Original subtitles

Hello, I'm calling from the trip.

I'd like to confirm a call.

How much money was involved?

Was it over a thousand dollars?

Was it over ten thousand dollars?

Bird, how are things in Sacramento?

I got the piece you filed. I was just amazed that you didn't have any first

-person interviews.

Or you're shorthanded up there. Well, yeah, we are here, too.

You want another reporter?

I'll ask Lou just as soon as he gets back.

See you, Gus.

I'll come on very strong.

Right, Bert.

Let me have it.

When did they take off?

Yeah. What was the name of that airline again?

Charter?

Get a copy of the flight plan. It should all be on there.

Yeah. Time and substance of last radio contact.

Stay on it.

It's the Tedesco High School basketball team. The kids have just won the state

championship. Their flight back from San Diego is more than an hour overdue.

No contact?

Not since Stockton.

Get somebody on it.

Check back with sports. Get all the articles on the Tedesco team. The names

the players, coaches.

They should have some art we can use, too.

I wonder how big a town Tedesco is. It's small, about 4 ,000 people.

I've never heard of it.

It's the most famous speed trap in Central California.

You go 31 miles an hour through that town, you get hit with a $25 fine.

Can we spare someone from Sacramento to go down?

Have you got the stomach to call Bert back and ask him to send somebody to

Tedesca? Not really.

I'll let you do it.

Vivian, a clue.

Listen, can you call Danny Feldman at Van Nuys and see if he can fly someone

to Tedesca?

Probably a county airport.

He'll know.

Yeah, right now.

I'll sign it and you make out the voucher.

All right.

Billy?

I want Animal to go, too. Call him, will you? I was just leaving.

That's right. You're going to Tedesca.

Tedesca? Their high school basketball team just won the state championship and

was headed home on a charter flight.

Oh, don't tell me.

Overdue. I'm trying to get you up there as fast as I can.

Well, let's see. I can run home now, get some of my stuff together.

City desk.

Great, Vivian. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Perfect, perfect.

Uh, Hangar B. Gotcha.

All right, they'll be there in half an hour.

Right.

Hangar B, Van Nuys Airport.

What's up? You got us a ride?

You're in luck. Somebody's ferrying an executive plane up to Portland. They'll

set you down at the county airport.

Great. Luke, can't I go home first?

You don't have time.

Well, what am I going to do for clothes?

If we're only going to be gone two or three days, why do you need clothes?

Buy what you need up there and put it on your expense account.

Terrific. I hope the feed store has a dress department.

I think I better go check with the dispatcher. Yeah.

Maybe I ought to get some shots.

Anything happening?

The sheriff won't let me talk to the dispatcher. He's going to give us the

in a few minutes.

Boy, I guess I'm going to have to go talk to these people.

Meet you later.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this, but I'm from the Los Angeles

Tribune. Do you have someone on the plane?

Yeah. Our boy.

What is his name?

Christopher. Christopher Dawkins.

Don't you suppose if the plane had crashed, we'd have heard something by

I think so.

How old is Christopher?

He's just 16.

Thank you.

I'm with the Los Angeles Tribune. No kidding.

Did either of you know someone on the plane?

I used to go out with Peter Shipstad.

You did not.

Well, we didn't go out at night or anything, but, you know, we used to hang

a lot together.

I just can't believe this is happening.

Look, Sandra, it's going to be okay. I know it. I just know it will.

Was there a big crowd here to meet the plane?

Really? Any members of the press?

Sheriff Burkhart will meet you in the main waiting room.

I've got to go. I'll catch you girls later.

Great.

Okay, people.

Excuse me, Sheriff Burghardt. Does your name have a D before the T? All that's

in the release report, but not... Yes.

D -T.

All right, now let me run this down for you.

Trans -Sierra Charter Flight DC -3 departed San Diego at 8 -12 this

carrying a flight crew of three, the Tedesco basketball team, coaching staff

two, two student managers, and two alumni.

The plane has been presumed missing since 2 .43 p .m. Now, given the range

the aircraft and the amount of fuel on board, the plane has to be down.

However, that does not preclude the possibility of a successful emergency

landing. Ted, pass out the... Oh, right.

Here, give me one.

All right, now, all the names are right here on this list.

Thank you, Ted.

Sheriff. The plane had to be equipped with an ELT. Haven't you picked up any

signals yet?

ELT? That's an emergency locator transmitter.

When a plane is down, the ELT gives off a signal, if it's operating.

Well, why wouldn't it be operating?

Well, if the plane exploded in midair.

I don't see anything about the two alumni here. Do you have any

We're checking that out. Now, we'll be working out of my office in downtown

Tedesco. That's 23 miles from here. Is there a road from here to Tedesco?

Yes, sir.

We have a road and a stoplight and telephone lines and several flush

Now, like everybody else in Tedesco, I know these boys.

They're coaches.

I know their families personally.

If you need information, come to me. If I don't have it, I'll get it for you.

But don't badger the families.

Please.

Patty Hearst?

No, Billy Newman.

No, I mean you covered Patty Hearst for your paper.

No.

Lettuce Strike, maybe?

Could have been.

Matt Kessler.

Oh, right, right.

Are you still with the Argonians? Oh, no, I left there, let's see, almost two

years ago.

I'm up in Denver now.

Were the Times?

Yeah.

Yeah, I just came down. My ears haven't popped yet.

Wasn't your paper just brought out by the McFarlane chain?

Almost six months ago.

Hi. Yeah, operator?

Collect call from Matt Kessler for Mr. Simmons.

You're still with the Trib, aren't you? Yeah.

Word has it McFarland's buying your paper, too.

Huh.

We're going to be stable, mate.

Love the metaphor.

Yeah, operator, this is Collect from Billy Newman.

Give me editorial, Lou Grant.

Okay, is that all they gave you?

What else?

Okay, fine. I'll put Mildon. You can dictate to him.

Is there a number where you're going to be staying?

Well, when you find a place, call in. I may be wanting to get a hold of you.

Just a second, Lou.

I ran into a guy up here who told me that the Trib might be sold in the

McFarlane chain.

The Trib?

Ah, ridiculous.

Somebody's putting you on. Who told you that?

Matt Kessler.

He's up here now. He works for them.

Billy.

On every paper I've ever worked, there's been a rumor every two weeks that it's

up for sale. There's nothing to it. I'll talk to you later.

Milt, pick up 23.

Billy and Tedesco.

Charlie, have you heard anything about Mrs. Pinchot selling the paper?

Nothing to it.

Lou, how long have you been in the newspaper business? Every two weeks,

says a paper you're on is for sale.

But if you hear anything more, let me know.

Billy, we lucked out.

Every motel room in the county is booked. But you got us a joining pub

How about a private house?

One block, one, from the Tedesco Sheriff's Station? All to our town?

No, with him.

about you. Good night. Lou heard a wild rumor. It's not true. Dr. Kissinger and

I are just good friends.

It's about the paper. You'd never sell. We know that.

Billy Newman heard that the McFarland chain was going to buy the trip.

Nothing to it. I've never even heard from them.

Not since their initial feeler, anyway.

You see?

Say, could Patty get you another piece of pie or something?

The coffee's fine. Oh, pretty. Are you there?

Oh, how about some of Patty's homemade soup, Miss Newman?

Oh, don't go to any trouble.

Oh, it's no trouble.

I'll just take it out of my freezer and pop it in my microwave here.

Now, listen, I'm going to take Clay Jr.

and run on over to Stevenson's. They've been taking this kind of hard.

Operator, great.

Yes, this is Collect.

Billy Newman.

Listen, I had to leave without any clothes, and I need to buy a few things.

Where do you get your clothes? Fresno.

Nothing closing?

Well, all the really chic stores are in Fresno.

Hey, Billy, where are you calling from?

Area code 3 -1 -1 -5 -5 -5 -6 -4 -3 -1.

Animal found us a great place to stay in an old house up here. I'm calling you

from the kitchen.

Yeah? Big old stove, big kettle of soup simmering, gray -haired lady in an

apron?

Hey, does the phone have a crank on it?

How did you know?

Hey.

Lou, I called because I wanted to bounce something off you. Go ahead.

Okay.

The emergency locator transmitter on the plane didn't go off.

If it had crashed, chances are it would have.

Right.

Second, I heard the sheriff talking to somebody on the phone. He called him Mr.

Shane Deanst. Yeah?

Isn't Bob Shane Deanst the head of the FBI for the Los Angeles division?

Yeah.

Why would they call the FBI in on a plane crash?

Unless...

The plane didn't crash.

Exactly.

What does that sound like to you?

Hijack? That's what I was thinking.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here on A &E.

What's the latest on Tesco?

We had to do some shuffling.

Is that Rossi and Castillo up there?

What for?

Well, Billy thinks it might not be a craft.

He thinks there's a possibility of a hijacking.

Possibility? You sent two guys up there? Don't you think that's overreacting?

Maybe, but we underreacted to the oil spill. The Times just took that right

from us.

Yeah, but two guys?

Look. The way I see it, we got there first. We got a beat on the competition.

ought to go for it.

If it's a hijacking, where are they?

There are a half dozen abandoned World War II strips around there. You could

land in one of those places and hide the plane.

Who are the hijackers? The two guys who were on board who said they were alumni

haven't been identified.

And Billy thinks the FBI's been called in.

Charlie, it's a good bet. Okay, okay, I'm behind you 100%. As long as you're

right.

What I think you ought to do, Reuben, is cover the charter company.

If the hijack angle does break, the FBI will be watching everybody who ever

worked for that airline.

Let's get situated first. Don't worry, will you? I'll have Billy take care of

that.

Talk about your urban sprawl.

Maybe if we reached our bodies, we could get a few more people in here.

Okay.

Now, there's been a lot of wild rumors flying around here.

I know I've heard a few doozies.

So here's the poop.

At 6 .25 this...

At 6 .25

this morning, a call came in saying the Trans -Sierra DC -3 had been hijacked.

The crew and members... Now hold it.

Hold it.

You want to hear this or don't you?

The call said all members of the team, the coaches, and the flight crew are

safe.

The hijackers are demanding a half million dollars.

Now, the call came to Mr. Richard Schultz, who's standing right here

Mr. Schultz will answer any questions. Rick?

What about the FBI?

Have they been called in?

They're already here.

Sheriff, I don't think that was meant for you.

They're already here.

Are you sure this isn't just a prank?

What do you mean, a prank?

Was that meant for me?

What do you mean, a prank?

Some sicko just trying to make some money off an unfortunate disaster.

We don't think that is the case.

Why do you think they contacted Mr. Schultz?

Well, Mr. Schultz is a very active member of this community.

He helped raise over half a million dollars for our new gymnasium.

He's a very prominent businessman.

He's the owner of the biggest new car dealership in town. He's head of the

Kiwanis, head of the Rotary. Sheriff, you forgot to mention the John Burke

Society and the ACLU.

Nothing's been said about the two men who were identified previously as

Do you have their names yet?

Well, when they picked up their tickets, they gave their names as William Call

and Anthony Ferris. That's with an A.

We checked back over the high school record for 20 years.

There's no mention made of either one of them. We're assuming they are the

hijackers.

Do you know when you'll be contacted again?

What they said is soon.

I don't mind telling you that McFarland Newspapers is very impressed with the

Los Angeles Tribune.

It's well -staffed, well -edited, responsible but lively.

It's just the kind of newspaper we'd like to go into partnership with.

Those are hardly fighting words, Mr. Richardson.

When you say go into partnership, isn't that just a polite way of saying you buy

somebody out?

Not at all.

See, to buy someone out implies a certain change of hands.

Our intention, on the contrary, is not to disturb the editorial operation.

You keep doing what you do so well, and we'll help you do it better.

What I mean is an infusion of capital into the paper.

How do you see that money being spent?

You'll be able to augment your staff, update and complete the automation of

printing plant, and reward the people who are doing a good job with the kind

compensation they deserve.

Sounds very interesting. What do we have to give up to get all these nice

things? What if the McFarland editorial policy doesn't agree with ours?

McFarland Newspapers does not impose an editorial policy on its partners.

You see, the Tribune has taken positions on occasion that have cost us thousands

of lines of advertising.

We're aware of that.

And we've made our share of mistakes.

It must have been before my time.

None of these things frighten us.

Well, listen, Mrs. Pinchot.

I don't expect you to say yes right away.

It's a big step.

I'd like you to check us out as thoroughly as we investigated you. We

I take that to mean you're interested?

Let's just say our curiosity is piqued.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here on A &E.

It's the show's Joe Ross of the Los Angeles Tribune. How you doing, Joe?

Okay, how's it coming? You happy with the numbers?

All that? Well, that's just the cash. My dealership put up almost half of that,

you know, to kind of prime the pump.

What about the rest?

Well, we're waiting to hear from the bank. You know, the parents and the

relatives have put up their homes, their cars, almost everything they own, and

we don't have the figures on that yet.

Maybe when people read your story, they'll want to contribute, too.

Well, they might. Let me ask you, do people know that you're tax -deductible?

Well, a couple have asked.

What's the answer?

Well, I'm saying yes, but don't quote me. Thank you.

Excuse me, Joe.

No, no, no. I told you this before.

The agency can't make any firm promise.

No, that's against policy.

Yeah, well, we are investigating that area.

All right.

Okay, I'll check with you later.

Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, that's okay.

Joe Rossi, Los Angeles Tribune. I wonder if we could talk about the case. Hey,

that's what I'm here for.

Marty Niles. I'm an agent. I know. I heard.

How many guys do you have up here?

Just me.

Isn't that unusual for the FBI to send only one guy on a hijacking?

FBI? Yes. I'm not with the FBI.

I'm a CTM. I'm a literary agent.

Literary? Yeah. This could be a wonderful property here.

Has all the ingredients of a terrific movie of the week. High concept, lots of

jeopardy, youth.

No sex in it yet, but who knows?

Yeah, terrific.

These phones are for the working press.

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Come here, come here, come here. I think I could

use you.

I don't think so.

No, no, really. I have seen your byline, Joe. I really respect your work.

Now, once I make a deal with everybody here, then we can talk.

Ah, you'd have to knock out a paperback in two weeks. That be a problem?

Doesn't it make any difference to you how this all turns out? Nah, not really.

We got a smash either way.

Hey, here's the rest of our guys.

Hey, Rothie, Ruben, you made it. Hey, Animal, hi, Billy. This is terrific.

This local car dealer started this whole marathon fundraiser. We know, Rothie.

We've been here for 25 hours.

Has anyone thought to check out this Schultz character?

Could be a cute little sidebar. Well, now that the foot soldiers have arrived,

maybe we'll have somebody to do that.

What's that supposed to mean, foot soldiers?

It just means we need some help.

Look, if this thing is going to work, everyone has to be clear on who's doing

what. No duplication, okay?

Absolutely. Now, we need somebody to check out the charter flight company.

I'll take it.

What are you going to take, Billy?

I'll take the sheriff and the FBI people.

Wait a second.

That's the main story.

That's right.

I was here first. It's mine.

Look, Lou didn't send me up here to interview the president of the booster

I'll tell you what. You take the sheriff. I'll take the FBI.

No. They're mine.

Both of them. But you and Ruben can have everything else.

Come on, animal.

Welcome to Tedesco.

Did he get through to Lou yet?

All the lines are busy. They're going to call back.

Smells good.

Billy, I got over to Fresno today.

Well, I thought you might be busy, so...

I picked up an outfit for you. I'll go get it. Can you watch these chops?

Sure.

These people are so sweet, opening up their house to us like this.

Yeah, Mr. Starks gave Rossi and me his other car.

Nice, huh?

They're really putting themselves out.

You know, when this is all over, we should get them something special,

for the house.

Now, don't you tell.

I think they got everything.

Really? I hope you like it. I had to guess on the side. Are you kidding?

This is just great.

Oh, I, uh... I never owned a mini dress before. Well, I thought you were

probably sick of pants. And this you can wear anywhere.

Even on a boat.

Listen, I got you some underwear.

Are there little hangers on those, too?

I'll be over at the sheriff's office.

Remember, Billy, all the clothes you buy up here belong to the Tribune.

You're going to have to turn that in when you get back.

Can you see Mrs. Pinchot in this?

Well, I knew we had it out in the garage somewhere.

I can just roll this in the room with Buddy and Clay Jr.

Let's see now. Who's going to be sleeping on this?

Rossi. Loves kids.

Everybody getting enough to eat?

No, we insist on paying.

Oh. Oh, no, no, no, really. You have put yourself out so much for us. It isn't

fair that we don't ship in. Besides, the paper's going to pay for all of this.

Well,

in that case, I guess we could just say, oh, we'll give $15 for each of you a

day. Is that fair?

Yeah. Yeah, sure, that's fair. And then there's the food. We could say $25 a

piece a day. Is that okay?

Is that all right? I mean, I just want to be fair. Is that fair?

Uh... Yeah, yeah, sure.

And Patty was nice enough to buy me a dress and some underwear.

Right. $48 .93. I got that down.

Here.

Hold it, Rossi. If you're calling the trip, I've already got a call in to

Besides, what are you doing here? We are not supposed to all be here at once.

Then leave. I just got some terrific stuff from the sheriff.

What? The sheriff is mine.

I know, Billy. I know. I'm only supposed to be handling farm folk, car dealers,

and other fascinating sidebars. But I just...

happened to be in the car with Burkhart, and he happened to tell me some

terrific stuff. How did you just happen to be in the car with Burkhart?

Hello, Lou? Hello, Billy? Yeah, yeah, I'm really glad I got you.

Hold on a second while I get my notes.

Hello, Lou?

Yeah, Ross, yeah, pretty good. Listen, I'm ready to dictate.

I got some stuff about this sheriff up here, so quick. Karen, former Petaluma

wrist wrestling champion who went back to college at the age of 50 and got his

degree in criminology. Yeah, but we'll have to get off of there. Lou!

Rossi. Give me the phone. Billy.

Who am I talking to now?

I can't talk to both of you.

One of you is going to have to... Spreading ginger at it again.

Give me the phone.

Rossi. Give her the phone. Give me the phone. You don't be too... Look.

What are you... Hey.

Get out of hand. Somebody's going to have to go up there and straighten

out.

Lou? Ow.

Ow. Come on, Billy. I need that, okay?

Hello, Lou. Is that you?

The second message from the kidnappers just came in. A half million bucks by

midnight tomorrow.

That's the deadline.

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here on A &E.

Excuse me. Have you seen Rossi?

I think he's over at the sheriff's office.

He's not supposed to be at the sheriff's office. I'm supposed to be at the

sheriff's office.

Well, then why aren't you?

Because I found something really good and I can't follow up on it myself.

Rossi?

Rossi.

What is it, Commodore?

This might make kind of an interesting angle. John Fielding. Yeah, I know. He

lives 47 miles out of town. You want me to have a nice little chat with him?

What is he, president of the science club, the 4 -H? He plays on the

team and he wasn't able to make the trip.

Mononucleosis. It's not for me. I can't spell it.

Rossi, I'm only trying to help.

Guess what?

I don't need any help. I can find my own story. Yes, but they're usually with my

people. How you doing? You're on my list of writers I want to talk to.

Who's that?

An agent.

FBI?

What other kind of agents are there?

Rossi, then you keep away from him. He's mine. Be my guest.

Tell me where most of this money has come from.

Excuse me. Oh, yeah, sure.

I'm trying to track down the plane. I've got a contact in the Air National Guard

and a list of every airfield, new, old, and abandoned with a hundred mile

radius. Now I'm thinking of renting a chopper and doing some surveillance in

air. Hey, I don't know, Rossi. Charlie Hume wasn't too happy about our paying

bucks a day for that car.

Rossi, that was really lousy. What?

What? What? You told me that creep was with the FBI.

No, I didn't. You said FBI. I said what other kind of agents are there?

He's one of the other kind.

Someday, you're going to need me, Rossi. Someday, I'm going to be standing

between you and a big story. And you're going to say to me, Billy, I need some

help. And I'm going to say, not a chance, buster.

Gee, Billy, you know, you've got to recognize that we work for the same

newspaper. We should cooperate.

I mean, we're all part of the same team. Then cooperate with me. Stay out of my

way. Hello.

I'm with the Los Angeles Tribune's Arbitration and Counseling Service.

Hi, I didn't know you were coming.

Believe me, I tried not to.

But here I am.

Where's Castillo?

He's over here. I'll get him.

I think we ought to get on him about how he looks.

I mean, he represents photographers.

It's a reflection on all of us.

They see a guy like that coming in, and they think we're all a bunch of

beatniks. You see?

Billy knows how to dress.

Thanks, Ty.

Listen, I'm really glad you're here. Maybe you can keep Rossi out of my hair.

I will.

Billy, you're covering the sheriff, right? Yes, and the FBI.

Okay, I want you at the sheriff's office.

Oh, Art, it's really boring down there. There's nothing happening now.

Nevertheless.

Boy, is it good you're here, Donovan. She's trying to send me on some rinky

-dink little interview with a member of the basketball team who didn't make the

trip. You mean there's a member of the team who didn't make the trip?

I like it.

Want to try one, John?

No, I better not.

The doctor's really against me doing any physical activity at all.

Look,

no matter what happens, didn't you feel at the time you're getting the short end

of the stick?

What do you mean?

Well, you must have been pretty disappointed not being able to go to San

for the championships.

Yeah, really.

It's funny.

I was never one of the guys, you know.

I mean, I only made the team this year.

My sophomore and junior years, I was kind of a klutz.

And now that I'm a senior, I finally made the team.

It really felt kind of good.

And then you came down with mono. The doctor wouldn't let you go, right?

Yeah.

I know the rest of the guys are really in danger.

And who knows, maybe they won't even come back.

But they probably will.

And they'll be closer together than ever.

This will just be another time that I was left on the outside.

Does that sound terrible?

Now, the kidnappers' instructions to Mr. Schultz were to keep the police out of

it. So we're staying out. Okay, okay, that's the official stance.

Now what are you really doing?

We're staying out.

So there's no reason for you to hang around here any longer.

As soon as we come up with something substantial, we'll let you in on it.

Hi.

Hi. Mind if I park here for a while? No, wherever.

It's a pretty dress.

Thank you.

My daughter has one like that.

She's six?

Eight.

Well,

you were right about the kidnap story, Lou. How much stroking do you want?

Keep going. I'll tell you when to stop.

When accounting gets the job of archers and thick expense accounts, you may not

be such a hero.

You didn't have to stop that sound.

You know, speaking of expenses, I called Joe Morrison.

You remember Joe? He worked on the news when we were on the free press. Where is

he? How's he doing?

Oh, he's doing great.

He said to send you a friendly curse.

He's in Augusta working for McFarland.

Do each his own.

Lou, he raves about it.

Great pay and pension.

They bumped the editorial budget up 20 % and they've got a profit -sharing plan.

And he's going to Hong Kong.

Maybe they're softening him up.

Lou, did you know Kelly Pierce or Marty Rasko?

Kelly, I know the two.

Yeah, well, they're both editors on McFarland Papers. Best situation he ever

had, that's what they tell me.

Three guys, a very small sample.

So far, they've had no interference.

You sound like you're sold.

No, not really.

It's just that I can't find anything negative about it.

What am I going to tell Mrs. Pinchot?

You can always lie.

Jeez, it's hot.

Where's Castillo?

Oh, phone lines were overloaded, so he went up to Sacramento to file our

with L .A.

Yeah, we know. We sent a bunch of pictures with him to put on the wire.

Do you know in what esteem the American people regard the press according to

recent polls?

We are either below lawyers and above used car salesmen or below used car

salesmen and above lawyers. And why do you think that is?

It's because of the way I dress, right?

Well, you could neaten up a little, Dennis.

It's our image.

A lot of us care about what people think of us.

A lot of us are family men.

Hey, I'm a family man myself.

I have a mother and a father.

Oh, Mr.

Donovan. I just wanted to bring you up to date on your bills. Oh, fine.

Animal, I thought you said the cars were $25 a day.

Yeah, that's right.

Well, I was forced to raise it to $35.

Forced? Oh, well, you see, it's my neighbor, George Bundy. You see, he's

35 for his cars from the TV people, and he said if I only charged 25, it would

make it seem like he was gouging. Uh -huh.

Well, you tell him that you're charging us 40.

We'll back you up.

Oh.

Well, I couldn't lie to George.

Uh, no.

Well, let me give you this, okay?

This can't go out on the radio band.

We're out here where we've got the plane under surveillance.

Yeah?

If those guys are going to come back, we may need some extra backup.

Ed is at Matthews Point waiting for him. You got that, Norma?

Uh -huh.

Norma?

Uh... Is this Norma?

Hold on.

It's for you.

Directly to you?

Uh -huh.

How long ago?

Oh, miss!

Miss! You want to hold it right there?

Lou Grant will continue in a moment here on A &E.

I know what you just heard on the phone.

And it's more than anyone's supposed to know at this time. I know you found the

plane and that it's under surveillance.

And I'd appreciate it if you'd sit on it.

Otherwise, I'm going to have to order you to stop... Wait a minute, wait a

minute. You can't order me not to report that.

It's funny, I thought I could.

But let me put it this way.

If you tell anybody what you know at this time, you could be endangering the

lives of those boys.

Lou?

No, no, no, there's nothing to matter.

Yeah, I know. Donovan called that in. We're clearing everything through him.

I figure it's better that way.

Donovan says that they've raised the money and they're making the drop soon.

Yeah.

Listen, Lou, let me ask you a hypothetical question.

Suppose I have some information that nobody else has except the police.

But it's...

interfere with the police effort up here.

I think I should sit on it. You're right. But that kind of thing, don't

tell me.

Yeah, Lou, thanks.

Billy!

Off the record.

What do you know?

Good night, Lou.

Some backpackers up near Dewey Lake came upon an abandoned mine shaft.

Preliminary indications are that all the boys on the basketball team, the

coaches, and the flight crew were for a time held prisoner there. This thing

gets better and better, doesn't it? Now, before you all jump in your vehicles

and head up there, I might tell you that the whole mine is currently cordoned

off and will be off limits until the lab technicians finish.

And how long is that going to be? It'll take two hours at least.

How far is it to Dewey Lake?

It'll take you about 50 minutes to get there.

We got to get somebody up there fast.

You know, I bet that abandoned mineshaft will answer a lot of questions, but I'd

love to get up there and check it out. I'll take it. What are you talking

Look, you took the FBI and the sheriffs. You said I could have everything else.

Well, that mineshaft belongs to me.

Okay, okay.

It's yours.

Okay, Donovan?

Okay. Okay.

See you. Come on, son.

Why did you give in so easily?

He wanted the shaft.

I gave him the shaft.

I think you did.

Okay, that includes the kids, the coaches, and the flight crew.

Great work.

Hey, is Billy there? I want to talk to him.

Yeah, hang on just a second.

Billy? Luke.

Hi, Luke.

Any new developments?

Oh, nothing worth mentioning.

I'll tell you what you might do.

Let the sheriff know that you were holding back.

Maybe he'll give you an edge when the story breaks.

Knowing this sheriff, I doubt it.

Then give it a try.

Okay. Thanks. Bye.

What was that all about?

Lou trying to be intuitive. You know how he gets.

Sheriff, I was wondering, could I have a moment with you? You'll have to walk

along with me. I'm in a hurry. Come on.

You know, they'll all be rushing up to Dewey Lake now.

Less their choice.

But I'm not going up there, and neither are you. No comment.

So, uh, what do you think? Has the press acted responsibly in this case?

Not too bad. A few individuals have been very responsible.

They'll get their reward in heaven.

I don't think I know what you're talking about.

Well, for example, if somebody did act responsibly, maybe they should get a

minor edge on the competition. Just a little break.

That's not my department.

You know where to reach me.

The independent newspaper is finished.

Oh, come on, Aaron. What are you talking about?

Already over 60 % of the dailies in this country are owned by chains.

Oh, yeah.

I mean, they're being bought up at the rate of 50 a year. Pretty soon 20 chains

are going to own them all. As long as you can't beat it, the smart move is to

try to get picked up by a good chain.

McFarlane looks good to me.

And, Luke, we know that more often than not, the chains have improved the papers

that they've bought.

And paid a little better, too. See, I think that we have to keep looking at it

from Mrs.

Pinchot's position.

We keep thinking that she's worth millions, but there's very little cash.

Most of it is tied up in the building, the presses, the staff, and the

reputation of the papers. On top of which, if something were to happen to

mean, the inheritance taxes would be enormous.

And then her heirs would end up selling or borrowing heavily just to recoup.

Well, it's nice that you guys are so worried about Mrs.

Pinchot. What I hate is the idea of this paper selling out.

At a hunch you might feel that way.

Come on, Adam.

You know the people who are buying up these newspapers. They're also in the

wells, lumber mills, department stores.

Don't you sense a certain conflict of interest there?

Most of the fellows who run these newspaper chains today are newspaper men

themselves. Richardson was an editor for 20 years.

That's true today, but what about the next wave? More and more, the guys who

heading up these chains are coming out of business schools, not journalism.

Sure. The bottom line guys.

Remember the Mankato Courier?

One. Gutty little paper in Minnesota.

Right. They're bought up by a chain.

And for a long time, the main office left them alone.

They dug up a lot of interesting stories.

One time, they exposed a crooked car dealership.

Terrific piece. Wonderful stuff.

And then the auto dealers began yanking their ads.

Guess what?

The main office gave them a call.

Told them to lay off.

You got it.

Yeah?

I think she's around here somewhere. Hang on.

Billy Newman?

Phone.

Billy Newman?

This is the sheriff.

I disguised my voice. How'd I do?

Pretty good, I think.

Well, let me give you this.

We picked up Ferris and called. You remember them?

Yes, I do.

Nobody's hurt.

Everybody's accounted for. The boys are all okay.

Now, we're going up there where they're hid right now. Then we're going to call

their parents, so you better get on your horse.

That's terrific. Thank you.

Eight graphs.

How's that?

I'll call you later.

My city editor. I pitched him this silly little sidebar and he fell in love with

it. I gotta go back to the house and get my notes.

Just my luck, something big will break while I'm gone.

Could you let me use the phone?

Mom, I gotta get off.

Yeah, one of the reporters needs to use the phone.

I'll call you back.

Yeah, Clay Jr. got over his cold.

Buddy's fine.

Daddy, I'm on deadline.

We're on deadline, Mom.

Yeah, I'll call you back. Bye.

Thanks.

Mom doesn't understand about these things.

Get me Lou Grant.

Hello, sweetheart.

Get me Rewrite.

The best part is that Billy phoned it in just before our deadline, and we got a

full -edition jump on every other paper in the state.

Good work, gentlemen.

Congratulations. Well, we got a couple of lucky bounces. We have some pretty

good people up there. Our reports have shown that your city room is your

strength. Even though I think you found yourself spread a little thin sometimes.

Well, we manage.

That sums up the Tribune, Mr. Richardson.

We manage.

Oh, that's no reflection on McFarland newspapers. Everything we've heard about

you has been very positive.

However... Uh -oh.

Yes. There is one thing McFarland cannot provide.

A paper that has headquarters in Kansas City cannot really care about Los

Angeles as much as I do.

You see, several times every day, readers call us either...

Oh, delighted or they're angry. They're usually very angry, demanding to talk to

the owner.

I'm the owner. I take those calls.

It's very important that that kind of contact be available to readers. And it

wouldn't be if they had to call Kansas City to holler at the boss.

And so for now, I think we're going to have to say no.

Even if it means paying the help less.

Rossi, can you sort of scrunch in? That agent had a run at me to write a book

about the kidnapping.

That makes it complete. He asked everyone.

Claimed he had exclusive rights.

He signed the whole team?

Nope. Niles said it was all getting too complicated. Besides, he figured the

story was the kidnappers, so he signed them. Who said crime doesn't pay?

Less is 10%. Everybody ready? Give me space for me.

Set the timer.

That's not funny.

He was on welfare and then struck it rich with his first Hellraiser movie.

Meet horror writer -director Clive Barker tonight on an all -new biography.

Now, a small -town cop's resentment sets up two innocent detectives on

manslaughter charges.

Police Story is next on A &A.