The Equalizer (1985–1989): Season 2, Episode 18 - A Place to Stay - full transcript

She's running away again.

- You need a place to stay ?
- No, I'm fine.

Hey, I'll carry that.

- I'll do anything.
- But don't use words you don't understand.

I'm not going back !

That's it ! Smile !

Very young.

Gotta catch 'em fast
'fore they lose that look.

He was talking to a girl who poses
for pornographic magazines.

She'll be next month special treat.

You don't know the things
they make them do.



You want me to wear that ?
Considerate through it.

The life of your daughter
is my business.

The lives of all children
are our business.

Come back here !

Can't you try to control
yourself a little more ?

This has been a long time coming.

You didn't even give her
a chance to explain herself.

- Maybe she doesn't deserve one
- You are impossible ! You really are !

Come back here !

I don't want to talk to you !

By God, you're going to !

I'm your husband and we're
going to settle this.

How could you do that to her ?

She's not a child anymore.



Well, ain't sure as
hell she isn't an adult.

- You're just a bastard !
- When you get off calling me names ?

Where have I failed ?

Are you going to let her
do this to us ?

I don't care !
I don't care !

We're through !

I've had enough !

I've had more than enough.

I've had years
too many have enough.

It's over ! It's over ! It's over !

What do you mean ?
What do you mean ?

Would you listen to me ?

Listen to me.

I don't want to listen to you.
Just leave me alone !

No, alone !

It's over !

Stop it ! Stop it ! Stop it !

Damn you !

No !

Move along staying close to the wall

Looking over your shoulder just in time.

Avoid the light, close your eyes

And put your hand in my.

And put your heart in my.

Running for our lives,

We never get very far

We never get very far

We never get very far

He came down from the mountain

***

Everyone is God creation.

Stop pretending.

This is child's adventure.

The only way I can take it

Is playing the game.

How long can we keep escaping

How long can we keep escaping

How long can we keep escaping

Into another prison ?

I haven't heard from her for hours.

I told her to stay in her room till
she was ready to apologize.

Come on, open the door.
It's over.

- Lynn !
- Lynn ! Lynn !

She's run away.

- I told you.
- No, I told you !

Read it.
This time it's for real.

Don't worry, we'll find her.

She can't go far.
She's only 13.

Yeah.

- You need a place to stay ?
- No, I'm fine.

Hey, I'll cary that.

You'll make yourself 50 bucks.

It's for you, Sarge.

When did you last see her?

What would it be ? Two days ago?

Yes, it was

the afternoon, the day before yesterday.

About 36 hours.
You haven't heard from her ?

Well, we have a message
on my answering service

and her grandmothers are
most of the time.

According to your local police,

there was positive identification
on her at the bus station there.

Is there any reason she came here ?

- Anyone she knows ?
- No.

Well, it's silly, but
I can't help thinking...

She saw this movie about kids
living together in the city.

Runaways that had this abandoned house.

I mean,

somehow it did make it look so easy.

Did Lynn have any means
of supporting herself here ?

What do you mean ?

What does she have a history
of drug abuse ?

Men, any trouble
with the police ?

She's only 13.

That's my point,
Mrs. Rowan.

When you're only 13 and you've got
no money, you've got three options.

Steal, deal drugs,
or sell your body.

I raised my daughter very carefully.

She doesn't have
any of those problems.

Look, we get an excess of
50,000 runaways here a year,

and every one of those children,

they all look the same
in their photographs.

And then they look so different
once they're on the street.

Look, I'll tell you
what I'm going to do.

I'm going to let you ride
along with me

and if she's out there,

well, maybe you'll recognize her.

- Order a Deluxe Burger.
- What ?

Deluxe Burger, two dollars,
the most poisonous food.

Can I get a Deluxe Burger
and a cup of coffee ?

***

- I'll get fat.
- You won't get fat.

So what are you gonna ask me ?

Ask you what ?

There's a place you can stay.

- Is there...
- For free ?

Nope.

I'll do anything.

Don't use words
you don't understand.

- Like what ?
- Like anything.

*** of cream
and sugar in your coffee.

I don't drink coffee.

I don't believe you !

You really are new,
aren't you ?

You want to hear the best line
I ever heard in the movie ?

What ?

- Phone home.
- I can't.

- Are you sure ?
- Yes.

Look, where you crashed ?
On the street ?

- You got a guy back there or something ?
- No.

Then you are going to
end up doing anything,

and even if you do find a guy,
it's going to be just as bad.

- Except maybe you'll know his name.
- I'm not going back !

Judy, you're ready ?

You got to eat.

You know, I talked to him
to take us out of that second shift.

- You want me to bring you something ?
- No.

Alright, fine, see you later.

Lynn, we're in New York.

We're looking for you.

We're at the Westbury Manor.

Room number 317,
telephone 535-2000.

Now you just call us or your grandma or
the police, and we'll come get you, OK?

You call us, baby, call , OK?

Please !

Hello ? Robert McCall.

My child is missing.

My daughter.

She's just 13.

We talk to the police, but...

I'm scared for her.

Try to calm down.
I'm listening.

I know she's in New York
but it's so big.

I'm afraid the police won't find
her before something happens to her.

Alright, you just tell me
who you are and where you are.

Melanie ?

Melanie ?

- Ain't you going ?
- No, you go on ahead.

What do you mean on ahead ?

Once we leave in that squad car,
you can't exactly catch up to us.

- Don't you want to find her ?
- Of course I want to find her.

I'll do anything to find her.

Have you heard something ?

Was there a ransom demand or some ?

Did she call you ?

No. No.

I made the call.

- I called someone to help us.
- Without asking me ?

You might not have done it.

You're damn straight
I might not have.

Who is this guy ?

What does he charge ?
Does he even have a license ?

Maybe it's better
that he doesn't.

I don't care what he cost.

I told you once, Melanie.
I've told you 1000 times.

I make the decisions
in his family.

Yes, you've made the decision,
but look where it's gotten.

Look what you've done to her.
*** our only one daughter out of our lives.

The hell I have !

*** You're as much
to blame for this as I am.

Oh no, you can't dump
this one on me, Walt.

No, I'm not the one who hauled
off and smacked her.

That's because she ***

This girl needs a little straight out
and we get and we will,

I'll gonna straight her out real good.

You understand ?

Maybe you need a little straight out too.

I'll get it.

- Hello.
- Yes ?

- Robert McCall.
- Please come in.

Thank you.

Melanie told me about you.

Look, I appreciate you coming up here
in the middle of the night.

Frankly, I'm not too sure
you're right for the job.

Well, frankly, neither am I too sure
that I'm right for the job.

However, your wife was very
persuasive on the telephone.

Tell me, do you have a photograph
of your daughter ?

Yes, we had hundreds of flyers
printed up yesterday.

Are you licensed, trained ?

Trained ?

Ohh yes, yes,

License ? Well, guess I suppose
you would say I was that as well.

Here, photos just a couple of weeks old.

Thank you.

Well, well.

I saw this young girl
not 5 minutes ago.

- Where ?
- Leaving this hotel.

Oh no !

Mommy !

You didn't go home ?

I don't care what...

I'm not ever going
to let him hit me again.

He's not ever going
to hit me again.

I might know a guy
who can give you some work.

What sort of guy ?

Photographer.

When can I meet him ?

What are you into now, Judy ?

Make out money
selling yourself ?

How much did you get
from this one, huh ?

How much ?

She's crazy.

- Who was that lady ?
- She's crazy.

She's so badly.

Who is it ?

It's me, Judy.
Remember me ?

Will you open up ?

Yeah, I'll be down in a second.

You still doing, you
know, some legitimate jobs ?

Why? Your friend here out in the cold ?

Sort of.

What's your name ?

Susan.

Susan ?

- I said legitimate.
- I heard you, Judy.

Well, Susan, you are very pretty little girl.

Yes, I think I can get you work.

I think I can get you all the work
you want, as a matter of fact.

You want to come in ?

*** come.

- That's all right.
- Yeah, come on.

Come on, come on.

Alice, you're alright ?

The parents of a runaway girl found
this morning, 13 years old,

raped and beaten into a coma.

I'm handling it pretty well
as you can see.

Want to take a walk ?

Have you seen the Rowans ?

Yes.

What are the chances of finding her ?

Well, that depends
on why she's here,

what category she falls into.

How many categories are there ?

Well, there're 3 possibilities.

First of all, you got
your short timers.

Those are the kids
from so-called normal homes,

and things get bumpy at home,

so they leave town for a day or two just
to let their parents know they're alive.

You know, some of these kids
are confused.

Home is too restrictive,
there's no freedom.

There's no real communication
with parents.

And if Lynn Rowan's
in that group,

well, there's pretty good hope.

Assuming she's not in
that group, what then?

She could be hardcore.
That's a bad kid.

Their parents have done everything right
and still they've gone bad.

Happens.

Alice, you said there was a
third possibility. What's that?

She could be abused sexually,
physically, psychologically.

And won't go home because home
is worse than Times Square.

And that's your biggest group of all.

You know, a lot of these kids
are thrown out and told not to come back.

All right, now I'm a runaway
and I come to the city.

So where would I go ?

What would happen ?

What would I do ?

Eventually it end up on the 'duce.

On a what ?

Produce. That's 42nd St.

You learn a little every day.

How's breakfast ?

Good.

So I guess it's more
like lunchtime, huh ?

You've been through a bit
too much, you know.

Judy told me about it
after you fell asleep.

She shouldn't have.

You know she's worried
about you, don't you ?

So am I.

I just wish I could help you.

You said you could give me a job.

Well, I could.

You know, you're very pretty,
but I didn't...

I didn't realize
you run away from home.

You know, I can't start you out on a job
and just have you walk out.

- I won't walk out.
- Yes, you will. You'll go home.

No, I won't.

You won't go home again ? Ever ?

I won't. I won't let him beat me again.

Yeah...

I guess you probably really wail into you
this time, huh, after what you've done.

Boxed yourself in, kiddo.

You really can't go home
again, can you ?

No.

Mr. Griswald...

Mr. Griswald, won't you give me a job ?

You said you'd give me a job.

What sort of job ?

Pictures.

Don't you said you do
catalogues or something ?

Do a lot of department store catalogs.

In fact, I'm working
on one right now.

Teenage fashions and
sportswear, swimsuits,

lingerie, that's sort of thing, but

they've already got several models
that I'm working with, so...

Please give me a chance.

I know I can do it.

Come here.

I'll do some composites.
Some sample pictures. OK ?

You're going to be
very professional about this.

You're going to follow my orders.

- Yeah, sure.
- Yeah, sure ?

Sit... Sit down, sit down.

Is this how your parents
raised you to say "Yeah, sure" ?

No. I mean yes. Yes, sir.

OK. That's better.

That's much better.

***

Yeah, this is going to work out fine.

It's going to work out fine.

We first we got to do is get you
some special clothes, OK ?

Some special clothes,
for special girl.

Alright ?

You looking for someone ?

- How would you know ?
- Cause I've seen everything before?

Sit down.

What's the matter ?

Afraid someone you know
see you with me ?

Sunny worse places than
this in my time, my lovely.

Her name is Lynn Rowan.

She's 13 years of age.
Have you seen her ?

Is there a reward ?

Aren't you gonna
offer me something ?

Certainly spare a 20.

Yes.

Of course I can.

Here you are.

And there is a reward,

if and when she's found.

I don't know where
you can find her.

- She's not working on the street,
- Meaning that she is working somewhere.

Or she will be.

She will be.

- In warriors color.
- What do you mean ?

I mean, she's hanging out
with Judy.

Judy ?

And where would I find her?

Cover.

Yeah...

She'll be next month's
special treat. Or worse.

You don't know the things
I see out here.

You don't know the things
they make them do.

- Thank you.
- But you better find her.

And quick.

Susan, you're ready ?

I think so.

Does this look all right ?

Yeah, that's excellent.

That's excellent.

Go over and sit down
on the bed there, OK?

It's a very sophisticated
teenage catalog.

Yes, that's wonderful.
I like that. I like it.

I think you have a really
good shot at this job.

OK, let's see now.

Alright, move just
to Teddy right, OK ?

I want to see a little bit
more of your legs.

OK !

Now, enjoy this.
Is supposed to be fun.

Come on now, smile !

That's it.

Yeah, that's it.

Come on, you can get a little bit warmer
for all this teenage boys all across America.

That's it. Smile !

Yo, chief, it's $0.50 to look around.

I have to pay you $0.50
just to come in ?

It's on the sign, man. It's $0.50.

Does this entitle me
to ask you a question ?

I don't know. They want to hear it again.

This magazine...

I need to know the publisher.
Can help me ?

I'll tell you something, chief,
this is underage stuff.

I mean, who's going to put
in ****?

How... How will I to get any more ?

- You collect this stuff
- Yeah, yeah.

No, man, I don't think
I can help you out.

Oh, I'm sure you can.

The publisher.

I'll tell you something. Stuff comes
in the back once every month or so.

It's always cash and carry.

I don't even know
the runner's name.

I hope you're not lying to me.

Because, if I found that you are,
and I have to come back here for you,

uou're going to be
very sorry that I did.

- May I help you, sir ?
- Yes, I'm here to see Peter Marstand.

- Is he expecting you ?
- Uh... No.

- You just tell Mr Griswold is here, OK ?
- OK.

Mr Griswald is here
to see you, sir.

Griswald !

Hey there.
How are you?

Look, this has got to be fast.
I'm very busy.

What's going on ?

I'm giving a black tie party tonight

to introduce my new
architectural magazine, Russett.

Well then, I suppose
you'd be too busy

to take a look at these photographs
of your last little encounter.

Two of you make quite a pair.

- Nice progression, huh ?
- Yeah.

Where are you gonna find
another one like that ?

I already have.

She's going to be even better.

Who is it ?

Kid from the street.

- Just landed in town.
- She looks... very young.

She's 13 years old.

Got to catch them fast before
they lose that look.

She's perfect.

I want to see her.

I'll come by before the party.

Perfect.

- Find anything ?
- Yes.

I found a peculiarly reliable witness

who saw your daughter,
apparently shortly after I did last night.

This witness seems to think
that she was seeking employment.

Employment ?

What sort of employment?

He was talking to a girl who poses
for pornographic magazines.

This way you squeeze money
out of your clients.

You're making your move ?

Get your hand off me.

Now, that is not what has been
happening here, is it ?

- Get out of here !
- Mr. Rowan,

let me ask you something.

Why did your daughter leave home
in the first place ?

Why is she so determined to stay away
from you now ?

That's right...

Blame the parents.
Always blame the parents.

No.
No, not always.

There are children who go wrong,

despite the best
efforts of a loving family.

But that's not the case here, is it?

Is it, Mrs. Rowan ?

Everybody seems to like your daughter.

Everybody says
she's a good girl.

The police, teachers,
even you.

You know what I think
happened here last night ?

I think your daughter came up to this corridor

and she stood outside that door
and I think she heard something.

Something that made
her run away again.

What was it she heard, Mrs. Rowan ?

- No !
- Please.

Please, Mrs. Rowan.

This is my family.

What goes on here
is none of your business.

The life of your daughter
is my business.

The lives of all children
are our business.

You...

Wait !

- What are you going to do ?
- Find her. Bring Sergeant Sheppard.

Get to the truth.

He beat her too, didn't he ?

That's quite clear.

What else did he do ?

- Was a sexual abuse ?
- No.

I would have gone to the police.

If you find her, I'll leave him.
I swear I will.

It's not going to happen again.

This has been going on
for a long time.

Why did you stay with him ?

- Money ?
- No.

I just didn't have the guts
to leave him.

- Mrs. Rowan, is your husband here ?
- Why?

We need you to try
and identify a girl we found.

- Where ?
- The morgue.

- Thank you, God !
- It's not her. It's not Lynn.

Doctor !

- May I ask you sow she was killed ?
- Thrown from a car.

Anyone under suspicion yet ?

No.
She was a prostitute.

Sick Johns always go
for the young ones.

Yes...

She was a prostitute, I think.

I think her name was Judy.

Could help you in
identifying her, possible.

Doctor, may I ..

- May I look at her personal effects ?
- I guess that would be all right.

They're right over there
at the end of the gurney

Thank you.

Griswald Arts Studio portrait photography.

Lynn's out there, somewhere.

She has to still be out there.

Walt ?

Walt ?

When I was a boy, my dad used to
lay it to me with a belt.

Never had been drinking.

You see, just...

Because he hadn't caught me
in something didn't mean I didn't deserve it.

Of course, he was so sure
I'd gotten away with some.

Kids always do.

So I'd never be like him.

Now I am.

I've destroyed everything I've loved.

You're the only two
people ever loved me.

OK, enough with this.

We're going to lose the bear, we're going
to loosen some things up here a little bit.

I never want you to stop thinking about
all those teenage boys all across America.

OK ?

Yes ! And... good.

I'm going to get another
lens. All right? Just relax.

Hey...

Here we go !

That's it.
Now, warm up a little.

Warm up a little.
It's all the stiffness I'm seeing.

That's it.

That's it.

Now back off a little bit.
Show me some legs.

Show me some leg.

OK, smile ! Yeah, that's it ! It's
pretty nice, huh ?

Huh ?

Just you relax
here a second, OK ?

I'll change the lens and talk
to the man. Be right back.

Can you educate her faster ?

Oh ! And ruin these photo s?

That's an innocent look
we're talking.

This is going to take time.

Look, Peter, you you go back
to the party, alright ?

I'll bring her by later, you know.

For the special stuff, OK ?

- Fine.
- Great, great.

It's good to see you.
It's good to see you.

My boss said you're
doing a great job.

And you look gorgeous.

I mean, gorgeous.

OK ?

But we've come to a difficult
part of the job now.

And now we're going to find out
how professional you really are. OK ?

- What do you mean ?
- Come here.

Come on, it's OK.

Special clothes
for a special girl.

You want me to wear that ?

Yeah.

Well, I mean, you know,
I wouldn't ask you to do anything

that you didn't feel good about,
you know that.

I know, but you can see right through it.

OK, I understand.

What's wrong ?

Well, I'm sort of out on a
limb here, that's all. I mean...

I fired the other models, right ?

I mean, remember that guy was here ?

He's my boss.

I'm going to lose my job
if I don't shoot the products.

- He fired you ?
- He just gonna fire me.

Look...

I know that you might feel
a little uncomfortable about this, OK ?

I mean, I know that.

But I believe in you.

I think you're a professional.

I know you can do this.

OK, I know it.

I want you to give it a try, OK ?

- OK ?
- OK, I'll do it.

Do it ?

Judy ?

Susan, what's the matter ?

It didn't fit.

What didn't fit ?

No, no.

Hey, wait, wait.

Put it on.

Put it on.

Let me be the judge
of what fits and it doesn't fit, OK ?

- I've decided not to do it.
- You've decided not to do it ?

We are in agreement, didn't
we ? We're in agreement.

The pictures are not
for catalog, are they ?

You calling me a liar ?

You call me a liar ?

I think that's really
interesting, Lynn Rowan.

Say all about you liar.

Liar.

And I know what kind of pictures
you wanna take of me.

Oh yeah ?

Hey, come here.
Come here.

You know what kind of pictures
you wanna take ?

Leave me alone !

I'm gonna take them
whether you like it or not, OK ?

Let go of me !

Come on, go scream.
Go scream.

Listen, listen.

No one can hear you.

Help !

You couldn't be more wrong,
Mr. Griswald.

Who are you ? Who the hell are you?

It's alright, Lynn.
Don't be frightened.

My name is Robert McCall.
I'm a friend of your mother's.

- Did he hurt you ?
- No.

- Did he touch you ?
- No.

Has there been anybody
here helping him ?

Yes, but I don't know his name.

I think it was the owner.

Thank you.

Is there another room here
with the telephone ?

Yes.

Would you go there, call the police,

ask for Sergeant Alice Shepherd.

Stay there till I come and get you.

I didn't do anything.

Who's your boss ?

I didn't do anything.

Who is your boss ?

Who pays you to molest children

and destroy their lives ?

I think your magazine ***

Oh, I certainly hope so.

We've increased our advertising
space 100% this past week.

But there's still room for you.

Sir?

Sir, do you have an invitation ?

No, no, no,
I don't have an invitation.

I'll come and make
a delivery for Mr. Marstand.

There are photographs.

Photographs from a certain Mr Griswald.

Photographs that Mr. Marstrand
somehow has conveniently forgot

to enclose in his glossy
new little magazine.

Get him out of here !

I don't care what adults
do, but children ?

- Children, Mr. Marstand ! Children!
- It's a lie !

it's not a lie ! We have bank records,

cancel checks and even
at this very moments Griswald

he's pouring out his
story to the police.

No, you are going to prison
for a very, very long time,

and if by any strange chance
you happen to fall through their ***,

then by God I'll be there to catch you
and you will not believe what I do...

- Robert !
- ...one little bit !

Get him out of here, please !

You shouldn't say things like
that in front of witnesses, Robert.

What are you gonna do, Sergeant ?

Take down the names of everybody
who heard ?

No.

I'll be right down.

- Thank you for everything.
- It's my pleasure.

Walt called that number
you gave him.

I suppose I should thank you
for that more than anything.

I'm sure it will all turn out
for the best.

- I love you, Dad.
- I love you, sweetheart.

I want you to come back with us.

I will as soon as I can, honey,
but I have to get some help first.

You understand ?

Thank you.

I... I paid that reward
to that bag, lady, like you said.

- I'd still like to pay you something.
- No, no, no.

If I wanted any,
that's my reward.

I finally realized

when I had a chance of losing,
I could see that

there wasn't really wasn't any choice.

I know it's not going to be easy.

Maybe you can check in on me.

I'm sure you'll be proud
of what you find.

Yes, I'm sure. I'm sure I will. Sure.

- Good luck.
- Thanks.

Stop pretending

This is child's adventure.

The only way I can take it.

Is playing the game.

All right, let's go.

Running for our lives,

We never get very far.

We never get very far.

- Police !
- What do you want from me ?

How old are you ?
- 18.

You're not 18.

How long's gonna be here
for another pimp gets ahold of you ?

What's it to you anyway ?

Look, I don't want to see you
throwing your life away.

You're not even the type.

I'm gonna leave you
with Detective Kelly here.

And I'm going to come back
and talk to you in a minute.

- What's you name ?
- Nile.

You checking up on me ?

No, no, I thought I'd stop by

and thank you for all the help
you gave me with the Rowan girl.

- She went home ?
- Yeah.

Let's hope she stays there.

Yeah, you think these kids would,
but they don't.

They just keep coming, thinking
that this somehow could possibly be better.

Oh, come on, Alice.

Don't you start losing faith.

When people like you start doing that,
what have we got left?

As long as we don't care.

Just wish caring were enough.

Don't we all ?

Got to go.

See you !

Move along staying close to the wall

Looking over your shoulder
just in time.

Avoid the light, close your eyes

And put your hand in mine.

And put your hand in mine.

Running for our lives,

We never get very far.

We never get very far.

We never get very far.

We never get very far.

We never get very far.

Transcribed by Adr1an