Mod Squad (1968–1973): Season 1, Episode 12 - The Guru - full transcript
After a local hippie newspaper is bombed, Pete, Linc and Julie get hired on to work there undercover to find out the scoop. They become embroiled in the personal lives of the Editor and his employee girlfriend and chaos ensues. The newspaper office is later trashed thus thrusting them into the spotlight once again. Things get heated and a murder and attempted suicide occur. They must use their detective skills for justice to be served.
(typing)
(screams)
Oh... Moo.
(meows)
You almost scared me to death.
Hey.
Hey, how's my big Moo, huh?
You doing your thing?
(footsteps approaching)
Rick?
(screams)
I'm glad you like it.
(snickers)
I hope it affects our
readers that way.
Oh, Rick, why do you
do things like that to me?
Because you're a patsy
and that's why I love you.
Hey, let me read you
something that Jack wrote.
It's a creed for the paper
and we'll run it
on the front page.
"We look at the world
through young eyes
"and speak with an
incorruptible voice.
"Sticks and stones and bigots'
threats won't keep the Guru
"from printing it like it is.
Keep the faith."
Like it?
I love it.
And you, too.
Hey, did he, uh, did
he lock up back there?
Yeah, he said he did.
All right, let's split.
♪ ♪
ADAM: That's good coffee, Julie.
"Staff escapes death."
"Police indifference."
And now another bombing threat.
It never stops.
Some of the kids
around town are saying
that the police are just
looking the other way.
Yeah, and the property owners
around the Guru are trying
to force 'em out.
Oh, come on, Captain,
you know how it is.
"You hippies are ruining
the neighborhood."
Now, ain't progress grand?
We used to get
blamed for all that.
Look, we give them
the same protection
we give everybody else.
Oh...
Okay,
you're cops.
Since you're so worried
about the newspaper's
lack of protection,
why don't you get jobs on
the Guru and give them some?
What's the matter?
No more jokes?
We don't like the
idea of having to spy
on an underground newspaper.
Look, what do I have
to do to win your trust?
Wear beads?
I read the Guru!
I like the newspaper.
I think it has a healthy
attitude, it says something.
Do I surprise you?
Constantly.
Oh, come on.
Go on, go, go peddle
your papers, will you?
(theme music playing)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
(clamoring)
Spare change?
Help us out.
(inaudible)
There is such a thing
called understatement,
something I'm sure
you've never understood!
Sometimes the facts
speak for themselves!
All right, let's
write about facts!
About charred walls
and shattered glass!
(chuckling): Oh, wow...
that's very heavy stuff.
"And here today a
brave band of warriors
"and their intrepid editor
huddled in fear
for their very lives."
Dot dot dot.
Make it a 23-point banner with
a lot more white space below.
Hey, excuse me,
man, are you the editor?
My name's Pete, that's
Linc, and that's Julie.
We've been up in San
Francisco working on The Omen
and wondered if, you know,
like, you need any help down here.
I'm sorry, man,
we got a full house.
Just take a look and see.
Why don't you get
Daphne to write the story?
'Cause Daphne writes with love
and I want this
written with spit.
There are issues involved
here, so don't whisper them!
Shout 'em!
You haven't forgotten
how to hate, have you?
I mean, have things
gotten that good for you?
Okay, coach.
I'll write it the
way you see it.
From the heart.
Not from the heart, man.
Come on.
From the spleen.
(laughs)
In letters of flaming bile.
Hey, I'm really sorry, man.
I don't usually
get that uptight,
but, you know, people
don't usually try to kill me.
Hey, man, I hate to bug you,
but how about on-
the-street selling?
You won't make
any bread there, man.
Oh, man, a candy
bar'd be a lot right now.
We're busted.
All right.
I charge you ten cents a copy.
You want to work around
the office, it's eight cents,
but I really expect you
guys to push hard, man,
because we're not selling
papers, we're selling ideals.
Hey, so was The Omen, man.
Okay.
You type? Yeah.
Well, then, you can
forget about selling.
I need a secretary.
Oh, I forgot to tell you
you're going on
editorial full-time.
When did you decide that?
This morning, when
I read your story.
You pleased?
Yeah, I am, it's just...
Congratulations.
You, too.
(typing)
What are you doing here?
W-Well, I, I thought
I'd clean up for you.
When did you start work here?
Today.
All right, lesson number one.
(enunciating):
Jack is a bad cat.
He yells when people bug him.
It bugs him when people
come into his office.
If you do not get
out and stay out,
he will yell at you.
Do you understand that?
He's a mean and hateful
son of a gun, isn't he?
But he has enough talent...
Hey, knock it off, Rick.
Do you know why
he hates me, man?
Because I won't let him hate me.
You dig?
Solid.
That for us?
Yes, tacos and root beer.
Why not?
I don't know if I
can eat two of 'em.
Did you find out
anything about Rick?
I found out that he was
brilliant and dedicated
and he's got every kid in this
town turned on to that paper.
Tell us something we don't know.
He cheats on Daphne.
(chuckles)
With who?
With me.
At least he intends to.
He asked me out for tonight.
(chuckles)
Good.
Can you do me a favor?
Yeah.
Can you ask Daphne out?
I mean, then I
wouldn't feel so guilty.
You know how she
feels about Rick.
All right.
Okay.
You get a girl.
She gets a guy.
And I get Jack.
Mm-mm... mm.
Come on, let's go.
(sobbing)
You'll get your ribbon soggy.
Go away.
Not until you tell me
why you're crying.
Because I'm hurt...
and I really shouldn't be
because every time
there's a pretty girl...
A charley horse in your pride?
No.
No, I, I think it's called
stubbing your heart.
Pete.
Pete, why can't men...
with great ideas...
be great men?
I don't know.
I guess you can't
have everything.
Oh, why not?
If... if I give everything...
(sobbing)
Come on.
I'll take you home.
I'm going to take her home, man.
(door opens and closes)
Everybody split?
Yeah, all but me.
Rick wants
everybody out by 8:00.
I'll be through in a
couple of minutes.
For sure?
Cross my heart
and hope not do die.
(door opens and closes)
(engine stalling)
(whistling)
Trouble?
This crummy car won't start!
Oh, wow.
Where are you heading?
PETE: You feel any better now?
DAPHNE: I must.
I am beginning to feel
concerned about you.
What a bum trip I took you on.
I understand that the people
you travel with are
a lot more important
than where you go.
You just won't stop trying to
make me feel good, will you?
Nope.
Uh, listen...
the things I said
about Rick, I...
I guess they kind of
sounded like a put-down.
No. I hope not.
'Cause it's not Rick's fault.
It's mine for expecting him
to act like everybody else.
I understand.
You know something?
I really think you do.
Now, what do you know?
DAPHNE: John, would
you leave me alone!
JOHN: people can't even
walk the streets anymore
because of that
scum hanging around!
And you right in
the middle of them!
You don't care about me or them,
just your empty buildings
and your rotten rent!
Don't talk to me like that!
You lost that right when
you laid down in dirt! (gasps)
No, Pete, please don't!
He's my brother!
What is that, some scum
off the paper or some dirt
you picked up off the
street? Pete, please don't.
Go away, I'll
explain it all later.
You got it all wrong.
You don't explain me to him.
You explain him to me.
Pete, please.
Please, for my sake?
You have to bring them
home with you now?
John, please,
he's just a friend!
So, what then?
Trouble with your old man?
JACK: No, we didn't
have any trouble.
How'd you work that out?
Well, one time I ran away.
And then I ran out of bread.
I never thought my
old man cared until...
the night I turned up
soaking wet at the back door.
He looked at me a while...
then he handed me this belt.
And he said, "If
you still hate me,
then it's your turn."
Hmm.
I took it and I hit him.
One time.
And then I stood
there... (chuckles)
then I stood there and I cried.
Love's the one thing
that kills an angry man.
That it does. That it does.
Hey, this is it, right up ahead.
Thanks for the ride.
So long, Jack.
Hey, Jack?
Hey, you know you
could use some practice.
Practice on what?
On trying to cover
up your fangs.
I'll work on it.
(car leaves)
Uh, take me down to Melrose
Avenue, the Guru office.
Extra!
(clatters)
You're late.
So? What do you mean "so"?
When you tell me to clear
the office and meet you here
in the middle of the
night, you come on time.
Have you seen the city papers?
We're front page news.
Oh, we came here to write a
thank you note to the editor?
Don't you understand, man?
We've done it!
We found our voice!
An audience as large
as every city daily,
and we're gonna
stay front page news.
You're hoping that
somebody will bomb us again?
No, hoping isn't enough.
Rick, have you gone crazy?
It'll take us all week
to sort this stuff out!
And the world will watch, man!
Paper by paper!
(thuds, crashes)
Have you gone out of your head?
What are you doing man?
First they plant a bomb,
then they wreck the office,
but we survive to
tell the truth, man!
We shall overcome!
(crashes)
Enough, man.
Hey, millions of
people are listening.
Don't you have anything to say?
No stirring words
to help humanity
crawl out of it's
own stinking grave?
Don't you care any more?
But it's a lie, Rick.
What you're doing is a lie!
It's a half-truth!
When they first bombed
the paper, it started this thing!
That was truth, now
there's a purpose!
They've given us
a platform, man.
Don't blow your
chance to be heard.
We can tell the truth
about everything!
About corruption.
About brutality in
the name of the law!
(loud crash)
About the piled up
garbage of poverty...
that never disappears!
(glass breaking)
About getting rousted
in the middle of the night!
Yeah! Whee!
Whee! About suffering
and unequal rights!
About humiliation and bigotry!
About the contained,
preventive slaughter
of innocent human beings!
(laughs) The truth, man.
The truth about drugs!
(Jack laughs)
(engine revs)
(crowd boos)
(splashes, cheering)
(cheering)
Yeah!
All right! Peace, right?
(crowd cheers)
Find anything?
We'll let you know.
Blew it again, huh?
Well, don't be embarrassed.
We're doing all we can.
Oh, I know that.
You're gonna leave your men
around the clock again, huh?
Just like last time?
(honking)
Two, four, six, eight!
Who do we appreciate?
CROWD (chanting): The
fuzz! The fuzz! The fuzz!
The fuzz! The fuzz!
All right, let's get
them out of the street!
(crowd continues
chanting, horns honking)
(shouting)
(booing)
(Daphne screams)
(Daphne continues screaming)
Help me!
Get in there! Get in there!
RICK: There you have it.
Your police department at work.
Listen, I'm gonna run it
on down to the lab, man.
I'll get ten big blow-ups,
and we'll run it on
the front page okay?
Well, we sure gave Rick
a good story, didn't we?
Uh, look, do you mind if we
talk about something else?
Why? You're a hero.
A martyr to the cause, you
should be proud of yourself.
Well, I'm not!
I'm scared and
just a little bit sick!
Why?
Forget it.
Did she admit it?
No.
But there's really not
much doubt about it.
The fall was a fake, man.
And so was everything else.
If I hadn't seen it...
I wouldn't have believed it.
I guess I'd better let
the captain in on it.
Hey, get your Guru here!
Get the latest
from the greatest.
Get the Guru here!
Hey, get the Guru here!
Hey, get the Guru here!
Get the latest
from the greatest...
Get the Guru here!
Hey!
Paper, kid?
This is my corner.
What?
I've been selling on this corner
for two years!
Now beat it.
Okay, good luck, kid.
(beeping)
Don't tell me I've flipped, man!
He was in that cop's
car spilling his guts out.
And the others?
They're plants.
They got to be cops.
But they're just kids, man.
That's exactly
why I fell for it.
How stupid can I be?
They'll find out
everything, man.
What you and I
did the other night.
So what?
I mean, so we threw
some ink on the walls,
so we broke up some equipment.
We own it!
It's our property.
What about that first bombing?
So what's that
got to do with us?
Well, Jack, as a
famous lover of truth,
I'm about to trip you out.
Just who do you think
planted that bomb?
Y-You are putting me on?
You didn't know,
not even deep down?
Man, you are so stinking noble.
You went along for one
lie didn't you? But not two.
Now either you're in
all the way or you're out.
Maybe you don't have the guts.
I've got the guts
to break your jaw.
You're ready to fight me, huh?
But not for something
you believe in.
What am I supposed
to believe in?
You lied to me, man!
That lie got the
paper off the floor
and you off your tail.
And it got me a lot of people
who want to read
about what we stand for.
So what do we stand for?
Easy virtue?
The end that
justifies the means?
Is that what you believe in?
Well, so did Hitler!
I believe in whatever
gets us the power
and the strength we need!
Oh!
Oh!
So that's where it's at.
You sold out.
All for the smell of a
little power, you sold out!
The paper, the public and me.
Right along with the
rest of the sheep, huh?
There are sheep and
shepherds, my friend.
I don't dig wool.
Oh, Rick...
I'm gonna kill me a shepherd.
I don't know how...
but I'm gonna kill you.
What's wrong with Jack?
He's got writer's cramp.
What he got's...
I hope it's not contagious.
You, uh...
you look like you
need some peace
and a little loving care.
I do.
Why don't you let
me cook you dinner?
Because I got some
work to do tonight.
Can I help?
With Julie at my apartment.
Come on in.
(door closes)
Nice pad.
It's all right.
Listen, I'd offer you
a drink, but I'm all out.
I'm not the best
host in the world.
It's all right, forget it.
I'm glad you came.
You said it was important.
It is.
Is there anything wrong?
Julie, I need a favor.
From me?
You see... I know you're a cop.
Well, that's a very funny line.
I know it is, but it's
true, I checked it.
You, Pete and Linc.
I think you better lay
off the sugar cubes.
Julie, suppose I told you
that I was the one
who wrecked the paper?
I'd tell you to go
see your doctor.
Julie, I need your help.
I'm gonna go to
the police tonight
and tell them the whole story.
Well, what do you
want me to say, Rick?
I don't know, just be with me.
I mean you know what I'm like
and why I did what I did.
But I don't.
Because I thought I could
save the world overnight
by getting attention
for the paper.
Like Jack said,
you can't sell
truth by telling lies.
Julie, please come with me.
All right.
But I'm gonna go
call the captain first.
The one who put you on the case?
Well, yeah, he's very ni...
And there you have it, folks!
The story of a young girl
from a mining town in the west
who's found happiness
as a fink for the man!
Now don't you feel
ashamed of yourselves,
spying on a nice
clean-cut boy like...
What is that tape for?
It's a fuzz repellent.
Hey, it's gonna
make a great story.
Cops choose kids
to spy for them.
Besides, what good's
an undercover squad
when it's blown its cover?
Why don't you go and
call the captain now?
And see what he's got to say?
Okay, Julie, so you blew it.
You're not a pro.
Captain doesn't expect miracles.
It's what I expect, Linc.
Dumb trap like that
and I just fell for it.
Hey, did you reach the captain?
Did he blow his mind?
Too busy.
Rick's dead.
Murdered.
CAPTAIN: Shot with his own gun.
Thirty-eight.
Fingerprints were wiped off.
Captain, uh... what about
the tape that Rick made?
We've got it.
So your cover is intact.
But, Julie, do you know if Rick
was expecting anyone later?
He didn't say.
Why?
Well, no locks broken.
Must have been someone he knew.
All right, get on back
to the newspaper.
I'll have some regulars
out to check his neighbors.
Captain...
I'm sorry about that tape.
That's all right, Julie,
I don't expect you
to win them all.
Hey, take it easy, Captain.
You're getting soul.
I'll watch it.
Where do we begin?
With someone who
knew Rick well enough
to get into his apartment.
And hated him
enough to kill him.
Or loved him enough.
LINC: Daphne.
PETE: She said she was
going to her brother's boat.
♪ ♪
What do you want?
LINC: We're looking for Daphne.
We're worried about her.
We thought she was here.
She's not here.
She's working on that newspaper.
She's not welcome here.
Neither are you.
What did we ever do to you?
Well, just turned the street
where my buildings are
into a long-haired
costume party,
where no self-respecting
tenant will rent.
Turned my sister
into an alley cat.
Waiting around for that creep
to throw his garbage to her.
That creep was
murdered last night.
Yeah, that's what I heard.
That's... that's a real shame.
You know that Daphne
was in love with him?
Well, I guess some
people might call that love.
People like you.
Get off the boat right now.
I wonder did he
ever play with dolls.
This could be a
morbid thought, but...
maybe she went
back to Rick's place.
Maybe.
Let's go back to her
apartment and wait.
But why if she
went back to Rick's?
Well, if that is her
scene, let's not interrupt it.
Hey, you know, Pete,
for a cat from a 14-room
house, you sure got a ghetto feel.
Daphne?
♪ ♪
(screaming)
(sighs)
We should have stayed with her.
I-I knew how she
felt about Rick.
We all did.
We couldn't have stopped her.
(sighs)
What's that?
It's her reason for dying.
I found it on her table,
and I wanted to get to it
before the newspapers did.
(sniffles)
"I remember my grandmother
used to sing a hymn,
"'The Old Rugged Cross.'
"I remembered every word once.
"Now all I can sing is,
"'On a hill far away,
stood an old Chevrolet.'
"I don't know the
real words anymore.
"And the pain is
strong for not knowing.
"I'm tired, and I
want to go home.
"Show me the war.
"Is that the way the song goes?
"From all the
transitions and prayers,
"to pills to booze to acid,
"to junk and back again.
"I still can't
remember the words.
"Now I lay me
down to get my keep.
"I pray the landlord
lets me sleep.
"Is that the way
the prayer goes?
I don't remember anymore."
(Julie sniffling)
We'll let you know if
there's any change.
Yeah.
PETE: How is she?
She's better.
She won't talk to anyone.
(sighs): Would she talk to us?
I don't know.
What did you get out of Jack?
Why was he there?
Well, he didn't
want her to be alone.
He was afraid of
what she might do.
Why did he run? Well,
he knew we were cops.
Rick told him.
He saw us in the
door and panicked.
You believe that?
We'd like to.
Well, I'll work on him.
Uh, look,
maybe she will talk to you.
Why don't you stay
here and give it a try?
Will you?
Daphne?
Daphne?
Why did you stop me?
I want to die!
Why?
Daphne, why?
(inhales loudly)
It was the only...
only thing left to do.
Only way left to hurt myself.
(sighs)
I was outside
watching last night
when you went to see him.
I've been outside many times.
But I didn't really care.
(sighs)
Because...
deep inside...
I knew he loved me.
(crying): He had to love me!
(crying)
What else did I have?
(sighs)
I walked around for hours...
waiting for you to finish.
Daphne, I didn't...
(gasps)
And then I called my brother.
I shouldn't have.
Oh, but I needed somebody.
John must have gone right
over to Rick's apartment.
'Cause when I got there,
they were arguing.
He was thanking
John for hating him.
He said...
it was men like John
and two-button
establishment souls
that gave his life purpose.
He said, "What you
care about is profit.
"You don't care
for your ugly sister
any more than I do."
Ugly sister.
(crying): Ugly sister.
(inhaling shallow breath)
And then John hit him.
And they started to fight.
My brother, for me,
that ugly sister that Rick
didn't even care about.
(Daphne crying)
Then I saw a gun.
Rick had it, and he
made John leave.
There didn't seem
anything else to do.
So I went into the room.
Rick didn't see me.
He was at the
bar making a drink.
And then...
ugly Daphne
picked up the gun...
and...
Rick?
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
I can't believe it.
I just can't believe she did it.
Not to Rick.
Or anybody else.
I wouldn't have believed
she could hurt a fly.
Know something?
I don't think she killed him.
It's pretty hard to fight
a confession, Julie.
Pete, there's something
very, very wrong.
(car horns beeping)
I just can't figure it out.
Like what?
Remember she told
us she got the gun
while Rick was
pouring himself a drink?
Right.
Well, I'd just left there.
Rick didn't have
anything to drink.
I saw the empty bottle.
Well, why would she just come up
with something like that?
I don't know.
Something else.
Captain Greer said there were
no fingerprints on Rick's gun.
They were wiped off.
So?
Why would she do that?
I mean, why go to
the trouble to cover up
if you're going to
commit suicide?
Just doesn't make sense.
Then her confession is a fake.
Sure.
To cover up for somebody else.
But who?
Who could she possibly
love so much that she'd...?
You better call the captain
and have him meet us
there with a squad car.
(glove box pops open)
Now, what is this?
Your sister's awake.
You talk to her?
Yes.
We know why she
tried to kill herself.
She saw the murder.
(sirens blaring)
(sirens blaring)
No!
(tires screeching)
LINC: Request
permission to come aboard!
Oh.
Permission granted.
(laughing)
What are you all doing here?
Just came by to see what
was happening with you.
Well, uh...
(sniffles)
Well, I sold the
boat, for one thing.
I thought you were
going to live on it.
No. Jack and I needed the
money to start the paper again.
The New Guru.
All the truth, all the time.
Otherwise, how are you?
Oh, I'm fine.
Until I stop to think.
JULIE: Hey, then, don't.
PETE: That's right, don't.
Uh, how about you and me
going into town
and listen to some music?
Are you serious?
Yeah, I'm serious.
Now, unless you
don't want me to be.
Oh, no. No, I do. Oh...
I do and I accept.
Okay. I'll see
you at 8:00, okay?
Pete?
Uh...
Rick said I was ugly.
Do you think I'm ugly?
Never did.
But not pretty.
Daphne, you're...
beautiful.
You have to be pretty, too?
♪ ♪
(screams)
Oh... Moo.
(meows)
You almost scared me to death.
Hey.
Hey, how's my big Moo, huh?
You doing your thing?
(footsteps approaching)
Rick?
(screams)
I'm glad you like it.
(snickers)
I hope it affects our
readers that way.
Oh, Rick, why do you
do things like that to me?
Because you're a patsy
and that's why I love you.
Hey, let me read you
something that Jack wrote.
It's a creed for the paper
and we'll run it
on the front page.
"We look at the world
through young eyes
"and speak with an
incorruptible voice.
"Sticks and stones and bigots'
threats won't keep the Guru
"from printing it like it is.
Keep the faith."
Like it?
I love it.
And you, too.
Hey, did he, uh, did
he lock up back there?
Yeah, he said he did.
All right, let's split.
♪ ♪
ADAM: That's good coffee, Julie.
"Staff escapes death."
"Police indifference."
And now another bombing threat.
It never stops.
Some of the kids
around town are saying
that the police are just
looking the other way.
Yeah, and the property owners
around the Guru are trying
to force 'em out.
Oh, come on, Captain,
you know how it is.
"You hippies are ruining
the neighborhood."
Now, ain't progress grand?
We used to get
blamed for all that.
Look, we give them
the same protection
we give everybody else.
Oh...
Okay,
you're cops.
Since you're so worried
about the newspaper's
lack of protection,
why don't you get jobs on
the Guru and give them some?
What's the matter?
No more jokes?
We don't like the
idea of having to spy
on an underground newspaper.
Look, what do I have
to do to win your trust?
Wear beads?
I read the Guru!
I like the newspaper.
I think it has a healthy
attitude, it says something.
Do I surprise you?
Constantly.
Oh, come on.
Go on, go, go peddle
your papers, will you?
(theme music playing)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
(clamoring)
Spare change?
Help us out.
(inaudible)
There is such a thing
called understatement,
something I'm sure
you've never understood!
Sometimes the facts
speak for themselves!
All right, let's
write about facts!
About charred walls
and shattered glass!
(chuckling): Oh, wow...
that's very heavy stuff.
"And here today a
brave band of warriors
"and their intrepid editor
huddled in fear
for their very lives."
Dot dot dot.
Make it a 23-point banner with
a lot more white space below.
Hey, excuse me,
man, are you the editor?
My name's Pete, that's
Linc, and that's Julie.
We've been up in San
Francisco working on The Omen
and wondered if, you know,
like, you need any help down here.
I'm sorry, man,
we got a full house.
Just take a look and see.
Why don't you get
Daphne to write the story?
'Cause Daphne writes with love
and I want this
written with spit.
There are issues involved
here, so don't whisper them!
Shout 'em!
You haven't forgotten
how to hate, have you?
I mean, have things
gotten that good for you?
Okay, coach.
I'll write it the
way you see it.
From the heart.
Not from the heart, man.
Come on.
From the spleen.
(laughs)
In letters of flaming bile.
Hey, I'm really sorry, man.
I don't usually
get that uptight,
but, you know, people
don't usually try to kill me.
Hey, man, I hate to bug you,
but how about on-
the-street selling?
You won't make
any bread there, man.
Oh, man, a candy
bar'd be a lot right now.
We're busted.
All right.
I charge you ten cents a copy.
You want to work around
the office, it's eight cents,
but I really expect you
guys to push hard, man,
because we're not selling
papers, we're selling ideals.
Hey, so was The Omen, man.
Okay.
You type? Yeah.
Well, then, you can
forget about selling.
I need a secretary.
Oh, I forgot to tell you
you're going on
editorial full-time.
When did you decide that?
This morning, when
I read your story.
You pleased?
Yeah, I am, it's just...
Congratulations.
You, too.
(typing)
What are you doing here?
W-Well, I, I thought
I'd clean up for you.
When did you start work here?
Today.
All right, lesson number one.
(enunciating):
Jack is a bad cat.
He yells when people bug him.
It bugs him when people
come into his office.
If you do not get
out and stay out,
he will yell at you.
Do you understand that?
He's a mean and hateful
son of a gun, isn't he?
But he has enough talent...
Hey, knock it off, Rick.
Do you know why
he hates me, man?
Because I won't let him hate me.
You dig?
Solid.
That for us?
Yes, tacos and root beer.
Why not?
I don't know if I
can eat two of 'em.
Did you find out
anything about Rick?
I found out that he was
brilliant and dedicated
and he's got every kid in this
town turned on to that paper.
Tell us something we don't know.
He cheats on Daphne.
(chuckles)
With who?
With me.
At least he intends to.
He asked me out for tonight.
(chuckles)
Good.
Can you do me a favor?
Yeah.
Can you ask Daphne out?
I mean, then I
wouldn't feel so guilty.
You know how she
feels about Rick.
All right.
Okay.
You get a girl.
She gets a guy.
And I get Jack.
Mm-mm... mm.
Come on, let's go.
(sobbing)
You'll get your ribbon soggy.
Go away.
Not until you tell me
why you're crying.
Because I'm hurt...
and I really shouldn't be
because every time
there's a pretty girl...
A charley horse in your pride?
No.
No, I, I think it's called
stubbing your heart.
Pete.
Pete, why can't men...
with great ideas...
be great men?
I don't know.
I guess you can't
have everything.
Oh, why not?
If... if I give everything...
(sobbing)
Come on.
I'll take you home.
I'm going to take her home, man.
(door opens and closes)
Everybody split?
Yeah, all but me.
Rick wants
everybody out by 8:00.
I'll be through in a
couple of minutes.
For sure?
Cross my heart
and hope not do die.
(door opens and closes)
(engine stalling)
(whistling)
Trouble?
This crummy car won't start!
Oh, wow.
Where are you heading?
PETE: You feel any better now?
DAPHNE: I must.
I am beginning to feel
concerned about you.
What a bum trip I took you on.
I understand that the people
you travel with are
a lot more important
than where you go.
You just won't stop trying to
make me feel good, will you?
Nope.
Uh, listen...
the things I said
about Rick, I...
I guess they kind of
sounded like a put-down.
No. I hope not.
'Cause it's not Rick's fault.
It's mine for expecting him
to act like everybody else.
I understand.
You know something?
I really think you do.
Now, what do you know?
DAPHNE: John, would
you leave me alone!
JOHN: people can't even
walk the streets anymore
because of that
scum hanging around!
And you right in
the middle of them!
You don't care about me or them,
just your empty buildings
and your rotten rent!
Don't talk to me like that!
You lost that right when
you laid down in dirt! (gasps)
No, Pete, please don't!
He's my brother!
What is that, some scum
off the paper or some dirt
you picked up off the
street? Pete, please don't.
Go away, I'll
explain it all later.
You got it all wrong.
You don't explain me to him.
You explain him to me.
Pete, please.
Please, for my sake?
You have to bring them
home with you now?
John, please,
he's just a friend!
So, what then?
Trouble with your old man?
JACK: No, we didn't
have any trouble.
How'd you work that out?
Well, one time I ran away.
And then I ran out of bread.
I never thought my
old man cared until...
the night I turned up
soaking wet at the back door.
He looked at me a while...
then he handed me this belt.
And he said, "If
you still hate me,
then it's your turn."
Hmm.
I took it and I hit him.
One time.
And then I stood
there... (chuckles)
then I stood there and I cried.
Love's the one thing
that kills an angry man.
That it does. That it does.
Hey, this is it, right up ahead.
Thanks for the ride.
So long, Jack.
Hey, Jack?
Hey, you know you
could use some practice.
Practice on what?
On trying to cover
up your fangs.
I'll work on it.
(car leaves)
Uh, take me down to Melrose
Avenue, the Guru office.
Extra!
(clatters)
You're late.
So? What do you mean "so"?
When you tell me to clear
the office and meet you here
in the middle of the
night, you come on time.
Have you seen the city papers?
We're front page news.
Oh, we came here to write a
thank you note to the editor?
Don't you understand, man?
We've done it!
We found our voice!
An audience as large
as every city daily,
and we're gonna
stay front page news.
You're hoping that
somebody will bomb us again?
No, hoping isn't enough.
Rick, have you gone crazy?
It'll take us all week
to sort this stuff out!
And the world will watch, man!
Paper by paper!
(thuds, crashes)
Have you gone out of your head?
What are you doing man?
First they plant a bomb,
then they wreck the office,
but we survive to
tell the truth, man!
We shall overcome!
(crashes)
Enough, man.
Hey, millions of
people are listening.
Don't you have anything to say?
No stirring words
to help humanity
crawl out of it's
own stinking grave?
Don't you care any more?
But it's a lie, Rick.
What you're doing is a lie!
It's a half-truth!
When they first bombed
the paper, it started this thing!
That was truth, now
there's a purpose!
They've given us
a platform, man.
Don't blow your
chance to be heard.
We can tell the truth
about everything!
About corruption.
About brutality in
the name of the law!
(loud crash)
About the piled up
garbage of poverty...
that never disappears!
(glass breaking)
About getting rousted
in the middle of the night!
Yeah! Whee!
Whee! About suffering
and unequal rights!
About humiliation and bigotry!
About the contained,
preventive slaughter
of innocent human beings!
(laughs) The truth, man.
The truth about drugs!
(Jack laughs)
(engine revs)
(crowd boos)
(splashes, cheering)
(cheering)
Yeah!
All right! Peace, right?
(crowd cheers)
Find anything?
We'll let you know.
Blew it again, huh?
Well, don't be embarrassed.
We're doing all we can.
Oh, I know that.
You're gonna leave your men
around the clock again, huh?
Just like last time?
(honking)
Two, four, six, eight!
Who do we appreciate?
CROWD (chanting): The
fuzz! The fuzz! The fuzz!
The fuzz! The fuzz!
All right, let's get
them out of the street!
(crowd continues
chanting, horns honking)
(shouting)
(booing)
(Daphne screams)
(Daphne continues screaming)
Help me!
Get in there! Get in there!
RICK: There you have it.
Your police department at work.
Listen, I'm gonna run it
on down to the lab, man.
I'll get ten big blow-ups,
and we'll run it on
the front page okay?
Well, we sure gave Rick
a good story, didn't we?
Uh, look, do you mind if we
talk about something else?
Why? You're a hero.
A martyr to the cause, you
should be proud of yourself.
Well, I'm not!
I'm scared and
just a little bit sick!
Why?
Forget it.
Did she admit it?
No.
But there's really not
much doubt about it.
The fall was a fake, man.
And so was everything else.
If I hadn't seen it...
I wouldn't have believed it.
I guess I'd better let
the captain in on it.
Hey, get your Guru here!
Get the latest
from the greatest.
Get the Guru here!
Hey, get the Guru here!
Hey, get the Guru here!
Get the latest
from the greatest...
Get the Guru here!
Hey!
Paper, kid?
This is my corner.
What?
I've been selling on this corner
for two years!
Now beat it.
Okay, good luck, kid.
(beeping)
Don't tell me I've flipped, man!
He was in that cop's
car spilling his guts out.
And the others?
They're plants.
They got to be cops.
But they're just kids, man.
That's exactly
why I fell for it.
How stupid can I be?
They'll find out
everything, man.
What you and I
did the other night.
So what?
I mean, so we threw
some ink on the walls,
so we broke up some equipment.
We own it!
It's our property.
What about that first bombing?
So what's that
got to do with us?
Well, Jack, as a
famous lover of truth,
I'm about to trip you out.
Just who do you think
planted that bomb?
Y-You are putting me on?
You didn't know,
not even deep down?
Man, you are so stinking noble.
You went along for one
lie didn't you? But not two.
Now either you're in
all the way or you're out.
Maybe you don't have the guts.
I've got the guts
to break your jaw.
You're ready to fight me, huh?
But not for something
you believe in.
What am I supposed
to believe in?
You lied to me, man!
That lie got the
paper off the floor
and you off your tail.
And it got me a lot of people
who want to read
about what we stand for.
So what do we stand for?
Easy virtue?
The end that
justifies the means?
Is that what you believe in?
Well, so did Hitler!
I believe in whatever
gets us the power
and the strength we need!
Oh!
Oh!
So that's where it's at.
You sold out.
All for the smell of a
little power, you sold out!
The paper, the public and me.
Right along with the
rest of the sheep, huh?
There are sheep and
shepherds, my friend.
I don't dig wool.
Oh, Rick...
I'm gonna kill me a shepherd.
I don't know how...
but I'm gonna kill you.
What's wrong with Jack?
He's got writer's cramp.
What he got's...
I hope it's not contagious.
You, uh...
you look like you
need some peace
and a little loving care.
I do.
Why don't you let
me cook you dinner?
Because I got some
work to do tonight.
Can I help?
With Julie at my apartment.
Come on in.
(door closes)
Nice pad.
It's all right.
Listen, I'd offer you
a drink, but I'm all out.
I'm not the best
host in the world.
It's all right, forget it.
I'm glad you came.
You said it was important.
It is.
Is there anything wrong?
Julie, I need a favor.
From me?
You see... I know you're a cop.
Well, that's a very funny line.
I know it is, but it's
true, I checked it.
You, Pete and Linc.
I think you better lay
off the sugar cubes.
Julie, suppose I told you
that I was the one
who wrecked the paper?
I'd tell you to go
see your doctor.
Julie, I need your help.
I'm gonna go to
the police tonight
and tell them the whole story.
Well, what do you
want me to say, Rick?
I don't know, just be with me.
I mean you know what I'm like
and why I did what I did.
But I don't.
Because I thought I could
save the world overnight
by getting attention
for the paper.
Like Jack said,
you can't sell
truth by telling lies.
Julie, please come with me.
All right.
But I'm gonna go
call the captain first.
The one who put you on the case?
Well, yeah, he's very ni...
And there you have it, folks!
The story of a young girl
from a mining town in the west
who's found happiness
as a fink for the man!
Now don't you feel
ashamed of yourselves,
spying on a nice
clean-cut boy like...
What is that tape for?
It's a fuzz repellent.
Hey, it's gonna
make a great story.
Cops choose kids
to spy for them.
Besides, what good's
an undercover squad
when it's blown its cover?
Why don't you go and
call the captain now?
And see what he's got to say?
Okay, Julie, so you blew it.
You're not a pro.
Captain doesn't expect miracles.
It's what I expect, Linc.
Dumb trap like that
and I just fell for it.
Hey, did you reach the captain?
Did he blow his mind?
Too busy.
Rick's dead.
Murdered.
CAPTAIN: Shot with his own gun.
Thirty-eight.
Fingerprints were wiped off.
Captain, uh... what about
the tape that Rick made?
We've got it.
So your cover is intact.
But, Julie, do you know if Rick
was expecting anyone later?
He didn't say.
Why?
Well, no locks broken.
Must have been someone he knew.
All right, get on back
to the newspaper.
I'll have some regulars
out to check his neighbors.
Captain...
I'm sorry about that tape.
That's all right, Julie,
I don't expect you
to win them all.
Hey, take it easy, Captain.
You're getting soul.
I'll watch it.
Where do we begin?
With someone who
knew Rick well enough
to get into his apartment.
And hated him
enough to kill him.
Or loved him enough.
LINC: Daphne.
PETE: She said she was
going to her brother's boat.
♪ ♪
What do you want?
LINC: We're looking for Daphne.
We're worried about her.
We thought she was here.
She's not here.
She's working on that newspaper.
She's not welcome here.
Neither are you.
What did we ever do to you?
Well, just turned the street
where my buildings are
into a long-haired
costume party,
where no self-respecting
tenant will rent.
Turned my sister
into an alley cat.
Waiting around for that creep
to throw his garbage to her.
That creep was
murdered last night.
Yeah, that's what I heard.
That's... that's a real shame.
You know that Daphne
was in love with him?
Well, I guess some
people might call that love.
People like you.
Get off the boat right now.
I wonder did he
ever play with dolls.
This could be a
morbid thought, but...
maybe she went
back to Rick's place.
Maybe.
Let's go back to her
apartment and wait.
But why if she
went back to Rick's?
Well, if that is her
scene, let's not interrupt it.
Hey, you know, Pete,
for a cat from a 14-room
house, you sure got a ghetto feel.
Daphne?
♪ ♪
(screaming)
(sighs)
We should have stayed with her.
I-I knew how she
felt about Rick.
We all did.
We couldn't have stopped her.
(sighs)
What's that?
It's her reason for dying.
I found it on her table,
and I wanted to get to it
before the newspapers did.
(sniffles)
"I remember my grandmother
used to sing a hymn,
"'The Old Rugged Cross.'
"I remembered every word once.
"Now all I can sing is,
"'On a hill far away,
stood an old Chevrolet.'
"I don't know the
real words anymore.
"And the pain is
strong for not knowing.
"I'm tired, and I
want to go home.
"Show me the war.
"Is that the way the song goes?
"From all the
transitions and prayers,
"to pills to booze to acid,
"to junk and back again.
"I still can't
remember the words.
"Now I lay me
down to get my keep.
"I pray the landlord
lets me sleep.
"Is that the way
the prayer goes?
I don't remember anymore."
(Julie sniffling)
We'll let you know if
there's any change.
Yeah.
PETE: How is she?
She's better.
She won't talk to anyone.
(sighs): Would she talk to us?
I don't know.
What did you get out of Jack?
Why was he there?
Well, he didn't
want her to be alone.
He was afraid of
what she might do.
Why did he run? Well,
he knew we were cops.
Rick told him.
He saw us in the
door and panicked.
You believe that?
We'd like to.
Well, I'll work on him.
Uh, look,
maybe she will talk to you.
Why don't you stay
here and give it a try?
Will you?
Daphne?
Daphne?
Why did you stop me?
I want to die!
Why?
Daphne, why?
(inhales loudly)
It was the only...
only thing left to do.
Only way left to hurt myself.
(sighs)
I was outside
watching last night
when you went to see him.
I've been outside many times.
But I didn't really care.
(sighs)
Because...
deep inside...
I knew he loved me.
(crying): He had to love me!
(crying)
What else did I have?
(sighs)
I walked around for hours...
waiting for you to finish.
Daphne, I didn't...
(gasps)
And then I called my brother.
I shouldn't have.
Oh, but I needed somebody.
John must have gone right
over to Rick's apartment.
'Cause when I got there,
they were arguing.
He was thanking
John for hating him.
He said...
it was men like John
and two-button
establishment souls
that gave his life purpose.
He said, "What you
care about is profit.
"You don't care
for your ugly sister
any more than I do."
Ugly sister.
(crying): Ugly sister.
(inhaling shallow breath)
And then John hit him.
And they started to fight.
My brother, for me,
that ugly sister that Rick
didn't even care about.
(Daphne crying)
Then I saw a gun.
Rick had it, and he
made John leave.
There didn't seem
anything else to do.
So I went into the room.
Rick didn't see me.
He was at the
bar making a drink.
And then...
ugly Daphne
picked up the gun...
and...
Rick?
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
I can't believe it.
I just can't believe she did it.
Not to Rick.
Or anybody else.
I wouldn't have believed
she could hurt a fly.
Know something?
I don't think she killed him.
It's pretty hard to fight
a confession, Julie.
Pete, there's something
very, very wrong.
(car horns beeping)
I just can't figure it out.
Like what?
Remember she told
us she got the gun
while Rick was
pouring himself a drink?
Right.
Well, I'd just left there.
Rick didn't have
anything to drink.
I saw the empty bottle.
Well, why would she just come up
with something like that?
I don't know.
Something else.
Captain Greer said there were
no fingerprints on Rick's gun.
They were wiped off.
So?
Why would she do that?
I mean, why go to
the trouble to cover up
if you're going to
commit suicide?
Just doesn't make sense.
Then her confession is a fake.
Sure.
To cover up for somebody else.
But who?
Who could she possibly
love so much that she'd...?
You better call the captain
and have him meet us
there with a squad car.
(glove box pops open)
Now, what is this?
Your sister's awake.
You talk to her?
Yes.
We know why she
tried to kill herself.
She saw the murder.
(sirens blaring)
(sirens blaring)
No!
(tires screeching)
LINC: Request
permission to come aboard!
Oh.
Permission granted.
(laughing)
What are you all doing here?
Just came by to see what
was happening with you.
Well, uh...
(sniffles)
Well, I sold the
boat, for one thing.
I thought you were
going to live on it.
No. Jack and I needed the
money to start the paper again.
The New Guru.
All the truth, all the time.
Otherwise, how are you?
Oh, I'm fine.
Until I stop to think.
JULIE: Hey, then, don't.
PETE: That's right, don't.
Uh, how about you and me
going into town
and listen to some music?
Are you serious?
Yeah, I'm serious.
Now, unless you
don't want me to be.
Oh, no. No, I do. Oh...
I do and I accept.
Okay. I'll see
you at 8:00, okay?
Pete?
Uh...
Rick said I was ugly.
Do you think I'm ugly?
Never did.
But not pretty.
Daphne, you're...
beautiful.
You have to be pretty, too?
♪ ♪