you want some more bacon?
no, thanks, mom.
ow.
i saw that.
i'm not hungry anymore.
where do you think you're going,
young man?
out. don't be smart with me.
what do you mean "out"?
out where?
i don't know.
down in the creek, maybe by possum meadows.
wait just a minute.
now what?
put your plate in the sink.
oh, mom.
okay.
thank you.
can i go out
and play now?
is your room clean?
mama...
go on.
but be...
careful.
for danny wilkins, a sunny afternoon
is a world of adventure.
he's a typical boy
who likes nothing better than following a trail
just to see where it goes.
but today, that trail
will lead danny through a private reserve
which lies just inside the borders
of the twilight zone.
oh, hello.
hello, danny.
how did you know my name?
it's written on your shirt.
oh, yeah.
i forgot.
who are you?
scout.
what is this for?
it's just a toy.
of course.
just a toy.
look.
what kind of fish is that?
it's not a fish.
it's a tadpole.
they turn into frogs.
you know, "ribbitt-ribbitt"?
frogs?
oh, yes.
ribbitt-ribbitt.
is the weather usually like this?
what do you mean?
does it ever get cold?
sure, in the winter.
what do you call this place?
the big field is called possum meadows.
this creek here is...
i guess it's just called "the creek."
i never heard it called anything else.
you're not from around here, are you?
no.
but i like it here.
it's very quiet.
you come here often?
not so much anymore.
i used to come here all the time with my dad.
he wasn't really my dad.
what do you mean?
i never knew my real dad.
there was this guy who lived with us for a couple of years.
mom made me call him dad.
do you miss him?
nah.
mom does, though.
she thinks it's my fault he left.
what do you think?
i don't know.
i guess.
well, i'd better get going.
my mom will be worried.
worried?
about what?
who knows?
stuff that moms worry about... you know.
thanks for showing me the tadpole.
i'd sure like to see one
when it turns into a rubbitt-rubbitts.
that's "ribbitt-ribbitt."
oh, yes, of course.
i won't forget.
good-bye, danny.
hey, i've got an idea.
what do you mean you've been talking to some strange man?
but, mom...
i've told you not to talk to strangers.
scout isn't a stranger— he's my friend.
you just met him.
where's he from?
he didn't say exactly.
who is he?
what kind of name is "scout"?
what kind of name is "danny"?
don't smart-mouth me.
i'm sorry, mom, but he's a nice guy.
you'd like him.
well, we'll never know, will we?
what do you mean?
i want you to stay away from him
and any other strangers you come across.
it's kind of too late.
what do you mean?
i invited him to dinner.
i'll get it!
stay away from that door, young man.
i can't believe you did this.
hello, mr... uh... scout?
there seems to be a misunderstanding.
my son is young and doesn't understand
that you don't go around inviting total strangers...
excuse me, mrs. Wilkins.
you have every right to be concerned
about who your son spends his time with.
i meant no trouble.
please understand.
i understand.
i'll be on my way.
sorry for the inconvenience.
wait.
maybe i was a little...
hasty.
but you know how dangerous it is.
there are only the two of us out here.
you understand.
i guess i have enough chicken for three.
come on in.
yay!
thank you.
hello, danny.
biff, quiet.
boy, you sure are good with dogs.
they just trust me, i guess.
come on, i'll show you my room.
maybe after dinner.
you go wash up now.
okay.
neat!
sure you wouldn't like more peas?
no, thank you.
but i'd like some more water, please.
i'll get it.
so do you have a family?
family?
you know, wife and kids?
oh, yes, i do,
but i don't see them very often.
i travel a lot.
does your wife work?
work?
i've had to work since before danny was born.
most nights, i don't get home until almost dark.
the worst part is danny's left alone a lot.
i don't mind, mom.
there you go, scout.
thank you.
"scout"-- that's an unusual name.
unusual?
yes.
is it a nickname?
yes, that's it, a nickname.
i'm sorry.
danny, get a towel from the kitchen.
this is a very interesting area.
yes, it is.
what brings you here?
business.
what sort of business?
i work for a large industrial firm
looking for a place to locate.
oh, really?
which one?
it's confidential.
i'm really not at liberty to say.
it raises people's expectations.
you understand.
i bet it's a really big company, right, scout?
right.
are you staying in town?
no, i have a motor home out near possum meadows.
yes, i know the place.
hey, i've been everywhere around here.
i bet i can help you a lot.
mom, can i go with scout tomorrow
and help him find places
for his business?
we'll talk later, honey.
but mom...
you should listen
to your mom, danny.
you're very efficient.
it's just the dishes.
you don't know too much about housework, do you?
no, i guess i don't.
it goes up there.
danny's a fine specimen of a boy.
you must be very proud of him.
yeah, i guess.
it isn't easy
bringing up a kid on your own.
can you find your way in the dark?
yes.
i don't think i'll have any trouble.
want my flashlight?
thank you, but i don't think...
i'll get it.
i don't think you're going to talk him out of it.
thank you for the dinner.
my pleasure.
maybe we could...
here you go.
it has new batteries.
thank you.
good night.
you get into bed, young man.
okay, mom.
come straight home from school tomorrow.
i thought you said i could help scout.
i said we'd talk about it,
and we just did.
you're to come straight home.
but, mom...
no buts.
and stay here.
i want your homework finished when i get home.
okay.
danny?
good night, mom.
good night, son.
biff?
biff, where are you?
biff?
hello, danny.
how was school?
hi, scout.
okay.
i brought your flashlight back.
thanks.
are you ready to show me around?
my mom said i should stay home after school.
oh...
i talked to your mom,
and she said it would be all right.
you did?
yes.
she's over at my house right now...
with biff.
what's she doing there?
we're all having dinner together tonight.
we are?
yes.
she doesn't want us to be late.
sounds pretty weird to me.
i thought we were friends, danny.
don't you trust me?
well...
okay.
thanks, bernice.
danny, i'm home!
danny?
biff?
come on, boy.
that's strange.
scout.
what are you doing?
what have you done?
i found it there.
it must be dead.
what have you done with danny?
what's wrong?
what have you done with him?
i haven't seen danny.
he wasn't home when i returned the flashlight.
he's probably just playing somewhere...
with biff.
i got to find him.
i just don't know what i'd do without him.
i'm scared, scout.
i'm so scared.
it's not easy raising a kid alone,
is it, laura?
i'll help you find him.
you look down the streambed.
i'll look in the woods.
laura (distressed): danny?
where are you?
danny.
danny!
danny, are you okay?
just... cold, mom.
oh, god, i thought i'd lost you.
danny wilkins, beneficiary of an act of kindness
offered by a stranger—
a stranger who's been reminded of a truth
the power of which cuts across races, cultures
and even species:
the love between parent and child.
it's a truth that can change minds and actions
even in a place known as the twilight zone.