[tires squealing]
[police siren]
Come on, ease the bumper, pop the damn bold.
The socket's stripped.
Put it in reverse. You're tightening it.
What's the matter with you?
Damn, I forgot to lock it.
[THEME - HOLLY ROBINSON, "21 JUMP STREET THEME"]
THEME SONG: We never thought we'd
find the place where we belong.
Don't have to stand alone, we'll never let you fall.
Don't need permission to decide what you believe.
Woo!
I said jump, down on Jump Street.
Your friends will be there when your back is to the wall.
You'll find you need us, because there's no one else to call.
When it looks hopeless, a decision's what you need.
You better be ready to, be ready to jump.
21 Jump Street.
NICK: Hey.
I learned a lot at the juvie ranch.
I learned the ingenious ways the guys smuggle drugs into prison.
I learned how to make perfectly innocent objects
into totally lethal weapons.
But most of all, I learned that I don't
ever want to go back there.
That's easier said than done, right?
I mean, mostly of you got jobs given to you from your mentors.
What was mine going to do?
She's a cop.
I mean, not to say that she isn't a good mentor and all.
It's just that I ain't exactly police academy material.
Why you always got to make a joke out of everything?
Makes the medicine go down easy.
OK?
Fine with me, as long as I know
you're taking this program seriously.
Believe me, I'm taking it seriously.
The part about the job?
Very serious about that.
Nick, maybe you should think twice
about taking a job right now.
Maybe you should concentrate on doing a little bit better
in school.
Judy, you know how much it cost to repair
[inaudible] these days?
Or go to a movie?
Take a chick on a date?
What about your mother?
She barely makes enough to make rent.
HOFFS: Look, I got this friend who runs
a Rocket Dawg over on main.
Let me give him a call.
Maybe he's got an opening for you at the counter.
You mean you want me to be one of those guys
with the hairnets and zits?
No thank you.
Look, you better be realistic if you want a job.
The guys with the hairnets and the zits,
they got money in their pockets.
That's one double rocket dog and fries.
Auto theft ring.
Mostly expensive German cars, eight in the past month.
MAC: Since when do they toss grand auto our way, Captain?
Since Sunday morning.
Couple of uniforms chased a stolen Audi
being driven by teenage male.
HOFFS: So where do you want us.
Let me guess.
Back to school.
Affirmative.
Mac, the transcript says you are fresh off a juvie ranch
for auto theft, so brush up on your hot wiring.
You got it.
So what about me?
Don't worry.
We'll find you another case.
Another case?
We're a team here.
Well, this case only warrants one officer.
What's going on, Captain?
Going on?
What?
There's something you're not telling me.
Jude, all the thefts happened in a small area of Weston.
So Mac's going into Weston High.
Nick's school.
Whose Nick?
CAPTAIN FULLER: It gets worse.
We ran the records of all the students in the school?
Only one came up with priors for auto theft.
Nick.
CAPTAIN FULLER: Sorry. [whistling]
Hello, anybody here want to tell me who Nick is?
Hoffs has been working with him
in the Second Chances program.
You're involved in that?
You say that like I've gone to some trance channel
or to get my aura fixed.
MAC: No, no, no.
I didn't mean to put down what you're doing.
I'm just saying that, you know, usually, uh, young juvie
cons grow up to be adult cons.
Well not Nick.
Hey guys, can we get back to the case?
HOFFS: Yeah, sure.
You were just accusing Nick of being an auto thief.
CAPTAIN FULLER: Jude, Nick has priors for grand auto.
Like it or not, the procedure is to start with him.
HOFFS: But you'd be wasting your manpower
and your time, Captain.
I know this kid, and I know he didn't do it.
Well, then he'll come up clean.
MAC: Why are you so dead set against investigating him
if you're so sure he's innocent?
Well, as soon as he knows he's being investigated,
there goes my whole relationship.
I'll be careful, all right?
He'll never know I'm a cop.
He'd better not.
Nick, Nick.
You're so nervous.
Calm down, it's in the bag.
He just wants to meet you, that's all.
Detective Hoffs.
How you doing?
Hi, Randy.
This is Nick Capelli.
Randy Adanado.
Nice to meet you.
Yeah, likewise.
You ever shovel burgers or dogger before?
No.
You ever work a counter?
No, but how hard can it be?
I hear you've been in the juvie jail.
Yeah.
You're going to be responsible for any losses?
What's that supposed to mean?
Nick.
RANDY: Look kid, no offense.
I got nothing against ex-cons, they need a chance
just like everyone else.
But?
RANDY: But I gotta protect myself.
How do I know you're not going to stick
your fingers in the cash register
the moment my back is turned?
If I was planning on stealing, I wouldn't need a job
at a hot dog stand to do it.
Fine, you start tomorrow, 6:00 PM, minimum wage.
We're even, detective.
[sirens]
Ma.
You here?
Ma, can I come in?
MRS. CAPELLI [THROUGH THE DOOR]: What do you want?
I got good news.
What is it, honey?
I got a job.
Good boy.
Yeah.
I'm proud of you.
Yeah.
Listen, run down the store and get me some cigarettes,
would you?
Yeah, OK.
What's she doing here?
Ma, you remember Judy.
Nice to see you again Mrs. Capelli.
Judy helped me get the job.
Well, why didn't you ask me?
I could have got you a better job than she could.
I know, Ma.
I just didn't want to bother you with it.
Well, I'm your ma.
She ain't.
I would never try to take your place, ma'am.
Yeah, well.
Get me them cigarettes.
OK, Ma.
What happened to Jimmy?
He took off.
You sure work them fast, Ma.
Let's get out of here.
Don't forget them cigarettes.
MR. DRAKE: The thermostat allows water to circulate
back through the radiator.
Then it's cooled and recirculated.
This engine, standard 289 V8, uses a 180 degree thermostat.
NICK: Mr. Drake?
MR. DRAKE: Yeah.
Wouldn't it be better to use a 160,
and then have the engine run cooler?
No.
No, it's designed to operate at a precise temperature.
I don't advise tinkering with it.
That's pretty stupid advice.
Excuse me?
I've done it before.
My own Chevy kept overheating, so I pulled my 180
and stuck in a 160.
It worked great.
Why do they let you teach this thing if you don't
know what you're talking about?
You're Mr. Johnson?
Yeah.
I stand corrected.
This thing looks like it's late for a date
with the wrecking yard.
Gimme a couple of weeks, man.
You wouldn't even recognize this baby.
You always make your teachers look like fools?
Only when they are.
So were you a rancher, or just parole?
What?
Mr. Drake always checks to see if a guy's got a record.
Wants to make sure he isn't dangerous.
Ranch or parole?
Ranch, what of it?
I was, too.
A couple of years ago.
Evansville.
I was in Maisley.
Yeah?
What did you do?
Stole a couple of Porsches.
I was king of the hot wire, thank you very much.
What did you do?
Same thing, different end.
I'd strip them.
Excellent.
Match made in heaven.
Or not.
What?
If you're trying to earn yourself
a ticket back to the ranch, I ain't
interested in knowing you.
Hey, man, I'm clean.
I'm just saying back in the old days,
we could have made a go of it.
Say anything you figure the other guy wants to hear, huh?
MAC: Yep.
If that's what you want to hear.
You as good with the wrench as you are with your mouth?
Nowhere near as good as you, I'm sure.
Well, take one.
They're working on the interior.
Okey-doke.
[school bell]
Yo, Hey, Nick.
What do you want?
Hey.
I want you to meet a friend of mine.
- You've got friends? - Yeah.
Who's the kid?
Yeah, yeah.
Hey Nick, I want you to meet Floyd.
I know who he is.
My ma told me not to talk to strange old men.
And he's at least three of them, or at least first two.
That any way to treat a potential employer?
I already got a job.
Hot dog joint got you under a lifetime contract?
Hey.
It's an honest job, man, and I get
all the grease that I can eat.
Your friend here has some good things to say about your work
with cars, Nick.
He ain't a friend.
Well, he could be.
So could I.
Not interested.
Not even for five times what you make in a week?
Why don't we take a ride and talk?
[music playing]
STORE EMPLOYEE [OVER PA]: Cheeseburgers, order of onion
rings, chocolate shake.
So you like the job?
Yeah.
HOFFS: Are you getting along all right with Randy?
Mm-hm.
I hear he gave you $1,000 a week raise.
Mm-hm.
Nick, Nick, earth to Nick.
What?
Think she's pretty cute, don't you?
Is it that obvious?
HOFFS: I'm afraid so.
You think she saw me staring at her?
The way she was staring at you, how could she miss?
Why don't you go talk to her.
No way.
HOFFS: Why not?
Because that's Vicki West.
And I'm an ex-con working at a hot dog stand.
How does she know your an ex-con?
Well, I mean, kind of tough to keep secrets at Weston.
HOFFS: So what?
That doesn't mean she still won't go out with you.
I mean, look at the way she's checking you out.
I wouldn't know where to take her, anyway.
Well, my trained detective's eye tells me
she likes Bon Jovi.
And aren't they in town this week?
Yeah, but I mean I can't afford to take us to Bon Jovi.
HOFFS: Don't you get paid tomorrow?
Yeah.
And isn't that why you took this job?
[inaudible]
Hi.
VICKY: Hi.
You enjoying your grease burger there?
Yeah.
Very funny.
I noticed you wearing a Bon Jovi shirt.
You a fan?
Yeah, I love them.
Well, I was thinking about getting a couple of tickets,
and wondered maybe if you wanted to go with me.
I don't know.
I mean, I hear things about you.
NICK: Like what?
Like you were in jail.
That's right.
What did you do?
I stripped a stolen car.
So how about Bon Jovi?
I'm not sure that's a good idea.
Yeah, maybe not.
OK.
Sorry for bothering you, huh?
Listen, I'm not some kind of dangerous criminal you got
to be scared of or something.
I stripped the car for a couple of guys I knew.
I- I didn't kill no one, I-I didn't rape anyone.
I didn't even scare anyone.
I just took a car apart and sold the pieces.
I mean, it was a stupid thing to do, granted,
and I don't plan on doing it again.
I'm sorry for wasting your time.
Nick?
I'd love to go to Bon Jovi with you.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Cool.
STORE EMPLOYEE [OVER PA]: Two hot dogs, hold the mustard,
two large chocolate shakes, to go.
Who's that?
His name is Floyd Henderson.
He's been talking to your kid.
So?
So, old Floyd is not exactly what
you'd call a model citizen.
He, uh, he ran his own body shop in Oregon, then they busted him
down for using stolen parts.
So what are you going to do?
Arrest Nick for unlawful conversation?
Haha, you joke.
But isn't it interesting how Floyd just
opened up a brand new body shop two blocks from Nick's school.
Coincidence?
I think not.
You're wrong, Mac.
I hope I am, Jude.
I don't want to be the one to tell you
there's no Santa Claus.
What's that supposed to mean?
It means I'm scared that one of the things
I like most about you is going to end up hurting you.
Which is what?
You're a believer, Jude. You're an optimist.
You believe in all the good things in life, like--
like good over evil and world peace.
And criminal rehabilitation?
Yes.
And I suppose you don't think there's any such thing?
Let's just say I haven't seen it work.
Well, what do you propose instead, McCann?
Maybe we should just shoot all the criminals.
That's what you think? - No, of course not.
Maybe I should just write Nick off.
Let you bust him, put him behind bars,
and start the cycle all over again.
Is that what you're proposing?
All I'm saying is that you should brace yourself
in case he lets you down.
I don't want you to hurt too bad if Santa Claus
doesn't come around this year.
Well, thank you for the advice.
Hey, kid.
How's it going? - Great.
It's about to get better.
Here.
Thanks.
Randy?
I think somebody made a mistake here.
What's the matter?
I don't see your problem.
Well, I mean I work 22 hours this week,
and I ain't even got enough for a couple of concert tickets.
Seems right to me.
See this, is your gross here in this box,
but then you've got these other ones over here.
This is the federal tax, state tax,
social security, disability.
They take that much?
Welcome to the working world, kid.
STORE EMPLOYEE [OVER PA]: Manager to the front counter.
[music playing]
Hello, is Vicki there?
Yeah, it's Nick Capelli.
What?
- Ma. - Who?
It's OK, Ma.
It's just me.
Go back to sleep.
It's OK.
Yeah, hi Vicki.
It's Nick.
Yeah, actually that's why I phoned you.
I'm going to have to cancel.
Why?
'Cause-- well, my ma's kind of sick.
Yeah, I'm real sorry.
I am.
Maybe we could-- maybe I can make it up to you.
Next weekend?
Yeah, OK.
I'll talk to you then.
All right.
Bye.
So Nick.
You make up your mind yet?
Yeah.
And the answer's no, Philips.
Opportunity comes your way once, man.
You don't want to pass it up.
Plug it back in.
Here.
Go ahead, look at it.
You might think different.
All right.
That's one double rocket, fries and a cola.
That's $4.59.
Great, thanks very much.
For me?
No, silly, for your date.
My date.
Yeah.
I mean I figured you wouldn't have
time to go out and get her something nice,
so I took the liberty.
Thanks.
This will score major points.
So what are you going to wear?
I don't know.
What I got on, I guess.
I mean I'll change the hat.
And the shirt.
I better keep working here.
Randy's going to get mad.
Oh, yeah, right.
Get back to work.
But I expect a complete report in the morning, you hear me?
- Yeah. - Have a great time.
Randy?
Mind if we get out of here?
Yeah, go ahead.
Thanks.
[music playing]
All I want's the front end.
You got 15 minutes.
I'll only need 10.
Well, you don't get a $100 bill working at Rocket Dawg.
You said it was half a bill.
How do you know he even collected the other half?
I don't.
Good, then stop jumping to conclusions
just because of Nick's record.
Calm down, Hoffs.
If you didn't know the boy--
[phone ringing] you'd make the same assumption Mac is making.
But I do know him.
He's not the one you should be after.
Then who is?
How about Henderson?
Oh, why?
Because he has a record?
CAPTAIN FULLER: Thank you, sir.
Well, vehicle was stolen last night.
BMW.
Jogger found that this morning minus the front end.
Well there you go.
Nick was on a date last night.
CAPTAIN FULLER: You sure?
I mean, were you there?
No.
Look, you're supposed to be his friend.
Why don't you just ask him about it?
How about I ask his date?
You know her name?
[school bell]
Hey.
You're Vicky West, right?
Yeah.
Who are you?
I'm Tony Johnson, I just transferred here.
That's nice.
So, where were you last night?
What?
The party down on Blair road.
They say the party doesn't start to roll
until Vicky West gets there.
Yeah.
Yeah, sure they said that.
OK, I lied.
I lied.
Actually I've just noticed you around school,
and I kind of was hoping I'd run into you at the party
and maybe we could talk a little bit.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Well, if I'd known about it maybe I would have been there.
Instead of sitting home alone with Arsenio.
What?
You were home alone?
Unfortunately.
Well, I'll see you later.
OK, we'll see you then.
Sorry I'm late.
Tony, this is Judy Hoffs.
My mentor in the program.
Listen, I invited Tony along, to see what we're doing here,
you know?
I didn't think anybody would mind.
Oh, it's real nice to meet you, Miss Hoffs.
My friends call me Judy.
Well, I hope you get something out of this.
These kids are really trying.
Yeah, well. Why don't you take a seat.
I'm just going to talk to somebody here.
OK.
Now you've really crossed the line, Mac.
I can't believe you came here.
Hang on a second here, all right?
He insisted I come.
He wouldn't hang with me if I didn't.
Well, that's great.
Did he say why he wanted you to come?
No, why.
Because he wants to help you stay straight.
He doesn't want to hang out with you unless you are.
Well, I might agree with you if it weren't for one thing.
What?
When I talked to Vicky West, she says that he
blew their date off last night. Come on.
Are you sure?
She sat at home alone when the car was stolen.
Well, I'm sure there's a perfect explanation
for everything.
I'll just ask him about it.
What are you going to do, huh?
Tell him another cop is investigating him in his date?
You're going to blow my cover, Jude.
This just keeps getting better and better.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
Set the bait, I guess.
Forgive me if I root for the fish.
[school bell]
Hey man, how you doing?
I'm all right.
Auto class.
I can't stand another hour with Mr. Drake.
I'll catch you later, man.
Where you going?
I got some business.
What's her name?
Cathy Corvette.
MR. DRAKE: Can anyone explain to me why we need a muffler?
[engine running]
[tired squealing]
OK, OK.
Sit down, guys.
Come on.
How's it going?
Fine, you?
No complaints.
How's your mom?
Better.
I mean she's still a little shaky.
Headache, upset stomach.
No energy.
There's a flu going around.
NICK: Yeah, yeah, that's what the doctor thought, you know?
He said she should stay off her feet for a couple of days,
she'd probably be all right. - Here.
This is for you.
I went by your house, because with you working
and everything, I thought maybe your mother
might like some soup.
Was she there?
VICKY: Uh-huh.
She was all dressed up to go out.
Said she felt great.
Let- let me let me explain.
VICKY: No, don't bother.
Look, if you don't want to go out with me, that's
your privilege, but at least have the decency
to tell me the truth.
I wanted to, but I just couldn't.
VICKY: Like I said, don't bother explaining.
It's too bad, you know.
I was really looking forward to getting to know you.
STORE EMPLOYEE [OVER PA]: Three hamburgers, two order of fries,
one vanilla shake, one chocolate shake--
I only got 15 minutes.
Thanks.
Manager usually don't mind if I take an extra five, though.
So how you doing, man?
Did I miss anything in Drake's class other than being
bored out of my mind?
Exhaust systems, mufflers, kindergarten stuff.
Took care of your business?
MAC: No, man.
I just went to the park and hung out for a while.
Shut my eyes.
Uh-huh.
Most Vettes got a decent stock alarm,
which I didn't hear go off.
Yeah, well most mack trucks have big motors.
What are you getting that?
You didn't go to the park.
MAC: So what if I didn't?
Well, you're good at wiring.
I'm good stripping.
We can work something out.
How so?
You haven't already got rid of that, what did
you call her, Cathy Corvette?
Yeah.
I might be able to get you some extra cash for it.
What do you mean, exactly?
I'll strip it, and we can split take in the parts.
[sighs]
Sometimes I really hate this job.
What job?
You're under arrest, Nick.
What are you talking about?
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used
against you in a court of law.
If you-- in the court of law.
You have right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you.
Do you understand these rights that I've said to you?
MAC [ON TAPE]: What do you mean exactly?
NICK [ON TAPE]: I'll strip it, we'll
split the take on the parts.
Well?
Well, what?
Do you have anything to say?
Yeah, that's entrapment.
One little stint in juvie, and you guys all
think you're F. Lee Bailey.
He didn't ask you to fence it for him, Nick.
See that would have been entrapment.
You offered.
Was talking about getting him a job at a body shop.
You know what burns me up?
That you actually think I'm as dumb as you are.
You could let me explain.
I don't want explanations, Nick.
I want the truth.
I haven't lied to you yet.
Oh no?
How was that Bon Jovi concert, Nick?
I didn't go, OK?
But you told me you did.
You call that telling the truth?
No, I told you.
I want the truth and I want it now.
You want the truth?
I'll tell you the truth.
The truth is that I can't make it in the outside.
I can't take taking orders for burgers and fries.
I just can't hack it.
OK.
Sit down.
[chair sliding]
It's not for the rest of your life.
Like hell it isn't.
Not once you go to college, Nick.
That's a joke.
We got guys coming in every week from college
looking for an assistant manager job at Rocket Dawg.
You think that's what they thought their college
degree was going to get them?
Don't run that American dream hustle on me.
Well, it seems to me that hustle worked the other way
around, didn't it?
I tried your way, and it didn't work.
What, so you just go back to stripping cars?
Just like that?
Yeah, just like that.
No way.
I put my time in you, and effort, and trust.
You just can't spit on me and walk away like that.
NICK: You just don't get it, do you?
It's not about you.
It's about me.
Fine.
Then I'll just take myself out of the picture.
[door closing]
Yo, Jude.
Hey.
Hoffs?
Jude, would you come here for a second?
Hey Jude, are you OK?
Leave me alone, McCann.
Look, for what it's worth Jude, I really feel--
Look, it's not your fault, OK, so go away.
Get out of here, Mac.
Not till we talk, Jude.
You want to hear you were right?
OK, you were right. Now leave.
No I was wrong, Jude.
If you can help just one kid, it's worth it.
Well too bad mine wasn't the one.
So you'll find another kid.
No, I don't think so.
Jude, look.
You'll feel a lot better tomorrow.
No, I'll feel lousy tomorrow.
Don't you see?
That's why I got involved in this program
in the first place.
All we're doing is busting kids, junkies, hookers, thieves.
It's got to be where I was just hating this job.
It's just garbage in, garbage out.
And then I heard about Second Chances.
And I thought, hey, here's a chance to break the cycle.
Put something good back into the system.
All time you're telling me Nick's bad.
I'm saying it can't be.
He's a good kid.
Then I heard that tape.
You were right, Mac.
There ain't no Santa Claus, and I'll never
wake up believing that again.
Jude, Jude.
Jude, wait a minute.
I, uh, I was just leaving.
Judy.
Nick Capelli is requesting your presence
in the interrogation room.
What for?
He didn't say.
Well tell him I've gone home.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I didn't think you could turn it off that fast.
Turn what off?
Well, a week ago you'd do anything to help this kid out.
Yeah, well, what this kid doesn't want my help.
CAPTAIN FULLER: OK.
I guess he's on his own.
What about his mother?
She wouldn't even take his phone calls.
[knocking]
Hi.
Captain Fuller said you wanted to see me?
NICK: Yeah.
I just wanted to say sorry for some of the things I said.
Lost my temper.
And I'm sorry for letting you down.
You let yourself down.
People just don't want to get close to a con, you know?
They're afraid.
You weren't.
You were different.
You trusted me.
Yeah, well, I was a sucker, wasn't I?
And it's going to be a long time before I ever trust you again.
Jude, what do I gotta do?
Get yourself a good lawyer.
Jude.
That other cop friend of yours?
He still got the Vette?
Why.
Because I know a couple of guys who would
probably be interested in it.
And you and your cop friends, they'd
probably be interested in the two guys.
All right, slow down, Nick.
This baby's got power.
Wonder what it would it do if I opened it up.
MAC [ON RADIO]: Yeah, well, don't even think about it.
Nick, it's your last chance to back out.
This could be dangerous.
No way.
Pull it over right here, Mac.
You're on, Nick.
NICK [ON RADIO]: See you in a few.
All right, Mac, be straight with me.
Before I had my talk with Nick, what kind of deal
did you and Captain Fuller offer him for setting these guys up?
We didn't offer him anything.
I thought you did.
[music playing]
You scratch the dash wearing it?
I was in a hurry.
It's not like I had all day to worry about a couple
of scratches. - Oh, man.
There's a lot more than just a couple of scratches.
People come into my shop, they want things nice.
Spare me the lecture, Floyd.
What's the car worth to you?
Seats look OK, and the doors I can use,
but the body's mostly fiberglass.
I can give you $800 for the interior, and $100 a piece
for the doors.
That's it, Mac, let's go.
Strip it for me and I'll throw in another $500.
$1,500 for a $25,000 car, used?
That's $1,500 more than you have now.
You better shut up and take it.
Police.
HOFFS: Hold it!
[gun drops]
You OK?
Go, go!
[music playing]
Oh, ah!
Damn, I've got to start running.
Get your butt up there.
[barking and growling]
Hold it.
Let's see now.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can be used against you in a court--
you all right?
You?
Yeah, I'm fine.
I'm fine, too.
[murmuring]
Hey.
I wondered whether you were going to show up.
Well, I figured if the DA could give you a third chance,
I could give you a second.
Thanks, Jude.
MAC: Hey, guys.
Mac.
Judy, Nick, this is my man Daryl.
How you doing?
Want to get a bite?
What was that you said about teen ex-cons
growing up to be adult cons?
I also said if you can help just one, it's worth it.
[music playing]
[theme music]