[waves]
[swings creaking]
[shutter banging]
[child laughing]
[footsteps]
[flame sizzling]
I love masks!
Put one on and it changes who you are.
You can be goofy...
You don't need a mask for that.
Or...
glamorous.
Dreaming!
Or...
mysterious.
Got any masks that'll make you taller?
No, but I got one that'll make you sick!
I like those clear masks that change your face just
a little bit.
WAY creepy.
The thing about masks is that they let you be
whatever you want to be.
Underneath you're still you, but nobody can tell,
cuz they can't see what's behind the mask.
My story's about the horror of losing what's behind the mask.
Huh?
Behind every mask is the one thing that makes you different
from everybody else...
your personality.
But if you lost it, no one would know you...
no one would care.
You'd be all alone...
and forgotten.
Submitted for the approval of The Midnight Society,
I call this story...
Emma darling, it's a cold fall day,
but your sweater keeps you so very warm.
No. No no no.
Pretend it's your birthday. You're excited.
This will not do.
Next girl please.
But I could...
No no. Next girl please. Come on, go, faster.
Cold day, hot sweater, right?
Oui.
Nice.
Lovely.
Little bit more! Wind in your hair!
Turn, spin!
Enough!
I have made my decision.
I have found our Spree sweater girl!
Jessie? Yes, yes, you like? Yes it is perfect.
You okay?
Sure.
Congratulations.
You'll get the next one.
With THIS face?
Not likely.
Don't say that!
You're beautiful!
Yeah right. Since when is thin lips
and a big nose is beautiful?
But you ARE beautiful.
You have the cheekbones of a Russian princess
and the eyes of an Egyptian queen.
Have you thought about performing in the theater?
Thought about it?
I dream about the theater.
Who are you?
A talent scout for the Madame Visage Theater Company.
Go to that address.
See if you like it.
Are you serious?
Very.
Good luck.
That was... weird.
You gonna go?
I don't know.
What have I got to lose?
Hello? Anybody here?
Excuse me?
Hey! Wait!
What do you want?
Uh, I'm here to see Madame Visage.
Someone gave me this...
What's with the...?
We're rehearsing a play.
Oh.
Madame will be with you shortly.
Thanks.
Are you a student of theater?
Sort of. I got this...
Shhhh.
You are stunning indeed.
Come sit.
Turn to the left please.
Yes.
Very nice.
What?
Look out, as if to the ocean.
It's a lonely misty day.
You're sad.
Lovely, Emma. Just lovely.
How did you know my...?
Your face would be perfect for the lead role in my new play.
The lead?
For real?!
But only after the right preparation.
Are you willing?
Of course. What do I have to do?
My theater is known the world over for presenting the most
lovely faces to grace the stage.
But raw beauty is just a start.
This powder was developed over 300 years ago.
It conditions the skin and gives it the most amazing properties.
Is this what you use?
Your skin is beautiful. It almost... glows.
Ahhh, GLOW is the right word.
When your skin is prepared with this powder,
stage lighting is almost unnecessary.
Try some.
I can see the change already.
Really?
Apply the powder frequently, then come back tomorrow and we
shall begin our adventure.
Alright?
Great! Thank you!
I can't wait!
We're waiting.
Where is she?
Bring me the punishment book.
No. No!
Brilliant. Wonderful.
Remove the hat please. No dawdling!
Nice sweater.
Thanks. So. How'd it go at that theater?
You're not gonna believe this.
They want me for the lead...
Jessie darling, we'll set up...
Hello.
Do you model?
I auditioned for you yesterday.
You did not.
I did.
She did.
What was I thinking?
May I?
Ok.
Give her a scarf.
Hurry!
Yes. Wonderful.
Stare at me like I'm a bon bon, a candy.
You're hungry.
Yes yes, love it.
How I missed it, I do not know.
I am an imbecile!
You are so beautiful, I love your smile, yes, perfect!
Way to go, Emma!
I have decided.
You must be the next Spree cover girl.
Cover girl?!
Oui!
You will be on the cover of one million catalogues wearing the
brand new line of Spree clothing.
Jacques's a flake, but he's right.
You look different.
Did you take some kind of magic potion?
Well, sort of.
I got this from Madame Visage.
She said it's got... properties.
Who's Madame Visage?
From the theater.
She wants me to be the lead in her next play.
Cool, huh?
Anyway, off to the theater.
Ta!
And he told me I'm going to be on the cover
of a million catalogues.
Tilt to the right please.
Isn't that great?
Hmm?
Yes of course.
To the left.
Spectacular.
She's ready.
What's the play they're rehearsing?
Rehearsing?
This is no rehearsal.
What's this?
These are my other faces.
You mean, other actresses you've worked with?
You might say that.
Maybe I'll be in there someday.
Sooner than you think.
Hey!
Ahhhh!
No! Get away from me!
Get away!
There. Much better.
Nooooo!!!
No! My face! You took my face!
And a wonderful face it is!
It's perfect for my new play.
Welcome to my theater group.
You'll be number 94.
What?
Names aren't allowed.
I'm 87.
But my face...?
Madame Visage has it now.
It's better this way.
Trust me.
Hello? Hello?
Anybody here?
Hello? Anybody here?
Emma? Oh, Emma.
Don't be mad, please!
Why would I be mad?
Well, after what happened to you I sorta followed you here
so I could meet this... Madame Visage.
I'm not mad.
Cool.
What's with the feathers?
We're rehearsing.
So? Could you introduce me?
Of course. Follow me.
She took their faces?
Why? How?
Madame's power is ancient.
The faces keep her young.
Everyone, this is 94.
But she doesn't steal faces just to stay young.
She wants them for her plays.
This is where we make her costumes.
Why doesn't someone stop her?
Madame is too powerful.
If you displease her, she'll expel you.
And you'd have to live outside.
That can't be worse than here.
No?
Go outside and see how people look at you.
This is horrible.
There is one thing more horrible.
The punishment book.
Punishment book?
Working here is a joy compared to being banished there.
If you are sent to the punishment book,
you'll never be seen again.
Wait in here.
Could I use some of that powder?
Of course.
As much as you'd like.
What did you look like?
I'd rather not talk about it.
But you have to!
It was you!
What color were your eyes?
Blue.
I bet you had a nice smile.
I did.
I could show you if you want.
How?
It's in the book with all the others.
But if Madame catches us...
I want to know what you look like.
C'mon.
Emma? The door's locked!
That's me.
What's your name?
We are forbidden to use names.
I don't care.
My name is Emma.
I'm... I'm Lizzie.
I haven't said that in a long time.
The hardest thing is that no one can tell you apart
from anyone else.
But it gets worse.
No one can see how you feel.
If you're angry or sad or happy.
It's like you're not there.
Pretty soon, you just stop feeling altogether.
I don't want to stop feeling.
I want to get out of here.
What's in there?
Nothing.
We should go.
Why is it locked?
What are you doing?
I was just showing...
It's forbidden to touch the book.
I'm sorry.
I'll never do it again, I promise.
Leave Lizzie alone.
We don't use names here!
I'm taking you to Madame.
No! I'll be good. I promise.
Back off 94!
I'm not 94.
I'm Emma.
And I'm going to see what's in that cabinet.
You'll both be punished for this!
You locked me in!
Sorry.
Are you using the powder?
Yes! It's amazing!
This won't take long at all.
Madame!
You'd better come... now!
Well, SHE'S creepy...
why did she call you Madame?
Part of the play.
Wait here...
use more of the powder.
Don't! It's the punishment book!
This is horrible!
What's this?
I've never seen it before.
Who is THIS??
They're here! They're in the inner sanctum!
Hurry, Emma, I'm scared.
Is there another way out of here?
Yes but... they'll get us!
Show me!
Stop right there!
I've got an idea.
Where's that costume room?
Down here.
There's nowhere to run.
I'm not going to run.
That's very wise. Give me the book,
or your punishment will be more severe
than you can imagine.
You can't steal people's faces.
I've been doing it for centuries.
All those lives are mine.
They're not! You have our faces,
you can't take away who we are.
But your face IS who you are.
No it's not...
and I'm going to stop you right here!
No!
You think my power can be destroyed that easily?
You've been watching too much television.
Take them to my chamber.
Now... the question is,
what would be a fitting punishment?
This is getting weird Emma, I want to leave.
That's not me Jessie.
Okay, now I really want to leave.
Bring me the punishment book.
Let this be a lesson.
94 and 87 broke my rules, and they will be banished forever!
Stop!
I'm not 94!
My name is Emma.
And her name is Lizzie!
You all have names.
You have lives and family and friends.
Try to remember.
What's your name?
What about you?
What's your name? Rachel? Linda? Robin?
Listen to me!
She took your faces!
She didn't take you!
You're all still in there.
You don't have to be this way!
My name is Lizzie.
I have a brother named Bill, and a dog named Maggie.
Silence!
My name's Kayla.
Good!
Who are you?
I'm Hilary...
I miss my parents.
Quiet! No one is to speak again.
Bring me the punishment book!
You will not defy me!
I own you all!
[scream]
Ok, now this is getting bad.
Now, trouble-maker, it's YOUR turn.
The faces are mine...
the girl's are mine, and no one is going to take them from me.
Stop!
My name is Lorette.
And you don't own me.
How dare you!
Listen to me!
You'll all be punished!
Take her!
Do as I say! I own you!
I own you all.
What should we do?
I think it's time we gave Madame Visage her own face back.
NO!
YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
IT'S NOT MINE ANY MORE!
IT'S 300 YEARS OLD!!!
Ahhhhhhhh!
I know you.
Madame used my face to lure you here...
I'm sorry.
Emma?
Lizzie?
We're back.
No, it's like you said. We were always here.
So it doesn't matter what mask you wear,
beneath it, you're still you, and nobody can take that away.
I said... the end.
Okay, now you're creeping me out.
Guys...
Guys, stop!
Good story!
Very funny.