Waco (2018): Season 1, Episode 5 - Stalling for Time - full transcript

Do you know the mood
within the compound?

Well, our intel is saying

that people are starting to
question their loyalty to Koresh.

How many people
are still inside?

We estimate 130.

Is there any concern for the
possibility of a mass suicide?

All possibilities are a concern.

Have you been talking to the White
House about what's going on?

Yes. They are apprised
of the situation.

Sir, what do think it will take
for them to come out?

Apparently, a sign from God.



I don't understand, Gary.

- Why did you shut our power off?
- Look, you gotta understand.

The negotiators do not get
100% of the input, okay?

The tactical side,
they have a say in it, as well.

Our position is moving forward.

I thought we made
a lot of progress yesterday

delivering you that milk
with Sheriff Harwell.

Me, too.
Which is why I'm confused.

I mean, you send in milk for the
kids, then turn off the power

so it goes bad. I mean,
where's the sense in that?

My bosses have it in their minds

that this might become
another Jonestown.

Another Jonestown?
Wait a second.

Do you think that we are going
to kill ourselves?



Well, frankly, Steve, I don't
know what you're thinking.

Gary, do you honestly believe
that I would spend

this much time on the phone
with you if that was our plan?

We're trying to find a solution.

A solution that will take us
back to the life we had

before you came in here
and ruined it.

I am, too.

Now, what I'd really like to do

is take advantage
of the good stuff

that happened yesterday
and keep moving forward.

- Do you think we can do that?
- Look. What I want you to do

is tell our bosses we are not
going to kill ourselves.

That is not what we're about.

I will.

Is David there?
I'd like to talk to him.

David's not gonna
talk to you again

until you turn
our electricity back on.

Lack of electricity
makes them less comfortable

and more willing to compromise.

Under normal circumstances, yes.

But these people,
they already know

how to live with nothing.

All you're doing
is pissing 'em off.

- Mitch feels differently.
- You know, sir,

with you talking
to Mitch and I separately,

it feels like we're operating
at cross purposes here.

It's been nine days.

How much longer
do I let this go on?

As long as it takes.

Do you know
what this is costing taxpayers?

God damn it, I'm not worried
about taxpayers right now.

Gary, we need to bring this
to a resolution.

Look...

Koresh has been bullied
his entire life.

Here we go.

The more you let HRT do
what they did last night,

the more he's gonna dig in.

He's let people out.

That shows he's willing to work
with us.

But we've gotta meet that
with positive reinforcement,

not punishment.

You wanna train a dog
to fetch your newspaper?

Do you kick him in the balls

every time he brings it
back to ya?

No.

I'm sorry, Tony.

We both want the same thing.
You know that, right?

But in order to get it,
we gotta turn the power back on!

- Morning.
- Morning.

Your mom...
it's sweet what she did.

Yeah, it was kind of
embarrassing.

I wish my mom
did something like that.

- Yeah, what happened to her?
- She left.

Right after I joined
the House of David.

She didn't like
how that happened.

What... what's that like?

Being married to David?

It's...

it's like...

being married to the most
special person in the world.

But not being special yourself.

You're special to me.

You're special to me, too.

David wants you to try
and get that generator working.

That thing hasn't worked
forever.

I know, but you know,
do what you...

Hey! I take that back.

Hey, Thibs,
will you turn that up for me?

Still no sign
of surrender. Robert...

See what they're saying
about us now.

Joins us now
live with the latest. Robert?

We've just learned that the Branch
Davidians who left Mt. Carmel

have been arrested.

Also, a judge has declared
those remaining inside

to be unfit parents.

Child Services
has been brought in

to handle the situation
as it unfolds.

How dare you call us
"unfit parents"?

When was the last time
you saw your kids, Gary?

I see mine every day.

The judge doesn't know you
or your people, David.

Which is why you need to come out
and tell your side of things.

I'd love to tell
my side of things, Gary,

but you won't let us speak
to the press.

Every time I turn that TV on,

all I see is "David Koresh,
the fanatic."

David Koresh, the antagonist."

Well, from what I can see,

there's an awful lot
of sympathy for you

and a lot of anger
towards the ATF

in all parts of the country.

It's in your interest to come out now,
and not have that sentiment turn.

You know, you sure like putting all
the pressure on us to come out,

when what you should be doing
is just back off.

Let time take its toll.

Do you understand?

It's not our desire
to die in here, Gary.

I understand,

and I've been trying
to buy time with my bosses,

- but it's very difficult...
- Buy time for what?

Before you come in here
full force?

No. Buy the time...

you need, you know,

to pray and talk to your God.

Tell me, Gary...

who's your God?

You do believe in God, don't ya?

I don't know what I believe.

Well, how do you think
all this started, Gary?

Do you think iit's all
just random?

It's all one big coincidence?

That a proton collided with a neutron
and that's how it all got started?

Well, who created that proton, Gary?
Who created that neutron?

How did the universe
get this possibility?

The kids, David... let's talk
about sending more of 'em out.

Gary, I know.

I know you don't like talking
about religion.

But religion is all I am.

- Right, but the kids are what...
- Listen to me!

Listen. Listen carefully. These
kids in here are my children,

and they ain't coming out!

Especially to someone
who doesn't even believe in God.

That's hard.

Well, everything's hard
until you practice it, right?

Trust me.

By your birthday, I'm gonna have
you playing like John Bonham.

Are you gonna leave us,
Thibodeau?

Let's try again.

Do these kids seem abused
to you?

- No, they sure don't.
- Yeah.

I've seen abused kids.
They don't act like this.

These children are loved.

Their parents must be
suffering to be without 'em.

But Koresh won't send out
any more kids.

We need to start
working on the parents.

Okay. How do we do that?

Go get the camera.

What?

- Hello.
- You lied to me.

- Who's this?
- Kathy Schroeder.

I saw that tape you sent.

I gave my children over to you
and you lied to me!

Get Gary!

I'm sorry, Kathy. You have me
at a bit of a disadvantage.

I'm not sure
what we're talking about here.

Danny!
I mean, where are his brothers?

They're supposed to be together! Danny
is only three and he's all alone!

I don't know why your sons
would be separated.

Wait.

The father took them.
Now, why didn't he take Danny?

Well, Danny's not his.

He belongs to Mike.
You know, my second husband...

who you killed?

I need you to get Danny
to his brothers.

Okay? They'll look after him. I
need you to make Dale understand.

Kathy, your first husband
has no legal right to Danny.

Well, nobody told me that! You...

God, you guys are like...!
I mean, first you killed Mike,

and now Danny's just all alone!

This is not right.

- This is not right.
- Kathy...

I'm so sorry. I can only imagine
what you're going through.

But sometimes when it comes
to children,

it's necessary to set aside
what we need

for their needs.

And right now...

you know
what Danny needs most...

is a hug from his mommy.

Shh...

God...!

Okay.

Okay.

I'm coming out.

I'm sorry.

The ATF believe these guys

were converting semiautomatic
weapons into automatics.

Now, in Texas, that's illegal.
Unless...

you purchase a $25 permit,
in which case, it's fine.

This is Ron Engelman, reminding
you to pay your parking tickets,

because the ATF is in town
and they're hunting Americans.

I noticed you've been sleeping
in your car the last few nights.

Yeah, well,
there's a lot of press in town.

I can't get a room
at a decent rate.

I got a room.

With two beds in it,
if you like.

Thank you,
but I... got myself a pillow

and my seat folds
all the way back.

- So, I'm good.
- Okay. Look.

I know you blame me
for everything that's happened.

And I'll be the first to admit
I was not the best mother.

I had David when I was 14.

It's no excuse, but what 14yearold
knows how to raise a child?

We don't have the luxury
to not like one another.

We both want the same thing. We both
want our boys to come out of there.

Okay. Okay.

I had my son when I was 16.

I didn't have it
figured out either.

My offer stands
if you change your mind.

It's room 47. Okay?

Serenity mentioned
it's her birthday next week.

You planning anything?

It's not really an appropriate
time to celebrate.

That's not how it works. Can't not
have a party on your birthday.

Everyone's spirit's down.

All the more reason
to lift it up.

I can help you plan something...

Thanks, Thibs,
but not now, okay?

I'm sorry. Just not now.

Kathy, put your heart to wisdom.

Think this through.

These are the people
that murdered your husband.

I know.

It... it's not an easy decision,

but Danny needs me.

Well, if your desire is stronger
than your loyalty to God,

then we have our answer,
don't we?

David...

I know God is here. I know that.

- It's... it's all coming true...
- If you're gonna go, go.

If you're looking for my
blessing, you ain't getting it.

Go.

Go on.

- Take Brad with you.
- Me?

I heard you were drinking.
Is that the truth?

We are all one body here.

And for that body to work properly,
we all need to be in harmony.

If one finger isn't working,

or if someone decides
to go out on their own...

- David...
- Then we're all out of harmony.

This is God's test,
and you failed miserably.

- Calm down.
- Don't tell me to calm down.

I'm protecting us.

You're done here.

Steve, let 'em out.

Kathy...

Sir, do you copy?

I have two targets in my view.
Over.

Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Everyone! Just calm down!

Keep your hands in the air
and get on the ground, now!

I was right there.

- I tried to stop it.
- I know you did.

God's not speaking to me
anymore.

I have no idea
what I'm gonna do.

You know, you always say.

"To trust God
in the light's easy, but...

to trust Him
in the dark, that's faith."

- What's happening?
- I don't know?

Everything you tell me
is a lie, Gary.

No, Everything I tell you
is not a lie.

I'm not the one who drove that
vehicle onto your property, David.

I don't wanna hear it.
We aren't afraid of the government.

Big Brother wants to
come in here and fight,

we will fight back.

I think
we've proven that before.

And as long as our flag is still
flying, I'm gonna defend it.

As an American citizen,

anyone that steps
on my property,

anyone that destroys my property,
is gonna get their ass whupped.

Look, I would feel exactly the same
way if I was in your position.

But, the thing is, these guys
are frustrated, too.

And they don't wanna be here any
more than you want them here.

But try as I might,
I cannot get them to understand

somebody waiting
for a sign from God.

It's just not part
of their worldview.

I get that, Gary.

But we can get through this
if we work together, okay?

Now I want you to sit tight.
I'm gonna go talk to my bosses

and try and get those tanks
off your property.

Okay?

Okay. All right.

Do you realize
I'm getting all my information

about what we're doing
from the Branch Davidians?

Maybe you should move in
with them.

God damn it!

Why did you send
that damn tank in there?

Because when I went to pick up
those people,

I noticed several vantage points where
they could hide and fire on our agents.

I had to mitigate
their strategic advantage.

You didn't try to "mitigate
their strategic advantage."

You're trying to irritate them
into coming out!

It's not a winning strategy!

What's not a winning strategy is
"waiting for a sign from God."

- Sir, I...
- No.

I'm tired of buying you time. You
need to tell them to come out.

It's been 17 days, Gary.

- I've been pushing 'em.
- Not hard enough.

I'm under an awful lot of
pressure to get them out.

I have the attorney general and
every politician in Washington

breathing down my neck!

I want them outta there
by tomorrow morning!

I can't give 'em a deadline.
I've tried that before.

It doesn't work.
Now, time is on our side...

Time is not on our side. Now,
give them the deadline. Now.

No.

I won't do that.

Get Koresh on the phone.

Whoa, Tony. What are you doing?

Hey...

Hello?

- David?
- Yes?

This is Tony Prince, Special
Agent in Charge for the FBI.

If you don't come out of there
by morning...

certain actions will be taken
against you and your people.

That's not a threat,
it's a promise.

This is the CBS Evening News.

Good evening,
Dan Rather reporting.

That heavilyarmed cult
in central Texas

is showing no signs
of surrender.

Indeed, it shows all signs
of defiance.

Vicki Mabrey is on the scene
covering for us near Waco, Texas.

The standoff outside
the Branch Davidian compound

has become
a psychological power struggle

between federal agents
and cult leader David Koresh.

The FBI is restocking
its own arsenal,

borrowing Abrams tanks
from the defense department.

Now, sources tell CBS News

that federal agents don't plan
to let this go on indefinitely.

Their frustration level
is very high

and if negotiations
are not more fruitful,

they may take action
by this weekend.

I think we should probably just
prepare everyone for another attack.

We don't know
they're going to do that.

Yeah, but we don't know
that they're not.

Steve, what do you think
that they are gonna do?

We can just leave.

The minute we walk out those
doors, we're admitting guilt.

I don't know, guilt versus death.
Is there a decision?

Yeah. Spending the rest
of your life in jail,

or death. Some decision.

This is why we need a lawyer.

- No offense, Wayne.
- None taken.

Well, they barely gave us milk.

Do you think they're gonna
give us a lawyer?

No, Judy's right. The chances
of that are as good as them...

Hey, David.

What's going on?

- We're just talking.
- About...?

- About our options.
- Options?

Steven...

you of all people know
there's only one option.

Wayne...

you wanna go out there,
be with your family?

Or do you wanna feel
the hand of God?

You are my family, David.

Judy, do you wanna stay
or do you wanna leave?

I don't wanna leave without you.

Thibodeau?

Go on. Take the easy way out.

- I...
- David.

You owe it to us to tell us
what you're thinking.

No. I owe you nothing.

You are not the only one
that's suffering here.

- Don't you forget that.
- Don't forget... why we're here.

This is our "withering."

Y'all wanna miss out
on the miracle?

Be my guest.

Get outta my chapel.

Sir, I apologize for my
outburst, but I'd...

I'd really appreciate if you'd
reconsider your ultimatum.

Gary, please sit down.

How many kids do you have?

- Three.
- I have two myself.

Your wife...
she understands the job?

Well, she was a secretary in the
Bureau when we met, so she gets it.

My wife, she...

she pretends to get it.
But she doesn't.

- Where did you grow up?
- Atlantic Beach, Florida.

Now, sir, I'd really like to...

What?

Move this conversation along?

What if I just wanna
sit here and talk?

For hours?

What if we just talked
and talked, but then,

after all that, I decided

not to give you the response
you came in here looking for?

That would be frustrating,
wouldn't it?

Sir, one of the main principles
I try to teach my students

who wanna be negotiators
is to never, ever start a clock

because it gives the person
on the other end

the opportunity to make
the wrong decision.

We're not
in a classroom here, Gary.

And the principles
that you apply

to hypothetical
situations, well...

they don't always work.

We're at an impasse here.

And your "trickleflowgush"
theory... albeit a good one...

Well... that doesn't
seem to be working either.

So, what's your plan, then?

It's time to apply pressure.

Decker wants to start implementing
psyops to get them out.

You wanna psychologically
torture them?

It's not torture.

It's a safe way to push them.

This is not an FBisanctioned strategy.
You do understand that, right?

Don't think
I haven't thought this through.

I'm in a difficult
position here, Gary.

All right, so, you know...

just for shits and giggles,
let me get this straight.

You wanna take a guy that we're fairly
certain is unstable to begin with...

and you're gonna attempt
to drive him crazy

with psychological pressure,

in hopes that somehow

that will suddenly
make him more reasonable?

You've been requesting an open flow
of communication since you got here.

I just gave it to ya.

My commander, David,
I spoke to him.

He's not gonna back down
on this ultimatum.

Yeah, well, we're not
backing down either, Gary.

David, I'm gonna try
something here.

I wanna talk to ya

not like "Gary,
the FBI agent," but...

like I was your friend.

And I want you to listen
to what I'm gonna say.

As if a friend
was saying it to you.

Come out.

Just come out
before it gets any worse.

That's my friendly advice.

I appreciate that, Gary.

And I want this to be over
just as much as you do.

You think I like
being in this place like this?

I don't. It's awful.

You have no idea what I'd give
to have a hot shower right now.

It can be over, David.

You have the ability
to make it be over.

I'm trying.

I'm trying to connect with God.

And I'm not just giving you
the runaround either, Gary.

I know.

Well, I just want you to know,
whatever happens from here on out...

I'm trying, too.

I know you are.

I know.

Okay, yeah.

All right. It's almost bedtime.

But before you go,
I have something for you.

What is it?

Happy birthday.

Go ahead, make a wish,
and blow it out.

What's going on here?

We're just having
a little party.

Because it's my birthday.

I know it is.

It's time to go to bed,
all right?

Wait. She has to open
her present first.

Wow. It's so pretty.

- What is it?
- It's a drum key.

If you're gonna be
a rock star someday,

gotta know how to tune
a drum, right?

You like it?

- Yeah.
- What do you say?

- Thank you, Thibodeau.
- Aw, you're welcome.

What's happening?

Light 'em up, boys.

It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay.

No, no, I'm sorry. Please
don't put words in my mouth.

The FBI has no comment
at this time. Next question.

Is there a consideration
to use psychological warfare?

Have you discussed it at all?

I don't even know
what psychological warfare is.

Well, it was reported
that you're playing loud music

and shining bright lights
on the compound all night

to try to agitate the group.

Yeah, I cannot discuss tactics
of that sort, but I'd say

there's minimal chance that we would
get up to that sort of activity.

When are you gonna allow the parents
to intervene and talk to our children?

Well, that is not something we're
comfortable doing at the moment.

Why? Why? How can it hurt
for our voices to get in there?

We know our children. We should
be speaking to our children.

- Ma'am, there's a protocol...
- Screw your protocol!

I want to talk to my son!

- Ma'am...
- Everybody here,

all of these families here,

we don't wanna
just stand around...

- Is there security?
- And just figure out

that we've waited too long?
I don't want...

- a dead son on my hands!
- Security, please!

Let me talk to my son!
Let us talk to our children!

I think that's going to
do it for today. Thank you.

I filled a bunch of glasses. I figured
I'd bring one over for Serenity.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

How you guys doing?

It's freezing.

I have an extra blanket.
I'll run and grab it.

Wait, Thibs.

You're the best.

Be right back.

Wayne?

Get that generator working yet?

Looks like it's gonna be
another cold one tonight.

I've taken it apart and
put it back together twice.

I still can't figure out
what's wrong with it.

Do you mind if I have a look?

I'll take all the help
I can get.

Come on in.

How you doing?

Good.

I was just checking in on you,
see if you're okay.

What's wrong?

Um...

I don't wanna die
in here, David.

I know I might.

Andand maybe
that's God's will, but...

I don't want to.

I wish I had three more years
with you.

Three more years
to teach you the message.

Who's to say you won't?

The way things are going,
I think it's clear.

We're going home.

One way or another, Thibs.

Michelle and Serenity...

What about 'em?

If I decide to go...

will you let them leave with me?

Your mother.

She sure struck a nerve
with you, didn't she?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

They have a way of doing that.

And it would pain me,

but I would not hold it against
you if you wanted to go join her.

But Michelle?

And Serenity?

That is my wife...
and my daughter.

They are mine... to protect.

Not yours.

You understand?

Sources
near the scene are reporting

that the FBI's main concern
right now is a mass suicide.

Authorities feel Koresh has become
unstable in the last few days

and they worry
about what he might do.

A lightning storm...

I ran outta money for gas.
My car is freezing.

- May I come in?
- Yes. Please.

All right, Thibs.

I'm ready when you are.

Hi, Mom. It's me.

I saw you on the news
the other night.

I know this is hard on you.
I'm sorry.

I just want you to know
I'm okay.

I'm not being held
against my will.

I can come out whenever I want.
But...

this is something I... I
thought about a lot, and...

I need to see this through.

'Cause people here...

they're counting on me.

I can't leave them behind, so...

I hope you understand.

I really love you, Mom.

I hope...

Hope to see you soon.

- Hey, help me hang this blanket.
- Yeah.

Can you get that side?

Hang this up.

What's it gonna take to get you
to start seeing them as people?

I see 'em as people.

Just not the kind
I ever wanna be around again.

Have you noticed... that not
a single person has come out

since you started screwing around
with them? What does that tell ya?

I don't know.

That they're a bunch
of stubborn sons of bitches?

History's not gonna be on your
side with this one, Mitch.

I'll take the other side
of that bet.

Just stand down, okay?
For a few days.

Turn the power back on.
And give them...

a moment to start
thinking straight again.

That's not my call.
Talk to Prince.

Prince isn't listening to me
anymore, Mitch.

He's listening to you.

Five thousand to one.

Those are the odds against us.

Five thousand people
to every one officer of the law.

You know how we keep order
with those odds?

Because they believe
we're more powerful than we are.

We project strength.

And the people believe
in that strength.

So when we sit outside
a place like this,

for weeks on end,

waiting for them to tire...

we look weak in front of the
rest of the whole world.

And every angry asshole with a
bomb kit starts getting ideas.

This is more
than a situation now, Gary.

This is a symbol.

Are we the kind of agency
that coddles cop killers?

Or are we the goddamn FBI?

Come on.

Whoo!

Yeah!

You did it!

I knew you would! Great job!

How much gas do we have
in there?

10 minutes, tops.

I know what I wanna do with it.

My God.

Hello?

- Hi, sis.
- My God, Steve!

Where are you?
Did you get out of there?

No, I'm still inside.

I found a phone. And...

- Steve?
- You know what? I...

Look, Sue,
I don't have a lot of time.

This thing's beeping at me,
but... listen.

I... there's been a lot of talk
on the news

and, um, with the FBI, about
us committing suicide in here.

And I just want you to know,
no matter what they tell you,

that we would never
kill ourselves.

And so,

if we somehow... I don't know...
If we wind up dead, or...

And... and that's what they're
telling people around the world,

then I just want you to know
that it's a lie.

Okay?

Sue...?

Can you hear what I'm...

What is that?

What's that sound?

Hey, turn off the speakers.

- I thought we cut the power off.
- We did.

If we were to go in...

What would that look like?

I could have a plan
on your desk by morning.