Original subtitles

I still think we should have been called couriers.

You're way too caught up in all that spy stuff.

I'd like you to deliver this for me, and I'll pay you $25.

No problem.

Remember, people who take money to do something and then don't do it can get

a lot of trouble.

Oh, guys, I think we're being followed. Things that you read about in those

books just aren't real.

There's a magic in the early morning we found.

When the sunrise smiles on everything around.

It's a portrait of the happiness that we feel and

always will.

Oh, it is enough to fill our...

We'll be right back.

And it is enough to fill our lives with love.

Watch out, Rick.

Cobras. Wow.

Rick?

Oh, no.

Wow.

Way to go, Nicholas.

There's no way to treat a bunkmate. Knock it off.

But I've only got two more chapters to go.

The hooded terrorist got Rick Mason trapped in a pit of cobras.

My flashlight's conking out.

Yeah, well, I'm already conked. It's after midnight. Now, look, if I sleep

through school tomorrow, it's your fault.

He's right, Nicholas. Go to sleep.

Rick Mason never sleeps.

from the inside.

Oh, I appreciate you using Tommy on the job. Excuse me, honey.

Tell me, how did he work out? I wish I had five more like him.

Stabbed to death.

What? No, no, it's all right. She's just trying out for the rep theater, you

know? She has grease pain in her blood, Dad. I keep hoping for a transfusion.

Well, how is business?

When do I get my little dividend check?

Well, silent partners are supposed to remain silent and not ask embarrassing

questions. You didn't get the city contract?

No, Anwar Construction underbid us again.

So, uh... The city has another project up for bids this week. I think we've got

a good shot at that one.

I'm ready, David.

What's in here?

My lunch.

One, two, three, four, five, six sandwiches.

Hey, my job's hard work.

I've got to keep my strength up.

That should hold them to lunch.

Hi. I'm sick.

Nancy, the Dow Jones went up two points yesterday and so did her temperature.

David.

You are the monster maker.

Me? What did I do? You gave Nicholas those Brick Mason Junior G -Man books.

I thought he'd like them.

David. Oh, I sure did when I was his age.

You know, I found him trying to cram a secret message into a tube of toothpaste

this morning.

Really? Oh, well, Brick Mason said that's a great place to hide messages.

Brick Mason must wear dentures.

Hi. Hi.

I phoned the brokerage and I told them you wouldn't be in today.

How are you feeling?

Like an ad for a nighttime cold medicine.

Only I took Brand X.

There's something for your fever, and you must remember to drink a lot of

fluids. Lots is right, but what am I going to do all day?

You could curl up with a good mystery.

Only a couple left.

What did you do with all of yours, Nicholas?

Nicholas?

Melvin. They're interrupting a very important clue.

Did you pass out all those handbills I gave you?

I put them on the car windows at the shopping center.

You guys really think you're going to make money with a messenger service?

With our notices plastered all over?

How can we lose?

You already lost what you spent on handbills.

I don't care what he said.

It's a natural.

People are always looking for somebody to pick up groceries, mail packages,

their dogs.

I still think we should have been called couriers.

Nicholas, give it a rest. You're way too caught up in all that spy stuff.

Don't you ever wonder what it'd be like to be Brick Mason?

Never. It's dumb.

Things like that just don't happen in real life.

You go on, Melvin. I'm going to try and fix this.

Do you have a safety pin?

Yeah, in the desk drawer.

You look terrible.

Thanks a lot.

Is that any way to talk to a customer?

Huh?

Well, I want to hire you to bring some ice cream after school.

I know it may not be what the doctor ordered, but at least it'll make my sore

throat feel better.

How about it? Sure.

How much do you charge for a regular chocolate ice cream delivery?

A dollar.

How about 75 cents?

It's a deal.

Great. There's the money on the desk drawer.

Thanks, Nancy.

And remember, you can count on M &M.

We deliver.

But who could have done it?

Only a ghost could have gotten through that door.

Ghost?

This place right up your dark alley.

It's full of mysterious lurking figures.

Sliding panels.

Clutching claw -like hands.

Sounds pretty neat.

Yes, if you like graveyards.

They're a good place to hide dead bodies.

I gotta go. I'm late for school. Okay.

Oh, Nicholas, you forgot your book.

Rick Mason in The Body in the Trunk.

to know what we should do about all this furniture. Good morning. Good morning.

Oh, Donna, we've got to figure out... Oh, hi, Tom.

I didn't expect to find you here.

Where did you expect to see me?

Well, what I mean is so bright and early in the morning.

Oh, yes. Well, Abby dropped me off. Her car is in the shop.

What can't you figure out?

Right, Tom, right.

We'll talk later.

Why is everybody acting so nervous?

Nervous? You must be imagining things.

Are you M or N?

What? I'd like to hire you, M &N Messenger Service.

Oh, I'm in for Nicholas, and that's terrific.

I'd like you to deliver this for me, and I'll pay you $25.

$25?

It's very important, do you understand?

Yeah.

Now, do you know the corner of Shadow Hills Road and 3rd Avenue?

Yeah, I go by there all the time.

In exactly half an hour.

There will be a man parked in a small red car on the northeast corner. You

him the bag, okay?

That's it?

No problem.

Here's the $25.

Make sure that you deliver it right away.

Remember, people who take money to do something and then don't do it can get

a lot of trouble.

And you tell the man that you give it to the same thing.

Okay, you can count on Eminem. We deliver.

You better get going.

He'll be there soon.

chocolate please chocolate right

you're

not out are you yeah yeah looks like I'm out oh no no here it is here you

go

Hey, hey, kid, you kid, come here. I gotta get home. Come here.

Wait here. Come on. My ice cream's melting.

Nicholas, this is really delicious.

Must have been pretty special.

I don't think the ice cream man wanted to sell it to me. Well,

it looks like I'm going to have to stay in bed.

I'd really appreciate it if you'd get me some more tomorrow.

Okay, but I think I'm going to find another place to buy it.

Okay.

But it just drove away fast, so I guess we have to give back the $25.

I don't know about that. It's the most money I've seen in a long time.

Believe me, we have to. She said I can get in a lot of trouble.

Okay. But how are you going to return it when you don't even know her name?

I don't know.

Maybe.

Maybe we should look in the bag.

There might be a clue to her identity in there. There you go.

Talking like Brick Mason again.

Okay, let's look.

Examine the evidence.

Oh, it's money.

I believe it.

More. Millions.

Well, thank you very much.

Bye -bye.

Who was that?

That was Mrs. Rogers, Nicholas' teacher.

Oh, yes, I remember her. She's a nice lady.

Well, she says that Nicholas has started turning in his homework late, and

yesterday he fell asleep in class.

Oh, she's a nice lady, but a little boring.

Thomas, those Brick Mason books, he stays up until all hours reading them,

he doesn't talk about anything but mysteries.

Well, he's discovered a new excitement. But don't worry, it won't last forever.

Well, in the meantime, his schoolwork is suffering, and he's not getting the

rest he needs.

She asked me to stop by today after school.

Well, maybe. I mean, he shouldn't let his studies go, but I did the same thing

when I was a boy. Who, Brick Mason?

No, my passion was, I can admit it now...

The Rover Boys.

It was just a phase that only lasted for a few weeks. And then, of course, I

graduated to much more mature literature.

Swift was always one of my favorites.

Gulliver's Travels. Tom Swift and his electric flying machine.

His miniature submersible.

And his invincible robot.

And his sensuous grandmother.

Let's check to see if the money's still safe.

All right.

Still there.

You know, we agree, right? We won't tell anybody about the money.

Yeah, but what if it's spies or gangsters or something?

No way, Nicholas. This is the real world, not one of your stupid books.

It's probably collected from raffle tickets or the ladies' auxiliary league

something, right?

I guess so.

Nicholas, it'll ruin our messenger service's reputation if we blow our

job.

Well, don't you think we should still tell Dad?

Put it this way, Nicholas.

Would Brick, Mace, and Blab a client's confidential business?

Not Brick. Never.

Okay, so we'll handle this ourselves.

This is a lot of money.

I'll bet you the guy in the red car will be waiting for you today.

Same place. Your seat.

Okay?

Okay.

Come on, we're going to be late for school.

Go tell Rob we're here.

Before you take off to Malta, don't forget the ice creepy promise to Bobby.

I'm in danger.

What? Just something Brooke Mason said.

Boy, those two chapters we had to read for Miss Rogers sure were long.

They weren't that bad.

What chapters?

The Civil War?

You didn't read them?

She's gonna kill...

You were silent in your reading.

It must have been while you were, um, taking your nap.

I wasn't sleeping.

I was concentrating.

Yeah, on the back side of your eyelid.

Uh, guys.

What? I think we're being...

afternoon to pick up the dagger.

Right.

Okay. Thanks a lot. Bye.

The dagger?

I got the part.

Who do you play?

Oh, I play the innocent young ocean, of course, who turns out to be a fiendish

murderer in the last step.

I knew it all along.

Oh, Jerry, good. Listen, would you get duplicates of both of these columns for

me, please?

I don't know, Mr. Bradford.

Duplication's pretty swamped today. First thing in the morning is okay.

First thing in the morning?

I don't think you'd want it then. Why not?

Don't ask.

Donna, what is going on around here?

Where? Here.

Conversation's ended the minute I arrived.

Sneaky glances behind my back. Now, come on, don't tell me I'm imagining things.

Okay, I won't.

First it was the guy from the ice cream truck.

And now that...

Nicholas, you're just scaring yourself about nothing.

I've got this weird feeling everyone's watching me.

Look, that van was probably on its way to deliver something to the school.

It wasn't following us.

Now, how do you know?

Because there it is now.

Right over there.

Now, hurry up and finish your lunch. Lunch period's almost over.

I lost my appetite.

Nope.

I'm not going to tell him anything.

Let's talk to Mr. Randolph.

Absolutely.

Oh, come on. Don't worry.

Of course I'm going to stick around.

I'm the only one that knows where anything is.

I'm sure they'll want to fix up his office after he leaves.

Yeah.

talk to you. See those guys? They were chasing me. Nicholas, grow up, will ya?

No, Melvin, you gotta help me. Nicholas, I can't mess around now. I got my

tubular.

Yes, Nicholas.

Mrs. Rogers, I know I've been a pain the past few weeks, so I'd like to make it

up to you.

How do you plan to do that?

Well, I'd like to clean your blackboard.

Let me get this straight. You are volunteering for detention work?

Yes.

Nicholas, I'd be happier if you would just turn in your homework on time.

Yeah, but I really want to do this, Mrs. Rogers. Please.

Oh, if you really want to do it, I don't know.

Well, I'll hate it, I promise.

Okay. The blackboards could use a good cleaning. Go ahead.

You're not leaving, are you?

I have a meeting.

What if I do a terrible job?

Gee, I never thought of that.

I'll just have to have you do them again.

Don't forget your book report. It's due tomorrow.

It'll be done. I promise.

What are you doing?

Mrs. Rogers said you were still here.

Well, did you see them? Are they still out there?

Who? Those men. They were chasing me.

Nicholas, there's nobody out there. Do you want a ride home?

And how?

Nicholas, Mrs. Rogers asked me to stop by today because she's really concerned

about you.

And so am I.

Look, I know how important reading is, and I know how much fun it can be when

you read something that you really like.

But you just can't let it interfere with the rest of your schoolwork.

Nicholas, did you hear me?

Abby, Brick Mason is a lot more exciting than math or history.

Well, I'm sure he is, but you have to make room for them, too, because they're

going to be a lot more important in your real life.

Things that happen in Brick Mason happen in real life.

There's this black van... Nicholas, Brick... Mason is fiction.

And the things that you read about in those books just aren't real.

Nicholas isn't here. Can I come in and wait?

If that's your idea of having a good time, go ahead.

Who are you? What are you doing in my desk?

Oh, you must be Bradford.

I didn't think anybody was here.

Still here.

Your secretary wasn't at her desk.

What is the meaning of this?

I'm Jay Redding. Uh, Kramer Poles.

Kramer Poles? What, are you here to find out who I voted for in the election?

No. No, not this time.

Uh, nice office.

Are you an interior decorator?

No, I'm Jay Redding, Kramer Poles.

I came to talk to a few columnists. I'd like to ask you a couple questions, if

you wouldn't mind.

Why not?

I'm not working in anything anyway.

Great.

Great for you, maybe.

Do you think a columnist should extend his power beyond the printed page?

What are you talking about?

Well, say a columnist had an interest in a private business.

Do you think he should try to influence certain public officials to show

favoritism to that business?

That's completely unethical.

Aren't you making any notes?

If he tried to do such a thing, do you think the paper would be justified in

firing him?

Who are you?

Jay Redding, Kramer Poles.

We'll see about that.

I've got some other people to talk to, so I'll be going.

Wait a minute.

Level with me, will you please?

Are you my replacement?

Jay Redding, Kramer Pole.

Sure, Abby.

This isn't real.

Thanks, David.

Hi, Nicholas.

Tommy, I gotta talk to you. See, there's these spy story guys, and they're after

me. I'm sure it's a great joke, Nicholas, but I don't have time to stick

for the punchline. I'll catch you later.

You'll understand.

You see that scary -looking van over there?

Well, I see a van.

I don't think it's scary.

I think you've just OD'd on Brick Mason.

Well, David, couldn't some things in those books happen just once?

No, Nicholas.

Well, you read them. Because they're fun, that's all. Look, I gotta go.

Janet's expecting me.

Well, don't you want to hear about the blonde lady in the sunglasses and the

-haired man with the red car?

Sorry, no time right now for ladies in sunglasses and red -haired men in red

cars. Nicholas, if you just lay off the spy novels for a little while, you'll

make everyone happier, including yourself.

Yeah.

Hi. Hi, Nicky. How was your day?

Well, these three guys tried to kidnap me. Look, Nicholas Sanderson kept me

awake all night, and I'm a little too tired to play this game. But it isn't a

game.

I'll prove it to you. Wait here.

Don't worry. I'm too tired to move.

The money's gone.

Nicholas, where's my ice cream?

I've got worse things to worry about.

Nicholas. And then I go... But Inspector Dickinson shoots me before I'm able to

claim my sixth victim.

Your sixth victim? It's about time he shoots you.

Hey, did you have a nice day, Nicholas?

No.

I know.

I mean, there was no point in me staying at the office.

What are you talking about?

Abby, Elliot Randolph is going to fire me. Probably tomorrow.

You're joking.

No, it's the only thing that fits. I mean, why else is everybody looking at

so strangely and watching me?

And then I overheard Donna in the office. She was making plans to redo my

after I leave.

You were eavesdropping?

Yes, I had to find out. And then there was this strange fellow that came into

office to look the office over.

Now, listen, this is what you get, see, for listening in on another person's

telephone conversation, especially when you can only hear one half of it.

How did you know that?

Know what?

Donna was on the telephone, but I didn't tell you.

You didn't?

Stands to reason, doesn't it?

I don't know.

Well, sure it does, Tom. There has to be some explanation. I mean, you know,

you're just letting your imagination run away with you. That's all.

Yeah, but you're not making it any easier for me.

Donna?

Oh, hi.

Hi. What's wrong?

Everyone thinks it's just my imagination.

What?

Have you ever got that feeling everyone was against you?

As a matter of fact, Nichols, yes, I have.

And everyone's acting weird, and they don't want to listen when you try to

explain.

These things happen.

Well, what do you do about it?

Well... Why, what do you do?

I'm asking you.

Right. Yes, you're asking me.

Dad, there's got to be some way to stop it.

Maybe not.

There isn't?

Well, if there is, I don't know it.

You don't?

Then I'll stop it.

We're both sunk.

No, no, no, wait. We're not sunk.

Why not?

Because we won't let ourselves be.

This whole thing could be in our imaginations.

You think so?

Yes, it's amazing how a string of coincidences and misinterpretations can

us to believe things that are far, far from the truth.

Yeah. Maybe I'm just reading too many Brick Mason books.

Well, yeah, you could be.

Yeah, could be.

And maybe Jeremy just put the money in a safer place.

And those men who were chasing me didn't catch me, did they?

What? If they were real crooks, they could have caught me. Abby couldn't have

stopped them, so I guess they weren't after me after all.

Thanks,

Dad. I guess I just needed someone to talk it out with.

Oh, any time, Nicholas.

I'm glad you feel better.

I tried to catch you before you left today.

I wonder if you could come in a half hour early tomorrow morning. Can you do

that? Why? What? I'd rather wait and tell you when I see you, Tom.

It's important. Can you be there?

Yes, of course.

Fine. See you tomorrow.

Bye.

Imagination.

book bag.

You mean he didn't move it to a safer place?

It's really gone?

Nicholas, face it, you're gone.

What would Brick Mason do?

Is Nicholas home?

I don't know.

I'd like a word with him if he is.

Sure, come on in.

If you'll just wait here, I'll see if I can find him.

Nicholas, you've got company downstairs.

Tell her I'm not here.

Okay.

I couldn't find him. Is there anything I can help you with? No, thanks. I'm just

a customer of M &M, and this is mine.

Bye.

Bye.

Hi, Nicholas. What's wrong?

The money!

It's all here!

Sure!

Then why'd you take it? Settle down.

I told you I thought the guy in the red car might come back.

It was worth a shot to try and deliver the money again.

You weren't here, so I went to Third and Shadow Hills myself.

But he didn't show.

Come on, quick!

Hey, Nicholas, don't come tearing in here like that.

Well, where's the prom lady?

She left.

She left? She left.

She took it with her. She said it was hers.

She thinks the money's in there.

Something strange is going on.

Haven't I told you that, Melvin?

Haven't I?

Good morning, Tom.

Good morning.

Well, shall we get it over with?

Get what over with, Tom?

Do you think I don't know what's going on with Jay Redding, Kramer Poles?

Tom, I declare I just don't know what you're blabbering about.

Why don't we step into your office, hmm? Why?

To clean out my desk?

For he's a jolly good fellow.

For he's a jolly good fellow.

For he's a jolly good fellow.

Which nobody can deny.

Congratulations,

Tom. What's this all about? It's not my birthday. Tom Bradford, I am both

pleased and proud to be able to present to you this year's H .L. Mencken Award.

for journalism.

Yay!

Naturally, we all thought this an occasion worthy of celebrating.

We finally decided to throw you a party. Everybody pitched in 50 cents for the

champagne, except for Mr. Randolph. Oh, cool it, Jerry.

Our treat, Mr. Randolph.

You are the hardest person to plan a surprise party for.

Surprise party?

You mean that you all knew about this award except me?

That's what all... all the strange looks were about.

And then you overheard me on the phone about how I had to wait until you left

for home so I could fix up the office. And, of course, I was talking about the

surprise party. And I knew what she was talking about because I was on the other

end of the phone. And, of course, we knew that Abby would want to be here

you, Tom.

I... I don't know what to say. Well, this is a historic first. Tom Bradford

unable to think of anything to say.

This is not exactly what I expected, but I... I want to...

Thank you all for wanting to share this moment in my life.

You're wonderful friends.

But terrible conspirators.

Cheers, everybody.

No, Melvin, I'm not going to school today. How can I get in more trouble

already am?

Nobody believes me.

Nobody helps.

I guess there's only one way out of this, and I have to do it on my own,

like Brick Mason would.

Now, she's got to know she's got the wrong bag by now, so she will be back.

Who? I already told you. The strange lady with the blonde hair.

All right, just fill this up please mr. Bradford bidding closed at 5 o 'clock

today. Just let me know when that's right. Thank you

Uh, Miss O'Shaughnessy, you have something for me? No.

No? You said you were bringing it with you. I thought I had it. I was wrong.

Okay. You have till 5 o 'clock today.

Don't worry. I'll get it.

Don't bring it back here. It'll look too suspicious.

Be at the rendezvous in an hour. I'll bring it. I don't know.

There was an ice cream truck there. I didn't like the looks of it. Don't get

paranoid on me, Clifford.

That's why you missed the first drop.

Well, I guess after this all we do is sit back and sweat it out, huh? No, this

is a good bit.

I've cut our profit margin to the bone this one will get

That's

funny, what's funny you see that lady that's talking to that clerk over there

You mean Bridget O'Shaughnessy, you know her Sure, she's the assistant to the

owner of Anwar Construction.

You mean the company that's been underbidding you?

Me and everybody else. Why?

Well, I'm sure that was the lady that came over yesterday asking about

She had a blonde wig on, but I'm sure it's the same lady.

Nicholas, why would she tell...

Did you say a blonde wig?

Yeah, no sunglasses.

Nicholas tried to tell me something like that.

There was a lady, a man in a red car...

with red hair.

Come on.

Go on, Melvin. Go to school.

No way, Nicholas. We're partners.

M &M.

Thanks.

Well, what if the blonde lady doesn't show?

Well, maybe we should try to deliver the money again.

I'm game. Let's go.

No. One of us should stay here in case the blonde lady does show. And one of us

should go find the red -haired man in the red car at Shadow Hills Road.

I'll go.

Well, you went last time.

That's okay.

Well, all right, if that's the way you want it.

But, uh, watch yourselves.

Watch myself?

Yeah. You don't know what you're dealing with.

overcoat at the bottom of a river.

I could.

It's possible.

I guess it is your turn.

So Clifford has to be the red -haired man in the red car.

My animal construction must be bribing him so that he'll tell them their

competitors bid so they can underbid us.

And that O'Shaughnessy woman must be using Nicholas as her bag man.

Pretty shrewd.

That makes the Bradfords look guilty.

Instead of her.

Is Nicholas home?

No, ma 'am, but he told me to wait here for you.

Did he tell you to give me something?

No, he's taking it with him.

To the police?

To the man in the red car, or Eminem.

We deliver!

Well, a placket a day off for nice, but I think I'd still rather have a raise.

Hi, Mrs. Bradford. Mr. Bradford.

What are you doing here today? It's a school day. This isn't my idea. It's

Nicholas. Nicholas, what about Nicholas?

Dad, Nicholas isn't at school. Is he here? Well, that's what we're trying to

find out. Where is he, Melvin? He's looking for the red -haired man in the

car on Shadow Hills Road at 3rd Avenue.

Are you sure?

Yeah, and I hope he finds it before the blonde lady catches up with him. She was

pleased.

The blonde lady?

Why, what's wrong?

Nicholas may be in some kind of trouble.

You mean cement overcut?

The Ripper?

Look, don't worry. We'll try to find him. Dad, you call the police.

Police? Why should I call the police? I don't think you'll have to.

What? There's a police car.

And an ice cream truck.

The other job didn't work out?

Mr. Bradford, I'm not with Kramer Poles, and I'm not an ice cream man.

My name is Jay Redding. I'm an investigator with the District

Oh, well, that's wonderful, because we have to go to... What is the address? I

can show you.

Well, what's up?

Well, we don't know, but apparently Nicholas is in trouble.

He's gone to deliver the money.

Well, then let's go.

You notify Unit 3.

We suspected for some time that Anmore Construction was trying to pay off Bill

Clifford, but we had no proof.

When I saw Nicholas at the drop point, I thought that the bag he was carrying

might have the money in it. That's why I kept trying to get it. It had money

then, but at school it had a new book.

Could I have a chocolate cone?

Maybe later. I must admit, when we discovered that you were a partner in

son's construction company, we thought you might be trying to pay off Clifford,

too. That's why I was in your office.

I apologize.

You can count on M &N. We deliver.

That's right, Nicholas. We couldn't have apprehended them without your help.

Mr. Redding is from the district attorney's office.

I knew you weren't a nice green man right off.

Excuse me, I gotta go do something.

Uh, here's your $25. I really can't accept it since things didn't work out

way you wanted them to.

I mean, honesty is the best policy.

Who says?

Nicholas, I think we owe you an apology.

All of us? All of us.

I'll apologize, but I still won't believe it.

That's okay. If it didn't happen to me, I wouldn't believe it either.

Well, we should have listened instead of lectured.

Now that I believe.

You know, that stuff with Brick Mason is a lot more scarier in real life. I'm

glad it's over.

Are you going to stop reading those Brick Mason books?

Is Jody going to stop playing a murderer?

No way. How come this family hasn't been committed?

But I do promise not to let Britt Mason take over my life again.

Well, I think that's very wise.

Paranoia can be highly contagious.

Highly contagious. That's a good point. Now, neither one of us has anything to

fear. Back to the old boring routine.

Yeah, work, school.

School? My gosh, I forgot.

What's the matter, Nicholas?

My book report was due today.

You better get to work on it. I did work on it. It's finished.

Then what's your problem?