Holly quotes from Stranger Things

Are the others here yet?

No, not yet.

You will save them, too, won’t you? Save them from the monsters?

Yes, Holly. Don’t you worry. I’m going to save your friends. Every last one of them.

And my family? Are they coming too?

[revealed to be Henry] Your friends first. Then after, I’ll save your family too, of course. I have room for everyone here.

You still thinking about your parents?

Yeah.

They are in the very best possible hands, Holly, I assure you. And I’m told that they are improving with each hour that passes. As soon as they’re healed, they’ll join us here.

I… I know. It’s just…

You wish to be with them. I understand. But you cannot offer them comfort in Hawkins, Holly. The only comfort they have is knowing you are here, safe. With me. Safe from the monsters. I thought blackberries might cheer you up a little. They’re your favorite, aren’t they?

How did you know? That they’re my favorite?

Oh, it’s, uh… It’s just a hunch. I’m good with hunches. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll make chocolate chip pancakes. He loves those.

Who does?

Your classmate, Derek.

Derek is coming here?

You don’t like Derek very much, do you? Should I just let the monsters eat him?

No. No, you can’t… you can’t do that.

Well, how about this? I will tell Derek that if he misbehaves, or if he hurts you in any way, I will send him right back, and he can face those monsters on his own. How does that sound? [chuckles]

I expect to be gone most of the day. While I’m out, you’ll have the whole house all to yourself.

The whole house?

Everything which is mine is yours. But in return, I need you to promise me one thing. Something very important. Do you think you can do that?

Yeah.

You must never, under any circumstance, go out into the woods. Do you understand?

Is that where the monsters live?

[nods] But they won’t find you. That is, as long as you don’t–

Don’t try to find them.

You know, I’m very glad I saved you first. You’re the brightest of them all. Oh, and if you don’t mind, bring my mail in, won’t you?

[laughs] How did you know?

A hunch.

Max

I'm sorry for scaring you. I haven't seen anyone in... a really long time, so... I guess I got excited. [treating Holly's wound] Good news is, it doesn't look that deep. Not enough for stitches. I bet it stings though, huh? [Holly looks nervous] You can talk to me, you know. I won't bite. You do remember me, right? I've been to your house. Like, a lot.

You're Max. [Max nods] Max Mayfield. You skateboard and never take off your Walkman.

Max

That's me.

But-

Max

How am I in here when I'm in a coma in Hawkins General? That's a very reasonable question. [they hear a noise and turn] We should get going. It's not safe here, come on. [they walk through the woods]

Where are we going?

Max

My home.

Well, I can't go far. I came here to meet Henry. Do you know Henry?

Max

Yeah, you could say that.

Well, he left me this note. Here, see? And he told me to meet him right here at the X. Right here. I think he's in trouble with the monsters.

Max

Henry is a lot of things, but in trouble with the monsters is not one of them.

No but look, the note says-

Max

Holly I know what the note says.

Then how do you know he's not in trouble?

Max

Holly.

He said hurry!

Max

Holly, I know what the note says because Henry didn't write it! I did.

I don't... I don't understand.

Max

I'm sorry. I didn't want to lie. I- I just... I had to make sure that you came here.

You're one of them, aren't you?

Max

One of what?

The monsters.

Max

Do I look like a monster?

Well I don't know. Maybe you're in disguise. You're dressed weird, and you're in a coma.

Max

Okay... Well, would a monster know that your brother tried to get a mohawk until your sister stopped him, saving him from possibly the greatest social humiliation that a freshman has ever experienced at Hawkins High?

What color was this mohawk?

Max

Hot orange. And personally, I think the use of the word "hot" is a bit ironic, but... people say I'm too negative. I just think I'm honest.

[limping towards Max and Holly] Holly!

Max

Come on! [Holly hyperventilates and they try to run through the labyrinth]

[stopping outside of it] Holly, sweetheart. Stop, or I'll hurt her. [Holly freezes] I know you believe Max is your friend. But she has tricked you, Holly. She has corrupted your mind. She is a liar.

No! No, you're the liar! I saw you! I saw what you really are! You're a monster! A disgusting monster!

Holly! If you don't come back with me right now and rejoin the other children, I will have no choice but to hurt Max. I may even have to kill her.

Max

Then why don't you? Huh? I'm right here! Oh, that's right. You're too scared of a stupid cave, you goddamn coward!

Things have changed, Max. There are now other ways to get to you. And Holly? When your new friend begins to suffer, and she will suffer, you can either return to me and end her suffering, or you can watch your new friend die. Her life is in your hands. [leaves]

Max

Holly, wait. You can't come with me.

What? W-what do you mean?

Max

This way leads to me, to my body. Not yours. You have to find your own way.

How? I don't have Kate Bush. I don't even know who Kate Bush is.

Max

But you don't need Kate Bush to get out of here. Turns out, I don't either. Music isn't the only way back. You just need something that connects you to the real world, to home. Something powerful, meaningful. Lucas, when- when he took my hand, in the hospital. I could feel it, right here. But then I could also feel it in here.

But I don't have a boyfriend.

Max

You don't need a boyfriend. You just need something that's special to you. Something that makes you feel... safe. Something that brings you strength, something that gives you hope.

[reaching for her necklace] Holly the Heroic.

Max

She's here with you now. But she's also with you in the real world. Wherever you are, all you have to do is follow her home.

[crying] How?

Max

Just... try and remember what it is that she means to you.

She doesn't mean anything important. She's just a toy.

Max

If she's just a toy, why do you always carry her with you?

Mike. He said that she had divine powers and that she never gets scared, and so if I ever got scared, I could just... become her. But I keep trying, and it never works. No matter what I do, I'm still me. The girl who needs a stupid night-light. When my mom was attacked, I couldn't save her, I couldn't even save myself. I just stood there. And then when Henry attacked you... I stood there again. There's nothing heroic about that.

Max

There was nothing that you could do in those moments, Holly. I mean, you're a Wheeler. You're smart. You honestly think that you could've stopped those monsters with a fire poker? [grins] And I think you're leaving a few important things out. The day that we met, you went into the woods even though Henry told you that dangerous monsters lived there. And then you followed me into the cave even though you had no good reason to trust me. And then when I told you to go back to Henry, to go back into danger, you didn't hesitate. And today, when I gave up, you didn't. [crying] I've been here for so long, Holly. So long. And I could never make it out. But you? You found a way through Camazotz. Because of you... I get to see my friends. I get to see Lucas. You saved me, Holly Wheeler. You saved me. So, you see, Holly the Heroic is not just a toy. She's you, Holly. She's you. [they smile at each other, and a portal opens for Holly, back to Vecna's lair]

How did you know that would work?

Max

I didn't. [chuckles] You still have a long journey ahead. I don't know where you're gonna wake up. But I figure Vecna's holding you in the Upside Down. But remember, the Upside Down, it's just like Hawkins. So find your way back to your house and hide there. We will come and find you, okay? [Holly hugs her. Once they pull apart,] I'll see you on the other side.

On the other side.