The Equalizer (1985–1989): Season 2, Episode 8 - The Line - full transcript
A young black man is killed accidentally when a watch group startles him. To protect themselves, they make it appear he was caught in the commission of a crime. And the police believe their claim. But his mother refuses to believe it and calls McCall to prove it. But her other son just wants to get a gun and go after them.
We gotta stick together !
They didn't do anything.
Oh, yes they did,
otherwise they wouldn't have said those
things about Randy calling him a thief.
All you need to know
is that I'm gonna crack wide open.
Every time I think about that guy,
I want to pound him straight in the ground.
- I'm getting a gun.
- You do that and those men win.
Elephant gun, man.
What are you doing ?
****
Your friends have chosen another target.
What are you doing ?
I'm trying to give you a message.
You won't you learn, won't you ?
Wasn't that concert the greatest, man ?
I'm gonna take the shortcut.
Yeah, my mom always stays up,
so I gotta get home. Okay ?
All right. I'll see you then.
And it takes 45 minutes
for the cops to get there.
I mean they clean the place out.
Well, they could have gone to New
York and back in that amount of time.
And then the cops
think they can handle it.
Where were they a couple of years ago when
we were the only thing on the streets ?
People are plenty happy to
see the civilian patrol land.
Okay. First shift I'll be back
any minute. Let's saddle up.
Hey, listen ! It's an alarm.
No kidding ! What the hell you
waiting for ? Get going !
Move it !
What's going on ?
Where the hell you go ?
***
Get of me !
- He's not breathing.
- He just fell. We didn't hurt him.
I told you guys to lighten up.
Where did you get a tire iron ?
You know the rules, no weapon !
Oh shut up ! We didn't kill anybody.
It was a damn accident.
- What are we gonna do now ?
- I'll tell you what we're gonna do.
This kid is guilty as hell
and he's gonna look that way.
And this is for all of us.
We gotta stick together.
Well, go call the cops !
Hi, Sylvia, it's Miriam.
I'm sorry to bother you so late but,
did Randy stop by there tonight ?
He went toa rock concert
and he hasn't come home yet.
No. Okay, thank you.
He's probably hanging out with
the guys. Would you lighten up ?
You see ? He's home and the
roach face lost his keys again.
What's... What's happening ?
- Are you the mother of Randy ?
- Yes, yes, yes. What's happened ?
Mrs. Nlain, has been an accident.
Hey, lieutenant, can we go now ?
We got to get to work in the morning.
Vic, you mind ? Lieutenant's
got his job to do too.
We just don't know what else to say.
We told your detectives
everything we know.
Why don't we go through it one more time ?
I'd like to get it firsthand. Okay ?
Oh sure. It's simple.
We were patrolling down Leland
Street, we heard the alarm go off,
pulled in the alley
and that's what we saw.
Breaking into the warehouse ?
Now, he was coming out, he started
o run and fell off the dock.
- That was it.
- That's as close as you got to him ?
Until he took the header.
We tried to help him, but it was too late.
God's truth, lieutenant.
What's happening ?
Uh, mother ID-ed the body.
Yeah ? Well, what's the
medical examiner saying ?
Skull fracture consistent with a fault.
When we match the machinery
to point the impact.
Any other injuries ?
No. I just always
I'll check, lieutenant.
I cut the men loose,
***
Was that right ?
Okay, that's it for now, gentlemen.
Thanks for your cooperation.
You're free to go.
Cut it out !
Aren't these the men who
said things about my Randy ?
The ones in the citizen's patrol ?
Are you letting them go?
- Mrs. Blain, I'm very sorry.
- Wait a minute !
Wait a minute ! No ! Don't do leave !
I want to...
Easy, easy with them !
I said easy !
I said easy.
Why are you letting them go ?
Mrs. Blain, I know this is hard for you
to accept, but they didn't do anything.
Oh yes they did !
Otherwise they wouldn't have
said those things about Randy,
calling him a thief ! He hate...
He wasn't no thief.
He was one block from our house.
He was just coming home.
Let's... Ket's see that Mrs. Blain
and her son get home safely.
Thank you.
Well, Jimmy, here's to better days.
I mean divorce is through,
your financial situation
is much more stable
and well you're on the up and up.
Cheers !
You're not going to
believe this, McCall.
I started dating her again.
- You... Your former wife ?
- Yeah, yeah.
I know, I know...
You mean the one you just divorced ?
The one whose lawyer
took you to the cleaners ?
That one.
I don't believe it ! I just
don't bel... I can't believe it !
I know. I'm an idiot. I thought I
was going to be so happy without her.
I mean. I hated her guts,
How many times have I told you that ?
I was happy for about three months,
then I got lonely as hell.
I don't know why but, one night I went down
to the neighborhood bar where we first met
just to get a drink, you know.
Anyhow I slid into our old booth.
It's got a real high back
and I thought it was empty.
You know something ?
She was sitting in there
crying all by herself.
Anyhow, we're not back
together or nothing but,
it's a start and we're going
to take it one day at a time.
I guess I'm nuts...
Oh, no, no, I wouldn't say that,
Jimmy... I could say that but...
- You're a braver man than I am.
- Or something.
Oh God !
Excuse me, Mrs. Blain.
- Yes ?
- Robert McCall.
I've read all the newspaper reports
and I've been thinking very carefully
about what
you told me on the telephone.
I have to say this to you, Mrs. Blain.
Do you really want to
get into all of this ?
These are the things the police gave me.
It was everything that Randy had on him.
And, yes.
Randy wasn't a thief.
He was at the rock concert
that night. I called the theater.
It got up late after the last bus.
He went through the alley because it's
a shortcut. It's right behind our street.
Very well, Mrs Blain. If you...
I mean this is what you want ?
I will take whatever steps I can to help.
Thank you !
And what are you
going to take us for ?
- Eugene...
- No I got it right you know !
How much, because we don't
have that much to take.
I won't be taking anything.
My services are free.
Then that must mean you're going to
stealin', because ain't nothing for free.
- Eugene...
- No, no...
Your son is right.
Everything has its price. My services, in
particular, come with a very high price.
But, you see, I've I've already paid it.
Eugene, you have a
criminal record, don't you ?
Yeah, sure. Petty stuff, made up stuff.
ButRrandy was clean.
That's good, that's good.
Well, let's just say that I'm
doing this for you, shall ?
We what do you mean ?
It seems to me, young man,
that you are rather upset.
It means you could do something foolish.
And if you were to do something foolish,
you might have to pay a price
that none of us could afford.
- Hello, McCall.
- Hello, Jimmy,
Got a little job for you.
Here's the usual compensation.
All right. I'm listening.
I want you to run this list of
names through your little system.
Martin Bennett.
Yes. He's a small-time
politician. West Grove, New Jersey.
He ran for city council.
Once he lost, wants to try again.
- And the other four ?
- Small-time businessmen.
So-called decent citizens.
What do you want ? General dirt,
or bank accounts ? Credit ratings ?
No, no. I want you to be
a little more creative.
I'd like to find out one piece of truth
that nobody else knows about each one them.
Gotcha ! I'll do it.
Also, I would like a copy
of the agency printout
on the West Grove poilice department.
You're really gonna do
a number on these guys.
No, not unless I have to.
I don't like digging into people's past.
However, if that's the only
way to make people face reality,
so be it.
And I'll need it soon.
Take care, old chap.
Can I help you, mister ?
I was looking for the loading dock where
the Blain boy died. This is it, isn't it ?
- You got some business here ?
- No.
I'm just puzzled by rather
interesting question.
Why should a young burglar
break into a warehouse
filled with styrofoam pellets,
when right next door there's some
very expensive stereo equipment ?
Rather odd that, don't you think ?
Look this is private property.
Why don't you get the hell out here,
before I call the cops, huh ?
Yes, of course. I'd hate to upset
a member of the citizens patrol.
Good day, gentlemen.
Hey !
We want to talk to you. Over here !
Wouldn't you prefer alleyway
with a loading dock ?
You know you got a real
smart mouth, mister.
Yea, Mr. Big-shot. A real smart mouth.
Hello, Marty !
- You know this guy ?
- I never saw this guy before in my life.
Marty Bennett, Vic Rosselli,
Lou March, Al Weaver.
All we need now is Ben Kerrigan
and your vicious little group will
be ready for its nightly patrol.
- So you know our name ? So what ?
- I know more than that.
I know from this little
exercise in intimidation
that you must have been very
involved in the death of Randy Blain.
We didn't murder anybody !
I'm handling this.
I don't know who you are, mister,
but you don't know what
you're talking about.
We're not a bunch of
vigilantes out to kill someone.
Two years ago we were the only
thing that held this town together.
We got a right to protect our property.
An innocent teenage boy who never
did anybody any harm. I don't think so.
Oh, well... Possibly at some time, your little
group had some purpose, but not anymore.
What that boy really needed was
someone to protect him against you.
Look, what's your stake in this ?
Are you a private investigator ?
You working for that kid's mother ?
What I am doesn't matter.
All you need to know is that
I'm going to crack you wide open
and the truth is going
to come forward...
- Is that right ?
- Take it easy !
I suggest to you that you start
telling the truth before it's too late.
This meeting is not an end, gentlemen.
Good day !
Hold on !
Mr. Roselli...
Please don't do anything you
will never live to regret.
Thank you.
Hello.
Is this Robert McCall ?
Yes, it is.
Somebody told me that you're
looking for information
about the death of that kid,
Mrs. Blain's son, am I right ?
Yes.
Well I saw something that night.
I saw the citizens
group go into that alley.
They were tailing him, you see...
But, you know,
I live here so I don't want any trouble.
Oh yes, yes, of course
I understand that.
Well I could meet you in the city ?
No, I don't have that much time.
But there's an old canning factory
at the end of Whitaker Street.
Forray Foods.
You meet me there in an hour ?
All right. Of course.
Which way is it ?
Oh yeah. It's down here.
Lt. Vocek, I would like to speak to you.
- You're leaving now fella' !
- Take your hand off me, sergeant.
Your name's Sergeant Patel, isn't it ?
The last three major cases you submitted
to the district attorney were rejected.
Right ? They were rejected because
of insufficient investigative evidence from you
and also charges of brutality, correct ?
- Who are you ?
- My name is Robert McCall.
What I am you will find out if
you call that unlisted number.
Some of your men have just tried to set
me up at a place called Forray's Foods ?
Leave us alone, Butelli.
Now, why would we want to do that ?
- I never heard of you before this moment.
- I received an anonymous telephone call,
asking me to be there.
Tell me, why did you
stake out that factory ?
Was it because you had a tip
from the citizens patrol ?
You seem to know a
lot about our business.
We were told there was a
fire being planned, an arson.
Oh, how very convenient.
So I walk in you arrest me
and lo and behold, somebody finds a
couple of cans of gasoline in my car.
- Is that it ?
- Why would anybody want to do that to you ?
Well, it could be, because I am
looking into the death of the Blain boy.
- Well, that case is closed.
- Oh really ?
And since when have you
closed the investigations
without looking at the evidence ?
What are you talking about ?
You sent that boy's
coat back to his mother.
It had a piece of cloth missing from the
right arm. Well, I found that piece of cloth.
It was attached to a nail,
on a wall, 100 feet away
from where the citizens
patrol say the boy died.
Does that suggest anything to you ?
- I don't know...
- You don't know ?
Well, I'll tell you
what it suggests to me.
It suggests to me that that boy was thrown
against the wall and then taken or chased
by one or more of the so-called citizens
patrol, down the alleyway to where he died.
Lieutenant, I understand that you
have two distinguished service awards.
That means that you know your job.
So can you please tell me why you
allow the citizens patrol even to exist ?
Well, you're not from West
Grover. You'd understand.
A few years ago this town
was dying. The steel mill closed.
There was unemployment.
Street crime was up.
There was no money for
anything but a skeleton police force.
And these men filled the gaps. They walked
the line till we were back up to strength.
You just don't turn around
and slap him in the face.
I admire your community spirit, but they're
not walking the line anymore, are they ?
- They've crossed it.
- I'm afraid I don't see it that way.
I think you will.
Don't forget the number.
Marty's plan didn't work out.
I told him getting the
cops into it was stupid.
Yeah well, now it's time for my plan.
This guy works for her.
That means that old lady Blain and me
gotta have a real serious discussion.
I'll watch the street.
Make it fast. Be careful !
Yes ?
What do you want ? Please, get out !
- Not until I finish talking to you.
- I said, please...
Please get out.
You made a big mistake
calling that investigator.
It was you who made the mistake.
Your people killed Randy and
Mr. McCall is going to prove it.
Now, please, get out of my house !
You call of that guy and
you're going to be real sorry.
Don't touch me !
Hey, come back here !
- What are you doing ?
- I'm calling the police.
'Cause I'm gonna get you out...
What... What are you doing ?
I'm trying to get you e message.
- Get away from me !
- You won't learn, will you ?
He was trying to kill me.
I had to use the knife.
It was ... easy, quick.
Taking a life... It
shouldn't be like that.
- No, it shouldn't.
- I worked so long for this.
Ten years, working two jobs, saving enough
money so we could move out of the city.
I didn't want my boys to
grow up with so much violence
and now Randy is dead and I've
killed somebody with my own hands.
It was self-defense, Mrs. Blain.
- You had no choice.
- Yeah ?
Well, I hope you're ready to
pay for the lawyer, McCall.
- Like you paid for the bail.
- Eugene...
'Cause I know the man and he's gonna
send her away for a hundred years.
Eugene !
You know what those
patrol dudes are saying ?
They're saying that he came up
here to apologize and she knife 'im.
And the jury's gonna believe him
too because they know how to lie.
No, there will be no trial.
Once I have proved that the
citizen's patrol is violent,
all charges against your
mother will be dropped.
Big talk ! But you're wrong.
There's only one thing that'll
make them stand up and listen.
- I'm getting a gun.
- You'll do no such thing !
You do that and those men win.
You try to harm them and you will be
proving their lies against your family.
Mrs. Blain...
All those men need is one little push and
they will start tearing each other apart.
I start pushing, tomorrow.
I'm telling, you it's falling apart.
- Vic, you gotta look at the total picture.
- What the hell are you talking about ?
- Al's dead.
- He was our friend.
But he made a bad mistake.He should
never have gone to see that woman.
Marty's right.
Look, you guys have got to trust me.
I'm handling this thing.
- It's under control...
- Yeah, you're handling all right, Marty.
Just like you handle McCall.
Hell of a plan, Marty ! Shake him up !
Get him arrested. Only it didn't work.
All I did was get the lieutenant
screaming down our necks.
Okay. But think about this. If McCall had
something he would have used it by now.
Every time I think about that guy I
want to pound him straight in the ground.
- He's the cause of all our trouble !
- Come on, Vic.
There's been enough violence.
Will you forget about McCall ?
What if they make us be at that woman's trial ?
We go and we tell the story just like we've
been telling it right from the beginning.
Nothing's changed.
We've got this thing licked
All we have to do is stand together.
Sure, Marty. and we
read you loud and clear.
All we gotta do is watch out
for each other. Right, Marty !
- I'm looking for Jumping Jack.
- Yeah, well you found 'im.
- Now, what you want ?
- I want to buy a gun.
It should be like this one ?
Yeah. I got 150 bucks.
- Hey, get lost, boy ! Cost you 350.
- Yeah ? Well, I'll be back.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Thanks a lot, John.
Take care now.
What's this ?
Just got this sent to my store.
McCall knows about my affair with Edie.
My wife finds out, I'm dead.
Yeah ? Well, he knows something
else too, we got a rat on board.
Somebody in the group sold out.
- Who ?
- Only two possibilities,
and I'm betting on the wimp
up at the corner. Kerrigan.
Hello ?
Hello. Marty ?
Yes, speaking. Who is this ?
It's Robert McCall.
What do you want with me now ?
If I were you, I would get them down
to Ben Kerrigan's place, straight away.
Why ? What's going on down there ?
It's all going out of control.
Out of control ?
All right. I'll see about it.
What the hell is going on ?
What are you doing ?
We got a rat, we take it down !
***
Look at this ! That's from McCall.
Ben's the only one who
could have told him.
What the hell is this?
It's no big deal. Two months
ago I bought a hot Mercedes.
He was the only one who knew.
It came at 3 A.M.
He was here making his damn cookies.
- You bought a stolen car ?
- It was nothing.
Half the guys in the body
business dude. It's no big deal.
I promise you, I didn't
tell nobody nothing.
I promise you.
My God ! What were you going to do? Kill him ?
Marty, you butt out ! This ain't no patrol
meeting and you ain't in charge anymore.
You idiots ! Don't you understand ?
Get out of here ! We're all dead !
McCall knows about this.
He was the one who called me.
That's real interesting !
Why'd you stop being such
great buddies with the McCall ?
You're crazy.
Come on let's get out of here !
I can't stand the odor.
You got here fast.
I was expecting your call.
You've really got my men jumping.
I guess you know that.
Fed them all their
weakest, meanest parts.
Twisted them all up inside.
If you keep this up,
someone is going to get killed.
Someone's already been killed.
Perfect innocent young boy.
And let's not forget Al.
If he'd lived a little longer, who knows ?
He might have had time to repent.
- What do you want ?
- How about the truth ?
It probably trial us for manslaughter.
Maybe even murder.
Every one of us has to account for
his crimes, either now or later.
- Your time's now.
- I've... I've got to think.
Fine, just don't take too long about it.
Your friends have chosen
another target. It's you.
Robert McCall.
Eugene just came in and left again.
He wouldn't talk to me he.
He took all his savings and some of mine.
I'm frightened. I'm scared
he's going to buy a gun.
Mrs. Blain, try not to worry. I'll find him.
All right. Where would he buy a gun ?
McCall.
I'm ready to talk.
Where do you wanna see me ?
The alley, where it happend.
At five o'clock.
I'll be there.
.44 Magnum.
Elephant gun, man. Dirty Harry ?
Five snaps. Or, .38 Snub-nosed.
It'll do the job.
350.
Get an early start, kid.
I'm not starting anything.
I'm just gonna finish it.
- Like hell you are !
- Hey, hey, you're a dead man ! I'll kill you !
I thought I told you not
to go out and buy a gun.
Yeah, you told me.
Then why the hell did you...
Hey, you don't run my life !
I'm gonna get them !
I'm gonna blow them away for what
they did to Randy and my mama.
- That is not the way.
- It's what you do, isn't it ?
You think I don't know you
got a gun under that coat ?
If all I did was blow people away,
those men would have been dead days ago.
- There will be no bigger criminal.
-You're all talk.
Sure you can push people
around in an alley but,
you're you're really
afraid of killing anybody.
I wish to God you were right.
You think it makes you more
of a man to go pick up a gun
and take someone's life ?
Is that what you think ?
Every time you pull that trigger
you see a face. You never, never,
stop seeing all of their
faces every single one.
Every single one !
Never ! They are always with you !
Now perhaps that is part
of the price I have paid,
but let's say that I've
paid it for both of us.
Okay. So what happens now ?
Go home to your mother, look after her
and then perhaps I can get a little justice
around here without any more violence.
Go home.
McCall !
You know, it's funny.
When you want to believe something
bad enough it almost becomes real.
Even if it isn't.
Yes, I understand that.
I've lived in this town
my whole life, Mr. McCall.
I was born here, married here.
It's all I've got.
That's why I started the patrol.
To stop the violence and make it
safe for kids. Isn't that a laugh ?
You know, I played stickball
right here when I was growing up.
Me and Ben, a bunch of others.
Vicky was just a little guy.
There were no warehouses then.
Tenements. They were real clean,
you know ? I bet I walked down
this alley a thousand times in the dark
and I was the same age as Randy Blain.
- What happened that night, Marty ?
- We didn't hate 'im, Mr. Mccall.
We were afraid of him.
When that alarm went off,
was like something snapped inside.
We chased him down
the alley, trapped him.
That kid was so scared. He wasn't
near this warehouse, we pushed him here.
Cornered him like, an animal.
That's when he tripped and fell.
- You all right ?
- Yeah, yeah, I'm all right.
Stay where you are.
Marty, you talk too much !
Vic ! Vic, don't do it ! Don't do it, Vic !
Don't do it !
Vic, don't you understand ?
It's over ! Put down your gun !
I understand the plan, traitor !
You'll set me up to take a fall.
No, no ! It's the only way we can make it.
Really this time ! You gotta believe me !
You called that cops to get me !
Vic !
Put the gun down, please !
Secure the area. Let's get an ambulance.
I warned him.
He aimed.
I fired.
And none of this would have
happened if you've done your job.
Can we get this thing moving ?
Come on !
There's no need to be ashamed of tears.
I was just thinking...
Somehow if we could nail all those dudes,
it would make a difference, but it doesn't.
Randy is still gone.
Yes, he is.
There's really no point in revenge, is there ?
And hitting back, just
for the sake of hitting back.
That never takes the hurt away.
So now you understand.
What about you ?
You've got another face to remember.
Mr. McCall...
Mr. McCall...
Why don't you come home with us ?
Have a little dinner.
And a top.
I would like that very much indeed.
Transcribed by Adr1an
They didn't do anything.
Oh, yes they did,
otherwise they wouldn't have said those
things about Randy calling him a thief.
All you need to know
is that I'm gonna crack wide open.
Every time I think about that guy,
I want to pound him straight in the ground.
- I'm getting a gun.
- You do that and those men win.
Elephant gun, man.
What are you doing ?
****
Your friends have chosen another target.
What are you doing ?
I'm trying to give you a message.
You won't you learn, won't you ?
Wasn't that concert the greatest, man ?
I'm gonna take the shortcut.
Yeah, my mom always stays up,
so I gotta get home. Okay ?
All right. I'll see you then.
And it takes 45 minutes
for the cops to get there.
I mean they clean the place out.
Well, they could have gone to New
York and back in that amount of time.
And then the cops
think they can handle it.
Where were they a couple of years ago when
we were the only thing on the streets ?
People are plenty happy to
see the civilian patrol land.
Okay. First shift I'll be back
any minute. Let's saddle up.
Hey, listen ! It's an alarm.
No kidding ! What the hell you
waiting for ? Get going !
Move it !
What's going on ?
Where the hell you go ?
***
Get of me !
- He's not breathing.
- He just fell. We didn't hurt him.
I told you guys to lighten up.
Where did you get a tire iron ?
You know the rules, no weapon !
Oh shut up ! We didn't kill anybody.
It was a damn accident.
- What are we gonna do now ?
- I'll tell you what we're gonna do.
This kid is guilty as hell
and he's gonna look that way.
And this is for all of us.
We gotta stick together.
Well, go call the cops !
Hi, Sylvia, it's Miriam.
I'm sorry to bother you so late but,
did Randy stop by there tonight ?
He went toa rock concert
and he hasn't come home yet.
No. Okay, thank you.
He's probably hanging out with
the guys. Would you lighten up ?
You see ? He's home and the
roach face lost his keys again.
What's... What's happening ?
- Are you the mother of Randy ?
- Yes, yes, yes. What's happened ?
Mrs. Nlain, has been an accident.
Hey, lieutenant, can we go now ?
We got to get to work in the morning.
Vic, you mind ? Lieutenant's
got his job to do too.
We just don't know what else to say.
We told your detectives
everything we know.
Why don't we go through it one more time ?
I'd like to get it firsthand. Okay ?
Oh sure. It's simple.
We were patrolling down Leland
Street, we heard the alarm go off,
pulled in the alley
and that's what we saw.
Breaking into the warehouse ?
Now, he was coming out, he started
o run and fell off the dock.
- That was it.
- That's as close as you got to him ?
Until he took the header.
We tried to help him, but it was too late.
God's truth, lieutenant.
What's happening ?
Uh, mother ID-ed the body.
Yeah ? Well, what's the
medical examiner saying ?
Skull fracture consistent with a fault.
When we match the machinery
to point the impact.
Any other injuries ?
No. I just always
I'll check, lieutenant.
I cut the men loose,
***
Was that right ?
Okay, that's it for now, gentlemen.
Thanks for your cooperation.
You're free to go.
Cut it out !
Aren't these the men who
said things about my Randy ?
The ones in the citizen's patrol ?
Are you letting them go?
- Mrs. Blain, I'm very sorry.
- Wait a minute !
Wait a minute ! No ! Don't do leave !
I want to...
Easy, easy with them !
I said easy !
I said easy.
Why are you letting them go ?
Mrs. Blain, I know this is hard for you
to accept, but they didn't do anything.
Oh yes they did !
Otherwise they wouldn't have
said those things about Randy,
calling him a thief ! He hate...
He wasn't no thief.
He was one block from our house.
He was just coming home.
Let's... Ket's see that Mrs. Blain
and her son get home safely.
Thank you.
Well, Jimmy, here's to better days.
I mean divorce is through,
your financial situation
is much more stable
and well you're on the up and up.
Cheers !
You're not going to
believe this, McCall.
I started dating her again.
- You... Your former wife ?
- Yeah, yeah.
I know, I know...
You mean the one you just divorced ?
The one whose lawyer
took you to the cleaners ?
That one.
I don't believe it ! I just
don't bel... I can't believe it !
I know. I'm an idiot. I thought I
was going to be so happy without her.
I mean. I hated her guts,
How many times have I told you that ?
I was happy for about three months,
then I got lonely as hell.
I don't know why but, one night I went down
to the neighborhood bar where we first met
just to get a drink, you know.
Anyhow I slid into our old booth.
It's got a real high back
and I thought it was empty.
You know something ?
She was sitting in there
crying all by herself.
Anyhow, we're not back
together or nothing but,
it's a start and we're going
to take it one day at a time.
I guess I'm nuts...
Oh, no, no, I wouldn't say that,
Jimmy... I could say that but...
- You're a braver man than I am.
- Or something.
Oh God !
Excuse me, Mrs. Blain.
- Yes ?
- Robert McCall.
I've read all the newspaper reports
and I've been thinking very carefully
about what
you told me on the telephone.
I have to say this to you, Mrs. Blain.
Do you really want to
get into all of this ?
These are the things the police gave me.
It was everything that Randy had on him.
And, yes.
Randy wasn't a thief.
He was at the rock concert
that night. I called the theater.
It got up late after the last bus.
He went through the alley because it's
a shortcut. It's right behind our street.
Very well, Mrs Blain. If you...
I mean this is what you want ?
I will take whatever steps I can to help.
Thank you !
And what are you
going to take us for ?
- Eugene...
- No I got it right you know !
How much, because we don't
have that much to take.
I won't be taking anything.
My services are free.
Then that must mean you're going to
stealin', because ain't nothing for free.
- Eugene...
- No, no...
Your son is right.
Everything has its price. My services, in
particular, come with a very high price.
But, you see, I've I've already paid it.
Eugene, you have a
criminal record, don't you ?
Yeah, sure. Petty stuff, made up stuff.
ButRrandy was clean.
That's good, that's good.
Well, let's just say that I'm
doing this for you, shall ?
We what do you mean ?
It seems to me, young man,
that you are rather upset.
It means you could do something foolish.
And if you were to do something foolish,
you might have to pay a price
that none of us could afford.
- Hello, McCall.
- Hello, Jimmy,
Got a little job for you.
Here's the usual compensation.
All right. I'm listening.
I want you to run this list of
names through your little system.
Martin Bennett.
Yes. He's a small-time
politician. West Grove, New Jersey.
He ran for city council.
Once he lost, wants to try again.
- And the other four ?
- Small-time businessmen.
So-called decent citizens.
What do you want ? General dirt,
or bank accounts ? Credit ratings ?
No, no. I want you to be
a little more creative.
I'd like to find out one piece of truth
that nobody else knows about each one them.
Gotcha ! I'll do it.
Also, I would like a copy
of the agency printout
on the West Grove poilice department.
You're really gonna do
a number on these guys.
No, not unless I have to.
I don't like digging into people's past.
However, if that's the only
way to make people face reality,
so be it.
And I'll need it soon.
Take care, old chap.
Can I help you, mister ?
I was looking for the loading dock where
the Blain boy died. This is it, isn't it ?
- You got some business here ?
- No.
I'm just puzzled by rather
interesting question.
Why should a young burglar
break into a warehouse
filled with styrofoam pellets,
when right next door there's some
very expensive stereo equipment ?
Rather odd that, don't you think ?
Look this is private property.
Why don't you get the hell out here,
before I call the cops, huh ?
Yes, of course. I'd hate to upset
a member of the citizens patrol.
Good day, gentlemen.
Hey !
We want to talk to you. Over here !
Wouldn't you prefer alleyway
with a loading dock ?
You know you got a real
smart mouth, mister.
Yea, Mr. Big-shot. A real smart mouth.
Hello, Marty !
- You know this guy ?
- I never saw this guy before in my life.
Marty Bennett, Vic Rosselli,
Lou March, Al Weaver.
All we need now is Ben Kerrigan
and your vicious little group will
be ready for its nightly patrol.
- So you know our name ? So what ?
- I know more than that.
I know from this little
exercise in intimidation
that you must have been very
involved in the death of Randy Blain.
We didn't murder anybody !
I'm handling this.
I don't know who you are, mister,
but you don't know what
you're talking about.
We're not a bunch of
vigilantes out to kill someone.
Two years ago we were the only
thing that held this town together.
We got a right to protect our property.
An innocent teenage boy who never
did anybody any harm. I don't think so.
Oh, well... Possibly at some time, your little
group had some purpose, but not anymore.
What that boy really needed was
someone to protect him against you.
Look, what's your stake in this ?
Are you a private investigator ?
You working for that kid's mother ?
What I am doesn't matter.
All you need to know is that
I'm going to crack you wide open
and the truth is going
to come forward...
- Is that right ?
- Take it easy !
I suggest to you that you start
telling the truth before it's too late.
This meeting is not an end, gentlemen.
Good day !
Hold on !
Mr. Roselli...
Please don't do anything you
will never live to regret.
Thank you.
Hello.
Is this Robert McCall ?
Yes, it is.
Somebody told me that you're
looking for information
about the death of that kid,
Mrs. Blain's son, am I right ?
Yes.
Well I saw something that night.
I saw the citizens
group go into that alley.
They were tailing him, you see...
But, you know,
I live here so I don't want any trouble.
Oh yes, yes, of course
I understand that.
Well I could meet you in the city ?
No, I don't have that much time.
But there's an old canning factory
at the end of Whitaker Street.
Forray Foods.
You meet me there in an hour ?
All right. Of course.
Which way is it ?
Oh yeah. It's down here.
Lt. Vocek, I would like to speak to you.
- You're leaving now fella' !
- Take your hand off me, sergeant.
Your name's Sergeant Patel, isn't it ?
The last three major cases you submitted
to the district attorney were rejected.
Right ? They were rejected because
of insufficient investigative evidence from you
and also charges of brutality, correct ?
- Who are you ?
- My name is Robert McCall.
What I am you will find out if
you call that unlisted number.
Some of your men have just tried to set
me up at a place called Forray's Foods ?
Leave us alone, Butelli.
Now, why would we want to do that ?
- I never heard of you before this moment.
- I received an anonymous telephone call,
asking me to be there.
Tell me, why did you
stake out that factory ?
Was it because you had a tip
from the citizens patrol ?
You seem to know a
lot about our business.
We were told there was a
fire being planned, an arson.
Oh, how very convenient.
So I walk in you arrest me
and lo and behold, somebody finds a
couple of cans of gasoline in my car.
- Is that it ?
- Why would anybody want to do that to you ?
Well, it could be, because I am
looking into the death of the Blain boy.
- Well, that case is closed.
- Oh really ?
And since when have you
closed the investigations
without looking at the evidence ?
What are you talking about ?
You sent that boy's
coat back to his mother.
It had a piece of cloth missing from the
right arm. Well, I found that piece of cloth.
It was attached to a nail,
on a wall, 100 feet away
from where the citizens
patrol say the boy died.
Does that suggest anything to you ?
- I don't know...
- You don't know ?
Well, I'll tell you
what it suggests to me.
It suggests to me that that boy was thrown
against the wall and then taken or chased
by one or more of the so-called citizens
patrol, down the alleyway to where he died.
Lieutenant, I understand that you
have two distinguished service awards.
That means that you know your job.
So can you please tell me why you
allow the citizens patrol even to exist ?
Well, you're not from West
Grover. You'd understand.
A few years ago this town
was dying. The steel mill closed.
There was unemployment.
Street crime was up.
There was no money for
anything but a skeleton police force.
And these men filled the gaps. They walked
the line till we were back up to strength.
You just don't turn around
and slap him in the face.
I admire your community spirit, but they're
not walking the line anymore, are they ?
- They've crossed it.
- I'm afraid I don't see it that way.
I think you will.
Don't forget the number.
Marty's plan didn't work out.
I told him getting the
cops into it was stupid.
Yeah well, now it's time for my plan.
This guy works for her.
That means that old lady Blain and me
gotta have a real serious discussion.
I'll watch the street.
Make it fast. Be careful !
Yes ?
What do you want ? Please, get out !
- Not until I finish talking to you.
- I said, please...
Please get out.
You made a big mistake
calling that investigator.
It was you who made the mistake.
Your people killed Randy and
Mr. McCall is going to prove it.
Now, please, get out of my house !
You call of that guy and
you're going to be real sorry.
Don't touch me !
Hey, come back here !
- What are you doing ?
- I'm calling the police.
'Cause I'm gonna get you out...
What... What are you doing ?
I'm trying to get you e message.
- Get away from me !
- You won't learn, will you ?
He was trying to kill me.
I had to use the knife.
It was ... easy, quick.
Taking a life... It
shouldn't be like that.
- No, it shouldn't.
- I worked so long for this.
Ten years, working two jobs, saving enough
money so we could move out of the city.
I didn't want my boys to
grow up with so much violence
and now Randy is dead and I've
killed somebody with my own hands.
It was self-defense, Mrs. Blain.
- You had no choice.
- Yeah ?
Well, I hope you're ready to
pay for the lawyer, McCall.
- Like you paid for the bail.
- Eugene...
'Cause I know the man and he's gonna
send her away for a hundred years.
Eugene !
You know what those
patrol dudes are saying ?
They're saying that he came up
here to apologize and she knife 'im.
And the jury's gonna believe him
too because they know how to lie.
No, there will be no trial.
Once I have proved that the
citizen's patrol is violent,
all charges against your
mother will be dropped.
Big talk ! But you're wrong.
There's only one thing that'll
make them stand up and listen.
- I'm getting a gun.
- You'll do no such thing !
You do that and those men win.
You try to harm them and you will be
proving their lies against your family.
Mrs. Blain...
All those men need is one little push and
they will start tearing each other apart.
I start pushing, tomorrow.
I'm telling, you it's falling apart.
- Vic, you gotta look at the total picture.
- What the hell are you talking about ?
- Al's dead.
- He was our friend.
But he made a bad mistake.He should
never have gone to see that woman.
Marty's right.
Look, you guys have got to trust me.
I'm handling this thing.
- It's under control...
- Yeah, you're handling all right, Marty.
Just like you handle McCall.
Hell of a plan, Marty ! Shake him up !
Get him arrested. Only it didn't work.
All I did was get the lieutenant
screaming down our necks.
Okay. But think about this. If McCall had
something he would have used it by now.
Every time I think about that guy I
want to pound him straight in the ground.
- He's the cause of all our trouble !
- Come on, Vic.
There's been enough violence.
Will you forget about McCall ?
What if they make us be at that woman's trial ?
We go and we tell the story just like we've
been telling it right from the beginning.
Nothing's changed.
We've got this thing licked
All we have to do is stand together.
Sure, Marty. and we
read you loud and clear.
All we gotta do is watch out
for each other. Right, Marty !
- I'm looking for Jumping Jack.
- Yeah, well you found 'im.
- Now, what you want ?
- I want to buy a gun.
It should be like this one ?
Yeah. I got 150 bucks.
- Hey, get lost, boy ! Cost you 350.
- Yeah ? Well, I'll be back.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Thanks a lot, John.
Take care now.
What's this ?
Just got this sent to my store.
McCall knows about my affair with Edie.
My wife finds out, I'm dead.
Yeah ? Well, he knows something
else too, we got a rat on board.
Somebody in the group sold out.
- Who ?
- Only two possibilities,
and I'm betting on the wimp
up at the corner. Kerrigan.
Hello ?
Hello. Marty ?
Yes, speaking. Who is this ?
It's Robert McCall.
What do you want with me now ?
If I were you, I would get them down
to Ben Kerrigan's place, straight away.
Why ? What's going on down there ?
It's all going out of control.
Out of control ?
All right. I'll see about it.
What the hell is going on ?
What are you doing ?
We got a rat, we take it down !
***
Look at this ! That's from McCall.
Ben's the only one who
could have told him.
What the hell is this?
It's no big deal. Two months
ago I bought a hot Mercedes.
He was the only one who knew.
It came at 3 A.M.
He was here making his damn cookies.
- You bought a stolen car ?
- It was nothing.
Half the guys in the body
business dude. It's no big deal.
I promise you, I didn't
tell nobody nothing.
I promise you.
My God ! What were you going to do? Kill him ?
Marty, you butt out ! This ain't no patrol
meeting and you ain't in charge anymore.
You idiots ! Don't you understand ?
Get out of here ! We're all dead !
McCall knows about this.
He was the one who called me.
That's real interesting !
Why'd you stop being such
great buddies with the McCall ?
You're crazy.
Come on let's get out of here !
I can't stand the odor.
You got here fast.
I was expecting your call.
You've really got my men jumping.
I guess you know that.
Fed them all their
weakest, meanest parts.
Twisted them all up inside.
If you keep this up,
someone is going to get killed.
Someone's already been killed.
Perfect innocent young boy.
And let's not forget Al.
If he'd lived a little longer, who knows ?
He might have had time to repent.
- What do you want ?
- How about the truth ?
It probably trial us for manslaughter.
Maybe even murder.
Every one of us has to account for
his crimes, either now or later.
- Your time's now.
- I've... I've got to think.
Fine, just don't take too long about it.
Your friends have chosen
another target. It's you.
Robert McCall.
Eugene just came in and left again.
He wouldn't talk to me he.
He took all his savings and some of mine.
I'm frightened. I'm scared
he's going to buy a gun.
Mrs. Blain, try not to worry. I'll find him.
All right. Where would he buy a gun ?
McCall.
I'm ready to talk.
Where do you wanna see me ?
The alley, where it happend.
At five o'clock.
I'll be there.
.44 Magnum.
Elephant gun, man. Dirty Harry ?
Five snaps. Or, .38 Snub-nosed.
It'll do the job.
350.
Get an early start, kid.
I'm not starting anything.
I'm just gonna finish it.
- Like hell you are !
- Hey, hey, you're a dead man ! I'll kill you !
I thought I told you not
to go out and buy a gun.
Yeah, you told me.
Then why the hell did you...
Hey, you don't run my life !
I'm gonna get them !
I'm gonna blow them away for what
they did to Randy and my mama.
- That is not the way.
- It's what you do, isn't it ?
You think I don't know you
got a gun under that coat ?
If all I did was blow people away,
those men would have been dead days ago.
- There will be no bigger criminal.
-You're all talk.
Sure you can push people
around in an alley but,
you're you're really
afraid of killing anybody.
I wish to God you were right.
You think it makes you more
of a man to go pick up a gun
and take someone's life ?
Is that what you think ?
Every time you pull that trigger
you see a face. You never, never,
stop seeing all of their
faces every single one.
Every single one !
Never ! They are always with you !
Now perhaps that is part
of the price I have paid,
but let's say that I've
paid it for both of us.
Okay. So what happens now ?
Go home to your mother, look after her
and then perhaps I can get a little justice
around here without any more violence.
Go home.
McCall !
You know, it's funny.
When you want to believe something
bad enough it almost becomes real.
Even if it isn't.
Yes, I understand that.
I've lived in this town
my whole life, Mr. McCall.
I was born here, married here.
It's all I've got.
That's why I started the patrol.
To stop the violence and make it
safe for kids. Isn't that a laugh ?
You know, I played stickball
right here when I was growing up.
Me and Ben, a bunch of others.
Vicky was just a little guy.
There were no warehouses then.
Tenements. They were real clean,
you know ? I bet I walked down
this alley a thousand times in the dark
and I was the same age as Randy Blain.
- What happened that night, Marty ?
- We didn't hate 'im, Mr. Mccall.
We were afraid of him.
When that alarm went off,
was like something snapped inside.
We chased him down
the alley, trapped him.
That kid was so scared. He wasn't
near this warehouse, we pushed him here.
Cornered him like, an animal.
That's when he tripped and fell.
- You all right ?
- Yeah, yeah, I'm all right.
Stay where you are.
Marty, you talk too much !
Vic ! Vic, don't do it ! Don't do it, Vic !
Don't do it !
Vic, don't you understand ?
It's over ! Put down your gun !
I understand the plan, traitor !
You'll set me up to take a fall.
No, no ! It's the only way we can make it.
Really this time ! You gotta believe me !
You called that cops to get me !
Vic !
Put the gun down, please !
Secure the area. Let's get an ambulance.
I warned him.
He aimed.
I fired.
And none of this would have
happened if you've done your job.
Can we get this thing moving ?
Come on !
There's no need to be ashamed of tears.
I was just thinking...
Somehow if we could nail all those dudes,
it would make a difference, but it doesn't.
Randy is still gone.
Yes, he is.
There's really no point in revenge, is there ?
And hitting back, just
for the sake of hitting back.
That never takes the hurt away.
So now you understand.
What about you ?
You've got another face to remember.
Mr. McCall...
Mr. McCall...
Why don't you come home with us ?
Have a little dinner.
And a top.
I would like that very much indeed.
Transcribed by Adr1an