Original subtitles

PREVIOUSLY ON "NYPD BLUE"...

MICHAEL, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE IN SCHOOL.

I'M JUST CUTTIN' THIS ONE DAY.

MY CAR'S OUTSIDE. I'LL MEET YOU THERE IN A SEC.

YOUR DAD'S COMING, TOO. WE'RE GONNA HAVE A CONVERSATION.

I TOOK A DAY OFF. WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?

WHAT YOU DID TODAY WAS WRONG, MICHAEL.

YOU DON'T WANT ME AROUND MY DAD.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO START SLIPPIN'.

MICHAEL KNOWS WHAT'S UP. HE KNOW WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT.

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT HE DOES. I'M ON HIS SIDE.

NAH, HE KNOWS THE ONLY REASON YOU BEEN KISSIN' HIS ASS

IS TO TRY TO GET HIM TO LIE AND SAY I KILLED HIS MOTHER.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN PUTTIN' INTO HIS HEAD.

[ BASSOON PLAYING ]

[ PLAYING STOPS ]

IT'S 5:30.

SORRY, I TOTALLY LOST TRACK OF THE TIME.

SO THE CONCERT IS OVER WITH, IN OTHER WORDS?

THE RECITAL'S ACTUALLY TONIGHT,

WHICH IS WHY I'M IN THIS FRANTIC PRACTICE MODE.

YOU JUST MOVE IN HERE?

YEAH, I'M SUBLETTING.

WELL, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, I NEED MY SLEEP.

YOU GONNA PRACTICE YOUR CLARINET,

YOU DO IT DURING THE DAY.

I UNDERSTAND. I'M PUTTING IT AWAY.

IT'S A BASSOON.

EXCUSE ME?

THE INSTRUMENT I PLAY IS THE BASSOON.

THANKS FOR CLEARING THAT UP.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

IDIOT NEXT DOOR.

IT'S OKAY, THOUGH. GO BACK TO SLEEP.

A BASSOON PLAYER.

COULDN'T HAVE BEEN SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR AN AIRLINE MOVES IN,

COULD MAYBE DO US SOME GOOD.

NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING A LITTLE CULTURE

IN THE BUILDING.

YEAH? THEN GIVE ME A POET OR A MIME.

[ CHUCKLES ]

[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]

YEAH?

ALL RIGHT. I'LL BE THERE IN A HALF‐HOUR.

YEAH.

TWO GUYS BUSTED IN.

ROUGHED UP THE WIFE, ROUGHED UP THE HUSBAND,

MADE OFF WITH A BUNCH OF STUFF.

WHERE'S THE HUSBAND?

TOOK HIM TO ST. VINCENT'S WITH CHEST PAINS.

HE'S RETIRED, OFF THE JOB. NAME'S ROY SHAUNNESSEY.

FROM THE 2‐0. I KNOW HIM.

MRS. SHAUNNESSEY?

I'M DETECTIVE SIPOWICZ. THIS IS DETECTIVE CLARK.

I WORKED WITH YOUR HUSBAND AT THE 2‐0.

I'D LIKE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND BE WITH HIM.

WE'LL HAVE SOMEONE RUN YOU OVER THERE.

WE JUST NEED YOU TO TELL US WHAT HAPPENED.

WE WERE IN BED, ASLEEP. I HEARD OLIVER BARKING.

ROY WENT INTO THE LIVING ROOM TO SEE WHAT IT WAS,

AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, I HEAR YELLING.

I COME IN HERE, AND I SEE A GUY WITH A KNIFE TO ROY'S THROAT,

AND THE OTHER GUY TYING HIM TO THE CHAIR.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THEM?

THEY WORE MASKS.

UH, PROBABLY IN THEIR 20's,

WHITE OR SPANISH‐‐ I'M NOT SURE WHICH.

ONE OF THEM, I THINK, HAD, LIKE, AN ARMY JACKET ON.

WHAT'D THEY DO WHEN THEY SAW YOU?

THE ONE WITH THE KNIFE GRABBED ME BY THE HAIR.

I SAID "TAKE ANYTHING YOU WANT."

HE, UH, PUSHED ME BACK INTO THE BEDROOM, DUMPED OUT THE DRESSER.

HE SAID HE WANTED THE GUNS.

I TOLD HIM WE HAD NO GUNS, AND, UH, THAT'S WHEN I GOT THIS.

I GAVE HIM ABOUT $1,000 IN CASH,

A NECKLACE THAT WAS MY MOTHER'S, MY WEDDING RING,

A SIGNED LETTER THAT GENERAL PATTON HAD WRITTEN

THAT I BOUGHT ROY OFF THE INTERNET, AND TWO OF HIS GUNS.

ALL REPLACEABLE, I GUESS.

YEAH.

YOU BOTH HANDLED THIS AS WELL AS YOU COULD HAVE.

IT'D BE GOOD IF YOU MENTIONED THAT TO ROY WHEN YOU SEE HIM.

WE'LL HAVE SOMEBODY TAKE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL NOW.

THANKS.

WHAT KIND OF GUY WAS HE ON THE JOB?

STAND‐UP, TOUGH.

IT'S DEFINITELY GONNA BE MORE ABOUT THE PRIDE THAN THE MONEY.

THESE OLD‐TIMERS‐‐ NOW I KNOW WHY THEY MOVE TO FLORIDA.

OLD‐TIMERS?

I WAS IN THE ACADEMY WITH THIS GUY.

ALL‐TIMERS.

I SAID "ALL‐TIMERS," AS IN "ALL‐TIME GREAT COPS."

[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]

MAY I HELP YOU?

I'M YOUR NEW NEIGHBOR. I'M SUBLETTING FROM JOSIE FAY.

OH, RIGHT.

HI, NICE TO MEET YOU.

I'M KIND OF IN A HURRY RIGHT NOW.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY I WAS SORRY

FOR PRACTICING SO LATE LAST NIGHT AND WAKING YOU GUYS UP.

AND I SEE THAT YOU'RE A POLICE OFFICER.

I SURE AM. AND YOU DIDN'T WAKE ME UP.

I GUESS THAT WAS YOUR...

HUSBAND.

WELL, UH, TO MAKE UP FOR IT,

I WANTED TO LEAVE TWO TICKETS TO TONIGHT'S RECITAL.

OH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU LIKE CLASSICAL MUSIC,

BUT WE'RE PERFORMING ONE OF VIVALDI'S LESSER‐KNOWN WORKS,

AND IT'S A REALLY TERRIFIC CHAMBER ENSEMBLE.

WELL, THANK YOU.

IT'S A CONCERTO IN "F" MAJOR, 571, IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING.

OH, I'M NOT FAMILIAR.

THAT'S WHY IT'S LESSER‐KNOWN.

ANYWAY, LAWRENCE TEMPRA HALL, 8:00.

IT SAYS ON THE TICKET.

OH, RIGHT. WELL, I HOPE YOU CAN MAKE IT.

YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND, OF COURSE.

OKAY, THANKS.

I HEARD THE ALARM GO OFF,

AND BY THE TIME I REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR,

IT WAS ALREADY IN FLAMES.

THE FIRE MARSHAL SAYS IT WAS DEFINITELY ARSON.

ANY IDEA WHO'D WANT TO TORCH IT?

NONE.

NO ENEMIES? NO!

PEOPLE DON'T USUALLY SET FIRE TO CARS ON A RANDOM BASIS.

YOU'RE THE EXPERTS.

WE'D LIKE YOU TO COME INTO THE 15th PRECINCT, MR. TITEL.

WE NEED TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS.

IT'S BEST NOT TO DO IT OUT HERE IN PUBLIC.

LET ME TAKE CARE OF SOME QUICK BUSINESS FIRST,

AND I'LL BE RIGHT BEHIND YOU.

WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS?

WHAT?

HERE.

ON THE HOUSE.

"ONLY SCHMUCKS PAY INCOME TAX."

HUH.

I DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO THIS PLACE, BUT I THINK I HAVE TO.

I HAVE TO CONSIDER

THAT MY EX‐WIFE MIGHT HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS.

HAS SHE EVER DONE ANYTHING VIOLENT IN THE PAST?

OVERTLY VIOLENT, NO.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF BITTERNESS, RESENTMENT.

AS I'VE BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL, IT'S GOTTEN WORSE.

ANY THREATS?

NO OVERT THREATS.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF?

I'VE BEEN RACKING MY BRAIN.

CAROLYN'S THE ONLY ONE WHO MAKES ANY SENSE AT ALL.

SO, YOUR BOOK?

ARE YOU SKEPTICAL?

WELL, I JUST DON'T GET WHY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE PAY TAXES

WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO.

THEY ARE MISINFORMED.

THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE TAX CODE,

DECEIVES US INTO THINKING INCOME TAXES ARE MANDATORY.

IN FACT, THEY'RE STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.

THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

YOU GET TO CHAPTER NINE? NO.

I TAKE YOU THROUGH THE CONSEQUENCES

AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM,

INCLUDING THE "VOLUNTARY NATURE OF THE AUDIT,"

THE WHOLE THING.

I JUST KEEP COMING BACK

TO WHY THIS HASN'T SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY.

THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT

IS THE PROPAGATION OF MYTH.

INCOME TAXES ARE STRICTLY VOLUNTARY, AND THAT'S THE LAW.

YOU SHOULD TELL US WHERE WE COULD FIND YOUR EX‐WIFE.

YEAH. SHE WORKS AT BED & BATH WORKS, SECOND AVENUE.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I HOPE SHE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE.

WELL, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW.

THANKS.

KEN GROSS TO SEE DETECTIVE JONES.

I'M MICHAEL WOODRIFF'S FOSTER PARENT.

HEY, KEN, HOW YOU DOIN'?

I NEED TO TALK TO YOU.

YEAH, SURE.

SO, A PRETTY INTERESTING CONCEPT, HUH?

VERY INTERESTING AND VERY ABSURD.

WELL, THAT'S YOUR OPINION.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN PRETTY INVOLVED

WITH MICHAEL'S SITUATION.

WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

I'M SENDING MICHAEL BACK TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

WHY?

HE'S A GOOD KID.

I'M JUST NOT EQUIPPED.

FOR WHAT? WHAT DID HE DO?

MICHAEL'S FATHER SHOWED UP A BUNCH OF TIMES‐‐

IN THE MORNING, BEFORE MICHAEL LEFT FOR SCHOOL,

AROUND SUPPER TIME.

WE HAVE TWO OTHER KIDS. WE CAN'T DO IT.

HAS MICHAEL'S FATHER THREATENED YOU?

THIS JUST ISN'T A GOOD SITUATION FOR US.

IF HE'S MADE ANY THREATS, WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

NO THREATS.

BUT HE'S INTIMIDATED YOU.

WE'RE NOT COMFORTABLE.

MY WIFE DOESN'T FEEL SAFE.

I'LL TALK TO MICHAEL'S FATHER.

BELIEVE ME, I'LL WORK IT OUT.

WE'RE DONE.

I'M SORRY.

MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH PRETTY TORN UP HAVING TO DO THIS.

SHE COULDN'T EVEN BRING HERSELF TO COME DOWN HERE.

OKAY.

I TOLD HER YOU'D FIND SOMEPLACE ELSE FOR HIM,

MAYBE SOMEPLACE HIS FATHER DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT.

YEAH.

NO PATTERN TO THE HOME INVASION.

WHAT ABOUT HIS GUN?

.25‐CALIBER BERETTA AND A COLT .357.

MAKE SURE THE ALARMS TRANSMITTED ON THE GUNS.

LET IT BE KNOWN ON THE STREET THERE'S BUY MONEY

FOR WHATEVER ELSE THEY MIGHT BE TRYING TO GET RID OF.

WE'LL CONFIRM WHAT WAS STOLEN WITH SHAUNNESSEY

AS SOON AS WE TALK TO HIM.

YOU HAVEN'T DONE THAT YET?

THEY HAD HIM UNDER OBSERVATION, BUT I THINK HE'S ALL RIGHT.

IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO KNOW.

OKAY, WELL, HOW ABOUT THE LAST WE HEARD HE WAS ALL RIGHT?

HE SHOULD BE ON HIS WAY IN, LIEU.

YEAH, GOOD.

HE'S A LITTLE RAGGY, HUH?

ANDY, ANY INTEREST IN GOING TO A CONCERT TONIGHT?

IS THAT A TRICK QUESTION?

THE GUY NEXT DOOR GAVE ME TWO TICKETS.

THE FRUIT THAT WOKE ME UP?

HOW COME HE GAVE THEM TO YOU?

I WAS THE ONLY ONE HOME.

IT'S CHAMBER MUSIC. IT'S CLASSICAL.

DID YOU HEAR HIM PLAYIN' THIS MORNING?

IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEBODY BEATIN' A MOOSE.

SO GOING TO THIS WOULDN'T BE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO TRY?

IT'S GONNA BE HELL GETTIN' A SITTER.

I MEAN, IF YOU'RE DYIN' TO GO TO THIS THING‐‐

NO, IT'S ALL RIGHT. IT'S NO BIG DEAL.

ANDY.

HEY, ROY. HOW YOU FEELING?

FINE, FINE. YOU CAUGHT MY CASE?

YEAH, WE'RE ON IT.

ANY HELP I CAN BE, OBVIOUSLY.

THIS IS MY PARTNER, JOHN CLARK. ROY SHAUNNESSEY.

HI, ROY. NICE TO MEET YOU.

HAVE A SEAT.

YOU GET THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE GUNS?

YEAH.

WELL, THE WEDDING RING'S A GOLD BAND

WITH OUR INITIALS ENGRAVED ON THE INSIDE.

THE NECKLACE HAS GOT SOME KIND OF GREEN JEWELS ON IT

WITH LITTLE, TINY DIAMONDS.

WHAT ABOUT THAT, UH, LETTER SIGNED BY PATTON?

YEAH, HE WROTE IT TO THE WIDOW OF A TANK COMMANDER

KILLED IN NORTH AFRICA.

IT'S WORTH ABOUT $1,500 IF YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS.

SINCE THEY TOOK IT, THEY'RE PROBABLY GONNA FENCE IT.

NOT MANY PLACES WILL FENCE THAT KIND OF THING,

SO IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO START.

GOOD.

COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE, ROY.

OH, ABSOLUTELY.

MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN VIOLATED.

SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT A LOT WORSE THAN SHE WAS.

WE'RE CHECKING ON CASES WITH SIMILAR M. O.'s IN THE AREA.

WE'LL ALSO HAVE SOME PHOTOS OF KNOWN BURGLARS.

MAYBE ONE OF 'EM MAY RING A BELL.

GOOD, YEAH. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT, GUYS.

ROY, I KNOW YOU PROBABLY WANT TO HANDLE THIS YOURSELF.

NO, NO, NO. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE.

ZECH AND ME, WE'RE TALKIN' ABOUT MOVIN' TO FLORIDA.

WHEN ARE YOU GETTIN' OUT, ANDY?

NOT ANY TIME SOON.

IT'S ALL CHANGED SO MUCH, THOUGH.

LOOK WHO THEY LET ON THE JOB.

NO OFFENSE, BUT IN OUR DAYS,

MOST GUYS HAD MILITARY BACKGROUNDS, FAMILIES.

WE LOOKED AT THE JOB AS A STEP UP

AS OPPOSED TO JUST A PAYCHECK AND BENEFITS.

I ADMIRE YOU FOR HANGIN' IN THERE.

COME ON, ROY.

I'LL GET YOU SET UP WITH THOSE MUG BOOKS.

THAT LITTLE PRICK BARRY SENT YOU TO ME?

WELL, HE DIDN'T MAKE ANY ACCUSATIONS.

WE JUST HAVE TO TALK TO YOU, THAT'S ALL.

HE SAID HE COULDN'T IMAGINE YOU

DOING ANYTHING ALONG THESE LINES,

BUT SINCE THE ACRIMONY OF THE DIVORCE...

WAS THERE SOMEONE HE COULD IMAGINE?

UH, NO ONE ELSE THAT CAME TO MIND.

TELL HIM TO THINK A LITTLE HARDER, THE BIG BRAIN.

WELL, IS THERE SOMEONE YOU'RE AWARE OF?

I'M NOT POINTING ANY FINGERS.

I'M JUST GONNA TELL YOU

THAT THERE'S PEOPLE HE'S BURNED...AND PLENTY OF 'EM.

HOW'D HE BURN THEM?

LOOK, ALL I KNOW IS HE GOT CURSED OUT IN RESTAURANTS,

AND WE HAD TO CHANGE OUR PHONE NUMBER

BECAUSE OF LATE‐NIGHT HANG‐UP CALLS.

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO...HIS TAX BOOK?

NOT SO MUCH THE BOOK.

IT'S MORE THE BODY SLAM THESE POOR IDIOTS GOT FROM THE I. R. S.

AFTER THEY FILED THEIR "SCREW YOU, UNCLE SAM" RETURN.

SO HIS SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK?

SOMETHING WASN'T WORKING FOR SOME OF THESE PEOPLE

'CAUSE THEY WERE VERY PISSED OFF.

BECAUSE YOUR EX‐HUSBAND'S SYSTEM WAS FLAWED

OR THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS?

BECAUSE HE'S VERY SPECIFIC.

UH, WHERE WERE YOU AROUND 7:00 THIS MORNING, CAROLYN?

DOING QUARTERLY INVENTORY.

WE NEED TO CONFIRM THAT WITH YOUR MANAGER.

FINE, BE MY GUEST.

I SET FIRE TO BARRY'S CAR, HE'S GONNA BE IN IT.

GENTS.

WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR SOME OLD STUFF, MAYBE WORLD WAR II ERA.

DON'T HAVE THAT, BUT IF I KNOW PEOPLE‐‐ AND I DO‐‐

THIS GUY RIGHT HERE IS A SPRINGSTEEN FAN.

HOW'D YOU GUESS?

I GOT A JACKET FROM THE '84 TOUR‐‐ $1,500.

YEAH, THAT'S A LITTLE STEEP.

YOU GOT TO LIKE VAN HALEN.

ONE OF MICHAEL ANTHONY'S BASSES SIGNED BY THE BAND‐‐

I CAN LET YOU HAVE IT FOR $1,000.

SO YOU ONLY DEAL WITH ROCK 'N' ROLL MEMORABILIA?

YOU‐‐ DON'T SAY IT 'CAUSE I KNOW.

MAJOR FRANKIE VALLI FAN, RIGHT?

[ CHUCKLES ]

WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR SOMETHING NON‐MUSIC‐RELATED.

COLE PORTER, BENNY GOODMAN? TALK TO ME.

HOW ABOUT A LETTER FROM GEORGE PATTON

TO THE WIDOW OF A TANK COMMANDER?

CAN'T HELP YOU.

YOU GOT A BILL OF SALE FOR THAT SPRINGSTEEN JACKET?

WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT?

THE KIND THAT COMES WITH A SET OF HANDCUFFS ATTACHED.

WHERE IS THIS COMIN' FROM?

PEOPLE TELL US YOU'RE THE MAN TO SEE FOR STOLEN MEMORABILIA.

THAT'S WAY IN THE PAST.

HEY, THIS IS A POLICE INVESTIGATION.

THAT MEANS IF ANY OF THIS CRAP IN HERE IS STOLEN,

WE PADLOCK THE STORE, AND YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.

I RUN A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS NOW.

YOU WANT TO KEEP RUNNIN' IT, YOU BETTER BEAT THE BUSHES,

COME UP WITH SOME INFO ON THAT LETTER BY THE END OF THE DAY.

GOT IT.

AND COLE PORTER WAS 20 YEARS BEFORE MY TIME, PAL.

[ SCOFFS ]

COLE PORTER.

I'M SHOOTING FOR A MILLION IN SALES THIS YEAR.

I CARRY A NUMBER OF TITLES.

"THE MYTH OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION,"

"HOW TO BEAT A DRUNK‐DRIVING CHARGE WITHOUT PAYING A LAWYER,"

"PLAY THE PIANO WITHOUT READING MUSIC."

YOUR EX‐WIFE SEEMS TO THINK YOU HAVE SOME ENEMIES.

IT IS SO LIKE HER TO SAY THAT.

IT'S NOT TRUE?

ENEMIES? NO.

HAVE PEOPLE COME IN HERE WITH UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS

AND BEEN DISAPPOINTED?

I WON'T SAY THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED,

BUT NO ONE I CALL AN ENEMY.

WHEN YOU SAY "DISAPPOINTED,"

YOU MEAN LIKE SOMEONE DIDN'T BEAT DRUNK‐DRIVING CHARGES,

OR THEY DIDN'T LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO WITHOUT READING MUSIC?

OR GOT POPPED FOR NOT PAYING THEIR TAXES?

NO ONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED MY ADVICE

HAS WOUND UP OWING THE GOVERNMENT A DIME.

I STILL CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT CAN BE.

YOU UNDERSTAND HOW THE FIFTH AMENDMENT PROTECTS US

AGAINST SELF‐INCRIMINATION?

RIGHT.

WELL, TAX RETURNS, THEREFORE, HAVE TO BE VOLUNTARY BY NATURE.

THE LAW SAYS YOU HAVE TO FILE A TAX RETURN.

THE LAW SAYS YOU "MUST" FILE A TAX RETURN.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

BECAUSE, IN THE LAW, "MUST" ACTUALLY MEANS "MAY."

YOU'RE ALLOWED TO PAY TAXES.

YOU'RE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY TAXES.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

ALL THESE YEARS I'VE BEEN PAYIN' TAXES.

EVERYONE I KNOW HAS BEEN PAYIN' TAXES.

HOW ABOUT IF WE DO THIS?

I PREPARE YOUR RETURN PERSONALLY.

I USE THE LANGUAGE THAT PROVIDES IRONCLAD PROTECTION

AGAINST THE I.R.S. PROSECUTING.

YOU PAY ZERO DOLLARS IN TAXES,

AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.

HOW MUCH?

GRATIS.

WANNA SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION? TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

IT DOESN'T LOOK YOUR EX‐WIFE HAD ANYTHING TO DO

WITH SETTIN' YOUR CAR ON FIRE.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR IT.

I PUT IN FOR THE INSURANCE CLAIM.

I'D JUST AS SOON IT WAS AN ACT OF RANDOM URBAN VIOLENCE.

WE'LL NEED NAMES OF ANYBODY YOU HAD A BEEF WITH.

I HONESTLY CAN'T THINK OF A SOUL.

KEEP THINKIN'. I GOT TO MAKE A STOP, OKAY?

HERE, DETECTIVE.

"BUY AN APARTMENT BUILDING AT A GOVERNMENT AUCTION."

THE GUY'S NAME IS J. J.

WHERE DO WE FIND HIM?

THAT I CAN'T TELL YOU.

SO, JUST J. J.?

RIGHT.

WE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO PIN HIM DOWN REAL GOOD WITH THAT.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?

I PUT OUT THE WORD TO MY COLLEAGUES

THAT I NEEDED THIS PATTON LETTER IF IT TURNS UP.

HALF‐HOUR LATER, AN ANONYMOUS MIDDLEMAN COMES IN,

SAYS HIS CONTACT BOUGHT IT OFF A GUY NAMED J. J.

FOR A HUNDRED BUCKS.

THAT'S ALL HE KNEW.

I PAID THE HUNDRED, AND I COME RIGHT DOWN HERE.

AND YOU FIGURED THAT WOULD BE THE END OF IT?

ACTUALLY, I WAS THINKIN' I MIGHT HEAR SOMETHIN'

ALONG THE LINES OF "THANK YOU, MR. EPILITO.

LET'S GET YOU REIMBURSED."

A GUY COMES IN OFF THE STREET YOU NEVER SEEN BEFORE?

THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO DEAL WITH SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY.

WE NEED YOU TO IDENTIFY WHICH COLLEAGUE YOU GOT IT FROM.

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT YOU MIGHT START RUNNIN' WITH THIS J. J., ALL RIGHT?

MORE THAN THAT, I DON'T KNOW.

WE HAVE HIM FOR RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY?

LOCK HIM UP AND TURN HIM OVER TO THE D. A. AS NONCOOPERATIVE.

I BROUGHT IN THE LETTER. HOW AM I NONCOOPERATIVE?

IF I KNEW YOU WERE GONNA BREAK OUT THE DUMP SCREWS,

I NEVER WOULD HAVE COME IN.

RUN THE NICKNAME J. J.

SEE IF YOU GET ANY PRINTS OFF THE LETTER.

WHAT?

DROPPING OFF THE CASE FOLDERS YOU ASKED ME FOR.

ON THE DESK.

RITA... CLOSE THE DOOR.

I'M OFF THE LIST FOR CAPTAIN'S MONEY.

YOU'RE KIDDING.

A LITTLE PAYBACK FOR THE TRIAL.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS?

THIS COMES FROM HIGHER UP‐‐

POLICE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, PROBABLY.

I'M REALLY SORRY.

EDDIE GIBSON‐‐ HE GOT PROMOTED TO SERGEANT.

WELL, NOW YOU KNOW IT'S JUST A JOKE.

MY CAREER YOU MEAN? I'VE HIT THE WALL.

THIS IS AS FAR AS I'LL GO ON THE JOB.

GIVE 'EM A YEAR.

I'VE ALREADY GIVEN 'EM 18.

BUT, HEY, THAT'S MY PROBLEM.

THANKS FOR LISTENING.

ALL RIGHT, FOLKS,

THREE GUESSES WHAT THIS BROTHER DOES FOR A LIVIN'.

LET'S TAKE A WALK, CRAIG.

NOPE.

I AIN'T ASKIN'. IN THE BACK. COME ON.

I AIN'T THAT KIND OF GUY, CHIEF.

YOU GOT MICHAEL KICKED OUT OF HIS FOSTER HOME.

SORRY TO HEAR THAT, BUT HE DIDN'T LIKE 'EM MUCH ANYWAY.

HE LIKED 'EM FINE.

HE TELLS YOU ONE THING AND EVERYBODY ELSE ANOTHER.

THOUGHT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A TRAINED MIND.

WHY YOU MESSIN' UP MICHAEL'S LIFE?

I COULD ASK YOU THE SAME THING.

HELPIN' HIM OUT, GETTIN' HIM A PLACE TO LIVE?

TRYIN' TO TURN HIM INTO A WHITE BOY LIKE YOURSELF.

GO AHEAD...WHITE BOY.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT.

THAT'S HOW YOU THINK YOU'LL GET RID OF ME.

ASSAULT CHARGE.

SUE THE DEPARTMENT. SUE ME.

I'M JUST HERE HAVIN' A COCKTAIL.

ENJOY IT.

I'LL SEE YOU AROUND.

IT'S DEFINITELY CAROLYN.

THIS THE, UH, POISONOUS VARIETY?

A BLUE KRAIT? OH, YEAH.

HOW TOUGH ARE THEY TO COME BY?

NOT TOUGH, IF YOU'RE WORKIN' AS A CHOKE SETTER IN SRI LANKA.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME CAROLYN CONTACTED YOU?

I SAW HER A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IN THE STORE WHERE SHE WORKS.

I NEEDED BATH TOWELS.

I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD BE FORECLOSED FROM A BARGAIN

JUST 'CAUSE SHE WORKS AT THAT STORE.

WE'RE GOOD HERE.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

Just keep it away.

SHE KNOWS I'M DEATHLY AFRAID OF SNAKES.

YEAH. WE'LL, UH, TRY AND LIFT SOME PRINTS OFF THE BOX,

THOUGH I DOUBT IF WE CAN GET ANYTHING USEFUL.

BY THE WAY, I'M PREPARING MY STANDARD RETURN FOR YOU.

ALL I NEED IS THE CORRECT SPELLING OF YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR EARNING STATEMENT,

AND ZIP‐A‐DEE‐DOO‐DAH.

UH, I'D LOVE TO BELIEVE THAT‐‐

NOW, LISTEN TO ME.

YOU SUBMIT THE RETURN EXACTLY AS I'VE PREPARED IT,

THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT COME AFTER YOU.

THEY WILL NOT TAKE ON A CHALLENGE TO THEIR AUTHORITY.

YOU OWE THEM NOTHING.

COME ON, LET'S GO, GREG.

YEAH.

NOTHING.

M‐E‐D‐A‐V‐O‐Y.

GOIN' BACK AT THE EX‐WIFE'S A WASTE OF TIME.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE SO DUG IN, BALDWIN.

HER ALIBI HELD THE FIRST TIME,

THERE'S NO HISTORY OF HARASSMENT,

AND THE ONLY REASON YOU WANT TO BELIEVE THIS HUCKSTER

IS YOU THINK HE'S GONNA SAVE YOU MONEY ON YOUR TAXES.

YOU GET YOUR MIND MADE UP, THAT'S IT.

YEAH, THE GUY'S RUNNING A SCAM WITH THE TAXES‐‐ CASE CLOSED.

NEW INFORMATION DOESN'T MATTER.

AN EMBITTERED EX‐SPOUSE DOESN'T MATTER.

THAT THE GUY MAKES A REASONED ARGUMENT

THAT MAYBE TAXES ARE VOLUNTARY‐‐

THAT DOESN'T MATTER.

THIS FAX CAME FOR YOU.

THANKS, JOHN.

WHAT'S THAT?

IT'S PARKING CITATIONS WHERE HIS CAR GOT BURNED.

YOU'LL RUMMAGE THROUGH PARKING TICKETS

BEFORE YOU'LL TAKE A MAN AT HIS WORD.

YEP.

SO, SHERLOCK?

OH, A VAN WITH COMMERCIAL PLATES

GOT A TICKET FOR BEING DOUBLE‐PARKED.

OH, GREAT. THAT'S MORE PROMISING THAN AN EX‐WIFE

WHO KNOWS THAT HE'S SQUEAMISH ABOUT REPTILES.

A VAN WITH COMMERCIAL PLATES REGISTERED TO A PET STORE.

HEY, ANDY, LATENT PRINTS GOT A HIT

FROM THAT FRAME THE PATTON LETTER WAS IN.

COMES BACK TO THAT J. J.

DO YOU KNOW THAT GUY?

NO.

WHY DON'T YOU HEAD ON HOME, ROY? WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED.

I MUST HAVE SAID THAT TO 2,000 PEOPLE WHEN I WAS ON THE JOB.

NEVER UNDERSTOOD HOW FRUSTRATING IT WAS TO HEAR UNTIL NOW.

YOU KNOW THIS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.

YEAH, KEEP ME UPDATED.

WHAT GOT HIM OFF THE JOB?

DISABILITY. I THINK HE HAD 22 YEARS.

LEGIT CLAIM?

YEAH, HE FELL THROUGH THE FLOOR OF AN ABANDONED BUILDING

CHASING A JUNKIE.

EVEN WITH THE TIME THAT HE HAD IN,

HE WAS ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO WASN'T READY FOR RETIREMENT.

WELL, IT SURE CAUGHT MY DAD FLAT‐FOOTED

WHEN HE PUT IN HIS PAPERS.

SO, UH, WE GOT A PLACE TO LOOK FOR THIS J. J.?

YEAH.

LET'S RUN IT FOR THE BOSS.

GOOD.

THANKS.

SO, UH, THEY GONNA TRY

AND FIND ANOTHER FOSTER FAMILY FOR MICHAEL?

WELL, MICHAEL'S AUNT IS TAKING HIM IN.

WHERE'S SHE BEEN UP TILL NOW?

SCARED TO DEATH OF MICHAEL'S DAD.

HAVING HER SISTER GET KILLED, I GUESS YOU CAN'T BLAME HER.

YEAH.

CAN I HELP YOU?

YEAH, UH, DETECTIVES MEDAVOY AND JONES.

WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW

WHO WAS DRIVING YOUR STORE VAN THIS MORNING?

WHAT HAPPENED? WAS THERE AN ACCIDENT?

WELL, IT'S POSSIBLE

THAT IT WAS NEARBY TO WHERE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

WE'D JUST LIKE TO TALK TO THE DRIVER.

FIND OUT IF HE SAW ANYTHING.

WELL, I WAS DRIVING. DIDN'T SEE AN ACCIDENT.

OKAY, THEN.

YOU THE RESIDENT SNAKE EXPERT?

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

LOOKIN' FOR SOMETHING IN THE WAY OF A BLUE KRAIT.

NO CAN DO.

WHY NOT?

POISONOUS.

YOU DON'T SELL POISONOUS SNAKES?

RIGHT. I HAVE A RETICULATED PYTHON.

I HAVE AN EMERALD TREE BOA. I HAVE A FEW CORN SNAKES.

I KIND OF HAD MY HEART SET ON A KRAIT.

I WAS TOLD THEY MAKE GOOD COMPANIONS.

THEY DON'T‐‐ THEY'RE POISONOUS.

THEY CAN'T BE BROUGHT INTO THE COUNTRY.

THEY CAN'T BE SOLD. SORRY.

WE NEED YOU TO TAKE A RIDE WITH US, RALPH.

I'M KIND OF WORKIN'.

WELL, WE NEED TO TALK TO YOU

ABOUT A BLUE KRAIT THAT SOMEBODY FOUND THIS MORNING.

SO YOU'RE NOT REALLY HERE ABOUT AN ACCIDENT?

RIGHT.

I HATE BEING LIED TO.

I WISH PEOPLE WOULD JUST SAY WHAT'S ON THEIR MIND‐‐

SAY WHAT THEY WANT‐‐ JUST SAY IT!

LET'S GO.

MARK, I'LL BE BACK IN A WHILE.

YEAH?

DETECTIVES‐‐ LOOKIN' FOR J. J.‐‐ JAMES FLAHERTY.

THEY JUST TOOK HIM.

SOME OLD GUY BUSTS THE DOOR OPEN,

PUTS A GUN AT J. J.'s HEAD, AND HAULED HIM OUT OF HERE.

WHAT DID HE LOOK LIKE‐‐ THIS GUY WHO BUSTED IN.

OLDER‐‐ HE LOOKED LIKE A COP.

DID HE SAY HE WAS A COP? DID HE SAY HIS NAME?

NO. HE WAS PISSED, THOUGH.

AND HE JUST TOOK J. J. RIGHT OUT OF HERE.

WHO'S J. J. BEEN PULLIN' JOBS WITH?

WHAT JOBS? HE'S NEVER TOLD ME.

THIS "OLDER" COP IS SOMEBODY THAT J. J. RIPPED OFF.

NOW, THE FACT THAT HE DRAGGED J. J. OUT OF HERE

INSTEAD OF JUST KILLIN' HIM,

TELL US HE WANTS WHOEVER YOUR BOYFRIEND IS PULLIN' JOBS WITH.

NOW, WHO IS IT?

I DON'T KNOW NAMES. J. J. KEEPS ME OUT OF THAT.

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM ROY?

NO, I THOUGHT HE WAS WITH YOU.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS GUY?

[ Voice breaking ] YEAH... IT'S J. J.

HOW DO YOU KNOW HIM?

HE DOES ODD JOBS FOR US. WHAT'S GOING ON?

ROY GRABBED J. J. UP ABOUT A HALF‐HOUR AGO.

OH, MY GOD.

WE THINK HE'S GOING TO PICK UP WHO J. J. ROBBED YOU WITH.

DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT WOULD BE?

NO. LET ME TRY ROY'S CELL PHONE.

WE'VE BEEN TRYIN'. IT'S NOT ON. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW J. J.?

NOT VERY.

ROY HIRED HIM TO, UM, RE‐TILE THE BATHROOM.

J.J. LISTENED TO ROY'S STORIES,

SO ROY KEPT HIRING HIM

TO DO THINGS HE COULD HAVE DONE HIMSELF.

THERE'S A RUNNING BUDDY J.J. TOOK A COLLAR WITH‐‐

NICHOLAS RICHMON. DOES THAT NAME RING A BELL?

NO. I'M SORRY.

ALL RIGHT, STICK BY THE PHONE.

IF ROY CALLS YOU, YOU GET AHOLD OF US IMMEDIATELY.

YOU'RE NOT GONNA HURT HIM, RIGHT?

NO. JUST STICK BY THE PHONE.

[ SIREN WAILS ]

HEY!

YOU J. J.?

YEAH.

I WAS ABDUCTED BY THIS CRAZY SON OF A BITCH, ROY SHAUNNESSEY.

THE GUY YOU ROBBED THIS MORNING?

I WAS JUST CHILLIN'‐‐

WHERE IS SHAUNNESSEY NOW?

HE WENT TO GO GET MY BUDDY, NICKY.

WHERE'S NICKY LIVE?

3B, BUT I'VE BEEN HEARING YELLIN' COMING FROM THE ROOF.

HEY! HEY, TELL NICKY HE HAD A GUN TO MY HEAD!

[ GRUNTING ]

HEY!

HEY!

HEY! TOUCH THAT GUN, YOU'RE DEAD!

THIS GUY CHASED ME UP HERE, WAVING HIS GUN.

HE'S CRAZY! I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS GONNA DO.

WHATEVER YOU SAY, NICKY.

IT'S HIS GUN, MAN. I TOOK IT AWAY FROM HIM.

GET UP.

PROBABLY NOT THE BEST WAY YOU COULD HAVE HANDLED IT, ROY.

I GOT THE DRAIN OVER THERE‐‐ I DIDN'T SEE IT.

I LOST MY BALANCE‐‐ THAT'S HOW HE GOT MY GUN.

DRAINS COME UP ON YOU.

I HAD THE DROP ON THE SON OF A BITCH.

THAT HADN'T HAPPENED,

I'D HAVE WALKED THEM RIGHT INTO THE HOUSE‐‐ BOTH OF THEM.

ALL BY YOURSELF.

NOT LIKE I HAVEN'T DONE IT BEFORE‐‐

BRINGIN' 'EM IN TWO AT A TIME, HUH?

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GONNA NEED TO GO IN AND SORT THIS OUT.

THEY HIT MY WIFE...

RIGHT IN THE FACE.

I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.

IT'S ALL RIGHT, ROY.

I HAD TO BEG THEM NOT TO HIT HER AGAIN.

I HAD TO BEG THEM.

IT'S OKAY. COME ON.

YOU GONNA CUFF ME?

NO.

[ SIGHS ]

WHAT WERE YOU DOING THIS MORNING, RALPH?

PICKING UP STUFF AT A WHOLESALER'S.

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

VARIOUS PLACES‐‐

ONE'S IN JACKSON HEIGHTS

AND ONE'S OVER BY THE KOSCIUSKO BRIDGE.

WHY DID YOU GET A TICKET OVER ON ST. MARK'S PLACE

IF YOU WERE GOIN' BY THE KOSCIUSKO BRIDGE?

YOU EVER WORK IN PERSONAL ASPECTS

IN THE COURSE OF BUSINESS?

WHAT KIND OF PERSONAL ASPECTS?

A CHICK, ALL RIGHT?

WHERE'S SHE LIVE?

BY THERE.

NAME AND ADDRESS, RALPH.

COME ON, MAN.

I GIVE THAT UP, I AIN'T GONNA BE GOIN' BACK THERE.

NAME BARRY TITEL MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

NO.

HERE'S WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN, RALPH‐‐

WE'RE GONNA LIFT THE PRINTS

OFF THE BOX IN BARRY TITEL'S OFFICE‐‐

THE ONE THE BLUE KRAIT CAME IN‐‐

WE'RE GONNA TRACE THE IMPORT RECORDS

AND FIND OUT IF THIS TYPE OF SNAKE CAN BE TRACED BACK TO YOU.

AND THE LONGER YOU LIE TO US,

THE HARDER IT'S GONNA BE FOR US TO HELP.

THE FACT THAT NOBODY GOT HURT'S GONNA WORK IN YOUR FAVOR.

WHAT HAPPENED, RALPH?

MY OLD MAN HAD A PET STORE.

HE LOST IT WHEN HE GOT NAILED FOR TAX EVASION.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

DANBURY FEDERAL PRISON.

DID HE READ TITEL'S BOOK?

MY MOTHER SAID, "DON'T DO IT."

I SAID, "DON'T DO IT." EVERYBODY SAID, "DON'T DO IT."

HE'S A STUBBORN BASTARD, THOUGH,

AND BUSTED HIS ASS FOR EVERY BUCK HE EVER EARNED.

THIS "NO TAXES" THING WAS TOO GOOD FOR HIM TO PASS UP.

ALL RIGHT, SO YOU SET TITEL'S CAR ON FIRE.

I ASKED THAT PRICK FOR HELP.

HE SAID MY DAD MUST HAVE MADE A MISTAKE

WHEN HE FILED HIS RETURNS.

AND THE SNAKE IN THE MAILBOX...

I COULD HAVE PUT A BLACK MAMBA IN THERE, YOU KNOW?

I COULD HAVE PUT IN A TAIPAN OR A CARPET VIPER.

I PUT IN A KRAIT SO HE'D HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SURVIVING.

WELL, WE'LL SEE THAT THAT'S TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

AND NOTHIN' HAPPENS TO THIS ASSHOLE, TITEL‐‐

EVEN THOUGH HE RUINED MY DAD'S LIFE?!

WE'RE GONNA NEED TO KEEP YOU DOWNSTAIRS

UNTIL WE SORT THIS OUT.

LET'S GO.

TITEL'S THE GUY WHO SHOULD BE DOING TIME IN DANBURY.

[ CLEARS THROAT ] ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, J. J., HERE'S WHERE WE'RE AT‐‐

YOU WORK FOR MR. SHAUNNESSEY, SO YOU CASE THE PLACE.

YOU BRING NICKY IN FOR LOOKOUT, THEN YOU BREAK IN,

YOU THREATEN THE SHAUNNESSEYS WITH YOUR KNIFE,

AND CLEAN THE PLACE OUT.

THE ONLY TRUE PART OF THAT IS MY WORKING FOR SHAUNNESSEY.

AND ALL I KNOW IS SHAUNNESSEY BUSTED INTO MY APARTMENT,

PUTS A GUN TO MY HEAD, AND TAKES ME OVER TO NICKY'S.

SO I DON'T CARE WHAT THAT GUY'S SAYIN'.

NO, IT'S NOT WHAT MR. SHAUNNESSEY'S SAYIN'‐‐

IT'S WHAT NICKY'S SAYIN'.

NO WAY.

J.J., DON'T BE THAT GUY‐‐ THE ONE WHO THINKS

HIS BLOOD BROTHER IS IN THE OTHER ROOM, STANDING UP FOR HIM.

COME ON.

GO TO HELL.

NICKY'S WRITING HIS STATEMENT. I WAS JUST IN THERE.

WELL, GOOD FOR HIM.

AND VERY BAD FOR YOU. IT TOOK ABOUT TWO MINUTES.

THE PROMISE OF A PACK OF CIGARETTES AND A COLD DRINK,

AND HE LAID IT AT YOUR FEET.

YOU KNEW THE APARTMENT.

YOU KNEW THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE,

YOU KNEW WHERE THE VALUABLES WERE.

NICKY WAS JUST WATCHIN' THE DOOR.

WE SHOULD BE TALKIN'

ABOUT HOW SHAUNNESSEY BUSTED INTO MY APARTMENT

AND PUT A 9 mm TO MY HEAD.

COP TO THE HOME INVASION, THAT WILL BE YOUR BARGAINING CHIP.

YOU STONEWALL US,

AND SHAUNNESSEY COMING INTO YOUR APARTMENT NEVER HAPPENED.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL TALK...

WHEN I SEE WHAT NICKY'S WRITIN', WHEN IT'S IN FRONT OF ME.

IT'S JUST GONNA MAKE YOU FEEL BAD,

'CAUSE IF HE GETS IT ON RECORD FIRST, IT'S GOSPEL.

YOU'LL BE SUCKIN' HIND TIT.

SHOW ME HIS STATEMENT, AND THEN WE'LL TALK.

YEAH, WE'LL BE TALKIN'

ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GOIN' TO PRISON FOR 20 YEARS.

[ DOOR CLOSES ]

J.J. WAS THE LOOKOUT.

HE TIPPED YOU TO THE SHAUNNESSEY'S.

YOU PULLED THE JOB.

NO‐‐ OTHER WAY AROUND.

YEAH, J.J.'s WRITING IT UP‐‐

NICKY'S IDEA‐‐ NICKY WAS THE MUSCLE.

YOU SEE THAT, YOU STUPID IDIOT?

I TOLD YOU THAT GUY WOULD FOLD, AND NOW WHERE ARE YOU?

I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW. I GOT TO THINK.

YOU'VE BEEN THINKIN'.

YOU'VE BEEN OVERTHINKIN', AND LOOK WHERE IT'S GOT YOU.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT J. J. WROTE UP.

WE'LL USE J. J.'s STATEMENT.

HOLD UP, HOLD UP!

NO, WE'RE DONE HOLDIN' UP. DO YOU WANT THE DEAL OR NOT?

I'LL TELL YOU MY PART IN WHAT HAPPENED THIS MORNING.

J.J. CAN SAY WHAT HE WANTS. DO I STILL HAVE TIME?

GET ON IT.

J.J. CAME TO ME WITH THE PLAN SINCE HE KNEW SHAUNNESSEY.

HE GOT A LITTLE TOO HIGH BEFOREHAND.

WHO HAD THE KNIFE?

I DID, BUT I DIDN'T USE IT.

WHO PUNCHED MRS. SHAUNNESSEY?

J.J. DID.

J.J. WITH NO VIOLENT PRIORS‐‐ HE DID THE SMACKIN' AROUND?

WE BOTH DID.

SIMULTANEOUSLY?

SHE KEPT SCREAMING. I COULD HAVE DONE WORSE, RIGHT?

WHY DON'T YOU START

WITH WHEN J. J. CAME TO YOU WITH THE PLAN?

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

SO...NEWS?

YEAH. RALPH BASSETT DID IT

ON ACCOUNT OF HIS DAD GOING TO PRISON FOR FOLLOWING YOUR BOOK.

OH.

ON THAT SUBJECT, FIRST OFF, KUDOS ON THE POLICE WORK.

I'M GONNA SLEEP A LOT EASIER TONIGHT THANKS TO YOU GUYS.

AS FAR AS ALVIN BASSETT GOES, I DO FEEL BAD.

I MEAN, HOW COULD I NOT?

IF THE SON REIMBURSES ME FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR,

I WON'T PRESS CHARGES.

[ Sarcastically ] 'CAUSE YOU GOT SUCH A BIG HEART.

WHAT'S WITH THAT TONE? I'M THE CRIME VICTIM HERE.

THE ONLY REASON YOU'RE DROPPING CHARGES

IS YOU DON'T WANT IT GETTING OUT

THAT SOMEONE WHO FOLLOWED YOUR ADVICE WOUND UP IN JAIL.

I'M GONNA DO MY BEST TO MAKE SURE IT DOES GET OUT.

IT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

THAT WANTS TO KEEP THIS HUSHED UP, NOT ME!

I'M CALLING MY FRIEND IN THE U. S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE,

AND ONE OF THESE DAYS,

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GONNA BE KNOCKIN' ON YOUR DOOR...

SCUMBAG.

I GOT TO GO PICK UP MICHAEL.

YEAH, I'LL WRAP THIS UP.

SO...

I GUESS...

DOES THAT MEAN YOU DON'T WANT THIS‐‐

PROPERLY PREPARED TAX RETURN IN YOUR NAME

THAT ENSURES YOU WON'T PAY A RED CENT?

FILE THAT RIGHT THERE.

FINE.

YOU KEEP WORKING FOR UNCLE SAM JANUARY TO JUNE.

ME? I'M GONNA GO PISS AWAY SOME OF MY TAX SAVINGS

ON TWO UKRAINIAN HOOKERS AND A T‐BONE STEAK.

YOU DO THAT.

YOU CUT DEALS WITH THEM?

NO, THEY'RE GONNA DO STRAIGHT TIME.

[ SIGHS ]

I FEEL LIKE ONE OF THEM OLD POLICE DOGS

OUT AT RODMAN'S NECK‐‐

RUN UP TO THE FENCE AND BARK, YOU KNOW,

BUT MOST OF THE TIME, THEY JUST LAY AROUND AND WAIT TO GET FED.

YOU'RE NOT THAT OLD, ROY.

YEAH, TELL ME ALL THE OLD SLOGANS, ANDY.

"GROWING OLD'S A BITCH, BUT IT BEATS THE ALTERNATIVE."

THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TRUTH TO THOSE.

"YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, HONEY.

YOU NEED TO PICK UP A HOBBY, SWEETHEART"‐‐

HOW'S THAT GONNA SOUND TO YOU, ANDY?

LIKE GOOD ADVICE.

EVERYTHING OKAY?

OH, YEAH.

WELL, UH, THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

HEY, ROY, TAKE CARE.

YOU GLAD ABOUT GOING TO YOUR AUNT'S?

AIN'T NOTHIN' I CAN DO ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, I TALKED TO HER ON THE PHONE,

AND SHE SEEMS LIKE A NICE PERSON.

I DON'T EVEN REALLY KNOW HER.

WELL, SHE SEEMS NICE.

SO, MY DAD SCARED OFF MR. AND MRS. GROSS.

I DON'T KNOW.

THAT‐‐ THAT MAY HAVE FACTORED IN A LITTLE.

ONCE HE KNEW WHERE I WAS LIVIN', I TOLD HIM NOT TO COME BY,

BUT HE WOULDN'T LISTEN.

I DON'T KNOW WHY HE SCREWED THAT UP FOR ME.

YOU KNOW, IN THINKING ABOUT IT,

YOUR DAD ACTING THE WAY HE IS,

IT'S LIKE HE THINKS I'M TRYING TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM HIM.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? YOU BACKIN' OUT, TOO?

NO. NO.

NOTHING'S CHANGED AS FAR AS YOU AND ME ARE CONCERNED.

I'M JUST...

JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY YOUR DAD'S DOING THIS.

YEAH.

MICHAEL...

LOOK AT ME.

I'M SERIOUS.

I'M NOT BACKING OUT.

[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]

MICHAEL'S AUNT IS HERE.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS, JOHN.

[ DOOR CLOSES ]

GIVE ME A MINUTE, ALL RIGHT?

[ DOOR CLOSES ]

TAMMY, HI. I'M DETECTIVE JONES.

HI. WHERE'S MICHAEL?

HE'LL BE OUT IN A SECOND.

BUT I‐‐ I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THIS.

I WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM IN BEFORE, WHEN MY SISTER DIED,

BUT I GOT THREE KIDS OF MY OWN

AND ONLY TWO BEDROOMS.

WELL, I'M SURE YOU KNOW MICHAEL'S‐‐ HE'S A GREAT KID.

YEAH, HE'S GOOD. HE'S GOOD.

HE'S A LITTLE NERVOUS, THOUGH.

YEAH, SO AM I,

'CAUSE, UH, I CAN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH HIS DAD‐‐

THAT'S MY ONLY CONDITION.

I'M GONNA GIVE YOU MY HOME AND PAGER NUMBER.

IF MICHAEL'S FATHER TRIES TO CONTACT YOU FOR ANY REASON,

CALL ME.

THAT'S FINE, BUT MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T COME TO MY PLACE.

CRAIG'S ONLY ALLOWED PREARRANGED, SUPERVISED VISITS.

OTHER THAN THAT, HE'S IN VIOLATION OF HIS PAROLE,

AND HE CAN BE SENT BACK TO PRISON‐‐ HE KNOWS THAT.

BUT THOSE VISITS DON'T TAKE PLACE IN MY APARTMENT.

NO. THAT WILL HAPPEN AT SOCIAL SERVICES.

AS LONG AS CRAIG KNOWS

THAT IF HE AIN'T GONNA MAKE NO PROBLEMS FOR ME,

I AIN'T GONNA MAKE NO PROBLEMS FOR HIM.

[ FOOTSTEPS ]

HEY.

HEY, AUNT TAMMY.

LOOK AT YOU‐‐ ALL GROWN UP.

[ CHUCKLES ]

READY?

YEAH.

COME ON.

HEY, MICHAEL,

TOMORROW FOR BREAKFAST‐‐ SAME PLACE, ALL RIGHT?

OKAY.

[ CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS ]

[ MUSIC STOPS ]

WHAT MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND?

UH, YOU WERE RIGHT.

IT'S NICE TO GET OUT SOMETIMES‐‐

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS.

[ MUSIC RESUMES ]