Original subtitles

MRS. LITTLE: This is our science lab.

And over here is the home ec building.

I don't think anyone took home ec anymore.

Our girls do.

And you can quote me in your paper, Miss McGinnes.

We want our girls to be prepared to earn a living,

but we also want them to be prepared to be women.

All our girls learn to cook and sew here.

I'll quote you.

We have a fine athletic program.

Very up-to-date. Oh, Mrs. Little,

I was hoping to get something a little more personal

about the girls,

their feelings, their hopes for the future.

What are the chances of my just rapping with one of the kids?

Well, I certainly don't see why not.

Suzy.

Oh.

Suzy Kurosawa, Miss McGinnes.

Miss McGinnes is a reporter. She's here to do a story on us.

Oh, hey, that's neat, heh.

Do you like it here, Suzy?

I'm real lucky to be here. It's the best school there is.

How old are you?

Seventeen.

Everyone kids me 'cause I'm so small.

And, uh, what are you here for? Murder.

But I didn't do it.

[SIREN WAILING]

[GIRLS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

GIRL 1: She starts crying, I got to be all kind.

GIRL 2: We meant so much to each other.

GIRL 1: You know, 'cause he's like, "I'm sorry, I did that."

GIRL 2: Can you look at the ping-pong?

GIRL 1: Means the world so much. And I miss him so.

GIRL 2: And, yeah, you did win.

GIRL 1: You know, it's nice to... Come on, let's go to lunch.

GIRL 2: Oh, I miss him.

But I'm gonna see him soon. He's gotta come over, right?

GIRL 1: I hope they're coming, and I hope they can get me out soon.

GIRL 2: All right. GIRL 1: What are you doing?

GIRL 2: Oh, I'm talking about... [CONVERSATIONS OVERLAP]

All right, girls. All right. He's just adorable, is he?

The skirt, you know?

GIRL 1: In the yearbook. GIRL 2: Hi. Hello.

He won't have the rights to you.

GIRL 3: I haven't gotten a letter from my mother in so long.

I think she forgot I exist.

[GRUNTS SOFTLY]

Valerie, you haven't taken anything.

That's my stuff. It's my books, my records, you know.

Yeah, but you're gonna be gone for two weeks.

Oh, two weeks. I am so excited.

I think that this is the best graduation present

any girl ever had.

Well, you'll only be staying with your cousins.

It's not like, uh, it's a trip to Europe or anything.

Mm-mm.

But it's away from home.

I know how you are,

especially after that little hassle last year.

And this shows that you-- You trust me again.

Thank you.

Well, Valerie, I think you earned it.

Your daddy would have been very, very proud of you.

[KISSES] Oh!

Oh, you looked so pretty up there on that stage last night,

getting your diploma.

I only wish-- I wish he could have seen you.

[CHUCKLES]

Okay, now you eat your toast, huh?

[SIGHS]

[CAR HORN HONKS]

Yeah, there's Joleen. But you haven't eaten anything.

Well, listen, I'll call you every night.

No, no, that's too expensive.

Twice a week is enough. Okay.

Hi, Mrs. Smith. Hi, Joleen.

[CHUCKLES]

I love you. I love you too, darling.

Now, Joleen, no speeding, you hear?

You drive carefully. In this?

I'm lucky if I can make 40. Bye-bye.

Bye-bye, Mom. Bye, baby.

[KISSES]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[GIRLS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[GIRL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[DOOR SLAMS SHUT] I got shafted.

Oh, man. Boy turn you down?

I polished up my attitude

like it's a bright, shiny new apple.

I am straight arrow with him for one year, right?

That's right.

I helped staff with the new broads.

I do everything that I am supposed to do.

I earned my four-month time,

and I got it coming to me, right?

Why'd they turn you down?

Someone snitched that I was smoking grass in my room.

[DOOR OPENS]

I really put that dumb chick on.

[MIMICKING MISS McGINNES] Do you like it here, Suzy?

[IN CHILDLIKE VOICE] Oh, girl, gee.

Yes, ma'am. I would rather be here than Disneyland.

[LAUGHS]

You should have been there. GIRL: No, thanks.

[CHUCKLES]

[IN NORMAL VOICE] What's happening?

Tommy got turned down by the review board.

[SARCASTICALLY] Oh...

[CLICKS TONGUE]

Pity. Heh, heh. GIRL: Yeah, ain't it?

And it's all because some broad in this cottage snitched.

Now, I figure that broad cost me about, um...

four months of my life.

So when I find out who did it, I'm gonna hurt her.

Mm.

Lady...

your tire rod's out.

So?

I'm gonna have to tow it back to town.

Oh, great.

Are you sure? MAN: Yeah.

How long will it take to fix it?

Depends upon how long it takes to get the part. Day or two.

Day or two?

Hey, we only have two weeks before our summer jobs start.

I'm sorry, lady.

[HORN HONKS]

Hiya, Joleen. Hi, Buddy.

You know, I thought that was you.

Doesn't that old car ever work?

Yeah.

Can I give you a ride somewhere?

Oh, yeah, if you're going to San Francisco.

It just so happens I got a gig with a group in Seattle.

I'll be passing through.

Hello, Valerie Smith.

Hi.

I didn't know you two knew each other.

We don't.

She tries to keep her love life a secret.

[LAUGHING] What?

Oh, boy, I'm really embarrassed.

Now, you used to work at the library, and I had study hall.

We used to always talk.

I'm Buddy Goleta. Don't you remember?

No.

JOLEEN: Graduated with my brother two years ago.

Lady, are we gonna tow it or not?

I ain't got all day.

My car is at your disposal.

Well, I can't. I gotta--

Hey. There's no reason for both of us to be hung up.

Why don't you drive up with Buddy?

No, I'll stay with you. I'll meet you in a couple days.

No, I don't-- I really hate driving alone.

Hey, listen, I'll call your mother,

and I'll explain what happened.

I don't know.

As for me,

I always wanted to ride 40 miles

in the front seat of a tow truck.

[CHUCKLES]

Well, okay.

All right.

Thank you. Okay.

Okay, tow it. Thank you.

You have my cousin's number, don't you?

Mm-hm.

[MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]

You really don't remember me, huh?

I'm sorry. I'm very nearsighted.

A lot of people think that I'm stuck up

because I don't remember them.

All when the truth of it is I haven't seen them.

[CHUCKLES]

I know we haven't talked in the library, though.

How come you said we did?

Because...

the best way to make things happen

is to pretend that they already have.

I don't understand.

I like you, Valentine.

You're my type of lady.

Look, I think I changed my mind about riding with you.

Could you pull over and let me out, please?

Boy, when I blow it, I really blow it, don't I?

[DOOR HANDLE RATTLES]

Wait a minute.

I didn't mean anything.

I apologize, Valerie.

Now, you're a nice, sweet girl.

And you're hands off.

Okay?

Look, I don't wanna come on like a Girl Scout or anything.

It's just that it's a long ride.

I get the message. Okay?

Okay.

Let's go.

Let's go.

You found out anything?

I'll know something this afternoon,

but, uh, we both know who it is.

Hey, tough guy.

Four more months, you'll be out of here.

Come on, don't mess it up now.

[CHUCKLES]

You're always playing my manager, huh?

[CHUCKLES]

Well, if I don't, who will?

Hey, you guys, I got a weekend furlough.

And you know what? I'm gonna see him.

Your man. Yeah.

Hey, did you get my clothes out of the dryer?

Oh.

Does Mrs. Little know that's where you're going?

No. My pass is to visit my aunt.

I gotta find out about my father.

I mean, he's been sick the whole time I've been here.

That's why he hasn't been up or written to me or anything.

Wanda, you go back to the old neighborhood,

you're asking for trouble. No, Angel.

No. I'm--

I'm gonna stay clean.

I'm never gonna use again.

Look, I can't even remember being 15.

I mean, a whole year of my life is a complete waste,

and I don't wanna lose any more.

So listen to the mama.

Why do you want to go back where it all started?

My father's all I've got.

He never was very strong. Shh!

GIRL: Hey, Suzy, that's fantastic!

I wish you good.

Sorry, Mama.

Not this time.

[MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY OVER CAR RADIO]

Why are you off the freeway?

I have to pick something up from a friend.

It won't take long.

You got the word? Loud and clear.

Bonareesie said she saw her go into Little's office.

Suzy Kurosawa.

She been trying to get my job as monitor

ever since she got here.

That broad got herself some big plans.

And some big trouble.

[METAL CLANKING]

[AIR HISSING]

[HORN HONKS]

Russo!

Hey, Goleta.

Hey, Russo.

Meet my old lady.

This is Valerie.

Very nice. Hello, Val.

Hey, man. You got the bread?

Sure. Wait a minute.

Why did you do that?

Do what? Introduce me as your old lady?

Well...

because that's what I want you to be.

Here you go.

BUDDY: Russo.

It's short.

It's all I got.

Hey, man, it's short!

Well, you want blood, take blood.

It's all I got, man.

Aren't we getting back on the freeway?

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

I just gotta figure out a couple things first.

I wish you'd tell me what's going on.

It's real simple, princess.

I'm a little short of cash money.

I wondered if I could borrow some till we get up north.

All I have is $10 for food on the way.

My mother wired the rest to my cousin's house.

Ten whole dollars, huh?

Your mama sure don't want you getting fat, huh?

It's all she could afford.

Yeah. Yeah, nobody's got any money.

Old Buddy gets sick as a dog,

but old Buddy ain't got no buddies,

not when he needs them.

I wanna get out now, please.

Oh, she would like to get out now, please.

Even buddy's chick is gonna take a walk, huh?

I'm not your chick. You're my chick!

Now, you're my old lady, my woman.

And you are gonna help me because I'm sick right now.

And I need you.

[DOOR OPENS]

Suzy. Get out.

Me and her got some talking to do.

I stay.

I said, out.

We got a long score to settle, woman.

You're crazy.

You've been trying to have me busted all year.

You've been opening up my mail.

You've been planting stuff in my room.

Oh, but now...

Now you cost me four months of my life.

[SCOFFS]

I didn't do it.

Like, you didn't wipe out that 74-year-old drunk

who was trying to sleep it off in the alley?

Listen to me, Tommy. We could go in together--

That's not why you're here. Stop!

And I had a connection outside.

I know how to get stuff that's narcotic.

You tell them I was smoking pot!

We could make a fortune.

And I'd go half with you.

Oh, yeah.

Well, here's your half in advance.

[RINGING]

[GIRLS GRUNTING]

TOMMY: Come make some more! You're gonna ask for it...

All right. What happened here?

Washington needs a little time to sort things out.

One week of meditation in C wing.

Meditation.

You take that funny-time word and you stick it in a tree.

You call it solitary.

It's solitary!

Let me go. Let me go. Listen. Listen to me good!

Now, we're gonna go in that liquor store together.

I'm gonna do a little business with the man behind the counter,

and you're gonna look out for anybody coming.

Are you crazy? Heh.

Hey, one wrong move out of you,

and your mom is not gonna be getting

any letters from up north.

[CASH REGISTER CHIMES]

MAN: Thank you.

I keep telling you, the candy bars,

they aren't good for you, baby.

You gotta have the natural foods.

Now, what do they got here?

[CASH REGISTER CHIMES] All right.

Keep an eye on the door, okay?

Mister.

MAN: Yes, sir?

All your cash.

Okay. Okay.

[CHIMES]

[ALARM RINGING]

[GRUNTS] [SCREAMING]

Now shut up!

Come on, he's hurt!

[SCREAMS]

[VALERIE CRYING]

[SIREN WAILING]

[TIRES SCREECH]

COP 1: License number is 108-George-Henry-Frank.

No, I'm not. Yeah, okay. Later.

Book 'em. Names.

Anthony Budd Goleta. Valerie Ann Smith.

Charge?

COP 2: Murder one.

[SOBBING] Oh, no!

[PHONE RINGING]

[BOTH SIGH]

WOMAN: Don't shave this morning. MAN: Yeah?

WOMAN: I said, don't shave.

I think you'd be gorgeous with a beard.

MAN: It's the first time you ever had them?

WOMAN: You know what I mean.

[RINGING CONTINUES]

MAN: Betty? WOMAN: Hm?

MAN: The phone is driving me crazy.

[WOMAN CHUCKLES]

WOMAN: What's the matter? I don't have to answer it.

MAN: Hm. [WOMAN CHUCKLES]

[DOOR BUZZER SOUNDS] [RINGING CONTINUES]

MAN: It's 8:00. WOMAN: Oh.

Oh, Christ!

MAN: Get the phone. WOMAN: I am.

[EXHALES]

Hello?

[WATER RUNNING IN BATHROOM]

Yeah, yes. He's just leaving.

Let me see if I can catch him, sir. Just a moment.

Ben!

Who is it?

Mr. Feiner. I told him we were just leaving.

[SIGHS]

Mr. Feiner. You just caught me going out the door.

[BOTH LAUGH]

I'm sorry. Could you repeat that, sir?

That due?

That's very exciting, sir.

Twenty minutes, sir.

Well...

The brightest member of the public defender's office--

That's me. --just got a very big one.

A 17-year-old girl, baby. Murder one.

[KISSES]

Murder one.

I didn't do anything.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Whoa!

[WOMAN SPEAKS SPANISH]

BEN: What is she doing here?

Her parents were picked up by Immigration.

She's waiting for an aunt.

How long has she been waiting? Two days.

The aunt doesn't show by this afternoon,

we'll send her to a foster home.

BEN: That baby's been sleeping in here for two days?

Don't yell at me. I didn't make up the system.

Everybody says that. I wonder who did.

Smith, Valerie. I'm sorry I'm late.

Valerie did not commit any crime.

She doesn't belong here with-- With criminals.

Let's sit down.

When is my trial?

Next week.

[SIGHS] Next week.

I was hoping for a continuance.

We could have used the time.

Yes, but if she's tried next week,

then she'll be home all the sooner.

BEN: I hope so. You hope so?

Is there any doubt?

Mrs. Smith. You both know that I'm young.

That's my fault.

What you don't know is that I graduated first in my class,

and I'm smart as hell.

In the three years that I've had this job,

I have not lost a case.

Well then? Well then...

the DA has three witnesses that will testify

that Buddy Goleta and Valerie were traveling together.

Which we know is not true. Isn't it?

Buddy Goleta is telling everyone who will listen

that you had sex with him in the back of his van.

Oh, he's crazy.

And afterwards, you agreed to go in on his plan.

He's crazy.

I keep telling you that.

I keep telling everybody that.

What are you trying to do?

I want Valerie to know

what she's gonna face on that stand next week.

Judges hate tears.

I want her prepared, and I want her calm.

Any woman on the jury would understand.

Jury?

Juveniles do not have the benefit of a jury, Mrs. Smith.

It's not fair. That's the way it is.

The fate of your daughter lies in the hands of one man,

and I hope he had a good breakfast that morning.

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

How can this be happening to me?

I didn't do anything.

BEN: Yes, you did, Valerie.

You accepted a ride from a murderer.

GIRL: Wanda?

Wanda?

Are you all right?

Sure. I was just daydreaming.

Oh. How's everything?

Oh, Tommy's in the hole.

Suzy is in the infirmary.

What can I tell you?

[SIGHS] How did it go?

Oh, it was just perfect.

Daddy had a bad cold, so I took care of him

and we talked, and we made lots of plans.

We even went to the movies. Yeah?

It's just like I hoped it would be.

Well, welcome back.

MRS. SMITH: She graduated with honors in music.

She's never been in trouble a day in her life.

She never saw that boy before.

He knew who she was right away. He called her by her name.

They couldn't have really known each other.

She would have told me.

Mrs. Smith, is it true

that your daughter was arrested for smoking pot?

My daughter was never arrested.

She was detained for questioning

with a bunch of kids who were on a picnic.

One of the other girls was found with marijuana.

Valerie did not use drugs.

How do you know that?

You testified that

there were things about Valerie that nobody knew.

She kept things to herself.

That's true,

but I would have known if she was using drugs.

Well, what about her having an affair with a boy?

Would you have known about that?

Well, probably, but the point is that she didn't--

Are you willing to testify under oath

that Valerie Smith did not know Buddy Goleta?

I--

I couldn't swear to it.

Look, all I know is what I heard.

She said she never met him before.

Thank you. That will be all.

He said she did,

and she was trying to keep her love life a secret.

That'll be all.

RUSSO: He drives up with her in the van,

and he introduces her to me as his old lady.

Did she protest this introduction?

Did she deny it? No.

They walked into the store hand in hand.

Then they whispered together.

Then she walked over to the book rack to look out.

Objection. JUDGE: Sustained.

Witness will refrain from drawing his own conclusions

as to the actions of the accused.

He passed me with that one, Your Honor.

I mean, you want me to tell you what I saw, I'll tell you.

Those two kids walked into that liquor store together.

Objection. They stuck up the joint.

BEN: Objection. Then they killed a man.

BEN: Objection! Together!

Move to strike the answers as a conclusion by the witness.

[CLOCK TICKING]

My regret that we have had to meet again so soon, Tommy,

and under these circumstances.

Mr. Watkins, I'm really sorry about what I did.

I know better.

I used my time in meditation to think about my attitude,

and believe me, I'll never mess up like that again.

Well, I certainly hope not, Tommy.

It is the recommendation of this board

that you spend one additional year in this program.

MRS. LITTLE: That's all for now, Tommy.

[PAPERWORK RUSTLES] Thank you.

H-he had a gun in my ribs when we walked into the liquor store.

Maybe the man couldn't see it, but he did have it.

You see, when I realized that he was on drugs or something,

I tried to get out. He wouldn't let me.

I don't know why he's making up this story

about my being with him.

[VOICE CRACKING] I wasn't his girlfriend.

I never had sex with him.

[STEADYING HER VOICE] I never saw him before.

Valerie and I used to get together after school

at her house when her mother was at work.

Nobody ever knew I had another girl.

Valerie, heh, she had a thing about me for a long time.

And we never meant to kill that man.

That was a terrible accident,

something neither of us will ever forget...

...or forgive ourselves for the robbery.

That whole thing started out-- Out as a joke.

A dare.

She kept challenging me,

telling me I didn't have enough guts to pull off the gun.

[SCREAMS] Liar!

[CRYING] It's not true. It's not.

It's not.

JUDGE: Due to the conflicting testimony in this case,

I've examined every word that's been said in this courtroom

with utmost care.

I've read the psychiatric evaluation,

and considered the recommendation

of the probation department.

Putting it all together

and considering the seriousness of the crime,

and what I consider to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt

the defendant's participation in it,

I find no recourse

but to select a maximum-security program for Miss Smith.

Valerie Smith, please rise.

It is the disposition of this court

that you be committed immediately

to the custody of

the state Youth Authority San Marcos School for Girls

for an indefinite term,

the length of which to be determined by

the youth authority.

Goodnight, Ben.

Mr. Feiner? Yes, Ben?

About the appeal.

Did you know it's gonna take some court stenographer

six weeks to get it typed. Yes, Ben.

Well, damn it, I don't want an innocent kid doing their time

in San Marcos for six weeks,

while some bureaucratic juvenile court secretarial pool

is learning how to use an electric typewriter.

What would you suggest as an alternative?

[SIGHS]

Why did the judge do it?

There are other programs.

And why San Marcos? No priors. Nothing.

Why did he crucify her?

Have you read the papers lately?

It's the same every day.

Juvenile crimes pronounced epidemic.

Thirty-five percent of the major crimes in the city

are committed by juveniles.

It's called public pressure, my friend.

It's called cracking down.

It's called horse manure.

You want statistics?

I'll give you statistics, Mr. Feiner.

There are the latest figures from the Department of Commerce

on how we spend our money.

Fourteen billion on alcohol.

Nine billion on tobacco.

Two billion on pets.

But on children in reform schools, 200 million.

That's 90 percent less than we spend on our dogs and cats.

What do you expect me to do?

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[RECITING] This school is a place Where you don't have a face

Where the welcome you get Is a cold, steel embrace

[GIRLS BOOING, HECKLING]

Where they tell you it's real But you don't know for sure

'Cause the mean-hearted thrive

On the weak and the poor

[BOOING, HECKLING CONTINUE]

[OTHER GIRLS OFFERING SUPPORT INDISTINCTLY]

[GIRLS LAUGHING]

That's weird, you know?

Ha, ha! I mean, that's really weird.

Oh, come on now, stop it.

Oh, Wanda, really.

No, no, Wanda. That's all right.

Jamie has a right to her opinion.

And Angel has a right to hers.

What is weird, Jamie?

"When the mean-hearted thrive on the weak and the poor"?

That sounds like they eat them or something.

[GIRLS LAUGHING]

Well, Rosie?

Come in, girls. Come in.

Sit down. It's all right. Come in.

These young ladies just came in from orientation.

Which one of you is Valerie? I am.

And you-- You must be Sarah.

Come in. Come on. Sit over here, here on the floor.

That's right.

GIRLS: Ooh...

[GIRL TSKING]

Little chickens.

Hey, chickens, welcome to the roost.

Well, what do the rest of you think about Angel's poetry?

It was a downer, man.

TOMMY: No, I-- I think she was really trying to say something.

Don't you think it would have been better

if she would've come out and said it in plain English?

I think she did.

That's because you are looking for negativity, Tommy.

Angel, I don't think I should encourage this sort of thing.

We're not an amateur writing club.

We're here to talk about our feelings.

Man, there is something

I would like to talk about right now.

All right. Go ahead.

You turn my gut.

And you make me feel like a worm.

I hate you.

That little outburst will cost you three early beds, Angelita.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

[CHAIR CLATTERS ON FLOOR]

What's the difference?

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR SLAMS SHUT]

Mrs. Turner, that was so mean what you just said to her.

SUZY: You're crazy, Polsky.

Ever since you came back from that visit with your aunt,

you've been really spaced out.

Look, just because I can still feel things,

doesn't mean I'm crazy.

I think you're crazy when you can't feel things,

like you can't, Kurosawa.

[SCOFFS]

Is she beautiful?

Old nickel bag over there, 16 years old.

Every vein in her body collapsed.

Suzie? [LAUGHING]

[SARCASTICALLY] She's gonna tell me about feelings.

MRS. TURNER: Susie? Yeah, Wanda.

Why don't you tell us what it feels like

when the needle goes in?

That'll be enough, Noreen.

NOREEN: Get off my back, Turner.

Well, as you can see, Valerie, and...

Sarah.

Can't she speak for herself? Yes, but you--

As I was saying,

this is the place to let it all hang out,

as you girls would say.

This room.

Nowhere else.

Show me the finest, most modern reform school in the world,

and I'll show you a revolving door where one-third--

One third of the kids that are released are back within a year.

So? They don't work.

You know that, Tom. They don't work.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY] TOM: Is that something new?

Ben?

[LIQUID POURS]

Could we talk about something else for a change?

I had this case. I want to win this one.

A kid, a little girl, faced with being sent to San Marcos.

No priors, nothing.

I want to get some facts, figures,

back up my plea for probation, right?

Well, I find eight books of research on the raising of pigs.

But on juvenile justice, one.

Now, a guy who wants to raise pigs or wheat or corn,

you can't mess with. He's a farmer. He's gonna lobby.

But the poor little bastards who fill our court,

they got zilch, man.

So what happened to your case?

BETTY: What do you think?

[SIGHS]

[DISTANT SOBBING]

VALERIE: Sarah?

[SOBBING]

Sarah?

Sarah?

Valerie?

Is that you, Valerie?

Yeah. I'm right next door.

Are you okay?

Sure.

I'm terrific.

When, uh... When did you go into orientation?

Same time you did.

But I was in the infirmary the whole time.

How come?

'Cause... I was taking reds pretty heavy.

And they had to withdraw me slow.

How old are you?

SARAH: Fourteen. How old are you?

Uh, 17.

Why'd they put you in here?

The judge said I was incorrigible.

That means "hopeless."

I kept stealing stuff from my dad, he's a doctor,

and selling it.

My mom turned me in.

Said that I couldn't live with them anymore.

Told the judge she just couldn't handle it.

[SNIFFLES]

You should have heard my mom screaming

the last time I got busted.

She just spent $3000

for decorating my room green and white checked gingham

and English antiques.

Wasting all that money really got to her.

[SCOFFS]

Yeah, well...

$3000 is a lot of money.

We-- We could have lived a year on that.

My mom works in a dress shop.

I guess that she's worked most of her life for me.

What did you do?

Well...

they said I helped commit a murder.

Far out.

Well, it wasn't true.

All I did was hitch a ride

with a guy I never met before in my life.

He wouldn't let me get away, and I didn't do anything.

I wanna go home.

I wanna go home so bad.

I didn't do anything.

[SHOUTING] Why won't anybody believe me?

Why won't somebody believe me?

I'm gonna bust apart! I didn't do anything!

[GIRL SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

I didn't do anything! I don't belong here!

I wanna go home!

I wanna go home! I don't belong here!

Get a grip, this is not good behavior.

Maybe you better go back to orientation

and learn what is expected of you here.

[SOBBING] I wanna go home.

[GRUNTS SOFTLY]

Ben?

For Pete's sake, honey. It's 3 in the morning.

How did it happen, Betty? Where did I slip up?

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

You have to face the fact that if you want to practice law,

you are gonna lose as many as you win.

I feel so...

You know where that girl is tonight?

She was as innocent as hell, and the DA knew it. He knew it.

He was just better than me.

I got into this business 'cause I wanted to see justice done.

This business is not about justice.

It's about the law.

He was better than me.

[WHIRRING]

[WHIRRING CEASES]

How you doing?

Okay, I guess.

TOMMY: Don't let 'em get to you, woman.

Only one way to do easy time.

You just tune out their jive, and you just coast.

I'm sure you're right,

but I'm not gonna be here very long.

Yeah. It's all a mistake. And my lawyer's appealing.

Yeah, mine's kind of cute too,

but I've still been here four years.

Catch you later.

[WHIRRING]

Oh, no, look at that crud. Eat that stuff.

JAMIE: You're not gonna eat that stuff?

Are you kidding? I'm starving.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Hi, Valerie.

Sarah.

I'm Suzy Kurosawa.

Hi. Hi. Ah, listen.

Kids were thinking you guys look a little shook

or being you is all, heh.

Come on over and sit with us.

No. No, that's okay.

We were gonna go sit over there for lunch. Thank you.

Can I give you a word of advice?

Be careful of the company you keep around here.

[SUZY CHUCKLES]

She was really nice, Val.

Why can't we sit with her?

Just because.

Lunch... Lunch...

Want some bread? Oh, sure.

I've been sizing you up.

You are what is known as the, uh, intellectual type,

which could leave you very alone in a place like this

except for my friends, Angie and Rosie here,

they're both right.

Angel writes poetry.

Ah...

Not good for nothing though. No. Yes. Yes.

ANGEL: I do like to write though.

So do I. Do they have a good library here?

Stinks.

[ANGEL CHUCKLING]

But you want a book or--

Or anything else around here, you just come to Tommy W.

Yeah, 'cause Tommy W. is

the sister with all the jesters, heh, heh.

[CHUCKLES]

You like music?

Yeah. I was majoring in it.

Hey, I tell you what,

why don't I hustle up a--

A record player and a few records for--

For our new sister here?

Excuse me, but why-- Why all the attention to me?

Because we like you.

We need you.

Listen, in this school,

there's only two kinds of people, you know,

the good guys and the bad guys.

We're the good guys.

We don't snitch on no one. We don't steal from no one.

We just wanna do our time good and get out of here.

We were told in orientation to stay away from cliques.

TOMMY: Cliques.

Now, what is that supposed to mean?

We are a family.

Angie is the mama. I am the papa.

Wanda is one of our kids, and Rosie's an aunt.

You see that child over there? She's gonna be our baby.

So, uh, you need a family in a place like this.

It's okay with me.

No. No, it's not okay.

Look, you girls, you're gonna be in here for a while.

We're not.

She's gonna be out on parole.

My appeal's gonna be up in a month, maybe two.

All we want is to be left alone.

We don't wanna be on anyone's side.

Well, then, you're gonna have a problem.

Because whether it's one month, one year,

this school is a prison, baby.

You don't get to sit back in your seat.

You gotta choose.

GIRL 1: Is she the most boringest teacher

you ever heard in your whole life?

GIRL 2: Well, I don't know. I was asleep the whole time.

Hey, Val. Wait.

I'm late, Suzy.

Hey, I said wait. You're hurting me.

[CHUCKLES]

Gee, I'm sorry.

Guess I don't know my own strength.

Anyway, you got my note?

What do you think?

I don't want my job changed, thank you.

You're crazy.

Why scrub floors?

I can get you an easy job in the library.

I have to go.

[CHUCKLES]

Gee, Val, now I thought when you came here,

we were gonna be friends.

Tommy and those creeps, they're low-class.

Because I come from a very well-to-do family

in San Francisco, heh.

Any little goodie you want, I can buy you.

Quaaludes, grass--

I don't want anything, except to be left alone.

GIRLS: One, two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

[WHISTLE TWEETS] Okay. Do five windmills.

[GIRLS GROANING]

INSTRUCTOR: Ready? Begin.

One, two, three.

One, one, two, three, two.

One, two, three, three.

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, five.

All right. Everybody take a break.

We're gonna have a little family get-together tonight at my pad.

You wanna come?

No, thanks.

Sarah's coming.

Oh, come on. She's still a baby. Don't mess with her.

Let me get something straight with you right here and now

because you're in a ballpark you don't know nothing about.

If I want a woman,

I can have any woman around here I want.

I mean, that is a whole nother thing.

But, uh, this, you and Sarah,

that is about family.

Don't ever get the two mixed up.

Man, you're cherry in so many ways,

I don't know how to count 'em.

But you're an upfront chicken. I like it.

[WHISTLE TWEETS]

So come on by my pad tonight,

and I promise I won't mess with your little sister.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

What do you want?

You're pretty.

The prettiest broad they ever had in this cottage.

No, please get out of my room.

I'm better than Tommy Washington.

Leave-- Oh, sorry...

[GRUNTS]

[GASPING]

The sister told you to stay away.

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

[SOBBING]

You just bought yourself a family war, Washington.

It's like I was telling you, baby.

You got to choose.

[CRYING]

Hey, Kenneally?

Oh, how are you, Holian?

Can't complain.

Say, I hear Goleta's attorney

filed for a rehearing on his conviction.

Yeah, every kid that shoots somebody's automatically crazy.

This one is, Kenneally.

Maybe.

He lied about the Smith girl.

Prove it.

I'm making fried chicken today.

So what?

God, can you believe this?

Come on, this class is really ridiculous.

Mix one cup of flour.

The big cup.

The big one... [UTENSILS CLATTERING]

What are you in here for?

Robbery and assault.

You wanna see my deadly weapons?

[CHUCKLES]

I was a tough hammer on the streets, man, heh.

You know, you don't look tough.

One and a half.

I mean, I know you are, but you don't look it.

How did--?

How did you become...?

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, man.

You wanna hear about the poor Black child

who got shuffled from family to family?

Who got taught in one of 'em by a crazy dope fiend lady

about how to be amusing

while the man in the house was gone?

You wanna hear about my dope arrest?

You wanna hear about

my friend I lived with for two years and loved

who got shot down one night in a gay bar?

You really wanna hear about that?

Shoot, girl, I had it easy compared to some.

I mean, you ought to hear Rosie's story.

How do you keep going? How do you keep staying here?

Easy.

I don't let anyone lay their trips on me anymore.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Hey, Valerie, Turner's looking for you.

You're in trouble.

[SIGHS] Crazy.

Mrs. Turner, I don't smoke.

Didn't you steal this from the recreation room?

No, I never saw it before. I never touched it.

Your protestations of innocence

are getting a little boring, Smith.

Mrs. Turner-- This will cost you two early beds.

And that goes on your record.

Now, wait a minute, Mrs. Turner.

Mrs. Turner, I never saw it before. I don't smoke.

You haven't made a very good adjustment here, Smith.

The parole board will not be impressed.

Thank you, Suzy. You may return this to the recreation room.

Go back to class, Smith.

Valerie, what happened?

Nothing. Nothing. Stay out of it.

Why'd you do that to me?

I'm sorry, Val.

I would have covered for you if you were my friend.

You little creep.

You put that ash tray in my room.

Now why?

What do you want from me?

I want revenge on Tommy W.

What does that have to do with Valerie Smith?

Tommy W. has some tight people around her.

She's hard to get to.

But for some reason or another, she's courting you.

Now you can get to her.

All you have to do is tell me the right time and place

to find her alone.

I'll do the rest.

I can't imagine what could have happened to you

to make you like this.

I don't even wanna understand.

I don't want any part of it.

Come in, Valerie. Have a seat.

Thank you. I'll be right with you.

Now, what can I do for you?

I would like a transfer, Mrs. Little.

From here? Yes.

Well, can you tell me why, Valerie?

I know there's a school up north.

You can send me there.

Well, I can only make recommendations to the board.

But I'd have to have reasons to make a request like that.

Oh, please, Mrs. Little. I'll go crazy if I stay here.

I know it's hard, but you must try to adjust.

This is the best juvenile rehabilitation facility

in the country.

It doesn't even look like a penal institution.

I'm not talking about how it looks.

I'm talking about what's going on.

What? What is going on?

Well, I guess it's what's not going on.

I mean, there are girls in here for assault and murder.

And instead of rehabilitating them,

dealing with their problems,

you're teaching them how to sew and style hair.

I don't have to defend our program.

We know what we're doing here.

You don't know what's happening around here.

Like what? Like homosexuality, like drugs.

You have proof? Yes.

Then give me names.

Why?

So you can find me behind one of those cottages

with my head bashed in?

Valerie, this is San Marcos, not San Quentin.

You really believe there's a lot of difference.

You think that if you put a cute name in front of something,

you're gonna change the essence of it.

Now, what's that supposed to mean?

You lock a girl up in her cell for two weeks,

and you call it meditation.

We are completely surrounded by brick walls and-and guards.

But it's called a school for girls.

We are not prisoners. We are wards.

All of that is designed

to help you girls adjust when you get out.

It's an Alice in Wonderland existence, Mrs. Little.

Can't you see that?

Valerie, I sincerely hope that your appeal is heard soon.

Because if you can't make it here...

my dear, you wouldn't last one day anywhere else.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Yes?

There's been an accident in the kitchen.

We called for ambulance. Who is it?

One of the new girls, Sarah Harris.

Sarah?

Sarah.

What happened? What happened?

What happened? What happened?

MAN: Come on now, girls.

Excuse me. No, no.

This is a friend of mine. To your rooms.

Break it up, everybody. You know what happened?

Back to your room. All right. Back to your room.

Girls, out. Everybody.

VALERIE: Do you know what happened?

Do you know what happened? Is it serious?

Vat of boiling water, heh. Fell on her.

[GIRLS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Scalded her really bad.

Oh, God.

It was a terrible, terrible accident.

Your little friend got hurt real bad.

You should have been looking out for her

instead of talking to Mrs. Little.

[SOBS]

[SCREAMS] Help me!

[MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING]

Valerie.

She's in county hospital.

She's messed up real bad right now, but...

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

Well, she'll be all right after a while.

This may be the best thing that's happened to Sarah.

How do you figure that?

She won't have to come back here.

[CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[SHUDDERS]

[SNIFFLES]

TOMMY: They got the baby.

And next, it'll be you.

Are you ready to join the family now?

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

She turned 14 two weeks ago.

She hadn't even gotten her period yet.

Just a baby.

I know you're hurting bad.

And-- And I'd like to hold you

and tell you that everything's gonna be okay, but...

Hey, someone might walk by

and get the wrong idea, seeing it's me, heh.

[CHUCKLES]

It's okay.

Heh, you ever have a Black family before?

No.

Well, you got one now.

Thank you.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

I'm gonna bust out of here.

Well...

How?

I got a plan.

You want in with me? No.

No, my lawyer's working on my appeal.

I'll be out of here in a month.

Valerie...

Uh...

You're working next to something I need.

I mean, just a small piece of information.

Will you help me?

Uh...

Can I--?

Can I do it without getting involved?

Yes.

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Okay.

Okay. Okay.

Um...

In the meantime, uh,

you stay very close to the family.

I mean, you don't go anywhere by yourself. You get me?

I got you.

Right. Right.

BEN: You know what I figure? BETTY: What?

BEN: Well, that is a classic psychopath, right?

Ben, are you still on that? Yeah, I'm still on it.

So is Goleta's attorney.

He's got three psychiatrists examining the kid right now.

Okay. They find out he doesn't know right from wrong. So?

So if they prove he's psycho, it helps our case.

And what we have to do

is make him confess that he lied about Valerie.

Well, how are you gonna do that?

The DA won't even let you talk to him.

Wait a minute.

What do you mean we have to make him confess?

[BELL RINGS] Good work, Holian. Very good.

You're a reporter, right?

And psychopaths are vulnerable to flattery, to publicity.

They love to talk.

No, Ben. No.

Come on, honey.

The DA doesn't know what you do for a living.

Think about it.

An exclusive interview with a young musician

who gives a lift to an honor student

the day after her graduation

that ends in coldblooded murder.

It's fantastic. Makes great copy.

Okay. So I get my editor to go along with it,

and we interview him, and he gives the same story.

Ah. But maybe he won't.

And you, Betty Wakefield Holian, get to catch the rat.

Come on. We both know that implicating Valerie

was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Who knows why?

Sexual rejection. Hates his mother.

Should have had mine, right?

Honey, I got a hunch. Come on, it's a good one.

If you keep him talking, give him a romantic image,

the misunderstood outcast, and--

He doesn't have to share the spotlight with anyone.

I don't know. You think it's crazy.

Do you think it's unethical? I don't care.

I want the kid out of prison. Ben.

Honey, is it your outraged sense of social injustice

or is it your ego?

If it works, does it matter?

[CHUCKLES]

Another postponement?

Darling, I--

I know it's hard, but please.

Another postponement?

Please. Please try to keep your spirits up, huh?

[SIGHS]

No, no.

Mr. Holian has a whole other--

He has a whole other plan. He's very encouraged this time.

Oh, well, how nice for Ben Holian.

Valerie.

Um. This place isn't so bad.

Heh. Looks just like a regular school.

Yeah, that's how it looks.

I mean, the girls seem, you know, like us.

They are us.

You know what I mean.

[SIGHS]

Hey, Linda Ackerson got engaged,

but not to Greg Martin.

Are you ready?

After going steady for three years.

She just met this boy, and they're getting married.

I had a friend who had a pot of boiling water poured over her.

They're doing skin grafts now.

Valerie, I didn't know about Buddy Goleta.

I didn't know that he was using drugs or any of that.

My brother told me afterwards.

I know, Joleen, it's all right.

[SIGHS]

Look, thanks for coming.

I'll talk to you later, Mom.

Valerie, I--

Pair of threes. Fantastic, Karen, you did it!

You did it!

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING] You have a gift

and a week's vacation in Mexico at Guadalajara.

Be back in a minute.

James, if you'll take this lucky lady back to her seat.

In just a moment, our three players

are gonna be taking their chances

in the most fabulous game in town.

Stick around.

And in a day, $250, huh, girls?

All right, if you want to... ANGEL: Hey, you got visitor.

What are you doing here?

There wasn't much to talk about.

What are you doing?

Just writing a poem about my kid.

I didn't know you had a kid.

ANGEL: Oh, yeah. Elena.

She's a year and a half now. Heh, heh.

Oh, you should see her.

You know, Eduardo, me and him, we were doing so good.

He got a job.

I didn't have to hustle no more tricks.

I made a vow before God

never to get myself in no more trouble.

So what happened?

[CHUCKLES] Sometimes God don't hear so good in the barrio.

There was this guy, this friend of Eduardo's,

he came over one night to spend the night with us.

[CHUCKLES]

Well, within two hours, the pictures broke through the door

and the cat turned out to be a big dealer.

And Eduardo knew.

So we all ended up in the joint again.

You know something funny?

I don't even care.

I mean, all my friends are dead or in jail.

I tell you, when you're born in my neighborhood,

it's not a birth, it's a sentence.

You know what your life is gonna be like, heh.

Well, I guess you don't know nothing about that, do you?

No.

I don't want Elena to know either.

You know, my brother, he's in the Army,

and he sends money to my mother

so she can take care of the baby

and move away from the barrio.

They're leaving next week.

Um...Portland. Oregon?

Yeah. Oh, wow, that's nice.

Yeah. I hear it's so clean up there.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

I love the country.

So when you get out of here, you'll be up there with Elena.

Oh, no, no.

[CHUCKLES]

No, no way.

I'm gonna stay away from my baby's life.

Why?

Because I'm a whore.

I got the plan.

Rosie's coming. Are you in, Angel?

Sure. I'm here for the next five years, one way or another.

I've got nothing to lose.

You change your mind, little sister?

Not her.

She stays out of this, and so does Wanda.

She gets out next month.

Hey, that's cool. The less of us, the better.

What's the plan?

GAME SHOW HOST [ON TV]: Up and down, two ways there.

Next one is 13.

We have the diagonal, two ways on the diagonal.

And the next one is a 16.

Okay, we have across three ways of 15,

which they're crossed for Sharon

that David turns up.

It is a 15 bingo across.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]

[GAME SHOW HOST LAUGHS]

[DOOR OPENS] How about that, Sharon?

In four days, the county is putting in

a new waterline right through here.

That means there will be a lot of bodies

floating in and out of here.

And everyone coming in and out

has to clock their time in the visitor's book,

which is at the reception desk, Valerie.

Now, on August 10th, the plan calls for

some cats to be digging a trench under the wall.

And there will only be one guard back there on duty.

How do you know all this?

I heard that the plans were locked up

into Mrs. Little's office safe.

Must have been some mouse or something that got in there.

[STIFLES A LAUGH]

Now, if we're lucky, we will have exactly one hour.

Little Valerie here

will tell us the exact time the last workman went to lunch.

And then there will be a little hassle out on the field.

And the guard will come in to do his thing,

and then we will walk the dog

right out the back of the property.

[DOOR OPENS]

[LAUGHING]

What about her?

Are you gonna let her get away with what she did to Sarah?

GAMEW SHOW HOST: She's gonna go all the way. How about--?

No, little sister.

I got some fine plans for her farewell present.

[CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

What are you gonna do when you get out?

Oh, my dad and me are getting a new apartment.

All new furniture and everything.

And he knows about a beauty shop where I can get a job.

And he's doing AA too.

He sure made a lot of plans when I was home.

What about you?

I don't know. I guess I'll go back to school. Ready?

Yeah.

Just, uh, get in front of me.

I mean, act casual and keep talking, okay?

[METAL SCRAPING]

[EXHALES]

Tommy, I've been thinking a lot about your plan.

Tommy, I'm scared.

I think you should call the whole thing off.

Are you crazy?

They give me another year for that hassle with Kurosawa.

You mean, I'm gonna do it? You know their game. Play it.

They'll cut your time. It's too risky.

If you want out, little sister, it's cool.

[DOOR OPENS]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

The coach is coming. [CLATTERS]

Come on, girls. Break it up.

Washington, you're the captain of the team.

Move it. [CHUCKLES] Yeah.

GIRL 1: Come on, Denise.

Hit it!

GIRL 2: Now, set them up. All right.

GIRL 1: Wait.

GIRL 2: Set them up, set them up.

GIRL 1: Clear. GIRL 2: Doubles now.

GIRL 3: Come on.

GIRL 1: Almost there. GIRL 2: Go in.

GIRL 1: Yeah!

GIRL 3: Come on, come on, come on.

GIRL 4: Oh, you did it.

GIRL 5: Oh, no.

[SHOUTING, CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

GIRL 4: You're really bad.

GIRL 5: Did you hear her?

Is she all right? [WANDA GROANS]

GIRL 1: Wanda. GIRL 2: Oh, blood.

Is she gonna be all right? Get the nurse out here, fast.

I'm sorry.

It was an accident.

Yeah, it was.

You were heading for me, man.

You're crazy.

I saw the whole thing, Kurosawa.

You were aiming for Tommy,

but you weren't there fast enough, were you?

It was an accident.

INSTRUCTOR: Okay, girls, let's break it up.

I said, break it up!

GIRL 1: Ain't nobody ever see nothing no more.

GIRL 2: Oh, man.

Hi.

Hi, Valerie.

Boy, oh, boy.

Did you rea--?

You really scared us. [CHUCKLES]

We forgive you.

[GIGGLES] Oh!

Oh, thank you.

Oh, they're so pretty. Yeah.

And I got all dressed up for you.

Thank you, heh.

How are you? Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

I'll be out of here by tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

That's great. Let me put these by the sun.

That's terrific.

'Cause this place is worse than the rooms. Gosh.

Uh, can I get you a magazine or something to read?

No, I don't wanna read.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGING]

I've just been lying here, thinking.

About what?

Well, since we're family and everything,

I can talk to you, right?

Yeah.

If you're out by the time I get out next month,

could I look you up?

Oh, of course!

"Could I?" You'd better.

Could you help me find a job? I will try, yeah.

What about that thing

with you and your dad and the beauty parlor?

I haven't seen my father in two years.

[WHIMPERS SOFTLY]

We never had a visit.

When I got there...

...he was gone, heh.

And I...

I sat in that apartment for two days, and...

And just waited,

but he never showed up.

I guess he got scared again.

[CHUCKLES]

Wanda...

[GASPS]

Wanda, what if when-- When you're out and I'm out

and we're out together,

what if you came to stay with me?

You're kidding. No.

No, I think it's a terrific idea.

I have a...

I have twin beds at home, and then--

Oh, I always wanted a sister.

Oh, me too. Me too.

I used to make believe-- Make believe. Right.

Oh, I guess I make believe all the time.

No, it's good. It...

Oh, I can see it. I mean, I really can--

I know that you and my mother would like each other.

[CHUCKLING] Oh, Valerie.

Oh, listen, I'm from here.

And I got a long record and stuff.

Yeah, well, that's all part of it.

I mean, I realize that

I will never be exactly the same again

because I'm from here too.

And that's why it would be so terrific,

because we'd have something in common to share out there.

Oh, Valerie, I'm so glad I met you.

Oh, I think this is so terrific. I--

I haven't felt like this in so long. I...

I'm gonna leave you and write my mother, heh.

Okay.

Oh. Oh, um...

My last name is spelled P-O-L-S-K-Y.

S-K-Y. Do you snore?

No.

Do you snore? Because if you snore,

it's all over with. I don't.

Okay.

I'll see you.

Okay. Bye.

I'm so excited.

Hi.

I'm Betty Whitefield from the Evening Clarion.

I have an appointment.

Okay, Buddy. Now you just hold still.

You be sure you get my good side, okay?

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS] Ah!

How could I possibly miss?

You know, you are a very good-looking boy.

Are you gonna put me on the front page?

Maybe.

I heard you were sick. How are you feeling?

Who told you that?

You had a pretty heavy habit, didn't you?

Heh, yeah.

Biggest one they ever saw in this place.

But I kicked it easy. No sweat.

Why don't you put that down?

I'll just record, if that's all right with you. Okay?

Did you ever shoot dope with Valerie?

Who? Valerie Smith.

No.

Why?

Well, this story's about both of you.

You know, you were very nice to offer her a ride,

and, in return, she teased you and made fun of you.

Are you gonna write that down about her?

That dumb little virgin. No way.

[CHUCKLES]

You don't have to prove anything to me.

You know, I can see that you're all man.

I just had the impression

that Valerie was giving you a hard time,

that the robbery was her idea,

or at least she went along with it.

Listen, anytime a girl is with me,

she does what I tell her.

'Cause I'm the man, huh?

[LAUGHS]

[CHUCKLES]

You know, I'm very lucky that I interviewed you first.

Do you know I had the whole story wrong?

Valerie didn't go along with it.

What did she do?

She tell you to bug off?

If she did, it would have taken a lot of glue

to put her back together, huh? Ha, ha. Hmm.

But Valerie's in one piece.

She must have known how to handle you.

Yeah, she sure is.

But you know that she's in the joint, huh?

Oh, you mean, there's more than one way

to get even with a chick that puts you down, huh?

You said that, not me.

[LAUGHS]

Oh, you are cagey. You're very cagey.

You know, there's one thing I don't understand, Buddy.

What does a sharp guy like you have in common

with a girl like Valerie Smith?

Nothing.

She's just some chick I picked up on the highway.

Hey, wait a minute, what are we talking about her for?

I thought this story's about me.

BETTY: Oh, yes.

Buddy, it will be now that I know

Valerie's not your girlfriend.

BUDDY: Hey, she wasn't my girlfriend.

No, I never-- I never even talked with her before.

BETTY: Oh.

[BUTTON CLICKS OFF]

Is it enough?

If our luck holds, when this hits the newspapers,

the killer confessed voluntarily.

I could have Valerie out in a day or two.

Hm.

I love you.

Are you gonna tell Mrs. Smith about this?

Not yet.

Not till I know for sure. I don't wanna get her hopes up.

VALERIE: "To be perfectly honest, Mom,

"so much has happened to me since I've been here,

"that I was getting scared at the idea of coming home.

"Anyway, I know you'll love Wanda.

"Heh, she's about the sweetest girl I ever met.

"Just the thought of her coming to live with us

"makes me feel stronger.

I think we'll be of great help to each other."

[DOORS OPENING] GIRL 1: Someone got hit.

[GIRLS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

GIRL 1: Somebody got hit.

What's going on? I have to go.

GIRL 2: Somebody got hit.

WOMAN: Everybody in your room. VALERIE: What's going on?

[KEYS, LOCKS JANGLE]

TOMMY: Oh, man.

Tommy?

Hey, Tommy, what is it?

TOMMY: Oh, man, she's wasted.

What are you saying?

TOMMY: Wanda died 10 minutes ago. Blood clot.

[BREATHING AUDIBLY]

GIRL 1: Try it like this. GIRL 2: That looks too good.

GIRL 3: You bet your sweet life it looks terrific.

GIRL 1: Hey, am I dry yet?

GIRL 2: No, babe.

GIRL 1: Can I come out of the dryer?

Hi.

Anybody wanna practice on real hair?

Mine is just a mess.

[GIRLS MURMURING]

Well, uh, step this way, madam,

and let my 10 magic fingers do their thing, heh.

Hey, Tommy, I changed my mind. I'm in.

Don't sweat it, little sister.

I got it all arranged somewhere else.

No, you don't understand.

I really mean this.

I'm going with you.

Yeah.

I'm going with you.

[WHIRRING, GRINDING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

I see.

[RINGS]

Hello?

Yeah?

It did?

He did? He--? He confessed?

He did! It worked! You're beautiful.

Yes! Oh, I-- It worked!

The phone. I--

Yeah, I'm here. When did it happen?

Last night?

He confessed of his own free will. Oh!

To the DA's office. Oh, man.

You bet. I want her out of there today!

Listen, listen.

I don't care if the judge is on a fishing trip

or if he's in an oxygen tank.

I want the release signed today.

Mr. Feiner, I didn't mean--

Yes, I did mean to.

Extend yourself, Mr. Feiner.

Pull some strings.

I want our client released by 2:00 this afternoon.

I'll be right down.

Tell Allison to call Mrs. Smith, and--

Never mind. I'll call her myself.

You notify the school that I'm coming down. I'll see you.

[PHONE RINGS]

Mrs. Little's office.

No, I'm sorry. She's out just now.

About an hour.

Valerie Smith?

Yes.

I'll tell her the minute she gets back.

MAN: We're gonna have to take that whole...

Oh, could you guys watch it, I just mopped there.

Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie. That's okay. This is dry.

Go through there.

Any more of you gonna come through?

Not till we get back from chow.

Is there a decent hamburger joint around

where we can get a bite to eat?

Yeah, about a mile up the road.

Thank you.

She's cute, huh?

Reminds me of my little sister.

Oh, Mr. Holian,

I don't think I'll ever find the words to thank you.

I'm so very, very grateful.

You may not believe this, Mrs. Smith,

but I'm just as happy as you are.

[GIRLS CHATTERING IN THE DISTANCE]

GIRL 1: Why do they torture us like this?

GIRL 2: Because they're a bunch of sadistic creeps.

[GIRLS GASPING, COUGHING]

GIRL 3: I think I'm having a heart attack.

What's wrong, Laurie? I'm not gonna run.

Laurie, get back in line. No.

I said get back in line. I'm not gonna run.

Laurie?

ANGEL: You ass-whore bitch!

[GIRLS CLAMORING] I'll break your head!

GIRL: Let's go.

SCHOOL BELL RINGING]

[CLAMORING CONTINUES]

Run! Angie, let's go!

[SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY]

[CHOKING]

You leave her alone!

You bitch, you!

[TOMMY SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY] [CHOKING]

[GASPS]

[GASPS] GIRL: Tommy!

Tommy. To--

Tommy.

Tommy!

Tom-- Tom--

Tommy, Tommy!

Tommy.

BEN: Fourteen billion on alcohol.

Nine billion on tobacco.

Two billion on pets.

But on children locked in reform schools, 200 million.

That's 90 percent less than we spend on our dogs and cats.

[♪♪♪]