!
Dad! You have to
listen to me!
No, you have to listen to me now!
Something happened!
Dad, I just killed a guy
in the ritual room!
Dad, I should call the police!
No, I have to call !
I can't just leave him here!
Yes, I understand!
I understand! All right?
All right, I'm leaving!
Luke. Oh, my God.
Wait. He's moving.
- He's moving.
- Jesus, he's still alive.
Yeah. Totally.
- Did you see his arm?
- Yeah. Fast forward the tape.
Wait. Hold on, hold on.
Can you go close up
on the lower right hand?
Help me.
Luke, who are they?
Who are they?
That's Martin Lombard...
the university provost.
- He's pretty far gone, sir.
- Who's he talking to?
It could only be Mandrake.
- Will do. Done.
- Can you get any closer on this?
Yeah.
Lombard works for Mandrake.
Closer.
Closer.
Oh, my God.
They killed him.
They killed him.
What are you gonna do?
Luke, we were just
talking about you.
What are you doing here?
I'm sorry, but I couldn't
live with myself.
- I had to tell them what you did.
- What I did?
Everything you told me...
how you and Will had a fight...
the accident and how you covered
it up to make it look like a suicide.
He's lying to you, Detective.
I'm not lying.
I have nothing to lie about.
I have evidence. Everything you wanted
to know... the truth... it's on the tape.
Mr. Mandrake, we have your statement.
We'll talk to you later.
Keep Mr. McNamara company.
Get something to play this tape on,
and call the D.A. 's office.
I want somebody
down here now.
I haven't seen so much snow
since my last ski trip.
I'm telling you, this is the tape.
It's on here.
It's a split-screen thing.
There's four different cameras running.
It's gotta be forward.
I don't... It was...
Oh, great.
You... You switched
the goddamn tape!
Come on. Tell us what you
imagined was on that tape.
Why'd you do it? What do they have
on you? Why are you working for them?
- "Them"?
- The Skulls!
- Who?
- The Skulls.
The Skulls, man! Who do you think
is pulling the strings around here?
They're watching you. They're
watching me. They control everything!
They control everything we do,
including him! Even him!
I've heard about enough.
All right. Whoa. Hey.
You guys stay back. Keep them back.
You've gotta listen. Listen!
Martin Lombard
killed my roommate.
- Martin Lombard, university's provost?
- That's what was on the tape!
Yes, he snapped Will Beckford's neck,
for Christ's sakes!
- He snapped Will Beckford's neck!
- Oh, I see.
- The suicide thing was just a cover-up.
- Martin Lombard?
Yes, and he's in on it!
Why did Martin Lombard
kill your roommate?
Because Litten Mandrake
told him to.
Oh. Judge Litten Mandrake?
Judge Litten Mandrake.
He runs the whole show.
That's ridiculous.
- It's true! You're working for him!
- It's ridiculous!
Listen, please.
You gotta believe me.
Listen, he's in on it, okay?
I'm innocent here.
I'm telling you the truth!
I'm telling you the truth.
You son of a bitch!
How could you do this to me?
Get off me!
What do they got on you?
Huh? Huh?
Get him out of here!
What do they got on you?
How'd they get to you?
Listen to me!
I'm innocent! I'm innocent!
- What are you doing here?
- I saw the tape.
What tape?
What are you talking about?
Caleb, come on.
Luke is in a mental hospital.
They may never let him out.
Please, help me.
Just tell the police
the truth.
Please.
I think you better go.
Hey, Caleb, before I go,
one last thing.
The most interesting thing on that tape
was when you left the building.
Will Beckford,
he wasn't dead.
Help!
What happened?
Miss Whitfield?
Miss Whitfield,
we need to speak to you.
Where is she?
Get in, Chloe. I'll take you to Luke.
I will. I'll take you to Luke.
Come on. Let's go.
There he is, Senator,
in the solarium.
Luke, it's me. It's me.
Help me now! Just...
It's gonna be okay.
I'm gonna get you out of here.
I'm gonna get you...
It's gonna be okay.
I'm gonna take care of you, okay?
It's gonna be okay.
I've arranged this car for you.
Wait. Wait. Where do we go?
What do we do?
Now, you must remind him that there
is only one solution to all this.
"We live by the rules.
We die by the rules."
- Please, I don't know what you mean.
- He'll know.
Now go.
I'm leaving the hospital.
They're all yours.
You're gonna be okay, okay?
This fits you.
You're gonna be okay, 'cause you're
out of there. You're not going back.
Everything's gonna be okay,
you hear me?
Oh! Oh, my God!
Son of a bitch!
Shit! Shit!
Hang on.
Oh, God!
Shit, no!
Shit!
Come on.
Get off of him!
I've been following you
since the hospital.
That's what the senator wanted.
I don't understand.
The senator has great faith that if you
think it through, you'll figure it out.
You work for Senator Levritt?
Just get in the Jeep
and get out of here.
Did you see what was on that tape?
Don't ask me questions.
I've given you answers.
Now go.
Thanks.
We've got to figure out what to do next,
because they're gonna find us.
Okay.
Sparrow was working
for Levritt...
but he was the one
that switched the tape...
and he didn't help me
when I needed it.
He waited until
I got out of Sanctuary.
All of which means what?
What is Levritt
trying to tell us?
"We live by the rules.
We die by the rules"?
What?
Levritt.
He told me to remind you, "We live
by the rules. We die by the rules."
Rule right in
the middle of the page.
"A challenge may be presented
and gentlemanly means pursued"?
"Gentlemanly means."
I don't get it.
I do.
Levritt wanted to make sure that
I had only one option available to me.
Gentlemanly means.
What day is it today?
It's Friday.
The Skulls are gonna be
out on the island tomorrow.
Baby, come on.
Lay down.
So tomorrow I bring war
to the Skulls.
We are gathered, as we have done
for over years...
to celebrate the end
of the Revealing Process.
And now that you have shared
all with each other...
we would like to show you
exactly how much you are appreciated.
A toast, to the successful
progression of Skulls.
Above any other.
Above any other.
Hear! Hear!
No. Please,
Mr. McNamara, please.
You know you're not supposed to be here,
especially the way you're dressed.
Oh, Mr. McNamara.
Come to collect your check.
Under the auspices of Rule
I hereby petition for justice...
for the satisfaction of differences
between myself and Mr. Caleb Mandrake...
in the matter of the death
of Will Beckford.
What's Rule ?
: "Of disputes arising between
members of such serious nature...
that avail themselves
of no other solution..."
"A challenge may be presented
and gentlemanly means pursued."
- And what does that mean?
- He's challenging you to a duel.
A duel?
You must be kidding.
No, sir. I'm not.
Dr. Whitney?
It is part of our tradition.
The man's a fugitive. He should
be arrested. Call the authorities.
Our rules supersede theirs.
You of all people know that.
Then I demand the right to take
the place of my son in this duel.
You can't, Chairman.
"To avoid conflicts of interest,
all council members are excluded...
from precedings pertaining
to their kin's fate."
It's Rule -B, line .
There are two ways
out of this, Lucas.
One is you can withdraw
your challenge.
And the other?
You're dead.
Caleb's a crack shot.
You've got no chance.
I guess I won't be coming over
for Thanksgiving, then.
Dad, I have to ask you
just one thing.
Was Will Beckford still alive when
I left the ritual room?
Son, I love you...
and I've never lied to you.
The answer is no.
Gentlemen, it's time to begin.
Mr. Mandrake,
you have been challenged...
therefore the choice
of weapons is yours.
Gentlemen, take your positions.
Back to back.
Tell them the truth
about what happened to Will.
I'm sorry, Luke.
Don't apologize to me.
Just tell them the truth.
No, I'm sorry for what
I have to do to you.
Cock your pistols.
Prepare to fire.
Ten paces. On my signal.
One...
two...
What you did to Will Beckford
was an accident.
This will be murder!
Are you ready to murder
your friend?
Your soul mate?
Just tell them the truth
and this ends right now.
Nine...
ten.
Tell them the truth!
- Just tell them the truth, please.
- Fire, Caleb!
Dad!
Fire, damn it!
Just tell them the truth, and we'll
get through this together. I swear.
Get my bag! Get my bag!
Is there a doctor here?
Stay back!
Just relax, Mr. Mandrake.
Gauze! We need gauze!
Let him in!
You weren't worth the effort.
Where is my bag?
Move back!
It's over, Caleb.
It's over.
You told me that there
are always wars to be fought.
- This was your war.
- Yes.
And the good guys won.
Nobody won.
Not true.
Mandrake's finished.
He'll never be confirmed
to the federal court.
I'll become Skull chairman.
You'll be exonerated...
and help me lead the new generation
of Skulls into the future.
Someone I loved once told me that if
it's secret and elite, it can't be good.
He was right.
- You used me.
- No, Luke.
I helped you.
Taught you how to make
the world work for you, for us.
Do you truly believe you can walk away
from this? All we've given you?
And someday, when I call
on you for a favor...
will you be able to deny me?
If you deny me, will it jeopardize
the life you've built for your family?
I don't know if you can live
with those doubts, Lucas.
Watch me.
Well done, son.
Well done.