Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990): Season 1, Episode 10 - A Children's Story - full transcript

Catherine learns that the city's model foster home for children is hiding a dark secret.

This is where the wealthy
and the powerful rule.

It is her world,

a world apart from mine.

Her name...

is Catherine.

From the moment I saw her,
she captured my heart...

with her beauty,

her warmth and her courage.

I knew then, as I know now,

she would change my life...

forever.



He comes from a secret place,

far below the city streets.

Hiding his face from strangers,
safe from hate and harm.

He brought me there
to save my life.

And now, wherever I go,

he is with me in spirit,

for we have a bond stronger
than friendship or love.

And although
we cannot be together,

we will never, ever be apart.

They're going to find you.
Come on.

Get away!

Follow me. Hurry.

Come on.

There.
Yeah.



He's here somewhere.

Who are those guys
chasing you?

They're from Riddley.

Riddley?

The foster home,
Riddley Hall.

They whack you and pretend
they're helping you.

It's a slime pit.

They catch me, I'm dead meat.

What do you mean?

Kids even disappear.

Disappear?

That's what they're
trying to do to me.

Think they're gone?

I don't know.

Hey, where you going?

Far away from Riddley.

Let me go!

Shut up!
Let me go!

Let me go!

You see, at this point,

the wall appears solid,

but when pressure
is applied here,

it swings inward.

Good. Good.

We can't be too cautious.

Now how soon can we
get this in place?

The stones are being cut.

Ah, Kipper.

You're late
for your lesson.

I know.
I'm sorry.

What's Father
teaching you, now?

Chess.

Training another
student to beat you?

Mm?

No, no.

To beat you.

Ah.

Eh?

Oh, Kipper takes
this game

very seriously.

Kipper, what's
troubling you?

Something that happened.

Tell me.

This kid was being chased
and I helped him hide.

Who was chasing him?

Two men from the place

called Riddley.

Riddley?

It's a foster home.

He said bad things happen there.

Kids got whacked.

Kids even disappeared.

I wanted to bring
him down here.

I wish I could have.

What happened to this boy?

The men grabbed him,
they dragged him away.

Kipper, do you think this boy
was telling the truth?

Hmm.

Vincent.

Are you well?
Yes.

I've missed you so much.

Are you well?

I hadn't heard from you.

Something's wrong.

What is it?

When I see
you, Catherine,

I'm filled with a
happiness sweeter than

anything I've ever known.

And at the same time,

I'm reminded of a life
that can never be.

And I feel great pain.

I know.

So do I.

Vincent...

what will we do?

The only thing
we can do...

... and endure the pain

and savor every moment
of the joy.

We don't have
much time, Catherine.

I need to tell you
something very important.

The children below speak
of a place called Riddley.

Riddley Hall?
The foster home?

Yes.

It's supposed to be
a very good one.

No, Catherine. Children
are being hurt there.

Are you sure?

I believe they are.

These children have no one
to protect them.

We can't let them hurt
the helpless ones.

They must be made
to feel safe.

How can this be,
how can this happen?

If children are being
abused in this place,

I can stop it.

I'll look into it.

Right away.

Be careful, Catherine.

An anonymous tip?

Someone reliable
with access to information.

Riddley's supposed
to be a model place.

One of the good ones.

Supposed to be?

Look, I can't have
you snooping around

some foster home
right now.

I'm already juggling
seven cases,

all going to trial,

and I'm going to need you
on the Talsky case.

Talsky case, Joe?
It's all routine.

Joe, you don't need me
on that anymore.

It's all paperwork from here.

Cathy, we go
to trial next week.

There's going
to be press coverage.

I'm going
to need you there

to keep an eye
on the witnesses.

It's all routine.
I could do it in my sleep.

Yeah?
In your sleep?

Your bed that big?

Knock it off.

Joe, this is important.

I wouldn't be asking
if it wasn't.

I've got good reason to believe
there are serious problems

at Riddley Hall.

We're talking about kids, Joe.

Do you hear me? It can't wait.

Radcliffe, do I hear your
biological alarm ringing?

I need to check it out.

All right. Okay, fine.

Go check it out,
but make it fast, okay?

You know, you're
not working

with your father's
cushy law firm anymore.

We've got plenty of work
to do right here.

Okay,

Thank you.

Okay.

Hey...

Buddy of mine in undercover

said he saw you walking
in the park last night.

Have you lost your mind?

Just out for some fresh air.

Can I help you?

Yes. I'm Catherine Chandler,

with the District
Attorney's office.

Oh. What can we do for you?

I would like to have
a look around.

Do you have
an appointment?

No, I don't.

Let me see if Mr. Barnes
is able to see you.

That's all right.

If you'd like a tour
of the facilities,

I'd be glad
to show you around.

I'm Richard Barnes,
the administrator.

Catherine Chandler.

Why don't we
start upstairs.

So, you're with the District
Attorney's office.

That's right.

What brings you here,
Ms. Chandler?

Well, we're making a survey

of the city's foster
care systems.

Well, we truly try to do
the best we can

for the children.

You've got
a good reputation.

As I said, we try.

This is a typical
dorm room.

Everything clean,
in order.

We stress that.

I can see.

Well, um, I'd like
to see a classroom.

Oh, certainly.
Right this way.

Good morning,
Mr. Barnes.

I guess you could say
we run a tight ship.

It looks that way.

They're remarkably
well-behaved.

How do you do it?

Structure. We give
them structure.

Now, shall we
go elsewhere?

I think kids need a
sense of structure.

You know, especially
these kids.

Hello.

Let me show you
the play area.

You know,
I'd like to talk

to a few
of the children.

All right. I'll get
some of them together.

No, I could just walk
around for a few minutes.

You don't mind?

Well, of course
not. You know...

Ms. Chandler,
we're not perfect,

but compared to the
squalor and depravity

that some of these
kids come from...

Riddley's a
positive force.

Thank you for the tour,
Mr. Barnes.
No problem.

Keep an eye on
her, will you?

Hi.

What's your dolly's name?

Suzie.

Where does Suzie live?

Does Suzie live here with you?

No, she lives
with her mommy and daddy

and little sister,

but she comes here to
play with me sometimes.

Does she have fun
when she comes here?

You know, I'm not supposed
to talk to strangers.

What?

Did you want to
tell me something?

They took Peter.

He didn't run away.
They took him.

Who? What do you mean?

They made him disappear.

Okay, let's start over.

What's your name?

Eric.

Are you crazy?

Come on.

Wait.
She's my sister.

What's your last name?

Shut up, Eric.

No, I don't have his last name.

His first name is Eric.

No. I can't go out there.

I've been out there,
that's the point.

I want to talk to him
away from Riddley Hall.

Well, when can I get
the transfer order?

Tomorrow? Could I talk
to your supervisor?

And when will
she be back?

All right. Tomorrow
morning, first thing.

I'll be there
to pick it up.

Bureaucracy in action.

The rule's designed
to protect the child
from being moved

are the same rules
that prevent the child
from being moved to safety.

Sounds perfectly logical.

Unless you're the kid stuck
in the home and being abused.

He's got to wait.

Makes me furious.
What are you gonna do?

Wheels won't
turn any faster.

Well, I'm out of here.

Hey, you've only put in
12 hours today.

Good night.

Listen, if there's
anything I can do.

No, just stay as
cynical as you are.

Good night.

Where you going?

Got a date.

Well, that's okay,
I was busy anyway.

Cathy...

I asked
how the job was going.

It's been a long time.
We've missed you.

I'm sorry,
Margaret.

It's going fine.

As she prowls the mean streets
battling evil and corruption

wherever it raises
its ugly head?
Something like that.

I think what she's
doing is terrific.

Something she feels
passionate about.

I knew I could count on Greg
to defend my honor.

Well, here's to passion,
wherever you find it.

Do me a favor--
when you find it,

let me know.

So, what's going on
with you and Greg?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Really?

Seems like a really
nice person.

He is a really
nice person.

So?

So that's about it.

No chemistry, huh?

No chemistry.

There's nothing you can
do about that one.

Too bad.

I mean, where are all
the really great guys?

Before I got divorced,
they were everywhere.

What happened? Did they
all go underground?

Is Mr. Barnes in, please?

Just a minute.
I'll check for you.

Oh.

Good morning.
Good morning.

It's a transfer order

from the Department of
Child Social Services.

Yes, I see.

You, uh, want to move
a boy named Eric,

no last name.

What's this about?

I'm not free to discuss that.

Well, we have a few Erics here.

This one has a sister here.

Um, then we have a problem.

What problem?

Eric and his sister
ran away last night.

Where are they?

I've got people out looking
for them right now.

Have you notified the police?

I notified Child Social
Services.

May I use your phone?
Certainly.

Child Social Services, please.

Yes, this is Catherine Chandler
with the D.A.'s office.

Have two children
from Riddley Hall--

a brother and a sister--
been reported missing

in the last 24 hours?

Thank you.

I'll be back.

You're being
transferred.

To where?

To a home that
suits you better.

You don't like it here,

so I'm taking you
someplace else.

What about my sister?

She's being transferred, too.

Let's go.

I told you to wait.

Ellie!

They're splitting us up!

Come on.

Let go of me!

Stop! No!

Where are you
taking my brother?

Hey, hey, cool down.

Nobody's going
to hurt you,

nobody's going to hurt
your brother, okay?

As long as you
behave yourself.

But listen now, I don't want
no scenes on the way over.

You make it hard for me,

I'm going to give you your
brother's head on a stick.

Joe, I want a search warrant.

Forget it.

What have you got?

Where's your
probably cause?

Did you see
any bruises?

Have you got any
corroborating witnesses?

I've got the word
of a kid.
Who ran away.

You don't even
have the kid.

Cathy, you've
got nothing.

I'm not giving
this up.

I'll go back
on Talsky,

but I'm not giving this up.

Look, here's a list
of witnesses

to be notified and
prepped for tomorrow.

Please.

This is Ellie.

She's staying with us.

Hey, Deb...

help her get settled.

Take care of her.

Make Ellie feel at home.

Come on, I'll show you
where we sleep.

Go with her.

He's a problem.

Well, he'll have to do
some thinking about that.

He'll have to decide how
he's going to act here.

Leave me alone.

Go in.

You from Riddley?

Yeah.

There are others
here from Riddley.

You can sleep
on that one.

What is this place?

It's not so bad,

if you can learn quick

and don't make
too many mistakes.

It's better than living
on the street.

Sometimes we have fun.

That's right.

We're sort of a family here.

Families hang together,
look out for each other.

Nobody's going
to hassle you.

We wont let them.

But you gotta look out for us.

And don't even think
about making trouble here,

'cause you don't ever want
to see me get mad.

Ask Deb about that.

What else have you got
on Richard Barnes?

Nothing. The guy's
is Mr. Clean, Cath.

There's got to be
something else.

Can you get me a list
of kids at Riddley?

I'll try.

All those Child Social
Service files are sealed.

That's the way those
people operate.

Oh, Edie, I've got
to find that boy.

Those kids didn't
run away.

I don't know what happened,

but I feel responsible.

There's got to be
another way.

Breaking into sealed files?
That's just about impossible.

Impossibles are
what you do best.

Yeah, I should be
making more money.

Catherine.

I felt you sadness.

Vincent...

Don't lose heart,
Catherine.

The children I was
trying to help...

they're gone.

And I don't know
what happened to them.

I'm afraid I did
more harm than good.

And I feel like
I failed them.

You haven't failed.

You haven't given up,
and you won't,

will you?

I know there are terrible
things going on at Riddley.

If I can just
find that boy,

I can begin
to unravel it.

The ones who prey
on children

steal everybody's hope.

Don't give up, Catherine.

I won't.

That's one think you can count
on working for the city--

12:00 comes and everybody
runs to stuff their face.

Looks pretty empty.

Let's do it.

This gets me fired,
I'm moving in with you.

Deal.

Indefinitely.

I must be crazy.

Tell me I'm crazy.
I only think I'm doing this.

You're not crazy.

What we're doing has got
to be a felony, right?

What's that-- six months
in the slammer minimum?

A year.

Wonderful.

Here it is.

I thought you said...

Keep looking.
I'll handle it.

There you are,
you handsome devil.

I've been looking
all over for you.

I've got to have these names
verified by 2:00 this afternoon.

Can you help me out?

Mm, after lunch.

What you got
on that sandwich?

Those sardines?
Anchovies.

Anchovies? You know what

they say about
anchovies, don't you?

No. What?

I'd join you for lunch, but...

I can't find
my diet wafer.

I know I had one
in my purse.

I've got to ask you
a personal question.

What kind of cologne
are you wearing?

Cologne? No, I'm not
wearing any cologne.

Oh, come on, nobody
just smells

like that naturally.

Oh, you know what?

I'm going to be back
in five minutes.

I just remembered something
that I forgot to do.

If I don't do it,
I'm going to get in trouble.

I'll be back.

All right, look,
those two over there.

Here it comes.

Keep your eyes open.
It's going to happen fast.

All right, here comes Bobby.

Bobby holds up the sign
right in his face...

then everybody
goes to work.

Okay?

It's all over, and then
Deb takes the drop.

Everybody does their job,

everybody works together.

Come on.

Come on.

You sure you didn't
forget nothing?

I was coming to it.
It was in the other pocket.

Just making sure.

I see everything.

Nothing gets around me.

I got eyes in the
back of my head.

Remember that.

BYH-- it's some sort
of abbreviation or code.

Hi, I'm sorry to bother you
again. It's Edie.

Listen, I know we
didn't have any luck,

but I just remembered,
I've got some court records

on those names with the
letters or initials-- BYH.

Does that help you at all?

Bridgemont Youth House.

What's that?

Oh, a foster facility...?

Oh, well, okay,
thanks again, handsome.

Who's magic?

You have to ask?

How's she doing?

She's a tough one.

Doesn't talk much, but
she's smart, I think.

And I thought it might work out,
no known relatives.

How much is here?

$1,500.

I told you I wanted
$2,500 for the next one.

$2,500?

And this is
the last one.

The last one? What are
you talking about?

It's getting too risky.

There are too many
people on my back.

How about for the next one,
I give you $3,000?

No, no, I want $2,500
for this one,

and then it's over and out.

All right, all right.

I'll find
another source.

I'm looking for a boy
named Eric Peterson.

He has glasses.

Eric?

Hey, what's the new kid's name?

I don't know.

Where is he?

Upstairs in detention.

Locked up.

Eric?

Eric...

Yeah?

What is this?

What are you doing?

I want to talk
to this boy.

Who are you?

I think you had better
unlock this door now.

I think you'd
better leave.

Stop it!
Get me that key.

Let me out! Let me out!

Let me out!
Let me out!

Nick!

Let me out!

Let me out!

Eric.
It's you!

Yes, Eric.
Go downstairs,

get in the car
in the front. Go!

Vincent.

She's in the park.

She's waiting there.

Thank you.

Go to Father.

Tell him I'll
return soon.

Vincent.

I've got the boy.

I found him.

I knew you would.

They've separated him
from his sister.

They'll be looking
for him.

If I take him back now,
I'm afraid I'll lose him again.

I can't chance that, Vincent.

He'll be safe with us.

Right. I was hoping.

No, wait,
I'm afraid he'll...

That he'll be afraid?

He's been through a lot.

I don't know how...

It's all right.

Wake him.

Eric.

What?

What are we
going to do?

I'm going to take you
to someplace safe

where no one can hurt you.

You going, too?

We're going with
a friend of mine.

Someone very
extraordinary.

I'd like you to meet him.

His name is Vincent.

Eric.

What is that?

Is it real?

It's real.

How'd you get
like that?

I don't know.

I don't think
I ever will.

I never knew
my mother or father.

I bet you'd know them
if you saw them.

Excuse me, sir, is Lincoln
Center in that direction?

Thanks.

Nice hat.

You hear
any bells ringing?

No bells.

The bells ring...

it's all over.

You go to jail.

I don't want
to hear those bells.

You don't want
to hear them.

By the way, sir,
where did you get that hat?

Naj is so amazing.

I'm not going
to do this.

I don't care.

You'll do it.

Vincent tells me you might
want to stay with us.

Maybe.

Well, you know, Eric,

we only want those here
who want to be here.

No one's going to force you
to stay.

No one will ever keep you
from leaving.

Well, right now I don't
have anywhere else to go.

So, can I stay here
for a while?

Yes, of course you can,

until our good friends above
find some safe place for you.

And my sister, too?

Mm-hmm, of course.

But, you know, Eric,

there are promises
you have to make and keep.

What kind of promises?

To give help and support

to those who need it.

And to accept
help and support

from those who
offer it to you.

I promise that.

It's a very important promise.

It's how we exist.

How about not telling anybody
about this?

Keep it a secret?

Well, you know, Eric,

suppose you were to tell
this secret to anyone.

Do you think they're
going to believe you?

And, uh, even if
they did believe you,

do you think anyone's
going to find their way

down here?

I'll keep it a
secret anyway.

Good, good.

Well, then, um...

welcome.

Welcome, Eric.

The pocket on the left side.

Do it.

Do it, Ellie.

Do it!

You little idiot!

We're going to be
here all night.

Eric, we'll find
your sister.

And can we both stay here?

For as long as you like.

Okay, good.

You're safe.
You're with friends.

Now rest.

No more,

please.

I own you.

I bought you.

Get it through your
head, you're mine.

And you'd better be
glad about that

because without me,
you've got nothing.

Without me,

you've got the chicken
hawks on the street.

You want to be
selling your body?

You want to be strung
out on drugs?

I don't want
to be here either.

You've got
nothing else!

The pocket!

Do it!

That matron at Bridgemont
Youth Home just caved in.

She's talking
a blue streak.

We've got what we need

to bring in Barnes
on illegally

transferring kids
and child abuse.

Good.
Good instincts.

More than just instincts.

Well, what do you want,
Radcliffe, a gold star?

Have you ever seen
this man?

I think I have.

Around Times Square, maybe.

He took my sister.
That's the guy

who took my sister
from Ridley.

See if you can find him.

If you do, find out
where he lives.

You know how.

Catherine,
we've made progress.

The Superintendent of Ridley's
about to be arrested.

Hmm. This is the man
who took Eric's sister.

Who is he?
A thief.

One who uses little children,
the worst kind.

He's connected

with the supervisor
of Ridley.

I saw them talking together,
arguing about money.

He's selling kids!

Barnes is selling kids
out of Ridley.

Only the ones
with no known relatives.

The ones who are all alone.

And he has Eric's sister?

Where is he, Vincent?
Do you know?

Take me there.

Too great a risk.

It's the only way
I can move on them.

You can't testify
against them, Vincent.

The only way I can get
an arrest warrant

is to see it with my own eyes.

I'll take that risk.

You try that again,
I'll cut your feet off!

You don't run
away from me.

Let go! Don't.

I won't do it again.

You're staying right here.

I can't trust you.

Deb, where are you?

You're supposed
to keep an eye on her.

Ellie, it's okay.

I'm taking you
out of here,

to Eric.

Who are you?

Shh, we don't have
much time.

I'm the one that Eric
was talking to

at Ridley, do
you remember?

You found him?
Yes.
Let's go.

Deb,

don't say anything, please.

Come with us.

You can all come.

Naj!

Naj!
What's this?

You know this woman?

I'm taking her
out of here.

Don't you try
to stop me.

Wouldn't think of it.

Ahh!

Come on!

Ow!

Freddie!

Freddie!

Freddie!

Let's go.

Keep it moving.

This way.

Watch your step there.

ETA, about five minutes.

Ellie!

Eric!

It's sort of like a dream,
isn't it?

No. Better.

Vincent, I've been
all over the world.

Met people, done things.

I've lived in luxury most
people could never imagine...

but I can't remember a
time when I felt as good

or complete as
I do right now.

Mm... I feel it in you...

through you.

You really can.

It's very beautiful.

Sort of... like a dream?

Better.