CHiPs (1977–1983): Season 3, Episode 9 - Drive, Lady, Drive: Part 1 - full transcript

Blonde, brunette,
or redhead?

What?

You're so uptight today, man.

It's gotta be a girl.

Just the noise,
the fumes, you know

it's just getting to me.

So take some vacation time.

Or find a girl.

Watch yourself, Benny.

Couple of cops behind you.

I see them. No sweat.



No turn signal.

Frank, they want me to stop.

Okay, pull over.

Take your time.

'I'll draw them off.'

Your turn indicators
don't work!

You alright?

Suspect vehicle 1969 Chevy

light green with primer
spots and body damage.

Robert George Ocean 8-7-1

left the freeway at
the Derwood off-ramp.

Awful lot of paperwork

to a motor vehicle
accident, isn't it?

You think they were
working together?



'
- Right.

Naturally I mean the drivers

of the car and the truck,
working together?

Oh, Lenny, come on.

Why don't you go home, alright?

Hey, don't y'all
want some company?

Yeah, uh, Lenny, will you
do me a favor?

You get us, uh,
some cold drinks, okay?

Uh, Jon's had a bad day.

His lungs are full of smog

'he let a stolen truck get away'

'his motor got bent'

and the guy in the Chevy
almost killed him.

I knew something was wrong.

Hey, Lenny,
where are you going?

Just doing my friends
a favor, man.

'Well, come on back, 'cause'

'I want to talk to you.'

Hey, sarge.
What'd you find out?

Well, that, uh,
truck you stopped

it'd been stolen just
three minutes before.

Full of hi-fis,
car stereos, tape decks

worth quarter of a million
in legitimate retail.

What about the Chevy?

Uh, nothing much,
except the license plates

were issued to another car.

Blind alley.

Well, that's the third
hijacking we've had.

Just about the same MO.

They'll try it
once too often.

But who are they
going to kill in the meantime?

And, uh, some bleeding-heart
lawyer gonna find some loophole

to beat the thing
in court and put them

back out on the streets,
thank you.

Uh, didn't that used
to be Jon Baker?

Jon's had a bad day, man.

His lungs are full of smog--

Come on, Lenny, come on!

Give me a break.

Jon? Jon.

How would you like to
get away from it all?

Yeah, I wish you
weren't kidding.

I'm not.

You all know where
Palma Vista is.

Oh, yeah, man.
Out by the riverside raceway.

Road racing course.
Very exciting.

'They got a track
you wouldn't believe.'

Beats oval track
any day, in my opinion.

Thank you.

Did you know, uh,
Palma Vista police force

went on strike today?

No, but if you hum
a few bars--

Oh, come on, Lenny.

Alright, ignore him.
Come on, guys. Come on.

Palma Vista requested
help from the State

and CHP's
been ordered to comply.

'Now, there'll be details
from other counties.'

'You three and Baricza
are from here.'

John, you're OIC, Chester McNabb
is the chief over there.

Report to him first thing
in the morning.

How long does this go on?

Well, the cops, uh,
pulled this strike

because there's a big stock
car race coming up there.

Uh, that puts the Palma Vista
law enforcement in a bind

at least until
after the race.

Say, do you guys know

what stock car
racing really is?

That's when
professional drivers

get out on the track
and act like amateurs

on the freeway.

'Out of turn number four'

'here at Phoenix International
Raceway the battle is on.'

'Leading in second spot
right now, Don Croyden.'

'Right in there
clashing with him'

'and there's number 43
is Candi Wright.'

'Picking them up again as we
come down here out of the turn'

'here comes Candi Wright who
attempting to make the pass'

'here on the number 70 car
of Don Croyden.'

'Here's your leader,
Bobby Joe Ackerman.'

'Also on the move,
Don Croyden in number 70.'

'Back into the pack,
starting to move.'

'Here's the one that's been
running in third in that'

'number 43, Candi Wright,
and she's well on her way.'

'Moving up to depose
on second place'

'of Don Croyden
in car number 70.'

'Over in turn number 4'

'there's a car losing it.'

'It's the number three car!'

'Folks, look at this,
upside down'

'is the number three
car of Brian Rickey.'

'Now the number 69 car'

'also losing it
down into the infield.'

'We've got another hopeful
coming out of turn number four.'

'Boy, have we got the wild
excitement here this afternoon.'

'The yellow flag is out.'

'And remember,
under the yellow flag all cars'

'must hold their positions.'

'Bobby Joe Ackerman has gone
into the pits in number five.'

'Here comes the second
position, Don Croyden'

'and of course
Candi Wright in number 43'

'should be taking advantage
of this yellow flag.'

On the yellow,
I'm coming in!

Here she comes.

'All the cars attempting,
heading in through the pits.'

'Here's where they
can take advantage'

'of the time
without losing a lap.'

'Here they come into the pits.
They'll pull up for overhaul'

'up goes the Jacks underneath,
in will go 10 gallons of gas'

'designed so that all
drivers should come in.'

'Here the..'

Corelle, was that Rickey?

Yeah. He's out of the car.

Your competition's out of the
race except for Croyden.

- Piece of cake.

Who else is on the lead left?

Ackerman, Bristow,
and Candi Wright.

Candi's really
been charging.

It's gonna get too hot
for her up front.

She'll back off.

Just don't do
anything stupid.

All I'm gonna do is win.

'What's going on
with the race cars?'

'Here comes Candi Wright
out of the pits'

'here in number 43.'

'Also shooting out of the pits
just ahead of her'

'the number 70 car
of Don Croyden.'

'The 7 car comes
out of the pits'

'and the battle
will be on again.'

'Here comes car number 31'

'he leaves the pits
in real good shape.'

Your man's gonna
have to go some

to win this one, Sal.

Bruno, the day Don Croyden

can't beat the socks
off a female

that's the day I'll
take all my cars

and I'll put
a torch to them.

'The green flag is out
and we're racing!'

'The battle is on
down this main straightaway.'

'Out of the turn,
here's the battle'

'to see who's gonna
take over the lead!'

'Moving down, it's gonna be
Bobby Joe Ackerman'

who's into the lead,
Don Croyden

and of course moving up
there fast, fast, fast

is Candi Wright
in car number 43.

'Here we are going down
the back chute'

'Ackerman still holding
very tight..'

'And look at this move'

'it's Don Croyden
in car number 70 shooting wide'

'and right on his tail is
Candi Wright in car number 43.'

She's beautiful.
She can do it, she can win it.

'Out of the turn,
it's Croyden in car number 70.'

'And here comes
Candi Wright up alongside'

'in the number 43 car.'

'They're battling
side-by-side.'

'Down we go into the turn,
look at this, side-by-side'

'coming in the turn,
the 70 car starting to bobble.'

'And he kisses the wall!
He's lost it again up on top..'

'Whoa! A near miss'

'and he slides over
into the infield'

'in that number 70 car.'

Last lap coming up,
Candi. Go get 'em!

I got 'em.
Get the champagne.

She says get the champagne!

'Still they go at it
with the number 5 car'

'starting to pick it up again
Bobby Joe Ackerman right up'

'on the bumper of Candi Wright.'

'Candi Wright is leader..'

'Hey, look who just moved
onto the outside'

'by the number five car
of Bobby Joe Ackerman.'

'Here's the try,
side-by-side.'

'The battle is on.'

'Down across
the start-finish line.'

'There's the winner.
It's car number 43'

'It's gonna go to Candi Wright!'

'Finishing in the second spot
in the number five car'

'is Bobby Joe Ackerman.'

'Finishing in third
is will be Randy Kirk'

'Finishing in the third spot.'

Alright!

Whoa!

Alright!

Sorry, honey, this is one
winner you don't kiss.

Who was that guy?

I don't know,
but he's good.

Hold it! Hold it!

Look, you butt out, Croyden!

That's my car
she wrecked.

Yeah, with mybody in it.

This isn't the time
or the place.

I had the groove!

You left the groove
to cut me off!

Well, that's racing, honey.

If you can't stand the heat,
why don't you

go back in the kitchen?

That dame drove my man
into the wall!

She oughta be barred
from the track!

That's one way
to be sure that you be..

I want your attention!

I want it now,
or nobody's gonna race again!

'Quiet!'

Bristow, you don't
wanna contribute?

No, I was too far behind.

Ackerman, you were the closest.

Don had the groove
in the chute.

The way he spun out,
he had to be hit.

'Yeah, but you didn't
see him hit.'

Didn't have to.

Oh, that woman
should be barred!

Panello, if you don't want
your whole team suspended

keep your mouth shut!

Alright, the winner's purse
is impounded

until we look
at all available film.

'And as of now
you're on probation'

'subject to fines
and suspension.'

You too, Croyden.

'That's all.'

Thanks a lot.

All these suck-egg
weekend hot dogs

oughta be banned from
professional racing!

I oughta punch you
right in the nose!

What makes you think
you'd come off better

than you did on the track?

The guys resent what
you did to me out there!

Wrong, Don, I won.
That's what they resent.

Yeah, that too.

Y-you can't be
laughed off anymore.

You've proved that
you're some kind of champ

but they're gonna be coming
at you at riverside!

Yeah, well,
that's racing, right?

Okay, Candi. I'm warning you,
it's gonna be rough.

You better marry
that girl, Don

while she's still
in one piece.

I don't know what I'm
gonna do with all this

losing money every day.

My share of the Phoenix purse

would have paid for most
of these bills.

The money's only
been impounded, Bruno.

We'll get it back.

Yeah.

Anyhow, Riverside
is the important one.

You do well at Riverside

I get bigger zoll and
carbomatic for sponsors

we leave the local circuits

in six months we've got
a big car

and you'll be driving
Grand National.

I hope so.

But what about you?

What if you stop
losing money?

What are you
gonna complain about?

Oh, that worries you, huh?

Doesn't worry you that
the big-name drivers

are gonna have to protect
their macho egos?

That doesn't bother you at all,
doesn't shake you up?

Croyden didn't
shake me up, did he?

Well, I don't want to end him
or anyone else on your mind.

No romances, no politics,
no crusades, nothing!

Okay, I give you
my solemn word.

No involvements,
no distractions.

Look!
- Yeah.

Elmer, fire extinguisher!

Is there anyone
inside there?

Tell me, honey.

Is there anyone inside?

No! No.

Get back!
Get back. Stay here.

Stay here.

I won't leave you, I promise.

Okay?

No involvements,
no distractions, huh?

Well, it didn't take long
for the strikebreakers

to get here, did it, sarge?

I'm Baker,
this is Poncherello.

That's Baricza and Powell
back there. We're from LA.

Oh, yeah, that's what
that funny smell is.

Do any good
to tell you guys, uh

we didn't volunteer
for this?

Well, we never thought
that you, uh, tire jockeys

ever put in for real police
work anyway, eh, sarge?

You the sergeant?

Chuck Harris.

You're the first
sergeant I ever met

who couldn't talk
for himself.

Fella, you were a lot better off
as a rookie than I am now.

And my men are
worse off than me.

We work for a town
that won't talk to us

'but they'll hire you
to take our jobs.'

So why don't you
go on inside

before it gets
too hot out here?

Now he sounds
like a sergeant.

Better an egg in peace
than an ox in war.

What'd he say?

♪ Dee-dee

♪ Doo do do

♪ Dee da da ♪

I'm not involved.

Kid say anything yet?

No, not a word.

Firemen don't know who she is.

Well, we'll just drop her off
in Palma Vista.

Now, how did this become
our responsibility?

Don't be stupid, Elmer.
You know Candi.

Now get in.
You drive.

'You are not
patrolmen here.'

You are the Palma
Vista Police.

I am in sympathy
with my men but by the terms

of my contract with the city
I'm on full-time duty.

'You are
responsible to me.'

If any of you are planning
to stay in town

give your names
to city manager Whaley.

He'll see to your
accommodations.

Any questions?

Yeah, chief, you have any idea
how long you might need us?

We were wondering
how negotiations were going.

There are no negotiations.

Right, that's correct.

The city regards this strike

as constitutionally unlawful.

When the men go back
into uniform

we'll listen to
their grievances

and see what's
to be done.

'Until then,
no negotiations.'

'Alright.'

Officer baker will supervise
the A watch

6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

A watch is on duty now,
all the rest of you are excused.

Okay, everybody on
the A watch, front and center.

Supervisor talk. Ahem.

Can't you tell me your name?

What would that hurt?

Honey, nothing bad's
gonna happen to you.

I won't let it.
That I promise.

Look, I want
what's best for you

and I'm trying hard
to help.

Oh, well.

'Hey, no! No!'

Please don't hurt her!

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

- Honey, no!
- Calm down.

- No, no, no.
- It's okay, calm down.

Calm down, sweetheart.

I'm sorry. We seem
to have a little problem.

Yeah, pretty
little problem, though.

I'm Ponch.
Frank Poncherello.

Candace Wright.

I don't know her name.
She's not mine.

I just found her.

Oh, sure, I know, uh,
under a toadstool?

She's a frog?

Okay, got it.

Alright, thank you.

No ID.

Think it might be amnesia?

No. I get the feeling
she could talk if she wanted to.

Something terrified her, Jon.

Probably about that fire.

Well, now, let's see.

First of all, we're gonna

have to give you a name.

How about frog?

Oh, no, Ponch. She's too pretty
to be called frog.

Pretty. Hey, that's it.

Linda.

In Spanish,
Linda means pretty.

Now, second of all,
I bet you're very hungry, huh?

So why don't you and I
go across the street

and get us a hamburger?

For breakfast?

Bacon, eggs, milk,
and orange juice.

Health nut, huh?

It's okay, I'll come right over.

Look, uh, that ranch
in San Bernardino County

has been seized for taxes, uh,
three years ago.

But in the past 12 years
its had four different owners.

None of them had children.

So what's gonna
happen to her now?

I'd like to do more about
it but this race coming up

it's the most important
thing in my life.

Oh no, Ms. Wright, you've
done more than your share.

But, uh, since you found her
out at the County

I'll have to check
procedure, alright?

But don't worry, she'll be

well taken care of, alright?

Okay.

Bye.

Uh, get County Welfare
on the line.

You got it.

Here you go, Linda.
Another taproom special.

I thought
I was an eater.

'Linda puts me to shame.'

How'd you get
into auto racing?

The hard way.

It says "Sparks
Racing Team" on your rig.

- Bruno Sparks, my backer.

I own 20% but I could never
afford to keep it running.

It costs him $30,000 a year.

Ooh. Man's got
a lot of bucks.

No, just a businessman
who loves car racing.

If I make out
in the Sendex 300

we may step up in class
and get some of it back.

Hey, it's my partner.

We're honored,
the supervisor.

- Looking good.

Anything new?

No. You find out anything?

No. I set
the machinery in motion.

'Hey, look,
I've got so much to do.

I've got to get back
to the track.

'Yeah, you take off.
We'll take over.'

And we'll keep her
across the street for now.

Alone in a jailhouse?

Candi, police station.

People come there for help.
It's the only place we have.

She's a child.

Hey, we know that.

- We'll keep an eye on her.

Aren't you going to be out
writing tickets?

Look, she's probably a runaway.

Now, it won't take long
to find out and then

we'll get her back home
where she belongs, alright?

It's all we can do.

Ponch?

Hey..

What? Did you get it
taken care of?

Yes. But it loses something
in the translation.

Oh, for the love of Mike!

I got the permission of officer
Baker, the supervisor in person.

You promised!

It's only until somebody
comes to pick her up.

I couldn't just
abandon her.

I knew it,
I knew it.

Hiya, kid!

My name is Linda.

Alright!

'This ought to be
worth watching.'

Do it, Candi, so I can see
if you can dive

any better than
you can drive.

Either way, you'll be watching
me from behind.

Wanna bet?

Hey! Alright!

'Not bad.'

Well, hi.
Official visit?

No, I just got off duty.

I thought you'd be
taking care of Linda.

Oh, sure.

But you don't expect me
to give up my social life.

Hey, after the number
I did for you and Jon

yes, I would.
Where is she?

She's okay.

I locked her in a closet.

Candi, now listen,
I'm not--

Poncherello, you have
such a quick fuse.

'Hi!'

Hi.

Mom and dad, this is
Frank Poncherello.

Ponch, my parents
Mr. and Mrs. Wright.

'Drove over from Santa Monica
for her.'

- Hello, Frank.
- Hi.

And look at
my little frog.

'She's turned into
quite a flower.'

It's been a long time since
we shopped for a little girl.

Would you like
to see my new dress?

Let's take our swim.

Ponch can see
your dress later.

- Okay.
- Bye-bye.

Bye!

That's some closet
you locked her in.

And she's talking.

Freely. Unless you ask her
who she is or where she's from.

Where are you staying?

Uh, in a place
on 10th Street.

Go change and join us
for dinner.

So are you going
to stay for the race?

No, we'll come back for it

but I'm in the wholesale
grocery business.

Maybe Candace
told you about it?

We can't stay away long

so we're going on home tonight.

We just like to see
Candace whenever we can

which isn't very often.
Is it, darling?

Is it, darling?

Huh?

Your mom just
asked you a question.

Oh, I'm sorry, mom.

Let me have
the room key, dear.

Dad and I will take
Linda and see her to bed.

Oh, don't you want to get
an early start home?

Oh, we'll be fine
if we leave in about an hour.

And maybe Linda
will tell us where she lives

before we go, otherwise
Christmastime, for example

we won't know where
to send the present.

Oh, Jack! You just stop
your teasing.

Come along, Linda.

Pleasure to meet you,
Mr. Wright.

We'll see you at the race.

- Mrs. Wright.
- Bye-bye.

It's gonna be hard to
carry on a conversation

without your mom
and dad here.

Huh?

See what I mean?

Dance? I'd love to.

Oh, come on.

Candi?

Don? What are you
doing here?

Did you get your ride
for the race?

No, but, uh, someone
may need me.

Frank Poncherello,
Don Croyden, fellow driver.

I know the name.

Isn't your, uh, team
staying in Riverside?

The team's
working on cars.

'I'm working on
something else.'

I take it you two
are together?

Yeah, that's the way
to take it.

Excuse us, please.

Long-time friendship, pal.

You don't mind?

Hey, why don't you tell
that guy you're busy

and we'll, uh, go find
someplace quieter?

Well, I have to make it
an early evening tonight.

My folks want to get
an early start home.

Home, now there's
a key word.

Goes with wife
and mother--

Don, please.

You want to spend the best years

of your life like a gypsy

pushing some oilcan around?

What are you gonna
do after riverside?

Back to the tank towns?

You know, someday
I'm gonna see you in a big car

on the Grand National Circuit.

But meantime, I am doing
exactly what I like.

Long-time
friendships never die

they just fade away.

Mr. Croyden, uh,
is a jealous man.

He have any right to be?

Nobody has.

It looks like we got ourselves
a real, wild town here, guys.

Check out this log. There's
a-a barking dog on 5th street.

A lady fainted
at Mural meat market.

The price of hamburger.

A man fell out of bed--

Yeah, we'll be out
on the streets.

Call us if you need us, huh?

There's another barking dog on

11th street by officer Gilhuly.

Hey, watch this, guys. Watch.

Those jokers. They reversed
your siren switch.

It's an old,
old gag, Jon.

So don't get sore.

Alright.

Alright, you guys.

You think that's funny, huh?

Yeah, we know
all about it.

It's an old, old gag.

Wow.

Hey, Bobby,
take a look at that bomb.

Hey.

Let's do it!

Whoa-ho!

Whoa!

Where they at?
Where they at?

We got 'em! We got 'em.

They gotta learn
brand-new territory.

We're gonna dust 'em.

Alright.

I think we've been had.

Yeah. Vietnam.

They always knew where
they were and we never did.

Meaning what?

Maybe the trip
was worth it.

Come on, I'll show you.

Okay! Come on!

Whoa-ho!

Alright, everybody.

Hey, where have we
seen this before?

Hey, that's the stolen truck
that almost got you killed.

Uh-huh.

Mother Hubbard's cupboard.

Yeah. Might turn out
to be an interesting vacation.

Hey, how come
the good guys

didn't catch
the bad guys, hmm?

Okay, we played
the kids' game and lost.

And if you know
that much, you know more.

Now, wait a minute, Ponch.

Look, the territory's
new to us, huh?

Any help you can give us--

Oh, man, I thought chasing
speeders was what you guys

cut your teeth on.

Yeah. This time they
didn't kill anybody.

I guess that qualifies
as a joke, huh?

That, uh, truck there was full
when it was stolen.

'It happened
the day before'

'we came here and
we were involved.'

Some pretty well-organized
hijackers emptied it

and abandoned it...here.

If we had a gang of hijackers
in this town, we'd know it.

'Yeah, well,
one of them drives'

a light green
'69 Chevy four-door

with primer spots
and lots of dents.

And it might
amuse you to know

that they tried to use it
to kill my partner and me.

Well, See? The guy can't be
all bad, then.

Knock it off, Webner.

Look, it doesn't ring
a bell, but..

...we'll keep an eye out.

Thanks.

Uh, excuse me, huh?

Yeah, chief?
Poncherello's here.

Yes, sir.

Chief wants to see you.
He'll be right out.

Get Getraer
on the phone, okay?

Coming up.

Getraer.

Oh, yeah, put him on.

Hey, Jon,
how's the vacation?

Well, it may pay
for itself.

Anything new
on the Chevy?

No, just the license plates
were apparently stolen off

a '67 Buick in a junkyard
near San Bernardino.

Okay. We found
the truck, it..

Yeah, it's over here.

And the prints of
the passenger car

'so if you'd get
me an imprint'

'of the tire track
of the stolen Chevy..'

Hey, Jon, t-that was
two days ago.

H-how about something simple

like Custer's footprints
at the massacre?

Joe, the point is,
if we can match the prints

I'll know the
Chevy's here, okay? Try it.

Thanks a lot.

Jon...hey, Baker

'This is
officer Poncherello.'

'He's been close
to the situation.'

This is Miss Rudd.
She's from The State Board.

- About Linda.
- Oh.

We think she's
a little girl that ran away

from a foster home
in San Bernardino County.

Her name is really
Donna Liebrook.

Do you know where she is?

Yes, I know.

Candi, what if it rains
while you're having a race

and the track gets all wet?

Well, some races we stop,
and some we change to rain tires

and keep on running.

Well, you raced this morning.
Do you have to race again?

This isn't racing, dear.

It's practice,
to learn the track

and see if there's
anything's wrong with the car.

Then you race?

No. In a couple
of days we qualify.

And the cars
that go fast enough

they race on Sunday.

You might have
a wreck and get hurt.

Come here. Let me
show you something.

'Hop the wall.'

Now look, see?

The seat's made to
the shape of my body

'and I'm strapped in
really, really tight.'

'You see
the fire extinguisher? '

And my clothing
helps protect me too.

And see the pipe

They're made of
really strong steel

so nothing will crash into me.

It's really a very safe car.

Isn't it, Uncle Bruno?

You sit back here on the wall

'cause Candi has
a lot of work to do.

Get in the car, will you?

We've got 15 minutes
on the track.

Yes, Uncle Bruno.

Uncle Bruno would like
to know what's on your mind

the kid or the car?

She's worried about me.

It's nice to be worried
about once in a while.

Once in a while?
I stay awake nights.

Elmer

Just go easy on her till
you get the feel of the shocks.

Concentrate. Think!

Alright?

You can watch her
right from here.

Now, use these.

And you turn that little wheel
until you can see good.

Don't you worry about Candi.
She's a real great driver.

Candi

Alright. Super so far.

Miss Rudd?

Are you sure that Linda
is this Donna Liebrook?

No, but the ranch
where they found her

was owned by an elderly couple,
the Liebrooks.

They lived there with
their granddaughter.

Two years ago they died.

'The child was taken
to a church orphanage'

'and she ran away.'

I found her.
She was put in a foster home.

I see. What about her parents?

Mother died when she was an
infant, father disappeared.

Is that what you do then?

Locate runaway kids?

My current assignment, yes.

And when you find them?

County welfare people take over.

Donna would be put
back in a foster home.

I hate to see a kid
bounced around.

You know, our jobs
are a lot alike.

We deal with people's problems

but we can't get
too deeply involved.

Every runaway child
is a tragedy.

Alright, but wait
until Candi comes in.

You take the kid
before they say goodbye

I'll-I'll never hear
the end of that.

Of course.

And if she is Donna Liebrook

she'll remember me
from a year ago.

Linda?

She won't be
too happy to see me.

Linda?

Linda!

Donna?

Linda?

Linda!

Linda!

Linda!

Linda!

What happened?

- I almost hit Linda.

I hope that don't mean
she's out of the race.

You still intend on
runnin' her off the track?

Better talk to Floyd.

She did it to him in Phoenix.

Bobby Joe, I think
he's really hung up on her.

Well, I'm not.

Okay, I know you all saw her
when Candi brought her in.

- What I'm trying to say is--
- I was watching Candi.

Shut up and listen.

Alright, that's it.

I know I can't ask
anything of you

but Donna's here
somewhere alone.

And having trouble
in more ways than one trying

to find her home, alright?

Get right down to it, Ms. Rudd.

When a kid runs away
from a foster home

that should tell you that
there's something wrong.

Ms. Wright, we deal with
these problems by the hundreds

lost, lonely children who tend
to dramatize their troubles.

Donna is little more than a baby

and it's highly likely
that what's wrong

is largely in her
10-year-old imagination.

Lady, that's a cop-out!

I'm afraid you show your lack
of experience with 10-year-olds.

I was one once, weren't you!

I was. But I was not a-a runaway
or an orphan. Were you?

Yes, I was adopted.

I see.

I hope that's the end
of the argument, ladies.

Because right now what's
important is finding Linda.

Any ideas?

I have one.

Baker, what happened
to the pickets.

Afternoon, Mrs. Mason.

Um, I was wondering
if by chance you seen

a little girl in
the neighborhood?

Yeah, we're still on strike and
we would appreciate your support

but right now I'm trying
to help find this little girl.

Donna Liebrook.

Oh, God!

I was so worried about you.

When grandma
and grandpa were here

this was the prettiest room
in the whole wide world.

And you were happy here, right?

I just threw a little
fire to keep warm by.

And then it got bigger.

Then I couldn't stop it.

Everyone will understand.

I made you have a car wreck.

You just made me do
some fancy driving.

I do that all the time.

My grandma and grandpa
were killed in a car wreck.

I didn't know that.

I see why you were
so worried about me.

I miss them so much.

But isn't it wonderful that we
can learn to love other people?

And if we give them a chance,
they can learn to love us.

Maybe.

Sometimes.

Come on. Let's look forward.

We've got no idea what
a great day tomorrow will be.

I wish I could stay
here forever and ever.

A part of you will.

Maybe if we fixed it up,
a-and you stayed with me

we could fix it up beautiful.

Well, not that, Donna,

but maybe something else.

Come on.

You brought her!
You brought her!

Donna, please.
I love you so much.

You brought her!

Ponch is your friend.

Nobody blames you for anything.

- You brought her!
- Hey, hey, hey.

Hi ya, beautiful. Come on,
you had us all worried.

You gonna bring me back?

It's your home, Donna,
your lawful home.

Donna, believe me,
we're all trying to help you.

'All of us.'

You said nothing bad
would happen to me!

You lied!

Hey, Donna, now come on,
that's not fair.

I hope I never see you again!

I know I had to let Donna go.

But I just don't understand how
that woman could send her back

to a foster home when she didn't
know why she ran away.

It's somebody else's department.

Like, we make arrests,
but we can't prosecute.

The city does that,
or the county.

Ponch, without you,
and I mean it

this would've been unbearable.

Hey, hey, hey, lady, you make it
sound like it's all over.

Listen, I got other ideas.

About Donna?

About you.

I watched you with her.

You'd be a great guy
to have kids with.

Thanks.

But we've got less in common
than any two people I know.

Hey, don't you know that

sometimes that adds
a little spice?

For right now, for right here

I buy that 100%.

I'm Candi Wright.
I'm a friend of Donna's.

I'd like to speak to her.
May I come in?

Oh, uh, Candi Wright.
Of course, come in. Come in.

It's so early in the morning.
I wasn't expecting any company.

Must've been quite a party.

Oh, just me and my husband

celebrating the fact
Donna's home.

Um, sit down.

I'd like to meet your husband.

You just missed him
by 20 minutes.

'He went on a business trip.'

Uh, he travels, not too much,
thank goodness.

Uh, Donna, come here, dear.

Poor little thing, I-I kept
her out of school to rest.

Honey, look who's here.

Good morning, Donna.

Well, what do we say when
we're spoken to, sweetheart?

Hello.

Hi. Everything alright?

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, I-I hate to think of

what the poor little
thing's been through.

So do I.

Excuse the intrusion,
Mrs. Hastings

but I'm gonna be going.

Donna, today is the day
I have to try

to qualify my car
for the race.

I'll see you again
as soon as I can.

Do you think
that's wise, Ms. Wright?

Buh-bye, Donna.

What did you tell that woman?

Nothing.

'Liar.'

Liars don't get any breakfast.

'Now go to your room.'

- We got 'em!
- Whoa-hoo!

- We're gonna do it again!
- Come and get us!

Who-o-o.

Hoo-o-o!

Here we go!

They're gaining.
Come on, man, juice it.

Okay, okay.

Come on, guys!

Jon, they took us over
this route the last time.

We got 'em!

Okay, kids, come on out.

Alright, open it up.

It's over, huh?
Put your hands on your head.

'Could we have your
attention, please?'

Hey, Bruno's been
looking for you.

Good.

I like to keep him guessing.

- No.

And the decision that
I was to blame

for Phoenix isn't helping..

Decision?

Yeah, they looked
at all the films.

You've been cleared.

Well, I hope
you find a ride here.

Beating you twice in a row
would really make my season.

Where've you been all day long?

Meditating. Preparing
my inner self.

'How's the car?'

'Ackerman, car number 5'

'turns in the fastest time
of the day, 112.693.'

The car's ready. How are you?

Ackerman just gave me
something to shoot at.

Hey, Sal, I thought
you were gonna

put your cars to the torch.

She didn't beat
Croyden on the track.

She beat him in
the association office.

What? You still
got Ackerman running.

He just did pretty good.

Care to make a little sign, pal?

She took a skid at turn 8.

Now you tell her to watch it.

I had to rebuild
that car overnight.

She puts another bend in it
today, I'll wring her neck.

Now you tell her.

Candi, you're doing great, kid.

You know better than to

get her all upset
while she's driving.

'Candi Wright takes the green.'

'She needs better than 101.62
miles per hour to qualify.'

'Candi wright's
under the bridge.'

'She's really burning up
the racetrack.'

How's her time?

Like the man says,
she's burning it up.

'Here she comes. Out in number
43 to complete the first lap.'

'The speed
105.15 miles per hour'

'is good enough
to make the Sendex 300.'

She's in. She made it.

Now tell her to back off
and take it easy on the car.

Oh, 105.15, Candi, you're in.

Uh, Bruno says back off,
save the car.

I've got another lap.
I can do it quicker.

I can better
my starting position.

Good morning, Mr. Chambers.

'Morning, Mr. Chambers.'

Better stand away
from that door, boys.

In about two minutes there's
gonna come flying out of there

little bitty, chewed up
pieces of highway patrolmen.

R.C. Chambers, I believe
you're holding my sons.

I've come for them.

Yes, sir, if you'll just step
into the sergeants office.

You know, we've always handled
things like this

within the Palma Vista
family, so to speak.

Well, then maybe you
should do a little more

spanking within
the family, Mr. Whaley.

- Chet.
- R.C.

- Burt.
- R.C.

Mr. Chambers
is the president of our bank

and also a city councilman.

Baker is the arresting
officer on scene.

Mr. Chambers.

How are you involved?

They're holding
my daughter too.

Your daughter, Mr. Whaley,
and the rest of them

will be released when
the parents show up, okay?

What are they charged with?

Your two sons, Mr. Chambers,
are gonna be charged

with exhibitionist speed,
hit and run

'destruction of property,
evading arrest--'

You're making it sound like
the crime of the century.

Well, the sheriff van was here.

They took them over
to county juvenile.

You can make
arrangements to have them

released at the county seat.

What's he talking about?

The, uh, boys were arrested

in an unincorporated section
of the county territory, R.C.

The city police
had no jurisdiction.

Now, wait a minute.

We're serving your community

'but we're still
highway patrolmen.'

I don't like the smell of this.

Well, I'm gonna get to the
bottom of it, depend on that!

That's easy, Mr. Chambers.

You know, you gentlemen talk
about the Palma Vista family.

Well, the kids knew
about the police family.

But they didn't know about us.

So they challenged us.
They went too far.

Is this a political maneuver
because of the strike?

Yeah, birds of a feather.

They're using
our kids as leverage.

'Now wait a minute, mister.'

Those officers broke their own
picket line to help us look

for a lost girl door
to door on their own time.

So don't accuse them,
they're good men, alright?

Now why don't you listen to
their Grievance Committee?

Just listen. I mean,
what do you have to lose?

Control of the city.
Control of its future.

Control of the city?
You don't have control now.

And you're city manager.

Wait till you get the bill
from the state for our services.

- Yeah, I know. It's expensive.
- Alright.

Then, I'm sure we'd all agree
that the money would be

better spent on the wages
of the, uh, police family.

And if you, uh, gentlemen would
agree to listen to them

I'm sure they would
come back to work.

Oh, if we agree to negotiate

will you drop
the charges against my sons?

No, sir.

Chet, I can't believe you're
not gonna put a stop to this!

Baker, I would've handled this
in a very different way.

But whether I like it or not,
you're doing it right.

And probably for the best.

Now, look, Chet--

Ah, Mr. Whaley, uh,
I'll get your daughter.

Okay, I blew the engine.

Go ahead. Blow your top.

You're gonna blow
it sooner or later.

What were you thinkin' about?

- Yeah.

About turning a faster lap.

But you already qualified
for the first one.

That's all you needed.
We told you you were in.

A brand new engine,
Candi, brand new!

All you had to do
was nurse it along.

Better I blew it
in the trials than in the race.

You didn't have to blow it.

You got orders from
the to take it easy.

You-you.. All you had to do
was obey my order!

Told you you'd blow your top.

'Candi!'

Do I sell out to you,
or do you sell out to me?

Same answer as always.

I can't afford your 80%.

And I won't sell my 20.

Besides, we love each other.

Hi.

Well, Ms. Wright,
how nice. Come in.

Mrs. Hastings, this is
Evelyn Rudd from the State Board

Donna's new case worker.

Oh? Uh, what happened
to the other lady?

Her future, Mrs. Hastings,
is a bit uncertain.

Oh, why don't you sit down.
I've been cleaning house all--

'I have a lot of
work to do, Mrs. Hastings.'

I'd rather not waste time.

You told Ms. Wright this morning

that your husband was away
on a business trip.

Yes, and she just
missed him by--

'I spoke to your husband
this afternoon'

your ex-husband

the man who divorced
you 6 months ago in Nevada.

Oh.

Uh-huh.

Little Ms. Nosy Parker here.

You failed to report a change
in your marital status

to the county
that employs you, Mrs. Hastings.

This puts you in violation.

That's baloney.
I give that kid a good home.

I'm relieving you
of Donna's custody.

I'm here to take her.

Now?

Now. Call her.

Hey, what's happening, baby?

Could help. Please shut up.

I thought you wanted some beer.

Put it in the kitchen.

Who are you?

Joe, it's about the kid.

Oh.

Call Donna.

Call her yourself.

Donna!

I'm going to pack
your things, Donna.

You don't live here anymore.

Hey!

Hi, there.

May I see your driver's..

Okay, lady, this
is your lucky day.

Watch your left

Yeah, I know the place.

They used to hold
a country fair there years ago.

Okay, there's
5 or 6 guys there.

May be a pretty big operation.
Who knows? Maybe more.

So?

So we need at least
a dozen men to go in there.

Well, you got more
than a dozen guys here in town.

Sure, but we have
to strip the whole town

to get enough men
for the raid.

Right. We know you guys
are on strike, but--

- Yeah!
- Come on, sarge.

You don't want
a hijacking gang here in town.

Maybe some of your men
would volunteer.

Nah, sorry.

Well, I guess it's us or nobody.

Alright.

Which one of you guys wanna
stand surveillance tonight?

Hey, you're the supervisor, man.

You want surveillance,
you tell us.

Alright. How about you?

Not me. I got a date.

I'll take it.

Okay, Barry.

Alright, easy now, steady go.

Yeah, hello, Bruno Sparks.

Oh. Where are you?

At my parents house
in Santa Monica.

I brought Donna, Bruno.

And Ms. Rudd thinks she can
arrange it for her to stay here.

I mean, like live here!

'My parents love her.
They want her.'

Isn't that super and great
and wonderful?

Oh, yeah, that's real groovy.

- Oh, yeah.

Well, alright.
You know where I am.

And I can be there
in two hours if you need me.

Uh, forget it, kiddo. Relax.

I think you're right
where you belong.

'Okay.'

Bye.

Don Croyden, please.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Who's testing the car?

- Don Croyden.
- Oh.

You could've called me.

Candi, I want to win
the race tomorrow.

But I don't want
to lose the car.

And I don't wanna
see you get hurt.

Now, you haven't had
enough practice time.

And your mind hasn't
been on business.

If this has to do
with Donna, let me--

In Gallup it was
feed the Indians.

In Santa Barbara,
it was save the whales.

In Saugus it was
the old folks' home.

It's always somebody's
special problem.

Now with this kid, this kid
is worse than all the others.

Bruno...that problem is solved.

Alright. You solved it your way,
I solved it mine.

I hired Don Croyden to drive.

The race?

My car?

My 80% of it, yes.
Your 20% just goes along.

Like hell it does!

Candi! Hold on there!

Hold it, hold it!
Now come on!

Let go! Let go!

Let go!

It wasn't easy for Bruno to do.

He really doesn't think
I'm in shape for the race.

Are you, Candi?

Really?

Yes, I really am.

Have you told your folks
you won't be driving?

No.

One of the drivers has the flu

and another one
has a broken wrist.

'I'm gonna be at the track
at 7 o'clock in the morning.'

If I can't pick up a ride then

I'll explain
to them when I see them.

Candi?

Did you hear something?

Candi, I did try and cut
you off in Phoenix.

I admit I drove badly.

But I did not ask for the ride
in your car tomorrow.

Would you like to dance?

Croyden.

What do you want?

I just wanted to say that

if what you want is a ride

there are two cars that
need drivers for tomorrow.

But if you're in Candi's car

because you want to force her
out of the game, man

then, you're not worth my time,
or hers, or even your own.

PV control, if we're
going to hit this place

we'd better do it soon.

Well, um, I simply
wanted to say that, um..

...my sons are in my custody

and, um, on forth until
further notice.

Think that'll be best
for now, Mr. Chambers.

Yeah, I think we all
earned a little something

uh, and I wanna thank you.

Excuse me, Baricza says they're
really gangin' up out there.

You better come now
or forget it.

- Well, I'll get outta your way.
- You better.

Excuse me.

I'll be right out.

Tell Ponch to meet
me at Okino road.

Excuse me.

Where're you going?

Stage a little raid.

You want some company?

Are you serious?

Mr. Wailey agreed to talk

so we agreed to
come back to work.

Right, pending negotiations.

Let's do it.

Elmer, see if you
can find Candi.

Sure.

Here comes your driver.

Bruno, I-I'm sorry I'm late.

It's alright, Don.
It's okay. Glad it happened.

I made a mistake.

Now, I got every right by
contract to do what I did

and I'll pay you
what I promised you.

But I gotta tell you,
I would pull that car

before I let it be driven by
anybody, you or anybody else.

I just couldn't do it.

I understand.

'That's great, Don. Great.'

Uh, look, uh, Shepard, uh,
and Beecher need drivers.

Well, Shepard might,
but Beecher doesn't.

He hired me.

Oh...wait a minute.

You took a ride for Beecher
when you had a deal with me?

Well, you know me, Bruno.

- I'm, uh--
- He's a fink.

Just the word
I was looking for.

He thinks he has
a better car.

Find out, Candi.
Follow me.

If you can.

I'm sorry, kiddo.

Apology accepted.

It's no apology.
I just said I'm sorry.

'Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.'

'Welcome to Riverside
International Raceway'

'and the Sendex 300.'

'Cars are down on the line
and all set and ready to go.'

'This is gonna be
one of the finest'

'and fastest competitive races'

'ever held here in Riverside
International Raceway.'

'Drivers from all over the
United States are gathered..'

Did you quit,
or did Bruno fire you?

Why don't you ask
your friend Poncherello?

He's not your rival, sweetheart.

I am.

Wanna bet she
hits the wall?

Bobby Joe, if she does,
it better be her fault for sure.

'Alright, ladies and gentlemen
we have completed the run down.'

'The pace car pulls out
onto the track.'

'The officials here
are signaling for the cars'

'to come out on the track'

'and get ready for competition.'

'Everybody holding beautiful.'

'Right now the pace car
pulls into the inside.'

'Down across the line,
we've got a green flag.'

'And we're racing!'

'...are starting to move.'

'That number 43 car, she's
really giving it a try'

'Candi Wright.'

'Bubby Bartlett in car number 24
is now the leader.'

'Trying to work his
way up through the pack'

'is Don Croyden
in car number 15'

'and here comes the number 43
car right now of Candi Wright.'

'Bobby Joe Ackerman working his
way up through the track.'

'And this happening
bumping in at the curve'

'sliding it down
into the infield'

'and the car bursts
into flames.'

'There's the yellow flag.'

'Bobby Joe Ackerman
seems to be okay, uh'

'due to the efforts of
Don Croyden and Candi Wright.'

'Here comes the emergency
crew moving in.'

'Down on the track the workers
are attempting to clean up'

all the debris. The track is
still under the yellow flag.

'Here comes the number 15 car
of Don Croyden.'

'Also, moving
in to car number 43 up ahead'

'they're both
heading for the pit.'

I'm comin' in!

Alright. She's comin' in.

'Candi Wright into the pit.
The crew is over the wall.'

'They're going to change
the left side rubber.'

'Down goes the car back
onto the wheels.'

'They gave the tap on the top'

'and she's back on
the track and running.'

'Here is car number 43,
Candi Wright.'

'Okay, the cars have lined up'

'very beautiful
out of turn number 9.'

'We've got a green,
ad we're back to racing.'

Alright, we're all set.

Okay. Let's move in.

Isn't that the guy that
was driving the truck?

That's the guy that
tried to kill us.

'Through turn two,
there's still no change.'

'Bubby Bartlett is the leader
in the number 24 car.'

'Running in the second
position, Don Croyden.'

'And holding down
that third spot'

'it's going to be Candi Wright.'

'The rider for
the number 15 car, Don Croyden'

'and moving in at number 43
is Candi Wright.'

'Here they come down
that back straightaway.'

'The battle is on.'

'Moving fast. Down in
the middle we've got a change!'

'It's Croyden starting to move,
and right on the bumper'

'look at that,
it's Candy Wright.'

Hi, folks. What's happening?

'It's Bartlett, Croyden, and
Wright, out of turn number 9.'

Where's turn 9?

Where he's looking.

'Croyden and Wright have
moved away from the field.'

'Right now coming
out of the turn'

they're moving
past the slower cars'

'and we're down to a two horse
race. Look at them go!'

'Here they come,
jockeying for position'

'as they come down
that back straightaway.'

Come on, Candi, come on!

'Candi Wright is moving up.'

'Candi Wright is on the move.'

'Don Croyden and Candy Wright.'

'Candy Wright and Don Croyden.'

Come on!
Come on!

'Down across
the start-finish line'

'and the checkered flag'

'Don Croyden is the winner'

'second place goes
to Candi Wright.'

'Finishing up in
the third position'

'it goes to Toby Bartlett.'

Hey, Sam,
how's Ackerman?

He's in the hospital
for observation

but he's going to be okay.

Oh, good.

That's a heck of a nice
thing you did for him.

That goes
for the lady too.

I wish you'd
tell her thanks.

Go tell her yourself, Sam.

I can't get
through the crowd.

Whoa! Yes!

Yeah. Just a minute.
It's for you.

Sergeant Getraer.

Yeah, sarge.

Ah, Jon.
Look it wasn't easy.

But uh, I think we got it.

The tire prints.

From the Chevy, Jon.

We got a plaster cast.

Oh, I see.

The tire prints on the Chevy

you got a plaster cast.
Uh, actually, sarge.

Actually what?

Well, actually
that's terrific.

Listen, uh, we got a big
traffic jam here.

I'll call you right back, okay?

Okay, well, I'll see you
after the Fresno race.

Keep safe, and,
remember, I love you.

I love you too.

Thanks, mom.

Pop.

- Bye.
- Bye!

Are we still friends?

Till I get you on
the track in Fresno, yeah.

As long as you're
bumming a ride, you drive.

Bye, Ponch!

Bye, Ponch.

I can't seem
to win for losing.

You know what we need?

A nice vacation,
get away from it all.

Okay. Let's try
Los Angeles.

Right on.