Boss (2011–2012): Season 1, Episode 5 - Remembered - full transcript

This problem at O'Hare, the mayor's
announcement about the waste...

Should we be concerned?

I believe it's all as it seems.

Miller: What's going on that
we're not supposed to see?

Blood test and biopsy found high red cell
count, almost seven million per micro-liter,

And traces of T.C.E.
In his liver and kidneys.

- T.C.E., that's trichloral...
- Trichloroethylene, yeah.

Don't know where
the exposure came from.

The area in question was used
by the previous administration

for the disposal
of toxic waste.

You don't know whether something
is the lead of a lifetime,



or just pure chump bait.

There's a different view of the
world from the one you have.

If you want to see it,

there's a certain group of people
in Chicago I'd like you to meet.

You talking you and me
leading the charge?

I'm talking you simply joining a
groundswell already in motion.

I came to say

that if you really want to
make this work, we should try.

- Is there something else I should know?
- No.

I know he's been to see you.
Why does he want to speak to you?

Listen, these are expensive.

Are you sure
it isn't a problem?

Darius: My guy said it's some
pretty powerful shit.

Who's it for?



♪ Satan, your kingdom
must come down ♪

♪ Satan, your kingdom
must come down ♪

♪ I heard the voice
of Jesus Christ ♪

♪ Satan, your kingdom
must come down. ♪

Emma: Slow down. Slow down.

Slow down.

Stop. Stop.

You okay?

Yeah. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

No, it's okay.
It's all right.

What?

It's just

I can't imagine you.

Before this moment right now.

Well, you...
you don't know me.

I want to.

Why?

I don't know.

I'm sorry.

I've sat through
a lot of talking.

A lot of searching,

A lot picking and needling.

And people with diplomas
listening to me.

And asking me to share.

And bare myself.

For deliberate humiliation,

looking for some
moment of catharsis.

There's nothing there.

There's no way to explain.

It's just surrender
to what's up there.

Or to everything else.

What?

That's you.

Trying to explain you.

And I have no idea what
you're talking about.

It's... it's difficult

to make it make sense.

Pain plays a game with you.

Until you run out
of whatever it is.

You're using to fight it with,

because there is
no stopping point.

You don't care who you hurt,

what you break.

what you take.

You don't care.
You don't care.

You don't care.

This time,

If I cry out, don't slow down.

Don't stop.

It hit the blogs last night.

And above the fold this morning on
"The Sentinel" and "The Sun Times."

You can never stay
far enough ahead.

No.

Who's fucking me?

- The circle was small.
- Who?

Someone with knowledge, access.

The files are 20 years old.

It had to be someone close.

We need to make it
to Friday... three days.

We spin the story right and we
hope it fades over the weekend.

mr. Mayor! Mr. Mayor!

Mr. Mayor, do you have anything
to say to the people of Chicago?

Sir, what do you have to say
to the citizens of Bensenville?

Were you aware of the potential
medical fallout, sir?

Female anchor:
For more on the story.

We go to Kendra Simmons,
live at City Hall.

Thank you, Dana.
The document that shows.

Then sanitation director
Thomas Kane

authorized the dump
of trichloroethylene

at a site near O'Hare airport.

Was made public by a blogger

who goes by the name chump bait.

Though there are concerns.

about the effect
the scandal will have

on the O'Hare
expansion project,

the mayor's office insists the
project will continue as planned.

Started getting calls about your '89
tax returns early this morning.

I assume they're fine
to release?

- Yes.
- Give 'em hard copies. Nothing gets to the internet.

This mayor and his minions

have proven themselves
again and again

to be purveyors
of lies and deceit.

- All right, first things first.

I want to keep the fifth
floor cleared, no press.

- I need to breathe up here.
- Yes, sir.

Now...

Ideas.

We make it all about
mayor Rutledge.

His administration... his problem.
You were just following orders.

Won't be hard to get
them chasing that.

I can plant it in a nepotism
angle at the next gaggle.

That's fine, but that by itself
doesn't get us to Friday.

Okay, then we push harder, make it
so Rutledge bears all the blame.

We have five networks
to manage.

They're not all gonna chase the
same angle for more than a day.

We need to give them
something more to work with.

What about the document itself?
We raise doubts it's even real.

No. Stay away
from the document.

We need to fan the flames
and then control the burn.

Fan the flames?

There's a piece of paper
with a signature on it.

It's damning. It links us
to fucking cancer.

That is not going away.
We've got three days till the weekend,

Three cycles in which
something has to play out.

And as long as it's about
Kane or Chicago, we lose.

Okay, so what do we do?

Three prongs:
One... your Rutledge angle.

It needs to become fact that it was the
old man who started this whole thing.

- Prong two?
- This current shit show...

We move it to Bensenville.

Because we don't have
voters in Bensenville?

No, because one way or another.

A story needs to be told.

We make it so it's not about
us... who ordered what.

We make it so it's about
how a small town.

Chicagoans drive by
to get to the airport.

Deals with the end
of the world.

People will watch because
it's fucking horrifying.

Come Friday, every one of those
chyrons will read "Bensenville."

We'll have to tear the place
apart to pull it off.

And come Monday,
if I'm still alive...

Prong three...

You step in to help
a neighbor in need.

Good.

Let's move.

Bensenville.

Mayor Gregg, sir.

Yeah.

I should get
on the phone with him.

As a courtesy.

Chumpbait?
Tell me that isn't you.

It's a damn shame
where we've ended up.

I mean, these guys,
these bloggers...

Where the fuck is journalism?
Am I right? Fuck

I mean, this issue's,
some real unstoppable,

no-time-to-fact-check,
truth-be-damned,

eyeball-getting cowboy
bullshit, is it not?

What're you worried about?

Because if we're about
to chat about circulation,

I'm not interested.

Get out.

Just get out.

Go.

Beat press at 11:00,
full briefing at 3:00.

What?

You can direct that

to the commissioner's office.

As I understand it,

we are in search
for such documentation.

But that was
long before my tenure,

So I can't speak
to its existence.

We absolutely are
releasing them.

You'll get them
at 3:00.

Look, we're talking 1989 here.
I don't know what to tell you.

They're 20-year-old
tax returns.

It's not like I can
just email them over.

I'm trying to do you
a favor here.

You'll get them at 3:00
with everyone else, Dan,

'cause that's where
the story is.

Doesn't matter
how many times you ask.

Has the groundwater
in Bensenville been tested?

Have wells been contaminated?
Why is no one asking these questions?

Why does it matter
what it helps me?

Email that to me.
I need to get it out now.

We go after the union on a cost of
living increase. We table a freeze.

Gary: A couple hundred baggage
handlers out of work in the process.

Does the federal authority
know about this?

I don't know. This is one of those things.
I need you to trust me.

- But the deal is all but done.
- I'm just asking for us to take another look at it.

How long will that take?
One day?

No, you're pushing for a strike as a diversion.
That's what this is.

- One day, maybe two.
- Mayor Gregg, Bensenville, on the phone.

This is crazy
even for you guys.

We both know this has nothing
to do with our contracts,

and everything to do with
what's on the goddamn tv.

Gary, I gotta call you back.

Tom: Myself, my team and
the entire city of Chicago.

Will stand behind you
and the village of Bensenville.

Whatever resources you

or your administration
may need, just ask.

I appreciate it, Tom.
This is all rather unpleasant,

But I'm confident that we've got
the situation under control.

I've been here before, Chuck.

It's going to get worse before it gets better.
How can I help you?

You're incredibly generous, but there's
just no immediate need for help.

You know, we've been
discussing the optics here.

Of a joint press conference.

That could be a real help
to you, weathering this.

A press conference? Yeah,
well, I'm just not sure...

- The least I can do.
- Well, I thank you, sir.

I would, but I've got
a very full day here.

And I really believe we can
ride this out on our own.

But please know how grateful
I am for the offer.

And that the offer will stand,

should you ever need it later.

I'll sleep better
knowing that, thank you.

- Take care, Chuck.
- You too, Tom.

Feig.

- Yeah?
- He's on his way in.

- What's he saying?
- What we already know.

Says he has no idea where
the document came from.

He shredded everything
after he finished the job.

What do you think?

He's out of the game.
His kids are set.

He was never proud.

He's got no reason to lie.

I was the only one who knew
what was on those trucks.

You told me to keep
it tight. I did.

It was, what, 18, 19 years ago?

22.

It was sparse over there
back then,

Open fields.

No one saw us go in.
No one saw us come out.

I hired a small crew,
all of them well compensated.

No one at the company today

even knows that field
was a dump site.

How are the kids?

Who cares about them?

- It's the grand kids now.
- Yeah.

Ally's off to northwestern
in the fall.

And Jack has a couple more
years at st. Catherine's.

Smart kids.

That's a good thing
there, Alan.

I hope you know
how thankful I am, Tom,

for everything that
you've done for us.

You look after that family.

If you need anything,

anything at all,
I'm here for you,

Always been,

always will be.

Okay, everybody, listen up.

Listen up.
Listen up.

Before I take any questions,

I want to address
something upfront.

Now many have insinuated

that mayor Kane received his
position as sanitation director.

As some sort of family favor.

And I want to state
unequivocally

that those assertions
are misguided.

He received the appointment because
he was eminently qualified.

Mayor Kane has been
and will continue to be.

A faithful servant
of the city of Chicago.

When he has been asked
to lead, he has led.

And when he has been asked to
follow, he has done that as well.

You're still trying to lay all
this off on mayor Rutledge?

Look, I'm only saying.

Tom Kane was an employee working
for the city like any other.

Suggestions that he received his
first government appointment

because he was married
to the mayor's daughter

are completely false.

All right, I'll take
your questions.

I just want to assure you that the
entire 30th and I are behind you 100%.

100%.

Considering past events, I felt
it inherently my responsibility

to come to you
without being asked,

To reassure you, after making
all the appropriate inquiries,

That no one on my staff nor anyone
else that I have contracted.

Has anything to do with this
latest mishap at O'Hare.

Mishap?

Scandal.

Leak.

Considering past events...

Ruiz and
the Pottawatomie problem.

I...

Yeah, I'm listening.

I just want to assure you
that my house is in order.

Well, I know that
you're a busy man.

I'll let you get on
with your business.

Yeah, thanks, Lalo.

It's good to know
that I can count on you.

Tom.

Anything else?

No, that's it.

If you'll excuse me...

I know this was unexpected,
but times are tough.

Everybody's got to take a haircut,
including the baggage handlers' union.

Union rep: I don't understand how
O'Hare thinks this is gonna fly.

Rescinding a standard
cost-of-living increase

after we already agreed on it?
Have they lost their minds?

It's about their bottom line.
They've run the numbers and here we are.

Ezra, this is a guaranteed strike.
You know that, right?

Everyone's clear on that.

There has to be something you can do.
The mayor, I mean...

Look, why don't we all
try to get on the phone,

See if there isn't a last-minute
compromise to be made?

I hope we can.
My men want to work,

But they're not just gonna
bend over like this.

I hear you.
We'll set it up.

But what
about the areas

that have already been
contaminated?

Mayor Kane's administration.

Has been removing
the hazardous waste

late at night and in secret.

Cost of removal and reclamation

is estimated to be
in the millions of dollars.

Three autonomous
environmental agencies,

arranged citywide forums

to answer questions
about the cleanup efforts.

Chicagoans arrived in droves
to express outrage.

During the three
town hall sessions.

There are growing fears tonight

about groundwater
in Bensenville,

where researchers' findings
thus far

have unleashed a stream of
speculation from scientists.

Take a look at WLOZ's
exclusive graphic.

As you can see, rainwater mixes

with the buried toxic chemicals

and seeps into the groundwater

that acts as Bensenville's
main water supply.

Contaminated water is then pumped
up into Bensenville homes.

We go now to Kendra Simmons
in Bensenville.

For as long
as they can remember,

the Robinsons say.

there's been a strange tang
to the water.

The village of Bensenville
assured them

that all chemicals detected

were within the levels
deemed safe by the EPA.

The Robinsons trusted
this assessment,

but now wonder, really
what are they drinking?

Anchor:
EPA levels for water...

WBSK channel 3.

- Dan Pratt, please.
- Just one moment.

Pratt: Hello.
This is Dan.

Dan, hey.
It's Kitty.

Oh yeah, you saw that?

I thought it was a nice touch
doing it from the kitchen.

Yeah, no kidding.
If I lived in that neighborhood,

I'd be stocking up
on Poland springs.

Listen, this is off the record,

But mayor Gregg's been
in the loop

on the cleanup efforts
from the get-go.

He's been warned about
the potential dangers

of gases rising up from the
water table and into homes.

You haven't?

Well, you'll have to
ask him that.

Female reporter: Though Kane was
active in his local ward

throughout his youth,
many who knew him then say

it was his relationship
with Meredith Rutledge

that launched
his political career.

His rise through the ranks
in City Hall

closely paralleled
their relationship.

Shortly after their wedding
in May of 19...

Yes?

Sam Miller from
"The Sentinel."

How do you know?

Looks like he wasn't trying
too hard to cover it up.

Get Bentley in here.

Yes, sir.

find him, Tom.

Sir?

Take a seat.

All this

predates you.

Yes, sir.

How much did you know about it?

Just what we've worked on...
the cleanup.

Yeah.

You had dinner yet?

No, sir.
Did you need... ?

A desk boy brought me
a muffin a while ago...

The worst thing
I've ever tasted,

Some kind of gluten-free
something or other.

You know what I want to know?

No, sir.

Why bother with the muffin?

Eat a cracker.

I don't like half-assed.

That's what I'm saying.

If somebody's coming at me,

I'd just as soon
get hit all at once.

Yes, sir.

This guy Miller...

Somebody gave him
that document.

Yes, sir.

Do you know who?

No, sir.

Yeah?

Man:
Stone, sir.

Send him in.

O'Hare's on board
with the strike.

I'll get on the phone
with everyone tomorrow,

Make it look like we tried
to broker a deal.

It's going to work.

They'll be able
to keep things moving.

With management and...

- Tom: Find him, Tom.
- ...Non-union support staff.

Then they'll put
the cost-of-living increase.

Back on the table
and settle over the weekend.

We'll approve a few million
more in bond money,

Put it in
the construction budget.

That'll cover them
for any losses

they might take on the weekend.

You've got to find him, Tom.

Tom, are you okay with that?

Yeah.

I'll get on the phone
with everyone tomorrow,

Make it look like we tried
to broker a deal.

It's going to work.

They'll be able to get by
for a couple of days

with management and
non-union support staff.

Then they'll put the cost-of-living
increase back on the table and...

It's going to work.

They'll be able to get by
for a couple of days.

With management
and non-union support staff.

Then they'll put
the cost-of-living increase

back on the table and
settle over the weekend.

Female reporter: As of 9:00 this morning
the village of Bensenville

was completely sold out
of bottled water.

Reports from Franklin Park
and Addison suggest

that they too are
low on supplies.

Though store owners are
grateful for the business,

Consumers find the extra expense for
something most take for granted.

An insult to injury
in a community.

Already hit hard
by the foreclosure crisis.

Reporting from Bensenville,
I'm Jackie Mullens.

We need to get them
looking at property values.

Long-term, you mean?

No, today, right now.

Doesn't it take weeks,
if not months,

for a decline
in the real estate market

to become statistically
apparent?

Go get some "for sale" signs and plaster
a couple blocks in Bensenville.

Put them right on the edge
of each property line.

Make sure you pick
nice houses, okay?

Yes, channel 6.
Liz Shaw, news desk.

Without cars in the driveway.
No cars.

Liz, hey.
It's Kitty.

Question:

Have you looked at the relation

of Bensenville's schools
to the dump site?

It's a concern.

Fucking socratic symposium
in here. Christ.

Tom:
Everybody's got a button.

Bentley: He's not going to
reveal his source, Tom.

Let me deal with
how I get it out of him.

But I need something to go on.

- I didn't hear that.
- Yes, you did.

What do you think
we've had going here?

I'll give you some words,

since you're
in the business of them:

cozy, convenient,
mutually understanding.

You've got numbers to hit.
I've understood that,

- Helped where I can.
- Yes, you have.

And call me nostalgic,
but I like having.

An actual paper in this city.

But this where it works
its way back to me.

Even if there was a chance
Miller would crack,

Which he won't, it doesn't
make a difference now.

You've got every network swarming all
over this thing round the clock.

It makes a difference.

I'm sorry, Tom.

I can't help you.

Something you should know...

This guy has a real fucking
bee in his bonnet for you.

And he has a tendency to take

a real long view on things.

Gary:
It's not done until it's done.

Union rep: Well, I've got
guys ready to walk.

That's all I'm gonna
tell you right now.

Hey. Hey, guys.

Guys, can I just get in
here for a second?

Gary, how much are we
talking about?

Gary: It's another $12 million
a year, give or take.

Union rep: You guys just
issued $18 billion

in new bonds for construction.

How are we arguing
over $12 million

you already promised us?

We're talking about
people's fucking livelihoods.

Gary: It was never a promise. That was
something we were talking about.

It was on the table,
but it was never a promise.

Union rep:
Well, we have to have it.

- The people need...

- How's it looking?
- The man's got a point.

- It's Thursday.
- Pushing as hard as I can.

Have you got too much
on your plate?

No.

Union rep: We put the cost-of-living
increase back on the table.

Or as of 12:01 am tonight
we're on strike.

You know where to find me.

Sorry about this, Gary.

Liz Shaw: One of the major concerns
with trichloroethylene

is the leaking of toxic gasses

up from the water table
and into structures above.

Though there is
no official confirmation

on whether or not
a chemical plume exists

in the groundwater
below Bensenville,

Scientists contacted
by channel 6 news posit

There could be a potential flow

moving underneath
a local elementary school.

There was no comment
from mayor Gregg's office.

Bensenville residents
have seen trucks.

Driving from the O'Hare
expansion site late at night.

They never thought too much of it.
They were a trusting community.

With this recent toxic waste
scandal, that has changed.

- Woman: Mayor's office.
- Yeah, did you get me the numbers.

- For the people at channel 9 and channel 12?
- Still working on it.

- Time's up.
- Yes, ma'am.

The same roads
that they drive every day

to get to work at O'Hare.

So how long are we going
to go on like this?

If you wanted to waste my time,

you could have just
done it over the phone.

It'll be just another minute.

Yeah, you know,
I've counted those.

We're doing good...
27 so far.

I figure we can go
in batches of five now.

What do you think?

Anything said in this room
is off the record.

In this room?

I want a name.

Okay.

How about dr. Ella Harris?

Your source...

A name.

How about Rosebud?

I need to know where that
document came from, mr. Miller.

I am a man you want
owing you a favor.

Yeah, I don't know.

Somehow a favor from
a disgraced former mayor.

Just doesn't seem
that valuable to me.

Is it true you get
migraines, sir?

What kind of medication
did dr. Harris prescribe?

And have you seen her?
I have so many questions.

Yes, I know.
Thank you.

Tom? I didn't
hear you come in.

What are you looking for?

Tom?

Files from his administration,

'85 to '92.
where the fuck are they?

You sent for those already.

Yesterday.

Tom?

Who sent for them?

I don't know.

Somebody who works with you.
That's what they said.

They said that you needed them.
I thought you knew.

- Who did you talk to?
- I... I told you...

- Who?
- I just...

Who the fuck did you talk to?

I told you.

Who?

Uh, I appreciate
the extra effort,

But how is it conceivable
that it ended up here?

They did what they were told,
what you said you wanted.

Uh, okay, sir,

If you'll permit me,
we asked you to buy up

a truckload of bottled
water from Bensenville,

Not to pile it
steps from...

And with the microscope we're
under right now... jesus.

I don't care.
I don't care.

I did you a favor with this.

You don't like the way
I'm handling it,

I can easily tell my guys to
take it all back to Bensenville.

Wait, you could?

Yes, absolutely.

But I assure you, while this
may feel like something more,

it's just a bump in the road.

We've weathered worse.

I'm going into a meeting
with him right now.

I will share your concerns.

McGantry just now,
Baine, Hofstader...

All day I've been
talking to all of them.

You're here again.

Tom, stop.

I'm dealing with it.

Don't talk to me like
I'm the rest of them.

- Clearly you're not.
- What's happening?

It's on the news.

Who's doing this to you?

I don't know yet.

I don't understand
how you're handling this,

How it's playing out there.

It's like a team of five-year-olds
mobbing a soccer ball.

I'll be sure to tell
the staff you said so.

You're not going to
make it, tom.

Come Monday, this is over.

What happens if it is?

What?

What difference does it make?

I don't understand.
What do you mean?

Monday.

Four days from now.

This, all of it...

Gone.

What happens?

It can't.

We can't.

Why?

This is what I do, tom...

I protect us.

I protect you and
everything we've built.

From anything that can
come in our way.

And I'm protecting you
right now when I tell you

I don't understand you
when you talk like this.

You have to stop.

Or help me get
what's going on with you.

Who leaked that document?

Someone with access, knowledge.

As soon as I know who,

This will all be resolved.

Why now?

I don't know.

You tell me.

You let me know
how it turns out.

These...
these are nothing.

These are just some...
some... some...

It's all right.

I'm here.

Everything's going to be fine.

Meredith,

I'm sick.

Oh.

Come.

Oh. Oh, it's okay.

From what I can tell,
this is a copy of the report.

Before the official
version went out,

Hence the redactions.

I know it's been a long time.

People are still getting sick.

Dr. Reyes,
I can't imagine

what sort of burden you've been carrying
around with you all these years,

But if you've ever wanted to
lay it down, now is the time.

Female reporter: Mayor Gregg's
administration confirmed today

that Bensenville has received
a large quantity

of bottled water
donated from mayor Tom Kane...

Male reporter: ...
Have been overwhelmed with patients

concerned about exposure
to trichloroethylene...

Male reporter #2: Parents of students
at nearby McGuire elementary

are concerned that the location of the
school puts them in great danger.

Male reporter #3: The mayor's office
continues to deflect requests.

They produce documentation
proving former mayor Rutledge

ordered the disposal
of the toxic waste which...

- We'll get 'em.
- How much do the people dumping our waste

really know about its contents
and possible toxicity?

We will provide you all the information
we can as it becomes available

in what is shaping up
to be another long week.

of protracted negotiations.

Between the baggage handlers'
union and O'Hare airport,

The sudden announcement today
of a strike action by the union.

Means travelers can now expect to
wait an average of 33 minutes

longer than usual for
their luggage.

We go now to Jane Hayes
in Bensenville.

In Bensenville, the suddenness
of the strike action

has left many reeling
in this one-industry town,

adding additional woe
to an already hard-hit populace.

Real shame
it had to come to this.

We gave them pretty much
everything they asked for,

but sometimes you need to put
your foot down, you know?

Well, do you have anything
you'd like to say

to the management at O'Hare?

Yeah. We can hold out
as long as it takes.

Until we get what we deserve,

- What we were promised.
- Wait.

What about the travelers who may
be affected by your strike?

Well, I am sorry about that.

I know that can be
a real hassle.

But I would like them to think
about their own family,

You know, and what it means to
be able to provide for 'em.

And really there's nowhere
I'd rather be right now.

Than with my kids, you know.

It's like the end of days
out here.

You can't drink the water.

There's toxic gas
in the schools.

I'm glad I can be home.

To make sure we're safe.

Male reporter: Baggage handlers'
union officials will determine...

They'll be back to work
on Monday.

How did you know that that
guy was going to say that?

I didn't.

But people always
remember what they see.

With their hearts
and not their heads.

And a guy like that... apply
the right kind of pressure,

Nine times out of 10.

He will break your heart

and put a face
to this whole thing.

Yeah.

Should I put in a call
to Gregg's office?

Kitty and Moretti are there now,
working on press availability.

They contact
Gregg's people yet?

No need.

Chuck.

Hi, Tom. Thanks for
taking my call.

How are you holding up?

Well, I just wanted to call and
thank you and the city of Chicago

for those pallets of water
you sent over.

Had a hell of a time getting
them off my front lawn

and to the folks who need them,

but what's one more adventure
in a week like this, right?

Indeed.

Like I said
the other day, Chuck,

We are here for you,
whatever it takes.

You did say that, yes.

You know, you mentioned
some idea

for some sort of joint
press event and, well...

Yes, I remember.

Well, Tom, we could use something
like that down here,

The sooner the better. My team
would take care of the details.

Wouldn't take up
much of your time.

I'm sure we can
work something out.

Yes, sir.

And listen,
while I have you...

You've been so
incredibly generous.

I hate to even bring this up.

Speak your mind.

There's still an incredible amount of
research and testing to be done...

Determining which wells
are contaminated.

And whether or not
this supposed plume

the press seems so concerned
about even exists,

but at an absolute minimum.

We're gonna have to connect
a couple hundred homes

to the municipal water supply.

And, well,
I was hoping that maybe...

Ooh, sounds like
one hell of an undertaking.

Well, yes, it is.
It most certainly is.

I hope you'll be accepting bids
from contractors here in Chicago.

Oh, of course.
Absolutely.

But unfortunately we don't have

the general funds
for this sort of thing and...

Maybe we'd better cross that bridge
a little further down the road.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Chuck.

Mr. Mayor.

You're lucky you got
your mother's hands.

Fat fingers,

Can't handle
child-proof caps.

Well, I can get you
whatever you need.

Thank you.

I'm... I'm sorry.

For what you're going
through right now.

Occupational hazard,
nothing new.

Dad,

I'm sorry.

Mr. Mayor, I want to thank
you for coming here today,

To stand with me in assuring the residents
of Bensenville that our community is safe.

It's a pleasure
to do it, mr. Mayor.

- Shall we?
- Yes.

Ah.

Ah.

We're all very grateful to
mayor Kane's administration.

Now I can't speak to what
happened here 20 years ago,

But I do know that Tom Kane has
been a great ally of mine

and the citizens
of Bensenville.

Our offices have been
coordinating for months,

trying to clean up
this dump site quietly.

In order to avoid just this
sort of unfounded panic.

And when, in the midst
of all the mayhem

and hardship, many others lost

their heads and their hearts,

Tom Kane personally stepped up.

To offer help,
his compassion, his advice.

And, most importantly,
his friendship.

Thank you.

You squint at this right,

You come out looking
like a hero.

- The site.
- We're nearing the end of the cleanup process, sir.

I'll confirm, but I think we have
another week of work out there.

We should probably
start talking about.

How to handle it
when it's done.

Statement.
I will not be taking questions.

12 years ago I led
a team of researchers.

At Chicago children's memorial.

We were commissioned to conduct
a two-year report.

About the grounds
at O'Hare adjunct.

By the city council's committee
on health and welfare

our results determined
conclusively

That there was a direct link

between elevated levels of
trichloroethylene in the soil

and statistically abnormal
incidences

of cancer and liver disease

in children at the local
municipality.

Shortly before the report
was submitted,

I was approached by a member
of mayor Kane's staff

and told in no uncertain terms

that any reference
to trichloroethylene

was to be redacted
from the report.

I could have stood strong,
but I did not.

Alongside mayor kane,
I did wrong.

I was party
to perpetrating a fraud.

I have carried this burden,

but no more.

It is time that we all
take responsibility

for the crimes
we have committed.

Thank you very much.

Reporters:
Dr. Reyes! Dr. Reyes!

Female reporter: What did mayor
Kane give you in return?

It's the weakest he's been
since he took office.

15 years, I've never
seen him this vulnerable.

The chance is now.
We can't afford to blow it.

This isn't about the primary.

If Kane stays in office,

the next governor,
whoever he or she may be,

will continue to be
under his thumb,

business as usual.

The city's run by one man
who answers to no one.

The rest of us are too scared
to lose our contracts,

or worse...
our next election.

The council's a kennel.

And we're left
begging for scraps.

And we've been doing it
Kane's way for so long now,

Most folks have forgotten
there are other options.

But there are options.

And is it betrayal.

To stop him
by any means necessary

when he himself has
betrayed every covenant

that should hold between a leader
and those who elected him?

I'm not gonna tell you
a fairy tale.

About speaking to the better
angels of this fine city,

Offering them hope, not fear.

All of that is your
business with them out there.

But what I can tell you

is that Tom Kane is finished.

We're gonna see to it
that he is.

And someone new will come along.

With fresh ideas,

a leader who maybe can find.

better ways to do things.

This is not a story

that can be told from
the governor's mansion.

A year from now.

The mayor runs for reelection.

Drop out of the governor's race.

And next year you'll have the
organizational support you need

to take him on
and take him down.

The men in this room
can guarantee you 27 wards.

When the others see which
way the wind is blowing,

they'll be right there
beside you.

Hey, I thought
you two jitterbugs...

- Come here, little man.
- Sorry.

- Hey, go on now.
- Come on, let's go.

- Let's go.
- Hey, I'll tuck you in in a minute now. Go on.

If we're gonna move on this,
we have to do it soon.

Timing is everything.

So?

What do you say?