[Nightfall comes. A Black Rider is patrolling the area. The hobbits hide behind the trees.]Sam: "Anything?"Frodo: "Nothing."Pippin: "What is going on?"Merry: "That Black Rider was looking for something… or someone. Frodo?"

Sam: "Get down!"[The Black Rider feigns leaving the area.]

Frodo: "I have to leave the Shire. Sam and I must get to Bree."Merry: "Right. Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me."

[A second Black Rider appears along their path. Frodo is delayed as the others run on. The hobbits jump over a fence and run towards the dock. One Rider is hot on Frodo's heels.]Pippin: "Run! This way, follow me! Run!"Merry: "Get the rope Sam!"[Merry and Sam each uncoil a mooring rope while Pippin starts to push off.]Sam: "Frodo!"Hobbits: "Run Frodo!"Frodo: "Go!"Hobbits: "Hurry!"Sam: "Frodo!"

Hobbits: "Jump Frodo! Go on faster! Jump!"[Frodo leaps onto the raft. The Rider stops short of the water and once again squeals in frustration. Looking back the hobbits see the Rider ride away, followed by two others.]Frodo: "How far to the nearest crossing?"Merry: "Brandywine Bridge: twenty miles."

[The Hobbits arrive at the gates of Bree, soaking wet due to the pouring rain. They pause, uncertain how to declare themselves.]Frodo: "Come on."[He knocks on the gates. A small peep hole opens high above them, then slams shut. Another opens, nearer their eye level. An old face peers out against the downpour.]Gatekeeper: "What do you want?"Frodo: "We're heading for the Prancing Pony."

[The Hobbits make their way up the cobbled path, through the motley crowd which jostles and bumps them.][Frodo looks up and spots the sign of the Prancing Pony. ]

[Frodo steps up to the bar, which rises far above his head.]Frodo: "Excuse me?"

Butterbur (leaning down over the bar): "Good evening, little masters! If you're looking for accommodation we've got some nice, cozy, hobbit-sized rooms available. Mister uh —"Frodo: "— Underhill, my name's Underhill."

Butterbur: "Underhill. Yes…"Frodo: "We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Can you tell him we've arrived?"Butterbur: "Gandalf? Gandalf? Oh yes! I remember: elderly chap, big gray beard, pointy hat… ”[Frodo smiling]

[The hobbits are shocked. They huddle together.]Sam: "What do we do now?"

[The hobbits are seated at a table in the tap room of the Prancing Pony. The air is dark and smoke-filled. Drunken men laugh raucously. Several glance suspiciously at the hobbits.]Frodo: "Sam. He'll be here. He'll come."

[Sam turns back to his mug. After a moment, he nudges Frodo and gestures to the corner of the room. A dark cloaked figure sits alone. His face is invisible inside his hood.]Sam: "That fellow's done nothin' but stare at you since we arrived."

Frodo: [takes Butterbur aside] "Excuse me, that man in the corner, who is he?"

Butterbur: "He's one of them rangers. Dangerous folk they are — wandering the wilds. What his right name is I've never heard, but around here, he's known as Strider."Frodo: "Strider."

[Frodo starts to play with the Ring. It starts to whisper.]

The Ring: "Baggins. Baggins. Baggins. Baggins! Baggins!…"

Pippin: "Baggins!"[Frodo snaps out of his reverie.]Pippin: [at the bar] "Sure I know a Baggins. He's over there, Frodo Baggins."Pippin: "He's my second cousin, once removed on his mother's side" [listeners laugh, "It works for him!" yells one] "and my third cousin twice removed on his father's side, if you follow me."[Strider sits up, his attention fairly caught. Frodo rushes towards the bar to stop Pippin from babbling further.]

Frodo: "Pippin!" [grabs him]Pippin: "Steady on, Frodo!"[Frodo slips on someone's boot and falls back, tossing the Ring into the air.][As he catches it, the Ring slips onto Frodo's finger.][Frodo disappears. Folks gasp in surprise. Strider is alarmed.]

[Frodo, now in a shadow world, looks around bewildered.]