Touched by an Angel (1994–2003): Season 5, Episode 10 - The Peacemaker - full transcript
A bickering couple, grieving over the murder of their teen son, discover what his last act produced.
This was my brain.
This was my brain on drugs.
This, this was
my brain in rehab.
And this?
This is my brain now.
Because a day
without brain cells
is like a day without sunshine.
Morning.
Oh, I'm afraid to
ask what this is for.
Is your mom back?
Uh, five, four, three, two, one?
Ah, well, sometimes
she takes an extra lap.
Yeah.
So, what's the, uh, public
service announcement?
Oh, the admissions
guy at NYU said
that if I, uh, submitted
something extra
like a tape or a photo essay...
- Mm-hmm.
- It might help.
Here, help me out.
So, what do I do?
Uh, tell them who you are
and what you're doing now.
Ah.
I'm, uh, Scott Tanner.
I'm Mark's dad,
and I am the chief
coffee-pouring person.
Tell them, uh, how that started.
Well, if it'll get my
son into your college,
which makes me
seriously question
your admissions standards,
um, we are performing
the daily ritual
known as Tanner Coffee Time.
Now, I am a hostage
negotiator with the police force,
my wife Michelle is
an artist, and Mark...
Well, Mark is...
He's quite simply the
coolest dude I know.
- Morning.
- Oh.
Mom, look into the camera
and tell 'em we're normal.
- Who?
- Well...
Uh, it's for my
college application.
Just, uh, tell them about
Tanner Coffee Time.
Oh, well... we
started this tradition.
It's, it's okay, they
know about the drugs.
We started this tradition
during a difficult time
in our family, and
we made a promise
that no matter
what else happened,
we'd keep the tradition going.
- Why?
- Because
tradition is something that you
hold onto during the bad times
until the good times come
back, which they always do,
and you can turn that off now.
All right.
Would you pass
the muffins, please?
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
I've been thinking a lot
about tradition and ritual
since I've been here.
And?
I think that family
tradition is a beautiful way
to remember who you are
and where you've come from
and what you've come through.
Well, this family has
come through a lot.
Yes, they have.
They've survived a war against
drugs but at a terrible cost.
What you see here is not peace,
it's just a cease-fire.
This family has been
wounded terribly, Tess.
They've never really healed.
This could take a while.
Well, take all the
time you need.
No.
Don't waste any time.
♪ When you walk ♪
♪ Down the road ♪
♪ Heavy burden ♪
♪ Heavy load ♪
♪ I will rise ♪
♪ And I will walk with you ♪
♪ I'll walk with you ♪
♪ Till the sun
don't even shine ♪
♪ Walk with you ♪
♪ Every time, I tell you ♪
♪ I'll walk with you ♪
♪ Walk with you ♪
♪ Believe me, I'll
walk with you. ♪
We're out of here.
Great.
You know, I thought this job
would be more demanding.
Well, you've got to
take it one day at a time.
First you survive two
weeks as my partner,
and then tonight
comes the real test.
Hostage situation?
Nope, I'm inviting
you over for dinner.
That doesn't sound so dangerous.
Oh, you're wrong, you're wrong.
I'm cooking.
I'd wear a flak
jacket if I were you.
May I say that I
haven't known him long,
but I've gotten to
know him really well,
and, um, it is my belief
that Mark Tanner would be
a wonderful addition
to your school,
and don't believe me just
because I'm wearing a...
a badge, badge.
- Thank you, Monica.
- Any time.
We are almost there.
What time did your
mom say she'd be home?
- Any minute.
- Uh-huh.
Well, you've got mail
out there from NYU.
It won't bite.
I'm afraid to look.
If I get in...
everything will be okay again.
Again?
It's been a long time
since I gave my parents
something to be proud of.
I should think that
overcoming your drug problem
made them very proud.
Yeah, but it was
still really stupid.
I mean, I did all
the stuff that kids do
when, when things
are weird at home.
I mean, my folks
were fighting a lot,
and I just... I started looking
for ways to tune them out.
It's funny, though.
I mean, sometimes I wonder
what would have happened
to them if they hadn't had
to get it together to help me.
You're not responsible
for their happiness, Mark.
A marriage has to be
between two people, not three.
So... let's get on
with your life, huh?
Listen, I used to work
for Poison Control,
so if you're not
feeling very well, uh...
No, thank you,
it's lovely, really.
All right.
You should bring
Monica home more often.
It's nice to see
you at dinnertime,
just like the old days.
Um, I think Mark has
something he'd like to tell you.
Um, yeah, this letter
from NYU... it's thick.
- Oh, you're in!
- Congratulations, champ.
Well, I could not have
done it without you guys.
Yeah, well, you
know what this means.
- Come on.
- Oh, yeah, that's right, come on.
No, no, you guys, we
have a, we have a guest.
Come on.
No, no, that's all right.
Come on, Monica, let's go.
Come on... let's go.
Oh, look at this.
Oh, my.
♪ It's Marcus Tanner Time,
it's Marcus Tanner Time ♪
♪ This is your special day,
it's Marcus Tanner Day-ah! ♪
You still remember how to play.
Well, once you've
got it, you never lose it.
Now, look, Monica can
make a mean pot of coffee
and I can put together
a little peanut butter
and chocolate, uh...
Huh?
Oh.
Well, party's over.
It's a 911, we got to go.
Yeah, the other
family tradition.
Don't start.
I'll be back home when I can.
Thanks for dinner.
Ah, the famous memory box.
Why, why do you
keep these things?
I mean, baby shoes, baby teeth?
It's gross, Mom.
Oh, this stuff is
important to me.
Our entire family
history is in this box.
What's, what's this?
Oh, your dad gave me that
watch on our first anniversary.
I bought him the matching
one for Christmas that year.
You know, hi-his dress watch?
He was going to
have them engraved,
but, um, I guess he just
didn't get around to it.
So he's not the greatest at
remembering the little things.
That doesn't mean
he doesn't love you.
A lot.
Are you guys going to be okay?
What do you mean?
Well, when I'm gone.
You're not gonna
start fighting again
when I'm not around
anymore, are you?
That was in the past,
and, um, this letter
going into this box
at this very moment
is the beginning of
your wonderful future.
It you're happy
there, we will be, too.
So it went okay?
Yeah, a basic
domestic disturbance.
You know, when you get there,
everybody wants
everybody else arrested,
and by the time you leave,
everybody's crying
and hugging each other.
Sounds like one of our fights.
You know...
Next month, when
Kresbaugh retires,
there'll be a desk
job opening up.
You're not a desk
job kind of guy, Scott.
Good night.
Yeah.
Good night.
Oh, I got to remember
my anniversary.
You just did.
Hey, look, I'm sorry you, you
ended up at ringside last night.
You know, believe it or not,
compared to where we've been,
these are the good
times right now.
Domestic dispute.
Uh, you two back up
Walker and O'Brian.
- That's the address.
- We're rolling.
Would you sit still, please?
I am holding still.
No, your lips are moving.
It's hard to talk when
your lips don't move.
Yes.
I saw a piano downstairs.
Are you a musician?
Oh, no.
- My husband is, well, he was.
- Was?
Once a musician,
always a musician.
I met him in a jazz club.
Oh, he could play anything.
Piano, guitar, saxophone.
When we first got married,
money was kind of tight.
I was just starting out, I
hadn't sold anything yet,
and then the baby came along
and someone
had to earn a living,
so Scott became a policeman,
and the musician part of
him just sort of went away.
That must have been hard.
It was.
It was? Or it is?
What is it about
you? I have never
had a client get me to
talk about myself like this.
I've never had anybody
get me to sit still this long.
This long?
Oh.
Mom, where's Dad's black jacket?
It's up there, keep looking.
No.
What is it?
Divorce papers.
So they're getting a divorce?
Not necessarily.
Now, this is a piece
from the past that could
mess up their future,
if it's not handled
well, and fast.
That poor baby.
He tried his best
to give his parents
a stable home.
Okay, okay, I'll get you
the money as soon as I can.
Hey.
Uh, I got to go.
No, no, I'll call you later.
Who was that?
Uh, nobody, just a
friend from school.
Sweetie, are you okay?
You've been acting
a little... I'm fine.
Trust me.
Oh, I trust you.
I'm just curious. I
am still your mother.
Yeah, and you're Dad's wife.
It's Tanner Coffee Time.
You still want
to do that, right?
Gonna close down
the bridge on Madison.
Mom, where's my bank book?
- It's in my desk, why?
- Uh...
just want to see how
much money I'll have
to blow on college girls.
Well, why don't you
save a little for
frivolous things, like, uh,
I don't know, food? Hmm?
Oh, um,
I found this in your
pocket yesterday
when I was doing laundry.
Ivan, 3:00.
Oh, yeah, thanks.
Who's Ivan?
A, uh, a guy I know.
A guy you know from where?
What is this, 20 questions
or a third degree?
What's going on?
That's the problem, you
don't even have a clue.
Hey!
Mark!
Secret friends,
looking for money,
it's happening again.
Well, let's not
jump to conclusions.
That's what we did last time,
and remember what happened?
I'm going to work.
Of course you are.
You shouldn't call it work,
you should call it hide.
You're going to hide.
Anyway,
the counselor said that it
might be two steps forward,
one step back,
but nothing like that
ever happened with Mark.
He just kept going
forward. Until now.
Maybe Mark feels threatened?
Well, Scott and I
have been a little,
I don't know, two
steps back lately.
But we try really hard to
keep it together for Mark.
We almost got divorced once.
Mark never even
knew a thing about it.
So, uh, how's it going now?
Well... we're coming along.
We don't talk about it.
You know, it, it's funny.
I never got around to
tossing out the divorce papers.
Why not?
I'm not sure.
You know, maybe this isn't
a good time for me right now.
Um, let me check my calendar,
and we can reschedule.
I don't usually do this,
but my concentration
is a little...
Bank book?
Is something wrong?
Um, no, no, not really.
Um... how's, uh, how's
Tuesday at 10:00?
It's fine, but, honey,
as long as divorce
is an option in your marriage,
those papers are like having
a loaded gun in your house.
Get rid of them before
somebody gets hurt.
560, 580, 600.
Can I help you with
anything else today?
No, this should take care of it.
Everyone on the floor, now!
Down!
You, hands where I can see them.
Touch that alarm
button and you're dead!
Freeze! Hold it right there.
- No way, man.
- It's all over, son.
Everybody, shut up
and stay on the floor!
You, fill the bag!
What part of get down on
the floor don't you understand?
Lieutenant Tanner.
Scott? Mark took the bank book.
He took our watches...
It's really happening again.
- I don't understand...
- Tanner!
Armed robbery at Syracuse
Federal on Main went bad.
Two shooters, we got hostages.
Move!
Syracuse Federal
on Main, we're there.
- I'll be in the car.
- Syracuse Federal?
- My God, Scott, that's our...
- Michelle, listen. I'm sorry,
I've got to go. We will
talk about this tonight,
all right?
Whose party is it?
These guys are whacked
out of their minds.
This is, this has
got to be crack.
We've got snipers
placed, but there's no way.
There's just way too
many people inside.
Anyway, I've got
you patched through
to a closed line here.
So, you just, you know...
All right, everybody hold tight.
We're gonna try
to talk them down.
All right, first thing we do
is establish contact
with the suspects,
and then try to calm
everybody down.
Hello?
Yeah, this is Scott Tanner.
I'm a negotiator with
the Syracuse P.D.
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
settle down, settle down.
I just want to talk, that's all.
Yeah, we're both having
a crazy day today, huh?
Yeah, what's your name?
Wayne, ah. Good
to meet you, Wayne.
Say, Wayne, you catch any
of that Giants game last night?
Look, I'll sit here all night.
I'll sit here all week,
if that's what it takes.
The important thing is, Wayne,
nobody gets hurt, right?
I'll get it.
Where's Scott?
Michelle, he's talking
with one of the suspects.
This is dangerous,
you shouldn't be...
No, you don't understand.
I need to see him now.
Mark might be in that bank.
Talk about it with your friend
and I'll hang up, all right?
- Scott!
- Michelle?
- What are you doing here?
- Scott, listen to me.
There's psychos with guns
in there! Now, go on home.
- Scott!
- Listen to her.
This is our bank.
Mark took his bank
book, he's not in school.
- I think he's in there.
- I think she's right.
All right, Wayne,
everything's cool, right?
Everybody empty your pockets.
Let's see them inside out.
Hey, inside out.
I can't.
No, I mean, I can't.
I can't give you this money.
What's the matter with you, man?
Mark, give him the money.
I can't, I need it.
I really need it.
Shots fired.
- Shots fired in the building.
- Oh, no, no, no.
Shots fired. SWAT, move in.
I repeat, move in.
- Go, go, go.
- All right, move in.
You've got to help me.
I need you to find Ivan, okay?
He has everything.
Stay on the floor.
- Don't move.
- Freeze.
Scott, we have a white male,
age approximately... Oh, no.
- It's Lieutenant Tanner's son.
- We need an ambulance.
- Code three, at Syracuse Bank.
- My God.
Whoa, hold on!
No, let go of me! No, let me go!
I've got her, I've got her!
Oh, God! Oh, God!
We can't go in there.
We can't go in there.
Yeah, thanks. Thanks.
No, we're okay.
Oh, thanks, Norm.
Good-bye.
What do you think about
Thursday for the funeral?
Okay.
And I want him to
wear his blue suit,
the one he wore in
his yearbook picture.
Okay.
Shh...
Don't, don't.
Shh.
Come here.
I know.
I know, I know.
Tess.
I never saw them
holding hands before.
Sometimes, when
parents lose a child,
they lose each other, too.
We've got to keep them
holding on to each other.
No morning jog, huh?
I don't have the strength.
Well, maybe tomorrow.
Huh. Will you look at that.
More kids are graduating from
high school this year in the...
Scott?
I can't do Coffee Time.
If we stop now, we'll
never do it again.
No, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I can't.
Think I'll just, uh,
take my coffee at work.
Are you ready for this?
Yeah.
That's everything.
Let's do it later.
No, no.
I can do it.
$600?
That's the amount
he withdrew that day.
"Ivan, 3:00."
Hey, if you're
trying to reach Mark,
you got the right place,
but the wrong time.
So, leave me a
message at the beep.
Hey, if you're
trying to reach Mark,
you got the right place,
but the wrong time.
So, leave me a
message at the beep.
Hey, if you're
trying to reach Mark,
you got the right place,
but the wrong time.
So, leave me a
message at the beep.
I wanted to hear his voice.
Michelle, don't.
Sunday, 12:00 a.m.
It's Ivan.
I know you don't want
me calling you here,
but I need the money, today.
Messages.
This Ivan... are you
sure you don't know him?
You know who he is.
The phone calls, the bank
book, the missing watches.
Let's just face it.
Mark was using again
and Ivan was his dealer.
Sunday, 12:00 a.m.
It's Ivan.
I know you don't want
me calling you here,
but I need the money, today.
I've sent for the phone records
and a list of all the
pushers named Ivan.
I'm gonna find this guy,
and then I'm gonna...
Scott, today is your
wedding anniversary.
Yeah, well, thanks
for remembering,
but what's the point now, huh?
I know how precious
Mark was to you.
But before you loved
him, you loved Michelle.
I watched you during
those negotiations,
and you were willing to
stay all day, all night, all week
if you had to...
That's what you said.
Doesn't your marriage
deserve the same effort?
You remembered.
Yeah.
Where's Mark's
answering machine?
Well, it's-it's at the station.
Why?
I want to hear his voice.
Why did you take it away?
I'm trying to find
this-this Ivan guy.
Mark's dead; what
difference does it make?
Look, if I can, if I can stop
one more kid from being...
Oh, this isn't
about one more kid!
You just want somebody to blame.
And if you really want
somebody to blame, you...
Mm. Mm-mm.
No, say it.
Scott...
Oh, y-you've hated
my job all these years.
Now's your chance to blame
me for not even doing it right.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
57 hostage
negotiations, Michelle.
And the one that really
counted, I got my son killed.
That's what you think.
That's what you
want to say, isn't it?
- No. No.
- Say it. Say it.
- No.
- Say it.
Yes!
His life was in your hands.
I didn't know that.
I tried to tell you, but
you wouldn't listen.
You never listen.
You never listen to me!
You just did what you always
do; you went back to work.
What's that?
I'm filing for divorce.
You got it.
♪♪
This is beginning to feel
like a hostage situation.
What do you mean?
We'll stay here all
day, all night, all week,
if that's what it takes, just
as long as no one gets hurt.
And we will stay, Miss Wings.
But it shouldn't be long now,
because Andrew says he's ready.
Hi.
Man, what a day.
I just broke the Syracuse Police
Department record for paperwork.
They may even give me a plaque.
So, who moves out?
Oh, God, Michelle, I don't know.
You know, up until
a few days ago,
I-I thought things
were going pretty well.
So did I.
But you kept the divorce
papers around, just in case.
I was gonna throw them away.
I thought about it
just the other day.
You know...
we do a lot of thinking
in this family, Michelle,
but we never do much talking.
I've seen this
happen a lot at work.
When a couple loses a
child, that's when they find out
what their marriage
is really made of.
And w-what's always missing.
See, you always
check out the fire escape
when you go into a building,
so that when the fire comes,
you don't have to think about it.
You already know where to run
when you're too
frightened to think.
We never did that in
this marriage, Michelle.
I wasn't your safety net
and you were never mine.
You were always at work.
You were always at art class.
Because you were always at work.
Well, I didn't want to come
home to an empty house
and wonder where my wife was.
Or who she was with.
What's that supposed to mean?
You know exactly
what that means.
There was nothing going on.
- How many times...
- Yeah, you and that art instructor.
That's ridiculous.
Oh, yeah, right.
You would actually
rather believe that was true
than take responsibility
for ignoring your family.
I was providing for my family.
- 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Come on, Michelle!
Criminals don't take hostages
just on business hours,
- you know!
- Don't blame your schedule.
You checked out of this marriage
- a long time ago.
- No, no, no, no.
I checked out right
after you did, lady.
Well, maybe we should've filed
those papers a long time ago.
Our son needed us, and
we were there for him.
Right. Like we were
there at the bank.
Don't you... We saw the signs.
We saw the signs,
and what happened?
I don't know what
happened. I don't know!
You want to know what happened?
You ask Ivan!
You ask that
no-good, son of a...
You were right.
We never had a marriage.
We just had a family.
Yeah?
Mr. Tanner?
Do I know you?
No.
But I knew Mark.
May we come in?
Uh, I-I don't really think
this is a good time right now.
Mrs. Tanner, um,
my name is
Andrew, and this is...
this is Ivan.
Ivan?
How dare you come
into my home, you...
You're Ivan?
Lipinski. Ivan Lipinski.
I'm a freelance film editor.
Videotape, Super 8,
local news, commercials.
Anyway, look, uh...
Mark was supposed
to pick this up from me.
I was gonna charge
him $600 for it,
but, well, I just don't
feel right about that now.
It's on the house.
$600?
Yeah. Look, uh, I
just want to say...
I'm really sorry
about your loss.
What do you have
to do with all of this?
I was with Mark when he died.
- At the bank?
- Wait, wait, that's not possible.
I interviewed all of the
customers personally,
I scanned the security tapes...
never saw you.
That's because... I'm an angel.
Okay, get out.
Scott.
Monica?
We've been here
all night, Tess and I.
Andrew's been
searching for Ivan.
Tess and I have been here
praying for you...
and for your marriage.
We are angels.
And we're very sad angels,
because the Father
has given us a job to do
that we can't do alone.
We need each
other, we need Him...
and we need you, too.
Slow-slow down.
I'm, uh... I'm a little
bit confused here.
Angels don't bring
confusion, Mr. Tanner.
We bring the truth,
and what you're feeling
is the spirit of God.
He's in here with is,
and He is concerned
about your marriage.
He doesn't want it to end.
I can't believe that
God is watching us.
Better than that...
God is loving you.
Mom, Dad... happy anniversary.
Now I guess the odds are
that Mom's crying already, so...
The truth is, this
really wasn't gonna be
your anniversary present.
I know you guys want me to
save all my bucks for college, but...
I guess sometimes
you just got to make
a different kind of
investment in your future.
I decided to make this tape,
instead of saying it in person,
because I thought I'd
have a better chance
of maybe getting it all out.
You see, um...
I was borrowing your
jacket, Dad... you know,
the leather one... and I, uh,
I found something...
that I guess I wasn't
supposed to see yet.
Uh... it's funny, I guess
if I ever thought you
guys would get divorced,
it would've been a couple
years ago and not now.
Oh, my God, he found them.
Maybe I just... I put you
guys through so much.
- No, no, no.
- Maybe you thought it was...
just too late.
But, you know, I...
I really thought things
were going pretty good.
I'm sorry, Mom...
Doing pretty well.
But, I mean, it's like they
said back in rehab, you...
go back to all the pain
and... don't cover it up.
Let it out.
I don't know all the pain
you guys have been through,
but I do know that
I can't fix it for you.
All I can do is remind you
of why it's worth it to try.
So... watch this, and I'll
be back after the show.
♪ I can't remember ♪
♪ When you weren't there ♪
♪ When I didn't care ♪
♪ For anyone but you ♪
♪ I swear ♪
♪ We've been through
everything there is ♪
♪ Can't imagine
anything we've missed ♪
♪ Can't imagine anything ♪
♪ The two of us can't do ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ Through all the good and bad ♪
♪ I know how much we've had ♪
♪ I've always been so glad ♪
♪ To be with you ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ It's better every day ♪
♪ You've kissed my tears away ♪
♪ As long as it's okay ♪
♪ I'll stay with you ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ You've never let me down ♪
♪ You turned my life around ♪
♪ The sweetest days I've found ♪
♪ I've found with you ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ It's better every day ♪
♪ You've kissed my tears away ♪
♪ As long as it's okay ♪
♪ I'll stay with you ♪
♪ Through the years... ♪
So I, uh, I hope you guys will
reconsider this divorce thing.
I can't stop you, but, uh...
I can slow you down.
This is either the best thing
I've ever done or the stupidest.
Anyway, I'm glad I'm not there
right now to see your faces.
But I guess sometimes you
just got to go for it, you know?
Like you guys
went for it with me.
I would not be going to college
next year if it weren't for you.
And when I'm gone, I
want to know you guys
are still gonna be there.
So... promise.
Come on, I know it won't
be easy, but promise.
You got to start somewhere.
I can't hear you.
I promise.
Come on, you got to do it,
I'm serious, I'm not kidding.
I do, I promise.
Okay, and one more thing.
Remember Tanner Coffee Time.
I mean, what was
it you said, Mom?
That traditions are what
you do during the bad times,
while you're waiting for the
good times to come back?
Well, uh... trust
me, they'll be back.
I promise.
So, uh, I guess that's it.
Dad, come outside and tell me
when it's safe to come in.
I love you guys.
Happy anniversary.
♪♪
We had a lot of
things to say to you,
but I think your son has said
it better than any angel could.
Why didn't I throw
those papers away?
Why didn't I follow
him out that morning?
He might have told
me that he found them.
The what-if's and if-only's
will only stop you from healing.
Don't ask those those questions.
The question that you
might want to ask is...
if Mark ripped up
those divorce papers
a week ago...?
- Then what...
- What's in here?
Oh, it's just... Wait a minute.
Mark didn't steal the watches.
"Forever Scott."
"Forever Michelle."
And that's where
your son is right now...
Forever in the Father's arms.
And if you put your
marriage there, too,
it will be safe,
it will survive.
It will even shine.
Will you trust Him?
Yes.
Yes.
I think it's Tanner Coffee Time.
What?
We'll leave the
two of you alone.
You know what to do.
Come on, Andrew, angel girl.
Happy anniversary.
♪♪
I love you.
This was my brain on drugs.
This, this was
my brain in rehab.
And this?
This is my brain now.
Because a day
without brain cells
is like a day without sunshine.
Morning.
Oh, I'm afraid to
ask what this is for.
Is your mom back?
Uh, five, four, three, two, one?
Ah, well, sometimes
she takes an extra lap.
Yeah.
So, what's the, uh, public
service announcement?
Oh, the admissions
guy at NYU said
that if I, uh, submitted
something extra
like a tape or a photo essay...
- Mm-hmm.
- It might help.
Here, help me out.
So, what do I do?
Uh, tell them who you are
and what you're doing now.
Ah.
I'm, uh, Scott Tanner.
I'm Mark's dad,
and I am the chief
coffee-pouring person.
Tell them, uh, how that started.
Well, if it'll get my
son into your college,
which makes me
seriously question
your admissions standards,
um, we are performing
the daily ritual
known as Tanner Coffee Time.
Now, I am a hostage
negotiator with the police force,
my wife Michelle is
an artist, and Mark...
Well, Mark is...
He's quite simply the
coolest dude I know.
- Morning.
- Oh.
Mom, look into the camera
and tell 'em we're normal.
- Who?
- Well...
Uh, it's for my
college application.
Just, uh, tell them about
Tanner Coffee Time.
Oh, well... we
started this tradition.
It's, it's okay, they
know about the drugs.
We started this tradition
during a difficult time
in our family, and
we made a promise
that no matter
what else happened,
we'd keep the tradition going.
- Why?
- Because
tradition is something that you
hold onto during the bad times
until the good times come
back, which they always do,
and you can turn that off now.
All right.
Would you pass
the muffins, please?
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
I've been thinking a lot
about tradition and ritual
since I've been here.
And?
I think that family
tradition is a beautiful way
to remember who you are
and where you've come from
and what you've come through.
Well, this family has
come through a lot.
Yes, they have.
They've survived a war against
drugs but at a terrible cost.
What you see here is not peace,
it's just a cease-fire.
This family has been
wounded terribly, Tess.
They've never really healed.
This could take a while.
Well, take all the
time you need.
No.
Don't waste any time.
♪ When you walk ♪
♪ Down the road ♪
♪ Heavy burden ♪
♪ Heavy load ♪
♪ I will rise ♪
♪ And I will walk with you ♪
♪ I'll walk with you ♪
♪ Till the sun
don't even shine ♪
♪ Walk with you ♪
♪ Every time, I tell you ♪
♪ I'll walk with you ♪
♪ Walk with you ♪
♪ Believe me, I'll
walk with you. ♪
We're out of here.
Great.
You know, I thought this job
would be more demanding.
Well, you've got to
take it one day at a time.
First you survive two
weeks as my partner,
and then tonight
comes the real test.
Hostage situation?
Nope, I'm inviting
you over for dinner.
That doesn't sound so dangerous.
Oh, you're wrong, you're wrong.
I'm cooking.
I'd wear a flak
jacket if I were you.
May I say that I
haven't known him long,
but I've gotten to
know him really well,
and, um, it is my belief
that Mark Tanner would be
a wonderful addition
to your school,
and don't believe me just
because I'm wearing a...
a badge, badge.
- Thank you, Monica.
- Any time.
We are almost there.
What time did your
mom say she'd be home?
- Any minute.
- Uh-huh.
Well, you've got mail
out there from NYU.
It won't bite.
I'm afraid to look.
If I get in...
everything will be okay again.
Again?
It's been a long time
since I gave my parents
something to be proud of.
I should think that
overcoming your drug problem
made them very proud.
Yeah, but it was
still really stupid.
I mean, I did all
the stuff that kids do
when, when things
are weird at home.
I mean, my folks
were fighting a lot,
and I just... I started looking
for ways to tune them out.
It's funny, though.
I mean, sometimes I wonder
what would have happened
to them if they hadn't had
to get it together to help me.
You're not responsible
for their happiness, Mark.
A marriage has to be
between two people, not three.
So... let's get on
with your life, huh?
Listen, I used to work
for Poison Control,
so if you're not
feeling very well, uh...
No, thank you,
it's lovely, really.
All right.
You should bring
Monica home more often.
It's nice to see
you at dinnertime,
just like the old days.
Um, I think Mark has
something he'd like to tell you.
Um, yeah, this letter
from NYU... it's thick.
- Oh, you're in!
- Congratulations, champ.
Well, I could not have
done it without you guys.
Yeah, well, you
know what this means.
- Come on.
- Oh, yeah, that's right, come on.
No, no, you guys, we
have a, we have a guest.
Come on.
No, no, that's all right.
Come on, Monica, let's go.
Come on... let's go.
Oh, look at this.
Oh, my.
♪ It's Marcus Tanner Time,
it's Marcus Tanner Time ♪
♪ This is your special day,
it's Marcus Tanner Day-ah! ♪
You still remember how to play.
Well, once you've
got it, you never lose it.
Now, look, Monica can
make a mean pot of coffee
and I can put together
a little peanut butter
and chocolate, uh...
Huh?
Oh.
Well, party's over.
It's a 911, we got to go.
Yeah, the other
family tradition.
Don't start.
I'll be back home when I can.
Thanks for dinner.
Ah, the famous memory box.
Why, why do you
keep these things?
I mean, baby shoes, baby teeth?
It's gross, Mom.
Oh, this stuff is
important to me.
Our entire family
history is in this box.
What's, what's this?
Oh, your dad gave me that
watch on our first anniversary.
I bought him the matching
one for Christmas that year.
You know, hi-his dress watch?
He was going to
have them engraved,
but, um, I guess he just
didn't get around to it.
So he's not the greatest at
remembering the little things.
That doesn't mean
he doesn't love you.
A lot.
Are you guys going to be okay?
What do you mean?
Well, when I'm gone.
You're not gonna
start fighting again
when I'm not around
anymore, are you?
That was in the past,
and, um, this letter
going into this box
at this very moment
is the beginning of
your wonderful future.
It you're happy
there, we will be, too.
So it went okay?
Yeah, a basic
domestic disturbance.
You know, when you get there,
everybody wants
everybody else arrested,
and by the time you leave,
everybody's crying
and hugging each other.
Sounds like one of our fights.
You know...
Next month, when
Kresbaugh retires,
there'll be a desk
job opening up.
You're not a desk
job kind of guy, Scott.
Good night.
Yeah.
Good night.
Oh, I got to remember
my anniversary.
You just did.
Hey, look, I'm sorry you, you
ended up at ringside last night.
You know, believe it or not,
compared to where we've been,
these are the good
times right now.
Domestic dispute.
Uh, you two back up
Walker and O'Brian.
- That's the address.
- We're rolling.
Would you sit still, please?
I am holding still.
No, your lips are moving.
It's hard to talk when
your lips don't move.
Yes.
I saw a piano downstairs.
Are you a musician?
Oh, no.
- My husband is, well, he was.
- Was?
Once a musician,
always a musician.
I met him in a jazz club.
Oh, he could play anything.
Piano, guitar, saxophone.
When we first got married,
money was kind of tight.
I was just starting out, I
hadn't sold anything yet,
and then the baby came along
and someone
had to earn a living,
so Scott became a policeman,
and the musician part of
him just sort of went away.
That must have been hard.
It was.
It was? Or it is?
What is it about
you? I have never
had a client get me to
talk about myself like this.
I've never had anybody
get me to sit still this long.
This long?
Oh.
Mom, where's Dad's black jacket?
It's up there, keep looking.
No.
What is it?
Divorce papers.
So they're getting a divorce?
Not necessarily.
Now, this is a piece
from the past that could
mess up their future,
if it's not handled
well, and fast.
That poor baby.
He tried his best
to give his parents
a stable home.
Okay, okay, I'll get you
the money as soon as I can.
Hey.
Uh, I got to go.
No, no, I'll call you later.
Who was that?
Uh, nobody, just a
friend from school.
Sweetie, are you okay?
You've been acting
a little... I'm fine.
Trust me.
Oh, I trust you.
I'm just curious. I
am still your mother.
Yeah, and you're Dad's wife.
It's Tanner Coffee Time.
You still want
to do that, right?
Gonna close down
the bridge on Madison.
Mom, where's my bank book?
- It's in my desk, why?
- Uh...
just want to see how
much money I'll have
to blow on college girls.
Well, why don't you
save a little for
frivolous things, like, uh,
I don't know, food? Hmm?
Oh, um,
I found this in your
pocket yesterday
when I was doing laundry.
Ivan, 3:00.
Oh, yeah, thanks.
Who's Ivan?
A, uh, a guy I know.
A guy you know from where?
What is this, 20 questions
or a third degree?
What's going on?
That's the problem, you
don't even have a clue.
Hey!
Mark!
Secret friends,
looking for money,
it's happening again.
Well, let's not
jump to conclusions.
That's what we did last time,
and remember what happened?
I'm going to work.
Of course you are.
You shouldn't call it work,
you should call it hide.
You're going to hide.
Anyway,
the counselor said that it
might be two steps forward,
one step back,
but nothing like that
ever happened with Mark.
He just kept going
forward. Until now.
Maybe Mark feels threatened?
Well, Scott and I
have been a little,
I don't know, two
steps back lately.
But we try really hard to
keep it together for Mark.
We almost got divorced once.
Mark never even
knew a thing about it.
So, uh, how's it going now?
Well... we're coming along.
We don't talk about it.
You know, it, it's funny.
I never got around to
tossing out the divorce papers.
Why not?
I'm not sure.
You know, maybe this isn't
a good time for me right now.
Um, let me check my calendar,
and we can reschedule.
I don't usually do this,
but my concentration
is a little...
Bank book?
Is something wrong?
Um, no, no, not really.
Um... how's, uh, how's
Tuesday at 10:00?
It's fine, but, honey,
as long as divorce
is an option in your marriage,
those papers are like having
a loaded gun in your house.
Get rid of them before
somebody gets hurt.
560, 580, 600.
Can I help you with
anything else today?
No, this should take care of it.
Everyone on the floor, now!
Down!
You, hands where I can see them.
Touch that alarm
button and you're dead!
Freeze! Hold it right there.
- No way, man.
- It's all over, son.
Everybody, shut up
and stay on the floor!
You, fill the bag!
What part of get down on
the floor don't you understand?
Lieutenant Tanner.
Scott? Mark took the bank book.
He took our watches...
It's really happening again.
- I don't understand...
- Tanner!
Armed robbery at Syracuse
Federal on Main went bad.
Two shooters, we got hostages.
Move!
Syracuse Federal
on Main, we're there.
- I'll be in the car.
- Syracuse Federal?
- My God, Scott, that's our...
- Michelle, listen. I'm sorry,
I've got to go. We will
talk about this tonight,
all right?
Whose party is it?
These guys are whacked
out of their minds.
This is, this has
got to be crack.
We've got snipers
placed, but there's no way.
There's just way too
many people inside.
Anyway, I've got
you patched through
to a closed line here.
So, you just, you know...
All right, everybody hold tight.
We're gonna try
to talk them down.
All right, first thing we do
is establish contact
with the suspects,
and then try to calm
everybody down.
Hello?
Yeah, this is Scott Tanner.
I'm a negotiator with
the Syracuse P.D.
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
settle down, settle down.
I just want to talk, that's all.
Yeah, we're both having
a crazy day today, huh?
Yeah, what's your name?
Wayne, ah. Good
to meet you, Wayne.
Say, Wayne, you catch any
of that Giants game last night?
Look, I'll sit here all night.
I'll sit here all week,
if that's what it takes.
The important thing is, Wayne,
nobody gets hurt, right?
I'll get it.
Where's Scott?
Michelle, he's talking
with one of the suspects.
This is dangerous,
you shouldn't be...
No, you don't understand.
I need to see him now.
Mark might be in that bank.
Talk about it with your friend
and I'll hang up, all right?
- Scott!
- Michelle?
- What are you doing here?
- Scott, listen to me.
There's psychos with guns
in there! Now, go on home.
- Scott!
- Listen to her.
This is our bank.
Mark took his bank
book, he's not in school.
- I think he's in there.
- I think she's right.
All right, Wayne,
everything's cool, right?
Everybody empty your pockets.
Let's see them inside out.
Hey, inside out.
I can't.
No, I mean, I can't.
I can't give you this money.
What's the matter with you, man?
Mark, give him the money.
I can't, I need it.
I really need it.
Shots fired.
- Shots fired in the building.
- Oh, no, no, no.
Shots fired. SWAT, move in.
I repeat, move in.
- Go, go, go.
- All right, move in.
You've got to help me.
I need you to find Ivan, okay?
He has everything.
Stay on the floor.
- Don't move.
- Freeze.
Scott, we have a white male,
age approximately... Oh, no.
- It's Lieutenant Tanner's son.
- We need an ambulance.
- Code three, at Syracuse Bank.
- My God.
Whoa, hold on!
No, let go of me! No, let me go!
I've got her, I've got her!
Oh, God! Oh, God!
We can't go in there.
We can't go in there.
Yeah, thanks. Thanks.
No, we're okay.
Oh, thanks, Norm.
Good-bye.
What do you think about
Thursday for the funeral?
Okay.
And I want him to
wear his blue suit,
the one he wore in
his yearbook picture.
Okay.
Shh...
Don't, don't.
Shh.
Come here.
I know.
I know, I know.
Tess.
I never saw them
holding hands before.
Sometimes, when
parents lose a child,
they lose each other, too.
We've got to keep them
holding on to each other.
No morning jog, huh?
I don't have the strength.
Well, maybe tomorrow.
Huh. Will you look at that.
More kids are graduating from
high school this year in the...
Scott?
I can't do Coffee Time.
If we stop now, we'll
never do it again.
No, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I can't.
Think I'll just, uh,
take my coffee at work.
Are you ready for this?
Yeah.
That's everything.
Let's do it later.
No, no.
I can do it.
$600?
That's the amount
he withdrew that day.
"Ivan, 3:00."
Hey, if you're
trying to reach Mark,
you got the right place,
but the wrong time.
So, leave me a
message at the beep.
Hey, if you're
trying to reach Mark,
you got the right place,
but the wrong time.
So, leave me a
message at the beep.
Hey, if you're
trying to reach Mark,
you got the right place,
but the wrong time.
So, leave me a
message at the beep.
I wanted to hear his voice.
Michelle, don't.
Sunday, 12:00 a.m.
It's Ivan.
I know you don't want
me calling you here,
but I need the money, today.
Messages.
This Ivan... are you
sure you don't know him?
You know who he is.
The phone calls, the bank
book, the missing watches.
Let's just face it.
Mark was using again
and Ivan was his dealer.
Sunday, 12:00 a.m.
It's Ivan.
I know you don't want
me calling you here,
but I need the money, today.
I've sent for the phone records
and a list of all the
pushers named Ivan.
I'm gonna find this guy,
and then I'm gonna...
Scott, today is your
wedding anniversary.
Yeah, well, thanks
for remembering,
but what's the point now, huh?
I know how precious
Mark was to you.
But before you loved
him, you loved Michelle.
I watched you during
those negotiations,
and you were willing to
stay all day, all night, all week
if you had to...
That's what you said.
Doesn't your marriage
deserve the same effort?
You remembered.
Yeah.
Where's Mark's
answering machine?
Well, it's-it's at the station.
Why?
I want to hear his voice.
Why did you take it away?
I'm trying to find
this-this Ivan guy.
Mark's dead; what
difference does it make?
Look, if I can, if I can stop
one more kid from being...
Oh, this isn't
about one more kid!
You just want somebody to blame.
And if you really want
somebody to blame, you...
Mm. Mm-mm.
No, say it.
Scott...
Oh, y-you've hated
my job all these years.
Now's your chance to blame
me for not even doing it right.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
57 hostage
negotiations, Michelle.
And the one that really
counted, I got my son killed.
That's what you think.
That's what you
want to say, isn't it?
- No. No.
- Say it. Say it.
- No.
- Say it.
Yes!
His life was in your hands.
I didn't know that.
I tried to tell you, but
you wouldn't listen.
You never listen.
You never listen to me!
You just did what you always
do; you went back to work.
What's that?
I'm filing for divorce.
You got it.
♪♪
This is beginning to feel
like a hostage situation.
What do you mean?
We'll stay here all
day, all night, all week,
if that's what it takes, just
as long as no one gets hurt.
And we will stay, Miss Wings.
But it shouldn't be long now,
because Andrew says he's ready.
Hi.
Man, what a day.
I just broke the Syracuse Police
Department record for paperwork.
They may even give me a plaque.
So, who moves out?
Oh, God, Michelle, I don't know.
You know, up until
a few days ago,
I-I thought things
were going pretty well.
So did I.
But you kept the divorce
papers around, just in case.
I was gonna throw them away.
I thought about it
just the other day.
You know...
we do a lot of thinking
in this family, Michelle,
but we never do much talking.
I've seen this
happen a lot at work.
When a couple loses a
child, that's when they find out
what their marriage
is really made of.
And w-what's always missing.
See, you always
check out the fire escape
when you go into a building,
so that when the fire comes,
you don't have to think about it.
You already know where to run
when you're too
frightened to think.
We never did that in
this marriage, Michelle.
I wasn't your safety net
and you were never mine.
You were always at work.
You were always at art class.
Because you were always at work.
Well, I didn't want to come
home to an empty house
and wonder where my wife was.
Or who she was with.
What's that supposed to mean?
You know exactly
what that means.
There was nothing going on.
- How many times...
- Yeah, you and that art instructor.
That's ridiculous.
Oh, yeah, right.
You would actually
rather believe that was true
than take responsibility
for ignoring your family.
I was providing for my family.
- 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Come on, Michelle!
Criminals don't take hostages
just on business hours,
- you know!
- Don't blame your schedule.
You checked out of this marriage
- a long time ago.
- No, no, no, no.
I checked out right
after you did, lady.
Well, maybe we should've filed
those papers a long time ago.
Our son needed us, and
we were there for him.
Right. Like we were
there at the bank.
Don't you... We saw the signs.
We saw the signs,
and what happened?
I don't know what
happened. I don't know!
You want to know what happened?
You ask Ivan!
You ask that
no-good, son of a...
You were right.
We never had a marriage.
We just had a family.
Yeah?
Mr. Tanner?
Do I know you?
No.
But I knew Mark.
May we come in?
Uh, I-I don't really think
this is a good time right now.
Mrs. Tanner, um,
my name is
Andrew, and this is...
this is Ivan.
Ivan?
How dare you come
into my home, you...
You're Ivan?
Lipinski. Ivan Lipinski.
I'm a freelance film editor.
Videotape, Super 8,
local news, commercials.
Anyway, look, uh...
Mark was supposed
to pick this up from me.
I was gonna charge
him $600 for it,
but, well, I just don't
feel right about that now.
It's on the house.
$600?
Yeah. Look, uh, I
just want to say...
I'm really sorry
about your loss.
What do you have
to do with all of this?
I was with Mark when he died.
- At the bank?
- Wait, wait, that's not possible.
I interviewed all of the
customers personally,
I scanned the security tapes...
never saw you.
That's because... I'm an angel.
Okay, get out.
Scott.
Monica?
We've been here
all night, Tess and I.
Andrew's been
searching for Ivan.
Tess and I have been here
praying for you...
and for your marriage.
We are angels.
And we're very sad angels,
because the Father
has given us a job to do
that we can't do alone.
We need each
other, we need Him...
and we need you, too.
Slow-slow down.
I'm, uh... I'm a little
bit confused here.
Angels don't bring
confusion, Mr. Tanner.
We bring the truth,
and what you're feeling
is the spirit of God.
He's in here with is,
and He is concerned
about your marriage.
He doesn't want it to end.
I can't believe that
God is watching us.
Better than that...
God is loving you.
Mom, Dad... happy anniversary.
Now I guess the odds are
that Mom's crying already, so...
The truth is, this
really wasn't gonna be
your anniversary present.
I know you guys want me to
save all my bucks for college, but...
I guess sometimes
you just got to make
a different kind of
investment in your future.
I decided to make this tape,
instead of saying it in person,
because I thought I'd
have a better chance
of maybe getting it all out.
You see, um...
I was borrowing your
jacket, Dad... you know,
the leather one... and I, uh,
I found something...
that I guess I wasn't
supposed to see yet.
Uh... it's funny, I guess
if I ever thought you
guys would get divorced,
it would've been a couple
years ago and not now.
Oh, my God, he found them.
Maybe I just... I put you
guys through so much.
- No, no, no.
- Maybe you thought it was...
just too late.
But, you know, I...
I really thought things
were going pretty good.
I'm sorry, Mom...
Doing pretty well.
But, I mean, it's like they
said back in rehab, you...
go back to all the pain
and... don't cover it up.
Let it out.
I don't know all the pain
you guys have been through,
but I do know that
I can't fix it for you.
All I can do is remind you
of why it's worth it to try.
So... watch this, and I'll
be back after the show.
♪ I can't remember ♪
♪ When you weren't there ♪
♪ When I didn't care ♪
♪ For anyone but you ♪
♪ I swear ♪
♪ We've been through
everything there is ♪
♪ Can't imagine
anything we've missed ♪
♪ Can't imagine anything ♪
♪ The two of us can't do ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ Through all the good and bad ♪
♪ I know how much we've had ♪
♪ I've always been so glad ♪
♪ To be with you ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ It's better every day ♪
♪ You've kissed my tears away ♪
♪ As long as it's okay ♪
♪ I'll stay with you ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ You've never let me down ♪
♪ You turned my life around ♪
♪ The sweetest days I've found ♪
♪ I've found with you ♪
♪ Through the years ♪
♪ It's better every day ♪
♪ You've kissed my tears away ♪
♪ As long as it's okay ♪
♪ I'll stay with you ♪
♪ Through the years... ♪
So I, uh, I hope you guys will
reconsider this divorce thing.
I can't stop you, but, uh...
I can slow you down.
This is either the best thing
I've ever done or the stupidest.
Anyway, I'm glad I'm not there
right now to see your faces.
But I guess sometimes you
just got to go for it, you know?
Like you guys
went for it with me.
I would not be going to college
next year if it weren't for you.
And when I'm gone, I
want to know you guys
are still gonna be there.
So... promise.
Come on, I know it won't
be easy, but promise.
You got to start somewhere.
I can't hear you.
I promise.
Come on, you got to do it,
I'm serious, I'm not kidding.
I do, I promise.
Okay, and one more thing.
Remember Tanner Coffee Time.
I mean, what was
it you said, Mom?
That traditions are what
you do during the bad times,
while you're waiting for the
good times to come back?
Well, uh... trust
me, they'll be back.
I promise.
So, uh, I guess that's it.
Dad, come outside and tell me
when it's safe to come in.
I love you guys.
Happy anniversary.
♪♪
We had a lot of
things to say to you,
but I think your son has said
it better than any angel could.
Why didn't I throw
those papers away?
Why didn't I follow
him out that morning?
He might have told
me that he found them.
The what-if's and if-only's
will only stop you from healing.
Don't ask those those questions.
The question that you
might want to ask is...
if Mark ripped up
those divorce papers
a week ago...?
- Then what...
- What's in here?
Oh, it's just... Wait a minute.
Mark didn't steal the watches.
"Forever Scott."
"Forever Michelle."
And that's where
your son is right now...
Forever in the Father's arms.
And if you put your
marriage there, too,
it will be safe,
it will survive.
It will even shine.
Will you trust Him?
Yes.
Yes.
I think it's Tanner Coffee Time.
What?
We'll leave the
two of you alone.
You know what to do.
Come on, Andrew, angel girl.
Happy anniversary.
♪♪
I love you.