T.J. Hooker (1982–1986): Season 5, Episode 15 - Death Trip - full transcript
(rock music)
(crowd cheering)
- All right, Stacy,
right over the plate!
Right here!
Don't make it easy for me.
- Come on, Stacy,
strike him out!
(crowd boos)
- Hey!
Over here.
From over here to over there!
- Ready?
- It's good, Lynn.
Having you home.
- I wish it felt like home, Dad.
It's been 10 years, you know.
- Is it that?
Or is it Gloria?
- I guess it's both.
She is closer to my age
than she is yours, you know.
- She's my wife.
You're just going to
have to accept her as that.
(crowd cheering in distance)
- Come on, over the plate!
(grunts)
(crowd calling out)
- Do you always bring
Pinch here for his runs?
- Yeah, Gloria insists.
She doesn't like
the yard messed up.
Lynn, you're just gonna
have to deal with Gloria.
Come on, now.
Do it for me.
She's my wife.
She's kept me happy
for these 10 years.
- Yes and you've also
kept me in boarding school
in Europe in those 10 years.
- Hey.
I'm sorry,
but I thought it
was best that way.
Someday.
Someday you'll understand.
- Strike him out,
he can't hit that ball!
- There it goes!
Come on, over the plate!
- He can't hit it!
(crowd cheers loudly)
- Hey, excuse me,
but pal, could you get
that ball for me please?
Right there.
Good pitch!
- Hey, Pinch!
Pinch, hey!
Go get it boy!
Go get it!
(loud cheering from the game)
(silenced gunshots)
- Daddy!
(Pinch barks)
Daddy are you all right?
Daddy!
Answer me, please!
Help, somebody please!
Daddy!
Help!
Help, my father's been shot!
Somebody help my father!
Help me, please!
(Pinch growls)
(silenced gunshot)
Daddy!
That way!
- Jim, Stacy!
You stay here.
Call for an ambulance, quickly!
(pulsing music)
(tires screeching)
(engine gunning)
- Your mother's on the
way up, Miss Paterno.
Would you feel up to
answering any questions?
- I've got one for you.
How could a man just
walk up and shoot my father
with a park full of policemen?
- Well, of course, the
man couldn't know that,
could he?
The question is:
Who would want
to shoot your father?
- Does he have any
enemies you know of?
- Look, I've only been in
this country for about 3 days.
I've been away in
Europe for 10 years.
I don't know anything.
- Did you see the man
who shot your father?
- Mm-hmm.
- Would you recognize
him if you saw him again?
- Yes.
I'll never forget his face.
- Was there anything
else about him?
Anything out of the ordinary?
- His eyes.
- What about his eyes?
- They were weird, you know?
Wild, like a fanatic's.
It's frightening.
- When your
father's out of surgery
would you be willing to
work with a police artist
to make a sketch
of that man's face?
- Yes, of course.
- I'm Gloria Paterno.
How is my husband?
How bad is it?
- He's alive, Mrs. Paterno.
He's in surgery now,
the doctors say his
chances are good.
- His room is down the hall.
I'll take you
there if you'd like.
- Thank you,
I'll find it myself.
- Just one big happy family.
- I'll check with
the lieutenant.
I'll be right back.
(military percussion)
- What the hell good's
all the training, Faulkner?
People For a Decent World
trains you for three weeks
to take this scum
out and you blew it.
It's all over the
radio, Paterno's alive,
he's gonna make it.
- It was the dog!
How many times
do I have to tell you?
- When you speak to me,
you say "sir," you got that?
- All right.
Sir.
- Get me the big field kit.
I'm gonna need a
needle and some sutures.
- Yes, sir!
- Look, being in the
hospital will just make it
easier to get to him.
I'll finish him.
- Let me spell it out
for you, Faulkner.
You had your chance.
Now I've got to take
out Paterno myself.
Meanwhile, this
great country of ours
is going down the sewer.
- Yeah, yeah, I
read the propaganda.
- Truth isn't propaganda.
Now, this is a
military organization.
We're on a mission for the world
to try to rid it of the scum
that's trying to bring it down!
And that means discipline.
- Sir!
- You'd better hold him.
- Sir, we've got some
chloroform, maybe...
- No.
I don't think we'll need it.
I think Faulkner can handle this
like a real soldier.
- Damn right I can.
Go ahead.
Sir.
- Hooker!
They said I'd find you here.
Sure glad I caught you.
- What does that mean, Kahane?
- Oh, it's just a
figure of speech.
Your boss is talking to my boss.
I understand you're
interested in Ross Paterno.
- The FBI have a file on him?
- Sure, we do.
Used to be very big
in organized crime
in Florida and New York.
He retired last year and
invested all his money
in legit business operations.
Turned into a solid citizen.
He's cooperating
with us, Hooker.
- That's why you're
interested in him.
- Yeah, he's been
a real goldmine.
Names, dates, scams.
We wanna keep him alive,
but we put one of our
people in there to guard him,
we run the risk of exposing
him to some of his old contacts.
- You want me to take the job?
- You got it.
- I'll check it out.
- Now, your captain's
already said it was okay.
Thanks a lot, Hooker.
- Yes, Captain.
We hope to have a
composite of the suspect
in the next few hours.
All right, I'll tell him.
No luck on the car or the APB.
No dog bite treatments reported.
Also, the captain...
- He wants me to put a
guard on Paterno, I know.
Jim, try the suspect
M.O. file on the computer,
see what you come up with.
- Check me.
The victim is attacked in
an isolated environment
doing some routine activity,
gunned assailant escapes by car,
two shots, weapon
used: 22 caliber pistol.
- That's it.
- Are those the bullets
they removed from Paterno?
- One shattered in the
bone, the other's intact.
But we've got to find the gun
before we can make a match.
- What about Paterno?
- A hood.
Chummy with the FBI.
They want to keep him alive.
Jim, stay on the suspect.
I need Stacy with me.
- I'm on it.
- I gotta feeling
about this one.
- What kind of feeling?
- It was Paterno's daughter's
impression of the suspect,
the way she saw him.
A fanatic.
- You think he'll try again?
- We can bet on it.
Stacy, how would
you like to play nurse
for a couple of days?
- Stacy Sheridan, R.N.
Sounds good.
- I'll set it up right away.
Here's what I want you to do.
(elevator chimes)
(funky music)
- I'm here to see Diane.
- I was told that
you wanted to see
the Dragon Lady herself, Hooker.
- Do you ever get
tired of being told
you're a beautiful lamb?
- Not by you
and you look
pretty good yourself.
- Well looking is all I
have time for these days.
- That's a pity.
I can remember other times.
What else can I
do for you, Hooker?
- What are your business
associates saying
about Ross Paterno these days?
- Ross Paterno?
Oh, him.
Somebody shot him, right?
Why would somebody
want to do that?
- Is that my answer?
- Yeah, why would
somebody want to do that?
He's out of business, washed up.
- No outstanding contracts?
- Have I ever lied to you, baby?
- No, baby, you never have.
- You look good
behind that wheel.
- You think so?
- Oh, yeah, very good.
I can make you a deal that
you won't wanna turn down.
What do you say?
- It's a little racy
for my taste, Diane.
But thank you.
(military percussion)
(gun cocking)
- Hut!
One, two, three, hut!
One, two, three, hut!
- How's it going with Paterno?
- Just like you planned.
An officer is outside his door
and Nurse Sheridan is
prowling the whole floor.
- Well, don't
underestimate this guy.
He's a killer.
So keep alert.
And if anything happens
outside the ordinary,
you call me, understand?
- You got it.
Oh, and Hooker, your
friend from the FBI, Kahane,
has been around,
asking me questions.
- Yeah, what'd you tell him?
- I told him no.
- Okay, Stacy,
talk to you later.
- This is interesting.
- What do you say, Lou?
- Hey.
- The M.O. of the
Paterno shooting
has similarities to
nine other shootings
in the last six months
and matches right down
the line with four of them.
- [Hooker] A trade
rep from the Mideast,
shot to death while
alone at a friend's estate.
A well-known defense
attorney shot to death
while horseback riding alone.
- Paul Needham, a
radio talk show host,
shot while swimming
alone in Malibu,
currently
recuperating in Florida.
- And this next
one survived, too.
- Christine Shankman,
better known
in the hardcore movie
trade as Holly Day.
Shot while jogging
alone in the street.
Recovering.
- A foreign lobbyist,
a controversial lawyer,
well-known radio
personality, a porno star.
- Yeah, and don't
forget Paterno,
a retired racketeer.
Question is, what do
they all have in common?
- Maybe nothing.
Except in the mind of a fanatic.
(phone rings)
- Corrigan.
Yeah.
For you.
- Yeah.
Oh.
All right, thank you.
- Problem?
- Lynn Paterno didn't show up
for a meeting with
our sketch artist.
- I wonder why she
changed her mind.
You think somebody got to her?
- That's what I'm
gonna find out.
See if you can get addresses
for those two survivors.
(wistful music)
- Whoa.
I know why you're
here, Sergeant.
You're wasting your time.
- It's a beautiful horse.
Saddlebred, isn't it?
- Yes.
- You said you'd never
forget what the man looked like
who shot at your father.
- I was wrong, okay?
- I don't think you've
had much practice lying,
Miss Paterno.
- I really don't
care what you think.
You don't even know me at all.
- No, I don't.
But I think you're right
when you say the
suspect is a fanatic.
I think he's gonna try
and kill your father again.
That's why I've set up
what protection I could
inside the hospital.
- Do the policemen always
do that with retired gangsters?
- You've been out of
the country a long time.
You didn't know about
your father's background?
- No.
My stepmother completed
my education last night.
He was into gambling, drugs,
the works.
- But you don't want him dead.
- No.
I just don't want
anything to do with this.
Or him.
Not now, anyway.
I just want to go away.
And I'm going to, just as
soon as he's out of danger.
- I don't think he'll
ever be out of danger.
The man who shot your father,
he's probably killed at
least two other people.
- My father lied
to me all of my life.
He boarded me out.
Something he'd never think
of doing to one of his horses.
I'm sorry.
- Well, I'm on your
side, Miss Paterno.
Right up to the point
where your emotions
become more important
than other people's lives.
I'm sorry, too.
Not for you.
For them.
(wistful music)
- [Dispatch] Four Adam Thirty,
there's a call from
Officer Corrigan on TAC-2.
- Thirty, roger.
Hooker.
What do you got, Jim?
- An address on
Christine Shankman.
Her answering service says
she's at a dance audition,
Bellflower Building,
Taylor and third street.
- Good work.
Meet you there in 20 minutes.
- Roger.
What did you find out
about Lynn Paterno?
- That sometimes,
water is thicker than blood.
(funky music)
- Hold it!
Take five, that was
great, everyone.
You found the body!
And after I hid it so well, too.
- The body we're looking for
goes by the name of
Christine Shankman.
We understand
she's auditioning here
and alive and well.
- Well, you'll
frighten her to death,
costumed like that, but I'll
see what I can do for you.
- Christine, front and center.
You're official downtown
fan club has arrived
to idolize you.
Look, but don't touch, fellas.
I plan on making her a star,
but only if she stays pure.
- So, you wanted to talk to me?
- We'd like to ask
you some questions.
- About what?
- Let's star with Ross Paterno.
Maybe he financed some
of the movies you starred in.
- So that's it.
Well, I never heard
of... Whoever he is.
And anyway I got
out of that business.
That's the truth.
- Is that why you were shot?
- You know about that?
- Uh-huh.
- Yeah.
This is a lot safer.
Nobody tries to kill me anymore.
- Is that why you
think you were shot?
Because you were
in a porno movie?
- I know it.
Look, I never said
anything at the time.
I was scared that he'd find
me again if I opened my mouth.
But the man who shot me,
he yelled terrible things at me.
- Like what?
- He said that I
didn't deserve to live.
That I was a slut.
That women like
me have to be killed.
I mean, the guy was a crazy man.
He said I was
ruining the country.
Can you imagine that?
- What'd he look like?
- Oh, it all happened so fast.
And then there
was this terrible pain.
Oh, I'm sorry, I...
All I remember were his eyes.
They were wild.
Like an animal's.
Glaring at me.
- Like a fanatic?
- Yeah.
That's the word.
Like a fanatic.
- It fits.
Same impression of the
eyes as Lynn Paterno.
Looks like you're right, Hooker,
we're dealing with a kook.
- The only thing is,
we don't have a face.
- [Dispatch] Four Adam Thirty,
call waiting on TAC-2
from Officer Sheridan.
- Go ahead, Stacy.
- Hooker, an intern
was found unconscious
about five minutes ago.
His scrub suit is missing.
- This may be it.
We're on our way.
(creepy music)
(pulsing music)
- Fire!
Somebody help!
(silenced gunshots)
(door rattling)
(glass breaking)
(crash)
(crash)
(door slamming)
(tires screeching)
(sirens blaring)
- This is Four Adam
Thirty in pursuit
of a temp 180 suspect
in a white Dodge Dart
heading North on Webster.
(sirens blaring)
(tires screeching)
(crashing)
(brakes screeching)
- You're Sergeant Hooker, right?
I understand you saved my life.
Something about a
decoy room and a dummy.
- And it worked.
Whoever wants you, Paterno,
wants you so bad he's
willing to risk his own neck
coming into the
hospital to make a try.
Any idea who that might be?
- No, I don't.
I'm sorry.
- Yeah.
Your daughter's sorry, too.
She saw the killer face to face.
She won't help us.
- Yeah, I know.
My wife told me.
Lynn is angry and she's hurt.
That's my fault.
But she'll get over it in time.
- Time may be running out.
For your daughter, too.
Did you ever think of that?
- Now, what the
hell does that mean?
- Your daughter saw
the killer close up.
That means the
killer saw her, too.
Sooner or later
he's going to realize
that she's the only one
who can identify him.
Now, if she puts that
memory down on paper
in a sketch that
we'll make public,
he won't have much
motive left to kill her, will he?
- You've got a point, Sergeant.
I'll try talking to her.
- Good.
The doctor tells me that you're
checking out of the hospital
against his advice.
- That's right.
I have my own
doctors and I, uh...
I'll be a lot safer at
home than I am here.
Your little decoy
trick might not work
twice in a row.
But I owe you.
- I'm not in the
business of doing favors.
But, I could use your help
to play a long shot.
(laughs)
- I'm glad I did my business
on the East Coast, you know.
You might have forced me
into the furniture business
or something.
What have you got in mind?
- The media knows
who you are now.
That means the newspaper
people and the TV people
will be waiting at your home.
I want you to put on
a little show for them.
- Have you refused
police protection, sir?
(reporters asking questions)
- Give me a break,
will you all right?
I wanna make a statement.
You want to know
if I'm going to hide,
if I'm afraid.
Well the answer's no.
This punk with a
gun shows up again,
I'm going to take
it away from him
and shove it down his throat.
- That's brave
talk, Mr. Paterno,
but the fact is you're
lucky to be alive, sir.
- Hey, we're all lucky
to be alive, honey.
- That'll be enough
for today, thank you.
- Is this a gang situation?
Do you know or suspect who it is
who's trying to kill you?
- All I know is, he's
a first class jerk.
And if he shows up again,
I'll get my wife on him
and then he'll
be in real trouble.
- That's almost an
invitation for him to try again,
isn't it, sir?
- He's not gonna try it again.
This has got to be
some kind of a nut.
He can't shoot straight, he
gets lost in hospitals, right?
That's all I have to say.
Have a good day, folks.
Come on.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- For God's sake, Ross,
what are you trying to do?
- Don't worry about it, honey.
I know exactly what I'm doing.
- Not a bad performance.
- Yeah, why do I get the
feeling it was rehearsed?
- What?
It sounded off the top to me.
- [Stacy] You're
holding out on us, right?
- Not anymore.
You think it'll work?
- If you mean bring that
kook back for a third try,
I'd say yeah.
If he watches TV
or reads the papers,
he's gonna have a lot of
ego problems, oh yeah.
- That's the whole idea.
I want a couple of plainclothesmen
on Paterno's grounds.
You two stay loose and take
the watch with me tonight.
In the meantime, I'm gonna
follow up with Paul Needham.
- I was Paul's engineer.
I couldn't believe
it when he got shot.
- Have you thought any
more about the callers?
- Yeah, there was one.
Yeah, this is it.
Seems like half the people
who called into the show
wanted to kill Paul.
That's what you get
when you speak your mind.
- What's so special
about this tape?
- Well, when you mentioned
that there were several
other people who
got shot after Paul,
I remembered this
particular show.
The guy talks about
lawyers, criminals,
I think he even
mentions degenerates.
- That sounds
right, let's hear it.
- [Paul On Recording]
You're on with Paul Needham.
- [Caller] I've got
something to say to you.
You got the guts to
listen for a change?
- [Paul] Hey, stay tuned, folks.
This man's got something to say.
Keep it clean, pal.
- [Caller] You're the one who
needs cleaning up, Needham.
All your cracks about
the U.S. Constitution,
encouraging your shyster friends
to keep criminals out of jail,
doing your thing
for the degenerate,
tearing down the
American way of life!
- [Paul] That's a
hell of a shopping list.
Tell me, is there
anybody you like?
- [Caller] I love
this country, mister.
We're organizing out
here to fight people like you
and I mean in the trenches.
- [Paul] What's the
name of your club?
The KKK or the Nazi Party?
- [Caller] Get your
laughing in now, you slime.
But you'll hear about
us one of these days.
Remember the PFDW, funny man.
You're the enemy.
You're on our list,
starting right now.
Keep watching over
your shoulder you...
(bleeps)
- What do you think?
- I think you got
the right tape.
What do the initials
PFDW mean to you?
- I was hoping you'd know.
- I don't.
But I think I know
where to find out.
Thanks.
- Don't you ever take
a day off, Hooker?
- Sorry to bother
you at home, Kahane,
but this is important.
What does the acronym
PFDW mean to you?
It's probably connected to
some anarchists out there.
I know you people keep
files on things like that.
- PFDW?
What do you think I do, carry
the files around in my head?
Wait a minute, I got it.
People For a Decent World.
But you're on the wrong track
if you're trying to connect
that bunch into Paterno.
- How do you know?
- We checked them out.
They're just survivalists
with a lot of patriotic rhetoric.
They go in real big for
that military type training
and saluting, but that's it.
No ex-cons, no
criminal activities.
- Have they got a head man?
- Yeah, yeah.
A guy named Mitoski.
Ex-serviceman,
likes to be called "sir."
I think he was a
gunnery sergeant.
They rent that old place
on the lagoon north of town.
- I know the place.
Thanks.
- You went against orders.
You just had to try it again
on your own, right, Faulkner?
You sneaked off last night
and fouled up worse
than you did the first time.
Well?
You got an answer for me?
For these men?
- I'm sorry, sir.
No excuse, sir.
- Do you know what you did?
You've made us a laughing stock.
Have you seen the TV news?
Have you read the papers?
Slimeball hood like
that gets headlines
and makes us look like fools!
Like jerks!
- It's me he's talking about.
- Wrong, soldier!
You're one of us.
Paterno's laughing at
People For a Decent World
and everything we stand for.
Well, tonight we shut him up.
He's played into our
hands by going home.
Tonight, we shut
his mouth for good.
- Are you talking about a
search & destroy raid, sir?
- That's right.
Only we won't have
to search very far.
We know where he is.
Now this is what
you've been trained for.
Tonight, we declare war.
(car engine approaching)
- Sir.
- This is private
property, mister.
- I can see that.
I'm looking for an outfit called
the People For a Decent World.
- And where'd you hear about it?
- On the street.
You guys got an
awesome reputation.
This is the place, right?
Come on, I want to sign up.
You must be Mitoski.
- Well, this is
PFDW headquarters,
but we're not signing
any new recruits right now.
We're reorganizing.
- Oh.
- You come back and
see us in about a month.
- Hey, what do they say
about us on the street?
- Well, they say that
you guys are gun freaks.
That you stand for
everything that they're against.
Look, um, I've
put a little time in,
in 'Nam.
I think I know where
you're coming from.
- Get back, Faulkner.
And where might that be?
- Are you kidding?
You stand for
that flag over there.
I think you see the
garbage coming down
and you want to do
something about it.
- Nah, you've got
us all wrong, mister.
We do a little drilling,
some target shooting
and that's it.
Now, if you're
interested in that,
you come back in
about a month, like I said.
- Yes, sir.
I just might do that.
(military percussion)
- I've spent 30
years in the military,
judging every kind of man.
That's a dangerous one.
He may be a cop.
But either way, after tonight
this place won't be safe.
Get your gear together.
We're moving out of
here & we won't be back.
- That's good.
That right there.
The artist is about done.
Surprised to see
me here, Hooker?
- Yeah, you could say that.
- What you said
to me, I deserved it.
I think it's about
time I grew up.
I just wanted you to know that.
- Well, I appreciate that.
How's it going with your father?
- Well, we're talking.
It's a start.
- You've been out of touch.
- Yeah, how'd it go
at the radio station?
- Well, I thought I
picked up on something.
I did.
I saw this guy an hour ago.
Make some copies.
Come on, keep TAC-2 open,
I'll explain later.
(military percussion)
- Cops!
Let's get the hell outta here!
(sirens blaring)
- Get out!
Where's Mitoski?
The other guy, Faulkner?
- Gone.
- Where?
- Idaho.
Yeah, Idaho.
- Lieutenant's got an APB out,
he's running an airport check
and he gave me a backup unit
that can help cover the
perimeter of the Paterno grounds.
I want us all in
place by midnight.
- Mitoski's probably holed
up in the desert somewhere,
eating nuts and berries.
- You got information
we haven't, Stacy?
- In any case, Paterno
put his life on the line
and I want to back him up.
- All I meant was Mitoski
just might wait us out,
make his move a week
or a month from now.
- He won't.
- Why not?
- Because he's a fanatic.
(military percussion)
- You take care
of the phone lines
- What about me?
- You stick with me.
- Mitoski, when we go in
there, I want Paterno myself.
- Now, you listen up, mister.
This is a unit operation.
I want no cowboys and no heroes.
We go strictly by the drill.
Our purpose now
is not to be seen.
We meet back here
as soon as possible.
Let's move it!
(suspenseful music)
- Hi, Hooker!
- Hiya, kid.
- What's he doing here?
- We, uh, had a little
talk on the phone
before dinner and
I invited him over.
- There's gonna be
some trouble, isn't there?
- There always is when
you cooperate with the police.
- We have some
business to take care of.
Lynn, Gloria, excuse us.
I'm sorry.
Take this.
- Do you think
they'll come tonight?
- Something in here
tells me they will.
I've got my people
in place outside.
They came in unmarked cars.
- Something else on
your mind, Hooker?
- Yeah.
Why don't you take you and
your family some place safe?
- Hey, come on, Hooker.
You know what
I've been all my life.
For me there's no such place.
- I think we could find
you one for the night.
- I like it here.
Anything else?
- Well, at the very least,
why didn't you get your wife
and your daughter out of here?
- I tried.
No sale.
- All right.
Can I use your phone?
Have them lock themselves
in an upstairs bedroom.
I'll request an
additional unit to look a...
The line is cut.
They're here.
- Hooker.
Watch yourself.
- Did you cut the phone line?
- Got it.
- All right.
Now spread out and
keep to the shadows.
There may be guards,
so use your knife or
your garrote if possible.
- What if it's not possible?
- The first sound of gunfire,
converge on Paterno.
Our primary objective is to
kill him, is that understood?
- Understood.
- All right, let's go.
(tense music)
- Go around the side.
(gun cocks)
- Faulkner!
(gunshots)
(glass shattering)
- Police!
- Hold it!
(gunshots)
- Mitoski!
(gunshots)
(tense music)
(car door slamming)
(sirens blaring)
- Four Adam Thirty,
leaving location
in pursuit of a green Impala
driving South on Hill
towards the industrial area.
(tires screeching)
(sirens blaring)
(engine gunning)
(crashing)
- Come on, get out!
Come on!
(explosions)
- All this to save
some slimy hood's life?
- Reverse the rules, fellow.
Remember we'd have
done the same for you.
It's the American way.
(fire crackling)
(wistful music)
(horse neighing)
- You look real good.
- Hey, thanks!
Thanks for coming out!
- Well, your message said
you wanted to say goodbye,
I thought I'd turn up in person.
I mean, after all, Europe
isn't around the corner.
- Oh, I'm not going to Europe.
But I'm not gonna
stay here either.
I decided I wanted to get to
know my dad on my own terms,
not on his.
- What are your terms?
- Just to judge for myself the
man he says he's gonna be,
not the man that he was.
And that's gonna
take a little time
and a little space.
You understand.
- I sure do.
I hope he can live in peace now.
- Maybe he can.
Maybe we all can.
- Well, take care of yourself.
- Thanks, Hooker.
- And that beautiful horse.
- You bet.
- You know, it's a
battle to live in peace.
Don't you ever surrender.
(engine starting)
(upbeat music)
(crowd cheering)
- All right, Stacy,
right over the plate!
Right here!
Don't make it easy for me.
- Come on, Stacy,
strike him out!
(crowd boos)
- Hey!
Over here.
From over here to over there!
- Ready?
- It's good, Lynn.
Having you home.
- I wish it felt like home, Dad.
It's been 10 years, you know.
- Is it that?
Or is it Gloria?
- I guess it's both.
She is closer to my age
than she is yours, you know.
- She's my wife.
You're just going to
have to accept her as that.
(crowd cheering in distance)
- Come on, over the plate!
(grunts)
(crowd calling out)
- Do you always bring
Pinch here for his runs?
- Yeah, Gloria insists.
She doesn't like
the yard messed up.
Lynn, you're just gonna
have to deal with Gloria.
Come on, now.
Do it for me.
She's my wife.
She's kept me happy
for these 10 years.
- Yes and you've also
kept me in boarding school
in Europe in those 10 years.
- Hey.
I'm sorry,
but I thought it
was best that way.
Someday.
Someday you'll understand.
- Strike him out,
he can't hit that ball!
- There it goes!
Come on, over the plate!
- He can't hit it!
(crowd cheers loudly)
- Hey, excuse me,
but pal, could you get
that ball for me please?
Right there.
Good pitch!
- Hey, Pinch!
Pinch, hey!
Go get it boy!
Go get it!
(loud cheering from the game)
(silenced gunshots)
- Daddy!
(Pinch barks)
Daddy are you all right?
Daddy!
Answer me, please!
Help, somebody please!
Daddy!
Help!
Help, my father's been shot!
Somebody help my father!
Help me, please!
(Pinch growls)
(silenced gunshot)
Daddy!
That way!
- Jim, Stacy!
You stay here.
Call for an ambulance, quickly!
(pulsing music)
(tires screeching)
(engine gunning)
- Your mother's on the
way up, Miss Paterno.
Would you feel up to
answering any questions?
- I've got one for you.
How could a man just
walk up and shoot my father
with a park full of policemen?
- Well, of course, the
man couldn't know that,
could he?
The question is:
Who would want
to shoot your father?
- Does he have any
enemies you know of?
- Look, I've only been in
this country for about 3 days.
I've been away in
Europe for 10 years.
I don't know anything.
- Did you see the man
who shot your father?
- Mm-hmm.
- Would you recognize
him if you saw him again?
- Yes.
I'll never forget his face.
- Was there anything
else about him?
Anything out of the ordinary?
- His eyes.
- What about his eyes?
- They were weird, you know?
Wild, like a fanatic's.
It's frightening.
- When your
father's out of surgery
would you be willing to
work with a police artist
to make a sketch
of that man's face?
- Yes, of course.
- I'm Gloria Paterno.
How is my husband?
How bad is it?
- He's alive, Mrs. Paterno.
He's in surgery now,
the doctors say his
chances are good.
- His room is down the hall.
I'll take you
there if you'd like.
- Thank you,
I'll find it myself.
- Just one big happy family.
- I'll check with
the lieutenant.
I'll be right back.
(military percussion)
- What the hell good's
all the training, Faulkner?
People For a Decent World
trains you for three weeks
to take this scum
out and you blew it.
It's all over the
radio, Paterno's alive,
he's gonna make it.
- It was the dog!
How many times
do I have to tell you?
- When you speak to me,
you say "sir," you got that?
- All right.
Sir.
- Get me the big field kit.
I'm gonna need a
needle and some sutures.
- Yes, sir!
- Look, being in the
hospital will just make it
easier to get to him.
I'll finish him.
- Let me spell it out
for you, Faulkner.
You had your chance.
Now I've got to take
out Paterno myself.
Meanwhile, this
great country of ours
is going down the sewer.
- Yeah, yeah, I
read the propaganda.
- Truth isn't propaganda.
Now, this is a
military organization.
We're on a mission for the world
to try to rid it of the scum
that's trying to bring it down!
And that means discipline.
- Sir!
- You'd better hold him.
- Sir, we've got some
chloroform, maybe...
- No.
I don't think we'll need it.
I think Faulkner can handle this
like a real soldier.
- Damn right I can.
Go ahead.
Sir.
- Hooker!
They said I'd find you here.
Sure glad I caught you.
- What does that mean, Kahane?
- Oh, it's just a
figure of speech.
Your boss is talking to my boss.
I understand you're
interested in Ross Paterno.
- The FBI have a file on him?
- Sure, we do.
Used to be very big
in organized crime
in Florida and New York.
He retired last year and
invested all his money
in legit business operations.
Turned into a solid citizen.
He's cooperating
with us, Hooker.
- That's why you're
interested in him.
- Yeah, he's been
a real goldmine.
Names, dates, scams.
We wanna keep him alive,
but we put one of our
people in there to guard him,
we run the risk of exposing
him to some of his old contacts.
- You want me to take the job?
- You got it.
- I'll check it out.
- Now, your captain's
already said it was okay.
Thanks a lot, Hooker.
- Yes, Captain.
We hope to have a
composite of the suspect
in the next few hours.
All right, I'll tell him.
No luck on the car or the APB.
No dog bite treatments reported.
Also, the captain...
- He wants me to put a
guard on Paterno, I know.
Jim, try the suspect
M.O. file on the computer,
see what you come up with.
- Check me.
The victim is attacked in
an isolated environment
doing some routine activity,
gunned assailant escapes by car,
two shots, weapon
used: 22 caliber pistol.
- That's it.
- Are those the bullets
they removed from Paterno?
- One shattered in the
bone, the other's intact.
But we've got to find the gun
before we can make a match.
- What about Paterno?
- A hood.
Chummy with the FBI.
They want to keep him alive.
Jim, stay on the suspect.
I need Stacy with me.
- I'm on it.
- I gotta feeling
about this one.
- What kind of feeling?
- It was Paterno's daughter's
impression of the suspect,
the way she saw him.
A fanatic.
- You think he'll try again?
- We can bet on it.
Stacy, how would
you like to play nurse
for a couple of days?
- Stacy Sheridan, R.N.
Sounds good.
- I'll set it up right away.
Here's what I want you to do.
(elevator chimes)
(funky music)
- I'm here to see Diane.
- I was told that
you wanted to see
the Dragon Lady herself, Hooker.
- Do you ever get
tired of being told
you're a beautiful lamb?
- Not by you
and you look
pretty good yourself.
- Well looking is all I
have time for these days.
- That's a pity.
I can remember other times.
What else can I
do for you, Hooker?
- What are your business
associates saying
about Ross Paterno these days?
- Ross Paterno?
Oh, him.
Somebody shot him, right?
Why would somebody
want to do that?
- Is that my answer?
- Yeah, why would
somebody want to do that?
He's out of business, washed up.
- No outstanding contracts?
- Have I ever lied to you, baby?
- No, baby, you never have.
- You look good
behind that wheel.
- You think so?
- Oh, yeah, very good.
I can make you a deal that
you won't wanna turn down.
What do you say?
- It's a little racy
for my taste, Diane.
But thank you.
(military percussion)
(gun cocking)
- Hut!
One, two, three, hut!
One, two, three, hut!
- How's it going with Paterno?
- Just like you planned.
An officer is outside his door
and Nurse Sheridan is
prowling the whole floor.
- Well, don't
underestimate this guy.
He's a killer.
So keep alert.
And if anything happens
outside the ordinary,
you call me, understand?
- You got it.
Oh, and Hooker, your
friend from the FBI, Kahane,
has been around,
asking me questions.
- Yeah, what'd you tell him?
- I told him no.
- Okay, Stacy,
talk to you later.
- This is interesting.
- What do you say, Lou?
- Hey.
- The M.O. of the
Paterno shooting
has similarities to
nine other shootings
in the last six months
and matches right down
the line with four of them.
- [Hooker] A trade
rep from the Mideast,
shot to death while
alone at a friend's estate.
A well-known defense
attorney shot to death
while horseback riding alone.
- Paul Needham, a
radio talk show host,
shot while swimming
alone in Malibu,
currently
recuperating in Florida.
- And this next
one survived, too.
- Christine Shankman,
better known
in the hardcore movie
trade as Holly Day.
Shot while jogging
alone in the street.
Recovering.
- A foreign lobbyist,
a controversial lawyer,
well-known radio
personality, a porno star.
- Yeah, and don't
forget Paterno,
a retired racketeer.
Question is, what do
they all have in common?
- Maybe nothing.
Except in the mind of a fanatic.
(phone rings)
- Corrigan.
Yeah.
For you.
- Yeah.
Oh.
All right, thank you.
- Problem?
- Lynn Paterno didn't show up
for a meeting with
our sketch artist.
- I wonder why she
changed her mind.
You think somebody got to her?
- That's what I'm
gonna find out.
See if you can get addresses
for those two survivors.
(wistful music)
- Whoa.
I know why you're
here, Sergeant.
You're wasting your time.
- It's a beautiful horse.
Saddlebred, isn't it?
- Yes.
- You said you'd never
forget what the man looked like
who shot at your father.
- I was wrong, okay?
- I don't think you've
had much practice lying,
Miss Paterno.
- I really don't
care what you think.
You don't even know me at all.
- No, I don't.
But I think you're right
when you say the
suspect is a fanatic.
I think he's gonna try
and kill your father again.
That's why I've set up
what protection I could
inside the hospital.
- Do the policemen always
do that with retired gangsters?
- You've been out of
the country a long time.
You didn't know about
your father's background?
- No.
My stepmother completed
my education last night.
He was into gambling, drugs,
the works.
- But you don't want him dead.
- No.
I just don't want
anything to do with this.
Or him.
Not now, anyway.
I just want to go away.
And I'm going to, just as
soon as he's out of danger.
- I don't think he'll
ever be out of danger.
The man who shot your father,
he's probably killed at
least two other people.
- My father lied
to me all of my life.
He boarded me out.
Something he'd never think
of doing to one of his horses.
I'm sorry.
- Well, I'm on your
side, Miss Paterno.
Right up to the point
where your emotions
become more important
than other people's lives.
I'm sorry, too.
Not for you.
For them.
(wistful music)
- [Dispatch] Four Adam Thirty,
there's a call from
Officer Corrigan on TAC-2.
- Thirty, roger.
Hooker.
What do you got, Jim?
- An address on
Christine Shankman.
Her answering service says
she's at a dance audition,
Bellflower Building,
Taylor and third street.
- Good work.
Meet you there in 20 minutes.
- Roger.
What did you find out
about Lynn Paterno?
- That sometimes,
water is thicker than blood.
(funky music)
- Hold it!
Take five, that was
great, everyone.
You found the body!
And after I hid it so well, too.
- The body we're looking for
goes by the name of
Christine Shankman.
We understand
she's auditioning here
and alive and well.
- Well, you'll
frighten her to death,
costumed like that, but I'll
see what I can do for you.
- Christine, front and center.
You're official downtown
fan club has arrived
to idolize you.
Look, but don't touch, fellas.
I plan on making her a star,
but only if she stays pure.
- So, you wanted to talk to me?
- We'd like to ask
you some questions.
- About what?
- Let's star with Ross Paterno.
Maybe he financed some
of the movies you starred in.
- So that's it.
Well, I never heard
of... Whoever he is.
And anyway I got
out of that business.
That's the truth.
- Is that why you were shot?
- You know about that?
- Uh-huh.
- Yeah.
This is a lot safer.
Nobody tries to kill me anymore.
- Is that why you
think you were shot?
Because you were
in a porno movie?
- I know it.
Look, I never said
anything at the time.
I was scared that he'd find
me again if I opened my mouth.
But the man who shot me,
he yelled terrible things at me.
- Like what?
- He said that I
didn't deserve to live.
That I was a slut.
That women like
me have to be killed.
I mean, the guy was a crazy man.
He said I was
ruining the country.
Can you imagine that?
- What'd he look like?
- Oh, it all happened so fast.
And then there
was this terrible pain.
Oh, I'm sorry, I...
All I remember were his eyes.
They were wild.
Like an animal's.
Glaring at me.
- Like a fanatic?
- Yeah.
That's the word.
Like a fanatic.
- It fits.
Same impression of the
eyes as Lynn Paterno.
Looks like you're right, Hooker,
we're dealing with a kook.
- The only thing is,
we don't have a face.
- [Dispatch] Four Adam Thirty,
call waiting on TAC-2
from Officer Sheridan.
- Go ahead, Stacy.
- Hooker, an intern
was found unconscious
about five minutes ago.
His scrub suit is missing.
- This may be it.
We're on our way.
(creepy music)
(pulsing music)
- Fire!
Somebody help!
(silenced gunshots)
(door rattling)
(glass breaking)
(crash)
(crash)
(door slamming)
(tires screeching)
(sirens blaring)
- This is Four Adam
Thirty in pursuit
of a temp 180 suspect
in a white Dodge Dart
heading North on Webster.
(sirens blaring)
(tires screeching)
(crashing)
(brakes screeching)
- You're Sergeant Hooker, right?
I understand you saved my life.
Something about a
decoy room and a dummy.
- And it worked.
Whoever wants you, Paterno,
wants you so bad he's
willing to risk his own neck
coming into the
hospital to make a try.
Any idea who that might be?
- No, I don't.
I'm sorry.
- Yeah.
Your daughter's sorry, too.
She saw the killer face to face.
She won't help us.
- Yeah, I know.
My wife told me.
Lynn is angry and she's hurt.
That's my fault.
But she'll get over it in time.
- Time may be running out.
For your daughter, too.
Did you ever think of that?
- Now, what the
hell does that mean?
- Your daughter saw
the killer close up.
That means the
killer saw her, too.
Sooner or later
he's going to realize
that she's the only one
who can identify him.
Now, if she puts that
memory down on paper
in a sketch that
we'll make public,
he won't have much
motive left to kill her, will he?
- You've got a point, Sergeant.
I'll try talking to her.
- Good.
The doctor tells me that you're
checking out of the hospital
against his advice.
- That's right.
I have my own
doctors and I, uh...
I'll be a lot safer at
home than I am here.
Your little decoy
trick might not work
twice in a row.
But I owe you.
- I'm not in the
business of doing favors.
But, I could use your help
to play a long shot.
(laughs)
- I'm glad I did my business
on the East Coast, you know.
You might have forced me
into the furniture business
or something.
What have you got in mind?
- The media knows
who you are now.
That means the newspaper
people and the TV people
will be waiting at your home.
I want you to put on
a little show for them.
- Have you refused
police protection, sir?
(reporters asking questions)
- Give me a break,
will you all right?
I wanna make a statement.
You want to know
if I'm going to hide,
if I'm afraid.
Well the answer's no.
This punk with a
gun shows up again,
I'm going to take
it away from him
and shove it down his throat.
- That's brave
talk, Mr. Paterno,
but the fact is you're
lucky to be alive, sir.
- Hey, we're all lucky
to be alive, honey.
- That'll be enough
for today, thank you.
- Is this a gang situation?
Do you know or suspect who it is
who's trying to kill you?
- All I know is, he's
a first class jerk.
And if he shows up again,
I'll get my wife on him
and then he'll
be in real trouble.
- That's almost an
invitation for him to try again,
isn't it, sir?
- He's not gonna try it again.
This has got to be
some kind of a nut.
He can't shoot straight, he
gets lost in hospitals, right?
That's all I have to say.
Have a good day, folks.
Come on.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- For God's sake, Ross,
what are you trying to do?
- Don't worry about it, honey.
I know exactly what I'm doing.
- Not a bad performance.
- Yeah, why do I get the
feeling it was rehearsed?
- What?
It sounded off the top to me.
- [Stacy] You're
holding out on us, right?
- Not anymore.
You think it'll work?
- If you mean bring that
kook back for a third try,
I'd say yeah.
If he watches TV
or reads the papers,
he's gonna have a lot of
ego problems, oh yeah.
- That's the whole idea.
I want a couple of plainclothesmen
on Paterno's grounds.
You two stay loose and take
the watch with me tonight.
In the meantime, I'm gonna
follow up with Paul Needham.
- I was Paul's engineer.
I couldn't believe
it when he got shot.
- Have you thought any
more about the callers?
- Yeah, there was one.
Yeah, this is it.
Seems like half the people
who called into the show
wanted to kill Paul.
That's what you get
when you speak your mind.
- What's so special
about this tape?
- Well, when you mentioned
that there were several
other people who
got shot after Paul,
I remembered this
particular show.
The guy talks about
lawyers, criminals,
I think he even
mentions degenerates.
- That sounds
right, let's hear it.
- [Paul On Recording]
You're on with Paul Needham.
- [Caller] I've got
something to say to you.
You got the guts to
listen for a change?
- [Paul] Hey, stay tuned, folks.
This man's got something to say.
Keep it clean, pal.
- [Caller] You're the one who
needs cleaning up, Needham.
All your cracks about
the U.S. Constitution,
encouraging your shyster friends
to keep criminals out of jail,
doing your thing
for the degenerate,
tearing down the
American way of life!
- [Paul] That's a
hell of a shopping list.
Tell me, is there
anybody you like?
- [Caller] I love
this country, mister.
We're organizing out
here to fight people like you
and I mean in the trenches.
- [Paul] What's the
name of your club?
The KKK or the Nazi Party?
- [Caller] Get your
laughing in now, you slime.
But you'll hear about
us one of these days.
Remember the PFDW, funny man.
You're the enemy.
You're on our list,
starting right now.
Keep watching over
your shoulder you...
(bleeps)
- What do you think?
- I think you got
the right tape.
What do the initials
PFDW mean to you?
- I was hoping you'd know.
- I don't.
But I think I know
where to find out.
Thanks.
- Don't you ever take
a day off, Hooker?
- Sorry to bother
you at home, Kahane,
but this is important.
What does the acronym
PFDW mean to you?
It's probably connected to
some anarchists out there.
I know you people keep
files on things like that.
- PFDW?
What do you think I do, carry
the files around in my head?
Wait a minute, I got it.
People For a Decent World.
But you're on the wrong track
if you're trying to connect
that bunch into Paterno.
- How do you know?
- We checked them out.
They're just survivalists
with a lot of patriotic rhetoric.
They go in real big for
that military type training
and saluting, but that's it.
No ex-cons, no
criminal activities.
- Have they got a head man?
- Yeah, yeah.
A guy named Mitoski.
Ex-serviceman,
likes to be called "sir."
I think he was a
gunnery sergeant.
They rent that old place
on the lagoon north of town.
- I know the place.
Thanks.
- You went against orders.
You just had to try it again
on your own, right, Faulkner?
You sneaked off last night
and fouled up worse
than you did the first time.
Well?
You got an answer for me?
For these men?
- I'm sorry, sir.
No excuse, sir.
- Do you know what you did?
You've made us a laughing stock.
Have you seen the TV news?
Have you read the papers?
Slimeball hood like
that gets headlines
and makes us look like fools!
Like jerks!
- It's me he's talking about.
- Wrong, soldier!
You're one of us.
Paterno's laughing at
People For a Decent World
and everything we stand for.
Well, tonight we shut him up.
He's played into our
hands by going home.
Tonight, we shut
his mouth for good.
- Are you talking about a
search & destroy raid, sir?
- That's right.
Only we won't have
to search very far.
We know where he is.
Now this is what
you've been trained for.
Tonight, we declare war.
(car engine approaching)
- Sir.
- This is private
property, mister.
- I can see that.
I'm looking for an outfit called
the People For a Decent World.
- And where'd you hear about it?
- On the street.
You guys got an
awesome reputation.
This is the place, right?
Come on, I want to sign up.
You must be Mitoski.
- Well, this is
PFDW headquarters,
but we're not signing
any new recruits right now.
We're reorganizing.
- Oh.
- You come back and
see us in about a month.
- Hey, what do they say
about us on the street?
- Well, they say that
you guys are gun freaks.
That you stand for
everything that they're against.
Look, um, I've
put a little time in,
in 'Nam.
I think I know where
you're coming from.
- Get back, Faulkner.
And where might that be?
- Are you kidding?
You stand for
that flag over there.
I think you see the
garbage coming down
and you want to do
something about it.
- Nah, you've got
us all wrong, mister.
We do a little drilling,
some target shooting
and that's it.
Now, if you're
interested in that,
you come back in
about a month, like I said.
- Yes, sir.
I just might do that.
(military percussion)
- I've spent 30
years in the military,
judging every kind of man.
That's a dangerous one.
He may be a cop.
But either way, after tonight
this place won't be safe.
Get your gear together.
We're moving out of
here & we won't be back.
- That's good.
That right there.
The artist is about done.
Surprised to see
me here, Hooker?
- Yeah, you could say that.
- What you said
to me, I deserved it.
I think it's about
time I grew up.
I just wanted you to know that.
- Well, I appreciate that.
How's it going with your father?
- Well, we're talking.
It's a start.
- You've been out of touch.
- Yeah, how'd it go
at the radio station?
- Well, I thought I
picked up on something.
I did.
I saw this guy an hour ago.
Make some copies.
Come on, keep TAC-2 open,
I'll explain later.
(military percussion)
- Cops!
Let's get the hell outta here!
(sirens blaring)
- Get out!
Where's Mitoski?
The other guy, Faulkner?
- Gone.
- Where?
- Idaho.
Yeah, Idaho.
- Lieutenant's got an APB out,
he's running an airport check
and he gave me a backup unit
that can help cover the
perimeter of the Paterno grounds.
I want us all in
place by midnight.
- Mitoski's probably holed
up in the desert somewhere,
eating nuts and berries.
- You got information
we haven't, Stacy?
- In any case, Paterno
put his life on the line
and I want to back him up.
- All I meant was Mitoski
just might wait us out,
make his move a week
or a month from now.
- He won't.
- Why not?
- Because he's a fanatic.
(military percussion)
- You take care
of the phone lines
- What about me?
- You stick with me.
- Mitoski, when we go in
there, I want Paterno myself.
- Now, you listen up, mister.
This is a unit operation.
I want no cowboys and no heroes.
We go strictly by the drill.
Our purpose now
is not to be seen.
We meet back here
as soon as possible.
Let's move it!
(suspenseful music)
- Hi, Hooker!
- Hiya, kid.
- What's he doing here?
- We, uh, had a little
talk on the phone
before dinner and
I invited him over.
- There's gonna be
some trouble, isn't there?
- There always is when
you cooperate with the police.
- We have some
business to take care of.
Lynn, Gloria, excuse us.
I'm sorry.
Take this.
- Do you think
they'll come tonight?
- Something in here
tells me they will.
I've got my people
in place outside.
They came in unmarked cars.
- Something else on
your mind, Hooker?
- Yeah.
Why don't you take you and
your family some place safe?
- Hey, come on, Hooker.
You know what
I've been all my life.
For me there's no such place.
- I think we could find
you one for the night.
- I like it here.
Anything else?
- Well, at the very least,
why didn't you get your wife
and your daughter out of here?
- I tried.
No sale.
- All right.
Can I use your phone?
Have them lock themselves
in an upstairs bedroom.
I'll request an
additional unit to look a...
The line is cut.
They're here.
- Hooker.
Watch yourself.
- Did you cut the phone line?
- Got it.
- All right.
Now spread out and
keep to the shadows.
There may be guards,
so use your knife or
your garrote if possible.
- What if it's not possible?
- The first sound of gunfire,
converge on Paterno.
Our primary objective is to
kill him, is that understood?
- Understood.
- All right, let's go.
(tense music)
- Go around the side.
(gun cocks)
- Faulkner!
(gunshots)
(glass shattering)
- Police!
- Hold it!
(gunshots)
- Mitoski!
(gunshots)
(tense music)
(car door slamming)
(sirens blaring)
- Four Adam Thirty,
leaving location
in pursuit of a green Impala
driving South on Hill
towards the industrial area.
(tires screeching)
(sirens blaring)
(engine gunning)
(crashing)
- Come on, get out!
Come on!
(explosions)
- All this to save
some slimy hood's life?
- Reverse the rules, fellow.
Remember we'd have
done the same for you.
It's the American way.
(fire crackling)
(wistful music)
(horse neighing)
- You look real good.
- Hey, thanks!
Thanks for coming out!
- Well, your message said
you wanted to say goodbye,
I thought I'd turn up in person.
I mean, after all, Europe
isn't around the corner.
- Oh, I'm not going to Europe.
But I'm not gonna
stay here either.
I decided I wanted to get to
know my dad on my own terms,
not on his.
- What are your terms?
- Just to judge for myself the
man he says he's gonna be,
not the man that he was.
And that's gonna
take a little time
and a little space.
You understand.
- I sure do.
I hope he can live in peace now.
- Maybe he can.
Maybe we all can.
- Well, take care of yourself.
- Thanks, Hooker.
- And that beautiful horse.
- You bet.
- You know, it's a
battle to live in peace.
Don't you ever surrender.
(engine starting)
(upbeat music)