THE ADVENTURES OF VICTOR E. HUSKIE EPISODE 1WR1A: "THE ORIGIN OF VICTOR E. HUSKIE" INTRODUCING ALEX MAIN THEME UP 10 SEC THEN UNDER. NARRATOR Alex Prestone was an ordinary teenager attending Byron High School, dealing with ordinary teenage problems. After today, however, Alex will be anything but ordinary. CROSSFADE FROM THEME TO SUSPENSEFUL VIOLIN. NARRATOR Listen in as a new superhero is born today on the banks of the Rock River... VIOLINS OUT. RIVER SOUNDS AND FOOTSTEPS IN GRAVEL, UP THEN UNDER. ALEX PRESTONE (Mumbling, as if to himself) I still can't believe we lost that match to Marengo. Our scholastic bowl team is way better than theirs is. (Sighs) FOOTSTEPS STOP. ALEX PRESTONE Wow, I can't believe I walked this far. I must have been worked up. (Pauses) I don't think I've ever been this close to the nuclear power plant before; Heck, I'm practically standing on top of the drainage pipe! A FEW MORE FOOTSTEPS, SLOWER PACED THAN BEFORE, WITH A SPLISH ON THE LAST FOOTSTEP. ALEX PRESTONE (With a twinge of awe and spoken a little thinly, as if craning his neck) I wonder how high the steam from the cooling towers go--WOAH- WAAUGH! A BIG SPLASH, THEN SOUNDS OF SLOSHING, AS IF OUT OF A RIVER, MIXING WITH FOOTSTEPS IN GRAVEL AGAIN. ALEX PRESTONE (Spluttering, as if having inhaled river water) Great, now I'm soaking wet. And what the heck is this slime? Yuck, it's all over my hands! (Pauses) Ick, looks like it's coming from the power plant's drainage pipe. RUSTLING OF WET CLOTHES, AS IF SHAKING OUT EXCESS WATER. ALEX PRESTONE I'd better get home and dry off. FOOTSTEPS RECEDING INTO THE DISTANCE, DROWNED OUT BY RIVER SFX, SLOWLY POT UP AND HOLD FOR 5 SEC, THEN CUT ABRUPTLY TO SFX OF DOOR CLOSING, QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY FRIENDLY DOG BARKING. ALEX'S MOM (Off-mic, as if from another room) Alex? Is that you? ALEX PRESTONE Yeah, Mom, it's me. DOG PAWS ON VINYL FLOORING. ALEX'S MOM (Off-mic) Where've you been? I thought you were supposed to be home half an hour ago. ALEX PRESTONE Yeah, well... I had to blow off steam, so I went for a walk. DOG BARKS, FOLLOWED BY PANTING. ALEX PRESTONE Hiya there, Star! How're you doing, boy? STAR WOOFS. SFX OF ALEX PETTING AND SCRITCHING STAR, FOLLOWED BY APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS ON VINYL FLOORING. ALEX'S MOM (Surprised) Alex! You're all wet! ALEX PRESTONE Yeah, well, I sort of slipped and fell into the river while I was out walking. ALEX'S MOM (As if noticing the slime) And what's this green stuff you've got on your hands? ALEX PRESTONE I don't know -- it was floating in the river. ALEX'S MOM Well, you'd better get out of those wet clothes and wash that stuff off your hands; you don't want to catch yourself a cold. ALEX PRESTONE (Placatingly) Okay, Mom. INTRODUCING DRISCOLL MUSIC: SHORT, OMINOUS SYNTHESIZED PIECE, EST. 2 SEC. THEN UNDER. NARRATOR Meanwhile, in an office across town... MUSIC FADE OUT TO REVEAL SOFT WHIR OF A VTR WITH FLAT- SOUNDING RIVER SFX, AS IF BEING PLAYED BACK FROM VTR, UNDER. ALEX PRESTONE (Off-mic and flat-sounding, as if being played back from videotape) I wonder how high the steam from the cooling towers go--WOAH-WAAUGH! SPLASH, SOUNDING AS IF PLAYED BACK FROM TAPE, FOLLOWED BY A CLICK. RIVER SFX OUT, WHIR SFX OUT. KEVIN POTTER When was that tape recorded, boss? DRISCOLL LATOURING A couple of hours ago. KEVIN POTTER He's awfully close to the drainage pipe, isn't he? DRISCOLL LATOURING Yes. Now watch this... CLICK, THEN RESUME WHIR AND RIVER SFX AS BEFORE, WITH SPLASH SFX AS BEFORE. ALEX PRESTONE (Videotape playback) Great, now I'm soaking wet. And what the heck is this slime? Yuck, it's all over my hands! (Pauses) Ick, looks like it's coming from the power plant's drainage pipe. CLICK, THEN WHIR, RIVER, AND SPLASH SFX OUT. KEVIN POTTER (Half-mockingly) A regular Sherlock Holmes, isn't he? DRISCOLL LATOURING (Answering seriously) Yes, and that's what worries me. I knew I should have spent the money to fence the area near the drainage pipe... KEVIN POTTER But what does this have to do with me, boss? DRISCOLL LATOURING I want you to find out everything you can about this boy, who he is and where he lives. He may have radiation poisoning from the waste discharge. KEVIN POTTER Why the sudden compassion, Mr. LaTouring? You didn't care when we buried all that nuclear waste under the football field at the high school... DRISCOLL LATOURING This is different. This boy can identify our facility as the source of the toxic waste. And if he does, the media attention could discover that to be just the tip of the iceberg. (Pauses) You've got until morning, Mr. Potter. KEVIN POTTER Yes, Sir. LOW, OPPRESSIVE-SOUNDING BASS SYNTHESIZED MUSIC, UNDER AND CONTINUING INTO SCENE 3. TRANSFORMATION HEARTBEAT SFX UNDER, POTTED DOWN AND THEN SLOWLY UP. NARRATOR That night, Alex slept fitfully. SFX OF RUSTLING SHEETS AND INTERMITTENT MOANS, AS IF TOSSING AND TURNING IN BED WHILE HAVING A NIGHTMARE. CROSSFADE MUSIC INTO EXCERPT FROM METALLICA'S "THE STRUGGLE WITHIN", UNDER NARRATOR His dreams were filled with strange images and sounds; dogs and wolves barking and howling. Finally, he wakes up and turns on the light. CLICK. ALEX PRESTONE (Gasping) What in the world? My hands! My arms! They're... They're covered with fur! SHEETS RUSTLING. ALEX PRESTONE My whole body -- it's covered with fur! And claws, I've got claws? What's happening to me? I need a mirror... QUICK FOOTSTEPS ON CARPET, THEN ON TILE, FOLLOWED BY A DOOR CLOSING AND THE CLICK OF A LIGHT SWITCH. ALEX PRESTONE My face! I look like a... I look like a huskie -- a dog! And a tail? I've got a tail? (Pause, then sobbing) Oh, please, God, tell me this is all just a bad dream! CRASH MUSIC INTO EXCERPT FROM METALLICA'S "ONE". ALEX PRESTONE (More sobbing) What's happening to me? MUSIC AND SFX OUT ABRUPTLY. NEXT DAY NARRATOR Early the next morning, in Driscoll LaTouring's office... DRISCOLL LATOURING Well, what have you learned, Mr. Potter? KEVIN POTTER Well, Sir, the boy's name is Alex Prestone, he's seventeen years old, and he lives at 31-01 Evergreen Terrace here in Byron. His parents have been married for eighteen years, and he has a sister named Karen, age thirteen. He's a junior at Byron High School, where he's a starter on the scholastic bowl team. DRISCOLL LATOURING Interesting. Good work, Mr. Potter. KEVIN POTTER How do you plan to find out if he has radioactive contamination or not? DRISCOLL LATOURING I've been thinking about that, and I think I have a suitable plan. I want you to go to young Mr. Prestone's house and meet him. Tell him he's won a free tour of the power plant, and bring him here. KEVIN POTTER How will that help? DRISCOLL LATOURING We can give him a short tour, just to be convincing, and while he's here, we'll be able to run him by a Geiger Counter without raising his suspicions. KEVIN POTTER Very good, Sir. DRISCOLL LATOURING On your way, then. DEPARTING FOOTSTEPS, DOOR OPENING, THEN DOOR CLOSING AND FOOTSTEPS OUT. DRISCOLL LATOURING (As if to himself) But what am I going to do if he is contaminated? AT THE PRESTONE'S BIRDS CHIRPING SOFTLY, EST. 4 SEC THEN UNDER. ALEX'S MOM Alex? Wake up, Alex! ALEX PRESTONE (Groggily) Urrgh? ALEX'S MOM C'mon, wake up! There's someone here to see you. ALEX PRESTONE (Startled) Eep! SOUND OF SHEETS QUICKLY RUSTLING. ALEX'S MOM Honey, what's the matter? ALEX PRESTONE Huh... (Pauses, as if thinking quickly) I, umm, must have been dreaming. I thought I was a... (His voice trails off) ALEX'S MOM Thought you were a what, dear? ALEX PRESTONE (Dismissingly, slightly embarrassed) Never mind. ALEX'S MOM Well, hurry up and get dressed. There's a guy downstairs who wants to talk to you, something about the nuclear plant. ALEX PRESTONE Nuclear plant? (Short pause) I'll be right down. NARRATOR Alex descended from his bedroom a moment later to meet... KEVIN POTTER Potter, Kevin Potter. I'm from the Byron Nuclear Energy Facility, and I'm here to inform you that you're the winner of our drawing for a free tour of the plant. Congratulations! ALEX PRESTONE Drawing? I don't remember entering any drawing. KEVIN POTTER (Pauses, as if thinking quickly) Your name was chosen from a list of students in your class at Byron High School, there wasn't any kind of entry involved. ALEX PRESTONE I see. KEVIN POTTER You're welcome to take the tour whenever it's convenient for you, but if you're free this morning, we have a limo waiting to take you to the plant, and the owner will be in and would like to meet you. ALEX PRESTONE Really? Cool. Can I go, Mom? ALEX'S MOM Well, it's a Saturday, so it's fine with me. ALEX PRESTONE Great! Let's go! AT THE PLANT MUSIC SUGGESTING MONTAGE ACTION, UNDER. NARRATOR Mr. Potter takes Alex to the nuclear plant and takes him on a tour of the facility, showing him just enough of the building to make it seem like a legitimate tour. Potter also makes very sure that the tour includes passing through three separate Geiger counters. Finally, he takes Alex to meet the boss. MUSIC OUT, FOLLOWED BY SOUND OF A CLOSING DOOR. DRISCOLL LATOURING Hello, Alex! My name is Driscoll LaTouring, owner of this nuclear power facility. It's nice to meet you. ALEX PRESTONE (Politely) It's nice to meet you, too, Sir. DRISCOLL LATOURING I'm glad you took the tour, Alex. You know, there are a lot of misconceptions about nuclear energy in the community, especially among young people, which is why I held this drawing. I'm hopeful that your visit has helped to demonstrate to you that nuclear energy is a safe source of power for our community for the future. ALEX PRESTONE But if it's so safe, Mr. LaTouring, then why such elaborate safety precautions? Surely something so safe shouldn't require such extreme measures. DRISCOLL LATOURING A fair question, Alex. Nuclear energy is safe because of these safety measures. It's mismanagement, carelessness, and disobeying of protocol that creates danger inside these facilities. I can assure you that doesn't happen here. ALEX PRESTONE I see your point, Mr. LaTouring. So all that noise those Geiger counters have been picking up when I walk through them is just normal background-type stuff? LOW, OPPRESSIVE-SOUNDING BASS SYNTHESIZED MUSIC, EST. 2 SEC THEN UNDER. DRISCOLL LATOURING Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. In fact, our Geiger counters are set more sensitive than most. As I said, we take safety very seriously here. (Pauses) Now then, I hate to cut this meeting short, but I have a staff meeting to attend in five minutes. It's been a pleasure, Mr. Prestone. ALEX PRESTONE (Politely) Thank you for the opportunity to have so many of my questions answered, Mr. LaTouring. DRISCOLL LATOURING (Forced politeness) Good day to you. DEPARTING FOOTSTEPS, THEN DOOR OPENING, FOLLOWED BY DOOR CLOSING. DRISCOLL LATOURING (Furiously) Rrrrrrarrrrgh! LOUD THUMP, AS IF POUNDING A FIST ON A DESK. DRISCOLL LATOURING He knows! He's irradiated and he knows! MUSICAL STING, OPPRESSIVE MUSIC OUT. AT ALEX'S HOUSE CAR APPROACHING AND THEN STOPPING, FOLLOWED BY CAR DOOR OPENING. ALEX PRESTONE (Politely) Thanks for the ride, Mr. Potter. SECOND CAR APPROACHING AND THEN STOPPING, FOLLOWED BY CAR DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING, ALL SLIGHTLY OFF-MIC. KEVIN POTTER You're welcome, Alex. I hope you enjoyed the tour. DIXIE SLOAN (Off-mic) Hi, Alex! QUICK FOOTSTEPS THROUGH GRASS. ALEX PRESTONE Hi, Dixie! SOUND OF DIXIE SMOOCHING ALEX. DIXIE SLOAN (Softly, but loud enough that Potter can hear) So, are we still on for seven tonight, Alex? ALEX PRESTONE Of course, Dixie. (Pauses) Oh, um, goodbye, Mr. Potter. SOUND OF CAR DOOR CLOSING, THEN CAR DEPARTING. DIXIE SLOAN (Curiously) Who was that guy in the limo? ALEX PRESTONE Some guy from the power plant. DIXIE SLOAN The nuke plant? Whatever for? ALEX PRESTONE It's a long story, one I don't quite understand myself. C'mon, let's go inside. SOUND OF INSIDE A MOVING CAR, EST. 3 SEC THEN UNDER, THEN SFX OF A CAR PHONE DIALING, THEN RINGING AT THE OTHER END OF THE LINE. DRISCOLL LATOURING (Over the phone) LaTouring. KEVIN POTTER Boss, I just dropped the boy off at his place. DRISCOLL LATOURING (Over the phone) We need to do something about him, Kevin. He's got lingering signs of radioactivity; not enough to be dangerous, but enough that I know he's been in contact with the sludge. I also think he knows. KEVIN POTTER I found out something else; Alex has a girlfriend named Dixie. I've got her license plate number. DRISCOLL LATOURING (Over the phone) Excellent. Here's what we're going to do, Mr. Potter... AT DIXIE'S TENSE VIOLIN MUSIC, SUGGESTING ALL IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS, EST. 3 SEC THEN UNDER. NARRATOR Dixie prepared for her date that evening, and was surprised to hear a car pull up 10 minutes early. CAR STOPPING, FOLLOWED BY SFX OF A CAR DOOR OPENING, THEN SFX OF FOOTSTEPS IN GRASS. DIXIE SLOAN Wow -- you rented a limo, Alex? CAR DOOR CLOSING. DIXIE SLOAN (Pauses, then frightened) Hey! You're not Alex! STRUGGLING. MUSIC CHANGES TO GRATING STRING STUFF. DIXIE SLOAN (As if her mouth was covered) Mmmmph! Mmrrrrrrph! Mmmffffffffffff! (Protests trail off) CAR DEPARTING QUICKLY. MUSIC TRAILS OFF, THEN OUT. KEVIN POTTER (Proud of himself) Chloroform -- gets 'em every time. AT ALEX'S SOMBER MUSIC, SUGGESTING ALEX AS NOT KNOWING THE UNTHINKABLE HAS HAPPENED, UNDER. NARRATOR Meanwhile, back at Alex's house... PHONE RINGS. ALEX'S MOM Alex, could you get that? ALEX PRESTONE But Mom, I'm gonna be late! PHONE RINGS. ALEX'S MOM Please? ALEX PRESTONE Okay, okay. PHONE RINGS. SOUND OF RECEIVER BEING PICKED UP. ALEX PRESTONE Hello? KEVIN POTTER (Over the phone) Is this Alex Prestone? ALEX PRESTONE (A little spooked) Yes? KEVIN POTTER (Over the phone) Does the name Dixie Sloan mean anything to you, Alex? MUSIC GETS MORE INTENSE. ALEX PRESTONE (Worried) Maybe. KEVIN POTTER (Over the phone) If it does, Alex, then this is what I want you to do. Go to the Hartz warehouse on old Alternate 30. Be there at eight. Tell no one where you're going. Come alone. Do you understand? ALEX PRESTONE (Scared) Yes. CLICK FROM THE PHONE, THEN SILENCE FOR 4 SEC. SUSPENSEFUL VIOLIN MUSIC UNDER AS DIAL TONE COMES OVER THE PHONE. ALEX PRESTONE (In broken tones) Dixie. SOUND OF RECEIVER BEING PUT DOWN, THEN FOOTSTEPS ON WOOD. CAR DOOR OPENS, AND QUICKLY CLOSES. SFX OF INTERIOR OF CAR STARTING AND THEN MOVING. BLEND SYNTHESIZED TERROR MUSIC WITH VIOLIN SUSPENSE, EST. ALL 4 SEC. THEN UNDER. ALEX PRESTONE (To himself, in a mixture of exasperation and panic, breathing heavily) Why is all this happening to me? Why me? Oh, Dixie! What am I going to do? HEARTBEAT SFX, LOW THEN SLOWLY POT UP. CROSSFADE TO INSTRUMENTAL FROM METALLICA'S "OF WOLF AND MAN". ALEX PRESTONE (Confused) What's happening to me? I feel so strange! TRANSFORMATION SEGMENT OF "OF WOLF AND MAN", EDITED, POTTED UP 10 SEC, JUST BARELY UNDER. ALEX PRESTONE (Whimperingly) Aagh... Hrrrgh... (In disbelief) My hands! Oh, God, it's happening again! Rrrrrrgh... Grrrrr! MUSIC UNDER AND CROSSFADE METALLICA TO MUSIC SUGGESTING CLEAR PURPOSE. HEARTBEAT SFX DOWN. ALEX/DOG Hold on, Dixie, I'm coming -- no matter what I look like! CAR ACCELERATING. HEARTBEAT SFX OUT. NARRATOR With that, Alex made his way to the Hartz warehouse, and cautiously went inside. MUSIC OUT. ALEX/DOG All these boxes... They could be anywhere! (Sniffing) Hmm, this way, perhaps? (More sniffing) No -- this way! FOOTSTEPS ON CONCRETE, WITH OCCASIONAL SNIFFING SFX. ALEX/DOG (Gasps, then whispers) There they are! DRISCOLL LATOURING (Off-mic) He'll be here soon. ALEX/DOG GRRS, THEN SFX OF A BOX CRASHING TO THE FLOOR. KEVIN POTTER What was that? DRISCOLL LATOURING He must be here... Just wait. A DOG'S HOWL. KEVIN POTTER Where's that coming from? ALEX/DOG GROWLS. DRISCOLL LATOURING (Shocked) What the--?! KEVIN POTTER (Shocked) It's some kind of dog-man! DRISCOLL LATOURING (Demanding) Who are you? NARRATOR Alex hesitates for a moment, and chooses the first name that comes to mind -- the name of the mascot from nearby Northern Illinois University. ALEX/DOG (Unsure) My name is... (Confidently) My name's Victor E. Huskie, and yours is about to be Mud. FIGHT SOUNDS. SFX OF A PERSON BEING THROWN AGAINST A BOX AND TEARING CARDBOARD, THEN OF SMALL PACKAGES FALLING TO THE FLOOR. VICTOR E. HUSKIE Oof! DRISCOLL LATOURING (Pauses, then to himself) Hartz brand dog whistles? VICTOR E. HUSKIE Here, Dixie, let me set you free. SLASHING ROPE. VICTOR E. HUSKIE Hey, these claws are useful! DIXIE SLOAN Thank you, uh, Victor! VICTOR E. HUSKIE Now run, Dixie, run and call the cops! RAPIDLY DEPARTING FOOTSTEPS. KEVIN POTTER Chew on this, Victor! WHOOSHING SOUND, LIKE A BAT BEING SWUNG, THEN OF A PUNCH BEING THROWN AND A MAN BEING TACKLED. KEVIN POTTER (Shouting) Get off me! THIN, HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLE. QUICK TRANSFORMATION SFX. DRISCOLL LATOURING (Gasping) Alex Prestone? ALEX PRESTONE I know the toxic waste from your plant caused this, LaTouring. DRISCOLL LATOURING And what good will that do you, Alex? If you turn me in, I'll tell the whole world that you're a mutational freak. How would your mom like that, Alex? How would Dixie like that? SOUND OF POLICE SIRENS, DOWN THEN SLOWLY POTTED UP, THEN A SHORT SCUFFLE. ALEX PRESTONE Oof! KEVIN POTTER The police! DRISCOLL LATOURING Just remember, Alex: I know who you are and where you live. C'mon, Potter. RAPIDLY RETREATING FOOTSTEPS. WRAP-UP MUSIC UNDER. NARRATOR And so, Victor E. Huskie was born. Driscoll LaTouring's plan to bribe Alex had been foiled, but Alex had a feeling that he hadn't heard the last of the power plant's owner. From now on, Alex would have to remain on guard. MAIN THEME INSTRUMENTAL UNDER. NARRATOR Please join us again next week to hear the continuing adventures of Victor E. Huskie! MUSIC OUT. © 1996 Wildcat Multimedia, Commercial Rights Reserved