You are welcome here, Rose Walker.
Who are you?
You have somehow dreamed your way into an audience with Lord Morpheus.
The King of Dreams.
-And now you must go. -Lucienne.
She shouldn't be here.
No, but I should like her to stay.
What is this place?
You're in The Dreaming,
the place where people come when they sleep.
So, I'm asleep right now? I'm dreaming?
Yes, and I should like to know how it is you found me.
I heard you talking about my brother. Is he here?
No.
Do you know where he is?
No.
But I think he might be with one of my missing Nightmares.
She's a nightmare?
What would she want with Jed?
I don't know.
But I have a feeling it has something to do with you.
Me? Why? What did I do?
It is not what you did. It is what you are.
I'm sorry. I don't understand any of this.
No.
Dream vortexes are largely incomprehensible.
What's a dream vortex?
You are.
You see, once every few thousand years,
a mortal is born with a dreaming ability so powerful,
she can travel through the dreams of others.
Apparently, all the way to my throne room.
I was just looking for my brother.
If you can find me in The Dreaming, you can find your brother.
No matter where Gault has hidden him.
How? How do I do that?
For now, keep looking for your brother in the waking world.
Matthew will watch over you there.
At your service, Rose.
When he is with you, I am with you.
Then tonight, when you sleep,
you and I will go in search for Gault and your brother together.
In your dreams.
She's just a nightmare, right?
She can't hurt him, can she?
Which one of my enemies is it this time?
Johnny Sorrow?
The Phantom of the Fair?
Or is Doctor Death back for more?
It's the Pied Piper.
He appears to be using next-gen sonic technology
to control all the area's children.
This looks like a job for…
The Sandman.
Time I put the Piper to bed.
No sign of the Piper. No sign of anyone.
I'm afraid we're too late. They've all been kidnapped.
Wait.
Can you hear that?
The Pipers' tune.
Can you hear where it's coming from?
I can.
Are you seeing this?
I am, and I don't like what I'm seeing.
Return to base, Sandman.
Don't worry.
I've got this.
Rats!
Get back here, Jed. Right now.
There's too many of them! Ahh!
-Help! -I'm trying, Jed, hold on.
-No! -Jed!
-Please help! -Jed!
Aunt Clarice?
Uncle Barnaby?
I-I-I think I'm hurt.
Is anyone there?
Don't.
We can't just leave him down there.
The second you open that door, he's gonna run away again.
He has to learn.
Aunt Clarice?
Is anyone there?
Matthew?
Unity, hi. It's Rose calling.
How are you, darling?
How was it with the foster agent? Was she awful?
Well, she wouldn't tell us where Jed is.
Oh, no, of course not.
That would have made it far too easy.
But she did tell us one thing.
Apparently, Jed's foster parents were friends of my dad's.
So, she told you quite a bit.
Do you remember your father's friends?
No, but if it's okay with you,
I thought I'd stay longer and maybe…
Oh, of course, love. Of course, Rose.
-May I? -Please.
Unity, am I interrupting something?
There is a lovely young journalist here
who wants to interview me about the sleepy sickness.
Unity.
I keep telling him, I slept through the entire thing.
I'm hanging up now. Enjoy being famous.
That was my great-granddaughter, Rose.
Oh. Is she in London?
She was.
Now she's back in the United States. In Florida.
Really? Whereabouts in Florida?
A town called Cape Kennedy.
You sound American to me. Have you been?
Cape Kennedy? No. But now I'll have to visit.
Did you figure out the printer?
I did.
What do you think?
Oh.
I think I wanna help you put these up all over town.
-Really? -Mm-hmm.
-Can I pay you for them? -You already did.
I overcharged you for the room.
May I see?
Morning!
Oh, my gosh. Rose!
Oh, look at you guys. Can I have some?
Uh, babe. What are you doin'?
Putting these up.
Yeah, but we're out all day with Sindy.
Sindy can put some up too. She's our realtor. She's fabulous.
Thank you, guys.
Zelda suggests we take some as well.
Thank you.
We can all hit the streets when Lyta wakes up.
She's still asleep?
I just wanna stay like this forever.
I do too, but…
What?
You should be out, living your actual life,
not having ghost-sex with your dead husband.
You're not a ghost, you're a dream.
Yeah.
Been meaning to talk to you about that.
If I were a dream,
wouldn't I disappear when you wake up?
-Don't you? -No.
Then what do you do?
I go to work. I… I cook. I work out--
You go to work?
Yeah.
Doing what?
I finally built our house.
Can I show you?
You… You built our house?
Come on. I'll give you the tour.
I did my best to follow your blueprints,
but there were a few details I, I just couldn't remember.
It's perfect.
What's in there?
Uh, that room's not quite finished yet.
Why did you build this?
Because it was our dream.
And now that we're both here, maybe it can come true.
How?
You have to stay with me.
Here.
In our house, the way we planned.
Sweetie.
You know eventually I have to wake up.
You're awake.
Yeah.
-You okay? -Yeah.
What are those?
Is this a terrible idea?
No, not at all.
'Cause I was thinking, we could put up a few near the foster agency?
Just to let that woman know we're not giving up.
No, I think she probably got that from yesterday.
Was I that bad?
-Should I go there and apologize? -No.
But why don't you let me do that side of town?
My lord, may I help?
Is this everything we have on Rose Walker?
And Jed Walker.
But I shouldn't think there's anything in those you don't already know.
Except perhaps--
Except perhaps why she was able to wander into my throne room.
What do you think?
Why did Gault target her brother and not her?
Did you read about Unity Kincaid?
The day you were imprisoned,
there were people all over the world who fell asleep and could not wake up.
Unity Kincaid is the sole survivor of what they called the "sleepy sickness."
The day you returned, she woke up.
Rose Walker is her great-granddaughter.
Which would seem to suggest that my absence caused the birth of a vortex.
Is that not a possibility?
Vortexes are naturally occurring phenomena.
No one knows why they happen. Not even I know.
But I do know they are not caused or created.
They simply happen.
Then this is all a coincidence? And not an imminent threat?
My instinct says no, but tonight when Rose Walker sleeps,
I shall see it more clearly. May I?
Of course.
I've been trying to remember my dad's friends,
but I don't think he had any.
He was a pretty unfriendly guy.
Well, do you remember any golf buddies, or drinking buddies, or…
What else do married straight men with kids do?
Well, if they're anything like my dad, they have affairs.
Oh.
That's why your mom divorced him.
That was just one reason.
Maybe your dad didn't have friends.
That's why I thought we'd start with his neighbors.
That was his house. Our house.
The last time I saw Jed was right there, seven years ago.
You haven't seen him since?
When my mom got a job in New Jersey, my dad cut us off completely.
Stopped paying alimony, child support.
He wouldn't let us see or even talk to Jed.
Hmm.
My mom sued.
She never gave up, but I went off to college.
I haven't been a very good sister.
Mm, you're making up for it now, though.
I'm trying.
Come in.
Hi, Ms. Rubio.
I'm Lyta Hall. Rose Walker's friend.
What can I do for you, Ms. Hall?
I just wanted to come by and apologize for yesterday.
I know your job is hard enough
without having to deal with other people's, uh, grief.
'Cause that's what it was. It wasn't you.
Rose wanted to come by but--
But she is out looking for her brother.
I think she really just wants to know if he's okay.
I'm sure he is.
Is there any way you could find out? Check up on him?
You wouldn't have to tell us.
I don't wanna get you in trouble, but do you do follow-up visits?
We do. But I can't just--
No, I understand.
I'm sorry.
That's really all I came here to say.
Thank you, Ms. Rubio, for your time.
The woman from the foster agency wants to come by.
For what?
-To check on Jed. -What?
Why now, all of a sudden?
It's a… They do that. It's a regular thing.
What did you tell her?
Well, I couldn't tell her no.
I can.
Call her back.
Fine, I'll do it.
You don't think that's gonna raise a red flag?
If you don't want him here, we can give him back.
I'm not giving back $800 a month.
Get him up here.
I'll talk to him. I'll make sure he doesn't run away again.
No. I'll talk to him.
Come on up, Jed.
-You're all right.
The woman from the foster agency's coming to check up on you.
If you're good, you can sleep in your own bed tonight.
But if you embarrass us in front of this woman,
I will take you back into the cellar.
I will wire your hands to the pipes down there,
and I will break every bone in your body.
Do you understand me, Jed?
Then go clean yourself up.
Here. I'll fix you something to eat.
I mean, I tried to escape.
I went directly to New York after college to have a huge Broadway career,
before moving on to film and television, of course.
Of course.
But, you know, these days,
if you're not already a film or television star,
you can't even get a job on Broadway.
So, when my grandmother died
and left me that ridiculous house, I came home.
Do you miss New York?
-Not as much as I thought I would. -Hmm.
I mean, New York's very hard, and this place is not so bad.
I'm gonna put a few up over there.
So if you maybe want to…
Yeah, absolutely. I'll catch up with you.
Matthew, is that you?
No, that's a crow.
I'm a raven. Common mistake.
You're real?
Technically I'm a dream, but sure.
And is Morpheus watching right now?
He is. I can feel him in the back of my head.
It's the weirdest feeling.
Fuck.
Do you need him?
No, but he said he'd be there tonight when I fall asleep.
He's gonna help me find my brother.
That's the plan.
And I'll be around till then if you need me.
Thank you.
You got it, kid.
…Jed Walker. If you see him or know anything about him, just text.
Okay. Thanks.
What have you got there?
Hi.
Uh, we're looking for a kid named Jed Walker.
He would be about 12 now.
Oh. How long has he been missing?
Well, he's not actually missing. He's in foster care.
But the agency won't tell us where.
-Would you mind if I kept this? -No, not at all.
Mm. See you around.
Yeah, I hope so.
Friend of yours?
No, but he took a flier, so he might be calling.
Mm-hmm. I'll give him your number.
You're a good friend, Rose Walker.
He's doing great in school.
Helps out around the house.
Never complains.
I don't know what we'd do without him.
Right, Barn?
That's right.
I'm so happy to hear that.
You look good, Jed.
You look happy.
Thank you, ma'am.
I wonder if I might have a moment alone with you both.
It's just some admin updates.
You wanna go to your room, son?
It's all pretty straightforward.
I just need to update Jed's file with all his current information.
His school, insurance. All the usual stuff.
Is he still in Callow Elementary?
So good to see you, Ms. Rubio.
Oh.
It's good to see you too, Jed.
Hello. How can I help you?
I have a question for you.
Have you seen this boy?
Your Aunt Clarice and I want you to know we were very impressed.
With the way you got this note into that lady's bag.
I'm sorry.
No, you're not.
But you will be.
Hmm.
Where is everyone?
They must have all gone to bed.
There's not much to do in Cape Kennedy after dark.
Or during the day for that matter.
That's kinda what I like about it.
I was thinking, maybe I should move back.
Why? To do what?
I don't know.
Before my mom died, I was gonna go to grad school
and try to become a writer.
But maybe it's like you and New York.
God. I hope not.
No, I mean, your life is here.
You have this house.
People who love you. You've got Dolly.
Rose, do you think I wanna be here?
Cleaning up after Barbie and Ken?
Don't get me wrong, I love them, they're great.
But if Broadway called tomorrow, I would sell this fucking house.
And I would never think about any of these people ever again.
Go to grad school,
write a novel… about me,
but do it now while I'm still cute enough to play myself in the movie.
'Cause this was never my dream.
Hold on, buddy.
I'm on my way.
Here she is, boys.
Here she is, world.
Here's Rose!
Play it, boys.
Well, I got it.
Okay, doll. Listen carefully.
I'm only gonna say this once.
This is not my real face.
And this is not my real face either.
Hal, you're gonna have to come up here and help me.
Mama's runnin' out of hands.
Rose?
I am having a relationship with a sentence.
It was just one of those things.
It was a chance meeting
that grew into something more important for both of us.
Everybody knows about me and the sentence.
And now,
I have the pleasure of reading it
into the Library of Congress.
Rose?
Babe! Please open the door.
Let me in the car. Barb, it's not funny anymore.
Honey! Just open the door.
Barbie, open the door. It's not funny anymore.
Let me in the car! Barb!
Come on!
Honey, I need to get in the car. Okay? Just let me in the car, please.
Why is this happening? I thought we were looking for Jed.
We are.
Then why am I in my friends' dreams?
Because you are drawing the dreams of others to you.
Barbie, please! What'd I do?
Just be careful not to lose yourself in them.
Take a moment. Find your own path.
I can hardly believe it.
Here we are at last.
The Arch of the Porpentine.
Our journey has indeed been long, Miss Barbara,
and many's the worthy companion we have found and lost along the way.
So many lives lost, Martin Tenbones.
And because of what?
A confection of spun silver and rose quartz.
The Porpentine is more than that, lady, as you know in your soul of souls.
So, what is a dream vortex?
What is it for? What does it do?
I confess, there are some questions to which even I do not have an answer.
But I can tell you that a vortex
has the power to dream entire worlds or destroy them.
Is that…
Zelda.
When she was your brother's age.
Mommy and Daddy told me to go away. So, here I am in the old bone orchards.
Nobody understands me.
Nobody cares.
Nobody understands but Chantal.
Chantal comes along, shows me she's my soul sister.
Me and her are gothic heroines,
secret brides to the faceless slaves of the nameless night
of the castle of dread desire.
Is she lost?
She's at home here.
That is what most people seek when they dream.
Home?
Do you know where that is for Jed?
You know this place?
That was our house growing up. Look.
You've done it.
You've found your brother's dream.
Now, we find Gault.
He's not a member of my rogues gallery.
He's the most powerful foe we have ever faced.
The King of Nightmares.
And he has come to take me away from you.
I'm not about to let that happen.
Thank you, Sandman.
But this battle is mine to face.
And mine alone.
We'll see about that.
Jed, Jed, come back, please.
What's our next move? How do we find him?
Halt, King of Nightmares, or I'll send you both to Dreamland.
Jed?
I am the Guardian of Sleepers.
I am Lord of the Dream Domain.
I am the Sandman.
You are the Sandman?
Is that what she told you?
Where is she? Your master.
Stay back.
Jed, we're not here to hurt you.
It's me you want. Not him.
Oh, my God. Mom?
That is not your mother, Rose.
Rose?
Is that you?
I've been looking for you everywhere.
Mom, it's Rose. She's all grown up.
I'm sorry, Jed.
Mom! What did you do to her?
Jed! Jed, look at me.
She is not our mom.
Our mom is not here, but I am, and I need you to tell me where you are.
I'm right here.
No, Jeddy, this is a dream.
When you wake up, where will you be?
Look. Did you write this?
Uncle Barnaby said he's gonna break every bone in my body.
-Who's Barnaby? -Aunt Clarice won't be able to stop him.
Where are Aunt Clarice and Uncle Barnaby?
They're home. They're in Homeland.
Where is that? Where is Home Land, Jed?
Come, Gault. We must go.
I'm sorry, Sandman.
It's time to wake up, Jed.
Wait, no!
Goodbye, Rose Walker.
Stop! Not yet. Jed, tell me where you are.
Rose?
Rose!
You expecting someone?
No.
Good morning.
You're making it very difficult for me to leave this morning.
That was the plan.
Just hear me out.
You being here, in my dream,
means something is different. Something has shifted.
So, if you can choose to be here…
maybe you can choose to stay.
Think about it. We can have the life we always wanted.
Have a baby.
Start a family.
Lyta.
This is a dream.
Anything is possible.
Oh, my God.
What is happening?
Lyta, I found him. I found Jed.
-What? -I found Jed.
Just a minute.
Do you have any idea what his life is like in the waking world?
Humans cannot live in dreams.
As long as he stayed there, the child had no life
nor the chance for one.
The boy is being abused.
He's suffering.
You abused that suffering
to build a Dreaming you could rule.
I had no wish to rule.
I merely wish to be a Dream and not a Nightmare.
To inspire rather than to frighten.
The choice is not yours to make.
We do not choose to be created.
Nor do we choose how we are made.
That is true.
-But we can change. -No.
We are, each of us, born with responsibilities.
Even I am not free to choose to be other than I am.
Nor is anyone.
If that were true,
why did all the other Dreams and Nightmares
choose to leave this place when you had gone away?
Not all of us chose to leave and nearly all have returned.
Do you think they came back out of love?
Or because they were afraid of what you would do to them
if they did not?
Because I'm not afraid.
You should be.
A Nightmare's purpose is to reveal a dreamer's fears,
that they may face them.
Perhaps a few thousand years in the darkness will reveal your fears.
Better that than to make others afraid.
Even a Nightmare can dream, my lord.
You feel her punishment was unjust?
I used to be something else.
Before you made me your librarian.
We all change, sir.
Even you, perhaps. One day.
Lucienne, I realize that in my absence,
you were compelled to make decisions in my stead,
and I am grateful to you.
But I am back now.
You may return to the library.
You must be Jed.
Your sister sent me.
Your sister, Rose.
Ma'am, you can't be here.
My little brother, Jed, he lives with them.
Is he inside? Is he okay?
There was no one else inside.
Just the two adult victims.
Wherever your brother is, he's not here.
So, how do you know my sister?
I don't.
But I'm really looking forward to meeting her.