EXT. FENCE LINE – DAY

The boys stare through a hole in the fence. They’ve tried everything. Nothing works.

HAM
We’ve lost at least six vacuums, three sneakers, and Yeah-Yeah’s dignity.

YEAH-YEAH
I’m never hanging upside down again. Ever.

BENNY
There’s only one way. I’m going in.

SMALLS
You’re crazy, Benny. That dog’s a monster.

BENNY
He’s just a dog. A big dog.

Benny jumps the fence. The Beast ROARS. A chase begins—Benny running across town, the dog in full sprint behind him.

HAM
This is better than TV!

Finally, Benny clears the fence again. The dog crashes through... and gets pinned.

SMALLS
He’s hurt! We have to help him!

The boys free the dog. He licks Benny. Not a monster—just misunderstood.

OLD MAN MERTLE (O.S.)
(whistling)
Hercules! There you are!

The boys turn to see MR. MERTLE, blind, smiling.

OLD MAN MERTLE
You boys play a good game. Take this.

He hands Smalls a ball signed by the 1927 Yankees.

SMALLS
(awestruck)
This... this is amazing.

BENNY
See, Smalls? You are part of the team.