Original subtitles

Jimmy?

Hey, Jimmy!

Yeah, well, here he is. What are you doing here?

Buying supplies, light bulbs, Johnny Mop, Greg.

You ain't working.

I figured I ought to see Beth Van Zandt's movie, The Brief.

They adapted it from her novel.

Any good?

Well, The Brief, the firm. When are one of these ex -lawyers going to write a

book called The Fee?

No thanks, I'm fine.

So, uh, The Fee, that's a joke.

Hey, bud.

Help me get a cup of coffee?

I hate these parasites on the body politic.

Sure, you're a fiscal conservative.

No, I go down to the Queen Angel Hospital for treatment.

These people are clogging up the hallways. They're demanding attention.

Hey! Give me some money, man.

Dinker?

Darling, get away from my pizza.

What? Sorry.

Just help. All right, bye.

Jim?

Scotty, what are you doing here?

Where am I, dude?

You're living on the street?

Dining on Fresco.

I live on Fresco. He used to shoot speed with me in Minneapolis, St.

Paul.

Do your parents know you're here?

They know, Jim. Hey, you got a smoke?

Hey, quit. You don't know?

I don't see them that often, to tell you the truth. I mean, what the hell? You

think they care?

Come on, Scotty.

Hey, you got a...

Sir? Not if the prize patrol just handed me 10 million big ones.

Here.

What happened to the kayak, Reynolds?

I got tired of getting knocked on my ass helping some tourist's wife get through

some heavy surf. Damaged a disc in my back. Radio shot?

Oh, they don't want to see me back there again.

Scotty, is there anything I can do for you?

We're looking down on me for starters. Not everybody can march a Republican

drum. I don't vote any ticket.

I never lectured you in that way.

Give me who is that? You think you've got problems?

Who is it?

It's Dennis Becker's son.

Get out of here.

Peg told me you were here. Why are you working security?

I'm doing it for nine bucks an hour. Well, 11 if the show goes past midnight.

Past midnight?

Sometimes, to be honest, after a full day at the division, I'm literally

on my feet. That punk rock's pounding me in my ear. But we do this for our kids,

right?

Oh, door's open, 20 minutes, showtime.

Yeah, who's playing?

New age group, girl with a heart, Celtic, whatever.

Actually, the music is pretty nice. And last week, they had this group called

The Hole with Courtney Love.

Imagine if this was your kid, Smart Girl Boat. You know, one time they had me

bring up an extension cord right up on stage.

In about two months, you'll have Scotty's debt paid off?

More or less.

Dennis, how often do you see him?

Can you imagine Scotty's business partner saying that Scotty raided the

of the business and sold the kayaks up in Carpinteria?

It's hard to imagine. And all the psychos got for proof is that Scotty

U -Haul the day of the burglary, and it was returned up in Carpinteria.

Sorry, my friend, I've been a police officer too long, and that's all

circumstantial evidence.

This here guy was going to file charges unless he gets his full share.

So you pay blood money. I mean, the kids had a share of bad luck.

Scotty's not a kid.

I mean, kayak rentals, Laguna Beach.

Man, I thought this was gonna take off.

Well, the thing is, you know, people go to that part of Laguna, you know,

they're going there to eat, to dress.

They're not necessarily interested in renting kayaks.

Yeah, well, I gotta go.

Well, Dennis.

What?

I'm gonna be some kraut right here.

Okay.

Yeah.

You have to promise me.

Use this to clean up and get a job.

So there's strings attached to this Mother Teresa move, huh? As it applies

you, if Mother Teresa met enough like you, she'd go out and buy herself a BMW.

You people love to demonize us homeless.

You people?

Say, I'm your godfather.

And as far as being homeless, yeah, I have a little problem with that term in

your case. Maybe it's because I remember the 18 -foot trailer your dad co

-signed for. What was that, the Traveling Jack Kerouac Museum?

Of course, that was long before the Kylo. Come on, Jim, that wasn't my

That could have been huge.

I just couldn't get the rights from Kerouac Estate.

Yeah, well, some Republicans might have nailed that down before they bought the

trailer. Oh, yeah, then there was the tragedy with the trailer. It's a design

flaw, wasn't it?

Lucky my buddy Rick wasn't killed. He was asleep back there.

Scotty, your dad cares about you. Hey, Prince Charles!

Prince Charles!

You scum, what are you, sneaking on by, huh?

Hey, you remember me, missus? Get out of the lease!

You can't assault people that way, not to stay out of the cooler. People, Mr.

and Mrs. God, think they can run me with their lousy money.

Why not? I'm trying it myself, Scotty.

I want to give you this, Thunder.

Give you a shot.

I want to get you an apartment. In fact, that's already in the works. But you've

got to stay employed.

I've got a job lined up. Nothing great, entry -level thing, but you've got to

promise me you will stick it out.

Thanks.

Home sweet homicide.

Well, it's nothing you can realistically carry until the prepaid month runs out.

Prepaid month?

Go find a super, get the key.

Nice.

The key?

I had to get an extra one made.

You don't supply two keys?

I don't make the rules. The owner does.

Hey, amigo.

The float's on order.

You can buy a toilet full of floats anywhere.

For three days, my kids have been going next door to relieve themselves.

I'm working on it.

Yeah. Well, my family's coming over here.

Come on, though.

How much for a second key?

Eleven bucks.

Hey, Jimmy, who got you a special deal on the security deposit?

I mean, sure, I live rent -free, but I'm a slave to the place.

So, you're Dennis Becker's kid, huh?

Mr. Holiger now.

Well, there.

You can get yourself a used TV, maybe put it over in the corner.

Fillmore ballroom poster.

Jim, it's great.

It's home.

Let me get in the shower. It's job orientation day, huh?

Godfather.

Restaurant works.

Dad told you about that crazy semester at the École du Cuisine in London?

Or you remembered yourself?

Now that you mention it, I go back before that.

Even when you were 12 years old, you had the touch with the fresh trout.

Those fishing trips to June Mountain, you, me, your dad.

Lose the hat.

Is my dad on those trips or hot on the trail to Hillside Strangler?

Okay, Scott.

You'll be available to start work tomorrow morning?

Shoot, I'm ready to start work right now.

Who are you? Yes, sir.

Raymundo!

You two are going to be working together.

Okay,

Scott, you don't need me here.

A friend of mine wants to borrow my truck, so I'm going to drop it off.

I'll see you later.

Huh? Oh, okay.

Drop by.

I'll grill some burgers.

Tomorrow.

Okay, we've got to clean this thing up.

Take out all the rocks and chop down and rake out all the vegetation.

Corta las weeds y las piedras.

Okay? Si?

Right.

That channel drain runs off for the whole canyon.

Dog poop, you name it.

That water's loaded with E. coli bacteria.

I'm not asking you to drink it.

I thought it was going to work back in the restaurant.

Look, this is what I've got that has to be done.

Now, how do you want to handle it?

E. coli, man.

El Salvador.

Salvador, sí. Yeah.

You like it here?

Le gusta?

Oh, sí.

Yeah. You see, the old American dream is dead.

My grandfather, guys his age, those were the last guys who really experienced

it. Oh.

Yeah, oh.

Pero para mí, for me,

Yeah, it's a good job. Well, sure, Ray. Look at it, Stu.

Hydraulic engineers.

Almost.

Neither.

Eat Kool -Aid, man.

Watch out.

I like the brief as a book. You didn't like it?

No, the movie was a little bit better paced. I'll say that for it.

Captain, have you seen the brief?

Occasionally, but we don't put too much stock in it.

Yeah, I'm going to get another beer.

What's McEnroe doing here?

He overheard me inviting Emoto and his wife, and I had no choice.

And then Emoto bails.

Who has more fun than us?

Who's in the house?

Hey, son, what the hell are you doing here? Come here.

Hey.

We didn't even hear you drive up.

Honey, this is Captain McEnroe. You've heard Dad talk about him. Captain, this

is our son, Scotty.

Scotty? Hi.

Come on, sit down and eat, okay?

I don't want to intrude.

What are you talking about, intrude?

Eat.

I hate to eat and run, but, uh... Honey, there's dessert.

Um, there's some people waiting.

Dad, can we take care of that situation we discussed earlier?

Yeah, sure.

I told you my son is not homeless.

Dennis, I'm only telling you what I saw.

I don't care what you say. My son is not homeless.

Okay, all right. He and his friends have suntans that are the envy of all of us.

Is that a better way to put it?

Oh, he's ready with the clip, aren't you? You've been screaming at me for

an hour. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

All right, all right. Why, take it out on Jim.

Whatever's going on, it's our fault. Wait a minute. Just hold on one minute,

okay? I want you to go with me, okay? No, Dennis. Just come with me, okay?

come. All right, all right.

This is his room.

Is this a home?

You and Peg gave him a beautiful home.

Homeless is a loaded term, buddy.

It implies a whole bunch of stigmatized behavior, like panhandling, psychosis.

He's panhandling?

Sorry, Dennis.

No, Peg, I'm sorry.

I really am.

I remember when I was in the Army. I mean, when I was a kid. More than once.

I would have to bump Buzz Fair back to camp.

Dennis, let Jim talk. Oh, well.

He hit me up for change, and Angel.

I gave him a hundred bucks, I found him a room, and got him a job at the

Sandcastle.

When was that?

Oh, a week ago.

Critch said after half a day he disappeared, along with a prime rib

was waiting for takeout.

You knew that my son was homeless a week ago.

And you didn't tell me? Well, Dennis, it was not... Get out!

Out!

Dennis!

Well, no, no, no, no. It's just fine. Fine.

I won't have to be a victim of his damned espresso machine.

I was only trying to help, you know.

I think I enjoyed being the bearer of that kind of news. I didn't sleep all

night. Me neither.

Look, I gotta talk to him. Peggy's been god -awful all day.

I'd appreciate it if you could tell me where's the room you rented him.

3214 Venice Boulevard, apartment 8.

Thank you for everything that you did for him. I know that you are his

and everything.

I'll pay you back, you know that.

Well, I guess I'll take a ride down there and see what's what.

Well... Dennis, you want some company?

The last time I saw him, he was unemployed, but he had a girlfriend, she

man, he was looking for work, he was headed for Seattle.

Have you ever been to Seattle?

I know it rains, but there's jobs. He's going to hook up with a salmon fleet.

Anybody in your family have a radio? The salmon industry is completely

depressed. There's no fish.

Yeah? It's always been the poor kid's problem.

Timing.

Dennis, he's not a... kid.

The ex -business partner, is that what the money was for that you gave him last

night? Nah, the base.

You remember he had that little group.

The homicide dicks.

Yeah, that was his little tribute to me.

Anyway, he said he knew a way he could make a little spare change as a musician

in the interim. I figured, what the hell?

Weddings, bar mitzvahs, not a bad way to go.

Dennis, the interim.

Between what and what?

You're, uh, you.

I remember.

Buenos dias, Raimundo.

Uh, donde Scott Becker?

Señor Scott?

No se.

En mi renta del apartamento.

Wait, wait, hold on.

Scott Becker rented you this apartment?

Si. How much? Cuanto?

Uh, 225.

225? I paid 200.

Um, where is Scott Becker live now?

Oh, no, sir.

Angel, open up.

It's not about maintenance work.

Are you aware the tenant in eight has sublet? I'm not responsible for any

nor for the welfare debt or obligations of said renter. Fine, that's between you

and the landlord. You have any idea where my son is?

days painted the whole place, ripped up all the mildew flooring under the sink.

Angel, the address?

Here.

Uh, uh, hangelo esto, apartmento 11.

Uh, y flota el coelet, uh, department of, uh, the, uh, the, uh,

the cab driver.

What a guy.

Four hours a day he does this stuff and still keeps his job at the sandcastle.

Knows how to do everything. Plumbing.

Wiring. And what he doesn't know how to do, he learns.

What does he get for busting his hump for you or breaking the rent?

I'm teaching him English.

When you pass a mirror, is there a reflection?

Martin, it's important that I find my son.

Yeah, Jimmy, I tell you, that Armando is something.

Better than the last tenant we had in here. The only thing I saw him working

was a 40 of old English.

My address come on we'll try as old turf

How are you doing?

I thought you joined a group.

You and Jerry again, playing catered affairs.

Jerry sucks.

All of a sudden his wife can harp on us how much I owe him from seven years ago.

Seven years ago, and he hasn't forgiven me for the costumes yet. The money I

gave you, the rent, the costumes?

Dad, look, this is only temporary. If I get in the union, I could even be

scoring TV shows.

A friend of mine from high school, he's making $7 million a year. What? You

can't even play one bar mitzvah for crying out loud.

Here we go again.

I'm wrong again. Sorry, Lieutenant.

Hey, but you know something?

You know something?

It's better than panhandling.

True, ain't it?

Dad, I couldn't tell your mom that even Seattle was a bomb out, you know?

Come on, Scotty.

Come on! Get knocked out!

He started it, Dad.

He's that.

Maybe you ought to stand over here for me, Dennis.

What's up?

Street fight, Lieutenant. Just starting to sort it all out.

This man assaulted me. My wife and I were walking, and he began using

when I protested. That's not what I saw. Did I ask?

Lieutenant Beck in L .A.

This man wanted in your jurisdiction?

He's my son.

Let me explain, Officer.

Who are you, Mr. Explainer? I don't think we need you.

He's talking about just now. Damn right I hit him first.

We were in the alley, and he started attacking me with a bloody traffic cone.

Because you were pushing me. Look at this brute. Let me show you something.

hit my husband, and then he ran away like a coward disgraciato. I warned you,

Jesse. His name is Scott.

The lecture you gave him the last time obviously meant nothing.

You know my son, Lieutenant?

Oh, yeah.

Scott and I go back a long way.

Don't we, Scott?

And this time, unfortunately, we're going to be placing you under arrest.

Uh, Lieutenant.

May I talk to you for a minute? Privately.

Sure.

Well, do we know where this is headed?

Yeah. Are you okay, darling?

Yes, I'm all right.

Scott, would you step into our police car, please?

Dad, but Lieutenant.

Dad.

Small satisfaction.

Jimbo.

Just great.

Jesus, you think the fact that we're both police officers would count for

something? You mean the fix would be in? I resent that.

I think this thing's still swelling up.

You can't be supportive.

I've been supporting your son all week.

Boy, I tell you, being out here certainly changes a whole perspective.

times have I sat in that office looking out here at some young man's parents,

pale and scared?

Excuse me, but isn't this the third or fourth time of the plate for the same

perspective? What?

What, the marijuana bust?

Reduced from misdemeanor, possession.

The reckless endangerment when the trailer did the bouncing Betty down the

canyon face? Design flaw in the trailer hitch.

I think that design flaw was called a six -pack. Look, I told you, and I don't

want to hear this stuff about, I supported him all week. I didn't want to

anything. But?

But you allowed him to live in the premises of Angel Martin, unknown

don't believe this. And you're his godfather.

Dad, they're booking me.

Gene, isn't there something that we can do?

Dennis, let me talk to you for a moment.

Yes, sir.

Have a seat.

Listen.

Gensher says the trouble between Scotty and Levin goes way back.

Well, they lived near the promenade.

One of those high -rise apartments along Ocean Avenue.

Levin had Scotty arrested last month, said that he was aggressively

his wife and then threw something at him.

My God, he's got a prior on this?

Levin dropped the charges.

Apparently, unlike the other property owners over there, Levin and his wife

sympathetic to the homeless.

Gene says that Scotty keeps dogging them, hassling them.

Do you know who she turns out to be?

Yeah.

Elisabetta Fama.

This was on the newsstand right where the fight happened.

Cutting -edge fashion designer, daughter of Sicilian aristocracy, her husband

runs the company.

No way this ain't gonna make the press.

Oh, Dennis, come on.

Felony assault.

All right, I'll tell you what. Why don't we go to the Fama boutique tomorrow and

see if we can't straighten this thing out, all right?

You don't have to come.

I've been doing these kind of investigations for 30 years.

The doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient.

That's pretty pricey stuff, huh?

Cory is waiting downstairs.

Gentlemen, Mr. Levin will see you now.

Thank you, Punch. No problem.

Sorry I didn't ask you to wait.

We're in the throes of introducing the second season, fall season of our youth

line, Fama a Laura.

Anyway, Mr. Becker, I admit I feel for you. I can't say that I don't. I can say

I don't.

What Elisabetta means is... Don't speak for me.

I hate when you do this.

Can I get either of your mineral water?

Punch. Two waters, please.

Yes, sir.

The things your son said to me.

You never wash his mouth out of soap.

Well, it's American youth culture.

Our parents are kind of defenseless.

You must understand that the first time I met up with your son, I gave him

money. All the change I had.

And Beth, another time, didn't you bring out a sandwich at his request?

You were going into the Broadway deli, as I recall.

Yes. Eggs over easy with bacon.

They wouldn't allow him in there, so I paid for it.

But then it was every day, every day with his hand out, not begging for my

money, demanding it.

And the first time I ever turned on his request... I hope you understand

how difficult it is for Lieutenant Becker to hear these things about his

What are you thinking, that we are lying?

Well, no, no, it's just...

Hard.

What are you doing serving drinks, Bella?

Gentlemen, this is one of our chief designers.

I think of a judo.

I had to come back in here anyway. Fax, Milano, just came in.

Ah, questo bello.

Yes, cotton is okay.

That peplum idea of yours really works, Kat.

Mr. Rockford?

Your connection to this.

Are you the Becker family attorney?

A friend of the family.

He's my son's godfather.

My son was raised in the bosom of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

He had a dog. He was a crossing guard. He was a good boy. He was not just some

anonymous freak. Lieutenant,

he is no longer that boy.

He is no longer a boy. He is a man. An assaultive, hostile man who

cannot support himself.

He needs help, your son.

But he's not going to get it from us.

He's going to jail.

I got a little Italian boyfriend.

I got it from my mother's side. There's no saying.

Lieutenant,

no one is breaking out the wine and cheese.

Hostile? They don't even know him. Oh, sure he is. Dennis, Scotty's had a chip

on his shoulder for years. What are you doing, taking their side?

We can't help him unless we see him clearly.

I'm a long -lost, small -time crook. Not beyond resuscitating, not yet.

It's all my fault I was gone so much. It's rough on cops, kid.

It's stinking police work.

I mean, there would be Scotty running in a trap, and I'd be out busting dealers

and perverts to work.

You want my advice as his godfather.

Damn, I'm getting tired of hearing that. Yes, I want your advice.

It's not so much that you weren't there. It's the way you overcompensated

because you weren't.

What? We spoiled him? We held him to a very tough standard.

Oh, please, Dennis. He got D's all through college, and what'd you do? You

bought him a more powerful computer.

But you need memory to compete in the academic race at all. Is he? Is he in

academic race at all? Well, he's not officially taking classes. Oh,

I forgot. You can earn college credits for sleeping in the city flower beds and

urinating in a parking structure.

All right, all right. He flunked out. You shouldn't have been contributing one

thin dime tuition.

all those years he was goofing along with D's and D's.

That's what Peg said.

Well, you're still doing it. You're subsidizing all his fiascos. You're

as spin doctor after every embarrassment.

Spoiling him?

You have to cut him off, Dennis.

Make him swim in cold water.

You're right. You're absolutely right. You said it before. You're right.

Tough love.

I saw a man die.

So you want to step over here, please, and collect your pain?

The fellow across from mine, he was a Nigerian or something.

He was crying all night.

And this other man punched him. Not that hard.

About ten minutes later, it was a seizure.

He's dead.

Oh, come on, Simmons. Just get your stuff and get out of here.

Jim. Hi, Scotty.

Jim's here because, um...

What day is it?

It's your birthday, you knucklehead.

The big 3 -0, baby.

His gums were blue.

Skye, it's tragic, I know.

I brought you a change of clothes.

Now we're all going to go to Michael's and have lunch.

Celebrate. We're going to talk about next year's birthday, where you'd like

be, and how you're going to get there.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Scotty. Happy

birthday to you.

Scotty.

Honey.

May not seem like an auspicious birthday, but it is.

And today, though you may not know it, you know, it's a clean slate.

You're reborn, a new way of doing things.

What are you looking at?

Smoke from that candle.

Life's an illusion.

Smoke.

Right, and for a while you've been fooling yourself.

You're born, and then you're doing the limbo on concrete.

It was that fellow, and then you have this Bill Gates of... Microsoft. Is Bill

Gates happy?

Are you guys happy with your house, your marriage, your big screen TV?

My friends on the promenade with nothing but their wanting and neediness?

Is there happiness in either place?

Well, where you want to watch the Super Bowl?

Our house, right, Jim?

All the having and not having.

There's got to be a better way.

What's the answer? What's the question?

Father Brady.

He was always trying to get me to see this. Your coach at Loyola? I wonder

he is right now.

Bakersfield?

It would be great to see him.

Whatever.

From here on out, son, you're on your own.

Kayaks, legal fees, the works.

I know something.

I say this with love.

What's his problem?

Your bill, sir.

Yeah.

Yeah. I'm coming. Just a minute.

Genta called me.

Elizabeth DeFama has been murdered.

A body was found in a dumpster at 2 o 'clock in the morning. Where's Scotty? I

don't know. He kept talking about Father Brady. Then he asked me if he could

borrow the car.

I said no, like he said, remember?

But he was gone when Gensher called.

My darling godson knows where I keep my hidey key.

Oh, no, the firebird.

carrying any cash.

Did your wife take any money with her? No, no. It was just a credit card. Hey,

Gene.

Hi, bud.

Quite a commotion, huh?

What'd he say?

Quite a commotion, huh?

I can't stand you standing here.

She's a nice lady.

Pretty, too.

I'm a witness waiting for my interview.

He's a witness waiting for his interview. Witness to what?

What did you see? Dennis!

Hey, Gene, I got here as quick as I could.

Where's the tar pit?

Tar pits?

Oh, this is not L .A.

Then I'll handle the witness.

Hey, I'm sorry, Gene. I just didn't want that to be a problem. He understands.

Now then, Mr. Rookheiser, the sergeant tells me that you saw Scott Becker, a .k

.a. Jesse, prior to the killing.

About an hour before I heard the sirens.

So, Scott Becker is in the area, and an hour later, Elizabeth Farmer's dead.

He was real cool and calm, kind of, uh, dreamy like.

Gave me $200.

Aw, gee, no.

According to her husband, she didn't have any money with her when she left

apartment for Starbucks. She grabbed a credit card. It's still in her pocket.

whose money is that?

That's what I'm trying to figure out, Dennis. It's my money. That's whose

it is. You can't prove that, bud.

Hey, Gene, just a word of advice.

Yes, Dennis?

Just because the victim has a credit card doesn't mean that robbery wasn't

original intent. Dennis.

I mean, it doesn't prove that the intent was revenge or harassment.

Mr. Ruckheiser, did Scott Becker say anything to you?

Jesse? Yes. Uh, you know, something about smoke, life was illusion. Gene,

we can safely assume... Stay off my crime scene, Lieutenant!

Come on, Dennis. Come on. Wait, wait. Come on. You've got a minute. Jesse,

down right there. Right behind that dumpster.

Thank you.

Jimbo, I should tell him. I should tell him about the car, and I can't.

All right, I'll handle it.

You stay here.

Stay behind the tape.

We've got a press coming through.

Come on, gentlemen. Right now, make sure you're rolling. Excuse me. Excuse me,

sir. His car? Excuse me, Lieutenant Patalama. Nice to see you. What have you

going on? Well, there's been a murder at the Elizabethan Farm, the fashion

designer. And the word here now is that the prime suspect in this brutal

killing, Scott Dennis Becker...

may have fled in a 1978 Gold Firebird. That license plate number, by the way,

853 -OKG.

And, John, I have a rather interesting development to tell you about. Police

sources here are telling me that the wanted man is, in fact, the son of a

department robbery homicide investigator, Lieutenant Dennis Becker.

It was the sudden and tragic ending to the life and career of Elisabetta Fama.

She was born to wealthy landowner parents in Palermo, Sicily. She was a

model in Milan who early in her career discovered a startling talent for color

and design.

And so not only did she escape the fate of the aging model... What?

Well, how long... Is there any damage?

How can you not know?

In 1987, she married hairstylist Ian Levin.

He proved to be a shrewd businessman, and Levin helped build the house of Fama

into a $60 million a year company. Their penthouse in Santa Monica was one of

five residences the couple owned around the world.

It's yet another sad comment on the level of violence in this country that

had to meet her death here.

I grew up with that sort of European street life.

Espresso bars, cafes.

And that's why we chose to live in the area that we did.

The idea that violence...

would prevent her from fully using the neighborhood was simply something that

she couldn't understand.

Dennis, they found my car.

Yeah? What did they turn up?

Well, I've just been able to learn that police have recovered that gold

Firebird, and they're telling us that the homeless man's fingerprints were

on the steering wheel and the gear shift knob.

You think somebody could give me a lift to the impound yard so I could pick up

my car? We've got some tape in now of the Firebird at the police impound yard.

The owner of this fiber, does he in fact have any connection to the suspect?

Well, apparently the owner is the suspect's godfather.

Reporting live from Santa Monica, Pat LaLama, back to you.

Could somebody give me a lift?

I don't know why you just couldn't take a cab.

Angel, I've chauffeured you all over this damn city. You're the last non

individual in the county to own a car.

You're just going to have to hang then, because I've got stuff to make. How long

will they take? As long as they take.

How far are we going? The Palisades. What the hell are we going there for? I

told you if you want to cut your butt, otherwise.

Don't tell me you're acting as a booking agent for day laborers?

Nobody ever thought of it before. That's the beauty of America.

Oh, I can see the Purple Mountain majesty already.

Entrepreneurship. A man can come to this country with nothing and in a matter of

a few years become a titan.

I got the idea from Raimondo.

Hardest working guy ever. Yeah. You know what he does with every penny that he

doesn't put in his kid's mouth?

He buys power tools.

He's gonna be a general contractor, you mark my words. Oh, no doubt about it.

Oh, and there's lots like him, too, and all they need for a toehold up.

You.

Transportation, language skills, career management.

Yeah, how about...

I'm not prepared to discuss my percentages with you, unless you're

become a client. I'd rather drink off the pier.

Yo! Returno! 4 .30!

I will say this, since I paid these guys the cash, I'm in a tax -free bracket.

I can see the fruited plain coming into view now.

Ah! We'll wait here just in case. In case of what?

I'm going to, you know, stop the beggar. I believe the man with the pellets is a

pale. First dibs on that.

Can you believe they wouldn't release the car to me?

What I believe is you couldn't come up with enough pocket power to float a damn

lousy parking ticket.

My friend Jimmy, Mr. Tater Top.

Oh, you know where most of my cash been going lately.

What am I supposed to do? Underwrite your charities by driving you all over

town? You see any statues of me in the Vatican?

Any signs? on the car say Goodwill Industries or any little pictures of a

wheelchair or something?

You said we were going to an ATM.

Well, I got a business to run, Floyd.

Well, this is where they found the car. I just thought that maybe... I don't

know what I thought.

Can we please? Scotty bottomed out. He was making noises like he needed

spiritual help.

Scotty, Scotty.

Excuse me. Could I speak to the senior priest or rector?

Hiya, Master John.

It may seem like an oddball question, but would you happen to know a man named

Scotty Becker?

Would you like to talk to him?

Then he is here.

Some sanctuary, the head baldy just gives him right up. They lead the

contemplative life. I doubt if they know he's wanted. I'm not only president of

the air club, I'm also a member.

Scotty? He sure ain't a house on fire with that rake, is he?

Keeps doing the same patch, too.

He's doing that intentionally.

I wouldn't put up with it.

You want some workers that can get your yard looking sharp.

You call that number.

My boys, they do some planting, too.

Jim? Surprised to see me?

I'm sorry about the car. I was literally fighting for my sanity.

Well, that's good.

But some cynics might say that you were fleeing to avoid prosecution.

If you'd like to press charges, I do understand.

We're not talking about joyriding.

We're talking about the murder of Elizabeth DeFont.

She's been murdered?

Is Ian Levin dead, too?

Hey, Dick, a monk asked Che Chow, what's the most important principle in Zen?

And Che Chow excused himself with the words, I have to go now and make water.

Imagine, even such a trifling thing I have to do in person.

Amen, brother.

The smartest thing you can do right now is turn yourself in.

I didn't kill her, Jim.

Probably not.

What do you expect?

You've thrown the people in your life a lot of Nerf balls over the years.

I needed to talk to Father Brady.

I drove all the way to Bakersfield. Father Brady died in 92.

I broke down and started crying.

Something led me here.

Well, you were seen on the promenade right before she was killed.

That was immediately after I got back from Bakersfield.

Something was already telling me to divest myself of all material wealth.

Actually, it was my material wealth you were divesting yourself of.

You too may find enlightenment.

then maybe I could have gotten a better price.

The third noble truth says that.

Selfish craving can be overcome, Jim. I have this selfish craving right now to

rip your head off your neck and dropkick it into the carp pond. Now, come on.

You're going to turn yourself in.

But it's time for Zazen.

You are welcome to join us.

Pasadena, no matter how much soy sauce you put on the stuff, it still tastes

like fish.

Zazen is meditation.

Scott, do you have anything to say to me or your mother?

Mom, don't cry.

There's no sadness.

The sixth patriarch said, it is neither the flag nor the wind that is moving.

It is your mind that is moving.

Let's go now to Pat Lallama, who's in the field with the latest on the murder

Elizabeth Fong.

We've been able to confirm that Scott Becker surrendered to police about 6 p

yesterday, but there's a strange twist to all of this. Police sources now tell

us that he had become a novice monk at the One Truth Zen Temple.

Officials there had no comment. Here at Boutique Fama, there was a far different

sort of silence.

Reporting live from Beverly Hills, Pat LaLama, back to you.

Thank you, Pat. Continuing with our...

Judy. Good morning, Jim. Hey, Grinch.

Hey, I'm afraid because of the flu bug we have around here, I'll be serving you

myself. Well, a couple of scrambled eggs, sliced tomatoes, crisp bacon.

Okay. Hey, your car's a TV star these days, isn't it? Just like, what's his

name, Hasselhoff?

You got the Hassel part right. It's still an impound.

Oh. Oh.

Good morning, sir.

What can I do for you?

You have scones?

Plain or blackcurrant?

Blackcurrant, a latte, and an ashtray.

Sorry, no smoking except in the bar.

City ordinance.

Oh.

You happen to know a dude around here that drives a 1978 gold Firebird?

I'm in the market.

Damn! Is there any waitress in this place? Can't get a refill on my coffee.

Firebird. Cats have seen one.

Then my information's wrong.

29 Cove Road.

Cove?

It's just across here, but the gentleman over there drives a truck, so... So

what?

So, uh, you like Firebirds, do you?

I'm president of the Firebird Club.

Um, where'd you hear about this Firebird? The Firebird Club magazine.

Oh.

Do you have any smokes?

At the bartender.

But you can't smoke them in here.

Yeah, sir.

What does he want with you?

I'm afraid to find out.

Well, who is he?

Do I look like I know? I never saw him before.

Critch, do me a favor.

Go in the bar.

And if our friend looks like he's coming back, you drop a tray or something. I

want to take a look at that luggage tag.

Morning Yeah

Once

that's right there unpacking any rice cake

one cloth

One wreck. Luggage tag and pine tree.

Doesn't ring a bell.

Has no address.

206 area code.

Seattle.

Tag.

Did you have something to do with getting me released?

What, because I'm a cop?

No, it doesn't work that way. The DA just simply didn't have enough hard

evidence to file it this time. We're talking murder when you think they're

to let you off the hook. Dennis.

It's the way it works, Peg.

I do this for a living. High profile murder.

homeless person as a prime suspect, forget about it. It doesn't matter. How

you say that?

Well, how can I explain it?

I'm just starting out on this path, but... Well, one day Hogan came upon

monks, and they were arguing about objective reality, and Hogan said, here

big stone.

Do you consider this stone to be inside or outside of your mind? And one of the

Buddhists said, The Buddhist viewpoint is that everything is an objectification

of the mind.

So I would say the stone is in my mind.

And Hogan said, your mind must feel really heavy carrying around a stone

that.

So jail cell, no jail cell, it's all okay with you.

I'm sorry, I canceled my canasta game.

Dad, Jim, you're hardwired to the dualism thing.

Mom, you too.

Good, bad, pain, pleasure, it's all one.

Are not this prison and temple equally conducive to sitting and meditating?

You might find sitting a bit more painful in prison.

I know you're all upset for me, and I appreciate that. But just being a novice

at the Zendo, I'm already happier than I've ever been.

I'm reaching a place of no want.

No kidding?

I want to show you how I live. Then maybe you'll understand that this murder

charge means absolutely nothing in the universe.

This is the garden.

This is where I work.

You work?

Yeah, I rake the gravel.

See the pattern?

Nothing, nothing, son. All these years I asked you to mow the lawn, nothing but

an argument. If I didn't do it, it never got done.

Work can be a form of meditation.

But that mower roaring in your ears, Dad... Mom, let's go see my room.

No distractions. That's key.

Dare I say it? What, that my room at home was always a mess?

I know.

No wonder I was always confused.

I even remember having a slot car track under my bed.

I had racing cars in my bedroom.

How weird.

Scotty, your dad went down to Toys R Us on Christmas Eve to buy those for you.

We were both in need of a boot of mind.

How long do I have to listen to this?

What, Jim?

If it doesn't bother you, Dennis, it bothers me.

He's dumping all over you, everything you've ever done for him. This woman

she wiped your butt. Do you understand that?

You can stand here with lights reflecting off your head and say you had

much. Your Buddha mind is in your behind.

Jim, what if he found religion?

All right, you people owe me 200 bucks, huh? The Swami here, parked in front of

a damn firehouse. You figure out who's gonna addy up and pay me my money so I

can get the hell out of here.

Time for Zaza.

Everybody

get

down! On here!

Get back!

What's up?

Lieutenant Becker, Metro Police.

Watch it down.

Hey,

watch it. Scott, get the mother out of here.

I said get out of here.

Hey,

Gene, you speak Italian.

Yeah, I'm part Italian.

Me too.

We're both paisans.

Look, Dennis, I told you, if you're going to come up here, you sit down and

quiet, huh?

Pine tree, one word.

Middle initial, I.

That's the guy.

Mercer I. Pine Tree, a .k .a. Mark Pine, J .P. Merced.

Attempted murder, state of Washington.

Concealed weapon, Alaska.

Assault with intent to commit, Alaska.

Concealed weapon, Florida.

Currently thought for murder, Jackie Okortica. No crimes against property.

I see that.

Can I say something?

Go ahead.

It seems to me there are two shooters, both trying to find Skyler.

Buy out for the killing of Elizabeth the farmer, could be. For allegedly killing

Elizabeth the farmer.

Look, officer, the point is, who would offer a price like that? Barbra

Streisand, because her dress for the Oscars was left unfinished?

Her husband, Ian Levin.

Is that his style?

When we've got a stone Sicilian mafioso sitting right here in Santa Monica?

The farmer's originally from Sicily. Levin would know somebody there.

Yeah, Sicily, right.

They're Sicilian aristocracy, wealthy landowners.

Either you guys getting the same feeling I am?

No, because it's racist.

I agree.

At least you guys finally agree on something. Don't we read the papers? We

watch CNN?

The mafia is the industry on that island. Does this guy look like a

Earl to you?

It doesn't make sense. The boys are going to hire an Indian from Seattle for

backup? Look, whatever. All it means to me is that not only the Santa Monica

Police Department thinks your son did this killing.

What are you saying?

You let criminal conspirators and sociopaths do your thinking for you?

How dare you twist my words?

I'll twist anything I want when it comes to my flesh and blood. Officers,

officers. I'm going to say now what I haven't said before.

Say it!

Your son did this murder. He had the motive, he had the opportunity, and we

establish the murder weapon. He hated their wealth. He hated her. And your son

kept after Levins and Adam and Adam and Adam until Mrs. Levins completely took

over the role of the victim from him.

Until her blood covered an area four foot by four foot. Now that's what

happened, Dennis. And that's what I'm going to prove.

Now get the hell out of this building and don't come back here again, ever.

He kicked me out.

Well, now you know how I always feel. Is that what you're focusing on?

No, but still.

I don't know. I don't want to think what I'm thinking because he's not a killer.

He's not.

Come on, Dennis. Don't panic. Who's always the number one suspect in a

homicide? The husband. Right.

Yeah, but this mountain of evidence. So what a dark circumstance. I mean, it

could actually thrive, Scotty. Dennis, Dennis, keep your eye on the ball.

Okay.

The news says that Ian is an equal partner in the company, but the company

nothing without Pharma.

That's a pretty tight collar if you're tired of your marriage.

What? The magazine I bought said that the youth line Pharma Allura is a

The company lost $30 million last year.

So Ian's nailing a model and watching Farmer kiss away the nest egg?

Models are nice, but I don't know.

Did you notice that, what's her name, the design chief?

She came back into the room with a trivial fax. Levin was the one person

never looked at, not once, till he spoke to her.

He chucks Elizabeth to Farmer for her?

There's no accounting for taste. What if the assistant was designing some of the

clothes and they could keep the Farmer name?

June, you gotta help me.

Oh, Dennis, come on, come on. If I get into it, it's going to look bad and it's

going to be worse for him. Dennis, I've tried to be supportive.

I'll pay you if that's what you're implying, if that's what it takes.

What are you going to do, buy me a kayak?

Jimbo, I'm asking you.

I'm begging you.

Well,

the news said that they're having a memorial service for Elizabeth at Mrs.

Ruffner's house tomorrow.

It's for friends and family. I guess I could poke around a little.

I'll be forever grateful.

That's what depresses me.

John, we're outside the home of Studio Chief Barry Ruffner and his wife, Lisa.

Of course, that couple, longtime friends of Elizabeth Obama.

Lisa Ruffner, a noted patron of Italia Obama over the last many years.

That's a cut. Hey, great, Pat.

Hi there.

Let's go.

The eulogies will be over in 15 minutes, and these hors d 'oeuvres will not be

enough to serve these hungry people in Bladley.

Sir? Sir?

Sir, the guest entrance is back out and around.

County Health Department, Office of Communicable Diseases. You received a

transshipment of seafood from Frank's Fresh Fish.

Louisiana Gulf shrimp, yes. Yes, well, we got word this morning from the CDC in

Baton Rouge that those shrimp may be contaminated.

Oh, my God. With what?

Botulinus.

Oh, Lance, did you hear that? No, no, no need for fright or panic. No, the

containers at Frank's were all determined to contain asymptomatic test

specimens. But I will have to inspect the shrimp here on site.

Oh, I can't believe this. Oh, poor Lisa.

This is a funeral.

Well, there's no transsepsis that I can see.

Well, don't you need to do slides or...

A work of, I don't know, whatever they call it on those horrible medical shows.

You know, at this stage, a full toxinoma confluvia might be avoided, but I'm

going to have to dissect this one.

Well, let's just hope that this little beauty doesn't turn

a rusty piece.

Just take a few seconds.

Continue on with the food preparation.

You know, botulinus is tasteless, but sometimes

cooked tainted shrimp can have a mealy texture.

What I'd like to do is go on out where you're passing the shrimp, fade into the

background, very low -key, sample one or two.

Then if everything's all right, and I'm almost certain it will be, I'll be out

of your hair.

Fine, fine, I guess.

What a scare you gave us.

kind to me, so reassuring whenever I head down.

Smile.

And her advice to me was, be yourself and the clothes will hang.

Elizabeth taught me so much more than how to walk a runway.

She taught me what it meant to be a good friend.

She wasn't in my life for very long, but her memory will be with me forever.

My Betta, we love you.

That was nice. Thank you.

Thank you,

madame.

We'd again like to thank our hosts, Barry and Lisa, for providing us their

Betta's father, Don Gaetano, in particular, wishes to express his

allowing him to be a guest at their home during this voyage of sorrow.

His presence at the service would otherwise not have been possible.

I'd like to now share with you my recollections of Elisabetta. Did you

eulogy? No, I got into the very end.

Majorly fucked.

Oh, no, no, no, no. You were very nice.

Yeah, at least what I saw, genuine feelings, all that matters.

Why do I freeze and get so dopey when I'm speaking to people?

I can walk down a runway naked.

I read where most Americans dread public speaking more than they dread an IRS

audit. Really?

Not Gordy.

He's a certified public accountant.

You know whose eulogy I really wanted to hear?

Ian Levin. Did I miss it?

Yeah. Load of crap.

I know all about it.

You do?

It's disgusting.

She must have known.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Oh, that's so sad.

Which is worse.

Good point.

What would you do, you know, if you found out?

Complete change of hair color.

After I kicked him out.

Your dad.

All the way from Sicily.

I guess you know about him.

Well, I don't know him quite as well as I knew her.

It's terminal.

Oh, I knew that.

Oh, you.

Are you the guy in oil?

Me and the anchovies.

Well, well.

The Godfather has thought to join us.

Yeah, I noticed.

Get him out of here.

Excuse me.

Hey! Oh, hey!

Come on, come on. Get this turkey off me.

Hey, Dennis, it's me.

Listen. I think I've got a line on what's happening in the... You want to

this puppy?

How the devil did you... It's a classic.

You didn't finish your breakfast the other day.

You didn't have to pistol whip me. I didn't pistol whip you. That's nothing

compared to what's coming.

You know, I got a little Cherokee blood, but it counts for anything.

I'm Tlingit. We have our own different set of concerns.

What did I ever do to you? Sean Becker.

You're going to take me to him.

It's a bounty, right?

You're one of many drawn here by Don Gattano's offer of money.

That was his favorite granddaughter got killed.

It's his daughter.

Oh. And it's Mrs. Levin, not Mrs. Farmer.

It's Scott Becker, not Sean, and he's my godson, not my nephew.

Let me ask you something.

How did you find out about this bright, awkward city all the way up to Seattle?

Anchorage, actually.

I moved.

The Internet.

You mean like murderforhire .org?

But you can bet I'm not the only one surfing the net.

So time is important.

I don't know where Scott is.

His family has him in seclusion somewhere. I lived in L .A. for a while.

I remember on the news they were forever finding stiffs in these canyons.

Only they were always killed about a year before.

P .U.

Now, what's it gonna be?

You gonna make it a big day for our cousin Coyote?

Okay, okay, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Scott's at my place.

The 25 Cove Drive address?

29 Cove Road.

I kill you. That simple.

Let me ask you something.

What? Aren't you going to feel so silly when you find out you killed the wrong

man? Yeah, right.

Yeah, hey, the husband, Ian Levin, he killed Elizabeth, a father. I know I'm

right. When we get inside, you tell Beckford I'm in front of you. You keep

everything low key. You're making a mistake.

I said Beckford. I meant Becker.

Scotty?

Scotty?

Maybe he's out on the beach. Go to the window.

Tell him to come in if you see him.

I don't see him. You think I could get something to eat? I need something in my

stomach. I haven't had anything to eat in 12 hours.

My blood sugar level's down below my socks.

You have to keep hitting me. A gun.

Okay, where is he?

I don't know.

A cousin of mine was a P .I. up around Fairbanks.

When I was 17, he told my uncle I was a homo.

I hate him, and I'm gonna take it all out on you.

I'm not gay, by the way.

Fine.

Is this Becker's real father?

Yeah, that's mine.

One truth, Zen temple.

Four noble truths.

Life is suffering.

Suffering is caused by selfish craving.

If you're a Buddhist, then how come there's no Buddha statues in here?

I dabble in all kinds of religions. You don't see any crucifixes or stars of

David either. You know what?

I think I missed an important newscast.

I think this Becker's at that one truth place.

You don't honestly think Scott Becker's stupid enough to hang around an

unprotected sin center, do you?

I'd like to speak with Don Guillermo Fama. Don Gaetano has guests and can't

disturbed.

My name is Mercer Pine Tree.

Please respectfully convey to the Don my greetings from Psy Rothstein, with

which we both have acquaintance, and tell him I have business relating to the

death of his daughter, Elizabeth.

In the back.

That's better.

Which pine tree?

Which of you is pine tree?

That's me, sir.

And this is the man that murdered your daughter.

Are you the godfather of this specimen?

Oh, yes, I'm his godfather. But that's all.

It's been a mess for me.

You said you should have taken a stronger hand with him.

Oh, you don't know how I tried.

Why are you wearing that getup?

He says the fact that you would hide in the skirts of a priest only makes you

more odious.

And you will get to enact the sufferings of Christ upon the cross.

I'm not a killer, Mr. Farmer. I didn't harm your daughter, I swear.

Sit down.

And I'm not a blasphemer either. Just hold on a minute.

I've come a lot of miles and I've invested a lot of work to qualify for

generous reward offered.

And now I believe it's owed to me.

I'll kill this Becker if you'd like in front of you.

And if that's not convenient, I'll take him to a distant location and videotape

it. I'm not about to translate that.

Now!

He says there is no appeal.

He's going to die, too, and our souls will probably cross paths.

We won't give a crap about any of this, huh?

Look, I've tried.

You killed my wife.

But I don't believe you should be dealt with in this matter.

Oh, sure you do.

Shut up, Rockwell.

Have you tried telling the Don that you murdered your wife? You beat her to

death with premeditations. Does that seem to sway him at all?

You're deluded.

Then you frame a homeless guy. Excellent touch.

Does anybody in here speak English? I do.

No, no, Mercer. You have to be able to speak Italian, too.

Don Yatano, this man here, Susan -in -law, he murdered, matar Elizabeth.

Cosa sta dicendo?

He wants to know what I'm saying, Levin.

Questo uomo è matto.

Sta causando problemi fin dall 'omicidio. Lui sa che suo nipote è

What are you telling him? The soccer scores?

Speak.

Speak,

you.

This man, Ian, loves another woman. I'm sorry.

That is ridiculous.

Him. He is sleeping with Miss Vondero.

They have affair.

He's afraid that... Company? La campagnia?

La campagnia.

He's afraid the company is losing money, capisce?

Ho già capito.

Gaetano, that's absurd.

È assurdo.

You know how I loved Elisabetta.

Tutto ciò mi fa ancora più triste.

Perché avrei dovuto fare questo?

Don, which one do you want me to kill?

This is insane.

He doesn't believe a word of this.

To think I spent the last days of my life on earth raking pebbles.

It's a meditation, you told me.

I don't know, Jim. I don't think I was cut out for it.

While I was raking, the people next door had a Dodgers game on.

I went over and listened.

I had a couple cigarettes, too. I kept them hidden in my rack of soup.

I could use one right now.

I had this fiancée, Deb Tillerson.

Why didn't I marry her?

Have some kids?

Jump in the pool?

Yeah, your dad used to say the same thing to me.

Now it's too late.

It's not over yet.

That old man's probably killed hundreds of people. But in this case...

It's not going to do us so much good to kill the wrong guy.

Get your hands off me.

Sir,

I have Miss Vangiatano.

Get off.

The one you wanted.

Ian.

Oh,

now we're speaking French.

Somebody's keeping secrets.

Don Gaetano, that's

always

sad to see. You lay with this man.

I betrayed my sweet teaching.

My friend.

Don Gaetano.

You're a civilized man, a European.

You know that sometimes a man will take a mistress, but it doesn't mean that the

love is less.

Or certainly that I'd harm a hair on a head.

I loved her.

Sir, which one do you want me to kill? Mr. Farmer, this woman, the death of

Elizabeth, she's innocent.

It's the hairdresser's idea. He blamed this man for it because he's a nobody.

You understand, capisce?

Who do you want me to kill?

Bobby, don't you know? Please don't kill me.

Don't listen to them. Which one should I kill?

I didn't kill anybody, I swear.

He's innocent, isn't he, Chente?

Don't get down, though.

Sir.

He's dead.

Damn.

Are any of you authorized to pay me if I complete the job?

El dinero.

Bang, bang.

Damn.

Damn!

Damn!

Don't look so relieved, Ian.

It may be over for Don Gaetano, but it's not over for you.

I got him Jim.

I got him.

Yes, you did.

As these graduates go forth, we feel certain that they leave here possessing

only the values we have taught them at this institution, but also the values

inculcated by family, school, church, by a just and moral society, but a society

in which no influence is more important than family.

And so, Class of 1996, we salute you.

Congratulations. Tell me, who would have thought Scotty would become a cop?

Funny, it was there all the time. The right thing, wrong, none of us saw it.

you see it, Jim?

No, I can't say I did. Hey, Jim!

He's going to make it this time.

Don't you think?

He's going to make it.

Everything's going to be okay, honey.

You look at my nose pierced. Don't get your nose pierced.

You

have

got to be the sweetest woman alive.

Thank you doesn't mean come close.

Life took everything she had. You're their mother now, Audrey, whether you

to be or not.