Original subtitles

Man: ASSUMING ARGUENDO, THAT THE DISTRICT COURT ERRED

IN ALLOWING THE JURY TO CONSIDER NON-STATUTORY FACTORS

THAT WERE VAGUE, OVERBROAD OR DUPLICATIVE

IN VIOLATION OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT

SUCH ERROR WAS HARMLESS BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

THE APPLICATION FOR A STAY OF EXECUTION

OF THE SENTENCE OF DEATH PRESENTED TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE

AND REFERRED BY HIM TO THE COURT IS DENIED.

THE PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI IS DENIED.

THE PETITIONER IS REMANDED

TO THE FEDERAL FACILITY IN TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA

TO BE EXECUTED BY LETHAL INJECTION

MONDAY MORNING AT 12:01 A.M.

Man 1: WHO'S OUR GUY AT THE WHITE HOUSE?

Man 2: IT'S OVER, JERRY.

WHO'S OUR GUY AT THE WHITE HOUSE?

WE DON'T HAVE A GUY AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

WHO CAN WE CALL RIGHT NOW?

AT 8:00 ON A FRIDAY?

YES.

THE SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR.

JERRY, WHO DO WE KNOW

THAT'S GOT THE EAR OF THE PRESIDENT?

NOBODY.

SAM SEABORN.

YOU KNOW SEABORN?

I USED TO BEAT HIM UP IN HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU'RE KIDDING ME. NO.

YOU CAN CALL HIM RIGHT NOW?

YEAH.

HE'LL TAKE THE CALL?

LET'S FIND OUT.

I'M OUT OF HERE.

YOU'VE GOT TO SEE SAM.

I'M SEEING SAM AND THEN I'M OUT OF HERE.

ARE YOU GOING TO BEHAVE YOURSELF TONIGHT?

IT'S A BACHELOR PARTY.

I CAN HOLD MY LIQUOR.

NO, YOU CAN'T.

I CAN DRINK WITH THE BEST OF THEM, DONNA.

YOU CAN'T DRINK WITH ANY OF THEM.

I'M IN POLITICS, OKAY? I CAN DRINK.

YOU HAVE A SENSITIVE SYSTEM.

I WISH YOU'D STOP TELLING PEOPLE THAT.

IT MAKES ME SOUND LIKE AN IDIOT.

YOU'LL HAVE TWO DRINKS AND SPEND THE REST

OF THE WEEKEND SLEEPING IT OFF.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME

I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND THE WEEKEND

DOING ANYTHING BUT WORKING.

ARE THERE GOING TO BE STRIPPERS?

NO.

REALLY? TELL ME THE TRUTH.

MEN DON'T LIKE THAT ANYMORE.

MEN DON'T LIKE NAKED WOMEN ANYMORE?

WE STILL LIKE NAKED WOMEN A LOT.

IT'S LOOKING AT THEM IN A ROOM FULL OF YOUR BEST FRIENDS

THAT MAKES YOU FEEL A LITTLE...

SLEAZY? UNCOMFORTABLE.

SAM, I'M OUT OF HERE. WHAT DO YOU NEED?

WHAT DO I NEED?

Bonnie: O'DWYER.

I NEED YOU TO DO ME A FAVOR.

ON O'DWYER?

HIS PEOPLE ARE CALLING.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

WHO'S HIS PEOPLE?

A CAMPAIGN MANAGER, JOEY LUCAS.

NEVER HEARD OF HIM. ME NEITHER.

I DIDN'T SPEAK WITH HIM. I SPOKE WITH HIS ASSISTANT.

WHAT'S THE FAVOR? I SCHEDULED A MEETING FOR TOMORROW WITH HIM.

AREN'T YOU GOING SAILING TOMORROW?

YEAH. THEN HOW ARE YOU GOING TO...

OH, COME ON! TEN MINUTES.

ON A SATURDAY?! WELL, YOU HAVE PLANS?

I WAS PLANNING ON DOING NOTHING.

TEN MINUTES, 15 MINUTES TOPS. SAM...

HE'S GOING TO BE VERY EXCITED TO MEET WITH YOU.

JOSHUA LYMAN, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF--

YOU CAN HEAR IT FROM A HORSE'S MOUTH.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL HIM?

ON O'DWYER? TELL HIM THE TRUTH.

I DON'T THINK SO. WHAT ELSE YOU GOT?

WHAT TIME?

10:00 TOMORROW MORNING.

YOU HAVE TO BE HERE 10:00 TOMORROW MORNING.

WE HAVE TO BE HERE.

WHY ME?

BECAUSE YOU WORK FOR ME.

I HAVE THINGS TO DO TOMORROW, JOSH.

WHAT THINGS?

I HAVE TO GO SHOPPING.

FOR WHAT?

WHATEVER.

TEN MINUTES.

WHEN IT'S OVER, I'LL BUY YOU SOME SHOES.

REALLY?

I'M OUT OF HERE.

Sam: I'M BRINGING BACK THE CUP, MAN.

SAM, JUST STAY IN THE BOAT THIS TIME

AND I'M A HAPPY GUY.

GOOD LUCK.

I GOT FOUL WEATHER GEAR.

Josh: SEE YOU LATER.

BONNIE, I'M DONE?

YOU'RE DONE.

CUTTING THE CORD NOW, BONNIE.

GOING TO BE UNREACHABLE FOR THE WEEKEND.

GOOD.

I'M NOT TAKING MY PAGER...

I'M NOT TAKING MY CELL PHONE.

YOU'VE EARNED IT.

OUT ON THE OCEAN BLUE.

TOTALLY CUT OFF FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT'LL BE GOOD FOR YOU.

I'M TAKING MY PAGER.

SHOULD PROBABLY TAKE MY CELL PHONE, TOO.

NO, NO. I'M CUTTING THE CORD.

I'M NOT TAKING MY CELL PHONE OR MY PAGER.

SAM.

YEAH?

YOU NEED TO RELAX.

YEAH.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

YOU, TOO.

( phone ringing )

THIS IS SAM SEABORN.

Man: THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

BOBBY, IS HE GUILTY?

IN '94, JUSTICE BLACKMUN OFFICIALLY WENT ON...

BOBBY...

IT WAS A DRUG CARTEL.

HE KILLED TWO KINGPINS.

YOU WANT ME TO ARGUE

IT WAS A PUBLIC SERVICE MURDER?

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT SCHOOLGIRLS.

BLACKMUN SUPPORTED THE DEATH PENALTY.

HE REVERSED HIMSELF IN '94.

"FROM THIS DAY FORWARD

"I NO LONGER SHALL TINKER WITH THE MACHINERY OF DEATH.

"I FEEL MORALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY OBLIGATED

SIMPLY TO CONCEDE THAT THE DEATH PENALTY EXPERIMENT HAS FAILED."

YOU DON'T HAVE TO QUOTE HARRY BLACKMUN WITH ME.

YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO THE PRESIDENT

AND TELL HIM THAT HE CAN'T RUN FROM THIS ONE.

HE'S GOT TO CONSIDER MY CLIENT.

YOU'RE GOING TO TELL HIM THAT.

NOBODY TALKS TO THE PRESIDENT THAT WAY, BOBBY.

AND NOT MANY PEOPLE TALK TO ME THAT WAY ANYMORE.

I GOT A GUY 48 HOURS AWAY FROM DEATH.

YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS PERSONAL?

HOW LONG YOU BEEN WITH THE P.D.'s OFFICE?

ABOUT TWO YEARS.

I HEARD YOU WERE AT ROSS-LIPTON.

YEAH, I WAS.

WHAT HAPPENED?

THEY GAVE ME A PARTNERSHIP AND A CORNER OFFICE, SAM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED?

THE PRESIDENT IS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF POWERS.

SO IS THE CONSTITUTION.

AND ARTICLE 2, SECTION 2

SAYS HE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO GRANT REPRIEVES AND PARDONS

FOR OFFENSES AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.

THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

I'M SAYING THE JUDICIAL BRANCH HAS SPOKEN, SO WHY...?

THAT'S WHAT'S HE'S GOING TO HIDE BEHIND?

HE'S NOT HIDING BEHIND ANYTHING.

HE'S ON AIR FORCE ONE COMING BACK FROM STOCKHOLM.

WHEN DOES HE LAND?

AROUND 9:00 A.M.

THAT'S WHEN YOU'LL TALK TO HIM?

I WON'T BE HERE TOMORROW

BUT I'LL ASK TOBY ZIEGLER...

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

BOBBY...

I'LL PASS IT UP TO TOBY ZIEGLER--

HE'LL ASK FOR A FEW MINUTES OF THE PRESIDENT'S TIME BUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST...

HE'LL TALK TO HIM FIRST THING IN THE MORNING?

IT'S SATURDAY.

TOBY WILL PROBABLY BE AT TEMPLE FIRST THING...

WHAT TEMPLE?

BOBBY...

WHAT TEMPLE?

I DON'T KNOW THE NAME.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS?

I THINK IT'S ON DELAWARE.

THANK YOU.

LEO.

I THOUGHT YOU LEFT.

I JUST CAME BACK TO GET MY BAG.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

THEY DENIED THE APPEAL.

SIMON CRUZ.

YEAH.

I THOUGHT THEY WERE SENDING IT BACK TO THE...

OUR GUY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO SEND IT BACK

TO THE SIXTH CIRCUIT.

WELL, THEY DIDN'T.

THEY DENIED THE APPEAL FIVE-THREE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

WE'VE GOT TO GET MENDOZA ON THE BENCH.

IF MENDOZA WAS ON THE BENCH, THEY WOULD HAVE LOST FIVE-FOUR.

SO WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

THE EXECUTION IS SCHEDULED FOR 12:01 MONDAY MORNING.

THE BALL'S IN OUR COURT.

I'M NOT SURE THE PRESIDENT WANTS THE BALL IN OUR COURT.

WELL, THAT MAKES TWO OF US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO...

HE LANDS AT 9:00 TOMORROW MORNING.

I'LL LET HIM SLEEP A LITTLE BIT

THEN I'LL TALK IT THROUGH WITH HIM.

I CAN BRIEF TOBY.

RIGHT.

I'LL SEE YOU LATER.

SAM...

YEAH?

WHY MONDAY MORNING?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

THE COURT DENIED THE APPEAL.

WHY ISN'T HE BEING EXECUTED AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT?

WE DON'T EXECUTE PEOPLE

BETWEEN SUNDOWN FRIDAY AND SUNDOWN SUNDAY.

WHY?

HARD AS IT IS TO BELIEVE...

YOU'RE KIDDING ME.

NO.

WE DON'T EXECUTE PEOPLE

ON THE SABBATH?

NO.

THAT'S ABOUT THE MOST BIZARRE THING I'VE EVER HEARD.

LEO, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FIND

AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS WEEKEND

THAT THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO PART OF THIS DISCUSSION

THAT ISN'T BIZARRE.

I'M GOING TO TO HOME NOW.

I'VE GOT A RACE IN THE MORNING.

HOLD ON TO A ROPE OR SOMETHING, WOULD YOU?

YEAH.

DAMN IT.

( snoring )

JOSH.

JOSH.

( sputtering )

HI.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

WHAT?

DID YOU SPEND THE NIGHT HERE?

NO, JUST SINCE A COUPLE HOURS AGO.

THE PARTY WENT TILL MORNING?

YEAH.

WHY DIDN'T YOU GO HOME?

WHAT?

WHY DIDN'T YOU GO HOME AFTER THE PARTY?

I COULDN'T FIND MY KEYS.

OR REMEMBER WHERE I LIVED.

JOSH...

I THINK THERE MIGHT

HAVE BEEN STRIPPERS THERE.

OH, MY GOD.

SHH, SHH.

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR CLOTHES?

I MAY HAVE WRINKLED MY SUIT.

JOSH...

DONNA, YOU WANT TO SPEAK VERY SOFTLY.

HOW DID YOU GET LIKE THIS?

PEOPLE WERE POURING CHAMPAGNE OVER EACH OTHER.

AND THEN WRESTLING IN DIRT?

I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NOT

OUT OF THE QUESTION.

YOU HAVE A MEETING.

YEAH, I KNOW.

I'M NOT, YOU KNOW...

UH...

WHAT WAS THE MEETING AGAIN?

JOEY LUCAS ABOUT O'DWYER.

YES.

JOSH... I'M FINE.

YOU CAN'T WEAR THOSE CLOTHES.

I'M FINE. TRUST ME.

THEY'RE THE ONLY CLOTHES I GOT.

I'LL FIND SOME OTHER CLOTHES.

WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME NOW?

I'M NOT EVEN LISTENING TO YOU NOW.

( shouting ): I SAID ARE YOU GOING TO...!

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

President: C.J., LOOK...

DON'T START WITH ME, MR. PRESIDENT.

I WAS HELPING PASS THE TIME.

I WAS BEING ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTIVE.

I'M BACK IN AMERICA NOW. I HAVE RIGHTS.

I'M NO LONGER BELTED DOWN NEXT TO THE PASSENGER FROM HELL.

LEO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

I NEEDED A MINUTE, SIR.

HOW WAS THE FLIGHT?

GRUESOME. GREAT.

IF YOU'LL LOOK OUT THE CABIN

YOU'LL SEE THE FJORDS.

THEN WE GOT A HISTORY OF THE FJORDS.

THEN WE GOT A QUIZ ON THE FJORDS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA

HOW MUCH I'D LIKE TO DRESS YOU IN LEDERHOSEN

AND DROP KICK YOU INTO A FJORD?

President: YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN TRAVELING.

IT WAS QUITE A TRIP.

IT'S NOT OVER YET.

( sneezes )

JOSH. HMM.

HERE.

WHAT'S THAT?

IT'S SAM'S FOUL WEATHER GEAR. DRINK THIS.

COFFEE?

IT'S STRONG. DRINK IT ALL.

IT'S FROM YESTERDAY

SO IT MIGHT NOT BE HOT ANYMORE.

WHAT TIME IS THIS THIS PERSON COMING?

40 MINUTES. PUT THIS ON.

I'M NOT WEARING THAT.

THERE'S A ONE-HOUR CLEANERS ON CONNECTICUT.

HE'LL BE HERE IN 40 MINUTES.

ZUZU'LL DO IT IN HALF AN HOUR.

WHO'S ZUZU?

THE GUY FROM THE DRY CLEANER'S.

CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES.

HIS NAME IS ZUZU?

CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES.

I'M GOING TO LOOK LIKE

THE GORTON'S FISHERMAN

IN THIS THING.

WITH PASSOVER ON THE HORIZON

MILLIONS OF JEWS WILL GATHER AROUND SEDER TABLES.

WE'LL SING OUR SONGS

AND ASK OUR QUESTIONS.

( beeping )

ABOUT THE STICK THAT BEAT THE DOG

THAT BIT THE CAT THAT ATE THE KID.

( beeping stops )

WE'LL SING NOT ONLY TO ENTERTAIN OUR CHILDREN

BUT TO BE REMINDED BY THE HAGGADAH THE SIMPLE TRUTH:

THAT VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE.

VENGEANCE...

IS NOT JEWISH.

WE'LL POUR TEN DROPS FROM OUR CUPS...

SAM SEABORN.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

How you doing?

SAM, I'M AT TEMPLE RIGHT NOW.

IS YOUR RABBI GIVING A SERMON ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?

What?

IS YOU RABBI GIVING A SERMON

NO MATTER HOW ON CAPITAL DEEP OUR DESIRE

TO WITNESS THE SUFFERING

OF OUR ENEMIES

WE ARE COMMANDED TO RELOCATE OUR HUMANITY.

VENGEANCE IS NOT JEWISH.

YEAH, HE IS.

How did you know that?

I'LL EXPLAIN IT TO YOU WHEN YOU GET OVER HERE.

Why am I coming over there?

THE APPEAL WAS DENIED.

ALL RIGHT, I'M ON MY WAY.

THE QUIETLY...

( loud clattering )

ARE YOU THE UNMITIGATED JACKASS

WHO HAS THE D.N.C. CHOKING OFF FUNDING

FOR THE O'DWYER CAMPAIGN IN THE CALIFORNIA 46th?

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?

I'M JOEY LUCAS.

YOU'RE JOEY LUCAS?

NO, I'M

JOEY LUCAS.

HELP ME, 'CAUSE I, I DON'T...

YOU IDIOT, I'M JOEY LUCAS!

OH.

AH.

OKAY. I'M JOSH LYMAN.

I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

YOU'RE JOEY LUCAS?

WHAT WERE YOU EXPECTING?

A MAN.

I'M A WOMAN.

YOU'RE O'DWYER'S CAMPAIGN MANAGER?

YES, AND I HAVE THREE SOURCES.

TWO AT THE D.N.C....

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WEARING?

ME?

YES.

I WAS, I, UH... I-I SPILLED

SOME THINGS ON MY CLOTHES.

TELL YOU WHAT, LET'S JUST

TAKE A DEEP BREATH FOR A SECOND

WHILE I TRY TO REMEMBER

WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW.

ARE YOU DRUNK?

I HAVE A VERY DELICATE SYSTEM.

OKAY, LOOK, I'M TOTALLY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.

I'M TRYING TO GET A GUY ELECTED TO CONGRESS

IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY TIGHT RACE

AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE WHITE HOUSE

IS SCREWING AROUND WITH ME.

EXCUSE ME. THANK GOD.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

THIS IS MY ASSISTANT, DONNA MOSS.

DONNA, JOEY LUCAS.

HI.

I'M JUST GOING TO GO...

I-I-I'M GOING TO GO CHANGE MY CLOTHES.

I-I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

I GOT STUCK AT DUPONT CIRCLE AGAIN.NOUGH.

YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DUMB I LOOKED IN THERE?

SO JOEY LUCAS IS A WOMAN?

YES.

AND SHE'S DEAF? YES.

COOL.

GIVE ME THOSE.

YOU NEED TO GO SEE SAM.

WHAT'S SAM DOING HERE?

HE TOLD ME TO TELL YOU THE APPEAL WAS DENIED.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

ALL HE SAID WAS THE APPEAL WAS DENIED.

OH, MAN.

MAKE SURE THEY'RE GOING TO BE OKAY IN THERE.

THIS MAY TAKE A FEW MINUTES.

ARE YOU SAYING MY RABBI WROTE A SERMON JUST FOR ME?

YEAH.

HOW DID HE KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE?

ONE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS, A GUY NAMED BOBBY ZANE.

ONE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS SPOKE TO MY RABBI?

HOW DID HE KNOW WHERE I GO TO TEMPLE?

HOW DID HE KNOW I EVEN GO TO TEMPLE?

I THOUGHT THEY WERE SENDING IT BACK

TO THE SIXTH CIRCUIT.

I THOUGHT SO, TOO.

WHERE'S THE PRESIDENT?

IN THE RESIDENCE.

IS JUSTICE BRIEFING US?

IN A MINUTE. WHEN'S THE EXECUTION?

SUNDAY, 12:01.

MONDAY, 12:01.

A MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.

LETHAL INJECTION? YEAH.

YOU SLEEP IN A DUMPSTER LAST NIGHT?

POSSIBLY.

WHY AREN'T YOU SAILING RIGHT NOW?

I STAYED.

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE

THAT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT SERVES AS A DETERRENT?

SPECULATIVE EVIDENCE AT BEST.

WHAT ARE THE STATS ON FEDERAL EXECUTIONS

AND THE PRESIDENT STEPPING IN?

'63 WAS THE LAST EXECUTION.

WHO WAS THE LAST TO COMMUTE A SENTENCE? LINCOLN.

ABRAHAM?

NO, BERT LINCOLN.

MANDY, WHAT ARE YOU...?

I'M ASKING.

I DON'T WANT A DEBATE THE DEATH PENALTY.

LET'S GET SOME STUFF TOGETHER

AND GET READY FOR THE PRESIDENT.

I'LL START WORKING WITH C.J.

I GOT TO GET BACK TO...

OH, BY THE WAY SAM, JOEY LUCAS IS WAITING

FOR ME IN MY OFFICE RIGHT NOW.

WHAT'S HE LIKE?

WELL, FOR A CAMPAIGN MANAGER

HE'S GOT VERY NICE LEGS.

HE'S A WOMAN.

YES, HE IS. HE'S ALSO DEAF

AND VERY PISSED.

BE RIGHT BACK.

SAM.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S ROOM

TO GIVE THE PRESIDENT SOME JUDICIAL COVER

IF HE WANTS TO COMMUTE. SAM.

THIS GUY WAS CONVICTED

OF THREE MURDERS BY A MEXICAN COURT.

WHAT DOES THAT MATTER TO US?

DURING THE PENALTY PHASE, THE TRIAL JUDGE LET THE PROSECUTOR

INTRODUCE THE EVIDENCE OF THE MEXICAN CONVICTIONS.

THE MEXICAN COURTS ARE RIDICULOUS. THAT NEVER...

HOW DID THE PUBLIC DEFENDER

KNOW I WAS AT THAT TEMPLE?

THIS GUY DIDN'T HAVE GREAT LEGAL COUNSEL.

HOW DID HE KNOW WHERE I WAS GOING TO BE?

I TOLD HIM.

YOU TOLD HIM?

YEAH.

SAM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING

GIVING OUT THAT KIND OF INFORMATION?

I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW.

RIGHT AT THAT MOMENT, IT SEEMED LIKE WHAT I SHOULD DO.

HE'S NOT GOING TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCE, SAM.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PRESIDENT'S GOING TO DO.

IT SEEMED LIKE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO?

YEAH.

OKAY.

Leo: SO, ANYWAY

HE WAS TRIED AND FOUND GUILTY FOUR YEARS AGO

IN THE DISTRICT COURT IN MICHIGAN

AND THE SIXTH CIRCUIT TURNED DOWN HIS APPEAL.

THE SUPREME COURT GAVE HIM A STAY, HEARD THE CASE

AND TURNED HIM DOWN, 5-3.

WE'VE GOT TO GET MENDOZA ON THE BENCH.

WELL, THAT'S MONDAY'S PROBLEM.

YOUR PROBLEM'S TODAY.

WHY IS IT MY PROBLEM AT ALL?

AS OPPOSED TO WHO?

THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN.

OH, YOU MEAN WHY ISN'T IT A STATE CRIME?

YEAH.

HE WAS PROSECUTED BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY

UNDER THE '88 DRUG KINGPIN LAW

THAT WAS MODIFIED INTO THE '94 OMNIBUS CRIME BILL.

WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE DEATH PENALTY

IN CERTAIN DRUG-RELATED HOMICIDES.

WELL, BASICALLY. THE DEPUTY A.G.'s OFFICE

IS PUTTING TOGETHER A BRIEFING FOR YOU.

HOW LONG?

ABOUT AN HOUR.

OKAY, I'LL WAIT FOR THAT THEN.

YEAH.

I'M GOING TO WANT TO SEE OUR PEOPLE

OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

EVERYONE'S HERE OR ON THEIR WAY.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE VERY GOOD AT THIS, LEO.

WELL, YOU'LL BE JOINING

A PRETTY BIG CLUB, MR. PRESIDENT.

YEAH. CHARLIE!

I'LL CALL YOU WHEN THE GUYS

HAVE PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

YES, SIR?

CHARLIE, THERE'S A PRIEST IN HANOVER.

HIS NAME IS THOMAS CAVANAUGH.

HE'S AT THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.

I'D LIKE TO ARRANGE TO HAVE HIM COME

SPEND SOME TIME WITH ME THIS WEEKEND.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE WHITE HOUSE NOT PAY FOR THIS.

THIS IS MY NICKEL.

YES, SIR.

AND I'M GOING TO, UH...

I'M SORRY, SIR?

( sighs )

NO, NEVER MIND.

YEAH.

I'M GOING TO WANT TO TALK TO THE POPE.

YES, SIR. CHARLIE?

YES, SIR.

I'M GOING TO ASK YOU A QUESTION.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES IT'S OKAY TO TELL ME

I'VE STEPPED OVER THE LINE AND I SHOULD

SHUT MY MOUTH, OKAY? OKAY.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GUY WHO SHOT YOUR MOTHER?

THEY HAVEN'T FOUND HIM YET, SIR.

IF THEY DID, WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE HIM EXECUTED?

KILLING A POLICE OFFICER

IS A CAPITAL CRIME.

I FIGURED YOU MUST HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

YES, SIR.

AND?

I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE

HIM EXECUTED, MR. PRESIDENT.

I'D WANT TO DO IT MYSELF.

YEAH.

I'LL GET THE BALL ROLLING ON THESE ARRANGEMENTS.

THANK YOU, CHARLIE.

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

AGAINST A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN

WHO'S HELD HIS SEAT FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

HE OPPOSED GAY RIGHTS, ABORTION, GUN CONTROL

AND RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE, AND SUPPORTS

GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PRAYER IN THE SCHOOLS

AND AMENDING THE BILL OF RIGHTS TO PROHIBIT BURNING THE FLAG.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE DECADES

WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BEAT HIM.

WHY ARE YOU TELLING THE D.N.C. TO CUT DOWN MY FUNDING?

BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO BEAT HIM.

EXCUSE ME?

WE'VE BEEN WATCHING YOUR CAMPAIGN.

YOU'RE DOING WAY TOO WELL.

ARE YOU DERANGED?

HE'S A PREPOSTEROUS FIGURE.

WE WANT TO KEEP HIM RIGHT WHERE HE IS.

YOU MEAN YOU WANT TO KEEP HIM ON

AS A POSTER BOY FOR THE RADICAL RIGHT?

JOEY, EVERY TIME HE COMES OUT WITH ONE OF HIS DECLARATIONS

ABOUT BROWN PEOPLE CROSSING THE BORDER

THE D.N.C. SLAPS IT INTO A DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGN

AND HE'S GOOD FOR $2 OR $3 MILLION.

I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE PRESIDENT.

OH, NO PROBLEM.

I'M PERFECTLY SERIOUS.

THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T TAKE MEETINGS ON THIS LEVEL.

I DON'T EVEN TAKE

MEETINGS ON THIS LEVEL. WHAT LEVEL IS THAT?

JOEY...

YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID OF ME, PAL.

I CAN CREATE PROBLEMS FOR YOU YOU'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF.

I'M NOT HEARING PARTY LOYALTY.

MAYBE IF YOUR HEAD WASN'T SO FAR UP...

HEY.

I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE PRESIDENT.

HEY, LUNATIC LADY

TRUST ME WHEN I TELL YOU

THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY

THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THE PRESIDENT.

HEY, JOSH.

HELLO, MR. PRESIDENT. WELCOME BACK.

HOW ARE YOU?

WELL, I'D LIKE THIS DAY TO BE OVER PRETTY BAD.

WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS?

UH, THIS IS JOEY LUCAS.

HOW ARE YOU?

AN HONOR TO MEET YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU.

AND THIS IS KENNY SOMEBODY.

HI, KENNY. THURMAN.

WE WERE JUST FINISHING UP.

I WAS JUST WANDERING THE HALLS AND THINKING.

WHY DON'T YOU LET ME SHOW THESE PEOPLE OFF, AND...

I CAN WANDER THE HALLS WITH YOU.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE WHITE HOUSE?

NO, SIR.

LET'S TAKE A WALK.

SIR? COME ON.

YES, SIR.

C.J.: CAROL, GOOD.

I NEED BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON SIMON CRUZ.

IS IT C-R-U-Z?

WHAT KIND OF BIOGRAPHICAL I DON'T KNOW.INFORMATION?

WE'LL NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SPELL HIS NAME.

DO YOU READ LIPS?

YES, SIR.

JOEY?

YES, SIR.

IS THAT SHORT FOR JOANNE?

JOSEPHINE.

AND YOUR LAST NAME IS LUCAS?

YES, SIR.

IS THAT POLISH?

DUTCH.

PROTESTANT?

QUAKER.

WELL, THIS IS THE OVAL OFFICE.

COME IN, PLEASE.

SIT DOWN.

( clears his throat )

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

UCLA AND STANFORD.

THERE'S A GUY NAMED SIMON CRUZ ON DEATH ROW.

HE'S GOING TO BE EXECUTED IN ABOUT 36 HOURS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO?

STAY THE EXECUTION.

WHY?

BECAUSE THE STATE

SHOULDN'T KILL PEOPLE.

HE WAS FOUND GUILTY

OF A DOUBLE MURDER AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.

SEND HIM TO PRISON.

YOU'RE AGAINST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?

YES, SIR.

DID YOU STUDY ST. AUGUSTINE AT STANFORD?

YES, SIR.

THOMAS AQUINAS?

YES, SIR.

TWO SMART GUYS, RIGHT? YES, SIR.

THEY BELIEVED IN THAT PART OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WHICH SAID

"WHO SHEDDETH A MAN'S BLOOD, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED."

AND IMMANUEL KANT SAID

THAT THE DEATH PENALTY IS A CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE.

BUT, MR. PRESIDENT

THOSE WRITINGS ARE FROM OTHER CENTURIES.

I'VE GOT A HARRIS POLL SAYS

71% OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

THAT'S A POLITICAL PROBLEM.

I'M A POLITICIAN.

YES, SIR.

THANK YOU.

MR. PRESIDENT, WE SHOULD...

EXCUSE ME.

MR. PRESIDENT, I'M HERE

BECAUSE I'M RUNNING THE CAMPAIGN

FOR BILL O'DWYER, WHO'S RUNNING...

FROM THE CALIFORNIA 46th. YES, SIR.

O'DWYER'S AN EMPTY SHIRT.

SIR?

I DON'T LIKE GUYS THAT RUN FOR CONGRESS

BECAUSE THEY THINK IT'S A GREAT GIG.

FIND YOURSELF A LIVE ONE AND I'LL GET INTERESTED.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

BEATS THE DEVIL YOU DON'T

AND I LIKE THE DEVIL I GOT.

BUT, SIR...

JOSH'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU FROM HERE.

WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE HOTEL.

IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

THAT WAS ME SAYING THAT.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD TIME MEETING ME?

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I ACTUALLY KNOW THAT SIGN.

DON'T KNOW THAT ONE, BUT...

I CAN PROBABLY GUESS.

RABBI GLASSMAN?

TOBY, I DIDN'T HEAR YOU

WHICH IS FAIRLY UNUSUAL.

OH, YEAH...

YOU MISSED THE END OF MY SERMON YESTERDAY.

YEAH, WELL, I HAD TO GO BACK TO MY OFFICE

AND I THINK YOU KNOW WHY.

A LAWYER NAMED BOBBY ZANE CALLED ME FRIDAY NIGHT.

HE TOLD ME WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

HE ASKED IF I HAD ANY INFLUENCE ON TOBY ZIEGLER.

I TOLD HIM CLEARLY HE HADN'T SPENT ANY TIME

WITH TOBY ZIEGLER.

UM... ( woman singing )

OH, THERE'LL BE A FUNERAL SERVICE IN THE MORNING.

SHE'S PRACTICING A PIECE.

THAT'S FUNNY.

WHAT?

I NEVER IMAGINED THEM PRACTICING.

DAY AND NIGHT.

RABBI...

YOU AND BOBBY ZANE--

WHAT WERE YOU EXPECTING OF ME

WHEN YOU GAVE YOUR SERMON YESTERDAY?

WELL, I SUPPOSE THERE WAS SOME HOPE

YOU MIGHT TAKE THE SABBATH DAY

TO CONSIDER YOUR POSITION.

( woman continues singing )

AS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

I'M A COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT, TO BE SURE.

BUT MY ROLE IN THESE SITUATIONS IS GENERALLY...

I CREATE A PUBLIC FACE FOR WHAT...

I DON'T INFLUENCE POLICY.

OF COURSE YOU DO.

YOU WANT ME TO GO INTO THE OVAL OFFICE

AND SAY, "VENGEANCE IS NOT JEWISH"?

WHY NOT?

FOR ONE THING, NEITHER IS THE PRESIDENT.

YOU CAN SAY ALL YOU WANT ABOUT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

BUT THEIR POSITION ON LIFE IS UNIMPEACHABLE:

NO ABORTION, NO DEATH PENALTY.

I SPENT THE DAY... HOPING THE PRESIDENT

WOULDN'T CALL THE POPE.

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT; I DID.

IF HE COMMUTED THE SENTENCE AFTER TALKING TO THE POPE

THE WORST FEARS OF EVERY NON-CATHOLIC

WHO VOTED FOR HIM WOULD BE REALIZED.

CONGRATULATIONS, RABBI GLASSMAN

YOU MAY NOW JOIN THE WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS STAFF.

LOOK, TOBY, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE HAVING A LONG WEEKEND.

I APPRECIATE THE COURTESY OF YOU STOPPING BY.

WELL, UH, YOU'RE WELCOME.

THE TORAH DOESN'T PROHIBIT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

Woman: OKAY, LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN...

NO.

IT SAYS "AN EYE FOR AN EYE."

YOU KNOW WHAT IT ALSO SAYS?

IT SAYS A REBELLIOUS CHILD

CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE CITY GATES AND STONED TO DEATH.

IT SAYS HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION

AND PUNISHABLE BY DEATH.

IT SAYS MEN CAN BE POLYGAMOUS AND SLAVERY IS ACCEPTABLE.

FOR ALL I KNOW

THAT THINKING REFLECTED THE BEST WISDOM OF ITS TIME.

BUT IT'S JUST PLAIN WRONG BY ANY MODERN STANDARD.

SOCIETY HAS A RIGHT

TO PROTECT ITSELF.

BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE A RIGHT TO BE VENGEFUL.

IT HAS A RIGHT TO PUNISH

BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE A RIGHT TO KILL.

YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK?

I THINK YOU KNEW I WAS COMING BACK HERE

AND I THINK YOU PUT HER THERE ON PURPOSE.

SHE'S OUR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR.

( chuckles )

YEAH, WELL, ANYWAY.

SHALOM, TOBY.

SHALOM, RABBI.

( woman continues singing )

C.J.? YEAH?

YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED? YEAH.

I MEAN, FOR A BRIEFING.

I HAVE HIS BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION.

HIS MOTHER'S NAME IS SOPHIA.

SOPHIA.

YOU'LL NEED MORE THAN THAT.

I HAVE MORE THAN THAT.

OKAY.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE NO POSITION

ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

I'M TRYING TO GET WORKED UP ABOUT IT

'CAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE I SHOULD, BUT THE TRUTH IS

I HONESTLY DON'T CARE IF SIMON CRUZ LIVES OR DIES

AND I SUPPOSE IF IT BRINGS SOME MEASURE OF COMFORT

TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS, THEN WHY THE HELL NOT?

THAT'S VALID.

SO, HERE'S MY JOB TONIGHT.

IF THIS THING HAPPENS

AT 12:01

HE'LL GET THE INJECTION... C.J.

NO, I'M SAYING-- I'M READING IT RIGHT HERE.

"THE FIRST SIGN OF DEATH

"WILL BE HIS HANDS TWITCHING.

"AFTER 60 SECONDS

"HE'LL STRAIN AGAINST THE STRAPS.

"HIS HEAD WILL HAVE SNAPPED BACK VIOLENTLY

"AND AFTER 90 SECONDS HE'LL BE IN CONVULSIONS.

AT 12:04 HE'LL BE PRONOUNCED DEAD."

HE KILLED TWO PEOPLE, PROBABLY MORE.

I'M SORRY, I DON'T GET WORKED UP OVER IT.

ME NEITHER.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING-- ME NEITHER.

EXCEPT... AT 12:04

'CAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE WARDEN CALLS ME.

THAT'S MY JOB TONIGHT.

I HAVE TO GO IN AND TELL THE PRESIDENT

THAT SIMON CRUZ IS DEAD

AND WE'RE THE ONES WHO KILLED HIM.

SO... I JUST...

WISH I DIDN'T KNOW HIS MOTHER'S NAME WAS SOPHIA

IS ALL I'M SAYING.

OKAY.

MR. PRESIDENT?

TOBY'S HERE.

OKAY.

GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR.

WELCOME BACK.

THANK YOU.

HOW WAS YOUR TRIP?

FINE.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

I HAD A STRANGE EXPERIENCE THIS WEEKEND.

ONE OF THE P.D.s ON THE CRUZ CASE--

I GUESS TRYING THE THINGS YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE DESPERATE--

HE WENT AND SPOKE TO MY RABBI.

JEWISH LAW DOESN'T PROHIBIT...

I KNOW.

THE COMMANDMENT DOES NOT SAY "THOU SHALT NOT KILL."

IT SAYS "THOU SHALT NOT MURDER."

I KNOW, BUT THE FACT IS THAT

EVEN 2,000 YEARS AGO

THE RABBIS OF THE TALMUD COULDN'T...

STOMACH IT.

I MEAN

THEY WEREN'T ABOUT TO REWRITE THE TORAH

BUT THEY CAME UP WITH ANOTHER WAY.

THEY CAME UP WITH LEGAL RESTRICTIONS

WHICH MAKE OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM LOOK...

THEY MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE STATE...

TO PUNISH SOMEONE BY KILLING THEM.

WE MAKE IT VERY HARD

TO KILL ANYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY, TOBY.

IT SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

BUT IT'S NOT.

BUT IT SHOULD BE.

( doorknob rattles )

HEY.

HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON?

TOBY WENT TO SHUL.

YEAH.

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

JAPAN OPENED HUGE.

YEAH.

UP TWO CENTS AGAINST THE YEN.

I COMMUTE THIS GUY FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON

OTHER THAN I DON'T LIKE THE DEATH PENALTY...

I KNOW.

...AND THE NEXT PRESIDENT SEES IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

I'VE LAID TRACK TO ALL KINDS OF...

THE NEXT GUY IS GOING TO HAVE

EIGHTH AMENDMENT PROBLEMS UP THE ASS.

WELL, THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT'S STOPPING YOU...

WE CANNOT EXECUTE SOME PEOPLE

AND NOT EXECUTE OTHERS

DEPENDING ON THE MOOD OF THE OVAL OFFICE.

IT'S CRUEL AND UNUSUAL.

IF THAT'S THE ONLY THING STOPPING YOU THEN I'LL SAY THIS

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR PRESIDENCY.

LET THAT BE THE NEXT GUY'S PROBLEM.

( knocking )

Mrs. Landingham: SIR, SAM SEABORN.

OKAY. GIVE ME A MINUTE, PLEASE, NANCY.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.

THANK YOU.

THE U.S. IS ONE OF FIVE COUNTRIES ON EARTH

THAT PUTS TO DEATH PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18

WHEN THEY COMMITTED THEIR CRIME.

NIGERIA. PAKISTAN.

SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN.

YEAH, SO THAT'S A LIST WE DEFINITELY WANT TO BE ON.

SAM?

LEO, I PUT MY NOTES TOGETHER...

WALK WITH ME.

ACTUALLY, I WAS HOPING TO SEE...

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THE PRESIDENT, SAM.

LEO...

HE'S DONE.

WE HAVE SIX HOURS.

HE'S DONE.

LEO, IT'S NOT AN IMPOSSIBLE SELL.

I'VE LIVED LONGER THAN YOU, SAM.

LEO!

HE'S DONE! AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, SAM

THIS WAS BUNGLED!

WE WERE TOTALLY UNPREPARED FOR THIS!

WE WERE CAUGHT IN THE HEADLIGHTS!

THIS THING WAS SUPPOSED TO GO BACK

TO THE SIXTH CIRCUIT, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW...

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT "PREPARED"?

THE COURT SAT.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENT?

I'D HAVE...

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENT?

YOU KEPT THE PRESIDENT OUT OF THE COUNTRY ANOTHER TWO DAYS?

YES.

LEO, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE ARE ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.

( playing soft music )

HELLO.

HELLO.

HI.

HI.

THANK YOU FOR MEETING ME.

OUR FLIGHT'S IN ONE HOUR.

AREN'T YOU IMPRESSED THAT I WAS ABLE TO TRACK YOU DOWN?

WAS IT HARD?

IT WAS VERY HARD.

I HAD TO HAVE MY ASSISTANT CALL YOUR OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA.

IT'S FUNNY. WHEN I SAY IT OUT LOUD LIKE THAT

IT DOESN'T SOUND THAT IMPRESSIVE.

DID YOU MAKE ME MEET YOU HERE SO YOU COULD DO MORE JOKES?

NO, I CAME AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT.

HE WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT HE FELT THAT

HE WAS RUDE TO YOU IN THE OVAL OFFICE YESTERDAY.

HE APOLOGIZES IF HE WAS ABRUPT ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM

AND WHILE THE TIGHTENING OF YOUR FUNDING

WAS POLITICAL STRATEGY ON OUR PART

HE HONESTLY FEELS THAT YOUR CANDIDATE IS A SCHMUCK

WHO GIVES LIBERALISM A BAD NAME.

YEAH, I THINK SO, TOO.

I KNOW YOU DO.

WHY ARE YOU WORKING FOR HIM?

I'M A PROFESSIONAL POLITICAL OPERATIVE.

I NEED TO WORK.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT EXACTLY LIKE THERE'S A SELLER'S MARKET

FOR DEAF CAMPAIGN MANAGERS.

I'D IMAGINE.

HE ALSO WANTED ME TO TELL YOU THAT HE MEANT WHAT HE SAID.

COME UP WITH A LIVE ONE AND WE'LL GET INTERESTED

IN A HURRY.

DID HE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE DID.

WHO?

YOU.

YOU GUYS HAVE A NICE FLIGHT BACK.

( knocking )

Charlie: MR. PRESIDENT?

EXCUSE ME, MR. PRESIDENT?

YEAH?

FATHER CAVANAUGH.

THANK YOU.

TOM.

MR. PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU, CHARLIE.

THANKS FOR COMING ALL THE WAY DOWN.

IT WAS NO TROUBLE.

I'M JUST SORRY I COULDN'T GET HERE UNTIL NOW.

YEAH, IT SEEMS LIKE A WASTED TRIP.

OH, I COULD SEE THE OVAL OFFICE.

YEAH, THIS IS IT.

SHOW ME AROUND THE ROOM.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ROOM.

WELL, WHERE'S THE RED PHONE?

WE DON'T USE A RED PHONE ANYMORE.

WELL, HOW DO YOU TALK TO THE KREMLIN?

I TELL MRS. LANDINGHAM I WANT TO TALK TO THE KREMLIN.

WOULD YOU LIKE A DRINK?

NO. NO, THANKS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS YOU.

WOULD YOU PREFER "JED" OR "MR. PRESIDENT"?

TO BE HONEST, I PREFER "MR. PRESIDENT."

THAT'S FINE.

YOU UNDERSTAND WHY, RIGHT?

DO I NEED TO KNOW WHY?

IT'S NOT EGO.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS.

THERE ARE CERTAIN DECISIONS I HAVE TO MAKE

WHILE I'M IN THIS ROOM:

DO I SEND TROOPS INTO HARM'S WAY?

WHICH FATAL DISEASE GETS THE MOST RESEARCH MONEY?

SURE.

IT'S HELPFUL IN THOSE SITUATIONS

NOT TO THINK OF YOURSELF AS THE MAN, BUT AS THE OFFICE.

THEN "MR. PRESIDENT" IT IS.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW

THAT I HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON MY STAFF SEARCH

FOR A REASON THE PUBLIC WOULD FIND PALATABLE

TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCE:

A TECHNICALITY, ANY EVIDENCE OF RACISM.

SO, YOUR STAFF SPENT THE WEEKEND LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT?

YEAH.

LIKE THE KID

IN RIGHT FIELD WHO DOESN'T WANT THE BALL TO GET HIT TO HIM.

I'M THE LEADER OF A DEMOCRACY, TOM.

71% OF THE PEOPLE SUPPORT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, THE COURTS HAVE SPOKEN.

DID YOU CALL THE POPE?

YEAH.

AND HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

OH, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, TOM.

I OPEN MY MOUTH AND SAY, "SOMEBODY GET ME THE POPE."

NO, I'M SORRY, MR. PRESIDENT

BUT I WAS THINKING

YOU'RE JUST THIS KID FROM MY PARISH

AND NOW YOU'RE CALLING THE POPE.

ANYWAY

I LOOKED FOR A WAY OUT.

I REALLY DID.

"'VENGEANCE IS MINE,' SAYETH THE LORD."

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS TO KILL PEOPLE.

I KNOW.

THAT WAS YOUR WAY OUT.

I KNOW.

DID YOU PRAY?

I DID, TOM.

I KNOW IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT I PRAYED FOR WISDOM.

AND NONE CAME?

IT NEVER HAS.

AND I'M A LITTLE PISSED OFF ABOUT THAT.

I'M NOT KIDDING.

YOU KNOW

YOU REMIND ME OF THE MAN THAT LIVED BY THE RIVER.

HE HEARD A RADIO REPORT THAT THE RIVER WAS GOING

TO RUSH UP AND FLOOD THE TOWN.

AND THAT ALL THE RESIDENTS SHOULD EVACUATE THEIR HOMES

BUT THE MAN SAID, "I'M RELIGIOUS. I PRAY.

GOD LOVES ME. GOD WILL SAVE ME."

THE WATERS ROSE UP

A GUY IN A ROWBOAT CAME ALONG AND HE SHOUTED

"HEY, YOU! YOU IN THERE, THE TOWN IS FLOODING.

LET ME TAKE YOU TO SAFETY!"

BUT THE MAN SHOUTED BACK

"I'M RELIGIOUS. I PRAY. GOD LOVES ME. GOD WILL SAVE ME."

A HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING OVERHEAD

AND A GUY WITH A MEGAPHONE SHOUTED, "HEY, YOU!

"YOU DOWN THERE!

"THE TOWN IS FLOODING.

LET ME DROP THIS LADDER AND I'LL TAKE YOU TO SAFETY!"

BUT THE MAN SHOUTED BACK THAT HE WAS RELIGIOUS

THAT HE PRAYED, THAT GOD LOVED HIM

AND THAT GOD WILL TAKE HIM TO SAFETY.

WELL... THE MAN DROWNED.

AND STANDING AT THE GATES OF ST. PETER

HE DEMANDED AN AUDIENCE WITH GOD.

"LORD," HE SAID, "I'M A RELIGIOUS MAN.

"I PRAY. I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME.

WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?"

GOD SAID, "I SENT YOU A RADIO REPORT, A HELICOPTER

"AND A GUY IN A ROWBOAT.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

HE SENT YOU A PRIEST

A RABBI AND A QUAKER, MR. PRESIDENT

NOT TO MENTION HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM HIM?

( knocking )

C.J.: EXCUSE ME.

( woman from temple singing )

JED...

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO HEAR YOUR CONFESSION?

YES, PLEASE.

BLESS ME, FATHER, FOR I HAVE SINNED...