BETWEEN FRIENDS

Originally Aired: October 2, 1998
Written by: Ron Oliver
Directed by: Shawn Levy

Opens with Rachel reading a magazine on her bed. She hears a hawk screech and walks to her window to check it out.

RACHEL:
Hello?

She slowly turns away and then suddenly turns around again and screams as a hawk goes barreling through her window.

TOBIAS T.S.:
It's okay, it's me.

RACHEL:
Tobias!

TOBIAS T.S.:
Hey, Rachel.

RACHEL:
We thought they'd got you. What happened?

TOBIAS T.S.:
Back at the yeerk pool, I guess getting away took more than two hours.

RACHEL:
No. Tobias. Concentrate. Concentrate hard, you have to change back!

TOBIAS T.S.:
I've tried.

RACHEL:
Try. Harder.

TOBIAS T.S.:
It's no use. Elfangor warned us, he was right. I can't change back.

Cut to Rachel at school. As she does her voice over, images of Tobias as a human and as a hawk are intersped together.

RACHEL V.O.:
My name is Rachel. My friend Tobias can usually change back and forth, from human to animal, like the rest of us. But this time he went over the two hour limit, and now he's trapped in the body of a hawk. We have to help him.

She gets to her locker and Marco and Jake show up.

MARCO:
I can't believe it.

JAKE:
At least he's still alive.

RACHEL:
And we can hear his thoughts.

MARCO:
When he want's us to. You think we could find a more crowded place to talk about this?

JAKE:
Yeah, you're right.

RACHEL:
6:30 tonight at the barn?

JAKE:
I'll tell Cassie. C'mon.

After Jake and Marco leave, Rachel sees Melissa.

RACHEL:
Hey, Melissa, What's up?

MELISSA:
Nothing.

RACHEL:
So, how is The Sharing? You still going to the meetings?

MELISSA:
Yeah, I go.

RACHEL:
Uh, how's your dad?

MELISSA:
Hello. He's the principal. You see him every day.

RACHEL:
Right, I knew that. Hey, can I come over to your house after school?

MELISSA:
Why?

RACHEL:
Just to hang?

MELISSA:
We shouldn't. My dad doesn't like me to have friends over after school.

RACHEL:
Since when?

MELISSA:
For awhile. I'll see you later.

Cut to Cassie's barn. Everyone, even Tobias, is inside.

RACHEL:
We have to do something!

JAKE:
I don't think we should do anything right now.

RACHEL:
Why not?

JAKE:
We've had way too many close calls.

RACHEL:
And meanwhile, the yeerks are taking over and Tobias is stuck as a hawk?

CASSIE:
That's not fair, you know we all want to help him, right.

JAKE:
We have to have a plan, that's all I'm saying.

RACHEL:
Look, Mr. Chapman is obviously an important controller, right? They have a cat, I think I should acquire it and get into his house.

MARCO:
While you're at it, get the answers to our finals.

Cassie gives Marco an exasperated look.

MARCO:
What good is it if we defeat the yeerks, and then can't get into college?

RACHEL:
I ran into Melissa this morning, she's different. Scared. Something's happened, I want to help her before her father turns her into one of them.

JAKE:
If you get caught that's exactly what's gonna happen to you. What do you think, Tobias?

TOBIAS:
No one wants to stop the yeerks more than me, but Jake's right.

JAKE:
For now, we keep a low profile, okay?

MARCO:
Real low profile, we're kickin' it talking to a hawk.

Cut to Melissa and her dad having a very quiet dinner.

MELISSA:
Is your dinner okay?

CHAPMAN:
It's both satisfying and delicious. From now on whenever your mother's away, you're the substitute chef.

Cut to outside Chapman's house. Rachel is sneaking around when she knocks over a screwdriver on a table alerting Chapman.

MELISSA:
What's wrong?

Chapman looks out the door, but doesn't see anything. He goes back to eat. Rachel sneaks away.

Cut to Rachel by another door. She pulls a can out of her pocket and opens it by the kitty door.

RACHEL:
Come on, free dinner. Come on, it's tuna, dolphin friendly and everything. C'mon, here kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty... (cat comes out and she grabs it) Gotcha!

Cut to Jake sneaking around Chapman's house. He sees Rachel and begins to call out to her.

JAKE:
Ra--

He stops because Rachel has morphed into the cat and has went inside the house.

Inside Chapman sees Rachel (in cat morph).

CHAPMAN:
Cat! That cat is a nuisance.

MELISSA:
But I thought you loved him.

CHAPMAN:
Well, now I don't.

Rachel leaves the kitchen and heads towards the basement where she demorphs and proceeds to search through Chapman's desk.

Cut to Chapman who suddenly gets up from the table and starts to head towards the basement.

MELISSA:
Dad?

CHAPMAN:
Yes?

MELISSA:
Can you quiz me on my history test tonight?

CHAPMAN:
I'm sure you'll do a competent job.

MELISSA:
But you always help me.

CHAPMAN:
Of course I do. Why don't you start without me?

Cuts back and forth to Rachel searching through Chapman's room and Chapman heading downstairs.

Cut to Jake in the yard.

JAKE:
(looking at watch) Come on Rachel, let's go.

Cut to Rachel who hears Chapman coming. She quickly morphs back to a cat.

Cut to Jake who watches as the real cat enters the house.

JAKE:
Oh man!

CHAPMAN:
(sees Rachel in cat morph) Cat!

Chapman then opens a secret panel and enters. Rachel follows him, and the real cat slips in as well. Inside the room Chapman turns on a machine and a hologram of Visser Three appears.

CHAPMAN:
Welcome, Visser.

VISSER THREE:
You're late!

CHAPMAN:
My apologies, Visser. My hosts daughter was suspicious. These humans, frankly, I don't understand them. It won't happen again.

VISSER THREE:
It wouldn't happen at all if she was under Yeerk control.

CHAPMAN:
Sir, with all due respect--

VISSER THREE:
Are you disagreeing with me?

CHAPMAN:
Oh, no, Visser. I didn't mean to--

VISSER THREE:
Silence! The homing device operation was a fiasco. Our scientists have failed to unlock the disk. I want those Andalite bandits caught and the secret to that disk extracted from them. By force if necessary.

CHAPMAN:
Oh, yes, Visser. I'm (steps backwards on a cat's tail, and it yowls) Cat!

VISSER THREE:
(Noticing that there are two identical cats)Your host has twin cats?

CHAPMAN:
Andalite! But, which one?

VISSER THREE:
No matter. Bring them both to me.

CHAPMAN:
(Walks towards the cats) Come on . That's it... (One cat jumps down off the chair)

VISSER THREE:
Yes! That's the one! Grab it!

CHAPMAN:
Gotcha!

VISSER THREE:
When you bring that thing to me, bring your hosts' daughter along, I think it's time the girl joined us on our adventure, don't you? (Hologram ends)

Cut to Jake who is outside and sees Chapman leave the house with Rachel in a cat carrier. When Chapman begins to drive away Jake chases after the car. Realizing he can't keep it up, he quickly morphs to a dog (Homer!) and continues to follow them.

Chapman in the meantime has approached a mansion guarded by a gate. He enters a security code.

CHAPMAN:
Iniss 226 for Mr. Trent.

A scan confirms that Chapman is a yeerk and allows him to pass. Jake runs up, but the gate closes before he can get through. He runs around the gate and begins to dig his way through.

Chapman meanwhile drives down a driveway with Hork-Bajir guarding it. As he approaches Visser Three controllers join him.

Cut back to Jake who now had dug deep enough and slips through the opening.

VISSER THREE T.S.:
Iniss 226.

CHAPMAN:
Visser Three.

Visser Three in Andalite morph, quickly slices the head off a statue with his tailblade.

VISSER THREE T.S.:
I hope that cage contains the Andalite, otherwise it will soon contain your head.

CHAPMAN:
Yes, Visser. It does.

Cut to Jake who demorphs behind some bushes and begins to watch.

Cut back to Visser Three who is now taunting Rachel.

VISSER THREE T.S.:
Good evening. Heh heh heh, my appearance disturbs you.

He then morphs to his human form.

VISSER THREE:
An inferior form, this Victor Trent. But the man's wealth and power makes him a useful tool. (Takes Rachel out and hold her up) Save yourself some pain, Andalite. Return to your real form and we shall get on with your infestation.

JAKE:
Hang in there, cousin.

Rachel sticks with her cat morph and Visser Three puts her back in the cage.

VISSER THREE:
Your Andalite pride is as absurd as the shape you're in. Well, your two hour time limit must almost be up. You're no good to anyone as a cat. I shall wait one hour, then I'll have you destroyed. Slowly. Take him away! (Turns to Chapman) Now, onto our next piece of business, I believe you have something else for me?

CHAPMAN:
I... I...

VISSER THREE:
Let me refresh your memory. You brought your hosts' daughter, now go and get her.

CHAPMAN:
I...

VISSER THREE:
Is there some problem? Bring me, the girl!

CHAPMAN:
I...

VISSER THREE:
You're starting to bore me, Iniss 226, and let me tell you this, if you don't like me when I'm angry, you're going to hate me when I'm bored.

Jake who has morphed back into Homer, runs up and bites Visser Three knocking him down.

CONTROLLER:
Grab that dog!

VISSER THREE:
It's another Andalite! Catch it!

CONTROLLER:
It's getting away

JAKE T.S.:
Rachel!

RACHEL T.S.:
Jake! Watch out!

A controller slips a rope around Jake's neck.

JAKE T.S.:
Rachel, they got me!

RACHEL T.S.:
Jake, I'm sorry.

JAKE T.S.:
Don't worry. We're gonna get out of this.

The controller then proceeds to tie Jake to a bench.

VISSER THREE:
Now, 226, I've had enough of your foolishness.

Visser Three walks towards the car, and Rachel takes this opportunity to try to free herself.

RACHEL T.S.:
It's no use! I can't open it!

Cut to Visser Three at Chapman's car trying to find Melissa.

VISSER THREE:
Where is she? Where is the girl?

CHAPMAN:
That's what I was trying to tell you, Visser. Chapman, my host, volunteered for infestation with one condition, that his daughter be left alone.

VISSER THREE:
What? You struck a deal with one of these primate lowlifes? We are Yeerks! Not used-car salesman! We do not negotiate with these creatures. Is that understood?

CHAPMAN:
No!

VISSER THREE:
What did you say?

CHAPMAN:
No!

At this point the human Chapman has taken over and he attacks Visser Three. The controllers guarding Jake and Rachel rush over to help their Visser.

RACHEL T.S.:
Jake! Now's our chance! My two hours are almost up!

Jake begins to chew and pull at the rope.

RACHEL T.S.:
What are you doing?

JAKE T.S.:
I'm gonna yank this off

Cut back to Chapman who is being pulled away by Controllers.

CHAPMAN:
Leave my daughter alone!

VISSER THREE:
Hold him, hold him still.

CHAPMAN:
No!

VISSER THREE:
Regain your host, Iniss 226.

RACHEL T.S.:
Hurry, Jake! Hurry up!

VISSER THREE:
That, is an order. Regain your host.

Jake finally breaks the rope and goes to free Rachel from her cage.

RACHEL T.S.:
That's it!

Cut to Chapman who has regained his host body.

CHAPMAN:
Yes. Yes, Visser.

Cut to Jake and Rachel. Jake manages to get the door open.

RACHEL T.S.:
Alright, Jake!

JAKE T.S.:
Let's go, run!

VISSER THREE:
Now, as for the Andalites.. (turns around to see Jake and Rachel escaping) No! No! Get them! I want them alive!

JAKE T.S.:
C'mon, Rachel! Move!

RACHEL T.S.:
I'm right behind you!

JAKE T.S.:
We're getting closer, let's go, hurry up!

RACHEL T.S.:
I'm going as fast as I can!

JAKE T.S.:
C'mon, this way! They're right behind us, watch out! (Controller fires a dracon beam which hits a tree)

Suddenly Tobias appears and attacks the controllers (remember he's trapped as a hawk now). Jake and Rachel use this distraction to escape.

Cut to Visser Three and Chapman.

VISSER THREE:
Bring me the girl. Now.

CHAPMAN:
May I make a suggestion, Visser?

VISSER THREE:
Make it good, Iniss 226.

CHAPMAN:
Infesting the girl would only anger my host again. He could jeopardize the secrecy of our mission. And if I may, her small size could be of little use to us.

VISSER THREE:
Enough. You've made your point. Alright, the Chapman girl shall remain uninfested. For now, Iniss 226, for now. (Turning to other controllers) With me!

Cut to Rachel and Jake now back as humans. Tobias is perched on Jake's arm.

RACHEL:
Wow, Melissa's dad went through all that to protect her.

JAKE:
Yeah, Sounds like she's going to be okay.

RACHEL:
I'm sorry I got you guys into this mess. (takes rope off from around Jake's neck) It's my fault and I don't blame you if you're mad.

JAKE:
Mad? I'm not mad, Tobias, are you mad?

TOBIAS:
I'm impressed.

JAKE:
What you did took major guts.

RACHEL:
Thanks, but you guys helped.

JAKE:
Well, what are friends for if they can't rescue you from evil space slugs?

RACHEL:
Well, it wasn't a total loss. We definitely know the yeerks have Elfangor's disk and that they don't know how to work it. They think we do.

JAKE:
Then they're in for a long wait. I'll see you guys tomorrow.

Tobias switches over to Rachel's arm.

RACHEL:
Goodnight, cuz.

JAKE:
Goodnight, Rach.

TOBIAS:
Later.

RACHEL:
Are you okay?

TOBIAS:
Yeah. It's not so bad being a bird. No school, no homework, no curfew.

RACHEL:
Remember that picture my sister took of us? (Taking picture out of her pocket)

TOBIAS:
Don't! Don't show it to me.

RACHEL:
No, I think you should look at it. (Shows Tobias the picture) The guy in that picture is still you, and we're going to get him back. Inside your hawk's body, Tobias still exists. Don't ever forget that, okay?

TOBIAS:
Maybe I want to forget it.

RACHEL:
(sighs) Goodnight, Tobias.

Tobias flies away.

RACHEL:
Goodnight, Tobias.

Cut to the next day at school. Melissa is heading up some stairs and reaches for her notebook when a note falls out of her book. Rachel who is heading down an opposite flight of stairs sees her and stops. Melissa reads the note which says: ‘Melissa, Your father loves you more than you know, only he can't show it.' It's signed ‘A Friend.'

RACHEL:
Melissa! Hey.

MELISSA:
Wanna walk home?

RACHEL:
Yeah.

RACHEL V.O.:
I know I probably shouldn't have written that note. Jake would say it's too risky. Marco, would just think it was sappy. But Melissa's dad gave up everything to save her from becoming a controller. And even if she never knows the truth, at least she knows he loves her. Isn't that what we're really fighting for anyway? For the people we love. And that's why someday, we'll win.

© Scholastic Entertainment / Transcript by Pam