Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997) s04e03 Episode Script
Out of Service/When I Was Big/The Greedy Investor/Seven Hours of Bad Luck/Secret of the Coins
[theme music]
CAMPBELL LANE: Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
Hosted by Jonathan Frakes.
Tonight, your challenge
is to separate what
is true from what is false.
Five stories-- some
real, some fake.
Can you judge which are
fact and which are fiction?
To find out, you
must enter a world
of both truth and deception,
a world that is beyond belief.
What's real, and
what is illusion?
And can we really
tell the difference?
Observe this still
picture of a fire.
It contains absolutely
no movement at all.
Now, I ask you to
stare at the spiral.
Begin now.
Don't close your eyes or turn
your head away from the set.
Just continue to concentrate
on the spinning circle.
Or should I say circles
within circles within circles?
And now, look at our still
picture of the fire again.
This time, there is
movement, but you
are providing the illusion of
movement with your own eyes.
What other illusions are
contained in our stories
tonight?
Will you accept what we present
as truth without challenge?
Or will you add
fuel to the fire?
Oh, excuse me.
I'll call you back.
It's almost impossible
to go anywhere
these days without seeing
somebody on a cellphone.
In fact, they've become
so addictive people now
take them where they don't
belong, like movie theaters,
even funerals.
But what about a time of crisis?
What happens when
your phone is so
important that it's the only
thing that can save your life?
Watch what happens to Jackie
Gordon and Mark Winters.
You make the call.
[music playing]
Jackie and Mark have been
dating for several months.
They met at Comtronics, a
software company that hired
them right out of college.
They both loved the outdoors
and were on the first night
of a three day camping trip.
[crackling]
Aw, man, look at this.
Packdad is developing the
same piece of software we are.
The race is on.
What's wrong?
Jackie, what is it?
Oh, that's kinda weird.
Look are, you're
gonna tell me or what?
Yeah, sorry.
Uh, it was a news report.
You know that guy
Stewart Becker?
He founded zebrafoot.com.
Yeah, sure, that, uh,
25-year-old whiz kid.
Yeah, well, he's missing.
He went hiking here in the
Potash just three days ago
and never made it back to camp.
Here?
The police said there may
be a killer on the loose.
Well, maybe we should
just pack up and go home.
Oh, no, Mark, let's not go.
Besides, you know how
overblown the news can be.
They just love to scare people.
I mean, he probably
just got lost.
And what about the other ones?
Did they get lost, too?
It's possible.
[music playing]
All right.
We'll stay.
JONATHAN FRAKES: The
next morning was perfect.
Jackie and Mark tried not to
think about the disappearance
of Stewart Becker.
Aren't you glad
we decided to stay?
Yeah, this place
is incredible.
Yeah.
Here, I'll take that.
OK, here.
So do you think we
have enough wood?
Mark, what's wrong?
- Jackie, quiet.
You
JACKIE: Oh my god, Mark, he's
cleaning blood off that knife.
Ah, he could just be a hunter.
Jackie, run!
[music playing]
Don't look back.
Keep running.
[beeping]
Oh, come on.
I can't get a signal.
- Shh.
Listen.
You hear that?
JACKIE: He's coming.
Mark, what do we do?
I don't know.
Look, there's
somebody over there.
Come on, come on.
Do you see the yellow shirt?
JACKIE: No.
He's too fast.
We're gonna lose him.
MARK: Just keep running.
[panting]
I don't see him.
JACKIE: Why didn't
he wait for us?
I don't know.
[beep]
There's still no service.
What good are these things?
Wait.
Listen.
It's quiet.
I think we lost him.
[screaming]
[music playing]
There he is.
JACKIE: Oh!
MARK: Come on, keep going.
Keep going.
Oh, god.
Hey!
JACKIE: Oh, hey!
JACKIE AND MARK: Over here!
JACKIE: Hello!
Call 911!
JONATHAN FRAKES: Later Jackie
and Mark reported everything
from when they first
heard the radio
report about the missing hiker
to the man in the yellow shirt.
JACKIE: As soon as he saw us,
he just started coming after us.
And then there was this
guy in a yellow shirt.
He-- he just kept helping us.
You know, he'd show up, and
then, well, we'd lose him.
A man in the yellow shirt?
Hey, there he is.
Where?
He was there, I swear it.
He was pointing at something
over here somewhere.
Hey, there's somebody down here.
Mark, it's him.
How?
I don't know.
It's Stewart Becker,
the missing hiker.
Thank God.
You found me.
Did this story really happen?
Did the injured victim
actually leave his body
to ensure his own rescue?
If not, who the man
in the yellow shirt
that kept appearing at
just the right time?
Was he just a figure
of Mark and Jackie's
overstressed imagination?
Is this tale of terror in
the woods based on reality?
Or has the truth taken a hike?
CAMPBELL LANE: You'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a young man who faces the
mystery of his past on Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
Did you have a
favorite book as a child?
The color, the feel, even
the smell of books like these
can stay with us forever.
Dr. Albert Duvall has read
many books in his lifetime.
But none has ever prepared
him for the patient he's
about to encounter, a patient
who will open the doctor's life
to an unexpected new chapter.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
I had been a child
psychologist for 10
years and had treated
all kinds of troubled children.
But Jeremy McBain was the
most baffling one yet.
I just couldn't reach him.
Don't you like any
of the toys, Jeremy?
There's a lot of nice ones here.
Did I tell you that
today's my birthday?
When's your birthday?
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
Jeremy had not
spoken for the past two years.
There was nothing
physically wrong with him.
He just stopped talking
the day his older
sister died in a car accident.
Jeremy, I want you to tell me
how you feel inside right now.
Do you feel good?
Do you feel bad?
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
I was the latest
in a long line of specialists
that Jeremy had seen.
After six months, I was
ready to admit failure.
He seems to be even more
distant today, Dr. Duvall.
He's going to have good days
and bad days, Mrs. McBain, just
like everyone else.
I'm losing my
little boy, doctor,
and no one can do anything.
I know how hard
this has been for you.
[sigh]
Come on, Jeremy.
It's time to go.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
It was very strange,
but Jeremy was headed
straight for a book
on my shelf, the most
important book in my life.
MRS. MCBAIN: Jeremy.
Do you like that book, Jeremy?
It's called "Jo Jo Babbit
and the Magical Wheel."
My father gave me five of
his books as a birthday gift
when I was a child.
If I was unhappy
or sick, I'd read
them and look at the pictures,
and they'd make me feel better.
I read so much I wore them out.
Four of them were lost.
This is the only
one I have left.
It means a lot to me.
Is there something
wrong, Jeremy?
I-- I--
I-- I fix books.
When did you fix books?
When I was big.
When you were big.
Did the books you fixed
look like this one?
Yes.
Big leather books.
How long did you fix books?
Till I died.
MRS. MCBAIN: Jeremy.
You died, Jeremy?
My name's not Jeremy.
It's Harry, Harry Chaffy.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
It was the most unusual
thing I had ever witnessed.
I wanted to keep Jeremy talking
and see where it would lead.
So I decided to address
him as Harry Chaffy.
Where did you fix
these books, Harry?
At the village bookstore.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER): That
night after work, I stopped
at the village bookstore.
It was nearby my office,
so I figured that Jeremy
had probably seen it
many times on the way
to our weekly visits.
That could have explained
how it got into his head.
But what about the
name Harry Chaffy
and that story about fixing the
books that looked like the one
in my office?
May I help you?
Do you have any more books
that look like this one?
CLERK: Oh.
That's beautiful.
But, no, I'm afraid I don't have
anything that looks like this.
It's probably out of print, hmm?
Do you mind if I look around?
Please, be my guest.
ALBERT DUVALL: Thank you.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
Even though it seemed hopeless,
something was keeping me
from leaving the store.
Excuse me.
Have you seen any books
that look like this?
No.
Sorry.
But there's hundreds
of books here.
You should look around.
Thank you.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
Who was Harry Chaffy?
And how could I possibly find
another book like Jo Jo Babbit?
I was ready to give up.
But I could hear my
father's voice in my head,
challenging me just
like he did when
I was little, saying, "Albert.
Come on, Albert, hang in there."
And then I found myself being
pulled to a larger bookcase.
[scoff]
ALBERT DUVALL: "Dear Albert,
happy eighth birthday.
May your day be filled with as
much magic as Jo Jo Babbit's.
Love, Dad."
Did you find something?
These are my books.
My dad gave them
to me 30 years ago.
He brought these four
in to be rebound,
and he died before he
could pick them up.
We didn't know
where he took them.
I thought they
would lost forever.
That's amazing,
after 30 years.
- I'd like to buy them.
- Oh, no, no, no.
Please, please take them.
They're yours.
Thank you.
Did you fix these books?
No.
It wasn't me.
They must've been repaired by
the man I apprenticed under.
He died about 15 years ago.
Was his name by
any chance Harry?
Yeah, Harry Chaffy.
How'd you know?
It doesn't matter.
What you think happened here?
Was the little boy
Jeremy the reincarnation
of the bookbinder Harry Chaffy?
Or had the little boy
visited that bookstore
before and heard Harry
Chaffy's name mentioned there?
In determining whether this
story is right or wrong,
don't jump to conclusions.
After all, you can't
judge a book by its cover.
CAMPBELL LANE: We'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a house with
a mind of its own
on Beyond Belief,
Fact or Fiction.
Rockin' on a front porch--
what better way to
feel the security
and peace of the family home?
Marian Rayburn and her husband
shared many happy hours
on their front porch.
But things have changed now.
Her husband has passed
away, and Marian
is facing a financial crisis
with no insurance to help.
And like a bad neighbor,
Louie Newsom is there.
[music playing]
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER):
Several years
back, my husband decided his
bank job was a dead end career.
So he struck out on a new
venture, a real estate
investing business.
Louie had been
calling the shots,
but I was getting more
and more involved.
Once you put your
listing with us,
we can schedule an open house.
Louie's very confident he
can get you a quick sale
at a terrific price.
OK.
Let us know.
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER):
Louie dragged
me to a seminar entitled "How to
Make a Million in Real Estate."
But I didn't like his methods.
By speculating in the
real estate market,
Louie figured we could
retire in 10 years.
All we needed was ambition,
which Louie had plenty of.
Reluctantly, I put plans
to start a family on hold.
Besides, Louie was a
handful all by himself.
Shouldn't you at least
wait until Mrs. Rayburn's
out to put the sign up?
Take the chance of
missing the perfect buyer?
No way.
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER):
This morning, we
had to do one of the worst
parts of the real estate game
for me, enforcing a foreclosure.
Couldn't wait five minutes to
get your hands on this place,
I see.
We've had this conversation
before, Mrs. Rayburn.
I'm not a bank.
When I purchase a mortgage,
if the payments aren't made,
it comes out of my pocket.
I really had no choice.
This house has been in my
family since before the war.
My husband and I wanted
to keep it in the family,
to be our legacy.
Mrs. Rayburn, you decided to
take a loan on your property.
Yes, to pay my late
husband's hospital bills.
Exactly.
The bottom line is you took
your money out of this deal.
So when you couldn't
make your payments,
I'm the one who got shafted.
This house is mine now.
This house will never
be yours, Mr. Newsom.
Mark my words.
[music playing]
Let me help you with
that, Mrs. Rayburn.
I think you and your husband
have helped quite enough,
thank you.
This is without a
doubt my best property.
Four bedrooms, full basement--
it's perfect for you folks.
You're gonna love it.
MRS. NEWSOM:
(VOICEOVER) Louie went
into his usual high
pressure pitch,
confident of turning a quick
profit on the Rayburn home.
The problem was that the
Rayburn home wouldn't cooperate.
As you can see, it's
been well kept up.
It's, uh, it's
quite cozy, in fact.
This old furnace shoulda
kicked in before this.
Uh, don't you worry.
I'm-- I'm sure it's nothing.
[creaking]
[music playing]
Here, of course, is
a fantastic feature.
It's a formal sitting room.
Oh.
I, uh, I got to apologize.
That-- that smell's
never been there before.
But, uh, don't you worry.
We'll-- we'll get someone
out to take care of it.
It's-- it's no problem.
I'll call ya!
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER): As
the weeks and months went by,
every time we tried to
sell the Rayburn home,
we encountered one bizarre
unusual problem after another.
[creaking]
Well, what was it this time?
I opened a window.
Must've caused a draft.
Next thing I know, doors are
slamming all over the place.
And the glass?
I went to close the window.
The whole thing came
right out of the frame.
I'll get it fixed.
How many thousands have you
put into this place already?
New carpet to get rid
of the smell, plumbing
repairs, a new
furnace, and there
still hasn't been
a single offer.
I'll sell this turkey.
You'll see.
Do you believe
in karma, Louie?
What goes around comes around.
What are you-- what
are you talking about?
You didn't have to kick that
old woman out of her house.
You were after fast
buck, and now you're
obsessed with
selling this place,
and you're driving
the two of us nuts.
Just forget about it, Louie.
Please.
Just give it away.
Give it away?
Now you're talking crazy.
This isn't about the
house anymore, Louie.
This is about us.
You need to choose--
me or this place.
You're kidding, right?
If you folks are here
for the open house,
we're about to close up.
We're not really
looking to buy,
but we were curious
about seeing the place.
A home's a fine
investment, you know.
Just started graduate
school over at the college.
'Fraid a teaching assistance
pay doesn't go very far.
We've heard a lot
about the house.
Uh, don't believe
everything you heard.
Do you think it would
be all right if we
took a quick walk through?
Of course.
Go ahead.
Thanks.
What?
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER): From
the second the young couple
set foot in the house,
every problem stopped.
And that's when I came
up with a big idea.
Wait a moment.
My husband and I have been
very lucky with our real estate
investments.
We got this house
at a real bargain.
You can save the sales pitch.
We couldn't even come up with
a down payment right now.
Forget the down payment.
Do you have a dollar?
You're kidding, right?
I think that's my line.
I accept this dollar
in consideration
as payment in full.
Congratulations.
You're now homeowners.
I have all the
paperwork in the car.
Did you just do
what I think you--
Uh-huh.
And believe me.
You got off a lot
cheaper than a divorce.
If this isn't a joke then--
I just figured it
would be fun to see
grandma's old house again.
I mean, who would have thought?
It's as if she willed it to us.
MRS. NEWSOM
(VOICEOVER): Later, we
learned that the
old woman we evicted
was the young
couple's grandmother.
She passed away soon
after we forced her out.
I still recall what she said.
"This house will never be yours.
Mark my words."
What really caused the
problems in the house?
Was the spirit of Marian
Rayburn making sure the house
would stay in her family?
Or where all those
mishaps just coincidence?
If so, why did all
the defects stop
the minute Marian's
granddaughter
crossed the threshold?
Does this tale of a soul
protecting her property
seem like logical truth?
Or do you think that our
writer's off his rocker?
CAMPBELL LANE: You'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a broken mirror brings
terror to its owner on Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
How superstitious are you?
For instance, do you have the
courage to walk under a ladder?
Horse shoes, rabbits'
feet, four leaf clovers--
an entire subculture
exists around superstition,
complete with its own
rules and artifacts.
Do we make our own luck?
Or are we victim to the
whim of the gods of fortune?
Lauren Davis has never been
a superstitious person,
but she's about to go
through an experience
that will challenge
her perception
of the words bad luck.
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
I had been in my new home
for six months and
had finally saved
enough to redecorate
my living room
the way I really wanted it.
I can't believe
we're almost done.
The paint looks great, Michelle.
Thanks so much
for all your help.
Now
That's what friends are for.
It's amazing what you
do with a little money
and a lot of garage sales.
Oh my god, this
thing weighs a ton.
- Careful.
- It's OK.
I have it.
Let me give you hand.
[shattering]
Oh my god.
I don't believe this.
I loved that old mirror.
Oh no.
No, don't touch it.
Don't clean it up, not
even one piece of it.
What?
Seven years bad luck.
Michelle, you know I'm
not a superstitious person.
I don't believe in
all that mumbo jumbo.
Lauren, I know
about this stuff.
If you leave it the
way it is, you'll only
have seven hours of bad luck.
That's ridiculous.
Why take a chance?
Leave it for seven hours,
and then clean it up.
What's the harm?
- Michelle.
Lauren.
Seven hours of bad luck is
much better than seven years.
Just set the time
for seven hours,
and then clean it up immediately
and you'll end the bad luck.
Humor me.
OK.
OK, I won't clean it
up for seven hours.
Thank you.
You still have to be careful.
I'll be careful.
I'm staying in tonight.
I owe my mother a letter.
Maybe I should
spend the night.
LAUREN DAVIS:
Michelle, I'll be fine.
Besides, you have that
date with Jay tonight.
I don't want you to break it.
You sure?
Nothing's gonna happen.
Three hours in and
so far, no bad luck.
Michelle, you are so weird.
[dripping]
Yuck.
[creaking]
[sigh]
The plumber was just here.
[chuckle]
Michelle would have a
field day with this.
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER): There
was only half an hour to go
and the seven hours would be up.
I was sure those incidents in
the kitchen weren't bad luck.
They were just coincidence.
I couldn't wait to
show Michelle how
stupid her superstitions were.
[music playing]
I don't believe this.
[music playing]
They all look fine to me.
[scream]
Everything's fine.
Everything is fine.
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
Even though I put the fire out
easily, I was beginning
to think that maybe I was
having seven hours of bad luck.
I needed some light so I could
see how much time was left.
[scream]
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
[beep]
[scream]
Leave me alone!
Leave me alone!
[timer beeping]
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
With the power back on,
I was able to call the police.
I wanted to keep myself
busy until they arrived,
so I decided to clean
up the broken mirror.
[scream]
[music playing]
[glass crunching]
How lucky I was that
the thing that saved me
was a piece of glass
from the broken mirror.
[sirens blaring]
Did Lauren really experience
seven hours of bad luck
as the result of
the broken mirror?
Or did the power of suggestion
only make it seem that way?
But how do you
explain the stalker?
if Lauren's luck was really
so bad during the seven hour
period, why didn't he
get in during that time?
Do you truly know whether
this story is true or false?
Or will you just be
making a lucky guess?
CAMPBELL LANE: We'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a coin reveals
untold secrets on Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
To most of us, coins are
convenient ways to deal
with small cash transactions.
But to a numismatist
or serious collector,
there are volumes of stories
behind the engravings
of every coin.
Todd Davis is a young man
whose only interest in coins
comes from the spare
change he receives in tips.
But he will soon
encounter an unusual man,
a man who will show him
the other side of the coin.
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
Carter Jenkins
was a spooky legend in my town,
because nobody ever saw him.
Even when I delivered
pizzas to his place,
he'd never came out
until I was gone.
He'd just leave a $10 bill
taped to the door, and I'd leave
his $0.50 in a tin cup.
And that it was, the same
exact thing every time.
But this time, he messed up.
Instead of $10, he taped
a $100 bill to the door.
Hello?
It's the pizza guy.
Uh, sorry to bother you, but,
uh, you've made a mistake.
This isn't a $10 bill.
[music playing]
Thank you for your honesty.
Oh, and, uh, by the way,
I believe this is yours.
You left it with my change.
I can't believe I did that.
You corrected a very
expensive error for me.
Thank you.
I'm Carter Jenkins.
- And thank you.
Todd Davis.
That's my lucky nickel.
Oh, man, if I woulda lost this.
I've had it since I was--
Five years old, I know.
Your father gave it to you
for helping him rake leaves.
How did you know that?
Psychometry.
Every object tells a story about
the people who possessed it.
All you have to do
is feel the message.
Here.
Start with this.
And thank you again.
$0.50.
So much for honesty.
[music playing]
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER): I had
never been to Carter Jenkins'
place before in the daylight,
but the next afternoon,
I had something
important to tell him.
Excuse me, Mr. Jenkins,
but are you sure you
wanted to give me that coin?
Mm-hmm.
When I saw how old it was,
I had a feeling that it was--
must be special.
Yes.
So I showed it to a friend
of my dad's who's a-- a coin
collector, and he
told me it's worth--
$100.
What is this coin telling you?
That coin has a story connected
with one of those pictures.
Which one?
[radio chatter]
[whistling]
[explosions]
The coin belonged to this man.
CARTER JENKINS: Very good.
He was awarded the Purple
Heart while serving in Korea.
Keep going.
TODD DAVIS: He gave you
the coin for good luck
when he went to Vietnam.
You have a gift, Todd.
Now, try this.
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER): I
don't know how long we talked.
I only know that Carter
Jenkins had introduced
me to the world of psychometry.
My life would never be the same.
That lucky coin your friend
gave you, it saved your life.
That's right.
It deflected a bullet
that would have killed me.
That's some picture.
Yes.
And one day, you'll know the
whole story behind the picture.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, sir, and thank you.
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
For the next few months,
I was back in school.
But when the semester
ended, the first thing I did
was visit Carter Jenkins.
Come on, get that truck
packed and on the road!
I got a plane to catch!
Who are you?
I'm Todd Davis.
I'm a friend of Mr. Jenkins.
Oh, yeah?
Didn't think he had any friends.
Carter's dead, heart attack.
This lawyer calls me up,
says my cousin's left me
the contents of his house.
I-- I'm so sorry.
He was--
A real nutcase.
Everybody said he had piles
of money stashed around here,
but I tore the place
apart-- didn't find squat.
[phone beeps]
Wife wants the furniture.
The rest is a bunch of garbage.
Can I stay here a minute?
Suit yourself.
Hey, when that
lawyer shows up, tell
him I caught an early flight.
He can mail me the paperwork.
What about the photographs?
What, old pictures of
people I don't even know?
Tell the lawyer
have a garage sale.
Would you mind
if I take this one?
Take 'em all if you want.
I'm outta here.
CARTER JENKINS (VOICEOVER):
Every object tells a story.
You have in gift, Todd.
A gift.
[explosions]
[gunfire]
Where's Ed?
Uh, I guess he just left.
I'm Todd.
I was a friend of Mr. Jenkins.
Todd Davis?
He told me about you.
I'm John Radnor,
Carter's lawyer.
He didn't warm up
to very many people,
but he really enjoyed
the talks you two had.
Me, too.
People didn't
realize that Carter
was an extremely generous man.
Contributed to many
local projects.
Never wanted anyone to know.
CARTER JENKINS (VOICEOVER):
Every object tells a story.
One day, You'll know the whole
story behind the picture.
[child giggles]
[children chattering]
[music playing]
TODD DAVIS: Are they valuable?
JOHN RADNOR: Very.
Then they'll help pay for
the children's playground.
How'd you know about that?
The playground was
Carter's next project.
How did you know they were
behind the photograph?
It was a lesson Mr.
Jenkins taught me.
Every object has a story.
What really made Todd
turn over the photograph?
Was he truly using some
paranormal ability,
or he was heeding Carter's
words about the story
behind the picture?
But then, how could
he have possibly known
about the children's playground?
Carter had never mentioned
it to anyone but his lawyer.
Will you use logic to
deduct whether this story
is true or false?
Or will you just flip a coin?
CAMPBELL LANE: You'll find out
which of our stories are fact
and which are fiction when
Beyond Belief returns.
Now let's look back
at tonight's stories
and find out which ones are
inspired by actual events
and which ones
are totally false.
What about the couple
whose camping trip
became a matter
of life and death?
[music playing]
Oh, come on.
I can't get a signal.
- Shh.
Listen.
You hear that?
JACKIE: Oh, he's coming, Mark.
What do we do?
I don't know.
Look.
There's somebody over there.
Come on, come on.
Did you think this
one really happened?
Sorry.
It's a work of fiction.
How 'bout the
story of the doctor
who received an unexpected
gift from his late father?
[music playing]
[scoff]
ALBERT DUVALL: "Dear Albert,
happy eighth birthday.
May your day be filled with as
much magic as Jo Jo Babbit's.
Love, Dad."
Do you think you've heard
a story like this before?
You might have.
It's true.
According to our
research, a similar story
happened on the East
Coast in the late '70s.
Let's take another look
at the real estate gambler
who couldn't beat the house.
[music playing]
Well, what was it this time?
I opened a window.
Must've caused a draft.
Next thing I know, doors are
slamming all over the place.
And the glass?
I went to close the window.
The whole thing came
right out of the frame.
Did you think this
story really happened?
If you did, we fooled you.
It's a fake.
How 'bout the woman
whose broken mirror
set off a streak of misfortune?
Fact or fiction?
They all look fine to me.
[scream]
Everything's fine.
Everything is fine.
If you thought this story
was based on a real life
occurrence, you're right.
Published reports
place a similar story
in the Washington, DC
area several years ago.
Let's take another
look at the pizza
delivery boy and the recluse.
What is this coin telling you?
That coin has a story connected
with one of those pictures.
Which one?
[gunfire]
[whistling]
[explosions]
The coin belonged to this man.
Is it possible
this story is true?
Yes, it is.
There is a published
report that a similar story
was experienced by a
delivery boy in the Midwest
about 10 years.
How was your truth
detecting this time?
Were you able to tell
fact from fiction?
Or did you find that our
stories were located somewhere
between substance and shadow,
a location that could be
only labeled as beyond belief.
I'm Jonathan Frakes.
CAMPBELL LANE: "When I
Was Big" and "Seven Hours"
are true, based upon
firsthand research conducted
by author Robert Tralins.
This is Campbell Lane.
[music playing]
CAMPBELL LANE: Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
Hosted by Jonathan Frakes.
Tonight, your challenge
is to separate what
is true from what is false.
Five stories-- some
real, some fake.
Can you judge which are
fact and which are fiction?
To find out, you
must enter a world
of both truth and deception,
a world that is beyond belief.
What's real, and
what is illusion?
And can we really
tell the difference?
Observe this still
picture of a fire.
It contains absolutely
no movement at all.
Now, I ask you to
stare at the spiral.
Begin now.
Don't close your eyes or turn
your head away from the set.
Just continue to concentrate
on the spinning circle.
Or should I say circles
within circles within circles?
And now, look at our still
picture of the fire again.
This time, there is
movement, but you
are providing the illusion of
movement with your own eyes.
What other illusions are
contained in our stories
tonight?
Will you accept what we present
as truth without challenge?
Or will you add
fuel to the fire?
Oh, excuse me.
I'll call you back.
It's almost impossible
to go anywhere
these days without seeing
somebody on a cellphone.
In fact, they've become
so addictive people now
take them where they don't
belong, like movie theaters,
even funerals.
But what about a time of crisis?
What happens when
your phone is so
important that it's the only
thing that can save your life?
Watch what happens to Jackie
Gordon and Mark Winters.
You make the call.
[music playing]
Jackie and Mark have been
dating for several months.
They met at Comtronics, a
software company that hired
them right out of college.
They both loved the outdoors
and were on the first night
of a three day camping trip.
[crackling]
Aw, man, look at this.
Packdad is developing the
same piece of software we are.
The race is on.
What's wrong?
Jackie, what is it?
Oh, that's kinda weird.
Look are, you're
gonna tell me or what?
Yeah, sorry.
Uh, it was a news report.
You know that guy
Stewart Becker?
He founded zebrafoot.com.
Yeah, sure, that, uh,
25-year-old whiz kid.
Yeah, well, he's missing.
He went hiking here in the
Potash just three days ago
and never made it back to camp.
Here?
The police said there may
be a killer on the loose.
Well, maybe we should
just pack up and go home.
Oh, no, Mark, let's not go.
Besides, you know how
overblown the news can be.
They just love to scare people.
I mean, he probably
just got lost.
And what about the other ones?
Did they get lost, too?
It's possible.
[music playing]
All right.
We'll stay.
JONATHAN FRAKES: The
next morning was perfect.
Jackie and Mark tried not to
think about the disappearance
of Stewart Becker.
Aren't you glad
we decided to stay?
Yeah, this place
is incredible.
Yeah.
Here, I'll take that.
OK, here.
So do you think we
have enough wood?
Mark, what's wrong?
- Jackie, quiet.
You
JACKIE: Oh my god, Mark, he's
cleaning blood off that knife.
Ah, he could just be a hunter.
Jackie, run!
[music playing]
Don't look back.
Keep running.
[beeping]
Oh, come on.
I can't get a signal.
- Shh.
Listen.
You hear that?
JACKIE: He's coming.
Mark, what do we do?
I don't know.
Look, there's
somebody over there.
Come on, come on.
Do you see the yellow shirt?
JACKIE: No.
He's too fast.
We're gonna lose him.
MARK: Just keep running.
[panting]
I don't see him.
JACKIE: Why didn't
he wait for us?
I don't know.
[beep]
There's still no service.
What good are these things?
Wait.
Listen.
It's quiet.
I think we lost him.
[screaming]
[music playing]
There he is.
JACKIE: Oh!
MARK: Come on, keep going.
Keep going.
Oh, god.
Hey!
JACKIE: Oh, hey!
JACKIE AND MARK: Over here!
JACKIE: Hello!
Call 911!
JONATHAN FRAKES: Later Jackie
and Mark reported everything
from when they first
heard the radio
report about the missing hiker
to the man in the yellow shirt.
JACKIE: As soon as he saw us,
he just started coming after us.
And then there was this
guy in a yellow shirt.
He-- he just kept helping us.
You know, he'd show up, and
then, well, we'd lose him.
A man in the yellow shirt?
Hey, there he is.
Where?
He was there, I swear it.
He was pointing at something
over here somewhere.
Hey, there's somebody down here.
Mark, it's him.
How?
I don't know.
It's Stewart Becker,
the missing hiker.
Thank God.
You found me.
Did this story really happen?
Did the injured victim
actually leave his body
to ensure his own rescue?
If not, who the man
in the yellow shirt
that kept appearing at
just the right time?
Was he just a figure
of Mark and Jackie's
overstressed imagination?
Is this tale of terror in
the woods based on reality?
Or has the truth taken a hike?
CAMPBELL LANE: You'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a young man who faces the
mystery of his past on Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
Did you have a
favorite book as a child?
The color, the feel, even
the smell of books like these
can stay with us forever.
Dr. Albert Duvall has read
many books in his lifetime.
But none has ever prepared
him for the patient he's
about to encounter, a patient
who will open the doctor's life
to an unexpected new chapter.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
I had been a child
psychologist for 10
years and had treated
all kinds of troubled children.
But Jeremy McBain was the
most baffling one yet.
I just couldn't reach him.
Don't you like any
of the toys, Jeremy?
There's a lot of nice ones here.
Did I tell you that
today's my birthday?
When's your birthday?
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
Jeremy had not
spoken for the past two years.
There was nothing
physically wrong with him.
He just stopped talking
the day his older
sister died in a car accident.
Jeremy, I want you to tell me
how you feel inside right now.
Do you feel good?
Do you feel bad?
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
I was the latest
in a long line of specialists
that Jeremy had seen.
After six months, I was
ready to admit failure.
He seems to be even more
distant today, Dr. Duvall.
He's going to have good days
and bad days, Mrs. McBain, just
like everyone else.
I'm losing my
little boy, doctor,
and no one can do anything.
I know how hard
this has been for you.
[sigh]
Come on, Jeremy.
It's time to go.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
It was very strange,
but Jeremy was headed
straight for a book
on my shelf, the most
important book in my life.
MRS. MCBAIN: Jeremy.
Do you like that book, Jeremy?
It's called "Jo Jo Babbit
and the Magical Wheel."
My father gave me five of
his books as a birthday gift
when I was a child.
If I was unhappy
or sick, I'd read
them and look at the pictures,
and they'd make me feel better.
I read so much I wore them out.
Four of them were lost.
This is the only
one I have left.
It means a lot to me.
Is there something
wrong, Jeremy?
I-- I--
I-- I fix books.
When did you fix books?
When I was big.
When you were big.
Did the books you fixed
look like this one?
Yes.
Big leather books.
How long did you fix books?
Till I died.
MRS. MCBAIN: Jeremy.
You died, Jeremy?
My name's not Jeremy.
It's Harry, Harry Chaffy.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
It was the most unusual
thing I had ever witnessed.
I wanted to keep Jeremy talking
and see where it would lead.
So I decided to address
him as Harry Chaffy.
Where did you fix
these books, Harry?
At the village bookstore.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER): That
night after work, I stopped
at the village bookstore.
It was nearby my office,
so I figured that Jeremy
had probably seen it
many times on the way
to our weekly visits.
That could have explained
how it got into his head.
But what about the
name Harry Chaffy
and that story about fixing the
books that looked like the one
in my office?
May I help you?
Do you have any more books
that look like this one?
CLERK: Oh.
That's beautiful.
But, no, I'm afraid I don't have
anything that looks like this.
It's probably out of print, hmm?
Do you mind if I look around?
Please, be my guest.
ALBERT DUVALL: Thank you.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
Even though it seemed hopeless,
something was keeping me
from leaving the store.
Excuse me.
Have you seen any books
that look like this?
No.
Sorry.
But there's hundreds
of books here.
You should look around.
Thank you.
ALBERT DUVALL (VOICEOVER):
Who was Harry Chaffy?
And how could I possibly find
another book like Jo Jo Babbit?
I was ready to give up.
But I could hear my
father's voice in my head,
challenging me just
like he did when
I was little, saying, "Albert.
Come on, Albert, hang in there."
And then I found myself being
pulled to a larger bookcase.
[scoff]
ALBERT DUVALL: "Dear Albert,
happy eighth birthday.
May your day be filled with as
much magic as Jo Jo Babbit's.
Love, Dad."
Did you find something?
These are my books.
My dad gave them
to me 30 years ago.
He brought these four
in to be rebound,
and he died before he
could pick them up.
We didn't know
where he took them.
I thought they
would lost forever.
That's amazing,
after 30 years.
- I'd like to buy them.
- Oh, no, no, no.
Please, please take them.
They're yours.
Thank you.
Did you fix these books?
No.
It wasn't me.
They must've been repaired by
the man I apprenticed under.
He died about 15 years ago.
Was his name by
any chance Harry?
Yeah, Harry Chaffy.
How'd you know?
It doesn't matter.
What you think happened here?
Was the little boy
Jeremy the reincarnation
of the bookbinder Harry Chaffy?
Or had the little boy
visited that bookstore
before and heard Harry
Chaffy's name mentioned there?
In determining whether this
story is right or wrong,
don't jump to conclusions.
After all, you can't
judge a book by its cover.
CAMPBELL LANE: We'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a house with
a mind of its own
on Beyond Belief,
Fact or Fiction.
Rockin' on a front porch--
what better way to
feel the security
and peace of the family home?
Marian Rayburn and her husband
shared many happy hours
on their front porch.
But things have changed now.
Her husband has passed
away, and Marian
is facing a financial crisis
with no insurance to help.
And like a bad neighbor,
Louie Newsom is there.
[music playing]
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER):
Several years
back, my husband decided his
bank job was a dead end career.
So he struck out on a new
venture, a real estate
investing business.
Louie had been
calling the shots,
but I was getting more
and more involved.
Once you put your
listing with us,
we can schedule an open house.
Louie's very confident he
can get you a quick sale
at a terrific price.
OK.
Let us know.
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER):
Louie dragged
me to a seminar entitled "How to
Make a Million in Real Estate."
But I didn't like his methods.
By speculating in the
real estate market,
Louie figured we could
retire in 10 years.
All we needed was ambition,
which Louie had plenty of.
Reluctantly, I put plans
to start a family on hold.
Besides, Louie was a
handful all by himself.
Shouldn't you at least
wait until Mrs. Rayburn's
out to put the sign up?
Take the chance of
missing the perfect buyer?
No way.
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER):
This morning, we
had to do one of the worst
parts of the real estate game
for me, enforcing a foreclosure.
Couldn't wait five minutes to
get your hands on this place,
I see.
We've had this conversation
before, Mrs. Rayburn.
I'm not a bank.
When I purchase a mortgage,
if the payments aren't made,
it comes out of my pocket.
I really had no choice.
This house has been in my
family since before the war.
My husband and I wanted
to keep it in the family,
to be our legacy.
Mrs. Rayburn, you decided to
take a loan on your property.
Yes, to pay my late
husband's hospital bills.
Exactly.
The bottom line is you took
your money out of this deal.
So when you couldn't
make your payments,
I'm the one who got shafted.
This house is mine now.
This house will never
be yours, Mr. Newsom.
Mark my words.
[music playing]
Let me help you with
that, Mrs. Rayburn.
I think you and your husband
have helped quite enough,
thank you.
This is without a
doubt my best property.
Four bedrooms, full basement--
it's perfect for you folks.
You're gonna love it.
MRS. NEWSOM:
(VOICEOVER) Louie went
into his usual high
pressure pitch,
confident of turning a quick
profit on the Rayburn home.
The problem was that the
Rayburn home wouldn't cooperate.
As you can see, it's
been well kept up.
It's, uh, it's
quite cozy, in fact.
This old furnace shoulda
kicked in before this.
Uh, don't you worry.
I'm-- I'm sure it's nothing.
[creaking]
[music playing]
Here, of course, is
a fantastic feature.
It's a formal sitting room.
Oh.
I, uh, I got to apologize.
That-- that smell's
never been there before.
But, uh, don't you worry.
We'll-- we'll get someone
out to take care of it.
It's-- it's no problem.
I'll call ya!
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER): As
the weeks and months went by,
every time we tried to
sell the Rayburn home,
we encountered one bizarre
unusual problem after another.
[creaking]
Well, what was it this time?
I opened a window.
Must've caused a draft.
Next thing I know, doors are
slamming all over the place.
And the glass?
I went to close the window.
The whole thing came
right out of the frame.
I'll get it fixed.
How many thousands have you
put into this place already?
New carpet to get rid
of the smell, plumbing
repairs, a new
furnace, and there
still hasn't been
a single offer.
I'll sell this turkey.
You'll see.
Do you believe
in karma, Louie?
What goes around comes around.
What are you-- what
are you talking about?
You didn't have to kick that
old woman out of her house.
You were after fast
buck, and now you're
obsessed with
selling this place,
and you're driving
the two of us nuts.
Just forget about it, Louie.
Please.
Just give it away.
Give it away?
Now you're talking crazy.
This isn't about the
house anymore, Louie.
This is about us.
You need to choose--
me or this place.
You're kidding, right?
If you folks are here
for the open house,
we're about to close up.
We're not really
looking to buy,
but we were curious
about seeing the place.
A home's a fine
investment, you know.
Just started graduate
school over at the college.
'Fraid a teaching assistance
pay doesn't go very far.
We've heard a lot
about the house.
Uh, don't believe
everything you heard.
Do you think it would
be all right if we
took a quick walk through?
Of course.
Go ahead.
Thanks.
What?
MRS. NEWSOM (VOICEOVER): From
the second the young couple
set foot in the house,
every problem stopped.
And that's when I came
up with a big idea.
Wait a moment.
My husband and I have been
very lucky with our real estate
investments.
We got this house
at a real bargain.
You can save the sales pitch.
We couldn't even come up with
a down payment right now.
Forget the down payment.
Do you have a dollar?
You're kidding, right?
I think that's my line.
I accept this dollar
in consideration
as payment in full.
Congratulations.
You're now homeowners.
I have all the
paperwork in the car.
Did you just do
what I think you--
Uh-huh.
And believe me.
You got off a lot
cheaper than a divorce.
If this isn't a joke then--
I just figured it
would be fun to see
grandma's old house again.
I mean, who would have thought?
It's as if she willed it to us.
MRS. NEWSOM
(VOICEOVER): Later, we
learned that the
old woman we evicted
was the young
couple's grandmother.
She passed away soon
after we forced her out.
I still recall what she said.
"This house will never be yours.
Mark my words."
What really caused the
problems in the house?
Was the spirit of Marian
Rayburn making sure the house
would stay in her family?
Or where all those
mishaps just coincidence?
If so, why did all
the defects stop
the minute Marian's
granddaughter
crossed the threshold?
Does this tale of a soul
protecting her property
seem like logical truth?
Or do you think that our
writer's off his rocker?
CAMPBELL LANE: You'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a broken mirror brings
terror to its owner on Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
How superstitious are you?
For instance, do you have the
courage to walk under a ladder?
Horse shoes, rabbits'
feet, four leaf clovers--
an entire subculture
exists around superstition,
complete with its own
rules and artifacts.
Do we make our own luck?
Or are we victim to the
whim of the gods of fortune?
Lauren Davis has never been
a superstitious person,
but she's about to go
through an experience
that will challenge
her perception
of the words bad luck.
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
I had been in my new home
for six months and
had finally saved
enough to redecorate
my living room
the way I really wanted it.
I can't believe
we're almost done.
The paint looks great, Michelle.
Thanks so much
for all your help.
Now
That's what friends are for.
It's amazing what you
do with a little money
and a lot of garage sales.
Oh my god, this
thing weighs a ton.
- Careful.
- It's OK.
I have it.
Let me give you hand.
[shattering]
Oh my god.
I don't believe this.
I loved that old mirror.
Oh no.
No, don't touch it.
Don't clean it up, not
even one piece of it.
What?
Seven years bad luck.
Michelle, you know I'm
not a superstitious person.
I don't believe in
all that mumbo jumbo.
Lauren, I know
about this stuff.
If you leave it the
way it is, you'll only
have seven hours of bad luck.
That's ridiculous.
Why take a chance?
Leave it for seven hours,
and then clean it up.
What's the harm?
- Michelle.
Lauren.
Seven hours of bad luck is
much better than seven years.
Just set the time
for seven hours,
and then clean it up immediately
and you'll end the bad luck.
Humor me.
OK.
OK, I won't clean it
up for seven hours.
Thank you.
You still have to be careful.
I'll be careful.
I'm staying in tonight.
I owe my mother a letter.
Maybe I should
spend the night.
LAUREN DAVIS:
Michelle, I'll be fine.
Besides, you have that
date with Jay tonight.
I don't want you to break it.
You sure?
Nothing's gonna happen.
Three hours in and
so far, no bad luck.
Michelle, you are so weird.
[dripping]
Yuck.
[creaking]
[sigh]
The plumber was just here.
[chuckle]
Michelle would have a
field day with this.
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER): There
was only half an hour to go
and the seven hours would be up.
I was sure those incidents in
the kitchen weren't bad luck.
They were just coincidence.
I couldn't wait to
show Michelle how
stupid her superstitions were.
[music playing]
I don't believe this.
[music playing]
They all look fine to me.
[scream]
Everything's fine.
Everything is fine.
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
Even though I put the fire out
easily, I was beginning
to think that maybe I was
having seven hours of bad luck.
I needed some light so I could
see how much time was left.
[scream]
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
[beep]
[scream]
Leave me alone!
Leave me alone!
[timer beeping]
LAUREN DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
With the power back on,
I was able to call the police.
I wanted to keep myself
busy until they arrived,
so I decided to clean
up the broken mirror.
[scream]
[music playing]
[glass crunching]
How lucky I was that
the thing that saved me
was a piece of glass
from the broken mirror.
[sirens blaring]
Did Lauren really experience
seven hours of bad luck
as the result of
the broken mirror?
Or did the power of suggestion
only make it seem that way?
But how do you
explain the stalker?
if Lauren's luck was really
so bad during the seven hour
period, why didn't he
get in during that time?
Do you truly know whether
this story is true or false?
Or will you just be
making a lucky guess?
CAMPBELL LANE: We'll find out
if this story is true or false
at the end of our show.
Next, a coin reveals
untold secrets on Beyond
Belief, Fact or Fiction.
To most of us, coins are
convenient ways to deal
with small cash transactions.
But to a numismatist
or serious collector,
there are volumes of stories
behind the engravings
of every coin.
Todd Davis is a young man
whose only interest in coins
comes from the spare
change he receives in tips.
But he will soon
encounter an unusual man,
a man who will show him
the other side of the coin.
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
Carter Jenkins
was a spooky legend in my town,
because nobody ever saw him.
Even when I delivered
pizzas to his place,
he'd never came out
until I was gone.
He'd just leave a $10 bill
taped to the door, and I'd leave
his $0.50 in a tin cup.
And that it was, the same
exact thing every time.
But this time, he messed up.
Instead of $10, he taped
a $100 bill to the door.
Hello?
It's the pizza guy.
Uh, sorry to bother you, but,
uh, you've made a mistake.
This isn't a $10 bill.
[music playing]
Thank you for your honesty.
Oh, and, uh, by the way,
I believe this is yours.
You left it with my change.
I can't believe I did that.
You corrected a very
expensive error for me.
Thank you.
I'm Carter Jenkins.
- And thank you.
Todd Davis.
That's my lucky nickel.
Oh, man, if I woulda lost this.
I've had it since I was--
Five years old, I know.
Your father gave it to you
for helping him rake leaves.
How did you know that?
Psychometry.
Every object tells a story about
the people who possessed it.
All you have to do
is feel the message.
Here.
Start with this.
And thank you again.
$0.50.
So much for honesty.
[music playing]
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER): I had
never been to Carter Jenkins'
place before in the daylight,
but the next afternoon,
I had something
important to tell him.
Excuse me, Mr. Jenkins,
but are you sure you
wanted to give me that coin?
Mm-hmm.
When I saw how old it was,
I had a feeling that it was--
must be special.
Yes.
So I showed it to a friend
of my dad's who's a-- a coin
collector, and he
told me it's worth--
$100.
What is this coin telling you?
That coin has a story connected
with one of those pictures.
Which one?
[radio chatter]
[whistling]
[explosions]
The coin belonged to this man.
CARTER JENKINS: Very good.
He was awarded the Purple
Heart while serving in Korea.
Keep going.
TODD DAVIS: He gave you
the coin for good luck
when he went to Vietnam.
You have a gift, Todd.
Now, try this.
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER): I
don't know how long we talked.
I only know that Carter
Jenkins had introduced
me to the world of psychometry.
My life would never be the same.
That lucky coin your friend
gave you, it saved your life.
That's right.
It deflected a bullet
that would have killed me.
That's some picture.
Yes.
And one day, you'll know the
whole story behind the picture.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, sir, and thank you.
TODD DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
For the next few months,
I was back in school.
But when the semester
ended, the first thing I did
was visit Carter Jenkins.
Come on, get that truck
packed and on the road!
I got a plane to catch!
Who are you?
I'm Todd Davis.
I'm a friend of Mr. Jenkins.
Oh, yeah?
Didn't think he had any friends.
Carter's dead, heart attack.
This lawyer calls me up,
says my cousin's left me
the contents of his house.
I-- I'm so sorry.
He was--
A real nutcase.
Everybody said he had piles
of money stashed around here,
but I tore the place
apart-- didn't find squat.
[phone beeps]
Wife wants the furniture.
The rest is a bunch of garbage.
Can I stay here a minute?
Suit yourself.
Hey, when that
lawyer shows up, tell
him I caught an early flight.
He can mail me the paperwork.
What about the photographs?
What, old pictures of
people I don't even know?
Tell the lawyer
have a garage sale.
Would you mind
if I take this one?
Take 'em all if you want.
I'm outta here.
CARTER JENKINS (VOICEOVER):
Every object tells a story.
You have in gift, Todd.
A gift.
[explosions]
[gunfire]
Where's Ed?
Uh, I guess he just left.
I'm Todd.
I was a friend of Mr. Jenkins.
Todd Davis?
He told me about you.
I'm John Radnor,
Carter's lawyer.
He didn't warm up
to very many people,
but he really enjoyed
the talks you two had.
Me, too.
People didn't
realize that Carter
was an extremely generous man.
Contributed to many
local projects.
Never wanted anyone to know.
CARTER JENKINS (VOICEOVER):
Every object tells a story.
One day, You'll know the whole
story behind the picture.
[child giggles]
[children chattering]
[music playing]
TODD DAVIS: Are they valuable?
JOHN RADNOR: Very.
Then they'll help pay for
the children's playground.
How'd you know about that?
The playground was
Carter's next project.
How did you know they were
behind the photograph?
It was a lesson Mr.
Jenkins taught me.
Every object has a story.
What really made Todd
turn over the photograph?
Was he truly using some
paranormal ability,
or he was heeding Carter's
words about the story
behind the picture?
But then, how could
he have possibly known
about the children's playground?
Carter had never mentioned
it to anyone but his lawyer.
Will you use logic to
deduct whether this story
is true or false?
Or will you just flip a coin?
CAMPBELL LANE: You'll find out
which of our stories are fact
and which are fiction when
Beyond Belief returns.
Now let's look back
at tonight's stories
and find out which ones are
inspired by actual events
and which ones
are totally false.
What about the couple
whose camping trip
became a matter
of life and death?
[music playing]
Oh, come on.
I can't get a signal.
- Shh.
Listen.
You hear that?
JACKIE: Oh, he's coming, Mark.
What do we do?
I don't know.
Look.
There's somebody over there.
Come on, come on.
Did you think this
one really happened?
Sorry.
It's a work of fiction.
How 'bout the
story of the doctor
who received an unexpected
gift from his late father?
[music playing]
[scoff]
ALBERT DUVALL: "Dear Albert,
happy eighth birthday.
May your day be filled with as
much magic as Jo Jo Babbit's.
Love, Dad."
Do you think you've heard
a story like this before?
You might have.
It's true.
According to our
research, a similar story
happened on the East
Coast in the late '70s.
Let's take another look
at the real estate gambler
who couldn't beat the house.
[music playing]
Well, what was it this time?
I opened a window.
Must've caused a draft.
Next thing I know, doors are
slamming all over the place.
And the glass?
I went to close the window.
The whole thing came
right out of the frame.
Did you think this
story really happened?
If you did, we fooled you.
It's a fake.
How 'bout the woman
whose broken mirror
set off a streak of misfortune?
Fact or fiction?
They all look fine to me.
[scream]
Everything's fine.
Everything is fine.
If you thought this story
was based on a real life
occurrence, you're right.
Published reports
place a similar story
in the Washington, DC
area several years ago.
Let's take another
look at the pizza
delivery boy and the recluse.
What is this coin telling you?
That coin has a story connected
with one of those pictures.
Which one?
[gunfire]
[whistling]
[explosions]
The coin belonged to this man.
Is it possible
this story is true?
Yes, it is.
There is a published
report that a similar story
was experienced by a
delivery boy in the Midwest
about 10 years.
How was your truth
detecting this time?
Were you able to tell
fact from fiction?
Or did you find that our
stories were located somewhere
between substance and shadow,
a location that could be
only labeled as beyond belief.
I'm Jonathan Frakes.
CAMPBELL LANE: "When I
Was Big" and "Seven Hours"
are true, based upon
firsthand research conducted
by author Robert Tralins.
This is Campbell Lane.
[music playing]