In Her Skin (2009)

[haunting chime music]
The minute you give birth,
you're gripped
by an inexplicable fear,
the fear of loss.
You start the journey in fear
and spend every day
trying to keep
that unknown threat at bay.
But in my heart of hearts,
I knew danger had caught up.
I was off guard,
asleep on duty.
[solemn orchestral music]
[melancholy orchestral
rock music]
# What you wanna say? #
[water splashing]
# I'll wait
till you get home #
# I'm sick
of communicating #
# Over the telephone #
# But tell me how you feel #
# For I am lonely too #
# Need you to know #
# I'm just as cold and numb #
# as you #
[chimes jingling]
[deep, echoing breaths]
# Ah, ah, ah, ah #
# Ah, ah, ah, ah #
[tram rattling]
[brakes hissing]
[tram engine chugging]
[tram engine stops]
[phone ringing]
[door slams shut]
You don't have to wait.
You girls go watch...
watch TV.
Hello?
Rachel never
got off the tram.
Has she called you?
No, do you think
she got off
at the Campbell stop
instead?
I don't think so.
We arranged
that I'd pick her up here
an hour ago.
Something's happened.
I'm gonna call the police.
Liz, maybe you should wait.
She's never late.
Never.
No, I know, but why don't you
call Manni first?
And I'll wait here,
and I'll call you back in a bit.
[phone ringing]
Done everything right,
did Michael Gardner.
He sprinted back
to the vacant goal square.
Emmanuel...
[speaking Italian]
[phone continues ringing]
Emmanuel!
Hey, babe.
Is Rachel with you?
Oh, hi, Elizabeth.
Isn't she home?
No, she didn't come home.
Manni, do you know
where she is?
I thought she'd be home.
The last time I saw her,
she was getting on the tram
to meet Mike.
She didn't meet Mike,
Manni.
She didn't get off the tram.
Hey, Elizabeth, look.
I'm sure she'll be fine.
Manni, do you have any idea
where she could be?
No, sorry.
[phone ringing]
Box Hill Police Station.
Hello.
I want to report
a missing person.
My daughter,
she's missing.
Yep, okay.
Can I just get your name
and details, please, ma'am?
Elizabeth Barber.
My daughter's name
is Rachel Barber.
She's 15 years old.
She was supposed
to get off the tram.
My husband was meant
to pick her up,
but she didn't.
Something's happened.
I know it.
She hates the dark,
and she hasn't rung.
Okay, and how long has she
been missing for, Mrs. Barber?
About an hour
and a quarter.
You don't understand.
My daughter is never late.
She never disappears.
So I'm not...
I'm not overreacting.
[tram bell dings]
The last time I saw her
was with Manni
at the end of classes.
Zoe, if anyone
has seen or heard from her,
can you call?
Hold on.
Absolutely.
Let me know
if there's anything I can do.
Yes, I will.
I will.
[phone ringing]
Rachel.
Elizabeth?
There's something
I didn't tell you before.
What?
Rachel had a job tonight.
A job?
What job?
I don't know.
She didn't say.
Where?
With who?
I don't know.
You guys
share the same diary.
You talk to each other
ten times a night.
I don't understand, Manni.
I'm calling the police.
I'm calling everyone
I can think of,
and you lie to me.
What's wrong with you?
I'm sorry.
Where did she go?
What job?
What did she say to you?
She said she was gonna
make a lot of money
and not to worry,
'bause it was with
an old friend.
What friend?
[mournful orchestral music]
[car doors slamming shut]
I've rung everyone
I can think of.
No one's seen her.
Doesn't make sense,
does it?
She's in trouble,
Mike.
Enough, Liz.
She's okay.
You know Rachel.
She probably just got off
at the wrong tram stop,
and she's wandering the street
as we speak, lost.
You two didn't have a fight,
did you?
Right.
Well, let's not jump to any
conclusions just yet, okay?
We'll find her,
most likely hungry
and pissed off.
Look, I'll... I'll go and look
down Burwood Highway.
She could have got off
up there.
That's great, Drew.
Thanks, mate.
Do you think maybe
we should go
and look around
the dance school?
[car horns honking]
[knocking on door]
Rachel?
Rachel?
[sirens wailing]
Rachel?
Rachel?
[distorted whooshing
and ringing sounds]
[deep, echoing breaths]
[light, haunting music]
[tram bell rings]
[car horns honking]
You have to go back
to Box Hill.
We went to Box Hill
this morning.
They've got primacy
of the investigation.
Give them a chance
to do something.
Please,
Rachel's very naive.
We think she may have been...
Well, Mike, you tell him.
Go on.
Oh, well, there's a brothel
called Number 27,
and this woman in a clothes shop
just said to me
that the brothel
tries to get people in
by giving them money and...
We think she may have been
kidnapped by this brothel.
You see, Rachel did tell
her boyfriend
that she was going
to make a lot of money,
that she had a job
with an older woman, so...
Number 27's
a legal brothel,
one of the more reputable ones.
Go back to Box Hill.
Well, we have a poster
that we've made up.
Could you please put one up?
There's a $70 fine for
putting up posters illegally.
Get permission first.
They just
don't believe us.
They think she's run off
with friends.
Bob downstairs has got a mate
in missing persons.
I'll get him to call him.
Oh, that would be great,
wouldn't it, Mike?
Rachel?
I thought
you wouldn't look.
Don't do that.
If someone's taken her,
they probably dumped her bag
in one of these things,
haven't they?
Mike, I'm sorry.
I thought if you knew,
you'd wait,
and I thought we'd lose time,
and I know that
we have to find her.
She's in trouble.
I know.
What did Manni say to you?
He told me that she was going
to meet an older woman,
a friend, that she'd offered her
money for a job.
What older women
does she know?
I went through her phone book.
I can't think of anyone.
She's bloody done
something stupid.
She's not dead.
I don't feel it.
I'd know.
We'd know.
We'd know.
I barely spoke to her
yesterday.
We'll find her.
We'll find her.
This is Detective Patterson
here from missing persons.
I received a call.
Yes, well,
young girls of this age
tend to go missing all the time,
Mrs. Barber.
I'm sure it's quite unusual,
but you're gonna
have to trust me on...
You're going to have
to trust me on this one,
Mrs. Barber.
The statistics
will back me up on this.
She's only been gone a...
Mrs. Barber,
she's only been gone a...
Okay, Mrs. Barber.
Yes, I'm hearing you, yep.
Okay.
Mr. and Mrs. Barber?
Mrs. Barber?
Yes, can we wait?
My husband's
just gone to the car.
We've left the mobile phone
in the car.
He can follow us up.
Just so you understand,
this type of report is not
usually investigated by CIB.
However, I have been
asked to take a statement.
[bell tolling]
[baby crying]
[speaking indistinctly]
Fuck off.
Okay.
Can I wait for my husband,
please?
Oh, he can catch up.
The toys...
[phone ringing]
[laughter]
This'll be the third time
this week.
Yeah, he's doing all right.
All he does is drink
and go to football.
Yeah.
I'm sorry.
Can you just tell me
where my wife went, please?
- Has she gone inside?
- Just hold on.
I just want you to find out
where my wife is, please.
Sir, calm down.
I am calm.
I just want to be
with my wife now, please.
Just want to check
I've got everything.
Ah, Mr. Barber.
Where have you been?
They wouldn't bring me up.
To reiterate,
there is simply no evidence
of foul play.
She wouldn't run away.
Her bag is missing.
Her favorite teddy bear
is gone.
I told you.
She was offered a job.
Someone has taken her.
Or she might be out
on the town having a good time.
This happens every day.
Not to us, it doesn't.
[sighs]
Well, there's not much else
I can do.
This poster you've made up,
you've put your phone number
on it.
You'll get prank calls.
Well, at this stage,
any calls would be welcome.
In fact,
any help would be welcome.
I understand
you've been searching for her
out on the street.
Yeah, we have.
Piece of advice.
People that
don't want to be found
can't be found.
It's an impossible task.
I mean, you could walk around
one corner of the street.
At the same time,
she could walk around another,
and you've missed her
by seconds.
I suggest you get some rest.
Go home.
Come on.
Oh, Mr. Barber?
Have you looked
under the house?
So what if that woman
was right?
What if she was kidnapped
by the brothel?
Liz, enough.
She'll be terrified.
We'll go.
Dom and I will check it out.
She's alone.
She could be hurt.
Liz, you are not
thinking clearly.
You're exhausted.
She could be in a hospital.
She'll be fine.
No one knows who she is.
They don't know
who we are.
They can't contact us.
Please, darling,
a cup of tea?
Mum, enough with
the fucking cups of tea.
- Oh.
- [silverware clatters]
Dad.
Liz, I think we might take...
[phone rings]
Barber household?
Sure, thanks.
Yeah, I'll tell her.
We'll take Ashleigh-Rose.
We could use...
I'm gonna get a torch.
It's dark under the house.
Liz?
Oh, he's... he's looking
for Rachel under the house.
- She's under the house!
- No!
Sweetheart,
the... the detective asked us
to look under the house
in case she's run away,
and she was hiding there.
- Oh, that's bullshit.
- Rachel?
Now, Drew, the policeman's
only doing his job.
Oh, for Christ's sake.
Rachel,
are you down here?
[phone ringing,
tea kettle whistling]
Barber house?
Rachel!
[gasping lightly]
[line ringing]
[gasping]
Mike?
Mike?
[gasping, panting]
Oh, Mike, Mike.
She's dead.
She's not.
She's dead.
She's not.
She's dead.
Oh, God, she's dead.
[wails]
I love my children.
I love my children.
I love my children,
and I love my wife.
Mom!
[sobbing]
[whispers]
It's okay, Daddy.
[faint, echoing voices]
[wind chimes jingling]
Elizabeth?
I could feel her here.
There's a lot of memories.
[distorted breathing noises]
[sudden gasp]
[whispering and rustling]
[woman whispering indistinctly]
It has begun.
Life is torture...
I get this ugly feeling
inside me,
and it forces me
to do things,
to scream, swear,
and throw things.
I am going to explode.
The explosion is just
gonna get bigger and bigger.
[screaming]
I hate myself!
The wind rushes
through my hair.
I'm weightless,
but fear cripples me.
I'm suffocating.
I cannot scream.
Who are you?
Help me.
Oh, Daddy, please,
help me.
[pop music playing on radio]
[computer keys clacking]
Dear Dad.
It's 9:23.
I haven't done any homework
these entire holidays,
and I feel horrible.
Dad, I don't want
to go back to school.
I hate it there.
I don't fit in.
They call me names:
pizza face, stubby,
big nose.
I don't know why.
I told Mum,
but she hasn't helped.
I have no friends.
I used to think of you
as my only friend,
and sometimes
you hurt me so badly inside,
I wished you were dead.
Here's a thought I had
when I was angry.
Good night, and I hope
you had a nice day at work.
Please,
don't rip this note up.
I want to keep it.
But you can write back
if you want to.
[printer whirring]
Love, Curly Top.
I really, really, really,
really, really need help.
Good night.
[motorcycle engine rumbling]
[engine noise fades]
[whimpers]
[people speaking indistinctly]
I don't care!
I need that one now!
All right,
I will make you another one.
Just go and watch TV.
I'm hungry.
[gasps]
She rang him, you know?
I mean, that's why he came.
She told him
I'd thrown all his stuff
on the nature strip.
I mean, I am trying,
you know?
But it's just so hard.
Caroline makes Kate hate me.
Caroline's so angry.
The problems in this house
are because of her.
It's a difficult age.
I was horrible to my mother.
I just... I don't know
what's gonna happen to me.
And what will people think?
Elizabeth,
you wouldn't understand.
In my social circle,
divorced women
are frowned upon.
And my...
my whole life is ruined.
Look at me.
I'm fat.
I'm ugly.
You'll be fine.
You have the kids,
the house.
I'm sure David
will look after you.
But he doesn't care about us.
She goes on and on
about her father,
wanting to live with him,
and he doesn't...
Hi, Elizabeth.
Hi, Caroline.
Dad was here.
Yes, he was.
Came and took
his stupid motorbike.
Why didn't he come see me?
Because he was...
he was in a hurry.
He couldn't bear to stay,
really.
Couldn't bear you.
God, I hope
I don't turn out like you.
Why don't you just let me go?
Caroline, sweetheart...
You don't care about me!
You must have been
my absolute worst fucking enemy
in a past life!
I hate you!
Caroline,
I can't take this anymore!
[sobs]
You can't take it?
Well, fuck you.
She's always been horrible.
Shh.
Even as a baby.
Shh.
Dear Mum,
I know I'm not
the perfect child you wanted.
I am the most fat, ugly,
selfish, cursed thing.
You should have
had an abortion.
You just put your arms
around her.
She'll come back to you.
No, she won't.
You don't understand.
She writes these letters.
They're so overwhelming.
There's so much unhappiness.
I just don't know
what to do.
[sobbing]
[wailing]
Gail, why don't you
come over to our house?
I have to finish dinner
for the kids.
It will burn.
Then I'll make you
a fresh cup of tea.
[wailing and screaming]
[panting, sobbing]
[flames crackling]
[children laughing]
[peaceful acoustic music]
# Got your eyes open #
# But you cannot see #
# Got what you want to #
# You've got what you need #
# Till one day
you see something #
# You cannot be #
# Telling you, girl #
# Yes, you better beware #
# Her papa loved her
so much #
# You could see #
# Oh, oh, oh #
# I loved her too much #
Are you watching?
# If you know what I mean #
[plane engine roaring]
[mellow music]
Caroline, just chill.
It'll be fun.
Nothing's better
than a wedding.
Take my advice
and just get pissed.
Trust me,
guys love a bridesmaid.
Janice, you know
I don't wear dresses,
and I can't wear dresses.
I won't look any good.
Fuck, mate,
you'll be fine.
A bit of lippy,
you'll look great.
It's not just the dress.
I don't want to celebrate
Dad's marriage to her.
So wear pants.
Actually, there's
some real nice ones
at Sportsgirl
at the moment,
and he's paying for them.
Roscoe, the usual, thanks.
[complicated acoustic riff]
Come on, girlfriend.
I'm gonna leave early today.
I've got a specialist
appointment for Susie.
Can you make sure that...
[people murmuring indistinctly,
phones ringing]
You know, Irene,
I just changed my medication,
and it makes you feel
really tired and sick.
Maybe that's all that's wrong
with Susie.
I'm sure she's okay.
She's real lucky
to have you as a mother.
Oh, Caroline,
I didn't realize...
I mean, that's not something
I discuss.
It's personal.
It's not a dirty secret,
is it?
You love your daughter.
You okay?
My stupid specialist
doesn't know what's wrong.
They think I make it up.
I think we should
put your condition
in your personnel file.
What if you have an episode?
How do you do it?
You manage a job, a husband,
two kids, and you're happy.
Unlike my family.
All they care about
is themselves.
He kicked me out.
You'd never do that.
You know that's not true.
Your father,
he helped you find your flat.
He didn't kick you out.
Only because
he didn't want me with him.
Well, he's taking you
to the Grand Prix this weekend,
isn't he?
Yeah, yeah, he is.
I just...
Just if he was just
proud of me,
thought I could do
something,
be better.
Oh, Caroline.
But I will.
It will be painful, difficult.
I'll change.
What are you doing tonight?
Not much.
Maybe go to my acting workshop.
Cool, because we're all
going to the pub
for karaoke night.
I've got me new
shit-hot Kylie push-up bra.
I'm ready.
I'm pumped.
Oh, far out.
Do you guys mind
if I get going?
I've got to go
get a bus.
Hey, Caroline,
can I ask you a favor?
See, I've got all these
fucking parking fines,
and they're due today,
and I was thinking that
you could lend me the money,
just till next pay?
Okay, how much?
Not much, mate.
Just 300 bucks.
But it's due today.
Is that all right?
Great.
Thanks, Caroline.
Well, I'm off.
Are you going to come?
No.
I just keep dreaming
that one day,
everything will be perfect,
as perfect as things can be.
I want to be happy.
I want a life.
I want to show everyone
that has hurt me
that I can succeed,
can change.
Rachel Elizabeth Barber.
Rachel Elizabeth Barber.
[whispering] Let run barefoot
in the country.
Began dancing
very young.
I remember the first time
I saw you.
You were incandescent.
Our destinies entwine.
Irene's in the loo.
Brad said
she had a fucking fit.
Caroline?
Irene, can I come in?
Janice, can you go
and sit with her?
I'm going to call her dad,
see if he'll come
and get her.
She's okay now.
She's a bit dazed,
but that's normal.
Yeah, sure.
Did you see it?
No, Karen just found her
in the bathroom,
slumped on the floor.
No one did, did they?
I've never seen
one of those things.
Good job
I got the money.
Be quiet.
Janice, look after her.
What?
[sirens wailing]
Caroline, I think
you should take your coat off.
You're hot.
Do you want me to pull over?
I really think
you should take it off.
I'm going to pull over
and help you.
No.
[light switch clicking]
Come on.
Take this off.
That's better.
Go ahead, lie down.
Can I speak
to David Reid, please?
It's important.
I'd really appreciate it
if you put me through.
It's an emergency.
Yes, I'll hold.
Right.
It's just that
I'm the office manager,
and I've been
with his daughter
waiting for him
for quite some time.
Yep. All right.
I'll wait.
Thank you.
Oh, Mr. Reid.
She's asleep now.
She told me
she changed her medication,
so perhaps
you want to make sure
she's taking
the correct dosage.
What was your name again?
Irene Thompson.
I'm Caroline's boss.
Thank you,
Mrs. Thompson.
I'm sure you're required
back at the office.
Actually,
I have an appointment,
which I'm now late for.
Caroline, you awake?
You woke me up.
[sighs]
This is disgusting.
When was the last time
you cleaned up this place?
Dad, I had a fit at work.
It was really embarrassing.
You taking
the correct medication?
Yeah, but I'm overwrought,
you know?
I've got a lot of pressure on me
at the moment.
Caroline,
you are always overwrought.
Maybe if you took better care
of yourself and your things,
maybe you'd feel better.
Why did it take you so long
to get here?
Why couldn't you come
pick me up?
I had a meeting.
I can't just drop everything
every time
you have a problem.
That's all I am to you,
a problem!
I had a fit,
and you couldn't be bothered!
I'm your daughter!
You're supposed to care!
I had the fucking fit
because of you!
Christ's sake.
You don't care!
I'm sick of being made
to suffer!
Telling me I'm selfish!
That is crap, Caroline.
That is crap.
It's your
stupid wedding's fault!
Wear a dress?
How can I?
[sobbing] Look at me.
Look at me.
You look fine.
You look fine.
Nothing will ever change.
You love that ugly bitch.
I'm sorry I'm not perfect.
You hate me.
Caroline, please.
Please, don't.
- Look at me!
- Don't!
Look at my face!
I have a big nose!
Look at my disgusting skin!
My hair is oily and dirty
and horrible!
Look at my teeth!
They're yellow!
Look at my disgusting body.
It's white,
and it's fat.
I have rolls of fat.
Even my legs are short
and stubby.
My lips are yucky.
Small, beady eyes.
I hate myself!
I hate everything!
I'm trapped
in this ugly body!
It's ugly, ugly!
I hate me!
[sobbing]
Come and lie down.
Come and lie down.
Thank you.
Come on.
I'll call Dr. McLesky.
You have to go
and see him.
I'll never fit in,
because I am what I am,
and nothing is going
to change.
Caroline.
You have to think
positive thoughts.
Think about the farm.
Maybe we could
go up there soon.
You have to stop this.
You got to try.
You got to try.
Just try for me.
I'll clean up, Dad,
when I feel better.
I've just been so busy,
you know?
I know.
I know, Curly Top, I know.
Thanks, Dad.
I'm sorry
I'm so much trouble.
You don't deserve
a daughter like me.
I'm so sorry.
It'll be all right.
It'll be all right.
I have to go.
[sobbing]
[phone beeping]
Yeah, hi, it's me.
Yeah, I'm sorry, darling.
Why don't I meet you there?
Yeah, ten minutes, tops.
[pencil scratching]
Rachel Elizabeth Barber,
born on 12 September,
William Angliss Hospital.
Rachel was always wild,
let run barefoot
in the country,
began dancing very young,
very talented.
Strikingly attractive,
dancer's body.
Very clear, pale skin.
Hypnotic brown eyes.
[haunting, ethereal music]
Rachel, will you be
my best friend?
Rachel?
Remember, she's highly gifted,
intelligent.
Hi, Rachel,
it's Caroline.
I've got that job for you.
It's a psychological test
from my company,
and I thought of you.
It's great money,
$500 for a couple of hours.
$300, and you get clothes
and travel money.
It's easy,
but there's a condition.
It's strictly confidential.
It's highly confidential.
You know, ethics,
that sort of stuff?
I'm not allowed
to give the results to anyone
for the study...
the research to work properly.
I'm not...
It's confidential.
You can't tell anyone,
not your parents or Manni,
or it won't work.
We could do it
after your tap class.
I'm free Monday night.
We could meet
at Flinders Street Station.
No, think.
There are cameras there.
I'll meet you at...
Bridge Road.
I need you to pack a bag
as if you were running away.
I need to see
what you would take
if you were going
to run away,
you know, ID, money,
ballet shoes,
photos, that sort of thing,
for the research.
It won't take long.
Then afterwards,
you can tell.
You can tell later.
Remember, it's a secret.
[chiming xylophone music]
I want them so much.
I want to buy them.
Guess what.
I'm going to buy them tomorrow.
In your dreams, babe.
That's, like, 300 bucks.
You haven't even got
enough money for tram tickets.
Oh, yeah?
Well, I'm going
to buy them tomorrow,
because I've got a job
tonight.
A job?
What kind of job?
Oh, I can't really say,
you know?
I said I wouldn't.
You can't say?
Since when?
It... [sighs]
What?
It's... the job is...
Well, it's confidential.
That's all I can really say
right now.
But I can tell you everything
afterwards.
I mean,
that's part of the deal.
No, I don't understand this.
I mean, what kind of job
is confidential, huh?
What have you
got yourself into?
It... I'm not stupid.
It's nothing immoral,
and I get free clothes.
Look, Rachel,
this is not right.
Now, what the fuck
are you doing?
Where are you going?
Manni, I'm just going
to do this job.
I'm gonna get some money,
and then I'm going to come back
and buy my shoes.
I'll come with you, then.
[sighs]
Three, four, five...
Rach, you still want
a lift to Bridge Road?
No, I'm gonna walk.
What are you going there for?
Oh, I'm going
to take the tram,
and Dad's
going to pick me up.
Isn't that the wrong way?
So do you want a lift or not?
No, it's fine.
Really, it's fine.
Okay.
I mean, you're sure
you don't want a lift?
You hate walking.
Come on!
Call me.
I love you!
I love you!
Come on.
[tram engine idling
and stopping]
Oh, thank you so much,
Caroline,
for getting me to do this.
I mean, you have no idea
how good it would be
to have a little bit of money
to take Manni out,
the two of us, you know,
because it's always his mum
or my mum,
and we never get
any time together,
just me and him and...
Come on.
[tram rattling]
Food okay?
Oh, yeah.
I'm a pig.
I was starving.
You've got no idea
what dancing does to you.
It's like, I just can't
get enough food into me,
you know?
Tell you what,
if you wanted to lose weight,
you should just dance.
Before we start,
I need you to relax.
Okay.
I know some relaxation
techniques that will help.
I'll put a splash of vodka
in our drinks.
No, I don't think so.
Come on, Rach.
One drink won't hurt.
I know I'm not very good
at relaxing,
but I've got to go home,
you know?
Your parents?
Well, no,
but it's a school night.
Rach, maybe
this is not a good idea.
I'm only supposed to interview
people who are over 18,
people who can make
their own decisions.
I do make my own decisions.
I do.
I don't want to get you
in trouble with your mum.
Oh, come on.
You know Mum.
She thinks
I'm still a child.
They just can't accept
you've grown up.
Must be really hard on you.
She just loves me.
That's all.
I bet she doesn't know you
as well as
she thinks she does.
She'd kill me
if she knew
some of the stuff I do.
Can we please keep going?
Please?
You want that drink?
It's hard to find
the right people,
gifted people like you.
Well, you should talk
to Manni.
He's so gorgeous.
You have to meet him.
You know, I don't know
what I'd do without him,
you know?
I mean, we're soul mates.
We were born
to find each other.
I love him so much.
Here, try this.
So, Caroline,
are you ready?
Do you mind
if I call my dad first?
I'm going to the Grand Prix,
and I need to talk to him.
Sure.
I've... I've got those clothes
there for you,
if you want to try them on.
See what you want
to take home.
Awesome.
I think they're your size.
The bathroom's through there.
Hi, Dad.
It's me, Caroline.
I'm just calling because...
can you pick me up
on Saturday?
Okay.
I had the day off again today.
My head...
I'm anxious.
Caroline,
these clothes are fantastic.
I actually wanted
some of these.
How cool is that?
I'm confused.
Well?
What do you reckon?
I think I look pretty good.
Dad, I have to go.
Bye.
You're perfect.
Thank you so much.
Manni's gonna love these.
Do you reckon
I could call Mum quickly?
I reckon
I've tortured them enough.
They'll be freaking out.
Mum will have called the cops
by now.
Called the cops?
That's a bit extreme,
isn't it?
Yeah, well...
[sighs]
I kind of lied.
See, I told Dad
to pick me up hours ago,
and me and Mum
had this massive fight,
and then she was yelling at me
and telling me to grow up,
and I... I just feel
really bad.
Rachel, sit down.
I reckon what you're doing
is good.
It will make them
think twice.
I don't know.
Rach, I just want
to get this done, okay?
Yeah, sorry, Caroline.
What do you want me to do?
Close your eyes.
That's it.
Take deep breaths.
Think of something beautiful.
[exhales]
Have you got something
in your mind?
Manni.
And we're dancing.
Concentrate
on your breathing.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Still dancing,
and Manni is there.
[breathing slowly, evenly]
[choking and gasping]
Ah!
[gasping, wheezing]
[yelps]
[gasping]
[grunts]
[panting]
[panting]
[chokes]
[gasping]
[rope strains]
[wheezes]
[whimpers]
[choking]
[grunts]
[rope straining]
[coughs]
[growls]
[groans]
[gasping]
[haunting music box music]
[thunder rumbling,
rain pattering]
7:15, get up,
shower,
wash hair,
get dressed.
8:30, go to work.
Cancel Gelique appointment.
9:30, ask Janice
if she wants to move in
with me.
Where's my wallet?
My ID?
[dragging and scraping]
[groaning]
[grunts]
[panting]
[sobbing]
Ohh!
Ahh!
[wailing]
No!
No!
No!
No!
[sighs]
[sequins jingling]
I am a wild, free spirit.
I live on the edge.
I am passionate
and highly talented,
moody, and mysterious.
Fuck you!
You are ugly, pizza face!
Look it!
Just look at you now!
[gasping]
Please,
don't be angry with me.
Today was the end
of my life.
There are so many things
that ended it.
You only know a fraction.
But I swear
till I'm dead
that today was the end
of my life.
[swelling orchestral music]
[keys clicking]
Yes, hello,
I just want to inquire
if you have any trains
going to Sydney today?
What time?
How much is a ticket?
Okay, thank you.
Bye.
Caroline?
You feeling better?
I've changed.
You don't look so well.
I'm new.
[phone ringing]
[ringing continues]
[line ringing]
Not me, not there.
[car brakes squeal]
Elizabeth?
Elizabeth?
Now, just let her talk.
Don't force the information
out of her
and don't get your hopes up,
okay?
Now, Jenny, you haven't seen
Rachel in a long time.
Are you sure it was her?
Yeah, I saw her recently.
She was with her new boyfriend,
Manni.
She was drunk.
Oh, not Rachel.
She doesn't drink.
Well, you could have
fooled me.
She was all over
her boyfriend.
So it was definitely Rachel
on the tram?
Of course.
You can't mistake Rachel.
I noticed her
because she was with
this really gross-looking girl.
She could have been fat too.
She was too fat to dance.
That's for sure.
And how did Rachel seem?
Was she okay?
Yeah, they looked
like friends.
I heard her talking about
that new boyfriend of hers
and something about
getting a cat?
Her new kitten.
Where?
Where did she get off?
She was last seen
around here.
Excuse me?
Uh, excuse me,
I was wondering
if you'd take one of these.
This is our daughter.
She's gone missing.
She was last seen
around here...
Excuse me.
If you see this girl anywhere,
could you call this number?
Sure.
Thanks.
We have a sighting,
a young woman who saw Rachel
on the tram
the day that she disappeared,
with another girl.
Now, I realize that
we disagree about the reasons
for Rachel's
disappearance,
but can you please
talk to Jenny?
This young girl,
was she behaving
in a threatening manner
to Rachel at all?
No, she said
they seemed friendly.
[exhales]
You are aware
that your daughter
was having a sexual relationship
with her boyfriend,
hmm?
And she could be pregnant.
And if she is,
maybe she ran away
because she was frightened
of what you might think.
Don't presume to tell me
about my daughter.
The press believe us.
They want to do a story
on Rachel.
[scoffs]
Well, they must be short
of a story.
Short of a story?
This is not
a fucking story.
This is our life.
My daughter's life.
She's been missing
for nine fucking days,
and you've done nothing.
Now, just sit down,
Mrs. Barber.
I will not sit down.
How good would it look
to the press
if I told them
how hopeless you were,
how fucked you are?
All we want
is for you to talk to Jenny.
Is that too much to ask?
You know what?
It is.
Now, you've had more
than your fair share
of police resources.
I got real crime
to deal with.
You've done nothing!
Nothing?
You have been here day and night
for the past eight days,
harassing hardworking policemen,
making demands.
We have investigated.
Our investigation
has found nothing,
nothing other
than a 15-year-old girl
who has probably...
no, almost certainly
run away.
Jesus.
Oh!
[phone rings]
Barber household.
Hello,
is Elizabeth there?
No, sorry.
Can I take a message?
I just heard
about Rachel,
and I was ringing up to see
if there's anything
I can do,
if I could help.
Good on you.
I'll let Elizabeth know.
Can I have your name?
Caroline Reid.
We were neighbors
in Mont Albert.
Who am I talking to?
Sorry, it's Drew.
Oh, hi, Drew.
You're Elizabeth's brother.
Are there any ideas
where she is, what happened?
No.
No, nothing.
She just went
to a dance thing,
and they haven't
seen her since.
Have you told the police?
Bunch of idiots.
They still think
she's run away.
That's terrible.
Surely, when someone
goes missing,
the police have to look.
No.
Not unless
there's foul play
or something suspicious.
Is there anything
suspicious?
Well, apart from the fact
that she vanished,
they say no.
Supposedly, this happens
all the time, you know?
Young girls running away.
So you don't think she has.
No way.
No way.
It's just... it's been too long,
you know?
It's okay, Drew.
That was insensitive of me.
So what are you
going to do?
Just keep looking.
That's where Elizabeth and Mike
are now.
They're out looking for her.
Let me know
if you need me to look.
Maybe I can hand out posters
or something.
I'll let them know,
all right?
Rachel
was a wonderful person.
Oh, and wish Elizabeth
a happy birthday for me.
Thanks.
Bye, Drew.
Mr. and Mrs. Barber?
Elizabeth.
David DePyle,
missing persons unit.
Okay, I've made
some inquiries,
and I do have to tell you
that this case
does fall a long way
out of the normal criteria
for a missing person.
There's no suspicious
disappearance or foul play.
There appears to be nothing
untoward about the case,
but I have to tell you that
in all my time
at missing persons,
I've never seen an effort
like this.
This is extraordinary.
She didn't run away.
She was really happy.
She had a boyfriend.
She was dancing.
Elizabeth,
I believe you.
I do.
I believe you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I understand the press
have picked the story up?
Yeah, it was a lot easier
convincing them
than the bloody police.
Oh, he doesn't mean you.
He means...
No offense taken.
But I made a call
to Australia's Most Wanted.
They will do a story,
but they need to interview you.
That... that's wonderful.
Thank you.
When?
When?
Tomorrow.
The best thing you can do
right now is to go home.
You both need rest.
Oh, no.
No, no, that's what
other police have told us to do,
and if we'd stopped then,
we wouldn't have found Jenny
and the press,
and we wouldn't
be talking to you.
But you are.
You must let me take
some of the load for you.
You're both exhausted.
Sleep and food
will reenergize you.
If we're to go
on this journey together,
I need you to be fresh.
I have resources,
and I will have questions.
I need to know
where you are.
If anyone
can find Rachel,
I can.
[phones ringing]
Steve, listen, did you get
the email I sent you?
Rachel Barber?
Yeah, 15.
Yeah, just with the parents.
They're devastated.
Imagine if Lizzie
had been missing.
I need a favor.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I'll get the warrant.
Soon.
Well, I wouldn't ask unless...
I'm just worried
about this one.
Something's not right.
Thanks.
Number is 356-7809,
incoming and outgoing.
Thanks.
[wind chimes jingling]
[solemn acoustic music]
[sighs]
[sniffles]
# Ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Whoo, ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
# Ooh-ooh-ooh #
Does our time in this place
prepare us for the journey
through death?
Could being born, living,
and passing away
deprive the observer
of something
that the traveler gains?
Who now is the observer?
The traveler?
[phones ringing]
You know anything
about this?
Yes.
Well, given you're
the missing persons analyst,
don't you think you should
have kept us informed?
Informed about what?
The way I see it, you already
spoke to the parents,
and in your opinion,
it's not a missing persons case.
That was ten days ago...
Well, gentlemen,
it is now.
Now, Patterson,
I want you to get down
to the Richmond police station
with your crew
and take over.
Righto, boss.
Now, what the fuck
have you been doing?
Over the last few days,
I've been making
a few unofficial inquiries,
but it's led to nothing.
- So Patterson's right?
- No.
I can find anyone
or at least something
that leads me to another lead,
but I've got nothing.
Nothing's not much help.
But there is a sighting.
Look,
let's keep it simple.
I want you to compile
a Photofit
and get it circulated,
and I want you
to keep him informed.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Righto, boss.
Huh, well, then?
The mystery disappearance
of a young dance student.
I want my family
to be like it was before,
basically that.
We want Rachel to come back.
She's missed.
She goes, you know,
"I'm off to do this job where,
"you know,
I'll earn heaps of money
"and receiving
heaps of clothes,
and I'll call you after. "
Rachel, in fact,
never made the call,
never told anyone
what the job was
or who she was going to meet.
Good girl.
The last reported sighting
of Rachel
was around 6:45,
where Rachel
and an unknown dark-haired girl
hopped off the tram here
at the Windsor tram stop.
Fuck!
The family say
their 15-year-old...
Fuck!
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
We have to find
this other girl.
That's key
to what's going on.
She may still
have run away...
Yeah, that's right.
She ran away.
And chosen not to be in touch
with her family and friends,
or she may be held
against her will...
No, she came to me.
To me.
We just don't know.
If she could get
in contact with us, she would.
But she hasn't.
She didn't tell.
She trusted me.
They believe she's being held
against her will,
and they're pleading
for her safe return.
No, she's safe,
but she's gone.
Also if you know the identity
of the dark-haired girl,
please, contact
your local police station.
Thoroughly clean house
and steam-clean carpet.
Call work sick.
Get loan.
Withdraw all money.
Call Dad for a trip.
Dye hair.
Catch 8:05 p.m. train
to Sydney.
If necessary,
sleep in Como Park.
Pack bags.
Cancel beautician's
appointment.
Quit work.
Cut phone and electricity.
Pack up
and store evidence.
[phone ringing]
Hello,
you've called Caroline.
Please,
leave a message.
Caroline, pick up.
Pick up.
Hi, Dad.
Caroline, have you...
have you seen the news?
No, I'm reading.
Apparently, one of the Barber
children is missing.
That's terrible.
How?
It's in all the papers.
Didn't you do a...
a school project on Rachel?
Ages ago.
Have you heard anything?
No.
Why would I?
I know
she's done this before.
I reckon she'll turn up.
She always was
a free spirit.
Now, listen.
Your mother,
I don't appreciate
getting calls from that woman.
She called here hysterical.
She said, apparently,
you wrote her
a very threatening letter.
Is that right?
You said you'd do
something violent to her.
She's a fucking bitch.
I can't believe
you'd take her side.
Caroline,
for Christ's sake.
Oh, fuck you.
I don't need this.
Caroline?
Caroline?
[sobbing]
Patterson?
I have that
reverse phone record.
It's in the right area
where Rachel was last seen.
Come on.
Come on.
Address is flat ten,
[knocking at door]
Hello?
Anyone there?
Is a Caroline Robertson there?
It's the police.
Open up.
[phone ringing]
Hello,
you've called Caroline.
Please,
leave a message.
[answering machine beeps]
This is Detective Patterson
here, Ms. Robertson.
If you're in the flat,
can you please
come to the front door?
We are looking
for a Rachel Barber,
and we believe that you can
help us with her whereabouts.
When you get this message,
can you please call me?
I've left my card
under the door.
Thank you.
[phone ringing]
Hello,
you've called Caroline.
Please,
leave a message.
Hello, Caroline,
it's Irene.
I hope you're okay.
I just need to let you know
that I will need
a doctor's certificate.
Can you call me back?
Thanks.
Bye.
She changed her name:
Caroline Reid Robertson.
It used to be just Reid,
Caroline Reid.
The Barbers know
a Caroline Reid.
She works at Phone Tel,
I'll check it out.
DePyle,
can you bring the Barbers in?
So you wouldn't say
that Rachel and Caroline
were friends?
- No, not at all, no.
- Not good friends.
But did Rachel ever visit
the Reid's holiday house?
In Kilmore?
No, no, why?
Don't think so.
Did she?
Just thinking
of simple leads.
[phone ringing]
Please, don't get
your hopes up.
This often happens,
and it can come to nothing.
Excuse me.
Steve.
But...
Yeah, yeah, good.
At least if she's
with Caroline, she's okay.
Mary, I really need
the rest of that money today.
Can you bring it round
at lunchtime?
I know I said
pay it later,
but I have a date tonight.
Wow, that's amazing.
Yeah, amazing.
Look, sorry, babe,
I'm broke.
Okay, sure.
Forget it, doesn't matter.
Can I help you?
[phone ringing]
Hello,
you've called Caroline.
Please leave a message.
Caroline,
it's me, Mary.
Pick up.
Come on.
I know you're there.
Pick up.
Hi, Mary.
Hey, you'll never
guess what.
The cops are here
looking for you.
- How come?
- I don't know.
Something about
that missing girl.
Do you know anything
about it?
Yeah, I guess
I used to babysit her.
She's just run away,
you know?
I don't know.
The TV reckons... they said
something happened to her.
Look, Mary, I've got
a doctor's appointment,
so I'll call you later.
Okay, but you will tell me
what the cops say?
Awesome.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Caroline.
The police were
just here looking for you.
They're looking
for that missing girl.
I think
you should ring them.
They must have come round
when I was at the doctor.
Thanks, Irene.
I'll call them.
I've got to go.
I can hear someone
at the door.
Sir, I'm currently
investigating
the disappearance
of Rachel Barber.
Telephone records show
that Caroline spoke to Rachel
for an hour
the night she disappeared.
Can you think of any reason
why she would call her?
None at all.
You noticed anything unusual
about your daughter?
Detective, my daughter
is always different.
Could Rachel
be staying with Caroline?
I don't know.
Can you think
of anywhere Rachel may be,
anywhere she and Caroline
may go?
Well, I have a farm.
Sir?
At Kilmore.
And she may be there?
I don't know.
Do you know if Caroline
was close to Rachel Barber?
I doubt it.
My daughter doesn't have
many friends.
She's... she's a bit
of a loner.
Not to mention that
Rachel's considerably younger.
She did do a school project
on Rachel,
but that was years ago.
Our relationship is...
strained.
Did you see your daughter
around the time
that Rachel Barber
went missing,
the 1st of March?
I did, yes.
I did see her then.
I visited her flat.
I was...
I was worried about her.
She has epilepsy.
And I remember it clearly,
because...
because the bedroom door
was closed,
which is unusual.
Do you think Rachel Barber
was there?
Oh, I don't know.
Detective,
my daughter's very...
Well, she's quite odd
and strange.
She suffers
from depression,
and I have to tell you
that after what you've said,
I'm deeply concerned.
[sirens wailing]
[men shouting]
[knocking on door]
Caroline Robertson?
This is the police.
Open up.
We suspect that Rachel Barber
is on the premises.
Open up.
This is the police.
[knocking at door]
Open the door now.
[officers speaking
indistinctly]
Police.
Open the door now.
Open up!
I'm not here.
Not here.
Ms. Robertson, please,
open the front door.
This is the police.
- Take a look for us?
- No worries.
Organize some boys
at the end of the street
and around the corner.
We don't want her coming back
and getting spooked.
I'll call the boss.
Anything?
Yes, it's dark,
but there is someone in here
lying on the floor,
appears unconscious.
Gain entry
and open the front door for us.
Can you hear me?
Looks like
she was leaving.
Open your eyes.
Caroline?
Caroline,
can you hear me?
Boss,
got a note here
about an 8:05 train
to Sydney tonight.
We need to check it.
Barber could be on it.
I'm Caroline's father.
Mr. Reid.
We found her like this.
Pills all over the floor.
Can you tell us anything?
This is symptomatic
of an epileptic fit.
I think she's had a fit,
and it will take a while
to recover.
Caroline?
Do we know anything?
Can you tell me
what happened?
I found her like this,
lying on the floor.
Take a look at these.
No cause
for tremendous concern.
- Excuse me.
- I don't know.
Is she an epileptic?
Yes, she is.
She is.
Now, I want you to go
with Robertson to the hospital.
- And you are?
- I'm the girl's father.
I need you to be there
when she comes to.
- All right.
- Her name is Caroline.
Caroline?
Can you hear me?
Are you with us?
Caroline?
You know where you are?
[inhales]
Caroline,
this is very, very serious.
We have to talk.
[breathing shakily]
Look at me.
Look at me.
You listen to me.
I've had enough,
do you understand?
Yeah, I've had enough.
I am sick of cleaning up
your messes.
Do you understand me?
Do you understand?
Mr. Reid...
[speaking indistinctly]
No, actually, I...
I don't think
she's well enough
to answer questions
at the moment.
I'll wait.
The possibility
was an overdose of Tegretol,
but there is no
irregular heartbeat.
Mr. Reid, you suggested
she may be
in a postictal state.
I can't confirm this yet.
I still have numerous tests
to do.
Thank you.
I appreciate it, Doctor.
I have some other business
to attend to, so...
Well, I'll be doing that.
Excuse me.
Postictal?
It's the transient period
of sleepiness and confusion
after an epileptic seizure.
It will be a while
before you can talk to her.
Yeah, got that already.
Sir, perhaps Barber
will come back here.
I mean,
we have her clothes.
It looks like
she was staying with Reid.
I'm not so certain.
I think this is bad.
[footsteps approaching]
Mr. Reid?
Call me David, please,
Detective.
David.
Neil.
I'd appreciate it
if you would ask Caroline
where Rachel's hiding.
Absolutely.
Could she be
at your farm in Kilmore?
Possibly.
Could they
have gone away together?
Maybe Caroline helped Rachel
run away from home?
No, I don't think so.
Excuse me.
I've finished
all the tests.
The blood work shows
she may have
some sort of infection.
Apart from that,
there appears to be
nothing wrong with her.
[sighs]
Hello, Curly Top.
Caroline, that man over there
is a detective,
and he wants to talk to you
about Rachel...
Where she is.
I don't want to talk to him,
Daddy, please.
I told him that
you would talk to him.
You must tell him
where Rachel is.
You must.
You'll be the daughter
I always wanted you to be, okay?
Make me proud.
Okay, Daddy.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry
I'm so much trouble.
My daughter wrote these,
and I think you'll find
they're very disturbing.
They may be of some use.
You may talk to her now.
Hi, Caroline.
Can you hear me?
Yes.
My name's Neil.
I'm a policeman.
Do you understand that?
Yes.
I'm going to ask you
some questions
about Rachel Barber,
okay?
Yes.
Do you know
where Rachel is?
Dead.
She's dead.
How did that happen?
It was an accident.
I killed her.
Are you positive
she's dead,
or can we still help her?
No, she's dead.
Do you know
where her body is?
At the farm.
At Kilmore?
Yes.
Where is she?
[chimes jingling]
Near the trees.
Who helped you?
Can't remember.
How did she die?
Can't remember.
[sighs]
Oh, hi, come in.
I'm sorry.
There's no easy way
to tell you this.
We've found Rachel.
She's been murdered.
Who killed her?
Caroline Reid Robertson.
Caroline?
Are you sure?
Yes, she's been charged
with Rachel's murder.
I wish we didn't know.
I wish
we hadn't tried so hard.
Wish she was still
a missing person.
No, the not knowing,
you wouldn't want that.
And was she stabbed?
I'm sorry.
We can't tell you that.
Was it violent?
All I can tell you
is that the murder weapon
was found on her body.
Can we see her?
There needs to be
an autopsy.
[melancholy acoustic music]
[rain pattering]
[wind chimes jingling]
Oh, Mummy,
I've lost my baby.
I know, darling.
I know.
[sobbing]
Shh...
Daddy, it's my fault.
Don't say that,
sweetheart.
If I wasn't friends
with her sister,
Caroline wouldn't
have met Rachel,
and Rachel
would still be here.
We were all friends
with them.
We lived across the road
from them.
Daddy didn't know.
It's not your fault,
little one.
I hope it didn't hurt
when she died.
[sobbing]
[wind whistling]
[solemn orchestral music]
[melancholy orchestral
rock music]
[deep, echoing breaths]
[bells ringing]
[ringing reverberating]
This is the story
of my death.
They say I died that day.
That wasn't me that died.
That was someone else.
My path is clear.
I've become
who I was meant to be.
[peaceful acoustic music]
# Got your eyes open #
# But you cannot see #
# Got what you want to #
# You've got what you need #
I'm gonna grow my hair
to my feet.
It'll touch the ground
when I walk,
wild and free.
The sky is so beautiful
today.
I feel beautiful,
just like the sky.
[inhales]
# She played it hard #
# And, yeah,
she played it rough #
# Made her feel safe #
# And it made her
feel tough #
# And rock by rock #
# She built those walls
every day #
# Built herself a tower #
# So far away #
# And from up high
in that castle #
# She knew no one
could get too close to touch #
# And if life and death
were such a game #
# Why did they all
make such a fuss? #
# And if birds could fly
high over their troubles #
# She gonna find some
of her own wings and fly #
# And no one could convince
or pay her double #
# Or tell her
she was too young to die #
# Oh...
#
# Caroline, Caroline #
# Oh, oh, oh #
# Ooh, ooh #
# Caroline #
# Caroline #
# Whoa, oh, oh, oh #
# Ooh, ooh #
# Caroline #
# Caroline #
# Caroline #
# Caroline #
# Caroline #
# Caroline #
[solemn orchestral music]
[melancholy orchestral
rock music]
# What you wanna say? #
# I'll wait
till you get home #
# I'm sick
of communicating #
# over the telephone #
# But tell me how you feel #
# For I am lonely too #
# Need you to know #
# I'm just as cold and numb #
# as you #
# But I could fly away #
# Or I could be no one #
# And you could be
the sunshine #
# falling over the mountain #