Blood pressure: 120 over 70.
Normal.
All right, open wide.
Looks fine. Healthy as a horse.
Just one more thing, Luther.
You got to whiz in the cup, Frank.
Then we're done.
Fuck them!
We going to argue the merits of journalism?
You trying to tell me that's journalism?
Look, Michelle...
...it's been a long weekend.
Everybody's shooting one another and I've got to write about it.
I'm serious. I'm tired of the crap, you know?
I should get my Ph.D. Then I could write about stuff that matters.
You're 23 years old. You don't know anything that matters.
Well, fuck you too, Ev!
All right, here's a shoulder.
- What did they do to you? - Not "they." "He."
Alan.
He killed my sidebar on the Frank Beechum murder.
That case stinks anyway, but it's not the point.
- I read that sidebar. - It was good. Admit it.
Best I've written in months.
That was the one where you say that the media...
...glorified Beechum's victim to mask our patriarchal culture.
Which created the violence that destroyed her.
You're right. He should have never killed that.
- Fucking a! - I would've tortured it.
Well, it might have enjoyed that.
I think it would've enjoyed every second of that.
Another round?
Another margarita for the lady, and I'll have my usual.
Not your "usual" usual?
No, my new usual.
Virgin Mary.
And heavy on the...
...virgin?
Tell me something.
If you're such hot shit, why are you stuck here in Bumfuck, California?
Looking for love.
You've come to all the wrong places.
Not from where I sit.
It's not good. Not smart.
- What's smart got to do with anything? - I can't do this.
I got to go.
You're married and you're... .
I can't do this.
I got to go.
Next time?
Yeah, next time.
Frank!
We're out!
Just hold on. I can't hear you.
Morning, Frank.
Can I get you anything?
Some breakfast?
Well, if I can get, like...
...a roll and some coffee.
I'll get that right away.
You're not wearing your protective glasses.
You heard about it?
What a tragedy.
The Raiders are a tragedy. She drunk?
I don't know. It was Dead Man's Curve.
- Did she have anything big on? - The interview with Beechum...
...at San Quentin then the execution tonight.
It's worse for Michelle.
You think so, Bob?
If the warden will okay a replacement for the interview...
...l'll take Harvey out of that meeting.
- Put Everett on it. - Steve has the day off.
Not anymore. He can do the interview and witness the execution.
And what's-his-name, the warden at San Quentin... .
Steve's dealt with him before. I can get him in.
- You think Everett's an asshole. - I don't think that.
You're wrong. He is an asshole. Trust me, I know him.
But a lot of people who are good at their jobs are assholes.
I know that, Alan, all right? It's not about that.
Everything with Everett is a witch- hunt, like that Mike Vargas piece.
He's not a drunk now.
Two months ago he's a drunk, now he's Mother Teresa.
This is not a Steve Everett slash-and-burn job.
This is a sidebar. It's an issue piece.
"An issue piece." Well, dog my cats!
It's capital punishment, Alan.
We are putting a man to death tonight. We are killing a human being.
Stop the presses!
By the way, that Amy what's-her-name...
...the pregnant broad Frankie shot in the throat...
...was she a human being? Is that part of the issue?
Yeah, that is part of the issue.
Let me tell you-- Cake?
Issues are shit we use as an excuse to run good stories.
"Judge Grabs Female Attorney's Tits." The sex discrimination "issue."
"Nine-year-old Shoots Brother With Uzi."
The child violence "issue."
People want to read about sex organs and blood.
You know what?
We make up issues so they don't have to feel too nasty about it. Got it?
I should call Everett, because that's his attitude.
A little sarcasm? How long you been here? Three months?
I've worked with Everett for three years.
And let me tell you something, Bob.
The guy is good, as good as anybody I've ever worked with.
You know why he was run out of New York?
I heard some things.
He busted the mayor. The mayor of fucking New York City!
He found a secret memo on a bribe...
...between His Honor and an ex-borough president and ran with it.
So?
The paper killed it because the owner was in bed with the mayor.
What did Everett do?
He didn't whine...
...and he didn't back down.
He just fucking walked.
That's Steve Everett.
- Fine. - Good.
- How's the quitting smoking? - Great.
When you send the flowers to that dead girl...
...Michelle's family...
...would you include my name? Thanks.
- See you. - All right.
The mayor of New York City, Bob.
The mayor, you gullible asshole.
Yeah, I could have stayed in New York forever.
They were about to put me in charge of an investigative team.
That would have put me on the Pulitzer track.
I really liked it there. Broadway shows, downtown jazz clubs...
...dinners at Elaine's, veal chops up the old wazoo.
Not veal chops like that, though.
Jaws!
Now you have to kiss it and make it better.
So you were the king of New York.
Why are you hacking out metro stories at the Oakland Tribune ?
Well, that's a long story.
I got caught in the supply room with a very young lady.
Turned out to be the owner's daughter.
How the hell was I supposed to know she was underage?
She looked 18 to me.
Anyway, I got blackballed all over town.
You bad man! What did your wife say?
We'd just had the kid, so she took it kind of hard.
But Alan offered us this gig out here.
Another town, another change.
Bad man!
First the owner's daughter, now the editor's wife.
Do I detect a little...
...hostility towards authority figures?
Only ones I work for.
Is that what you'll say in the next town with someone else?
"I got caught with the editor's wife. You know."
I get caught with the editor's wife...
...there's not many more towns that'll have me.
So playtime's over?
You've got to go to work, I've got to get home...
...see if the wife and kid still recognize me.
You won't tell me how awful we are, will you?
Bob, he's a decent sort.
Good newspaperman, solid editor.
So this all just stinks...
...right?
What we're doing?
Patricia...
...you and I are just two people swimming through the passions of life.
You know?
Look, it's all right.
It's not like I love you or anything.
That's good.
Because I don't love you too.
All right.
Yes, all right.
You won't believe this.
What?
That was Bob.
What'd he want?
He was looking for you.
Who told him?
How should I know?
Morning, Frank.
Mr. Plunkitt.
Anything I can get for you?
Anything you need?
No, not anything I can think of.
There's some matters I gotta discuss with you.
Figured we'd do it first, get it out of the way.
Your dinner tonight, for one thing...
...can be pretty much anything you want.
You go ahead and tell Reedy here when you decide.
Now, about your personal effects--
My wife will take them.
And your remains?
That go for your remains too?
If she can't afford the funeral--
Our church raised some money. It's all right.
So your wife will be claiming your remains?
Yes, sir, that's right.
I want to give you some idea of what's going to happen tonight.
We'll have to ask your visitors to leave at 7 p.m.
You'll be given your dinner and a fresh set of clothes.
We'll come for you about a half-hour before the procedure.
You'll be taken into the procedure room...
...they'll hook an EKG up to you and the intravenous lines.
But nothing's going to happen early or anything.
Right up until 12:01, we'll be monitoring the phones.
We got lines to the attorney general and the governor.
And those we check to make sure they're working.
You have any questions?
No.
Just one more thing and then I'll leave you in peace.
- It's about the sedative. - I don't want one.
Sedative's completely optional, Frank.
It can make things a lot easier.
I don't want it.
I appreciate it, Mr. Plunkitt...
...but I want to be clear in my mind.
When I see my wife, I want to be clear for that.
Fair enough.
You change your mind, let the officer know.
I just had to give you my sales talk.
Badges will be at the gate. Got the witness list.
What else?
Roadblocks are up. Demonstrators are light so far.
- Visitors squared away? - Wife and kid.
Your girl from the Trib, Michelle Ziegler will be here at four.
Mea culpa.
- She was pretty persuasive. - Let her persuade me next time.
Arnie, what do you think of Beechum?
Sometimes I think about the girl he shot dead over $96.
Mostly I think about doing my job.
Warden! Sir!
I repent!
Jesus, Atkins!
Give me some of that pussy, baby.
Give me some pussy on toast! I need some of that pussy on toast!
Go ahead, baby, shake that thing.
Excuse me. Can I have some pussy on toast?
I just need some pussy on toast. Give me some pussy on toast!
- Is that you, newspaperman? - Back off.
You got money. Give me some on toast.
Come on, I need it.
Promise me you will not spend this on food.
Five dollars?
You can give me more than that.
Give me five, give me ten. Come on, give me 20, Steve.
Give me $ 100, you got so much money!
You got money on toast, baby! I know you do.
- Hey, sister! - Get away from me.
- I know you got some sweet pussy! - Get away from me.
You nasty motherfucker! Shut your nasty ass up.
I want something on the toast. Nothing wrong with that.
Put some on the toast for me. I know she likes me.
I know I'm going to give her my phone number.
Hello, everyone.
You got my message?
Apparently you and I have a little problem.
Do we?
Yes, we do.
Look, Bob--
Michelle Ziegler was killed in a car wreck last night.
What?
Michelle?
That couldn't be. I was with her last night.
Oh, no!
She was only 23 or something.
Dead Man's Curve.
My God!
The poor kid!
Just out of school and 23 or something.
I should have driven her home.
She had an interview set up with Frank Beechum this afternoon.
The poor... .
Beechum.
Yeah, I heard they were going to juice him today.
In fact, she said she had a seat for the show.
Four o'clock in the deathwatch cell. Alan wants you to cover for her.
Is he the one who killed that pregnant girl?
College student, Amy Wilson. Working the summer in Richmond.
Place called Pocum's Grocery. Owed Beechum 96 bucks.
Repairs he did on her car or something. Shot her dead.
Anything else I should know?
Tough, black mechanic at the Amoco station in Clayton.
But I warn you, do not pull a Dick Tracy on this.
I don't want a big investigation.
You can depend on that. Don't worry.
Says here Beechum's one of those born-agains.
Yeah, aren't they all on death row?
Biggest birth rate in the country.
Cynical.
He came from Michigan. Broken home, alcoholic mother.
He's been in and out of jails, violent assaults, drugs.
He did two years for beating a cop who tried to give him a ticket.
Sounds like a reasonable fella.
Then another three for breaking into a store.
Then he got out, met his wife. Nice girl, born-again.
Led him to Jesus.
They had a daughter, bought a house in Richmond.
Yeah, now he's Mr. Nice Guy.
I guess not. Six years ago, he walks into Pocum's...
...Amy Wilson's on the register.
Let me guess.
He asks Amy for his $96 and she says she doesn't have it.
And old Frank, he gets his wicked temper up.
I don't suppose he's expressed any heartfelt remorse?
Nope. Get this.
He still says that he just went to the store for some A-1 Steak Sauce.
Steak sauce?
Well, that's a nice touch.
Nussbaum had two strong witnesses.
Black or white?
Let's see. Both white.
A woman in the parking lot saw him run away...
...and this poor guy, an accountant...
...goes in to use the phone because his car overheated.
Beechum is there, gun in hand, blood all over him.
All I'm looking for is the human-interest angle.
Final days, what it's like.
- Got it? - Yeah, I got it.
Anything else you need from me?
Nope.
Good. Okey-dokey.
Get right on it.
Something else on your mind, Steve?
The witness...
...the one who found Beechum with the body...
...must have heard the shots.
The shots.
You know, he comes in...
...his car's overheated, he's got the hood up.
Must be working on it. Meanwhile a robbery's going on.
He had to have heard shots.
So he heard the shots.
But this is a white accountant in Richmond.
You're telling me he's going to walk into a store when he heard shots?
You know what? I don't know if he heard the shots.
Maybe he did. I don't care.
What I'd like you to do is interview Beechum about his feelings today.
Turn it into a human-interest sidebar. Can you do that?
Yeah, I'll get right on it.
No problem.
Bye-bye.
Fuck!
Close one!
I don't know what you did, but he's after you.
We're about two seconds away from a full Bob Findley explosion.
What are you, crazy?
You're lighting up after Bob's "no smoking" speech?
I missed that.
Yeah. That was smart too.
Try to be a good boy, okay?
Beechum case.
Victim: Amy Wilson, married, 20-year-old, shot in the chest...
... with a .38 as she stood behind the counter at Pocum's Grocery.
Six months pregnant at the time. Both she and the baby died.
Two witnesses.
First witness: Nancy Larson, housewife...
... mother of three. Drives into Pocum's parking lot.
Larson couldn't see whether he had a gun or not.
No weapon was found.
Later she picked Beechum out of a police lineup...
... the same lineup where he was picked out...
... by Dale Porterhouse, CPA. He was in the area.
His car overheated, so he drove into Pocum's.
Porterhouse picks Beechum from the lineup that same day.
Records show Amy Wilson owed Beechum $96...
... for carburetor work.
Note for future essay:
Why so few female car mechanics?
Want coffee, Ev?
It's back in fashion as a late-morning pick-me-up.
Make it a big one.
Women can fetch coffee now...
...because job opportunities give us new confidence.
Do you think being the trends editor's getting to you?
I don't know. Was I an insane person before?
You're a great person.
You take it black?
I do.
Shit!
Steve, thank God. Where are you?
I'm at the paper. They roped me in.
Did they call you at the gym? They tried here.
I stopped by to pick something up and they grabbed me.
Did you have a good workout?
Yeah, decent.
Good. Anyway, you promised Kate you'd take her to the zoo.
The zoo!
God, I forgot!
Steve, she really is expecting you.
I'm sorry about that. I really just forgot.
You worked all weekend. She didn't see you at all.
You know how she loves her daddy.
I know it's work...
... but I feel it would be a bad idea to let her down again.
Barbara, there's been an accident.
Remember Michelle Ziegler? You met at Christmas?
She piled up her car on Dead Man's Curve.
That's terrible. There's been so many accidents there.
They ought to do something.
- What was that? - They ought do something about that.
- Is she hurt? - "Not if I heard anything like that."
Yeah, dead.
That's awful. You're filling in for her?
They've got a ticket for the execution tonight.
Don't tell me they couldn't get someone else. You worked all weekend.
Finally!
What? Where are you?
Barbara, look, I don't have to be at San Quentin till four.
Why don't I pick up Katie, take her to the zoo and bring her back at three?
Coffee time!
What about her nap? She has her nap after lunch.
Her nap?
Isn't today your day off?
She gets cranky without her nap.
Well, I'll bring her a double espresso.
- It's just a joke. - I'm busting a gut.
I'll be there in a half-hour. 12:30 at the latest.
Why'd you go in there on your day off?
Are you still trying to make up for that Mike Vargas thing?
I'll be there at 12:30, all right?
More and more workers insist on the right not to breathe secondhand smoke.
And more and more scumbags don't care.
Well, Bridget, you're an adorable person.
Sexual harassment.
What are the guidelines?
Who can say?
I hate my job, Ev.
But I love watching you do it.
Don't look now.
Gosh, Mr. Reporter, is that what real newspapermen get to read?
Well, Dale Porterhouse:
"No, I couldn't have heard the shots.
The windows were rolled up and I had the radio and air conditioner on.
That's probably why the car overheated."
Close quote.
That's another wild hunch down the drain.
My condolences.
No great loss.
Look, anybody calls...
...l'm at the zoo.
Me too.
Good morning, Frank.
I thought maybe...
...if there's anything I can do for you...
...anything you'd like to talk about...
...I want you to know I'm here, I'm available.
I understand you read the Bible.
That's right, isn't it, Frank?
But, you know...
...just reading the Bible isn't enough, is it?
No.
Man can't go to his Maker with the sins of his soul unrepented of.
With the hurt he's caused folks just, you know...
...unrepented of.
A lot of folks would feel better to hear...
...you were remorseful for the pain you caused them.
You could do a lot of good with those words.
I don't have anything to tell you.
Reverend Shillerman...
...I want you to leave. I have my own pastor coming later.
I don't need to tell you...
...there will come a time, and I'm afraid it's not far off...
Reedy!
...when you'll wish you'd made a different decision.
But it will be too late.
What can I get you?
Get this damn fool out of my face!
Call himself a man of God.
Reverend Shillerman!
Reverend Shit-For-Brains.
Now, Frank...
...I wouldn't want to be strapped to that table...
...with the wrongs I've committed unrepented of.
When they stick that needle in your arm...
...feel your blood run to ice--
Reverend, that's enough!
Get him out of here!
I feel sorry for you, Frank.
I'm sorry too. Believe me.
I mean it. We don't want no trouble.
All right. I just felt it's my job.
It might be upsetting... .
Everyone wants in on the action, right, Frank?
Twelve hours from now convicted killer Frank Beechum...
... will be executed by lethal injection.
He was convicted six years ago...
... of the brutal slaying of 20-year-old Amy Wilson and her unborn child...
... at Pocum's Grocery in the Richmond section of the county.
Wilson, who was six months pregnant...
... was working when Beechum shot her...
... during an argument over $96 she owed him and was unable to pay.
Now the weather:
Morning low clouds with some afternoon clearing.
Help you?
Yeah, I'm a reporter from the Oakland Tribune.
Isn't this where Amy Wilson was killed?
It sure is.
She was right behind this same counter.
Almost six years ago exactly.
Mr. Pocum says...
...the needle's too good for him.
For Beechum.
They ought to bring back the chair, that's what I say.
Really let him have a jolt of something.
What's back there?
Bathroom.
Mr. Pocum was always nice...
...about letting folks come in and do their business.
I'll come back some other time maybe and do some really serious shopping.
Am I going to be in the newspaper?
Was something here before?
That's where the potato chips used to be.
But Mr. Pocum moved the rack over here...
...so it'd be what you call...
...a impulse kind of purchase.
This in that story you're writing?
That's a good point.
I'm writing a human-interest sidebar. Do you know what that is?
No, I don't think I do.
I don't think I do either.
Sorry, I got hung up.
Daddy!
Aren't we going to the zoo today?
Well, what's holding us up? Don't you want to get dressed?
- Let's change your clothes. - What animal do you want to see?
Daddy, I want to go see the hippopotamus.
Come on, let's change your pants.
I tell you, looking into those eyes...
... I don't think... .
It was like looking into the eyes of a goat. Something like that.
They were that cold.
I can't honestly say that I've ever wished anyone dead.
But I think I'll feel a lot safer when Frank Beechum's gone.
That's Dale Porterhouse, an accountant with the firm of Stokes and Whitney.
Porterhouse was the state's key witness in the Wilson case six years ago...
... a case that will culminate at one minute past midnight...
... with the execution by lethal injection of Frank Beechum.
Information. What city, please?
Oakland, for a Stokes and Whitney. It's an accounting firm.
The number you requested is... .
Come on, let's go. Daddy's here.
Steve, what is it?
Just a hunch I've got. Bear with me.
Tonight, finally, is the execution.
It's been a long 6 years. Do you feel justice is finally being done?
Is Dale Porterhouse there, please?
- Mr. Porterhouse is at lunch. - Get off the phone, Daddy.
Right now!
This is Steve Everett. I'm a reporter with the Oakland Tribune.
Could you have him call me? It's about the Beechum case.
Nothing will end that rage except the death of the monster...
... who killed my daughter and my unborn grandchild.
I'll give you my beeper number.
You're not taking that beeper!
Just a second, it's just a hunch. No big deal.
Yeah, it's 5-5-5...
...1-4-3-9.
- I'll make sure he gets it. - Thanks.
Okay, sweetheart, what do you think?
Are you ready for the big hippo?
You want to go in the den with Dad?
I'll show you something Dad's got to take with him.
Not the beeper. Right? Not the beeper.
Let's pick up my beeper. This goes "beep, beep, beep."
Yeah, it goes "beep, beep, beep."
Come on, get your jacket on.
And now we're just hours away from the actual time of execution.
Daddy, I want to go see the hippopotamus.
After a break, we'll be talking to someone...
... who thinks capital punishment is never the solution.
I love you!
Bye, Katie!
Have a good time! I love you.
I love you too, Mama.
Wait!
The car seat!
Mother, I'm too big for a car seat.
We'll put her in back. How's that?
Put her in the back seat. Seat belt!
Don't forget the seat belt!
The seat belt, Steven!
It's fine. It's fine.
I should've never stopped by that store.
Oh, God!
Dale Porterhouse, please. This is Steve Everett of the Tribune.
Be with you in just a second, darling.
This is Dale Porterhouse. What can I do for you?
I'll be ready in a second, darling. We'll go in a second.
Mr. Porterhouse, this is Steve Everett of the Tribune.
I'm covering the Beechum execution tonight.
I thought you were one of the chief witnesses in that.
Just a second. Just a second, sweetheart.
I was wondering if I could have ten minutes with you.
I'd be glad to. I can't talk right now.
I could meet you later.
Yeah, where?
How about we meet at The Bread Company restaurant? Know it?
Yeah, I know it exactly.
On Ninth Street, isn't it?
- How about we meet in a half-hour? - Half-hour it'll be.
Thanks. Bye.
Okay, baby.
Come here. Come on.
But I'm too big to sit in a stroller!
That's nonsense. We're going to play this game called Speed Zoo.
Speed Zoo?
Monkeys!
- Giraffes! - We go fast.
Birdies!
Speed Zoo!
Camel lips!
We go fast.
We go fast!
Where's the hippopotamus?
Elephants! Look at the elephants.
Where's the hippopotamus?
Speed Zoo!
I want to see the hippopotamus!
We go fast.
I want a hippopotamus!
I'm sorry. I wouldn't have this happen for the world.
I want my mommy!
I know, sweetie.
Daddy's sorry.
Oh, my God! What happened to you?
She's a real trooper, I've got to tell you.
What the hell's wrong with you?
How you holding up?
Like I said, there's always a chance.
But with all the feeling about the girl... .
You know how the governor's tough on crime.
So Mr. Berris says that maybe...
...if you just tell him about how remorseful you feel... .
You know what I'm saying?
- I didn't do it. - I understand.
I'm just telling you that's what we're facing here, all right?
I can't say I'm sorry for what I never did.
I'll call you as soon as the appeal comes down.
Hi, Daddy.
I brought you a picture, but it's not done...
...so I have to finish it, okay?
Hold on. They're going to let me in.
Don't be sad now. We're not going to be afraid.
Give Daddy a big hug, please?
Come on, don't be sad. Don't be afraid. We're not gonna be afraid.
I'm gonna finish my picture now, Daddy, okay?
You do Daddy a favor, okay? Now, walk over here with me, okay?
I want you to sit right here while I have a little talk with Mommy, okay?
Give me a kiss.
Come on.
Come on, now.
You know I'm just going home to dreamland, that's all.
It's green pastures, Daddy. See?
Here's the blue sky. I made it at the motel.
Gonna be holding two places at the table for us.
We're not gonna cry.
I'm sorry. Okay.
We know I'm going to a better place beyond this place, right?
The thing I worry about most in all this... .
No, she loves you.
She loves you.
I don't want her to ever think her daddy did--
She won't think that.
She knows you.
I can't find green, Mama. Do you have it?
All the crayons are in the box, honey.
Well, I can't find it.
Don't you ever let her think it.
You do that for me, okay?
I swear.
It's lost.
I can't find it anywhere.
Can you use another color, honey?
I have to have green.
It's green pastures!
Look for it. It's got to be here somewhere.
Daddy won't mind if you use another color.
Okay, baby.
Calm down.
Calm down, honey.
Mrs. Beechum?
What parking area did you use?
Yeah, just a moment.
It's your lawyer again.
We lost it.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Berris will be at the governor's late this afternoon.
We got to be honest about what's going on.
Know what I'm saying?
I'm really sorry, Frank.
We tried, but you know, it just didn't work.
I don't know what else to say. I'm so sorry.
God bless you, Frank.
- So is there anything? - No, nothing yet.
You know how these legal things are. They take forever.
Control, we've located the material.
Copy that.
Good news.
They found the crayon. It'll be here soon.
You hear that, sweetie?
Now you can show Daddy some real pastures.
- Green pastures. - That's right. Baby's green pastures.
Come here.
Your green is coming.
Told you they would find it.
I believe there's such a thing in this world as good citizenship.
A man sees an injustice, let alone a cold-blooded murder, he has--
Let me get this straight. You didn't see the murder.
Of course not. I never said I did.
Well, what did you see?
Mr. Everett, I've been through this so many times.
- I can't tell you how many-- - I have trouble getting it into my head.
It's simple.
I went into Pocum's to use the phone.
My car had overheated.
When the door slammed behind me, he jumped up from behind the counter.
He was covered with blood and had a gun.
I guess it was when he was bending over Amy...
... I mean, Mrs. Wilson, stealing her ring and her necklace.
He got one good look at me, then ran out the service entrance.
My concern is for the girl, so I immediately dial 911.
I figured...
... why should I run after a killer who's got a gun...
...when I can let the police do their job?
And they sure did it.
Yeah, they sure did.
We live in a country where there's a rule of law.
I mean, an ordinary citizen who does--
Aren't you going to take notes or use a tape recorder?
Usually when I talk to reporters...
...they want to keep a record of what I say.
I've got a photographic memory.
Is that some kind of joke?
No, I have a notebook right here.
Just having an off day. You'll have to excuse me.
Slow day.
Yeah, well... .
- My point simply was this: A man-- - Mr. Porterhouse...
...let me cut to the chase.
Are you absolutely sure about your testimony?
Absolutely. Why wouldn't I be?
You saw Frank Beechum's face and the gun?
If I had doubts about my testimony, I would've told the police.
That must have been scary, having him point that gun right at you.
No. Thank God, no. It wasn't like that.
Was it above his head?
No, he had the gun down by his side in a very normal way.
How could you have seen over the potato chips?
What?
What potato chips?
I had a perfectly clear view.
Look, right here. Here's where you come in the main entrance.
You look across and see Beechum going out the service entrance.
Here in the center is a rack of potato chips.
I don't know how you could have seen a gun there...
...unless he was waving it over his head.
Why would I say I saw a gun if I didn't?
I don't know.
Maybe you like telling the story...
...telling the police or reporters something they didn't already have.
Maybe you like telling the girls around the office coffee machine.
This is absolutely absurd.
You actually think that I would jeopardize a man's life...
...in order to impress the girls around my office?
I don't know, Mr. Porterhouse. We only just met.
That's right, Mr. Everett. We only just met.
But I did some checking on you before I returned your call.
You led that crusade to get the rapist released last year, didn't you?
That lying what's-his-name?
You wouldn't be referring to the Mike Vargas case?
Had all your facts straight on that one too, didn't you?
Then they threatened him with the DNA test. The guy confesses.
I'm surprised they didn't fire you on the spot.
So am I.
Look, I'm sorry.
I just thought... .
I don't know what I thought.
Can I tell you about our specials?
All right, lunch is here and the drinks are cold.
Who gets the roast beef?
Over here, Zach.
Here you go.
Seems like there's more fat and less meat every time I get this.
Ain't that the way you order it? Hold the meat, leave the fat?
Arnold's all right. The more of him, the better.
What do you say we do some work while we feed our faces?
You all know that at 1800 hours...
...the whole staff meets here for a final briefing.
Excuse me, Warden.
The reverend here will hold a prayer meeting after the briefing.
Which is optional for anyone who wants to stay.
Also be advised...
...there's a change in the 1600 interview thing.
The girl had some kind of accident.
They've replaced her with Everett.
Damn!
I realize his butt ain't quite up to the standard of Michelle's...
...but that's who's coming anyway.
Everyone clear on that?
Well, speak of the devil!
Alan tells me I'm paying you too much.
You can rest assured I'm frittering it away on women and booze.
You're a real dyed-in-the-wool son of a bitch.
Anybody ever tell you that?
Just close friends and family.
- I'll come back later. - No, I was just leaving.
Still sober as a judge, right?
Guess you haven't been partying with the Alameda County judges lately.
Yeah, sober as an ex-drunk, sir.
Good to see you, Steve.
Stop fucking Bob's wife. He doesn't like it.
What'd he do, put it in the newspaper?
If he comes to me and wants your ass, I have to give it to him.
You'll just be a hole with no ass around it.
You know what, Ev? You're a fucking womanizer, that's what.
You'll fuck up your career and marriage.
If you can't keep your prick in your pants, I can't protect you!
How was she?
None of your damn business. Not bad.
Lucky! I always liked and respected her.
Did I ever tell you about the D.A. I was banging?
No, and if you do, I'll rip your throat out with my bare hands.
I'll save it for another day. Edifying story.
- I've got this problem. - The nickel finally drops!
You do have a problem.
I told you Bob's been gunning for you since the day he got here.
In his quiet, earnest, reasonable way.
He's glad you banged his wife. Now he has a mandate to destroy you.
I live to make him happy. That's not the problem.
Fuck my wife. I'd just punch you.
I did.
Was she good?
A wildcat. But that's not the problem.
What is it? Tell Papa.
Come to Papa, you soulless sack of shit. What is it?
It's Frank Beechum.
I think he may be innocent.
After the briefing, Arnold will check the phones...
...make sure the lines are working.
Don't want the governor to get a busy signal.
Don't worry. I got call waiting put on that line.
Christ, Atkins!
Reuben, make sure the clocks are synchronized.
And the one in the press room too.
You've got the strap-down team.
I myself had a personal heart-to-heart...
...with the prisoner, myself, this morning.
And going by my experience with the men, he won't be any trouble.
In my opinion.
All right.
What have you got on Beechum?
- Listen to me-- - I don't have to listen!
I'm looking at you. I'm looking and...
...I can see a reporter who's about to tell me he has a hunch!
I've been checking some things.
You know my opinion of reporters with hunches?
This witness said he saw a gun. I don't think he did.
I can't fart loud enough to express my opinion!
Even Michelle thought there were discrepancies.
After a police investigation, a trial, six years of appeals?
And you found discrepancies? How long did it take you, half an hour?
You know the system.
His first attorney was probably some 12-year-old legal aid guy.
He couldn't object enough for the court to make an intelligent decision.
- If they could make one. - Come on.
I got your appeal.
They're going to kill the guy tonight.
All right. Man, I must be on acid!
So you're telling me you want to turn a routine execution piece...
...into a fight-for-justice story...
...and give me an excuse to stand up for you...
...when Bob asks me to transfer you to the toilet.
Alan, I need this.
You won't get your wife and kid back. She'll find out.
I'll fix that.
I can't tell you what will happen if this is another Vargas piece.
So you come up with something, fine. I'll run it. But it better be good.
The Vargas thing, I was drinking. You lose your nose. My nose is back.
Well, we'll both find out, won't we?
Just one thing.
If I come up with something, we can't wait till tomorrow to run it.
My God! I know what you're thinking.
It's like dogs that hear a sound that humans can't.
I can actually hear your little brain ticking away. I really can.
If you go to Lowenstein thinking he'll call the governor--
The governor will listen to him.
It better be good. Or he not only won't call the governor...
...he'll eat your heart and throw you to the dogs.
You won't have to bone his wife, pal. He'll fire you for free.
Thanks.
You don't have to thank me.
I don't know whose ass you're trying to save, Beechum's or yours.
But if your nose for a story is gone, my friend, you are gone too.
Because I won't run this paper...
...to salvage what's left of your smarmy existence.
So you stand there and you look me in the eye and you tell me, man-to-man:
Was she pretty good?
- Seriously. - Fuck you.
Lucky bastard!
Go get them, tiger.
I don't know what to say to you.
Been trying to figure out...
...what it was I wanted to say to you, and I don't... .
I'm sorry, Bob.
I really am sorry.
I don't think you are.
I don't think you're capable of feeling sorry.
You're not capable of feeling anything for other people.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe you're right, Bob.
How'd you find out?
She told me.
She told you?
She saved your cigarette butts in an ashtray by the side of the bed.
Her way of letting me know.
I guess that's all I was, a way of getting your attention.
If it helps any, I feel awful.
It doesn't help.
That is so beautiful, sweetheart.
I'll keep it with me always. I promise you.
Can we come back tomorrow?
Can we stay at the motel again?
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow you and Mama get to go home.
I don't want to go home. I want to stay with you.
Come on, sweetie.
You're a big girl now.
You know what's going on here, don't you?
Now, you know, after today...
...you won't see Daddy no more.
But I will be there in spirit.
I promise.
You can talk to me whenever you want, all right?
Remember what we talked about, the little baby Jesus?
Remember that?
Well, I will be up there with Him. And I will be watching you.
And I'll wait for you.
And if you want to talk to me anytime, I will be there...
...listening.
I'll miss you so bad, honey.
I wrote you a letter.
And your mama will have it...
...when you need it later on, okay?
You go on now.
Gail, you want to take these, honey?
Take these, okay?
Come on. It's time.
I love you.
I'll always love you, Gail. Okay?
Why can't you just come home?
Why can't you just kill all these people and come home?
Don't say that, Gail. Don't ever say that, okay?
Don't ever say that.
I love you, baby!
I'll always love you.
Goodbye, Daddy!
Goodbye!
Oh, God!
It's too much.
She loves you. I know, honey.
Remind me not to start a life of crime.
They lie, you know?
- Who's that? - Prisoners.
That's what they do.
Every word they say is a lie.
Well, everyone lies, pal.
I'm just here to write it down.
You've got 15 minutes, Mr. Everett...
...by order of Warden Plunkitt.
Keep to 15 minutes.
Mr. Everett, Frank Beechum.
All right, have a seat.
I got them.
So how's that girl?
The other, Michelle?
I heard she was in some kind of accident?
Yeah, she was.
She was in a car wreck.
She didn't make it.
Oh, man.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Thanks.
I guess you want to hear...
...about how it feels to be in here.
Yeah, it's a human-interest piece.
I feel isolated.
I feel fear.
Fear of pain.
Fear of prison.
Fear of being separated from my loved ones.
All those fears rolled up into one.
Never having a chance to see my daughter draw pictures like this.
She says it's Green Pastures.
I want to tell everyone that...
...I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
I believe I'm going to a better place.
And there's a better place, better justice there.
I came into my faith...
...late in life.
Did a lot of bad things when I was younger. You know?
Anyway...
...I believe the crookeds will be made straight.
That's what the Bible says. I believe that.
So that's how I feel about it.
Is that all right, Mr. Everett?
You got nine more minutes.
I mean, is there any more that you want?
Mr. Beechum, you don't know me.
I'm just a guy out there with a screw loose.
Frankly, I don't give a rat's ass about Jesus Christ...
...and I don't care about justice in this world or the next.
I don't even care what's right or wrong. Never have.
But you know what this is?
What is this, some kind of joke?
No, it's no joke. That's my nose.
To tell you the pitiful truth, that's all I have in life.
When it tells me something stinks...
...I have faith in it, like you have faith in Jesus.
When my nose is working well, I know there's truth there somewhere.
But if it isn't working...
...you may as well drive me off a cliff. I'm nothing.
Lately...
...l'm not 100% sure...
...my nose has been working that great.
So I've got to ask you...
...did you kill that woman, or not?
What?
What happened at that store that day Amy Wilson was shot?
I went into the store to buy a bottle of A-1 Sauce.
You paid at the counter--
No, I never got it.
I told everybody this. Why are you asking me this?
Tell it again. To me.
I went into the store...
...to buy a bottle of A-1 Sauce.
I didn't know where it was. Amy was behind the counter.
Hey, Amy. Where you keep the steak sauce?
It's in the back. See where the ketchup and relish is?
I've been meaning to talk to you.
I don't have it.
I mean I could give you 30 now, but I don't have it all.
When can give me the whole 96?
When I get paid, July 15th.
You're not gonna always do this, are you?
No, I swear. It's just, the end of school year. We have extra expenses.
All right, then.
July 15th?
July 15th.
Mind if I use the bathroom?
You know where it is, right?
So you weren't mad about the money?
I just wanted her to know I didn't do business that way.
She was cool. I liked her.
Were you carrying a gun?
So then what?
I asked her, could I use her restroom.
I went in to use the restroom, and the next thing I know...
...there was a gunshot.
That's all you got?
It's the Fourth of July and we're not that busy.
- Give me the chain! - Not that!
Give me the fucking chain!
Oh, God. Amy!
Oh, Jesus!
Oh, God!
Sweet Jesus!
Can you breathe, Amy?
Somebody help us!
Anybody here?
Help!
- "Please, not that." - That's what I heard.
Why'd you run?
It was stupid. But I've been running from something most of my life.
There I was, covered in blood next to a dead girl...
...a white man staring at me like I was-- I just panicked.
- Who shot her? - I don't know.
Did Porterhouse see the gun?
- You got five minutes. - Wasn't no gun!
Did he see the shooter?
How would I know?
Of course he didn't.
By the time he pulled in the lot the shooter had left.
That's why he didn't hear the shots.
I don't know when anything happened.
That's because you were on the floor trying to save Amy's life.
What was this, a random shooting? Or was someone else there?
I don't know. I didn't see anything.
Give me something!
What do you want? What do you people want?
That's it.
You believe us, don't you? Do you believe us?
- Bonnie, don't. - Do you believe us?
Yes! I believe you.
For chrissake!
Where's your heart? Don't these people have enough?
Then where were you?
Dear God! Where were you all this time?
It wasn't my story. There was an accident--
Where were you?
Everett?
Warden.
You know, people come in here, the press.
Prisoners tell them things. All kind of heart-wrenching things.
And the next day in the paper we come off sounding like hard guys.
It can get pretty frustrating, is all.
Yeah, of course.
We have to do what the state tells us to do.
Makes it tough on us...
...if we show up in the paper as bloody murderers.
Yeah, I understand. Completely.
Knew you would.
These things go through all kind of trials and appeals...
...before they get to us.
No use trying to figure out who's naughty or nice...
...and then come sliding down the chimney like a hero.
Not on execution day.
You're not Santa Claus.
No such thing as Santa Claus.
Warden?
You're not really sure, are you?
You drive safe now.
- Cecilia, I want to talk. - Not a good time.
Not now, call my office.
- This is important. - Please, just back up.
Back off, will you?
What are you, a court attorney?
Hit a reporter. See how long you keep your job.
- Why don't you get in the car? - Yeah, why don't you?
New York asshole!
- What is it? - Frank Beechum. Who else was there?
Are you back on the bottle?
There was Frank Beechum, Nancy Larson, Porterhouse... .
- Who else? - What's the difference?
That's the one who shot Amy.
I don't know what kind of conspiracy theory you're working on...
...but we've got a solid case. I don't send innocent men to death.
I know that. I do.
But you made a mistake. He was just using the bathroom.
He went in for steak sauce.
You've always been a gullible son of a bitch.
Read the transcripts. A witness saw Beechum with a gun.
He couldn't have. Not through the potato chips.
Is that what he said?
I saw it in his eyes. I could tell.
- You haven't got jack shit. - How much jack shit do I need?
There was somebody, wasn't there?
A kid got a Coke from the machine. He didn't even look inside.
He's the one who killed Amy.
We interviewed him. We issued a description of his car.
His story checked out--
The plain fact is you had Beechum in custody.
You didn't have the right person.
- This was the right guy. - He was nothing!
He was in a lineup with Beechum. Both witnesses still fingered Beechum.
He was gone before the witnesses even got there. Just give me his name.
How can I remember after six years?
- You've got files! - He was nothing to the case!
Call in the morning. I'll try to help.
You wait till morning, you better sleep well tonight.
Because after today, I'm gonna haunt the shit out of you.
I'm gonna haunt your ass all over this goddamn town.
I am not Wally. I'm a lot bigger than Wally.
Threaten me and I'll have pieces of you in the gutter...
...and I'll blow the rest away.
One more thing, barfly.
You ought to know this before your latest lost cause confesses.
Did you know Beechum volunteered for a lie detector test?
And he flunked it bigtime. Sure, it's inadmissible.
It wasn't in the transcripts...
...but it certainly captured our attention.
So why don't you just go pour yourself a tall one and think about that?
You want a nip?
No, thanks. I'd better not.
Sorry, I forgot.
What's with Bob? He's been giving you the evil eye all day.
Know something? It's starting to work.
Did something happen at the prison? Some big uproar?
Why would a guilty man volunteer for a lie detector test?
Happens all the time. Perp thinks he can slide one by.
Of course, innocent men flunk them sometimes too.
Does Bob want you to take one?
That's a cute idea.
I don't think my guilt's in any doubt.
Where's Bridget? I want her to do some scut work.
Women feel much more secure in the workplace now.
She left. But I'll get your coffee if you give me head.
Better yet, track down an investigator in the Beechum case.
See if there was another...
...witness on the scene.
A kid. Just an address and a name will do.
You got it.
After that, get me some coffee.
Oakland Police. Sgt. Bartlett.
Donaldson at the Tribune. Who headed the Beechum case?
Anyone there know the Beechum case?
All of us. Anyone here.
Before Beechum comes to the store...
...there's another witness in the parking lot, right?
Wrong. There's nothing like that in the files.
- How do you know? Have you looked? - Believe me, we know.
Everybody here has memorized these files.
No other witnesses. Porterhouse and Larson, that's it.
But a lot of circumstantial.
This is Donaldson at the Tribune.
On the Beechum case, was there a record of a kid who was a witness?
A kid?
I don't think so.
- You're sure? - Thanks anyway.
All right, thanks.
That was the whip in the investigation.
Says it rings a bell. But he doesn't remember any names.
Ardsley, who headed the investigation, retired. Florida somewhere.
Shit!
Everett! Come here.
Shit!
- Don't look so happy about it. - Who said anything about happy?
I understand your prison interview went beyond just a human-interest sidebar.
I colored outside the lines a bit but the warden wasn't sore about it.
He just probably thought you were back on the booze.
- There's no smoking in the building. - You got a minute?!
I can't tolerate this.
Steve, say you're sorry. Bob, punch his lights out.
This isn't personal.
I gave him an important story with specific instructions.
The newspaper promised--
- The guy is not guilty. - Come on!
This isn't a human-interest sidebar. It's a crucifixion.
Want me to look at the cross and say "How's the weather up there?"
I've got all the personal crap here in this book.
He believes in God. Thinks he's going to heaven.
He's happy as shit. He's glad they're juicing him.
- Go write your sidebar! - That's not the point.
Of course it's not the point.
Fine. Take Steve off the execution and put Harvey on it.
- That's still not the point. - We know what the point is.
I can't work with you, Steve.
You're a good reporter...
...but there's plenty of good reporters here who follow instructions.
I can't work with him.
Why don't you hit me in the face?
I'll fall down, I'll bleed.
I'll do all that. I deserve it.
Then go home and hit your wife. She likes it.
Nice one, babe.
We can't all live in the world of your imagination.
I won't hit anybody, because that's exactly what you'd want.
If Patricia needs to find something outside our marriage, she can find it.
My marriage isn't your business, number one.
Number two, you're a thoughtless...
...unbalanced man. I can't work with him!
I've enjoyed this episode of Oprah--
I got the shooter.
- We shouldn't confuse the issues. - The guy who killed Amy Wilson.
- Even if it's the guy who shot JFK-- - Bob, shut up!
How have you got him?
I've got him. I know who he is.
All right, who is he?
He's a guy. He's a guy who was there.
You're telling me that the shooter is a guy who was there?
Great! Should I hold the front page or wait for two sources?
The D.A. Won't give me the name.
- What about the defense? - The defense doesn't have it.
This is ridiculous.
Shut...
...up.
What about the cops?
They're sitting on it.
Jesus!
Sorry, Alan. This is just too much.
Alan, I gotta be clear on this, okay?
This is causing problems for everybody.
I love the paper but I'm ready to go.
I can't work like this. This environment's become intolerable.
"Intolerable environment"? Are you a feminist?
Are you a cooze? What's wrong with you?
You gotta give me notice.
My contract says if you dump me, you gotta give me notice.
How much notice do you want?
Six hours and seven minutes.
Testing red. Testing red.
Testing tan. Testing tan.
Testing white. Testing white.
Testing black.
We're in San Quentin's gas chamber...
... now converted for lethal injection.
The first syringe delivers 5 grams of sodium pentothal...
... and that will put him to sleep within a few seconds.
Then the injection line is flushed with 20 cc's of saline solution...
... and then he'll be given 50 cc's of pancuronium bromide.
Now that is a muscle paralyzer, and at that point...
... he won't be able to breathe.
And finally, 50 cc's of potassium chloride.
And that'll stop his heart.
Yes, this is--
This is Steve's wife. Why?
What's the matter? Something happen to him?
Already, the vultures come--
So steal. Go ahead.
Mr. Ziegler?
I'm not a thief.
I'm a friend of Michelle's. A colleague at the paper.
My friends, most of them knock.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry about Michelle. She was really topnotch.
A really fine reporter.
So you came to give the eulogy?
Michelle was on a story.
A man will be executed tonight. I think he's innocent.
I think the answer may be in Michelle's papers.
Something Michelle did?
Something she was onto, yeah.
So look!
Great.
I've been going through her things too.
See this?
Gave her this when she was nine. She loved it.
She saved everything.
Look at this.
I don't know when she did it. Must have been four or five.
Where'd this come from? Over here?
This anything?
"Warren Russel, 17 years old.
4331 Knight Street. Interviewed July 7th at own request."
"Says he bought a soda and left. Saw nothing.
Something fishy here."
Mr. Ziegler, that Michelle, she was really on top of things.
Great!
Sorry, Frank.
We'll have to ask Mrs. Beechum to leave now.
Give us a minute, okay?
Sure.
I don't think I can do this.
I won't get a chance to say goodbye later on.
So I need you to take care of yourself and our little girl.
You know I will, baby.
- I will. - And give her this.
And don't forget.
It ain't much, but it's--
It'll be precious to her.
It will be her most precious thing.
I really hate that you have to go through this.
I know.
Okay, I love you.
I love you.
I wanted to be there for you.
God knows I wanted to see my little girl grow up.
If we just had more time--
We have to be thankful for the time we had.
It's that it was short.
At least we made Gail.
We made Gail together.
We made something beautiful in this world.
You look at her and remember how much I love you.
Can you do that?
God, Frank, I'm so scared.
If I can see your face--
I'll talk to you every day.
- If I can see you at the end. - Come with me!
You going to be talking to me?
If I could see your face!
How did this ever happen to us?
The only thing in my life...
...that made it worth anything.
God bless you for that.
Who's there?
I'm Steve Everett. I'm a reporter for the Tribune.
Go home!
And quit casing that man's car.
It's almost your dinnertime.
Go home!
- Sorry about them kids. - That's all right.
I'm just glad to find you here.
What, you thought I moved to the suburbs?
Come on in.
And you are...?
Angela Russel.
And Warren?
My grandson.
Is this Warren here?
It is.
Want to tell me why you're here?
Mrs. Russel, it's important that I talk to Warren.
It's important I talk to him tonight.
It is? And what could be so important, if you don't mind my asking?
There's a man on death row, and they're gonna execute him tonight.
They say he killed a store clerk...
...six years ago. An Amy Wilson.
I think he's innocent.
I think Warren knows something about it.
Why would you think a thing like that?
He's the only other person that was there.
And how do we know that?
The witnesses didn't see anyone else.
Wait a minute. There were witnesses, even though nobody else was there?
- Yes, that's right-- - No, wait. Help me out here.
I am getting confused.
There was an accountant and a housewife.
White people?
And I bet...
...that girl that got killed, that Amy Wilson...
...she was white too, wasn't she?
That's right. But I don't think--
You don't think those nice white people...
...would kill that nice white girl.
But they all looked around...
...and what do you know? There was a black boy.
Look, it isn't like that.
Will you just think back in your mind? Six years ago.
Was Warren using drugs or anything like that?
He was into drugs.
Did he own a gun?
They all own guns, Mr. Everett. Don't you know that?
All those black dope-fiend boys, they all own guns.
Can I just talk to him?
Do you know where he is?
Yes, I do.
And no, you can't.
Look, an innocent man is gonna die tonight.
I have seen a lot of innocent folk...
...die in this part of town, Mr. Everett.
But it's funny.
I ain't never seen you around here before.
Mrs. Russel, you're making this into a racial thing, and it isn't.
The man on death row, he's a black man too.
Did you know that?
They'll kill him at midnight. I can't help unless I have the facts.
The only fact I know, Mr. Everett...
...is that my grandson, Warren...
...he's been in his grave now going on three years.
Stabbed out there in the park.
My Warren...
...was a loving child.
But I don't remember you coming around...
...looking for the facts when he was killed.
Nobody came around here looking for the facts then.
Fucking loser!
Goddamn it!
We're told he's having the last meal he requested...
... steak and french fries. Oddly enough...
... he also requested two six-packs of Coke.
If you're just tuning in, we'll repeat our top story.
Convicted killer Frank Beechum has, for the first time, confessed his crime.
The confession was made to the chaplain...
... as an expression of remorse...
... for the murder of Amy Wilson and her unborn child 6 years ago.
A source in the governor's office says despite this...
... the execution will proceed at one minute after midnight tonight.
And in other news, the market slumped badly... .
I am tired.
Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?
Why are you here, Daddy?
I'm here to see you, you little goon.
Where did you go?
A wild goose chase.
You went chasing?
Chasing salvation. Never did find it.
Just disappeared.
Let me tell you... .
About today, I'm sorry.
Maybe this weekend we'll...
...go and spend the whole day? Play Slow Zoo.
And this time, could we see...
...the hippopotamus?
I've already talked to him. We have an appointment.
My little Daddy.
I'll go to sleep now.
Okay, I think that's a good idea.
Close them, now.
If this were a bullet...
...you'd be dead.
Bob call you?
What difference does it make who called me?
I know you're going to apologize.
I know you will try to do better.
But I don't want this anymore.
Because I'm tired.
I just think this'll be hard on her.
Barbara, I can change.
Can't we just erase all this?
I just had a terribly ridiculous day.
It isn't just today.
But today is the end of it.
Today I understand.
Hell, I know I've been...
...tempted a lot, but... .
But I love you, baby.
It's just that I... .
I'm just kind of coming apart here, and I didn't... .
I know it's nobody's fault but my own.
I need you. I got to put these pieces back together.
I feel sorry for you.
You and your famous nose for a story.
You think you can just...
...sniff your way along, you know?
From one hunch to another...
...one girl to another, one drink to another when you're drinking.
But I'm not one of your stories, Ev.
I'm your wife.
You can't line up all the facts...
...and think you know something about me.
Your hunches...
...are shit.
Even when they're right, they're shit.
They're all I've got.
I hope they do somebody some good someday...
...because they sure as hell didn't do us any good, did they?
I packed all your stuff.
You can take it now, or you can come back later.
Please, just get out.
Get out of here, Ev, please.
Just get out.
Sometimes, the governor's aides call me on matters that concern the governor.
In giving spiritual guidance and ministrations...
...I might have misunderstood what the prisoner said to me.
But these things happen from time to time.
If he says, meaning the prisoner...
...says, "I'm sorry," under these extreme--
You know what you've done, right? I have to call the governor.
I have to issue a retraction to the press to say there's no confession.
Beechum has his own pastor. What the hell were you doing?
You made me look unprofessional.
Not a good thing to do.
Spiritually speaking.
If any of the men feel they need counseling...
...l'll be here.
Long as they need me...
...l'll be here.
You sure you want to do this?
Does a bear shit on Goldilocks?
I don't know. I've never been asked that before.
That's the trouble with having kids.
It screws up your quips.
So you're seriously rolling off the wagon. Must have been a rough day.
Yeah, lost my wife, lost my kid...
...lost my goddamn job. Is that rough enough?
Did you lose your car too?
Because if you start driving in this--
I'm the best fucking driver on the planet.
I'm talking to a dead man.
Will you leave me your stamp collection?
How about filling this up? I ain't eaten anything all day, either.
Jesus Christ!
Go the fuck home, will you?
Ain't got no home.
I ain't got no fucking home.
You have confidence...
... the state should sanction an execution to satisfy your rage.
Wait. This isn't about my rage. Let's be honest.
My daughter was killed in cold blood for no reason.
He took $96...
... and a ring and a locket I'd given her...
... for her 16th birthday.
My Warren...
...was a loving child.
That's someone who doesn't deserve rights as a human being.
- Will you be there tonight? - You bet.
July 15?
July 15.
Mind if I use your bathroom?
You know where it is, right?
The fucking money!
Don't hurt me, please.
What the fuck? This is all you fucking got?
The 4th of July. We're not that busy.
Give me the chain!
- Fucking chain! - No, please, not that!
Amy?
Jesus!
Still on the Beechum story...
... the report we got an hour ago...
... in which Frank Beechum confessed to his crime... .
Are you driving?
You sack of shit! Let's get going!
There are two executioners. Each one has a button.
Each button is connected to a computer...
...that scrambles the circuits so no one knows who does it.
Brother Beechum, let me tell you of the Lord.
He is my refuge and He is my fortress.
He is my God.
And therefore, even in the darkest moments, even when there is no hope...
...He will deliver you from the snare...
...of the fowler.
Step in there.
That Robinson man on TV, I saw him.
And I started remembering that night Warren gave me that locket.
Her maiden name! And I started remembering Warren's face.
I can always read that boy's face.
He did a terrible thing, Mr. Everett.
He wasn't a bad boy, but I know he did a terrible thing!
They're gonna kill that man in less than a half-hour.
We can't get to the prison in that time.
You're right, lady. Fasten your seat belt.
Reverend, it's time.
Set him up.
There's this boy sold Warren a gun around that time.
This boy's in jail.
He might talk to them if they give him time off.
Mrs. Russel, I could kiss you.
Release your hands.
Gun it, mister!
We go fast.
Pull over! Pull over and stop the car!
Don't stop now!
Prepare yourself, all right?
I'm going to attempt this maneuver.
They really ought to do something about that place.
Boy, something must be going on.
Maybe a fire, another accident on the curve.
"To all whom it may concern, be it known...
...whereas the Superior Court and county of Alameda...
...ordered that Frank Louis Beechum suffer the death penalty...
...within the walls of San Quentin...
...for the crime of murder in the first degree with special circumstances."
I love you.
McCardle. Yes, sir.
We have a go.
But it's too late.
Go! Go!
What's up? It's official, it's for the kids.
I need some charity.
It's charity on toast, baby. Come on.
How you doing?
Thank you very much.
How you doing, sir?
Kate like that dalmatian?
She loved it.
Even my ex managed to muster up a little enthusiasm.
I've got to get something better for Christmas.
Sheepdog, collie, we got Saint Bernards--
How about a hippopotamus?
Check it out! Local designer, based on the one at the zoo.
Yeah, this is a beauty.
Think a homeless man can afford this?
You're not homeless.
Well, I'm wifeless and jobless...
...and I live in a hotel.
That's unless...
...you'd be interested in putting me up.
First, you have a big book contract.
Money's already spent.
Second, everybody says you'll win the Pulitzer Prize or something.
I think everyone's being a little optimistic.
And third of all, I have a boyfriend.
Well, that's good!
Maybe he's out of town for the holidays.
Cash or charge, Ev?
I better charge it.
I'm charging everything else these days.
Give me some charity, baby. It's for the kids.
It's official!
I need some charity on toast! Come over here, help me out.
I know you got some charity.
You famous! Rich and famous.
I know you got charity on toast. Give me some charity.
It's for the kids.
That's right, come on.
Give me 20, give me 100. Come on, Steve.
Take it before my wife does, and get out of here.
A ten?
Steve, you got more than that. Come on, now. It's for the kids.
All right. All right, newspaperman.
I been here two hours freezing my ass off.
I'm going home.
You haven't got a home.
I got no wife and no elves, either.
You want to be Santa Claus these days, you on your own.
You're right there, pal.
Santa Claus rides alone.
It's for the kids!
Daddy!
Come on!
Come on, Daddy.
Come on, now, Daddy.