American Hostage (2026) s01e02 Episode Script

1
iThis is Fred Heckman.
You're listening to WIBC radio.
iFred, we're all very excited,
the possibility of you
joining us here in New York.
You took the job?
Honestly, I-I don't know.
Do not turn down the CBS job
because of me, Fred Heckman.
Tony! Sorry I'm late. Traffic.
Well, I appreciate
you making the time, Dick.
Indianapolis Police Department.
I got a 12-gauge
sawed-off shotgun
wrapped around a man's neck.
Paul called in
during the meeting.
He picked up a possible 134
on the police scanner.
134, is that kidnapping?
An armed man
entered Meridian Mortgage.
- You got a name?
- Yeah, Tony Kiritsis.
Fred, there's a call for you.
No, I've gotta
get on the air.
It's Tony Kiritsis.
This is Fred Heckman speaking.
Let me tell you
'bout this motherfucker!
He and his father,
both of them
are born-and-bred
cheats and liars.
Are they planning
on foreclosing on you, Tony?
You're goddamn right
they are, Fred!
I want you to interview me
live on the air.
We absolutely cannot
put this man on the air.
You heard the mouth on him!
The FCC fines alone,
you know how much they
fuckin' charge for a "fuck"?
$300?
This is a family-fucking-
oriented radio station.
If Tony decides to kill Dick
in the middle
of your live interview,
that is all you're gonna
be remembered for.
This is gonna be your legacy.
I would like
to caution our listeners
that what you are about to hear
will be an interview
with Tony Kiritsis.
-
- Oh, my god.
After considerable debate,
we here at WIBC have agreed
to his request
for an interview.
Better get ready, Dick.
If you are listening
to this program with children,
I strongly urge you
to turn it off,
right now.
Hello, Tony.
You are live and on the air.
-
-
WIBC ♪
Tony, I want
to get back to something
you mentioned to me
earlier, off the air.
You said
you wanted to talk
about your grievances.
Your goddamn right
I did, baby!
These cocksuckers
never had any fucking intention
of helping me
develop my land.
Any more "fucks,"
and we'll be bankrupt
by lunch!
Can you bleep him?
I can't predict
what he's gonna say, man.
- Tell me more about your
- Jesus fucking Christ.
and keep in mind, Tony,
we do have, uh, families
listening to the broadcast
so maybe be a little more
mindful of your vernacular.
Vernacular, my ass!
I need to hear this.
Now, listen, listen.
The Halls
are a three-headed devil dog.
They got a mortgage company,
they got a real-estate company,
and they also do construction,
all under the same roof.
Now, you tell me,
does that sound like
the fuckin' mafia to you?
So their businesses
are intertwined,
is that what you're saying?
Hey, that's it!
That's exactly it!
You see it!
It's a typical bump-and-squeeze
type of operation
that the Interstate Commerce
Commission tries to discourage.
And here's the rub,
they give you a mortgage
just so they can
foreclose on you.
Your contention
is that they planned
to foreclose on you all along.
Yeah! Yeah. Listen. Listen.
This man's father,
real son-of-a-bitch
if you ever met one,
promised me he would
help me develop the land,
but he never had
any intention of doing so.
Listen. Eisner-Osco Supermarkets
were prospective tenants.
The Halls showed them
seven sites on the West Side,
but not my site.
They steered 'em away from me,
away from my American dream.
I have proof, Fred.
Fred, I have proof.
Now, why would
a mortgage company do that?
So they can
pocket the land, Fred!
That's the game!
They set it up
so I'd have to foreclose,
so they could buy it cheap
in a Sheriff's sale.
They take your money
up the front,
and your property
at the end.
They get that long-duck schlong
every which way!
Fuck! Fuck!
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
They're foreclosing
on me March 1st,
and I'm trying to stop it.
I want an extension.
I paid the interest.
I'm entitled to it.
Fred, do you know what
this man's father said to me?
You're talking about
M.L. Hall,
Dick's father, and the owner
of Meridian Mortgage?
That's right, yeah.
This man's father said to me,
"Why should
I lend you more money?
I'm gonna own that place
for $100,000."
This man's father said to me,
"Why should
I lend you more money?
I'm making money on you now!"
Listen, the only thing cheaper
than what I done
with this shotgun
is what they tried to do.
I found that land!
I found it,
and fuck it! Fuck you!
- Okay, okay
- Fuck you!
- No, no, no.
- Turn it off. Turn it off!
Tony, just wait a second, now.
What dream?
You mentioned a dream.
What is this dream?
Oh, I don't think so, Fred.
You don't think so what?
Well, you know, you start
telling people your dreams,
and they shit all over you.
They call you crazy.
I'm not crazy!
I'm not fuckin' crazy!
I've been an angry man
for 44 fuckin' years.
I'm the strongest man
mentally I've ever known,
but they betrayed me.
They set me up.
They schemed
to ruin a human life.
Well, I want to hear
about the dream, Tony.
Was it about the
was it about the land?
I own 17 pristine acres
in the most profitable,
most beautiful area
a man could imagine
ideal for a state-of-the-art
shopping destination.
Let me ask you
something, Fred,
and don't lie to me.
Do you like steak?
Well, I certainly enjoy
a nice ribeye now and again.
'Course you do!
What honest American man
doesn't?
Is that
what you wanted to do?
You want to build
a restaurant on your land?
No,
not just a restaurant.
An experience!
You know
what an experience is, Fred?
It's something
that changes you,
even if it's just a whisper.
An experience?
That certainly
sounds like something.
Picture this, picture this.
Classic American steakhouse,
red booths, martinis,
all the sides
that people like,
and the, you know,
the baked potatoes
and the iceberg lettuce
with the blue cheese dressing,
and don't forget about
the pièce de résistance,
the steak! You see what I mean?
Yeah, yeah, I certainly do.
I got a guy lined up,
he could get you the best steak
you've ever had in your life,
top of the line,
but it wouldn't just be
for the hoi polloi,
but for regular folk too,
you know, still have
all the ambiance
and the waiters
and the bow-ties
and the silver trays.
Tony, I can understand
why that's
very important to you,
and I want to say I
I appreciate
you sharing that with us.
Well, you know,
it wasn't just a dream, Fred.
It was it was my last chanc.
It was my last chance
to make something of my life,
and these guys wanted
to steal it from me.
They wanted to-to beat me,
to destroy me as a man.
Well, I didn't take Dick here
to be a buffoon.
I took him for vengeance!
Well, how is Dick doing?
Dick's fine, man!
He's had a silver spoon
up his ass his entire life,
so much so where he probably
shits dimes, don't you, Dick?
Dick just said yes.
I wonder if I could
speak to Dick directly.
I want to find out from him
what his condition is.
His condition?
He's a fuckin' thief.
He got it from his father.
Okay, Tony.
Can I speak to Dick?
- Well, listen
-
- Was that on the radio?
- I don't know. I don't know.
- No, it's coming through.
- Where'd it come from?
It sounds like some
someone's knocking at the door?
Who's knockin'?
Who's there?
Wait. Hang on, Fred.
Who's knockin'?
It's the Bomb Squad.
Tony, can you confirm
that there's explosives
in the domicile?
You're goddamn right I do, pal!
I got nitroglycerine rigged up
to blow the whole place
to smithereens!
Roger that.
Are you gettin' all this, Fred?
Yes, Tony.
It sounds to me
like you're suggesting
that you have your apartment
wired to explode?
You ain't just
whistlin' Dixie, pal,
and I know
what I'm talking about.
I was a munitions expert
in Korea,
and I trained cadets
at West Point,
and that's a fuckin' fact.
Okay, uh, Tony
Listen. I don't like
the way these guys operate.
They got snipers
across the way,
they got people
banging on my door
just begging me
to pull this trigger.
You know, they're lucky
I got a steady hand.
Now listen, Fred.
I'm gonna need two things,
and these are non-negotiable.
The first thing is
I want an apology
from M.L. Hall himself,
no flunkies, all right?
And then I'm gonna want
full immunity,
'cause none of this
was my fault.
Okay, I understand
that these are your demands.
That will definitely help.
That's right, demands.
I'm also gonna need
a couple of lawyers.
You know how it is,
fine print.
Are you writing this down?
I am.
Look, there's two of 'e.
One's a muckety-muck
and one's a good egg.
It's John Ruckelshaus,
Johnny Rucks, and, uh
naw, shit
Uh, Charles Wilson.
Charles Wilson.
John Ruckelshaus
and Charles Wilson.
Johnny Rucks. Yeah.
That's right. That's right.
Okay, Tony. Can I
can I speak
to Dick Hall, please?
Listen, work on
those things first.
Look into Eisner-Osco,
look into my claims,
so your listeners know
that I'm telling the truth.
We will look into
all of that, Tony,
and, uh, let me just say,
I really appreciate you
taking the time with us today.
Fred Heckman
thanking me for my time
that's somethin' else.
Over and out, baby.
Hoo!
This is Fred Heckman,
WIBC News.
That was a live interview
with Tony Kiritsis,
the hostage-taker.
We'll be right back
after these words
from our sponsors.
Mattress Daddy
Mattress Daddy ♪
A dark horse
which nobody had ever heard of
swept past the grandstand
in triumph!
You old son of a gun.
What do we know
about Meridian and Tony?
Uh, standard
mortgage foreclosure.
Let's drill a little bit
deeper down on that,
because something
doesn't pass the smell test.
Oh! There was that protest
out in front of Meridian
like two weeks ago.
I guess there was
out of 430 mortgages,
they foreclosed on 410.
We should track that down
before anybody else.
All right?
Get down to Crestwood.
Get with Paul, get some real
boots-on-the-ground reporting.
See what you can do, okay?
Let's get
all hands on deck here.
We need to plant a flag, eh?
- Great interview, Fred.
- Yeah.
- Steakhouse!
-
Chief!
- Fred.
- Hey, Chief.
Called the D.A.'s office.
Told them that Kelly
needs to get his ass down here
to advise on immunity.
"Advise. Jesus Christ.
What will Tony think of next?
Well, Tony would like
his lawyers.
Yeah, they're
being notified as we speak.
Ginny, Tony said
he went to West Point.
See if you can find out
when he was there.
See if there's any former
instructors or classmates.
Give us a general
character sketch.
Copy, please?
Here, you have two minutes.
Thank you.
Fred? Uh, we're on the line
for thousands in fines
because of
that one interview alone.
I knew I should've fuckin'
insisted on that dump button!
Jerry! Okay.
Whatever you find out
about West Point,
take it to Ben
over at Crestwood,
and then get back here,
'cause I need you
to start tracking down leads
on this Eisner-Osco, okay?
- Okay.
And I need you
to apologize to the listeners,
and two, I need you to tell
Mr. Fairbanks this was you,
because I had
nothing to do with this.
Okay, Jerry, I will tell him
that it was all my decision
as news director.
Thank you.
Everyone needs to evacuate.
Please, stay calm.
Make your way over there.
Everyone,
stay behind the cordon here.
Get back.
Okay, watch your step, please.
O'Brien?
Hey.
Hey.
Hear Fred's interview?
Everyone's listening to IBC,
even other reporters.
Plus, see that woman
over there in the blue coat?
- Mm-hmm?
- Yeah, that's Pearl.
Big Fred Heckman fan.
She lives
in the buildings over there.
Says that we can use
her phone and bathroom.
Yeah, just don't let the rest
of these jackals know, right?
-
- Uh, you go left, I go right?
- Sounds good.
- Yes, sir.
Well, then I would
like to speak
to a representative
from Eisner-Osco
who can comment
on the record, please.
Yes, thank you.
Please do call me back.
Eisner-Osco's giving me
the runaround.
I frankly
do not give a shit, Fred.
Pam, tell him.
- Mattress Daddy pulled out.
Fuckin' Mattress Daddy!
Our biggest sponsor.
Why, Pam?
Let me remind you of something.
When I first
got to this station,
they were selling
baby chicks by mail
and chewing tobacco.
It was a garbage can
on the air.
Pulled it out of the gutter
to bring to number one
in the market.
I wiped the filth off
and turned it
into the number-one
radio station in Indianapolis.
Brought in
his L.A. Contacts.
It was my L.A. Contacts
that landed us
McMahon, Martinis, & Madness.
You think anyone can do that?
Get Ed fuckin' McMahon
to take two yokels
out on the town?
And meet Johnny Carson.
You think
they're meeting Johnny Carson
over at WKRX?
I'm the brains
behind the promos!
I lured DJ Ricksy and The Pig
over from Cleveland.
You know who else is doing that?
Fuckin' no one, that's who!
Anything else?
If that fucking menace
Kiritsis calls again,
for the love of God
and all that is holy,
please don't put him
on the air.
Yes, hi. This is Fred Heckman
from WIBC News.
I was given Mr. Silver's name
as a point of contact
for a potential property.
Yes, I will hold.
Thank you.
Jerry, I don't know
what to tell you.
I-I report the news.
You deal with the advertisers.
Fred, how many advertisers
do you think
we're gonna have left?
You know who they fire
first when the sponsors leave?
I'll give you a hint.
It's not the talent.
It's me,
the station manager.
Pam?
Yes, thank you.
Is this Mr. Silver?
I need to speak
to an adult!
It's a chaotic scene
outside here at Crestwood,
as hundreds of residents
are being evacuated
from the building.
The City has no shelter in place
for the residents,
most of them elderly,
but according to a Mrs. Taper,
a neighbor of Mr. Kiritsis,
"There are
no hard feelings."
Hey, I
Well, Tony fixed my vacuum,
and he's always
the first person
to get that maintenance man
to fix my heater.
He's a nice man.
For many residents
out in the cold,
they'll have to rely
on family and friends
to take them in,
For how long,
No one can say.
This is Ben Hairston, WIBC.
WIBC ♪
Indianapolis ♪
Okay.
Um
okay, so, there's no record
of Tony having ever been
at West Point,
either as a cadet
or an instructor.
You wanna stick around
for a while?
I promise I won't tell Fred.
Well, maybe just
a couple minutes?
Okay.
It's a very brutal situation
So far everyone
in the community
I mean, we are trying
to find more information
Alice, Channel 8.
When you say,
"They have a reputation,"
what does that mean?
No, Mr. Ando,
all I'm asking is,
what does it mean
when you say
that Meridian Mortgage
has a reputation?
A reputation for what?
- Okay.
-
Yeah?
Lawyers are here.
Gallagher is so mad,
he could spit.
D.A. Kelly didn't show.
He sent subordinates.
This would be
a whole lot easier
if the D.A. Wasn't trying
a police corruption case.
Pfft, if I were Kelly,
I wouldn't even run a stop sign.
Every cop in this city
hates him.
That sounds about right.
My uncle says the only reason
that Kelly's
going after the cops
is 'cause they know
all his dirty laundry.
- Welcome to Indianapolis.
- Mm-hmm.
You're as useless
as tits on a bull.
I mean, this isn't
just a case we're handling.
This is an active situation.
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
Nice to see we're all assembled.
Fred, maybe you can
explain the situation
to Lucy and Ethel here.
D.A. Kelly can't be bothered
to show his face!
I spoke with Mr. Kiritsis.
He has two requests.
Demands.
Number one,
he wants total immunity.
There's no precedent for that.
I'm aware
there's no precedent for it.
It's just
what he has asked for,
along with an apology
from Meridian Mortgage,
specifically from
Mr. M.L. Hall.
Where's your boss?
He's apprised
of what's happening.
Ooh, is he?
Or are you two covering for him
because you don't know
where the fuck he is?
We know exactly where he is.
Okay, we are just
waiting on Tony's lawyer.
- Gene!
- Ruck!
Glad you could
make it so quickly.
Always glad to be of service.
I'm not sure why
Mr. Kiritsis requested us.
I helped him
with some zoning issues
a couple years ago, but, uh,
I'm just not sure
I'm the appropriate
attorney to--
I'm with Mr. Wilson here.
Uh, my busy trial
schedule is such--
Defending crooked cops?
Lieutenant Reed Moistner
is a decorated police officer
who has been--
- Who has been
bribing private citizens
for protection.
I look forward
to swatting down all the charges
in this Mickey Mouse game
you're playing.
We have a goddamn witness.
Where's your District Attorney?
Because funny things
seem to happen
every time
he disappears to California.
What are you implying?
That your boss
is allegedly embroiled
with some pretty
unsavory characters,
drugs murder.
Am I forgetting anything?
He was only at that party
to investigate.
Of course he was.
Allegedly.
I will say this
for the District Attorney,
he certainly keeps busy.
- You know this is bullshit.
- David--
Step back.
Back up.
Hey! Hey! Gentlemen! Please.
Can we return
to the matter at hand?
Mr. Kiritsis
has requested two attorneys,
one for the apology,
and the other for the immunity,
so let's put one
in charge of civil,
and one in charge of criminal.
Criminal.
Civil. Good? Good.
Now, I suggest
somebody get on the phone
to Meridian Mortgage
and start working
on that apology.
I need to be elsewhere.
Hey, you're criminal.
He said it, not me.
So, this is pretty crazy, huh?
Yep.
Tony, uh
he seems to have
a lot of goodwill
from some of the officers,
even though he's, um
well, he's-he's had
some troubles.
You know the Kiritsis family?
No, just what
I've heard on the radio.
Well, he's a good guy.
I have a cousin.
Similar situation.
Nicest guy, he just
gets a little wiggly
now and then, you know?
Has to howl at the moon.
But we love him to bits.
That sounds
like Tony's family.
Except his two brothers.
He fuckin' hates 'em.
But his brother, Jimmie,
and his sister--
He has a sister?
She must be worried sick
about him.
Mm. Imagine so.
They had a falling-out
over some money years ago.
That's a shame.
It is.
You know, they haven't spoken
since it happened.
Since what happened?
Well--
What'd you say your name was?
Uh, oh, I'm Ginny.
Who are you with, again?
No one.
So, uh
what happened between them?
It's nice talking
with you, Ginny.
Well, I'll, uh
I'll keep you in my prayers,
Officer.
In an interview
with WIBC's own Fred Heckman,
Kiritsis asserted
his expertise in the area,
citing his time
as a munitions instructor
at West Point.
WIBC contacted West Point,
who would not confirm that
Kiritsis was an instructor.
"Not confirm"?
What do you mean,
"not confirm"?
I was a small-arms instructor
at West Point
for five fuckin' years!
I served as a corporal
in the Korean War.
the Bomb Squad is
taking Kiritsis at his word.
This is Ben Hairston, WIBC.
I think I got something.
"Not confirm"?
You weren't drafted like me.
Your daddy paid
for your college deferment,
then you joined
some fraternity and wore togas
and siss-boom-bah,
you fucking sissy.
Not me! I've been working
every day of my goddamn life.
I know what you're gonna say.
What, you served in the Navy?
As an officer,
during peace time?
Not as a grunt
in the Korean War.
What, where were you stationed,
San Diego?
Worst thing to happen to you
during your tour
was a goddamn sunburn!
"Not confirm."
What is it?
Is this Tony Kiritsis?
Speaking!
Yeah. You know what you should
do to that rich prick?
Blow his head off.
Come on.
Blow his fucking head off!
You're a lot sicker
than I am, pal.
Can you believe these people?
He's telling me to shoot you.
What the fuck's
the matter with people?
Goddammit.
Will you please tell him
I called
about Meridian Mortgage?
-
- Yeah?
They need you
in the conference room.
Bill Hall's on the line.
Mr. Hall?
We're all here, uh,
ready to help you
with the apology
that Tony has demanded
from Meridian Mortgage.
Well, I-I appreciate
your position, but
I, uh, I need you
to appreciate mine.
Your brother's got
a shotgun wired
to the back of his skull, Bill.
How hard can it be
to muster up an apology?
Well, see, the, uh
the demand
is that Dad give
the apology, right?
That's right, Bill.
Is your father there?
Can we, uh speak to him?
Well, gee, uh
Dad's, uh
sort of indisposed right now.
Well, gee, Bill,
maybe you could get him
on the fucking phone.
He's not here.
In the office?
In the state.
Well, uh where is he?
I believe he's in Florida.
Well, can you
can you help us out here?
Bill?
Can we get in touch with him?
Gosh, Fred,
that's just it. Uh
We can't find him.
Can't find who, Bill?
We can't seem to locate M.L.
You can't seem to locate
your own father,
other than knowing
that he's in
the state of fuckin' Florida?
Yeah, if pressed,
I'd say in
the Fort Lauderdale area.
- "If pressed"?! If--
- Uh, look.
Can you help us find him, Bill?
We really need M.L.
To sign off on this
to help your brother.
I'm gonna see what I can do.
What's the matter
with these people?
I mean, at this rate,
we're gonna be here
until Easter,
and someone'll be dead!
And I-I don't mean Jesus!
Excuse me.
Hey, where are you at
on the ground right now?
What happened at the meeting?
It was a total fiasco.
I'll fill you in later.
Uh, where are you at
with these interviews?
Uh, well, Tony's got
a lot of friends
in law enforcement,
believe it or not.
Paul was talking
to a Sheriff's Deputy
who had breakfast with Tony
just last week.
What about the residents?
Uh, mostly pensioners,
can barely afford rent,
charged per phone call.
- No, no.
Uh, correction,
30 free calls per month,
and then they're charged
beyond that.
Long distance is extra,
of course.
Uh, hey, uh, Ginny was supposed
to be here a half hour ago.
You seen her anywhere?
Uh, I'm here.
Oh, that's funny, because
you're supposed to be here.
Sorry. I
might have something, a story.
Tell me.
Tony's sister.
One of the cops let slip
that there was a dispute
over money between them
a while back.
Uh, she's at a nearby
mobile-home park.
All right, follow the lead,
but don't fuck around.
You got him cussing at you.
Ginny, welcome to the club.
Lot of tentacles
to this story.
It's more than
just a hostage situation.
There's something here.
You're sounding
like the guy who hired me!
I have to admit,
it's been a while.
It's a hell of a thing.
Yeah, all right.
Keep me posted.
I haven't heard him like that.
Yeah, Fred's been at this
a long time.
I forget that
he was a reporter-reporter.
Yeah, you never think
you'd get a story like this
in Indianapolis.
- Mm-mm.
Oh! Uh, you gotta get going.
Uh, there's an extra
tape recorder and mic
in the van.
Okay, well, I'll see you.
Okay.
Hmm.
Tell him what you just told me.
Uh, when I was there,
at Meridian,
when they gave
Mr. Kiritsis his mortgage,
I didn't really understand
why it went through,
because he didn't
have any income,
and I thought that was strange.
But I-I don't blame Mr. Hall,
because he's kind,
no matter what people
say about him.
No matter what anyone says
about M.L. Hall?
No. Dick.
Nobody likes M.L.
Huh! Okay. Well, I'm gonna
want to probably talk to you
further about that.
Thank you, Helen.
- Oh, you're welcome.
You better get back
to the phones.
They're ringing off the hook.
People keep calling in!
They want us to re-air
your interview with Tony.
What?
In its entirety.
No fucking way!
I am just telling you
what the listeners are saying.
Some people
are mad they missed it,
and they want us
to run it again.
Well, how many calls
are we talking?
I don't have an exact number,
Jerry, but at least a hundred.
-
- A hundred?
WIBC. Judy speaking.
Okay. I'll look into it.
I'll need to talk
to Mr. Fairbanks.
Not Mattress Daddy?
Fuck you, Fred.
Call on line one.
I have a call, Jerry,
on line one.
Thank you, Judy.
Go get this call.
Hello?
Fred? Ralph Bass here.
In our last conversation,
you mentioned your kids,
and it occurred to me
that my wife
just so happens to know
every good school
in the Tri-State area,
and, believe me,
she'd be happy
to talk to your wife,
give her
the lay of the land.
Well, that is
a very nice offer,
and I do appreciate
your enthusiasm for me.
And for My Town Indy.
I mean, "My Town New York"
has a ring to it!
It sure does,
but we're kind of in the middle
of a breaking news story here.
We've got a hostage situation
in Indianapolis.
A gunman has kidnapped
his mortgage broker.
Never a dull moment,
not even in Indiana.
No, no.
No, in fact, I was able
to interview the gunman
live on the air.
You put him on the air?
I did. It was one of
the hardest decisions
I've ever had to make,
but it turned out to be
the interview of my life.
There any national
outfits there?
No, but I bet there will be
by day's end.
And do you have an exclusive?
I do.
In fact,
he'll only talk to me.
See, Ralph, this is
what I still want to do.
This is what I meant
when I said I'm more
than just My Town Indy
or My Town New York.
I'm a reporter, Ralph.
You want to do hard news.
I do.
This could be a story
about a madman taking
his mortgage broker hostage,
or an indictment
on the American Dream, or both.
Sounds like CBS.
How would you feel about
broadcasting this story nationally?
You're right.
It is challenging.
You know, we want
to do good journalism.
I mean, that's
our number-one thing.
Of course. Yeah.
Hi, honey. How are you?
Hi. Uh, Jerry was just
telling me about the FCC.
Oh, yeah.
Um, I brought you
clean shirts
and your Dopp kit
in case you don't
make it home tonight.
It's $300 per fu--, uh
There's still no word
from Mr. Fairbanks.
I'm so glad that you came by.
I want to talk to you
about something.
Um drop these off.
Come take a walk with me.
How are you faring?
You know, uh,
it's a lot going on.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Come here.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Mm.
What's going on?
Sorry.
I got caught up in the moment.
You got caught up?
I'm not myself.
Say more.
Uh
You should probably
go home.
No.
Are you under
a lot of pressure?
Uh
Yes.
I bet this closet
has seen some action.
Let me walk you out.
Okay.
Motherfuck!
Trust someone?
Most trusted man in radio,
And then you know what happens?
They go and say
you're a fucking liar!
Motherfuckers.
Uh, ma'am,
are you Effie Kiritsis?
I'm Ginny Hughes with WIBC.
I wanted to ask you
a few questions.
Okay, not a problem.
I'll just go next door
and I'll talk to your neighbors.
Wait.
Don't go bothering my neighbors.
Call me a fuckin' liar?
They wouldn't know
a fuckin' grunt--
No wonder I'm so fucked up.
They say I'm a fuckin' liar.
What do I would lie about?
You-- you think Indianapolis
is cold in the winter?
Should try being on
a fucking mountain in Korea.
Um
is it okay
if I take notes?
So, I guess you heard about
what Tony did
to get his money from me?
Mm-hmm.
As far as I'm concerned,
it was a family matter.
Okay.
I never called the police.
I never wanted
to press charges.
Do you mind if I record this?
Oh, you've gotta give us a win.
You've gotta give us,
Hey! Fred?
Remind these weasels
that we're hip-deep
in a hostage crisis
and their boss needs to respond
to the immunity--
There's a process!
Don't give me that horseshit!
You still can't find him,
can you?
We're ready for you, Chief.
Roger that.
Gotta go.
Hey. But let me know when
Malibu Barbie gets back to town.
He's at a conference!
Oh, bullshit.
- Okay.
-
Civil,
where are we with this apology?
Meridian is working
on a draft.
And?
It needs to be okayed
by M.L.
And M.L. Still
cannot be contacted.
What am I supposed
to tell Tony about this, huh?
Mr, uh, Fairbanks
wants to talk to you
in, uh, in my office.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
It-it's line five.
Hello, Mr. Fairbanks?
Fred, I want
to congratulate you
on a well-conducted interview
with a madman.
That interview
has gotten tongues wagging
all over our great city.
People cannot
get enough of it.
I want WIBC to be the name
on everybody's lips.
You and this lunatic
are the best thing on radio.
Fred! It's Tony.
I'll take it in my office.
Thank you, Mr. Fairbanks.
Uh I-I've gotta go.
-
- Uh
Yeah, okay.
- What line?
- Uh, two.
Tape it.
Tape it?
Why are we taping this?
No! We need to go on the air!
Jerry, I'm not prepared
to go on the air live with it.
- You heard Mr. Fairbanks!
- He's gonna ask questions
that I am not
prepared to answer!
Do you
even listen to me?
We don't have
the answer to them
Tony?
Uh, Tony? Did we lose him?
Tony, are you there?
Tony!
Are-are-are you there?
Yes, Mr. Heckman. I'm here.
Ah, welcome back
to the program.
Any news at all? Fuck.
How are we doing?
I'm a little concerned
about your station's reporting.
- Oh?
- I heard you broadcast
that you couldn't
find any record
that I had been
at West Point.
Well, who would like
to bet me $100,000
that I was there?
Well, tell them
to get their 100,000 bucks out,
because I was there as an
advisor to the instructor
on heavy infantry weapons.
That's anti-personnel weapons,
anti-tank weapons,
mortars, recoilless rifles.
- Well, now, Tony
- I was there, pal!
We had to fact-check that,
but I'll concede
that just 'cause
we didn't find a record of it
doesn't mean you weren't there.
Yeah, I can
just hear the people.
They're gonna call me a phony.
They're gonna say
I wasn't there.
Well, I'll take you there,
and I'll show you my name
carved into a fucking rock.
Tony, no one's infallible.
I will personally
look into this.
You know, the average guy
that would've gone through
something like this
would've had a heart attack
or-or a stroke by now?
They're lucky
they're dealing with me,
'cause some Nervous Norman
would've shot him already.
Did you, uh, did you look into
my Eisner-Osco deal?
Well, about that, Tony,
I haven't really received
any corroboration on that,
and Eisner-Osco
has no comment at this time.
Um, I'm wondering,
uh, how is Dick?
Can I talk to him?
No, forget about Dick.
This has nothing
to do with Dick.
Uh, what about M.L.?
Where's my apology?
Well, um
we have spoken to them,
and they are
aware of your request,
but I tell you what, Tony,
we-we-we have to know
that Dick is okay.
I mean, his wife, Ibby,
and his children,
are completely upset about thi.
Yeah, poor Ibby
and the kids, yeah.
I feel for 'em.
- Yeah. Yeah.
Well, don't you think
it might be a nice gesture,
maybe, if you
let him speak to his wife?
Why should I be the one doing
the nice gestures, huh, Fred?
You know the truth, Dick.
Why don't you tell
the listening audience
what you and your family did
to an ordinary guy
like me?
Go ahead. You know, Fred,
he's right here.
We tried to work
with you, Tony.
Uh, I'm sorry, Tony.
I couldn't quite hear
what Dick said.
- That's a lie.
- Can I speak to him?
That's a fuckin' lie!
You motherfuck!
Are you listening
to this motherfucker?
You and your father didn't try
to work it out with me!
- Okay, you sound really upset,
- Motherfucker!
Tony, and I understand that.
Now, can I just,
can I speak to Dick?
You don't know
the Halls like I do, Fred.
They are vipers!
I've met more selfish, deceitful
people in real estate
than in any other business
I've been in,
including
the used-car business!
Listen, Tony,
don't you think that,
with the increased visibility
of this particular situation,
that this might reflect better
on your situation?
Well, I've never told
a lie in my life,
and I haven't told a lie
since the situation started.
I don't need to,
'cause I've got nothing to hide.
When we get through with this,
you're gonna think I'm a witch,
and I think
I've already proven that,
I knew what was going on,
and there was nothing
I could do about it!
There was nothing
I could do to stop it,
and you know, Fred,
I haven't heard you
say that once on the air,
as much as I've heard you
call me a goddamn kidnapper!
Well, now, Tony, we are
looking into all of your claims,
and we are taking them
very, very, very seriously.
Oh, fuck! Fuck!
Fred, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Fuck.
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah.
Did M.L. Issue the apology?
Well, we're
we're working on that, Tony.
Well, did you
speak to him on the phone
or in person?
Well
Tony, we're working on it.
Well, what'd he say?
Well, Tony
we're working on it.
He hasn't spoken to you,
has he?
You don't even know
where he is, do ya?
I know where he is.
He's in Florida.
His secretary told me.
He's stuffin' his face
with crab.
They go down there
every winter,
deep-sea fishing,
and all that crap.
You know, they're so rich,
they don't even hold
their own fishing poles.
The boat does the fishin'
for you.
You hear that, Dick?
Your own father
can't be bothered
to come to the phone
for his own son.
Tony, can I speak to Dick?
I'm gonna
walk out of here a free man.
Can I speak to Dick,
please, Tony?
They aren't going to book me,
they aren't gonna mug me,
they aren't gonna print me,
they aren't gonna send me
to a fucking psychiatrist,
'cause I don't need one,
I don't care who knows it
or what they say.
I'm a pretty smart man.
Don't get me wrong,
I feel
for Ibby and the kids, but
This is my last chance.
That land
is all I have left, Fred.
I need you to get me
my apology.
Don't underestimate my resolve.
You know, I
I chose you for a reason.
You chose me?
You were
a part of my plan all along.
You you chose me?
'Course I did.
You were there
on the darkest days of my life,
and you didn't even know it.
I knew that,
for people to listen to me,
to really understand
my situation
I needed you.
They played God and lost.
You don't have to be smart
to be God.
You just have to be cheap.
That's all I gotta say, Fred.
Goddamn it, Fred!
That would've been radio gold!
We could've gone live!
Instead, we get this.
Uh, Bobby Knight
certainly took
that Michigan loss hard.
As we know,
the general takes
these defeats, uh, personally.
How many times
do I have to hear about
Bobby fucking Knight?
What does he have for breakfast?
Does he give Quinn Buckner
a footbath after practice?
Blah! Blah! We get it!
We all saw the fucking game!
The Hoosiers will be
back at Assembly Hall
tomorrow night
to face off with Purdue.
Some Hoosier hysteria
the likes of which
only Carole Lombard has seen!
This is Ed McMahon
inviting you to join me
Thursday, September 13th,
for a night on the town
in Hollywood.
Gary Todd is coming
to visit me in California,
and he'll bring two lucky
WIBC listeners along.
If you are the WIBC
Tonight Show Contest winner,
you'll jet to California
with Gary,
be my guest
at The Tonight Show,
meet Johnny,
and join me for dinner
after the show.
Your father's
not coming through.
It'll be a night of
McMahon, Martinis, and Madness,
so send your name, address,
and telephone number
to Ed McMahon
I wonder why
he's not coming through.
Indianapolis,
and right now, here's Gary.
I don't know
what's gonna become of you.
Poor Ibby.
Poor, poor Ibby.
Dick Hall?
You must be Ibby Metsker.
Hi.
Hi.
Uh
Thank you.
I just hate blind dates,
don't you?
Well, I did until today.
Greg, he never mentioned
you were such a knockout.
So
you're in construction?
My brother Jack
does construction.
My brother Bill
does the mortgage,
and I do the real estate
with my dad.
Real estate?
Huh.
So
you lived in Japan?
Tokyo,
until I went to college at I.U.
Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Did you eat that raw fish?
Yes, I did.
And what did
your dad do in Japan?
Oh, he works
for the State Department.
Have you ever been abroad?
Does San Diego count?
Uh well, let's order drinks.
I'll flag a waitress
and then put our order in.
Heard the steaks
are really good.
Look.
Um
you seem like a very nice guy.
Have you ever been
in a, in a Cessna?
Well, that's a line
if I've ever heard one.
I'm serious.
I'm about to get
my private pilot license,
and I would love
to take you up in one,
and I promise,
you'll never forget it.
I don't know.
I'm not much
for jerky movements.
Close your eyes.
What?
Close your eyes.
Seriously,
I'll take you through it.
It'll you'll love it.
Just close them.
Okay.
All right, you ready?
Mm-hmm.
Okay, so you're, um
you're looking beautiful
in the passenger seat
Thank you.
and I'm looking
very handsome in the pilot seat.
All you can see
is the back of my head.
Full head of hair.
Ha! And, uh,
I start the engine
-
- and it's loud.
Um, we're about to take off,
and all of a sudden,
the ground goes away,
and all there is
is sky.
You can almost
feel the physics of the wind.
Physics of the wind?
- See
- I like that.
See, flying
is like riding the wind
like people ride ocean waves.
You can feel the Earth
and the sky.
It is so graceful,
moving through the air,
and your body knows
that it's defying physics,
but for a moment in time,
you are doing something
beyond language.
Something close to God himself.
It's
magical.
When do you get your license?
I don't know.
It's a question
of when the instructor
thinks I'm ready for
my first solo flight one day.
On that day,
he'll simply get
out of the plane and say,
"Okay, she's all yours."
And then I'll
take my first solo flight.
So, after the flight,
you know,
once it's successful,
uh, he will cut my shirttails,
which indicates
that I no longer need
to hold on to the instructor
for guidance anymore,
so I have been wearing
my favorite shirt
each flight now
for the past week,
just in case.
I hope I'm not too emotional
when it happens
which should be any day now,
so I can
take you up for real.
You're not at all
what Jackie said about you.
Uh-huh?
I take that's a good thing.
Very good.
I think
I'd like that drink now.
Um, ma'am?
Hello?
Hey, Ed? It's Gene.
You been listening
to the radio?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Things are starting to unravel.
Uh, Heckman's a civilian.
We can't have
a civilian handling things.
That guy you mentioned,
the expert,
I think
we're gonna need him.
Judy?
Hi. I've marked, uh
10 upscale seafood restaurants
in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Can you see
if you can find a reservation
for Mr. Hall
in one of them, please?
Not a problem.
Oh, and, uh, Ralph Bass
is on line one.
I'll take it in my office.
Hold for Mr. Heckman.
Ralph? Fred Heckman.
Nice to hear from you.
Uh, listen.
I don't know if you have
been following WIBC,
but this story is blooming,
uh, and I've also been able
to track down a few leads
on this mortgage.
Yeah, it's big, all right.
We've got a reporter,
a whole team, in fact,
from CBS heading there now.
What do you mean,
you're sending a reporter?
I thought
I was the reporter.
I'm sorry, Fred,
and you know
I'm your biggest fan,
but this is how
things go sometimes.
I don't understand.
Look, I think
this story got away from you.
Turn on the news, Fred.
You'll see what I mean.
Respectfully, Ralph,
I don't have
to turn on the news.
I write the news.
I'm the lead reporter
on this story.
Fred you are the story.
Fred Heckman,
News Director for WIBC,
is the point of contact
for Mr. Anthony Kiritsis.
Sources close to WIBC tell us
that in a second,
unaired conversation,
Kiritsis did disclose
that he deliberately
chose Mr. Heckman
to be his spokesman,
and, in fact,
he was part of Kiritsis's plan
all along.
Sources say Mr. Heckman--
If any outside press
calls here
looking for information
about my conversations
with Tony Kiritsis,
the answer is "no comment."
Is that understood?
- Fred?
- What, Judy? What?
We found M.L. Hall
at Neptune's Palace,
Fort Lauderdale.
He's on line three.
He's been notified
of the situation.
Goddammit.
Mr. Hall?
Hi, this is Fred Heckman.
Hello, Mr. Heckman.
Listen, uh, we understand
that there is a draft
of an apology from Meridian
for your consideration, sir?
Hello?
I've done nothing wrong.
I understand this is
a very difficult time
for you, sir, uh, but
I just want to tell you,
your son is in what appears
to be a very dire situation,
sir, and if there's
anything that you can--
I'm not apologizing.
-
-
I am the very model
of a modern Major-General ♪
I've information vegetable
Animal, and mineral ♪
I know the Kings
of England ♪
And I quote
the fights historical ♪
From Marathon to Waterloo
in order categorical ♪
I'm very well acquainted, too
with matters mathematical ♪
I understand equations ♪
Both the simple
and quadratical ♪
About binomial theorem ♪
I'm teeming
with a lot of news ♪