Mod Squad (1968–1973): Season 1, Episode 23 - Keep the Faith, Baby - full transcript
All I hear is a lot of noise.
I don't see any
plays being made.
Now, come on, guys,
let's hop to it, if you
want to do it at all.
Let's go.
Come on, come on, come on.
Okay, now hold it, hold it.
Hey, Eddie.
Come here.
John, will you get off my back.
I'm gonna stay on your
back till you learn one thing...
You gotta stay with your man.
You miss matches like this,
and he'll score
on you all night.
You gotta stay with your man.
Well, what am I supposed to do?!
Now, this little...
he's all over me.
Next time, I'll cream you.
You wouldn't know
how, you big clown.
Eddie!
Hey, cool it, guys.
Cool it.
I said, cool it!
Get out of my way, John.
Will you cool it?!
Now listen to me.
When are you gonna learn
to be part of a team, huh?
When are you gonna grow up, man?
Now, can you dig it?
Be a man, be part of this team.
Now is it cool?
Okay then.
Up and at 'em.
And also remember
the 11th Commandment:
Thou shalt not
pick on a little cat
'cause he might be a
little tougher than you.
Now shake his hand.
Okay, get on back in there.
Let's go.
Hey, John? Yeah?
You wanted to know
when it was 4:00.
Oh, Holy Toledo, I
gotta get out of here.
You keep 'em working.
Hey, thanks, man,
for pitching in. Sure.
Hey listen, I gotta go, too,
You gotta towel
somewhere? Oh, sure.
Hey, I didn't get your
name. Lincoln Hayes.
Oh, thanks again
for coming down.
Hey, you got wheels with you?
Yeah, sure. Where you headed?
Out to Rivercrest. I work there.
Oh, man, I'm going
the opposite direction.
Take it easy, guys.
Here you go.
Thanks.
Man, that's some
kind of workout.
I'm hep.
Hey, incidentally, what made
you decide to come down
and pay us a visit?
I just wanted to help out.
Well, that's one thing for sure,
we can stand all the help
that a good brother will give us.
Well, frankly, I wanted to
do something more important
than teach basketball.
Teaching basketball
is important, man.
Also,
all forms of social action
as well as education and...
well, I think the most
important thing is
that the cats in the ghetto
got to learn to pull together.
You dig?
Yeah.
What's wrong?
Ain't you never seen
no Black priest before?
It's not that, it's...
I should have guessed...
Father Banks, right?
John.
And why should you have known?
Well, you have
made the headlines.
They call you a troublemaker,
the militant priest.
Well, that's their
title, not mine, Linc.
I want to thank you,
man, for coming over.
And you are welcome,
dear brother, anytime.
Do your thing, baby.
Hey, Father, I changed my mind.
What?
I can give you that lift.
Oh, what is this, "Be
kind to priests week"?
No,
it's just I'd like to get to
know John Banks better.
All right.
Come on, let's go.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Frank, I don't know.
Following this priest is crazy.
Not when he's the one man
who could put Matt
in the gas chamber.
But he's a priest,
he can't testify.
No?
Well, he ain't been
acting like a priest.
He's got one foot outside
the Church anyway.
Suppose he's been
talking to the cops?
Suppose he's the witness
the DA's been keeping
under wraps, huh?
Look, kid...
Matt's trial comes up next week.
We gotta make sure.
There he is.
Kid's been hanging
around all day.
Who is he?
I don't know.
Something else
we gotta find out.
Follow them.
Matt Jenkins'
second trial news...
So what does that mean to us?
It means you got
the week off, with pay.
Surprised?
With pay?
Now wait a minute,
what did we do right?
I'm not gonna tell you.
Only I'll be tied up with the DA
preparing the case.
Which reminds me, I better
get over there right now.
But I don't get it.
I thought Jenkins was
convicted a year ago
and sentenced to death.
He was, only his
lawyers never gave up.
You know the man...
No, thanks, Julie...
He was walking
to the gas chamber,
had his last rights,
and everything,
when the stay of execution came.
Later, the Supreme
Court ordered a retrial.
Anyway, he's out on bail now.
Bail in a murder case?
Mm-hmm.
That's unusual, isn't it?
Yeah, discretion of the court.
It's a pretty good indication
they don't think
much of the DA's case.
Anyway, that's our
problem, not yours.
Look, enjoy your
free time off, huh?
Tell Linc when he comes in.
Well, he'll be here in a few
minutes, we're going to a movie.
This is a pretty
heavy neighborhood.
Your church around here?
Yeah, Christ the
King in Rivercrest.
Kind of unusual.
I mean, you the head
of a white congregation.
Hey, wait a minute,
man, I'm not the head.
I'm not the pastor.
I'm just one of
his two assistants.
Will you ever have
your own church?
Yeah, in about ten or 15 years.
I'd like to ask you a question.
I mean, uh...
Go ahead, man.
Why are you
working at Rivercrest
when they need you back there?
Until you, I never saw a
Black priest in the ghetto.
That's simple,
because there are none.
That's one of the many
changes we're hoping to make.
We, who?
Your church?
Oh, no, our committee,
The Interfaith
Clergymen for Change.
We're having a press
conference tomorrow night
down at the Center to
make our demands public.
Why don't you come on down?
I'd like that.
That's groovy.
Oh, incidentally,
straight ahead,
two more blocks, we'll be there.
What's wrong?
It's that car back there.
It seems to have been
following us all the way.
So?
So you're a controversial
figure, Father.
Like Dr. King and Malcolm X.
You been seeing too
many movies, Linc.
No, Father.
I've been watching
the news on television
for the last two years.
Uh-oh.
It looks like I'm
later than I thought.
I seemed to have
missed the whole meeting.
Trouble?
No. No more than usual.
My pastor's a
remarkable man, Linc.
He always protects
me from the wolves.
At least he always
has up to now.
Well...
Thanks for the lift.
Peace.
Peace.
I'm sorry, Father.
Where was it today, John?
The Job Corps Symposium?
Prison chapel?
Or, no, that's on
Wednesday, isn't it?
Well, then it must have
been the Community Center,
or the television station, or...
just about anywhere but
where you're supposed to be,
which is here.
Oh, come on, Bob,
you can talk
straighter than that.
Is it serious?
Why don't you wait for
me in your room, John.
I'll stay here and
watch the priest.
You stick with the kid
and find out who he is.
All right.
Come on in, Bob.
Thank you, John.
Can I fix you a drink?
Uh, no, I don't think so.
Uh-oh.
Then it is serious.
Why don't you sit down.
You know we get a lot of mail
protesting your activities. Mm.
Well, this, uh, one
letter came today...
and I think you
ought to read it.
"N-I-G-E-R..."
He don't even know how to spell.
John, be serious.
That man is
threatening your life.
Well, it ain't the first time.
What do you mean?
Well, I've had a
couple of phone calls
since I became
chairman of the committee.
Well, why didn't you
tell me about them?
Well, I'll tell you the
reason why, Bob,
because I didn't want you to
do what you're about to do now.
John, for God's sake...
for your own sake...
please, give it up.
Work for change, but do it
inside the church, not outside.
You're risking your life.
I can see you
don't believe that.
Well, then, believe this...
You are jeopardizing
your future.
Is that what the
Parish Council thinks?
Yeah... they,
among others.
What others?
When you say others,
are you talking about idiots
who write letters like that?
Bob, are you asking me
to ignore my own conscience?
Are you asking me to
ignore the needs of my people
because of idiots like that?!
No, of course not.
Not for them.
Then for who?
I was called to the Chancery
this morning by the bishop.
Ah...
I didn't want to
have to bring it up.
I thought maybe I could
convince you some other way, but...
You know something, man?
I just don't believe it.
This sounds like a scene
in The Late Late Show.
I'm sorry, Colonel, I know
I've been a little out of line."
"I've been buzzing
the airfield too much,
"but I have picked up morale.
Certainly you wouldn't
ground me because of that."
John, he wants you to
resign from the committee.
He sent the same word
to Father O'Boyle
and Father Cooper.
No.
We couldn't do that.
Even if we agreed,
we couldn't do it, Bob, we...
It's a matter of
public record now.
Besides, there's a press
conference tomorrow!
That's precisely his point.
He doesn't want you
to attend that meeting.
Why?
You know why!
Now the bishop has given
you every freedom, John.
I mean, he wants change, too...
but he sees a different way.
And you're
challenging him publicly.
You just don't give
him any choice.
Well ain't that too bad.
We disagree.
What is he going to do,
banish me to a monastery?!
Well, say something.
His exact words were,
"on pain of suspension."
Bob...
Bob, help me, I...
I don't understand.
Johnny, I...
The highest doctrine
of our Church
is the principle of the
individual conscience.
Yes.
And man
is truly in a state of grace
if he believes, I mean
man really believes,
that what he's doing is
right in the eyes of God.
Yeah, that's the doctrine.
Well, Bob...
I am right.
I mean, you know that
I'm right, you know it!
I can't know that, John.
It's not between you and me.
That's not even between
you and the bishop.
You're right.
It's between me and Jesus.
So he's a groovy guy?
Huh?
The priest.
He sounds wonderful.
Yeah, sure, fantastic.
I'd like to meet
him myself, Linc.
Is there any chance of us going
to that meeting with you
tomorrow? That's a great idea.
Yeah, I think he'd like that.
What are you
looking at out there?
Something that bugs me.
Where are you going?
There's a car out there I
think's been following me.
I'm going to check it out.
I'll go with you. No, Pete...
It's probably my imagination
and I'd hate to be embarrassed.
Whatever's right.
Well, that blows the movie.
All right, what's it
all about, mister?!
What's the matter, you crazy?!
All right, now,
get out of there!
This is W-6-0.
21st Precinct Dispatch, over.
This is W-6-0.
21st Precinct Dispatch, over.
21st Precinct
Dispatch. Who's calling?
W-6-0.
Connect me with Captain Greer.
He's in the District
Attorney's Office, over.
W-6-0, sorry.
The District Attorney's
lines are busy.
Well, never mind.
21st Precinct,
send a patrol car.
I'm in an alley...
W-6-0?
W-6-0, come in, please.
Come in, please.
Come in, please...
♪ ♪
Linc?
Linc?
You okay, man?
Yeah.
Well, at least it wasn't
your imagination.
I'm hep.
Good job, brother! Good job!
Yeah, but he saw
me. He saw my face.
Okay,
so you get out of
town for a while.
The main point is...
you put the pieces
together for us.
Didn't he?
We still don't know for sure.
Oh, come on, look at it!
Suddenly, John Banks
has a new Black kid
hanging around him, a cop.
Not just any kind of cop,
oh, no, no, no, no, no.
A cop that's working for
Greer and working for the DA.
Do I have to paint
you a picture?
He's a bodyguard.
Banks asked for protection.
I tell you I'm right,
and he's going to
go through with it.
How can he, Frank,
he's still a priest.
What kind of a priest?
He's an agitator.
Look...
he's a...
a self-seeking militant.
The Church means nothing to him,
his vows mean nothing.
We better stop him,
before it's too late.
No!
Is it so easy for you, Frank?
So easy to take a life?
I'll do it.
Just say the word.
Boo!
Oh, please, Mr. Bad Hold-up Man,
take my watch and money,
but leave me my coach's whistle.
I thought you turned
that in already.
Oh, you forgot to
give me a drill sheet.
The cats are just
standing around,
they don't know
what to practice.
You're right, I forgot.
I'll tell you what, why don't
you make them practice
what you think is best, Mike.
Okay. Hey, wait a minute.
How did you know I was here?
I don't know. You just
seem to come here
when you got
things on your mind.
You know me
pretty good, don't ya?
And you really didn't come here
to ask about no
drill sheet, did you?
Not exactly.
The brothers on the team wanted
to wish you good luck tonight.
We're going to watch
it on the TV, man,
UHF, Channel 27...
You better look sharp.
Well...
I'll do my best, baby.
Sock it to 'em, Father.
Thank you, Mike.
♪ ♪
I'm sc...
I'm scared, Jesus.
I know I...
I have to do this thing,
and I'm scared, Jesus.
I don't know if I
got the guts to do it.
Don't...
don't misunderstand me,
it's not that I don't want
to do it, it's just that...
oh, my people...
they need so much help, Jesus.
Help me.
Help me to help them.
Sweet Jesus, help
me to be strong.
Any luck?
Look, I'm sorry to
be in and out like this,
but the DA is driving
me crazy next door.
The Jenkins trial? Yeah.
I read in the papers
where they had a
"mystery witness."
What's the DA up to?
Ah, he's got nobody.
They're just
spreading that rumor
to shake up the defense.
Look, did you meet
with the police artist yet?
Yeah, and the sketch
is in there. Good.
Hey, what time is it?
Why, you going someplace?
Yeah, we got to
get to that meeting.
What meeting?
Father Banks and his committee.
Any objections?
Yeah, you ought to
be getting some rest.
Yeah, I know, but
we're going anyway.
Uh, Linc.
Uh, as long as
you're going anyway,
you mind discussing
this with Father Banks?
I mean, he was
in the car with you.
Could be some connection.
Okay, I'll mention it.
And, Linc,
uh, don't tell him
everything, huh?
I mean, priest or no priest,
don't tell him you're a cop.
Well, he'd understand, Captain.
He might even
give us absolution.
I'll give you absolution.
Come on, get out
of here already.
These demands
that you've just heard
are a platform
we intend to carry
to the establishment's
churches in the Black ghetto.
But this is not just
a ghetto movement.
In the broadest sense,
we hope to redefine
the relationship
between man and Church.
But we start here in the ghetto.
Why?
Simple.
Because it is in the ghetto
that that relationship has
failed most spectacularly.
It is here, too, ladies
and gentlemen,
that we find not
only the wearers,
but the bearers of the cross.
We feel that it's
no longer enough
for churches to change.
They must be a crucible
from which change comes.
Churches must
attack racist attitudes.
The racism of indifference.
The racism of paternalism.
If God is to be meaningful,
He must be alive.
Now we must strip the
Church of the mask of mystery
that separates
Church from people.
I say, let the Church
become an arm of its people.
And then, and only then,
will the people
become an arm of God.
I thank you.
We have some members
of the press with us
this evening, ladies
and gentlemen.
And I know they want
to ask some questions.
So, if you gentlemen want to
ask anything, please feel free.
Yes. Father Banks,
we have a report that
you and two other priests
have been suspended from the
Church for coming here tonight.
Now is that correct, sir?
Yes.
Oh, no!
The fact is...
that Fathers O'Boyle
and Cooper and I
have had our faculties
suspended by the Diocese.
Which is a clergyman's
way of saying,
"Baby, you had it,
you've been fired."
Oh! Oh, no, no, no!
Seen enough?
Yup.
You were right, Frank.
He's not a priest anymore.
Okay.
It's him or you now.
Just say the word.
Do it.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Thank you, Father.
See you tomorrow.
Hey, Linc, what happened to you?
It's no big thing.
I'll tell you later.
I wouldn't have missed it.
Thank you, baby.
My friends, Pete and Julie.
Hello, Pete.
Hello, Julie. Hello.
Well, what'd you think?
It was wonderful.
I think that's where
courage is really at.
Well, how come
my legs are shaking?
I'll bet that's a hunger shake.
Bet you haven't eaten all day.
Come to think of
it, I haven't, man.
How about that soul
food place around here
you're always
talking about? Okay?
I can dig it. Come on.
Hey, man, you really got it on!
Thank you, baby.
And besides, you
look good in a tie.
Oh, yeah, I picked this
up in the five-and-dime.
I had to get
something in a hurry.
You like it? It's gassy.
Here. Little
brother, it is yours.
Well, I feel like the captain
at some fancy restaurant.
Right this way, folks.
It's the same car, man.
Get a doctor, man!
Quick, Linc!
Connect me to the police!
Yeah, it's an emergency!
Well, Father?
You were right, Captain.
He's okay.
I mean, he's...
he's really okay.
Look, why don't you come
over here and sit down?
I want to talk to you.
Father, why in the...
Why didn't you report
these threats on your life?
Father Hughes
gave you this, huh?
Well, will you take
it seriously now?
Yeah.
I'll take it seriously.
Okay.
Well, there's something
we've got to settle
right now, Father.
I want you to have
police protection.
Captain, do you think
he'll really try again?
You're not going
to change, are you?
Then why should he?
I want you to have an officer
with you around the clock.
Hey, no, man, that's out.
I-I mean, Captain.
Look, there are places that I go
that the fuzz just
ain't welcome.
Well, then you're just going
to have to cut down on
your activities, Father.
No, that's out.
Man, that would
mean that he'd won.
That he had scared me off.
And besides, Captain,
how would I explain
that to Mike, huh?
I mean, how would I
explain that to anybody?
All right.
Suppose I were to
assign you three cops
who don't look like cops?
Mm.
I mean, three people
who know and respect you.
What would you
say to that, Father?
I would then say, Captain,
"Which three saints
did you have in mind?"
Holy Toledo.
You know, there's only one
thing that kind of bugs me.
Shoot.
I mean, tell me the truth, man.
Have I been your
assignment all along?
I mean, is that the reason why
that I've been getting
all the attention?
No, man.
That's not why.
We've been around
because we wanted to, Father.
So where's our first stop?
State Penitentiary.
Well, let me explain.
See, every Wednesday,
I used to replace
the prison chaplain.
Since I can't say Mass
anymore, or hear confessions,
well, this is sort
of like a last trip.
Just to say good-bye.
And then after that,
there's a committee
meeting, a rally,
and a Bible class
for the little brothers.
Well, do you think you
can keep up with me?
Big Brother will be watching.
Put it away, Frank.
You tried, and it didn't work.
Maybe it wasn't meant to work.
Now, don't get mystical on me.
I blew it, nobody else.
I panicked. I lost my cool.
I'll do better next time.
There's no next time.
There's too much risk now.
Every place he goes,
he's got a crowd of
people hanging around him.
Well, there must be
some way to get him alone.
No, there's no way.
Besides, they've
seen Emmitt's face.
Now sooner or later,
they got to figure out
that he's our brother.
You know, Frank,
I've been thinking about it.
Now wait a minute!
I got something.
Priest doesn't know it's us.
He thinks it's some... fanatic.
I know it sounds crazy,
but... Frank.
Now wait a minute.
It's a way to get him alone.
Okay.
I'm listening.
We got ourselves
a secret weapon.
Israelites say, "You
ain't got nothin',
"'cause we know what you got,
and you ain't got
nothin' goin' for you."
The cats say, "We
got ourselves Goliath.
"And if you Israelites
don't bow down,
"we gonna have
Goliath come in here,
"whip a few heads
and straighten this
mess out altogether."
Cat said, "Now what one cat
gonna come in to us Israelites
and wipe us all out?"
Cat said, "Goliath."
Cat said, "Ooh-ooh-wee!"
The Israelites heard about it,
how big and bad Goliath was.
So they said, "Who we
gonna put up against him?"
That's Ahamanali.
No, it ain't no Nunammad nadi.
Muhammad Ali.
'Cause there was no
Muhammad Ali then, right?
They said, "We got to
get some cat that's bad,
"that'll go upside
Goliath's jaw.
Boom, knock him down, Jim!"
They asked, "Who will do it?"
And every cat went like this.
Then, out of the crowd,
up jumped this skinny,
little cat named David!
That's my name.
That's right, David.
He jumped up, and
he said, "I'll do it!
"I'm gonna fight
for us Israelites!
'Cause I know that I can
work my thing on Goliath."
So, Goliath is goin' like
this over the mountain.
"Look at that little
skinny old cat over there."
"I'll chew him up. He
ain't even breakfast."
Now the Israelites didn't think
David could do his thing, right?
So they said,
"Well, if you so bad,
we gonna split and let you
and David do it together."
He said, "I ain't
gonna have no help?"
He said, "No help!"
They all split.
David was there all alone.
So he looked up, up to
the heavens, and he said,
"Lord, this is David.
And I'm scared, Lord."
And the Lord looked
down through all the clouds.
Had to push them aside.
Boom, boom.
"Since you chose to do
this, let me ask you somethin'.
You still got that
slingshot of yours?"
John?
Yes, Ike.
I'm sorry.
There's a call for you.
Man said it was urgent.
Okay.
I'll be right back,
little brothers.
And while I'm
gone, just remember,
I'm comin' back.
I don't want nobody takin' over.
And I'm talkin' about
you, little Jimmy.
Don't you go and take my class.
It's only a phone call, Pete.
Hello. Father Banks.
Father, this is the man
who tried to kill you.
Now please don't
hang up. Please.
No, I... I won't hang up.
What do you want?
Forgive me, Father,
I hurt that boy,
but I didn't know
what I was doing.
I have sinned, Father.
Who is this?
It doesn't matter.
Hear my confession, forgive me.
I'll never bother
you again, I swear it.
Yes, I... I do understand.
But I can't hear
confessions anymore.
Of course I want
to help you, but...
Look, could we meet somewhere?
No, I swear to you,
it wouldn't be a trap.
Guess you'll just have to
trust me, as I'm trusting you.
Well, I want to
trust you, Father.
All right, where?
Yes, I know it.
I'll wait until you come.
Thank you, Father.
Father?
What's wrong?
I have sinned, Father.
Who was that?
I have sinned, Father.
Some crank.
I have sinned, Father.
The same guy as before?
Oh, God, forgive me.
Something...
something about that voice.
I have sinned, Father.
Father, what's wrong?
I know that voice.
I have sinned, Father.
I know him.
I have sinned, Father.
I have sinned, Father.
I have sinned, Father.
I have sinned, Father.
Come on, Matt, we
haven't got much time.
Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned.
I can't remember the words.
They're going to kill me,
and I can't remember the words.
Just say what's
in your heart, Matt.
God is merciful.
What are you trying to tell him?
I lied, Father.
I did it, I killed that man.
I've been guilty all the time.
Tell God, Matt.
I killed him.
I lied because I was
afraid to die, but I killed him.
Oh, help me, God.
Please help me.
Matthew Jenkins,
may Almighty God
have mercy upon you
and forgive you for your sins
and bring you life everlasting.
Father?
May the almighty and
merciful Lord grant you pardon,
and absolution and
remission of your sins.
Father?
And may the Lord
Jesus Christ absolve you,
and by his authority, I
absolve you of all your sins.
Father?
The guy on the phone,
you said you knew him.
Yes. Yes, I do.
Well, okay, who is it?
I can't tell you, Pete.
I'm sorry, man, I
just can't tell you.
Give me the keys, man.
No, sir.
Not until you tell
us what you're up to.
All right.
I've walked before.
Father, we're
responsible for you,
and you ain't going nowhere.
Not until you tell us
what's happening.
I've told you all I can, Pete.
Look, we care about
you, us, three people.
And so do those kids in there.
All right.
But I know something now.
The kind of danger I'm in,
you can't protect me from.
That's not some fanatic.
It's someone I know,
a frightened man
who believes a lie.
Now I don't know
what I'm gonna do,
but I do know I've got to
be alone to figure it out.
And you cats, the three of you,
are gonna have to
just trust me, that's all.
How can we trust you, Father,
when you're keeping
secrets from us?
Julie, I must.
Look, this secret involves
the seal of confession.
Now, a priest can't break that.
Technically,
you're an ex-priest.
I'll never be an
ex-priest, Pete. Never.
All right, look, I promise
not to do anything foolish.
Now, man, give me the keys.
Give him the keys, Pete.
And don't follow me, huh?
Promise?
Promise.
Later.
Man, I hope you got
something up your sleeve.
Julie get the captain.
Come on, Pete.
That's a lousy plan, Pete.
It's too risky.
Well, it's all we could
come up with, I'm sorry.
Yeah, all right, all right.
Let's see, what have we got?
Someone he knows,
the seal of confession, right?
Where do we start?
How about starting with the
guy that followed Linc, him.
Well, Father Banks
said he wasn't sure.
The way you're talking, I
think he really knew him.
Who is this?
Oh, Julie, will ya...
Those are pictures
from the first Jenkins trial.
Now will you stay
with this case please?
I am.
Would you mind
identifying this man?
What for?
Because he looks like
that man in the sketch,
the one that slugged Linc.
Let's see.
She's right.
Who is he?
That's the kid brother.
Matt Jenkins had two brothers
who were involved in the murder.
They never indicted.
Why would they be
after Father Banks?
Wait a minute...
Confession... and last rites.
Father Banks was a
priest at the penitentiary.
Now if he was Jenkins' priest...
Well, let's find out.
Jenkins would have confessed...
Get me the State Penitentiary.
W-6-0. Get me
Captain Greer, over.
I got it, Linc.
We're on our way.
But, Linc, get him
out of that park.
We can't locate Jenkins...
He may be in there.
Right.
Let's go.
You stay here and wait for them.
Matt?
Matt Jenkins,
this is John Banks.
Hold it.
What? I said, hold it.
How does he know it's me?
No tricks, Matt, I'm alone.
I just want to talk to you.
Come on. No, no, no.
I gotta hear him out.
I owe him that much. Oh, man.
Shut up and keep him covered.
I'm up here, Father!
Turn around, slow!
Now what do you
want to say, Father.
Matt, I know what
you're thinking.
You think I betrayed
you, don't you?
Well, I didn't.
Nobody knows you
confessed, and nobody ever will.
I give you my word,
as God as my witness.
An innocent boy has
been hurt already.
Now for what, Matt?
For nothing, man.
Just for nothing.
I'm sorry about the boy, Father.
I'd like to believe you, but
I can't, it could be a trick.
You could just walk out of
here and change your mind.
Matt, you got to trust
me like I'm trusting you.
Hey, man, you
could have killed me
six times over by now.
If I trust you with my life,
can't you trust me with yours?
Matt, there was a time when
you trusted me with your soul.
Why can't you trust
me with your life?
All right, Father,
suppose I trust you.
What do you do, you
just walk out of here?
Yeah, Matt, I just
walk out of here.
Listen to me, you've got
nothing to fear from me, Matt,
like I've got nothing
to fear from you.
Now, how about it?
Is it a deal?
Don't listen to
him. Knock it off.
Get out of here, Father,
before I change my mind!
May God grant you peace, Matt.
You're out of your mind,
you can't let him go.
Give it up, Frank,
it's all over now. No.
I gave him my word.
Well, not me!
Look out, Father!
I didn't want it this way, Matt.
Now you just come on.
Come on.
A deal's a deal, Father.
Go help your friend.
Easy, baby, easy.
You all right? Yeah.
Hey, man, I thought you told me
you weren't gonna follow me.
I lie sometimes.
Thank God you're alive.
I must have slept through
visitor's hour again.
Mm-hmm.
They kicked Pete and Julie out.
You see, I had a little
pull with the sisters.
How you feeling?
Well, I'll tell you, Father,
being a friend of
yours ain't no picnic.
I'm gonna have
scars all over me.
Oh, man, some of my
best friends have scars.
Then I'm in good company.
How is it with you?
Ah, good and bad.
The campaign is... hopeless,
but every day...
it seems like every hour,
something happens
that gives you new hope.
And me, well, I'm just trying
to get adjusted to my new life.
Lonely?
No, not really.
There's too many cats
that are in the same boat.
You know something, man,
maybe someday they'll
call us a reformation.
I'll tell you one thing...
I really wish it
wasn't happening.
You love that church.
Yeah.
Like an exile loves his country.
Only much, much deeper.
Hey, brother, would
you mind if I, uh,
said a little prayer for you?
I mean, it might make
you get well a little quicker.
I'd like that.
Then I'll lay one on you.
Later.
Father John?
Keep the faith, baby.
Yeah, Linc.
Hey, you cats didn't
have to wait for me.
Yes, we did.
We owe you a soul food dinner.
And we don't know
where to find one.
You mean to tell me
you ain't never been to
a good soul food joint?
All we ever get is promises.
Mm, holy Toledo, man,
you cats have been deprived.
Well, come on, my children.
There is a great
new world a-waitin'.
I don't see any
plays being made.
Now, come on, guys,
let's hop to it, if you
want to do it at all.
Let's go.
Come on, come on, come on.
Okay, now hold it, hold it.
Hey, Eddie.
Come here.
John, will you get off my back.
I'm gonna stay on your
back till you learn one thing...
You gotta stay with your man.
You miss matches like this,
and he'll score
on you all night.
You gotta stay with your man.
Well, what am I supposed to do?!
Now, this little...
he's all over me.
Next time, I'll cream you.
You wouldn't know
how, you big clown.
Eddie!
Hey, cool it, guys.
Cool it.
I said, cool it!
Get out of my way, John.
Will you cool it?!
Now listen to me.
When are you gonna learn
to be part of a team, huh?
When are you gonna grow up, man?
Now, can you dig it?
Be a man, be part of this team.
Now is it cool?
Okay then.
Up and at 'em.
And also remember
the 11th Commandment:
Thou shalt not
pick on a little cat
'cause he might be a
little tougher than you.
Now shake his hand.
Okay, get on back in there.
Let's go.
Hey, John? Yeah?
You wanted to know
when it was 4:00.
Oh, Holy Toledo, I
gotta get out of here.
You keep 'em working.
Hey, thanks, man,
for pitching in. Sure.
Hey listen, I gotta go, too,
You gotta towel
somewhere? Oh, sure.
Hey, I didn't get your
name. Lincoln Hayes.
Oh, thanks again
for coming down.
Hey, you got wheels with you?
Yeah, sure. Where you headed?
Out to Rivercrest. I work there.
Oh, man, I'm going
the opposite direction.
Take it easy, guys.
Here you go.
Thanks.
Man, that's some
kind of workout.
I'm hep.
Hey, incidentally, what made
you decide to come down
and pay us a visit?
I just wanted to help out.
Well, that's one thing for sure,
we can stand all the help
that a good brother will give us.
Well, frankly, I wanted to
do something more important
than teach basketball.
Teaching basketball
is important, man.
Also,
all forms of social action
as well as education and...
well, I think the most
important thing is
that the cats in the ghetto
got to learn to pull together.
You dig?
Yeah.
What's wrong?
Ain't you never seen
no Black priest before?
It's not that, it's...
I should have guessed...
Father Banks, right?
John.
And why should you have known?
Well, you have
made the headlines.
They call you a troublemaker,
the militant priest.
Well, that's their
title, not mine, Linc.
I want to thank you,
man, for coming over.
And you are welcome,
dear brother, anytime.
Do your thing, baby.
Hey, Father, I changed my mind.
What?
I can give you that lift.
Oh, what is this, "Be
kind to priests week"?
No,
it's just I'd like to get to
know John Banks better.
All right.
Come on, let's go.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Frank, I don't know.
Following this priest is crazy.
Not when he's the one man
who could put Matt
in the gas chamber.
But he's a priest,
he can't testify.
No?
Well, he ain't been
acting like a priest.
He's got one foot outside
the Church anyway.
Suppose he's been
talking to the cops?
Suppose he's the witness
the DA's been keeping
under wraps, huh?
Look, kid...
Matt's trial comes up next week.
We gotta make sure.
There he is.
Kid's been hanging
around all day.
Who is he?
I don't know.
Something else
we gotta find out.
Follow them.
Matt Jenkins'
second trial news...
So what does that mean to us?
It means you got
the week off, with pay.
Surprised?
With pay?
Now wait a minute,
what did we do right?
I'm not gonna tell you.
Only I'll be tied up with the DA
preparing the case.
Which reminds me, I better
get over there right now.
But I don't get it.
I thought Jenkins was
convicted a year ago
and sentenced to death.
He was, only his
lawyers never gave up.
You know the man...
No, thanks, Julie...
He was walking
to the gas chamber,
had his last rights,
and everything,
when the stay of execution came.
Later, the Supreme
Court ordered a retrial.
Anyway, he's out on bail now.
Bail in a murder case?
Mm-hmm.
That's unusual, isn't it?
Yeah, discretion of the court.
It's a pretty good indication
they don't think
much of the DA's case.
Anyway, that's our
problem, not yours.
Look, enjoy your
free time off, huh?
Tell Linc when he comes in.
Well, he'll be here in a few
minutes, we're going to a movie.
This is a pretty
heavy neighborhood.
Your church around here?
Yeah, Christ the
King in Rivercrest.
Kind of unusual.
I mean, you the head
of a white congregation.
Hey, wait a minute,
man, I'm not the head.
I'm not the pastor.
I'm just one of
his two assistants.
Will you ever have
your own church?
Yeah, in about ten or 15 years.
I'd like to ask you a question.
I mean, uh...
Go ahead, man.
Why are you
working at Rivercrest
when they need you back there?
Until you, I never saw a
Black priest in the ghetto.
That's simple,
because there are none.
That's one of the many
changes we're hoping to make.
We, who?
Your church?
Oh, no, our committee,
The Interfaith
Clergymen for Change.
We're having a press
conference tomorrow night
down at the Center to
make our demands public.
Why don't you come on down?
I'd like that.
That's groovy.
Oh, incidentally,
straight ahead,
two more blocks, we'll be there.
What's wrong?
It's that car back there.
It seems to have been
following us all the way.
So?
So you're a controversial
figure, Father.
Like Dr. King and Malcolm X.
You been seeing too
many movies, Linc.
No, Father.
I've been watching
the news on television
for the last two years.
Uh-oh.
It looks like I'm
later than I thought.
I seemed to have
missed the whole meeting.
Trouble?
No. No more than usual.
My pastor's a
remarkable man, Linc.
He always protects
me from the wolves.
At least he always
has up to now.
Well...
Thanks for the lift.
Peace.
Peace.
I'm sorry, Father.
Where was it today, John?
The Job Corps Symposium?
Prison chapel?
Or, no, that's on
Wednesday, isn't it?
Well, then it must have
been the Community Center,
or the television station, or...
just about anywhere but
where you're supposed to be,
which is here.
Oh, come on, Bob,
you can talk
straighter than that.
Is it serious?
Why don't you wait for
me in your room, John.
I'll stay here and
watch the priest.
You stick with the kid
and find out who he is.
All right.
Come on in, Bob.
Thank you, John.
Can I fix you a drink?
Uh, no, I don't think so.
Uh-oh.
Then it is serious.
Why don't you sit down.
You know we get a lot of mail
protesting your activities. Mm.
Well, this, uh, one
letter came today...
and I think you
ought to read it.
"N-I-G-E-R..."
He don't even know how to spell.
John, be serious.
That man is
threatening your life.
Well, it ain't the first time.
What do you mean?
Well, I've had a
couple of phone calls
since I became
chairman of the committee.
Well, why didn't you
tell me about them?
Well, I'll tell you the
reason why, Bob,
because I didn't want you to
do what you're about to do now.
John, for God's sake...
for your own sake...
please, give it up.
Work for change, but do it
inside the church, not outside.
You're risking your life.
I can see you
don't believe that.
Well, then, believe this...
You are jeopardizing
your future.
Is that what the
Parish Council thinks?
Yeah... they,
among others.
What others?
When you say others,
are you talking about idiots
who write letters like that?
Bob, are you asking me
to ignore my own conscience?
Are you asking me to
ignore the needs of my people
because of idiots like that?!
No, of course not.
Not for them.
Then for who?
I was called to the Chancery
this morning by the bishop.
Ah...
I didn't want to
have to bring it up.
I thought maybe I could
convince you some other way, but...
You know something, man?
I just don't believe it.
This sounds like a scene
in The Late Late Show.
I'm sorry, Colonel, I know
I've been a little out of line."
"I've been buzzing
the airfield too much,
"but I have picked up morale.
Certainly you wouldn't
ground me because of that."
John, he wants you to
resign from the committee.
He sent the same word
to Father O'Boyle
and Father Cooper.
No.
We couldn't do that.
Even if we agreed,
we couldn't do it, Bob, we...
It's a matter of
public record now.
Besides, there's a press
conference tomorrow!
That's precisely his point.
He doesn't want you
to attend that meeting.
Why?
You know why!
Now the bishop has given
you every freedom, John.
I mean, he wants change, too...
but he sees a different way.
And you're
challenging him publicly.
You just don't give
him any choice.
Well ain't that too bad.
We disagree.
What is he going to do,
banish me to a monastery?!
Well, say something.
His exact words were,
"on pain of suspension."
Bob...
Bob, help me, I...
I don't understand.
Johnny, I...
The highest doctrine
of our Church
is the principle of the
individual conscience.
Yes.
And man
is truly in a state of grace
if he believes, I mean
man really believes,
that what he's doing is
right in the eyes of God.
Yeah, that's the doctrine.
Well, Bob...
I am right.
I mean, you know that
I'm right, you know it!
I can't know that, John.
It's not between you and me.
That's not even between
you and the bishop.
You're right.
It's between me and Jesus.
So he's a groovy guy?
Huh?
The priest.
He sounds wonderful.
Yeah, sure, fantastic.
I'd like to meet
him myself, Linc.
Is there any chance of us going
to that meeting with you
tomorrow? That's a great idea.
Yeah, I think he'd like that.
What are you
looking at out there?
Something that bugs me.
Where are you going?
There's a car out there I
think's been following me.
I'm going to check it out.
I'll go with you. No, Pete...
It's probably my imagination
and I'd hate to be embarrassed.
Whatever's right.
Well, that blows the movie.
All right, what's it
all about, mister?!
What's the matter, you crazy?!
All right, now,
get out of there!
This is W-6-0.
21st Precinct Dispatch, over.
This is W-6-0.
21st Precinct Dispatch, over.
21st Precinct
Dispatch. Who's calling?
W-6-0.
Connect me with Captain Greer.
He's in the District
Attorney's Office, over.
W-6-0, sorry.
The District Attorney's
lines are busy.
Well, never mind.
21st Precinct,
send a patrol car.
I'm in an alley...
W-6-0?
W-6-0, come in, please.
Come in, please.
Come in, please...
♪ ♪
Linc?
Linc?
You okay, man?
Yeah.
Well, at least it wasn't
your imagination.
I'm hep.
Good job, brother! Good job!
Yeah, but he saw
me. He saw my face.
Okay,
so you get out of
town for a while.
The main point is...
you put the pieces
together for us.
Didn't he?
We still don't know for sure.
Oh, come on, look at it!
Suddenly, John Banks
has a new Black kid
hanging around him, a cop.
Not just any kind of cop,
oh, no, no, no, no, no.
A cop that's working for
Greer and working for the DA.
Do I have to paint
you a picture?
He's a bodyguard.
Banks asked for protection.
I tell you I'm right,
and he's going to
go through with it.
How can he, Frank,
he's still a priest.
What kind of a priest?
He's an agitator.
Look...
he's a...
a self-seeking militant.
The Church means nothing to him,
his vows mean nothing.
We better stop him,
before it's too late.
No!
Is it so easy for you, Frank?
So easy to take a life?
I'll do it.
Just say the word.
Boo!
Oh, please, Mr. Bad Hold-up Man,
take my watch and money,
but leave me my coach's whistle.
I thought you turned
that in already.
Oh, you forgot to
give me a drill sheet.
The cats are just
standing around,
they don't know
what to practice.
You're right, I forgot.
I'll tell you what, why don't
you make them practice
what you think is best, Mike.
Okay. Hey, wait a minute.
How did you know I was here?
I don't know. You just
seem to come here
when you got
things on your mind.
You know me
pretty good, don't ya?
And you really didn't come here
to ask about no
drill sheet, did you?
Not exactly.
The brothers on the team wanted
to wish you good luck tonight.
We're going to watch
it on the TV, man,
UHF, Channel 27...
You better look sharp.
Well...
I'll do my best, baby.
Sock it to 'em, Father.
Thank you, Mike.
♪ ♪
I'm sc...
I'm scared, Jesus.
I know I...
I have to do this thing,
and I'm scared, Jesus.
I don't know if I
got the guts to do it.
Don't...
don't misunderstand me,
it's not that I don't want
to do it, it's just that...
oh, my people...
they need so much help, Jesus.
Help me.
Help me to help them.
Sweet Jesus, help
me to be strong.
Any luck?
Look, I'm sorry to
be in and out like this,
but the DA is driving
me crazy next door.
The Jenkins trial? Yeah.
I read in the papers
where they had a
"mystery witness."
What's the DA up to?
Ah, he's got nobody.
They're just
spreading that rumor
to shake up the defense.
Look, did you meet
with the police artist yet?
Yeah, and the sketch
is in there. Good.
Hey, what time is it?
Why, you going someplace?
Yeah, we got to
get to that meeting.
What meeting?
Father Banks and his committee.
Any objections?
Yeah, you ought to
be getting some rest.
Yeah, I know, but
we're going anyway.
Uh, Linc.
Uh, as long as
you're going anyway,
you mind discussing
this with Father Banks?
I mean, he was
in the car with you.
Could be some connection.
Okay, I'll mention it.
And, Linc,
uh, don't tell him
everything, huh?
I mean, priest or no priest,
don't tell him you're a cop.
Well, he'd understand, Captain.
He might even
give us absolution.
I'll give you absolution.
Come on, get out
of here already.
These demands
that you've just heard
are a platform
we intend to carry
to the establishment's
churches in the Black ghetto.
But this is not just
a ghetto movement.
In the broadest sense,
we hope to redefine
the relationship
between man and Church.
But we start here in the ghetto.
Why?
Simple.
Because it is in the ghetto
that that relationship has
failed most spectacularly.
It is here, too, ladies
and gentlemen,
that we find not
only the wearers,
but the bearers of the cross.
We feel that it's
no longer enough
for churches to change.
They must be a crucible
from which change comes.
Churches must
attack racist attitudes.
The racism of indifference.
The racism of paternalism.
If God is to be meaningful,
He must be alive.
Now we must strip the
Church of the mask of mystery
that separates
Church from people.
I say, let the Church
become an arm of its people.
And then, and only then,
will the people
become an arm of God.
I thank you.
We have some members
of the press with us
this evening, ladies
and gentlemen.
And I know they want
to ask some questions.
So, if you gentlemen want to
ask anything, please feel free.
Yes. Father Banks,
we have a report that
you and two other priests
have been suspended from the
Church for coming here tonight.
Now is that correct, sir?
Yes.
Oh, no!
The fact is...
that Fathers O'Boyle
and Cooper and I
have had our faculties
suspended by the Diocese.
Which is a clergyman's
way of saying,
"Baby, you had it,
you've been fired."
Oh! Oh, no, no, no!
Seen enough?
Yup.
You were right, Frank.
He's not a priest anymore.
Okay.
It's him or you now.
Just say the word.
Do it.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Thank you, Father.
See you tomorrow.
Hey, Linc, what happened to you?
It's no big thing.
I'll tell you later.
I wouldn't have missed it.
Thank you, baby.
My friends, Pete and Julie.
Hello, Pete.
Hello, Julie. Hello.
Well, what'd you think?
It was wonderful.
I think that's where
courage is really at.
Well, how come
my legs are shaking?
I'll bet that's a hunger shake.
Bet you haven't eaten all day.
Come to think of
it, I haven't, man.
How about that soul
food place around here
you're always
talking about? Okay?
I can dig it. Come on.
Hey, man, you really got it on!
Thank you, baby.
And besides, you
look good in a tie.
Oh, yeah, I picked this
up in the five-and-dime.
I had to get
something in a hurry.
You like it? It's gassy.
Here. Little
brother, it is yours.
Well, I feel like the captain
at some fancy restaurant.
Right this way, folks.
It's the same car, man.
Get a doctor, man!
Quick, Linc!
Connect me to the police!
Yeah, it's an emergency!
Well, Father?
You were right, Captain.
He's okay.
I mean, he's...
he's really okay.
Look, why don't you come
over here and sit down?
I want to talk to you.
Father, why in the...
Why didn't you report
these threats on your life?
Father Hughes
gave you this, huh?
Well, will you take
it seriously now?
Yeah.
I'll take it seriously.
Okay.
Well, there's something
we've got to settle
right now, Father.
I want you to have
police protection.
Captain, do you think
he'll really try again?
You're not going
to change, are you?
Then why should he?
I want you to have an officer
with you around the clock.
Hey, no, man, that's out.
I-I mean, Captain.
Look, there are places that I go
that the fuzz just
ain't welcome.
Well, then you're just going
to have to cut down on
your activities, Father.
No, that's out.
Man, that would
mean that he'd won.
That he had scared me off.
And besides, Captain,
how would I explain
that to Mike, huh?
I mean, how would I
explain that to anybody?
All right.
Suppose I were to
assign you three cops
who don't look like cops?
Mm.
I mean, three people
who know and respect you.
What would you
say to that, Father?
I would then say, Captain,
"Which three saints
did you have in mind?"
Holy Toledo.
You know, there's only one
thing that kind of bugs me.
Shoot.
I mean, tell me the truth, man.
Have I been your
assignment all along?
I mean, is that the reason why
that I've been getting
all the attention?
No, man.
That's not why.
We've been around
because we wanted to, Father.
So where's our first stop?
State Penitentiary.
Well, let me explain.
See, every Wednesday,
I used to replace
the prison chaplain.
Since I can't say Mass
anymore, or hear confessions,
well, this is sort
of like a last trip.
Just to say good-bye.
And then after that,
there's a committee
meeting, a rally,
and a Bible class
for the little brothers.
Well, do you think you
can keep up with me?
Big Brother will be watching.
Put it away, Frank.
You tried, and it didn't work.
Maybe it wasn't meant to work.
Now, don't get mystical on me.
I blew it, nobody else.
I panicked. I lost my cool.
I'll do better next time.
There's no next time.
There's too much risk now.
Every place he goes,
he's got a crowd of
people hanging around him.
Well, there must be
some way to get him alone.
No, there's no way.
Besides, they've
seen Emmitt's face.
Now sooner or later,
they got to figure out
that he's our brother.
You know, Frank,
I've been thinking about it.
Now wait a minute!
I got something.
Priest doesn't know it's us.
He thinks it's some... fanatic.
I know it sounds crazy,
but... Frank.
Now wait a minute.
It's a way to get him alone.
Okay.
I'm listening.
We got ourselves
a secret weapon.
Israelites say, "You
ain't got nothin',
"'cause we know what you got,
and you ain't got
nothin' goin' for you."
The cats say, "We
got ourselves Goliath.
"And if you Israelites
don't bow down,
"we gonna have
Goliath come in here,
"whip a few heads
and straighten this
mess out altogether."
Cat said, "Now what one cat
gonna come in to us Israelites
and wipe us all out?"
Cat said, "Goliath."
Cat said, "Ooh-ooh-wee!"
The Israelites heard about it,
how big and bad Goliath was.
So they said, "Who we
gonna put up against him?"
That's Ahamanali.
No, it ain't no Nunammad nadi.
Muhammad Ali.
'Cause there was no
Muhammad Ali then, right?
They said, "We got to
get some cat that's bad,
"that'll go upside
Goliath's jaw.
Boom, knock him down, Jim!"
They asked, "Who will do it?"
And every cat went like this.
Then, out of the crowd,
up jumped this skinny,
little cat named David!
That's my name.
That's right, David.
He jumped up, and
he said, "I'll do it!
"I'm gonna fight
for us Israelites!
'Cause I know that I can
work my thing on Goliath."
So, Goliath is goin' like
this over the mountain.
"Look at that little
skinny old cat over there."
"I'll chew him up. He
ain't even breakfast."
Now the Israelites didn't think
David could do his thing, right?
So they said,
"Well, if you so bad,
we gonna split and let you
and David do it together."
He said, "I ain't
gonna have no help?"
He said, "No help!"
They all split.
David was there all alone.
So he looked up, up to
the heavens, and he said,
"Lord, this is David.
And I'm scared, Lord."
And the Lord looked
down through all the clouds.
Had to push them aside.
Boom, boom.
"Since you chose to do
this, let me ask you somethin'.
You still got that
slingshot of yours?"
John?
Yes, Ike.
I'm sorry.
There's a call for you.
Man said it was urgent.
Okay.
I'll be right back,
little brothers.
And while I'm
gone, just remember,
I'm comin' back.
I don't want nobody takin' over.
And I'm talkin' about
you, little Jimmy.
Don't you go and take my class.
It's only a phone call, Pete.
Hello. Father Banks.
Father, this is the man
who tried to kill you.
Now please don't
hang up. Please.
No, I... I won't hang up.
What do you want?
Forgive me, Father,
I hurt that boy,
but I didn't know
what I was doing.
I have sinned, Father.
Who is this?
It doesn't matter.
Hear my confession, forgive me.
I'll never bother
you again, I swear it.
Yes, I... I do understand.
But I can't hear
confessions anymore.
Of course I want
to help you, but...
Look, could we meet somewhere?
No, I swear to you,
it wouldn't be a trap.
Guess you'll just have to
trust me, as I'm trusting you.
Well, I want to
trust you, Father.
All right, where?
Yes, I know it.
I'll wait until you come.
Thank you, Father.
Father?
What's wrong?
I have sinned, Father.
Who was that?
I have sinned, Father.
Some crank.
I have sinned, Father.
The same guy as before?
Oh, God, forgive me.
Something...
something about that voice.
I have sinned, Father.
Father, what's wrong?
I know that voice.
I have sinned, Father.
I know him.
I have sinned, Father.
I have sinned, Father.
I have sinned, Father.
I have sinned, Father.
Come on, Matt, we
haven't got much time.
Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned.
I can't remember the words.
They're going to kill me,
and I can't remember the words.
Just say what's
in your heart, Matt.
God is merciful.
What are you trying to tell him?
I lied, Father.
I did it, I killed that man.
I've been guilty all the time.
Tell God, Matt.
I killed him.
I lied because I was
afraid to die, but I killed him.
Oh, help me, God.
Please help me.
Matthew Jenkins,
may Almighty God
have mercy upon you
and forgive you for your sins
and bring you life everlasting.
Father?
May the almighty and
merciful Lord grant you pardon,
and absolution and
remission of your sins.
Father?
And may the Lord
Jesus Christ absolve you,
and by his authority, I
absolve you of all your sins.
Father?
The guy on the phone,
you said you knew him.
Yes. Yes, I do.
Well, okay, who is it?
I can't tell you, Pete.
I'm sorry, man, I
just can't tell you.
Give me the keys, man.
No, sir.
Not until you tell
us what you're up to.
All right.
I've walked before.
Father, we're
responsible for you,
and you ain't going nowhere.
Not until you tell us
what's happening.
I've told you all I can, Pete.
Look, we care about
you, us, three people.
And so do those kids in there.
All right.
But I know something now.
The kind of danger I'm in,
you can't protect me from.
That's not some fanatic.
It's someone I know,
a frightened man
who believes a lie.
Now I don't know
what I'm gonna do,
but I do know I've got to
be alone to figure it out.
And you cats, the three of you,
are gonna have to
just trust me, that's all.
How can we trust you, Father,
when you're keeping
secrets from us?
Julie, I must.
Look, this secret involves
the seal of confession.
Now, a priest can't break that.
Technically,
you're an ex-priest.
I'll never be an
ex-priest, Pete. Never.
All right, look, I promise
not to do anything foolish.
Now, man, give me the keys.
Give him the keys, Pete.
And don't follow me, huh?
Promise?
Promise.
Later.
Man, I hope you got
something up your sleeve.
Julie get the captain.
Come on, Pete.
That's a lousy plan, Pete.
It's too risky.
Well, it's all we could
come up with, I'm sorry.
Yeah, all right, all right.
Let's see, what have we got?
Someone he knows,
the seal of confession, right?
Where do we start?
How about starting with the
guy that followed Linc, him.
Well, Father Banks
said he wasn't sure.
The way you're talking, I
think he really knew him.
Who is this?
Oh, Julie, will ya...
Those are pictures
from the first Jenkins trial.
Now will you stay
with this case please?
I am.
Would you mind
identifying this man?
What for?
Because he looks like
that man in the sketch,
the one that slugged Linc.
Let's see.
She's right.
Who is he?
That's the kid brother.
Matt Jenkins had two brothers
who were involved in the murder.
They never indicted.
Why would they be
after Father Banks?
Wait a minute...
Confession... and last rites.
Father Banks was a
priest at the penitentiary.
Now if he was Jenkins' priest...
Well, let's find out.
Jenkins would have confessed...
Get me the State Penitentiary.
W-6-0. Get me
Captain Greer, over.
I got it, Linc.
We're on our way.
But, Linc, get him
out of that park.
We can't locate Jenkins...
He may be in there.
Right.
Let's go.
You stay here and wait for them.
Matt?
Matt Jenkins,
this is John Banks.
Hold it.
What? I said, hold it.
How does he know it's me?
No tricks, Matt, I'm alone.
I just want to talk to you.
Come on. No, no, no.
I gotta hear him out.
I owe him that much. Oh, man.
Shut up and keep him covered.
I'm up here, Father!
Turn around, slow!
Now what do you
want to say, Father.
Matt, I know what
you're thinking.
You think I betrayed
you, don't you?
Well, I didn't.
Nobody knows you
confessed, and nobody ever will.
I give you my word,
as God as my witness.
An innocent boy has
been hurt already.
Now for what, Matt?
For nothing, man.
Just for nothing.
I'm sorry about the boy, Father.
I'd like to believe you, but
I can't, it could be a trick.
You could just walk out of
here and change your mind.
Matt, you got to trust
me like I'm trusting you.
Hey, man, you
could have killed me
six times over by now.
If I trust you with my life,
can't you trust me with yours?
Matt, there was a time when
you trusted me with your soul.
Why can't you trust
me with your life?
All right, Father,
suppose I trust you.
What do you do, you
just walk out of here?
Yeah, Matt, I just
walk out of here.
Listen to me, you've got
nothing to fear from me, Matt,
like I've got nothing
to fear from you.
Now, how about it?
Is it a deal?
Don't listen to
him. Knock it off.
Get out of here, Father,
before I change my mind!
May God grant you peace, Matt.
You're out of your mind,
you can't let him go.
Give it up, Frank,
it's all over now. No.
I gave him my word.
Well, not me!
Look out, Father!
I didn't want it this way, Matt.
Now you just come on.
Come on.
A deal's a deal, Father.
Go help your friend.
Easy, baby, easy.
You all right? Yeah.
Hey, man, I thought you told me
you weren't gonna follow me.
I lie sometimes.
Thank God you're alive.
I must have slept through
visitor's hour again.
Mm-hmm.
They kicked Pete and Julie out.
You see, I had a little
pull with the sisters.
How you feeling?
Well, I'll tell you, Father,
being a friend of
yours ain't no picnic.
I'm gonna have
scars all over me.
Oh, man, some of my
best friends have scars.
Then I'm in good company.
How is it with you?
Ah, good and bad.
The campaign is... hopeless,
but every day...
it seems like every hour,
something happens
that gives you new hope.
And me, well, I'm just trying
to get adjusted to my new life.
Lonely?
No, not really.
There's too many cats
that are in the same boat.
You know something, man,
maybe someday they'll
call us a reformation.
I'll tell you one thing...
I really wish it
wasn't happening.
You love that church.
Yeah.
Like an exile loves his country.
Only much, much deeper.
Hey, brother, would
you mind if I, uh,
said a little prayer for you?
I mean, it might make
you get well a little quicker.
I'd like that.
Then I'll lay one on you.
Later.
Father John?
Keep the faith, baby.
Yeah, Linc.
Hey, you cats didn't
have to wait for me.
Yes, we did.
We owe you a soul food dinner.
And we don't know
where to find one.
You mean to tell me
you ain't never been to
a good soul food joint?
All we ever get is promises.
Mm, holy Toledo, man,
you cats have been deprived.
Well, come on, my children.
There is a great
new world a-waitin'.