All language subtitles for Perfect.Strangers.1984.1080p.-LM

(jazzy music)

(steam hissing)

(tense music)

What's the story?

You got something
for me or what?

(thudding)

(grunting)

I'm sorry.

(gagging)

(baby babbles softly)

Matthew.

What are you doing there?

Matthew?

What are you looking at?

Oh my god!

(clattering)

Oh baby.

It's all right,
it's all right baby.

You didn't see anything.

You didn't see anything
and I didn't see anything.

(tense music)

How old are you?

Three years old.

If you saw me again
would you remember me?

I'm not stupid.

Do I look retarded?

Go on, get outta here.

Take off.

(suspenseful music)

Why are you telling
me all this stuff?

Jesus, up 'til now you
were clean as a baby.

Never been picked up,
never been fingerprinted,

never been photographed.

That was why you were
so valuable to us.

It's no big deal.

The kid's an infant.

For Christ's sake.

Don't you read the newspapers?

A whole family in Illinois
slaughtered in their own house.

Everybody but a two
or three year old kid.

Then the police
psychologist and the FBI

get to work on this kid
and then you know what,

they get a positive ID.

Bullshit, bullshit!

There's no way you're
gonna get a conviction

with that kinda evidence.

I'm not talking
about convictions.

You get nabbed as a suspect,
you compromise us all.

You put our work in jeopardy.

The mother didn't even see me.

Nobody saw me but the kid.

She didn't come out 'til later.

She doesn't know anything.

I don't wanna know
about it either.

I won't be seeing you again.

(tense pop music)

Don't walk on any of the graves.

It's bad luck.

[Man On Radio] Police
still have no leads

in the gang men slaying
of a big time drug dealer

in an alley in Lower Manhattan.

Despite intensified
efforts by authorities,

no witnesses have been
found in the brutal stabbing

which experts consider to be

the work of a
professional hit man.

The specialist uses a
knife instead of a gun

to dispatch his victims.

The killing has been
linked to a series

of three other knife
murders in the New York,

New Jersey and
Philadelphia areas.

Anyone with information
regarding this homicide

is urged to call the
police hotline at 771-9400.

24 were killed as
blasts ripped through

a Long lsland fireworks
plant today, damaging...

(unsettling music)

[Woman] You just stick
to your story, sweetie.

Even if they question you again.

You were asleep with the kid

and you saw nothing
and heard nothing.

Why raise a finger to
help those bastard cops

after the way they treat
us, shoving us around.

I knew there was something
wrong with that apartment

when I got it.

You know there had to be
something or cockroaches

or rusty pipes or
something like that.

Sally, a corpse is
worse than cockroaches.

You had the best idea, honey,

don't volunteer any information.

But if you had seen
it, would you tell?

You mean would I testify?

Well, how do you know,

I mean maybe somebody had a
good reason to kill this guy.

I mean what if it was a woman

and this guy was
screwing her around

and she finally decided
to put him on ice.

Look, it wasn't like that.

It wasn't a spur of
the moment thing.

This guy was lured down an
alley and had his throat slit.

But if it was a woman,
and she had a good reason,

like maybe the guy was
beating her and the kids,

or pumping her full of drugs
or making her turn tricks.

Would you go pointing
the finger at her?

Didn't they acquit that
woman who shot her husband

because he was beating her?

They let her walk
right out of the court.

[Friend] That was not
in the State of New York.

Anyway it wasn't a woman.

How do you know?

You saw him, didn't you?

Didn't you?

I felt him, I mean
I heard the footsteps.

Sally, you're not dealing
with the issue here.

I mean let's just suppose
it was a woman, a sister.

Why does everything have to
be a political issue with you?

Because when the
time comes a lotta guys

are gonna have to get
what's coming to them.

So that's what World
War lll is gonna be,

the girls against the guys.

We're not girls.

Okay we're women.

You think our only weapon is
to withhold sex, don't you?

They don't realize that the
kitchen they've locked us into,

imprisoned us in
is full of weapons.

Sharp, pointed
weapons. (chuckles)

No, they wouldn't close
their eyes at night

if they thought about
what we're capable of.

[Sally] Well I'm
not capable of that.

Oh no?

What about with Fred?

(unsettling music)

What if he came back again and
tried to take Matthew away.

The police wouldn't
stop him this time.

I wish you wouldn't talk
like that in front of Matthew.

He understands
everything you say.

Oh he's just a kid,
he can't understand me.

And all this talk
about feminist homicide

is really making me crazy.

It's dangerous.

Let's just settle up.

Okay.

Hi.

(sighs)

Just waiting for
some son of a bitch

to walk in here and
ask for my money.

I'd blow the bastard away.

And what if a
woman came in here,

would you blast her away too?

Hmm, I'd wound the bitch.

You got it all worked out.

Hey, you're gonna be at
the demonstration on Friday,

the buses leave
promptly at 11:45.

So don't be late.

I'm not going on those buses.

I mean I'm taking Matthew and I,

and I'll just get
there on my own.

Okay, just remember
the orientation meeting

is on Thursday and they'll
have all the literature.

(laughing)

All right.

Okay.

Hey, how about a little
contribution now that you're loaded.

I knew I wouldn't get
outta here with my money.

What's more important to
you than the cause, Sally?

I mean you don't want
Matthew to grow up in a world

that's been poisoned
with toxic waste

and DTD and God knows what
else they put in those rivers.

No, I want him to grow
up strong and healthy

so some woman can
stab him or shoot him.

(Matthew fusses)

Oh, what's the matter.

I know, I know.

See, you upset him now.

You upset him.

Oh. (scoffs)

(tense music)

♪ Sometimes I wake up screaming,
a distant subway rumble

♪ I walk for miles but know the
city don't hold no answers

♪ I pass 1000 faces, I
brush 1000 shoulders

♪ The lights are hot but
I know nobody sees me

Who is that?

Who is that? That's me.

That's me.

That's me.

Who is that?

♪ There's no way for
the lost to be found

♪ Gotta move, gotta break

♪ Make a mark while I can

♪ I'm a shadow on the
walls of the city

♪ Just a shadow on the
walls of the city

♪ I'm a shadow on the
walls of the city

♪ Just a shadow on the
walls of the city

♪ Oh you don't think you know me

♪ Though we haven't
had the pleasure

♪ You're gonna see
me again and again

♪ if I make the wrong impression

♪ if I overstay my welcome

♪ I'll make you sweat if you
try to remove the traces

♪ There's a mist like it's death

♪ Change its form,
find its place

♪ All apart in a tray,
turn around see my face

♪ It's ain't much, just my
little way of saying hello

♪ I'm a shadow on the
walls of the city

♪ Just a shadow on the
walls of the city

♪ I'm a shadow on the
walls of the city

♪ Just a shadow on the
walls of the city

(siren wails)

I suppose he's gonna come.

(romantic music)

(giggling)

(horn honking)

Are you lost?

The way you've been
wandering around

I thought you
shoulda maybe dropped

some bread crumbs behind you

so you could find your way home.

Obviously you don't
know where you're going.

I's just sorta looking
around, you know.

[Sally] See anything you like?

Yeah, you know we've been kinda

running into each other
quite a bit, haven't we?

Matthew, this man is lost.

I'm kinda lost too.

But Matthew knows his way home.

He's gonna show us.

Matthew?

[Sally] He'll show us.

Is that where we're going, home?

Do you have a home?

- Yeah.
- Do you have a name?

Yep.

John.

John Ross.

See, see how I put my name tag.

Well I'll Sal and of
course you know Matthew.

Yeah, hi Matthew.

We're old friends.

Are you tired, do you
want me to carry him?

You want to Johnny
to carry you, Matthew?

I don't think he minds.

Come on Matthew.

Whoa.

[Sally] Is that
all right, honey?

Does he always take
to strangers like that?

I'm bringing him
up to trust people

until they disappoint him.

That's a good way
to bring up a kid.

You know.

How long were you
gonna follow me around

before you got up the nerve?

[Johnny] You spotted
me right off, right?

Well you don't look
like everybody else.

What is that, a compliment?

I mean weren't you scared?

Of what?

Some guy following
you around the street.

Well I knew what you wanted.

Oh (scoffs), pretty sure huh?

I mean maybe I have a
thing for women with kids.

Maybe it's a maternal
thing, you know.

I remind you of your mother?

Maybe I kind of miss my mother.

You know that late
movie, that late show,

"The Grapes of Wrath"
with Henry Fonda,

you know that lady,

that chubby actress
that played his mother?

That's what my mother was like.

You know she didn't
look like Henry Fonda.

But she played the
mother really good.

That's why every time that
picture's on, I like to watch it.

You know which one
I'm talking about?

Well at least you had a mother.

That bodes well.

How's your father?

Yeah, I had a father too.

I mean we had a
pretty normal family.

I had two parents.

The only thing is
he just sat there

and he never really said
very much, you know?

What about Matthew's father?

Oh we're not so old fashioned.

I see you still
got your ring though.

I wear that so guys
like you won't approach me

on the street.

Does he still miss his daddy?

He doesn't even know his daddy.

Bet you're hard to please.

[Sally] No, I'm easy to please.

You been pleased lately?

Not often.

I bet you had offers.

You know a lotta
people look at me

but like your old man,
they don't say much.

Maybe I scare them.

Am I formidable?

Do I scare you?

I'm bigger than you are.

Tell me the truth,

is there something about
me that scares guys?

I don't know, you
know you look like

you know where you're
going, even if you don't.

You give off some kinda vibes.

Like Mother Earth or something.

Maybe 'cause you
got the kid with you

they think, you look together,
you know what I mean?

So maybe with Matthew
with you they think

that you got some guy
waiting at home for ya.

[Sally] Hey, I carry
Matthew with me everywhere

for protection, right?

(thoughtful music)

So why don't you
let me walk you home

so next time I
come and pick ya up

I'll know where you live.

I don't think so.

Why not?

You don't know me.

Well what could be so
terrible that I can't find out?

Would you put Matthew
in the stroller please?

I'll tell you what, you meet
me on the corner of La Guardia

and Washington Square Park
at nine o'clock tomorrow.

What's there?

(chuckles) You'll find out.

(unsettling music)

(operatic singing)

- Manny.
- Hey, Johnny.

Hello, Mr. Moletti.

How you doing?

How are you?

You say hello to Mario?

Say hello to Sally
boy over here.

Come here.

Say hello to Sal.

Yo Sal.

Mm hmm.

Come here, let me
take a look at you.

Hey, I'm gonna fix ya
up, make ya look nice.

Sit down.

You know, it helps me to relax.

My father cut hair,
his father cut hair,

and as far as the IRS
knows, I cut hair.

I appreciate it.

I understand we
have a little problem.

No problem.

Then I wish ya hadn'ta told us.

So why don't you just rely
on my judgment on this one?

The kid's a baby
for Christ's sake.

Not a dog or a cat.

He's gonna talk.

I'm not arguing with you.

But on the other hand,

there's no harm in
being absolutely secure.

Are you doing this to me
because I made a mistake?

You just said you
didn't make any mistake.

Well, we all got to
clean up our own mess.

It's gonna cause problems.

I mean look, somebody in the
business gets knocked off,

who cares, nobody cares.

But a kid, a little kid?

Kids have accidents.

I got three
grandchildren of my own.

They're always falling down.

They're always getting hurt.

The two girls are five and nine.

Hey Sal, she's 10 years old.

He forgot how old his
grandchildren are.

You're right.

It's the girls today that
are getting the broken arms.

You gotta be careful,
don't hurt your face,

don't lose an eye or something.

You don't know what it is
to be a grandfather today.

Let me advise you on
how to handle this.

You go back and ingratiate
yourself with this young woman.

Pretty soon she starts to
trust you with her kid.

And then this kid has
this unfortunate accident.

You're very sorry about it

and under the circumstances
it's only natural

that you go away.

Now what's to connect
that kid's accident

with a gang killing in an alley

that nobody knows
the kid even saw?

You dropped a lotta bombs

on kids during the
war, didn't you?

Yeah.

But the kid's in those villages,

you gotta do what you gotta do.

[Mr. Moletti] So we
understand each other.

Yes sir.

[Mr. Moletti] But you
gotta do it, Johnny.

The sin has got to
be on your head.

It's gonna take some time.

Hey, you're doing
the best you can.

That's all we ask.

Ah, there ya are.

You look very nice.

That'll be $5.

Hey, and you don't
have to tip the boss.

Next.

(suspenseful music)

I wanna give them.

Women take back the night.

Women unite, take
back the night.

Here.

Don't give any to them.

Women unite, take
back the night.

Candlelight vigil and
rally against rape.

- I wanna read it...
- Come on honey.

Get away from the nuts.

- Let's go.
- Why don't you

get off the street, get married?

[Woman] Too tired.

Oh no, come on.

This costs money.

(tense music) (engine revs)

Matthew?

Matthew?

Oh, oh maybe he went home.

Oh no, no, he couldn't
have gone far.

Where could, Matthew!

Matthew?

Matthew!

Matthew!

Matthew!

I can't find him, maybe
he's around the corner.

Matthew, have you
seen a little boy?

Matthew!

Stop him!

Stop him!

That guy, damn you!

Stop!

Fred!

Put him down, put him down.

I have every right
to see him, Sally.

No you don't.

The courts decided that.

It's okay folks,
a family affair.

You can keep going.

I really don't enjoy this.

I don't want to
through it again.

The hell you don't.

You lied through
your teeth, Sally.

You told them all
kinds of bullshit.

Come on, give him back to me.

Just, you're scaring him.

Please give him...

Maybe it's your shouting
that's scaring him.

Come on man, give her the kid.

- Shut up, get going.
- I don't want this to happen.

Do you want me to call a cop,

- is that what this is about?
- Stay out of it.

You're gonna, they'll
come and you'll just have to

go through it all over again.

We won't go through
it all over again,

because you started
it the first time.

Give him to me, please.

The cops are gonna come.

[Man] Hey.

Oh.

Oh there.

How I ever thought
you coulda loved me.

How we ever could've
had a child together,

it's beyond me.

I don't know why you want him.

He's a part of me, if
you hate me so much.

I'll be back for ya, Matthew,

this isn't over yet, buddy.

Oh right, now you've
had your big performance.

Everyone is, but I
know what you're like

when there's no
witnesses around.

And the show is over.

Go away!

(cheering)

(yelling)

(whistle trills)

[Woman] Oh look,
here comes Mr. Macho.

[Crowd] We won't be raped.

Two, four, six, eight,

we won't be beat and
we won't be raped.

Two, four, six, eight,

we won't be beat and
we won't be raped.

What's wrong with you, Sally?

Going back to guys?

[Crowd] We won't be beat
and we won't be raped.

Two, four, six, eight,

we won't be beat and
we won't be raped.

Two, four, six, eight,

we won't be beat and
we won't be raped.

Two, four, six, eight,

we won't be beat and
we won't be raped.

Two, four, six, eight,

we won't be beat and
we won't be raped.

[Woman] But we will all be safe.

And that's what I
really look forward to.

♪ We are genuinely peaceful

♪ We're on the firing

♪ Firing line of life

♪ We are genuinely peaceful

♪ We're on the firing

♪ Firing line of life

♪ We are genuinely peaceful

♪ We're on the firing

♪ Firing line of life

You're coming with us, right?

I can't come now.

- Let's go have...
- Matthew has to go home

and go to sleep.

Oh look...

Just...

Are you gonna
come with us or not.

It's important.

My priority is that
the child is tired

and I'm going home right now.

He can stay...

You've just got to come with us.

We have so much to discuss.

It can wait two days.

[Woman] No, it can't wait.

[Woman] Where are you going?

[Woman] It's that guy.

I don't know some jerk.

(horn blaring)

It's enough excitement.

It's time for his bedtime.

Why don't you
read him something?

Here, try one of these.

Your pamphlets, that'll
put him to sleep.

I don't need to read him that.

He wrote it.

♪ Rock-a-bye baby

What kinda stuff is that for
a kid to listen to anyway?

I mean what kinda pervert

put the kid on the top of
the tree anyway, you know?

I mean think about it.

The wind's blowing like crazy,

it's knocking the cradle
around like some kinda canoe

on the top of the tree.

The kid's terrified.

He's about to puke.

Because some bastard left him
up there in the first place.

When the bough breaks.

And you know they never put him

on just any bough
top of the tree,

they always gotta put
him on the weakest one,

you know the one they
know is gonna break.

(giggling)

You know they got an
insurance policy on the kid.

They go "Oh we'll
just put him up there"

"for a little fresh air."

And then he's all cold.

'Cause his covers fells off.

And then the bough
breaks, cracking

and he knows that
he's gonna fall

40 feet to the pavement below.

That's the best part.

And down'll come baby.

Cradle and all.

(Sally giggles) (romantic music)

That's supposed to
be a nursery rhyme,

not child porn.

And you know the thing is,
listening to stuff like that

is a hell of a lot more harmful

to him than a bunch of
busty stuff like this.

He's probably afraid to object.

Because then I'll put him
at the top of the tree.

(laughing)

(Sally exclaims)

What was he talking about?

He was talking about you
know, like what is your name

or you know and I thought
it was really strange

'cause how many people...

I have to ask you a question.

Don't get upset or anything.

But do you have a job?

I'm a criminal.

[Sally] Come on.

Yeah you know those people
that want paid TV, cable TV,

but they don't
have to pay for it.

I hook up paid cable TV,

you know like the
pirate TV cable guys.

That's what I do.

I got a question for you.

Is there something
wrong with him?

[Sally] What do you mean?

No.

He never says very much.

He just sorta sits there.

Don't say that.

You'll hurt his feelings.

He understands
everything you say.

Look at him.

He can't talk yet, but he
understands everything.

That's the thing, he's two

but pretty soon he's gonna
be talking all the time.

That's all, you won't
be able to shut him up.

He says some words now
but he's shy around you.

What does he say?

He says like, I don't know,
like cow and Mama and bug.

Sometimes he puts
two words together.

What?

Kill bug.

Things like that.

But you know what,
in a little while

we're not gonna be
able to shut him up,

he's gonna be
talking all the time.

He's gonna go blah,
blah, blah, blah, blah.

That's right.

He'll start asking all the
questions about everything.

(tense music)

[Man] Who the hell is that guy?

[Man] I don't know, just a face,

somebody connected
with the Moletti group.

We'll probably get
a picture of him.

[Man] I'll get him.

[Man] Well try to
get a make on him.

(tense music)

[Johnny] Why
don't you go to bed?

I'll be back in a
couple of minutes.

[Woman] I woke up
and you were gone.

[Johnny] I've got
things on my mind.

Hey Johnny, you
don't have to worry

about me being pregnant.

What makes you think I
was worried about that?

You talked in your sleep again.

I can never understand you,

but there was just
something about a baby.

What'd I say?

I told you, it was all mixed up.

You were just talking about
a baby you had to get rid of.

But there's no
baby to get rid of.

So just relax.

See, I've done that twice.

It makes you feel
really bad afterward.

(upbeat music)

♪ Step off the bus
one sunny spring day

♪ Just a wide eye
kid from Kansas

♪ And set out to show
the city my way

♪ Like a thousand dime romances

♪ Fourth floor, get
a cold war or flat

♪ It's where I am now but
it ain't where I'm at

♪ Oh look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

♪ Mama look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

♪ Reach out to cut
my piece of the pie

♪ But at every turn
they stall ya

♪ All smiles I get
the same old reply

♪ That you don't call
us, we'll call you

♪ Outta cash and self esteem

♪ Getting fat in Manhattan,
it is easy as it seems

♪ Oh look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

♪ Mama, look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

♪ Yeah

♪ Now I'm hanging with live
fast, die young crowd

♪ The drugs are too hard

♪ And the music's too loud

♪ Oh look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

(moaning)

♪ Mama, look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

♪ Mama, look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

(moaning)

♪ Mama, look what the big city's
doing to your little boy

(liquid splattering)

Where's Johnny, Matthew?

Where's Johnny?

Who's that?

There he is!

[Johnny] I'm gonna get ya,
I'm gonna get ya, Matthew.

Bwa!

Matthew, I'm gonna get ya.

I'm gonna get ya, Matthew,

and do you know what I'm
gonna do when I get you?

I want everybody
in that neighborhood

questioned all over again.

Somebody saw something.

Send Lieutenant
Burns over there.

He oughta get along with
those queers and lesbians

in that area.

It's handy to have a gay
on the squad now and then.

I don't mind if he would
just stay in the closet.

But he's an embarrassment.

(knocking at door)

The lady claims she and her baby

were both taking a nap and
the police sirens woke 'em up.

They couldn't have
seen anything.

Ma'am, this is Detective
Lieutenant Burns.

I've got some pictures here

I'd like you to take a look at.

[Sally] What's
the point of that?

I didn't see anyone.

Most of these are
police mugg photos.

The others were taken
with hidden cameras

by the Federal Narcotics Bureau.

The suspects aren't even aware
they've been photographed.

I don't wanna look at
your pictures, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant] Now,
what's it gonna hurt

to take a look at these photos?

Like I told all the others,

I'd like to help
you but I can't.

Any reason for me to
stick around, Lieutenant?

Nah, you can go.

I'm all right.

Thanks.

Maybe somebody's been
hanging around the neighborhood

and you notice their face

and a little bit of subliminal
retention will count.

But I didn't see anyone.

Look Lieutenant,
I have work to do.

I'd appreciate it if
you'd leave me alone

so that I can, you
know make my living.

A bug.

[Lieutenant] Could I have the
address of Matthew's father?

[Sally] No, what for?

[Lieutenant] Could I
have his name then, please?

[Sally] What does that
have to do with anything?

I'd like to ask
him a few questions.

You know was he in town,
does he come around?

He really has nothing
to do with my life...

You let me be the judge of that.

Listen, you are
very uncooperative

with everything that
happened in that back alley.

There's been a murder here.

And if you've got a
husband or an ex-husband

lurking around, a man
who could be violent.

[Sally] Where did
you get that idea?

[Lieutenant] Didn't
you file a complaint

against Fred Severin?

Didn't you have him picked
up about 90 days ago?

Didn't you charge him
with assaulting you

and attempting to
kidnap your son?

Or do I have the facts wrong?

[Sally] You're
asking me questions

that you already
know the answers to.

I am sorry.

That's the technique
they train us to use.

I don't enjoy being dishonest.

Look, I don't want
you to get the idea

I'm trying to pressure you.

But don't you think if
you've got a husband

that keeps coming
back and bothering you

that it would be
more intelligent

for you to just move out

and not leave a
forwarding address?

You don't have a
regular job, do you?

What do you think I'm doing?

I restore clothing and
I sell to thrift stores.

I don't wanna move and
I don't wanna answer

any more of your questions.

Had he ever been here before?

(Matthew exclaims)

[Lieutenant] The man in
the alley, the dead man.

[Sally] No, he hadn't.

He's a big time drug dealer.

His specialty is delivering
heroin and cocaine

to the big brokers
down on Wall Street.

Oh my god.

For crying out loud.

Gimme the pictures.

Now you've got
dirt all over them.

- Come on.
- Be a good boy.

- Oh.
- Be a good boy.

Please. (Matthew cries)

It's all right.

[Matthew] Mama!

Mama!

Now look, let me give
you my card before I go.

If you think of anything,
you give me a call.

Keep me in mind, okay?

(laughing) I'll
never forget you.

[Lieutenant] Great.

(pensive music)

(phone rings)

Hello?

[Sally] Hello.

How did you know
where to find me?

I called the university where
you used to work part time

and they gave me the number.

What is it, Sally?

Do you wanna serve me with
some papers or something?

No.

I'm sorry, about what happened
in the street the other day.

I shouldn't have
behaved that way

in front of all those
people, in front of Matthew.

You just grabbed him and ran.

Well I've tried
asking in the past,

it doesn't seem to do any good.

He was just gone.

He could've been kidnapped.

How could I know?

I freaked out.

If I hadn't see you I
would've called the police.

I would've reported
him as kidnapped.

You coulda been shot
down in the street

like a dog, you could've been
killed in front of Matthew.

Things like that happen.

I didn't mean to
panic you, Sally.

I thought you'd know it was me.

I didn't even know
you were in town.

[Fred] Well that's because
you don't open my letters.

I'm willing to meet you.

I wanna sit down and talk.

Without your lawyer?

I'll even come without
my gun slinger all right?

Sally, why don't you
bring your boyfriend?

[Sally] What boyfriend?

Well you know, the one
you've been sleeping with,

the one who's been
living in your apartment

with Matthew and you.

What, have you
been spying on us?

I think I have a right to know

who's been living under my
roof with my own child, Sally.

Listen, if you don't
wanna have that drink,

after all you called me, Sally.

You're trying to
provoke me to hang up,

but I'm not gonna hang up,
'cause I don't want a repetition

of what happened
with that afternoon.

Do you understand?

I wanna talk.

Not scream?

No, talk.

If you think you can
handle it, pick the place.

All right, how
about that restaurant

near Sheridan Square?

Tomorrow at seven?

Seven o'clock.

I'll see you then.

Bye bye.

(thoughtful music)

So what do I get for $175 a day?

What do you want?

I might be able to pick up
some stuff on your wife.

Tie her in with drugs,
alcohol, you name it.

She gotta have some bad habits.

This is the only bad
habit I know about.

You do this?

I'm a commercial artist.

You know you could make yourself

a few extra bucks
doing caricatures.

You know those guys how charge
you $15 and knock 'em off

in 10 minutes?

You get yourself a
couple of beach chairs,

sit yourself up near
Sheridan Square,

up near Central Park.

Gone are the days where a man

needs a store to
operate in this town.

Everybody's working the streets.

I'm not looking for a way to
pick up a few spare dollars.

I'm looking for a name
to go with this face.

Why don't you ask your
wife, I mean your ex-wife

who this joker is?

She might even tell you.

I don't think she
knows who he is.

That's what worries me
is she doesn't know him

yet she trusts him.

Maybe she just has him around
for some sort of protection,

maybe she's afraid
you might come back.

Is he a big guy, does he look
like he can handle himself?

Does he scare you?

I thought maybe
you could find out

if he had a criminal record.

I thought maybe
you could find out

with your contacts.

There's nothing to it.

It just gave me the creeps
when I saw 'em together.

It scared me.

Particularly if she liked him

and she did like him.

And I bet she was all over him.

How did that make you feel?

Like in those movies,

where the guy dies
and he comes back

and he goes through life and
he sees his wife and his child

and his family and
he's invisible.

And he watches them go
through life without him.

Well that's how it felt.

Like a dead man that
can't come back.

So far they are concerned
you are a dead man.

Why don't you hold
over, let go, mister,

just let go.

Find somebody else.

You are a decent
enough looking guy.

Anybody can have a baby.

Believe me, there's
nothing to it.

The trick is not having them.

I didn't think it was a
good idea to have Matthew.

So I gave her money
to have it stopped.

And then I had to leave town
to work on a new account.

And then when I came back
her clothes were gone,

her belongings,
everything, without a word.

So you hired a detective.

You must spend an
awful lot of your money

on private detectives.

What about him?

The All-American boy, right?

Mister Clean?

Well I don't think so.

You can forget about digging
up anything on my wife.

Forgive me if I still
call her my wife,

but I like to.

Get me something on
that son of a bitch.

(romantic music)

A glass of red wine for me

and a glass of white
wine for the lady.

Is that all right with you?

Fine.

Why don't you cash
the checks I send you?

Why don't you let me help?

You don't have to.

I want to.

I need to.

Why?

Because I'm Matthew's
father and I'm your husband.

No, you're not.

I don't have a home anymore.

Strange apartments,
strange furniture.

I was furniture too.

Was that the way I treated you?

You moved me, arranged
me, rearranged me.

Fix your hair like this, like
that, like in a magazine.

And I did it 'cause I
didn't know who I was.

Well you were young then.

Is that my fault?

You remember?

The house used to be full of
magazines, Glamor Magazines.

And I used to put this
hair and makeup on

to try to look like
whatever girl you liked.

(laughing)

I mean how could you know me?

I didn't know myself.

Well if I'd thought
you'd wanted a baby

I never would've...

That's not the point.

I was like one of those
characters in your illustration,

a sketch, a few rough strokes

that suggest a human being.

What I'm trying to tell you
is that it's not your fault.

I don't blame you for not
wanting to have a child

with that pencil
sketch of a person.

You probably thought I
couldn't take care of a child,

that I would place it
somewhere and forget where.

I was a child myself.

Not even that.

You were a fine
girl then, Sally.

Well thank you,
I'll accept that.

But you know what, I'm
a very good mother.

And when Matthew gets to
be four or five years old

and he can talk and I can
explain things to him,

you're gonna see him.

You're gonna see him and, well
you know that's gonna happen

before we even know it.

But for now Fred, you
gotta leave us alone.

(thoughtful music)

All right.

I promise.

I'll leave you alone.

And don't send
any more envelopes.

I won't.

I gotta go.

Well at least here's
to both of your health,

but I figure if you
need me or want me,

you'll know where to find me.

Fred, you should get married
and have another child.

You're ready for it.

You're the second person
that's told me that.

(water splashing)

Matthew, remember E.T.?

Do ya?

Sure you do.

Look.

There's E.T.

Remember E.T. was in the garage.

E.T. was in the garage

and Elliott came out
and he picked him up

and he took him outta the garage

and he took him into the house

and he took him up to
his room, didn't he?

And he hid him there.

You know why?

'Cause they were friends.

It's good to have
friends, Matthew.

But you know when
you have friends

you gotta be able to trust 'em.

Look, look, here's Elliott.

He's in the room with him.

And they're all alone and he
didn't say anything, did he?

He didn't tell a soul.

Especially Mommy,
he didn't tell Mommy

because sometimes
friends have secrets

that they shouldn't tell Mommy.

There are things that
Mommy doesn't need to know,

Mommy shouldn't know.

Remember what happened

when the other people
found out the secret?

Remember?

He got all sick and turned white

and he almost died, didn't he?

You know why?

You know why he almost died?

'Cause people found out
the secret, that's why.

(unsettling music)

You know what?

Sometimes grown ups and
kids can have secrets too.

But you gotta be able to
trust 'em, don't you, Matthew?

Don't ya?

Look, there's E.T.

He's lying in the closet
and he's turned all white.

And they're gonna
put him in a coffin

because he's dead.

You know why he's dead?

'Cause the police found out.

Matthew, the police
must never find out.

Never.

God dammit Matthew,
if you say anything,

if you open your
mouth and nail me,

I don't have another
planet to run to.

I don't.

So you keep that mouth
of yours shut tight

and don't say a word to anybody

and we'll all live
happily ever after, okay?

(laughing)

I'm going crazy.

You don't even know
who I am, do ya?

I'm just a man just like
any other man, aren't I?

And they all look
the same to you.

I mean I don't have
to worry about you.

And you don't have
to worry about me.

Come on, so let's get outta here

before you turn into a prune.

Come on.

(upbeat music)

Guy across the street,
somebody's watching you.

The big guy.

You make him?

Gimme the bag and take off.

(tense music)

Taxi, taxi!

Hurry up, he's getting away.

(laughing)

(tires screeching)

Wait for me, keep
the meter running.

I'll be right back.

Damn you, you couldn't wait.

I've got your number.

(suspenseful music)

(crashing)

(P.I. exclaims)

(grunting)

(knife thuds)

[Johnny] I'm sorry.

(unsettling music)

(sighs)

What do ya think?

Come on kiddo, it's about time
you saw where I lived, huh?

What do ya think?

Come on in.

Come here, I'll
show ya the view.

Look.

Over here.

Whoa.

Got a great view of the city.

Look, see?

What would your mama think
if she saw where I lived?

- One.
- She'd like it?

Just sit over here.

You can jump on the furniture.

Look, you can do
anything you want to.

How do you like that?

You want a Coke?

Want something to drink?

Okay.

Stay there.

Johnny.

Here you go, Matthew,
how 'bout a Cokey.

You want a Cokey?

Here you go.

Drink?

There you go.

(Johnny sighs)

I wonder what your mother would
think of all this, Matthew.

What do you think?

She'd probably shock the
hell out of her, you know?

I mean she'd have to wonder
where the hell it all came from.

You don't understand about
getting things, though do ya?

I mean you ask for
a Coke, ya get it.

You want a hot dog, ya got it.

You want ice cream, you got it.

You're gonna find out
that you can't always

just ask for
something and get it.

You're gonna find out
that if you want something

you're just gonna
have to take it.

I told you not to
spill that, Matthew.

Matthew, look at this.

Watch.

Who is that?

Who is that?

Who does that look like?

Huh?

Does it look like
somebody you know?

Yeah, it's me.

No.

It's not a very good
likeness though, is it?

No.

You like it.

I don't either.

(doorbell buzzing)

(tense music)

(knocking at door)

Who is it?

[Man] It's Carlos.

I've gotta talk to you.

Right now.

Come on, open up.

Come on, open up.

Johnny, open the door.

Okay Matthew,
remember hide and seek?

I want you to stay here.

We're gonna play
hide and seek, okay?

Pretend it's night time.

And scary outside at
night time, isn't it?

So you stay here and you
have some nice dreams, okay?

Don't get up, stay there.

(doorbell buzzes)

(knocking at door)

Hey, it's about time Johnny.

You guys got business or what?

You remember Manny.

He came along to see
how nice you were.

Come.

I checked the kid and
he doesn't remember me.

You gonna offer us a
drink or what, Johnny?

I don't like people coming
into my place uninvited.

Shall tell Mr. Moletti that?

Man you live nice.

(door rattling)

You get a decorator's discount.

Look, everything you see
here came with the apartment.

Now get out.

[Carlos] Without us you
wouldn't be living like this.

Here's the situation.

Either you tend to business
or we tend to business

and you're out.

And we want you to know

being out is dangerous
to your health.

You coulda told me
this over the telephone.

You didn't have to come
dropping by like this.

[Manny] Whack the kid out.

An accident like
Mr. Moletti says.

I bet you have a nice
view from the bedroom.

You mind if I take a look?

Yeah, I do mind.

[Manny] You got
a chippy in there?

[Johnny] Yeah I do.

Come on, Johnny, you
know when it comes to kids,

there are no guarantees.

So Johnny, you're
a stand up guy.

You've proved you're human.

You've proved you got feelings.

But now you've got to prove
that business comes first.

Let me explain what
Carlos is trying to say.

A lotta people don't wanna
see the little kid get hurt.

They say Johnny's the
problem, not the kid.

And they'd feel less guilty

about putting two
in Johnny's coconut

than whacking out
some little kid.

And the results are the same.

We're insulated, we're moved.

No one can connect us with
what happened in that alley.

So, no risk.

Every day that kid lives puts
your ass in the shithouse.

Get out.

Come on, everybody out.

Let's go. Out.

Mr. Moletti wants you
to be at the old cemetery

Friday night at
ten-thirty so be there.

(sighs)

Well you got great timing,
I'll say that for ya.

Just you're no good
at following orders.

(suspenseful music)

Sonny, come here.

Come here little boy.

Atta boy, come here.

Hi sonny.

Come on over here.

Atta boy, atta boy.

Do you remember me?

Hey, look up here.

Do you remember me?

I saw you just a few
days ago with your mom.

Where's your mommy, is she home?

Huh?

Is she home now?

Do you think she'd like
another visit from me?

I bet she would.

I bet if I went around the block

and knocked on your front door

your mother would
love to see me again.

Don't you think so?

- Go.
- Why don't you

go tell your mommy that
I'm coming in right now.

Okay?

Is Matthew all right?

Yeah he's fine.

Where you going?

I gotta go somewhere.

I'll call you later.

Okay.

Matthew?

Oh look.

(knocking at door)

What, did you forget
something honey?

(tires screeching)

I really don't enjoy
being harassed.

If I were a man you wouldn't
bother me like this.

But since I'm a woman
and I have a child...

If you were a man I
woulda had you picked up

for obstruction of justice.

I woulda thrown
you into the lockup

for 72 hours for questioning.

Now if I'd done that to you,

your husband mighta come
over and picked up the kid

and he'd be outta
the state by now.

Now look lady, this
particular killing

happens to be very
important to us.

The feds have been after
these guys for a long time.

It would be a big
feather in our cap

if we could supply
some material evidence

that would put
these people away.

Do you understand that?

It would be good for my career.

Not to be selfish, mind you,

but I suppose my career
is more important to me

than whether you spend
72 hours in the lockup

or you lose your kid or not.

Aw, look at him, he's
setting the table.

Isn't that cute?

Most kids cry when they're
hungry; he sets the table.

He even knows how
to fold his napkin.

Knife.

Oh no, you shouldn't
play with knives, Matthew.

Gimme the knife, come
on sonny, gimme the knife.

It's dangerous to have
him running around

playing with weapons like that.

Okay, I'll look
at your pictures.

Oh god, look at that guy.

You have to deal with these
men all the time, right?

These kind of.

Oh that's a woman.

That's a woman.

And she's a big woman
and she is mean.

I don't want you
looking at these

for somebody that ya like.

I want you to look at these
for somebody that you know.

(gasps) Oh my god, I was wrong.

I think I've seen this
guy around the block.

You should ask the other
people in the neighborhood.

- This is great.
- Maybe they've seen him

- as well.
- This is terrific.

We've been trying to get
something on this son of a bitch

for a long time.

Thank you.

No, this is terrific.

Thank you very much.

See, it doesn't
hurt to cooperate.

That's what you wanted.

Schmuck. (laughs)

Oh god, this guy's ugly.

Hmm.

Oh, his pictures.

He'll be back for them.

Oh.

(growls)

I thought you said you
weren't coming back here again.

I wanted you to meet Carl.

(tense music)

You had it all going for ya.

And you pissed it
away on some kid.

So you brought in
somebody new, huh?

Who the hell are
you, my replacement?

Getting old, getting
old and sloppy.

Let's go for a walk.

(punches thudding)

(growling and grunting)

Keep your promise
to Mr. Moletti.

Tomorrow.

(kick thuds) (Johnny grunts)

[Waitress] Want some coffee?

Thank you.

You didn't have to
spend all that money.

You coulda come over.

I have food.

Yeah I know, you've
been looking real tired

from being cooped up so much.

I think we oughta
try to get away.

The way you said that
makes it sound permanent.

Well, why the hell not?

Matthew's not in school.

You ever been to San
Diego or Los Angeles?

How do you expect to
earn a living out there?

I don't know,
I'll find something.

That cop, what'd he want?

He has these photographs
he wanted me to look at.

Again.

But I got rid of him.

How?

I picked one, some
guy out in Jersey.

Don't you realize that
when they bring him down

they're gonna ask you to
come down and identify him?

Then I'll say I made a mistake.

Anyway, we'll be gone
if you have your way.

No, they'd come looking for me.

A material witness.

Material witness on the run.

And they'd come and get
us and bring us back.

So I guess we can't go away.

Not until they
catch this murderer.

Oh look at you.

You have cake all
over your face.

I guess I'd better go get
a wet cloth or something.

(playtul music)

Matthew, we gotta figure a way

to get your mother out of town.

Come on, you're a smart kid.

Matthew, how am I gonna
get that cop off my back.

(Matthew growls)

(unsettling music)

Oh look at you.

Boy you have chocolate
all over your face.

Wow.

You're a disgrace,
that's what you are.

(laughing)

He's got it all over him.

Well I don't know where
that girl is with the check.

I really have to run.

I have so many
deliveries to make.

Anyway, I'd better go.

No!

Let me take him to the park.

(birds fluttering)

(pensive music)

Come on, you like
the swings, Matthew?

Come on, let's go get a swing.

(grunts)

You like to fly, Matthew?

I used to fly.

I used to fly up in the sky.

You wanna swing high?

Let's pick a swing.

Oh you don't need that one.

That's got a bar on it.

You're a big boy.

You can take this one
without the bar, can't ya?

There ya go.

Okay, let's put
your hood up there.

Come on.

(thoughtful music)

Well it looks like we got
the whole place to ourselves,

huh Matthew?

I used to fly way up
in the clouds, Matthew.

You like that, don't ya, huh?

Yeah, we're gonna go real
high, Matthew, come on.

You're gonna fly
out into the clouds.

Come on, Matthew.

(birds fluttering)

Come on Matthew, fly Matthew.

(tense music)

(birds fluttering)

(Matthew screams)

What were you
trying to do to him?

You knocked the
kid onto the ground.

You did that to your own kid.

What are you trying
to lay on me anyhow?

You told Sally you
weren't gonna bother her.

It's not Sally or the boy
I'm interested in right now.

It's you.

Me? What am I to you?

I don't want ya hanging
around Matthew anymore.

Do I scare you?

Yeah, I guess maybe you do.

Matthew, come here.

[Johnny] Matthew,
stay where you are.

- Matthew, come to Daddy.
- Matthew, stay where you are.

You know I love you.

Come over by your daddy.

Come here Matthew.

Stay outta the way.

Oh shit.

Listen, I don't want
any part of you.

I'm sorry.

(punches thudding) (tense music)

You stay here,
you stay right here.

Don't move.

Johnny.

Stop it, Johnny.

Lay off.

No!

You want him to bother ya?

He'll never stop.

He's never gonna
leave you alone.

You're killing him.

He's hurt.

- (punch thuds)
- He doesn't feel anything.

I could put him on it right now

and he wouldn't feel a thing.

Don't you know
that's the only way

you're ever gonna
get rid of him?

That's not you.

That's not you, Johnny.

I busted up my
hand on this sucker.

He's got a hard head.

I'm standing here
with a busted up hand

and you're gonna
feel sorry for him.

That's what you get for
playing the big protector.

(slap cracks)

What are you looking at?

What are you looking at?

All right look, I know I
didn't score any points,

I blew it.

But the guy's an asshole.

He always would be one.

I mean talk's too easy for him.

He doesn't understand talk.

This he understands.

I think you broke his jaw.

A broken jaw he won't forget.

You didn't give him a chance.

Where'd you learn
to fight like that?

I pick things up.

I gotta call a cop, he's
gotta go to the hospital.

What are you gonna say?

That a stranger
beat him up, okay?

All right, all right.

Gimme the key.

Gimme the key.

Why?

[Sally] So you won't
be coming 'round no more.

Here take that.

Daddies get beat up.

They don't always
win every fight.

But he's still your daddy
and he cares about you.

So you watch over him now.

Watch over him.

Because he cares about you.

Who's that?

Jesus, what happened to him?

Oh I don't know, I
just found him like that.

Do you know him?

No, I've just seen him around.

Hey don't you think you oughta
call a hospital or something?

Listen I'll take care of that.

Why don't you get
the little boy home

where he belongs.

He shouldn't see
something like this.

It might affect him.

Thank you.

What do you mean

you're gonna take him
to a child psychiatrist?

What does he need that for?

Cancel the appointment.

I lost my temper.

Haven't you ever
lost your temper?

The guy said some things to me

that I wouldn't
wanna repeat to you.

He talked to me like garbage.

I lost it.

It was more than that.

Remember, I was there.

I tried to stop you.

I think you woulda smashed
me if I'd gotten in your way.

If you were strong enough
you woulda done the same thing

a long time ago.

I hope I wouldn't have.

Look, you gotta give me time.

Johnny, I'm not ready.

I've been spending too
much time with you anyway.

Matthew's entitled to
a little attention,

to have his mommy
all to himself.

Anyway you've gotta give
me a chance to forget.

Forget what?

To forget that
look on your face.

(unsettling music)

(banging)

Look Matthew,
there's your horsey.

Matthew, you're my
favorite customer.

How many times you been here?

203?

Now hold on honey.

Get on.

Hey, there you go.

[Sally] Sweetheart,
hold on tight.

Hold on.

[Operator] One of these days

I'm gonna give you a free ride.

Is that nice?

Huh?

That's nice?

(whimsical music)

I'll be right back, okay?

Sure lady, sure.

(tense music)

- Stop!
- Hey!

Stop.

Stop, stop!

Matthew!

[Operator] Hey, hey!

Stop, stop!

Matthew.

(thumping)

Matthew!

(screeching)

(dinging)

Come on, Matthew.

Don't look at me like that.

I'm still your buddy.

How many kids

get their very own
merry-go-round to ride on, huh?

You oughta be happy.

You oughta say, thanks Johnny,

you got me my very own
merry-go-round to ride around on.

But come on out, 'cause
you need some rest

before you go on any
more rides, Matthew.

Come on, come here.

Gimme your hand.

Come on.

We're gonna play a little game.

One, two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight, nine, 10,

20, 21, 22, 30.

40, 41, 50.

70, 71, 72, 73, 80.

90.

Okay Matthew, I'm gonna
give ya a sporting chance.

95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.

Anyone around my truck is it!

(suspenseful music)

You know I'm gonna
find you, Matthew.

Matthew, you know you shouldn't
be running around here.

There's broken glass and
jagged shit all over the place.

You're gonna cut
and hurt yourself.

You fall down.

Matthew, how come you weren't
so good at hide and seek

at my apartment, huh?

You don't want your mommy
to get pissed off at me

do you, Matthew?

I don't want you to fall
down and cut yourself.

You're gonna say I
was irresponsible.

I don't wanna take ya home all
cut up and bloody, Matthew!

(startling music)

Gotcha.

(suspenseful music)

(water lapping softly)

I'm sorry Matthew.

(sad music)

(door slams)

[Woman] It'll be all right.

They'll find Matthew.

Look, you've had a bad fall.

You've hurt yourself.

(Sally laughs)

Come on, that isn't
gonna help anything.

(Sally sighs)

Right. (laughs)

Are you sure you're
gonna be all right?

Your hand.

It doesn't hurt.

I don't feel anything.

You should've gone to the
hospital to see after that hand

like the cop suggested.

[Woman] We'd be glad to
stay with you for a while.

Look, I really
appreciate all your help.

But, there's nothing
for you to do.

I just have to wait here
until the phone rings.

You didn't see who was driving?

Some sickie, probably that
bastard ex-husband of yours.

Sure, he no sooner
gets outta the hospital...

Oh he is such a jerk.

Look, I really don't think
that we should waste our energy

- on such a jerk...
- Hey!

[Woman] Come on,
she needs to be alone.

(sad music)

(tense music)

(phone rings)

Hello?

Yes?

Detective Lieutenant Burns
thinks he may have left

some police photos
at your apartment.

[Sally] Yes.

Can we send an officer
over to pick up those photos?

[Sally] No.

(thoughtful music)

Oh.

(tense music)

(eerie music)

(pounding at door)

[Johnny] Pizza.

Open up.

(tense music)

Dammit, I said open up.

Hold it right
there, you bastard.

Now just tell me
where the kid is.

I'm trying to get to
Sally's, get out of my way.

Will you tell me
where Matthew is?

I don't know where Matthew is.

That's the whole point.

I'm trying to find out myself.

You know you're crazy?

You're all crazy.

[Johnny] Why you got
the chain on the door for?

Open this up.

Just a minute.

Something terrible has happened.

Someone has taken Matthew.

Tell me where that kid is.

Dammit.

God dammit.

I've gotta get to
Sally, she needs me.

She doesn't need you.

She never needed you.

(suspenseful music)

[Johnny] I'm sorry Sally.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry!

(yelling)

[Matthew] Mama!

(Matthew sobs)

Mama!

(unsettling music)

(upbeat music)