Secret of the Cave

[wind blowing and seagulls]

It's been a long time.

Funny thing about life,

is how traveling 4, 000 miles

doesn't bring you any closer to someone.

It can't take you farther away from yourself.

Ireland is a long way from Seattle.

My dad dragged me half way across the planet

for some conference he had to go to.

Then dumped me with my uncle that I barely knew.

It was the same village my dad grew up in.

He told me he was leaving me there

so I could get to know my family better.

But I thought it was really because

he didn't want to take the time,

because he didn't want me around.

And he didn't know what to do with me without Mom.

All I knew was that I didn't want to be there at all.

Hello? Hello? Anybody home?

I wonder where everyone is.

I'm sure they'll be back soon.

Ben was expecting us.

I'm gonna have to go.

You'll be safe. Look around.

It's the safest place on earth.

Look, son, I'll be back soon.

I know.

Time will fly, and we can hang out,

and sort through some stuff, alright?

You'll be perfectly safe.

You're just leaving me here?

You'll be fine. I've gotta go.

You understand?

Understand?

You'll be safe.

[many people speaking at once]

Alright, get out of the way.

Come on, let's go.

Well, you know what they say.

In lreland, the inevitable never happens.

The unexpected constantly occurs.

You don't recognize your own family, boy?

Eight o'clock, he said.

I should've know that meant ten.

Well, I figured as much.

Not to worry. Where is he then?

He had to go and make some presentation.

Alright, that's it. Turn him over.

Nah, you and your horse have done plenty.

But I just want to help.

Oh! Oh!

Would you ever step back?

Honoring the faithful departed is no laughing matter, Missus.

Come on, boys.

Let's give Alistair the respect he's deserving.

Let's go.

Let's see here.

Alistair McGlochlin--

Pastor'll bring a curse on us all.

Alright.

Um--

Alistair McGlochlin

was, uh,

a good man, and--

as many men are

and Alistair is, uh,

definitely o--one of them.

Or--or rather was, seeing as he's-- he's dead.

No longer with us.

Yes. He--he lived with us,

and, who he was,

he--he was.

Who was Alistair McGlochlin?

I'll tell you who he was!

And I knew him better than any of you.

He was-- he was a good man.

A good man!

Right you are, Peter. You're right there.

That's true, Peter.

Let us pray.

Hard to believe it's been 10 years.

Eleven.

We met your mother and you for the first time then.

You were just a toddler.

How are you holding up, Roy?

Fine.

Leave it to my brother.

So, you must be worn out altogether.

You probably haven't got a wink of sleep, you poor creature.

Well, after you're good and rested,

we'll have to show you around the village.

And on Midsummer's Eve there's a festival on the village green.

You won't want to miss it.

That's odd. Now how did this happen?

Ben!

Hm? Oh yeah, I'll be right with you, dear.

Well, anyway, here it is.

The shop takes up most of it.

We live in the back.

Mom? Yeah, everything's fine.

No, he dropped me off.

I really don't want to talk about it.

No! I just don't.

Where?

Well, how far is that?

Mom?

Okay. Okay.

Okay.

Bye.

You too.

Voices coming from the cave, he said.

Did you say Peter? What about his dog?

Aye, last night. Coming from the cave, he said.

This place has been haunted for years.

Oh, my. Sure it has.

Still, I wouldn't go down there after dark.

Much less go inside.

It must be smugglers.

Smugglin' what?

Fish from the sea? Don't be daft.

Let's not get carried away.

There are things in this world

that are not of this world.

And it's at our peril that we ignore them.

Peter's getting on. His hearing's not what it used to be.

You weren't there! You didn't hear!

I've heard many a thing in my time.

And I've been alone on the mountain

when the wind is howling like the banshee!

And the thunder and rain like a thousand voices!

Don't you talk to me about "the wind!"

Oh, come on, Peter!

We all know there's ne'er a thing in that cave!

Well, there is now.

You all go out there and you'll hear it. All of you!

You all saw the disgrace done

to our good friend Alistair!

And I told you that fool of a pastor

would bring a curse on us all! Well, now he has!

Idiot.

You'll get what you deserve

for not properly respecting the dead!

Get out of the way!

Needs some more fiber in his diet. Not too regular.

We'd all do best to leave this alone.

Best to leave.

Edmund? Eighty cents.

Why, you'll not be charging me

80 cents for an apple core, Wallace.

That's not good business.

I'll give you-- five cents.

See you now.

That was quite a bit of fuss now, wasn't it?

We're usually busy in the mornings, but not crazy.

That's not like Peter.

Abbey, wait! You need anything?

You and Oscar keeping up okay

with your folks out of town and all?

We manage. And they have been ringing.

Good. Good. This is Roy.

How about bringing him with you on deliveries today?

Brilliant. I saw him yesterday at the funeral.

Come on.

Have fun.

What was all that fuss about?

Some old guy. He was creepy.

That would be Peter McDonald.

He heard something at some cave.

He did?

So where is it?

Have you ever actually been inside?

Sure I have. Wanna go?

Now?

Yeah, what's the matter? You afraid of the dark?

No. How would we even get to it?

When the tide is in, only by boat.

Other times, over the rocks.

You can walk right up. I'll show you.

Just try to ignore old Corky.

Hey!

I wouldn't get caught--

sneaking around Alistair's haunt!

You don't believe in ghosts, do you?

Don't say I didn't warn you.

All you'll find down there

is a proper respect for the world beyond.

Well, 'twas good to know you.

I'll tell the others that you won't be coming back.

Why not?

Alistair, if you ask me,

has some unfinished business.

The night Alistair died,

it was peaceful.

The sea was flat.

I don't know what woke him.

But I thought I saw a figure standing in my room.

I didn't move. I didn't dare breathe.

But in all my years,

I've never seen such a stare.

How do you know it wasn't just a dream?