Ransom (2017) s01e08 Episode Script
Say What You Did
1 Michelle: Ryan, watch! Ryan: Looking good, Michelle.
[Giggles.]
[Sighs.]
Michelle: Who are you? [Gasping.]
To our newest state senator.
To us.
Watching you up there, being sworn in by the whole Senate, I've never felt so proud.
[Chuckles.]
Mom would be, too.
I would think so.
What are you wearing, anyway? - It's a Hmong pattern.
- Huh.
I made it for your swearing in.
Do you like it? You never teach me about our culture.
What is it? We move forward by looking ahead, not what's past.
Where'd you find that? In a box in your closet.
It was Mom's, wasn't it? I was saving it for your wedding day.
[Camera shutter clicks.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
- Hello.
- Senator.
Ryan! What's he doing here? I invited him.
Michelle, this is my day.
There'll be press here.
I get it.
He's Hmong-American.
It has nothing to do with that.
He's a nothing.
This punk has no education.
You could do so much better.
Senator, here's your speech.
Get rid of him.
Senator Vang, congratulations.
Michelle.
Get in.
Okay.
Michelle! Don't do this.
You did this.
Enjoy your big day.
[Video game sound effects playing.]
Res me, bro.
Res me.
[Rap music playing.]
Michelle, just leave it.
Don't worry about it.
[Camera shutter clicks.]
Thank you.
Thank you.
The banquet's about to start.
- Okay.
- You'll need to say a few words, thank the community for their support.
- Done.
- [Cellphone rings.]
[Chimes.]
Senator? Is everything all right? "Say what you did, Senator.
" That's all it said.
But you don't have the video? The police said it was self-erasing.
But they took the senator's phone to try and recover it.
So, only you saw it? Yes.
She was eating ice cream.
Her boyfriend was playing video games.
I did not trust that boy the second I saw him.
What flavor? Ice cream.
I didn't see the flavor.
I only saw someone point a gun at my little girl's head.
Well, how did Michelle react, Senator? Like she didn't know she was being recorded.
What makes you think your daughter was kidnapped, sir? W That video.
It could be a stupid prank.
Not Michelle She always answers my calls.
Well, the police went to Ryan Cheng's apartment.
Michelle told them that she was fine, and that it was "Her jerk of a father interfering.
" I don't care what the police say.
They want something.
And I was told you're the best there is, so let's find out what.
I'm so sorry, but the Speaker is waiting.
The boy's a Hmong-American.
He knows how important today is to our community.
Oh, yes, of course.
So, how does this work? Well, I negotiate, Maxine is my second, Oliver handles psychological profiling, Zara is lead investigator.
Senator.
What's there to investigate? Well, quite a lot, Senator Vang.
At the moment, you don't even have proof that your daughter's been kidnapped.
Just get her back, Mr.
Beaumont.
One more thing.
What did you do? What? Well, the message said "Say what you did.
" Well, I have no idea.
Ellen.
Well, there's goes a textbook case of ASN.
ASN? Acquired Situational Narcissism It's a personality disorder brought on by wealth or fame.
Success goes to your head.
You start thinking you're untouchable.
Well, if Michelle was taken against her will, we need a motive.
- Money's a good place to start.
- Mm-hmm.
I'll look into the Hmong angle.
Good.
What do you think? Is Michelle really in danger, or is Senator Vang just an interfering father? Well, let's ask Michelle.
Problem? My daughter just busted out of boarding school.
How do you know that? A little birdie told me.
[Dance music plays.]
Stephanie: Oh, my God.
I can't believe he said that.
That's crazy.
[Laughs.]
Whip it, baby That's if you're feeling naughty Poke out that sexy body Then Mommy said "I'm sorry" Okay, okay, okay Tonight Melanie's, then a secret rave maûana, - followed by dancing at - [Cellphone rings.]
It's my dad.
Don't answer it.
Don't.
[Ringing continues.]
Yeah, come on.
Who cares? [Cellphone ringing, beeps.]
Everything all right? It will be.
Hey.
Um, so my cousin's got this really sweet crib in the country.
Uh, totally private with a pool.
I don't know, Ryan.
Come on, Michelle.
His family's away overseas.
We could hang out for a couple of days.
You're upset about your dad.
I hate him sometimes, but I know he thinks he's looking out for me.
I'm looking out for you now.
So, will you come? Here's Ryan Cheng's address.
There they are.
If that's a kidnapping, she's got an acute case of Stockholm syndrome.
Let's find out.
Nice ride.
0 to 60 in, what, 4.
2? Quarter mile in 13? Uh, 12.
6.
12.
6.
Oh.
May I? That's a fine fried potato.
What do you want, man? I'm Eric Beaumont.
This is Maxine Carlson.
We're private negotiators.
Your dad thinks you've been kidnapped, Michelle.
[Scoffs.]
Does it look like I'm kidnapped? Tell my dad to leave us alone.
Fair enough, but, uh, do us a favor No more threatening videos, okay, Ryan? We already told the police there was no video.
Burgers? Really, Michelle, after all that ice cream? 'Course, that was several hours ago.
How do you know that I had ice cream? How, indeed, if there was no video? [Engine starts.]
[Tires screech.]
Who are you calling? [Cellphone dials.]
The senator.
He's right.
His daughter has been kidnapped.
She just doesn't realize it yet.
Who are you? [Gasping.]
On your feet! Ryan!! [Gasps.]
- Who are you?! - Shut up.
- [Crying.]
Let go, please! - Shut up! - Ryan! - Get in there! Get in! [Door slams.]
Ryan! Help! Please! Help! Help! Help! If Ryan kidnapped her, he's kind of hiding in plain sight.
The plan seems to be "Make everything appear as normal as possible," throw the cops off the scent.
Clever A couple of rebellious kids hiding from an overprotective dad.
A bit too clever for Mr.
Neck Tattoo, don't you think? So judgmental.
[Seatbelts click.]
20 bucks says this isn't his show.
He's following orders.
[Muffled music playing.]
I'ma take what I need [Sighs.]
We want to talk to Michelle.
She's not here.
Then where is she? No idea.
Mind if we take a look around? Unless you prefer the police again.
[Sighs.]
pissed at me for being careless I ain't always right, but always true I could fearless You saw her yesterday.
She was fine.
Her cellphone was turned off.
So? So she's a 19-year-old girl.
It's a little unusual.
And you sped off in an awful hurry.
We just want to be left alone.
Chocolate chip.
Oh! Video games.
Where's the dude with the gun? [Scoffs.]
Okay, so, what is it you want Senator Vang to say? He knows.
So you did send the message.
All I know is he's a liar, and she's better off without him.
So, you kidnapped her as a favor? Keep harassing me, man.
I'll be the one calling the cops.
Definitely someone else's plan.
I doubt he even knows the full extent of it.
Hey, did you ever find your daughter? I sure did.
[Dance music playing.]
Yeah, baby! Whoo! [Laughter.]
- Drink it.
Yeah.
- I want another.
[Police siren wails.]
- Get out of here! - Are you kidding me? - [Car door opens.]
- Come on, guys.
Shut it down! Let's get out of here, people, before we have to get serious.
- Let's go.
- Come on, are you kidding me? We're not even bothering anyone.
What kind of jerk called the cops? [Indistinct murmuring.]
You got something? The Hmong are an indigenousness people spread across parts of China, Vietnam, and Laos.
They're like the Native Americans of southeast Asia with a comparable history of persecution.
The ones here in Minnesota arrived after the Vietnam War.
We have Senator Vang's financial records.
Investments, donations, tax audits I'm still going through them.
Here's what I've got so far.
- Oh.
- What is that? A list of people who have a grudge against our dear senator.
[Chuckles.]
Popular guy.
Ellen: Politics is a blood sport.
There's still some names I'm working on.
He fell out with a couple of property developers, and I'm trying to track down his ex-fiancée.
What happened there? Sorry.
Above my pay grade.
Thank you.
- Check out the ex-fiancée.
- Yeah.
It's gonna take some time to go through all these.
Time Michelle may not have.
We need them to come to us.
How? Throw them some shade.
[Insects chirping.]
[Vehicle approaching.]
[Car doors close.]
[Indistinct voices.]
Help! Help! Please help me! [Rattling.]
Please! Please help! [Sobbing.]
Please.
[Door opens.]
Hi, Ryan.
What are they doing here? [Sighs.]
Oh, no.
No.
This was not the plan, Kaus.
Her father admits what he did.
You don't say what the plan is.
Your part's over.
Stay out of the way.
[Sighs.]
I can't admit to wrongdoing.
The media will crucify me.
You're not admitting anything.
That's the point.
You're just posting a blanket apology online for any wrong that you may have done.
What kind of negotiating tactic is this? It's called destabilization.
We provoke them, we get them to react emotionally by acting like we're giving them what they want, when we're not.
It'll force them to the negotiating table.
There's got to be a better way.
If there was, I'd know about it.
I'm trying to get your daughter back, Senator.
I assume that's your goal here, unless I'm missing something.
All right.
[Camera clicks.]
Okay.
Action.
As I take up my new position as senator of this great state, I feel it's important to clear the air with those in my past who I have wronged.
If I have offended or harmed you in any way, let this statement heal the rift between us.
[Speaking Hmong.]
This is Olina, my mother.
I'm Nalanie, Ryan's cousin.
What do you want? Nothing.
We just want you to be happy.
Lormong: with those in my past who I have wronged.
If I've offended or hurt you in any way, let this statement heal the rift between us.
[Cellphone beeps.]
[Speaks Hmong.]
[Cellphone beeps.]
[Cellphone ringing, beeps.]
What do you got? Zara: Hey.
I talked to Lormong's ex-fiancée.
Happily married, two kids Definitely not the kidnapper.
I sense a "But.
" It's not her, but what she said about the senator.
They're together for nine years.
He keeps promising to marry her, but breaks it off days before the wedding.
He finally admits it's because of his deceased wife, that it would dishonor her somehow.
It took him nine years to work that out? Exactly.
You'd think a man hell-bent on getting elected would see the benefits of getting married.
Dig into his past, find out what you can about the wife.
Let's figure out what makes him tick.
I don't buy he doesn't know what he did.
[Engine revs, tires screech.]
Mr.
Beaumont.
- Get in.
- All right.
I'm guessing you saw the senator's apology.
- [Door opens.]
- Ryan.
Eric: Don't wait up.
[Tires screech.]
Second thoughts? Shut up.
You represent the senator? Eric Beaumont.
Negotiator.
Can I get a beer over here? Do you want a beer? There's nothing to negotiate.
Was that pathetic video your idea? Well, it worked.
W-We're sitting here.
It was an insult.
'Cause Senator Vang says he has no idea what this is about.
I was hoping a face-to-face with you might help me jog his memory.
He knows what he did.
Well, I imagine he does, but Mr.
Kidnapper, you and I both know he's the kind of man who spits on you and calls it rain.
Hm.
Lormong Vang thinks he can take whatever he wants.
Did he take something from you? Everything.
He did that to you? He wouldn't have the guts.
He told the lies that lead to it.
But I survived.
And now I will take everything from him.
But you'll let Michelle go.
He must say what he did so the whole world knows.
Slight pause.
Rising pitch in your voice.
Pupils dilated.
What are you not telling me? The longer he takes to remember, the more he insults me.
We both know who will pay for that.
And we both know an innocent young woman does not deserve to suffer, whatever Lormong did.
- [Keyboard clacking.]
- Maxine: Michelle's mother was Su Lin Vang, late wife of Senator Vang.
They were both refugees fleeing persecution in Laos.
The Hmong sided with the U.
S.
during the Vietnam war, so they weren't exactly popular when the U.
S.
pulled out.
She wound up in a refugee camp in Thailand, 1989, 17, orphan.
There she met Lormong.
They emigrated to the U.
S.
and had Michelle two years later.
So, it says here that Su Lin died in Laos when Michelle was three.
Why go back to a country that persecuted you? What's that? Consular Report on her death issued by the U.
S.
embassy in Laos.
Cause is listed as road accident, but [Keyboard clacking.]
there doesn't seem to be a Laotian death certificate.
Maybe they didn't issue one? No.
The U.
S.
embassy would have required it for the Consular Report.
Do you think it's forged? I don't know.
I'll call Annie.
Maybe she can hack into the D.
O.
D.
records in Laos and find out.
Evie Beaumont.
- I'm her father.
- [Elevator chimes.]
Well, can you check again, please? How'd it go? He wants revenge, and Michelle is his way to get it.
He didn't care that I saw his face, so whatever this is, it's a one-way trip, and he's gonna take the senator down with him.
Yes, Eric Beaumont.
Call me back right away.
Check the button cam for a facial match.
[Beeps.]
Okay.
Got him.
His name is Sawm Cheng Hmong-American, a refugee from Laos like Lormong, and also Ryan's father.
His name came up when we did the background check on Ryan, but there's nothing in the N.
C.
D no criminal offenses whatsoever.
Okay, what is that? Can you bring it up? Uh-huh.
SGU? Special Guerilla Unit When the war spread beyond Vietnam, the SGU were Hmong recruited by the CIA.
They fought the communists in neighboring Laos.
This goes way back.
He blames the senator for getting him sent to prison and tortured.
What? He said Lormong took everything.
He was in prison and tortured.
Isn't that everything? Yeah, maybe.
[Door rattles.]
Let's go.
[Exhales sharply.]
That feels better, yes? Isn't it beautiful? It's a Hmong wedding gown.
Very special.
You never see one.
This, too, is Hmong.
Where'd you get it? It's my mother's.
You respect your history.
This is part of it.
Him? You fought together in the SGU.
I can't believe After all these years You accused him of something that got him imprisoned and tortured.
I have no memories of that.
I hardly knew him.
I'm a decorated soldier.
Men like him envy me.
You really can't remember? He invented some grudge against me.
Is that my fault? Look, I hired you to deal with this.
Do it.
A feature of narcissistic personality disorder is a tendency to form false memories.
They get edited to remain consistent with a a positive sense of self.
You're saying he truly doesn't remember what he did? Annie just e-mailed a Laotian death certificate for Michelle's mother.
But what's weird is there's no record of her returning to Laos.
She would have needed a visa.
So, how did she die in Laos when she never left the United States? See? Beautiful.
Sawm: My God.
You look just like her.
My name is Sawm.
I knew your mother.
These are from her to me.
They'll help you understand.
My mother? I loved her very much.
Read them.
Senator Vang, how did you meet Michelle's mother? What do you mean? Well, at a party, bump into her on the street? We met at a refugee camp long after the war was over.
She was young, alone, and she begged for my protection.
How did she die? Visiting relatives in Laos in a car accident.
Why does this matter? Well, it matters because you're lying, Senator.
Your wife didn't die in Laos.
What really happened to her? I don't think this is getting anywhere, Mr.
Beaumont.
You're turning this into a wild goose chase.
This has nothing to do with Michelle's mother.
I loved her deeply.
I'll ask the police to take over from here.
Well, that's your prerogative, but, Senator, whatever Sawm's plan is, it does not include returning Michelle to you.
Sawm has been biding his time, nursing his hatred.
He waited until you were a public figure, when you had the most to lose.
It may be that neither I nor the police can get Michelle back.
The one thing that might is your complete honestly.
Mr.
Beaumont.
Yeah? There's someone here to see you.
Hi, Dad.
Is this a bad time? Uh, she seems fine.
I'll call you back.
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Did you really have to tell Mom? She's worried sick.
You disappear and then you show up here.
What's going on, Evie? Maybe I just missed you.
You could have called.
Where is your phone, by the way? You tell me.
You're the one tracking it.
Oh, I see.
So, you're making a point.
Oh, you just figured that out? Dad's off his game.
This is unbelievable.
That credit card is for emergencies.
What airline let you talk your way on? Who even told you I was here? Kevin is so fired.
He is so fired.
Or you could try treating me like an autonomous human being and not some remote-controlled toy.
You want to be treated like an adult? Try behaving like one.
- [Scoffs.]
- [Scoffs.]
Okay.
So, you see here When you say "Honesty" That's a micro expression, textbook emotional leakage.
So, he's lying? I don't think so.
Not consciously, anyway.
It's more like cognitive dissonance.
He's struggling with competing ideas o of himself.
"I'm a great man.
I did a bad thing.
" Hmm.
Bring up his financials again.
I noticed his charitable donations.
Yeah? What about them? Well, they're all under a few thousand, and then there's this one.
[Keyboard clacking.]
Center for Abused & Abducted Women 10 annual donations, $40,000 each.
A man believes he's great but does something terrible.
He's easing his conscience.
Okay, so there are 14 domestic violence shelters in the state.
What's making him donate to this one? Well, let's find out.
Yeah.
Zara, talk to Ryan.
Txiv.
I care for her.
Let me marry her.
Sawm: She's going far away, where you will never find her.
Where are you taking her? - [Car door opens.]
- She's innocent.
[Engine starts.]
Txiv! I'm Angela Marten.
I run the shelter.
Very peaceful here.
Our clients come from very challenging backgrounds.
Environments like this can really aid recovery.
Well, thank you again for seeing us on such short notice.
How can I help? Have you ever encountered women abducted from home and coerced into marrying a man against their will? It's very rare now.
Thankfully, most cultures have left that practice behind.
But not yours? It hasn't been part of the Hmong community for a very long time, Mr.
Beaumont.
Why do you ask? Well, we're looking for a missing young woman.
And you think this has happened to her? Could you explain the process? Forced marriage is, um, often accompanied by abuse and manipulation brainwashing.
It's simple and brutally effective.
They first isolate a young woman, use fear and violence often.
Ah! Then they bring in women who groom and feed her and present her the prospect of a more comfortable, safe life, show her pictures of her future husband.
It's the carrot and stick.
And if they can, they try to convince her that her home, her family, everything that she's known is somehow compromised, that she has no choice except to embrace the life that she's being forced into.
And how long could this process take? It can be as fast as three days.
Is that what happened to you? We're working for Lormong Vang.
Su Lin, a man named Sawm Cheng has taken your daughter.
I think he's planning to do to her what Lormong Vang did to you.
I understand why you left.
You couldn't live your life with a man who forced you to marry him, but I know there's not a moment where you're not thinking about Michelle.
She thinks you're dead.
She thinks she's all alone in the world.
[Exhales.]
You have me mistaken for someone else.
How did you know Angela was Michelle's mother? Why else would he make payments to this shelter? He's assuaging his guilt, buying her silence.
And he never remarried because he still is married.
So, Michelle's mother was in love with Sawm, but Lormong bridenapped her.
Now Sawm is bridenapping Michelle to make Lormong suffer like he has.
It's eye for an eye.
Michelle's mother could be a real help to us right now.
Whatever Lormong did to her, those scars haven't healed.
She's afraid of him, afraid of what he'll do if she doesn't keep his secrets.
You know, she said it could take three days to brainwash a girl like Michelle.
Day three is almost over.
Right.
[Music playing from headphones.]
around us It will take you Let it break you Evie.
only ask you to breathe So, why did you go AWOL from school? I went to a party.
You were young once, right? Nah, those were just rumors.
night You know, your dad really cares about you.
But he feels guilty that he's always away, so he deals with it by over-compensating and interfering in my life.
Did you get that at therapy? I'm not in therapy.
Every day he makes sacrifices to save other people.
So I hear.
around us It will break you Okay.
Come with me.
Let it break you But I thought we were supposed to - [Door opens.]
- Maxine! [Birds chirping.]
[Door opens.]
[Door opens.]
What are you doing? You're drugging her? She needed rest before the flight.
Flight? To Laos, to get married.
You need to leave.
[Exhales sharply.]
Michelle! Baby, this is our chance, okay? We need to go right now.
No.
You lied to me.
I didn't know that they were gonna take you away.
I read the letters.
Everything my father said about how happy my mother was was a lie.
She never loved him.
[Voice breaking.]
She loves your father, and mine took her away from him.
But now mine's taking you.
He's doing this for revenge.
[Footsteps approaching rapidly.]
I told you to stay out of this! [Normal voice.]
Stop! [Both grunting.]
Stop! Stop it! - [Coughs.]
- Ryan, I want to go.
There's nothing left for me here.
If you really care for me, let me.
No.
Michelle [Breathes rapidly.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Thanks for coming.
I know what my dad does, Maxine.
I don't need to be at some boring speech.
[Sighs.]
This one you do.
[Inhales sharply.]
Ryan? We just We want to help Michelle.
I can help.
Just tell me where she is.
[Door closes.]
O-Okay I know what you're gonna say, but [Sighs.]
she needs to see this.
Mr.
Beaumont, I thought I told you The police are handling this now.
We spoke to Ryan Cheng.
They're putting Michelle on a flight to Laos tonight.
The police will stop them.
Michelle's legally an adult.
I believe she's going willingly to marry a man she's never met.
Sawm's broken her spirit.
And there's only one thing you can do to stop her.
Say what you did.
Senator, this is not about you or Sawm or your career.
It's not even about Michelle's mother.
This is about Michelle.
I saw her at a dance.
She was breathtaking.
But she was Sawm's, and I took her.
Even after Michelle, she was so unhappy.
She wanted to die.
And she never loved me.
But I wouldn't let her take my daughter.
So the best thing for Michelle was to think her mother was dead.
Everything I did, I I did for them.
Senator, it's time for you speech.
Please bring her home, Mr.
Beaumont.
He might have told us, but will he tell Sawm? It's not Sawm who needs to hear it.
So, if you can just do that for me, okay? Okay.
[Cellphone chimes.]
[Beeps.]
Lormong: I saw her at a dance.
She was breathtaking.
[Car door opens.]
Get out.
Michelle's leaving for a fresh start.
Tell him.
You want this.
Michelle, I know they've convinced you there's nothing here for you.
I want to go.
You think you know the truth, Mr.
Cheng, but you don't.
He stole the woman I loved broke her heart so much she died.
But she didn't.
Su Lin? My baby.
Mother? [Inhales sharply.]
This is what he does every day? Pretty much.
[Cellphone beeps.]
Lormong: But she was Sawm's.
And I took her.
I thought she'd settle in the United States after we had our child.
Michelle's father said what he did.
That's all you're gonna get.
[Cellphone beeps, rings.]
Yes? Senator Vang? We have her.
The hardest decision of my life was leaving you, but I couldn't be with him, and I had nothing when I left.
He had so much could give you things I never could.
[Voice breaking.]
I watched you.
You were happy.
I thought I would ruin it if I came back.
[Sniffs, exhales.]
This is yours.
It's part of a set.
You know what the symbol means? The coil represents the union of two parts a mother, a daughter, connected, growing together.
[Sniffs.]
Senator Vang notified the police.
Sawm and Kaus have been taken into custody.
Ryan, too.
The son pays for the sins of the father.
I'll just um You did a good job, Dad.
Thanks.
I shouldn't have gone all NSA on you.
I'm sorry.
And I shouldn't have made it "Take your kid to work" day.
But on the bright side, at least I know you're not missing my flute recitals for nothing.
[Sighs.]
I don't play the flute, Dad.
I knew that.
On three One, two Both: Three!
[Giggles.]
[Sighs.]
Michelle: Who are you? [Gasping.]
To our newest state senator.
To us.
Watching you up there, being sworn in by the whole Senate, I've never felt so proud.
[Chuckles.]
Mom would be, too.
I would think so.
What are you wearing, anyway? - It's a Hmong pattern.
- Huh.
I made it for your swearing in.
Do you like it? You never teach me about our culture.
What is it? We move forward by looking ahead, not what's past.
Where'd you find that? In a box in your closet.
It was Mom's, wasn't it? I was saving it for your wedding day.
[Camera shutter clicks.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
- Hello.
- Senator.
Ryan! What's he doing here? I invited him.
Michelle, this is my day.
There'll be press here.
I get it.
He's Hmong-American.
It has nothing to do with that.
He's a nothing.
This punk has no education.
You could do so much better.
Senator, here's your speech.
Get rid of him.
Senator Vang, congratulations.
Michelle.
Get in.
Okay.
Michelle! Don't do this.
You did this.
Enjoy your big day.
[Video game sound effects playing.]
Res me, bro.
Res me.
[Rap music playing.]
Michelle, just leave it.
Don't worry about it.
[Camera shutter clicks.]
Thank you.
Thank you.
The banquet's about to start.
- Okay.
- You'll need to say a few words, thank the community for their support.
- Done.
- [Cellphone rings.]
[Chimes.]
Senator? Is everything all right? "Say what you did, Senator.
" That's all it said.
But you don't have the video? The police said it was self-erasing.
But they took the senator's phone to try and recover it.
So, only you saw it? Yes.
She was eating ice cream.
Her boyfriend was playing video games.
I did not trust that boy the second I saw him.
What flavor? Ice cream.
I didn't see the flavor.
I only saw someone point a gun at my little girl's head.
Well, how did Michelle react, Senator? Like she didn't know she was being recorded.
What makes you think your daughter was kidnapped, sir? W That video.
It could be a stupid prank.
Not Michelle She always answers my calls.
Well, the police went to Ryan Cheng's apartment.
Michelle told them that she was fine, and that it was "Her jerk of a father interfering.
" I don't care what the police say.
They want something.
And I was told you're the best there is, so let's find out what.
I'm so sorry, but the Speaker is waiting.
The boy's a Hmong-American.
He knows how important today is to our community.
Oh, yes, of course.
So, how does this work? Well, I negotiate, Maxine is my second, Oliver handles psychological profiling, Zara is lead investigator.
Senator.
What's there to investigate? Well, quite a lot, Senator Vang.
At the moment, you don't even have proof that your daughter's been kidnapped.
Just get her back, Mr.
Beaumont.
One more thing.
What did you do? What? Well, the message said "Say what you did.
" Well, I have no idea.
Ellen.
Well, there's goes a textbook case of ASN.
ASN? Acquired Situational Narcissism It's a personality disorder brought on by wealth or fame.
Success goes to your head.
You start thinking you're untouchable.
Well, if Michelle was taken against her will, we need a motive.
- Money's a good place to start.
- Mm-hmm.
I'll look into the Hmong angle.
Good.
What do you think? Is Michelle really in danger, or is Senator Vang just an interfering father? Well, let's ask Michelle.
Problem? My daughter just busted out of boarding school.
How do you know that? A little birdie told me.
[Dance music plays.]
Stephanie: Oh, my God.
I can't believe he said that.
That's crazy.
[Laughs.]
Whip it, baby That's if you're feeling naughty Poke out that sexy body Then Mommy said "I'm sorry" Okay, okay, okay Tonight Melanie's, then a secret rave maûana, - followed by dancing at - [Cellphone rings.]
It's my dad.
Don't answer it.
Don't.
[Ringing continues.]
Yeah, come on.
Who cares? [Cellphone ringing, beeps.]
Everything all right? It will be.
Hey.
Um, so my cousin's got this really sweet crib in the country.
Uh, totally private with a pool.
I don't know, Ryan.
Come on, Michelle.
His family's away overseas.
We could hang out for a couple of days.
You're upset about your dad.
I hate him sometimes, but I know he thinks he's looking out for me.
I'm looking out for you now.
So, will you come? Here's Ryan Cheng's address.
There they are.
If that's a kidnapping, she's got an acute case of Stockholm syndrome.
Let's find out.
Nice ride.
0 to 60 in, what, 4.
2? Quarter mile in 13? Uh, 12.
6.
12.
6.
Oh.
May I? That's a fine fried potato.
What do you want, man? I'm Eric Beaumont.
This is Maxine Carlson.
We're private negotiators.
Your dad thinks you've been kidnapped, Michelle.
[Scoffs.]
Does it look like I'm kidnapped? Tell my dad to leave us alone.
Fair enough, but, uh, do us a favor No more threatening videos, okay, Ryan? We already told the police there was no video.
Burgers? Really, Michelle, after all that ice cream? 'Course, that was several hours ago.
How do you know that I had ice cream? How, indeed, if there was no video? [Engine starts.]
[Tires screech.]
Who are you calling? [Cellphone dials.]
The senator.
He's right.
His daughter has been kidnapped.
She just doesn't realize it yet.
Who are you? [Gasping.]
On your feet! Ryan!! [Gasps.]
- Who are you?! - Shut up.
- [Crying.]
Let go, please! - Shut up! - Ryan! - Get in there! Get in! [Door slams.]
Ryan! Help! Please! Help! Help! Help! If Ryan kidnapped her, he's kind of hiding in plain sight.
The plan seems to be "Make everything appear as normal as possible," throw the cops off the scent.
Clever A couple of rebellious kids hiding from an overprotective dad.
A bit too clever for Mr.
Neck Tattoo, don't you think? So judgmental.
[Seatbelts click.]
20 bucks says this isn't his show.
He's following orders.
[Muffled music playing.]
I'ma take what I need [Sighs.]
We want to talk to Michelle.
She's not here.
Then where is she? No idea.
Mind if we take a look around? Unless you prefer the police again.
[Sighs.]
pissed at me for being careless I ain't always right, but always true I could fearless You saw her yesterday.
She was fine.
Her cellphone was turned off.
So? So she's a 19-year-old girl.
It's a little unusual.
And you sped off in an awful hurry.
We just want to be left alone.
Chocolate chip.
Oh! Video games.
Where's the dude with the gun? [Scoffs.]
Okay, so, what is it you want Senator Vang to say? He knows.
So you did send the message.
All I know is he's a liar, and she's better off without him.
So, you kidnapped her as a favor? Keep harassing me, man.
I'll be the one calling the cops.
Definitely someone else's plan.
I doubt he even knows the full extent of it.
Hey, did you ever find your daughter? I sure did.
[Dance music playing.]
Yeah, baby! Whoo! [Laughter.]
- Drink it.
Yeah.
- I want another.
[Police siren wails.]
- Get out of here! - Are you kidding me? - [Car door opens.]
- Come on, guys.
Shut it down! Let's get out of here, people, before we have to get serious.
- Let's go.
- Come on, are you kidding me? We're not even bothering anyone.
What kind of jerk called the cops? [Indistinct murmuring.]
You got something? The Hmong are an indigenousness people spread across parts of China, Vietnam, and Laos.
They're like the Native Americans of southeast Asia with a comparable history of persecution.
The ones here in Minnesota arrived after the Vietnam War.
We have Senator Vang's financial records.
Investments, donations, tax audits I'm still going through them.
Here's what I've got so far.
- Oh.
- What is that? A list of people who have a grudge against our dear senator.
[Chuckles.]
Popular guy.
Ellen: Politics is a blood sport.
There's still some names I'm working on.
He fell out with a couple of property developers, and I'm trying to track down his ex-fiancée.
What happened there? Sorry.
Above my pay grade.
Thank you.
- Check out the ex-fiancée.
- Yeah.
It's gonna take some time to go through all these.
Time Michelle may not have.
We need them to come to us.
How? Throw them some shade.
[Insects chirping.]
[Vehicle approaching.]
[Car doors close.]
[Indistinct voices.]
Help! Help! Please help me! [Rattling.]
Please! Please help! [Sobbing.]
Please.
[Door opens.]
Hi, Ryan.
What are they doing here? [Sighs.]
Oh, no.
No.
This was not the plan, Kaus.
Her father admits what he did.
You don't say what the plan is.
Your part's over.
Stay out of the way.
[Sighs.]
I can't admit to wrongdoing.
The media will crucify me.
You're not admitting anything.
That's the point.
You're just posting a blanket apology online for any wrong that you may have done.
What kind of negotiating tactic is this? It's called destabilization.
We provoke them, we get them to react emotionally by acting like we're giving them what they want, when we're not.
It'll force them to the negotiating table.
There's got to be a better way.
If there was, I'd know about it.
I'm trying to get your daughter back, Senator.
I assume that's your goal here, unless I'm missing something.
All right.
[Camera clicks.]
Okay.
Action.
As I take up my new position as senator of this great state, I feel it's important to clear the air with those in my past who I have wronged.
If I have offended or harmed you in any way, let this statement heal the rift between us.
[Speaking Hmong.]
This is Olina, my mother.
I'm Nalanie, Ryan's cousin.
What do you want? Nothing.
We just want you to be happy.
Lormong: with those in my past who I have wronged.
If I've offended or hurt you in any way, let this statement heal the rift between us.
[Cellphone beeps.]
[Speaks Hmong.]
[Cellphone beeps.]
[Cellphone ringing, beeps.]
What do you got? Zara: Hey.
I talked to Lormong's ex-fiancée.
Happily married, two kids Definitely not the kidnapper.
I sense a "But.
" It's not her, but what she said about the senator.
They're together for nine years.
He keeps promising to marry her, but breaks it off days before the wedding.
He finally admits it's because of his deceased wife, that it would dishonor her somehow.
It took him nine years to work that out? Exactly.
You'd think a man hell-bent on getting elected would see the benefits of getting married.
Dig into his past, find out what you can about the wife.
Let's figure out what makes him tick.
I don't buy he doesn't know what he did.
[Engine revs, tires screech.]
Mr.
Beaumont.
- Get in.
- All right.
I'm guessing you saw the senator's apology.
- [Door opens.]
- Ryan.
Eric: Don't wait up.
[Tires screech.]
Second thoughts? Shut up.
You represent the senator? Eric Beaumont.
Negotiator.
Can I get a beer over here? Do you want a beer? There's nothing to negotiate.
Was that pathetic video your idea? Well, it worked.
W-We're sitting here.
It was an insult.
'Cause Senator Vang says he has no idea what this is about.
I was hoping a face-to-face with you might help me jog his memory.
He knows what he did.
Well, I imagine he does, but Mr.
Kidnapper, you and I both know he's the kind of man who spits on you and calls it rain.
Hm.
Lormong Vang thinks he can take whatever he wants.
Did he take something from you? Everything.
He did that to you? He wouldn't have the guts.
He told the lies that lead to it.
But I survived.
And now I will take everything from him.
But you'll let Michelle go.
He must say what he did so the whole world knows.
Slight pause.
Rising pitch in your voice.
Pupils dilated.
What are you not telling me? The longer he takes to remember, the more he insults me.
We both know who will pay for that.
And we both know an innocent young woman does not deserve to suffer, whatever Lormong did.
- [Keyboard clacking.]
- Maxine: Michelle's mother was Su Lin Vang, late wife of Senator Vang.
They were both refugees fleeing persecution in Laos.
The Hmong sided with the U.
S.
during the Vietnam war, so they weren't exactly popular when the U.
S.
pulled out.
She wound up in a refugee camp in Thailand, 1989, 17, orphan.
There she met Lormong.
They emigrated to the U.
S.
and had Michelle two years later.
So, it says here that Su Lin died in Laos when Michelle was three.
Why go back to a country that persecuted you? What's that? Consular Report on her death issued by the U.
S.
embassy in Laos.
Cause is listed as road accident, but [Keyboard clacking.]
there doesn't seem to be a Laotian death certificate.
Maybe they didn't issue one? No.
The U.
S.
embassy would have required it for the Consular Report.
Do you think it's forged? I don't know.
I'll call Annie.
Maybe she can hack into the D.
O.
D.
records in Laos and find out.
Evie Beaumont.
- I'm her father.
- [Elevator chimes.]
Well, can you check again, please? How'd it go? He wants revenge, and Michelle is his way to get it.
He didn't care that I saw his face, so whatever this is, it's a one-way trip, and he's gonna take the senator down with him.
Yes, Eric Beaumont.
Call me back right away.
Check the button cam for a facial match.
[Beeps.]
Okay.
Got him.
His name is Sawm Cheng Hmong-American, a refugee from Laos like Lormong, and also Ryan's father.
His name came up when we did the background check on Ryan, but there's nothing in the N.
C.
D no criminal offenses whatsoever.
Okay, what is that? Can you bring it up? Uh-huh.
SGU? Special Guerilla Unit When the war spread beyond Vietnam, the SGU were Hmong recruited by the CIA.
They fought the communists in neighboring Laos.
This goes way back.
He blames the senator for getting him sent to prison and tortured.
What? He said Lormong took everything.
He was in prison and tortured.
Isn't that everything? Yeah, maybe.
[Door rattles.]
Let's go.
[Exhales sharply.]
That feels better, yes? Isn't it beautiful? It's a Hmong wedding gown.
Very special.
You never see one.
This, too, is Hmong.
Where'd you get it? It's my mother's.
You respect your history.
This is part of it.
Him? You fought together in the SGU.
I can't believe After all these years You accused him of something that got him imprisoned and tortured.
I have no memories of that.
I hardly knew him.
I'm a decorated soldier.
Men like him envy me.
You really can't remember? He invented some grudge against me.
Is that my fault? Look, I hired you to deal with this.
Do it.
A feature of narcissistic personality disorder is a tendency to form false memories.
They get edited to remain consistent with a a positive sense of self.
You're saying he truly doesn't remember what he did? Annie just e-mailed a Laotian death certificate for Michelle's mother.
But what's weird is there's no record of her returning to Laos.
She would have needed a visa.
So, how did she die in Laos when she never left the United States? See? Beautiful.
Sawm: My God.
You look just like her.
My name is Sawm.
I knew your mother.
These are from her to me.
They'll help you understand.
My mother? I loved her very much.
Read them.
Senator Vang, how did you meet Michelle's mother? What do you mean? Well, at a party, bump into her on the street? We met at a refugee camp long after the war was over.
She was young, alone, and she begged for my protection.
How did she die? Visiting relatives in Laos in a car accident.
Why does this matter? Well, it matters because you're lying, Senator.
Your wife didn't die in Laos.
What really happened to her? I don't think this is getting anywhere, Mr.
Beaumont.
You're turning this into a wild goose chase.
This has nothing to do with Michelle's mother.
I loved her deeply.
I'll ask the police to take over from here.
Well, that's your prerogative, but, Senator, whatever Sawm's plan is, it does not include returning Michelle to you.
Sawm has been biding his time, nursing his hatred.
He waited until you were a public figure, when you had the most to lose.
It may be that neither I nor the police can get Michelle back.
The one thing that might is your complete honestly.
Mr.
Beaumont.
Yeah? There's someone here to see you.
Hi, Dad.
Is this a bad time? Uh, she seems fine.
I'll call you back.
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Did you really have to tell Mom? She's worried sick.
You disappear and then you show up here.
What's going on, Evie? Maybe I just missed you.
You could have called.
Where is your phone, by the way? You tell me.
You're the one tracking it.
Oh, I see.
So, you're making a point.
Oh, you just figured that out? Dad's off his game.
This is unbelievable.
That credit card is for emergencies.
What airline let you talk your way on? Who even told you I was here? Kevin is so fired.
He is so fired.
Or you could try treating me like an autonomous human being and not some remote-controlled toy.
You want to be treated like an adult? Try behaving like one.
- [Scoffs.]
- [Scoffs.]
Okay.
So, you see here When you say "Honesty" That's a micro expression, textbook emotional leakage.
So, he's lying? I don't think so.
Not consciously, anyway.
It's more like cognitive dissonance.
He's struggling with competing ideas o of himself.
"I'm a great man.
I did a bad thing.
" Hmm.
Bring up his financials again.
I noticed his charitable donations.
Yeah? What about them? Well, they're all under a few thousand, and then there's this one.
[Keyboard clacking.]
Center for Abused & Abducted Women 10 annual donations, $40,000 each.
A man believes he's great but does something terrible.
He's easing his conscience.
Okay, so there are 14 domestic violence shelters in the state.
What's making him donate to this one? Well, let's find out.
Yeah.
Zara, talk to Ryan.
Txiv.
I care for her.
Let me marry her.
Sawm: She's going far away, where you will never find her.
Where are you taking her? - [Car door opens.]
- She's innocent.
[Engine starts.]
Txiv! I'm Angela Marten.
I run the shelter.
Very peaceful here.
Our clients come from very challenging backgrounds.
Environments like this can really aid recovery.
Well, thank you again for seeing us on such short notice.
How can I help? Have you ever encountered women abducted from home and coerced into marrying a man against their will? It's very rare now.
Thankfully, most cultures have left that practice behind.
But not yours? It hasn't been part of the Hmong community for a very long time, Mr.
Beaumont.
Why do you ask? Well, we're looking for a missing young woman.
And you think this has happened to her? Could you explain the process? Forced marriage is, um, often accompanied by abuse and manipulation brainwashing.
It's simple and brutally effective.
They first isolate a young woman, use fear and violence often.
Ah! Then they bring in women who groom and feed her and present her the prospect of a more comfortable, safe life, show her pictures of her future husband.
It's the carrot and stick.
And if they can, they try to convince her that her home, her family, everything that she's known is somehow compromised, that she has no choice except to embrace the life that she's being forced into.
And how long could this process take? It can be as fast as three days.
Is that what happened to you? We're working for Lormong Vang.
Su Lin, a man named Sawm Cheng has taken your daughter.
I think he's planning to do to her what Lormong Vang did to you.
I understand why you left.
You couldn't live your life with a man who forced you to marry him, but I know there's not a moment where you're not thinking about Michelle.
She thinks you're dead.
She thinks she's all alone in the world.
[Exhales.]
You have me mistaken for someone else.
How did you know Angela was Michelle's mother? Why else would he make payments to this shelter? He's assuaging his guilt, buying her silence.
And he never remarried because he still is married.
So, Michelle's mother was in love with Sawm, but Lormong bridenapped her.
Now Sawm is bridenapping Michelle to make Lormong suffer like he has.
It's eye for an eye.
Michelle's mother could be a real help to us right now.
Whatever Lormong did to her, those scars haven't healed.
She's afraid of him, afraid of what he'll do if she doesn't keep his secrets.
You know, she said it could take three days to brainwash a girl like Michelle.
Day three is almost over.
Right.
[Music playing from headphones.]
around us It will take you Let it break you Evie.
only ask you to breathe So, why did you go AWOL from school? I went to a party.
You were young once, right? Nah, those were just rumors.
night You know, your dad really cares about you.
But he feels guilty that he's always away, so he deals with it by over-compensating and interfering in my life.
Did you get that at therapy? I'm not in therapy.
Every day he makes sacrifices to save other people.
So I hear.
around us It will break you Okay.
Come with me.
Let it break you But I thought we were supposed to - [Door opens.]
- Maxine! [Birds chirping.]
[Door opens.]
[Door opens.]
What are you doing? You're drugging her? She needed rest before the flight.
Flight? To Laos, to get married.
You need to leave.
[Exhales sharply.]
Michelle! Baby, this is our chance, okay? We need to go right now.
No.
You lied to me.
I didn't know that they were gonna take you away.
I read the letters.
Everything my father said about how happy my mother was was a lie.
She never loved him.
[Voice breaking.]
She loves your father, and mine took her away from him.
But now mine's taking you.
He's doing this for revenge.
[Footsteps approaching rapidly.]
I told you to stay out of this! [Normal voice.]
Stop! [Both grunting.]
Stop! Stop it! - [Coughs.]
- Ryan, I want to go.
There's nothing left for me here.
If you really care for me, let me.
No.
Michelle [Breathes rapidly.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Thanks for coming.
I know what my dad does, Maxine.
I don't need to be at some boring speech.
[Sighs.]
This one you do.
[Inhales sharply.]
Ryan? We just We want to help Michelle.
I can help.
Just tell me where she is.
[Door closes.]
O-Okay I know what you're gonna say, but [Sighs.]
she needs to see this.
Mr.
Beaumont, I thought I told you The police are handling this now.
We spoke to Ryan Cheng.
They're putting Michelle on a flight to Laos tonight.
The police will stop them.
Michelle's legally an adult.
I believe she's going willingly to marry a man she's never met.
Sawm's broken her spirit.
And there's only one thing you can do to stop her.
Say what you did.
Senator, this is not about you or Sawm or your career.
It's not even about Michelle's mother.
This is about Michelle.
I saw her at a dance.
She was breathtaking.
But she was Sawm's, and I took her.
Even after Michelle, she was so unhappy.
She wanted to die.
And she never loved me.
But I wouldn't let her take my daughter.
So the best thing for Michelle was to think her mother was dead.
Everything I did, I I did for them.
Senator, it's time for you speech.
Please bring her home, Mr.
Beaumont.
He might have told us, but will he tell Sawm? It's not Sawm who needs to hear it.
So, if you can just do that for me, okay? Okay.
[Cellphone chimes.]
[Beeps.]
Lormong: I saw her at a dance.
She was breathtaking.
[Car door opens.]
Get out.
Michelle's leaving for a fresh start.
Tell him.
You want this.
Michelle, I know they've convinced you there's nothing here for you.
I want to go.
You think you know the truth, Mr.
Cheng, but you don't.
He stole the woman I loved broke her heart so much she died.
But she didn't.
Su Lin? My baby.
Mother? [Inhales sharply.]
This is what he does every day? Pretty much.
[Cellphone beeps.]
Lormong: But she was Sawm's.
And I took her.
I thought she'd settle in the United States after we had our child.
Michelle's father said what he did.
That's all you're gonna get.
[Cellphone beeps, rings.]
Yes? Senator Vang? We have her.
The hardest decision of my life was leaving you, but I couldn't be with him, and I had nothing when I left.
He had so much could give you things I never could.
[Voice breaking.]
I watched you.
You were happy.
I thought I would ruin it if I came back.
[Sniffs, exhales.]
This is yours.
It's part of a set.
You know what the symbol means? The coil represents the union of two parts a mother, a daughter, connected, growing together.
[Sniffs.]
Senator Vang notified the police.
Sawm and Kaus have been taken into custody.
Ryan, too.
The son pays for the sins of the father.
I'll just um You did a good job, Dad.
Thanks.
I shouldn't have gone all NSA on you.
I'm sorry.
And I shouldn't have made it "Take your kid to work" day.
But on the bright side, at least I know you're not missing my flute recitals for nothing.
[Sighs.]
I don't play the flute, Dad.
I knew that.
On three One, two Both: Three!