Oh, man.
Fucking-A. Burger, burger.
Aw, no fuckin' cheese.
Fuck you!
No!
Okay, move over.
- Hmm.
- Yeah.
Okay. Here we go.
One, two, three.
Wait.
Oh. No, no, no.
Very good.
Good job there.
Ooh, look at that.
Whoa.
What do you call it
when people burn up like that?
No working during lunch.
You liar.
That's not what you call it.
Oh, you...
Very funny!
Give me that.
- Oh, I dropped it.
- Stop.
Well, the Paradise
definitely makes our list
for Best of
the and Sleazy in LA.
Hey, I knew
you'd make us late.
That's research.
Well, that's great
for you old-timers,
but I'm new.
Hey, we're partners.
We look out for each other.
So what about tonight?
What happened
to that, uh,
no strings attached,
let's have fun?
What? You'd really like
to meet my parents tonight?
Yes.
Okay.
Okay.
Listen, I was thinking
maybe I could do a story
on that woman who burned.
- Let's go.
Listen, I really
want to do a story
on that woman who burned.
I don't think
it's right for the Eye.
I'm sick of being
at the calendar.
I want to be a reporter.
You could get Eli
to give me a chance.
Not really
the kind of story we do here.
Hank, he'll listen to you!
Okay.
Police continue to
investigate the bizarre suicide
that occurred earlier...
- Boy, she was a pretty hot one, huh?
Where you been?
Tried a new restaurant.
Yeah, what was the special?
Chicken la Kim?
Aw, come on, man.
- He's back.
- Hey.
Huh?
Male Reporter:
Our captivating top story:
police are still investigating
the strange and bizarre incident that occurred...
- Weird.
No ID.
They said they
know nothing about her.
- Hi, Eli.
- Hi.
- This would make a great story.
- Spontaneous combustion.
Yeah, this sort of thing's
been documented.
It's kind of bizarre,
some good material there.
You know, maybe we
should do something on this.
- I was thinking maybe I...
- Hank, why don't you jump on it?
It could be a lead-off
on a cover piece.
You know, like, "Incredible,
Unexplained Mysteries," you know, uh...
spontaneous combustion.
- The Devil's Triangle.
How about those little pyramids
that sharpen razor blades?
- Just stop.
- Why do you hate me?
Hey, a woman just
died here!
This is bullshit!
I get...
I get images of flames.
You give something a name
and that explains it?
A woman died here!
Spontaneous combustion,
that means nothing!
Oh, Kim, uh, classifieds.
Um, have you
gotten them posted today?
Yes.
Good, good, good job.
Come on in, guys.
Listen, I've been working
real hard around here...
I haven't seen anybody work
harder their first month.
Eli, maybe...
Oh, um...
Could you make
some fresh coffee, please?
Thanks.
Boys will be boys.
Have a little patience.
- Yeah.
The only way to get anything
around here is if you have a dick.
So how are things
going with Hank, anyway?
I don't know.
I'm supposed to have dinner
with his folks tonight.
So are you gonna go?
Damn it, Janice!
Why do we need men anyway?
Newitt Street?
I'm gonna do it anyway.
Huh?
- Did you see it?
- Does not work.
Did you see what
happened last night,
the girl jumped,
did you see that?
Can not help but see it,
live upstairs.
Too much noise:
siren, police, reporter.
Who was she?
She not from
around here.
She burned,
scorched real good.
Nothing left,
waist down.
How did she
get up to the roof?
Through building,
from any apartment in building.
What you think
she do up there?
Could be hooker, huh?
Thank you
and Merry Christmas.
Excuse me.
Get away from me!
Leave me alone!
No, Ricky.
Now you go back up.
Hey, I'm really sorry.
He really ought
to be institutionalized.
Can I help you?
I'm looking for
a book on...
spontaneous combustion.
You were in
the right place.
"Unexplained
Natural Phenomena."
Thank you.
This wouldn't have
anything to do
with the woman
who died last night?
I'm sorry. I'm Kim Levitt.
I'm not undercover
or anything.
Um, I work for the LA Eye.
I'm an investigative reporter.
I'm doing a story
on the suicide.
Yes, the natural
combustion.
I'm Fima.
I own this place.
Oh, is it true that
I can get to the roof
from any of
the upstairs apartments.
Yes.
There's an access
at the end of the hallway.
I live upstairs.
Oh, would you like some?
Yes, thank you.
I haven't had any lunch.
Did you know her?
No.
Did you ever
see her before?
No. $9.56.
Oh, let me.
The guy down the street
thinks maybe she was a hooker.
- The butcher?
- Mm-hmm.
He thinks all women
are whores.
There's got to be some logical
explanation for the burning.
No, there is no
logical explanation.
Oh, not this one, thank you.
Oh, read this.
I think you'll find this really useful.
I don't think there's anything in here
on spontaneous combustion, though.
I didn't charge you for it.
It's a gift.
I can't.
Thank you.
Why don't you
come to our picnic tomorrow?
I'll write down
the address?
And this will be
your invitation.
Thank you.
I hope you'll come.
Could you show me
up to the roof, please?
Oh, sure.
Katherine, will you
cover for me please?
Come with me.
That's the roof access.
I don't think you'll
find any clues left.
The police
were very thorough.
Thanks.
Fima?
Huh?
Huh?
Eww.
Ugh.
Voicemail:
Hello, this is Kim.
Leave me a message
and I'll call you back.
Hey, Kim. Hank.
Where are you?
My mom cooked
this whole dinner.
I can't believe
you haven't called.
Please call me
when you get this message.
Ooh.
Damn it.
What?
What are you doing?
Are you coming or what?
Yes, I'm coming.
I'm changing. Five minutes.
Why don't you
try one of these?
I think you will
really like them?
Oh, thank you.
Their from an
old family recipe.
Delicious.
I'd like to propose a toast.
Merry Christmas to everybody,
and welcome, Kim.
Merry Christmas.
Hank's mother:
Welcome, Kim.
Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Honey.
Do you know where
all that beer goes?
Excuse me?
Neither do I.
What can I say?
That's a new one, Dad.
Yeah, well, I told that
to you last year.
It always works.
- What's in there?
- Ask him.
So you excited?
Yeah.
Do you have your tree up yet.
It's almost Christmas.
Not yet.
Lonnie, Kim's Jewish.
Oh, Jesus.
What is it, dear?
So you don't
have the tree or Christmas.
She celebrates Chanukah.
Actually,
I'm not religious.
It's the time
of year, really.
See, all kinds of cultures
have always celebrated
something at this time
and Chanukah and Christmas
are just different holidays
that deal with it
in different ways.
Bullshit.
- Gus.
- No, bullshit.
Dad.
So, uh, you work
on the newspaper with Hank?
Well, we don't exactly
work together.
Kim works on the calendar,
and she also
does the classifieds for us.
Right.
Sounds interesting.
Well, I think a woman's
place is in the home,
raising a family.
These are really good.
You know,
woman was made from the rib of man.
I, uh, I think that's
in your bible too.
Dad, that's a myth.
It's an allegory.
It's all relative.
You know, that's the trouble
with you kids today.
You think everything
is relative.
Well, let me tell
you something, pal.
It is God-damned real
and you had better
believe that.
Kim, don't take it
so seriously.
Hey, it doesn't matter.
You're right.
It doesn't matter.
They're from
a different world from us.
You know, I think you're from
a different world from us.
I still can't believe
you took that story from Eli
and you didn't
even want it.
You didn't even
want to do it.
And then you just ignored
what we were talking about.
Kim, he's the boss.
You didn't even
stand up for me.
Kim.
Come on,
let's go back to my place.
Get off of me!
What is wrong with you?
Why are you always
jumping on top of me?
You're like
a dog in heat.
What's the matter with you?
I'm just as good
as you, you know,
you and Eli and Jeff,
and I'm sick of it.
I'm gonna do what I want
whether you like it or not.
And I'm gonna do
the story I want to do.
You know, with an attitude like that,
you're gonna lose your job.
Oh, yeah,
well, fuck my attitude,
and fuck the job,
and fuck you!
Kim.
Kim!
Kim?
Kim, are you all right?
Kim, open up!
It's me!
Janice?
Kim, it's me, Janice.
What's the matter?
What happened?
Are you all right?
I'm worried about you.
I tried your phone, but it was out.
What's been
going on here?
It must have
been something I ate.
Have you seen a doctor?
It's nothing like that.
I don't need a doctor.
Thank you.
Do you want a ride to work?
I don't think so.
Um...
I'll be in a little later.
I'm working on
something right now.
Oh, boy.
Eli was pissed as hell
when you didn't show up
for work yesterday afternoon.
Boys will be boys.
Welcome to our party.
It's the solstice.
- It's so pretty here.
Here, I brought
this for you.
Oh, thank you.
Perfect.
Come on.
Look what Kim brought?
- Ah.
- Katherine, did you meet Kim?
- No.
Kim, this is
Katherine Harrison.
She's our wise mother.
Old crone, really.
I think I saw you
at the store.
So happy to meet you.
It's nice to
meet you too, Katherine.
This is Jane E. Na.
Jane teaches dance at the music center.
- I'm glad you could join us.
- Thank you.
I'm so glad
you could make it.
I thought you
might have to work.
Well, in a way,
this could be construed as work.
Katherine:
You're a reporter?
Yeah.
Kind of.
You know,
I'm really interested
in the suicide
at your building.
I don't know what it is
about that woman burning,
but when I first saw that,
I could almost feel it.
I never heard a thing.
You were there?
Yes, I spent
the night at Fima's.
What do you think could have
possibly caused something like that?
She wasn't strong enough.
- You knew her?
- No. No, we didn't.
You like the wine?
- Yes, thank you.
You know, Fima,
that book you gave me,
there's a picture
of a woman
with nothing but
fire from the waist down.
Lilith, she was
Adam's first wife.
She was made
from the same dirt,
but she wouldn't
let him lay on top of her.
- Lilith?
- She left Adam
and consorted with
Power of Night.
She was the serpent
that tempted Eve.
Spirit of all that crawls.
It's my job.
I think it's driving me crazy, literally.
You know, I'll probably
lose my job because of this.
Katherine:
What do you mean?
Well, Eli didn't
give me this story.
I'm just doing it myself.
Good for you.
You know what?
I don't really think I care
if I do lose my job.
I'm ready for a change.
To Kim.
At solstice.
The turning point.
The turning point.
Do you want
to go for a walk?
Sure.
Do you want to come, Kim?
- No thanks.
I think I've had
too much to drink.
Okay.
I'm glad you came.
Kim!
What the hell
are you doing?
Come on, let's go.
Eli's having
a shit-fit.
Eli, she was
out on an interview.
We have a way
of doing things around here.
Exactly.
Assignments come
from my desk.
I asked Janice.
Kim's already finished
the Classifieds
and the calendar
for the whole week.
Hank, uh, really feels
that you'd be invaluable
on the spontaneous
combustion story.
And if you can do it
and keep up
with your other work,
I guess I don't
really have any objections.
Hey.
You could have
said something.
How did you
know where I was?
I asked Janice.
Hey.
Janice,
did you tell Hank
where to find me?
Did you have
a good time?
How did you
know where I was?
Well, you told me.
That's funny.
I don't remember saying anything.
Listen, Eli gave me
that assignment.
That's what you wanted.
Yeah, that's what
I wanted.
Okay, listen. I'll take the picture.
You handle the text.
I'll give you first
position on the byline.
Fima's the woman
who owns the bookstore.
Is that the woman
from the park.
Yeah, she lives upstairs.
Does she have
any idea what happened?
She said she doesn't.
That's where she jumped from.
How do you get up there?
Well, someone's
been living up here.
The cops said
there were no witnesses.
Kim...
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
Sometimes
I just don't think.
Will you give me
another chance?
Listen, thank you
for helping me with Eli today.
I care about you.
Let's go.
I want to stay up here
a little while.
You think you can
find something else?
Who knows?
Fima?
Kim?
So you do live
behind this door, huh?
What a nice surprise?
Come in.
- Thank you.
I had a wonderful
time today.
I'm glad.
I was hoping
you'd stop by.
I just made a pot of tea.
Would you like some?
I would love some.
Thank you.
Good.
Make yourself at home.
You left so abruptly.
Yeah, well,
the job, you know.
Did you lose it?
Huh, no, actually,
I got just what I wanted.
Good.
So you see...
you have to be careful
of what you want
because you might just get it.
- Might just get it.
It's true.
So I've heard.
Come on, sit down.
You see the imagination
is a powerful thing.
If you don't limit it with
narrow-minded thinking and fear
virtually anything
is possible.
Elder bark.
I think you'll like it.
Hmm, it's bitter.
Oh, you'll get used it.
So, have you found
what you're looking for?
I'm feeling
a little nauseous.
Oh, that'll pass.
- Do you have a boyfriend?
- Mm-hmm.
You remind me
so much of my daughter.
She was a beautiful child,
so bright
and so full of life.
But I stayed with my
husband for too long.
Her name was Lily.
I wanted us
to be so close, but...
no matter what I tried,
she always resisted
and we ended up fighting.
And of course Bill,
he always blamed it on me.
It wasn't until
she left school
and she ran away
with her boyfriend...
It was like she was
trying to remove
every last trace
of self-respect.
And it wasn't until then,
that I realized...
that it was
all Bill's fault.
Tell me...
I bet you and...
What's your boyfriend's name?
Hank?
Yes, I bet you and Hank
have great sex.
Well, sure we do.
And yet when it's over,
you have the feeling
that something is missing?
Nothing's perfect, you know?
Yes, there is this
perseity quality to men.
And you have to get it out
in order to gain power
of your own self.
Now look what
you've done.
Take this.
No, under the saucer.
Okay, okay,
that's enough.
Not on the table.
Give it to me.
Take one of these.
It'll help.
Kim, eat it.
Here.
It's completely normal.
Katherine:
Good.
Good.
Now, Ricky.
Earth to earth.
Mother to daughter.
Katherine:
Enter.
Make your fear real.
Get it out.
Don't leave.
- No!
- What's the matter?
You're not
leaving are you?
Just leave me alone?
Oh, but you seemed ill.
Dear, you fell asleep.
Are you all right?
Come on, you don't
have to leave.
You have to finish,
you know?
What do you
want from me?
I want my daughter back.
Get Ricky.
Hank?
Hank?
Kim, where you been?
What time is it?
What's going on?
Are you okay?
Have you
been drinking, Kim?
I want my key back!
I can't deal with this,
understand?
What?
I feel sick to my stomach
and I have a headache.
Well...
Don't crowd me!
Don't you understand?
I need some room!
Kim?
Kim, stop it!
Just calm down.
What are you doing?
Stop it!
Stop it!
Stop it!
It's gonna
be all right.
Hey, it's okay.
It's okay,
go ahead and cry.
It's okay.
It's gonna be all right.
Hank, is that you?
What are you doing here?
What happened tonight?
It's strange.
You were sleeping.
You look like
a little boy in this.
Hmm.
I wish you hadn't woken up.
I like to touch you
when you're sleeping,
make you hard.
Relax, relax.
Don't be so tense.
Close your eyes.
I want to fuck you
while you're sleeping.
Be still.
Hmm?
And roller skates...
...and ballet shoes...
Laura:
...a Micky Mouse watch,
and a doll.
Kim. No, don't stop.
- Come back.
- Who the fuck are you?
Santa Claus killer.
Get the hell of here.
Laura, Laura, okay,
all right, you're dreaming.
- Kim?
- You're back now.
It's all right.
All right.
Hey, Kim, come on.
We got to go.
You leave her alone.
What'd you do that for?
Go on!
Get out of here!
Now, I don't know
who you are,
but I want you
out of here.
No, man.
She's got to come with me.
Ah!
Don't fuck with me.
Come on out now!
Come on, Kim!
Hey.
Hey, hey, hey!
Get away from there.
Ow.
What do you think I am?
Dumb or something?
Please just stop, stop!
Stop! Just leave her alone.
Oh, like you own her.
Hello, this is Kim.
I'm not home right now,
Leave a message.
Kim, where are you?
Are you home?
Janice! Janice!
Call the police! Hurry!
Call the police!
Let me go!
Let me go!
Oh! Let go!
Come on out now.
Kim, are you here?
Oh, shit!
Are you crazy?
Kim.
- He was all over me.
- He killed Hank.
- I had to!
He hit me first.
Are you okay?
I want you to
go back with Ricky now.
He won't hurt you.
You have to finish.
They're waiting for you.
Come on, come on now.
I'll clean up.
Go straight over there.
She's not gonna
give you any more trouble.
Well, I'm taking this.
Let me out!
She is awake.
Woman:
Let's get her to drink.
- She's drinking.
- There we go.
It's almost time.
See?
I told you everything was gonna be okay.
Daughter of Isis,
fire of Lilith...
As above, so below.
Why do we have
to do it in here?
Horus, son of Isis,
lover of Isis...
Bring down
the dark rule.
It's not easy
to give birth to yourself.
You have been initiated.
You go.
Now.
Lily.
Lily?
The woman who jumped.
Yes.
She was my daughter.
She was too weak.
But now you've come
to take her place.
What did you do to me?
- Well, you did it.
- And we're very proud of you.
You're one of us now.
You're free of men
and the parasite of fear
they bring us.
I don't believe this.
This isn't real.
I've been hallucinating.
You drugged me.
No, it's not hallucinations.
You...
gave form
to the fear inside you.
You created these things
from the power of magic
within you.
What about Hank?
Did he really die?
Hank's just a man.
But you're not finished.
We need a life
to feed your fears.
Hank had a brother, a boy.
Lonnie?
What are you
talking about?
Power...
is responsibility.
You have to
nurture your power.
Bring us the boy.
- I can't.
- Ricky'll help you.
No!
You have to
or the fire will destroy you.
You're crazy!
The boy!
There's no evidence
of anything going on here.
He was killed in here.
I saw it.
He was stabbed.
I don't see anything.
There's no blood.
He stabbed
the door, come on.
The mirror.
Ma'am,
are you in therapy?
No! I'm not in therapy!
Well, would you like me
to recommend somebody for you?
Merry Christmas.
Hank's not here, is he?
Hank's out of town
on assignment.
You knew that.
- No, I didn't know that!
I don't know what
you're talking about!
You got his job, right?
That's what
you wanted, wasn't it?
Ho ho ho, if it isn't
the Virgin Mary.
You look wonderful.
Welcome to the family.
Now, you have to
bring us the boy.
You have no choice.
You must bring the boy.
You must defeat your fears
or they'll feed on you.
Help me!
Please, help me!
Do what she says
and it'll stop.
Okay, I'll do
what she says.
It stopped.
I'll do what she says.
Hey, come on, smile.
Ho ho ho,
come on.
Great.
Well, what the hell's the matter?
Don't you like it?
I said I liked it.
Well, smile a little bit.
Will you?
- Gus! You know, I think there's
another package under that
tree with your name on it.
Let me see
if I can find it, hmm?
Well?
No, no, not like that.
I'll get him.
What are you doing?
I'm gonna back you up.
No.
Just wait here.
- Hank?
- Hah.
Oh, I don't think
Hank's gonna be able to be with
us this Christmas, Lonnie.
Well, at least he could
have had the decency to call.
- Maybe it is him.
- Gus, please.
Hey, no, Lonnie!
I told you
not to answer the door
by yourself late at night.
- Hank?
- Merry Christmas.
Hi, Hank's not
with you, is he?
Sure he is.
He's out in the car.
Do you want to come out
and talk to him?
I knew it.
Hank?
Where is he?
Um, he'll be right back.
So what do you
want for Christmas?
Will you just
go out there and get him
and bring him
back in here?
I want to get some more
pictures under the tree.
- Lonnie?
- This is great.
This is just great.
Merry Christmas.
Hey, what the hell
is going on there?
Jeez!
- Just relax, man.
Come on, you filthy scum!
Get up!
Come on!
Come on, you...
No! No! No!
I got to go back.
No, wait, you can't.
Hey, wait!
Let me out!
No!
Let me go!
What are you doing?
Don't hurt me!
No!
You have to kill him.
What are you
doing to me?
Remember,
your fears aren't real.
Go on, Lily, do it now.
Kill the man.
Become a whole woman.
But he's just a boy.
You have no choice.
You made the decision
when you came to me.
This is the final step!
Do it now.
Kill him.
I knew she wouldn't.
Why do you
always defy me?
What's the matter
with you?
After all that I have
done for you!
- Kill him.
- Do it.
- I can't.
- Kill him.
Kill him now.
No!
Fima?
Run, Lonnie!
No, man,
don't hurt her.
You see?
Didn't I warn you?
Why didn't you
listen to me?
Now you're
going to burn
and I won't
have a daughter.
You never cared about me.
You never cared
about your daughter
or anyone else
but yourself!
Well, I'm not like you!
But you are me.
You are.
No, I'm not you!
I'm not gonna
die for you either!
Lonnie?
It's all over now.