War of the Worlds (1988–1990): Season 2, Episode 15 - Candle in the Night - full transcript

♪♪

There's rioting breaking
out throughout the city.

Fires continue to
burn everywhere.

Troops are shooting people.

My God, I... I don't know why.

There's a woman dying in front
of me, and no one's helping her.

There are conflicting reports
about who or what started the chaos.

Will someone tell
me what's happening?

This is madness.

What is this world coming to?

Yeah, just me and two friends.



It started out really
early in the morning.

You see, we've got
this river near our house

with this little island
in the middle of it,

so we built this raft.

Raft? Really?

Yeah. We rode it
out to the island.

We made a fire, even
got a couple of fish.

We spent three nights there.

By yourself?

Yeah. My aunt went nuts.

She thought we were dead.

It was nice to get
back home, though.

I mean, we've got this great
house. We've got this pool.

Pool? Wow.



You've got a great life, Nate.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Come on, tell me.

It's no big deal.

Well, tell me, then.

It's just my birthday tomorrow.

Hey, all right. Happy Birthday.

Like I said, I mean,
it's no big deal.

It'll just be an ordinary
day like all the rest.

Sorry. I just...

I've got friends
all over the city,

and all I do is talk to
them on a dumb machine.

I haven't even met
any of them in person.

Hey, no problem. We'll
get together some day.

Yeah. I could go to the
island and on your raft.

Yeah. No problem.

We could swim in your pool.

I'd love to go to your house.

Sure.

Hey, listen, I've got to go.

But, uh, I'll talk
to you later, okay?

Yeah.

See you.

Has the watcher
entered the compound?

Yes. And as you can see
with this new cloaking device,

the watcher has successfully
eluded every alarm system.

The military's much
vaunted wall of security

has been penetrated, and
quite easily, I might add.

It can go anywhere, gather
information, relay visuals,

and all without risk.

Good. Very good.

- What is it?
- It's, uh...

a malfunction of some sort.

Recall it.

I'm trying. It's not responding.

I've lost control of it.

Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday! Arrgh!

- Happy Birthday, Debi.
- I hope you like it.

Oh, this is great.

I tried to put together
a family history...

All the relatives.

Thanks.

Who's that?

That's me and Grandpa.

I must have been about 8 or 9.

We used to go to the
beach every summer.

- And who's that?
- Me.

The pony was a
Christmas present.

Oh.

Doesn't that cake look good?

Why is there only
one candle on it?

- Well...
- Huh?

Grandma always used to...

Grandma always
used to make the cake.

She said that one candle
represented the light

that children
brought into the world.

- Wait.
- Hmm?

Keep it there. I want to see
that one. Is that... Is that you?

Yeah, when I was 14.

On my birthday.

I wish I had a dress like that.

Who's the guy?

Eric Foss. I had a
wicked crush on him.

That was the day he finally
asked me to the school dance.

What did you say?

What do you think I said?

Honey?

I don't feel like
doing this anymore.

I think I'll lie down.

Thanks.

Okay.

Hello? Oh. Hi, Debi.

Hi, Lisa. How's it going?

Uh, pfft, the usual.

I'm bored out of my skull,
but I'm still on my diet, though.

- That's good.
- Oh, I talked to Nate today,

and he said it was your
birthday. Happy Birthday.

Thanks.

I forgot about that photo.

So much for trying
to cheer her up.

There must be something we
can do to celebrate her birthday.

It's not too late
to have a party.

With what?

Yeah. We can fix up something.

Get some decorations,
maybe. Get a cake.

- Yeah? Who's going to bake it?
- You don't know how?

Cooking was never
one of my specialties.

Suzanne, I'm sure we can get
a cake somewhere in this city,

and we can get some decorations
and... and make this place look...

Shh.

If we're going to do this,
we've got to do it right.

Do it? Do it where?

Yeah, you're right.
We can't have it here.

And for Debi to really have fun,
we have to invite more than just us.

Okay, we got to start
lining up her friends

because if we're talking real party
here, we don't have much time.

Do you really think
we can swing this?

It's a piece of cake.

Anything?

The watcher's directional responsive
transmitter has malfunctioned.

I'm still unable to
control it by remote.

- Shut it down.
- I've tried.

It's not responding.

Where is it now?

I can't tell. The
visuals are unclear.

The information stored in that
watcher is far too valuable to lose.

We cannot allow the
humans to capture it.

Retrieve it.

Keep trying to
re-establish control.

Be assured

the Eternal will not
be pleased with this.

You talked to Nate?

Yeah. Yesterday.

I asked him if he knew anybody
who had a beam spreader.

You see, you need the spreader to
widen the laser for proper elimination.

Did I tell you I was
experimenting with holography?

A million times, Ralph.
What did he say?

Nate? He said he didn't know.

No, not that. I mean, did you
ask him, you know, about me?

Yeah. He said he likes you.

As a friend, right?

No way. We're talking
major league infatuation here.

Really? Well, what
else did he say?

- What's she doing?
- She's talking on the phone.

- What's this?
- I'm scanning three dictionaries

and a glossary of 10,000 names

to see if I could find the path
route to Debi's phone files.

Oh, listen, if you can find
chocolate, she really loves chocolate.

Chocolate? Hey, we may
not have a choice here.

Oh, uh, and if you can find
a cheery place for the party,

- that would be good, too.
- If that's possible.

Yeah, okay. And then
there was something. Uh...

Relax, Mom. Everything
will be taken care of.

Yeah. Okay.

Oh. The password.

Here.

Debi? All that for "Debi"?

Yeah, well, it's
easy to remember.

Go on, guys. Go on, go
on. Daylight's a-wasting.

Yeah. Here's some items.

Here you go.

Just a second. Ha ha ha.

Here you are.

How much?

It's yours for 5...

- Hundred?
- Thousand.

You got to be joking.

I got to eat, too.

I'm sorry. Cake's a luxury
item. I only sell essentials.

Do you know where
we can buy one, then?

Uh, not offhand, no.

It's for a young
girl. It's her birthday.

We've tried four other places,
and we keep coming up empty.

Well, look, I don't
mean to be rude,

but there is a food
shortage in the city,

so you'll forgive me
if I don't take the time

to help you look for a
birthday cake, all right?

Sorry to trouble you.

Hey. Wait.

Try a shop called Gunther's.

Ask for Edna. I don't even
know if she's still in business.

- I haven't seen her in months.
- Thanks.

I got a kid, too.

Come on.

A party sounds great.
Where's it going to be?

We don't know yet.

But someone will be
coming to pick you up.

Here?

Yes. Is that okay?

Well, yeah, I guess, but...

God, I can't believe this.

What?

I'm finally going to get
to meet her in person.

Relax. You'll be fine.

See you tonight.

Hi. How's it going?

Shh.

I managed to get hold
of a few of her friends.

Not all, but enough.
How did you do?

We got a lead on a cake. It
doesn't look very promising, though.

Well, what about a
place for the party?

Nothing. Everything decent's
closed for lack of business.

We'll find a place,
and we'll find a cake.

Here. Take this. We'll split up.

Whoever finds a place
first contacts the other.

- What's this?
- It's a list of kids and their addresses.

They'll need a
ride to the party.

Great. A van full of
screaming teenagers.

Kincaid.

For Debi I'll do it.

What's going on?

Uh...

Nothing. We're just leaving.

They're just leaving.

Oh.

Ardix, have you
positioned yourself?

- Yes.
- Good.

It's started to drift again.

I can see it. The
cloaking device is aborted.

Mana, we've lost it.

Come on! Get off the brakes.

I've picked up two
of the kids already.

Uh, Lisa and Ralph.

This van is death, man.

What did you do,
trick it out yourself?

Did you find a
place for the party?

Hey, what does this do?

Nothing. Just don't
touch anything, okay?

Suzanne, what did you say?

The party. Did you find a place?

If it doesn't work,
why can't I touch it?

Still looking.

Okay. Keep me posted.

Will do.

Hey, can I have this?

No. Just put it down, sit down,
and don't do anything, okay?

Go on. Get in there.

Here. Take this.

Don't worry. He
grows on you like mold.

Don't touch that.
I've told you, huh?

It's real cramped in here.

It must be great
living in a big house.

Yeah.

You really have servants
bringing you meals?

Just a butler.

Breakfast in bed?

Look, I got to go.
Man's calling me.

Yeah. I'll see you.

- What is it?
- Nothing.

You know, when I
was about your age,

I thought no one in the world
understood what I was feeling.

My mom was pretty busy, and
she didn't really have much time.

It got to the point where I stopped
trying to talk to her about my problems.

Just kind of kept
it bottled up inside.

Mom.

- Mm-hmm.
- Give me a break.

Watch him.

Throw it to home!

I'm, uh, looking for Sam Fisher.

Any of you guys know him?

Yeah, I know a Sam Fisher.

But, uh, she's not a him.

I'm Sam.

I'm John Kincaid. I've come
to pick you up for Debi's party.

- Oh. Yeah. I'll be ready in a minute.
- Okay.

Do you mind stepping
back a few feet?

Sure.

Get the ball!
Throw it to second!

All right. All right.
Who's up next?

Billy was next,
but he had to leave.

- No batter. Automatic out.
- Well, wait. What about him?

Me?

No, I don't think so.
We gotta get outta here.

Yeah, sure. You're up, mister.

- Nah.
- Hey, you know what they say.

If you can't take the
heat, get out of the kitchen.

See what Pops can do.

Up and in! Not even close!

Come on! You can
do it! Bring me home!

Strike 2!

Ah, you stink!

What do you mean, strike
2? That was below my knees.

Hang in there, mister.

O and 2. The pressure's on.

Will it be a breaking
ball or more heat?

Just pitch the damn ball, okay?

Get outta here! Let's go!

You ready to go now?

Yeah.

- Nice shot.
- It was, wasn't it?

The watcher's now
roaming the city somewhere.

We'll have to destroy it.

No. It's too valuable.

And just how valuable
will it be in human hands?

Begin the self-destruct
mechanism...

now.

It's not responding.

Find it.

The images are too scattered
and change too rapidly.

I can't discern its location
or its pattern of travel.

It could be anywhere.

Hello?

Hello!

Hi.

Well, what can I do for you?

- I'm looking for Edna.
- Yeah? Who are you?

Blackwood's the name.
Harrison Blackwood.

Somebody told me that
Edna could sell me a cake.

Gunther is the name.
I'm her husband.

I'm pleased to
meet you, Gunther.

Is she here?

No. She's dead.

Oh. I'm sorry.

She was a fine woman.

She died in her sleep four
months ago, just how she wanted.

- You say you want a cake?
- Yes.

- What for?
- It's for a young girl's birthday.

We're throwing a party tonight.

I'm having a hell of a
time just finding a cake

or anybody who can make one.

Hard to find anything
much to eat these days

with the food shortages and all.

Now, Edna, she could bake.

Boy, could she bake.

She was the real
artist in the family.

Oh, I tried to be creative,

but I'm more of a businessman.

You can see some of the
things I dapple in here...

Software, uh, pharmaceuticals,

auto parts, you name it.

You know, you've gotta
be diversified these days.

Actually, Gunther, I was just
looking for a birthday cake.

- Birthday cake.
- Yeah.

Right.

Well, let's see what
we can whip up.

You mean you could
actually bake one of these?

I don't know. I
never tried it before,

but I'm sure my wife

has some kind of recipes
hanging around here.

We'll manage something.

Ah. "Cakes and Pastries."

Yes, we oughta find
something in here.

You know, I really
appreciate this.

What flavor?

Chocolate.

Good choice.

Where are we gonna get it?

Are you sure this
is where he lives?

Well, that's what it says.

Wait here.

Hey.

Freeze. Who are you?

I'm John Kincaid. You Nate?

I've come to pick you
up for Debi's party.

Quite an alarm you've got there.

Yeah, well, you
gotta be prepared.

Uh, I'll be ready in a second.

So, uh, what, do
you own this place?

Yeah.

Look, uh, do me a
little favor, will you?

- What?
- Uh, don't tell Debi about this place.

She thinks I live in a
big house with my aunt.

Don't you have any family?

No. Just me.

But, please, don't
tell her. Promise?

Okay. Yeah. Sure.

Okay. Thanks.

I don't even have
a present for her.

Don't worry. Neither do I.

- Hi, Nate.
- Hi, Nate. How you doing?

- How you doing, man?
- Hey.

Come on. Don't do this to me.

Terrific. What now?

- What is it?
- It's the starter motor.

Don't tell me.

You've been
meaning to get it fixed.

Well, can you fix it?

As a matter of fact, no.

I don't have my tools with me.

So what do we do now?

We make do.

- Harrison, come in.
- What's up?

I just found a great
place to have the party.

Wait. Wait.

Look, we can't have
the party here, period.

We have no choice, hmm?

It's too late to drag you
kids around town on foot.

Besides, where are we
gonna find anywhere better?

Yuck. This place is a mess.

That's why we're gonna
have to clean it up.

Clean it up?

And who's gonna do that? You?

Look, I want this party
to be special for Debi,

and I know you
guys do, too, right?

If we work together, we can
brighten this place up in no time.

And we can start by clearing
an area for dancing. Come on.

Be serious. How
can we dance in here?

We got no sound
system, no dimmer board,

robotic spots or
synchronized lasers.

Then we'll just have to go
back to basics, won't we?

Lisa, Joe, search the rooms
and see if you can find anything

that we can use as decorations.

And be creative. The
rest of you get started.

Come on. We're gonna
need to line some chairs up

and push some tables
together for refreshments.

Refreshments? What refreshments?

We're working on
that. Come on. Let's go.

Now, what about music?

Nate, have you got a stereo?

Uh, no.

Then we'll have
to find one then.

Look, Mr. Kincaid, I can't let
Debi see this place, the way I live.

Nate, she's not gonna
think any less of you.

Well, look, you
don't understand.

Come here.

Here.

What's this?

I'm always telling her
how exciting my life is,

how I go exploring, finding
caves, and islands, and...

She thinks I live
this life of adventure.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Yeah. I found it on
one of the shelves.

It's where I get
all my stories from.

If she sees how I live...

Nate, she'll
understand. Trust me.

The fact that you're able to survive
here is to be commended, not condemned.

You should be
proud of this place,

proud of yourself.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Now, come on. We've
got some work to do.

Mom, when you were
younger, did you date a lot?

Mm-hmm.

Were any of them rich?

A few of them.

Well, I thought the rich
guys only went after rich girls.

Some of them do.

But you want to find
somebody who likes you for you.

Yeah.

But it'd still be
nice to be rich.

Well, my grandfather used to say

that a dog with
money is still a dog.

When you were in high school,
did you go to a lot of dances?

Mm-hmm. As many as I could.

Were they fun?

Let's see. The first
one, I perspired a lot.

The second one, my date
stabbed me with a corsage pin.

And the third one...

Well, never mind.

I did learn to dance, though.

I don't know how to dance.

Well, I think we can do
something about that.

♪♪

Okay.

- You just show me.
- No. Come on.

You gotta do this.

Okay, let's see.

All right. Put your
hand on this shoulder.

- That's right.
- There?

Okay, don't look at your
feet. Now listen to the music.

Just relax.

There.

- Pretty good.
- Thanks.

Uh...

You stay here and
keep practicing.

I'll be right back,
okay? Keep dancing.

I'm here, I'm here.
What's going on out there?

Where's Debi?

She's in her room. It's okay.

We're having the
you-know-what downtown.

Hold it, hold it. I need
something to write on.

Okay. Go ahead.

7th Street South.

Address 420. The old library.

The old library?

Yeah. I had a little
trouble with the van.

We're sort of stuck here.

Was it the starter motor?

Yeah, I think it might be.

I warned you
not to put that off.

Yeah, well, we haven't got
time to get into that right now.

We're fixing the place up.

Um, I'll let you know when to
come down. It shouldn't be long.

Okay. Where's Harrison?

Well, the last I heard, he was
still tracking down the cake.

Okay. I'll wait for your call.

Ralph!

Find everything?

Almost.

It wasn't easy,
especially the eggs.

They must be made out of gold.

I had to pay four times
the going rate for them.

I wasn't able to find any...

Chocolate.

How the hell did you get this?

At least you got them.
That's what counts.

I've got the oven all heated up.

Look, Gunther,

I just spent all my
money on these things,

and I'm not gonna be
able to pay you until next...

Tomorrow, next week, whenever.

The money's not
important. The cake is.

There aren't too many people
like you left in the world, Gunther.

There are lots of people
like me in the world.

You just have to be willing to
open your eyes to see them.

Here. Help me clear this away,

and let's make some cake.

This is all I can find.

Construction paper. Good.
You can make things out of that.

Like what?

Cut strips, glue them into lengths,
and hang them around the room.

Yeah. Didn't you know that?

Of course.

Thanks.

Where does this go?

- Would you like to work on your chess game?
- No.

- We could play some cards or something.
- No!

- Honey, I know you're upset, but...
- Mom, you don't understand.

You had everything. You
had friends, dances, clothes.

I would change it if I could.

- Yeah, but you can't.
- But it won't last forever.

Yeah, right.

- Oh, it just looks like a bunch of junk.
- Yeah.

- Well, let's have a look anyway.
- Okay. Come on.

How many eggs does it call for?

Gunther, I can't read
here. There's a stain.

Better use two.
No, make it three.

They're small.

Hey, Sam, look what I found.

There's some speakers
back there. Get them.

- Debi, I...
- Don't give me a sermon.

That's about enough of this.

You know Nate? He
lives in a big house.

He's got a pool.
He's got servants.

He's not living in a rat hole
waiting for the world to end.

Look, you know exactly
why we have to be here.

Yeah, 'cause you and
Harrison say so, right?

Well, I can't wait. When I'm
old enough, I'm gonna get out.

Debi, we are all gonna
get out of here... together.

I just wanted to do something
normal for my birthday.

- Here. I found some more.
- Great.

Come on.

You all right?

Okay. Let's see it.

- Oh, that's good.
- That's good.

Mr. Kincaid, look.

How is it?

It's great.

This girl you're
giving the party for,

is she your daughter?

Well, she's a... She's
a friend, Gunther.

She's a dear little friend.

- You're not married?
- No, I'm not.

- Someday maybe?
- Yeah, maybe.

Then you'd have
children of your own.

I'd have to think twice about bringing a
child into this messed-up world, Gunther.

Let me ask you something.

Who's gonna straighten
out this messed-up world

if no children are
brought into it?

Come on.

Contact Ardix. Tell him
I've located the watcher.

Debi, come on. Hurry up.

Come on.

- Well, where are we going?
- Out.

Out where?

Kincaid's having trouble with the
van. We gotta take him his tools.

What, the starter motor?

I told him not to
keep putting it off.

It's in the building.

I've contacted Ardix.
He's on his way.

Good.

Almost as good as
Edna used to make.

Almost.

I remember when she was baking,

the kids from the neighborhood
used to line up outside the door,

hoping for free samples.

Of course, you didn't
turn them away, did you?

I didn't have the heart to. I
like kids. They're resilient.

Gunther, we need candles.

Candles? I've got
some in the basement.

Go check, will you?

Where?

On the shelf by the stairs.

What's he doing?

Writing something, it appears.

"Happy Birthday."

There they are.

Idiot.

Oh, I didn't hear you come in.

Can I be of help?

Just browsing.

What do you got in the sack?

Nothing that concerns you.

You're not from
around here, are you?

No.

Not quite.

Gunther, all I could find
were these three candles.

Oh, that's a masterpiece.

Oh, you helped.

You know, I'd be honored
if you came with me.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

- What would I do at a kids' party?
- You could meet Debi.

Where is he?

Uh, he said he'd meet us inside.

Let's go.

Surprise!

♪♪

Happy Birthday, Debi.

Happy Birthday, Debi.

Mom!

Happy Birthday, Debi.

It's chocolate.

Go ahead, honey.

Make a wish and
blow out the candles.

Make it a good one.

Wish for lots of money.

Happy Birthday.

- Hi. Happy Birthday. Were you surprised?
- Yes.

Oh, it's so nice to see you.

Deb!

- Thank you.
- Happy Birthday.

Debi, Suzanne, I want
you to meet Gunther.

Gunther baked the cake.

Thank you so much.

Happy Birthday, Debi.

Thanks.

I don't believe this.

And Kincaid helped
organize it, too.

Thank you.

I made this present for you.

It's not much, but
I hope you like it.

I love it. Thanks.

Happy Birthday.

- Hi, Nate.
- Hi. Happy Birthday.

Look, um, I thought you might as
well know that this is where I live.

I don't have a big house or
a swimming pool or a butler.

It's just me.

All those stories I
told you I got from this.

And I thought, you know,

you might like it as
a birthday present.

Thanks.

Well, you're not mad?

Of course not.

But I'm not rich. I
don't have a thing.

Well, like my mom says, a
dog with money is still a dog.

♪♪ Let's dance.

- Yeah. Good idea.
- Yeah. Sure.

♪♪

Cake!

- Ralph.
- Thanks a lot.

- How about some cake?
- No, I can't. I'm on a diet.

- Sure.
- Um, let me just...

Gunther, how about some cake?

I'm going.

Don't. The party's just
starting. You can't leave now.

I've seen what I came to see.

That's all I need.

- What can I say to you?
- It's okay.

Honey, I have
something for you, too.

I hope you like it.

The celebration
of one's birthday.

Another of the
countless human rituals.

What a vain notion,

celebrating one's birth.

They only think of
themselves, don't they?

♪♪

♪ Smile ♪

♪ Don't ever go away ♪

♪ 'Cause it's only us today ♪

♪ A fantasy ♪

- You want to dance?
- Sure.

I'm not much of a dancer.

Neither am I.

♪ It can always be the way ♪

♪ For you to lead ♪

♪ You'll see ♪

♪ Like the candles
in the night ♪

♪ I'm watching over you ♪

♪ Burning with the night ♪

♪ For everything you do ♪

♪ Like an angel in your view ♪

♪ I'm watching over you ♪

- ♪ Giving you a sign ♪
- Come on, guys.

Picture time. Picture time.

- In a group.
- Everybody gather around for a group shot.

- Come on.
- Let's push in.

- Get in there. Hurry up.
- Come here.

Okay.

Smile.

Quick, quick, quick.

All right.

♪ I'm watching over ♪

♪ You ♪