Courage (1986) - full transcript

[silence]

[all overlapping]
Salud!

[overlapping conversation]

Your uncle's calling you,
Vivian.

Vivian, go give Nick a kiss.

You're so pretty.
Yes you are.

Right here.

I need a daughter
who looks just like you.

[overlapping conversation
continues]

Hey, hey, come on!

Hey, would you talk
to these guys?



Take 'em outside the yard.
- In a minute.

Come on.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Joey!

Great, Mom.

Oh, this is your favorite.

Don't drink too much, Pete.

Don't worry about me.

[overlapping conversation]

Hey, Pete,

how did you make
such a beautiful kid?

What about your two sons?

Cut it out.

Look at this.
What's this, chopped liver?



Look at this. Look.
[laughing]

To my daughter's confirmation.

Ah, to Vivian!

- To Vivian!
- To you.

[overlapping conversation]

Hey, Joey!

[laughing]

Hey, come on, you guys,
cut it!

Hey, hey, hey!

[overlapping conversation]

[silence]

[Marianna]
When the phone rings
in the middle of the night...

That's when my heart stops.

Yet I wait
for those calls.

It's the only way I know
if Joey's alive.

You hear all the time
about children
getting hooked on drugs.

But you never think
it will happen to yours.

The hardest thing
I've had to do in my life

is to admit that my child
is an addict.

♪

How could this happen?

I saw a show on drug abuse.

There were all kinds of drugs:

LSD, marijuana, morphine...

And then there was cocaine.

It was white.

It had a sweet sort of scent
to it.

Very soft.

It was the most innocent
looking one of them all.

Innocent.

Like Joe used to be.

Sure he got into
a little trouble,

but what teenager doesn't?

Then things got bad.

He dropped out of school,
he couldn't keep a job,

it was always
someone else's fault,

never Joey's.

And he was moody and angry,

arguing with everybody.

He was different.

The drug changed him.

This white stuff

that looked like
powdered sugar...

...the kind I used to put
on his cookies

when he was small.

And now look what's happened
to my boy.

A thousand kilos,
Mr. De Salles.

Everything is okay?

Excellent.

♪

♪

[engine roaring]

♪

[Marianna]
We tried to talk to Joey.

We took him to drug programs,
and for a while,

he would act like
our beautiful boy again.

But then he'd go back to it.

He'd spend less
and less time at home.

And then,
he wasn't home at all.

You've done everything
humanly possible
to retrieve him.

You work hard for your money,
and you spend it on him,

and you spend it on him,
and you spend it on him.

And I must say, you're doing
a great disservice to yourselves

and to your son, Tony.

Now, I'm not asking you
to give up hope,

but I will ask you and Nick

to live your lives as well
and as best you can.

You've got to stop
feeling guilty about Joey.

Only Joey can help Joey,
and he doesn't want to.

No more appointments.

Nothing more to be done.

Nick, tell her to be selfish,
tell her to think of herself.

There's nothing else
you can do.

♪

He's right, you know.

He's wrong.

♪

♪

What are you doing here?!

- You should have
paid our money!
- I paid! I paid!

[gunshot]

[screaming]

Oh, no!
Oh, my God!

[sobbing]

Ma, you okay?

Yeah.

I thought Pop
would be with you.

He's at work.
Somebody didn't show up.

Here, this way.

[overlapping chatter]

Triple-X videos right here.
Triple-X videos.

- You're the mother?
- I'm his mother.

- You got the hundred?
- Yes, I have.

Okay, Mrs. Miraldo.

Come on.

He's got a big, expensive habit.

And the girl who lives here,
named Kimberly,

she's a hooker, and my guess is,
uh, he deals to her.

It's the only way he could
keep himself going.

Excuse my bluntness,
Mrs. Miraldo,

but hookers are the only
kind of people...

his kind of supplier
will let him deal to.

He came here tonight
to, uh, bring some joy
into Kimberly's life.

He was gonna share
a pipe with her.

That's freebasing.
It's crack.

Something went wrong,
he took too much,

or he scorched his insides.
Whatever.

But, uh, Kimberly got scared,

and she called me personally.

Uh, this is my partner,
Mrs. Miraldo.

It's, uh, 50 for him,
and 50 for me.

What does she get
for the hundred?

Al.

In all cases of drug abuse, uh,

we make out the report
in triplicate.

Copy for the backers,
copy for the company,

and one for the cops.

Here.

What we have here, folks,

is a, um...

false alarm, 'kay?
[crumples paper]

I'll follow him.

Kimberly!

[door opens]

[indistinct talking]

What the hell is this,
a convention or something?

Who is it?
Don' let anybody--

Joe, Joe!

[indistinct shouting]

Easy, easy, easy!

You don't want this
to happen again,
get him to a Denog program,

have him sign himself--
- We've been through
all of that before.

- A lot of times?
- Too many times.

Okay, good, I get the picture,
so where we are right now is,

you want me to take him out
of here for you, Mrs. Miraldo?
- How much does that cost?

No extra charge.
Well?

- Yes.
- No!

- Yes!
- The kid's right.

You take him home now,
and-and before you turn around
in your kitchen, he's gone.

Look, this is a pretty good
place, I do some work for Denog.

Kimberly!
- You got to pull yourself
together and get out of here.

Look, he can't stay here,
not in the condition he's in.

What the hell am I
supposed to do?
- You can take a walk with me.

- No, but this is my place!
- And it's a beautiful place!

But these people wanna be alone,
and surely, you understand.

Joey?

[softly]
Joey?

Don't touch me
Mama, don't touch me!

I want to help you.

If you wanna help me,
you'll leave me alone, Mama.

- Please, I'm here to help you.
- Go away.

And don't try to talk me
into coming home.

Don't try to talk me
into anything, just...

Come on, get out!

Come on, Mom.

What's going to happen to you?

Nothing. I'm gonna be fine,
just fine.

You don't have to worry!

Just go!
Get off of me!

You bastard!

- Tony!
- You're breaking her heart!

Mama...

This is something I'm
gonna have to work out myself.

- Yes...
- And then I'm
gonna work it out.

I love you, Mama.

And I know you love me.

I'm all screwed up.

But I'll get well.

Just don't push me.

Oh, Joey...

And you shouldn't have
called her!

Well then, next time,
I won't!

Oh, my God.

Joey...

Can we take you home?

Let me.
- No! Get out!

Get out and leave me alone!
Get her out of here!

Go!

Get out!

Get her out of here now!

Poly, Poly, don't give me that.
We had a deal.

Now come on, now,
a deal's a deal.

What's the matter with you?

You tryin' to renege now?

No, no, I'm not buying that.

Poly, Poly, the trouble is
you don't listen to what
I'm telling you, Poly.

What's the matter with you? Huh?

Psst! Morning!

- That damn buzzer work?
- Yeah.

- You rang?
- I rang it, yes.

- I didn't hear it, no?
- No.

Too much mileage.

- Did Eppy come in today--
- Shut up, Poly, shut up!

I'm having a conversation
with a very beautiful woman.

Yeah!
- Eppy?

Are you here?
- Here today...

gone tomorrow.

And here, my angel,
are the finished designs.

- Another one of your trips?
- Well...

Tell him if he doesn't stay put,
you're gonna fire him, Marianna.

Poly, Poly, you get too excited.

Yeah, I know the price
is too good.

Me, I wouldn't touch it
with a...

Look, Poly.

I'm gonna tell you
for your own good.

Someday, you're gonna have
a heartburn that won't be
a heartburn.

Look, I'll meet you
and Jack at the restaurant.
We'll talk about it there, okay?

Yeah, I'm on my way now.
Bye.

Eppy.

Eppy?
- Marianna.

How long you gonna be gone
this time?

Mm, two days at the most.

- Why? You gonna miss me?
- Nope.

But it sounded like Pete will.

Yeah, well, Pete Solto's
business is his business,
and my business is my business.

Okay?

So...

Wish me good luck.

Good luck.

Thank you.

You think he's got a girlfriend?

Hah--

[radio announcer]
It's apparent that the drug
wars are heating up again

with the killing of a child
in the suburbs of Miami.

Police in south Florida and
the Drug Enforcement Agency...

Ma,

it's not enough you have
to clean at the house, why--

What do you have to deal
with his mess for?

It's like you're rooming here.

Not bad.

Whole wheat bread,
needs mustard, though.

Wonder how long it's been here.

Tony.

What?

My God.

[door opens]

Go.

Go on in, Jack.

Oh, Marianna.

I'll be with you
in a minute, Jack.

You know, at lunch,
I was thinking,

this Sunday, I'm gonna
go down the basement

and dig out that barbecue you
and Nick gave us for Christmas.

This time, I'm gonna read
the instructions

and put the thing
together right.

And you and Nick
and Tony'll come over and--

Something the matter?
You all right?

Then we'll have hotdogs
and hamburgers and sausage

and beer and wine and...

Okay?

Come early and stay late, okay?

Okay?

Okay.

Good.

Okay, Jack,
let's get to it.

[indistinct talking]

♪

Hey, if we're
gonna make a profit,

we gotta take some chances.

So, you guys gonna
go in with me or not?

- FBI?
- Mama, what are you doing?!

Listen to me. Please!
- Where is that, please?

- Listen to me.
- Yeah? Shh!

- This is crazy.
- Thank you very much.

I get out on the street
more than you, I know
about it more than you.

Mama.

Well, I know you're thinking,
in some way,

this is gonna do something
for Joey, but it's not.

He's crazy with that
white stuff and his pipe,

and he can get us all killed.

You go into one
of those offices there,

and you tell those people
behind the counter
you found cocaine

in an office where you work,
they'll swarm the place.
They'll get court orders.

They'll turn the place
upside down.

Damn it.

I'm telling you, Mama,
in the end,

no matter what they do,

you'll have a target
hanging on your back.

There is very serious
money involved.

I hear things, Mama.
I see things.

If Pete is involved,
he's not alone.

He's--

He's got a supplier,

and his supplier's
got a supplier,
and that's the way it works.

And I'll tell you something,

the people who fool around
with that junk,

got no feeling for anyone
or anybody.

They just-- they pull out your
tongue with a pair of pliers,

or they break your legs
with a sledgehammer,

or they kill your kid.

So I'm asking you, Mama,
please, please,

let's get the hell out of here
while there's still time.

Please.

Mama?

I should have stayed there
and talked to them.

And what would you
have told them?

That it's high-quality stuff
in the refrigerator?

Or would you have told them
about your son?

My son.

Our son, Joey, the junkie.

What you're gonna do is,
you're gonna pack up and
move out of Pete Solto's place.

What am I going to tell him?
He's been a good friend to us.

He loaned us money
to buy this house.

Yeah, yeah,
I'm just wondering,

just where he might have
gotten that money.

But you tell Pete

is that you're moving
over to Harris'.

Now, I've already called him.

- You did?
- It's a better location,
it's better for your business,

and you can be close to me.

Shouldn't we do something?

I know what you're thinking,

but you're not gonna help Joey
by going to the FBI.

Just get away from
Pete Solto's jewelry business

and whatever
other business he's in,

which is none of our business.

Is that clear?

[telephone ringing]
I'll get it.

Finish up.

Hello?
- [Eppy on phone]
Marianna, can you hear me?

Marianna, can you hear me?
- What?

-
Marianna?
- [woman on phone]
Will you
accept a collect call from--

Hello? Hello?

[overlapping voices over phone]

Yes, yes, I accept.

Eppy.
-
Marianna, can you hear me?

I can hear you, Eppy,
what are you doing in Houston?

Well, it's-it's a long story,
Marianna.

Actually, um...

Marianna,
I'm in terrible trouble.

What in God's name,
what's the matter, Eppy?
Tell me.

Marianna, I've been arrested...

I'm in jail, Marianna.
They've taken away my clothes.

It's been the most terrible
day of my life, Marianna.

Well, there must be
some mistake.

Marianna...

I need some money for bail.
- I don't have
any money, Eppy.

No, please!

Please don't say that,
Marianna, please.

Eppy, listen to me.
I'll do whatever I can.

How much?

[crying]

I... Marianna, look.

Pete Solto owes me some money,

so-so-so let me
talk to Pete, okay?

Yeah, just a second.

Eppy. He's in trouble.

I know all about it.

Tell him I'm not here.
I'm not.

You can't find me.
- But he's desperate.

Tell him!

[Eppy]
Please, come on,
I only have one call!
Please, Marianna, come back!

He's not in right now, Eppy.

Marianna, don't let me down.
Please tell Pete where I am.

Please, Marianna.
- I'll try.

-No, Marianna!
- I'll try.

What's going to happen to him?

Gonna get the "Creep
of the Year" award,

that's what's gonna
happen to him.

The man has no judgement,
no discipline.

He was arrested for trying
to sell 12 pounds of cocaine.

- Eppy?
- Eppy, yes!

That damn fool,
if he calls here again,
don't answer the call.

The police already know
about that one,

they may just get it
in their minds to tap
all the phones in this place.

One dumb phone call from that...
idiot, and we're all in trouble.

Marianna, I'm your friend.

Believe me when I tell you
Eppy's gonna be all right.

You don't have to worry
about that guy.

You got enough worries
just moving out of this place.

♪

It'll be okay.

[chatter on TV]

[telephone ringing]

I'll get it.

Hello?

[woman on phone]
Mrs. Marianna Miraldo, please.

- Yes?
-
I'm a friend of Eppy Lucido.

- Yes?
- My name is
Gabriella Estrada.

I'm calling from Houston.

Uh...

Yes?
- Eppy asked me to make this
call and explain his situation.

Is this an inopportune time
for me to call?

You sound guarded.

No, no.
Is Eppy still in jail?

Yes, he is,
I'm sorry to report.

I know you're just as concerned
about Eppy's welfare as we are,

and since you're such
a good friend of his,

we thought you might
be able to help him
raise some bail money

by taking a loan
on your home.

That possible?
- Well, I don't know.

I'll have to talk it over
with my husband.

I understand what you're
telling me, Marianna.

Will it take long?
- Um...

I don't know.

I'm going to be frank with you.

Eppy is quite desperate.

So there is some urgency
involved here.

To refresh you, my name
is Gabriella Estrada.

My telephone number
in Houston--

Do you have a pencil?
- Yes.

Good.

The number in Houston
is 713...

555-5858.

Well, bye, Marianna.
I look forward to hearing
from you tomorrow, okay?

- Okay.
- Nice talking to you.

[chatter on TV]

[laughing]

♪

[sobbing]

♪

Marianna Miraldo?

Yes.

Drug Enforcement Agency,
Mrs. Miraldo.

I'm Dan Calletti.

This is Frank Zephyr,
he's FBI.

I'm with the New York Police.

Now, if you don't
wanna talk to me,

you can talk to him.

And if you don't wanna
talk to either one of us,

we have a lot of
other conversationalists,
we'll find somebody you like.

Wanna come with us?

Yes.

[man]
All right, uh, Mrs. Miraldo,

now I want you to understand
that we are recording
everything that you say.

Is that clear?

- Yes.
- Okay.

You work for this-this
Pete Solto, Mrs. Miraldo?

[Marianna]
No, I've been renting space
from him in his office.

[man]
And that's the extent
of your association

with, uh, Mr. Solto?

[Marianna]
No.

We know his wife
and his children.

He's been a good friend
for many years.

[man]
Oh, well so you know him
very well then?

- I thought I knew him well.
- But-But...

You weren't reluctant
to come here?

Yes.

I was very reluctant.
- Uh-huh.

Well, you came anyway,
you're here. Now...

Tell me, Mrs. Miraldo,

how long have you, uh, rented
space from Mr. Solto's offices?

Four years.

Well, there's nothing
in our files on him,

That is Solto,
S O L T O?

Mrs. Miraldo is
indicating "yes."

I-I-Is there a chance
that he, that...

he could be known by
some other name, Mrs. Miraldo?

Have you, for example,
ever heard anyone address him
by a name, uh,

different than the name
of Solto, any other name at all?

Well, please, think,
Mrs. Miraldo.

Mrs. Miraldo is indicating "no."

Did-Did he ever voice
to you, or-or...

or confide to you,
or-or hint in any way

other than this merchandise
that you found in the fridge,

that he is associated
and, or, in fact,

in the business of trading,
um, and, or distributing,

but actually
distributing cocaine?

Mrs. Miraldo is indicating "no."

Thank you, uh...

Mrs. Miraldo, on the phone
you told Officer Castello here

that, uh, an acquaintance
of yours, long-standing,

and called you
from Houston to...

His name was, uh...

Uh, yes, Eppy Lucido.

He asked you to assist him,

and because he was being held
on a cocaine-related charge,

uh, plus the discovery
of the, this cocaine
in Mr. Solto's offices,

that's all lead you to believe
that-that somehow

you are entangled in-in

some kind of workings
of-of a cocaine ring?

And, Mrs. Miraldo,

now, would you please say
"yes" or "no," Mrs. Miraldo.

- Yes.
- Thank you.

Well, tell me what you can
about this woman
who called you from Houston,

this Gabriella Estrada.

I never met her.

I don't know anything
about her at all.

Sh-She's just a voice
on the phone to you?

Ah.

Mrs. Miraldo is
indicating "yes."

Alright, Eppy Lucido, uh, y-your
connection to him is what?

Eppy works for me part-time.

He's a jewelry designer.

He's very skillful.

At-At more than
jewelry designing apparently.

How long you known him?
- Eight, nine years.

So he's your friend, too?

Mrs. Miraldo is
indicating "yes."

His bail was $2 million.

A plea for reduction
has been argued and denied.

Trial date's been set.

Your friend's in a lot
of trouble, Mrs. Miraldo.

[clears throat]

You know, all of this is just
slightly unrealistic, and so,

there's something right here
that I-I-I have to clear up,

if I might.

A $2 million bail means 10%
up front to the bonding company,

and that's their fee
for posting.

That's $200,000
that you don't get back.

Now, are you, are you capable
of raising that kind of money,
Mrs. Miraldo?

No. Not anything like it.

Well then, why do you suppose he
had this Estrada woman call you?

And I mean you, especially.
- I don't know.

Oh, well, you must have
some idea.

Mrs. Miraldo is indicating "no."

Why don't you take another look,
Mrs. Miraldo, what the hell.

Hi.

Hi.

Go ahead.

I may have seen him somewhere.

Where?

In Pete Solto's office.

Do you know his name?

Jack, he called him Jack.

Jack Tribacian.

No, I don't remember.
Just Jack.

Well, that's enough.

When was this?
- Uh, four days ago.

He was with another man
- Any name?

Any name at all.

Indicating "no."

Can you describe the second man?

My age, his height?

No, younger, and, uh, taller.

Dark? Light?

Light hair with a mustache.

Thank you.

Hm.

Mrs. Miraldo,

did you ever hear anyone
mention the name Shankallion,

Tommy Shanks?
- Tommy Shanks...

Mm-hmm.

How 'bout Chico?
Have you heard that name before?

- No.
- What about Zack or Pucci?

- Presto?
- No.

His name is Danny Polamentes,
mean anything to you?

Polamentes... no.

Yes, wait.

He was talking to someone
on the phone he called "Poly."

What were they talking about,
do you remember?

No, I'm sorry.

Don't be sorry,
Mrs. Miraldo.

You've made me a very happy man.

Hm.

Um, thank you, Mrs. Miraldo.

Mrs. Miraldo, do you,
do you know who we are?

I've-- let me explain, um...

I am an Assistant
United States Attorney.

These gentlemen are, uh,

federal officers
and New York City policemen,

and we're all part of the
Drug Enforcement Administration,
and particularly,

part of the
Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Is that clear to you?

- Yes.
- All right.

Well, as you
might have gathered,

Jack Tribacian and, uh,
and Poly, this Danny Polamentes,

are in and out
of our active files,

and they have been
for several tiresome years.

Now, uh, from what
you've just told us,

it appears that, uh, they

now have some sort of connection
with this Pete Solto,

and obviously,
both of these men are, uh,

are certainly important
in the illegal drug business.

So...

Are you willing
to cooperate with us?

Yes.

Now Mrs. Miraldo,
I'm-I'm just gonna run down
my thinking with you because...

Well...

If-If I appear unartful,

I-I hope you don't
misconstrue it as a,

as a sign of disrespect.

Now I...

I've been in this office
ten years, and, uh,

and I wanna tell you that...

the people who usually
come through that door
and sit in this chair,

with rare exception,

they want something in return
for their cooperation.

You came here
hoping to get what?

Nothing.

[stammering]
What do you expect from us?

Nothing.

Nothing for yourself?

Uh, do you want me to call
the United States Attorney

in Houston and-and see if
I can arrange something

to-to get your friend Eppy
out of jail?

Mrs. Miraldo is indicating "no."

Mrs. Miraldo, you, uh...
[clears throat]

You indicated you are married,
yes?

Yes.

Does your husband know
where you are?

No.

H-He doesn't know that you met
with these men today?

No.

Well, do you wanna
use this phone,
call your husband,

tell him where you are
and what you're doing?

We have a law in our marriage,

when there is something
important to be said,

Nick and I have to be
looking at each other.

Hm.

Mrs. Miraldo, were you aware

when you made the arrangements
to meet with us today that you--

sometimes we pay good money
for good information?

- Yes.
- Uh-huh.

Only, I don't want
any money from you.

You want no money?

No.

Absolutely nothing?

Indicates "no."

Okay, tomorrow,
you gonna go to Foley Square,

you gonna tell 'em
that you thought it over,

you gonna tell 'em you've
done all the cooperating

that you're going to do,

and you let them
take it from there.
- I can't do that.

What you're telling me
is that you won't do that.

Okay, okay, I won't do that.

If I can't help Joey,
maybe I can help

two other people like us
from watching their son
turn into a vegetable.

Come on, Nick,
you're holding us up now.

Alright, don't go crazy.
Take it easy.

What do they want you to do?

Be at their office tomorrow.

And then?

I don't know.

I can't live with myself
if I don't do something.

My mother would call me
a failure twice.

What?

Because I can't
talk you out of it,
I can't talk myself into it.

Too salty.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

Now you said you were
gonna call her today,

this angel Gabriel
down in Houston.

Who's not so angelic,
according to this arrest record.

Do you have that
phone number with you?

Yes, I think so.

Got it coming up here.

Oh, congratulations.

You are now
confidential informant

FTC-84-0849.

Now, you know Dan.

Frank.

[speaking Spanish]

And him, we call
Jellybean Pastori.

And that's Sally De Salvo.

Leo Kelleher.

And I'm Bobby Jay.

Now, the first thing
I want you to tell her

is that you've thought it over,
and you've talked it over,

and before you make a move,
like putting your house in hock,

you think it only reasonable to
talk to Eppy Lucido in person.

Okay?
- Okay.

Now, if she gives you any lip,
you tell her you wanna know

what the real plan is
to get him out of this slam

because 200 grand
is beyond you completely.

Hello?

I would like to speak
to Gabriella Estrada, please.

[Gabriella on phone]
Who's calling please?

This is Marianna Miraldo,
Gabriella.

I don't have much time,
and I can't speak too long.

But what you're asking
is a serious, serious step,

and I must talk to Eppy
directly about it.

That would entail
a trip to Houston.

That's what it would mean.

- Eh, yes, yes, it would.
-
I'll arrange it.

Wear a white carnation
so I'll know you.

- Okay.
-
Bye.

Bye-bye.

Terrific.

♪

[classical music plays ♪]

[telephone rings]

Hello?

You're about to have
a couple of visitors.

Just listen to what
they have to say.

- Who are they?
- Hey, kiddo, I'm right here.

I've got the whole
Puerto Rican army with me.

Just take it easy.

All right.

[doorbell buzzing]

♪

Hi, I'm Frank Ce De Baca,
Mrs. Miraldo.

I'm a friend of Eppy's.

I spoke to his friend
in Houston.

- Do you want to come in?
- Nah, I'm sorry, I can't, I--

[car honking]

That's my wife, I think I know
why she's honking.

You wanna meet her?
Come on.

Oh, uh, this is for Eppy,

some clothing
and personal things he'll need.

Phonebook, like that.
Put it inside.

There you go.

Come on.

♪

This is Mrs. Miraldo.
Rita.

How do you do?

- Your airline ticket
you forgot.
- I know.

You leave tomorrow
from LaGuardia, 10:30,
Eastern Airline, Flight 377.

The return's open.

You in there alone?

Yes.

What about your husband?

He's at work.

- Where's your son?
- What?

Your son, Tony.

He has a girlfriend.

What about your older son?
What's his name...

Joey.

He doesn't live here anymore.

Yeah, I heard.

Have a good flight,
Mrs. Miraldo.

Nice to meet you,
Mrs. Miraldo.

Take care of yourself now.

♪

This is Officer Morales.

This is what I want you to do,

I want you to turn off
the lights downstairs

and the porch light

and leave the side door ajar.

Thank you.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Is that the bag?

It's for Eppy.

Good.
Come here.

Watch this.

♪

Frankie and Rita,
once around the block for luck.

Ah, goodies!

Coach, cheap.
[chuckles]

At least they bought it.

You starting out real good.
- Am I?

- Yeah.
- I think I wanna quit.

Well, you've already
flushed out two of 'em.

But they are dangerous people,
aren't they?

Worse, I'd be lying
if I told you any different.

On the other hand,
you gotta keep an eye on me
because I lie a lot.

- You do?
- Well, not all the time,
just when it's convenient.

Otherwise, I'm totally honest,
truthful, and forthright.

They know all about my family.

They're a very
family-oriented citizens.

In a strange, weird way,

everything's family
to these people.

Scary, huh?

- Yes.
- Good.

I'd be scared
if you weren't scared.

Now, you could back out
any time you want to, Marianna.

But you gotta admit one thing,
you and I make a hell of a team.

I mean, look at all the crimes
we would crush together,
look at that.

Julie Karatanos,

we've been looking for that
weirdo to catch for three years,

and what do you do
the first day on your job?

You hand over his address
and phone number to me.

I don't think I should
be doing this.

Julie went up the first time
for administering stupefying
drugs to a 13 year old girl.

We couldn't nail him
on the rape.

She couldn't testify.

Specializes in getting kids
started early.

Very dedicated man
around junior high schools.

Where do you suppose
a little donker like Eppy Lucido

got his hands on
12 pounds of cocaine?

I really don't have any idea.

Neither do I.

Be hell of a question
to ask him.

You can quit any time
you want to,

but I wish you would think
about Julie Karatanos

and those kids.

It's up to you.

They said they'd never
let you out of sight.

They can't promise
a thing like that.

Some time, some place,
somewhere.

You walk down the street
to turn a corner.

One minute, one second, one time
you will be out of sight,
that's all it would take.

[sighs]

You're my wife.

You're my whole life.

And I love you.

If they hurt you,

I'd say it was my fault.

I could've stopped you.
I could've told you to...

stay home and watch your
business and watch the family.

It is a very interesting
situation that we're in.

Perhaps after it's all over,
we can...

talk to some
magazine writer or...
- Nick.

You're not exactly experienced
in the undercover business,
you know.

They'll teach me.

I'll learn what to do.

- Mm-hmm.
- I'll do it.

♪

You're gonna go with
the stories, right?

I'm with this girl, right?

And she's got all these flowers,

and she spreads all the petals
all over the bed.

Picks 'em one by one, right?
- Right.

A rainbow of colors.

Tall, six feet, red head,
beautiful girl.
- You're lying, man!

Have I ever lied
to you before, man?

Two points! Hey!

Juicy Morales,
coming through!

Hey!

[overlapping shouting]

[laughing]

Hey, uh, hey, Jay.

Yeah, yeah, river ride,
I wanna ask you something.

How come you never play
professional ball?

Because I was too tall,
too big.

That makes sense.
[laughing]

Hey, Jellybean,
where's the lady?

- She's in electronics.
- Okay, thanks.

I want you to get so you can
put the belt on and
take it off yourself.

Now, this is the microphone.
- Yeah.

Would you like to hold that?

Get out of here!

Listen, I don't
feel good with this.

- What's the matter?
- Well, they can see
the microphone in my clothes,

and if they give me a hug,
they'd feel it.

Why don't you put a nagger
in her bag?

He's right.

Okay.

This is very simple.

We'll put this in your purse.

We'll attach the microphone
to the zipper of your purse.

You'll press the zipper
and activate the machine.

Clear?

- Shall we try?
- Good.

This goes in this case.

Great!

Let's try it.

We'll hide it in your purse,

and the microphone will be
hidden under the zipper.

Got it?

♪

You're certainly nothing
like what I expected.

I'm sorry.

I mean that as a compliment.

Now I know why Eppy
wanted you to help him.

You're nothing like
the kind of people we're
usually dealing with.

Hi. Let's go.

Eppy should've told me
more about you.

Yes, ma'am.
He really should've.

♪

[overlapping chatter]

Hey, whatcha doin'?

[overlapping shouting]

Help me, please.

Please help me get
out of here, Marianna.

I can't bear it.

I'm so filthy, I've never been
so filthy in my life, Marianna.

The food here is...

The people...

Marianna, please help me.

I'll try, Eppy.
I want to.

But I don't see what I can do.

We-- There is a way that
we can reduce my bail, you see.

But I thought your lawyer
already tried that.

Yeah, my lawyer did try it.

How did you know
about the reduction?

Uh... Gabriella.

Oh.

They say that the
District Attorney can be bribed,

and I think the judge can
be bribed to reduce the bail.

But it's gonna cost
$50,000, Marianna.

[crying]

Marianna, how much can you
get for your house?

At the bank,
they said 10,000, maybe 11.

[stammering]
Good, that's gonna help.
It'll help.

Anything will help, Marianna.

I-I know it's asking for a lot,

Marianna, but every minute
I spend here,

is a horror.

Eppy.

Eppy, how on earth,
where on earth,

did you get all that cocaine?

I--

I thought I was gonna be
a rich man.

In a minute, in a second,
I thought...

So look what I did,
look at me now.

Oh, Marianna, I'm so ashamed.

I'm so ashamed of...

Okay, this is what
you should do.

You should turn around and
go back, go back to New York.

And you could make a--

such an important
phone call for me.
You call Fosh.

- Okay.
- 'Kay?

Promise me you'll call Fosh?

Promise me.
- Yeah.

I promise, but--

'Kay, you tell Fosh you saw me,
and I'm as quiet as a mouse.

[stammering]
I'm quiet as the most damn
little mouse you ever saw, okay?

Tell him he has nothing
to worry about,

th-that I won't bother him
for a second,
not for a second, just...

just please tell him...

In the name of Jesus,
please get me out of this

horrible place, Marianna.

Tell him to get me
out of this hell.

Marianna, please, you get me.

Marianna, please.

[sobbing]

♪

[car honking]

[Marianna]
That foolish, foolish man.

He gets me to come down here,
and then he says go right back,

and he cries and cries,

and all he did was carry on
about the food

and how miserable he is,

and how soon can I borrow
money for him.

And then, in the next breath,
he makes me promise to call Fosh

and tell Fosh
that he's quiet and, uh...

[scoffs]
How am I supposed to call Fosh?

He left out that detail.

And who is this Fosh?

Fosh is someone you never call.

Fosh calls you.

Eppy's an unlucky man,
and he's just playing our luck,
and we both know that.

We both know he's
a complete fool.

Well, I don't understand
you people.

I don't understand
what's going on.

How am I supposed to help him

if I can't even make
a phone call for him?

Your purpose, then, is...

virtuous?

Eppy said it was that way.
I didn't believe him.

But I believe you.

God help me.

- You're laughing at me.
- No, I'm not, indeed,
I'm not laughing at you.

I am laughing,
my new friend, at how,

if you were really
into the life,

you would make all of them
look like the cheap, coarse,

crude, overdressed,
little bastards they really are.

Suppose I told you I wanted
to get into the life.

You surprise me.

If I wanted to get into it,

what would I do?

Offer your services.

♪

Use your wire.

Hi.

Hi.

How was your flight?
- Fine.

Come on.

Gabriella told me
you handle yourself real good.

So, how long do you think
he'll stay quiet as a mouse?

I don't know.

Well, what's done's done.

You can't unring a bell,
can you?

You'd like us to take you
out for a little coffee?
- You know what I like?

What?

I'd like to get
into the business.

- What business?
- The cocaine business.

- Why?
- Why not?

- You already have a business.
- I could use another one.

Look, if there's anything
you think I can do,

any place you think
I can fit in,

call me.

I think she wants to become
part of our little family.

I think she might want something
a little less domestic.

The name "Fosh" came up
in our conversation.

Just the name,
as far as I'm concerned.

If he can take care
of Eppy's problems,

and Eppy seems to think he can,

let him.

I'm not anxious to go in debt
for Eppy or anybody else.

Thanks anyway.
Bye bye.

Wait a second.
Hold on a minute.

Okay, okay.

I can see you had some
serious conversation with Gabby.

Maybe I can fit you
into something.

Let's see.

There's a supply
of new merchandise coming
into Miami next week.

I might be able to offer you...

...might...

a thousand dollars a kilo
to bring it in to New York.

- How many?
- Ten.

Maybe 15.

I'll do it.

She might not like the idea,
but I'll do it.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

You didn't ask me how.

- How?
- You bring it in by car.

You can drive a car, can't you?

Oh, I can drive a car.

But I can't do anything
about the dogs.

- What? What dogs?
- You know, the ones
they use to sniff.

I read about it in the papers
all the time.
- Mm-hmm.

Well, you'd be using
one of our cars,

double flooring.

Bags treated with
a special compound,

throws the dogs off.

No problem.

Okay.

If you offer it,
I'll do it.

But I leave it up to you
to tell her.

♪

We send a little dove
down to Houston.

What do we get back?

An eagle.

Nick?

Tony?

- Hi.
- Hi.

I applied for a job.
- Did you get it?

I don't know.

He used the word "might"
a couple of times.

"I might offer you something..."
you know.

- That means he trusts you.
- Or she doesn't.

Rita's a very sad case.
I feel sorry for her.

I really do.

One of these days, we'll put her
on the federal prison
for 10 to 35,

shrinks'll work on her,
she'll come out adorable,

but right now, we've gotta
put our money on Frankie.

He'll come through for us.
- Is the date correct?

- Huh?
- Six, twenty-nine.

In the meantime, I've gotta
tell you about the rules.

- Initial it, please,
both sides.
- What rules?

Well, they're looking at you
seriously now.

They might want to put you
through a couple of tests.

They're big along those lines.

Now, you gotta kinda know
the rules, you know what I mean?

No.

Well, if Frankie should
call you up to ask you

to handle some blow,
you say, "No, thanks."

- Blow?
- Cocaine.

Blow's a no-no for you.
N O O.

Money you can handle,
but blow, no, no.

I don't want you
touching the stuff.

Neither does she.

He doesn't want you
to touch it either.

And of course,
my compadre over here,

definitely doesn't
want you to touch it.

Do we understand each other?

Yes.

What's the matter?

Well, I told him I'd do anything
if he could fit me in.

It's perfect, you said
exactly the right thing.

- I did?
- Absolutely.

Think of the beautiful way
you finesse it when you
say to Frankie,

"Thanks, but no thanks.
I never handle the stuff."

Though, like Frankie says,

"Hey, you wanna be
in this business or don't you?"

That's when you mention
you've got a good friend

who's looking for
a steady supply
of good merchandise

for his Park Avenue customers.

Now, you gotta keep in mind,

there's a lot of lovely larceny
in Frankie Ce De Baca's soul.

He'll ask,

"Is this good friend
of yours trustworthy?"
They use that word a lot.

You roll those big eyes
up to your head,

you cross yourself,
and you say,

"The man is a saint, an A1,
double-breasted, first-rate,

top of the line saint."

You sell your good friend
to Frankie.

You sell and sell.

Who is my friend?

Me.

Or her.

Or any of our people.

What we've got here, Marianna,
are a lot of guys.

And we've gotta get one of 'em
inside that door.

And you're the one
who can do it.

Right?

Come on.

Goodnight.

I know...

...it's a little more
than we originally planned.

Sleep on it.

Marianna?

Hey, you must be Nick, huh?
You got quite a lovely lady.

She's remarkable,
really terrific.
I envy you, that I do.

I'm Bobby Jay.

Hello.

You carry a gun?

Yes, I do.

And the men outside,
they carry a gun also?

Yes, they do.

I don't carry a gun,
and she doesn't carry a gun.

Mr. Miraldo,
I wanna assure you that

if any one of you is in danger,
if that time ever comes,

we'll be there.

I won't let anything
happen to her

or anybody else in this house.

Okay?

Sure.

Goodnight, Mr. Miraldo.

Goodnight, Marianna.

You did a great job.

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

[man on phone]
Hello?

May I speak to, uh,
Mrs. Miraldo, please?

- Who's calling, please?
- My name is John Fosh.

Hello?

One moment, please.

It's John Fosh.
- Oh.

Is this a call that
you were expecting?

Yes.

And that means
they were expecting it, too.

Your friend from Foley Square,
right, Marianna?

Yes.

Now, you talk to Fosh.
Then you talk to them.

Then they talk you into doing
a little more work for them.

Nick, I don't know what I'm
going to do 'til I talk to him.

I could tell him
that you're out of town.
Want me to do that?

No.

Hello, Mr. Fosh?

Mrs. Miraldo, I believe
you have been
expecting my call.

Uh, yes, I have.

Uh, I want to thank you
for visiting our
sick friend in Houston.

Eppy.

Yes, it was
extremely kind of you.

I'm looking forward to the
pleasure of meeting you
in person, Mrs. Miraldo.

I plan on being in New York
later this week.

May I call on you?
- Of course.

May I give you my address?
-
Uh, I know your address,
Mrs. Miraldo.

Goodbye.

Bye.

♪

[Bobby]
Marianna, we're coming up with
a big zero on this Fosh guy.

Maybe you could find out
something more on Pete Solto.

Can you do that?
- [Marianna] I'll try.

♪

How come you're always late?

Don't give me any grief.

Here.

Pete Solto returned your call,
Ma.

Pete?

Good.

[Pete singing]
♪ What do you do
with a drunken sailor? ♪

♪ What do you do
with a drunken sailor? ♪

♪ What do you do
with a drunken sailor? ♪

♪ early in the morning

♪ Hi, ho, up she rises

[overlapping chatter, singing]

♪ Early in the morning ♪

Oh! You're getting heavy.

Hey, do you know?
[singing in foreign language]

[laughing]

I miss you.

You happy at Harris'?
I hear he drinks a lot.

Uh...

There's something I want
to talk to you about.

Wanna come back?

- No. I want your advice
- About what?

Well, I've been offered the
chance to get into the, um...

cocaine business.

Hey!
Hey, don't lean over like that!

You're gonna fall overboard!
What's the matter with you?

- I want a boat ride!
- No boat ride, not today.

Maybe tomorrow sometime,
not today.

What, are you talking crazy
or something?

The proposition
is to fly down to Miami

and drive 10 to 15 kilos
back to New York.

A thousand dollars a kilo.

What I want to know from you,
is that good pay?

Why are you asking me?

Ah, I'm asking you because
I think you know something
about this business.

[chuckles]
Hey, don't confuse me with Eppy.

I'm sorry I asked.
Forget the conversation.

It's very late,
and I've got to go.

♪

Marianna.
Marianna, wait.

Marianna.

Look, I'm sorry.

Look, I got involved in this
business a few years ago.

Money was tight,
and I had all these kids...

What I'm trying to tell you is
I don't want you to find out...

...with Joey and all.

I don't know how you found out,
but it makes no difference.

I'm just surprised that you
would think of such a thing.

You know, there are a lot
of risks in this business,
too many risks.

I want you to do something.

Go some place by yourself,
some place quiet, like church.

Sit down and think about it.

And talk to yourself.

Talk yourself out of it.

Why should I?

Because you're not
the only one in this business.

They make sure your
whole family's involved.

That's how they keep
everybody in line.

That's how they keep me in line.

Look, you love Nick,
you love Tony,

So you had back luck with Joey.

Hey, two out of three ain't bad.

What kind of life is it you're
looking for, Marianna, huh?

A new Caddy?
A new house?

A trip around the world?

What is it you want
that you haven't got?

- Money.
- For what?!

To take care of Joey.

Hey, kids!

I got an announcement
to make to you!

Mama's not the only one
who can change her mind.

You want a boat ride?

You're gonna get a boat ride!
- Oh, boy!

- Thanks, Dad.
- Yeah, that's a good price.

There are a lot of good prices
in the cocaine business.

You could make lots of money.

But you can only make
one mistake.

Come on, chicky, let's go.

Atta girl.

♪

You ever cook
one of these things?
What is it?

Oh. This, is this
what you cook this--
- W-Wait a minute.

Come here.

Anybody know him?
- Let's see.

No, no,
I've never seen that face.

That must be our
new member of the cast.

Mrs. Miraldo.

John Fosh.

[speaking French]

Oh, seems he's got some
old, familiar friends.

I have for you $25,000.

I took the liberty
of telling Gabriella Estrada

that you would
personally deliver it

to Mr. Fielder
and Mr. Larwood.

That wasn't very
thoughtful of me.

I haven't even asked you,
can you make another trip
to Houston?

- Oh, I think I can, yes.
- Very good.

Y-You know you can come and
go on the same day, if you like.

[stammering]
There's a problem?

No, I-I don't know a Mr. Fielder
or a Mr. Larwood.

Gabriella will take care of it.

- Eppy said you
would take 50,000.
- Oh, you are quite right.

The first 25,000 already
has been dispatched.

May I make one suggestion?
No, no, two suggestions?

First, put the money
in the safe.

And secondly,

will you do me the kindness
of having lunch with me?

And when the trouble began,

I was forced to leave my home

in Madagascar,

November of 1975.

I didn't know anyone.

I didn't have any--
I had $2.15.

It was cold,
no place to sleep.

Not a very good feeling.

I decided then
I was going to change my life,

so that I would
always be comfortable.

♪

I'm getting a little worried
about all of this.

Let's be honest, she doesn't
know the first thing about
being an undercover agent.

I'm getting soaked!

She could get herself killed.

I'm telling you, I'm gonna
come down with something.

Still, she wanted
to go through with it.

I feel something coming on.

There is one thing
I have learned,

poverty is for fools.

We could blow it, pal.

Madagascar?
Where the hell is Madagascar?

Africa?

He was a lawyer there.
Then something happened.

He got into trouble,
so he came to New York.

He couldn't get work.

Sometimes, he even slept
on the streets.

Then he got odd jobs,
a janitor, a shoe salesmen.

And then he got
into the drug business.

He said money's no problem
with him anymore.

He told me to take care of
this little matter in Houston,

and, uh, he gave me
some instructions.

I might have a couple
of instructions for you, myself.

Your friend, Eppy,

has held out pretty good so far.

But word has it that with...

...the right nudge
in the right direction

we might turn the state--

Ah, Fosh also said
he was bringing

a thousand kilos a month
into New York City.

Whoa.

A thousand kilos?

Uh huh.

Are you going somewhere?

Where have you been?

It's late.

I was worried.

I can take care of myself.

But not Joey.

You don't have to
worry about me.

I worry about both my sons.

- Do you?
- Yes.

Maybe you worry too much.

Come on, Mama,
let's not kid ourselves.

Joey's your boy, not me.

Hey, hey, wait a minute.

That's not true.

I love both of you.

Joey's in trouble.
He needs me.

What you're doing now
is dangerous...

...and it scares me.

It's my way of loving Joey.

I have to do it.

Mama...

...don't go.

The plane leaves in an hour.

Drive me to the airport

so we can talk.

Take a cab.

Talk to the driver.

[engine roaring]

♪

Mrs. Miraldo?
Mr. Fielder.

Hello.

Just one question.
Did you bring it?

Yes.

May I see your business card?

What is this?

I'm sure I don't know.

What are you trying' to do?

Exactly what I've
been told to do.

I was told to meet Mr. Fielder
and Mr. Larwood.

Where is Mr. Larwood?

Mr. Larwood is out of town
at this moment

on business.

I'm as much as you're gonna get,
sister.

Not enough, Mr. Fielder.

I'm sorry.
You don't understand.

This is all there is.

Do you wanna
explain this to her?

No, no.

Let me explain it to you.

We are not going to do
any business

unless I meet Mr. Larwood.

Where out of town?

♪

[camera shutter clicking]

[shutter clicking]

Richie!

Richie!

What do we got going down here?
A parade?

Richie!

Who's your new girlfriend, Dale?

Why don't you shut up?

- Hi.
- Hi.

What's goin' on?

Mrs. Miraldo wanted to meet you,
Richie.

Okay, Mrs. Miraldo.

You met me.

So?

Mrs. Miraldo wants to look
at your business card.

What are you tryin'
to pull off here, Dale?

Show her the card, Richie.

♪

[inaudible]

[camera shutter clicking]

So, did you talk
to Fielder and Larwood?

Yes.

Do you trust those men?

Yes.

Of course I trust them.

Well then-
then that's all right.

Why?

Why would you ask that?

Answer me, Marianna.

I have a plane to catch.

No, no, no.
Answer me.

Look at me.

It's me.
My feeling about them.

Call it instinct.

They took the money
I brought in today.

They took the other money
someone else brought in.

I think they'll take
as much money

as they can get
for as long as they can get it.

That, it occurred to me,

that if they get you
out of here,

they won't be able to collect
any more money...

...and I don't think Fosh is
in the mood to pay out.

[laughs]

Well...
[laughs]

...really...

Well, you tell Fosh...

...that I have had just about
all I can stand

of this concrete...

...garbage can.

And you tell him

that I don't care
what he has to pay,

I don't care
what he has to put out,

but hue has to get me
out of here.

I want that made clear to him.

He has to get me out of here!

A long time, now, frankly,
since he's been in custody,

we've been worried Eppy
might make a deal

and turn state's witness.

We know they've been tryin'
to get at him

by waivin' that
witness protection program

under his nose.

Well, they can put you in a
different part of the country.

They can change your name.

They can't change your face,
now, can they, Marianna?

Have a nice flight.

[PA announcement]
Final boarding call
for Eastern Airlines

flight 36 to New York City.

Now boarding, gate 18.

We'll be talkin' to you.

Good luck.

[PA announcement]
Baggage claim for flight 72
will be on concourse...

[indistinct narration on TV]

[Frankie on phone]
Hi, Mrs. Miraldo.

[Marianna]
Yeah?

[Frankie]
Frank Ce De Baca here.
How you doin'?

I'm fine.

I've got something for you.

I'd like to meet you at the
Fulton ferry slip right now.

Come alone.

Uh, can you make it,
Mrs. Miraldo?

I'll be there.

Where are you goin' now?

You don't wanna know.

Hey...

You're not involved.

If you're involved,
I'm involved.

Okay?

♪

No, no, no.
You stay here.

He said "come alone."

Huh?

You got it?
- Yeah.

Me and Rita are gettin' married
in an hour.

We got married once before,

but not in a church.

Maybe she won't be so uptight
once we do it this way.

Anyway, so much for romance.
Who's that?

My son.

- I got a spot for you.
- You want me to drive?

No, no, forget that.
That's already filled.

I wanna help you get started.

And the best way
I can do that...

Is this.

$30,000 worth of
good merchandise.

Now, that's my price to you.

What you get for it
is up to you.

I can't do that.

I don't have $30,000.

You can get $30,000.

You don't understand, I don't
have any customers, either.

Get some.
Start with Pete Solto.

Eppy Lucido was his supplier.

He hasn't got
a wholesaler anymore.

Frankie!

Just a second.

Look, this is my wedding day.
I'm in a hurry.

Now, I'm making you
the best offer you'll ever get
in this business.

You in or are you out?

Make up your mind.

Okay, I'll do it.

You got a week to pay me.

You do all right on this,
I'll get you some H.

I'll be hearing' from you,
right?

Right.

Goodbye.

Ciao.

[phone ringing]

How do you spell "quack"?

Q U A K.

- Q U A K?
- Okay, just a minute.
I'll get him for you.

- Daddy.
- Whatty?

Your girlfriend's on the phone.

What girlfriend?

Marianna.
She's waiting to talk to you

and I'm going to be late.
Bye, everyone.

- Bye.
- Bye bye, dear.

What?

- Bye.
- Goodbye.

What?!

You did what?!

How?!

How could you do such a thing

after that long, wonderful
conversation we had

about this very thing?

Did you forget?
- No.

I didn't think he'd trust me
anymore if I didn't take it.

I had to do what I thought
was right.

Well, you did what
you were told was wrong.

You may find this
hard to believe,

but we just don't have $30,000
in that office

to pay this guy off,
and believe me,

he's gonna want his money.

He said to take it to Solto.

We are a lot of things...

...but we are not, I repeat,

we are not
in the cocaine business.

I can't let you sell that stuff
to anybody.

I'll just give it back to him.

You can't do that either.

We'll...

...think of something.

I don't know what, but we'll...

...find some way to handle this.

It won't be easy

and it sure as hell
won't happen overnight.

You've got to hold him off.

The word got out
that you took a kilo.

The commander's report got to
the assistant deputy.

And you know he called
the chief deputy,

the chief deputy
called the boss,

and the boss, Bobby, the boss
called me a lot of things.

He wanted to know
if maybe I was unaware

of the policy of this office

in situations like this.

You know what that means?

It means, "Are you
just plain stupid,

or did you deliberately
disobey my orders?"

Well, what do you think
I should tell him, Bobby?

- I'll tell him to--
- Go on, now.

What?!

Tell him what happened happened.

We got a perfect
material witness on our hands

without a record.

You'll never be able
to find anybody like that

to sit in one of his
crummy witness chairs

in one of those crummy courts
up there.

She owes money
to Frankie Ce De Baca.

You don't owe money like that
to a man like that.

It's dangerous.
She's in big trouble.

If it takes
a special requisition

to get the 30,000 bucks,

then it's gotta be done now,
today.

Tomorrow you can tell him
that I authorized her

to take the action she did.

You didn't know
anything about it.

I'll turn in my badge
and my gun, all right?

No, it isn't all right.

A thing like this
has to go through channels,

and I am not gonna sign my name

to a requisition that's gonna
put my butt in a sling!

I wanna remind you so you can
remind the assistant deputy

and the deputy, and his holiness
sitting up there,

with his rug and his office,

that she's already flushed out
the Ce De Bacas,

identified Tribacian,

set up Solto,
and this Eppy Lucido,

not to mention some
some wholesaler from Madagascar

that I never even knew existed.

Which means there's gotta be
a big bopper above him,

and somebody above him!

And right now, because of her,

I'd say we were
about an inch away

from meeting all of them.

I've been doin' this--
[buzzer sounds]

He'll be back in five minutes.

I've been doin'
this kind of work

for 17 years.

I know we're on the edge
of the biggest drug bust
that ever happened.

And one thing more,
Mr. Assistant
United States Attorney,

I want you to be
the first to know

that I would seriously consider

chopping off my right leg
to prove it!

God bless you.

Come on, throw him the sinker
ball, don't fool around with it.

Hmm.

He;s gonna get him.

That's what he's gonna do
with that ball.

[phone rings]

See?
There it is.

Here that?
It's in.

Hello? Hello?

[Rita]
Marianna Miraldo, please.

One moment, please.

Marianna, it's for you.

Hello?

You're overdue.

I know.
I feel baldy about that.

I'm gonna need
a little more time.

- Just a minute.
- To do what?

- I don't trust her...
- Hang up.

[conversation between
Frankie and Rita on the phone]

Marianna, please hang up.

[Frankie]
Would you relax--

They'll only call back.

They said you could quit
any time you wanted to.

This is the time.

These people'll try to kill you.

[phone ringing]

Hello.

[Joey]
Hey, Mama... It's me.

Joey?

Where are you?

Wait here.

Joey?

Joey.

Are you all right?

You've gotta come home with me.

Let me take care of you.

I can't come home with you.
You know that.

But I'm all right.
I'm perfectly... all right.

Where are you living now?

I'll try and keep
in closer touch from now on.
Did you bring the--

Pop...

All right?

I gotta go.

Mama...

I love you.

Pop.

I--

♪

Come on.

♪

[Frankie]
Hello?

Yes, it's Marianna.

Have you got my money?

Yes.

I won't disappoint you.

And I'm sorry it took so long
getting it together,

but it's going to be
all right now.

You're already eight days
over the limit.

You want your money?
You're going to get it...

...and a lot more.

A lot more what?

A lot more business.

You let me see my money first.

We'll talk
about the business later.

Okay.

♪

That's my buyer.

Uh huh?
Buyer?

What's this buyer's name?

Jose Morales.

I'm gonna tell you somethin'.

This chihuahua better not
turn out to be a cop.

Put that away.
you're being silly.

About there's gonna be
just fine, amigo.

Whatever you say.

But this is my good friend.

He came here with me
to talk business.

I'm interested in
a steady supply,

like three or four kilos a week.

Oh, a real buyer, huh?
Real business?

to start off with.

If the product's good
we can do a lot better,

but we're not
gonna do any business

if you keep waiving that thing
around all the time, all right?

Well, Señor Morales,

that's just something you're
gonna have to put up with

for the moment.

Let's have a look at
the old billfold, huh?

Wait a minute,

I mean, how do I know
that I can trust you?

Nothin' happens 'til I see
the billfold, amigo.

Give it to her.

Got his license in there?

- It's in there somewhere.
- Find it.

Let me see that.

♪

Your wife's name is what?

Inez.

- Kids?
- Two.

Emilio and Roberta.

Where do you and the wife
and kiddies live?

Jamaica, Queens.

18004, 86th Avenue.

Okay.

Okay!

I'd like to do business
with you.

But I'm gonna have to see that
little house on 86th Avenue.

First I'd like to meet
the little woman,

say hello to the kids.

After that, we can do
a lot of business.

All right.

Hey, come here.

Come here.

Fosh wants you to call him
in Miami.

You got off easy this time.

you ever try to give him
the run-around

the way you've given it to me...

...baby, I promise you,
you won't live long enough
to make another meatball.

♪

[Fosh]
You did a good job, Marianna.

Now I want you to do
something else for me.

I want you to meet a man

whose name is whose name
is Tommy Shankallion.

They call him Tommy Shanks.

He will have $10,000 for you,

but only if my favorite driver,
your son, Tony,

only if he is behind the wheel.

♪

Count it.

[Fosh]
Once you have the money,
go to the telegraph office

and buy two money orders,

each $5,000.

Make one payable
to Henri De Salles,

at 1025 Humboldt Avenue.

Go on, get out.
Out!

[Fosh]
And one payable to me
at my address,

56th Avenue Columbus,

both in Miami Beach.

[Bobby, slurring]
Very good!

Money orders, eh?

Well, FTC-1234!

Are you drunk?

After careful consideration,

it is my conclusion...

...that the money orders
are just another test.

I don't know what to say.

Well, I strongly suggest

that we personalize...

...this whole operation.
Huh?

What does that mean, Bobby?

Let's you and me... fly to Miami

and so some testing ourselves.

Scrub things out.
Make 'em get off the pot.

Huh?
You understand?

Yes, but, um...

I'll have to think about it.

Yeah.

Have to think about it.

[sighs]

Okeedokee.

Bye.

[piano playing ♪]

She has to think about it.

Bobby thinks there is a way
to end all this

and force them to come out
in the open.

Did I miss something?

You mean to tell me that
they're not in the open now?

They'll get some solid evidence

and make some arrests,

and I'll be finished with it.

They'll take over.

How long do you think
your luck is gonna hold out?

♪

Hey, Bobby.

Hey, Bob, how are ya?

[Marianna]
I hope I did the right thing.

I talk myself into coming here.

I was in the telegraph office,

I was next in line,

and I had the money orders
all made out...

...then I said to myself...

"Why do you wire it?

Bring it."

I hope you are not
angry with me.

Oh, no.
I'm delighted.

I wanted you to meet my wife,
Jacqueline,

and my family,

and I am very happy

for you to see my new home.

♪

[Marianna]
You must be very excited
about your child.

It's amazing.

Things change so fast.

One minute they are babies,

and there's always a sting,
a scratch or a cut

to be taken care of.

And then in
the very next minute,

it seems they're saying,

"Mama, I want you
to meet someone."

You look at him and you know

he won't come running
to you anymore.

And you remember everything.

The way he cried when he got
his first haircut...

...and all the Christmases,

and the wagons...

...and the bicycles...

Well, you'll see.

Marianna...

I have a hundred kilo
coming to New York.

I want you to supervise
the distribution for me.

It's too big a job for me.

No, no, no.
You can do it.

I will teach you.

Besides, you have a certain
way with people.

I couldn't afford it.

Take 20 or 30...

...on consignment.

Oh, I have no confidence.

Pete Solto has contacts.

Make him work for you.

My experience with one kilo
was very difficult.

[laughs]

[both speaking French]

Frankie's not such a bad fellow.

He's weird.

It's that wife of his.
My God,

she can stab you to death
with those eyes.

Marianna, as you can guess,

I am planning to spend a little
more time near the home fires.

[muffled speech]

I need someone in New York

to supervise distribution.

Someone with your style,

with your attitude,

with your sense of business.

Marianna...

...if you let me...

...I can make you
a very wealthy woman.

Now, before you offer me
any more protestations,

let me tell you a story.

I was listening to
one of those talk shows,

and there was a psychologist
from Tufts University.

He was saying

if we start a monkey on cocaine,

and then we take it away
from him...

...there is a good chance
that monkey will kill himself

trying to get it.

Now, the monkey doesn't have
any money,

and not too much brains,

but I think you understand
my illustration.

Marianna, I speak
to De Salles yesterday.

Henri and I are inviting you

into a once a customer,
always a customer, business.

A sure thing.

A forever market.

Everybody want a piece
of the Holy Grail, Marianna,

and that is what we are selling.

Sweet cocaine.

It sparkle...

...like snow
on a winter morning.

In one instant...

...it make the whole world...

...wonderful.

[sniffing]

He's got 25 kilos for her.

She told him
that she regarded it

as an important career move,

and she wanted time
to think it over.

Yeah, how'd you know that?

I'm a magnificent guesser.

I told her to go ahead
and take the deal.

You said what?

I said I told her to go ahead
and take the deal.

It is a great price!

29 grand a pop, I mean,

where you gonna find
a price like that?

That's a real bargain price.

Did we or did we not

go through this very thing
once before?

Or is my brain on vacation?

She's carrying it for 30 days,
full credit.

That'll give us 30 days

to come up with a good,
solid arrest warrant.

We can start now
with Henri De Salles.

- Henri De Salles?
- Yeah.

It's 1025 Humboldt Avenue,
Miami.

Fosh calls him
"the father of us all."

He'll pick the stuff up
today or tomorrow.

As soon as they call him.

We might be able to get
one of our own people
in on the big event.

And if not?

I'll need 12 cars and 30 men.

How much is 25 kilos
of cocaine worth?

About $700,000.

No, no, on the street.

$12 million,
give or take a buck.

Yeah, $12 million.

[Marianna]
Bobby says this plan
will trap them all.

They got to you.

They really got to you.

The glitter, the...

...excitement.

You like it.

You really like
being on the edge.

That's not why I'm doing it.

Carrying tape recorders,
wearing wires.

I think the danger
is really turning you on.

You'd rather I do nothing?

You bet your life.
You're not a cop.

You're a housewife from Queens.

Please...

You know what's in my heart?

Yes, I do.

And it's time you gave Joey up.

What?

I can never give him up.

He's still inside of me.

You have another son
and a husband.

- That's unfair.
- No.

You're using us,
Tony and me,

and that's unfair.

♪

Nice to see you back,
Mr. De Salles.

The first batch
is a million five.

212 thousand so far.

And this is another...
ten thousand.

Ten thousand.
- How much?

- Ten thousand.
- And in total?

222.

Hello?

Hello?

Ah, Marianna.

Thank you for calling back.

Yes.

Oh, no, no,
surely you can make it.

Mr. De Salles will be home
in one day.

Keep it down.

No, no.
Only one day.

15 thousand.

Marianna,

there is something I want you
to handle for me.

Good.
See you, huh?

♪

- Gonna be okay?
- Of course.

- You sure?
- Yeah.

Sure, I'll be fine.

Don't worry.
- Okay. Bye.

♪

Hello?

Mr. Fosh's room.

Hi. This is Marianna.

Okay, I'll wait for you there.

Morning, Marianna.

Good morning.

Roberta, Marianna.

Hi.

I hope you two become very,
very good friends.

We are going shopping
this afternoon,

and I know that we are not going
to find any bargains.

But it will be fun.

Coffee, please.

- Anything else?
- No.

Uh, double espresso,
and a brioche.

So...

...are you ready to make
your first million?

Yes. All ready.

You're nervous, huh?

A little bit.

Don't take any more coffee.

I want you to
go home directly now.

The shipment has been delivered.

Something the matter?

No.

What's the matter, Marianna?

Nothing.

You can talk in front of me.

I have told her all about you.

Now, what's going on, Marianna?

Well, I've been so stupid.

That's the only way
I can explain it.

I let my
driver's license expire.

I don't want to get into trouble
with the police.

so I'll have to bring a friend
along to drive the car.

No friend, Marianna.

Let's keep it in the family,
huh?

Marianna,

you don't happen to have
the expired license with you,

do you, by any chance?

I think so.

It's so messy.

Maybe it's in here.

Oh, there it is.

You should renew it.

Goodbye.

♪

[phone buzzing]

Hello?

[Marianna]
He just called.
We're leaving now.

Right.

Now.

♪

Here they come.
Bobby.

- Stay with 'em, Leo.
- Right.

8-59 to 10-59.

It's a late model
four door sedan,

license, 529 Denver Foxtrot
Hotel Indiana.

10-Y5 turnin' onto 14th.
We got him.

- Hey, slow down.
- Hey, just relax.

I don't like the way
you're drivin' here.

♪

10-Y5, let 'em go!

Sally, you pick them up.

Looks like they're turning
onto 10th.

Keep going straight.
I don't want them to spot you!

[Sally]
They're goin' north on 10th,
Bob.

[Bobby]
Good luck, Sally.
they're all yours.

[Sally]
Okay, we've got them in view.

We'll keep them
two cars ahead of us.

[Bobby]
Sally, you got them?

We'll cover them.

Okay, you got 'em?
We're squaring the block.

Stay alert, guys.

You agree?

Yes.

Good.

Doing business with you
has been beautiful.

I'm stuck at a light.

Where are they 5Y?

[Sally]
They're just ahead of me.

Keep them close.

[Sally]
Okay.

♪

I've lost them.

Damn, I've lost them!

- What?!
- I've lost them!

♪

Marianna, I lied to you.

What?

I said there was going to be 25,

there's only 24.

Good luck.

- Oh, my God.
- All right!

- Whoo!
- Wow!

Whoo!

[all laughing, exclaiming]

Okay, look up.

We got 'em.
We got the bastards!

We got 'em, Marianna.

You're a good man!

[laughing]

In ten days they're all
gonna be in jail.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[Fosh]
Marianna?
It's John Fosh.

Oh, yes.

There's something I need to
talk to you about.

Can you come over tonight?

Tonight?
I can't.

Well, tomorrow morning, then.
First thing.

First thing in the morning.

Tomorrow then.
Goodbye.

John Fosh...

He wants to see me.

I thought it was all over.

So did I.

[ding]

♪

- Hi. Come in.
- How are you?

[Fosh speaking French]

He's gonna be a little while.

I think he's with another woman.

Oui, Jacqueline.

[continues speaking French]

Would you care for a roll?

[shouting in French]

Ooh,
c'est dommage.

That's all the French I know.

She hangs up on me.

Aw.

- Hello, Marianna.
- Hello.

Can I offer you some
fruit juice, coffee, something?

No, thank you.

Your car's in the hotel garage,

and this is the ticket.

Please, sit.

And, uh, you wanted to see me?

Yes.

Roberta, please give us
some five minutes.

We have some talk to do.

I have been
thinking things over

and I've made a few phone calls,

and I have found

a customer who will take
the whole shipment

and is willing to pay cash.

I cannot refuse him.

So I'm going to have to ask you

to return the merchandise,
please.

That wasn't the arrangement.

That was not the arrangement.
I'm changing the arrangement.

So when can you bring it?

I have already committed myself
to other people.

Meaning what?

I have already distributed
the merchandise.

All of it?

Every bit of it.

Then you can pay me.

I can't do that either.

Why not?

I haven't collected for it.

Marianna...

...I want my money.
Huh?

When... can I have my money?

I'll... I'll do what I can.

No, no, no,
that's not good enough.

I want my money now.

30 days.

Seven.

Seven.

You know, Marianna,

I should remind you...

that in this business,
people who don't pay,

sometimes they die.

I want $175,000 this week,

another 175 next week,

another the third,

and another by the fourth week.

You will be all paid up.

Do you understand?

[glass shattering]

...used to have a machete
underneath the bed,

so I brought the bullets,
I said, "Grandma,

what do you want me
to do with this?"

She sad, "Put 'em on the top
dresser underneath the clothes--

Something's wrong.

She's in trouble.

We better go check it out.
You call headquarters.

♪

[inaudible]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[Bobby]
Can you talk?

Uh, not very well, thank you.

A little cold.

I'm gonna make a guess or two.

Let me know if I'm close, okay?

Uh, that'd be fine.

How many?

You told 'em that you'll be
collecting the first payment

pretty soon.

Right so far?

Uh, that's right,
I think I can handle that.

But he wants
somebody real close
to keep an eye on you.

Uh, exactly.
Exactly.

To make sure nothing funny
happens to his money.

[Marianna]
Uh, that's the way
I understand it.

[Bobby]
Okay, Marianna,
everything's clear.

This is what you do...

I want you to get Tony
out of there now.

Make an excuse.
Anything, something.

Next, in...

...15 minutes,

I want you to walk out of there.

Don't take your purse,
don't take off your apron,

just walk to the front of
the store and out the door.

You'll recognize the person

sitting behind the wheel
of a car parked out front.

Do you understand?

Yes.

Can you manage that?

Yes, I think we can handle that.

Now, don't look at your watch.
Is there a wall clock there?

Yes, we have one of those.

15 minutes from... right now.

Exactly.

Is that clear, Marianna?

Have I got everything?

Once you walk outta that store,

you're never going back.

Never going back there

or to your house.

You understand what I'm
telling you, Marianna?

Yes, I do.

Is that all?

We're going to pick up Nick,

so I don't want you to worry.

Are you okay, Marianna?

30 days at the outside.

Thank you very much.

- One thing more.
- Yes?

Eppy Lucido is singing
loud and clear

for the folks down in Texas.

Terribly glad to hear that.

Thank you.

Good luck.

♪

[Bobby]
This had better work.

I'm going across.

Right.

Tony...

...get some sandwiches
and a coffee.

Now?

Right now.

You want some coffee?

Two sugars.

♪

Excuse me.

Excuse me, ma'am!

I'd like to see some rings.

This tray, please.

It's a gift for my girlfriend.

This one's very nice but it's
a little expensive for me.

I don't think
she likes sapphire.

[man murmuring]

This one's very pretty.

Nice shine.

Very unusual cut.

But I think this size
is too small for her.

What?

I'd like to see some more rings
if I can.

♪

I'm afraid these just
aren't right for me.

Thank you very much,

Get in!

Come on, Mrs. Miraldo.
Come on.

Come on.
Get in!

Go, go!

Go!

♪

Come on out.

Give me the gun.

Hold it! Hold it!
I got you covered.

♪

Police!
You're under arrest.

Against the car.
Against the car!

I have warrants for your arrest.

You have there right
to remain silent.

I advise that you do.

How was dinner, Frankie?

[police siren]

Dad's here!

[police siren]

I have a warrant here
for your arrest.

FBI.

This way.

Come on, let's keep going.

♪

Hey!

[grunting]

Let go of me!

Grab her feet.

Gabriella Estrada.

Freeze, sucker!

Henri De Salles, this is
a warrant for your arrest.

You have the right
to remain silent.

If you give up the right
to remain silent,

anything you say may and will
be used against you--

Get a towel, please.

John Fosh, we have a warrant
for your arrest.

You have the right
to remain silent.

You have a right to counsel.

Do you understand?

I understand.

[police siren]

[people chattering]

[journalists clamoring]

[buzzer sounds]

- Both of 'em?
- Yes.

How are ya?

I wanted to impress you.

Mrs. Miraldo, you have done
a remarkable job.

It's truly an
astounding accomplishment.

What you've done
for the Justice Department

and for the people of this state
is incredible...

...and we will be
eternally grateful.

Thank you.

It's your testimony that
is going to ensure the-

the imprisonment of...

...most of that
criminal network.

Most?

What do you mean most?

Well, we've had
some disquieting news.

John Fosh and Henri De Salles
have been released from custody.

Oh, God.

Well... how can this happen?

Stupidity.

It was a clerical error.

There was a two million dollar
bail on each opt them,

but somebody got confused

and they were released
on their own recognizance.

You mean they're free?

Yeah, but we're lookin' for 'em,
and we'll find 'em.

Sure.

Now wait.

It doesn't matter.

We are providing you
with complete security.

You and your family

are gonna be in another part
of the country.

You'll have a new beginning.
You'll have a whole new life.

What about Joey?

Who is going to protect him?

I have some friends on 8th
Avenue, on and off the force.

They'll keep an eye on him.

I promise you
we'll do what we can.

No, no.

No what?

I can't.

I can't.
- What do you mean?

I can't testify.

I can't.

Oh, Mrs.-- Marianna, you must.

No!

Marianna, you've gotta do this.

You've gotta
pull yourself together.

Without you...

...this- this trial
will just crumble.

You've gotta do it.

Marianna, I know you.
You can do it.

No, no, no, no, no!

Nick.
- Get outta here.

- Marianna, think about it.
- Nick!

If you don't testify,
then they're gonna go free!

Don't you understand?

They're all gonna
get away with it.

Get outta this room!

Out!

[door closes]

Come on.

Okay.

You know, I married
a remarkable woman.

She can be a real
pain in the butt,

and headstrong beyond belief.

But you have more guts
than anyone I've ever known.

You did all this
for your family.

We're here for you.

I'm here for you.

I wouldn't wanna be
anyplace else in the world.

I love you.

I'm scared.

I'm so scared.

I can't do it.

[people chattering]

Your Honor, I call to the stand

Mrs. Marianna Miraldo.

Mrs. Marianna Miraldo
to the stand!

[bailiff]
Place your left hand
on the Bible

and raise your right hand,
please.

Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?

I do.

[man narrating]
Because of
Marianna Miraldo's testimony

a three and-a-half
billion dollar drug ring

was busted.

13 criminals went to prison.

John Fosh and Henri De Salles
were later arrested

and are now in jail.

Marianna Miraldo
is no longer part

of the witness
protection program...

...because she refused
to leave her son.

♪