[TAPE CLICKS ON]
MARTIN
Have you seen Helen yet this morning?
TIM
I think she is meeting with the Boss?
[Tim enunciates 'The Boss']
MARTIN
What do you think they talk about?
TIM
Work he is going to give her for her to give us I bet. I don't know. Don't care.
MARTIN
What do you think of all this?
TIM
I don't know what I think. I wish I knew.
MARTIN
She knows more than she is saying, but I think she is just always a bit withdrawn for her own interest.
TIM
I think she is just very sad, and she buries herself in her work here. It doesn't change what she's done.
MARTIN
Hasn't everyone done things they regret? Plus, she is nice to us.
TIM
Nice, right. Martin, what does this say?
[Crinkling paper noises]
MARTIN
Are you sure that's English?
TIM
These are her notes. She asked me to read through them.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
DAISY
Oh, it's you.
HELEN
I am literally just doing my job, Daisy.
DAISY
I don't like the way you're looking at me. Do you have to be such a freak?
HELEN
According to my mom, it doesn't get any better.
DAISY
What, am I supposed to feel bad or something?
HELEN
I just thought it would be a funny thing to say.
DAISY
Right. Are you being friendly with me or something?
HELEN
I was just trying to lighten the mood.
DAISY
Well, don't.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
ARCHIVIST
About all this ritual stuff–
HELEN
I can't help you, Jon.
ARCHIVIST
But, I thought you–
HELEN
I can't get involved at all.
ARCHIVIST
Can I at least ask why?
HELEN
My place and responsibilities are here and with the institute. Involvement in that puts my life at risk.
ARCHIVIST
Is it about her?
HELEN
Yeah.
ARCHIVIST
Can I ask you one thing?
HELEN
Shoot.
ARCHIVIST
Why choose here?
HELEN
You chose here. Tim chose here. It was the better option. There isn't much more to it.
ARCHIVIST
But, I didn't know what I was getting into.
HELEN
Nobody ever does.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
ELIAS
Would you like some milk with your tea?
HELEN
Yes, please.
[The sound of pouring liquid]
Thank you.
ELIAS
You have been staying pretty late.
HELEN
I have a lot to do.
ELIAS
Are you avoiding me?
HELEN
Are you?
ELIAS
I am just busy.
HELEN
Well, so am I.
ELIAS
Don't stay too late tonight. I have some extra things to take care of too, so I can take you home again.
HELEN
Elias–
ELIAS
Would you like another cup?
HELEN
No thanks.
ELIAS
Back to work so soon?
HELEN
Don't you have things to do? I do too.
[Door clicks shut]
ELIAS
I could live the rest of my life not knowing you entirely.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
BASIRA
You could be a little nicer to her.
DAISY
I am nicer to her.
BASIRA
Not cornering her and taking advantage of her is not being nicer.
DAISY
She is weirdly close with Elias, who is keeping you hostage. Why should I be nice?
BASIRA
I mean we don't really know the full picture. Maybe you're wrong about her.
DAISY
I don't think I am.
BASIRA
Daisy.
DAISY
Fine. I still don't like her though, she gives me the creeps.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
MELANIE
You two have known her a while, right?
MARTIN
Helen?
TIM
Yeah, we've known her just about since she started here.
MELANIE
What do you think of everything?
MARTIN
She's a bit introverted, but she's quite nice.
TIM
Martin just loves her because of her passion for tea.
MARTIN
I mean I think she's also just been through a lot. Haven't we all?
MELANIE
Hasn't she like killed people, Martin?
MARTIN
You know, I'm not really clear on all that. She hasn't spoken much about it.
TIM
Oh, yes, because if you were an evil monster that murders people, you would tell your coworkers about it.
MARTIN
Well, maybe I would. I don't know.
TIM
I highly doubt that.
MELANIE
I heard that she wasn't here during the Prentiss incident.
MARTIN
Well, honestly, she showed Tim and I some stuff about her mom, and she was just laying low at that point in time.
TIM
Yeah, I think that one's just a coincidence.
MELANIE
It really does seem to me like despite everything that you guys trust her.
MARTIN
Well, she could be a whole lot worse.
TIM
Yeah, she could be Elias or Jon.
MARTIN
She could be Prentiss.
MELANIE
I saw her the other night get into a fight with some monstrosity.
TIM
What, was it a couple's dispute?
MARTIN
Do you actually think they're like a thing? He's her boss.
TIM
Jon is yours.
MELANIE
I'm being serious. She was stabbing and crying. It was hard to watch.
MARTIN
She never said anything.
TIM
She does that sometimes.
MELANIE
Stab things?
TIM
Keeps things to herself. Acts like nothing happened. Moves on with her day.
MELANIE
So, what, you think she's just compartmentalizing it?
TIM
Wouldn't you?
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
ELIAS
Has Helen come by yet?
ROSIE
She peeked in some time ago and then ran away.
ELIAS
She didn't say anything?
ROSIE
No, it was really quick. Would you like me to call for her?
ELIAS
Would you let her know I am leaving later today?
ROSIE
Yes, of course.
ELIAS
Rosie, can I ask you something?
ROSIE
Yeah, of course!
ELIAS
If you were uncertain about your partner's reciprocated feelings, what would you want from them?
ROSIE
I guess reassurance, like as straightforward as possible. Have you tried saying something like 'I love you'?
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
TIM
Forgive me for asking, but what was life like for you, when you and your mom–
HELEN
Pretty shit. Didn't sleep much. Didn't do much of anything she wouldn't allow.
TIM
Did you ever go on any dates?
HELEN
I wasn't really allowed to interact with people unless…
TIM
What did you dream of?
HELEN
Just things being over.
TIM
Are they?
HELEN
Not entirely, but they're much better.
TIM
Yeah, I understand that. I mean things could be worse?
HELEN
Yup.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
MELANIE
I'm going to get coffee. Wanna come with?
Helen?
HELEN
Oh, I hadn't realized you were talking to me. Uh, sure.
MELANIE
How does Elias take his coffee?
HELEN
I'm not really sure.
MELANIE
Really? Don't you bring him coffee sometimes?
HELEN
Yeah, but I have tried changing it up, and he always reacts the same.
MELANIE
I'll try black with a splash of cream then.
HELEN
You trying to poison him again?
MELANIE
Are you going to tell him?
HELEN
It won't matter. Mel, there's better things you could be devoting your time to.
MELANIE
You're not going to stop me?
HELEN
What for?
MELANIE
I just thought that you would.
HELEN
I don't really care what you do. I'm warning you though, he might retaliate. Why invite me with you on this?
MELANIE
I'm just trying to figure out where you stand.
HELEN
I stand where it's most comfortable to be.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]
