Original subtitles

[car horns honk]

[video game beeping]

Come on.

Come on.

Hey.

Want your messages?

Later.

This sounded kind of important.

- Come on, come on, come on.- Dennis.

Come on.

Listen to me.

What?

Your mother called.

My mother?

She wants you to get home as soon as you can.

Is that the whole message?

Yep.

Was something wrong?

Did she say anything else?

She just wants you to get there.

But she did sound kind of scared.

[dial tone beeping] - It's busy.

Listen.

Keep on trying, all right, Suzanne.

Tell her I'm on my way.

OK.

[up tempo music playing]

[siren blaring]

Sorry, sir.But I can't let you in there.

What's going on? Where's my mother?

Look. I can't--

Dennis Booker?

Oh god.

I'm glad you're here.

Ma.

What the hell happened here?

We thought maybe you could tell us.

I was in the kitchen.

I heard all this glass breakingand someone was shooting.

Did you see the guy?

Mr. Booker, I'm O'Haver,Federal Marshals Office.

When was the last time you saw your father?

What is this?

Some kind of joke?

I've got a warranthere for Nicholas Booker.

We've got reason to believe he's in the vicinity.

Has he tried to contactyou in the last 24 hours?

He hasn't tried to contactus for the last 14 years.

You really think he did this?

I don't know.

But if he tries to contactyou, please let us know.

Why?

Because as long as your father's out there,

your lives are in danger.

[theme music]

THEME SONG: I feel a beaton the street tonight.

The lights are bright, andit feels all right tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and I'm ready tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and it feels so right.

It's a hot summer night, and I'm ready tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and it feels so right.

It's a hot summer night, and I'm ready tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and it feels so right.

Hot.

Did you call Kathy?

Yes.

She was worried, but you know your sister.

She's got exams.

She never lets anything get in the way.

Did you say anything about dad?

No.

I don't know why.

I guess I never really explainedthe divorce to you kids.

What's to explain, Ma?

He left.

Nick wasn't a bad man.

At least, not when I knew him.

Even after we split up,he'd come and see you kids

and make sure I was doing OK.

But then he stopped.

I guess he just didn't want a family anymore.

[tea kettle whistling]

Ow.

You OK?

Here.

Let me see your hand.

I'm sorry.

It's OK.

Here, put this on it.

Our lives went on without him.

And I thought it was best to leave it alone.

Listen, Mom.

Do you know where Dad is?

No.

When was the last time you saw him?

The night he dropped youoff from the hockey game.

He said goodbye just like usual.

I haven't heard from him since.

Until now.

Dennis, your father would never

do anything to hurt me or you.

You gotta believe that.

Thanks.

Uh, listen, Mom.

I think you should stay at AuntConnie's for a couple of weeks.

You know I can't do that.

All right.

Listen.

I'll stay with you tonight, OK.

I left that in there for you.

I found it after you moved out.

Why did he leave?

Why did he want a divorce?

Oh, Dennis.

He didn't leave me.

I left him.

He was doing some things Ijust didn't think were right.

Like what?

I mean did he hurt you?

Oh, no, no.

Nothing like that.

Business things.

Anyway, it was a long time ago.

Yeah, it was.

I'm just going to throw some of this stuff out.

It's OK to have good memories, you know.

I've got some too.

I just want to forget about him.

Hey, how are you?

The computer didn't have anything on him.

So I checked the central files downtown.

Dennis, if anyone finds out I have this--

No. Listen.

I really appreciate this.

This is really important to me.

OK.

All right.

It says here he worked forthe Meat Cutters' Union.

Then he took off.

Right.

Now, you say the last timeyou saw him was in '76.

Yeah.

Oh, according to this, hewas arrested in March of '77.

What for?

Some union payroll scam.

But the DA's office has no record

of prosecution or conviction.

Who's this?

His name is Victor Ross.

Wait a minute.

That's the guy on trial.

He was a big syndicate boss in the '70s.

They just extradited him forthe murder of Frank Harmon.

The union man.

Yep.

And what's this have to do my father?

Well, I don't know.

I mean I checked it out, andI just came to a dead end.

What do you mean dead end?

Dennis, it's so weird.

There-- there is nothingon your father after 1977.

Nothing.

Best I can do.

Well, what can I do for you?

Yeah.

I'm Nick Booker's son.

Dennis.

I haven't seen you since you're a kid.

Yeah well.

I grew.

I should have recognized you.

I mean it's like looking atyour old man 20 years ago.

Well, what can I do for you?

I need a favor.

Hey, name it. You want a loan?

You want a job?

Anything you want.

I'd like to ask you somequestions about my dad.

Listen.

Your dad was my best friend,and I'd do anything for him.

That goes for you too.

OK.

Do you know a guy named Victor Ross?

Yes.

Everybody around here hasheard about Victor Ross.

What about a guy named Frank Harmon?

Well, everybody's heard abouthim, but nobody talks about it.

Listen.

I know Frank Harmon was murdered,

and I think my dad was involved.

Look.

The past is the past.

And sometimes, it's best to keep it that way.

You know what I mean? - Yeah.

Well, I opened my dad's file, right.

I saw a picture of Victor Ross inside.

There's got to be a connection.

I mean you said you'd help me, right?

I am helping you.

Stay out of this.

I can't until I find out what happened

my father after he disappeared.- Look.

I don't know what happened.

OK.

But I can tell you this.

Victor Ross disappeared thesame time your father did.

Why didn't you tell me, Mom?

I never knew the whole story.

You knew enough.

Ma, I had to find out from a police file

that my father was in the mob.

Damn it, Dennis.

I tried to do what was best for you.

Then, why didn't you just tell me the truth?

I was afraid of what you'ddo with your life if you knew.

Your father always took the easy way out.

I didn't want that for you.

Thank you, Mom, forhaving so much faith in me.

I did have faith in you, Dennis.

You were always on the right side of things

ever since you were a kid.

I just didn't want anything to spoil that.

You should have told us, Mom.

You just should've told us.That's all.

Dennis.

[music playing]

[car starts]

[car honking]

Dennis?

Dad.

That's all you got to say after 14 years?

What are you doing here, huh?

What the hell do you want?

Nothing.

I don't believe you.

Believe whatever you want, son.

Just let me go.

You're looking real good.

Nice try.

I know all about you, VictorRoss, the Harmon murder.

No, you don't.

You stay out of that.

I spent the last 14 yearsof my life protecting you.

I'm not going to see you hurt now.

Save it.

You been hiding out with Victor Ross.

I know it.

I been in the witness protection program

for 14 years.

You know, I can understand youbeing angry with me being gone,

but was that really necessary?- I don't know.

Was it necessary for Mom to have the front

of her house blown in?

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about someone using

her house as target practice.

That was a warning from Victor Ross.

What are you talking about?

When your mother and I were still married,

we had a lot of bills.

I got a loan from Victor Ross.

I got jammed up.

I couldn't pay him back.

He asked me to do him a favor.

It was paperwork at the plant.

So I did it.

It was nothing.

One thing led to another.

Then, one day, I woke up, I realized

these guys they own you.

You can't say no to them.

I can't believe the FBI would put

you in the program for that.

I saw Victor Ross kill Frank Harmon.

You weren't involved with the murder?

No.

But I was an eyewitness.

Friends were pressuring me to testify.

When Ross found out, he jumpedbail and fled the country.

Well, if he left, thenwhy did you keep on hiding?

Because before he left, hemade sure I got a message.

He said unless I disappeared permanently,

he'd punish me and my family.

Me and your motherdivorced a couple of years.

Feds promised to relocateme, give me a new identity.

See.

I knew that sooner or laterRoss would come after you.

So I do what I had to do.

I joined the program.

Why didn't you just tell us?

It doesn't work that way, Dennis.

So Ross was extradited from South America.

I'm scheduled to testify intwo days before a grand jury.

Listen.

I just wanted to set the record straight with you

and your mother in case--

in case anything happens to me.

Dad, I can't believe the Fedswouldn't let you go to do that.

There's some other guys I have to talk to also.

Who?

Some union guys.

They did things I don't thinkthey even knew they did.

You know, they got families, children.

I'd like to warn them before their lives

get turned upside down.

Well, that's very noble.

I'm doing the best I can, Dennis, you know.

I need you to set up a meetingbetween me and Joe Demakis.

Joe will talked to the other guys.

Will you help me?

Why should I?

I don't know.

[sigh] I don't know.

Why don't you just think about it?

I'll call you.

Hey.

You watch yourself.

Well, at least it'sstarting to make some sense.

Yeah.

If you believe him.

Do you?

I don't know.

Do you want to believe him?

I don't see the guy for 14 years.

He shows up.

I don't even recognize him.

As far as I'm concerned, there'sno difference between him

and any guy on the street.

Oh.

Oh, yes there is.

He's your father.

[phone ringing]

I'll do it.

JOE DEMAKIS: All questions, huh?

Only one.

Comes from my father.

What?

Are you kidding me?

Yeah.

He wants to meet you today.

Nick's back?

Yeah.

I don't want you to come in.

Hey, Joe.

God, you scared me.

I'm a little scared myself.

You're running the whole place now, huh?

Yeah.More like it's running me.

I always said you'd get the top job.

It's good.

People get what they deserve.- Yeah.

A lot of people think theyknow what you deserve,

and it ain't gonna be a promotion.

Taking some risk coming back here into town.

I know, Joe.

I know.

The Feds got me set up to testify against Ross.

JOE DEMAKIS: Are you crazy?

You testify, you know what they'll do to you?

Your family.

I know Joe.

That's why I'm here.

I want you to get in touch with Ross for me.

Tell him I want to make a deal.

JOE DEMAKIS: A deal?

NICK BOOKER: Tell him that I won't testify.

I'll lie on the stand.

But you tell him that Iwant assurances that no one

hurts me or my family.

[gun cocks]

Dad, get down!

[gunshots]

I'm hit.

I didn't set up up, Nick.I swear.

Is there another way out here?

[gunfire]

[gunfire]

[tires squealing]

Now I know what I've beenmissing all these years, huh?

[knocking]

Has your ex-husband tried to contact

you in the last 12 hours?

No. Look.

I told you I would call--

What about your son?

Dennis?

Why?

Has your son tried to contact you?

Not since yesterday.

Why?

Can I come inside?

Your ex-husband tried to setup a meeting with the mob

this evening.

We think your son helped him do it.

[scoffs] I can't believe that.

I'm not asking you tobelieve anything, Mrs. Booker.

I'm telling you what happened.

Look.

I know this must be veryhard for you to comprehend.

No.

I really don't think you do.

If it's any consolation,I believe your son was

probably coerced by his father.

He got out of it this time.

Next time, he'll be an accessory.

To what?

To whatever Nick Booker gets him into.

NICK BOOKER: Dennis.

You lied to me.

I trusted you.

You lied to me.

- All I was trying to do--- Oh, come on.

You were going to run away again.

You were never going to testify.

I should have never listened to Mom.

You talked to your mother about this?

You leave her out of this.

You go near her, even talk toher, I swear I'll kill you.

What do you want me to do?

Call O'Haver.

Turn yourself in.

Didn't you see what just happened?

You do what you gotta do,and I'll do what I got to do.

What time is it?

What are you worried about?

The Feds are always on time.

Can't wait to get rid of me, huh?

Thanks for the donuts.

There's one left.

DENNIS BOOKER: I only eat jelly.

It is jelly.

That's O'Haver.

I'll go check him out. - Wait a minute.

What?

I want to thank you.

For what?

For saving my life last night.

You owe me one.

[distant fog horn blares]

Nice place you picked.

You know as well as I doit's safer here than in front

of the courthouse.

[gunfire]

Dennis!

[tires screeching]

Don't do it, Booker.

Come on.

How did they find us?

Ross must have men watching O'Haver.

- Now what do we do? - Nothing's changed.

You're still going to testify tomorrow.

What do we do today?

I guess it's just you and me.

The question is where do we go now?

I got an idea.

Hold on.

Hey, how'd you know what I like to drink?

Take it easy.

That's mine.

I ordered for you.

Thanks.

Let me know if you need anything else.

You got any cash?

No.

Spent it all on the hotel room.

Good chuck meat.

Oh, that's good.

Ordering food without any money.

That's a great way to makesure no one notices you.

You got any more good ideas?

Yeah.

Shoot a game of pool.

Nice shot.

Thanks.

NICK BOOKER: Who taught you how to shoot pool?

Remember Billy Moore, friend of mine

who used to live down the block?

That short little fat kid?

Yeah.

His dad taught me.

No kidding.

Could have done a better job.

Well, we could always try bowling.

Peter Goldman's dadtaught me how to do that.

Or we could try hockey.

Scott Nichols' big brother taught me that.

I haven't heard youcomplain about my driving.

I guess we have Reggie Mitchell's dad

to thank for that, huh, Dad?

Don't you think I misseddoing those things with you?

I wouldn't know.

Well, I did, Dennis.

You think I wanted things towork out the way they did?

You think I wanted to spendChristmas, my birthday,

your birthday alone, that that's what

I wanted to do with my life?

I think you get what you ask for.

That's what I think.

Maybe I did ask for it.

Still doesn't mean I wanted it.

Let me ask you a question.

If you're so bad at pool--because you're pretty bad--

why'd you ask me to play?

Hey, you two wouldn't beinterested in a little game

with me and my brother, would you?

Sure.

POOL PLAYER: Good.

Want to play for a few bucks?

Yeah.

Sounds good to me, pal.

Rack them up.

Five ball corner pocket.

Six ball corner pocket.

Seven ball corner pocket.

Eight ball corner.

Nine ball corner.

Keep the change.

Thanks.

That's why I wanted to shoot some pool, kid.

You know what, just $20.

- $20? - $20.

- Go ahead. - Thanks.

You ready for it tomorrow?

Yeah. I guess.

You'll explain things to your mother, won't you?

I'll try.

Me and your mother used tomeet, once or twice a week.

Go to this littlerestaurant called Antonio's.

Antonio's?

I take my dates there sometimes.

She was so young, your mother.

She used to have to sneak outof the house to meet me there.

We would sit by this fireplace and--

and talk, you know.

Talk for hours.

About the way thingswere going to be one day.

I never-- never figured things would

turn out the way they did.

Dad?

Yeah.

How come you haven't asked about me?

What do you mean?

I mean we spent all day together,

and not once have you askedabout what my life's been like.

Well for one thing I didn'tknow whether you thought

it was any of my business.

For another thing I probably know

more about you than you think.

What are you talking about?

You still a Steelers fan?

How'd you know I like football.

You know, just becausesomeone else's father taught you

everything doesn't mean I didn'tknow what you were learning,

what was going on.

What do you mean?

I kept track of you, son.

I know about that pond youused to go to in the winter

to skate when you cut school.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I knew about your first car.

I knew when you decided to be a cop,

and when you decided to quit.

How did you know?

The same way I knew that RockyBleier and Franco Harris were

your favorite football players.

The tickets.

Wait a second.

The tickets.

Yeah.

Well, whenever the Steelerscame into town, I'd--

I'd send you a pair of tickets.

Figured you have a good time.

I always thought it was a computer

error or something like that.

- You used them, didn't you?- Oh yeah.

I used them. Yeah, I did.

Good.

Dad.

How come-- how come you didn't let me know?

You know.

I mean, give me a sign?

Tell me that you're out there?

Would it really have made any difference?

Yeah, it would.

Then, maybe I was wrong about that.

Maybe I've been wrong abouta lot of things in my life.

Dad?

[music playing]

NICK BOOKER: You did a realgood job with the kids, Joyce.

You made Dennis into the kindof man I should have been.

Do you know he wouldn't let me see you?

JOYCE BOOKER: No. - Yeah.

I had to sneak out of thehotel room this morning

to come over here.

Sounds like the old days, huh?

It sounds like Dennis.

I'm real glad that we did this.

You don't know how many times I had to stop

myself from calling you.

JOYCE BOOKER: Now, I know why you couldn't.

NICK BOOKER: Now, we both know.

Need a ride?

Mr. Booker, if you'll come with me please.

You going to be in there?

Wouldn't miss it.

So did you and Dad talk aboutanything else at Antonio's

besides me and Kathy? - Like what?

Like old times, stuff like that?

Yeah, stuff like that.

It's good to have him back, isn't it?

He's not exactly back, Dennis.

I'm just glad to know that he's alive

and that everyone was wrong about him.

You never doubted him, did you?

Well, maybe a little.

When O'Haver told me that Nick used

you to set up a meeting with the mob,

I didn't know what to think.

O'Haver?

When was that?

He came by again very late, night before last.

And he knew about themeeting at the packing plant?

He said he was worried aboutwhat Nick was getting you into

and that he had to find you right away.

Was he alone?

Yes.

Now, the only way he couldhave known about the meeting

was if he was there.

Listen, Mom.

I think O'Haver is setting up Dad.

Find the DA.

I'll meet you in the holding cell, all right.

How you gonna protect me without that?

It's the rules.

You always got to play by the rules.

JIM O'HAVER: You're scheduledto be called at 2 o'clock.

I got to wait in here until then, huh?

Alone?

Yeah.

Hold it right there.

Get out of my way.

He's gonna kill my father.

This is from Ross.

NICK BOOKER: Dad!

[gunshot]

[gunshots]

You OK, huh?

Yeah. Yeah.

I'm OK. I'm OK.

BAILIFF: Do you solemnly swear to tell

the truth, the whole truth,and nothing but the truth,

so help you God?

NICK BOOKER: I do.

BAILIFF: State your name for the record please.

NICK BOOKER: Nicholas Booker.

Mr. Booker, you recognizeVictor Ross in this courtroom?

Yes, I do.

He's sitting right over there.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY: And when was the last time

that you saw Mr. Ross?

The night that he murdered Frank Harmon.

- Mr. Ross. - Mr. Ross.

Would you like to make a statement, Mr. Ross?

How do you feel about your chances

now that Mr. Booker testified?

A statement, Mr. Ross?

Can we have a statement, sir?

[reporters chatter]

Do you fear for your life now that you

testified against Victor Ross?

The only way I'll everbe safe is when I'm dead.

Do you plan to go back to the witness

protection program, Mr. Booker?

Mr. Booker?

Mr. Booker?

So I thought I'd cooka special dinner tonight.

You know, sort of--

Ah, honey.

I'd love that.

I really would.

But I-- I shouldn't.

Joe and I, we've got to meet with the union.

Tell you what.

Why don't you meet me at Antonio's Sunday night?

Both of you.

You sure you'll be there?

Promise.

Thank you, son.

I couldn't have done it without you.

I'll see you around, Dad.

How's the arm?

Eh, it's OK.

It'll be fine.

That was really something, what

you did for me the other night.

Ah, that was easy.

What you did back there in thecourtroom, that was something.

Any way I could get my life back, you know.

Yeah, I know.

I'm gonna get some cigarettes.

You want anything? - Nah.

I'm OK.

You'll be OK?

I'm fine.

[explosion]

Here, let me take that, Ma.

Dennis, I don't know ifthis was such a good idea.

Here.

Dad wanted you to come.

I know, but this placehas so many memories for me.

That's probably why he picked it.

You know, I just got used to him being back.

Mom.

I shouldn't feel this nowthat he's gone, but I'm angry.

I'm angry that he leftwithout saying goodbye again.

Ma, don't.

Hey, look behind you.

How?

Joe Demakis told me Ross ordered the hit.

We worked it out with the Feds.

He wanted to come here and see you himself.

But they didn't think it was safe.

Ma, they're taking care of him.

I guess he just wanted to say goodbye.

I love you.

[theme music]

THEME SONG: I feel a beaton the street tonight.

The lights are bright, andit feels all right tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and I'm ready tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and it feels so right.

It's a hot summer night, and I'm ready tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and it feels so right.

It's a hot summer night, and I'm ready tonight.

It's a hot summer night, and it feels so right.

It's a hot summer night, and I'm ready tonight.

It's hot summer night, and it feels so right.

Hot.

[music playing]