Original subtitles

Why are you calling me?

It's your fault. You're gonna save that boy's life.

Robert, what is it?

I don't know.

Stay close to me. Come on, come on. The guy is killing innocent women. Now, this

is the kind of guy I thought you were trying to protect your clients from. I

didn't call him. He called me.

Kill me.

I can't do that.

I can't stop myself.

Why don't you just let the police handle it? That woman died in my arms. There's

no way I'm going back on this one. Drop the mic.

Shit!

Robert McCall.

Is this the Equalizer?

Yes.

You've got to help me.

Why don't you just calm down and take your time, huh?

Can you help me?

Well, first of all, I have to know what I can do to help you.

You've got to help me, Tom.

You might feel again.

Don't move.

Right there.

Help me.

First of all, I have to know how I can help you.

Kill me.

I can't do that.

Why not?

Horrible things.

I want to stop.

I can't stop myself.

Let me take you to someone who can. No!

I won't talk to them.

They'll want to put me away.

I know.

Surely ending your life is not the answer.

Why don't you tell me who you are and what you've done?

You don't want to know.

Just kill me.

Why won't you help me?

I want to help you, but not like that.

That would be wrong.

Remember you said that.

Remember.

I want to know why he called you.

Why does anybody ever call me? You need to know.

Well, this man needs more than that. He's killed three middle -aged women in

last ten days. Assume you have proof of that.

Oh, come on, McCall. You saw it yourself. The silhouette.

All three victims were found with multiple stab wounds. They were found

up beneath one of those silhouettes.

Horrible things.

What's that?

That's one of the things he said to me that he'd done. Horrible things.

When was the last victim found?

Last night.

This is something to be handled by us, McCall.

Well, I know that, Lieutenant. That's why I'm here.

Come on, he called me. I didn't call him. What do you expect with that ad you

run in the paper? It's an open call for crazies. That is not his intention, and

you know it. Whatever the intention is, the guy is killing innocent women. Now,

this is the kind of guy I thought you were trying to protect your clients

Yes, indeed it is.

But I remind you, I didn't call him. He called me. The man is reaching out for

help when he reached out to me.

And like a good citizen, I have reported it to you.

End of conversation.

Good day.

Sequelizer, I presume.

Stephanie Davis, I presume.

I didn't scare you, I hope.

Scare me? No, no.

Surprised me a little. I was expecting you. Oh,

I guess it was kind of a grand entrance.

Therapy. It's my way of taking out aggression.

What makes you grand entrance?

Skating.

I suppose you could say that I'm a troubled person's last resort.

So I imagine you don't often get phone calls from people like me.

That's a pretty safe bet.

What sort of people call you?

I thought we were here to talk about you.

Trying to see where I fit in.

Perhaps you should believe me to be the judge of that.

Mysterious.

No.

Careful.

Boy, I'd like to get you on account.

I beg your pardon?

Psychiatrist. I'm always wanting to know what makes people tick.

Well,

are we going to talk about you or not?

I'm sorry.

It's an occupational hazard. Never talk about yourself.

Never personalize.

Well, there are various ways you can try. I'm being watched.

There. I got it out.

When?

I mean, you mean here, now, present?

No, I don't think so.

God, I hope not.

Mostly at night.

When I'm not, uh, dressed for success.

Pipping Tom? Or Dick or Harry, whatever his name is out there.

Have you seen him?

Yes, sir.

Talked to the police?

They just told me to keep my windows locked.

And?

I'm frightened.

Who knows what he really wants?

So will you help?

I'll try.

Good.

Um... Leave them down.

Why? Well, we don't want to disappoint him, do we?

I don't think he's coming.

Now, you sound disappointed.

You feel as if I've wasted your time.

No, you haven't. Not at all.

So what's the verdict?

What? Is she neat? Is she sloppy? Good taste? Bad taste?

No, no, no, no. I wasn't thinking... Yes, you were.

Yes, I was.

And?

Well, it's... Good.

Glad to hear it.

Damnation!

Come on, you have to relax.

Easy for you to say. You're probably smart enough not to live in a ground

apartment. Well, I don't offer the same sort of attraction, do I?

Depends on who's watching, doesn't it?

Right.

Yes. Yes, it does.

Is he usually as late as this?

Guarding the issue again.

Yes, sir. Business as usual, sir.

You can set your clock by him.

Well, that would suggest that he knows you've got company.

So what shall we do?

Turn in early.

Get a good night's sleep.

Good night.

Jeez.

No unfair peeking.

Look, this isn't what it looks like, mister.

Isn't it really?

Well, no.

I work for a cable company.

A cable company?

Well, sure.

We're out here looking to see where the best place is to set up the dish.

Oh, now that is patently an untruth, is it not?

You are watching a dish.

Look, you got the wrong idea, Matt.

Hey. Is it okay if I call you Mac?

Where's your truck?

My what? Your cable truck. Where is your cable truck?

My cable truck? My cable truck is stolen.

See, I need to get to a phone. I need to call the cops. Let's do that. Oh, yes,

of course.

I'll call them for you.

And I'm quite sure we will find that you have a record a mile high.

I wouldn't call it a mile high.

It is impressive you have been bothering that lady. Now, that bothers me.

And I do not like that one little bit.

I... Okay.

I won't do it anymore. Good.

Okay? Right.

Okay, I'm out of here, pal. All right?

I'll never do it again.

Scout's honor.

What do they have, three fingers up?

Three? I don't know. This is a long time ago.

You've never been in the Boy Scouts in your life.

Well, no.

But I was never really a television cable repairman.

I like it.

I like it.

I've heard that one before, Sonny.

And I'm not standing out here any longer in the cold being your comic feed. Now,

let's go!

You are peeping topless.

Really?

You're wonderful.

Thank you. Who is he?

Well, why don't we talk about that over dinner?

I wouldn't want you to have showered for nothing.

I don't think I quite meant it that way.

Well, how about dinner?

I'd like this.

No, no. I'll call back for you in an hour. Hour and a half.

Well, boss.

Right.

Are you all right? Oh, thank you.

I wish you'd been here to catch that bus.

I'm going to miss my concert.

There'll be another one along here soon.

Soon enough.

Um, maybe I can help.

Midnight in Manhattan.

That sounds like the title of a rather bad song.

It's a lovely time to take an after -dinner stroll. Oh, yes, especially when

it's four degrees below.

But I must say, a charming companion.

Thank you.

And when it's so quiet, you can just hear it.

Talk to you soon.

What do you think happened?

I did.

What, Robert?

Let's see.

Hello?

You should have stopped me.

You could have saved that worthless horse's life.

Who are we talking about?

Why are you calling me?

Because it's your fault.

The son shouldn't be totally responsible for the sins of the parents.

Responsibility should be shared.

Well, if that is so, then I do bear some responsibility. So why don't we talk

about it very soon, hmm?

I don't know.

Stay close.

Oh, Jack, let him through. Thank you.

I suppose it was only logical for him to assume that we would walk through the

far path with him.

Who was he?

Legal secretary, early 40s. Not an enemy in the world.

He called her a whore.

Did he suggest another meeting?

Said he'd let me know.

Better run a tap on your phone.

No, there's no need for that.

I record every conversation anyway.

I want to hear every word, McCall.

Lieutenant, the minute I hear from him, you'll hear from me, I promise you.

Same.

wanted to thank you for last night.

Well, I hope he won't bother you again.

I meant dinner.

I know that.

Um, are you, uh, do you find a chance busy tonight?

Say around about six o 'clock?

Depends if you are.

You look very pretty.

Thank you. You look very handsome. Oh, thank you, ma 'am.

That's my man.

I have no problem.

I'm not saying I don't absolutely love it, but your car would have been fine.

Yeah, but this way, instead of keeping his eye on the road, he can keep his eye

on you.

Shut up, Clarence.

Mm -hmm.

Stephanie Davis, big Clarence Marshall.

A man who speaks his mind, such as it is, even when not called upon to do so.

Ah, shantay.

Don't pay any attention to the man, pretty lady. He's still holding it

me that I turned him over for stealing my cab. Stealing a cab? It's a long,

story. The night's on.

Yeah, there's a list of people I could have put into the limousine business.

Oh, open the door, right? I do want to hear about stealing a cab. No, no, you

don't. Stephanie, you really don't want to hear about the cab. Keep on pressing.

I think you're wearing them down. Clarence, try the car.

A fight for the glory that no one can

deny. You sing very, very well. Oh, hiding lights under bushes.

Are you comfortable?

In heaven.

Well, one would hope it would be a little warmer there.

I wouldn't care.

You know, you never really told me what you did before you started helping

people like me.

Didn't I?

Well, I'll tell you one thing.

I certainly wasn't a dance teacher.

Oh, I see. So we're not going to talk about this anymore, right?

The night is young.

You're welcome.

Well? Delicious.

Absolutely delicious.

Aren't you going to eat?

I like watching you.

I also like watching you eat.

I'm eating.

Yes, he is, ma 'am. Ask his calling, please.

Go tell him it's a friend.

Robert, it's for you.

No, I was here.

It's not important.

You said you wanted another chance.

You've got only a couple of minutes.

What are you talking about?

You're on 179th, aren't you?

Where are you?

Very close.

The alley at the end of the block.

I thought you were going to help me start my car.

I thought I was.

Can we get on with it?

Mm -hmm.

Think we can?

Great. Here's my key.

Robert, what is it?

Doesn't matter.

Robert, you can talk about it with me.

No.

I'm sorry.

I want you to call the police.

Contact Lieutenant Elmer. Tell him that it is an emergency, that the man he is

looking for is probably in this vicinity.

I don't want you to leave this apartment on any account, not even outside the

building. And when I'm gone, lock the door.

See you later.

I've jotted down some key friends.

You're responsible.

Don't be like him. You can't shirk responsibility. Me this time, not you.

As if he was talking about somebody else.

Exactly.

And now in his state of mind, he's confused you with that person.

Yeah.

Don't tell me.

His father.

His father...

probably left him at a very impressionable age, and that betrayal

lot of resentment, and the only person who could take that abuse would be...

mother. This is funny?

Oh, no, no, no.

Not really.

Right.

So what you are in fact saying is that he is killing his mother over and over

again.

I think.

All right, what about the silhouette?

All right, think about it. A dominating mother. The son overcomes her dominance

by killing her.

And then stands over her for all the world to see.

Why does he turn to me?

The father he never had.

He needs you to protect him. From his mother?

Yes.

Robert, you're not listening. Yes, I'm listening.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Born cynic. I'm sorry.

Please do carry on.

Thank you.

You going to come in?

No, not the moment.

You're going home to wait for him.

I don't know when you'll call.

Anyway, I don't want him coming into your life.

You already have.

This is what I do. Why don't you just let the police handle it? Because he

let me.

Apparently, I'm his only contact.

It's an excuse, Robert. All you have to say is, I can't help you. Stephanie, I

do not need an excuse.

That woman died in my arms. There's no way I'm going back on this one.

Robert, he is making you feel guilty. He's making you feel responsible.

it is not your problem.

And that really is the problem isn't it?

I just want to tell you how wonderful you were tonight

Oh, my goodness.

It's been some time since I've had somebody come back and say that. In

think you're the first since opening night.

Well,

it's such a small part, really.

But what you did with it, that's what's important, isn't it?

Do you mind if I come in?

Oh, by all means.

Please do.

Alex Haynes.

Pleased to meet you, Alex.

You thought I was good.

Ah, yes.

Your portrayal of the mother was most convincing.

I only wish I had one just like that.

Really?

Actually, she's kind of a wallflower.

Don't you think?

Exactly.

I kept wondering, why can't my mother be just like that?

It's really not necessary for you to help me find a cab.

No trouble. Honest.

Actually, how often do I get a chance to spend time with an actress?

Oh, you flatter me.

Now, if you'd seen me down the street a couple of decades ago in Orpheus

Descending, that might have been justified.

I'm sure you were wonderful.

You played the mother?

You have to grow into these parts.

Well, you should play more of them. It suits you.

Alex?

Drop the knife.

Oh, my God!

You said you wouldn't call the police.

You lied to me.

I didn't.

They promised me that they would leave us alone.

But you did call him, didn't you?

You shouldn't have done that.

No closer.

Come here.

Are you hurt?

I'm all right.

He didn't hurt me.

You sure you're all right? You sure?

He seemed like such a nice young man.

Yes, unfortunately, a lot of other women thought the same.

You play the mother in this play, don't you? Yes.

Come on, let me help you.

Oh.

I mean, did you deliberately ignore our arrangement? We couldn't risk the chance

of him killing another woman. Well, you did a fine job, didn't you? I mean, what

do you think I was doing there, waiting for him, just waiting around for him to

put the knife in?

When I arrived there, there was no possibility that he was going to kill

woman. Oh, I see. Now you know what he's thinking.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I rather think I do.

He left me that theatre ticket to tell me that he was going after a woman in

that play.

There was only one middle -aged woman in that cast, and naturally she was

playing a mother. Mind you, all of this is totally unimportant now, because I

doubt we'll ever see or hear from him again. We don't have to.

We know who he is.

Yes? Alex Haynes.

The same way that you know it. He identified himself to Miss Hermes,

Look, are you or are you not going to tell me about him?

We don't need your help anymore, McCall.

Oh, no, I'd rather think you do, Lieutenant. I'd rather think you do.

there is the slightest chance that I am fortunate enough ever to hear from Alex

Haynes again... You will be doing the greatest disservice to every woman in

city if you do not let me have all the information you have on this man.

It comes down to this. You have the choice.

You either let me see his file, or you read all about your appalling

incompetence in the headlines tomorrow morning.

Checkmate? Mate?

Here.

Doesn't it?

And I've been trying to help you.

You know what I want.

Yes.

That's... I should do it now.

Too late.

No,

it isn't.

You're very pretty.

I can see why you care so much for her.

You do care for her, don't you?

Yes.

Yes, I do.

She's really just a whore like the others.

No, she isn't, Alex.

And you know my name. Oh, I know a lot about you now, Alex.

For instance, I know someone who is very upset by your present behaviour.

I'm sure you don't want to come back to Fargo with me.

No.

No.

You can't be here.

Get out of here!

Alex, is that any way to talk to your mother?

You're not my mother.

My mother's dead.

I killed her. You tried, but you couldn't do it.

You couldn't when you tried to burn the house.

the finished things. The doctors say the scar tissue around my throat will never

heal.

Odds against you.

Hmm.

Strange way to advertise.

I mean, if you're going to go around handing these out to people, you may as

well post them on a lamppost. This way your hand gets over on me.

I'm cancelling the ad anyway.

This wouldn't have to do with why we're having lunch today, would it?

Partly.

I don't want to continuously take the risk of hurting people I...

Care about it.

You're doing this for me, aren't you?

I'm doing it for us.

It's tempting.

It really is.

It's got its problems, too.

Such as?

Such as.

Helping people is what makes people like you and me tick.

Now, maybe you think you could give it up. I know I couldn't.

And eventually you'd end up hating me for making you give it up.

That'd be the worst thing of all.

That is not necessarily so. No, Robert, I'd make you give it up.

I couldn't bear waiting for you to walk through the door every night.

How'd you get to be so very clever?

He saw my diploma.

Just look for my neck, Brandon.

Okay?