The Wrong Man Page #4

...at felony court at 10:00

tomorrow morning.

Then he has to spend the night in jail.

Yeah. That's what they told me.

Where's felony court?

- I don't know.

We'll have to find out.

- How could this happen to Manny?

Are you sure you heard it right?

I wrote down what the man said.

He said Manny was booked for a holdup?

Yeah.

The Associated Life of...

You know, the office down in...

- I know what office it is.

I can't imagine.

- They'll find out he isn't guilty.

Everybody knows he couldn't be guilty.

How can a thing like that happen?

- Something sure went wrong.

Somebody's gotta tell them.

We'll go there tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Everybody out.

Come on, let's go.

Hello, Manny.

Come along.

Step aside.

Step over in front of the microphone.

Edward Ray,

What about you? Do you care

to tell us about this?

Ever been arrested before?

Yep.

- June 8, 1942.

Arrested for burglary by

Detective Bard, 8th Squad...

...sentenced to state's prison,

Judge Fell, County Court Manhattan...

...for five to 10 years.

Still on parole?

- No.

Step aside.

- This way, not that way.

Next case.

Queens 1.

- Queens 1.

Step up this way, please.

Stand in front of the microphone.

Take your hat off.

Christopher Emanuel Balestrero.

Address, 402478th Street,

Jackson Heights.

Assault and robbery.

Nothing on the yellow sheet.

Ever been arrested before?

- No.

This man's being held for questioning

by the district attorney's office.

He's being questioned by the

district attorney. Step aside.

Next case.

- Step down.

This way.

Brooklyn 4.

Over here. Stand in front

of the microphone.

Take your hat off.

On a charge for grand larceny...

The defendant is discharged.

Rose.

Felony court docket number 98:

Christopher Balestrero.

Officer, raise your right hand.

Do you swear to the truth of your affidavit?

Yes.

- I'm appearing for the defendant.

Did you file a notice of appearance?

- Yes, sir.

You waive the reading of the complaint?

- Yes.

How do you plead?

- Not guilty.

Judge, will you put this over

to February 2nd for a hearing?

All right, February 2nd.

The defendant is held in $ 7500 bail.

Could you set the bail in a lower amount?

He's never been arrested, he's married,

has a family and has a steady job.

Your Honor, this is an armed robbery.

That would be...

...a minimum bail in a case of this type.

Your request is denied,

counselor.

Put him downstairs, officer.

Felony court docket number 98:

Sam Chulex.

Officer, raise your right hand.

Do you swear to the truth of your affidavit?

- Yes.

I guess I didn't know what happened.

You're being held over for the grand jury.

Bail's set at 7500.

Bail?

- Yeah.

Will I be able to get out?

If the bail's put up.

Oh, but 7500...

Who would see to it?

Well, you've got relatives, haven't you?

Won't they let me see my wife?

If she comes to Long Island City Jail.

Let's go, men.

Seymour.

Sign your name here...

...then here.

Ward.

Sign your name here.

Up front.

All right, let's go.

All right, come on.

Each on felony.

These guys too.

Balestrero, Christopher.

Remove your hat.

Address?

Age?

- Thirty-eight.

Occupation?

- Musician.

Born where?

- New York City.

Hold it there.

Balestrero.

Balestrero.

Balestrero.

Balestrero.

Okay, you've got bail.

Are you all right?

Who raised the bail?

It was mostly Gene and Olga, darling.

Olga, I'll never forget this. Never.

You'll be okay now, boy.

Darling.

- Oh, honey.

You'll never know how much I needed you.

Manny, what is it?

I feel...

- We'd better get him to the car.

Manny.

We're going home now.

I've got some coffee and lasagna and...

Manny? You all right?

I'm all right.

Oh, you'll never know.

- I know.

I know.

What is it, Manny?

I was remembering the police car

sitting over there...

...about a million years ago.

It's okay. You're home now.

Daddy. Daddy.

- Hi, Dad.

Dad.

- Hi, Daddy.

We've all been waiting for you.

Could you eat just a bite of something hot?

What I want right now...

Can I have it later, Mom?

- Of course.

I gotta lie down for a while.

- Then that's what you should do.

Come in, Bob.

Mother tell you what happened to me?

No, she didn't.

I got arrested for something I didn't do.

You don't have to tell me.

I heard what they said on the phone.

Dad, you're the best dad in the world.

I do the best I can, Bob.

Thanks for telling me.

You're the best.

Hope you never have to go

through anything like I did.

If you ever do,

I hope you've got a son...

...just like mine to come back to.

I never knew what my boys

meant to me till right now.

Dad.

You ought to get some sleep now.

Yeah.

The lawyer in felony court said

he'd recommend a Mr. O'Connor.

He said we should get in

touch with him soon.

What does Manny say?

Well, I haven't talked to him about it.

He's too tired to even think about it now.

Did the lawyer tell you where

we could find Mr. O'Connor?

Yes. He has an office nearby,

in the Victor Moore Arcade.

Why don't you call him.

Mom, I wouldn't know what to say to him.

You'd have to think of what to say.

You always told me not to go out

without my jacket, Mommy.

Why did you and Grandma go out

in the yard?

Hello. I wonder if I could speak

with Mr. O'Connor, please.

No. Mr. O'Connor has left the office

and is not expected back this afternoon.

Look, I know he'll see me.

- Is it urgent?

Well, I believe he intended

to go straight home.

All right. Thank you.

We ought to get two music lessons today

because we didn't get any yesterday.

He'll give us lessons as soon

as he can, but not now.

Oh, hello. Is Mr. O'Connor in, please?

I wonder if you could...

Oh, yes. Is this Mrs. O'Connor?

Well, Mrs. O'Connor...

...I'm calling because we're in trouble...

...and I was told that

your husband could help.

No, no. I'd like to tell you...

...if I can just think where to begin.

My husband plays the bass fiddle

at the Stork Club.

Oh, good afternoon. Mr. Balestrero?

Mrs. Balestrero?

This way, please.

Mr. and Mrs. Balestrero.

Hello.

- Hello.

This is my husband.

- Hello.

Hello.

- I'm Frank O'Connor.

This is Mr. McKaba.

- How do you do.

Do sit down, won't you?

I'll see you later, then.

All right, Frank.

- Please.

Since you called my wife,

Mrs. Balestrero...

...I've made some preliminary inquiries.

And the general outline of the facts

seem to be as you stated them.

Everybody knows Manny couldn't be guilty.

Everybody at the Stork Club

knows he's not guilty.

I spoke to Mr. Billingsley himself.

He said not to worry.

Well, then, you'll take the case?

Now, that's what we're here to decide.

Well, what is it you want,

proof of Manny's innocence?

We've been married for nine years...

...and we haven't been apart

for more than two days.

If Manny had done anything wrong,

I'd know about it...

...and I know he hasn't.

What I want first is Manny's own story...

...the full story about himself:

His life, his work and all the events...

...after he went to the insurance office

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