Dark Blue (2009–2010): Season 2, Episode 8 - Shell Game - full transcript

A young black man is gunned down and evidence points to possible corruption by a noted figure in the community. Due to circumstances, the case takes on special significance for Ty.

* I GOT MONEY, I GOT CARS

* I GOT CLOTHES,
'CAUSE I'M A STAR *

* BUT DON'T GOT YOU

* IT'S YOU

* I WANT YOU

* I WANT YOU

* I GOT MONEY, I GOT CARS

* I GOT CLOTHES...

HOW COME...

I NEVER GET TO COME OVER
TO YOUR PLACE?

HUH, DEVIN?



'CAUSE I TOLD YOU --
I'M SEPARATED.

AND I LIVE
WITH MY BROTHER.

YOU BETT BE SEPARATED.

'CAUSE I DON'T WANT
ANY TROUBLE.

I DON'T WANT NONE
NEITHER.

* ...HOLDIN' ON TO YOU

WHAT THE HELL
WAS THAT?

Man:
EVA, ARE YOU THERE?!

Ty: WHERE YOU GOING?
WHERE YOU GOING?

Eva:
THAT'S MY BROTHER!

C.J. JUST GOT SHOT!
HE'S NOT MOVING!

COME ON! HE'S NOT MOVING!
HE IN THE STREET!

GRAB THE KEYS.
MEET US OUT FRONT.

COME ON. COME ON.
COME ON.



HANG IN THERE.
C.J.:
WHERE'S YOUR SISTER?

C.J., COME ON!

WE'RE GONNA GET SOME HELP.
HANG IN THERE!

Ty: COME ON!
GO IN THE CAR!

GET UP!

HANG IN THERE, C.J.

DRIVE! DRIVE!
DRIVE!

WE WERE JUST ALL HANGING OUT,
JUST ALL OUT THERE CHILLIN'.

A CAR FULL OF MEXICANS DROVE UP,
ASKED C.J. A FEW QUESTIONS.

THEY STARTED SHOOTING.

YOU AIN'T KNOW
NONE OF THEM?

NO, I AIN'T KNOW
NONE OF THEM.

WELL, DID YOU GET A LOOK
AT THE SHOOTER, AT LEAST?
NO.

I TOLD YOU
A THOUSAND TIMES,

YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL
ABOUT WHO YOU SOCIALIZE WITH.

COME ON, SIS. C.J.'S OKAY.
I'VE KNOWN HIM MY WHOLE LIFE.

I HOPE HE LIVES,
BUT C.J.'S A DRUG-DEALING PUNK.

WHAT I'M GONNA SAY
TO THE POLICE, HUH?

YOU TELL THEM
EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAW.

THAT'S WHAT YOU TELL THEM.
What about the bag?

Look, I can't get jammed up
in this heroin business.

Colleges get nervous
about this.

Was it your gym bag?
Hell, no.

Then you'll keep
your mouth shut.

Woman: NO.

NO!

GOD, NO!
PLEASE!

WHY?

WHY DID IT HAPPEN
TO MY C.J.?

IT'S CONFUSING,
IT'S HEARTBREAKING, I KNOW.

BUT WE WILL PERSEVERE,

AND WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT
AGAINST SENSELESS VIOLENCE.

I PROMISE.

MY ASSISTANT WILL CALL
TO DISCUSS FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU.

YES.
THANK YOU.

OKAY.

THANK YOU
FOR EVERYTHING.

Man:
I'M SO SORRY.

WALTER SHELL.

Ty:
OH, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

DEVIN WRIGHT.

I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

I DON'T KNOW
HOW MUCH WE HELPED,

BUT WE DID THE BEST WE COULD,
MR. SHELL.

MAY I SPEAK WITH YOU
IN PRIVATE, DEVIN?

OF COURSE.
YEAH.

TIMES LIKE THIS...

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

IS TO PROTECT THE LEGACY
OF THE DECEASED

AND THE REPUTATION
OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I FOLLOW, SIR.

IT'S A COMPLICATED WORLD
OUT THERE FOR YOUNG BROTHERS.

PEOPLE...
DO THINGS TO GET BY,

TO PROVIDE
FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

IT'S WRONG, IT'S ILLEGAL,
IT'S SHAMEFUL, BUT...

MATTERS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE
DEALT WITH PRIVATELY...

IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

I DO.

I UNDERSTAND
THERE WAS A GYM BAG.

YES, SIR, UM...

THE GYM BAG
WAS IN THE STREET.

IS THAT RIGHT?

I DIDN'T LOOK INSIDE,
OF COURSE,

AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW
WHAT I SHOULD DO WITH IT.

WELL, IF IT COULD
MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR YOU,

I COULD HAVE ONE OF MY MEN
PICK IT UP.

Carter: SHELL?

AS IN WALTER SHELL?

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE, MAN.
WALTER SHELL IS A DIRTY DUDE.

WELL, MAYBE HE'S
JUST BEING PROTECTIVE

OF THE KID'S REPUTATION,
THAT'S ALL.

NO, CARTER,
IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THAT, MAN.

I GOT A LOOK AT HIM, YOU KNOW?
I LOOKED IN HIS EYES.

AND THIS EVA WOMAN?

UH, SHE'S A FRIEND,
YOU KNOW?

I SEE HER FROM TIME TO TIME.
THAT'S IT.

SHE KNOW YOU'RE A COP?

SHE KNOW YOUR REAL NAME?

NO.

AND SHE LIVES
IN THE PROJECTS.

CARTER,
SHE'S A GOOD WOMAN.

I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND
THE FACTS. THAT'S ALL, TY.

WHAT'S UP
WITH THE LUGGAGE?

I'M TAKING A MIDNIGHT CRUISE
TO MEXICO.

SHUFFLEBOARD, BINGO,
BUFFETS,

SKYDIVING, JET SKIING --
THE WHOLE NINE.

WOW. REALLY?

COME ON, TY.

CLEAN YOURSELF UP,

AND I'LL SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE
IN ABOUT A HALF-HOUR.

YOU GOT IT.
SEE YOU THERE.

Alex:
WALTER SHELL?

WOULDN'T BE
THE FIRST COMMUNITY SAVIOR

TO BE A LYING SCUMBAG.

WERE YOU ALWAYS
THIS CYNICAL?

LET ME THINK.
YEAH.

YEAH, I DON'T LIKE
THE SOUND OF THIS EVA THING.

PUTS TY
IN A TRICKY POSITION.

THAT'S ONE WAY
TO LOOK AT IT.

AND THE OTHER WAY?

IT'S IDEAL.
HE'S ALREADY IN.

PLUS, SHELL THINKS
THAT HE'S A LITTLE DIRTY

FOR TURNING OVER
THE HEROIN ANYWAY.

ASK ME,
IT'S CLOSE TO PERFECT.

YOU SURE
THIS MAKES SENSE?

IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY, RIGHT?

TILL YOU FIND A PLACE.

I KNOW.
IT JUST FEELS A BIT PREMATURE.

IT'S...
IT'S GONNA BE GREAT.

WALTER SHELL HAS
TWO PRIORS --

ASSAULT IN '87
AND COCAINE POSSESSION, '89.

AFTER THAT?

AFTER THAT, HE GOT RICH
SELLING DOUGHNUTS TO THE POOR.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE
HE STARTED INVESTING

IN VARIOUS CHARITIES
AND FOUNDATIONS.

FLANKING HIMSELF WITH
FANCY POLITICIANS AND FRIENDS.

HE'S GOT AN FBI FILE, TOO.
Dean: YEAH. WHO DOESN'T?

THERE ARE LOTS OF ALLEGATIONS --
MOSTLY DRUGS BUT NOTHING SOLID.

SO WHAT ARE WE
WAITING FOR?

PROOF THIS GUY'S
ACTUALLY WORTH INVESTIGATING?

YOU KNOW, GUYS, I CAN
TAKE A RUN AT SHELL DIRECTLY.

I'VE BEEN WORKING THAT
NEIGHBORHOOD A FEW MONTHS NOW.

NEIGHBORHOOD
OR THE CHICKS?

TELL HIM YOU'RE LOOKING TO
EXPAND YOUR LAUNDROMAT COMPANY

AND THAT YOU NEED
INVESTORS.

IN THE MEANTIME, LET'S CHECK OUT
THE COMPTON HEROIN SCENE

AND FIGURE OUT
WHO'S CALLING THE SHOTS

AND SEE IF HE'S
CONNECTED TO SHELL.

IT'S THE TRUTH.

SHELL? COME ON, MAN.
HE'S A LEGEND.

HALF THE DAMN BUILDINGS
ARE NAMED AFTER HIS ASS.

DOESN'T MEAN
HE'S NOT SLINGING "H," RIGHT?

COULD BE.
I DON'T KNOW.

I NEVER HEARD NOTHING
ABOUT THAT.
YEAH, OKAY.

SO WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD?
WHO'S IN CHARGE AROUND HERE?

IT'S TOUGH TO SAY.

THERE'S LOTS OF GANGS.
LOTS OF GHETTO POLITICS.

YOU KNOW.
ALL RIGHT, LOOK.

PARTY FAVORS, ALL RIGHT?

I WANT YOU TO GIVE THESE
TO ALL YOUR BOYS.

MM.
HEY, HEY, HEY.

BUT YOU MAKE SURE THEY KNOW
WHERE YOU GOT IT FROM.

DEAN, YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND, MAN?
THIS IS COMPTON.

PEOPLE ARE NOT
JUST GONNA STICK AROUND

AND LET SOME WHITE BOY
MOVE PRODUCT ON THEIR TURF.

OKAY.
WHAT'S YOUR MEANING?

THEY'RE GONNA COME LOOKING
FOR YOUR ASS.

THAT'S THE POINT, DUMMY.
GET IT OUT THERE.

WHAT YOU LOOKING AT?

YOU WERE TELLING ME
ABOUT THE DUDE.

YOU EVER HAVE A CONVERSATION
WITH HIM?

NO. LIKE I SAID,
I DON'T KNOW THE MAN.

I'VE SEEN HIM AROUND TOWN
HERE AND THERE,

BUT THAT'S IT.

HE SEEMED LIKE
A PRETTY COOL DUDE, YOU KNOW?

I WAS JUST WONDERING
IF HE WAS LEGIT, THAT'S IT.

WHY ARE YOU SO CURIOUS
ABOUT HIM?

JUST WONDERING IF HE COULD
HELP OUT WITH MY BUSINESS --

YOU KNOW,
MAYBE HIS WALLET.

WELL, HE'S GOT LOTS OF CASH,
THAT'S FOR SURE.

BUT...

IS HE LEGIT?

WHO KNOWS?

YEAH, WHO KNOWS?

HOW ABOUT JOSHUA?

IS YOUR BROTHER
LEGITIMATE?

YEAH, JOSH IS A --
HE'S A GOOD KID.

YOU KNOW,
HE RUNS WITH A ROUGH CROWD.

BUT THERE'S NO WAY AROUND THAT,

NOT AROUND HERE.

HAS HE EVER BEEN LOCKED UP?
HE EVER BEEN ARRESTED?

NO.

DOESN'T OWN A GUN EITHER,
UNLIKE YOU.

YOU KNOW,
IF YOU'RE A BUSINESSMAN,

WHY THE HELL DO YOU HAVE A GUN
IN THE BACK OF YOUR DAMN PANTS?

BECAUSE I OWN A BUSINESS

THAT AIN'T NECESSARILY LOCATED
IN BEVERLY HILLS, MISS EVA.

IT'S DANGEROUS, YOU KNOW,
SO I CARRY A PIECE.

I DON'T DATE
CRIMINALS, D.

I DON'T SCREW THEM
EITHER.

LUCKY FOR ME...

I'M A BUSINESSMAN.

GOOD.
'CAUSE I LIKE SCREWING YOU.

MM.

DAMN.

LOOKING FOR SOME TAR.

HOW MUCH YOU WANT?

TWO GRAMS.

YEAH, YOU KNOW,
I WANT SOME QUALITY, THOUGH.

I DON'T WANT ANY OF THAT CRAP
I BOUGHT DOWN HERE LAST TIME.

BEST STUFF
WEST OF AFGHANISTAN.

GOT MY WORD ON THAT, TOO.

WOW. YOUR WORD.
I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER.

IT'S THE TRUTH.

IS IT DEAN'S STUFF?

DEAN?

YEAH, HE'S A WHITE DUDE.

WORKS OUT OF AN AUTO SHOP
ON 86th STREET.

WORD IS HE'S GOT
THE BEST STUFF.

WHITE DUDE SLINGING SMACK
AROUND HERE?

YOU TRIPPING, SEXY.

SORRY.
I WANT DEAN'S STUFF.

HEY, YOU GUYS EVER HEAR
OF A WHITE DUDE NAMED DEAN?

HOW YOU DOIN'?

PUT THAT GUN ON THE DECK
RIGHT NOW.

EVER SEE WHAT A SHOTGUN DOES
TO SOMEBODY'S FACE?

Dean:
EASY. THERE WE GO.

OKAY.
WHO SENT YOU?

THAT'S ALL WE WANT TO KNOW.
WE WANT A NAME. COME ON.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE,
THAT'S COOL.

BUT WE WILL
HAVE TO SHOOT YOU.

MALCOM.

LAST NAME.

PEOPLE JUST
CALL HIM MALCOM.

GET THE HELL
OUT OF HERE.

THERE'S GOT TO BE AN EASIER WAY
TO DO THIS.

EASIER, YEAH.
FASTER, NO.

Shell: I WAS 18...

POOR...

UNEDUCATED.

LIKE MANY OF YOU,
I MADE MISTAKES.

BUT I WAS ABLE
TO TURN MY LIFE AROUND

AND BECOME A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER
OF THIS COMMUNITY.

IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE
TO PRESENT TO YOU

THE WALTER SHELL
COMMUNITY CENTER!

Ty:
MR. SHELL.

IT'S REALLY NICE
TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MAN.

DEVIN WRIGHT.

I REMEMBER YOUR NAME,
YOUNG MAN.

WALTER SHELL
NEVER FORGETS A FACE.

ESPECIALLY THE FACE
OF A SMART MAN

WHO UNDERSTANDS THE SOCIETAL
COMPLEXITIES OF THE WORLD.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

IN FACT, I ACTUALLY WANTED TO
TALK TO YOU ABOUT MY BUSINESS.

SURE.

WELL, RIGHT NOW
I OWN SOME LAUNDROMATS.

AND OF COURSE
I'M TRYING TO EXPAND, SO, UH...

I'M KIND OF COMING TO YOU
FOR HELP, PERHAPS.

ARE THESE LAUNDROMATS
IN URBAN AREAS?

RIGHT HERE, SIR.

THAT'S GOOD.

IN FACT, I COULD ACTUALLY
SEND YOU THE BUSINESS PLAN,

IF YOU DON'T MIND.

ABSOLUTELY.
OKAY.

AND, UH, THANKS AGAIN
FOR, UH...

BEING SO PRUDENT

WITH RESPECT TO THAT YOUNG MAN'S
HORRIFIC DEATH

AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES
SURROUNDING IT.

WELL, TO BE HONEST
WITH YOU, SIR,

I KIND OF UNDERSTAND
THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD, TOO.

"THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD"?

YEAH.

I'M AN ENTREPRENEUR.

I SELL TO THE PEOPLE...

WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

YOU'RE AN INTERESTING
YOUNG MAN, DEVIN.

GOOD MORNING.

HI.

I'M FRIENDS WITH...

MY NAME'S ALEX.

ROSIE.

ROSIE, BUENOS DíAS.
¿COMO ESTAS?

BIEN. GRACIAS.

STILL NO WORD
ON MALCOM'S LAST NAME.

DO YOU REALLY THINK
THIS GUY'S WORKING FOR SHELL?

I MEAN, NOW WHAT?
HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD?

BUY-AND-BUSTS.

START AT THE BOTTOM,
FLIP UP TO THE TOP.

THAT'S NOT TERRIBLY
EXOTIC.

BUT EFFECTIVE.

10 YEARS AGO,
I TURNED A DIME BAG OF WEED

INTO FIVE KILOS OF COKE
IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS.

NOT TO BRAG OR ANYTHING.

I NEED FIVE GRAMS.

Carter:
L.A.P.D. FREEZE.

YOU NEVER HEARD
OF MALCOM?

NO. NEVER.

WHAT ABOUT SHELL?

WALTER SHELL

HELL, NO. HE AIN'T GOT NOTHING
TO DO WITH THIS.

WHO'S YOUR SUPPLIER?

YOU KNOW I CAN'T TALK
ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW HOW IT IS.

LET ME BREAK IT DOWN
FOR YOU, CHRIS.

IF YOU DON'T GIVE US
THE NAME OF YOUR SUPPLIER,

YOU'RE GOING TO PRISON.

I'M ONLY 15.

I DON'T CARE.
HEROIN IS HEROIN.

LOOK, MAN,
I WAS JUST HELPING OUT.

CUFF HIM.

YOU EVER BEEN
TO PRISON, SON?

NO.

MURDERERS...RAPISTS...
PEDOPHILES.

YOUR MAMA READY
FOR ALL THAT?

MAN, I DON'T WANT
TO GO TO JAIL.

LET ME TELL YOU
HOW IT'S GONNA BE.

NOW YOU GIVE ME A NAME
RIGHT NOW.

WHAT'S HIS NAME?

Dwayne: CHRIS SAID YOU'RE
LOOKING FOR A DIRTY BURRITO.

Jaimie:
YEAH, THAT'S CORRECT.

$3,000.

JUST 'CAUSE
I'M A WHITE CHICK

DON'T MEAN I LIKE
TO GET PLAYED, DWAYNE.

THAT'S JUST THE PRICE,
BABY.

NO, THE PRICE
IS TWO GRAND.

OKAY.

$2,500.

YOU KNOW,
I SHOULD HAVE THE A.C.L.U.

FILE A LAWSUIT
AGAINST YOU --

DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST WHITE CHICKS.

AIN'T GOT NOTHING
TO DO WITH THAT, BABY.

IT'S JUST BUSINESS.

$2,200 AND CALL IT
A DONE DEAL.

WHAT YOU LOOKING AT,
CHRIS?

WHAT?
NOTHING.

WHERE YOU SAY
YOU MET THIS CHICK AGAIN?

ON 86th.

OKAY.
HEY, MAN --

SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH,
BITCH.

LOOK CLEAN TO ME.

'CAUSE I SNORT IT.

WHY YOU SO NERVOUS, C?

HUH?!

Carter: DROP THE GUN.
PUNK-ASS LITTLE BITCH!

GO, ALEX!
GO! GO!

Carter:
THE LOOKOUT TOOK OFF.

THE LOOKOUT --
TY, CHASE HIM DOWN.

Ty:
POLICE! STOP!

FREEZE!

HANDS UP.

TURN AROUND
NICE AND SLOW.

JOSH?

YOU'RE A LIAR, MAN.

YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD US
YOU WERE A COP.

LOOK, MAN, THAT AIN'T
THE POINT HERE.
WHY NOT?

BECAUSE YOU'RE IN TROUBLE.
THAT'S THE POINT.

I DIDN'T DO NOTHING.

RUNNING LOOKOUT FOR A HEROIN
DEALER, JOSH, AIN'T NOTHING.

LOOK, I NEEDED THE MONEY, OKAY?
FOR SCHOOL, BOOKS.

COACH SAID I NEEDED TO
PAY MY WAY THE FIRST SEMESTER

AND AFTER THAT
HE'LL GIVE ME A SCHOLARSHIP.

COME ON, MAN, YOU GOT TO STOP
WITH ALL THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL.

STOP WITH THAT.
IT'S TRUE.

TO BE SO INNOCENT,

YOU SURE DO SEEM TO RUN
WITH A LOT OF TROUBLE.

I DIDN'T PICK
WHERE I WAS BORN, BRO.

I'M BORN
IN THE SAME PLACE, BRO.

SO YOU CAN SAVE THAT BULLSHIT,
ALL RIGHT?

Alex:
YOUR BUDDY DWAYNE IS DEAD.

Carter: YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE
PULLED THE TRIGGER YOURSELF.

WHAT? THAT'S CRAZY.
YOU KNOW I AIN'T DO THAT, MAN.

IT IS.
BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER.

DWAYNE GOT KILLED DURING
THE COMMISSION OF A FELONY,

WHICH MEANS WE CAN CHARGE YOU
WITH FELONY MURDER.

THE ONLY WAY OUT
IS TO WORK WITH US.

SO Y'ALL WANT ME
TO BE A SNITCH, HUH?

SNITCH, RAT, PUNK, BITCH --
PICK YOUR TERM.

BUT YEAH,
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.

YOUR OTHER CHOICE
IS TO GO TO JAIL --

FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

NOW YOU IN...OR OUT?

YOU REALLY THINK
FLIPPING THIS KID MAKES SENSE?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

YOU'RE SCREWING
HIS SISTER, TY.

IT SORT OF COMPLICATES
THINGS.

YEAH, OKAY. I KNOW.
I CAN HANDLE THIS, ALEX.

WHAT IF HE TIPS HER OFF,
TELLS HER YOU'RE A COP?

HE WON'T.
HOW DO YOU KNOW?

COME HERE, HOMEY.

YOU GONNA TELL EVA
WHAT I DO?

NO.

YOU GONNA TELL EVA
WHAT I DO?

NO. I SWEAR TO GOD.
I AIN'T GONNA SAY NOTHING.

YOU LYING TO ME?

IF YOU TELL ANYONE
THAT I'M A COP,

I'M GONNA PUT A BULLET
IN YOUR HEAD.

YOU HEAR ME?

YES.

GOOD.

LIKE I SAID,
I CAN HANDLE THIS.

YOU NEVER HEARD OR SEEN SHELL
TALKING ABOUT DRUGS?

Josh: I'VE NEVER EVEN
SAID HELLO TO HIM.

EXCEPT THAT NIGHT
C.J. DIED.

OKAY.
WHAT ABOUT A GUY NAMED MALCOM?

I KNOW A DUDE NAMED MALCOM.
MALCOM LEE, YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, JOSH,

YOU'RE GONNA SET UP
A MEETING WITH ME AND MALCOM.

THAT SOUNDS DANGEROUS.

YEAH.
'CAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS, JOSH.

IF IT WERE EASY,
YOU'D BE IN JAIL

WASHING SOME GUY'S
UNDERWEAR.

Malcom:
HOW YOU BEEN, MAN?

OH, GOOD.
REAL GOOD, BROTHER MALCOM.

YEAH? YEAH.
YEAH.

I HEAR YOU'RE GETTING LOOKS
OVER AT SMCC THIS YEAR.

OH, YEAH.
GOOD FOR YOU.

YEAH, THE COACH
IS PRETTY COOL.

PUTS A LOTS OF PLAYERS
IN D-1, TOO.

SO WORK HARD.
STAY FOCUSED.

Jaimie:
I PULLED MALCOM'S FINANCIALS.

GUESS WHO OWNS
HIS FURNITURE STORE.

COMPANY CALLED REVERSE JAM.

Dean: SO?

SHAREHOLDERS ARE MALCOM LEE
AND, UH...

WALTER J. SHELL
URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION.

GOOD OLD WALTER SHELL.
ALWAYS LOOKING TO HELP.

Malcom:
SO, WHAT'S GOING ON, JOSH?

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

Josh:
AIN'T NOTHING MUCH.

I MET THIS GUY.
DEAN. WHITE DUDE.

HE ASKED ME IF I KNEW
SOMEONE NAMED MALCOM LEE.

IT WAS JUST LIKE THAT?

JUST LIKE THAT.
OUT THE BLUE.

WE START TALKING
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD,

AND HE JUST SAID HE MOVED HERE
FROM ARIZONA OR SOMETHING.

WELL, WHAT ELSE
DID HE SAY?

HE OFFERED ME 500 BUCKS

IF I CAN SET UP
A MEETING WITH YOU.

WHAT AM I MISSING HERE, MAN?
WELL, YOU'RE A CIVILIAN.

YOU'RE A BASKETBALL
PLAYER.

YOU SHOULD BE WORKING
ON YOUR CROSSOVER,

NOT SETTING UP MEETINGS
FOR PUNKS NAMED DEAN.

CASH IS CASH.

WELL, THIS GUY DEAN
SAY ANYTHING ELSE?

YEAH, HE SAID
HE'S A BUSINESSMAN.

HE JUST WANTED TO TALK.

YEAH, YEAH,
I JUST WANT TO TALK, MALCOM.

JUST WANT TO TALK TO YOU,
THEN BUST YOUR LITTLE PUNK ASS.

IF YOU LIKE THIS GUY DEAN,
THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.

HAVE HIM GIVE ME A CALL.

YOU'RE IN.

Dean: THAT WAS MALCOM.

YOU KNOW, HE'S A DECENT GUY.

HE JUST APOLOGIZED TO ME
FOR TRYING TO HAVE ME WHACKED.

YOU SET THE MEETING,
RIGHT?

YEAH. TODAY, 6:00.

I OFFERED TO SELL HIM A BRICK OF
MY BEST "H" AS A PEACE OFFERING.

WHAT'S UP, JOSH?

WHOA. RELAX!

TAKE A DEEP BREATH, JOSH.

I SAID RELAX.

OKAY.

MEET ME AT DEAN'S AUTO SHOP
IN 15 MINUTES.

APPARENTLY
MALCOM WANTS JOSH

TO HANG OUT
WITH A COUPLE OF HIS EMPLOYEES

AND MAKE SURE YOU AND MALCOM
GOT NO PROBLEMS.

HE'S GONNA
HOLD HIM HOSTAGE

IN CASE THIS DEAL
DOESN'T GO DOWN RIGHT.

LIKE I TOLD YOU ON THE PHONE,
I'M FROM SCOTTSDALE, MAN.

I'M NEW AROUND HERE.
I DON'T KNOW THE RULES.

WELL, THE RULES ARE SIMPLE,
HOMEY.

YOU WANT TO PLAY,
TALK TO ME FIRST.

I SURE HOPE THAT DEAL WITH
MALCOM GOES DOWN NICE AND EASY.

Dean: THIS...

THAT'S THE BEST
THERE IS.

MY MAN.

L.A.P.D.

PUT YOUR HANDS OVER YOUR HEAD.
PUT 'EM UP! RIGHT NOW.

HEY, STAY IN TOUCH,
MY MAN.

POLICE!

ON THE GROUND!
NOW!

GUN!

GET UP!
LET'S GO!

COME ON!

COME ON.
YOU'RE OKAY.

YOU SURE?

YEAH.
IT'S JUST ME AND YOU.

SO, BROTHER,
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE DEAD?

WHAT ABOUT EVA?
WHAT ARE WE GONNA TELL HER?

YOU OKAY?

MM. I DON'T KNOW.

CAN I GET YOU SOMETHING?
FOOD?

DRINK?

HE WAS A GOOD KID.

HE WAS.

I MEAN, I...
I TRIED TO DO MY BEST.

I DID.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS HORRIBLE.
THERE'S NO WORDS.

BUT IT WAS NOT...

YOUR FAULT.

I DON'T THINK SO.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S OTHER WAYS
TO GO AFTER SHELL.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

IF YOU WANT TO PULL OUT,
I GET IT.

NO.

DON'T YOU TAKE ME
OFF THIS CASE.

CARTER, YOU HEAR ME?

I WANT SHELL'S ASS
BAD, MAN.

THAT SON OF A BITCH
HAS SPENT HIS ENTIRE LIFE

SNATCHING INNOCENCE
AND STEALING SOULS.

I WANT IN.
HE'S PURE EVIL.

I UNDERSTAND, TY, BUT --

WHAT ABOUT MALCOM,
SHELL'S BOY?

YOU TALK TO HIM YET?
MAYBE HE CAN HELP.

YEAH. I ASKED IF HE'D BE WILLING
TO WORK WITH US.

HE BASICALLY SAID
GO TO HELL.

LOYAL SOLDIER.

YEAH.
HE DIDN'T BLINK.

HE WAS LAWYERED UP BY THE TIME
HE GOT TO THE PRECINCT.

WELL, THERE'S WORSE THINGS
THAN THAT, CARTER.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

WITH MALCOM'S ASS
IN THE JOINT,

SHELL'S GOT TO BE OPEN
TO WORKING WITH NEW PARTNERS,

LIKE YOURS TRULY,
MAYBE DEVIN WRIGHT.

I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK.

HEY, EVA.

WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT?

NO, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU.
THEY CAN'T DO THAT.

I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

EVA'S AT THE PRECINCT.

SHE'S TRYING TO FIND
HER BROTHER'S BODY.

THEY'RE GIVING HER
THE RUNAROUND.

OKAY.
WE SHOULD BE FINE.

I TALKED
TO THE CORONER'S OFFICE.

THEY SAID THEY'D COVER US
FOR FIVE DAYS, SO...

OKAY.
FIVE DAYS GIVES US TIME.

I'LL CALL YOU,
CARTER.

Alex: HEY.

HEY.

IS HE OKAY?

HE'S BEEN BETTER.

IN MY EXPERIENCE,

UNHOLY ALLIANCES USUALLY CAUSE
MORE PAIN THAN JOY.

IS, UH,
OUR ALLIANCE UNHOLY?

YES.
THAT'S WHY IT'S SO FUN.

HM.

OH, I LOST MY SILVER BRACELET
AT YOUR HOUSE YESTERDAY.

SO IF YOU FIND IT, IT'S MINE,
NOT SOME RANDOM BIMBO'S,

IN CASE YOU WERE GONNA
THROW IT OUT

IN CASE
I MIGHT GET JEALOUS.

I'LL HAVE ROSIE
TAKE A LOOK FOR IT.

YEAH. WELL...

WHAT?

ROSIE'S NOT A BIG FAN.

SHE'S JUST QUIET.
THAT'S ALL.

SHE HATES ME.

I'M SERIOUS.

SCREW THEM!
THOSE DAMN COPS!

YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO
TREAT YOU LIKE DIRT!

THEY DON'T KNOW WHO THE HELL
THEY'RE MESSING WITH!
I UNDERSTAND.

I KNOW IT'S FRUSTRATING.

FRUSTRATING?
I WANT TO SEE MY BROTHER!

WHO THE HELL ARE THEY TO TELL ME
I GOT TO WAIT FIVE DAYS?

THEY SAID FIVE DAYS?

HERE.
HAVE A DRINK.

TAKE IT.

EVA.
HOW YOU HOLDING UP?

THANK YOU
FOR COMING.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

DEVIN, THIS IS MY LAWYER,
MARK HASTINGS.

NICE TO MEET YOU, DEVIN.
Ty: LIKEWISE.

LIKE I SAID,

AIN'T NOBODY KEEPING ME
FROM SEEING MY BROTHER.

I'M FILING AN INJUNCTION
THIS AFTERNOON.

YOU AND JOSH
WILL BE BACK TOGETHER

BEFORE TOMORROW MORNING.

Shell:
CHOCOLATE-COVERED DOUGHNUTS...

ALWAYS TASTE GOOD.

GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES.

ALL THE TIME.

JUST LIKE YOUR BUSINESS.

WASHING CLOTHES.

AMEN.

IT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT,
NO MATTER WHAT.

PROBLEM IS,
IT'S NOT VERY PROFITABLE.

I MEAN, HOW MANY QUARTERS
CAN A BROTHER COLLECT EACH WEEK?

YEAH.
I HEAR YOU.

WELL, TO BE TRUTHFUL,
MR. SHELL,

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY A BROTHER'S
TRYING TO EXPAND

INTO MORE LUCRATIVE
BUSINESS LINES,

IF YOU UNDERSTAND
WHAT I'M SAYING.

SUCH AS?

PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.

THAT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT,
NO MATTER WHAT, LIKE YOU SAID.

DO YOU HAVE
ANY EXPERIENCE?

MOSTLY THE WHITE POWDER,

BUT I'M TRYING TO EXPAND
INTO SOMETHING A LITTLE DARKER.

LIKE THEY SAY,
BLACK IS...BEAUTIFUL.

WELL, I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED
IN WORKING WITH INTELLIGENT

AND TRUSTWORTHY YOUNG MEN.

50% OF ALL PROFITS

WILL BE CONTRIBUTED TO
THE WALTER J. SHELL FOUNDATION.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION
TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO PRODUCE MORE DOCTORS,
LAWYERS, SCIENTISTS.

FOR EVERY LIFE
I DESTROY...

...I SAVE A THOUSAND.

ASK ME...

...THAT'S A HELL
OF A TRADE.

LOOK, I'M MEETING WITH
SHELL'S GUYS IN THREE HOURS.

I SAY WE BUST THEM ALL TONIGHT,
RIGHT THEN, RIGHT THERE.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

WE NEED TO PLAY THIS OUT
A BIT MORE.

GET IN DEEPER.
THE PROBLEM IS,

EVA'S LAWYER JUST FILED
THE INJUNCTION THIS AFTERNOON,

AND SO I DON'T REALLY THINK
I HAVE A CHANCE

TO GET ANY DEEPER
THAN THAT.

SHELL KNOWS TOO MANY PEOPLE.
HE'S TOO POWERFUL.

IT HAS TO BE PERFECT.

WE NEED HIS FAT ASS
ON CAMERA, SMILING,

HOLDING A BAG OF HEROIN.

GOT IT.

I AGREE WITH TY.
LET'S NOT WAIT TOO LONG.

YEAH, I GET IT.

BUT IF WE WANT
THIS BUST TO STICK,

WE NEED MORE
THAN JUST A CONVERSATION.

I DON'T MEAN TO BE
HIGH-MAINTENANCE OR ANYTHING,

BUT I'M GETTING TIRED
OF HIDING.

YEAH?
I'M SORRY.

YOU FIND
THAT BRACELET YET?

NO.

I TALKED TO ROSIE
ABOUT IT.

HOW LONG
HAS SHE WORKED FOR YOU?

ARE YOU SUGGESTING
SHE TOOK IT?

JUST ASKING.

SHE'S NOT A THIEF.

YESTERDAY I LEFT 10 BUCKS
IN MY COAT POCKET.

YOU SET UP
MY CLEANING LADY?

SHE TOOK THE MONEY.

I TOOK IT.

I KNEW YOU WERE SUSPICIOUS,
SO I GRABBED IT JUST FOR FUN.

I MEAN, COME ON.

SHE'S BEEN WITH ME
FOR SIX YEARS.

JUST INDULGE ME, OKAY?

YOU WANT TO SET UP
ANOTHER TRAP?

YEAH, SO I KNOW FOR SURE.

IS THIS
YOUR PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE WAY

OF SAYING YOU DON'T LIKE
LIVING HERE?

NO.

I JUST...

I HAVE A FEELING.

FINE.

WE'LL SET A TRAP.

HAPPY?

YOU BETTER BE.

Hastings:
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, DEVIN.

YOU GET AROUND,
DON'T YOU?

WHERE'S MR. SHELL?

HE'S NOT COMING.

HE WANTED ME TO DISCUSS
THE TERMS OF HIS INVESTMENT.

MR. SHELL'S GONNA INVEST
$100,000.

THE PROCEEDS WILL BE USED

TO EXPAND
YOUR LAUNDROMAT BUSINESS

INTO MORE PROFITABLE
AREAS.

NOW, MR. SHELL WILL HAVE

ABSOLUTELY NO DAY-TO-DAY
INVOLVEMENT WITH YOUR BUSINESS.

I SEE.

STRICTLY AN INVESTOR.

IN RETURN, THE PROFITS
WILL BE ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS.

50% TO THE
WALTER J. SHELL FOUNDATION,

20% TO THE
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH,

AND 30% TO YOU.

THE TERMS
ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE.

GOT IT.

SO WHERE DO I PURCHASE
THE PRODUCT?

AN ASSOCIATE OF HIS WILL DELIVER
IT TO YOU PERSONALLY.

OKAY.

SO, WHEN DO I MEET
THIS ASSOCIATE?

HOW ABOUT NOW?

I HEAR WE'RE GONNA BE
WORKING TOGETHER, D.

IT'S FUNNY THE WAY
THINGS TURN OUT, HUH?

WELL, YOU KNOW, UM...

...MAYBE IT MEANS
WE'RE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER.

I DON'T LIKE TO LIE.

BUT IT'S...

NOT THAT EASY
TO TELL THE TRUTH

ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS,
YOU KNOW?

I FEEL THE SAME WAY.

SO THERE'S NO...

JUDGMENT HERE?

TRUTH IS, I GOT INTO THIS
TO HELP JOSH PAY FOR COLLEGE.

SO, HOW DOES THIS WORK?

I PICK UP THE PRODUCT,
DELIVER IT TO YOU,

AND COLLECT THE CASH --
THAT'S IT.

NO QUESTIONS,
NO CONVERSATIONS -- NOTHING.

I'M AN ERRAND GIRL.

YOU'RE A DAMN SEXY
ERRAND GIRL.

YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S
RUNNING HEROIN?

I'M JUST AS SURPRISED
AS YOU, ALEX.

I HAD NO IDEA.
NO IDEA?

REALLY?!

LISTEN TO ME, DAMN IT.

SHE LIVES IN THE PROJECTS,
WORKS IN A BAR,

HER BROTHER HANGS OUT
WITH DRUG-SLINGING GANGBANGERS

WHO GET SHOT
IN DRIVE-BYS,

AND YOU HAD NO IDEA
THAT SHE MIGHT BE DIRTY?!

JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE POOR
DON'T MAKE YOU DIRTY.

THAT'S NOT THE POINT,
AND YOU KNOW IT!

THE POINT IS, I FELL FOR A GIRL
THAT I THOUGHT WAS A COOL GIRL.

I'M JUST AS SHOCKED
AS YOU.

DON'T GIVE ME THIS
INNOCENT CUB SCOUT BULLSHIT.

WHAT IS YOUR REAL PROBLEM,
ALEX?

YOU'VE BEEN SCREWING A CHICK
FOR WEEKS

WHO DOESN'T KNOW YOUR DAMN NAME,
THAT YOU'RE A COP!

EVERYBODY CALM DOWN.

WE'LL FIGURE THIS OUT.

FIGURE WHAT OUT?
IT'S OVER.

OVER?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

WE CAN'T MAKE A CASE
AGAINST SHELL.

TY'S TESTIMONY
IS MEANINGLESS.

HE'S GOT CONFLICTS
ALL OVER THE PLACE.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

SO WE'LL BUILD A CASE THAT
DOESN'T RELY ON TY'S TESTIMONY,

THAT'S ALL.
HOW?

I'LL FIGURE IT OUT. THAT'S HOW.
YOU GOT MY WORD ON IT.

YOUR WORD?

I DON'T THINK IT'S AS VALUABLE
AS YOU THINK.

YOU HAVE 24 HOURS.
THAT'S IT.

YOU GOT YOURSELF
INTO THIS MESS.

NOW GET YOURSELF OUT.
YOU HEAR ME?

LIKE I SAID BEFORE,
WE NEED THIS PRICK ON CAMERA.

YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

GOOD.

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL.

YOU OKAY?

YEP.
NEVER BEEN BETTER.

WELL, UM,
WE'LL TALK LATER ON, OKAY?

YEAH.

WHAT THE HELL
IS THAT, WALTER?

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG
WITH YOU?!

YOU DON'T BRING THAT STUFF
IN HERE!

MY FIRST DEAL
AND EVA GETS PINCHED?!

MY FIRST DEAL?!

YOU A RAT?
YOU A COP?

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT?!

EVA GOT BUSTED?
WHEN?

10 MINUTES AGO, I WALK
OUT OF A DAMN DOUGHNUT SHOP,

AND YOU TELL ME WHY
THERE'S BLUE LIGHTS EVERYWHERE!

HUH?
YOU TELL ME THAT!

YOU...

BETTER WATCH
YOUR TONE, SON.

OR WHAT? YOU GONNA ARREST ME,
MR. OFFICER?

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU
CAN EVEN TRUST THAT EVA BITCH?!

HOW DO I KNOW
SHE'S NOT GONNA FLIP ON ME?!

YOU AIN'T GOT TO WORRY
ABOUT NONE OF THAT.

WHY THE HELL NOT,
BIG BOY?!

BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE
IN MY ORGANIZATION

GET BUSTED...

THEY GET DEAD.

YOU TELLING ME
YOU GOT THE STOMACH...

TO KILL FOR
ONE OF THESE BRICKS HERE?

YOU THINK I'VE MADE MILLIONS
SELLING SMACK

'CAUSE I AIN'T GOT THE STOMACH
TO KILL SOME SKINNY BITCH?!

PLEASE!

HER LITTLE ASS
WILL BE DEAD

BY THE TIME I SIT DOWN
TO EAT MY STEAK DINNER TONIGHT!

AND I PROMISE YOU --

I PROMISE YOU
SOMETHING ELSE, BROTHER.

THAT LITTLE PIECE...

OF FILET WILL STILL TASTE
DAMN GOOD.

Dean: HEY, HOW YOU DOIN'?
L.A.P.D.

PLEASE PUT YOUR HANDS
UP IN THE AIR.

YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.

I'M THE COP, WALTER.

AND I'M THE SAVIOR
OF THIS DAMN COMMUNITY.

THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL
THEY'LL CONVICT ME.

IS THAT RIGHT?

YOUR WORD AGAINST MINE?!

PROBLEM IS...

MY WORDS COUNT
FOR A LOT MORE!

YOU'RE RIGHT.

BUT YOUR WORDS DON'T COUNT
MORE THAN VIDEOTAPE.

YEAH, 'CAUSE
THE PROBLEM IS,

HE'S GOT A VIDEO CAMERA
IN HIS HAT.

THEY MAKE THEM REAL SMALL
THESE DAYS.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
GUYS.

ALL RIGHT.
TAKE HIM.

...I'VE MADE MILLIONS
SELLING SMACK

'CAUSE I AIN'T GOT THE STOMACH
TO KILL SOME SKINNY BITCH?!

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

REALLY HUNG HIMSELF,
DIDN'T HE?

THE GOOD NEWS --
THIS CASE IS FOOLPROOF.

I MEAN,
TY'S GOT SHELL ON CAMERA,

ADMITTING TO MURDER,
SELLING HEROIN.

NOBODY CAN GET OUT
FROM UNDER THAT,

NOT EVEN SHELL.

YEAH.
WE GOT LUCKY.

I TALKED TO CAPTAIN MAYNARD
THIS AFTERNOON.

I ASKED HIM TO SUSPEND YOU
TWO WEEKS, NO PAY.

SHOULD'VE TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR
CONVERSATION WITH MAYNARD.

I SUPPOSE YOU'RE RIGHT,
BUT --

BUT WHAT?

I WASN'T IN THE MOOD
TO BE TALKED OUT OF IT.

TY GOT HIMSELF INTO
A TOUGH SITUATION, NO DOUBT.

BUT THINGS HAPPEN
ON THE STREET

WHEN YOU'RE
TRYING TO MAKE CASES.

IT'S NOT ALL LILY-WHITE
AND BY-THE-BOOK.

BUT HE GOT THE JOB DONE.
THAT'S WHAT MATTERS.

NOT TO ME.
WHAT MATTERS TO YOU?!

THAT'S WHAT I'M
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

WHAT YOUR BOSSES THINK?
IS THAT WHY YOU SUSPENDED HIM?

TO SAVE YOUR OWN ASS

WHEN THINGS GET UGLY DOWN THE
ROAD WHEN SHELL GOES TO TRIAL?

YOU REALLY THINK I'M GONNA BLOW
UP MY CAREER OVER TY'S DICK?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

WHICH CLOSET IS MINE?

THE BIG ONE.

HOW MUCH IS THE RENT, ANYWAY?
I WANT TO HELP OUT.

I OWN THE PLACE.
IT'S FREE.

SO, DID ROSIE
TAKE THE BAIT?

NO.

WELL, THAT'S GREAT.

SHE QUIT.

QUIT?

SHE MADE US.

"I KNOW ALEX THINKS
I STOLE THE BRACELET.

"I DIDN'T.

"I ALSO KNOW SHE LEFT MONEY
ON THE NIGHTSTAND,

"HOPING I'D STEAL IT.

"I'M AN HONEST WOMAN.

"I BELIEVE IN GOD.

"I DON'T STEAL.

ROSIE."

WELL, JUST 'CAUSE
SHE LEFT A NOTE

DOESN'T MEAN
SHE'S INNOCENT.

YEAH.

WELL, I, UH, FOUND THIS
ON THE FLOOR THIS MORNING.

HEY.

HEY.

YOUR BROTHER'S
STILL ALIVE.

WHAT?

HE'S MOVING TO FLORIDA, EVA,
TO LIVE WITH YOUR COUSIN.

WHAT THE HELL
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?