Original subtitles

[theme music]

[music playing]

REPORTER (ON RADIO): And that wraps

up the news for this evening.

Stay tuned for music till midnight.

We'll be back then for the midnight news.

What a joke.

What?

The news.

The news is a joke.

You learn about as much from that

as you do a presidential debate.

I mean, what did we find out from the news?

We found out there was a train wreck in France, a plane crash,

people fell off a sailboat, presumed drowned.

Oh, and a secretary says she slept with a senator,

followed by some very bad jokes by the weatherman.

They call that the news.

That's what the people want, I suppose.

Yeah.

And little kids want candy all the time,

but you don't give it to 'em.

You do if you're selling them the candy.

Thank God for newspapers.

Why?

How many people read 'em?

I mean, really read 'em.

How many people read anything anymore?

Video stores are crowded.

No big, long lines in the library.

Getting worse all the time.

How do you turn it around?

In the home, when kids are young, turn

off the set and read to 'em.

Let 'em experience the wonders of words.

What if the parents don't read?

Then they have an obligation to their children to learn.

What do you mean, go back to school?

Yeah, that's right, go back to school.

They got classes in the evening.

Turn right up here.

We're going to take the freeway.

Where are we going, anyway?

Back to school.

[music playing]

[chatter]

Doug!

Here you go, partner.

Another outstanding "Blue Jay Banner."

How could we miss with a lead article on teenage sex?

Come on, it's in the writing.

If we keep it up, one day it'll be "McCormick

and Rollins receive Pulitzer."

Why not?

How come your name always goes first?

Sounds more rhythmical that way.

That's a matter of opinion.

All right.

How about alphabetical order?

M comes before R.

How about I change my name to Anderson?

We'll talk about it, OK?

For right now, we got to meet my dad.

He wants to meet the journalism sub.

Oh, just what we need, a sub.

No problem.

We'll keep the guy in line.

Gentlemen, welcome.

I'm the principal, Bill McCormick.

Pleased to meet you. Jonathan Smith.

- Mr. Smith. - Mark Gordon.

Mark, how are you?

Please have a seat.

Thank you.

I appreciate very much, both of you substituting for us

on such short notice.

You come very highly recommended,

so I know you'll demand the best from our kids.

Now, Jonathan, in addition to teaching English,

you'll be serving as advisor for the school newspaper.

That is an activity that is near to my heart

because my son, Colin, is co-managing editor.

Terrific.

I'm looking forward to it.

Good.

And, Mark, we have a full schedule for you, too.

I understand I'll be teaching phys ed.

Well, [laughs] you got half of that right.

The subject you will be teaching is sex ed.

Uh-- uh--

sex ed.

Well, I really wasn't planning on that.

I mean, that's really not my thing, you know.

Oh, come on, Mark.

You've taught sex ed before.

I know that, Jonathan.

You were great at it.

Thank you.

[buzzer ringing]

Excuse me.

Yes?

Oh, good.

Send them in.

Jonathan, there's a couple of fellows I'd like you to meet.

Hi, Dad.

Hi, son.

Mr. Smith, Mr. Gordon, this is my son, Colin, and

his co-editor, Doug Rollins.

Pleased to meet both of you.

Mr. Smith, these two young men have written

top notch articles on everything from the homeless

to teenage sexuality.

And I don't mind telling you, that last subject

was not an easy one to get past the school board.

Yeah.

I can imagine.

Looks like you two have quite a champion here.

Yeah.

We sure do.

Mr. McCormick, I'm sorry to interrupt.

MR. MCCORMICK: Well, what is it?

A school bus has had an accident.

It appears to be serious.

Oh, my dear God.

[siren blaring]

[suspenseful music]

[siren blaring]

Hey.

Are you all right? - Yeah.

I'm just a little shaky, that's all.

Can you answer a few questions for the paper?

Yeah. All right.

- You're Ellen, right? - Yes.

Ellen Kayhill.

Yeah.

We were in the same biology class last year.

Can you tell us what happened?

It was just so strange.

The bus just went right off the road.

Honey, are you all right?

I'm OK.

I'm OK.

I'm OK.

Oh, thank goodness.

Was anybody hurt?

One of the kids has a broken leg.

I think maybe that's the worst of it.

I heard about the accident on the radio, and I--

and left the baby with Mom and I came as fast as I could.

Honey, I'm glad you came.

I'm glad you came.

We were real lucky.

[siren blaring]

Hey, you kids get away from there.

That's gasoline coming out of there.

Yeah, yeah. OK.

All right, well, thanks a lot, Ellen.

We're gonna talk to the bus driver.

- OK. - Thanks.

Bye.

Did you notice my interviewing technique?

Woodward and Bernstein would have been proud of us.

Do you realize you mention those guys every day?

BRETT WILLIAMS: Mr. Nichols? LARRY NICHOLS: Yeah.

Brett Williams with Leading News.

Can you tell us what happened?

Well, yeah.

I was-- I was coming up this curve here,

just like I do every morning.

And-- well, but as soon as I took my foot off the pedal,

the bus just took off like a shot.

The pedal just stuck somehow.

I don't know.

And after that, Mr. Nichols?

Well, I jumped on the brake but it was too late.

We went right over.

Did you hear that?

Yeah.

The bus driver just said the pedal stuck.

That's what caused the accident.

So?

So if the gas pedal stuck like that,

maybe the bus company didn't maintain the bus.

I mean, you hear about sloppy minutes

all the time, you know, with airplanes, trains.

Doug, there could be a big story here.

So where do we start?

Bus yard.

Come on, let's hit it.

OK.

Now, I'm going to tell you kids exactly what I told the cops.

Those school buses are kept in A1 shape.

My own kids ride them.

But the driver, Larry Nichols, said the gas pedal stuck.

Well, if the gas pedal stuck we're going to find out why.

You said if.

Do you mean maybe it didn't stick?

Well, it's hard to--

don't you put words in my mouth.

What my colleague means is, isn't it

in the realm of possibility that it didn't stick?

Well, why don't we wait till I finish checking out the bus?

What about Larry Nichols?

Is he a good driver?

Well, Larry's been working for me for seven years

and I've never had a problem.

Well, maybe you can tell us what kind of person is.

You know, something about his character.

His character?

He's a nice guy.

He's a family man.

He's a good worker.

Look, if you want to know anything else about Larry,

you ask Larry.

Thanks.

[ominous music]

That's Larry.

Excuse me, Larry.

Yeah?

We're doing an article for the school

paper on the bus accident.

Can we talk to you?

Oh, look you guys, I'm pretty stressed out about all that.

Another time, OK?

Well, this won't take very long.

You guys got to know that reporters have been

coming out of the woodwork.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't you read the article in "The Daily Register?"

I told everything to them.

Well, we like to do our own reporting.

Yeah, but I just don't feel like going over it again.

Does that mean you're refusing to talk to us?

Hey, you know, I think you're getting a little pushy here.

And I'm wondering why you don't want to talk to us.

You know, kid, I don't like your attitude.

He's hiding something.

Are you sure?

No, but I'm hoping.

Hey, Frieda, how are you doing?

Oh, Larry, I didn't expect you back today.

Well, I left my wallet and stuff in my locker back here.

How are you feeling?

Well, I did a bunch of interviews, and--

and then I had to take the blood test.

And then I get back here, and a couple of kids from the school

paper nail me outside.

You know, Frieda, you should have heard 'em.

I mean, they talked to me like I'm some kind

of criminal or something.

I did hear 'em.

They were in here pushing for a story.

Oh, boy.

Well, I'm going to go change.

Larry, you want to take the day off tomorrow?

Nah.

Nah.

I'll be fine.

But thanks, anyway.

I appreciate it.

Hello, Etta.

This is Frieda, from the bus yard.

Etta, who can I talk to about a couple

of kids working on the school paper?

OK, thanks.

[chatter]

[bell ringing]

I'm-- I'm Mr. Gordon!

[chatter]

Well, I guess you could read that off the board.

Well, I'm going to be teaching your class

for the next few weeks, so I imagine we're

going to be talking about sex.

[laughter]

OK.

What do you want to know?

That's very funny.

Uh, well, how far have you gotten in your book?

We're up to the chapter on getting pregnant.

Getting pregnant.

[laughs] Well, that should be easy.

[laughter]

Uh-- uh--

I'll take the role.

I'll-- I'll take the role.

Stephen Addison?

Hey, ready, willing, and able.

[laughter]

Ellen Kayhill.

Ellen Kayhill.

Is she here?

Oh, not here.

David Cutler.

DAVID: I'm here.

Good.

Oh, boy.

[laughter]

Jonathan.

Yeah?

Do you mind if I walk with you?

Oh, no. Not at all.

All right.

So how are Colin and Doug doing with their investigation?

Well, it's a little early to tell.

I did get a call from Frieda Wallace at the bus yard,

though.

It seems the boys are being just a little too

aggressive in their interviews.

I'll talk to 'em about it.

I prefer to use the word assertive.

And it's a trait I've worked very hard to instill in Colin.

The boy's doing just fine.

I can understand you being proud of your son, but--

Oh, I am very proud of him.

That boy has what it takes.

You know that he and Doug were up for the City Council Youth

Achievement Award this yeah? - Oh, yeah.

Colin told me.

Good.

I just want to make sure that you

don't put any kind of damper on either of those kids.

You know what I mean.

Well, I'll certainly use my best judgment.

Of course.

Do you realize we've come up with absolutely nothing, nada?

Partner, we're just warming up here.

Yeah.

Well, maybe the bus accident was just that, an accident.

You read about accelerator pedals sticking all the time.

Douglas, can you imagine Woodward

and Bernstein giving up?

If you mention those guys one more time--

Excuse me.

Hi.

Hi.

Can I talk to you two about something?

COLIN: Sure.

It's about the bus accident.

What about it?

I can only talk to you if you promise

not to tell anyone who I am.

No problem.

Now, I mean it.

If you use my name, I'll deny it.

Reporters never divulge their sources.

You're safe, I promise.

It's about the bus driver.

What about him?

Well, he doesn't pay a lot of attention when he drives.

He fools around sometimes.

Fools around?

The day of the accident he was fooling around,

I mean, with me.

He was coming on to me.

What?

He was coming on to me.

Could you explain what you mean by that exactly?

He was goofing around.

You know, he kept staring at me and winking

at me in the rear view mirror, giving me these looks.

And that's when the bus went off the road.

Did he just come on to you all of a sudden?

No.

He's done it before.

He's even said things to me.

What kind of things?

I don't want to say.

It's too gross.

And the worst thing about it is that he's married.

I saw his wife at the accident.

We saw her, too.

Listen, Ellen, how long is all this been going on?

For a while.

Maybe two months.

And I really--

I don't--

Look.

Maybe we should go someplace more private.

I think I should go.

But we still want to talk to you.

I don't know.

Remember, you promised not to let anyone know who I am.

I mean, I wouldn't want Larry coming after me

or anything like that.

Don't worry.

You have our word.

OK.

[somber music]

Partner, we've got our Watergate.

[music playing]

[bell ringing]

So now, with this girl coming to us,

we have a story a lot bigger than a bus accident.

All right. Now, wait a minute.

Wait a minute. Slow down, Colin.

You're not there yet.

You got a long way to go.

But we've got a witness who was actually involved.

Come on, Doug.

One anonymous witness does not make a story.

But what can we do?

She won't go public.

Look, you come up with some hard facts

then I'll think about printing something, but not until then.

All right.

You want hard facts, we'll get you hard facts.

Come on, Doug.

Boy, that Smith ticks me off.

Who does he think he is?

Hey, he's just trying to do his job.

Well, his job is being a teacher.

We're the reporters.

We've got a hell of a story here,

and he won't let us print it.

Not until we get more facts.

That's a lot of bull.

He's messing with my First Amendment rights.

Well, I'm not giving up.

This story's too big.

We could-- we could sell it for a TV movie.

Hey, you think so?

I know so.

People love this sordid kind of stuff.

Why else would they watch a jerk like Geraldo Rivera?

How you doing, Larry?

Did you guys ever hear about a man's home being his castle?

Yeah.

Well, this is real important.

Yeah?

What is it?

One of the kids from the bus has accused

you of causing the accident.

Wait a minute.

You want to run that by me one more time?

This girl on the bus said your mind wasn't on your driving.

[laughs] That's ridiculous.

COLIN: She says you were coming on to her,

and you've also been saying obscene things

to her for a long time.

What?

This is crazy.

Who is she?

We're not at liberty to say.

Don't give me that bull.

What you're saying is pretty serious,

and I've got a right to know.

Why don't we just stick to the issue?

Because, as far as I'm concerned, there is no issue.

I haven't done anything wrong.

Larry.

Is everything all right?

It's all right, honey.

Now, listen.

If you're not going to say who is accusing me,

then you've got no right to say diddly squat.

Now, why don't you get off my property?

Remember, we gave you a chance to explain your side.

Hey, I don't know what that girl said,

but I haven't done anything.

I'm not in the habit of fooling around with teenagers.

Now, get out of here!

Now!

What's going on, honey?

Nothing. Nothing.

Nothing's going on.

Come on, Ellen.

We just need a little more information.

Will you please stop following me?

This is too important.

Listen.

You told us Larry said obscene things to you.

Do you know if anybody else heard it?

No, I don't

Ellen, we don't have enough to get this guy.

Is there anything you haven't already told us?

Yeah, like, did he do anything else?

Look, I don't want to say.

He did, didn't he?

Didn't he?

- Well, he-- - What is it?

Talk to us.

What else did he do?

Are you sure you'll never mention my name?

You can trust us.

We already told you that.

I don't know if I can say it.

Tell us.

He-- he touched me.

He what?

I don't want to say anything else.

Ellen, you can't let him get away with that.

When did he touch you?

The first time I was the last one on the bus after school.

I hate him.

I hate him!

[music playing]

- Hi, Ernie. - Hey, Doug.

Colin.

Ernie.

Say, I've been reading your articles in the school paper.

Jimmy brings them home all the time.

You two guys are making a real name for yourselves.

We're trying.

That's why we're here.

We'd like to talk to you.

Me?

You're going to do a story on me?

Well, maybe someday, but not right now.

[laughs] Shucks.

Listen.

Do you think you could give us some information

on Larry Nichols?

You know, the guy who had the accident with the school bus.

Larry?

I've known him since he was your age.

Good kid.

Oh.

So, as far as you know, he's never been in any real trouble.

No.

Well, there was that one silly mess years

ago, but nothing ever bad.

Silly mess?

Yeah.

Well, Larry was going to night school,

getting his high school diploma.

Couldn't have been more than 21.

This was long before he met his wife, now.

Anyway, he kind of had a crush on Mel

Hudson's daughter, Wendy.

She was a senior at Jefferson High.

A high school student?

Yeah, that was the problem.

See, Mel was overly protective of Wendy, her being 17 and all.

Well, Larry took her out one night

and kept her out too late.

Mel got all out of joint and called the cops, pressed

charges against Larry for contributing

to the delinquency of a minor.

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor?

Yeah.

Well, Mel cooled down eventually and dropped the charges.

Like I said, it was all pretty silly.

Well, listen kids, I got to scoot.

OK.

Thanks, Ernie.

You keep up those articles, now.

I can't wait to see the look on Smith's face now.

Well, what did you think?

I'm sorry, Colin.

I can't let you run it.

Why not?

The stuff Ernie Parsons told us nails it.

No, it doesn't.

You're jumping to conclusions.

Yeah, but there's a real pattern here.

Larry Nichols was fooling around with young girls 15 years ago.

That's right, 15 years ago.

He was 21 years old and he went out with a girl who was 17.

That's all he did, was go out with her.

You don't know he did anything out of line.

The charges were dropped.

Lots of newspapers would go with what we have.

Oh, you bet they would, son, but that doesn't make it right.

Yeah.

But if we don't move on it, somebody will scoop us?

Well, I'm sorry.

You're just going to have to take your chances with that.

Come on, Jonathan.

Can you get me out of teaching this sex ed?

Come on, Mark.

There's nothing I can do about it.

The boss gave you the assignment.

The least you could do is try.

Give me something easy to teach, like chemistry or physics

or calculus.

Are you trying to tell me you know more about calculus

than you do about sex?

That's not what I said and you know it.

I'd like to see you try to teach this class.

I mean, some of these kids, they ask questions

that are not exactly angelic.

I mean, it's embarrassing.

Yeah, well, it's your job as the teacher

to see to it that the kids don't get embarrassed.

I'm not talking about the kids getting embarrassed.

I'm talking about me getting embarrassed.

[chatter]

Jonathan, look at these drawings.

You know, when I was a kid, this is the kind of thing

you hid under your mattress.

Excuse me.

Are you Mr. Gordon?

Yeah, that's me.

What can I do for you?

I'm Ellen Kayhill.

Some of the kids tell me you've been calling

my name in sex ed class.

Yeah, that's right.

Where have you been?

I just wanted you to know that you

can take my name off the role.

I dropped out of the class.

Oh, I see.

I wanted to take the class but my mom didn't like it.

I understand.

Yeah.

Well, see ya.

Seems like a nice kid.

Kind of tense, though, wasn't she?

Yeah.

Yeah, she sure was.

Doug, we got to get the story out.

Smith is spoiling everything.

Yeah.

But, unfortunately, the dictator--

I mean, the teacher gets the final word.

But we can't just drop it.

Well, I see Woodward and Bernstein are still working.

You boys want a lift?

I'm on the way home.

No thanks, Dad.

I think we're going to be here for a little while.

Keep slugging.

Now you've got your dad using that Woodward

and Bernstein line.

Doug, I know what I want to do.

I want to print what we have on Larry Nichols.

Don't tell me, tell Smith.

We tried that.

Now I'm going to print without Smith's approval.

You've got to be kidding.

I'm not kidding.

My father will back us.

Are you sure?

He stood behind us on the sexuality article, didn't he?

But that's a completely different subject.

Come on, Partner.

Let's go for it.

I need some time to think about this.

If we don't act on it now, I know we'll be sorry.

Can't you see that?

Doug, we're reporters.

It's our duty.

We have to do this.

I don't know.

I'm going to print it.

You want your name off the story or on?

On.

[music playing]

Let's get to work, partner.

[music playing]

You had no right to go behind my back.

Maybe we made an end run, but we had no choice.

The article is important to the school.

Oh, come on.

What you printed was irresponsible.

It's nothing but innuendo.

You didn't even bother to print the fact

that the charges against Larry Nichols were dropped.

Very, very convenient.

How about if we print that in the next issue?

Oh, it's going to be printed in the next issue

of "The Banner," but neither one of you

are going to have anything to do with writing the copy.

You're no longer managing editors.

You can't do that.

I can't?

Well, let me tell you something, son.

It's already done.

You two will be lucky if you cover the school picnic.

I should have never listened to you.

Relax.

I told you my father would back us on this.

SECRETARY: You can go in now.

Thank you.

Jonathan, I--

I'm asking you to reinstate the boys.

I'm sorry.

I can't condone their actions.

Well, I grant you they--

they should have communicated with you.

Communicated?

They went behind my back.

I know that.

I know that.

They-- they made a mistake.

But I know my son.

I know his feelings about the First Amendment rights.

The First Amendment rights don't

give them the license to destroy the life

of an innocent human being.

Now, wait just a minute.

I hardly think you can call Larry Nichols innocent.

The man has a background of this kind of thing.

Come on. What background?

The old police charges against him were dropped.

Charges are dropped against guilty people every day.

Besides that, the girl on the bus

didn't make up a story out of whole cloth.

The girl on the bus refuses to come forward.

She is obviously frightened, so she went to her peers.

Look, Mr. McCormick, I can see we

are not going to agree on how to handle this situation.

Well, then you and I will have to agree to disagree.

I'm sorry, Jonathan.

Those boys will have their First Amendment rights.

As of now, I am reinstating them as managing editors.

That is the end of this discussion, Mr. Smith.

[somber music]

This whole thing is ridiculous.

My husband did nothing wrong.

She finished her bottle.

Look, we have nothing more to say about it.

Not another one.

It's endless, honey.

Maybe we should get an unlisted number.

That "Register" sure did a number on us, reprinting

that stupid high school story.

I'd give anything to know who that girl is.

I've been racking my mind trying

to come up with something.

But I just keep coming up with zero.

Why would you say these things about you?

Diana, I already told you I don't know.

I just don't know.

You're beginning to have doubts about this, aren't you?

You're beginning to believe this crap, aren't you?

Honey, look, it's only natural to question why a young girl

would say what she's saying.

Well, are you asking me if I'm telling you the truth?

No.

It's not that.

Then what?

Well, are you telling me everything?

That's great.

That's just great.

Now you're beginning to sound like all the callers.

Look, we're dealing with a teenage girl here.

Maybe she misinterpreted something.

There's nothing to misinterpret

because nothing happened.

Do you hear me?

Nothing happened!

[doorbell ringing]

Damn it!

That's one more trying to dig up dirt.

Mr. Nichols?

Yeah.

We're going to have to ask you to come downtown with us.

It's about the accident and the allegations in the paper.

Are you kidding me?

Those are just anonymous charges.

I mean, kids making up a story.

Yes, sir.

But we've had a lot of calls from concerned parents.

You're going to have to come with us.

[somber music]

Doug, it's me.

They just let Larry go.

I don't know what they found out,

but here's what I want to do.

Early tomorrow morning, when he pulls up to school,

I want to be right on him.

7:30 sharp.

See you.

Larry Nichols was questioned for over an hour,

but the chief of police declined to discuss the nature

of those questions with us.

Leading News will bring you an update on the Nichols situation

as soon as we receive it.

Larry.

Yeah?

I need to talk to you.

Frieda, if this is about that school paper again--

No.

It's more than the school paper, Larry.

I don't know how to tell you this.

I have been getting a lot of pressure put on me.

And I-- I, um--

I'm going to have to let you go.

What?

You got to understand.

I've been getting a lot of flack from parents.

I hear they're even starting a petition against you.

Frieda, look.

I've got a wife.

I've got a baby that I have to feed.

I know.

I know it, and it kills me.

But, you know, I could lose the whole school

contract over this.

I swear to you, I didn't do anything wrong.

I believe you, Larry, and I'm sorry.

But there's nothing else I can do.

[somber music]

Where's Larry?

He got fired this morning.

Oh.

[music playing]

Here he comes.

Well, is that something--

Larry Nichols getting canned.

Nichols got fired?

STUDENT: Yep.

He's out of here. - We did it.

We actually did it.

They axed Larry!

There's our headline for the next "Banner."

Why wait?

Let's get a special edition out right now.

We can scoop "The Register." - You mean now?

The photocopy room isn't open yet.

You're forgetting, we have a key to the photocopy room.

That answers that.

Let's go.

Miss, it's time to go.

Oh, jeez, I'm sorry.

I didn't even see where I was going.

Oh, that's OK. That's OK.

No, no.

It's my fault. There you go.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, again.

It's OK.

[music playing]

There.

It's finished.

Bookmark.

You realize who broke this case?

You and me.

Come on.

Let's hit the copy machine.

Reporters at "The Register" are gonna eat their hearts out.

Hey.

Somebody left their binder here.

Ellen Kayhill.

There's her name.

What am I seeing here?

Oh, listen to this.

Dearest Larry, I love you with all my heart.

Huh?

Listen to this one.

Larry, you drive me to school and you

drive me wild with love.

Oh, man.

This is weird.

Larry and Ellen Nichols?

Mrs. Ellen Nichols?

What is going on?

More than we thought.

That's for sure.

ELLEN: Mr. Smith?

DOUG: In here.

I'm looking for Mr. Smith.

He got my binder by mistake.

Is that my binder?

Yes, it is.

Would you give it to me, please?

Ellen, we read the things you wrote about Larry.

Let me have it.

Why did you write that you loved Larry?

You said you hated him.

It's my property.

Give it back.

Ellen.

I don't want to talk about it.

You have to tell us what's going on.

Otherwise, we can't continue to protect your identity.

You promised.

We promised because we thought you were telling the truth.

You better tell us everything.

Now.

I made it up.

What?

I made it all up.

I made up everything.

You mean Larry never said anything to you?

No.

He never touched you?

No, never.

The bus accident had nothing to do with you.

No, it didn't.

It was just an accident.

Why did you lie?

I don't know.

I was-- I was just so mad at him.

For what?

Because I loved him!

I've loved him ever since the sixth grade.

I used to look at him, day after day, too afraid

to even talk to him.

And then there was the accident, and I saw her, his wife,

holding him.

I didn't even know he was married.

I hated her and I hated him.

I really-- I didn't mean for it to go this far.

It just kept getting bigger and bigger.

Please, I'd just like my binder back.

[somber music]

[laughs] Yes, indeed.

Uh-huh.

I agree, they work very hard.

[laughs] I'll tell them that.

Oh, you bet I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Uh-huh.

Harold, thank you very much for calling.

Goodbye.

[knock on door]

Come in.

Come in.

Come on in.

I just got some happy news.

Colin, Doug, because of your work this year on the paper,

you have made the final round of the City Council's

Youth Achievement Award.

Not bad, eh, Mr. Smith?

No.

Not bad at all, sir.

Colin, what's wrong?

This will explain.

The girl lied.

That's right, about all of it.

We wrote that retraction to set everybody straight.

Doug and I are going to go down to the paper

and give them the whole story.

Yes.

Yes, of course.

You be sure to give them the name

of your source, whoever she is.

She's the one that created this mess in the first place.

No, she didn't.

Irresponsible reporting created this whole mess.

Nothing is going to be gained by making that girl's name public.

Mr. Smith is right, Dad.

Besides, we made a promise to protect our source,

and that promise has to be kept.

What that girl needs now is some help.

I'll try and see that she gets it.

[music playing]

Ellen.

You're waiting for Colin and Doug, aren't you?

No.

I was just--

They didn't tell, and nobody will.

I don't know why I did it.

It was so mean.

I feel so bad about what I did to Larry.

I'd really like to apologize to him,

but I'm afraid to face him.

Look, I don't blame you for being afraid

but you're going to have to do it.

You owe that to Larry and his wife.

Would you like Mr. Gordon and I to drive

you over to Larry's place?

Yeah.

That would be great.

OK.

[music playing]

Well, now that they've printed this retraction,

you know the bus driver is going to get his job back.

Are you gonna let Sara ride on the bus with him?

No way.

I still think he's guilty.

You know what they say.

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

JONATHAN (VOICEOVER): Congress shall

make no law respecting an establishment of religion

or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging

the freedom of speech or of the press,

or the right of the people peaceably

to assemble and to petition the government

for a redress of grievances.

Abuse the First Amendment and you destroy it.

[theme music]