The Gladiator (1986) - full transcript

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING]

Nick. One more.

Come one, Nick.

Just one more.

You've had enough, Phil.

It's time to go home.

Right.

Mary.

Tell old Nick buddy here
to pour me another beer.

Nick, pour him
another beer.

Can't say I didn't try.



Do you need
a ride home, Phil?
I'm off.

No...

You better call him a cab.

I don't need a cab.

I need a drink!

[SIGHING]

Good night, Nick.

NICK: Good night.

[CAR SCREECHING]

[SCREAMING]

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]

RICK: This wire here,

that leads
from the distributor,

MAN 1: Right.



that goes on the negative
side of the cord.

You see it's marked there?

Yeah.

Okay now, these two,
this ones comes
from the condenser

And this one comes
from the resister
over here.

They go on the positive side.

And you tighten it down,

and put your coil wire
back in.

Just pop it back in.

The white boot goes on
the distributor cap.

And another one goes
on the coil.

All right. It's pretty easy.

Yeah, nothing to it.

[PHONE RINGING]

It's probably Garth.
He probably wants to know
where the car is.

What should I tell him?

Tell him the truth.

Tell him I left
fifteen minutes ago.

All right, if the Gladiators
need me, tell them I can
referee.

That'd be four games
in a row.

The other teams are starting
to think you're on the take.

That's right.

It's like watching my kid
brother play. That's all.

I'll see you at dinner.

See you.

GARTH: They're mine.

All mine.

Yeah...

I'm the king
of the classic cars.

And this, of course,
is my kingdom.

You know I'm number one
in Los Angeles,

and you know,
when it comes to cars,

Los Angeles is the world!

So I guess that makes you
King of the world?

You're a perceptive woman.
I like that, I like that.

Susan Neville.

Talk show host?
I listen, Hot Spot right?

Look, I've heard your show.
I dig politics really.

I'm a political kind of guy.

Gee, I never
would have guessed.

I was there. Come on!
The '60's?

Behind the barricades.

Free huey.
Free the Chicago seven.

Free the pact ten.

[CHUCKLES]

Pact ten?

Rick!
You're late.

But then again,
what's new?

And you know
it's so bad when people drive
when you're in a hurry.

Haha, funny.

What's not so funny is we
promised this lady's car
at 3:00.

And she's gotta get moving on.

I'm sorry.

That's okay.

See if our ace mechanic
fixed it for you all right.

You guys go
and check it out.
I'll be right behind.

Yeah.

I did the valve job
and he built the car.

And compression is good
all the way round.

So you take care
of this thing.

I'll try.

She's a real beauty.

Thanks.

Yeah. But beauty is
only hood deep,
I like to say.

Hood deep.

Hey, Susan,
I took an imprint
of your credit card.

Better safe than sorry.

I know you're in a hurry.
Don't wanna keep you
waiting any longer.

If you have any trouble,
you can come back, anytime.

Thanks.

Any time.

Thanks.
Bye.

Bye.

Yeah.

Forget it.

She is way
out of your league.

[RADIO MUSIC PLAYING]

There's order to the chaos
of the universe.

As above,

so below.

And even here.

Where there's a natural
order imposed by me.

Because here,
I am God.

That sounds fair to me, Lloyd.

Hey pal, we've been through
enough together, well you can
call me Joe.

'Cause where we've been,

somebody else
is playing God.

So don't you think
it's only right that
everybody gets a shot at it?

Well, I haven't thought
about it that much.

Well, won't you
think about it?

You know how's Jeff?

Did they win that soccer game
on Wednesday?

I got blown away, Jeff.

How'd your little brother do?

What do you mean
how'd he do?

I just told you, he'd zipped.
How could he have done?

Probably a lot better
if he wasn't running around
in those raggedy sneakers.

Here.

Give him a mad hatter
happy on birthday
from his uncle Joe.

Thanks a lot, Joe.

Hey.

What are friends for?

What is he?
Fifteen and a half now?

Yeah, he just got
his learner's permit.

I'm gonna take him
for a run tonight.

Solo with the kid.
Good luck.

Hey...
Fifteen and a half...

I can vaguely remember
when we were fifteen.

Hey, remember
when we used to ride around?

Cruising and listening
to the sounds of the Four Tops?

♪ Sugar pie honey bunch

♪ You know that I love you ♪

Come on, Rick,
jump in on this part.

♪ I can't help myself ♪

Now come on, I'm running late.
Where's those parts
you got for me?

Right here.

♪ I'm a fool in love with you ♪

Yeah, thanks again
for the gift, Joe,
Jeff's really gonna like it.

Yeah, I hope so.

Should be able to run
with traction from
the bottom of his shoes.

You know what's the thought
and all that.

Yeah well, he's a good kid.
I like him a lot.

Yeah. He's been pretty good
with the cars too.

We cannot go after duty.

It's in the genes.
He's taking out
his big brother.

He's gonna become
a Greasemonkey.

Nah, I hope not.

Yeah, well.
He's smart.

You're doing a great job
raising him man.

Yeah, I'm trying anyway.

I'll see you later.

[POP MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey!
This beats are great!

Tell Joe thanks.

Hey, come here.
Take a pass.

Nah, forget it.
I grew up on baseball.

It's the same thing.
Only you use your feet.

Why don't you
put that away now?

Hey, when are we going driving?

When you finish
your homework.
Did you do it?

Sort of.

What do you mean
sort of?

I did most of it.

Now do all of it.

Come on.

The truck will still be there
when you finish.
Now go on, move.

Clear off the table
and do the dishes.

Great. Paper plates.
I'd rather have you do
my home work.

JEFF: Come in.

How is it going?

Slow.

You need any help?

Thanks anyway.

This place is in a mess.

Am I supposed to clean up
my room too?

That way, we'll never
get out of here.

Maybe that's what
you want, huh?

Look, I told you
I'd take you driving.
What's your problem?

The problem?

The problem is,
you've been promising
we'd be going driving

for three straight nights now.
And we're over three.

I can't help it
if something comes up.

No, some thing's always
gonna come up if we wait
around long enough.

Look, if you don't wanna go,
why don't you just say so?

I do wanna go, Jeff.

Yeah right.

You're afraid I'm gonna
crack up your truck.

Look, why don't we just
forget about it?

I just can't believe,
you're old enough
to drive already.

What are you talking about?

You know what I'm talking about.

That's how it all starts.
You start taking the truck up,
picking up girls.

Leaving me at home to wash
the paper plates while you are
out raising hell, I know.

Hey, we can raise
hell together.

In fact, we can pick up
girls together.

You could use
a little brush up
on your technique.

Yeah. Who's gonna take care
of you while all I'm doing
is going out?

Who'll make you
those great dinners?

Great dinners?

[CHUCKLES]

Hey look.
I'm old enough
to take care of myself.

And I'm old enough to drive.

Yeah, you're right.

All right. What do you say,
you junk that homework
for a while?

I'll take you for a spin.

Yeah?

Yeah, come on.
Let's go.

You got your learner's permit?

Wallet and everything?

Yeah. I got it.

I'll take it up on all of you
and give you shift-work
out in the hills, okay?

Okay.

Fasten your seat belt.

Okay.

Are you sure you got your
learner's permit?

Yes.

You got your wallet
and everything?

Yes! Relax!

All right. I'm relaxed.
Like a good cop.

All right. Put the clutch
all the way in.

Here we go.

So, what did they teach you
in driver's ed so far?

Nothing much. They show us
weird films.

Bodied all messed up.
That kind of stuff.

Yeah. That's good.
They show you that stuff
for a reason.

[CAR SCREECHING]

What are you doing?
That's a yellow light.

That means caution.
Not hit it!

Sorry.

So what else have they been
teaching in that class?

They talk a lot about
drunk driving.

That is important.

If you wanna drink,
you don't drive.

Above the alcohol
level of .05.

Uh huh. Wrong, pal.

00 for you.
If I find booze, you booze.

[POP MUSIC PLAYING]

So, when can I drink
and go out with girls?

You can't drink and drive.
Period.

Girls, that's your own problem.

That's no problem.

Keep it up and it will be.

Now listen, the most important
thing you got to realize
about driving

is that you gotta drive
defensively.

Always watch for the other guy
and don't assume or anything.

Even if you got the ride away,
Don't insist on it.

You got that?

Hey, that's Susan Neville

Remember how we worked
on her 'Vet this afternoon?

Susan Neville's Hot Spot?

I like this show.
She's pretty good.

Pretty good or pretty cute?

Cute?

Women aren't cute, Jeff.
Girls are cute.

Oh ho ho ho.
Touchy, touchy.

She must be cute.

Mind your own business,
will you? Watch the road.

Yes, sir.

Try down shifting.

All the way on the clutch.
Here you go. Pull it back.

All right.
It's all right.

You're doing good.

Piece of cake.

Hey, how about some sounds?

Just drive, will you?
Please.

Yes, boss.

That guy is pretty close.

Yeah. Why don't you slow down?
Let him pass.

Woah!

What do I do?

Take it easy.
Take it easy.
Just keep driving.

Just keep it on the road.
Don't panic.

No!

Aah!

Mr. Benton.

Can you hear me?

It's all right.
Don't try to talk.
Just...

Nod, if you can hear me.

Mr. Benton, you've been
in a coma so, don't try
to move.

Where's Jeff?

It's important that you
remain still.

Where's Jeff?
Tell me.

Where is he?

Jeff didn't make it.

Get out of here.

Now, it's important
at this stage that you not
over exert yourself.

Go on. Get the hell
out of here.

Sometimes, you have to look
at things and sign out.

It's not always as it seems
on the surface.

See, death is a part
of the great plan.

It's like...

Like something good
will come your way
because of it.

Something...

You were meant to learn

what to...

The...

Ebb and flow of karma.

Something good
will come of this.

I know it sounds crazy.

But you'll see.

Something good
will come of this.

I uh...

I loved him man.

I loved him too...

JEFF: This guy is pretty close.

What do I do?

RICK: Take it easy.
Just keep driving.

Keep it on the road.
Don't panic.

JEFF: This guy is pretty close.

What do I do?

RICK: Take it easy.
Just keep driving.

Keep it on the road.
Don't panic.

Don't panic.

JEFF: What do I do?

I'm telling you.
He came out of no where.

He rear ended us.
He kept banging in to the truck.

Do you recognize him
from any place else?

Do anything to antagonize
or provoke him?

Provoke him?

You got to get this straight.
I never saw the guy before.

He's just some drugger
or pill head or something.

Then it could have been
unintentional. He's trying
to pass you,

You swirl about,
he swirls in

No!

He was trying to kill us.

He came right at us.

He killed my little brother.

You have my sympathies
Mr. Benton.

Professionally said.

Look.

This happens in my division

every night.

Some guys drunk.

Some body else
is at the wrong place
at the wrong time.

And it looks like murder.

It is murder.

That's why they call it
the hit killer homicide.

I...

I will try to nail these knots.
But its not...

Anyway, I've got
your description

with the guy and the car
and I promise you,
we will do our best.

So that's it, huh?

I'm sorry.

Mr. Benton, I know
how you feel.

You don't know anything.
Go on, get out of here.
Get lost.

I wish we could have made
more progress, Rick.

Yeah, I know.

I think we've only broken
through the surface

of your dealing
with what happened.

I hope you'll come back
to the clinic as we discussed.

May be we could find
some constructive way...

Constructive way
to what?

Well, you are going back
to work, aren't you?

Yeah.

That's good.

We've got you scheduled
to go to a meeting for citizens
for highway safety tonight.

I know it'll be helpful.

Yeah, if I go

You really should go.

What is it,
a condition to my parole?

Oh, that's not it
at all, Rick.

I'm trying to help you.

Yeah I know.
I'm sorry.

Organization can be
very useful.

You can gain a lot
by relating to people
who have similar problems.

All right.
Yeah sure.
I'll go.

Good.

Bye.

Bye.

[BALLAD MUSIC PLAYING]

Welcome back, pal.

Thanks a lot, Joe.

Hey man,
don't thank me.

The truck fairy did it.

I put your wrecked rig
under my pillow,
woke up the next morning.

Presto!

Hey...

You're gonna hang around
the house all day? You wanna
go get something to eat?

Look, I'll even
pay for it. Huh?

Nah, I don't think so.

I got that meeting to go
and everything.

All right.

But you call me. Okay?

I mean,
if you wanna hang out,

just wanna talk
about something,

I'm here for you.

Yeah, thanks man.
Really.

Anyway...

I went there,

I saw the ambulance there.

We went to the hospital.

But it was too late.

Way too late.

I couldn't have done anything.

Nothing.

But, maybe before,

I could have told her

not to go with that kid.

I didn't know him that well.
He was just some kid
in her class.

Kid, driving her around,
drunk.

Driving with

my daughter in his car.

Thank you David.
Thank you.

Is there anyone else
who would like to talk now?

Well...

For those of you
who are new to the citizens
for highway safety,

welcome.

Many of us
in this room tonight

most of us,
myself included.

Are the victims
of drunk drivers.

The living victims.

An average of 70 people

are killed in United States,

by drunk drivers
each day.

That's one person dead
every 21 minutes.

What are we gonna do about it?

We are gonna try to stop it.

No.

I mean,
what are we gonna
do about it?

Tonight.

If people are gonna be killed
out on those streets.

Just like my son was killed

By some maniacs.
Some doped up maniac.

But what are we gonna do
tonight?

To stop those killers,
to save those victims.

Tragically tonight, yes.

The deaths will all continue.

But in the long run,

with all of your help,

may be we will stop it.

And get those drunk drivers,

especially repeaters,

off our roads for good.

WOMAN 1: Hey citizens
is getting boring.

Oh, here he is.

Roll down the window.

Hey, how you been?

[ENGINE REVVING]

MAN ON RADIO:
Meanwhile fair weather
returns in southern California.

The forecast for the weekend
is clear and sunny

with highs in the 80's
and lows in the 60's.

Now with national health news
we go to Debbie Johnson.

WOMAN 1: Thank you.
More than 800 Americans
died last week

with influenza and ammonia
are higher than expected.

And shows the flu season
is getting worse,

health experts said.

One of the most
recent outbreaks
occurred earlier this month

at a nursing home
in California's
San Joaquin County.

About 27 of 74 elderly
residents came down
with flu or flu like illness.

Back to you.

MAN ON RADIO: In other
south land news
police speculates

three lake view girls
may have been victims
of hit and run driver

on rain flick foot hill
boulevard tonight.

Damaged to their latest model
convertible indicates that

another vehicle was involved.
But there were no witnesses.

We'll be back in a moment
with sports news
after the commercial.

[COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENT]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey, Rick.

I thought you did
all your work at home.

No, no, just the big stuff.
What's up?

Oh... someone hit me
on the free way.

Oh, these guys...

This guy is a woman
and I chased her for almost
a mile,

Until she lost me.

Why no one hits me
when I'm driving
my old V.W, you'll never know.

You know they always wait
until I'm in the 'Vet.

Lately it feels like I've been
driving with a cloud over
my head.

Everywhere I go, bam!
Somebody runs into me.

Hey, you and everybody else.

You know how many
car accidents there were
in this county last month?

Two hundred and seventy
and 40 fatalities.

We've had two bang ups
out in these corners
since I've been back already.

Look, Rick.
I heard what happened
last month.

I'm sorry.

Yeah.

MAN: Hey, Rick!
We need you over here.

Well, I gotta go.

Look. Uh...

Why don't you take my card
and give me a call sometime?
We can talk.

Okay.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

MAN 1: Yeah! Ha ha.

Woah. The man is here.

I'm Shaky.

Get out of here.

Now!

Put a lid on it, buddy.

Yeah.
Put a lid on it, chunk.

Look, this place
is for customers only.

You don't belong here.

Now get out!

Now!

Your customers?

Don't we look hungry?

All right.

Hey Danny. Hey!
Let me buy a hot dog
or something, huh?

Hey man,
pack it up.

We need some fries.

Fat arse, move it.

[HONKS]

This guy is looking
for some kind of trouble
or something.

[LAUGHING]

That's smart, man.
Back off, chicken!

So you ran their car first?

No, that's not what happened.
They hit him first.

Yeah, that's what I saw.

Hold it, hold it.
Hold on.
Relax a second, okay?

So they took you on.

Yeah, they're a bit drunk.
They started it and that's
pretty much what happened.

So, it was a hit and run?

Yeah. He hit
and they run.

Martha.

So, how about it?

Yeah, it was a hit and run.
Simple as that.

So did you catch those kids?

I called it in right away.

Hey we got it out.
We are trying.

Hey uh...

Why don't we chuck it up
and do something like
self defense and let it go?

Let it go?

You ought to give
the guy a medal.

A medal?

Let me caution you.

All of you.

Don't go around taking
the law in your own hand
looking for trouble.

And you're gonna find trouble.

Right here.

MAN 1: What are we gonna
do about it?

Tonight.

What are we gonna
do about it?

Tonight.

MAN 2: You ought to give
that guy a medal.

MAN 1: Tonight.

MAN 2: You ought to give
that guy a medal.

POLICE: Don't go around taking
the law on your own hand
looking for trouble.

MAN 1: I mean,
what are we gonna do about it?

Tonight.

JOE: So how long have you been
driving this piece of junk?

RICK: Couple of days.

What happened
to your own truck?

Doing some custom work on it.

Customizing. It's good.

Keep you busy.

It's nothing like on a sweat,
bring a man back to himself.

Idle hands are
the devil's workshop.

That's it. You got it?

Yeah, I got it.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

[CAR SCREECHING]

[SPEAKING UNINTELLIGIBLY]

We gotta call everyone?

Hey come on.
Give me that.

Stop! I'm ordering
you to stop.

This is a citizen's arrest.
Pull over now!

This is your last warning.

Police, I'm in pursuit
of a drag racer.

A yellow 68 mustang
heading north
on Malibu Boulevard.

Second car,
a white 79 mustang,

is disabled at the 2700 block.

Request arresting officer.

This is your last warning.
Pull over!

All right, you wanna
play games now?

Hey stop!
What's the matter with you?

Give me your keys.

Come on.

We're sorry, sir.

We're sorry.

We've got a mustang disabled
at Balboa,

north of the 118.

WOMAN 1: Are you the person
who called in the citizen's
arrest?

Sir?

Yeah.

Do you have priority clearance?

This is a police frequency.
Please identify yourself.

This is a police frequency.
Please identify.

This is the Gladiator.

We copy, Gladiator.

Use of this frequency
is against the law and you're
subject to arrest.

Move your truck
out of the way, would you?

Come on, how about a drink?
You don't wanna drink?

Come on.

Stop! You're under
citizen's arrest.

Get lost!

Pull over. Now!

Yeah, you pull over.

Police. This is the Gladiator.

I got another one
for you at magnolia
and lankershim.

Go pick 'em up.

Neighbors called in about
his Gladiator thing.

Already? What has it been?
Twenty minutes?

Oh, what do you want
to tell him?

Nothing.

He's not gonna listen.

Running around out there
trashing cars
in the name of justice.

It's all I needed tonight.

What they know here,
they can't print.

But they already know
that the Gladiator called
in on the police frequency

to report those arrests.

Who the hell
told them that?

Who told 'em?

A little birdie.

If you see a little birdie
around anywhere,

you tell him from me,
I'm gonna step on his head.

I do not want any official
acknowledgment of this Gladiator
business. You got that?

If we are nice and quiet,
and we don't give this guy
the publicity he's looking for,

he goes away.
Maybe, he starts
tooting his horn

he says, "Oh boy, look at this."
and he comes back for more.

You got any IDs on him?

Yeah, some bunch of drunks.

It's worse than
the usual garbage.

If we got the truck down
his black

two is brown,

and one says it was yellow
with a painting of a Mexican
sun rise on it.

It's terrific.

What about our boy here?

The Gladiator.

Let's see we got
four Caucasians,

three blacks,

and one Chicano.

Mr. Mexican Sunrise?

Yeah.

One said, he was bald.

Two got him with brown hair,

and three with black.

Check this.

Those three kids up
on balboa boulevard,

they said his truck
was all souped up

with gizmos!

James Bond kind of stuff.

Poor black James Bond.

Should stand out the crowd.
Terrific,

The joys of physical labor.

To earn one's bread
in a sweat of one's brow

God, thank you
for granting me the wisdom

to graduate from high school.

Woah. My princess
has arrived.

Ha ha.

Hello, baby!

And what can you do for me?

Well, I'm having
a problem with the car.

It's really acting weird.

Probably the dip stick.

[CHUCKLES]

No, no, no. No problem.
Come with me. I'll show you
what to do.

Hey, Rick?
You got a minute?

Could you take a look
at the car? It's really
acting strange.

Yeah, sure.

Oh, no.
Let me get that of course.

Of course.
Let me get that
for you.

All right.
You slide in there.
I'm gonna have...

Rick take you for a test drive.
He'll be able to check
your points.

And of course.
I'll be right here
when you get back

and we'll go
through the rest...

The idle sounded a little rough
but I don't think it's any
big deal.

Yeah but, what about
that noise?

What noise?

There. You hear it?

No, that's nothing.
Don't worry about.

Can't expect these old cars
to be quiet.

I've seen a lot
and can talk about it.

So, it's nothing
to worry about?

No, I don't think so.
Just bring it by next week,

and if it's some thing wrong,
you should show up by then.
Okay?

So how come
you didn't call?

I've been a little busy.
That's all.

Yeah? What have you
been doing?

Not much. Little of this,
little of that. You know.

You married?

Not anymore.

How come you still
wear your ring?

How come you're so interested?

Do you mind?

Nah, I don't mind.

Okay.

MAN ON RADIO: And now,
back to Hot Spot.

with Susan Neville.

Hello. You're on Hot Spot.

MAN 1: Hello, Susan.
My name is Steve.

Hi, Steve.

I'd like to talk about
the Gladiator.

Yeah, you and everybody else
wants to know.
What's on your mind?

Yeah, well.
I'd like to know,

what's the difference
between this Gladiator

and acting all crazy
that you see all the time
in the movies?

Going out on a revenge
rampages,

strapping bullets across
their chests,

and toking bazookas. Huh?

'Cause I don't think
there's any difference

if you want to know
my opinion.

Well, I do want your opinion,
Steve. That's why you're on air.

Yeah, well.
Anyway.

I think this guy
have to be locked up.

Sent to some prison
in a jungle somewhere.

And wait it out,
to some band of movie stars

trenches in the rocky mountain.

And that's gonna be
a long wait.

The Gladiator has been watching
too much garbage,

eating too much pop corn.

That's all I got to say.

Thank you, Steve.

Well, we've had so many
callings on this one topic
tonight

that I've decided to devote
tomorrow's night show

to the Gladiator.

Chromed crusader
or a public menace.

Until tomorrow night,
this is Susan Neville
on Hot Spot.

No problem.

Every time we buy food
for that cat,

it costs a small fortune.

Don't talk about poor kitty
like that!

What the...
Hey!

Watch out for that car!

MAN ON RADIO: A trip
to the market proved fatal
for a Pacoima couple tonight.

When a blown tire
caused a fiery collision
at laurel canyon and paxton.

Still unexplained by police

the extensive rear end
damage to the car

which may indicate
a second vehicle
was involved.

No witnesses have come forward.

In stock market news,

the market took a tremendous
up swing today,

sending trading through
the roof for an all time high.

So what you've been doing man?
Demolition derbies or what?

Yeah, something like that.
Something like that.

So, what does that mean?
You don't want to talk about it?

All right.
Let's talk about this.

How are things going
with Hot Spot?

Seeing her tonight.

You seeing her tonight?

Yup.

That's great. That's great!

You need to get out
a little be more man.
Sort of...

Broaden your worldly horizon
beyond your own garage door.

Yeah, right.

If you know, what I mean.

All right.
Thanks for the help.

Thanks.
What you talking about man?
You becoming my best customer.

Hey, you take care
of yourself.

All right. I'll see you later.

You got it.

Ah, come on baby.

Sweet and sour pork.

No. Wrong again.

I'm not much of an expert
on Chinese food.

Uh huh.
Mr. I hate Cantonese.

Come on now.
Close your eyes.

No, I give up.

Just do it.

Okay.

Re-fried beans.

No.

Come on. Close your eyes.
Let's try again.

Again?

Mm Hmm.

Close your eyes.

All right.

I don't know what it is.
But, I like it.

Do you mind
if I ask you something?

No, go ahead.

Why won't you tell me
about your wife?

I don't like talking
about my mistakes.

You couldn't have been
that bad.

No. Maybe not.

Just seems like it
some times.

Well, how long
have you been separated?

Couple of years.

What happened?

She wanted
to settle down.

Have some kids.

Well, what's wrong
with that?

Nothing.

I've been taking care of Jeff
since I was 18 years old.

And she really
helped me a lot
with him.

Just wasn't ready yet.

And what about
the ring?

Maybe some day,
I will be ready.

REPORTER: Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

Was it... Do you think there's
a link between this incident

and the recent rise
in the hit and run deaths
in this area?

LIEUTENANT: We haven't
established that though.

Well, you certainly wouldn't
support the conclusion that
this was an accident.

LIEUTENANT: I have to wait
for the evidence.

REPORTER: What is
the possibility that this
is the work of the man

who's calling himself,
the Gladiator?

LIEUTENANT: I won't be able
to comment on that either.
You know?

REPORTER: Lieutenant,
there's a lot of people
who feel that

what the Gladiator is doing
is right. How would you
respond to them?

LIEUTENANT: He's breaking
the law. Breaking the law.
Defense of the law, silly!

Vigilante justice
isn't justice at all.

Who makes the rules
when they aren't any rules?

Who says, where the line
gets drawn?

Guys walking
run him over.

Literally cut his hand off.

He's a drunk driver.
Run him off the road.

Let me lay this out
for you. Clear.

Simple. Nobody's above
the law. Just like always.
No body.

That's it.

Lieutenant Frank...

I'm sure getting tired
of all this.

This whole thing
is incredible.

It's all my callers
want to talk about.

Now the media is trying
to turn this guy into
some kind of a hero.

Maybe he is.

Why?

'Cause he is fighting
something worth
fighting against.

Yeah what?

Pulling drunks off the road.
Very dangerous drivers.

The Gladiator is more
dangerous than anyone
who is pulling off the road.

He is the worst
kind of criminal.

Making himself out
to be some kind
of a crusader,

breaking every law
in the book.

I think, he's just out
for kicks.

For kicks?

No way. The guy out there
doing what he is doing,

he's probably got
a good reason.

Like what?

Like, saving lives?

You know if the Gladiator
was out the night
my brother got killed,

maybe that wouldn't have
happened and he'd still
be here.

Look, Rick.
I'm really sorry.

No. Forget it.
I'm sorry.

Look, it's getting late
and you got your show,

I got stuff I got to do.
I better get going.

Well, Look.
Give me a call. Okay?

All right.
I will.

You promise?

Yeah, I will.

Be careful.

♪ I'm just a snow girl ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm... ♪

[CRASHING]

We'll make it out,
we'll make it.

MAN 1: What the heck
is going on?

Hey! Hey!

Hey! Go!
Stop! What are you doing?

Hey, buddy!

Hey! No!

Oh! No!

Stop! I swear,
I'll never drink again!

No, not again.
No. Please.
No! Stop!

Get outta here!

Get outta here!

[RADIO PLAYING]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

RADIO: A tragic accident
in Arleta left two men
dead this afternoon.

Apparent victims of the same
hit and run driver,

who police speculate
maybe linked to other
south land accidents.

There were no witnesses
in the day light crash

in which the victims
were apparently forced
off the road

and under the truck bed
of a semi - trailer.

Another hit and run fatality.

That makes ten this month.

We got a psycho
in our hands?

Check this report.
That man and his wife,
run off the road?

Saw the car.

Garage is holding
what's left of it.

Pulled this out of one
of those wheel hubs.

The tires was slashed
to shreds by that razor tip.

Some kinda spirit.

Must have broken off
during the attack.

The spear?

That's what they said.

Gizmos.

Gladiator.

We got a dozen of reports,
ID and his truck
with these kinda stuff.

I wouldn't put spiked
wheels past him.

Same guy?

Wow. His hit and run
started about the same time
he showed up.

What should we put
out on the radio?

Nothing. I don't want to scare
him off and I don't want
to encourage him

if it's the same guy.

Gladiator is supposed
to be out there stopping
this kinda thing.

Maybe not.

Maybe he's Jekyll and Hyde.

JEFF: This guy is pretty close.

What do I do?

RICK: Take it easy.
Take it easy.
Just keep driving.

Keep it on the road.
Don't panic.

JEFF: This guy is pretty close.

What do I do?

RICK: Take it easy.
Take it easy.
Just keep driving.

Keep it on the road.
Don't panic.

Don't panic.

JEFF: What do I do?

SUSAN: Good evening.
This is Susan Neville
on the Hot Spot.

Tonight's show will
be devoted solely
to the Gladiator.

The Gladiator's publicize
nightly patrols have

capture the public imagination
like no one since
the lone ranger.

The blarer, the horn,
the screech, the break
it gets,

the bad guys off the road
and vanishes into the night.

Without so much
as a hi ho silver.

Hot rodder, drunk drivers
speeders.

Any out there is fair game
for this self appointed
one man army.

Was that all
there is to the story?

I for one join all concerns
citizens and the police

in deploring the actions
of this so called crusader.

Now, I'd like to hear
from you.

Hello, you're on Hot Spot.

WOMAN: Well, I don't know
who this Gladiator guy
thinks he is.

But now, I'm afraid to walk
the streets at night.

I don't care if he thinks
he is protecting me or not.

I want to let him know
I can protect myself
from people like them.

Because once you let it start,
then who's gonna say

When they're protecting you,
and when they're just nuts
like everybody else?

There's a whole trend
in this country.

Are people taking the war
on their own hands?

I mean you think you're gonna
get attacked, so what you do?
You shoot.

And then, what if you find out
the person you're shooting

was just going to ask you
for a dime?

Is there any reason
to get shot?

Or maybe he just wanted
to say "hi."

Didn't we used to work
some where...

I don't know. This whole place
is going crazy.

You! Pull over!

Pull over! Now!

You are under citizen's arrest
for reckless driving.

What are you talking about?
I'm trying to get my wife
to the hospital.

She's pregnant you stupid jerk.
You didn't kill the kid
we're lucky.

Now get this the hell
out of the way.

It's a gray truck, you know?

I mean, just an open bet.

That guy wasn't even so big.

Less than six feet.

Brown hair.

Look, I don't think
this guy was the Gladiator.

Now, what makes you think
that this was not

the Gladiator?

He said it was a citizen's
arrest, didn't he?

No. This guy was insane.

He wasn't some kind
of do gooier.

He was raving. Wild eye.
Like he wanted to kill me.

Like he wanted to run down
me and my wife and kill
us both.

Okay. Thank you
very much for you're help.

Look, when you get this guy
you give me a call.

I'll be glad to come in
and testify

put him right
where he belongs.

Will do.

Thank you.

Get it out on the radio.
The full description,

the Gladiator
and his truck, now!

RADIO: Police today issued
an all points bulletin

for the man who calls himself
the Gladiator.

Approximately five feet
eleven inches tall,

brown hair, driving a gray
pick up truck

with protective
front grill work
and crash bar.

The Gladiator is wanted
for a succession of hit and run
fatalities occurring throughout

the north valley area.

Anyone with information
to his where about,

should contact the police
immediately.

And now, back to Susan Neville.

SUSAN: Thank you.
And we'll be broadcasting
that police description

of the Gladiator
and his vehicle
again shortly.

Any information or sighting
should be called in
in immediately.

Hello, you're on Hot Spot.

WOMAN 1: I think that Gladiator
is great.

Go get 'em, Gladiator!
Yeah!

Well, most of our calls
have been against the Gladiator

We don't need any details
on that opinion.

Hello, you're on Hot Spot.

MAN 1: I just want to say that
the Gladiator is the fallen
angel of the Lord

cast out from grace.

Well, sir, what exactly
is your opinion
of the Gladiator?

He is gonna crash
and burn to get to hell.

Hey drunk!

Wake up man.

Otherwise the Gladiator
will ram you through
these lights.

Anybody who stands in my way,
I pull him off the road.

Let's move it man.

Dry out, man.

[CLASSIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Hello?

Susan. This is Rick.

Rick, I was wondering
when you'd call.

Oh, can you get away
for few minutes?
I gotta talk to you.

I got a break coming up
in about an hour.

Wanna meet near Pink's cafe?

Yeah, all right.
That will be real good.
I'll see you then.

All right. Bye.

I was out there
driving around tonight.

Thinking about Jeff.

I haven't thought about
what happened in a long time.

Guess he wasn't that much
to think about it.

You know, sometimes,

you think you're doing
the right thing

and it screws up.

Everything goes wrong and...

It's getting so deep

that you can't get
yourself out of it.

You just can't stop.

Go on.

And I started thinking
about what you said.

You know what everybody's
been saying about the Gladiator.

Maybe the reasons

he's been doing
what he's been doing

and wrong sometimes.

He's more trouble
than he's worth.

You know, even those guys
on the road.

Well, don't be afraid.

Afraid of what?

About what you started
talking about.

Nah, it's not the easiest
thing in the world.

I know it's sad.
But...

If you deal with your hurt
and your anger

you talk about it...

My anger?

I have been dealing
with my anger.

It's really scaring
the hell out of me.

What?

I'm over the line, Susan.

I'm way over the line.

Lieutenant Mason please.

This is lieutenant Mason.
Who is calling please?

This is Rick Benton.

We met before at the hospital.

After my brother was killed.

Yes, Rick.
I remember you.

I'm the man
you're looking for.

I'm the Gladiator.

Uhm...

Rick?
Where are you now?
Where are you calling from?

I'd like to come out
and talk to you.

No, I'm coming in.

Rick Benton.

Get him out of the files.
Get his address.

Get a couple of cars
over there. Put some guys
around the station.

He shows,
I wanna hear about it.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

RICK: Police, this is
the Gladiator, connect me
with lieutenant Mason.

Yeah, Gladiator?
Where are you?

I'm heading south on Glenoaks
between Sheldon and Peoria.

I'm after the guy
who killed my brother.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

This is the guy
that killed my brother.

Yeah?

Well, that's something
we'll have to find out
for ourselves, Gladiator.

Gladiator's finished.

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]