Have You Seen My Son (1996) - full transcript

Morning, Sis!
Morning!

Be back soon.

Hey, Mom. Watch what I can do.
Watch!

Watch how high I can throw it.
Now watch this, watch it.

I missed.
Aw, shoot.

Oops! Sorry, Mom!Hey! Hole in one.

Oh, really?
I didn't even try.

I bet you
didn't even try!
Come here, you!

You're gonna sabotage
my basil!

Come here.
Who's my most
favorite, huh?

I am.You are.



[SIGHS]
Just call me Sisterella.

[CAR HORN HONKING]

MIKE: Hey, kiddo!Daddy!

Hey, short person.

[LAUGHS]
How are you?

ACE: Good.MIKE: Good.

Oh, goodness.

Working as usual, I see.

Oh, yes.
The glamorous life
of an herb farmer.

You're growing like a weed.
What are they doing?
They feeding you plant food?

Yeah.They make you eat
plant food, do they?

Yeah. Yeah.Yeah, I figured
it was that.

Look at this, they
even got you working.Pays my tuition.

Hey!Yeah? What?



You know what?What?

I woke up this morning,
and I said to myself,

"Today is a beautiful day
to go for a ride,
up in the mountains,

"maybe even
spend the night."Yeah!

Mike, he has
school tomorrow.

[SIGHS] Look,
I know it's last minute.

I'm trying to make up
for last week, all right?

We won't go far. I promise.

Please, Mom!

Oh, good grief.

All right,
you'll have him
back by 7:30?

Absolutely.

And you promise
you'll go to sleep early

so you won't be
tired for school?

BOTH: Yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes!

Oh, you guys!ACE: Come on, Mom...

Okay. Come on.
Let's get you packed.

Hey, Lael?Yeah?

All right
if I take the truck?

I'd just feel
more comfortable
having four-wheel-drive

in case it rains.

Yeah. Sure.

I know I haven't been
coming around as much
as I should have.

That's all
gonna change.

I'm turning
over a new leaf.
You'll see.

I hope so.
He really misses you.

Hey, wait a minute!
What are you doing,
you silly thing?

You're only going
for one night.

Isn't it great?
He's taking me
for the whole night.

The whole night?
Here, take your medicine.
Let me pack you.

You're gonna have
so much fun.

Oh, good.
Get your inhaler.

Now,
remember the rules.

And don't use anything
but a...Foam pillow.

Foam pillow, right.
Come on, let's go.

Have a good time, honey.

Seatbelt!Yeah.

MIKE: See you later.
Bye.

[HONKING HORN]

[HORN HONKING]

Go on, Mel.
Ace isn't going today.

MEL: Okay,
Mrs. Pritcher.

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

Catherine, hi, it's Lael.
Have you heard from Mike?

What about?

Well, he took Ace
for the night,

and he promised
to have him back
in time for school.

I haven't heard
from them yet,

and I just thought
maybe, you know,

if something had happened,
he might've called you.

I didn't have anything
to do with it.

Do with...

Mike! Ace!

[GASPS]

Excuse me.

I'll be with you
in just a minute.

Sir, please,
my son's missing.

Since when?Yesterday.
His father took him.

Uh, what is your
marital status, ma'am?

What difference
does it make?

Please, just answer
the question.

I'm legally separated.
The divorce is pending.

And who has
legal custody?

I will, as soon as
there's a custody hearing.

Well, I'm sorry,
but in the eyes
of the law

your husband's
done nothing wrong.

Nothing wrong?
He stole my child!

Legally,
it's his child, too.

But that doesn't mean
he can just take him!

Look, my son
has severe asthma,

and his father
doesn't even know
how to take care of it.

I'm sorry, ma'am.
There's nothing
I can do.

Mr. Stein? Van?

Hi. Lael.
What's up?

Mike took Ace.
And the police are saying

they can't do anything
because I don't have
legal custody yet.

[SIGHS] Mike took Ace?
You're kidding.

He came by yesterday morning
and he wanted to take Ace
for the night.

I even lent him
my truck.

And he promised to have
Ace back in time for school
this morning.

When they didn't show up,
I went by his apartment,
and I found this.

Okay, okay.

[MUMBLING]

Damn.

If only we'd gotten
that custody decree
issued.

We would have
if you hadn't changed
the court date.

If I lose my son
because of this,
I'll never forgive you.

You said there was no
custody dispute,

otherwise I would
have never changed
the court date.

I didn't think
there was gonna be.

Well, you know,
I told you, this is why
I don't do divorces.

People aren't
nice to each other.

[SIGHS]

Where do you think
they might have gone?I have no idea.

You know, he knew
he couldn't get custody,
so he pulls this.

He is a lousy criminal.

Okay, so what do we do?

You said he took
your truck?Right.

All right. This is,
this is... This is
what we're gonna do.

We're gonna...
We're gonna call
the State Police,

and you are gonna tell them
that your truck was
ripped off.

But it wasn't.Well, Mike is a smart guy.

He's gonna try and get out
of the U.S. jurisdiction
as fast as he can.

His best hope is
a run for the border.

If he's heading there,
we gotta stop him now.
It's our only chance.

[PHONE LINE RINGING]

I can't believe
this is happening.

Your truck was stolen.

BORDER GUARD:
Border patrol.

Hello,
I'd like to report
a stolen truck.

Your name, ma'am?My name is Lael Pritcher.

[PHONE RINGING]Hello?

BORDER GUARD:
Border patrol
for Lael Pritcher.

This is she.We've got your husband,
he claims...

He does not have permission,
and he's not my husband.

We're legally separated.

Is my son with him?

Yes.

Oh, please,
I'm begging you.

Don't let them leave
until I get there.

He stole my son,
and he's trying to escape
U.S. jurisdiction.

Please. I'm on my way.

Van Stein.

Hey, border patrol
just called.

Yeah, they've got them.

I'm leaving now.I'll get ready.

Excuse me.
This is Lael Pritcher.
I am her attorney, Van Stein.

We're here to
pick up her son,
Alexander Pritcher.

Can I see some
identification?

Where is my son?

He's right in there, ma'am.

Ace?

Hey, honeybug. Wake up.

Hi, Mom.

You okay?Yeah. I'm okay.

VAN: Guess what?What?

Mike dropped his claim.
He's waiting for us out back.

So Ace can
come with us?

Ace can come with us.

How could
you do this?

He's my son.
I wanna see him
whenever I feel like it.

You already can, Mike.

Half the time
you're supposed to,
you don't even show up.

As usual,
you don't even
understand.

Don't understand what, Mike?

That you were trying
to steal my child?

He's my child, too!

Then why don't you try
considering his feelings
for once.

He's just a little boy.

He doesn't know
what's going on.

This isn't the time.

You're gonna have to
keep a close eye on Ace.

Until we get
the custody decree,

legally we can't keep Mike
from seeing him.

He tried to take him once.
He may try it again.

[BEEPING]

LAEL: And this goes
right to the police?

TECHNICIAN: Sure does.

I'm making
your shirt green.

Oh, good.
I like green.

I'm glad you're home.
I missed you.

Why were you so mad?

Your dad's supposed
to get my permission
before he takes you anywhere,

and he didn't do that.Yes, he did.

No. He had permission to take
you for one night,

but he planned
to keep you longer.

He can't do that
unless he tells me.

He said you don't
like him to see me.

Oh, Ace, honey,
that's not true.

Your dad and I love you
very much,

and we both want
to spend time with you.

There just,
just have to be rules.
You understand?

Can we make popcorn?[LAUGHS]

Yeah, let's make
a whole bunch of it.
Come on.

[VEHICLE DOOR CLOSING]

[GASPS]

[ENGINE STARTING]

Thanks a lot.
I appreciate it.

Have a good day.

[CATHERINE LAUGHING]

VAN: They look
more like a couple
than mother and son.

Hey, there.Hey.

What's her story?

Well, Mike's all she has.

Whatever he wants,
she wants,

and she's very possessive.

So, she's a fruitcake,
and he's a jerk.

Hey, would you like
a cup of tea?

Actually, yeah.
I could have
a cup of tea.

Oh, damn! Sorry.

Uh, I'll have to take
a rain check on that.
So to speak.

But, um, listen,

I'll see you
in two days in court

and then we'll have some tea.

Okay.

LAEL: "Aunt Em had just
come out of the house,

"when she saw Dorothy
running toward her.

"'My darling child,'
she cried, holding
the little girl in her arms.

"'Where in the world
did you come from?'

"'From the Land of Oz,'
said Dorothy,

"'where I met a scarecrow,
a tin woodman, and a lion.'

"'And here is Toto, too!'

"'And oh, Aunt Em..."

BOTH: "'I'm so happy
to be home again!'"

I knew everything
would be okay.

Well, I hope so.
That's the gazillionth time
we've read that.

Do you think there's
really a land of Oz?

I don't know.
What do you think?

I wish there was.
But you know what
I wish most?

What?

That I could have
a dog like Toto.

And he wouldn't make
me lose my breath.

I wish you could, too.

Daddy said I could.

Well, Daddy's wrong.

He said the asthma's
all in my head,

and if you
didn't baby me,
I'd get better.

Then I could have a dog.

We've been through
this before.

When you have asthma,
you have to avoid
certain things.

I'm sorry you can't
have a dog.

Maybe someday
but not now.

Not now.

You go to sleep.All right.

Sweet dreams.

[BARKING]
What was that?

I didn't hear anything.I heard a dog.
Where is that dog?

[BARKING]Where is that dog?

[BARKING]There he is! I got him!
I got him! Woof-woof-woof.

[COUGHING]

Okay, all right. Here.

[COUGHS]

Breathe, honey.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

You okay?

[DIALING]

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?Hi, it's me.

I just made my last delivery,
and I'm coming home.

Van called.
Ace is all yours.

What?It's over.

Mike dropped
his custody request.

You're kidding.

Van got a letter
from Mike's lawyer.

Apparently the hearing
is just a formality.
Mike won't even be there.

I can't... [LAUGHS]

I am cooking
a victory dinner.

Stop off and pick up
some ridiculous dessert.

Okay, I will.
God, it's great.

Tell Ace
I'm on my way home,
all right?

Okay, bye.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[HORN HONKING]

Julie, where's Ace?

You just picked him up
five minutes ago.

That wasn't your truck?No!

No! No, no, no!

I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

VAN: No, no, no.
Come on.

Come on, you got
to have something?

No. I know it takes time,
but it's been a month,
you've given me zilch.

[MAN CHATTERING]

It's the P.I.

How about we try to be
a little more creative

than looking
for a paper trail
because there is none!

No. The guy's
obviously using cash
or he's got a fake ID.

Think basics here.
Like, he likes mountains,
he likes fishing.

I mean, that should
give you something.

Fine. I'll talk
to you Monday.

Oh, man! You know,
I mean, I like computers
as much as the next guy,

but, you know,
sometimes you gotta get out,
you gotta hit the pavement.

[SIGHS]

So, what did
the police say?

Same old thing.

The warrant's still out
for Mike's arrest.
No leads.

They questioned
Catherine again
and they let her go.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

TRANG: Hey, Dad?Yeah?

Oh, I just stopped by
to remind you
the game starts at 4:00.

4:00.And I need five bucks.

I'll give you five bucks.
Hey, come here!

Lael, this is
my son, Trang.

Trang, this is
Lael Pritcher.

Hi, Trang.Hi.

All right,
there's your five.

Huh, come on.Thanks.

See you later!

Okay, um...
Where were we?

The police.

Well, the police are on it,
but we're not
their first priority.

The problem is,
if Mike wants to stay lost,
he can pretty much stay lost.

Unless he does
something stupid
or we get lucky.

How could we get lucky?

Uh, someone could respond
to one of our posters.

Or Mike could
just get tired.

Tired of hiding,
tired of being a daddy
24 hours a day.

I don't think
that's gonna happen.

You never know.

How about you?

How you doing?
You hanging in there?

Trying to.

I never realized
one little boy

could make so much
noise.

Well, it's nothing like
the riot a teenager creates.
[CHUCKLES]

We'll compare notes
in 10 years.
You'll see I'm right.

You'll wish Ace
was little again.

[PHONE RINGING]

[ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS]

Lael, it's Mike.

I need Ace's
medical records.

This stupid doctor
won't prescribe anything
without them.

Just give them to Catherine,
and she'll get them to me.

Wait! Don't hang up!Thanks.

[DIAL TONE DRONES]

[TAPE REWINDING]

Lael, it's Mike.

I need Ace's
medical records.

This stupid doctor
won't prescribe anything
without them.

Just give them to Catherine,
and she'll get them to me.

Thanks.

Lael!

How's Ace?

I'm so glad you stopped by.
We need to talk.

Is he all right?

Come inside.

Lael, have you thought
that there might be an easy
solution to this mess?

Sure. Just tell me
where Ace is
and I'll bring him home.

Suppose you gave Michael
custody of Ace, hmm?

That way they could
come out of hiding.

He and I could raise Ace,
and you could visit him
whenever you want.

I will never ever
give Ace up.

He needs a parent
who loves him,
and Michael loves him.

He's proving that.

By stealing him?

If you don't tell me
where he is right now,

I'm turning this over
to the police.
This is a message from Mike!

Telling you to give me
Ace's medical records.

So go right ahead.
Make that phone call, Lael.

Then Ace will not
get the medicine
that he needs.

Why are you doing this?

You never loved my son.

That's not true!

All you cared about
was Ace!

Well, now
you can't have him.

You're a sick woman,
Catherine.

And I'm not gonna
let you do to Ace
what you did to Mike.

Okay, at 4:00.
Yup, that's right.

We're not open
for lunch yet.

It was you,
wasn't it?

I don't know
what you're talking about.
I have work to do.

If you don't talk to me,
I'm going straight
to the police.

I didn't do
anything wrong.

You kidnapped my son!

I picked him up
for Mike.

And if you had been
a better mother,

this never
would've happened.

Is that what
he told you?

That's what he told me.

Look, my son is sick,
and I need to know
where he is.

Well, where were you
when Ace broke his arm?

I was taking care
of my mother!

Mike didn't even
tell me about it.

That was two years ago.
How do you know about that?

We'd been seeing each other
for a while,

and when Ace got hurt,
Mike asked me to help.

That was at least a year
before we separated.

Look, I'm not proud
that we were going out
behind your back,

but Mike told me
he was gonna leave.

And he did.

The problem
between you wasn't me.

CATHERINE:
Go finish setting up.

Please,
where is my son?

She doesn't
know anything.

You're lying.
You're both lying!

If I were you,
I'd leave.

This isn't over.
Not by a long shot.

Van? I got a call
from Mike... Oh.

Hi. Is your dad here?

He's in court.
He'll be back around 6:00.

Trang, this is
very important.

Would you make sure
your dad gets this
tape tonight?

I need him
to listen to it, okay?

Will you do that for me?

I'll give it to him.

Okay. Thanks.

Lael? Don't worry.
Dad'll find Ace.

He's really smart.

Thanks.

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

Hey, Lael. It's Van.

Did you listen
to the tape?

Yeah, I did.

Well, isn't there some way
we can get the police
to trace Mike's call?

I think that's gonna
be very difficult.

We've got to go
after Catherine.
She's an accomplice.

Catherine?
Catherine threatened me.

She said if
I went to the police,

Ace wouldn't get
his medicine.

Now, what am
I supposed to do?

No, I can't take
that chance.

Well, let's talk about it
over lunch tomorrow.

[SIGHS] No.

Thanks for the offer
but I don't think so.

All right.
Take care of yourself.Okay, I will.

Okay.All right. Bye.

[CHILDREN CHATTERING]

BOY: No, no, no!
It's too high!
I can't get it!

[CHATTERING EXCITEDLY]

Oh, hey. What's up?

I'm here to take you
to lunch.

Oh, okay.

Nothing personal, but, uh,

I'm just not in the mood
for company.

Forget company.
You need to eat.

I'm not interested,
okay?

Not good enough.

[LAUGHS]
I'm not hungry.

Well, you got a half hour
to work up an appetite

because Trang and I
worked all morning to
get this ready for you.

[SIGHS]

You know,
sometimes you make me
really crazy.

Why, thank you.

Hey, Dad! Hey, Lael!
How's it going?

Hey.Hi!

Thanks for inviting
me to lunch.

Better wait
till after you eat
to thank me.

Dad, give me 10 minutes.

All right, but just
10 minutes, huh?
We're hungry.

Okay.

Come on.
I wanna show you
something.

He's a sweet boy.

[LAUGHS] He's the boy
who came to dinner.

Showed up 10 years ago
and never left.

He spent five months at sea

with a hundred others
on a boat built for 20.

It sank.
He was one of six
who made it.

Gosh.
What about his parents?

They drowned, along with
the rest of his family.

I took everyone in, you know,
till we could place them.

He didn't seem
to want to leave.

I never really
had a family,
but it worked out,

so maybe there's some
grand plan after all.

What do you think?

Wow.Yeah. Wow.

They were gonna chop
her up for firewood
when I came along.

You planning to race?

Well, first I gotta
get her to float.
[LAUGHS]

But, yeah,
I was thinking
about it.

You available to crew?

Ah. No water for me.
I can't even swim.

Oh, an hour with me,
you'd be swimming
like a guppy.

VAN: To Trang,

for letting me help make
such a great-looking lunch,

and for doing his chores
this week without me
having to remind him.

To Lael, for finally
accepting our invitation.

To me, for doing my chores
after Trang hounded me
half to death.

And finally,
happy seventh birthday
to Ace.

Wherever you are,
we send you our love.

[CRYING]

Thank you.

When are you gonna stop
coming in here asking me
the same question?

When you
give me an answer.

Well, why don't you
come in during Catherine's
shift and ask her?

Because Catherine will
always side with Mike.

And what makes you
think I won't?

[SIGHS]
I think sooner or later
you're gonna realize

that he's just
stringing you along,
like he did me.

You don't know what
you're talking about.

Mike loves me.

He's gonna send for me.

Hey, if that's
what you want,
I hope you get it.

I just want my son back.

You've gotta stop
coming here.

Look, I don't know
what else to do.

My son means
everything to me.

I've never begged for
anything in my life,
and I'm begging you.

Please, help me.

They're somewhere in Oregon,
and that is all I know.

VAN: Lael?

Yeah, I'm here.

Oh. Hey, I talked
to the police
and the investigator,

and they're on it.Great.

What are you doing?I know Mike.

He loves to fish,
and I know his two
favorite rivers.

Well, that's great.
Listen, I'll pass along
the information.

I just can't sit
around anymore.

Well, why don't you
wait for the weekend?

I'll go with you.I can't wait for
the weekend. Come on.

What about your business?

Julie can make
the deliveries.

Mike sees you,
he'll run.

All right.

I'll take care
of things on this end.

Just promise me
that you'll be careful.

I promise.

I'm gonna find my son.

Excuse me.
Have you seen
this boy?

No, I haven't. Sorry.

[INAUDIBLE]

[INAUDIBLE]

Pretty day.

Yeah. I guess it is.

I'm looking
for my son.

Never had one myself.
Never got married.

How come you're
looking for him?

My ex-husband kidnapped him
after I was awarded custody.

Sorry to hear that.

Yeah, I was really hoping
you'd seen him.

I've been looking for
a long time and, uh,

well, this is just
the kind of place
he loves.

What sort of...
Sort of fella is
your husband?

Now's not
the best time to ask
if you want a fair answer.

Thanks anyway.

Your husband and son
are scheduled

for an all-day trip on
Saturday.

You saw Ace?

Was he all right?
He's got severe asthma.

Well, far as
I could tell.

Can I use your phone?

Yeah. It's on the wall.

[RINGING]

[SIGHS] Van Stein.

OPERATOR:
You have a collect call
from Lael Pritcher.

Um, yeah.
I'll accept the charges.

Lael, hi.

LAEL: Hey,
I've got great news.

I just found out
where Mike and Ace are.

You're kidding.
That's great!

Where are you?I'm in Steveston.

Okay, look,
I'll be out there
around 6:00.

You go check into a motel.
And don't leave the room.

Don't leave the room
for anything.

Remember, if Mike
sees you, he'll run.

I know.
I know he will.
I understand.

Great. Remember,
call me, let me know
where you're staying.

Okay, I will.

Thank you, Mister...

Uh, Solomon.
Just Solomon.

Solomon.
Thanks, Solomon.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

Where have you been?
I've been so worried.

My bike broke down in
the middle of nowhere.

It took a while to fix.

You rode your bike
in this rain?

Listen, I need to warm up,
and then we can fight, okay?

Where's the shower?

It's in there.

Thanks.

Just don't use
my toothbrush.

I sure hope it stops.

Well, we'll just have
to wait and see.

What's the matter?

I think I need
to sit down.

Lael,

when's the last time
you ate?

Oh, I'm not sure.

Did you eat today?

Um, yesterday?

Well, there's nothing open.
We'll get you something
to eat in the morning.

Get in there.
Come on. Get in bed.

Okay.

[SIGHS]

Unbelievable.

Now, look. We'll just talk about
everything tomorrow, all right?

Now, I'm gonna sleep
here tonight. Okay?

There's nobody in the office.
I'm too tired to go looking
for another room.

I guarantee

I've got nothing on
my mind but sleep.

All right?

All right.

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?Hi, it's Solomon.
They canceled. I'm sorry.

Thanks.

What? What happened?

[SOBBING]
Mike canceled.

Maybe he'll reschedule.

But when?

This is driving me nuts!

Ace is here,
it's a small town.

He could be in the room
next door.

It's time to turn it
over to the police.

They don't do anything.

You said it yourself.
It's a small town.

They ask a couple
of questions, bingo!

They know where
the strangers are.

[SIGHS] Look,

I've got a court date
I've gotta be back for.

Why don't we go home,
we'll regroup,

we'll come back
in a couple of days.

I'm not leaving.

I can't leave you
here by yourself.
It's too depressing.

The grade school is doing
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"
tonight.

If Ace has seen the poster,
he'll be there.

I hope.

All right.

"The Scarecrow,
the Tin Woodman
and the Lion

"thanked the Good Witch
for her kindness.

"Then it was
Dorothy's turn.

"'You are as good
as you are beautiful,

"'but you have not yet
told me how to get back
to Kansas.'

"'Your silver shoes
will carry you there,'
replied Glinda.

"'If I had known their power,
you could have gone back
the very first day.'

"'But then I would not
have had my wonderful brains,'
cried the Scarecrow.

"'And I should not have
had my lovely heart.'

"'And I would've
been a coward forever,'
declared the Lion.

"'And no beast
in the forest[BARKING]

"'would've had a good
word to say to me.'

"Dorothy looks
at her friends.

"'I'm glad I was
of use to you,

"'but now that
each of you have
what you most desired,

"'I think I should
like to go back.'"

"'Take me home to
Aunt Em in Kansas.'"

"Aunt Em had just come out
of the house when she saw
Dorothy running toward her.

"'My darling child!'
she cried, holding
the little girl in her arms.

"'Where in the world
did you come from?'

"'From the Land of Oz,'
said Dorothy,[BARKING]

'where I met a tin woodman,
a scarecrow, and a lion.

'And here is Toto, too.

'And, oh, Aunt Em,
I'm so happy
to be home again!"

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

Excuse me. Hello.

WOMAN: Stop her!

[ALL CLAMORING]

Stop her!

Oh, my God!That's my son!
That's my son!

That's our daughter.

I'm... I'm so sorry.
I thought that was
Ace in there.

I thought it was
my little boy...

Bill, just call the cops.
Lady tried to take our kid.

Okay. Come on.

Oh, my God.

MR. McQUINN:
The lady just grabbed her!

LAEL: I've already told you,
I'm not a child molester.

I was looking for my son,
and I made a terrible mistake.

It's pretty hard to
mistake a girl for a boy.

But she was
wearing a costume.

I got a call about you
yesterday morning
from a man

claiming to be
your lawyer.

He said that your ex-husband
had your son around
here somewhere.

Well, then, you know
I'm telling the truth.
Why didn't you say so?

You tried to kidnap
a child last night.

Look, would you please
just try my lawyer
one more time?

I told you,
there's no answer.

Bring them in.

Is this the woman you saw
trying to take your child?

Yes, sir.Yes, yes, it is.

BECK: Are you ready
to press charges?

Yes.

Look, I'm really sorry

about what happened
last night.

You see, I've been
searching for my little boy
for a very long time.

And Toto's his
favorite character.

So when I saw
your little girl's hair
up under that costume,

I guess
I wanted so much
for it to be Ace,

I just decided it was.

I'm so sorry
I frightened
your little girl.

And I'm sorry
I frightened you.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Who is it?Van!

Hi.Hi.

Can I come in?Oh, sure.

What are you
doing here?

How many times
do I have to tell you,
I'm worried about you.

What about work?

I got someone to cover for me.
I wanted to be here.

So, tell me what
happened at the play.
Did you see Ace?

[SIGHS] You're not gonna
believe what happened.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Who's there?

Solomon.

Hi, Solomon.

Uh, hope I'm not
bothering you.

No. Not at all.
Come in.

Solomon, this is Van Stein,
the lawyer I told you about.

Ah, pleased to...
Pleased to meet you.Pleased to meet you.

Uh, it's probably nothing,
but I thought I should
tell you.

A good friend of mine,
a doctor, he said
he's been treating a boy

with the worst case of
asthma he's ever seen.

Now, you said
your son had it,
so I asked who it was,

and he said I wouldn't know

because he and his father
were new to the area.

You wanna check it out?
They're at the Roadway Cabins.

That's just half a mile
up the road.

Oh, Solomon!
Thanks so much.

I hope it's him.

Thank you.

Bye.Bye.

It's gotta be them.

Well, we'll sure
as hell find out.

Sheriff Beck, please.

Oh, hey,
wait, wait, no!
Hang up.

We've gotta be real sure
before we call him.

Well, that's his job,
to find out.

He thinks I'm
a child molester.

Say what?I went to the play
last night,

and I was so sure
it was Ace up there
dressed like Toto,

so I tried to get him
to leave with me,

and it turned out
it was a little girl.

They thought I was
trying to kidnap her.

So I was arrested
and spent the night
in jail.

[CHUCKLES] Ouch.

Well, I guess
you're right.

We better be very
sure before we call
the good sheriff.

Yeah.

[SIGHS]

What kind of guy
would do something
like this?

Well, what did you
see in him anyway?

Believe it or not,
he used to be
a nice guy.

I don't know what happened.
After we got married,
he just...

[SIGHS]

Nothing was ever
good enough.

I wasn't smart enough.

Well, I hope you
didn't believe him,

because you are
the most interesting,

attractive,

herb gardener
I ever met.

[LAUGHING]

Well, you're not
so bad yourself.

No?No.

[COUGHING]

[CONTINUES COUGHING]

Van, it's Ace.
It's Ace, right there.Where?

You sure?Yes, I'm sure.

His hair's
a little darker,
but it's him.

Wait, now, wait a minute.
You're sure?

Yes, I'm sure!

All right, come on.
Let's go.

This is ridiculous.
Mike could be gone by now.

Excuse me!
We've been waiting
almost an hour.

Why do we even
need them?

Calm down.
It's called due process.

Let's just go.BECK: Sorry.

We got a four-car
pileup on the highway.

Is this about
the other night?

As I told you,
Ms. Pritcher's ex-husband
kidnapped their son.

Now, this is
a Superior Court order

awarding custody
of the child to her.

We've located them
at the Roadside Cabins.

I'd like to have
the boy picked up now.

I... I don't suppose
this can wait till tomorrow?No.

This guy is slippery.
He went so far underground,
we couldn't get a trace.

If we screw this up,
and he gets away again,

we're not gonna get
another chance.

[SIGHS]

I need a unit.
Cut Wilson loose

and have him call me
for instructions.

Van Stein?

Yeah. This is
Lael Pritcher.

We've met.
Which cabin?

The second one
in from the left.

I'll be right back.

Jerk.

VAN: What's he doing?

He's driving right
up to the door.

This guy's an idiot.
Come on.

I'm surprised you didn't
use your siren.

LAEL:
Let's go, let's go.

Police! Open up!

Can't you just
break the door down?

Open up!I know they're in there.

Excuse me.

Open up, bastard!
[GRUNTS]

Ace? Ace?

Ace?

Ace!

Look!
They're on a raft!

Call the Sheriff!
Tell him we need
a helicopter or something!

We don't have one.
State does, but it'd take
hours to get here.

Uh, do you have a boat?

Solomon!

Tell Beck
they're on the river.

LAEL: How far
does the river go?

Three and a half miles

to the Columbia.

Do you think
we can catch them?

I can't say. They may
have put to the shore
and gone up the highway.

Well, if they didn't,
do you think we can?

Well, they don't
know the currents,

which turnouts to avoid.

Maybe we can.

Is that them?

No.

SOLOMON: Hold on.

There they are
at 10 o'clock!

SOLOMON: Oh, no!

Tell them they're taking
the wrong fork.

Mike! Mike!
You're going
the wrong way!

What's over there?

Some pretty bad rapids.

VAN: Mike!

Mike!

VAN: That them?LAEL: Oh, my God!

SOLOMON: I think so.

No. Ace!

Lael!
What are you doing?

Lael!

Help.

DOCTOR: I put her on IV.

[WOMEN CHATTERING]

SOLOMON: Hi, I'm looking
for Lael Pritcher.

She's just across the hall.Okay, thanks.

WOMAN ON PA:
Doctor Lawrence
with Pediatrics.

Doctor Lawrence.

The owner of a blue sedan
parked near
the Admitting entrance.

Please remove your vehicle.

[SIGHS]

[GROANS]

Van,

where's Ace?

Um...

They never found him.

But that was their boat?

Yeah.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Excuse me.

Um, this isn't
a very good time.

Well, maybe better
than you think.

The police been
dragging the river,

and they came up
with nothing, but...

they did find
a set of tracks.

Right downstream
from the raft.

It was a single set,
a man's.

Well, he could've
been carrying the boy.

We are back.
I'm Sally Jenkins,

and this is
"The Morning Show."

Now, we've been talking
to Lael Pritcher,

a local woman

whose son was stolen
by her husband
over a year ago.

She recently found them in
Oregon, but they disappeared.

Since then she's had
no new leads.

Alright, caller,
you're on the air.

Hello, Lael?
Yes, hi.

I don't understand
how your husband
could just disappear.

I mean,
he has to work,

and your son's
in school somewhere.

Can't you trace them
that way?

We've tried everything,
but nothing's turned up.

The reason
I'm here today
is because...

Well, I think
the only way
I'm gonna find him

is if someone
who's seen him
calls me.

What would you
say to that person
to get them to call?

If you know
where my son is,

please help me.

He's only seven years old,

and he has
severe asthma.

He's supposed to
have shots to control it,

but I don't think
he's getting them.

I don't know how long
he'll make it without them.

He needs to be home
so I can take care
of him.

I'm sure he wonders
where I am.

I didn't even
get a chance
to say goodbye.

As much as
he needs me,

the truth is I don't know
what to do without him.

I heard you
on the radio.

It's over between
me and Mike.

He, uh, got a message
to me through Catherine.

I guess I served
my purpose.

Anyway, um,

for what it's worth,
Catherine quit.

She's, um,
going on a trip

but she won't
say where.

We're, um, we're giving her
a party tonight at the inn.

I don't know
if this helps,

but I thought
you should know.

JOHNSON:
Unless you can show
probable cause,

a judge won't issue
a search warrant.

Now, we investigated her,

she came out clean.
I'm sorry.

But after tonight,
she's gone.

I'm sorry.

[SIGHS]

[ALARM BLARING]

[SIRENS BLARING]

OFFICER: Hey, Sarge,
I've got the back
of the house covered.

Halt!

Mrs. Pritcher.

Mrs. Pritcher!

[PANTING]

The police are
looking for me.

I just broke into
Catherine's house.

Look, I found out
she's leaving tomorrow,

and I know she's on
her way to see Mike,

so I thought I might find
an airline ticket or something

But look, I found these
pictures of Ace.

Are you out
of your mind?

Why didn't
you call me?

Because I didn't
want to ask you to
break the law with me.

Lael, we're gonna
find Ace,

but we can't do it
with you in jail.

[SIGHING] Oh, look...

Let me look at those.

Oh. That RV has
an Arizona plate.

That's good. Our investigator
can find out who it belongs to.

Maybe the owner
can help us.
Okay.

Let's see
some more here.

VAN: What's that word?
What's that say?

That's Spanish for
butcher shop.

So they're in Mexico.

Okay. Now...

We'll just figure
all this out tomorrow,

including what
we're gonna
tell the police.

If we're lucky,
maybe Catherine
won't press charges.

In the meantime,
I don't think
you can go home.

Might as well just
stay here, okay?
Come on.

LAEL: Hi.
Hi, Lael.

VAN: Just keep working.
I'll be right back.

Yikes. [CHUCKLES]

This room's a mess.
I really haven't had

a guest here in a while.That's okay.

You know, you could get
in a lot of trouble for this.

Well, I'm already in
a lot of trouble.

[DOOR OPENING]

TRANG: Dad,
you almost done?

Uh, yeah. Almost done.

We're doing my calculus.

Well, then, you two
better get back to work.

See you tomorrow.
Okay.

I think
I'm gonna turn in.

Yeah, well,
I'm gonna get
that P.I. working,

and tomorrow
we're gonna go
talk to the police.

I can't take a chance
that they'll arrest me.

Not when we're so close.

Lael, you found us
the lead that
we're looking for,

but you broke the law.

Now we have to
deal with that.

Hey, you did good,
all right?Mmm-hmm.

We'll talk tomorrow,
all right?

Get some rest.

[DOOR CLOSING]

Yes, sir.

[OFFICERS CHATTERING]

[GRUNTS]

[PHONE LINE RINGING]

MRS. HOLLING: Hello?

Is this
the Holling residence?

Yes, it is.

Was your RV
recently in Mexico?

Yes. Are you from
the insurance company?

Where in Mexico?

Near our summer home.
Who is this?

It's a long story,
Mrs. Holling.

I tracked you down
by the license plate
on your RV.

I'm looking for my son.

The doctor saw
so many children.

Was he American?

The doctor?

Yes, he is American.

His name is
Alexander Pritcher.
He's seven years old.

There weren't
too many Americans...

I don't remember
an Alexander.

We call him Ace.

Ace? Yes!
His father brought him
to the clinic in Mesa...

Mesa? Mesa, what?

Look, the doctor did
everything he could.
It's not his fault.

What are you talking about?
What do you mean?

DR. HOLLING:
This is Dr. Holling.

We have nothing
more to say.

[DIAL TONE DRONES]

[CHATTERING IN SPANISH]

Hotel, senora?

Hotel?

Si,hotel.

[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]

Um...

Hotel!

Okay.

Thank you.[THANKS IN SPANISH]

[LUIS GREETS
IN SPANISH]

Do you have a room?

Ah, Americana.

Eh, Hotel Mesa Tres Rios
welcomes you.

I am Luis.

I'm really hungry.
Do you have a restaurant?

Oh, I'm sorry, senorita,
it no open.

Chubasco close
everything but us.

I bring food to you.

What's a chubasco?

[EXCLAIMS IN SPANISH]
Bad storm.

I'm looking
for my son.

Have you seen him?

Um, no.

I'm willing to pay
for information.

Maybe you could
ask around for me.

I ask
and maybe we find.

Room number two.

I bring food.

Okay.

Uh, senora Pritcher?

Pritcher. Thank you.

[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]

[SIGHS]

[WOMAN SOBBING]

[WOMAN SPEAKING SPANISH]

[BLESSING IN SPANISH]

[GREETING IN SPANISH]Hi.

I've been
all over this town.
Where is everybody?

Where are the children?

I told you. Chubasco.

Before,
many people here.

All gone now.Why?

After the storm,
sickness, cholera.
It got into the water.

A hundred children died.

A hundred children?

Yes.
Many adults as well.

The others, all gone.

I ask about your son.

Nobody knows anything.

But I find out some
Americans are here
over in Agua Dulce.

Where is that?

It's not far. By car.

Well, can you tell me
how to get there?Ah, no, no, no.

You don't want to go
there by yourself.
It's a little too dangerous.

You wait.
I find out some more.

Okay. Thanks.

[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR][GASPS]

Senora Pritcher!
Senora Pritcher!
It's Luis, the manager!

Yes?

You must go
in the morning
to policia.

You must go.Why? Who says?

Chief Hernan.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

[GREETS IN SPANISH]

Senora Pritcher.
Thank you for coming.

Sure.Please.

I hear you look
for your son.

Yes, I am.
Do you know
anything?

First you tell me
the facts.

Well, I have
an official court decree

awarding custody of my son,
Alexander, to me.

My ex-husband,
Michael Pritcher,
kidnapped him,

and I have good reason
to believe that he's here

in Mesa Tres Rios
near Agua Dulce.

I will go to Agua Dulce.

But first a judge
must come from Chabora
to review the matter.

But they could be
gone by then.

You know what?
I'll take the papers
to Chabora myself

and have them
signed there.

No.

The law says
the judge must try
the matter here.

[SIGHS] Look,
if my ex-husband

thinks something's
going on, he'll run.

I will look
into this matter.
Do not worry.

Just how far
is Agua Dulce?

You will not go there.

I will investigate.

You will do nothing.

Do you understand?

Yes, sir.
I understand.

[DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING]

Could you
pull over there?

Stop.

Hello.

[GREETS IN SPANISH]

Do you speak English?

No.

[ATTEMPTING TO SPEAK SPANISH]

A list?

[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]

[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]

Thank you.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Oh, no. No.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]No, gracias.

The hotel, please.

No. Take me
to the cemetery.

No, senora.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Please. My son.

I have to know.

[SIGHS]

[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Your children?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I don't get it.
I do everything
just like she does.

Guess I got
a killer thumb.

They must miss her.

You heard anything?

[SPEAKING SPANISH]Thank you.

Jefe.Luis.

The American
in Agua Dulce
has a yellow car.

He's there two months.That's him!

Is my son with him?I could not find out.

You ignore what I say.

So you will go to your room
and stay there until
the judge arrives. Now.

You can't do that.
I have rights.
You can't stop me...

Not here! Not unless
I give them to you.

Consider yourself
under house arrest.

[CAR ENGINE STARTING]

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

But the cemetery
is south.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you very much.[THANKS IN SPANISH]

No.

No!

[HORN HONKING]

Come on!

Move it!

Why?

You killed my child,
you son of a bitch!

Lael, wait...Shut up!

Catherine,
get out of the car!

Now!

Get out!

Lael...Come down here.

Lael, I think
we need to talk.

No, we don't.

Come on, Lael.
We can work this...

Lie down!
Both of you! Now!

You killed my son.
Now I'm gonna kill you.

Lael, look in the car.

Shut up!Please!

CATHERINE:
In the car, Lael.

Ace? Oh! Ace!

Oh, sweetheart.

[SOBBING]

Are you okay?
Ace, it's Mommy.

No. Please don't
hurt me.

Ace, I would never
hurt you.

Is that what
they told you?
Oh, baby.

Oh, sweetheart.

Oh, come on. Come on.

[GASPS]

[GASPS]

Ace. Honey,
I'll be right back.
I'll be right back.

[ACE COUGHS]

[PHONE RINGS]

HERNAN: Hernan.

[MAN SPEAKING SPANISH
ON PHONE]

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

[MAN SPEAKING SPANISH]

La pistola?

[MAN SPEAKING SPANISH]

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Ace, honey.
I've got your medicine.

Just hold on.

Okay, okay.
Remember how we
do it? Ready?

Deep breath.
One, two, three.

[OFFICERS SHOUTING IN SPANISH]

[SIRENS WAILING]

Leave us alone!

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Go away or I'll shoot.

Quiero... Help.

I mean it!

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

El boy.
Temo. Help, senora.

He's in the front.

[ALL SPEAKING SPANISH]

Miguel!

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Senora, I take you north.

You'll take us
to the border?[AGREES IN SPANISH]

Sasabe.

We must go now.

Yeah! That's great!

Temo, will you
do me a favor?

This is very important.

Could you call
this number, telefono,

and tell them that I'll
be in Sasabe tomorrow?

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Okay? And here...

Let me give
you some money
for gas. Okay?

Is that enough?

Okay?

We must go now.

[MAN SPEAKING SPANISH]

Temo, I want you
to have this.Oh, no!

No, no, please.
I appreciate so much.

Thank you.

[SIRENS WAILING]

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Ace? Come on, honey,
we've gotta hurry.

Come on.
Temo's gonna help you.

Thank you.

[COUGHS]Oh.

[COUGHING]

Who's my most
absolute favorite?

I am.

I always knew
you loved me, Mom.

[BRAKES SQUEALING]

Ace.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

[WHEEZING]

Come on. Let's go.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

I don't understand.

Sasabe.

Thank you.

Now come on, honey.

[SIREN WAILING]

Ace, I love you so much.
You know that, right?

Yeah.

[ALL SPEAKING SPANISH]

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Next.
Step forward, ma'am.

How long you been
in Mexico, ma'am?

Uh, my car broke down.

I asked you how long
you've been in Mexico.

Oh. Three days.
I was visiting
my husband.

What's wrong with him?

Oh, um...

Oh, he ate everything
that wouldn't eat him.

Thank you. Next.

Van?

Lael!

Van!Oh, Lael.

Oh, God, it's good
to see you.

VAN: Ace, how are you?

LAEL: He's not
doing too good.

VAN: Come on.
Let's get you
out of here.

[ROARING]