Scully(on phone; in her office) Mulder, it's me. I just wanted to let you know that we slipped under Kersh's radar. Our little field trip to Nevada went unnoticed.
Scully
Mulder, I'm sorry that your confidential source didn't pan out.
Well, I guess you were right, Scully. Just another crackpot who watches too much Star Trek.
Scully
Good night.
Hey, Scully? I, uh, know it's not your normal life, but... Thanks for coming out there with me.
Scully
(surprised, pleased) You're welcome.
Scully
Let's hear it. Give me the details.
Look, if you've got Christmas stuff to do I don't want to... you know...
Scully
Mulder, I drove all the way out here. I might as well know why. Right?
I just thought you'd be more... curious.
Scully
Who lives in the house?
Scully
Then who are we staking out?
Scully
They've come back?
Scully
I see. (dryly) The dark, gothic manor... the, uh, omnipresent low fog hugging the thicket of overgrowth... Wait- is that a hound I hear baying out on the moors?
No. Actually that was a left cheek sneak.
(mysteriously) Christmas, 1917. It was a time of dark, dark despair. American soldiers were dying at an ungodly rate in a war-torn Europe while at home, a deadly strain of the flu virus attacked young and old alike. Tragedy was a visitor on every doorstep while a creeping hopelessness set in with every man, woman and child. It was a time of dark, dark despair.
Scully
(unimpressed) You said that.
But here at 1501 Larkspur Lane for a pair of star-crossed lovers tragedy came not from war or pestilence - not by the boot heel or the bombardier - but by their own innocent hand.
Scully
Go on.
His name was Maurice. He was a... a brooding but heroic young man beloved of Lyda, a sublime beauty with a light that seemed to follow her wherever she went. They were likened to two angels descended from heaven whom the gods could not protect from the horrors being visited upon this cold, grey earth.
Scully
And what happened to them?
Driven by a tragic fear of separation they forged a lovers' pact so that they might spend eternity together and not spend one precious Christmas apart.
Scully
They killed themselves?
And their ghosts haunt this house every Christmas Eve. (Scully laughs) I just gave myself chills.
Scully
It's a good story, Mulder, and very well told, but I don't believe it.
[Mulder and Scully are searching a haunted house]
Scully
These are tricks that the mind plays. They are ingrained cliches from a thousand different horror films. When we hear a sound, we get a chill. We-we see a shadow and we allow ourselves to imagine something that an otherwise rational person would discount out of hand. The whole... the whole idea of a benevolent entity fits perfectly with what I'm saying. That a spirit would materialize or return for no other purpose than to show itself is silly and ridiculous. I mean, what it really shows is how silly and ridiculous we have become in believing such things. I mean, that... that we can ignore all natural laws about the corporeal body... that-that we witness these spirits clad in-in their own shabby outfits with the same old haircuts and hairstyles never aging, never... never in search of more comfortable surroundings-- it actually ends up saying more about the living than it does about the dead.
Scully
I mean, Mulder, it doesn't take an advanced degree in psychology to understand the... the unconscious yearnings that these imaginings satisfy. You know, the-the longing for immortality the hope that there is something beyond this mortal coil... that-that we might never be long without our loved ones. I mean, these are powerful, powerful desires. I mean, they're the very essence of what make us human. The very essence of Christmas, actually.
[A door slightly opens by itself]
Tell me you're not afraid.
Scully
All right. I'm afraid... but it's an irrational fear.
I think maybe the ghosts have been playing tricks on you.
Scully
I don't believe in ghosts.
Then what are you doing here?
Scully
It's my partner.
Scully
Yeah.
Oh, you poor child. You must have an awful small life. Spending your Christmas Eve with him... Running around chasing things you don't even believe in.
Scully
Don't come any closer.
(coming closer) I can see it in your face... The fear... The conflicted yearnings... A subconscious desire to find fulfillment through another. Intimacy through co-dependency.
Scully
What?
Maybe you repress the truth about why you're really here pretending it's out of duty or loyalty-- unable to admit your dirty little secret. Your only joy in life is proving him wrong.
Scully
You don't know me.
[Mulder is still dressed, watching TV through the night; there's a knock at the door; he opens it to show Scully, also still dressed.]
Scully
I, uh... I couldn't sleep. I was, um... (sighs)
(puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her in to the apartment) Come in. Aren't you supposed to be opening Christmas gifts with your family?
Scully
Mulder... None of that really happened out there tonight... That was all in our heads, right?
(unsure) I-it must have been.
Scully
Mmm. Not that, uh, my only joy in life is proving you wrong.
When have you proved me wrong?
Scully
Well... Why else would you want me out there with you?
You didn't want to be there?
[She doesn't respond; they both look thoughtful for a moment.]
(self-analyzing) Oh, that's, um... That's self-righteous and... narcissistic of me to say, isn't it?
Scully
No, I mean... Maybe I did want to be out there with you.
(they look at each other for a moment) Now, um... I know we said that we weren't going to exchange gifts but, uh... I got you a little something. (holds out a present to her - the only wrapped gift shown in the apartment the whole episode)
Scully
Mulder...
Scully
Well, I got you a little something, too.
[She hands him his gift, and he chuckles and shakes it. She grins and they run over to the couch to open their presents happily.]
Scully
(on phone) Mulder, we are supposed to be doing background checks, not chasing X-Files.
(on phone) Scully, Spender just round filed this case - it's unconscionable.
Scully
And what do you call rooting through his trash?
Like that's any different from the assignment we're stuck with.
Scully
"We," Mulder? I'm stuck with it. You're not here.
MMayor
Agent Mulder, welcome to Kroner. I'm Jim Gilmore, the mayor. We spoke on the phone.
MMayor
If I'd have known you was bringing the missus, I would've arranged for fancier accommodations.
[Mulder purses his lips, smiles, and looks away as if to say "I'm staying away from that one."]
Scully
(professional) I'm Agent Scully, Agent Mulder's partner. I'm... sure the accommodations will be just fine.
Scully
Well, sir, if this man Mootz could, in fact, somehow produce rain then what's the crime?
MMayor
I believe Daryl's causing the drought... so he can charge folks for the rain.
Scully
And this is what you told Agent Mulder when you spoke earlier?
MMayor
Yes, ma'am. He seemed real eager to help us.
[Scully looks at Mulder; he tries to look innocent.]
SSheila
Oh! We were beginning to worry that you wouldn't make it. Is this your first time in a TV studio? How exciting. I couldn't be happier for the two of you.
Scully
I'm not su-
SSheila
(runs over to get Holman, then brings him back to them) Holman, I'd like to introduce you to the Gundersons.
(shaking their hands) Congratulations! I hope you have a truly romantic getaway.
SSheila
Aren't you glad you watch Channel Five weather?
Scully
(showing badge) We're Agents Mulder and Scully. We're with the FBI.
SSheila
FBI? Oh, my goodness! I thought you were the "Watch the Weather and Win" contest winners.
See, we haven't had any rain in months and... well, people tend to blame the messenger.
SSheila
Oh, there's the Gundersons. Over here!
[The Gundersons, an older, plain-looking farm couple come over. They look nothing like Mulder and Scully.]
(smiling at Scully) It's like looking in a mirror.
HMHotel manager
Oh, miss, we moved your boyfriend's things into your room.
Scully
He's my partner, and we prefer separate rooms.
HMHotel manager
Oh, old-fashioned are you, huh? Well, we're booked solid with the high school reunion. You can take it or leave it.
Scully, I don't think it's a coincidence that a cow gets hurled at me just as we're down here investigating the weather.
Scully
(checking his scalp and forehead) Mulder, did they check you for head trauma?
I'm telling you, that cow had my name on it.
Scully
(on phone) Mulder, it's me.
(on phone) I'm on my way.
Scully
I'm not so sure. Have you looked outside lately? It's pea soup. Our plane can't take off until after this fog lifts.
Fog? (looks accusingly at Holman) Holman!
[Holman shrugs.]
Scully
Holman?
Yeah... he wants advice. Dating advice.
Scully
Dating advice? From whom?
Yours truly. (VERY long pause) Hello? Hey, Scully. Scully, you there?
Scully
I heard you. Mulder, when was the last time you went on a date?
(pauses; in a controlled way, one word at a time) I will talk to you later.
Scully
(to herself, after hanging up) The blind leading the blind.
[All the couples at the reunion are dancing and kissing, including Holman and Sheila.]
I didn't know reunions could be so...
Scully
Wet?
[Holman and Sheila approach.]
You should try it sometime.
The X-Files · 847 quotes
