(MALVINA SHUDDERS)
MALVINA: (FAINTLY) Jakob. Are you there, Jakob?
Are you listening?
Jakob.
I'm here.
I'm right here.
Don't. Shh, shh.
Be silent.
And hear me.
This is how it must be.
Another woman will come.
You will see.
There will be another.
You will know her
by the love she shows to you.
(GASPS)
Let the words you speak
be the words that call me back to you.
Promise me.
Promise.
(GASPING)
(SOFTLY) Jakob.
(TAKES DEEP BREATH)
(SOBBING)
MALVINA: I will always be your mother.
(CHURCH BELL TOLLS)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(WOMAN SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(GIRL SPEAKING ITALIAN)
No.
Carlotta.
Carlotta... Arrivederci.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN) (CRYING)
WOMAN: (SPEAKING ENGLISH) I hardly know the woman I see.
Her name is Verena.
She is alone.
She remembers all of them.
Every parting.
Her life is measured out in goodbyes.
Each one harder than the last.
Enter La Rocciosa...
And the boy who wouldn't speak.
(LOCK OPENING)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(CLEARS THROAT)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(SPEAKING ENGLISH) My first language.
I have these from previous employers.
(SPEAKING ENGLISH) Did you live with each family?
Yes.
I find it helps in understanding the child
to know the family.
And do you remain in contact with these people?
When a child recovers, the family will generally choose to forget.
You've no degree.
But they say you've a gift.
My skill comes through experience,
and a certain, um, sensitivity. Sensitivity.
Mmm.
You have no children of your own.
No. Hmm.
Your son.
He prefers English?
His mother.
My wife wanted him to speak it.
She died. There was an illness.
My son has not spoken since.
Seven months...
And 16 days.
Alessio will see you to your room.
I would like to introduce myself to your son.
You haven't told me his name.
I must say there have been other nurses,
all of them as sure of their talents as you.
My son's name is Jakob.
(STONE WHIRRING, CLATTERS)
Hello, Jakob.
My name is Verena,
and I'm going to be staying here for a while.
I promise I'm not like the others.
I'm much worse.
(STONE CLATTERS)
Please look at me, Jakob.
I'd like to help you. Do you understand?
KLAUS: There's no point.
He won't even nod his head.
He won't write or draw...
Sing or laugh, mmm?
Smile...
(SOFTLY) Cry.
Grazie.
(FORK SCRAPING)
(CLEARS THROAT)
We'll begin our work in the morning, Jakob.
Say 9:00?
Your questions are wasted.
Jakob doesn't need to answer me.
I think he understands that.
Enough.
(FORK CLATTERS)
Sit down.
Now you may go.
Good night, Jakob.
(LIGHTER CLICKS)
He is very obedient. Hmm.
This is part of it.
To disobey is to say something, so...
So he obeys.
He isn't trying to hurt you.
That's my son, signorina, not me. Hmm.
Jakob doesn't want you here.
He hasn't shown it yet, but he will.
There is such power in his silence.
You will feel it.
You speak very harshly to him. (POUNDS TABLE)
Braver than the others.
I have some things I need to ask.
What things?
Tomorrow, perhaps.
(STONE WHIRRING)
(GASPS)
VERENA: To begin with, I will tell you what I see.
I see...
That if you wanted to speak, you could.
Hmm, and I see how hard it must be
to truly say nothing.
How hard you must be concentrating every moment.
And I must admit, you're very good at it.
I know a little something of what it feels to be apart from the world.
I lost my mother when I was a little bit younger than you.
And my father when I was a little bit older.
It's a lovely day.
I have an idea.
Jakob?
Jakob.
Buongiorno.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(SIGHS)
Grazie.
Jakob?
(DOOR OPENING)
Jakob?
(RATTLES DOOR HANDLE)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Oh.
(SPEAKING ENGLISH) Please, forgive me. I didn't... Verena.
The nurse, of course.
(CLEARS THROAT) Come closer. Come.
Let Lilia see you.
You've come to make the boy talk.
Just to help if I can.
Oh, welcome.
Welcome.
Welcome to La Rocciosa, my child.
Grazie.
You're very kind.
But I should go.
Yes, of course. Go find the boy.
Make him talk.
(TOUCHING KEY SOFTLY)
(PLAYING KEYS)
(STOPS PLAYING)
I'm sorry. (STAMMERS) I was looking for Jakob.
Do you play?
No, I, uh, never could.
This is your wife?
Yes.
What was her name?
You spent time with Jakob this morning.
Yes. And did you observe anything?
I need to understand what he has been through.
Malvina.
Malvina Rivi.
You may have heard of her.
No.
That's Carnegie Hall.
She played all over the world,
in all the great halls,
for kings and queens,
presidents.
VERENA: She was very beautiful.
Six months after that photograph was taken, she was dead.
It began after our return.
It started as a simple fever
and it became like fire.
Each day, it consumed a little bit more of her strength,
her beauty.
I had to leave to find help,
and Jakob stayed with her.
He and Lilia nursed her together.
He wouldn't leave his mother's side.
Hmm.
He has his mother's gift.
They would sit here and play together for hours.
(SCOFFS)
He chooses not to speak?
Oh... Oh, this...
This must be that incredible sensitivity of yours?
I mean, there is no injury?
No incapacity?
Something inside him has been broken.
It is simply a refusal.
A denial.
As if, by this vigil,
he can undo what is done.
You're telling me he wants his mother back, hmm?
Well, that's a... (CHUCKLES)
That's a revelation.
(GUNSHOT ECHOES)
(NECK SNAPS)
(PANTING) I've...
I've been looking for you, Jakob.
I'm here to work,
not to play hide-and-seek.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
No.
(SPEAKING ENGLISH) I haven't finished yet, Jakob.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(SILVERWARE SCRAPING)
You have a very beautiful home.
Thank you.
I do hope you'll be comfortable here.
Once, Jakob,
I stayed with a family in Lucca.
Their house hadn't been cleaned in years.
There were cockroaches as big as your father's watch.
And once, I stayed with a family in Piacenza.
I shared a room with the cook
who snored come un bufalo.
(CHUCKLES)
So, yes, I'm sure...
I will be very comfortable here.
In truth, I cannot think of this place as my own.
My wife's family has lived here for 1,200 years.
Mmm. I'm just a visitor.
Alessio's family has been here for just as long.
The women work here in the house.
The men, in the quarry.
The quarry? Mmm.
It's where all this comes from,
the wealth of the family.
The stone was once highly prized.
Was?
She allowed it to flood at the beginning of the War.
Times were difficult
and she had her career.
No more need for the stone.
Jakob swims there.
He'll take you there if you wish.
Yes.
I'd like that very much.
(GREETING IN ITALIAN)
(GASPS)
(CLEARS THROAT)
(WATER SPLASHING)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
LILIA: (SPEAKING ENGLISH) Let me.
Per favore.
(SIGHS)
It's been so long.
I used to do this to her every night of her life
since she was a tiny girl.
She began to perform
when she was 14.
She took me with her everywhere.
Nobody knew her as I did.
Knew her moods,
her needs.
Oh...
How I loved her.
(LILIA BREATHES DEEPLY)
(SCREAMS)
(WHIMPERS)
Jakob, was it you?
If it was, then all you've done is tell me you're afraid.
(BREATHING HEAVILY) Ja...
Jakob.
Jakob, what is it?
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Jakob.
Ah! What?
Jakob, no!
Wait! Wait!
(GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
Jakob? What? Hey! (GRUNTS)
(STRUGGLING) Jakob.
Jakob, no.
Quiet. Quiet.
Be quiet. Be quiet.
Shh. Shh, shh, shh, shh. (STRUGGLING)
KLAUS: Quiet. Enough.
Stop!
VERENA: I should have left him. He was...
He was by the wall as if he was...
Listening.
Yes, I've seen him do it.
In his bedroom.
Also in the garden.
In the quarry.
I assume it's his mother he hears
or thinks he hears.
It seems to give him comfort.
I should have been told.
It changes the situation.
It may indicate a far more serious condition.
You don't believe in such voices?
(ANGRILY) No.
(CALMLY) No, signore, I do not.
Nor do I.
Sometimes I wish I did.
(CLEARS THROAT) Have you considered
taking him away from this place?
Yes, of course.
It was impossible.
It was as you saw last night.
He became a danger to himself and to others.
Then he should be in hospital.
No, absolutely not.
No. (CHUCKLES)
Signore, I'm no longer sure I can care for your son.
Why?
I have been misled about what is required.
I must consider whether I am properly qualified.
You're just like the others.
(SCOFFS)
I await your decision.
(WINGS FLUTTERING)
VERENA: Jakob.
Jakob!
(PANTING)
(WIND CHIMES TINKLING)
(FLOOR TILE CLATTERS)
Help me down.
You scared me, Jakob.
But you've helped me realize something.
I can't leave you.
I once knew a boy
who thought he could hear his dead sister
through the teeth of an old comb.
He would sit with it for hours,
listening and whispering his secrets.
He was as sure of what he heard as you are.
The mind is capable of extraordinary things.
It is your mind that is speaking to you, Jakob,
nothing else.
I'm not saying that...
That what you hear isn't real,
because anything we experience is real in its own way,
but it's...
It's not what it pretends to be.
It's important to understand that.
I want to hear you speak.
But I am not your enemy.
I care about you.
What is it?
You wish to leave?
(BEES BUZZING)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(ALESSIO SPEAKING ITALIAN)
Jakob?
Lucia...
Ugolina...
Angelica...
La signora Malvina.
Jakob?
(SPEAKING ENGLISH) Come with me, please.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(ALESSIO PRAYING IN LATIN)
(GATE CREAKS)
(INAUDIBLE)
VERENA: (SPEAKING ENGLISH) I think you're afraid that if you speak,
the voice will cease.
Come.
We'll listen together.
I'll tell you what I hear.
(LIGHT WHOOSHING)
(RATTLING)
(WIND CHIMES RATTLING)
(CHAIN RATTLING)
(THUDDING) (CREAKING)
(GATE CLATTERING)
(FOOTSTEPS)
(CLANKING)
(WATER GURGLING)
It's strange,
the sounds.
One could imagine almost anything.
But she's not there.
I want you to stop this.
The dead do not speak.
I know it, Jakob.
I know it well.
However hard we wish them to,
the dead remain silent.
Good night, Jakob.
(BREATHES SLOWLY)
(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(CLICKS PHONOGRAPH OFF)
Your father told me you have her gift.
What would she say if she knew you might never use it again?
She must have spoken about the future
before she died,
about the wonderful things that lie ahead for you.
Try to remember what she said.
And imagine what she might say now if she could see you.
(STONE THUDS LIGHTLY)
(STONE WHIRRING)
Buongiorno.
Signore.
There's a story about that cat.
(CHUCKLES)
It was the custom amongst those building houses such as this to...
To seal a cat within the walls
as a protection against evil.
A dead cat? No.
Not dead.
That's horrible.
Of course.
I... I'm a fool to speak lightly of it.
Forgive me.
Jakob will be waiting. Yes.
(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
VERENA: Now, if you were to play,
it would mean only what you wanted it to mean.
Play for me, Jakob.
Perhaps I was wrong earlier
when I spoke about your mother.
Perhaps your silence
wouldn't horrify her as it does me.
It is said that a true performer
cares only for the love of her audience.
(PLAYS PIANO NOTE)
Perhaps...
Your silence is a fitting tribute.
(PLAYS PIANO NOTE)
More adoration as she leaves the stage.
(PLAYS PIANO NOTE)
What are you telling me, Jakob?
That I'm wrong or that I'm right?
You can't... (BANGS KEYS)
I do it to help you, Jakob.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
LILIA: The boy was upset today.
He's sick.
He needs help.
And he's breaking his father's heart.
(LILIA SIGHS)
The boy
is all that matters.
He is the future.
Look at yourself,
how beautiful you are.
Give me your hands.
Oh...
They're strong,
like hers.
He will not speak to please you.
The boy will speak when the time is right.
(SOFTLY) He's waiting.
But he's waited long enough.
Surely that is clear to anyone.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
When he speaks,
where will you go?
To the next place.
Oh...
Lonely child.
(EERIE, INDISTINCT WHISPERING)
(BEES BUZZING)
(EERIE, INDISTINCT WHISPERING)
KLAUS: There's a story about that cat
within the walls.
LILIA: (SOFTLY) He's waiting.
(DISTANT CLATTERING)
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
Oh...
I wondered if Jakob was still here.
No.
May I see?
If you wish.
It's, uh, my wife.
She was the worst possible model,
restless, complaining.
(CHUCKLES)
She was the worst
and also the best.
And this one?
I have not worked in many months.
It was to be of her.
You cannot finish it, so you abandoned it.
(EXHALES)
Perhaps, to see you work,
it would help Jakob.
Perhaps it would signify hope.
Yes.
Perhaps.
(HEART BEATING)
(FABRIC RIPPING)
(GRUNTS)
Hello?
Lilia?
(DISTANT THUDDING)
I keep it clean for her.
She was here at the end.
We nursed her day and night,
me and the boy.
He saw terrible things.
He heard terrible things.
(SIGHS)
And when she died, I washed her...
And tidied her hair.
(SIGHS)
The room upsets you.
Oh, you've torn your dress.
Uh, yes.
Yes, I... I wondered if I might borrow some thread.
Ah.
I have an idea.
Oh, no.
No, no, I... I couldn't.
Wait.
I can't... I really... Please, I really can't.
Let's see. This?
No.
Try this on.
See how it fits, huh?
(ZIPPER CLOSES)
(CHUCKLES)
Brava. Sei bellissima.
Ah, perfetto.
(EXHALES SHARPLY) Bellissima.
I... I tore my dress... My skirt.
Take it off.
Yes.
(SCOFFS)
(ZIPPER OPENS)
No.
Put it on.
(ZIPPER CLOSES)
Put that one away.
(WIND CHIMES RATTLING)
(LILIA PRAYING IN ITALIAN)
(RUMBLING)
(CLEARS THROAT)
(WHISPERING IN ITALIAN)
VERENA: Signore.
Please.
I have something to ask.
You may very likely refuse.
What is it?
I saw this afternoon
something I had previously failed to notice,
certain resemblances between you...
You and my wife.
I...
I... I think you know what it is I ask.
If I have offended you, I apologize
and ask that we forget the matter entirely.
Your work here will be unaffected.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
LILIA: Look at yourself,
how beautiful you are.
Your left leg forward.
Your hand. Yes, your hand.
Your head.
This way, yes.
Just a little more.
Don't move.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(EXHALES)
(MOANING)
(DOOR OPENS)
MALVINA: (DISTANT WHISPER) Bring them in.
(HINGES CREAKING)
(LIGHT WHOOSHING)
MALVINA: Jakob.
(GASPS)
(MALVINA EXHALES SHARPLY)
Jakob.
(SOBBING) I'm here. (GASPS)
I'm right here.
Jakob.
I'm going to look after you.
I promise.
(CHISEL TAPPING)
(TAPPING CONTINUES)
You're hurting him now.
Let me care for him.
Let me care for them both.
Oh.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(SPEAKING ENGLISH) Is it her?
Or is it me?
(SOBBING)
You wanted to see me?
I think it's time for us
to review the progress of your work,
to discuss any changes in Jakob's behavior.
He needs me.
I can help him.
And yet he has still said nothing.
It's for me to protect him,
and now I have made things worse.
She wants me here
to take care of Jakob and...
And to take care of you.
The voice is real.
You're mad.
Yes.
You said it yourself. "Serious condition."
I should have paid closer attention. No!
Instead of helping Jakob, you've made yourself unwell. No...
Now you hear whatever you wish!
(SHAKILY) No. Yes.
Why would she speak to you and not to her husband?
Please don't send me away. Please.
I must do what is best,
above all, for Jakob.
But...
(WHIMPERS)
VERENA: Jakob!
Jakob.
(SNIFFLING) He's going to send me away.
Tell me what I must do.
Tell me.
Tell me. Tell me.
Tell me.
(SOBBING) Tell me. Tell me.
Tell me.
(SOBBING)
Tell me! Tell me!
(SCREAMS) Tell me.
Tell me! (SCREAMS)
(SOBBING)
MALVINA: Jakob.
Jakob.
Another woman will come.
This is how it must be.
We must help her.
Jakob.
Jakob, listen to me closely.
Your mother is watching over you.
But she is suffering.
And she is tired.
And she is trapped.
Jakob,
we must help her.
We must help her.
You know what you must do.
Jakob.
Jakob. Jakob!
Jakob! Stop!
(VERENA GRUNTS)
Jakob!
Stop, Jakob!
(PANTING)
Jakob, no.
No, no, no.
It's time.
You have to let her go.
No. Jakob!
No, it has to be now.
Do you understand?
He will send me away if you don't speak.
Speak.
Speak! Speak!
Speak!
(SOBBING) Oh, no.
No. No, no.
(EERIE, INDISTINCT WHISPERING)
(PANTING)
(WHISPERING CONTINUES)
MALVINA: Jakob.
This is how it must be.
(SOBS)
(GRUNTS)
What are you doing?
I must leave. No.
Sir, she's given me her illness.
You have a fever. That is all.
You don't have to leave.
I want you to stay.
Forgive me. We've been under her spell too long,
not only Jakob, all of us.
I can't.
No, Jakob needs you.
For him.
I'm so afraid.
(SHAKILY) Lilia, where is she?
Who?
Lilia.
What do you mean?
Where is she?
She's dead.
On the day of Malvina's funeral,
she put stones in her pockets
and walked into the lake.
(GASPING)
Verena.
(GASPS)
Verena!
(PANTING)
(GASPING)
(EERIE, INDISTINCT WHISPERING)
(ROCKS CRUMBLING)
MALVINA: Look at yourself.
(HEARTBEAT POUNDING)
(GASPS)
(WHEEZING)
VERENA: Not here.
Not this room.
No. No, no, no.
No, no, no.
VERENA: Not this room.
(WHEEZING)
KLAUS: It's all right.
(GRUNTING)
Tutto.
Tutto, tutto.
(GAGS)
(COUGHING)
The door was locked.
KLAUS: It's for your safety.
Please, Klaus, not this room.
Alessio thinks it's best to confuse, confuse.
VERENA: Please don't leave me here.
I'm going to fetch a doctor,
and he'll be here as soon as he can.
Don't leave me here. Not this room.
I must speak to Jakob.
(SOBBING) I must speak to Jakob.
MALVINA: Jakob.
LILIA: The boy will speak when the time is right.
Help me.
(VERENA INHALES DEEPLY)
(WEAKLY) Help.
(WHEEZING)
Help me.
(PANTING)
(WHIMPERING)
Oh, God, please.
(BREATHING SHAKILY)
KLAUS: Good morning.
You're feeling better?
Everything's going to be fine. I promise. Hmm.
I was worried.
Where is Jakob?
I miss my mama.
I'm here.
I'm right here.
Jakob.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(LAUGHS)
VERENA: I try to think of a time before this.
I hardly know the woman I see.
But the past is a dream from which we wake with each new morning.
(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
We are, none of us, quite who we were.
(MUSIC ENDS)
Come, Jakob.
Sit with me.
¶ Be still, my love
¶ I will return to you
¶ However far you feel
¶ From me
¶ You are not alone
¶ I will always
¶ Be waiting
¶ And I'll always
¶ Be watching you
¶ Speak to me
¶ I can't let go
¶ You're every part of me
¶ This space between
¶ Is just a dream
¶ You will never be alone
¶ I will always
¶ Be waiting
¶ And I'll always
¶ Be watching
¶ We are
¶ One breath apart
¶ My love
¶ And I'll be
¶ Holding it in
¶ Till we're together
¶ Hear me
¶ Call your name
¶ I just speak
¶ Speak to me
¶ Speak
¶ I feel you rushing all through me
¶ In these walls I still hear your heart beating
¶ And nothing in this world
¶ Can hold me back
¶ From breaking
¶ Through to you
¶ We are
¶ One breath apart
¶ My love
¶ And I'll be
¶ Holding it in
¶ Till we're together
¶ Hear me
¶ Call your name
¶ Just believe
¶ And speak
¶ Speak to me
¶ Be still, my love
¶ I will return
¶ To you ¶