The 11th Hour (1995 Video Game)

Douglas O'Keeffe: Carl Denning

Quotes 

• [opening scene: Carl Denning sits at his home, watching the news on TV] 

  Anchorperson : ...State police have called off the intense search for producer Robin Morales of television's Case Unsolved.

  [Robin's photo is shown on the TV screen] 

  Anchorperson : Morales was researching a story about the famed haunted house in the small town of Harley-on-Hudson, the abandoned mansion of Henry Stauf.

  [the screen shows a photo of the mansion, a current image of the main street of the town, and finally a photo of Henry Stauf] 

  Anchorperson : Police have expressed concern that Morales' disappearance may be connected to a series of killings that have plagued the Hudson Valley this year. So far, four women and three men have been victims, fitting a pattern of homicide, and several others are missing.

  [the screen shows a clip of a police officer, putting on plastic gloves, approaches an area in the grass, restricted by a yellow banner. A body lies in the grass] 

  Anchorperson : Robin Morales has been missing for more than three weeks, and seems to have vanished without a trace. She's the producer for the very popular and flamboyant Case Unsolved reporter, Carl Denning.

  [the screen shows a clip of Carl, holding an umbrella, talking into a microphone] 

  Anchorperson : Denning is said to have been in seclusion in his country home in Connecticut since Morales' disappearance. It's rumored that the two became romantically involved while working...

  [Carl turns the TV off. He becomes sunk in thought. Suddenly, the door bell rings. Carl stands and walks toward the door. The sounds of a car door slams and a car drives off are heard from the outside. Carl opens the door. He sees a while UPS truck pulling away. He looks down and sees a package on the door step. He picks the package, examines the envelope and goes back inside, closing the door. He opens the package, revealing a small, portable computer. He switches it on. Robin's image appears on the screen. She looks frightened, apparently in a basement. She talks directly to Carl] 

  Robin Morales : [sobbing]  Carl, help me, please! I can't get out!

  [the screen becomes blank] 

  Carl Denning : [puzzled]  What is this?

  [Carl clicks on the switches, but nothing happens. He closes the computer and places it on a chair. Carl paces around the room, deep in thought. Suddenly, he hears beeping. He opens the computer and turns it on. Am image of Stauf's mansion appears on the screen, and soon fades away] 

  Carl Denning : Damn!

  [again, Carl clicks on the switches, but nothing happens. Robin's image reappears] 

  Robin Morales : [sobbing]  Help me.

  [the screen becomes blank. Carl sighs and closes the computer. He takes a leather jacket and exits. He puts the jacket on, stuffs the computer in his pocket and approaches a motorcycle. Then he rides to Harley-on-Hudson. On the way, he has flashbacks of conversations he had with Robin] 

• [while Carl is riding his motorcycle to Harley-on-Hudson, he has a flashback: he and Robin are sitting in a cafeteria] 

  Carl Denning : I have a rule about people I work with.

  Robin Morales : [shakes her head]  Oh?

  Carl Denning : Yeah. I don't get involved.

  Robin Morales : Aha? I have the same rule.

  Carl Denning : [smiles]  Been thinking about breaking this rule.

  Robin Morales : [smiles]  So am I.

  [end of flashback. Carl keeps riding. Then he has another flashback: he and Robin have sex] 

• [Carl has a third flashback: he and Robin are again sitting at the cafeteria. Robin is deeply saddened] 

  Carl Denning : [chuckles nervously]  I, uh... I thought you liked me.

  Robin Morales : I just can't go on like this. People... everyone's saying that I slept with you to become your producer.

  Carl Denning : [laughs]  Well, didn't you?

  [Robin shakes her head. Her eyes are filled with tears] 

  Robin Morales : I can't believe you just said that. You, of all people... I'm a good producer!

  Carl Denning : [smiles]  Robin, you were good at a lot of things.

  [offended, Robin sighs and shakes her head. Tears flow from her eyes] 

  Robin Morales : I'm sorry.

  Carl Denning : [coldly]  I'll tell you what, Ms. Morales. I'll just see you in the office on Monday.

  Robin Morales : No. I'll be in Harley-on-Hudson next week.

  Carl Denning : [scoffs]  Listen... forget it. Maybe, if I'm lucky, you'll just become one of the missing person in Harley.

  Robin Morales : [quietly]  Don't say that. It scares me.

  Carl Denning : [coldly]  I already did.

  [Carl stands and leaves. Robin remains sitting. The flashback ends. As night falls, Carl reaches Stauf's mansion. He stops his motorcycle near the iron gate. Carl approaches the gate and pushes it open. He walks to the scary house, lingers for a moment at the front steps, then approaches the door. He tries the handle, but the door is locked] 

• [Carl stands in front of the locked door, unsure what to do. Suddenly, the portable computer beeps three times, and again three times. Carl takes it out of his pocket and switches it on. A message appears on the screen: "'The Blind Mice' is a good rap number". The computer beeps three times for the third time. Carl thinks it over] 

  Carl Denning : Three... three. Okay, three. I can do that.

  [Carl knocks three times on the door. It opens. Carl steps back. He takes a flashlight out of his jacket and turns it on, then steps into the house. From this point, whenever Carl solves a puzzle - the computer shows him a clip of the events that preceded Robin's disappearance] 

• [Robin is in a basement. She sits on the steps, desperate and hopeless] 

  Robin Morales : [tearfully]  Oh, god, help me. Please help me.

  [Carl, moving along a hallway, hears beeping. He pulls the portable computer out of his jacket and switches it on. The view of Robin in the basement appears on the screen] 

  Carl Denning : Robin!

  [Carl watches as a skeleton hand snakes up out of the pool, reaching for Robin] 

  Carl Denning : [shouts]  Robin, move! Get out!

  [Robin looks around as if she can hear Carl] 

  Robin Morales : Carl?

  Carl Denning : [shouts]  Look out!

  [at the last moment, Robin notices the hand, and moves away from its reach. Unbeknownst to Carl, Samantha watches Robin, too. The view fades in both Carl's and Samantha's computers. Samantha clicks, but nothing happens] 

  Samantha Ford : Damn!

  Carl Denning : Damn!

  [Samantha looks at the image of Stauf's mansion] 

  Samantha Ford : Where are you, Carl Denning?

• [while Carl searches the house, young Eileen's ghost appears. She looks desperate and panicky] 

  Eileen Wiley : Something's happened to Samantha! Something's got her!

  Carl Denning : Who's Samantha?

  Eileen Wiley : Can you help her?

  Carl Denning : [shakes his head]  I don't know!

  Eileen Wiley : I have to get out of here. I'm scared!

  [the ghost runs away] 

  Carl Denning : Wait! Where's Robin?

  [the ghost disappears] 

  Carl Denning : Damn.

• [while Carl searches the mansion, he sees the ghost of young Samantha, standing on her knees, sobbing] 

  Samantha Ford : Please... please don't hurt me. No! No more!

  [Carl approaches the ghost and crouches down] 

  Carl Denning : I'm not gonna hurt you.

  [Carl tries to touch the ghost, but his hand goes through her] 

  Samantha Ford : [sobbing]  Where's Eileen?

  Carl Denning : [chuckles nervously]  I don't know!

  Samantha Ford : She ran away and left me! I couldn't move!

  [suddenly, a distant scream is heard. Samantha's ghost stands up] 

  Samantha Ford : It's her! It's all my fault!

  [the ghost runs out of the room] 

• [Carl continues searching the house] 

  Carl Denning : Man, it stinks in here!

  Stauf : [his voice sounds over]  Like that dead raccoon your father found in the basement.

  Carl Denning : [stops]  Say what?

  [Carl takes the portable computer from his pocket] 

  Carl Denning : You tryin' to tell me something?

  [Carl hears a woman's voice, moaning and laughing. He enters the nearest room. A rat crawls on the floor] 

  Carl Denning : Robin?

  [a woman appears behind Carl, wearing a fancy velvet evening gown and elaborate jewelry. Carl turns around to face her] 

  Carl Denning : Whoa.

  Martine Burden : Oh, you like it?

  Carl Denning : Yeah.

  Martine Burden : I hoped that you would. I wore it just for you.

  Carl Denning : [confused]  Thanks.

  Martine Burden : So, do you think you have a role for me in your new play?

  [Martine smoothes her hair back from her forehead in a fluid gesture] 

  Martine Burden : Am I right for the part?

  Carl Denning : [chuckles cluelessly]  Well, geez, I... I don't know, I...

  [Martine caresses Carl's hair] 

  Martine Burden : I'd be very grateful!

  [Martine places her head on Carl's chest] 

  Martine Burden : Very grateful.

  [Martine kisses Carl. Carl pushes her back and wipes his mouth] 

  Martine Burden : [annoyed]  What's the matter? You don't like me? You don't want me in your play?

  Carl Denning : [chuckles]  Listen, it's not that I don't... want you in my play...

  Martine Burden : I know I'm right for the part! I could give you more!

  Carl Denning : Um... you know... if you could just tell me where Robin is?

  Martine Burden : Who's Robin? What do you want with her? What's wrong with me?

  [Carl smiles, unsure what to say. Martine's image starts fading away, turning into a black and white image like an old movie. She touches her face in horror] 

  Martine Burden : [pleads]  Please, take me out of here. Please, take me with you!

  [horrified, Carl turns his eyes away from Martine] 

  Martine Burden : Before... before it's too late!

  [Martine disappears] 

• [while climbing the stairs, Carl hears a beeping from the portable computer] 

  Carl Denning : It's about time.

  [Carl takes the computer from his pocket and switches it on. He sees Robin and Stauf on the screen, and hears their conversation] 

  Stauf : [smoothly]  Tell me what you want. The world is waiting.

  Carl Denning : Robin?

  Robin Morales : [stunned, hearing Carl's voice]  Carl?

  [Robin looks around] 

  Robin Morales : Carl? Where are you?

  Stauf : [snaps]  Never mind him! He's an illusion! Tell me what you want.

  [Stauf's tone becomes coaxing] 

  Stauf : Your own show. Your own network!

  [Robin pauses for a moment] 

  Robin Morales : [softly]  My own network?

  Stauf : [snaps his fingers]  Like that. Is that what you want?

  Carl Denning : [yells]  Robin!

  Stauf : Is it?

  Robin Morales : I...

  Stauf : [shouts]  Say it!

  Carl Denning : [yells]  Don't!

  [Robin and Stauf disappear from the screen. Samantha appears] 

  Samantha Ford : [to Carl]  She's gone.

  Carl Denning : [snarls]  Who are you?

  Samantha Ford : Samantha. I'm the one who sent you the GameBook. I've been trying to help you save Robin.

  Carl Denning : Samantha... why are you doing this?

  Samantha Ford : I thought... hoped that you could defeat the house, but the house is too powerful. We're all so weak. You've got to get out now.

  Carl Denning : Well, you know, I just can't leave her here.

  [Carl hears Robin's voice in the distance] 

  Robin Morales : Help! Carl! Help me!

  [Carl looks around, trying to find where Robin is calling from] 

  Samantha Ford : Don't go! It's too late!

  Carl Denning : Samantha, I'll see you later, all right?

  [Carl closes the portable computer, and follows Robin's voice] 

  Robin Morales : [her voice sounds over]  Oh, god... help! Please... no... no more. No.

  [Carl enters Temple's bedroom, from which he hears Robin's voice. He looks around but does not see her] 

  Carl Denning : Robin?

• [Carl enters Temple's bedroom, looking for Robin. The roon is empty. Suddenly it is brightly illuminated. An audience applause and game show music are heard. Carl looks around, but sees no one. A large electrical sign "Let's make a... real deal!" appears. Stauf, dressed in a tuxedo and a red bow tie, appears in the room] 

  Stauf : [smiles]  Hello, Carl Denning, and welcome to "Let's Make A Real Deal".

  [pigs' oinking is heard] 

  Carl Denning : Who the hell are you?

  Stauf : Why, I'm Monty Stauf, your host on "Let's Make A Real Deal", and have I got a real deal for you. I wonder what I've got in my pocket.

  [Stauf pulls out a wad of money. Pigs' oinking is heard again] 

  Stauf : Six! Count 'em. Six hundred dollars!

  [Stauf hands the money to Carl. The invisible audience cheers. Carl takes the money hesitatingly] 

  Stauf : Now, Carl, here's the deal...

  [Stauf places his hand on Carl's left shoulder] 

  Stauf : You can keep the six hundred dollars, but you must choose a door. Be it door number 1, door number 2, or door number 3!

  [Stauf points to three doors, marked with numbers 1, 2 and 3] 

  Stauf : ...or you can give me two hundred dollars and see what's behind the door of your choice. Well, Carl, what'll it be?

  Carl Denning : [clueless]  I'll pay.

  [Carl gives Stauf 200 dollars] 

  Stauf : Thank you! Now, which door?

  Carl Denning : [points]  What's behind the middle door?

  Stauf : Let's see what's behind door number 2!

  [door number 2 opens, showing a big TV screen] 

  Stauf : A big-screen TV!

  [the invisible audience cheers. Pigs' oinking is heard] 

  Stauf : Isn't this fun, Carl?

  [Carl shakes his head, confused] 

  Stauf : Let's make another deal. You can keep the big-screen TV and the four hundred dollars you still have, or you can give me two hundred more, and see what's behind another door.

  [again, Carl gives Stauf 200 dollars] 

  Stauf : Thank you! What a player!

  Carl Denning : [points]  Let's see what's behind number one here.

  Stauf : Door number 1!

  [door number 1 opens. Pigs' oinking is heard. Marie is revealed, sitting on a chair, dressed in a black bra and panties, garter belt, stockings and high heels. She smiles seductively and waves her hand] 

  Stauf : Sweet Marie! She can be yours, absolutely anytime, night or day.

  Marie Wiley : [grins]  Any time.

  Stauf : Imagine the hours of enjoyment, the fun you'll have with sweet Marie. Much more exciting than watching TV.

  Marie Wiley : [laughs]  You can watch ME if you like.

  [pigs' squealing is heard. Suddenly, Samantha's face appear on the TV screen] 

  Samantha Ford : Be strong, Carl! Don't give in to temptation.

  Stauf : [annoyed]  Damn it. I thought that TV was unplugged.

  [the invisible audience boos] 

• [alternative ending #2: Carl chooses Robin. The audience boos. Robin smiles in relief, tears in her eyes. She and Carl kiss repeatedly, while Marie scowls. Robin and Carl hug] 

  Robin Morales : Thank god...

  Carl Denning : Let's go home.

  [they enter the door behind Robin and disappear from view. Samantha is saddened. Some time later, Robin is watching a newscast on TV] 

  Anchorperson : The body of TV reporter Carl Denning...

  [Carl's photo is shown on the TV screem] 

  Anchorperson : ...was found floating in the Hudson river today. Denning disappeared during his honeymoon in Harley-on-Hudson, after his celebrated marriage to Robin Morales, newly appointed president of the Stauf Broadcasting System.

  [Robin, totally indifferent to Carl's death, turns the TV off] 

• [alternative ending #3: Carl chooses Samantha. The audience boos. Robin looks desperate, while Marie bares her teeth in anger. Carl approaches the TV. Samantha reaches for him. Carl touchs the TV, then finds himself walking into Samantha's studio] 

  Samantha Ford : [smiles]  Welcome, Carl Denning. You made the right choice.

  Carl Denning : [raises his eyebrows]  It wasn't easy.

  Samantha Ford : [shakes her head]  No.

  Carl Denning : [raises his eyebrows]  I hated leaving Robin behind...

  Samantha Ford : [softly]  I know. You risked your life for her, but it was too late to save her.

  Carl Denning : So...

  [Carl clears his throat] 

  Carl Denning : ...what happens now?

  Samantha Ford : Come and see.

  [Samantha extends her hand. Carl takes her hand and sits next to her, as they both look at the monitor] 

  Samantha Ford : You won, Carl.

  [on the screen, Stauf's mansion is engulfed in flames] 

  Carl Denning : What about Robin?

  Samantha Ford : [shakes her head]  She was lost the moment she said yes to Stauf.

  [they watch the monitor as the house is being destroyed. There are tears in Carl's eyes. Samantha looks content and relaxed]