Boss (2011–2012): Season 2, Episode 1 - Louder Than Words - full transcript

Tom Kane cements his mayoral legacy with a lavish ceremony celebrating the groundbreaking of the new modernized O'Hare terminals. Now Kane looks to the future, setting his sights on reviving a subsidized housing project. While his political future seems bright, Kane continues to battle for control over his disease.

Harris:
It's called Lewy Body.

Degenerative progression
is slow, irreversible,

and there is no known cure.

Dr. Harris, I'm a reporter.

I think there may be
some information here

that could be of serious
interest to the public.

I'm here to discuss
your relocation.

This is not a request.

I want you
to run for governor

against Mac Cullen
in the primary.

Ben, primaries are four days away.
Are you focusing?



I am, on you.
I need to see you.

Man: We are projecting
a win for Ben Zajac.

We won!

Kane has changed.
We don't act now,

we may lose the opportunity of
both our political lifetimes.

Change is in the air.

We have to
realign ourselves.

Do you have what it takes?

I want names.
Who?!

Tom: Every person who has
plotted against me

will feel the force
of my wrath.

No one will be
left unscathed.

- Police!
- Tom: Why did you do it?

The only end that matters
to you now is you.



I can't abide by that.

- Tom: What would you advise I do now...
- ( Gunshot )

...given I know
what you've done?

You will have to choose
where you stand.

It will be up to you
to prove your commitment.

( crying )
Tom.

( Theme music playing )

Boss 2x01: "Louder Than Words"
Original air date on August 17, 2012

♪ 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. ♪

( vocalizing )

Harris: It's an acute
acceleration of the disease--

muscle rigidity,
whole-body tremors.

These are hallmarks.

Tom:
So it wasn't a seizure?

Harris: If there wasn't a lack
of consciousness, no.

It's progressing.

Faster than expected.

I'm assuming you haven't been
taking antipsychotics.

Hallucinations
have been minimal.

There's an awareness.

I can cope.

Not inclined to make physical
matters worse than they are.

It was shortsighted of me
to think I could manage

without monitoring,
calibration.

Trust was an issue.

Sam Miller--

what did you say to him?

I--

nothing.

Couldn't have said much in
a call of less than a minute.

I was attacked, threatened,
made to move.

He is no longer a part
of the equation,

the purveyor
of those actions.

I didn't realize
what he was capable of.

You must miss them--
your friends, your family.

Can't have been easy

to start over
for either of you.

There is a school--
good, private,

and specific in terms of

your son's
academic struggles.

Enrollment can be secured.

And I understand there's an
opening in neurology at Lindner.

I have to get back.
Work to do.

The tremors can be
suppressed for a time,

but without neuroleptics--

Awareness.
Force of will.

You're not God.

You don't want to shake?
How do you feel about seeing monsters

or believing you can fly?

Your personality,
your judgment,

the way you
look at the world--

all those things
will be compromised.

Soon.

Purpose.
I have purpose.

Mr. Mayor,
you have to know

your best days
are behind you.

Driver:
Mr. Stone was a good man.

It's what you leave behind.

( Door opens )

Sweetheart.

- That happened during your arrest?
- No.

What do you want?

I bear no responsibility,

having not been made aware
of this plan, this maneuver.

Blame, if it must be placed,
lies with your father,

a man who is willing to sacrifice
that which is most precious

for his political survival.

It's the life
he chose, Mom.

What is it exactly,
his illness?

Oh, come on, Emma.

You don't owe him anything,
least of all protection.

I don't understand

why it's come to this,

why you are
the way you are.

The men, the drugs.

Look at you.

You used to be good,

a smart girl
with a future.

It's called Lewy Body.
He has three to five years.

What's your future
look like?

- Morning, sir.
- Morning, Rick.

- Yo, it's been two weeks, man. You need to do something.
- Hey, hey, hey!

Get the fuck off me.
I'm just trying to talk to him.

- You need to do something. Get the fuck off me.
- It's all right.

- Settle down.
- It's all right. Let him go.

If this young man has something
to say to me, I should hear it.

It's all right.
Give him some space. Come on.

Thank you, Rick.

You got to get her out.

Sadly the Department of Corrections
is outside my purview.

Man, bullshit.

Your purview
put her there, man.

What kind of man
does that?

Sends his own daughter
to jail--

Don't you fucking dare
to judge my actions.

If I hadn't pissed in the faces of
federal agents preempting their raid,

she'd be stuck in Joliet's
general population right now.

The fact that she is where she
is at all isn't because of me.

It's because of a piece-of-shit
drug dealer like you.

I've heard what
you had to say.

I'll take it under consideration.
Remember to vote.

Man, if you don't
get her out, I swear--

You'll do what?

The only thing
that's believable about you

is that you have
the unmitigated stupidity

to threaten
the mayor of Chicago.

You okay, sir?

He won't be pulling
a lever for me.

- Don't bother with a report.
- Okay.

Ian: CNN and Fox are both covering
the groundbreaking ceremony.

We've got national feeds
to the three nets,

state and local affiliates,
confirmed print pubs,

"New York Times," "Washington
Post," "USA Today,"

the "Wall Street Journal,"
the "Sentinel."

I'm assuming you saw the
editorial on the ordinance.

Poaching real estate
from the Housing Authority

to line the pockets
of his fat-cat friends

all in the name
of urban renewal.

Would you like me
to un-invite--

22 goddamn years
to stick a single shovel

in the ground
for the O'Hare expansion.

That's an abuse of power, all the
obstructionists on the city council.

Fuck the "Sentinel."

And why am I talking
to a goddamn temp?

- I...
- How long are you on loan for?

Another few weeks.
Though Alderman Driscoll being a woman

does provide a loophole if it
was a gentleman's agreement.

As far as the Housing
Authority ordinance,

we're on track
for the vote tomorrow.

A request for postponement was denied
and you have a solid majority in place.

In terms of Ezra Stone's
replacement,

we've received
several CVs.

Who?

Advisor from Congressman Wexer's office.
Chief of staff from--

Who requested
the postponement?

Ross:
Want anything?

I'm fine.

- I think I have some juice.
- I'm not staying.

Never mind.
No juice.

Sit.

Sorry to bother
you at home,

but the vote is scheduled
for tomorrow.

Which?

Lennox Gardens.

This isn't one
we can lose.

You'd be surprised
what you can live without.

Quinn, Costigan, and Kowalski
all have concerns

about gang activity spilling into
their wards if the Gardens come down.

If we promise support
on the transit ordinance

coming up next month,
I think we can swing them.

Mm-hmm.

Even with that
and our caucus voting

in a block,
it would be tight.

You know I'm grateful,
don't you?

- Sir.
- It's important to me

that you know
how much you are

valued.

3,200 units--
mothers, children,

extended families,
friends,

not to mention 10,000
registered voters

making the Gardens a
substantial part of your base.

You know why I hired you?

Because you have
an impressive mind.

This isn't just
a housing project.

Allowing Kane
unchecked control

will devastate
an entire community.

It's your concern
that I find

most attractive.

( Sighs )

Thanks for
taking the time.

I'll do what I can.

Mona.

Get up off the mat...

sir.

Mrs. Kane.
Hi. Ian Todd.

I've been assisting
your husband since, well...

Pleasure to meet you.

I've long been an admirer
of Chicago's First Lady.

Excuse me.

If you'll just
give me a moment,

I'd like to make sure the mayor is
not in the middle of something.

( Chuckles )

I hardly think it's
your place to determine

when I can or cannot
see my husband.

Wouldn't you agree?

Yes, ma'am.

There's more than
one oversight.

Sitting Sudar
next to Lawson.

Amateur.

I'm sure you're feeling the
loss of both Ezra and Kitty.

And I suspect you're trying
to manage everything yourself.

But despite what is
no doubt a valiant effort,

you can't do it alone.

Things are falling
through the cracks.

I've made the appropriate
changes to the seating chart.

Perhaps now a clash
of the titans

can be avoided
at the ceremony.

Titans, my ass.

Parasites, all of them.

Thank you.

I saw Emma.

How is she?

Angry.

Holding up.

I'm trying to arrange
for a release.

State's attorney is being
a real prick about it.

Did she tell you
about me?

What's our plan, Tom?

( Chuckles )

Murder, robbery,

the selling of drugs,
rape--

if you've been convicted
of these crimes,

- ( applause )
- Reporter: A new statewide poll suggests

Senator Walsh has gained
ground with this message.

Walsh is getting traction
with this anti-felon thing.

Apparently she's raised over
three million this quarter.

Disclosure smoke
and mirrors.

The bill's never
gonna pass anyway.

Kane wouldn't let anything
touch Cook County voter rolls.

Have you talked to him?

- That doesn't strike you as odd?
- Not really.

I mean, when was
the last time he called you

or you had a coordinated
public appearance with him?

Maggie, I'm giving the introduction
at the O'Hare ceremony.

But when was the last time you
got any real press coverage?

The kind Walsh
is getting now?

When is he gonna infuse some
money into your war chest?

Don't worry.

The money'll come.

Three million, Ben.

( Shower running )

( phone vibrating )

- ( shower running )
- Hey, it's me.

Um, where the hell
have you been?

Uh, I need you

for the campaign,

so call me.

( Chimes )

( knocking )

- Woman: Do you want anything?
- I'm okay, Mom.

You're not eating
near enough.

I'm not hungry.

- Ballsy editorial, man.
- ( Cheering )

- All right.
- All right!

Okay, enough.
Enough already.

Four articles, emailed
to you late last night,

hard copies on your desk
since 6:00 this morning.

- Can I get approval, please?
- Yeah, I looked them over.

It's pretty
bite-sized stuff, Jackie.

You only gave me
five column inches.

I know, but-- whatever.

Just let me give them
a quick polish.

Dr. Harris,
you track her down yet?

No. No referrals on
the disconnected number.

And before you ask,
yes, I did follow up

with the police
on Stone's murder.

While they have no leads, there
have been a few burglaries

in the Near North area
where he lived.

Come on.

Just so we're clear,

you're gonna take a pass at my
articles and I'm free to move on?

To a piece on how much this O'Hare
extravaganza is costing the taxpayers.

As opposed to covering
the actual news?

If you can't find the doctor,
find Kitty O'Neill.

She was a no-show
at Stone's funeral.

I'm just gonna say it.
No one cares, Sam.

No one cares
and no one reads.

They skim.
They click on links.

They watch.

What they don't do
is cozy up to a 10-page

bullshit conspiracy theory
investigative piece on the mayor.

They know he's corrupt.
They don't give a shit!

Jackie, I'm not enjoying
the insubordination.

Do your job.

You are a fucking despot.

City of "I will."

I will.

City of "I will."

Always preferred
that city motto

to the one about it
being a garden.

Don't do that.

- Sir?
- Don't interrupt me with attempts at relevance.

Leadership of the Progressive
and Latino Caucuses

- are ready for you downstairs.
- Did you get me a name?

The request for a vote postponement
came from Alderman Ross' office,

his senior advisor
Mona Fredricks.

I'll need
a new whip count.

Something else I shouldn't
have to tell you.

Perhaps now isn't the time,
but I also received a copy

of the introduction speech
Mr. Zajac wrote for tomorrow.

- ( Scoffs ) Kill it.
- Sir?

Strangers, acquaintances.

None of you have
any idea who I am.

No speech.

No press for anyone.

Let them just sit there
and listen.

Keep their damn
mouths shut.

( Tom sighs )

Walsh: Narcissus staring
at himself in the lake

and making every major media
outlet in the country watch.

Tina: It'll be a virtual
press blackout for us.

Perhaps you should take
advantage of the lull, ma'am.

There's no coasting in politics.
Not here, anyway.

Oh, for Christ's sakes.
Somebody get me a Coke.

So what do we got, then?

Six stops between
Carbondale and Rockford

culminating in a rally
at the Knox County Fair.

It may not get a lot of press
that day, but we'll get bodies.

Decatur, Bloomington,
Champaign.

All cities of over 50,000 with a
strong voter profile in your favor.

Right, so while we're out here
preaching to the choir,

Kane's spending money on
O'Hare like a drunken sailor

and grabbing power
from the Housing Authority.

Somebody want to tell me why we're
not capitalizing on either?

Well, we have a number of
high-end fundraisers scheduled

in addition
to public appearances.

You really think
my judging a steer contest

at the county fair
is going to help my numbers?

But to cancel is to run
the risk of alienating.

My base wants me to win.
That's it.

And they know the only way
I get into office

is by stripping votes
out of Chicago.

Let's head back, find those
pockets of neglect and fear,

the wards adjacent
to Lennox Gardens.

He takes his day,
I'll take mine.

Are you sure
you're up for that?

You know,
with your leg?

- Brass tacks?
- By all means.

This ordinance
is a tough sell.

( laughs )
For the Progressives, maybe.

But the Latino Caucus
has always made an effort

to accommodate matters
of interest to the mayor.

Ian, get the alderman a treat.
He's being so obedient.

( Stifled laugh )

Leave the room, please.

The problem is I haven't seen
a viable relocation proposal.

I have similar concerns.

- What Adriana means is--
- I don't need a translator.

What I need is assurance that
the Lennox Gardens residents

won't be dumped
into the 30th.

And if Lalo were here, he'd
be saying the same thing.

- Lalo valued unity.
- He valued his job.

- Do you?
- Of course.

I'm honored to have been
appointed to my husband's seat.

Then I look forward to stumping for
you in your next election, Mrs. Mata.

( laughs nervously )

We'll advise our caucus members of
our continued support for you, sir.

Thanks, Carlos.
Adriana.

Tom, I want to work
with you on this,

but the Progressive Caucus
has never been so fractured.

And between Mata,
Ross, Ezra,

there's a power vacuum
going on.

My opinion-- it's not a
great time to move on this.

It means
that much to you?

It does.

Well, then,
I guess now's the time.

- ( Knocks )
- Ben: Walsh is closing the gap.

I'm not worried about it.

Thank you.
What's your name?

Patty.

Appreciate you
volunteering.

You'll get a big bounce
after the expansion ceremony.

And then it's back
to the usual spread.

She's got downstate,
you've got Kane.

When is the last time anyone from his
organization coordinated with ours?

Oh, for God's sake, Ben.
You'll be seen with him tomorrow.

And not just on WGN. He's giving
you a national platform.

Be fucking grateful.

- Did you look at my speech?
- Not yet, no.

- How's that game of Words With Friends?
- Heh.

What the hell?
I'm checking my email.

- Fuck.
- What is it?

Motherfucker.

He cut my introduction.

Shit.

You doing all right?

I mean, I know you
and Stone went way back.

Not as far
as you and me.

Who are you
calling old?

I want you to introduce me at the
O'Hare expansion ceremony tomorrow.

( Sighs )

Are you out of your tree?
I'm no politician.

Exactly why I want
you to do it.

You know who I was,
who I am.

- It's just a few words.
- I don't know, Tom.

I'll even write
the damn thing for you.

Think about it.

You visit Emma yet?

I'm not sure
she wants to see me.

She'll come around.

You had to do it.

She knows you couldn't play favorites.
You're the mayor.

Though you'll always be the kid
with the smart mouth to me.

( Tom chuckles )

Kavanaugh:
Couple of lookers, huh?

I mean me and you,
of course.

The occasion,
it eludes me.

I can't even remember
their names.

- Can you?
- Not a clue.

We both did all right back
in the day if you recall.

I suppose we did.

So you'll do
my intro, then?

( Typing )

( door opens )

- Thank you.
- Mr. Baine.

This is a surprise.

I see you've gotten
comfortable.

I have.

( Sighs )

Do you know how much
this paper represents

in terms of all of my media
holdings, Mr. Miller?

I believe
it's one-half of 1%.

I mention it not to suggest that the
"Sentinel" isn't important to me.

It is, very.
In fact, if it weren't,

I wouldn't be here
with you now.

- Okay.
- I read your editorial.

I think it's some
of my best work.

McGantry Enterprises,
Nyco, Tizer--

you know what those are?

Evil, monolithic
corporations?

They're businesses with
a stake in the redevelopment

of an area currently
known as Lennox Gardens.

With all due respect, you said
I could go after Kane at will

if I rode out
that one news cycle.

Just the one.
I did that.

This isn't about the mayor.

This is about
the bottom line-- ours.

See, Jack Bentley
understood this.

Did I make a mistake
in letting him go?

No, you did not.

Well, I'm relieved
to hear it

and so will our previously
mentioned corporate friends.

Like you, they'll be attending
the O'Hare expansion ceremony.

In fact,
while you're there,

you might consider apologizing
for your misguided opinion.

Ask them to reconsider

pulling their ads
from our publication.

Yes, sir.

And buy yourself
a decent suit.

You look like shit.

The groundbreaking
ceremony is tomorrow.

I only wish you
could be there for it.

The new terminal is a part
of your legacy, too, after all.

I'm going to make sure
Tom names one after you.

Won't that be nice?

I'm sure you haven't
given this much thought,

but my father
was a man of action.

He found things like talk shows
to be a rather hollow exercise.

He shouldn't be forced
to endure them now

simply because a caregiver
was too unconcerned

to ask what he might
prefer to watch.

It was news.
Primarily local.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll get his clothes.

Now, there we are.

He's sick, Daddy.

You may outlive him
after all.

You're letting nostalgia
cloud your judgment.

Alderman Ross' commitment
to this community

has nothing to do with
my personal affiliations.

Violent crimes
in that area are 3% higher

than anywhere else
in the city.

The Gardens were thriving
until the mayor slashed

the 21st law enforcement
budget in his first term.

And now he cites
crime rates

as a reason to evict
poor families?

Today...

an unemployment rate
quadruple the state's average--

that is the Lennox Gardens we're
discussing, Miss Fredricks.

The mayor's redevelopment
could create hundreds of jobs

that could eventually go
to current residents.

Really? To untrained,
unskilled workers?

Tom: Living in better housing,
in better school districts.

Where is Alderman Ross?

I haven't seen him since he sacrificed the
dignity of his position on live television.

Taking hundreds of
foreclosures off the market

and turning them into rental properties
suggests a win for the banks, Mr. Mayor,

not the people
of the 21st ward.

Alverson: So instead of
gang-infested blight,

we'd have people living
in single family homes.

You know,
I'm baffled as to why

you can't seem
to see the upside--

Because they can't
afford to live in them.

What we're really talking about
here is permanent displacement.

Alverson:
New transit systems.

I've reviewed
the mayor's proposal.

I've also reviewed
his record.

With the exception
of Mr. Alverson,

the Black Caucus is united.

And Alderman Ross
has 14 solid nays.

If your employer

wants to be a factor
in this negotiation,

tell him to show up
for work.

Otherwise, it may be time
for the Black Caucus

to find new leadership.

Thank you all for coming.

- ( distant siren blaring )
- ( Rap music playing )

Oh.

Yo, is Trey even here?

It's taking him--
it's been a while, man.

( laughs )
Look at cuz.

Hope you ain't mind
the wait.

Getting ready for work.

Get my tie for me.

Doing politics with
our new ward boss.

Knocking on doors,
registering voters.

Might even make it
to alderman at some point.

What's wrong?

You never thought you'd see
my ass straight up, huh?

Are you?
Straight up?

Thanks, baby.

You came all the way over
here to ask me that, man?

No, no.

I need your help, man.

( laughs )

You need my help?

You ain't one of my guys.
Never have been.

And you know that.

That's why I ain't got
to do shit for you.

I need you to get
to someone for me.

I want to thank you all so
much for being here today

and allowing me to spend some
time in beautiful Ashburn.

- Man: Thank you.
- Woman: All right.

But I can't imagine it was
easy keeping it this way.

Because while Mayor Kane siphons
money from the state budget

for pet projects
like the O'Hare expansion,

he robs working people of money
needed for their schools,

their clinics,
their libraries.

And now the mayor has
an urban renewal program

which would call for relocating
families to this neighborhood,

a neighborhood that
is already overtaxed

and underserviced
by city government.

We don't have enough
cops as it is.

So how are we supposed
to protect ourselves

when these project people
start moving in?

This is not
a matter of race.

What concerns me, and
should concern all of you,

is that public money

is being spent for
the benefit of everyone

but the working class.

There is no running
for governor a fifth time.

If she doesn't take
Springfield this year,

she never will.
Walsh knows that.

So rather than you losing
ground, she's made gains.

Minor.
Temporary.

Obviously she won't
be able to poach

Cook County votes
in any significant way.

Anti-felon bill be damned.
But she is trying.

Which is why I think
it's important

that I have your clear and visible support
as early as possible in the race.

- You think it's important?
- Just in a sense--

Mixed messages.

I don't follow.

Of course you don't follow.
Nobody fucking follows.

20 years of cajoling,
pushing, fighting,

ultimately succeeding--

it deserves
its own moment,

a singularity of intent.

What's been done for the
city, what will be done--

that is the message
that must be communicated,

not a pitch
for the candidate

who's become material
in the last month.

Last thing--
Rick Mathers,

my campaign manager.

He's only ever run
alderman races.

He's not focused, he's not
driven, he's not helping.

I think we need
to make a change.

Do what you need to do.

I look forward to
the O'Hare ceremony.

Should be something.

Oh, and don't talk to the
press while you're there.

At all.

Make yourself as small a target
as possible-- that's the key.

But taken to an extreme,
one risks becoming...

invisible.

How can I help you,
Miss Fredricks?

As you know,
Alderman Ross is opposed

to the ordinance
allowing Lennox Gardens

to be pulled from the Housing
Authority's control.

No, thanks.

Luncheon with
budget management today.

Gonna need it.

I understand you're voting
with the mayor.

That's right.

The streets in your ward
are about to become metered,

despite four attempts
on your part

to pass legislation
blocking it.

Free parking--

it's a surprisingly strong
issue for your constituents.

It is.

Cold out today.

It'll be fall before you
know it, Alderman Vukovich.

I'm putting a new version
of my ordinance

on the docket in October.

Still won't have any
friends in the chambers,

because you don't.

Alderman Ross and myself,

we've got lots of friends.

Was he married?

No.

But he meant
something to you.

It wasn't like that.

Why did you come
home, Kitty?

I told you already.
I just needed to get away for a bit.

Tell me what you did...

to lose your job.

Nothing.

( Mumbling )

The city of "I will."

( continues mumbling )

The world entering our city
is to be made wider still.

Portal.

( Continues mumbling )

Mr. Mayor.

Can I get you a coffee?
Something to eat?

Just give me
the whip count.

Mona Fredricks has locked in the
majority of the Black Caucus,

though we still have
a solid yea from Alverson.

Progressives are split.
It's looking like a tie,

which, of course, you could
break with the deciding vote.

Is that all?

I was unable to connect
with Alderman Vukovich,

- though she's a likely yea.
- Likely.

We could postpone the vote,
give ourselves enough time--

What part of "I don't want to postpone the
fucking vote" do you not understand?!

I'm throwing
the biggest goddamn party

of my political
career tomorrow.

And the guest of honor
is an ordinance

that allows me the power
to actually fix something

without having to wait
for 20 fucking years.

Now you're telling me
some-- some...

bullshit legislative
end run is going to stop me.

( Sighs )

Look, I worked with Ezra

for 30 years.

I can try to track
Vukovich down.

I'll handle that.

( Siren wailing )

Jesus Christ.

License and registration,
please, ma'am.

Do you know why
I pulled you over?

One second.
Let me get my credentials.

Have you been
drinking, ma'am?

I had a glass of wine
with lunch.

Dina Vukovich,
Alderman for the 14th ward.

I really need to get back
to chambers for a vote.

I'm gonna need you
to step out of the car

for a sobriety test,
please.

Then send Mitchell to the Commerce Commission.
I don't give a shit.

- Mitchell's in DC for a trade conference.
- He's in DC.

Then why the fuck am I
stuck here in Springfield?

Never mind.
What else?

Secretary:
Governor Cullen,

State Treasurer Zajac
is on the line.

How's that for
big brass balls?

Governor Cullen.

Ben: Hey, Governor, how are you?

Look, what happened
in the primary,

that was seriously
messed up.

And I want you to know

how sorry I am
for my part in it.

Obviously I was in
over my head.

But, look, nothing I can do
about it now and here we are.

Here we are.

So I'm sure
you've seen the polls.

This race is a lot tighter
than anyone expected

- and old Kane is MIA in his support.
- Huh.

So I was wondering,

any weaknesses of Walsh's
I should be attacking?

Weaknesses?

Look, Mac, if she wins,
she's gonna undo

four terms
of your hard work.

Kane may not care about the
state, but I know that you do.

Huh, I appreciate that.

And this is my advice

to you, Mr. Zajac.

Eat shit.

( laughs )

( buzzer sounds )

Ian:
Alderman Vukovich?

My name is Ian Todd.
I work for the mayor.

He asked me to reach out on his
behalf and help in any way he could.

- Thank you. Thank you so much.
- Of course.

I'm told that you were pulled
over by a police officer.

I am not drunk.

But you refused
a breathalyzer.

I'm sure if you were to take the
test now, it would prove you

well below the legal
limit for alcohol.

That's right.

Unfortunately there's a lot
of paperwork involved

in securing your release
and the dropping of charges.

It'll take a while.

But the mayor,

aware of your commitment
to voting on all ordinances,

thought you might want to arrange
for yours to be cast by proxy.

Ortiz:
Lennox Gardens

can and will be reborn.

It can be made better.

It can and will be a symbol
of pride for this city,

not shame, not fear,

not failure.

That can't happen
without a steady hand,

a guiding force,
a visionary.

And it won't happen
by committee,

particularly one
paralyzed by--

Move to close the debate.

I second the motion.

Let the voting begin
on the ordinance

to remove Lennox Gardens
from the jurisdiction

of the Chicago
Housing Authority.

Alderman Mata.

Yea.

I don't know
where Vukovich is,

- but you'd better go find that bitch now.
- Alderman Williams.

Williams:
Nay.

- Clerk: Alderman Larkowski.
- Yea.

Alderman Ross.

Mona Fredricks
with the alderman's proxy.

I vote nay.

Clerk:
Alderman Driscoll.

Yea.

- Clerk: Alderman Holden.
- Yea.

- Alderman Ryan.
- Yea.

- Alderman Thomas.
- Nay.

Alderman Vukovich.

Alderman Vukovich.

Ian Todd with
the alderman's proxy.

- I vote yea.
- ( Chamber murmuring )

- Clerk: Alderman Brown.
- Nay.

- Alderman Perry.
- Nay.

If we lose the majority,

Kane votes in
a tiebreaker and wins.

That can't happen.

It means too much
to too many people.

I need you to vote
against him on this.

You know I can't
do that, Mona.

Don't make me play
this card, Alan,

because I will post
your crazy shit

all over the goddamn
Internet if I have to.

Clerk:
Alderman O'Connor.

- We have a deal.
- O'Connor: Nay.

We got a new one.

- Clerk: Alderman Meyers.
- Nay.

Alderman Alverson.

Alderman Alverson.

Nay.

( Chamber murmuring )

Clerk:
Alderman Richie.

This is bullshit!

What are you trying to prove,
you son of a bitch?

- Take it easy!
- Tom: Order!

- Order!
- ( Clamoring )

- ( pounds gavel )
- Order. Order.

- ( Pounds gavel )
- Order!

Man:
Break it up!

The vote is suspended.

- ( Chamber groans )
- Clear the chamber.

- ( pounds gavel )
- Clear it!

Not today.

It's this kind of crap
that makes it impossible

to do what we need to do.

Kissing ad exec ass.

Who are we writing for,
fucking Macy's?

At least you're in the VIP
section, have a good view.

Of mayoral masturbation?
It's not what I signed up for.

No? Well, that's what everyone
else will be doing, too,

- if it's any consolation.
- It's not.

How do I look?

Good,
except for the tags.

Yeah.

Someone from Rosehill Cemetery
is calling for you.

Tom: Take stock of it all.
Breathe it in.

Look into their faces
and you'll realize

that they want you to succeed
at what you're doing.

Then you let it all go
and just speak,

like you're
talking to me,

the kid with
the smart mouth.

I've stared in the face
of killers,

never once blinked.

Up there, I might
just piss myself.

( Chuckles )

You'll be fine.

Sir, your wife's
arrived.

( Cameras clicking )

Excuse me.
Get a hold of yourself.

Reporter: Mrs. Kane, are you
happy to be here today?

Oh, yes.
It's a beautiful day, too.

Mrs. Kane, would you consider this
your husband's biggest achievement?

Absolutely.
It's a battle he's fought for years.

And that he's never wavered
in his desire to modernize

our most important gateway

is a testament to his
commitment to the city.

Which is not to say he hasn't had a
lot of help from his lovely wife.

Mr. McGantry, how big a role do you see
your company playing in the expansion?

McGantry Enterprises has always
played a part in city re-development

and will continue to do so.

As long as its CEO
behaves himself.

Fiscally, of course.

Wow.

Quite a production
for a groundbreaking.

Yeah.

It might just be easier
to go around.

Oh, that's right, you're
not allowed to campaign.

Fuck it.
Let's go this way.

( Reporters clamoring )
Treasurer Zajac!

Do you have Kane's
full support?

The mayor is a great man.

He's a friend
and mentor to my husband,

and I'm grateful
each and every day

for his steadfast
support of Ben's campaign.

- Reporter: Mrs. Zajac!
- No one said I couldn't talk.

( TV playing )

Reporter: Coming up, we are
live at the site

of what will soon be two new
terminals here at O'Hare Airport

and where Mayor Tom Kane
is expected to speak in...

Turn the channel.

Some of the biggest names in
Chicago's business community

will be in attendance.

- I said turn the channel.
- Shh.

Reporter: This very location was the
subject of great controversy...

- Turn the goddamn channel!
- Shh!

...Suggested that toxic
waste was buried here.

Mayor Kane,
who was in charge...

You think you get
to decide, bitch?

- Woman: Ooh!
- Woman #2: Whoa.

You don't get
to decide shit.

( Women gasping, murmuring )

( chatter )

I don't know why you're doing
this, but I don't need your help.

Somebody think you do.

Hey.

She's right over there.

- Thanks for the heads up.
- You got it. Thanks.

Please, just a second
of your time.

I am not gonna
talk to you.

Look, there are things I want
to know that you might want

to share now that you've
left the mayor's office.

How long did you
work with Ezra?

It doesn't matter.

I barely knew him.

Yeah, okay, but even so,
does it make sense to you

what they're saying
happened to him?

There's a point
when nothing does.

Excuse me.

Sam Miller
at "Chi Sentinel."

Available to talk
anytime.

A man I've known since
we were 10 years old.

A man of honor.
A man of vision.

A man of his word.

I remember when you
embarked on this.

I remember when it was
an impossibility.

Kavanaugh: He's the best
friend I ever had...

You should be proud.

And the mightiest warrior
I've ever come across...

and the greatest mayor
that's ever been--

ladies and gentlemen,
Tom Kane.

- ( Applause, cheering )
- ( Instrumental music playing )

( music drowns dialogue )

Tom:
The city of "I will."

Born in a battle against
slough and swale,

a land that showed neither
promise nor purpose,

won with metal,
with concrete,

with our own hands
hammering, forging,

and building.

( Applause, cheering )

This airport expansion
was necessary

22 years ago,

and yet it is only
just today that we begin

to break ground
to lay stone.

I'm not gonna lie to you.

I am grateful and proud

that on my watch the
obstructionists were vanquished.

( Applause, cheering )

Tom:
But there is more to do.

And it can't wait.

Not 20 years,
not 10,

not two.

There are areas
in our city

that are in need of our immediate
attention, areas of neglect.

And if time
is the justice

that examines
all offenders,

then city hall

is guilty of inaction.

Public housing
is such an area.

Lennox Gardens,
John Robinson Homes,

Washington Heights.

With your support
and, hopefully,

with that
of the city council,

I will soon have
an opportunity

to address that neglect
and be given the tools

to start over,
to reimagine, rebuild,

and reclaim the dream

that once was.

They say that greatness

is not a matter of chance,
it's a matter of choice.

I say that greatness is not
something we can wait for.

It's something
we achieve.

And we'll do it together.

( Cheering )

Because we are
the city

of "I will."

Thank you.

- ( Instrumental music playing )
- Thank you. God bless you.

( Gunshots )

( people screaming )

- Man: Shots fired!
- Get him up! Get him out of here!

- Get me an ambulance now!
- Get him out of here now!

This way, this way!

( Instrumental music playing )

( vocalizing )