The Equalizer (1985–1989): Season 2, Episode 9 - Tip on a Sure Thing - full transcript

But the kids got eyes and
a witness could bury us.

Roberto !

If Notaquita wins, Roberto dies.

But if they call the
police, Roberto dies.

Hey ! Hey ! Hey !

I want to know where
Chance is keeping the boy,

If I stop writing, Roberto dies.

The Rriveras have only one
son and don't you forget it.

Nine and change ? What,
are you out of your mind ?

He just left... He left
his race on the track .

- He was just playing out there.
- He's got nothing left for Saturday.



He's in that good of shape ?

He's in better shape than that
tip sheet you handicapped for.

Yeah, well, that tide
will soon turn, my friend.

You're always looking for a sure thing.

You bet, you bet.
Now, what about another *** ?

You really think he's got a chance to beat
Survivor Too, mile and a quarter, one on one ?

Just don't drive the
eyes down too far. Okay ?

Hey, Greenleaf ! Haven't
seen you around lately.

Just picking my spots, dude.

Like spot the Celtics five
points against the Lakers ?

- Next time I'm taking you to the cleaners.
- Hey, no one has yet.

Walt says if you let him bet on
the Bears tonight he can get even.

The only way he could get
even is if he was ahead.

- That would be a miracle.
- Yeah.



Losers like Walt will
just be a memory soon.

The line's out. Now what
we got to do is reel it in.

Man, that jockey shut us
love that horse, doesn't he ?

It's a shame, ain't it ?

Good boy ! Good boy !

This Saturday at Monmouth Park a classic
match-up for racing fans everywhere.

Hi, this is Warner Wolf.

You know whether it was David, this deadly
slingshot knocking off Goliath

or the 1969 World Champion mets,

the point is people want
to see the underdog win.

They're going to root for that underdog.

They want to see the big guy fall.

Well, right now we've got
an underdog right here.

Or, shall I say, an underdog
at the top of the stretch.

So let's go to the videotape.

Purple Majesty in front by a light.

*** Princess dropped
back to second on the rail.

And in the middle of
the track here comes Notaquita.

Now it's Purple Majesty on the inside,
Notaquita on the outside.

Fine and dandy.

What about what's
happening in the real wold ?

Not a quitter. Purchased
for only 5.000 dollars.

A little chestnut colt not to be confused
with blue bloods like secretariat or a firm.

But, you know what ? I don't think anybody's
bothered to tell that to Notaquita .

Why don't you interview the horse ?

So far against all competition
Notaquita has met the challenge.

But now, in the race of his career,

in a match race, head to
head against the very best,

Survivor Too, a royal bread colt,
syndicated for 30 million dollars,

won the triple crown as a
three-year-old horse of the year,

as a four-year-old, on paper, this
thing looks like a real mismatch.

But wait a minute !

Give us a break, say the
backers of Notaquita !

Because Notaquita's popularity has grown
so much, we now have Notaquitamania.

And now, this Saturday,
here at Monmouth Park,

Not-a-quitter has the hope and the
two dollar bet of every horse player

who ever wanted to win the big one.

This is Warner Wolf.

Really...

- Do you like that horse ?
- I do.

Yeah ? Here, you want
to give him a piece ?

Roberto !

I got to go.

Okay.

Roberto, what do you want
to be when you grow up ?

I want to be a jockey, just like my dad.

Well, will you listen to that !

Come here ! You want to be a Notaquita ?

- Yeah.
- Okay.

You like Notaquita ?

He looks good.

Isn't that sweet ?

Let's go !

Excuse me.

***

I...

Daily double, winner of the
first, the winner of the second

or the eighth to the ninth, exact to one
two in order, one two either way.

triple one two three...

Can one just put money down
on a horse to win a race ?

Sure, but it isn't as exciting.

Oh ! Exciting enough for me, thank you.

Suit yourself.

So how much is it gonna be ?

100 ? 200 ?

What is the minimum amount of money
that one can put down on a horse ?

Two dollars.

Well, I will put down two
dollars on the horse Notaquita.

You sure you can afford it, sport ?

- Hi.
- Hi.

Roberto !

Roberto !

Roberto !

Roberto !

Luis !

Luis !

I can't find Roberto.

He was playing and

Harvey, I am perfectly capable
of carrying my own package.

I am the delivery man, Mr. McCall.

Beside, *** it wasn't the pharmacy.

- It's the post August syndrome.
- Yeah.

By the way, did you try
those vitamins I send you ?

Is that what they were ?
But are horse pills.

They were.

What ?

Hey, if you can keep
a horse on its feet,

just think what they
can do for a human being.

We're not talking one a day here,
we're talking one a week.

I got statistics to
prove it if you don't believe me.

Oh, God ! I don't give a damn, Harvey.

Just just give them to the horse, Harvey.

Speaking of horses, who
do you like on Saturday ?

Not you too !

Personally I think Class is gonna tell.

I think Survivor Too's got
much tougher competition.

He's gonna kill Notaquita, but...

Thank you very much, Harvey.
Goodbye ! Geez ! What an idiot !

My name is Maria Rivera. 555-2948.

My husband said we couldn't call the
police he didn't want to call anybody.

But I couldn't do that.

They've taking my little boy.
Please, can you help us ?

The man on the phone said if I
call the police, Roberto dies.

If I stop riding, let someone
else ride Notaquita, Roberto dies.

Notaquita wins, Roberto dies.

So you didn't inform them ?

I won't risk my son's life.

The police are far better equipped than I am
to handle this sort of situation, you know.

If you notify the police I will deny
that anything has happened to my son.

I will tell them that he is with
my wife's sisters in Florida.

You see, I didn't want to call anyone.

This was my wife's idea. She is
the one who saw the ad and call

- Nevertheless, the police...
- Police...

I won't !

I won't ! They say no police.

I don't know who they are.

If I call the police I
don't know who's listening

I prefer to have the horse loose.
At least I know I get my boy back.

Maybe.

- What happens if I can't find your son ?
- Then I have no other choice.

Unless I see Roberto before the race,
Notaquita is going to lose.

Your trainer, Mr... What's his
name ? Peabody. Does he know ?

- Nn.
- Do the press know ?

I don't think so.

They say they wanted to talk to me.
I was thinking of taking off.

No, you mustn't do that. You
must not vary your routine.

It is absolutely imperative
that whoever took your son

believes that you intend to
stick to your side of the bargain.

- Iin other words, business as usual.
- Mr. McCall,

aside from my son,

that horse means everything
in the world to me.

Can you get my boy back ?
Give me and Notaquita a chance ?

Well, I've got two dollars riding on it.

They're in the gate.

Help ! Help !

No you don't !

Sea Biscuit, what's
the matter with you ?

Move it ! Move it ! Move it !

Sonny...

Move ! That's it !

- Sonny !
- McCall !

Now I'm gonna have to
lead him in the gate again.

Sonny, you are a very
difficult man to find.

Well, my bookie always seems to find me.

Control tells me that
you were made redundant.

He was putting it naturally. They fired me.

Can I get you something to eat ?

No, no, I won't just at the moment.
Thank you very much.

Why.. Why were you...

- Why were you fired ? You were a good agent
- Yeah, but I was a lousy gambler.

Well, let's see now.
You got Cisko out of Pakistan.

But I bet Robertson. I
came out a day earlier.

Hey, never expect the
Italian trains to run on time.

And ***, I understand that you
were instrumental in toppling that.

Yeah, but I picked the wrong person
to be a success in a straw poll.

And that cost me 10 big ones.

Well, that's unfortunate.
Nevertheless it was a good job.

I guess my priorities changed.

But, uh, you didn't come all the
way down here to talk up old times.

No, no, no, no, I didn't.

I find myself in a situation which
appears to require your special expertise.

Whoever kidnapped Roberto Rivera,
imagines he's got the match race covered.

Since... Since he knows that Notaquita
can't possibly win all he has to do

is to go down to the track,

bet as much money as he wants
on the other horse, Survivor Too.

Except this kind of money
won't be better to try.

It'll drop the odds too much.

It's a different kind of scam here.

- Such as ?
- A book.

A book ?

- A bookie, McCall.
- A bookie ! Bookie, bookie. Right. Yeah.

But I thought bookies already took bets.

A bookie would try to get his eyes as
close as possible to those at the track.

Now, the track takes out
20 before paying the public.

For bookie's eyes are the same, then he's
making that same 20 of his clients.

What if too much money goes on one
particular horse ? What happens then ?

Then the bookie trying to lay
it off with another bookie.

To balance the ***. Thus
assuring his 20 take.

Precisely what's
happening here, Mccall ?

Everyone loves an underdog, which
means that everybody ***

is putting money on Notaquita.

The money that's coming in on his horse,

the books are searching
like crazy for a layoff man.

That's another bookie we'll
take some of their action.

Right. That means that we
find that particular bookie

and the odds are that we have found
a person who has taken Roberto.

Better than even money.

We actually turn a profit from this place.

Charlie ! You still playing and still losing ?

Ramon wants us to cover another
fifty thousand on Notaquita.

Music to my ears.

What's that bring the telly ***

- Close to two minutes.
- I wonder what that'll buy into ***.

Or Peru.

Guess I better check
on our insurance policy.

It's going to have to
expire after Saturday.

And that just what's
that supposed to mean ?

The kids got eyes.
The police have sketch ***

I thought we were leaving town.

That kid alive ?
I don't like the odds.

It's time to eat up, little fella.

Could I go home soon ?

Sure you can. Don't worry,
you'll be home before you know it.

How much money are we
talking about here ?

- Probably a two, three million dollar payday.
- On a sure thing ?

McCall...

I knew this guy, an accountant.

How he woke up on his
55th birthday, at 5:55 A.M,

he took a 5 mile job, a 5 minute shower,
caught the number 5 bus to his office

55-55 5th avenue where he
worked, on the 55th floor.

Now he spent his entire morning

working on account number 5555,

which happened to show a
shortage of 555 thousand dollars.

Now, this just hasn't been going
on the coincidence he thinks, right ?

So, he calls up his bank to find out
how much money he has in this account.

- And he finds that it's...
- 555 dollars.

And 55 cents. Wait a minute ! So now
he knows he just has to go to the track.

It's divine providence. so sure enough,
the train fan is 5 dollars and 55 cents.

As if he needed more proof !

So he then puts 550 dollars

to win on the number 5 horse in
the 5th race and it finishes...

- And it came in 5th...
- 5th.

You never were any fun, you know that ?

- So, how do we find this person ?
Shouldn't be that hard.

As long as you brought your wallet.

- Well, is he taking money on Notaquita ?
- Nope, he stopped three days ago.

He says... Let me see
if I can get it exactly.

I would sooner give two to
one on the second gunman of Secretariat

before I took another blood nickel
on Notaquita. Roughly that's what he said.

Very colorful people amongst
whom you move, my dear Sonny.

Beats the hell out of
the sewers of Beirut.

Yes, does it does.

Tough breaking.

If she hadn't logged out on you,
you would have won the ninth race for sure.

That philly's okay, but she's no Notaquita.

Yeah, well... Maybe next time, huh ?

Well, if it's Saturday.
that'll suit me just fine.

You've come a long way, kid.

Some of the old timers around here
think maybe I should get one of these

big money jocks to ride Notaquita, but I
ain't breaking up a winning combination.

You really think he's gonna win ?

Never been more fit.
You know that better than anyone.

- Are you okay ?
- Yeah, yeah.

Few butterflies, that's all.

But I'll give it my best shot.

I know you both will.

What happens if you
don't want any laundry ?

They just fill it with paper.

Keeps a riff raff from knowing
there's a bookie joined in the back.

Course, if that sick
sausage ain't got enough,

we could have filled those with cash.

Sonny, when was the last
time you picked a winner ?

McCall, I pick a lot of winners.
It's the ones I bet on to lose.

Get in the car.

All right. So I see the man. So what ?

McCall, you should check out his cup.

He has enough action to start
another institute for the blind.

Sonny, you know, this
is really getting absurd.

A boy's life is at stake here.
We spent most of our day wandering around,

putting on bets with various
oddballs who tell us nothing anyway.

So what do you suggest ?

The direct approach.

Hey, Barry!

- Sonny ? All right.
- What looks good today ?

You're the one with
the eyes, you tell me.

Listen... You still taking
action on that match race ?

Don't tell me you're
betting on Notaquita.

I can't cover it.

Hey, man, media *** is not my style.

How about a C-note on Survivor Too ?

Oh ! Today must be my lucky day.

- Think again.
- Hey, what's going on here ?

- Who are you ?
- Thompson, New York Gambling Commission.

We want to ask you one or two
questions about your little tin cup.

Oh yeah? Well, you know something ?
You don't sound like a gambling commissioner.

Sound like one. What do
you mean look like one ?

You set me up ! You dirty...

Okay. All right. Okay.

You have a very good
thing going for you here.

I mean, who would suspect a blind man ?

If you answer me one question,
you can stay that way.

- Come on, what do you want from me ?
- A name.

What name ?

The name of the man who's buying up
all the bookies action on Notaquita.

- Oh, that's some name I...
- Hey, this is some scam you got going here.

Chance.

- I want his full name.
- That's it. Just Chance.

See you there.

Are we doing the right thing ?

I don't know what that is anymore.

Excuse me ! Mr. Rivera, I came over
to talk to you about your kid.

Maybe you'd like to tell me where he is.

What I want is the
truth. Where is the kid ?

We told you he's at my sisters.

It's no good, Maria. He knows.

- That's right. Now, who took him ?
- We don't know.

- Did you call the cops ?
- No.

I mean like, nobody
else knows about this ?

Only you. And you're not
going to tell anyone, are you ?

Who the hell are you ?

I happen to be a friend
of Mr. and Mrs. Rivera.

I get the distinct impression
that you are anything but.

If you'll excuse us for just a moment, this
gentleman and I are going to take a walk.

Hey wait, wait ! I got
nothing to say to you.

I've got something to say to you.
We are taking a walk.

What is this ? Is this a threat ?

No, I'm merely telling you the
decent thing to do.

Yeah, well, what happens if
this guy doesn't have the kid ?

- He does have him.
- Yeah, but what if he doesn't ?

I mean, just suppose...

Now, the public would be betting good
money on a horse that doesn't have a chance.

Are you listening to me ? I damn
what the public is betting on.

My only concern is this boy's safety.

And should anyone stand in my way,
should anything happen to him,

I will hold you
responsible, Mr. Greenleaf.

- Why? Why would you do that ?
- Because apart from the man who took him,

would gladly change
places with him to get him back.

Would you do that, Mr. Greenleaf ?

I'm passing up the
opportunity of a lifetime here.

You'll have other opportunities.

The Riveras only have one
son and don't you forget it.

Hey, let's see what we got here. Oh !

You gotta eat, Roberto.
You gotta keep your strength up.

Okay, maybe a little later.

I'll be back, don't worry.

- I'm worried about the kid.
- So am I.

- That's why he's fast becoming a liability.
- Chance, I think we had to reconsider.

- Chance !
- Greenleef.

- I thought you were picking your spots.
- Well, I think I just found one.

- Hello, McCall.
- Hi, Sonny.

What did you find ?

You know what's getting so a guy
can't make an honest bet anymore ?

- Meaning ?
- Meaning that i checked around

and when I mentioned Chance's
name I got the same reaction.

McCall, this guy is number
one in this class.

I mean everybody has got
something nice to say about him.

Probably because everyone is laying
off their Notaquita *** on him.

Don't this cronies think it's odd that he
is making what seems to be a very bad bet ?

Well, apparently, Chance is not
the type of man for questions.

You just have answers
ready when he asked them.

No word on the boy.

That wouldn't be. Not among thieves.
But if the other books had any idea

that Chance had this match race sold up
and that he was pocketing their money...

You remember Capone's
Valentine's day present ?

- What about Chance's place ?
- I found it. It's behind our funeral parlor,

but, I'd say we only gonna get one try at
it, because he checks out his clientele.

And if he doesn't like you,
he doesn't ask you back.

Well, he's not gonna like us, is he ?

One little bit.

A great deal of security for
a bookie joint, isn't it ?

Yeah, things are
pretty dead around here.

It's not too late to get
a bet down on Survivor Too.

Greenleaf...

Hey, hey, hey, hey !
What's going on here ?

Where is Mr. Chance ?

- What are you talking about ?
- You are in very serious trouble, sir.

I told you that I would come after you.

What's the matter ? Don't
you listen carefully ?

Llisten, man. I promised you
I wouldn't leak the story.

I could have cashed in
on that, but I didn't.

But you went to Chance and
warned him that the heat was on.

Why ?

I'll tell you why. A sure thing.

- No such animal.
- Oh, but Mr. Greenleaf believes there is.

Check his wallet.

- What are you gonna do? Mug me ?
- Shut up.

Just shut up !

Just as I thought.

Fifty thousand dollars
to win on Survivor Too.

And you weren't gonna cash in on this.

What do you want from me ?
What do you want from me ?

I'll tell you what I want from you.
I want to know

where Chance is keeping the boy.

You can already be charged with
kidnapping, accessory, after the fact

there is a distinct and ugly possibility
it could turn into a murder charge.

Now, where is he ?

- You are going to take us to where he is.
- Okay, okay, okay, okay. Okay. Okay.

Hey, that's cool man, it's cool.

Race starts in two hours, man.

- We're gonna make it anyway.
- Wanna bet ?

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and
welcome to the beautiful Monmouth Park.

Today's eighth and feature race is the
million-dollar winner-take-all match race

between triple crown winner, Survivor
Too and handicapped star Notaquita.

Daily double bridgery is offered
on the first and second races

with first post today coming
45 minutes from now at 1 pm.

Now, we have the programs ready.

Here are the changes and
overwaits for today's races.

Hey, guys !

Hey ! Don't you owe me a couple
of hundred on the Knicks ?

Keep your mess collateral.

I got you down for fifty thousand.

Yes.

Good, good !

Well, we'll know in a
few minutes. Take care.

Now listen...

Hey, the race is all but official.

Might as well take care
of a little package now.

Collect our winnings and take off.

Chance, he's just kid and I don't like it.

Hey, hey...

I don't like it any more than you do,

but the kids got eyes and
a witness could bury us.

So do what I tell you.

What are you doing ?

You take Chance.
I'll take him.

Piece of cake.

I do not want to use this.

Get him out of here.

Please !

Roberto, come on.

We'll take you back to your papa.

That's a good boy.

- Are you ready, Sonny ?
- Almost.

Chance, good buddy ! You weren't thinking
about welting out on this, were you ?

I see you have become reacquainted
with some of your associates.

All of whom have laid off
quite a lot of money on a horse

that this young man's
father is about to ride.

And should that horse win, no
doubt they will expect to be paid.

The police will help you
sort that out. Let's go.

Hey, guys, it's not what it looks like.

I can explain.

You don't understand, guys. Listen...

- What time is the race ?
- 44 minutes.

Here, take him !

- But we're not gonna make it.
- We'll make it.

Jockeys for the eight race
to the paddock in five minutes !

Thanks.

Luis !

Any sign ?

You should tell Oscar.

I can't.

Wait, Luis !

You have to.

I will try.

Kid, you know what to do.

- Make me proud, kid.
- I... Oscar, I...

No matter what, I...

The horses are coming onto the track
for the eighth and feature race.

The million-dollar winner
take all match race.

Number one is Survivor Too,
riden by Frank Fernandez.

Number two is Notaquita
His rider will be Luis Rivera.

Roberto !

The horses are approaching the
starting game. One minute till post time.

The horses have reached the starting
game. They're at the post.

Luis !

****

****

***

Give him a turn.

We're waiting on Notaquita.

Okay, Glenn, let's pack
the water out make it fair.

The horses are being taken
out of the starting gate.

There will be a slight delay
as we wait on Notaquita.

Okay, Glenn, let's move.

The horses are being led
back into the starting gate.

Roberto !

Look at daddy !

- Daddy !
- Roberto !

Thank you !

Daddy !

The flag is up !

They're off !

Transcribed by Adr1am