Original subtitles

Sindy, no, wait.

Listen, ignore that. Grossie may be watching.

You know, they printed the article he wrote.

It's a pretty good article. Have you read it, Ponch?

Yeah, but don't tell Grossman. We're all pretending we haven't.

You know, just putting him on.

Listen, I got to go.

I'm gonna go check on my water bed, see if it came in.

I'll meet you on the freeway, alright?

Alright. Ciao.

Hey.

Hey, you hit the driver.

Now what? Oh, these kids.

'All the way back here.'

- Help! - Help!

'Help us.'

Hey, driver. Turn the ignition off.

I can't reach it. I can't stop.

Okay. Just hold it steady.

- Take it easy now. - It's okay, I..

LA 15, 7 Mary 3 pacing a runaway bus

eastbound Homer from Gibson.

Kid, get it over on the white line.

'Right on the white line'

'and just hold it there, alright?'

Okay. Just hold it steady now. Hold it steady, alright?

Okay.

Just hang in there, partner.

'Help us.'

Okay, Mike. You want to give me a hand here?

One more time, alright? Grab his legs.

I'm a doctor. Can I help?

Hey, Ponch, got a heart-attack victim. 11-42.

LA 15, 7 Mary 4. 10-97. The runaway bus. Code 4.

Roll paramedics and an ambulance.

'10-4, 7 Mary 4.'

You Okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Just, uh, broke my wristband, that's all.

Okay.

Okay, get back. Come on now.

That's about it. Michael's in charge here.

'Look, uh, we're taking care of your driver'

and, uh, I want you all to sit quiet until

we get another one to get you where you're going, okay?

- Say okay. - Okay.

Hey, Michael, you're a man before your time, you know that?

- I prayed to God a lot. - Attaboy.

Excuse me, officer.

Who's the one who jumped on the bus?

Uh, I did, but, uh, your story's in there.

This kid Michael, he did the steering.

That's your story, huh.

You broke the wristband.

Yeah. Would you put on a new one?

Uh, how about this one right here?

Three dollars labor. Come back tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Why can't you do it now?

Oh, a rush job under pressure?

Five dollars labor.

Tomorrow's fine.

I'm telling you now, I ain't got all day.

Move the car. Because I got the letter right here.

'You know what you can do with that letter?'

You should have thought of that before you--

Never mind about that.

I'm not moving my station wagon one inch.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Who owns this station wagon?

I do.

I'm Doyle Ware. I'm a licensed collector.

'Just get him to move the car, and I'll be on my way.'

What's the story here, ma'am?

This is our home.

There was a mix-up with the pension checks

and we fell behind in our payments.

But we explained it all to the bank.

Alright. You just take it easy, okay?

You got a court order, Mr. Ware?

You read this. That's my authorization to act

in the interests of the legal owner.

'Oh, you need a court order'

to legally repossess a trailer, Mr. Ware.

And these people gotta get a court order

and pay fees and charges to get it back

even if you take it illegally.

Now, do you think that's fair?

What are you, some higher power

of judgment or something?

Mr. Ware, you can't take that trailer off

of private property.

Unhitch it.

- Move your car, please. - Sure.

Step back there, please, ma'am.

Okay, amigo.

'Be a hero with the old folks, but you're in big trouble.'

'Cause this is the way I make my living.

And this is the way we make ours.

Now, I want your names, both of you.

And you better be clean

or it's gonna be tough maracas.

Amigo, I don't like the way

you're swinging that wrench around.

Wait a minute, Ponch.

Our name's are Baker and Poncherello, uh, Mr. Ware.

Yes. And I'm Poncherello.

Uh..

Thanks a lot for your help.

Oh, we handled a traffic problem.

Look, uh, can you move that trailer back where it belongs?

Sure. Our neighbors will help us.

I'm sure we can straighten the whole thing out

with the bank.

- Thank you. - Okay.

But you oughta know your legal rights

in a case like this.

Contact the department of consumer affairs.

'They have any information you want'

and they're listed in any phone book.

We'll try to remember that.

Thank you again.

You drive carefully.

Oh, you'll hear from me, believe me.

Believe me.

I believe him.

- Great technique, Jon.

Yeah, they say the driver's gonna be alright.

Hey, fantastic. Really fantastic.

Sorry you missed the TV news.

They shot some great film from the helicopter.

Yeah, jumping onto that bus. Man, that was just great.

Maybe some national publication will pick this up.

Why don't you tell me about it, you know?

Jon Baker's story. I'll write it.

You're a writer, Grossie?

Novelist. But I do lighter things.

Ah, no, thanks. I subscribe.

Oh, I get courtesy copies

whenever they publish my material.

Uh, hey, guys, I gotta go. See you tomorrow, huh?

Hey, check the late news. You'll see yourself.

- Excuse me. - Later.

If I ever see you perform another flashy circus stunt

like that again, I'll put you down for a month.

I did what I had to do, sarge.

Now, um..

...I'd like you to do some personal appearances for us.

Are you kidding?

Look, people have been calling ever since the TV news.

It's an opportunity to enhance the image of the patrol.

It's a duty assignment.

Now, there's a pioneers' day parade coming up in Calabasas.

How's your horse? I want you to ride.

Well, I don't have any parade equipment

but I mean, maybe I can get some.

Good. Get on it.

You mean, you're not really sore?

Yeah, I'm sore. You're darn right I'm sore.

On the other hand, uh..

...when you're hot, you're hot.

'Grossman.'

Are you finished with that magazine?

- Yeah, sure, Harlan. Here. - Thanks.

Hey, you guys seen the new issue of "The Highway Patrolman"?

Here. Come on, Dave.

Attaboy, Dave. Attaboy. Come on.

'Come on, boy.'

Right on the paper. Right on the paper.

Good boy. Good boy. Right on the paper.

'Right on the paper. Good boy.'

Hey, Jon?

How would you like to do me a great big favor tonight?

Two of my cousins are in town, Jackie and Babe

'and they saw you on television, and they'd love to meet you.'

'They're really great kids.'

Look, I'd like to, Sindy, but I gotta feed

and exercise my horse, alright?

But, look, I got tickets to the forum.

I'll even pop for dinner, okay?

That bad, huh?

You know yourself that blind dates never work out.

Oh, I see what you're thinking, but I wouldn't do that to you.

What we're really talking about--

What wouldn't you do to him?

Are you being mean to our hero?

Well, it's kind of a date, but not--

Yeah, well, it's one date

that your hero is not gonna be part of.

- I'll see you later. - Hey, wait a minute, Jon.

Sindy's our buddy, and she needs help, right?

Wait a minute, guys.

You too big to help a buddy these days?

Okay. You want me to pick you up?

No. They have a car.

What I'm trying to tell you is Jackie and Babe are not--

Hey, if they're cousins of yours

they're beautiful girls.

Bear, they are not--

Oh, who cares?

Jon'll show them a real good time, right, Jon?

I'll, uh, meet you at the Pizza Paradise.

It's close to the forum. About 7 p.m.?

Okay, but I didn't say that--

And you don't have to. A deal's a deal.

I'll see you at 7:00.

- Ha. Okay. - Excuse me.

Hi, Jon.

These are my cousins, Jackie and Babe Cago.

- Officer Baker.

Officer Baker.

Oh, you..

Just call me Jon, alright?

Oh.. Aah.

Nice to meet you guys.

We saw you on that TV newscast.

And Sindy said she knew you. Wow, man.

Well, I didn't tell Jon much about you guys.

I tried, but he wouldn't listen.

Hey, we play college football. What you did was real.

I mean, how'd you psych yourself up

for a thing like that?

Wait, it is okay to talk about it?

How do you feel?

Well, actually, I feel pretty silly

because I thought Sindy's cousins were both girls.

That's what she figured. Sorry to disappoint you.

It's no disappointment. It's a relief.

He expected to be gallant

to a pair of ugly ducklings.

Really?

Well, now we can just sit back and relax

have a nice time, huh?

Good evening, and how are--

- Aah! - Oh.

- Oh-- - I saw you on TV.

Oh, but you're right here.

You're the one who stopped the bus.

I saw it on TV.

A highway patrol cop.

Oh, I knew it was you.

You did a wonderful thing.

He did a wonderful thing.

Be careful. There's broken glass there.

Can we have your autograph, please?

Please, please.

You did a wonderful thing.

He did a wonderful thing.

Okay, but It was my partner who jumped on the bus.

He'll be out in a minute.

What? He's kind of handsome, isn't he?

All I needed was a wristband.

When I brought it in, it was running.

It's been running for years.

From jumping on buses, a man can destroy a watch.

Watches are made up of a lot of small parts.

Each little part can break.

Yeah, okay. What's broken?

I wouldn't know. I didn't open it up.

Without permission, I don't open no watches.

Alright. You have my permission.

Come back tomorrow.

And push those people away from the front of the store

so a customer can come in.

Oh..

"To Mary, with love.."

'15, 7 Mary 3, this is 7 Mary 4.'

I'm 10-97 west of you at 10-20.

11-98 or you'll be in a 4-15 BC.

Excuse me, folks. That's an emergency.

They're calling me. Excuse me. Excuse me.

Look it's right here.

You are 10-2, Mary 4. 10-4.

Mary 3 is 10-8. Please 10-23 or 10-20.

It's gotta be something big.

Hear all them numbers?

I'd like to speak to Mrs. Otis Jessup, please.

It's urgent.

Oh, Mrs. Jessup?

Yes, I'm calling from the school dispensary. Your..

Your little boy's been hurt.

Well, I'd get over here right away.

Mrs. Jessup, hold it.

I made that phone call.

There's nothing wrong with your little boy.

I'm Doyle Ware.

Otis Jessup is hiding a car.

'He's not making his payments'

'and the legal owner wants it back.'

I've been authorized to repossess it.

You? You make a call like that just--

Mrs. Jessup, just be grateful

there's nothing wrong with the kid.

I got you out here so we could do this in private.

I know you and Otis are getting a divorce

but you must know where he lives, where he works.

I wouldn't tell you anything.

This is the lowest, cruelest thing

I've ever heard of.

Oh, come on.

You don't want me to go in there and

and make a big thing and jeopardize your job.

Just give me an address.

Hey, pull it over. Pull it over.

Hey, you. Pull over now.

LA 15, 7 Mary 4, 10-97.

A rollover westbound 210 at Vermont.

Request one unit for traffic control and 11-85.

'10-4, 7 Mary 4.'

You had me worried.

Hey, thanks for hitting the siren, huh?

I looked back just in time.

Man, he wrecked my car.

Stole it right out of my garage.

Otis Jessup, uh, who's George Jessup?

That's my brother. This is his car.

He knows I have it.

Say, are you writing me a ticket, man

for following a car thief?

Unsafe driving, Mr. Jessup.

Now, that hook was state-approved.

I've towed a hundred cars with it.

You lost this one.

Well, maybe it's because the clown

in the other car rammed me.

Look, I got a court order to pick up that car.

It took me a month to find it, and now look at it.

I'm citing you for reckless driving, Mr. Ware.

If you care to contest it, do it in court.

The side of the road is not the place.

First the old folks, and now this.

I'm not gonna let you take the food off my table.

Uh, Poncherello, huh?

The "F" is for Frank.

Officer, we saw you on TV.

Grossman.

Can you and Sindy take over here?

We're being recognized again.

Yeah. Learn to enjoy it, Ponch.

Some people who deserve it never know how it feels.

Uh, credit rating?

This is Doyle Ware, D.W. Collections.

I'd like the current status of a Frank Poncherello

and a Jon Baker.

I just got an out-of-state lien assignment on Baker

and I got two judgments on Poncherello.

Yeah. It's, its just right.

Right size tree and everything.

Well, about your credit application..

Yeah. Right. One third down.

Mr. Baker, we're going to have to ask you for cash.

Cash My credit is good.

Not according to our exchange. They rate you a bad risk.

Well, that's ridiculous.

I mean, I don't owe a dime.

Well, we have to go by the rating.

Yeah, well, what reason did they give?

They don't give any reasons. Here.

I-I wrote the name and address down there

and you gotta go by there to get any information.

I'm sure we can work something out.

Uh, no. That's alright. Uh..

I probably shouldn't even buy the saddle.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

- Hey - Oh.

- I was just coming to see you. - Ah, good.

I was just coming to find you. Come on in.

What's up?

Jon, if any officer has personal problems

that might affect his judgment or his safety

I'm interested, you know?

Jon, if you were in any trouble

you'd level with me, wouldn't you?

Let me try to help?

Of course. Are you serious?

Somebody contacted the captain

about you skipping out on some debts you owed.

And these came for Frank this morning.

I signed for them.

'Uh, somebody is mixing him up'

either accidentally or on purpose

with a deadbeat by the name of Franco Panchero.

Why would he take the license plates off the car?

That's what I'd like to know.

I guess we're gonna be busy tomorrow, huh?

Tomorrow's our day off.

That's right.

I see what you mean.

Pick you up at the coffee shop around the corner.

You still owe me for the last one, Mr. Ware.

Yeah, well..

I cleared 570 on it

so 10 percent is 57 bucks.

Buy your wife a mink.

Here's one.

"Coming home, I turned into the wrong driveway

and ran into a tree I didn't have."

"I was on my way to the mechanic with rear-end trouble

when the telephone pole smashed into my front end ."

I don't get it.

They're just ridiculous explanations

that people have given for accidents, Harlan.

- That's all. - Yeah.

Grossman put them in the form of an article.

And you know, guys, I think the joke's gone far enough.

'I think we ought to tell Grossie'

'that we were just--'

Tell Grossie what?

Hey, Grossie. We've been, uh.. We've all read your article.

We've been kidding you all the time.

Oh..

Could I have some of the copies back?

I'd like to mail them to friends.

You deserve recognition, Grossie.

I know how you feel.

Someday I'd like to be in the limelight myself.

Um, listen, guys, I gotta go meet Jon.

If you see the sergeant, tell him that

we got some ideas we want to talk over with him.

- Okay.

Listen, Grossie, we really did like your article, honest.

I thought it was semi-funny.

- Funny.

It was good, Grossie.

Here he is.

Well, somebody said you wanted to see me.

You must think you've done something right.

Well, we think we know what this Doyle Ware

is doing that's wrong.

Our guess is that he repos out-of-state cars

takes plates off a wreck, then takes pictures of it

and sends it to the owner to make him think

his car has been totaled out.

Ware offers to buy the alleged wreck for salvage.

Legal owner sells it for pennies.

Sends him the papers for the real car.

Which Ware now owns and sells "Legally."

Not bad.

Yeah, I've watched him operate.

I just haven't been able to arrest him

'cause I haven't seen enough to make it stick.

Besides, we think he's fencing stolen cars too.

He had something locked in his garage

but I couldn't see what.

Okay. Well, turn it over to the D.A. for investigation.

'Uh, wait a minute, sarge. Uh..'

The point we're making is we'd like

another shot at it, tomorrow.

What do you have in mind?

Catching him at the wheel of a stolen vehicle

if he has one.

You think you can do that?

I gotta pick up my watch today.

- Uh..

I was thinking about Grossman.

We really hurt his feelings, you know?

Oh, come on. We'll find a way to make it up to him.

Good luck.

- Oh, by all means.

I thought we might talk about

our credit ratings, my partner's and mine.

I told you once, "Tough maracas."

I can prove you gave false information

bring charges against you.

Hey, I may have made a mistake, but "False information?"

Me? I wouldn't do that.

Then a few phone calls will straighten it out.

Now, look, I'm out there returning merchandise

from some deadbeat

who has skipped on an honest businessman.

You guys come along and harass me.

You cost me a bundle, you know, you and your partner.

My heart aches, you know?

Well, learn to live with the lumps.

Now, get out of here.

Would you show me the papers on the vehicles

out there and the one in the garage?

I would not.

Okay. We got the license plate numbers.

- We'll start with them.

Mr. Ware, an honest collector is one thing.

Your license plate racket is larceny.

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

I'm talking about a scam that would also work

on vehicles that were stolen.

Every car out there is a legit repo.

Okay, I'll tell the district attorney

that's what you said.

District attorney?

Yeah, man. "Tough maracas."

Hey, you're going too fast for me.

Oh, no. Not again.

Our fame is fading.

Yeah, well, It couldn't happen at a better time.

If he skips this time, you can bet your socks

the car is hot.

LA 15, 7 Mary 3 and 4 are in pursuit

of a copper-colored '78 T-Bird.

Possibly stolen.

Westbound Sutter and 84th street.

No units. Switch to tap two.

'Looks like that TV helicopter again.'

LA Mary 5, advance on Bellevue going east.

'7 Adam, advance on Portney going west.'

Alright. Let's go.

Let's go. Alright.

Put your left hand on your head.

Could you drive this thing, Grossie?

Sure.

Take it and get a scoop of dirt

and dump it on that fire, alright?

Hey, Bear?

Will you take this guy in for us?

Alright.

Reckless driving and failure to yield

and if that car he's driving isn't stolen

I'll eat it on toast with mayo.

Alright, Grossie. Yeah.

Yay.

I came for my watch.

You wouldn't want it.

The main spring is broken

the balance wheel is broken, a jewel is missing.

Wait a minute, when I brought it in here

everything was working except for the wristband.

You gave permission to open it, I opened it.

I found spaghetti.

All I want is a watch that works.

So, take a watch.

You've got a stick. You've got a gun.

I wouldn't put up a fight.

Look, I want a watch, huh?

What do you have for 30 or 40 dollars?

Forty dollars, I could put this one

back together again like new.

I'll think about it.

Hey, Grossie, what are you doing here?

Ah, I busted my watch driving that skip loader.

Gotta get it fixed.

You've come to the right place.

If you wanna deal, just mention my name.

You're the one we saw on the TV news

when you put out that fire.

Well, Jon, now that they got a new hero..

..what are you gonna do with all your free time?

Uh, maybe I'll write an article about Grossie

for the CHP magazine.