3 A.M. (2001) Movie Script
No, say that again.
I won't be threatened. We've been banking with you for 15 years.
You. Sit down.
I've had this case for seven years. My father wouldn't put up with this, and neither will I.
Years of loyalty, and this is my reward.
You're refusing me a simple loan.
You're an hour and a half late.
Don't give me excuses about the traffic.
If you refuse, I'll walk out and go to Kaplan Trust.
180 dollars? I'd have to work a whole shift for that.
Whoever is late gets docked. Mats, me.
Be glad you have a job. 10 dollars per five minutes.
Elsewhere it's half that. Those places go bankrupt, we don't.
You're not going to let that happen, are you?
That's really not nice.
I need that money. You have to be on time.
If you want money, work an extra shift.
Money and keys.
You, over there. Come here.
There's always something with cab 3 after he's been out driving it.
From now on, be on time.
I'll call them.
See that window?
Everything that drives out there is money.
All the trucks, buses and couriers.
But the most important are the Lady Luck cabs.
It's not my money, it belongs to my family.
Every dent costs me money. Every paint job costs me money.
These drivers work for me. Last night one was shot.
Three drivers quit and three call in sick.
I'm losing my business because some idiot wanted 75 dollars.
How long have you worked here? Five weeks.
And how many accidents have you had?
Five.
Why shouldn't I throw you out on the street?
Because you need drivers.
- Exactly. I can't afford to lose you.
Listen carefully: if I see one scratch
on the paint of your car...
you're out. Clear?
I can't hear you.
Is that clear?
I just called them.
Maybe it'll work out tonight.
No maybes. Call them again.
- Fine, I'll call them again.
The news channel that never sleeps:
world news in 22 minutes.
I'm Juliette Hopper
with the news.
Last night a tenth taxi driver
was murdered. Davis Lee reports.
The drivers
are angry at the police.
The police do nothing. If it's
a rich guy, they step in.
Others are more practical.
I'm not scared of a murderer.
He'd better be scared of me.
Bad weather or not, everything breathes
the greatness of the Creator.
No doubt.
- Have you finished the book?
Halfway. Do you have another one?
- Reading is instructive.
They've discovered a tomb
of an Egyptian king.
In 10,000 years, no one
has been in that tomb.
But now they have.
He was buried with food and women.
He wanted for nothing in the afterlife.
Women and fresh olives. Ideal.
After 15 years in a taxi, I want
a little peace in the hereafter.
Hang in there, Singh.
Sagallo, one moment.
You tell him.
- I don't have time.
You're wrong. This is wrong.
He won't listen to me.
- Nonsense.
What are you two talking about?
Look at his shrimp:
Is that a shrimp or vermin?
That's just ginger
with some bamboo shoots.
It's dark from all that soy sauce.
Ginger on legs?
It has to be a shrimp.
It can't be anything else.
Go ahead and laugh. Soon that
shrimp will crawl up your throat.
What's that?
I was here last night too.
I asked for you.
But apparently you weren't here.
I was here.
I'm here every night.
15 dollars for the bath,
20 for the massage.
Anything else you'd like?
No smoking.
Smoking is not allowed.
It's posted everywhere: no smoking.
Do they smoke because they can't read?
No, because they're idiots.
This isn't... If you want to smoke,
I'll pull over the car.
Then you step out and you can smoke.
I have to stand all day,
and I'm already looking forward to dancing.
In Japan there's a taxi company where you
calculate your biorhythm before your shift.
Really?
And the couriers have colored
flags on their handlebars.
Each color indicates
a different biorhythm.
A yellow color means
a low biorhythm.
But red means: watch out
and don't get in my way.
With a system like that, this city
would be swarming with red flags.
Maybe they should
give up driving.
Maybe. Or maybe they should
do this instead: have a nice make-out session.
In New York an eleventh
taxi driver has been murdered.
The victim is
37-year-old Singh Bhvani.
Bhvani was found dead
in his taxi this morning.
Your coffee is almost ready.
Did you know him?
Georgia, I know what you're thinking.
I could have been the one.
- Yes, you could have.
But I wasn't. I wasn't.
Not this time.
I'll come by after work.
I'll wait for you.
I've had it. I'm quitting.
I'm stopping. They'll shoot you down.
- So what are you going to do?
My wife wants me to drive a school bus. Pays well.
What's stopping you?
- I want to, but my girlfriend doesn't.
You need to dump that girlfriend.
Everything okay?
Don't spend all your money.
Singh leaves behind a wife and child.
Rasha, it's getting worse by the day.
Watch out.
The blacks around here carry guns.
Black or not, nobody's shooting me.
That's not why I'm here.
It's just like back home:
Everyone's armed.
The traffic's different. Yesterday
I almost ran over a courier.
I didn't see him.
He suddenly popped up in front of me.
My fifth accident. My fifth.
That's too bad.
- Don't be stupid.
Just make your money
and get back home safely.
One more thing: That woman can look into it.
I'm quitting next week.
Andri has bought a house
outside the city.
Yeah, fresh air, clean water, and
my sons can play in the grass.
Where?
- Some small town in New Jersey.
Not a small town. Newark, guys.
Lots of vacant buildings.
And the land is really cheap.
That sounds good.
- You can say that again.
It makes me feel like I'm back in the Krajina.
If there were a Mostar in New Jersey,
I'd move there too.
You won't find a Mostar there,
nor my Krajina.
Back home they kill us for who we are.
Here they'll kill you for five dollars.
There's a scratch on the door.
It happened in the car wash.
I should have reported it before I drove off.
Why are you laughing?
They say you're grumpy.
That you can't stand people.
I think they're wrong.
You think the way you drive.
To the Soho Grand on West Broadway.
- I know where it is.
Be kind to your mother.
I don't want to hear that you were being difficult.
Listen, you were supposed to live with her this month.
She misses you.
I'll come get you again after a month.
I promise you that.
Are you crazy? That light was red. I've got my little boy with me.
Maniac.
My mother saw things too.
She never said anything about it. She wanted to keep it hidden.
But I knew. I could tell from the look in her eyes.
On my twelfth birthday...
my mother took me out onto the street.
To earn money for home, to go to work.
We stood in front of the shop windows, waiting.
A man noticed us standing there.
He stank.
My mother waited outside.
He took me up to his hotel room.
He made me feel worthless.
As if he were better than me.
He mocked me.
He laughed at me endlessly.
I wanted him to stop. For the first time, I wanted to kill someone.
Ever since, I've been running from him.
You have to try to let go of that phenomenon that's chasing you.
You keep telling the same story.
I light candles for you. I pray for you.
I can look into people's minds, but I can't with you.
It can't be done, and that scares me. You scare me.
You want to believe I'm crazy, but I know what your greatest fear is.
Suppose I'm not crazy...
It's 23 degrees.
A doctor has been charged with murdering his wife 25 years ago.
I completely forgot about that parking ticket. Now I have to pay it.
Henry, with Hershey.
Tell Box that I'm pulling that double shift.
I've changed my mind.
I need the money.
George is going to kill me.
Do you have shit in your eyes or something?
Do you hear the sirens?
- What do you want me to do?
Follow me.
Otherwise you'll end up in the ditch.
I've rarely seen anyone
give it to someone like that.
A thank-you would be nice.
Why did you help me?
You drive for Lady Luck too.
We help each other out.
It doesn't matter.
At the slightest scratch
I'm out. Look at this...
That's more than a scratch.
I'll talk to Box.
I'll put in a good word for you.
Just say it
was the other guy's fault.
Whose fault was it?
- Mine.
His.
- Exactly, that's how it was.
You couldn't help it.
You couldn't possibly have avoided him.
Rasha...
Andric?
Andrich. Sounds Russian.
- I'm from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
And who's the boy?
- That's my son. Evoin.
My brothers.
You have a lot of brothers.
Not anymore.
What's your name?
Hershey. Like the Hershey chocolate?
Yes, just like the chocolate.
They're all taking a day off.
Soon we'll all be off
if no money comes in.
These are difficult times.
- We'll get through it.
I know you don't want to call him,
but the situation is very serious.
He has money.
- You know how I feel about him.
Is your hatred for him greater
than your love for this company?
You want to keep it afloat.
Bola beta bolo.
Fine. Just call him.
Hurry up.
Here you go, princess. She's all yours.
The windshield is brand new.
Yeah, the seat's still a bit sticky. Be careful.
Otherwise the car's in good shape.
Don't eat off someone else's plate.
How do I know you're on duty?
- You check the schedule every week.
Not every week.
- Every Monday.
You say you're going to the bathroom,
but you're checking the duty roster.
Want to grab a drink later?
- I'm going with Hershey.
What do you see in that guy?
- Are you really that special?
Just a drink.
Or a nice candlelit dinner.
I know a good Moroccan place.
A snake takes two weeks to digest its food. And you?
That's why I like you so much.
Forget it. Why would you think
I'd want to go out with you?
Just the thought
makes me sick.
Yeah, she's into me.
Quiet, he's working.
Mouth shut. He's a magician.
Adjusting a meter is precision work,
just like a surgeon's work.
The meter has to jump exactly
every 18 seconds.
It jumps after every tenth mile.
A geometric progression
that increases around the...
quarter mile.
A fraction of a second off
and the meter stops working properly.
But that's illegal.
I'm out.
Please, fix it for me.
I'll make sure he keeps his mouth shut.
What do you want?
- Take it easy.
I need to show you something. Come with me.
A customer left this
in the taxi.
That guy was really nervous.
He paid with a 100-dollar bill.
There was another
100 stuck to it.
I pulled them apart
and saw that the serial numbers were...
What's the word for that? They were sequential.
Then I saw this suitcase.
Take it.
I've already got a record.
They have the serial numbers.
Sometimes the bank slips
exploding dye between the bills.
I've got enough problems already.
I have to hand it in.
- Have you lost your mind?
We're in luck, kid.
I'm... we're rich.
You take it.
I don't want anything to do with it.
I'll stash it for you.
Madison Square Garden.
33rd Street, Eighth Avenue.
What do you have there?
That ring.
It's my championship ring from 1969.
Were you on the Knicks team?
Backup defense.
Played twenty games.
I remember you missed five
free throws against Philly.
But we still won.
- Thanks to Barnett and Fraser.
How does a champion
end up driving a cab?
I was married for two years
and seven months.
When my knee gave out,
she walked out on me.
This job pays the bills.
Madison Square Garden is over there on the right.
Just leave it.
I collect that stuff. How much is the ring?
- It's not for sale.
It stays on my finger.
Good luck with it.
Wear it well, Knicks.
Pretty girl, huh?
Do you have a boyfriend? She's gorgeous.
So gorgeous I'd
happily go down on her dad.
Momma, como esta? Are you
Puerto Rican or Dominican or something?
Eskimo.
I hear Eskimo women will do anything
to keep their lover warm.
But seriously, do you have a boyfriend?
You don't talk to strangers.
Let me introduce us.
See me?
I'm Bass.
And to my left
is my right-hand man, Hook.
He's a free man again for the first time.
Eight months of community service.
But that's over now.
Now we're gonna celebrate. You in?
Which way do you want to go?
- Straight ahead.
Still nobody's been arrested
for the last taxi murder.
I did that one in Queens.
The case is still open.
No job is as dangerous
as being a taxi driver.
My grandpa was a window washer
on skyscrapers.
That's really dangerous work.
Yeah, but at worst you fall.
Nobody shoots at you. Get it?
Straight ahead?
Turn around.
What's wrong? What's the matter?
You look pale.
We'll grab her right away.
A nice start to the evening.
Just because I like you.
Keep the change.
Why are you letting her go?
- Let her earn her money.
I'm not going to pick her up.
I'm on my way to my little daughter.
She's gorgeous. She works to pay off
her father's debts.
I'm driving in a really dangerous neighborhood.
There she is. She wants a taxi
to go home.
Gorgeous. I forgot
to turn on the meter.
I greet her, and we start talking.
And then...
I've been seeing her for three weeks now.
I think I'm in love.
She's so...
Women are very expensive in this country.
Where do you know your girlfriend from?
- From school.
I'm out of school now.
I quit.
You have to finish your school.
When my son was in school,
I took him every morning.
Then why isn't he in school anymore?
Did he quit too?
No, the school doesn't exist anymore.
Move that taxi. Hurry up.
Theo, tell George
that I can't make it.
It's not working out.
Move that taxi.
- I'm on the phone. Just a moment.
George, you have a call.
Move that car. Right now.
Jesus, don't make it so difficult.
There's nobody. Who was it? Hershey?
Yes, he's on his way.
- When will he be here?
Do me a favor and finally buy
an answering machine.
What's your problem? I've had enough of
work and your grumpy nonsense.
My last vacation
was two years ago. Canada.
Five days and six nights.
And rain every single day.
I can take you
to a nice tropical island.
Coney Island is still too expensive for you.
Papers, please.
- Is there a problem?
Routine check.
A ticket for a broken taillight?
Pick up your papers. And get going.
Everything's fine. Get going.
George knows you're on your way.
On my way? I never said that.
She has to buy an answering machine.
Hershey, don't say anything.
We're leaving. I'm exhausted.
George, I can't.
Why not?
I need the money
from the evening shift.
We had an agreement.
- I know. I'm sorry.
That's lovely. I was looking forward to it.
Let's not start arguing.
Fight. He's going to work overtime.
You still owe me 50 dollars.
Forget it.
Two cheeseburgers, George.
I have to go now.
I'll pick you up after work.
Fries, Georgia. Are we still working or what?
I'm losing my money, honey.
- You're not the only one losing money.
I'm fed up with it.
My sister Richelee
never got to experience the joy...
Of motherhood.
- I'll say it once more.
Georgia, you're fired.
I'm done with your excuses.
It's either pick one or split it.
Either you take me with you now,
or I find someone else.
My meter's running, Hershey Riley.
Maybe your wife was right after all.
What do you want from me?
- Just look at what happened.
Another scratch?
- A small one. This time it really is her fault.
You're going to run someone over one of these days.
Have you eaten?
Good. Then we'll eat together.
Leave me alone.
- Why so angry?
I'm not angry at you, but
at her. I don't want to talk about it.
I get it. So you're in love.
I'm in love too.
We have something in common.
Let's talk about it.
Damn it.
- What's wrong?
Go around it again.
No, don't.
You're not allowed to take another step.
What's wrong? Why?
You walked around that pole.
That brings bad luck.
You walked around it.
Go back.
Sorry, I don't get it.
- Good God.
It's going from bad to worse.
Never walk around a pole.
Tonight is going completely wrong.
Everyone's getting scratches,
but three in four weeks is ridiculous.
So what should I do?
- You need to pay better attention.
You need to work on
your peripheral vision.
That means...
Look straight ahead.
How many fingers do you see?
Don't turn your head.
Keep looking straight ahead.
That's how racing drivers do it. Racing drivers have it harder than taxi drivers.
A collision at 300 km an hour is fatal.
They have peripheral vision.
You have to train yourself to see everything well
even from the corners of your eyes.
How many?
Two.
- No, one beside it. Three.
Why are you being so difficult?
- You're the one being difficult.
There was a cockroach in my nasi.
- Not my problem.
Then whose cockroach was it?
- Yours, in your house.
Mine? Do you want a bullet in your head?
What a hothead you are.
She's a grouch.
- That guy is impossible.
I'm going home
and starting the day over.
I didn't sleep.
- Who did?
I'm sitting here with two people
I barely know.
I've seen you before.
- This is Hershey.
And this is Grouch.
Did he hit you too?
- No, not me yet.
We need to cheer Hershey up.
He broke up
with his girlfriend.
Did you know him?
A good guy, a smart guy.
But that doesn't help much.
Are you scared?
If you worry about it,
you'll go crazy.
And you?
For safety's sake...
I don't pick up blacks
or Puerto Ricans.
They carry guns
and knives in their pockets.
What utter nonsense.
Serial killers are mostly white.
Do you refuse them too? How do you come up with that?
A fellow countryman told me that.
- Then he's got it wrong.
Anyway,
I'm not afraid of bullets.
Someone has already shot at me before.
If you get hit, you bleed.
If not, you don't.
Fear is in the dark,
having to flee for your life.
On a narrow road. At any moment...
a car full of armed men
can come at you.
And shooting. That's scary.
Don't kid yourself,
it's no better here at all.
Not just Blacks and Puerto Ricans.
As a cab driver in this city,
you never know what's coming.
I'm going to take a few fares.
Good luck with it.
See you.
Take him with you.
See you, Grumpy.
What do you want from me, Ralph?
I was just about to ask you
what you want from me.
I don't want anything from you. Leave me alone.
I think you're too much alone.
I don't think Hershey sees it,
but I do.
When I see you, I see a beautiful
woman who works long hours.
In a business that's
not suitable for a woman.
If I had my way...
Give me a break. Be serious for once.
I am being serious.
It won't work out.
- How do you know that?
Look at me.
I'm not sleeping because of you.
When I saw you,
I fell in love instantly.
Yes, in love.
And that big, brown girl
who worked here last year?
What was her name?
You went out with her.
- I slept with her.
I wanted you,
but you were stuck with Hershey.
Do you really love him,
and does he really love you?
Yes or no?
I don't need to know that.
I have to go.
There I stood, like a fool,
with a bunch of expensive roses.
Maybe her hands were cold.
Or you saw it wrong.
I make my living as a taxi driver. I've got better eyes than most people.
Does that mean she's cheating?
And anyway...
How do you know what a woman really wants?
Sometimes...
it's all too obvious.
I like the name Charles. It has a regal ring to it.
Like Charles de Gaulle, Prince Charles, King Charles.
That's a good one. Ray Charles.
Charlemagne.
Is that her?
She seems like a nice girl, but...
You'd better get her.
I'm happy with her.
Can't complain.
What's wrong with you?
I'll tell you another time. Are you going to marry the waitress?
Everyone's talking about your fight. - Things aren't going my way.
Take action. Don't be scared.
So what's your problem? Don't let her slip away.
I'm not ready for that yet.
I saw one over there who is ready for it.
Come on, I bet on you. - Did they bet on it?
You're getting a toaster as a present. From Pennsylvania. Beautiful.
The box is already ready.
I have to go.
Does a man know what he wants, or does he want what he can't have?
For example, I never see a man who is happy.
I've been happily married for 27 years. - 27 years? You're kidding.
How do you do that?
Freedom and bliss.
Do you ever see her?
Do you ever talk to her? Does she ever call me?
That's the point. I don't want anyone else.
I make my living, I have a house and three gorgeous sons.
I'll tell you something. I love her, even more than the business.
But even so, I keep forgetting her birthday.
I circle it on the calendar.
I circle it right away, otherwise I forget it.
What do you mean by that?
I always forget the date, but it doesn't leave me indifferent.
Hershey's gone. But if you two are meant for each other...
then he'll come back.
Where?
Eastern Europe?
I worked for eight months in a hospital in Herzegovina.
But in that state, it felt like eight years.
I was looking after a girl. I've forgotten her name.
She had been shot by cowards.
Armed men lined up five children in front of them.
The children had to run. Whoever could dodge the bullets was free.
Only the girl managed to reach the hospital.
We heard a scream from her bed. We ran over to her.
There was a soldier standing there.
There's blood on the sheets and on the floor.
The soldier...
had cut off the little finger of her right hand, just like that.
Later, when we had stopped the bleeding...
I knelt down and said a prayer for this Muslim girl.
She looked at me and said, 'You mustn't be sad.'
'Because I...'
'fooled them.'
'I'm left-handed.'
I'll pray for you tonight.
And I'll pray for that girl.
I've forgotten her name.
Be glad you're here. Your country is very hard on adults.
For children...
it's even worse.
Operator, I'd like to be connected to...
Fine, I'll wait.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
- How do you spell that?
I don't want to wait.
I want to be transferred.
Operator, I don't want to be transferred
to the Red Cross.
Danny.
Not my child.
Please help me.
Stay away from him.
- I can help you.
You ran that kid over.
- It was an accident.
Where are you going?
Stay here, you coward.
Come back, coward.
You ran that kid over.
I have to catch my plane.
I look like a devil.
Look who's here.
I'll wait outside.
You look good, little brother.
You're looking more and more like Dad.
I have to answer for this.
- I understand.
As far as my superiors are concerned,
this is a purely business transaction.
Dad gave his life for this business.
- It cost him his life.
And all he left behind was debts.
It was never profitable.
I see this as an ideal spot
for a parking lot.
Thanks for your support.
- I'm just saying what I think.
Nevertheless, we're willing
to grant the loan.
Unbelievable.
- The terms are final.
Where do I sign?
- Read it first.
Read it?
Of course I'll read it, but...
Morris, I'm very grateful to you.
I'll finish the deal tomorrow.
On Monday you'll have your check.
It says 'six months' here.
I can't pay it back that quickly.
- If it doesn't work out, it's no big deal.
This is the ideal spot
for a parking lot.
Can we get out of here?
Maybe.
- Try to come up with something.
I know a shortcut.
The moment I saw you, I knew it:
I have to have that taxi.
Do you love him?
Do you love me?
Yes or no?
You can't be serious.
- I'm sleeping with you because you pay me.
You're just like him.
I want to be with you.
- No, go away. You're crazy. Get out.
I hit a boy with my car.
He ran into the street
and I hit him.
Rasha, you hit a boy.
You hit a boy.
Do you think he's dead?
Listen. You can't stay here.
You have to leave.
Come with me to Newark.
Sooner or later they'll find you
and lock you up.
You're hopeless. You have to go.
Take the money and go.
Buy a plane ticket.
I don't want to leave you behind.
I love you.
Say it to me once more.
I love you.
So you're saying I have
a guardian demon?
I met one once.
Years ago.
Seriously?
Do you think I'm crazy?
- Not at all.
That idea never occurred to me.
So what exactly do you see?
Ghosts in white sheets?
Spirits that can walk
through walls?
I feel a warm glow come over me.
And then the feeling
that someone is watching you.
It's too far away for you to
make out his face.
But he's there.
- Where?
Around you. He knows you.
And what does he want from me?
Nothing. He wants me.
You really had me going.
A story about spirits.
That's not something
you hear every day.
I have to believe that this devil is showing me the way...
and that you know his name.
I'm really starting to get scared now.
You should have known.
Did you really think I'd just keep waiting here?
Well, I'm getting out here, lover boy.
No, Ellen, don't leave me alone.
Clyde? Walt Frazier?
Are you still driving that crummy cab? You've got to make something of your life.
Just let me out here.
If you want to spend the rest of your life just driving around...
then this is your chance.
We're going to get some coffee. You can't fall asleep at the wheel.
That's because that stupid Russian drove into that pole.
I'd take Georgia out. That little mouse still has a tail.
I'll have some coffee to wake up.
The usual order?
The usual order. And coffee with milk.
Don't get me wrong. These have been four really good years.
But maybe it's time I called it off.
Maybe what she wants is something very different from what I can give her.
I think you're scared. - Not at all.
Love and trust. That's what she asks of me.
I'm not ready for that. I can't offer that.
I'll tell her. I'll say, 'Ellen...'
'If you're not happy...'
You mean George. - Yes. 'If this doesn't work out...'
Hershey, you said 'Ellen'. - I said 'George.'
What's wrong?
I have a problem.
Hershey, I've really gone and driven into a pole.
How bad is it?
Pretty bad.
Or rather: really, really bad.
What does 'really bad' mean?
The police are looking for me.
You have to help me.
Hershey, I have to go back to my country,
back to my son.
I'll pay you like any normal customer.
I don't want to go to prison.
I don't want a cell.
It'll be the death of me if you drive away.
Hershey, just look.
This is me. This is where I belong.
This is mine.
The bus terminal.
I'll take you to the bus terminal.
You can catch a bus there.
There are cops everywhere.
They'll arrest me.
The police are at the airport too.
- I'll take that chance.
No one else can help me.
I want to go back to my country.
I just want to go back.
He's leaving you here.
Damn it. Some friend.
Some friend.
Why are you doing this?
I slit his throat while he was
sitting on the toilet. And then I ran.
Ever since, I've been on the run.
Now he wants me, through you.
I'm putting an end to that. Here. Now.
You've got the wrong man.
- No, you took the wrong taxi.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Believe me.
No, don't do it.
Killing me
won't solve your problem.
That ghost jumps
from one person to the next.
If he wants you, he'll get you.
With or without me.
Don't you understand that?
There has to be another way.
There has to be another way.
It's not just about me.
It's about what's best
for you. You have to believe me.
That's all I have to say.
One more thing.
If we put our heads together...
then the two of us can come up
with a reasonable solution.
Few people know this route. It's
the old road to the airport.
Look at that.
- What is it?
It's about how 13 people enter the tomb
of an Egyptian king.
They all die a mysterious
death. It sounds unlikely.
But it did happen. It's possible.
The owner of that book
was shot last night.
You went around the bend.
That's unfortunate.
But I thought: If I
carry out this special deed...
maybe I can neutralize it.
No, this can't be true.
What are you doing? Don't stop.
Leaving a taxi with a breakdown
brings bad luck.
Don't get out.
Heading to the airport?
- Not anymore.
Let me take a look.
Maybe I can get it going.
No need. And you have a customer.
No, no problem.
Let's see if I can fix it.
Did it work?
- What is he doing here?
That's a long story.
You'd have to wait.
Good evening, grumpy one.
Where are you going? Rasha, don't.
There are snakes in there.
- I'm a big boy.
What's wrong?
Full bladder. What a relief.
Wait in the car.
Let's try this.
Start it up.
Grab my gloves for me.
Under my seat.
Gloves. What does he want with those?
Hershey doesn't know this story.
Nobody knows this.
I have someone's death on my conscience.
So do I.
Where are the gloves?
The engine's running. Go, we're leaving.
Hurry up.
Problem solved.
My pleasure.
Hang in there.
What time is your flight?
- Tomorrow morning.
Do you have enough money on you?
I'm going with you.
Thanks.
Good luck with everything.
- You too, Hershey.
What are you going to do when you get back?
First I'll look for my son.
Then I want my old job back.
- What was that?
Driving an ambulance.
Take care of yourself.
- You too, Hershey.
Stay with your girlfriend.
You love her. You know that.
Killing me won't solve
your problem.
Put that gun away.
Where did it go?
That was quite a night.
It's not over yet.
I still have a few hours to go.
Do you smoke?
Are you sure?
Is this it? Is this the building?
Yes, this is it.
Give me your money.
No funny business,
or I'll blow your head off.
Do you want to die?
Do you want to die or not?
I want to hear you say
that you want to keep living.
Say it again, with feeling.
Give me your cash box and that ring.
Here's the ring.
- Hurry up.
Now I'm taking the cash box.
You have five seconds. Then I'll shoot.
Come on. Make it quick.
You're my best customer.
I don't want to bother you.
But you're always sitting here
writing and such.
Do you know Eugene Delacroix?
Is he in there?
He went to Tangier in 1832
on a mission for the Comte de Mornay.
He took a notebook with him.
In it he described everything
and everyone he came across.
What does that have to do with this?
Beautiful.
Everyone's in there.
Did you make these tonight?
- All of them.
Even these?
Can't you go any slower?
Hurry up, I want to leave.
And you with the mop. Move it.
Calm down. Do you have to be somewhere?
- Barber school.
Are you waiting for someone?
I can't leave, because table 8
won't give up.
It's already past four.
Those are the best customers.
That's what we depend on.
How so?
They can't do without this place.
They want to come here to unwind for a bit.
To be able to turn their backs on everything for a while.
Some don't want to go out on the street.
The rest don't want to go home.
Hello. Is something wrong?
We're looking for Georgia Mae Parker.
Anything else?
The check.
Theo, are you closing up? I want to get out of here.
What do you need?
What's wrong with her?
- Where's George?
George is already gone.
Gone? What do you mean, 'gone'?
Gone. G-O-N-E.
Am I not being clear enough?
She's gone. Go home.
Good night.
10-year-old boy
unhurt after collision
Are you going to buy these or not?
Are you ready?
This one's the only one with toilet paper.
Is that yours?
- Keep it.
These things belonged to your husband.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
- Not at all. Come in.
What are we doing here?
What do you have in mind?
Do you smell that?
Lovely scent.
Incense.
It's somewhere between perfume...
and the roasted nuts
they sell at Christmas.
As a child, I thought God smelled like that.
Every house has its own smell.
You stop noticing it
as you get older.
But as a child, I was certain
that you couldn't see the Lord.
But you could smell Him
when He was in a room.
Last night, someone
pointed a gun at me.
I only had one thing on my mind.
What could I do or say
to see you again?
I looked at the floor of my taxi.
There was a gun lying there.
I don't know where it came from.
I had never seen it before.
I picked it up, and there we were.
He missed, but I didn't.
I think God wanted
to make something clear to me.
I haven't really trusted anyone
since Ellen left me.
I didn't dare to.
But now I'm only afraid of
one thing: losing you.
Marry me.
Ask me again.
Georgia Mae Parker.
Will you marry me...
and love me, and let me love you,
until death do us part?
I meant: You've
had a terrible night.
Ask me again next week.
The taxi drivers are relieved.
The serial killer was shot
by his next victim.
The police are looking for the killer
of a businessman...
whose body was found in the ditch,
right near Kennedy Airport.
Good morning. It's 72 degrees
and sunny.
Welcome aboard TWA flight
to Sarajevo.
On behalf of all our crew,
we wish you a pleasant flight.
Two drivers turned in a briefcase
with a million dollars in it.
I was the one who found the money.
- We found it.
I said: This must belong to someone.
I could've used that money.
But if I'm anything,
I'm...
I know my duty.
- We were raised right.
We turned it in,
but it wasn't easy.
We want to be good Americans.
I won't be threatened. We've been banking with you for 15 years.
You. Sit down.
I've had this case for seven years. My father wouldn't put up with this, and neither will I.
Years of loyalty, and this is my reward.
You're refusing me a simple loan.
You're an hour and a half late.
Don't give me excuses about the traffic.
If you refuse, I'll walk out and go to Kaplan Trust.
180 dollars? I'd have to work a whole shift for that.
Whoever is late gets docked. Mats, me.
Be glad you have a job. 10 dollars per five minutes.
Elsewhere it's half that. Those places go bankrupt, we don't.
You're not going to let that happen, are you?
That's really not nice.
I need that money. You have to be on time.
If you want money, work an extra shift.
Money and keys.
You, over there. Come here.
There's always something with cab 3 after he's been out driving it.
From now on, be on time.
I'll call them.
See that window?
Everything that drives out there is money.
All the trucks, buses and couriers.
But the most important are the Lady Luck cabs.
It's not my money, it belongs to my family.
Every dent costs me money. Every paint job costs me money.
These drivers work for me. Last night one was shot.
Three drivers quit and three call in sick.
I'm losing my business because some idiot wanted 75 dollars.
How long have you worked here? Five weeks.
And how many accidents have you had?
Five.
Why shouldn't I throw you out on the street?
Because you need drivers.
- Exactly. I can't afford to lose you.
Listen carefully: if I see one scratch
on the paint of your car...
you're out. Clear?
I can't hear you.
Is that clear?
I just called them.
Maybe it'll work out tonight.
No maybes. Call them again.
- Fine, I'll call them again.
The news channel that never sleeps:
world news in 22 minutes.
I'm Juliette Hopper
with the news.
Last night a tenth taxi driver
was murdered. Davis Lee reports.
The drivers
are angry at the police.
The police do nothing. If it's
a rich guy, they step in.
Others are more practical.
I'm not scared of a murderer.
He'd better be scared of me.
Bad weather or not, everything breathes
the greatness of the Creator.
No doubt.
- Have you finished the book?
Halfway. Do you have another one?
- Reading is instructive.
They've discovered a tomb
of an Egyptian king.
In 10,000 years, no one
has been in that tomb.
But now they have.
He was buried with food and women.
He wanted for nothing in the afterlife.
Women and fresh olives. Ideal.
After 15 years in a taxi, I want
a little peace in the hereafter.
Hang in there, Singh.
Sagallo, one moment.
You tell him.
- I don't have time.
You're wrong. This is wrong.
He won't listen to me.
- Nonsense.
What are you two talking about?
Look at his shrimp:
Is that a shrimp or vermin?
That's just ginger
with some bamboo shoots.
It's dark from all that soy sauce.
Ginger on legs?
It has to be a shrimp.
It can't be anything else.
Go ahead and laugh. Soon that
shrimp will crawl up your throat.
What's that?
I was here last night too.
I asked for you.
But apparently you weren't here.
I was here.
I'm here every night.
15 dollars for the bath,
20 for the massage.
Anything else you'd like?
No smoking.
Smoking is not allowed.
It's posted everywhere: no smoking.
Do they smoke because they can't read?
No, because they're idiots.
This isn't... If you want to smoke,
I'll pull over the car.
Then you step out and you can smoke.
I have to stand all day,
and I'm already looking forward to dancing.
In Japan there's a taxi company where you
calculate your biorhythm before your shift.
Really?
And the couriers have colored
flags on their handlebars.
Each color indicates
a different biorhythm.
A yellow color means
a low biorhythm.
But red means: watch out
and don't get in my way.
With a system like that, this city
would be swarming with red flags.
Maybe they should
give up driving.
Maybe. Or maybe they should
do this instead: have a nice make-out session.
In New York an eleventh
taxi driver has been murdered.
The victim is
37-year-old Singh Bhvani.
Bhvani was found dead
in his taxi this morning.
Your coffee is almost ready.
Did you know him?
Georgia, I know what you're thinking.
I could have been the one.
- Yes, you could have.
But I wasn't. I wasn't.
Not this time.
I'll come by after work.
I'll wait for you.
I've had it. I'm quitting.
I'm stopping. They'll shoot you down.
- So what are you going to do?
My wife wants me to drive a school bus. Pays well.
What's stopping you?
- I want to, but my girlfriend doesn't.
You need to dump that girlfriend.
Everything okay?
Don't spend all your money.
Singh leaves behind a wife and child.
Rasha, it's getting worse by the day.
Watch out.
The blacks around here carry guns.
Black or not, nobody's shooting me.
That's not why I'm here.
It's just like back home:
Everyone's armed.
The traffic's different. Yesterday
I almost ran over a courier.
I didn't see him.
He suddenly popped up in front of me.
My fifth accident. My fifth.
That's too bad.
- Don't be stupid.
Just make your money
and get back home safely.
One more thing: That woman can look into it.
I'm quitting next week.
Andri has bought a house
outside the city.
Yeah, fresh air, clean water, and
my sons can play in the grass.
Where?
- Some small town in New Jersey.
Not a small town. Newark, guys.
Lots of vacant buildings.
And the land is really cheap.
That sounds good.
- You can say that again.
It makes me feel like I'm back in the Krajina.
If there were a Mostar in New Jersey,
I'd move there too.
You won't find a Mostar there,
nor my Krajina.
Back home they kill us for who we are.
Here they'll kill you for five dollars.
There's a scratch on the door.
It happened in the car wash.
I should have reported it before I drove off.
Why are you laughing?
They say you're grumpy.
That you can't stand people.
I think they're wrong.
You think the way you drive.
To the Soho Grand on West Broadway.
- I know where it is.
Be kind to your mother.
I don't want to hear that you were being difficult.
Listen, you were supposed to live with her this month.
She misses you.
I'll come get you again after a month.
I promise you that.
Are you crazy? That light was red. I've got my little boy with me.
Maniac.
My mother saw things too.
She never said anything about it. She wanted to keep it hidden.
But I knew. I could tell from the look in her eyes.
On my twelfth birthday...
my mother took me out onto the street.
To earn money for home, to go to work.
We stood in front of the shop windows, waiting.
A man noticed us standing there.
He stank.
My mother waited outside.
He took me up to his hotel room.
He made me feel worthless.
As if he were better than me.
He mocked me.
He laughed at me endlessly.
I wanted him to stop. For the first time, I wanted to kill someone.
Ever since, I've been running from him.
You have to try to let go of that phenomenon that's chasing you.
You keep telling the same story.
I light candles for you. I pray for you.
I can look into people's minds, but I can't with you.
It can't be done, and that scares me. You scare me.
You want to believe I'm crazy, but I know what your greatest fear is.
Suppose I'm not crazy...
It's 23 degrees.
A doctor has been charged with murdering his wife 25 years ago.
I completely forgot about that parking ticket. Now I have to pay it.
Henry, with Hershey.
Tell Box that I'm pulling that double shift.
I've changed my mind.
I need the money.
George is going to kill me.
Do you have shit in your eyes or something?
Do you hear the sirens?
- What do you want me to do?
Follow me.
Otherwise you'll end up in the ditch.
I've rarely seen anyone
give it to someone like that.
A thank-you would be nice.
Why did you help me?
You drive for Lady Luck too.
We help each other out.
It doesn't matter.
At the slightest scratch
I'm out. Look at this...
That's more than a scratch.
I'll talk to Box.
I'll put in a good word for you.
Just say it
was the other guy's fault.
Whose fault was it?
- Mine.
His.
- Exactly, that's how it was.
You couldn't help it.
You couldn't possibly have avoided him.
Rasha...
Andric?
Andrich. Sounds Russian.
- I'm from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
And who's the boy?
- That's my son. Evoin.
My brothers.
You have a lot of brothers.
Not anymore.
What's your name?
Hershey. Like the Hershey chocolate?
Yes, just like the chocolate.
They're all taking a day off.
Soon we'll all be off
if no money comes in.
These are difficult times.
- We'll get through it.
I know you don't want to call him,
but the situation is very serious.
He has money.
- You know how I feel about him.
Is your hatred for him greater
than your love for this company?
You want to keep it afloat.
Bola beta bolo.
Fine. Just call him.
Hurry up.
Here you go, princess. She's all yours.
The windshield is brand new.
Yeah, the seat's still a bit sticky. Be careful.
Otherwise the car's in good shape.
Don't eat off someone else's plate.
How do I know you're on duty?
- You check the schedule every week.
Not every week.
- Every Monday.
You say you're going to the bathroom,
but you're checking the duty roster.
Want to grab a drink later?
- I'm going with Hershey.
What do you see in that guy?
- Are you really that special?
Just a drink.
Or a nice candlelit dinner.
I know a good Moroccan place.
A snake takes two weeks to digest its food. And you?
That's why I like you so much.
Forget it. Why would you think
I'd want to go out with you?
Just the thought
makes me sick.
Yeah, she's into me.
Quiet, he's working.
Mouth shut. He's a magician.
Adjusting a meter is precision work,
just like a surgeon's work.
The meter has to jump exactly
every 18 seconds.
It jumps after every tenth mile.
A geometric progression
that increases around the...
quarter mile.
A fraction of a second off
and the meter stops working properly.
But that's illegal.
I'm out.
Please, fix it for me.
I'll make sure he keeps his mouth shut.
What do you want?
- Take it easy.
I need to show you something. Come with me.
A customer left this
in the taxi.
That guy was really nervous.
He paid with a 100-dollar bill.
There was another
100 stuck to it.
I pulled them apart
and saw that the serial numbers were...
What's the word for that? They were sequential.
Then I saw this suitcase.
Take it.
I've already got a record.
They have the serial numbers.
Sometimes the bank slips
exploding dye between the bills.
I've got enough problems already.
I have to hand it in.
- Have you lost your mind?
We're in luck, kid.
I'm... we're rich.
You take it.
I don't want anything to do with it.
I'll stash it for you.
Madison Square Garden.
33rd Street, Eighth Avenue.
What do you have there?
That ring.
It's my championship ring from 1969.
Were you on the Knicks team?
Backup defense.
Played twenty games.
I remember you missed five
free throws against Philly.
But we still won.
- Thanks to Barnett and Fraser.
How does a champion
end up driving a cab?
I was married for two years
and seven months.
When my knee gave out,
she walked out on me.
This job pays the bills.
Madison Square Garden is over there on the right.
Just leave it.
I collect that stuff. How much is the ring?
- It's not for sale.
It stays on my finger.
Good luck with it.
Wear it well, Knicks.
Pretty girl, huh?
Do you have a boyfriend? She's gorgeous.
So gorgeous I'd
happily go down on her dad.
Momma, como esta? Are you
Puerto Rican or Dominican or something?
Eskimo.
I hear Eskimo women will do anything
to keep their lover warm.
But seriously, do you have a boyfriend?
You don't talk to strangers.
Let me introduce us.
See me?
I'm Bass.
And to my left
is my right-hand man, Hook.
He's a free man again for the first time.
Eight months of community service.
But that's over now.
Now we're gonna celebrate. You in?
Which way do you want to go?
- Straight ahead.
Still nobody's been arrested
for the last taxi murder.
I did that one in Queens.
The case is still open.
No job is as dangerous
as being a taxi driver.
My grandpa was a window washer
on skyscrapers.
That's really dangerous work.
Yeah, but at worst you fall.
Nobody shoots at you. Get it?
Straight ahead?
Turn around.
What's wrong? What's the matter?
You look pale.
We'll grab her right away.
A nice start to the evening.
Just because I like you.
Keep the change.
Why are you letting her go?
- Let her earn her money.
I'm not going to pick her up.
I'm on my way to my little daughter.
She's gorgeous. She works to pay off
her father's debts.
I'm driving in a really dangerous neighborhood.
There she is. She wants a taxi
to go home.
Gorgeous. I forgot
to turn on the meter.
I greet her, and we start talking.
And then...
I've been seeing her for three weeks now.
I think I'm in love.
She's so...
Women are very expensive in this country.
Where do you know your girlfriend from?
- From school.
I'm out of school now.
I quit.
You have to finish your school.
When my son was in school,
I took him every morning.
Then why isn't he in school anymore?
Did he quit too?
No, the school doesn't exist anymore.
Move that taxi. Hurry up.
Theo, tell George
that I can't make it.
It's not working out.
Move that taxi.
- I'm on the phone. Just a moment.
George, you have a call.
Move that car. Right now.
Jesus, don't make it so difficult.
There's nobody. Who was it? Hershey?
Yes, he's on his way.
- When will he be here?
Do me a favor and finally buy
an answering machine.
What's your problem? I've had enough of
work and your grumpy nonsense.
My last vacation
was two years ago. Canada.
Five days and six nights.
And rain every single day.
I can take you
to a nice tropical island.
Coney Island is still too expensive for you.
Papers, please.
- Is there a problem?
Routine check.
A ticket for a broken taillight?
Pick up your papers. And get going.
Everything's fine. Get going.
George knows you're on your way.
On my way? I never said that.
She has to buy an answering machine.
Hershey, don't say anything.
We're leaving. I'm exhausted.
George, I can't.
Why not?
I need the money
from the evening shift.
We had an agreement.
- I know. I'm sorry.
That's lovely. I was looking forward to it.
Let's not start arguing.
Fight. He's going to work overtime.
You still owe me 50 dollars.
Forget it.
Two cheeseburgers, George.
I have to go now.
I'll pick you up after work.
Fries, Georgia. Are we still working or what?
I'm losing my money, honey.
- You're not the only one losing money.
I'm fed up with it.
My sister Richelee
never got to experience the joy...
Of motherhood.
- I'll say it once more.
Georgia, you're fired.
I'm done with your excuses.
It's either pick one or split it.
Either you take me with you now,
or I find someone else.
My meter's running, Hershey Riley.
Maybe your wife was right after all.
What do you want from me?
- Just look at what happened.
Another scratch?
- A small one. This time it really is her fault.
You're going to run someone over one of these days.
Have you eaten?
Good. Then we'll eat together.
Leave me alone.
- Why so angry?
I'm not angry at you, but
at her. I don't want to talk about it.
I get it. So you're in love.
I'm in love too.
We have something in common.
Let's talk about it.
Damn it.
- What's wrong?
Go around it again.
No, don't.
You're not allowed to take another step.
What's wrong? Why?
You walked around that pole.
That brings bad luck.
You walked around it.
Go back.
Sorry, I don't get it.
- Good God.
It's going from bad to worse.
Never walk around a pole.
Tonight is going completely wrong.
Everyone's getting scratches,
but three in four weeks is ridiculous.
So what should I do?
- You need to pay better attention.
You need to work on
your peripheral vision.
That means...
Look straight ahead.
How many fingers do you see?
Don't turn your head.
Keep looking straight ahead.
That's how racing drivers do it. Racing drivers have it harder than taxi drivers.
A collision at 300 km an hour is fatal.
They have peripheral vision.
You have to train yourself to see everything well
even from the corners of your eyes.
How many?
Two.
- No, one beside it. Three.
Why are you being so difficult?
- You're the one being difficult.
There was a cockroach in my nasi.
- Not my problem.
Then whose cockroach was it?
- Yours, in your house.
Mine? Do you want a bullet in your head?
What a hothead you are.
She's a grouch.
- That guy is impossible.
I'm going home
and starting the day over.
I didn't sleep.
- Who did?
I'm sitting here with two people
I barely know.
I've seen you before.
- This is Hershey.
And this is Grouch.
Did he hit you too?
- No, not me yet.
We need to cheer Hershey up.
He broke up
with his girlfriend.
Did you know him?
A good guy, a smart guy.
But that doesn't help much.
Are you scared?
If you worry about it,
you'll go crazy.
And you?
For safety's sake...
I don't pick up blacks
or Puerto Ricans.
They carry guns
and knives in their pockets.
What utter nonsense.
Serial killers are mostly white.
Do you refuse them too? How do you come up with that?
A fellow countryman told me that.
- Then he's got it wrong.
Anyway,
I'm not afraid of bullets.
Someone has already shot at me before.
If you get hit, you bleed.
If not, you don't.
Fear is in the dark,
having to flee for your life.
On a narrow road. At any moment...
a car full of armed men
can come at you.
And shooting. That's scary.
Don't kid yourself,
it's no better here at all.
Not just Blacks and Puerto Ricans.
As a cab driver in this city,
you never know what's coming.
I'm going to take a few fares.
Good luck with it.
See you.
Take him with you.
See you, Grumpy.
What do you want from me, Ralph?
I was just about to ask you
what you want from me.
I don't want anything from you. Leave me alone.
I think you're too much alone.
I don't think Hershey sees it,
but I do.
When I see you, I see a beautiful
woman who works long hours.
In a business that's
not suitable for a woman.
If I had my way...
Give me a break. Be serious for once.
I am being serious.
It won't work out.
- How do you know that?
Look at me.
I'm not sleeping because of you.
When I saw you,
I fell in love instantly.
Yes, in love.
And that big, brown girl
who worked here last year?
What was her name?
You went out with her.
- I slept with her.
I wanted you,
but you were stuck with Hershey.
Do you really love him,
and does he really love you?
Yes or no?
I don't need to know that.
I have to go.
There I stood, like a fool,
with a bunch of expensive roses.
Maybe her hands were cold.
Or you saw it wrong.
I make my living as a taxi driver. I've got better eyes than most people.
Does that mean she's cheating?
And anyway...
How do you know what a woman really wants?
Sometimes...
it's all too obvious.
I like the name Charles. It has a regal ring to it.
Like Charles de Gaulle, Prince Charles, King Charles.
That's a good one. Ray Charles.
Charlemagne.
Is that her?
She seems like a nice girl, but...
You'd better get her.
I'm happy with her.
Can't complain.
What's wrong with you?
I'll tell you another time. Are you going to marry the waitress?
Everyone's talking about your fight. - Things aren't going my way.
Take action. Don't be scared.
So what's your problem? Don't let her slip away.
I'm not ready for that yet.
I saw one over there who is ready for it.
Come on, I bet on you. - Did they bet on it?
You're getting a toaster as a present. From Pennsylvania. Beautiful.
The box is already ready.
I have to go.
Does a man know what he wants, or does he want what he can't have?
For example, I never see a man who is happy.
I've been happily married for 27 years. - 27 years? You're kidding.
How do you do that?
Freedom and bliss.
Do you ever see her?
Do you ever talk to her? Does she ever call me?
That's the point. I don't want anyone else.
I make my living, I have a house and three gorgeous sons.
I'll tell you something. I love her, even more than the business.
But even so, I keep forgetting her birthday.
I circle it on the calendar.
I circle it right away, otherwise I forget it.
What do you mean by that?
I always forget the date, but it doesn't leave me indifferent.
Hershey's gone. But if you two are meant for each other...
then he'll come back.
Where?
Eastern Europe?
I worked for eight months in a hospital in Herzegovina.
But in that state, it felt like eight years.
I was looking after a girl. I've forgotten her name.
She had been shot by cowards.
Armed men lined up five children in front of them.
The children had to run. Whoever could dodge the bullets was free.
Only the girl managed to reach the hospital.
We heard a scream from her bed. We ran over to her.
There was a soldier standing there.
There's blood on the sheets and on the floor.
The soldier...
had cut off the little finger of her right hand, just like that.
Later, when we had stopped the bleeding...
I knelt down and said a prayer for this Muslim girl.
She looked at me and said, 'You mustn't be sad.'
'Because I...'
'fooled them.'
'I'm left-handed.'
I'll pray for you tonight.
And I'll pray for that girl.
I've forgotten her name.
Be glad you're here. Your country is very hard on adults.
For children...
it's even worse.
Operator, I'd like to be connected to...
Fine, I'll wait.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
- How do you spell that?
I don't want to wait.
I want to be transferred.
Operator, I don't want to be transferred
to the Red Cross.
Danny.
Not my child.
Please help me.
Stay away from him.
- I can help you.
You ran that kid over.
- It was an accident.
Where are you going?
Stay here, you coward.
Come back, coward.
You ran that kid over.
I have to catch my plane.
I look like a devil.
Look who's here.
I'll wait outside.
You look good, little brother.
You're looking more and more like Dad.
I have to answer for this.
- I understand.
As far as my superiors are concerned,
this is a purely business transaction.
Dad gave his life for this business.
- It cost him his life.
And all he left behind was debts.
It was never profitable.
I see this as an ideal spot
for a parking lot.
Thanks for your support.
- I'm just saying what I think.
Nevertheless, we're willing
to grant the loan.
Unbelievable.
- The terms are final.
Where do I sign?
- Read it first.
Read it?
Of course I'll read it, but...
Morris, I'm very grateful to you.
I'll finish the deal tomorrow.
On Monday you'll have your check.
It says 'six months' here.
I can't pay it back that quickly.
- If it doesn't work out, it's no big deal.
This is the ideal spot
for a parking lot.
Can we get out of here?
Maybe.
- Try to come up with something.
I know a shortcut.
The moment I saw you, I knew it:
I have to have that taxi.
Do you love him?
Do you love me?
Yes or no?
You can't be serious.
- I'm sleeping with you because you pay me.
You're just like him.
I want to be with you.
- No, go away. You're crazy. Get out.
I hit a boy with my car.
He ran into the street
and I hit him.
Rasha, you hit a boy.
You hit a boy.
Do you think he's dead?
Listen. You can't stay here.
You have to leave.
Come with me to Newark.
Sooner or later they'll find you
and lock you up.
You're hopeless. You have to go.
Take the money and go.
Buy a plane ticket.
I don't want to leave you behind.
I love you.
Say it to me once more.
I love you.
So you're saying I have
a guardian demon?
I met one once.
Years ago.
Seriously?
Do you think I'm crazy?
- Not at all.
That idea never occurred to me.
So what exactly do you see?
Ghosts in white sheets?
Spirits that can walk
through walls?
I feel a warm glow come over me.
And then the feeling
that someone is watching you.
It's too far away for you to
make out his face.
But he's there.
- Where?
Around you. He knows you.
And what does he want from me?
Nothing. He wants me.
You really had me going.
A story about spirits.
That's not something
you hear every day.
I have to believe that this devil is showing me the way...
and that you know his name.
I'm really starting to get scared now.
You should have known.
Did you really think I'd just keep waiting here?
Well, I'm getting out here, lover boy.
No, Ellen, don't leave me alone.
Clyde? Walt Frazier?
Are you still driving that crummy cab? You've got to make something of your life.
Just let me out here.
If you want to spend the rest of your life just driving around...
then this is your chance.
We're going to get some coffee. You can't fall asleep at the wheel.
That's because that stupid Russian drove into that pole.
I'd take Georgia out. That little mouse still has a tail.
I'll have some coffee to wake up.
The usual order?
The usual order. And coffee with milk.
Don't get me wrong. These have been four really good years.
But maybe it's time I called it off.
Maybe what she wants is something very different from what I can give her.
I think you're scared. - Not at all.
Love and trust. That's what she asks of me.
I'm not ready for that. I can't offer that.
I'll tell her. I'll say, 'Ellen...'
'If you're not happy...'
You mean George. - Yes. 'If this doesn't work out...'
Hershey, you said 'Ellen'. - I said 'George.'
What's wrong?
I have a problem.
Hershey, I've really gone and driven into a pole.
How bad is it?
Pretty bad.
Or rather: really, really bad.
What does 'really bad' mean?
The police are looking for me.
You have to help me.
Hershey, I have to go back to my country,
back to my son.
I'll pay you like any normal customer.
I don't want to go to prison.
I don't want a cell.
It'll be the death of me if you drive away.
Hershey, just look.
This is me. This is where I belong.
This is mine.
The bus terminal.
I'll take you to the bus terminal.
You can catch a bus there.
There are cops everywhere.
They'll arrest me.
The police are at the airport too.
- I'll take that chance.
No one else can help me.
I want to go back to my country.
I just want to go back.
He's leaving you here.
Damn it. Some friend.
Some friend.
Why are you doing this?
I slit his throat while he was
sitting on the toilet. And then I ran.
Ever since, I've been on the run.
Now he wants me, through you.
I'm putting an end to that. Here. Now.
You've got the wrong man.
- No, you took the wrong taxi.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Believe me.
No, don't do it.
Killing me
won't solve your problem.
That ghost jumps
from one person to the next.
If he wants you, he'll get you.
With or without me.
Don't you understand that?
There has to be another way.
There has to be another way.
It's not just about me.
It's about what's best
for you. You have to believe me.
That's all I have to say.
One more thing.
If we put our heads together...
then the two of us can come up
with a reasonable solution.
Few people know this route. It's
the old road to the airport.
Look at that.
- What is it?
It's about how 13 people enter the tomb
of an Egyptian king.
They all die a mysterious
death. It sounds unlikely.
But it did happen. It's possible.
The owner of that book
was shot last night.
You went around the bend.
That's unfortunate.
But I thought: If I
carry out this special deed...
maybe I can neutralize it.
No, this can't be true.
What are you doing? Don't stop.
Leaving a taxi with a breakdown
brings bad luck.
Don't get out.
Heading to the airport?
- Not anymore.
Let me take a look.
Maybe I can get it going.
No need. And you have a customer.
No, no problem.
Let's see if I can fix it.
Did it work?
- What is he doing here?
That's a long story.
You'd have to wait.
Good evening, grumpy one.
Where are you going? Rasha, don't.
There are snakes in there.
- I'm a big boy.
What's wrong?
Full bladder. What a relief.
Wait in the car.
Let's try this.
Start it up.
Grab my gloves for me.
Under my seat.
Gloves. What does he want with those?
Hershey doesn't know this story.
Nobody knows this.
I have someone's death on my conscience.
So do I.
Where are the gloves?
The engine's running. Go, we're leaving.
Hurry up.
Problem solved.
My pleasure.
Hang in there.
What time is your flight?
- Tomorrow morning.
Do you have enough money on you?
I'm going with you.
Thanks.
Good luck with everything.
- You too, Hershey.
What are you going to do when you get back?
First I'll look for my son.
Then I want my old job back.
- What was that?
Driving an ambulance.
Take care of yourself.
- You too, Hershey.
Stay with your girlfriend.
You love her. You know that.
Killing me won't solve
your problem.
Put that gun away.
Where did it go?
That was quite a night.
It's not over yet.
I still have a few hours to go.
Do you smoke?
Are you sure?
Is this it? Is this the building?
Yes, this is it.
Give me your money.
No funny business,
or I'll blow your head off.
Do you want to die?
Do you want to die or not?
I want to hear you say
that you want to keep living.
Say it again, with feeling.
Give me your cash box and that ring.
Here's the ring.
- Hurry up.
Now I'm taking the cash box.
You have five seconds. Then I'll shoot.
Come on. Make it quick.
You're my best customer.
I don't want to bother you.
But you're always sitting here
writing and such.
Do you know Eugene Delacroix?
Is he in there?
He went to Tangier in 1832
on a mission for the Comte de Mornay.
He took a notebook with him.
In it he described everything
and everyone he came across.
What does that have to do with this?
Beautiful.
Everyone's in there.
Did you make these tonight?
- All of them.
Even these?
Can't you go any slower?
Hurry up, I want to leave.
And you with the mop. Move it.
Calm down. Do you have to be somewhere?
- Barber school.
Are you waiting for someone?
I can't leave, because table 8
won't give up.
It's already past four.
Those are the best customers.
That's what we depend on.
How so?
They can't do without this place.
They want to come here to unwind for a bit.
To be able to turn their backs on everything for a while.
Some don't want to go out on the street.
The rest don't want to go home.
Hello. Is something wrong?
We're looking for Georgia Mae Parker.
Anything else?
The check.
Theo, are you closing up? I want to get out of here.
What do you need?
What's wrong with her?
- Where's George?
George is already gone.
Gone? What do you mean, 'gone'?
Gone. G-O-N-E.
Am I not being clear enough?
She's gone. Go home.
Good night.
10-year-old boy
unhurt after collision
Are you going to buy these or not?
Are you ready?
This one's the only one with toilet paper.
Is that yours?
- Keep it.
These things belonged to your husband.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
- Not at all. Come in.
What are we doing here?
What do you have in mind?
Do you smell that?
Lovely scent.
Incense.
It's somewhere between perfume...
and the roasted nuts
they sell at Christmas.
As a child, I thought God smelled like that.
Every house has its own smell.
You stop noticing it
as you get older.
But as a child, I was certain
that you couldn't see the Lord.
But you could smell Him
when He was in a room.
Last night, someone
pointed a gun at me.
I only had one thing on my mind.
What could I do or say
to see you again?
I looked at the floor of my taxi.
There was a gun lying there.
I don't know where it came from.
I had never seen it before.
I picked it up, and there we were.
He missed, but I didn't.
I think God wanted
to make something clear to me.
I haven't really trusted anyone
since Ellen left me.
I didn't dare to.
But now I'm only afraid of
one thing: losing you.
Marry me.
Ask me again.
Georgia Mae Parker.
Will you marry me...
and love me, and let me love you,
until death do us part?
I meant: You've
had a terrible night.
Ask me again next week.
The taxi drivers are relieved.
The serial killer was shot
by his next victim.
The police are looking for the killer
of a businessman...
whose body was found in the ditch,
right near Kennedy Airport.
Good morning. It's 72 degrees
and sunny.
Welcome aboard TWA flight
to Sarajevo.
On behalf of all our crew,
we wish you a pleasant flight.
Two drivers turned in a briefcase
with a million dollars in it.
I was the one who found the money.
- We found it.
I said: This must belong to someone.
I could've used that money.
But if I'm anything,
I'm...
I know my duty.
- We were raised right.
We turned it in,
but it wasn't easy.
We want to be good Americans.