Original subtitles

The Streets of San Francisco, a Quinn Martin production.

Starring Carl Malden.

Also starring Michael Douglas.

With guest stars Michael Kearney, Richard O 'Brien,

Lonnie Chapman,

Special guest star Greg Morris.

Tonight's episode, Merchants of Death.

Football is your only sport, huh, Chris? Not over yet, Rudy.

I

told

you they'd be here.

That's game.

You know, it's getting to be pretty bad when a tired old man like me can fake

out three young fellas like you.

I didn't want to hurt your feelings, so I didn't try.

Yeah, that's why you're breathing so hard, right? Because you didn't want to

hurt my feelings.

Johnny, go see about the hosers for me, will you?

Paul, Rudy, I want to talk to you.

Were you breathing in it hard last Saturday night when you ripped off

for two cases of sodas?

Uh, how'd you find out about that?

I was dumb, Paul.

You know better than that, Rudy.

Look, you cats don't have to steal for a living. Why do you do it?

Well, listen, you're not going to turn to sin or anything like that, are you?

No, not this time.

If I catch you doing it again, I'm going to wrap both of your heads, you dig?

Now go wash cars.

Go on.

Where's Chang?

It's a big city.

You guys have been pushing junk at Union High.

That's not too bright, considering we developed the territory.

Maybe the kids like our grass better, huh?

Buddy.

Hey, I see you still got the good hands.

What do you want, Griffin?

Well, I looked over here and I saw Buddy Winston and the King's Men choosing

upside, so I figured you needed a referee.

Takeoff, huh?

Well, this is a private affair.

No, man, you're wrong.

This is a public place.

Everybody's welcome here, including the Dragons.

Hey, look, Mr. Griffin, we weren't doing anything.

Well, I'm glad to hear that, Rick.

Maybe you can give me a hand with the car wash project. I need some guys who

aren't doing anything this morning.

Maybe later, huh?

Hey, uh, is it okay if we go?

Yeah, split.

What's the trouble, Griffin?

Oh, hello, Dan. There's no trouble. We're just rapping.

No law against that yet, is there, officer?

You want to tell me about the law, Winston?

See you later, pal.

Those two gangs are past due for a showdown.

Maybe not.

Save it for City Hall, Eddie. You can't jock these punks into salvation.

What's bugging you, Dan?

Oh, something personal, Eddie.

Well, you know it's personal with me.

That's why I'm on this youth program kick, remember?

Okay, you're a big hero. A lot of kids look up to you because of your old pro

reputation in the backfield. So don't waste your time on guys like Buddy

Winston. He's hardcore.

Well, I never figured I'd win them all anyway.

Good, good. I wouldn't want you to get disappointed.

You mean like you.

That's a cop's life, always disappointed.

Oh, I see.

And I'm just a youth worker trying to save souls.

Well, let me tell you something, my friend.

I'm not quite that naive.

Aren't you?

Well, hang in there, Eddie. Every kid you turn straight is one more I don't

to bust.

Chang, I told you.

None of your dragons cross their net.

Not even on Chinese New Year.

No one tells the dragons where to walk.

Okay.

Thanks.

This look familiar?

Yeah.

And we got a couple more of these jackets watching us right over there.

He was one of your buddies, right?

What's his name?

Would you rather answer downtown?

George Chang.

Does anybody know who might have done this?

No ideas, man.

Look, we received an anonymous phone call that somebody must have known.

We'll take care of it. No, you won't.

Officer, come in.

I want all their names and addresses.

Hey, we didn't do anything. That's the way it's going to stay.

Any trouble, any trouble at all, and I'll know where to look.

What's your name?

Jack Kwan.

Well, Jack Kwan, if I have to start looking, I'll start with you.

Still want to join the Kingsmen now?

Well, you got to belong somewhere.

Who says?

Joining the club doesn't get you friends.

I figure a guy's lucky to have a couple of real friends in his whole life.

Like us, huh?

Yeah, birdbrain, like us.

Hey.

Rudy, come over here for a second.

What?

Look at this thing.

It says South America on it.

I wonder what's in them.

Who cares?

No, no, no, no. Come here.

I mean, there's nobody looking. Why don't we take it?

Chang turned 18 three months ago.

He's got 12 arrests as a Jew, including assault and burglary. The starry one was

six.

Dan.

You know Steve's coming? Steve, what do you got?

Well, we got ourselves a problem.

Well, why else would you come here?

You know him?

George Chang. I've busted him three times myself.

Why?

Somebody stabbed him this morning, threw him in the bank.

Well, when he and his dragon started crossing Van Ness, it was only a matter

time until somebody got it.

Gang vendetta?

Yeah, but not for prestige or anything like that. More like a cold business

deal. One gang stakes out an area, schools and playgrounds, and uses the

pushers. Everything from dope to stolen property. I know. It's an old story.

When the territory becomes profitable, the other gangs start to take over.

Now, who were the dragons moving in on?

The king's men.

Leaders of punk name Buddy Winston.

I'll get the file.

Hey, there's got to be 70 million nails in this thing.

Hey, hey.

Would you look at this?

Rudy, hey, it's beautiful.

Huh? It's just beautiful.

Come on, Paul. Be careful. The thing might be loaded.

Yeah, how do you know?

I don't know. I've never seen a real one.

Boom!

Boom,

boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Hey, you know, I bet we can sell these things for

a pile of money.

You know, to a gun collector at some flaky surplus store.

Yeah?

How much do you think we get?

I don't know, my dad's got some hunting magazines and gun catalogs. We'll check

the prices.

First rule of salesmanship, know your merchandise.

And second, search your market.

Well, the left -hand side, buddy Winston.

Yeah.

Yes, sir. No waiting.

Now, how about our special ten -buck wax job? Well, every dime goes to the youth

fund. What do you charge for a snow job, buddy?

I don't understand.

We want to know where you were this morning.

Excuse me, what's your name?

Rick. Rick.

We've got a hole there in the window, aren't you? Why don't you come on around

here and talk with us for a minute?

We want to know exactly where you were every minute this morning.

Here.

When?

All morning.

Since about 10 o 'clock.

Right? Yeah.

Pacific Standard Time.

There's a lot of guys here who'll back us up.

Kingsman? Sure.

The club volunteered to help out. You want me to line them up? You do that.

I'd like to meet the whole team.

Now, who's in charge?

Mr. Griffin.

He's over there.

Is that Eddie Griffin?

Huh?

I know him, Mike. I'll talk to him.

You made one little mistake. What?

Water spots.

How you doing, Eddie?

Hello, Steve. What are you doing down here? Oh, just trying to get some

from some of your volunteers.

Well, your time is a little off, isn't it?

Look, I told you I'd cooperate, but can't we wait till we close up?

Sorry, we got a homicide in here.

Who? A young guy named Chang took him out of the bay this morning.

Oh, that's beautiful.

I thought everything had cooled down down there.

Listen, what time this morning did the Kingsman arrive?

About ten, I guess.

What about Buddy Winston?

I really couldn't tell you.

I didn't even think he'd show up.

Must have had a good reason, huh?

You know, here I am trying to convince the local businessmen that we should

their cars, and some kid goes out there and starts a street war.

One man can't do it all.

Tell me about it.

I've been working with these gangs for six months in this area, and this is all

I got to show for it. You got about 150 in this program?

Yep.

For three hours a week, I keep forgetting stones.

Oh, I don't know, Steve. Maybe I'm out of my league.

Are you kidding? You're hooked. Listen, you wouldn't stop this for a minute.

You, uh... You think Buddy Winston's hustling me, right?

Using his project as an alibi.

Well, I don't think he's washing cars because he loves soap and water, no.

Dad must be using the den. Why don't you go grab us a couple sodas? I'll get the

kettle.

You just concentrate on the fish, Pete. I'll handle your territory with loving

care. I know, but I just don't want another investigation.

We're in sales. We'll show a joke.

You're right.

You know we already sell more amphetamines in San Diego than the

retailers can handle.

We're not doing anything illegal, Pete. Our little pharmaceutical company

merchandises a first -rate product.

strictly according to government regulations.

But we know what happens to our oversupply, don't we?

It all goes south of the border and then winds up back here on the street.

The head office is not worried. Why should you be?

Remember, you're on vacation, right?

Man, we have got to get some guns.

That's all there is to it. We have got to get some.

Relax, Pete. Have a good time. Good night, Mr. Crawford.

How are you doing, Rudy?

Nothing much.

You busy, Dad?

No.

Every now and then I like to hold these because they feel good.

I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone.

Hey.

What's on your mind?

I've got a question, Dad. I don't know the answer.

If a guy sells something, like a knife, and let's say somebody else gets cut

with it, is the seller legally responsible?

Now, wait a minute.

Now, you're not going to sell the new hunting knife I gave you.

Oh, no, no, nothing like that. It was just a discussion at school, a class

debate. Oh, well, there's no problem.

If you sell something, it's no longer yours. It could be sold over and over

again. I mean, who's responsible?

I see what you mean.

Thanks, Dad.

You know how much an M16 goes for?

357 bucks.

Now, even if we sell these things discount, we're still gonna make over a

thousand on them.

Hey, what's the matter?

Hey, we're gonna sell them, aren't we?

Sure, why not?

Everyone else does it.

One more call, we can open up the branch office.

Well, at least this one wasn't anonymous.

One of you, Lieutenant Stone?

I am.

You must be Mr. Preston? Yes, I called burglary. How come they sent a homicide?

Well, you said there might be a connection between the killing yesterday

theft. Yes, well, it was about the same time. What was stolen, Mr. Preston?

A crate of M -16s right out of the warehouse.

Wait a minute.

Did you say M -16s?

Yes, and .45s, too. There were six of each in the crate on a consignment to

South America.

You starting a revolution down there?

I just supply them. I don't tell them what to do with them. Yeah, I know

a businessman, right?

That's right.

I got a license to export those guns.

Who discovered the missing crate?

Carl Hendricks, our security guard.

That's him right over there.

Mr. Preston, there's a long -distance call for you inside.

I'll be right back. Mr. Hendricks, when did you discover that Craig was gone?

Yesterday. Yesterday afternoon. What time?

I guess it was about 12 .30.

Where were you then?

I just turned my back. I was watching something.

Look, I didn't take him. I bonded him.

It was probably one of them kids.

You know, the street gangs.

What kids?

You know, one of the street gangs.

The Kingsmen.

Now, weren't you over there on that dock when we raised that body out? Just for

a minute. You mentioned the Kingsmen.

Did you see the murder?

Come on, you made that phone call, didn't you?

No, I, uh... What do you mean?

Well, the Kingsmen weren't here when we found the body.

The only time you could have seen them is during the murder.

You're not telling the truth, are you?

Come on, don't lie to us.

Most of the time, I'm here all alone.

I don't want to have any trouble with the street gangs.

You're going to be in trouble for withholding evidence unless you come

and identify the killer for us.

I don't know if Mr. Preston can give me any time off. Why don't we ask him and

find out?

Anywhere in the state, you've got to wait five days to get a handgun.

Why wait?

We can rip this place off tonight.

Back door's a cinch. Hey, look, I don't think that's such a good idea, buddy.

You're gonna have to yell like that.

What'd you expect, dummy? I mean, who's gonna believe we found them? Listen, I

just want some guns. I don't care how we get them. Okay, okay.

Hey, buddy.

We got some.

Yeah, and I got a million bucks.

No, I mean it.

What gun?

Well, it's not for sure. A cousin of mine, he brought a gun back from Nam

him. What kind?

It's an M16, you know, a machine gun.

I don't know if he'll sell it.

When can you find out?

It's kind of hard to find. I'll try.

Baby, don't try.

Do it.

Sure, buddy.

Only I don't think he has any ammo. He wants 50 bucks up front.

Here's 20 bucks. I'll give you the rest on delivery.

Tell him you'll vouch for me.

But I want that gun today.

Sure, buddy. I'll square it.

I'll meet you at 1st and Harrison under the bridge.

5 o 'clock.

Why don't we sell it to him? He wants it.

Let him have it.

Because I don't like him. He's crazy.

Anyway, he can't afford our price.

So how are we going to sell him to him?

I don't know yet.

I'm still thinking.

I only got a look at the face of one of them.

The one with the knife.

Go ahead.

Take your time. Take a good look.

What happens to me if I...

Pick out this kid and he shows up and he stops me for it.

You give us a positive, we'll bring him right in.

Are you sure he's going to be off the streets?

We'll have him right there where you're sitting.

But he wouldn't.

You don't have a watch?

I got held up.

Did you bring the gun?

Yeah, yeah, I told you I would.

Hey, man, this is something.

Your cousin got any more of these?

No, no, that's all I brought back.

You owe me 30 bucks.

Rudy, you know I'm good for it.

You got him?

Just one?

You've got to be kidding.

It's 12 bucks worth.

It's all I had on me. Okay, never mind. It's good enough for practice.

Did you ever bother to figure out...

How many hours of your life have you spent on stakeouts?

Hours? You mean years, don't you?

I've got to boil down to rainy years and 40 years. You name it.

Wait a minute. There he is.

Listen.

Did you forget something, buddy?

Don't try to plant that cannon on me.

Where are the rest of them?

I'm not laying anything on you.

It's over.

Buddy's in a slammer.

There's not going to be any gang war.

Who said anything about a war?

Come on, Rick.

We've always been able to rap, haven't we?

You're not like Buddy.

You want to live.

Oh, I'll live.

It's the dragons who won't.

Oh, is that right?

You know, I was in a gang once.

A little meanest, a little baddest.

Tough for none of you kids.

But not smart.

You know why?

Because we all went down.

All but me.

Two guys OD'd.

One got ripped off up in Quentin.

Three got burned up in a stolen car.

A waste.

A dumb, stupid waste.

And I think the Kingsmen are going the same route, don't you?

So what do you want us to do?

I want peace in the streets, Rick.

I want those guns, so give them up. What guns?

You want to search the place?

Look, do you know what an M -16 can do to the human body?

I saw bodies over there in Annamma. They had holes in them you could put your

fist through.

Now, the man knows you've got them.

Either turn them in, or you're going to end up where Buddy is.

Having a cool beer.

You got a badge, Mr. Griffin?

Or you get your kicks playing cop.

Why'd they let you out?

Had to, I guess.

On account of my age.

And all the hard work I did for your youth fund.

They had you nailed for sure.

Go ahead.

Hit me.

Maybe they're making all pro cop out of you buddy You're gonna go down just like

Chang did Only I'm not gonna let you take the rest of these cats with you

Let

us know when you have another Carlos

That's a potbelly that fingered me.

The law is very specific about the rights of a Jew.

My job is to protect those rights. Now, I had to turn them loose until the

arrest. Well, that same law also gave you the power to hold him in custody.

if he is a clear danger to society or himself. Now, you don't consider an M16

rifle a danger to society?

Now, according to your report, you didn't actually find that weapon on

You wanted to grow in the ash can?

Your lab didn't find any clear prints on the gun.

Look, let me tell you something. By putting Buddy Winston back out there in

street, you could start a big gang war. Maybe you can get the D .A. to convince

the court. I don't make the rules.

Now, where are you going? D .A.'s office.

But he could be at lunch.

So I'll ruin it for him.

What's Klon doing with the Centurion?

Making a deal.

Dragons get together with them, we're outnumbered 20 to 1.

Just keep driving.

I've got an answer for that, too.

Hey, Paulie, come over here.

What you doing?

Looking for you and Rudy.

Yeah, why?

Hey, you guys are either for us or you're the enemy.

Hey, what if I don't get you? I want the rest of those guns you stole.

Honest, buddy, I don't have any guns. A whole crate load and you sell me one

lousy gun.

Do you know what's going down?

The dragons and the centurions are planning to gang up on us.

Today they're having a meet under the ramp.

We're gonna have a party.

Now where are those guns?

Rudy has them, I swear.

You tell him he just sold all those guns to me.

I want them delivered today, or I'll turn you both into the cops.

Understand? Yes.

Wild, huh?

Never was any good at passing.

It's the way I hold my thumb.

No, I don't think that's it.

I guess I need some more practice.

Look, do you want to keep talking about football or do you want to lay it on me?

It's kind of obvious, huh?

Let's just say I've been watching defensive signals a long time.

Sometimes a guy just gets so much in his head, he's got to dump it on somebody.

Well, you call the play, Rudy.

It's no big deal. I just wanted to ask you what you thought about the Kingsman.

Did you hear the Kingsman got some gun?

How'd you know?

Oh, everybody's looking for him. It's hot news out there on the street.

Well, maybe I'll hear something and... Well, if I told you, what would you do

with the information?

I'd take it to the cops.

I'd be thinking out.

Yeah, some people would think so.

So did I when I was a kid.

You know, when I first started playing ball, I thought I was trying my best for

the coach.

All those people in the stands.

I finally found out I was doing it for me.

You understand, Rudy?

Look, you got to live with yourself.

Now, it makes no difference what those people about their thing.

You've got a tough play, an important thing to do.

You've got to do your own thing.

The most important points you can score for yourself are right here.

Dig it?

Okay. If I pick up on anything, I'll remember that.

Got to hit that homework.

Mr. Hendricks, you in there?

Go away.

Mr. Hendricks, this is Inspector Keller and Lieutenant Stone. Can we come in,

please?

Hendricks, why didn't you show up at the DA's?

I'm sick.

I'm not feeling well.

Why didn't you tell us? The DA almost threw it out.

Sorry.

I don't feel too well.

What happened to you?

You were going to lock up that punk.

Buddy Winston did it?

No.

Nobody did it.

I fell. Just tell us who did it and we'll lock him up. Yeah.

Like you did the last time.

Well, sir.

Nobody did anything to me.

And I'll tell you something else.

I'm not too sure who I saw on the dock either.

The court will still have to send you a subpoena.

Let him.

I'm not too sure about anything anymore.

You just leave me alone.

I don't remember anything.

I just want out.

If I go to jail, my old man's going to kill me.

How can Buddy go to the cops?

It's been a phone call.

So, Rudy, we got to give him the guns. He needs it.

All right, don't worry. I'll talk to him.

But we got to be careful. If they find out the guns are here, they'll try to

us off. Understand?

Yeah, sure, Rudy. I understand.

Sure.

Okay.

I'll split first. Give me a minute, then you take off.

Mr. Griffin, please?

When will he be back?

Well, I'd like to leave a message. This is Rudy Hale.

Tell him the stuff he was looking for is down in the old shack on Clinton

Street.

Uh -huh.

I'll be at home.

Number's 552 -0024.

It's brand new. How would he buy it? I don't know a thing about it.

Come over here, Rudy.

I wonder how you call this.

What do you mean, Dad?

Paul told his father you sold it to him.

I did?

Where in God's name did you get it?

I found it.

I told you he would say that.

Now let me handle this.

Don't you have any sense of responsibility? Don't you realize you

someone with this?

Why would you ever sell it to Paul?

Well, I asked you.

You asked me?

Right here. You said it was all right. Once I sold something, I wasn't

responsible. My God, you asked me about a knife. Then you go out and sell a gun.

Are you so stupid you can't see the difference?

Maybe. And maybe I can't see the difference between a gun and those pills

shove all over San Diego.

Following nice and slow

Hello, Rudy.

How's the big gun runner?

Get out of here, buddy. All of you.

Now, that's stupid, kid.

I thought we had a deal. No deal.

Leave him alone.

For what?

You shoot me?

You better get some bullets first.

Okay, buddy.

Had enough.

You trying to take over Rick?

Buddy, I tried to stop them.

They took all the guns.

I'm sorry.

It's all right. Come on. I'll get you to a doctor.

Rudy.

Last time I was here was when my wife passed away.

I tried to tell her how much I loved her, and only she was gone.

Like Rudy, if he dies.

Mr. Hale, the doctor said he's going to be okay. Why don't you just sit down

here for a second?

My fault.

If I hadn't slapped him... You still have the gun?

How's the boy?

He's got a concussion. He was beaten up pretty badly.

Buddy Winston. Yeah, according to Griffin. He was around here somewhere.

looking. This is Rudy's father, Mr. Hale. This is Lieutenant Stone.

My son, he's only 15. He didn't realize what he was doing.

Well, I'm not going to judge your son, but if the weapons he stole are used on

the outside, who's responsible?

I am. I gave him my approval.

You what? I told him it was all right.

I mean, we sell things all the time that can hurt people.

Or help them.

Depends on the user, right?

I deal in drugs. So my son deals in weapons, like father, like son.

Excuse me, Inspector Keller.

There's a telephone call for Lieutenant Stone.

That's me. I'll take it.

Yeah, Stone.

You know, we still need that .45 for evidence.

Against Rudy?

Afraid so, yeah.

Mm -hmm.

Thanks.

The Argosy sporting goods outlet was just held up an hour ago by a boy

stocking mask.

They only took two items.

45 caliber ammunition and 5 .56 millimeter ammunition.

5 .56 and M16 rifle.

That's right.

Come on.

Paul? Paul, where you been, man? I've been looking all over for you.

I've been right here.

What did you hear about Rudy?

Oh, what?

Well, Buddy beat him up so badly he's in the hospital.

What? That's right.

Now, listen to me. I know the Kingsmen have those guns. I gotta find out what

they're gonna do with them.

Look, how should I know?

Paul, don't do a number on me, man. I don't have time.

All right.

I heard something about they're gonna do a blast on the dragons and the

centurions. Where?

It's under the ramp. You know, under the bus steeple.

All right, you go home and you stay there.

Yeah.

Inspector Keller, in hurry.

Maybe they call it off.

They'll be here.

Don't forget what I told you.

Nobody shoots till I do.

Wait.

Wait till Quan gets here.

I want him here for the blast.

It's over, buddy. One minute.

I'll call an engine.

I tried to turn instead.

No way with this one, Eddie.

No way.

Yes, you're right.

you like that don't you kids will be kids

Hey, do you want us to call out the riot squad?

Well, if cleanliness is next to godliness, I gotta tell you.

Well, Rudy must be getting better. I hear he's asking you for passing

Yeah, I've got to get over to the hospital and see it.

Are you going to be in court Monday?

Have to.

That's going to be a long trial.

Every time those deputies bring in a king's man, it ages me.

Not getting much yardage, am I?

Tough league, Eddie.

Yeah, maybe we need a new rule book.

The Kingsmen know that any day now they'll be out in the street. There's

we can do about it.

Well, I'll be waiting for them.

So will we.