Original subtitles

� One, two, three, unh! �

� My baby don't mess around because she loves me so �

� And this I know for sho' �

� Unh! �

� But she really want to �

� But can't stand to see me walk out the door? �

� Don't try to fight the feeling � Sweetheart?

� 'Cause the thought alone is killing me right now �

( sighs ) I was, just, uh...

fixin' my hair, Pop.

You look... different tonight.

Nice, I mean.

You sure Dirk's going to be at this party, sweetie?

He's pledging the fraternity, Pop.

Of course he'll be there.

He hasn't been coming around like he used to.

You sure everything's okay with him?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Look, I got to go.

Oh, uh, I wanted you to, uh, have this.

It... was your Mom's.

You... are a young lady now, sweetie.

Okay, um...

Say "cheese"!

Cheese.

It's beautiful, Pop.

Just like you.

Really?

You look just like your Mom.

She would be...

so proud of you, sweetie.

(distorted shouting)

( clamoring voices )

� �

MR. DUNNE: Laurie was in her first year of college.

She always dreamed of going to State.

Her and her friend from the neighborhood, Dirk,

that's all they ever talked about.

STILLMAN: And this friend was

at the fraternity party when the fire broke out?

Nah, he was back at his dorm. He'd passed out.

Tied on one too many.

Said Laurie was having a real blast.

She wanted to stay.

It was her first party.

She was so excited.

Is that right?

Laurie's mom died when she was 12.

Cancer.

She liked to stay home, mostly,

watch reruns with her ol' pop.

This fire was an accident, Mr. Dunne.

You-You know we work homicides, right?

I thought it was an accident, too.

Till I found this.

It's from Laurie's e-mail.

From the night of the party.

It says right there the phone it came from.

Laurie's cell phone.

She had a, uh... camera thingamajig on it.

So she sent this photo to herself?

Yeah, mm-hmm.

RUSH: The time and date

was October 23, 2004.

11:25 p.m.

And 40 minutes later...

my daughter was dead.

Captioning sponsored by WARNER BROS. TELEVISION

RUSH: The fire marshal said the blaze

probably started from a stray cigarette.

No accelerants found.

Cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Blood alcohol level point-two-two.

Thought Dad said Laurie wasn't a partier.

She wasn't. Straight-A student,

a Latin major, a City Council summer intern.

Straight-up nerd.

That amount of booze would've knocked her flat on her back.

Everyone else gets out but her.

Heading out?

Early bird catches the slimebag.

Who you starting with?

Dirk Bryant, fellow freshman, Gamma Rho pledge.

Claims he left the house an hour before the fire started.

Dad said he and this Laurie were friends.

Since childhood. Best buddies.

We'll check in with AV. See how they're doing

on our laptop photo. Who's coming to First Thursdays?

I'm in. Ditto.

What's First Thursdays?

We taking your ride or mine?

Mine. Catch you later.

Think he's warming up to me.

Looks like you got a crush on the new girl.

Yeah, Cupid pierced my heart.

Oh, this our guy?

Yeah.

Dirk Bryant?

Yeah?

Philly Homicide.

Detective Rush, Vera.

Homicide?

You're kidding, right?

You know anything about this, Dirk?

Picture sent from Laurie Dunne's cell phone night she died.

From inside your fraternity house.

We're wondering who might have done this. Any ideas?

No way.

Sure about that?

Look, I was bombed out of my skull that night.

I went back to my dorm room, passed out.

My roommate can back that up.

When's the last time you saw Laurie?

At the party.

She wanted to stay.

She was drinking, having a ball.

Yeah. Sure looks like it. Listen.

I didn't even invite her to that party in the first place.

Whad do you mean?

Laurie basically invited herself.

MAN: You want to be a Gamma Rho brother,

you talk, walk, blink and breathe

when we say you do.

You get me, Pledges?

PLEDGES: Sir, yes, sir.

You.

Sit down.

(Bowling for Soup's "Almost" playing)

� Where I almost made out with the homecoming queen �

Eat.

� Who almost went on to be Miss Texas �

No hands.

� But lost to a ... with much bigger breast-es. �

� I almost dropped out to move to L.A. �

Hiya, Dirk.

What are you doing?

Aren't you going to introduce your friend, Dirk?

Um, this is Laurie.

And that's, uh...

My friend, Dierdre.

We met in Foreign Film Club.

Hi.

I'm gonna go sit over there.

Um, so anyway, this Saturday night,

the film club's showing a Bergman double feature--

Autumn Sonata and Cries and Whispers.

Be there or be square.

( snickers softly )

Want to come?

Old time's sake?

Unfortunately, Dirk is committed that night.

It's alum week, and the house is throwing a little party.

Everyone's invited.

Dirk didn't invite you?

Um...

I guess I forgot.

I accept the invitation.

Film club-- what film club?

( chuckling )

It's gonna be mad fun, Laurie.

Bring your cute friend, too.

( men snickering )

� I spent my time missing you �

� I almost with you would have loved me, too. �

Laurie kind of jumped the gun. So this friend of Laurie's

was at the party, too?

Yeah.

Know where we can find her?

Uh, Laurie and I kind of drifted apart here.

I didn't know her friends, she didn't know mine.

How'd Laurie take it, your drifting apart?

Things change.

What're you gonna do?

You mean you changed.

That a crime?

Wanting the highlight of my Saturday night

to be more than reading foreign film subtitles?

So, um...

you're pretty young to make Homicide.

I'm 28.

Yeah, but you got your family connection.

How old were you?

I was practically 29.

Sure, I remember those bozo frat boys.

Real jerks.

( film projector clicking )

( projector shuts off )

You see anything at the party you want to share?

Anything like what?

Like this.

VALENS: Could be what happened to Laurie

wasn't an accident.

Anything you want to share now?

She was your friend, Dierdre.

Help us out here.

They blindfolded us.

What?

The minute we went in.

They said we couldn't see

where their stupid secret room was.

Where the real party would take place.

Only brothers could.

And you went along with this?

I bought a new dress for this party.

What happened after they blindfolded you?

The fun and games began.

(Avril Lavigne's "Skater Boy" playing)

� He was a boy, she was a girl �

� Can I make it any more obvious? �

� He was a punk, she did ballet �

� What more can I say? �

� He wanted her... �

Why they got to be blindfolded, Manny?

You know the rules.

No one but us sees the way to The Pen.

The Pen?

That's what we call our party room, darlin'.

It's okay, Dirk. It's kind of fun.

You sure you're okay, Laurie?

Yeah.

Welcome to The Pen, girls.

� He wasn't good enough for her �

LAURIE: Can I take off my blindfold now?

Oh, no, no. Not just yet, hon.

We got to introduce you formally first.

Think Cotillion.

Cotillion? What's that?

Shh! May I present...

Miss Dierdre

Miller, gentlemen!

(men cheering) Come on, step up, honey.

Just got a little platform for your presentation.

Whoopsie daisy! Manny, this isn't right.

( frat boys cheering ) All right.

And last...

but not least, may I present...

Miss Laurie Dunne!

( frat boys cheering )

Step up again.

( frat boys exclaiming )

You can take the blindfolds

off now, ladies.

( wild shouting )

Oink! Oink!

Damn, girl! You tipped the scale!

Gamma Rho dubs you, Miss Laurie Dunne...

Queen of the Porkers!

Hog, hog, hooray! Whoo!

Welcome to the Pig Pen, Porkies!

Get your fat asses back in here.

The party's just started!

( laughing )

DIRK: I didn't know.

Laurie, I didn't.

Whoa. We're not done with you yet,

little piggy. No! Stop it!

We all got out of there.

Except for Laurie.

So why the big secret,

Dierdre?

Would you want the world to know

what they did to you?

I'm sorry about what happened to Laurie,

but it was an accident.

Some accident.

RUSH: So, our Prince Charmings

put those poor girls on display for laughs.

Laurie's friend, Dirk-- he was a part of this ruse, too?

The kid was a lowly pledge.

Seemed clueless to what was going down.

He's Gamma Rho, faithful to the brotherhood,

so let's go back for round two-- meantime, what do you know

about this Manny?

College boy... did six months in County

for aggravated assault.

Beating on some townies. On probation now.

Vera and Valens are having

a talk. Lieutenant?

Find anything on that laptop, Naya?

We blew up your victim's photo.

Guy with the bottle's got

a fraternity ring-- Gamma Rho insignia.

Graduation year 1973.

Making our boy what, mid-50s?

Middle aged and partying with college kids?

That's aging gracefully.

What's with the gemstones?

Well, maybe he's a varsity athlete.

Gamma Rho's known for its crew types.

'93 grad myself.

STILLMAN: So one stone

for every varsity year?

I'll give the athletic department a call.

Match a '73 grad who had three years of varsity

with our Gamma Rho alum lists...

Maybe we find our party boy.

This Gamma Rho?

Sir, yes, sir!

We're looking for a Herman Jones.

Please step inside, sirs!

Sir? Guests for you, sir!

VALENS: Herman Jones?

What's it to you?

And it's Manny.

Yeah, whatever. Philly PD.

Quit gawking, Pledge.

Get out of here.

He's cute.

French maids do it for me, too.

It's how we discipline the newbies, break 'em down.

And you are?

Detective Valens, Vera.

Got some questions about the night

Laurie Dunne died.

Well, fire away...

(laughs)

...so to speak.

Heard about your hog scale party.

Class act there, Herman.

Not my fault the heifer had dreams.

Dreams?

Of being a Gamma Rho booty call.

Hey, Scotty,

you know a Jimmy Davis?

VALENS: It's a probation officer. Sure.

He and I went to the Academy together.

We're kind of like brothers.

Davis knows I been dotting my "I"s.

Maybe Jimmy finds out you missed a "T," tosses your ass

back in County.

You get to play French maid for the cons.

( sighs )

So, what happened after you dragged Laurie

back into The Pen?

It was a joke, okay?

I didn't do anything to that pork pie.

Tell us about it.

Girlfriend went ballistic...

Whoa, whoa, whoa, we're not done

with you yet, little piggy!

(grunts)

Stop!

You four-eyed loser!

That's what the jocks

used to call you in high school!

Or don't you remember?

For real?

I'm not talking to you,

so shut the hell up!

(frat boys hooting)

You think getting contacts

changes who you were,

makes you their friend now...

their brother?

You used to hate guys like this,

guys who beat you up in gym class every day.

You were better than them...

'cause you didn't need to make others feel small...

to feel real.

But you know what?

You're that guy now, Dirk.

You're that guy.

( man laughs )

( frat boys laughing raucously )

I know who you are.

Dierdre? What happened?

( sobbing ) Oh, God, let's get out of here.

Come back!

Piggy, come back, please!

Like I said, Fatty got emotional.

So Dierdre was still in the house?

Whatever. Yes. So what?

What did Laurie mean by, "I know who you are"

to the older guy?

Who the hell knows? It was alum weekend.

Lot of people were there.

I don't know who the old warthog was.

SUTTON: Why'd you lie, Dierdre?

Say you left when you were still in the house?

Tell 'em, Dierdre.

Someone should know what happened to you.

I bought

that new dress...

and he ripped it.

Who did?

Look, I need to make a call.

Who hurt you, Dierdre?

It was dark.

I was trying to find my way out of that house,

but there were so many rooms,

and then someone just grabs me

from out of nowhere and rips my dress.

It was over

before I could even scream.

I tried to find my way out of the house,

but I couldn't.

And that's when Laurie found you in that hallway.

Laurie got me out of that house.

But then she turned traitor.

Are you okay, Dierdre?

No. She's not okay.

DIRK: Laurie?

Can I talk to you, please?

Get away from us,

you jerk!

I didn't know they were gonna do that!

I swear! DIERDRE: You're pathetic

if you listen to one word he says.

How could you

not know, Dirk?

They don't tell pledges anything.

DIERDRE: Yeah, right!

I'd never let you come if I knew!

You're a lying piece of crap!

Give me two minutes, Laurie, please!

I have to talk to you!

DIERDRE: She doesn't care what you have to say!

Dierdre, he's my friend.

Don't you get it?!

You're nothing to him!

I want to hear what he has to say.

What did you do?

SHIRLEY: We went straight home.

We tried to pretend it never happened.

JEFFRIES: Jo?

Got something.

Just talked to Stillman.

I.D.'d the guy in the picture

shoving the tequila bottle down Laurie's throat.

The Gamma Rho alum?

Mm-hmm. Class of '73, three years varsity crew...

One guy makes the grade.

You're not going to believe who it is.

Don't keep me hanging.

The name John Avery ring a bell?

City Councilman John Avery?

Bingo.

A rumor has it,

this Councilman Avery's a real hounddog.

Can't keep his paws off the female interns.

That's how Laurie knew him-- her summer internship.

( cell phone rings ) And in October of 2004,

Avery was in the middle of a reelection campaign.

If his joining in the Gamma Rho "activities" ever came to light,

he'd be kissing his career bye-bye.

So maybe Laurie's death wasn't accidental.

Maybe the fire was a cover-up.

Lot of maybes. Too many for us to make

that kind of accusation against a councilman.

What if Dirk gave us a positive ID on him?

Good luck getting any cooperation from your frat boys.

Why?

Gamma Rho's closing ranks.

Slimebag lawyer just got involved.

That was quick.

Apparently, that psycho kid, Manny, me and Scotty talked to

went squealing to his brothers right after.

Great.

Laurie's dad mentioned some kind of letter

the councilman sent him right after she died.

Could be doer's remorse?

What's Councilman Avery's letter got to do

with what happened to Laurie?

We need to look at everything.

Part of the job, Mr. Dunne.

Avery ever reach out to you again, after sending the letter?

No. I-I don't know, not that I can recall.

What about Dirk?

Dirk? What about him?

He keep in touch?

Comes over for a meal once a week.

We, uh, watch TV, talk. It's nice.

Him coming here like that, it's...

Keeps my mind off things.

JEFFRIES: Admirable.

Especially from someone as young as he.

He's a special kid.

Why are you asking about him?

Dirk and Laurie, you knew they were growing apart at college.

What's your meaning?

He had a whole other crowd he was trying to get in with.

No. You don't know him.

The day I told Laurie

that... her mom wasn't coming back from the hospital...

not one tear.

Not that day. Not ever.

Brave girl.

12 years old.

Only thing holding me down to earth.

Is that right?

One night, I can't sleep.

I come down here...

and I hear my daughter crying.

That's when I see Dirk-- just a kid, too.

Got Laurie in his arms.

That's when I knew,

he was the only thing holding her down to earth.

So...

you want tell me what happened to my girl now?

What makes you ask me about Dirk?

Nice kid.

Spending time with the dead friend's father.

That's commitment.

Or guilt.

My lawyer said you can't talk to me...

From the minute your brother Manny knows

we're opening this case, he tells everyone.

You knew way before Manny did, and you never told a soul.

Why'd you bring Laurie back into that house?

'Cause she slapped you in front of your boys?

Maybe you were looking to settle the score.

Or maybe you were following orders.

Laurie recognizes Councilman Avery, leaves him no choice.

He sends his errand boy to bring her back.

Nobody made me do anything that night.

No one but me...

So what's so important you want talk to me about?

I'm sorry.

That's it?

That's all you have to say for yourself?

That's not good enough.

In your kitchen....

After your mom... died.

What?

I remember watching you cry.

Why are you telling me this?

And I remember thinking we were just 12.

You know?

But that was over, being kids.

'Cause that night...

I knew I had to be the one person you could always...

count on.

� And I dream about you all the time �

(softly): You always were.

Not tonight.

( sniffles )

� The miles just keep rollin'... �

What the hell's going on?

You boinking the oink, Dirk?

Let's get of here...

Dudes!

Dirk's rounded up our little porker!

Hey, don't call her that.

Shut up, dork boy.

( squealing noises, laughter ) Come on!

Stop it... Hey, you leave her alone!

( Laurie screams )

( laughter )

Back to the Pen!

Time for the Greased Pig Contest!

( cheers and shouts ) No! Dirk! Stop it!

Dirk! ( men jeering )

DIRK: Laurie!

( grunts )

( laughter )

( panting )

And you call these guys your brothers?

They're not always like that.

So Councilman Avery's in the house?

So what'd you do, after that?

Like I said, I went back to my dorm.

Didn't occur to you to call the cops, go for help?

I was out of it. Didn't know what to do.

Friend like you...

who needs enemies?

STILLMAN: The meet with Avery is set

for tomorrow morning, in his office.

The guy has no idea how you're going to rock his world.

I'd pay good money to be a fly on that wall.

Good work today, guys. Good night.

VALENS: Good night, boss.

Older, powerful men like Avery,

they can be a ...

What do you mean?

Nothing.

So what's First Thursdays?

Uh, Jones Tavern, first Thursday of the month.

Homicide detectives boozing it up, swapping war stories.

You want to join?

Nah. I'm not one for mixing work with the personal myself.

Oh, me neither.

Did that once before.

It was a big mistake.

Yeah?

Meaning, I'd understand if...

you found yourself in a similar situation.

Your old boss-- Sergeant White...

Anyway, this is me.

Nice ride.

SUTTON: Yeah.

It has four doors...

Good night, Scotty.

AVERY: Laurie Dunne was

a summer intern in my office.

Sweet girl.

A terrible accident, that fire.

The thing is, Councilman,

we're not convinced it was an accident.

And we know that you were there the night she died.

( scoffs )

You're not serious, are you?

We have a witness.

One phone call from me, pal,

you'll be running the auto pound tomorrow.

And you'll be headline news, pal.

What do you want?

What did your Gamma Rho brothers do

to Laurie that night?

Boys, booze and bravado-- a lethal combination.

That poor girl got caught in the vortex.

And you were just the wide-eyed innocent,

watching it all go down.

I had a few drinks, I admit,

but I knew when enough was enough.

( chanting ): Swill! Swill! Swill...!

Swill! Swill!

Swill! Swill...!

( guffaws ) Piggy got you good, Manny!

( man squealing )

MANNY: I'll show you a real man, Porky!

Swill! Swill! Swill...!

Swill! Swill! Swill...!

She's taking pictures, dude!

Get away from me!

She just took a picture!

Get away from me! Ow! Ow! Ow!

Give it back, you jerk!

( Manny grunting )

She's taking pictures?

So what?! I took care of it!

And I e-mailed it.

You stupid...

Leave her alone, Manny!

The party's over, as of now.

Get out of here!

All of you!

Go!

What about her?

Get her home.

I don't care how.

(rap song playing)

That girl was alive when I left.

She could have blackmailed you, Councilman,

and you just walked away?

What do you honestly think I'd do?

Kill the girl?

Someone did.

There were witnesses that saw me leave that house.

Your fraternity brothers, Councilman?

A jury would love that.

I'm not talking about them.

Then who?

Those girls.

From... earlier that night.

What girls?

From the... you know?

The contest.

Wait a minute. Those girls were still in the house?

In the backyard.

What were they doing there?

They were setting the fire.

You and your friends set that fire, Shirley.

That's crazy... We have a witness.

Saw it all go down.

I got your buddy, Dierdre, in the next room.

She's blamin' it all on you.

You're lying. She would never do that.

Oh, people do all sorts of things

lookin' at life for murder one.

Laurie stood up for you.

Do the same for her, Shirley.

Those boys had no right to do what they did to us.

It made you mad.

No.

It just...

it kind of broke my heart.

Then why burn down the house?

To break theirs.

DIERDRE: I can't believe those guys.

SHIRLEY: Let's go home.

And do what?

Cry ourselves to sleep like we always do?

Not after what they did to us.

What they did to Dierdre.

So what do you suggest?

Tell the whole world,

so we'll be a laughingstock?

We're not gonna tell anybody.

We're just gonna... get even.

Break up

their stupid party.

Burn the house down!

I'm in.

Shirley?

Burn it down!

( sobbing )

Are you okay, Dierdre?

No, she's not okay.

DIRK: Laurie?

Can I talk to you please?

You know the rest of the story.

Laurie went back in the house with him.

So...

...maybe you figured

the traitor deserved to burn up, too?

No.

We didn't know what to do.

We were gonna go home, but then...

Then what?

You have no idea what it's like

being the punch line to every joke, do you?

Someone had to pay.

Come on!

We're gonna burn this place to the ground!

Not with Laurie still in there!

Who cares?

She's a traitor!

They've got to pay!

For what they did to us!

To me.

(Snow Patrol's "Run" playing)

� In a lifetime �

Let's go home.

� And I can barely look at you �

Oh, my God.

That's him.

Oink. Oink.

� But every single time I do �

� I know we'll make it anywhere �

� Away from here �

Dierdre?

Someone's...

got to pay.

� As if you have a choice �

� Even if you cannot hear my voice �

Run!

� I'll be right beside you, dear �

It spread so fast.

And then everyone

was running.

Screaming.

All I could do was stand there and watch.

Why couldn't Laurie get out?

I don't know.

Everyone else got out,

even her friend.

Her friend?

Dirk.

Dirk was in the house?

He was the last one out.

Passed out in your dorm room.

It's a nice story.

Leave me alone.

You were the last one out of the house

when the fire broke out.

That's a lie...

VALENS: Ever seen an animal

trapped in a fire, Dirk?

What? They panic,

run in circles, scream.

It's a horrible way to die... horrible thing to watch.

I don't have to listen to this.

Hey.

Laurie's father saw you

that night in her kitchen...

after her mom died.

Please stop doing this.

He said you were her rock,

the one person she could always depend on.

VALENS: You'd never leave Laurie.

You stayed that night.

Tried to save her.

RUSH: But you couldn't,

could you?

She made me promise.

Promise what?

That's why I could never tell.

Her pop...

he thinks Laurie died...

happy.

And the truth would break his heart.

Tell us the truth now.

He was wrong.

I wasn't Laurie's rock.

She was mine.

This is all your fault, pledge.

She took pictures!

They're gonna close us down now for sure!

It's over, Manny.

Hey, don't touch her!

You can't boink the oink, Dirk.

Then I will.

( fire roaring )

What's goin' on?!

( people screaming )

( coughing )

Dirk!

Dirk.

No! No!

She's still in there!

You a brother? Or you a ...?

Give me the key, Manny!

(key rattling on ground)

( Laurie screaming )

Dirk, help me!

Get away from the door!

( screaming )

LAURIE: Help me! Help me!

Get to the window!

( screaming )

You can climb out!

( coughing )

Get to the window!

Dirk! I can't breathe!

( gasping, coughing )

No. No!

Keep your face where there's air.

Help!

Somebody help! Help us!

Dirk.

Don't you let go of me.

Promise.

What?

You'll take care of my pop.

Don't talk like that.

They're gonna get you out of here.

Dirk, you listen to me, and you listen good.

Don't you let him be...

( coughing )

alone.

Promise, Dirk.

Promise!

I promise.

Hey, hey!

I won't let you go.

Do you hear me?

I won't let you go!

I won't let you go.

I know you won't.

Laurie...

Laurie!

( sobbing )

Laurie!

Laurie...!

� Heaven bent to take my hand �

� And lead me through the fire �

� Be the long awaited answer �

� To a long and painful fight �

� Truth be told, I've tried my best �

� But somewhere along the way �

� I got caught up in all there was to offer �

� And the cost was so much more than I could bear �

� Though I've tried �

� I've fallen, I have sunk �

� So low �

� I have messed up �

� Better I should know �

� So don't come round here �

� And tell me "I told you so" �

� We all begin with good intent �

� Love was raw and young �

� We believed that we could change ourselves �

� The past could be undone �

� But we carry on our backs the burden time always reveals �

� In the lonely light of morning �

� In the wound that would not heal �

� It's the bitter taste of losing everything �

� That I have held so dear �

� I've fallen �

� I have sunk so low �

� I have messed up �

� Better I should know �

� So don't come round here �

� And tell me "I told you so" �

� Heaven bent to take my hand �

� Nowhere left to turn �

� I'm lost to those I thought were friends �

� To everyone I know �

� Oh, they turn their heads embarassed �

� Pretend that they don't see �

� But it's one missed step and slip before you know it �

� And there doesn't seem a way to be redeemed �

� Though I've tried, I've fallen �

� I have sunk so low �

� I have messed up �

� Better I should know... �

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Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org