Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story (1986) - full transcript

See you later, love.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Okay okay.

Now if I have to
throw out any more
soggy cereal,

I'm having you skinned
and turned into
bongo drums.

[ Knocks on door ]

I'm sorry, Mrs. Sinclair,
but I warned you last week.

Well, I'm sorry too.

I filed my feet flat
on these city sidewalks

and I can't find
another place.



There's nothing
we can do about that.

Look look.
Will you just
look at this?

This is my receipt.
I paid my rent.

Look, I told you, lady,
this has got nothing to do
with paying the rent.

This building's been
condemned.

I'm not going.

Well, I am sorry.
Come on, let's go.

You can't do that.

You start over there.
Bob, give me a hand
over here.

You can't--

man:
I'll get the chairs
out of the kitchen.

I ain't going.

Kids, everyone sit down
on grandma's hope chest,
all of you.

Christina,
hand me my purse.



Come on, honey.
Come on, mama needs you.

Here, I want you
to take

this and this

and I want you to go
call Mitch and tell him
what's happening.

Come on now,
hurry up.

Where did you get
all this money?

Worked for it.

We're here to call you
on your promise.

What promise?

Last year you said
that if we could raise
the money to fix it up

you'd get the city
to loan us a building--

one for the people
that have been evicted.

No, I believe
I said I'd try.
Now we are doing a study--

come on, it's too late
for a study.

It's October already.
Winter's coming.

Look, this city controls
hundreds of buildings

that landlords
have abandoned.

These people-- they're not
moving into the Watergate.

And they're not moving
into the city property

until my staff and I
can be sure of
the ramifications.

What ramifications?
You've got empty
buildings.

We've got people
that need them.

We're offering
you a solution
on a silver platter.

Look, we'll operate it.
We'll even pay
the utilities.

Hell, we're doing
your job for you.
Or don't you care?

It's not a question
of caring.

My job,
my responsibility

is to the property
of the citizens
of Washington.

What about
the citizens of Washington
who have no property?

Don't you also have
a responsibility
to them?

I told you
we're doing a study.

Now the city already has
two family shelters
available.

And they're both full!

There are 2000 forced
evictions every year.

Are you sure
of your figures?

Yes!

I checked with
the marshal's office.

[ Phone rings ]

Hold on for a minute.

Dudney here.

Hold on.
Mitch, it's for you.

Thank you.
Hello.

Hi, Mary Ellen.
What's up?

Next up,
"Washington post."

You want some advice?
Don't.

Now I told you
I was gonna help you
and I will,

but you're not helping
me or yourself by trying
to make us look bad.

All right, I got it.
You call the press.
We're on our way.

Now that was about
a neighbor of ours,

ida sinclair.
She's not being evicted.

She's just being
thrown out in the street
with six kids.

You can come with us
or catch it
on the 6:00 news.

Watch her hitting
that banister.

[ Ida whimpering ]

I'm warning you, lady--
making us lug you.

We ain't lugging
that couch down too.

Officer, I find it
hard to believe that
you can't just--

[ car horn honks ]

Hi, Carol.
Where's ida?

- She's still inside.
- What about the kids?

I sent them next door.
I didn't want them
to see any of this.

Excuse me, fellows.
Excuse me.

Hey, put her down,
will you, fellows?

It's all right, ida.
It's all right,
sweetheart.

Ida, oh, hon.

It's all right.

Man:
Hey, watch out
down there.

[ Shouting ]
Oh, no, that's my couch,
you creeps.

My couch, you creeps.

Mitch:
It's all right.
It's all right.

It's all right.
Let it go, hon.

I'm Max gunning,
w.X.D.C. News.

This is ida sinclair.

- Who are you?
- I'm Mitch snyder.

Why are you
being evicted,
Mrs. Sinclair?

Give her a minute,
will you, please?

Why are you being
evicted, Mrs. Sinclair?

It's not my fault.
I paid my rent.

It's not my fault.

I have four kids
in the hospital.

They got lead poisoning
from the walls

it's not my fault.
Fix the walls.

You just tell me,
Mr. Mayor,

where's a woman
with 10 babies
supposed to go?

Fix the walls.

Will you excuse us?
Thanks for coming.

Come on, sweetheart.
We'll go over to
euclid house.

Excuse me,
who are you people?

We're the c.C.N.V.

Are you some kind
of lobbyists?

We serve soup,
not Caesar.

Could you tell me
a little about these
people, please?

Well, Harold was
a nuclear chemist
for 10 years.

I was a housewife.
And Mitch was a businessman
on Madison Avenue.

No no, the c.C--
what is it?

It's c.C.N.V.
It's the community for
creative non-violence,

a kind of
non-sectarian kibbutz.

Some kind of
antiwar group?

You could say that.

Gandhi said
poverty was the worst
form of violence.

This is another
of the more than
2000 evictions

that are taking place
in the city of Washington
this year.

And yet for the small
band of zealots,

the members
of the c.C.N.V.,

ida sinclair
and her children

would not have a place
to call home tonight.

The small community
of activists

fighting a private war
against poverty

is all that stands
between ida sinclair
and the cold streets.

This is Max gunning,
w.X.D.C. Evening news.

Carol:
Okay, be careful now.

Head up the stairs
and turn right.

I sure hope
I didn't start something
that ain't got a finish.

Listen to me. Ida.
After what's happened
to you,

you've got a right
to start something.

How about
an egg salad sandwich?

Six years

I've been on that
housing waiting list.

I don't want to get kicked
back down to the bottom.

If they even try
we'll--

you'll what?
You'll be fine.

You're young
and you're healthy.

You haven't got
anything to lose.

But me--

I've been scrubbing
hospital floors
for 22 years.

I'm worn out.
I don't bounce back.

Don't worry, ida.
We'll find you a place.

Honey, don't make
promises you can't keep.

You don't know
how bad it's got.

The city's
crawling with people
just like me,

people being
thrown away.

What did dudney say?

He says we have to
wait in line.

If we could
just get our hands
on a building,

we could do
the work ourselves.

I say we go back
down there.

I say we go back
and sit outside
the dude's office

and we don't leave
until we get his
attention.

We make signs.

We make more magic
with the Max gunnings
of the world.

I can't believe
he wouldn't respond

if he knew
what was happening.

And we're not gonna get
anywhere unless we appeal
to him as a person.

He's not a person.
He's a bureaucrat.

Bureaucrats are people.

We gotta work
on his heart.

Harold,

supposing you and I
moved into that park
near his office

without any press
or anything else,

just us and him,
people to people?

Mitch, it's cold
out there, man.
We'll freeze.

That's the whole point.

Well, fine.

If it will make him see,
I'm all for it.

Good deal.

Carol, please call him
and tell him we intend

to stay there
day and night
till we get a building.

He's got a conscience.

Hey, Mitch.

What's this?

Long Johns.
You're gonna need 'em.

Thanks.

[ Singing ]

[ Stops singing ]

[ Rat squeaking ]

Those damn rats.

I'm gonna get it.

I'm gonna
get it.

[ Distant siren wailing ]

Let's do it.
Come on.

[ Boys whispering ]

Come on,
spread it around.
Come on, spread it.

[ Laughing ]

Get away, get away,
get away, get away.

Get away, get away,
get away.

Troll busters.

I thought they only went
to the bridge,

but I guess we're getting
more popular.

Who are you?

- Who is me?
- Yeah.

My name Muriel.

- Oh, I'm Harold.
- Mm-hmm.

I'm Mitch.
Hey, thanks a lot
for helping us.

Mm-hmm, troll busting--

you know what that is?

It's a new stunt
the fraternity got, eh?

They set
the street folk on fire
and they watch them hop.

Oh, that makes me
damn mad

to see them
picking on street folk.

And when you try
to steal me buggy,

I don't want nobody
to touch my stuff, eh?

You see this buggy?
I paid $2 for it.

And even when I sleep,
look here--

you see this?
They can't get it.

And if they try
I go right for the eye.

Mm-hmm, it got soap water
in it, you know.

You must buy
the generic kind, eh?

It's as good
as the name brand

- and it's cheaper.
- Really?

You have food
in there?

Yeah, sandwiches.
Here, why don't you
have one?

No no, I done had
my dinner already.

Take one for later.

No, I said
I had my dinner.

But you pups
is green, eh?

You mustn't keep food
where you're sleeping.

The rats will get it.

And when you
finish eating

you must wash off
your mouth good

and your hands too.
Otherwise they'll get you.

They just will nibble
your lip right off.

Look here.

I was aiming at one
when those snakes
snuck up.

One what?

The rat.

I was aiming at the rat
when the snakes snuck up.

You mean,
a rat near us?

Mm-hmm.
And listen to me.

You're gonna freeze
your tuches off

if you don't get
some cardboard

or a heating grate
to sleep on.

And you must wrap up
yourself in plastic, eh?

It keep you warm.

You better start thinking
out here, you know.

Out here is not
for the dumb.

When you move out
in the street

you becomes
an invisible man.

Who can help
a stinking old soul

when they have
the underwear ads

and the shops
for designer ice cream
to look at?

Hmm?
I go, see.

Take care.

- Hey, thanks again.
- Take care.

So young, so young,
so young.

Look at that.

Yeah, someone's here
at the ellipse.

We're gonna need
the coroner over here.

Old Esther Gore
has finally cashed it in.

Man over radio:
10-4.

We'll get you an ambulance
and some assistance.

You knew her?

She was practically
a landmark,

lived here
for years,

ever since
they let her out
of some institution.

All of us beat guys
tried to get her
to go inside.

No way.

Looks like
she froze to death.

It's too bad
somebody didn't
give her a blanket

when she could have
used one.

Eh, where are your manners
in the trees?

Come give me a hand.

Hey, Muriel.

Mm-hmm.

Come over here
and sit down.
I got the buggy.

I buy two of these,
you know.

I hide the other one
with my buggy

in the secretary
of treasury's garage.

Listen, the French embassy,
you see--

the French embassy--
they is having a sale.

You know, they're buying
new fridges

and I was first in line
for two of these.

Can you imagine
those movers?

They sell me these boxes--
old Muriel--

- for $7 apiece.
- $7?

You can pay me
when you get it, eh?

No no, we got it.
Harold's our banker.

You have the money?

Yeah.

How much did you say?

$7.

Here you go.

What is this?

$10.

$10. I have to
give you change.

No, you keep the change.

Oh, no no.
Muriel don't--

I don't mind you see
where I got it.

You're my friends,
both of you, eh?

But Muriel don't take
and she don't get taken.

I pay $7--
you pay $7.

Here's your
change-- $2.

Besides, officer summers
tell me

you're taking care
of me pal Esther.

You're claiming
she ashes, yes.

Yes, ma'am.

Mm-hmm.
Thanks.

Esther was crazy,
you know.

Oh, my, she was crazy,
but good.

But you see
what I mean?

You have to have something
to sleep in, hmm?

If you don't get
the frostbite,
it bites you.

Look here, you know,
I have some crayons.

You paint it
all pretty outside,

make it look nice--
I mean, if you like.

I like.
Thank you very much.

Come, son, you help me
get the other box, eh?

And listen, you take care
of me buggy, eh?

I don't want nobody
touching me stuff.

Oh, nobody will
touch it, I promise.

All right.
Go on, see.

It's over here.

Oh.
Hey.

Hello.

Boy, do you
smell gamey.

I wonder why.

- Where's Harold?
- He's taking a bath

at that gas station
down the block.
They're nice people.

They let street folks
use the radiator hose.

What do you got there?
Oh, wool socks.

Thank you.
My feet are freezing.

Come over here.
Sit down.

I would have
been here sooner,

but we had 40 people
for lunch.

I wish I knew
where they were all
coming from.

Institutions.
Nearly half these people
are mentally ill.

We used to
keep them in places
where they were cared for,

but since the courts
changed the law

they've been dumped out
on the streets

to protect
their civil rights
and save us a few bucks.

The other half
are alcoholics

or veterans
or unemployed

or just
plain poor people
like ida sinclair.

The temperature's
supposed to drop tonight.

So I hear.

I was thinking
that once we see
dudney leave,

why don't you come home
and get warm?

You can come back here
first thing in the morning

before he gets to work.

I told you
I'm not leaving
till we get a building.

You're not leaving.
You're just getting
warm for a while.

You know, ida was right.
We don't know the half of
what's going on out here.

We don't know a 10th.
This is where the homeless
live day and night.

We're sitting in their
living room right now.

We're not gonna learn
how to help them
by running back

to a warm shelter
as soon as it gets dark.

We won't help anybody
if you get sick
or freeze.

You're in no
physical condition.

You're half-blind.
Your doctor won't even
vouch for your heart.

My heart is sick
from what I'm seeing
out here.

I got news for you,
mahatma--

sitting on a sidewalk
and freezing to death

ain't gonna fix that.

I'm not leaving.

Mitch,

please.

I can't stand by
and watch you do this.

Nobody's asking you to.

One frozen activist,

a two-inch column
in "the post."

Who'll care?
Nobody.

If you keep
pushing me

you're gonna push me
right out of your life.

You gotta do
what you gotta do, Carol.

Damn you.

This is a relationship--

two in one, remember?

Yes!
And we both have

individual
responsibilities.

I'm sorry.
I can come back later.

No no no,
it's all right.

- Mr. Dudney, this is
Carol fennely.
- Hi.

I was wondering
if you wouldn't mind
coming up to the office

if it's convenient.

What, now?

Yeah.

Sure.

You'd better wait here
for Harold.

Try and stay warm.

So what about
a shelter?

I got Mrs. Sinclair
and her children
an apartment.

Oh, thank you.
Thank you very much.

I know she'll
appreciate that.

Now what about a shelter
for the homeless?

Look, I made some calls.

The city's already
providing over 400 beds
for the homeless.

I made some calls too
and my figures say
it's a lot less.

But most of those
are empty.

I don't know
who told you that,

but I know
you're smart enough
not to believe it.

All you gotta do is look
out the window and count
the people in that park.

Look, my job--
my job is to manage
city property,

not to manage
the homeless.
What do you want from me?

You know what I want.
That's why you have me
up here.

Okay.

Who was--

who was that guy?

Esther Gore
I know about, but--

his name is written
on the side of one
of those boxes.

Bill crowhurst.

He was a homeless man
living on a heating grate

in a triangle
on Pennsylvania Avenue.

A bus made
too wide a turn
and ran over him.

Mitch, I would really
like to help you.

It's just I don't know
what to do.

Yes, you do.
Give us a shelter.

I can't do that.
I'd lose my job.

No, you wouldn't.
You're a public servant.

Exactly. I am paid
to manage city property.

I'm just another cog
in the wheel of
the bureaucracy.

You're the bureaucracy.
I'm the bureaucracy.

Every man, woman and
child on this planet
is the bureaucracy.

We're hypnotized
and immobilized by it,

but bureaucracy
is nothing more than
the name of a system

that stops us from
being human beings.

You are better
than that system.

He's been in there
a long time.

There he is.

Come on.

We didn't get it,
right?

What?
What?

We got a building.

[ Laughing ]

What did you look
so sad for?

This is great.

I want to thank you
for coming over
to help us.

Oh, shoot.
The way I figure it,
that dudney person

would have done nothing
to help me find
an apartment

if it hadn't been
for you people.

The very least I can do
is help you fix up
your shelter.

Mitch, you're sitting
on the wallpaper.

Oh, no wonder I was
so uncomfortable.

You shouldn't have done it
without telling us.

I don't know, it sounds
like ida got a pretty good
place out of it.

I'm talking
about the windows.

Well, you can't
have a warm building
with broken windows.

That's not the point.
You spent all
of our money.

How are we gonna pay
for everything else?

What else
do we need?

Nail, shingles, lumber,

plumbing,
electric wire...

Food.

We had 60 people
for lunch yesterday.

Where are we gonna
find the money
to keep feeding

the people that show up
at our back door?

What I want to know is,
where are all those
people sleeping?

What if we asked
the churches?

- Ask 'em what?
- To open their doors

and let us use 'em
as temporary shelters,

at least until we get
this place finished.

Finished? How are
we gonna finish it

when you spent all our
money on the windows?

Why don't we make up
some baked potatoes
and tea?

At least
we can take it out
to warm up the people

if we can't
give them the roof.

By the way, you guys
are doing a terrific job.

Don't let me
get in your way.
You know what I mean?

Get in our way?

Hi, we're from
the c.C.N.V.

We got some baked potatoes
and some hot tea for you
if you like.

Got any heat?

Well, sure,
if you don't mind
crashing on our floor.

He doesn't mean "heat."

He means heat,
vino, moonshine.

Oh, no, I'm sorry.
We got none of that.

You should have stewed
these potatoes,
not baked them.

Here.

You can help yourself
out of here.

And take this garbage

and that brown water
with you

before I force it
right through your kidneys
the hard way.

C.e.t.a.,

H.U.D.,
c.c.n.v.--

you're a bunch of slimy,
skimming government pigs.

I can spell you all out
four ways in four letters.

The c.C.N.V.
Is the community for
creative non-violence.

We're not
a government agency.

We're just trying to help
and this is the best
we could do.

I'm sorry
to have bothered you.
Let's go.

Hey, you.

What's your name?

Mitch.

You can call me
potato face.

Hey, there's an old man
out there.

He's sick.

If you're for real
you can help him.

Come on.

Thank you.

Lord, if they could
just see what I see,

be what I've been,
I'd give it to 'em.

Excuse me, sir.
Don't be frightened.

We just want
to help.

Don't take me
to the hospital,
not there.

Last time
at the hospital

they made me so scared
I almost messed
on myself.

Why don't you come
to our place?

What you got there?

Some hospitality.

You can get warm
and we can change
that bandage.

It's okay.
We won't hurt you.

I'm Mitch.
That's Carol.

Hi.

[ Groans ]

As long as it ain't
the hospital.

Don't worry. Come on,
I'll give you a hand.

Up you go.
That's it.

"Feed my
little lambs,"

Jesus always
be saying.

Watch your footing.

- Woolly white
keeps them warm.
- That's it. Another one.

- Keeps them snug.
- One more.

That's it.
One last one.
You got it.

Our car's right
over there, see?

Come on,
you got it made.

- So what's your name?
- Reverend St. keys.

Take it easy.

You promised.
Now you're just gonna
change the bandage, right?

Did they give you
anything for this
at the hospital, reverend?

"Stay off your feet.
Be sure not to remain
outside at night."

And get this--
they list him with
no fixed address.

Living on the street

you get
feathers in your ears.
That's what I told them.

Told whom?

The white coats.

I told 'em,
"I'm not schizo,

and neither am I."

They put me away,

said living
on the streets
was crazy.

Then a new man come
and let us all out.

And you know
what I say?

Nuts.

You sound like a pretty
smart fellow to me.

Well, I may be crazy,

but I ain't stupid.

Mitch.

Excuse us a minute,
please.

- What?
- We've got to get him
to a doctor.

We promised
we wouldn't.

I know, but I think
he's got gangrene.

When I was changing
his bandage

his big toe
came off.

Oh, dear god.
We'll take him
right away.

- What time is it?
- Late.

Woman over P.A.:
Dr. Hefron to icu, please.
Dr. Hefron to icu.

Couldn't we at least
get him a bed?

We've been here
for over two hours.

Kamp--
Chris kamp.

Do you have your
insurance number?

Good.
Go right in there.

We were here
long before him.

I told you
all the rooms are full.

I know what's
going on here.

It's hands-off time.
Now is it because he
doesn't have any insurance

or is it because
he needs a bath?

What if he was
your father?

Where do you think
you're going?

To find a doctor.
This is a hospital,
isn't it?

Don't trouble
yourself, ma'am.
I know you're busy.

I'm sorry.
There isn't any more.

I'm sorry.

Man:
And if we're lucky,
kids,

and if the law does
what I think it will do,

there'll be
no school for you.
So what's the bottom line?

Ain't gonna be
no school

if they don't learn
the golden rule,

'cause earthquake,
wind and fire

is gonna blow this world
sky high, no lie.

We're calling
all the churches
in Washington.

We're building a shelter,
but it's not finished yet.

If we could just
get a few churches
to open their doors--

I'm sure you are
doing plenty,

but we all
could do more.

No no,
for the homeless.

Vagrants are
just people who--
never mind.

Good morning.

I got 70 people fed.
20 more showed up and
we ran out of food.

Excuse me, did anybody
find Muriel?

Harold's still
looking for her.

- Did you vote?
- Yeah.

Well, she's
a survivor.

You gotta look
on the bright side,
right?

I've been
calling all week
every single church,

synagogue and mosque
in the yellow pages.

Two have agreed
to open their doors.

That's
the bright side.

How are we gonna
feed all these people
breakfast tomorrow?

Day by day
the manna fell.

There's your answer.
I'm gonna look
for Muriel.

Oh, Mitch,

check the morgue.
It was in the paper--

three more people
froze to death.

Good evening,
reverend.

Keeping watch
over your flock
by night?

Did you find her?

No.

And he shall
give his angels
charge over thee

lest thou dash thy
foot against a stone.

That's a sign.

You saved my foot
when they was gonna
chop it off.

Good.
Maybe you can use it
to kick an angel for me--

one that delivers
groceries.

Oh, by the way,
I've been meaning
to ask you

why you wear those keys
around your neck.

That's my hobby.

Didn't you never had
no hobby?

[ Laughs ]

See you
in the morning.

Hey, Mitch,
somebody's at the door.

Coming.

Hi. My name's Andrew--
Andrew Jackson.

No relation.
You Mitch snyder?

Yeah, come in.

Ida sinclair told me
you could use some help.

My pickup's out back.
It's full of food.

I can fill it up
every day if you like.

And it's all yours.

Field goal!

Hey, Brussels sprouts.
I didn't know they still
made these.

And so many.

This is nothing.
The garbage
at the gourmet shop--

now that's some
serious food.

I've been feeding my kids
on gourmet-store-food trash
for over a year now.

Hey, you,
what the hell do you
think you're doing?

This ain't
no restaurant.

We're just taking
the garbage.

No, you're not.

Hey hey, come on.

Oh, okay,
take it easy.

We're out of here.

I don't want to see you
around here again.

Carol.
Carol.

Could you hand me
that pot?

A lot of
the food's good,

but if a can's dented
or the veggies look
a little tired,

stores can't
sell it.

Then they ought to be glad
that we're taking it
off their hands.

They should be.
They give it away

and they get a big
tax break for it.

Some stores have
programs for it.

But others-- they think
it's dangerous--

something about
insurance problems.

And since technically
it's their food

till it hits
the garbage trucks--

see, technically
we're stealing.

Yeah, but if we
told the stores
what's going on,

if they knew that
people are actually
going hungry--

wait wait wait.

Bottom of the ninth.
The old team is out.

[ Cheering ]
The election results.

We're hoping
this new mayor
has his eyes open

to what's going on
in this town.

Mitch,

I think you'd better
come with me.

I think you all
better come with me.

Carol.

Excuse me.

Our shelter--
they tore down
our shelter.

How?
Why?

Why did they
do this?

What difference
does it make?
They did it.

I guess they really
decided to get
tough with us.

What a vicious,
spiteful thing to do.

What are we
gonna do now?

Where are we gonna put
all those people?

Here.

Hey.

Sorry, fellows.
We're only doing our job.

Okay, you fellows
move along now.
They don't want you here.

Where do they want us?

Come on, let's go.

Muriel:
Smart boy.

Keep your head warm.
Keep your body light.

Muriel, where the hell
have you been?

We've been looking
all over for you.

The d.A. Had
a wingding

and miss aster asked me
to be decoration on top
of the cake.

- [ Both laugh ]
- Good to see you.

Step into my office.

Oh, yes, it looks
very warm here.

It is warm.

I also bring
some tea.

Good deal.

You know,

I went
to the post office
to pick up a check

and then I went
to the hotel.

When I get me social
security check, see,

those posters look
damn good to me.

Thank you.

Expensive, eh?

$23 a night,
the damn thief.

They got you
by the naughties.

What?

They got you
by the naughties.

How we used to pay
first month's rent

and last
month's rent, eh?
We don't have it.

I heard they knocked
your house down.
I'm sorry.

Oh, no no,
not my house.
It was yours.

We were fixing it up
for the homeless.

Well, that's the second
time then.

What do you mean?

I had my beauty parlor
in my house

for 42 years.

Then along come
the road workers.
Progress they call it.

They knock it down.

It wasn't much,

an old shop,
but it was mine, eh?

They never did build
the damn road.

Hey, you'd better
get moving.

It's clean sweep time.

What do you mean?

They're covering up
the grates.

When the neighborhood
gets too crowded

there's too many of us
hanging out,

they lock up
the heaters.

The birds of the air
have nests.

The foxes have holes.

But a son of mine
have no place to lay
his head.

Where to now?

I know.
Give me a hand.

All right.

There you go.

Help me
with this stuff.

Well, this is
a federal office.

It seems to me
that your business
is with the city.

That's like playing
one-man ping-pong.

There's no time
for games.

It's winter now.
People are freezing.

They need a roof,
any roof.

We want the national
visitors' center.

Well, why think so small?
Why not ask for
the Pentagon?

Come on, you and I
both know

that center's nothing
but a big white elephant.

This office is not
about to turn over

a multimillion-dollar
investment to a bunch
of street people.

An investment
that's totally wasted.

If you ask me,
that center is nothing
but an empty train station

with locks
on the doors.

Just give us
one of the side rooms.
At least it'll get some use.

It's warm.
It's accessible, logical--

it is not
a federal problem.

What if it were
your parents out there?

As I said, it's not
a federal problem.

I'm sorry.

Now if you'll excuse me,

I have a luncheon.

I think you ought to know
we plan on moving in

whether you give us
your approval or not.

Then you and your
homeless people

run the risk
of being arrested.

Fine.

At least in jail
they won't freeze to death.

Sad, isn't it,

that in this
incredibly rich country
that's what it takes?

What the hell is this?
We can't stay here.

My friend Carol is meeting
with a very powerful lady
in this agency,

trying to get them
to give us a shelter.

Give us?
What's in this for you?

One thing you learn out here
is that everybody's out
to get something.

I don't know
what you're out to get,
but I'm watching you, boy.

Take it easy,
will you?

Here she comes.
Carol.

- How did we do?
- It was a total
head-on collision.

We gotta think up
a new strategy.

- Is she still there?
- Yeah.

All right, fine.
We're all going in
to see her together.

Mitch.

Diane fisk,
Mitch snyder.

- How do you do, ma'am?
- Hello.

Uh, the c.C.N.V.--
How many belong?

Well, there's--

never mind.
Look, do me a favor--

cancel this demonstration
before the press gets here.

We still won't give you
the visitors' center,

but we won't not give it
to you either.

What do you mean?

Let's just say that
for the next few days

when you get there
the doors won't be locked.

Is it a deal?

All right, it's a deal.
Thanks very much.

[ Crowd chattering ]

Bless you.
Bless you.

It's a start.

Shh, come on, baby.

Come on, have this
little water.

What's the baby name?

J.r.

- J.r.
- Come on, j.R.

Have a little
more water.

Where you get
such a name from?

I named him
after "Dallas"
so he wouldn't have

to take nothing
off no one.

Hmm.

I was scared to death
worrying about you.

Did you find out
what happened
to the Van?

Not yet.

Got some milk, though.
Warmed it up too.

Come on.
Come on.

Then if this
isn't from the money
hid under the seat--

oh, honey,

you didn't sell any more
blood, did you?

Billy, honey,
you can't do that
no more.

You gotta promise me.

You run out of fuel--
you stop.

Then what are we
gonna do?

Listen.

Your children
have anything against
black people and hippies?

Hmm?

Muriel, how are
you doing?

We got a cot
back there for you.

You have someplace
to put me shopping cart
and me buggy?

- Yeah.
- It'll be safe?

- It'll be safe.
- I don't want nobody
to touch my stuff.

Nobody will touch
your stuff.

Carol:
So what happened
to you guys?

Well, we thought
we were set.

Billy's daddy
left him the farm.

Then up comes this
government farm official,

tells us
how to refinance

and use the money
to improve.

Then grain prices drop.

Instead of improving,
we lost it all.

I came up here
looking for work.

It's just like Iowa.
There's nothing.

Back home

you don't even talk
to black people.

Then up comes
this lady

out of nowhere.

I wouldn't have
done it for her.

Muriel understands.

She's homeless too.

We're not homeless.
We just don't have
no place to live.

- Right in here.
- Yeah, I got it.

You got it?
Okay, that's it.

- Get the faces
and then pan over here.
- [ Crowd chattering ]

Keep it going.
That's right.

Man:
Turn that light off.

You don't--
no, it's okay.
It's okay.

Come here, get this
guy over here.

I'm gonna
get out of here.

I don't want my family
to see me on no news.

Damn creeps.
I knew there'd be
a price.

Come on.
Come on, boy.

You promised.
You said we come here--

there wouldn't be
no pictures.

That's what
they told me.

Come on.

There's a lesson
in this--

never trust anyone
that's sober.

[ Laughs ]

Forget them scumballs.

You know the right way
to get on TV?

We get all cleaned up

and then get on one
of them game shows.

With my luck,
I'll probably win
a dining-room set.

You're more like
the washer-dryer type
to me.

I got a mission
on 2nd and d.

You can quote me.

See, here's the key.

Sir, how long have you
been homeless?

St. Peter's pearly gates
need a roof.
Don't you know?

I'm sure they do.

Then take the tower
of babel and beat it.

You don't need it.

Where are
you guys going?

No pictures,
you promised.

Hang on a second.

- Max.
- Hi, Mitch.
How are you doing?

What the hell
do you think
you're doing here?

What does it look
like I'm doing?

Look, this may not
seem like much to you,
but this is their home.

And you don't barge
in somebody's home
and stick a camera

in front of their face
without asking for
their permission.

- I'm just trying to help.
- I'm not sure if you're
trying to help

or you just want a story.
Another time in
another place.

Thank you.

I'm very sorry,
ladies and gentlemen.
Please forgive me.

It won't happen again.
It's an unfortunate
mistake.

- Are you okay, son?
- Tom, what's the matter?
Grab him.

Oh oh, easy easy.

He's not drunk.
He's sick.

He needs a hospital.

All right,
let's get him to one.

Up you go.
Come on, buddy.

Come on.

Woman over P.A.:
Security to west exit, please.
Security to west exit.

- Here you go, Jess.
- Thanks.

Do you really think
he's going to be okay?

We'll make sure of it.
Don't worry.

I hate it when you
care about people.

I really hate it.

Yeah, I know
how it feels.

Do you?

Sure.
I was married once
and I have two sons.

If anything
ever happened
to one of them--

well, Tom's not
your son,

but you care for him
like a son, right?

What happened to 'em?

Your wife and kids,
I mean.

Oh, they're in New York.
She's remarried.

They're very happy.
We're friends now.

But when
we were together
I had a big job

on Madison Avenue
making lots of money,

but I couldn't
make it work inside.

I hated my life.

It was contagious.

I woke up one morning
in a cold sweat.

I knew I had
to change direction.

- She kicked you out, eh?
- No no no, I kicked
myself out.

I decided to take
some time off

and try to get
my head together.

I was hitchhiking
across country

with this guy who,
unbeknownst to me,

had rented the car
with a stolen
credit card.

We got busted.
I got two years

in danbury prison
in Connecticut.

And that's where
I met the berrigans.

The priests?
The activists?

You know them?

Yeah yeah, I've read
some of their stuff.

Well, Dan and Phil
berrigan

were my cell-mates
for two years--

the most important
two years of my life.

They taught me
to accept the cup
as offered, not altered,

and to turn my own
personal pain

into something
positive.

And to do it
through community.
So when I came out--

okay okay, I don't need
any more lectures.

I'm sorry.

So what's
your story?

It's boring,
b-movie type.

I'd really like
to hear it.

Yeah, you and
Walter cronkite.

You want some advice?

Don't ask
a person like me
about their past.

They don't want
to remember,

just want to get
through the day.

Here's his
prescription.

After you fill it
I'd like you to--

how is he gonna fill
a prescription when he
doesn't have any money?

Take it easy, Jessie.
We'll work it out.

Do what you can do.

Thanks, doc.

Woman on P.A.:
Nurse Hanks, pick up
line three, please.

Nurse Hanks,
line three.

Did you know
that Tom would qualify

for his assistance checks
if he had an address?

But in order to qualify
he has to get
a damn address.

You can use
our address, okay?

Now listen to me.
The most important thing
right now

is for you to keep up
your spirits for him.
You hear me?

Tom:
Jessie! Jessie!

Jessie!
Jessie!

Get me out of here.

The curtain-- I peeked
behind the curtain.

Sammy Taylor
is in there.

They put me in a room
with Sammy Taylor.

Keep your
spirits up, eh?

See why it's easy
to pour 'em through
the neck of a bottle?

I made your tea

just the way
you like it--
nice and sweet.

Thank you.

How was
the take today?

Not so good.
A lot of the markets

have started putting locks
on their dumpsters.

What are you doing?

Making a cross
for Sammy Taylor.

Who's that?

A friend
of a friend.

He's being
cremated today.

I want you showered

and ready to go
in 20 minutes.

There's a capra festival
playing downtown.

Sorry, I'm too busy.

This is
non-negotiable.

All right, you win.
What's playing?

"It's a wonderful life."

Hey, thanks, Carol.
That was fun.

I haven't been
to a movie in years.

You want to go
to another?

There's a new
Fonda picture
playing in Georgetown.

Let's check out
the visitors' center first.

I just want to make sure
Mary Ellen and Harold

have got everything
under control.

You can't
throw these people
out on the streets.

We have permission
to be in there.

They've got
nowhere else to go.

What is this?

Hey, Doug,
what's happening here?

Talk to the man
at the door.
I don't know.

What's going on,
guys?

Excuse me, fellows.
Excuse me.

Hey, what's
going on here?

We're locked out.

Why?

Department of interior
put their foot down,

said they were
getting complaints from
train station passengers.

Oh, that's just
wonderful.

It's supposed to drop
30° out tonight.

What are we
supposed to do,
sit on sticks

and play popsicle?

What about our stuff--
our cots, our coffee urn?

What about our stuff?

Look, I'm sorry.
I don't know.

Sweetheart,
I leave me buggy

and me shopping cart
inside.

Can I go get it?

Look, I'm sorry.
I think it got
tossed out.

Tossed?

What do you mean,
tossed?

Look, I'm sorry.

They throw away
my stuff?

You mean, you throw away
my stuff?

Lord, they--
they throw--

- it's all right.
- They throw away
my stuff.

All right, if they're
gonna send us

back out
onto the streets,

we're gonna pick
the spot!

[ Car horns honking ]

What, are these
people nuts?

Looks like there's
gonna be trouble.

- You'd better go
call it in.
- Yeah.

♪ We shall overcome

♪ we shall
overcome ♪

♪ we shall overcome

♪ someday

♪ oh, deep in my heart

♪ I do believe

♪ we shall overcome

♪ someday...

We'll walk
hand in hand!

♪ We'll walk hand in hand

♪ we'll walk
hand in hand ♪

♪ we'll walk hand in hand

♪ someday

♪ oh, deep in my heart

♪ I do believe

♪ we'll walk
hand in hand ♪

♪ someday...

We are not afraid!

Man:
We have too much
and we're hoarding it...

- Max, thanks for coming.
- You promised me
an exclusive, Mitch.

Sorry, buddy, I lied.
Don't worry about it.

They're using cheese

as landfill
in Tennessee--

tons.

The wrapping
falls apart

or it just sits there
until it rots.

And why not?

The government surpluses
are astronomical.

Miss hombs,
would you tell us
what they are, please?

The estimates
for 1983--

over 700 million lbs
of butter,

over a billion lbs
of cheese...

You got any
spare change?

...almost two million
lbs of rice

and almost
two billion lbs
of non-fat dry milk.

For you, Mitch--
anything.

Thanks, pal. Stick around.
The main event's coming up.

It's costing
$1 million a day--
$1 million a day

just to store
this stuff.

I say we save
some money

and we save
some lives.

We start
giving it away.

And look at this--

perfectly good food...

While there are people

all over the country

all over the world,

who are going hungry.

- Woman: Good for you.
- [ Camera shutter clicking ]

Yes, hello.

Is this
the executive office
of Bob's market chain?

Yeah, well, listen, sir,
I don't know what
to make of it,

but there's
a bunch of people
in the garbage dumpster

behind your store
on 8th street.

Yes, sir, that's correct.
And I just thought you'd
want to know about it.

Oh, not at all, sir.
Just doing my
Christian duty.

Thank you, sir.
Have a nice day.

It's common decency

and it's good
stewardship.

At least if it's
getting tossed,

why not toss it
to some hungry people?

Food banking--
that's the idea,

passing on
excess products

to people who are
really needy.

But not enough stores

are doing that now.

I mean,
even as we speak,

this chain
of supermarkets

are putting locks
on all their dumpsters.

It's their food.

I'm sure they have
every legal right.

What the hell
is going on here?

Hey, you,
get out of there.

Yeah, you.
I told you
to get out of there.

- That's my garbage.
- Who are you?

Bob's markets.
And I'm Bob.

Get him out of there.

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

Hi, Pete stark--
congressman Pete stark.

How do you do?

Bob, why do you keep
the dumpsters locked?

- Well, i--
- sir, are you aware

of how much good food
you're throwing out?

Well, the dogs,
the rodents--

I couldn't resist
the urge to call him.
I hope you don't mind.

Mind?
You're helping me
to help people

and I get
to look good besides.

What more could
a politician want?

I don't know.
We called every office
on the hill

and you're the only one
that showed up.

Anything I can do
to help.

What would
the health department
say about it?

You think it's healthy
for people to go hungry?

- Well, I can't just
give this garbage away.
- Why not?

Well, overhead.
I mean, company policy.

You're the company, Bob.

There is one more thing
you could do.

How about a lunch?

Well, let's make sure
the reporters are
taken care of first.

No, not now.

I mean later,
for the whole congress.

If you could help us
organize it

I'd like to feed them
some of the things we get
out of the dumpsters,

get some of those
heads on the hill
out of the clouds.

What do you say?

That's a very
interesting idea.

And you haven't tasted
Carol's cooking yet.

She'll give them a meal
and I'll give them
a message.

Let's talk about that.

Okay.

It's called jicama.

It's like a Mexican potato.
It's very sweet.

Do you like it?

Do you believe
it all came out
of the trash?

It was just gonna be
wasted, thrown away.

Nice talking to you.

This is unbelievable.
This is garbage?

Oh, yeah, we feed
hundreds of people
every day on this trash.

It gives new meaning
to the term "junk food."

Seriously, senator,
you know, 10 people
froze to death last winter.

And even
with the new shelter
it's like a flood--

every day there are more
and more people.

So we need more shelters.
It's as simple as that.

Listen, you want
my advice?

Stick to these
food stunts.
Everybody loves food.

You know, this quiche
isn't bad.

Hey, Pete, you know
that surplus cheese
you were telling me about?

Let's talk
to our committee,
give some of it away.

Great idea.

Thank you, senator.

You know that guy
has the clout to set up

a congressional hearing
on homelessness?

We've been thinking
local, Carol. We gotta
start thinking of ways

to focus on the problem
all over the country.

Mitch, meet
Susan baker.

- How do you do, ma'am?
- Hello.

- Carol fennely.
- Carol.

Her husband's Jim baker,
the president's
chief of staff.

And Susan is involved
as a spokesperson

for people
in the private sector

who want
to help the homeless.

And this is
Melvin mander.

How are you, sir?

It's nice to meet you.

- Carol.
- Hello.

Mel is part
of a special task force

being formed in
the department of h.H.S.

The idea is to match
surplus government food

and property
to needy situations.

Good deal.
We need all the help
we can get.

What are you guys
doing here?

Why aren't you in
the Pierce street shelter?

We would be,
but it's full.

All will come
unto thee

ye broken lambs...

Ye lost sheep

of the true house
of Israel.

I go to prepare
a place for you.

I go to prepare a place
for all of you.

Mitch, my mission
on d street.

You'd think by now
the task force

would come up
with something.

Hallelujah.
Hallelujah!

Hey, reverend, old buddy,
keep it down, will you?

God's not deaf.

The lord healed
my foot,

yet they did not
believe.

He brought manna
in a truck

for the multitudes,

and still
they would not believe.

In my father's house

there are
many mansions.

And there's a great
big one downtown--

my mission
on d street

right next to
the big hotel!

We ought to
check this out.

Lead on, reverend.

Here you go.
Come on.

This is my place.

My mission.

My mission.

This is the place

of my mission.

Nearer, my god,
to thee--

at last I got
to 2nd and d.

Let me find
this key.

My oh me,
here we be.

[ Chuckles ]

- There it is.
- Yeah, you did it.

- Carol: Good.
- Beauty.

Perfect.

It's big enough.
It's centrally located.
It's vacant.

It's sold.
Or at least it will be
by April 25.

So?
This is December.

We only need it
between now and then.

The utilities, Mitch--
they'll cost

at least
$5,000 a month.

We'll pay them.
All we need is a key.

Actually we don't even
need that.

The plumbing, the roof--
it's unsafe.

We'll fix it up.

We'll give it back
in better shape
than we got it.

Hey, look,
in a few days
it'll be Christmas.

Please, just call them
and ask.

We already did.

Ask again.

Why don't you

try it one more time,
Mel, eh?

All right.

Thank you.

Mitch, $5,000 a month?

We don't even have 5¢.

Where are we gonna
get the money
to fix it up?

Margaret? Yeah, it's
Melvin mander again.

They say they'll pay
for everything.

It's Christmas, Margaret.
Come on.

What do you say
we make some room
at the inn, huh?

Thanks.
Bye.

She says they gotta
make some repairs...

But you can have it
in three or four weeks.

All right.

Thank you.

All right.

Now what do we do
in the meantime?

Reporter:
In other news tonight,
Mitch snyder,

locally famous
for hunger strikes
and other activism

on the part of the poor,
finally had something

to cheer about
this Christmas season.

We are very happy
to announce that the homeless
of Washington

are getting
a temporary shelter
on 2nd and d street,

but unfortunately,
this shelter won't be ready
for several weeks.

And we just learned
that the temperature's

supposed to drop
20° tonight.

That means some people
could freeze to death.

And we have whole families
out here now-- men, women
and little children.

So we need your help.
We need your ideas. We need
your prayers.

I guess
what we really need
is a Christmas miracle--

a miracle
on 2nd street.

We want to thank you
for what you've
already done

and wish you
a merry Christmas.

That's a nice piece
Max did.

- Max: Miracles do happen.
- Let's hope it answers
our prayers.

This is Max gunning,
wxdc evening news.

- [ Phone ringing ]
- I got it.

C.c.n.v.,
Mitch snyder.

Oh, no.

Yeah, I'm all right.

Okay, thanks, Mona.
I'll be right down.

That was Mona Sanderson
at the morgue.

Uh, they've got an old
black lady down there

with a red Christmas corsage
and they think it's Muriel.

They want me
to come down
and identify her.

I'll go.

No, it's all right.
I said I'd go.

♪ Let us adore him...

Muriel!

Stop it.
[ Shouting ]

You crazy or what?
Let me go.

I'm too old
for such foolishness.

You crazy or what?

You see, the coroner's
office called

and they said
that they had found a lady

with a red corsage
like yours

and we thought that--

you stupid.

You mean this?
You stupid.

I make one like this
every time this year.

Must be about 9,000
old black ladies
down there

with the same
kind of corsage
this time of year.

♪ Oh, come,
let us... ♪

♪ Adore him

- [ phone ringing ]
- ♪ oh, come

♪ let us adore him...

Merry Christmas.

And what is it?

Mitch, some crackerbox
wants to loan you
a miracle.

Max:
All right, here we go.

The hotel presidential,
once the stately home

of Washington's
fanciest dinner parties,

soon to be the victim
of the wrecker's ball--

yet this Christmas Eve
marks the final

and perhaps the most
moving chapter

for this
famous landmark.

Last night's
"on the spot" segment

reported the please
of Mitch snyder

who asked for
a Christmas miracle,

a miracle
on 2nd street.

Enter a real-estate tycoon,
Oliver t. Carr,

who loaned his
soon-to-be-demolished
property

as his Christmas gift
to the homeless.

Yes, Virginia,
there is a Santa claus.

But his heart
doesn't stop here.

Cars are lining up
around the block

with people dropping off
food and clothing,

restaurateur Dominique's
has sent his limo

with 10 cases
of his famous
senate bean soup.

Volunteers are doing
temporary repairs

and offering to cook
Christmas dinners.

Woodie's department store
delivered

nearly 200 blankets

and the U.S. government
sent 500 army cots.

And what do
the homeless

have to say
about all this?

Merry Christmas!

This is Max gunning,
w.X.D.C. Evening news.

- There's no heat.
- What do you mean,
there's no heat?

It's a holiday.
They're booked solid.

- They said they'd
be here tomorrow morning.
- Tomorrow's too late.

Boys, let me tell you
we've just ordered
some heating oil.

My people are gonna
have it delivered
within an hour.

- Oh, thanks, Oliver.
That's great.
- We're gonna be warm.

You bet.
Thanks again.

Now what are we
gonna do about these holes
from the air conditioners?

We'll staple them up
with everything
we've got--

plastic bags,
cardboard boxes.
We got 30 more rooms to go.

You got enough
volunteers?

- Yeah.
- Good deal.
Keep it up.

All the clothes
go over here.

If you've got any food,
it goes downstairs.

And thanks very much,
all of you.

Mitch, would you
stop acting like
such a little general

and relax?

I am relaxed.
What's this?

It's a piece of Holly.
Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you.

Come help me hang
some mistletoe.

Merry Christmas.

Hi there.

Susan, hey,
thanks for coming.

I want to give you
something for your
new shelter, Mitch.

Merry Christmas.

Oh, thank you.
Merry Christmas to you.
God bless.

People are good.
They'll respond once they
know there's a problem.

Yeah, that's the problem.

Look there--
cracked crab and caviar.

[ Giggles ]

The Arabian embassy
sent that over.

And you see that
old lady over there?
That's Muriel.

She was a beautician
most of her life.

You'll look real pretty.
You have to look pretty,
you know, this Christmas.

If you treat people
like people,

they'll act
like people.

Boy, I wish this place
were permanent, you know?

This is what we hope
to accomplish with
the real shelter.

Come on, meet some
of these folks.

What you asked Santa.

Yeah, open it up.

Gloria,
merry Christmas.

Say hello
to Mrs. Baker.

Yes, I got that.
And I understand.

And I said
I'd take care of it
later, okay?

Thank you very much.
Bye-bye.

Man:
Our clothes
have been stolen.

You said it was safe here.
We've come here.

Now what are you
gonna do about it? Our clothes have been stolen...

- Mitch: All right,
all right...
- Snyder. Snyder.

Hey, snyder,
I told you before,

this building was not
to be opened till we had
an inspection.

And what's that gonna prove?
It's a damn fire trap and
everybody knows it.

I don't have the money
to fix it up and I don't know
where I'm gonna get the money.

- What's the problem there?
- It's that pipe I was
telling you about.

It's what's left
of the second-floor
toilets.

See what I mean?

I am having
a very bad day.

And I'm not gonna
spend any more of it
fighting with you guys.

If you want
to move us out, fine.
But if you do,

I'm moving
700 homeless people
onto your front lawn.

That's not a threat.
It's a promise.

Now if you'll excuse me,
I've gotta go fix
the toilet.

Hey, man,
my old lady here--
she's pregnant.

- I gotta get a place for her.
- Yeah, I'll talk to you
about that.

Hey, Mitch, listen,
we gotta get a ramp
outside.

I can't get this
wheelchair up them steps
without help.

Where we gonna go
on April 1st, hero?

We gotta be out of here
by April 1st, right?

Mitch, look,
I can't fix this pipe.
We have to get a plumber.

Give me a minute
to be alone,
okay, guys?

Dear god,
whatever happened
to Christmas?

You can't
throw 700 people
out in the street.

- You just can't do it.
- April 1st--

you knew you had to be
out of that shelter
by April 1st.

Yes, and I appreciate
the extension very much,
believe me I do,

but let's get
something straight--
it is not a shelter.

It's a holding tank.
And besides,

even a constitution
has amendments.

Look, if you take that
building away from them
they'll have no place to go.

- How did we get into this mess?
- Don't you think I'm asking
myself that?

You have no idea
how bad it is
down there.

We are
so short of staff
and so exhausted

that half the time
we're walking around
like zombies.

There are three toilets
for 700 people.

But still,
it is all they have

and I can't take it
away from them.
I won't.

Well, if you don't
you will wreck

whatever little
credibility

we are gaining
with the government.

Mitch, you're not
lone ranger.

We're trying
to help people

all across this country.
What about them?

What about them?
The capital of
the United States

should be
an example for the rest
of the country.

What about the $8 million
the d.O.D got? Why can't
that money be used

to fix up the building,
make it a model shelter?

Because a] The d.O.D.
Spent the money

rehabilitating
military installations,
and b]--

they spent
homeless people's money

on military
installations?

Not so fast.
They rehabilitated those
barracks for the homeless.

But that's not the point.
The point is that you and
your people have to get out.

Mitch:
How does this sound?

"Initiative: That
the city be required

to provide shelter
that is accessible,
safe and sanitary

and has an atmosphere
of reasonable dignity."

Sounds great.

Good.
We gotta get it
on the ballot

and get the voters
behind it.

We'll kick
the whole thing off
with a march

to protest the closing
of the shelter and to launch
the initiative.

With the presidential
election in November?

That's gonna be tough.
The press will be
more interested

in interest rates
and the arms race

than food and shelter
for the homeless.

Yeah, you're
probably right.

Remind me
to call the president

and ask him to reschedule
the election.

- I'm gonna go on a fast.
- No.

Yeah, it's the only way.

If I don't go on a fast
nobody'll pay
any attention

to the initiative
or the shelter.

We've got
to get these people
a decent place to live.

You don't fight battles
on two fronts.

You're fighting
on about eight.

The initiative
will take a lot of work.
You'll need your strength.

If it passes,
you won't need to fast.

If it doesn't, you can
kill yourself next year.

I don't expect you
to understand.

And I don't
even expect you
to believe it's right.

But I cannot not do this.
And I cannot make
another cross.

And I cannot carry
another one,

not yours.

I will not stay here
and watch you commit
slow suicide.

And what about
the congressional hearings?

You insensitive,
manipulative bastard.

You promised.
You said you'd help.

All right.

I said I'd help
and I will.

I'll stay till after
the congressional hearings.

In the meantime,
I suggest that you
and that ego of yours

have a heart-to-heart
with god.

I thought the idea was
saving lives,

not taking them.

First, an accurate
approximation
of the issues.

That's Paramount.

Next, if we can
utilize

the regional aspects
and personnel

rather than placing
the entire

burden of responsibility
on the federal government.

The question is
who pays what share?

The management,
the coordination,

the running of these
programs

in terms of the cost
of these programs should be
a shared cost.

- How long have we
been here?
- Too long.

Four hours.

...believe that
the federal government
ought to do more.

Now I wish
to acknowledge

the significant
contribution

made by a number
of individuals

both in subcommittee
and in the administration.
I understand--

excuse me, senator.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the press,

these people come last
365 days a year.

I think it's
the ultimate insult

that they should
come last today.
If you want to hear

about homelessness,
come out in the hall.
We'll give you an earful.

Just a minute.

Things have run

a little longer
than expected,

but I guess we can hear
from your folks now.

Thank you, senator.

The chair calls...
Muriel.

All right, darling.

Let me tell you
something,

Mr. Big-wig senator--

there's nothing worse

than being old
and ugly

except to be
old and ugly

- and homeless.
- [ Laughter ]

You laughing?

You think
it's funny

not to have a place

to lay your head
at night,

especially
in the cold,

or to have food
to put in your stomach

when you're hungry,

or medicine
when you are ill?

I don't born here.

I come here
from the west indies.

But I'm a naturalized
citizen

and I work hard
all my life.

I don't deserve this.

You too

someday may be old.

We have to take care
of our old people.

We still have
something to give.

Don't take us
and throw us away

like a dirty
dish rag.

Because you may be
throwing away yourself.

Thank you.

[ Applause ]

I got shot up
in 'nam

and then misfiled
my papers,

so I don't get
my disability.

I had to leave
my wife and my kids,

or they wouldn't qualify
for welfare.

I can't find a job.

We all got
the same story.

Three or four
solid slugs to the gut,

and it knocks you
in the street.

And then you're
so busy surviving

that you don't
get a chance

to get
on your feet.

The chair calls
Mitch snyder

from the community
for creative non-violence.

These are
the cremated remains
of a human being,

a man known only
as John Doe,

who froze to death
on the streets,

homeless and alone.

Let the ashes and bones
of this dead man

provide the framework
for all I have to
say here.

Something
must be done.

In the words of
father Daniel berrigan,

such deaths are criminal--
a capital punishment

inflicted on the helpless
and innocent.

People must cry out!

Lives must be saved.
It's as simple as that.

Imagine, if you can,
several million refugees

moving slowly
across this land.

A ragged, retreating army
of men, women
and children,

all wounded
to some degree
in body and spirit,

searching endlessly
for all the prerequisites,

the necessities of life--
food, clothing, shelter
and work.

These are this nation's
untouchables,

America's disposable
servants,

the destitute homeless
on a forced march
to nowhere.

Far away
in another part
of America

the cry is heard,
"they're there
by choice.

They could get jobs
if they wanted to.

And what about
the moochers and
welfare cheats,

living off the fat
of the land?"

Ladies and gentlemen,
the fat of this land
has become a garbage can.

How can people
living on the streets
be on welfare?

You've got to have
a fixed address
to qualify.

And all the homeless
are employed.

It's a full-time job
trying to find a meal
and a place to sleep.

Why then
are they there?

And why are their
numbers increasing
so rapidly?

There may very well
of course be

as many reasons
as there are homeless,
but chief among them

is an increasingly
conservative mood
in this country

coupled with deep
corresponding cuts
in social spending.

There is
the deinstitutionalization

of our nation's
mental health system.

There is unemployment,
inflation, recession.

There is
the breakdown of traditional
social structures,

family relationships
and responsibilities.

There is the shortage
of affordable housing.
The list goes on and on.

And god only knows
how many old people

have been gypped
out of their pensions

or urban-renewaled
out of their homes,

or how much bureaucratic
red tape has wrapped people
into mummies.

But the homeless
have no political power.

They rarely
vote or consume.
They're not organized.

Statistically speaking,
they hardly exist.

The fact is, homelessness
is unamerican.

It goes
against our grain.

By and large,
the homeless are thought of
as a bunch of losers,

because the basic
fabric of this country

continues to say,
"anyone can win anything."

And perhaps
the final blow is,

we think
because we pay taxes

we're absolved
from any responsibility.

Well, obviously,
something is very
very wrong.

And what is wrong is

the destitute homeless
are missing persons,

absent from our
consciousness,

from our deliberations,
from our daily lives.

We have placed a wall
between ourselves

and those
that have no place
to lay their heads,

and that wall
must come down.

The homeless
demand shelter,
not excuses.

They demand dignity,
not the demeaning

that comes from
sleeping on sidewalks
and heating grates.

They demand
that here and now

in the wealthiest nation
on the face of the earth

basic shelter
be recognized

as an absolute
and basic human right.

If a major earthquake
struck this country

and several million people
were instantly
made homeless,

we know
that the great compassion
of the American people

would mobilize
to provide food,
clothing,

shelter and comfort
to all in need.

Well, damn it,
this is a major
earthquake!

We have come here
to educate, to incite,
to plead--

to do anything
in our power

to encourage you
to do everything
in your power

to rid this nation
now and for all time

of this horrible
human tragedy.

And if you act
intelligently,

if you act compassionately,
if you act quickly,

you can make
a very great difference.

And that is
the expectation
and the hope,

that is the prayer
that we lay before you

at the tomb
of the unknown homeless.

Thank you.

Carol's voice:
I will not stay and watch
you commit slow suicide.

In the meantime,
I suggest you and
that ego of yours

have a heart-to-heart
with god.

I thought the idea was
saving lives,

not taking them.

Mitch's:
"Greater love hath no man
than this,

than a man
lay down his life
for his friend."

I hear you, lord.

I'm scared.

I really don't want
to do this.

[ Door opens ]

Mitch,

you got your extension.
They're not moving us out.

Now that they're
letting us stay
in the shelter...

Are they gonna
fix it up?

No, but we've gotten
some calls from several
of the churches,

and now with the work
on the initiative...

[ Moans ]

Mitch, you've got
to eat.

It's been 42 days.

No.

No more patchwork.

No more races
against winter.

All I want to see
is a place

where people can live
like people.

A decent shelter--
that's all I ask.

I won't watch them
say the last rites.

[ Door closes ]

The lord is my Shepherd.

I shall not want.

So lead me, lord,

prepare us a table
before me--

table 10 commandments.

Read all about it
in the reading room.

Woman:
We'd like your support.

Got bottled water
and a water cooler.

Woman:
Thank you very much.

Hey, we got over
1800 signatures today.

The whole town's gotten
behind this initiative.

- All right!
- That calls
for a celebration.

We got any soda pop?

Soda pop?

There is a man
upstairs dying,

betting his life
that people will
care enough

to see
what's causing it,
and all we've done

is get a few
crummy signatures

on that damned
stupid petition!

So what do you care?
You're leaving.

Hey, lighten up,
Harold.

No, I will not
lighten up.

Mitch is
my friend too.

Did you really think
you're the only one
in this house

who cares about him?

Nobody will pay
any attention to us

unless Mitch
goes further
than his last fast.

Look, the whole idea is

that once
the initiative passes--

he'll be dead
by then.

He almost died
the last time,

and that was
40 days.

It will be 52
by the election.

That's not our fault.

Carol, it is
Mitch's choice.

Damn you,
Mitch snyder!

I'm gonna go
see Diane.

Mr. Bishop, look,
we don't have much time.

If we don't do something
Mitch snyder will be dead
in two days.

Now I am begging you,
if you could just--

I'd like to, really,
but my hands are tied.

[ Moaning weakly ]

Hi, honey.

Hi.

- How are you doing?
- I'm okay,

except I'm gonna sue
my Barbie doll.

Growing up--

life didn't turn out
to be as I expected.

Who's there?

Hi. Look what
I brought--

lunch.

Hi.

Mitch,

please don't
keep this up.

48 days
is long enough.

Come on, buddy,
we need you.

It's in god's hands now.

Pray for us.

They say Mitch
isn't going to make it
through the night.

[ Exhales ]

I don't want
to be here.

I want to be over
at euclid house.

I want to be
close to Mitch.

Come on.
I'll push you over.

In this weather?

Besides, you got
shelter duty.

This is one night
the shelter is gonna have
to take care of itself.

Let's go.

[ Distant sirens wailing ]

He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me on the path
of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk
through the valley
of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for thou art with me.

[ Phone rings ]

Hello.

[ Gasps ]

It's the department
of health and human
services.

They've been getting
calls and telegrams.

The negotiations
are over.

They promised
to fix up the shelter

to make it a model.

They want to know
what it'll take

to get Mitch
to eat a cheeseburger.

Tell them
he's a vegetarian.

Okay.

Doctor:
And, lady, you'd better call
the ambulance right now.

The other shelter
is not too far away.

It's so damn cold.

But we're
gonna make it.

Forget it.

We'll never
get the wheelchair
up those steps.

[ Moans ]

Here.

No, you.

No, you're the engine.
You're the one
needs the fuel.

Here, go on.

If we can get
across the park,

maybe-- maybe we can
hail a car

or a cop or something.

Here here here.

Let me.
I'll pour it.

Here, come on.
We're gonna be okay.

Jessie, come on.
It's gonna be all right.

Come on, get up.

Please get up.

Help!
Help!

Come on, get up.

[ Crying ]
Please get up.

Get up, please.

Reverend:
Keep it on Jesus,

who'll keep it on him,
who keeps it on us.

Keep it on Mitch.

Bring him down

back into our midst.

Thy rod and thy staff

separate the wheat
from the chaff.

He that dwelleth
in the secret place
of the most high...

Carol.

Carol,

how are you, honey?

I'm okay.

How are you?

Surprise surprise.

I'm still alive.

[ Laughs ]

No cartwheels, okay?

That heart monitor
is a little shaky.

How are we doing
on the initiative?

We're winning
in every precinct.

Oh, good.

[ Door opens ]

Well, you've come
a long way

since you were
just some guy
hustling couches.

What are you
doing here?

I work here,
remember?

Look what I found
down in maternity.

Oh, beautiful.

Is it a girl
or a boy?

It's a little boy.
This is nothing.

We've got a whole vigil
downstairs--

every hobo,
every looney tune,

every friend
I got in Washington
sitting out front, praying.

Ah.

Hey, guess what.

Billy got a job.

And just as soon
as we save first and
last month's rent--

I'd better scram.

Anyway, I'm
the message committee,

and we want you
to know

we love you.

Thank you.

Cathleen,

tell Mitch
the baby's name.

Mitchell Sam.

Sam-- that's short
for samaritan.

Sorry about Jessie.

What?

I thought--

we love you, Mitch.

Carol...

What happened
to Jessie?

Last night

Jessie and Tom
were heading over

to euclid house

and Jessie didn't
make it.

Jessie froze to death.

[ Moans ]

Oh.

We found his family.

Jessie.

You-- you know

how Jessie

was always
bringing people
into the shelter?

Well, during the war

he did the same thing.

He ran out in front
of the Germans

and he'd bring those
wounded guys back.

He was a hero, Mitch.

He won the bronze star.

Man:
Ready, aim, fire!

[ Gun salute ]

Ready, aim, fire!

Ready, aim, fire!

Ready,
present, arms!

[ Bugle playing "taps" ]

Order arms!

Parade rest!

Listen, son,

is good to look close.

But is also good
to look far,

for when you look far,

you'll see
that this graveyard

also meets with the sky.

It's my privilege
to present you
with this flag.

May it serve
as a symbol

and a constant
reminder

of our nation's
gratitude

for the service
rendered our country

and our flag
by your father.

God bless you.

Ladies and gentlemen,
this concludes the ceremony.

You got any comments,
anything to say?

Well, just one thing,
really--

the next time
you see a homeless
person on the street,

don't just
pass them by.

Stop and say hello.
Ask them how they are,

how they're doing.

If you can, offer
to go and get them

something hot to drink,
something to eat.

And if you can't
do that,

then just
look that person
right in the eye

and tell them
that you care.

Because really
you're only looking
in the mirror.

Thank you.