Father Dowling Mysteries (1989) s03e09 Episode Script

WILLIAMS: Mr. Hakaido.
Back here.
PAUL: This is where
we do our bottling.
[MEN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[HAKAIDO SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
PAUL: Right through
here is our tasting room.
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
[ALL CHUCKLING AND
CHATTERING IN JAPANESE]
[SPEAKS IN JAPANESE]
Mr. Hakaido. Goodbye, sir.
[SPEAKS IN JAPANESE]
Mr. Hakaido, thank you.
Well, congratulations,
Mr. Aspell.
You got yourself a deal.
[ENGINE STARTS]
I suppose one can't stand
in the way of progress.
Hmm. One better not try.
You sure you can
deliver your end?
Of course. The titles and
conveyances are already drawn up.
Good. Just as long as we
understand each other, Mr. Aspell.
Because I'm holding you
personally responsible.
Sister Stephanie will be along any
minute. Sure we can't give you a lift?
Yeah, that's all right,
Father. I'll take a taxi.
Heh, if you can get one.
I'll just, uh, wait along
with you if you don't mind.
No, not at all.
You know, I feel a lot better now.
It's been such a relief talking to you.
Well, being a good listener
is just one of my jobs.
I'm sure everything is
gonna work out just fine.
Well, it'll be great to
see Aunt Em again.
And as for the rest,
well, I just hope I'm wrong
about my cousin Paul.
Let me give you one of my
cards in case you need any help.
I don't think so. And
I'm not even Catholic.
That's all right. They're
good for non-Catholics too.
[HORN HONKS]
Oh, can I offer you a lift?
No, thank you. Steve will
be along any second now.
Well, goodbye, Father
Dowling. Thanks so much.
You almost turned
this trip into a pleasure.
Goodbye, Miss Aspell.
Good luck.
WOMAN [OVER
PA]: Immediate loading
and unloading of
passengers only. No parking.
STEVE: Hi.
Welcome back.
Thank you.
How was the retreat?
It was wonderful.
I renewed my
spirit, got a little sun,
and lost six pounds
but I'm glad to be home.
I'm glad you're home too, Frank.
While you were gone Father Prestwick
was going over the parish accounts.
[GROANS]
$14 from the Altar Boys Fund,
$37.50 from St. Simon's
Foreign Missions Fund?
I told Father Prestwick
we used that money
to make good what we borrowed
from the Indian Missions Collection.
That's right. It's just
a temporary loan.
But how do you
expect to pay that back?
From the Catholic
Services Relief Collection.
That ought to hold us
till the end of the month.
And then what?
God will provide.
He better.
Want me to take your
case upstairs, Father?
Not yet, Marie. I brought
souvenirs for all of you.
The monastery publishes
illuminated lives of the saints.
Marie, I got you Saint Theresa.
St. Ignatius of
Loyola for you, Steve.
And for Father Prestwick
What? What?
Well,
I did get you Saint Jude
but, uh, I'm afraid
you're all out of luck.
Ah!
Because this is not my bag.
You lost your luggage? Frank.
There was a girl sitting
next to me on the plane.
She had the same bag as mine.
Frank, yours doesn't have
this pocket on the side.
- Oh.
- You picked up the wrong bag, Father.
Absentminded. Ooh.
- She picked up the wrong
bag, Marie. MARIE: Oh.
I picked up the
one that was left.
PHILIP: It still amounts
to the same thing.
You have hers, she has yours.
With our gifts in it.
STEVE: Wait, don't panic.
Here's an address. Paul
Aspell, 4629 Sheridan Road.
- I'll drive you, Frank.
- Ah.
Good detective work, Steve.
Maybe you'd like to
take this with you, Father?
Oh. Thank you, Marie.
And bring the right bag
this time, will you, Frank?
[RINGS DOORBELL]
FRANK: Hello. You
must be Mr. Aspell.
That's right.
Uh, what can I
do for you, Father?
- If this is a collection, we
- Oh, no, no.
No, you see I sat next
to your cousin, Lucy
on the plane coming back
from Phoenix this morning
and there was a mix-up at the airport
and somehow I wound up with her bag.
[CHUCKLES]
It was very good of you
to bring it over, Father
- Dowling.
- What is it, Paul?
Oh, this is Father
Dowling, Sybil.
FRANK: How do you do?
- Hello.
He took Lucy's bag by
mistake at the airport.
- Well, actually she took
- It's right here in the hall still.
Our maid quit yesterday. We haven't
been able to find a replacement.
Things have been
in such turmoil, heh.
There you go, Father.
I wonder if I could say hello
to Lucy as long as I'm here.
Oh, I'm afraid
that's impossible.
She was very
tired after the trip.
In fact, she wasn't feeling very
well so we had to put her to bed.
Oh. I hope she's all right.
You know she's not in the best
of health. She needs her rest.
Well, thank you very
much, Father. Goodbye.
Yes, thank you.
You, uh You will
tell Lucy I stopped by?
- We certainly will.
- Hmm.
So, did you get your bag back?
Yes.
Everything okay?
I suppose so.
[CAR ENGINE STARTS]
[DOOR UNLOCKING]
Let me out of here. I
have to see Aunt Em.
Try not to make such a fuss,
Lucy dear, you'll ruin everything.
I have to tell her the truth.
Lucy, you don't understand.
You brought it
on yourself, dear.
If you'd stayed in Phoenix
where you belonged
none of this would be necessary.
What are you doing?
Hold her.
Hold her!
No, don't!
That should keep her in
dreamland for a couple of hours.
- Then what?
- Don't worry. I've got more.
We'll just keep her knocked out
until everything's taken care of.
But it seems so cruel.
Darling, it is not as cruel
as what would happen to us
if we let her mess up this deal.
I know.
- But she is family after all.
- Oh.
This is the only way.
Will you trust me?
For both our sakes.
Oh, Frank, you can't continue
to rob Peter to pay Paul.
This accounting, this bookkeeping
system is un-businesslike.
Father Prestwick, I manage the
books. It's all there in black and white.
It comes out even every month.
No, the fact is that your
outgo exceeds your income.
What is this? Forty-two dollars
to Bailey's Thrift Shop, for what?
- Mittens?
- Mittens.
Some of our kids
don't have mittens.
Their parents
can't afford mittens.
Father Prestwick, we are a poor parish,
all right? We have poor parishioners.
I'm well aware
of that fact, Sister.
The simple, economic fact is that if
you continue to give everything away
you will be in the red.
I have to go. I'll
be back for dinner.
It's meatloaf, $3.50,
potatoes extra.
What?
I'm just taking
your advice to heart.
You don't want us to
be in the red, do you?
No, but, heh.
I was invited for
dinner, wasn't I, Frank?
Of course you were, Phil.
Sister Stephanie is just joking.
Oh, heh.
Yes. Okay, I'll
see you at dinner.
Sorry, Frank. I just
couldn't help myself.
Sometimes he can be trying.
Is that what's bothering you?
No. It's Lucy Aspell.
The girl from the plane?
It just doesn't add up, Steve.
According to her cousin,
she's in poor health
but she didn't say anything
about that to me. She seemed fine.
She's worried about
her family business.
What kind of family business?
Aunt Em's Root Beer.
No kidding? I love that stuff.
Lucy's grandmother invented the
secret formula. She's the original Aunt Em.
So what's the problem?
Well, her cousin, the
one she went to see
he runs the business
and she doesn't trust him.
Why not?
She has this feeling that
something funny is going on.
Frank, maybe you're seeing
smoke where there isn't any fire.
Maybe.
I'll light a candle for her.
[PHONE RINGING]
St. Michaels.
LUCY [OVER PHONE]:
Father Dowling?
- Who is this?
- It's Lucy.
Please, help me.
What is it, Lucy, what's wrong?
They won't let me out of here.
Please, you've
got to come here
FRANK [OVER PHONE]: Hello?
[SLAMS RECEIVER]
Hello?
Hello?
I had a feeling something
was wrong and I was right.
[PRESSING PHONE KEYPAD]
Uh, Lieutenant Foster,
please. It's an emergency.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Ah, Frank, are you
sure about this?
You certainly don't think I'd be
doing this if I wasn't sure, Bob?
I don't want to
answer that question.
[SIGHS]
You again.
Do you realize what time it is?
Uh, Mr. Aspell, I'm a police
officer. May we come in, please?
FRANK: We want to see Lucy.
It's the middle of the
night. You must be joking.
She called me and said she's
being held here against her will.
That's ridiculous.
If you don't mind, we would
just like to check her out.
You have no right to enter
my house without a warrant.
I made a complaint.
Now, that gives you probable
cause, doesn't it, Bob?
Frank.
Mr. Aspell, let's don't make
a federal case out of this.
We just want to make sure
that your cousin is all right.
SYBIL: Lucy?
Well, of course she's
all right. What's going on?
This misguided
shepherd of his fellow man
seems to think that Lucy is in some
kind of trouble so he brought the police.
Take it easy, Paul. Lucy's fine.
We'd like to see for ourselves.
You might as well.
You've already woken the
whole house up. Come in.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Lucy, it's Father Dowling.
What are you doing here?
- Well, you called me.
- No, I didn't.
Miss Aspell, did you call Father Dowling
and tell him that you were in danger
and that he should
come and get you?
Oh, why would I do that?
Lucy, this man is a police officer. You
don't have to be afraid to tell the truth.
I'm sorry, Father, but I don't
know what you're talking about.
When we spoke on the plane
you said you were coming back here
because you were
worried about Mr. Aspell.
I was worried because
I forgot his birthday.
I thought he would be
mad at me, that's all.
- Lucy?
- I'm sorry, Father, but you're mistaken.
Are you satisfied, officer?
Now, may we all go back to bed
or must we stand here all night
- listening to this nonsense?
- It is not nonsense.
I know what she said.
- Now what have you done to her?
- Frank.
Please officer, I'm sure
Father Dowling meant well.
Miss Aspell, please,
is there anything that you want
to say to me or to Father Dowling?
No.
Except to thank you
for bringing back my bag.
Mr. Aspell, I'm
sorry about this.
Just get him out of here.
Sorry to have bothered
you. Come on, Frank.
Hey, Frank. Come on.
Very good, Lucy.
Yes, and very smart too.
For you and the priest.
You won't get away with this.
I'll take her upstairs.
There's something very
wrong going on in there.
She said she was fine.
What do you want from me?
Bob, I'm telling you, she's being
held a prisoner in that house!
Frank, calm down. Calm down.
Whatever you may think,
there is nothing more I can do.
And you better not try, either.
In the car, Francis.
[SIGHS]
[ENGINE STARTS]
If you can't handle your end without
my coming all the way down here
in the middle of the night to bail
you out, what do I need you for?
It wasn't our fault.
The shot we gave her wore off.
But it was only luck Sybil heard
her coming down the stairs to phone.
There's too much at stake here!
I do not want to have
to depend on luck.
That's why we called you.
You should've gotten rid of that
priest the first time he stuck his nose in.
Believe me, I tried.
I think everything
turned out just fine.
I think that Lucy convinced
them. Don't you think so, Paul?
Yes, I'm sure that she did.
You've got to understand, Mr. Williams,
there is no way we could have known
that she'd show
up here in Chicago.
I don't want to hear
any more alibis.
You just better be able to keep
her out of the way from now on.
Because if you can't, I will.
Any way I have to.
There's no need to take
that tone, Mr. Williams.
After all you are a businessman,
you're not a gangster.
The people I work
for are businessmen,
they can only go so far.
They hire me to make sure their
business comes out the way they want.
And I can go just
as far as I need to.
- Understood?
- Yes, of course.
There is nothing to worry about.
Everything is going
to turn out fine.
Let's all have a drink.
[SIGHS]
Mr. Williams?
Just as long as we
understand each other.
PHILIP: I don't
think you realize
the seriousness
of this situation.
I mean, the Bishop himself is making
inquiries into St. Michael's finances.
I'm supposed to meet
him in half an hour.
Then you'd better go,
you don't wanna be late.
But what am I
supposed to tell him?
Tell him we are not a
profit-making concern.
Oh, Sister, I think the
bishop is well aware of that.
I hope you're right, Frank.
I'll let you know what he says.
I'm sure you will, Phil.
Is Lieutenant Foster
still mad at you, Frank?
No, he was very nice.
Considering he
thinks that I'm crazy.
Steve, we've got to find out
what's going on in that house.
- How?
- That's what I'm trying to figure out.
Didn't you say that
their maid quit, Frank?
Mm-hm. Uh-oh.
You're not thinking what
I think you're thinking?
- Why not?
- Because it's too dangerous.
Frank, it's not dangerous. These
people are not hoods, you know.
Besides, you have a better idea?
Our standards here are very
high so I wanted to be certain
that she is competent
to perform her duties.
Oh, she's very competent.
Very competent.
How long was she with you?
About three years.
And did she get along
well with her employers?
We've never had any complaints.
We need someone who's very neat.
How would you rate
Stephanie on that?
Well, if she weren't neat she wouldn't
be a very good maid, now would she?
[CHUCKLES]
I see.
Well, thank you very much.
Stephanie, this is Mr. Aspell.
Paul, Stephanie will
be replacing Edna.
I hope you'll be
happy here, Stephanie.
Yes, sir.
It's a big house, though.
Well, we just live
on the first two floors.
The third floor is closed off.
You see, there's just the two of us
so we really don't need all that room.
Yes, ma'am.
This is where Steve's
working as a maid?
No, Marie. This is
Aunt Em's house.
Oh, just like in
The Wizard of Oz.
No, like in root beer.
Really? Well, wouldn't you think
she'd live in a fancier place than this.
Well, according to Lucy
she's somewhat eccentric.
Oh.
[RINGS DOORBELL]
- Who are you?
- Father Dowling, a friend of Lucy's.
Lucy's in Arizona.
No, she flew into town yesterday.
I sat next to her on the plane.
I don't believe you. She
would have come to see me.
Well, that's what I
want to talk to you about.
She's at Mr. Aspell's house.
Are you telling me the truth?
I'm a priest. I don't lie.
Let me get my purse.
I want to see my granddaughter.
Won't you come in please, ma'am?
Father.
Thank you.
Aunt Em, heh, what
are you doing here?
Father Dowling told me Lucy
was here. I want to see her.
Hello, Aunt Em.
Father Dowling, what a
surprise to see you again.
You'll be seeing a lot
more of me, Mrs. Aspell,
if matters remain
the way they are.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Where is Lucy?
- She's resting. She's not feeling well.
- Is she ill?
Aunt Em.
Lucy.
Oh, why didn't you tell me
you were coming home?
Why haven't you been to see me?
I'm so sorry, it was
thoughtless of me.
It certainly was. Aunt Em, I told
her to call you and let you know.
Then you should
have called, Paul.
Is something wrong?
Something you're not telling me?
PAUL: Heh, of course not.
Everything's fine, Aunt Em.
EM: What are you
doing in Chicago?
Well, I
Tell her, Lucy.
I heard that you were
going to sell the company
and I just wanted to come back
and make sure that
everything was all right.
Didn't Paul explain it to you?
Of course. I showed her the
books just as I showed you.
Then you know we've
been running in the red.
Paul finally found a
buyer for the company.
It's the only way we can
keep from having to shut down.
Our employees
need their jobs, Lucy.
And you're willing to sell out?
I've accepted it.
We have no choice.
The market is changing. We
just can't compete any more.
I can't believe Aunt Em's
Root Beer is losing money.
Please, keep out of it, Father.
Behave yourself, Paul.
If it hadn't been for Father Dowling I
wouldn't even know Lucy was here.
I'm so sorry, Aunt Em.
Look, you go home now.
I'll come and see you later.
Lucy!
Father Dowling, I
appreciate your help
but there's nothing you can do now
except take her home. Please, Father.
You are tired, girl.
Yes, I'd better go lie down.
That's what she needs,
Aunt Em. A nice long rest.
I'll come see you when
you're feeling better, dear.
Oh, I forgot my hat.
I'll meet you at the car.
What is going on here?
Frank, there's a goon with
a gun behind the curtain.
- Better get out of here.
- Oh.
WILLIAMS: It's like
Union Station in this place.
I'm getting her out of here.
My boys are on their
way over to pick her up.
PAUL: All right,
whatever you say.
Stephanie, we won't be needing you
any more today. You may go home.
Oh, I don't mind staying.
No, that won't be necessary.
We'll see you tomorrow.
- I'll get my things.
- Mm-hm.
[ENGINE STARTS]
FRANK: Let's
follow that car, Marie.
That might be the goon with
the gun Steve was talking about.
Lucy, can you hear me? Oh.
It's all right, I'm
gonna help you.
[SIGHS]
What did they give you?
Thanks, Marie. You
can go back now.
All right. I kinda like
chauffeuring you around town.
It's a big change
from housework.
Yes, but you must have a
lot to do back at the rectory.
Yeah, I'm getting
a little behind.
- Are you sure you'll be all right?
- I'll be just fine. Thanks, Marie.
Okay, see you later.
[ENGINE STARTS]
Ah.
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
Oh, no thanks, I'm
just looking around.
No, but you don't understand.
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
No, like I told
Yes, but
All right. Okay. It's all right.
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
Hmm?
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
What?
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
Heh, no, no, no. It's all
right. I don't think so, no.
[YELLS]
Oh, well, okay.
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
Oh, would you excuse us, please?
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
Uh
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
[SIGHS]
[CHUCKLES]
[VAN RATTLING]
[MEN SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
The check will be delivered
this evening at 6:00.
Fine. I'll have everybody
at Aspell's house at 6.
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
The formula also. That is
what we are most interested in.
It is a unique flavor.
WILLIAMS: Oh, yes. As of
tomorrow everything will be yours.
Tell him not to worry.
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
Mr. Hakaido says
he never worries about
business, let other people worry.
[CHUCKLING]
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
Oh, no, no, no.
No, really, no. I can't.
I can't stay. I'm
late. I gotta
[SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
MAN: Look at this.
It takes all kinds.
Uh, yes, I'd like to make a
collect call, please. 555-2822.
I'll speak with
anyone who answers.
[PHONE RINGING]
I'll get it, Marie.
St. Michael's Rectory.
Uh, yes, I'll
accept the charges.
Frank.
Where are you and why
are you calling collect?
- Where's Father Dowling?
- Shh.
- Marie!
- What?
Father, where are your clothes?
It's a long story, Marie.
I don't think anybody saw you,
Frank. I pray to God no one did.
What's going on
around here anyway?
Father Prestwick
will tell you all about it.
[PULLS DOOR HANDLE]
The girls thought I was
there for a massage.
- Massage?
- You had women massaging you?
Frank, this is even
worse than I thought.
They didn't do anything, Phil.
I got out of there in a hurry.
MARIE: Without your clothes?
Steve, where have you been?
Oh, Frank.
They had Lucy tied up and
drugged upstairs on the third floor.
When you and Aunt Em
showed up, they got nervous.
They figured it was too
dangerous to keep her in the house.
So they took her outside
and they put her in a truck.
And I was hiding in the truck.
Steve, I found out
what they're up to.
They're selling out Aunt Em's
secret recipe for her root beer.
Now do you have any
idea where they took Lucy?
I couldn't see anything, but I
was trying to work it out in my head.
I was counting the turns and trying
to figure out how fast we were going.
I think we ended up somewhere
around Cicero Avenue.
Could you retrace the route?
- Do you have a street map?
- In my desk.
Here we go.
STEVE: All right.
We turned right,
then we went a couple of
blocks onto a main street.
FRANK: Yeah, it was
probably Lawrence Avenue.
And I think we went
over some railroad tracks.
Right about here.
Yes. And then we
turned right again
and, uh, that was it, I think.
So it's somewhere in here, huh?
Unless I'm wrong.
Well, let's give it a try.
Steve.
STEVE: Aunt Em's Root Beer.
Lucy's in there
somewhere, Frank.
[SIGHS]
I don't see anybody, Frank.
Not even I can
open this kind of lock.
We've only got till 6:00 to stop
Aunt Em from selling her formula.
It's 5:30 now, what
are we gonna do?
[DOORBELL BUZZES]
- What do you want?
- I'm from St. Michael's.
From what?
St. Michael's. I'm
here for the donation.
What did you say?
I can't hear you. You'll
have to open the door.
All right, what?
I'm from St. Michael's. I'm
here to pick up the donation.
What donation?
Didn't Mr. Aspell tell you?
You are the
watchman, aren't you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I'm the watchman.
But I don't know
nothing about donations.
Well, I don't understand.
Mr. Aspell promised
us 12 cases of root beer.
We're holding our
annual Altar Society picnic.
You don't understand. Go away.
Well, there must
be some mistake.
If I could use your
phone and call Mr. Aspell.
We don't have no phone. Now
I'm not gonna tell ya again. Get lost.
You know, I've been
very nice up to now.
But a promise is an enforceable
contract under the law
and if I don't get my
dozen cases of root beer
I'm coming back here with a
writ and a U.S. Marshal to serve it.
Take it easy.
You want some root beer,
we got plenty of root beer.
STEVE: Lucy, don't
worry. I'm here to help you.
I'm gonna get you
out of here, all right?
[PANTING]
- Are you all right?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
All right, here's
your root beer.
Come on, I'll help you load up.
It's very nice of you to take
these out to the car for me.
What the hell is going on?
No, no, no.
Look, I can explain if you'll just
let go of me and put that gun away.
You ain't no priest.
Yes, I am. And I've got
credentials to prove it.
[GRUNTING]
Let's get out of here!
[GROANING]
Frank, get Lucy to the
car. I'll keep him busy.
[MACHINE REVVING]
[THUG GROANING]
- Let's go, Frank.
- Are you all right?
What happened?
Let's just say that's one guy who
won't be drinking root beer any time soon.
[ENGINE STARTS]
[TIRES SCREECHING]
- He should be here by now.
- Relax.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Have you heard from them?
Oh, don't worry about them.
They're always punctual.
What about your little
old lady and her formula?
She'll be here at 6 and she'll
bring the formula with her.
Yes, well, she'd better be.
Aunt Em, you're right on time.
- I want to get this over with.
- Of course.
Is Lucy here?
Uh, no. She had a few
things to take care of
but she'll be along
shortly I'm sure.
Come and meet the buyers.
How do you do?
[HAKAIDO SPEAKING IN JAPANESE]
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Wait!
- Lucy.
- Aunt Em, don't give them the formula.
- Where have you been?
STEVE: They kidnapped her.
And he tricked you
into selling the company.
Is this true?
Well, I, uh
Why don't you
answer that, Sybil?
Not without an attorney.
I'm gonna call the police.
No. No, you're not.
- Don't you know when you've lost?
- I haven't lost anything.
Get out of my way.
[GRUNTING]
[WILLIAMS GROANING]
You keep him covered.
I'm gonna go call the police.
Don't worry, Frank.
One false move
and I'll let him go another
round with Mr. Hakaido.
$22.15.
$31.04.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
MARIE: I'll get it.
You're putting the decimal
in the wrong place, Father.
With or without the
decimal we are in the red.
- Frank, did you hear me?
- In the red.
St. Thomas Aquinas is
turning their recreation hall
into a shelter for the homeless.
- What a good idea.
- St. Thomas Aquinas is not in the red.
Lucy, what a pleasant surprise.
Hi, Father. I just,
uh, wanted to stop by
with a little token of my
appreciation for all that you've done.
- Ah.
- They've got a truckload of root beer.
They've got 40 cases they
wanna stack in my kitchen.
Oh, that's so thoughtful of you.
Well, now that Paul
and Sybil are going to jail
Aunt Em wants me
to run her company.
Oh, Lucy, that's wonderful.
How delightful. I love
Aunt Em's root beer.
Oh, Lucy Aspell, this is
Father Phillip Prestwick.
How do you do?
Congratulations, Miss Aspell. And
good luck in all of your endeavors.
Thank you.
Enough root beer
to float a battleship.
You know, Frank, if it's okay
with Lucy, we could raffle that off.
We could put St.
Michael's back in the black.
I think it's a great idea.
There you see, Phil, I
told you God would provide.