"In order to show you how a big symphony orchestra is put together," "Benjamin Britten has written a big piece of music, which is made up of smaller pieces that show you all the separate parts of the orchestra." "These smaller pieces are called variations, which means different ways of playing the same tune." "First of all, he lets us hear the tune or the theme, which is a beautiful melody by the much older British composer Henry Purcell." "Here is Purcell's theme played by the whole orchestra together." "Now, Mr. Britten lets you hear the four different families of the orchestra playing the same Purcell theme in different ways." "First, we hear the woodwind family." "The ﬂutes, the oboes, the clarinets and the bassoons." "Here comes the brass family." "The trumpets, the horns, the trombones and the tubas." "One to four." "Now, Mr. Britten arranges the Purcell theme for the string family." "I'm sick of this rain." "The violins, the violas, the cellos and the double basses." "And of course, the harp." "And finally the percussion family, all those drums and gongs and things you hit." "After this, you will hear the theme by Purcell played once more in its original form by all four families together." "That is, the whole orchestra." "This is the island of New Penzance." "16 miles long." "Forested with old-growth pine and maple." "Criss-crossed by shallow tidal creeks." "Chickchaw territory." "There are no paved roads, but..." "Here comes Jed with the mail." "But instead many miles of intersecting footpaths and dirt trails, and a ferry that runs twice daily from Stone Cove." "The year is 1965." "We are on the far edge of Black Beacon Sound, famous for the ferocious and well-documented storm, which will strike from the east on the 5th of September." "In three days' time." "Morning, Gadge." "Morning, sir." "Deluca, latrine inspection." "Good." "Roosevelt, how's that lanyard coming?" "Horrible." "Skotak, what's all this lumber for?" "We're building a tree house." " Where?" " Right here." "That's not a safe altitude." "Why is it up so high?" "If someone falls from there, that's a guaranteed death." "Well, where would you have built it?" "Lower." "Nickleby?" "What are you doing?" "Pest control." "Burning some ants." "Spot check." "Your socks are down, your shirt tails are untucked, your trousers are not properly pressed." "You are reported for a uniform violation." "How many rockets you up to, Panagle?" "Sixteen and a half, sir." "Is that enough for the Hullabaloo?" "Izod, go fetch another pint of gunpowder from the armory shed." "Redford!" "Halt!" "I saw that!" " How fast were you just going?" " Safety test, sir." "Come again?" "The vehicle appears to be in good working order," "I'm just checking if..." "Reckless cycling." "Second warning." "Next time, I take away the keys." "Morning, Chef." "Clear!" "Who's missing?" " Who's missing?" " Shakusky." " Shakusky." " Shakusky." "Shakusky!" "Breakfast!" "Shakusky, you in there?" "Sam?" "It's zipped from the inside." "Jiminy Cricket, he flew the coop." "Hello, this is Captain Sharp, over." "Captain Sharp, this is Randall Ward over at Camp Ivanhoe." "Over." "Morning, Randy." "What can I do for you?" "Over." "I'm not sure exactly." "I've got an escaped Khaki Scout." "Over." "What does that mean?" "Over." "One of my boys seems to have stolen a miniature canoe and some fishing tackle," "10 pounds of sundries, two bedrolls, plus an air riﬂe." "And disappeared." "Over." "Any idea why?" "Over." "No." "He left me a letter of resignation." "Over." "Dear Scout Master Ward," "I am very sad to inform you I can no longer be involved with the Khaki Scouts of North America." "The rest of the troop will probably be glad to hear this." "It is not your fault." "Best wishes, Sam Shakusky." "Well, I guess we better notify his folks." "Over." "Okay." "Over and out." "Hello, Diane." "Becky, I have your person-to-person from Chesterfield" "Hold the line, please." "Hello?" "Hello, sir." "This is Captain Sharp." "Yes, sir." "I received your message." "Thank you very much." "In fact, we've come to a decision, as a family, because this is only the most recent incident involving Sam's troubles, and it's just not fair to the others, so, unfortunately," "we can't invite him back at this time." "There's no cause for alarm, sir." "We'll find him." "We're simply notifying you as a matter of protocol and so on." "I understand that." "I'm notifying you of the situation on my end." "I'm confused by that statement." "You can't invite him back?" "I'm afraid not." "He's a good boy." "He's got a good heart." "But it's just not fair to the others, you see?" "He's emotionally disturbed." "Am I speaking with Sam's father?" "No, sir." "Sam's parents passed away a number of years ago." "We're Mr. and Mrs. Billingsley." "We're foster parents." "Sam's been with us since last June." "Excuse me, sir." "This is Scout Master Ward speaking." "Are you implying that Sam is an orphan?" "Well, it's a known fact." "Of course he is." "Well, why the hell doesn't it say so in the register?" "Excuse my language." "I don't know." "What register?" "We sent him a letter." "It should reach you presently." "Mr. Billingsley, I've got an escaped Khaki Scout." "We are notifying you as a matter of protocol." "You say you can't invite him back?" "You say that he's an orphan?" "I don't understand how that works." "What am I supposed to do with him?" "That's up to social services." "They'll be in touch with you." "They'll look after Sam." "Good luck to you." "You have your orders." "Use the orienteering and path-finding skills that you've been practicing all summer." "Let's find our man, bring him safely back to camp." "Remember, this isn't just a search party, it's a chance to do some first class Scouting." "Any questions?" "Lazy-Eye?" "What's your real job, sir?" " I'm a math teacher." "Why?" " What grade?" " Eighth." " You need a PhD for that?" "Lazy-Eye, no, but you know what, we're actually in the middle of something here, in case you didn't notice." "One of our Scouts is missing and that's a crisis." "Anybody else?" "Redford?" "What if he resists?" " Who?" " Shakusky." "Are we allowed to use force on him?" "No, you're not." "This is a non-violent, rescue operation." "Your mission is to find him, not to hurt him under any circumstances." "Am I making myself understood?" " Yes." " Good." "I'm going to change my answer, in fact, this is my real job." "Scout Master Troop 55." "I'm a math teacher on the side." "Be leery out there." "Okay?" "Now let's get started." "Who's got Snoopy?" "Right here." "Give him the scent." "I heard he ran away because his family died." "I heard he never had any family in the first place." "That's probably why he's crazy." "I'll tell you one thing, if we find him, I'm not going to be the one who forgot to bring a weapon." "Me, neither." "Camp Ivanhoe, that's all the way across the other side of the island." "You really think a 12-year-old boy could row this far in a miniature canoe?" "Most likely not." "It is possible, Counselor." "I disagree, Counselor." "It would take him three days, at least." "I don't think so." "Two days, maximum." " Well, I'm not going to argue about it." " Be that as it may," " will you let me know if you see anything unusual?" " Yup." "Scout Master's log, September 2nd." "First day of search party for Sam Shakusky" "Morale is extremely low, in part, I suppose, because Sam is the least popular Scout in the troop." "By a significant margin." "I'm confused and I'm worried." "Please let us find him tomorrow." "Please don't let him fall off a cliff, or drown in the goddamn lake or something." "A terrible day at Camp Ivanhoe." "Let's hope tomorrow's better." "One Year earlier" "What kind of bird are you?" "I'm a sparrow, she's a dove..." "No." "I said, what kind of bird are you?" "I'm a raven." "Boys aren't allowed in here." "I'll be leaving soon." "What happened to your hand?" "I got hit in the mirror." "Really, how did that happen?" "I lost my temper at myself." "What's your name?" "Sam." "What's yours?" "I'm Suzy." "It's not polite to stare." "Birds, ready?" "Who are you?" "Where did you come from?" "Go back to your seat." "He likes you." "Were you followed?" " I doubt it." " Good." "Is that a cat in there?" " Can you read a map?" " Uh-huh." "I do cartography." "I feel we should go halfway today, and halfway tomorrow since you're a less experienced hiker, and you're wearing Sunday school shoes." "They're not really Sunday school shoes." "Here." "Oh, thank you." "Here's where we are right now." "I'd like to pitch camp here by 1600, which means 4:00." "How does that sound?" " Fine." " You want some beef jerky?" " Okay." " Let's go." "Are you thirsty?" "No, thank you." "Well, if your throat gets parched, stick a pebble in your mouth and suck on it." "You can quench your thirst with the spit, supposedly." "Mmm-hmm." "Sometimes I stick leaves on my hair." "It helps cool your head down." "Hmm." "That's a good idea." "It might also help if you didn't wear a fur hat." "Yeah." "True." "You can go ahead." "Be careful." "Here's a trick, throw pine needles in the air and you can see which direction the wind is blowing." "Which Way?" "I guess it doesn't really matter, just as long as we cover our tracks." "You smell like perfume." "Oh, it's my mother's." "Hmm." "Hmm." "I brought water, too." " You wait here." " Okay." "Be right back." "Watch your head!" "Where the hell is it?" "Found it!" "It's ready." "He knows someone's watching him." "I agree." "Wait." "Why do you say that?" "Mmm..." "I don't know, I just think he can feel us." "Follow me." "How strong of a swimmer are you?" "Pretty good." "I broke our school record for the backstroke." "Okay." "Well, I'm not that strong of a swimmer, so I wear a life preserver." "Watch out for turtles." "They'll bite you if you put your fingers down their mouths." "Okay." "Let me see if I can catch this one." "Feel something." "Hmm..." "Somebody wrote on him." "The stick's moving." "You got one!" "Fish on hook!" "Reel him in, slowly." "Mmm." "Very good." "You know a lot about camping, don't you?" "I'm a Khaki Scout." "It's what I'm trained for." "Well, anyway, I used to be." "Maybe we can feed your cat the guts and eyeballs." "Oh, that's okay." "He only eats kitten food." "Oh." "What else did you bring?" "Maybe we can make an inventory." "Okay." "Go ahead." "This is my record player." "It works with batteries." "Well, actually, it belongs to my little brother, Lionel." " I left him a note." " Okay." " Do you like music?" " Yeah." "This is my favorite record album." "My godmother gave it to me for my birthday." "She lives in France." "These are my books." "I like stories with magic powers in them." "Either in kingdoms on Earth or on foreign planets." "Usually, I prefer a girl hero, but not always." "I couldn't bring them all because it got too heavy." "You can borrow any you want." "Thank you." "I also brought my lefty scissors because I'm left-handed, some rubber bands, extra batteries, my toothbrush, and my binoculars, as you know." "Yeah." "I forgot my comb." "But I'll use my fingers." "Huh." "Wait, these are all library books." "In my school, you're only allowed to check out one at a time." "Some of these are going to be overdue." "Do you steal?" "Why?" "You're not poor." "I might turn some of them back in one day." "I haven't decided yet." "I know it's bad." "I think I just took them to have a secret to keep." "Anyway, for some reason, it makes me feel in a better mood sometimes." "Are you depressed?" "How come?" "Well, I can show you an example, if you'd like, but it doesn't make me feel very good." "Anyway, I found this on top of our refrigerator." "Does that mean you?" "I think so." "Are you laughing?" "It's not funny." "You really know how to make friends." "I'm sorry." "Oh." "It's okay." "I'm on your side." "I know." "Thank you." "Which one's the best?" ""His eyes downcast, his kingdom in ruins, Mynar pressed his heavy paw" ""through the rippling surface of the cool shallows" ""and down to its stone floor." ""My people once were led by a great and noble beast" ""and I no longer see his face in this reflection.'" ""Meanwhile, on the Plains of Tabitha, Francine rested." ""There would be another time for war."" "Suzy!" "Dinner!" "I'm not going to say it again." "Where's your sister?" "I don't know, but she borrowed my record player for 10 days without asking." "What does that mean?" "Dear Lionel, I need to use your record player." "I will give it back in 10 days or less." "Do not tell Mom." "Or Dad." "I will replace the batteries when I return." "Signed, Suzy Bishop." "Walt!" "Where the hell are you?" "Right here!" "Why are you cursing at me?" "Does it concern you that your daughter's just run away from home?" "That's a loaded question." "Come down and read this." "Scout Master Ward confirms they've had no luck." "They're going home for..." "Who's there?" "Good evening." "Sorry to startle you." "What are you doing here?" "Nobody called the police." "I know." "Uh..." "I know." "The search party's not over yet." "In other words..." "Suzy's missing, too!" "Go find her." "The tropical cyclone, which originated last week off the coast of British Honduras, has intensified rapidly and is now designated Hurricane Mabeline." "Stay tuned for further information" "How can we help her?" "She's got so many problems." "It's getting worse." "Whose fault is it?" "I don't know." "But just for the record 95 % of all runaways return home within the first six hours." "That doesn't do you any good right now." "It's just a statistic." "But in all likelihood, Suzy's probably hiding in the closet at her best friend's house playing Chinese checkers at this very moment, as we speak." "She doesn't have any friends." "How's Laura?" ""How's Laura?"" "Mrs. Bishop, I mean." "I don't understand." "Is she upset?" "There's a porcupine." "She has a pen pal!" "It's very intimate." "They planned this together." "Sam Shakusky." "That's my escaped Khaki Scout." "His family died." "Holy Christ, what am I looking at?" "He does watercolors." "Mostly landscapes, but a few nudes." "She sit for this?" "What's he say?" "Dear Suzy, you have a superb voice." "You were my favorite animal in the program, by far." "Please find enclosed..." "Dear Sam, thank you very much." "I got replaced as the raven because I yelled at Mrs. Lynn." "After that, I was only a blue jay, but..." "Dear Suzy, I'm sorry that your brothers are so selfish." "Maybe they will grow out of it." "Sometimes people do things without knowing the reasons for..." "Dear Sam, you are an excellent painter, especially trees and telephone poles." "Is the girl in the water supposed to be me?" "My favorite color is..." "Dear Suzy, I accidentally built a fire while I was sleepwalking." "I have no memory of this, but my foster parents think I am lying." "Unfortunately, it is..." "Dear Sam, I am in trouble again because I threw a rock through the window." "My mother still has glass in her hair." "Also..." "Dear Suzy, I have been trying very hard to make friends, but I feel people do not like my personality." "In fact, I can understand why they might not..." "Dear Sam, now I am getting suspended because I got in a fight with Molly." "She says I go berserk." "Our principal is against me." "Why do some..." "Dear Suzy, I know your parents hurt' your feelings, but they still love you." "That is more important." "If they..." "Dear Sam, I do think you should think of their faces every day, even if it makes you sad." "It is too bad they did not leave you more pictures of themselves." "Can you..." "Dear Suzy, here is my plan." "Dear Sam, my answer is yes." "Dear Suzy, when?" "Dear Sam, where?" "Dear Suzy, walk 400 yards due north from your house to the dirt path which has not got any name on it." "Turn right and follow to the end." "I will meet you in the meadow." "Gee whiz, what do you suppose happened to him?" "I'm not sure." "I think he went searching in the dark." "She stole the batteries out of my flashlight." "Stole the batteries out of the flashlight..." "I think he's onto us." "Of course he is." "Of course he is?" "Of course he is." "Then why aren't we worried about that?" "I am." "Well, I didn't know." "Or, anyway, I thought maybe I was wrong." "Did you hit him?" "No." "He fell in a ditch." "Hey!" "Cat food!" "I think it's a clue." "That's her." "Where's he going?" "I don't know." "All right, we know they're together." "We know they're within a certain radius of this spot." "I'm declaring a case with the county right now." "Until help arrives, I'm deputizing the little guy, the skinny one, and the boy with the patch on his eye to come with me in the station wagon." "Randy, you drop in and head up river with the rest of your troops, split up on foot." "Becky, call Jed, tell him to circle over this end of the island and fly low." "Is it them?" "Yeah, yeah." "They found the campfire." "Rats!" "I should have put more pine needles on it." "Let's go." "Be careful." "What do you creeps want?" "We're looking for you." "Why?" "Well, because you're a fugitive." "No, I'm not." "I quit the Khaki Scouts." "Well, it doesn't matter anyway." "You don't have that authority." "We've been deputized." "Now, you're going to come along peacefully or not?" "Listen to some reason." "I don't like you." "You don't like me." "So, why don't you just let us disappear?" "Well, it's tempting, but we can't allow it." "You know, you shouldn't be friends with him." "Why not?" "Because he's crazy." "Maybe you just don't know him." "Actually, we know him a lot better than you." "He's emotionally disturbed because his family died." "Nickleby, tie him up." "Do not cross this stick." "You're doomed, Shakusky." "Molly's right, I do go berserk." "It was him or us." "Oh, no." "She stabbed Redford in the back with lefty scissors." "Repeat that, please?" "Over." "Puncture wound, lower lumbar." "Make room for a stretcher in the cockpit." "You're going to be okay." "Thank goodness she missed the artery." "Here, bite on this." "I tried to chop him, but he dodged my tomahawk." "He's got excellent marksmanship." "Shot Deluca in both arms." "I guess we're going to miss the Hullabaloo after all." "Where's Snoopy?" "Those sons of bitches." "They got him right through the neck." "Was he a good dog?" "Who's to say." "But he didn't deserve to die." "What happened?" "Who is that?" "Clear the dock, Edgar!" " Why is he bleeding?" " Is Suzy with you?" "No, she's in the woods with Shakusky." "Where am I going?" "The infirmary at Fort Lebanon." "We'll be right behind you." "You got it?" "Yup." "Warm up the motor, I'll be right back." "Hold it right there!" "You're not leaving this island." "Our daughter has been abducted by one of these beige lunatics." "Walt, it's very clear." "The two of them conspired in this together." "Don't worry, Mr. Bishop." "She'll be safe." "Sam's got excellent wilderness skills." "Why can't you control your Scouts?" "Well, I'm trying." "Whoa, whoa." "Hey." "Stop it!" "Stop it!" " Stop it!" " Stop it." "I do blame him." "But I also blame myself and both of you." "With all due respect, you can't let your children stab people." "What are you talking about?" "She's violent, Mrs. Bishop, it's assault." " Are you a lawyer?" " No, I'm not a lawyer." "Well, we are!" "Take your hands off my wife!" "Take them off!" "Excuse me." "Excuse me, Captain Sharp!" "As some of you know, I taught Sam for the cartography accomplishment button." "He's a smart boy and he expressed a keen interest in the history of the island's indigenous peoples." "In particular, I recall his fascination with the idea of retracing the original path of the old Chickchaw harvest migration." "What I'm getting at is this." "I think I know where they're going." "Onto the birdhouse, where every kind of bird imaginable is whirling and wheeling around." "This is our land!" "Yes, it is!" "Whoo!" "Whoo!" "Run!" "Let's jump!" "On three!" "One, two, three!" "Any of you who have ever had to sweat through piano exercises will sympathize with these..." "I like it here, but I don't like the name." "Me, neither." ""Mile 3.25 Tidal Inlet" It's got no ring to it." "Let's change it." "What should it be?" "Let me think for a minute." "I made you some jewelry." "Are your ears pierced?" "It's pretty." "Do the other one." "Why do you always use binoculars?" "It helps me see things closer, even if they're not very far away." "I pretend it's my magic power." "Hmm." "That sounds like poetry." "Poems don't always have to rhyme, you know." "They're just supposed to be creative." "So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" "I don't know." "I want to go on adventures, I think." "Not get stuck in one place." "How about you?" "Go on adventures, too." "Not get stuck, too." "Anyway, we can't predict the exact future." "That's true." "It's possible I may wet the bed, by the way." "Later, I mean." "Okay." "I wish I didn't have to mention it, but just in case." "I don't want to make you be offended." "Of course I won't." "What's that one for?" " This?" " Yeah." "It's not an accomplishment button." "I inherited it from my mother." "It's not actually meant for a male to wear, but I don't give a damn." "Are your foster parents still mad at you, for getting in trouble so much?" "I don't think so." "We're starting to get to know each other better." "I feel I'm in a real family now." "Not like yours, but similar to one." "I always wished I was an orphan." "Most of my favorite characters are." "I think your lives are more special." "I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about." "I love you, too." " I've got sand in my mouth." " Oh." "Uh..." "Can you French kiss?" "I think so." "Is there any secret to it?" "The tongues touch each other." "Okay, let's try it." "It feels hard." "Do you mind?" "I like it." "Tilt your head sideways." "You can touch my chest." "I..." "I think they're going to grow more." ""The flashlight's beam drew a moon through the black" ""across the attic and settled on a gap in the baseboard." ""A mouse hole, no bigger than a pocket watch." ""Eric crouched on his flat feet" ""and placed his hand in front of the tiny opening." ""'It's windy,' he said." ""'Like someone in there's blowing on my fingers.'" ""Christy rolled her eyes and sighed a sigh." ""'He's right again,' she thought." ""'Little brothers drive people crazy."'" "I'm listening." "Read on." "Part two." "No!" "Dear Sam, it saddens me to write this letter, but Mrs. Billingsley and I have decided we cannot permit you to return to our home." "I know you mean well." "Do trust me, this is for the best." "Godspeed, Herbert Billingsley." "Be advised, the two of you will never see each other again." "Those were your last words." "Do you understand?" "I'd be careful if I were you." "One of these days, somebody's going to get pushed too far, and who knows what they're capable of." "Is that a threat?" "It's a warning." "You're a traitor to our family." "Good." "I want to be." "I'm sorry about this." "I didn't know your situation." "It wasn't in the register." "How'd you lose your parents?" "Never mind, I don't need to ask about that." "I wish we had time to do an inspection back there." "On the beach." "I would have given you a commendable." "That was one of the best pitched campsites I've ever seen." "Honestly." "Thank you." "You don't want to be a Khaki Scout anymore?" "Hello, Becky?" "Judy, I have your person-to-person from New Penzance." "Go ahead, New Penzance." "Hello, this is Captain Sharp." "Hello, Captain Sharp." "This is Social Services." "I'm calling in reference to Sam Shakusky, ward of the state." "I understand he's in your custody." "That's correct." "What's his condition?" "Has he suffered any injury or trauma of any kind?" " He's fine." " Very good." "How do I get to you?" "The fastest way would be sea plane." "Jed can bring you in with the mail." "I'll come tomorrow morning, if that's acceptable to you." "Is someone able to provide reasonable care and nourishment for the boy until that time?" "Uh-huh." "Is that a yes?" "Uh-huh." "Very good, I'll contact you again before the end of the day." "Wait a second." "Yes?" "Social Services?" "Captain Sharp?" "What's going to happen to him?" "Well, normally, we try to place him in another foster home, but that option's no longer available to us, in my opinion, due to his case history." "Which means he'll go to Juvenile Refuge." "Wait." "What does that mean?" "Is that an orphanage?" "Who's speaking?" "This is Scout Master Randy Ward." "Right, an orphanage." "But the first step is the admissions panel requires a psychological evaluation to determine whether or not the boy is a candidate for institutional treatment or electroshock therapy." "Excuse me." "Shock therapy?" "Why would that be called for?" "He's not violent." "The report describes an assault with scissors." "That was the girl." "That was the girl that did that." "Well, maybe she needs help, too, but that's not our job." "Okay?" "Okay." "I'll be out back." "I'm going to find a tree to chop down." "I do know what you're feeling, Suzy-bean." "I've had moments myself where I say, "What am I doing here?" ""Who made this decision?" ""How could I allow myself to do something so stupid?" ""And why is it still happening?"" "We women are more emotional..." "I hate you." "Don't say "hate."" "Why not?" "I mean it." "You think you mean it, in this moment." "You're trying to hurt me." "Exactly." "I know what you do with that sad, dumb policeman." "He's not dumb." "But I guess he is kind of sad." "Anyway, we shouldn't discuss that." "It's not appropriate for me to even acknowledge what I already just said." "Poor Suzy." "Why is everything so hard for you?" "We're in love." "We just want to be together." "What's wrong with that?" "Oh, my God!" "How are we going to get these fish hooks out?" "I admit we knew we'd get in trouble." "That part's true." "We knew people would be worried, and we still ran away, anyway." "But something also happened, which we didn't do on purpose." "When we first met each other, something happened to us." "That's very eloquent." "I can't argue against anything you're saying." "But then again, I don't have to, 'cause you're 12 years old." "Look, let's face it." "You're probably a much more intelligent person than I am." "In fact, I guarantee it." "But even smart kids stick their finger in electrical sockets sometimes." "It takes time to figure things out." "It's been proven by history." "All mankind makes mistakes." "It's our job to try to protect you from making the dangerous ones, if we can." "You want a slug?" "What's your rush?" "You've got your whole life in front of yourself." "Ahead of you, I mean." "Maybe so." "Anyway, you're a bachelor." "So are you." "That's true." "Did you love someone ever?" "Yes, I did." "What happened?" "She didn't love me back." "Ah." "I'm sorry for your loss." "Anyway, that's what you're supposed to say." "Scout Master's log." "September 4th." "I heard he's going to reform school." "I heard that they're going to take out a piece of his brain, send him to an insane asylum." "I like his girl." "She's too scruffy for me." "Supposedly, they got to third base." "That's not true." "He just felt her up." "Over shirt or under shirt?" "Damn us." "It's none of our business." "This troop has been very shabby to Field Mate Sam Shakusky." "In fact, we've been a bunch of mean jerks." "Why's he so unpopular?" "I admit, supposedly, he's emotionally disturbed, but he's also a disadvantaged orphan." "How would you feel?" "Nickleby?" "Deluca?" "Lazy-Eye?" "Gadge?" "He's a fellow Khaki Scout, and he needs our help." "Are we man enough to give that so part of his brain doesn't get removed out of him?" "They were prepared to die for each other out there." "Okay." "Okay." "What do you need?" "For starters?" "Three yards of chicken wire, some ripped up newspapers, and a bucket of wheat paste." "In other words, it's over." "I guess so." "For the moment." "Until further notice." "That's right." "I understand." "I have to do better, for everybody." "Except me." "Except you." "Well, I hope you can." "I think you will." "You're doing the right thing." "Who knows what's going to happen, Duffy?" "I'll probably see you tomorrow." "Get out of my chimney." "Listen to me." "We're here for friendship." "We're going to get you off this island." "No, thanks." "Yes, thanks." "This is an emergency rescue." "It's worthless to me." "There's no point, not without Suzy." "How'd you get here?" "They snuck me down the laundry chute and left a papier-mâché dummy in my bed." "Hmm..." "Diversion tactics." "Good thinking." "Where we going?" "Fort Lebanon." "My cousin Ben runs the Supply and Resources outpost for the Hullabaloo." "He's a Falcon Scout, Legionnaire." "Cousin Ben'll know what to do." "Can we trust him?" "Normally, I'd say no." "Did you leave another note for Lionel?" "Not this time." "He can't keep his trap shut." "Besides, I'll probably never see him again." "True." "This is the island of St. Jack Wood, extending far north from Land's End along the deep water channel that leads to Broken Rock." "A low flood plain separates the beach from the township above." "A small but prosperous community." "The barometer reads 28 inches and dropping." "Strong winds, as you can see, already at 22 knots." "The time is now 4:35 a.m." "Did you file the motion of continuance?" "Peabody v. Henderson?" "It was sustained." "Good." "Did the judge consider your application for leniency?" "Rogers v. Yentob?" " He granted it." " Great." "I'm sorry, Walt." "It's not your fault." "Which injuries are you apologizing for, specifically?" "Specifically?" "Whichever ones still hurt." "Half of those were self-inflicted." "I hope the roof flies off, and I get sucked up into space." "You'll be better off without me." "Stop feeling sorry for yourself." "Why?" "We're all they've got, Walt." "That's not enough." ""'But I'm not going,' said Barnaby Jack." ""'I'm running away tonight for good." ""'And this time I won't get caught.'" ""Annabelle whispered, 'I'm coming with you.'" ""Her yellow hair, now brown at the roots," ""caught up in the wind and danced." ""Barnaby Jack took Annabelle's hand" ""and pressed something into it the size of a jellybean." ""'Hide this in your socks, and be ready at midnight."'" "Continue." "Keep going." " Keep going." " Go on." " We're listening." " That's good." ""He leapt out the window and landed in the fresh fallen snow."" "Where's my record player?" "You're not going to believe this one, sir." "That Scout Master on New Penzance has now lost his entire troop." "Well, I'll be damned!" "Who is this bimbo?" "Couldn't say, sir." "Be right back." "There's a broken gumball machine right behind the snack tent." "I don't care how they do it where you come from." "You want pop?" "You want candy?" "You want a snake bite kit?" "Get some money." "Cousin Ben?" "Come back in five minutes." "Is this him?" "Field Mate Sam Shakusky, Troop 55, resigned." "He's hot." "Almost too hot." "What's in the can?" "$76, but it's mostly in nickels." "Give it to me." " Your badge in seamanship?" " Yes, sir." "Good." "There's a cold water crabber moored off Broken Rock." "The skipper owes me an IOU." "We'll see if he can take you on as a claw cracker." "It won't be an easy life, but it's better than shock therapy." "Thank you, sir." "By the way, where's the chapel tent?" "Back there, but the padre's home with the mumps." "Why do you ask?" "I want to bring my wife." "But we're not married yet." "You his girl?" "Yeah." "Technically, I'm a civil law scrivener." "I'm authorized to declare births, deaths, and marriages." "You're kind of young." "You got a license?" " No." " No." "I can't offer you a legally binding union." "It won't hold up in the state, the county, or, frankly, any courtroom in the world due to your age, lack of a license, and failure to get parental consent." "But the ritual does carry a very important moral weight within yourselves." "You can't enter into this lightly." "Look into my eyes." " Do you love each other?" " Yes, we do." "But think about what I'm saying." "Are you sure you're ready for this?" " Yes, we are." " They're not listening to me." " Let me rephrase it." " We're in a hurry." "Are you chewing..." "Spit out the gum, sister." "In fact, everybody." "I don't like the snappy attitude." "This is the most important decision you've made in your lives." "Go over by that trampoline and talk it through before you give me another quick answer." "We're sure." "Okay." "Let's do a blood test." "Under the eye of God, and within the boundaries of this local jurisdiction, which we hereby consecrate on this day, the 5th of September, 1965." "That's the end of the short form." "Do any of the witnesses have objections or remarks?" "Usually they don't." "Skotak?" "Can we loan them the nickels?" "I'm worried about their future." "That's my fee." " What do you think?" " I don't know." "What'd I just say?" "That's my fee." "I'm keeping the nickels." "Okay, they can have the tennis ball can." "Sign here, initial here and here." "Take the carbon, leave the Bible." "Let's go." "Where are they going, again?" "He's going to work on a shrimper, if I understand correctly." " I wish them well." " Me, too." "Me, too." "I think they're coming back." " Be quick, sailor!" " What happened?" "She left her binoculars on a hook in the chapel tent." "Just leave them." "We can't." "It's her magic power!" "You killed your dog, by the way." " Snoopy?" " Mmm-hmm." "Well, it couldn't be helped." "Why do you consider me your enemy?" "Because your girlfriend stabbed me in the back with lefty scissors." "She's my wife now." "Congratulations." "Thank you, but I'm saying before that, six weeks ago, from day one." "Why don't you like me?" "Why should I?" "Nobody else does." "My God!" "He's here!" "The fugitive!" "Stop him!" "Stop him!" "On this spot, I'll fight no more, forever." "Come and get me, you bastards!" "I'm okay." "Follow me." "Company, let's go!" "Captain Sharp, we've located the missing troop." "They just fled camp." "We're in pursuit." "They're accompanied by a 12-year-old girl in knee socks and Sunday school shoes." "Stand by, Commander Pierce." "Jed, re-route to St. Jack Wood." "Tell Social Services the boy's at Fort Lebanon." "Roger that." "Will comply." "Notify the Bishops, Suzy's there." "Randy, you monitoring?" "Affirmative." "I'm on my way." "Hello?" "Hello, Mr. Bishop?" "Oh, dear God." "Get the boys!" "Let's go!" "Right now!" "Tower control, this is Jed." "Confirm coordinates for new destination, Alpha two-two-seven-one-fiver." "Looking pretty soupy up here." "Wouldn't mind setting down before the pot boils over." "Hang on, Social Services." "Once again, storm waters have just breached the dam at Black Beacon Reservoir." "A flash flood alert is in effect." "Take immediate precautions" "That's coming our way." "Did you find them?" "Prepare to mobilize to higher ground." "St. Jack's Church is the designated storm shelter." "Notify all Scouts to muster outside my tent, on the double." "Attention, company!" "Prepare for..." "Who's that?" "You call yourself a Khaki Scout?" "Sorry, sir?" "Where's your goddamn troop, you son of a bitch?" "You don't have them?" "They could get killed out there!" "I'm field stripping you of your command." "Attention, company!" "Prepare for emergency evacuation!" "Sir, do you have your medicine?" "I'll be right back." "Hold your positions!" "Company secretary, status report." "All accounted for, Scout Master!" "Okay, boys, we're going to make a run for it!" "Fall in!" "Let's move!" "Come on, follow me!" "Who's in charge here?" "Randy, what happened?" "Take the commander off me!" "Suzy?" "Suzy?" "Sam?" "They ran away again." "We got to go back out there." "I need volunteers." "You, and you and you." " You?" " Are you all right?" "Of course I am." "Where's the boy?" "We don't know yet." "That's not acceptable." "What do you want me to say, lady?" "Somebody get Jed a cup of coffee." " You're Captain Sharp." " That's correct." "I'm Social Services." "I remanded the boy into your personal custody." "You're responsible for his safety." "I'm told that he's just been struck by lightning." "That's the first I've heard of it." "It's true." "Scout Master Ward, I presume." "Yes, ma'am." "Your reputation precedes you." "You two are the most appallingly incompetent custodial guardians" "Social Services has ever had the misfortune to encounter in a 27-year career!" "What do you have to say for yourselves?" "You can't do this." "They'll eat him alive in there." "Where?" "What's the name of the place again?" "Juvenile Refuge." "Sounds like jail." "Just find the boy, and deliver him to Social Services." "Nothing else is in your power." "I'm sorry." "Can we get back to the rescue now?" " Suzy is still out there." " Who are you?" "Walt and Laura Bishop, their daughter's the missing girl." "The parents of the stabber?" "I object to that description." "She was attacked." "Excuse me?" "I want the details about that." "Where's the Scout she knifed?" "Right here." " Field Mate Redford, sir." " What's his condition?" "He may suffer some limited chronic kidney insufficiency." "Here's the report." " We don't have time for that!" " She's right." " Let's go." " Stop!" "Nobody's going anywhere." "He's not getting shock therapy." "That's it!" "I am citing you for gross misconduct." "You are hereby summoned to appear..." "I'm writing you up back!" "Be notified that you stand accused of mistreatment..." "What are you talking about?" "I won't let you do it!" "Look!" " They're gone." " Who?" " Suzy?" " Sam!" " They're here?" " Yeah." "Where'd they go?" "Answer me!" "Halt!" "Stop!" "Stay there." "Wait, take these!" "Where are you going?" "What are you doing?" "Come down!" "Social Services, do you read me?" "Over." "We might have to swim for it." "How deep is it?" "I didn't bring my life jacket." "I don't know, but if it's too shallow, we'll break our necks anyway." "Hang on to me." "Okay." "No, I'm not married, but I'm a police officer." "Application denied." "I'm sorry." "I cannot authorize that." "Over." "Counselors, what's the legal perspective?" "Over." "In this state, I would litigate with extreme confidence." " I concur." " Open with Article 15 of the Codes of Civic Jurisdiction." "No party, under any circumstances, shall be denied due and proper consideration without prejudice in perpetuity." "On three again." "Wait." "Just in case this is a suicide or they capture us and we never see each other again anymore," "I just want to say thank you for marrying me." "I'm glad I got to know you, Suzy." "I think you've still got lightning in you." "Let's jump." "No!" "God damn it!" "Tell him." "Over." "Captain Sharp is offering to assume the responsibility of foster parenthood." "He wants you to live with him." "Is this acceptable to you, Mr. Shakusky?" "What do you think, pal?" "We're coming down." "Over and out." "They're coming down." "Over and..." "Don't let go." "The Black Beacon storm was considered by the US Department of Inclement Weather to be the region's most destructive meteorological event of the second half of the 20th century." "It lingered through six high tides and inundated the islands with punishing winds and extreme high waters." "On St. Jack Wood, powerful surges broke the arcade boardwalk and demolished the village bandstand and casino." "Scout Master's log." "October 10th." "Reconstruction continues increasingly ahead of schedule, which I attribute to a particularly robust esprit de corps among the troop." "The latrine, however, does continue to present..." "Excuse me, sir?" " You've got the new recruit?" " Yes, sir." " What's his rank?" " He doesn't have one." "Pigeon Scout." "Let's get him a patch." "The coastal areas of New Penzance were battered and changed forever." "Height." "63 inches." "Mile 3.25 Tidal Inlet was erased from the map." "But harvest yields the following autumn far exceeded any previously recorded, and the quality of the crops was said to be extraordinary." "So you see, the composer Benjamin Britten has taken the whole orchestra apart." "Now he puts it back together again in a fugue." "The instruments come in one after another in the same order as before, beginning with the piccolo." "And at the end, when all the instruments have finally come in..." "Suzy, Lionel, Murray, Rudy, dinner!" "...melody, while the other instruments..." "Don't make us ask twice!"