ACT ONE
FADE IN
EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - DAY - ON K.I.T.T.
cruising along the outskirts of a small town.
MICHAEL'S VOICE
Given a choice, pal, I'd rather be
skiing....
INT. K.I.T.T. - DAY
MICHAEL
Or sailing...or snorkeling...or
hang-gliding, or horseback riding
or...let's face it, just about
anything else in the whole wide
world than going to a circus.
K.I.T.T.
I know what you mean, Michael. I
never could understand what people
saw in fifty grown men, wearing red
noses and baggy pants, with floppy
shoes, no less, climbing out of a
car the size of a baby carriage, and
then throwing buckets of water at
each other. Not to mention the
elephants. And then there are those
awful....
MICHAEL
(interrupting)
Easy, buddy, don't make me feel any
worse than I already do.
K.I.T.T.
Well, there is one consolation.
MICHAEL
Yeah, what's that?
(long silence)
Kitt...!
K.I.T.T.
I'm thinking, I'm thinking! All
right...you're doing this as a favor
to Devon.
MICHAEL
Yeah, I guess you're right. When it
comes to the circus...our leader's
just a kid at heart.
He smiles at the thought.
EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - DAY - ON K.I.T.T.
roaring along to a rock/circus beat, and sound-alikes.
EXT. CIRCUS - DAY - VARIOUS ANGLES
to catch the fun and thrills of this family-owned attraction,
known as Circus Major. This is the day before opening, so
there's no audience, really, just some invited guests, the
press, and a few others who have managed to sneak on the
lot. It's also a dress rehearsal, so the clowns, the fire
eater, the strong man, and all those other wonderful and
amazing acts are performing in the b.g., as ---
The camera finds:
DEVON AND BONNIE
walking toward the trapeze apparatus, which like most of
the other attractions is outside. Devon is filling his
face with a big bouquet of cotton candy. Bonnie is
delighted to see him so happy:
DEVON
Ahhh, the magic and the wonder of it
all, Bonnie. Did I ever tell you
about the time....
BONNIE
You went undercover in occupied
France as Valentino the Knife
Thrower.
DEVON
(pleased)
You remember! Yes, I spent three
months with Circus Major. In fact,
my senior O.S.S. officer, may he
rest in peace, was Gunther Major,
whose father founded this very show.
They're in front of the trapeze apparatus now:
DEVON
And now Gunther's two children are
the star attractions. Look -- here
they come now.
ANGLE TO INCLUDE PETER AND TERRY MAJOR
Beautiful and handsome in their flying costumes, accompanied
by drum rolls and bugles as they move toward the trapeze
ladder. He's twenty-six. She's twenty-three.
BONNIE
And here comes our star attraction.
Devon looks to see Michael driving up nearby, and getting
out.
MICHAEL
Yo, Devon....
DEVON
Michael! I'm glad you could make it.
MICHAEL
Hey, you couldn't keep me away with
a herd of dancing elephants.
(aside to
Bonnie)
Is it over yet?
BONNIE
(aside)
It hasn't begun.
MICHAEL
(big smile)
All right!
Devon has taken a few steps closer to K.I.T.T.
DEVON
Kitt, I wonder if you might film the
Flying Majors for me?
(very quickly)
Rather, for my nephew. Yes, my
nephew.
K.I.T.T.
Of course, Devon. I'll even use my
new image enhancement lens. For
your nephew.
DEVON
Yes...he'll...appreciate that.
As Devon moves to join Michael and Bonnie:
ANGLE ON K.I.T.T.'S FLASHER
spotting something.
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Oh, no. Now what on earth does he
want?
WHAT K.I.T.T. SEES
"Bang" the orangutan...who spots the scanner and now places
his big face right near it, following the red light.
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
All right, rubber face, move it.
But hearing the voice, Bang only rises to his full height,
bares his teeth, begins banging his chest, and roaring like
an ape. Or orangutan. After which:
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Well...we'll see about that, Latex
lips.
And K.I.T.T. begins flapping his hood up and down, while
letting out a combination of jungle sounds that would make
Tarzan proud. And makes Bang run for shelter. After which:
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Now -- let's hope I've made myself
clear.
K.I.T.T. returns to scanning/photographing the Flying
Majors.
ANGLE ON MICHAEL, DEVON AND BONNIE
as they watch Peter and Terry about to climb the ladder to
their perch high above the ground.
DEVON
There have only been a handful of
flyers who have mastered the triple
somersault and Peter Major is one of
them.
INTERCUT - PETER AND TERRY
Terry starts up first. (Note: There are other circus
performers clustered about them, and we will see one
unidentifiable hand reach out and pat Peter on the shoulder,
before melting away in the crowd.) Peter starts the quick
climb, moving up like a cat.
BONNIE
I think I'd feel a lot better if
they used a net.
MICHAEL
So would I, but I don't think they'd
sell as many tickets.
DEVON
(tense)
Watch! She's about to fly.
THEIR POINT OF VIEW - TERRY
leaving the perch, doing a double somersault and being
caught by the catcher.
BACK TO SCENE
Our people react. Impressed, proud. Especially Devon.
BONNIE
That was beautiful, Devon.
DEVON
Thrilling is more like it.
We hear a loud drum roll, which will fade to silence as
Peter gets ready to perform his triple.
DEVON
It's Peter's turn now.
MICHAEL
Think he'll try the triple his first
time out?
DEVON
Knowing his father the way I did --
I'm sure of it.
INTERCUT - PETER
as needed. He readies himself, but for a brief second
seems to falter.
MICHAEL
Devon, is it my imagination or does
he seem a little unsteady?
Devon has also caught it.
DEVON
I'm not sure. No...it's probably
just part of the act.
Peter catches the swing. The tension builds.
BONNIE
He's ready. There he goes!
Peter swings into space, and there definitely appears to be
something wrong. He seems to be shaking the cobwebs from
his brain. Both Michael and Devon grow increasingly
concerned. Then he attempts the triple...once...twice...but
on the third somersault he loses all sense of balance, misses
his catcher's hands, and plummets downward.
VARIOUS ANGLES
shock, disbelief, horror, as Peter hits the ground. Within
the confusion that follows, our people race to the body.
Intercut Terry watching from above, too pained and stunned
to move.
MICHAEL
Kitt, give me a scan of his vitals.
INTERCUT - K.I.T.T.'S MONITOR
for appropriate graphs.
K.I.T.T.
Michael, I'm sorry...he's dead.
Bonnie gasps, turns into Michael's arms for comfort. Devon
is shattered. The circus performers stunned; Blippo the
sad-faced clown all but in tears. But mostly Devon:
DEVON
Oh, dear God. Dear God.
EXT. SEMI - NIGHT
moving fast along a lonely road.
MICHAEL'S VOICE
Devon...don't you think you should
try to get some sleep?
INT. SEMI - NIGHT
The lights are dim. Devon sits in front of the monitor,
silently watching the film K.I.T.T. shot of Peter's tragic
fall. He looks up at Michael, as if seeing him for the
first time. K.I.T.T. is parked nearby.
DEVON
I'm sorry.
MICHAEL
You've been studying that film Kitt
shot of the night.
DEVON
Really?
(glances
at watch)
Oh, dear, I didn't realize it was so
late.
He gets up as Bonnie enters with a tray of tea.
BONNIE
I made you some tea.
As he takes a cup:
DEVON
Bonnie, you make coffee -- you brew
tea.
BONNIE
Not instant you don't.
DEVON
Instant?
BONNIE
Just kidding.
Devon sips.
DEVON
Not bad. Not bad at all.
FAVORING MICHAEL
who has gone to the monitor, and is now examining the film,
controlling "forward" and "reverse" with the remote button.
MICHAEL
Devon, what's so interesting about
this film?
Devon and Bonnie join him at the monitor.
DEVON
I'm not sure...probably nothing.
MICHAEL
C'mon, I know you better than that.
What is it?
Devon takes the remote, finds the proper frames:
DEVON
Take a look at this.
INTERCUT - FILM OF MONITOR
as needed. Michael shrugs:
MICHAEL
Peter's putting rosin on his hands.
What's so unusual about that?
DEVON
For an aerialist, absolutely nothing.
But watch what he does just before
he catches his trapeze.
Another frame:
BONNIE
He wipes his brow.
DEVON
With his open palm. Thereby losing
some, if not all of the rosin.
MICHAEL
Anyone whose life depended on his
grip wouldn't do that.
DEVON
Exactly, Michael.
MICHAEL
Isn't that where we noticed he
seemed a little unsteady?
DEVON
Yes.
MICHAEL
Kitt, push in on his upper chest and
head area.
K.I.T.T. does.
MICHAEL
Looks like he's also gasping for air.
BONNIE
Maybe he was having a seizure of
some sort. Or even a heart attack.
The coroner's report should be out
tomorrow.
MICHAEL
I don't think that's what Devon's
suggesting, Bonnie.
BONNIE
What are you suggesting?
DEVON
That perhaps the accident wasn't
really an accident.
BONNIE
Murder?
DEVON
Possibly.
BONNIE
But why? For what reason?
DEVON
I don't know. The truth is, I don't
even have one piece of concrete
evidence to go on. Michael, if you
came to me with something like this,
you know what I'd tell you?
MICHAEL
Only too well.
DEVON
(deeply
troubled)
But there's something deep inside
me...perhaps too many years at this
job, perhaps too close a friendship
to Peter's father...that won't let me
rest until I know the whole truth
about his death.
MICHAEL
That's good enough for me, Devon.
I'll look into it.
DEVON
Michael, you haven't had a day off in
over a month. Besides, this isn't a
Foundation matter.
MICHAEL
Then call it a family matter. Devon,
you've backed me up more times than
I can remember. Now it's my turn.
I'm on it...you get some rest.
DEVON
(beat, warm
smile)
Thank you, Michael.
MICHAEL
No need.
Devon nods, and turns to leave.
EXT. ROAD TO CIRCUS - DAY - ON K.I.T.T.
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Michael -- if you're expecting the
circus people to bare their souls to
you, forget it....
INT. K.I.T.T. - DAY
K.I.T.T.
My research tells me they're an
extremely close-knit group, who are
about as open to strangers as a
convention of mafia bosses.
MICHAEL
But I'm not going in as a stranger,
pal...I'm going in as one of their
own.
K.I.T.T. thinks about this a beat, then:
K.I.T.T.
Good idea. How about the Magnificent
Michael and his Colossal Cotton Candy.
A bit sticky maybe, but safe.
MICHAEL
I was thinking of something a little
more...flamboyant, Kitt.
K.I.T.T.
That's what I was afraid of.
EXT. ROAD - DAY - ON K.I.T.T.
flying along to rock/circus sound-alikes.
EXT. CIRCUS - DAY - ON TERRY
leaving her trailer. As she walks toward one of the tents,
Blippo suddenly appears behind her, in costume and carrying
a large wooden bucket.
BLIPPO
Honk-honk!
She turns and Blippo lifts the bucket as if to throw water
on her. Even in her sadness she forces a smile:
TERRY
Blippo, don't you dare!
He maneuvers for position, she maneuvers away.
TERRY
I'm warning you. Blippo, if you get
one drop of water on me....
BLIPPO
Water?
TERRY
I'm not in any mood for confetti,
either.
BLIPPO
Okay-okay...then how 'bout greens?
He puts his hand in the bucket, and pulls out a fistful of
good old U.S. currency, unseen to us until now.
TERRY
Where'd that come from?
BLIPPO
The sky! It rained money!
TERRY
It hasn't rained in a month. Money
or anything else. Now come on,
Blippo.
BLIPPO
All right -- all right...
(motions
behind her)
Bang the orangutan found it.
Terry looks to see Bang seated nearby. She laughs, but ---
TERRY
Blippo, I'm warning you....
She advances threateningly, until:
BLIPPO
Terry, sweetheart, it's a gift....
from us...your friends.
She looks to where he motions, to see the many performers
gathering around.
BLIPPO
We admit it's not a whole lot, but
it's something. And...well...if it
helps keep this crazy circus alive
one more day, then what the heck, we
can afford it.
TERRY
(near tears)
Thank you...thank every last one of
you.
(hugs Blippo)
But I'm afraid it's going to take a
lot more than this to keep Circus
Major from going under. What we
need is...another big act. Someone
...who can take my brother's place.
It's too much for her. She starts to cry, taking comfort
in Blippo's arms, as the others gather closer.
EXT. CIRCUS GROUNDS - DAY - ON K.I.T.T.
MICHAEL'S VOICE
I've got it!
INT. K.I.T.T. - DAY
MICHAEL
I'll go as a human cannonball and
you can catch me.
K.I.T.T.
If I don't, the men in white coats
surely will. Michael! I really
think you're letting this circus
thing go to your head.
MICHAEL
(seeing
something
up ahead)
You're right, Kitt. I think we
oughta stick with what we do best.
MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW - FENCE AROUND CIRCUS GROUNDS
K.I.T.T.
Michael, you're not....
BACK TO SCENE
He accelerates.
MICHAEL
Sure am....
K.I.T.T.
But the front gate's wide open.
MICHAEL
No one ever hired Turbo Man for
driving through the front gate.
K.I.T.T.
Turbo...Man?
MICHAEL
You got it!
He pushes turbo boost.
INT. K.I.T.T. - DAY - VARIOUS ANGLES
as the Trans Am clears the fence and lands. Intercutting
with reactions from the circus performers, favoring Terry
and Blippo. Michael then makes a sharp turn, screeches up
to where they are and gets out...with a magnificent bow, a
certain flourish:
MICHAEL
For those of you who haven't already
heard of me, let me introduce myself.
I'm the world renowned Turbo Man...
and this is my flying carpet, Kitt.
K.I.T.T.
Your...flying carpet?
The circus people still a bit stunned by the jump, are
equally stunned by K.I.T.T.'s comments.
MICHAEL
My...talking...flying carpet. Who
can also crash through solid walls,
ride on two wheels, drive by itself,
and imitate any sound known to man.
Give them a sample, Kitt.
K.I.T.T.
Michael, really....
MICHAEL
(clenched
teeth)
Kitt.
K.I.T.T.
All right, you asked for it.
K.I.T.T. goes through his now famous jungle act, ending
with a rampaging elephant. Herd of elephants?
ANGLE TO INCLUDE BANG
bounding over, pounding his chest, baring his teeth and
jumping right on top of K.I.T.T.'s hood. Bang has also been
eating a banana which he proceeds to squash into K.I.T.T.'s
windshield. K.I.T.T. quickly turns on his windshield
washers and wipers which only make things worse.
K.I.T.T.
Michael, will you kindly take this
poor man's King Kong off my person.
Michael forces a grin. To Terry:
MICHAEL
He's also very temperamental, as you
can see.
BLIPPO
Let's go, Bang.
Bang obeys, but not without sticking his tongue out at
K.I.T.T. and giving him the old orangutan razzberry.
K.I.T.T.
Bang! An orangutan named Bang!!
K.I.T.T., in total disgust and humiliation, backs up and
drives off a short distance. As the others follow to
examine him more closely, Terry moves to Michael:
TERRY
You have some act.
(takes closer
look at him)
Wait a second...didn't I see you
here during dress rehearsal?
MICHAEL
Yes...I came to audition. But under
the circumstance...I'm sorry about
your brother.
TERRY
I am, too. But what's the old saying
-- tears are as much a part of the
circus as the laughter. Maybe even
more so.
(slight beat,
forces smile)
I can't afford to pay you much.
MICHAEL
If I did this just for the money I'd
find a new line of work.
TERRY
All right, Turbo Man...welcome to
Circus Major.
MICHAEL
My friends call me, Michael.
She nods, smiles:
TERRY
Let's go sign the contract...Michael.
She leads him toward her trailer.
ANGLE ON BLIPPO
He stands in the screened doorway to his trailer, watching.
Then turns inside.
INT. BLIPPO'S TRAILER - DAY
The clown picks up the phone, dials. A voice on the other
end:
MAN'S VOICE
Yes?
BLIPPO
Mr. Barnes...we have another problem.
MAN'S VOICE
Then, damn it, deal with it! Burn
that circus to the ground if you
have to!
BLIPPO
Whatever you say, Mr. Barnes.
Whatever you say.
He hangs up, then starts dialing another number.
EXT. TERRY'S TRAILER - DAY - ESTABLISHING
MICHAEL'S VOICE
Is this your father?
INT. TERRY'S TRAILER - DAY
Michael looks at one of the many, many photographs on the
wall. The trailer is small, but a museum of the Circus
Major.
TERRY
Yes...and that's my mother over there...
and my two uncles...my aunts...my
grandfather...my grandmother, and...
this is the last picture ever taken
of Peter during a performance.
(beat)
There'll never be another flyer like
him.
MICHAEL
The circus is really in your blood,
isn't it?
TERRY
It's in the blood of this town,
Michael...without the circus here,
Majorville would just dry up and
blow away. It's as simple as that.
(moves to
her desk)
Ready to sign, Turbo Man?
She shows him the contract, proffers a pen.
MICHAEL
On the dotted line.
He takes the contract.
EXT. SMALL STORAGE TENT - DAY - ON CHUCK FOLEY
a seemingly happy-go-lucky type of twenty-five, in roust-
about coveralls, except for the fact that he's backing
out of a tent marked with "DANGER/INFLAMMABLE" signs, and
pouring gasoline around it. Foley, a rock music lover,
wears earphones and moves to the beat...even as he sets a
fairly sophisticated fuse and calmly walks away. To the
beat.
CLOSE ON FUSE
as it automatically ignites and starts heading toward the
gasoline.
INT. TERRY'S TENT - DAY
Michael finishes signing.
TERRY
It's great to have you with us.
I'll start on the promotion right
away....
But she's interrupted by the beeping comlink, then:
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Michael, my olfactory sensors detect
smoke coming from one of the circus
tents.
Moving out:
MICHAEL
Find out which one, Kitt.
EXT. TERRY'S TRAILER - DAY - ON K.I.T.T.
pulling up, popping door, and Michael sliding inside.
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
It's at the far end of the lot.
Michael peels off.
MICHAEL'S VOICE
I can see the smoke now. Kitt,
alert the others.
K.I.T.T. imitates a fire alarm.
VARIOUS ANGLES
as the entire circus, except for Blippo and someone we'll
get to know as Tiger, pitches in to put out the fire.
ANGLE ON FOLEY
stuffing his coveralls into a trash barrel and moving toward
his nearby bike.
EXT./INT. K.I.T.T. - DAY
K.I.T.T.
That's what I call teamwork, Michael.
MICHAEL
(seeing
something)
Then I think I just spotted an
opposing player.
ANGLE TO INCLUDE FOLEY
as he takes off on his bike, and Michael goes after him.
VARIOUS ANGLES OF CHASE
Foley has a little advantage of zigzagging between the
parked trailers, then he races for the open gate.
ANGLE AT GATE
as Foley speeds through.
ON K.I.T.T.
As he nears the gate, a school bus on an outing, suddenly
turns inside the circus park, blocking the entrance.
EXT./INT. K.I.T.T.
MICHAEL
Kitt...!
K.I.T.T.
If you're thinking of a turbo boost,
Michael, we'll never make it.
MICHAEL
You know something, pal, this time I
won't argue.
Michael slams to a stop in front of the bus, then swings
around it to the chain-link fence.
MICHAEL
Any sign of him, Kitt?
VARIOUS ANGLES OF STREET
No sign of Foley.
K.I.T.T.
Negative, Michael...I'm afraid he's
long gone.
And on Michael's frustration, we ---
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN
EXT. SEMI - DAY
moving fast along a fairly busy highway.
DEVON'S VOICE
(excited)
Michael, I think I've found something!
INT. SEMI - DAY
Michael hurries to Devon, who is studying the film on the
monitor.
MICHAEL
What is it?
Bonnie follows him. Intercut as needed.
DEVON
Look closely at Peter as he's about
to ascent the ladder. What do you
see?
BONNIE
A bunch of the performers crowding
around him. I guess they're wishing
him luck.
DEVON
What else?
MICHAEL
A hand.
DEVON
That's right! One single disembodied
hand, reaching out of the shadows,
and patting him on the back. Kitt,
give me a closeup of that hand.
K.I.T.T.
Right away, Devon.
BONNIE
There's something inside it.
MICHAEL
Looks like a small sponge.
DEVON
Exactly.
MICHAEL
Kitt, zoom in closer.
He does.
MICHAEL
It's wet. A liquid of some kind.
K.I.T.T.
Michael, if you're expecting me to
tell you what that liquid is from a
photograph....
MICHAEL
(interrupting)
Don't worry, pal, even I wouldn't
ask that of you. But I do want to
take a look at that fire.
He starts for K.I.T.T.
DEVON
Michael...about your opening perfor-
mance tonight....
MICHAEL
Say no more, Devon...I'll leave a
couple of tickets for you and Bonnie
at the gate.
EXT. SEMI - DAY
as K.I.T.T. drops out and peels off to sound-alikes.
EXT. SITE OF FIRE - DAY
Michael looks over the area.
MICHAEL
Can you give me some idea where it
started, pal?
ANGLE TO INCLUDE K.I.T.T.
His scanner flashes.
INTERCUT - MONITOR
to see the proper graph.
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
The incendiary flash point is exactly
six-point-three feet to your left,
Michael.
BACK ON MICHAEL
as he moves to it.
MICHAEL
Scan the ashes.
K.I.T.T.
For anything in particular?
MICHAEL
The arsonist's name and telephone
number...or anything else that might
lead us to him.
INTERCUT - MONITOR
for scanning graph, until:
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Michael, I'm picking up a high con-
centration of phosphorescence only a
few feet from where you're standing.
BACK ON MICHAEL
as he squats down and begins running his hand through the
ashes, until finding a high-tech, auto-delay fuse. As he
examines it thoughtfully:
TIGER'S VOICE
See anything interesting down there?
Michael looks, reacts.
WHAT HE SEES
The longest and most beautiful pair of legs in the world,
and topped on skates. A slow pan up and we see she's
wearing tiger design leotards, with a bullwhip over one
shoulder. This is Tiger, twenty-three, fantastic, who does
a roller-skating/rock act.
ANGLE TO INCLUDE MICHAEL
Michael sort of grins to her question, clears his throat,
as he rises, putting the fuse in his pocket.
MICHAEL
Nothing that doesn't get better on
the way up.
She smiles; her soft laugh is almost a purrrr.
TIGER
My name's Tiger.
MICHAEL
You're kidding?
TIGER
And you must be Turbo Man. The one
with the magic car.
MICHAEL
(softly)
It's all done with mirrors. He just
sits there, I do all the work.
K.I.T.T.
I heard that, Michael. And speaking
of work, don't we have some to do?
MICHAEL
Not now, Kitt....
K.I.T.T.
Michael...!
MICHAEL
Kitt
(forces a good-
natured laugh)
He's a real workaholic...practice,
practice, practice....
She moves closer to him, turns it on:
TIGER
While you're the type who enjoys his
relaxation...like cuddling up with a
nice soft kitten on your lap.
She reaches out, touches his face with hands sporting inch-
long nails; he quickly backs off:
MICHAEL
Yeah...well...maybe my partner's right.
The show must go on, practice makes
perfect, there's no business like show
business. Maybe another time, Tiger.
TIGER
I'll hold you to that, Turbo Man.
I'll hold you to that.
She gently runs her nails down his face and growls like a
big cat. Then backs off, and without missing a beat takes
her bullwhip and snaps a couple popping cracks near
Michael's face, before skating off. Michael shakes his
head, somewhat in relief, and returns to K.I.T.T.
MICHAEL
Kitt, that's one tiger that will
never be an endangered species.
K.I.T.T.
Don't say I didn't warn you, Michael.
Michael opens the door:
MICHAEL
Thanks, pal. Now see what you can
make of this.
He places what he found in the ashes into the analyzer.
ANGLE TO INCLUDE MONITOR
with proper graphs.
K.I.T.T.
It's an auto-delay fuse, Michael.
Fairly sophisticated. It'll take me
a while to check it out.
MICHAEL
Get right on it.
ANGLE TO INCLUDE TERRY
walking nearby. She waves:
TERRY
Michael....
Joins him.
MICHAEL
Where are you going all dressed up?
TERRY
To the bank...before the bank comes
here.
MICHAEL
Want a lift?
TERRY
Sure, why not? It's not every day
you can have Turbo Man chauffeur you
around town.
She gets in. Michael slides behind the wheel, and they
drive off.
ANGLE ON TIGER
as she stands watching them.
BLIPPO'S VOICE
What was that all about?
ANGLE TO INCLUDE BLIPPO
coming up behind her.
TIGER
He was snooping around the fire. I
think he found something.
BLIPPO
If he's that interested in fires...
then maybe we'll give him one he
won't forget.
They continue to watch K.I.T.T. drive away.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY - ON SIGN
It reads: WELCOME TO MAJORVILLE, HOME OF CIRCUS MAJOR.
Pan to pick up K.I.T.T., driving by:
MICHAEL (V.O.)
Welcome to Majorville....
INT. K.I.T.T. - MICHAEL AND TERRY
MICHAEL
The high school, the hospital, the
auditorium...must make you proud to
have the Major name on practically
every public building in town.
TERRY
(laughing)
Very proud, Michael, although I take
no credit. It was my grandfather
who made all those things possible.
MICHAEL
Must've been quite a guy.
TERRY
He was. He built a dream on a patch
of weeds. A circus town where
performers could work and live
permanently like normal folks.
MICHAEL
I wouldn't give away all the credit,
Terry. Takes a lot to keep a dream
like that alive.
TERRY
I'm trying, Michael. But if I lose
this circus, Granddad's ghost'll
haunt me forever.
MICHAEL
Is there a chance of that?
TERRY
Is there ever. Fortunately some of the
bookings that were cancelled after
Peter's death are coming back because
of you. But even so, we're just
squeezing by.
MICHAEL
If you're forced to bail out, there's
always the land.
TERRY
If you're talking about selling, forget
it. Anyway, the land by itself is
not really all that valuable.
(then, at
dashboard)
All these gadgets. Do you really use
them?
MICHAEL
Sure. For instance, see that parking
spot?
OVER MICHAEL AND TERRY THROUGH WINDSHIELD
at parking spot in front of bank.
MICHAEL
Let's show her how it's done, buddy.
Michael accelerates.
EXTERIOR - K.I.T.T. (UNDERCRANK)
as K.I.T.T. zips into the parking spot. Getting out of the
car, laughing:
TERRY
Michael, you're crazy....
MICHAEL
Thank you, thank you. Compliments
are what Turbo Man lives for.
INT. BARNES' OFFICE - DAY - ON JEFF BARNES
sitting behind his desk, beaming with pleasure at his
visitor.
BARNES
When I tell my son that you're here,
right here in my own office, he's
never gonna believe me. I mean,
Turbo Man is all he and his friends
have been talking about....
Angle widens to include Michael, who exchanges an amused look
with Terry. Barnes rises, searches his desk for a pad and
pen.
BARNES
In fact, the whole town's been talking
about you and those marvelous tricks
they heard you can do with your car.
Please, do me a great favor.
(offers pad
and pen)
Just sign your name, you know: Your
pal, Turbo Man.
Taking the pen:
MICHAEL
Sure. What's your son's name?
BARNES
Jeff.
Michael looks at the nameplate on the desk which reads:
Jeff Barnes, President.
BARNES
Junior. Jeff Junior.
Michael shoots Terry a smile, and signs.
BARNES
Guess I've always been a little off
the wall when it comes to the circus.
I ran away with it four times when I
was a boy; wanted to become a lion
tamer.
TERRY
A lion tamer, Mr. Barnes?
BARNES
Oh yeah. But I wasn't lucky like
you. My father was a banker. So
here I am.
(then,
apologetically)
And as a banker, I'm responsible to
my depositors. You can understand
that, can't you, Terry?
TERRY
Don't sweat it, Mr. Barnes.
(hands him
check)
Here's the payment.
BARNES
I am relieved. Believe me, if it
were up to me, I'd declare the loan
paid, wipe the books clean, because
of all your family's done for this
town.
TERRY
One thing I've never needed or asked
for is charity.
MICHAEL
Tell your depositors their money is
safe. In fact, with the tour coming
up, a smart businessman would think
about making a heavy investment in
Circus Major.
BARNES
Is that so? Well, maybe I'll look
into it.
TERRY
Come on, Michael, we've got a show to
get ready for.
As Terry exits, Michael pauses in the door, shrugs:
MICHAEL
Practice, practice, practice.
ANOTHER ANGLE
After Michael pulls the door closed, Barnes' expression
sours as he grabs the phone and dials a number.
INT. FOLEY'S GARAGE WORKSHOP - DAY
A wonderland of pyrotechnic paraphernalia and high-fi
equipment blasting heavy metal. Rocking to the beat of
the music, Foley ignores the first telephone ring or two
as he busies himself making an explosive device. Finally,
he picks up the phone:
FOLEY
What?
INTERCUT AS NECESSARY
BARNES
Foley, this is Barnes...
(at loud
music)
Foley, can you hear me?
FOLEY
You ain't said anything yet, man.
BARNES
It's that Turbo Man. You've got to get
rid of him, you understand? Once and
for all, get rid of him!
FOLEY
Be cool, man. Blippo's already got
me working on it. He's dead.
EXT. CIRCUS ARENA - NIGHT - ON TIGER
doing her act; rolling about on her platform to rock music,
and popping balloons with a whip. As we pull back to scene,
we also see, in the b.g., clowns, jugglers and acrobats.
ANGLE ON MICHAEL AND K.I.T.T.
Waiting in the wings, Michael, in his full red sequined
finery, is leaning on K.I.T.T. and taking it all in.
MICHAEL
You know, Kitt, Devon is right...It's
all here...the greatest show on Earth.
K.I.T.T.
Are you talking about the circus or
the Tiger lady?
MICHAEL
Come on, Kitt, where's your soul?
K.I.T.T.
I have none, Michael. I'm a
computer.
MICHAEL
We'll have to do something about
that one of these days.
Terry, in costume, comes running over.
TERRY
Michael...hey, look at you in that
outfit.
MICHAEL
You don't look bad yourself. And
that was some performance you gave.
TERRY
Everything is going so well. We're
sold out, and the advance sales are
terrific.
MICHAEL
Let's hope it keeps going that way.
At the sound of a dtum roll and a trumpet flourish, she
kisses him:
TERRY
Good luck.
And she hurries back.
RINGMASTER'S VOICE
(announcing)
Ladies and gentlemen, your attention,
please....
K.I.T.T.
Michael, it's not too late to get
out of this.
MICHAEL
Kitt, I'm surprised at you. Look at
all those fresh-scrubbed little kids
out there, waiting for us.
K.I.T.T.
Stuffing their faces with popcorn
and preservatives.
EXT. INSIDE THE ARENA - NIGHT - ON RINGMASTER
RINGMASTER
Circus Major now takes great pleasure
and enormous pride in introducing the
act you have all been waiting for.
THE AUDIENCE
tensing with anticipation.
ON DEVON AND BONNIE
also waiting with anticipation.
ON BLIPPO AND TIGER
Standing to one side, Blippo looks over at Foley, sitting
in the audience. He has headphones on, listening to rock
music, and is eating popcorn and cotton candy.
THE SCENE
The drum roll continues as the house lights grow dim.
RINGMASTER
Straight from the continents of Europe
and Asia, a daredevil who has risked
his life a thousand times. Ladies and
gentlemen, the great, the fabulous,
the incomparable Turbo Man.
By now the house lights are out, a spotlight is beamed at
the entrance to the arena, and Michael appears standing on
K.I.T.T., holding onto a pair of reins. They enter and
start to do a turn around the track.
THE AUDIENCE
cheering, going wild for their hero.
ON BARNES
sitting calmly in this sea of excitement, watching.
THE SCENE
as Michael and K.I.T.T. move into position.
RINGMASTER
Now, ladies and gentlemen, Turbo Man
will perform his death-defying feat.
THE HOOP
as the huge hoop, suspended ten feet off the ground at the
opposite end of the arena, is lit and enveloped in a blaze
of fire.
VARIOUS CUTS OF THE AUDIENCE
reacting with oohs and ahhs.
ON TERRY
watching, growing anxious for Michael.
THE SCENE
RINGMASTER
With no protection whatsoever, the
fearless Turbo Man and his faithful
Kitt will attempt the impossible.
Together, they will try to leap ten
feet into the air and pass through
the ring of fire unscathed. Can
you do it, Turbo Man?
Michael waves, indicating he's ready.
ANGLE ON MICHAEL
astride K.I.T.T.
MICHAEL
Let's go, buddy. Like they say in
show biz, 'Break a leg.'
K.I.T.T.
In my case, it's 'Blow a tire.'
K.I.T.T. starts in motion, slowly at first.
ON FOLEY
listening to the rock music and scoffing down the popcorn
and cotton candy; he looks over at Blippo and Tiger with a
big smile and nods.
ON BLIPPO AND TIGER
TIGER
(re Foley's nod)
What does that mean?
BLIPPO
That means the audience is gonna get
a big bang outta this.
ANGLE ON K.I.T.T.
bursting into speed. They roar towards the burning hoop.
MICHAEL
Let her rip, pal!
ANOTHER ANGLE
as K.I.T.T. takes flight, heading for the ring of fire.
K.I.T.T.
(alarmed)
Michael, there's something on the
other side.
MICHAEL
What?
THE HOOP OF FIRE
as Michael and K.I.T.T. fly through.
K.I.T.T.
An incendiary bomb, Michael. Jump!
ANOTHER ANGLE
It's too late to jump. As they land on the other side,
K.I.T.T. detonates the bomb, which goes off in a blinding
fiery flash.
ON K.I.T.T.
as he is knocked about by the force of the blast.
INTERCUTTING - TERRY, DEVON AND BONNIE
reacting with horror.
ON MICHAEL
being blown through the air. And, as he is, we:
FREEZE FRAME
AND
FADE OUT
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXT. CENTER RING - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Flames from the blast still lick at K.I.T.T.'s underside.
He auto-starts and heads for:
MICHAEL
who lies on the ground, dazed as Terry and other circus
characters rush to help.
DEVON
Michael, for God sake, say something.
BONNIE
Michael, speak to me!
MICHAEL
I'm okay.
He gets to his feet and waves to the crowd with a flourish.
Ringmaster seizes the moment:
RINGMASTER
Laay-dees and Gentlemen...the amazing
...Turbo Man.
ON THE STANDS
The acrobats flip, the clowns cavort, and the fans are
going crazy. All except Jeff Barnes, who watches intently
from his seat next to the runway. Blippo and Tiger slide
up beside him, their eyes fixed on Michael's triumph. Then
they all share a cold look of frustration.
MICHAEL
smiles and continues his bows, Terry at his side.
TERRY
(scared)
Don't tell me that was part of your
act. Nobody's that good.
MICHAEL
(gritting
his smile)
You're right. Somebody doesn't want
me in your show.
Terry reacts, but he sweeps her up with an arm and they sit
on K.I.T.T.'s hood, waving as K.I.T.T. drives them off.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY - FOUNDATION SEMI
sweeping down the highway. K.I.T.T. appears and motors up
the ramp.
BONNIE'S VOICE
Well, well. If it isn't the amazing
Turbo Man.
INT. SEMI - DAY
as Michael is greeted by Bonnie and Devon.
MICHAEL
Don't rub it in. I'm still creaking.
BONNIE
(teasing)
You couldn't go undercover as a
peanut vendor or a roustabout...
(opens K.I.T.T.'s
hood)
I just hope Kitt's all right.
K.I.T.T.
I'm fine, Bonnie. Don't blame
Michael.
DEVON
Any idea who might have sabotaged
your act?
MICHAEL
Could have been any of a dozen
people.
(noticing what's
on the computer
terminal)
What's this?
Devon and Bonnie cross to join him.
INTERCUT - MONITOR AS NECESSARY
BONNIE
It just came in. The coroner's
report on Peter's death.
Bonnie punches some buttons and the terminal displays
molecular models.
BONNIE
He had a lot of D.M.S.O. in his
bloodstream and the residue of some
muscle salve. Normal stuff for an
athlete.
The information hits Devon like a bullet.
DEVON
Not for this athlete.
They look at him curiously.
MICHAEL
Devon, what are you saying?
DEVON
I know for a fact. Peter never used
any medication with D.M.S.O. in it.
He was allergic to it. Couldn't
risk a reaction.
BONNIE
Well, he used it that day.
MICHAEL
Wait...the sponge. Kitt, isn't
D.M.S.O. administered through the
skin?
K.I.T.T.
That's right, Michael.
Michael's already heading for the car. As he fires it up:
DEVON
Where are you going?
MICHAEL
To warn Terry. Whoever's doing this
must be a member of the circus itself.
BONNIE
Be careful.
MICHAEL
(winks)
You kidding? I'm Turbo Man!
And he speeds down the ramp.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY - SEMI
K.I.T.T. pops down the ramp, wheels a 180 and speeds off.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T. - INTERCUT - DASH
MICHAEL
Kitt, I keep coming back to one
question. Why?
K.I.T.T.
Michael, we're dealing with indi-
viduals who eat fire, hang by their
hair, and swallow swords. If you
want to know why these people do
things, you're asking the wrong
computer.
MICHAEL
Come on, Kitt. It can't be
personal, 'cause they came after me,
too. What's the market value on the
circus land?
Maps and graphs fly across the monitor.
K.I.T.T.
It's never been on the market, so
it's hard to project. No minerals,
no natural water, no unusual value.
It's just another piece of land.
MICHAEL
Yeah, well, not to Terry. And not
to the town. And not to the kids
who come here every year. Dig
deeper, pal.
He twists a left turn onto the circus property.
EXT. CIRCUS COMPOUND - NEAR TERRY'S TRAILER - DAY
Michael and K.I.T.T. get a warm welcome with waves from the
circus characters. A unicyclist goes around them, a stilt-
walker straddles the car as they park.
K.I.T.T.
Looks like Turbo Man's getting
popular.
MICHAEL
I'd be nothing without Kitt the
Wonder Car.
K.I.T.T.
Well, at least that's better than
Kitt the Flying Carpet.
He starts off. K.I.T.T. reacts to:
BANG THE ORANGUTAN
waddling up to K.I.T.T., displaying a can of spray paint
proudly. He favors K.I.T.T. with his biggest smile.
K.I.T.T.
Oh, no...not on me, you don't!
Bang presses the button and white paint shoots out.
K.I.T.T. starts to back away, avoiding it.
K.I.T.T.
No! Scat! Don't you dare!
Bang smiles, sticks out his tongue at K.I.T.T., starts
coming toward him faster.
K.I.T.T.
Back, you simian graffitist.
But it's too late. He's after him. K.I.T.T. spins his
wheels in the dirt and pulls a 180 and races away. Bang
chases him, howling and spraying happily.
EXT. TERRY'S TRAILER - DAY
Michael walks up behind Terry as she watches two jugglers
spinning plates and bottles on sticks atop their noses.
TERRY
Better, boys. Now, try lighting the
bottles on fire.
MICHAEL
Right. The amazing Molotov Brothers.
Terry turns to Michael eagerly, as the brothers wander off,
still juggling.
TERRY
Thank heavens you came back! I was
afraid after last night....
MICHAEL
(shrugs; not
bragging)
I didn't become Turbo Man by bailing
out of dangerous situations.
They start walking the grounds.
TERRY
Seriously, Michael. You're all
right, aren't you? I was so worried.
MICHAEL
I'm fine. Funny. I was worried
about you.
TERRY
No fire bombs in my trapeze, if
that's what you mean.
MICHAEL
That is what I mean. Terry, I
looked at the coroner's report on
Peter.
TERRY
You did what? Why?
MICHAEL
Right now that's not important. Did
you know he had D.M.S.O. in his
system?
TERRY
No, that's impossible. He wouldn't
go anywhere near that stuff.
MICHAEL
I don't think he had anything to say
about it. Someone killed him.
TERRY
Killed him?
MICHAEL
That's right, and they tried for me,
too.
TERRY
If you mean someone in this troupe,
forget it.
MICHAEL
Look, I'm not accusing anyone in
particular.
TERRY
Well, I certainly hope not, because
you're wrong.
(stops)
Anyway, why do you suddenly sound
more like a cop than a circus
performer?
MICHAEL
(smiles)
I just signed a new contract,
remember? I want to make sure
you'll be around to make it good.
TERRY
Is that the only reason?
They look at each other. The moment is interrupted by:
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Michael! Help!
K.I.T.T. AND BANG
come racing up. The driverless Trans Am is still fleeing
the spray-can-wielding Orang. Michael dons a stern
expression.
MICHAEL
Bang, you should be ashamed of
yourself.
Bang looks chagrined, repentant. Michael holds out his
hand. Sheepishly, Bang hands over the paint.
K.I.T.T.
Good riddance!
Bang proffers one last wag of her tongue at K.I.T.T., then
waddles off. Michael turns to Terry.
MICHAEL
You be careful.
TERRY
I will if you will.
He gives her a light kiss, then climbs into the car. She
waves as he heads out. Angle off to:
BLIPPO AND TIGER
standing in the folds of one of the tent doors, watching.
Parked behind them is the circus fire truck.
TIGER
He's not only a pain, he has no
taste in women.
BLIPPO
(pats fire
truck)
How'd Foley do with this baby, here?
TIGER
It's all ready...and waiting to be
fired up.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T. - MICHAEL
driving off.
K.I.T.T.
I have the source of that fuse
fragment, Michael.
MICHAEL
Give it to me.
K.I.T.T.
It's made by a firm in Canada. They
recently shipped some to a Charles
Foley at a local address.
MICHAEL
Let's do some burning of our own,
Kitt.
He floors the accelerator.
CUT TO
INT. FOLEY'S GARAGE/WORKSHOP - DAY
We start close on a flash of fire which flares down to
reveal Foley, laughing with pleasure at his handiwork,
rocking along to some earsplitting Quiet Riot music. He
stops when a light blinks on his workbench, and heads for
the window.
WHAT HE SEES - K.I.T.T.
is outside, pulling up the drive.
FOLEY
startled, heads for the back of the garage where his
motorbike is parked. He stomps on the kick-starter and it
roars.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T.
Michael's senses are on full alert.
K.I.T.T.
Motorcycle leaving the back, Michael.
MICHAEL
That's what he thinks!
He cranks K.I.T.T. into action as Foley swings into view.
VARIOUS ANGLES - THE CHASE
is short lived. Foley opens the throttle but is no match
for K.I.T.T., who simple edges Foley onto the road shoulder
where he high-sides his bike. Michael's out in a flash and
throws Foley up against K.I.T.T.
MICHAEL AND FOLEY
MICHAEL
(furious)
Who paid you? Who?
FOLEY
Stick it, Jack. Lemme go.
He glares daggers at Michael, who weighs him a beat, then
pulls him away from the car. With one hand he opens
K.I.T.T.'s door; with the other, he throws Foley inside.
ANGLE THROUGH K.I.T.T.
Foley jerks at the door handle but finds it locked. He
looks around wildly, tries the other door. No good.
Michael peers in breezily.
FOLEY
Lemme outta here, man....
MICHAEL
Kitt, this guy put a bomb under you.
K.I.T.T.
(ominous)
I know.
FOLEY
(reacts
nervously)
Hey, you got no right.
MICHAEL
Cool off. Kitt, he's a little hot
under the collar. Help him out.
K.I.T.T.
(even darker)
With pleasure.
INTERCUT - DASH/MONITOR
as a "Climate Control" light blinks on and a digital
thermometer appears, numbers falling. Foley suddenly
shudders, rubs his arms. His breath comes out in steam.
FOLEY
What the...it's freezin' in here!
MICHAEL
No, not yet...
(as the numbers
pass thirty-two
degrees)
There. Now it's freezing.
FOLEY
I don't know anything.
MICHAEL
I was in Alaska once. Winter of '72.
(mock shiver)
Horrible time. Lost a couple
fingers.
(holds up
hand; hiding
two fingers;
smiling)
Frostbite! Remember the wind, Kitt?
K.I.T.T.'s synthesizer blinks on and we hear the sound of
wind blowing over the frozen tundra. Maybe even a timber
wolf. Foley's teeth chatter and steam forms on the windows.
FOLEY
It's Blippo!
MICHAEL
The clown? Who else?
FOLEY
No one. I took my orders from
Blippo.
MICHAEL
Why'd they try to kill me? What are
they after?
FOLEY
I don't know. It's a land deal.
Something about...I.T.Z.
MICHAEL
Okay, Kitt, let him go.
The door opens and Foley tumbles out.
MICHAEL
Let's give him to the police. We've
got to get back to Terry.
As he hauls Foley to his feet:
CUT TO
EXT. BLIPPO'S TRAILER - DAY
Terry's passing out paychecks. She hands one to Willie the
midget, who thanks her. She then walks to Blippo's
brightly colored door. She calls:
TERRY
Blippo, pay day.
INT. TRAILER - DAY
Simple, Spartan quarters. The main feature is a lighted
makeup table with brightly colored paint pots. Terry
sticks her head in.
TERRY
Anybody home?
She enters, crosses to leave his check on his table.
Thinking better of it, she opens the top drawer to put it
in a safer place.
ANGLE INTO DRAWER - OVER TERRY'S SHOULDER
She puts the check in but a bottle rolls to the front. She
picks it up. It's marked: "D.M.S.O."
TERRY
reacts in shock.
TERRY
Oh noooo. Blippo. Not you...of all
people.
She jumps as the trailer door slams behind her. She whirls
around.
REVERSE ANGLE - BLIPPO
Frightening and sinister behind his makeup, he slaps a hand
over her mouth.
BLIPPO
I'm sorry, Terry. This really is
going to make Blippo sad.
Off her terrified look:
FREEZE FRAME
FADE OUT
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
K.I.T.T. screams by with a vengeance.
MICHAEL'S VOICE
'I.T.Z.' What does it mean, Kitt.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T. - INTERCUT - MONITOR
Michael drives like a demon, angry and determined.
K.I.T.T.
It's not listed among American
corporations, Michael.
MICHAEL
Then check the foreign ones. I'm
going to nail whoever's behind this.
K.I.T.T.'s dash responds.
K.I.T.T.
Here it is, Michael. It's a holding
corporation from the Orient.
MICHAEL
It's making some sense, now. How
far is the railroad from the circus
land?
K.I.T.T.
(displaying map)
Less than two miles. And the river....
MICHAEL
...runs out to the harbor at the
coast. Nice spot for a distribution
plant for imported goods.
K.I.T.T.
This case means a lot to you,
doesn't it, Michael.
MICHAEL
You bet it does. Let's go warn
Terry.
He hits "pursuit" and their speed increases.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY - ESTABLISHING
A large, empty-looking place. Behind the loading doors, we
hear:
BARNES' VOICE
Terry, I just can't let you do it.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Blippo listens as Barnes walks around Terry, talking.
She's seated at a small table on which sits a legal
document, obviously a contract for sale of her circus
property. Parked nearby is the circus fire engine.
BARNES
I can't let you and your circus
stand in the way of this kind of
progress.
TERRY
This is what you call progress?
That plant they want to build is
totally automated. It won't hire a
dozen people. What happens to the
others who live here?
BARNES
They'll just have to move somewhere
else. Terry, it's a business, that's
all, nothing personal.
TERRY
What about my brother? Was killing
him personal, Mr. Barnes?
BARNES
That's enough!
He quickly tries to cover his outburst, but the deep
anger's still there.
BARNES
This isn't a negotiation, Terry, and
I don't have to answer to you. Just
sign that contract.
TERRY
And if I don't?
BARNES
Then I'm afraid you won't leave here
alive. Simple as all that.
He picks up a pen, holds it out to her.
CUT TO
EXT. THE MAJOR CIRCUS - DAY
K.I.T.T. drives through the main entrance in a rush.
EXT. CIRCUS CLEARING - DAY - FULL SHOT
K.I.T.T. stops in a cloud of dust. Michael jumps out and
rushes to Terry's trailer.
MICHAEL
Terry!
He jerks open the door to her trailer and glances inside.
No sign of her. Michael looks desperately around, and
sees....
A GROUP OF THE CIRCUS PERFORMERS
closing in around him. Ahab the strong man; the fire-eater,
a huge Fat Lady; a double-jointed juggler. Out of their
makeup and performing roles, they're a pretty intimidating
bunch. But Michael's not scared.
MICHAEL
Where's Terry?
AHAB
That's what we want to know. Seems
like all our problems began when you
arrived. Starting with Peter's fall.
MICHAEL
I'll ask again. Where's Terry?
AHAB
What do you want her for?
MICHAEL
(hot)
I want to save her life!
(looking through
the group)
Where's Blippo? He's the one behind
all this.
AHAB
Blippo's been with us a long time.
Longer than you, Turbo Man.
FAT LADY
Wait a second. If he's telling the
truth...I saw Blippo leaving with
Terry about half an hour ago.
This elicits a rumble from the group.
MICHAEL
There's no time to explain. But if
we don't find her, there's going to
be another 'accident' around here.
Now who knows where they'd be?
Members of the group exchange looks and shrug.
MICHAEL
What about Tiger? She seems to hang
around Blippo a lot.
(suspicion
dawning)
And she was there when I found the
fuse...Where is she?
AHAB
(gestures)
Rehearsing in the main ring.
Michael runs to K.I.T.T. and drives off toward....
THE MAIN RING - HIGH ANGLE SHOT
The ring is laid with a wood platform, and we're looking
down on Tiger as she performs a series of intricate skating
moves. K.I.T.T. drives up and Michael hurries into the
ring.
FAVOR MICHAEL
as he stands on the platform, his eyes following Tiger as
she skates coyly around him.
TIGER
Hi, there, Turbo Man. Wanna learn to
skate? I'm a great teacher.
MICHAEL
(controlled)
Bet you are.
TIGER
What's wrong? You look like a bad
Monday turning into a lousy week.
MICHAEL
I figured it out, Tiger. Whenever
something goes wrong at this circus
...you and Blippo are there.
TIGER
(easily)
Now that sounds like an accusation.
MICHAEL
It is. Tell me why, Tiger. What's
it all about?
TIGER
(teasing)
I thought you knew everything.
MICHAEL
(intensely)
I know Terry's missing, and I know
Blippo's got her. Tell me where
he's taken her, Tiger.
Michael suddenly reaches out and grabs for Tiger, but she
dips away and rolls back toward the edge of the ring. She
reaches back of the wooden ring and pulls out her black
bullwhip. In a wide arc, she snaps it at Michael.
TIGER
I was looking forward to tangling
with you...but this isn't quite what
I had in mind.
FAVOR MICHAEL
He jumps aside as the whip leashes at him. The whip
explodes in the air. A tear appears across Michael's shirt,
torn jaggedly across the chest.
FAVOR K.I.T.T.
scanner whooping with alarm.
K.I.T.T.
Michael...that whip has a serrated,
metal edge! It's deadly!
WITH MICHAEL
He jumps aside as Tiger lashes the whip at him again. The
end of it flicks across the wooden platform...scarring and
splintering it.
MICHAEL
Guessed that, pal.
Rolling toward him on her skates, Tiger snaps the bullwhip
again. Michael jumps and rolls. The whip bites into a
group of performance balloons tied to the edge of the
ring. They all pop with a multiple bang.
ON K.I.T.T.
scanner moving fast.
K.I.T.T.
Michael!
IN THE RING
Michael gets to his feet as Tiger takes a tight turn at one
end of the platform and bears down on him again. He jumps
aside just as the whip lashes at him.
MICHAEL
lands on the edge of the platform, grabs a large, multi-
colored stool (the kind circus animals perform on) and
holds it up.
THE WHIP
bites into the stool...metal edge catching in the wood.
WIDE SHOT
Michael pulls on the stool and the whip buried in it.
Still holding the other end of the whip, Tiger is yanked
off her feet. She falls across the platform. Circus
performers rush up and enter the ring in a bunch as Michael
runs to Tiger and pulls her to her feet.
MICHAEL
Where are they?!
(to her
silence)
If Blippo kills Terry, you'll be
facing a murder charge. You can
tell me....
Ahab and the other performers gather around. Ahab's bulk
looms large. Tiger stares at all the angry silent faces.
MICHAEL
...Or you can tell them.
TIGER
(knows
she's licked)
Blippo took her to Barnes.
MICHAEL
Barnes? The banker? Where?
TIGER
O'Malley's garage...on Waverly.
Michael pushes Tiger toward Ahab.
MICHAEL
Give her to the police.
Michael rushes out of the ring and toward K.I.T.T. The
crowd of performers gather around Tiger. Her eyes widen.
She backs right into Ahab, and his arms close around her.
AT K.I.T.T.
Michael rushes up to the Trans Am.
MICHAEL
Plot me the fastest course to
O'Malley's garage on Waverly.
K.I.T.T.
At once, Michael.
Michael jumps into the car and drives off in a big hurry.
INT. THE GARAGE - DAY
Terry is slowly signing the paper. Barnes takes it from
her.
BARNES
I'm glad you saw reason.
TERRY
Now can I go?
BARNES
(beat)
Go? I'm sorry, Terry.
(to Blippo)
Take her out to the desert....
And that's when we hear the approach of K.I.T.T.'s turbines.
All three react. Barnes rushes to a window and looks out.
WHAT HE SEES
K.I.T.T. races toward the garage.
INT. THE GARAGE - DAY
Barnes reacts, faces Blippo.
BARNES
It's Turbo Man. Stop him!
BLIPPO
This time, I've got the right
equipment.
Blippo gives Terry to Barnes, starts toward the fire engine.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
Michael stops in the large parking lot.
MICHAEL'S VOICE
Scan the area, Kitt.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T. - INTERCUT ON MONITOR
We see a computer picture of the garage, red blip.
K.I.T.T.
There are two people in the office
area...another person in the garage
...and....
MICHAEL
And what, Kitt?
There's a roar O.S. Michael turns toward the sound....
MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW - THE GARAGE BAY DOORS
The roaring sound is coming from within the garage. The big
doors explode outward, and the stolen circus fire engine
rams its way into sunlight.
WITH THE FIRE ENGINE
Blippo sits in the cab, driving. As sirens and bells ring,
this outrageous image bears down on K.I.T.T.
INT. K.I.T.T. - DAY
Michael stares.
K.I.T.T.
What on earth?!
MICHAEL
Something tells me it's no joke, pal.
EXT. THE GARAGE - DAY - FULL SHOT
The fire engine charges toward the Trans Am. We can
clearly see the big water cannon mounted on its back as it
rolls forward, making enough noise to wake the dead.
VARIOUS ANGLES - FIRE CANNON
The water cannon is aimed directly at K.I.T.T. and it
explodes like a dragon's mouth, hurling a flaming fireball
at the Trans Am. Michael screeches into reverse and the
fireball smashes down right where the car stood, creating a
huge wall of flame, spreading over the ground.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T.
as Michael maneuvers.
MICHAEL
Brings a new meaning to the word
'fire truck.'
K.I.T.T.
Michael, those flames are a mixture
of phosphorus, gasoline, and napalm.
They explode, burn, and stick to
their target.
MICHAEL
Foley's crowning achievement.
K.I.T.T.
Michael, it's no laughing matter.
The heat is too intense for my
pyroclastic lamination!
MICHAEL
Then we'll have to be light on our
feet. Look out!
FULL SHOT
A second fireball sparks through the air toward K.I.T.T.
The Trans Am dodges and the fireball strikes a tree,
instantly engulfing it in flames.
ON THE GARAGE
Barnes is throwing a horrified Terry into his car. She
sees what Michael's up against and is terrified for him.
TERRY
Michael...No!
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T.
Michael sweats a little from the nearness of the flames.
MICHAEL
Getting hot in here.
(twists
the wheel)
Only one thing to do, Kitt.
K.I.T.T.
Michael, you're not thinking of....
MICHAEL
Like the champ says...float like a
butterfly, sting like a bee! Let's
draw one more shot.
ANGLE IN FIRE ENGINE - BLIPPO
grimaces with determination at his target. He takes aim
and hits the controls.
FULL SHOT
Another fireball bursts out toward K.I.T.T. At the last
second, Michael accelerates right under it. It catches the
tail end of the car, flames igniting on the spoiler.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T.
Michael gets the car into position flanking the truck.
K.I.T.T.
You better keep me moving. Our
motion is all that's keeping those
flames from spreading.
MICHAEL
Let's show him how you can move.
FOLLOWING K.I.T.T.
Before Blippo can wheel the cannon around, Michael hits
pursuit and roars K.I.T.T. right up to the fire truck. At
the last moment....
VARIOUS ANGLES
Michael turbo boosts up...up...and into the truck, taking
the fire cannon out of commission and smashing it to
shrapnel. As the Trans Am lands on the other side, the
fire truck booms as the tanks of explosive material ignite.
Blippo runs from the wreckage before the flames engulf the
cab.
AT THE REAR OF THE GARAGE - BARNES' CAR
Barnes sees the outcome, floors it, trying to escape with
Terry.
ANGLE IN K.I.T.T.
K.I.T.T.
There goes Barnes, Michael. He's
got Terry.
MICHAEL
How can he leave just when things
are heating up?
He cuts the wheel and:
NEAR THE FRONT OF THE GARAGE
K.I.T.T. cuts Barnes off. Michael leaps from K.I.T.T. to
meet Barnes as he leaves the sedan. A brief fight and
Barnes is down and out. Terry also leaves the sedan, wraps
her arms around Michael.
TERRY
Oh, Michael, are you all right?..How
did you do it?!
MICHAEL
(smiles)
Practice, practice, practice....
As they hug, off their relief....
FREEZE FRAME
FADE OUT
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
FADE IN
EXT. MAJOR CIRCUS - DAY - FULL SHOT
Devon, Bonnie, Michael and Terry roam the busy grounds
filled with happy kids and scurrying circus performers.
They all share a big bucket of popcorn Bonnie is holding.
BONNIE
(as Michael grabs
a big handful of
popcorn)
Hey! Not so much!
The others laugh. They pause by the main ring.
OVER THE MAIN RING
A young man is practicing moves on the bars high above the
net. He balances himself on the bars perfectly, making it
look easy.
BACK TO MICHAEL, DEVON, BONNIE, TERRY
reacting to what's happening high above.
DEVON
Do you enjoy working with your new
partner, Terry?
TERRY
(nodding)
Mancini is a dream...a world-class
flyer.
(beat)
Almost as good as Peter. This year's
tour should be a great success.
DEVON
It already is. Look.
He indicates a group of kids nearby...all watching Mancini
with their eyes as big as saucers and their mouths wide
open. As Devon and Bonnie look up, Michael puts his arm
around Terry, takes her aside.
MOVING WITH MICHAEL AND TERRY
as they walk across the grounds.
MICHAEL
Looks like you don't need Turbo Man
anymore.
TERRY
(tender)
Don't you believe it.
(kisses him)
He's a hard act to follow.
K.I.T.T.'S VOICE
Michael! Come here at once!
Michael looks off toward:
K.I.T.T.
The fire truck is parked close by, and Bang stands at a
remounted water cannon, aiming it at K.I.T.T. Michael and
Terry rush up.
K.I.T.T.
Michael! Is that water cannon still
dangerous?
MICHAEL
(amused)
Gee, Kitt, I don't know.
K.I.T.T.
Nice monkey. Don't touch the bad
water cannon.
FAVOR BANG
With a loud shriek of pleasure, the ape fires the cannon.
A huge burst of water lashes at....
K.I.T.T.
drenched from nose to tail.
K.I.T.T.
All right red beard...two can play
this game.
FULL SHOT
The orang laughs and jumps up and down, as K.I.T.T. lets
him have a blast of his own medicine. Michael and Terry
laugh along with him.
K.I.T.T.
Very funny, very funny.
FREEZE FRAME
FADE OUT
THE END
