Every 9 Seconds (1997) - full transcript

A crisis line worker searches for an abused woman who calls the hotline proclaiming her revenge against her abusive ex-husband. In a second story, a teen who declined help from the crisis center is attacked by her boyfriend.

[MIMICKING A COUPLE]

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"Good morning."

"How you feeling?"

"Fine."

"I have your breakfast ready

just the way you like it."

"It looks like

a beautiful day outside."

"Here, let me

pour you some tea."

"Is something wrong?"

[IN AN ANGRY VOICE]

"This tea is cold!

"Are you stupid? Can't you

make a lousy pot of tea?"

"I'm sorry. I'll heat it up."

"Forget it. I don't like

your stupid tea."

[CRASHING]

JANET: April!

I'm in my room.

What are you doing?

Just playing.

[SIGHS]

Didn't I ask you

to clean up your room?

Yes.

Well?

Can I have a cookie first?

How about if you

clean up your room first

and I'll give you

a cookie afterward.

But, Mom, if I have

a cookie first

I'll be in a better mood

while I'm cleaning.

[CHUCKLES]

Okay.

[CAR DOOR CLOSES]

Mommy!

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Oh, my God.

Surprised?

I thought...

Yeah, it's called

early release.

They reduce your sentence

by half for good behavior.

Aren't you gonna

invite us in?

Um...

The judge said

you're not allowed

within 500 feet of this house.

Come on, Janet.

Just for a minute.

I'll even keep

the meter running.

You haven't changed anything.

What do you want?

[EXHALES]

What do I want?

What do you think I want?

I want us to be

together again.

A family. The way

we used to be.

Isn't that

what we both want, Jan?

Just to put our lives

back together?

Please.

Just go.

Where's April?

She's not home.

She's still at school.

RICHARD:

April's still at school.

That expensive school

she goes to gets out

at 1:00, Janet.

[SCOFFS]

She's upstairs, isn't she?

I'll tell you what,

I'm gonna go take care

of some things,

but I'll be back.

So why don't

you have...

[GASPS]

Why don't you have

the restraining order lifted,

get all dressed up,

you and April.

We'll all go out

and celebrate

my homecoming.

Hmm?

[WHISPERS] I love you.

[PANTING]

[MOCK PANTING]

You call this running?

Yeah.

Ha! My uncle Clarence,

you know him, right?

Right.

He's 93.

[PANTING]

Gets to the dinner table

faster than you run.

Ha!

That's funny.

[CHUCKLES]

Honey,

you look a little overheated.

Need some water?

Yeah, sure.

Okay.

[SQUIRTS WATER]

Thank you.

Sure.

Damn.

You so slow,

you make Sunday Mass

look like an action movie.

[PANTING]

[GROANS LOUDLY]

[GROANING]

Okay, are you all right?

Yeah, I think I really

went over on that one.

Aw.

[GIGGLING]

[CHUCKLES]

[BOTH GIGGLING]

I got you.

Yeah.

You know,

I recall one activity

where you enjoy

the fact that I'm slow.

Oh, yeah.

RAY: So, how's it coming?

CARRIE: Did you know

that one in three women

will be assaulted

in her lifetime

by a domestic partner?

Does that mean

the article's gonna be ready

for this Sunday's edition?

Next week, promise.

Next week?

You said that last week.

Still no article.

Honey, you've

surrounded yourself

with this research

for three weeks

and you still

haven't written anything.

This is my chance to really

write something special.

Besides, tonight's

my first night on the lines.

And then it's over, right?

Look, Ray, if you're

really that concerned,

just take me off the story.

No, no, no.

I don't care about the story.

This is about you.

This subject.

It can't help but bring up

things from your past.

Look, Ray, I know

you're concerned

and I love you for that.

But I'm a big girl.

Okay?

I can handle it.

[SIGHS]

You call me later

at the office.

Yeah, yeah.

Don't worry.

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah, yeah.

Hey, your phone, Carrie!

[DOOR CLOSES]

Is he gonna live with us?

No.

Why did he come back?

I don't know.

But I thought

you said...

Honey...

I promise,

everything's gonna be okay.

But what if he hurts you?

He's never

gonna hurt me again.

[DOORBELL BUZZES]

Yes?

JANET: It's us.

[BUZZING]

Hi, Aunt Kate.

How's my favorite niece?

My daddy came home today.

I know.

I've got

your favorite show

on the bedroom TV,

so why don't you

go watch while I talk

to Mommy, okay?

You're not going

back there.

What are my choices?

Running the rest of my life?

Moving every

six months till he finally

tracks me down?

Even if

I was willing to do that,

what kind of life

is that for April?

So what are you gonna do?

I'm gonna go back

and I'm gonna face him.

You think he's gonna

listen to you?

He'll listen.

This time he'll listen.

COUNSELOR:

Women's Crisis Line.

WOMAN: Look, I want to know

if there's some kind of law

that can keep my husband...

[BANGING ON DOOR]

WOMAN: Oh, my God!

He's coming in.

COUNSELOR: Ma'am?

WOMAN: Help me, please!

You've got to...

COUNSELOR: Ma'am,

where are you?

WOMAN: No, help me!

COUNSELOR: Ma'am...

WOMAN: Help me!

COUNSELOR:

Can you get away?

WOMAN: Don't, please don't!

[WOMAN AND MAN YELLING]

WOMAN: I'm sorry...

COUNSELOR:

Are you all right?

WOMAN: I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

[LOUD THUDDING]

[GLASS BREAKING]

[GUNSHOTS FIRED]

[LINE DISCONNECTS]

What could that counselor

have done differently?

Trace the call?

Hmm, not enough time.

She needed to

get the address.

Well, she tried.

You heard that.

The first thing she said was,

"Where are you?"

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

[SIGHS]

The answer is,

there was nothing

she could do.

That is the hardest part

of this job.

When you find yourself

sitting here with

a dead phone,

thinking about how you failed,

and there's no way

for me to train

or prepare you to handle it.

Your ability

to both do your best

and still understand

your limitations

will be what

finally determines

if you'll be able to stick

with this work or not.

So, the idea is not to get

too involved, right?

ELEANOR: Well,

the question is,

what is too involved?

If you're going home

at the end of your shift

carrying the pain

of this with you,

then, yeah,

you're too involved.

On the other hand, you know,

no woman calling

in the middle of a crisis

wants to open herself up

to some unfeeling technician.

So, your involvement

is crucial.

Yeah, it's like a lifeguard.

You have to swim out...

ELEANOR: And then be able

to swim back again.

Because your

emotional well-being

is as important to me

as the caller's.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING

INDISTINCTLY]

[BOTH GIGGLING]

[INAUDIBLE]

I missed you so much.

Who's the guy?

Just some guy from school.

Yeah, I want

to meet him, okay?

Greg!

Greg...

Hey, come here.

Um, Missy says

you're a friend of hers.

Is that right?

Yeah, we all go

to Lincoln.

Greg, stop it.

Look, all right,

I'm not doing

anything, okay.

I just wanted

to come over here

and I wanted

to introduce myself

to your friends, okay?

All right, my name's Greg.

What's your name?

Alan.

Alan? All right, Alan,

did Missy tell you

I'm her boyfriend?

Did she tell you that?

Yeah, she brings it up

all the time.

Would you do me a favor

and you try to remember that?

Can you do that?

Yeah, sure, man.

Yeah?

Whatever.

Good.

Missy, that guy

is a geek. Okay?

Why'd you have to do that?

Do what?

Missy, that guy,

he's just trying to

get in your pants, okay.

That's all he's doing.

Missy, wait a second.

Just wait a second.

All right, look!

I am sorry, okay.

I said it, I'm sorry.

DEB: What made you want

to be a volunteer?

Wanting to help, I guess.

Thinking that if someone

was desperate enough

to call a stranger,

maybe I could be

that person on the other end.

Yeah. [INHALES]

Well, so far we've only had

one caller and they hung up.

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah.

Don't you worry.

The rush is gonna get

started any minute now.

It gets busier after dark?

Oh, yeah.

The work day ends,

the bars fill up,

and all the anger people

keep bottled up all day,

it gets...

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

Women's Crisis Line.

MISSY: Can you just tell me

how to stop a guy

from being jealous?

What happens

when he gets jealous?

He just gets angry, I mean,

he just goes off.

Does he hit you?

No, I mean,

maybe just one time

but that's... That's all.

It was... It was

my fault anyways.

You're wrong.

Um...

Look, I just want to know

if there's something I can do

to make him not be

so jealous all the time.

What's your name?

Missy.

Let me ask you

a question, Missy.

Aren't you really calling

because you're afraid of him?

[MEEKLY] No.

Why would I be afraid of him?

Because if he's hit you once

he's gonna do it again.

And that's not true.

It is true, Missy.

I think you know that.

I think you know, you...

You're in

a dangerous relationship.

Do you understand

what I'm saying, Missy?

I can't talk right now.

I have to go.

With him?

Yes.

Will you call me later?

I'll try. Um,

what's your name?

Oh, it doesn't matter,

anyone here...

Fine. I don't care.

Carrie.

My name is Carrie.

Okay, maybe

I'll call you later.

[LINE DISCONNECTS]

What's the matter?

I didn't handle that

very well.

No, you're wrong.

You planted the seed.

Now she knows there's

someone she can talk to.

The problem is,

she's blaming herself.

They always do.

Especially if they're young

or abused as children.

[INHALES]

[EXHALES]

[COCKS GUN]

CARRIE: Women's Crisis Line.

Are you all right?

I'm sorry.

I don't know why

I'm doing this.

Maybe you just need

someone to talk to.

That makes sense, doesn't it?

Have you been drinking?

Yes.

I've been drinking.

But it's not something

I normally do.

Why are you drinking now?

To kill pain.

Gather courage.

But it doesn't

really help, does it?

Why do you need courage?

I'm gonna kill my husband.

[WHISPERS] Stay calm.

I'm sorry.

Did I frighten you?

Aren't you frightened?

Yes. I suppose.

Well, then let's

call the police.

And have them do what?

Violate his restraining order?

Put him in jail

another 18 months?

It's not gonna stop him.

It's just gonna

delay the inevitable.

You could go to a shelter.

He'd find me

sooner or later.

[STAMMERS] Where are you?

What's your address?

I won't tell you that.

But if you're in danger...

The only thing

I'm in danger of

is running out of vodka.

[INHALES]

I'm gonna have to make

a quick trip to Ted's.

Wait, don't go.

Hmm... You can't help me.

You haven't given me

a chance yet.

All the same,

you've been really sweet

to keep me company.

Let's keep talking.

Here's how it's gonna happen.

So you'll know

when they arrest me

and you see me on the news.

Wait.

He'll come to the door,

he'll ask for our daughter.

Don't do this.

She won't be here.

Then he'll start to hit me.

And I'll pull out my gun.

And I'll fire every bullet

I've got into him.

So, now you can tell

the reporters we talked,

just before

the punching bag

punched back.

[INHALES] Please, don't...

Don't...

[LINE DISCONNECTS]

ELEANOR: Carrie, there's

nothing more you can do.

That is not true.

I can help her.

No, you can't.

She hung up.

And you can't help someone

who won't let you help.

But if I can find her...

Absolutely not.

I thought you said

we were supposed

to help these women.

I thought you said

we were supposed

to swim out.

Not in these dangerous waters.

Not when

I've seen lifeguards drown.

Carrie, I know your heart's

in the right place.

But you are just

going to have to accept this.

Do you understand?

I understand.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

Women's Crisis Line.

DEB: No, that's okay.

Take your time.

Can I go out for

a breath of fresh air?

Carrie, I know

this is hard for you.

I'm just gonna

go out for a while.

Carrie.

Carrie!

[POLICE SIRENS WAILING]

[DOOR CLOSES]

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

[TIRES SQUEALING]

[HORN HONKING]

[TIRES SQUEALING]

[CARRIE MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY]

Ted's.

3531 Lakeshore.

DEB: I hope she's all right.

Hope's not enough, honey.

But what if she's able

to help that woman?

What if she's not?

What if she gets caught

in a situation

she can't control?

Did that happen to you?

No, not to me.

To a counselor

who worked here.

She was very bright

and very intuitive.

And she took a call

from a woman

who was afraid

of leaving her husband.

And without telling me

or anyone else,

this counselor arranged

to meet with this woman.

What happened?

The husband

came back unexpectedly

and slashed

them both to death

with a straight razor.

[SIGHS]

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

Women's Crisis Line.

It's a man who says

he's Carrie's fiance.

Hello, I'm the director here.

How can I help you?

Yeah, sorry. I don't mean

to tie up your lines there,

but if it's possible I'd like

to speak to Carrie, please.

[TYPING]

What do you mean,

"unavailable"?

Is she... Is she on a call

or something?

On my desk, please.

She's all yours.

So, are you new in town?

No, just back from

an extended trip.

Yeah, where'd you go?

Hell.

That must have been

some kind of

a bad vacation, huh?

You got a phone I can use?

Down the road a piece.

Why, thank... Oh!

Jeez, am I sorry.

Sorry about that. Thank you.

WOMAN OVER PA:

J.D., you have

a call on line two.

J.D., pick up

line two, please.

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING

INDISTINCTLY]

[TRACTOR ENGINE RUMBLING]

ANSWERING MACHINE:

Hello, you've reached

Mike McConnell

with the Department of Parole.

I'm not able to come

to the phone right now,

but if you leave a message

I'll get right back to you

as soon as possible.

[BEEPS]

Mr. McConnell,

Richard Sutherland here.

Uh, I know we're supposed

to get together today,

but, uh, it's these...

Pressing issues

that I've...

MIKE: Sutherland?

Mr. McConnell!

Hey, hi, uh...

Jeez, I thought you'd

left for the day.

MIKE: You were

supposed to be here

two hours ago, weren't you?

Yeah, I'm sorry about that.

That's actually

why I'm calling. I, um...

Got, uh, caught in traffic,

I lost track of time.

Well, where are you now?

What?

I said, where are you now?

Oh, gee. Boy, uh...

Bishop Avenue.

Uh, probably a good hour

from your office.

You haven't gone near

your wife's house, have you?

No. No, sir.

So you're on Bishop now,

way up by the shopping center?

Yeah, way out there.

All right then.

Okay, um, sorry about this.

Maybe I'll see you next week?

There's a place called, uh,

Men's Recovery Center

on Bishop and 83rd.

I got a group

starting there in 15 minutes.

I'll see you then.

[STUTTERS] Mr. McConnell,

you know...

[CLEARS THROAT]

I just, um...

I just... I really

don't think that I need

this kind of thing.

And what I mean by that

is that I'm...

I'm not good or comfortable

with, uh, groups...

MIKE: The terms of your

release require you to attend

rage management sessions

or finish your sentence

in prison.

So I suggest you get

your ass over here.

Okay... [STAMMERS]

How about next week?

No.

I'll see you in 15 minutes.

[LINE DISCONNECTS]

Okay, good...

I'll see you then.

Nice talking to you.

[PHONE CLATTERS]

[GRUNTS]

[YELLING]

[KIDS MURMURING]

Show's over.

BOY: Whatever.

[MUSIC PLAYING ON CAR RADIO]

[CAR ENGINE TURNS OFF]

[MUSIC STOPS]

[SIGHS]

Look, I said

I was sorry, Missy.

It just keeps happening,

that's all.

So, what does that mean?

You don't wanna

see me anymore?

I didn't say that.

Mmm, mmm-hmm.

Well, maybe it'd be best.

I mean, I know you don't

really care about me anyway.

How can you say that?

How can I say that?

Missy, we've been dating

for what, two months now,

and you're still

giving me this Little

Miss Good Girl thing.

Yeah, I just thought

you were a little bit

older than that.

I just wanna

go slow, that's all.

[WHISPERS] Yeah.

Well, maybe I'm just wasting

my time, you know?

Maybe you'd rather be with

that guy Alan, I don't know.

Look, I got you something

and if you don't want it,

I understand, but I wanted

to give it to you.

Oh, my God!

[LAUGHS]

It's so beautiful.

Maybe now you'll see

how much I really do love you.

Oh, Greg.

Does this mean you forgive me?

You know I do.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

This mean you're gonna

give me what I want?

Hmm?

Greg, I gotta get home.

Greg, stop it.

Greg, stop it.

Greg, stop it!

Fine!

You go home to your mommy

and your daddy.

And you call me when you

decide to grow up, Missy.

All right?

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

Let me get $5

in lottery tickets.

JANET: Fifth of vodka, please.

I don't need a bag.

[HORN HONKING]

[TIRES SQUEALING]

[HORN HONKING]

[TIRES SKIDDING]

[HORN HONKING]

[GASPS]

[METAL SCRAPING]

[SCREAMS]

[CRASHES]

CARRIE: Oh, my God!

Are you hurt?

I don't think so.

Okay, come on.

Let's get you home.

Okay, look out.

Through here.

[SOBS]

I'm not what

you think I am.

I know that.

Do I know you?

No, I just have one of those

familiar faces.

Come on,

let's get you home.

[LIGHTER FLICKS]

I'm gonna punch her face in.

I'm thinking...

Maybe three months in prison,

hell, it's worth it.

I mean, I'm not gonna

take this from her.

I mean, I'm just gonna do it.

MIKE: What stopped you?

I saw my workbook.

Truth is, I was probably

gonna throw it at her.

[MAN COUGHING]

And it hit me

just how much this represents.

How hard I'm trying

to stop my damn self.

So, I just started walking.

I kept walking till about

6:00 in the morning.

[DOOR OPENS]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

RICHARD: Hello.

Sorry I'm late.

MIKE: Well, the idea is to

get here on time, not halfway

through the session.

As long as you're here,

come on in.

Introduce yourself

to the group.

[MAN COUGHING]

I'm Richard Sutherland.

Ah, go ahead.

Everybody's here

for the same reasons.

I'm Richard Sutherland

and, uh...

I was just released from

the Inland Men's

Correctional Facility.

What did you do?

I was an executive

with an insurance company.

No, man.

What did you do?

I assaulted my wife.

With what?

The shaft of a golf club.

You put her in the hospital?

I don't understand

the point of this.

You're a sick son of a bitch

who's looking to make

somebody else pay for the...

That's not true.

You're telling me that

that bitch threw you in jail,

destroyed your career,

took away everything

that you have,

and you're not even

just a little bit pissed off?

No.

You're under control,

aren't you?

Mr. Ice Cube.

You're not like

the rest of the guys.

That's right.

And all I want now

is to get on with

the rest of my life.

[TV PLAYING]

Did you get that birthday card

for your cousin?

I forgot.

I'll get it tomorrow.

Where did you get that?

Greg gave it to me.

You're kidding.

Oh, let me see it.

Let me see.

[GASPS]

Oh, Missy.

Oh, it's so beautiful.

MISSY'S FATHER:

Hey! Is anybody gonna

bring me a beer?

Hang on!

You know,

you're a very lucky girl.

You don't meet

guys like Greg

every day.

He wants me to go out

with him later.

You know your dad

doesn't like you going out

on school nights.

Okay.

Okay?

What do you mean?

[SNORTS]

If that's the only fight

you're gonna put up,

maybe you ought to

get the beer and

I'll go out with Greg tonight.

[CHUCKLES]

I'll talk to your dad.

I appreciate you

taking me home like this.

And I would invite you in,

but I'm really not

feeling well.

Well, could... Could I

make you a cup of coffee

or something?

[SNIFFS]

It's very kind

but I will be fine.

Something wrong?

I know who you are.

I know what

you've been planning.

Who are you?

I spoke to you over

the phone, I took your call

at the Women's Crisis...

Just get out!

Not until you listen to me.

Why should I?

You don't know

what you're talking about.

There are shelters.

There are restraining orders.

Don't talk to me

about restraining orders.

This one says, uh,

he can't call.

This one says

he can't come within

500 feet of this house.

You think any of these

make a difference?

I'm the one that

sent him to prison.

I'm the one he blames

for everything.

And... And none of these

pieces of paper

are gonna make

a difference to stop him

now that he's back.

So you're just gonna

ruin your life?

My life was ruined

a long time ago.

And your daughter,

she doesn't need you

to be whole?

I'm doing this for her.

That's not true.

You don't know.

Ask her.

Do you think

she wants to go to trial?

You think she wants to

see her mom behind bars

for the rest of her life?

Just... Just go.

We can do this

another way, Janet.

We can pack your clothes

and just go.

And go where?

To a shelter that will take

you and your daughter.

Where is she?

She's at my sister's.

JANET: The suitcases

are in the closet.

I'll go get April's things.

You are saying that

this was all to get a story

for the paper?

No, no, I'm saying that

she was doing research

for her article

on domestic violence.

So, she misrepresented

herself to me?

No, she needed to get inside

and she needed to find out

what was happening first-hand.

That's all.

And is that

what she's doing right now?

Just getting a little more

up-close and personal?

Fine.

[SIGHS]

This is more than

just an assignment to her.

Carrie grew up in

an incredibly abusive family.

She was 10, and her father

beat her mother to death.

And it's possible

she even saw it happen.

What do you mean,

"it's possible"?

I've lived with her for

three years and she still

won't talk to me about it.

Where's her father now?

He died

shortly before the trial.

That's all I know.

Except now that she's

researching the story,

it's all started to come

to the surface.

You realize

that if she's out there

trying to undo her past,

she's in a lot more danger

than the woman

she's trying to help.

You must have some

kind of caller ID here,

some kind of tracing system?

How many women do you think

would call if it got out

we ID'd every call?

So what about

emergency situations?

If we keep a line open,

the phone company

can trace a call, that's all.

So you have no idea

where Carrie is?

All I know is that the woman

had a restraining order

and her husband was released

from prison after 18 months.

Who are you calling?

Friend of mine

at the DA's office.

That might be enough

to go on.

Yeah, I need to talk to

Lenny Oppenheimer

right away, please.

You ready?

Where is it?

You're going to a shelter,

you don't need it, Janet.

You haven't

answered my question.

Oh, my God!

What is it?

He used to make me, uh,

choose something I loved

and then he'd smash it.

Teach me a lesson.

And then he'd make me

keep a piece of it

so I'd remember.

Why didn't you just leave him?

I was...

I was afraid he'd kill me.

And I was afraid

I couldn't live without him.

That sounds really stupid,

doesn't it?

I thought he was so much

better than I deserved.

So much

smarter and stronger.

I thought I was lucky

to have him.

Why wasn't he lucky

to have you?

I need to grab my purse.

[GASPS]

Hi, Janet.

Janet, stay calm.

Hello, I don't think

I've had the pleasure.

I'm a friend of Janet's.

What a coincidence that you

just happened to drop by

on the same night

that I come home.

Couldn't be that you

didn't want to be alone

with me, could it?

She's just a friend.

Her car broke down.

I gave her a lift.

Thanks.

That's nice of you.

And I don't mean to be rude

but I think Janet and I

would like to be alone now.

Hmm?

I'm afraid that's not...

He's right.

Janet,

listen to me.

Excuse me!

Excuse me!

We haven't seen each other

for quite a while and I think

we need our privacy.

Right?

Please.

Just go.

Hey, thanks for everything.

Nice meeting you.

Thanks for helping out.

Appreciate it.

Drive safely.

We need to talk.

Do you think

my mommy's okay?

I'm sure she is.

But...

What if she isn't?

April, honey,

your mom and dad

are gonna work this out.

Everything's gonna be fine.

Why does he have to be

angry all the time?

I don't know.

I don't think your daddy

can help it.

Don't worry, sweetheart.

Your mommy's going to be fine.

I told you, I want to

see my daughter.

She's not yours

anymore.

Are you trying

to get me angry?

I don't care.

I'm not afraid of you anymore.

Well, you know,

maybe that was

the problem.

You never were,

you know,

not enough, anyway,

not enough to do

even the littlest

things that I asked.

I'm telling you to get...

All I ever wanted...

...out of this house!

...was a little respect.

To be treated like a man

in my own house. A house

I bought and paid for.

And now you think

you can just

kick me out.

Hmm? You think you can just

take my daughter

and tell me to go away?

Is that what you think?

Get out of this house.

[SCREAMS]

Why are you doing this?

Why?

I am warning you...

[PHONE RINGS]

DEB: Hello,

Women's Crisis Line.

MISSY: Can I speak

to Carrie, please?

I'm sorry,

Carrie's not here

right now.

Can I help you?

That's okay,

it doesn't matter.

Is this Missy?

How did you know that?

Carrie said that

you might call.

My name is Deb, by the way.

Well, I don't really have

anything to say, so...

Why don't you just tell me

what's going on?

[CAR DOOR OPENING]

CARRIE: Okay, call 911...

[PHONE CHIMES]

Damn it!

[TIRES SQUEALING]

You don't understand, my...

My parents think he's great.

My friends think he's great.

I mean, half the girls

I know are trying to

get him into bed.

And that makes

everything all right?

Well, maybe not,

but you're making it seem like

he's some kind of monster.

All right, not a monster.

Just a guy who scares

and occasionally hits you.

Look, I just...

I know if I talk to him,

we can work it out.

Missy, there are other boys.

But he loves me.

He... He said it.

RAY: Lenny, listen,

I understand that.

All I'm asking is that you

check your records.

LENNY: Oh, come on,

for what, Ray?

An unnamed

inmate who did unknown time

in an

undisclosed prison...

No, no, no. He...

He did 18 months,

and we know that

it was for spousal abuse.

Well, if he did 18 months,

that means it had

to be level four.

Well, level four,

what is that?

It means he used a weapon.

Lenny, listen,

Carrie could be

with this guy right now.

All right, I'll call you back

in a few minutes.

All right.

MISSY: Look, I want to stay

with him, okay?

So, if you can't

help me hold it together,

then I might as well

just hang up.

Well, when do you think

you're going to see him again?

Tonight.

Missy, that's not

a good idea.

It's not a big deal.

We're just going out.

Then see him at your house.

With my parents here?

I'm sure.

MISSY'S MOTHER:

Missy! Greg's here.

I have to go.

Don't be alone

with him, Missy.

Don't worry.

Promise me, Missy.

Don't worry. I...

Just tell Carrie

I say thanks.

[LINE DISCONNECTS]

What do you think's

gonna happen?

I don't know.

Come here.

Where are we going?

Someplace special.

Look, I just wanna talk.

Don't worry.

We're just gonna

have some fun. Okay?

What's this?

What's this, huh?

Come on, tell me,

what is this?

What, you running away

with your little

friend there, Janet?

I didn't wanna run.

I wanted to stay and face you.

I'm standing right here.

What do you want to say?

Get out of this house

and don't ever come back.

That's very funny, Janet.

I'm warning you.

Where's my daughter?

Go to hell!

You know, you got

quite a little mouth on you

there, Janet.

You wanna say that

to me again, Janet?

Say it to me.

[SCREAMS]

[YELLING]

Come on, say it again!

Go to hell. Come on.

Say it!

[SCREAMING]

Say it! Come on!

Come on, say it!

Come on,

I want you to say it.

Say it!

[DOG BARKING]

RICHARD: Come on, say it!

[JANET SCREAMING]

[GLASS SHATTERS]

[JANET SCREAMING]

RICHARD: Come on, I wanna

hear you say it! Say it!

[HANDLE RATTLES]

JANET: Please, Richard!

I'll be good. I'll be...

[SOBS]

JANET: Please, Richard!

Please!

[GLASS BREAKS]

RICHARD: You think

I like doing this?

[MOUTHING]

[LINE RINGING]

You cannot give me

200 names.

All I'm asking for is

a print-out of incoming calls.

Look, you gotta

be able to help me here.

Yeah, I'm calling shelters

regarding a woman who...

[PHONE RINGING]

Can you hold, please?

Women's Crisis Line.

[WHISPERING]

It's Carrie.

Carrie!

Lenny, hang on.

Hold the line.

I tried to call 911

but I couldn't get through.

Tell Eleanor to call

the cops, now.

Where are you?

Ray?

RICHARD: Hang it up!

Carrie, can you hear me?

RICHARD: Hang up

the phone or I'll kill her.

[LINE DISCONNECTS]

[SIGHS]

[PANTING]

Now, who are you?

Who are you?

I'm a reporter.

I was doing an article

on domestic violence

when Janet

called the crisis line.

I don't believe this.

I don't believe you!

Run!

Shut up! Hey!

You go near that door,

I'll kill her.

[TRAIN HORN BLOWING]

Brought us a

little something.

Here.

I don't want any.

Oh, yeah,

I guess you're right,

I guess, uh,

Mommy and Daddy wouldn't

approve, now, would they?

Here, just take a sip.

It's okay. You can

take another sip.

Here, let me help you.

[GAGS]

Oh, jeez.

[COUGHS]

Oh, man.

[COUGHS]

You've got a

lot of nerve, lady.

I'm just trying to help.

Yeah? Help? Who?

Write a story for

your newspaper?

No, that's not why I'm...

Shut up.

Please, you have

to listen to me.

I said shut up.

I know why you're

doing this. I know...

[CRASHING]

RICHARD: Who do you...

Who do you think you are?

You think you can talk to me?

You think you know me?

Yes, my father was

just like you.

He couldn't...

You're not quite so

tough now, are you?

[SCREAMS]

[GLASS SHATTERING]

Huh?

Janet, no!

[GUN FIRES]

What did you do?

What'd you do?

Don't move.

[COUGHS]

You all right?

[COUGHS]

You okay?

[BREATHES HEAVILY]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean

for that to happen.

Okay, let's get you out of

those wet clothes, 'cause...

Stop it.

I thought we were

gonna have some fun, Missy.

MISSY: I don't want to!

Why are you always

trying to force me?

Force you?

What? Is that a joke, Missy?

Do you know how many girls

I could have every week

if I wanted to?

You know what those girls

would be doing right now

if I gave them

something like this? Huh?

You know what I should do?

I should give this

to your friend from,

uh, from the mall.

What's her name?

Karen? Huh?

You remember Karen,

don't you?

What do you mean?

Oh, you didn't know?

Yeah, I met, uh, I met Karen

a couple of weeks ago

at a party

and she showed me a

really, really good time.

She earned this, Missy.

She has twice

the body you got.

Just take me home.

Of course, you do still

have a lot of this, uh,

this little baby fat on...

Why are you doing this?

I'm gonna be sick.

You go be sick.

[GRUNTS]

RICHARD: What, are you

gonna kill me, Janet?

You've wanted to finish me off

for a long time, haven't you?

[WHISPERS] Go on.

[SHOUTS] Do it!

You think I won't?

You might as well,

because I'm never gonna

stop being your husband.

You're gonna die.

RICHARD: If that's

what you want, Janet.

"Do you take this man

"to be your lawful,

wedded husband?

"For rich or for poor.

In sickness and health.

"Till death do us part."

You remember

those vows, Janet?

[SNIFFLING] Why can't

you just leave me alone?

RICHARD: Because

I love you, Janet.

And I always will.

And you wanna

know something?

[SOBBING]

I believe you love me too.

I hate you. [CRYING]

Yeah, but you don't

have the guts to pull

the trigger, do you?

You are weak and stupid.

Damn it, I don't care

what you have to do.

I want that call

sourced right now or I...

[PHONE RINGING]

Hold on.

RICHARD: I want

you both to shut up,

and just listen to me.

This is very important, okay?

The next one to open her mouth

is gonna die.

[SHOUTS] Now that

I have the gun,

there are not gonna

be any more games.

Of course,

the big question is...

What do I do with you?

JANET: Let her go.

Now why would I do that?

So you can go call the police,

have me sent to prison?

Is that how

your little story ends?

If you don't do something

about your shoulder,

you're gonna bleed to death.

You're concerned about me.

Get me some towels.

Get me some towels!

RICHARD: Since when

did crusading reporters

ever give a damn

about the lives that

they messed up?

CARRIE: I didn't

mess up your life.

What the hell is

taking them so long?

The call's originating

from a different district.

The trace could take

upwards of an hour.

Oh! I don't believe this.

CARRIE: I know you think

I'm responsible.

RICHARD: You don't even know

the meaning of that word.

You have no concept

of what it takes to

be responsible.

To be a man in this world.

[PHONE RINGING]

Women's Crisis Line.

It's Leonard Oppenheimer

for Ray.

Leonard Oppenheimer

from the DA's office.

Yeah?

Derrick White, Roger Ozal,

Richard Sutherland.

They were all released from

state prisons within

the last 48 hours

for spousal assault.

Now, if your theory is right,

your guy's probably

one of them,

but I have no idea which.

Yeah, I need addresses

and phone numbers.

RICHARD:

This world is a sewer,

and the only way

you get out is by

being tougher

than every other idiot

who's trying to drag you

right back down.

Did your father

teach you that?

My father?

My father was an alcoholic

who sat around and did

nothing his entire life.

You think I'm like him?

Hmm?

I worked my entire life

to provide for my family.

I earned the respect

that's coming to me.

But I'm not allowed

to come within 100 yards

of my own house.

And because of my wife,

my daughter April

is afraid of me.

Afraid of her own father.

I see the way she looks at me.

[LINE RINGING]

MAN: Hello?

Hello, is this Derrick White?

Yeah, who's this?

Never mind,

you've just told me

what I need to know. Thanks.

You're gonna let her

do this to you?

Missy?

Missy, look,

I'm really sorry, okay?

Missy, come on,

I didn't mean to hurt you,

okay? I'm sorry.

Can you hear me?

Missy, please, if something

were to happen to you,

I don't know what I would do.

Missy, please, if you can

hear me, just tell me

where you are.

Huh, Missy? Just tell me

where you are.

I'm over here.

Just keep talking

so I can find you.

Keep going, I'm over here.

[DIALING]

[BUSY TONE SOUNDING]

[BUSY TONE SOUNDING]

It could be anyone.

No, it's him.

Call the cops.

Ray, wait.

No, do it. Call the cops.

You think I'm sick?

Bad father? No feeling?

No love?

Let me tell you something.

I love my daughter. I never

once laid a hand on her.

Ever.

Your father beat you,

didn't he?

What my father did to me

makes a beating sound...

You're playing me, aren't you?

Little psychological tricks.

You think you're in control?

I'm in control.

Now, you're gonna...

You're gonna tell me

where to find April.

Don't look at her.

She's in a shelter.

[SIGHS]

Where?

Don't play games with me.

It's a shelter for children.

What's the name?

It doesn't

have a name.

It's just a shelter.

[WHISPERS] You're a liar.

Now...

[WINCES]

You're gonna tell me

where to find April.

Don't tell him.

Shh.

She's gonna die.

That what you want?

She's gonna die.

[GUN COCKING]

RICHARD: Say goodbye

to your new friend, Janet.

At Kate's.

Call her.

You tricked me.

We're getting

out of here. Let's go.

No.

[SCREAMS]

[GROANS]

You did this.

This is your fault.

Up!

[SCREAMS]

Open the door.

[ENGINE REVVING]

[TIRES SQUEALING]

Come on.

[TIRES SQUEALING]

[TIRES SQUEALING]

Both gonna die tonight,

aren't we?

I didn't want this.

JANET: Ah, that's what's

important, isn't it?

What you want or

what you don't want.

That's what matters

to you.

You talk about love.

You talk about vows.

And the only vow

you ever made

was to yourself.

That's enough.

I don't care what you

say to me anymore.

And I don't care

what you do to me anymore.

But I am telling you

right now,

you are staying away

from April.

She's my daughter, Janet.

[SHOUTS] She's mine!

Nothing you can do can

keep me away from her.

[HORN HONKING]

[TIRES SQUEALING]

[TIRES SQUEALING]

Carrie!

OFFICERS: Freeze!

It's all right.

It's okay. I'm, uh...

I'm Ray Corso with, uh...

Called you from the crisis

line. I'm with the paper.

It's all right.

Where are they?

They're gone.

What, all of them?

Yeah.

Shoot!

Come on, come on, come on!

ELEANOR: Women's Crisis Line.

It's Ray. Where are they?

Getting Janet's daughter.

She's with a woman

named Kate.

And what about Carrie?

I don't know. He found the

line open and he cut it off.

Well, who's Kate?

I don't know.

Yeah.

JANET: I won't

let you do this.

RICHARD: Shut up!

Hello, please help me.

WOMAN: Who is it?

Let me in!

MAN: Hello?

Help me.

[BUZZING]

[JANET SCREAMS]

[PRESSING BUTTON FRANTICALLY]

[ELEVATOR DINGS]

[SCREAMS] Somebody

call the police...

[MUFFLED YELLING]

[SCREAMING] Don't open

the door, Kate!

[CRYING]

[HANDLE RATTLING]

[SCREAMING]

Come on. Get up.

Where are they?

[CRIES] I don't know.

You don't know?

You don't know?

[JANET CRYING]

You don't know?

[SCREAMS] I don't know!

April?

He'll find us.

No, he won't.

He will.

I know he will.

The police are coming.

Don't worry, sweetheart.

April?

[RICHARD MUMBLING]

[POLICE SIREN WAILING]

Thank God!

Don't!

[WINCES]

Get out there.

There's nowhere to run.

We're finished running.

[SCREAMS] Help!

Please help!

[SCREAMING]

[POLICE SIRENS WAILING]

OFFICER: Get those

people back.

[GASPING]

Richard, please!

[HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING]

[SCREAMING]

Please!

Richard, no!

Your daughter's in the

building. She's downstairs

with the police.

You said that you would

never, ever hurt her.

So don't do this.

She needs you both.

She doesn't need me.

CARRIE: You're wrong.

You're all she has.

Like my father was to me.

He killed himself too.

They found him in the garage

where he hung himself.

And everyone told me

that it was for the best.

That he was sick.

That I'd be better off.

But when he died,

he took away the only

family I had left.

And what he didn't know,

what no one knew,

was that I needed him.

Even after all he had done,

I still needed my father.

[INDISTINCT POLICE

RADIO CHATTER]

Don't touch me.

[CRYING]

[CROWD MURMURING]

April.

Mom.

Oh!

Thanks.

This is my sister, Kate.

Hi.

And my daughter, April.

Who are you?

I'm a friend of

your mommy's.

More than a friend.

[CROWD SHOUTING]

I'm... I'm sorry.

Janet, I'm sorry.

[CROWD CLAMORING]

Excuse me.

[POLICE SIREN WAILING]

Are you okay?

Yeah.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Oh, my God.

CARRIE: Are you?

I feel I aged

10 years in one night.

Other than that...

Hey, listen, Carrie,

Eleanor is on her way

to the hospital.

A young girl that you

counseled named Missy.

How is she?

I don't know yet.

They're working to stop

the internal bleeding.

Can I go in?

I don't know what to

say to you, Carrie.

I don't think I've ever

been so angry with someone

I think so highly of.

With all the people

you helped save tonight,

were you able to

save yourself?

How is she?

She's alive,

but just barely.

A lot's gonna depend

on her will to survive.

Can I see her?

Just for a moment.

Missy?

It's Carrie.

I spoke to you

from the crisis line.

You're gonna be okay.

You are.

I'll help you.

We'll do it together.

You'll see.

Carrie, remember,

Missy's only 16.

But she knew to call.

Call twice.

She was just too young,

too naive to trust

her own instincts.

We almost caught her.

Maybe we'll catch

the next one.

I'd like to come back,

to keep working the lines.

As a reporter?

As a volunteer.

Let me think about it.

How about Friday night?

[SNIFFLES]