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02x13 - The Magic Shop

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour". Aired: September 20, 1962 – May 10, 1965.*
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It was a segment of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, this time, lasting an hour.

02x13 - The Magic Shop

Post by bunniefuu »

["Alfred Hitchcock" theme music]

Good evening.

Greetings, fellow astronauts.

I believe the search

for inexpensive space
exploration is at an end.

Our program thus far has
achieved untold of heights

in a budgetary sense.

Now I am confident that
we shall be able to reduce

the important cost per mile
factor

to an unprecedented low.

Simplicity is the key note.

I believe a child could operate
this ship,

thus freeing men for more
important tasks.

We shall stage a
demonstration this evening,

but first we wish to bring you a
story.

It is called "The Magic Shop,"

for that is where Steven
Grainger

has a frightening and eerie
experience.

It begins in a few moments.

[tinkly music]

- It was on Tony's birthday it
happened.

We'd always tried to be good
parents,

progressive within
limits, and understanding.

I wonder if we really did
understand.

There must have been some sign
somewhere

to show us that he was the sort
of child

to whom such a thing could
happen.

The thing that happened that
day.

The day that changed our lives.

Come on, birthday boy!

Haha!

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

Happy birthday to.

[Steven laughing]

- [Tony] One, two, three, four,
five, six!

♪ Happy birthday dear Tony ♪

Happy birthday.

[doorbell rings]

- Well go on, open 'em up.

- Hello, Mr. Adams.

- I'm disturbing you.

- No.

- You sure?

- Quite sure.

- For Tony.

I thought he might get
something for himself.

- Oh, you shouldn't have, but
thank you.

Won't you come in?

- Oh no no, I'll just be in the
way.

I hope I did the right thing.

I mean, I really don't know
what boys like these days.

Oh, oh.

Oh, they're not for Tony.

He wouldn't care for roses.

They're for you.

They're the very first of the
year,

and I thought they might
brighten up your table.

- Well that's so nice of you.

They're just beautiful!

Oh please do come in.

- Oh no, no thank you.

Thank you, no thank you.

- This is great!

- [Mom] What does the card say?

- The card, oh yes.

From you, Dad!

[Steven chuckles]

- All right now, today we
get the right kind of plants.

Next week we get the fish.

Better to have the plants
growing first, you see?

Did you see the instructions in
there?

- No.

Here they are.

Yes, it's all here.

Thanks.

Thanks a lot.

- [Steven] Hey, Tony, off
the table, off the table.

- A camera!

- You can change it if
it's not what you want.

- It sure is!

- [Mom] There are other
presents, dear.

- More money, $10!

That makes 15!

- That's from Grandma, dear.

- Can I get what I like with it?

- Of course you can.

- Whatever I like?

- Oh, no.
- You said so!

You said so, a dog!

- Tony, no.

That's not--

- Hey now, wait a minute.

You've forgotten.

We said next year you can have
the dog.

When you can take care of it
properly.

- Tony, look.

Here's this from Mr. Adams.

Oh that's lovely.

[piggybank rattles]

Isn't that nice of him?

- Looks like a lot, but--

- [Steven] Tony?

Now you go and thank him
right after breakfast.

- For his roses, too.

Mm, I'm gonna put them in water.

- Tony, you know,

this means quite a lot to Mr.
Adams.

You understand?

All right, come on.

Here, we'll open up the last
package.

Now, you know what this is?

Something you've been hinting
about for the last 11 months.

- From Uncle Alex?

Gee, I guessed it was it!

I was scared to look!

- Here, let me help you.

- How do I look?

[Steven laughs]

- Well.

- [Mom] Breakfast!

- Come on, we'll discuss
it over some food.

- I'm going to wear this today.

- Won't you be too hot?

- No.

Know where I want us to go
today?

- We're going to get some
plants for the aquarium,

and some snails, and some sand.

- And I want us to go to the
magic shop.

If you won't let me buy a puppy,

I want to buy something there.

- This shop you're talking
about, Tony, on Arcright Street?

- Yes.

- Tony, I've told you, I've
looked.

There is no such shop.

- Yes there is.

- I've looked for it too,
darling.

There really isn't one.

- There is.

[tinkly music]

- Well you're wrong, son.

It just isn't there.

Tony!

[horns blaring]

Tony!

Now listen, Tony, I
don't have to tell you--

- Do you know what you did?

You almost caused an accident.

- I'm sorry, officer.

- If you was responsible,

you'd be getting the ticket this
minute,

but it wasn't you, it was your
kid.

- Well he's a little
overexcited, officer.

- Jaywalking's an offense in
this city.

Look, one of these days you're
gonna get yourself k*lled,

as well as other people.

Well, we can't tie up a
whole business district

just because a kid
doesn't have sense enough

to be let off the leash.

I'll let him go this time.

All right, come on,
move along, keep moving.

- Thank you, officer.

I assure you it won't happen
again.

- Now you see to that.

All right, come on, let's
go, keep moving along!

- Why'd you let him bawl me out
like that?

- Because it's better for
him to blow off steam, Tony.

- I'd blow him up.

- Now look, I told you about--

- Here we are, here's the magic
shop!

Come on, Dad, come on!

[bell dings]

[eerie music]

[guillotine clatters]

- Hey, look at this.

Now you see it,

now you don't!

[Steven laughs]

That's very good.

Doesn't look like there's
anybody here.

[eerie music]

Hello!

Hello?

[Tony giggles]

- Hey Dad, look.

[Steven laughs]

- [Steven] Well, how do you
like that for a likeness?

- What's so funny?

- What, don't you think you're
funny?

[both laugh]

Hey, that's strange.

Doesn't reflect me.

Must be the angle, huh?

- Good morning, gentlemen.

[eerie music]

Mr. Dulong, at your service.

[eerie music]

- How do you do, Mr. Dulong?

Were you, had you been here all
the time?

- All the time.

- Really, well I guess it's so
dark.

Tell me, the mirror,

the glass in that mirror there.

Is that special glass?

- Well, everything here is
rather special.

- Well the reason I'm asking
is--

- Hey, what can I have the
pleasure of showing you?

- Oh, just a few simple tricks.

You know the sort of thing.

- Aha, well perhaps?

Blow.

[Steven chuckles]

And blow.

Now.

What have we here, huh?

Here, here it comes, here.

Let's put him to sleep, shh.

Shh, sleep.

Now, how about this trick?

You see the glass?

Completely covered, huh?

You see the coin on top?

Now, tap the coin.

[coin clinks]

- Well, Tony?

- Oh, it's for you, my young
friend.

- Yes you see, it's my
birthday--

- It's a good day to be born on.

- I don't know what you mean.

- Oh you know what I mean.

[Tony giggles]

- Tony, now which do you want?

Do you want the coin trick,
or the bulb trick or both?

That is, if they're not too
expensive.

How much are they?

- Well, I don't think this
boy would be interested

in [speaks in foreign language]
tricks.

He wants the real deal.
- Magic.

- That's quite a little
boy you have there.

I knew it when I heard.

[bell rings]
The bell ring!

Looks quite easy to open,
doesn't it?

- Well it is.

- Really?

And who opened it?

- Well he did, this little boy,

so it's not so difficult.

- Exactly.

This little boy.

- Now, just a minute.

We came in here to buy some
magic--

- Daddy?

Don't be,

you know.

I'd like to see some real magic.

- And would you know what
it is when you see it?

- I'd know it.

- Well, let's see.

What do you think of that?

- Is that magic?

- Oh come on now, don't
make a fool out of the boy.

You can lock a door by remote
control.

All you have to do is push a
button.

You better do something about
it,

or you're gonna lose a customer.

- Oh, that little boy is better
lost.

He's the wrong sort of boy.

- [Tony] How do you know?

- Because only the right
sort gets past the door.

- Then I'm the right sort?

- Well, you're in here, aren't
you?

And he...

Go take a look at him.

- [Eric] Why don't ya help?

- But Eric, the place is shut
up!

- Oh no it's not.

It's not, it's not!

I tell ya, there's people in
there.

- Oh, just those ugly old masks.

That's what you see, Eric.

- People, people standing there
talkin'.

[Eric laughs]

- I told you so!

- Tony, what'd you do to
make him laugh so hard?

- That was the other side of his
face.

- Exactly.

Had enough magic?

- Are you joshing?

- Well, this is what I want to
show you.

- What is it?

- A policeman.

Now, if you prefer, we have
others.

A teacher?

An interfering aunt?

We even have some mothers and
fathers,

meaning no offense, sir.

- This one.

- Oh what an instinct your
little boy has.

The face, a little wider
wouldn't you say?

Like this?

- [Tony] And the cheeks.

- Like this, hm?

There.

Clever boy.

You've caught a likeness.

Now, what do you do when
you've caught a likeness?

Did you ever catch a butterfly?

- Stick him!

- About here, I would say.

Here would be quicker.

Here, more interesting.

- Tony, now just a minute.

Now this is a lot of nonsense.

- Of course it is, just a lot of
nonsense.

Infantile, don't you think?

Take it.

Pick it up.

Take the pin.

Try it.

Don't be afraid.

Who's afraid of nonsense?

Just a child's game, don't you
think?

Now this will interest you.

I think, sir, you will
find these little fellows

more interesting.

Absolutely lifelike,
and highly educational.

Indian krait?

Russell's viper.

And a coral snake.

- It's amazing.

They're so real.

- Here's the pin.

[Dulong whispers]

Take it.

[ominous music]

[man groans]

Again.

[man groans]

There's no doubt about it.

You really are the right sort of
boy.

- Well Tony, I think we've
seen enough, don't you?

- Not yet!

- Well now look, you've
seen plenty to choose from.

You've got the bulb trick, the
coin trick.

There's artificial snakes
there, how about them?

- Kid's stuff.

- Tony, look around and buy
what you want, but hurry.

We have to get to the pet shop
yet.

We have those things for the
aquarium to buy, remember?

- I'd rather stay here.

- [Steven] Tony, I know
it's your birthday but--

- There's so much to see.

And to learn.

- A very talented boy, if I may
say so.

- For something better

than conjuring tricks I hope,
Mr. Dulong.

- Oh, but of course sir.

Altogether better, and
quite on a different plane.

Do you really want to learn
everything?

- Yes.

- Everything?

- Yes.

- Come with me.

Look at this cabinet.

There is just room, exactly
enough room

for someone your size.

- Tony.

- As it if were made to measure.

- Now there's no point
showing the boy this.

He only has $15 to spend.

- Your son has something
more valuable than $15.

Would you like to try it?

Then get in.

- Tony!

We'll have to be going now.

We have a lot of things
to do this morning.

- [Dulong] Very well,
tell him to come out.

- It's a very funny trick.

You can overdo this sort of
nonsense.

Tony?

Tony!

Dulong?

[ominous music]

Dulong!

Tony.

[eerie music]

Tony.

[Tony giggling]

Tony?

Tony?

Tony, come on outta there!

Tony!

Come outta there, now no more
nonsense!

[Tony giggling]

Tony!

Dulong?

Dulong!

Where is he?

- He's not far away.

Not far away.

[Tony giggles]

[box clatters]

[Tony giggles]

- Tony!

Tony.

Tony!

Where is he?

Where's my boy?

Where's my boy?

What have you done to my boy?

[intense music]

[horn blaring]

- What's the idea?

What are you doing there?

- [Man] Can we help?

- Come on fella, come on.

There, say, what are you doing
here?

- I don't know.

What happened?

That shop.

- You mean the travel agency?

- No, Dulong's magic shop.

My, my boy is in there.

- Magic shop?

- The shop, it was there.

It's gone.

- [Officer] What's the trouble
here?

- I almost hit him, he
was lying in the street.

[siren wails]

- Stop.

[people chattering]

What happened?

- I don't know.

I tell you, it was there.

The magic shop was right there.

And my boy Tony is inside there.

- let's take a look at you, take
it easy.

Take it easy, you're all right.

- But I tell ya, he's in the
shop there.

It's not a travel agency,
it's a magic shop!

- Here, here, sit down,
sit down, take it easy.

- Where's my coat?

- Listen, you're in shock.

You'll be all right.

We'll take you to the hospital.

Help me get him inside.

- I can't leave now.

Tony, I tell ya, my son
is in the shop over there!

But he's in that shop over
there!

- Easy with him, easy.

- He is in that shop over there!

My boy is in that shop.
- Take it easy, take it easy.

- My boy is in the shop, he
disappeared.

- Just sit back, take it easy.

- I lost him in that shop.

[man groans]

He saw us, ask him.

Remember me, officer?

Me and the little boy?

Officer, you bawled us out for
jaywalking.

- Oh don't bother me.

- But just tell him that we
were crossing the street.

We were heading for the magic
shop.

- Leave the man alone, he's in
bad pain.

Acute appendicitis.

- But he saw us, I'm not crazy!

- There was a boy.

- Yes, yes.

We were crossing the street.

We went into the magic shop.

- He--
- Never mind about that.

Hold still.

[man groaning]

- Heading for the

travel agency.

[dramatic music]

- Sorry you missed the blastoff,

except for a moment when the
tail

was momentarily caught in a
tree,

it progressed without incident.

Notice the ground to
spacecraft communication.

We shall continue our
experimentation

under cover of this station
break,

and the second half of our show.

[eerie music]

- [Steven] He just
disappeared, Lieutenant.

- You mean, you lost him.

- No, now once and for
all, I did not lose him.

- Mr. Grainger, lots of
children get lost around here

and the parents come in all
worried.

- I did not lose him.

- And they tell us all kinds of
stories.

They didn't leave the
children for a second.

- I did not leave him.

- They just turned around,
and the child had vanished.

- But he did!

And it was no longer this magic
shop.

It was a travel agency.

- Mr. Grainger, the hospital
reported

that you were in a state of
shock when you were brought in.

You had a slight concussion.

Obviously you'd just been
in some kind of an accident.

As a result, you can't
remember exactly what happened.

- Lieutenant, do you think
Tony may be hurt too,

and he's in the hospital?

- Well, we've been on the phone

to all the hospitals, Mrs.
Grainger.

No little boy answering Tony's
description

has been brought in.

- Well I'm sure something
must have happened to him,

otherwise he would find
someone to bring him home.

He's really a very sensibile
little boy.

- Well, we've talked
to all the shopkeepers

in that area too.

No one seems to have seen him.

Well, I have a complete
description,

and the photographs.

I hope we'll have some
good news for you soon.

- Lieutenant,

you don't believe any of my
story, do you?

- Well let's say that I
believe that you believe it.

But in all this mix up, the
only thing we know for sure

so far is that you were the
last person with the boy.

[somber music]

[tinkly music]

- Darling, do come to bed.

- I can't sleep.

I keep seeing that horrible
face.

I can't begin to tell you
what it was like in that shop.

- Dear, you've had a concussion.

Isn't it possible you became
confused,

and just imagined this magic
shop?

- No.

No, there was a Mr. Dulong.

There was a shop, it was there.

And yet I know it isn't there.

I don't know why.

I've been over and over it in my
mind.

I just don't understand it.

Maybe, maybe Tony didn't
disappear.

Maybe he did just wander
off, like the police think.

- They'll find him, darling.

I know they will.

- Yes, well I understand that.

Yes, thank you very much.

The lieutenant's not in yet,

so I left word for him to call
me back.

- Well it's only just past
eight.

- Yes, I know.

I guess he gets this every day.

People disappearing, relatives
thinking

that the world has come to an
end.

It is a little different though,

when it has come to an end.

I'll call him again in a minute.

- Hi Mom!

I'm hungry.

Breakfast ready?

- Tony!
- What's up?

- Tony, where have you been?

- Tony!

How did you get home?

How did you get in?

- You were having breakfast
alone, without me!

- Tony.

Now tell me, what happened?

- I can't tell you.

- But darling!

- Stop picking on me.

- Tony, you were missing nearly


- 24 hours?

Days, more like it.

Or weeks.

- Now, yesterday was your
birthday Tony, the 28th, yes.

I took you...

Where did I take you?

- The magic shop.

- That's right.

And that was yesterday.

[phone rings]

That's gonna be the lieutenant.

- Darling?

It was your birthday.
- Hello?

- Do you think we could forget?

- It was a long time.

- Let's go have some breakfast,
huh?

- Yes, Lieutenant.

He just came back.

I don't know.

We don't know yet.

- Look, there are the flowers

Mr. Adams brought just
yesterday.

I'll get you your orange juice.

[ominous music]

- Now you told me Tony
that you and your father

went to buy some plants for
your fish tank on your birthday.

- Yes, but we never did.

- Oh, instead you went to
another shop.

- Yes, I've told you.

- The magic shop?

Here, have another.

Tell me, do you think you could
find your way there again?

- If I wanted to, I could.

- You know, your father told me

that you went into the cabinet,

and then you disappeared.

Do you know where you went to?

Please come in.

Well, I've talked to Tony

and he's more or less talked to
me,

but I'm afraid I haven't been
able to get very far with him.

Now he remembers the
morning of his birthday,

and that you gave him the
camera,

and that you suggested you two
go down

and buy some plants for his fish
tank.

- Did he discuss the magic shop?

- No, no.

Every time I bring that
up, he just clams up.

Please, sit down.

- Well then he

didn't say anything about
what happened to him

after he got out of the cabinet?

- Well, well either he doesn't
remember,

or he doesn't want to remember.

- Everybody seems to think
that the two of us are lying

about going into that shop.

- Yes, people seem to think
we're doing it for publicity.

- Well, I don't share that view
entirely.

You know, in the year 1692,

on Arcright Street,

there was a Dulong Apothecary

indicted by Cotton Mather,

ex*cuted for witchcraft.

Now that's a fact.

And there was a Dulong's
Magic Shop in 1901

that was destroyed by some
unknown force

that's never been explained,
and that's a fact.

And that your son Tony
did disappear is a fact.

But that's where it stops, no
answers.

- Doctor, all we care about is
Tony.

- Of course.

Well I'm not sure how much he
remembers

about his experience.

Either he can't give me any
details, or he doesn't want to.

He seems, I'm afraid, rather
happy about the whole thing.

- Afraid?

- Just as you are.

Oh I don't mean that Tony is any
kind

of juvenile delinquent, but as I
said,

he's been through this
disturbing experience.

And he appears to believe
that he's in possession

of a knowledge that
other people don't have.

Maybe this is more a matter

for a priest than a
psychiatrist.

- A priest?

You mean exorcize the devil?

- Oh good heavens, no.

I don't believe in that kind of
thing.

I merely meant that maybe,
maybe he would talk more freely

to his parish priest than he has
to me.

- Well, I'm afraid we haven't
been

taking him to church very
regularly.

- Well, the only other thing I
can suggest

is that you give him an ordinary
life of an ordinary boy.

Try and help him forget
whatever has happened to him.

Does he,

does he have any particular
hobbies?

- Well he's very fond of his
aquarium.

- Does he take good care of the
fish?

- All the time.

- He's always wanted a dog.

- Well, might be a good
idea for him to have one.

- All right, then I'll buy him
one.

- Good, better still,

let him buy it.

Take him to the pound or the pet
shop,

and let him choose for himself.

- Well there's a pound right
back of us in the next block,

so I let him go around there
by himself if he wants to.

- Fine.

If he comes home with
some awful looking mutt,

never mind.

It's his choice.

- Let's go outside and play.

Come on!

- Well, he seems to be doing
fine

forgetting what happened.

Did he say anything to you?

- Not a word.

He's his old self, lately.

Just normally mischievous.

- That dog is settling down too.

- Yes, he's only been here 24
hours

and already they're inseparable.

We really should've gotten him
one before.

[dog snarling]

- Is that Adams?

[dog barking]

- You're scaring my dog!

- Talk about scaring your dog,
boy, he's trying to bite me!

[dog barking]

- Tony, what is it?

Sh, Tony, get that dog inside.

- What happened?

- That dog.

- Did he bite you, Mr. Adams?

- Oh it's nothing.

- Oh well, let me get you to our
doctor.

He's not far from here.

- No, that's all right.

- No really, we'd be much
happier if you'd let us.

- Please do this, no
one will look after you.

This will be much safer.

- No, I'll treat it myself.

- Oh be sure and use
plenty of disinfectant.

- I will.

- Mr. Adams, I'm so sorry.

Tony just got the dog,

and he's probably not
used to the place yet.

- Oh I like dogs!

But not that one, he's a mean
brute.

- Now Tony, you've got to
learn to make that dog obey.

- It won't happen again, will it
Tony?

- No.

Come on, Dulong.

[eerie music]

- Tony!

What did you call him?

- Dulong.

Because if I'd never been
to Dulong's Magic Shop,

you'd never let me have a dog,
would you?

- Well, don't you think that
Prince

or Rover might be better?

- No.

- Well, after all, he is your
dog, Tony.

- Oh yes.

I'll teach him and train him,

and make him do everything I
say.

- [Steven] Yes, that's a good
boy, Tony.

- And I'll do everything he
says.

[ominous music]

- Mine's higher than yours!
- No it isn't!

- [Kid] Mine's going to the
moon!

- [Kid] You don't understand.

Only rocketships get to the
moon.

[eerie music]

[balloon pops]

- My balloon, my balloon!

What's happened to my balloon?

[Tony giggles]

[eerie music]

[balloon pops]

My balloon.

[Tony giggles]

- You did that!
- What?

- [Girl] Bust their balloons.

- How could I bust their
balloons?

- You were aiming at something.

I saw your hand up.

And air p*stol, maybe.

- Where is it then?

I haven't moved.

- Well I know you did it!

But I can't prove it.

But let me catch you, just once.

Just once, and I'll clobber you!

[eerie music]

[sprinkler hissing]

[girl shrieks]

[Tony giggles]

You did this, you did this!
- What happened?

- You turned the sprinklers on
me!

- How could I?

The faucet's over there.

Come on, Dulong.

- I'm sure he didn't mean to do
it, dear.

- Yes he did!

Look at my dress, it's ruined!

Oh I hate him!

Oh Mother, Father!

- And then you can have some
fun--

- Tony, Tony.

I told you not to let the dog on
the sofa.

Come on, get down, get down.

Take your feet off the couch.

Tony, Susan says that you
turned the sprinkler on her.

- I did not.

- I think you did, and you were
pleased.

Now Tony, that's terrible.

It is!

I don't know why you do
these things, but it's bad.

Hurting people is bad.

Darling, I want you to
promise me something.

I want you to promise me you
won't go on behaving like this.

You're making me very
unhappy, and your father too.

- I promise.

[robot whirring]

- [Mom] No, Tony, you must mean
it.

- Mommy, you don't understand
anything.

- I understand what's
right and what's wrong.

- You don't want me to
be able to do things.

- [Mom] What things?

- Just games.

Fun!

- Causing accidents and hurting
people?

Is that your idea of fun?

Your father and I don't seem to
be able

to talk to you these days.

Don't you realize, everybody
in the neighborhood

is beginning to dislike you.

And if the neighbors can prove

that you're purposely
hurting their children,

they might even report it to the
police.

And they could take you away
from us.

- Just let 'em try it.

- You know, cutting these
back really helped them.

- Yeah.

[dog snarling]

Was that Adams?

- Oh no.

- Where's Tony?

- Upstairs in his room.

- Where's the dog?

- I thought he was
there too, I don't know.

- It is Adams, look.

[dog barking]

- What is it, Mr. Adams?

- Here, come inside,
let me get you a drink.

A whiskey?

- What happened, Mr. Adams?

Was it the dog again?

- [Steven] Soda or water?

- Just plain, thanks.

- We're gonna have to get rid of
him.

- [Steven] Yes, we are.

We'll have to get rid of it.

- Tony's gonna be very upset.

- Mrs. Grainger, your
dog did bite me again,

but that's not all, I'm afraid.

- [Steven] Not all, what do you
mean?

- Well I had this hoe in my
hand,

and he came at me, and
I had to defend myself

and I hit him, and I--

- Mr. Adams!

[Adams grunting]

Mr. Adams.

Mr. Adams, where's the dog?

If he's hurt, I'd better
get him to the vet.

- Mr. Grainger, I'm afraid
there's not much you could get.

He kept coming at me, and I hit
him.

I hit him hard, and...

I k*lled him.

[somber music]

And then he,

he just sorta rotted away.

Into little pieces.

In no time at all.

- He was mine.

Mine, and you k*lled him.

But it doesn't matter,

because he taught me everything.

So you're too late.

But he was mine.

And you won't get away with it.

[somber music]

[eerie music]

[flames crackling]

[ominous music]

[sirens wailing]

[men shouting]

- It's the Adams house.

- I hope he's not inside.

[flames crackling]
[men shouting]

- Excuse me.

The man who owned that house,
did he get out all right?

- Out of that?

[flames crackling]

[timbers crashing]

[eerie music]

- Tony.

- He couldn't have had
anything to do with this.

- Couldn't he?

[ominous music]

Tony?

You did that, didn't you?

Tony.

You set the fire, didn't you?

I was sure you were here in your
room.

I didn't hear you leave.

Now when did you go out?

- Steven, your cheek.

It's bleeding.

- How'd I--
- I don't...

[ominous music]

- [Steven] That night seems a
long time ago, but it isn't.

Only a few years.

Since then, our son holds us
in the hollow of his hand.

Parents without power, only fear

of their child.

That's our position today

and that's the world in which we
live.

What will happen, we don't know,

and we dare not think.

We can't see any way out.

We're the prisoners of
Anthony Richard Grainger,

our son.

[eerie music]

- Our daring astronaut
sustained a skinned knee,

but that only made the
sight more colorful.

As for the criticism that our
launching

lacks dramatic sounds,
I believe his scream

will soon put an end to that
loose talk.

They say what goes up, must come
down,

so while we wait for that
truth to be verified,

we shall see some scenes
from next week's story.

[plucky music]

[dramatic music]