Episode 10: We All Scream for Ice Cream
Kenny, son, please, don't. This is your dad talking Kenny. Don't eat that.
- Why? - Well.. it's, it's really bad for you.
Nah, it isn't. They say that this is the best ice cream in the whole world.
No, Kenny! No, son!
Son! No! No!
You shouldn't have grounded me.
I scream. You scream.
We all scream. For ice cream.
Well I'm not gonna shovel up a lot of horse puckey about how in the midst of life we are in death.
But we sure lost a good friend in Kent Bafler.
I knew Kent since, uh..
well...
since he was as tall as.. as his son Kenny there.
We had an informal little gang.
I see Layne is with us today.
Called ourselves the West End Bunch.
You know because of the movie, The Wild Bunch.
But time passed while we weren't looking.
Kent got to be a daddy, with kids of his own.
And uh, it just seems to me way too early to be sending him down to meet the earth.
Guess Toot couldn't make it, huh?
I think Toot prefers to drink his respects to the dead.
- That leaves, what? Four of the old bunch? - You're forgetting about Virge Constance...
I wish I could forget that good-for-nothing peckerwood.
He was here. I saw him.
- Still lives here, huh? - He never left.
Damn, it sure got cold fast.
You never should've moved back here.
That should've been you.
Darlene?
It's Ch.. Ch.. Cheery Tyme!
Come on, kids, gather 'round.
You were the first to say my name.
Now you get yours for free!!
The best ice cream in the whole wide world.
- Cheery Tyme! - Cheery Tyme!
- Hey. - Hey.
- You're shitting me. - Who's getting shot?
- Hey. - Hey.
You are warm.
That thing says 72, but it's freezing out.
Maybe you're getting sick, baby.
So, how'd it go?
It went. Kent went to dirt.
- Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! - Hey, boss!
You bring ice cream?
Nope.
- Then where were you? - I was seeing an old friend of mine.
- How's he doing? - He's resting now, boss.
Oh, great. I'm gonna just go and play.
- One more dead soldier. - Oh, Toot.
For fuck sakes Joe, I ain't that drunk yet.
Yeah sure.
God's truth, listen to me.
Now ... Skip was first. Then, Kent.
Skip died in a car crash.
See that's why watching the news just makes you stupider.
Skip Stockwell's car was found, not wrecked,
parked at the curb, with just his clothing inside.
Are you saying there's a possibility that Skip's running around lose, naked?
There's a mental image I don't need..
Well here is something you don't know, smartass.
Did you look in Kent Bafler's casket today?
- No, it was a closed box. - You know why?
Cause all that was left of him to bury was his clothes too.
Now, deep down I suspect there's a point to all this, right?
Yeah, it all happened since Layne was back to town.
- Layne? - Layne!
Yeah?
What?
Toot hasn't changed much, huh?
He tried God once and the AA twice,
and failed three times.
- He.. he's just on you because... - Because I left.
And now I'm back, so, obviously...
I must be the blame for the West End Bunch dying off.
Toot's in no position to be pointing fingers.
It's just bad timing, you know. Skip and Kent and dying like that...
- It's middle age. No mystery. - Says you.
But either way, sure shits all over my idea of having us some half-ass plan for a reunion..
You know ... to welcome you back.
- Here's to Kent. - That's nice and morbid, Joe.
What has Darlene Bailer got against you anyway?
Tell me the truth, old buddy.. You ain't one of them serial killers, are ya?
I hate cereal.
Ok, case closed. You're free to go.
Give Angela a big kiss for me.
You know where.
Not in your wet dreams, old buddy.
Toot?
Can you make sure he gets home okay?
Yeah, I'll have Buck drive him.
I scream.
You scream.
We all scream.
Damn it!
FUCK!
What the hell you doing out here, boss?
Holy shit.. er, Holy cow! It's way past your..
- Hey, does Mom know you're out here? - I don't wanna miss him.
- Miss who, boss? - The man in the truck.
I scream. You scream.
- You scream. - We all scream.
For ice cream.
Where'd you hear that? Where'd you hear that?
I swear to God I don't know what happened, sweety.
He was in bed by 9. I, I must've dozed off or something.
Dozed off?
Well, your son is now sleeping like he's in a coma and he isn't running a fever.
Although I'm not so sure about you, big man.
Oh, God! What if he'd... I don't know what happened...
- I would never do anything to hurt him. - Hey, hey. It's okay. I'm not angry.
I'm.. just rattled. I'm scared to death and I don't like being scared.
Where's Mary-Lynn?
Well your daughter, with her amazing ability to make new friends like the speed of light,
is having a sleepover at some new buddy's house.
Well, we better call and make sure she's okay.
I'll do that.
Here you go, kid.
I scream. You scream.
- Oh, Jesus! Stop the music! - What music?
What I mean, Buck, my young savior, is I think you're gonna have to pull this beast over double quick.
Stop! Stop the car!
Mr. Embry?
Mr. Embry? You okay?
I scream.
Okay. Bed check reveals Marylyn and Agnes all nestled where they're supposed to be,
visions of sugar-plums, all that jazz.
But they all scream for ice cream.
Say again?
Nothing.
It's weird, you know? I saw other kids out there, and it's after midnight.
I'm pretty sure I saw Skip's son.. What's his name? uh..
- Uh, Jeremy. - Right.
Standing out in the yard with uh, Pam Embry in her grandmother's yard?
Yeah, Beth moved her kids out again. Toot's drinking, you know?
I know, thanks.. Got a load of him at Papa Joe's.
And no, I would never get intoxicated enough that I would mow down my own son.
I didn't even think it.
Say, does it um, feel cold to you? All of a sudden?
Leave the glasses on...
I want you to take some.. dictation.
What's the best ice cream in the whole wide world?
It's Cheery Tyme.
Talk now? Or do I tease you some more?
I'm sorry, babe. I just had a.. uh..
weird kind of... I don't know what you would call it.. um..
Flashback. Old stuff.
Not nice stuff. Stuff that doesn't go away.
That's why I didn't want to move back here.
I know. I know.
When you were a kid, did you ever tease other kids?
You know, in a bad way, the way...
...you would regret for the rest of your life?
You mean like, calling kids with glasses "four eyes"?
No, slightly worse.
Kent Baffler, me, Toot, Papa Joe and Skip Stockwell,
we were the West End Bunch.
They say it's the best ice cream in the whole world.
Who says?
Who cares, dude? It Cheery Tyme.
Cheery Tyme?
Well, that's what it's called. Cheery Tyme Ice Cream.
- Why, Layne? - I don't know.
Well, that's what he says. Ch.. Ch.. Cheery Tyme. You'll see, just wait.
- Hey, Big Joe. - Where's the rest of the bunch?
Jerking off..
Alright, boys and girls. Who is ready for Ch.. Cheery Tyme?
- It Cheery Tyme! - Who's ready for some ice cream?
- Yeah! - One, two, three.
Hot Potatoes!
Here! Here! Here!
- I need something to cool me off. - Thanks.
That's better. That's better.
Alright, Who's next? Who's next?
Hey.. I know someone, looks exactly like you. 'Cept his name is Erky.
I am Erky, Buster. You know that!
What?! Let me have a better look.
Are you sure, that you ain't got a t-t-twin b-brother?
Oh my! Oh my!
Everybody! Let's hear a big applause for Erky.
Let's all give him a BIG hand.
Wait a minute. Where's that ice cream?
- What's this? - Wow, he's good. That's funny.
I always wanted to do that.
There it is!
Oh, no. You don't have to pay me.
You were the first to call me by name. So, yours is free.
Free!
Buster was born.. disadvantaged.. as we'd say today.
Look. Kent and Skip are up there. Come on, let's go.
I gotta see this.
But as he got older, you know, he was just savvy enough to drive the truck and sell ice cream.
Until he played the sneaky-heeled game with the Parson's daughter, right?
No. On the contrary, you know?
When Buster put on the makeup and the fake nose, I mean, it was, um..
..like he had found a persona, where noone could tease him.
He was a friend of the kids and they were his.
Any exceptions?
Well, the unofficial gang bully: Virgil Constance.
- Hey, queers! - Oh crap.
- Don't you know ice cream will make you fat? - Shut up, Virge.
- Christ, Virge! Knock it off! - This is stupid.
Come on, let me back, you pussy.
Virge is fighting the crazy squirrel upside his head.
- Ohh, Layne's treat? Gee. Thanks. - Give it back, Virge.
Give it back, Give it back.
Come on over here!
You want it? EAT IT!
Asshole.
- I'd like a drum stick, please. - What? A drum stick?
You do know, that you can not play drums with one of my drum sticks, don't you?
- Here you go! - Thanks.
- Oh, brother. - Alright, who's next? Who's next?
You! You look like a new face. What would you be c-c-called?
- Layne Bannixter, sir. - Sir??¿Sir?!
You don't have to call me sir. I, get to call you sir.
What do you have there? Mister kind sir? Good sir. Layne sir.
What's wrong with this picture?
They say he was born retarded or something.
A retard? Don't eat that shit, Layne.
Retardo the clown probably beat his meat on it.
Blow it out your ass, Virge.
Hey.
Come here. I wanna ask you something.
Got a question, I got, I got an answer.
I-I'm, I'm the answer man. What c-c-c-can I do for you?
What's up with this.. NOSE?
Holy fucking shit! He ain't got no nose!
Hey, he didn't mean it, okay? He's sorry.
Virge! Tell him you're sorry for Christ's sake!
You wet your pants, man.
What happened to Buster?
He died, later.
What happened to the delinquent? What's his name?
Virge.
Virge always had a special kinda hate for me, God knows why.
Kid crap.
Basically, except, now I'm starting to think...
That since we moved back...
Virge has.. decided to mess with us.. The Bunch.
Same shit, different decade.
I swear I saw him at Kent's funeral, you know. It was just for an instant, but..
A showdown? After all this time?
That's sure what it smells like.
Well, you'll just have to work it out in your head.
You'll see an answer. You always do.
No. Don't answer the phone.
I'm here, Joe.
Christ, Layne. I'm sorry to wake you up so late.
Nah, what's up?
- Oh, crap. - It's not crap. No smell.
I hollered after him, but he didn't make a sound.
It don't make no sense for him to go running off buck naked, even if he was drunk, right?
Probably hit his stupid head on a rock
and now we gotta go play "find the inebriate".
- No, I saw somebody else. - Not Toot?
No, it was a big old hair bag. Big guy, scraggly beard, like a hillbilly?
He had crazy eyes. I could see his eyes in the dark.
Virge Constance. Betcha ten.
Next to him shithouse rats have etiquette.
Remember what Toot said about clothes being left behind?
Toot could just be fucking with us.
But then, this is a little complex for him.
Joe, you better call the police.
For what? This isn't a crime. There's no body.
The best we can do is.. vanishment.
We didn't go anywhere and we didn't do anything wrong.
Toby was out in the middle of the road in the middle of the night, and he said..
- I'm not his babysitter!. - I know, honey. You're right, Agnes is.
But why would Agnes.. did you just go out and maybe.. forget?
Mom. Agnes and I didn't go anywhere. We really didn't.
Um, but I did kind of had this dream. It was more like a nightmare.
We did go out, because we wanted to get some dessert.
- But that was stupid, because... - Nobody's open.
- Totally. - Morning.
- Good morning. - Morning.
- Any calls? - Nothing about Toot.
Just some from other...
I'll tell you later.
Sounds bad.
From what Nora Pickton says, a lot of parents just dozed off last night.
And a lot of kids.. wandered.
The little rascals, plotting the overthrow of the parental oppressors,oppre in the dead of night.
Daytime, they're ok. Nighttime...
It's Cheery Tyme.
Is Ch .. Ch. Cheery Tyme. Is Ch .. Ch .. Cheery Tyme.
Ch .. Ch.. Cheery Tyme. Ch .. Ch.. Cheery Tyme.
Toby? Toby! Angela!
Toby! Where you going, boss?
The best ice cream in the whole world.
Marylyn.
Marylyn!
Angela! Angela!
Angela! Take him.
Marylyn! Marylyn!
Marylyn!
Marylyn! Hey.
- No! Let go of me! No! - Marylyn!
The best ice cream...
I scream.
You scream.
Come on! Show yourself goddamnit!
We all scream. For ice cream.
Jesus Christ!
- It's freezing out there. - Not possible.
God, do you think she might be sleepwalking or something?
Marylyn told me that she had this dream and now ...
You got something stuck on your shoe.
What the?
- Goddamnit to hell! - What's going on?
What part of that little guilt-trip story did you not tell me?
It was Virge Constance's idea.
Every time he parks in front of Joe Dinnendahl's house, he never turns the wheels in, like he's supposed to.
- So? - So...
we need a distraction, like in the bank robbery movies.
Buster can't make change for shit. Give him a 5 dollar bill, and he's all confused.
Yeah. Get him to step down. Make change. Then.. you bump him.
Why? T-to steal his ice cream?
No, numbnuts. So he can let go of the brake...
...and watch the truck roll down the hill.
- Watch the freak. Freako! - It'll be awesome!
I can bump him.
This is stupid. I'm outta here.
- I'm outta here too. - No you ain't.
You just got brake duty, asswipe.
Come on, Layne. I'm doing my part.
He's just a.. retarded guy.
- It'll be bitchin! - I'm goin' first!
Just go.
This ain't garbage. Look.
Hey, Buster.
Uh, oh! You were the first to call me by name.
So now you get yours for free!
And your name is K-K-K-Kent.
You're stuttering, asshole.
Hey, B-B-B-B-B-Buster.
Can you m-m-m-make change?
Yeah, sure.
If you look at that president. He sure don't look happy.
He could use some ice cream.
You, just do it!
Now! Do it!
Look, goes in here... Alright, pay attention, it's magic.
And it comes out...
...here!
Do it! Do it! Do it!
Oh my! Oh my!
Do it, you pussy! Come on, do it!
Shit, run!
Oh my!
- Awesome! - Holy shit!
- Layne, what the hell did you do? - Oh, God! You killed him.
So Virgil put you up to it.
It wasn't your fault, you were just a kid.
It was my fault. I did it.
So what? Now¿Virgil is tripping around in a clown suit, playing Pied Piper?
Maybe it's not Virge...
- Oh, now wait just a hot second. - Either way, I need to find him.
Honey, you are starting to sound mildly insane.
Look, I don't know how it works. What I do know is that...
...if you don't watch the kids every minute, they wander.
So I need you to pack up the kids and go to your mother's.
- No. - Just for a day.
- No. - Please, do this.
Go away while you do, what?
Virge?
It's Layne Bannixter.
Pussy boy.
Yeah, I figured you'd show up sooner or later.
- Virge... - Well, well.
You put on some beef since the last time I seen your scrawny ass.
You been to that big bad world outside, haven't you, Layney? And you come back all smarter than everybody and shit.
I wanted a comfortable life. Adult life.
So far it hasn't worked out.
Am I supposed to know what you mean by that?
I was hoping you might.
The West End Bunch, Virge. We're dropping like crane flies.
Too close together to be a coincedence.
- Still you and me. - Papa Joe.
Fat foam bricks.
- Toot Embry. - Toot Embry.
I cornholed that little git. you know that?
I did, I swear to God. I done him and as he squeeled like a little girl...
...never dared say a word 'bout that to nobody.
You come up here to sweet talk me too, Sunshine, huh?
You were in the park yesterday. You saw Toot, you saw what happened.
Fuck you. Says who?
Buck Treadwhite.
Well, now...
And uh.. And.. and what you aim to.. to do 'bout that?
Huh, Layne?
Nothing.
I just want you to tell me what you saw.
It happened.
Fast. Quick!
What were you doing in the park?
Little old girl I meet there sometimes, you know..
She didn't show up, but, on my way I seen this kid...
- Toot's kid. - Here you go.
Eating an ice cream.
Bye bye, boys and girls.
What about Toot?
Well, when I got to the park, seen him in the bushes.
And then he was gone. He was gone Layne, like I said. Quick.
- He ran away? - No, no.. Jesus man, Buster got him.
Buster?
Yeah, B-B-B-Buster, you dumb fuck! Who'd you think?
Buck Treadwhite didn't see Buster Dawkins in Flat Shores Park. He saw you.
Oh don't you get it? You don't get it, do you, numbnuts?
What's the matter? Don't you believe in revengeance? Huh?
It can't be Buster.
Yeah, and he ain't comin' around to collect Papa Joe's big fat ass, and you're neither.
- What about your big fat ass? - I'm safe.
I'm safe, Layne, see. Ain't got me no kids.
Hello? Hello?
Unlike you and Papa Joe.
Ok. So how'd you suppose this happens?
Old Buster's ice cream. He gives it to the kids, see. Only it's different. Special.
Your kid bites it, and you bite the big one.
Shoulda kept your wee-wee in your pants there daddy-o.
- Them kids will be the death of you! - Son of a bitch!
Do you hear that?
We all scream. For ice cream.
You hear that?
Go on kid, get even.
You're still the meanest bastard I ever met.
Ooh. Fightin' words! Angry words!
Except I don't give two shits.. for your body, nor for your soul.
What the...
G-G-Give me a hand there, will ya, Layne?
Layne?
Over here.
What's going on?
I need you to do something for me, for us.
- For the whole family. - What?
I need you to do this without asking any questions, without hesitation, because..
...you trust me.
I want you to take Toby and Marylyn to your mother's house.
I'm asking you again.
- Honey, that's a 4 hour drive. - Please.
- Another one gone. - I checked.
Cheery Tyme Ice Cream hasn't fielded a truck in more than 20 years.
I am open to suggestions as what we can do about it.
Joe, does any of your brood hate you enough to want to kill you?
Joe Lee's my youngest, he wandered too, but I-I grounded him and..
He seemed okay. He understood.
That's not gonna matter if he hears the call tonight.
Nobody's gonna believe your story, you know?
I don't care what nobody believes.
Nobody wasn't standing there when Virge dissolved..
Yeah, like melting ice cream.
Virge doesn't have any kids.
The man bragged about rape! It ain't a stretch to think that one of his wild sperms must've gotten away!
So, it's like a voodoo doll then..
The kids eat ice cream and.. and their parents die.
Christ, Joe. He came for my kids last night.
He missed, so Virge got tagged.
You say Joe Lee was out last night, too.
So what?
I ain't afraid to die.
Listen to me.
He comes out at night. He's cold, frozen.
Did you listen to yourself? You don't fight this kinda thing..
He just.. collects you.
Joe, we have to secure the kids.
- If we... - It won't do any good.
We're all guilty, aren't we?
Us. Not our families.
Looks like you shoulda told her why, old buddy.
Go on. Lock your kids down. Use duct tape if you have to.
We're losing the light.
Why are you still here?
Well, I just thought I'd wait and see if you made more sense after I had my coffee.
But now I'm thinking, I'm not leaving ignorant.
Especially if you're in trouble.
Goddamnit!
They're fighting.
Do you wanna know the truth? Buster Dawkins has come back to kill us.
All the West Side Bunch. Papa Joe and I are the only ones left.
We all scream. For ice cream.
He uses the kids to get us. The grownups, the fathers.
If I'm right, this will be over by morning.
If I'm wrong, I'm crazy.
And either way, I want you and the kids safe.
I love you. But please.. go.. NOW!
Kids, get in the car! Right now!
Are you getting a divorce?
Go!
I scream.
- No! Toby! Marylyn! - You scream.
Oh god, stay in the car!
We all scream.
No!
It's Cheery Tyme.
We all scream for ice cream, Buster.
Go ahead.
Get yourself some sweet revenge, kid.
Goddamnit, Joe! Answer the phone.
I scream. You scream.
We all scream.
Bring it on, you son of a bitch.
For ice cream.
Buster!
Come on out! It's just down to you and me now.
Looks like you're today's special flavor.
Where's Papa Joe?
You wanna see him? You really wanna see him?
Well, your wish is my command.
Here he is.
But, wait.
You been such a good boy, that you get a special treat.
You're fucked, Buster.
They're not here. I sent them far away.
Really?
I scream. You scream.
We all scream. For ice cream.
Who wants ice cream?
I do! Let me go!
I do!
No!
Buster!
Let me go!
Buster!
Buster, I'm sorry.
There isn't a day in my life that I won't be.
I'm sorry. You're sorry.
We're all so sorry.
We did you wrong, and the one thing noone ever did was apologize.
- You're really s-s-sorry? - Yes I am.
You'll never know how much.
But now, it's time for you to go.
You were the first to say my name, so you get this for free!
- What kind of ice cream? - The best ice cream in the whole world!
- You betcha. Here you go! - No!
- No, it's mine! - Marylyn, no!
Alright everybody! It's time for dessert!
Just desserts. What are you waiting for, kids?
Let's all get even.
It's Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Cheery Tyme.
Oh my!
Buster.
Nothing beats home made.
Oh, God.
Where did he go?
Back where he belongs.
I'm gonna miss you, old buddy.
Do we really get to stay in school
a whole extra week because we're moving?
Absolutely. Maybe two.
Come on. Let's get outta here.
I scream. You scream.
We all scream.
For ice cream.