American Hostage (2026) s01e03 Episode Script

1
[typewriter clacking]
We've got a hostage situation
in Indianapolis.
A gunman has kidnapped
his mortgage broker.
I'm gonna talk to Fred Heckman!
He'll get my story out!
[Ralph Bass]
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.
[Tony] Now listen, Fred.
I want an apology
from M.L. Hall himself,
and then I'm gonna want
full immunity.
I'm also gonna need
a couple of lawyers,
John Ruckelshaus
and Charles Wilson.
[Ralph] How would you feel
about broadcasting
this story nationally?
Did M.L. issue the apology?
Tony, we're working on it.
Ed, it's Gene.
That guy you mentioned,
the expert,
I think we're gonna need him.
Mr. Hall? Hi.
This is Fred Heckman.
[M.L.] Hello, Mr. Heckman.
I'm not apologizing.
[dial tone buzzing]
[pounding receiver]
[typewriter clacking]
[tuning radio]
[reel-to-reel machine clicks]
[main show theme begins]
[upbeat jazz music]
[reel-to-reel clicks]
[upbeat jazz music]
- [tuning radio]
- [telephone ringing]
[upbeat jazz music]
[disconnected tone beeping]
[upbeat jazz music]
[O'Brien] For Anthony Kiritsis,
it has been a very long day,
but for mortgage man Dick Hall,
- [Tony whistles]
- it's been even longer,
held by Kiritsis
for over nine hours.
Power and heat have been cut,
and due to the high volume
of community calls
[Tony] Doesn't bother me!
Can't smoke me out!
I got food and drink for days.
There you are.
[can cracks open]
[Tony] Oh, shit.
I had six beers in 1976.
Haven't had one drink since.
Don't miss it a bit.
What're you looking at?
Just thirsty.
[O'Brien] Authorities continue
to negotiate with Mr. Kiritsis,
who has demanded an apology
[Tony] Damn straight, baby!
[Ben] And from
what I understand,
those apology discussions
with Meridian
are still ongoing,
is that correct?
- [O'Brien] Yes.
- [Tony] Vitamin D.
[O'Brien] Mr. Kiritsis
has also requested
full immunity for his crimes
No rickets for you.
[O'Brien] an unprecedented
and controversial demand
that continues
to be deliberated
by the D.A.'s office.
While negotiators
work tirelessly,
there's nothing but silence
behind the walls
of apartment C-308.
WIBC Radio. I'm Doug O'Brien.
[Ben] Keep us apprised, Doug.
It's 6:00.
We'll be back with Big Mike
and the traffic report
after this.
WIBC ♪
10 7 on the radio ♪
It's WIBC ♪
[Ginny] I know it's difficult
to talk about,
but I have to ask again.
Can you tell me about
what happened with your brother?
[Effie] They have
news girls at WIBC?
Yes.
Really?
[kitchen faucet dripping]
You were saying that you didn't
want to press charges.
[Effie] Because I haven't heard
any female reporters
doin' the news.
Maybe a weather girl on TV
kind of thing
oof, Barbara Walters.
[she chuckles]
[clicking recorder off]
Well, this
is my first assignment.
No kidding?
[laughing]
I know that this must be
an unimaginable situation.
You have a brother?
No.
Then you don't know.
[water dripping]
Do you have a wrench?
You should go now.
A wrench?
I-I know you have one.
[water dripping]
Tony does
those kind of things,
leaky faucet,
blown-out bulb.
All gets magically fixed
or replaced
when he knows I'm gone.
[tightening the wrench]
[dripping stops]
Tony only wanted
the money owed him.
This is a family property.
He wanted to be bought out
for his land.
He didn't mean it.
What did he do?
My brothers
couldn't agree on a price.
They should have just
given him the money.
Effie, what did he do?
[music playing on radio]
[turning power off]
Yes, Jerry.
Oh
I'm staring right at him.
- Hi.
- [kissing]
Yeah, I will have him home
to you in 30, as always.
You too.
What's the update?
Uh, well, M.L. is an asshole.
Really?
Yes. He's not coming home
from Florida,
and he will not issue
an apology.
- For his own son?
- For his own son.
Do you want a roll?
Yes, thank you.
Did you see me on TV?
Yes, I did.
Ralph Bass is an asshole too.
- What did he do?
- Dad!
- Yeah?
- Teddy said he shot a deer.
You're not getting a rifle.
Not happening.
- Absolutely not.
- Sorry, bud.
- [Julie] Told ya.
- [Carl] Shut up!
[parents] Hey!
I need a permission slip
for my field trip, Dad.
Julie, I have
been home all day.
But I want Dad to sign it.
[wearily] Oh
it's not
the Paris Peace Accords.
Finish setting the table, please.
Thank you.
[Julie] Okay.
[Fred] Where's Ritchie?
He says "at the library." Heh.
Ha. Dubious.
[Barbara] Yeah.
[phone ringing]
Heckman residence.
Hi, Ben.
We're just about
to sit down to eat.
- I need to talk to him.
- Oh, here he is.
Hey, what's happening?
Anything with, uh, with-with
Ginny and Tony's sister?
No, I'm fine.
Um well, let's see
what she gets on tape, huh?
Then foreclosures?
Well, yeah.
Lower income? That doesn't
seem like a coincidence.
Okay, I will
meet you in an hour.
Great. Bye.
[phone rings]
Heckman residence.
Hello, Tony.
Yes, we were just about
to sit down to dinner.
Um
the-the wife and kids are here.
I know
your-your power's out, Tony.
I-I've got nothing to do
with that. I'm sorry.
I will certainly tell her.
Goodbye.
[hanging up]
He called our house?
[Fred] Yes, he did.
What does he want from you?
He wanted to apologize
for bothering us during dinner.
[doorbell chimes]
[phone rings]
[sighs] You get the phone.
I'll get the door.
[ringing]
It's not gonna be him.
[ringing]
Heckman residence.
Can I help you?
You're Fred Heckman?
Special Agent Cormac McNally.
Chief Gallagher called me in.
[typewriter clacking]
[upbeat jazz music]
Of course. Please, come in.
[McNally] Thank you.
[Fred] Barb, this is, uh
Special Agent McNally
from the FBI.
We need you
at Meridian Mortgage.
- Now?
- Yeah.
We got M.L. on the phone.
- We were just gonna
- Sit down for dinner.
I apologize.
It's interesting.
Indy's a big city,
but it feels like a small town.
Do you know the Halls?
Well, just in passing.
Not really.
Oh. Yeah. We see them
occasionally at church.
Mrs. Hall mostly attends
during the holidays or Easter.
Sweeps week.
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, well, uh, like you said,
Indianapolis is a
is a big city.
Um I guess
we should get going.
I-I'll call you.
- Yeah.
It's nice meeting you,
Mrs. Heckman.
You too.
Uh, did you wanna
follow me, or?
I took a taxi. I thought
we could drive together.
[Fred] Uh, yeah.
Whatever you like. Uh
[McNally] They're almost
finished drafting
the apology at Meridian.
[Fred]
Have they spoken to M.L.?
[McNally]
They'll get all that sorted.
[Fred] Well, when did
the FBI get called in?
[McNally] Local law enforcement
wants to make use
of federal expertise.
Or shall I say
my expertise?
You know, Tony called
my home this evening.
To say what?
I believe he wanted the power
restored in his apartment.
Interesting that he calls you.
Any theories?
- Why he called?
The most trusted man in radio.
Well, I don't know
if it's my place to speculate.
That sounds like
a thing Fred Heckman would say.
[chuckles] Does it?
What is a Fred Heckman
thing to say?
Modest, in that Midwestern way
that belies a deep desire
to be the very best
at something.
Driven. Family man.
Doesn't suffer fools.
You got all that from
a two-minute visit to my house?
Fred Heckman
was born in Michigan
on November 11th, 1923.
Parents are
Gladys and Fred Senior.
You studied theater
at college,
but before you could
get a degree,
you joined the Coast Guard
to serve in World War II.
Were in the Naval Reserves
in Korea,
where you worked as a radio man
and cryptologist.
Radio man First Class, actually.
You worked in radio stations
in Delaware, South Carolina,
Georgia, DC, and then here.
In 1957,
you made WIBC your home
for the next two decades.
It's the longest
you've ever lived in one place.
You want my jacket size too?
It's 42 long.
I know that before
you were the age of 16,
your dad had moved
the family 29 times.
That must've been hard.
Well, the FBI has an excellent
research department,
I'll give you that.
And fast, too, especially
given the turnaround
but there's nothing in there
that I haven't said before
or that hasn't been
printed in the newspaper.
But there's a story
in between those lines.
What do you mean by that?
I'm trying to figure out
why the subject picked you.
For whatever reason,
you're the means to getting
things through to Tony.
- Don't know if that's true.
- No, it is.
You're the conduit.
You seem very sure of how
things are gonna work here,
especially given that
you've never met Tony, or me
[McNally] Mm.
or the Halls,
for that matter.
I am. I have to be.
I'm part of the new science
in law enforcement
that's the wave of the future.
[music on radio]
I'm a, uh
a forensic profiler.
finally agree
on the word "encourage,"
for fuck's sake?
- Fine.
- Fine.
I think it's the best word
to encompass what
we're all trying to say.
- [Fred] Gentlemen.
- [Gallagher] Fred.
Special Agent McNally,
welcome to the soup.
Never thought at the age of 62
I would be knee-deep
in synonyms,
but here we are.
Can we move to the next line?
He won't like
the word "encourage."
"Promote."
"Further." Um, "stimulate"?
Definitely not "stimulate."
Can I just hear
what you guys have already?
Yes, uh, sweetheart,
would you read back
what we have?
"This statement
is authorized by Mr. M.L. Hall,
the Chairman of the Board
of Meridian Mortgage.
This is a public apology
to Anthony Kiritsis
for all wrongs
that Meridian Mortgage
have committed."
Bullshit.
"This involvement our company
had with Eisner-Osco
in regards to Mr. Kiritsis,
on encouraging them to--"
[M.L. over speaker] Uh-uh.
Uh, Dad says no
on "encouraging."
Uh "fostering"?
[M.L.] No.
Mr. Hall, uh, we all appreciate
how gracious you're being
during these
incredibly trying times.
I-I can only imagine
what you and your family
are going through right now.
[M.L.] Thank you.
Yeah, so, uh "fostering"?
Does "fostering" work?
For the love
of the Blessed Mother?
- Yes.
- Criminal? Civil?
Yeah, the word "foster"
conveys a sense of
Okay, so, do we, do we have
a winner with "fostering,"
uh, Mr. Hall?
- Fine.
- Okay.
And Mr. M.L. Hall
will be reading
this apology personally?
- No.
- No way.
I believe that Tony made
that specific request.
That's correct.
We specifically say
authorized by M.L.
Now, wait a minute.
When did that get decided?
He's unable to travel
to Indianapolis
at this time, right, Dad?
[M.L.] Have Cliff read it.
[hanging up]
[dial tone buzzing]
- [man] Who the hell is Cliff?
- Who's Cliff?
[typewriter clacking]
This won't work.
[Tony]
You ever been to Vegas, Dick?
'Course you have.
Rich kids love Vegas.
What's your favorite casino,
the Dunes or the Sands?
I love the King.
What's your favorite movie?
Viva Las Vegas.
[Tony laughs]
Ann-Margret, hubba-hubba. Whoo!
[Tony] If you think
I don't need you ♪
Take a look at my eyes ♪
Baby, these ain't raindrops ♪
Fallin' out of the skies ♪
[laughing]
- [chains clanking]
- Ahem.
Don't even think about it.
I'm faster than you.
Can't stand Dean Martin, though.
I do like "Oh Marie."
Bill? I've been
trying you all day.
Uh, a little bit
in the thick of it here, Dwayne.
Of course, and we're all
praying for Dick's safe return.
- Be right there.
- In the meantime,
this sheriff's sale
is at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Do I have the go-ahead
to bid on the property?
On which, now?
440 Maynard. We foreclosed.
Let's talk about this
in Dad's office.
[Gallagher] Roger that.
Hey. We're needed
at the command center.
I'm on the air in 90 minutes.
It shouldn't take
too goddamn long.
[elevator dings]
Tony wants
his power back on.
Yeah, I know. He called me.
At your house? Jesus.
I told him
we're working on it.
He has to give something
to get something.
Insist on a call
from Dick to his wife.
[Gallagher] Only problem is,
uh, we've already sent
a female officer over,
and Mrs. Hall
wouldn't let her in
because the kids were there.
I assume you've asked
the Hall brothers
to try calling her?
As you can imagine,
they weren't encouraging.
Obviously, she feels
under siege.
Mrs. Heckman knows Ibby.
Well, yeah, but not well.
But a passing familiarity.
Might Mrs. Heckman reach out?
Oh, good idea.
I mean, I could ask.
Terrific. Settled.
Next item on the menu,
were you able to locate
an overhead projector?
- [elevator dings]
- [Gallagher] Yep.
After you.
[DJ Ricksy] Here is a request
from Linda in Greenwood.
[music playing on radio]
Where's Ritchie?
[turning volume up]
[music playing on radio]
[phone ringing]
Hey! Anything?
Yeah, Ginny has a lead
with the sister.
I know that lead.
[coin drops]
[phone ringing]
Heckman residence.
Hi.
What is it?
[sighing] Uh
Chief Gallagher would like you
to pay a visit to Ibby Hall.
No.
Tony is willing
to let her speak to Dick.
Why me?
Well, this FBI agent, McNally,
seems to think
it would be a good idea.
Oh
I barely know her,
and you need me
to do this tonight?
Can you?
I mean, you want Carl
watching Julie?
Well, I-I think
they'll be fine for an hour.
The poor woman.
What am I going to say?
Well, that
I'm not worried about.
McNally seems to think
when Ibby speaks to Tony,
her tone should
be conciliatory,
so could you
pass that along?
Fred
I know.
Okay. I'll go see her.
Has Tony called you again?
No, but he will.
Okay, I'll be in touch.
All right. I love you.
Love you too.
[hanging up]
[McNally] Thank you all
for gathering.
Chief Gallagher,
Sheriff Broderick,
the contingent
from the state police.
I believe we have all possible
arms of law enforcement
in the State of Indiana
present tonight.
I caution you,
the last thing that we need
is interagency conflict.
I'm here now
to serve as point person
as a profiler
who analyzes criminal behavior
to assist in the negotiation.
As such, the approach
that we take to Tony Kiritsis
needs to flow through me.
Make no mistake,
the situation is bleak.
We need to understand
the mentality
that we're dealing with.
Who's this guy, again?
Said he's a pro-lifer.
[McNally] in total rage.
We have three objectives.
First, reduce Tony's fear.
Second, emphasize
the optimistic outcome.
Third, reinforce
Tony's self-esteem.
Let's begin with controlling
phone calls in and out.
[radio playing music]
[Dick] Gin.
[Tony] Well, you can fool some
of the people some of the time.
Does your hand still hurt?
What?
You-you were complaining
about your hand hurting
the last time
you were in the office.
You mean when
I took you hostage?
No, before that.
You were favoring
your left hand.
You okay holding that gun?
That was part of the ruse.
[chuckling]
Sure fooled you. [laughing]
Your turn.
[whistling a tune]
Do you mind not whistling?
Helps me concentrate.
Well, it wouldn't fly in Vegas.
I don't know about that.
I do.
Have you ever been, Tony?
[doorbell chiming]
[children squealing]
[Ibby] Dickie! Stop that.
Better not be the press.
I've got a security guard
in here with a cattle prod.
No, I'm not,
uh, well, actually,
my husband is,
um, Fred Heckman.
He's helping
with the situation.
Um, I'm Barbara.
Uh, we've seen each other
at First Presbyterian
on occasion Easter,
and, um
and I've been tasked with
This is for you.
May I come in?
Come on in.
- [Barbara] Thank you.
- [Ibby] Of course.
[toilet flushing]
[squealing]
Let's keep it
to a dull roar, please?
Sorry, Mrs. Hall.
[Ibby] It's fine, Lester.
I managed opening a door.
This is Mrs. Heckman.
- Hello.
- Hello.
[Ibby] Well, you can just
place that in the kitchen.
[child laughing]
[Ibby] It's very kind of you.
I don't think the kids
have had much to eat lately
besides jellybeans
and ice cream.
I try to avoid turning on
the news or the radio.
They don't know
what's happening.
What a lovely home.
[phone ringing]
[exhales wearily]
It's been ringing
off the hook.
We have the same
problem at my house.
[ringing continues]
Would you like me
to answer it for you?
It's my in-laws, so no.
[calling out]
Lester, would you get that?
If it's Dick's mother,
tell her
I'm busy ironing and praying.
[phone ringing]
Well
thank you
for the casserole.
I'm sorry. I, um
I, um
I am here for a reason
other than the casserole,
although it is very good,
so please eat it.
It's important
to stay nourished.
Ahem. Um, first of all
I want to say
how sorry I am
that this is happening
to you and your family.
Thank you.
[Barbara]
And I have been tasked
with what I hope
is good news,
or hopeful news.
Um, Tony has agreed to allow you
to speak with Dick.
[music on TV playing]
I have the phone number here.
I wouldn't know
what to say.
[Barbara] I understand.
To be honest,
I didn't know
what to say coming here today
but if you would like to call,
I could stay and
[child] Mommy! Mommy!
I'm sure
that whatever you say
will be more than enough
for Dick.
[chuckling]
[Jenny] Hey! Give it back!
Give it back!
Hi! Do you have TV trays?
That's a job for big girls.
Can you go find Lester
and set them up? Okay?
Lester!
Well, you heard Mrs. Heckman.
Go wash up for dinner.
The sink is the white thing
in the bathroom
that spurts out water.
You're gonna love it.
Ben? Where are we?
Did you get in touch
with the head of the
CEND, Community to End
Neighborhood Deterioration.
They picketed out in front
of Meridian two weeks ago.
[Fred] What, to protest
the 400-some-odd foreclosures?
[Ben] Yeah. So it turns out
that Meridian
is giving these mortgages
to working-class
and low-income people,
and then they close
on those houses, fast.
I mean,
there's HUD regulations,
but there's no way
that they're not profiting.
[Fred] Yeah, no, they
foreclose on those properties,
and they buy 'em back
at a sheriff's sale.
You know, there's
a sheriff's sale
tomorrow morning,
8:00 a.m., 440 Maynard.
Oh? Yeah, where'd you get
that little kernel?
You know I never
divulge my sources.
Who do you have on, uh,
deep background or tape
to confirm this hunch?
Yeah, well,
there's a bank guy
that might know something,
but he needs some convincing.
It's gotta be pristine.
Ah, if it walks like a duck
You don't have the duck.
Somebody out there
wants to go on the record.
Your job is to find them.
Okay. Here's local, national,
everything that's happening
today beyond Tony.
Obie's on-site.
O'Brien, I've got Fred,
Ben, and Ginny here.
[O'Brien] Uh, Meridian Mortgage
guys arrived.
WENB is gonna broadcast
his apology in 15.
We got a two-way setup,
so we'll air it live.
Uh, anything else?
[O'Brien] Yeah, it's pretty
fuckin' cold out here.
[all chuckling]
[Fred] Well, we'll talk later.
We'll go right from that
into the evening broadcast.
Uh, Ben, scratch the local.
If this apology is happening,
let's dedicate the top
of the hour to Kiritsis.
Ginny, how'd you make out?
I have an exclusive
with his sister.
- You got copy?
- Mm-hmm.
Eight years ago,
Tony imprisoned his sister
in her home with a knife
until the family agreed
to give him $55,000.
Tony's first hostage.
- Mm-hmm.
- How does it end?
[Ginny] I don't know yet.
He was arrested.
Uh, the nature of the crime,
his propensity
for violence
But the case was dropped. Why?
Court records noted
that his sister didn't testify.
She refused to bear witness
in court nine times.
- Nine times?
- Mm-hmm.
He held her hostage?
But she forgives him.
She he still fixes things
in her trailer.
They don't speak,
but she said
if there's a leaky faucet
or a broken handrail,
she'll come home
and find it repaired.
You just had to be there
to understand
their relationship.
He's her brother.
What was the money for?
For the 17 acres of land.
From hostage to hostage,
the story
of one man's obsession.
This is very good.
You got all that out of her?
I didn't get it on tape.
I fixed her sink.
[colleagues chuckling]
[Ginny] I think
I think she's just waiting
for him to come home.
Well, there's your ending,
right there.
She's just waiting
for him to come home.
I think
you've got your first story.
[Fred] Okay.
[Ben] Okay, yeah. Um
In national news,
we have
President Jimmy Carter's
announcement of his $30-billion
stimulus package.
[TV playing quietly]
[laughter]
[boy] Gotta get used to it.
[child] I don't want
to get used to it.
[boy]
Why? What does it feel like?
[child]
Gideon, I can't see good!
[boy] What else
does it feel like?
[child] I told you
what it feels like.
Now, get me out of this!
[dialing]
[call ringing]
[Tony] Good as new.
Bet you don't know
the first thing
about sewing a button.
Actually, my mother
is an excellent seamstress.
[phone ringing]
No. My mother
was an excellent seamstress,
but she taught me the trade.
She didn't coddle me
and keep me in short pants.
You know your brothers
call you a mama's boy?
We're still
in the dark here, fuckers!
Mr. Kiritsis?
It's Ibby Hall.
I'm told
you're expecting my call?
Uh, pardon my language,
Mrs. Hall! [chuckling]
That's right, we had a
we had a call scheduled.
Uh yeah, uh, call me Tony.
Look, um
I want I want
to be the first,
uh, to apologize, uh
for putting you
and your children through this.
Thank you.
I want you to
I want you to know
that I-I had no choice,
and, you know, Meridian,
these people were jacking me.
It's not paranoia.
Like, you know,
I didn't imagine these things.
Now, Dick is gonna sit here
and deny it,
he has denied it,
but the simple fact
of the matter is that, uh
your husband screwed me over.
Well, Tony, maybe he did.
Maybe he did.
[Tony starts laughing]
Maybe he did!
Finally, a Hall gives me
a straight answer.
You know, you sound like a
like an intelligent lady,
and I hope
you won't hold it against me,
because I'm awfully sorry
about all this for your sake.
Here, Dick
talk to your wife.
Are you there?
Hi, B.B.
Hi.
[he sighs]
Do you want me
to write the script?
Give me the phone.
Give me the phone.
I don't know
why he's not talking.
[Ibby] No, no.
It's okay.
- No, it's not okay!
You're home, worried sick,
and he's tight as a clam.
Here Dick.
Tell your wife you love her.
Goddamn well, shit.
Sorry, pardon my French.
Look, if I had a wife like you,
I'd treat her right.
If she called me
in this current situation,
I'd say something.
I'd know how worried she'd be.
She would be very worried.
[Tony] That's right!
That's right. Well
I'm gonna do for him
what he can't
do for himself.
He loves you, Mrs. Hall.
Dick says he loves you.
You take care of him, Tony.
[hanging up]
Would you like help
getting the kids to bed?
I can take care of my own kids.
I'll walk you out.
Boy, Dick.
We bent over backwards for you
here, and what'd you do?
Nothing.
You're a cold-hearted fish.
You always get dealt
the best hands,
and you don't
even appreciate it.
[Dick] I wouldn't
expect you to understand.
Listen, motherfucker, I--
[phone begins ringing]
Let there be light!
Well, Tony, a deal's a deal.
Turn on WENB.
Uh, Meridian's going live
with the apology.
WIBC's got it too.
[Tony] So, M.L.'s come out
to see his shadow, huh?
I've had
many conversations with M.L.
Me and Number One
have had some good dialogues.
I'll tell you,
I've put on some classic
performances in my life.
With M.L., I've been my best.
That's not to sound egotistical,
you know,
but I've done some dandies.
Now it's M.L.'s turn.
[Gallagher] Well, uh, yeah,
uh, yeah, yeah,
he certainly
approved the apology.
Uh, yeah, it's coming on.
Over and out, baby.
We interrupt our program
to bring you
this important message.
[Cliff] The statement
that I'm reading
has been authorized
by M.L. Hall,
Chairman of the Board
of Meridian.
This is a public apology
to Anthony Kiritsis
Where the hell is M.L.?
Meridian Mortgage
or its officers
Cliff? They sent Cliff?
with respect
to Mr. Kiritsis.
The involvement of Meridian
with Eisner, in ahem.
The involvement our company
had with Eisner-Osco,
in regards to Mr. Kiritsis,
and on fostering them
towards other properties
[shattering]
He's not taking responsibility
if he can't
make the apology himself.
Yeah, I guess your father
doesn't care if you die?
[Cliff] would like
Mr. Kiritsis to recognize
that Mr. Dick Hall
was not personally responsible
for any decisions made.
You hear that?
Low man on the totem pole Cliff
says that
you're not responsible.
[Cliff] Thank you.
- [phone rings]
- Tony.
[Tony] Motherfucker,
where's Fred?
[Gallagher] Connecting now.
Patch in Heckman.
[pressing button]
[call ringing]
[phone ringing]
WIBC.
I'm asking for Fred Heckman!
Where's Fred Heckman?
[Judy] Yes, Mr. Kiritsis.
Fred!
It's Tony. Not good.
As expected.
Hi, Tony.
It's, uh, Fred. I'm listening.
[Jerry] Clint!
Patch the call on the air.
No! Don't!
[Tony] "Betray"
is a pretty strong word,
but I don't think "betray"
really covers it here.
[Fred] Well, Tony, I'm sorry
that you feel like
that apology was insufficient.
This apology is inadequate!
I know it,
you know it,
and they know it.
If we could get these people,
these executives,
minor executives,
and maybe some of the people
who have definite jobs
on the development end of it,
the mortgage end of it,
and the construction end of it,
if we could get them to disclose
what the dialogue was,
what was discussed
about my personal business,
and what they ought to do,
and what they would rather do,
and how we can do this,
and how we cannot
let 'em do that
I'm sorry, Tony.
I'm not following this.
I would tell you,
it'd be so goddamn horrendous
that you wouldn't be able
to put it on paper.
If this family of phonies,
if we could,
if we could get them,
and make them tell
what they know,
it would be so disgusting
that this company would have
to close their fucking doors!
Fuck!
[dial tone]
I'm gonna need
to get an alternate plan.
Dick, you're a goddamn phony!
[kicking chair leg]
[quietly] Oh, shit.
How do you think
this is gonna end?
I don't know.
But I do know
that it is your first story
in five minutes,
so you might want
to call your parents.
Okay.
Hey! Great work today.
[quiet conversations]
[playing piano]
[playing a chord]
[quiet conversations]
[Broderick] Possible
to enter through the vents
here and here.
[Flack] We gotta move.
[Fred] All right.
Relaxes the vocal cords.
Liquid courage, oh!
Okay! All right!
[Fred] Wow! Here we go.
[Clint] Obie says
he has something.
[Fred] Okay,
I'll throw to him first.
What do you say
we do a news broadcast,
ladies and gentlemen?
- [exhaling]
- [throwing switches]
Good evening. It's 8:00.
This is Fred Heckman
with the WIBC News Hour.
The Kiritsis hostage crisis
enters its 11th hour,
as Meridian Mortgage has met
one of Kiritsis's demands
by reading an on-air apology
on behalf of M.L. Hall.
However, Mr. Kiritsis
has declared the apology,
quote, "Totally inadequate,"
unquote.
Now we hear from WIBC's
Doug O'Brien, who is live
and on the scene
at Crestwood Apartments.
What do we need to know, Doug?
Well, Fred, I'm hearing that
the situation deteriorated.
Mr. Kiritsis was angered
by the Meridian apology.
And are all parties working
to get that issue resolved?
[O'Brien] Well,
the volatility was noted
as concern for Dick Hall's
safety increased.
[Fred] Uh, right,
but my understanding is
that Mr. Hall has been
well-treated for the most part,
uh, with adequate food
and water?
Yes. However, the big news
is that the Army bomb squad
has a plan to get in
without setting off explosives.
[Fred] I'm sorry, has
There's been no confirmation
of this, has there, Doug?
[phone ringing]
Yeah.
[Gallagher]
What the fuck, Fred?
Look, what is going on
down there, Gene?
[Gallagher] For fuck's sakes!
Tell that moron reporter
nothing is going on!
Hey, can you patch Gallagher
through, please?
[Jerry] Patch him in.
Patch him in.
I am patching him in,
thank you.
[Fred] Uh, Doug, I've got
Chief Gallagher here,
on the line, who denies
what you just reported.
Uh, Chief Gallagher,
you are live and on the air.
Now, there is no current plan
for the bomb squad
to breach Tony's apartment.
Is that correct?
[Gallagher] No. No.
Negative. No breach.
- [pounding at door]
- [Tony] You're goddamn right!
I'm gonna
blow the whole complex up!
- [pounding persists]
- [Fred] Okay, uh
Quit banging
on the fucking door!
[Fred] Chief Gallagher
emphatically denies
any imminent breach.
[Tony]
Motherfucker. Motherfucker!
- [pounding at door]
- Listen--
[Tony] Stand up!
Stand the fuck up!
Uh, to clarify, Fred,
the bomb squad isn't
[Gallagher] Clear the area!
Explosives! Clear! Clear!
[panic rising]
Things have escalated,
and, um, I'm not really
- [feedback screeching]
- Ow.
- [loud feedback]
- Oh, God!
[feedback wailing]
- Aah! Aah!
- Fuck!
What do we do? What do we do?
Hang on!
Call. Call Tony right now.
Uh, Doug, we-we appear
to have lost contact
with WIBC's Doug O'Brien
on the scene
as the Crestwood Apartments
are being evacuated.
More on
this developing situation
after these messages.
[switch clicking]
[upbeat music]
You toss you turn
You shimmy and shake ♪
[phone dialing]
You can't slow down
You're wide awake ♪
Call Daddy
Mattress Daddy ♪
[call ringing]
Tony, it's Fred.
[Tony] That motherfucker
just broadcast
on your radio station,
and they're
trying to lie about it.
Don't tell me
what I heard, Fred!
- Okay, Tony. Just listen
- I know what I heard!
Just listen to me, please.
- Evil bunch of fucking liars!
- [Tony hangs up]
- Try back.
- [dial tone buzzing]
[Fred sighs]
[phone dialing]
[call ringing]
Okay, Tony, just
[Tony] I know goddamn well
what I fuckin' heard,
and now they're saying
I was hearing things?
What the fuck?
Okay, Tony, calm down.
Now, you know
I don't lie to you.
[Tony] Don't tell me
what I heard, Fred!
I know what I fuckin' heard.
This is on you!
I don't like it!
You hear me?
I don't like it at all!
It's your fault!
- [he hangs up]
[McNally] You've got
to keep him on the line.
Clint, run it again.
- What do you mean,
"Run it again?"
[Clint] We're back
in a minute, Fred!
Jesus Christ. All right.
Yes, Clint, run it again.
[dialing phone]
You toss you turn
You shimmy and shake ♪
You can't slow down
You're wide awake ♪
Call Daddy
Mattress Daddy ♪
- [busy signal buzzing]
- It's busy.
Again.
- [phone dialing]
- [Jerry] Taking one of these.
Yeah, yeah.
[dialing continues]
[busy signal buzzing]
It's still busy.
I think it's off the hook.
You have to talk to him
through the radio.
Tell him you understand.
Tell him
mistakes were made.
Admit to the mistake,
but not to the malice.
[phone ringing]
Tony.
[Gallagher]
No, it's not fucking Tony.
I don't care what shit
you say to get him back,
but you say it,
and say it now.
This is McNally.
Did you tell them to stand down?
[Gallagher] Yes, I fucking
told them to stand down!
You do your job, I'll do mine!
[Clint]
Fred, we have 10 seconds left.
[McNally]
Remember, Tony chose you.
[intense percussion music]
[switches clicking]
This is Fred Heckman, WIBC.
We are
deviating from
our usual program.
Tonight's news hour
began with a report
from Crestwood Apartments
that was given in error.
Neither the bomb squad nor SWA
were entering
Tony Kiritsis' building.
I repeat, Chief Gallagher
confirms there is no plan
to breach Tony's apartment.
On behalf of WIBC,
I apologize
for any confusion caused.
This was our mistake,
and quite a serious
mistake at that.
But, now, folks,
if you will please excuse me,
I would like to speak
to my friend, Tony Kiritsis,
directly over the radio here.
Hi, Tony. How you doing?
It's Fred.
Now, listen, I said
I would never lie to you,
and I have not,
so I want you to listen to me
and I want you to believe me
when I say that the SWAT team
is standing down, Tony.
Now, I know you served
in the Korean conflict,
and I believe
you know I played my part
in the Second World War.
You and I both know
what it's like
to be caught up in the
what they call fog of war,
and more often
than not, of course,
the right flank
doesn't even know
what the left flank is doing.
[Fred takes a deep breath]
I think tonight,
we-we might have stepped back
into that fog,
and now, I hope
you can see me here,
Tony, standing
right beside you,
and I hope that you can see
all the citizens
of Indianapolis,
They're standing
right beside you too.
So if you can call,
call me, Tony.
I-I promise I will be
on the other end of that line,
waiting
and ready to listen.
We'll hear a few words from
our sponsors while we wait.
Tony, please
give us a call.
[clicking]
WIBC ♪
[exhaling wearily]
Here and now ♪
On the wings
of a summer breeze ♪
You can catch a tune ♪
All the scores
from your favorite teams ♪
All the news and the weather
to start your day ♪
And in the skies ♪
Super Big Mike
in the whirlybird ♪
Get your traffic tips ♪
All the news
that you care about ♪
From your friends
at WI WIBC ♪
[silence falls]
What do you want to do, Fred?
We're broadcasting dead air.
[clicking switch]
Tony, are you there?
[phone rings]
[click]
Hi. This is Fred Heckman.
[Tony] Hey, pal.
We're alive.
[cheering]
That's good to hear, Tony.
It's good to hear your voice.
How you doing?
How's Dick Hall?
How are you both?
Well, Dick says
he could use something
to take the edge off
huh, Dick?
It's too bad
you poured out the PBR.
[Tony chuckles]
Dick's mad I poured
the one PBR we had left
down the fuckin' drain.
[laughing]
[Fred] Well, Tony, I
think I can speak
for everybody here when I say
that we could all
use a drink right about now.
For our listening audience,
that was a harrowing experience
this evening,
but I'm pleased to say,
thank goodness
we're all okay.
This is Fred Heckman, WIBC News.
Now, that
is how you do radio!
- WIBC ♪
- Nice work, Fred.
Thanks, fellas.
So, uh, after Ben is done,
I'll do the local,
then I'll throw to you
for Effie Kiritsis.
Okay.
What about Effie Kiritsis?
Uh, my segment's an interview
with Effie Kiritsis, his sister.
Tony once held her hostage,
No, no, no.
We're not gonna do that.
What? I Fred.
Hold on. What?
[McNally]
You saw what just happened.
We almost had a tragic ending
all because of something
that Tony heard
on your news station.
[Fred] This is hardly
commensurate with the threat
of a SWAT team raid.
[McNally] What's the game plan
to handling the psychology
of a person in total rage?
I can tell you what it's not.
It's not bringing up
painful episodes
that will serve
to publicly humiliate him.
But his sister forgives him.
This is an important aspect
[McNally] You're talking nuance.
I'm talking about a man
with a shotgun
at the back of somebody's head.
You run that story,
we're gonna get a repeat
of what we had tonight,
and this time,
we will not be so lucky.
[Ginny] Fred?
We don't allow government agents
to dictate what we air.
WI WIBC ♪
He is right, Ginny.
He's right. He's been right.
It is a risk [sighing]
And I don't think it's one
that we're willing to take.
I'm sorry.
We're killing the story.
This is Ben Hairston,
and you're listening to WIBC.
In his first formal
press conference
since the inauguration,
Carter said
he would ask Americans
to sacrifice
a little comfort now
for a stronger economy later.
[door closing]
The President is expected
to propose
new conservation efforts
Think about what I said.
[door opening]
Don't tell me about radio.
[door closing]
I did radio
while Generalissimo Franco was
marooned on the Canary Islands.
[Ben] and ticked up
slightly last month,
but employment inched down,
now standing
at 7.8% nationwide.
That's all for National.
It is 10 past the hour.
Back to you, Fred.
- [click]
- Thank you, Ben.
This is WIBC News
with Fred Heckman.
In local news, the winter fair
wrapped up last night
with strong attendance,
despite the weather
on Friday and Saturday.
Very sticky, Fred.
And the story we're putting
together on Meridian,
you gonna kill that too?
[Fred] Once upon a time,
the press didn't report
that FDR was in a wheelchair.
[Ben] You say that
as if it's a good thing.
What would you do?
I don't know,
but I'm not the conduit.
I'm just reporting the story,
wherever it goes.
You? You're his chief
negotiator, Fred.
I'm just trying
to do what's right.
How's that line holding now?
You ought to cut down
on those things.
They'll kill ya.
[DJ Ricksy] Caller,
this is DJ Ricksy
and the Pig's Power Hour.
What's your name,
and what's your song?
[caller] Hi. I'm Marilyn.
I want you to play
"Carry on, Wayward Son."
And, Tony?
If you're listening,
you should know,
it's like Fred said
Indy's with you, baby.
Carry on, my wayward son ♪
There'll be peace
when you are done ♪
Lay your weary head
to rest ♪
Don't you cry no more ♪
[main riff begins]
[girl laughing]
[song tempo changes up]
[radio playing]
Ahh ♪
Once I rose above
the noise and confusion ♪
Just to get a glimpse
beyond this illusion ♪
I was soaring ever higher ♪
But I flew too high ♪
[crowd] Tony! Tony!
Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!
Tony! Tony!
I hear the voices
when I'm dreaming ♪
I can hear them say ♪
"Carry on, my wayward son ♪
There'll be peace
when you are done ♪
Lay your weary head to rest ♪
Don't you cry ♪
Don't you cry no more" ♪
[guitar solo]