Original subtitles

This is my boss, Jonathan Hart.

He's a millionaire, self -made.

And this is his wife, Jennifer.

She's quite a lady.

Oh, and that's me.

My name is Max.

I take care of the Cheneys, because when they met, it was murder.

I knew they were up to something.

Oh, my God, you scared me half to death.

Half to death.

Half to death.

You know, I never could understand exactly what that meant. You know, you

shouldn't be out in this weather.

Like, that's my death, huh?

There's another one. Catch my death.

Charlie, Charlie, that's enough now. That's enough now. Come on, now.

What about you?

I'll be all right. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Bye, Eleanor.

That's what you care about.

Isn't this a great way to start the day?

There's only one thing better.

Jonathan.

Would you, uh... Would you rub my back?

Please?

Well,

you remember the problems he was having with the geological reports?

No, not really.

He ended up having to redesign the whole layout.

He did.

It may have turned out better than the original plan.

Oh.

You remember where the rise in the main house is?

Vaguely.

Well, let's say that, uh...

Right here is the rise and the main house.

And on down the road,

there's the stables on the right.

I can't imagine a better location for us. Oh, wait.

We haven't even gotten to the good part yet.

That's what you think.

Freeway, freeway, where are you?

Freeway, freeway, go.

Freeway, go.

Those obedience lessons really paid off.

Would you go?

Your kibble's going to get cold.

Why did you do that?

It's a male thing.

Now, where were we?

At the rise at Rogers Ranch.

Good morning, Max.

A telegram for you, Mrs. H.

A telegram?

I didn't think people said telegrams anymore.

Like an old movie when you get a wire and someone's close to you and...

Something wrong, darling?

Eleanor Biddlecomb died.

An automobile accident.

I'm sorry, darling.

Eleanor Biddlecomb, isn't that the woman you used to work for back at the

newspaper and watch its face?

Kingman's Ferry.

She was more than just someone I used to work for, Max.

She was my teacher, my mentor.

I learned more from Biddy in one year than I learned from six years in

You met Eleanor, Max.

Don't you remember?

When Jennifer's book was first published at the signing? Oh, yeah, that good

-looking feisty boy at the front of the line who demanded a free copy.

I remember that.

She said she shouldn't have to pay because she invented me.

I tried to get her telephone number.

Couldn't score it.

I can't believe she's gone.

Every time I sit down to write, I feel Biddy looking over my shoulder,

pushing me.

cajoling me, encouraging me.

That won't change.

She'll always be there for that.

I just wish I had a chance to look her in the eye one more time.

Maybe a chance to say goodbye is the next best thing.

Oh, darling.

Kingman's very the long way away.

I know.

But Eleanor isn't.

Oh, God. It's just as beautiful as I remember.

Clayman's Bridge.

How did you know that?

It says so right there.

Clayman's Bridge, 1892.

Oh.

This used to be the main route into town. I wonder why they haven't kept it

Well, after a hundred years, I guess it turned into the main route leading down

into the river.

Wood gets old.

Cars are heavier than horse -drawn wagons.

But this bridge used to be a legend.

Isn't there a lot of legends in this part of the world? Oh, but this was a

romantic legend.

The man who built this bridge was someone called Jeffrey Clayman.

And the morning he finished it, the sun was coming up over those hills.

One of the girls in town snuck out of the house at sunrise, ran right over

and kissed him in the middle of the bridge to congratulate him.

I guess they didn't know about rock stars then, huh?

Do you want to hear this? All right, sure.

Are you sure? Yeah. All right. Anyway, supposedly the couple was inseparable.

Eventually they married, and they lived together for 70 years. And they even

died together in the same bed on the same day.

They were supposedly as much in love as the day they were married.

That must have been a hell of a kiss. Uh -huh.

Well, that's the legend.

If two lovers kiss in the middle of Clayman's Bridge at sunrise, their love

last forever.

Does the legend say anything about two people standing at the entrance of

Clayman's Bridge with the sunlight still shining on them during the day?

I don't think so.

I don't think we should risk it. No?

Think it'll work?

That ought to last us through dinner.

over right here. Pull right in front of him.

Hey -ya! Hoo -ya!

Welcome to Kingman's Ferry. You're gonna love it! Hi, Charlie!

You know me?

Do you remember me, Jennifer?

Yeah, that's it!

Jennifer Edwards.

You're right, that's you!

Yes! Well, how's it going?

How's it flowing?

It's flowing just great, Charlie.

Good. I like to hear good news.

Good for the intestines, good for the liver, good for the heart.

Good for you, Miss Edwards.

Ah.

Hey, Miss Edwards, you know what? What?

Welcome to Kingman's Ferry. You're going to love it.

Gotcha, Charlie.

Bye. Bye.

I don't believe he's still around.

Charlie Loomis. He's a sort of unofficial town greeter.

Interesting character.

Isn't he?

In high, out low.

Something's up, don't you know?

How does it

look?

I don't know.

Different.

Really different.

It's always a little surprising.

I suppose so.

I guess people in places always stay the same in your memory, don't they?

I don't know.

Something's not right.

Has it changed that much?

Yeah.

The place was full of life once.

It was bustling.

Oh, maybe it's just because Biddy's gone.

He was Kingman's fairy to me.

So Eleanor is no longer with us.

The dream she had remained.

as alive today as ever.

That dream is Kingman's Ferry.

The town, its people, its future.

But Eleanor only planted seeds.

If we are ever to see her dream in full bloom, it is up to us, people who live,

work, and raise families here, to nurture and feed what Eleanor started.

A rich harvest follows a season of hard work.

And what we reap from Eleanor's dream will be more than a well -worth

effort.

Eleanor, while your spirit moves on to a gentle peace,

part of it will always remain in the hearts and

dreams of your friends.

In high, out low.

Makes you wonder what I know.

Jennifer Edwards.

Captain Jack.

Only it's not Edwards anymore, it's Jennifer Hart.

Well, your name may have changed, but you are as beautiful as I just saw you

yesterday.

Captain Jack is our neighborhood lady killer. I can certainly see why. My

husband, Jonathan.

How do you do? Quentin Jackson.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Hart.

Thank you.

For a while, we weren't sure you two were going to make it.

What did he mean, he didn't think we'd make it?

Did you tell anyone we were coming?

No, not at all.

If you don't mind my asking, Mrs. Hart, they've been promising a middle school

around here for years.

What I want to know is when is it going to happen? How much longer do we have to

wait? Probably as long as it's going to take to redo the cannery. Or is that

just another empty promise, Mr. Hart?

Still ain't a deep and sewer on my block.

If you can't dig a hole, I mean, maybe you ought to just handle a rope -o.

Hey, people, this is not the time. Answer the question.

I would if we understood.

You want to understand it? Take a drive down Pike Lake.

Garbage is not going to be picked up in two weeks. My daughter has to share her

classroom with sixth graders.

The least you can do is put a tax on those truckers who've been tearing up

road down by the interstate.

That's right.

I have a car.

Let them go now. You're going to answer all your questions.

You're going to answer all your questions.

You're going to answer all your questions.

You look like you needed some help.

I'm Jeremy Sennett.

Jonathan Hart.

Mrs. Hart. Yes.

Well, I am glad to meet the both of you at long last.

What do you mean, at long last?

Well, this is a small town, Mrs. Hart. Word gets around quickly.

Word of what?

I think I can explain a little better down at my office.

Oh, so you... You were Eleanor's attorney.

Oh, I'm everyone's attorney, Mrs. Hart. This is what you classify as a one

-horse town. There is not much room for competition.

I'll be right back.

I take it from your reaction to the crowd out there, you weren't aware of

Eleanor's status in Kimmons Ferry.

Her status?

I was aware that she was a respected citizen and that she owned the

You weren't aware?

that Eleanor Biddlecombe owned Kingman's Ferry?

She owned the town?

I didn't know that.

Oh, yes, Mrs. Hart.

From sea to shining sea, every last piece of it. Come on in.

You see, Kingman's Ferry was never incorporated by the state.

Sit down.

The army requisitioned the land, and that was from Eleanor's great -great

-and -so -forth grandfather.

They built a fort on it and won a war.

Eventually, somebody reminded the army of the Biddlecomb and they returned the

property. By that time, of course, a small community had grown up around the

fort. Well, the fort was no longer in existence, but the property always

remained in private hands.

So Eleanor was responsible for everything that happened around here?

Oh, yes and no.

We have general elections just like everyone else. We have a mayor.

We also have a chief of police.

But, yes, when you come to the bottom line, if everything else failed,

people went to Eleanor to bail them out.

I think I feel an and coming on here.

And here it comes.

See, about a year ago, Eleanor asked me to draw up a new will.

She was getting along in years. She had no children. None of the family were

left. Her main concern was the future of this town.

She wanted to hand it over to somebody who was capable and fit and honest.

And? And.

That is why, as of last Friday, Mrs. Hart, you became the new owner of

Kingman's Ferry.

Not for the better, I'm afraid.

Fishing was the life's blood at this place. Sometimes I'd come down here in

morning and watch the fishermen work with their nets.

There were tons of boats. It was really, really busy.

Unfortunately, except for Captain Jack and a couple of hangers -on, the fishing

business is practically nonexistent here.

Really?

Eleanor wanted to bring it all back. The complete restoration of the entire

downtown area.

The museum, the cannery, the docks.

The town square looks brand new.

Well, that was Captain Jack's doing.

The square, the park, the restoration of the original gas lamps, that was his

gift to the town.

Very generous.

So when Eleanor died, she not only left me the town and all the people, she left

me her hopes and dreams along with it.

That about sums it up.

Ought to be a cinch.

I don't know how owning a town works, Jeremy. Did Eleanor collect taxes, rent?

Eleanor couldn't legally and didn't collect taxes. But you see, she was sort

chief cook and bottle washer around here, so if people could afford to pay

rent, they usually paid it to her.

I think if that's the past tense.

You take it right, sir.

Eleanor's heart was somewhat larger than her pocketbook.

Mrs. Hart, there's one other thing I should tell you.

See, there is a codicil in the will. You do not have to accept Kingman's Ferry.

I don't?

Well, if I don't, what happens to the town?

It will probably revert to the county.

And seeing the county is broke, they'll probably kick it back to the state.

And then?

Most likely.

The state will reapportion the lands.

They'll divide it up between the different townships.

And Kingman's Ferry will quietly fade into the sunset.

What do you think, darling?

I think it's your decision.

I knew that's what you'd think.

Did you say there was a mayor in town?

Oh, yes.

Well, maybe we should go see him. I have a thousand and one questions.

He's probably the only one who could clear them up.

Oh, well, we do have a mayor, but he and the word clear are rarely mentioned in

the same sentence.

Excuse me, Mayor Trout?

Mayor Trout.

Sorry,

Mayor. Didn't mean to disturb you.

Why say yes when what you mean is no? Something I wonder about all the time.

You?

You know, if you folks would just take a peek at the calendar, you'd notice that

today is Sunday.

We're closed.

Chris, if you got business, you can always make an appointment with my

secretary.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to do my morning in private.

Mayor,

my name is Jennifer Hart.

Jennifer Hart.

This is my husband, Jonathan Hart.

Jonathan Hart.

Hart.

Hart.

That kind of rings... Hart!

Oh! Oh!

You... You're Eleanor's friend?

Yes.

She said you were a pip. She sure knew how to pick a man.

Forgive the disarray, Sunday, you know.

Oh, I missed that one.

No problem.

Oh.

Terrible business, all this.

All this?

Let me give you a piece of advice, huh?

Why don't you go get a souvenir?

You know, one of those nice little gone fishing signs. They're cute.

Get in your car.

Go on back home.

Mayor, as you must know, Eleanor Biddlecombe left Kingman's Ferry to my

If she takes your advice, this town is going to die.

I don't know how to break this to you.

But haven't you noticed the funny smell around here?

The corpse has already got rigor mortis. He just forgot to bury it.

Sorry I missed some of your campaign speeches.

They must have been very inspiring.

Folks, take the advice of an old drunk.

Go on home.

You don't want to end up like Eleanor.

Maybe he's right, darling. Maybe things have gone too far to bring back.

Is that the I don't know if I can do this part of you talking? No, that's the

don't know if I can live up to Eleanor's dream part of me talking.

What did he mean when he said he hoped I wouldn't wind up like Eleanor?

I think Mayor Trout is a man who has a lot of pain and a lot of heart.

I think he suffers in his own way, and I think he probably understood how

Eleanor suffered in hers.

Well, it's still a very peculiar thing to say.

Oh, my God.

What is it?

Oh, Jonathan.

It's my old office.

On Sunday? Uh -huh. I'm sure it's all locked up. Not if you know the secret.

I'm sick.

Look at that.

Is that the Kingman Ferry equivalent to breaking and entering?

I am entering, but I am not breaking the thing.

Oh!

I must have thrown away thousands of paper.

It was amazing how much I didn't know.

CG I never heard.

Must be quite a memory.

Yes, it was.

Oh, but Johnny, that was a long time before I met you.

Um, that's Eleanor's desk over there.

Anything interesting?

No.

Nothing.

This used to be one of the best small -time newspapers in the country.

Eleanor was ferocious about pursuing the truth.

We had subscribers in most of the major cities, and some of our stories even

went national.

Now it's just full of ads and wedding announcements.

Not a single editorial.

you supposed to be here?

Somebody's got to get lunch.

Mom's been stuck in the darkroom for over an hour.

Darkroom.

I swear, it's easier putting on eye makeup in the dark.

Oh, oh my goodness.

I'm sorry.

Hi. Uh, oh.

Sorry.

Claire Stinson, my daughter Abby.

Jennifer Hart, my husband Jonathan.

It's such a pleasure to meet you.

We weren't sure you two were coming.

Oh, um, forgive the mess back here. We're just getting settled.

Are you living here?

No. I mean, it's only temporary.

You see, Jim had to, um... Oh, that's Abby's father. He had to sort of, um...

Well, sort of leave.

As soon as we get enough money together, we're going to move right back into our

old place. It shouldn't take too long.

Anyway, I figured since...

I was working out the paper and seemed to spend most of the day here.

I figured, what the heck, it was a short commute.

You might want to eat this before it gets cold.

Sweetheart, it only takes two seconds, right? I mean, to reheat?

I'll be right back, baby.

Okay, but don't blame me if it gets cold.

It's tough, having an eight -year -old mother.

She did.

She said you were the best reporter she ever had.

When I needed a job, she hired me. I think she was just doing me a favor,

especially since I'd never taken a photograph or worked for a newspaper

But secretly, I don't know, I think she hoped I might turn out like you.

really wasn't a paper anymore it's just a bunch of one ants that kind of thing

eleanor was working on a story though and when it was ready she was going to

the paper back up on its feet she made it sound like something big i guess um i

guess we won't know now yeah especially since most of the pages have been torn

out of her notebook can i see that doc

a struggle to regain the past.

At first look, Kingman's Ferry is just another small town suffering along with

many others the difficult transition into the present.

But have we looked below the surface here?

Is there more impeding this town's survival than meets the eye?

Has someone or something and then it's torn out?

Is that what Eleanor was working on?

I guess so. I really didn't ask too many questions.

I noticed there's some more questions here.

Problems regarding the cannery, the museum is on shaky ground.

This is an interesting place.

It certainly is.

Eleanor would have had her hands full trying to restore this.

The whole place seems pretty shaky.

The people certainly seem to have lost faith in Kingman's fairy.

It's a shame about this place.

It certainly is beautiful.

I think I have to do this, Jonathan.

It's not just the town, it's the people.

I know. There must be dozens of families struggling to make ends meet, just like

Claire.

Jennifer, why don't you finish Eleanor's article and print it?

Yeah. If I could get the story out, then people all over could find out what's

going on with towns like this.

Who knows, maybe someone would even be motivated to help.

I had a paper room. I'll pitch in.

I knew you would.

If Eleanor were watching right now, she'd be very happy.

There'll be some papers for you to sign some legal goody work, but I'll try and

make it as painless as possible. We can do it in the morning.

All right.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

These coffins are wonderful.

They are another gift from our benefactor, Captain Jack.

Every weeknight.

They are nice, though.

Is something wrong?

No, just something familiar, something in the air.

Brought back memories.

There are lots of things about towns like this that have that effect on

Well, I'm going to turn in. I'll see you in the morning.

Good night.

And welcome, boy.

Thank you. Good night. Night.

When you really look at a place like this, you realize that it's towns like

these that people grew up thinking of.

You mean half expecting to see Huck Finn running down the block, his fishing rod

flapping over his shoulder trying to catch up with Tom Sawyer? Something like

that.

We used to be proud of towns like this where everybody knew each other. You

didn't have to lock your door at night. And you knew where your children were.

Maybe that's the way I'll start the article.

The feeling of warmth.

The genuine warmth.

Sense of welcome.

Yes.

That's it. That's it all.

Other than the artwork, anything else? Nothing stolen?

No. Just what you think.

Well, I wouldn't put much stock in it. More than likely, it's a kid's prank. A

little vicious vandalism. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Kid's prank?

Whatever happened to phony phone calls and Prince Albert in a can?

Times have changed, Mrs. Hart. Even in a little burg like this, fun can get

pretty damn near too nasty.

Well, I'll let you know if I come up with anything.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Hart.

Mr. Hart, I wish we could be of more help, but unfortunately, nobody saw the

thing. In any case, we'll get this cleaned up the first thing in the

Thanks very much.

You don't believe that kid's prank either, do you? No, I don't.

I also didn't think I could score any.

Points with the local constable by offering up theories.

How about scoring some points with me?

Well, it's pretty clear that everyone's not too thrilled with you taking up

where Eleanor left off.

Which doesn't make any sense at all. Exactly. Why would anyone want to stop

Kingman's Ferry from getting back on its feet?

All right. Why?

I don't have any answers.

I have a theory. Which is?

Which is that whoever did this wasn't any happier when Eleanor was at the

What are you suggesting? I'm suggesting that if I'm right, that the new owner of

the town is probably in danger, too. Am I scoring any points with you?

You sure are.

He did say to come by this morning, didn't he?

Yeah, that's what he said.

Over here.

Well.

I expected to find you behind a bunch of legal book.

I told you it was a small town. I double as a sign painter.

Tonight?

Isn't it a little late to advertise?

Oh, well, that's the hazards of double duty.

Anyway, everybody already knows about the dance. The sign, it's merely a

tradition.

Oh, by the way, I heard you had a little trouble over at the hotel.

We thought it was trouble. Your police chief didn't seem to be too concerned.

Ports of habit.

There's usually very little around here to be concerned about.

Do you think there was more to it?

Not my department, Mrs. Hart.

I am an attorney. I create trouble. I do not explain it.

Oh, I guess you're here to sign the papers?

Yes.

But, uh, if you don't mind, with a pen.

Oh.

Give me a minute.

Red paint?

All right, enough!

I'm swallowing this stuff!

It's water, it's good for you. Oh, come on. All right, now what do you want from

me?

I want to talk to you.

All right?

Put some dry clothes on. I'll make you some coffee. Meet me downstairs.

What a nice guy.

Here you go. I missed that one.

Hope you had a good reason for clearing my head back there.

Everything looks so good.

Through the haze.

That's coffee!

Good. You're alert.

Yeah, but it's only coffee.

I gotta liven this up a little bit. I'm there.

got a feeling that she meant a lot to you, right?

Like a heartbeat.

Breathing air.

What about it?

Well, you said something yesterday.

You didn't want Jennifer to end up like Eleanor.

What'd you mean by that?

I gotta fix this coffee. There's some cream right here on the table.

to a lot of my parties, you know.

Mayor, what did you mean when you said you didn't want her to end up like

Eleanor?

Look, open your eyes. Look around.

You don't see Eleanor sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee with us, do

had an accident.

An accident.

And I'm walking straight lines.

You don't think it was an accident?

Something funny's going on around this town.

Crazy things. Really strange things.

What kind of strange things?

People coming and going at all hours.

Dancing, prancing, shaking, quaking.

I don't know. Something smells around here. It's stinking up the whole road.

Oh, Mayor, I'd like to help you, but I can't unless you tell me what you're

talking about.

I don't understand it either.

I can show you.

Good. Finish your coffee and we'll go.

Oh, just a minute.

Back up.

Hold your horses.

Nothing's going to happen at daytime.

Everything goes on at night.

Well, there's a barn dance tonight. And from what I understand, everybody in

town will be there.

Yeah, well, there'll be a lot of dancing and prancing. This whole town is

turning downright musical.

Can you show me tonight?

Meet me at the dance.

I'll slip out around 10 o 'clock.

We'll end up like Eleanor.

Meet me tonight.

10 o 'clock?

And, uh, try to pick with the coffee.

Sometimes I think she works harder than I do.

It's tough to be a single mom, huh?

Oh, but I'm not a single mother. It's nothing like that.

Oh, I thought that you and Jim were... That Jim had to leave? I didn't mean me

and Abby. He had to leave to find work.

Oh, I'm sorry. I misunderstood the whole thing.

See, my husband's in construction.

Only the last few years, there hasn't been any business.

He finally had to leave town just to find work.

How often do you get to see each other?

He was down about four months ago.

Spent a three -day weekend with me and Abby.

That lion, she's got a death grip on. He gave her that. Now she doesn't go to

sleep for that. It's hard on her, him being away.

It's hard on both of us.

Gosh, what am I doing?

I didn't mean to ramble on like that. Oh, no, that's all right.

Here.

This is for you.

For me?

Uh -huh.

Abby wanted you to have it.

Oh, look at this.

Beautiful. Jim makes them in his spare time.

Oh, it's lovely. He sent it to her and she wanted you to have it.

Oh, well, that's so sweet. I have to thank her when she wakes up.

I made her take a nap because of the dance tonight.

Hey, you and Mr. Hart, you are going to go, aren't you? I think so.

Tell me something, Claire. What do people around here wear to a barn dance?

Thank you.

Okay. Thank you.

Nobody ever told me that two -stepping was like country aerobics. The price of

popularity.

We haven't had a chance to talk. Did you find out anything?

The way you look in those jeans, it may have to wait.

I cannot go home tonight and miss the chance to dance with the prettiest girl

the dance.

Ah, well.

Thank you.

a dancing fool.

Not for long. I am absolutely exhausted.

With all your dance partners, did you manage to find out anything from anyone?

Nothing. Not a thing.

It was a review of Eleanor's funeral. Every time I got close to somebody, they

wanted to know when I was going to fix the sewers.

I think we should have come in disguise.

With that face, they'd have seen right through you.

Are you sweet -talking me, honey?

Are you buying?

Oh, yes, I'm buying. Then I'm sweet -talking you. Oh, good. How did you do?

Except for Mayor Trout, who was supposed to meet me here, about the same as you.

Loose lips sink ships.

Well, if no one's going to open up to us, how are we going to find out what's

going on?

That's why I called Bill to Water Bill.

Friendly face, kindly manners.

Maybe they'll talk to him.

Bill to Water Bill.

I'll explain in the morning.

Why not now?

Well, I've got trout to fry and your public awaits you. I wish I could get a

massage tonight.

Oh, be careful what you wish for.

Might come true.

Promise.

Hey, Charlie.

How's it going?

School night.

I know the feeling.

You haven't seen Mayor Trout around, have you? Walter? Yeah, sure.

Went into the museum about 20 minutes ago.

Mayor Trout?

I couldn't find him, Charlie.

Is there any chance he came out of the museum while you were here?

Unless there's a back door I didn't know about, hard to know how he could do

that.

There's something going on down by the water, though.

What's going on, Chief?

Well, it looks like our mayor had one too many and walked himself off the end

the pier into the water.

Is he all right?

No, he's not, Mr. Hart. He's dead.

Well, I suppose that just blows your kid's prank theory.

Why is that? I don't know what one thing has to do with the other.

You're assuming there's a connection between what happened in your hotel room

and the mayor's death.

I think it's a lot more than an assumption, Chief.

I was with the mayor earlier.

He said he had something to show me, something he thought was important

concerning Eleanor's accident.

We were supposed to meet tonight. As you can see, that meeting never took place.

But if I follow your theory, Mr. Hart, what you're saying is that we've got a

string of murders and vandalism here in Kingman's Ferry and it took your

presence to uncover it.

It's more than theory, Chief.

What I do know is Eleanor was working very hard to get this town back on its

feet.

She died and turned that job over to my wife. Suddenly someone doesn't want us

here and the only person willing to help...

Just rode out of here in a plastic bag. I just don't think we're dealing with

coincidence here. I'll make a note of that, Mr. Hart.

File it under H.

Oh, sorry.

Take my advice, folks. Leave the police work to the police. It's healthier for

everyone involved.

Excuse me.

Diving gear?

Is that a standard department issue?

Strictly personal. In the Navy, I did it for a living. It's recreational.

You dive?

Yeah, a little bit.

The Red Sea?

I'll take my word for it. If you haven't seen the local shelf, you've missed

something. It's not the Red Sea, but it's worth seeing.

I'll see you later.

Can I fire him?

I don't think so.

He's elected.

Oh, too bad.

I'm beginning to think that my story goes well past the human interest angle.

You might check out the Hall of Records.

You might find that someone wants to see this place stay the way that it is.

Tax reports, city records, whatever you could come up with. Darling, a town this

small doesn't have a Hall of Records.

Well, an alcove of records, then.

They've got to keep that stuff someplace.

Town Hall.

Mr. and Mrs. Hart.

Jeremy, what are you doing here this late?

I just had something to give you. I've been knocking on your door.

Oh, this is a terrible business about Mayor Trout.

Terrible business?

That seems to be the party line around here.

Well, anyway, I left something by your phone.

I asked the desk clerk to let me in. I told him you wouldn't mind.

Why don't you just leave it downstairs?

Well, it's something very personal.

Fewer hands, less people to blame when something goes wrong.

See, I was going through some of Eleanor's things that I found she'd left

something for you.

So I thought you should have it as soon as possible.

Oh, thank you very much.

Oh, good night. Good night.

I wonder what this is all about.

By the phone?

By the phone.

The letter.

Mr. President, there it is.

Oh, it's broken.

Yeah.

It must have slipped off the edge of the front wall.

What's in the

letter?

Oh.

It's from Eleanor.

Dear Jennifer.

By now you either resent me terribly for the position that I put you in, or

you've already been back to the office, blown the dust from your old desk,

rolled up your sleeves and are now well into the job at hand.

If you're as obstinate as I believe you to be, and hopefully encouraged, you're

up to your pretty ankles by now.

Dreams don't come easily.

We both know that.

Between you and me, you're the only one who could see this thing through.

Truth and courage.

Eleanor.

City side?

Me. That makes you the over -easy with hash.

This is your idea of local color?

Oh, come on, it's great.

I think my...

Local color is going to end up on the green side. Darling, when in Rome...

in Rome, I usually eat at Gigi Fazi.

Ah, but a Gigi no gotta the combi fashion like at this place.

Mangia.

What do you think?

Don't tell my arteries.

It's terrific.

I told you so.

Do svidaniya.

Biltwater Bell.

Hey, Mrs. H.

And his dog.

How did you know it was me?

Because no one else would call me Mrs. H.

Take a picture. It'll last longer.

You're having a hearty breakfast?

I'll have a hearty breakfast, too.

Bring hearty breakfast.

Maybe it would be a good idea if you went to the Queen's English.

Long live the Queen.

Anything else?

I'll have what my comrades are having, too.

They're having the check, baby.

You want one, too?

And your telephone number.

The door seems pretty fishy to me.

And I don't mean the seafaring way, Mrs. H.

Yeah, it doesn't hold water on our end either, Max.

I was supposed to meet Mayor Trout in the museum. A man called Charlie Loomis

saw him go in, but never saw him go out.

So how did he end up drowned in the bay a half a mile away?

That's a good question, Mr. H.

How? I don't know, Max. I was hoping you could help us put together some of the

pieces around here.

Good. What do you want me to do?

I thought you could talk to some of the locals and, uh...

Max, go easy on the Russian lingo, will you? Oh, gee.

Maybe they'll open up to you, tell you something they haven't told us.

Just charm them and gain their confidence.

Yeah, something like that. I think we'll start with Charlie Loomis. He's the man

I was telling you about.

Jonathan.

Charlie?

Darling, we have to start somewhere.

And Charlie does a lot of skulking around. At least if he doesn't know

he sees everything that's going on.

Charlie acts like he's the town crazy, but there's a lot more going on there

than meets the eye, I think.

You want me to call you at your hotel?

No, Max, we'll keep in touch with you. I'm going to go down to the docks, poke

around, and see if anybody saw anything going on around there last night.

Jennifer's going to go over to City Hall and go over the town records.

We'll keep in touch with you.

Much in quite a short time.

Max.

I mean, sure thing, Mr. Wright.

Yeah, right down there.

Hello, anybody in there?

I'm looking for Morrissey.

Morrissey? Yeah, a man named Morrissey.

You know him?

Nobody here by that name.

What's going on out here?

Mr. Hart!

What's going on?

We heard someone moving around out here.

We didn't realize who it was at first.

Sorry, Mr. Hart. We've been having a lot of problems with theft here lately.

Brock?

Sorry, Mr. Hart.

You two go finish up in the Susan. I'll take care of Mr. Hart.

Sorry about that.

The boys there are a little overzealous sometimes.

Been kind of rough on them the last few years.

Business is bad.

They lost their mom three years ago.

I guess they tend to be pretty protective over what they got left.

I apologize for the bad manners.

Apologies accepted.

Are you sure you won't come with us? I can't give you a ride.

No, no, no. I'll be back. I mean, I'll be all right. I'll see you later. Later.

Bye.

What'd you find out?

What would you say if I told you that the electrical bill for the museum was

nearly $4 ,000 a month?

I'd say that they ought to check out that light bulb.

And that's not all.

I decided it would be a good idea to check the gas bill with all those new

in town.

And?

There was no gas bill.

There's no gas bill? No.

So what's lighting the lamps?

Gas. But where are they getting it?

Let's take a drive over to Waterford. Check with gas and electric. Maybe they

can clear things up.

Good idea.

I can't stop.

Are you okay?

No.

Unfortunately, we never got to water. Jonathan did some following up on the

telephone. I'm telling you, Mrs. H, Mr. H may be on to something.

This Charlie guy goes around snooping a little too much for a crazy guy.

I find it so hard to believe.

Charlie's always been so harmless.

Well, you know what they say about these quiet, harmless types, Mrs. H.

Jonathan wants you to stick by Charlie, unless you come to a dead end.

And then you could go down to the waterfront and find out if anybody saw

anything last night.

Got you, Mrs. H.

What's Mr. H up to?

Uh, I don't know.

He's staring.

Bye, Max.

Shaking and quaking and prancing and dancing.

Well, the transmission's all shot to hell.

I don't know she's even worth fixing.

Well, we'll let the rental company make that decision.

That's probably best.

Tiger! Shut up!

Do you do a lot of salvage? No one else around to do it.

Parts, mostly.

Decent money in it.

Saves time when my customer's in a hurry.

You wouldn't by any chance have Eleanor Biddlecombe's car here, would you?

74 Plymouth.

Around the back.

Mind if we take a look?

Well, it ain't worth much.

Take a look, though, if it makes you happy.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Easy, tiger.

Shut up!

Darling, what are you looking for?

Well, maybe what happened to our car wasn't just bad luck.

Someone may have figured that if it worked on Eleanor, it may have worked on

Did you find anything?

Uh... Yeah.

There it is.

What?

Clean and clear.

The brake lines.

They've been cut right through.

This is very disturbing news, Mr. Hart. What you're saying is true.

Well, there are no ifs, Jeremy.

Eleanor Biddlecum was murdered.

Jeremy, why wasn't there an investigation?

Why did everybody just assume it was an accident?

Kingman's Ferry?

Who would be expecting such a thing? Well, maybe that's exactly what the

murderer was counting on.

Mr. Hart, if you know something concerning Eleanor's death, I really

about it. When I do, you will, Jeremy.

Come on, darling.

Chief Carson?

Great. What do you think, Junior?

I thought so.

If you want to live, you'll stay right there.

Living is a good idea.

Looks like you and me have reached... The end of the line, pal.

Is this it?

He said the rock's behind Charlie's shack.

You okay?

What'd you find out?

Better see for yourself.

Oh, my God, Max. What is this?

Tunnels, Miss Edwards.

Rum running tunnels.

Only I don't think it's rum they're running through this baby.

Hi -ya, hoo -ya.

You guys aren't the only ones who think that something's up here.

Charlie says there have been funny things going on for the last eight or

months.

What have you got, Charlie?

I haven't put it all together yet, sir.

It took me all this time to get this far.

But you can take it to the bank and mail it home.

It's got something to do with these tunnels.

Have you followed them back inside?

Tried, tried.

Too many tunnels.

I'm in too many directions.

Besides, I had a little interruption when Maxie here showed up.

Maxie?

For a moment, I thought he was playing for the other team.

Strike three, you're out.

In a minute, I'm sure this is all going to become extremely clear, but what are

you talking about, Charlie?

Don't know as I know enough to fill you in, Miss Edwards.

I'm, uh, I'm conducting a sort of... Unofficial investigation.

And to Mrs. Biddle comes murder.

You knew that Eleanor was murdered?

Had a hunch.

Told her it.

You betcha, got your red hearts here.

This is where it got me.

Charlie was a fad, Mrs. H.

FBI?

1943 to 1968.

I've seen a lot of things go down in my time.

I bet you have, Charlie.

I bet you have.

Look at this.

That's a commendation from Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Good man, FDR.

Maybe one of the last of the great ones.

Hail to the chief.

Charlie, this is wonderful.

I don't understand.

Why I hang out in the park?

Acting like a crazy man?

Yes.

I am a crazy man, Miss Edwards.

I've seen more than I'd care to remember about things I'd like to forget.

Getting a little old for it, though.

What do you know about those tunnels, Charles?

It's funny.

I completely forgot about them tunnels being there.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Then one night...

I saw Ellen, Mrs.

Biddlecombe, just poking around down by the museum.

I followed her down to the water, and that's when I remembered it.

Oh, yeah.

How did you know about those tunnels in the first place?

Guy who trained me, Gus Dumas.

He used to work this neck of the woods during the Coolidge administration.

He talked my ear off about it so darn much, I decided when I retired, I'd come

up here and check the place out for myself.

He's the guy who told you about the tunnels?

Gus used to bust rum runners back during the Prohibition days.

Seems they used these tunnels to run their moonshine from the waterfront into

the town.

As I understand it, the tunnels go back to the 1700s.

Used to be a fort here once upon a time.

What does all of this have to do with Eleanor?

I can't tell you for sure, Miss Edwards.

Only, she seemed real interested in those tunnels.

In high, out low.

You know how it goes.

I had no idea you and Eleanor were so close.

I just thought you were someone who stood on the edge of town and said hello

everyone.

There's some things a man doesn't talk about, Miss Edwards.

Some things are private.

She seemed to be getting into trouble.

I thought I might be able to keep an eye on her.

I thought wrong.

Oh, boy.

Well, you still might be able to help her, Charlie.

I can find any old maps of the area going back to the early settlement.

I can help you with that, Mr. Hart.

This is the town square, Maple Street, the hotel.

The fort was built right here. Right where, Mr. H?

Right here, Max.

Right where we're standing right now. So the tunnels must go out from here to

the ocean.

That would explain how Mayor Trout ended up in the water without ever leaving

the museum.

Eleanor's note said something about looking beneath the surface to find out

was impeding the survival of the town. She also said the museum was on shaky

ground. What's this all about, Mr. H?

My best guess, Max?

Oil. Yowza. That's it.

That's what?

The boats.

Captain Jack's boats.

In high, out low.

Hot dog.

What are you talking about?

The boats are going out low on the waterline, but coming back high.

So instead of bringing fish, someone is taking something out.

It's all beginning to make sense.

Do you remember the first night when we were in the park?

I smelled methane gas.

Methane? Someone is pumping oil out of Kingman's Ferry onto those fishing

The byproduct is methane gas.

If they're pumping gas underground, then they have to exhaust it some way.

So, the street lamps.

Very clever.

Mayor Trout said this town is becoming downright musical.

Those concerts are covering up the pumping.

And who puts on the concert?

Captain Jack.

Yeah.

I'm sure pipes go through the caves right to where we found Charlie and Max.

All they have to do is hook up some flexible hose and pump the oil onto

fishing boats.

Darling, don't you think we ought to call the police?

You and Max stay here and hold on to the fort. Have Charlie call the police.

I'm going to go down and check out that pump.

Be careful.

You folks hold tight.

Stand aside.

Put it down, Charlie.

I said stand aside.

Charlie.

Charlie. Oh, Charlie.

Let's go.

Party's over.

I said move.

Move!

Jennifer, where are you?

Oh, Junior, come on.

Jennifer?

Charlie.

What happened?

Captain Jack's boys took Maxie, Miss Edwards.

Where? I'm not sure.

Down to the boats, probably.

You all right?

Yeah.

I haven't been shot in almost 40 years. I'll get you a doctor.

No, no, no.

You go after Max and Miss Edwards.

I'll take care of myself.

One more time, Mrs. Hart.

Where is your husband?

And how much does he know?

I don't know how much more of your silence this guy can take.

All right.

He knows about the oil.

In fact, he's at the hotel right now calling the police.

We have someone at the hotel.

Mr. Hart's not there.

Stop!

He went into the tunnel.

It's no use, Eldon.

Too many people know about that.

What's too many, Mrs. Hart?

Two?

Three?

Four?

We took care of the others. Two or three more shouldn't be a problem.

Any idea how it'll deal with the people?

When we head out tomorrow morning, just drop them over the side.

A little extra weight, they'll go down.

I don't know, man. You sure about this?

I think maybe what's the return?

Is he all right?

We're fine. Give his legs, darling.

Thanks, Max.

Let's get out of here.

Okay, up.

There we go.

There we are.

People, people.

Can we get along?

Well, if it isn't Captain Jack, why don't you give it up?

I don't think that's what you say to the man who's holding the gun, Mr. Hart.

You going to kill all three of us?

For $11 million a year?

What do you think?

But it's not your oil.

That's right, it's not, isn't it?

Actually, I suppose it's your oil, Mrs. Hart.

Doesn't look like it's going to do you any good, though.

Come on, Brock, get up.

Get up, Brock!

Take him down to the holes.

Sit him in the belly up.

That'd be good food for the sharks.

I thought you folks might do with a little

backup.

I didn't mean to be rude, Mr. Hart, but we've been on to this since shortly

after Eleanor's murder.

Eleanor's plans for tearing down the museum and rebuilding the waterfront

to expose the whole operation.

So I thought if you got too close... It's all right, Chief. We're glad you

showed up.

All right, you're fired again.

What's that?

Well, I fired you the other day.

Thanks, but I'm elected.

I know that.

Things have sure picked up around these parts the last few weeks.

Looks like a boom town.

Kingman's Ferry has a whole new source of income, in part thanks to you,

Charlie.

Oh, yeah.

Are you sure we can't convince you to stay?

Uh, uh, uh, weather's starting to turn, and my bones are telling me it's time to

travel on.

Well, in light of the fact that we can't convince you to stay, Charlie, the town

of Kingman's Ferry would, uh...

I'd like to show appreciation for all you've done.

Congratulations. What do you think, Charlie?

Oh, great.

Oh,

your butt.

Oh, well, got to go now, folks. Bye -bye, Charlie. Bye -bye. Bye, Charlie.

That's it.

Got a whole world to see.

I think you really appreciated that, Jeremy.

Well, I have something for you, Mrs. Hart.

A receipt for the entire town.

Well, you didn't have to go through all that trouble.

Well, you sold it back to us for one dollar. You are going to have to declare

that as income.

Oh. It is much better to have the paperwork on hand, you know, just in

Well, it's the greatest dollar I ever earned.

And one other thing.

Claire wanted you to have this.

Kingman's Ferry, A Second Chance by Jennifer Hart.

But this wasn't ready.

Jonathan, did you... Darling, it's terrific.

If you'd have rewritten it one more time, you'd have worn out the paper.

So when are we going to show up?

First thing in the morning, Max. Crack of dawn. Crack of dawn?

Crack of dawn?

Dickens, we're not leaving until 3 o 'clock in the afternoon.

Why are we having to get up so early? Just get in the car.

Okay.

Come on, Junior.

Up.

Atta boy.

You got your eyes closed?

Mm -hmm. You can't see anything. I can't see anything. Promise? I promise.

Okay, now just a minute. What is it?

The lunch.

Okay, okay.

Now? Yeah, take them down.

Oh.

Oh, Jonathan, you didn't.

No, I didn't.

No?

Jim did.

Jim?

Oh. I called him last week and told him that there was a lot of building to be

done up here.

He was delighted.

Not as much as me.

Oh, it's so beautiful.

What a romantic thing to do.

Well, um, I only wanted the legend to come true.

And we can't leave town without putting it to the test. Oh, okay.

Okay, now.

Where should we stand?

Let's see now.

What do you think about here?

Well, I don't know.

It's your legend.

Well, I don't know either.

I've never done this with anyone else.

Well, if the legend comes true, you never will.