Mad City Page #8

---

- It's about show business. | - Sam.

Left, right, left.

You shoot a guy, take hostages, | and want money.

- How will that look to those people? | - I gotta make money for my family.

Later you'll write a book, | make a TV movie...

I know people who can help you. | But not now.

I need to check out how much | them shows pay. You go do that.

What?

It's just the kids playing around. | What is it?

- Hollander wants to see you out here. | - That's it? Fine.

What's up?

You want to make money on this? | Call the tabloids.

You don't need me. | I got Kevin Hollander out there.

We planned to do an important show | on you. Do what you want.

Kevin Hollander? He's here?

Larry King wants to make you an offer.

An hour. You and your boy.

- Talk to my agent. | - It's global. Networks can't compete.

- I have something else going for him. | - Max, come here.

- You know where to reach me. | - Yeah.

- What did Gottsegen want? | - I'll give you three guesses.

The network wants you | to turn Baily over to me.

- I'm doing a prime-time special. | - Very creative.

Maybe you could get him | a variety show.

Little f***, if you want to get back | on the network, turn Baily over now.

Don't screw this up for yourself.

Sam belongs to the network, okay?

You hired her.

You taught her.

Oh, come on, Max.

How is this going to end?

- I'm getting out of here. | - Or what?

- They're not going to let you go. | - Max Brackett said...

Max Brackett is not your friend.

If you had listened to me | for five minutes...

I wish I had listened to you.

But this is bigger | than you and me now.

They're forcing you | to do something drastic.

I don't want to scare you, | but they're...

They're ready to kill you, Sam.

And Max Brackett | is not going to stop them.

You've been so sweet to me, | how can I say no?

You've got your show.

All right. That's smart.

- What? | - Congratulations.

Okay, just a sec.

You were right. | The polls have turned against him.

It's flipped. | 59% positive down to 32% and sliding.

The kids' parents are all over | television. They're just killing him.

- I'll call you back. | - Baily's polls.

I want to make this as objective | and balanced as we can.

I want to see more stuff | on the guy in the hospital.

Somewhere, | somebody says he's dangerous.

I want to see that.

I want to see pieces | on the racists out there.

Why are they piling on this bandwagon, | cheering him on?

Pull that material and get back to me.

It's gonna be great | working in New York.

You're not being objective. | You want to sink him.

We have a deal.

He's sunk. It's another kind of story.

He's the same person. | You can't do this. He's an innocent.

- I'll put that angle in the story. | - It's not an angle.

It's the truth.

- He shot a guard. | - It was an accident.

He didn't know the guard | or the children were there.

He's an out-of-work husband...

We're all impressed by your humanity. | Really.

Where's yours? | You'll kill him.

Cut this out. Get out of here. | Get back to business.

- "Business"? | - Yeah.

Business.

Max, let me give you a little advice.

Don't screw this up again. | You got a network deal.

Don't blow it for some hick | with a gun.

You know what? | I'm not gonna let you destroy him.

Pal, if you don't deliver Baily to me...

...you'll be lucky to get a gig | giving the surfing report in Kansas.

Kansas is starting to sound | pretty good to me.

- Getting harder to move the line? | - It doesn't move. You cross it.

- That's not what you said before. | - I know it now, Lou.

It's time, Sam.

- What do you mean, it's time? | - It's time to give up.

What? You said you'd set up | an interview with that guy.

Hollander will hurt you. | He'll make you look bad.

- I ain't afraid of him. | - Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I ain't afraid of anybody right now.

- I can take care of myself. | - No, you can't.

- You told me that the people like me. | - I also said the public's very fickle.

If you don't set it up with Hollander, | I will.

Fine. Let's get someone else.

- Is he as big as him? | - Bigger.

And nicer.

Fine.

Set it up, newsboy.

Sam, I'm on your side. | After the interview...

...you and I will end it.

- You lost the exclusive. | - I did not lose it.

You made us look preposterous | after announcing your one-on-one.

Now you want to what? | You want the network to look witless?

- Listen to me. | - No, listen to me.

You're coming home.

- I am not. I am staying here. | - It's Brackett's now.

I'll take care of Brackett. I won't let | anyone say I let the network down.

- Got everything? | - Everything is here.

How are the kids, Sam?

- You've got a couple, don't you? | - I got two.

with any of these kids?

No. They're different ages.

California, you have a question?

Soviets who are suffering...

... hardships greater than your own?

I don't speak Russian.

Sam has a normal complement | of compassion.

Why are you here, Max?

I'm just here to help. | Sam wants me here.

you're on the air with Sam Baily.

why we need more gun control laws.

- I can't believe they make us watch. | - Everybody's got their own opinion.

To politicize this tragedy | is to go the wrong way.

Max, this is my show.

You don't have to answer.

I hope your show helps as well.

- How long are you gonna hold out?

- He needs space. | - She was talking to me.

It's stressful...

...for him.

Now look, I don't think you know | the seriousness of this.

Okay? | Something's gonna happen here.

You want to elaborate on that, Sam?

No, that's all. That's it.

the mother of one of the children.

Are you there?

And thank you...

...for giving me a world audience. | - Hey, it's my mom.

- Really? | - It's my mom.

at my child for three days.

What about them?

what you've done to those hostages?

I don't want no sympathy, all right? | I didn't mean for this to happen.

- What are you trying to do?

I think I know what I want to say!

- Go ahead. | - Now...

I was just taking care of my own.

Every man in my situation | would take care of his own.

- You don't feel any guilt for this?

I feel bad. You know, I feel bad.

But I didn't mean to hurt anybody.

Quit.

- Whose is it? Who are you mad at?

I ain't mad at anybody.

I mean, maybe, | you know, Mrs. Banks...

- We don't care about his excuses.

are turning him into a hero.

to present all perspectives...

all perspectives of a crime?

Please, just let my child go.

Let them all go.

Sam, response?

Just tell the lady I'm sorry, okay?

We'll be right back.

We're clear. Max. | We'll be back in two minutes.

- You don't have to... | - Don't tell me what to do!

- Don't answer for me. | - No obligation...

The people want to hear from me!

- You need help. | - You don't need to sit here.

Fine. I'm outside.

- I'll do this. | - You're in the shithouse.

Don't leave the building!

Everybody will know if I get mad! | Sit!

You're erasing everything we built! | You've buried yourself!

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes