1 'It's said that the West was built on legends, 'tall tales that help us make sense of things 'too great or too terrifying to believe. 'This is the legend of the Ghost Rider.' (HORSE WHINNIES) 'The story goes that every generation has one, 'some damned soul, cursed to ride the earth 'collecting on the Devil's deals. 'Many years ago, 'a ghost rider was sent to the village of San Venganza 'to fetch a contract worth a thousand evil souls,... 'but that contract was so powerful,...' (HORSE WHINNIES) '...he knew he could never let the Devil get his hands on it, 'so he did what no rider has ever done before,...' (SCREAMS) '...he outran the Devil himself. 'The thing about legends is sometimes they're true.' www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2016 (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES) 1 (TANNOY) 'Ladies and gentlemen, the amazing, blazing, 'stunt-cycle spectacular!' (DRUM BEAT) (ROCK MUSIC) (CHEERING) (ALL CHEER) 'How about a big round of applause for Barton and Johnny Blaze? 'Let's hear it for 'em, folks!' (ALL GASP) 'You're a hotshot, ain't ya, boy?' Young, think you know everything there is to know. When you do things without thinking, you ain't making the choice, the choice is making you. I was just doing it for the crowd. We both know why you done it. (COUGHS) You think she's gonna stand by you when you're in a wheelchair? Huh? Huh, hotshot? (BLOWS) Hey. What's wrong, Roxie? I'm leaving. What? My dad's sending me to live with my mom. When? Soon. What about us? He says you're not good enough for me, that you're just a phase. So what are we gonna do, Johnny? We'll leave. We'll jump on the bike and just keep going. But what about your dad? What about the show? He doesn't need me. He doesn't need anybody. Tomorrow, noon, we'll meet here. (SIGHS) (WIND HOWLS) (BLOWS) (THUNDER RUMBLES) (EXHALES) Johnny Blaze. Yeah. Caught your show today. Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed watching you ride. Oh, thanks. Perhaps you'd ride for me one day. Do you run a show? Greatest show on earth. Thanks, but no thanks. Hmm. What's wrong, Johnny? Worried about your father? What do you know about that? Even a blind man can see he's sick. The thing about cancer is the time it takes, the toll on the loved ones. Johnny,... what if I could help your dad? Yeah? How? How is not important. What if I could make him better? Give him back his health? Would you be willing to make a deal? (THUNDER RUMBLES) Name your price. Oh. I'll take... ...your soul. (CHUCKLES) OK. By sunrise tomorrow, your father will be healthy as a horse. All you have to do is... sign. (WINCES) Oh, uh, that'll do just fine. Hmm... (GASPS) (COUNTRY-AND-WESTERN MUSIC BLARES FROM RADIO) Damn! Mornin', Sleeping Beauty. Dad? You look... Great, right? At least, that's what the doc said when he looked at my X-rays this mornin'. What are you talking about? I've been sick, son. I finally get up the nerve to tell you about it, I'm not any more. I can't explain it, but I feel healthy as a horse. Now, c'mon, hotshot, I got a show to do. Now, get my bike ready. Don't wanna keep those people waitin'. 'Ladies and gentlemen, Barton Blaze!' (REVS ENGINE) (TYRES SCREECH) (TYRES SCREECH) (GASPING) (ALL SCREAM) (CRASHING) (MAN) What happened? (GASPS) 'Ladies and gentlemen, head for the exits!' 'Please stay calm.' Dad? Dad, it's alright, I'm here. I'm here, it's gonna be OK. Dad? Dad? Dad? (SOBS) (CACKLING) (CACKLES) (ROARS) (SCREAMS) No! Argh! You're no good to me dead. You,... you killed him. I cured his cancer. That was the deal. But I couldn't let him come between us. You sonofabitch. One day, when I need you, I will come. Until then I'll be, um,... I'll be watching. (GASPS) (SIZZLING) Forget about friends. (WINCES) Forget about family. Forget about love. Hmm. You're mine, Johnny Blaze. (GASPS) (PANTS) (THUNDER RUMBLES) (COW MOOS) '(BARTON) You can't live in fear. You can't live in fear.' # All aboard! (LAUGHS) # Aye!... (ALL CHEER) # Crazy, # but that's how it goes. # Millions of people, # Living as foes... # Yeah, Johnny! # Mental wounds not healing. # Life's a bitter shame. # I'm going off the rails # on a crazy train. # Yeah!... # (WINCES) (ALL SCREAM / GASP) (ALL SCREAM) 'Ladies and gentlemen, please stay off the field 'to allow the paramedics through.' Oh God! Oh God! JB? (ALL GASP) JB, talk to me, man! (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) Heck. Is the bike OK? Yeah. Yeah, the bike's fine. Oh God... Whoo! Thank you. (ZZ TOP'S 'TUSH') Let's go home. # Yeah!... # (CROWD CHEERS) 'Let's hear it for him, folks.' 'The amazing Johnny Blaze!' # I've been up. # I've been down. # Take my word ` # I've been around. # I ain't asking for much. # Mm. # I said, 'Lord, take me downtown, # 'I'm just looking for some tush.' # I've been bad, # I've been good... # Yeah, c'mon, c'mon. Get the front end down! Dammit! 'Blaze is down.' Have you tried not crashing? Have you? Why don't you have a beer and relax like everybody else, huh? You know alcohol gives me nightmares. To each his own. (ROARING) 'The mating call of the howler...' Wait. Wait. Could you go back? There's a howler-monkey special on Discovery Channel tonight. Guys! Hey! 'We've seen big moves and big crashes, 'but ask these riders who it is they look up to and the answer's a man 'who's not even competing here, Johnny Blaze.' Yeah! That's cos he's right here! (ALL) Yeah! '...but what we don't know is, how much longer can Blaze cheat death?' Put the monkey show on, Mack. Shh, shh! Mack, the monkey show? Shh! '...with seemingly no regard for his own life.' 'They call him Mr Invincible, and he'll have to be, at his next jump 'when Johnny Blaze will attempt to clear the length of a football field 'from field goal to field goal.' What? What! You should be taking a dirt nap after that rag doll today. I got lucky. No, I got a hunting dog named Lucky. He's got one eye and no nuts. Luck don't cover it, JB. You got an angel looking after you. Yeah, maybe. Mack, you in? Yeah. Yeah, I'm in. Scoot over, ladies. What's the ante? Five-card draw. Maybe it's somethin' else. (ROARING) (ROARS) (ROCK MUSIC) There you go. Took you long enough. I think you might be lost, boy. Angels only in there. Angels. Really? Yeah, really. You got a problem with that? As a matter of fact,... (GASPS) (SIZZLING) ...I do. Yep, I love your neighbourhood, Johnny. You join the Homeowners' Association yet? Oh, I see you still haven't gotten a lock for your lift. That's' great(!) You got a lot of expensive bikes in here, man. I told you. How many times? # 'Superstar' ` The Carpenters Well, JB, I said it before, I'll say it again ` this place could use a woman's touch. So could you. Heard that. Alright, four out of five. Wreck one more and you get the whole set. Well, I'm glad to see you found use for your books. You want some jellies? No, I don't want none of your stupid candy. (SIGHS) I actually wanna talk to you about somethin' kinda serious. I'm trying to relax, Mack. Yeah, I understand. All right. It's just gonna take a second. (TV CHATTER) (LAUGHS) It's about you jumping on the anniversary of your dad's accident. (LAUGHS) Can I just turn this music off for a minute? (SWITCHES MUSIC OFF) 'I want you to kick higher.' (LAUGHS) This jump, man, we... 'C'mon! Hit it!' Mack, you touch The Carpenters or that chimp video again and we got a scrap on our hands. This jump is nuts. All right, man? I mean, field goal to field goal and now you're adding cars? I mean, what are you trying to prove? That it's me. That it's you? Ridin' the bike. Of course it's you, man. Who the hell else is it gonna be? You know what? You're freaking me out. You're freaking me out because you're reading this comparative, exponential religiosity crap. It's getting in your brain! What's goin' on, man? Do you believe people get second chances? I don't know. If somebody makes a mistake, a big mistake, do you think that person should have to pay for it every day for the rest of their lives? Are you talking about your daddy's accident? Well,... ...I'm just looking for a sign. What kinda sign? That I can take a negative and turn it into a positive. That I can have a second chance, too. Look, at least promise me you'll think about taking the cars out. I'll think about it. (SWITCHES TV ON) (CATS MEOW) (SIGHS) (HOWLING) (SKULL CHATTERS) (CACKLING) (GASPS / CHOKES) I knew you were here, I could smell your fear. Hello, Gressil. Why are you here? Wallow. And what do you want from us? I've come for the contract of San Venganza. Legend has it that the contract was stolen and hidden in a graveyard not far from here, and now you're gonna help me find it. (ROARS) Abigor. And when we find it, then what? Then we'll take this world, one city... ...at a time. What about Mephistopheles? (SNARLS) Don't... ever say that name. 'This is the legend * 'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Johnny Blaze Leap of Death!' (ALL CHEER) Whoo! Whoo! Yeah! Here we go! C'mon! (THE CARPENTERS' 'SUPERSTAR' BLARES FROM STEREO) (PRESS SHOUT) Hey, JB. Shh. You're stepping on Karen. (SONG STOPS) What was it you were gonna say, Mack? I just ran a second check on the ramps. They look good. The crowd's kinda outta control. Johnny, you know you don't have to do this, don't you? Does this suit fit alright? It feels a little loose. The suit's fine. Would you bring me my hat, Mack? Thank you. (PRESS SHOUT) (DOOR CLICKS SHUT) You can't live in fear. (PRESS SHOUT) JB, we're just up here on the right. Mr Blaze, I was wondering if you had time for a quick interview. Look, I don't know how long you been doing your job, ma'am, but Johnny Blaze don't do no interviews, OK? Not even for an old friend? Hey, Johnny. Hi. How do? OK. And ready in five, four, three, two... How's your dad? Johnny Blaze, thank you for talking to us before your big jump. No-one has ever attempted such a distance before ` 300 feet from field goal to field goal. What's going through your mind right now? You look really good. I've seen you on TV. You know, I watch a lot of TV, and you do a really good job. Johnny, what drives somebody to risk their life for entertainment? I heard you got married. (No. No, it didn't happen.) Oh. Most of the time, the press focuses on the crashes, the broken bones, the cost of what you do. Are there any other costs? Uh,... ...yeah. OK. Well, thank you for this revealing peek into the life of Johnny Blaze. I'm Roxanne Simpson, on scene. And we're out. You're gonna stay for the jump, right? Oh, you know, we gotta get back. Plus, I never liked watching you jump. Roxanne? I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you two had some kinda history. That was it, Mack, the sign. The sign? Sure you don't wanna stick around? No. He hasn't started yet. Uh-uh. I'll buy you a doughnut. Uh-uh. C'mon, Roxie, it's Johnny Blaze! Let's go. Thank God you listened to me, took the cars out. It would've been suicide otherwise. This way, if you come up short, see, you'll, uh, come down on some nice, soft green... (CHEERING) ...grass. 'Ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Blaze will not be jumping '50 cars today as scheduled, but instead will be leaping 'six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters! 'Never before has any man attempted such a death-defying stunt.' I took the cars out. # 'The Ride of the Valkyries' ` Richard Wagner Why wouldn't you tell me? Well, because you would've thrown a fit. Call me old fashioned, I'm funny that way. Human sacrifice makes me uncomfortable. Why, JB? Why helicopters, man? '(BARTON) You know what I've been thinking about? A new stunt.' But instead of the cars or the ring of fire, a helicopter. My dad thought it'd be cool. He was right. Yeah. OK. OK, this is the deal, man. Halfway down the ramp hit the NOS, OK? Do not hit the NOS too early. If you hit it too early, you are screwed. You got that? Hey, JB! Where's your head at, man? She's probably on the interstate by now, huh? (SIGHS) How much NOS did you put in the tanks? Enough to shame the space shuttle. (REVS ENGINE) (TYRES SCREECH) Oh God, he ain't gonna make it! He made it! (CROWD CHEERS) I told ya he'd make it! Yeah, JB! 'Let's hear it for him, ladies and gentlemen.' '300 feet! A world record, as only Johnny Blaze can do!' Yeah! Yeah! (REVVING) (TYRES SCREECH) Where's he goin'? I'll say one thing about the guy, he's got guts. I mean, the other day I was watching this, like, sports show` Stuart, can you please stop talking about Johnny Blaze already? Yeah, that might be a little hard. I made it! (SIGHS) Pull over! Do you want me to pull over? Drive. Driving. C'mon, Roxie, I need to talk to you! What's your name? What? What's your name? Oh, Stuart. Johnny! Hi. Well, Stuart, can you help me out here? Sorry, dude, she's the boss. Johnny, look out! (TRUCK HORN BLARES) (RELIEVED SIGH) Alright, I guess I see how it's gonna be! Hang on! (TYRES SCREECH) (TYRES SCREECH) (GASPS) (HORNS BEEP) Howdy. Howdy, howdy, howdy. Are you trying to kill yourself? I wanna talk to you. I haven't seen you in 56,000 years. Hm. This is crazy. You are crazy. You know, Johnny, I don't have time for this, I have a story to edit. You could've said no. When they asked you to interview me, you could've said no. (MAN) Move your van out of the way! What are you trying to say? Well, I'm not trying to say anything. I'm saying that means something. (HORNS BEEP) Sorry! Sorry. Don't mind them, they're fine. We are on the side of the freeway. Let's get some dinner. You still like I-talian? What's this about, Johnny? You want some closure? Look, you were 17 and you witnessed a tragedy and you ran. And I understand now like I understood then. And I have no hard feelings. None. That's why they call it the past cos it's past, it's over with. Oh! (COW MOOS) Too much? There's a restaurant in my hotel, the Plaza. 8 o'clock. Yes! Don't be late. This is a sign, Roxanne. There are no accidents. Destiny and all that! (CROWD SHOUTS) Johnny! Johnny! Can you please sign my sister's book? Sure. 300 feet. We love you, Johnny. Oh, thank you. 300 feet, pretty neat. Right on, Johnny. Mephistopheles. I knew you'd come. Long time no see, boys. Where ya been hidin'? I know why you're here. I know what you're after. It's my contract. They're my souls. (BLOWS) We both know you can't harm me here. It's my turn to lead. You will suffer for this. Now, deal with my rider. Hm. Your favourite creation. Send your precious rider. I will retire him just like I will retire you,... Father. VOICE-OVER: Blocked nose? Heavy head? Reach for the power of Sudafed Nasal Spray for fast relief. Maybe they'll find a few It's only a little bit over, mate. It's always just a little bit... until you're on the receiving end. One times gold-coloured necklace and pendant. She was alive when I got there. Maybe they'll find a few less K's would've saved her. Imagine having that on your shoulders. (ALARM BEEPS) Everyone thinks they drive well. (HELICOPTER WHIRRS OVERHEAD, INDISTINCT POLICE COMMS) But I've never seen anyone crash well. (WOMAN CRIES) FEMALE OFFICER: Is there anyone we can call for you, Mrs Woolford? (SOBS) MAN: Well, this speed's fine along here. I know these roads. I know these roads pretty well too. And I'm doing everything in my power to stop you from seeing the things I've seen on them. Can I see your driver's licence, thank you? 'a ghost rider was sent to (PIANO MUSIC) Thank you. (TUTS) (THE CARPENTERS' 'SUPERSTAR' FROM STEREO) You can't live in fear. You can't live in fear. You made that jump. No-one else made that jump. You're the best rider. You deserve a second chance. She's a sign. (SIZZLING) (MOTORBIKE ENGINE REVS) (MOTORBIKE ENGINE REVS) Thank you. OK. (DOGS BARK) Johnny. (ENGINE REVS) (CACKLING) You. Hello, Johnny. Stay away from me. Little late for that. Nice bike. Yeah. Why are you here? Oh, I've... always been here, Johnny. All along. Phoenix, Denver, Houston... It was you, keeping me alive. No. No, Johnny, it's all you. You're the best, and I'm your greatest fan. The posters, the video games, the crowds screaming, chanting, 'Johnny!' 'Johnny!' (SNARLS) 'Johnny!' It makes me so proud. It's like watching an investment that keeps growing and growing until the day you cash it in. And that day is today, Johnny. Find the one known as Blackheart and destroy him. Find him yourself. It doesn't work like that. You're under contract, remember? If you succeed,... I'll return your soul. Yeah, I'm not doin' it. You don't have any choice. (TYRES SCREECH) (CAR ALARM WAILS) (HORNS BLARE) (RADAR GUN BEEPS) (ENGINE ROARS) (SCREAMS) Uh! Hey! You can't come in here, this is private... ...property. There was a cemetery here. Uh, yeah, a long time ago. What happened to the graves? They moved 'em. Where? (SNARLING) I don't know. Who would? Uh,... (CACKLES) ...St Michael's church. They were in charge of the whole thing. Look, you really shouldn't be here. That's what they keep telling me. (GASPS) (SIZZLING) (TYRES SCREECH) (SCREAMS) (SIZZLING) (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) (ROARS) (CACKLES / CLAPS) Looking for someone? (SNARLS) Back to hell. We're not gonna have a meaningful conversation now, are we? You're going down. I don't think so. (ROARS) Uh! (CACKLES) (GASPS) (ROARS) (WINCES) He ain't so tough. Hey, dirtbag. Have mercy. Sorry, all out of mercy. (SCREAMS) (WHISTLES) (TYRES SCREECH) (ROARS) Brr! (GROANS) Wait! You think I'm pretty, right? Hmm. (SIGHS) Gimme the damn bag! Help! Help! (ROARS) Thanks. You. Guilty. (GASPS) Look into my eyes. (SNARLS) Your soul is stained by the blood of the innocent. (GROANS) Feel their pain. (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) Gimme your wallet! No! (SCREAMS) (SHOUTING) (GUNFIRE) (SCREAMING) (SCREAMING) (TYRES SCREECH) (SNARLS) (ROARS) (SCREAMS) (PANTS) Mornin', bonehead. (BIRDSONG) (GROANS) # Everything is changing. # Enjoy endless data on your favourite social apps with Vodafone Social Pass, and get free social data for 90 days when you switch to Vodafone. 'It's said that the West * You alright? Yeah. I'm good. I feel like my skull's on fire, but I'm good. Thanks for the water. Have you seen my bike? Did I say something funny? Ironic. We're big on irony around here. It's out by the shed. Thanks. It does. What? You're wondering if your bike looks normal? It does. And to answer your other questions, last night did happen. It wasn't a dream and it will happen again. Who are you? Question is,... who are you? You are the Rider. The Ghost Rider! Get used to it, kid, it'll be a lot easier! If you don't, I got a nice cosy spot picked out for ya! (PIGEONS COO / FLUTTER) They've seen you now. They'll be waitin' for ya. You'll need my help if you expect to last the night. Last time I let a stranger help me, it didn't pan out so good. This ain't somethin' you can run from, kid. This day's been comin' since you made that deal! (SWITCHES ENGINE OFF) Congratulations. Your chances just went from none to slim. Sources close to the investigation say that there may be a link between what happened here in downtown and the Broken Spoke massacre in the desert. I'm Roxanne Simpson, on scene. And we're out. Captain Dolan. No comment. Is it true they found a connection between the biker-bar massacre and last night's victim here? (GASPS) No comment. Off the record, Captain. Off the record? Piss off. The rider is the Devil's bounty hunter, sent to hunt down anyone that escapes from hell. Sterilise that for me. Sterilise? Mm-hm. In the boiling water. Right. OK. Little confused. During the day you'll be normal. At night, in the presence of evil, the Rider takes over. I remember now. Last night. (SCREAMS) There was some,... some punk, and I could see all the wrong he'd ever done, and I... turned it all against him. The Penance Stare. It sears the souls of the wicked. It's the Ghost Rider's greatest weapon. All the riders have it. Have there been others with my... Ghost Rider problem? Been a few. The last one was 150 years ago, a little town called San Venganza. Nice town, nice people, till a stranger came along making promises, one deal at a time. Consumed by greed, they turned on one another until the village of San Venganza drowned in its own blood. Souls slept forever in that godforsaken place. What's this have to do with Blackheart? Blackheart? He sent you after Blackheart? And others. The Hidden ` fallen angels cast out of heaven by Saint Michael himself. They hide within the elements, waiting for the end of days. You better hang around here, kid. They can't come onto hallowed ground. Thanks. And thanks for the info. I feel much better now that I know I'm the Devil's bounty hunter(!) Where you goin'? Somebody I gotta see. That's a bad idea. Wouldn't be my first. Why did you do it? Why did you make the deal? I was a kid. What'd you get in return? (SIGHS) Heartache. (HUBBUB OF VOICES) Oh my God. Could you tell us about the Good Samaritan? Well, I'll never forget him, that's for sure. He was tall, broad shoulders and thin, really thin, like, bony. And he had this rad chopper. It was all flames and stuff. Oh, and his face was a skull, and it was on fire. On fire? Yeah, like... (HISSES) Like, that much fire. And I know it sounds weird, but it looked OK on him. I mean, it was an edge look, but he totally pulled it off. Not sure what to add to that. I'm Roxanne Simpson, on scene. Thanks. Roxie. Don't. Hold on a second. Let me apologise. Last night was inexcusable. No apologies. See, you did me a favour last night because you made me think of then and now. And when you left, yeah, it hurt like hell, but you know what? I got over it. And I went to college, I got a great job. But you, Johnny,... you're just the same. Well, better paid, more fans, but you're still just a carny. Yeah. Oh man. My dad was right. You were just a phase. That went well(!) (POLICE RADIO CHATTER) Hey, Captain, I got something! (YELLS) 'It's said that the West * 'End of days. 'The host can gain control of the possessing spirit 'through concentration on 'and manipulation of the fire element that exists within man.' I am speaking to the fire element within me. Give me control over the possessing spirit. (SIZZLING) (GASPS) Hi. Hi. Hey, I hope you don't mind, your lift was open. Wow. I came to apologise. I'm leaving town tonight, and, uh,... I didn't want what I said today to be the last words between us. That's OK. No, it's not. It was cruel and totally untrue, and I feel really terrible about it. Please, no, it's OK. Is something burning? Oh, it must be coming from outside, neighbour's hibachi. Bill. He just got it. I still have that one. You what? I have that one, too. I remember that day. There were a dozen people waiting in line, and you went through a whole roll of quarters. Look at my face. You can tell I was just terrified that my dad was gonna come in any second. OK, I just... I just... I think I should walk you to your car. It's not great timing. You almost kill yourself on the highway so you can ask me out and then you don't show. You keep my picture, but when I kiss you, you try to shove me out the door. What's going on? Don't you care about me at all, Johnny? Look... You know you can talk to me. You can tell me anything. Please. You wouldn't believe me anyway. Try me. You'll think I'm crazy. Maybe I am crazy. I hope I'm crazy. In my job, I've seen and heard just about everything, so there is nothing you can tell me that's gonna surprise me. Off the record? (CHUCKLES) Yeah. (CLEARS THROAT) (EXHALES) I sold my soul to the Devil. Mm-hm. And now I have to spare you. Spare me from what? The Devil, on account of I work for him. That's why I couldn't make it to dinner. Because you were working for the Devil? Well, yeah. I'm his bounty hunter. But it only happens at night, like it is right now. Whenever I'm around evil, evil people, evil spirits, I change into, uh... What? Uh, just, er,... this great big monster. But,... but I am learning to... I'm getting control of it. I'm trying to. So tonight you'll...? (GROWLS SOFTLY) I believe so, which is why it's probably a very good idea that you,... you run on home now, Roxie. You're serious. So this is,... this is your excuse? For the past? For last night? For everything? Uh-huh. Um, the way I see it is, I've got a couple of choices. Um, I could either accept that you really believe what you're telling me is true and take you to the nearest psychiatric hospital... You see` ...or I realise that you'd rather make up ridiculous stories than be honest with me, and I walk out of that door... forever. (APPROACHING POLICE SIRENS WAIL) Don't move! Hands where we can see 'em! Hold it right there! Put 'em over your head! Johnny Blaze? Yeah. Captain Jack Dolan. This is Officer Edwards. You're coming with us. OK. 'It's said that the West * Let's try this again. How about him? Do you remember him? This guy was three years from retirement, never harmed a fly in his life. In fact, neither did most of the corpses turning up since you came home, you sonofabitch. I didn't kill anybody. Bullshit! OK, let's take a breather. Whew. It's warm in here. Warm? Yeah, I'm burning up. Aren't you? A little. You want a cigarette? OK. Mind if I do? Argh! OK, that was weird. (SIGHS) Look, Johnny, I'm not asking for your help, I'm asking you to help yourself. I watch a lot of TV, and I know what you're doin' ` good cop, bad cop, but you're both good cops, and you provide a very, VERY important civil service. In fact, when I finish my stunt career, I intend to apply my skills to being a motorcycle policeman. So I'd love to help you, but I didn't kill anybody. Jesus Christ! (LAUGHS) You gotta let me go. The real killer's out there. Lookee here! You're making a mistake! (GRUNTS) C'mon, move your ass! Blaze, riding up to meet us. Oh God! Please. Please. You don't wanna put me in there. Sorry. The Ritz was booked. Oh, God! Please get me outta here! (GRUNTS) You look like that Johnny Blaze. Yeah. Yeah, I hear that a lot. Nah, that is you. That's him! Yeah, it is. I saw you jump in the state fair a few years ago. (GRUNTS) I paid 10 bucks to watch you splatter. (ROARS) But you didn't. Looks like somebody's trippin' out. You might be a big shot out there, Blaze, but in here, you're nothin' but a monkey in a cage! I don't want any trouble. I don't want any... (LAUGHS) Looks like trouble just found you. (LAUGHS) Nice jacket. C'mon, man, leave him alone. Get lost! The jacket's mine! I got his boots! (ALL SHOUT) (ROARS) (FINGERS CRACK) (GROANS) (GASPS / SCREAMS) Nice jacket. (SCREAMS) Very nice. Him. Innocent. (BLOWS) (WIND HOWLS) Forgive me, Father,... for I have sinned. I've sinned a lot. (CLATTERING / CREAKING) (TYRES SCREECH) (GASPS / SCREAMS) Hold it! (SNARLS) Uh-uh-uh. (APPROACHING POLICE SIRENS WAIL) (WHIP CRACKS / ENGINE ROARS) (CACKLES) (TYRES SCREECH) Where's the contract of San Venganza? I don't know what you are talking about. Don't lie to me! You've been protecting it all these years, sworn to secrecy. Sworn to keep it from the likes of you! There's an old saying, 'Raise no more devils than you can lay down.' My father raised one too many. (MUTTERS PRAYER) (ROARS) (RADIO) 'Calling all units. Reported 10-50 in the downtown area.' (TYRES SCREECH) (POLICE SIRENS WAIL) (POLICE OFFICERS SHOUT) (HELICOPTER ROTOR CLATTERS) (SNARLS) (TYRES SCREECH) (DISTANT ROARING OF MOTORBIKE ENGINE) (SNARLS) (MOTORBIKE ENGINE ROARS BY) He's coming for us. Abigor,... you know what to do. (TYRES SCREECH) (TYRES SCREECH) Rider. (WHISTLING / CACKLING) (ROARS) (CAR ALARM WAILS) (CACKLES) (ROARS) (POLICE SIREN WAILS) I have a suspect fleeing west on Cherry. Repeat, west on Cherry. 'That's a dead end. You got him.' 10-4 on that. 'What's the suspect's location?' Up. 'What?' The suspect is going up. Hmm. (GASPS) Oh my God. (TYRES SCREECH) (CACKLES) (POLICE OFFICERS SHOUT) Go, go, go! Surround him! Make a perimeter! Let's go! Yee-haw! (ALARM BEEPS) (GRUNTS) (POLICE RADIO CHATTER) (GRUNTS) (GRUNTS) (ROARS) Come here! No! You're pissing me off. OK, OK! Sorry! Take a right. (WIND HOWLS) You should have joined us, Rider. Soon we will have the contract, and then you'll only be a footnote in the history of the new hell. Time to clear the air. (CACKLES) (CACKLES) You're a slow learner, aren't you, Rider? You cannot catch the wind! (SNARLS) What? (CACKLES) No! (SCREAMS) (TYRES SCREECH) Oh my God! (GASPS) (ALL SCREAM) (ALL COUGH / SPLUTTER) Johnny. Prepare to fire! (GASPS) Fire! No! (ALL SCREAM) (TYRES SCREECH) Now we know his weakness. Hmm. (LAUGHTER) # Lazy days... # (WHOOPING) (LAUGHTER) (ENGINE REVS) What have you got under the hood, bro? What?! Shush! What's under the hood? You wouldn't believe me. (ALL EXCLAIM) (INTRIGUING MUSIC) (TYRES SCREECH, MEN EXCLAIM, CAR WHIRRS) (BOTH LAUGH) * They know who I am. Who's that? What? Everybody. You don't watch TV? What's the matter with you? Is this thing ever gonna end? It'll end if you can catch him. What's really goin' on? 'Carter Slade.' Legend has it he was a Texas Ranger, man of honour, but he got greedy. Found himself locked up, waitin' on the gallows. A stranger came to see him, offering freedom. Slade made a deal, ended up a ghost rider. What's he got to do with this? Remember that contract the stranger made with the people of San Venganza? The story goes that Slade was sent there to collect all the souls, but what he found there was so evil that he took the contract and rode off. He stole it. Keep Mephistopheles from gettin' his hands on it. Some people say he was buried with it. Was he? I don't know, but what I do know is that Blackheart is comin', and he'll do anything to get it. That is why it's important for you to stay away from friends and family, anybody he can use against you, cos he will. Roxanne. Johnny? Johnny? God! (SCREAMS) Oh! God! Sorry! Sorry! Ma'am, you gave me a start. I'm looking for Johnny. Yeah. You and me both. Have you heard from him? No. But I heard he got in trouble. He got arrested, yeah? What for? Yeah, well, if this gets out in the press, his career is over. Yeah. Trust me, his career's the least of it. Now, You seem like a nice lady, you're pretty and all, but we were riding the gravy train on biscuit wheels around here, and then you showed up and everything went to hell. So why don't you just go back to wherever it is you came from? I can't go back, not now. Then tell me what the hell's goin' on! You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Look, you don't know me, but I love him, so if there's anything you know that can help, anything... OK, well, lately he's been reading these really weird books, and they're messing with his mind. You know? And he's writing stuff down, and he's staying up late. And he does it over here. You can go through this stuff. And I don't know if it means anything. (GASPS) Where's Roxanne? Where have you been, man? Everybody's out looking` Where is she? She's out looking for you. (SIGHS) (GASPS) Jesus. (BLACKHEART) Not even close. (SIZZLING) (GASPS) You have his heart. (GASPS) Now I'm gonna break it. Roxanne? Mack. (PANTING) (PANTS) Roxanne. (ROARS) Argh! Look into my eyes. (GASPS) (CACKLES) Your Penance Stare doesn't work on me ` I have no soul to burn. I guess the Caretaker forgot to mention that, huh? Surprise! He sent you to bring me back. I'm not going back. I like it here! (ROARS) He thinks you're better than me? I don't know who's more pathetic, you or him. Argh! Now, listen to me and try to get it through that thick skull of yours. You don't work for my father any more, you work for me. Get the contract from the Caretaker, bring it to me in San Venganza and maybe I'll spare your girl's life. And, Johnny,... (SNARLS) ...don't make me wait. Figured you'd be back, bonehead. Where's the contract? I can't end this without it. I'm just gonna have to dig this whole damn place up myself. It's not there, kid. Contract of San Venganza. Hell on Earth. Now, you're gonna have to trust me. And why is that? He may have my soul,... but he doesn't have my spirit. Any man who's got the guts to sell his soul for love got the power to change the world. You didn't do it for greed, you did it for the right reason. Maybe that puts God on your side. To him, that makes you dangerous, makes you unpredictable. That is the best thing you can be right now. San Venganza is 500 miles from here. We'd better get movin'. We? (WHISTLES) (NEIGHING) I got one last ride left in me. Carter Slade. Can you keep up? (HORSE WHINNIES) Let's ride. Stick to the shadows. This is the end of the trail for me. I got nothin' left. I could only change one more time, and I was savin' it for this. God knows I've made my share of mistakes. Been trying to make things right ever since. Guess all I can do now is hope he sees fit to give me a second chance. Thank you. No, thank you, kid. (HORSE WHINNIES) 'This is the legend * (ROARS) Surprise! Huh? (CACKLES) (SCREAMS) (ROARS) (SCREAMS) (PANTS) Uh! (ENGINE REVS) (WIND HOWLS) (DOOR CREAKS / BANGS) (CACKLES) Stop! You change, she dies. Do it, Johnny. Let her go first. (GASPS) Argh! (ROARS) (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) (CACKLES) Looks like you're out of time. (SCREAMS) Argh! (GROANS) (GRUNTS / PANTS) This is the contract of San Venganza. All of you, COME TO ME! (SCREECHING / SNARLING) Uh! (GASPS) (SCREAMS) (GASPS) (SCREAMS) (GASPS) (SNARLS) Johnny! (PANTS) (VOICES) My name is Legion. For we are... ...many. Let's go. He got what he wanted. (SIZZLING) You go. I gotta get him to the shadows. I gotta end this. Why? Why you? It's been me since the day I made the deal. I'm the only one who can walk in both worlds. I'm Ghost Rider. (SNARLING) (GASPS) (GUNSHOT) Run! C'mon, you sonofabitch. (SNARLS) Uh! Argh! (SNARLS) (CHOKES) All of your world, all of your souls, will be mine now. (GUNSHOT) (ROARS) (GUN CLICKS) Oh. (SNARLS) Throw me the gun! It's out! Throw it! (EERIE VOICES) How does it feel to have all that evil inside of you? All their power. All their souls. 1000 souls to burn. Look into my eyes. Your souls are stained by the blood of the innocent. (GASPS) Feel their pain. (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) (ECHOED VOICES MINGLE) Monster. I'm not afraid. Congratulations, Johnny. (GASPS) You upheld your end of the bargain. It's time I take back the power of the Ghost Rider. You get your life back, the love you've always wanted. You can start a family of your own. There are more deals to be made, more people willing to give their souls for what they desire. Let someone else carry this curse. You're free now. After all,... a deal's a deal. (SNARLS) No. I'm gonna own this curse,... and I'm gonna use it against you. Whenever innocent blood is spilt, it'll be my father's blood,... ..and you'll find me there, a spirit of vengeance, fighting fire with fire. I will make you pay for this. You can't live in fear. No! (RUMBLING) (WIND HOWLS) So, where will you go now? Wherever the road takes me, I guess. My daddy once said, 'If you don't make a choice, the choice makes you.' Yeah. But why do your choices always keep us apart? Sure wish things could've turned out different. No, this is what you are. This is what you always were meant to be. You got your second chance. Go out there and make the best of it. 'It's said that the West was built on legends 'and that legends are a way of understanding things 'greater than ourselves. Forces that shape our lives. 'Events that defy explanation. 'Individuals whose lives soar to the heavens 'or fall to the earth. This is how legends are born.' www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2016 # An old cowboy went ridin' out one dark and windy day. # Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way. # When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw, # a-ploughin' through the ragged sky # and up a cloudy draw. # Their brands were still on fire, and their hooves were made of steel. # Their horns were black and shiny, and their hot breath he could feel. # A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky. # He saw the riders comin' hard. # And he heard their mournful cry. # Yippie-i-yay. # Yippie-i-oh. # Ghost riders in # the sky. # Yippie-i-yay. # Yippie-i-oh. # Ghost riders in # the sky. # Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred. # Their shirts all soaked with sweat.