All language subtitles for Picket Fences s04e16 Dantes Inferno

Mayor? She's appointed a mayor?

An interim acting mayor.

Just until Mayor Bay is back from
maternity leave.

Due to certain volatile issues before
the council right now, the mayor felt

an unbiased outsider would be the best
choice to lead the city.

Wow. I can't believe it.

Me. The mayor.

Kenny, you should feel this chair. It is
so comfortable. It kind of molds to

your butt.

It's amazing.

Oh, would you take a picture for me?

Sure, why not?

It's for my parents.

Smile.

Thanks.

I could grow to like this.

Well, don't get too comfortable, Max.

Remember, it's only for eight weeks.

I don't want this to come out wrong or
anything, but, Kenny, as long as I'm in

office, you probably should call me
mayor.

Would somebody please tell me what the
hell is going on in Rome?

I mean, what is it with this freaking
place?

Have you heard about this mayor thing?

I mean, come on.

Initially, they had this deaf -mute
bitch on wheels calling the shots, and

they've got Barbarella. I mean, this
sheriff's bimbo running the show down

there. Oh, man.

I mean, honestly, I mean, I've seen
Maxine Stewart, okay? And quite frankly,

wouldn't have to ask me twice to do her.
I could make her squeal like a pig.

But does that mean I want her making
executive decisions on my behalf? I

think so.

I mean, what happens when she's on her
period?

Oh, shut up. I'm having cramps, you
bastards.

Oh, man.

I'd much rather take a homo any day of
the week over that kind of hell. And I

hope you hear me, Mayor.

Turn that crap off. That's Max he's
talking about.

What can I say, Jimmy? The guy's funny
sometimes.

And he makes a point.

There's a reason why women aren't
allowed in combat, Sheriff.

Look, the guy is a hate monger. I don't
want to hear him in this station again.

And by the way, this department is damn
lucky to have Max as mayor right now,

especially with this new budget up for
approval. We can use her support.

I don't get it. Why did she pick Max?

It's this female bonding thing.

Women get together, talk about the
enemy, us.

Next thing you know, they're appointing
each other mayor.

Face it, pal.

We're gelded.

Maybe it's postpartum psychosis caused
by some kind of hormone imbalance.

Carter. Well, why else would she choose
Max?

Lori knew I ran for mayor. I'm clearly
the better qualified candidate.

I'm for slow growth, better schools,
mandatory autopsies. Don't prejudge,

Carter. Max could do a perfectly fine
job.

Are you out of your mind?

You let that multimart in, you're going
to wipe out the entire downtown shopping

area.

I speak for the entire community when I
say you go ahead with this. There's

going to be big trouble.

First off, Mr. Markoff, I did not say
that I was in favor of anything.

I am just trying to be fair.

The multi -mark people have a position
just like you do.

Excuse me, girl. Who says you speak for
the entire community?

Pearl speaks for all of us. Stop the
multi -mark. Don't stab us in the back.

You're five minutes around.

Next, Mr. James Hallett.

Jim Hallett, Corporate Vice President of
Communications for Multimart.

Let me dispel some of the fear, folks.

First of all, Multimart has no intention
of wiping out your local businesses.

We don't sell quaint antiques or Aunt
Sally's fudge. We could never compete

that.

We like to think that our presence in
the community has a synergistic effect,

bringing more commerce to all
businesses, not to mention 300 permanent

positions. There really isn't a
downside, just an opportunity.

Fine. Go ahead and just wipe out our
local history.

The proposed site of this so -called...

mega monstrosity is exactly where the
Glatfeld family built the town's first

homestead.

That's our past we're destroying, folks.

As president of the Rome Historical
Society, I have to raise my strongest

objection.

I think we need to hear more about this.
And how about an environmental impact

report? A parking lot with a thousand
spaces means a thousand cars. I don't

the sound of that. Why not?

Well, what I mean is, have you ever
tried to buy sneakers or a toaster

here?

And what about those of us who work?

And can't shop until after six. You
know, it might not be such a bad idea to

have a place that's open late and
carries... Shop on Saturday.

This is a small town.

There's nothing wrong with a little
healthy competition, Burl.

And Main Street is looking a little run
down lately.

Mayor Stewart.

Mr. Wambaugh.

Special counsel to the mayor.

I'd like to remind you that your
temporarily indisposed predecessor was

decidedly slow growth in her approach to
this issue. I am aware of that, Mr.

Lomba. Yes, but Mayor Stewart, under
these circumstances, it would behoove

to... But as acting mayor, I will make
my own decision on this issue.

Thank you for your input.

You can't change policy, Max.

Laurie Bay appointed me. No strings
attached.

I have full authority.

And while we're on the subject, you're
fired.

What? You questioned me in front of the
entire council.

Frankly, Doug, I don't think you believe
in me.

So, you're out.

Fat. What?

If you skim the fat off the sheriff's
department budget, you'd have enough

grease to open your own burger joints.
What are you talking about? This

lean as it gets, Maxine.

You forget who you're talking to. I know
where the skeletons are buried, and

most of them are right here, between
lines 7 and 23.

$35 ,000 for clerical support.

What clerical support?

Otis Prager and Charlene Gibbon only
work half days. Max, we need a full

You know that.

No, you don't. Everyone can type their
own reports.

I don't believe this.

Since when do you have such strong
opinions about our budget? I don't

this coming up before I Have to look at
things differently now Jimmy.

I'm the mayor Now if you want me to take
your budget seriously, you're going to

have to rework those numbers women

are sex objects. Chuck, please. Come on,
Doc. You're a doctor. You know it's

biological. If women weren't sex
objects, why would men even want to hang

with them for crying out loud? I'll bet
you most men would rather hang around

with me than their wives because I've
got a better personality.

Let me ask you a question. No, you know
what? This is my show and I get to ask

the questions, Chuck. No, really. Let me
ask you a question. You have an active

sex life, right?

Chuck, we're here to talk about your
quick -release problem. Isn't that the

reason you're on this show? Don't get
real. The only reason I'm on your show

to boost your flagging ratings. We'll
get around to my hair trigger in a

while. By the way, what's your cup size?

You know, this thing just sort of
deteriorates. I'd say about a B. Well,

know what? You can say whatever you
want. I won't dignify that with a

A bee cup is nothing to be ashamed of,
sweetheart. I mean, it's perfect.

More than a mouthful is always a waste.
But I'll tell you something else. This

new mayor of yours, now she is sporting
quite a set of sweater puppies. I'll bet

you they're still being milk fed. What's
her deal? Is she got like a girlfriend?

A lot of men call me with concerns about
premature ejaculation.

Let's talk about how you deal with that
problem. I'm telling you, she is one hot

fox, but I don't trust her. You know
why?

She's like a human Barbie doll. If she
took off her shoes, I'll bet you she

couldn't stand up by herself. You know
what I say? I say impeach the bimbo.

Impeach the bimbo, people. Come on,
impeach the bimbo.

Oh, hello. Is that real?

What? Your hair. Oh, man, it's a major
turn -on. I just want to grab it and

you around the room right now. Okay,
Chuck Bractax. What are we talking

five seconds and out?

All right, all right, I admit it. You
know, I'm quick on the draw, but I've

a huge magazine, carries a lot of
rounds, and it doesn't take me but a

reload.

You know, I really think I'm good at
this.

Max, you've only been in office, what, a
day and a half? I know, I know, but I

really do think that I have an aptitude
for it. I just never had the guts to put

myself out there before.

You should really be careful, you know?

There's so many issues out there in
front of us right now. I mean, there's

parkland zoning, low growth, teen
curfew, and now my opinion count.

Well, maybe you should lay back, check
things out, before you jump in with both

feet. I always thought that I wanted
Jimmy's job.

Now... I think maybe politics is my
destiny.

When my term is up, I might consider
running for higher office.

Like state senator or something. What do
you think?

I think you're pissing people off.

Okay, Kenny. I hear what you're saying.

But I do think it's just typical male
insecurity.

Some men have a problem with women in
positions of power.

But you know what?

That's too damn bad.

I'm not running in a popularity contest.

A leader doesn't follow. A leader leads.

Max, the word is that Laurie appointed
you mayor because she didn't think you'd

do anything except change your wardrobe.

That's not true.

I spoke to Laurie this morning, and I
have her full support.

Maybe it just took another woman to
recognize my potential.

I've got a meeting. I'm going to...

Put this on my tab.

Well, you can tell by the way I use my
walk. I'm a woman, man.

No need to talk.

You drive me crazy just looking at you.
Come to me. Come to me. Oh, God.

I've got to go. Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
I am going to make you moan. No, I think

you're going to make me laugh.

Let's see.

Welcome to the Inferno,

Ignacio. By the way, what kind of name
is that?

What do you mean? What I mean, Ignacio,
is that it isn't American, is it?

Listen, Chuck, I am American.

Oh, yeah, right. Like there were a lot
of pilgrims named Ignacio on the

Mayflower. Give me a break. Where are
you from?

Okay, look, Chuck, I didn't call you to
tell you where I'm from.

I just think you're being a little hard
on the mayor. Why? Because I put her at

the top of my list of women who piss me
off?

Hey, as far as I'm concerned, she's the
female Newt Gingrich. She knows nothing

about city politics, and yet instead of
keeping her mouth shut and just

twiddling her thumbs until Helen Keller
gets back, she's become what? A

demagogue with a hair fetish. I mean,
how many times can a woman change her

color in a week? What's a demagogue?

And all of a sudden, this bimbo has an
opinion on everything.

Multi -mart? Is that why we live in
small -town Wisconsin?

To watch the pizzification of America
happen in our own backyards? Why is she

picking on the little guys? I like those
crappy old shops downtown. You know

what I hope? I hope something bad
happens to her, like cancer or AIDS, or

yet, someone should just put her out of
her head. Who said that you could listen

to that?

It's just the radio, Mom.

That man, that Chuck Dante, he's a
racist, misogynist pig.

He's funny, Mom.

Funny's no excuse.

He's kidding.

I mean, everyone listens to Chuck just
to see Alfaro go. That's all.

What's the big deal? The big deal is
you're my sons. I expect more from you.

Censorship. Alive and well in the 90s.

33 -year -old male with enlarged mammary
glands.

Palpations reveal no masses.

Do you think deep down all guys secretly
hate their mothers?

Oh, there's no secret about it.

I walked in this morning to find my own
sons listening to Chuck Dante.

I give up!

Jill, don't be too hard on him.

I actually think he's kind of funny. Oh,
come on. How can you laugh at somebody

who so obviously hates women? Not to
mention anyone else who isn't a white,

moronic male.

Jill, Dante's schtick is just that. It's
an act.

He doesn't actually believe that stuff.
It's just his way of getting ratings.

This morning he was railing at Max, and
it got very ugly, and my sons are

sitting there laughing. You've got to
admit, sometimes Dante is very clever.

Besides, I'll bet it's very cathartic
for the idiots who actually, like, buy

that stuff.

Why are you defending him? He's a
monster.

He talked about your breasts on your own
show, for God's sake. Just forget it.

We obviously have a difference of
opinion on this.

I can deal with him. You can't.

Fine.

I slept with him.

You're kidding.

Joanna, I don't know what to say.

I didn't think even you could... Jill,
he is not as bad as you... Don't start.

This man is dangerous. I won't let my
own sons listen to him. I can't believe

that you would let him touch you.

That's sick, Joanna.

Okay, it's sick. It's sick, okay? It's a
sick animal thing.

I admit it. What can I say? I am just
inexplicably, incredibly attracted to

I don't know. Maybe it's because he is
so vile. Maybe it's some weird self

-esteem thing. I don't know. All I know
is that I cannot help myself.

I just really respond to him.

And the sex is great.

All right, maybe it's not.

Great, but it's interesting.

Yay.

Mr. Watkins?

Nay.

And finally, Mr. Hayden?

Nay.

Okay.

That's five yays and five nays. I guess
that leaves me with the deciding vote.

I've given this matter a lot of thought.

And for me, it comes down to one thing.

Do we want to be a sleepy backwater with
just a few dusty old stores?

I mean, I've patrolled Main Street,
folks, and no one's shopping there.

Do we want to move into the 21st
century?

I think we do.

I vote yay.

Maybe you better go out the back way.

No, I'll go out the front.

This

is

quite a community.

You can't get away with this, you hear
me?

I've been here because of this, you
stupid bitch.

Who appointed you guys?

The bimbo demagogue strikes again. Come
on, people. I warned you. I warned you.

Didn't I tell you that Maxine Stewart
was a Mussolini in the making?

Now look what she's done to Rome.

Oh, man.

One multi -mart and she's opened up the
floodgates to every strip mall and pizza

joint that wants to make a buck.

I mean, who does this woman think she is
anyway?

I mean, doesn't she realize that she's
actually ruining lives with this thing?

Oh, man.

Arnie, you still there?

I'm here, Chuck.

All right, so now you're a small
business owner in Rome.

For the moment. Is this thing going to
completely screw you or what?

I'm dead meat.

We all are. I got a mortgage, man, kids
to feed. This stuck -up bitch, she has

no idea what it's like to live in the
real world.

All right, I got one more question for
you, Arnie. What do you think of women

holding political office?

They suck.

I say we... Impeach the bimbo. Elect
Chuck.

Impeach the bimbo. Elect Chuck.
Everybody, repeat after me. Next call.

Have I made a mistake?

I mean, I really studied this Multimar
issue.

No, sometimes you have to take a lot of
flack to do what you think is right.

So typical.

When a man's decisive, he's strong. When
a woman's decisive, she's a bitch.

Sometimes she's just a bitch.

As far as anyone?

You think I'm a bitch? Don't listen to
her, Max.

You're beautiful, you're smart, you're
in charge.

What could be more threatening?

Why do all these men hate Hillary
Clinton? And why are they more

Marcia Clark's hairstyle than in her
trial work?

Face it, these men don't want to see a
woman on top unless it's during sex.

Agreed. And that is why, when you're a
woman in power, you've got to be

extremely careful.

Otherwise, they'll just write you off as
some psycho feminist who's out to cut

off their testicles.

You've lost all credibility as far as
I'm concerned.

Listen, Mac, you're smart, you're a
babe. Use it. Yeah, take off your shirt

shake your tatas for the city council.
That'll boost your popularity rating.

You threaten their sensitive little
egos, they get you nothing.

So... So play them.

Who cares if they think of you as a sex
object, as long as you get what you

want. You call yourself a feminist?

I prefer to think of myself as
successful.

Oh, please. Why can't Mac be strong and
intelligent and decisive?

Because... She's not a man.

Mac, can I talk to you for a second?
Well, not now. Jimmy says you're

of cutting the coroner's office budget
by 20%. That would be completely

detriment. You'll have to make an
appointment with Rebecca, okay? What do

say to those critics who claim you're
cheapening our city?

I say go back to your Adam Smith.

If it's not working, it deserves to die.

Hey, Max!

You got it! I got it!

Send us an ambulance.

Max has been shot. The mayor has been
shot. Send an ambulance now,

Now!

We lost a lot of blood.

Close eyes. He's wide open with normal
saline. Four units. O -neck, butt, stat.

CBC lights. Cross and type. Four units.
On my count. One, two, three.

Decreased breath sounds on the left
side. Let's get respiratory down here. I

need a chest x -ray. Stat. Keep
desaturating. O2's in the 70s and

me a 14 -gauge needle and a chest tube
tray. I thought I just heard what I just

got. Gunshot wound to the left chest
with a rigid abdomen. End.

She's still hypotensive after two liters
of saline. Looks like she got a tension

pneumothorax. Go wait for the x -ray.
Hang on, Max.

Hang on, Max. Hang on.

O2's in the low 90s. BP's 90 over 60.

Kind of a nutcase for doing this. I
heard he was wearing a Chuck Dante

We get a positive peritoneal lavage with
a hemothorax. Looks like the bullet

passed through her chest into her
abdomen.

Okay, come on, everybody. Let's get her
ready for the OR.

Stay with us, Max.

Come on, baby.

Is that ORT ready?

W,

I'm here because your mother called me.

Let me guess, she's pissed.

Well, put it this way.

She's concerned.

And with good reason.

There are about 25 witnesses to the
shooting. Half of them were reporters.

You'll be charged with attempted
homicide, maybe murder.

Yeah, well, that's what happens.

You shot the mayor.

Maybe we should talk.

You don't think I know what this is
about?

I know damn well what this is all about.
I've been dealing with this crap my

whole life, okay?

See, nobody in this town ever thought
that I could make a go of the store

Dad died.

Idiots!

I knew exactly what it needed.

Wider aisles, a gardening department,
household appliances, a good return

policy. I double -sailed!

Well, that's all very well and good,
Stubby.

Stupid Bimbo just wanted to take the
whole thing away.

It's like Chuck says, the pizzification
of America.

Chuck? Dante.

The radio guy.

Oh, he's got this whole thing. Peg,
believe you me.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, she's picking on the little guys,
and we're supposed to sit around and

just let that happen. We?

Did somebody put you up to this?

Whose side are you on, anyway?

I'll fire you in a millisecond. If I
think you're going behind my back, pal,

understand me?

That's your prerogative. Damn right.

But I would think long and hard you
committed a public crime.

I suggest that you shut up and play it
my way.

How's she doing?

Her vitals are stable and her theft are
good on 40%. But her urine output has

been borderline.

I hope we're not looking at renal
failure.

I've got to go to the lab.

It's not the way it's supposed to be,
Max.

Mr. Lama, you wanted to see me?

Oh, Kimberly.

Come in, Kimberly. Come in.

Your beautiful face has engraced this
office for some time now. Come in. Sit

down. Sit down, my dear.

What do you want?

I need your help.

Oh, Mr. Wombat, I'm taking a full load
at it again this year. Do you know

Muller? The guy who shot Max?

I'm representing him.

Now, that's a tough one. I need a lot of
research from someone I can trust.

You're asking me to help defend the guy
who shot Max?

But the facts aren't at issue, my dear.

I don't know, Mr. Wambaugh.

Stubby Muller is a nutso.

Oh, he's been delusional for years.

But quite harmless.

Until now.

What happened?

That's what we need to find out.

Well... Do you know anything about this
Dante character?

Chuck Dante?

I've heard a show a few times.

Good. I'm going to need a lot of
information.

Hey, babe, what are you doing here?

We got to talk.

Why start now?

Oh, God, I love your hair.

You heard what happened to the mayor?

Yeah.

a tough break. I mean, I just couldn't
believe it.

I just spent the day trying to keep her
alive.

Oh.

And, um, I'm a little bit bothered by
the fact that the shooter was wearing

of your buttons.

You are?

Dad,

what is it with these sickos?

I don't even want to live in the same
country as these idiots.

I don't know.

Come here.

You look like hell.

I don't even like you Shut up

I thought you were going to wait for me.
We could have come home together.

She looks so small.

Max is tough, Jimmy.

And she's doing a lot better than we
expected.

How many mares does this town have to
lose before the sheriff's department

its job of protecting them?

Jimmy, you couldn't have known.

She was upsetting people.

She was making them mad. Things got out
of control.

I should have... What?

I don't know. Gotten that guy off the
radio. I don't know. Something. Oh, come

on, Jimmy.

I'm the sheriff, Jill.

My job is to protect.

And this is Max.

Let's face it. She's got that rich
bitch, I don't give a crap, who I step

kind of thing happening. I mean, I grew
up with girls...

Maxine Stewart.

Okay, she's good looking, but the woman
is cold, man. I mean, what's her

problem? Doesn't she know she's hurting
people? This chick doesn't have a

family, doesn't own a home, and yet in a
minute and a half she makes a decision

that destroys lives. I hate her. Someone
ought to destroy her livelihood. Do us

all a big favor.

What are you thinking?

Sure, Stubby is unstable, but what
suddenly pushed him over the edge?

Let's say you're stubby.

You live in that crummy little apartment
over your woefully outdated hardware

store.

No friends to speak of and no life
outside your job.

So every day from 8 to 11, you listen to
that guy over the radio. He is your

friend. He understands.

And in no uncertain terms, he tells you
that Maxine Stewart is the enemy.

Your enemy.

So you agree with him.

Maxine Stewart is the cause of your
problems.

So what do you do?

Get rid of the problem.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women.

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners now and at

the hour of our death.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

It's my medical opinion that Mr. Muller
suffers from paranoid personality

disorder. In response to stress,

Individuals with this disorder may
experience brief psychotic episodes.

And in your opinion, Dr. Kelly, was Mr.
Muller having one of those psychotic

episodes when he shot the mayor?

Yes. Based on my extensive examination
of Mr. Muller and interviews with his

associates, my opinion is he was
psychotic at the time of the shooting.

Finally, doctor, in your opinion, could
Mr.

Muller distinguish right from wrong when
he pulled the trigger?

In my opinion, he could not. No.

Thank you, doctor.

How much time did you spend in your
extensive examination with the

doctor? About seven hours in all.

In those seven hours, you were able to
determine beyond a shadow of a doubt

he has paranoid personality disorder?

That's my opinion, yes. Oh, your
opinion.

In those seven hours, doctor, did you
yourself ever see the defendant exhibit

any psychotic behavior?

No. No.

You know, Stubby Muller ran a business
in Rome for 20 years.

He was treasurer of the downtown
business association.

If he were as paranoid and delusional as
you claim, how could he be capable of

that? People with paranoid personality
disorder often appear to be quite

objective, even rational.

However, the superficial calm masks the
extreme paranoia and deep distrust that

controls their life.

Yeah, we all knew Stubby was a little
out there.

But he came to all the meetings.

And he knew how to add, so we made him
association treasurer.

Objection to the term out there.

Okay. How about lunatic?

Objection! Sustained.

Let's just stick to the facts.

Very well.

Mr. Murka, did you ever see Stubby do
anything to make you doubt his mental

stability?

Well, he was always suing everybody.

He thought water and power was
contaminating his water. Stuff like

And there was a time he thought the guy
at Barney's Big Brat had peed in his

drink.

Stubby smashed his windshield with a
brand -new plumber's wrench.

And this is the man your organization
put in charge of your entire annual

budget? Hey, the budget was only a few
hundred dollars.

That was mostly for donuts at meetings
and Christmas lights every year.

Besides, no one else wanted the job.

Nevertheless, Mr. Murkoff, you trusted
him to control the books, didn't you?

Yeah.

Right.

How does it feel to be subpoenaed,
Chuck? I'm getting a hot flag.

No, come on, guys.

It's a political trial, an effort to
shut me up. These are from Maxine

But it's not going to work. I mean, they
can't stop me because I've been through

it all.

Public school, IRS audit, premature
ejaculation.

Come on, look. I had nothing to do with
the shooting, but you watch. They're

going to try to crucify me on the stand.

And that, folks, is where your tax
dollars are going. If you had nothing to

with it, what are you doing here, Chuck?

Hey, Maxine Stewart's a human being just
like anybody else. I'm here just to

offer my condolences. Maybe I can even
cheer her up.

What's going on?

Crazy man. Another crazy cop. Who the
hell do you think you are coming in

You're a bummer. I should smack you
right now.

Kenny! Well, get him out of here.

Mr.

Macho Man.

Geez, I'm just trying to be the nice guy
here.

What if her little toady won't let me
get close to her? Fine.

I've got better things to do.

Okay, guys, if we wanted to visit
Stiff's, we could go down to the morgue.

go. Yeah, thank you.

Shut up.

Mr. Dante, how well do you know my
client?

I don't. Well, never heard of him?

Well, not until he shot the mayor.

Isn't Stubby Muller the current
president of the Chuck Dante Tri -County

Club? How am I supposed to know?

Well...

Here's a copy of the fan club's January
1996 newsletter.

And, Mr. Dante, their stubby name there
is Biggest Day.

You're right. There it is. Well, that's
news to me. Come on, look. These nimrods

get together, sit around the radio, and
play with themselves.

I have nothing to do with them.

But you correspond with them, Mr. Dante.

What? I have here a letter dated
February 1st, 1996.

I would like to read this letter.

Dear Chuck, I agree with you 100 % of
what you said about the IRS.

From now on, if those bureaucratic
bastards want my money, they're going to

to come and get it. Same goes for my ex
-wife.

If that bitch whines any more about
alimony, she'd better watch it. Ha, ha.

Hey, can you send me a T -shirt?

I'm an extra large.

Your number one fan, Stubby.

Do you remember receiving this letter?

Are you kidding? This is like 75 % of
the letters, I guess.

But you responded to it.

That is your signature, isn't it? So
what? Big deal. I mean, this is what we

send out to keep the freaks happy.

A form letter that says, don't give an
inch, give him hell. Now your letter

that, doesn't it?

Objection, Your Honor.

This is pointless.

Overruled. For now.

But get on with it. So what you're
saying is that the majority of your fans

nimrods and freaks.

Well, it's a hell of a job, but somebody
has to do it. And yet, knowing the

questionable mental condition of some of
your listeners, you still feel

comfortable advocating hatred on the
air.

Objection, Your Honor. The issue here is
the defendant's guilt, not Mr. Dante's

personality. The issue is whether this
witness caused my client to have a

psychotic reaction.

The objection's overruled.

Referring to Maxine Stewart, you
recently said on the air...

I hope something bad happens to the
mayor, like cancer or AIDS.

Or better yet, someone should put her
out of her misery.

Well, Mr. Dante, how are we supposed to
interpret that? I'm a satirist.

Satirists say outrageous things. Hey,
what we're talking about here is the

Amendment, okay?

I mean, all I do is say what the people
out there are thinking, and then I give

my opinion, and that's all it is.

My opinion. I'm not the Dalai Lama. This
isn't an absolute truth.

I mean, what are we, a nation of sheep?
Just because there's so many crazies out

there that are willing to do something
stupid doesn't make it my

It's not my responsibility.

Oh, not your responsibility?

No. You so much as said that you wanted
the mayor to die that somebody should

put her out of her misery.

In effect, you were encouraging someone
to do her harm, weren't you?

Words. That's all they are.

But words can do harm, Mr. Dante.

I'm an...

entertainer. Come on. It's the name of
the game. It's all a game to you, isn't

it? You'd even advocate violence for an
extra point in the ratings, wouldn't

you? Objection. Move to strike.

Wombo. That's enough. We're drawn.

Nothing further.

Mr. Dante, did you ever at any time
encourage anyone to shoot or otherwise

Mayor Maxine Stewart?

No, I didn't. Did you have anything at
all to do with the shooting of Maxine

Stewart? Absolutely not.

No further questions.

You may step down, Mr. Dante.

The court will take a 15 -minute recess.

Guess I thought he was You deserve
better you

think so

Zach.

I've been reading up on serious
injuries.

Did you know that the best therapy for
the comatose is music?

Zach, Max isn't exactly, um... The sun
will come

out tomorrow.

Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
there'll be sun.

Just thinking about tomorrow.

No.

No.

Max.

Max.

I'm in hell.

Someone keeps singing songs from Annie.

You're not in hell, Max.

That's Zach singing.

We all know Stubby Muller is mentally
unbalanced.

That should come as a surprise to no one
in this town.

However, Stubby managed to live here for
40 -odd years without harming a single

person until now.

So what happened?

I'll tell you what.

Chuck Dante.

Now think about it.

Think about the effect he's had on you.
Why was he number one DJ in the Tri

-County area?

Because we found them compelling,
amusing.

He said things many of us thought but
wouldn't dare say.

Stubby was no different from me or you,
except for one thing.

He wasn't stable.

So when Chuck Dante told him that Maxine
Stewart was the cause of all his

troubles, you can bet Stubby believed
them. That's how powerful Chuck Dante

He could push Stubby Miller...

onto the other side of reason. Well, Mr.
Dante, well, he may have the right to

say whatever he wants, but his kind of
power breeds hatred, sometimes even

violence.

Maxine Stewart was a victim of that
twisted power, and so was Stubby Muller.

But just as sure as Stubby shot the
mayor, it was Chuck Dante who pulled the

trigger. I urge you, please.

Finds Stubby Muller not responsible for
this tragedy.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's get
something straight.

Chuck Dante did not shoot Maxine
Stewart. Stubby Muller did.

With malice aforethought, he bought a
gun, he went to the courthouse, and he

waited. for her to appear.

Why? Because Maxine Stewart cast a
deciding vote for what he perceived as a

destruction of his way of life. His
motive was revenge, pure and simple.

Now, if Dobby Muller is insane, come on,
we're all insane.

He knew the difference between right and
wrong then, he knows it now, and we

should all recognize the defense
strategy for what it is, a desperate,

attempt to shift responsibility from the
real assailant to an imagined one.

It's a witch hunt.

Search for a scapegoat.

Don't you be fooled by it.

Dobby Muller shot Maxine Stewart.

Dobby Muller.

is on trial here.

Dobby Muller should go to jail.

All right, Bobby, welcome to the
inferno.

Chuck, you suck.

That's cute.

A poem, something you wrote yourself?

You're everything that's wrong with
America, Chuck. You're nothing but a

despicable, loud -mouthed Jew.

Oh, lovely sentiment, Bobby, but I got
news for you. I'm not even Jewish. If

want to slur me, call me a kraut, you
ignorant pig farmer.

What's the matter with you, Rome?

Lost your sense of humor?

Would the defendant please rise?

Madam foreperson, what say you?

In the matter of the people versus
Stubby Muller on the charge of attempted

murder, we find the defendant not
guilty.

What does this mean?

It means they think you're insane.

Congratulations.

Quiet.

Quiet. Quiet.

Well, you people never cease to amaze
me.

So you think Stubby Muller is not
guilty.

He was merely a tool in the hands of
some radio announcer.

Will somebody please tell me what's
happened to personal responsibility in

country?

Answer me this, people.

Who bought the gun?

Who pulled that trigger?

If you say Mr.

Mueller is crazy, so be it.

But don't think he'll be walking the
streets of Rome any time soon.

I hereby find the defendant to be
mentally ill and dangerous to the

I therefore commit Stubby Muller to the
lock unit of the Mendota Mental Health

Institute in Madison.

Pending review of his mental condition
by me in six months.

And I can tell you now, Mr. Muller, I
think it extremely unlikely that you

be released before you serve the maximum
term under the law, which by my

reckoning is about 17 years.

Bailiff, take the defendant into
custody.

We're done.

They fired Chuck Dante today.

The Citizens for Cleaner Airways
gathered 5 ,000 signatures and WXDE in a

show of courage sent him packing.

Now, doesn't that make us all feel
better?

The big bad wolf has finally blown his
own house down. Well, before you break

your arms patting yourselves on the
back, consider this.

Chuck Dante.

is a product of our own making.

Without us niggering at his ugly, mean
-spirited brand of humor, he would have

no show.

There's an animal that lives in all of
us people.

Chuck Dante just knows its name.

And it's up to us to recognize this
beast before it becomes us.

I know why I slept with Chuck Dante,
folks.

Why did you?

And thank you, everybody.