Sam Churchill: Search for a Homeless Man (1999) Movie Script

(inspirational music)

(ominous music)

(traffic passing)

(banging)

(shouting)

- [Man] Don't let

him get away, man!

(suspenseful music)

- [Man] Come on,

come on, come on!

(horn honking)

(truck smashing)

(speaking in foreign language)

- Man, we messed up.

(soft music)

(phone ringing)

(papers rustling)

(books falling)

- Speak to me.

Patty, Patty, I have got

a horrendous hangover.

Company, what do you want?

Who arrested her?

Well then who called you

and told you about it?

Alright listen, I want you

to get in touch with Rudy

and tell him everything, okay?

Alright, I'll meet you

down there right away.

Right away, I'll meet you.

- You alright?

- I feel like hell.

- Where are you going?

- My family has got some

trouble with my sister.

Well like my sister's

daughter, my niece.

She needs me.

She's absolutely

beautiful, Church.

Who is she?

Molly, Maggie, Mary, Madison?

Come on, Churchill, what

the heck was her name?

Sara, Allie?

Mandy, how are ya?

Katelynn?

Melissa?

Karen?

No.

(birds chirping)

Hey!

Simple possession,

half a gram of coke.

No, let Rudy handle it.

He's in there, leave him alone.

- This is crazy, she's a baby.

- Who's the guy she was with?

Rudy tells me he's 28.

- I don't know, Sam.

She told me she was going

to the mall with her friends

and then a party in Montecito.

- She's 16 years old, Patty.

I'm 38, she's got more

going on than I do.

And how could you not know

where your daughter is at night?

- Please don't lecture me, Sam.

Look, I've got a life too.

I work five nights a

week in that damn bar.

I've got the right to some fun.

- Having fun has never been

one of your problems, has it?

- Well look who's talking.

- Listen to me,

you've got a daughter

who gets thrown out of school,

she gets arrested

for pot and now this?

What's next?

She gonna be out turning

tricks on State Street?

What's up with you?

- I don't know what

to do anymore, Sam.

(sobbing)

Can't you talk to her?

- No.

That doesn't work, remember?

Alright, come here, I'll

talk to her one more time

but listen, you gotta remember,

you are her Mom, alright?

You're not just one

of her girlfriends.

She sees you entertaining

the troops night after night,

how can you expect anything

different from her?

I think they learn by example.

Hey.

- Church?

- Yeah.

- We gotta talk.

- Can't it wait?

I got something at

home that really can't.

Oh, what's the use,

it's too late anyway.

I need to call Burt?

Yeah.

- So what is it today?

Save the whales or

save the penguins?

- No, that's the

bluffs pipeline thing.

It's important, Burt,

leave 'em alone.

- Okay, so Rudy

got her released.

- Yeah, to my

custody, not Patty's.

But she still has

a chance to testify

against that lowlife

she was arrested with.

- She got caught with

the goodies, kid.

It sounds like his big

crime is contributing

to the delinquency of a minor

which the DA will

bargain that down to zip.

- You have not seen

Stacy in a while, Burt.

The only thing minor

about her is her IQ.

Jeez, would you give it a rest?

Come on, Burt, I'm sitting

here trying to get normal,

you're pounding 'em down

like it's Super Bowl Sunday.

- It's the hair of the dog,

Church, last night, whoa.

Last night was rough, okay?

- No!

- Wow.

- Alright.

Guy with a liver concession

at Cottage Hospital

is gonna love you.

- Bless him.

(laughing)

- So what do you say, pal?

Patty's basically broke.

Will you represent Stacy on

the old installment plan?

- I can do better than that.

I got a phone call yesterday,

some gal from out

of town needs help

tracking down her old man.

Sounds like your basic

runaway boyfriend case.

So if it happens

I'll do your legal

plus pay you a few bucks.

- Deal, I can sure

use the money.

- Well I wouldn't go on any

spending spree, not just yet.

- Burt, I haven't shaped

a board in a month.

Another week of this I'll

be polishing boat bottoms

and diving for dollars.

- Sammy, I pleaded

with you 20 years ago,

take it to law school,

you understood it.

You could've gone on--

- City College I majored in fun.

You taught an interesting

class, counselor,

but surfing was always

easier than studying for me.

- Here's to you, Church,

living proof that old

surfers never die.

You just go searching for urchin

and maybe a runaway

boyfriend or two.

(soft music)

- So by the time I

got back to my place

she was already gone.

- Bummer, bro.

- Yeah, maybe I hallucinated

the whole thing.

I was so hung, I guess I

can't drink tequila anymore.

- Oh, it's okay, Church,

you'll hook up again.

(horn honking)

Whoa, what's with

the geez, dude?

- Oh, might be a payday.

Hey Burt.

- Hey Sammy.

- What's up?

- You know the deal I mentioned?

Looks like a go.

I don't have all the details

but it sounds very promising.

- Great, what do

you want me to do?

- The basics, check the hotels.

Call Rudy, see if the

cops have anything.

Maybe we'll give this

girl some peace of mind,

make a few bucks,

everybody's happy.

You gotta meet her at

the pier, three PM,

she'll be on the sundeck

at Longwood's, okay?

- Alright, I'll call ya.

- Listen, Sammy, three

PM, don't be late, okay!

We're professionals!

- Hey Church.

What an outrageous blonde you

left with last night, man.

Bitchin' biscuit,

definitely worth it.

- Chelsea, another

day, another T-shirt.

Hey!

I'm Sam, Sam Churchill.

- You're also late, I believe

we had a three o'clock.

- Yeah, well low tide brought

some pretty decent waves

over to Hammond's, I guess

I just lost track of time.

Could I order you

something, Miss--

- Laura Anders.

And I'm not here to eat

or drink, Mr. Churchill,

I came to talk business and

truthfully I'm very upset.

- Yeah, about what?

- You, the attorney that

referred you, the police.

Actually the entire town.

I simply don't trust a place

where people live

because of the weather.

- Oh, just where is it

that you live, Miss Anders?

- A real city, Chicago.

- I understand the

weather in Chicago

is just lovely

this time of year.

Alright, so you don't wanna

eat, you don't wanna drink.

What do you say we

take a walk, huh?

- Well don't you have

an office or something?

- No, I'm, you might say in

between offices at the moment.

So we either talk here

or we talk at my place

and I got a feeling you

would really hate my place.

Alright Miss Anders,

what are you doing here?

- Didn't Mr. Geiger explain?

My father's disappeared

and I'm certain he's

here in Santa Barbara.

(laughing)

What?

- Burt thinks you're looking

for an old boyfriend.

- A boyfriend?

- Yeah, you know, as in

run off with another woman

kind of boyfriend.

- So I called Mr.

Geiger's office number

but the noise in the

background sounded like a bar.

No wonder he didn't understand

me, he was probably drunk.

- Look, would you

let me save you

some time and some

money, alright?

Miss Anders, call the police.

They're equipped to

handle missing persons,

Burt and I aren't.

- Listen, I already called

the police, alright?

The police don't give

a damn about my father

or anyone else without

a permanent address.

The homeless here are treated--

- Did you say homeless?

- You're obviously

not that experienced,

are you, Mr. Churchill?

I guess the attorney was

confused about that too.

- Well I'm not experienced

when you're talking about

finding some homeless guy

if that's what you mean.

Hey, listen to me.

I'm Sam Churchill, not

Sam Spade, alright?

I shape surf boards,

I paint boat bottoms,

I dive for urchins.

- Why are we talking?

- Well, because occasionally

I do some investigative

stuff for Burt.

I look for records,

I take pictures.

Alright look, the biggest

thing I've done ever

is repossess a motor home

from some guy in Lompoc.

(groaning)

- Well at least you're honest.

And more courteous

than the police were.

So I'll be honest with you.

Mr. Geiger was last

on the list, alright?

I have no choice here.

It's you or no one.

- Alright look, Laura,

why don't you tell

me about your Dad.

- Well, several years

ago my mother died

and it just devastated my father

and he began drinking heavily.

Just sitting in front

of the TV all afternoon

and I tried to get him out

but I'm so busy with my work.

Anyway, one afternoon

we went to the park

near Soldier Field and

he met some men there,

some vagrants actually

and they began talking

about their adventures

on the road,

their summers in California

and their winters in Florida

and the strangest thing

happened as he listened.

For the first time in

months he came alive.

I guess I shouldn't

have been surprised

when he decided to join them.

- So you went

along with it, huh?

- Well we had an arrangement.

See, once a month

every month he'd call

then I knew he was alright

and I'd forward him some of

his Social Security money.

- Doesn't sound too bright.

I wouldn't want a

pocket full of cash

if I was sleeping

out on the streets.

- My father's not an

idiot, Mr. Churchill.

Along with the others

he worked for his meals,

odd jobs, like what you do.

- What do you think happened?

- Well last month

Dad didn't call.

He had been in Los Angeles and

was headed for Santa Barbara.

In three years my Dad

never missed a call,

even if he was sick.

- Well maybe he's still

in LA, it's a big place.

- Nope, I know he was here.

See, this was dated

two weeks ago.

The man right there by the sign,

that's my father Arthur Anders.

Alright well, how

about the police,

what'd they say when

you talked to them.

- That there's

nothing they can do

which means there's

nothing that they will do.

- Hang on, a lot of

the cops around here

are friends of mine,

they're good guys.

- Oh come on, don't

you understand?

My father is doing this crazy

thing and I'm responsible.

I should've stopped him.

Whether he's alive

or, I've gotta know.

- Alright, I'll do what I

can but don't expect much.

Looking for a vagrant

in Santa Barbara.

- Together we can find

my father, I know it.

- Together?

No, no, no, listen, Burt and

I, we take care of business.

You just stay out of the way

and pray that we

get lucky, alright?

- Don't be ridiculous.

You've already told me

that you're no investigator

but you do know this area

and I know my father.

We'll work together.

Now listen, tonight, I'm

gonna drive around town.

I've noticed areas

where these men gather

and you should go

back to the police.

Maybe they'll treat

you more decently.

- Listen, I--

- And then tomorrow we're

gonna head out bright and early

and get a move on

this whole thing.

Everything's gonna be great.

I've got a good

feeling about this.

- Hey Rudy!

- Museum of Natural

History at 8:30 AM,

not your style Church.

No waves and no beach babes.

- Listen, I ran into

Jeb at Audrey's.

He said you'd be

up around to call.

What's going on?

- Break in.

Somebody got into the

chu-mash-berl relics.

- Listen, I'm doing

some snooping around

for one of Burt's clients.

Kind of a trade

off sort of thing.

Tell me what you know about

a fella named Arthur Anders.

- The missing vagrant.

Other than the fact

that his daughter's

a pain in the butt, not much.

- Yeah, well at the

moment she happens to be

my pain in the butt.

You guys gonna do anything

about his disappearance?

- What disappearance?

The young lady's working

off a blurred photo

in an out of town newspaper.

Even if the old dude was in town

he's probably moved on

to greener pastures.

- Get real, come on,

this is Santa Barbara.

For a bum it doesn't get

any greener than this.

- Politically incorrect, Church.

So far this year four street

people have been killed.

We have no answers

to those homicides

and there we had bodies.

If you have some ideas

on how to track down

the elusive Mr. Anders,

let me hear about it.

Right now, the SBPD

ain't got a clue.

- Thanks for your help.

(soft music)

Hi.

- Where have you been?

- Well, rim-con was happening

so I surfed for a while.

It was like

blatantly unexpected.

- This is your idea

of an investigation?

- Hey, I checked on some

things this morning.

Gee whiz.

- Mr. Churchill, if you

actually plan on helping me

it's a full time job.

I am paying for your

services, you know,

as ineffective as they may be.

- Look, the financial

arrangements are

between you and Burt.

- Listen, Peter Pan, my

agreement with your boss

is a day's work for a day's pay.

Now what about my father?

- Okay, one, I went down

to the police station.

As far as they're concerned

you're just one major

pain in the butt

so you can forget about

them being any help.

It's kind of hard to

drum up any sympathy

for a homeless guy who

wants to be homeless.

And two, I went down

to the news press

and got you a much

better picture

than that crumbled up clipping

you've been carrying around,

thank you very much.

And three, don't worry

about it, I've got a plan.

- Well I took a walk around

town today, a very unique place.

So many people don't seem to

do anything but just hang out.

- Well, it's not Chicago.

- Yeah, more like a

third world country,

you fit in perfectly.

Now what's your plan?

- Well, tomorrow Burt's gonna

check out every hospital,

mental institution and morgue

between LA and San Francisco.

- Can he handle that?

- Please, Burt can handle

anything when he's sober.

- Difficult to believe.

- And I figured I'd go

straight to the source,

see if dear old

Daddy did come here

he's probably got a friend

or two still around.

- I'm going with you.

- No, you're not.

- Listen Sam, I've got

to be involved, okay?

You can't stop me.

- You know what, I think

that is an excellent idea.

I really do.

I think you need to

see the kind of folks

your old man was hanging with.

It was dumb of him

coming out here

but I guess dumb kind of

runs in your family, huh?

(grunting)

- I wish there was someone,

anyone else in this horrible

town that could help me.

(train horn blowing)

And by the way, this

is a pathetic way

for a grown man to live.

(train bell dinging)

- Gentlemen, I'm

looking for this fella,

I was wondering if

you can help us out.

No?

Alright, thanks anyway.

- [Laura] This is

how my father lives?

- This is Santa Barbara,

they don't freeze to

death in the winter.

Looking for this fella here.

Or get mugged just

based on esteem, right?

Sir, can you help us out?

We're looking for this

guy here, you seen him?

- No, I haven't seen him at all.

- Well if you do find

me at that number.

- [Vagrant] Okay, I'll do that.

- Most folks in town try to

help out those who want it

but those boys over

there, hardcore.

- [Laura] Are they

military veterans?

- Well maybe a few of 'em.

Here you are, sir.

Looking for that guy.

If you see him give us a call.

For the most part a bottle

of wine, spare change.

Sure beats working.

- These aren't the type of men

my father left Chicago with.

- No, but these are the

type that are out there.

The strong ones pray

on the weak ones.

You wanted to come along?

Come on along.

- I told the cop, chief

of police in Fort Pierce,

to screw himself.

I told him just

where to stick it.

- Hey guys, I got some

pictures I want you to look at.

Jerkoff sent me, me,

to Belgrad for 90.

I did it too.

Every damn day of it.

(laughing)

But on the way out of town.

Left him something to remember.

I grabbed me a local girl

that was hitching to Miami.

Only about 15 but I

showed her how nasty.

(laughing)

- Alright, listen up.

- Who the hell are you?

- Looking for this man in

the picture right there.

Anybody gives us

any information,

we'll give you 20 bucks.

- Beat it!

20 bucks, I don't

care about 20 bucks!

- Hey, hey come on!

- Sam!

- Knock it off!

(punching)

(grunting)

Pay close attention to

the picture, gentlemen.

Anybody gives me the

right information,

there'll be a whole lot more

than 20 bucks on the back end.

Now listen to me, pigpen,

this is your lucky day.

I'm just a gentle soul

on a mission of mercy.

You understand me?

- Yeah.

- What?

- Yes sir.

- Good.

- Hey, you didn't

have to hurt that man.

- Yes, I did.

He'll get over it and

then go on to Florida.

She won't, she's 15 years

old, just like my niece.

- You didn't believe that story.

- Absolutely I believe it.

You better believe it

too if you're serious

about getting your father back.

(tense music)

AJ?

AJ, come on, what are

you doing back there?

- Hey bro, how is it?

- What's up?

- Just hanging, come on back.

- Hey guys.

- Join us for some classic

Miller Shore footage.

There's a reel up for the

pipeline with some dude

named Sam Churchill doing

some serious shredding.

(upbeat music)

- Actually I was hoping maybe

you had some work for me.

I'm tied to a gig at the moment

but I'm thinking about bailing.

- I'm dying here, man, no

custom jobs in a month.

And you shaped the last one.

- I was afraid of that.

- Yeah, but your man Burt's

got an APB out on you.

He called an hour ago,

maybe he's got something.

- Yeah, he's got

something alright.

(phone ringing)

(soft music)

- Burt Geiger, attorney at law.

Hey Sammy, how you doing?

Man, you sound a little uptight.

- Yeah, well I am

a little uptight.

I'm burnt, Burt, this

Laura Anders chick and I

are not simpatico,

you know what I mean?

Half a day with her,

I think I met every

bum in Santa Barbara.

I'm going fruit.

- Look, you just gotta

stick with it, kid.

If nothing else, it's

an invaluable lesson.

You don't always like your

clients in this business.

Yeah, that's the deal.

Alright it sound better, Sammy.

Listen, I looked everywhere,

nobody's heard of Arthur Anders.

No hospitals, no morgues, na-da.

Yeah, I got one

thing more going.

Buddy of mine up in Sacramento,

he's checking the state

computers for stiffs

that match this guy's

age and description.

Yeah, just a day or two,

maybe a little longer.

- No, a day or

two and no longer.

Please, Burt, I'll call you.

Who are ya?

What do you want?

- [Cory] Hey Church, Cory here.

It's breaking at K-39,

the Baja's happening.

- Cory, you're breaking

my heart, cut it out.

- [Cory] Call me if

you wanna go, see ya.

- [Patty] Hi Sam, it's Patty.

Listen, Stacy's acting up,

she refused to stay home.

She's in your custody, Sam, so

can you call me or come over?

Yeah, come over--

- You promised me

you'd talk to her.

- [Patty] You promised

you'd talk to her, Sam.

- [Man] I know about

the guy in the picture

but the money's gotta be right.

Go to the dirt road

next to the tracks

on the far side

of the bird pond.

There's a bridge, make it

5:30 and be sure you're alone.

(train rolling)

- Sorry fellas,

I'm a little short

on bread myself at the moment.

(suspenseful music)

(crashing)

(ominous music)

(laughing)

- What do you know?

It lives!

How's the head?

It's Sam, right?

He ain't saying much.

But you gotta believe

that his head feels like--

(grunting)

You punk!

(screaming)

(flames crackling)

- Ow, my leg!

- Where is he?

Where is he?

Find him, find him!

- Let's get!

(tense music)

- What the heck

happened back there?

- One half gallon

of Shell unleaded.

I heard them plotting after

you left this morning.

Figured you might

be needing a hand.

- Up and over, huh?

- No need, cuz.

As long as I've been around,

ain't too many

locks I can't pick.

- What is your name?

- Too Sweet.

- Too Sweet?

Anyway, I really

appreciate what you did.

Risked your life.

Those friends of

yours aren't exactly--

- Arthur was my

friend, not that trash.

And you trying to find him.

- Wait a minute.

Too Sweet, are you telling me

that you know Arthur Anders?

- We was traveling

companions and I owe him.

He helped me out more than

one time, I'm telling you.

Gave me this coat.

Bought me medicine in San

Diego when I was near dead.

He's a good man.

- Where is he?

- Damned if I know.

Come here, come here!

I don't think he seen us.

- Tell me about Arthur Anders.

- We was out at the polo field.

- What were you doing

at the polo field?

- Every year when I drive

up through this area,

I pick up some running money

shoveling mess from the stables.

I know this fella

that do the hiring.

It's Mexicans mostly but

it's got so even the wetbacks

ain't willing to stand

knee deep in horse crap.

- Tell me about Arthur Anders.

- One day Juan had something

special for Arthur,

work to do at some

rich folk's place.

- Who is Juan?

- That's who we

talking about, cousin.

He the man out there.

Juan Ochoa.

They call him Johnny A

and that bad boy is

making the long dollar.

He running errands

for the members.

Transports illegals

up from Mexicali.

- But I understand

Arthur had his own money

so why would he need to work?

- Can't say for certain.

Arthur is a funny one.

It ain't like he's

really one of us

but he always want

to do what we do.

- Well if I need to talk to

you again where can I find you?

- With Yancy and them on my

trail, and they will be--

(grunting)

- You can run but

you ain't gonna hide.

(punching)

(tense music)

(shovel smashing)

(shovel clanging)

- Too Sweet, Too

Sweet, you alright?

- I've been better, cuz.

- Call an ambulance!

Call the police, now!

(engine revving)

(tires screeching)

- Sam, Stacy didn't

come home last night.

- Patty, I didn't

come home last night.

- My God, you're bleeding.

- How you can stay

out till all hours

when you're employed

to find my father

is just beyond me, Sam.

Oh, you're bleeding.

- Yes, I know, I'm bleeding.

Now please, all of you, go away,

leave me, leave me alone now.

- But Sam--

- Patty!

If it can't wait talk to

Burt, he's at the Wildcat.

And you, meet me back

here at two o'clock.

No, three o'clock sharp.

- I just--

- Go!

(soft music)

Unreal.

- I've been wrong

about you, Sam.

I'm sorry.

- Hey, forget about it.

We're onto something now and

that's all that really matters.

- So, Yancy didn't

hurt my father?

- Too Sweet doesn't think so.

So until we learn

something different

we'll just have to keep

believing that your father

is alive and well.

Well, alive anyway.

- Well that's encouraging.

Kind of.

Now what?

- Now we ask questions.

Hey buddy, you know Juan Ochoa?

- No.

- Juan Ochoa, Johnny A?

- No, no.

- No.

- Senor, Juan Ochoa?

Senor, (speaking in foreign

language) Juan Ochoa?

Senor, (speaking in foreign

language) Juan Ochoa?

- Oh, come on, somebody here

has got to speak English.

- No, not to us they don't.

- Hey, Sam, this guy.

(speaking in foreign language)

- I hab-la just fine, thanks.

What can I do for you?

- We're looking for a

guy named Juan Ochoa.

Can you help us out?

- The boss man?

- Boss man.

Yeah, is he around

here somewhere?

- I haven't seen him.

And don't bother asking

the com-pas-inos.

- Actually, it's someone

that Ochoa hired.

He's an older man.

- I mind my own business, Miss.

And I give you the same advice.

- Please, it's my

father we're after.

- Try the Copacabana.

It's a bar in town.

- Yeah, on Milpas,

I know the place.

- He's usually

there, center court.

(speaking in foreign language)

Considers himself

quite a pool player.

- Thank you.

- I've done you no

favors, Senorita.

Watch yourself around Johnny A.

(billiard balls cracking)

(Latino music)

(laughing)

(speaking in foreign language)

(bell ringing)

- Ah, the congenial

atmosphere of the Copa.

- I felt more welcome

at the stables.

- Senor.

(speaking in foreign language)

- You play pool?

- Well--

- Guy in the suit,

he's our man.

All right, now that we've

passed the first test,

what do you say we mingle?

- What's the matter, amigo?

Don't you cheer for a winner?

- Well, it kind of looks

to me like you're playing

with yourself, amigo.

I don't see how you can lose.

- That sounds like a challenge.

Friendly contest,

say 20 dollars?

- No, thanks, I just

came for a beer.

- Oh, come on, Sam, play him.

- For the honor of this

beautiful senorita.

- Well, in that case,

we'll play partners.

- No, I don't think so,

maybe some other time.

- Well, senorita,

you and your partner

could not play against

(speaking in foreign language)

and there don't seem

to be no other ladies,

but wait, Migilito!

The na-no will be my partner.

(laughing)

(cheering)

- Yes!

- Just don't leave him a shot.

- Who are you, Willie Mosconi?

(ominous music)

- Where did you learn to

shoot shape like that?

- Midwest girls know

how to shoot pool.

- Chica, I'm talking to you.

What are you, some

kind of pool hustler?

No way I'm paying you 20 bucks.

- Listen, we don't want

your money, Johnny.

We just want some information.

- Oh, you know me?

I don't know you.

How you know me?

- Come on, Johnny A, Juan Ochoa?

Everybody knows who you are.

- Where you think

you are, asshole?

Some white bread

sports bar in Ventura?

Look around, man.

Mess with me, you won't

get out of here alive.

- Where's Arthur Anders?

- White haired guy in his 70s,

does odd jobs over

at the Polo Field.

- I don't know who

you're talking about.

I hire a lot of the old

winos for that stuff.

He sounds like most of them.

You gotta let me go!

- Listen, you can talk to

me or you can talk to them,

you got a choice.

- I got no knowledge

of this guy.

But I'll look into the matter.

Maybe he was out

there, I hire so many.

Meet me on the Polo Field

tomorrow, three o'clock

and come alone,

or you get na-da.

- Alright, that's good.

- Mm-kay.

- Don't forget.

Meet you back here in one hour.

I want to get to the shop

and pick up my car

before it closes.

- Okay, but don't you

think I should go with you?

- No, I don't.

- All right.

But hey, you be careful.

- I'll be careful.

Now go on, go on.

- All right.

(dramatic music)

(horses neighing)

- Holy cow!

(smacking)

Come on!

No.

(horn honking)

I'm coming!

- Sam!

Come on!

These men were

trying to kill you!

- No, Ochoa was

trying to kill me,

which means we're

on to something

and (speaking in

foreign language)

is running scared big time.

(phone ringing)

- [Sam] Sam Churchill

here, what do you want?

- [Burt] Morning, Sammy.

- [Sam] Oh, hey,

Burt, what's going on?

- [Burt] I got something,

your friend Ochoa?

- [Sam] Yeah?

- [Burt] Remember

that little guy Marty?

- [Sam] Not the guy that

sells phony designer jeans

in supermarket parking lots?

- [Burt] The very same.

- [Sam] Oh, come on, Burt.

He's the sleaziest

character you ever defended.

- [Burt] Thank you.

Anyway, he says he knows Ochoa,

and has done business with him.

- [Sam] Now, there's a

surprise. I can believe that.

- [Burt] Look, I set up a

meeting for three o'clock.

- [Sam] Where?

- [Burt] 718 Sycamore.

It's a long driveway, you'll

see my car at the end.

- [Sam] Sycamore?

What's the little chiseler

doing in the high rent district?

- [Burt] Selling real estate.

Can you imagine buying

a house from him?

- [Sam] You got

to be kidding me.

I hope the owners nailed

the furniture to the floor.

- [Burt] Marty's a hustler,

Sammy, and hustlers hustle.

See you at three.

- [Sam] Three o'clock,

I'll be there.

- It was a done deal.

One of my guys checked

out the merchandise,

said it looked good.

Thought I could turn a

couple of bucks on the stuff,

so I gave it a go,

should've known better.

- Marty was arrested.

- It was some kind

of sting operation.

Copped a plea, Burt got

me a reduced sentence.

It was the start of a

beautiful relationship.

- So why are you helping

me out with Ochoa, Marty?

Seems a little out of character.

- It's a barter deal, isn't it?

Counselor said you

need information, I

need the counselor.

- Marty got into trouble in L.A.

He goes to court next week.

- Not guilty.

Let them try and prove

I knew those shoes

were not Reebok originals.

- Marty says Ochoa has an

office on the east side.

- It's in a trailer

behind a warehouse.

It's off of South Sa-pue-des.

I was there once, picked

up a shipment out front.

- Picked up a shipment of what?

- Love films.

Quality stuff from Mexico.

- Right, right.

- I found the material

to be socially redeeming.

- I believe the D.A.

called it pornography.

- The man's a Phil-is-tine.

- Will you take me

to see Ochoa, Marty?

- That's sticking my neck out.

- You know, Marty, that

situation in L.A., I don't know.

I mean, I have to

burn a lot of favors

to keep you out of

County through appeal.

Oh, what a hassle.

- All right, look.

I'll meet you at the corner

of Garden and Haley

at nine o'clock.

We'll go from there.

We'll take your car.

I don't want to be seen in

that scumbag neighborhood

where anybody can recognize me.

- What, are you afraid

of Ochoa, Marty?

- No, bonehead, I do

business with these people,

I don't want them thinking

I'm ratting out a local.

You don't crap

where you eat, pal.

Showtime.

Hi!

You found the place!

Wonderful.

(ominous music)

- Nice place.

- Take a look around, pal.

It's not exactly Santa

Barbara beautiful.

- Sam, maybe this

isn't such a good idea.

(banging)

- Quiet, quiet!

The wrong people see us

here, we're in big trouble!

- Well, I just fell down.

- Why is she here?

(door creaking)

- [Sam] There's got to be a

light switch in here somewhere.

- [Burt] Oh my God.

- This is horrible.

- See anybody you know?

Hey, hey!

- It's done now!

- Sam, look at this.

- [Sam] Prescription drugs.

- Hey, I had nothing to do

with the pharmaceuticals.

Love movies, that's it.

- Sam, there's a lot

of gasoline containers

with a bunch of fuses.

- Pipe bombs.

- Gasoline?

- Arson, sweetheart.

Pills, porno.

The guy is a real

renaissance man.

- Hey, Burt, take

a look at this.

- These phone numbers

are all in Mexico.

- Wait a minute,

here's a 969 prefix.

That's Montecito, right?

- Yeah.

- Brander, that name mean

anything to you, Brander?

- Dr. Franklin Brander?

- That's the LNG Pipeline

property guy, right?

I wonder if he's got a

membership at The Polo Club.

- No, wait a minute, Sammy,

you are reaching here.

This guy is old money

and plenty of it.

Please, the consortium is

about to pay him, what,

26 million for his land.

Guys like that don't

get involved in this.

- Look, look, if Ochoa's

getting him something,

he's getting him a gardener,

he's getting him maids,

he's getting him something.

If his name is in the book,

then there's got

to be a connection.

- How about stopping

all the chit-chat, huh,

before somebody shows up?

- Wait a minute, I

smell something burning,

- Gasoline.

(intense music)

(chattering)

(banging)

(shouting)

(exploding)

- We might have been killed!

- You wanted to

come along, right?

Come on!

- Eats lunch here,

almost every week.

A moment of serenity in an

increasingly violent world.

- What's up with Ochoa?

- He's been a very lucky guy.

Five arrests, no convictions.

He's the reason people

want to close the borders.

- But those horrible pictures.

- Other than Marty,

there's no way

we can connect

anything to Ochoa.

- Not exactly what I

call a reliable witness.

- He's what I call

a career criminal.

So would the grand jury.

- So you still refuse to help?

- When we catch up with

Ochoa, your father will be

the first topic of

conversation, I promise.

Until then, there's

nothing we can do.

- Good, good.

Thank you, Rudy, thanks a lot.

I'll call you later.

- Adios, amigo.

- That man infuriates me!

I mean, his attitude is so--

- I've known Rudy for a

long time, he's a good cop!

- Well, then why

didn't you tell him

about the name in the book?

- Because if he gets involved,

then it has to be official

and I want to get to Brander,

but not with all the

baggage that comes along

with a police visit, all right?

- Will they see you?

- Well, Burt's got this friend

who does some legal

work for the family.

He's trying to set

up a meeting for me.

- Why don't--

- No.

I'll get maybe five

minutes with this guy

and I don't want

to press my luck.

There is something you

can do for me though.

- What?

- Have a girl to girl

talk with my niece Stacy.

- Oh, about her

all night parties

and her drug dealer boyfriend?

- Uh-huh.

- I don't think so.

- Hey, Sam.

- Burt.

- Meet Tully Corso.

Tully, this is my

associate, Sam Churchill.

- Good to meet you, Sam.

- What can I get you?

- Nothing, thanks.

- Fair enough.

Claire, one more, for me.

Tully set a meeting

this afternoon

up at the Branders for you.

- Great.

- Let me warn you

out front, Sam.

Word is Dr. Brander is very ill.

Hard to believe, because

I just played 18 holes

with the old pirate

two months ago,

he was driving the ball

180 yards off the tee.

Probably the pressure

from that pipeline deal

has got him down.

He's had several

business problems

these last couple of years.

Lost a fortune on a

medical start-up company.

- What time do I get

to meet the doctor?

- I'm sorry, Sam, I

thought you understood.

Dr. Brander isn't seeing anyone.

Sounds like he wouldn't

even make the hearings

unless his presence

was absolutely required

to finalize the sale.

I got you a few minutes

with Mrs. Brander.

The lady's alright,

a little different,

she and that son of hers.

But very gracious.

- Good afternoon, sir.

- Hi, Sam Churchill, I have

a meeting with Mrs. Brander.

- Identification please.

- You guys expecting some

kind of invasion or what?

- Thank you, sir,

I'll accompany you in.

- Fine.

(tense music)

(whistling)

- [Guard] This way, sir.

- Hey, is that Dr. Brander?

- Follow me please.

(gentle piano music)

- Mrs. Brander?

I'm Sam Churchill.

- Hello, Mr. Churchill.

- Hi, I appreciate you seeing me

especially on such short notice.

- The afternoon opened up.

Mr. Corso's call came

at a propitious moment.

Please, sit.

My son Randall's work.

- It's very unique.

- Randall is an original talent.

Misunderstood, as

creative people often are.

- I'll bet.

I was very sorry to hear

about your husband's illness.

Mr. Corso said--

- I'm not concerned

with my husband's

illness, Mr. Churchill.

Tully Corso shouldn't be either.

He'll get his damn fee.

- Oh, yeah, I'm

sure that he will

but that's not what I meant.

- I know what you meant.

You were being courteous,

which was nice, but unnecessary.

It's commonly known that

I loathe my husband.

We haven't been in the

same room for two years.

We've spoken only through

attorneys for three years.

We haven't slept

together for five.

He hates me and he hates my son.

We would have divorced years ago

but neither of us was

willing to give up this house

or what money there is left.

If there is a God in heaven,

he will make my husband's

current illness fatal

the minute the pipeline

property has sold.

Now, why are you here?

- I understand that you,

your family, is a

member of The Polo Club?

- I haven't been to

a match in years.

Randy goes

occasionally, I believe.

- There's a man

that does odd jobs

for some of the

members at the club.

His name is Juan

Ochoa, do you know him?

- [Mrs. Brander] No.

- He may be a broker

for your hired help.

Maids, servants here, a

gardener, groundskeepers.

- We have nothing

to do with him.

- Hello, Randall.

Mr. Churchill, this is my son.

- Mr. Ochoa has been employed

by numerous members at the club,

finding them barn help

and grooms and whatnot.

But no more.

- Well, maybe he's branched out.

- We wouldn't know.

Mother, why is this man here?

- Because Juan Ochoa

may be responsible

for the disappearance of

someone I've been hired to find.

- There are hundreds

of members at the club.

Why are you bothering us?

- Because your unlisted

telephone number was found

in Juan Ochoa's record books.

- If the number is unlisted,

how do you know it's ours?

- Because I called

the telephone number

and your maid

answered the phone.

- I want you out of here.

You're annoying me, and

you're disturbing my mother!

- If that's true, then listen,

I'm sorry, but I have to--

- Mr. Churchill.

Even though this really

isn't any of your business,

my stepfather is gravely ill.

We're involved in a

number of litigations,

these ridiculous hearings

which have put the family

under a considerable

amount of stress.

So won't you please do us

the courtesy of leaving now.

Unless you'd rather

I call security.

- No, thank you.

Thank you for your time.

- [Laura] Well, what

about the Branders?

- They have the house

set up like a fortress

and they have

rent-a-cops everywhere.

- Why?

- I don't know.

The Branders are rich,

eccentric people.

They can afford

to be left alone.

That's not all that

unusual in Montecito.

- But Sam--

- I'm sorry.

- Ochoa had their phone number.

- Ochoa had a lot

of phone numbers.

I think Burt was right.

I'm really--

(tires screeching)

(screaming)

(intense music)

- Now, I don't want to

hurt you, so sit back,

relax, enjoy the ride.

- Who are you?

- Where are you taking us?

- To see a fella, just to talk.

(dramatic music)

- How do you do?

- I've done better.

- I hope you weren't

too inconvenienced

by our invitation.

- Who are you?

- Nathan is the name.

Welcome to our camp.

- Why have you kidnapped us?

- My way of being

cautious, my dear.

Sam Churchill: Search for a Homeless Man (1999) - full transcript