15x03 - Bad Moon Rising

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Heartland...

Another robbery? What is going on?

We're gonna laugh about
this someday, Jack.

- What?
- I think I gave you

the width of the panels
instead of the frame.

You've gotta be kiddin' me!

This place is gonna be great.

Yeah, again, thank you, Clint!

You know, he introduced me
to a vary generous donor,

so I've been able to do some upgrades.

His donor decided to back out.

It's a shame that they didn't
have the faith to stand by him.

I was that donor.

Hello, Paula. Nobody deserves
to be bullied like that.

Nobody.

I just got off the phone with my donor.

- She's back in.
- Is the Centre good now?

I think you actually saved it.

TIM: Jessica has taken
about a thousand pictures

- of this wild horse.
- So beautiful! (SNAPS PIC)

How do you feel about gentling him?

(THE PAINT NICKERS)

♪

(BIRDS CHIRP, WHINNY NEARBY)

(FOLIAGE CRUNCHES
UNDERFOOT, HORSE SIGHS)

Oh, Lyndy, look!

You see that horse there?

(HIGH-PITCHED NICKER)

That's the one that I'm
gonna gentle for Jessica.

(THE PAINT NICKERS, AMY CHUCKLES)

I think he likes us.

(THE PAINT WHINNIES, AMY CHUCKLES)

(HOOVES THUD)

Hey. So we just heard on the radio

that there's been another
break-in last night.

No kidding! How many has that been?

That's five in the past week,

and the girls are
starting to ask questions

and everybody's getting
a little nervous.

Well, I guess we should
have a chat with them,

make sure they know they're safe here.

Yes, that's a good idea,

but also, I have been looking
online at security systems,

and I am hoping that
you are open to it...

Lisa!

Because it would give us a
little extra peace of mind.

All right, I guess it wouldn't hurt.

Thank you.

So I'm just gonna call them and order

and have them install
it as soon as they can.

Well, you don't have to
pay anyone to do that.

I can install it.

Is that really the best idea though?

- Why not?
- Well, we can't forget the solar panel fiasco.

Aww, that's 'cause I had Parker
in my ear the whole time...

- I'll do it.
- Okay.

And then I'll just order
it and have it delivered.

Thank you.

♪

(TRUCK RUMBLES)

(BIRDS CHIRP)

Hey, Challenge!

Good to see you, bud!

Hey!

Oh, you remember me, don't you?

Yes, I brought you something.

There you go.

Good boy.

(RATTLING)

- Hey, Amy!
- Hey, Cooper!

Thanks for coming by
on such short notice.

How have things been going here?

Oh, it's super busy.

Well, it's not a great time for
your trainer to up and leave, huh?

Yeah, exactly, and just as
I'm planning this big gala

to raise awareness for the Centre,

not to mention raising some money.

Yeah. Well, I'm happy to
help out when I can. I mean,

at least until you find another trainer.

- Well, you're the best.
- Thanks.

(LOW HUM OF APPROACHING
CHATTER AND LAUGHTER)

I think you'll like these kids.

They come from a group home
just outside of Hudson.

A couple of them have
a bit of an edge, but

I know you can hold your own.

Glad you think so.

- (LAUGHTER)
- Me too!

Yeah.

Yeah. So, you can take Katie

for the last week of the month then.

Uh-huh. But you'll have her
back for the long weekend, right?

(PHONE RINGS IN THE DISTANCE)

Okay. Yeah. Okay, great.

Um... (CLEARS THROAT) So is there

anything else that we should...

you know... talk about?

Nope. Yeah, yeah.

Great. Okay.

Okay, take care.

(CLEARS THROAT)

- (GASPS)
- Uh, Peter?

(SIGHS) You were listening?

Never. I can just tell
from your body language,

which screams "unfinished business."

Okay, let's just focus
on town business, please?

Well, there was another
break-in last night.

Seriously?

- This is a real problem.
- Yeah, and everyone wants to know

what the mayor is gonna do about it.

Well, we should really revamp
the community watch program.

That's been on my list forever.

Okay, I'll draft a
press release for that,

but one more thing.

There's a Paula
Westfield here to see you.

What? She just came in
without setting up a meeting?

She claims you go way back.

That is one way of putting it.

Just, um, tell her that, unfortunately,

the mayor is too busy
to see her right now

and she can set up a
meeting like everybody else.

Hello, Lou.

Oh, come on, you didn't think
you were gonna get rid of me

that easily, did you?

(THUNDER RUMBLES, BRUSH SLIDES)

Uh, is this safe?

- Do I have to do this?
- You're Mac, right?

You don't need to be afraid.

No way I want that guy.

It's okay, he loves to be brushed.

Challenge is a really gentle horse.

Then why is his name Challenge?

Well, he was a bit more
work in the beginning,

but it all paid off.

Here.

GIRL: I can't get this knot out.

Yeah, I'll be right there.

(CHALLENGE GRUNTS NERVOUSLY
AS THE GATE SQUEAKS OPEN)

(CHALLENGE GRUNTS, AGITATED)

Stupid horse.

(BRISTLES RUB HARSHLY,
CHALLENGE WHINNIES, AGITATED)

Hey! What the hell are you doing?!

(CHALLENGE WHINNIES NERVOUSLY) Stop!

- What's wrong with you?!
- (CHALLENGE SNORTS)

- Back off, you crazy horse!
- (HOOVES THUD)

Hey! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...

Get it away from me!

(CHALLENGE NICKERS, AGITATED)

- Hey! Easy...
- Hey.

Ho... ho, ho.

- What's going on?
- That horse tried to k*ll me!

♪

♪ And at the break of day ♪

♪ You sank into your dream ♪

♪ You dreamer... ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh... ♪

♪ You dreamer... ♪

♪ You dreamer... ♪

- Mac, are you okay?
- I'm fine.

But next time forget the
brush, give me a baseball bat.

- We'll see how tough the horse really is.
- Hey, hey, whoa, whoa, whoa.

We don't talk like that here, okay?

- Tell that to psycho.
- Okay, look,

I know what he did was scary,
but you have to understand

that horses have a strong
fight or flight instinct.

Yeah, not like Mac. I
mean, he was more like stop,

- drop, and roll, eh?
- Shut up, Logan.

Hey... c'mon, man.

(GATE SQUEAKS AND CLANGS SHUT)

You know, it's a real good
thing that kid knew what to do.

I don't know what would've happened.

What, uh, what exactly did happen?

I don't know. I don't even
know what triggered him.

(COOPER'S PHONE RINGS)

- I'm sorry, I have to take this. This is my caterer.
- Yeah, yeah.

- (BEEPS CALL ON)
- Hey, Pam.

Yeah, I can get you
those numbers by tomorrow.

(A FLUTTERY SIGH ESCAPES CHALLENGE)

So, how is Peyton?

Oh, she's great. She has
really been on a roll lately.

How come we haven't seen Georgie

in any of the shows recently?

Oh, well, she's been really busy

training down in Florida, actually.

She has her eye on
qualifying for the Olympics.

Oh! (LAUGHS)

That's um... good for her.

So, look, I would really like to discuss

the clear and present
danger in our midst.

This recent rash of burglaries...

our community is under siege.

Right. Uh, listen, I share
and understand your concern,

but rest assured the police chief

has an on-going
investigation into the matter.

What's to investigate?

The source of the
break-ins is pretty obvious.

BOTH: It is?

Yes. It's that damn horse therapy centre

and those juvenile
delinquents it's bringing in.

Actually, I'm sure those
are just foster children

from group homes who go to those camps.

Many who have a criminal
record, no doubt.

So, I am lobbying you to shut
down that facility immediately.

Paula, you know it's not that easy.

You claim to be a
take-action kind of mayor.

We need you to get rid
of the seedy element

that centre's bringing here.

Okay, I'll tell you what. I
will go by the centre myself

and check it out.

Well, that's a start. (AMUSED) Hmm.

Please let me know what you
decide as soon as possible.

Many of the people in my circle

supported your bid to become mayor.

You really don't wanna let us down.

Trust me.

(AMUSED) Hmm.

- (SIGHS HEAVILY)
- Well...

isn't she a charmer.

Ugh. That woman is such a piece of work.

You should've heard her.

She just assumes that those
kids were behind the break-ins.

Yeah, well, just because
they've had a rough past

doesn't make them criminals.

Are you two really that surprised?

Paula Westfield has always had
the high and mighty attitude.

(LAUGHS) I know, but the ironic part

is that it's Paula and
all her well-off friends

that Cooper really wants at the gala.

Oh my gosh, I completely
forgot about that.

I still haven't booked a babysitter.

We don't need one. I've
got it covered, remember?

Uh, I don't think that's
a good idea, not right now.

Not with all that's going on.

I'll... I'll stay home with the kids.

No, but Grandpa, Cooper needs
all the support he can get.

Well, exactly. That way...
all three of you can go.

Well, I'm not going if you're not going.

But I guess we'll stay home
and send a big donation.

What if it's true?

What if these kids are the ones
breaking into all the houses?

No, I... I don't think they are.

Then who was it, Mommy?

I don't know, honey, but the
police are gonna catch them, okay?

What if they come here?

No one is coming here. We're safe.

And we're putting in a security
system, for extra protection.

What's that?

It monitors your home
and sets off an alarm

in case anyone ever breaks in.

I thought you said no
one was coming here.

They're not, but... just a precaution.

(UTENSILS CLINK AND SCRAPE)

(A HORSE WHINNIES IN THE DISTANCE)

Hey! You heading to the centre?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm gonna be
spending a lot of time there

until Cooper finds a new trainer.

Well, I hope he appreciates
you stepping in like this.

He does, Lou. He's actually
a very generous client.

Great! So, um...

these kids... what are they like?

You're not actually considering
what Paula Westfield said, are you?

No, no. Not really, but...

- Lou.
- These break-ins have come out of nowhere.

- So what?
- So how can we be sure

they don't have anything to do with it?

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

You know, when I look at these kids,

I see Ty at their age
dealt a tough hand,

and then constantly judged for it.

And then the second anything goes wrong,

everybody turns their eyes on them,

- and that's not fair.
- I get that.

But maybe you're being a
little too biased here, Amy.

I mean, not every one
of these kids is like Ty,

and you don't really
even know them that well.

Whoever is responsible for these
break-ins is putting families at risk.

Including ours. I mean, you've seen
how worried Lyndy and Katie are.

Yeah. I know, and so am I.

But that doesn't mean we should
go pointing fingers at people

- until we actually have a reason to.
- I'm sorry,

but I need to get to the bottom of this.

- Then come with me.
- Well, I told Paula I would and,

well, my morning is pretty free.

Good. Follow me.

♪

(VEHICLES RUMBLE TO A STOP)

(ENGINES CUT OUT)

(DOORS BANG SHUT) COOPER: Wow.

Wasn't expecting to see both
the Fleming sisters today.

And I wasn't expecting to see you.

- Clint, how are you?
- Hey.

Good to see ya.

I thought Coop might need a little help

- setting up this fancy event.
- Yeah.

Where is Challenge?

I left him in the paddock.

I just didn't think it was
safe to bring him out just yet.

Can't afford anything
to go wrong right now.

I'll work with him
after the session today.

- See ya.
- See ya.

So what do I owe the pleasure
of a visit from our mayor?

- Well...
- Wouldn't have anything to do

with those burglaries, now, would it?

Yeah. That's the real reason I'm here.

We got a few calls saying your
kids might've been involved.

Yeah, me too.

These kids never get a break.

Look, I'm not saying I believe it, okay?

In fact, I came out here to
put the accusations to rest.

Well, thank you.

So when did this most
recent group of kids arrive?

- It's about a week ago.
- Timing's not great.

No. Pretty much lines up
exactly with the burglaries.

Trust me, all right, it wasn't them.

They work with the horses,
and it's chores all day.

Then we have dinner
and it's early curfew.

Well, is there any way
they could sneak off-site?

No. No, I would notice that.

And plus, that's just...

that's not who these kids are.

(PACKING SLEEVE RUSTLES)

All right. Well, here's
the control panel.

I've got the door and window sensors.

This is... ?

- That's a motion detector.
- Yeah.

This feels a bit overkill, doesn't it?

It's gonna be like
Fort Knox around here.

All right, you're having second thoughts

- on putting all this up?
- No,

- no...
- I can still call and have it installed, honey.

I can do it, it just...

it's a lot of equipment and all.

I'll help Jack mount the
security cameras outside.

- Uh... that's a good idea.
- (QUIET GROAN)

(CHALLENGE GRUNTS)

(AMY CLUCKS HER TONGUE AND HISSES)

(CHALLENGE GRUNTS, HOOVES THUD)

You sure you wanna be in
there alone with that guy?

(CHUCKLES) We have history. I trust him.

He seems a lot calmer today.

Have you spent a lot
of time around horses?

No. Never, actually.

How can you tell he's calmer?

I don't know, he just seems like it.

You know, he's got a bit of
swagger to him or something.

(CHUCKLES) And yesterday?
What was he like yesterday?

He was different. You
know, like more wound up,

especially when he went after Mac.

Yeah, and then you
just ran right in there.

How did you know he
wasn't gonna turn on you?

I didn't, I just kinda reacted.

Hmm.

Well, you have a good sense with horses,

especially when their all
worked up, like this one was.

What can I say? I'm a natural.

Oh yeah, big sh*t? Why don't you
come in here and work with us?

Uh, no, I'm good.

I don't wanna start
anything I can't finish.

You going somewhere?

Outta here.

My dad's coming home.

- He's been away or something?
- Yeah...

I guess you could say that.

- Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.
- Oh no, it's all good.

At least it will be next week.

So don't either of you go
getting too attached to me.

- Okay.
- 'Cause...

my dad's coming to get me
and I'll be outta here...

just like that. (SNAPS FINGERS)

- (CHALLENGE GRUNTS AGITATEDLY)
- Whoa.

- Whoa, easy.
- Oh, sorry,

I didn't mean to scare him.

No, it... it's okay.

You might've accidentally
shown me what triggers him.

- Loud noises.
- (CHALLENGE GRUNTS SOFTLY)

♪

Robertson screwdriver.

- That's the... the one with the...
- Square head.

(SIGHS)

Yeah.

I know what I'm doing.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

You might wanna angle the camera

a little bit to the right

if you actually wanna
see if someone's coming.

- Who's coming?
- No one's coming, honey.

Then why did you set up a camera?

Have to admit, kid's got a point.

That's not helpin'.

(JACKET RUSTLES)

(LOU BLOWS OUT HER BREATH)

- (DOOR CLICKS OPEN)
- (GASPS, THEN EXHALES)

No one was at the front desk,
so I thought I'd show myself in.

Actually, I was just on my way out.

- Have you heard?
- Heard what?

My ranch got broken into last night.

- What?
- Mm-hmm. Well, almost.

One of my grooms scared
the burglars away.

Well, that is a relief. I'm uh...

I hope that they got
a good look at them.

No, it was too dark. But
I already know who it was.

You need to deal with those kids.

Actually, I just went by
the centre this morning.

Good. Did you put them on notice?

Paula, I am not closing down a facility

that provides important social services

based on your speculation.

Hudson has always been
a safe place to live.

So safe that most people don't
even lock their front doors.

Now there's this new centre

and homes are being
looted all of a sudden.

You can't think this
is a coincidence, Lou.

I told you, the police have
an ongoing investigation...

That is clearly going nowhere.

So...

it looks like we are gonna have
to deal with this ourselves.

Who's we?

The pillars of this community.

That centre is going down...

and who knows,

you just might go down with it.

(CRICKETS CHIRP)

You know, what gives her
the right to stand there

and utter threats at me?

That's just who Paula is. (LAUGHS)

And the hardest part about being mayor

is having to keep your mouth shut

while all you wanna do
is give someone like Paula

- a piece of your mind.
- It's not working.

Okay. Well, let's just
go back to settings.

What is it you guys are trying to do?

We're trying to sync up the
security system to a remote hub.

Right. And you're sure
that Grandpa's phone

is the best place for that? (LAUGHS)

That's what I said.

I'm the one who's here most of the time.

You're also the most
technically challenged.

I know what I'm doing, Parker.

- (A NOTIFICATION CHIMES)
- See? There.

(SMACKS THE TABLE) Synced up.

- (LISA CHUCKLES)
- Miracles can happen.

- (AMY AND LISA LAUGH)
- (JACK'S PHONE DINGS)

LISA: Oh wait, look. There's
an alert from the barn camera.

Click on it.

- (PHONE DINGS)
- Oh!

It's working! It's working!

- (STATIC HISSES)
- What just happened?

I don't know. It looks like something...

somebody ripped the camera off the wall.

- ALL: What?!
- Wait...

- (SPOUTING GIBBERISH)
- It might have fallen. Jac... (SIGHS)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)

(CRICKETS CHIRP)

(RATTLING AND RUSTLING)

♪

(LOUD METALLIC RATTLING)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)

Don't move!

(RACCOON CHIRPS)

(CHIRPING)

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

(CAMERA CLICKS)

- (CHUCKLING)
- (DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

It's not that funny.

Lisa's hellbent on getting
this back up and running,

and I know those raccoons
aren't going anywhere,

so, no doubt, I'll be
doing this again tomorrow.

You know, I don't love the idea
of a security system either,

but last night Lyndy
had her first good sleep

since these break-ins started, so.

I'm so glad to hear that.

And uh... I know it's a pain,

but thanks for making her feel safe.

(DOOR BANGS SHUT, ENGINE STARTS)

Okay.

- (BOARDS CLACK)
- It's okay. Come here.

It's not gonna hurt you.

(BOARDS CLACK, CHALLENGE GRUNTS CALMLY)

- How about this?
- (BOTTLE CRINKLES LOUDLY)

Oh, it's scary. It's okay.

(BOTTLE CRINKLES,
CHALLENGE GRUNTS CALMLY)

If he's a good boy does he get a drink?

Very funny.

Just trying to get him used
to different sounds, you know?

Yeah, I mean, he's
barely even flinching now.

You know, he's really good
with me because he knows me,

but what I need is to try all this

with a stranger in the pen.

Oh, don't look at me.

Come on, I... I mean, I know
horses are big, intimidating an...

Oh no, it's not even that. I just...

I got better things to do.

- Right. 'Course you do.
- I'm serious.

You know, I know there's
nothing to be afraid of.

(FENCE RATTLES AND SQUEAKS, HEAVY THUD)

See? Challenge has a fighter's spirit,

but if you don't mess
with him he's, he's fine.

Okay, Mr. Comfortable, how
about you help me saddle him?

- Go grab that pad.
- Okay.

- Just kinda swing it up there.
- (GRUNTS)

♪

(HARNESS BUCKLES RATTLE)

Hey, nicely done.

Now just feed that through there,

and do that buckle up.

- (BOTTLE CRINKLES)
- It's okay.

Good. Good job.

- Thanks.
- I was...

talking to Challenge, but
you did pretty good too.

- BOTH: (LAUGH)
- (VEHICLE RUMBLES NEARBY)

- Hey, Lou!
- Hey!

(ENGINE CUTS OUT, DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

Is Cooper around?

- (DOOR BANGS SHUT)
- I think he's in the barn office.

- 'Kay.
- Hi.

Yes, I know it was supposed
to be there last week, but...

(GATE CLICKS OPEN)

Yes.

Yes. Okay, I promise

to get you the cost reports
tomorrow, Mrs. Fitzroy.

Okay, bye-bye.

- Hey.
- Oh man, these donors.

Just too busy to deal
with them right now.

Yeah. Well, look, I
know this is a bad time,

but, uh, I should just
give you a heads up.

Those thieves were at Paula
Westfield's ranch last night.

I've heard of her. She's a
pretty big deal around here.

Yeah, she likes to think so.

The problem is, she's
convinced it was these kids.

So, you need to watch your back.

Well, thanks, but I'm pretty sure
I can turn her around on this place.

(CHUCKLES) You haven't met Paula.

Well, maybe not, but I know her type,

and I'm convinced that this gala

will show her and the whole community

what a first-class
centre this really is.

You seem to be pinning a lot
of your hopes on this gala.

Have you done anything like this before?

No, but I've been to
enough fundraising events

during my masters
that I know what works.

You get a, a posh venue,

great catering, an
upscale silent auction.

- It goes a long way.
- Well, you do seem to have

a lot of local businesses on board.

Yeah, it wasn't too
tough, just expensive.

Well, I hope that they were offering
donations and cutting you deals.

I didn't do too much haggling.

- It costs what it costs.
- Right.

Hey, look, I've been running
businesses for going on years.

I would be happy to take a look
at your books. You know, maybe

offer some advice on how you can
allocate profits from the gala.

(SIGHS) Yeah, yeah, sure.

Go nuts. Everything's all here.

- (COOPER'S PHONE RINGS)
- Great.

Excuse me, I have to take this.

Tamara.

Yeah, talk to me. What time do
you need to load in tomorrow?

- All right.
- (DOOR THUNKS SHUT)

- (KEYS CLATTER)
- (SIGHS)

(BLOWS OFF DUST)

Wait, that's almost
double what you quoted.

Yes, I understand that, but... (SIGHS)

Okay, just... just get it done.

And please, no more surprises.

(PHONE BEEPS OFF)

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

(HORSE WHINNIES NEARBY,
ADDING MACHINE BUTTONS CLICK)

LISA: (LAUGHING) Are you
all done out there, honey?

Yeah. What's so funny?

Well, you left your phone here

and there's all these alerts popping up.

Oh? What kind of alerts?

Uh, well... (LAUGHING)

It seems that that the
camera is, is... (LAUGHS)

is back online. (KATIE LAUGHS)

- Glad you're having...
- (LISA AND KATIE LAUGH)

a good laugh at my expense.

(LISA AND KATIE LAUGH)

Thanks for working with us today.

Hey, you haven't got my bill yet.

Oh yeah? Well, why don't we see

how tomorrow's session
with Challenge goes first.

Yeah. It'll be great to have him back.

You can tell he really
likes being around people.

Why doesn't he stay in the barn?

Well, he's a wild horse at heart.

I gentled him last year,

but even a gentled wild horse
doesn't like to be confined.

Yeah, I get that.

I mean, I can't wait to
get out of the group home.

It can't be easy to tame a wild horse.

How do you do it?

You know, it's almost easier for
me to show you than explain it.

Why don't I pick you up
before tomorrow's session?

- Okay.
- All right.

I'll run it by Cooper, of course.

I'll see you tomorrow.

(THUNDER RUMBLES IN THE DISTANCE)

(CHALLENGE GRUNTS, GATE CLICKS SHUT)

Ugh... seriously?

- Come on, Cooper. (PAPER RUSTLES)
- Lou?

(BLOWS OUT HER BREATH)

- What're you doing in here?
- Hey.

I am going through the
centre's financials.

- Oh. Cool.
- Not cool.

Cooper is running this
place into the ground.

He's in serious trouble here.

♪

(CRICKETS CHIRP)

(CRICKETS CHIRP)

(FLOORBOARDS CREAK)

(PIERCING SIREN WAILS, GLASS SHATTERS)

LYNDY: Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

- Are you okay?
- What's going on?

- Mommy! (CRYING)
- Honey...

What's going on? Why
is the alarm going off?

- I wanted a glass of milk.
- Can I see that?

- Was it a false alarm?
- (LYNDY CRIES)

Yes, you could say that.

Jack, you can't set the motion sensors

while we're in the house.

(LOU SIGHS)

Here you go, sweetie.

I'm not hungry.

What if I let you have whip cream today?

- (EXCITED) Really?
- Really. (LAUGHS)

I'm sorry about last night, girls.

Your GG's still trying to figure out

how all this stuff works.
It won't happen again.

You know what, maybe
this whole security system

is more trouble than it's worth.

- I'd be happy to take it down.
- No.

No, no, we're gonna give
it a fair chance, okay?

We can't take much more of
having these false alarms.

Yeah, I agree.

Well, I have to go, sweetheart.

Okay? I want you to
be a good girl today.

I have to take someone
to see the wild horses.

- Oh yeah, who's that?
- A kid from the centre. Logan.

He has this incredible
instinct with horses,

especially for someone who's
never been around them before.

(WIND RUSTLES THE GRASS, BIRDS CHIRP)

- Wow... look at that one.
- Yeah. (CHUCKLES)

- His markings are so cool.
- He's what we call a "splashy" paint.

I'm gonna gentle him for my dad's wife.

You mean your stepmom?

Oh, right. (LAUGHS) I guess I do.

It was just pretty
sudden, you know? So it...

still kinda feels weird.

(TAKES A DEEP BREATH) All
right, you keep your distance.

I'm gonna go see if I
can get close to him.

(BIRDS CHIRP)

(WILD HORSES NEIGH, SPARTAN GRUNTS)

(SOFTLY) Hey, boy...

I'm just gonna hang
out here with you, okay?

(BIRDS CHIRP, THE PAINT NICKERS)

(BIRDS CHIRP, HORSES SIGH CONTENTEDLY)

- (SCREEN DOOR SNAPS SHUT)
- LISA: Hey!

I have been working
the phone all morning.

Oh yeah? You got a
bead on another horse?

No, no. No. I've been calling
all my Fairfield clients,

uh, talking up this gala,

because I think that centre
needs every cent it can get.

And that got me thinking...
that we should be there.

Lis, you know how I don't love

those fancy hobnobbin' deals.

Besides, we said we'd
look after the kids.

I know. So, what I'm thinking
is that we take them with us,

because the family
has been on edge lately

and it would be really nice to
have a fun night out together.

I don't know...

Well, you do know how much I love

seeing how handsome you are
in that suit I bought you.

Okay. (CHUCKLES) Fine,

I'll get handsome for you.

- We'll make a brief appearance.
- Brief.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(SIGHS)

(HORSES NICKER)

(BIRDS CHIRP)

(THE PAINT GRUNTS AND
BLOWS OUT HIS BREATH)

(GRUNTING)

(BIRDS CHIRP, THE PAINT GRUNTS SOFTLY)

- That was pretty cool.
- Thanks.

Yeah, the... the first
step with a wild horse

is just letting them get to know you.

He definitely seemed interested.

- Mm-hmm.
- He came right up to you.

That's a really great sign.

So what's next?

Well, we just have to be patient.

You know, we have to be patient
in order to build a strong bond.

Is that why Challenge
trusts you so much?

- Exactly.
- (PHONE BEEPS)

- All right, we should probably get back.
- All right.

Come on, Spartan.

(THE PAINT WHINNIES, HOOVES THUD)

'Kay, so before you get on your horse,

I wanna make sure that you
have your reins in your hand.

Put your left foot in your
stirrup and just swing up.

I want you to stay
nice and centered, okay?

- Make sure that everything is...
- (SLAMS GATE)

- (NERVOUS GRUNTS, HIGH-PITCHED NICKER)
- Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa! Hey, hey, hey, Challenge!

- (CHALLENGE GRUNTS, AGITATED)
- C'mon, man. Back off.

- Easy, easy, you're fine.
- C'mon, back off.

Hoo... hoo... Mac, hold on!

(CHALLENGE GRUNTS)

(TACK JINGLES)

Are you putting him back in the paddock?

I don't have much choice.

It's obvious that it's not
just loud noises that scare him,

it's Mac too. You're okay.

Well, what's gonna happen if Challenge
can't work with the kids here?

Cooper's gonna have to get rid of him.

- Where would he go?
- I don't know.

But he can't go back to his herd.

(THE FENCE CREAKS OPEN, HOOVES CLOP)

(PHONE CHIMES)

(LOU BLOWS OUT HER BREATH,
COMPUTER KEYS CLACK)

Cooper. Thanks for coming to see me.

Hey. Sorry, you've been
trying to get hold of me.

I can only stay a few minutes though.

- Tonight's the big night!
- Yeah, I know,

but this couldn't wait. Please, sit.

(LAPTOP SNAPS SHUT)

- Your centre's in big trouble.
- What do you mean?

C'mon, Cooper. You've been way
overspending on the day-to-day

and you haven't even been
submitting cost reports

- to your funding agencies.
- I've had a lot on my plate, all right?

- You could lose your grants.
- I know!

But I feel like I'm getting
strangled in all this red tape.

(SIGHS)

Look, all I want to
do is help these kids!

I don't have time for any of
that other stuff right now.

I understand,

and I actually have some
ideas on how you can scale back

and how you can pull
your centre out of debt.

Look, I really appreciate
you taking the time

to look through my books,
all right? I really do.

But right now I just...

I just need to focus
on this gala, all right?

♪

Hey, uh, maybe we could
go rafting when you're out.

Yeah, white water rapids. Why not?

Okay, yeah, that sounds cool too.

We're gonna have such
a great summer together.

All right. Bye, Dad.

(LOUD cr*ck, A HORSE
NICKERS IN DISTRESS)

- (LOUD cr*ck)
- TEENS: Whoa!

(LOUD cr*ck, HIGH-PITCHED,
AGITATED NICKER)

(LOUD cr*ck, AGITATED, NERVOUS NICKER)

(LOUD cr*ck, HIGH-PITCHED,
AGITATED NICKER)

What the hell are you doing?

We're just havin' a little fun.

(LOUD cr*ck, CHALLENGE
WHINNIES, AGITATED)

He's a wild horse, you
can't put him in the stall.

He gets way more riled up in here.

- (LOUD cr*ck)
- Enough!

Or what?! You gonna b*at me up?

(LOUD cr*ck, CHALLENGE WHINNIES)

Yeah, maybe. Maybe I'll let
the horse out the stall, huh,

see what happens!

(CHALLENGE NICKERS NERVOUSLY)

(PLASTIC BAG RUSTLES)

Those are mine.

Not anymore.

Thief!

Like father like son, hey, Logan?

(BAG OF WHIPPER SNAPPERS DROPS)

(HARD THUD)

Let's get outta here!

- Whoa, that was insane!
- (SEETHING EXHALES)

Yeah, did you see him lose his temper?

- Yeah! It was amazing.
- It's okay.

Hey. Hey...

- (CHALLENGE GRUNTS)
- It's okay, they're gone now.

It's just you and me, buddy.

Come on, let's get you outta here.

(LATCH CLANKS)

(CHALLENGE GRUNTS SOFTLY, HOOVES THUD)

Hey.

- Hey, you okay?
- (CHALLENGE GRUNTS)

(LEAD HOOK CLICKS,
CHALLENGE GRUNTS CALMLY)

- Okay, buddy.
- (CHALLENGE NICKERS)

(CHALLENGE NICKERS)

(BIRDS CHIRP)

LOU: So... I finally talked to Cooper.

- Mm. What did you say?
- I told him the truth;

that I think the
centre's in big trouble.

Ugh. And how did he take that?

Well, he didn't seem surprised,

but he kind of freaked out a little bit.

To be honest, I think
he's in way over his head,

and I think he's putting way
too much stock in this gala.

I know, but his heart's
in the right place.

I hope this works out for him.

- Well, it'd be a start.
- (CHUCKLES SIGH)

C'mon, GG, we've got to go.

- You ready?
- I'm comin', I'm comin'.

Wow, look at all of you.

I must be the luckiest man in the world

to be escorting... one, two, three,

four, five beautiful ladies to a party.

Well, you look pretty
handsome yourself, cowboy.

- Now hur-ry up.
- Yes, yes, yes.

What's this? I haven't seen it before.

That's a nice watch. How
come you never wear it?

It's just a piece of metal.

- (WATCH THUDS)
- Okay. We'll see you guys there.

- 'Kay.
- Ready?

I'm sorry if I'm moving
in slow motion today.

Between phone apps, and raccoons,

and false alarms, I...

hardly slept a wink last night.

- Okay. And you'll set the alarm?
- Yes, yes, I'll set the alarm.

- All right.
- I will see you in the truck.

(SIGHS)

♪

(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC PLAYS)

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, FIRE CRACKLES)

- Two white wine?
- Okay.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, WINE GLASSES CLINK)

- Wow, Cooper sure put a lot of effort into this.
- Yeah, and money.

Hey, hey, hey.

I'm glad to see the whole
family could make it out.

Yeah. Katie and Lyndy already
found the dessert table.

- (CHUCKLES)
- This place looks incredible.

Yeah, thanks. I really
think it's gonna pay off.

- So fancy.
- Crazy nice.

Can we get something
to eat? I'm starving.

It's amazing. Look,
they have a whole tray.

Uh, looks like I need to give these kids

a quick refresher on gala etiquette.

Excuse me.

(PIANO MUSIC PLAYS
QUIETLY, LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

Um, Logan, come here.

I want you to meet my family.

- So this is Logan.
- I'm Lisa.

Jack. Good to meet ya.

I understand you have a way with horses.

- (LAUGHS) I don't know about that.
- BOTH: (CHUCKLE)

- Uh, can I talk to you about something?
- Yeah, of course.

Cooper said he wants us all to
sit at our table and be quiet.

- Come on, we gotta go.
- We'll chat after.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, PIANO MUSIC PLAYS)

Anybody need another round?

(CHUCKLING)

- LISA: You all right there?
- No.

Those raccoons are
setting off motion alerts

- every five minutes.
- (CAMERA DINGS)

Well, honey, if it's
bothering you that much,

just go into the settings and
turn off the camera alerts.

- Let me do it.
- No, no, no, it's okay.

- I'm getting the hang of this.
- All right.

Hey, Cooper's gonna say a few words.

He's gonna explain a couple
of things about the centre.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, PHONE DINGS)

So what I want to leave
you with tonight is that,

on the surface, equine horse therapy

may look like it's all
about feeding, grooming,

and taking care of horses, which it is,

but more importantly are the life
skills that are built as a result.

So, this includes everything
from emotional regulation

to building self-confidence,

taking responsibility for others.

Now, running a facility

like Higher Ground Equestrian
Therapy is expensive,

so we desperately need your help.

Now the impact this
centre has on these kids...

Um, what about the impact
it has on the community?

What about our safety?

Because any support
we provide to this...

dumping ground for juvenile delinquents

is only inviting more danger to Hudson.

Those kids arrived here at exactly

the same time the break-ins began.

Coincidence? I think not.

And after doing some digging,

you probably won't be
surprised to learn that

we found several of them
already have criminal records.

- Uh, ma'am, if I could just...
- No, no, no.

Don't "ma'am" me, and don't silence me.

I am one of the victims
of these burglaries.

Not only will we not
support your centre,

but we will continue to push our mayor,

Lou Fleming, to do the right thing

- and shut you down.
- Okay, all right.

That's enough. You've had your say.

(CHUCKLES) Yes, I have.

(HIGH HEELS CLACK)

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

♪

You guys okay?

I can't believe she did that.

How am I gonna get any
sponsorship money now?

Oh, c'mon, Cooper, it's just one night.

You don't get it, Clint.
Everything was riding on this.

If we can't raise significant money,

(SIGHS) it's over.

(PIANO MUSIC PLAYS
SOFTLY, LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

Check it out. Snuck it
from one of the tables.

(LAUGHS) Wow. Great job, Mac.

- We're all gonna share one beer?
- (MAC SNORTS)

(GLASS THUNKS)

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

Those robberies...

got anything to do with them?

Dude. Have you lost your mind?

I sleep in the bunk right above you.

- Think I'm sneaking out the window?
- I don't trust you.

Oh, so that's what it's about, hey?

Your soft spot for locked up animals...

just like your dad?

(PIANO MUSIC PLAYS, GLASSES CLINK)

(HARD PUNCH, LOUD CRASH, EVERYONE GASPS)

Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Logan, Logan, back off.

What the heck is wrong with you two?

He sucker punched me
right out of the blue.

He's been torturing Challenge.

Putting him in a stall and throwing
firecrackers at him to scare him.

Mac! No wonder the horse went after you.

- I should've let him get you.
- Hey, hey.

This is not the time for this, okay?

(RUSHED FOOTSTEPS)

This is all really upsetting, Cooper.

- Ms. Fitzroy.
- I'm going to have to reconsider

my contributions going forward.

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

Well, that was a complete disaster.

Well...

- it's...
- Oh, no, we don't know that yet.

C'mon, Clint.

That scuffle was the
final nail in our coffin.

Those kids ruined it for all of us.

Cooper, I know you're upset, but...

I hope you're not blaming Logan.

- He started the fight, Amy.
- You heard him.

You know what Mac did with Challenge.

He better be suspended from the centre.

What Centre? There's no way I
can dig us out of this hole now.

Hey, look, things
might look bleak, but...

you can still save this. I can
help you put a plan in place.

(SIGHS) Let's talk later.

You know, tonight, I just
need to lick my wounds.

Yeah. Good night.

Good night.

(HIGH HEELS CLACK)

(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYS)

(CRICKETS CHIRP, OWL HOOTS)

(TRUCK RUMBLES DOWN
THE DRIVE, REMI BARKS)

LISA: I thought we left
some lights on inside.

JACK: What in the heck?

Look at the screen door!
The window's broken.

Honey?

- Jack, stop, stop! Wait!
- Stay here. Stay here!

Jack!

Oh no. Amy's already calling the police.

Okay. Give, give me your phone.

Stay in the car with the girls.

Give me your phone!

- I wanna see when they went in.
- AMY: ... to report a break-in...

- Why didn't I get any alerts?
- I don't know, honey.

AMY: Um, no, I...

Because you didn't turn off the camera,

you turned off the
entire system, that's why.

- (FRUSTRATED SIGH)
- AMY: I will stay on the line. Thank you.

Now what're you doing?!
Wait a minute! Wait a minute!

Jack! If they're still in there...

- That's what I'm hoping.
- (REMI BARKS)

(FOOTSTEPS THUNK ON STAIRS, REMI WHINES)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC BUILDS)

(REMI WHINES, DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

(JACK STEPS LIGHTLY)

Anybody in here?!

If you are, you best show yourself now!

(CRICKETS CHIRP OUTSIDE)

(LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS)

(FOOTSTEPS THUD LOUDLY)

(CLOCK TICKS LOUDLY)

♪

♪

♪

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC TURNS SOMBRE)

♪

(INHALES SHARPLY, EXHALES FORCEFULLY)