The Incredible Hulk (1978) s02e06 Episode Script
A Child in Need
(ROARS) No! No! The news said he was beaten and carried off by some kind of creature.
Do you know anything about that? That creature's already killed two people.
Oh, I can believe that, seeing the way he beat my son.
Is there some kind of trouble? (SIREN WAILING) NARRATOR: Dr.
David Banner, physician, scientist.
Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have.
Then, an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry.
And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
(ROARS) The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
Mr.
McGee, don't make me angry.
You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit.
David Banner is believed to be dead.
And he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
(ROARS) (BELL RINGING) (CHILDREN CHATTERING) Hey! Hey, look No, no! I just planted them.
Did you see the ones taking the sidewalk? Oh, for No Oh, don't miss that one! Sorry, mister.
(SOBBING) You okay? It's all right.
I'm not Not going to hurt you.
What's your name? I don't think I've ever seen you hiding here before.
Are you hiding? (CHILDREN CHATTERING) Yes.
Want to tell me why? I don't want them to see me crying.
Oh, you mean the other kids? Yeah.
Well, I I can understand that.
But you know, it's okay to cry.
Hey, those arms look pretty bad.
What happened? Did you get in a fight? No.
Accident? Yeah.
Uh-huh.
Those arms must Must hurt an awful lot.
Looks like they could get infected.
What do you say we go see the school nurse, huh? Hmm? Okay.
Okay.
Okay, champ.
That ought to do it.
Now, why don't you wait out in the hall for Mr.
Baxter, and he'll walk you back to class.
Okay.
What's his name, anyway? Mark Hollinger.
Silent type, isn't he? (CHUCKLES) To strangers.
He wouldn't talk much to me either the first couple of times.
Uh Pardon me, I'm not sure I understand.
Are you trying to tell me that this has happened before? He seems to have a penchant for falling down.
"Falling down.
" Well, I'll tell you, I'll give you elbow and knee scrapes.
But not multiple contusions on the forearms.
Are you a nurse, Mr.
Baxter? Or a doctor? I'm a human being and I've fallen down.
(SIGHS) Look, I can't get personally involved with every child that comes in here.
Oh.
It's not that I don't care.
It's just that I don't have the time.
Hmm.
My job is to patch the cuts and bruises.
Not to worry about how they got there.
I see.
Now, if you don't mind.
Mr.
Baxter.
Mr.
Baxter.
Well, warming up for the Olympics? No.
I was just trying to catch up to you.
Well, you were very successful.
How come you're still at school? I mean, most of the students went home hours ago.
Well, I wanted to I don't know, I (ICE CREAM TRUCK PLAYING JINGLE) Well, your timing is perfect.
Want an ice cream? Yeah! (WHISTLES) It's a nice neighborhood.
You live around here? Yeah, on Maple Drive.
Ah, it's a pretty street.
Like it? It's all right.
Not many kids to play with.
Then who do you play with? My dad.
My mom sometimes.
What kind of games do you play? Basketball, mostly.
Really? Tell me something, do you play rough? No, we usually play 21.
What kind of games do you play with your mother? Indoor stuff.
Mom worries about me a lot.
She does? Like those bruises on your arms, does she worry about those? Mark, look, I don't think you got those bruises falling down.
You want to tell me what happened? I got them falling down.
I don't think that's true.
Look, I told you I got them falling down, all right? All right.
I can't get you to talk if you don't want to.
But, Mark, if you ever need a friend, I just want you to know I'll be there.
Where do you live? If you happen to be walking this way, I'll show you.
DAVID: There it is in the corner.
My place is the one on the second floor up there with the balcony.
Come on in.
This is a nice place.
Oh, it's okay.
I used to live in an apartment when I was a kid.
It was a little bigger, but it wasn't as nice as this.
Thank you.
Does this fold out into a bed? Yes.
As a matter of fact, it does.
I bet you could sleep, two or three people in here easy.
Probably.
I'll bet it wouldn't be much trouble at all.
Not if they were quiet.
Is there some kind of trouble? Hmm? Look, if you can't tell me what the problem is, there's not very much I can do to help you.
Well.
I would have to imagine that your mother and father are probably very worried about you right now.
I think probably the best thing for me to do is to take you home.
Okay? Okay.
MARK: Hey, Dad.
Hey, Mark, you had me worried.
I thought something might have happened to you.
Where'd you find him? Well, at school.
I'm David Baxter, the groundskeeper.
Yeah.
Thanks a lot.
Hey, partner, you really had me worried.
Hey, Mark, what happened to your arm? Um Nothing.
Apparently he Well, he fell down while playing after school, so I took him to the nurse before I brought him home.
I don't think it's too serious, some scratches and bruises.
But they should heal in a few days.
Thanks a lot.
Hey, you had me worried, partner.
You know I don't mind you playing late after school, but, well, you should have called.
You know that.
I'm sorry, Dad.
I didn't wanna make you worry.
Well, as long as you're okay, I guess that's all that counts.
Thanks again.
No problem.
Okay, sport.
Go on and wash up for dinner.
And don't get those bandages wet.
Okay, Dad.
Grab your basketball on your way in.
Okay.
He's a great kid.
Yeah, he sure is.
I appreciate you bringing him home.
That's all right.
You got time for a beer? Yes, I'd like that.
Good, come on in.
I guess I worry a little bit more than most parents.
But, well, I'm crazy about that boy.
If anything ever happened to him, I'd never forgive myself.
I wish Margaret were here.
I know she'd like to thank you, too.
Your wife? Yeah.
She works nights at the pharmacy down on Third and Main.
I make a pretty good salary as a bookkeeper, but, well, it seems like it takes two incomes to keep the old ranch going these days.
Yeah.
It's a shame.
A lot of pressure on her.
You know, taking care of the house, worrying about Mark.
Sometimes I think the strain is a little too much for her.
MARK: Okay, Dad.
Okay.
Let's see.
That's good, Son.
Those hands would even make your mom happy.
May I help you? Yes, please.
Will that be all? Mmm-hmm.
It's $1.
75.
Oh, I couldn't help but notice your nameplate.
"Mrs.
Hollinger.
" Do you happen to have a son named Mark? Yes, I do.
Well.
My name is David Baxter.
I'm the groundskeeper at his school.
I took him home this afternoon.
Is he all right? Has anything happened to him? He's fine.
Apparently he fell down after school, received a number of bruises on his arms.
So I took him to the nurse.
She said a very curious thing.
Evidently, Mark has fallen down a lot before.
Because she's treated him quite a number of times.
I was wondering if you were aware of the problem.
Perhaps he'd talked to you about it.
No, he hasn't.
Has he talked to you? I think he's afraid to.
What are you trying to imply? Nothing.
Nothing.
I'm just trying to bring to your attention the fact that Mark gets bruised a lot and nobody seems to know why.
Well, you've done that, then.
Good night.
Mrs.
Hollinger, I think he's being beaten.
That is ridiculous.
And anything that has to do with my son is none of your business.
I don't need you to help me raise my son.
Now, please, just get out.
Just get out.
Hi, Mark.
Hi, Mr.
Baxter.
Hey, hey, hey.
How's it going? How're the bruises? How do you feel? (GROANS) I'm I'm gonna be late.
Bye.
Mark.
Wait a minute.
MISS WALKER: Mark, I'm sending you home for the rest of the day.
How's the salve on your back? Feel better? Yeah.
Okay, wait outside for Mr.
Baxter.
Okay.
Now, are you still going to tell me that those welts came from falling down? He's a battered child.
Now, why aren't you doing anything about it? It hurts me to see Mark looking like that, but I don't have a choice.
I don't understand.
You're a groundskeeper, Mr.
Baxter.
You can probably find a job anywhere.
I'm on staff here.
There must be at least 50 people waiting for my job.
I got involved in a similar case at another school.
Reported it to the principal.
To the police.
When the child's parents got through with me, I didn't have a job.
I have no intention of going through that again.
Can't you, or someone from the school, go and see his parents? Why don't you? WOMAN ON T.
V: Good evening.
The Dow Jones Industrials closed today with the largest volume of trade in its history.
More from David Powell on Wall Street.
POWELL: Stock prices rose sharply Monday in active trading on Wall Street as large institutions reentered the market after taking a break.
The Dow Jones Average of 30 industrial issues closed up 16.
29 to 863.
83, the highest in the history of the Dow Jones.
Volume on the New York Stock Exchange was 39.
58 million shares.
Nearly three times as many issues rose Mark? Come here, Son.
I want to talk to you.
totaled a whopping What does all this mean? You're late again, you know that? Yes, sir.
Is that all you have to say? You didn't even phone home.
Mark, your mother stayed home from work today, she was so worried about you.
You know, you've really upset her.
(ANNOUNCER CHATTERING ON T.
V.
What's that in your pocket? Let me see it.
It says here you were dismissed at 10:30 this morning.
Where were you? Well? Answer your father, Mark.
Where were you all day? I was I was just walking around.
With your new friend Mr.
Baxter? No, sir.
I was alone.
And you weren't doing anything wrong? No, ma'am.
Then why did you come sneaking in, Son? You know, Mark, you get more and more out of hand every day.
What do we have to do to teach you to behave? Why don't you just go wash your hands in the kitchen? Then set the table for dinner and we'll talk about it later.
(CHATTERING ON T.
V.
CONTINUES) That's it.
Right on the number.
Follow through.
That's it, Son.
WOMAN ON T.
V: Most 12-year-old boys are willing to admit they owe a great deal to their fathers, but in the case of Walter Jefferies and his son, Peter, the roles have recently been reversed.
Peter walked nearly 20 miles out of the mountains of Northern Michigan yesterday to save his father's life.
They were flying their single-engine plane back to Lafayette, Indiana early Tuesday when the plane developed engine trouble and crashed.
Peter was thrown clear, suffering only minor bruises, but his father was trapped in the wreckage and knocked unconscious.
Peter quickly administered first aid, covered his father against the freezing cold, and then struck out on his own towards the nearest town, approximately 20 miles away.
(VOLUME DECREASES) Mark? Bring me another beer, will you? What's the matter? Don't you want to help your father? Yes, sir.
Then get me another beer.
(CLICKS REMOTE CONTROL) (VOLUME INCREASES) by a motorist and taken to the highway patrol.
Where he directed the Air Rescue Service to the crash site.
The elder Jefferies was taken to Muskegon County General Hospital where he was treated for shock and loss of blood.
Listed in fair condition today, doctors said Jefferies owed his life to his son's quick thinking.
If Peter had not reached help when he did, his father would have died.
Jack? Dinner's almost ready.
Why don't you wait till later and have a beer then? I want one now! I'll get it.
No, Margaret.
I want the boy to bring it.
MARGARET: You better take it to him, sweetheart.
Here's your beer, Dad.
Bring it here.
Bring it here and hand it to me.
Bring it to me, Mark! You don't like to help me, do you? Bring it here and hand it to me, boy.
Now! Put it in my hand.
Now look what you've done.
Clean it up! Come here, clean it up! MARGARET: Please, stop.
I don't understand you, Mark.
I give you love and a decent home.
What is it? Why won't you do what I tell you? Now clean it up! Jack, please! It's not his fault! Jack, no! Now get over here! Get over here and mind me and clean it up! (MARGARET SCREAMING) MARK: Please, Dad, no.
MARK: Leave me alone, Dad! Mrs.
Hollinger? MARGARET: Jack, stop it.
There's someone at the door.
Mrs.
Hollinger! Mark! JACK: Mark, get over here.
Go away, please.
You'll only make it worse.
I can't.
JACK: Wait till I get my hands on you.
Mrs.
Hollinger, for God's sake, let me in! Who is it, Margaret? He could freak out! Get out! No! What Why don't you mind your own business, Baxter? Get out of here! (GROANING) (JACK SHOUTING) Sir? Sir, I need your help! No way, mister.
There's a boy back there being beaten.
I know.
Well, then call the police! Look, I got my own life to think about.
That Hollinger's crazy.
Well, then will you please let me use your telephone? I'm sorry, I can't do it! You can't ignore that! Ma'am? Miss, please, I need your help.
There's a boy being beaten in the house across the street! Miss! Miss! We have to call the police! (JACK SHOUTING) Miss, I need your help! I told you to stay out of this! I'll discipline him.
MARK: No, Dad! Jack, please leave him alone.
Don't run away, Mark.
I want you to come here and clean this up.
You need to be punished, Mark.
Jack, don't! You've done wrong.
Come here, Mark.
I wanna get my hands on you.
Dad.
Why have you been doing this to me? Jack! Don't! You're gonna hurt him! (HULK ROARING) (MARGARET SCREAMING) (ROARING) No! JACK: Who are you? Get out of here! MARGARET: What're you doing? You stay away from them.
Jack, look out.
Jack! Don't you hurt him! Jack! No! Mark, Mark! No, no, you stay away! Stay away! Help! No! No! Who are you? Please help, somebody! No! Mark! No, stop, stop! Please! Where are you going? You bring my son back! Mark! Stop, please! Help, somebody! Help! Mark! Mark! Mark! DISPATCHER ON RADIO: We have an all-points bulletin (TIRES SCREECHING) For an enormous, muscular man with green-colored skin.
He has abducted a 10-year-old boy, and is believed to be heading downtown.
He is considered dangerous.
POLICEMAN 1: Okay, you.
Hold it right there.
(O VER RADIO) One-Baker-Seven.
We have subject sighted on Waring between Fulton and Hargrove.
Request backup.
POLICEMAN 2: This is Two-Baker-Four.
We're half a block away and responding.
One-Baker-Seven.
10-4.
(O VER LOUDSPEAKER) Please step away from the boy and put your hands against the wall.
Step away from the boy.
Let's move in.
No.
He's okay, don't hurt him.
(ROARING) (SIRENS WAILING) (ROARING) Hey, what the hell happened? I'll get on the horn for that backup.
I think we'd better not let them see you.
Come on.
Come on.
Mr.
Baxter.
The green man, it was you.
Yes.
How? It's rather difficult to explain.
You change? Yes.
I wish I could.
At times it'd come in real handy.
Let's go home.
This time, can we go to your house? Sure.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR) Hi, I'm glad you could come.
Where is he? In the kitchen.
Hi, Miss Walker.
The The news said he was beaten and carried off by some kind of creature.
Do you know anything about that? Only if the creature was his father.
I found him later, wandering around in the streets alone, so I I brought him here.
All right.
Now what? You have to go to the police.
I told you.
I already went that route.
What happens when the school throws me out? Who's going to find me a new staff position? You? There may be some things in life that are more important than keeping one's job.
Well, then tell me why I don't see you beating down the police department doors? If you're so concerned and righteous, then why don't you go to them? Because I have considerably more to lose than just my job.
Now, what's that supposed to mean? You're wanted? Something like that.
Yes.
But if you won't go, I will.
Would it help if I were to find another witness? Would you go then? Thank you very much, Miss Walker.
Mark? Listen, why don't you go to school with Miss Walker? And I'll see you there, okay? MARK: Okay.
Now make sure you keep him at school.
Don't let anybody send him home until after we've seen the police.
All right.
Where are you going? To get that other witness.
Who? His mother.
I wanna thank you for your help, Mrs.
Hollinger.
One of these days they're gonna catch that creature.
Until they do, every little bit of information that I can get my hands on not only makes good copy for my readers, it's also useful to the police.
Thank God my son was found safe and my husband and I weren't hurt any worse than we were.
You're more fortunate than you realize, Mrs.
Hollinger.
That creature's already killed two people.
Oh, I can believe that, seeing the way he beat my son.
He tossed Jack around like he was a rag doll.
He was so enormous.
Will Mark be coming home this morning? No.
The school nurse thought it best to keep him at school.
But I went and saw him and he's fine.
And what about your husband? The hospital wants to keep him for a couple of hours more.
But he'll be home this afternoon.
Mrs.
Hollinger, would you mind if I came back tomorrow with a photographer, grabbed a couple of pictures? No, no, not at all.
I'll be expecting you.
Thank you very much.
I don't know what you're doing here, but whatever it is, I'm not interested.
Now go away.
Please, Mrs.
Hollinger.
I wanna talk to you about Mark.
I wanna help the boy.
Just get out of here and leave me alone.
I can't.
If you don't leave right now, I'm calling the police! Fine.
Please do that.
And I will tell them exactly what it is your husband has been doing to Mark, because there are laws against child abuse.
Come in.
Thank you.
Mrs.
Hollinger, I honestly believe that your life and the life of your son are in serious danger from your husband.
That's ridiculous.
Is it? How many times have you and your son been beaten in the last year? In the last week? It only happens every once in a while when Jack isn't himself.
When he loses his temper.
That doesn't happen very often.
Every once in a while? Mark has been beaten so badly he's had to go to the nurse's office for treatment eight times in the past month.
Eight times, Mrs.
Hollinger.
And some of those beatings were so severe he was sent home with a note telling you to take him to a doctor.
Stop it.
Jack is a good man.
He's also a child beater, and that makes him very dangerous.
I don't know what's happening to him.
Jack and Mark used to be so close.
The last couple of years Jack loves Mark, he loves me.
It's just that he loses control of himself.
It tears him apart afterwards.
He feels so guilty.
He doesn't mean to do it.
It just happens.
He must have psychiatric help.
Now.
Before he does irreparable damage to either you or to Mark.
I've lain awake night after night thinking about it.
But there's nothing I can do.
I love him.
Then help him.
Go to the police with Miss Walker and tell them what's been going on.
He'll go to jail.
He'll go to a doctor.
Dear God.
I just can't.
I can't.
You've got to go.
Or I will.
Give me some time.
(SIGHING) Mrs.
Hollinger, I will be in the gymnasium with Mark after school today.
(BELL RINGING) (CHILDREN CHATTERING) DAVID: Hey, Mark.
Wanna play a little one-on-one? All right.
Twenty-one.
I'll go first.
What happened to one-on-one? You're too tall.
I'd get slaughtered.
Obviously, you have never seen me play.
Hold it.
Top of the key.
No, you shoot from back there and I'll shoot from up here.
Handicapper.
Miss Walker said you went to see my mom.
I expect to meet her here in a few minutes.
What for? Well, we thought it might be best if all of us, Miss Walker, your mother, and you and myself, all went to the police station.
But why? We were trying to get away from the cops last night.
I I wanna talk to them about your father.
'Cause I think one day he may hurt you pretty badly.
I don't wanna see that happen.
Will they put him in jail? No.
Then he'll come back to us.
Mark He'll start all over except that he'll just be madder.
No, no, Mark, you gotta understand.
Your father's not a criminal.
He doesn't want to beat you.
Then why does he do it? Because he has a problem and we may be able to help him with it if we go to the police.
You're not going anywhere, Baxter.
I don't know who you think you are, but I'm good and tired of you interfering in my family.
Mr.
Hollinger, I'm just trying to help your son.
What I do with my son and my wife is my business.
You understand? But can't you see that you're hurting them? You need help.
Let me help you! By taking me to the police? Mr.
Hollinger, I just Dad! Leave him alone! Leave him alone! Get out of here, Mark! Mark, run! (BOTH GRUNTING) (PANTING) Mark? Dad, he's got Mr.
Baxter in the gym.
He's beating him up.
Oh, my God! I'll call the police.
Don't move.
Mark! (GROANS) I'll teach you about help.
Come on! Come on out, Baxter.
What's the matter? Can't you handle it? Baxter? (ROARING) Get away from me.
Stay away! No, please.
Stay away! (MOANING) MAN: Here, Jack.
Come here.
Put your hands down, boy.
Please.
Don't hit me, Daddy.
(CRYING) (SOBBING) Daddy.
Oh, Daddy.
I won't be bad, Daddy.
Please don't hit me anymore! Mark.
Please forgive me.
(SOBBING) I'm sorry.
Please, Son, I'm Mark, I'm sorry.
It's okay, Dad.
Oh, Mark.
(CRYING) I'm sorry, Son.
Please.
(SOBBING) Well, that is what I call a breakfast.
Are you sure you don't want to stay and talk to that reporter about the green man? Yeah, you might get your picture in the paper.
I think that that's probably something I would rather avoid.
Anyway, you two are going to be all right? They say Jack will be home from the hospital in less than a month.
We'll be fine.
And you do understand why your father behaved like that? Yeah.
Me and Dad talked it over.
I guess Gramps beat him up a lot when he was my age.
Something in his sub Something in his sub Subconscious.
Yeah, something in his subconscious made him do the same thing.
I guess he was just kind of taking it out on me.
I guess he kind of was.
But I'm proud of you.
You're a brave young man.
Do you have to go? Yeah, I'm afraid I do.
But a good gardener can always get a staff job.
Goodbye.
Thank you very much.
Goodbye.
Mr.
Baxter? How about another game of 21? (BOTH EXCLAIMING) I think I better quit while I'm ahead.
Do you know anything about that? That creature's already killed two people.
Oh, I can believe that, seeing the way he beat my son.
Is there some kind of trouble? (SIREN WAILING) NARRATOR: Dr.
David Banner, physician, scientist.
Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have.
Then, an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry.
And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
(ROARS) The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
Mr.
McGee, don't make me angry.
You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit.
David Banner is believed to be dead.
And he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
(ROARS) (BELL RINGING) (CHILDREN CHATTERING) Hey! Hey, look No, no! I just planted them.
Did you see the ones taking the sidewalk? Oh, for No Oh, don't miss that one! Sorry, mister.
(SOBBING) You okay? It's all right.
I'm not Not going to hurt you.
What's your name? I don't think I've ever seen you hiding here before.
Are you hiding? (CHILDREN CHATTERING) Yes.
Want to tell me why? I don't want them to see me crying.
Oh, you mean the other kids? Yeah.
Well, I I can understand that.
But you know, it's okay to cry.
Hey, those arms look pretty bad.
What happened? Did you get in a fight? No.
Accident? Yeah.
Uh-huh.
Those arms must Must hurt an awful lot.
Looks like they could get infected.
What do you say we go see the school nurse, huh? Hmm? Okay.
Okay.
Okay, champ.
That ought to do it.
Now, why don't you wait out in the hall for Mr.
Baxter, and he'll walk you back to class.
Okay.
What's his name, anyway? Mark Hollinger.
Silent type, isn't he? (CHUCKLES) To strangers.
He wouldn't talk much to me either the first couple of times.
Uh Pardon me, I'm not sure I understand.
Are you trying to tell me that this has happened before? He seems to have a penchant for falling down.
"Falling down.
" Well, I'll tell you, I'll give you elbow and knee scrapes.
But not multiple contusions on the forearms.
Are you a nurse, Mr.
Baxter? Or a doctor? I'm a human being and I've fallen down.
(SIGHS) Look, I can't get personally involved with every child that comes in here.
Oh.
It's not that I don't care.
It's just that I don't have the time.
Hmm.
My job is to patch the cuts and bruises.
Not to worry about how they got there.
I see.
Now, if you don't mind.
Mr.
Baxter.
Mr.
Baxter.
Well, warming up for the Olympics? No.
I was just trying to catch up to you.
Well, you were very successful.
How come you're still at school? I mean, most of the students went home hours ago.
Well, I wanted to I don't know, I (ICE CREAM TRUCK PLAYING JINGLE) Well, your timing is perfect.
Want an ice cream? Yeah! (WHISTLES) It's a nice neighborhood.
You live around here? Yeah, on Maple Drive.
Ah, it's a pretty street.
Like it? It's all right.
Not many kids to play with.
Then who do you play with? My dad.
My mom sometimes.
What kind of games do you play? Basketball, mostly.
Really? Tell me something, do you play rough? No, we usually play 21.
What kind of games do you play with your mother? Indoor stuff.
Mom worries about me a lot.
She does? Like those bruises on your arms, does she worry about those? Mark, look, I don't think you got those bruises falling down.
You want to tell me what happened? I got them falling down.
I don't think that's true.
Look, I told you I got them falling down, all right? All right.
I can't get you to talk if you don't want to.
But, Mark, if you ever need a friend, I just want you to know I'll be there.
Where do you live? If you happen to be walking this way, I'll show you.
DAVID: There it is in the corner.
My place is the one on the second floor up there with the balcony.
Come on in.
This is a nice place.
Oh, it's okay.
I used to live in an apartment when I was a kid.
It was a little bigger, but it wasn't as nice as this.
Thank you.
Does this fold out into a bed? Yes.
As a matter of fact, it does.
I bet you could sleep, two or three people in here easy.
Probably.
I'll bet it wouldn't be much trouble at all.
Not if they were quiet.
Is there some kind of trouble? Hmm? Look, if you can't tell me what the problem is, there's not very much I can do to help you.
Well.
I would have to imagine that your mother and father are probably very worried about you right now.
I think probably the best thing for me to do is to take you home.
Okay? Okay.
MARK: Hey, Dad.
Hey, Mark, you had me worried.
I thought something might have happened to you.
Where'd you find him? Well, at school.
I'm David Baxter, the groundskeeper.
Yeah.
Thanks a lot.
Hey, partner, you really had me worried.
Hey, Mark, what happened to your arm? Um Nothing.
Apparently he Well, he fell down while playing after school, so I took him to the nurse before I brought him home.
I don't think it's too serious, some scratches and bruises.
But they should heal in a few days.
Thanks a lot.
Hey, you had me worried, partner.
You know I don't mind you playing late after school, but, well, you should have called.
You know that.
I'm sorry, Dad.
I didn't wanna make you worry.
Well, as long as you're okay, I guess that's all that counts.
Thanks again.
No problem.
Okay, sport.
Go on and wash up for dinner.
And don't get those bandages wet.
Okay, Dad.
Grab your basketball on your way in.
Okay.
He's a great kid.
Yeah, he sure is.
I appreciate you bringing him home.
That's all right.
You got time for a beer? Yes, I'd like that.
Good, come on in.
I guess I worry a little bit more than most parents.
But, well, I'm crazy about that boy.
If anything ever happened to him, I'd never forgive myself.
I wish Margaret were here.
I know she'd like to thank you, too.
Your wife? Yeah.
She works nights at the pharmacy down on Third and Main.
I make a pretty good salary as a bookkeeper, but, well, it seems like it takes two incomes to keep the old ranch going these days.
Yeah.
It's a shame.
A lot of pressure on her.
You know, taking care of the house, worrying about Mark.
Sometimes I think the strain is a little too much for her.
MARK: Okay, Dad.
Okay.
Let's see.
That's good, Son.
Those hands would even make your mom happy.
May I help you? Yes, please.
Will that be all? Mmm-hmm.
It's $1.
75.
Oh, I couldn't help but notice your nameplate.
"Mrs.
Hollinger.
" Do you happen to have a son named Mark? Yes, I do.
Well.
My name is David Baxter.
I'm the groundskeeper at his school.
I took him home this afternoon.
Is he all right? Has anything happened to him? He's fine.
Apparently he fell down after school, received a number of bruises on his arms.
So I took him to the nurse.
She said a very curious thing.
Evidently, Mark has fallen down a lot before.
Because she's treated him quite a number of times.
I was wondering if you were aware of the problem.
Perhaps he'd talked to you about it.
No, he hasn't.
Has he talked to you? I think he's afraid to.
What are you trying to imply? Nothing.
Nothing.
I'm just trying to bring to your attention the fact that Mark gets bruised a lot and nobody seems to know why.
Well, you've done that, then.
Good night.
Mrs.
Hollinger, I think he's being beaten.
That is ridiculous.
And anything that has to do with my son is none of your business.
I don't need you to help me raise my son.
Now, please, just get out.
Just get out.
Hi, Mark.
Hi, Mr.
Baxter.
Hey, hey, hey.
How's it going? How're the bruises? How do you feel? (GROANS) I'm I'm gonna be late.
Bye.
Mark.
Wait a minute.
MISS WALKER: Mark, I'm sending you home for the rest of the day.
How's the salve on your back? Feel better? Yeah.
Okay, wait outside for Mr.
Baxter.
Okay.
Now, are you still going to tell me that those welts came from falling down? He's a battered child.
Now, why aren't you doing anything about it? It hurts me to see Mark looking like that, but I don't have a choice.
I don't understand.
You're a groundskeeper, Mr.
Baxter.
You can probably find a job anywhere.
I'm on staff here.
There must be at least 50 people waiting for my job.
I got involved in a similar case at another school.
Reported it to the principal.
To the police.
When the child's parents got through with me, I didn't have a job.
I have no intention of going through that again.
Can't you, or someone from the school, go and see his parents? Why don't you? WOMAN ON T.
V: Good evening.
The Dow Jones Industrials closed today with the largest volume of trade in its history.
More from David Powell on Wall Street.
POWELL: Stock prices rose sharply Monday in active trading on Wall Street as large institutions reentered the market after taking a break.
The Dow Jones Average of 30 industrial issues closed up 16.
29 to 863.
83, the highest in the history of the Dow Jones.
Volume on the New York Stock Exchange was 39.
58 million shares.
Nearly three times as many issues rose Mark? Come here, Son.
I want to talk to you.
totaled a whopping What does all this mean? You're late again, you know that? Yes, sir.
Is that all you have to say? You didn't even phone home.
Mark, your mother stayed home from work today, she was so worried about you.
You know, you've really upset her.
(ANNOUNCER CHATTERING ON T.
V.
What's that in your pocket? Let me see it.
It says here you were dismissed at 10:30 this morning.
Where were you? Well? Answer your father, Mark.
Where were you all day? I was I was just walking around.
With your new friend Mr.
Baxter? No, sir.
I was alone.
And you weren't doing anything wrong? No, ma'am.
Then why did you come sneaking in, Son? You know, Mark, you get more and more out of hand every day.
What do we have to do to teach you to behave? Why don't you just go wash your hands in the kitchen? Then set the table for dinner and we'll talk about it later.
(CHATTERING ON T.
V.
CONTINUES) That's it.
Right on the number.
Follow through.
That's it, Son.
WOMAN ON T.
V: Most 12-year-old boys are willing to admit they owe a great deal to their fathers, but in the case of Walter Jefferies and his son, Peter, the roles have recently been reversed.
Peter walked nearly 20 miles out of the mountains of Northern Michigan yesterday to save his father's life.
They were flying their single-engine plane back to Lafayette, Indiana early Tuesday when the plane developed engine trouble and crashed.
Peter was thrown clear, suffering only minor bruises, but his father was trapped in the wreckage and knocked unconscious.
Peter quickly administered first aid, covered his father against the freezing cold, and then struck out on his own towards the nearest town, approximately 20 miles away.
(VOLUME DECREASES) Mark? Bring me another beer, will you? What's the matter? Don't you want to help your father? Yes, sir.
Then get me another beer.
(CLICKS REMOTE CONTROL) (VOLUME INCREASES) by a motorist and taken to the highway patrol.
Where he directed the Air Rescue Service to the crash site.
The elder Jefferies was taken to Muskegon County General Hospital where he was treated for shock and loss of blood.
Listed in fair condition today, doctors said Jefferies owed his life to his son's quick thinking.
If Peter had not reached help when he did, his father would have died.
Jack? Dinner's almost ready.
Why don't you wait till later and have a beer then? I want one now! I'll get it.
No, Margaret.
I want the boy to bring it.
MARGARET: You better take it to him, sweetheart.
Here's your beer, Dad.
Bring it here.
Bring it here and hand it to me.
Bring it to me, Mark! You don't like to help me, do you? Bring it here and hand it to me, boy.
Now! Put it in my hand.
Now look what you've done.
Clean it up! Come here, clean it up! MARGARET: Please, stop.
I don't understand you, Mark.
I give you love and a decent home.
What is it? Why won't you do what I tell you? Now clean it up! Jack, please! It's not his fault! Jack, no! Now get over here! Get over here and mind me and clean it up! (MARGARET SCREAMING) MARK: Please, Dad, no.
MARK: Leave me alone, Dad! Mrs.
Hollinger? MARGARET: Jack, stop it.
There's someone at the door.
Mrs.
Hollinger! Mark! JACK: Mark, get over here.
Go away, please.
You'll only make it worse.
I can't.
JACK: Wait till I get my hands on you.
Mrs.
Hollinger, for God's sake, let me in! Who is it, Margaret? He could freak out! Get out! No! What Why don't you mind your own business, Baxter? Get out of here! (GROANING) (JACK SHOUTING) Sir? Sir, I need your help! No way, mister.
There's a boy back there being beaten.
I know.
Well, then call the police! Look, I got my own life to think about.
That Hollinger's crazy.
Well, then will you please let me use your telephone? I'm sorry, I can't do it! You can't ignore that! Ma'am? Miss, please, I need your help.
There's a boy being beaten in the house across the street! Miss! Miss! We have to call the police! (JACK SHOUTING) Miss, I need your help! I told you to stay out of this! I'll discipline him.
MARK: No, Dad! Jack, please leave him alone.
Don't run away, Mark.
I want you to come here and clean this up.
You need to be punished, Mark.
Jack, don't! You've done wrong.
Come here, Mark.
I wanna get my hands on you.
Dad.
Why have you been doing this to me? Jack! Don't! You're gonna hurt him! (HULK ROARING) (MARGARET SCREAMING) (ROARING) No! JACK: Who are you? Get out of here! MARGARET: What're you doing? You stay away from them.
Jack, look out.
Jack! Don't you hurt him! Jack! No! Mark, Mark! No, no, you stay away! Stay away! Help! No! No! Who are you? Please help, somebody! No! Mark! No, stop, stop! Please! Where are you going? You bring my son back! Mark! Stop, please! Help, somebody! Help! Mark! Mark! Mark! DISPATCHER ON RADIO: We have an all-points bulletin (TIRES SCREECHING) For an enormous, muscular man with green-colored skin.
He has abducted a 10-year-old boy, and is believed to be heading downtown.
He is considered dangerous.
POLICEMAN 1: Okay, you.
Hold it right there.
(O VER RADIO) One-Baker-Seven.
We have subject sighted on Waring between Fulton and Hargrove.
Request backup.
POLICEMAN 2: This is Two-Baker-Four.
We're half a block away and responding.
One-Baker-Seven.
10-4.
(O VER LOUDSPEAKER) Please step away from the boy and put your hands against the wall.
Step away from the boy.
Let's move in.
No.
He's okay, don't hurt him.
(ROARING) (SIRENS WAILING) (ROARING) Hey, what the hell happened? I'll get on the horn for that backup.
I think we'd better not let them see you.
Come on.
Come on.
Mr.
Baxter.
The green man, it was you.
Yes.
How? It's rather difficult to explain.
You change? Yes.
I wish I could.
At times it'd come in real handy.
Let's go home.
This time, can we go to your house? Sure.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR) Hi, I'm glad you could come.
Where is he? In the kitchen.
Hi, Miss Walker.
The The news said he was beaten and carried off by some kind of creature.
Do you know anything about that? Only if the creature was his father.
I found him later, wandering around in the streets alone, so I I brought him here.
All right.
Now what? You have to go to the police.
I told you.
I already went that route.
What happens when the school throws me out? Who's going to find me a new staff position? You? There may be some things in life that are more important than keeping one's job.
Well, then tell me why I don't see you beating down the police department doors? If you're so concerned and righteous, then why don't you go to them? Because I have considerably more to lose than just my job.
Now, what's that supposed to mean? You're wanted? Something like that.
Yes.
But if you won't go, I will.
Would it help if I were to find another witness? Would you go then? Thank you very much, Miss Walker.
Mark? Listen, why don't you go to school with Miss Walker? And I'll see you there, okay? MARK: Okay.
Now make sure you keep him at school.
Don't let anybody send him home until after we've seen the police.
All right.
Where are you going? To get that other witness.
Who? His mother.
I wanna thank you for your help, Mrs.
Hollinger.
One of these days they're gonna catch that creature.
Until they do, every little bit of information that I can get my hands on not only makes good copy for my readers, it's also useful to the police.
Thank God my son was found safe and my husband and I weren't hurt any worse than we were.
You're more fortunate than you realize, Mrs.
Hollinger.
That creature's already killed two people.
Oh, I can believe that, seeing the way he beat my son.
He tossed Jack around like he was a rag doll.
He was so enormous.
Will Mark be coming home this morning? No.
The school nurse thought it best to keep him at school.
But I went and saw him and he's fine.
And what about your husband? The hospital wants to keep him for a couple of hours more.
But he'll be home this afternoon.
Mrs.
Hollinger, would you mind if I came back tomorrow with a photographer, grabbed a couple of pictures? No, no, not at all.
I'll be expecting you.
Thank you very much.
I don't know what you're doing here, but whatever it is, I'm not interested.
Now go away.
Please, Mrs.
Hollinger.
I wanna talk to you about Mark.
I wanna help the boy.
Just get out of here and leave me alone.
I can't.
If you don't leave right now, I'm calling the police! Fine.
Please do that.
And I will tell them exactly what it is your husband has been doing to Mark, because there are laws against child abuse.
Come in.
Thank you.
Mrs.
Hollinger, I honestly believe that your life and the life of your son are in serious danger from your husband.
That's ridiculous.
Is it? How many times have you and your son been beaten in the last year? In the last week? It only happens every once in a while when Jack isn't himself.
When he loses his temper.
That doesn't happen very often.
Every once in a while? Mark has been beaten so badly he's had to go to the nurse's office for treatment eight times in the past month.
Eight times, Mrs.
Hollinger.
And some of those beatings were so severe he was sent home with a note telling you to take him to a doctor.
Stop it.
Jack is a good man.
He's also a child beater, and that makes him very dangerous.
I don't know what's happening to him.
Jack and Mark used to be so close.
The last couple of years Jack loves Mark, he loves me.
It's just that he loses control of himself.
It tears him apart afterwards.
He feels so guilty.
He doesn't mean to do it.
It just happens.
He must have psychiatric help.
Now.
Before he does irreparable damage to either you or to Mark.
I've lain awake night after night thinking about it.
But there's nothing I can do.
I love him.
Then help him.
Go to the police with Miss Walker and tell them what's been going on.
He'll go to jail.
He'll go to a doctor.
Dear God.
I just can't.
I can't.
You've got to go.
Or I will.
Give me some time.
(SIGHING) Mrs.
Hollinger, I will be in the gymnasium with Mark after school today.
(BELL RINGING) (CHILDREN CHATTERING) DAVID: Hey, Mark.
Wanna play a little one-on-one? All right.
Twenty-one.
I'll go first.
What happened to one-on-one? You're too tall.
I'd get slaughtered.
Obviously, you have never seen me play.
Hold it.
Top of the key.
No, you shoot from back there and I'll shoot from up here.
Handicapper.
Miss Walker said you went to see my mom.
I expect to meet her here in a few minutes.
What for? Well, we thought it might be best if all of us, Miss Walker, your mother, and you and myself, all went to the police station.
But why? We were trying to get away from the cops last night.
I I wanna talk to them about your father.
'Cause I think one day he may hurt you pretty badly.
I don't wanna see that happen.
Will they put him in jail? No.
Then he'll come back to us.
Mark He'll start all over except that he'll just be madder.
No, no, Mark, you gotta understand.
Your father's not a criminal.
He doesn't want to beat you.
Then why does he do it? Because he has a problem and we may be able to help him with it if we go to the police.
You're not going anywhere, Baxter.
I don't know who you think you are, but I'm good and tired of you interfering in my family.
Mr.
Hollinger, I'm just trying to help your son.
What I do with my son and my wife is my business.
You understand? But can't you see that you're hurting them? You need help.
Let me help you! By taking me to the police? Mr.
Hollinger, I just Dad! Leave him alone! Leave him alone! Get out of here, Mark! Mark, run! (BOTH GRUNTING) (PANTING) Mark? Dad, he's got Mr.
Baxter in the gym.
He's beating him up.
Oh, my God! I'll call the police.
Don't move.
Mark! (GROANS) I'll teach you about help.
Come on! Come on out, Baxter.
What's the matter? Can't you handle it? Baxter? (ROARING) Get away from me.
Stay away! No, please.
Stay away! (MOANING) MAN: Here, Jack.
Come here.
Put your hands down, boy.
Please.
Don't hit me, Daddy.
(CRYING) (SOBBING) Daddy.
Oh, Daddy.
I won't be bad, Daddy.
Please don't hit me anymore! Mark.
Please forgive me.
(SOBBING) I'm sorry.
Please, Son, I'm Mark, I'm sorry.
It's okay, Dad.
Oh, Mark.
(CRYING) I'm sorry, Son.
Please.
(SOBBING) Well, that is what I call a breakfast.
Are you sure you don't want to stay and talk to that reporter about the green man? Yeah, you might get your picture in the paper.
I think that that's probably something I would rather avoid.
Anyway, you two are going to be all right? They say Jack will be home from the hospital in less than a month.
We'll be fine.
And you do understand why your father behaved like that? Yeah.
Me and Dad talked it over.
I guess Gramps beat him up a lot when he was my age.
Something in his sub Something in his sub Subconscious.
Yeah, something in his subconscious made him do the same thing.
I guess he was just kind of taking it out on me.
I guess he kind of was.
But I'm proud of you.
You're a brave young man.
Do you have to go? Yeah, I'm afraid I do.
But a good gardener can always get a staff job.
Goodbye.
Thank you very much.
Goodbye.
Mr.
Baxter? How about another game of 21? (BOTH EXCLAIMING) I think I better quit while I'm ahead.