Wacky Taxi (1972) - full transcript

A man unsatisfied in his job decides to start a taxi service.

[mechanical noises]

JAMES MONROE: You're
about to spend some time

with my sister's husband and
the father of their four,

lovely children.

His name is Pepper Morales.

Pepper's name was
originally Pepe.

But when he was a
youngster, he became

a fast rising baseball
star, and his teammates

kept calling him Pepper.

I'm Jaimie-- uh, James
Monroe, an attorney at law.

And I can't understand Pepper.



He has a good job,
a lovely family,

but he's never satisfied.

He dreams all the time about
having a business of his own.

I keep giving Pepper
free legal advice hoping

that he'll settle down soon.

He should.

My sister's expecting
another child,

and she worries too
much about her husband,

especially now that Pepper has
that greeny look in his eyes.

[music playing]

Hey, Tom.

[speaking spanish]

Oh, oh, Pepe.

Oh, oh.



What are you doing
home so early?

I'm not going to tell you.

No.

Pepe, there you are.

Don't fix no dinner tonight.

But what are we--

We're going to
have a celebration.

We're going to
have a celebration.

I'll see you later.

Pepe, Pepe.

[speaking spanish]

[music playing]

Is that the taxi?

Oh, don't say that.

Do you like it?

Come on.

Everybody get in the cab.

Let's go for a ride.

[music playing]

Come on.

Everybody get dressed up.

We're going out to celebrate.

A hot dog?

Do you want anything on it?

Barley mustard.

Just a little mustard.

Becky, what do you want to have?

I want cheeseburger
with a hot dog.

Cheeseburger with a hot dog.

Can she eat all of that?

Do you want to get her--

No, no, no, no, no.

Give her a cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger.

Now, Tommy, now you want
a cheeseburger, right?

A jumbo hamburger.

A jumbo hamburger with ketchup.

Jimmy, you want--
you want chicken?

I saved a long time
for my business.

Got to see I have twins.

Give me a break, just
one kid this time.

I love my kids.

Here we are, celebration.

I got a chicken
dinner for myself.

That's for Danny.

Right.

OK.

[dog barking]

[music playing]

Taxi.

Downtown to the border is $7.50.

Airport to the hotel
is $1.50, $1 a quarter.

Taxi?

Taxi.

Taxi.

Yes, sir.

Yes.

I can take you there right away.

First time in San Diego?

Oh, that's our zoo on the left.

It's a very, very beautiful zoo.

Oh, you'll like it.

Yes.

That's $1 and a half, sir.

Well, I'm in
business for myself,

so I can afford
to do it for less.

$1 tip.

Thank you very much, sir.

[music playing]

BILL GORDON [ON RADIO]:
Weather forecast for Saturday

[inaudible] areas is about the
same as it is all the time,

around 70, 75 degrees.

The ocean temperature around
63, that will be a little

cold to dip your tootsies in.

Here it is long about four
minutes before 7 o'clock

in the morning.

And in about four minutes we
will hear the latest news.

This is Bill Gordon
on Hit Radio 76.

That's the spirit of San Diego.
[singing] KFMV San Diego.

KFMV in San Diego,
California overlooking the--

[music playing]

Hey, you guys want a taxi?

No thanks.

Oh, come on.

A taxi is better than a bus.

How much does your bus cost you?

75 cents.

I'll take you
there for 60 cents.

Yeah.
Come on.

Get in.

Hey, Bob.

Hey, come on, now.

Hey.

Taxi fellas.

Hey, man.

How you doing, Bob?

Hey, come on.
Get in.

I'll give you a ride.
Come on.

Let's go.

Now, in about maybe
three weeks or something,

I can get you set
up in a cab, Bob.

You're never going to make it.

You're never going
to make it, Pepper.

Why am I not going to make it?

What do you no, man?

What do you know?

What do I have to know?

I see a guy in a corner
that wants a ride.

I take him somewhere.

You pick somebody up,
you need a city map first.

Big business is
going to put you down.

What the heck are you
talking about, Tony?

You go out you can talk all
this talking about movements.

But, man, what are
you really doing?

You're working for the anglers
just like everybody else.

I just want to
know how hard things

are going to be for you, man?

So you made a couple of bucks.

Right.

And I've just been
working for three weeks.

And I'm not no
slave in a factory.

TONY [VOICEOVER]: You're never
going to make it, Pepper.

Big business is going
to put you down, man.

I've got a surprise.

Look at this.

Baby.

What do you think of that?

I saw it was only car.

That is so many.
-No.

No.

We got only one car.

But that's the company.

That's what the
company's going to be.

Can't be sure, but that's my
idea of the whole company.

President.

Yeah, well, it's my
company, so I'm president.

You see, what I'm going
to do is I want to get one

of these guys, Leo, Jimmy,
Tommy, and Bob working for me,

I think maybe in
the next few months.

We keep making money.

What I'd like to do is
have popcorn in the taxis.

You know what I
mean-- sell popcorn?

What's the matter?

Don't you like the idea?

-Yeah.
-No.

It's a good idea.
-I like it, but--

Look, what do
they make the most?

--[inaudible] to have
the popcorn in the car?

That's easy.

You just have a few
bags in the front seat.

Somebody gets in.

You hand them a bag of popcorn.

Maybe you sell it for 10 cents,
a quarter, something like that.

Maybe they give
you a bigger tip.

Then I keep the rest
of it in the trunk.

A Cadillac is big.

And to drink and all that?

Drink?
I don't know.

That's--

Too much?

Yeah.

I can do some enchiladas.

Hey, That's not a bad idea.

Maybe I could have lunch,
sell a little lunch.

Also, maybe I'll
put some television,

a TV set in there too.

-Like a little house.
-Yeah.

Anyway, that's it.

On the other side,
I started before.

It didn't work out
too good, but it's

pretty nice though, isn't it?

Nice.

Your dream is coming true.

I hope so.

Pepe.

You know, we
waited a long time.

And now I think we're going
to have it for you and me.

I want to go someplace.

Where do you want to go?

To Mexico.

Mexico City?

-Mm-hm.
-OK.

OK.

[knocking at door]

Jaimie.

Hello, Pepper.

Maria.

That's for you.

Oh, thank you.

Hey, Uncle Jaimie, how are you?

Tommy, how are you?

Jimmy, I have a couple
of presents for you.

Let's see.

I have a genuine,
plastic compass here so

that you never get lost, Jimmy.

And Tommy, for you
I have this year.

It's a brand new yo-yo.

A little later I'll teach
you how to play with it, huh?

Becky, come here, Danny.

Come on.

Come here.
Come up here.

Come here, son.
That's it.

How are you?

I got a couple of gifts for you.

Uncle Jaimie has
a couple of gifts.

All right.

First, here's what we have for
you, a beautiful little doll

for you.

And Danny, Danny, look
what I have for you.

I have a little car for you.

And this is my flower, right?

Do you want it?

You can have it.

You want it?

You can keep that.

All right, sweetheart?

Listen, go over there with your
mother, just for a few minutes.

I want to relax
here for a while.

That's a girl.
That's it.

That's it.

What's this nonsense about
you quiting the factory?

Well, I got my cab now.

I don't need a factory anymore.

And you're driving it now?

-Yeah.
-Illegally, of course?

Yeah.

I've been driving
for about a week.

What?

Illegally, of course?

No, I got a driver's
license and everything.

Do you have a permit?

Yeah.

Yeah.

What kind of permit?

A permit from the city
to operate the cab.

No.

I'm going to get
that soon, though.

I think I'll get
that pretty soon.

Well, you realize the police
going to stop you at any time

and confiscate the cab
and take you into custody.

No.

Nobody's going to bother me.

Yes, they can.

You're driving
the cab illegally.

You understand me?
-Sure.

But--

You dummy.

If you persist on
driving the cab,

do you want me to tell you
how I can do it legally?

Yeah.

I'd like to know about that.

All right.

First of all, you need
to go to the city hall.

You need to get a permit.

They examine the car to see if
there's any mechanical defects.

And while they're examining
the car, of course,

the police will be examining
you to see if you have

a prior police arrest record.

-I don't--
-I know.

I know that.

You're my sister's
husband and I know

about your moral turpitude.

You needn't tell me
anything about that.

My what?

Now, you're also going to need,
of course, a taxicab meter.

That's going to cost you $300.

No.

I don't need a meter, you see,
because I just figure out--

Are you going to listen to me?

Sure.

Please, I'm here to advise you.

I'm your brother-in-law.

You're going to need
a taxicab meter, which

will cost about $300 to $400.

You're going to need a
two-way radio so that someone

can communicate with
you and tell you

where to pick up passengers.

And most importantly,
of course, you're

going to need $50,000
worth of carrier

insurance on the taxicab.

That's in the event
that someone in the cab

is injured while you're driving.

In conclusion, let me
dispense with the legalities

involved in acquiring a
taxicab franchisee in the city.

Let me state simply that as a
husband of my beautiful sister,

Maria, and also as the father
of these wonderful children,

the most important thing here
is the welfare of these people.

That's what we're
concerned about.

Take my advice.

Give up this silly idea and go
back to the factory, please.

[music playing]

Give it up and go
back to your job.

Go back to the factory.

I'm thirsty.

Oh, gosh.

I'm so hungry.

I wish we'd get
somewhere we could eat.

This is a fantas-- What's this?

Pepper Cola?

I've never heard of it.

Let's try some.

And Pepper Popcorn.

Oh, Janet, you're not
going to believe this.

Oh, they have this popcorn.

What a great way to run a cab.

Yeah. [inaudible].

Oh, Pepper Cola, Pepper
Popcorn, and Pepper-tastic.

Oh, my god.

[music playing]

Lady, hey, I don't
think you ought to take

your clothes off in my taxi.

Sorry about that,
but keep driving.

[inaudible].

All right.

All right.

You know you can get in a
lot of trouble doing that.

Right.

OK, lady, here we are.

Take me across the border.

Oh, no, no, no.

I don't go up to Tijuana.

Please take me across.

This is the address.

It's in Tijuana.

I don't go to Tijuana.

It's against my policy.

I just don't do it.

I'm sorry.

OK.

Wait a minute.

You going to pay me?

Hey, where are you going?

Look, here's $20.

What I want you to
do is stay right here

and wait for me til I come back.

I may be gone two
hours, maybe even four.

But I don't want you to move.

If you have to go
to the head, down

drive 50 miles away somewhere.

Go to the one across the road.

OK?

Yeah, sure.

You sure you'll understand?

Yeah, yeah.

Sure.

And you'll stay?

Yeah.

OK.

[crying]

Thank you.

Hey lady, uh, your bag.

You dropped something out of it.

I found it. $50.

I almost forgot
to give it to you.

[engine overheating]

Yeah, we ain't going nowhere.

It's burning up.

You got any tools, Bill?

Yeah.

Sorry about that.

Sorry, buddy.

Listen, fellas, I'm
sorry to bother your work.

You want that?

OK.

You going to eat?

Wait a minute.

I ate an onion.

You ate an onion?

Mm.

Becky.

It's good.

What did you put in
these things anyway?

MARIA: Olive.

What?

MARIA: Olive, cheese.

It's pretty good actually.

MARIA: Ah, thank you.

You're welcome.

[inaudible]

Where?

PEPPER: Yeah, it did.

Where?

When we went camping.

We'll go again sometime, OK?

Pepper, the taxi company
is a good business?

Oh, yeah.

You think we're going
to have enough money

to have a new house?

PEPPER: Oh, yeah.

Sure.

MARIA: Wait a minute.

BECKY: I ate an onion.

PEPPER: You ate an onion.

Mm.

MARIA: Also--

Yeah.

You can buy the
license and the meter?

The meter for the car.

You don't have to
worry about no meter.

Nothing like that.

I get-- I'm going to get
that one, you know, soon.

Suppose something
happened to the taxi.

PEPPER: Yeah?

You can come back to
other place to work?

Nothing's going to-- I
mean, it broke down today.

OK.
You know, I fixed it.

I can fix it.

Don't worry about it.

But darling,
remember something.

We are six.

PEPPER: Yeah.

And one more [inaudible].

There's nothing wrong
with the taxi businesses.

It's better than the factory
where all he does is--

You know something?

I'm going to put you
in a cab someday.

What about what Jaimie says?

Huh?

What does Uncle Jaimie say?

SON: Well, you know
about all the stuff

you gotta have for your cab.

The meters, the
insurance, all that money.

Anything can happen.

So-- I don't know.

Look, if you have an accident--

Who you been talking to?

Jaimie.

Now wait a minute.

Who-- what-- is-- is-- is
Jaimie running the house

or am I the head of the house?

That's what I want to know.

Who is it?

Me or is it Jaimie.

Now, you're all talking to him.

You're not talking to me.

Why don't you talk to me, huh?

[crash]

Look, the last time
we took your taxi,

it took us two hours to
get where we was going.

It only takes 30 minutes
to go with a bus.

Yeah, I know, but I
got it all fixed up.

And I'll get you
there in 20 minutes.

I promise you.

And you can't beat the
rate. $0.60 apiece, fellas.

Come on.

Well, what do you say, boys?

All right.

Yeah, come on.

Let's go.

[engine trouble]

[car stalling]

Hey, uh, you guys want a taxi?

Oh, come on.

A taxi is better than the bus.

I'll take you there for $0.60.

I really want to get
it running smooth, Rob.

What will it take?

Well, we'll have
to tear the engine

down, regrind the valves,
replace the rings, pistons.

We'll have to rebuild the
carburetor, the exhaust pipe,

the power steering.

We'll have to, uh,
replace all the gaskets

and probably replace
the transmission.

Well, uh, hey--
[clears throat] what do

think-- what do you think
that's going to cost?

Well, man.
I don't know.

I know I need to talk
to Gus about that.

Yeah.
Wait a minute.

Where is he?

Hey, Gus?

-Yes, Pepper?
-Hey listen--

Hi.

How much is this
going to cost me?

Oh, don't worry
about the price.

-You'll give me a break on it?
-Of course.

On everything.

It's a lot of work, you know.

Of course.

Hey, you know what you do need?

With that taxi, you
should have some tires.

Let me show you these
tires that I've got.

This tire was just
waiting for you, man.

That's a beautiful tire.

How much is it?

Oh well, don't worry.

Don't worry?

I mean, I've got to know.

Where'd you get this?

Oh, we have the frames.

Can you get me a taxi?

[whistle]

[whistle]

What the hell are you
putting them in there for?

I was the first cab in line.

What are you talking about?

PEPPER: Taxi?

-Hey, man.
-What are you--

No, no.

Don, John--
-Will you--

I told you before.

Wait a minute.

I got a ride.

I can take somebody in my cab.

[shouting]

I got a cab.

Max, vamanos.

I told you before.

Taxi!

Taxi.

[car horn]

Hey man.

I'm just turning around, man.

Come on.

Will you back up and
let me turn around?

Hey!

Hey, lady!

I got it.

That's just another yellow cab.

Come on.

Will you move it back, please?

It only cost me a fare.

Hi, is this a taxi here?

I've got to go to the airport.

[SHOUTING] Hey, move back.

I've got to go to the airport.

Careful.

Look, you can go that way.

It's all right.
-I can't go that way.

Come on, I've got
about 12 minutes.

That's the garage.
[SHOUTING] Come on, move back.

Hey, it's that way.

You go right through
the-- I live here.

I know where I'm going.

Go right through the
garage and turn right.

Do you mind if I eat
a banana or something?

Just you go in here.

I don't know which was is--

PEPPER: I get out this way?

PASSENGER: No, I
think it's over there.

You're kidding with
this place, right?

PASSENGER: Oh, that's
the exit on the street.

See?
Exit.

OK.

What is this?

PEPPER: What kind of
a pull trick is this?

PASSENGER: Oh, come on.

Don't make jokes on me.

I've got to make this airplane.

What is this?

It's like a Disney
Land thing here.

What?

What is this?

Where are we going?

PEPPER: I think
it's the way out.

PASSENGER: We started out
on the street floor, right?

PEPPER: Yes, sir.

PASSENGER: So where are
you taking me in the up?

I have to go--
where's the street?

Where is-- turn left, turn
left, turn left, turn left.

No, no, no.

I'm sorry.

Turn right, turn right,
turn right, turn right.

It's over there.

Yep.

See up there's a
dead end street?

Don't go that far.

Turn right just
before you get to it.

PEPPER: I think that the way
to the airport is over here.

PASSENGER: The way to the
airport-- yeah, to the right.

To the airport.

Turn the other way!

For god sakes, what
do I have to do

to get you to make a left turn?

Nine minutes.

Come on.

Listen, I think the
airport is the other way.

[brakes screeching]

PASSENGER: Bananas are
very healthy for you.

[car honking]

PASSENGER: I got 12 minutes
to make this plane now.

I get very nervous.

Have you got anyplace
you can put this?

Oh, thank you very much.

PASSENGER: Oh,
[bleep] I'm hungry.

Well, I get nervous, you know?

I mean, I work in an
office, a collection agency.

Poor people.

I have to call them up, and
find them, and take their money.

It's just terrible.

They blame it all on me.

Me.

And all day long I'm eating.

So I eat.

Bananas is what I like to eat.

And the more eat,
the fatter I get.

The fatter I get, I got
to go on a diet, right?

So I'm on a diet.

The doctor gave me pills
to take away the appetite.

So it takes away the appetite,
but the pills make me nervous.

When I get nervous, I eat.

[brakes screeching]

What are you stopping for?

PEPPER: I-- I-- got to--

[car honking]

I have to make
that [beep] plane.

That's the red light.
I-- I-- I--

PASSENGER: It was yellow.

Don't miss the [beep]
damn plane, all right?

Do me a favor.

I'll give you a big tip.
Don't miss it.

Now, let's go.
PEPPER: OK.

OK.

Now, I don't mean to
yell at you, you know.

You want a Twinkie?

They're good.

No look, the next
corner turn right.

That way?
PASSENGER: No, right, right.

That way.
PEPPER: Which way do you mean?

PASSENGER: That way over there.

To the right.

Oh, you would be nervous, too.

I'm nervous.

I get nervous.

An apple?

PEPPER: No thanks.

PASSENGER: I've got
some Indian nuts.

Or no-- I don't have
India nuts this time.

I have sunflower seeds.

You might like that.

That's a terrific thing.

They're good, but you have to
crack them with your teeth.

[car trouble]

PASSENGER: Go, go.

Whoa.

See all those airplanes?

We were higher
than the airplanes.

I'm-- I'm--
PASSENGER: There.

Find it.
All right, go there.

Get the car from here to there.

PEPPER: Yes, sir.

PASSENGER: I want to
make that airplane.

I want to make the air plane.

You want a Twinkie?

Yup.

I'm giving up smoking
when I get to Hawaii.

I gave up smoking once.

It's not good for your health.

Oh, here we are.
OK.

OK.

Stop.

Stop, stop, stop, stop.

Will you stop?

OK.

OFFICER: Cabbie, move up in
the back up line, please.

Yes, sir.

You don't belong down here.

Hey, you haven't got
a San Diego license.

You haven't got an
airport sticker.

Oh no, I don't--
uh-- I don't think so.

Let me see.

Uh-- maybe uh--
-All right.

It has to be on the
front of the cab.

We didn't see it here.

-Oh, well, uh--
-All right.

You haven't got a license
here, so you're going

to have to move out of here--
-Wait just a minute.

This is an illegal cab.

Hey, what are you doing?

OFFICER: Yeah, I'm sorry.

You can't take this cab.

It doesn't belong here.

Hey, that fare is mine.

What are you doing?

He doesn't have a
San Diego license.

Please take this cab over here.

Right, now you-- you haven't
got a license on this thing,

an airport sticker.

Pal, you got to get out of here.

You'll get a $50 fine
if you don't move up?

OK, just move on out.

Just move on out.

Taxi!

[car honking]

PASSENGER 2: OK, cabbie.

Let's move it.
I've got a meeting to make.

FEMALE PASSENGER: Oh no.

PASSENGER 3: Oh no.

FEMALE PASSENGER: My watch.

PASSENGER 3: Her watch.

PASSENGER 2: Give
me my wallet back.

Now where's your watch?
FEMALE PASSENGER: With my ring.

PASSENGER 3: With her ring.

PASSENGER 2: Thanks a
lot, brother-in-law.

But I can understand
your sister.

Now, where are your rings?

FEMALE PASSENGER: In the
bathroom at the airport.

PASSENGER 3: She left
them in the bathroom.

PASSENGER 2: Cabbie, let's
get back to the airport.

Hurry it up, cabbie.

Let's make a move on it.
[car honking]

FEMALE PASSENGER:
Watch that car.

PASSENGER 3: Careful.
That car.

PASSENGER 2: Let's go.

I got $2,000 in that wallet.

FEMALE PASSENGER:
You'll get us killed.

PASSENGER 3: You'll
get us killed.

PASSENGER 2: Get around
that car, cabbie.

Now step on it.

FEMALE PASSENGER:
You're too close.

Watch that car.

PASSENGER 3: You're
much too close.

PASSENGER 2: What is the
matter with that guy?

Let's get around here.
FEMALE PASSENGER: Watch our.

PASSENGER 3: Watch out.

PASSENGER 2: If anyone took my
wallet, I'll get my hands on--

FEMALE PASSENGER: How
about my ring and watch.

PASSENGER 3: How about
her ring and watch?

PASSENGER 2: What did you
need my wallet for anyway?

FEMALE PASSENGER: To
buy a souvenir pin.

PASSENGER 2: Where's the pin?

FEMALE PASSENGER: I put it
in my purse with my ring.

PASSENGER 2: And my wallet.

FEMALE PASSENGER:
Here's your wallet.

PASSENGER 3: Here's your wallet.

PASSENGER 2: Oh, let's
go to the hotel, cabbie.

Honey, I owe everything
I have to you.

Ulcers, athlete's
foot, headaches.

PASSENGER 3: Is it time
for your bowel movement?

PASSENGER 2: Blab, blab,
blab, blab all the time.

You don't even know [inaudible]
that you're listening to.

FEMALE PASSENGER:
Careful of those curbs.

This isn't the way
to the airport.

PASSENGER 3: Careful, this
is no way to the airport.

You're scaring me now.

Slow up.

PASSENGER 2: OK, OK.

I've got move, and I'm late.

Gabby, let's move it.

FEMALE PASSENGER: You're
going to get us killed.

PASSENGER 3: You're
going to get us killed.

You're giving us gray hairs.

PASSENGER 2: You don't have
a gray hair on your head.

I read the label on the bottle.

[car honking]

PASSENGER 3: Slow it up, please.

PASSENGER 2: Cabbie, come on.

Pull up here.

That's it.

All right.

Out, everybody.

Let's move it.

FEMALE PASSENGER: OK.

PASSENGER 3: You're pushy.

PASSENGER 2: Get the
bags, won't you, cabbie?

All right, let's move
the bags, cabbie.

Come on.

FEMALE PASSENGER: Please
be careful of my cosmetics.

PASSENGER 3: Careful
of the cosmetics.

FEMALE PASSENGER: My cosmetics!

PASSENGER 2: Careful
with that suitcase.

PASSENGER 3: Watch
her cosmetics.

PASSENGER 2: Will
you hurry it up?

FEMALE PASSENGER: He's
doing the best he can.

PASSENGER 3: He's
doing the best he can.

FEMALE PASSENGER: You
forgot the blue bag.

PASSENGER 3: Pick
up the blue bag.

PASSENGER 2: Would you
hurry it up, please?

FEMALE PASSENGER: The
bag-- it's slipping off.

PASSENGER 3: Slipping off.

FEMALE PASSENGER: Try
the other shoulder.

PASSENGER 3: The other shoulder.

PASSENGER 2:
Brother-in-law, you give

me an itch I can't scratch.

FEMALE PASSENGER: Let's
to the self-made nobody.

PASSENGER 3: Smart alley.

How much is that, cabbie?

That's uh, $2, sir.

Not counting the tip.

Just a moment.

Thank you.

[SHOUTING] Hey!

Get out of that taxi!

Get out of there!

[music playing]

[car honking]

Drop the crowbar.

Drop it.

Drop it.

Turn around and face the wall.

Put your hands on the wall.

Back your feet up.

Put your hands behind your back.

Both hands behind your back.

[police scanner]

POLICE DISPATCH: Juan, can you
take a young juvenile at 8th?

There is a taxi
that maybe missing.

Check a juvenile.

A young juvenile now at
8th on the railroad tracks.

It could be-- 1097.

20, 10, 11, 10, 503.

It's a '69 Honda motorcycle.

License 942790.

4771 Nutmeg.

Come on in.

Hold it right there.

Turn around.

Just face to the front.

Put your hands up on the bars.

Put your hands on the bars.

Face to the front.

COP: What is your name?

Fact to the front.

Uh, Morales.

COP: How do you spell it?

M-O-R-A-L-E-S.

COP: First name?

Pepper.

COP: Where is your address?

34--

Just face to the front and
answer the man's question.

3418 Boston.

COP: Are you a citizen
of the United States?

Yup.

Are you a citizen
of the United States?

Sure.

I'm a citizen of
the United States.

Yes or no?

Are you a citizen?

Yes, I am.

How long have you lived
in San Diego County?

All my life.

How about California?

Uh, yeah.

What is your occupation?

Uh, taxi driver.

I drive my cab.

Who do you work for?

I work for myself.

You work for The Yellow Cab?

No, I don't work for them.

He's got a yellow
cab hat here, John.

All right.

Come on, Morales.

You're getting out.

Your story has been
verified by the hotel.

Did they find my taxi?

No, they haven't
found your taxi.

You're going to have to go
to [inaudible] to get it.

Yeah.

I know where it is.

It's at that garage.

--[inaudible] old garage.
[inaudible] Make a right.

Pepper Morales?

Pepper Morales?

You can have a seat
over here, thanks.

Good afternoon.

I'm Officer Savoy.

Can I help you?

Yes, thank you.

Somebody stole my taxi.

I saw the guy.

I know what he looks like.

He's got a dark hat--

OK, slow down just a minute.

Let's start right
at the beginning.

You saw someone steal your cab?

Right.

And he's got a-- young
guy, with the dark suit.

OK.
Let me see some identification.

I need it for the report here.

OK.

Got it right here.

This guy is--

Would you pull it out of
there for me, Mr. Morales?

Sure.

Yeah.

The uh-- it's in an alleyway.

Now, this is your
regular driver's license.

Let me see your
chauffeur's permit.

You know, I uh--
I left it at home.

I forgot it.

I know--

Were you-- were you driving
your cab today, Mr. Morales?

I know.

I know I shouldn't
have done that.

I left it at home.

Listen, what company
do you work for?

Uh, Checker.

OK.

I can call them and get your
chauffeur's permit number.

Uh, you know where I
could get a drink of water?

Straight down the hall there.

Thank you very much.

What happened with the taxi?

Oh, well-- they're fixing
the meter on it, you know.

And it's going to take
about two or three days.

Maybe they're finished today.

I don't know.

You know, maybe
tomorrow we'll find out.

OK.

Pepper?

Hmm?

You are worried.

Me?

No, I'm not worried
about nothing.

There's nothing to worry about.
It's business.

It's on my brain.

You know, that takes uh-- you
know, it takes a lot of brain

to think about all
these things at once.

OK.

You know?

I'll see you later, OK?

So say hello to Jaimie for me.

Wait.

Wait a moment.

Oh.

Now that's better.

Kiss?

Go.

Go.

I'm Mr. Morales.

I got an appointment
to see Mr. Monroe.

Mm-hmm.

Why don't you take
a seat, Mr. Morales?

Mr. Monroe is still
on conference.

Mr. Morales is here to
see you, Mr. Monroe.

[buzzer]

Yes, sir?

All right.

You can go right
in, Mr. Morales.

Now tell me, Pepper.

Who in their [beep]
mind would want

to steal a 1959 Cadillac taxi?
[phone ringing]

Well uh, I--

Pepper, we're
family, aren't we?

Yeah.

I always told
you you could come

to me for free legal
advice, didn't I?

Yeah.

Well why in the [beep]
didn't you listen to me?

Why don't you go back to the
factory like I told you to?

That's where you belong.

The factory.

You've heard a lot
about a generation gap.

You and I seem to have
a communication gap.

I talk to you in
good common sense

and you answer me in
good common stupidity.

I don't know.

I'm concerned about
Maria and the children.

[buzzer]

Let's face it.

You're not for business.

I told you not to disturb me.

I'll take it.

Hello?

Yes, sir.

Ah, yes, sir, Mr. Stevens.

Yes sir, sir.

This is James Monroe.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

I'm terribly sorry about that.

I um-- yes, sir.

I want to apologize for that.

That-- that wasn't
exactly my fault.

It was my secretary's
fault. Uh, yes, sir.

Like I did last time.

All right, sir.

Thank you for calling, sir.

Goodbye.

He's one of the most influential
men in this community.

I don't know what
I can do for you.

I really don't, Pepper.

Well listen, man.

All I wanted you to see-- I
know that the guy took it--

and I know--

This is the name of a
fellow that works in the club

down here at Fourth
and E Street.

Yeah?

I want you to
take him this card.

He has his fingers in a
lot of pies in the city.

He might know where
it is or something?

I don't know if he
has any information

about whether there's
a car smuggling

ring around here or not.

But just present him this card.

And tell him that James
Monroe is your brother-in-law.

James Monroe.

Man, that's a good
American name.

That beats Jaimie Torres.

MAN: You pull into some junk
yard, and you'll find that car.

You can bet your bottom dollar.

I'll give you odds on that.

Hey maybe-- maybe you
know some contacts.

You know, people who steal
things or something like that.

You know--

Our kind of guys I
know-- I told you,

they wouldn't touch
that kind of car.

But I could pay
some money, you know?

Hey, that's not the point.
I'm telling you.

I don't know the kind of people
that would touch that car.

You go look in
that junkyard, and

you're going to find that car.
Listen to what I'm telling you.

I know what I'm talking about.

OK.

[church bells]

Pepper, I'm glad to see you.

Hi, Father.

So long I didn't see you.

How is Maria and the children?

OK.

Did your wife
have the baby yet?

Uh, no.
Not yet.

Not yet.

You looked troubled.

Ah, somebody--

Some trouble?

Yeah, somebody
stole my taxi cab.

Oh, that's too bad.

They did?

Yeah.

Did you say a prayer?

Yeah, I lit a candle
to Saint Christopher.

Saint Christopher?

Yeah.

Well, Saint Christopher
isn't even a saint.

He's not a saint?

Well, they took
him off the list.

You should pray
to Saint Anthony.

Saint Anthony will help you.

Because he is well know.

Saint Anthony is a great
saint with the lost and found.

The working miracles.

What's uh-- what's wrong
with Saint Christopher?

We don't even
know if he existed.

It's a legend.

We don't have any proof.

We don't have a rally, we have
no writing, nothing about him.

Everybody knows Saint Anthony.

There's the saint you should
go to help to find your taxi.

I'll see you later, Father.
OK?

Thanks.

You pray to Saint Anthony.

I'll pray for you.

I looked in every
junkyard in this town.

Do you know how many junkyards
there are in this town?

There must be uh-- I don't know.

A couple of hundred
damn junkyards.

Pepper.

Hey.

If there's anything
I can do to help you,

man, you can count on me.

Well thanks, fellas.

I'll see you later, OK?

OK.

See you later, Pepper.

CARNIVAL BARKER: Hey you.

Yeah, you.

Sidewinder.

You look a lot
like Bob Masterson.

Come on over and I'll give you
three chances to out-draw me.

I don't think you could
hit a bun with a brick.

My gunning arm sure
looks sore today.

Maybe you got a real
good chance to beat me.

If I win the shoot out, you've
got to promise not to cry.

You.

You are a Checker cab.

And you are a out
of shape Yellow cab.

Boom.

Oh, sorry buddy.

But business is business.

[vroom vroom]

I'll be back someday.

Wait for me.

[car honking]

Yeah?

I just want my taxi.

I don't want any-- I don't
want to cause no trouble.

I just want my taxi.

I won't say nothing.

OK?

Just give it to me.
-Your straight?

What?

What do you want?

I just want my
taxi, that's all.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

I know you're
not the wrong guy.

-No, no, man.
-I know you took it.

I saw our face.

I know.

Now you give me my taxi.

You're crazy, man.
You're in the wrong house.

Get out of here.

I just want my taxi.

I want my taxi.

Ow, what are you doing?

You maniac!

I'm going to call the cops.

Get out of here!

What are you talking about?

[screaming]

[crash]

Help!

Help!

Help!

I wanted to tell you
about it, you know.

But I'm sorry I didn't tell
you about the taxi, honey.

I didn't want to
worry you, you know.

It's OK, Pepper.

A little bit of wine?

OK.

You know, I don't know
what I'm going to do.

I really don't, you know.

I tell you, I'm not going
back to the factory.

There's just no way they're
getting me back there.

I promise you that.

Pepper, the important
thing-- that you and me,

we are together.

[inaudible]

PEPPER: What are
you talking about?

He stole it.
He--

And how can you tell
me to help you arrest

the man if you know
that he doesn't have

the taxi in his possession?

He's got it.

I don't know where he's
got it, but he's got it.

Don't you understand
that you can't

go around accusing somebody of
a crime unless you have proof?

He could have you arrested.

I got proof.

I know who he is.

Listen to your
brother-in-law, please.

I'm an attorney.

I want to help.

Would you listen to me?

Number one, you can't
falsely accuse someone

of a crime they didn't commit.

Otherwise, half the
population would be in jail.

You understand?
You understand?

No-- I--

Look-- number two, you
entered his-- you entered his

place without his invitation.

Number three, you went
in there and had a fight.

Assault and battery.

Luckily for you, they
beat you up, right?

Or you would be in
jail today, right?

Now please listen to me, Pepper.

Please.

I want you to-- to go
back to the factory.

For once, please take my advice.

Please take my advice.

For Marie and the children,
go back to the factory Monday.

And pray to god
they'll take you back.

Will you do that for me, please?

Because you have no recourse.

I have some tickets here
to the baseball game.

I want you to take these
tickets home tonight,

and I want you to
tell the boys they're

from their Uncle Jaimie.

Go to the ball game tomorrow.

Enjoy yourself.

Relax.

And go back to the
factory on Monday.

Please.

Well, thanks for the
tickets and all this.

You know, that's real nice.

Uh-- Let me ask you something.

You know-- I mean, you're a--
you're a lawyer, you know.

A big man and you know--
you know a lot of things.

Do you really think that, uh--
you really think that I should

be in that factory, don't you?

You know, I don't--
I don't think

you belong in the factory.

But-- but what else can you do?

Well, thanks for the tickets.

[crowd cheering]

What happened?

[cheering]

I'll be back.

[machinery noises]

JAIMIE [VOICEOVER]: Why don't
you go back to the factory

like I told you to?

That's where you
belong, the factory.

PEPPER [VOICEOVER]:
I tell you, I'm

not going back to the factory.

MARIA [VOICEOVER]: Pepper.

Important thing-- that you
and me, we are together.

My baby.

Everything will be all right.

Uncle Jaimie will help
Papa to find a taxi.

I can see him with a big
smile on his face saying,

Maria, Maria, I found the taxi.

And he will give me a big kiss.

And one to you.

And then we will have
a beautiful house.

And your brothers,
and your sister,

and you will go to a big school.

Big one.

Oh Virgen de Guadalupe,
help him to find the taxi.

Because it means so
much to him and to us.

[music playing]

Dad, I found your taxi.

Dad?

Where are you?

I found your taxi.

We gotta go.
Come on.

-Where?
-No time.

Come on.

[music playing]

PASSENGER: Whoa.
Whoa.

Be careful.

My bananas [inaudible].

I think you have to
make a turn up there.

Come on.

This-- listen to that.

Come on, is this as fast
as it goes-- this car?

You like Cracker Jacks?

Up and down hills?

Airports are not in up
and down hill places.

Airports are flat places.

Faster. [inaudible] I
can't stay around here.

You want a Twinkie?

You take [inaudible]?

Come on, you're
going to love it.

Here, take a piece.

Just a small piece.

JAIMIE [VOICEOVER]: When the
boys found the taxi for Pepper,

Pepper reacted like he had
had an injection of hot blood.

He kept after me until I loans
him the money to have the cab

properly licensed, uh, legally.

And I also loaned Pepper the
money for the meter, guaranteed

the insurance, and I made sure
he only had to pay me back

the money I loaned him--
but at the prevailing rate

of retail interest, of course.

Pepper went to work like
he never had before.

And success seemed to
come rushing at him.

He became my biggest
client, and I have

some very important clients.

I always knew Pepper
had it in him,

but I have to wonder what would
have happened to Pepper if it

hadn't been for my
continuous encouragement

and free legal advice.

[music playing]