"Are you okay?" "Yeah, let's check." "Sorry to disappoint you, fellas." "Okay, who hired you to kill Diana Prince?" "A voice over the phone, the way we're always hired." "I should've known." "This person will call you back for a status report, right?" " Yes." " Good." "When that happens, you're going to tell them that you succeeded." "Then, after you hang up, you'll march yourselves down... to the nearest police station and turn yourselves in." "Won't that be fun?" "These tunnels were built during the Civil War." "Lincoln's people insisted that he have a place to hide... in case the Rebels took Washington." " You mean, kind of like a fallout shelter?" " That's right." "We didn't even know they were down here until we started construction." "It sure made putting in some of this wiring a lot easier." "We sure did luck out, in more ways than one." "Did you build the park before or after you..." "Well, Leon's a couple of years older than I am." "He missed the draft." "We had to close the deal for this land... a couple of weeks before I left." "He wrote to me every week in Vietnam... telling me how construction was coming." "I always had a letter from Leon in my pocket... till I was "killed. "" "You designed the Super Loop and you've never even ridden it?" " Yes, that's right." " Oh, man." "Tell me, what's it like?" "It's great." "It's the neatest ride in the whole park." "It kind of feels like you're flying along on glass, it's so smooth." "And when you hit the loop... it's sort of like your brains and your stomach trade places." "If I could've, I probably would've ridden it all day." " How did you ever design it?" " I spent most of my time in school... reading up on roller coasters, fooling around with designs... new ideas, especially coasters." "All on your own?" "I mean... didn't you have a father or somebody to teach you about them?" " My father runs a trucking company." " You're kidding." "See, I have a scrapbook full of roller coasters." "Well, pictures of them, anyway." "They've always fascinated me." "But I never figured I could ever learn how to think up new ones." "No, you don't learn how to do it." "You do it." "Of course, it helps to have a little physics and math." "But do you think the guy who invented the first roller coaster... ever waited around for somebody to teach him how to do it?" "I always figured I was too stupid." "I don't do real good in school." "What do grades have to do with dreams?" "Come on." "You've ridden the Super Loop." "Now I'm going to show you how to run it." "Diana, what on Earth happened to you?" "Two professional trigger boys, is what." "If you think I look bad, you ought to see the car I was driving." "Where did this happen?" "At the amusement park?" "Coming from there." "Dearborn Highway." "They tried to make me a traffic fatality... by encouraging my car off the road at 55 miles an hour." "And?" "Like I said, I'm fine." "But the car I was driving is not so great." "And you think they were pros?" "I know they were pros, Steve." "Hired by Fynch?" "I don't know." "You know how it goes." "A voice on the phone, cash in the mail." "Even if they turn themselves in..." "I doubt that we could nail the person who hired them." "And besides, why would Fynch even bother?" "You did throw him a curve... by trying to pass information to his man in person yesterday." "You've got a point." "Maybe Fynch knows that we're on to his plan to make Fun Universe... the center of his espionage empire." "Now, that could be." "Well, maybe Fynch can explain things himself." "Is that bug we planted on Pierce still operative?" "Sure." "Listen to this." "What's that?" "What you're hearing is the sound of a 50-cent piece... sitting on top of a dresser." "Apparently he didn't take it into the park today." "Great." "That's all we need." "Well, maybe he'll change clothes before he reports to Fynch." "Speaking of taking things into the park... whatever happened to that explosive device... that Pierce intended to plant there?" "Oh, yeah, the bomb." "Yeah, the bomb." "If you don't have it, and Pierce doesn't have it... who has it?" "Some creature." "I'm telling you this creature is a figment of their imagination." "Ten employees with exactly the same imaginations." "Interesting." "Maybe they all smoke the same brand of dope." "When Was the first time someone reported seeing it?" "I don't know." "A year, a year and a half ago." "And who was it that reported it?" "I don't know." "He doesn't work here anymore." "Why not?" "This is an amusement park." "There's a high rate of employee turnover." "Did you fire him, Mr. Gurney?" "Did you do to him what you threatened to do to all employees... that told you they've seen this non-existent creature?" "Listen, anybody who works... in an amusement park that caters to children... has no business spreading irresponsible rumors about monsters." "Despite all the reports from employees you received over the past year... you never saw fit to call the police?" "Why?" "I mean, he doesn't do any harm." "At least you do admit it exists." "I don't have to admit anything." "Well, how about the fact that a kid is missing in your park?" "Like it or not, that's what we got here, Mr. Gurney." "And you can bet..." "I'm gonna keep digging until I find out what happened to him." "And if, in doing so, I dig up what you're trying to hide... it would suit me fine." "Davey, I'm gonna blow it." "Sandy?" " Yes, sir?" " I'm going out." "Harrison Fynch here." "Marvelous." "Didn't I tell you?" "Where there's a will... and enough money... there's a way." "Listen, I realize that ridding the world of Diana Prince... has done the people of your profession a great service, as well as mine... but that must remain our little secret, mustn't it?" "Of course." "Thank you." "With these, I can tell the position of each car on the track." "Over here..." "I can monitor how the track is holding up." " It looks like a computer." " It is." "It's constantly analyzing stress factors... and determining how and by when each weakness should be corrected." "What if something went wrong... really wrong, all of a sudden?" "Over here, this alarm will ring." "Then I can prevent another car... from being dispatched and put into danger." " Has that ever happened?" " No." "It's a very well-designed ride." "With you down here, it's kind of like it has a guardian angel." "This isn't the alarm." "How would you like to be the guardian angel for a little while?" "Sure." "Great." "You don't have to touch anything." "Just watch and listen." "I'll be right back." "You idiot." "You left it there?" "I'm telling you, I've never seen anything so... hideous in all my life." "Its face was..." "I was scared to death, Mr. Fynch." "Do you realize, Mr. Pierce, that if that device is recovered... it could be traced to me?" "I could be ruined." "Nobody's gonna be looking for it." "And with that thing hanging around, nobody's likely to find it, either." "This whole thing disturbs me greatly." "Diana Prince tried to get in to see the park owner." "I think it might be wise to postpone my plans for now." "There's only one way he could have known I tried to see Gurney." "The service in this hotel is highly commendable." "Mr. Pierce, would you take care of the gentleman's gratuity?" " It's funny." " What's that?" "Tipping is all that 50-cent pieces are good for these days." "Cheapskate." "There goes that little ball game." "At least, we know one thing... whoever made that bomb for Fynch... is certainly able, and possibly even willing... to talk about other things he's done for him." "You think the creature in the park recovered it?" "It doesn't really matter, Steve." "Fynch has bugged Leon Gurney's office." " Which means" " Which means... we can't very well look for a bomb Pierce left in the park... without Fynch knowing about it." "Which means that if we're smart... we can make Fynch play right into our hands." "The last bus left about an hour ago." "Come on." "Get over here, will you?" "I don't have a whole lot of time." "I thought you were going to give me at least another week." "Yeah, well, something's come up." "I got to talk to you sooner." "Come on." " Look, yesterday some kid" " How was the party?" " What?" " Did Dad like his present?" "Oh, the birthday." "Yeah, he did." "He loved the radio." "Davey, you done good." " You did good." " Only trouble is... he keeps bugging me now." "He wants to find out where I got it." "He wants to outfit the fleet with 50 radios just like it." "You feel like making 50 CBs just like that?" "I know." "I should have stuck a brand name on it." " That's too subtle." " Well, Dead Sons Unlimited, or..." " Cadaver Corporation?" " That's sick." "Davey, yesterday, a boy disappeared from the park." "And he is down here with you, isn't he, Davey?" " He is down here, isn't he, Davey?" " So what?" "So all hell is breaking loose upstairs, that's what." " Well, it shouldn't have happened." " Well, it is, Davey." "The cops are involved now." "They're really involved." "Doesn't exactly sell ride tickets, you know what I mean?" "You know what you got to do." "No, I can't let him go." "He'll tell people I'm here." "What do you think they're gonna find out... when they tear this place apart looking for him?" "Now, you gotta stop hiding out and come upstairs." "No." "Davey, you don't have a choice." "Now, think, what's it gonna look like when they come down here... and they find a boy is held captive by the monster of Fun Universe?" "Do you want your face plastered on every newspaper... between here and Seattle, Washington?" "No, Leon." "Don't let that happen, please." "Davey, I don't know if I can stop it." "You've got to help me." "I'm saying I need you, up top." "I'm saying that I'm too bad-tempered, I'm too scatterbrained..." "I'm too careless to get us through this thing." "And I'm scared to death I'm gonna lose us the park." "No, I can do... more for you down here than I can up there." "You're doing this for yourself, and you know it." "Think it over." "I'll be in touch." "Look a little less government-agent-ish?" " Much better, Mr. Peters." " Peters?" "Bill Peters, of Eagleton Inspection." "Everything is all set." "But I'd advise you to enter talking... and not let Leon Gurney get one word in edgewise... until you put this in front of him." "I hope he doesn't screw things up." "I wish there was some way we could get word to him... what we're trying to do." "That's too risky, Steve." "All we know is that Fynch has that office bugged." "Now, it could be the phone, the intercom, whatever." "We've got to make sure Fynch overhears only what we want him to overhear." "Which ride is it that's going to develop the problem?" " I believe it's your favorite, Steve." " The one that goes upside-down?" "The Super Loop." " Everything's okay." " Good." "Is this all you do all day... just stay down here and watch over the Super Loop?" "No." " I do designs." " For more coasters?" "Here." "No." "For other rides, too." "I send them up top to Leon." "He applies for patents to those he thinks will work." " Can I take a look?" " Sure." "Oh, the bomb." "Here." "Are you gonna tell your brother about it?" "No." "Right now, it's the worst thing I could do." "Hi, I'm Bill Peters, Eagleton Inspection Service." "Me and my boys checked over your steel coaster." "Your maintenance men have been doing a fine job." "Must be that pep talk I gave them last month." ""I'm glad to hear you found nothing wrong. "" "I didn't say that now, did I?" "As a matter of fact, there's a section of your Super Loop track... that's going to need some work real soon." "There are several minor problems, but the worst one is..." "Section Number 38." "That's where the 360 meets the exit track." "Seems to be a little bit strained." "Have somebody look at it within the next five days or so." "After all, wouldn't want anything to go wrong... that's the ride that the park is famous for, right?" ""I'll have my people check it out on Tuesday. "" "That's real good." "Well, it's always a pleasure, Mr. Gurney." ""Right." "Thank you, Mr. Peters. "" "Excuse me." " What?" " I want you to go to Fun Universe... and find out everything you can about a ride called the Super Loop." "I thought we were going to forget about the amusement park... until we could figure out how the IADC fit in." "Can't afford to now, Mr. Pierce." "Not when we have the perfect opportunity... to make Mr. Leon Gurney look extremely negligent." "And to make that bomb you inadvertently left behind... inconsequential." "Wow!" "Three loops!" "And a coaster like that would really work?" "As long as its centrifugal force is utilized." "Could you have more than three loops?" "If the design is sound, you can have 300 loops." "Teach me, will you?" "I want to learn all there is to know about roller coasters." "Someday, I want to design the biggest, fastest steel coaster in the world." " How about a hamburger, first?" " Sure." " And French fries and a root beer?" " No." "Salad and a glass of milk." "As long as we're helping ourselves to my brother's food... it might as well be good food." "You don't have to worry about me... leaving and telling people you're down here." "There's nothing for me up top, so I'm not going anywhere." "Please, hold all calls." "Thank you." "How good of Mr. Cline to provide us... with a demonstration model of his latest creation." "He said no problem." "I think he likes to show off, and I don't blame him." "Wait till you see this." "I take it, you avoided telling him what happened... to the bomb he prepared for you the other day." "The subject never came up." "He's a real professional, Mr. Cline." "Works fast... never asks any questions, and keeps his mouth shut." "That's why I've done business with him through the years." "And which is why we must see that the authorities... never see fit to interrogate him." "Because one step from Mr. Cline... is me." "And you." "Like you said, major disasters have a tendency of... refocusing people's attentions." "Well put." " Now, tell me" " Here we go." "This is made of the same alloy as the Super Loop at Fun Universe." "It's solid steel." "Feel it." " Indeed, it is." " Now, watch." "This device, when activated... sets up a specific pattern of ultrasonic vibrations." "Observe." "Even as we talk... the molecular structure of this solid piece of steel... is being rearranged... creating what is known as metal fatigue." "Nothing appears to be happening." "That's the beauty of it." " I like it, Mr. Pierce." " You'll like this part even better, Mr. F." "Now, it'll take a little longer on the roller coaster but, here." " What?" " Try to bend it." " Oh, come, now." " Go on." " Look at that!" " Now, this is the best part." "Major disasters also have a tendency of creating... major investigations." "But in this case... something like this is all anyone is going to find." "He thought of everything." "One amusement park, compliments of Mr. Cline." "I've got absolutely nothing to report, Steve, for the third day in a row." "Looks like Fynch didn't take our bait after all." "Yeah, all our people have reported in." "All except for Schneider, that is." "He's still out on his regular morning inspection crew." "Okay, ciao." "Well, she's clean as a whistle." "Okay." "Good." "It's all there." "You can count it later." " You sure nobody's gonna get hurt?" " No." "All this is gonna do is shut down... the most popular ride in the park for a couple of days." "You won't mind that, will you?" " Seeing Leon Gurney squirm a little?" " Sure wouldn't." "Aren't you afraid it's gonna explode?" "No, I've disconnected the detonator." "This thing's a work of art." "Randy?" "Randy?" "Randy!" "Wait!" "She followed me down here." "What were you doing up top?" "Have I told you never to go?" "I just wanted to get you another cup of coffee." "What am I going to do with her?" "Why didn't you use your head?" "What am I going to do?" "Come on, you." "She'll keep her mouth shut." "Won't you, lady?" "You got no reason to say anything to anyone?" "Who are you, anyway?" "David Gurney." "His brother owns the park, so it's okay that we're down here." "We're not causing any harm." "You live down here?" "These tunnels were built during the Civil War... as part of an emergency plan to evacuate the capitol." "My name is Diana Prince." "You do have the bomb." "What do you know about it?" "No wonder Fynch was so worried, it's tailor-made." " Listen, I'm with the IADC." " IADC?" "We can trace these components." "It's the evidence we've needed for three years." "With this we can indict and convict... the man behind the country's biggest espionage ring." "No, I can't let you leave here." "You'll ruin everything for me." "There's something's wrong with the Super Loop." "There's something wrong in Section 38." "The car's just been dispatched!" " Don't they know about this up top?" " No, they only monitor the tracks." "The force of that car coming off that section... is going to shatter the whole loop." "Come on." "What if they see you?" "What if they find out about you?" "It doesn't matter." "We have to stop that train." "Come on!" " What's happened?" " Everything is all right." " That lady escaped." " I let her go." " She'll tell people David's down here." " No, believe me, she won't." "Besides, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if people knew." "No, the last thing I want to do is inflict myself..." " on people I used to know." " Your brother wouldn't care." "No, it doesn't matter to Leon how I look." "It's the others... people he has to work with, deal with." "To them, I'd be a freak." "Besides, I think to cope with that... he has to know that there's nothing he can do to make me any better." "It would tear him apart." " Leon doesn't know?" " Yes, he knows that I live down here." "He keeps me down here." "I help him run the park." "I love my brother." "Please don't make me hurt him." "We were very close... but the best thing I could do now... is to stay very far away from him." "I belong down here." "I think you're wrong, David." "You underestimate people." "The only person keeping you down here is you." "Maybe that's something you've got to learn for yourself." "But there is one thing you can do for Leon, and the IADC." "The bomb." "I'd like to take it with me." "I'll get it." "I'm going to take you with me, too." "I guess I did almost get David caught today." "I'm so stupid it'd probably happen again." "You're not stupid, Randy." "It's just that this just isn't the right kind of life for you, down here." "What am I supposed to say when people ask me where I've been?" "Nothing." "After I use this, you won't remember anything." "He's the neatest person I've ever met." "Well, maybe, someday David will realize... that there are many people capable of having the same feelings about him." "Listen, do I have to forget everything?" "No, maybe not everything." "I don't know." "I don't know, Mr. F. She just showed up out of nowhere." "All I know is they must be on to us." "What are we gonna do?" "Now, now, Mr. Pierce, we can't have you warning Mr. Fynch." "He might get away... before you have a chance to tell me where he is." "Taxi!" "Well, of all people to bump into." "Hello, Mr. Fynch." " You got nothing on me, Wonder Woman." " Really?" "How about a bomb?" "The bomb that your friend Mr. Pierce planted at Fun Universe last week." "You haven't got that bomb." "You're bluffing me." "It's true, I don't have it." "But the IADC does." "And as soon as they trace those custom-made parts... so will the Attorney General's Office." "That's right, Mr. Fynch." "You've tapped your last wire and all because of a perceptual error." "You see, to you Fun Universe was just a convenient place... to pursue illegal activities." "But to others, it's a place where there are roller coasters." "Yeah, he planted it there on his visit to your office." "In fact, that's probably the only reason he came here in person." " Smart man, that Harrison." " It's Fynch." "Harrison Fynch." "Whatever." "As long as he's gone." "He's that, all right." "The man who made that bomb for him... hasn't stopped talking since they hauled him in." "Fynch has a long stay in the federal penitentiary to look forward to." "That kid who disappeared, he's reappeared... and the Super Loop is gonna be back in operation next week." "Everything's getting back to normal." "The Super Loop coaster is a steel one as opposed to a wooden one... so that the cars clamp down on a track instead of riding on top... which makes for a smoother ride." "Randy, will you please just tell me where you've been for the last five days?" "I don't know where I've been." "All I know is someday, I'm going to design the biggest... fastest, scariest steel coaster in the world." "I know that we've caused you some awkward moments, Mr. Gurney... but I want to apologize as well as say thank you for all your cooperation." "Mr. Gurney?" "Welcome home."