A Friend of the Family (2022) s01e01 Episode Script

1
I'm Jan Broberg,
and this series is based on my story.
I know it may seem unbelievable,
but we lived in a
different world back then.
I want to tell my family story today
because so many seem to think
something like this could
never happen to them,
especially at the hands of
someone they know and trust,
but it did happen.
It happened to my
family. It happened to me.
Thank you for watching.
Good night, sweetheart.
Everything all right?
- Everything's fine, Mom.
- Okay.
I love you, Jani.
Today was church,
and we had quite a
good sacrament meeting.
I really had the spirit today.
I'm thankful for the
wonderful parents I have.
My mom and dad teach me the Gospel
and how to be a good person.
If I didn't have my
parents and sisters
- Jan!
- Karen, hold your horses.
She's coming! She's coming!
- Jan?
- She said "hold your horses."
Who are the Birchers?
Well, we're gonna find
out today, Freckles.
Berchtolds, Susan.
Remember, we met them outside church?
Mr. Berchtold owns a freight outlet.
- Jan, honey, come up here.
- All right, let's go.
Ready!
We're gonna show them how
nice Pocatello folk are, right?
Grab your coat.
Come here.
We love you.
Okay, crew.
Hup, two, three, four!
Hup, two, three, four!
Girls, it's only two
streets over. Let's walk.
Just down the street that way.
So they have three boys,
one Jan's age, one Karen's
age, and one Susan's age,
- and a little baby girl.
- Aww.
- Three boys and a baby girl.
- All right.
- Hey, Jan.
- Hey, Brobergs.
Hey, Caroline.
Ah, dang.
Okay, who wants to ring the bell?
Well, what is the Brady
Bunch doing on my lawn?
That's our favorite show.
That's no surprise. You're
a dead ringer for Jan.
I am Jan.
Well, pleased to meet you, Jan.
You must be the patriarch.
Good to meet you,
Broberg. Bob Berchtold.
Ah. Nice to meet you, Bob.
I'm Bob. Everybody's Bob.
Are you girls a Bob?
Well, come on in, you bunch of Bobs.
Brobergs, these are my boy
boys, boys.
And this is my lovely wife, Gail.
- Hi there.
- God kveld.
That's Norwegian for "good evening."
Huh!
What's all this?
Oh.
Well, because we didn't
get to have you over
for a summer picnic, we
decided to move it indoors.
It's a little bit off the wall,
but that's just how we are.
So, grab a pillow, and I
will grill up some burgers.
Come on in.
The moment I knew we'd
found the perfect place
was when I met you outside
church that day, Mary Ann.
Oh, goodness.
The girls love growing up
here, and I have no complaints.
I bet when you were a little kid,
and you pictured the perfect place,
this is probably what you
wanted for yourself, huh?
Yes, I guess it is.
What good luck that you
folks moved in two blocks up.
I mean, I tell Mary Ann,
it is always a good
time to make new friends.
Everyone in Pocatello's
already your friend.
There's no one left.
That's where you come in, Berchtolds.
- Oh, boy.
- And the schools are so good.
- Oh, and the little theater.
- Mm.
We saw all the kids in
"Oliver" the week we got here.
Thought we took a wrong turn
and wound up on Broadway.
That was me!
- I was Oliver.
- Was it?
That was Jani in "Oliver."
She stole the show.
Of course I think that. I'm her father.
Especially
"Where Is Love?" "Where Is Love?"
Your daughter has got a beautiful voice.
She does.
Hey, Jani, what do you
what do you say you sing for us now?
Oh, like a talent show?
That sounds fun.
Okay.
- But I need to rehearse.
- Sure.
Well, um, you can use
Jasper and Joel's room,
or mine and Gail's.
Uh, Jasper and Joel
and Jacob, Karen, Susan?
You be my audience.
Boys, you heard Jan. Off you go.
Be good. Be nice.
Okay, you here.
Okay.
I'm gonna do it quiet
now, but loud for them.
Oh, we could never live in a big city.
Not with all the noise and violence.
Not with three girls.
I like to see the stars at night.
Oh. Gail.
Speaking of stars
tell them about your
daddy's thing that he saw.
This is
Okay.
I was just a girl.
My daddy was driving
home from the feed store
in Brigham City one night.
The moon went behind a cloud.
And he sees these two lights
moving across the field.
Not headlights. They
were going too fast.
So he sped up.
And then he says to himself,
"Oh, my goodness. They're chasing me."
Then, his truck starts to go cuckoo.
The radio and the dials.
And then it just conks out in
the middle of the road, dead.
And those lights just
set down across the field,
watching him.
And then they take off.
And they go up, up, into the sky,
until they're gone.
The next morning, my mother and I
went down to the sugar beet field,
and we saw that burnt
circle with our own eyes.
Did the truck start up again?
No, it never worked
right from that day on.
You ever seen a thing like that, Jan?
Well, never say never.
Say, I am in the mood for a talent show.
Oh, "talent show" is my middle name.
Come on. Sit on down, kiddos.
All right, now, wait, just
before the fun part here,
I want to thank you, Mary Ann,
for bringing your husband
and your three beautiful daughters over,
and making us feel so welcome.
I almost feel like we're
two sides of the same family.
Although, yes, could get
confusing with the two Bobs.
We're gonna have to duel.
You know what, you just call me "B."
It's easier than "Brother Berchtold."
And the kids, too.
I am so sorry, Jan. I interrupted.
The stage is all yours.
Where is love? ♪
Does it fall from skies above? ♪
Is it underneath the willow tree ♪
That I've been dreaming of? ♪
If I could save time in a bottle ♪
The first thing
that I'd like to do ♪
Is to save every day
till eternity passes away ♪
Just to spend them with you ♪
But there never seems
to be enough time ♪
To do the things you want
to do once you find them ♪
Get home safe.
Brobergs.
Let's do this again sometime.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Thanks for coming.
- Bye.
- Good night, B.
- Good night, Brother B.
- Good night.
- Bye.
Well, that was nice.
Pretty nice.
All right, ladies. Give
me your coats. Come on.
Come on, girls. It's bedtime.
Dear Heavenly Father,
we thank Thee for this happy day.
For our family, Tiffy
and Bandit, the Gospel,
and a fun picnic dinner
tonight with our new friends.
Bless the sick and the needy
and protect us from harm and danger.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Amen.
Good job.
- That was so good.
- Loved it. Loved it, loved it.
"Brother B!" One, two, three.
Brother B!
Ready?
Maybe you just need to
wait until Jenny grows up.
You make this look so easy, B.
Thank you.
Just use a lot of it. I'm
just gonna stick it on.
Hi!
Hi, honey. Did you have fun?
- Thanks.
- Ah, of course.
Time for breakfast, precious jewels.
All right, mush and toast, piping hot.
Jan, remember, you've got
piano lesson after school today.
Yeah. And after dinner tonight,
what do you say we all do a puzzle, huh?
- Sounds great, Dad.
- Hmm?
"Woman Sees Heavy Breathing UFO."
Wow.
Neat.
I wish B would quit it with
all of the "Lost in
Space," "Star Trek" stuff.
I'm so excited for first period.
I have Miss Landry.
Me too.
Did you know Jasper has the
biggest crush on you ever?
- He does?
- I promise.
- Kindergarten, too.
- That's so weird.
I can't believe I had a crush on him.
Yeah.
Hello, Mrs. Jensen.
Oh, morning, Jennifer.
Hope yours is going as good as mine.
It will be if you can
tell me what flowers
to bring a ten-year-old girl
for her first choir solo.
Is Ruthie ten already?
I feel like I'll blink, and
she'll be grown and married.
Well, every day is a
bonus. I've always said.
Oh, pardon me one second.
Sure.
Atkins Florist. What can I do for you?
Good morning, Broberg. How are you?
Oh. Fine, B.
- And yourself?
- Oh, I'm great.
I was just calling to make
sure it'd be all right with you
if I took Jan horseback
riding after her piano lesson.
We already have plans.
We're doing a puzzle this evening.
Aww, dang. That's
You know, the thing is, I promised her,
and, oh, I hate to disappoint her.
You know how Jan gets
when she's got her
heart set on something.
Well, sorry, B. It'll
have to be another time.
- Have a good day now. Bye, bye.
- No, Bob
Now, you cannot go wrong
with some long-stem roses.
Hello, Brobergs.
Gosh, Mary Ann, you sound so blue.
Hi, B.
I'm not blue at all. How are you?
Oh, well, now that you mention it,
I skipped breakfast,
and I am a bit peckish.
Well, you just hold your horses.
Bob's always bragging
about his sandwiches.
I think you're the real
artist in the house.
It's just what's in the fridge.
It's how you put it together.
I don't know how you do it.
You sure are special,
Mary Ann. You know that?
Hey.
Are you sure you're not blue?
Why don't I take you
for birthday milkshakes
with the girls this weekend?
That might cheer you up.
It sure would.
- Maybe afterwards, we could
- Before I forget.
Before I forget.
I promised Jan that I'd
take her horseback riding
in American Falls
after her piano lesson.
She's getting pretty good.
- Tonight?
- Yeah.
Yeah, I'd have her back by
6:30, 7:00 at the latest.
That should be all
right. I better ask Bob.
Sure. Sure.
Atkins Florist, what can I do for you?
Hi, hon. How are things at the shop?
Oh, pretty good. Got
some nice carnations in.
B wants to take Jan horseback
riding in American Falls
tonight after piano.
She might be a little late for dinner,
but that's no problem, right?
Actually, it is a problem.
I already told him no.
I didn't realize that.
Do you think maybe you
ought to reconsider?
You know how upset she'll be.
And she's getting really good.
I said no, and the answer is still no.
You don't have to get testy.
I just think you might be
being a little bit unreasonable.
If you could ride horses,
you could take Jan yourself.
I'm allergic to horses!
Well, B isn't.
Mary Ann, who is her father?
Him or me?
You are, Bob.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi,
three Mississippi,
four Mississippi, five Mississippi.
Concentration 64.
Lion.
Cat.
Ed Stephens. Just the man I need to see.
Howdy, Bob. What can I help you with?
Oh, just need to deposit a check.
$27,208.43.
Good grief, Bob.
Where'd you get a chunk
of change like this?
Well, I sold the store.
Need to make a withdrawal, too.
All right, here we go.
Good girl, Jenny.
So good.
Bob.
What are you doing home
in the middle of the day?
Oh, I'm just starved.
Wanted to grab a bite
while on my way back.
Back from where?
Gonna head back to the
store for the afternoon.
I'll see you tonight.
- Pick out a good horse for me.
- I will.
Come on.
Will you keep my dinner in the oven
in case I get home a little late
from horseback riding with Brother B?
After piano?
It's gonna have to be
another day for that.
Another day?
How come?
Jan, we're having dinner
tonight and doing a puzzle.
Plus, I guess we have been
spending a bit too much with
Brother B and his family.
No, we haven't!
You spend all your
time with Sister Gail.
And a lot with Brother B.
That is true.
But still, your father thinks
it's time for a little break.
He's just mad he can't
do the things we can do.
It's not fair.
Hi there, ma'am.
I am here to escort a young lady
to a piano lesson and
then to ride a horse.
I wasn't expecting you, B.
I think there's been a misunderstanding.
- Thought I heard your voice.
- Yeah, you thought right.
- How was school?
- Pretty good.
Now horseback riding?
B, didn't Bob tell you that
tonight wasn't gonna work?
Oh, you know Bob.
Back and forth till your head spins.
I'm afraid he still says no.
Sure wish Bob wouldn't
be so strict with her.
Why don't we all just do
something together this weekend?
Or how about I bring
you another sandwich
tomorrow at the store?
- I like our talks.
- Yeah.
Well, that sounds great.
Meantime, what are we
gonna tell that little girl?
It doesn't even make sense
for you to take her to piano now.
I have to take Karen and
Susan to choir practice anyway.
I don't even want to go
horseback riding for myself.
Jasper asked me to build
a bookcase for his room.
I'm neglecting my own boy just
so I can keep my word to Jan.
B.
For Pete's sake.
I don't care who takes her.
You take her to the lesson.
I'll go home and play with the boys.
I'll pick her up after.
The only thing I care about
is not disappointing a little girl.
You know what that's like.
Just wanting something so bad.
Don't you, Mary Ann?
Hey.
Do you remember what I told you?
Jan, I'll see you
after your piano lesson.
But we need to be home by 6:30 sharp.
Yes!
Bob Berchtold's gonna pick her up
to go horseback riding
when she's finished today.
That sounds fun.
Did you practice this week?
Yes, ma'am.
Don't look at your hands.
Read your music, and
put your hands like
yes, perfect.
Okay.
Those horses aren't going anywhere,
and the more you look at that clock,
the slower times goes.
Again.
- He's here!
- What? Uh
What took you so long?
These horses aren't gonna wait forever.
- I'm not late.
- Oh.
Oh. Almost forgot.
Your allergy pill.
Look. I can take it without water.
You are something else. You know that?
All right. Giddy up.
I've always got a smilin' face ♪
Any time and any place ♪
And every time they ask me why ♪
I just smile and say ♪
You've got to ♪
Kiss an angel good morning ♪
And let her know you think
about her when you're gone ♪
You kiss an angel good morning ♪
And love her like the
devil when you get back home ♪
Oh, my gosh.
If you were in a choir,
they'd kick you out.
The secret of a happiness ♪
Well, the way I see it, dolly,
whatever voice you're blessed with,
you gotta sing with that voice.
Yeah.
I guess you're right.
The secret I'm speakin' of ♪
Is a woman and a man in love ♪
And the answer is ♪
- B?
- Yes, dolly.
I'm glad we're friends.
You've got to kiss
an angel good mornin' ♪
Me too, honey.
Me too.
Kiss an angel good mornin' ♪
And lover her like the
devil when you get back home ♪
World sure would be a nice place to live
if everybody could just
have a friendship like we do.
To be who you are,
and do what makes you happy.
Yeah.
That sounds nice.
Is chicken almost ready?
Five minutes. Go wash your hands.
You too, Susie Q.
Where's Jani?
Oh, she should be home any minute.
You know, she just had her heart
set on horseback riding tonight.
Well, dang it, Mary Ann.
We discussed this, didn't we?
Yes, but then B came by
the house after school,
and Jan just got so excited.
How am I supposed to lead this family
if every time I put my foot down,
you go and just
I'm sorry.
I made him promise
they'd be home by 6:30.
Where are they?
If we're not gonna do the puzzle,
can we watch "The Waltons" at 8:00?
Yes. But finish your homework first.
What was the name of the
ranch where they went riding?
Gail would know, wouldn't she?
Boys, hush.
Yes?
Hi, Gail. It's Mary Ann and Bob.
Oh, hi, Mary Ann. What's going on?
We're a bit worried, to be honest.
B was supposed to bring
Jan back an hour ago.
I hope they haven't had a
flat or anything like that.
Oh, I I hope not.
I bet they lost track of time is all.
You know how Jan loves
that old paint horse.
The one at my brother Keith's ranch?
But I'm sure he said
they were going to American Falls.
He told me about a customer
who has a ranch out that way?
Oh, I see.
Gail, this is Bob. I
don't like this one bit.
I think it would be better
if I just come over there
and we can talk about this in person.
Would that be all right?
Yeah, okay.
Boys. Boys, look at me.
I have to go to the Brobergs.
Watch your sister for me.
Get off me!
Gail, hi.
Hello.
Come on in. Can I get you something?
Oh, no. I'm okay.
So I just remembered walking over.
Do you remember when he drove
the kids to Salt Lake City?
But they wanted to go to the circus,
so they stayed overnight,
and he came back the next day.
Have a seat.
Yeah, but he called to tell us.
And it wasn't a school night.
Well, he may still call. It's only 8:00.
It's not like B.
Well, you know he gets.
You mean his depression?
Manic depression is
what the doctors call it.
One minute, he can be down in the dumps.
And the next thing you know,
it's, whew, up like a rocket.
He just, he gets so excited.
Are you saying that he got excited
and that they went to the circus again?
Or it could be a flat.
The only thing is
What is it?
Gail, if you have something to say,
I think you better say it.
I'm sure it's nothing.
For the past two weeks,
he's been coming home quite late,
and I've been worried
about his well-being,
so I followed him out
to our storage unit,
where we keep our boat,
and I could see him inside,
working on a motorhome.
I didn't know you had a motorhome.
And neither did I.
Oh.
He gets these impulsive moods.
But he has Jan with him, though,
so he has to think about her too.
That's the main thing.
I know that he would never intentionally
do anything to upset us, but
I think we gotta call the police,
just to let them know that
Jan hasn't come home yet.
What?
I mean, I'd hate to
cause all that trouble,
when it's only been just 90 minutes.
And think how scared Jan would be
if the police come and cause a fuss.
Let's just give them a
little longer, all right?
I guess there isn't much they can do
after 90 minutes, is there?
Well
if he's been going out to
the storage unit every night
to work on this motorhome,
then maybe you ought to take us there.
Maybe he took Jani there
to, you know, show her.
Sure. I can do that.
How about Gail and I go,
and you stay here with the girls?
Maybe he'll call.
Yeah. All right.
Hey, Gail, could you give
me the number for the fella
he's got working down at
the store, Bob Eldridge?
If they did go riding
at some customer's ranch,
I mean, he would know
who it was, wouldn't he?
Sure. Of course. I can write it down.
Great.
Good evening, Bob. It's Bob Broberg.
Oh, hi, Bob! What's going on?
Well, Berchtold
Well, Berchtold went and
took Jan horseback riding,
and they were supposed
to be back some time ago.
It seems they went to a ranch
that belongs to a customer of yours?
Does that ring a bell?
Do you know who that is?
I can't say I know a
customer with a horse ranch.
Not off hand.
Okay. All right. Well,
thank you for your help.
Oh, don't worry, though.
You know how reliable he is.
He's always saying how
much he thinks of you, Bob.
He says, "Good old
Broberg's always there
to give me a hand."
You
Have a good night.
This one?
Yes. This is it right here.
I guess I don't have the key.
What is it?
Do you see it in there?
I can't see anything.
We better get back home.
Just can't figure out why
he's got a motorhome in there
without telling you.
They didn't call?
Well, it must be car trouble.
That's the only explanation.
I think we need to call the
police and let them know.
What'll you say?
Just that they were
supposed to be home by 6:30,
- and that we're getting a bit
- Dad?
Yeah, Bright Eyes?
Did Jan and B come back yet?
Uh, no. No.
Go on to bed now.
What's wrong?
What's gotten into you, Gail?
I felt so bad.
And we didn't want to tell anyone.
Tell anyone what?
He's been struggling.
There was this
little Mexican girl.
You know how much he loves children.
And we've we want another.
Then, we heard about this
little girl down there.
This Maria.
Who needed a better life.
So I flew down
and met him with all
the adoption papers.
And she was cute as a button.
But at the last minute
her mother just cried and cried
and wouldn't let her go.
You should have seen
how disappointed he was
that he had to leave her in Mexico.
I had no idea.
I guess that helps explain
his depression and so on.
We still have to call the police.
Oh, wait. Mary Ann.
Wait until tomorrow.
Whatever's got them delayed,
he would never let
anything happen to her.
And you know
he would never forgive you.
District 5, Idaho State Police.
What can I do for you?
Well, I suppose I have an
inquiry for somebody there.
Yes, ma'am. What's your question?
I was wondering if anyone reported
a car broken down or
an accident of some kind
involving a green 1974 Ford Maverick.
Anyone injured or
anything like that.
I'll ask. Hold on just a sec.
Thank you.
Ma'am, I've got nothing
like that tonight.
Oh, that's a relief.
Is that all?
Yes.
Thank you.
All right, then. You have a good night.
You have a good night, too.
I'm sure they'll be back soon.
He'll take good care of her.
Good night, Mary Ann.
When they get back,
you'll give him a piece
of your mind, won't you?
You're damn right, I will.
Do you remember what I told you?
Do you remember what I told
you at the Gold and Green Ball?
I wish I had met you earlier.
You just hold your horses.
B!
Female companion. Female companion.
Female companion.
Female companion. Female companion.
Female companion.
Female companion. Female companion.
Female companion.
Female companion. Female companion.
Female companion.
Female companion.
Female companion.