Early Edition (1996–2000): Season 3, Episode 1 - Blackout - full transcript
The newspaper forecasts a power outage. With the blackout, a neighborhood dispute escalates into violence.
♫ Calm tune ♫
(Splash)
♫ Theme alternative ♫
What do you think
his body fat content is?
Zero.
Mom?
Ugh...
Move a little, Jack.
Can we have another slushy?
You've had three already.
But it's hot.
We're melting!
Just... go play.
(Splash)
♫ Danger tune ♫
Hey! Over here.
Hey, look!
hide and seek!
Told you it would open!
Hey!
Hi! Come on, come on, you guys,
get out of here.
Who are you?
Who am I?
I'll tell you who I am. I'm
the bogeyman here to tell you,
don't get in the trunks
of cars, you understand me?
Comm'on.
Comm'on.
(Gary struggles)
Now, both of you, go on.
Go on. Go find your
mom and dad or whoever.
BOOO!
(Children screaming)
(Slams the trunk)
(Sound of a train passing)
It's hot!
Well, you need some rest.
(Sigh)
I don't have time to rest.
Look, Gary, I may be blind
but even I can see that you're exhausted.
You can't run around saving the world and
manage the place, too.
I mean, nobody could.
I mean, Chuck's been gone
for, what, two months now?
You need a new manager.
Aqua, heavy rocks.
There you go!
I got him.
Patrick?
Patrick's a kid!
Look, Gary, you need someone to help
you take the load off your shoulders.
You need a full time manager.
Someone who cares about you.
Someone who cares about McGinty's.
I'm not very good at tooting my own horn,
but I guess what I'm trying to say is...
Holy cow! Uh, listen,
Marissa, I, I gotta, I gotta go.
Were you trying to say something?
It can wait.
Oh, ok.
♫ Calm tune ♫
They say that people
are basically good.
Weather permitting, that is.
Hey, Kojak! It's called
a turn signal, you know?
You've been tailgating
me for 10 minutes now!
You cut me off!
You're a menace, lady!
Yes? Step out of the car,
we'll settle this right now!
Sometimes it seems the only thing saving
us from ourselves is a simple green light.
Other times it may take
a little more than that.
(People screaming)
It does help if you get
tomorrow's newspaper today.
I can't help it, I'm cold.
I can't work when I'm cold.
Are you nuts? It's
like a sauna in here!
This is my space. My heater.
Well, then we're just
gonna invade your space,
and throw your little
heater out the window.
Hey! Fire!
(Fire extinguisher goes off)
See what'cha did?
It wasn't my fault.
Ok, I'm gonna unplug it.
Do it and die.
Is that a threat?
Unplug it and see.
Not everyone's going to
appreciate your efforts,
but that wouldn't stop you.
Would it?
(Workers fighting among themselves)
You're welcome!
♫ Theme Song ♫
What if you knew, beyond a doubt,
what was going to happen tomorrow?
What would you do?
For a guy who gets tomorrow's
news today,
there is no easy answer.
♫ Theme Song ♫
(Sound of train passing)
'Good morning, Chicago!
It's 6:30 and the temperature,
at the Civic Center is already climbing
into the 80's.
(Cat meows)
Blackout?
The most massive power
failure in Chicago's history,
plunged the city into pandemonium
at exactly 11:32 am yesterday.
That's less then three hours away.
The power outage left the city
defenseless against record temperatures,
with thousands trapped
in trains and elevators
suffering the worst effects of the heat.
By nightfall inconvenience turned
to tragedy when looting and rioting
broke out in the city's
Bridgeside neighborhood,
leaving five dead, dozens injured,
and millions of dollars in property damage.
Oh my God...
It says here that two bolts of lightning
knocked out transformers
all across the city.
Lightning?
How do you stop lightning?
(Sound of Thunder)
A bolt of lightning's going to hit?
Two bolts.
Two bolts at one time?
No, no.
within 90
seconds of each other,
I know it sounds crazy,
You got that right.
You know what the
odds are against that?
It's like one in a billion!
No, actually, it'd be one
in 2.3 billion, to be exact.
What are you, a physic or something?
Look, pal, do you know
what I do for a living?
I study weather patterns.
Did you see that movie "Tornado"?
"Twister", you mean?
Yeah.
but the one where they're
chasing the tornado.
Yeah.
Well, that's what I do. I chase lightning.
which is a very precise
and specific science.
And I'm telling 'ya,
today at 11:32 two bolts of lightning
Oh, so you got it down to the minute then?
1977, New York City,
the blackout. Two bolts of lightning,
New York? You're in Chicago, my friend.
Yeah, well, Chicago, New York,
it doesn't make a difference.
Listen, pal.
what I am trying to tell you is,
I'm telling you, even if I did
believe you, which I do not
and even if it could happen,
which it can not,
we've got the greatest backup
system in the world right here.
Well, no, that's what
I'm trying to tell you,
and there's nothing
else I can do about it!
What I'm trying to tell you is,
Now you gonna find
yourself outta here?
or do I have to help you?
Thank you, sir.
You're welcome!
Thank you.
(Thunderstorm)
(Lightning strike)
Yeah.
What do you want me
to do, I'm on hold here.
(Cat meows)
Sears Tower?
Yeah, is this the maintenance?
Thank you very much.
Listen...
I know you've got the two lightning
rods up on the top of the building,
is there anyway you could maybe tilt
them to the Southeast a little bit?
Because I have a feeling you're gonna have
some lightning bolts you're gonna,
Hello?
(Hanging up)
They hung up.
Can you blame them?
No...
No, it's just that in,
five minutes all hell's
gonna break loose,
I'm the only one that
knows what's gonna happen.
Lightning is an act of God, Gary.
Are you telling me that I should pray?
I already did that.
And?
(Thunder sound)
I'm not sure it got through.
(Kids laughing while spray painting)
Hey Juanito ,
(Speaking spanish)
Ok, come on.
(Spray painting)
Why walk when you can ride?
Yes, Hermano.
(Door closes)
(Lightning strikes)
(Power outbreak)
Hey, what happened?
(Door opens)
Hey, Lee,
you wanna get your
van outta my spot?
Your spot?
It's public street.
I thought we had an understanding.
I'll move it, pop.
Not now.
We working.
Park it over on Adams!
You! Don't tell me where to park.
Pop, it's no big deal.
Hey, I don't care where you put it,
alright, just move it.
(Lightning affecting the transformator)
What happen? What the... I gotta
get over to my store. Move the van, Lee!
(Cars honk)
(Tire screeching)
Hey, it's my way!
In what country?
That's it, get out of the car.
Where'd you learn to drive?
Where'd you learn to drive, mister?
I have the right of way!
What's happening?
(Shouting at each other)
It's started.
(People shouting)
Ok, so the big problem is going to be
the looting, but that doesn't happen,
'till tonight. So first there's
a 93 year old woman
who has the stroke
climbing up the stairs.
What about the L train,
doesn't that happen first?
No, the L train doesn't happen first,
I've got it all organized here.
Oh, yeah, the L train does happen first.
Alright, So first I take care of the
L train, then I take care of the lady.
But there's a pregnant woman
stuck in traffic.
The pregnant lady,
I forgot about the pregnant lady...
Ok, so we get the...
wait a second, the pregnant
woman and the heart attack,
they're at the same
time but different places.
I can help.
Yeah...
Yeah, that's right.
Yeah. Patrick?!
Patrick?
Yo. Radio says the power should be back
on in a couple hours.
Well, the radio's wrong.
I need you to do me a favor
I need you to go down
to Wabash and Chestnut,
and direct traffic.
Sure, Mr. Hobson, no problem... why?
Why?, why... That's a good question.
Patrick,
you ever get a sense
about something?
(Obvious sound)
All the time.
Yeah, well I got a sense
about this. I got a sense that,
that three cars are going to slam
into each other down there and...
when they do some paramedics
are gonna get caught up,
and these paramedics are,
Who... Patrick, it
doesn't matter about that.
The important thing is that
some brave civilian,
go down there and they keep the traffic
flowing, do you understand, Patrick?
I am so there, Mr. Hobson.
I...
(Uhm)
Chestnut and what?
Wabash-Chestnut and Wabash.
Right, right.
What?
That sure is some sense
you've got, Mr. Hobson.
Go, Patrick!
(Door opens)
(Door closes)
There's something wrong with that kid.
Alright.
Gary, Spike and I could go with you,
I mean we could...
I need you here. I need you to answer to
phone, I need you to close up.
But I can help, Gary.
You help me plenty by being right here,
minding the floor Marissa, thanks!
Good luck!
I feel like a maid!
I heard that!
(Train door opens)
(Train door slammed)
Ugh...
(Exhaling)
Uh, Mr. uh,
Mumford?
Mister. uh, Mumford?
Mister... Mumford!
I am looking for Mr. Mumford?
(Train door opens)
Mister Mumford?
(ugh)
Mister...
Mister Mumford?!
Yes!
You forgot your
nitroglycerin pill, Mr. Mumford.
Oh, thank God. My chest!
How did you know?
Ah?
How did you know?
Oh, well,
I, uh...
well, I-I-I,
I, uh,
I, I work at the pharmacy.
You're going to be fine, Mr.
Mumford, just fine, you understand?
(Traffic jam)
Ok, Patrick, you can do this.
You...
are a college grad.
Give or take eight units.
(Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep)
(Beep, Beep, Beep)
(Shoutings)
OK, what?
OK.
Whoo!
Hey!
I'm trying...
Whoo OK!
(Opera music playing)
So, did anybody watch the
Cubs last night?
What the...?!
(Door opens)
Generator's down.
Well, somebody better fix it in a
hurry or I'm gonna lose this guy.
(Truck coming to a halt)
Get the hose hooked up.
(Truck door shuts)
HEY!
You can't park here!
Listen, your backup
generator, it needs more fuel.
And I am giving you exactly 10
seconds to get your truck outta here...
I'm telling 'ya, check it would 'ya?
I'll check it.
HEY!
Come on... come on...
(Running)
There!
I'll be damned.
I'll go get the hose hooked up.
(Chattering)
(Opera resumed and machines turns on)
Let's go.
Suction!
Suction.
♫ Upbeat tune with casr honking ♫
Let's go buddy!
(honks 3 times)
I'm talking to you!
(Car honks)
Go ahead, yeah.
Okay, yeah good.
Go on through, go on through.
OK! Cool!
Whoo...
Stop!
Ah, I know...
Ah..
(Car honks)
Come on!
COME ON!
Thanks honey.
(Engine rev'in)
(Laughing hard)
(Phone rings)
(Picks up)
McGinty's.
Marissa, it's me.
Where are you?
I'm over at Chestnut and Wabash.
I believe our new friend Patrick
has found a new calling in life.
You got it!
You! let goooo!
Listen, I want you to
dump that milk in the back,
and also take the
bar ice and stick it,
in the walk-in. I already did that.
Alright, good.
Hey, what are you going
to do about the looting?
I don't know, I haven't
figured that out yet.
(Sigh)
Well, read me the paper again,
maybe there's something in there.
Chicago's blackout
went from bad to worse,
as nightfall brought out
the dark side of humanity.
The riot erupted at a convenience
store in a neighborhood where,
witnesses said store owner Ang Lee
had closed his shop to unruly customers.
(Window smashed)
(People fighting)
(Shotgun blast)
Gary, if you stop that
owner from closing the store,
then, you can stop
things before they start.
Yeah, well, right now I gotta
go over to a construction site,
a couple of kids are stuck in an
elevator over at Decker and 21st.
Well, that's not life or death, is it?
No, but it's on the way
so I figured I'd go there first.
Well, we know people
are going to die tonight,
if you don't
stop that looting, Gary.
Alright, so the kids'll
wait. Alright, well, listen,
I'll call you back in
a little while, alright?
Ok, bye.
(Hanging up)
21st and Decker...
that's just a few
blocks away from here.
♫ Dramatic tune ♫
Three blocks South,
two blocks East,
alright, Spike.
(Clearing throat)
This should be it.
(Touching the fence)
Hello?
Anyone?
I need some help here!
(Spike barks)
(Children crying out)
I'm here!
I hear it,
I hear it, too, Spike.
Hello? Anybody?
There's some boys stuck in an elevator!
(Spike barks)
Find them Spike, find them Spike-let's go!
Hello?...
Hello? Anybody here?
We're stuck in the elevator!
Here, fast!
Alright, I'll try.
Come on Spike.
Take it easy, Jose. You gotta help
us, lady. My friend's freaking out!
Please!
Hang on!
I'm coming up.
(Footsteps)
Here, Lady!
Over here, Lady! Right here lady.
Dude, she's blind!
What? Oh, man...
Don't worry. Lady, there's a pipe
on the floor, next to your foot.
If you push it through the
doors we can get out of here.
Oh, Ok...uhm,
Which foot?
Please, man! You gotta
get me outta here now!
Your left one. Hurry, lady.
He's going to have a fear or something!
Ok, got it.
That's it!
(Pushing the elevator with steel rode)
Got it... come on, man, let's go!
We just can't leave her here!
Run, man.
Fast!
Sorry, lady.
Wait! Where are you going?
(Runnng down stairs)
Alright, Spike.
We got ourselves into this,
we'll just have to get ourselves
out. Turn, slowly.
(Falling)
Ugh...
(Spike barks)
Ugh...
(Spike barks)
(Spike barks)
(Spike barks)
(Spike barks)
It will be at least 12 and as many as
24 hours before power is restored to,
all areas of the city.
With traffic jams reported at
virtually all major intersections,
Emergency service persnoal have requested
the residence to stay off the road,
Unless...
How much do you weigh?
Huh?
How much do you weigh?
58 pounds. How tall are you?
Max, don't bother the customers.
It's alright.
Hey, I know you. You were
on the council last year,
you helped us get that stoplight.
Oh... uh, Gary Hobson.
Diana Lee.
And these are
my children Jennah and Max.
(Laughing)
Children, this is Mr. Hobson.
He's a very important man.
Oh, no I'm not, I'm not really that...
You're still on the board of supervisors?
Uh, no, that was just, uh, very temporary.
Oh, you run again...
we need more people like you.
Haha, thank you.
Come on, children.
We're going to the YMCA pool to cool off.
Ah!
See you later, alligator.
In a while, crocodile.
Hey, he knows it!
I need more milk, Mr. Lee.
Sorry, one quart to customer.
What?
Since when?
I don't have enough for everybody.
this way everybody get some.
Oh...
I don't believe this.
Sorry!
Cash only.
What?
The machine's not working,
we can't process credit cards.
That's bull, man, you know her!
Well, uh, maybe you could,
maybe you could extend some credit.
You?...
Live in this neighborhood?
Well, a few miles away...
He...
He treats us like strangers.
Well, I think that what Mr. Lee
is trying to do is to be fair.
Because if he gave you all the milk,
there wouldn't be any for
your neighbors, would there?
That's right.
Well, yeah ...
Well, uh, I think we all
need to give a little bit here,
until the power comes back on
and instead of attacking,
Mr. Lee maybe we should, we should
appreciate him for what he is trying to do.
Thank you.
Well, yes, but Mr. Lee
but you gotta understand, too,
that these people are a
little bit nervous because,
they don't know how long
this thing is going to last.
That's right.
And since they are your neighbors,
well, maybe some of them don't have
enough money to pay for the things that,
they need right now but
they're good for it, right?
Yes!
Yeah, com'on Mr. Lee, Give ah...
I think a little goodwill
would go a long way right here,
so if you could just hand
out some I.O.U.'s, huh?
We could do that, pop.
Hey, Maria, this guy here giving you grief?
This guy!
I have lived,
just like you.
Just like me? No, I don't think
so, pal. You see all of us here?
We've been part of this
neighborhood for years, all of our lives.
You, you been here, what, two years?
So what?
So you wanna be part of this neighborhood?
you give the people what we need.
Yeah. You tell him Sal...
You know, I was doing fine right here,
actually.
No respect, you know?
That's what this is all about. No respect.
You see?
You don't know what goes on.
You don't know these people.
Oh, you hear that?
Oh, now we're these people.
Naaa... I don't want to deal with you.
No, no, you're going to deal with me
or else.
Or else what?
That's it!
Get out of store!
You throwing me out of here, huh?
You throwing me out of this store?
Everybody! I'm closing! Get out! Out! Out!
Out! We close! You don't like the way
I do things you go shop someplace else!
It's not over yet.
Come on.
Oh, man, it's no better out here.
You know, I'm thinkin' maybe
we should go back in there,
and take what we need.
Sal...
Why, why, why don't you,
why don't you shop at another store?
Who asked you, huh? Who is this guy?
(Police siren)
Everything ok, Sal?
Yeah, yeah, Mike. No problems.
Alright, in that case let's break
it up and try to cool off, huh?
(Chatter on the radio)
We can come back later on.
Marissa:
Hello?
Is anybody there?
(Spike cries)
Spike...
Spike.
Spike! Spike, Spike, Spike...
go get help-oh!
(Bucket falls into a deep shaft)
Oh, God, why'd I ever come here?
(Spike barks)
It's ok, Spike.
(Spike barks)
♫ Uplifting 60's tune ♫
Whoa! Hey, alright!
You have a good day, sir!
It's like an oven in here.
Want an oven try my apartment,
sixth floor. Bake like a potato.
If these batteries go
I'm gonna stroke out.
I know someone who's
got plenty of batteries.
Batteries, fans, whatever you want.
Probably in his store right
now, as cool as a cucumber.
Doesn't give a damn about anyone else.
You got that right.
(Police sirens)
Well, well, if it isn't the referee.
Ah...
I was just walking by and I
thought I'd...
Hey, uhm...
Gary Hobson.
Uhm, Look, I was just trying to
understand what was going on here...
Why?
Well, because I'm from
the neighborhood, too.
Today's the first I've seen of 'ya.
Well, I may live a few miles away, but...
We're all in this
mess together, aren't we?
Some of us.
Look, uh,
Mr. Lee seems like
a pretty good guy,
and I don't know why you're
jumping down his throat.
You wanna know why?
I'll tell 'ya why.
A couple of years this neighborhood
was in the toilet.
Punks...
selling drugs right out there
on the street. Day, Night.
It didn't matter when.
In front of all our stores,
the Chinaman's, too.
But not anymore.
We formed the Block Merchants
Association.
Put up streetlights.
Patrolled the streets.
Guess who didn't want to join?
Always too busy to make the weekly
meeting. Couldn't afford the dues.
Then he goes out and buys a new van.
Do you believe that? A brand new van.
Puts nothing into this neighborhood,
but then wants to
take everything out of it.
Look, I see that might bother you.
but that's no reason to
go destroying his store.
Wha, what? What do you mean, destroy?
who said anything about destroying his
store? What are you accusing us of here?
I'm not accusing you
of anything it's just...
look, I think I know what you're thinking here.
Oh, no, oh, so now he's a mind reader.
I didn't say I was a mind reader-
Get out of here!
Listen, if you,
No, you listen.
I don't
know what your game is
but this is my store and
I want you out of here.
Hey, do I stutter when I talk?
No...
No, you don't.
(Footsteps)
Mr. Lee:
Did they send you here?
No, no one sent me here.
Listen, I
talked to them. And...
if you could just take five minutes
to listen to their side of the situation,
Their side?
Why?
They never listen to our side.
Well, listen, maybe that's the case.
But the way they see
it, well, you haven't, uh...
given a lot to the neighborhood.
Here we go again.
Last month,
they wanted us to sponsor a little league team.
I gave them 50 dollars,
they called us cheap.
And the Merchants Association.
200 dollars they want us to pay.
Then I find out everybody
else pay 100 dollars.
They were trying to cheat us.
Yeah...
Here. Let me show you something, Mr. Hobson.
This is my brother.
My sister.
I trying...
Bring them over from China.
This my papa.
My mama.
They too old to come.
So...
I send them money,
for doctor,
and medicine.
Every penny I make,
go into the store,
or for my family.
Well, have you explained that to them...
They only hear what they want to hear.
Like the van,
it's not new,
it's three years old.
It's been reconditioned,
and we need it for
our delivery service.
My son,
and me.
we work...
14 hours a day, 7 days a week.
And they mock us for it!
And the names they call my grandchildren...
I don't even want to tell you.
But, listen, I can understand that
it's very difficult,
You can understand?
How?
How you can understand?
Forgive me, Mr. Hobson
but you cannot understand.
Ok, maybe I can't understand,
Alright?
But, listen, something's going to
happen here that no one wants to happen,
If we don't stop it there's
going to be trouble.
Trouble? What kind of trouble?
Well, the kind of trouble
where people are gonna get hurt.
We are ready for trouble.
No, now, Mr. Lee, there's not going to
be any violence..
Lee. If you could...
just reopen your
store, if you could give,
the smallest amount of goodwill
to these people I think they might,
Goodwill? I am not the
one who is wrong here!
You see the way they behave!
Well, sometimes it's a strong
man who backs down first.
I not back down.
Listen to him, father.
Alright! How 'bout if I got,
you and Mr. Regate together,
to talk. Just,
the two of you together.
It'd never happen.
Even if I had Sal come over here,
just the two of you one-on-one.
That man is...
fat head!
You know what, he is a fat head,
I agree with you.
But could you at least sit down
with the fat head and talk once?
(Sigh)
Yes.
Good!
Good!
But I not promise anything.
You don't have to promise
a thing. I'll go talk to them,
I'll go try to work everything out.
Thank you.
Thank you. Good.
(Sonud of door opens with bells ringing)
(Steel door opens)
Thank you.
Alright...
"Marissa Clark, a local book
keeper fell down an elevator shaft,
to her death in a city
building under renovation
Her seeing eye dog, a German
Shepard, was found by her side."
(Screaming)
Marissa.
Stay calm, Spike, stay calm.
Everything's going to be fine.
We're going to get out of here.
Calm down Spike. Good boy, good boy.
Calm down, Spike.
(Banging the floor)
Stay calm.
Good boy.
Come on, Marissa, where are you?
Marissa!
(Spike barks)
Good dog, Spike.
Marissa!
Gary, I'm up here!
I'm up here, Gary.
How did you...?
I don't know. I don't know where I am.
Ah, Just, just stay right there. Just...
Ah, I'm not going anywhere.
Yeah...
Just stay still there.
You know I really...
hate,
heights,
a lot.
(Spike barks)
Be careful, Gary. Take your time.
(Ugh)
You alright?
I think I hurt my foot.
Which one?
The right one.
(Marissa in pain)
Just stay still.
We're gonna...
I'm just gonna get some boards here.
We're just gonna walk across here.
Hey, you know what?
A funny thing happened,
the other day,
when I was in the bar,
over by the,
cash register.
you know, where we keep the cashews.
Right...
Well, I was looking at
the cashews, and I had one,
and I thought to myself, "What
does a cashew shell look like?"
What?
Well, what does a
cashew shell look like,
did you ever think about that?
Cashew shell, what's it look like?
Actually, I've never thought of that.
Well, I didn't either.
I've eaten a lot of cashews,
and I've seen
a lot of cashew shells,
but I've never seen a cashew shell
on a can sitting next to a shelf.
I just saw the cashew.
Nice try, Gary.
(Panting)
Alright. OK.
Now listen, this
thing's just fine, ok?
Alright.
(Panting)
There's just a, there's just a
little walkway up right here,
OK.
and there's just a little spot,
where we're gonna step over here,
and it's a little bit of an incline,
OK? Everything's going to be fine,
we're just going to walk up
Alright?
Alright.
Alright Good.
Good.
Where, Where am I going?
Just give me a hop forward.
OK.
(Struggling)
(Struggling)
Easy, easy, easy. There's
just a little drop off here.
Alright?
OK.
(Boards crashing and dalling)
You like to go home now?
What?
Come on, Spike, you too.
♫ Heroic tune ♫
(Door opens)
Marissa:
Ugh...
I'm sorry, Gary, I'm really sorry.
I thought I could help out, you know?
You thought you could help out?
Yeah.
One less thing for you to worry about.
(Sigh)
Look, you want?...
Here.
Alright? Look, keep this on here now,
alright?
I guess I was trying to prove something.
All I proved was how foolish I could be.
You did good.
Did you, uh, stop the looting?
No, I gotta get back there.
What are you going to tell 'em?
I have no idea.
First cast out the beam of thine own eye,
and then thou shalt see clearly to,
cast out the moat out
from thy brother's eye.
You trying to tell me something?
You should go.
Go.
Huh? Oh, yeah. You uh...
Look, keep that on there, you hear me?
I'll be fine.
I'm... I'll go, I'll do,
Oh...
Gin.
Again?
Now what?
My wife is driving me nuts!
We just ran out of juice.
Her sister and her two babies over,
they're wailing like banshees!
I know where you can get some juice.
Come on, Sal,
it's not the only store in town.
It's the only store within a mile of here.
What are we supposed to
do, beg him to sell his stuff?
He's right, Frank.
We've been carrying this guy for,
what, two years?
And what does he
do to show his appreciation?
Shuts his gate in our faces?
Nah, it's payback time.
I'm with you, Sal.
I've had it with that old Chinaman.
I'm sick of the both of them,
him and his son.
They don't want to help us?
we'll help ourselves.
Come on, Sal. Man, listen up.
Come on, come on Frank, let's go.
Listened enough.
Where is he?
Where is Mr. Hobson?
I guess he couldn't get Regate to come.
Let's go home, pop.
No!
I not leave the store.
Dad...
No, no, no Frank, that's it.
No, no, we're doing too much talking.
Hey, Sal!
What's happening?
We're going to do
a little shopping at Mr. Lee's store.
I thought it was closed.
It was. We're going to open it.
You know, I could use a soda myself.
Com'on...
Mr. Hobson! Mr. Hobson!
What are you doing?
Listen, you gotta get outta here.
What happened? I thought
you were going to talk to them!
I don't have time to explain right now.
I have to go there.
No, Miss Lee, no you don't
because it's too dangerous!
I have to warn my husband.
Please, watch my children.
Well,
No, no, no.
Stay with Mr. Hobson.
No, no... Miss Lee! Miss Lee! Miss Lee!
Listen to me.
Listen to me. I need
you to do me a favor.
Listen, I want you to do me a favor, ok?
Come over here.
Come over here, come on.
Go in the church and you'll be safe.
I want you to go inside and I want you
to stay there, you understand me?
You hear me?
OK.
(People shouting)
Hey, Lee! We want to talk to you, Mr. Lee!
We want to talk to you Mr. Lee.
Com'on Lee.
Jennah, up here!
No!
I wanna see!
Max, no.
We don't have to put up with this Lee!
We don't owe you nothin'!
Open those doors or we'll open them for you!
'Ya hear me?
'Ya hear me, Lee?
Come on out!
What, you too good to talk to us?
Com'on!
Huh?
What, are you going to
hide behind that gate?
Huh?
Huh?
Hey Lee.
Hey, Come on, Sal! Knock it off!
(Agrees to take down the door)
(Shoutings)
Com'on let's break it.
Look, you can see everything!
Get back, Max!
Stop, now! Just stop!
Just stop! Stay where you are!
(Windows smashed)
Please get away!
All of you!
He's got a gun!
(3 Gun shots)
Get back!
Stop, dammit, stop!
Get back!
Now just stop!
(Panting)
(Panting)
(Panting)
Now, listen.
(Panting)
Now this thing starts here now
where's it going to end, huh?
Now first you're going
to break into his store,
but I'm telling ya' next
it's going to be your store!
or it's going to be your store
or yours or any of ya's.
And then, I'm telling you,
the whole neighborhood,
it's going to fall apart.
(Panting)
Everybody thinks he's wrong
and you're right, that's fine.
But, everyone, you need to take
a look at yourselves,
before you judge...
anyone else.
because I'm telling 'ya,
you're supposed to be a neighborhood.
You're neighbors.
(Panting hard)
But you look like a lynch mob.
(Panting faster)
If everyone would just calm down,
(Riot shouts)
(Loading shotgun)
Whoo Whoo!
No, Eric, don't do that!
Max, no.
(Girl Screams)
Help!
Look up there.
Ahh!
Ahhhhh....
Help!
Ahhh...
Some-, Somebody get a..
Somebody get a ladder!
Mommy!
Daddy!
Ah!
Get me down!
Mommy! Daddy!
Max! Hold on, Max! Hold on!
Extend it! Extend it all the way.
Alright, alright.
Hold it steady, hold it steady!
I got it. I got it. I got it.
Alright.
(Mother screams)
Help!
Alright.
Hurry, hurry! Please!
(Mother screams)
Watch it, Sal.
I got it. A little more... I can't...
Max!
Max!
Hold on, baby! Somebody, please hurry!
Hold on, Max, hold on!
I can't reach, I can't reach him.
Max!
I can't reach, I can't reach!
Sal, hang on.
Listen to me.
I'm going to come around 'ya,
I'm going to go up to the top rung.
What are you, nuts? Are you crazy?
I'm going to come around
your right side, alright?
Whoo...
Oh... watch, watch.
Mommy, I'm sorry!
Max, he's coming! Hurry, hurry, please!
Mommy!
(Screams)
Got it.
Alright, I got you.
He gave me an heart attack.
Yeah.
Alright, Sal, come on back down.
Hold the ladder, hold the ladder.
Keep it steady guys...
Alright, I got it.
Atta boy, there you go.
Atta boy...
There you go.
(Crowd clapping)
Whoo...
Ugh...
I think you can put the gun away now.
Oh, boy.
Oh!
Thank you.
I want to...
apologize.
For me,
family always come first,
but,
I never realized,
here...
my family too.
Thank you.
I want to open up store on the house.
There's milk and juice and
whatever you want.
Hey, I got a freezer full of
hamburger meat that's going to waste.
Hey! We can bring out our barbecue grills.
Yeah...
Those beers still cold, Lee?
You bet.
Ok.
Thank you.
Neighbor.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Patrick.
♫ Tango tune ♫
Let's hang a right, Toyota! Hang a right!
I'll take it from here.
Thanks.
Ok, keep it moving!
They say that people pull together
in a crisis.
There you go.
Oh, smells great!
That just when you've lost
your faith in human nature,
something will come
along to restore it again.
How much do you weigh?
(Lughter)
Let's get you down. There you go.
(People chatterng)
Hamburger, coleslaw, heavy.
You know, I could get used to
this, being waited on.
Yeah well don't 'cause
it's only until your foot gets better.
You know, I didn't really need your help.
Oh, no.
I could've got out fine by myself.
Oh, well, of course you could of.
What I'm saying is that I,
I- appreciate you helping me
but being blind I am well
suited for blackout situations.
All I needed was a little time
to feel my way around,
You know that line you gave me
about having something in your own eye?
That-that-that wasn't just about the
crowd, that was about me, as well.
And, uh...
(Clearing throat)
well ever since
Chuck has been gone,
I've been sorta
royally screwing up,
at McGinty's, and I think
that you've been a little too,
Polite?
To point that out. Thank you.
So, uh...
So does that mean you're
gonna hire a new manager?
No.
I was thinking of,
Partners.
What?
Just like Chuck and I, 50/50 partners.
You gotta be kidding.
Take it or leave it, that's my last offer.
I'll take it.
Oh.
Well, good.
Partners.
Partners.
Alright.
Well, whoever they are,
it's true.
Sometimes a disaster can be
a blessing in disguise.
But don't take my word for it,
because you can read all about it,
in tomorrow's paper.
♫ Salsa tune ♫
♫ Ending theme song ♫
(Splash)
♫ Theme alternative ♫
What do you think
his body fat content is?
Zero.
Mom?
Ugh...
Move a little, Jack.
Can we have another slushy?
You've had three already.
But it's hot.
We're melting!
Just... go play.
(Splash)
♫ Danger tune ♫
Hey! Over here.
Hey, look!
hide and seek!
Told you it would open!
Hey!
Hi! Come on, come on, you guys,
get out of here.
Who are you?
Who am I?
I'll tell you who I am. I'm
the bogeyman here to tell you,
don't get in the trunks
of cars, you understand me?
Comm'on.
Comm'on.
(Gary struggles)
Now, both of you, go on.
Go on. Go find your
mom and dad or whoever.
BOOO!
(Children screaming)
(Slams the trunk)
(Sound of a train passing)
It's hot!
Well, you need some rest.
(Sigh)
I don't have time to rest.
Look, Gary, I may be blind
but even I can see that you're exhausted.
You can't run around saving the world and
manage the place, too.
I mean, nobody could.
I mean, Chuck's been gone
for, what, two months now?
You need a new manager.
Aqua, heavy rocks.
There you go!
I got him.
Patrick?
Patrick's a kid!
Look, Gary, you need someone to help
you take the load off your shoulders.
You need a full time manager.
Someone who cares about you.
Someone who cares about McGinty's.
I'm not very good at tooting my own horn,
but I guess what I'm trying to say is...
Holy cow! Uh, listen,
Marissa, I, I gotta, I gotta go.
Were you trying to say something?
It can wait.
Oh, ok.
♫ Calm tune ♫
They say that people
are basically good.
Weather permitting, that is.
Hey, Kojak! It's called
a turn signal, you know?
You've been tailgating
me for 10 minutes now!
You cut me off!
You're a menace, lady!
Yes? Step out of the car,
we'll settle this right now!
Sometimes it seems the only thing saving
us from ourselves is a simple green light.
Other times it may take
a little more than that.
(People screaming)
It does help if you get
tomorrow's newspaper today.
I can't help it, I'm cold.
I can't work when I'm cold.
Are you nuts? It's
like a sauna in here!
This is my space. My heater.
Well, then we're just
gonna invade your space,
and throw your little
heater out the window.
Hey! Fire!
(Fire extinguisher goes off)
See what'cha did?
It wasn't my fault.
Ok, I'm gonna unplug it.
Do it and die.
Is that a threat?
Unplug it and see.
Not everyone's going to
appreciate your efforts,
but that wouldn't stop you.
Would it?
(Workers fighting among themselves)
You're welcome!
♫ Theme Song ♫
What if you knew, beyond a doubt,
what was going to happen tomorrow?
What would you do?
For a guy who gets tomorrow's
news today,
there is no easy answer.
♫ Theme Song ♫
(Sound of train passing)
'Good morning, Chicago!
It's 6:30 and the temperature,
at the Civic Center is already climbing
into the 80's.
(Cat meows)
Blackout?
The most massive power
failure in Chicago's history,
plunged the city into pandemonium
at exactly 11:32 am yesterday.
That's less then three hours away.
The power outage left the city
defenseless against record temperatures,
with thousands trapped
in trains and elevators
suffering the worst effects of the heat.
By nightfall inconvenience turned
to tragedy when looting and rioting
broke out in the city's
Bridgeside neighborhood,
leaving five dead, dozens injured,
and millions of dollars in property damage.
Oh my God...
It says here that two bolts of lightning
knocked out transformers
all across the city.
Lightning?
How do you stop lightning?
(Sound of Thunder)
A bolt of lightning's going to hit?
Two bolts.
Two bolts at one time?
No, no.
within 90
seconds of each other,
I know it sounds crazy,
You got that right.
You know what the
odds are against that?
It's like one in a billion!
No, actually, it'd be one
in 2.3 billion, to be exact.
What are you, a physic or something?
Look, pal, do you know
what I do for a living?
I study weather patterns.
Did you see that movie "Tornado"?
"Twister", you mean?
Yeah.
but the one where they're
chasing the tornado.
Yeah.
Well, that's what I do. I chase lightning.
which is a very precise
and specific science.
And I'm telling 'ya,
today at 11:32 two bolts of lightning
Oh, so you got it down to the minute then?
1977, New York City,
the blackout. Two bolts of lightning,
New York? You're in Chicago, my friend.
Yeah, well, Chicago, New York,
it doesn't make a difference.
Listen, pal.
what I am trying to tell you is,
I'm telling you, even if I did
believe you, which I do not
and even if it could happen,
which it can not,
we've got the greatest backup
system in the world right here.
Well, no, that's what
I'm trying to tell you,
and there's nothing
else I can do about it!
What I'm trying to tell you is,
Now you gonna find
yourself outta here?
or do I have to help you?
Thank you, sir.
You're welcome!
Thank you.
(Thunderstorm)
(Lightning strike)
Yeah.
What do you want me
to do, I'm on hold here.
(Cat meows)
Sears Tower?
Yeah, is this the maintenance?
Thank you very much.
Listen...
I know you've got the two lightning
rods up on the top of the building,
is there anyway you could maybe tilt
them to the Southeast a little bit?
Because I have a feeling you're gonna have
some lightning bolts you're gonna,
Hello?
(Hanging up)
They hung up.
Can you blame them?
No...
No, it's just that in,
five minutes all hell's
gonna break loose,
I'm the only one that
knows what's gonna happen.
Lightning is an act of God, Gary.
Are you telling me that I should pray?
I already did that.
And?
(Thunder sound)
I'm not sure it got through.
(Kids laughing while spray painting)
Hey Juanito ,
(Speaking spanish)
Ok, come on.
(Spray painting)
Why walk when you can ride?
Yes, Hermano.
(Door closes)
(Lightning strikes)
(Power outbreak)
Hey, what happened?
(Door opens)
Hey, Lee,
you wanna get your
van outta my spot?
Your spot?
It's public street.
I thought we had an understanding.
I'll move it, pop.
Not now.
We working.
Park it over on Adams!
You! Don't tell me where to park.
Pop, it's no big deal.
Hey, I don't care where you put it,
alright, just move it.
(Lightning affecting the transformator)
What happen? What the... I gotta
get over to my store. Move the van, Lee!
(Cars honk)
(Tire screeching)
Hey, it's my way!
In what country?
That's it, get out of the car.
Where'd you learn to drive?
Where'd you learn to drive, mister?
I have the right of way!
What's happening?
(Shouting at each other)
It's started.
(People shouting)
Ok, so the big problem is going to be
the looting, but that doesn't happen,
'till tonight. So first there's
a 93 year old woman
who has the stroke
climbing up the stairs.
What about the L train,
doesn't that happen first?
No, the L train doesn't happen first,
I've got it all organized here.
Oh, yeah, the L train does happen first.
Alright, So first I take care of the
L train, then I take care of the lady.
But there's a pregnant woman
stuck in traffic.
The pregnant lady,
I forgot about the pregnant lady...
Ok, so we get the...
wait a second, the pregnant
woman and the heart attack,
they're at the same
time but different places.
I can help.
Yeah...
Yeah, that's right.
Yeah. Patrick?!
Patrick?
Yo. Radio says the power should be back
on in a couple hours.
Well, the radio's wrong.
I need you to do me a favor
I need you to go down
to Wabash and Chestnut,
and direct traffic.
Sure, Mr. Hobson, no problem... why?
Why?, why... That's a good question.
Patrick,
you ever get a sense
about something?
(Obvious sound)
All the time.
Yeah, well I got a sense
about this. I got a sense that,
that three cars are going to slam
into each other down there and...
when they do some paramedics
are gonna get caught up,
and these paramedics are,
Who... Patrick, it
doesn't matter about that.
The important thing is that
some brave civilian,
go down there and they keep the traffic
flowing, do you understand, Patrick?
I am so there, Mr. Hobson.
I...
(Uhm)
Chestnut and what?
Wabash-Chestnut and Wabash.
Right, right.
What?
That sure is some sense
you've got, Mr. Hobson.
Go, Patrick!
(Door opens)
(Door closes)
There's something wrong with that kid.
Alright.
Gary, Spike and I could go with you,
I mean we could...
I need you here. I need you to answer to
phone, I need you to close up.
But I can help, Gary.
You help me plenty by being right here,
minding the floor Marissa, thanks!
Good luck!
I feel like a maid!
I heard that!
(Train door opens)
(Train door slammed)
Ugh...
(Exhaling)
Uh, Mr. uh,
Mumford?
Mister. uh, Mumford?
Mister... Mumford!
I am looking for Mr. Mumford?
(Train door opens)
Mister Mumford?
(ugh)
Mister...
Mister Mumford?!
Yes!
You forgot your
nitroglycerin pill, Mr. Mumford.
Oh, thank God. My chest!
How did you know?
Ah?
How did you know?
Oh, well,
I, uh...
well, I-I-I,
I, uh,
I, I work at the pharmacy.
You're going to be fine, Mr.
Mumford, just fine, you understand?
(Traffic jam)
Ok, Patrick, you can do this.
You...
are a college grad.
Give or take eight units.
(Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep)
(Beep, Beep, Beep)
(Shoutings)
OK, what?
OK.
Whoo!
Hey!
I'm trying...
Whoo OK!
(Opera music playing)
So, did anybody watch the
Cubs last night?
What the...?!
(Door opens)
Generator's down.
Well, somebody better fix it in a
hurry or I'm gonna lose this guy.
(Truck coming to a halt)
Get the hose hooked up.
(Truck door shuts)
HEY!
You can't park here!
Listen, your backup
generator, it needs more fuel.
And I am giving you exactly 10
seconds to get your truck outta here...
I'm telling 'ya, check it would 'ya?
I'll check it.
HEY!
Come on... come on...
(Running)
There!
I'll be damned.
I'll go get the hose hooked up.
(Chattering)
(Opera resumed and machines turns on)
Let's go.
Suction!
Suction.
♫ Upbeat tune with casr honking ♫
Let's go buddy!
(honks 3 times)
I'm talking to you!
(Car honks)
Go ahead, yeah.
Okay, yeah good.
Go on through, go on through.
OK! Cool!
Whoo...
Stop!
Ah, I know...
Ah..
(Car honks)
Come on!
COME ON!
Thanks honey.
(Engine rev'in)
(Laughing hard)
(Phone rings)
(Picks up)
McGinty's.
Marissa, it's me.
Where are you?
I'm over at Chestnut and Wabash.
I believe our new friend Patrick
has found a new calling in life.
You got it!
You! let goooo!
Listen, I want you to
dump that milk in the back,
and also take the
bar ice and stick it,
in the walk-in. I already did that.
Alright, good.
Hey, what are you going
to do about the looting?
I don't know, I haven't
figured that out yet.
(Sigh)
Well, read me the paper again,
maybe there's something in there.
Chicago's blackout
went from bad to worse,
as nightfall brought out
the dark side of humanity.
The riot erupted at a convenience
store in a neighborhood where,
witnesses said store owner Ang Lee
had closed his shop to unruly customers.
(Window smashed)
(People fighting)
(Shotgun blast)
Gary, if you stop that
owner from closing the store,
then, you can stop
things before they start.
Yeah, well, right now I gotta
go over to a construction site,
a couple of kids are stuck in an
elevator over at Decker and 21st.
Well, that's not life or death, is it?
No, but it's on the way
so I figured I'd go there first.
Well, we know people
are going to die tonight,
if you don't
stop that looting, Gary.
Alright, so the kids'll
wait. Alright, well, listen,
I'll call you back in
a little while, alright?
Ok, bye.
(Hanging up)
21st and Decker...
that's just a few
blocks away from here.
♫ Dramatic tune ♫
Three blocks South,
two blocks East,
alright, Spike.
(Clearing throat)
This should be it.
(Touching the fence)
Hello?
Anyone?
I need some help here!
(Spike barks)
(Children crying out)
I'm here!
I hear it,
I hear it, too, Spike.
Hello? Anybody?
There's some boys stuck in an elevator!
(Spike barks)
Find them Spike, find them Spike-let's go!
Hello?...
Hello? Anybody here?
We're stuck in the elevator!
Here, fast!
Alright, I'll try.
Come on Spike.
Take it easy, Jose. You gotta help
us, lady. My friend's freaking out!
Please!
Hang on!
I'm coming up.
(Footsteps)
Here, Lady!
Over here, Lady! Right here lady.
Dude, she's blind!
What? Oh, man...
Don't worry. Lady, there's a pipe
on the floor, next to your foot.
If you push it through the
doors we can get out of here.
Oh, Ok...uhm,
Which foot?
Please, man! You gotta
get me outta here now!
Your left one. Hurry, lady.
He's going to have a fear or something!
Ok, got it.
That's it!
(Pushing the elevator with steel rode)
Got it... come on, man, let's go!
We just can't leave her here!
Run, man.
Fast!
Sorry, lady.
Wait! Where are you going?
(Runnng down stairs)
Alright, Spike.
We got ourselves into this,
we'll just have to get ourselves
out. Turn, slowly.
(Falling)
Ugh...
(Spike barks)
Ugh...
(Spike barks)
(Spike barks)
(Spike barks)
(Spike barks)
It will be at least 12 and as many as
24 hours before power is restored to,
all areas of the city.
With traffic jams reported at
virtually all major intersections,
Emergency service persnoal have requested
the residence to stay off the road,
Unless...
How much do you weigh?
Huh?
How much do you weigh?
58 pounds. How tall are you?
Max, don't bother the customers.
It's alright.
Hey, I know you. You were
on the council last year,
you helped us get that stoplight.
Oh... uh, Gary Hobson.
Diana Lee.
And these are
my children Jennah and Max.
(Laughing)
Children, this is Mr. Hobson.
He's a very important man.
Oh, no I'm not, I'm not really that...
You're still on the board of supervisors?
Uh, no, that was just, uh, very temporary.
Oh, you run again...
we need more people like you.
Haha, thank you.
Come on, children.
We're going to the YMCA pool to cool off.
Ah!
See you later, alligator.
In a while, crocodile.
Hey, he knows it!
I need more milk, Mr. Lee.
Sorry, one quart to customer.
What?
Since when?
I don't have enough for everybody.
this way everybody get some.
Oh...
I don't believe this.
Sorry!
Cash only.
What?
The machine's not working,
we can't process credit cards.
That's bull, man, you know her!
Well, uh, maybe you could,
maybe you could extend some credit.
You?...
Live in this neighborhood?
Well, a few miles away...
He...
He treats us like strangers.
Well, I think that what Mr. Lee
is trying to do is to be fair.
Because if he gave you all the milk,
there wouldn't be any for
your neighbors, would there?
That's right.
Well, yeah ...
Well, uh, I think we all
need to give a little bit here,
until the power comes back on
and instead of attacking,
Mr. Lee maybe we should, we should
appreciate him for what he is trying to do.
Thank you.
Well, yes, but Mr. Lee
but you gotta understand, too,
that these people are a
little bit nervous because,
they don't know how long
this thing is going to last.
That's right.
And since they are your neighbors,
well, maybe some of them don't have
enough money to pay for the things that,
they need right now but
they're good for it, right?
Yes!
Yeah, com'on Mr. Lee, Give ah...
I think a little goodwill
would go a long way right here,
so if you could just hand
out some I.O.U.'s, huh?
We could do that, pop.
Hey, Maria, this guy here giving you grief?
This guy!
I have lived,
just like you.
Just like me? No, I don't think
so, pal. You see all of us here?
We've been part of this
neighborhood for years, all of our lives.
You, you been here, what, two years?
So what?
So you wanna be part of this neighborhood?
you give the people what we need.
Yeah. You tell him Sal...
You know, I was doing fine right here,
actually.
No respect, you know?
That's what this is all about. No respect.
You see?
You don't know what goes on.
You don't know these people.
Oh, you hear that?
Oh, now we're these people.
Naaa... I don't want to deal with you.
No, no, you're going to deal with me
or else.
Or else what?
That's it!
Get out of store!
You throwing me out of here, huh?
You throwing me out of this store?
Everybody! I'm closing! Get out! Out! Out!
Out! We close! You don't like the way
I do things you go shop someplace else!
It's not over yet.
Come on.
Oh, man, it's no better out here.
You know, I'm thinkin' maybe
we should go back in there,
and take what we need.
Sal...
Why, why, why don't you,
why don't you shop at another store?
Who asked you, huh? Who is this guy?
(Police siren)
Everything ok, Sal?
Yeah, yeah, Mike. No problems.
Alright, in that case let's break
it up and try to cool off, huh?
(Chatter on the radio)
We can come back later on.
Marissa:
Hello?
Is anybody there?
(Spike cries)
Spike...
Spike.
Spike! Spike, Spike, Spike...
go get help-oh!
(Bucket falls into a deep shaft)
Oh, God, why'd I ever come here?
(Spike barks)
It's ok, Spike.
(Spike barks)
♫ Uplifting 60's tune ♫
Whoa! Hey, alright!
You have a good day, sir!
It's like an oven in here.
Want an oven try my apartment,
sixth floor. Bake like a potato.
If these batteries go
I'm gonna stroke out.
I know someone who's
got plenty of batteries.
Batteries, fans, whatever you want.
Probably in his store right
now, as cool as a cucumber.
Doesn't give a damn about anyone else.
You got that right.
(Police sirens)
Well, well, if it isn't the referee.
Ah...
I was just walking by and I
thought I'd...
Hey, uhm...
Gary Hobson.
Uhm, Look, I was just trying to
understand what was going on here...
Why?
Well, because I'm from
the neighborhood, too.
Today's the first I've seen of 'ya.
Well, I may live a few miles away, but...
We're all in this
mess together, aren't we?
Some of us.
Look, uh,
Mr. Lee seems like
a pretty good guy,
and I don't know why you're
jumping down his throat.
You wanna know why?
I'll tell 'ya why.
A couple of years this neighborhood
was in the toilet.
Punks...
selling drugs right out there
on the street. Day, Night.
It didn't matter when.
In front of all our stores,
the Chinaman's, too.
But not anymore.
We formed the Block Merchants
Association.
Put up streetlights.
Patrolled the streets.
Guess who didn't want to join?
Always too busy to make the weekly
meeting. Couldn't afford the dues.
Then he goes out and buys a new van.
Do you believe that? A brand new van.
Puts nothing into this neighborhood,
but then wants to
take everything out of it.
Look, I see that might bother you.
but that's no reason to
go destroying his store.
Wha, what? What do you mean, destroy?
who said anything about destroying his
store? What are you accusing us of here?
I'm not accusing you
of anything it's just...
look, I think I know what you're thinking here.
Oh, no, oh, so now he's a mind reader.
I didn't say I was a mind reader-
Get out of here!
Listen, if you,
No, you listen.
I don't
know what your game is
but this is my store and
I want you out of here.
Hey, do I stutter when I talk?
No...
No, you don't.
(Footsteps)
Mr. Lee:
Did they send you here?
No, no one sent me here.
Listen, I
talked to them. And...
if you could just take five minutes
to listen to their side of the situation,
Their side?
Why?
They never listen to our side.
Well, listen, maybe that's the case.
But the way they see
it, well, you haven't, uh...
given a lot to the neighborhood.
Here we go again.
Last month,
they wanted us to sponsor a little league team.
I gave them 50 dollars,
they called us cheap.
And the Merchants Association.
200 dollars they want us to pay.
Then I find out everybody
else pay 100 dollars.
They were trying to cheat us.
Yeah...
Here. Let me show you something, Mr. Hobson.
This is my brother.
My sister.
I trying...
Bring them over from China.
This my papa.
My mama.
They too old to come.
So...
I send them money,
for doctor,
and medicine.
Every penny I make,
go into the store,
or for my family.
Well, have you explained that to them...
They only hear what they want to hear.
Like the van,
it's not new,
it's three years old.
It's been reconditioned,
and we need it for
our delivery service.
My son,
and me.
we work...
14 hours a day, 7 days a week.
And they mock us for it!
And the names they call my grandchildren...
I don't even want to tell you.
But, listen, I can understand that
it's very difficult,
You can understand?
How?
How you can understand?
Forgive me, Mr. Hobson
but you cannot understand.
Ok, maybe I can't understand,
Alright?
But, listen, something's going to
happen here that no one wants to happen,
If we don't stop it there's
going to be trouble.
Trouble? What kind of trouble?
Well, the kind of trouble
where people are gonna get hurt.
We are ready for trouble.
No, now, Mr. Lee, there's not going to
be any violence..
Lee. If you could...
just reopen your
store, if you could give,
the smallest amount of goodwill
to these people I think they might,
Goodwill? I am not the
one who is wrong here!
You see the way they behave!
Well, sometimes it's a strong
man who backs down first.
I not back down.
Listen to him, father.
Alright! How 'bout if I got,
you and Mr. Regate together,
to talk. Just,
the two of you together.
It'd never happen.
Even if I had Sal come over here,
just the two of you one-on-one.
That man is...
fat head!
You know what, he is a fat head,
I agree with you.
But could you at least sit down
with the fat head and talk once?
(Sigh)
Yes.
Good!
Good!
But I not promise anything.
You don't have to promise
a thing. I'll go talk to them,
I'll go try to work everything out.
Thank you.
Thank you. Good.
(Sonud of door opens with bells ringing)
(Steel door opens)
Thank you.
Alright...
"Marissa Clark, a local book
keeper fell down an elevator shaft,
to her death in a city
building under renovation
Her seeing eye dog, a German
Shepard, was found by her side."
(Screaming)
Marissa.
Stay calm, Spike, stay calm.
Everything's going to be fine.
We're going to get out of here.
Calm down Spike. Good boy, good boy.
Calm down, Spike.
(Banging the floor)
Stay calm.
Good boy.
Come on, Marissa, where are you?
Marissa!
(Spike barks)
Good dog, Spike.
Marissa!
Gary, I'm up here!
I'm up here, Gary.
How did you...?
I don't know. I don't know where I am.
Ah, Just, just stay right there. Just...
Ah, I'm not going anywhere.
Yeah...
Just stay still there.
You know I really...
hate,
heights,
a lot.
(Spike barks)
Be careful, Gary. Take your time.
(Ugh)
You alright?
I think I hurt my foot.
Which one?
The right one.
(Marissa in pain)
Just stay still.
We're gonna...
I'm just gonna get some boards here.
We're just gonna walk across here.
Hey, you know what?
A funny thing happened,
the other day,
when I was in the bar,
over by the,
cash register.
you know, where we keep the cashews.
Right...
Well, I was looking at
the cashews, and I had one,
and I thought to myself, "What
does a cashew shell look like?"
What?
Well, what does a
cashew shell look like,
did you ever think about that?
Cashew shell, what's it look like?
Actually, I've never thought of that.
Well, I didn't either.
I've eaten a lot of cashews,
and I've seen
a lot of cashew shells,
but I've never seen a cashew shell
on a can sitting next to a shelf.
I just saw the cashew.
Nice try, Gary.
(Panting)
Alright. OK.
Now listen, this
thing's just fine, ok?
Alright.
(Panting)
There's just a, there's just a
little walkway up right here,
OK.
and there's just a little spot,
where we're gonna step over here,
and it's a little bit of an incline,
OK? Everything's going to be fine,
we're just going to walk up
Alright?
Alright.
Alright Good.
Good.
Where, Where am I going?
Just give me a hop forward.
OK.
(Struggling)
(Struggling)
Easy, easy, easy. There's
just a little drop off here.
Alright?
OK.
(Boards crashing and dalling)
You like to go home now?
What?
Come on, Spike, you too.
♫ Heroic tune ♫
(Door opens)
Marissa:
Ugh...
I'm sorry, Gary, I'm really sorry.
I thought I could help out, you know?
You thought you could help out?
Yeah.
One less thing for you to worry about.
(Sigh)
Look, you want?...
Here.
Alright? Look, keep this on here now,
alright?
I guess I was trying to prove something.
All I proved was how foolish I could be.
You did good.
Did you, uh, stop the looting?
No, I gotta get back there.
What are you going to tell 'em?
I have no idea.
First cast out the beam of thine own eye,
and then thou shalt see clearly to,
cast out the moat out
from thy brother's eye.
You trying to tell me something?
You should go.
Go.
Huh? Oh, yeah. You uh...
Look, keep that on there, you hear me?
I'll be fine.
I'm... I'll go, I'll do,
Oh...
Gin.
Again?
Now what?
My wife is driving me nuts!
We just ran out of juice.
Her sister and her two babies over,
they're wailing like banshees!
I know where you can get some juice.
Come on, Sal,
it's not the only store in town.
It's the only store within a mile of here.
What are we supposed to
do, beg him to sell his stuff?
He's right, Frank.
We've been carrying this guy for,
what, two years?
And what does he
do to show his appreciation?
Shuts his gate in our faces?
Nah, it's payback time.
I'm with you, Sal.
I've had it with that old Chinaman.
I'm sick of the both of them,
him and his son.
They don't want to help us?
we'll help ourselves.
Come on, Sal. Man, listen up.
Come on, come on Frank, let's go.
Listened enough.
Where is he?
Where is Mr. Hobson?
I guess he couldn't get Regate to come.
Let's go home, pop.
No!
I not leave the store.
Dad...
No, no, no Frank, that's it.
No, no, we're doing too much talking.
Hey, Sal!
What's happening?
We're going to do
a little shopping at Mr. Lee's store.
I thought it was closed.
It was. We're going to open it.
You know, I could use a soda myself.
Com'on...
Mr. Hobson! Mr. Hobson!
What are you doing?
Listen, you gotta get outta here.
What happened? I thought
you were going to talk to them!
I don't have time to explain right now.
I have to go there.
No, Miss Lee, no you don't
because it's too dangerous!
I have to warn my husband.
Please, watch my children.
Well,
No, no, no.
Stay with Mr. Hobson.
No, no... Miss Lee! Miss Lee! Miss Lee!
Listen to me.
Listen to me. I need
you to do me a favor.
Listen, I want you to do me a favor, ok?
Come over here.
Come over here, come on.
Go in the church and you'll be safe.
I want you to go inside and I want you
to stay there, you understand me?
You hear me?
OK.
(People shouting)
Hey, Lee! We want to talk to you, Mr. Lee!
We want to talk to you Mr. Lee.
Com'on Lee.
Jennah, up here!
No!
I wanna see!
Max, no.
We don't have to put up with this Lee!
We don't owe you nothin'!
Open those doors or we'll open them for you!
'Ya hear me?
'Ya hear me, Lee?
Come on out!
What, you too good to talk to us?
Com'on!
Huh?
What, are you going to
hide behind that gate?
Huh?
Huh?
Hey Lee.
Hey, Come on, Sal! Knock it off!
(Agrees to take down the door)
(Shoutings)
Com'on let's break it.
Look, you can see everything!
Get back, Max!
Stop, now! Just stop!
Just stop! Stay where you are!
(Windows smashed)
Please get away!
All of you!
He's got a gun!
(3 Gun shots)
Get back!
Stop, dammit, stop!
Get back!
Now just stop!
(Panting)
(Panting)
(Panting)
Now, listen.
(Panting)
Now this thing starts here now
where's it going to end, huh?
Now first you're going
to break into his store,
but I'm telling ya' next
it's going to be your store!
or it's going to be your store
or yours or any of ya's.
And then, I'm telling you,
the whole neighborhood,
it's going to fall apart.
(Panting)
Everybody thinks he's wrong
and you're right, that's fine.
But, everyone, you need to take
a look at yourselves,
before you judge...
anyone else.
because I'm telling 'ya,
you're supposed to be a neighborhood.
You're neighbors.
(Panting hard)
But you look like a lynch mob.
(Panting faster)
If everyone would just calm down,
(Riot shouts)
(Loading shotgun)
Whoo Whoo!
No, Eric, don't do that!
Max, no.
(Girl Screams)
Help!
Look up there.
Ahh!
Ahhhhh....
Help!
Ahhh...
Some-, Somebody get a..
Somebody get a ladder!
Mommy!
Daddy!
Ah!
Get me down!
Mommy! Daddy!
Max! Hold on, Max! Hold on!
Extend it! Extend it all the way.
Alright, alright.
Hold it steady, hold it steady!
I got it. I got it. I got it.
Alright.
(Mother screams)
Help!
Alright.
Hurry, hurry! Please!
(Mother screams)
Watch it, Sal.
I got it. A little more... I can't...
Max!
Max!
Hold on, baby! Somebody, please hurry!
Hold on, Max, hold on!
I can't reach, I can't reach him.
Max!
I can't reach, I can't reach!
Sal, hang on.
Listen to me.
I'm going to come around 'ya,
I'm going to go up to the top rung.
What are you, nuts? Are you crazy?
I'm going to come around
your right side, alright?
Whoo...
Oh... watch, watch.
Mommy, I'm sorry!
Max, he's coming! Hurry, hurry, please!
Mommy!
(Screams)
Got it.
Alright, I got you.
He gave me an heart attack.
Yeah.
Alright, Sal, come on back down.
Hold the ladder, hold the ladder.
Keep it steady guys...
Alright, I got it.
Atta boy, there you go.
Atta boy...
There you go.
(Crowd clapping)
Whoo...
Ugh...
I think you can put the gun away now.
Oh, boy.
Oh!
Thank you.
I want to...
apologize.
For me,
family always come first,
but,
I never realized,
here...
my family too.
Thank you.
I want to open up store on the house.
There's milk and juice and
whatever you want.
Hey, I got a freezer full of
hamburger meat that's going to waste.
Hey! We can bring out our barbecue grills.
Yeah...
Those beers still cold, Lee?
You bet.
Ok.
Thank you.
Neighbor.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Patrick.
♫ Tango tune ♫
Let's hang a right, Toyota! Hang a right!
I'll take it from here.
Thanks.
Ok, keep it moving!
They say that people pull together
in a crisis.
There you go.
Oh, smells great!
That just when you've lost
your faith in human nature,
something will come
along to restore it again.
How much do you weigh?
(Lughter)
Let's get you down. There you go.
(People chatterng)
Hamburger, coleslaw, heavy.
You know, I could get used to
this, being waited on.
Yeah well don't 'cause
it's only until your foot gets better.
You know, I didn't really need your help.
Oh, no.
I could've got out fine by myself.
Oh, well, of course you could of.
What I'm saying is that I,
I- appreciate you helping me
but being blind I am well
suited for blackout situations.
All I needed was a little time
to feel my way around,
You know that line you gave me
about having something in your own eye?
That-that-that wasn't just about the
crowd, that was about me, as well.
And, uh...
(Clearing throat)
well ever since
Chuck has been gone,
I've been sorta
royally screwing up,
at McGinty's, and I think
that you've been a little too,
Polite?
To point that out. Thank you.
So, uh...
So does that mean you're
gonna hire a new manager?
No.
I was thinking of,
Partners.
What?
Just like Chuck and I, 50/50 partners.
You gotta be kidding.
Take it or leave it, that's my last offer.
I'll take it.
Oh.
Well, good.
Partners.
Partners.
Alright.
Well, whoever they are,
it's true.
Sometimes a disaster can be
a blessing in disguise.
But don't take my word for it,
because you can read all about it,
in tomorrow's paper.
♫ Salsa tune ♫
♫ Ending theme song ♫