Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990): Season 2, Episode 20 - What Rough Beast - 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.
Come.
They weren't policemen.
They couldn't
have been.
Do you have any idea
who might've sent them?
Do you really think they
were sent by someone?
Well, Catherine,
what happened in the park
hardly seemed...
Random.
But who would've done
such a thing? Why?
Nasty stuff.
How'd you beat the
meat wagons, Spirko?
Lucky guess.
Yeah.
So...
what's my story?
You tell me.
A bear from the Bronx Zoo
who's got a thing
against cops.
Hey, not bad.
Only these guys
weren't cops.
What?
Talk to me, Jesse.
What happened here?
How should I know?
And even if I knew,
I wouldn't tell you.
Listen, Jesse.
My instamatic busted on me.
I could use a good
negative for tomorrow.
You know I can't do that.
Who's gonna miss
one lousy snapshot?
Come on, Spirko.
I got tickets
for the Knicks game,
night after tomorrow.
Tenth row on the floor.
I don't follow
basketball.
You will in these seats.
I can't do it, Spirko.
Why the hell not? It didn't
stop you last time.
That was different.
Not to the captain
it wouldn't be.
Why don't you just
take the tickets,
make it easier
on both of us?
Claude Oakes. Oakes with an "E".
31, died of massive blood loss
incurred by deep wounds
of some unknown nature.
Like an animal did it.
What do you know
about animals, Spirko?
I know what I see.
Look at the faces
on these people.
No one knows what the hell
is going on here.
Hi, Cathy.
Elliot.
Well, this is the last
place in the world
I would expect to find you.
What are you talking? I'm an old
aficionado of greasy spoons.
Really, why are you here?
I just wanted to see you, Cath.
Elliot...
I just want you to know
that I'm here for you.
Waiting.
I don't want you to wait for me.
Cathy, I don't want to either.
But the way things seem to be,
I don't have much choice, do I?
I mean, you said to me
that there's somebody
else in your life.
I can't do anything about that.
And I can't change
how I feel about you.
The door was open.
Sit down. You're late.
Your cigarette, please.
The smoke bothers me.
You were also late last night.
Hey, I got there
as soon as I could.
Not every guy that calls me
is on the level.
And you're convinced at this
point that I'm on the level?
Sure.
Had you arrived
at the park sooner,
you would have seen
something extraordinary.
Like what?
Patience, Mr. Spirko.
You're only
at the very beginning.
Do I get to see you
or are we just going
to sit here in the dark?
My one and only
condition
is that I remain anonymous.
And if I refuse?
You're a fool.
My editor won't print a story
without a verifiable source.
Which is why I won't
be your source.
I'll give you the information,
but you will have to discover
the truth yourself.
Either you show your face,
or I'm walking.
Spirko.
You were chosen with great care.
For your tenacity.
For your singular character.
I don't think you could
walk away from this story
if you wanted to.
Now sit down.
Take out
your notebook.
The pattern of killings
began about two years ago.
It's a gruesome pattern
of evisceration,
throat puncture wounds,
deep slashings.
The victims are generally
left to bleed to death.
You mean, last night
wasn't the first time?
No. Nor will it be the last.
You're saying
you know the killer?
Not exactly.
But I know why he kills.
Why?
To protect someone.
Who?
A beautiful woman.
A very beautiful woman.
She's the key.
You find her, she'll lead
you to the killer.
What's her name?
She is...
an Assistant District Attorney.
Her name is Catherine Chandler.
How'd the trial go?
Fine.
I'm Bernie Spirko.
New York Sentinel.
Can I talk to you
for a minute?
Actually, now is
not a very good time.
I'd appreciate it.
It's important.
What do you know about this?
About what?
Remember?
Remember what?
I think you know.
I've been in this
long enough to know
when someone's lying.
I am not a liar, Mr. Spirko.
Excuse me.
Everyone's a liar.
Hey, I'm just
trying to find out
what happened that night.
It's my job.
What makes you think
I know anything?
Come on.
I'll show you.
Mind if I smoke?
Actually, I do.
This you remember, right?
And the police report
on Carol Stabler,
the woman who was set to
testify against those men
who attacked you
two years ago.
The safe house was compromised.
She was murdered
before she could testify.
That's right, and
that same night,
someone killed those
men who attacked her.
Literally tore
them apart.
Not very pretty, huh?
No, it isn't.
What does this have
to do with me?
There are other, similar
incidents connected to you.
October 9, 1987.
You investigated a complaint
filed by some elderly people,
claimed they were being
harassed by a developer.
The investigation resulted
in the termination
of that prospective project
as well as the lives of four
of the developer's leg men.
You are speculating.
There is more.
If you want, I'd be happy
to review it all for you.
I'm a reporter, Miss Chandler.
I find things out,
I dig up secrets.
That's what I do.
What do you think
you're going to find?
I don't know yet...
but you do.
Come on, what is the big secret?
Why not just tell me?
Because with or without
you, I'm going to find out.
Believe me.
You're hesitant
about telling Vincent?
The memory of those moments
is painful to him.
Catherine,
he should be told.
Every time you meet,
every moment you
spend together now,
increases the risk.
I know.
You mustn't blame yourself.
This was inevitable.
I knew from the moment
he first brought you to us.
I do blame myself, Father.
Well, don't.
It's me he protects.
What he does,
he does in my name.
He protects all of us.
He protects
the people he loves.
It's a feeling of shame, Father.
I have watched.
I have seen him
when he loses himself.
Yes, I know,
it's terrifying.
No.
Anyone would feel
the same.
No.
Part of me shares
that with him.
In some deep way, I wonder...
have I been reckless?
Have I put
myself in danger,
knowing that
he would come to me?
I never expected
to see you so soon.
I'm nowhere on this story.
Would you care
to speculate?
On what?
I got half a dozen
police photographs,
all telling me the same thing,
only I can't figure out what.
And your Assistant DA...
You saw Catherine?
What about it?
You gave me her name.
You're thinking too literally.
It's my fault.
Then talk to me.
Mr. Spirko, this is not
some crazed vigilante
fixated on Catherine Chandler.
This is something
entirely different.
This is something
that has never been.
You keep saying
cryptic stuff like that.
You should hear the sounds.
The sounds?
Of his killings.
Sounds you will never forget.
Who is he?
As I told you before,
Mr. Spirko,
you'll have to discover that
for yourself.
I'm at a dead end here.
Open your mind, Mr. Spirko.
Imagine.
Catherine.
Vincent.
The reporter.
Father has already told me.
I'm sorry.
No need to apologize.
We will not let this defeat us.
Come.
They've only
just started.
Cathy still loves me.
I know she does.
I'd do anything for her.
I told her that.
I promised her.
Do you believe me?
Sure, I believe you.
I wouldn't be
here if I didn't.
She ran away.
Why did she run?
You can tell me, Steven.
Why did she run?
Cathy!
Because...
she knew he would come.
Who did she know would come?
He ruined my legs.
I'm sorry,
I really am,
and I want you to know
that I'm trying to help.
He ought to be punished.
Not for me--
I don't care about me--
but for Cathy.
I can't do anything about that.
We can't...
until you tell
me what happened.
No, Vincent!
You'll kill him, no!
It's... over!
It's over.
She called him Vincent.
Vincent?
That's his name.
What does Vincent look like?
Tell me anything you can
about him.
They have a sick relationship.
He is not a man.
I mean, he is not human.
You see now?
How far back do we go, Spirko?
I don't know,
what, nine years?
Ten. You think you'd learn
something in that time.
Bill, give me a break.
You got some incredible stuff
here, don't get me wrong,
but none of it
fits together right.
You're missing pieces.
You heard the tape.
Yeah. Of a certified psychotic.
I'd go over to Bellevue
right now
and come back with a much
better story than this.
I have another source.
A good one.
Who's that?
Elliot Burch.
You're kidding me.
Names, places,
dates, you name it.
Burch?
On my mother's grave.
He's had a thing
going with Chandler
on and off for almost
two years now.
I don't know
what their story is,
but he's got her number... down.
You think he'd go public?
What do you think?
And I'm not going
to push it either.
Well, I think you better start.
'Cause that's your story.
Unless he speaks up,
I can't print a word.
Even though I'm telling you
it's clean?
What do you want me to say?
Go sell it to the Inquiring Star
if you're so damn anxious.
They pay better.
Hi.
How about some lunch?
Are you crazy?
Maybe.
I spoke to an old boyfriend
of yours yesterday.
He told me this very
interesting story.
I don't know.
They have a sick relationship.
He's not a man.
I mean, he is not human.
How could you do
that to Steven?
I am just
after the truth.
Steven does not know the truth.
What about those scars
Vincent left him with?
I got pictures,
if you're interested.
This is harassment, Mr. Spirko.
And if you continue,
I will have you arrested.
Steven Bass
and I are not
the only ones who know
about Vincent.
There's someone who knows a hell
of a lot more than either of us.
Vincent.
Am I disturbing you?
No.
Please.
I found an old favorite poem
I'd long since forgotten.
Father...
Let me just read
this to you.
No poetry.
Just listen to the
first few lines.
If I asked you...
would you tell me
the truth, Father?
Of course.
Am I a man?
Part of you is.
And the part that is not?
The part that...
takes over...
The man in me cannot forget,
cannot close his eyes
in peace.
I don't know the answer
to that, Vincent.
I honestly don't know.
You have educated the man.
You have nurtured the man...
read him poetry...
taught him to love.
But the other...
you don't understand.
You don't understand its power.
Vincent...
Father,
I cannot control my thoughts.
Father, I'm afraid.
Bernie Spirko.
You said you came to me
out of concern,
and the whole time,
you've been undermining
everything that meant
anything to me.
Cathy, calm down.
Would you mind telling me
what it is I'm supposed
to be I'm doing.
You know damn well.
Why don't you
believe me?
The only time that I've
seen Bernie Spirko's name's
on a byline for the
New York Sentinel.
You leaked the Corrales story
to him last year.
And for all I know,
he is still on your payroll.
I never paid
him a penny.
How can you deny it?!
Listen to yourself!
You're supposed to be
an attorney.
Whatever happened to innocent
till proven guilty?
This is not
a court of law.
Cath...
Okay, Cathy,
I know you've got secrets
in your life, okay?
I know what's happening
is very real to you,
and it's causing you a lot
of pain, but you can't...
Stop it, Elliot.
Just stop it.
Get me Manning.
What is it, Catherine?
It's Elliot Burch.
Elliot is the one who's been
feeding information.
to the reporter.
Elliot?
They know your name, Vincent.
Somehow they got
to Stephen Bass.
Father's right.
The risk has
become too great.
We can't see each other
until this is over.
Perhaps if Elliot understood...
No.
But he is a man
who could understand.
I thought so, too, once.
But he's shown himself.
He's out to condemn us,
to destroy us.
Condemn us?
He knows that we are different,
that we are beyond
his experience,
and that must threaten him.
It is I who is different.
No, Vincent.
It's us.
I've learned that.
We share
the responsibility
of who we are together.
My mind is filled with thoughts
beyond imagining.
If they ever found you...
They would never find me.
I would vanish,
bury myself
deep inside the earth.
And you would be lost to me.
Without you, I would be
lost to myself.
Well?
His name is Vincent.
His face is deformed
in some way,
grotesque.
And so are his hands.
Tell me about
his hands.
They're incredibly strong.
He uses them to kill.
And this may sound strange,
but I think
they're more like claws.
Is he human, Mr. Spirko?
What else could he be?
I'm asking you.
He walks, he talks.
He loves.
Catherine Chandler.
Have you seen her?
This morning.
She was pretty shaken up
by what I knew.
Would a picture be useful
to you, Mr. Spirko?
You've done a very good job.
I think you've earned
the privilege.
I think it's time I arranged
a little introduction.
Ow!
Shoot!
Hell of a way to make
a living, Spirko.
Hey. Can I
help you guys?
Yeah, we, uh,
we're, uh,
we're doing some work
for Catherine Chandler.
Oh, yeah.
Uh, service elevator's
around the corner there.
Here, I'll show you.
Hey, thanks.
That's nice.
We'll do it here.
This is where he said.
Vincent...
No, no, please.
I didn't have anything
to do with this.
Here. Come on,
take it.
Take it. Come on.
Please? Come on.
I had nothing to do with this.
No! Please!
All right.
I'm outta here.
You set up this whole thing.
I didn't set up
anything.
Those men are dead
because of you.
I was just following
a lead.
Elliot Burch.
Come on, Miss Chandler.
You can't do this.
Why not?
'Cause you don't know...
Hey, lady, don't tell me
what I know!
I earned every word
of this story.
You have no idea what
this story is about!
I think I've seen enough,
don't you?
If you print that,
it'll destroy Vincent
and myself.
Doesn't that
mean anything to you?
It's not a personal thing,
Miss Chandler.
It's news.
I'm shaking.
What you said
was true, Catherine.
It must end now.
We must end.
They know everything.
No.
This man will
never stop-- Elliot.
He'll never stop.
They will hunt me
till they find me
or until I'm dead.
Then I'll come
with you.
It's no life for you.
Or for you.
But it is my life.
I don't know what to do.
We must face what we both
feared might come to pass
from the beginning.
Vincent...
It is all we can do.
Remember our love.
Let it guide you,
give you courage.
Know that what we had
can never be taken away from us.
Vincent, don't!
Catherine, go.
Quickly, please.
Hold me.
Just hold me one last time.
I know who you are.
Do you?
Yeah.
Elliot Burch.
Mr. Spirko, you surprise me.
I was there.
I got the pictures.
Now I want the rest.
The rest?
Everything you know:
where he lives,
who he is, what he is.
You have a lot
to answer for, Burch.
Such as?
Those bikers in the park.
Those two guys tonight.
You sent them to their deaths.
It would have been far better
for you, Mr. Spirko,
if you hadn't figured that out.
Don't threaten me.
My editor knows I'm with you.
You're smoking.
It's Elliot Burch
who doesn't smoke.
Sadly, I have become addicted.
Oh, trick of the throat.
Something I learned
as a child.
Must useful.
Who are you?
That is of no consequence.
Remember what you saw tonight,
Mr. Spirko,
the glory of it.
Now you can print your
photographs and your hypotheses
or you can print the truth;
always a much larger story.
Let me, um, show you something
in the light.
Come look.
He did this.
Vincent.
Yeah. He left me
to burn in the fire.
Now you want me to crucify.
Turn your tape machine on,
Mr. Spirko.
It's already on.
I asked you before
if he was a man.
Well, now you've
seen for yourself.
He's beyond man.
In his own right,
he's a god, a warrior.
But you see,
he-he tries to be a man.
And in that,
denies his own greatness.
He is a source
of primal rage
and secret urging; instinct.
He's a killer.
That is his greatness.
That is his nature.
But if he'd have killed you
tonight, Mr. Spirko,
as I hoped...
if he'd killed
an innocent man,
I believe he would
finally have understood
and shed the false skin
of his humanity.
He would have become
what I always dreamed for him.
He would have become my son.
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.
Come.
They weren't policemen.
They couldn't
have been.
Do you have any idea
who might've sent them?
Do you really think they
were sent by someone?
Well, Catherine,
what happened in the park
hardly seemed...
Random.
But who would've done
such a thing? Why?
Nasty stuff.
How'd you beat the
meat wagons, Spirko?
Lucky guess.
Yeah.
So...
what's my story?
You tell me.
A bear from the Bronx Zoo
who's got a thing
against cops.
Hey, not bad.
Only these guys
weren't cops.
What?
Talk to me, Jesse.
What happened here?
How should I know?
And even if I knew,
I wouldn't tell you.
Listen, Jesse.
My instamatic busted on me.
I could use a good
negative for tomorrow.
You know I can't do that.
Who's gonna miss
one lousy snapshot?
Come on, Spirko.
I got tickets
for the Knicks game,
night after tomorrow.
Tenth row on the floor.
I don't follow
basketball.
You will in these seats.
I can't do it, Spirko.
Why the hell not? It didn't
stop you last time.
That was different.
Not to the captain
it wouldn't be.
Why don't you just
take the tickets,
make it easier
on both of us?
Claude Oakes. Oakes with an "E".
31, died of massive blood loss
incurred by deep wounds
of some unknown nature.
Like an animal did it.
What do you know
about animals, Spirko?
I know what I see.
Look at the faces
on these people.
No one knows what the hell
is going on here.
Hi, Cathy.
Elliot.
Well, this is the last
place in the world
I would expect to find you.
What are you talking? I'm an old
aficionado of greasy spoons.
Really, why are you here?
I just wanted to see you, Cath.
Elliot...
I just want you to know
that I'm here for you.
Waiting.
I don't want you to wait for me.
Cathy, I don't want to either.
But the way things seem to be,
I don't have much choice, do I?
I mean, you said to me
that there's somebody
else in your life.
I can't do anything about that.
And I can't change
how I feel about you.
The door was open.
Sit down. You're late.
Your cigarette, please.
The smoke bothers me.
You were also late last night.
Hey, I got there
as soon as I could.
Not every guy that calls me
is on the level.
And you're convinced at this
point that I'm on the level?
Sure.
Had you arrived
at the park sooner,
you would have seen
something extraordinary.
Like what?
Patience, Mr. Spirko.
You're only
at the very beginning.
Do I get to see you
or are we just going
to sit here in the dark?
My one and only
condition
is that I remain anonymous.
And if I refuse?
You're a fool.
My editor won't print a story
without a verifiable source.
Which is why I won't
be your source.
I'll give you the information,
but you will have to discover
the truth yourself.
Either you show your face,
or I'm walking.
Spirko.
You were chosen with great care.
For your tenacity.
For your singular character.
I don't think you could
walk away from this story
if you wanted to.
Now sit down.
Take out
your notebook.
The pattern of killings
began about two years ago.
It's a gruesome pattern
of evisceration,
throat puncture wounds,
deep slashings.
The victims are generally
left to bleed to death.
You mean, last night
wasn't the first time?
No. Nor will it be the last.
You're saying
you know the killer?
Not exactly.
But I know why he kills.
Why?
To protect someone.
Who?
A beautiful woman.
A very beautiful woman.
She's the key.
You find her, she'll lead
you to the killer.
What's her name?
She is...
an Assistant District Attorney.
Her name is Catherine Chandler.
How'd the trial go?
Fine.
I'm Bernie Spirko.
New York Sentinel.
Can I talk to you
for a minute?
Actually, now is
not a very good time.
I'd appreciate it.
It's important.
What do you know about this?
About what?
Remember?
Remember what?
I think you know.
I've been in this
long enough to know
when someone's lying.
I am not a liar, Mr. Spirko.
Excuse me.
Everyone's a liar.
Hey, I'm just
trying to find out
what happened that night.
It's my job.
What makes you think
I know anything?
Come on.
I'll show you.
Mind if I smoke?
Actually, I do.
This you remember, right?
And the police report
on Carol Stabler,
the woman who was set to
testify against those men
who attacked you
two years ago.
The safe house was compromised.
She was murdered
before she could testify.
That's right, and
that same night,
someone killed those
men who attacked her.
Literally tore
them apart.
Not very pretty, huh?
No, it isn't.
What does this have
to do with me?
There are other, similar
incidents connected to you.
October 9, 1987.
You investigated a complaint
filed by some elderly people,
claimed they were being
harassed by a developer.
The investigation resulted
in the termination
of that prospective project
as well as the lives of four
of the developer's leg men.
You are speculating.
There is more.
If you want, I'd be happy
to review it all for you.
I'm a reporter, Miss Chandler.
I find things out,
I dig up secrets.
That's what I do.
What do you think
you're going to find?
I don't know yet...
but you do.
Come on, what is the big secret?
Why not just tell me?
Because with or without
you, I'm going to find out.
Believe me.
You're hesitant
about telling Vincent?
The memory of those moments
is painful to him.
Catherine,
he should be told.
Every time you meet,
every moment you
spend together now,
increases the risk.
I know.
You mustn't blame yourself.
This was inevitable.
I knew from the moment
he first brought you to us.
I do blame myself, Father.
Well, don't.
It's me he protects.
What he does,
he does in my name.
He protects all of us.
He protects
the people he loves.
It's a feeling of shame, Father.
I have watched.
I have seen him
when he loses himself.
Yes, I know,
it's terrifying.
No.
Anyone would feel
the same.
No.
Part of me shares
that with him.
In some deep way, I wonder...
have I been reckless?
Have I put
myself in danger,
knowing that
he would come to me?
I never expected
to see you so soon.
I'm nowhere on this story.
Would you care
to speculate?
On what?
I got half a dozen
police photographs,
all telling me the same thing,
only I can't figure out what.
And your Assistant DA...
You saw Catherine?
What about it?
You gave me her name.
You're thinking too literally.
It's my fault.
Then talk to me.
Mr. Spirko, this is not
some crazed vigilante
fixated on Catherine Chandler.
This is something
entirely different.
This is something
that has never been.
You keep saying
cryptic stuff like that.
You should hear the sounds.
The sounds?
Of his killings.
Sounds you will never forget.
Who is he?
As I told you before,
Mr. Spirko,
you'll have to discover that
for yourself.
I'm at a dead end here.
Open your mind, Mr. Spirko.
Imagine.
Catherine.
Vincent.
The reporter.
Father has already told me.
I'm sorry.
No need to apologize.
We will not let this defeat us.
Come.
They've only
just started.
Cathy still loves me.
I know she does.
I'd do anything for her.
I told her that.
I promised her.
Do you believe me?
Sure, I believe you.
I wouldn't be
here if I didn't.
She ran away.
Why did she run?
You can tell me, Steven.
Why did she run?
Cathy!
Because...
she knew he would come.
Who did she know would come?
He ruined my legs.
I'm sorry,
I really am,
and I want you to know
that I'm trying to help.
He ought to be punished.
Not for me--
I don't care about me--
but for Cathy.
I can't do anything about that.
We can't...
until you tell
me what happened.
No, Vincent!
You'll kill him, no!
It's... over!
It's over.
She called him Vincent.
Vincent?
That's his name.
What does Vincent look like?
Tell me anything you can
about him.
They have a sick relationship.
He is not a man.
I mean, he is not human.
You see now?
How far back do we go, Spirko?
I don't know,
what, nine years?
Ten. You think you'd learn
something in that time.
Bill, give me a break.
You got some incredible stuff
here, don't get me wrong,
but none of it
fits together right.
You're missing pieces.
You heard the tape.
Yeah. Of a certified psychotic.
I'd go over to Bellevue
right now
and come back with a much
better story than this.
I have another source.
A good one.
Who's that?
Elliot Burch.
You're kidding me.
Names, places,
dates, you name it.
Burch?
On my mother's grave.
He's had a thing
going with Chandler
on and off for almost
two years now.
I don't know
what their story is,
but he's got her number... down.
You think he'd go public?
What do you think?
And I'm not going
to push it either.
Well, I think you better start.
'Cause that's your story.
Unless he speaks up,
I can't print a word.
Even though I'm telling you
it's clean?
What do you want me to say?
Go sell it to the Inquiring Star
if you're so damn anxious.
They pay better.
Hi.
How about some lunch?
Are you crazy?
Maybe.
I spoke to an old boyfriend
of yours yesterday.
He told me this very
interesting story.
I don't know.
They have a sick relationship.
He's not a man.
I mean, he is not human.
How could you do
that to Steven?
I am just
after the truth.
Steven does not know the truth.
What about those scars
Vincent left him with?
I got pictures,
if you're interested.
This is harassment, Mr. Spirko.
And if you continue,
I will have you arrested.
Steven Bass
and I are not
the only ones who know
about Vincent.
There's someone who knows a hell
of a lot more than either of us.
Vincent.
Am I disturbing you?
No.
Please.
I found an old favorite poem
I'd long since forgotten.
Father...
Let me just read
this to you.
No poetry.
Just listen to the
first few lines.
If I asked you...
would you tell me
the truth, Father?
Of course.
Am I a man?
Part of you is.
And the part that is not?
The part that...
takes over...
The man in me cannot forget,
cannot close his eyes
in peace.
I don't know the answer
to that, Vincent.
I honestly don't know.
You have educated the man.
You have nurtured the man...
read him poetry...
taught him to love.
But the other...
you don't understand.
You don't understand its power.
Vincent...
Father,
I cannot control my thoughts.
Father, I'm afraid.
Bernie Spirko.
You said you came to me
out of concern,
and the whole time,
you've been undermining
everything that meant
anything to me.
Cathy, calm down.
Would you mind telling me
what it is I'm supposed
to be I'm doing.
You know damn well.
Why don't you
believe me?
The only time that I've
seen Bernie Spirko's name's
on a byline for the
New York Sentinel.
You leaked the Corrales story
to him last year.
And for all I know,
he is still on your payroll.
I never paid
him a penny.
How can you deny it?!
Listen to yourself!
You're supposed to be
an attorney.
Whatever happened to innocent
till proven guilty?
This is not
a court of law.
Cath...
Okay, Cathy,
I know you've got secrets
in your life, okay?
I know what's happening
is very real to you,
and it's causing you a lot
of pain, but you can't...
Stop it, Elliot.
Just stop it.
Get me Manning.
What is it, Catherine?
It's Elliot Burch.
Elliot is the one who's been
feeding information.
to the reporter.
Elliot?
They know your name, Vincent.
Somehow they got
to Stephen Bass.
Father's right.
The risk has
become too great.
We can't see each other
until this is over.
Perhaps if Elliot understood...
No.
But he is a man
who could understand.
I thought so, too, once.
But he's shown himself.
He's out to condemn us,
to destroy us.
Condemn us?
He knows that we are different,
that we are beyond
his experience,
and that must threaten him.
It is I who is different.
No, Vincent.
It's us.
I've learned that.
We share
the responsibility
of who we are together.
My mind is filled with thoughts
beyond imagining.
If they ever found you...
They would never find me.
I would vanish,
bury myself
deep inside the earth.
And you would be lost to me.
Without you, I would be
lost to myself.
Well?
His name is Vincent.
His face is deformed
in some way,
grotesque.
And so are his hands.
Tell me about
his hands.
They're incredibly strong.
He uses them to kill.
And this may sound strange,
but I think
they're more like claws.
Is he human, Mr. Spirko?
What else could he be?
I'm asking you.
He walks, he talks.
He loves.
Catherine Chandler.
Have you seen her?
This morning.
She was pretty shaken up
by what I knew.
Would a picture be useful
to you, Mr. Spirko?
You've done a very good job.
I think you've earned
the privilege.
I think it's time I arranged
a little introduction.
Ow!
Shoot!
Hell of a way to make
a living, Spirko.
Hey. Can I
help you guys?
Yeah, we, uh,
we're, uh,
we're doing some work
for Catherine Chandler.
Oh, yeah.
Uh, service elevator's
around the corner there.
Here, I'll show you.
Hey, thanks.
That's nice.
We'll do it here.
This is where he said.
Vincent...
No, no, please.
I didn't have anything
to do with this.
Here. Come on,
take it.
Take it. Come on.
Please? Come on.
I had nothing to do with this.
No! Please!
All right.
I'm outta here.
You set up this whole thing.
I didn't set up
anything.
Those men are dead
because of you.
I was just following
a lead.
Elliot Burch.
Come on, Miss Chandler.
You can't do this.
Why not?
'Cause you don't know...
Hey, lady, don't tell me
what I know!
I earned every word
of this story.
You have no idea what
this story is about!
I think I've seen enough,
don't you?
If you print that,
it'll destroy Vincent
and myself.
Doesn't that
mean anything to you?
It's not a personal thing,
Miss Chandler.
It's news.
I'm shaking.
What you said
was true, Catherine.
It must end now.
We must end.
They know everything.
No.
This man will
never stop-- Elliot.
He'll never stop.
They will hunt me
till they find me
or until I'm dead.
Then I'll come
with you.
It's no life for you.
Or for you.
But it is my life.
I don't know what to do.
We must face what we both
feared might come to pass
from the beginning.
Vincent...
It is all we can do.
Remember our love.
Let it guide you,
give you courage.
Know that what we had
can never be taken away from us.
Vincent, don't!
Catherine, go.
Quickly, please.
Hold me.
Just hold me one last time.
I know who you are.
Do you?
Yeah.
Elliot Burch.
Mr. Spirko, you surprise me.
I was there.
I got the pictures.
Now I want the rest.
The rest?
Everything you know:
where he lives,
who he is, what he is.
You have a lot
to answer for, Burch.
Such as?
Those bikers in the park.
Those two guys tonight.
You sent them to their deaths.
It would have been far better
for you, Mr. Spirko,
if you hadn't figured that out.
Don't threaten me.
My editor knows I'm with you.
You're smoking.
It's Elliot Burch
who doesn't smoke.
Sadly, I have become addicted.
Oh, trick of the throat.
Something I learned
as a child.
Must useful.
Who are you?
That is of no consequence.
Remember what you saw tonight,
Mr. Spirko,
the glory of it.
Now you can print your
photographs and your hypotheses
or you can print the truth;
always a much larger story.
Let me, um, show you something
in the light.
Come look.
He did this.
Vincent.
Yeah. He left me
to burn in the fire.
Now you want me to crucify.
Turn your tape machine on,
Mr. Spirko.
It's already on.
I asked you before
if he was a man.
Well, now you've
seen for yourself.
He's beyond man.
In his own right,
he's a god, a warrior.
But you see,
he-he tries to be a man.
And in that,
denies his own greatness.
He is a source
of primal rage
and secret urging; instinct.
He's a killer.
That is his greatness.
That is his nature.
But if he'd have killed you
tonight, Mr. Spirko,
as I hoped...
if he'd killed
an innocent man,
I believe he would
finally have understood
and shed the false skin
of his humanity.
He would have become
what I always dreamed for him.
He would have become my son.