All language subtitles for Picket.Fences.S04E16.WebRip

Mayor? She's appointed a mayor?

An interim acting mayor...

just until Mayor Bey
is back from maternity leave.

Due to certain volatile issues
before the council right now,

the mayor felt that
an unbiased outsider

would be the best choice
to lead the city.

Wow! I can't believe it.

Me, the mayor.

Kenny,
you should feel this chair,

it is so comfortable,
it kind of molds to your butt.

It's amazing.

Oh, would you take
a picture for me?

‐Sure, why not?
‐It's for my parents.

Smile.

[whirring]

Thanks.

I could grow to like this.

Well, don't get
too comfortable, Max.

Remember,
it's only for eight weeks.

I don't want this to come out
wrong or anything, but,

Kenny,
as long as I'm in office,

you probably should
call me mayor.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]

[Chuck]
Would somebody please tell me

what the hell
is going on in Rome?

I mean, what is it
with this freaking place?

Have you heard
about this mayor thing?

I mean, come on,

initially they had this

deaf‐mute bitch on wheels
calling the shots

and now they've got Barbarella,
I mean, the sheriff's bimbo,

running the show down there.

Oh, man,

I mean, honestly, I mean,
I've seen Maxine Stewart, OK?

And quite frankly, you wouldn't
have to ask me twice to do her.

I could make her
squeal like a pig.

But does that mean I want her

making executive decisions
on my behalf?

I don't think so.

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

[high‐pitched] Oh, shut up,
I'm having cramps, you bastards.

[crying]

[normal] Oh, man,

I'd much rather take a homo
any day of the week

over that kind of hell and I
hope you hear me, mayor.

You're listening
to the Chuck Dante Show.

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

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

And he makes a point.

There's a reason why women

aren't allowed in combat,
sheriff.

Look, the guy is a hate monger,

I don't want to hear him
in this station again.

And by the way,

this department is damn lucky

to have Max as mayor right now.

Especially with this
new budget up for approval,

we can use her support.

I don't get it,
why did she pick Max?

That's this
female bonding thing.

Women get together,
talk about the enemy, us,

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

Face it, pal, we're gelded.

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

Carter!

Well, why else
would she choose Max?

Laurie knew I ran for mayor.

I'm clearly the better
qualified candidate.

I'm for slow growth,
better schools,

mandatory autopsies.

Don't prejudge, Carter,

Max could do
a perfectly fine job.

‐Are you out of your mind?
‐[townsfolk] Yeah!

You let that Multi‐Mart in
and you're gonna wipe out

the entire
downtown shopping area.

I think I speak
for the entire community

when I say you go ahead with is,
there's going to be big trouble.

First off, Mr. Murkoff,

I did not say that
I was in favor of anything,

I am just trying to be fair.

The Multi‐Mart people
have a position
just like you do.

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

‐Pearl speaks for all of us.
‐Stop the Multi‐Mart.

Don't stab us in the back.

[all talking at once]

Your five minutes are up.
Next Mr. James Hallett

[intermittent booing]

Jim Hallett,
corporate vice president of
communications for Multi‐Mart.

Let me dispel
some of the fear, folks.

First of all,
Multi‐Mart has no intention

of wiping out
your local businesses.

Come on!

We don't sell quaint antiques
or Aunt Sally's fudge.

We could never
compete with that.

We like to think that
our presence in the community

has a synergistic effect,

bringing more commerce
to all businesses.

Not to mention
300 permanent job positions.

‐There really isn't a downside,
‐[man] We don't need 'em.

‐just an opportunity.
‐Fine...

go ahead and just wipe out
our local history.

[townsfolk agreeing]

The proposed site of
this so‐called mega monstrosity

is exactly
where the Glatveld family

built the town's
first homestead.

That's right,

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

As president of
the Rome Historical Society,

I have to raise
my strongest objection.

[Pearl]
Judge Bone has a good point.

I think we need to
hear more about this.

And how about
an environmental impact report.

There is a parking lot.

Thousand spaces
means a thousand cars.

‐I don't like the sound of that.
‐Why not?

Well, what I mean is,

have you ever tried to buy

sneakers
or a toaster around here?

And what about
those of us who work

and can't shop until after six?

You know it might not be such
a bad idea to have a place

that's open late
and carries everything.

‐Shop on Saturday,
‐This is a small town.

There's nothing wrong

with a little healthy
competition, Burl.

And main street is looking
a little run down lately.

[Doug] Mayor Stewart.

‐Mr. Wambaugh.
‐[woman] Come on,
Douglas, tell her.

Go ahead, speak for us.

As special counsel to the mayor,

I'd like to remind you

that your temporarily
indisposed predecessor

was decidedly slow growth

in her approach to this issue.

I am aware of that,
Mr. Wambaugh.

Yes, but, Mayor Stewart,

under these circumstances
it would behoove you to‐‐

But as acting mayor,

I will make my own decision
on this issue.

Thank you for your input.

You can't change policy, Max.

Laurie Bey appointed me.

No strings attached.
I have full authority.

And while we're on the subject.

‐You're fired.
‐What?

You questioned me
in front of the entire council.

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

So...

you're out.

‐Fat.
‐[Jimmy] What?

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

you'd have enough grease
to open your own burger joint.

What are you talking about?

This budget's lean as it gets,
Maxine.

[scoffs] You forget
who you're talking to.

I know where the skeletons
are buried

and most of them are right here

between lines
seven and twenty three.

‐Uh...
‐Thirty‐five thousand dollars
for clerical support.

What clerical support?

‐Otis Prager and Charlene Gibbon
only work half days.
‐Max, Max,

‐we need a full‐timer,
you know that.
‐No, you don't.

Everyone can type
their own reports.

I don't believe this.

Since when do you have
such strong opinions
about our budget?

I don't remember
this coming up before.

I have to look at things
differently now, Jimmy,

I'm the mayor.

Now if you want me to
take your budget seriously,

you're going to have to
rework those numbers.

‐Women are sex objects.
‐Chuck, please.

Come on, Doc,

you're a doctor,
you know it's biological.

If women weren't sex objects,

why would men even want
to hang around with them,
for crying out loud?

I'll bet you most men would
rather hang around with me

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

Let me ask you a question.

No, you know what?
This is my show

and I get to ask the questions,
Chuck.

No, really,
let me ask you a question.

‐You have an active
sex life, right?
‐Chuck,

we're here to talk about your
quick release problem.

Isn't that the reason
you're on the show?

Get real, the only reason
I'm on your show is

to boost your flagging ratings.

we'll get around to my
hair trigger in a little while.

By the way,
what's your cup size?

You know, this sort of,
just deteriorates‐‐

I'd say about a B.

Well, you know what,
you can say whatever you want.

I won't dignify that
with a response.

A B‐cup is nothing to be
ashamed of, sweetheart.

I mean, it's perfect. More than
a mouthful is always a waste.

But I'll tell you something
else, this new mayor of yours,

now she is sporting quite a set
of sweater puppies.

I'll bet you they're
still being milk fed

What's her deal?
She got like a girlfriend?

A lot of men call me

with concerns about
premature ejaculation.

Let's talk about
how you deal
with that problem.

I'm telling you she is
one hot fox

but I don't trust her,
you know why?

She's like a human Barbie doll,

if she took off her shoes
I'll bet you

she couldn't stand up by herself
you know what I say,

I say impeach the bimbo.
Impeach the bimbo,

people,
come on impeach the bimbo.

‐Whoa! Hello! Is that real?
‐What?

Your hair.
Oh, an, it's a major turn on.

I just want to grab it and drag
you around the room right now.

Okay, Chuck, brass tacks

What are we talking about,
five seconds and out?

All right, all right,
I admit it.

You know I'm quick on the draw

but I've got a huge magazine,
carries a lot of rounds,

and it doesn't take me
but a minute to reload.

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

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

I know, I know, but I really
do think that I have
an aptitude for it.

I just never had the guts
to put myself out there before.

You should really be careful,
you know.

It's just there's so many
issues out there
in front of us right now.

I mean, there's parkland zoning

slow growth, teen curfews,
and now my opinion counts.

Well, maybe you should lay back,

check things out before
you jump in with both feet.

I always thought
that I wanted Jimmy's job.

Now...

I think maybe politics
is my destiny.

When my term is up,

I might consider
running for higher office

like state senator or something.
What do you think?

I think
you're pissing people off.

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

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

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

But you know what?
That's too damn bad.

I'm not running
in a popularity contest.

A leader doesn't follow,
a leader leads.

Max, the word is that
Laurie appointed you mayor

because you didn't think
you'd do anything

except change your wardrobe.

That's not true.

I spoke to Laurie this morning

and I have her full support.

Maybe it just took another woman
to recognize my potential.

I‐I've got a meeting.
I'm gonna put this on my tab.

♪ Well, you can tell
by the way I use my walk ♪

♪I'm a woman's man
no need to talk ♪

You drive me crazy, just looking
at you coming to me, come to me.

‐My God, I've gotta go.
‐No, no no, no
I am gonna make you moan.

No, I think you're
gonna make me laugh.

Let's see.

[both grunt]

[woman sighs, laughs]

Welcome to the Inferno, Ignacio.

By the way,
what kind of name is that?

‐Uh, w hat do you mean?
‐What I mean, Ignacio,

is that it isn't American,
is it?

‐Listen, Chuck. I am American
‐Yeah, right.

Like, there were
a lot of pilgrims

named Ignacio
on the Mayflower.

Give me a break!
Where are you from?

Okay, look, Chuck,

I didn't call you to tell you
where I'm from.

I just think you're being
a little hard on the mayor.

Why? Because I put her at
the top of my list of women

who piss me off?

Hey, as far as I'm concerned,
she's the female Newt Gingrich.

She knows nothing
about city politics

and yet instead of
keeping her mouth shut

and just twiddling her thumbs

until Helen Keller gets back,

she's become, what, a demagogue
with a hair fetish!

I mean,
how many times can a woman

change her hair color
in a week?

‐What's a demagogue?
‐Shh!

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

and Multi‐Mart,

is that why we live in
small town Wisconsin?

To watch
the pizzification of America

happen in our own backyards?

Why is she
picking on the little guys?

I like those crappy
old shops downtown.

You know what I hope?

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

or better yet, someone should
just put her out of her misery.

‐[turns off]
‐Who said
that you could listen to that?

It's just the radio, Mom.

That man, that Chuck Dante,

he's a racist misogynist pig.

He's funny, Mom.

‐Funny's no excuse.
‐He's kidding.

I mean,
everyone listens to Chuck

just to see
how far I'll go, that's all.

What's the big deal?

The big deal is you're my sons.

I expect more from you.

Censorship, alive and well
in the 90s.

Thirty‐three‐year‐old male
with enlarged mammary glands,

palpations reveal no masses.

‐[knock on door]
‐[door opens]

[door closes]

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

There's no secret about it.

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

I give up.

Jill, don't be too hard on them.

I actually think
he's kind of funny.

Oh, come on,
how can you laugh at somebody

who so obviously hates women?

Not to mention
anyone else who isn't a,
a white moronic male.

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

He doesn't actually
believe that stuff.

It's just his way
of getting ratings.

This morning
he was railing at Max,

and it got very ugly.

And my sons are
sitting there laughing.

You got to admit, sometimes
Dante is very clever.

Besides, I'll bet it's
very cathartic for the idiots

who actually,
like, buy that stuff.

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

He talked about your breasts

on your own show,
for God's sake!

Just forget it!

We obviously have
a difference of opinion on this.

I can deal with him, you can't.

Fine.

I slept with him.

You're kidding!

Joanna,
I don't know what to say!

‐I didn't think even you‐‐
‐Jill, he is not as bad as you‐‐

Don't start!

This man is dangerous!

I won't let my own sons
listen to him.

I can't believe that you
would let him touch you.

That's sick, Joanna.

Okay, it's sick,
it's sick, okay.

It's, it's a sick animal thing,
I admit it.

What can I say? I am just

inexplicably,
incredibly attracted to him.

I don't know, maybe
it's because he is so vile.

Maybe it's some weird
self‐esteem thing, I don't know.

All I know is that
I cannot help myself.

I just really respond to him

and the sex is great!

[groans]

[door slams shut]

All right, maybe it's not great
but it's interesting.

Yay.

Mr. Watkins?

[Watkins] Nay.

[Max] And finally, Mr. Hayden.

Nay.

Okay,

that's five yays and five nays.

I guess that leaves me
with a deciding vote.

I've given this matter
a lot of thought

and for me it comes down
to one thing.

Do we want to be
a sleepy backwater

with just a few
dusty old stores?

I mean, I've patrolled
main street, folks,

and no one's shopping there.

Do we want to move
into the 21st century?

I think we do. I vote yay.

[man] No! Traitor!

Traitor! Traitor!

[chanting] Impeach the bimbo!

What is she thinking?

[chanting] Impeach the bimbo!

Adjourned.

Maybe you better
go out the back way.

No, I'll go out the front.

Quite a community!

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

I'll lose my business
because of this,
you stupid bitch!

Who appointed you God?

[Chuck] The bimbo demagogue
strikes again.

Come on, people, I warned you.

I warned you!

Didn't I tell you
that Maxine Stewart

was a Mussolini in the making?

Now look
what she's done to Rome.

Oh, man! One Multi‐Mart

and she's opened up
the floodgates
to every strip mall

and pizza joint
that wants to make a buck.

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

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

‐Oh, man, Arnie you still there?
‐Yeah, I'm here, Chuck.

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

[laughs] For the moment.

Is this thing gonna completely
screw you or what?

I'm dead meat, we all are.

I got a mortgage man, kids
to feed, this stuck‐up bitch,

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

I got one more question
for you, Arnie.

What do you think of women
holding political office?

They suck!

‐I say‐‐
‐Impeach the bimbo, elect Chuck

Impeach the bimbo, elect Chuck.

Everybody repeat after me.
Next call.

Have I made a mistake?

I mean, I really studied
this Multi‐Mart issue.

No, sometimes
you have to take a lot of flack

to do what you think is right.

So typical! When a man's
decisive, he's strong.

When a woman's decisive,
she's a bitch.

Sometimes she's just a bitch!
Fries anyone?

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

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

What could be more threatening?

Why do all these men hate
Hillary Clinton?

And why are they more interested
in Marcia Clark's hairstyle

than in her trial work?

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

Agreed and that is why
when you're a woman in power,

you've got to be
extremely careful.

Otherwise,
they'll just write you off

for some psycho feminists,

who's out to cut up
their testicles.

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

Listen, Max, you're smart,
you're a babe, use it.

Yes, take off your shirt
and shake your tatas

for the city council.

That'll boost
your popularity rating.

You threaten
their sensitive little egos,

that gets you nothing.

So?

So play 'em.

Who cares if they think of you
as a sex object

as long as you get
what you want?

You call yourself a feminist!

I prefer to think of myself
as successful, though.

Why can't Max be strong,
intelligent, and decisive?

Because she's not a man.

[door opens and closes]

‐Max, can I talk to you
for a second?
‐Not now.

Jimmy says you're thinking
of cutting the corners off
his budget by 20%.

‐Carter, if you wanna
talk about this,
‐...completely detrimental‐‐

you'll have to make
an appointment with Rebecca, OK?

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

I say,
go back to your Adam Smith.

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

[Stubby] Hey, Max!

[man] I got it!

Send us an ambulance.
Max has been shot.

The mayor has been shot,
send an ambulance now,
immediately, now!

[overlapping dialogs]

‐[woman] BP's 80 over 50.
‐She's lost a lot of blood!

[woman 2] Both IV's wide open
with normal saline.

Four units [unclear] four units.

On my count.
One, two, three.

Decreased breath sounds
on the left side.

Let's get respiratory down here.

‐I need chest X‐ray, stat!
‐She's desaturating.

O2's in the 70s and dropping.

Get me a 14‐gauge needle
and the chest‐tube tray.

Oh, my God! I just heard.
What have you got?

A gunshot wound to the left
chest with a rigid abdomen,

and she's still hypotensive
after two liters of saline.

Looks like you got
a tension pneumothorax.

Don't wait for the X‐ray.

‐[Carter] Come on, Max.
‐[Jill] Hang on, Max, hang on.

[woman] O2's in the lung, 90s.
BP's 90 over 60.

What kind of a nut case
would do this?

I heard he was wearing
a Chuck Dante button.

We got a positive peritoneal
lavage with a hemothorax.

Looks like the bullet
passed through her chest
into her abdomen.

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

Stay with us, Max.

[woman] Get OR two ready.

Stubby, I'm here
because your mother called me.

Let me guess, she's pissed.

Well, put it this way...

She's concerned.

And with good reason.

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

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

Yeah, well, that's what happens.

You shot the mayor.

Maybe we should talk.

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

I know damn well
what this is all about.

I've been dealing with this crap
my whole life, OK?

See,

nobody in this town ever thought

that I could make a go
of the store after Dad died.

Idiots.

I knew exactly what it needed.

Wider aisles,
a gardening department,

household appliances,
a good return policy.

I doubled sales.

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

The stupid bimbo just wanted
to take the whole thing away.

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

‐Chuck?
‐Dante, the radio guy.

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

Oh, yeah, yeah,

she's picking on the little guys

and we're supposed to
sit around just let that happen?

We?
Did somebody put you up to this?

Whose side are you on anyway?

I'll fire you in a millisecond

if I think you're going behind
my back, you understand me?

‐That's your prerogative.
‐Damn right.

But I would think long and hard.

You committed a public crime.

I suggest that you shut up

and play it my way.

How's she doing?

Her vitals are stable,
and her stats are good on 40%.

But her urine output
has been borderline.

I hope we're not looking
at renal failure.

I gotta go to the lab.

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

Mr. Lambaugh,
you wanted to see me?

Oh, Kimberly! [laughs]

Come in, Kimberly, come in.

Your beautiful face
hasn't graced
this office for some time now.

‐Come and sit down, my dear.
‐Mmm.

‐What do you want?
‐I need your help.

Mr. Wambaugh, I'm taking
a full load at
Atagame this year.

Do you know Stubby Muller?

The guy who shot Max?

I'm representing him.

Now that's a tough one.

I need a lot of research from
someone I could trust.

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

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

I don't know, Mr. Wambaugh.

Stubby Muller is a nutso.

Oh, he's been
delusional for years.

But quite harmless until now.

What happened?

That's what we need to find out.

Well...

Do you know anything about this

Dante character?

Chuck Dante.
I've heard a show a few times.

Good, I'm going to need
a lot of Information.

Hey, babe,
what are you doing here?

We gotta talk.

Why start now?

Oh, God, I love your hair.

You heard
what happened to the mayor?

Yeah, yeah. Tough break.

I mean, I couldn't believe it.

I just spent the day
trying to keep her alive.

Oh!

And, um...

I'm a little bit bothered
by the fact

that the shooter was wearing
one of your buttons.

You are? [scoffs]

God,
what is it with these sickos?

I don't even want to live
in the same country

as these idiots.

‐I don't know.
‐Come here, you look like hell.

‐I don't even like you.
‐Shut up.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Jill] Honey...

[sighs]

I thought
you're gonna wait for me,

we could have
come home together.

She looked so small.

Max is tough, Jimmy,

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

How many mayors does
this town have to lose

before the sheriff's department

does its job of protecting them?

Jimmy, you couldn't have known.

She was upsetting people,
she was making them mad.

Things got out of control.
I should have‐‐

‐What?
‐I don't know,

gotten that guy off the radio?
I don't know.

‐Something.
‐Come on, Jimmy.

I'm the sheriff, Jill.

My job is to protect.

And this is Max.

[Chuck] Let's face it,
she's got that rich bitch

I don't give a crap who I step
on kind of thing happening.

I mean, I grew up with
girls like Maxine Stewart.

Okay, she's good looking
but the woman is cold, man.

Man, I mean,
what's her problem?

Doesn't she know
she's hurting people?

This chick
doesn't have a family,

doesn't own a home,

and yet in a minute and a half

she makes a decision
that destroys lives.
I hate her.

Someone ought to
destroy her livelihood,

do us all a big favor.

[click]

What are you thinking?

Sure, Stubby is unstable but...

what suddenly pushed him
over the edge?

Let's say you're Stubby.

You live in that
crummy little apartment

over your woefully
outdated hardware store.

No friends to speak of

and no life outside your job.

So every day from 8 to 11

you listen to that guy
over the radio.

He is your friend,
he understands.

And in no uncertain terms
he tells you

that Maxine Stewart
is the enemy.

Your enemy.

So you agree with him.

Maxine Stewart
is the cause of your problems.

So what do you do?

Get rid of the problem.

[Kenny] Hail Mary full of grace.

The lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women.

And blessed is the fruit of
thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now

and at the hour of our death

Hail Mary, full of grace...

[Kelly]
It's my medical opinion that

Mr. Muller suffers from paranoid
personality disorder.

In response to stress,

individuals with
this disorder

may experience
brief psychotic episodes.

And in your opinion, Dr. Kelly,

was Mr. Muller having
one of those psychotic episodes

when he shot the mayor?

Yes. Based on my extensive
examination of Mr. Mueller

and interviews
with his associates,

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

[Douglas] Finally, Doctor,
in your opinion,

could Mr. Muller distinguish
right from wrong
when he pulled the trigger?

In my opinion, he could not, no.

Thank you, Doctor.

How much time did you spend

in your extensive examination
with the defendant, Doctor?

About seven hours in all.

In those seven hours
you were able to determine

beyond a shadow of a doubt

that he has
paranoid personality disorder?

That's my opinion, yes.

Oh... your opinion.

In those seven hours, Doctor,

did you yourself, ever,
see the defendant

exhibit any psychotic behavior?

‐No.
‐No?

Stubby Muller ran a business
in Rome for 20 years.

He was treasurer of the downtown
business association.

If he were as paranoid
and delusional as you claim,

how could he be capable of that?

People with
paranoid personality disorder

often appear to be quite
objective, even rational.

However this superficial calm

masks the extreme paranoia

and deep distrust
that controls their life.

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

But he came to all the meetings

and he knew how to add.

So we made
an association treasurer.

Objection to the term
"out there".

Okay, how about lunatic?

‐Objection!
‐Sustained.

Let's just stick to the facts.

Very well, Mr. Murkoff,

did you ever see Stubby
do anything

to make your doubt
his mental stability?

Well,
he was always suing everybody.

He thought Water and Power
was contaminating his water.

Stuff like that.

And that was the time he thought
the guy at Barney's
[unclear] peed in his drink.

Stubby smashed his windshield

with a brand new
plumber's wrench.

And this is the man
your organization

put in charge of
your entire annual budget?

Hey, the budget was only
a few hundred dollars.

That was mostly
for donuts at meetings

and Christmas lights every year.

Besides, no one else
wanted the job.

Nevertheless, Mr. Murkoff,

you trusted him to control
the books, didn't you?

Yeah, right.

How does it feel
to be subpoenaed, Chuck?

Hey, I'm getting a hot flash!

No, come on, guys,
it's a political trial.

An effort to shut me up.

These are from Maxine Stewart.
Thanks.

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

because
I've been through it all.

Public school, IRS audit,
premature ejaculation.

[laughter]

Come on, look, I had nothing
to do with the shooting.

But you watch,
they're going to try to
crucify me on the stand

and that, folks, is where
your tax dollars are going.

Want a picture, sweet heart?

If you had
nothing to do with it,

‐what are you doing here, Chuck?
‐Hey,

Maxine Stewart's a human being
just like anybody else.

I'm here just to
offer my condolences.

Maybe I can even cheer her up.

‐[man] Jesus!
‐[woman] What's going on?

Crazy man, another crazy cop!

Who the hell do you think
you are coming in here?

‐Kenny!
You're a bum.
I should smack you right now!

‐[crunch]
Kenny!

‐Its a hospital, stop it! Kenny!
‐Well, get him out of here.

Mr. Macho Man,

Jeez, just trying to be
the nice guy here.

But if her little toadie won't
let me get close to her, fine.

I got better things to do.

Okay, guys,
if we wanted to visit stiffs,

we could go down
to the morgue, let's go.

[reporter]
Thank you. Thank you.
We appreciate it.

Shut up!

[Douglas] Mr. Dante,

how well do you know my client?

I don't.

What, never heard of him?

Well,
not until he shot the mayor.

Isn't Stubby Muller the current
president of the Chuck Dante
tri‐county fan club?

‐How am I supposed to know?
‐Well...

here's a copy of the fan club's
January 1996 newsletter

and, Mr. Dante,
there's Stubby's name.
They're as big as‐‐

You're right, yes, there it is!
Well, that's news to me.

Come on. Look,
these nimrods get together,

sit around the radio
and play with themselves.

I have nothing to do with them.

But you correspond with them,
Mr. Dante.

‐What?
‐I have here a letter

dated February 1st 1996.

I would like to
read this letter.

"Dear Chuck,

I agree with you 100 %

of what you said about the IRS.

From now on, if those
bureaucratic bastards
want my money,

they're gonna have to
come and get it.

Same goes for my ex‐wife.

If that bitch whines
anymore about alimony,

she'd better watch it.

Ha ha!

Hey, can you send me a t‐shirt?

I'm an extra large.

Your number one fan, Stubby."

Do you remember
receiving this letter?

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

But you responded to it.

That is your signature,
isn't it?

So what? Big deal!

I mean, this is what we send out
to keep the freaks happy.

A form letter that says,
"Don't give an inch,
give him hell!"

Now your letter says that
doesn't it?

Objection, Your Honor.

This is pointless.

Overruled...

for now.

But get on with it.

[Douglas]
So, what you're saying is that

the majority of your fans
are nimrods and freaks.

Well, it's a hell of a job
but somebody has to do it.

And yet knowing the questionable
mental condition
of some of your listeners,

you still feel comfortable
advocating hatred on the air?

Objection, Your Honor.

The issue here
is the defendant's guilt

not Mr. Dante's personality.

The issue is
whether this witness

caused my client to
have a psychotic reaction?

The objection's overruled.

Referring to Maxine Stewart.

You recently said on the air.

"I hope something bad
happens to the mayor

like cancer or aids,

or better yet

someone should
put her out of her misery."

Well, Mr. Dante,

how are we supposed
to interpret that?

I'm a satirist!

Satirists say outrageous things.

Hey, what we're talking about
here is the First Amendment, OK?

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

and then I give my opinion
and that's all it is.

My opinion.

I'm not the Dalai Lama.

This isn't an absolute truth.

I mean, what are we,
a nation of sheep?

Just because there's
so many crazies out there

that are willing to do
something stupid,

doesn't make it
my responsibility.

It's not my responsibility.

‐Not your responsibility?
‐No!

You so much you said that
you wanted the mayor to die,

that somebody should
put her out of her misery.

In effect...

you're encouraging someone

to do her harm, weren't you?

Words, that's all they are.

Well, words can do harm,
Mr. Dante.

I'm an entertainer, come on!

It's the name of the game.

Oh, It's all a game to you,
isn't it?

You'd even advocate violence

for an extra point in
the ratings, wouldn't you?

Objection! move to strike.

‐Wambaugh, that's enough.
‐Withdrawn.

Nothing further.

Mr. Dante,
did you ever at any time

encourage anyone to shoot

or otherwise harm
mayor Maxine Stewart?

No, I didn't.

Did you have anything at all

to do with the shooting
of Maxine Stewart?

Absolutely not.

No further questions.

You may step down, Mr. Dante.

The court will take
a 15‐minute recess.

I guess I thought he was...

You deserve better.

You think so?

‐Hey, Kenny.
‐Zack.

I've been reading up
on serious injuries.

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

Zach, Max isn't exactly, um...

‐[click]
‐[music playing]

♪ The sun'll
come out tomorrow ♪

♪ Bet your bottom dollar
that tomorrow ♪

♪ There'll be sun ♪

♪ Just thinkin'
about tomorrow ♪

♪ Clears away the cobwebs
and the sorrow ♪

No... No...

Max.

I'm in hell.

Someone keeps singing songs
from Annie.

You are not in Hell, Max.
That's Zack singing.

Kenny.

Max.

♪ I love ya tomorrow ♪

♪ You're always a day ♪

♪ Away ♪

[song ends]

[Douglas]
We all know Stubby Muller

is mentally unbalanced.

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

However, Stubby managed to live
here for 40 odd years

without harming a single person,
until now.

So what happened?

I'll tell you what. Chuck Dante!

Now think about it.

Think about the effect
he's had on you.

Why was he number one
DJ in the tri‐county area?

Because we found him
compelling, amusing.

He said things
many of us thought

but wouldn't dare say.

Stubby was no different
from me or you.

Except for one thing...

He wasn't stable.

So when Chuck Dante told him

that Maxine Stewart was
the cause of all his troubles,

you can bet Stubby believed him.

That's how powerful
Chuck Dante is.

He could push Stubby Miller
on to the other side of reason.

Well, Mr. Dante, well,

he may have the right to say
whatever he wants.

But his kind of power
breeds hatred

sometimes even violence.

Maxine Stewart was a victim
of that twisted power

and so was Stubby Muller.

But just as sure

as Stubby shot the mayor,

it was Chuck Dante
who pulled the trigger.

I urge you, please,

find Stubby Miller

not responsible
for this tragedy.

[clears throat]

Ladies and gentlemen,

let's get something straight.

Chuck Dante did not shoot
Maxine Stewart,

Stubby Muller did.

With malice of forethought,
he bought a gun.

He went to the courthouse
and he waited for her to appear.

Why? Because Maxine Stewart
cast a deciding vote

for what he perceived

as a destruction
of his way of life.

His motive was revenge,
pure and simple.

Now,
if Stubby Muller is insane...

Come on, we're all insane!

He knew the difference
between right and wrong then,

he knows it now.

And we should all recognize

the defense strategy
for what it is.

A desperate cowardly attempt
to shift responsibility

from the real assailant
to an imagined one.

It's a witch hunt.

Search for a scapegoat.

Don't you be fooled by it.

Stubby Muller
shot Maxine Stewart.

Stubby Muller is on trial here.

Stubby Muller should go to jail.

All right, Bobby,
welcome to the Inferno.

Chuck, you suck!

[chuckle] It's cute. A poem,
something you wrote yourself?

You're everything that's wrong
with America, Chuck.

You're nothing but a despicable
loudmouth Jew.

Lovely sentiment, Bobby.

but I got news for you,
I'm not even Jewish.

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

What's the matter with you,
Rome?

Lost your sense of humor?

[sighs]

[Judge]
Would the defendant please rise?

Madame foreperson, what say you?

In the matter of the People
versus Stubby Muller,

on the charge
of attempted murder,

we find the defendant
not guilty.

[crowd gasping]

What does this mean?

It means they think
you're insane,

congratulations.

‐[gavel banging]
‐[Judge] Quiet.

‐[gavel banging]
‐Quiet. Quiet.

Well...

you people never
cease to amaze me.

So you think Stubby Muller
is not guilty?

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

Will somebody please tell me

what's happened to personal
responsibility in this country?

Answer me this, people.

Who bought the gun?

Who pulled that trigger?

If you say Mr. Mueller is crazy,
so be it.

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

I hereby find the defendant
to be mentally ill

and dangerous to the community.

I therefore commit Stubby Muller

to the lock unit

of the Mendota Mental
Health Institute in Madison

pending review of
his mental condition by me

in six months.

And I can tell you now,
Mr. Mueller,

I think it extremely unlikely

that you will be released

before you serve the maximum
term under the law,

which by my reckoning
is about 17 years.

Bailiff, take the defendant
into custody.

We're done.

‐[Rebecca]
They fired Chuck Dante today.
‐[man] Looking good, Mayor.

[Rebecca] The Citizens
for Cleaner Airwaves

gathered 5,000 signatures.
And WXDE,

in a show of courage,
sent him packing.

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

The Big Bad Wolf has finally
blown his own house down.

Well, before you break your arms
patting yourselves on the back,

consider this...

Chuck Dante

is a product of our own making.

Without us sniggering
at his ugly, mean‐spirited

brand of humor,
he would have no show.

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

Chuck Dante
just knows its name.

And it's up to us to
recognize this beast

before it becomes us.

I know why I slept
with Chuck Dante, folks.

Why did you?

[man] And we're out.
And thank you everybody.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]