Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990): Season 1, Episode 3 - Siege - full transcript

This is where the wealthy
and the powerful rule.

It is her world,

a world apart from mine.

Her name...

is Catherine.

From the moment I saw her,
she captured my heart...

with her beauty,

her warmth and her courage.

I knew then, as I know now,

she would change my life...

forever.



He comes from a secret place,

far below the city streets.

Hiding his face from strangers,
safe from hate and harm.

He brought me there
to save my life.

And now, wherever I go,

he is with me in spirit.

For we have a bond stronger
than friendship or love.

And although
we cannot be together,

we will never, ever be apart.

My God.

Help! Somebody!

Help me!

Wait!

I owe you my life.



Come no closer.

Why do you hide?

Let me see you.

No.

Without your help,

those punks would
have killed us all.

All?

The other tenants.

Those who refuse to be chased
from their apartments.

These men that did this,

why do they try to drive
you from your homes?

Because we're old,

and there's a dollar
to be made.

It's hard to imagine
a better private collection.

Can you imagine being
rich enough to give it away?

And he started
with nothing.

Elliot Burch is beyond
anyone's imagination.

Mr. Burch,

what is the estimated value
of your collection,

and what prompted you to
donate it to the museum?

Can you put price tag on magic?

The true value
of great art

lies in its ability
to influence and enhance

the quality of humanity.

And contrary to popular opinion,

I believe New Yorkers
still qualify.

Excuse me, Mr. Burch,
could you look this way

for one more picture,
please?

Incredible, isn't it?

Everything happening
at the same time--

passion, humor, danger.

A little like life.

More than a little.

I'm Elliot Burch.

Of course you are.

I'm sorry.

But you are the reason
we're all here.

I suppose I am.

And I'm
Catherine Chandler.

I know.

You do?
Mm-hmm.

I asked one of your friends.

Guess it's my turn to
be a little flustered.

Yeah, it's only fair.

And not entirely
unenjoyable.

Do you know that it has
been a very, very long time

since I've been
good and flustered.

Elliot, uh...
I need a word with you.

Well, do you know
that I really don't have

a moment to spare.

Lewis is my lawyer.
He's a professional worrier.

And I will be in the
office very early, sir.

Catherine.

So we stay inside behind locked
doors, like frightened children.

They come, they
turn off our heat,

break the elevator,
stop up the plumbing.

Micha?

Micha, are you
all right, Micha?

Something will be done,
I promise you.

Will you tell me your name?

Vincent.

It's freezing down here.

You're going to catch your...

Oh, my God.

Micha.

Micha, what...?

What happened?
Don't worry.

Don't worry, I'm fine.

Those punks threw a fire
bomb through the window.

When will it stop?

When are they going
to leave us in peace?

Your father must've
been very disappointed

when you left his firm.

He was.

But he wants me
to be happy.

Are you?

The work is relentless,

exhausting...

but sometimes it feels like
somehow,

in some way,
I make a difference.

That's a good feeling.

Yeah.

It's no fun starting
at the bottom.

Nobody cuts me any slack,

but when I do get
a kind word,

it's because
I'm doing the job,

not because I'm
the boss' daughter.

You know, you kids
who grew up rich...

you've got just
as much to prove

as those of us
that grew up poor.

We spend our whole lives

trying to prove
to the whole world

that we're worth something.

You have to prove it
to yourself.

If your father isn't proud of
you, he damn well should be.

Something went wrong.

I don't know, all right?

The place should have gone up
like a haystack.

Don't threaten me, pal.

Hey, you want to handle
the job yourself?

Oh, no, I didn't think so.

Wouldn't want to get any dirt

under those manicured
fingernails, now would we?

Look, you handle
your part of the deal,

I'll handle mine, okay?

Elliot, thank you.

It was a
terrific evening.

Well, you did something quite
wonderful for the city.

Oh, you mean the art?

I was thinking along
completely different lines.

Well, thank you for the ride.

Cathy...

when can I see you again?

Call me.

Vincent.

Did I startle you?

No.

I...

I came to...

leave you a message.

Don't go.

"Micha Langer"?

He and his friends are being
driven from their homes...

terrorized.

They've been beaten,

robbed..

You're hurt.

Is that a burn?

Let me get you something.

I'm not the one who needs
your help, Catherine.

These people are old,
terrified.

Their home was almost
burned tonight.

Well, who's doing
this to them?

The ones hired
to chase them out.

Can you help?

I'll try.

Of course.

Good.

You have a generous heart,
Catherine.

Something I learned from you.

No.

It can't be taught.

It's from the soul.

And you have
so much to give.

It's all still very new.

Sometimes I wonder

how all those little pieces
will ever fit together again.

Follow your heart, Catherine.

Follow your heart.

You must.

Herman, I'm gonna
miss you.

We've been
playing pinochle

every Thursday night

for the last 30 years.

I know, Micha, I know.

Mr. Langer?

Yes?

I'm Catherine Chandler.

I'm an investigator with the
district attorney's office.

You've heard about
what's going on here?

Why don't you tell me
in your own words?

These people must be stopped.

They send punks to rough us up,
vandalize our apartments.

The elevator's broken.

A week. They don't
fix it. We have to climb.

Now we don't
have any

hot water.
And you
believe

all of this is organized?

This is a rent-
controlled building.

The law says
they cannot evict us

or raise our rents--
the only way

they can make us move
is to drive us out.

Who is "they"?

Hi, you folks.

Over there. He's the one
that sends the punks.

to try to scare us off.

I told you to stay
away from us.

Leave us alone.

I just came by
to congratulate

Herman and Sylvia on
the deal they made.

$5,000 and new
condominiums in Jersey.

The offer is more than generous.

Our life is here.

We are not interested
in your offer.

This is our home.

I don't know

how much more I can
do for you people.

The company won't wait forever.

Please, think it over
very hard.

What if they have the
building condemned, huh?

Then what? You'll be out
on the street with nothing.

Will your pride
keep you warm then?

Are you threatening
these people?

I'm just telling them
the way it is.

Be careful in this
neighborhood, lady.

It can get pretty rough.

Do you know his name?

Mundy.

He works for the managing
company that took over

when they sold
the building
two months ago.

I've dealt with bullies
like him before.

Only then, they wore
the brown shirts.

Leo Mundy.

What a prince.

Bounced off the force
on a brutality beef in '78.

Six arrests since then,
all strong-arm stuff.

No convictions.

Bad and smart.

That's a tough combination.

Now he calls himself
a security consultant?

Hangs out at a
downtown saloon.

Oh, boy, this guy's
a class act all the way.

Can we move on him?

I take this in to the boss,

he ventilates my shorts
for wasting his time.

You've got nothing tying
Mundy in to these punks.

What? Does he have
to kill one of them
before we do...?

Oh, whoa, whoa.
Penalty flag.

Now, we can't do

the outraged "the
system stinks" rap.

We're part of it.

You give me the tools,
I do the job on him.

Okay.

No, because you need
a special authorization

just to gain access.

Whoa-ho-ho.

Girlfriend, you must
be a great first date.

This vase alone has to cost
about a thousand bucks.

Who's this guy?

Come on, what's the story?

Does he have a
doctor brother?

I expect all the juicy
details at 11:00.

There are no
juicy details.

Yet.

Not so fast.

Could you check out
this guy for me?

I also need
particulars

of any real estate transactions
in that area in the last year.

Looks like someone's trying

to buy themselves a
whole block down there.

I want to know who.

Well, it's gonna
take a minute.

They got me swamped here.

You know I
wouldn't ask if...

...it wasn't important.

I'm so good to you.

Yes.

Yes, I got the flowers.

They're beautiful.

Tonight?

No.

I don't have any plans.

I'd like that.

Okay.

8:00 then.

Vincent.

What weighs so heavy?

Hmm?

Please.

Tell me.

She met a man.

She's falling in love.

Let her.

Let her fall in
love, Vincent.

My mind tells me
to rejoice for her.

That she deserves
the happiness.

But my heart...

...is dying.

I'm poisoned by feelings...

...I've never felt before.

Father...

it hurts.

I've always... dreaded
this moment... for you.

And I... I suppose I've...
always known it would come,

the day when your heart would
lead you to long for a life...

...that can never be, Vincent.

Yes.

A life that can never be.

I do love the city.

The thing is,
you can't walk a block

without seeing
somebody or something

that just absolutely
knocks you out,

that stuns you.

The good, the bad and
the utterly absurd.

Yeah. Yeah.

And it's constantly changing.

It's constantly
transforming itself,

reinventing itself.

It's unbelievable.

It's... it's
always expanding.

With a little
help from you.

I've been lucky enough
to realize some of my dreams.

Thank you for
coming with me.

I thought my medicine
would last till morning.

Remember when the
drugstore delivered?

Nobody cares about
service anymore,

and they had
the soda fountain.

Oh, yes.

Egg creams. How
you loved egg creams.

Oh.
Nice and easy,
old man.

You come here.

Don't touch her!
Shut up!

Come on, get out of here.

Get smart, old man.

Get outta here!

One of the old folks
pull a cane on you?

Some guy
jumped us.

He roared like something
out of a jungle.

Yeah, that's
right, Leo.

He looked like
an animal. Hair.

And he had these teeth,
huh, Charlie?

He had claws
this long.

And a big, long tail, too, huh?

Hey, come on, Leo.

What kind of man
does that, huh?

Look at that.

A man with a razor.

But that would make you two guys
look like jerks, wouldn't it?

Like you're punked out.

You were too stupid
to do a simple job.

You guys are very close

to being through, you know?

And I'm not talking
career here.

You know what I'm saying?

Hey, Benny.

Hi, ya, gorgeous.

Ah, I wish I
could ride like you.

Hey. First, nobody
rides like Benny.

Special delivery.

Thanks.
Stay cool.

Taxi!

Mr. Langer, we have a good lead
on the men who attacked you.

When we pick them up,
we'll need you

to identify them in a lineup.

Are you prepared to testify
when they come to trial?

Good.

And Sophie feels the same way?

Terrific.

Well, I'll call you
as soon as we have any news.

Okay.

All the buildings on that
block are owned by different

holding companies.

The three empty ones
are scheduled

and ready for
demolition.

The only thing stopping
the wrecking ball

on the fourth is your old
people who won't move out.

Thanks, Edie. I appreciate it.

How come you're not
looking thrilled?

I was hoping
to find a smoking gun.

One name to tie to
all four buildings.

Five will get you ten
these holding companies

are just a paper veil

concealing who really
owns the buildings--

if we could just
pierce that veil.

I love the way
you say "we."

I'll find it, Cath.

Thanks, Edie.
I owe you,

I'll put it
on your tab.

Yeah, that's right,
aggravated assault.

Hey, don't sweat it, all right?

You pick 'em up, my witnesses
will testify.

I want to know the second
you got these guys.

Right.

What about Leo Mundy?

What about him?

The old folks say
he beat 'em up?

Hey, look,

we're getting two hard cases
off the street,

that's better than nothin'.

Will you deal?

Let them plead to
lesser charges

if they testify
against Mundy?

Now she's playin'
public defender.

You're pushy, Radcliffe...

I like your style.

Let's just say
it's possible, okay?

What the hell is
going on out here?

I see you're
brown bagging it

like the rest
of us working stiffs,

eh, Chandler?

You said you were
too busy for lunch,

so I brought
lunch to you.

I hope you like lobster.

Elliot, this is a very sweet
gesture, but...

Fresh raspberries
and cream.

Try one.
No, thank you.

Please try one...
Elliot!

Please.

This is my office.

I work here.

I'm really very
sorry, Catherine.

All I can say is it
seemed like a wonderful
idea at the time.

Another time.

Out.

Still friends, huh?

Good.

Elliot.

Don't think it was
a total waste.

The gesture was lovely.

Yeah, well, then
will I see you tonight?

Absolutely.

Trouble?

Don't worry. He's just trying
to frighten you

so you won't testify.

You got a problem, lady?

My witnesses are testifying.

And if any harm
comes to them,

I'll know where
to look.

So stay away.

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

Well, then you'd better
do a bed check Mundy.

Two of your campers are in
a holding cell downtown.

I'm going to put you away.

You and whoever
you work for.

Maybe someday, you and me
will get a chance

to dance together, lady.

In the dark.

I'd like that.

What if they roll over
on us, Leo? Sell us out
for a lighter rap?

I'm connected
in very high places.

One call and they're
back out on the street.

She's got nothing.

I'm glad you came.

I wasn't sure you would.

Have you been well?

Yes.

We've been able to help
your friend Micha

and his friends.

We've already put
some men in jail.

It's only the beginning, but
the violence should stop.

Good.

Vincent...

I don't want to cause you
any pain.

Don't struggle, Catherine.

There's no need.

No need? Why?

Because we know...
we always knew,

that this bond between us
was only a dream we shared.

A dream?

No, Vincent.

Our bond is the most real thing
I've ever known.

More than anything
in my life.

Do you love this man?

I don't know.

But if I do,

it won't change
anything.

I won't let it.

Someday...

someone will come

and you'll live
another life.

And dream another dream.

I don't want to lose you,
Vincent.

So what about getting
my guys out of jail?

We'll handle it.

I'm telling you,
this broad is trouble.

She keeps nosing
around that building,

she's going to make us
very miserable.

You been following her?

I watched her meet some guy

in the park today
in a tunnel.

I saw her go in and I saw
her come out,

but I didn't see him.
Just some footprints.

I don't know how the hell
he got out of there

without me seeing him.

Find out who it was.

What are we going to do
about the broad?

Forget about her.

Do what you were hired to do--
clear out that building.

Pay dirt?

Hey, still a long
way from it.

I've been punching into
these holding companies

trying to find out who
the principle players are.

I mean, somebody has gone
through a lot of trouble

to make that damn
near impossible.

I mean, I know the serious
drug czars run

this kind of game
to launder money.

I can't mention
any names yet,
but there's this.

Three of those holding companies
use the same law firm

as agent and New York
business address.

That one.

Have I told you lately
that you are amazing?

Me and the Mets.

Who, by the way,
are at Shea Sunday

should you trip across
a spare ticket or two.

Say in your daddy's private box.

You're a bandit.

Dinner with Mookie post-game
would be lovely.

Mr. Arthur, there's someone
here

from the District Attorney's
office to talk to you.

Mr. Arthur,
Catherine Chandler.

Ms. Chandler.

Have we met?

Almost.

The other night at
the museum opening.

Ah, yes, of course.

You are Elliot's... new friend.

Here, sit down.

And how may
I help you?

You're the agent of record

for these corporations,
Mr. Arthur.

I'd very much like to contact
the principals

regarding an investigation
I'm working on.

Oh, I'm afraid I can't do that.

These names are
privileged information.

However, if there's anything
else I can help you with.

You can tell me if these
companies are controlled

by Elliot Burch.

Ms. Chandler, surely you can
respect my position

regarding confidentiality.

I'll get a court order
if need be.

Do what you will, Ms. Chandler.

Now, you really must excuse me.

I have...

Busy calendar?

I know.

Yes, Mr. Arthur.

Get me Elliot Burch.
It's urgent.

Come in.

I just found out

Mundy's leg-breakers are
back on the street.

Yeah, I know, it kind
of surprised me, too.

Bail being
as high as it was.

No self-respecting
bondsman would touch them.

Spare change to whoever signs
Leo Mundy's paychecks.

You turn a name?

I have a hunch.

I don't want to jinx it.

Well, can we get police
protection for our witnesses?

No way.

This is penny-ante stuff.

Hand me those darts,

will ya please?

We are talking about
two old people

brave enough to do
their part for us.

We owe them.

You know those thugs
are going to be right back.

All right, look, I'll
see if I can increase
patrols in the area.

Now that's the best I can do.

You can't go in there!

Mr. Burch is preparing
for a press conference!

Cathy. I've been trying
to reach you all morning.

I just got off
the phone with Arthur.

You own the building.

Well, yes. I...
I had no idea what

was going on.
You got to believe me.

Leo Mundy works
for your management company.

Cathy, I've got hundreds
and hundreds of employees.

I can't monitor
every one of them.

Listen, I'm appalled
at the things

that have
been going on.

I'm not so sure, Elliot.

Oh, please.

I think
those old people

are just obstacles to you,

to be removed
regardless
of the price.

That's not true.

And if... if it was true,
what are we talking?

We're talking
about 30 people? 50 people?

The project that I'm
planning for that block

will employ 10,000 people.

When it's completed,
it will generate

millions of dollars
of new jobs.

It'll revitalize
the entire neighborhood.

At what price?

We're talking
about human beings!

Listen, I've been very,
very generous with these people.

Generous?

You are rationalizing
everything

you've done.

Men on your payroll
have tried to murder people!

Honey, that
is a pretty wild accusation.

I don't have enough
to go public yet,

but I promise you
this isn't over.

Cathy, don't walk away.

Cathy!

Cathy!

There he is!

What's the projected
cost of the building?

Gentlemen, welcome.

Coming.

Who's there?

Sophie, it's Cathy.

Just in time.

I'm making dinner.

Something new
about the case?

Mundy's punks got out of jail.

Come sit.

Sophie, there's
somebody very powerful
behind all of this.

The whole block is being leveled
for a new development.

The most important
thing now is your safety.

You must all
use every precaution.

I've ordered extra patrols.

Where's Micha?

He's lying down.

He's fine.
Not to worry.

This whole business
has him worn out.

You should have known him
when he was young.

Full of energy.

Strong.

They broke him.

They crushed his spirit,
made him old.

And now this.

You'll please
eat with us?
There's plenty.

I'd love to.

Mundy's punks--
you think

they'll come
for us now?

Sophie,
it might get worse.

Are you sure
it's worth all of this?

Oh, yes.

Someone has to stand up to them
and say no,

and refuse to run.

It starts with one person,

even an old man
or an old woman.

If nobody says no,

stands up and fights
this madness,

then the nightmare begins again.

Believe me,

we know.

Get the basement.

Look at my Sophie.

She's 18 here.
The year we were married.

Oh, so tall and handsome.

No wonder
I fell in love with him.

Excuse me.

Hello.

In the building?

Call the police.

Hello?

They're in the building.

We'll fight.
All of us together.

Please, Mama,
go with Cathy.

I'll get the others.

The last apartment
on the left is empty.

Sophie.

- Keep going.
- It's the next floor.

Okay.

There's no one here.

Let's move on.

What is it?

What's going
on, Micha?

Come on. Come with me.
Arm yourselves. Don't panic.

Kick them all in.

Get out here!

Tell everyone. Wake up!

Kick them all in!

Come on. Let's go.

Somebody, go
get some help!

Don't panic.
He's right.
he's right.

We all stick together.

- Let's go.
- We'll fight these punks!

Come here.

Come on out of there!

Get out of our building.

Keep moving, the rest of you...

Get back, get back.

Well, sweetheart,

looks like we're going to get a
chance to dance after all, huh?

Stop!

Come here, come here.

You've had it,
old man, you've had it.

Vincent!

No.

We're all right.

Go.

Did you see that?

What was it?

Enough.

He's a friend.

A friend like this one.

And no one
must ever know.

Thanks a lot, lady.

Catherine!

I've been waiting
here for you.

Look, there's been a
terrible misunderstanding.

Only on your part.

Those people
are not moving.

I have got enough
on your management company

to stop the project.

No.

Yes.

The building stays.

When in disgrace with fortune

and men's eyes,

I all alone beweep
my outcast state,

And trouble deaf heaven
with my bootless cries,

And look upon myself,
and curse my fate,

Wishing me like
to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him
with friends possessed,

Desiring this man's art
and that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy
contented least;

Yet in these thoughts my self
almost despising,

Haply I think on thee,
and then my state,

Like to the lark
at break of day arising

From sullen earth,
sings hymns at heaven's gate;

For thy sweet love remembered
such wealth brings

That then I scorn
to change my state with kings.