Original subtitles

[WIND WHISTLING]

TV REPORTER: Although we would caution

against any undue alarm during the next 24 hours,

I think we can expect severe thunderstorms

with the possibility of tornadoes

right here in the metroplex.

There have already been several sightings

and reports of extensive twister damage

on the back edge of that storm system.

Here at KPBL, I'll be monitoring the situation

and bringing you the latest updates

on the progress of this dangerous storm system.

As you prepare to leave office, what would you like to say

to the people of Dallas?

Play nice and look both ways before crossing the street.

[ALL CHUCKLE]

And there you have it, Dallas.

Some wise advice from 10-year-old mayor-for-a-day,

Simon Purcell.

[REPORTERS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Thank you so much, C.D. You were so helpful.

Well, it was a pleasure.

You know, you got some real fine kids there.

Yeah, they sure are.

It's a beautiful idea of yours, Paul,

this Kids in Government Day.

When the mayor's away, his aide can play, right, sir?

That's not what I meant, Paul. Of course not. Sorry, sir.

Where's Walker? WALKER: We're right here.

[ALEX CHUCKLES]

Well, lookie here.

Look at these new rangers. Aren't they cute?

Excuse me, ma'am. Texas Rangers aren't cute.

[CHUCKLING] Listen, we'd better get started.

We want to get you all home safe and sound

before this storm we've got coming moves in.

CAMERAMAN: We're rolling. [CLEARS THROAT]

On behalf of the mayor of Dallas,

I'd like to acknowledge these young government officials

and thank them all for participating in our first,

and what I hope will be annual Kids in Government Day.

These young people were chosen by their teachers

on the basis of classroom achievement.

They come from a variety of backgrounds:

social, economic, ethnic and cultural.

They are a true cross section of the very best of the metroplex,

and we should all be very proud of them.

You all did a marvelous job.

[ALL APPLAUDING]

[***]

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

Yes. On schedule.

Understood.

[CHILDREN CHATTERING]

Ah, yes, all right! [ALEX LAUGHS]

Thank you, Jimmy. My pleasure, my pleasure.

Thank you, Walker. You're welcome.

It turned out great, didn't it? It turned out fantastic.

Don't forget about our date tonight.

I won't. 7:00, Dawson's, right?

Right. Okay.

[CHILDREN EXCLAIMING] [LAUGHS]

CHILDREN [CHANTING]: * Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend!*

* Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend!*

* Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend.*

* Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend!*

[KIDS CONTINUE CHANTING]

[***]

The package is passing point alpha.

Cycle approaching point intercept.

Initiate.

ALL: * Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend! Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend!*

All right, okay, that's enough. That's enough.

I can explain. Yes, he's a boy. Yes, he's my friend.

But he is not my boyfriend.

I mean, not really.

What is it about men and commitment?

[LAUGHS]

[MOTORCYCLE REVVING]

[***]

I-- I think I lost my asthma inhaler.

Are you sure? Is it under your seat?

No!

Okay. So does anybody know a song?

ALL: * Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend!*

ALEX: Not that one.

[TIRES SCREECH]

[CHILDREN GASP]

ALEX: It's okay. It's all right.

CHILD: What happened? What is it? What's going on?

Hold it right there, old man.

Let's go! Back up!

CHILD [WHIMPERS]: No.

[CHILDREN GASP] [GROANS]

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

[SHRIEKS] Keep cool, lady, or you're dead!

MAN 1: Let's move it! Move it! MAN 2: Come on!

All set. Am I lined up?

You're ready. Let's go. Get it up there.

MAN 3: Here we go.

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

[MEN CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

MAN 4: All right, hurry up. Close it up.

The children.

They're taking the children.

All right, let's go!

They-- They've taken the children!

Somebody, stop! Please! Please, stop!

[HORN HONKS, THEN TIRES SCREECH] They've taken the children!

[GRUNTING]

Somebody, help!

Please! [THUNDER RUMBLING]

They-- They've taken the children!

They-- They-- Help, please!

Help! They've-- They've taken--

They've taken the children!

Help! [THUNDER CRASHES]

Help, please!

Help, anybody! The children!

They've taken the children!

Help me!

Please!

They've taken the children!

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]

* In the eyes of a Ranger *

* The unsuspecting stranger *

* Had better know the truth Of wrong from right *

* 'Cause the eyes of the Ranger Are upon you *

* Any wrong you do He's gonna see *

* When you're in Texas Look behind you *

* 'Cause that's where The Ranger's gonna be *

[THUNDER CRASHING]

TV REPORTER: Following a series of tornadoes

in Erath County, the National Weather Service

has just issued a tornado watch

for most of North Central Texas

and all of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

FEMALE REPORTER: The twisters hit Maynard, Texas, a few hours ago,

causing considerable damage and three known deaths.

Severe weather... I think we're looking at

a couple of rough days, folks.

[TURNS OFF TV]

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Hey, one of our junior rangers left his asthma inhaler.

"Johnny Villalobos."

I'll call Alex.

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

[SCREAMS] Help!

Alex?

Alex!

[CHILDREN GASP]

What's going on?

RECORDED VOICE: The cellular customer you are calling

is either out of range or no longer at the phone.

Something's happened, Trivette. Put an APB out on the bus.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

[THUNDER CRASHES]

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

Walker.

No sign of the bus at all?

Okay. Thanks.

Let's go.

Walker, those kids should've been home an hour ago.

My phones are ringing off the hook.

We've got a definite situation here, Walker.

Yeah, we know it.

Where you going? Retrace the bus route.

[THUNDER CRASHES]

[***]

Easy, kids.

All right, Ranger One. Thanks. You guys be careful.

This wind's getting too heavy.

The ranger chopper's going back to base.

Okay.

MAN: All right. Let's go.

All right. Let's go.

Here we go.

Come on, let's run.

Watch your step. Let's go.

Right over there.

All right. That's good. Right there.

Lay him down over here. Come on, old man.

[C.D. GROANS]

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[***]

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Hi, kids.

Now, if you'll all behave

and do as you're told, nobody's gonna get hurt.

And that is a promise.

[GROANS SOFTLY]

What about him? He's already hurt.

He needs medical attention.

Doc! [CHILDREN WHIMPER]

Happy, Ms. Cahill?

You know my name?

[CRYING] I want to go home.

I want to go home.

It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay.

GIRL: No, it's not! JEFF: Johnny's right.

Everything's gonna be okay.

Ranger Walker will find us.

No, he won't. No one can find us.

You know what? For once, the boy's right.

It's gonna be okay.

I want to go home.

GIRL 2: We all want to go home.

ALL: Yeah! And you all will.

It's like I told Ms. Cahill.

You all do what you're told, before you know it,

you'll be back with your parents, safe and sound.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Yes.

What's going on? Is everything okay?

The package is delivered. Great.

Paul, Come on. We've gotta set up this meeting with the parents.

I'm on it, sir.

Are you still there? Is anybody hurt? What's happening?

I'll be in touch.

[SOFTLY] What are you doing?

I'm being a good ranger.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

Someone, stop, please!

They took the children!

They took the children!

What's wrong? They took the children!

Who took the children? Th-th-the men.

The men with no faces.

They took the children!

Come on. You want to step this way, sir?

All right, now, honey, just tell us your name and your age,

and tell your parents everything's okay.

It's not okay.

And don't call me honey.

I'm on a very tight schedule, and I want this statement.

Do you understand me?

Just do what he says, all right, Leslie? For me.

Okay. Okay. Good girl.

My name's Leslie Kidwell. I'm 10 years old.

We're a little scared.

But Ms. Cahill says everything's gonna be okay.

I love you, Mom and Dad.

My name is Alex Cahill. I have not been harmed.

[THUNDER CRASHES] [BILLY GASPS]

Billy, it's okay. It's okay.

I'm sorry, darling.

I know we had a dinner date in about...

50 minutes, but I promise I'll make it up to you

when I see you again.

I heard tires squealin', then men shoutin',

and then kids screamin'. That's when I came out

and I seen them men with the-- With the... The no faces.

You mean they were wearing masks?

Masks? Maybe that was it!

L-l-like hoods, you know?

TRIVETTE: What about weapons?

Oh, they was armed to the teeth.

Big, ugly-looking guns.

And then, one, two, three,

they charged up into that bus and beat up that bus driver,

and then, zip-zap, they rode that bus

right up into the back of the big semi truck.

And then, whoosh, they was gone.

This is good soup.

Okay, well, finish your soup,

and we'll, uh, get someone to take you over to St. Stevens.

You're gonna find them little boys and girls,

aren't you, Ranger? Yeah, we're gonna find them.

MAN 1: Keep on moving, kids. MAN 2: Let's go, let's go.

Come on, now. That's it.

There you go.

[COUGHING]

All right, kid. Come on, now.

See you later, Ranger Walker.

Thanks, Mr. Baker.

He said they beat up the driver. You figure C.D.'s hurt?

Seems that way.

I'm thinking seasoned professionals.

Yeah. I think you're right.

We'd better get a task force for this one.

FBI, Metro, DPS? Everyone.

Walker, what do we tell the parents?

[SIGHS] Tell them the truth.

But what's that? You have any leads?

Not yet. There's only one reason

those children were taken.

It's for ransom. You're probably right, Mark.

I think we better start preparing

for the kidnappers' demands, Mark.

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[***]

This is real scary, you know?

I know it is, honey.

But we all have to have faith that it's gonna be okay.

Why are they doing this?

It's 'cause they're criminals. Well, duh!

But what are they gonna do to us?

You gonna cry again?

No!

I'm just really scared, okay?

It's okay, honey.

We're all scared.

Yeah. Don't cry. [SOBS]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Walker. It's good to see you again.

I'm sorry about the circumstances.

It's good to see you too, Doug.

Anything that you need that we have,

it's yours. I appreciate it.

[***]

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Go back it out.

That's it. Bring it on in.

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

You can't do this! They're children!

[SCREAMS] GIRL: Ms. Cahill!

Lady, heh-heh, I've been waiting to do that

this whole trip.

You dirty coward.

[CACKLES]

[***]

Come on!

It's working perfectly!

Preston's arranging for ransom money

from half a dozen Dallas banks. What's going on?

Why isn't the oxygen on the bus?

I've changed my mind.

Without the oxygen, they'll die!

There's too much at stake to leave any witnesses, Richardson.

I'm not gonna let you do this.

I may not be a saint, but I'm no murderer.

[GROANS] I am!

Fill it in!

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

[CHILDREN SHRIEKING] [BREATHING HEAVILY]

Ms. Cahill, what are we gonna do?

What we're gonna do is we're gonna get real calm.

All right? 'Cause that's gonna help your breathing.

Can you do that for me? Okay.

You just quiet down.

It's all gonna be just fine. Okay? Okay.

[SIREN WAILING]

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

As the storm continues to gather strength

and move right towards the metroplex,

we're getting more and more reports

of tornadoes on the ground concentrated right here

in Parker County, with a confirmed twister touchdown

in the city of Weatherford, where this video was shot

just before sundown.

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[ALL CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Esperanza.

SeñoraCornell, the boys, is there any word?

No. Not yet.

Ladies and gentlemen, this way, please. This way.

Right into the office. Everything's fine.

Everything's under control.

Knock, knock.

Who's there? Boo.

Boo who? Oh, Leslie, don't cry.

[ALL LAUGH]

I get it.

Well done, Sally.

[BUS CREAKING]

Ranger Walker will find us.

He'll get us out of here. [ALL MURMUR AGREEMENT]

There's something I can't figure out.

How did they know what route the bus was going to take?

CHILDREN [CHANTING]: * Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend!*

Yeah, how did they know?

* Ms. Cahill has a boyfriend!*

You figuring it might be an inside job?

Well, we can't rule it out.

We are doing everything we can to find your children

and bring them home safely.

Everything you can? That is not good enough!

Now, my son is out there-- Ladies and gentlemen, please.

Please, please, I understand.

But letting go of our emotions

is not going to make the situation any better.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

Where is Paul?

[THUNDER CRASHES]

[***]

[GRUNTS]

NEWSCASTER: --to Kyle Johnson

at the command center.

KYLE: These ten children,

from all levels of Dallas society,

have become our own.

And all we can do on this storm-lashed night

is hold our breath and offer our prayers

for their safe return. [CACKLING]

This is Kyle Johnson reporting live from the command center.

Back to you, Hal.

Perfect.

[SIGHS]

[GROANING SOFTLY]

You had us worried.

Well, heck, honey, it'd take more than an old gun butt

to crack this old coconut.

How long since those gutter rats buried us?

Two hours.

How are you doing?

I'm worried.

Johnny doesn't have his inhaler.

C.D.: Poor kid. ALEX: Yeah.

How much time do you think we have?

[SIGHS] Alex, I just don't know, honey.

Oh, C.D.

NEWSCASTER: As dawn breaks over the metroplex,

reports continue to pour into our weather center

of heavy damage and injuries

in the outlying counties of Hood and Somervell.

[TELEPHONE RINGING] And help is finally...

Another one. ...just reaching those areas.

[BEEPS]

Ranger Walker. Yeah. We got the kids.

WALKER: What proof do you have?

The Villalobos boy, he's got asthma,

and he doesn't have his inhaler.

What do you want? Leave $100,000 in cash

in a trash bag

under the overpass at Cassidy Boulevard by noon.

If we see a cop, the kids are dead.

A hundred thousand dollars?

You really think these are the guys?

Not really.

But we can't take a chance. Let's go.

He asked for only a hundred...

[***]

[ELECTRONIC BEEPING]

Ransom's heading south on Euclid.

Here it is, boys!

[CHUCKLES]

Piece of cake, just like I said.

Let's go!

Hands in the air!

Back away, pal. Back away.

[BOTH GASP]

Don't shoot!

All right. Get back here.

[GROANS]

[GROANING]

It ain't us. We didn't take those kids.

I swear to God! It ain't us, okay?

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Okay?

Walker was right. They weren't the kidnappers.

How'd they find out about the Villalobos kid having asthma?

Sanders' brother-in-law was repairing the fax machine

when I found the inhaler.

Well, then we're back to where we started.

We gotta find them.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[SOIL CRUMBLING]

The batteries are gettin' low.

So is the air in here.

Does that mean we're going to die?

Hey. Oh, no, honey.

Nobody dies on my watch, hoss.

Oh.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[PHONE RINGS]

Agent Foster.

Hold on. Another one, Walker.

[BEEPS]

Ranger Walker. I just saw your copycats on TV.

Not very impressive, considering

the kind of kidnappers you're looking for, is it?

Not very.

You didn't think I'd be so stupid or so cheap,

now, did you, Walker? No, I didn't. What do you want?

What everybody wants.

You'll be receiving a package. Proof's inside.

What kind of proof are you talking about?

[CHUCKLES]

Nice try, Walker.

Three seconds more.

Now what?

We sign for a package.

My name's Leslie Kidwell. I'm 10 years old.

We're a little scared. But Ms. Cahill says

everything's gonna be okay.

SALLY: I love you, Mom and Dad.

My name is Alex Cahill. I have not been harmed.

[BILLY GASPS] Billy, it's okay. It's okay.

I'm sorry, darling.

I know we had a dinner date in about...

50 minutes, but I promise I'll make it up to you

when I see you again.

The thunder and lightning was less than a second apart.

That means the storm was right above them.

Alex was trying to tell me something.

We were supposed to have dinner at Dawson's at 7:00.

That means they taped her at 6:10.

So if we can find where that thunderstorm was at at 6:10,

we have an area to search. You got it.

That's pretty slim.

Yeah, I know, but right now,

that's the only lead we've got.

[BUS CREAKING]

[GLASS SHATTERS] [KIDS YELL]

[METAL CREAKING]

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

NEWSCASTER: A tornado smashed through parts of West Texas last night.

At least seven twisters touched down,

most near the small town of Spearman.

A trailer park, a church and several homes were damaged.

I, um...

I thought you might need this.

Thank you, SeñoraCornell.

"Sarah," please.

[SIGHS]

You've worked for me for years.

Why, you practically raised my son.

And then it took something like this...

to bring us to a first-name basis.

[THUNDER CRASHES]

All right, according to the weather service,

at 6:10 last evening, the main weather front

was right over this area right here.

[PHONE RINGING]

Ranger Walker.

[DISTORTED] Enjoy the video?

Get on with it. All business.

That's fine.

Deposit $10 million into the International Bank of Geneva,

account number 887-Tango-Tango-X-ray-1-Juliet.

You got 24 hours.

It's a good thing we got a jump on the ransom.

I'll get busy.

Hey, Mark.

Where's Paul Richardson?

I haven't seen him around lately.

I don't know, but when I find him, he's in big trouble.

NEWSCASTER: As you can see, ladies and gentlemen,

the severe thunderstorms have finally reached us,

and we have tornado warnings in effect

for the entire metroplex right now.

That's Dallas and Tarrant Counties.

It's time to take action now.

The governor has declared a state of emergency

and has urged all residents in the affected areas

to stay inside and listen to this station

for further updates.

Thy will be done.

[THUNDER CRASHES]

[***]

AGENT 1: Sir!

AGENT 2: Check behind there.

AGENT 3: Nothing over here, sir.

AGENT 4: Clear.

TRIVETTE: How about up top?

AGENT 3: Nothing, sir.

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Oh, goddamn it!

Clear here. [SIGHS]

Well, this is the last warehouse in our target area.

AGENT 5: Nothin' over here.

It's all clean.

What do you got? Looks like a license number.

Want to check it out, Doug?

They chose this warehouse for a reason.

Wherever they are,

they're not far away.

[WIND HOWLING]

[METAL CREAKING]

[GLASS CRACKING]

Kids! Kids! Wake up! Come back here!

Come back here. Come back here.

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

Calm down. Calm down.

Calm down. Calm down.

Johnny? Johnny, you doing okay?

[BREATHLESSLY] I'm okay. I'm okay.

[RUMBLING]

What is that noise?

It can't just be the storm.

A twister.

SALLY: Ms. Cahill, I'm scared.

[***]

[WIND WHISTLING]

Walker, look!

Oh, man.

[***]

[GROANING]

Stop!

Please help!

Paul Richardson!

I'm sorry! I didn't know!

Where are they? They're over there.

The bus...

They're buried alive.

[GROANS]

[***]

You see anything? No.

Trivette! Over there!

Trivette! What?

Here!

[BOTH GRUNTING]

[ALL SOBBING]

[GLASS BREAKING]

[SCREAMING]

Wait! Wait! Be quiet!

Hold it! Hold it!

Walker, look!

Let's go!

Listen! Listen! [THUMPING OVERHEAD]

Cordell!

Cordell!

They're alive!

Get back!

Come on!

TRIVETTE: Come on! WALKER: Come on!

Walk over there!

Over there! Over there!

Come on!

[GRUNTS]

BOY: Hurry up!

Come on!

WALKER: Come on! Come on, honey!

There you go! Right over there!

Come on, baby. Right over there with the other kids!

Up we go! Get going! With the other kids!

Okay, over there!

CHILD: Come on!

TRIVETTE: It's coming this way!

Get the kids to the drainage ditch!

Get them inside!

Get to the drainage ditch! I'll get C.D.!

Come on, C.D.!

Let's go! Hurry! Go!

Boy, this thing's tighter than a tick's ear.

TRIVETTE: Come on!

Come on! Watch your head! Watch your head!

Come on!

[GROANS]

Is that everybody?

Yes!

Come on!

[CHILDREN SCREAMING] Come on!

[WIND ROARING]

[WIND HOWLING]

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

CHILD: Ms. Cahill, why are you going out?

Come on out. It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay. It's okay.

TRIVETTE: Everybody out.

WALKER: Come on.

[***]

Look!

[GASPS] Wow!

[CHILDREN CHATTERING]

CHILDREN: A rainbow!

Yeah! [CHILDREN GASP EXCITEDLY]

[CROWD APPLAUDING]

Dallas, and the nation, will sleep well tonight

in the aftermath of this extraordinary and heroic rescue

of these brave children.

What? What are we gonna do now?

You gotta be kidding-- Quiet!

Okay, maybe it didn't go the way we wanted it to go,

but they don't know who we are,

and we're gonna keep it that way.

Grab your gear and let's get out of here.

[MEN MUTTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Texas Rangers! Freeze!

[GROANS]

[***]

Get to your knees! Get to your knees!

Keep them up! Now! Now!

[CLICKING]

You're gonna have to kill me.

Why don't I just make you wish you were dead?

[GRUNTS] [GROANS]

[GROANS]

You can quit anytime.

[YELLS, GROANS]

[GROANS]

Okay. Good work, ranger. [CHUCKLES]

MARK: A few days ago,

I proclaimed these young people

as the future of America.

And now, with an able assist from the present,

they have shown us that the future is indeed bright.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]

[***]

[WIND HOWLING]

* 'Cause the eyes of the Ranger Are upon you *

* Any wrong you do He's gonna see *

* When you're in Texas Look behind you *

* 'Cause that's where The Ranger's gonna be *