Original subtitles

Beyond Belief--

Fact or Fiction.

Hosted by Jonathan Frakes.

Tonight, your challenge is to separate what

is true from what is false.

Five stories, some real, some fake.

Can you judge which are fact and which are fiction?

To find out, you must enter a world

of both truth and deception, a world that is beyond belief.

Can you really trust your own judgment?

For example, observe these two red lines.

Which one seems longer to you?

Most people would say this one. Here's the truth.

They're both exactly the same size.

Remember this when you determine whether our stories are

true or false.

As always, some of our stories will be true.

And as for the others, we may just be handing you a line.

Is there anything more precious than the gift of sight?

Once robbed of it, even temporarily,

you never take it for granted again.

Sonya Shepherd has been given sight for the second time,

and she's counting on making the most of it.

What she hasn't counted on is this.

There are some things in life that it's

best to look away from.

Two years ago,

I developed a rare degenerative corneal disease in both eyes.

I was rapidly going blind.

But my sight was saved by a miracle of modern science,

a corneal transplant.

After two months, both eyes had completely healed

and my sight was restored.

I decided to take a weekend trip into the country

and see all the things that I might have lost forever.

Since the transplant, I took nothing for granted,

and I loved looking at the world through my new eyes.

I'd never been to this area before,

but there was a man over at the bar

who looked so familiar to me.

I thought I must know him, yet I couldn't place him at all.

I tried to stop looking at him, but I couldn't.

Everything OK, sweetie?

Yeah, uh, everything's great.

This is the best meatloaf I've ever had.

Really?

Nobody's ever told me that before.

Enjoy.

Thanks.

I couldn't seem to help myself.

Even though my brain was telling me to look away,

something was compelling me to keep glancing in his direction.

I knew I had seen him somewhere before.

It was obvious that he was not the type

to make eye contact with.

I just wanted to pay my check and leave.

What do you keep staring at me for?

I, I am so sorry.

I didn't mean to stare at you.

I just, um--

Do I know you?

No, you don't know me.

I just thought I knew you from somewhere.

I'm sorry.

You just better stop staring at me.

I don't like being stared at.

You got that?

I said I'm sorry.

Check, please.

The incident at the bar

was so disturbing to me that I decided to get my things,

check out of the motel, and move on.

I just couldn't understand why that creep

looked so familiar to me.

No!

Why were you staring at me? You're following me.

Are you a cop?

No.

Did somebody hire you to tail me?

No, I swear.

Please, just take whatever you want.

I know you're up to something, and I'm

going to find out what that is.

I'm not up to anything.

I didn't mean to stare at you.

I'm sorry.

You don't know what sorry is.

Please don't hurt me.

Shut up, or I kill you.

I won't scream.

That's good.

Now you tell me who you are.

My name is Sonya Shepherd, and I'm just a secretary

at an insurance company.

You're lying!

What do you want?

Who are you?

I told you who I am.

I don't believe you. Who are you?

I told you.

Why won't you believe me?

Who are you?

You want a cocktail?

Suit yourself.

I'm just going to sit here for a while

and stare at you, like you stared at me.

See how you like it.

You're gonna tell me.

I don't care if it takes all night,

I'm gonna find out who you are.

I was certain I was going to die that night.

But then he drank until he emptied the bottle.

He told me he'd been up for two days,

and it finally took its toll.

I was hoping that he was in a deep sleep.

It was my only chance to survive

Call the police.

There we were again, staring at each other.

And I still had no idea who he was.

How are you doing, Ms. Shepherd?

Better, thank you.

Did you find out who he is?

His name is Wes Hubbard.

You're very lucky.

He's wanted in Ohio for murder.

A young woman.

She was a nurse.

A nurse from Ohio?

Her name was Phyllis Higgins.

She was about your age.

Phyllis Higgins?

Did you know her, ma'am?

Phyllis Higgins was the woman that I got my new corneas from.

Is this possible?

Could transplanted corneas actually recognize a person

from their past?

Maybe so.

After all, if you look at a bright light,

doesn't the image remain in your sight for some time afterwards?

Was it the spirit of the murdered nurse that was causing

Sonya to stare at the killer?

Or did he actually look like somebody Sonya knew herself?

Does this story of the transplanted corneas ring true,

or are you being blindsided?

CAMPBELL LANE We'll find

out if this story is true or false at the end of our show.

Next, two sisters use a psychic connection in the face

of danger, on Beyond Belief--

Fact or Fiction.

The world has long held a fascination

for identical twins, as we've seen through literature, films,

TV shows, and commercials.

Psychologists have weighed in with their own studies.

Shannon and Carly Hughes are identical twins

with a very special bond.

And as you watch the next story unfold,

you'll be once again reminded that truth and falsehood

are very often two of a kind.

When my mother and father had just

left on a long-planned and well-deserved vacation

to Hawaii, I was drafted to keep an eye on things at home.

What's this?

Carly's new CD, a band called Glow Worm.

What?

Glow Worm.

Glow Worm.

Aren't they super?

Yeah, well, I wouldn't hold my breath

for a greatest hits collection from these guys if I was you.

Just because you're filling in for Mom and Dad this week

doesn't mean you have to totally turn into an old fogy.

Besides, I remember some of the stupid bands

you used to listen to.

Ah, stupidity, one of the great privileges of youth.

How I miss it.

Hey, what's with Carly?

She's been quiet like that since she got up.

It's just one of her moods.

I heard that.

It's true.

Ow.

Sorry

So what's with all the makeup?

Ow!

People say that some twins

are psychic with each other.

And ever since I could remember, Shannon and Carly

had this amazing connection.

They had the ability to know what the other was thinking,

and even experienced what the other was feeling--

happiness, sadness, pain.

You've got a problem, you know.

You're much too sensitive.

Tell me about it.

Yesterday during second period I could tell you

had, what, a stomachache or something?

Oh, come on.

It wasn't that bad.

Besides, you're not the only one who has to suffer.

What in the world happened to you in gym class?

I banged my shin on the bench.

I was limping all afternoon.

You know, I still don't get how you two can do that.

Trust me, it gets old.

Um, Shannon avoided your question earlier.

She's getting all painted up for her party.

Party?

Oh, really?

Rat.

Mom and Dad were very clear--

no parties while they're gone.

Ryan, it's nothing.

We're getting together at Natalie's.

It's just a few of us.

Just a few dozen

Turncoat.

Shannon--

Look, I'm absolutely sure Mom and Dad meant

no parties here at the house.

If you don't believe me, just, uh, call them.

They're on an airplane.

Darn.

Listen to me, you little brat, you're slipping through

on a mere technicality here.

Whatever works, man.

Uh, what do you think you're doing?

What?

You said I could take the CD with me.

Come on, I'll be careful.

Being careful isn't exactly one of your strong points.

Jeez.

With a nag like you for a sister,

what good is it having your parents out of town?

Bye.

Help me out here, Ryan.

Isn't there any chance I was adopted or something?

Forget Shannon.

We're going to have our own party.

Pizza's on me.

Scott takes a quick look

and gets the ball back to Walter Store.

Let the feast begin.

Uh, What's with the sound?

I thought, uh, Shannon took your CD with her.

Uh, turn off the CD player?

The music's coming from the TV.

Carly, are you OK?

What happened?

Oh, something's happened.

What do you mean?

What's wrong?

Shannon.

Through their psychic relationship,

Carly know exactly where to find Shannon.

It was better than radar.

Call 911.

I checked on Shannon

while Carly called the police.

A deer jumped into the road.

I know, I know.

When I heard the music, I just connected immediately to you.

It was weird, because I heard the music too over the the TV.

What music?

The CD you borrowed from Carly.

Stupid me.

I forgot the dumb thing.

I left it at home.

Caly, help me here.

We both heard the music, right?

Hey, brother, welcome to the club.

Once again my sisters

showed a special and amazing bond with one another.

This time it saved a life.

Like so many times before, one sister

clearly felt the other's pain.

But for the first and only time in our lives,

I was privileged to experience the unique long distance

connection they shared, all thanks to a song that we

couldn't possibly have heard.

What was at work here?

It was the music that first alerted Carly to the fact

that her sister was in trouble.

But how do you account for that music playing on the TV

during a basketball game?

Was it a crossed signal?

Then again, we learned that Shannon never took the CD

with her in the first place.

And analyzing this mysterious story of the identical twins,

are you able to focus on the truth,

or do we have you seeing double?

CAMPBELL LANE We'll find

out if this story is true or false at the end of our show.

Next, a deliveryman makes a fateful wrong

turn, on Beyond Belief--

Fact or Fiction.

Have you ever stopped to consider how dependent we

are on the simple street sign?

It's safe to say we would be lost without them.

Archie Morton's the kind of fellow

who memorizes the streets and their numerical listings.

A city kid born and bred, he's a modern day Magellan,

charting his destination not by the stars but by the signposts.

However, Archie's about to learn an important lesson.

There are no markings of the unknown.

I've been driving my own truck

for the past 10 years, and I was on my last delivery of the day.

It was a load of goose down feather

mattresses for the Sleep Tight store on Axelrod Avenue.

I knew the streets of this city like the back of my hand,

but for some reason on this particular day

I was completely lost.

I was sure Axelrod was the next street.

Putnam Avenue?

This is supposed to be Axelrod.

Where's Axelrod?

Oh!

Whew.

Man, that was close.

What is that crying?

Hey, where did you come from?

How did you get up here?

From that window.

You've got to be kidding me.

Did you fall?

Mm-hmm.

You fell from way up there?

Uh-huh.

Are you OK?

Are you hurt?

Well, that's good.

You're one lucky little boy, you know that?

That's, uh, that's quite the fall.

What's your name, son?

His name's Clayton, Clayton Pits.

Who are you?

I'm Jimmy.

I'm the super of this building.

Clayton, how'd you get up there?

I fell.

He told me he fell from that window

and landed on my mattresses.

What?

That's crazy.

Yeah, I know.

Did you fall through that window?

Mm-hmm.

See, I told you.

If it wasn't for that old woman, I never would've swerved

in this alley and caught him.

You owe her a lot, son.

What old lady?

Never mind.

Look, I got a delivery to make.

Where does this child live?

3C.

We left Clayton with the super's wife,

and then we checked on the grandmother.

Mrs. Pits?

That's weird.

She's always in her apartment.

Use your master key.

Mrs. Pits?

Mrs. Pits?

Mrs. Pits?

Call 911.

No, it can't be.

Where's Clayton?

Where's my grandson?

He's fine, Mrs. Pits.

He's with my wife.

I called 911.

Oh, no, no.

I, I don't need 911.

I just had one of me spells.

My, my blood pressure pills are on the kitchen table.

Jimmy, go get them for me, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Clay.

I'm so glad he's all right.

Excuse me, ma'am, but weren't you

just downstairs a little while ago waving at my truck?

What?

The last thing I remember is Clayton

going towards that open window.

I tried to stop him, but I got dizzy and I passed out.

He landed on my truck.

What?

Here's your pills, Mrs. Pits.

Are you sure you weren't downstairs?

I really don't know what you're talking about.

I don't think I do either.

I've got to get going.

Yeah.

Thanks.

Who was that?

I don't know.

Clayton's lucky he was around.

My head was still spinning from all

the things that just happened.

I was sure that Clayton's grandmother was the same woman

who made me swerve my truck.

And if I hadn't been under that window at that exact time,

little Clayton wouldn't have been saved.

It was just too much to deal with.

And it happened because for the first time in my life

I'd be lost.

On top of everything, I still had that delivery to make,

and I still didn't know how to find Axelrod Avenue.

I knew this was Axelrod.

It was here the whole time.

How do you explain what we've just seen?

Did Clayton's grandmother subconsciously

will herself into the street to save him?

Or was the lady in the alley another woman who looked just

like her?

Were Archie's eyes playing tricks on him that day?

After all, he somehow missed the street sign.

Is this story of a young boy who survived

a fatal plunge really true, or are we

playing you for the fall guy?

CAMPBELL LANE We'll find

out if this story is true or false at the end of our show.

Next, a hypnotic spell reveals a dual identity, on Beyond

Belief- Fact or Fiction.

Have you ever been hypnotized?

Some people do it to stop smoking

or to end their fear of flying.

Others for amusement and entertainment.

Ted Reed has a different reason.

He has a terrifying case of claustrophobia

that he's been talking about all his life.

But very soon, doubt will be cast on exactly which

life he's been talking about.

I want you to focus on the crystal, Ted.

Breathe deeply.

Good.

My fiance, Ted,

didn't want to visit Dr. Hainer.

Making the appointment for him was my idea.

- as you relax even more.

Nice deep breaths.

Exhale.

Set your cares aside and set your mind free.

Continue to relax.

All his life, Ted had suffered

from severe claustrophobia.

I hoped a session like this could help him discover

the cause of his problem.

I want you to close your eyes now.

Nice deep breaths.

Breathe in.

And out.

Relax.

Let the memories float up from deep inside.

Good.

I want you to tell me about the house where you grew up.

Describe it for me.

It was a farmhouse.

Two story.

Slate gray.

Far from any neighbors.

I thought you said he grew up in the city.

I know.

This doesn't make sense.

He grew up in Seattle. The suburbs.

Who am I speaking with?

Stuart.

My name is Stuart Metcalf.

Stuart?

Yes?

Did something bad happen?

Yes.

Something bad at the farm?

No.

Later on, when I was older.

Something very bad.

Stuart, where are you?

Very, very bad.

Tell me what's going on.

What's happening to you, Stuart?

Stuart?

Please, this is too much.

All right, Ted, I want you to come awake.

On the count of three, you will wake up fully and be refreshed.

One, two, three.

Are you OK?

I just need to get some air.

Cheryl, does this name, Stuart Metcalf, mean anything to you?

Has Ted ever made mention of such a person?

No, never.

Cheryl, this could be something very simple.

But I don't think you should take that chance.

Do you understand what I'm saying to you?

I should go check on him.

In the following days,

I did everything I could to keep things light and happy.

I was sorry I'd taken Ted to see Dr. Hainer.

His claustrophobia seemed to have gotten worse.

And then another obsession cropped up.

As a child, Ted had been a talented artist.

And he suddenly took up his old hobby again, with a vengeance.

He was now drawing compulsively.

But since the hypnosis session, there had been no mention

of the name Stuart Metcalf.

Have we been here before?

Not on this street, no.

I knew this place seemed familiar.

Look.

That's the same building.

It's exactly what you drew.

Ted?

Ted?

Ted?

Down here.

Ted, is that you?

Ted?

Ted?

Ted?

Yeah.

You frightened me.

Why'd we come in here?

It's different now.

It's different than last time.

Last time?

Wait, Ted.

Ted, please talk to me.

Come on, just tell me what's going on.

I wish I knew.

You all right?

Yes.

What did you folks find here?

Poor soul.

He, uh-- Probably buried alive.

What's that on his wrist?

Oh.

It's an ID bracelet.

Stuart Metcalf.

It's the same name you gave Dr. Hainer.

This may sound crazy, but I believe I was him,

buried here all these years.

We checked out old newspaper records.

A Stuart Metcalf was reported missing from the area

exactly one day before Ted was born.

His body had never been found, until now.

After discovering the body of Stuart Metcalf,

Ted's claustrophobia completely disappeared.

So what's the answer here?

Did Ted Reed live once before as Stuart Metcalf,

a man who was buried alive?

Or did he once read the story of Stuart Metcalf's disappearance

and keep it deep in the subconscious?

But how do you explain Ted's drawing of the exact location

where Stuart Metcalf was buried?

We presented you with a tale of claustrophobia

and a man buried alive.

Are we closing in on the truth, or have we covered it

under a mound of lies?

CAMPBELL LANE We'll find

out if this story is true or false at the end of our show.

Next, a fortune cookie makes a deadly prediction,

on Beyond Belief--

Fact or Fiction.

No matter what you order from a Chinese restaurant,

one thing's certain--

no one can resist reading the fortune

cookie at the end of the meal.

Why do we pay attention to these little slips of paper?

Most of us don't actually believe in them.

Yet people have been known to carry around

meaningful ones for years.

Art and Elaine Sealy have a very favorite

Chinese restaurant they've been frequenting since it opened.

But this time, a fortune cookie will not just

signal the end of the meal.

It may well signal the end of a life.

He's changing the call

at the line of scrimmage.

And It looks like another pass.

Look at that.

These bums couldn't win a game if their lives depended on it.

Fry is going back--

JONATHAN FRAKES Elaine and Art

had been putting up with each other as man and wife

for the past 12 years.

It could have been a happy marriage, except for one thing.

I should never have taken that bet.

Art Sealy was a habitual gambler.

Defense!

Defense!

Art had lost thousands of dollars

with this bookie over the years.

But Art's last losing streak was his biggest loss yet--

over $100,000.

And it's come due.

Arty, you're getting popcorn all over.

Art was nervous.

He knew it wasn't wise to mess with the boys.

And even though he owned a successful appliance store,

he couldn't come up with that kind of cash.

But then he got an idea.

Elaine's life insurance policy was

worth over $200,000, enough to take care of his debt

and a quick junket in Vegas.

You are such a child.

Leave me alone, Elaine.

I'm having a bad day here.

JONATHAN FRAKES For $10,000,

Art hired a hit man to murder his wife.

The plan was that he'd take Elaine

out to their favorite Chinese restaurant a few blocks away.

And on their walk home--

I can't watch anymore.

she'd be killed.

Is there any lasagna left?

It's in the fridge.

Hello?

Hey, how you doing?

You're kidding me.

That's great.

Oh, yeah?

Really? Yeah.

Uh, yeah, I'll talk to you later.

What happened?

It was George Bigelow, our realtor.

We just got an offer on the store for 600 grand.

That means we can take that early retirement

and move to Palm Beach like we always dreamed.

Oh, yeah!

What's the matter, honey?

Nothing.

Nothing.

Everything's great.

OK, I'm back.

No, I'm sure.

I want to cancel the hit on my wife.

I had an attack of conscience, OK?

5,000 bucks to cancel?

Are you kidding?

All right, all right, I'll pay it.

Just make sure you stop the guy.

What do you mean, if you can find him?

Find him.

I've said it before and I'll say it again,

this place makes the best orange chicken in town.

Woah.

I love this fortune.

What's it say?

A bright future awaits you.

That is so true.

Palm Beach!

I wonder what mines says.

Oh.

All it says is "You are next."

What's that supposed to mean?

Next for what?

Let me see that.

Probably just a misprint or something.

Yeah.

The fortune cookie had shaken Art.

And all he could think about was,

were they able to cancel the hit,

or was Elaine about to be murdered?

What's wrong, Arty?

You seem edgy.

Oh, it's, I--

A little stiff neck is all.

Maybe I'll rub it for you when we get home.

Watch out!

Why'd you do that?

I'm sorry.

I'm just a little jumpy, I guess.

Why?

Everything's great.

I don't know what's the matter with me.

I'm sorry, baby.

It's OK.

Oh, I can't wait to get home.

That's orange chicken's giving me heart burn.

Oh, God, no.

What are you doing?

What's going on with you?

Run, Elaine!

You're in some kind of trouble, aren't you?

Elaine Sealy?

I'm here to inform you that you are next.

No!

I canceled the hit!

You've just won the grand prize

in the colossal You Are Next supermarket sweepstakes draw!

Oh!

You're both on your way to Honolulu,

Hawaii, for a fabulous one-week all expenses paid vacation.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Art Seeley.

Oh, yes!

Oh, did you hear that Arty?

We're going to Hawaii!

Arty?

Elaine Sealy's joy

was short lived.

Her husband Art died instantly that night

from a massive heart attack.

Arty?

Arty?

What's the explanation here?

Did the fortune cookie actually refer

to the hit on Elaine's life, or was it put there as part

of the sweepstakes promotion?

If so, how could the sweepstakes people

know that Elaine and Art would eat at the restaurant

that night?

And what really caused Art's heart attack?

Was it years of couch potato activity,

or was it his own guilty conscience?

In trying to discern whether this tale is true or false,

will you be completely baffled, or will you be a smart cookie?

CAMPBELL LANE Next, you'll

find out which of our stories are fact

and which are fiction, when Beyond Belief returns.

Now let's look back at tonight's stories

and find out which ones are inspired by actual events

and which ones are totally false.

How about the story of the transplanted corneas

that avenged the murder of the donor?

Why were you staring at me? You're following me.

Are you a cop? - No!

Did someone hire you to tail me?

No, I swear.

Please, just take whatever you want.

I know you're up to something, and I'm

going to find out what that is.

I'm not up to anything.

I didn't mean to stare at you.

Is this one fake?

No.

A similar story happened in Florida in the late '80s.

The twins that had a paranormal bond

strong enough to save their lives,

how did you judge that one?

The music's coming from the TV.

Carly, you OK?

What happened?

Oh, something's happened.

What you mean?

What's wrong?

Shannon.

Did you think this was real?

You're right.

A story like this was reported about a pair of twins

from the Midwest in the early '90s.

Let's look again at the deliveryman

who was in the wrong place at the right time.

Where's Axelrod?

Oh!

Whew.

Man, that was close.

What is that crying?

Did you think this story was inspired by an actual event?

It was.

It happened about 20 years ago in the Midwest.

Let's look again at the man who may have been

buried alive in a prior life.

Was this story true?

No way.

It was written to fool you.

The story of the husband who tried

to stop the hit on his wife but couldn't stop his own demise,

how did you judge that one?

Arty, you're in some kind of trouble, aren't you?

Elaine Sealy?

I'm here to inform you that you are next.

No!

I canceled the hit!

You've just won the grand prize

in the colossal You Are Next supermarket sweepstakes draw!

Oh!

Is this story so strange that it must be true?

Not this time.

It's fiction.

Were you able to define the difference

between fact and fiction tonight,

or did you find the definition just beyond your grasp?

Perhaps the best definition of the difference

between fact and fiction would be found in two words--

beyond belief.

I'm Jonathan Frakes.

CAMPBELL LANE The stories

entitled Second Sight and The Wrong Turn

are true, based on first-hand research conducted

by author Robert Tralins.

For Beyond Belief, this is Campbell Lane.