Frank Brown drives his father Donald (Granpop)'s old Buick along a deteriorating shortcut called Slide Inn Road, headed to Derry to visit Granpop's dying sister Nan. Frank is irritated by his father, his wife Corinne is hopeful but weary, and the kids Billy and Mary distract themselves with comics and games. Granpop's zipper bag holds Nan's baseball memorabilia, including a Ted Williams-signed Louisville Slugger. After encountering a washout, Frank attempts to back up to the burned-out Slide Inn's driveway and ditches the car.

While Frank tries to free the Buick, Billy and Mary wander up to investigate an old panel truck near the inn's ruins. Billy looks into the water-filled cellar hole and sees a woman's leg in a blue sneaker. Two young men, redheaded Galen and fat Pete, emerge and herd the children back down the hill, claiming they need help with their flat tire.

The men help push the Buick out of the ditch, then rob the Browns at gunpoint, taking Frank's and Granpop's wallets. Galen slaps Granpop for sassing him; Billy wets himself in fear. Granpop, recognizing the men as killers who cannot leave witnesses, stalls by claiming he has $3,300 in his go-bag in the trunk. He pulls out softball gear and finally the Ted Williams-signed bat.

Granpop swings the bat, smashing Galen's skull. Frank freezes uselessly. Pete points his revolver at Granpop, but Billy tackles his arm, deflecting shots. Granpop strikes Galen again, killing him, then breaks Pete's wrist. Pete flees, leaving his gun and bag behind.

Corinne confirms Galen is dead. Granpop, badly hurt in his back and gut, orders Corinne to drive. He slaps Frank for his cowardice. As they speed away, Granpop admits to Billy there was no extra money, and comforts a tearful Mary about the abandoned bat. Frank blames his father for the disaster; Corinne tells him to shut up.