[Ted Cassidy's Voice:]... Dr. David Banner—physician, scientist...searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then, an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry. And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs... "Raaaaaaarh!"... The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter. [Dr. Banner:] "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.". . . The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit. . . David Banner is believed to be dead. And he must let the world think that he IS dead, until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him... "Raaaaaaaaaarh!"
"I do not own the rights to the Incredible Hulk, nor do I own any of the characters that are associated with the television show. A lot of (not all) of the places, addresses, people, and story-line are fictional. Anything or events that are similar to stories or locations, past and present, was completely and utterly unintended or coincidental."
This episode (if aired) would have been the episode after "A Minor Problem," which aired on Wednesday, May 12, 1982. It starred: Nancy Lee Grahn as Patty Knowlton, Linden Chiles as Cunningham, Lisa Jane Persky as Rita, and Gary Vinson as Sperling. This takes place over 500 miles away from Rocksprings (the place of "A Minor Problem") and two and half months after the events of "A Minor Problem" took place.
"The Lonely Man" theme by Joe Harnell begins playing. In the background of the music, you hear a news broadcast on current events of the day. A female voice comes on the air...
This is KCFW (NBC), Channel 9 News, with Barbara Summer:
(1.) Last night, on a movie set ranch known as Indian Dunes, the Twilight Zone: The Movie actor: Vic Morrow and 2 child actors: Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen—as well as injuring the six helicopter passengers, died in a helicopter stunt accident on-set...It's a gloomy morning as David walked down a quiet road alone, with only $216 in his pocket and his brown leather duffel bag over his left shoulder. It was 9:04 a.m. (MDT), with the wind blowing ever so softly, with a morning temperature of 61°. The sun had risen three hours ago. It was beginning to get warmer, but David was still a little cool from the night air. As he looked around the empty road, he saw mountains as far as his eye could see. He breathed in the cool mountain air. His body was weary, but his mind was wired-for-sound. Suddenly, David hear the sound of a car from behind him. He turned around and stuck out his right thumb. The car slows down, util it stop beside David.
(2.) International Israeli planes attacked Palestinian neighborhoods in West Beirut for the second straight day after Palestinian guerrilla raids behind Israeli lines in southern Lebanon. The P.L.O. press agency, Wafa, said 56 people were killed or wounded in the Israeli attacks...
(4.) Torrential rain and mudslides in Nagasaki, Japan destroy bridges and kill 299 people...
(5.) The Dow Jones is back below 800, to a new low of 790 at this time. With the economy mired in a deep recession, the Federal Reserve once again cut the discount rate from 12% to 11 ½%
Ace: "Hey there. Where ya headed?
David: "Uh, north."
Ace: "Well, I can haul you as far as Polson."
David: "That would be great, thank you."
David got into the man's and they drove north. After walking for countless hours, David was glad be able to sit in a car and relax, even if it was for a short time. The man held out his right hand and said:
Ace: "Names Ace, by the way. Ace Calvin."
David held out his right hand to shake hands and said:
David: "Oh uh, Bingham— David Bingham."
Ace: "You live here around these parts?"
David: "Uh, no. I'm just passing through."
Ace: "Ah, I see."
David: "Do you know if there's an inexpensive motel nearby?"
Ace: "Yeah, there's the Super 8. It's not much, but it's cheap and it's got all the basic things you need."
The buzzed by as you saw the sign written: "Welcome to Polson, Crown Of The Continent." Ace and David pulled into the parking lot. "All right, there it is," said Ace. "The Super 8. Now, you need to be careful around these parts. This ain't a very good neighborhood." "I will, thank you," said David. David got out of the car and the man drove away.
_______________________________________________________________
Lake County
981 1st Street West
981 1st Street West
Polson, Montana 59860
Saturday, July 24, 1982
9:37 a.m. (MDT)
[David's Narration]: Almost five years now, I've been travelling alone, going from one town to the next, constantly on the run. I live off the grid. No published physical address. No phone number. All of my connections to the past have been erased. My identity is hidden, people in my profession still believe I am dead; that I died in a laboratory fire... I didn't. The reality is much, much worse. At times, I dream of home; home with Laura; home at work with Elaina. My dear colleague: Dr. Elaina Harding Marks.
I should feel safe... But I don't. Within all of us, there lives a beast made of pure rage. I used science to study this beast; used gamma radiation on myself to bring him out; to bring him out of me. However, I was impatient and I used too much. My anger was the key I was looking for, and that anger is why I'm on the road. Without an identity. I now travel alone. Without the resources at the Culver institute, I have to work as a cleaner or some other form of mediocre work just to support myself. It's been 73 days since my last metamorphosis; over two and a half months since the creature has surfaced... I am— OR WAS— David Banner. Never stopping, never staying. Ever moving and ever searching... searching for that antidote; that cure that will give me a chance at a normal life.
As David walked toward the main office, he looked around the area. It was an uncrowded area. Even derelict by then looks of things. But David didn't care. He didn't plan to see too much of the outside very often anyway. He felt that he needed to stay buried for a short time, until he felt it was time to move on. If he could get a job within that time, that would help him save money and make things easier. David walked onto a wooden porch, where see saw that the window was where the cashier was located. He walked up to the window and the man behind the window sees David.
David: "I'd like to rent a room."
Motelier: "Okay, we accept all major credit cards."
David: "Actually, I'd like to pay in cash."
Motelier: "All right, for how long?"
David: "A week."
Motelier: "Okay, a week long stay plus tax. That comes to a total of $134.82."
David takes out his wallet and, from the money he had left over from working at a supermarket in Billings, he takes out $135 and gives it to the motelier.
"Cable will run you another $10. It's a one-time only fee."
David: "No, thank you. I don't watch a lot of television. I mostly read."
Motelier: "Okay, but in this case, cable will be the three basic channels. And keep in mind that you're staying for a week. You may need some form of entertainment."
David thinks for a few seconds, then gives the motelier a $10 bill.
David: "Okay, I'll take the Cable."
Motelier: "All right. You got it. Just sign here in our register book.
David looks at the rows in the register book. Under "name" signed in as: "David Belkin." Under number of days, he put "7." Then, he saw "address." David looks at the motelier.
David: "You want my address?"
Motelier: "That one's not too important. The city and state will do."
David thought for a moment and figured the last place he lived in was Billings, Montana. So, he just wrote down "Billings, MT," and handed the register book back to the motelier. The motelier looks at the register book for a moment. Then, hands David a key with the #8 on the key chain.
Motelier: "You'll have Room 8 and checkout is at 11:00 a.m."
David: "Thank you."
David's only thought at the scene was that he wasn't in love with the city, but Polson, Montana offered an excellent opportunity to hide. It was easy for one man to melt into the background in a Rocky Mountains, especially when most people were too busy in their own lives to even notice anyone else. He walked into his motel room and shut the door behind him. It felt very much like he was shutting out the world. He went into the bathroom and took off the filthy clothes he had been wearing. He showered and shaved. He brushed his teeth at the sink and left the bathroom. He grabbed some clean clothes from his brown leather bag on the floor by the bed. As he buttoned his shirt, he sat on his bed and surveyed his surroundings. His motel room was very similar to the one room efficiency he had in Apple Creek Apartments only a month ago; a kitchen area with a two burner gas stove and half size refrigerator opposite the bed, and a bathroom barely big enough for one. He had two queen-sized beds, but neither were very comfortable and all of his belongings were in one of the beds.
He realized he was bone weary after his 414-mile journey from Billings to Polson. Sure, by car, it's only a 6½-hour drive (give or take), but walking and hitch-hiking? It took David well over a week and a half to make that trip. He was physically enervated and mentally spent. Sure, the scenery walk was okay. David went across valleys and high plains, even saw the Big Silver Slipper as he was passing through Missoula. Still, in the back of his mind, David wondered if it wasn't more than that. His heart just wasn't into a lot of things during those days. He thought that looking at the available jobs may take his mind off of things. Three hours later, he was sitting by the phone with the want ads section, neatly folded to the current page of circled jobs. Sadly, they all had X's crossed through them. He had called all of them, and none panned out. They wanted something he didn't have— a valid driver's license, a college degree, years of provable experience in the given field. In reality, he had fulfilled all of these prerequisites and possessed all of these credentials, and a lot more. But as David Banner, not David Belkin. He couldn't even provide a simple reference, since all of his job history had been under assumed identities, different from the one he was presently using. The jobs that would just hire you off the streets, with no questions asked, just weren't around like they used to be. He saw the future as grim and dour. He, at this point, had no one who cared about him and he had no one to care about. He felt like crying, but the tears would not come. He recollected how half a decade prior, he was a doctor and scientist, gainfully employed that the Culver Institute in Sacramento, California. He had numerous friends and colleagues from various disciplines of medicine. As Dr. David Banner, M.D., Ph.D, he had a spacious house, copious amounts of money, semi-extravagant clothes, a modest car, and (most of all) he had his platonic friendship with Dr. Elaina Marks, M.D., Ph.D. He longed for the amity and camaraderie of Elaina. They could talk to each other about anything that was on their minds with complete trust. He had loved her for so many years, and yet never told her. He yearned for her compassion and sympathy about his "problem" (as he called his sporadic metamorphoses into the Hulk), even though it was short-lived. The nostalgia evoke feelings of melancholy. Despondently, David switched on the radio. Immediately, the beginning of the song: "Comin' in And Out Of Your Life" by Barbra Streisand began playing. David gently lays himself on the bed, takes a deep sigh, and slowly but surely drifts into serene slumber.
He began to dream. In his dreamy state, as the Barbara Streisand song played, he saw Elaina. He sees her shiny blonde hair, her blue eyes, her soft complexion, her light features, and her warm smile. This soothed David so much...
David: "Elaina, I'm sorry about all the hassle over this."
Elaina smiles when he says: "David. Look, you may be in there alone, but we're in this together, huh?"
David: "As usual," David says returning her smile.
Elaina: "As usual," Elaina agrees. David after a moment presses his hand up against the thick glass and Elaina in turn does the same.
Hearing her voice continues to assuage David as he sleeps. He sees and hears playbacks of conversations that had about the Hulk.
The scene changes to an earlier conversation the two of them were having.Elaina: "Listen to me, David. David Banner is not a killer."
David: "We're not talking about David Banner."
Elaina: "Yes, we are. Now, it's the same thing as if someone is under hypnosis. Unless they are a potential killer, you cannot hypnotize them and make them kill. Now this… This creature is an outgrowth of David Banner. It's his…It's his primitive emotions run wild. It may be undisciplined it may tear the hell out of a pressure chamber, but it won't kill because David Banner won't kill."
David looks at her intently as she says this, but slowly he nods his head in a reluctant agreement, "Alright. Alright." David says walking up closer to her. "But how can I control it? It isn't even safe to study. How can we keep this from ever happening again?" At the moment, Elaina seems to have all the answers — it was worth a try to see how she would answer this.
Elaina: "I don't know. Certainly try x-ray reversal. Radiological treatment to try to counteract the gamma rays."
Elaina: "Now, it must be your anger that triggers it off."The scene in his dream changes. They are at the main lab of the Culver Institute after they had tried x-ray reversal on David to indicate whether or not full radiation therapy would work. They are both look at the screen that shows a single strand of his DNA.
David: "That means it's uncontrollable," David says as things began to make sense. He turns away from her after he says this. The situation was beginning to look worse and worse the closer they got to the truth. Now the truth was upon him and suddenly he wishes that he hadn't known it all. How was he ever going to deal with this? How was he going to get rid of this problem? David turns back to Elaina after a moment of contemplation, "If it can happen anytime I'm asleep, whenever my anger mounts up, even in my unconscious. When the metamorphosis happens, I haven't got any control over it; I don't even know what it does."
David: "No change."
Elaina: "Well, now, I'm not — I'm not sure that —"
David: "Oh, come on, Elaina. That's wishful thinking. The x-ray treatment didn't help... It didn't help!," as David bangs his hand against one of the computers.
Elaina stands up, smiles, and says jokingly, "Hey, do us both a favor. Don't get mad, huh?" She continues to smile as David calms down.
David: "Look, I suggest that we get our research materials together and move to safer quarters."
Elaina: "Where?"
David: "I don't know... We'll think of some place."
Suddenly, the scene changes and the background music fades away. He dreaming of being outside the southwest side of the Culver Institute talking with Jack McGee on the night that Elaina was killed; the night he stopped being David Banner, for the world thought he died with Elaina. Both Jack and David turn just in time to see the entire lab burst into flames. The two men are knocked down from the force of the blast. Already, David is cut on the side of his head, but he is determined to get Elaina out of the building, if she has somehow survived. He lifts himself up and tries to go through the front entrance but the flames makes it impossible. Then he runs to the side of the building just as Jack had done to enter the locked lab.
"Elaina! Elaina! My God, Elaina!" David yells as he looks through the now broken window to look down upon the entire lab.
He sees that she is sprawled on the floor and quite motionless. He tries to move closer but the flames forces him further back. The situation looks impossible. Once again he is thrown into a situation that he can not alter and a feeling of helplessness come over him, but David finds that he does not like this feeling and instead it turns into something much more fierce—anger. Somehow, it felt much more fulfilling. At that moment of extreme emotion, his eyes turns white once again and then slowly green. The metamorphosis has now been activated and there is no way to stop it from fully overtaking him.Suddenly, David sat bolt-right in his bed and says: "ELAINA!" David looked around the room as his heart was pounded and appeared breathless. The song: "He's so dull" by Vanity 6 was playing on the radio. It was 8:27 p.m. on the clock. David slowing stood up and walked over to the sink and splashed some cold water on his face a few times to calm himself. He wiped his face with a dry rag stares at his refection in the mirror insipidly. A few minutes later, he walked to the other side of the room, pulled back his curtains, and looked outside. The sun was still out, but only for another 45 minutes or so. He saw that he didn't have a lot of daylight left. Subsequently, as the song was coming to an end, the radio station's disc jockey speaks.
"Oh, man! He's so dull! You need to find someone more exciting.... That was 'He's so dull' by Vanity 6. It's pretty warm outside for this time of evening, but I am cool — I said I am cool! That's right! This is Joe Cool walkin' you through the evening on halfway through this 8 o'clock hour. Hope you're all doing well on this rowdy Saturday night. Hey, speaking of Saturday night," the song: "Saturday Night" by the Bay City Rollers begins to play. "I do believe we need a little mood music, don't you?... Here's the Bay City Rollers with their song— you guessed it— 'Saturday Night.' Rockin' your evening on 89.5 FM WPJF!" At that moment, David switched the radio off. He stood there in the silence. He wasn't impressed with the dream he had, but he was glad that it didn't trigger his metamorphosis. He knew that he was not yet free of the Hulk, but he was still doing everything he could to suppress his anger and avoided danger whenever possible.
For the first time in a day or so, David began to feel hungry. He thought of going out to eat at a restaurant, but with $61.18 to his name, he decided to economize. Since he was on a tight budget, he decided it would cheaper to go to a grocery store and buy food. So, even though his instincts told him to stay in for the night and sleep, his stomach was telling him to buy some food and water. He resigned himself to braving the world outside to find some food.
When he came to an intersection to cross, he noticed he was standing about 6 feet from a woman, appearing to be in her early-30's, in a short-sleeved red blouse and blue jeans with dark, curly hair, standing casually smoking a cigarette. As he was about to cross street, he reflected idly that while she didn't seem to fit "his type" of woman, he found her somewhat attractive nonetheless. She was not as tall or slender as Laura or Elaina, and her sense of style was different, too. Her face was pretty, but there was a certain hardness to it that was different than Caroline's. Caroline's was due to a seriousness in how she approached life, but this woman seemed more stoic and closed to the world outside; harder in some way. That was a feeling that David could appreciate. Nearly 5 years of living on the run from the local authorities, the reporter: Jack McGee, and himself most of all, had worn him down. An earlier version of himself would have struck up a conversation with the woman on the street. But as of that day, he seemed to be just going through the motions; an observer in his own life, instead of a participant. Just before he was ready to cross the street, he heard the woman say:
Lady: "Hey, Mister?"
With a surprising expression on his face, he turned to the woman and replied:
David :"Yes?"
Lady: "Where are you going this time of the evening?"
David: "The grocery store. I need to pick up some basic supplies."
Lady: "I'd wait til' tomorrow morning, if I were you."
David: "Why?"
Lady: "Don't you know? Freaks come out at night."
Now, since the saying "freaks come out at night" wouldn't really come out for another couple of years, he didn't think there was anything to it. Still, he had a slight curiosity and replied: "Beg your pardon?"
"This town is dangerous at night, especially on the weekends during the summer. You may want to stay inside until morning."
David: "Oh."
He thought: "Yeah, maybe for a lady, it would be dangerous. Nobody cares if they a man walking by himself. I've only been doing it for years." Still, David didn't know the town very well and he figured he'd get some help from this lady. "What's the closest grocery store from here?," David asked.
Lady: "Main Street Market would be the closest one, but it closes at 5 p.m. on Saturdays. There's Super 1 Foods. They're open til' midnight."
"Thank ;you," David says as David begins to cross the street.
Lady: "Be safe!"
David heard the lady, but chose to not to respond. He had said those very two word to many women over the years, but he never actually heard it with his own ears. Sure, it was the Golden Hour, just before sunset. "Why should I have to be safe?," he thought. "Who is SHE to tell ME to be safe? What, just because she knows the city, she thinks that she can tell people to be safe? I just had a question that I needed be answered. That's all! Just answer the question and leave me alone. Jeez! I'm just trying to do what I should have done with people all along. I'm just trying to mind my own business, just like every one else it this world should be doing." The walk calmed David down some and continued to the grocery store. The walk to and from the store were both 30 minute walks. The sun set at 9:22 p.m. (MDT). By the time David was done with his shopping ($6.24 later, carrying two brown-paper bags), it was passed the Alpenglow of sunset. The red to orange hue was fading because of the light the recently setting sun passing through more of the atmosphere than when it was high overhead. By the time David was back at the motel, it was dark and the stars were coming out.
Suddenly, he heard the falling down of tin garbage cans and the screams of a woman. "Stop it! Let go of me! LET GO OF ME!" David quickly dropped his two bags of groceries and went to the other side of the motel, where he was hearing the fracas. Once he got there, he saw three men assaulting a young lady. One man, in particular, by the name of Brody was the most menacing of all the three and manhandling the young lady. "Stop it! No!," the young lady kept yelling. Brody punched the young lady and said: "Shut up! You hear me?! Shut up! And the next time I hear the word 'no' come out of your mouth, I'll gut you like fish! You got me?!" David stood there in silence, frozen. It wasn't the same woman he talked to before, but he seen and instinctively knew that these three men were intending to rape her. One of the three men (Spike) looks and sees David standing there. Spike says to the two other men, "Yo, guys. We got company." Brendan (the third guy) and other two look and see David. "Hey, Buddy?," said Brendan, "You gotta problem?" David, still frozen, stood there speechless. He knew that if he, in any way, got involved with that altercation, it would result in yet another Hulk-out. A run-in with punks like these does it every time. But he also wondered: "Will I be able to live with myself, if I were to just walk away and allow this lady to be raped, just because I don't want to go through another metamorphosis?" "Well?," said Spike. "You deaf? You mute? Our friend asked you a question and we do not like out questions to go unanswered. Now, do you have a problem or not?" David sees tear of fear streaming down the lady's face. "I really don't want to metamorphose. I really really don''t," he thought. Then, he thought: "What if that were Laura? What if that were Carol? My Lord, what if that were Elaina?" He thought about the lady in that situation and thought: "What if I were that lady? I would they want me to do?" While David was mulling over his dilemma, the men grew more impatient. "This ain't no peep show, pal. And playing hero will only put you in the hospital. The Emergency Room, at best." A few seconds of silence filled the air. Then, while Brendan glared at David, in a austere voice, he said: "Get outta here."... David begins to turn to walk away and actually for a second contemplates walking away. But after seeing the fear in this lady's eyes, he slowly turned back a around, looked at the men, and said: "Leave her alone."
Brody smirks and snickers, and says: "I see..." He takes the woman and throws her in Spike's arms and says: "Hold her! Remember, she mine first." Brendan and Brody start toward David. Brody reaches into his pocket and says: "You know, it's one thing for trouble to find you. THAT, we can understand. But to go looking for it?" He pulls out brass knuckles and places them on his right hand knuckles. David becomes manhandled by Brendan. "Ahhhh! Wait!," David said as he was feeling the pain from behind. Brody makes a malevolent laugh and punches the brass knuckles into David's mid-abdomen. "Ouuuuuch!," David exclaims as he get the wind knocked out of hem and gasps for air. "Please, please don't do that." Brendan manhandles him harder. "Ahhhhh, please!" Brody punches David in the face with his left and punches the brass knuckles in his mid-abdomen again. "You played hero for the wrong girl and with the wrong people, tough guy, " Brody says, and then he punch David in the face with his left hand and punched him with the brass knuckles in his mid-abdomen twice. "Take him in back, I got me a woman to take care of," Brody said, as he was putting away his brass knuckles. "What about me?," asked Brendan. "You'll get your turn after Spike, now get him out of here," Brody replied. Brendan drags David toward the motel dumpster while endure excruciating pain and trying to catch his breath. "You know, because of YOU, I have to be last now," said Brendan. Then, he grabbed the hair on the back of David's head and smashed his face into the side of the dumpster twice and threw him inside of it.
The pain David was feeling became more exceedingly elaborate and intense. He was sweating profusely. David's anger elicited by the pain had escalated to manic frenzy and it happened. David's eyes became white and then a pale green. Brody approaches the frightened woman, smirks, and says: "Are you ready for the time of your life, sweetheart?" "Let go of me!," she exclaimed. "Sorry, honey, but I'm next after him, so I don't think so," Spike said balefully. Meanwhile, David's shirt begins to rip because he is now growing larger and larger and his muscles begin to expand. At the same time his skin pigmentation changes from a healthy peach color to gray and then to a full out green. The sides of his pants split partway and the shoes he is wearing rips off of his feet. Slowly, a pair of green hands envelop around front side of the dumpster. Second or two later, the Hulk's head slowly emerges as he quietly growls. Brendan become curious about the noise, turns around, and sees the Hulk. "What the...?," he says as he flinches. The Hulk crashes through the front side of the dumpster. Brendan backs up a few steps, but the Hulk grabs him and throws him 30 yards. Spike was still hold on to the frightened woman. "Help! Help me!," she yelled. Brody tried to unbutton her pants as he said hostilely, "PANTS! OFF!! NOW!!!!" Coming out of the dark and into a lighted area, the Hulk came into Spikes view. Brody took out a plastic bag with a chloroform-soaked handkerchief inside it. "Don't say you didn't ask for this." He took the chloroform-soaked handkerchief out of the plastic bag and placed around the frightened woman's mouth and nose. Spike heard the Hulk's growling over the frightened woman's muffled screams. Spike looked up, saw the enormousness of the Hulk, and was stupefied. "What the hell is that?," Spike with consternation in voice. Brody's head snapped up, looked, and saw the Hulk as well. Brody eyes widened and jaw dropped with terror as the Hulk gave a loud inhuman roar. Both men let go of the frightened woman. She fell onto the pavement, as the chloroform-soaked handkerchief fell away from her face and onto the ground beside her. She lies there partially disoriented and coughs a few times, due to the affects of slightly being exposed to the chloroform. "Kill it, Spike!," Brody yelled. "Kill it!" Spike had no intention of tying to fight that 7-foot tall, musclebound, ferocious-looking creature. "Let's get outta here!," Spike shouted vehemently. He ran away as fast as he could, leaving Brody to face the Hulk. The Hulk grabbed the front of Brody's shirt, pulls Brody toward him, and looked Brody dead in his eyes while gritting his teeth and snarling in anger. Brody's looks into the Hulk's eyes with utter horror and trepidation. Then, the Hulk grabbed him with both hands, and threw Brody as far as he could. Brody, then, landed on the windshield of a car, hard enough to bus and crack it, and fell on the other side of the care (the side of the street). The Hulk flexed his muscles and roared: "Raaaaaaarrrrh!" With Brody's left elbow and knee slightly bleeding from the impact, Brody hobbled as fast as he could down the street, to get out of the area and away from the Hulk, yelling: "Spike?! Brendan?! Where are you?! Where are you??!!" The Hulk slowly turns around, toward the woman. She is slightly woozy but is still conscious. The Hulk walks up to her. She looks up and sees the Hulk. "Who are you?," she said nervously. The Hulk kneels down to grab her right hand with his left hand. "WHAT are you?" The Hulk takes his right hand and grabs her left hand. "What? What you doing?," she said as she became more nervous. He then picks her up his right shoulder and has her hanging down his back, as he quietly begins to walk down the street. "Hey! Hey, put me down! Let me go! LET ME GO!!" Suddenly, the woman begin to succumb to what little chloroform she inhaled. At that point, the Hulk walks about three blocks to bring the woman to safety.
The Hulk, then, walked in between two buildings where there is very little activity going on. He gently put the woman down on the pavement and leaned her up against a wall. He looked at the woman for several seconds, then heard something further in the darkness and between the buildings. He heard a man quietly mumbling to himself, while two other men laid against bags of trash. All of the men appeared to be in their mid-to-late-50's (at youngest). The man who was mumbling to himself was surrounded by empty bottles of liquor. He had a thick salt-and-pepper beard and was holding a bottle of booze that was 3/4 gone. He saw the Hulk walk up to him. Highly intoxicated and slurring in his words, he said: "Hey, man, why do you look so green in this light?" The Hulk just looks at him curiously, making little grunting sounds. "Hey there, Private, that is not how we act in Korea," he said. "You aren't going commie on us, are you, soldier? We're fightin' for the South, Private!" The Hulk continues to stare. "Neo moyang-eulhaeya hae. Gun-incheoleom ssawola! Nae mal-eul deul-eo jul su issni, Salib? Jinjja byeongsacheoleom sangsa-ege gyeong-uileul pyohasibsio!" The Hulk just stood and grunted. "Yeogiseo naga!" The Hulk continued to stare. The bum slapped him on the leg and says: "I said 'get out of here'!" The Hulk shortly became enraged and roared: "R r r raaaaaaaarh!!!!" Frightened, the bum mumbles loudly, "Joesong haeyo! Joesong haeyo! Jebal naleecul hahiji ma! Joesong haeyo!" The Hulk, then, became disinterested in the bum and walked back over to the woman. He knelt down, looked at her softly, and caressed her face with his right hand. Then, sat down on the pavement, against the wall, on the woman's right side. He took the woman's right hand gently with his left hand, and held her hand with both of his hands. At that point, the Hulk felt tired and safe. As he began to relax, he began to morph back into David. For a minute, his skin pigment goes from green, to gay, and back to a healthy peach color. He was now back to human form. He was David again.
David put his hands over his face and slid them down ever so softly. He surveyed his surroundings as he thought: "Great. Seventy-three days down the drain." He looked to his right and saw the three bums in the dark, one of which was still mumbling and garbling to himself. He stood up with his shoeless feet and tattered clothing, with feelings of disorientation and walked toward the three bums. The intoxicated bum looked up at David. "Ibwa yo? Nogsaeg namjaneun eodilo gassseubnikka?," the bum says as David looked around. Still slurring, the bum says: "Hey, buddy, did you see a big green man?" David indistinctly nodded his head "no," and walked the other direction. While David ignoreed him, the bum continues to mumble and garble to himself as David kept walking: "Naega geu tteus-i anilago malhalago. Geuga naleul wonhal ttae eonjedeunji eollugmal-eul dolbwa jul geos-ilago malhae... Anyo, jigeum sobyeon-eulbogo issseubnida. Naneun meomchul su eobsda! Naneun hal su eobsda! Geunyang gyesog gago issseubnida. O.., andwae!" David saw the woman who he knew was bad been attacked. She was leaning up again a wall, partially conscious. He walked up to her, knelt down, and touched her face to examine her. The woman, then, was becoming more conscious and aware of her surroundings. Her eyes focused and saw David looking at her. "You, " she said with bewilderment. "You — You got us out of there?" Still pondering over what could have possibly transpired infra his metamorphosis, he says: "Uh, yeah... Yeah, I think so." "What's THAT supposed to mean?," she replied. As David comes to himself more, he says: "Uh, yeah, we did get out of there. It was, uhm, — police sirens that made them run away... Are you alright?" "I think so," she reluctantly replied. David helped the woman onto her feet. She looked at the watch on her left wrist. "Oh my God, I've less than 20 minutes to get to work!" David being concerned said: "Uh, maybe you should rest." "No!," she said abruptly. "I really need to get to work. I'm fine, really." About 5 seconds of silence passes. "Okay," David said, "Where do you work?" "I work the third shift at the Super 8," she replied. "Oh, that's where I'm staying," David said. "Really? Could you, please, walk me?," she asked. "As you see, it's dangerous to walk alone at night." David hears the bum in the dark mumbling in the background. "Bul! Gumeong-e bul-eul jilleossda! ... Lepeulikon-eul naege deonjiji mala, byeongsa. geu nundeong-i gadeughan unseog-eun geugeos-eul joh-ahaji anh-eul geos-ida! Guleum-i ol ttae, Dangsin-eun mianhabnida. Sodae, bal-e!" "Uh, yeah. I've noticed that," David said. "What happened to your shirt?," said the woman. David looked down at his threadbare shirt and said: "Oh,— uh,— uhm, it must've gotten torn while those guy were punching me." "Gumeong-e bul-eul!!!!!," the bum mumbled as he was getting louder. "Uh, we'd better get out of here," David said with wariness. "Uh, yeah, good idea," the woman said with concurrence.
David and the woman walked the three blocks back to the Super 8 and all is quiet. "Great, just three more minutes until my shift begins. Thank you for walking me back," the woman said. "You're very welcome," David replies. The woman holds out her right hand and says: "I'm Amelia, by the way. Amelia Murphy." "Oh, uh, David — Burrows, David Burrows," David said as he shook her hand. Amelia smiles and says: "Pleased to meet you, David. Thank you for everything." "It's alright. I'm glad you're safe," he replied. Amelia was about to walk into the office when David said: "And, uh, pleased to meet you, too." Amelia smiled and said: "Good night." David waves and said: "Good night," as Amelia went into the office and closed the door. David walked back toward his room when he saw his two brown paper-bags of groceries. His gallon of milk was only sightly cold. The condensation from the gallon of milk caused his two loaves of bread to be saturated with water. His glass jar of peanut butter was untainted. He went to pick up the two bags of groceries when the bottom gave way due to the wetness of the condensation and the groceries fell out. The glass jar of peanut butter shattered. He stood and looked at the groceries on the ground for a few a seconds, picked up the gallon of milk, and took it back to his motel room.
David walked back into his motel room with the gallon milk. He shut and locked the door behind him. He put the gallon of milk in the refrigerator. The gallon of milk was just big enough to fit in the refrigerator. He walked over to the sink area with the mirror back-splash. He removed his tattered shirt and looked at his stomach. His abdomen was mostly normal. Only a minuscule yellow contusion 95% of the way healed from the repeated punches from the brass knuckles. Observing this reminded him of the day after his first metamorphosis, sitting in Elaina's house, when she noticed how a gunshot wound looked like it had healed posthaste.
Elaina: "When did you say you were shot?" Elaina watches as another wave of uncertainty comes to his eyes,
David: "I don't know. Some time this morning," David guesses.
Elaina: "Well, I'll tell you, this wound looks like it's been healing for about three days."
David: "I don't know," David says again as if it is the only thing he knows how to say. He looks up at her when he says this as if she had found out something she should not have.
Elaina: "I mean, there's scar tissue formed over it. It's almost as if your body were working faster than usual," Elaina says glancing up at David and then back to the wound.
David: "Yeah," is the only thing David can say to that. Nothing at this moment is making much sense to him.
Elaina: "Very strange," Elaina says quietly.
David: "This whole thing has been very strange."
David stared at his reflect for a few more seconds. Then, he slowly walked over to his brown leather bag, unzipped it, took out another shirt and another pair of shoes, and put them on. As he was putting on his shirt, he remembers how he forgot his manners with the lady he was talking to. He realized that he never used to do that. He recollected the conversation that had outside only several minutes prior.
Amelia: "Pleased to meet you, David. Thank you for everything."
David: "It's alright. I'm glad you're safe," he replied. Amelia was about to walk to the office when David said: "And, uh, pleased to meet you, too."
Amelia: "Goodnight."
David: "Goodnight,"
He thought to himself: "Only 3 or 4 years ago, I would've said: 'Likewise' or 'Pleased to meet you, too' without having to remind myself to say that. What am I becoming? What have I become? How could I forget my manners like that?" David cogitated further and came to the realization that he had completely forgotten that woman's name. This light-bulb moment did not impress David at all. He had never forgotten a person's name, obliquely or otherwise. He sat down on his bed silently for a few minutes, reflecting on the day's events. He looked at the clock by his bedside and seen that it it 11:13 p.m. Even after all this time that he has been becoming the Hulk, it did not cease to amaze him how the hours pass on the days or nights he goes through his metamorphosis. David, then, gently laid himself down on the bed again. The silence was so resonant, his ears were ringing. He recollected that it was only 16 days ago that he was laid off from Evergreen IGA on 13th Street in Billings, as David Bismouth, stocking shelves. His manager was Hal Olson, someone who had worked there 12 years by this time. David worked there roughly 7 weeks (52 days in approximation). David had gotten that job only five days after he was suppose to have an job interview for a laboratory assistant position at Dere Laboratories in Rocksprings (only 180 miles Northeast of Billings), as David Bradshaw. David closed his eyes for a moment and recollected on the day he was laid off.
David was in the produce aisle, working, wearing his Evergreen IGA apron, when his manager walked up to him.
Hal: "David?"
David: "Yes?"
Hal: "Look, I'm sorry to have to do this, but we're going to have to let you go."
David: "But— why? I mean,— what did I do?"
Hal: "You didn't do anything, David. You're a good worker. It's just that we're downsizing and you were the last one hired. I'm sorry, David. Really, I am."
Hal goes to walk away when David said,
David: "Would it be all right if I finished out the day?"
Hal: "Sure."
Hal walks away as David look saddened and apprehensive.
David was exhausted, both physically and mentally. He figured that now would be a good time to take the opportunity to catch up on some sleep. He closed his eyes, let out a deep sigh, and once again, he slowly but surely drifts another serene slumber.
He began to dream. Flashes of scenes go by in their dreamy lackadaisical way. A younger version of David walks happily with a young, beautiful woman who possesses long, silky brown hair. The scenery is soft and the tall grass around them blows gently in the zephyr. Another scene, David is sitting on a couch in a home setting smiling at what can be assumed to be his first wife (Laura) as she fiddles with a marriage ring on his finger. Then, suddenly, Laura is walking alone in the rain with her soft yellow umbrella. David surprises her with his presence as he runs from an unknown location to the protection offered under the umbrella—they both smile affectionately at each other. Another flash—Laura is kissing a young kitten playfully as she holds it gently in her hands. Yet another scene Laura can be seen crying and David rushes up behind her to comfort her and give her strength. The scenes continue as it is evident that they depict small snippets of a couple's life together.
A small sense of unease pulls at the corner of this blissful reality when the front of a beige car is seen. That feeling is made stronger as the couple in the car suddenly feels the car swerve—one of the tires in the back has blown out. The car crashes on its side and rolls at least three times off the side of the road. The occupants inside are horrified, but helpless to save themselves. By some small miracle, as the car is rolling, David is propelled out of the car through a door that has been miraculously opened. The door closes immediately upon David's crash landing into the tall grass while Laura is left in the car prisoner to the whims of fate. The car stops rolling and the David, though bruised, climbs back to his feet and rushes over to the car with all urgency. The car is in a bad condition with flames flaring from its bottom—the bottom is now in the air as the car has landed on its "back." The frantic David is not deterred and proceeds to pulling on the passenger's door with all his might. He even goes so far as to try to lift the car. Pure determination is clearly written on his face as he knew the worst could happen to Laura if he did not do something quickly. He puts such strength and effort into his endeavor that it is a wonder he does not rip off his arms in all futility. Then, he yells in agony when he realizes the horrible truth: he can never do the impossible. His wife: Laura was going to die in a burning, wrecked car and there is nothing he can do for it... Then, he hears a soft voice come upon him. Believing that he has awaken, he is back in his motel room, lying on his bed, when he hears the gentle voice of a woman speaking.
"David?... David?... David?
The voice he hears is familiar to him. David slowly turned his head to his right, and there she was standing on his right side. . . — It is ELAINA! There she was standing there, look exactly as she did the night of the laboratory fire at the Southeast part of the Culver Institute... Feeling astonished overjoyed, David stands up. He was euphoric and could feel tears of felicity beginning to stream from his eyes.
David: "Elaina? You're alive?"
Elaina: "Just as alive as you," she said as she smiled.
The two embrace each other for a few seconds.
David: "Oh, Elaina. I've missed you so much."
Elaina: "I missed you, too, David."
David: "But how? I mean,— how can this be? I saw your coffin. I— I was there after the funeral procession was finished."
Elaina: "David, we're scientists. We deal with facts. Did you open the coffin?"
David: "No."
Elaina: "Do you have any memory of my death?"
David: "Well, no. I was the creature at the time. Plus, the police and coroner confirmed that you died of your injuries of the explosion."
Elaina: "Yeah, it's bad publicity for them when they can't find two bodies. Especially with Jack McGee nosing around. The creature left me in the woods, which was an excellent place to run and hide. I've spent so much time tying to get to you. The only way I knew where you were was through the sightings of the creature. But I didn't want Jack McGee to know that I was alive, either."
David: "Oh, Elaina. You are nothing less than my saving grace right now. I've thought about you every day, since I've been on the run."
Elaina: "And that's the best part. We've found each other again. I'm not going to leave you again. We can start where left off, trying to find a way to make you normal again, and you don't have to run anymore."
David: "No more running?"
Elaina: "No more running. . . You and me; we can get a nice apartment someplace and we can both get jobs somewhere, minimum wage or otherwise. We can save money for 5 or 6 months, and go anywhere you want to go, where it would be safer quarters. We could we could fly to Canada, South America, even Europe. As long as we're together and we can find a cure for you."
David: "Europe?"
Elaina: "Yes. The United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Ireland, France; wherever you want. A one-way plane ticket on Air France from New York JFK to Paris, for example, is over 7 hours and over $1,000 for two passengers. But two paychecks are better than one. It'll take us half the time to make that kind of money, even if the Equal Rights Amendment didn't pass a few weeks ago. It'll all be worth it in the end."
David: "Sounds good to me. We'll be in this together."
Elaina: "As usual."
David: "As usual."
The two of them share a blissful moment of silence together.
Elaina: "Tell ya what... Why don't I back back some breakfast for us and we'll spend the next 6 days planning our future together?"
Elaina walks over to where the door is.
A future where neither one of us will ever have to be alone ever again."
David smile with solace. A feeling of reassurance and relaxation come over him, following a release from prolonged anxiety or constant distress. Knowing that he would never have to be alone again, especially during the major holidays, made him feel ecstatically blissful.
David: "That would be great."
Suddenly, there were six knocks at the door.
"Uh, who would THAT be?"
Elaina goes over to the window and pulls back the curtain a bit. She, then, lets go of the curtain and looks at David.
Elaina: "Uhm, there's nobody outside."
They both look at each other and are baffled.
David: "Are you sure?"
Elaina: "Yes, I'm positive."
Then, there are six more knocks at the door which caused everything to cease. David woke up, sat up quickly, and in a cold sweat. It was reality once again, which meant all of the things opposite of his dream. Dr. Elaina Marks was still deceased. Though he was once mild-mannered and an excellent conversationalist, made for extremely good company; David, as far as he knew, was going to remain a loner and on the run for an indeterminable amount of time. Perhaps for the rest of his life. Going back into low spirits once again, David looked to his right, at his clock and it said it was 7:04 a.m (MDT). He looked to his left and saw that it was light outside. The sun had been up for one minute shy of an hour. As David stood up, he was startled when he, again, heard another 6 knocks at his door. He thought to himself: "Who could that be? Who knows that I'm here? Could my dream have been a prophecy and it's Elaina? Could it be that Jack McGee has finally found me? Could it be those three guys who were beating me up about 9 hours ago? Could it be the police coming to question me about the creature? My God, who could it be?" David began to breathe slightly heavier. His heart began to pound. Then, there were 6 more knocks at the door. David slowly walked to the door and looked through the peephole. He saw a young lady who was a red-head; straight shoulder-length hair with a right part to it. Reluctantly and disinclined, he said: "Uh, yes? Uh, who is?" A female voice replied: "It Amelia!" David knew that name sounded oddly familiar, but he couldn't accept opening the door just because a name rang a bell. "I'm sorry, who?," asked David. The female voice replied: "From last night!" And that's when a flash of recognition struck David.
The woman holds out her right hand and says:
Amelia: "I'm Amelia, by the way. Amelia Murphy."
David: "Oh, uh, David — Burrows, David Burrows,"
David says as he shakes her hand. Amelia smiles and says:
Amelia: "Pleased to meet you, David."
With relief, David knew it was safe to open the door. He unlatched the chain, unlocked the lock, and opened his door. The buxom lady with shapely-legs was a friendly mid-20-something, green eyes, 5 foot 5½ inches tall, roughly 110 pounds, and a jaunty bounce in her step. Along with her dove-like smile and angelic face, she possessed what the Italians referred to as: "occhi gentilli," which is Italian for "kind eyes." She had eloquent eyes that encompassed warmth and tranquility, inviting any curious onlookers into the depths of one's soul. Her kind eyes maintained a captivating sense of innocence. Her cherubic and sublime presence enthralled David. Feeling mesmerized and enchanted, he smiled fondly at Amelia.
Amelia: "Hi."
David: "Hi. Uhm, how did you know to find me here?"
Amelia: "Well, you told me that you were staying here. So, all I had to do was look at our guest register book to find out what room you were in."
David: "Oh, I see."
Amelia: "I just stopped by to how you were and to thank you again for last night."
David: "Oh. Oh, you're welcome."
Amelia: "Did I wake you?"
David: "Well, yeah, but that's okay."
Amelia: "Oh, I'm sorry. I just finished my shift and I didn't want to miss you."
David: "Oh."
Amelia: "Hey, uh, I was wondering if you'd be free to — uh, get a cup of coffee."
David: "Oh, uh, sure. I'd like that."
Amelia: "Great."
_______________________________________________________________
325 Main Street
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
7:32 a.m. (MDT)
Waitress: "What can I get for you two?"
Amelia: "Uh, two coffees. Do you take anything with your coffee, David?"
David: "No, I just take it black."
Amelia: "Okay, two black coffees."
Waitress: "Okay. Anything to eat?"
Amelia: "Steak and eggs would hit the spot. How about you, David?"
David WAS hungry. And even though he wanted something to eat, he didn't have a lot of money.
David: "Uh, no, am a bit destitute right now."
Amelia: "It's MY treat."
David: "Oh no, I couldn't possibly impose."
Amelia: "It's not an imposition. It's my treat. It's the least I can do after what you did for me."
David sits in silence for a few second.
David: "Okay, uhm, I'll have what she's having."
Waitress: "Two steak and eggs, and two black coffees coming right up."
The waitress walk away to put in their order.
David: "Thank you very much."
Amelia: "It's not a problem, really."
David: "So, steak and eggs? Black coffee? Very unusual for a lady."
Amelia: "Yeah, well, my aintín Maureen always told me that it's important to have a high-protein breakfast. And when you work the kind of hours I work, I learn to acquire a taste for black coffee."
David: "Uh, I'm sorry, 'aintín'?"
Amelia: "My aunt."
David: "Ah."
Amelia: "Aintín is Irish for 'aunt.' I have a Scotch-Irish ancestry. In fact, I was even born on Saint Patrick's Day. Growing up, I found it easier than calling her aintín Maureen, instead piuthar màthair Maureen."
David: "Piuthar màthair?"
Amelia: "Yeah. It's Scotch Gaelic for 'aunt,' or more accurately, 'mother's sister.'"
David: "Ah... We're you close with your aunt?"
Amelia: "Oh yeah, very close. She doted over me the most of out of all of my cousins. She always used to call me her little banphrionsa. That's Irish for "princess."
David: "Ah, I can see that... Funny, I would've never thought their would be an Irish population here."
Amelia: "Oh, there isn't. I'm originally from Boston. My family's lived there since my sin-sin-seanathair: Seamus and his family immigrated from Ireland about— 100 years or so? — give or take."
David: "Sin-sin-seanathair?"
Amelia: "Great-great-grandfather."
David: "Ah, okay."
Amelia: "So, what about you?"
David: "Oh, I uh, don't know my family ancestry very well."
Amelia: "I mean: tell me a little something about yourself."
David: "What do you want to know?"
Amelia: "Well, for starters: what do you do?"
David: "Oh, nothing, really. I'm just — traveling around right now."
Amelia: "You heading to the Canadian boarder?"
David: "The Canadian boarder? You mean: we're close?"
Amelia: "Oh yeah. We're only 130 miles from Roosville. It's only a 2½-hour drive from here... Is that what you're doing? Fleeing the country?"
David: "Uh, actually no. I was planning on heading South, if I couldn't find a job in the next 6 days."
Amelia sits quietly as she shakes her head. Right then, the waitress walks up to their table.
Waitress: Here's your coffees. I will be out with your food in a few minutes."
Amelia: "Thank you."
Amelia continues to sit quiet, as she sips on her coffee. David becomes concerned about her silence.
David: "Amelia?"
Amelia quietly sits her coffee down and looks David straight in his eyes.
"Is something wrong?"
There is a few more seconds of silence, then Amelia abruptly said,
Amelia: "Why did you register yourself in the motel as 'David BELKIN'?"
David rises his eyebrows a bit.
David: "Excuse me?"
Amelia: "Yesterday morning, you register in the motel as David Belkin. You told me last night that your name was David Burrows."
As Amelia sits and continued to sip on her coffee, David knew that he had a dilemma. He knew that he a difficult choice to make between two undesirable outcomes. Sure, he had told people the whole truth before. He recollected Katie Maxwell (played by Laurie Prange), an embittered blind musician, who he told about his affliction in Northeastern Utah (near Mill Fork), (Early November, 1980).
David: "And now I go through — changes."
Katie: "And it always comes from anger?
David: "Yes... Or pain sometimes."
Katie: "And this man McGee? He can't find out about your identity?"
David: "M—my i—ide—iden...?"
Katie: "You have to keep it secret."
David: "Yes, a secret. From McGee and — uh — well, all of them, until I — I uh —"
Katie: "Until you find a cure."
David: "Yes, a cure."
Feeling addled and uneasy, David said: "Look, Amelia, I —"
Amelia: "You know, I would've never found you, but you were the only 'David' who checked in the Super 8 in over two weeks. Around HERE, anyway."
Trepidatiously, David sipped his coffee, At this point, all David could say is what came naturally to him.
David: "Look, Amelia, you're not in any danger. You don't have to be afraid of me."
Amelia: "I know that. What dangerous person help a damsel in distress?"
David continues to sip on his coffee, realizing that Amelia was right. She had no reason to be afraid of him, even though, at first, people would have just cause for being scared of him. He recollected when he first met Julie Griffith (also played by Laurie Prange), an heiress to Pan America in Everett, California, and a conversation they had after she witnessed his first metamorphosis. (Late November, 1977).
Julie: "What are you?"
David: "For one thing, I'm a doctor. I know what I'm talking about. And heard them planning to kill you. You have to trust me."
Julie: "Trust you? I'm scared to death of you! I mean, one minute, you're — you're a nice, gentle man. But I saw— I saw what happens to you; what you turn into. My God, I —"
David: "Amelia, look, it's not easy for me to tell 'my story.' Depending on how skeptical you are, you would find the whole story— well, quite incredulous, to say the least."
At that moment, the waitress walks over to their table and puts their food on the table.
Waitress: "All right, 2 steak and eggs. Is there anything else I can get for you two?"
Amelia: "No, thank you."
The waitress, then, gives them their check.
Waitress: "Okay, the total comes to $10.12. Just take the check up and pay when you're ready."
Amelia pushed the check to her side of the table and said: "Thank you." The waitress quietly walked away and Amelia began to eat her breakfast. The silence was awkward to David. He didn't know if Amelia was angry at him or if she just hungry. He was hopping for the latter, because David found it difficult to find the right words; to know what to say next. Maybe it was the beginning of the road to anthropophobia for him. Maybe she was an undercover cop posing as motel clerk and was trying to make an arrest last night, when suddenly there turned out to be not only one man but three of them. To stop his mind from racing, he the thought about Dr. Caroline Fields (his second wife) (played by Mariette Hartley) in Honolulu, Hawaii when he admitted to being alive and being the creature. (Late September, 1978).
David: "I um... I was involved with— advanced genetic research on related diseases at the Culver Institute in California."
Carol: "At Culver? Did you work with David Banner?"
David: "Quite closely."
Carol: "Why did he suddenly abandon his research on diseases such as mine?"
David: "He wife died. And after that, his work— took on other priorities."
Carol: "What a shame. His work in the area of my disease was brilliant. It was pioneering."
David: "Thank you."
Stunned at what David implied, Carol is silent for about 5 seconds.
Carol: "David Banner— was killed in a lab fire."
David, then, nods.
David: "No."
Carol sits in silence for another 5 seconds, realizing that she is talking to David Banner.
Carol: "Why haven't you told people you're alive?"
David: "Have you read much of Robert Louis Stevenson?"
Carol: "Treasure Island."
David: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
That's when David decided to take a chance; a chance he had not in a long time. He was going to tell "his story," as he began to eat his breakfast.
David: "Have you ever read much of Robert Louis Stevenson?
Amelia: "Treasure Island."
David: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
Amelia sits and thinks for a few seconds, for she had read both books during her preadolescence. Then, she begins quoting the last lines of the book in Chapter 10.
Amelia: " 'Here then, as I lay down the pen and proceed to seal up my confession, I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end.' "
David: "Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement Of The Case.”
Amelia smiles and nods positively.
_______________________________________________________________
6 Thirteenth Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860-5315
Sunday, July 25, 1982
8:02 a.m.
Brody had been seen in the Emergency Room; the very Emergency Room one of the men said David would end up, if he played hero. His cronies: Spike and Brendan walked into the waiting room They saw Brody coming into the the waiting room, on a wheelchair pushed by a candy striper. Once they stop, bent down, and locked the wheel on his wheelchair.
Brody: "Seriously, gorgeous. What's your name?"
Candice: "Sally. Now, leave me alone."
Brody: "It says: Candice on her badge."
Candice: "I'm only 16 and it's a misprint. Goodbye!"
The candy striper angrily walks a way and goes through the Emergency Room doors to get away from Brody. Spike snickers.
Spike: "What's HER problem?"
Brody: "She's one of those highbrow 'advanced volunteers,' You know, one of those patient-care liaisons. I'll get her in due time. The 'Brody Seed' will be spread."
Brendan: "So, what's the damage?"
Brody: "My knee and elbow just had to be wrapped up, but I can still walk... You guys aren't fooling me. I know you haven't been in this waiting room all night."
Spike: "Well, no. We went home. Ever since the murder of Adam Walsh last year, lots of states have passed laws that made curfews for people to be home by a certain hour."
Brody: "That's mainly for children and teenagers and you know it. Here's a little newsflash for you guys... I'M — NOT — STUPID! Or has it escaped your minds that my father is a cop?"
Brendan: "Our fathers are just as much cops as your's is, man!"
Brody: "Your father's a sergeant, Brendan. You have the least to say out of all of us, because Spike's father is a lieutenant. So, don't you be forgetting yourself with me."
Spike: "Yeah, man. Watch your mouth. Brody's father is the Chief of Police. He's always made sure that we've never been accountable for anything we do."
Brody: "Are either you ready to drive me home. Or do I have to depend on myself for that, too?"
Spike: "I brought my car. Let's go."
Brody stands up from his wheelchair and walk outside of the hospital with the other two men.
Spike: "What did you tell doctors and nurses about last night."
Brody: "I told them I fell of a latter. It wasn't a very convincing story, once they had to take a few hours, removing shards of glass out of my elbow and knee."
Spike: "They didn't talk to the police?"
Brody: "Are fathers ARE the police. Remember? Besides, even if they DID call them, the story of some 7-foot tall green creature, throwing me around like a rag doll, with no witnesses wouldn't fly."
Spike: "You mean nobody but us saw it?"
Brody: "I guess. I wouldn't know. I was too busy being abandoned by you guys and hobbling over to the hospital by myself at 20 after ten at night."
Brendan: "Hey, that thing threw me, too. I know how strong it was."
Spike: "Look, why don't just talk with our father's and THEY can check it out?"
Brody: "We have a few months yet before it's Halloween, Spike. They're not going to take time out of their busy schedules to check to see if some green monster has a record or not."
Spike: "So, what do ya wanna do?"
Brody: "I wanna go home, get some rest, and figure out our next move."
Brendan: "But about the creature?"
Brody: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let's just go."
With the top already down, they all get into Spike's 1976 Volkswagen Beetle, 2-door convertible and drove away from the hospital.
_______________________________________________________________
3912 West 82nd Street
Chicago, Illinois 60652
Sunday, July 25, 1982
9:14 a.m. (CDT)
Jack McGee (played by Jack Colvin) came out of his bedroom and into his kitchen to set his (as yet) $125-Pyrex Coffee Percolator on the stove and brings it to a boil. He, then, inserted his coarse grain coffee. As the water began to boil, the coffee began to percolate above and into the water. It cooked on the stove for about 5 minutes. The aroma of coffee filed his place. Then, Patricia Steinhauer (played by Caroline Smith), a petite, elegantly attractive brunette in her late-20's or early-30's, walks out wearing a pink bathrobe. As Patricia raises her arms and stretches, she said: "Oh, it feels good to sleep in on Sunday mornings."
Jack: "Yeah, I always look forward to the one day I can sleep in."
Patricia: "Is the coffee made yet? It smells reinvigorating."
Jack: "It'll be ready momentarily."
Patricia continues to walk around, admiring Jack's place, as always. When she looks into his den, she spots something that catches her attention.
Patricia: "Oh Jack, I never noticed her computer before. You gave up manual typewriter, huh?"
Jack: "Yeah, well, I figured I'd may as well change with the times. Besides, I've found that word processing is a lot easier than typing on a typewriter."
Patricia: "When did you buy it?"
Jack: "About a month ago. It may have came out five years ago, but I still paid over $1,600 for it. About 63% of what I would have had to pay five years ago. If I'd have waited any longer, it would have been rendered obsolete."
Patricia: "It's nice one. Is it a Commodore VIC-20?"
Jack: "No, it's a an Apple. An Apple II, actually. It comes with 48 Kilobytes of RAM. The central processing unit has an MOS of 6,502 and 1.0 MHz with a display of 280 by 192 with a 6 color maximum. It's also got an external hard drive of 143 Kilobytes for floppy disks. The Operating System is Woz integer BASIC in ROM."
Patricia: "Woz?"
Jack: "Yeah. Steve Wozniak, who was the creator of Apple, has the nickname 'Woz' and that's where this word comes from."
Patricia: "Oh, I see."
Jack: "And it has 8 expansion slots. No other computer had this kind of flexibility or expansion possibilities before this thing came along.
Patricia: "Nice."
Jack: "From what I've been able to gather, the Apple II has been one of the most popular computers ever made."
Patricia: "Well, let's hope computers don't start evolving fast than we can buy them."
Jack pours Patricia her cup of coffee. He puts the proper amount of cream and sugar in it.
Jack: "Here's your coffee."
Patricia: "Thanks, Jack."
_______________________________________________________________
325 Main Street
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
8:22 a.m. (MDT)
Both David Amelia were finished with there breakfast. Amelia stares at a picture of the Hulk.printed up by the National Register. She looks at the picture with some dubiety and much ambivalence. She was almost speechless, and yet didn't quite no why. Still, her seemingly officious inquiring mind and intense eagerness to understand the mechanics of David affliction continued to get the best of her. She gently puts down the newspaper clipping and she looks at David.
Amelia: "I don't understand. You actually 'change' into this uh— this— this 'thing'?"
David: "That's right."
Amelia: "So,— you can 'change' when you need to?"
Amelia: "So,— you can 'change' when you need to?"
David: "No. That creature is a product of human metamorphosis. But the entire process it ego dystonic. I don't just metamorphose deliberately. I can't control it. I can't control 'him'."
Amelia: "And all of this happens because you took a dose of 2 million units a gamma radiation?"
David: "Yes., After me and my colleague: Dr. Elaina Marks who I told you about, studied 78 cases of people who experienced abnormal strength dung moments of extreme stress, we discovered that every subject demonstrated that strength during periods of high gamma activity from the sun. I exposed myself to a 15-second dose of gamma radiation, synthetically, to try to duplicate their phenomena. I regulated my intake very precisely, but the machine itself was upgraded and not calibrated properly. I had intended on absorbing only 15% what actually exposed myself to. I absorbed well over six times my intended exposure."
Amelia: "And this 'creature' is the RESULT of you overexposing yourself to all of this radioactivity or is this 'creature' just a side effect?"
David: "Honestly, Amelia, I don't know which one it would be, assuming it would be one of the two. If you have a result of something, then you have an effect. If you have an effect, you need a etiology."
Amelia: "Meaning the gamma ray overdose would've been the 'cause' of the 'creature'."
David: "Right. As opposed to: an unwanted or unexpected result or condition that comes along with the desired effects of something.
Amelia: "A side effect."
David: "Right."
Amelia: "Well, David, it seems to me like your transformation into the 'creature' is a complication that occurred when your treatment went beyond the desired effect and in addition to the desired therapeutic effect."
David: "A side effect."
Amelia: "Mhm hmh."
David: "How do you figure?"
Amelia: "Well... Was your desired result: becoming that 'creature' sporadically the way you do?"
David: "Of course not. I was after the extra strength; the superhuman unexplained strength that all humans are capable of during moments of danger."
Amelia: "I'm sure that hits people where they live. I'm sure everybody like to tap into their hidden strengths when their in danger. I know I would've last night."
David: "But I moved to fast. I experimented on myself... And uh,—"
Amelia: "Now you have that strength?"
David: "Now, I have a mutation, near the rage center of my brain. It is one of two almond-shaped groups of nuclei located deep and medially within the temporal lobes of the brain."
Amelia: "The Amygdala."
David: "Right."
Amelia: "If I had to guess, it is probably the electrical simulations of the right amygdala, which induces negative emotions, especially fear, anxiety, and sadness."
At this point, David became quite curious, intrinsically, as to how the lovely young lady knew this information, but he kept his this to himself for the time being. All he knew was: there was more to this lady than what she was representing.
David: "Exactly. And during moments of fury, terror, or intense physical pain, I become a mutated 'thing'; a beast until that rage ends."
Amelia: "Amazing!"
David leaned in forward to talk a little softer.
David: "Now, the world thinks that I'm dead, and I can't let the world think any differently until I can a cure; a way to reverse the process that I inadvertently did to myself. But moreover, they also believe that this creature inside of me is a murderer. And they may someday be right."
Amelia: "David, from what you told me, this creature has never wantingly destroyed anything or seriously hurt anybody. Apparently, 'he' is motivated to deal with whatever frustrates or angers YOU."
David: "Yes, that's a good point, but you know that my consciousness leaves me whatever I go through my metamorphosis, right?"
Amelia: "Right. And you regain your consciousness when you go back to being yourself."
David: "Right, and that's my point... I can't tell you what it's like every time when I— 'come back'— wondering:— 'what has he done'?"
Amelia sat quietly for about 5 seconds, with empathy in her eyes. She gently took both of David's hands and softly clenched them.
Amelia: "David, every human being contains opposite forces within him or her; an alter ego that hides behind one's polite facade."
David looked deep into her eyes and truly knew that she empathized with his situation. He knew she was truly speaking to him without judgement. He knew that he had truly made a new friend.
David: "It's not always a facade."
Amelia: "The eyes are our window to our soul."
David: "William Shakespeare... 'The face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter'."
Amelia: "The great Roman philosopher: Cicero... You see, David, people often call eyes the windows to the soul, because people raise their eyebrows when they're happy, making the eyes look bigger and brighter. We can tell a true smile from a fake by looking at a person's eyes."
David: "Mhm hmh... Is it Biblical, also?"
Amelia: "As a matter of fact, yes. It's in Proverbs 30:17, Matthew 6:22 to 23, Luke 11:34, even First John 2:8. The Holy Bible's in your night stand drawer in your motel room. Look it up. It will be in all of them."
David: "Maybe I will."
Amelia: "Even better, would you like to come to church with me?"
David: "Church?"
Amelia: "Yeah. I've been going to The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Fourth Avenue. It won't take us but 20 minutes to walk there from here. Mass begins at eleven."
David: "We have a couple of hours yet."
Amelia: "We could go to the North Lake County Public Library. It's only about 5 minutes from here."
David: "The library?"
Amelia: "Yeah, I some business to do there that shouldn't take very long."
David: "Okay, sounds good to me."
Amelia: "Church or the library?"
David: "Both."
Amelia: "Excellent. Let me just go up and pay this."
______________________________________________________________
Amelia and David walked into the library together.
Amelia: "I'll only be about 10 or 15 minutes or so. Do you mind?"
David: "No, of course not. Take as long as you need."
Amelia: "Thank you. I won't be long."
Amelia walked up to the Main Desk.
Amelia: "Excuse me. Do you know if your B.D.R.S is up and running?"
Librarian #1: "Yes, it is. You can use one of them on the west side and one on the east side."
Amelia: "Great. I'll be using the west side."
Librarian #1: "Okay. Just sign in on this time sheet and you'll be all set."
Amelia signed in on the time sheet, then walked to the west side of the the library to use one of their computers. She sits down at the computer and goes straight to the B.D.R.S. Since David told her his real name in confidence, she decided to check out his past, just to make sure he was who he said he was and if he was telling the truth about about his past. She began to realize that she was starting to have feeling for David and felt a little guilty about checking up on his past. Still, she wanted to make sure that David was trustworthy before she went on having ANY feelings for David. She typed his name name into the B.D.R.S.— "David Banner." Although she spoke quietly, she skimmed his background...
Amelia: "Hmh. Doctor David Bruce Banner, M.D., Ph.D. Hmh. Born in Trevorton, Colorado; 1937. Graduated with honors from Trevorton High School, class of '55. Summa cum laude. Princeton. Stanford. Renowned research scientist; specialty - Human Metabolism. Last Employment: The Culver Institute in Sacramento, California. List of distinctions and awards a mile long. Date of Death: November 6th, 1977. Cause of Death: burned to death in a laboratory fire. Wait a minute... Death In Absentia?"
Amelia types the words: "Death In Absentia." She pushes a button on the keyboard and the DOS screen changes.
"Death In Absentia is: when person may be legally declared dead, despite the absence of direct proof of the person's death, such as the finding of remains attributable to that person."
Amelia sat back for a moment and said to herself quietly, "So, Doctor Banner could be declared legally dead due to being exposed to 'imminent peril' and failed to return from it." Then, smiles a bit and said: "Hence, the laboratory fire."
Meanwhile, David went up to another librarian to ask about Amelia.
David: "Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me."
Librarian #2: "Sure, what can I do for you?"
David: "I was wonder about your database here. Are you able to type in a name and it tell you all about that person?"
Librarian #2: "Sure. Our DOS system has a B.D.R.S program."
David: "B.D.R.S?"
Librarian #2: "Yes. Our Background Disclosure Retrieval System. It only tells the basics and there is a computer on the east side, if you want to use it."
David: "Uhm, actually, I may need a little help with that. I'm not familiar with the program."
Librarian #2: "No problem. What's the name you want to look up?"
David: "Amelia Murphy."
Librarian #2: "Hmh. Uhm, There are 84,844 people in the U.S. with the first name: Amelia. And there are 363,507 people in the U.S. with the last name: Murphy. You may want to specify a little more.
David thought about the conversation they had back at the restaurant. He tried to remember something useful for the information needed.
Librarian #2: "Okay, we're down to 50 people with the first name: Amelia and 12,134 people with the last name: Murphy... Can you think of anything else?"
David thought a little harder to remember some piece of information that would help.
Librarian #2: "Okay. There's still quite a few here, but we do have it narrowed down... Does March 17, 1957 sound about right to you?"
David: "Yeah, that would sound about right."
Librarian #2: "All right... Amelia Gwenneth Murphy?"
David: "Uhhh, I'm not sure. I guess."
Librarian #2: "Graduated with honors from Cathedral High School, class of '75. Graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor's in Behavioral Neuroscience in 3 years. After that, she went to Medical School and Graduate School simultaneously. She graduated this past spring with a Master's in Behavioral Neuroscience and got her M.D."
David: "She's a doctor?"
Librarian #2: "No record of her going anywhere for an internship or being granted any licensure. It's like she finished Graduate School and Medical School, then just stopped herself dead in her tracks.... This may be the woman you're thinking of. Her last known address is right in this town. Of course, legally, I can't give it to you."
David: "Oh, that's okay. That's all the information I need. Than you."
Librarian #2: "You bet."
That's when David realized that his instincts were right and suspicions were confirmed. Amelia was not what she was making herself out to be. She was a lot more educated than she led on. It all made sense to David now. It made perfect sense as to why Amelia knew all of the medical jargon and how she was able to make sense out of what he said. With this new found knowledge, David was slowly but surely becoming all the more impressed, even besotted, with Amelia. David slowly began smile when closed his eyes and imaged her face for only a few seconds. He felt a warmth inside him that he had not felt in a while. Not only was Amelia charming and prepossessing, but she was intelligent, too. Looking back on all of the ladies that David believed was "his type," one of the common denominators was that they were erudite and perspicacious. Amelia seemed like a worldly-wise person, in both a pedagogic and a scholarly kind of way. And yet, Amelia acquiring all that education, only to suddenly stop and work for minimum wage, made her more mysterious; enigmatic even. It's was odd to David, but Amelia's ambiguity only made his interest heighten. He knew from the very first time he saw Amelia that she was not going to to be just some ordinary person in his life. For the first time in several months, David finally felt that he had something to look forward to... He see Amelia walking toward him. As he saw her walk closer and closer, he decided to not tell her quite yet about the information he came into. He figured he'd keep it to himself, and when the time was right, any questions or answers about Amelia's life would come naturally.
David: "Did you get every thing done?"
Amelia: "Yeah, I did. Thanks for being patient.."
David and Amelia leave the library and begin walking to go to the church. As the three men are riding along in Spike's car and blasting "Screaming for Vengeance" by Judas Priest on the car radio, Spike spots both Amelia and David walking together.. Spike turns down the radio, points at the two, and says, "Well, lookie there." They all look at see Amelia and David walking together. Brendan chuckles and says, "Don't you think it's quite a coincidence that this particular guy just happened to show up the exact time we made our move on that girl." "You can't revolve your life around coincidences, Brendan," Brody said. "It's obvious, now, that this guy's her boyfriend. And boyfriends of woman I want are— in the way." "What are you saying?," asked Spike. "Let's just say that they're about to break up really soon," replied. They all laugh. "Hey, let's see what place they go into," said Spike. "Yeah, but let's not follow too close and let's doing quietly," replied Brody.
David: "So, you say you're from Boston?"
Amelia: "Yeah, that's were my entire family settled. My sin-seanathair: Tramaine was the first of my family to be born in America. He was sometime in the early 1880's.
David: "Sounds like you're one the first in your family to have wings, as opposed to roots. I mean, you're well over 2,500 miles from home."
Amelia: "Yeah, well, I'm not close to my immediate family anyway. My athair a drunk. And I don't care about what anybody says, he'll always be a drunk. He thinks just because it's beer, it's not alcohol. He drinks pints and pints of that Brewmeister Snake Venom. It's 67.5% Alcohol By Volume. Can you believe that? And my máthair? She acts like it's all okay. She sweeps it all under the under the rug like there's nothing wrong. As for me, my deartháir: William, and my deirfiúr: Siobhan? We got out of the household as quickly as we could. We decided we wanted to move on to bigger and better things.
David: "Sounds like quite a family."
Amelia: "Look, David, I know it's a disrespectful way to talk about your parents, but I find hard and hard to honor them as time goes on. I've never thought I was better than them, but I did want better life for my self and so did both my siblings."
David: "Amelia, I understand. I had a very strained relationship with my father for a very long time. My mother died when I was 12. I was so devastated, I needed someone to blame. So, I blamed him. It was a cross he never should've had to bear. When I got older, he wanted me to go to a college in-state with an Agriculture Program. He even offered to pay my entire way through. His hopes with that after I graduated, I would take over the family farm. I was still so angry with him. I made sure I went to a college far away with my full scholarship... I wanted to be a doctor. That was dream. That's would I wanted to do with my life. Being a doctor is all I ever wanted to be. I abandoned him at farm when I was 18 and I didn't look back."
Amelia: "You had every right to do what wanted to do with your life, David. I mean, it was your life. Your father took over the family farm like he wanted to do. You became a doctor like you wanted to do... You did what you had to do."
David: "Yeah, but I'm sure there could been a better way to do it. I lost so many years with him. At least, my sister: Helen took over the family farm and my father and I did end up making amends on Thanksgiving a few years ago."
Amelia: "Sounds like everything worked out."
David: "Yeah, it did."
Amelia: "So, your family knows you're still alive?"
David: "Yeah. I can't keep in touch them as much as I'd like to. Of course, you understand why."
Amelia: "Oh yeah, absolutely."
David: "So, you don't miss your family at all?"
Amelia: "Well, the holidays aren't easy. I do miss my deartháir and deirfiúr. We always looked out for each other as we were growing up.
Suddenly, an eerie feeling came over Amelia. A chill even goes up her spine. Then, she looks behind her. She noticed that there was a Volkswagen following behind them. She looks ahead again with a look of dread.
David: "You all right?"
Amelia: "Do you feel like you're being watched?"
David looks over his shoulder.
"Don't look too hard, but Volkswagen's been following for awhile."
The three men continued to follow them. "We need to find out more about that guy," Brendan said. "Patience, Brendan." Brody replied. "We'll find out about him soon enough. What's more important then anything is that the 'Brody Seed' gets spread. Out collaborative enterprise is what's essential. And, right now, the aim of that collaborative enterprise is that redhead being a part of it." Spike chuckles and said: "Yeah, and don't forget, Brendan, we're the backup of that collaborative enterprise... Well, more me than you." Brody and Spike both laugh. Then, Brody looks ahead and no longer sees David and Amelia. "Hey, what happened? They disappeared. Where are they? Where'd they go?," said Brody. They slow down the car and look around. All three of them simultaneously look at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. "Maybe they went into that church," said Brendan. "I ain't going in there," Brody said. "Me, either," replied Spike. "Let's get out of her before we look suspicious," Spike said as they begin to drive away. . . Meanwhile, David is look outside the door's window from the inside.
David: "Okay, they're gone."
Amelia breathes a sigh of relief.
Amelia: "Thank you, God, for protecting us."
David: "I'm not sure, but I think it was those guys from last night."
Amelia: "They've been following us?"
David: "Maybe not the whole time, but it seems they were just now."
Amelia: "Did they see us come in here?"
David: "I'm not sure. I don't think so."
Amelia: "What are we going to do?"
David: "We'll stay here for Mass. Afterwards, we'll go to the police. We'll describe the men to them and let them handle it from there."
Amelia: "Uhm, actually,— I do some part time custodial work at a tavern on Main Street."
David: "What?"
Amelia: "It's a place that doesn't open until 2 p.m. I help with the pre-cleaning there. It's only a couple hours a day a few days a week, but I really need the job. I really need the money."
David: "Amelia, if these guys are following us, I really think it's important to go to the police."
Amelia: "I agree, but I still need that job. Look, I'll be okay there. I'll be with people in a public place. The police department is only a 3 to 5 minute walk from where I work. While I'm at work, you can go to the police department. I'll be finished by the time you're done."
David: "Amelia, you know I can't go to the police. And you know why."
Amelia: "I do. But they're not going to fingerprint or photograph you. All you have to do is make out a report. If they ask for I.D., just tell them you're wife has it and she'll be by later."
David: "My wife?"
Amelia: "Yeah, me. Then, I'll make out the report... Okay?"
David was very reluctant going to the police department.
David: "Uhhhh,— well,— I uh,— I suppose I could do that."
Amelia: "Great. Let's get a good seat for Mass."
______________________________________________________________
David stood outside, waiting for Amelia to finish working after he had returned from the police station. Amelia came out of the front door.
Amelia: "And all of this happens because you took a dose of 2 million units a gamma radiation?"
David: "Yes., After me and my colleague: Dr. Elaina Marks who I told you about, studied 78 cases of people who experienced abnormal strength dung moments of extreme stress, we discovered that every subject demonstrated that strength during periods of high gamma activity from the sun. I exposed myself to a 15-second dose of gamma radiation, synthetically, to try to duplicate their phenomena. I regulated my intake very precisely, but the machine itself was upgraded and not calibrated properly. I had intended on absorbing only 15% what actually exposed myself to. I absorbed well over six times my intended exposure."
Amelia: "And this 'creature' is the RESULT of you overexposing yourself to all of this radioactivity or is this 'creature' just a side effect?"
David: "Honestly, Amelia, I don't know which one it would be, assuming it would be one of the two. If you have a result of something, then you have an effect. If you have an effect, you need a etiology."
Amelia: "Meaning the gamma ray overdose would've been the 'cause' of the 'creature'."
David: "Right. As opposed to: an unwanted or unexpected result or condition that comes along with the desired effects of something.
Amelia: "A side effect."
David: "Right."
Amelia: "Well, David, it seems to me like your transformation into the 'creature' is a complication that occurred when your treatment went beyond the desired effect and in addition to the desired therapeutic effect."
David: "A side effect."
Amelia: "Mhm hmh."
David: "How do you figure?"
Amelia: "Well... Was your desired result: becoming that 'creature' sporadically the way you do?"
David: "Of course not. I was after the extra strength; the superhuman unexplained strength that all humans are capable of during moments of danger."
Amelia: "I'm sure that hits people where they live. I'm sure everybody like to tap into their hidden strengths when their in danger. I know I would've last night."
David: "But I moved to fast. I experimented on myself... And uh,—"
Amelia: "Now you have that strength?"
David: "Now, I have a mutation, near the rage center of my brain. It is one of two almond-shaped groups of nuclei located deep and medially within the temporal lobes of the brain."
Amelia: "The Amygdala."
David: "Right."
Amelia: "If I had to guess, it is probably the electrical simulations of the right amygdala, which induces negative emotions, especially fear, anxiety, and sadness."
At this point, David became quite curious, intrinsically, as to how the lovely young lady knew this information, but he kept his this to himself for the time being. All he knew was: there was more to this lady than what she was representing.
David: "Exactly. And during moments of fury, terror, or intense physical pain, I become a mutated 'thing'; a beast until that rage ends."
Amelia: "Amazing!"
David leaned in forward to talk a little softer.
David: "Now, the world thinks that I'm dead, and I can't let the world think any differently until I can a cure; a way to reverse the process that I inadvertently did to myself. But moreover, they also believe that this creature inside of me is a murderer. And they may someday be right."
Amelia: "David, from what you told me, this creature has never wantingly destroyed anything or seriously hurt anybody. Apparently, 'he' is motivated to deal with whatever frustrates or angers YOU."
David: "Yes, that's a good point, but you know that my consciousness leaves me whatever I go through my metamorphosis, right?"
Amelia: "Right. And you regain your consciousness when you go back to being yourself."
David: "Right, and that's my point... I can't tell you what it's like every time when I— 'come back'— wondering:— 'what has he done'?"
Amelia sat quietly for about 5 seconds, with empathy in her eyes. She gently took both of David's hands and softly clenched them.
Amelia: "David, every human being contains opposite forces within him or her; an alter ego that hides behind one's polite facade."
David looked deep into her eyes and truly knew that she empathized with his situation. He knew she was truly speaking to him without judgement. He knew that he had truly made a new friend.
David: "It's not always a facade."
Amelia: "The eyes are our window to our soul."
David: "William Shakespeare... 'The face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter'."
Amelia: "The great Roman philosopher: Cicero... You see, David, people often call eyes the windows to the soul, because people raise their eyebrows when they're happy, making the eyes look bigger and brighter. We can tell a true smile from a fake by looking at a person's eyes."
David: "Mhm hmh... Is it Biblical, also?"
Amelia: "As a matter of fact, yes. It's in Proverbs 30:17, Matthew 6:22 to 23, Luke 11:34, even First John 2:8. The Holy Bible's in your night stand drawer in your motel room. Look it up. It will be in all of them."
David: "Maybe I will."
Amelia: "Even better, would you like to come to church with me?"
David: "Church?"
Amelia: "Yeah. I've been going to The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Fourth Avenue. It won't take us but 20 minutes to walk there from here. Mass begins at eleven."
David: "We have a couple of hours yet."
Amelia: "We could go to the North Lake County Public Library. It's only about 5 minutes from here."
David: "The library?"
Amelia: "Yeah, I some business to do there that shouldn't take very long."
David: "Okay, sounds good to me."
Amelia: "Church or the library?"
David: "Both."
Amelia: "Excellent. Let me just go up and pay this."
______________________________________________________________
2 First Avenue East
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
9:17 a.m. (MDT)
Amelia: "I'll only be about 10 or 15 minutes or so. Do you mind?"
David: "No, of course not. Take as long as you need."
Amelia: "Thank you. I won't be long."
Amelia walked up to the Main Desk.
Amelia: "Excuse me. Do you know if your B.D.R.S is up and running?"
Librarian #1: "Yes, it is. You can use one of them on the west side and one on the east side."
Amelia: "Great. I'll be using the west side."
Librarian #1: "Okay. Just sign in on this time sheet and you'll be all set."
Amelia signed in on the time sheet, then walked to the west side of the the library to use one of their computers. She sits down at the computer and goes straight to the B.D.R.S. Since David told her his real name in confidence, she decided to check out his past, just to make sure he was who he said he was and if he was telling the truth about about his past. She began to realize that she was starting to have feeling for David and felt a little guilty about checking up on his past. Still, she wanted to make sure that David was trustworthy before she went on having ANY feelings for David. She typed his name name into the B.D.R.S.— "David Banner." Although she spoke quietly, she skimmed his background...
Amelia: "Hmh. Doctor David Bruce Banner, M.D., Ph.D. Hmh. Born in Trevorton, Colorado; 1937. Graduated with honors from Trevorton High School, class of '55. Summa cum laude. Princeton. Stanford. Renowned research scientist; specialty - Human Metabolism. Last Employment: The Culver Institute in Sacramento, California. List of distinctions and awards a mile long. Date of Death: November 6th, 1977. Cause of Death: burned to death in a laboratory fire. Wait a minute... Death In Absentia?"
Amelia types the words: "Death In Absentia." She pushes a button on the keyboard and the DOS screen changes.
"Death In Absentia is: when person may be legally declared dead, despite the absence of direct proof of the person's death, such as the finding of remains attributable to that person."
Amelia sat back for a moment and said to herself quietly, "So, Doctor Banner could be declared legally dead due to being exposed to 'imminent peril' and failed to return from it." Then, smiles a bit and said: "Hence, the laboratory fire."
Meanwhile, David went up to another librarian to ask about Amelia.
David: "Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me."
Librarian #2: "Sure, what can I do for you?"
David: "I was wonder about your database here. Are you able to type in a name and it tell you all about that person?"
Librarian #2: "Sure. Our DOS system has a B.D.R.S program."
David: "B.D.R.S?"
Librarian #2: "Yes. Our Background Disclosure Retrieval System. It only tells the basics and there is a computer on the east side, if you want to use it."
David: "Uhm, actually, I may need a little help with that. I'm not familiar with the program."
Librarian #2: "No problem. What's the name you want to look up?"
David: "Amelia Murphy."
Librarian #2: "Hmh. Uhm, There are 84,844 people in the U.S. with the first name: Amelia. And there are 363,507 people in the U.S. with the last name: Murphy. You may want to specify a little more.
David thought about the conversation they had back at the restaurant. He tried to remember something useful for the information needed.
Amelia: "I'm originally from Boston. My family's lived there since my sin-sin-seanathair: Seamus and his family immigrated from Ireland a little over— 100 years or so? — give or take."David: "She's originally from Boston. He family history goes back a century or so."
Librarian #2: "Okay, we're down to 50 people with the first name: Amelia and 12,134 people with the last name: Murphy... Can you think of anything else?"
David thought a little harder to remember some piece of information that would help.
Amelia: "I have a Scotch-Irish ancestry. In fact, I was even born on Saint Patrick's Day."David: "Uhm, she was born on Saint Patrick's Day. I don't know the year, but she looks like she's in her mid-20's. So, I'm thinking she may have been born sometime in the late 50's."
Librarian #2: "Okay. There's still quite a few here, but we do have it narrowed down... Does March 17, 1957 sound about right to you?"
David: "Yeah, that would sound about right."
Librarian #2: "All right... Amelia Gwenneth Murphy?"
David: "Uhhh, I'm not sure. I guess."
Librarian #2: "Graduated with honors from Cathedral High School, class of '75. Graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor's in Behavioral Neuroscience in 3 years. After that, she went to Medical School and Graduate School simultaneously. She graduated this past spring with a Master's in Behavioral Neuroscience and got her M.D."
David: "She's a doctor?"
Librarian #2: "No record of her going anywhere for an internship or being granted any licensure. It's like she finished Graduate School and Medical School, then just stopped herself dead in her tracks.... This may be the woman you're thinking of. Her last known address is right in this town. Of course, legally, I can't give it to you."
David: "Oh, that's okay. That's all the information I need. Than you."
Librarian #2: "You bet."
That's when David realized that his instincts were right and suspicions were confirmed. Amelia was not what she was making herself out to be. She was a lot more educated than she led on. It all made sense to David now. It made perfect sense as to why Amelia knew all of the medical jargon and how she was able to make sense out of what he said. With this new found knowledge, David was slowly but surely becoming all the more impressed, even besotted, with Amelia. David slowly began smile when closed his eyes and imaged her face for only a few seconds. He felt a warmth inside him that he had not felt in a while. Not only was Amelia charming and prepossessing, but she was intelligent, too. Looking back on all of the ladies that David believed was "his type," one of the common denominators was that they were erudite and perspicacious. Amelia seemed like a worldly-wise person, in both a pedagogic and a scholarly kind of way. And yet, Amelia acquiring all that education, only to suddenly stop and work for minimum wage, made her more mysterious; enigmatic even. It's was odd to David, but Amelia's ambiguity only made his interest heighten. He knew from the very first time he saw Amelia that she was not going to to be just some ordinary person in his life. For the first time in several months, David finally felt that he had something to look forward to... He see Amelia walking toward him. As he saw her walk closer and closer, he decided to not tell her quite yet about the information he came into. He figured he'd keep it to himself, and when the time was right, any questions or answers about Amelia's life would come naturally.
David: "Did you get every thing done?"
Amelia: "Yeah, I did. Thanks for being patient.."
David and Amelia leave the library and begin walking to go to the church. As the three men are riding along in Spike's car and blasting "Screaming for Vengeance" by Judas Priest on the car radio, Spike spots both Amelia and David walking together.. Spike turns down the radio, points at the two, and says, "Well, lookie there." They all look at see Amelia and David walking together. Brendan chuckles and says, "Don't you think it's quite a coincidence that this particular guy just happened to show up the exact time we made our move on that girl." "You can't revolve your life around coincidences, Brendan," Brody said. "It's obvious, now, that this guy's her boyfriend. And boyfriends of woman I want are— in the way." "What are you saying?," asked Spike. "Let's just say that they're about to break up really soon," replied. They all laugh. "Hey, let's see what place they go into," said Spike. "Yeah, but let's not follow too close and let's doing quietly," replied Brody.
David: "So, you say you're from Boston?"
Amelia: "Yeah, that's were my entire family settled. My sin-seanathair: Tramaine was the first of my family to be born in America. He was sometime in the early 1880's.
David: "Sounds like you're one the first in your family to have wings, as opposed to roots. I mean, you're well over 2,500 miles from home."
Amelia: "Yeah, well, I'm not close to my immediate family anyway. My athair a drunk. And I don't care about what anybody says, he'll always be a drunk. He thinks just because it's beer, it's not alcohol. He drinks pints and pints of that Brewmeister Snake Venom. It's 67.5% Alcohol By Volume. Can you believe that? And my máthair? She acts like it's all okay. She sweeps it all under the under the rug like there's nothing wrong. As for me, my deartháir: William, and my deirfiúr: Siobhan? We got out of the household as quickly as we could. We decided we wanted to move on to bigger and better things.
David: "Sounds like quite a family."
Amelia: "Look, David, I know it's a disrespectful way to talk about your parents, but I find hard and hard to honor them as time goes on. I've never thought I was better than them, but I did want better life for my self and so did both my siblings."
David: "Amelia, I understand. I had a very strained relationship with my father for a very long time. My mother died when I was 12. I was so devastated, I needed someone to blame. So, I blamed him. It was a cross he never should've had to bear. When I got older, he wanted me to go to a college in-state with an Agriculture Program. He even offered to pay my entire way through. His hopes with that after I graduated, I would take over the family farm. I was still so angry with him. I made sure I went to a college far away with my full scholarship... I wanted to be a doctor. That was dream. That's would I wanted to do with my life. Being a doctor is all I ever wanted to be. I abandoned him at farm when I was 18 and I didn't look back."
Amelia: "You had every right to do what wanted to do with your life, David. I mean, it was your life. Your father took over the family farm like he wanted to do. You became a doctor like you wanted to do... You did what you had to do."
David: "Yeah, but I'm sure there could been a better way to do it. I lost so many years with him. At least, my sister: Helen took over the family farm and my father and I did end up making amends on Thanksgiving a few years ago."
Amelia: "Sounds like everything worked out."
David: "Yeah, it did."
Amelia: "So, your family knows you're still alive?"
David: "Yeah. I can't keep in touch them as much as I'd like to. Of course, you understand why."
Amelia: "Oh yeah, absolutely."
David: "So, you don't miss your family at all?"
Amelia: "Well, the holidays aren't easy. I do miss my deartháir and deirfiúr. We always looked out for each other as we were growing up.
Suddenly, an eerie feeling came over Amelia. A chill even goes up her spine. Then, she looks behind her. She noticed that there was a Volkswagen following behind them. She looks ahead again with a look of dread.
David: "You all right?"
Amelia: "Do you feel like you're being watched?"
David looks over his shoulder.
"Don't look too hard, but Volkswagen's been following for awhile."
The three men continued to follow them. "We need to find out more about that guy," Brendan said. "Patience, Brendan." Brody replied. "We'll find out about him soon enough. What's more important then anything is that the 'Brody Seed' gets spread. Out collaborative enterprise is what's essential. And, right now, the aim of that collaborative enterprise is that redhead being a part of it." Spike chuckles and said: "Yeah, and don't forget, Brendan, we're the backup of that collaborative enterprise... Well, more me than you." Brody and Spike both laugh. Then, Brody looks ahead and no longer sees David and Amelia. "Hey, what happened? They disappeared. Where are they? Where'd they go?," said Brody. They slow down the car and look around. All three of them simultaneously look at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. "Maybe they went into that church," said Brendan. "I ain't going in there," Brody said. "Me, either," replied Spike. "Let's get out of her before we look suspicious," Spike said as they begin to drive away. . . Meanwhile, David is look outside the door's window from the inside.
David: "Okay, they're gone."
Amelia breathes a sigh of relief.
Amelia: "Thank you, God, for protecting us."
David: "I'm not sure, but I think it was those guys from last night."
Amelia: "They've been following us?"
David: "Maybe not the whole time, but it seems they were just now."
Amelia: "Did they see us come in here?"
David: "I'm not sure. I don't think so."
Amelia: "What are we going to do?"
David: "We'll stay here for Mass. Afterwards, we'll go to the police. We'll describe the men to them and let them handle it from there."
Amelia: "Uhm, actually,— I do some part time custodial work at a tavern on Main Street."
David: "What?"
Amelia: "It's a place that doesn't open until 2 p.m. I help with the pre-cleaning there. It's only a couple hours a day a few days a week, but I really need the job. I really need the money."
David: "Amelia, if these guys are following us, I really think it's important to go to the police."
Amelia: "I agree, but I still need that job. Look, I'll be okay there. I'll be with people in a public place. The police department is only a 3 to 5 minute walk from where I work. While I'm at work, you can go to the police department. I'll be finished by the time you're done."
David: "Amelia, you know I can't go to the police. And you know why."
Amelia: "I do. But they're not going to fingerprint or photograph you. All you have to do is make out a report. If they ask for I.D., just tell them you're wife has it and she'll be by later."
David: "My wife?"
Amelia: "Yeah, me. Then, I'll make out the report... Okay?"
David was very reluctant going to the police department.
David: "Uhhhh,— well,— I uh,— I suppose I could do that."
Amelia: "Great. Let's get a good seat for Mass."
______________________________________________________________
106 1st Street East
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
12:25 p.m. (MDT)
After Mass, David walked Amelia to her part time job, then went straight to the police station. He came in the door and saw the Sargent on-duty at the front desk sleeping. David walked up to the front desk and said: "Excuse me, Sir?" The Sargent kept snoring away. "Sir?," David repeated. The Sargent still didn't wake up. David rang the bell on the front desk a few times and said: "Excuse me?" This startles the Sargent into sudden consciousness.
Sargent Kingsmith: "What? Who are you?"
David: "My name is David Beaumont. I need to make out a report."
Sargent Kingsmith: "Well, talk to the Sargent on-duty. I'm busy."
David looked around and saw that the Sargent was the only one at the front desk and the only in the room. David began to feel annoyed by the Sargent's flippancy.
David: "Uhm, Sir? I see by the three stripes on you sleeve that you are a Sargent and you happen to be at the front desk."
Sargent Kingsmith: "So what are you saying?"
David: "I"m saying that it appears that you ARE the Sargent on-duty, and you don't look very busy."
Sargent Kingsmith: "Picking up you're supercilious attitude. Can't say I like being patronized by condescending people. Maybe you can talk to another Sargent."
David: "Sir, please, this is very important. My wife and I are being stalked to three men, and I have to, at least, file a complaint. Maybe put a restraining order on them."
Sargent Kingsmith: "A restraining order is: a temporary court order issued to prohibit an individual from carrying out a particular action. That could take some time. Is there a particular action that you don't want these three guy from carrying out?"
David: "They almost gang raped my wife last night."
Sargent Kingsmith: "I'm gonna have to be blunt with you here. Even if they are served with a restraining order, that doesn't make them criminals. And we can't arrest, incarcerate, or prosecute them with any such action, until the action is carried out."
David: "Are you saying that a restraining order won't make any difference?"
Sargent Kingsmith: "I'm saying that they may have gotten whatever perverse action they've done against you out of their systems, and any action we take at this point might provoke them."
David: "Okay. What if they DIDN'T get it out of their systems?"
Sargent Kingsmith: "Then, we have to catch them in the act. We have to come up with concrete evidence that they really are 'stalking' you, so we can bring charges against them."
David could not believe how obtuse the Sargent was being. He pretty knew, at this point, that he wasn't going to get help from the Sargent. So, instead of getting into a fight and bring on attention to himself, he decided to just fill out a report and be done with it.
David: "Okay... Okay. Can't I, at least, make out a report?"
Sargent Kingsmith: "Sure."
The policeman takes out the paperwork.
"What are the names of the three men?"
David: "I don't know."
Sargent Kingsmith: "You don't know their names?"
David: "No. We don't KNOW them. I CAN tell you that one of them drives a two-door convertible, 1976 Volkswagen Beetle."
Sargent Kingsmith: "So, you don't know their names, but you know what they drive?"
David: "Yes. My wife and I spotted them following us a couple hours ago."
Sargent Kingsmith: "Got a license plate number?"
David: "Well, no, they were behind us, driving toward us."
Sargent Kingsmith: "No names. No license plate number. I gotta tell ya, the police department isn't going to be much help to you."
David: "Can I, at least, fill out a report?"
The policeman hands David the paperwork.
Sargent Kingsmith: "Sure, here's the paperwork. I don't know how much good it's going to do you, but if you want documented evidence that you came in and told us about it, all the power to ya."
David: "Thank you."
______________________________________________________________
Sunday, July 25, 1982
1:13 p.m. (MDT)
David finishes the paperwork and brings to the policeman for him to file.
Sargent Kingsmith: "You got everything we need."
David: "I think so."
Sargent Kingsmith: "Uh, we need an address and phone number to reach you at, in case we need to notify you of anything, Mister uhhhhh,— Beaumont."
David: "Oh, uh, she and I are staying at the Super 8, until all of this is over. So, you can reach us there."
Sargent Kingsmith: "All right, then. We'll be in touch."
David: "Thank you."
After David leaves the polices station, Sargent Kingsmith picked up a phone to make a phone call.
Sargent Kingsmith: "Hey, Spike. It's Brendan's dad. I have a lead on those two people you were talking about. . . They don't know your names or your license plate number. All they really know is the kind of car YOU drive. The guy made out the report described all three of you perfectly. . . According to the report the guy filled out, they're a married couple... Yeah, married. That's what I said. They're names are David and Amelia Beaumont. . . Yeah, they're staying at the Super 8 on First Street, West. It looks as if they're from out of town, so they shouldn't give you any trouble. . . Okay, no problem. See ya at home. Bye."
The policeman hangs up the phone and lays back in his chair to drift back to sleep.
______________________________________________________________
55 Devlin Lane
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
1:17 p.m.
Spike hangs up the phone on his end. He turns to Brody and Brendan.
Spike: "Well well well. I've got a news item I think you'll find interesting. Turns out, that guy and woman aren't boyfriend and girlfriend after all."
Brendan: "Oh yeah? Then why did we see them together?"
Brody: "Hey, Brendan? Shut up! If you keep you're mouth closed, may be we'll hear what we need to hear before doom's day."
Spike: "Turns out, they're married."
Brody: "Married?!"
Spike: "Married. That's why the two of them just happen to be at the very motel that we were at last night. Apparently, they're from out-of-town and staying at the Super 8."
Brody: "Well, luckily for that woman, the 'Brody Seed' has no boundaries. And I'm not going to let something like a marriage stand in the way of me and that woman procreating."
Spike: "We need to get to the Super 8 before they get back to it. They're staying there under the names of David and Amelia Beaumont. But we have to take another car. They already know about my Volkswagen."
Brody: "Not a problem. We'll take my golden 1978 Pontiac Firebird. Nobody will be looking for THAT car. And remember, even if I were dying, I'm the one doing the driving... You sit in the back, Brendan."
Brendan: "I'm ALWAYS in back!"
Brody and Spike: "Shut up, Brendan!"
______________________________________________________________
218 Main Street
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
1:55 p.m.
David stood outside, waiting for Amelia to finish working after he had returned from the police station. Amelia came out of the front door.
David: "All done?"
Amelia: "Yeah, all done. Let's go."
David and Amelia begin to walk along the sidewalk.
David: "You know, working 40 hours a week, plus having a part-time job is going to take its toll on you sooner or later."
Amelia: "I know, David, but I need these jobs. I need to save the money. It's important. I don't plan to be in this town forever. I'm actually kind of hoping I can be out of here before autumn."
David: "How long have you been working yourself like this?"
Amelia: "A couple of months now. I figure in another couple of months, I could, at least, save up enough money to move south. What about you? You said you're planning to move south, right?"
David: "Yeah, but maybe a little sooner than you."
Amelia: "Oh, that's right. You were only planning to stay the week. What about the police? Did you go to the police station?"
David: "Yeah, I filled out a report. I gave a description of the three men. Unfortunately, that's all we can do, at this point."
Amelia: "Well, hopefully, that's all we'll have to do."
David: "The Sargent I talked to said he'd be in touch if anything came up."
Amelia wanted to ask David for one more favor. He had already done so much for her already. However, she didn't want to be alone if those three men were to show up again.
Amelia: "That's good... Uh, David, I need to ask you for one more favor. I know I've asked a lot of you, but this is important to me. Despite the way it looks, I'm really creeped-out about last night."
David: "How can I help?"
Amelia: "Well, please don't take this the wrong way, but— can stay with you today?"
David: "Stay with me?"
Amelia: "Yeah, you know... In your room. I need some sleep before my shift begins at 11 p.m. and I don't want to be alone. It would make me feel so much more safe if I could stay with you while I sleep. Then, when I wake up, I'll be at my place of employment anyway. It would really mean a lot to me."
David: "Well, since we ARE married. Sure."
They both laugh as they keep walking.
______________________________________________________________
981 1st Street West
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
2:04 p.m.
Ralph: "Can I help you guys?"
Brody: "Yes, we're friends of David and Amelia Beaumont. Would you be able to tell us what room they're in?"
Ralph looks at the register book.
Ralph: "Uhhhh, sorry, but their is nobody or any couple by the name of Beaumont staying here. Are you sure you have the right motel?"
Spike: "We're positive that we have right motel, Mister. You may want to double check your book there."
Ralph double checks, turning back a few pages.
Ralph: "I'm sorry, guys, but I've gone clear back to the Forth of July, and there hasn't been a Beaumont that has stayed here."
Suddenly, an awkward silence for about 5 seconds hits the air. The men glare at Ralph.
Brody: "Give us your book."
Ralph: "Excuse me?"
Spike: "You heard him, Pops. He said give us your book."
Ralph: "Our register book?"
Brody: "We don't care what you call it, geezer. Give us that book and give it to us now."
Ralph: "Are you checking in?"
Spike: "No!"
Ralph: "Uhm, I'm sorry. We're not allowed to do that."
Spike pull out is his .38 revolver and points it at Ralph.
Brody: "Our patience has run out! If you want to continue living, give that book with no questions asked and do it right now!"
Ralph slowly and reluctantly gave Brody the register book. Brody angrily snatches it from Ralph's hand, and through the window. He irately looks through the register book. Brody looked up at the other two men.
Brody: "There's no woman named: Amelia in this book."
Spike: "My dad wouldn't lie to me about this. What about the name: David?"
He irately looks through the register book again. Brody looks back at the other two men.
Brody: "There's been three Davids who have stayed here in the last month. Nobody with the last name: Beaumont."
Spike: "Well... It looks like we have ourselves a situation here. Either, someone lied to us. Those people would be my dad, and I don't think it was him, or YOU. Or, someone lied to you. If THAT'S the case, who could THAT have been?"
Brody: "Who are you trying to hide, Mister?"
Ralph: "Uhm, look, I'm not hiding anything or anyone from anybody. I just work here."
Spike: "Who was the last David to check in?"
Brody carefully looks through the register book and looks back up at the other two men.
Brody: "Some guy named: David Belkin. It's says he checked yesterday, late morning. It says he's from Billings."
Spike: "Has he checked out?"
Brody: "It doesn't SAY he did."
Spike: "How long does it say he's staying for?"
Brody: "A week."
Spike: "Well... I think we have our man."
Brody: "Yeah. Brendan, by the door, now."
Brendan goes to the door by the front office.
Spike: "Old man, if you don't want me to put a bullet through ya, then get out of your office and come outside here with us. And don't try anything funny. Or it'll be the last thing you ever do."
Meanwhile, David and Amelia walked along the sidewalk and crossed the street at the intersection, going toward the motel. They spot Ralph standing in front of the door to the main office. He is alone and just standing there. Amelia recognizes Ralph, because he generally takes over the First Shift after she finishes the Third Shift on Sunday mornings.
Amelia: "David, Ralph must want something. He's standing outside. I'll be at your room in a few minutes, okay?"
David: "No, it's okay. I'll stay with you. I'll wait here."
Amelia: "Thanks. I should only be a moment."
Amelia walks over to Ralph, while David stands and waits for her.
Ralph: "Hey, Amelia."
Amelia: "Hey, Ralph. What's up?"
Ralph: "It's Adele. She wants to talk to you and your boyfriend."
Amelia: "What boyfriend?"
Ralph: "You know, Mr. Belkin. The guy that checked in here yesterday."
Amelia recognized the last name: "Belkin," because she saw that David checked into the motel with that name.
Amelia: "Mr. Belkin? David Belkin?"
Ralph: "Yes, Adele wants to talk to you about him."
Amelia: "You just said she wanted to talk to both us."
Ralph: "Oh, yeah, that's what I meant. She wants to talk both of you."
Becoming slightly dubious and wary of the situation, she said: "Ooookay. Where is she?" "She's in his room. That would be Room 8, " Ralph replied. Still somewhat suspicious, Amelia says: "Okay, thanks." Amelia walked over to David and said: "Uh, David? Did you leave something in your room that shouldn't be in there?"
David: "No. I only have clothes, toiletries, and shaving kit in my bag."
Amelia: "Ralph said that Adele wants to talk to us."
David: "Who's Adele?"
Amelia: "The model maid."
David: "Oh, hopefully, there wasn't any vandalism."
Amelia: "Well, if this involves deliberate destruction or damage of the motel property, I'm going to make sure she doesn't blame you. I'm your witness. You were with me the whole day."
David and Amelia walk toward where David's room is.
"You know, Ralph said something strange."
David: "What was that?"
Amelia: "He called you 'my boyfriend' and everybody that works here knows that I'm not even dating anybody."
David: "Maybe he was being facetious."
Amelia: "No, he wasn't trying to be funny."
David: "Maybe he assumed that because he saw us walking together?"
Amelia: "But he used the name you checked in with."
David: "Really? That IS strange."
David and Amelia arrived at the outside of David's room. The door was closed and locked.
Amelia: "Okay, something's going on. Ralph said the Adele would be here waiting for us."
Suddenly, Amelia is grabbed from behind by Brody and David is grabbed from behind by Spike.
Brody: "Hey there, angel-face. I missed you. You know, if I'd have known that you worked here, I would have been back here a lot sooner. But I had to spend the entire night at the hospital because of some brutish, green man. Now, you didn't tell me you were married, sweetie. Not that it matters, but you know how I hate to be lied to. The scheme of you and your husband checking in under an a pseudonym didn't outwit us. Even if your husband checked as a single person. We still found you. Aliases, huh? Another lie! Honey, it's time to go into Room 8 and do our business."
Amelia: "You won't get away with this. My co-worker will call the police and this will all be over."
Brody: "Your co-worker?... You mean that co-worker to your right?"
David and Amelia look and see Ralph bound and gagged, and brought over by Brendan.
Amelia: "Oh my God, Ralph!"
Brody: "Yeah, I know. Ralph can't leave the desk until his shift is over. I guess he's getting off work about a half hour or so early. You know? Just in case he thought of calling the police or something. And as for your husband? Well, it looks like you're gonna have to get a divorce. But don't worry! It doesn't take months for you to get a divorce when you deal with us. In fact, we can make it happen within minutes. Then, we can get started on consummating our— as the French would call it— 'belle les ébats amoureux'. With no interruptions this time. I'll satisfy you more than any of the three of us, but I have to give my two friends here their turns. It's going to be so beautiful having our own room. And now, you won't be the only one who knows whose name to call out... Je t'aime, Amelia."
David: "Let her go!"
Spike ties up David's chains tighter the makes him exclaim his pain.
Spike: "Hey! You do not call the shots!"
Brody: "Are you ready for your divorce, darling?"
Amelia: "Wait! Please, wait a minute! Please, just hear me out!"
Brendan: "How about you just shut up? We don't have to hear anybody out."
Brody: "Brendan? The only one that needs to shut up is YOU right now. If the new love of my life wants to say something to her future ex-husband before their dismal divorce, I've got no problem with that. Make it short, mon nouvel esclave d'amour."
The three men laughed depravedly.
Amelia: "No, that's not what I meant... Look, I'll never understand why would want to do something so licentious to me, or any other woman you've done this to or will ever do this to. But my husband shouldn't have to suffer for it. The only thing he'd done wrong in this situation is love me. I would rather risk never seeing him again than have any harm done to him. It's me that you want and it's me that you got. So, please, before you do what you're gonna do, I request that you let him go, if he promises not to intervene in any of this and just walk away."
Both Spike and Brendan both laugh, thinking the whole idea was completely ludicrous.
David: "Amelia, please, no!"
Spike: "And tell us something, lady... Why would we do something so asinine?"
Amelia: "For me."
Spike: "For YOU?"
Amelia: "Yes, for me. I will be a much better lover to all of you, knowing my husband is safe and unscathed. That's all that I ask. If you grant me this one request, I'll go where you want. I'll do everything you want; anything you want. You won't have to restrain me, because I won't resist you. I'll give you no trouble and I'll be no trouble... Please, just let him go."
And as Amelia was saying these word, everybody standing, including David, could see a stream tears coming out of her eyes, but espied no fear in them. That's when everybody began to realize that her words were genuine. They could see that she meant every single word. Even the three men seemed almost captivated by the moment; transfixed in the juncture. Then, that moment of silents is collectedly broken.
Brody: "Oh my God. . . You ARE amoureux de this man."
Brody looked at Spike and said: "Spike? In French, Pensez-vous qu'elle est amoureuse de cet homme?"
Spike: "Oui, je fais. Je le vois dans les yeux de la fille. Je le sens dans les mots de la fille. Le coeur de le fille lui appartient."
Brody: "Donc, leur amour est vrai?"
Spike: "Je sais que cet fille est amoureuses de cet homme."
Brody: "Qu'en est-il de l'homme? Est-ce qu'il ressent la même chose? Demande lui!"
Spike: "How about it, Mister Beaumont? Are you in love with your wife?"
Not knowing what was being said between Brody and Spike, David became a bit uneasy. He was trying to find the right words the to say, but his mind was racing. His mind zoomed his thoughts jumped tangentially, from one thought to the next. The longer he tried to the think, the more fretful they became.
"Eh Bien?!"
David thought to himself: "I have to say something that they would believe," even though he was still feeling overwhelmed. So, he said the only thing he could think of at the time.
David: "In love with her? I'd die for her."
Spike: "Vraiment? Avez-vous entendu que?"
Brody: "J'ai fait."
Spike: "Il est si doux. Est lui ne pas?"
Brody: "Il est."
Spike: "Bien, c'est alors quelle cet homme va faire pour elle."
Brody: "Mourir?"
Spike: "Mourir!"
Brody: "Bonne idée! Je condamne cet homme à la mort! Ainsi soit-il!"
Spike looks at David, Brendan, and Ralph.
Spike: "Okay, guys, let's go."
David: "Uh, go where?"
Spike: "Just follow me. All three of you."
Spike, David, Brendan, and Ralph went around the corner, where the center of the motel was. Brody still had a hold of Amelia. Amelia said quite nervously, "What's going on? Where are they going?"
Brody: "Well, Spike and I have discussed your request and we don't feel that it was asking too much. So, they went to the pool area to give us a little privacy."
While wrapped in chains, Spike and Brendan dragged David and Ralph by the pool area, at the shallow end of the pool.
Spike: "D'accord! C'est l'heure!!"
Brendan and Spike smiled at each other. Ralph angrily tries to speak under his gag. Brendan removes the gag and nonchalantly says, "You have something to say to us?"
Ralph: "Yeah! Quit your French crap and tell us what's going on!"
Brendan holds Ralph with his left hand and punches him in the face with his right hand.
Brendan: "Don't tell us what do. WE'RE in change!"
Spike: "However, it would be a pleasure to show you your fate."
Meanwhile, while Brody unlocks the door to Room 8, looks at Amelia.
Brody: "You see, my love, we don't think that it would be fair to you or your husband if we were to force both of you to divorce. We don't think we should put either of you through any of that."
Amelia: "Oh, thank you. Thank you for letting him go."
Brody keeps the door open and has her sit on the bed with him.
Brody: "Well, now, wait a minute. Wait just a minute. I never said THAT."
Amelia: "What do you mean?"
Brody: "Well, you see, I was thinking more and more about fairness, and I thought: 'Would it be fair to your husband if we had a child as a result of our love and HE would be the one who had to raise it with you?' And then I thought: 'How would I feel if I were in HIS position?' And if I were in his position, I wouldn't like that at all. And yet, divorce wouldn't fair to either of you. So, Spike and I came up with the perfect solution that would make ALL OF US happy."
Amelia: "What are you talking about?"
Brody smiles and shrugs his shoulders.
Brody: "None of us have any choice... You just going to have to be widowed."
Brody and took out a handkerchief and quickly forced it over Amelia's mouth as they tries to scream and fight. Meanwhile, at the pool... Spike took a rope with a concrete bock tied to it and placed it around David's neck.
Spike: "Well, David? Are you going to jump in or am I going to have to push you in?"
David just stands there and glares at Spike, letting him know that he wasn't going to just jump to his death.
Spike: "All right, then. No skin off my nose."
Spike just looks at David and smiles.
"Avoir une mort prolongé et très douloureuse!. . . Au revoir!"
Spike: "Bien, c'est alors quelle cet homme va faire pour elle."
Brody: "Mourir?"
Spike: "Mourir!"
Brody: "Bonne idée! Je condamne cet homme à la mort! Ainsi soit-il!"
Spike looks at David, Brendan, and Ralph.
Spike: "Okay, guys, let's go."
David: "Uh, go where?"
Spike: "Just follow me. All three of you."
Spike, David, Brendan, and Ralph went around the corner, where the center of the motel was. Brody still had a hold of Amelia. Amelia said quite nervously, "What's going on? Where are they going?"
Brody: "Well, Spike and I have discussed your request and we don't feel that it was asking too much. So, they went to the pool area to give us a little privacy."
While wrapped in chains, Spike and Brendan dragged David and Ralph by the pool area, at the shallow end of the pool.
Spike: "D'accord! C'est l'heure!!"
Brendan and Spike smiled at each other. Ralph angrily tries to speak under his gag. Brendan removes the gag and nonchalantly says, "You have something to say to us?"
Ralph: "Yeah! Quit your French crap and tell us what's going on!"
Brendan holds Ralph with his left hand and punches him in the face with his right hand.
Brendan: "Don't tell us what do. WE'RE in change!"
Spike: "However, it would be a pleasure to show you your fate."
Meanwhile, while Brody unlocks the door to Room 8, looks at Amelia.
Brody: "You see, my love, we don't think that it would be fair to you or your husband if we were to force both of you to divorce. We don't think we should put either of you through any of that."
Amelia: "Oh, thank you. Thank you for letting him go."
Brody keeps the door open and has her sit on the bed with him.
Brody: "Well, now, wait a minute. Wait just a minute. I never said THAT."
Amelia: "What do you mean?"
Brody: "Well, you see, I was thinking more and more about fairness, and I thought: 'Would it be fair to your husband if we had a child as a result of our love and HE would be the one who had to raise it with you?' And then I thought: 'How would I feel if I were in HIS position?' And if I were in his position, I wouldn't like that at all. And yet, divorce wouldn't fair to either of you. So, Spike and I came up with the perfect solution that would make ALL OF US happy."
Amelia: "What are you talking about?"
Brody smiles and shrugs his shoulders.
Brody: "None of us have any choice... You just going to have to be widowed."
Brody and took out a handkerchief and quickly forced it over Amelia's mouth as they tries to scream and fight. Meanwhile, at the pool... Spike took a rope with a concrete bock tied to it and placed it around David's neck.
Spike: "Well, David? Are you going to jump in or am I going to have to push you in?"
David just stands there and glares at Spike, letting him know that he wasn't going to just jump to his death.
Spike: "All right, then. No skin off my nose."
Spike just looks at David and smiles.
"Avoir une mort prolongé et très douloureuse!. . . Au revoir!"
Spike pushed David into the pool, where he goes down to the bottom quickly because of being tied in chains and the concrete block around his neck, and struggles to move and breathe.
Spike: "See your fate, Pops?"
Ralph: "Hey, wait a minute. I did everything you guys said. I haven't done anything against you."
Spike: "I don't know. What do you think, Brendan?"
Brendan: "I think whatever YOU think."
Spike: "Now, that's the best answer I've heard out of you yet. Well, geezer, you did get short with us a few minutes ago and we don't like that... So, I guess you're going to have to— as the saying goes— pardon our French."
Spike and Brendan both laughed maniacally. Then, Spike put a rope attached to a concrete block over Ralph's neck they both pushed him in the pool. He struggled to move and breathe, just as David's been doing. By now, David is finding it harder to hold his breathe and the terror of not be able to breathe overwhelmed him. Suddenly, David felt a chill rushing through his body. His eyes, once again, become white. He had a feeling inside him like 100 people shouting all at once. It was like a locomotive beginning to roar. His eyes, then, became a pale green. He felt a surge and fusion strength in his muscles. Spike and Brendan leave the pool area. As David's muscles become bigger, the chains around him broke like they were made of plastic. His shirt ripped as you see the color of his skin became green. At this point, he was now the Hulk. The Hulk, being 7-foot tall, was standing in 3 feet of water. The Hulk tears the rope off of his neck and threw it in the water as he let out a big roar. He, then, grabbed Ralph out of the water as Ralph gasped for air. The Hulk took Ralph over to where the stairs were in the pool, tore the rope off around his neck, sat him down, and broke the chains that surrounded Ralph. As Ralph stares in amazement, the Hulk quickly got out of the pool and ran toward Room 8.
Meanwhile, back at Room 8, Amelia still had the handkerchief in her mouth, struggling to speak and get away. Brody had already ripped off her shirt and was trying to tear her pants open. Spike and Brendan enter the room.
Brody: "Oh, look at that body. My guess is: 34-23-34. Mmh mmh mmh. This won't take very long, my amoureux magnifique. However, you'll beg for it to be longer... I'll make sure of it."
Spike: "Just in time to watch. And remember, Roux, I'm next."
Brody: "Come on, guys, make yourselves useful. I'll get her pant in a minute. Help me with the brassiere, will ya?"
Spike: "Oh là là! Roux's de soutien-gorge."
Suddenly, the roar of the Hulk came closer and closer. "Raaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrh!"
Brendan: "What the hell was that?"
The Hulk, then, came around the corner of the doorway and Brendan saw him.
"Uh, guys, we've got trouble."
Brody and Spike looked and saw the Hulk. The Hulk grabbed Brendan and threw him out the door immediately. Brody and Spike quickly got off of the bed. Amelia sat up and took the handkerchief out of her mouth. The Hulk growled, as he came closer to Spike. "Kill it, Spike! Hurry!," Brody exclaimed. Spike pulled out his .38 revolver and pointed it at the Hulk. "Pull the trigger, you moron!!" Spike goes to pull the trigger, but it didn't work. Spike looks at the gun and says, "Oh hell, the safety!" Before Spike had a chance to take the safety off, the Hulk grabbed Spike and threw him out the door as well. Brendan and Spike look at each other once they come to themselves. "I don't know about you, but I'm not fighting that thing," Spike said as he ran away. Brendan looked inside the room as the Hulk looked outside. "You're on you own, Brody!," Brendan yelled he ran away, also. The Hulk looked back and stared Brody down as Brody backed away. Brody grabbed David's brown leather bag and threw it the Hulk, at first thinking it was heavier than it was. The Hulk catches it, slowly put it in right hand, and gives it to Amelia. The Hulk began walking faster toward Brody, until he grabbed Brody with his right hand and him square in the eyes. He carries Brody out of room and to the pool. The whole time, Brody looks at the Hulk with complete and utter terror in his eyes. The Hulk took both of his hand and threw Brody into the pool. Once Brody's head was above water, the Hulk flexed his muscles and roared. "Raaaaaaaaaaaarrrh!" The Hulk turned and walked away, and went to Room 8. Amelia was there waiting for him, wearing one of David's shirts to cover her upper extremities and David's brown leather bag over her shoulder. The Hulk calmly walked up to her and gently touched Amelia's face. "David," she said quietly. "Come with me... It's okay. It's okay. Nobody's going to hurt you. I promise." The Hulk quietly grunted but was still calm. "Come on, it's okay. It's okay." She gently takes the Hulk by the hand and leads him away from the motel. "Nobody's going to hurt you. It's okay. I'm going take you someplace safe, okay?" The Hulk softly looked into her eyes and instinctively trusted her. He quiet grunted some more and with a mild, kind, and tender manner, he nodded his head "yes." Quietly and slowly, both of them walked down the sidewalk.
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Amelia and the Hulk walked through Main Street for a little less than a half hour. Then, they stopped at an apartment building owned by Trulia Real Estate. Amelia led them to a one of the apartments in that building. "Okay, we're here. Just a minute, okay?," Amelia softly said. The Hulk stands quietly, still bewitched by her presence. Amelia took out a set of keys from the right pocket of her pants. She took a key and used it to open the apartment door. It was her apartment. It was the place she resided. It was a one-bedroom, two-bathroom, 576 square foot apartment. They enter the apartment. Amelia closed and locked the door behind them. "It's okay. Come on," she said as she took the Hulk's hand. She slowly led the Hulk to her bedroom,walked over to her full-size bed, pat the bed a few times and said softly: "Here. Sit here. It's okay. Sit here." The Hulk sat on the bed. She sat beside him on his right side. She took his right hand with her left hand and began caressing his back with her right hand, there by soothing the Hulk. Then began the slow process of morphing back into David. The Hulk's green face and body became an off-which, then steadily turned into a gainsboro. During this 60 second process, his muscles became smaller and smaller, and his hair went from green to dark brown. During the last 10 seconds, his face and body went from gray to a healthy peach color. His eyes went from white back to brown. He was now David once again. Feeling disoriented, he put his left hand over his face and slowly slid it down passed his chin. He slowly looked over to his right and saw Amelia sitting beside him. "Where are we?," said David. "We're at my place. It's okay, nobody knows we're here," replied Amelia. David takes her by the hand that she is already holding his hand with.
Amelia: "Are you okay?"
David: "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Are YOU okay?"
Amelia: "Yeah, I'm okay... Thanks to you."
David looked deeply into Amelia's eyes, and without realizing it, begins to smile. Amelia smiles in return.
"What?"
David: "I'm— I'm sorry."
Amelia: "No, really. What?"
David: "I just— I just never realize how beautiful your red hair and green eyes are."
Amelia took her right hand and gently rubbed it down the left side of David's face.
Amelia: "You're so sweet... Thank you."
David: "You know, you really didn't have to say would you said about letting me go and letting those guys have their way with you."
Amelia: "David, I meant every single word... Did you mean what you said about dying for me?"
David: "Well,— I uh— I— did. Yeah."
Amelia looked deeply into David's eyes.
Amelia: "David?... Aren't you weary from pretending?"
David: "Pretending?"
Amelia: "Our feelings? Our chemistry?"
David quietly sighs during a five-second pause.
David: "Amelia, I admit: there's a lot of chemistry between us. You really think it would be wise to— succumb to those feelings?"
Amelia: "All I know is how I feel. If you don't feel the same, I understand."
David sit and thinks for a moment. He knew that they shared a special connection. And yet, at the same time, he knew that they would not be together forever. David's heart had been broken repeatedly over the years, and although he wished the pain could have been avoided, the experiences taught him more than any science book or medical school class ever could. As sad as it was, every woman David ever truly loved had died. He lost his mother at the height of his preadolescence. He lost his first wife: Laura in a car accident, of which he could not save her from. He lost his second wife: Caroline from a degenerative disease similar to Lou Gehrig's Disease. Then, there was Elaina. He had known Elaina for many years. They had worked their way through medical school together and were colleagues who worked closely together until the night of the laboratory fire. He had met a few women that he could have made a life with, if he had not had to leave town due to fear of public exposure. David knew that life would often keep people away from him, harm those in his life, and sometimes even take him from us entirely. David, in his 46 of life, had taught him that when you truly love someone, such moments of separation and loss overwhelm you with emotion. People often forget how much they love a person — or fail to realize how much they love them — until life forces them to remember. Now, Amelia had enter into the picture. She was someone he felt a deep attraction to instantly. He had felt so alone for so long, and he had met someone who was in his situation. Soon he had began to wonder why he was wanting to resist what he was feeling. His brain was thinking one thinking and his heart was feeling another. And as Amelia would say in her language: "Is mian leis an gcroí cad is mian leis an gcroí." Amelia began to stroke the back of David's head. David, once again, looks into Amelia's green eyes.
David: "I never said I didn't feel the same."
Amelia calmly stood up and slowly began unbuttoning David's shirt of which she was wearing. She slowly took it off and laid at the foot of her bed. She tenderly puts both hands and both of David's cheeks. She knelt down to where they were both eye-level to each. Then, they began to deep kiss as a prelude to the two of them making love.
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Over twelve miles northeast of where David and Amelia were, Brody, Spike, and Brendan went to the house of Brody's father, Police Chief Liam Dietrich. The three men knew that Brody's father had the most pull in that town. They knew that there was a 7-foot tall, 350 pound, muscular green creature that they were sure existed. And now, it was time to go to the gruff, brusque Police Chief Brody called his father. The three men told Chief Dietrich everything. They left out no detail of what had occurred 16 hours or so.
Chief Dietrich: "Let me get this straight, der mein Junge? You're saying that some green man has been attacking you?"
Brody: "Vater, we can't even say that what saw even WAS am man."
Chief Dietrich: "Oh, es tut mir Leid, please forgive my semantics. A big green 'thing'; a big green 'monster' has been attacking you."
Spike: "Herrn Dietrich, it's not just us. We have a witness. There's a man that works at the front desk window at the Super 8. He saw it, too."
Brendan: "And we know it's tied in with that Amelia woman and that David guy."
Chief Dietrich: "Hält die Klappe, Brendan! Nobody cares about what YOU have to say."
Spike: "Look, Herr, we're not asking is for an all-points bulletin. All we're ask is that you check it out. If there's some type of document issued by a legal or government official, authorizing the police to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice that has anything to do with that green creature, you'd be able to find out about it."
Chief Dietrich: "You want me to see if there's a warrant out on a big, green creature? Mein Gott! Wie blöd!"
Brody: "Vater, I'm telling you, that thing is going to show up again. I don't know where or when, but I just know it's going to. The first time, we thought it was some kind of fluke. But a second time? You've got connections all over the place. If anybody could find out about something like this, it would be you."
Chief Dietrich let out a deep sigh as he rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips. He looks at the three men.
Chief Dietrich: "All right. I'll look into it to see if there is any substance to what you're saying. But if I become a laughing-stock, Gott helfe dir!"
Brody: "Vielen dank! We appreciate it, vater."
Chief Dietrich: "Lass mich jetzt!"
The three men left the room. Chief Dietrich walked into his den. He sat down at desk, picked up his telephone, and dialed a number.
"Charlie? Liam here. Listen, I need you to do an INTERPOL check for me. This is going to sound pretty far fetched, but my mein Sohn and seine Freunde were pretty adamant having this thing checked out. . . I need you to check to see if there is some type warrant out there for a tall, muscular, 350-pound, green creature. . . Yeah, that's right. I've never seen or heard such a thing, but if what I've heard is accurate, all of the law enforcement agencies will have something about it. . . Yeah, check it out and get back with me, okay?... Thanks."
Chief Dietrich hangs up the phone and leaves his den.
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______________________________________________________________
The telephone in Chief Dietrich's den rings. Chief Dietrich answers it.
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Chief Dietrich: Hello?
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Charlie Graenai: Liam, it's Charlie. Listen, you know that story about big, green creature? Well, we got a hit on it.
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Chief Dietrich: What? You did?
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Charlie Graenai: Yeah. Seems this creature responsible of the deaths of two Doctors back in November of 1977. Plus, this creature has been seen back and forth across country for almost 5 years. The warrant is still out there because nobody's captured it yet."
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Chief Dietrich: "Well, if the warrant is still out there, then why is it that we've never heard of it?
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Charlie Graenai: "After some time, all of law enforcement agencies just stopped looking for him. With one exception. There's a reporter from the National Register who has been pursuing him. His name is: Jack McGee."
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Chief Dietrich: The National Register? Is that kind of like like the National Inquirer?"
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Charlie Graenai: "Yeah, it's a tabloid newspaper, but it's a bit more credible."
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Chief Dietrich: "Great. Do you have a way I can get a hold of him immediate?"
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Charlie Graenai: "I have his home phone number, as a matter of fact. Word has it that he he does his creature assignments alone. If you called him at home, chances are that he would be in this town sometime within the next twelve hours. You want the number?
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Chief Dietrich: "You bet I do. I got my pen. I got my paper. What is it?"
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Charlie Graenai: "All right. It's (312) 555-7447."
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Chief Dietrich: "Thanks, Charlie. I appreciate your help."
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Charlie Graenai: "You're welcome, Liam. And good luck with this thing."
Charlie hangs up on the other side of the phone.
Chief Dietrich: "Yes, operator? I'm calling long-distance. . . "
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[Female Voice]: "Yes, I have a Chief of Police: Liam Dietrich from Polson, Montana on the other line. Will you accept the charges?"
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Jack: "Uh, sure. Sure, I'll accept the charges."
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Chief Dietrich: "Yes, is this Mister Jack McGee of the National Register?"
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Jack: "Yes, it is. How can I help you?"
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Chief Dietrich: "Hi Mister McGee, this is Laim Dietrich, Chief of Police of the Polson Police Department in Polson, Montana. I understand that you've been pursuing a large, green creature."
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Jack: "Yes, the Hulk."
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Chief Dietrich: "The Hulk?"
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Jack: "Yes, that's what called the large, green creature."
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Chief Dietrich: Well, the Hulk has been seen right in this town. A couple of times, actually.
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Jack: "Really? Where?"
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Chief Dietrich: "Well, he was seen outside in the same place, which was the Super 8. We have, at least, 4 or 5 witnesses. If you were to book a flight to come out here, we'll make it worth your while. Are you interested?
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Jack finds a paper and pen.
Jack: "I sure am. Now, I'll be taking the first flight out tomorrow. Do you know where I'll be able to find you?..
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Chief Dietrich: "That would be the Police Department, which is on 106 First Street East."
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Jack: "Okay, First 106 Street East. All right, thanks for the call, Chief Dietrich. I am on my way."
Jack McGee hangs up the phone from his end. Chief Dietrich hangs up on his end of the phone.
Chief Dietrich: "This town is on its way, too."
Spike: "See your fate, Pops?"
Ralph: "Hey, wait a minute. I did everything you guys said. I haven't done anything against you."
Spike: "I don't know. What do you think, Brendan?"
Brendan: "I think whatever YOU think."
Spike: "Now, that's the best answer I've heard out of you yet. Well, geezer, you did get short with us a few minutes ago and we don't like that... So, I guess you're going to have to— as the saying goes— pardon our French."
Spike and Brendan both laughed maniacally. Then, Spike put a rope attached to a concrete block over Ralph's neck they both pushed him in the pool. He struggled to move and breathe, just as David's been doing. By now, David is finding it harder to hold his breathe and the terror of not be able to breathe overwhelmed him. Suddenly, David felt a chill rushing through his body. His eyes, once again, become white. He had a feeling inside him like 100 people shouting all at once. It was like a locomotive beginning to roar. His eyes, then, became a pale green. He felt a surge and fusion strength in his muscles. Spike and Brendan leave the pool area. As David's muscles become bigger, the chains around him broke like they were made of plastic. His shirt ripped as you see the color of his skin became green. At this point, he was now the Hulk. The Hulk, being 7-foot tall, was standing in 3 feet of water. The Hulk tears the rope off of his neck and threw it in the water as he let out a big roar. He, then, grabbed Ralph out of the water as Ralph gasped for air. The Hulk took Ralph over to where the stairs were in the pool, tore the rope off around his neck, sat him down, and broke the chains that surrounded Ralph. As Ralph stares in amazement, the Hulk quickly got out of the pool and ran toward Room 8.
Meanwhile, back at Room 8, Amelia still had the handkerchief in her mouth, struggling to speak and get away. Brody had already ripped off her shirt and was trying to tear her pants open. Spike and Brendan enter the room.
Brody: "Oh, look at that body. My guess is: 34-23-34. Mmh mmh mmh. This won't take very long, my amoureux magnifique. However, you'll beg for it to be longer... I'll make sure of it."
Spike: "Just in time to watch. And remember, Roux, I'm next."
Brody: "Come on, guys, make yourselves useful. I'll get her pant in a minute. Help me with the brassiere, will ya?"
Spike: "Oh là là! Roux's de soutien-gorge."
Suddenly, the roar of the Hulk came closer and closer. "Raaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrh!"
Brendan: "What the hell was that?"
The Hulk, then, came around the corner of the doorway and Brendan saw him.
"Uh, guys, we've got trouble."
Brody and Spike looked and saw the Hulk. The Hulk grabbed Brendan and threw him out the door immediately. Brody and Spike quickly got off of the bed. Amelia sat up and took the handkerchief out of her mouth. The Hulk growled, as he came closer to Spike. "Kill it, Spike! Hurry!," Brody exclaimed. Spike pulled out his .38 revolver and pointed it at the Hulk. "Pull the trigger, you moron!!" Spike goes to pull the trigger, but it didn't work. Spike looks at the gun and says, "Oh hell, the safety!" Before Spike had a chance to take the safety off, the Hulk grabbed Spike and threw him out the door as well. Brendan and Spike look at each other once they come to themselves. "I don't know about you, but I'm not fighting that thing," Spike said as he ran away. Brendan looked inside the room as the Hulk looked outside. "You're on you own, Brody!," Brendan yelled he ran away, also. The Hulk looked back and stared Brody down as Brody backed away. Brody grabbed David's brown leather bag and threw it the Hulk, at first thinking it was heavier than it was. The Hulk catches it, slowly put it in right hand, and gives it to Amelia. The Hulk began walking faster toward Brody, until he grabbed Brody with his right hand and him square in the eyes. He carries Brody out of room and to the pool. The whole time, Brody looks at the Hulk with complete and utter terror in his eyes. The Hulk took both of his hand and threw Brody into the pool. Once Brody's head was above water, the Hulk flexed his muscles and roared. "Raaaaaaaaaaaarrrh!" The Hulk turned and walked away, and went to Room 8. Amelia was there waiting for him, wearing one of David's shirts to cover her upper extremities and David's brown leather bag over her shoulder. The Hulk calmly walked up to her and gently touched Amelia's face. "David," she said quietly. "Come with me... It's okay. It's okay. Nobody's going to hurt you. I promise." The Hulk quietly grunted but was still calm. "Come on, it's okay. It's okay." She gently takes the Hulk by the hand and leads him away from the motel. "Nobody's going to hurt you. It's okay. I'm going take you someplace safe, okay?" The Hulk softly looked into her eyes and instinctively trusted her. He quiet grunted some more and with a mild, kind, and tender manner, he nodded his head "yes." Quietly and slowly, both of them walked down the sidewalk.
______________________________________________________________
1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
3;11 p.m. (MDT)
Amelia and the Hulk walked through Main Street for a little less than a half hour. Then, they stopped at an apartment building owned by Trulia Real Estate. Amelia led them to a one of the apartments in that building. "Okay, we're here. Just a minute, okay?," Amelia softly said. The Hulk stands quietly, still bewitched by her presence. Amelia took out a set of keys from the right pocket of her pants. She took a key and used it to open the apartment door. It was her apartment. It was the place she resided. It was a one-bedroom, two-bathroom, 576 square foot apartment. They enter the apartment. Amelia closed and locked the door behind them. "It's okay. Come on," she said as she took the Hulk's hand. She slowly led the Hulk to her bedroom,walked over to her full-size bed, pat the bed a few times and said softly: "Here. Sit here. It's okay. Sit here." The Hulk sat on the bed. She sat beside him on his right side. She took his right hand with her left hand and began caressing his back with her right hand, there by soothing the Hulk. Then began the slow process of morphing back into David. The Hulk's green face and body became an off-which, then steadily turned into a gainsboro. During this 60 second process, his muscles became smaller and smaller, and his hair went from green to dark brown. During the last 10 seconds, his face and body went from gray to a healthy peach color. His eyes went from white back to brown. He was now David once again. Feeling disoriented, he put his left hand over his face and slowly slid it down passed his chin. He slowly looked over to his right and saw Amelia sitting beside him. "Where are we?," said David. "We're at my place. It's okay, nobody knows we're here," replied Amelia. David takes her by the hand that she is already holding his hand with.
Amelia: "Are you okay?"
David: "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Are YOU okay?"
Amelia: "Yeah, I'm okay... Thanks to you."
David looked deeply into Amelia's eyes, and without realizing it, begins to smile. Amelia smiles in return.
"What?"
David: "I'm— I'm sorry."
Amelia: "No, really. What?"
David: "I just— I just never realize how beautiful your red hair and green eyes are."
Amelia took her right hand and gently rubbed it down the left side of David's face.
Amelia: "You're so sweet... Thank you."
David: "You know, you really didn't have to say would you said about letting me go and letting those guys have their way with you."
Amelia: "David, I meant every single word... Did you mean what you said about dying for me?"
David: "Well,— I uh— I— did. Yeah."
Amelia looked deeply into David's eyes.
Amelia: "David?... Aren't you weary from pretending?"
David: "Pretending?"
Amelia: "Our feelings? Our chemistry?"
David quietly sighs during a five-second pause.
David: "Amelia, I admit: there's a lot of chemistry between us. You really think it would be wise to— succumb to those feelings?"
Amelia: "All I know is how I feel. If you don't feel the same, I understand."
David sit and thinks for a moment. He knew that they shared a special connection. And yet, at the same time, he knew that they would not be together forever. David's heart had been broken repeatedly over the years, and although he wished the pain could have been avoided, the experiences taught him more than any science book or medical school class ever could. As sad as it was, every woman David ever truly loved had died. He lost his mother at the height of his preadolescence. He lost his first wife: Laura in a car accident, of which he could not save her from. He lost his second wife: Caroline from a degenerative disease similar to Lou Gehrig's Disease. Then, there was Elaina. He had known Elaina for many years. They had worked their way through medical school together and were colleagues who worked closely together until the night of the laboratory fire. He had met a few women that he could have made a life with, if he had not had to leave town due to fear of public exposure. David knew that life would often keep people away from him, harm those in his life, and sometimes even take him from us entirely. David, in his 46 of life, had taught him that when you truly love someone, such moments of separation and loss overwhelm you with emotion. People often forget how much they love a person — or fail to realize how much they love them — until life forces them to remember. Now, Amelia had enter into the picture. She was someone he felt a deep attraction to instantly. He had felt so alone for so long, and he had met someone who was in his situation. Soon he had began to wonder why he was wanting to resist what he was feeling. His brain was thinking one thinking and his heart was feeling another. And as Amelia would say in her language: "Is mian leis an gcroí cad is mian leis an gcroí." Amelia began to stroke the back of David's head. David, once again, looks into Amelia's green eyes.
David: "I never said I didn't feel the same."
Amelia calmly stood up and slowly began unbuttoning David's shirt of which she was wearing. She slowly took it off and laid at the foot of her bed. She tenderly puts both hands and both of David's cheeks. She knelt down to where they were both eye-level to each. Then, they began to deep kiss as a prelude to the two of them making love.
______________________________________________________________
34390 Staves Lane
Polson, Montana 59860
July 25, 1982
4:15 p.m. (MDT)
Chief Dietrich: "Let me get this straight, der mein Junge? You're saying that some green man has been attacking you?"
Brody: "Vater, we can't even say that what saw even WAS am man."
Chief Dietrich: "Oh, es tut mir Leid, please forgive my semantics. A big green 'thing'; a big green 'monster' has been attacking you."
Spike: "Herrn Dietrich, it's not just us. We have a witness. There's a man that works at the front desk window at the Super 8. He saw it, too."
Brendan: "And we know it's tied in with that Amelia woman and that David guy."
Chief Dietrich: "Hält die Klappe, Brendan! Nobody cares about what YOU have to say."
Spike: "Look, Herr, we're not asking is for an all-points bulletin. All we're ask is that you check it out. If there's some type of document issued by a legal or government official, authorizing the police to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice that has anything to do with that green creature, you'd be able to find out about it."
Chief Dietrich: "You want me to see if there's a warrant out on a big, green creature? Mein Gott! Wie blöd!"
Brody: "Vater, I'm telling you, that thing is going to show up again. I don't know where or when, but I just know it's going to. The first time, we thought it was some kind of fluke. But a second time? You've got connections all over the place. If anybody could find out about something like this, it would be you."
Chief Dietrich let out a deep sigh as he rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips. He looks at the three men.
Chief Dietrich: "All right. I'll look into it to see if there is any substance to what you're saying. But if I become a laughing-stock, Gott helfe dir!"
Brody: "Vielen dank! We appreciate it, vater."
Chief Dietrich: "Lass mich jetzt!"
The three men left the room. Chief Dietrich walked into his den. He sat down at desk, picked up his telephone, and dialed a number.
"Charlie? Liam here. Listen, I need you to do an INTERPOL check for me. This is going to sound pretty far fetched, but my mein Sohn and seine Freunde were pretty adamant having this thing checked out. . . I need you to check to see if there is some type warrant out there for a tall, muscular, 350-pound, green creature. . . Yeah, that's right. I've never seen or heard such a thing, but if what I've heard is accurate, all of the law enforcement agencies will have something about it. . . Yeah, check it out and get back with me, okay?... Thanks."
Chief Dietrich hangs up the phone and leaves his den.
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1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Sunday, July 25, 1982
4;53 p.m. (MDT)
David and Amelia are asleep in each others' arms. During this time,David has gone through a series of dreams. The most memorable one was the one he was having at this time. Then, he hears a soft voice come upon him. Believing that he had awaken, he was back in Amelia's apartment, lying on her bed, seeing her sleep like an angel, when he hears the gentle voice of a woman speaking.
"David?... David?... David?
The voice he hears is, once again, familiar to him. David slowly turned his head to his left, and there she was standing on his left side.— It is CAROLINE! There she was standing there, looking exactly as she did the night she passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii... Feeling astonished and overjoyed once again, David slowly stood up. He was again euphoric and could feel tears of felicity beginning to stream from his eyes. The two embrace each other for a few seconds.
David: "Carol? You're alive?"Meanwhile, while David is in a deep sleep in reality, he mumbles those very words, "Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá." Amelia awakens for a few seconds and hears these words, which makes her heart skip a beat. For the rest of the night, Amelia and David both sleep peacefully.
Carol: "Of course! I never left you."
David: "But you died in my arms. I know you did. I was there."
Carol: "David, don't you remember what that boy on the beach said you... He said 'nobody ever really dies if there's someone to remember them'. You keep me alive, David. The love we had for each other kept me alive. And from the way things seem to be going, our love doesn't seem keep you alive."
David: "Oh Carol, I've missed you so. I know I've keep getting more and more distant with people as time goes on. My heart's just been fried so many times from making friendships and relationships, then having to leave to go to another place; another town; another name; another life. I've been alone for so long, I don't know what it feels like to give love anymore."
Carol: "David, I know you've been lonely. You've had every reason to be. But, David, you've never really been alone."
David: "Carol, I've tried to maintain that mentality, but the truth is: I really am alone in this world. I travel alone. I eat alone. I drink alone. I live alone. My very existence has been trying to find a job and stay buried."
Carol: "David, I know you think you're alone. You may even feel you're alone. But the truth is: you're never alone. Everywhere you went and everything you did, I was always watching over you. You've made a difference in so many peoples' lives during your time on the run."
David: "Yeah... And in that time I've loved, then— I had to let go. I'd always— have to let go."
Carol: "I know that all of that had caused a lot of wear and tear on your heart. And even if you're heart gets broken, it is always yours to keep and your's to give to someone. You gave your heart to me. Do you ever regret it?
David: "No, of course not."
Carol: "Neither do I. You and I had two beautiful weeks as husband and wife. I wouldn't trade it for anything... Even my life."
David: "Carol? Come on. Your life? You'd give up all you have and all you;ll ever have just so you and I could meet any marry me? I mean, our marriage was so short-lived. You would still be making a difference in the lives of numerous people with your hypnosis treatment. You and I weren't married long enough to really 'build a life together' We had no children. We always traded love for ambition. We always took love and put it on the the back burner. Then, once we found each each other, it was like race against time. But you know what I found out?... Time wasn't our enemy. Time was the one thing we had working with us. Time was the only friend we had. And just like all races in which we include ourselves, even with time on our side,... we lost.
Carol: "David, it's never been like you to think that way. On a whim, you asked me to marry you. When I asked why, you said: 'It would make me happy'. You knew I didn't have a lot of time left. And yet, you went with your heart and married me anyway. Looking back on it now, did you change your mind about it making you happy?"
David: "No."
Carol: "Look at that beautiful lying next to you."
Carol and both look at Amelia intently, as she sleeps like an angel.
"This woman adores you, David. Just like I did. I could always see it in her eyes. She would always light up when she'd see you. My heart used to go 'pitter-pat' whenever I'd see you. There isn't anything I wouldn't bet that she feels the same way. Look me in the eye and tell me you're not attracted her to her."
David: "I'm VERY attracted to her, Carol. That's not the point."
Carol: "David, that's the ENTIRE point. Like with me, no matter how long your love lasts, you'll be happy for however long it is. Wouldn't it be worth it? I mean, how do you know that the very woman lying here next to you isn't the one who you're destined to be with; that circumstance of your encounter; that the very fact or condition connected with or relevant to your paths crossing wasn't out sheer fate?"
David stands silent for about five seconds.
David: "Well...— No, I can't. But I can tell you that it would end like it always ends. I'm going to end up having to leave, then there will be two broken hearts. I don't want to hurt her, Carol. I don't want to be one of her life experiences that will leave this woman embittered and jaded. Life will do that all by itself without my help."
Carol: "I'm a psychiatrist, David. So, tell me: are you talking about her or YOU?"
David, again stands in silence, knowing that Carol had made a good point.
David: "Okay... Okay... I admit: I'm more hardhearted than I used to be. But I truly do care about this woman enough to not want her to be as hardhearted as I am."
Carol: "Oh David... You said it yourself. Life will make her that way, even if you don't. Take it from somebody who though she had plenty of 'time' put everything in her schedule, when it was convenient. Don't turn your back on love, David. More people who did have lived to regret it than not. I'm glad I didn't turn my back on you... Don't turn your back on her. There was a time less than 24 hours ago when you could've, but didn't. And that's the Dr. David Banner I know. It doesn't always lead you do a dead end, so follow you heart."
Carol looks into David's eyes, puts her hands on both his cheeks and says with passion: "Tá grá agam duit mo ghrá." David looks at Carol with a confused expression.
David: "What?"
Carol: "Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá"
David: "Tá grá.../"
Carol: "... agam duit, mo ghrá"
David: "Tá grá agam...?"
Carol: "... duit, mo ghrá."
David: "Tá grá agam duit...?"
Carol: "...mo ghrá."
David: "Tá grá agam duit, mo...?"
Carol: "...ghrá."
David: "ghrá... Mo ghrá."
Carol: "Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá."
David: "Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá."
Carol: "Yes! You got it! Remember that!"
David: "Remember 'Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá'?"
Carol: "Yes. Say it and remember it. Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá"
David: "Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá... Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá... Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá."
______________________________________________________________
34390 Staves Lane
Polson, Montana 59860
July 25, 1982
6:10 p.m. (MDT)
The telephone in Chief Dietrich's den rings. Chief Dietrich answers it.
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Chief Dietrich: Hello?
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Charlie Graenai: Liam, it's Charlie. Listen, you know that story about big, green creature? Well, we got a hit on it.
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: What? You did?
_____________________
Charlie Graenai: Yeah. Seems this creature responsible of the deaths of two Doctors back in November of 1977. Plus, this creature has been seen back and forth across country for almost 5 years. The warrant is still out there because nobody's captured it yet."
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "Well, if the warrant is still out there, then why is it that we've never heard of it?
_____________________
Charlie Graenai: "After some time, all of law enforcement agencies just stopped looking for him. With one exception. There's a reporter from the National Register who has been pursuing him. His name is: Jack McGee."
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: The National Register? Is that kind of like like the National Inquirer?"
_____________________
Charlie Graenai: "Yeah, it's a tabloid newspaper, but it's a bit more credible."
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "Great. Do you have a way I can get a hold of him immediate?"
_____________________
Charlie Graenai: "I have his home phone number, as a matter of fact. Word has it that he he does his creature assignments alone. If you called him at home, chances are that he would be in this town sometime within the next twelve hours. You want the number?
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "You bet I do. I got my pen. I got my paper. What is it?"
_____________________
Charlie Graenai: "All right. It's (312) 555-7447."
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "Thanks, Charlie. I appreciate your help."
_____________________
Charlie Graenai: "You're welcome, Liam. And good luck with this thing."
Charlie hangs up on the other side of the phone.
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3912 West 82nd Street
Chicago, Illinois 60652
Sunday, July 25, 1982
7:17 p.m. (CDT)
Jack McGee was sitting on his chair watching television while drinking a soft drink. "Well, another week writing for the National Register," he thought. "Here I am, 47 years old, and working where people who are just out of college are working. I should be a lot further in my life right now. I've put so many years into the National Register, trying to get ahead, I've almost become that place. I'm a serious journalist for a newspaper that nobody takes seriously. I've waited for my big break for so many years. But I've got, at least, 15 years until retirement. I guess I'll be retiring from the National Register." Then, Jack's telephone rings and he answers it.
Jack: "Hello?"
[Female Voice]: "Yes, I have a Chief of Police: Liam Dietrich from Polson, Montana on the other line. Will you accept the charges?"
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Jack: "Uh, sure. Sure, I'll accept the charges."
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "Yes, is this Mister Jack McGee of the National Register?"
_____________________
Jack: "Yes, it is. How can I help you?"
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "Hi Mister McGee, this is Laim Dietrich, Chief of Police of the Polson Police Department in Polson, Montana. I understand that you've been pursuing a large, green creature."
_____________________
Jack: "Yes, the Hulk."
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "The Hulk?"
_____________________
Jack: "Yes, that's what called the large, green creature."
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: Well, the Hulk has been seen right in this town. A couple of times, actually.
_____________________
Jack: "Really? Where?"
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "Well, he was seen outside in the same place, which was the Super 8. We have, at least, 4 or 5 witnesses. If you were to book a flight to come out here, we'll make it worth your while. Are you interested?
_____________________
Jack: "I sure am. Now, I'll be taking the first flight out tomorrow. Do you know where I'll be able to find you?..
_____________________
Chief Dietrich: "That would be the Police Department, which is on 106 First Street East."
Jack: "Okay, First 106 Street East. All right, thanks for the call, Chief Dietrich. I am on my way."
Jack McGee hangs up the phone from his end. Chief Dietrich hangs up on his end of the phone.
Chief Dietrich: "This town is on its way, too."
TO BE CONTINUED...
