[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."
Just like Part 1, 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.
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KCFW-TV
401 1st Avenue East
Kalispell, Montana 59901
Monday, July 26, 1982
5:55 a.m. (MDT)
Bernard Kentwell sat at his desk looking over the news items for the day. His secretary walks into his office to pick up all of the best ones to use for the 7 a.m. News. She picked up a stack of papers in his "Out Box."
Lily: "Morning, Bernard. Are these it?"
Bernard: "For the time being. Thanks, Lily."
Bernard looked at his watch on his left wrist.
"Ah crap, it's almost 6 already."
Lily: "How's the ulcer."
Bernard: "About as well as my headaches. Speaking of which... "
Bernard took a roll of Rolaids out of his breast shirt pocket to take a couple of them.
Lily: "How do you spell relief, right?"
Bernard: "Yeah yeah yeah."
Freddy, a high-strung intern for the television station, walked in the office.
Freddy: "Oh, hi, Miss uhhh? Mrs. uhhhh? I'm sorry, I'm blanking on your name."
Lily: "It's just Lily, Freddy."
Freddy: "Oh, okay Lily Freddy. Do you go buy Miss, Mrs., or Ms. Freddy?"
Lily: "Freddy, just call me: Lily."
Freddy: "Oh, okay. Good to see you this morning, Lily."
Lily: "Good to see you, too, Freddy. And I know it's Monday, but you need to lay off the coffee."
Freddy: "Oh, that's too bad. I was wondering if you were free for coffee."
Lily: "Maybe during the first break."
Freddy: "Okay, sounds great. I'll see ya then."
Lily: "I'll see ya then."
Lily leaves the office. Freddy stands quietly for a moment.
Bernard: "Is there a reason you're here, Freddy?"
Freddy: "Oh, yes, Mr. Kentwell. Here's the information for the 'on this day in history' category."
Bernard took the information from Freddy and ready it over.
Bernard: "Okay... Oh, Benjamin Franklin became first Postmaster General on this day in 1775? Okay, use it. Let's see... The Federal Bureau of Investigation was established this day in 1908. Department of Defense was established on this day in 1947. Well, I'll be... Use those. And... use the Apollo 15 launched to the moon on this day in 1971. The rest is boring."
Freddy: "Sure. Oh, and this fax just came in on our 8002 number line."
Bernard: "Freddy, we have to be on the air in a smidge over an hour. If I stopped to read every fax that comes in, we'd never be on the air. Not every fax that comes in is an important news item."
Freddy: "This one is from a couple of big wigs in the town of Polson, Sir."
Bernard took the fax and read it. Then, looked back at Freddy with disbelief.
Bernard: "They say there's a large, green creature in their area?"
Freddy: "Yes, Sir. It's called: the Hulk."
Bernard: "The Hulk, huh? Is that kind of like Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster?"
Freddy: "As time goes on, more and more people believe that the Hulk exists."
Bernard: "Mmh hmh. I smell a publicity stunt here. But if the Chief of Police himself is faxing this news item, I guess we'll run the story."
Freddy: "I'll get on it right away, Sir."
Freddy starts to leave the room.
Bernard: "Hey, Freddy!"
Freddy: "Yes?"
Bernard: "Make sure you only include the FACTS. No conjectures. If nothing is known for sure, we don't mention it. Only the facts, you got it?"
Freddy: "Yes, Sir."
Freddy stood and waited to see if Bernard had any more to say. Bernard looked Freddy.
Bernard: "Got a schedule to keep. You can go now."
Freddy: "Yes, Sir. Right away, Sir."
Freddy leaves quickly out of the office. Bernard leans back in his chair at his desk.
Bernard: "Oy vey."
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O'Hare International Airport
10000 West O'Hare Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60666
Monday, July 26, 1982
7:11 a.m. (CDT)
Monday, July 26, 1982
7:11 a.m. (CDT)
Patricia: "National Register, Patricia Steinhauer speaking. How may I help you?"
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Jack: "Pat, it's me, Jack."
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Patricia: "Oh, hi, Jack. How can I help you?"
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Jack: "Is Mark in his office yet?"
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Patricia: "No, but he should be in shortly. Would you like to leave a message?"
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Jack: "Yeah, I"m going to have to. I have to board a plane in less than 20 minutes or so."
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Patricia: "A plane? Where are you going?"
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Jack: "Polson, Montana. There was a Hulk sighting there."
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Patricia: "Really? None of us here got any word."
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Jack: "The Chief of Police called me at home last night. He had some pretty good leads."
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Patricia: "You want me to come with you? You know daddy will let me off work any time I want."
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Jack: "You can come if you want to, but you'll have to take a later flight. I'm taking the 7:31 a.m., which is a nonstop 4-hour flight from Chicago to Kalispell. Then, I'll be able to rent a car and drive an hour south to Polson via US-93 North. That should be put me in Polson by 11:00 a.m. (MDT)."
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Patricia: "All right, I'll let Mark know. Just be careful and keep me posted, okay?"
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Jack: "I will. Thanks, Pat."
Jack hung up the phone and walked over to the terminal he was going to be waiting for his flight.
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1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
6;53 a.m. (MDT)
David, after a peaceful night's sleep, slowly awakened. He slowly sat up in the bed as was rubbing his eyes to get them to focus. He looked and saw that Amelia wasn't there; that her side of the bed was empty. He, then, said without yelling: "Amelia?" But there was no answer. David uncovered himself and put on his pants. "Amelia?," he said again softly. Again, no answer. David knew that he had not been abandoned. He was in Amelia's apartment. He walked out of the bedroom and into the living room. He looked to his left at the kitchenette area, but it was empty. Softly, again, he said: "Amelia?" Again, no answer. He looked to his right, toward the glass door that led out to the patio area. Through thin, white curtains, he saw what appeared to be the size and shape of a person. He walked slowly and quietly to the door. He look through the white sheer curtains and saw Amelia, with his shirt on, standing outside, facing the opposite direction. He watched her for about 5 seconds, then gently opened the door to go outside on the patio. She gently closed the door behind him. He walked up from behind, wrapped his arms around her stomach, and held her hands.
David: "Hi."
Amelia smiled and blushed.
Amelia: "Hi."
David: "How long have you been up?"
Amelia: "An hour or so."
David: "Really?"
Amelia: "Yeah. I love to get up an watch the sunrise. My aintín always told me my hair reminded her of a scarlet sunrise. It's beautiful this time of day, especially in this location. I have a view of Polson Bay, Flathead River, and Sacajawea Park."
David: "Ah, Sacajawea. The Shoshone guide and interpreter who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition part of the way."
Amelia: "Oh, that's right. You're educated."
David: "Mmh Hmh."
Amelia: "On February 11, 1805, who did Sacajawea give birth to?"
David: "Hmh, let's see, that would be her son: Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, who would soon become America’s youngest explorer."
Amelia: "Very good."
David: "Thank you. She gave birth to a daughter in August of 1812."
Amelia: "Lizette Charbonneau."
David: "Very good."
Amelia: "Thank you."
Amelia turned around to face David and put her arms around his shoulders.
"I would've woke you, but you're such a sound sleeper, and you slept so long, I figured you really needed the rest."
David: "Uhhhhh huh."
Amelia says jokingly: "Not over THAT." They both share a chuckle.
Amelia: "There is something I'm curious about, though."
David: "What's that?"
Amelia: "You were kind of mumbling in your sleep and said something in 'Irish', which I thought was kind of odd because you don't know or speak Irish."
David: "Really? I don't remember. What did I say?"
Amelia: "You said: 'Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá'. You said it a few times, from what I can remember."
David: "Hmh. I'm sorry, I don't know what that means."
Amelia: "It means: 'I love you, my love'."
David: "Oh. I don't remember. I must have been dreaming about something, but I can't recall was it was I was dreaming about."
Amelia: "You probably don't. A person can go through REM sleep a half a dozen times a night, but only recall the last dream they had. So, it makes sense that you don't remember. Of course, saying it in 'Irish' doesn't make sense."
David: "Well, I'm just as stumped as you are."
Amelia in some small way, in the back of her mind but deep in her heard, felt crestfallen and disillusioned. She would never want David to know this, but had an ingenuous hope that he was dream of her and that his words would be a reflection of his feeling for her. Amelia knew that it was just plain certifiable to have the feelings she had for a man she'd only knew a day or two. She was not one to romanticize about encounters by happenstance with people. David began to sense something was wrong when Amelia became quiet.
"Are you all right?"'
Amelia: "Yeah."
David: "You sure?"
Amelia: "Yeah. Yeah, I'm very sure."
Amelia began walking back into her apartment.
"Are you hungry? I could cook up some bacon and eggs."
David: "Sure, that would be great."
Amelia and David walked inside of her apartment and David closed the door behind him. Amelia walked toward the kitchenette area.
Amelia: "Could you do me a favor and turn on the 7 a.m. News on Channel 9? I generally listen to the news after I take in the sunrise and the morning air."
David: "Sure."
David turned on the television. It was already on Channel 9. When the television came on, it was at the end of one commercial, just before the beginning of another.
Commercial #1:
. . . Okay, back to the most important reason for coming to Burger King, the food. [Choir:] 'Aren't you huuungry? Aren't you huuungry? AREN'T YOU HUUUNGRY for Burger King— now!' You could win a million dollars."
Amelia: "That would be nice, wouldn't it?"
David: "Sure would."
Amelia: "Oh, that's right. You're educated."
David: "Mmh Hmh."
Amelia: "On February 11, 1805, who did Sacajawea give birth to?"
David: "Hmh, let's see, that would be her son: Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, who would soon become America’s youngest explorer."
Amelia: "Very good."
David: "Thank you. She gave birth to a daughter in August of 1812."
Amelia: "Lizette Charbonneau."
David: "Very good."
Amelia: "Thank you."
Amelia turned around to face David and put her arms around his shoulders.
"I would've woke you, but you're such a sound sleeper, and you slept so long, I figured you really needed the rest."
David: "Uhhhhh huh."
Amelia says jokingly: "Not over THAT." They both share a chuckle.
Amelia: "There is something I'm curious about, though."
David: "What's that?"
Amelia: "You were kind of mumbling in your sleep and said something in 'Irish', which I thought was kind of odd because you don't know or speak Irish."
David: "Really? I don't remember. What did I say?"
Amelia: "You said: 'Tá grá agam duit, mo ghrá'. You said it a few times, from what I can remember."
David: "Hmh. I'm sorry, I don't know what that means."
Amelia: "It means: 'I love you, my love'."
David: "Oh. I don't remember. I must have been dreaming about something, but I can't recall was it was I was dreaming about."
Amelia: "You probably don't. A person can go through REM sleep a half a dozen times a night, but only recall the last dream they had. So, it makes sense that you don't remember. Of course, saying it in 'Irish' doesn't make sense."
David: "Well, I'm just as stumped as you are."
Amelia in some small way, in the back of her mind but deep in her heard, felt crestfallen and disillusioned. She would never want David to know this, but had an ingenuous hope that he was dream of her and that his words would be a reflection of his feeling for her. Amelia knew that it was just plain certifiable to have the feelings she had for a man she'd only knew a day or two. She was not one to romanticize about encounters by happenstance with people. David began to sense something was wrong when Amelia became quiet.
"Are you all right?"'
Amelia: "Yeah."
David: "You sure?"
Amelia: "Yeah. Yeah, I'm very sure."
Amelia began walking back into her apartment.
"Are you hungry? I could cook up some bacon and eggs."
David: "Sure, that would be great."
Amelia and David walked inside of her apartment and David closed the door behind him. Amelia walked toward the kitchenette area.
Amelia: "Could you do me a favor and turn on the 7 a.m. News on Channel 9? I generally listen to the news after I take in the sunrise and the morning air."
David: "Sure."
David turned on the television. It was already on Channel 9. When the television came on, it was at the end of one commercial, just before the beginning of another.
Commercial #1:
. . . Okay, back to the most important reason for coming to Burger King, the food. [Choir:] 'Aren't you huuungry? Aren't you huuungry? AREN'T YOU HUUUNGRY for Burger King— now!' You could win a million dollars."
Amelia: "That would be nice, wouldn't it?"
David: "Sure would."
Commercial #2:
"Different people. Different pain. Some only need a regular strength pain-reliever. Some may need higher strength. But some may need maximum strength. Today's maximum strength Anacin, with the maximum strength pain-reliever that doctor's recommend most. More than regular strength. More than higher strength. Maximum strength, two tablets, a full 1,000 milligrams. Next time, get maximum strength Anacin, tablets or capsules, for you who need maximum strength."
During the commercials, David watched Amelia as she getting out her skillet from her drawers and and eggs and bacon from her refrigerator. She seemed pretty distance. David had a feeling she would be. Truth be told: David had the feelings for her as she did for him. He was no more of a romanticist than she was. Even though he knew what his feelings were, he couldn't figure out why the feelings were there, or even pinpoint how the feelings started. There was nothing scientifically explainable about them. Just as he was about to say something to Amelia, the 7 a.m. News comes on.
[Male Voice:] "This is KCFW (NBC), Channel 9 News, with Barbara Summer. . ." A young news anchorwoman in her late-20's, with blonde hair and blue eye, dressed in business suit, appears on the television screen.
"Hello, everyone. Welcome to your 7 a.m. News on this sunny Monday morning. I'm Barbara Summer. At the top of the news this morning, the police are combing the city of Polson for a large, green creature; also known as the Hulk."David's snaps his toward the television with perturbation.
David: "Amelia, you have to see this."
Amelia walked over to the television and stood beside David.
"The Hulk was first discovered almost five years ago in Sacramento, California where it was responsible for the deaths of two very reputable scientist. Doctors David Banner and Elaina Marks.The news put a picture of David and Elaina as the anchorwoman is speaking. David's eyes widen and his jaw dropped.
David: "Oh— my— God."
"The creature has been scene sporadically, back and forth across the country ever since. No one seems to know where the creature came from or what it actually is. The creature is known to be 7-feet tall, about 350 pounds, and incredibly strong. Although four or five witnesses have seen the creature right here in Polson, its whereabouts remain unknown. The National Register, located in Chicago, is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of the Hulk. If you have any information leading to this capture of this creature, please call the police department at (406) 555-8210. In other news, Canadian-American cartoonist: Harold Rudolf Foster died yesterday, only 22 days before his ninetieth birthday, in Spring Hill, Florida..."Amelia turned the television off. David wrapped his left hand bellow his chest, put his right elbow on his left arm, and his hand on his temple. He walked to the other side of the room with great distress. He let out a big sigh.
David: "This is not good. This is not good at all."
Amelia: "Look, David, we'll figure this out together."
David: "Figure what out? Amelia, the creature has been seen in this town and now it's made the media. The Associated Press could pick this up. And if it does, it's only a matter of time before McGee knows where I am."
Amelia: "David, I understand you're wanting to flee, but now may not be a wise time to do it."
David: "Why not?"
Amelia: "There's a major search going on and if you're not familiar in this town, you'll be hulled in for questioning. Right now, the best thing for you is to stay indoors, where you won't be visible to the public."
David: "But Amelia, I have to leave. I don't know when it will be safe to, but I have to get out of this town. They've shown my picture on the news and everything. There's no telling how many people have seen it and I can't afford to be recognized. For all we know, McGee may be on his way here right now."
Amelia: "David, I promise: I will help you get out of here. I promise. Let's just handle one thing at a time here... I have several hundred dollars saved up. Plus, I sold my car for $500. So, economically, there won't be any problem with getting out of town."
David: "Amelia, I'm not wanting your money."
Amelia: "It's no imposition, David. I only have one request."
David was quiet momentarily.
David: "Which is?"
Amelia: "Let me go with you."
Again, David was quiet. He didn't know what to say to that.
"Look, David, this has nothing to do which my feelings for you, your feelings for me, my money or anything else... I'm not exactly safe in this town anymore, either. Those madmen found out where I work. It's only a matter of time before they find out where I live... I'm scared, David. I don't feel safe in this town at all. But I do feel safe with you, especially if we were to leave this town together. Just because we travel together doesn't mean we have to stay together. Please, David. I've gotta get out of here. I need you."
At that moment, David felt something he hadn't felt in a couple of months— empathy and compassion. David realized that Amelia was in danger for as long as she stayed in Polson. He didn't want anything bad to happen to her. And since she was helping him leave town and providing the money to do so, letting her go with him would be the least he do. David put both hands on Amelia's shoulders ever so softly.
David: "All right... All right, we'll be in this together. So, where do we begin?"
Amelia: "Let me make some calls. I'll find us away out of here."
David: "Okay... Okay. Let's just hope nobody recognized that picture."
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55 Devlin Lane
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
7:00 a.m. (MDT)
Spike was watching his television at his parents' house, watching Barbara Summer doing her 7 a.m. news, since she was Brody, Spike, and Brendan's stunnah of news casting.
"The Hulk was first discovered almost five years ago in Sacramento, California where it was responsible for the deaths of two very reputable scientist. Doctors David Banner and Elaina Marks."The news put a picture of David and Elaina as the anchorwoman is speaking. Spike distinctly recognizes David's picture. Spike sat contently as he saw that serendipity had fallen into his lap.
Spike: "The plot thickens."
"The creature has been scene sporadically, back and forth across the country ever since. No one seems to know where the creature came from or what it actually is. The creature is known to be 7-feet tall, about 350 pounds, and incredibly strong.Spike: "You got THAT right, you sweet thing. Ü la la, mon amour de loin."
"The National Register, located in Chicago, is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of the Hulk. If you have any information leading to this capture of this creature, please call the police department at (406) 555-8210. In other news, Canadian-American cartoonist..."Spike turned of his television. Spike phone rang and he answered it.
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Spike: "Hello?"
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Brody: "Hey, man, did you see Barbara Summer?"
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Spike: "I sure did. I knew we weren't crazy. I knew that creature was real. Did you recognized that guy's picture?"
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Brody: "Oh yeah. Seems we're dealing with a dead man in addition to this creature. Looks like our fathers will be setting a legal precedent."
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Spike: "True, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Any information we give our fathers, it will be THEM who get the credit for the capture of this Hulk. They'll also be the one's to get that $10,000 reward. I could use about $10,000 bucks. How about you?"
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Brody: "That's why I've always liked you, Spike. You possess my evil. It's something that Brendan's too stupid to understand... All right, meet me at my house in an hour. We'll plan our strategy then."
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Spike: "I'll be there."
Spike hung up the phone and walked into the other room to get ready to leave.
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1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
7;56 a.m. (MDT)
David was pacing the living room. He was walking at a steady and consistent speed back and forth. Then, whenever he'd stop, he would have racing thoughts. His mind was full of questions. "Can Amelia really help me get out of town without being seen? What if I am seen? What will I do? What if someone saw that picture of me on Channel 9? What kind of an audience does KCFW-TV reach? Will it go national? What if someone recognizes as Dr. David Banner they find out that I'm still alive? What about Jack McGee? Is he on his way? Is he here? Could he be knocking on that door any minute? My God, who can I trust? It's so hard to trust sometimes."... Suddenly, David caught himself thinking that. It triggered a memory of another scientist he met (on the episode: "A Minor Problem") a couple of months back in Rocksprings... Patricia Knowlton (played by Nancy Lee Grahn), who worked for Dere Laboratories. He recollected conversation they had in the infirmary of Dere Laboratories, while he was giving her an injection of Jadomycin to help buy her time before the E Coli release affected her.
Patty: "I'm sorry, David."After that, David felt that if HE could show someone else that there was some people you can trust, than maybe Amelia could do that that for him. Amelia walked out of her bedroom with a spiral notebook in her hand.
David: "What'd you do now?"
Patty: "For being so suspicious of you."
David: "That's understandable. All right, tighten it up."
Patty: "It's just so hard for me to trust."
David: "You just rest for a moment, Patty."
Patty looks down, puts her right on her forehead, lets out a big sigh.
Patty: "No, uh, I'm — I'm alright... Fine. I'm — good."
Patty stands up and David puts his hand over Patty's shoulder.
David: "Hey hey, hey hey hey hey, it doesn't work that fast."
Patty: "I've got to get those papers out of Cunningham's safe. It'll just take a second."
David: "You don't give up, do you?"
Patty: "I'l Be down the hall, if you need me."
David: "All right."
Amelia: "Okay, David. Here's what I have. I could pay for either one of these, but we have to plan this meticulously. If we were to take a Greyhound Bus, two tickets will cost us $136.44, if we were to go to Cheyenne. It's a 20-hour + ride."
David: "Over 20 hours?"
Amelia: "Well, we have 3 stops on the way. There's a 5:30 p.m. departing this evening. We'd arrive in Cheyenne tomorrow at 1:45 p.m."
David: "Hmh. Okay, are there any other ways?"
Amelia: "Well, I called the airports in the area. The problem with flying is: we would have to have someone we trust drive us to the airport. It's not within walking distance. The airports in this vicinity are in Kalispell, which is an hour's drive from here. There's a 5:30 p.m. departing today. Two tickets cost $768.86 to go to Boston. It's a four-hour flight and it will take us farther."
David: "Boston?"
Amelia: "Yeah, it was the best deal I could find."
David: "Okay, but why Boston?"
Amelia: "Well, I figured if we're going to fly, we may as well fly as far away as we can."
David: "Yeah, that's far. Over 2,000 miles away."
Amelia: "Approximately 2,640 miles, give or take. And let me tell ya, the people here will never find us there."
David: "And there's no other reason why you'd want to go there?"
Amelia: "It's my only reason right now... Why? What's wrong with Boston?"
David: "Well, nothing in and of itself, but didn't you say you were originally FROM Boston?"
Amelia: "Yeah, born and raised."
David: "And your family's still there?"
Amelia: "Just my immediate family, but Boston's a big town. They won't even have to know that I'm there. Boston is familiar territory for me, this town isn't."
David didn't know what to say. He had no reservations about Amelia going back to her roots. Of course, we was quite. He was, however, astonished to hear her say that she was going to be right in her hometown, and yet she wasn't even going to try to get in touch with any of her family. After a few seconds of awkward silence...
"Look, we can part in Boston, if you want. It's not like I'm trying to force you into meeting my family and trap you into marrying me or something."
David: "No, no, I know that."
Amelia: "Besides, that's not our only option. If you want spend 20 hours on a Greyhound Bus to go to Cheyenne, that would be fine with me. It's roughly 865 miles, but it'll feel like a million years on that bus and we won't be as far away from this place. Barely a third of the way."
David: "Amelia?... I'm sorry. I know you're only trying to help. It would be my pleasure to— accompany you to Boston."
Amelia: "Really?"
David: "Really."
The two embrace for a moment.
Amelia: "Oh David, you won't regret it. There are so many opportunities in Boston. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard are there. Northeastern and Boston University are there. Suffolk and Lesley University are there. The University of Massachusetts and Emerson College is there. Plus, there will be a lot of opportunities to get a job in a metropolitan area like that. You'll be able to earn enough money and leave Boston before winter comes."
David: "What about you?"
Amelia: "Me? Oh, I'm not worried about finding a job. I've got plenty of friends that will be will be willing to employ me."
David: "Oh... That's good."
Amelia: "Uhm... Don't take this the wrong way, but— I mean, if you want— I could have my friends help YOU find work. I'm not try to give you charity. My friends WOULD help you. The work wouldn't even be minimum wage. It would be a GOOD job. More befitting of you... You know?"
David: "It's okay, Amelia. I'm not offended."
Amelia: "Oh good. I really do want to help you."
David: "I know you do. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just preoccupied with getting out of here."
Amelia: "Well, I'll make some more calls to see if I can get us to drive us to the airport in Kalispell. Too bad neither of us chose to live there, huh?"
David smiled indistinctly.
David: "Yeah..."
Amelia walked back into her bedroom as David sat down and waited.
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34390 Staves Lane
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
8:47 a.m. (MDT)
Brody: "This could be an excellent opportunity for us. That $10,000 will do this club a lot of good. It'll make the money we mug people for seem like bus fare. And let me ya, it will behoove everyone at this table and anyone in this club to keep whatever information we gain about this creature to ourselves. Anyone who says anything to anyone else, other than us, is a Judas. And we know what happens to any and all Judas'."
Spike: "Still, we have to get passed two road blocks. First, only the tabloid newspaper: The National Register is the one offering the reward. And second, we need to find that creature. Or, at least, figure out its tendencies. I don't know how, but somehow it all seems to keep pointing to the girl: Amelia and that David guy. It doesn't take a major logician or statistician to figure out those two are somehow tied in with that creature."
Brody:"Ah yes, the dead man. That may be an issue by itself, but we need evidence that this David person drown along with that desk clerk."
Brendan: "You said the creature threw you in the pool."
Brody: "I said the creature threw me in the pool. I DIDN'T say that I took the time to see if there were any corpses lying at the bottom of the pool. Wouldn't you want to get out of a pool immediately if YOU were thrown in a pool with all of your clothes on?"
Brendan: "Well, yeah."
Brody: "Did you stick around to see if either of them drown?"
Brendan: "Well, no. But neither did Spike."
Brody: "Have we heard on the News so far that to dead bodies found, chained up with concrete blocks around their necks?"
Brendan: "Well, no, but— "
Brody: "Then shut up! We don't have time for your jejune, vapid, and inane dissent. Now, would you make yourself useful and go outside and get the Lake County Leader from the front porch. We need to see if there's any news on the drownings."
Brendan walked outside to get the Lake County Leader, a newspaper of the Polson area. He came back into the house with the newspaper.
Brendan: "So now what?"
Brody: "Well, you can continue to make yourself useful and read the newspaper you just brought in. See if there's any news on yesterday's fiasco. Look in the obituaries. Whatever!"
Brendan walked over to a chair by the window and started reading the newspaper.
Spike: "You know, if that David guy faked his own death somehow, wouldn't it make sense that the woman probably did the same thing? I mean, it did say on the news this morning that this creature was responsible for that David guy's death."
Brody: "The thought crossed my mind for a second, but I saw the woman they showed on the newscast. She bared no resemblance the rousse magnifique who will soon be mon esclave d'amour."
Spike: "Wait a minute! Were they really colleagues then? Maybe she was a love interest of that David guy. The news said they were reputable scientists, but that doesn't mean the two weren't lovers."
Brody: "What are you getting at?"
Spike: "Perhaps the reason this David guy is on the run is because he's fugitive from the law. Perhaps in a crime of passion, he killed his— 'colleague'— , then used to the opportunity to fake his own death. I mean, look at this— Hulk, as they call it. It's huge and monstrous. It's the perfect scapegoat."
Brody: "A bit of a reach, but fairly plausible. But if it were a crime of passion, it wouldn't be murder."
Spike: "What?"
Brody: "Just hear me out... Say it WAS a crime of passion. That challenges the 'mens rea' element by suggesting that there was no malice aforethought. That's manslaughter, not murder. Now, say for the sake of argument that he truly didn't mean to kill her. That's 'involuntary manslaughter'. Involuntary manslaughter is killing of another human being without intent, either expressed or implied. It is distinguished from voluntary manslaughter by the absence of intention. To put it simply, no malice equals no murder."
Spike: "But you can still do time for involuntary manslaughter."
Brody: "Yes, punishable by fines and probation. As far as imprisonment goes, the base sentence for involuntary manslaughter under federal sentencing guidelines is a 10 to 16 month prison sentence. That's not something to fake your own death over."
Spike: "Hey, I wouldn't want to spend 16 seconds in a prison, let alone 16 months."
Brody: "Spike, think about it... This guy was a doctor and scientist. He could have gotten the best lawyer money could buy, and he probably would have gotten off on an acquittal... No, this guy had to do something pretty felonious, even villainous, to want people to think he's dead. Even if this man's not a malefactor, I would definitely say that he's man with something to hide."
Spike: "Yeah, and this man with something to hide isn't going to be uncooperative with us, if we fallaciously lead him to believe that we know his— secret."
Brody: "Hmh. I wonder if this— 'secret'— involves that creature."
Spike: "Perhaps he's pursuing this Hulk in order to get that $10,000 reward."
Body: "No. No way. Too much of a risk for him. If he gets that reward, it's going to bring him publicity, which is the last thing he would want. If you want the world to think you're dead, you're not going to want any attention drawn to you."
Spike: "Still pretty ironic. He's here. The Hulk is here. There's a connection somewhere. What doesn't make sense is the woman."
Brody: "We're just going to have to treat her as an unknown variable at this point. So, here's the plan... If we can't find the creature, we'll settle for this David guy. Even if he DOESN'T know where the creature is, he may be able us find it. As long as we get the reward."
Brendan walked back over to the table, after reading the newspaper.
Brendan: "Well, I read every section. There's nothing in there about anybody drowning in a pool at the Super 8."
Brody: "Looks like that David guy is still alive. And if HE'S still alive, there's a very good chance that our good friend: Ralph from the motel is still alive, too."
Spike: "Perhaps we should pay our buddy a visit."
Brody: "Perhaps we should. I'll drive."
_______________________________________________________________
1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
9;43 a.m. (MDT)
Amelia walked out of her bed room and into the living room, where David was lost in thought. She had spent some time making phone calls to see if anyone would be willing to drive her and David to the airport. Most of that time, she spent packing. She wasn't able to pack everything, but she was able to pack a bag she could check at the airport, plus a carry-on bag. She sill felt a distance from David, which deeply saddened her. Still, she wanted to help David. She wanted to come through from him. She spent the time she took to pack to think of a way to tell David that she couldn't find anyone to drive them to the airport. Time was ticking away and she knew she had to tell him sooner or later.
Amelia: "David?"
David stopped his thoughts and looked at Amelia with anticipation.
David: "Yes?"
Amelia: "I need to tell you something."
David: "Actually, Amelia, I need to tell you something, too."
Amelia: "You do?"
David: "Yes."
David held out his right hand.
"You think we can sit?"
Amelia enveloped David right with her left hand and sat down beside him.
Amelia: "Sure, what is it?"
David: "Amelia, I owe you an apology. I should have said something earlier about my feelings."
Amelia: "Feelings for what?"
David: "You."
Amelia: "Me?"
David: "Yes."
Amelia: "What about them?"
David: "Amelia, I don't know what my dream was or what my dream meant. I often dream about Laura, my first wife, Carol, my second wife, and Elaina, a dear friend of mine who I loved very much. It's possible I may have been dreaming of one of them when I said what I said in 'Irish'. Most of the women I cared about in my life have died. But want you to know that— well— I do have feelings for you."
Amelia was quiet for a moment, making sure she didn't do or say anything wrong.
"You know what I mean, right?"
Amelia: "Look, David, I just want to make sure we're clear on things. Based on everything you said, you did a subtle first approach without risking our friendship."
David: "I don't understand."
Amelia: "David, it just seems to me that you are on the receiving end of this declaration, and you’re just trying as gently as you know how to inform me that you can’t return my amorous feelings."
Amelia's eyes began to welt up with tears.
David: "That's not true. That's the furthest thing from what I was saying. Amelia, I told you I had feelings for you. That's what I've been trying to build the courage to say."
Amelia wipes some tears from her eyes.
Amelia: "Look, David, I understand."
David: "Understand what?"
Amelia: "I understand these feelings we're professing don't make sense. Saying I have feelings for you— is, well— is like saying I’m in love with you and want to be with you. But we haven’t been together that long, or it just doesn’t make sense to me why I feel so strongly about you. I think you're a wonderful guy and I don't want to move too fast anymore than you do. And yet, I can't understand this incomprehensible attraction."
David: "Amelia? Amelia, listen. The mysterious thing about feelings, which makes it so interesting and confusing at the same time, is that you can't always roll them back. And even if you could, it is going to leave its trails of memories, whether good or bad. I've gotten to know you the passed couple of days. And it's been a pleasure getting to know you. If our relationship hasn't run its course, then we'll see where it takes us.
Amelia wipes away more tears from her eyes.
Amelia: "Sooooo, you're saying— you're— 'attracted' to me?"
David: "Yes, very much."
Amelia is silent for a moment.
Amelia: "I'm sorry if I came on too strong."
David: "I didn't do anything I didn't want to do."
With a sigh of relief came a slight smile from Amelia.
Amelia: "Thank you for telling me all this, David. I know the passed couple of days have been confusing to say the least. Once we get to Boston, maybe we can have dinner or something."
David: "I'd like that."
Amelia: "Great... Uhm, David— "
David: "There's something else I'd like to talk with you about."
Amelia: "Okay."
David: "It's about yesterday at the library."
Amelia: "All right."
David: "When we were at breakfast, you were able to understand my scientific explanations like a professional, instead of a layperson."
Amelia: "Yeah, I have little experience in science."
David: "I know."
Amelia: "You do?"
David: "Oh yes. Graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor's in Behavioral Neuroscience in 3 years. Thereafter, Medical School and Graduate School simultaneously. Graduated this past spring with a Master's in Behavioral Neuroscience and earned you M.D... Very impressive."
Amelia nods her head and said quietly and with great incertitude: "Yeah."
"Amelia, I'm sorry if I violated your privacy. I only checked into your past to find out more about the person I was trusting my secret to. You see, I just wanted to find out more about who you were. That was my only motive."
Amelia remained silent. All of the information David spouted out was true. Every word of it. She knew David didn't check into her past to hurt her. And yet, she was still at a loss for words.
"DOCTOR Murphy, I presume."
Amelia couldn't help but chuckle quietly and smile about the statement.
Amelia: "I'm a realist, David. I accept a situation as it is and prepare to deal with it accordingly."
David: "Meaning?"
Amelia: "Realistically, I won't be an independent doctor until after residency, for my own good and that of society."
David: "Is that so?"
Amelia: "Hey, it's dangerous for interns to identify themselves as a doctor outside of a hospital. Interns have even gotten sued more often outside of a hospital, presumably because people assumed that they had money."
David: "Wow. You really HAVE done your homework."
Amelia: "I've done my fair share of scientific research."
David: "Amelia, I have ask... Why? What happened? I mean, you should be doing an internship at a hospital right now. I don't mean to pry, but I was honest and forthcoming with you about myself. All I ask is that you give me the same courtesy."
Amelia rubbed her head and was quiet for another moment.
Amelia: "David, I wish I had good answer. But with all honesty, I don't. I mean, I worked so hard for so long at dream I had since I can remember. Once I entered junior high, I was unstoppable. I was always on the honor roll and the dean's list. I was fully armed with a National Merit Scholarship. I got the best grades and the highest honors in everything. And before I knew it, I was 25; an entire quarter of a century. I had fun here and there, but I suddenly realized that I was in my mid-20's. Then, the day came. Graduation Day. The day I would be conferred a 'doctor'; an official Doctor of Medicine, as well as my Ph.D. It's not that I wasn't excited, because I was. It was the day I had been waiting for. My special day. I had an internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital all lined up and waiting for me. It's the second best hospital for neurology. An overall score of 92 out of 100. Then, I heard those words... 'By the power invested in me by the state of Michigan, the Doctor of Medicine is conferred upon you, and those who have earned it and completed the requirements.' I don't know. I heard those words and I freaked out. I went out that night and got wasted with my friends. Then, the next day, I just got in my car and started driving... And I've pretty much been running away ever since. It's been over two months and I still couldn't tell you why I did something so spontaneous and passed up a once in a lifetime opportunity. I still couldn't tell you why I'm running."
David was quiet for about 5 seconds, then pats her hand.
David: "I understand, Amelia."
Amelia: "Really? You do?"
David: "Yes. When Elaina was killed in that lab explosion, I had never felt so helpless; so powerless. She and I had plans to find a safe place where we could find a way to 'fix' me. When the authorities thought I had died with Elaina, I decided to let them believe it and I ran, just like you. Part of me died the day she was buried. I figured I was considered legally dead anyway, so my first instinct was to run away. You're human, Amelia. And it's natural for humans to want to flee when they get scared. I'm not ashamed of you and you don't ever have to feel like you're a failure with me."
Amelia: "Thank you, David. It means a lot to hear you say that. But you're not going to like what I have to tell you."
David: "What is it?"
Amelia: "I can't get anyone I know to drive us to the airport. It's an hour's drive and no one wants to take it, especially during rush hour traffic. I'm sorry... Still not ashamed of me?"
David: "Yes, I'm still not ashamed of you. I guess we'll be going on a bus. Being in Cheyenne is better than being here right now."
______________________________________________________________
981 1st Street West
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
10:27 a.m. (MDT)
Ralph was sitting at his desk at the main window, where had been since he started his shift at 7:00 a.m. (MDT). Brody, Spike, and Brendan pull up in Brody's car where Ralph couldn't see them. The three men quietly got out of the car. Ralph began to have a bad instinctual feeling, but he didn't know why. He looked around the office, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Still, he felt that things seemed a little too quiet. Suddenly, the three men quickly opened the door the main office, where Ralph. Ralph tried to get out of his chair and run, but the three men grabbed him and forced him to sit back down in his chair.
Brody: "Oh no no no, my friend. You're not going anywhere. We want answers and those answers had better be genuine."
Brody: "Oh no no no, my friend. You're not going anywhere. We want answers and those answers had better be genuine."
Spike: "We want to know where that so-called married couple is."
Ralph: "I have no idea. I haven't seen either of them since yesterday."
Brody: "Yesterday, when that green creature showed up, right?"
Ralph: "That's right."
Spike: "So, if we were to look in Room 8, we'll see that no one is in there, right?
Ralph: "That's right."
Brody: "He may be telling the truth. I wouldn't come back here if I were either of them."
Brody, then, looks at Ralph.
"The woman? We know that she works here. When is her next shift?"
Ralph: "Hey, I don't know when, or even 'if', she's coming back. She works the 11 to 7 shift here. She was suppose to work last night, but she never showed up for work and she didn't call in to let us know that she wouldn't be in. The second shift employee had to work a double shift to make up for her slack."
Brody: "How rude. Don't you guys think so?"
Brendan and Spike: "Oh yeah, very inconsiderate."
Brody: "You know something? I think she owes her place of employment an apology, don't you think?"
Ralph: "Well, sure, but she's not here."
Brody: "Ralph? Buddy? I applaud your observation skills. Approval and praise to knowing who is and isn't here. There's only one flaw... We already know that."
Brendan: "Yeah, I mean, if she didn't show up for work last night, why would she be here now?"
Spike: "Hey, look what I found. Why, it's her personnel file."
Brody: "Hey, now that may help us out. Ralph, do you know what personnel files contain?"
Ralph: "Uh, names?"
Brody: "Names! Good answer. But not the right answer to the question."
Spike: "Why don't we give this simpleton a hint?"
Brody: "Good idea... Ralph, if you wanted to get a hold of somebody, what would be the quickest way to do so?"
Ralph: "Call them on the phone."
Brody: "Very good! Now, to call somebody on the phone, what would you have to know?"
Ralph: "Their phone number."
Brody: "Their phone number! Excellent! And do we have her phone number in her personnel file, Ralph?"
Ralph sat for a moment nervously quiet.
"It's okay, Ralph, we already know what the answer is."
Ralph: "Yes, her phone numbers in there."
Spike: "Right again! (406) 555-2990. Does that phone number sound familiar to you?"
Ralph: "I think it's HER phone number."
Spike: "Well, you thought right. Looks like there's a way to get a hold of her."
Ralph: "What do you want me to do?"
Brody: "It's very simple, Ralph. You call her up. You act concerned. You ask her why she didn't show up for her shift last night and that you were wondering if she was okay. You pump her for information about her and that David guy. And most important, no funny business. Are we clear on all of this?"
Ralph: "Yes."
Brody: "What's the most important thing to remember?"
Ralph: "No funny business."
Brody: "Good... Now, we will be watching you to make sure you dial the right number. If there's no funny business, no one gets hurt... Go ahead. Start dialing."
Ralph pick up the business telephone and dials 555-2990. The phone rang.
1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
10:35 a.m. (MDT)
The phone rang at Amelia's apartment.
Amelia: "Oh, please, let that be somebody who's willing to drive us to the airport."
Amelia stood up, went over to her telephone, and answered it.
Amelia: "Hello?"
_____________________
Ralph: "Hey, Amelia, it's Ralph."
_____________________
Amelia: "Ralph? It's good to hear from you. Are you all right from yesterday?
_____________________
Ralph: "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Look, uh, our second shift person said you didn't show up for your shift last night and you didn't call in. I was wondering if you were okay."
_____________________
Amelia: "Oh. Well, thank you for your concern. Actually, I have to tender my resignation. I can't work at the motel anymore. I know two week notice is considerate, but extenuating circumstances have come up and I'm just not going to be able to work their anymore."
_____________________
Ralph: "Oh, Amelia, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you in trouble with something? Is there anything I can do?
_____________________
Amelia: "No, Ralph. I just have to get out of town. It's personal."
_____________________
Ralph: "Oh. Does it have to do with your boyfriend? Because you can always call the police."
_____________________
Amelia: "You mean David? No. I just have to leave. I told you: it's personal."
_____________________
Ralph: "Okay. Just know that you're not alone and if there's anything I can do to help, let me know."
_____________________
Amelia: "Actually, you might. You get off work at 3 p.m., right?"
_____________________
Ralph: "Yeah, that's right."
_____________________
Amelia: "Could you drive David and I to the airport in Kalispell. I know it's an hour's drive, but we would appreciate it. I'll even give you some gas money."
_____________________
Ralph: "Of course, Amelia. Anything to help you."
____________________
Amelia: "Oh, thank you, Ralph. I do appreciate this very much. David and I will meet you at the motel when you get off work, okay?
_____________________
Ralph: "Okay, Amelia. I'll see both you then."
_____________________
Amelia: "Thanks again. Bye."
_____________________
Ralph: "Goodbye."
Amelia hung up the phone and turned to David.
Amelia: "Great. We got a ride. And we'll get there in plenty of time."
David: "I don't know, Amelia. There's something about all of this that just doesn't feel right."
Amelia: "What do you mean?"
David: "Well, why was it Ralph that called you?"
Amelia: "He said he wanted to see if I was okay because I didn't show up fro my shift last night."
David: "Did the person who replaced you call you?"
Amelia: "No."
David: "The person who had to take over your shift didn't call you, but Ralph, who didn't have to, did."
Amelia: "Yeah, that is odd."
David: "My instincts tell me that we shouldn't go anywhere near that motel."
Amelia nods her head in agreement.
David: "Well, why was it Ralph that called you?"
Amelia: "He said he wanted to see if I was okay because I didn't show up fro my shift last night."
David: "Did the person who replaced you call you?"
Amelia: "No."
David: "The person who had to take over your shift didn't call you, but Ralph, who didn't have to, did."
Amelia: "Yeah, that is odd."
David: "My instincts tell me that we shouldn't go anywhere near that motel."
Amelia nods her head in agreement.
______________________________________________________________
981 1st Street West
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
10:37 a.m. (MDT)
Brody: "Well?"
Ralph: "She wants me to drive her and her boyfriend to the airport in Kalispell. I guess they plan to get out of dodge. She said she had to tender her resignation due to extenuating circumstances."
Brody: "Ha! Don't you just love that excuse? Extenuating circumstances. I'm guessing those extenuating circumstances are 'us'. Well, Ralph, looks like we're going to be spending some time together."
Ralph: "What do I do?"
Brody: "You do your work, Ralph. You do your work the same as always until 3 p.m. Then, we'll take it from there."
All three men pulled up chairs and sat down.
"Don't mind us. Just go about your business. We won't bother you."
Ralph reluctantly goes back to doing his work. It was hard to pretend that the other men weren't there, but he did his best to try to ignore them.
______________________________________________________________
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
10:58 a.m. (MDT)
Jack McGee had arrived in Polson and headed straight to the police station to meet Chief Dietrich. He pulled up to the police station in his rented car, got our of the car, and walked into the police station. He saw the Sargent on-duty at the front desk sleeping. Jack walked up to the front desk and said: "Excuse me, Sir?" The Sargent kept snoring away. "Sir?," Jack repeated. The Sargent still didn't wake up. Jack 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?"
Jack: "I'm Jack McGee from the National Register."
Sargent Kingsmith: "You're a reporter?"
Jack: "An investigative reporter, yes."
Sargent Kingsmith: "Well, what do you want? As you see, we're pretty busy here."
Jack: "I'm here to see Chief Dietrich. He told me I would find him here."
Sargent Kingsmith: "Oh, let me see if he's in his office."
The Sargent pick up his switch board phone and called Chief Dietrich's office.
"Uh, yes, Sir, I have a Jake McGoo wanting to speak with you."
Jack: "Uh, that's Jack McGee."
"A Jack McGee wanting to speak with you. . . Okay, thank you."
The Sargent hung up his switch board phone.
"The Chief will be right out."
Jack: "Thank you."
Sargent Kingsmith: "So, you're from the National Enquirer based in New York, huh?"
Jack: "Uh, no. I'm from the National Register based in Chicago. We're a newspaper. The National Enquirer is a magazine."
Chief Dietrich came out of his office to greet Jack McGee.
Chief Dietrich: "Mr. McGee, glad you finally got here. How was your trip?"
The two shake hands.
Jack: "Oh, my trip was fine. Just fine."
Chief Dietrich: "Great to hear. Would you like some coffee?"
Jack: "Sure, that would be great."
Chief Dietrich poured coffee into a large Styrofoam cup and gave it to Jack McGee.
Chief Dietrich: "There you are."
Jack: "Thank you very much."
Chief Dietrich: "So, Mr. McGee, you say you've been pursuing this uhhhh— Hulk for some time now."
Jack: "Yeah, well over 4 years."
Chief Dietrich: "Well, Mr. McGee, let me give you some relief with the knowledge that your days of chasing this Hulk back and forth across the country will soon come to an end."
Jack: "How do you mean?"
Chief Dietrich: "The people who work for me in this town don't mess around when they're given orders. You won't have to lift a finger, Mr. McGee. You leave everything to us. There's an area-wide hunt going on right now. And as soon as we find that thing, it will be delivered to you as dead as a door nail."
Jack: "Dead? You mean you plan to KILL the Hulk?"
Chief Dietrich: "Of course. That's what we do to giant beasts who attack and hurt people."
Jack: "Uh, Chief Dietrich, I think we've had a bit of a misunderstanding. You see, we don't want the Hulk killed. Just captured."
Chief Dietrich: "Captured? You mean alive?"
Jack: "Yes. You see, if you kill the Hulk, you'll also be killing a man."
Chief Dietrich: "What do you mean 'a man'? Aren't we looking a large, muscular, green creature?"
Jack: "Yes, but the creature is only the byproduct of a man transforming into something— superhuman; Jekyll into Hyde. Only not fiction, fact. I've seen it myself."
Chief Dietrich: "You've seen 'a man' change into this— Hulk thing?"
Jack: "You bet I have. I'm not sure what triggers the transformation. Maybe pain. Anger. I don't know. All I do know is that he needs to be captured and he needs help. All I want to do is help him. If I could do that, then he won't have to run anymore."
Chief Dietrich: "Well, I didn't know you were such a humanitarian, Mr. McGee. Tell ya what, if you just give us that $10,000, the Hulk will be all your's."
Jack: "Well, the reward is for any information leading to the capture."
Chief Dietrich: "Right. We've given you the information, so you can give us the reward."
Jack: "Uh, no. Receiving the reward is predicated on me or someone else capturing the Hulk, without it being able to get away."
Chief Dietrich: "Meaning?"
Jack: "No Hulk, no money."
There's a moment of silence.
Chief Dietrich: "So, you want to make sure you get what YOU want first?"
Jack: "That's always been the conditions to the reward."
Chief Dietrich: "Well, Mr. McGee, I suppose we're done here then."
Jack: "What do you mean? We're nowhere near capturing the Hulk."
Chief Dietrich: "Let me explain something to you, Mr. McGee. You are in my territory, I'm not on your's. You're a reporter, but I'm the Chief of Police. I'm the one the calls the shots in this town, not you. Time is money. We don't get money from you, you get no time from us. You want to go on with your investigation, you do it without our help. Both times the creature has been seen has been at the Super 8. That's where the trail starts... Good luck to ya."
Chief Dietrich turned, walked back into his office, and closed the door. Jack looked over at Sargent Kingsmith.
Jack: "Uh, Sargent?"
Jack saw that the Sargent was snoring, and thus, asleep again. Jack stood up and put his coffee on the desk.
"The Super 8, huh?"
Jack walked out of the police station, got into his rental car, and drove away.
______________________________________________________________
981 1st Street West
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
11:23 a.m. (MDT)
Jack McGee drove to the Super 8 in his rental car. He pulled into the Super 8 parking lot. He got out of his rental car and walked over to the main window. The three men turned their heads, so McGee would not see their faces. They appeared as employee working in the background. Ralph saw Jack McGee walking up to the main window.
Ralph: "How can I help you, Sir?"
Jack: "I'm Jack McGee from the National Register."
Ralph: "You need a room?"
Jack: "No, actually, I was hoping I could ask you a few questions."
Ralph: "About what?"
Jack: "Well, I was told that a large, green creature had been seen here a couple of times. Would you know anything about that?"
Ralph: "Sure, I saw it yesterday."
Jack: "Yesterday? Where?"
Ralph: "In the pool."
Jack: "The pool?"
Ralph: "That's right."
Jack: "The Hulk was in the— swimming pool?"
Ralph: "You got it."
Jack: "Could you tell me about it?"
Ralph: "Sure. I had fallen into the pool and I almost drown. I was terrified. Then, that green thing grabbed me and pulled me up. He carried me over to area where the stairs are. After that, he just turned around and ran away. I haven't seen him since."
Jack: "I see. Uhm, have you guys had any new customers who had rented a room within the last couple of days?"
Ralph: "Not really. There was a guy who checked in here on Saturday morning. We think the name might be fake because he paid in cash and didn't show any I.D. I'm not sure, but he might be the boyfriend of a woman who works here. Well, USE TO work here. She called in her resignation this morning."
Jack: "Okay, this former co-worker of your's. Do you know where I could find her?"
Ralph: "Sure."
Ralph pull out her personnel file to look up her current address. Jack pulls out a pad and pen.
"Okay, here it is. Are you ready?"
Jack: "Yeah, go ahead."
Ralph: "Okay, her name is: Amelia Murphy and her address is: 1 Kootenai Avenue, Apartment number 6. . . Did you get that?"
Jack: "Yeah, I got it. Thank you for your help."
Jack walked out of the police station, got into his rental car, and drove away.
______________________________________________________________
49433 US-93 (on 2nd Ave W and Main)
Polson, MT 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
11:27 a.m. (MDT)
Jack McGee pulled into a Conoco Gas Station. He got out of his car and went inside the gas station. He walked up to a pay phone. He picked up the receiver and put a coin in the slot. He dialed (406) 555-1643, which is the News tip line for KCFW-TV in Kalispell. It rang a couple of times, until someone picked up.
[Female Voice:] "KCFW-TV's Tip Line, may we help you?"
_____________________
Jack: "Uh, yes, Bernard Kentwell, please."
_____________________
[Female Voice:] "Who may I say is calling?"
_____________________
Jack: "Jack McGee from the National Register in Chicago. I have an update on the Hulk story."
_____________________
[Female Voice:] "One moment, please."
______________________________________________________________
1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
11;56 a.m. (MDT)
David and Amelia sat on the couch, as they were looking at Amelia's college photographs. The came across one, in particular. It was Amelia's graduation picture from medical school. They admire it once they see it.
Amelia: "That's my medical school graduation picture."
David: "Oh wow. Look at you in your academic regalia and honor cord. You look very professional. Not to mention, a very pretty medical school graduate."
Amelia smiled and blushed.
Amelia: "You're sweet. Thank you."
David sat and looked at the photograph for a few more seconds.
David: "You look so happy."
Amelia: "Oh, I was."
David: "I'll bet your parents were proud of you."
Amelia: "Yeah, they were impressed at what I'd accomplished. My ambition used to astound them."
David: "What did your parents do for a living?"
Amelia: "My athair was an Ironworker. My máthair was a homemaker. My deirfiúr is a secretary. My deartháir is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his MBA last year. He'll be earning his DBA next year."
David: "Sounds like a very hard-working family."
Amelia: "Yep, that's us. Married to our jobs but not each other."
David nods is head and stays quiet.
"Hey, why don't you turn on the television. The News at Noon will be coming on soon."
David: "Sure."
David turned on the television, as one commercial is ending and another is just starting.
Commercial 1:
"... Bubble Yum bubble gum. It's a Super Yum."
Chimerical 2:
"All you light beers out there. [Sound of glass falling and breaking] You've met your Matt's... New Matt's Premium Light..."
"Hey, why don't you turn on the television. The News at Noon will be coming on soon."
David: "Sure."
David turned on the television, as one commercial is ending and another is just starting.
Commercial 1:
"... Bubble Yum bubble gum. It's a Super Yum."
Chimerical 2:
"All you light beers out there. [Sound of glass falling and breaking] You've met your Matt's... New Matt's Premium Light..."
[Male Voice:] "This is KCFW (NBC), Channel 9 News at Noon, with Barbara Summer. . ." A young news anchorwoman in her late-20's, with blonde hair and blue eye, dressed in business suit, appears on the television screen.
"Hello, everyone. Welcome to your News at Noon. I'm Barbara Summer. We start off with late breaking news, this afternoon, with an update about the large, green creature, also known as the Hulk."
David and Amelia watch attentively.
"The Hulk is evidently the result of a metamorphosis a man; a man only known as 'John Doe'."
The news put a picture of the shadow of a figure with a question mark inside it, as the anchorwoman is speaking.
"Although no one has ever been able to identify John Doe, peoples' descriptions of him have stayed the same throughout the test of time. John Doe is roughly 5 foot 9 inches tall and 130 to 140 pounds; slender, medium build, and in his mid-40's. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He is described as 'very intelligent'. No one knows what his occupation was before the creature's sudden appearances, but it is highly speculated that he was a doctor or in some type of discipline in the medical field. The cause or stimuli that triggers this phenomenon remains unknown. John Doe is further describe as a drifter who goes through these brief and sporadic metamorphoses into this 7-foot, 350 pound creature, which again, was responsible for the murder of two people in Sacramento, California. Although John Doe's whereabouts could be anybody's guess, there is every reason to believe that he is still in Polson, and can transform into the Hulk at any time. The National Register, located in Chicago, is still offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of the Hulk or John Doe. If you have any information leading to this capture of this creature or man, please call the police department at (406) 555-8210. In other news,..."
Amelia turned the television off. David became quiet, let out a nervous sigh, and put his hand over his face. He walked over to the patio door.
Amelia: "David?... David, please don't freak out. Nobody but me knows it's you."
David: "They're looking for me, Amelia."
Amelia: "But they haven't found you. And with my help, they're not going to."
David: "They know my description now."
Amelia: "A guy in his 40's with brown hair and brown eyes. David, that's the description of most of the men around here."
David: "I am so sorry about this, Amelia. I never meant for you to get involved in this."
Amelia: "Hey, we're in this together, right?... Right?"
David: "Right."
They both briefly hold hands. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. They both got nervous as to who was behind that door.
Amelia: "Go hide in the bedroom. I'll see who it is."
David quickly but quietly walked into the bedroom. Amelia quietly walked over to the door. Looking through the peep hole, she could see that it wasn't any of those three men. She opened the door.
"Yes?"
Jack: "Uh hi, are you Miss Amelia Murphy?"
Amelia: "Yes, I am. How can I help you?"
Jack: "I'm Jack McGee from the National Register. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions."
Amelia: "About?"
Jack: "About the Hulk."
Amelia: "The what?"
Jack: "The Hulk. That's the big, green creature that's been seen around here."
Amelia: "Oh. I'm sorry, but I don't keep up with the news."
Jack: "I uh— talked with a co-worker of your's at the Super 8. Ralph. He said he saw the creature yesterday afternoon in the motel swimming pool. Would you know anything about THAT?"
Amelia: "Uh, no. I work the third shift, so I wouldn't have seen anything like that. I resigned from that motel this morning."
Jack: "Uh yes, he mentioned that. He also mentioned that you had a boyfriend who checked into that motel on Saturday. Could you tell me about THAT?
Amelia: "I don't know why he'd say that. I don't have a boyfriend."
Jack: "Have you been seeing anybody?"
Amelia: "Are you asking me out or something?"
Jack: "No, I'm asking if you've recently come into contact with a man who's not from around here."
There is a moment of silence.
Amelia: "That's personal."
Jack: "I'm sorry, Miss Murphy. I don't mean to pry, but if I could come in for a few minutes, I could explain— "
Jack tried to come in the door, but Amelia abruptly pushed him back into the hallway.
Amelia: "I'm sorry, Mr.— McGee, is it?"
Jack: "Yes."
Amelia: "Mr. McGee, I don't know you. I was almost gang raped this weekend. Twice, in fact. So, please forgive me if I feel a little eerie about you coming into my apartment."
Jack: "Oh, no, I understand. I'm sorry. I had no idea. Look, the man I'm looking for has brown hair, brown eyes, has a medium build, and in his mid-40's. Now, if you've been seeing a man that fits that description, I have a sneaking suspicion that his life is in danger."
Amelia: "What makes you say that?"
Jack: "I just talked with the Chief of Police and he told me that they intended to kill the Hulk. Now, I and my paper don't want him killed. Just captured. They weren't too enthusiastic about capturing the Hulk, instead of killing him. He never actually said so, but it seems to me that he's still hellbent about killing the Hulk."
Amelia: "And YOU'D never harm this— Hulk thing if you captured it?"
Jack: "Miss Murphy, I would be the last person in the world who would ever want to harm or kill this creature; or the man who becomes it."
Amelia: "I suppose that's true. You wouldn't have a story if you did."
Jack: "That may have been the way it started out, but that's not the way it is now."
Amelia: "All right. I'll take what you said under advisement, Mr. McGee."
Jack pulled out his business card and gave it to Amelia.
Jack: "If you need to get a hold of me, please page me at this number."
Amelia: "Thank you. Good day, Mr. McGee."
Amelia closed the door behind her and locked it. She walked over to the bedroom door.
"Okay, David, you can come out now."
David quietly opens the bedroom door and walks out into the living room.
David: "I knew McGee would show up here eventually. I knew it."
Amelia: "David, I promise he'll never find out anything from me."
David: "I know, Amelia. Of course, we may need to take heed to his warning. The information leak is obviously the police themselves. And there's a city-wide hunt to kill the creature. Maybe even me. I just don't know what to do."
Amelia: "Oh David, that was probably just a scare tactic to try to get more information out of me."
David: "No. No, I know McGee. He wouldn't lie about something like this. He knows that the creature being killed would also mean destroying me. And without me or the creature, he wouldn't have a story. He's been chasing me for years, but he's never let anyone kill me. In some selfish but sincere way, I think he is trying to help."
Amelia: "I think we should probably forget about going to the airport. The Greyhound Bus Station is a lot closer. If we were to walk via First Street East and Second Avenue East, it should take us no longer than 10 or 15 minutes to get there."
David: "Do they have a taxi service here?"
Amelia: "As matter of fact, they do. South Lake Taxi. Their headquarters are located only around 2 miles or so from here."
David: "Okay, and how much did you say the tickets would be?"
Amelia: "Two one-way tickets will cost us $136.44, if we were to go to Cheyenne. Like I said, it's a 20-hour + ride. But it would surely get us out of here."
David: "And when is the next departure?"
Amelia: "There's a 5:30 p.m. departing this evening. If we were to take that bus, we'd arrive in Cheyenne at 1:45 p.m. tomorrow. We'll want to arrive at the bus station about an hour early to get checked in and all."
David stood there for several seconds, lost in thought.
David: "Well... I guess that's our best option. Of course, come 3:00, when we don't show up at the motel, Ralph will be looking for us. He may even suspect that something's up."
Amelia: "You think I should call him up and tell him to forget it."
David: "No. No, absolutely not. The fact that he called you, instead of the person who had to replace you on your shift, still doesn't sit right with me. Even if Ralph isn't in on whatever is going on here, the people who are hunting for me can still get information from him under duress. And that information includes where you live."
Amelia: "Wouldn't they have already found us by now? I mean, Mr. McGee found me. Wouldn't it make sense that people who know this area would be able to find me, too?"
David: "Yeah, it would. Still, I think we should lay low for the next few hours."
Amelia: "Sure. I'm ready to go anytime you are."
The two of them embraced each other. As they embraced, Amelia said: "It'll be okay, David. As long as we're together, I won't let anything bad happen to you." After their tender embrace, David caresses the Amelia's left cheek with his right hand and said: "I won't let anything bad happen to you, either." They stood and looked at each other with adoration.
______________________________________________________________
Amelia closed the door behind her and locked it. She walked over to the bedroom door.
"Okay, David, you can come out now."
David quietly opens the bedroom door and walks out into the living room.
David: "I knew McGee would show up here eventually. I knew it."
Amelia: "David, I promise he'll never find out anything from me."
David: "I know, Amelia. Of course, we may need to take heed to his warning. The information leak is obviously the police themselves. And there's a city-wide hunt to kill the creature. Maybe even me. I just don't know what to do."
Amelia: "Oh David, that was probably just a scare tactic to try to get more information out of me."
David: "No. No, I know McGee. He wouldn't lie about something like this. He knows that the creature being killed would also mean destroying me. And without me or the creature, he wouldn't have a story. He's been chasing me for years, but he's never let anyone kill me. In some selfish but sincere way, I think he is trying to help."
Amelia: "I think we should probably forget about going to the airport. The Greyhound Bus Station is a lot closer. If we were to walk via First Street East and Second Avenue East, it should take us no longer than 10 or 15 minutes to get there."
David: "Do they have a taxi service here?"
Amelia: "As matter of fact, they do. South Lake Taxi. Their headquarters are located only around 2 miles or so from here."
David: "Okay, and how much did you say the tickets would be?"
Amelia: "Two one-way tickets will cost us $136.44, if we were to go to Cheyenne. Like I said, it's a 20-hour + ride. But it would surely get us out of here."
David: "And when is the next departure?"
Amelia: "There's a 5:30 p.m. departing this evening. If we were to take that bus, we'd arrive in Cheyenne at 1:45 p.m. tomorrow. We'll want to arrive at the bus station about an hour early to get checked in and all."
David stood there for several seconds, lost in thought.
David: "Well... I guess that's our best option. Of course, come 3:00, when we don't show up at the motel, Ralph will be looking for us. He may even suspect that something's up."
Amelia: "You think I should call him up and tell him to forget it."
David: "No. No, absolutely not. The fact that he called you, instead of the person who had to replace you on your shift, still doesn't sit right with me. Even if Ralph isn't in on whatever is going on here, the people who are hunting for me can still get information from him under duress. And that information includes where you live."
Amelia: "Wouldn't they have already found us by now? I mean, Mr. McGee found me. Wouldn't it make sense that people who know this area would be able to find me, too?"
David: "Yeah, it would. Still, I think we should lay low for the next few hours."
Amelia: "Sure. I'm ready to go anytime you are."
The two of them embraced each other. As they embraced, Amelia said: "It'll be okay, David. As long as we're together, I won't let anything bad happen to you." After their tender embrace, David caresses the Amelia's left cheek with his right hand and said: "I won't let anything bad happen to you, either." They stood and looked at each other with adoration.
______________________________________________________________
981 1st Street West
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
12:01 p.m. (MDT)
"Although John Doe's whereabouts could be anybody's guess, there is every reason to believe that he is still in Polson, and can transform into the Hulk at any time. The National Register, located in Chicago, is still offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of the Hulk or John Doe. If you have any information leading to this capture of this creature or man, please call the police department at (406) 555-8210."The desk television is turned off.
Spike: "Looks like the plot thickens some more."
Brody: "So, a man changes into that thing. That explains how it get from place to place without being seen. The question is: who is he? How about you, Ralph? Would you happen to know who this man is?"
Ralph: "No way. I don't even read the National Register and I never even heard of this creature they're talking about."
Spike: "Makes sense, Brody. We've never heard of that creature, either. But that $10.000 reward would sure be nice."
Brody: "It would. However, we have two barriers. First, we don't know who this 'Joe Doe' character is. And second, even if we did, we'd have to come up with proof that he's the one that turns into that creature."
Spike: "I'm telling you: it has something to do that Amelia woman and that David guy. Either one or both of them knows who this man is and where he is."
Brody: "Well, we do know that this David guy has something to hide. I don't know if they're some type of 'Bonnie and Clyde' couple who are pursing this 'John Doe' or what. So, our next step is to find mon esclave d'amour magnifique. Find HER, find HIM."
Spike: "What if our good buddy, Ralph, here decides to take matters into his own hands and tries to collect that $10,000 reward for himself?"
Brody: "No, that won't happen. You see, we have our friend: Brendan who will stay here with him until his shift ends. After that, we will go wherever Ralph goes. You know, for a little insurance."
Brody slowly turned to look at Brendan.
"Isn't that right, Brendan?"
Brendan: "Oh yeah. You got THAT right."
Brody: "Good.. Since that is now settled, we need to know where to find mon futur enfant porteur. What do ya say Ralph? We have her personnel file out. Where does la prochaine mère de mon enfant live?"
Nervously, Ralph said: "You mean her physical address?"
Spike and Brody looked at each other for a few seconds. Then, Spike pulled out his gun and pointed it at Ralph.
Brody: "Well, we do know that this David guy has something to hide. I don't know if they're some type of 'Bonnie and Clyde' couple who are pursing this 'John Doe' or what. So, our next step is to find mon esclave d'amour magnifique. Find HER, find HIM."
Spike: "What if our good buddy, Ralph, here decides to take matters into his own hands and tries to collect that $10,000 reward for himself?"
Brody: "No, that won't happen. You see, we have our friend: Brendan who will stay here with him until his shift ends. After that, we will go wherever Ralph goes. You know, for a little insurance."
Brody slowly turned to look at Brendan.
"Isn't that right, Brendan?"
Brendan: "Oh yeah. You got THAT right."
Brody: "Good.. Since that is now settled, we need to know where to find mon futur enfant porteur. What do ya say Ralph? We have her personnel file out. Where does la prochaine mère de mon enfant live?"
Nervously, Ralph said: "You mean her physical address?"
Spike and Brody looked at each other for a few seconds. Then, Spike pulled out his gun and pointed it at Ralph.
Ralph: "Yeah, okay. Her physical address. That won't be a problem."
Ralph looked at Amelia's personnel file until he found her address.
"Here it is. 1 Kootenai Avenue."
Everybody stood silently for several seconds. Ralph didn't know what to say or what they were thinking.
"Really. That's her address. It's right here in black and white."
Brody: "That's not good enough, Ralph, and you know it."
Ralph: "What? What else do you need? I promise you: I gave you her real address. So, you know where to find her."
Spike took the safety off of his gun.
Brody: "We're not stupid, Ralph. We know that's an apartment building. The apartment number, Ralph. Give us the apartment number."
Ralph: "It's six. It's apartment number six."
Brody: "Six."
Spike kept the gun pointed at Ralph.
Spike: "You're not lying to us, are ya?"
Ralph: "No, I promise. I'm not lying... I promise."
A moment of silence filled the air.
Brody: "All right. We're heading over there now. Brendan, watch him closely. If those two come here before we get back, make Ralph find a way to keep them here."
Brendan: "Will do."
Brody turned to out the door.
Brody: "Come on, Spike. Let's get out of here."
Spike put the safety back on his gun, then put the gun back into his pocket.
Spike: "You're not out of the woods yet. We WILL be back."
Both Brody and Spike go out the door, get into Brody's car and leave the motel.
______________________________________________________________
Conoco Gas, Pier 93
Jack McGee, after dialing (312) 555-7733, began talking with his boss, Mark Roberts (played by Walter Brooke)
Jack: "Patricia hasn't left yet, has she?"
_____________________
Mark: "No, Jack, she's still here."
_____________________
Jack: "Good. Listen, I don't want her coming anywhere near here. From what I've been able to put together, the town police are corrupt. Given enough time, they may not care if the kill the Hulk or John Doe, as long as they get the money. And I have a gut-wrenching feeling that includes killing other people to get it."
_____________________
Mark: "Jack, if that situation is as bad as you think it is, you may want to involve the State Police."
_____________________
Jack: "That's not a bad idea, Mark. Could you look up how to get hold of them for me?"
_____________________
Mark: "Sure can. Let's see. . . Okay, you got a pen and paper?"
_____________________
Jack: "Sure do. How do I get hold of them?"
_____________________
Mark: "Okay, it's Montana's Department of Justice. You're going to either want to talk with the Montana Highway Patrol or Division of Criminal Investigation. Their address is: 2550 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana, 59601."
_____________________
Jack: "Yeah, I figured they'd be located in Helena. What's their phone number?"
_____________________
Mark: "It's (406) 555-3780."
_____________________
Jack: "Thanks, Mark. I'll call them right after I get off the phone with you."
_____________________
Mark: Hey, Jack, be careful, all right? Check in with us once in a while to let us know you're okay."
_____________________
Jack: "I will, Mark. I promise. Right now, the two people that seem to be the in the most danger are John Doe and his lady friend."
_____________________
Mark: "And you certain that this 'lady friend' knows John Doe?"
_____________________
Jack: "I'm almost positive, Mark. The way she talked and all of her mannerisms gave me clues that she knew John Doe and where he was. I just hope I can get to them before any rogue cops get to them. I'll talk with you soon, Mark."
_____________________
Mark: "All right, Jack. Good luck."
Ralph looked at Amelia's personnel file until he found her address.
"Here it is. 1 Kootenai Avenue."
Everybody stood silently for several seconds. Ralph didn't know what to say or what they were thinking.
"Really. That's her address. It's right here in black and white."
Brody: "That's not good enough, Ralph, and you know it."
Ralph: "What? What else do you need? I promise you: I gave you her real address. So, you know where to find her."
Spike took the safety off of his gun.
Brody: "We're not stupid, Ralph. We know that's an apartment building. The apartment number, Ralph. Give us the apartment number."
Ralph: "It's six. It's apartment number six."
Brody: "Six."
Spike kept the gun pointed at Ralph.
Spike: "You're not lying to us, are ya?"
Ralph: "No, I promise. I'm not lying... I promise."
A moment of silence filled the air.
Brody: "All right. We're heading over there now. Brendan, watch him closely. If those two come here before we get back, make Ralph find a way to keep them here."
Brendan: "Will do."
Brody turned to out the door.
Brody: "Come on, Spike. Let's get out of here."
Spike put the safety back on his gun, then put the gun back into his pocket.
Spike: "You're not out of the woods yet. We WILL be back."
Both Brody and Spike go out the door, get into Brody's car and leave the motel.
______________________________________________________________
49433 US-93 (on 2nd Ave W and Main)
Polson, MT 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
12:21 p.m. (MDT)
Jack: "Patricia hasn't left yet, has she?"
_____________________
Mark: "No, Jack, she's still here."
_____________________
Jack: "Good. Listen, I don't want her coming anywhere near here. From what I've been able to put together, the town police are corrupt. Given enough time, they may not care if the kill the Hulk or John Doe, as long as they get the money. And I have a gut-wrenching feeling that includes killing other people to get it."
_____________________
Mark: "Jack, if that situation is as bad as you think it is, you may want to involve the State Police."
_____________________
Jack: "That's not a bad idea, Mark. Could you look up how to get hold of them for me?"
_____________________
Mark: "Sure can. Let's see. . . Okay, you got a pen and paper?"
_____________________
Jack: "Sure do. How do I get hold of them?"
_____________________
Mark: "Okay, it's Montana's Department of Justice. You're going to either want to talk with the Montana Highway Patrol or Division of Criminal Investigation. Their address is: 2550 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana, 59601."
_____________________
Jack: "Yeah, I figured they'd be located in Helena. What's their phone number?"
_____________________
Mark: "It's (406) 555-3780."
_____________________
Jack: "Thanks, Mark. I'll call them right after I get off the phone with you."
_____________________
_____________________
Jack: "I will, Mark. I promise. Right now, the two people that seem to be the in the most danger are John Doe and his lady friend."
_____________________
Mark: "And you certain that this 'lady friend' knows John Doe?"
_____________________
Jack: "I'm almost positive, Mark. The way she talked and all of her mannerisms gave me clues that she knew John Doe and where he was. I just hope I can get to them before any rogue cops get to them. I'll talk with you soon, Mark."
_____________________
Mark: "All right, Jack. Good luck."
_____________________
______________________________________________________________
1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
12;36 p.m. (MDT)
Amelia: "I've got everything packed that I want to take with me. We'll have to take some back allies, so no one sees us easily."
David is oddly quiet. The silence concerns Amelia, and even makes her a bit nervous.
"David... Is something wrong?"
David: "Amelia, are you certain that you want to come with me?"
Amelia: "Yes, David, I'm positive. I made it very clear to you that I wanted to be with you."
David: "You did."
Amelia: "And I thought you made it very clear that you wanted to be with me."
David: "I did."
Amelia: "Then what's wrong? Why all these doubts?"
David: "Amelia, I have been traveling alone for so many years. My periodic metamorphoses into the creature as ruined my life. Every single day I am worried about being hunted and hurting other people. I haven't been able to stay in one place since I took the opportunity to fake my own death. The life I lead is not a happy one. All of my relationships are finite. All of my travels are constant. All I want is a chance to rid myself of the creature and I can have a chance at a normal life. But right now, this is the only life I can offer you. The last thing I ever want to cause you is: unhappiness."
Amelia: "David, I know how I feel about you and I know I can make you happy. Maybe not all the time, but I can make you happy. But whether we end up staying together at the end of that bus ride or not, I'm leaving with you and getting out of this town. You're not making me do anything I don't want to do... Okay?"
David smiles and says: "Okay."
"Okay, good. Now, listen, we can head northeast on Kootenai Avenue, toward First Street East and make a sharp right. We'll walk around 150 yards and turn left onto First Avenue East."
David: "Wait a minute. There's a First Street East AND a First AVENUE East?"
Amelia: "Yeah, I thought that was pretty interesting myself when I first moved here... All right, after around 128 yards, we can turn right onto Second Street East. After over 120 yards, we can turn left at the fist cross street onto— "
David: "Uh, let me guess. Second Avenue East?"
Amelia: "Yeah, how'd you know?"
David: "I uh— didn't. I was just trying to be funny."
Amelia: "Well, good guess. Then, we'll walk over 500 feet, turn left and the Greyhound Bus Station will be on our right. What do you think?"
David: "I think I'll leave the guiding to you."
______________________________________________________________
Outside the apartment, hidden
1 Kootenai Avenue
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
12:36 p.m. (MDT)
Spike: "Oh yeah. One thing I know about is guns. Tranquilizer darts are exactly what we'll need to get this job done."
Brody: "And what's so special about this one?"
Spike: "It's a tranquilizer dart specifically made for humans."
Spike pulled out his tranquilizer gun to show it to Brody.
"Let me introduce you to: The '5–2–25'."
Brody: "The '5–2–25'? I don't understand."
Spike: "It's benevolently nicknamed: The 'B–52'. It's a mix of 3 tranquilizers. First, we have 5 milligrams of lorazepam, better known as Ativan, which is a benzodiazepine and a cousin of Xanax. At low doses, it reduces anxiety, but at moderately higher doses, it causes sedation, sluggishness, and somnolence. You probably know one of its weaker derivatives, the sleep aid: Ambien."
Brody: "Nice."
Spike: "Then, we have 2 milligrams of haloperidol, better known as Haldol. This is a first-generation antipsychotic."
Brody: "Antipsychotic?"
Spike: "Yeah. If you've seen an old movie where psych patients look drugged and half asleep, then you've seen the effects of Haldol."
Brody: "I see."
Spike: "And last but certainly not least, we have 25 milligrams of diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine known for its sedative properties and helps reduce any potential adverse reactions. We all may know it better as Benedryl... And that's our '5–2–25'; our 'B–52'."
Brody: "And there are no side effects?"
Spike: "Nope. They'll be completely normal when they regain consciousness. The only difference will be that they will be with us in an unknown location, where they will have no choice but to do what we tell them with no questions asked."
Brody: "And no overdoses?"
Spike: "Not even close. I was taught how to calculate the amount of administration to a person's height and weight. These two won't require a lot."
Brody: "How long will they be out?"
Spike: "Depends on the person. It could be anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes."
Brody and Spike seen Amelia leaving the apartment. They saw that David was carrying his duffle bag and that Amelia was carrying a backpack.
Brody: "Well well well. Looks like we have a couple of people trying to flee the scene."
Spike began to load the first tranquilizer dart.
Spike: "Not if we can help it."
Spike pointed the tranquilizer dart. He pointed it very carefully as Amelia and David were walking away from the apartment building. Then, Spike pulled the trigger and the first shot hit Amelia between her neck and her left clavicle. Amelia screamed and held the spot where she was shot. David immediately turned and grabbed her. "Amelia? What's wrong? What happened?," David said. "David, help me," said Amelia. David saw the dart where she was shot. David quickly pulled it out and threw it on the ground. "I got ya. Come on, Amelia. Let's go," David said, trying to get her to back to where they came from. Amelia's feet felt heavy because of the tranquilizer. With labored speech, Amelia said: "David, I— I can't... I— " Amelia is, then, rendered unconscious. Spike began to load the next dart.
Spike: "This next one's for you... DOCTOR."
David finally got Amelia to her front door. Spike found slightly harder to lock a target on David. However, he pulled the trigger, hoping hoping to get some part of him. The dart hit David on his left calve. David yelled in pain as he fell into some bushes and hit part of his face on a rock. The pain of being shot and falling on the rock elicited is anger to where he suddenly felt a surge of power and strength. His eyes turned from white to a pale green. He can feel the change coming upon him.
Brody: "Where did he go?"
Spike: "I don't know. I pulled trigger and then he disappeared."
David's pant began to stretch and his shirt began to split apart.
Brody: "He must have got away. Come on, let's go get la mère de mon prochain enfant."
Spike: "Ou le mien."
As Brody and Spike approach Amelia, the Hulk emerges for the bushes. He snarled as he began to walk toward Brody and Spike. They both see the Hulk simultaneously. They both flinch. "There it is! I knew it would show up again!," exclaimed Brody. Spike stood still and appalled. "Don't just stand there, you moron! Shoot it!," Brody said. The Hulk walked closer to the two men, flexed his muscles, and let out a loud roar. "Raaaaaaaaarrrh!" Although this frightened Spike, he still tried to get the gun out of his pocket and pulled it out. He took the safety off and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the Hulk's right shoulder. The Hulk grabbed his shoulder and seen there was a little blood coming out of it. He, then, looked Spike square in the eye and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. Without think, Spike was going to shoot the Hulk again, but the Hulk batted the gun out of Spike's hand. Then, he threw Spike an estimated 30 yards. By then, Brody was his target and Brody was coming closer to Amelia. The Hulk walk toward him as he quietly growled. "Easy, big fella. You wouldn't want me to hurt this lady would you?," Brody said. But before Brody could touch her, the Hulk grabbed Brody by his mid-front shirt collar and looked him square in the eye. Brody once a again had the feeling of terror in his eye. He could feel the anger coming off the Hulk. Although Brody wanted to go through his pockets to find a weapon, he could not move out of fright. The Hulk threw Brody an estimated 50 or 60 yards. Brody continued to slide a little after he landed. The Hulk flexed his muscles and let out a loud roar. "Raaaaaaaarrrrrh!" After watching the two men in the distance, the Hulk looked down at Amelia. The Hulk knelt down to Amelia's level and caressed her face as she laid unconscious. The Hulk gently picked Amelia up and carried her off to a wooded area. After roughly 5 + minutes, as the Hulk was walking through the wooded, he faintly hear music in the distance. Simultaneously, the Hulk began to mildly feel the effects of the tranquilizer dark in his leg; the very dart that David was shot with shortly prior to his metamorphosis. Still holding Amelia in his arms, the Hulk slowly sat down on a hilly part of the ground. The Hulk held on to Amelia, even though his vision impairment was slowly increasing and was feeling more and more tired. The music in the distance continued. The song: "Heaven Knows" by Donna Summer began to play. The Hulk looked in the direction that the music was coming from. Then, he turned his head forward and closed his eyes. At that moment, he slowly began to change back into David. His face within a minute, his face and body went from green to gray to a healthy peach color. When the minute was up, he was back to David. David could feel partial effect of the tranquilizer dart, but not much of it. David heard the song: "Heaven Knows" by Donna Summer in the distance. He, then, noticed that Amelia was in his arms and still unconscious. David placed his index and middle fingers on Amelia's neck to the side of her windpipe to check her carotid pulse. By calculating her pulse rate, he knew she would be unconscious for another 10 or 15 minutes. David, then, laid Amelia on the ground gently. Suddenly, he felt the bullet wound on his shoulder; the very place where the Hulk was shot by Spike's gun. It was half healed with scar tissue. Then, he saw the tranquiler dart in his leg and carefully pull it out. David stood up, picked up Amelia, and walked toward the direction the music was coming from. After David had left the wooded area, he saw a starter's home, which was within a another neighborhood, and realized the music was coming from that house. As the song: "On The Radio" by Donna Summer played inside the house, David carried Amelia to the door and rang the doorbell with his right shoulder. A man, roughly 30 years of age, answered the door.
Larry: "Yes?"
David: "Hello, sir. I'm sorry to bother you, but I really need your help. Please, I need to come in and get this lady to safety."
Larry: "Okay, sure. What happened to her?"
David slowly entered the house and through the foyer area
David: "She was shot by a tranquilizer dart. I'm not sure how much longer she's going to be unconscious. Do you have a place I could lay her down?"
Larry points at the sofa in the living room.
Larry: "Sure, you can lay her over here on the couch."
David: "Thank you."
David laid Amelia on the sofa and put a pillow over her head. Then, the wife of Larry comes out of the kitchen and into the living room where David and Larry are. She turned down the radio.
Janet: "Hey, what's going on out here?"
Larry: "I'm not quite sure yet."
David: "My name is: David Brannigan. This unconscious lady is Amelia Murphy. She was shot by a tranquilizer dart by men who seem to be after us. We don't know how or why we've become a target, but we need a place for her to recover and regain her consciousness."
Larry: "My God, we need to call the police."
David: "I did that yesterday. I went straight to the police station. For some reason, it only made things worse. They seemed to know every move we made after I filed a report at the police station."
Both Larry and Janet's eye widen.
Janet: "Oh dear."
David: "What?"
Larry: "You guys might be targeted by Brody Dietrich and his cronies."
David: "Who are they?"
Larry: "Men that get away with everything in this town. I'm talking muggings, robberies, rape, you name it."
David: "And the police has done nothing about this?"
Larry: "The police don't seem to care. People have called the police on them in the past and nothing seems to happen. They always get off scot free."
Larry looked at David up and down.
"Could I give you a shirt and shoes or something?"
David: "Oh, that would be great. Thanks."
Janet: "I'll get you something."
Janet walked out of the living room and into the laundry room.
Larry: "I'm sorry you and your lady are going through this, Mister— uhm— ?"
David: "Brannigan— David Brannigan."
Larry: "Brannigan, right. I'm sorry you two tangled up with them. You know, these guys have been getting away with all kinds of stuff for years. All of them are sociopaths. They have no conscience. They have no inner feeling acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of their behavior. This time of year, nobody goes out at night, in fear of these guys harming them in some way. And that's not even including the crime we have here altogether."
At that moment, David had a flashback of the night he met Amelia. He suddenly recalled the conversation he had with the lady outside the motel before he went to the grocery store two days prior.
David: "Yeah... Yeah, I've been told that."
Janet came out of the laundry room with clothes and shoes for David.
Janet: "These old shoes and shirt may not fit you as your own, but they should do."
David took the shoes and shirt.
David: "No, it's okay. I appreciate your help. These will do just fine."
Larry, then, noticed the bullet wound in David's shoulder.
Larry: "Oh my God. Were you shot recently?"
David glanced at the bullet wound and looked back at Larry.
David: "Uh— yes. Yes— I— I was."
Larry: "When?"
David had no recollection of being shot when he was the Hulk. He did, however, have a flashback of a conversation he and Elaina Marks were having at Elaina's house about a bullet wound under similar circumstances.
David: "About three days ago."
Larry: "By Brody and his cronies?"
David didn't have any other explanation for the bullet wound, since he had no memory of who shot him, how he got shot, and where the shooting happened. As he was putting on the shirt and shoes, he had to act like he knew what happened, and being shot by those men three day ago was a good explanation.
David: "That's right. One of them shot me when I was trying to save my girlfriend from being gang raped by them."
Janet: "That sounds like something that those hedonistic libertines would do."
David: "Do you think you could help us?"
Larry: "How?"
David: "They don't know that we know each other. If you could give us a ride to the bus station, it would be a big help."
Both of them are quiet for a moment.
Larry: "Well, I don't see any harm in that."
Janet: "Yeah, that'll be fine."
David: "Great. Thank you."
At that moment, all of them noticed that Amelia was regaining consciousness. She began moving her head, opening her eyes, and made faint sounds.
Amelia: "David?"
David knelt down to Amelia's level and held her left hand.
David: "Amelia? Amelia, are you all right?"
Amelia: "David? Is that you?"
David: "Yes, Amelia, it's me. How do you feel?"
Amelia: "A little groggy. What happened?"
David: "You were shot by a tranquilizer dart in your shoulder. You're okay. Once you wake up a little more, you'll be fine."
Amelia: "A tranquilizer dart? By whom?"
David: "Most likely, one of the three men who have been pursuing us."
Amelia: "Where are we?"
David: "We're in a married couples' house. Uhm— I'm sorry. I didn't get your names."
Larry: "Oh, Lawrence Hunter. This is my wife: Janet."
David and the married couple shake hands.
David: "Good to meet you."
Janet: "Good to meet you, too."
David looked at Amelia.
David: "They've agreed to giving us a ride to the bus station."
Amelia: "That's great. Where's our stuff?"
David: "Our stuff?"
Amelia: "Yeah. You know. Our bags."
David realized that they didn't have the bags they had with them for luggage for the bus.
David: "Oh... They must be still at your place. I should probably go and get them."
Amelia tried to sit up.
Amelia: "I can go with you."
David gently puts his right hand on Amelia's right shoulder.
David: "No no, please, stay here and rest. You need to recover from that tranquilizer dart. I'll go back to your place and get our bags and I will come straight back here, so we can head to the bus station."
Amelia: "Please, be careful, David."
David: "I will. Just rest, okay?"
Amelia: "Okay. Hurry back."
David: "I will. I'll be right back."
David left the house and quickly tried to find Amelia's place. He figured if he could retrieve their possessions and get back to Larry and Janet's house, without being seen, they could get a ride to the bus station with no problems. Once David reached the front door of Amelia's place, Amelia's backpack and David's brown leather duffle bag were missing. David searched frantically for about 5 seconds or so.
As Brody and Spike approach Amelia, the Hulk emerges for the bushes. He snarled as he began to walk toward Brody and Spike. They both see the Hulk simultaneously. They both flinch. "There it is! I knew it would show up again!," exclaimed Brody. Spike stood still and appalled. "Don't just stand there, you moron! Shoot it!," Brody said. The Hulk walked closer to the two men, flexed his muscles, and let out a loud roar. "Raaaaaaaaarrrh!" Although this frightened Spike, he still tried to get the gun out of his pocket and pulled it out. He took the safety off and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the Hulk's right shoulder. The Hulk grabbed his shoulder and seen there was a little blood coming out of it. He, then, looked Spike square in the eye and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. Without think, Spike was going to shoot the Hulk again, but the Hulk batted the gun out of Spike's hand. Then, he threw Spike an estimated 30 yards. By then, Brody was his target and Brody was coming closer to Amelia. The Hulk walk toward him as he quietly growled. "Easy, big fella. You wouldn't want me to hurt this lady would you?," Brody said. But before Brody could touch her, the Hulk grabbed Brody by his mid-front shirt collar and looked him square in the eye. Brody once a again had the feeling of terror in his eye. He could feel the anger coming off the Hulk. Although Brody wanted to go through his pockets to find a weapon, he could not move out of fright. The Hulk threw Brody an estimated 50 or 60 yards. Brody continued to slide a little after he landed. The Hulk flexed his muscles and let out a loud roar. "Raaaaaaaarrrrrh!" After watching the two men in the distance, the Hulk looked down at Amelia. The Hulk knelt down to Amelia's level and caressed her face as she laid unconscious. The Hulk gently picked Amelia up and carried her off to a wooded area. After roughly 5 + minutes, as the Hulk was walking through the wooded, he faintly hear music in the distance. Simultaneously, the Hulk began to mildly feel the effects of the tranquilizer dark in his leg; the very dart that David was shot with shortly prior to his metamorphosis. Still holding Amelia in his arms, the Hulk slowly sat down on a hilly part of the ground. The Hulk held on to Amelia, even though his vision impairment was slowly increasing and was feeling more and more tired. The music in the distance continued. The song: "Heaven Knows" by Donna Summer began to play. The Hulk looked in the direction that the music was coming from. Then, he turned his head forward and closed his eyes. At that moment, he slowly began to change back into David. His face within a minute, his face and body went from green to gray to a healthy peach color. When the minute was up, he was back to David. David could feel partial effect of the tranquilizer dart, but not much of it. David heard the song: "Heaven Knows" by Donna Summer in the distance. He, then, noticed that Amelia was in his arms and still unconscious. David placed his index and middle fingers on Amelia's neck to the side of her windpipe to check her carotid pulse. By calculating her pulse rate, he knew she would be unconscious for another 10 or 15 minutes. David, then, laid Amelia on the ground gently. Suddenly, he felt the bullet wound on his shoulder; the very place where the Hulk was shot by Spike's gun. It was half healed with scar tissue. Then, he saw the tranquiler dart in his leg and carefully pull it out. David stood up, picked up Amelia, and walked toward the direction the music was coming from. After David had left the wooded area, he saw a starter's home, which was within a another neighborhood, and realized the music was coming from that house. As the song: "On The Radio" by Donna Summer played inside the house, David carried Amelia to the door and rang the doorbell with his right shoulder. A man, roughly 30 years of age, answered the door.
Larry: "Yes?"
David: "Hello, sir. I'm sorry to bother you, but I really need your help. Please, I need to come in and get this lady to safety."
Larry: "Okay, sure. What happened to her?"
David slowly entered the house and through the foyer area
David: "She was shot by a tranquilizer dart. I'm not sure how much longer she's going to be unconscious. Do you have a place I could lay her down?"
Larry points at the sofa in the living room.
Larry: "Sure, you can lay her over here on the couch."
David: "Thank you."
David laid Amelia on the sofa and put a pillow over her head. Then, the wife of Larry comes out of the kitchen and into the living room where David and Larry are. She turned down the radio.
Janet: "Hey, what's going on out here?"
Larry: "I'm not quite sure yet."
David: "My name is: David Brannigan. This unconscious lady is Amelia Murphy. She was shot by a tranquilizer dart by men who seem to be after us. We don't know how or why we've become a target, but we need a place for her to recover and regain her consciousness."
Larry: "My God, we need to call the police."
David: "I did that yesterday. I went straight to the police station. For some reason, it only made things worse. They seemed to know every move we made after I filed a report at the police station."
Both Larry and Janet's eye widen.
Janet: "Oh dear."
David: "What?"
Larry: "You guys might be targeted by Brody Dietrich and his cronies."
David: "Who are they?"
Larry: "Men that get away with everything in this town. I'm talking muggings, robberies, rape, you name it."
David: "And the police has done nothing about this?"
Larry: "The police don't seem to care. People have called the police on them in the past and nothing seems to happen. They always get off scot free."
Larry looked at David up and down.
"Could I give you a shirt and shoes or something?"
David: "Oh, that would be great. Thanks."
Janet: "I'll get you something."
Janet walked out of the living room and into the laundry room.
Larry: "I'm sorry you and your lady are going through this, Mister— uhm— ?"
David: "Brannigan— David Brannigan."
Larry: "Brannigan, right. I'm sorry you two tangled up with them. You know, these guys have been getting away with all kinds of stuff for years. All of them are sociopaths. They have no conscience. They have no inner feeling acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of their behavior. This time of year, nobody goes out at night, in fear of these guys harming them in some way. And that's not even including the crime we have here altogether."
At that moment, David had a flashback of the night he met Amelia. He suddenly recalled the conversation he had with the lady outside the motel before he went to the grocery store two days prior.
Lady: "Hey, Mister?"David realized that Larry and his wife were not the only people who knew of those dangers.
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. This town is dangerous at night, especially on the weekends during the summer. You may want to stay inside until morning."
David: "Oh."
David: "Yeah... Yeah, I've been told that."
Janet came out of the laundry room with clothes and shoes for David.
Janet: "These old shoes and shirt may not fit you as your own, but they should do."
David took the shoes and shirt.
David: "No, it's okay. I appreciate your help. These will do just fine."
Larry, then, noticed the bullet wound in David's shoulder.
Larry: "Oh my God. Were you shot recently?"
David glanced at the bullet wound and looked back at Larry.
David: "Uh— yes. Yes— I— I was."
Larry: "When?"
David had no recollection of being shot when he was the Hulk. He did, however, have a flashback of a conversation he and Elaina Marks were having at Elaina's house about a bullet wound under similar circumstances.
Elaina: "When did you say you were shot?" Elaina watches as another wave of uncertainty comes to his eyes,As in the memory of that conversation, David gave a guess.
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: "About three days ago."
Larry: "By Brody and his cronies?"
David didn't have any other explanation for the bullet wound, since he had no memory of who shot him, how he got shot, and where the shooting happened. As he was putting on the shirt and shoes, he had to act like he knew what happened, and being shot by those men three day ago was a good explanation.
David: "That's right. One of them shot me when I was trying to save my girlfriend from being gang raped by them."
Janet: "That sounds like something that those hedonistic libertines would do."
David: "Do you think you could help us?"
Larry: "How?"
David: "They don't know that we know each other. If you could give us a ride to the bus station, it would be a big help."
Both of them are quiet for a moment.
Larry: "Well, I don't see any harm in that."
Janet: "Yeah, that'll be fine."
David: "Great. Thank you."
At that moment, all of them noticed that Amelia was regaining consciousness. She began moving her head, opening her eyes, and made faint sounds.
Amelia: "David?"
David knelt down to Amelia's level and held her left hand.
David: "Amelia? Amelia, are you all right?"
Amelia: "David? Is that you?"
David: "Yes, Amelia, it's me. How do you feel?"
Amelia: "A little groggy. What happened?"
David: "You were shot by a tranquilizer dart in your shoulder. You're okay. Once you wake up a little more, you'll be fine."
Amelia: "A tranquilizer dart? By whom?"
David: "Most likely, one of the three men who have been pursuing us."
Amelia: "Where are we?"
David: "We're in a married couples' house. Uhm— I'm sorry. I didn't get your names."
Larry: "Oh, Lawrence Hunter. This is my wife: Janet."
David and the married couple shake hands.
David: "Good to meet you."
Janet: "Good to meet you, too."
David looked at Amelia.
David: "They've agreed to giving us a ride to the bus station."
Amelia: "That's great. Where's our stuff?"
David: "Our stuff?"
Amelia: "Yeah. You know. Our bags."
David realized that they didn't have the bags they had with them for luggage for the bus.
David: "Oh... They must be still at your place. I should probably go and get them."
Amelia tried to sit up.
Amelia: "I can go with you."
David gently puts his right hand on Amelia's right shoulder.
David: "No no, please, stay here and rest. You need to recover from that tranquilizer dart. I'll go back to your place and get our bags and I will come straight back here, so we can head to the bus station."
Amelia: "Please, be careful, David."
David: "I will. Just rest, okay?"
Amelia: "Okay. Hurry back."
David: "I will. I'll be right back."
David left the house and quickly tried to find Amelia's place. He figured if he could retrieve their possessions and get back to Larry and Janet's house, without being seen, they could get a ride to the bus station with no problems. Once David reached the front door of Amelia's place, Amelia's backpack and David's brown leather duffle bag were missing. David searched frantically for about 5 seconds or so.
"Looking for THIS?"
David snapped his head toward Brody and Spike who are holding David's duffle bag and Amelia's backpack.
David: "Uhm— I uh—"
Brody grabbed David and put his arm around his shoulders.
Brody: "We need to have ourselves a little talk. Walk with us."
David: "Look, uh— sir—"
Brody: "Don't 'sir' me, doctor. I'm not old enough."
David: "Doctor?"
Brody: "Doctor. That's how you address doctors, isn't it?"
David: "Well, I— "
Brody: "Save it, Doctor Banner. We know your true identity."
David: "But uh— "
Brody: "Don't try to deny it. We're not as stupid as we look. Now, we've got some things to talk about, doctor."
David: "What things?"
Brody: "Well, here's the situation... It would be nice to have your girlfriend, or wife, or whoever she is to you. But since we have YOU, we don't really need her. Still, we believe in being thorough. If we want something, we use every possible means to get it."
David: "And you want— me?"
Brody and Spike bust out laughing.
Brody: "Look, DOCTOR,— we don't give a rat's derrière who are, what you are, where you came from, or why you'd want to be dead. What we DO care about is the money. We want it and there's not going to be a person or thing on this Earth that's keep us from getting it."
David: "What money are you talking about?"
Brody: "The reward money for catching this 'John Doe' person... Don't be coy. We KNOW that you know something about this— man who changes into that hideous beast. We don't know how, but we know that you know something. And it would behoove you to cooperate and tell us everything you know."
David: "What do you want to know?"
Brody: "Wow. For a doctor, you don't listen very well. I just told you to tell me— and I quote— 'everything you know'. And it would be incumbent on you to give all of this information."
David: "Why is that?"
Brody: "Well, let's just say that I can make me and my friends famous by taking a very interesting story to the Press. I mean, I'm sure the proper authorities would be very interested in talking with a dead man."
David remained silent, not believing what a bind he was in.
"Okay, let's make this a little easier... I believe with 100% certainty that you know who John Doe is and that you are protecting him. I believe with 75% certainty that you know where he is, at this particular moment. Now's not the time to clam up. So, why don't you lead us to John Doe and we'll forget we ever saw ya."
David didn't know what to say. He was feeling ambivalent uncertain of things. He needed to get out of the situation he was in, and still be able to leave with his duffle bag and Amelia's backpack. David was becoming nervous, but he didn't want either of them to know. He wanted to come up with a story that wasn't accurate but believable. At this point, they were approaching Brody's car. Spike suddenly grabbed David to feel his radial pulse.
"Have you ever taken a lie detector test, Doctor Banner?"
David: "No, I haven't."
Brody looked at Spike. Spike nodded his head: "yes."
Brody: "Good, you're telling the truth. You see, Spike is very good at knowing whether not people are lying by feeling there pulse. Just now, he let me know that you were telling the truth about not ever taking a lie detector test... Now, I'm going to ask you a couple more questions. And Spike will let me know if those answers are genuine or not."
David stood still and remained quiet.
"Yes or no? Do you know who John Doe is?"
David: "Yes, I do."
Spike: "Cet homme dit la vérité."
David: "What? What'd he say?"
Brody: "Don't worry about what he's saying. You're doing fine... Now, do you know WHERE John Doe is? Yes or no?
David: "Yes, I do."
Spike: "Cet homme dit la vérité."
Brody: "Good. Good... Do you know why John Doe goes through the 'changes' he goes through into that green beast? Yes or no?"
David: "Yes, I do."
Spike: "Cet homme dit la vérité."
Brody: "Excellent. Now, that gorgeous redhead; does SHE know John Doe? Yes or no?"
David: "Yes."
Spike: "Cet homme dit la vérité."
Brody: "That's what I thought. You two are physically and emotionally involved with each other. That's how she knows who John Doe is, right?"
David reluctantly said: "That's right." Brody looked at Spike attentively.
Spike: "Absolument vrai."
Brody: "Most excellent. You've been smart. You kept telling the truth. If you continue to do so, you may just live through this, Doctor Banner."
Brody opened the door to his car.
"Get in the car."
David: "Where are we going?"
Short pause.
Brody: "GET IN THE CAR!! Back seat, NOW!!"
David quickly climbed into the back seat of Brody's car. Both Brody and Spike to into the front seats of the car, start it up, and they all drive away. Brody began to ask questions as he was driving.
Brody: "Where's John Doe, doctor?"
David: "He's staying at a motel to hide out."
Brody: "What motel?"
David: "The Super 8."
Brody became slightly suspicious that David may be lying.
Brody: "I thought YOU were staying at the Super 8."
David: "Oh yeah,— well,— I've been there to check up on John Doe, but I'm not actually staying there. I've been staying at my girlfriend's place. You see, John Doe was the one using the alias so he could hide out, until he saved up enough money to leave here."
Brody: "Is he there NOW?"
David: "Last time I spoke to him was a little over an hour ago. And he WAS in his motel room."
Brody: "All right. We are just about to turn left at the 1st cross street onto First Street West, we'll see if you're story checks out. If it does, you'll be on your way in 15 or 20 minutes."
Feeling uneasy, David said: "Okay." Brody looked at Spike.
"Rappelez-vous, il est notre prisonnier jusqu'à ce que nous obtenions l'argent."
Spike: "Droite. Ensuite, il sera en train de pousser en haut des marguerites."
They both laugh. David, becoming more nervous, sat quietly and wondered how he was going to get out of that situation unscathed.
______________________________________________________________
49433 US-93 (on 2nd Ave W and Main)
Polson, MT 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
1:27 p.m. (MDT)
Jack McGee was on the payphone talking with the state police.
Jack: "From the conversation we had at the police station, I have a gut feeling that there are crooked police in this town."
_____________________
Superintendent Evans: "A few of our deputies are on their way there, Mr. McGee. We've suspected clandestine criminal activity there for years, but we never had any way of proving it. Now, you say that a man's life may be in danger?"
_____________________
Jack: "That's right. He's a friend of mine who just recently moved to the area. This is just an educated guess, but I guess he made a girlfriend in that time. Her life may be in danger as well."
_____________________
Superintendent Evans: "All right, well, we're going to have to have some type of venue where you meet up with our deputies and catch them up with the situation."
_____________________
Jack: "A venue. Okay, uh— how about the Super 8 motel. Following the trail, that seems to be where all of this activity originated."
_____________________
Superintendent Evans: "The one on First Street?"
_____________________
Jack: "Yes, sir. That's right."
_____________________
Superintendent Evans: "All right, Mr. McGee. Our deputies should be there pretty soon. They are already two-thirds of the way there. Just go to the Super 8 and our deputies will meet you there. They will be in contact with me the entire time."
_____________________
Jack: "All right, I can do that."
_____________________
Superintendent Evans: "Good. They should be there in less than an hour."
_____________________
Jack: "Okay, thank you for your help, sir."
_____________________
Superintendent Evans: "Thank you for YOUR help, Mr. McGee."
_____________________
Jack McGee hung up the phone, then picked up the phone to call into to work to let his boss, Mark Roberts (played by Walter Brooke) know the situation. He dialed: (312) 555-7733. It rang a couple of times, then Mark Roberts (portrayed by Walter Brooke) answered the phone.
Mark: "National Register, Mark Roberts speaking. How may I help you?"
_____________________
Jack: "Hey Mark, it's Jack."
Mark: "Jack, how's everything coming along."
_____________________
Jack: "So far, everything's going well. It took some time, but I finally got a hold of the State Police. They said they would meet me at the Super 8 motel in less than an hour."
_____________________
Mark: "That's great, Jack, Keep me informed and let me know how it turns out."
_____________________
Jack: "I will, Mark. I have to go, but I'll call you later."
Mark: "All right, Jack, Good luck."
_____________________
Jack: "Thanks, Mark."
Jack hung up the phone, got into his rental car, and drove away, heading to the Super 8 motel.
______________________________________________________________
981 1st Street West
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
1:32 p.m. (MDT)
Brody: "All right, Banner, what room is he staying in?"
David: "Room 8."
Brody turned and looked at David suspiciously.
Brody: "Room 8? That's the room YOU were staying in under an alias."
David: "Actually, I let people believe I was staying there to protect John Doe. This way: if anybody got curious, I could say that it was ME staying there, instead of him."
Brody looked over at Spike suspiciously.
Brody: "Je ne sais pas. Lui croyez-vous?"
Spike: "Il ñ'y a qu'un seul moyen de le savoir."
Brody opened the door on his side.
Brody: "Regarder lui. Je vais y aller vérifiez-le."
Spike: "Je serais juste ici."
Brody got out of the car and shut the door behind him. David was going more nervous, especially not knowing what the two men were saying.
David: "Everything all right?"
Spike: "We'll find out in a few minutes."
Nervously, David said: "Oh." Brody went up to the main window, where Ralph and Brendan were sitting.
Brendan: "Hey, what'd you find out?"
Brody: "Hopefully, enough to get that $10,000."
Brody looked at Ralph and smiled.
"Hey there, Ralph. I've got some questions for ya."
Ralph: "Okay."
Brody: "I got a tip from a source that says that the man that turns into that creature has been the one staying in this motel, in Room 8, under the alias."
Ralph: "You mean that guy: David Belkin?"
Brody: "Yes. Do you know that to be true?"
Ralph: "No. I wasn't the one who checked him in on Saturday."
Brody: "Who did?"
Ralph: "The motel owner. You may not need him, though. There's a guy who's pulling in now who would be able to give you the $10,000. It's that guy from the National Register, Jack McGee."
Jack McGee shut off his rental car, got out and walked over to the main window. David saw Jack and slowly lowered himself in the back seat.
Brody: "You wouldn't happen to be Jack McGee from the National Register, would you?"
Jack: "Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Who are you?"
Brody: "I happen to be the man who's going to get that $10,000-reward."
Jack: "You mean: you can lead me to the Hulk? You know where John Doe is?"
Brody: "Correct."
Jack: "How did you manage that?"
Brody: "Well... Let's just say: extortion is always good to me."
Brody smiled smugly. He looked at Spike with a come-hither motion with his hands.
Spike loaded his tranquilizer dart.
Spike: "Stay right here, doctor. This shouldn't take long."
Spike got out of the car and shut the door behind him. As Spike was walking away, David noticed that Brody forget to take his keys out of the ignition. David slowly turned back and watched Spike walk over to Brody and Jack.
Brody: "Mr. McGee, this is Spike. He's our gun expert. He has a tranquilizer dart that will subdue John Doe for you."
Spike: "This is called: the 'B–52'. It's a mix of 3 tranquilizers. We have 5 milligrams of Ativan, 2 milligrams of Haldol, and 25 milligrams of Benedryl."
Jack: "And there are no side effects?"
Spike: "None whatsoever. He'll be completely normal when he regains consciousness. The only difference will be that he will be with us in an different location, where he will have no choice but to answer the questions we ask him."
Jack: "Any possibility of overdose?"
Spike: "Not even close. I was taught how to calculate the amount of administration to a person's height and weight."
Jack: "And how long will he be out?"
Spike: "Depends on the person. It could be anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes."
Jack: "Good. I was explaining to the authorities that I don't want the Hulk killed, just captured. They didn't seem to like that too much."
Brody: "Well, the authorities around these parts have that 'kill first, ask questions later' kind of mentality."
Spike: "We'll help you take him alive. Now, we get the reward once we render him unconscious, right?"
Jack: "Well, almost."
Spike: "What does THAT mean?"
Brody: "Yeah, 'almost' doesn't cut it."
Jack: "Well, we'd be half way there by capturing the man. But I'm going to need some assurance that he's the Hulk."
Spike: "All right, well, what causes the change?"
Jack: "I don't know. Except for John Doe, I don't know if anyone does."
The three of them stood to think for a moment.
Spike: "Well, I guess we'll just have to find out for ourselves. Brendan! Ralph! Come one! We're going to Room 8."
Ralph: "I have over an hour until my shift ends. I can't leave my post."
Brody walked up closer to the window.
Brody: "I said we're going to Room 8. And I don't want you to contradict me again. Do you understand me?"
Ralph: "Yes, sir. I understand."
Ralph came to the outside of the main window.
Brendan: "What about that guy in the back seat?"
Brody: "Good point. Watch him. In the meanwhile, watch for a man trying to get away from us. There are four of us and a tranquilizer dart, but he may still get away from us."
Brendan: "Will do."
Brody: "Let's go."
David watched, as Brody, Spike, Ralph, and Jack walked further and further away. Simultaneously, David was also watching Brendan through the window. Then, he saw Brendan turn his back to the window as he was going through drawers. This was David big chance to escape. Brendan's back was turned. The keys were still in the ignition. The other four men were becoming further and further away, then turned a corner, as they were heading toward Room 8. David slowly and carefully climbed into the front driver's seat. He took one last look to see if Brendan's back was still turned. At that moment he knew it was now or never. David turned the ignition and started the car. Brendan, then, looked at saw David in the driver's seat of Brody's car. David quick shifted the car into "drive" and swiftly drove away in Brody's car. "Hey!," Brendan yelled. But it was too late. David had already driven away. Brendan ran outside and went to find the four men.
Brendan: "Guys, you gotta come quick! He's getting away!"
Brody: "Who?"
Brendan: "The guy in your car!
Brody: "The guy we told you to watch, you moron?!"
All of them ran to the front of the motel.
Spike: "Bon sang! You left the keys in the ignition?!"
Brody: "Verdammt! We've got to get him! We need your rental car, Mr McGee!"
Brendan: "It looked like he was heading north on First Street East toward Division Street and was about to turn left onto Second Avenue East. Let's go!"
Brody: "Why do YOU want to come along, Brendan? So you mess up some more? Stay here with Ralph and make sure he doesn't go anywhere. Spike. Mr. McGee. I'll drive. Let's go!"
The three of them get into Jack's rental car and quickly headed toward where David had drove off. David, by this time, was was already on Second Avenue East, turning right onto Main Street and continuing onto Kootenia Avenue. He knew he had to get to Amelia before those men got to him.
Jack, Spike, and Brody were on Division Street and were about to turn left onto Second Avenue East.
Jack: "Uh, guys, you may want to slow down. We don't want to be pulled over by the police."
Brody: "Mister? Our fathers ARE the police. No one and nothing in this town can touch us. You'll get your story and we'll get our reward. Just hang on!"
Meanwhile, David arrived at Larry and Janet's house. David quickly pulled over and shifted the car into "park." While the car was still running, David got out of the car and yelled for Amelia.
David: "Amelia! Amelia! It's me: David! Come outside! Hurry!"
Amelia could hear David from inside the house.
Amelia: "David?"
Larry: "Yeah, I think that's your boyfriend out there."
Janet looked outside the front window and saw David standing outside Brody's car.
Janet: "Yeah, it's him. It looks like he's waiting by a car."
Amelia quickly got up from the sofa.
Amelia: "Thank you guys so much for your hospitality. I've got to go."
Janet: "Okay, be careful and good luck."
Amelia: "Thanks. I will."
Amelia ran out the front door.
David: "Amelia!"
Amelia: "David! I'm coming! I'll be right there!"
At that moment, both Amelia and David saw Jack's rental coming closer and closer. To avoid being seen, David quick got back in the car and shut the door. He shifted the car into "drive" and tried to drive away, but accidentally rear-ended a parked car 10 feet ahead of him. Brody came up from behind David and slammed on the brakes, but rear-ended David instead. The pain from being knocked around elicited in anger in David. Then, a surge of strength and power came over David as his eyes went from white to a pale green.
Amelia: "David! No!"
David's muscles began to grow. His shirt split open. His pant tore at the sides and his shoes came right off of his feet.
Brody: "Got your tranquiler darts ready?"
Spike: "You bet I do. Let's get him."
Brody, Spike, and Jack got out of the rental car and started toward Brody's car. Suddenly, they all heard growling.
Brody: "What the hell is that?"
Then, they see the drive's side door get punched right off of its hinges and the Hulk climbed out of Brody's car. The Hulk flexed his muscles and let out a loud roar. "Raaaaaaarrrrh!"
Jack: "My God. After all these months. It's the Hulk."
Brody: "Load your tranquilizer dart gun, Spike. It's time for our reward."
Spike: "Loading it now."
As Spike loading his tranquilizer dart gun, the Hulk tore the front hood of Brody's car off. When Spike shot his tranquilizer dart at the Hulk, the Hulk used the front hood to shield himself from the tranquilizer dart. Spike reloaded. The Hulk threw the front hood at Spike, causing Spike to knock his aim off course when he pulled the trigger and accidentally shot Brody in his left shoulder.
Brody: "Ouch! You idiot!"
Brody immediately began to feel the effects of the tranquilizer dart. Brody fell to his knees and his eyes became heavy.
"Du Schwachkopf!"
A couple of seconds later, Brody fell the rest of the way to the ground and was rendered unconscious. The Hulk walked over to Spike while he was loading his tranquilizer dart gun once again. Once Spike got it loaded, he put it in his right hand to aim it at the Hulk. But before Spike could get his arm fully extended, the Hulk grabbed Spike's right forearm with his left hand. The Hulk pushed Spike's arm closer to him by a about 4 inches. Right then, Spike was looking at the rage in the Hulk's eyes. In fact, the Hulk got Spike so rattled, he shot himself in the left shoulder with the tranquilizer dart gun.
Spike: "Aie! Merde!"
The Hulk took the, then unloaded, tranquilizer dart gun out of Spike's right hand with his right hand. The Hulk, then, let go of Spike's right forearm. Spike dropped to his knees as he began to feel the effects of the tranquilizer dart.
"Au secours!"
The Hulk angrily looked at the tranquilizer dart gun, then used his strength to break it in half and throw the pieces on the ground. Spike immediately began to feel the effects of the tranquilizer dart get stronger as his eyes became heavy.
"Quelqu'un au secours!"
A couple of seconds later, Spike fell the rest of the way to the ground and was rendered unconscious, just like Brody. Amelia and Jack stood there in amazement. The Hulk saw the two of them and, knowing them not to be a treat to him, walk up to both of them. The Hulk let out a few grunts.
Amelia: "It's okay, Mr. McGee. He won't hurt us."
Jack: "I know, Miss Murphy."
Jack stood there intrigued by the Hulk presence, as he looked at him.
"After all these years, I know the Hulk's.tendencies."
Suddenly, the sound of sirens come about in the distance. It is the State Police and the Emergency Medical Service, turning right onto Main Street and continuing onto Kootenia Avenue. The Hulk, then, turned around and ran away, opposite of the sirens. The State Police and the Emergency Medical Service continued to come closer as the Hulk was running away.
"Don't worry."
Amelia looked at Jack. Jack looked back at Amelia.
"Nobody's gonna catch him."
The State Police and the Emergency Medical Service pulled up behind Amelia and Jack as they both watch the Hulk running away in the distance.
______________________________________________________________
2550 Prospect Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Monday, July 26, 1982
4:55 p.m. (MDT)
Brody: "I know it sounds crazy, but Doctor David Banner is alive. I saw his picture on the 7 a.m. News yesterday morning and we recognized him because he saw him a couple of times since Saturday night."
Superintendent Evans: "In the town of Polson?"
Brody: "Yes! He's somehow tied in with that creature that's been seen back and forth across this country."
Superintendent Evans: "According to that report, that creature killed Doctor Banner and one of his colleagues."
Brody: "I know that's what was said, but evidently that's not what happened."
Superintendent Evans: "So, somebody brought Doctor Banner back to life, but not his colleague?"
Brody: "I don't know how it is that Doctor Banner is alive, I just know that he is. He obviously he faked his own death."
Superintendent Evans: "Obviously. Now, was this before or after he stole your car and wrecked it?"
Brody: "I'm serious. He's alive. His girlfriend would be able to tell you all about it."
Superintendent Evans looked through his notes.
Superintendent Evans: "Oh yes, uh Miss Amelia Murphy, the former Super 8 Night Shift Clerk."
Brody: "Yes, her."
Superintendent Evans: "According to HER testimony, she doesn't have a boyfriend."
Brody: "She's lying!"
Superintendent Evans: "Really? Why would she lie?"
Brody: "How would I know? Mister Jack McGee knows she's his boyfriend."
Superintendent Evans: "The investigative reporter from the National Register?"
Brody: "Yes!"
Superintendent Evans: "Mr. McGee confirmed her statement about not having a boyfriend. He also confirmed her testimony of you and your friends trying to gang rape her Saturday night and yesterday afternoon at the Super 8."
Brody: "He's lying!"
Superintendent Evans: "Oh, he's lying, too? Why would HE lie?"
Brody: "I don't know!"
Superintendent Evans: "What about Miss Murphy's former co-worker, Ralph Hooper? Is HE lying, too?"
Brody: "What do you mean?"
Superintendent Evans: "He confirmed both of their stories."
Brody: "Did he mention the creature?"
Superintendent Evans: "Yes, he did, but I'm afraid the creature isn't going to be this perfect scapegoat you think it's going to be. And neither is a dead doctor."
Brody: "He not dead!... Look, talk with my friends. They'll confirm all of my stories. They'll let you know that all of the other stories were lies."
Superintendent Evans: "Oh, we already have."
Brody: "Good."
Superintendent Evans: "No, actually, not so good, Brody. You see, you're quote unquote friends took a plea bargain."
Brody: "What?"
Superintendent Evans: "Yeah. Both of them sold you out for a lesser sentence. They'll get two years, out in six months, than five years probation. You? You'll probably get fifteen years, IF you behave yourself."
Brody tried to keep his composure.
Brody: "You're bluffing."
Superintendent Evans: "I can let you listen to the confession tapes, if you'd like... You say you want the 'Brody Seed' to spread and continue? That's sick, Brody."
Brody: "My father will vouch for my character."
Superintendent Evans: "He already HAS vouched for you character. But, you see, your father's not going to get you out of THIS, no matter how hard he tries. He may have pull in Polson, but not here. Oh, and just so you know: Doctor Banner's dead and the creature has nothing to do with the charges that have been brought against you. . . Do you have anything else you want to add?"
Brody sat angrily quiet for a few second.
Brody: "I want a lawyer."
Superintendent Evans gathered up his notes and files. He stood up from his chair.
Superintendent Evans: "You're entitled to one. And you're going to need one... A good one."
Superintendent Evans turned around, opened the door, and closed it behind him; leaving Brody to sit angrily quiet alone in the interrogation room.
______________________________________________________________
Greyhound Bus Station
49708 US-93
Polson, Montana 59860
Monday, July 26, 1982
5:18 p.m. (MDT)
Jack: "You sure you've got everything?"
Amelia: "Yeah, everything I need. Thanks for escorting me to the the bus station, Mr. McGee."
Jack: "Oh, you're welcome. Do you have any idea what you're going to do now?"
Amelia: "Not really. I'll be all right, though. I'll find myself when the time is right."
Jack: "You know, uh— sometimes people never really lose themselves. You can be driving on the right road, thinking you're not going the right way. Sometimes it takes staying on the road a little longer to find out you're going the right way."
Amelia stood quietly and smiled for a moment.
Amelia: "I'll— give that some thought."
Amelia and Jack shook hands.
"Hey, it looks like you won't be going back to Chicago empty-handed. You have quite a story about all of the clandestine crimes that have been going down in this town."
Jack: "Yeah, I'm sure my editor will be pretty happy."
Amelia and Jack stood quietly for a moment.
Amelia: "Well... Thanks for everything."
Amelia was about to turn around and walk away to get on the bus.
Jack: "Uh, Miss Murphy?"
Amelia looked back at Jack.
"Look, time has taught me that I'm not going to get detailed answer to this, but I still have to ask... Are you sure there isn't anything you can tell me about John Doe?"
Amelia stood silently for yet another moment.
Amelia: "He's a lonely man, Mr. McGee. He a lonely man and a very brave man. All he's looking for his peace without the creature and peace within himself. He's not trying to make your life harder, Mr. McGee. He's just trying to make life simpler for himself. He's deeply saddened by his desolation and all he wants is a chance to live a normal life... Neither of us think that is too much to ask."
Jack also stood silently for yet another moment.
Jack: "Yeah, I— I suppose— I suppose I understand a little... Look, uh— you have a safe trip, okay? Good luck and Godspeed to ya."
Amelia: "Good luck to you, too, Mr. McGee. As we say in Irish, 'Mé guigh le le an cumhacht na Dia ní bheidh tú riamh ghabháil an fear glas. Riamh'."
Jack: "And what does THAT mean?"
Amelia: "Pretty much what you said to me, only in Irish."
Jack: "Oh. Well, — you take care, okay?"
Amelia: "You, too."
Amelia smiled in a sly and duplicitous way, knowing that what she said in Irish was totally different than what she told Jack McGee she said. She, than, hands the bus driver her bus ticket.
Bus Driver: "Okay, thank you."
Amelia stepped into the inside of the bus. She walked about six aisles down, then she sat down in the aisle seat the right side. She sat down beside a man with a brown leather duffle bag. And that man was: — Doctor David Banner. David looked at Amelia and smiled. Amelia looked back at David.
Amelia: "Hey."
David: "Hey."
Amelia: "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
David: "Yes, I believe you do."
Amelia beamed as she and David looked at each other.
"Did you get rid of McGee?"
Amelia: "He's leaving the bus station as we speak."
David: "Do you have everything you need?"
Amelia: "Yep. And now that I'm here, I have everything I want."
Amelia took David's right hand and held it with with her left hand. They both sat and held hands contently. The bus driver got on the bus and closed the door behind him. He sat down in the driver's seat and got on the intercom.
Bus Driver: "All right, folks, the final destination of this line is Cheyenne, Wyoming. I repeat: the final destination of this line is Cheyenne, Wyoming. Please keep all of your conversations to a level that only you can hear. That goes for music as well. We hope you enjoy your trip and thank you for choosing Greyhound."
The bus driver turned the intercom off and started pulling out of the Greyhound bus station. Meanwhile, David was fondly recollecting the ending of the episode: "A Minor Problem," when he and Patty Knowlton was in her yellow Volkswagen.
Patty: "What about the papers?"
David: "Right in your lap."
Patty happily pet the dog that was in her lap.
Patty: "Told you I'd make it."
David: "We're ALL gonna to make it."
They both drove away into the sunset.
As the bus goes down the road, Amelia and David continue to hold hands. Then, the voice of the anchorwoman comes over the sight of the bus going down the road.
"Finally, tonight, we end our 5 p.m. News with an update on the situation with the Hulk. It seems an investigative reporter from the National Register, who was seeking John Doe, had blundered into a corrupted police department. The State Police and local officials have already made numerous arrests accordingly. So far, a Sargent, a Lieutenant, and the Chief of Police have been identified by Internal Affairs and terminated from their positions. The sons of all three of these police officers are now incarcerated, facing prison time, and the entire police department is now under investigation. We will continue to cover that investigation as it unfolds As for the creature? It appears John Doe has left town and the Hulk has escaped once again. Nobody knows John Doe's whereabouts at this time. Where the Hulk will be seen next is anybody's guess. For KCFW-TV (Channel 9) Evening News, I'm Barbara Summer."
Happy 61st birthday to: Amelia Gwenneth Murphy, one of the protagonists of this fan-fiction Incredible Hulk episode. We hope the luck of the Irish is still with you. Lá Breithe Shona Duit and Toilichte Co-Là-Breith!
THE END
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