Original subtitles

(HELEN CHUCKLES)

HELEN: So, he skipped… YOUNG ALICE: Skipped from…

HELEN: No, no, no. I'm gonna do it alone.

So he skipped from the oven and into bread dough,

All ready to rise in the night kitchen.

What time is it?

It's almost 10:00. Huh.

Why?

After the book, will you do my nails?

You never want me to do your nails.

I know. But I thought it'd be fun.

What time is it, mom?

Let's see. It's past your bedtime. It's after 11:00.

Let's make cookies.

(GASPS)

Please?

- (CHUCKLING) - You're so pretty.

- Thank you. - (CHUCKLING)

- (DOG BARKING) - (DOOR OPENING)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Ronnie? Come in, sweetie.

- I didn't want to, but she made me. - What?

I'm sorry. Please, I'm sorry.

- Shh. Come here. Come here. - (WHIMPERING)

- Shh. It's okay. - (SOBBING)

(HELEN BREATHING HEAVILY)

YOUNG ALICE: Why do I have to bring her?

Honey, you've played with her since kindergarten.

She's weird.

Well, all the more reason to be kind.

I don't think ronnie has any friends, sweetheart.

I like ronnie.

Then you hang out with her.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

HELEN: Come on in, sweetie. Come on in.

HELEN: Is this what you got for the birthday girl?

YOUNG RONNIE: My mom got it. HELEN: Yeah?

HELEN: Boy, you're getting lovelier every day.

Look at your cute figure. (CHUCKLES)

YOUNG RONNIE: I don't have a figure.

Oh, but you will.

And when you do, it's going to be outrageous.

(HELEN CHUCKLING)

Wait till you see what alice is wearing.

I didn't want to bring you.

YOUNG RONNIE: I didn't want to come.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Hey, guys. Can anyone do a cannonball?

Anyone?

ALL: Yay!

MRS. PAIGE: It'll match with your suit.

- So cute. - MRS. PAIGE: Ooh!

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

Oh, my god!

Penelope, your mother has such great taste.

Oh, let me see that.

- Who's this from? - I wonder what it is.

It's just a book.

GIRL: God, you just told her.

MRS. PAIGE: Okay, we like books.

- GIRL 2: No, we don't. - Thanks, alice.

Well, you should thank my mom.

GIRL 3: She's so weird.

MRS. PAIGE: Well… Oh, it looks like that's it, honey.

That girl has a present.

No, don't give it to her.

Here, mary.

(GIRLS GIGGLING)

Thanks. She's… Cute.

You're just a stupid bitch.

You don't have to pretend like you like it.

MRS. PAIGE: Excuse me. You don't say that word.

YOUNG ALICE: Ronnie!

Hey, I'm talking to you.

Can't you hear me?

- Hey… (GASPS) - GIRL: Oh, my god.

MARY: You hit my mom!

Ronnie! No. What are you doing?

I think this party is over for you two.

Why don't you get your things?

Why do I have to leave?

- Go. - YOUNG ALICE: Why do I have to leave?

(GIRLS MURMURING)

(BABY CRYING IN DISTANCE)

Ronnie!

Ronnie.

(BABY GURGLING)

What everyone was doing was just pissing me off.

Weren't you always looking down at other people, judging everyone but

She literally…

HELEN: You want some breakfast?

Alice, you should have some breakfast.

What? No, thanks.

Hey, just say the word and we can paint this room.

It might even be fun.

I ran into ronnie fuller's mother at the atm.

She said ronnie got a job.

What are you watching?

That one? She's the meanest.

She thinks she's better than everyone else.

- You're being ridiculous. - BOY: I'm being ridiculous?

Yeah, you're being ridiculous.

HELEN: Okay, let's get this day started, shall we?

What are you gonna do today?

Look for a job.

- See you later. - Bye.

ALICE: Dear producers…

All the time I see new television shows,

But I like yours the best.

(ALARM BEEPING)

I have an idea for a show that maybe you would like.

About people who have been in jail or got in trouble for doing something bad.

But they're actually innocent.

I know I don't look like most people on tv.

But I am on a diet and exercising every day.

And I think people will be interested in my story.

I am only 18 but I spent a long time in jail

For a crime I did not commit.

If people saw me on television

They would realize that underneath it all

I am just like everyone else.

I think this show would be educational and popular.

And maybe it would help everyone figure out

The truth about what actually happened to me.

WOMAN: Let's see. I'll have three onion…

Oh, and two rolls.

You know, and since you're about to close,

Can I have 14 for the price of a dozen?

Sorry. My manager says no.

You're just gonna throw them away.

(CHUCKLES) I come here all the time.

- Sure thing. You can have 14. - Great.

So the rest will be everything.

WOMAN: Oh, you know what? I don't have any cash.

Can I write you a check?

- Certainly. - Great.

Liar.

- Excuse me? - What?

(SCOFFS)

You know what? I'm going to need some cash back, too.

CLARICE: How much are you going to need? WOMAN: 100.

- CLARICE: Of course, ma'am. - (MACHINE BEEPS)

Thanks.

Ronnie, you're killing me here.

- You can take off. - Thanks, clarice.

Kayla. Art is for making a mess.

Don't be so scared. Don't be so afraid.

Uh-huh.

Art is not for conforming. Art is for creating, right?

Uh, hey, ms. Manning. Um, can I see you for a second?

HELEN: Oh, just a minute…

All right, you go ahead. I'll be right back.

Kayla is afraid to draw in a goddamn coloring book.

She's afraid she's no good if she doesn't impress you.

Excuse me, mrs. West. Ah…

I teach children to be original.

To express themselves uniquely, independently.

She's eight. Who gives a shit?

I do. I'm trying to give her an art education.

Regardless of whether or not that is something

That you can understand or appreciate.

I want what's good for my kid.

And if she wants to draw in a fucking coloring book

For the rest of her life, that's okay with me.

- Please. Language… - Well, then I feel sorry for your little girl.

You feel sorry for my little girl?

HELEN: So tell me a little bit about your job searching.

I tried. I looked a long time.

I was at the mall, asking in clothing stores.

Those jobs are hard to get.

I don't see why you don't try for one of those fast food places.

I'd rather not work in a fast food place if I don't have to.

I don't believe in what they're doing. I don't.

You won't even eat at those places.

A person has to work.

So, where did you apply?

ALICE: Food emporium and contempo.

I mean, it's called wet seal now.

Those are union. Don't waste your time.

Food emporium is, but I didn't find that out until I got there.

Not wet seal.

They don't want a girl like me anyway.

Something will come through.

HELEN: That's beautiful, honey.

Can I see?

Who wants a sip of mine?

Me.

- Yum. - Yeah?

Yeah.

Alice?

No, thank you. It's illegal.

Alice manning, the police might come and get you if you have a sip.

I'll protect you.

(IMITATING POLICE SIREN)

(LAUGHING)

HELEN: Ronnie, this is beautiful.

It's so powerful and dark and interesting.

You're really talented. You know that?

- Will you sign it for me? - YOUNG RONNIE: Mmm-hmm.

HELEN: Yeah?

(SIGHS)

What about this one?

Comfy.

That leather one over there. That… That's the…

We are not getting a leather couch.

You ain't gonna tell me we ain't getting a leather couch.

Look at that shit. That shit is fly.

(INDISTINCT TALKING IN DISTANCE)

MAN: You guys getting closer?

- Yes. We are. - Not with that one, no.

- I like this one. - MAN: That's chintz.

- It's our new line. - Uh, bitch.

- That's bitch. That ain't chintz. - (CHUCKLES)

- Leather, yeah, that's right. - All right, sure.

MAVEEN: I ain't getting no leather couch.

You can give me a price on that?

MAVEEN: Devlin, I ain't getting no leather couch.

- This is how I can kick back. - You like with the feet up?

Yeah. Kick back, watch some game and shit.

MAN: I hear you. DEVLIN: This is how we should be living, you know.

Brittany?

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

Hey, baby, where did brittany go?

Brittany?

DEVLIN: She's probably jumping on some bed somewhere,

Doing something she ain't supposed to.

Brittany.

Brittany? Answer me.

Devlin, help me.

Brit. Brit. Brit.

Hold on. Hold on one second. My daughter… My daughter ran…

- Maveen… - All right.

- Brit? - WOMAN: Ma'am,

- Is there something… - Have you seen a little girl?

She's just three years old. She runs off sometimes

But never for this long.

Um, she's not answering me.

Brit, I know you hear me.

WOMAN: Don't you worry. Let's look.

- Brittany. - Now, brit, you're gonna be in trouble

If you don't come out.

MAVEEN: Brittany, don't hide from mommy!

- (SIGHS) - WOMAN: No one left the store.

Oh, my god. Oh, my god.

Calm down. She's just hiding from us.

- Brittany! - WOMAN: It's okay. It's okay.

Brittany, I know you hear me. Come out, girl.

Shit!

- DEVLIN: Brittany! - Brittany? Fuck.

(PANTING)

I'm sorry I'm late.

I had to take my mom to the doctor and it took forever.

CLARICE: I thought you didn't drive.

We took the bus.

She wanted my company.

Why couldn't your dad take her?

You got some of that red bull?

Uh, yeah, I can.

My dad's truck is full of them. He'll never notice.

Thanks.

- How's she doing? - Huh?

- Your mom. - Oh, uh, not good.

(SIGHS)

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

MAVEEN: You're going to find my baby, right?

JONES: We'll find her.

You have my word on that, okay?

You got kids?

Two daughters. Thirteen, three months.

I only turned around for a minute, I swear.

A minute is a long time.

I didn't think. There were people around. It was a nice store.

DEVLIN: She always running off when she sees something she like.

Wanting us to buy it for her.

And you are…

- This your husband? - Boyfriend.

Of course.

You the baby daddy?

MAVEEN: She calls him daddy. He's here. Her daddy ain't.

JONES: And the biological father? MAVEEN: I don't know.

I don't care and neither does he.

You got a job, boyfriend?

Or you just chilling?

Why are you asking him these questions?

I know why he's asking these questions.

Where were you when brittany went missing?

- He was with me. - I'm not asking you.

I'm asking him.

Where were you when brittany went missing?

Want me to ask you again?

Nigger, do your job and find our little girl.

You come here to harass me?

Are you gonna answer my question?

- Do your motherfucking job… - Where were you when brittany went missing?

JONES: I'm only gonna ask you once…

- I'm only gonna ask you once. - No, man, you ain't gonna

Ask me no questions like that.

Where were you when brittany went missing?

Why don't you do your job?

- You didn't answer my question. - NANCY: Okay.

Are you gonna do your job?

That's what we're trying to do. Mister…

Smith.

Mr. Smith.

We want to find your daughter.

Okay?

Yeah.

NANCY: What the hell was that?

Huh, jones?

You know even good parents can lose their kids.

JONES: They aren't good parents.

(INDISTINCT ARGUMENT IN DISTANCE)

HELEN: You said you'd be home for dinner.

- I am home. - It's after 8:00.

- Where have you been? - I was walking.

Oh…

- I'm starving. - I didn't wait for you.

That's okay. (SIGHS)

What's in there?

A bunch of stuff. Olives. Cheese.

- I hate olives. - Aw…

What's this?

That's a walnut. Surely you've seen a walnut, alice.

- (LAUGHS) Sorry. - Huh?

Sometimes I just think you were switched at the hospital.

You know, my horoscope today said that all eyes would be on me.

And then I'll find something I misplaced.

Did you find a job? (CHUCKLES)

- Not yet. - Hmm.

Did you find a boyfriend?

What? Excuse me?

You were reading the personals.

Well, they're hilarious. (LAUGHS)

And tragic. Why don't you take a look at the want ads?

Why don't you have a boyfriend, mom?

I mean, I would have figured you'd found somebody by now.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

- Jones. - How is my brother?

- There's no way. You should not wait up. - Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm.

And don't watch crap tv and fall asleep on the couch.

All right.

Hey. They found something at the mall.

- I got to go. - Come on.

Let's go, let's go, let's go!

Do not wait up.

OFFICER: Right over here.

100 yards from the furniture store.

JONES: Some photos have been taken?

OFFICER: Pictures all around.

JONES: I want a full dust. OFFICER: Mmm-hmm.

JONES: We got blood.

We're gonna need this place wiped. Okay?

Just bag it.

(SIGHS)

I need a minute.

(SHUDDERING)

(SIGHS)

You should come to bed.

It's 4:00 a.M., nance.

Which means it's 16 and a half hours

Since a three-year-old went missing.

Wait. Missing kid. You don't do missing kid cases.

I thought I could handle it.

NANCY: It's like a fort.

In high school, everybody came up here to smoke cigarettes.

I don't remember it being this far.

WILLY: You smoked cigarettes?

I was the lookout.

(NANCY CHUCKLES)

It's up here.

This is not part of the grid, porter.

If we find this baby first, where does that put us?

You got to follow chain of command.

See down in there?

Come on.

See? In here.

(WILLY COUGHS)

(CLEARS THROAT)

(CLATTERING) (NANCY GASPS)

(SHUDDERING)

(WILLY TALKING INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO)

(NANCY CRYING)

Nance?

CYNTHIA: Ros, you haven't eaten your breakfast.

- (GIGGLING) - Come on.

MAVEEN ON TV: I don't have any words.

Um, we were just shopping for a new sofa.

Like a second, I turned around and then she was just like…

WARREN: Hey, babe. How are ya? Good morning.

Daddy!

(INDISTINCT TALKING FROM TV)

Look, mama. Me.

Oh, honey, that's not you.

Let's turn this off right now.

(CHILD BABBLING)

The birth father was in ossining when it happened. It wasn't him.

B&e. Ten years, possibility of parole.

Went back to paradise furniture, talked to the manager.

- And? - There's nothing new.

But he did say that the boyfriend, devlin smith,

Was acting… "like an asshole."

His words, not mine.

Jesus, what is she doing here?

Who's that?

They're home, you know.

They've been home for two weeks.

They're back, living not even three miles from where this happened.

Who? Who's home?

Ronnie fuller and alice manning.

That little girl has only been missing one night.

It's possible she's still okay.

These disappearances, they're very different.

Your daughter was an infant. This girl is a toddler.

Your baby was taken on impulse and this, this seems to be…

She is a 3-year-old bi-racial child

With short, curly black hair.

Brittany lyttle is, in fact, a dead ringer for my daughter,

And maybe she wouldn't be sitting here right now

If these girls were smarter.

Have they contacted you?

Have they threatened your family in any way?

They've taken a child, thinking it's mine.

Why are you still sitting here asking me questions?

Mrs. Barnes, we, we understand your concerns.

And they'll be taken very seriously.

I won't hold my breath.

Why didn't I know about this connection?

What connection?

She wants it to be them. Doesn't mean it is.

Okay. Are we gonna follow it up?

(SCOFFS)

Brother.

Dave!

Dave fuller?

Why is it so obvious you're cops?

If I didn't know better, I'd think you were boosting merchandise

Off that work truck.

Relax, we're not here to bust your balls.

Want to talk to your daughter, ronnie.

DAVE: Why… What'd she do this time?

She didn't do nothing.

DAVE: Shut up.

You know where we might find her?

Uh, she's working at the… This bagel place.

NANCY: Out by the mall?

(DOOR OPENS)

CLARICE: Hi, there. Can I help you with something?

Ronnie fuller.

Yeah.

I'm detective porter. This is detective jones.

Is something wrong?

NANCY: We'd like to ask you a few questions.

- Okay. I'll meet you out front. - NANCY: Okay.

CLARICE: Is everything all right?

Was she working on monday?

Yeah. She works every day.

When's her shift start?

It depends on the day.

Most of the time, mid-morning.

Shit!

Hmm.

Looks like we got our first suspect.

Goddamn it.

- HELEN: Who is it? - Metro police.

- Helen manning? - Yeah.

I'm detective jones, detective porter.

May we come in?

Why do you need to come in?

We're looking for your daughter.

Alice. Alice manning.

Well, alice isn't here.

Alice!

Nope.

Do you have any idea where we might find her?

She's 18. I don't always know where she goes.

She's probably out walking.

- JONES: Walking. - Hmm. She walks a lot.

You just have her call us when she gets in.

- Thank you very much. - I will pass the message on.

Mrs. Manning.

Uh, do you know what time she got back last night?

Late.

We were supposed to have dinner together but she showed up late.

- Out walking. - JONES: Mmm.

- Mmm-hmm. - NANCY: Thank you for your time.

OFFICER OVER RADIO: One william four five.

Ten three, it's porter.

We checked in with ronnie fuller's parents.

There's no sign of her since she left for work this morning.

(RADIO STATIC)

NANCY: Thanks.

(SIGHS) Okay.

Where were you?

Walking.

Two detectives came by here today.

Looking for you.

Alice, please tell me you didn't do anything this time.

I didn't do anything last time.

Can you prove it?

Let's go talk to them.

You know why we wanted to talk to you today?

Because of my past.

Why don't you tell me where you were yesterday.

- Well, I was walking. - Mmm-hmm.

I'm trying to lose a little weight.

Walking where? For how long?

I started out on main street and I put in an application at arby's.

I don't want to work there but

My mom said that I can't afford to be picky.

It's not so bad.

I did it myself.

You don't look like you had to work in a place like that.

You could be a model.

So, if we go to arby's they'll be a record of your application?

I guess so. I mean, the girl who took it seemed a little spacey but…

Arby's. That's near, uh…

Paradise furniture.

Paradise furniture?

There's a little girl missing from paradise furniture.

Oh, I know. My mom told me. I saw it on the news.

You know anything at all about this missing child?

I know something I'm not supposed to know.

- Because I broke a rule. - What rule?

When I was little, I used to go to the pharmacy

And get these chocolate covered peanuts.

But when I got out of sheckter, the pharmacy was gone, so

I've been trying to find ones

That are as good or maybe even the same kind, but I haven't yet.

Anyway, I left because I didn't want her to see me.

NANCY: Who?

ALICE: Ronnie fuller.

I saw her standing outside of cino's bagels.

She seemed really nervous.

And she kept looking around her like she was afraid

Someone was watching her.

NANCY: Well, alice…

You were watching her.

Yeah, but, she didn't know that.

I just thought that if I told you where she worked that would be helpful.

Do you know anything about brittany lyttle?

The three year old that's missing.

I was hoping you could provide insight.

When olivia barnes went missing,

What was going through your mind?

What were you and ronnie thinking

When you and ronnie took her from her house?

How would that give you insight?

I mean, unless I did what happened now.

You could help me understand the mind of a person

Who could take a child.

That could help me solve this case.

You could help me.

You and ronnie were friends.

You were at a birthday party having fun, right?

Walk me through that day.

YOUNG ALICE: Ronnie, ronnie. What are you doing?

Hello?

- Hello? - Ronnie!

(BABY GURGLING)

I told ronnie we should leave it.

YOUNG ALICE: Ronnie, what are you doing?

Why are you not listening to me?

Are you crazy?

You're in so much trouble!

She's my baby now.

She needs me.

No, she doesn't. She needs her mother.

Her mother doesn't love her.

I do.

I didn't even want it.

And I didn't kill it.

(OLIVIA WHIMPERING)

Ronnie did.

I don't know why she did it.

I wasn't even there when it happened.

I wasn't even there.

Maybe if I'd been there,

I could have stopped her.

But I wasn't. I wasn't even there.

You went to juvenile hall for the same crime as ronnie fuller.

That's right. And it wasn't fair.

Just because she's skinny and pretty

It doesn't mean that she's not bad.

But you won't believe me.

Because no one ever believes the fat girl.

Especially someone like you.

If ronnie wanted to run away, hide somewhere,

Where would she go?

I don't know. I haven't even talked to her for seven years.

- JONES: Where were you last night, alice? - (DOOR OPENS)

Excuse me.

I'd like to take alice home. Now.

Where were you last night, alice?

She was with me.

You said she got home late.

What do you consider to be late, detective? Alice.

Before you go, there's one last thing you can do.

Because I know you want to be helpful.

We just need a sample of your blood.

HELEN: Why?

NANCY: I want to rule you out as a suspect.

You don't need your mom's consent.

You're 18 now, alice.

HELEN: Come on, alice. Let's go home.

You can really help us.

Come on, alice. We're going home. Now. Let's go.

Do you believe her?

NANCY: I don't know.

ALICE: I wasn't even there.

I wasn't even there.

Where are you going?

I got to work.

It's late, nance. Come to bed, please.

You can take care of it in the morning.

It's a missing kid, paul. Jesus.

I don't want to go through this shit again, nance.

(IGNITION BEEPING)

(NANCY GASPS)

Are you gonna cuff me?

(IGNITION BEEPING)

(SIGHS)

Where's brittany lyttle?

RONNIE: Who?

The girl that was taken from paradise furniture.

There was a girl taken from paradise furniture?

Oh, come on, ronnie.

If you didn't know a girl was missing,

Why did you run away?

I knew you were cops.

You're the cop…

Who found the baby.

Your hair is the same.

How did you know what I looked like?

I saw you on television.

Getting some kind of reward.

An award.

It wasn't a reward. It was just…

(SIGHS) I just got promoted.

For finding olivia barnes?

Yeah.

(NANCY SIGHS)

Why did you take olivia barnes, ronnie?

(OLIVIA CRYING)

She was crying. I couldn't leave her like that.

YOUNG ALICE: Ronnie!

You're in so much trouble.

She's my baby now.

She is kind of cute.

YOUNG ALICE: Hi, baby.

All right. We can keep her.

(OLIVIA GURGLING)

Can I hold her now?

She likes to be bounced.

It calms her. I know about babies.

My mom's a teacher.

When do I get to hold her?

She doesn't like to be passed around.

That's right, little girl. Mommy's here.

Daddy's going to get you some food.

Just the pudding. That's all I can get.

YOUNG ALICE: Go make her a bed.

Are you sure we can leave her?

We have to go home.

(OLIVIA CRYING)

- We'll be back tomorrow. - We promise.

(OLIVIA CRYING)

NANCY: So alice lied.

She was there.

Let me ask you something.

Why pudding?

I could never figure that out.

If you could buy pudding, you could buy baby food.

We couldn't buy anything.

I just took those from my dad's truck. It was full of them.

They made her sick, though, I'm pretty sure.

- What's wrong with her? - (WHIMPERING)

Why won't she eat it?

- It's pudding. - She can't take bites.

See, it's just getting all over her mouth.

- Eat the pudding, please. Eat the pudding. - (OLIVIA GRUNTING)

- Please. - What do we do, ronnie?

Eat the pudding.

NANCY: Why didn't you take her to a doctor?

We knew we would get into trouble.

We saw the stuff on the news about her being missing and…

Alice said that bringing her back would only make it worse.

That's why you did what you did?

RONNIE: Alice said she'd put all the blame on me if I didn't.

YOUNG RONNIE: I think she's really sick.

Maybe dying.

We should just take her back.

Or call someone and tell them where she is.

You can't call someone. They'll take you to jail.

You did this, ronnie. Not me.

Alice's mom was my friend. Not alice.

She didn't like that.

- Can I ask you one more thing? - Okay.

How'd the jack-in-the-box get there?

I put it there.

JONES: Ronnie.

Ronnie.

I think she was glad to be found.

Something's not right here.

We need to get their files.

See what happened when they were away.

Now, you go make some more, make some more,

- And I'll feed you when you make it, okay? - Okay.

I'll be over there in a second.

- Are you comfortable? - Yeah.

You know that couch is real old.

We were shopping for a new one when it happened.

You can't blame yourself.

- How can you not? - I don't know.

My daughter was with her babysitter.

Then it wasn't your fault.

- If I hadn't been working. - Well, you had to work.

No, not really. I chose to.

Well,

I told the police I only looked away for a second.

(VOICE BREAKING) But it was longer.

It was a lot longer than a second.

This is not your fault.

We just… We never think that this will happen to us.

You from tv?

CYNTHIA: I'm visiting.

MAVEEN: Cynthia here lost a child.

She came here for a visit to help me.

- Is your child still lost? - MAVEEN: Devlin…

I just asked if her child lost, how's she gonna help us.

My first child is dead.

So how's that supposed to make maveen feel better? Huh?

CYNTHIA: I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Come on, rosalind. Let's go, come on, ros, toy down.

Let's go, it's time to go.

Put the toy down. Let's go. Come on.

Let's clean up.

My bad. I… I didn't mean it like that.

- I'm sorry for your loss. - Thank you.

She can't take that toy. That's brittany's.

Sorry.

CYNTHIA: Okay, let's go.

You always sleep like that?

Some things are easier if you can sleep through them.

(DOOR OPENS)

Can I go now? You said I wasn't under arrest.

You're up.

Yeah.

(SIGHS)

Have you seen this little girl?

She's cute.

She looks like alice.

NANCY: Like alice?

How? How does a bi-racial three-year-old

With dark hair look like alice manning?

I don't know. I don't know why I said that.

It just popped out.

When was the last time you saw her, ronnie?

- Alice. - I don't see alice.

If you want to rule yourself out then,

Maybe you can give us a blood sample.

You want me to give you my blood.

If you didn't do it, you can prove it.

- No. - Then you can go. It's simple. We just prick your finger.

No. No.

Ronnie.

Help us. Help yourself.

Nobody cuts me.

Yes, ma'am, what I need you to understand is that we need those files here.

Today. Yeah, hold on.

All the files from county were sent upstate.

What? Why?

Apparently they ran out of room.

Just get them. Tell them. Get them.

They're saying they're like 20 years' worth of files.

They can get someone to help us with them,

But they're not guaranteeing they'll be complete.

This is detective nancy porter.

Let me be clear.

A child is missing. A three-year-old. For two days.

And I want to find her while she's still alive

And you are going to help me.

You are going to find your files.

And when you send them, they will be complete.

Do your job.

Hmm.

(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

ALICE: My mom always says never give up.

But it feels like she's given up on me.

Sometimes I wonder,

What did I do to make her not like me?

Maybe it's my dad.

She says he was the biggest mistake of her life.

She says he was fat, too.

When she looks at me, does she see him?

(CHILDREN GIGGLING)

When I was younger,

I thought if I did everything right,

I would fit in with all the other girls.

But I don't think she even notices me trying.

She wishes she had a different daughter.

I'm gonna love my baby so much.

I'll let her eat whatever she wants.

Wear whatever she wants. Play with whoever she wants.

I'm gonna be the best mom ever.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Do you know where I was when, uh, olivia barnes got murdered?

Eating lasagna.

She'd been missing 72 hours.

Brittany lyttle's been gone 48.

- Hi, helen. - Ronnie.

I was wondering when you were going to come by and visit me.

Come here.

Oh, my girl.

JONES: Ronnie fuller.

As damaged as that girl is,

I wouldn't put anything past her.

I checked on alice's story about arby's.

The girl on duty doesn't remember her.

(SIGHS)

You grew up so pretty. I knew you would.

(HELEN CHUCKLING)

You don't need all that makeup.

And obviously you still bite your nails.

Don't you know when people see your bitten-down nails

They know how nervous you are?

RONNIE: Where's alice?

HELEN: I don't know.

You know she goes walking.

(CHUCKLING)

HELEN: I was coming home from work the other day.

I drove past the pool and I saw her.

You know, at the country club. Just watching people.

It made me sad. Hmm.

(MAN TALKING INDISTINCTLY ON RADIO)

NANCY: Mind if I join you?

I guess walking's pretty good for you.

Is this the route you usually take?

What do you want?

I don't know where she is.

Who, alice?

Ronnie.

We spoke to ronnie fuller. She was very helpful.

What did she say?

Did she lie about me again?

Did she tell you how she stole my jack-in-the-box?

She put it there on purpose so I would get caught, too.

But I wasn't there when she killed that baby.

But I still went to sheckter and now you're trying to

Make this other thing look like it's my fault.

Well, what is your fault, alice? Is anything ever your fault?

What about you?

Do you ever wonder what would have happened

If maybe you had found the baby sooner?

Maybe you could have saved her.

Maybe if you had walked just a little bit faster,

She would still be alive.

Did you ever think about that?

I want to be alone. Am I under arrest or anything?

RONNIE: Do you remember the honeysuckle?

(LAUGHING)

Yeah, that time I tried to make honeysuckle soda

And sell it from a stand like lemonade?

Mmm-hmm. I do. I sure do.

You picked my vines bare.

But you didn't mind. You weren't mad at all.

It was a good idea, ronnie.

There should be honeysuckle soda.

You have great ideas. You always did.

You and me.

We think alike.

Ronnie?

You got anything you need to tell me, baby?

No.

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

ALICE: See you.

Where were you? Did you get a ride?

I know you get rides.

Really? Who do you think gives me rides?

I don't know. You tell me.

Well…

I take rides from strange men because I'm fat and lonely

And I need attention, so I do things to them. For money.

Is it true?

You wish. I got a job.

Alice, talk to me! You got a job?

What do you mean you got a job?

I got a job. And it has nothing to do with being fat or lonely.

(SIGHS)

Jesus. Laceration of the femoral artery. Rushed to the er.

Landed on suicide watch. What about manning?

Yeast infection. Yeast infection. Another yeast infection.

JONES: One, two, three, four, five, six fights.

This ronnie was a piece of work.

She managed to get in a fight every month.

Spent most of the last seven years on lockdown.

I got a bladder infection and another yeast infection.

You know what that means?

Sounds like she was fucking to me.

- Whoa. - Hmm?

Get over here.

HELEN: She was 15 years old. He was an adult.

He was an employee at sheckter.

Probably seduced her once.

(SIGHS) It couldn't have been terribly difficult.

She's so desperate for attention and acceptance.

Mmm. I wonder why that is.

(SIGHS)

This adult,

Was he charged with statutory rape?

HELEN: We agreed not to press charges.

By the time she figured out she was pregnant

It was too late for me to convince her to have an abortion.

Does alice know where her baby is?

Absolutely not.

No, no, no. The adoption was private.

We don't discuss it. She doesn't think about it.

How would you know that?

You're not a mother, are you? A mother knows these things.

Where is alice now? Where is she?

Where does she go when she walks?

She doesn't tell me where she goes.

JONES: No, ms. Manning, that's not going to work this time. I'm sorry.

There's a baby missing.

And we have reason to believe that your daughter alice

Knows something about it.

So you can answer our questions here,

Or I can walk you down that hall past your peers,

Take you downtown, have you answer the questions there.

She seems to spend the bulk of her time

Just hanging out by the pool at the club.

Just watching the other kids. It's pathetic.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

They're gonna catch you, you know.

RONNIE: Catch me for what? I didn't do anything.

The police think you did.

It was near where you work.

It was near where about a thousand people work.

(OLIVIA CRYING)

There's only one person like you who works there.

A baby killer.

You have to do this, ronnie. Lots of babies die all the time of natural things.

Like if they turn wrong in their crib.

Just say she died like that.

I don't want to do it.

You fed her pudding. You can't feed a baby pudding.

You told me to.

So if alice told you to jump off of a building,

Would you do that?

What about if she told you to play with matches?

Would you do that, huh?

What about if alice told you to go and find a bridge and leap…

Shut up.

Your mom knows I didn't do anything.

Stay away from her.

You don't even live near us anymore.

You have no reason to be hanging around.

My mom just feels sorry for you.

- She likes me. - (CHUCKLING)

NANCY: Alice manning.

You know why I made you do it?

Because I knew that they would take you away.

I thought they would lock you up forever.

And I would never have to play with you again.

NANCY: Alice?

Hurry. She did it! She just told me everything.

She took the baby. You have to catch her.

- What… Hurry! - JONES: Come on. Let's go, let's go.

- No! - No, alice.

We're not here for her. We're here for you.

- I didn't do anything. - Let's go.

You don't understand. Ronnie did it. She just told me.

Alice! We're walking out,

Or we're putting you in handcuffs.

- Come on. - (SCOFFS)

- It's not fair. - Mmm-hmm, watch your step.

- You have the wrong person. - Mmm-hmm.

You have to believe me.

Ronnie did this.

JONES: Alice.

Where is she, alice?

Is she okay?

Did you hurt her?

Hello, I'm here to see a detective porter.

Ms. Manning.

If you're going to continue to interrogate my daughter,

- I want a lawyer present. - She has her.

She has brittany.

Jesus. What…

- Did she hurt her? - Where is she?

I have no idea.

We have been very patient with you, mrs. Manning.

We haven't treated you as an accessory to this crime.

Or accused you of shielding your daughter or withholding

Information we need. But that moment is coming.

Alice doesn't confide in anyone, least of all me.

Why does she think brittany lyttle is her daughter?

(SIGHS)

Oh…

At first he would stare at me.

You know, kind of flirt.

He was so cute.

I had never been with a boy before.

I'd never kissed a boy before.

(MOANING)

We couldn't keep our hands off each other.

I was so excited.

And when they took him away, it was so sudden.

It happened so quickly, and I didn't know what to do.

My mom said I had my whole life ahead of me.

And that she had me when she was really young

And she didn't regret it or anything.

HELEN: You have to understand. She became obsessed with the topic.

Where was her baby? Why couldn't I raise it?

Who had adopted her? She wouldn't leave it alone.

She was inconsolable. I had to tell her something.

(SIGHS)

I made up a story.

I said I'd seen her little girl.

On the west side of town. You know, near those lovely old victorians.

I knew alice would like that.

I told her that her baby was beautiful, healthy…

She had cafe au lait skin.

Beautiful black curly hair.

It was around that time that I had seen the mother.

- The mother. - You know…

Cynthia barnes, the mother of the child that alice…

She was with this little girl.

I took one look at that girl and I knew…

That child wouldn't exist

If it weren't for alice.

Which isn't to say that what alice did can be

Rationalized in any way. I mean, a girl had died.

And it was my daughter's fault.

But the fact remains, another child lives.

And I'm not sure she would if it weren't for alice.

My daughter helped to bring that little life into the world.

At least alice can take some comfort from that little girl's existence.

When I got out I had to find her.

I wanted her.

I didn't care what my mom said.

So I started walking. Just looking for her.

HELEN: I also told her that her child

Had a little birthmark in the shape of a heart on her back.

I thought that was a lovely sort of detail.

You know, that would give alice something that she could hold on to.

Like it was the shadow of her own heart.

Alice loved that.

Mrs. Manning. Sit down.

Sit down, mrs. Manning. Sit.

Stay there.

She had that skin.

A mix of my skin and his.

I couldn't believe I found her.

Brittany?

DEVLIN: She's probably jumping on a bed somewhere.

ALICE: When I saw her back, there was this little heart there.

And I knew it was her.

- Devlin, keep looking! - DEVLIN: Brittany!

Now, brit, you're going to be in trouble if you don't come out.

Hey.

- Que linda. Que linda. Hi. - Hi…

ALICE: Good girl. Good girl. Good girl.

Brittany!

DEVLIN: Where is she?

Brittany!

ALICE: She was so beautiful. She looked just like rodrigo.

MAVEEN: Brittany! Shit.

Brittany!

(INDISTINCT)

I asked him to cut her hair so nobody would find her.

He was so nervous. His nose even started bleeding.

You can't arrest someone for taking her own baby.

It took me a long time to find her.

But now that I have, you can't make me give her back.

I never wanted to give her up in the first place.

My mom made me.

This is brittany lyttle's birth certificate.

And this is your baby's.

They are two different girls, alice.

Where is brittany?

I know what we did was wrong.

But what happened to me was wrong, too.

They took my baby.

I want her.

I want her.

I understand, alice. I do.

But not everybody will.

You are in a lot of trouble.

You could be convicted of a very serious crime.

You need to help us. And we'll help you.

What do you mean? Will you help me find my baby?

No. Alice, no.

Help me. And I'll help you.

Rodrigo left her with his mom while he drove me home

So that no one would suspect me.

We planned on keeping her there while we waited

For you to think ronnie fuller took her.

You know she's done this before, she might do it again.

(OLIVIA CRYING)

YOUNG RONNIE: I think she's really sick.

We should just take her home to her family.

It's too late.

(INAUDIBLE)

(OLIVIA CRYING)

(CRYING STOPS)

(WATER FLOWING)

(SIREN WAILING)

Ronnie? Come in, sweetie.

- I didn't want to, but she made me. - What?

I'm sorry. Please, I'm sorry.

Ronnie… Ronnie… (HUSHES)

(OFFICER TALKING INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO)

HELEN: You can't undo what you've done.

But I can make sure that alice doesn't go unpunished.

I can make it fair.

Hey, mom.

(CRYING)

Oh, my god. Oh, my god. Oh, my god.

DEVLIN: Yes! MAVEEN: (CRYING) Oh, my god.

My baby!

Hi! Hi!

- Hey. - Hi, baby. Hi, baby.

(EXCLAIMS) Oh, my god.

DEVLIN: I love you.

Oh, my god. Oh, my god.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Ah!

- (SIGHS) - Good work, detective.

REPORTER ON TV: Today state prosecution has agreed to a plea bargain

With alice manning. All charges are dropped against her

While rodrigo gutierrez, the state employee

She now has accused of raping her in prison,

Will alone serve 10 years for the kidnapping.

Earlier today miss manning gave a statement to the press.

ALICE: Ladies and gentlemen of the press.

Yes, I have something I would like to say. I am a victim.

I am a victim of the justice system.

As a child, I was wrongly accused of a crime I did not commit.

I spent seven years in a correctional facility

Where I was raped

And where I gave birth to a baby who was taken from me.

Today justice was served.

The charges against me have been dropped

And the man who manipulated me as a minor…

JONES: She's good.

ALICE: …And who instigated this crime will be…

JONES: Scary good.

I can now live freely.

I can seek to validate my rights as an adult.

Thank you.

FEMALE REPORTER: Hey, alice! Alice!

You know who's better?