Breaking into a run as he nears the boarding house, Kimble runs up the steps two at a time. Grabbing his duffle bag, he hurriedly packs his belongings. He looks anxiously out the window at the quiet streets, but sees nothing. Wondering if he is being too paranoid, he drops the bag back on the bed and sits down, waiting for the beating of his heart to slow down and thinking of Tim. He jumps as a car backfires in the street and sets his heart beating wildly again. Frightened into action, he grabs the duffle bag and heads down the stairs. Walking out on the porch, he glances warily around, then walks casually down the street away from the building.
Two blocks from his boarding house, Kimble looks back and is alarmed to see a police car pulling up in front of the house.
He
hurriedly slips around the corner of the nearest house, then looks up and
down the street to see if he has been seen. He runs down the alley behind
the house, only to find himself on the old divided street of Broadway. Wondering
where to go next, he starts across the street. As he reaches the center, he
spots another police car speeding down the street in his direction. Desperately
seeking a hiding place, he runs over to one of the “wells”. Leaping over the
wall, he crouches in its shadow until he hears the police car pass. He peers
cautiously over the wall and ducks back quickly as a second police car speeds
past. Realizing how vulnerable he is in the middle of the street, he scans
the second-story windows of the houses on the street to see if anyone has
seen him. His heart beating wildly, he climbs out of the well and down the
street to the only place he knows of that might provide possible shelter before
a full scale search of town begins - the abandoned factory. In the shadow
of the building, he pries open the loose boards over one window and climbs
inside. Hastily covering the opening, he leans against the wall in relief.
For the moment, he is safe.
AT
THE BOARDING HOUSE:
Three police cars are pulled up in front of the house, a police officer standing outside of one of them. Tim is walking up to the house, surprise on his face at seeing the police cars. The officer is about to speak to him when another officer calls loudly from the second story window of Kimble’s room. “It’s Kimble all right. Millie recognized him from the wanted poster. His things are gone. Something must have tipped him off. Call all the stations up and down the river. I want road blocks on every road out of town. He was in the library half an hour ago. He can’t have gotten far on foot. Call out the dogs, too. I don't want this guy to get away.”
The policeman reaches for his radio. Tim tries to get past him onto the porch but he pulls him back. “This is no place for you to be. There's a murderer on the loose. Go on home now!”
Stunned, Tim backs away, only to bump into Bobby, who sneers at him. “Where’s your friend? Bet he didn’t tell you he killed his wife with a baseball bat. He’s a murderer, just like your dad.”
Tim turns on him, beginning to beat him with his fists. “You’re a liar!”
The policeman runs over and breaks them apart. “I told you to get on home! Both of you. And stay there! Go on!” He pushes Tim up the street. Looking back at the house, Tim breaks into a run down the sidewalk. Bobby calls after him, jeering, “They'll get him, just like they got 'Pretty Boy Floyd'. And I'll get the $100,000 reward." Tim looks back in disbelief, then takes off at a run again.
THE
PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Hollis is cleaning off his desk, ready to head home. Looking out the window, he sees Tim running down the sidewalk. He calls out to him, but the boy is too intent on where he is going to hear. Hollis is startled to see two police cars with flashing lights drive past. Leaning out the window, he calls to a man running along the street. “Chuck, what’s going on? Was there an accident?”
The man stops briefly to pass on the news. “No accident. That new guy in town, staying at Millie’s - turns out he’s wanted for murder. His name is Richard Kimble – he’s a doctor who killed his wife. Bobby Sawyer spotted his wanted poster at the library and Millie identified him. The poster says he’s armed and dangerous. They’re setting up roadblocks outside of town and calling out the dogs. They say he’s trapped in town. I hear they’re going to do a house-by-house search. You’d best keep an eye open,” he recommends as he turns to run up the street again.
The blood drains from Hollis’ face as he realizes the danger Tim has been in. In a flashback, he remembers seeing Tim and Kimble beside the old factory by Broadway. With a sinking feeling, he realizes where Kimble will go to hide. Fear shows on his face as a second later, he realizes Tim was headed in that direction. Grabbing his car keys from the desk, he turns to the door, then pauses. Turning back, he opens the drawer in his desk and pulls out a revolver. Hesitantly putting it in his pocket, he runs out of his office and down the school steps.
THE
ABANDONED FACTORY
Kimble is standing by the window, peering between the boards loosely covering the window and listening for any activity on the street. Hearing approaching footsteps, he backs quickly away from the window and crouches in a dark corner in the shelter of some abandoned crates. He listens fearfully as the covering on the window creaks and prepares to move further into the darkness, when he hears a voice softly calling “Mr. Anderson?”
Kimble
moves out of the shadow of the crates as Tim peers into the darkness. With
relief, he runs over to Kimble. “Mr. Anderson, I knew you would come here.
The police…. They said you’re wanted for murder. But it’s a mistake, isn’t
it?”
He looks anxiously at Kimble and the look on his face answers the question.
Tim stares at him in disbelief and disappointment and backs away.
“Were
you drunk? Like my dad?”
“No, Tim! Listen to me! I didn’t kill my wife! But a jury found me guilty.” Wanting to convince him, Kimble reaches out to grab his arm. “Do you remember when I told you that I know what it feels like to be blamed for something you didn’t do?”
Tim looks at him hopefully, wanting to believe him.
Suddenly, a voice from beside the window says, “Let him go, Kimble.” The two look up to see Hollis climbing in the window, the gun pointed at Kimble, who slowly lets go of Tim’s arm.
“I want you to go home, Tim,” says Mr. Hollis quietly.
Tim looks from him to Kimble, then back again. “No! He didn’t do it. I know he didn’t! I have to help him!”
“Mr. Hollis is right, Tim,” Kimble says, looking from Hollis to Tim. “You have to stay out of this.”
“But there are police everywhere. And what if…what if they catch you…like ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd?” he says, choking on tears.
Kimble
reaches out to grab Tim by the arms. Fearing he will take him as a hostage,
Hollis yells “Kimble!” and braces to fire. Kimble glances at him apprehensively,
then kneels down beside the boy. 
"Listen to me, Tim. I'll be all right. But you can get into a lot of trouble helping me. I know you have big dreams. Promise me you won’t stop until you make them come true.”
“I promise,” Tim answers in a soft voice.
“Good. Now go home,” Kimble says, dropping his arm.
“But…”
“Tim!” interrupts Hollis, relaxing his arms. “Go on home.” Sensing Tim’s reluctance to leave, he adds, “I’ll take care of Kimble.”
Tim looks at him in surprise. “Promise?”
Suddenly realizing the implications of his impulsive offer, Hollis hestitates, then finally answers, “I promise.” He watches as Tim walks over to the window and looks cautiously outside. Glancing back at Kimble, he turns away unwillingly and slips out the window.
Kimble and Hollis stare at each other in the dim room. Kimble tenses as he sees Hollis reach for his cell phone. Still holding Kimble at gunpoint, he dials a number.
"Hello, honey. Look, something's come up, I'll be a little late for supper. I'll get home as soon as I can."
A look of relief shows on Kimble's face. Turning off the phone, Hollis turns to him, but still keeps the gun aimed at him.
“Tim’s right. The police have road blocks set up. They’ll start a house-to-house search soon. If they are bringing in the dogs, you don't have much time. There’s no way you can get out of town. It will be safer for you if you just turn yourself in.”
“If I do, I’ll be executed.”
Stunned by this information, Hollis stands speechless. Then he angrily says, “Why did you get involved with Tim in the first place?”
Kimble is silent for a moment, but the answer is too complex to explain. He looks at Hollis instead and challenges him, “Why did you?”
Hollis is taken aback by the question. He ponders his choices and finally comes to a decision. “I promised Tim I would help you. I don’t know if that story you told him is true, but I made Tim a promise and for his sake, I’m going to keep it. My van is outside. I’ll try to get you through the road block. After that, you’re on your own.”
“You could go to jail for helping me,” Kimble cautions.
“I know,” Hollis says, pausing. “I have the gun. If we’re caught, I’ll tell them you forced me to help you.” At Kimble’s startled look, he smiles tightly. “You better take my help. It’s the only chance you've got."