David (1988) - full transcript
David is a six-year-old boy who is caught in the middle of his two feuding (& divorced) parents. His father, Charles, kidnaps him to California, where he eventually sets him on fire as a means of revenge against Marie, David's mother (Young David receives third-degree burns over 90% of his body). This movie chronicles David's struggle to recover and the obstacles he faces along the way.
(grand orchestral music)
- [Narrator] Tonight's film is a dramatization
of Marie Rothenberg's account of events
surrounding the burning and survival of her son, David.
(light synth music)
(ominous synth music)
(light synth music)
(ominous synth music)
(alarm ringing)
(light synth music)
- David.
David, honey!
Morning, sweetheart.
Time to get up.
- Guess what.
- [David] What?
- Guess what, it stopped raining out.
- [David] Good.
No more galoshes.
- David, what are all these dirty clothes doing
all over the floor?
- [David] I forgot.
- You forgot.
You know where they go.
Ah, I can't find David.
Well, where did David go?
Well, I guess I just better make the bed.
- [David] No!
(laughing)
- So, what are you wearing today, huh?
- How about my elephant T-shirt and some jeans?
- Okay, but hurry up because you're running late.
(sighing)
- Faster than a speeding bullet.
Stronger than a charging elephant!
- My little Superman!
David!
Hurry.
It's getting late.
(light synth music)
(children shouting)
(ominous synth music)
(oil sizzling)
Fonzie, get off the table.
(Fonzie meowing)
David!
You have exactly one minute.
I'm counting!
One,
two.
(imitating horse whinnying)
Uh, hey, Mr. Horse.
How'd we do?
Let's see, let's see, let's see.
Very good, very good.
Your socks match?
Let's see.
Yes, yes.
Okay, here you go.
(sniffing)
- What is it?
- Spaghetti.
Eat.
(water running)
- Psst.
Hey, Fonz.
Fonz.
What are you doing?
- I'm leaving a note for John.
Did Fonzie enjoy his breakfast?
I told you, I'm your mother.
I know everything.
You can't hide anything from me.
No, no.
I know it all, and don't you forget it!
Come on.
We're late.
The right arm, the left arm.
- [David] Is John coming over today?
- [Marie] Uh-huh, before he goes to the station.
- [David] I don't want to be a policeman.
(bell ringing)
- [Marie] What's the matter?
John's a good guy.
- [David] Are you gonna marry him?
- [Marie] Maybe.
What do you think?
- [David] Am I gonna live with you?
- Of course.
Why would you even ask me such a question?
(bell ringing)
David?
- Daddy!
- Hey, there's my big boy.
Oh, I love you.
- Come on, fellas.
We're late.
- Aw, Marie, why don't you let him have a little fun
once in a while?
- Charles, the bell's rung.
- I have to talk to you, Marie.
- Can it wait?
I'm running late.
- No, it can't wait.
I want David this weekend.
- John is taking him.
Any other weekend, you know that,
but John made plans.
- He's my son, Marie, not John's.
He belongs to me.
- Yeah, I belong to you.
- Yeah.
Hey.
- I don't want to discuss this with you now.
- Then when?
- Tonight after eight, after John leaves.
I don't want anything getting in the way
of this relationship, you understand?
- Come on, Davie.
Come on, let's go.
I don't want you to be late for school, boy.
- [David] Whee!
- [Charlie] Yeah, like Superman, huh?
- [Woman over P.A.] Turned in to your homeroom teacher
by Friday.
- What happened to you?
- Oh, I missed the train.
- Want to have lunch?
- Maybe tomorrow.
- [John] Yeah?
- John?
- [John] Yeah?
- Hi, it's me.
- [John] Hi.
(sighing)
Did I wake you up?
- [John] Yeah, it's okay.
Just got to bed.
- I know.
I wish you were back on day schedule.
- [John] Me too.
So, what I can do for you?
- Nothing.
Just wanted to make sure you were coming over later.
- [John] Yeah, sure.
Be there for dinner.
- I love you.
- [John] I love you, too.
- Bye.
(laughing)
- [Charlie] Aah.
Oh, okay.
(imitating horse whinnying)
- [David] Whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa!
I got you!
- Oh, yeah?
You got me?
Okay.
(laughing)
(squealing)
Let me in.
Let me in.
Ahh.
Let me in.
- You're early.
I have to make dinner and spend a little time with David
before I put him to bed.
- You're never here, Marie.
Who takes care of my son?
- I do.
Good care.
I have to work.
Someone has to bring money in.
- Oh.
You're always throwing that up in my face,
aren't you, Marie?
- Don't start with me, Charles.
We're not married anymore.
You're not a part of my life now except as David's father.
- You and John are trying
to take David away from me, aren't you?
- What are you talking about?
- You know exactly what I'm talking about.
- You see David whenever you want.
(laser blasting)
- Why don't you want to chase me anymore, Daddy?
Don't you wanna play?
- Mommy won't let me.
- Why?
- Because it's time for dinner.
Wash up, please, David.
- But, Mommy, Daddy--
- No buts.
Wash up now, okay?
(electronic chirping)
- Don't talk to him like that.
- "Mommy won't let me"?
What are you doing?
- I'm not the one, Marie.
- Yes, you!
You're the one.
And for what?
For what, to get David for the weekend?
Every time you don't get what you want,
you act like a baby.
You're worse than David.
What if John and I get married and move away?
Then what are you gonna do?
- What do you mean?
- Nothing.
- You and John are moving away from here,
taking David away?
- No, forget it.
I shouldn't have said anything.
I promised John.
- John!
Everything for John.
What about me?
- You're not my concern anymore, are you?
- Where you going, Daddy?
Don't you wanna play a game with me?
- Oh.
Your mommy doesn't want me here anymore.
(police radio chattering)
- John?
John, wait.
- Charlie, what are you doing here?
- I, uh, I need your help.
I'm losing David.
- You're not losing anything.
Davie worships you.
- Yeah, but not anymore.
Marie won't let him see me now.
She's turning him against me.
- [John] Come on, Charlie.
Don't waste my time.
You hassled Marie all afternoon.
- But it's true.
I want him for the weekend.
Marie says no.
- Because I made plans over a month ago.
- But, you--
- Look, Charlie.
You want David for the weekend, take him.
We'll go some other time if it's that important to you,
but don't put them through this anymore.
- [Charlie] Marie called you, didn't she?
- That's not the point.
- But you don't know my side.
She's always throwing you up to me.
- Don't put me in the middle anymore, Charlie.
It's between you and Marie.
Work it out.
- I love my son.
David means everything to me.
- Then act like it.
Grow up.
Act like a father.
- I'm a good father.
Look.
Look, I got this beeper
so now he can call me whenever he wants.
I got a special number just for him,
so now when he calls me I can call him right back.
- Charlie, it's late.
Shut the door and go home.
- Talk to her.
Use your influence.
Please,
she'll listen to you!
You don't let her turn my son against me!
Please!
(ominous synth music)
John!
John!
Hello!
Is somebody there?
Can anybody help me?
(cash register dinging)
- Psst.
How come you're still up?
- Took me a long time to get him to sleep.
Charles gets him all wound up.
- He's not the only one.
He came by the station tonight.
- What'd he want?
- Pastrami on rye.
What do you mean what did he want?
He wants Davie for the weekend.
- I told him never to bother you at work.
- He bothers me.
He bothers me a lot.
- I'm sorry.
What did you say?
- Told him okay.
And then I gave the hockey tickets to my partner.
He's taking his son to the playoffs.
- You didn't have to do that.
I would have told him no.
- Oh, sure, sure.
Then he would have told Davie,
Davie would have cried all week,
and you would have went crazy,
started arguing with good old Charles.
I would have been left with the fallout from all of you.
- Thanks.
You know, for a flatfoot,
you're not as dumb as you look.
You want a sandwich?
- Hi.
Just like old times, huh?
Thanks for seeing me, Marie.
(chuckling)
I have news.
I don't work at Luchow's anymore.
- You're not in trouble, are you?
- No, no.
It's good news this time.
This time I quit.
I got a new job.
It's better, more pay.
- Really?
Good.
Where?
- J & O's Car Service.
It's right around the corner from you and Davie.
- Around the corner.
You'll be wanting more time with David?
- Less.
That's why I wanted to have lunch with you,
to talk about my schedule, but I think you'll be pleased.
I think we can finally work something out.
- Really?
That would be great.
I just want what's best for all of us, Charles.
- That's all I want, Marie,
especially for my son.
(sighing)
- You know, you always made me feel
as though I had nothing to do with David,
as if it was just the two of you.
- That's not me, Marie.
That's Davie.
- Look, I gotta get back to work.
What did you figure out?
- Well, uh, since,
since I, um,
since I won't have as much time with Davie now
'cause of the new job, you know,
I'll be working nights and weekends--
I, well, I want to break it to him myself.
- What do you want to break to him?
You're around the corner, aren't you?
- You remember when Davie thought that I didn't
love him anymore because I couldn't come to see him.
So, this time I wanna,
well, I have to break it to him myself.
This time he has to hear it from me.
I don't ever want him to be without a father the way I was.
It's a terrible feeling.
- What do you want from me?
- A week with David, alone.
- A week?
I thought you wanted him for the weekend.
- Well, I made reservations in the Catskills
for the weekend, so as we can go back to that game farm,
but I got six days off before my new job starts,
and I want Davie to stay over at my place with me,
just him and me.
- Oh, I don't know.
- Come on, Marie.
It's what, just a few blocks from your house.
Come on.
- What about school?
- He won't miss anything.
I'll have him at school on time every day.
What do you say, Marie?
Come on, be a pal.
Let me have next week with him.
It'll give you and John time alone together.
- All right, take him for a week.
- [Charlie] Great!
Thanks.
- I don't want to hear any more about more time.
A week.
That's it.
- Word of honor.
- Okay, now, let's see.
Is that everything?
- I want my elephant T-shirt.
- All right.
What about Bear?
Don't you want to take Bear?
- [David] Unh-unh.
- I thought you loved Bear.
- [David] I got my daddy.
- Oh, all right.
- [Charlie] Hey, anybody here?
- We're in here in my room!
- Hey, sport!
(laughing)
Hey, look at this, will you, huh?
Something, huh?
We can throw this old shopping bag away.
- Yeah, that can go.
(laughing)
- I feel like I forgot something.
Oh, I know.
Shoes.
He'll need another pair of shoes.
- Oh, what he's wearing is fine.
Don't worry, Marie.
I'll take care of him.
- Well, what if the weather changes?
- I said what he's wearing is fine.
- I'll tell you what.
I'll walk you guys partway.
I can grab an early train.
- Okay, let's go.
Come on, we're out of here.
- You be a good boy now and you listen to Daddy.
David, you know if you want to talk to Mommy,
if you want to come home.
- Not now, Mommy.
- Come here.
Come here, come here, come here.
- [David] Come on.
- Come on, we gotta go, Marie.
We'll be fine, won't we, Davie?
- [David] Yeah!
- Yeah, come on.
In we go.
Hey.
- Put your seat belt on.
- [David] Bye, Mommy!
(dramatic synth music)
- And when the lieutenant stopped at the holding tank,
these Eighth Avenue hookers, they screamed.
You listening?
- Yeah, to every word.
What time is it?
- About 10 minutes later than last time.
What's with you?
- I just want to talk with David.
- Well, you call him when we get home.
Knowing Davie, they're probably at Mama Donato's right now,
having a big bowl of spaghetti.
- Probably.
It's the only thing David will eat.
I miss him.
- [Man] Hey, watch it, Mac.
- Excuse me.
Hasn't even been one full day yet.
- I know.
I've had this funny feeling all day
something is wrong.
- What a mom.
That's crazy.
- I don't know.
I can't explain it.
- Will you relax, please?
(tuneless strumming on guitar)
♪ I wanna go to where skies are blue ♪
♪ Then I'm gonna go to Disneyland, too ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah
♪ I'm really, really gonna have so much fun ♪
♪ Whoa
♪ California, here we come
- Yeah!
- [David] Yeah, let's go!
Come on!
- Yeah, tomorrow, honey, just like I promised, huh?
You know, has Daddy ever broken a promise to you?
- Nope.
(laughing)
- And you know what?
The airplane ride's gonna be almost as much fun
as Disneyland.
- Yeah?
- Want some more pizza, huh?
Yeah.
But you gotta remember, honey, that
this is our special secret.
You can't tell anybody.
- Not even Mommy?
- No.
No, not even Mommy.
- Why?
- Because.
'Cause this trip belongs to you and me,
and you know Mommy would get very angry
if she found out we were gonna go someplace without her,
and you know what happens to Mommy
when she gets very angry, right?
(laughing)
Oh, good boy, Davie.
Oh, I love you.
(telephone ringing)
- Aren't you gonna answer the phone?
- No, I'm not gonna talk to anybody.
Just you and me, Davie.
Our special secret.
From now on, hmm?
- Just you and me.
(phone ringing)
- [John] No answer?
- No, and it's getting late.
- Ah, they probably went out for some ice cream.
Come on, you can call him tomorrow morning.
Before they leave.
(kettle whistling)
- Honey, honey.
(light synth music)
- [David] Look, Dad, there it is.
Let's go!
- [Charles] Well, I got a great idea.
Let's go find a motel room first.
We can wash up, we can have some dinner,
then we'll hit Disneyland first thing tomorrow morning.
Oh, wow, they got miniature golf.
- [David] Oh, look at that magic castle.
Oh, Dad, look!
Wow, look at this place.
- This is great.
Okay, I'll play you a game.
- [David] Dynamite.
- Dy-no-mite.
All right, you guard the car.
I'll go get us a room, all right?
You stay right here where I can keep an eye on ya!
- Okay.
- Hi.
I, uh, would like a room.
- A single?
- No, the double.
It's for me and my son.
I, uh, I brought him here to see Disneyland.
It's always been his dream.
- [Woman] Uh, name, please?
- My name is David.
David Love.
- [Woman] You're in 119.
(ominous synth music)
- Made in USA.
- Lady, how much?
- A dollar.
- [Marie] Doesn't it bother you
I haven't been able to reach Charles?
- Nope, 'cause I don't think anything's wrong.
- What if he's kidnapped David?
- Oh, come on, Marie.
Charlie's taken Davie a million times.
Nothing's ever happened.
- Well, what if this time is different?
What if this time he's taken David away?
- Hey, honey, look at this.
Beautiful, isn't it?
- Don't even think it.
I'm sure it's too expensive.
- Sorry.
- [Merchant] It's okay.
Next time.
- You know what I really think?
Beside the fact your imagination's running wild?
I think you're jealous.
- Of what?
- Charlie and Davie.
- That's ridiculous.
- Is it?
I've watched you.
Kills you that they're so close.
- What kills me is you're not taking this seriously.
- Marie, you have nothing to go on but a feeling.
- And Charles.
I know him.
I don't trust him.
- Then why'd you let Davie go?
- I don't know.
- [Woman] I hope you remembered to close the window.
- [Man] Of course I closed it.
Come on.
(thunder rumbling)
- Hi.
- We going to Disneyland now?
I finished.
- Afraid not, tiger.
It's closed.
'Cause of the rain.
- But, Dad, you said we could go.
- Yeah.
Yeah, I know, but, uh, we can't.
So come on, put on your coat.
Let's go back to the motel and we'll watch some T--
- I wanna go to Disneyland.
- Aw, come on, Davie.
What are you doing?
- [David] I don't wanna go back to the motel.
- [Charlie] We're gonna go.
We're gonna go back to the motel now.
- No, I wanna go to Disneyland.
- [Charlie] All right, put your coat on.
Let's go back--
- [David] No, no.
- [Charlie] Davie.
- [David] No!
- Will you stop, come on.
- [David] No, I wanna go to Disneyland.
- Stop it now, come on.
- [David] No, get away from me, no.
- Davie, come on.
(ominous synth music)
- [David] Why are we here?
This isn't our motel.
- [Charlie] Yeah, but this place is better.
This place has got an arcade by the pool.
- [David] I still like the other place better.
- Okay, okay.
I got an even better surprise, huh?
Run for it!
Come on!
Look at this, huh?
A waterbed.
- Dynamite!
Whoo!
- Hey!
(squealing) (laughing)
- [David] Whoa!
- [Charlie] Okay, so you like it better now?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
(laughing)
- [David] Whee!
(electronic booming and beeping)
Missed you, but I'm gonna get you next time.
- David.
David.
I gotta get out of here.
Will you be all right?
Okay, you wait right here, won't you, till I get back?
- Could I have some more quarters to hold me over?
- Sure.
Here you go.
Okay.
(ominous synth music)
(Fonzie meowing)
(meowing)
Are you sure you're gonna be able to eat all that?
- [David] No problem.
(groaning)
- Oh!
- Ha!
- What?
Hey, hey!
Hey, cut it out.
What are you doing?
Hey!
(laughing)
(shrieking)
Oh, no!
- I'm gonna get you.
(both laughing)
(phone ringing)
- [Woman] 13th Precinct.
- [Marie] Yes, John Cirillo, please.
Marie Rothenberg calling.
- [Woman] One moment.
- Hi, hon.
I just got in.
What's up?
- Uh, there's still no answer at Charles' place.
I called school, and David never showed up today.
He wasn't there on Friday.
What do you think?
- Try him again.
- I just did.
Look, John, I've been trying all day.
There's gotta be something you can do.
Please.
- All right, all right.
Take it easy, I'll look into it.
Where were they supposed to be this weekend?
- In the Catskills.
Charles rented a cabin to take David to the game farm
they went to last year.
John?
John, are you there?
(dramatic synth music)
- I'm sorry, Marie.
I should have asked you sooner.
- You're sorry about what?
- Well, I've been up in that area.
That's a summertime operation.
It's closed at this time of the year.
- Oh, my God.
Where are they?
(upbeat music)
- Now, don't be mercenary.
Will you listen to me?
- I'll bet you haven't the price of a marriage license.
- [Man] I wanna talk to you.
(croaking laugh)
- What?
(stuttering)
- I want to go outside and play.
- Well, you can't.
It's pouring.
- There's nothing to do here.
I wanna go to Disneyland.
You promised.
- You want to hit the arcade again?
- I'm sick of the arcade.
- Okay.
Oh, I got a great idea.
Let's go to a movie, huh?
What movie do you wanna see?
- I don't wanna see a movie.
- Come on, we'll go to--
Okay.
- Can I talk to Mommy now?
- No.
(dramatic synth music)
Mommy.
I wanna go home.
- Davie?
Don't you want to be with me, Davie?
Huh?
Don't you want to stay here with Dad?
(crying)
(sniffling)
Oh, I'm sorry, Davie.
I'm sorry I was mean to you, but
we belong together, huh?
As father and son, belong together.
- This is ridiculous.
How much longer?
- I'm sorry, ma'am.
We have to wait for papers from uptown.
- I already told you I called Luchow's.
They've got a warrant out for his arrest.
What more do you want?
- Who's got the keys?
Jim, you come with me.
Please, move back.
- [Officer] Stay back.
- The rest of you stay put.
(door unlocking)
Police officers.
We're coming in.
(dramatic orchestral music)
Here's something.
He left a note.
"Thanks for everything.
"I will not be returning.
"Charles Rothenberg."
We'll put out an APB on both of them right away.
- Right.
Mrs. Rothenberg, have you got some recent photos?
That's good.
Where can I reach you tomorrow?
- Home.
I won't be going to work.
- Would you normally go in?
- Yes.
- I really think it's better if you do go in.
- But--
- Please, Mrs. Rothenberg.
As long as he knows your schedule,
I'd advise you not to change it.
- I just want my baby back.
Please.
(thunder rumbling)
- Come on, let's get some coffee.
- No, I'm all right.
- Oh, sure.
You're just fine.
No cream, one sugar, right?
(phone ringing)
- Marie Rothenberg.
Hello?
(phone hanging up)
(dial tone humming)
(telephone ringing)
Hello?
- [Charles] Hi, Marie.
- Where are you?
What have you done with David?
- He's here with me.
- Let me talk to him.
- You can't.
- Why not?
- [Charlie] He's sleeping.
- What do you mean he's sleeping?
Why is he still asleep?
- It's only seven o'clock i--
- It's 10 o'clock in the morning here.
Where are you?
Let me talk to David right now.
- He can't talk now.
- Wake him up!
I want to talk to him right now!
Are you in California?
Answer me, Charles!
- He's my son, Marie.
I have rights.
- You don't have the right to take David
out of New York state without my permission.
That was our agreement.
Now bring him back now!
- I can't stand listening to your mouth anymore.
The screaming at me!
No more, Marie.
- I swear to you, Charles, when I get David back,
you will never, ever see him again, do you understand?
Never!
- That's it, Marie.
I'm finished.
I promise you'll never find David now.
- Oh, God, Charles, no.
No!
- I warned you.
Don't threaten me like that.
Don't ever threaten me about David!
- I'm sorry, Charles.
Please, forgive me.
I didn't know.
Charles, you scared me.
You took David away and you scared me.
Please.
- I thought about it a long time last night.
I was gonna give you another chance, but I can't now.
Goodbye, Marie.
- Please, Charles, no!
Where are you?
Charles!
(phone hanging up)
Charles, where are you?
(dial tone humming)
(sighing)
(dramatic synth music)
(light synth music)
- No more rain, Daddy.
Can we go to Disneyland tomorrow?
- [Charlie] Come on, Davie.
It's time to sleep.
- But I'm not tired.
- Come on, honey, hop in.
- What's that for?
- That's a pill so you'll sleep better
so, uh, so you'll feel rested when we go to Disneyland.
Come on.
Come on, drink it with this.
Good boy.
And if you fall out of bed, then you won't hurt yourself.
Good boy.
I got you first.
Okay, come on.
Let's go.
Come on.
- Bronco.
- Oh, you wanna play bronco, huh?
How many rides you wanna go on tomorrow, huh?
- [David] Um, about 25.
- 25?
You can go on 26 if you go to sleep quicker.
- Okay.
- And you get your rest.
- Yeah.
Oh, that's my boy.
No more hurts, huh?
No more people pulling at you and
no more people fighting over you.
There's no more threats.
No more.
No more.
(ominous synth music)
(lid unscrewing)
(can clunking)
(light synth music)
(tires squealing)
(room exploding)
(screaming)
- [David] Help, help!
(telephone ringing)
- Yes.
- [Woman] Mrs. Rothenberg?
Mrs. Marie Rothenberg?
- Yes.
- [Woman] Mrs. Rothenberg, I have a telegram for you.
May I read it?
- Go ahead.
- [Woman] "Dear Marie, by the time you read this,
"I will have terminated my existence.
"You have caused me enough harm.
"I have been through enough in my life."
- It's from Charles Rothenberg, isn't it?
What does he say about David?
What does he say about my son?
- [Woman] "Also be informed that your son
"has been in an accident
"and has been taken to the burn center
"at the University of California Irvine Medical Center."
- What are you talking about?
What kind of accident?
- [Woman] That's all I have.
I'm very sorry, Mrs. Rothenberg.
(dial tone humming)
(dramatic synth music)
(group chattering)
(telephone ringing)
- Yeah, Public Information.
Can I help you?
- I'm calling from New York.
I'd like to speak to whoever is in charge, please.
- Well, that would be me, ma'am.
I'm Officer Terry Branum.
- I'm searching for my child.
He may have been in an accident.
Do you have a little boy there?
(monitor beeping) (respirator hissing)
- Sweetheart, we're going to move your arm
just a little bit, okay?
(moaning softly)
Good boy, good boy.
You work right along with us, sweet thing.
You're gonna be all right.
(machine beeping)
- Let's try, uh, morphine, three milligrams, hmm?
(telephone ringing)
- Chambers.
All right, what's his name?
Let me ask him.
There's a woman on the line from New York
who thinks this might be her son.
Okay, honey,
I want you to nod if you can hear me.
Good boy.
Is your name David?
He's nodding yes.
His name is David.
- Oh, my God.
I'll be on the next plane out.
(light synth music)
- [Woman] Here she comes!
- Let her through, let her through.
- [Man] How long have you been separated?
- [Woman] When was the last time you saw your husband?
- Are there any other children?
When did you last see your ex-husband?
- He said he'll have a statement for you later.
(reporters shouting)
- Why do you have to say anything to them?
What are the police doing all over?
- They're on 24-hour guard.
- It's standard procedure in a case like this, ma'am.
- Case like this?
- Honey, they think Charlie set the fire.
- Charles?
- Mrs. Rothenberg,
I think you should be prepared.
David was very badly burned.
He's unrecognizable.
- If that's David.
- Honey, you better take off your coat.
- The doctors say he's critical.
His body is completely open.
- That's why we gotta scrub up and put on these robes.
You gotta wash your hands.
- One other thing.
Whoever did this to him, his father or somebody else,
is still out there.
- Any leads yet?
- Just a woman at the motel.
- What if it is Charles?
- Don't you worry.
We're gonna have a 24-hour guard on this room
until he's brought in.
- I want to see the child.
- [Woman over PA] Dr. Long to ICU.
Dr. Long to ICU.
(machines beeping)
- It's not my son.
- What if it is, Marie?
- No, it's not my David.
- Marie.
Davie?
It's John.
I'm here with your mommy.
We're both right here beside you, pal.
Um,
I brought Bear, see?
(moaning softly)
(sobbing)
- Maybe you better take her out.
- Yeah.
- No.
No, I'm gonna be with him.
I want to, I want David to know I'm here.
- He's barely conscious, Mrs. Rothenberg.
- I don't care.
David will know.
My son will know.
Davie, Mommy's here, sweetheart.
I'm here.
I'm here and it's, it's gonna be all right.
(grunting)
Shhh.
I love you.
- Marie, we'd, we'd better go.
- No.
- Yeah.
- Come on, sweetie, come on.
- No, no.
He needs me.
No, no!
Why did you pull me out of--
- Let them do their job, Marie.
- His head is so big.
- It's the bandages.
Look, they know what they're doing!
- Leave me alone!
- Marie!
Marie!
- Want some coffee?
- Yeah.
- Come on, come on, come on.
Let me get you some coffee.
- [Woman over PA] Dr. Rex Nolan.
- There are some things I wanted to ask you, anyway,
without her around.
- You mean about Charlie?
- Yeah.
Everybody's looking for him.
We're having the biggest manhunt we ever had around here.
Can you give us any kind of a lead?
- [John] He's weak.
In his mind, he thinks everyone's out to get him.
- Does he have any friends?
- Not that I know of.
Maybe some prison buddies.
- He's an ex-con?
- Oh, yeah.
Ol' Charlie's got quite a record.
Even the FBI was after him.
- She know about that?
- Not till after they were married.
They were together a few years.
She found out he was stealing, she threw him out.
- How's her financial situation?
- Not good.
- Well, we started a fund at the department for David.
We're jammed with calls.
- Thanks.
- Here, watch out, it's hot.
(sighing)
(elevator bell dinging)
- [Doctor] Mrs. Rothenberg, I'm Dr. Achauer.
- David, how is he?
Can I see him?
- Well, I think you'd be better off
getting some sleep.
- I'm staying here.
- Listen to the doctor, Marie.
There's nothing we can do for Davie now.
- I'm not leaving.
- Your son has third-degree burns over 90% of his body.
He's in shock.
He's lost a lot of fluid.
At this rate, his kidneys could fail.
David is
an open wound.
He's a target for every infection, every complication.
The next 48 hours are critical.
- What does that mean?
- Your son,
Mrs. Rothenberg, David will probably die.
- [Woman over PA] Dr. Carrow, Surgery, please.
Dr. Carrow.
(dramatic synth music)
- Honey?
Honey, come to bed.
- [Marie] Charles is out there.
Somewhere.
- I should have listened to you
when you had a feeling something was wrong.
- [Marie] What do you want me to say?
- I don't know.
Maybe it's better if, uh--
- If what?
If David dies?
- If he does make it, what kind of life is he gonna have?
It isn't fair to him, all the scarring, the disfiguring.
- I don't want to hear any more of this.
- We have to talk about it.
We have to think about
what kind of future David's gonna have.
- I don't care about that!
David's life is now, tonight!
- [John] If they can pull him through.
You have to face reality, Marie.
- No!
- You know what lies ahead for David if he lives.
You know he'll never have a normal life.
- I don't want to hear any more of this.
- You're his mother.
Is this what you want for him?
- Yeah, that's what I want for him.
(footsteps echoing)
Blessed Mother, help me.
Forgive me.
I don't think I have the strength.
Mary, Mother of God,
forgive me for what I've done.
Forgive me because
I want my baby to die.
Help me, please.
I want David to die.
(sobbing)
- [Man] Hello?
- Uh, operator, yeah.
Uh, this is Commander Miller
from the Buena Park Fire Department.
I'm calling to inquire about the little boy
that was brought in.
- [Man] Uh, which little boy are you calling about, sir?
- The one from the fire.
- [Man] Can you please hold on?
- No, I can't hold on.
I just want to find out how David is.
- [Man] I'm sorry, sir--
- Well, can't you tell me?
(truck horn blaring)
I already said I'm from the fire department, damn you!
- Hello, hello?
If he calls back,
keep him talking as long as you can.
- Yeah.
- Don't let him talk to anybody else.
I don't want him to know how or where David is.
- [Man] They've ordered photos of the burned area.
- Hi.
- How is he?
- He's about the same.
I stayed with him most of the night.
It's time for the hydro.
You know what they're gonna be doing to him now
in the baths?
He's raw, and they'll be scraping more of him away.
- I don't know what to say, Marie.
- Why haven't they found Charles?
What's taking them so long?
Every cop in the country is out looking for him,
and they can't find him.
- They will.
It takes time.
- David doesn't have time.
My son, my son
is in there fighting for his life,
and there's not a damn thing I can do to help him.
He's so little.
He's so helpless.
I wanna hold him so bad,
to tell him it's gonna be all right, and I can't!
There's no place to touch him.
His body's burned away!
His face is gone!
My baby's gone!
I want my baby!
(David groaning)
- [Woman] Good morning.
The TV crews are all in the van line.
- Buena Park Police.
No, I'm sorry.
I can't give any information about David on the telephone.
- [Man] Any news on David's condition?
- There's no change at this time.
- [Reporter] Hey, what's going on, man?
- No news is no news.
- [Woman] Officer Branum, is there an update on David?
- [Branum] Not at this time, no.
- [Reporter] Any news on the whereabouts of David's father?
- [Branum] Not at this time.
- I understand how you feel, Charlie.
- [Man] Is David in a lot of pain?
- Statement for the press tomorrow morning.
- [Man] Is he in a lot of pain?
- We know you love your son.
We all know you been through a lot.
Don't you think you oughta come in?
Give yourself a break, buddy.
Come in for David.
(monitor beeping) (respirator hissing)
(David grunting)
- What is it, David?
(David groaning)
- Slow down.
He needs a rest.
Maybe he needs more pain medication.
Why don't you ask him if he's in pain?
I'm telling you to talk to him.
Ask him.
David will respond.
- Mrs. Rothenberg, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.
- No.
No, you can't treat my son this way.
- Dr. Achauer, please.
Sue Martinez calling about the burn boy in Room 3B.
- No, no, he's not the burn boy in 3B.
- He has a name.
- [Nurse] Thank you, I'll hold.
It's David, David Rothenberg.
- I see.
Well, just tell him that I called.
- He's a little boy.
He's frightened.
He can't speak.
He can't see, and he can't feel anything but pain!
Until my son can speak for himself again,
until David can see again, I am his voice.
I am his eyes.
- [Man] I want the intravenous morphine kept
to a minimum, okay, so it doesn't interfere
with the diagnosis.
- Marie, listen.
I just got a call from downstairs.
There's a couple of people here to see you.
- What people?
I don't want to see anybody.
- The man was a burn patient.
They want to help you.
- You have your nerve.
David's not your kid, he's mine.
You're not going through this, I am.
I don't want to see anybody,
especially anybody who's burned.
- Mrs. Rothenberg, I'm Judy Curtis.
Believe me, I know what you're going through.
My husband was in a terrible accident,
an explosion.
We didn't think he'd make it through.
- I was burned over 50% of my body, including my face.
- No, you haven't been,
I don't believe you've been burned.
You haven't been burned.
- That's why we wanted to meet you.
We wanted you to see.
(machines beeping) (respirator hissing)
- Shirley, there's been a major break in the case
that police have been waiting and waiting for.
A New York man accused of setting his son on fire
in a Buena Park motel room appeared relieved today
after officers arrested him at a San Francisco YMCA
- Marie.
Honey, honey.
- What?
- Wake up.
- [News Anchor] One of the most extensive manhunts
in Southern California history.
- [Marie] Oh, God.
- [News Anchor] Anticipate a full confession, however,
adds a bizarre note to this most heinous of crimes.
If the boy does survive,
we have learned from the district attorney's office
the maximum sentence that Rothenberg could receive--
(TV clicking)
- [Woman on PA] Telephone, please, Dr. Klein.
Dr. Carrow, Surg--
- I have to go back tomorrow.
- Couldn't you get an extended leave?
- Tried.
- I need you to stay with me.
- Honey, uh, I've been gone three weeks already,
and I'll be here for the sentencing.
- You don't have to go right back.
You just can't deal with all this.
You can't even look at David.
- I can't stand seeing him like this.
What do you see when you look at him?
- Just David.
- He's not just Davie anymore.
I see a
different little boy.
- You're looking in the wrong place.
- I wish I could change the way I feel.
- So do I.
(machines beeping) (respirator hissing)
♪ It's a small world after all
♪ It's a small world after all
♪ It's a small world after all
♪ It's a small, small world
And John says goodbye.
He tried to see you before he left,
but you were sleeping.
So, I guess it is really just the two of us now.
He loves you, David.
I love you.
What's happened to David's ear?
- [Doctor] Why, what's wrong?
- It's gone!
- Oh, that happens.
It's routine with burn patients.
The cartilage is brittle.
It falls away.
- What else can I expect, Dr. Achauer?
What other parts of my son are going to routinely fall away?
- Marie--
- He doesn't have very much left.
It's important to me.
His ears, like everything else about him,
are important to me!
- [Doctor] I know that.
- And I don't want to be surprised like that again.
- Now wait a minute.
- If you have the slightest idea
that something could happen,
I want to know about it before it happens, or so help me,
I'll pull my son out of here!
- All right!
There's a strong possibility
we may have to amputate David's fingers.
- Why?
- Because they're dead, and if we don't remove them,
it will increase the risk of infection.
But we're planning to continue the grafts in a day or so.
- He has no skin.
- He still has a small patch of skin left under his arm.
- I want to know how you do that.
I want to know everything.
I want to know.
Every step of the way.
- You never committed the burglary
or did any damage to Luchow's?
- No, I never did Luchow's.
I haven't been in trouble, you know, since, um
almost five years.
People will tell you how good I was
when I took care of my son.
(sighing)
- Did you have it in mind at that time
to leave David there to sleep by himself?
- No, I always stay with him.
- But just to leave him there for a nap or a little sleep?
- No, David, David never leaves.
He never leaves me.
- He left you the night you set the fire.
- I left him.
- I think your intention was to hurt David
in order to get back at your wife.
- No, you're wrong.
I had every intention of killing myself.
- Okay, then why didn't you?
- 'Cause I also have a conscience, too.
It bothers me.
I'm not an animal, you know?
I'm just a...
- Well?
It was
confusing to me, you know?
- I don't think you wanted to do yourself in
as much as you wanted to do David in.
Is that right?
- At,
at the beginning, I wanted to do us both.
In fact, I wanted, um, David and myself
to go in such a way
that Marie would never have known about it.
Just, um, no identity at all.
I wanted to kill us both.
- Yeah, but you chickened out.
- Yeah.
- What's not quite clear to me is what made you chicken out
and why you didn't take David out of the room with you.
- Where?
- At the motel when you set the fire.
Did you use matches?
- Just one match.
- When did you chicken out?
When you threw the match?
- I,
I'm telling you, I just can't get into it all.
It, uh, just, it built up.
I didn't want to do it, but I did.
- I understand, Charlie.
- Yeah, well, I don't think you do understand.
You see, that's just it.
You don't.
- No.
- But why David?
What did the kid do that made you want to hurt him?
- I just couldn't take it.
You, you don't know Marie.
I'm not saying she's a bad person,
but you don't know her.
Her mouth, it...
(sighing)
You don't know her.
- No, I don't.
- All right!
So don't, you know,
I'm not putting her down.
It just,
she's always resented me because I've been in trouble,
and she took it out on me.
I was
trying to save a relationship between...
You know, some communication between his mother and myself.
I tried for almost three years.
The things that, uh,
she has said and have done to me in those last three years
have not exactly been very nice.
You know, I'm a very patient, patient person.
I fought every day,
every minute to keep my relationship with my kid.
It was always her,
and I found out that she was the devil,
and it took me a long time to figure that out.
Can, uh,
can you do me a favor and just keep me, uh
posted on how David's doing, you know?
If there's an improvement or
or whatever?
I'd like to know.
- [Woman over P.A.] Dr. Hanson.
Dr. Hanson, report to Obstetrics, please.
- What happened, what's happened?
- Take it easy, Marie.
Nothing to worry about.
- What is it?
- Come on, see for yourself.
- No tubes.
- We couldn't wait for you to get here.
- [David] Hi, Mommy.
- [Nurse] He was saving his first words for you.
- Oh.
Thank you.
Thank you, David.
- [David] Could I have some ice cream?
(laughing)
- Soon.
Soon, honey.
- Is that what you've been thinking about all this time?
- Where's Daddy?
- I'm not sure, sweetheart.
- [David] Well, I wanna know.
When's he gonna come here?
- Well, Daddy's been working very hard,
and he's been sick.
- [David] Is he in jail?
- Why do you ask?
- [David] Well, because John's been here,
and he works.
Terry Branum come to see me, and he works.
Why hasn't Daddy come here?
- David--
- Did he set that fire?
- Yes.
- [David] Dr. Achauer says
need to graft my feet, so's I can walk again.
Why didn't anybody put shoes on me?
- David, if anybody knew
your daddy was gonna hurt you like this,
we wouldn't have let him.
- My daddy did this to me?
- Yes.
- Why did my daddy hurt me?
- Oh, David.
- Anything else you want to play with today?
Who's that?
- [David] It's a bad man.
- Well, tell me about this bad man.
- He hurt me.
- Can you give him a name?
It's okay, Davie.
It's okay, you can tell me.
- It's my daddy.
- And he really hurt you.
I'll bet you're a little mad at your daddy
for doing that, aren't you?
- I don't know.
- Well, I'd be pretty mad if somebody hurt me.
I'd just wanna, just hurt 'em back.
How you feel about that?
You want to show me?
That's okay.
It's okay to feel like that.
It's okay, Davie.
It's all right, Davie.
(groaning)
It's okay, Davie. It's okay.
(David groaning)
(dramatic synth music)
- [Marie] How is he?
- [Woman] He's better.
- This is hard.
I don't think I can make it.
- Oh, listen.
You're doing just great.
- Is this one of those difficult days you warned me about?
- Yeah.
It's difficult.
And, boy, so good.
- He practically destroyed that doll.
- The quicker David can get his anger out,
the quicker he can deal with it,
let it go.
(sighing)
- He'll love it.
Whatever it is.
(laughing)
- Have you heard from Big John lately?
- Yeah.
He's flying out for the sentencing.
I feel bad.
He's used up all of his vacation time.
- Yeah, well, I'm sure he doesn't stay up nights
worrying about it.
- Terry?
- Hmm?
- How long can they put Charles away for?
- I don't know.
Not long enough.
- Will Charles be in the courtroom?
- Yep.
- I guess I'll have to face him, then.
I slept with him all those years.
I had his son.
- Come on, Marie.
- Now I don't know how to look at him.
- [Doctor] Oh, looking good, David.
- [David] What does?
- You do.
Have Bob make a face mask.
- [David] What do I look like?
I wanna know.
- [Doctor] Okay, David.
Maybe it's time.
- No, I, it's too soon right now.
- [Doctor] Not if he's asking.
- I can't.
- You got a compact?
- [David] Please, Mommy.
I wanna see.
- Remember, David, whatever you look like now
will change very soon, and you'll keep changing
until you're well again.
- I look like a monster!
- No, sweetheart, no.
You're still, you're still Mommy's beautiful baby boy.
- No, I look like a monster!
I hate this!
- David, remember I told you I was in a fire, too,
just like you?
Well, look at me.
Do I look like a monster?
Well, neither will you.
- But will I look like me?
- A new you.
You're still you inside, aren't you?
So what you look like on the outside
doesn't really matter, does it?
It's who you are in here.
That's what people really see.
(light synth music)
- Well, I wouldn't look at somebody's zits.
- No.
No, you wouldn't.
So you help them
and you pretend you don't see them stare.
Someday they won't.
You know why?
Because people see what you want them to see.
And someday soon
when you look in the mirror,
all you'll see is your goodness and beauty.
It's all inside you right now,
and someday you'll see that, too.
♪ Of wonder, it's a world of tears ♪
♪ It's a world of hopes, it's a world of fears ♪
♪ There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware ♪
♪ It's a small world after all
- [Marie] You ready for the chorus?
- [David] Yep.
- [Marie] Okay.
♪ It's a small world after all
- Mommy, look at that.
- Shhh, Johnny.
♪ After all
♪ It's a small world after all
- Why do people stare?
Don't they understand there's a little boy
underneath all that?
- All they see is a little boy who's scarred and disfigured.
But when he's old enough,
he'll be able to have corrective surgery.
- What about now?
What about all the years in between?
I want people to see him for what he is now,
bright, sensitive little boy.
I don't want to see him hurt anymore.
- Marie, just be grateful that he's alive
and that he's gonna make it.
- No, it's not enough.
I want David to feel normal again.
I won't hide him.
- I don't think you understand how hard this is gonna be
on both of you.
- I don't care.
- Well, you will.
Every day I see burn patients walk outside these doors
with such courage,
and then I watch the pain in their eyes
when people turn away.
- That can't happen.
I can't let that happen to David.
- [Marie] Okay, here we go.
- Ow!
- [Marie] David, come on.
Now do your exercises.
- No, it hurts.
- I know it hurts, pal,
but the only way you're gonna know you're getting better
is when it hurts like that.
- Come on, David, please.
- I hate this.
- I know you hate this, but you've gotta do it.
Please.
One last time.
Come on, for Mommy?
(grunting)
Great!
- Thataboy.
- Good boy, David.
See?
Now, that wasn't so bad, right?
Now again.
(grunting)
- Ooh, Jeez.
(laughing)
Very good, David.
- That was great.
- Thanks.
You know, there was a little girl
who was just brought in.
She's pretty sick.
- Was she burned like me?
- Mm-hmm.
But then she's not as lucky as you.
She can't see.
- Did her daddy burn her, too?
- No.
No, sweetheart.
- Could I see her?
- Mm-hmm.
I was hoping you'd say that.
- [Man] Hi, Carol.
How you doing today?
- [Carol] Oh, hey, hi, honey.
- [Woman over PA] Dr. Callahan.
Dr. Callahan, call 125 West.
Dr. Callahan.
- Hey, Jennifer, are you sleeping?
- Who is it?
- David.
- And David's mom.
We'd like to visit with you.
You feel up to it?
- We brought you a present.
- What is it?
- [David] It's a big clown.
And when you get out of here,
you can even dance with him.
But you gotta do everything they say.
Even the exercises.
- I'm scared.
I don't wanna be all ugly and scarred.
Are you?
- Dr. Achauer gives me grafts.
- But what do you look like?
- I look like David, I guess,
'cause that's who I am.
- Vroom!
- Roses are red, violets are blue.
We'll have an ice cream sundae and so are you.
- Oh, yeah?
You sweet talker, you.
Want to sit in the back where it's quiet?
- Aw, this is fine.
- You wanna sit here?
Okay, how about I put you against the wall.
Here we go.
- Is that him?
- Boom.
Now, let's be a gentleman.
Put your brake on.
Ooh.
- Yum.
Thanks.
- My treat.
- Thanks, Dee.
- [Dee] See you later.
- Okay.
- No, I wanna do it.
- David, honey,
Mommy has to help you.
- I wanna.
(light acoustic guitar music)
- That's great.
Your Honor,
I would just like the court to take into consideration
the agony caused to my son, David, by his father.
David's life will be changed drastically.
He will never be a normal child again.
David will suffer scars for the rest of his life,
both mental and physical.
He will not have full use of his hands.
David fears every night before he goes to bed
that his father will come and try to kill him again.
The doctors and the nurses
at the hospital have to constantly assure David
that his father will never be able
to come near him again
to do this to him again ever.
I feel Charles should get the maximum sentence
without parole,
because David deserves peace in his life.
- Before I pass sentence,
Mr. Rothenberg, is there anything you'd like to say?
- Sit down, sir.
- Thank you, bailiff.
- Um,
this is going to be hard for me.
I would like to say something briefly
to Marie and John.
I know what I'm going through
and will continue to go through in my life.
I know what you two guys
are gonna be going through
and what you're gonna have to be going through
for the rest of your lives.
I'd like to now ask your forgiveness,
Marie and John,
as I now forgive you both.
- You...
- I'd like you to take care of my beloved son,
David.
That's all.
- Charles Rothenberg, please rise before the court.
I feel it necessary to say
that in all the time I've sat on this bench,
I have never seen so hideous a crime
nor so innocent a victim.
If it were up to me, I would sentence you for life
and throw away the key.
But I can't.
Because you plead guilty not even by reason of insanity,
the maximum sentence I can give you is 13 years.
(spectators murmuring)
The only consolation I have
is that you will live with this
for the rest of your life.
And that's the most horrible sentence of all,
the knowledge of what you have done to your son.
This court is in recess.
(spectators shouting)
(dramatic synth music)
- [Man] Turn around, sir.
(camera shutters clicking)
(reporters shouting)
(sighing)
(light acoustic guitar music)
- [Marie] You should see all the people outside.
- How come?
- To say goodbye to you, say goodbye to David.
- I want to walk out.
- Okay.
All right, honey.
Okay, come on.
Let me drive partway.
All right?
- Mm-hmm.
- [Marie] All right, here we go.
- Uh, my hat.
- Hat, hat.
For a boy!
(camera shutters clicking)
(all shouting)
Bye, bye, everyone!
- Davie, you keep up those exercises, okay, buddy?
- Okay. - We will.
- Goodbye!
- [Marie] Bye, doctor.
- Take care, Davie.
- Bye!
- Goodbye! - Bye!
- You write me, okay?
- Bye, Sue!
- Bye-bye!
Thanks, everybody.
(onlookers shouting)
- Mrs. Rothenberg, David, how does it feel
to be going home after all you've been through?
- I have my life, and that's wonderful enough for me.
(grunting)
(group cheering and applauding)
(light synth music)
- [Marie] Goodbye.
We love you!
- Bye!
Bye.
(camera shutter clicking)
(light piano music)
(light synth music)
(light orchestral music)