Original subtitles

I've got Jim Riley in my office.

Here's his school record.

Did he start the fight?

Uh, either he or Richie Martino.

They're members of rival gangs.

Mm-hmm.

We've had bad incidents before but nothing like this.

I got three interrogation units set up

in the auditorium, Juvenile's setting up two more.

Any leads so far?

No, all that anybody saw was a rumble.

And what about Martino?

We haven't located him yet.

Oh, uh, Dean... This is Mr. Watson,

our Boys' Vice Principal.

Were you in the yard during lunch hour?

Yeah, only we call it the Noon Patrol.

Too bad you weren't here an hour ago.

Walter Randolph might still be living

if we had police infiltrating that... jungle.

But, of course, the students would resent that.

Now, now don't exaggerate the problem, Dean.

We've had our troubles here at Manual

but no worse than that other school in the city.

No, just your normal every day routine: gang fights, beatings.

We even had teachers assaulted right in their own classrooms.

Uh, Dean, would you take Mr. Randolph's sixth period, please?

Sure.

You know what he was going to teach them?

Civics. Good citizenship.

He really cared about that.

Jim, these men are homicide detectives.

Big bust, huh?

So I ditched fourth period.

Can we use your office?

Sure.

Inside, Riley.

Come on.

The other boy, Martino, I'd appreciate

if I could have his home address.

Sure.

James Whitcomb Riley.

- You know who that is? - Yeah, it's me.

James Whitcomb Riley was a great American poet.

That's not you.

You're not even a good student.

Three F's, two D's... that equals zero.

That's you.

Sit down.

Jimmy, you own a gun?

Guns aren't my thing, man.

You were in a fight today and a teacher was killed.

Now, if you didn't shoot him, you better tell us who did.

Look, all I know is that Martino and a bunch

of his punk friends jumped me.

All I saw were fists and boots.

Martino carry a gun?

Yeah, he could.

But you don't, right?

Look, I never zapped anybody

and I wouldn't get a teach, either.

I mean, uh, they're the good guys, right?

Look, I gotta go back to class now.

I have a makeup test.

You'll have a test, all right.

Take him down to headquarters

- and give him a paraffin... - Hey, wait a minute, man!

- Hey, keep your hands off me! - Okay.

Look, man, you got no right to do this.

You're in big trouble!

Don't touch me.

Don't forget to phone his parents.

Here's the file on Martino, Lieutenant.

Is he a better student than Riley?

He's worse.

But he's not a bad kid, though.

And I don't think he's a killer.

Well, we deal with what we've got...

Riley and Martino.

One resents authority and the other one...

huh, the other one hides from it.

Sometimes I wonder what we're teaching them.

"During the time men lived

"without a common power to keep them in awe,

"they are in that condition which is called war;

"and such a war, as if of every man against every man.

"Dare we leave child and man

"to their common state of nature, Walter?

"What then?

"No art, no letters, no society.

"Continual fear, danger of sudden death,

"and the life of man,

"poor, solitary, nasty,

brutish, and short."

Very appropriate, Leopold.

Thomas Hobbes, The Leviathan.

18th century philosophy, but appropriate.

17th century.

You're looking well.

How are things?

Oh, disjointed.

I haven't found any suitable work, if that's what you mean.

I'm sorry.

Mourn for poor Walter, not me.

He left Manual High without a protest.

Feet first.

It's getting awful.

Worse than all the years when you were there.

I can well imagine.

I'm thinking of taking an early pension.

Ethel wants me to.

Walking away won't help, Mr. Watson.

What can we do?

What else is there to do?

Teach 'em. Teach 'em.

Somebody must.

They need to learn a lesson from all this.

A hard lesson.

♪♪

Come in.

So...!

What about the chess game? I'm waiting.

I'm afraid I'll have to cancel, Mr. Beckerman.

You're not moving, are you?

No, but, uh, I'll have to be away for a while.

You got a job teaching again?

Yes.

Where?

Across town.

I should be living in.

Living in?

Uh, tutoring some children of great promise

and little incentive.

Well, I'm pleased for you, Leopold.

You're a fine teacher.

But, uh, I hate to lose such a good tenant,

even temporarily.

Where should I send your mail?

I'll advise you.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Oh. Of course.

Good luck, Mr. Summer.

Thank you, Mr. Beckerman. Thank you.

You see?

He wouldn't leave without his clothes.

He'll be back.

Sometimes he doesn't come home for a day or two.

Without telling you where he's gone?

He comes, he goes.

How can I stop him? He's big as I am.

Mrs. Martino, your son has been gone for three days.

He could be in trouble, real trouble.

My Richie never hurt anyone.

Well, he might be with somebody who could.

You think somebody might be trying to hurt him?

We don't know.

I don't know where that boy goes.

He never tells me.

Never tells me anything.

When you hear from him, please give us a call.

Here's my card.

Sure.

I said to get in the car, Mr. Pruitt.

You're crazy, Summer.

Do you recognize this?

You should.

I confiscated it from you, last year, in the schoolyard.

Hey... come on, man.

I didn't do anything to you!

In the car, Mr. Pruitt.

Don't disobey me again.

Operator, will you give me the police please?

- Hello, Steve. - Sir.

Yeah, they only got one clean print.

Right index of Walter Randolph.

- No registration? - Nothing yet.

Sacramento telex hasn't come in.

But ballistics confirmed that's the gun that killed him.

Single-action.32, mail-order special.

How far from school did they find it?

Just a couple blocks away.

Any one of the kids could have ditched the gun

and back in the yard before lunch.

Here.

Riley's paraffin test is negative.

Guess that leaves us only with Martino.

Man, Manual High is getting to be our best customer.

What is it now?

Got a possible kidnap.

Student named Randy Pruitt,

a senior at Manual.

Oh... yeah, who reported it?

Neighbor, 118 Skinner Avenue,

saw a man forcing him into a car.

Didn't get the license number.

Pruitt, huh? You said Pruitt?

Yeah.

Pries... Priestly.

Olsen.

Well, he's not on the list of either gang.

Now wait a minute, Skinner Avenue,

that's a depressed area, isn't it?

Yeah, like the one Martino lives in.

So, what do you think?

I don't know; I really don't.

What I do know is this Pruitt kid

wasn't grabbed for ransom.

The neighborhood he comes from is so poor,

they'd have to pay off in food stamps.

One teacher killed, two students missing...

It's beginning to sound like an epidemic.

Come on.

Hey!

Whatever kind of work you got, mister, I'm your man.

Paint, saw, hammer, you name it, mister.

You will find it most rewarding.

You got no day work for me, Mr. Summer.

Close the door, Mr. Jeffers.

And then, uh, he fell down the stairs,

- and I could see from up there. - Yeah.

Uh, then he got in the car, and they just drove away.

Can you describe the man?

Well, no, I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but I can't see too well

without my glasses, you know, from up there.

But it was an older man.

The man, he had a knife?

Oh, yes, very threatening, you know?

Was your son in any kind of trouble, Mr. Pruitt?

No, not that I know of.

I think he would have told me.

Randy's not that kind of a boy at all.

I almost feel like he's my own son.

When does your wife get home?

Well, she's out of town working.

She's a singer.

And you're out all the time?

My territory's across the bay.

Look, Randy's a very independent boy.

He's been making his own dinners for years.

Did he ever mention a boy named Richie Martino?

Maybe, I don't know.

After school, where does your son usually hang out?

I don't know.

What about Jim Riley?

I don't know.

Why would anybody want to kidnap my son? Why?

We were hoping you would be able to tell us.

Well...

well, we're really not very close anymore.

I mean, I have to make a living where I can.

You understand?

Yeah.

Please, Mr. Summer. Please!

Hold on to the banister, Miss Harris.

Get us out of here!

Hey!

Down here!

Hey, you're crazy, you know that?

You know that?

Shut up, Richie.

No, please, what are you doing?

Go ahead.

Answer as I call your names.

William Jeffers.

Yeah.

The word is "present."

Present.

Uh, Randy Pruitt?

Present.

Judith Harris?

Present.

Richard Martino?

Here.

Good.

Everyone present and accounted for.

Our lesson can begin.

- Yes. - Mr. Harris?

Speaking.

I'm not going to identify myself,

but what I have to say is very important.

So?

I'm holding your daughter Judy.

What?

She's all right.

I'm not going to punish her,

providing she does what she's told.

Who is this? Is this some...

You some kind of nut or something?

She needs to be taught a lesson, Mr. Harris.

Her whole life depends on it.

Judy?

Judy?

I don't care if there are 400 kids gone!

I want my daughter back, and I want that creep!

Then you're going to have to help us, Mr. Harris.

You're going to have to tell us exactly what he said.

I told you.

He's got her, that's all.

- Did he ask for money? - No.

Now, how old did he sound?

What? I don't know, 50, maybe more.

Was there anything special about his voice?

Well, he sounded smart, cold.

He said that he wouldn't hurt her

if she would do as she was told.

She had to be taught a lesson.

That's what he said.

If he hurts her, I'll kill him!

Help!

Somebody help us!

You want to shut up? Could you shut up, could you?

You're just wasting your voice.

Ain't nobody gonna hear us.

That creep.

What does he want with us?

I think old Summer the Snapper is going to kill us.

Hey, shut up! You want to shut up?

Everybody's going to get out of here.

Oh, yeah, right.

Let's see, what's going to happen now?

Uh, you're going to bite through your chains and then break ours?

Hey, just stay cool, man.

Now, Summer hasn't laid on us yet what he's up to.

Yeah, I think we're here 'cause of her.

- Huh? - What?

I mean, you ratted on him, honey.

You got the old man canned.

Are you kidding? He deserved it.

He had no right to hit anyone the way he did.

Come on, that was Billy he hit, not you.

Well, he's too dumb to say anything.

So what-what is she, some kind of big-mouth broad, or what?

Martino!

Yes.

Lay off.

Man, all this flappin' ain't gettin' us nowhere!

Good morning, students.

What are you going to do with us?

Why did you bring us here?

Uh, you'll be relieved to hear, Miss Harris,

that your presence here has nothing to do

with my dismissal from Manual High School.

You were all my students once.

Bright, intelligent, young people who,

for one character flaw or another,

failed to apply yourselves.

Well, I intend to change that pattern

before it becomes too deeply ingrained.

How?

I'm going to teach you.

What? What are you going to teach us in this rat hole?

How to learn, Mr. Pruitt.

How to learn.

And as to this "rat hole," as you call it,

it was and still is a very fine private school.

You're off your rocker.

This ain't no school, not anymore,

not for us.

It will be.

It may be your very last.

You're going to let us go or I'll have you thrown in jail!

For the rest of your life.

Quiet.

I will not tolerate your threats.

My colleague, Walter Randolph,

wasted his life trying to teach you things of importance,

but you would not listen, would you?

Well, mine will not be a waste,

neither will yours.

You will sit here, and you will learn

what I have to teach you while there's still time.

And I will brook no interference from you,

your parents, P.T.A.,

the Board of Education, nor the superintendent.

You will sit here, and you will obey.

And I warn you,

if you do not pay attention,

you will suffer the consequences.

Well, there's only two kids that ever took a course

from Randolph... Harris and Pruitt.

They were in different sections.

All right, no tie-in.

Having any luck?

Well, we cross-checked all the student activities,

school clubs, homeroom teachers,

and came up with zero, nothing.

Tell me, do you keep a separate record

of the disciplinary matters?

No, all detention and discipline reports

are kept in the students' personal files.

What about the faculty files?

Well, I got Randolph's file right here,

but there's no record of the four kids.

There's nothing in the kids' file on him...

No fights, no incidents.

I don't know.

Maybe there's no connection.

Wait a minute, there was one incident

involving Billy Jeffers last year,

but it didn't have anything to do with Randolph.

Well, what was that incident?

A teacher was dismissed by the board for striking Jeffers.

He'd been brought up on similar charges before.

What was his name?

Uh, Summer... Leopold Summer.

He's a very good teacher,

but I understand rather old-fashioned.

He'd been here for years.

Uh, I didn't know him very well.

I'd just been transferred a month before.

You have his file here?

Uh, yes, it's in the inactive section.

Does it say whether Martino and Pruitt were involved?

No, I don't think so.

But Judy Harris was.

She gave testimony before the school board.

All four of the kids could have been in that class.

Yeah, and I'll tell you where it was... right there, history.

"The board found Summer a stern disciplinarian

"who believes in the teacher's right

to punish his students physically."

Okay, there's two sections of that class.

Harris and Jeffers were in the first,

so was Martino, and Pruitt's in the second.

There's our connection.

But what does Leopold Summer got to do

with the shooting of Walter Randolph?

Well, maybe Mr. Summer can tell us.

It's 111 South Boyle Street.

Thank you.

The books you are being given

deal with historical biography,

eminent men and women of antiquity.

You will study the passages indicated

and be prepared for an oral examination of the material.

You may make notes,

but you may not refer to those notes during the test.

If any of you fail to complete your examinations,

you will be punished.

You have been rested, fed,

allowed personal hygiene.

I trust you will find nothing further

to disturb your complete concentration

during my absence.

If you have any idea of trying to escape,

well, I warn you, don't attempt it.

Oh, man, he's crazy!

I'm not going to read any of this junk!

What are you trying to do?

Something smart.

Something you guys never would have thought of: an S.O.S.

Hey, whoa, whoa, hey, wait a second!

Come on, let me throw it... I got a better arm.

Hey, wait a second, come on.

If you miss and he finds it, what are we going to do.

Come here.

All right! All right!

- Hey! - Hey!

Smart, you know, real smart.

This whole area is condemned.

Now, who's going to be walking around up there except Summer?

Huh?

Well, I'm not going to read any of his stupid books.

Me, either.

Suit yourselves.

Only, I figure that if he's playing a game right now,

he's got the home-court advantage.

And he's one cat I don't want to foul out with.

All units, Southeast 30 to Bay View School,

71 Bay View, the alarm, all units.

The Bay View school, 71 Bay View, the ADT alarm.

Central Two, 10-7, on the alarm.

KMA-438, clear.

All units, Central Two advises code four.

No merit to the alarm at the Bank of California,

400 California.

Repeating, no merit to the alarm 400 California.

KMA-438, clear.

All units Prior Two is releasing to the owner, recovered...

I know I have a key here someplace.

Aha.

It won't be necessary; I see he's returning.

Well, looks to me like he's leaving.

Yep.

I don't see him, Mike.

Request all units within the vicinity of Polk and Howard

to be on the alert for a white Mercury, two-door...

model '61 0-3.

Driver could be dangerous.

It's hard to believe such a thing.

18 years they lived with me, I never had to use my key.

Mrs. Summer died a few years ago.

All through her illness, Leopold cared for her like a bride.

It's just amazing, everything in this place

is at least ten years old, even the mail.

That's when Mrs. Summer became ill.

There's only two thing in Leopold's life:

his wife and school.

Maybe three... chess.

Summer's wife died...

and then he was fired from school.

It's just like his whole life stopped ten years ago.

You remember the school board's psychological evaluation of him?

He was gradually losing his grip on reality,

obsessed with his past.

Oh, Leopold knew everything about the old times.

He could quote you all the great philosophers and leaders...

A fine historian.

Say, uh...

can you recognize any of those names?

Yeah, that one.

Mrs. Johnson.

I believe she's Leopold's cousin.

That's right, Twin Peaks.

Uh-huh.

It says "old school albums."

Summer... he grew up in the Mission District.

I bet you he knows that area pretty well.

Call in for a car and then check out the old neighborhood.

I'll drive to Twin Peaks, talk to his cousin.

I'm sure Leopold wouldn't do anything to harm those children.

Well, you played chess with him; what kind of an opponent was he?

Oh, brilliant.

A ruthless tactician.

Leopold would always go for the...

Ruthless.

Good afternoon, students.

I brought a few things for lunch.

It's about time; I'm starving.

But first, we will go over your assignments.

Oh, man, you got to be kidding.

No, I'm quite serious, Miss Harris.

Now, your first biographical sketch was

concerning Aurore Dupin, la baronne Dudevant...

Pseudonym George Sand.

Name one of her most illustrious novels and discuss what you feel

were her reasons for her unconventional behavior.

Man, I didn't even know she could write.

You have not read your assignment?

That's right.

Mr. Jeffers, have you read your assignment?

Most of it.

Ooh.

How much formal education did Abraham Lincoln have?

Not much.

About 12 months altogether, I think.

And his successor, Andrew Johnson?

He had no schooling at all.

In what ways were Johnson's views on Negro rights

similar to those of his enemy in Congress, Thaddeus Stevens?

I don't know.

Mr. Pruitt,

Elizabeth the First of England... Who were her parents?

Henry the Eighth and Anne Boleyn.

What happened to them?

I don't know.

Mr. Martino.

Hmm?

Miguel Cervantes... In what way did his life

parallel that of his fictional hero, Don Quixote?

Hey, look, I don't know... Hey, off!

And I don't want to know.

I don't.

You have not read your assignments.

You have not done what I asked you.

Come on, this is a lot of junk.

What good is it?

Hey, come on.

Look where it got him.

You will talk only when I tell you to talk.

Who are you to judge me?

Mr. Pruitt, you think you had it hard

because you've been left alone so much of the time.

Elizabeth the First of England's father beheaded her mother

and then discarded the child,

having declared her illegitimate.

Yet, she became one of England's

greatest and most influential leaders.

You could learn from her example.

If only you'd apply yourself.

You'd do well to study Cervantes,

who spent most of his life in prison and poverty.

Jeffers, Harris, you've all missed the point:

that you're here to learn that you can learn.

Mr. Summer, sir... we understand.

We'd like another chance.

I will not be humored.

I want results, not debates.

By way of punishment, you'll go without food...

Aw, come on!

Or water for the rest of the day.

Furthermore, you'll be given a second assignment,

twice as difficult as the first.

This is the curriculum, these are the procedures.

You will learn what I have to teach you

if I have to beat it into you.

Yeah, excuse me, ma'am.

Can you tell me where 1205 is?

They tore it down just a year ago.

My place is next,

but they're going to have to tear it down over my head,

because I'm not getting out.

Well, did you ever know a man named, uh, Leopold Summer?

No.

This used to be a nice neighborhood, but no more.

He was a schoolteacher around here.

Now, wait a minute.

He grew up on this street.

Oh, that was a long time ago.

Yes, that's probably why I remember.

He was a funny one, always with books.

He used to sit on my steps and read.

Well, have you seen him lately?

Yes. That's probably why I remember.

I've seen him a lot of times lately

walking around over there.

I walk Bambi over there almost every day.

And what is over there?

Nothing... just some condemned buildings

and the old Thomas Paine school.

I had three nephews went to that school.

Very nice private school.

Yeah.

It's the same school that Mr. Summer went to, too.

Ma'am, thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Well, you're very welcome.

Stay right where you are.

I'll be right there.

Sure, Mr. Harris.

O-Only, it says a big reward.

You'll get your reward.

Just don't move.

Yes, Mr. Jeffers?

You have a question?

No, I'd like to go to the bathroom.

Very well.

Continue reading.

You will be examined in 25 minutes.

No dallying, Mr. Jeffers.

Call me when you're ready.

This desk is going to come loose before the chains do.

Well, then pull up the desk, meat head.

Then what, do you want me to hit him over the head?

No, stupid.

You get to the desk drawer, you grab a knife,

and you stab the creep when he comes back.

That's smart, real smart.

What are you, chicken?

I'm not chicken... Come on.

That's a dumb idea, a knife against a gun.

You're both chicken. Pea brains.

- You know what might work? - What?

If we can pull it up and you can carry it,

you might be able get out and get the cops.

Come on... Help us.

Bug off!

Help us. I'm gonna smash it.

Go, man.

Go!

Richie? Richie?

Hey, Richie?

- Richie. - Come on, Richie.

Hey.

- Hey. - Mister, come on.

You Mr. Harris?

Where's my daughter?

Wait a minute, take it easy.

All I got is this.

Where'd you get this?

Huh? Over there,

back of the old school... The academy.

Hey, don't I get a reward?!

Inspectors eight-one, this is headquarters.

What is your 10-20?

Eight-one, go ahead.

Inspector Keller called in from Hill and Sutton,

proceeding to the Thomas Paine Academy.

Suspect reported seen in the area.

Did he ask for backup units?

Negative.

10-98, Paine Academy.

10-4.

I'm sorry you had to show up, officer.

Your presence here has created a disturbance.

All right, class, you have two minutes

to finish your reading assignment.

I suggest you use it.

I'll keep this for the time.

Mr. Summer, I presume?

You realize this doesn't make any sense at all?

We'll see, young man, we'll see.

Meantime, I advise you to be quiet.

Yeah, well, I radioed my position.

There's going to be cops all around this pl...

Silence.

If you speak again, I shall have to gag you.

Is that understood?

I'll tolerate no more questions from you.

All right, class, that's the end of your reading time.

Close your books.

Now, Martino, what first turned

Francis of Assisi away from the worldly

and made him devout?

I, uh... Speak up.

I don't know.

Giovanni di Bernadone,

sainted by the Christian church, Francis of Assisi,

was a soldier, Mr. Martini, a soldier.

A man of the sword, like you.

But he had the sense to throw away his weapons

and use his mind to create an order,

to teach.

St. Francis was a pacifist.

What the hell are you talking about?

And all the world are not Franciscans.

Francis learned from violence.

Martino here, is governed by it.

It's the only language he knows.

Miss Harris, what were some of the differences

between Marie Antoinette and Marie Theresa?

I'm not sure.

Yes, you are.

Think.

Uh, Marie Theresa was a goodie-goodie queen.

She got all worked up about the little people.

Man, I didn't even know you could read.

Will you shut up a minute, Richie?

And Marie Antoinette?

She played around a lot.

She didn't care what was happening to her country.

But when they tortured her,

when they chopped her head off, she showed him she had,

I don't know, style, I guess.

Why don't you just drop dead?

A classic example of a woman who wasted her life,

realizing the true dimensions of her character

only when faced with death.

The old man finally got you to sit up and bark.

Mr. Jeffers, Alexandre Dumas,

father and son, pere et fils,

what was their knowledge of rejection?

Well, the old man was part black,

and he looked it.

But the kid, Alexandre, fils,

well, he refused to accept

the idea he was illegitimate.

So he kept pounding away.

He... He...

He persevered, didn't he, Billy?

Yeah, he-he persevered.

Good work, Mr. Jeffers.

Good work.

Your grasp of your assignment doesn't surprise me.

Don't let them tell you you can't learn.

"Not houses finely roofed,

"nor stones of walls well-builded,

"nay, nor canals nor dockyards make the city,

but men able to use their opportunity."

Hold it!

Daddy!

Stay right where you are, mister.

Daddy!

I must ask you to leave until the bell rings.

Get out of my way.

Harris, get the key!

Daddy.

Judy, are you all right?

Did he hurt you?

Tell me.

Yes, he did.

He... he had his hands all over me.

- All of them did. - Oh, man.

That's a lie.

I'll kill you.

Get the gun! Get the gun!

- Daddy! - Get the gun. Hey, leave him...!

Harris!

Stop it, Harris!

Hey, lay off him!

Harris!

Let him go!

The key, Mike, the key's on the desk.

- It's on the desk. - Here!

Steve, take them outside.

I'll go upstairs and get Summer.

As Valedictorian, I'd like to one day...

Hey, Leopold, I'll see you in the teachers lounge.

I owe it all to a teacher,

a real teacher.

Leopold Summer.

Summer!

Remember old Summer?

Summer, man...

You know, he's really tough,

as tough as nails...

And Leopold Summer,

our oldest faculty member,

who is not only a distinguished scholar,

but a dedicated scholar...

♪♪

Did Riley actually admit it was his gun?

Well, Riley said the gun went off

when Randolph tried to take it away.

Martino verified that.

So, it was accidental?

Well, he's still going to have to have a juvenile hearing.

Hey, Billy.

Hey, what are you doing here?

Filling out some forms.

Man, they sure make it hard.

We make it easy.

You make it hard.

Billy's reentering the curriculum

for his final semester.

Good for you.

Fantastic.

Well, we'll see.

Guess if old Summer thought I was worth dying for...

well, I can try.

You'll do fine.

See you.

You take care.

Strangely enough,

some good has come out of all this, hasn't it?

Why, what happened to the others?

Oh, the Harris girl dropped out,

but, uh, Pruitt is back

and Martino may, eventually.

You can't win 'em all.

Say, would you like to join us for lunch?

No. No, thank you.

I know what he means.

Everybody's so concerned

about what the school system's doing with the kids,

I want to know what it's doing to some of these teachers.

Well, we know what it did to one.

He never stopped caring.

Yeah.

You know, I was sitting in Summer's class.

He had them listening.

He must have been some teacher.