Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997) s01e05 Episode Script

[music playing]
Welcome to the world
of strange truth, a world
where the real and the
unreal blur into one.
Which of the stories
you're about to see
are inspired by actual events?
Which are totally made up by
our clever staff of writers?
We haven't made
you choices easy.
The names, details, and certain
parts of the real stories
have been changed.
But the basic story points
remain true to the original.
At the conclusion
of this program,
we'll let you know
which are fiction
and which are real enough
to be labeled strange truth.
And keep in mind, in
this show, all things
may not be what they seem.
[theme music]
ANNOUNCER: "Beyond Belief--
Fact or Fiction,"
hosted by James Brolin.
We live in a world where
the real and the unreal
live side by side,
where substance
is disguised as illusion,
and the only explanations
are unexplainable.
Will you be able to
separate stories of truth
from fantasy tonight?
To do so, you must break through
the web of your experience,
and open your mind to
things beyond belief.
Two tables-- the
one on the left
is obviously longer and thinner
than the one on the right.
But let's put this tablecloth
on top of the right one,
fits perfectly.
The two tables are
exactly the same size.
What makes them appear
different is your perception.
Tonight, we have several
stories which are guaranteed
to challenge your perception.
And now that you've been
warned, let's begin.
How many of us have experienced
unhappiness in our jobs?
Sometimes, when we find
ourselves trapped like that,
we find some outside
interest or activity
to keep us going
until we can get
out and maybe start
our own business where
we don't have to answer anyone.
Well, that's what secretary
Rebecca Stanza is trying to do.
Can she pull off a miracle?
REBECCA (VOICEOVER): Ever
since I was a little girl,
I've been good with my hands.
And now, every night I try
to use that talent to get me
out of the worst job I've
ever had for the worst
boss that ever lived.
I sell my dolls around
the office building
to friends and neighbors.
Someday, it's going
to make me rich.
Someday, I'll be my own boss.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Oh, yes, Mrs. Angelino, I
received your order just today.
I'll definitely have
it for you next week.
Yes, everyone really
seems to love them.
No, no, thank you.
Bye.
REBECCA (VOICEOVER):
Some day, some day--
MR. NICHOLAS: Then just put
him on the phone, all right?
I don't care what he's doing.
Well, then you tell him
that he will not work
for a penny less than 2,000.
Rebecca, bring me the contract.
And how dare you even suggest
that he travel in coach.
He is a star.
This is too hot!
I can't drink this!
I'm sorry, Mr. Nicholas.
I'll--
What?
What?
Can't you see that
I am on the phone?
Get out of here!
Huh, scale plus 10.
Phil, I got two
words to say to you--
drop dead!
Rebecca!
Where's my coffee?
Right away, Mr. Nicholas.
Uh, excuse me, are
you the doll maker?
Yes.
MR. NICHOLAS: Rebecca, coffee!
I'm sorry.
It might not be a good
time, but I'd love to order
one of those for my girlfriend.
Oh, I think she'd
really like that.
Oh, the guys in mail room
think your stuff is great.
Rebecca, coffee, now!
You, pick up the
mail and get out.
Good luck.
REBECCA (VOICEOVER): That
night, I kept my spirits
up by working on a new doll.
And to me, the new doll
is always my favorite.
Well, aren't you
coming along nicely.
Another few days, and
you'll be finished.
And then you can live with
all my other little friends.
Can I tell you a little secret?
I like you best of all.
MR. NICHOLAS: Antonio, I
promise you I had no idea.
You are absolutely right.
This is an outrage.
Rebecca!
Yes, Mr. Nicholas?
I didn't tell you that I
wanted you to take dictation.
Did I tell her that I wanted
her to take dictation?
Antonio says he still hasn't
received his airline tickets.
Where the hell are they?
Excuse me, Mr. Nicholas--
You know, if I
didn't have to spend
half my time doing
your job, then
maybe I could make some money.
Excuse me, Mr. Nicholas--
Antonio had to come all the
way down here because of you.
And he's a big star.
Where are you going?
I'm not finished with you yet.
I want those tickets, now.
The tickets are
on my desk, sir.
You asked me to
hold onto them so
that Antonio would come to the
office and sign the contracts.
Are you calling me a liar?
No sir, I'm sure
it's my mistake.
What are you standing
around here for?
Get him the tickets.
Antonio, I am so sorry.
You-- you see what I
have to put up with.
REBECCA (VOICEOVER) :
Another doll finished.
Someone in Baton
Rouge was paying
a lot of money for this one.
Things were finally
starting to look up.
Goodbye, Elizabeth.
Have a safe trip.
Your fiance is waiting for you.
REBECCA (VOICEOVER)
: All my life,
I had been taught to
have a good heart,
to live by the golden rule,
that there's a pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow.
I still believe that.
I believe it completely.
But until that day comes, these
little dolls will have to do--
these little,
innocent dolls that
never hurt me, belittle me,
or treat me like I'm a slave.
MR. NICHOLAS: I
hate to lose you.
You're my biggest client.
And I always thought that
we had a good relationship.
You sure?
There's nothing that I could
say to talk you out of it?
Well, if you ever change your
mind, my door is always open.
You know that.
Good luck, Vance.
Well, I can't wait.
Did you bring it?
Yup, I have it right here.
Oh, great.
Oh, wow, that's great.
Oh, she's going to love it.
Good.
Rebecca?
Hey, you know what?
I hope your doll
business makes enough
where you could get out of her.
Thanks.
Yes, Mr. Nicholas?
You know who I just got
off the telephone with?
No.
Vance Gilbert.
You know what he just told me?
He's leaving me.
Did he say why?
Why?
What the hell do you care.
He's not taking money
out of your pocket.
But you know?
Maybe I'll just dock your
salary to make up for it.
I'm tired of being the only one
making sacrifices around here.
But, Mr. Nicholas, I
hardly make enough as it is.
You think I care
about your problems?
It's always about you, isn't it?
I just lose my biggest client
and you're whining about how
it's going to affect you.
Get out of here!
[music playing]
REBECCA (VOICEOVER) :
I couldn't wait to go
home and finish my new doll.
I named it after Mr. Nicholas.
That's a tradition in voodoo.
[scream]
[grunt]
Suddenly, I didn't care how
long it took to leave my job.
The power of the voodoo
doll has been believed
by various cultures for years.
Of course, it's dismissed
by many other cultures
as sheer superstition.
But who can really blame
Rebecca for trying it out?
And it certainly could
have been a coincidence
that her boss was seized
by that excruciating pain.
Is this just a clever fiction?
Or is there really
something to all this?
Then again, I'm really too
old to be playing with dolls.
ANNOUNCER: Fact or fiction?
We'll find out at the
conclusion of tonight's show.
Next, a strange relationship
between a child and a toy
that's beyond belief.
As children, before
we form a friendship
with another human being, we
often bond with an inanimate
object.
It could be a doll,
a stuffed animal,
or even a special blanket.
Sometimes, these
first relationships
can grow extremely intense.
Take Kevin Birch, he
was a sickly child who
didn't have a lot of friends.
In fact, he only had one.
He called him Super Bear.
AMANDA (VOICEOVER):
It wasn't easy
being Kevin's older sister.
As cute as he was,
he just wasn't
strong like other boys his age.
I never wanted him to see it
that I felt sorry for him.
But it was hard to act brave
and fill in for mom when
I missed her so much myself.
Before mom had
the auto accident,
she gave Kevin a funny,
little stuffed animal
called Super Bear.
After she died, I never
saw him without it.
Look, Amanda, Super
Bear is here to save you!
Yeah right, can Super Bear
help me with my biology test?
Super Bear wants to take
you and me to a far away land.
He needs our help to
fight the monsters
who captured the backyard.
I'm sorry, kiddo.
I can't today.
Please!
I know your
mission is dangerous.
But I also know that
you and Super Bear
are smart enough and
strong enough to beat
those monsters yourselves.
[laughs]
Kev?
Come on, sport, we gotta go.
Another doctor?
Yup.
Maybe this one can tell us
why Kevin keeps getting dizzy.
You know, it's been
over a year now.
I just want to know
what's going on.
He'll be OK, Dad, don't worry.
Come on, pal, we
don't want to be late.
KEVIN: Dad, can I bring Bear?
Can you bring Bear?
Of course you can bring
Bear-- can't go without Bear.
AMANDA (VOICEOVER): The doctors
didn't have an answer for Dad.
And Kevin seemed to
grow weaker every day.
It was putting a lot
of stress on everyone.
And I knew I should have
been kinder, especially if I
would have known it
was gonna be Kevin's
last night in our house.
Kevin-- Kevin,
give me the banana.
It's time for bed.
But I'm not tired!
Maybe not, but
what about Bear?
If he doesn't get
his sleep, Bear
won't be strong
enough to protect
you from all those monsters.
Well, Bear is getting sleepy.
Come on, buddy.
Let's go to bed, huh?
Daddy, can you
tell me a story?
Can I tell you a story?
Yeah, I'll tell you a
story, sport, come on.
Bear.
Bear!
Come on, Bear.
Let's go hear a
story, huh, Bear?
AMANDA (VOICEOVER): I
hated what I was thinking.
Why is Kevin always the
center of attention?
And the king and the queen
proclaimed a national holiday.
And the people were
so happy, there
was dancing in the streets.
And everyone ate candy.
[laughing] Yes, and
everyone ate candy.
And everyone was so grateful
to Kevin and to Bear
for saving the world.
AMANDA (VOICEOVER):
Dad was amazing.
He had a way of lifting
everyone's spirits.
Yup, I sure did.
That is some Bear
you've got there, kiddo.
Me and Bear's gonna
be together forever.
I love you, Kev.
AMANDA (VOICEOVER): Poor, little
Kevin, he seemed so fragile.
I'll put him in
his PJ's tonight, OK?
Thanks, Dad.
Come on.
Goodnight, Amanda.
Goodnight, Kev.
Let's gets you
upstairs, huh, kiddo?
AMANDA (VOICEOVER): The next day
when I came home from school,
all my worst fears came true.
Our neighbor, Mrs. Sanders,
was waiting for me.
Kevin's collapsed, honey.
He's in the hospital.
Your Dad asked me
take you there.
AMANDA (VOICEOVER): When
I got to the hospital,
I found Dad was sitting in
a trance over Kevin's bed.
One look at his face,
and I knew it was over.
Oh god.
[crying]
Kevin passed away
that afternoon.
Again, I was trying
to be strong--
this time, for Dad.
Suddenly, I saw Super
Bear in the corner.
Somehow, this
feeling came over me.
Super Bear and Kevin
had to be together.
Dad, we have to
go to the hospital!
We have to see Kevin.
I think they moved him by now.
To find out what was
wrong, the doctors
wanted to do, uh, an autopsy.
No!
No!
We have to go now!
We have to go!
We have to go now!
AMANDA (VOICEOVER): I must
have sounded hysterical.
But I knew what I was doing.
Kevin and Super Bear had
never been separated in life.
I wanted Kevin to have
him, even in death.
All I wanted to do was
get to Kevin's body
and place the bear in his arms.
But I had no idea
where to find him.
Dad was following me,
trying to calm me down.
I ran right back to Kevin's
room, the last place
I'd seen him alive.
But they'd already moved
him somewhere else.
[music playing]
- Nurse?
AMANDA (VOICEOVER): Dad
finally took over and asked
a nurse where they had
taken Kevin's body.
She pointed in the
direction of the morgue.
That's where they'd be
performing the autopsy.
I don't know why, but I felt
like I was running out of time.
I had to get Kevin that bear.
[music playing]
AMANDA: Wait!
I'm the father.
Could we have a moment, please?
[music playing]
Nurse?
Nurse!
Nurse?
AMANDA (VOICEOVER):
The doctors had
no explanation
for what happened,
but we really didn't care.
We had Kevin back.
I was just grateful
for a feeling
I couldn't explain in a
little bear with a red cape.
Could this story
have happened?
Was Kevin brought back to
life by his favorite toy?
Or maybe he wasn't
really dead at all.
Maybe an attending physician
misread some vital sign
and pronounced
him dead too soon.
In any event, the
challenge is now ours
to decide if this story
was the work of Super Bear
or the work of a writer's
active imagination.
ANNOUNCER: Is this
story true or false?
We'll tell you in the final
moments of tonight's show.
Next, who holds the key to the
secret of the mysterious lock?
On "Beyond Belief--
Fact or Fiction."
For most of us, this door
is a sign of our times.
Notice the different
security locks designed
to keep unwanted visitors out.
This one slides.
This bolts.
And this one actually needs
key to open from inside.
That's the type of lock Aunt
Connie has in our story.
You see, Connie, has been
a trusting soul too long,
and her neighborhood
is changing.
But the real thing that's
about to change, is her life.
[knocking on door]
BRAD (VOICEOVER): I had a key
to Aunt Connie's apartment,
so I could basically
come and go as I pleased.
But the lock was so
weak, I didn't even
use the key that day.
I was happy she
wasn't home, though,
because there was something
I needed to take care of.
And I needed time alone
in her apartment to do it.
I love my Aunt Connie.
And I worry that the
neighborhood she lived in
was getting too dangerous.
That lock on Aunt Connie's
door couldn't keep
out a tenth-rate pickpocket.
I had a personal reason
for keeping Aunt Connie's
apartment safe from harm.
It was very important to me.
Aunt Connie came home
a few minutes later,
and I knew she would
be happy to see me.
I was her favorite.
Ever since her
operation, Aunt Connie
walked and talked a lot slower.
In fact, she had become almost
childlike-- in a lovable way.
Hello?
BRAD (VOICEOVER): When I heard
her voice, I came right out.
Ah, oh, Bradley!
Hi, Aunt Connie.
Oh, oh, what are
you doing here?
I had a few minutes
to kill, so I thought
I'd come by and see you.
Well, that's why I
gave you a key, dear.
You're welcome any time.
Thanks, Aunt Connie.
You know, I can
always count on you.
You must be hungry.
Now, let me fix you some lunch.
That'd be great--
thanks, Aunt Connie.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): It was a good
time to make my suggestion.
You know, Aunt Connie,
you should have somebody
look at your front door.
I just walked right in.
I didn't even need
to use my key.
AUNT CONNIE: What's that, dear?
I said, you need a new
lock on your front door.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): I
used the opportunity
to hide my little secret.
That package could
be the ticket to one
of those nice, safe,
senior communities.
But until I could swing it,
I had to make sure nobody
got their hands on it.
Every time she
went out, there was
nobody to watch the apartment.
I decided I had
to do something--
right away.
I don't remember who recommended
the locksmith company to me.
You're gonna be
safe now, Aunt Connie.
AUNT CONNIE: Oh, I hope so.
The neighborhood has
become so dangerous lately.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): I looked over
at Aunt Connie sitting there
so trusting and so vulnerable.
But I didn't have a clue
what was in store for her--
or for me.
The locksmith
treated Aunt Connie
like she was a little child.
She always brought
that out in people.
Now Now, you're sure
this is the safest lock?
Yes ma'am, no
one is gonna come
through this door to hurt you.
I guarantee it.
Thank you.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): Those turned
out to be memorable words.
BRAD: I gotta go, Aunt Connie.
Oh, aren't you
forgetting something?
You're the best.
Oh-- oh, bye.
BRAD (VOICEOVER):
The great thing
about Aunt Connie was, I didn't
even have to ask for a key.
She insisted that I have one.
He's such a good boy.
You'll have nothing to
worry about now, Mrs. Howard.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): The kind of
lock I ordered had to be opened
from the inside by a key.
I'd heard they were the
best, and that's what
I wanted Aunt Connie to have.
It's like Aunt Connie
used to tell me when I was
a kid, better safe than sorry.
Aunt Connie felt safer
almost immediately.
And I did too.
I knew my envelope
would be secure.
That key sure didn't look
like anything special,
but it turned out to
be the key to a mystery
I still don't understand.
It was around 2:30 in the
afternoon the next day,
the weather was nice, so
that meant Aunt Connie would
be coming home from the bank.
You could set your clock by her.
The witnesses said that she
came home her usual way.
And of course, she never noticed
that she was being watched.
When the man saw her
enter the building,
he must have figured
this would be a snap--
an old lady home alone,
what could be easier?
The man waited just
long enough before he
sneaked into the building.
On the way up, the asked someone
with the old lady's apartment
was.
He said he had a
delivery for her.
When he got to the
door, he prepared
to terrorize Aunt Connie.
Aunt Connie would surely
have opened the door.
Why not?
She always did.
[door knocking]
Coming, coming.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): But that
was before the special lock.
I'm coming.
Just a minute.
Who is it?
ROBBER: Uh, can you help me?
Uh, I need help.
I'm sorry.
You know, I can't
understand you.
Please, help me.
It's a matter of life and death.
Oh, uh--
Please, let me in!
I need your help!
Oh, the door won't open!
Please, let me in!
I need your help!
Oh, do you want me
to call the police?
No, no, I'll try
another apartment.
BRAD (VOICEOVER):
For some reason,
the lock wouldn't budge.
But as soon as the man left,
Aunt Connie tried it again.
And the strangest
thing happened,
this time it opened easily.
She checked the hall to see if
the stranger was still there.
Thank goodness for
everyone, he was gone.
Even though she
didn't know it then,
the lock had saved
Aunt Connie's life.
After about an hour, the cops
showed up to investigate.
Police, open up.
Sorry to bother you, ma'am.
But your neighbor called
us about a disturbance
at your door earlier today.
Could you positively identify
this man as the man who
was outside your door today?
- I don't know.
You see, I didn't see him.
My door wouldn't open.
Well, that's a good
thing because he's
been robbing people their
social security checks.
Oh my.
Well, don't worry, we got him.
He won't be bothering anyone
around here for a while.
Oh, thank you.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): Two
months had gone by.
And then, Aunt Connie had
another uninvited visitor.
[knocking]
MAN: Mrs. Howard?
Coming, coming.
Hello?
Who is it?
I'm Doug Thomas, with the
county building inspector.
I'm here to check the
wiring in your apartment.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): There was
no Doug Thomas in the county
inspector's office.
Of course, Aunt Connie
couldn't have known that.
So she was perfectly
happy to let him in.
Ooh, I--
I'm sorry.
I can't get the lock to turn!
Ooh, can you come back later?
MAN: Yeah, sure.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): Aunt
Connie didn't understand
why her lock wouldn't open,
so she decided to give
the lock company a call.
That's when things started
to get even stranger.
[phone ringing]
Yes.
No, um, the number for
Forever Safe Lock and Key.
Oh?
You sure you have no listing?
BRAD (VOICEOVER):
It was a Tuesday
when I called Aunt Connie.
Are you-- are you
gonna be there long?
Oh, you are?
You're not going anywhere today?
Make her do it, man.
Maybe I can stop by later?
You got five minutes
or you're a dead man.
It's no sweat.
I got a key.
BRAD (VOICEOVER):
I was in a jam--
a big one.
[door knocking]
BRAD: Aunt Connie,
it's me, Brad.
OK, honey.
Just a minute!
Aunt Connie, I'm in a hurry.
BRAD (VOICEOVER): I needed to
get my package and get out.
BRAD: Look, look, this
new key isn't working.
Oh, but-- but the
lock won't turn!
What did you do?
Just open the door.
I'm-- I'm trying.
Aunt Connie, just
open the door, please!
[knocking]
I-- uh--
BRAD: Aunt Connie!
Uh, I'm trying!
The door won't!
Aunt Connie, please,
open the door, now!
I'm trying!
[knocking]
LOCK INSTALL GUY (VOICEOVER)
No one is going to get
through this door to harm you.
I guarantee it.
[knocking]
BRAD: Aunt Connie!
Please, just open the door!
Aunt Connie, listen to me!
I need you to open the door!
Just open the door, Aunt Connie.
Oh my God.
Brad-- uh-- oh--
wh--
BRAD Aunt Connie, open the door!
Why me?
BRAD: Please, let me in!
Why would you want to hurt me?
BRAD: Aunt Connie,
open the door!
BRAD (VOICEOVER): I
wasn't going to harm her.
But I found out later that the
drug dealers I was involved
with were out to get her.
They thought I had
told her their names.
BRAD: I don't have time!
BRAD (VOICEOVER): I had
to disappear for a while.
But as long as she had
that lock on the door,
Aunt Connie would
be forever safe.
BRAD: Aunt Connie,
open the door!
What is the explanation
for this mystery lock?
Why wouldn't the lock open
when evil was outside the door?
Was it simply the failing
coordination of a woman
growing older?
Or was it Connie's own wise
instinct that subconsciously
kept her from opening the door?
Or is there some
other possibility?
Maybe Connie was
being watched over
by some presence
even more protective
than the strongest
lock in the world.
Or maybe the story
never happened.
ANNOUNCER: Was this story real?
We'll find out at
the end of our show.
Next, a troubled
teenage romance carries
a curse that's beyond belief.
Story of young lovers defying
the wishes of their parents
is as old as Romeo and
Juliet, and as new as today.
The next story involves
an ill-fated love
revenge and things that
go bump in the night.
And as you'll see at the
conclusion of our story,
Romeo and Juliet
were never like this.
Just ask the neighbors.
I love your eyes.
I do!
[inaudible].
What?
MARY (VOICEOVER):
Now, I'm no busybody.
But when two kids are
carrying on in broad daylight,
how can you help
but look, especially
when you live next door?
Thanks for the ride, Tom.
You're welcome.
I'll see you tomorrow?
Bye.
Bye.
Oh, here you go.
Thanks.
I'll call you later.
MARY (VOICEOVER): Tiffany
was only 16 years old.
And it was no secret her father
didn't like that young man
with the piercing eyes.
I don't want you spending
so much time with that boy.
Daddy, he just gave me
a ride home the library.
I don't care.
When I ask you
to do something,
I expect you to listen.
Here we go again.
I think I have reason to be
concerned when my daughter is
seeing a criminal.
He is not a criminal!
He stole a car!
That was like three years ago!
So he made a mistake!
It's not like he's done
anything wrong since then.
But you don't trust anybody
anymore, especially me!
[music playing]
MARY (VOICEOVER):
That night, there
would be sounds coming
from the Wilson house
that the whole
neighborhood would hear.
Honey, you OK?
Just great.
She's gonna be fine.
Yeah, I know.
[zap]
[STEREO AND ALARM PLAYING FROM
BEDROOM]
What was that?
It sounds like it's
coming from your room.
What's going on?
Stay there, I'm
gonna check it out.
Dad?
Dad, are you OK?
Daniel?
Nothing would turn off.
I had to unplug
everything in your room.
Hey, maybe it was just a short.
MARY (VOICEOVER): The
Wilson's had a habit
of keeping their windows open.
And the sound carried
around that place,
so I couldn't help
hearing something
else a few nights later.
Mom, is that you?
[screams]
Mom!
Dad!
Mom!
Dad!
There's somebody sitting there!
There's someone sitting
there watching me!
Honey-- honey, you
must have been dreaming.
You fell asleep.
It's all right, sweetie.
It's OK.
Huh, it's like an
icebox in here.
I'm gonna turn up the heat.
It wasn't a dream,
Mom, and you know it!
Something's happening
here, and I'm scared.
Shh.
MARY (VOICEOVER): I saw Mrs.
Wilson working on the lawn
the next morning.
I was determined to find
out what was going on there.
And to tell her what I knew
about the creepy, old house.
- Samantha!
- Mary, hi.
Hi.
Can I just ask you something?
I thought I heard a scream
from your house last.
Tiffany had a nightmare.
Oh.
Mary, you've lived
here a long time, right?
Ever since I
was a little girl.
Well, have you ever
heard of anything
strange happening at our house?
Like, weird noises or sounds?
When we first moved
into this neighborhood,
a banker owned your place.
And he converted it
into a boarding house.
A woman, Mildred
Bennett, and her son,
Stewart, lived up
there in that room.
That's Tiffany's room.
Stewart was the
most handsome boy.
He had jet-black hair
and most beautiful eyes.
They almost Was glowed.
There wasn't a woman alive
who wouldn't turn around
when Stewart Bennett walked by.
Sounds like
Tiffany's boyfriend.
Well, he had the bad
luck to fall in love
with the banker's daughter.
The banker hated Stewart.
He did everything in his
power to keep them apart.
I know what that's like.
Well, did it work?
No, her father found out that
the two were planning to elope.
He was a powerful man.
He ran Stewart and his
mother out of town.
Well, was this kid that bad?
I didn't think so, at first.
But Stewart swore
he'd get revenge.
One night, he returned, and
he set the house on fire.
My mother and I got here just
as he was shot by the police.
He died right there
on those steps.
I'll never forget those eyes
staring right through me.
Some people say he still
lives in this house.
Are you saying we're
haunted by Stewart Bennett?
I'm not trying to scare you.
It's just an old story.
I'll catch you late.
See ya.
MARY (VOICEOVER): I guess
what Mrs. Wilson was thinking,
because I was thinking
the same thing,
was there a connection somehow
between Tiffany's boyfriend,
Tom, and the ghost
of Stewart Bennett?
I happened to be up at
2:00 AM the next morning,
that's when Tom brought Tiffany
home and all the shouting
began.
Very, very, quiet.
Do you realize
what time it is!
You are never to
see this boy again!
But, Dad--
I don't want to hear about it!
And you-- you are out of here.
Look, I'm sorry, OK?
I'll call you tomorrow.
Don't bother.
Your dad's out of control.
I'm gone.
Tiffany, upstairs, now!
MARY (VOICEOVER): After
Tom made that threat,
the Wilson's asked me to sort
of keep an eye on their house
when they were out.
One night, I heard a prowler.
I call 911, and then waited
for the police to come.
I couldn't believe it.
It was almost as
if Stewart Bennett
was reincarnated and trying to
set the house on fire again.
I wasn't about to
tangle with a teenager.
So I just prayed that the
police would show up soon.
POLICE OFFICER: Freeze!
Please, don't shoot!
Officer, I'm the
woman who called you.
Stay back, no one
needs to get hurt!
Now, turn around, slowly.
Oh my God.
It's Stewart Bennett
all over again.
Was Tiffany really inhabited
by the soul of Stewart Bennett?
And if she was simply a
troubled teenager trying
to exact revenge
against her father,
then how do you explain
those glowing eyes?
And what about the strange
goings on in the house?
Soon after her arrest,
Tiffany broke off
all relationships
with her boyfriend
and things returned to normal.
And by the way, there are people
who say Tiffany is all grown up
now, with teenagers of her own.
These same people
also say she is
the strictest parent in town.
Of course, these are the people
who believed that this story
really happened.
ANNOUNCER: The truth
about this story
will be revealed
in our final act.
Next, a tale of a
bizarre meeting you'll
never forget, on
"Beyond Belief--
Fact or Fiction."
And now, another
story to challenge
your perception of reality.
Imagine a dark, train
platform on a chilly, March
night over 100 years ago.
A rainstorm will
send sheets of rain
across the platform that
has dangerously crowded.
And a distinguished actor
arrives at this Jersey
City railway station.
He's just finished a
performance of Hamlet
at New York's Winter
Garden theater.
And he's now on his
way to Philadelphia
to visit his sister.
Well, as he joins the
crowds pushing and shoving
on the platform, he notices
a young college student out
of of the corner of his eye.
And suddenly, the boy
is jostled violently
and pushed towards the
edge of the platform.
Struggling to keep his
footing, he loses his balance
and falls onto the tracks
between the two cars.
Well, the actor tries
to alert the engineer.
But it's too noisy,
and then it's too late.
The train has already
started to move.
So quickly, the actor rushes
to the edge of the platform,
reaches down, and
with all his might,
pulls the young
student to safety.
Well, after the train pulls
away, in a quiet moment,
the actor and the
student introduce
themselves to each other.
And the actor turns
out to be the brother
of another actor, one who's
soon to become extremely famous.
And the college
student turns out
to be the son of a prominent
American politician.
Well, in less than
three weeks time,
the actor's brother would kill
the college student's father.
For the actor, was Edwin Booth,
brother of John Wilkes Booth.
And the student, was
Robert Lincoln, son
of President Abraham Lincoln.
Is it face or fiction?
You decide at the end
of tonight's show.
[music playing]
And now it's time
to see if you can
separate shadow from substance.
Let's see which of
our stories were false
and which were inspired
by actual events.
We started tonight's show
with the doll maker who found
her own method of revenge.
Are you calling me a liar?
No sir, I'm sure
it's my mistake.
What are you standing
around here for?
A fraudulent tale
that never took place?
That's exactly right.
It's false.
And what about the
story of little Kevin,
who seemed to be brought back to
life by his favorite toy, Super
Bear?
Nurse?
Nurse!
JAMES BROLIN: It's
impossible, you say?
Not this time, a story
like this did take place.
And how did you judge the
plot of the mysterious lock
that somehow protected
the aging Aunt Connie?
[knocking]
AUNT CONNIE: Just a minute!
Aunt Connie, I'm in a hurry.
Look, look, this new
key isn't working.
Oh, but-- but the
lock won't turn!
JAMES BROLIN: Now,
this one never
could have happened, right?
Wrong.
It did happen.
And what did you think about the
tale of the teenage girl whose
life included a troubled
boyfriend and a house
with a terrible curse?
Mom?
Is that you?
[screaming]
Mom!
Dad!
Mom!
Dad!
POLICE OFFICER:
Turn around, slowly.
Oh my God.
It's Stewart Bennett
all over again.
JAMES BROLIN: Could a
story like this be true?
Not this time.
It's a fraud.
And what about the
story I told tonight?
Was it inspired
by actual events?
Yes, it was.
So, were you able to spot
the difference between fact
and fiction this evening?
Three of our stories
were inspired by fact,
the other two were fictional.
ANNOUNCER: "Beyond Belief--
Fact or Fiction" will continue.
Well, until next
time, keep in mind
that what seems
to be impossible,
can often turn out to
be a strange truth.
Goodnight.
ANNOUNCER: Join us next
time on "Beyond Belief--
Fact or Fiction."
This is Don LaFontaine.
[theme music]