Original subtitles

Hi, Linda. It's David.

What if she says David who?

Linda, Dave Scali.

I was wondering if you were busy Friday night.

I thought maybe we could go see a minter and a doovie, dinner and a movie.

What's up, chap?

I have no life.

Who's Linda?

Linda Tischler.

Sits behind me in biology.

We dissected a frog together.

Had a really good time.

I know something's there.

Thought you were nervous about asking her out on a date.

Paralyzed.

Well, I had a friend back at the 74th with the same problem, only worse than

you. His name was Ned Niedermeyer. We called him Nervous Ned, but he got over

it. How?

Well, the girl of his dreams, Sherry Stein, got tired of waiting for Ned and

about to marry someone else.

Ned was crying more tears that day than the bride's mother.

If there be anyone here who can say why these two should not be joined in holy

matrimony... I knew if he didn't speak up, he'd regret it for the rest of his

life. Let him speak now or forever hold his peace.

No!

Ned's right. She shouldn't be with Darren. She should be with Ned.

Go ahead.

Sherry?

I love you.

I've always loved you.

I love you, too.

Why didn't you ever say anything?

I was just waiting for the right moment.

Ned got Sherry, and I was godfather to their firstborn. You know, Dad, for

one of your stories actually makes sense.

I'm not waiting till Linda Tishler gets married.

Hi, it's David Scali.

Listen, I really like you and I'd love to take you out to a movie on Friday

night. What do you say?

Uh -huh.

Okay.

Bye.

That was her mother.

She said she'd love to, but she's got bridge club Friday night.

Such a dork.

Have you still seen Denise?

Only from a distance.

Her son had a problem with me.

How old's her son?

Nine months.

I like kids, you know, just when they're old enough to, you know, move out of

the house.

Okay, so I'm not Mr. Mom, all right? What can I say? I've got all the fine

qualities.

Can't think of one at the moment.

We have a silent alarm at Murphy's Pharmacy, 1198 State Street.

C -1, roger that. Here we go.

Of all the crummy squad cars in all of Eastbridge, I had to get a ride home in

yours.

All right, hold it. Don't move.

Kid won't tell me his name, where he lives, nothing.

Checked his prints, no priors. He didn't seem high.

No, no, he was clean.

The kid steals 300 bucks, a dozen candy bars, and a bottle of cough medicine.

What is that?

Who's Scali?

I'm Commissioner Scali.

Brett Schrager, child services.

So, where's this kid?

He's down the hall.

Let's do this.

He won't talk to anyone.

What else is new?

What's your name, son?

If I have to guess, we could be here a while.

They got you good, son.

Breaking and entering, burglary, possession of stolen property, resisting

arrest. So unless you have some sort of a disease of the vocal cords, I would

strongly suggest you tell me what's going on.

Maybe a couple of days in juvie will bring his voice back.

He's scared to death.

Process him.

I'll pick him up in the morning.

How long has it been since you had a decent meal?

I know you've had more than your share of bad luck.

And you probably don't trust anybody, especially a cop.

But the one thing you need right now is a friend.

And I'm the closest thing you got.

Talk to me, kid.

It won't kill you.

What do you want me to say?

Where are your parents, for starters?

My dad split when I was ten.

My mom was a waitress when she was sober.

How'd you wind up on the street?

Came home one day and the apartment door had a big lock on it.

After that, we lived in a van.

My mom, she died of pneumonia about six months ago.

How come you didn't try to get help?

From who?

Guys like Schrager?

We're all punks to him.

I'd rather take my chances on the street, and I've done okay.

Until today.

What's your name?

Michael Collier.

My friends call me Mikey.

And he's been on the streets for the last six months?

Breaks your heart.

And a kid doesn't have a soul in the world who cares about him.

Where are we going to put him tonight?

Put him in the cell by himself.

He'll be fine.

Yeah.

Let him stay with me.

Who knows where he's going to spend the next three years.

Let him have a home for one night.

Paul, you don't know the first thing about this kid. I know he hasn't slept

warm bed in over six months.

It's one night.

Paulie really took the kid home?

Our Paulie? You should have seen him.

All of a sudden, he was Father Flanagan from Boys Town.

It was actually kind of sweet.

Why this kid?

I guess he made a connection with them.

The funny thing is, he reminded me of Paulie at that age. You know, a chip on

his shoulder, a lot of attitude.

Good for Paulie.

Oh, speaking of babysitters, Mrs. Olsen can't make it tomorrow night.

Could you find someone else?

Hey, Dad.

Well, I try, but all I said is I'm busy.

Frida was making a special tripino for us. I've been dreaming about it all

Okay, I'll ask at school tomorrow, see if anybody's available.

I'll do it.

Do what?

Babysit.

I'm 14.

I'll be driving in two years.

College in four.

Maybe even have a kid of my own in ten.

Hold on, before my grandfather.

I just think I'm old enough to do it.

Don't you guys trust me?

No, Mom.

Sarah's your baby.

And I won't even charge you a penny more than you pay Miss Olsen.

You really think you could handle it? Rachel, we're going to the Villa Cucina

Eastbridge, not Rome. He'll be fine.

Cool. Okay.

Excellent. All right.

Hi, Moether.

Save room. The main event's almost ready.

So where have you been living since you moved back?

I move around.

What about school?

I go to the library sometimes.

To read or hang out?

Ice game.

Dinner bell.

Ah, you're going to love this.

One good thing I learned from my ex -wife.

Best way to steam the fish?

Sticking in the dishwasher.

You were married?

Uh -huh.

For a while.

What was she like?

Ever see the movie Alien?

She liked my mom.

She was always making jokes about my dad. She couldn't stand the guy.

What about you?

I don't remember him.

He was never around.

Could we watch a movie later?

Our machine's busted.

You got a screwdriver?

Mm -hmm. I can fix it.

What's gonna happen tomorrow?

I'm gonna find you a new home.

Which way?

I'm gonna make sure child service puts you in a good place.

At least till you're 18.

I can take care of myself.

Sure you can.

Bathroom's down the hall.

I'm on the couch if you need anything.

Fish was great.

Anything else missing?

What? My gun and my money isn't enough?

How could I be so stupid? I let that little creep play me like a rookie. We

an APB out on him. He's not going far.

Man, I hate it when guys like Schrager are right.

Scali.

All right,

we're on our way.

Killed a guy over 48 bucks in a slurp.

Shot point blank from what looks like a 9mm.

Any witnesses?

No, no one was in the store, but the perp short -circuited the surveillance

from outside.

Let's find out what was on it before it went dark.

After you finish dusting for prints, I want you to canvas everyone within a

three -block radius.

Do a statewide check on any armed robberies where the perp got around the

camera.

Officer.

Mike.

There he is.

This must be when he went out to disconnect the camera.

He must have come in to scope the place out.

So that's not a minute between the time he went out to the time the camera went

dead.

Disconnects right near the front entrance.

What if he knew how?

He knew how.

He fixed my VCR last night.

Ballistics report.

Thanks, buddy.

It was your gun that killed him.

How wrong can you be?

Kid's a stone -cold killer.

Okay, honey, here's some numbers for you. It's my beeper number, your dad's

beeper number, the number at the restaurant, the number at the Wurzels,

number, the number at the station, and 911.

I know 911.

Come on, Mrs. Scali, we're gonna be late.

Is there anything else? Well, we could give him the yellow pages, then he'd

every number in Eastbridge.

In

New

York City today, a man was brutally murdered.

Look, you can believe me or not, but I was abducted by an alien life form.

Greg, it's me.

What are you doing?

Well, bring it over here.

What do you mean, can't?

Well, just tell him I gotta help you with your homework.

Yeah, okay.

Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow.

Who is it?

Wally.

Training lions, are we?

My folks are out.

First time home alone tonight?

Well, looks like you're doing the right thing.

Curtains are closed, lights are on.

You're armed.

I'll tell my dad he came by.

Yeah. Tell him to give me a call in the car. I'm going over to the Crush Bar.

You?

What, you don't think I'll fit in?

Well, I've never been there, but the leather jacket looks good.

Well, if you want to look like Indiana Jones.

What am I supposed to wear?

My ripped jeans are in the cleanest.

Oh, looks like the cavalry's coming.

David, okay?

I'm fine.

The kid's doing a great job. What's up?

I found this in my trash.

Mikey left it behind.

I called it. It's a place called the Crush Bar.

The underground club.

Take off the Botany 500, bro. We're going clubbing.

Hey, Toph, you better let me do the talking, all right?

I'm hippin' in you, let's face it. I'm into Nirvana and Green Day.

Hey, listen, I saw Tony Bennett on MTV the other day. I'm hip, too.

I'm not that hip.

I'd like a couple of beers.

Can I see some ID?

Oh, I get it.

Humor. I think you guys are mocked. They got line dancing down the block.

I think she's saying we don't fit in, Paulie.

You're the dentist who just got divorced.

And you're a proctologist into all kinds of kinky stuff.

He's amazing.

A regular crested.

Hey, buddy.

These boys giving you some trouble? No, they were just leaving.

No, we weren't.

Close down right now and tell us what you know about this kid.

Mikey Collier.

Know where we could find him?

You know the old DeBoer Industries building?

Yeah, it closed down about a year ago.

Well, rumor has it he crashed there.

All right.

All units in position?

Position one, roger that.

Hands up, you little creep!

They're my brothers.

Kevin, you can't take that now.

It's my sword.

That's too big.

I'm scared.

Take this.

You hold it to it real tight.

And you squeeze.

Hey,

what are you doing to him?

It's okay, it's okay. He's just putting an IV in his arm. You ready?

It's all right.

Let's go, Mikey.

Where are you going to take Kevin?

He'll be taken to the hospital with his brother.

All right.

Let's go, little man.

You got anything for Michael?

The gun.

Where's my gun?

Turn this place inside out.

Find that gun.

I didn't kill anybody, I swear.

You had the murder weapon. And you were videotaped at the scene of the crime

about a minute before it took place.

Coincidence, right? I didn't have your gun. I told you, some guy stole it.

What were you doing at that store?

I needed to get some more medicine. Jake was really sick.

So you stole cough syrup?

Yeah.

But when I came out, this dude mugged me and he stole your gun and he whacked me

with it.

You could have got that bruise anywhere.

I ran off.

The dude went into the store. I didn't even know the owner was killed until you

told me.

Describe this dude.

I didn't see his face.

But he had this weird tattoo of a green and gold snake on his arm.

That's it?

How old was he?

Maybe 30.

Look, it happened so fast.

Look, Paulie, it was really stupid stealing your gun, I know.

But these perverts started coming around at night. And last week, one of them

tried to get Kevin into his van.

I'm the only one in the world who can protect them.

You've been taking care of them since your mom died?

You know how hard it is to play three brothers together?

We'd be separated.

I won't let that happen. It's happening now.

Social services will take care of them until they can be placed in a foster

home. You're gonna freak. I mean, we've never been apart.

Polly, please.

Ronnie.

Take him down, put him in his own cell.

Let's go, kid.

Help me. Come on.

There's all this evidence, but... This kid's a petty thief.

He's not a killer.

Look, the owner had a shotgun under the counter. Maybe he went for it. Mikey's

not stupid.

He could have shoplifted a bottle of cough syrup. To go in there, guns

Well, whether we believe him or not, the DA's gonna have an airtight case.

He'll be tried with an adult, won't he?

Mm -hmm. I'm gonna tap it to the NCIC.

See if any shootings in the last 12 hours match my gun.

It's a long shot, Pauly. My best day at Belmont, a 40 -to -1 filly went wire to

wire. I gotta love long shots.

If this filly's gonna come in, we better find the guy with the snake tattoo.

And if we do, he better have your gun.

We'll start in the morning.

Start now if you want.

There's something I gotta do.

How's the patient?

Okay.

Doc says you'll be able to leave tomorrow.

I got you some stuff.

Where's Mikey?

He's down at the police station.

When's he coming to see us?

Soon. Tonight?

Maybe tomorrow.

So we'll be able to stay together?

I hope so.

You hope so?

You mean, we might not?

No, no, no. I didn't say that. I just said...

You'll be together. Don't worry.

I promise.

His arms and legs move.

Wow, even backwards.

Wow, it's got to hurt.

Walk us to your seats.

Sounds great.

Okay, let me talk to Tony and see if we can get a sitter.

Yeah, I'll call you later.

Honey, that was Kay. She and Alan have tickets for Miss Bygone for Saturday

night, and they want to go out to dinner after at Café des Artistes.

Oh, please.

Please tell me you're not walking.

Sounds great.

Hey, kid, you ready to make some more overtime?

Tony, come on. We're not going to be home until, like, 1 o 'clock in the

morning. What difference does it make? You did great the other night.

You sure you can handle it?

No problem.

All right, great.

Wow,

you've grown up so fast.

See you tonight, Kemp.

It's me.

What are you doing Saturday night?

You guys ever seen this tattoo?

Check her out.

Is she something or what?

Girlfriend?

Mother?

Never give a guy a tattoo like this.

Strike three, we're out.

All right, thanks anyway.

I did give a woman that particular piece of skin art, though.

Who is she?

Hey, man, you ever hear of artist -client confidentiality? You ever hear

withholding evidence?

Oh.

Nice neighborhood.

What are you doing?

Your boyfriend got one of these, too? Huh?

It was an Adam and Eve thing.

Uh -huh.

Beautiful. So where's Adam?

He split up.

When?

What's his name?

Larry something.

Do you know where we can find Larry something?

He set a mistake up with Ronnie.

We want to hang on to Mikey for another 24 hours.

Why? We don't think he killed anyone at all.

Whether he did or he didn't, he still robbed a drugstore and stole your gun.

Whatever he did, it was to protect his brothers. He's no hardened criminal.

Fine.

But I'll take the younger two.

No, you won't.

Look, Schrager, we gotta keep those boys together.

They depend on each other. You split them up and they won't make it.

Yeah, I'm sure you're right.

But the reality is, nobody's gonna adopt all of them.

Maybe the younger two, not all three.

That's not good enough.

What can I tell you?

Kevin's doing fine. He asked me to give you that.

Did you find the guy yet?

We're still looking.

When you do, will I be let go?

If we can prove he's the shooter.

The only other reason to hold you would be for stealing a police officer's

weapon.

Why didn't you tell me about your brothers?

You would have brought us in.

I could have helped.

The only way you could help?

Find a home where we can all be together.

Found him dead on a park bench in Morgan Heights.

No deed on crystal meth.

They find my gun on him?

Pockets were empty.

Thanks, Morty.

This guy was Mikey's only chance.

It's out of our hands now, Paulie.

All right, I'll

take him from here.

Where are you taking me?

Juvenile hall.

Tomorrow you'll be arraigned for first -degree murder.

And if the state decides to try you as an adult,

they'll move you to county.

Come on.

Let's go.

Schrager!

Let the boy say goodbye to his brothers.

You said you'd only stay with us.

I can't now.

What's going to happen to us?

We're going to be okay.

They're going to find a good home for you.

I promise.

We better get her. Find the gun.

Give me the warrant, Jimmy.

Hey!

What are you doing here? Where's Larry's gun?

I told you, Larry split.

Oh, really?

Well, he left a few things, huh?

This looks like it would fit our dearly departed.

What's he talking about?

Larry OD'd last night.

No. Listen, we know that Larry stole a gun.

And robbed the store. We also know he killed the store owner. What we need to

know is where that gun is. What difference does it make? He's dead.

The kid he stole the gun from is standing trial for that murder. He's 16

old. It's going to ruin his life.

I don't know anything about Larry's business.

You're lying.

He's not here.

Look, rip up the floorboards. Find that gun.

Boss.

This isn't his jacket.

It's a restaurant receipt from the night of the murder.

It's time coded 1025.

An hour after the shooting.

28 bucks.

That's dinner for two. You were with them that night. That makes you an

accessory to murder. You're crazy. I wasn't there.

Yeah? Take her.

Come on.

You can't do that!

Watch her.

Pearl, we're not looking to put you away. We just want to clear the kid.

I want a lawyer.

I'll get one for you. But as soon as he's here, I can't help you.

You helping me now?

I'm trying, but you have to tell me the truth.

All right, Pearl.

We'll do it your way.

She doesn't trust cops. We're going to have to get her a lawyer. Oh, man, once

the lawyer gets involved, forget it. It'll drag on for months.

Not necessarily.

Hey, Ronnie.

Carl Jenkins, hi. I'm Ronnie Lopez.

You asked for a lawyer?

Jeez, it's hot. Is it hot in here?

Are you all right?

Hey, somebody turn down the damn heat.

You want something to drink?

Get this woman a cold drink.

How you doing?

They said they're going to charge me with accessory to murder.

They're not going to do anything yet.

You could have done that an hour ago.

These cops.

Unbelievable.

Can you get me out of here?

Bail's gonna be high.

You have any money?

All right, look.

Why don't you tell me what happened?

They say my boyfriend killed the guy and that I was there. I don't care what

they say. What do you say?

You've got a problem.

At least say they have a witness.

Who? I don't know yet, but you've been placed at the scene.

I get mistaken for other people all the time.

I can't use that pearl.

Do you have an alibi?

I was home alone.

We can't go to trial with this.

They got a kid they're trying to get off, claims your boyfriend stole the

weapon. What's that got to do with me?

I don't know.

But if you want me to help you, you've got to tell me the truth.

I mean, if you were there and you could clear him...

I can get you a sweetheart deal.

Copper, please. Stay out of jail.

I thought he was just going in to rip him off.

The guy behind the counter reached for his shotgun.

Mikey's been cleared of the murder. That's great.

And, uh, what about my client?

We gotta let her go.

We tricked her. The confession's inadmissible, but it was worth it. We

off the hook.

Just found a squad car to pick up Mikey and his brothers.

I told them to use this time. They're gonna love that.

Did you talk to Schrager?

He's taking them up to Schenectady tomorrow to stay in a halfway house.

Hasn't found a foster home yet.

There's a good chance the boys will be separated.

That stinks.

Where are they staying tonight?

Casa Pentangeli.

I got you guys some great stuff for the bus ride.

Donuts.

Beef jerky, candy bars.

Pretzels. Why can't we stay here with you?

Mikey, I can't take on three kids.

I don't have a wife.

My hours are crazy.

And I don't know the first thing about being a father.

Best father I ever had.

Yeah. For a day, maybe.

Come on, Mikey. I don't even know your brothers.

They like you.

They like my TV.

You take care of ourselves. You won't even know we're here.

No, that's just it.

When I have kids, I want to know they're here.

It's impossible, Mikey.

I'm sorry.

But you did promise Jake and Kevin we'd stay together.

It's not going to happen, is it?

It is.

I'm still working on that.

Bob.

Mom. Mom.

Everything's fine, Mom.

Sarah's asleep.

Don't worry.

It's on the TV.

Okay. Bye.

Hey, about time you two got here.

What's up?

Word kind of got around.

This where the party's at?

I'm just looking around.

And I mean like I'm so tired.

I just came to town.

Hey, hey, I told you that.

Music loud enough?

There's more chips in the pantry.

I'd toss it anywhere.

Great party, brother.

Do you have any idea what this is going to do for my reputation?

So, uh, well, tell me if folks could be home. Ah, not for another 20 minutes.

I forget how wonderful New York can be.

We got a business for us.

Yeah.

Well, now the kids are... Hi.

Hey. You guys have a good time?

Yeah. Everything okay here? Yeah, pretty quiet.

I was just going to bed.

I didn't even have to drive him home.

Oh, I'll get that.

Full -service babysitting. What do you think of that? Very good.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Thanks, kid. Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Code on hanger, hanger in closet.

The door's jammed. I'll fix it.

Jammed? It's okay, Dad. Really.

Good night, Mr. Scali.

Maybe I'm not quite ready to stay home alone.

What are you guys doing?

I made you breakfast.

Eggs over easy, bacon crisp, whole wheat toast, hot coffee.

Enjoy.

Look, guys, this is really great, but... It doesn't change a thing.

We know that.

We're just saying thanks.

I'm going to get you.

You better run away.

I'm coming for you.

Thanks for helping me out.

Let it go.

Good.

So what's it like?

Being a parent, coming home to these little people every day?

You're not thinking what I think you're thinking.

What, keeping them?

No.

No, that would be crazy.

It was fun, though.

We broke out the old brooms last night and played a little game of indoor

hockey.

Remember when we used to do that? My mother used to scream at us.

I know what they've been through.

But they're such good kids, Tony.

Look, two people trying to raise one normal kid isn't even fair odds, but

three kids off the street with one single working parent?

I know.

Well, I guess it all depends on how you feel about them.

See, I've always thought that I just wasn't cut out for kids. But it's been

the opposite.

I love the way my house feels with them in it.

You know, it's like a home.

I can't help thinking that maybe this all happened for a reason.

Pretty big commitment, though, huh?

The biggest.

They'll be better off in a real home.

I'll give you a call tonight, okay?

It's going to be fine. I promise you.

Okay, fellas, come on.

It's only until we can find a home that'll take all three of you.

You're the only one that will take all three of us.

So you're going to be our daddy now.

Well, we'll see.