Early Edition (1996–2000): Season 1, Episode 7 - After Midnight - full transcript
A woman plans to abandon her baby and take her own life. Gary's attempts to reunite her with her parents fail while he runs out of time to help her.
CHUCK:
There are lots of lonely people
in a city like this one.
One wrong turn, it's easy
to lose your way.
A guy with a map is a guy
who's ahead of the game.
Sometimes anyway.
But knowing the future
isn't the same
as knowing the past.
And having tomorrow's newspaper
can only take you so far.
After that, it's what you know
and what you feel
that make the difference,
that lead you on
and guide you home.
(theme music playing)
♪ ♪
Taxi!
CHUCK:
Taxi.
Taxi!
Hoo!
Taxi!
Taxi.
Taxi.
Yo! Taxi!
Listen, I got...
Out of the way, buddy.
Sorry.
Taxi!
Hoo... hoo... hoo...
Mine.
Mine.
I touched the door first.
That's the rule.
This is Chicago.
There are no rules.
MAN:
Excuse me you
two love birds.
Two seconds,
and I'm out of here.
MARISSA:
I brought you today's paper.
GARY:
Well, thank you, but I
read this one yesterday.
Oh, well, I didn't.
Would you mind reading me
the headlines?
At your service.
"City passed
tougher anti-smoking law."
Today?
Tomorrow.
Oh.
Wow.
What?
Xerox went up three points.
Tomorrow?
Today.
Oh.
Postal workers threaten
to strike again.
Today?
No, tomorrow.
You know, reading
the morning paper with you
can be very confusing.
Tell me about it.
Whoa. Oh, that's all
right. Not your fault.
Of course it's not my find.
I'm blind.
What?
I didn't say anything.
How do you know...?
Negative ions.
Read.
It's in the Metro Section.
"Infant left
on church doorstep."
Today?
Tomorrow.
"Police are looking for the
mother of a ten-week-old
"Caucasian baby boy abandoned
sometime after midnight.
"The infant appeared to be
in good condition.
"A handwritten note attached
to the bassinet simply read,
"'Please give my baby
a good home.'
"A custodian employed
by Saint Mary's
found the infant..."
Saint Mary's?
That's just a
couple blocks away.
Well, what are
you waiting for?
What do you mean?
Somewhere in this city,
a mother's about to abandon
her child.
Go and find her.
Oh, sure, maybe I'll find
Jimmy Hoffa while I'm at it.
Gary, that's not what I mean.
Well, there's not much
to go on here, Marissa.
Go with what you have.
Start at Saint Mary's.
Look, the article doesn't
say anything
about her being a parishioner
at the church.
Is there a picture
of the bassinet?
No, but all bassinets
look alike.
Is there a picture
of the baby?
At ten weeks,
all babies look alike.
(dog whimpering)
(thunder rumbling)
Going somewhere?
Yeah, out in the rain
to find an unidentified woman
carrying a bassinet
with a baby boy in it
to casually inquire
whether or not
she plans to abandon
him tonight.
Um, Gary...
don't forget your umbrella.
18 inches.
Excuse me?
That's the minimum distance
that two urban dwellers need
to have between them in order
to prevent having
their space invaded.
How interesting.
Margo, put me through
to Suzanne will you?
Fishman. Chuck Fishman.
Uh, Suzanne,
it's Lenore.
Lenore? Beautiful name.
Poe said it, didn't he?
"Quoth the raven
'Never more.'"
I called the National
Weather Service.
Intermittent showers today,
50% chance of rain tomorrow.
I hate to cancel
the Botanical Gardens,
but with 300 people...
Yeah, I think we have to put
a deposit on the hotel,
but you know, we'll lose it
if we cancel on
such short notice...
Do you mind?
No, not at all.
Go right ahead.
Nobody.
Okay, well, listen,
I'm going to wait
till 7: 00 tonight,
and then I'm going
to book them both.
We'll just have
to take the loss.
They're too big an account.
All right, I'll talk
to you later. Bye-bye.
I, uh, couldn't help
overhearing,
but the Botanical Gardens
happens to be
one of my favorite spots.
Let me speak slowly
so that you can understand.
Stop talking to me.
Ooh, it's cold in here.
Maybe you didn't get the memo,
but feminism is
supposed to be dead.
Men and women are supposed
to get along not...
Oh.
So, who do you work for?
I have my own business.
Really?
Mm-hmm.
I'm a professional caterer
and event planner.
Got a card?
I don't do pretzels and beer.
(chuckles)
You know, if you
weren't such a snob,
I might consider going out
with you.
You might consider
going out with me?
Pull over.
Lady, you got three blocks
before 101 State.
I'll walk.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
I got it.
I insist.
Can I call you?
You know what?
Unless you can predict
the weather for tomorrow,
I never want to see
your face again.
Yeah.
Ma'am.
Oh, sorry.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Are you planning on
abandoning your baby?
Yeah, it's me.
Well, not so great.
I've been walking
around for hours.
It's like Mission Impossible.
Well, Marissa, what
do you want me to do?
Okay.
Okay. A couple more hours.
I'll call you later.
Yeah.
Excuse me.
Do you have the time?
Yeah. It's 11:35.
Thank you.
I guess the buses
must be running late.
I don't know.
I'm just sitting here
to get out of the rain.
My husband's supposed
to pick me up, but he's late.
It's a boy.
Jordan.
You're... uh, you're brother?
Son.
I'm sorry.
It's... it's just you look
very young...
Young for my age. Yeah.
How old is he?
Ten weeks.
Paper said it was going
to be sunny today.
I guess it depends on
which paper you read.
(thunder rumbling)
Pretty amazing, huh?
Yeah.
I love to watch him
when he's asleep.
So peaceful.
Innocent.
Not like the rest of us, huh?
(car horn honking)
Oh, well, that's my husband,
so it's been nice
talking to you.
It's nice talking to you, um...
Samantha.
Samantha.
Gary, Gary Hobson.
Look, um, I know there are lot
of weirdoes walking around.
I don't want you to think
I'm one of them.
Well, I just want you
to know that...
I want you to know that I hope
everything works out for you
and... and Jordan and
that you're very lucky
to have
such a beautiful baby.
And that if... if things
aren't working out
and you don't have anyone
to turn to,
well, you just met me,
and I live just a ways down
the street at the Blackstone.
Thanks.
GARY:
I made a complete
fool of myself.
Well, Marissa, she seemed fine.
Her husband picked her up.
Yes, she had a bassinet.
No, the only mistake I made was
walking up to some stranger
who now thinks I'm some lunatic.
Yeah, I-I gotta go.
I'll call you later. Yeah.
Where is it?
Do you have it on you?
Where's what?
The paper--
tomorrow's paper.
No, no, no, no, Chuck,
we've been all through this.
No, Gary, wait.
You don't understand.
This is completely
different.
Why?
Because.
Uh-huh.
I met a girl.
She's amazing.
And you want to place a bet,
so you can pick her up
in a Porsche tonight.
No, no, no,
nothing like that.
No?
No, this is a matter
of life and death.
No, it's a matter of a date.
Same thing.
Look,
to some people what
happened this morning
might be considered just an
ordinary shared $5.00 cab ride,
but, to me, it was fate--
kismet,
a chance meeting
that lit a fire
that may turn
into an eternal flame.
And all I have to do
to get her back
is to tell her whether or not
it's going to rain tomorrow.
Okay, forget it.
Doesn't matter.
Probably never would have
worked out anyway.
It's just that all
my best friends
fell in love and got married.
Of course, most of them
are divorced now.
Even though Marcia did
stab you in the back,
I just thought that this was
my one shot at happiness.
She's incredible.
What would make a husband
pick his wife and baby
up at a bus stop,
drive around the block,
and then drop them back off,
and make them walk
through the rain...
Gare, I'm spilling
my guts, here.
That's not her husband.
Gary...
I-It doesn't rain tomorrow.
It stops just after
midnight tonight.
CHUCK:
Gary!
Gary! What's going on?
I blew it.
Come again?
The paper said the infant
was going to be left
on the church doorstep
tonight, and I went to find her.
I almost did find her,
and then I lost her again.
(baby fussing)
Just a minute, baby.
Same thing.
$100 on delivery.
The last time
I made that delivery,
you said it was going to be
an electronics store,
but it was really...
Hey, just make the delivery,
honey.
(baby crying)
We should go
to the shelters.
Now, we know what
she looks like,
so we can give them
a description.
I'll go back to Saint Mary's,
see if she spoke to anyone.
Where you going?
Well, I finished
my moo-shu.
It was delish.
I got to make
an important call.
Why don't you use
the phone here?
It's kind of personal.
I'll check in with you guys
later, all right?
MARISSA:
I suppose you don't
want to go to police.
GARY:
We tried that the last time.
Remember, I became
a prime suspect.
MARISSA:
What about her parents?
They have to be
looking for her.
Uh, guys...
I don't even
know her last name.
Uh, guys...
What?
Okay, here you go.
One glass of milk.
Thanks.
So, your boyfriend Steve,
he was in high school, too?
No. He was older.
Almost 20.
Did he work?
Sure. He had a really
good job in the city.
He managed a video store.
I take it your parents
didn't approve.
They hated him.
They did everything they could
to try and break us up.
So you ran away with him?
(sniffling)
We were really happy
for a while.
I mean, everything was
perfect until I got pregnant.
The night after I told him,
he split.
Do your parents know
about the baby?
No, no, I couldn't tell them.
If I did, they'd take
Jordan away from me.
I don't know
what I'm going to do.
Hey, if I know Gary,
he's got some chocolate-chip
ice cream in the fridge.
Would you like some?
Yeah. Thanks.
Don't worry.
Everything's going to work out.
101 East State.
Bingo.
It's an emergency.
Uh, hi.
Is Lenore in, please?
Oh, she is?
Great.
Yeah, Chuck Fishman.
She knows me.
Fishman.
Chuck.
Just tell her we go way,
way, way back.
No. No, she does know me.
Look, I have some very important
information give her.
(dial tone)
Hello?
Hello?
(sighs)
Uh... just one more, okay?
Don't worry,
I'll take care of you.
Excuse me.
(with Irish brogue):
Hi. This is Mr. McGinty from
McGinty's Bar and Restaurant.
And, uh, we're throwing a party
for a hundred of our favorite
customers, and...
Oh, yeah, we have
a full kitchen.
But I thought I'd do something
a bit different
for the fellas, you know,
spice it up a bit.
Is there a...?
Yes, I'll hold.
Thank you very much.
(normal voice):
Lenore?
It's Chuck Fishman whom you
shared a cab with this morning
and I have that very important
information to give you.
Oh, I know. I know we got off
to a bit of a bad start,
but I have... wait...
All right, Lenore,
look, just don't hang...
(dial tone)
up.
Gary, where you going?
To see her father.
How do you know
where he is?
While she was in the bathroom,
I went through her wallet
and found his business card.
Oh. You're getting pretty
good at this you know.
That's what I'm afraid of.
Keep an eye on her, huh?
Yeah.
So to speak.
Right.
SAMANTHA:
So, how long have
you known Gary?
A couple years.
Are you guys, uh...
Oh, no. We're just friends.
He's really cute.
I hadn't noticed.
I know he's cute.
He sounds cute.
What?
Have you always been blind?
Meningitis at 16 months.
So I guess you were
too young to remember
what it was like ...
you know, to see.
Sometimes I think I remember--
all the colors, but then again
it might just be my imagination.
Yeah.
Most people wonder what
it's like you, you know.
No, it's not that.
It's just that sometimes
I feel like I'm blind, too.
Like I'm just walking
around in the dark.
Who are you? Her latest?
No, sir. I just met her.
She's staying with my friend
Marissa over at my hotel room.
Is she okay?
Well...
Nice work, Betty.
Well, she's a little
lost, I think.
What she want, money?
No, sir.
Why didn't she call?
Why'd she send you?
She didn't send me.
She doesn't know I'm here.
Where's that
boyfriend of hers?
They broke up.
Big surprise.
Mr. Butler, I think
Samantha needs you.
A hundred people
on the payroll.
We started with six.
Sam's mother and I worked
day, night, weekends.
For what? For her.
Look, I think she wants
to come home,
but I don't think she will
unless you make the first move.
She doesn't feel welcome.
She's not.
Look, I know this is
none of my business...
That's right, it isn't.
Do you have any idea
what we've been through?
She was going to
go to college.
She was a beautiful,
intelligent girl.
She still is.
We gave her
everything.
Look, she's only...
We gave her a choice,
but she chose him.
A high school dropout,
for God's sake.
He smiled at me when
they left together.
I'll never forget that smile.
Look, I know this
is upsetting. I...
I just thought
maybe I could help.
Can you find your way out?
If you change your mind...
We won't.
In case you do, here's
my number at the hotel.
Will you tell
her something?
Tell her...
her mother misses her.
Marissa? When's
Gary coming back?
I'm not sure.
He went to run
some errands.
You okay?
Um, yeah. I'm fine.
I guess that guy
wasn't too thrilled
when you found
his daughter, huh?
Not quite.
Hey, by the way, uh,
did you have any luck
with that weather report?
Didn't even get
to first base.
Didn't even get
inside the ballpark.
Were you really in love
with Marcia?
Marcia. Did you
really love her?
Yeah.
How'd you know?
I don't know.
I guess, uh...
she was beautiful.
Smart.
She was in love with me.
She used make me blueberry
pancakes every Sunday morning.
Melted butter.
She melted the butter?
Insisted on picking me
up at the airport, too.
I don't even pick
my mother up at the airport
when she comes to visit.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Are you telling me
that you think
you're in love with a woman
who you shared a five-dollar cab
ride with?
No.
I just wanted
the opportunity, that's all.
You know what I think?
What?
Opportunity doesn't knock.
It presents itself when
you beat down the door.
MARISSA:
Gary? Gary?
Yeah, over here.
What's wrong?
I'm sorry.
I lost her.
Let me help you with that.
Uh...
Oh, yeah.
Cute. Yeah.
Just like his mommy.
Paul, I am really
sorry about...
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know--
the dog ate your homework,
you couldn't fine a cab.
You forgot to make
the delivery.
Paul, I can't.
Oh, I think you can.
Oh, yeah.
Real cute kid.
You know, there are
people in this city
who sell babies.
What a world?
Don't look so worried.
The fact is, I'm
a forgiving kind of guy.
The last delivery
was penny-ante stuff,
so you can make
it up to me tonight.
Ooh. Yeah, baby.
Paul, please, I...
Oh, and don't worry
about the kid while you're gone.
Just think of me
as your trusted
neighborhood baby-sitter.
Hi.
(gasps)
What are you,
out of your mind?
You know, there's a law
against stalking in Chicago.
I'm not a stalker,
I'm giving you a ride,
and if you haven't noticed,
it's pouring rain out
and I've been in this stinking
cab for over 30 minutes,
and the fare is 50 bucks,
which I don't have,
and all because I just want
to give you the
damn weather report.
Are you sure you're
not a stalker?
Do I look like a stalker?
I don't know what
a stalker looks like.
Well, I'm not.
CABBY:
Okay, Lady,
where will it be?
11 East Huron, please,
between State and Wabash.
You got it.
Thank you.
So, go ahead.
What's the weather report?
It's gonna stop raining
tonight after midnight.
And you know this because...?
I know this because of a
certain part of my anatomy.
Cabby!
My big toe
on my right foot,
to be specific,
is very climate-
sensitive.
If it rains,
I'm in agony.
If it's sunny, no pain.
Yesterday, I was in agony.
Today? Much better.
It runs in the family,
this toe thing-- my
grandmother had it,
and my great-great-grandmother,
great-great-great...
And you went to
all this trouble
to tell me because...?
What? You think I have
an ulterior motive?
Well...
I am insulted. Cabby!
As a matter of fact,
I'd like a date.
Define "date."
A date is when you
rush home from work,
take a quick shower,
redo your hair and makeup,
put on something black that
cost you an arm-and-a-leg,
even though there's
very little material,
and I show up wearing an
Armani suit with flowers
and take you
to my favorite
restaurant... on
Taylor Street.
And?
And...
then I... walk you home.
We go into your apartment,
and I give you
a kiss good-night.
On the cheek.
And then I leave.
Okay.
If it stops raining
after midnight,
give me a call in the morning.
If not...
you've just been taken
on one hell of a cab ride.
Bye.
Hey, guys,
how you doing?
Oh... what do we have here?
Pepperoni with olives,
sun-dried tomatoes,
pineapple, extra cheese.
Help yourself.
Extra cheese?
I take it you didn't
find her, huh?
Oh, she could be
anywhere by now.
You know, maybe I'm
missing something here,
but, uh... what's
the big deal anyway?
You know she's gonna leave
the kid on the church doorstep
in the next couple of hours.
Why don't you just
hide in the bushes
until she shows up?
No. We have to find her
before she abandons that baby.
Why?
Because when a mother
gives away her child,
there's nothing left after that.
Whatever causes her
to abandon that baby,
putting that bassinet
down and walking away,
there'll be no reason
for her to go on.
No.
(thunder rumbling)
(steady rain falling)
MELISSA:
Gary?
CHUCK:
What is it?
I think she's going
to kill herself tonight.
Mr. Butler?
I told you...
She's in trouble.
I think she's gonna
try to kill herself.
She'd never do
something like that.
Look, she's been
through a lot in the last year.
She's desperate.
She left!
She's the one who should be...
No! She's your daughter.
She's 17.
She made a mistake, a big one,
but not as big as the one
you're making right now.
Don't you care?
Don't you care at all that...?
I think you should go.
Get out!
Jordan? Jordan?
(cries out)
Jordan?!
Jordan?!
Hey!
Hey, is this your baby?
Jordan.
Jordan?
I said, is this is your baby?
Yes.
Jordan.
(baby squalls)
Shh.
What kind of person are you?
Are, are you on
crack or something?
No!
You must be on
crack or something.
No.
What kinda mother
leaves her baby
alone like that?
I didn't!
You know something?
I'm gonna call...
I should call the police
on you, you know that?
You're not fit to have a baby!
Leaving that baby
alone like that?
Don't ever leave your
baby alone like that!
Don't you know what
could happen to that baby?
Girl, how
could you...?
Child, what kind
of mother are you?
You got some kinda--
Something's wrong
with you, girl.
Something's definitely
wrong with you, child.
Don't leave a baby
alone like that!
Not in a place
like this!
What is wrong with you?
MARISSA:
What do you mean
you can't read it?
GARY:
The headline's clear,
but the small print is smudged.
CHUCK:
Looks like coffee.
Well, we had a little
accident this morning.
Hey, you said it
wasn't my fault.
The name of the bridge--
It looks like it starts
with a "W."
Oh, that's good.
That narrows it
down to only...
Webster, Wabash,
Wrigley, Washington, Well...
Maybe it's a "K."
A "K"?
Kensey, Kidsey...
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Why don't we just call the
guy who wrote the article,
and ask him what
bridge it is?
Brilliant idea.
Is there a byline?
Guys, he's not writing
the article
until after midnight tonight.
Yeah. Bad idea.
Okay, we have to go to
the police and tell them
that we have a friend
who's going to jump off
of a bridge at midnight.
All right, listen,
I'll get you a cab.
You go back to my hotel
in case Samantha shows up.
I'll go to the police station.
You keep walking.
What? All the way
across Chicago?
No, just three or
four blocks around
the church, that's all.
Wait, why don't I just
hang around the church
until she shows up?
No, because something's
happening
or it's going to happen
that's going to make
her leave that baby.
Now she's
in some kind of trouble,
and if we can prevent that
from happening then...
Oh, I get it.
In case she gets mugged
by a group
of knife-wielding psychos,
you want me around
to save her is that it?
Yeah.
Yes.
What a sap.
Walking all across town.
Sure, Gare.
Whatever you want, Gare, Gare.
I'm not the one that gets
the paper, you know.
I'm not the one
that's responsible.
My feet hurt.
(thunder rumbling)
It's almost midnight.
And I'm cold, and I'm alone.
I'm sitting down.
(chuckles)
Yeah, that's better.
Where is she?
♪ I'm so cold,
I'm so lonely... ♪
Hey, what the...?
What's going on?
Oh, good evening, officers.
Beat it.
No loitering.
Oh, see, I wasn't loitering.
I'm just sitting here resting.
Get a room.
I happen to have a very nice
apartment in the Gold Coast...
Yeah, but you prefer spending
the night on a park bench.
Oh, no, no, no. It's just I'm
waiting for somebody
and it's very important...
One more time--
beat it!
And everybody knows that the
loitering laws were created
just so that the homeless
wouldn't sleep in public places,
and some of my best friends
happen to be homeless,
and I don't think there's
anything wrong with that.
(knocking)
Samantha?
No. I'm her father.
I'm looking for a
Mr. Gary Hobson?
What is it you
want us to do?
Put on out an APB or send
squad cars to the bridges...
Oh, I see.
You want the Chicago
Police Department
to send out all available units
to some 30-odd bridges
to catch a jumper who just
may be pulling your leg.
No. She is going to jump.
I know that for a fact.
If you would... Forget it.
I gotta get to the church
or the bridge or...
Not so fast, Hobson.
Not so fast.
Look, I came here
as an ordinary citizen
to tell you a friend of mine
is going to throw herself
off a bridge
just after midnight.
It's midnight now.
You can either help me,
or you let me go.
Look, you got no legitimate
reason to hold me here,
and if my friend does throw
herself off the bridge tonight,
I think every Chicago reporter
is going to want
to have a piece
of this story, you know?
West Hill unit one
Lincoln Adam David...
Gary, how are ya?
What are you doing here?
You're supposed to be over
at the church.
Got any cash on you?
Look, there it is.
Hey.
Is he okay?
There's a note.
MARISSA:
Gary?
Yeah.
Up here.
He came to your hotel room.
What's going on?
Where's Sam?
We missed her.
How do you know
she was here?
Whose baby?
Careful, Gary.
Mr. Butler, have you
met your grandson?
His name is Jordan.
That's my name.
Hey Gare,
come on
let's go.
Come on, we got to find her.
Do you know where she went?
I'll explain in the cab.
Marissa, in the
cab. Come on.
Take a right at Wabash.
We'll try that one next.
No, no. Wabash is closed.
Make a left.
All right, where to then?
This is all my fault.
You said it
might be a "K."
Kensey. Try Kensey.
It's the next closest
bridge we could catch.
Good idea. And step
on it, will you, Mac?
Samantha.
Samantha, stop.
Leave me alone!
Samantha.
Sam, wait.
Please.
I need you.
We need you.
(Samantha sobbing)
Samantha...
Oh, Samantha.
I'm sorry.
Sorry, Daddy.
Jordan!
Jordan.
(sniffling)
No, thank you, Detective.
Yes.
Aren't you ever going
to learn how to knock?
Next time lock and
bolt your door.
My phone is... sort
of out of order,
so I thought
I'd borrow yours.
Can I have a little
privacy, please?
Use the other phone.
Good idea.
This better be a local call.
Sure. Is Zimbabwe local?
Do you mind?
Hi. This is Chuck Fishman.
Is Lenore in yet?
Oh, she knows me.
We go way, way, way... Hello.
Yes, it is a nice, sunny
morning, isn't it?
Well, I'm glad, too.
And I my big toe is glad.
And my grandmother's
big toe is glad.
Okay. Friday night?
7:30?
Well, I'll see you then.
Bye.
Congratulations.
Thank you, my man.
Dare I ask is there anything
interesting in the paper today?
Oh, a couple of things.
Caught up to them.
Nice going, Gare.
All in a day's work.
There are lots of bridges
in this city.
Bridges that span
over the river.
That take you from
one place to another.
There are other bridges though.
Ones we need to cross
in order to bring us together
as a city,
as a community.
But the hardest bridge to cross
is the one that opens
your heart,
the one that leads you home.
There are lots of lonely people
in a city like this one.
One wrong turn, it's easy
to lose your way.
A guy with a map is a guy
who's ahead of the game.
Sometimes anyway.
But knowing the future
isn't the same
as knowing the past.
And having tomorrow's newspaper
can only take you so far.
After that, it's what you know
and what you feel
that make the difference,
that lead you on
and guide you home.
(theme music playing)
♪ ♪
Taxi!
CHUCK:
Taxi.
Taxi!
Hoo!
Taxi!
Taxi.
Taxi.
Yo! Taxi!
Listen, I got...
Out of the way, buddy.
Sorry.
Taxi!
Hoo... hoo... hoo...
Mine.
Mine.
I touched the door first.
That's the rule.
This is Chicago.
There are no rules.
MAN:
Excuse me you
two love birds.
Two seconds,
and I'm out of here.
MARISSA:
I brought you today's paper.
GARY:
Well, thank you, but I
read this one yesterday.
Oh, well, I didn't.
Would you mind reading me
the headlines?
At your service.
"City passed
tougher anti-smoking law."
Today?
Tomorrow.
Oh.
Wow.
What?
Xerox went up three points.
Tomorrow?
Today.
Oh.
Postal workers threaten
to strike again.
Today?
No, tomorrow.
You know, reading
the morning paper with you
can be very confusing.
Tell me about it.
Whoa. Oh, that's all
right. Not your fault.
Of course it's not my find.
I'm blind.
What?
I didn't say anything.
How do you know...?
Negative ions.
Read.
It's in the Metro Section.
"Infant left
on church doorstep."
Today?
Tomorrow.
"Police are looking for the
mother of a ten-week-old
"Caucasian baby boy abandoned
sometime after midnight.
"The infant appeared to be
in good condition.
"A handwritten note attached
to the bassinet simply read,
"'Please give my baby
a good home.'
"A custodian employed
by Saint Mary's
found the infant..."
Saint Mary's?
That's just a
couple blocks away.
Well, what are
you waiting for?
What do you mean?
Somewhere in this city,
a mother's about to abandon
her child.
Go and find her.
Oh, sure, maybe I'll find
Jimmy Hoffa while I'm at it.
Gary, that's not what I mean.
Well, there's not much
to go on here, Marissa.
Go with what you have.
Start at Saint Mary's.
Look, the article doesn't
say anything
about her being a parishioner
at the church.
Is there a picture
of the bassinet?
No, but all bassinets
look alike.
Is there a picture
of the baby?
At ten weeks,
all babies look alike.
(dog whimpering)
(thunder rumbling)
Going somewhere?
Yeah, out in the rain
to find an unidentified woman
carrying a bassinet
with a baby boy in it
to casually inquire
whether or not
she plans to abandon
him tonight.
Um, Gary...
don't forget your umbrella.
18 inches.
Excuse me?
That's the minimum distance
that two urban dwellers need
to have between them in order
to prevent having
their space invaded.
How interesting.
Margo, put me through
to Suzanne will you?
Fishman. Chuck Fishman.
Uh, Suzanne,
it's Lenore.
Lenore? Beautiful name.
Poe said it, didn't he?
"Quoth the raven
'Never more.'"
I called the National
Weather Service.
Intermittent showers today,
50% chance of rain tomorrow.
I hate to cancel
the Botanical Gardens,
but with 300 people...
Yeah, I think we have to put
a deposit on the hotel,
but you know, we'll lose it
if we cancel on
such short notice...
Do you mind?
No, not at all.
Go right ahead.
Nobody.
Okay, well, listen,
I'm going to wait
till 7: 00 tonight,
and then I'm going
to book them both.
We'll just have
to take the loss.
They're too big an account.
All right, I'll talk
to you later. Bye-bye.
I, uh, couldn't help
overhearing,
but the Botanical Gardens
happens to be
one of my favorite spots.
Let me speak slowly
so that you can understand.
Stop talking to me.
Ooh, it's cold in here.
Maybe you didn't get the memo,
but feminism is
supposed to be dead.
Men and women are supposed
to get along not...
Oh.
So, who do you work for?
I have my own business.
Really?
Mm-hmm.
I'm a professional caterer
and event planner.
Got a card?
I don't do pretzels and beer.
(chuckles)
You know, if you
weren't such a snob,
I might consider going out
with you.
You might consider
going out with me?
Pull over.
Lady, you got three blocks
before 101 State.
I'll walk.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
I got it.
I insist.
Can I call you?
You know what?
Unless you can predict
the weather for tomorrow,
I never want to see
your face again.
Yeah.
Ma'am.
Oh, sorry.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Are you planning on
abandoning your baby?
Yeah, it's me.
Well, not so great.
I've been walking
around for hours.
It's like Mission Impossible.
Well, Marissa, what
do you want me to do?
Okay.
Okay. A couple more hours.
I'll call you later.
Yeah.
Excuse me.
Do you have the time?
Yeah. It's 11:35.
Thank you.
I guess the buses
must be running late.
I don't know.
I'm just sitting here
to get out of the rain.
My husband's supposed
to pick me up, but he's late.
It's a boy.
Jordan.
You're... uh, you're brother?
Son.
I'm sorry.
It's... it's just you look
very young...
Young for my age. Yeah.
How old is he?
Ten weeks.
Paper said it was going
to be sunny today.
I guess it depends on
which paper you read.
(thunder rumbling)
Pretty amazing, huh?
Yeah.
I love to watch him
when he's asleep.
So peaceful.
Innocent.
Not like the rest of us, huh?
(car horn honking)
Oh, well, that's my husband,
so it's been nice
talking to you.
It's nice talking to you, um...
Samantha.
Samantha.
Gary, Gary Hobson.
Look, um, I know there are lot
of weirdoes walking around.
I don't want you to think
I'm one of them.
Well, I just want you
to know that...
I want you to know that I hope
everything works out for you
and... and Jordan and
that you're very lucky
to have
such a beautiful baby.
And that if... if things
aren't working out
and you don't have anyone
to turn to,
well, you just met me,
and I live just a ways down
the street at the Blackstone.
Thanks.
GARY:
I made a complete
fool of myself.
Well, Marissa, she seemed fine.
Her husband picked her up.
Yes, she had a bassinet.
No, the only mistake I made was
walking up to some stranger
who now thinks I'm some lunatic.
Yeah, I-I gotta go.
I'll call you later. Yeah.
Where is it?
Do you have it on you?
Where's what?
The paper--
tomorrow's paper.
No, no, no, no, Chuck,
we've been all through this.
No, Gary, wait.
You don't understand.
This is completely
different.
Why?
Because.
Uh-huh.
I met a girl.
She's amazing.
And you want to place a bet,
so you can pick her up
in a Porsche tonight.
No, no, no,
nothing like that.
No?
No, this is a matter
of life and death.
No, it's a matter of a date.
Same thing.
Look,
to some people what
happened this morning
might be considered just an
ordinary shared $5.00 cab ride,
but, to me, it was fate--
kismet,
a chance meeting
that lit a fire
that may turn
into an eternal flame.
And all I have to do
to get her back
is to tell her whether or not
it's going to rain tomorrow.
Okay, forget it.
Doesn't matter.
Probably never would have
worked out anyway.
It's just that all
my best friends
fell in love and got married.
Of course, most of them
are divorced now.
Even though Marcia did
stab you in the back,
I just thought that this was
my one shot at happiness.
She's incredible.
What would make a husband
pick his wife and baby
up at a bus stop,
drive around the block,
and then drop them back off,
and make them walk
through the rain...
Gare, I'm spilling
my guts, here.
That's not her husband.
Gary...
I-It doesn't rain tomorrow.
It stops just after
midnight tonight.
CHUCK:
Gary!
Gary! What's going on?
I blew it.
Come again?
The paper said the infant
was going to be left
on the church doorstep
tonight, and I went to find her.
I almost did find her,
and then I lost her again.
(baby fussing)
Just a minute, baby.
Same thing.
$100 on delivery.
The last time
I made that delivery,
you said it was going to be
an electronics store,
but it was really...
Hey, just make the delivery,
honey.
(baby crying)
We should go
to the shelters.
Now, we know what
she looks like,
so we can give them
a description.
I'll go back to Saint Mary's,
see if she spoke to anyone.
Where you going?
Well, I finished
my moo-shu.
It was delish.
I got to make
an important call.
Why don't you use
the phone here?
It's kind of personal.
I'll check in with you guys
later, all right?
MARISSA:
I suppose you don't
want to go to police.
GARY:
We tried that the last time.
Remember, I became
a prime suspect.
MARISSA:
What about her parents?
They have to be
looking for her.
Uh, guys...
I don't even
know her last name.
Uh, guys...
What?
Okay, here you go.
One glass of milk.
Thanks.
So, your boyfriend Steve,
he was in high school, too?
No. He was older.
Almost 20.
Did he work?
Sure. He had a really
good job in the city.
He managed a video store.
I take it your parents
didn't approve.
They hated him.
They did everything they could
to try and break us up.
So you ran away with him?
(sniffling)
We were really happy
for a while.
I mean, everything was
perfect until I got pregnant.
The night after I told him,
he split.
Do your parents know
about the baby?
No, no, I couldn't tell them.
If I did, they'd take
Jordan away from me.
I don't know
what I'm going to do.
Hey, if I know Gary,
he's got some chocolate-chip
ice cream in the fridge.
Would you like some?
Yeah. Thanks.
Don't worry.
Everything's going to work out.
101 East State.
Bingo.
It's an emergency.
Uh, hi.
Is Lenore in, please?
Oh, she is?
Great.
Yeah, Chuck Fishman.
She knows me.
Fishman.
Chuck.
Just tell her we go way,
way, way back.
No. No, she does know me.
Look, I have some very important
information give her.
(dial tone)
Hello?
Hello?
(sighs)
Uh... just one more, okay?
Don't worry,
I'll take care of you.
Excuse me.
(with Irish brogue):
Hi. This is Mr. McGinty from
McGinty's Bar and Restaurant.
And, uh, we're throwing a party
for a hundred of our favorite
customers, and...
Oh, yeah, we have
a full kitchen.
But I thought I'd do something
a bit different
for the fellas, you know,
spice it up a bit.
Is there a...?
Yes, I'll hold.
Thank you very much.
(normal voice):
Lenore?
It's Chuck Fishman whom you
shared a cab with this morning
and I have that very important
information to give you.
Oh, I know. I know we got off
to a bit of a bad start,
but I have... wait...
All right, Lenore,
look, just don't hang...
(dial tone)
up.
Gary, where you going?
To see her father.
How do you know
where he is?
While she was in the bathroom,
I went through her wallet
and found his business card.
Oh. You're getting pretty
good at this you know.
That's what I'm afraid of.
Keep an eye on her, huh?
Yeah.
So to speak.
Right.
SAMANTHA:
So, how long have
you known Gary?
A couple years.
Are you guys, uh...
Oh, no. We're just friends.
He's really cute.
I hadn't noticed.
I know he's cute.
He sounds cute.
What?
Have you always been blind?
Meningitis at 16 months.
So I guess you were
too young to remember
what it was like ...
you know, to see.
Sometimes I think I remember--
all the colors, but then again
it might just be my imagination.
Yeah.
Most people wonder what
it's like you, you know.
No, it's not that.
It's just that sometimes
I feel like I'm blind, too.
Like I'm just walking
around in the dark.
Who are you? Her latest?
No, sir. I just met her.
She's staying with my friend
Marissa over at my hotel room.
Is she okay?
Well...
Nice work, Betty.
Well, she's a little
lost, I think.
What she want, money?
No, sir.
Why didn't she call?
Why'd she send you?
She didn't send me.
She doesn't know I'm here.
Where's that
boyfriend of hers?
They broke up.
Big surprise.
Mr. Butler, I think
Samantha needs you.
A hundred people
on the payroll.
We started with six.
Sam's mother and I worked
day, night, weekends.
For what? For her.
Look, I think she wants
to come home,
but I don't think she will
unless you make the first move.
She doesn't feel welcome.
She's not.
Look, I know this is
none of my business...
That's right, it isn't.
Do you have any idea
what we've been through?
She was going to
go to college.
She was a beautiful,
intelligent girl.
She still is.
We gave her
everything.
Look, she's only...
We gave her a choice,
but she chose him.
A high school dropout,
for God's sake.
He smiled at me when
they left together.
I'll never forget that smile.
Look, I know this
is upsetting. I...
I just thought
maybe I could help.
Can you find your way out?
If you change your mind...
We won't.
In case you do, here's
my number at the hotel.
Will you tell
her something?
Tell her...
her mother misses her.
Marissa? When's
Gary coming back?
I'm not sure.
He went to run
some errands.
You okay?
Um, yeah. I'm fine.
I guess that guy
wasn't too thrilled
when you found
his daughter, huh?
Not quite.
Hey, by the way, uh,
did you have any luck
with that weather report?
Didn't even get
to first base.
Didn't even get
inside the ballpark.
Were you really in love
with Marcia?
Marcia. Did you
really love her?
Yeah.
How'd you know?
I don't know.
I guess, uh...
she was beautiful.
Smart.
She was in love with me.
She used make me blueberry
pancakes every Sunday morning.
Melted butter.
She melted the butter?
Insisted on picking me
up at the airport, too.
I don't even pick
my mother up at the airport
when she comes to visit.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Are you telling me
that you think
you're in love with a woman
who you shared a five-dollar cab
ride with?
No.
I just wanted
the opportunity, that's all.
You know what I think?
What?
Opportunity doesn't knock.
It presents itself when
you beat down the door.
MARISSA:
Gary? Gary?
Yeah, over here.
What's wrong?
I'm sorry.
I lost her.
Let me help you with that.
Uh...
Oh, yeah.
Cute. Yeah.
Just like his mommy.
Paul, I am really
sorry about...
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know--
the dog ate your homework,
you couldn't fine a cab.
You forgot to make
the delivery.
Paul, I can't.
Oh, I think you can.
Oh, yeah.
Real cute kid.
You know, there are
people in this city
who sell babies.
What a world?
Don't look so worried.
The fact is, I'm
a forgiving kind of guy.
The last delivery
was penny-ante stuff,
so you can make
it up to me tonight.
Ooh. Yeah, baby.
Paul, please, I...
Oh, and don't worry
about the kid while you're gone.
Just think of me
as your trusted
neighborhood baby-sitter.
Hi.
(gasps)
What are you,
out of your mind?
You know, there's a law
against stalking in Chicago.
I'm not a stalker,
I'm giving you a ride,
and if you haven't noticed,
it's pouring rain out
and I've been in this stinking
cab for over 30 minutes,
and the fare is 50 bucks,
which I don't have,
and all because I just want
to give you the
damn weather report.
Are you sure you're
not a stalker?
Do I look like a stalker?
I don't know what
a stalker looks like.
Well, I'm not.
CABBY:
Okay, Lady,
where will it be?
11 East Huron, please,
between State and Wabash.
You got it.
Thank you.
So, go ahead.
What's the weather report?
It's gonna stop raining
tonight after midnight.
And you know this because...?
I know this because of a
certain part of my anatomy.
Cabby!
My big toe
on my right foot,
to be specific,
is very climate-
sensitive.
If it rains,
I'm in agony.
If it's sunny, no pain.
Yesterday, I was in agony.
Today? Much better.
It runs in the family,
this toe thing-- my
grandmother had it,
and my great-great-grandmother,
great-great-great...
And you went to
all this trouble
to tell me because...?
What? You think I have
an ulterior motive?
Well...
I am insulted. Cabby!
As a matter of fact,
I'd like a date.
Define "date."
A date is when you
rush home from work,
take a quick shower,
redo your hair and makeup,
put on something black that
cost you an arm-and-a-leg,
even though there's
very little material,
and I show up wearing an
Armani suit with flowers
and take you
to my favorite
restaurant... on
Taylor Street.
And?
And...
then I... walk you home.
We go into your apartment,
and I give you
a kiss good-night.
On the cheek.
And then I leave.
Okay.
If it stops raining
after midnight,
give me a call in the morning.
If not...
you've just been taken
on one hell of a cab ride.
Bye.
Hey, guys,
how you doing?
Oh... what do we have here?
Pepperoni with olives,
sun-dried tomatoes,
pineapple, extra cheese.
Help yourself.
Extra cheese?
I take it you didn't
find her, huh?
Oh, she could be
anywhere by now.
You know, maybe I'm
missing something here,
but, uh... what's
the big deal anyway?
You know she's gonna leave
the kid on the church doorstep
in the next couple of hours.
Why don't you just
hide in the bushes
until she shows up?
No. We have to find her
before she abandons that baby.
Why?
Because when a mother
gives away her child,
there's nothing left after that.
Whatever causes her
to abandon that baby,
putting that bassinet
down and walking away,
there'll be no reason
for her to go on.
No.
(thunder rumbling)
(steady rain falling)
MELISSA:
Gary?
CHUCK:
What is it?
I think she's going
to kill herself tonight.
Mr. Butler?
I told you...
She's in trouble.
I think she's gonna
try to kill herself.
She'd never do
something like that.
Look, she's been
through a lot in the last year.
She's desperate.
She left!
She's the one who should be...
No! She's your daughter.
She's 17.
She made a mistake, a big one,
but not as big as the one
you're making right now.
Don't you care?
Don't you care at all that...?
I think you should go.
Get out!
Jordan? Jordan?
(cries out)
Jordan?!
Jordan?!
Hey!
Hey, is this your baby?
Jordan.
Jordan?
I said, is this is your baby?
Yes.
Jordan.
(baby squalls)
Shh.
What kind of person are you?
Are, are you on
crack or something?
No!
You must be on
crack or something.
No.
What kinda mother
leaves her baby
alone like that?
I didn't!
You know something?
I'm gonna call...
I should call the police
on you, you know that?
You're not fit to have a baby!
Leaving that baby
alone like that?
Don't ever leave your
baby alone like that!
Don't you know what
could happen to that baby?
Girl, how
could you...?
Child, what kind
of mother are you?
You got some kinda--
Something's wrong
with you, girl.
Something's definitely
wrong with you, child.
Don't leave a baby
alone like that!
Not in a place
like this!
What is wrong with you?
MARISSA:
What do you mean
you can't read it?
GARY:
The headline's clear,
but the small print is smudged.
CHUCK:
Looks like coffee.
Well, we had a little
accident this morning.
Hey, you said it
wasn't my fault.
The name of the bridge--
It looks like it starts
with a "W."
Oh, that's good.
That narrows it
down to only...
Webster, Wabash,
Wrigley, Washington, Well...
Maybe it's a "K."
A "K"?
Kensey, Kidsey...
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Why don't we just call the
guy who wrote the article,
and ask him what
bridge it is?
Brilliant idea.
Is there a byline?
Guys, he's not writing
the article
until after midnight tonight.
Yeah. Bad idea.
Okay, we have to go to
the police and tell them
that we have a friend
who's going to jump off
of a bridge at midnight.
All right, listen,
I'll get you a cab.
You go back to my hotel
in case Samantha shows up.
I'll go to the police station.
You keep walking.
What? All the way
across Chicago?
No, just three or
four blocks around
the church, that's all.
Wait, why don't I just
hang around the church
until she shows up?
No, because something's
happening
or it's going to happen
that's going to make
her leave that baby.
Now she's
in some kind of trouble,
and if we can prevent that
from happening then...
Oh, I get it.
In case she gets mugged
by a group
of knife-wielding psychos,
you want me around
to save her is that it?
Yeah.
Yes.
What a sap.
Walking all across town.
Sure, Gare.
Whatever you want, Gare, Gare.
I'm not the one that gets
the paper, you know.
I'm not the one
that's responsible.
My feet hurt.
(thunder rumbling)
It's almost midnight.
And I'm cold, and I'm alone.
I'm sitting down.
(chuckles)
Yeah, that's better.
Where is she?
♪ I'm so cold,
I'm so lonely... ♪
Hey, what the...?
What's going on?
Oh, good evening, officers.
Beat it.
No loitering.
Oh, see, I wasn't loitering.
I'm just sitting here resting.
Get a room.
I happen to have a very nice
apartment in the Gold Coast...
Yeah, but you prefer spending
the night on a park bench.
Oh, no, no, no. It's just I'm
waiting for somebody
and it's very important...
One more time--
beat it!
And everybody knows that the
loitering laws were created
just so that the homeless
wouldn't sleep in public places,
and some of my best friends
happen to be homeless,
and I don't think there's
anything wrong with that.
(knocking)
Samantha?
No. I'm her father.
I'm looking for a
Mr. Gary Hobson?
What is it you
want us to do?
Put on out an APB or send
squad cars to the bridges...
Oh, I see.
You want the Chicago
Police Department
to send out all available units
to some 30-odd bridges
to catch a jumper who just
may be pulling your leg.
No. She is going to jump.
I know that for a fact.
If you would... Forget it.
I gotta get to the church
or the bridge or...
Not so fast, Hobson.
Not so fast.
Look, I came here
as an ordinary citizen
to tell you a friend of mine
is going to throw herself
off a bridge
just after midnight.
It's midnight now.
You can either help me,
or you let me go.
Look, you got no legitimate
reason to hold me here,
and if my friend does throw
herself off the bridge tonight,
I think every Chicago reporter
is going to want
to have a piece
of this story, you know?
West Hill unit one
Lincoln Adam David...
Gary, how are ya?
What are you doing here?
You're supposed to be over
at the church.
Got any cash on you?
Look, there it is.
Hey.
Is he okay?
There's a note.
MARISSA:
Gary?
Yeah.
Up here.
He came to your hotel room.
What's going on?
Where's Sam?
We missed her.
How do you know
she was here?
Whose baby?
Careful, Gary.
Mr. Butler, have you
met your grandson?
His name is Jordan.
That's my name.
Hey Gare,
come on
let's go.
Come on, we got to find her.
Do you know where she went?
I'll explain in the cab.
Marissa, in the
cab. Come on.
Take a right at Wabash.
We'll try that one next.
No, no. Wabash is closed.
Make a left.
All right, where to then?
This is all my fault.
You said it
might be a "K."
Kensey. Try Kensey.
It's the next closest
bridge we could catch.
Good idea. And step
on it, will you, Mac?
Samantha.
Samantha, stop.
Leave me alone!
Samantha.
Sam, wait.
Please.
I need you.
We need you.
(Samantha sobbing)
Samantha...
Oh, Samantha.
I'm sorry.
Sorry, Daddy.
Jordan!
Jordan.
(sniffling)
No, thank you, Detective.
Yes.
Aren't you ever going
to learn how to knock?
Next time lock and
bolt your door.
My phone is... sort
of out of order,
so I thought
I'd borrow yours.
Can I have a little
privacy, please?
Use the other phone.
Good idea.
This better be a local call.
Sure. Is Zimbabwe local?
Do you mind?
Hi. This is Chuck Fishman.
Is Lenore in yet?
Oh, she knows me.
We go way, way, way... Hello.
Yes, it is a nice, sunny
morning, isn't it?
Well, I'm glad, too.
And I my big toe is glad.
And my grandmother's
big toe is glad.
Okay. Friday night?
7:30?
Well, I'll see you then.
Bye.
Congratulations.
Thank you, my man.
Dare I ask is there anything
interesting in the paper today?
Oh, a couple of things.
Caught up to them.
Nice going, Gare.
All in a day's work.
There are lots of bridges
in this city.
Bridges that span
over the river.
That take you from
one place to another.
There are other bridges though.
Ones we need to cross
in order to bring us together
as a city,
as a community.
But the hardest bridge to cross
is the one that opens
your heart,
the one that leads you home.