- Max Mayfield: Dear Billy, I don't know if you can even hear this. Two years ago, I would have said, "That's ridiculous, impossible." But that was before I found out about alternate dimensions and monsters, so... I'm just going to stop assuming that I know anything. So much has happened since you left. Your dad was a total mess. He and my mom started getting into fights. Bad fights. I don't think he could stand being here without you. So he left. And he didn't leave Mom much. She's taken an extra job, and we moved to that lovely trailer park off Kerley. Basically, ever since you left, everything's been... a total disaster. And the worst part is, I can't tell anyone why you're gone. I can't tell them that you saved El's life. That you saved my life. I play that moment back in my head all the time. And sometimes I imagine myself running to you, pulling you away. I imagine that if I had, that you would still be here. And everything would be... everything would be right again. I imagine that we... that we could've become friends. Good friends, like... like a real brother and sister. And I know that's stupid. You hated me. I hated you. But I thought that maybe... maybe we could try again. But that's not what happened. I just... I stood there and I watched. For a while, I tried to be happy. Normal. But I... I think that maybe a part of me died that day too. And I haven't told anyone this. I... I just can't. But I had to tell you. Before it's too late. If you can even hear this. I really hope that you can. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry, Billy. Love, your shitty little sister, Max.
- Robin Buckley: We need to know how you survived that night.
- Victor Creel: Survived? Is that what you call this? Did I survive? No, I assure you, I am still very much in hell.
- Mike Wheeler: Thanks, by the way.
- Will Byers: For what?
- Mike Wheeler: For knocking some sense into me. I mean, I was being a total self-pitying idiot.
- Will Byers: I didn't say it.
- Mike Wheeler: You didn't have to.
- [Mike chuckles]
- Mike Wheeler: Hey, also about the last few days...
- Will Byers: You don't have to say anything. I... I was being a total jerk to El. I deserved it.
- Mike Wheeler: No. No, no, no. You didn't deserve anything. Listen, the truth is the last year has been weird, you know? And I mean, you know, Max and Lucas and Dustin, they're... they're great. They're great. It's just... It's Hawkins. It's not the same without you. And I feel like maybe I was worrying too much about El, and I don't know, maybe I feel like I lost you or something. Does that make sense?
- [Will nods]
- Mike Wheeler: I have no idea what's gonna happen next. But, whatever it is, I... I think we should work together. I think it'll be easier if we're... we're a team. Friends. Best friends.
- Will Byers: [touched; close to tears] Cool.
- Mike Wheeler: [smiles] Cool.
- Victor Creel: This demon, it was taunting me. And I was sure it would take me, just as he'd taken my Virginia. But then... I heard... another voice. At first I believed it was an angel. And I... I followed her, only to find myself... in a nightmare far worse.
- Director Hatch: 3.9 GPAs. Both of you. Impressive.
- Nancy Wheeler: And this is a recommendation from Professor Brantley.
- Director Hatch: Yeah, I know Larry. Quite well, actually. Eh, you know what they say. "Those who can't do, teach."
- [chuckles]
- Nancy Wheeler: Uh, yes. Yes, that's what we're here actually. I mean, we can only learn so much in a classroom.
- Director Hatch: Hm. And I'm sympathetic to your struggle, truly. But there is a protocol to visiting a patient like Victor. You have to put in a request and then you have to undergo a screening process, at which point the board will make a decision.
- [pause]
- Director Hatch: I can see you're disappointed. But I'm more than happy to give you a tour of our facility. Perhaps you can even speak to some patients in our low-security wing.
- Nancy Wheeler: And we'd... we would love that. It's just that, um... our thesis is due next month.
- Director Hatch: And you're out of time. Who's fault is that?
- Nancy Wheeler: Ours. Absolutely. And I do apologize...
- Robin Buckley: Don't apologize, Ruth. Screw that. The fact of the matter is we did put in a request months ago and were denied and then we reapplied and were denied again and coming here was our last-ditch effort to save our thesis and I really... I can't breathe in this thing.
- Nancy Wheeler: [grinding her teeth] Uh, well, Rose, maybe you'd like to go outside and get some air.
- Robin Buckley: Maybe I should, Ruth!
- Nancy Wheeler: Mm-hmm.
- Robin Buckley: Because I'm starting to think that this whole thing is a colossal mistake. I'm breaking out in a rash, my boobs hurt, and I'll tell you the truth, Anthony. May I call you Anthony? These aren't actually my clothes. I borrowed them because I wanted you to take us seriously. Because nobody takes girls seriously in this field. They just don't. We don't look the part or whatever, but can I tell you a story? 1978, I was at summer camp, and my counselor Drew told me and everyone in Cabin C the true story of the Victor Creel massacre, and little Petey McHew- You know Petey, right, Ruth?
- Nancy Wheeler: Of... of course.
- Robin Buckley: Yeah. Little Petey McHew started sobbing right there on the spot, full-on hyperventilating and all the other campers, they couldn't sleep for weeks. And I couldn't sleep either, but not 'cause I was scared, because I was obsessed with the question, "What would drive a human being to commit such unimaginable acts?" Other kids, they wanted to be astronauts, basketball players, rock stars, but I wanted to be you. I wanted to be you, so forgive me if I'll now try anything in my power, including wearing this ridiculous outfit, if I might get the chance to speak to the man that ignited my passion and learn a little bit more about how his twisted, but let's face it, totally fascinating mind works. So yes, we don't have the official paperwork, but don't tell me that cry-baby Petey McHew wouldn't have gotten an audience with Victor in a matter of moments if he'd asked politely, because you and I both know that he would!
- [pause]
- Robin Buckley: So... ten minutes with Victor. That's all I ask.
- Argyle: Surf's Up! Surfer Boy Pizza, this is Argyle speaking. We make everything fresh here at Surfer Boy, except for our pineapple, which comes from a can. But I highly recommend slappin' some juicy pineapple on your pie. Oh, fruit on your pizza's gnarly you say? Well I say try before you deny!
- [laughs]
- Argyle: Hello?
- Robin Buckley: Hatch said that music can reach parts of the brain that words can't. So maybe that's the key, a lifeline. A lifeline back to reality. It's worth a shot.
- Steve Harrington: [talking about Vecna] Just pops out in the '50s, kills one family, and he's like, "I'm good." And poof, he just disappears. Just... gone? Only to return 30 years later and start killing random teens? No, I don't buy it.
- Yuri: [pretending to be someone else] Yuri was on sightseeing trip to see polar bears. And then bears got into plane and pull him out of cockpit and kill Yuri.
- Joyce Byers: No.
- Yuri: Yeah. And he loved bears. They broke his heart. Or rather punctured it with their bear claws.
- Steve Harrington: Max. Max. Seriously! Seriously, I'm not joking. I'm not driving you anywhere.
- Max Mayfield: Steve, if you think that I'm going to spend what is likely the last day of my life in the armpit that is Mike Wheeler's basement, then you're out of your mind. So either take me where I need to go, or you're gonna have to tie me down which is technically kidnapping of a minor and if I live to see another day, Steve, I swear to god, I will prosecute.
- Max Mayfield: Open the door
- Steve Harrington: Um, no
- Max Mayfield: I know a good lawyer.
- Steve Harrington: I don't know. I could turn on my... my charm.
- Nancy Wheeler: Not the charm we need.
- Steve Harrington: Ouch.
- Nancy Wheeler: Okay. Could you just let me do the talking? If that's even possible?
- Robin Buckley: It's not only possible, it's inevitable.
- Murray Bauman: Joyce, there are certain things one can be late to in life. A dentist's appointment. A one-year-old's birthday party, because who cares? Little idiot's not gonna remember it. But for what is essentially a ransom exchange, for that, for that, I think you very much need to be on time! I'm sorry. I'm very tense.
- Joyce Byers: Clearly.
- Yuri: I hope you do not mind if I count. You two seem very nice, very trustworthy people. But so did my brother before he stole my wife!
- Max Mayfield: I told you, I'm fine. Okay? I mean, as fine as someone who's hurtling towards a gruesome death can be.