The Last Chance Detectives

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to a special presentation of Adventures in Odyssey: The Last Chance Detectives. Please keep in mind that Last Chance is aimed for a little older audience than Odyssey and may be intense for younger listeners under the age of 10. So kids, make sure your parents are listening, okay? And now, we hope you enjoy this special presentation of The Last Chance Detectives.

Brian: Previously on The Last Chance Detectives, Professor Belmont leaves a strange message for his friend, Pop Fowler.

Pop: Given your knowledge and experience as a pilot, you're the perfect person to deliver the Dragon Lady to Pensacola.

Brian: Soon after, Professor Belmont's lab is obliterated in a huge explosion. Pop calls on the Last Chance Detectives to fly with him. Just as the crew takes off, the FBI and Sheriff Smitty show up at the Last Chance Diner looking for Pop.

Guest (Male): The FBI? Pop and the kids aren't in some kind of danger, are they?

Guest (Male): They could be in trouble. More trouble than you can possibly imagine.

Brian: The crew stops for an overnight in Beaumont. The next morning, Mike and Ben see something suspicious inside the DC-3.

Mike: Hold it, Ben. Look at our plane. The door is open. There's stuff scattered all around the door. I think it's been broken into.

Ben: Mike, there's somebody still in there!

Brian: The two men get away, and the FBI finally connects with Pop.

Agent Garfield: The FBI has reason to suspect that someone's following you.

Brian: Someone is following him, but they don't know why. Pop, Mike, Ben, and Spence thoroughly inspect the plane. They find a homing beacon which they toss overboard, but everything else seems perfectly fine until later during the flight.

Winnie: What was that?

Mike: We just lost our number-one engine.

Pop: Whatever you do, don't push that button.

Mike: 100 feet, Mike!

Pop: Pop the engines! Push the red ignition switch above the front window.

Mike: Got it!

Winnie: Trees! Mike, we're going to hit that tree!

Mike: I can't pull up! We hit the—we're going to—

Mike: Hi, my name is Mike Fowler. When I was six years old, my dad was my hero. As a fighter pilot, Dad went on dangerous missions. One night he didn't return. They never found him. So now I work on my detective skills, and one day I hope to find my dad. My clubhouse is a B-17 bomber. My three friends and I solve the mysteries of the town of Ambrosia. Together, we're the Last Chance Detectives.

Last Flight of the Dragon Lady, Episode 11.

Winnie: Mike! Mike! Come on, buddy. Wake up.

Spence: He's coming to.

Mike: Ben? Spence?

Winnie: We're here, Mike.

Mike: What happened?

Ben: You banged your head pretty good.

Mike: No, what happened to the plane?

Ben: We're in the plane. Or at least what's left of it.

Mike: Oh man. We crashed. Where's Pop?

Pop: Right here, Mike. I think I've got a couple of cracked ribs.

Mike: And we all made it?

Ben: Yeah. Can you believe our luck? We ended up in an open patch of swamp just shy of a very dense forest. A few more yards would have been disastrous.

Pop: It was more than luck, boys. We have a lot to be thankful for.

Spence: I'll say.

Ben: You did good, Mike.

Mike: Yeah, real good. Crashed.

Pop: Under the circumstances, you did an incredible job. We're all alive, aren't we?

Ben: What was that? A crocodile?

Spence: Ben, it was just the plane settling into the mud. Besides, crocodiles aren't native to North America.

Ben: Oh, that's good.

Spence: It's the alligators you need to worry about.

Ben: Alligators?

Spence: Yeah, the Louisiana wetlands are home to over one million alligators growing as large as 17 feet in length.

Ben: More than I needed to know, Spence.

Mike: So what do we do now, Pop?

Pop: Every plane is equipped with a rescue beacon. It automatically starts signaling after a collision.

Mike: Then they already know where we are.

Pop: Well, it's not quite that easy, Mike. I'm sure they have a general idea of where we went down, but they'll have to send a plane over to sweep the area and pick up our beacon. Listen for a second.

Mike: It's a rescue plane!

Pop: Could be a spotter. Sounds like he's getting closer, too.

Mike: Come on, guys, let's flag it down.

Pop: Not so fast, boys. Let's think this thing through. What if it's not a rescue plane?

Spence: What do you mean, Mr. Fowler?

Pop: The way my head was spinning, I'm pretty sure I was slipped some kind of tranquilizer back in Texas.

Mike: You mean someone wanted the plane to go down?

Pop: Looks that way. Based on their ability to track us in the past, well, let's just hope our rescuers get here first.

Spence: But what could they be after?

Mike: Yeah, this plane's been completely searched several times now.

Pop: I've been thinking about that, too. Somebody give me a hand up, will you?

Mike: Here you go, Pop. Are you sure you're all right?

Pop: Still a little lightheaded, I guess. Ben, you know where I stowed my toolbox, right?

Ben: Yeah, I think so.

Pop: Well then, get it. It's time to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Gail Fowler: Hello?

Guest (Male): Mrs. Fowler, this is Sam Logan at the FAA. We think we've spotted your son's plane.

Gail Fowler: You have?

Guest (Male): The good news is that the fuselage appears to be in one piece. It somehow landed in an open field of swampland.

Gail Fowler: Oh, thank you, Lord. Thank you.

Guest (Male): Better yet, the search and rescue pilot thinks he's already spotted somebody moving around down there.

Gail Fowler: I can't believe it. Where are they? We want to see them right away.

Guest (Male): Well, it's a pretty remote location, but let me see if I can find someone who can give you directions.

Gail Fowler: Wait! Before you go, I wanted to thank you for all you've done.

Guest (Male): You're welcome, ma'am. We're all hoping for the best.

Pop: That ought to do it. Boys, get up here and help me lift off the top of this crankcase.

Mike: Sure, Pop. We've been over every square inch of this plane, inside and out, but there's one place no one ever thought of looking. Everybody set? On three. One, two, three!

Pop: That's good. Set her down. Oh, my ribs. I probably shouldn't have done that.

Winnie: Are you all right, Mr. Fowler?

Pop: Yeah, just let me sit down a spell.

Mike: So you think they hid something in the engine?

Pop: Well, it's been eating at me since we were in Ambrosia. I rebuilt both of those engines a few months ago and had them running perfectly. But this number-two engine's been idling a little rough ever since we got her. And I can see why now.

Mike: What?

Pop: That rocker arm is missing the number-15 piston. It was there a few months ago, so someone had to intentionally remove it. And you know what that means, don't you?

Ben: No.

Pop: We've got an empty cylinder chamber. Do you think you can reach in there for me, Mike?

Mike: Sure, let's see.

Pop: Feel anything?

Mike: Yeah. It just feels like a part of the engine. Hey, maybe it's that missing piston.

Pop: Pull it out and let's take a look.

Mike: Okay, here it comes. Got it!

Ben: What is that thing?

Spence: It appears to be a canister.

Pop: Hurry up, open it!

Mike: The cap doesn't want to—oh, there.

Ben: What's inside? What's inside?

Pop: Mike, your hands are too greasy. Let Spence pull it out.

Mike: All right, let's see what we've got here. It's—it's only some papers. What a rip-off.

Pop: These aren't just papers. They're blueprints.

Mike: We've got company!

Pop: Be careful, boys. We don't know who it is yet.

Ben: It sure looks like an official helicopter.

Agent Garfield: This is Agent Garfield of the FBI. Remain where you are, and we will soon be down to rescue you.

Mike: Garfield! Hey, that's the name of the imposter back in Ambrosia. Everyone back in the plane! Now!

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Pop: Drop me right here!

Guest (Male): Negative, no can do.

Pop: What's the problem?

Guest (Male): Risky. Too many trees. We've got a clearing about 100 yards from here that should do.

Pop: Then hurry up about it!

Pop: Boys, we don't have time to fool around, so I'm going to give it to you straight.

Ben: I don't like the sound of this already.

Pop: If the men who are after us were willing to crash this plane, then there's no reason to believe they'll let us live once they get what they're after.

Ben: Oh no!

Pop: That's why our only hope is if you boys can get away with the canister.

Mike: You mean we, if we can get away with the canister.

Pop: I can't run, Mike. I can barely stand. I'll only hold you back.

Mike: No, we're not leaving you here.

Agent Garfield: This is Agent Garfield. Stay where you are.

Pop: Go.

Mike: No.

Agent Garfield: I repeat, stay where you are. I'm coming down to your position.

Pop: Mike, I said go.

Mike: But Pop!

Pop: Go now!

Winnie: Let's go, Mike. Come on!

Agent Garfield: Chopper One, I'm on the ground. I'm on the ground.

Guest (Male): Be advised, team leader, we've got some movement over at the plane.

Agent Garfield: Come again, Chopper One. I didn't copy that.

Guest (Male): We've got two, maybe three individuals on foot running from the crash site.

Agent Garfield: Which way are they headed?

Guest (Male): East. They're headed east.

Agent Garfield: You keep your eyes on them. I'll secure the plane.

Guest (Male): Roger that.

Agent Garfield: Nobody gets away from this crash site. Do you hear me? Nobody!

Mike: Come on, guys! Hurry!

Ben: Hold it! I've got to catch my breath.

Spence: I'm for that. Listen. The helicopter is headed this way. It must be searching for us.

Mike: Well, let's get moving.

Ben: No, Mike. This is as far as we go.

Mike: Ben, I know you think you can't run anymore, but you've got to try.

Ben: You can't outrun a chopper. Don't you watch the news?

Spence: He's right, Mike. Nobody ever gets away.

Mike: So you guys just want to give up?

Spence: Who said anything about giving up?

Agent Garfield: Chopper One, which way are they headed? Over.

Guest (Male): They, uh—oh, that's strange.

Agent Garfield: What is it?

Guest (Male): Well, they were headed east just a second ago.

Agent Garfield: You lost them? I told you not to take your eyes off of them!

Guest (Male): Don't worry, team leader. They couldn't have gotten far.

Agent Garfield: Quit blabbing and find them!

Ben: I think I just swallowed half of this swamp.

Mike: It worked! It really worked!

Spence: You were right, Ben. The only way to elude a helicopter is simply to stop running and hide.

Ben: And who says TV isn't good for you?

Mike: Hey, guys, we'd better stop congratulating ourselves and get out of here before he comes back. It looks like a road up there. Come on. Wait. Stop for a minute and listen.

Ben: Is the chopper coming back?

Mike: No. Don't you hear it?

Spence: A train!

Mike: Yeah! Come on! I think we found our ticket out of here.

Agent Garfield: Chopper One, I'm outside the wreck. Looks like somebody's dismantled one of the engines. We've got to assume they found it. That's why it is absolutely imperative that no one breaches the perimeter.

Guest (Male): Roger that.

Agent Garfield: I'm going inside to see if anyone's still there. Find any sign of the three that ran off?

Guest (Male): Negative. But I know they haven't made it this far yet. So I'm going to start tightening the noose with long sweeps back and forth. They won't get away. Over.

Agent Garfield: Well, there's no sign of anybody inside either. I'm heading back in your direction to see if I can—hey! Open this door! Do you hear me? I said open this door! Let me out of here!

Mike: Come on, Ben! We made it, and so can you! Grab my hand and I'll pull you in.

Ben: The train is going too fast!

Mike: Get a hold of my belt, Spence. Don't let me fall out. Now Ben, reach! Come on, reach!

Ben: I'm trying!

Mike: Got you! Pull, Spence, now!

Ben: Oh, I made it! I made it! Ben, you're suffocating me!

Ben: Oh, sorry about that, Spence.

Mike: Now if only we knew where this train was headed. I wonder what happened to Pop.

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Agent Garfield: I said, let me out!

Pop: I know who you are, Agent Garfield. You're the same imposter who's been trailing us since we left Ambrosia. The same skunk who tried to murder us all to get the plane.

Agent Garfield: No! You've got it wrong! I admit I have been following you, but it was to catch the man who was impersonating me back in Ambrosia and to protect you!

Pop: Right!

Agent Garfield: I am the real Garfield! I work for the FBI!

Pop: I've got only one response to that, Mr. Garfield.

Agent Garfield: What's that?

Pop: Prove it.

Winnie: Another dead end! How are we supposed to get there, Mrs. Fowler?

Gail Fowler: I don't know, Winnie. Do you see any signs?

Winnie: There aren't any signs. It's like a maze out here. Hello?

Smitty: Gail? Smitty.

Gail Fowler: Oh, Smitty. You're not going to believe what's happened to us.

Smitty: I've got a pretty good idea. I've been in contact with the FBI and they've brought me up to speed. Now Gail, they need your help.

Gail Fowler: My help? How can I possibly help them?

Smitty: All you've got to do is make a phone call.

Agent Garfield: Mr. Fowler, are you still out there?

Pop: I'm not going anywhere.

Agent Garfield: I've got someone on the line that I think can clear this whole thing up. Just let me slide my cell phone up.

Pop: All right, but don't try anything funny.

Agent Garfield: All right, got it?

Pop: Yeah, I got it. Hello?

Gail Fowler: Pop, it's Gail.

Pop: Gail?

Gail Fowler: Is everyone okay?

Pop: Yeah, a little banged up maybe, but we're all fine. Gail, how did you get on this line?

Gail Fowler: Oh, that's right. I'm supposed to tell you that this Garfield fellow really is an agent for the FBI.

Pop: But Smitty said he was an imposter.

Gail Fowler: The Garfield back in Ambrosia was. Smitty says the one with you is the real deal.

Pop: Oh, great.

Gail Fowler: Is everything okay?

Pop: Yeah, I'm just a little angry with myself. Hold on a second. You can come out now, Mr. Garfield.

Agent Garfield: About time. Chopper One, have you spotted them yet?

Guest (Male): Negative. But we've got backup arriving.

Gail Fowler: Pop, are you there? Pop?

Pop: Yeah, Gail.

Gail Fowler: Can I talk to Mike?

Pop: Um, that's going to be a bit of a problem.

Guest (Male): Did you get close to the crash site? What's going on?

Guest (Male): The place is crawling with cops, mostly FBI. They've got the whole place locked down.

Guest (Male): Did they recover the blueprints?

Guest (Male): That's the good news. I got close enough to hear that those kids took off with them.

Guest (Male): The kids took off?

Guest (Male): Yeah, nobody knows where they are.

Guest (Male): Then it's anybody's ballgame. We've just got to find them first.

Guest (Male): Yeah, but how?

Guest (Male): Jump in the car and let's start looking. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky. Hurry up, here comes somebody.

Winnie: Excuse me, sir.

Guest (Male): Yeah?

Winnie: Are you part of the search and rescue team?

Guest (Male): FBI, ma'am. What can I do for you?

Gail Fowler: We're looking for the crash site. We've gotten completely turned around on all these back roads and wondered if you might point us in the right direction.

Guest (Male): Well, we're a little busy right now.

Gail Fowler: I'm Gail Fowler, the mother of one of the boys.

Guest (Male): Oh. Well in that case, ma'am, I think we can do more than just point you in the right direction. Jump in, we'll take you right there.

Gail Fowler: Thank you, that would be a huge help.

Guest (Male): Bingo.

Winnie: You've been awful quiet, Mike.

Mike: Yeah, I'm okay.

Winnie: It's Pop, isn't it? We all feel bad, Mike.

Mike: I can't believe we just left him.

Spence: Mike, under the circumstances, it's the only thing we could do.

Ben: He'll be all right. If he made it through World War II, he can survive this.

Mike: Yeah, but he was a teenager back then. Now he's in his 70s, and when we left him, he looked in pretty bad shape.

Spence: Then let's pray for him.

Ben: Hey, that's a good idea. It might help things if Spence prays. Don't you think, Mike?

Mike: I guess. I don't really know what difference it'll make.

Ben: What are you talking about? You're the one that's always telling us prayer changes things, and you're constantly praying for your dad to come home.

Mike: Yeah, I know.

Ben: So why are you acting like this?

Mike: We got a call from Senator McBane this week.

Ben: You did?

Winnie: Why didn't you tell us?

Mike: He said that my dad wasn't coming home. Ever.

Winnie: Oh, Mike. We didn't know. I'm sorry.

Mike: Yeah, me too.

Spence: Then we'll do it for you.

Mike: Do what, Spence?

Spence: Pray.

Ben: Oh, um, but I've never—

Spence: Ben, you go first, and I'll close.

Ben: Okay, I guess. Hello. Hi. Dear God, this is us, yeah. And you haven't heard from me that much, at least not since Scott Buchanan cornered me in that alley. But we wanted to ask you to take good care of Pop. Just please don't let anything bad happen to him. Anyway, we could sure use the help. Over and out—I mean, amen. Hey, I know I kind of messed up the end.

Mike: The prayer was fine, Ben. Thanks.

Mike: Guys, I thought my cell phone shorted out back in the swamp, but look, I've got service again!

Ben: You mean we can call my mom?

Mike: I think so. Here, Mike, give it a try. Okay. Wow, it's like God really heard my prayer.

Spence: Absolutely, Ben.

Mike: It's ringing. Hello? Mom, it's Mike.

Guest (Male): Mike?

Mike: Mom, it's so good to hear your voice.

Guest (Male): Hello, Mike.

Mike: Who is this?

Guest (Male): No questions, Mike. Just listen to me very carefully. If you ever want to see your mom and your little girlfriend again, you will do exactly as I say. Understand?

Mike: I understand.

Guest (Male): Bingo.

Brian: Hi, this is Brian, and we'd like to hear what you think of The Last Chance Detectives. Just drop us a note in the mail. Send it to The Last Chance Detectives, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. In Canada, that's P.O. Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. You can also log on to lastchancedetectives.com. And if you'd like a copy of today's show, just mention the title, Last Flight of the Dragon Lady, Episode 11. Next we've got an action-packed finale for you as the Last Chance Detectives bring the Last Flight of the Dragon Lady in for a landing. Here's a preview.

Winnie: I sure hope you guys are better at untying knots than you are at negotiating for hostages.

Guest (Male): We've been hired by a foreign client to retrieve your latest invention. You remember that device that opens small black holes and allows travel through both time and space?

Pop: Mr. Fowler, I finally got some news for you.

Pop: The boys! You found them!

Mike: Sounds like he's getting something out of the trunk. It looks like cans of gasoline! Don't do it! This is your last warning! I'll push the button!

Guest (Male): Nice try, kid, but you're bluffing.

Mike: Mister, I never bluff.

Brian: The Last Chance Detectives is a presentation of Focus on the Family, created by Robert Vernon. Last Flight of the Dragon Lady was written and directed by Robert Vernon. Mike was played by Adam Wylie. Winnie was Mae Whitman. Spence was A.J. Noel, and Ben was Daryl Sabara. Our cast included June Lockhart, Steve Kanaly, Jim Custer, Sherry Hersey, Pete Renaday, Craig Burger, Greg Baldwin, and Ari Ross. Engineering and sound design by Glenn Montjoy, and our producers were John Fornof and Bob Hoose. Hope you enjoyed today's show. You're always welcome back for another mystery adventure of The Last Chance Detectives.