Mark, we have to get out! Now!
Dad, what's happening?
We have to leave.
You know about stone figures.
They're dangerous!
Get dressed.
Mark, put this one on. Put it on.
Thomas, are you ready?
You take the Chronicle.
Mark, come on!
Do what I say. Stay with me. If something happens to me,
then you look after Mark. Okay?
We can't go back home.
He will find us. Do you understand?
I don't want him to find us.
Hey, Mark. I will protect you, okay?
I'll protect you.
Always.
-We didn't pack. -We'll buy stuff later. Get in.
Karl!
Please.
It's not real.
Please, darling,
nobody is after you. Let me help you.
No, no!
At least let the children stay.
I'm sorry.
Mom!
ANGEL'S REST CEMETERY
Everything is gonna be okay.
Mom.
PETRA ZIMMERMANN HEAD NURSE
Cool!
If you want to order a tape, here are the rules.
Write down what you want, and I'll mix the tape. DJ quality.
Give me a week,
you can pick it up, same time and location.
Five marks per tape, into the hat.
If you want the full album, this is our shop.
ORACLE RECORDS
Thanks.
Thank you.
Hello.
-You are Becky, right? -Yes, I am. Nice. Here...
-Can you come with me? -Yes.
How about you listen to me during lessons instead of heavy metal?
The Black Crowes are not heavy metal.
-What did you say? -Nothing.
Sure. We all want to hear what you have to say. Come on, Zimmermann.
I only said The Black Crowes are not heavy metal.
Just like your brother.
Always ready with a joke.
Always looking for trouble.
Seems to be some sort of family tradition.
You know your music, right?
You and your brother and your music shop at the gas station.
Do you know what I wonder?
Why do you keep going to school?
You can't learn a thing about records and tapes here.
Nobody would miss you here. Right?
Can you please stand up?
Stand up.
I know what you're thinking.
Come on, just hit me, like your brother...
Come on.
Or are you a coward?
At least your brother managed that.
What does your mother say about...
-Excuse me? -Yes?
I'm looking for Mr. Wittig's class.
-I am new here. Becky Meissner. -Hello. Yes.
Come in and take a seat.
I would suggest that you sit down, too.
Open your books to page 128.
Two-stage randomized experiment.
Dennis, come on,
you are always happy to have a go.
THE GRYPHON
No headphones in class.
Are you even allowed to be here?
What can they do? Expel me again?
Happy birthday, little brother.
Come here, you little...
I got a present for you.
You know what I want.
-What? -Leave it.
-You can't hate Mom forever. -I told you to leave it.
It's just stupid.
She misses you.
How is she?
You can ask her yourself.
Maybe come over for dinner.
Mom makes spaghetti...
You'll never stop bugging me, right?
You little jerk.
-That's it. I had enough. -We can talk about it.
Come back tomorrow.
Talk to Wolfgang. I'll take the stuff back.
You know me.
Come on...
I'm here almost daily and you don't trust me?
Out of my way, buddy.
So I'm a con man, or what?
I said get out of my way.
-What if I don't? -Do you want to find out?
If I have to.
What's going on?
He wants to keep the stuff without a down payment.
He knows me, but treats me like a thief.
I am never dishonest. I am no thief.
It's his job. Give him the cash.
He lost the cashbox key.
Bullshit! I didn't lose it, I put it in a safe place,
when I went to the toilet and now I can't find it. But I didn't lose it.
Listen, we need the delivery, or else we won't have new records this week.
Here, I have...
Not enough.
Five, ten, 15...
50, we are good.
-Excuse me. -Easy listening is over there.
No, I am looking for The Black Album by Metallica.
The best album of the decade. Over there.
It's not the best of the decade.
The best metal album...
That Metallica album is pop music.
Mark, with all due respect,
you have no clue.
No idea.
The Black Album is the greatest, most successful and relevant album...
It's his birthday. Here you go.
It's a piece of art.
Why does Memo work here?
I pay him for three days, he works five.
He is exhausting.
-Do you know why he's always here? -He has no life?
Because he is loyal.
Keziah Jones, Blufunk is a Fact!
My palms are sweating.
-It's not just from me. -From Memo?
From Dad.
You can't be serious.
The fucking Chronicle?
I was 16 when I got it.
Dad was 16 when he got it.
Just like his father and his father's father.
All our ancestors.
They all signed. Here.
Dad. Me.
And now you are 16.
And I'll initiate you instead of Dad.
And prepare you for our duty.
I told Mom that you are well.
-I am well. -This can't be true. God damn it.
Mark, the Black Tower needs us. You and me.
There is no Black Tower!
We built this store together.
-This is our future. -This is our future.
How can you believe in Dad's bullshit?
Mark, it's our destiny.
Can't you feel it?
Okay, I'll take it home and read it.
But then I want proof.
I want a fucking miracle.
A unicorn or a monster.
You will get your proof.
But if not...
Then you go back to therapy and get help.
-Deal. -And I only sign
if you come home to see Mom and have dinner with us tomorrow.
You little jerk.
It was the same for me back then.
Tomorrow night at Mom's.
Here. Read it.
Study it.
Finally.
-Hello? -Hi, sweetie, it's me.
-Hi, Mom. -Settled in already?
Sure. Krefelden is great.
-I never want to go back home. -Come on, it's just for a few months.
Then you come back home to me.
I need to go.
I'm meeting a friend for an orgy and I need to buy coke first.
Becky, that's enough.
Dad, phone!
I'll get it in my study.
-Hi, I'm home. -Where have you been?
-I'm sorry, I was... -You are 30 minutes late.
-You don't care that I am worried sick? -No.
-Nothing will happen. -We have agreed on the rules.
I'm sorry.
Thomas picked me up from school.
He's coming for dinner tomorrow.
Thomas is coming home?
How did you do that?
I'm sorry I freaked out.
I just worry.
It's okay.
I know you work a lot.
But go out for dinner. Or see a movie.
Really, just make some time for yourself.
Meet people. Have fun.
You are one to talk.
I have to go.
Don't go to bed too late.
ORACLE MIXTAPE
CURE FOR BAD TIMES
LIST OF NAMES
ROOT TUBER
LARVA
SWELLING
CROSS SECTION OF THE BLACK TOWER
Lowest plane...
Marten's Court...
Swamp plane...
Celestial plane...
PRINCIPLE OF THE HORNED ONES
GARGOYLE
SLAVE HUNTER
MAP OF THE BLACK TOWER
DESERT
Path to Marten's Court.
HORNED PRIEST
THE ASSAULT
The Gryphon...
LION - EAGLE
I am not done yet.
I'm going to be late.
Better late than not go at all.
Wait three minutes, then come in.
-Can't we just once go in together? -No.
-But we... -Don't even think about it.
We are not a couple.
Could you go a bit slower?
Hi!
I said hi.
Okay, guys.
Here comes the opportunity of my life.
What do you think?
DAIKIRI CIRCUS
DJ Neb? What idiot would call themselves DJ Neb?
Very funny. I would.
I have to organize a huge party, my DJ cancelled,
-so I have to DJ. -Why is this the opportunity of your life?
-Because I met Big John. -The Big John?
The very same.
-I set up a system for him. -He goes on tour in the U. S.
He can take me with him. He needs sound engineers.
Cool, dude. He is famous.
That's so awesome.
It's my chance.
But first, I have to show him that I can do it.
I can organize a cool party with all the tech. We'll see.
Hey.
-I think you are in my class? -I think so.
I heard you are good at math.
I'd say I'm brilliant, but...
Can I copy your homework?
Hey!
I'm Sara.
Hello, Sara.
I'm Becky.
-Oh, God. Mark Zimmermann. -What about him?
Better keep your distance.
-Why? -He's quick to lose his temper.
His whole family is crazy.
His brother hit Wittig once, was expelled and sent to the nuthouse.
Mark is no better. Trust me.
I'll introduce you to my friends. Over there.
Maybe later, but thank you.
A herd of buffaloes stops here regularly.
These huge animals know how to defend themselves.
Especially, the aggressive bulls.
Can you be quiet?
An injured buffalo can be easy prey.
Mark!
-Hi. -Are you okay?
Yes, why?
Well, because you just...
-I just need... -Fresh air?
-Yes, something like that. -Right.
You're Becky, right?
Sorry, not the best conversation in the world. I didn't sleep good.
We can have the best conversation later.
Yes, maybe.
-Cool. -Cool.
Oh, yeah. Diarrhea or nausea?
Nausea, definitely nausea.
-Hi. -Come on in.
DR. JÖRG PETERS CHILD THERAPIST
Try again, Mark.
Take a breath.
Focus.
Remember that time.
Stay there.
And your father...
That night...
That graveyard...
The studio...
How is that for you?
Awful?
It was awful, okay?
You're not present today.
I don't want to think about it anymore.
Are you sure you don't want any more sessions?
Three years are enough.
I don't want to be the psycho anymore.
You have your anger under control?
We have ten minutes left.
If you want to talk about something else, now is the time.
I read my father's book yesterday.
This Chronicle?
I was reading it...
and suddenly I was there.
And I was really there.
Different to the dreams I had before.
Different?
More real.
You mean the world your father always talked about?
The Black Tower.
And yesterday was the first and only time,
that you had a hallucination?
Your father died exactly ten years ago yesterday. Right?
What you experience now
is related to his death.
The Chronicle. What he told you about this world.
Your birthday.
You both went through terrible things with your Dad.
Hallucination is common after trauma.
But they're harmless.
It's a sign of recovery. You are dealing with it.
And so it can feel very real at times.
Okay?
Okay.
You made progress.
Congratulations.
Then this was officially our last session.
-All the best to you, Mark. -Likewise.
Trauma...
Stupid Chronicle.
Not my business.
Did you read it?
-And? -Nightmares, heard voices. Psycho crap.
Once you see the Tower for real...
Don't you get it? Or don't you want to get it?
Dad talked our ears off with this shit.
Again and again. There is no Gryphon, only hallucinations.
-It's called trauma. -You'll see.
Tonight, you'll get your proof.
8:00 p. m. at our place. Dinner.
Hi.
Hi!
-What are you doing here? -Buying a record.
What are you looking for?
I want Nevermind, by Nirvana.
Best record of all time.
We have it...
here.
Okay, but do you have it on vinyl?
No, not at the moment.
Shame.
CDs sound kind of...
-Cold? -Yes, too perfect.
The covers are too small.
-And the ritual is missing. -Totally.
Unpacking it, putting it on!
-Listen to the album all at once. -Not just single songs.
I used to listen to records with my dad every evening.
I used to do it with my mom.
Would you like to hang out with me?
Sure.
Next week?
What about today?
Now?
-Are you hungry? -Always.
-You moved to Krefelden a week ago? -Yes.
I haven't finished unpacking just yet.
-And how is it? -Krefelden?
Compared to Berlin?
That's like comparing a house cactus to the rainforest.
I mean...
I don't want to be mean about Krefelden.
I just didn't want to come here. My mom sent me here.
Sent me to live with my dad.
You were born here, right?
And what do your parents do?
My mother is a nurse.
And your dad?
He doesn't do much.
What else can you do in Krefelden?
Well, barbecue on rooftops,
buy records...
To be honest, I have no clue.
Mark, I am heading to Wolfi's Record Warehouse. Okay?
-Yes, sure. -See you later.
I don't really go out much.
I have the store which is great.
My mixtapes.
My brother.
And school.
My life is terrible.
I like the record store.
Can we do this again soon?
-Tomorrow? -And the day after tomorrow.
And the day after that?
Shit!
I have to go home! Shit. Shit.
I am sorry.
I'll see you at school.
Can you get down alone?
Of course you can. I'm sorry.
Welcome to Krefelden.
CURE FOR BAD TIMES
I'm home.
That's my main prize.
40 competitions a week?
This one, I think I won three times.
Yes.
This one is not to everybody's taste, I'd say.
It's ugly as hell. But that's not the point.
It's about being lucky.
Hi.
Hi. We were just talking behind your back.
This is so weird.
Totally.
It's like it used to be.
Are you hungry?
Yes.
Good.
Memo bought himself white leather boots.
-And a cheap leather jacket. -No!
Sure! He's going full-on Motörhead Lemmy.
Oh, man. He is so clueless.
He wants to play guitar now.
I knew Mark would do something related to music.
You always listened to music with your dad.
But you, I wouldn't have guessed it.
Thomas always listened to music.
He was more interested in languages,
history,
wars and stuff like that.
What are you trying to say?
Nothing.
I mean, you had different interests than records.
I am very proud of that store.
You should be.
But you used to have different plans.
We thought you'd become an academic or so...
I didn't choose that for myself.
Going to the nuthouse.
You chose that.
What's for dessert?
Did you expect me to do nothing and watch my child go insane?
-So you'd end up like your dad? -Hey!
What the hell am I doing here?
I only ever tried to protect you.
One day, you'll get it.
She didn't mean it.
You wanted proof?
ANGEL'S REST CEMETERY
Dad's old studio.
I don't want to be here.
You haven't been here in years.
-I said I don't want to be here. -I heard you.
But the proof is here.
Hey!
Are you completely crazy?
Come back down.
This is a super shitty a idea.
Trust me.
You wanted proof.
Shit.
I don't want to die getting it.
-Finally! Come up. -You come down.
You'll have to catch me.
Come on!
Very good.
Come on. You can do it.
Our name is Zimmermann.
Generations of craftsmen, roofers, stonemasons.
Heights are our element.
You signed the Chronicle and accepted the inheritance.
Get up.
Let me guess.
You are no longer afraid of heights.
Crazy.
Come.
Can you remember the night we came here with Dad?
I'll show you why he really came here.
What's this?
It's like a hideout.
A very special place.
Created by our ancestors.
Protected by magic.
You have to help me find something.
Dad's stuff.
Open it.
Dad wanted to get this back then.
The Lot.
It's empty.
Yes, I haven't found it yet.
Dad must have hidden it here.
What was that?
Here it is.
Finally.
ANGEL'S REST CEMETERY
Holy shit.
Dad calibrated it to you...
Is this really happening?
Here is your proof.
It responds to you,
only to your blood.
-Give it to me. -My blood? Why my blood?
The Gryphon needs our blood to survive. Mine and yours.
He's invincible.
He rules the Black Tower and enslaves all humans.
The Lot is the only weapon against him.
A simple carpenter's tool.
And only members of our family can kill him, nobody else.
Are you ready to join me in the fight?
Together. Against the Gryphon.
-You mean right now? -Yes.
Come with me.
Together, we have a real chance.
I know how to find him.
Dude, I can barely keep up with school.
If we don't hunt him, he'll hunt us.
If I can't take him down by myself,
then he'll come after you.
Then after your kids...
Come on! You and me!
I don't think I can do this.
As you wish.
-What was that? -We have to leave.
Thomas?
-Thomas? -Yes?
Was this here before?
No, it wasn't.
What are you doing?
Trust me!
Thomas!
Thomas, we have to go back down now.
Where did he go?
No idea!
Come!
Come on!
Mark!
Let's get out!
Hide!
-What do they want? -They want us.
They want us.
This is not real,
this is not real.
It's not real.