Original subtitles

NARRATOR: Chicago, 1963.

Last week on "Crime Story"-- Ray Luca's failed attempt

to steal the secrets of Noah Ganz's Vegas operation

put Luca's life in jeopardy.

That Luca acted alone infuriated crime

bosses Bartoli and Weisbord.

Meanwhile, Ganz joined forces with a Cleveland mob group

against Luca and his Chicago bosses, who then

told Luca to fix it or get fixed.

David Abrams unwittingly gave Luca a solution to his crisis.

Luca didn't negotiate.

He eliminated Ganz and the entire Cleveland opposition,

clearing the way for the implementation

of his national gambling scheme and his place

in the outfit hierarchy.

David Abrams was left wrestling with the reality

that his father's mob-connected past makes it increasingly

difficult for him to do the kind of legal work he chooses.

But he persists.

Tonight, on "Crime Story."

[music playing]

-Leon, baby, watch yourself.

-Hey, love.

-Hi, honey.

Baby, look.

See what Leon's doing in the living room.

[screaming]

[music - del shannon, "runaway"]

-Listen, you want me to, uh, make

you some lunch or something?

-Excuse me, Doctor.

-Is the room in Pediatrics ready?

-Can I speak to you a second?

We can't give them a room.

-Find them something on another floor.

-It's not availability.

They are indigents, Doctor.

No insurance.

No way to pay.

-The boy was bitten by a rat.

Anybody here ever heard of the plague or rabies?

-Please keep your voice down.

-Mr. Lincoln, I want--

-Look, Doctor, I know I can't afford to pay you

what I should, but he's only five.

-We'd only keeping him here for observation anyway.

Can one of you keep an eye on him?

-Well, I stay home.

-OK.

Wash out the bite in the morning and before he goes to bed.

Put some salve on it and cover it with a bandage.

Then watch for any radical change in temperature.

You have a thermometer?

NURSE: Doctor, what are you doing?

-Go back to work.

Everything's going to be all right.

But he should be watched very carefully

for the next five days.

If there's any change at all, just give me a call.

My name's Eisenberg.

I practically live in this harbor of mercy.

I'm sorry.

Leon's going to be OK.

-Daddy, what's indigent?

[whimpering]

-All right.

-Child, what's wrong?

-They changing the bulb.

She tripped coming down the steps.

-Who's changing the bulbs?

-Landlord.

He too cheap to hire a super even to do his dirty work.

He up there now.

-Why are you doing that?

-None of your business what it is I do.

-Yo, we can't see.

-You can't see nothing, you people.

You cost me money.

You think they give me electricity?

-15 watts?

A little girl fell down the stairs.

My son got bit by a rat.

When are you gonna clean up this garbage

and get rid of the rats?

-So move.

-No, you're supposed to do that.

I pay rent here.

-You pay nothing almost.

From this, you think I have to hire rat man?

You want rats gone?

I tell you something-- I buy you spear.

-Hector!

Stop it, baby, don't!

-How's that?

-No!

-Spear that!

-Baby, baby, baby.

Oh, what you have gone and done?

-Mr. Lincoln.

My name is David Abrams.

Court has assigned me as your lawyer.

What's the problem, Mr. Lincoln?

You have rights to a defense.

-Yeah.

Tell me about it.

Tell me about all the rights that I got.

-Look, I know how you must be feeling--

-Man, you don't know nothing.

You know less than nothing.

Is there decent food on your family's table?

-Listen to me, you want to feel sorry

for yourself, then don't waste my time.

You want to stand up like a man, I'm here to fight for you.

-I didn't mean to hurt nobody, Mr. Abrams.

I just blew up and lost my cool.

My son's face.

"What's indigent, Daddy?"

The rat bit him.

The garbage in the halls.

The lights.

-What rat bite?

[baby crying]

MRS. LINCOLN: I'm coming.

-Mrs. Lincoln.

-Look, I ain't got no money.

-I'm David Abrams.

I'm Hector's attorney.

-I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Come in.

-Thank you.

-Get down, baby, so Mommy can finish.

Are you gonna be able to help Hector?

-I'm gonna try, Mrs. Lincoln.

-I hope so.

He got fired.

He don't even know it.

And I ain't got the heart to tell him.

-Hector tells me the water doesn't work.

-Nothing works.

-Did he get fired because of the arrest?

-More cause he can't make bail.

His boss can't afford to hire two handyman.

He say, Hector can keep the job only if he get out right away.

What you doing, Mr. Abrams?

-I'm trying to make a case, Mrs. Lincoln.

Does Hector's boss like him?

MRS. LINCOLN: Yes.

He's just close to the bone like the rest of us.

It don't help not having the food money.

Do I got to pay you?

-May I?

-OK.

-No, no.

You don't have to pay me, Mrs. Lincoln.

I'm court-appointed.

How's it feeling, Leon?

-It hurt.

-Yeah, I'll bet it does.

I'm gonna try to get Hector's bail reduced.

I'm gonna get your dad home.

-Mr. Abrams?

-No, it's all right.

I'll need this as evidence.

I'll get you a new shower curtain.

I'm sorry about the bath tub.

-Are you all right?

-Yeah.

Mrs. Lincoln, here's $25 for food.

This is part of the court assignment.

-How are we gonna pay it back?

-Well, I'm gonna try to get Hector

released on his own recognizance.

He can pay me back in a few weeks.

-You gonna get Hector out?

-I'm sure gonna try, Mrs. Lincoln.

You take care, Leon.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

You've gotta do this, Alan.

And by the way, this is not a favor.

Listen to me.

I got a client who's in jail because a Neanderthal slumlord

is to cheap to buy rat traps, and so my client's kid

gets bit.

-I'll pitch you at the next business meeting.

-I don't have time for a pitch.

-David, I write the assignment desk.

I see things get done.

But I don't have the authority to decide on doing

a human interest piece about some--

-Alan, Alan, who has the authority?

-Editorial staff.

-When do they meet?

-Next Monday.

-No, no.

I don't have time for that.

Alan, look.

Please, there has got to be somebody here who can jump

on this story right now, today, because it's a good story.

Not because it fits into some committee's guideline criteria

crap.

-I can.

-David Abrams, meet Suzanne Terry.

-Can you?

-She can.

-But I won't until you answer one question.

ABRAMS: Shoot.

-What's the rush?

-I got a client who's charged with aggravated assault.

He beat up his slumlord.

He did it, no question.

But it was justified.

I'm pleading not guilty, self defense.

I'm arguing that the emotional and economic violence

instigated by the landlord is tantamount

to a physical attack.

-And you're gonna read to the jury from Marx and Engels?

-No, Ms. Terry, I'm not.

But I'm gonna win.

If I can get unbiased third party verification.

All I'm saying is you take a look.

If you don't see what I see, it's a dead issue.

But if you do, I'd like to see it in print before the trial.

-Looks like you're trying to manipulate

the press so you can win in court.

-Absolutely.

-So show me.

How much background can you give me?

-Here's a list of the buildings owned by Sturkowski.

I'd say he qualifies as a major Chicago slumlord.

I've outlined some of the violations

I've spotted in his buildings.

-Has he been cited?

-Just on some minor stuff.

He's probably paying somebody off.

And here's copies of his immigration papers.

He came here from Warsaw in 1950.

What the hell are you staring at, buddy?

-Well, I guess some people just don't like seeing a Shiksa girl

like me breaking bread with a Jewish boy.

-Yeah, I see your point.

-People, they don't appreciate what

it means to be an American.

For people like me, it means everything.

We struggle.

We escape communists.

We arrive here with nothing.

When we get to America, we know what freedom is,

believe you me.

-And what is freedom, Mr. Sturkowski?

-Freedom to be what we want, be a success, make money.

You know, own buildings, have rights.

-And what rights do your tenants have?

-They have right to pay rent or move.

You must have gone to college to be a reporter.

You have an education so you understand.

You are different from most of your people.

So you should see, not be expected to treat people who

act like animals like they are people.

They only take advantage and give nothing back.

-Julie.

Julie.

We can't go on living like this.

-Michael, I don't know how we live.

-Neither do I. But I do know that I love you,

and whatever it is that's missing between us,

I want to make right.

-What's missing?

Michael, we fight about things that don't make any difference.

It's not the dining room table.

What's missing is you.

I can never count on you to be there when I need you.

I'm an affectionate person, Michael.

I give it, and I need it in return.

And there just isn't enough for me or us.

I just don't know how important I am to you, Michael.

-You once told me that they haven't invented

the hard time that we can't handle.

Now I'm saying that to you.

We can handle this.

We can work this out.

-Maybe I was wrong, Michael?

-Are you willing to make the effort to find out?

Kehoe about a place in New Buffalo.

Julie, look at me.

I'm struggling here to try to make a date.

Go away for a long weekend, what do you say?

-If I say yes, are you gonna leave me at home

at the last minute, surrounded by luggage?

-On my life.

On my life, Julie, no police work, no MCU, no nothing.

Just me, and you, and la luna, the moon.

What do you say?

It's very nice up there.

Come on.

-Don't look at me like that.

-Champagne.

ABRAMS: Mr. Sturkowski, isn't it true

that you deliberately provoked Mr. Lincoln?

-I did not provoke him.

Like an animal, he attacks me.

-You think of Mr. Lincoln as an animal?

-Objection.

JUDGE: Sustained.

-Your Honor, I'll be reviewing defense exhibit 1 through 7.

JUDGE: Continue.

ABRAMS: Do you recognize these pictures?

STURKOWSKI: That is my building.

-Picture Number 1.

-The basement.

-And the garbage?

-Is there garbage?

It's not mine.

-And who's rats are they in your building's basement?

-There would be no rats if they keep cans covered.

-Don't you have an obligation to put out the trash for pickup

and to provide enough cans with suitable lids?

-There are six cans.

-Six garbage cans for 15 families.

Mr. Sturkowski, how many garbage cans do you have at your home?

-Objection.

It's irrelevant.

-Sustained.

-Picture Number 2.

STURKOWSKI: The boiler.

-Why is the heat switch on the boiler padlocked?

-Because they vandalize it.

ABRAMS: Why is there no fuel in your boiler?

-It is summer.

The sun heats the water.

-And how does the sun find its way down into your basement?

-No.

The water is on the roof.

The water runs from water tank.

-And the water stays warm in a dark, cold basement.

Picture Number 3.

-It's the hall.

You made it too dark.

-Actually, Picture 3 was taken with the 15 watts

of light you provide your tenants.

However, Picture Number 4 was taken with a standard 75 watt

bulb you're too cheap to install.

-Your Honor.

-Let's limit the editorializing, Mr. Abrams.

-Picture Number 5-- I'll save you the trouble.

Picture Number 5 is the faucet in the Lincoln apartment

when it's off.

Picture Number 6 is when it's on.

There's no difference.

-They-- they are responsible for the plumping

in their apartment.

-Exhibit Number 7.

STURKOWSKI: Did you see what they throw in the toilets?

-And Mr. Sturkowski, are they responsible for this?

-He's out of order!

-I want you in my chambers, Mr. Abrams.

Court's recessed for lunch.

TERRY: Well, the judge ball you out?

-Not for the first time.

-I'm surprised you didn't get hit with contempt.

-Trial's not over yet.

-I'm sorry you didn't get to use the article as evidence.

-Trial's not over yet.

-You're a real operator, aren't you?

-Speaking of which, can I buy you lunch?

-My son's hand was bit open.

Boy, he's screaming from the pain.

We took him to the hospital.

And they was real good.

But they won't let him stay cause I ain't got no money.

We went home, and our neighbor's child

was crying from falling down stairs.

Mr. Sturkowski was making them dark.

He told me that if I wanted to get rid of the rats,

he'd buy me a spear.

I just couldn't take no more.

-What did you do then?

-I hit him.

I'm sorry.

-I have No more questions.

-You ran up the stairs when you attacked Mr. Sturkowski.

-Objection.

-You ran up the stairs.

LINCOLN: Yes, sir.

PROSECUTOR: You didn't fall down.

LINCOLN: No, sir.

PROSECUTOR: And when you found Mr. Sturkowski,

you attacked him.

-Objection.

PROSECUTOR: You hit Mr. Sturkowski.

LINCOLN: Yes, sir.

PROSECUTOR: More than once?

LINCOLN: Yes, sir.

PROSECUTOR: More than twice?

LINCOLN: Twice anyway.

PROSECUTOR: A dozen times?

How many times did you hit him before you stopped?

-Objection.

JUDGE: Overruled.

-Here.

We got the approval for the wire on Luca's new house.

-Great.

-Wait until he talks to Bartoli about anything, even

the weather.

-Mhm.

-Then get the judge to extend the tap on Bartoli's phones.

-OK.

Oh, hey, by the way.

Pal David Abrams is trying a case here today.

-Oh yeah?

Where?

-Down here, I think.

-The issue is simple and clear.

Did the defendant beat and assault Mr. Sturkowski?

There's been no denial.

Your obligation is just as clear.

You must return a verdict of guilty.

-The issue here is not so clear and simple as the prosecution

would have you believe.

The issue isn't whether or not Mr.

Lincoln assaulted Mr. Sturkowski.

Mr. Lincoln did assault Mr. Sturkowski.

What is at issue here is at what point do

we have the right to defend ourselves?

Hector is on trial.

But it is Sturkowski who, by denying

his tenants fundamental maintenance,

enticed disease-carrying rats to flourish.

Hector's on trial.

But it is Sturkowski who padlocked the boiler

and let it run dry so there was no hot water for cleaning.

It is Sturkowski who turned the light to darkness

so that children fall down stairs.

But it is Hector who is being tried.

And it's Hector's five-year-old son who gets ravaged by rats

while Sturkowski collects the rent.

What's at issue here is at what point

does a man have the right to stand up in defense

of his family against social and economic violence

that is as damning to body and soul as any physical blow?

You will vote on the simple charge of aggravated assault.

But your verdict is on as profound an issue

as you're likely ever to face.

It's as important to your existence as your skin.

Ultimately, you're not rendering judgment

based on the edicts of men in hallowed halls

wearing judicial robes.

You are rendering a decision that

judges the lifeblood of this country.

That all men are created equal in the eyes of God.

And that no one, no one, individually or collectively,

has any right to abridge that guarantee.

That is simple and clear.

And if it is a value to you, your verdict

is just as self-evident.

Not guilty.

-You will retire now to your decision.

Whatever you have heard from either side of this case,

your decision must meet the test of our laws.

Is Mr. Lincoln guilty or not of the charge

of aggravated assault?

If he is, you must so find him.

Bailiff.

We're in adjournment while awaiting the verdict.

BAILIFF: All rise.

[whispering]

-Hi, I'm Sgt. Danny Krychek, MCU.

That was a great job you just did.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-Hell of a speech, Counselor.

-Thanks, Lieutenant.

-Take this as innocent curiosity, but, uh,

what did you do with the $30,000 that Luca gave you?

-I sent it to Cori Luca with a card that read "Loving Wife."

-I sent it to Cori Luca with a card that read "Loving Wife."

-Come on, Sherry, baby.

Come on.

Jump down.

Ray.

Oh, what a wonderful gift.

-What's all this?

-Ray, $30,000.

Now, I only spent $20.

Oh, I love you.

[barking]

-What's that?

-Look.

Ah, Sherry.

Isn't she cute?

-Yeah, she's adorable.

$30,000.

Where'd you get $30,000?

Where'd you get $30,000?

-Have you reached a verdict?

-We have, Your Honor.

JUDGE: And how do you find Hector Lincoln on the charges?

Guilty or not guilty?

-Not guilty.

-Yes!

-Oh my goodness!

JUDGE: Court adjourned.

-You should be proud.

-This is justice?

He beats me and he gets off?

This won't stop here!

I will not allow this to get away.

Animals!

You owe me rent!

You don't pay, I fix you!

-[speaking polish]

You do this to your people and let

those animals get away with this?

-You're not my people.

I'm American.

[speaking polish]

--[speaking polish] You protect them

and don't help your own kind.

Why?

-Don't.

[speaking polish]

I don't like that guy.

-Look, there's a block party tonight

celebrating Hector's release.

You guys are invited.

-I'd love to be there.

-Thanks.

-Bring your friends, lots of them.

It's $5 a head.

It's a rent party.

Hector hasn't paid any since he's been locked up.

[music playing on radio]

-Call or you're gonna wear the spots off the cards.

-I can't make up my mind.

-So what else is new?

The cards tell you what to do, Pauli.

Just play your hand, huh?

-It ain't that easy, Boss.

-Hey, Phil, how ya doing?

-I'm good.

How was your trip?

-I had a great time.

I was gonna call you later.

I think we need to talk.

-Why?

We got problems?

-Maybe.

-Well, let's talk here.

Why don't you take a walk?

Get some sun.

Get rid of your prison complexion.

-You want me to leave, Mr. Bartoli?

-Ray and I want to talk.

Why don't you go around the corner

and play Solitaire or something?

-What is that?

-Pauli, go make us a drink and then go out

and check on the car, all right?

-What's wrong with the car?

-Pauli, take a book of matches and go look

and see if there's any gas left in the tank, all right?

Phil, what are you drinking?

BARTOLI: Burbon.

Tell me about the casino operation in Vegas.

-It doesn't operate the way it should.

BARTOLI: Why not?

-Fosse.

-What are you saying?

Fosse's a slick operator.

-He's dealing his own hand.

-Fosse's been our-- he's been our guy in Vegas

for five years.

We never had a problem.

-Phil, all I know is he walked me through the system

the way it works.

Maybe one half of what's available

is the organization's.

And the other half goes in his pocket.

He's not dumb.

-All right, tell me-- tell me about the sports book.

How's that going?

-Sports book's a gold mine.

BARTOLI: Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Good.

LUCA: Hartman will turn out a good count.

Very good.

Listen, about Fosse.

Keep it under your hat until I talk to Manny.

You got any problems with that?

-None, Mr. Bartoli.

-Mr. Bartoli.

Ugh.

I gotta get out of this place.

It gives me [inaudible].

You give my love to your beautiful wife, huh?

-Sure thing.

-Come on, let's play cards, Boss.

What was that all about?

-Shut up, Pauli.

Just came out.

Bartoli and Johnny Fosse got their own thing going.

Who's pick is it?

-It's my turn.

-Lieutenant, what should we do?

-Throw a fin in a barrel and join the party.

-Evening, ma'am.

KRYCHEK: Lieutenant, how you doing?

-Whadda ya got in the package?

-A little surprise.

-You're looking good.

-Yeah, feeling good.

-Got it.

TORELLO: Hey, Counselor.

-Lieutenant.

-How are you?

-I'm fine. Thank you.

-Good, good.

-Sgt. Krychek.

-Nice to see you again, David. -You too.

-This is Sheila.

-Hi.

Oh, wait a minute.

Suzanne.

Start over.

-This is Sheila.

This is my wife Julie.

David Abrams.

Suzanne Terry.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

I've heard a lot about you.

Michael tells me you're brilliant in court.

-Um, put your money in the kitty.

And how about a picture?

-Yes.

-All right.

-All right.

Come on, Suzanne, get in the picture.

-Come on, Suzanne. Get in here.

-Come on. Don't be shy.

-Ready.

Cheese.

-Wait.

-Got it.

So get some beers.

Enjoy the party.

[music playing]

-Hey.

This is what makes my job worthwhile once in a while.

-Hey, how's Hector doing?

-Let's ask Hector.

CLEMMONS: What the hell is that?

-Oh, it's soul food, Clemmons.

Kielbasa.

-Sausages.

-You ever try it?

A little horseradish, huh?

-Yeah, sure.

-You ever try pierogies?

-Yeah.

-You know what pierogies are, right?

-Sure.

-Chruscikies?

You know what those are?

-No. -You know, the cookies.

-Oh, those are the little cookies

with the confectioner's sugar on them.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Yeah, sure.

-You ever try garagekies?

-No, I don't know garagekies.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-You open a garage door with them.

-You stay on that side.

-OK.

-All right?

Don't get anything over here.

-Hector, how are you doing?

-Ah, you're looking at it.

-Mr. Hector Lincoln, one man who has escaped

being run over by the wheels of justice.

-Thanks.

Let's dance, Mrs. Lincoln.

-All right.

-Tear it up.

-Julie, honey.

Come here.

-Hector may be out of jail, but the situation hasn't changed.

This place is still a death trap.

Who's gonna force Sturkowski to make this dump livable?

-Leave it to a reporter to inject a little righteous

indignation into a block party.

-I thought that was the public defender's job.

-That's funny.

MERRITT: Hey, D.

-Hello, Al.

Al Merritt.

Suzanne Terry.

Mike and Julie Torello.

-Hi, Al.

-Hi.

-Suzanne.

Do you dance?

I mean, do you know how to dance?

-Are you kidding?

-Let me warn you, I've been known to shake it somewhat.

-Oh, well, you better start shaking it.

Come on.

Come on.

All right.

All right.

-Well, what do you say, Mrs. Torello?

You want to give this stuff a shot?

-I think I can shake it myself.

-I think you can too.

Let's go.

JULIE: See you later.

-Have some watermelon.

-No.

-Come on.

Come on.

-No. -Just a little bit.

-Michael, no.

I'm tired.

I'm want to go home.

-I should've thought of it myself.

Come on, let's go.

-No, you stay.

I'll just catch a cab.

-No. Come on.

We'll go.

MERRITT: Where do you live?

-Lakeshore Drive.

-We'll drop you off.

We were just leaving.

-No problem?

-No, not at all.

-Be all right?

-Yes.

I'll see you later.

-All right. Want some watermelon?

-No.

Get out of here. MERRITT: Nice meeting you, Mike.

-So long. JULIE: I'll see you at home.

-Nice meeting you.

Bye.

-What's going on here, Sturkowski?

-It's the law.

You tell them.

I got my rights too.

TORELLO: What's going on?

-It's an eviction notice.

You got it down, don't you, pal?

Man's in jail, and you evict him before he

gets his day in court.

-It's the law.

You tell them get out.

-No!

-He's dead.

You're under arrest, Hector.

[music playing]

[theme music]