Mom?
What is it, Danny?
Can I sleep with you?
- I could go. - No, no. He's too old for this.
Let's not play this game tonight, Daniel.
Please?
I feel lonesome.
Like I'm the only person in the whole world.
Go back to bed, honey.
You're up past your bedtime, Daniel Moore.
Daniel?
Hello.
My name is Charlie Manx.
And I understand what it is to feel lonesome.
To feel like you're the only person
in the whole world.
No, no.
Don't fret, my boy.
Those presents will return to you
just as soon as we arrive at Christmasland.
It's a very special place
where every day is Christmas Day and unhappiness is against the law.
Would you like to go there?
I want my mom.
Daniel!
Mom!
Your mother wasn't interested in your games, Daniel Moore.
And she isn't interested in you.
Run! Run!
Just wait till we get to Christmasland.
Everybody loves games there.
Daniel, baby, run!
Vic?
- Oh, my God, hi. - Hi.
I saw your mother...
Yeah. I'm just helping her out for the summer.
Cool.
I could never work with my mother. I think I'd kill her.
Yeah.
Speaking of my mother, where are you applying?
Oh, you know. All over.
You probably get early admissions, you smart bitch.
How's Exeter?
A shit-show.
All AP classes, plus sports and the internship...
My mother will kill herself if I don't get into an Ivy.
Yeah, well, you're real smart so you will.
Man...
Vic McQueen.
Last time I saw you, your dad took me for a ride on his Harley.
Eighth grade graduation. You screamed all the way.
- He drove like a psycho. - Probably, yeah!
- Are you going to Winnipesaukee? - Yeah.
My parents are throwing a party.
You should come. It will be like old times.
- Come. - I don't hear vacuuming.
Oh, Willa.
Sorry, Miss McQueen. Let me get out of your hair.
You should come.
- OK. Bye. - Bye.
You have been such a big help this summer.
Maybe we can keep it up after you graduate.
I know cleaning toilets isn't glamorous but it's steady work.
I make my own hours,
and the money is pretty good, don't you think?
We could go into business together. It would be fun.
Vicky...
You have one year of high school left.
You've got to do something when it's over.
Willa's going to college.
Yeah, but... Willa's parents have money.
Yeah, I know.
Those college kids can't get work these days.
They've got to move back in with their parents.
Your father and I can't support you forever, Vicky.
I know, Ma.
- Get her running? - Yeah!
You know what they say about Harleys.
Yeah. They Harley ever run.
How's the cleaning biz? Keeping an eye on your mom?
I don't understand why people can't clean their own houses.
Mrs Brewster doesn't have a job. What does she even do all day?
I don't know, but it's good she does or we'd be out on the street.
- I paid the mortgage, Linda. - Great!
What about the power, the car insurance, the credit card...
- Yeah, where is the credit card? - My credit card?
Our credit card.
What time did you get in?
Come on, you just got here. You really want to start that?
What? It's a simple question.
I'm not a child, Linda.
Joe.
- What's going on? - Maggie.
You can't be here right now. We've had a break-in.
In Here, Iowa?
Is somebody gunning for Karen's Hummel collection?
- Oh, my God. - I can't let you back there.
- Joe, where's Danny? - He's missing.
He was supposed to come to the library.
I was going to walk him.
Maggie, let us handle it.
We don't know who we're dealing with. Just go to work.
We'll find him.
Go.
You lost the credit card. You lost it, OK?
No, I gave it back to you after we got back from the market.
You lost it at the bar, buying rounds for God-knows-who.
- I was not at the bar. - Bullshit, Chris!
Why did you marry me? You think I'm a moron.
No, Chris, I think you're a fricking drunk.
You lost the credit card, you lunatic. Not me.
You lost it, just the way you lose everything.
You wonder why I can't stand being in this house with you?
This is why, Linda. All this.
God damn you, Chris!
You lost it at the bar, just, like, buying rounds for God-knows-who.
Oh, my God, why did you even marry me if you think I'm such a moron?
I don't think you're a moron. I think you're a drunk.
You lost the credit card, you lunatic. Not me.
You lost it, just the way you lose everything.
Hello.
Who do we have here?
Hey, Maggot.
Hey, Weasel. Take me for a ride?
Not without a helmet. Let's see what you got.
Hey, Mittens. Looking good.
He shit under the bed so Mom threw him out and he took off.
Steve said he's gonna die out here.
Well, you tell Steve every cat dies. Not every cat lives.
When's our next movie night?
Next time you need a babysitter.
You OK? You look weird.
Headache.
It's for you. Feel better.
Thanks, kiddo.
Haley, come on in!
Ma! I'm starved!
- Hey, Brat. - Hey.
- You want any tonic? - No, thanks.
Mom?
Hey, Dad, is Mom lying down?
She's supposed to take me to art class.
I don't know what she's doing.
You know what, Vic...
Your mom and I...
You know, your mom...
I don't want to clean houses with her after I graduate.
There's nothing wrong with cleaning houses. I just...
- She thinks it's all I can do. - That's not true.
I want to go to college.
Good. You should. You're smart.
For art.
You know that I...
I wanted to be a composer when I was your age.
I knew you had that band.
Yeah. Those jerks drank more than they played, but...
But you guys got to go different places, travel...
Yeah, a couple. Boston, New York.
But I...
I thought I was going to music school when I got out of the Service.
It was too expensive?
Your mom got pregnant. I had to get a job.
You know. I couldn't do it.
But you...
You're young and you're brilliant.
And you're unencumbered.
You know, you can make it work.
- Mom says I'm not even... - Your mom is just scared, Brat.
She's lived in Haverhill since the day she was born.
There's a whole world out there.
If you let fear dictate your life, you miss it.
I just got one piece of advice.
Yeah?
Never get married.
- Never, ever... - Ever...
Have any kids.
- Hey, Dad. - Yeah.
You should play more.
Hop on.
You good?
- Matty, how's your father? - He'll be out in a few days.
Good. That's real good. What's up, Molly May?
Hi, Chris.
Craigster, see you on the job tomorrow?
- You got it. - Alright. Good man.
- Brat, love you like a big dog. - Love you.
- What are you, adopted? - Linda got fresh with the mailman.
Nine months later, straight edge here was born.
At least I wasn't scraped out of a stale crack pipe
like you two winners.
I hate this town.
Same.
Bing Partridge, you're about to lose your freaking mind.
- Is it Doctor Incubus? - The very next instalment.
Jeez, I haven't even returned Doctor Boomerang yet.
I guess that makes it Doctor Stick.
That's a lot of doctors.
We've got to get to class. We can't be late.
Let me know what you think.
Trading books with this old fool makes you the nicest girl in school.
Jeez.
Well, it's a pretty low bar at William White, but thanks.
We can't be late, so let's go.
- Bye, Bing. - Bye.
Where is Daniel?
That's a good start.
That's good progress.
The model doesn't inspire you?
I'm sorry.
Beautiful line quality
and interesting composition, as usual.
Mrs Simonson, do you think I could, you know, get into art school?
Work up a portfolio and I think you have a shot at RISD.
RISD's expensive.
Vic, apply for financial aid. Plenty of kids do it.
That reminds me of the Shorter Way Bridge
off of Pitman Street.
I had my first kiss there.
I was devastated when they tore it down.
The covered bridge off Pitman? They tore it down?
- About 15 years ago. - Are you sure?
People thought it was a public hazard.
I guess it probably was. Shame.
You left a real mess back there, Mr Ives.
A real mess.
Dead bodies, one of your infernal syringes,
and worst of all, the boy heard his mother scream.
Terrible trauma for a boy of that age.
I didn't think that the mother would have a man over
in the middle of the night.
You know the sort of parents we're dealing with.
The sort of women...
You're right. I should have anticipated.
Your lack of foresight will be a boon for the local police.
I'm sorry, Mr Manx.
It would be easier to accept your apology
if it were the first time.
But it's becoming a pattern.
No, Mr Ives,
you will not be going with us to Christmasland.
But this kid is the tenth.
I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.
There's a nice list and a naughty list.
Please, Mr Manx. It won't happen again, I promise.
And you've gotten yourself...
on my naughty list.
You killed him.
He was a very bad man.
Bad people ought to be punished.
He hurt my mother, didn't he?
Under no circumstances
could we take him with us to Christmasland.
Not one in a million is allowed in.
Only those who truly deserve it.
Like me.
Like you.
Oh, my God! That's freaky.
These just keep getting better and better.
Yeah, well, I practice a lot because I have no friends.
- Stop. - No, it's true.
Since Willa left for Exeter,
and Craig started getting high all the time and skipping school...
Nobody else likes me at William White because, you know, I read.
- Well... - Well...
So they think I'm weird.
Which I probably am, to be frank.
Beats the hell out of being normal.
Drawing is just...
something I can do by myself, and...
When I'm really into it, when I'm on, like, a roll...
Well, it's like being on a bike.
My teacher says that...
...that one reminds her of the Shorter Way Bridge.
Oh, my God, yeah. Wow.
We used to get into a lot of trouble on that bridge.
You know, I helped demo that bridge when you were a kid.
Felt like I was blowing up my youth.
Are there any other ones like it, out in the woods?
No, not like that.
They don't make them like that anymore.
Alright. Burger...
Burger...
Frappe.
Frappe, frappe...
- There you go. - Thank you.
Who's ready for fireworks? Vicky?
I'm ready.
Look at that.
Oh, a bridge. Very nice, honey.
I'd hate to meet a bear on that bridge.
Her teacher thinks she can get into art school.
I'm sure she could. Is her teacher going to pay for it?
- I could get financial aid. - No, that means loans.
A pile of debt before you're 20? No, Vicky's too smart for that.
Eat up. Let's get to the lake.
Willa invited me to her lake house.
- Can you look after that? - You got it.
- Vicky, the fireworks. - I'll watch them over there.
I thought we were going to watch them...
Linda, she's 18. Let her be with her friends.
- Vic? - What?
You know how to get back?
I could walk there blindfolded, Dad. See you tonight.
Vic McQueen, as I live and breathe!
Hi, Mrs Brewster.
- Willa invited me. - And I was so glad she did.
You're a good egg, Vic.
- Welcome. - Thank you.
Ah, lemonade.
Thank you.
Before I forget...
You lost the credit card!
Not me!
You lost it, just the way you lose everything!
Did Willa find this?
Your mother dropped it. I meant to give it to her.
But we were rushing around, trying to get up here.
- You alright? - Yeah, sorry.
My parents were looking for this.
Willa's over there with the rest of her friends.
- Thank you. Bye. - Have a good time.
Oh, my god, Vic!
- Vic, hi! You came! - Hi.
Hey. Come here.
You guys, this is Vic.
Everybody, this is Vic. We grew up together.
She's my best friend.
- Vodka? - No, thank you.
I thought all Haverhill townies were hopeless alcoholics.
I guess I was wrong.
I thought Exeter kids were douchebags with their heads up their ass.
I guess the jury's still out.
Your shirt.
Is that an Andy Bryant?
Yeah.
It's awesome.
Thanks.
- Good morning, Joe. - Hey, shouldn't you be at work?
- Iowa observes Labor Day weekend. - Great country. Hey, Frank.
Yes. Thank you, organized labor.
Do you know...
if anybody in town drives an old Rolls Royce Wraith?
Anybody?
Maggie, we found a body last night.
Out in Plymouth. Plymouth County.
Peter Ives... A nurse practitioner down in Florida.
Wanted for disappearances all over the country.
We think he killed Karen and her boyfriend.
What about Danny?
I hate to say this, kid, but in these kinds of cases...
it's probably not good.
Well, did Peter Ives own a Rolls-Royce Wraith?
OK, what's with the Wraith?
I think if you find the Wraith, you'll find Danny.
Because my Scrabble tiles told me about it.
Your tiles...
And they have been right before. Mrs Richardson? In the quarry?
OK, you get a gold star for Mrs Richardson.
But we solved this case the old-fashioned way.
Sorry about Danny.
- Can I keep this? - Knock yourself out.
It'll be all over the news tomorrow, anyway.
Wait, I heard a kid got stabbed at William White.
- The last week of school. - Yeah. Joey Ricci.
- What? - Oh, my God.
It's fine.
I showed Joey my underwear when I was four,
and his mom called me a slut.
You are a slut.
You know what? I am kind of a slut, Vic.
Really?
All Exeter girls are. It's on their college apps.
So where are you going to college?
RISD.
I wish I could go to art school.
- So go. - Doctors Butler wouldn't like it.
His parents are doctors.
And they have all the money, so...
What do your parents do?
My mother cleans houses and my father is in demolition.
No, I'm sorry. It's just...
You're obviously smart.
OK.
We just figured your parents were smart, too.
Her parents are smart. I know them. Her mom cleans my house.
I need a glass of water.
Such a boring question. "What do your parents do?"
Yeah, like you could do better.
I absolutely could.
What are you afraid of?
Well...
OK.
I am afraid...
...that my father's gonna leave and I'll live with my mother.
I'm afraid I'll get stuck in Haverhill my whole life.
And most of all, I'm afraid I'm going crazy,
because the other day,
I saw a huge-ass bridge in the middle of the woods
that was apparently demolished years ago.
Sure it was the same bridge?
There's a second covered bridge in the woods by my house?
Maybe it's a ghost.
Maybe you're crazy.
Maybe you're a time traveler.
So is this your idea of fun?
Slumming with the Haverhill townie?
- What? No, I... - I need a glass of water.
- Vic. - Hi. Sorry.
- You enjoying the party? - Yes. Thank you.
The fireworks are gonna be beautiful.
Yeah.
How is your mother?
Because I tried to talk to her this morning,
but she was all business.
That's Linda.
You know...
I donate to a women's shelter in town.
It's an excellent organization.
Very clean.
If your mother feels she's not safe, if you're not safe...
My mother and I are both safe.
Thank you.
Brat! Come here.
There's my girl! Come here, come here...
- Mom. - What?
I have something for you.
It must have dropped out while you were cleaning.
How about that? You see the fireworks?
- Yeah. - Yeah? Weren't they something?
Hey, Brat. You know this one.
Move, Tiffany.
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's alright
Little darling
It's been a long, cold lonely winter
Little darling
It feels like years Since it's been here
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's alright
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's alright
The watch is old.
You said we had everything.
I wanted to leave it here. You insisted that I take it.
I shouldn't have to insist, Chris.
If you cared about it, about me, I wouldn't have to ask.
So what? It's a broken watch.
- I'll check if the maids took it. - So it's the maids' fault?
- You saw the maids. You saw them! - Oh? You're a fricking maid!
- It's different and you know it. - How is it different?
They're illegal, Chris.
They come in here, work for peanuts, and steal to supplement their income.
- Do you hear yourself? - It's true. They steal work from me.
What an ugly person you are. I cannot believe I married you!
Yeah, well I can't believe I had a kid with you,
you drunk, selfish bastard!
Vicky, your father...
He lost his watch.
Vic...
You insisted that I take it.
If you cared about me, I wouldn't have to ask.
It's a broken watch!
What an ugly person you are. I cannot believe I married you!
Well, I can't believe I had a kid with you,
you drunk, selfish bastard!
There you are. I was wondering if you guys would come back.
You know, for the watch.
Oh, thank you. That's my father's.
Cool.
Do you want something to drink? You don't look so good.
I just had a lot of sun.
Tonic? Frappe?
No. Thank you.
Do you see that?
- Yeah. It's real, right? - As a frickin' heart attack.
Vic?
I need to lie down.
I don't feel good.
Your bedtime came long ago...
...and went away with a yawn.
Something is happening to me.
Yes.
Something fun.
It's happening to me, too,
as we dream of Christmasland together in this...
very special car.
How old are you?
Well...
I'll give you a hint.
I'm as old as my nose and even older than my teeth.
You look younger than before.
Don't trouble yourself with thoughts of that, Daniel Moore.
Go back to sleep.
We'll continue our journey in the morning.
Hey... Hey.
Relax, Vic. Relax.
Brat, it's Dad. It's Dad.
OK?
I dreamed there was a man. He was...
He was really scary.
You got a fever. You fainted out by the woods.
You're lucky Haley was there.
You hit Mom?
Too much to drink.
Vodka.
I promise you it will never happen again.
You promised not to drink any more vodka.
Yeah. I'm sorry.
- Listen... - Oh, I found your watch.
Yeah? Where was it?
At Aunt Carrie's. The bridge took me there.
You're sick as a bird, here.
Come on.
Dad...
Listen, your father's a knucklehead.
And your mom is...
a fricking lunatic.
But you can be anything that you want to be in this world.
Don't let anybody stop you or try to tell you different.
Not Mom, not anybody, OK?
OK.
Alright.
- Just don't get married... - And don't have any kids.
I love you, Brat.
I love you too.
How can I find the Wraith?
Mom?
Your father left.
- Where did he go? - I don't know where.
I don't know why. He just left.
I tried so hard to keep him.
I did my best to keep liquor out of the house...
I can't compete with the bar.
And I can't be 24 anymore.
That's how old the last one was.
Don't say that.
I don't know who this one is or why she's so...
- Stop. He'd never... - It's the truth, honey.
If Dad's leaving, I'm going with him.
He doesn't want you with him.
We discussed it, Vic. He didn't leave me, he left us both.
You're wrong.
It's snowing.
It's always snowing on the Saint Nick Parkway.
Are we almost at Christmasland?
Our very next stop.
I'll drop you with the other children before I head out on my errands.
I hate errands.
You'll have none whatsoever in Christmasland.
Only rides and games and fun.
Have you ever played Scissors for the Drifter?
No.
The children will teach you.
And I'll see you again when I return from a faraway place
called Haverhill, Massachusetts.