The Forgotten s01e17 Episode Script
Living Doe
Candace? Candace, are you here? Candace.
Help me.
Oh.
Best Chinese in Chi-town.
This volunteer work is gonna kill me.
Have you guys ever heard of salads? Well, you know what I always say.
If you're going down, go down in flames.
So we haven't gotten a new Doe from Russell in a while, so I pulled a couple cases off the network-- some doozies, too.
Trying to keep us sharp.
Give us your best shot.
Sorry I'm late.
Had an incident at the bar.
You okay? Much better than the guy who tried to paw me like I was a human life preserver.
So what happened? I elbowed him in the face.
Was such a teaching moment.
Nice.
Come on in! What's with the sudden formality? What'd you do, Tyler, forget your keys again? Oh, sorry.
Uh, you're not Tyler.
What can I do for you? Hello.
I'm looking for A-Alex Donovan.
You found him.
I hear you're the person to see.
I was hoping that you could help me find out the identity of a John Doe.
Sure, yeah.
That's, uh, that's what we do.
Who is it? Me.
Five years ago, I was beaten pretty bad.
Had nothing but the--the clothes on my back.
I was in a coma for four years and then went through months of rehab, physical therapy.
I just got released this morning.
Doctors say I have retrograde amnesia.
What kind is that? I can't remember anything from before the assault.
So you don't even know your name? I didn't even recognize my own face.
I would look at my own reflection a hundred times a day.
I never knew the person staring back at me.
I'm, like, trapped in the body of a stranger.
Whoa.
That's heavy.
Everyone's been calling me "John" since I woke up, which is fine, but without my real name, I-I don't exist.
We're, uh, we're happy to help.
We just never had a Doe who talks.
Well, we should first start with your clothes and then see if you have any identifying marks-- tattoos, scars.
Do you mind if we grab some photos? Whatever it takes.
Judging from his file, your John Doe is lucky to be alive.
Five years ago, his body was discovered in the parking lot of a liquor store near downtown.
When the responding medics arrived, they almost pronounced him D.
O.
A.
If you don't mind, sorry.
He suffered cranial trauma, broken ribs, a fractured leg, split kneecap and multiple lacerations.
Any witnesses? No, but the store owner did say he saw the Doe arguing with someone in the parking lot that same evening--Caucasian male with a gold tooth.
But the lead went nowhere.
Well, we know one thing for certain-- John definitely was put through the wringer.
Oh, my.
Maybe one more.
So what's been done so far to identify him? Everything possible.
His prints were sent to every known database-- Chicago P.
D.
, Military, FBI, even Witness Protection.
Nothing.
His D.
N.
A.
wasn't in the system.
His photo was also compared to all licensed drivers in the state using facial-recognition software, and again, nothing.
Did the hospital try and help, maybe by trying to determine his medical history? In fact, they did.
They looked for any possible diseases or allergies that could've had a corresponding medication.
So they could possibly get his information from the local pharmacy.
Right.
He's perfectly healthy.
Well, other than the whole "he has no idea who he is" thing.
No prior surgeries.
Meaning no possible implants with serial numbers.
A psychologist was even brought in to try and help him remember.
Really? Not one memory surfaced? Good luck.
Hmm.
Gentlemen.
Where's Maxine? She drove separately.
Said she had to make a stop on the way.
Well, I thought it would be helpful to take a look at the liquor store where the assault happened.
So this is the place? Visual cues can be helpful in triggering memories.
Maybe something will come to you.
So how'd the photo shoot go? Not great.
Unfortunately, there's nothing too out of the ordinary about him.
He had no tattoos.
Not even some lasered-off shame tattoos.
He did have some scarring on his forearms, though, possibly from cigarette burns.
He also had hard calluses on his fingertips, which means he probably played a stringed instrument of some sort.
Yeah, like a ukulele.
Or a guitar.
I got 'em myself.
So that's what those are from.
It's not much, but it does give us something to work with.
Well, you'd think a living Doe would be easier than a dead one.
Anything come to you? Sorry, nothing.
Nothing at all.
Hey, guys.
I just paid a little visit to a former client-- a local news anchor.
Guess what? He's agreed to interview John.
Me, on TV? Yes.
He's even arranging to have a hotline set up with a $5,000 reward for anyone with information.
That's great.
Nice job, Maxine.
Just, uh, one catch.
If we're gonna make the 6:00 broadcast, we have to leave now.
We'll, uh, we'll meet you there.
I'll take John with me.
Great.
Hey, you know, this is gonna be really good.
It's the best way to get your face out there to the public.
You okay? What's wrong? I don't know.
I Just how could it be possible? How could what be possible? That all these years, no one's ever come looking for me.
I must not have been loved by anyone.
Come on, John.
Don't start thinking that way.
Somebody's out there, and we're gonna find 'em.
Hey, John! Where are you going? John! John, what are you doing? You all right? I understand.
It's all past.
Where are you going? Get back in the car! What are you doing? Get in the car! John! Hey! Excuse me, sir! Excuse me! Hey! Excuse me.
Excuse me.
I'm so sorry about this.
He just ran in without paying.
You just ran in without paying.
We're sorry, but he's been the victim of a crime.
He's lost his memory.
Yeah, right.
That's the oldest one in the book.
No, seriously.
There must be something about this place he must recognize.
Have you ever seen him here before? Wait.
You know, I have.
The faces of all of our customers have been forever etched in my brain because that's how much I care.
They call it earning a living.
You may have heard of it somewhere.
I may have.
And I told you once It's all right.
I understand.
And it's all past.
And it's all past.
This seat.
I used to sit in this seat.
I used to sit in this seat! "Will.
" Did you write that? Nice view.
Am I here to admire it? Is that your name? I need your help.
Like old times.
You can't save me.
Save you? What do you mean? You can't save me.
There you are.
Hey.
Uh, where the heck were you? Long story.
We, uh, still good? I hope so.
Here they are, Dan.
This is Alex Donovan.
Thanks so much for doing this.
My pleasure.
And this must be John.
Everyone's been calling me John.
I have to say your story is incredible.
My producer has already contacted some other major market affiliates who have agreed to run the piece.
So this is going out nationally? Absolutely.
John, I know this is intimidating, but the more people who get to see you, the more leads it could generate.
I'll make it as painless as possible, I promise.
Now if I could just get you two into makeup Both of us? No, no, no.
This--this is John's story.
Oh.
I guess I was under the assumption that Okay, fine.
Great.
We're on in ten.
"My P.
O.
V.
," with your host--Dan Freeman Welcome back.
We continue now with the riveting story of one man's quest to find himself.
Beaten and left for dead in the parking lot of a local liquor store, he spent four years in a coma, only to wake up with no memory of his own name or face.
Our guest in the studio this evening-- the country's only living John Doe.
John Doe.
John Doe.
Beaten and left for dead.
John Doe.
The country's only living Um Thank you.
Thank you for having me.
And with him is Alex Donovan, former Chicago P.
D.
Police officer who now volunteers for The Forgotten Network-- a nationwide organization devoted to giving John and Jane Does back their identities.
How do you approach an investigation like this, Mr.
Donovan? Uh, well, obviously, this is a unique situation for us, but if we can determine his name, that'll be a big step in helping to rebuild his life prior to the assault.
Do you have any leads? Not many, but, um, we're hoping that the viewers will be able to help.
And we will have the contact information in a moment.
So, Alex, what made you decide to give up a career in the police department to become a volunteer? Well, by, uh Helping unidentified victims get back their names, we can give 'em a proper burial and, uh, give the families closure.
Your own daughter Lucy Donovan was kidnapped three years ago, and she has yet to be found.
Did that incident perhaps motivate you to help others who may have been looking for the closure you yourself haven't been able to obtain? I'm sorry, John.
J--Alex.
We're out.
Um Alex, would you just stop for a second and talk to me? Listen, I'm so sorry.
Forget about it, Maxine.
No, I can't.
Listen, if I had any idea-- Look, if anybody should apologize, it should be me.
I'm the one who jeopardized John Doe's chances.
Hey, guys, guess what? The tip line is on fire.
The station is forwarding all the tips to us, and over 40 people.
have responded.
Really kicked over a beehive full of crazies, too.
Yeah, uh, get this-- one woman thinks John is her reincarnated Jack Russell terrier.
I have had some memories where I catch a Frisbee in my mouth.
Another guy says he served with John in the cold war.
Any tips worth following up on? Uh, well, one guy says that he was John's fraternity brother.
I went to college? I feel smarter already.
Well, I see your tip, and I raise you.
I got a person here Says they know John, who works at a guitar store.
John has those calluses on his fingertips.
Exactly.
And here's the icing-- this shirt that we found on John when he was assaulted-- at first, it seemed like any shirt you find at a department store, right? But then I saw these-- Small holes in the fabric.
Where a nametag might've been pinned.
Uh, correct that-- was pinned.
Because I just looked up the store's Web site, and the employees wear the same shirt as a uniform.
Can I be as smart as you for just one day? All right, so good.
Um, Walter, Candace, you follow up on the tips first thing.
We'll, uh, we'll go from there.
John, do you have a place to stay? Yeah, thanks.
Uh, one of the nurses is letting me use her guest room until I get back on my feet.
Good.
Great job, everyone.
Uh, we got someplace to start from.
But, look, it's, uh, kind of getting late Alex? You want to talk about it? I'll see you tomorrow.
Good morning.
Can I help you? Yeah, uh, we're looking for, um Eric? My name's Eric? Mm, sorry.
Personal space.
No, it's okay.
Wait.
His name's not Will or William? I'm sure.
It's Eric-- just like Clapton.
I couldn't believe it when I saw you on the news.
I thought you had disappeared.
Did John, I mean, Eric-- did Eric work here? Work here? No, he was a customer.
Um, your uniform-- he was wearing the same type of shirt on the day he was assaulted.
Yeah, that.
Well What is it? He used to come into the store a lot, you know, test out the guitars.
He never bought anything, but he played so beautifully, I didn't mind.
I noticed that he seemed to wear the same thing a lot, so I gave him one of the shirts from the back.
Was he homeless? I didn't think so, but to be honest, even though we talked tons about all kinds of stuff, whenever his personal life came up, he always changed the subject.
You didn't happen to get Eric's last name, did you? Sorry.
He never mentioned it.
Go ahead.
Hi.
Uh, is Kevin Ratner here? He called in a tip about a John Doe.
Yeah, yeah, great.
That's me.
I did.
Oh, come in.
So, uh You two were fraternity brothers? Uh, totally, yeah.
U of C.
Haven't seen him in forever.
When I saw him on the TV, I was like, "what show is this?" But then, you know, when he was saying about what was happening and stuff, I was all, "well, I should tell them.
" Oh, his name's, uh, Allen.
Allen MacDonald.
Really? Uh, 'cause a colleague of mine just found out that his name was Eric.
Oh, sorry.
Did I say "Allen"? No, I meant "Eric.
" Eric MacDonald.
Which fraternity did you pledge again? Uh Alpha qaeda gamma.
Right.
Great.
Uh, well, thanks so much for the information.
What are you doing?! You're not going anywhere.
Look, I told you I know him.
What more do you want? Right.
.
Look, when we follow up on the tip, we'll get back to you.
I really need that reward money! Look, listen to me.
I know those are the drugs talking, okay? But if you don't back the hell away from me right now, I'm gonna reach into my purse, pull out my gun and shoot you.
Do you understand me? Russell.
Hey, it's Candace.
Feel like busting a guy on possession? Why are we here? It's a surprise, but I think you're gonna like it.
Hey.
Are you Darryl Diaz? I'm Alex.
Yes.
And this is Eric? Nice meeting you.
Mr.
Donovan explained your predicament.
Follow me.
Gen--genetic tree? Yea I took a shot in the dark and had Detective Russell send your D.
N.
A.
profile here.
They use D.
N.
A.
to trace genealogy.
People mail in a sample, pay for it, and then the company looks for familial matches in the database.
Where is he? A-a worldwide database, actually.
We currently have over 8 million samples at our disposal with our hlogroups building at a phenomenal pace.
I-I ran a paternal lineage test using the y-46 marker test to determine your haplotype, hoping to find your M.
R.
C.
A.
Right.
Sorry.
Um, I compared your D.
N.
A.
with others in our system to see if you had any matches on your father's side of the family, and I found one.
His name is Arlen Sullivan.
Address listed as public.
Carbon Hill.
That's close.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, thank you.
I can't believe this! I-I--yesterday, I literally had nothing, and today I have a name and a family.
Morning, officer.
Lights turn red for a reason.
Do I have to tell you how many pedestrians get killed in these intersections? No need.
Uh, I'm an ex-cop.
I guess I should probably know better.
Retired.
Alex Donovan.
All right.
Take care.
Come on.
Sumimasen.
Gomenasai.
What did you just say? Yoi ichinichi o.
What--what did I just say? You just spoke Japanese.
So he just started speaking Japanese? What did the cop say? Nothing.
He's Korean.
So what could this mean? Who knows? I read a story once about a woman who woke up from a coma, started talking with a German accent for no reason at all.
The brain is an endless puzzle.
Especially yours.
Let's think about this.
I mean, maybe Eric majored in Japanese in college, or lived in the country.
Or dated a Japanese girl.
He could've just been really into "Godzilla" flicks.
I got three letters for you-- c-I-a.
The guy's already mastered a foreign tongue, they always deprogram those guys after they get a burn notice, and what about the scars on his arms? Yeah.
Torture, junta, man with the football.
You still want to be as smart as him? Not everyone is a spy, Walter.
Not everyone isn't.
Well, we'll know something pretty soon.
The guys are about to meet Eric's family member.
Mr.
Sullivan? Yeah.
What do you want? My name's Alex Donovan.
I-I got your address from genetic tree.
I wanted to talk to you about a relative of yours.
So that thing really does work.
My fishin' buddy said he q-tipped his cheek, suddenly, he's a Choctaw Indian.
Supposed to get some big casino settlement.
Well, I, uh, I didn't bring any settlement, unfortunately, but maybe something better.
Who's that? Uh, we were hoping that you would recognize him.
That's Eric.
You're related.
Really? Never seen him before.
But that doesn't mean anything.
How so? Uh, Ssullivans breed like crazy.
Can't throw a rock without hitting one of 'em.
Why are you here? Well, I'm hoping to find my family.
Well uh, wait up.
Hold on a minute.
Yeah.
Yeah, I gotta say, you--you do kind of look like, uh, my Uncle Dale.
And, uh, he did have a son.
Can we meet him? Afraid not.
Uh, he's, uh, passed away.
What happened? Car accident.
Killed both Dale and his wife.
Uh, when was this? S-summer of '88? Kid couldn't have been more than a year old.
Well, I guess everybody was too tied up with their own to take you in.
Um you, uh You got put in Foster care.
I'm real sorry, son.
Come on.
Social services confirms that there was indeed an Eric Sullivan in Foster care.
Says he was born in 1987 and put into the system just after his 1st birthday.
We still need to confirm our Eric is this Eric.
Who were his Foster parents? Got a while? I mean, this kid is a prime example of how the system can fail.
He lived in 4 different homes until he aged out at 18.
Why so many? Three times a Foster parent was dismissed from service because of negligence.
I mean, one guy even put cigarettes out on him.
Well, that would explain the scars on his arm.
Were any of the parents Japanese? Eric speaks it.
Names don't reflect that.
I mean, we do have the name and last known address of his most recent Foster parent, however.
Linda Granger.
Good.
I'll pay her a visit.
If she identifies Eric, let me know so I can reopen the assault case.
If you're looking for Linda, I'm afraid you're out of luck.
Too many creditors coming by with their hands out, I guess.
She left about a month ago.
She owe you money, too? Uh, actually, no.
No, we wanted to ask her about a Foster kid that she had taken in.
Oh.
That's Eric Sullivan.
You know him? Used to.
Is he all right? Well, uh no.
He was badly hurt, and he's lost his memory.
We're trying to piece together his life, find out where he came from.
Mondai nai yo.
Nakani modorinasai.
Yotaught Eric Japanese, didn't you? Eric was different than the other boys and girls that came in and out of that house.
Most had a sadness about them, like they had accepted their fate.
But not him.
He was a sponge, wanted to absorb everything he could.
I called him my little kyouju.
"Professor.
" When's the last time that you saw him mm, many years ago.
He had already moved out, but he came by looking for one of his Foster brothers, um Will uh, Reynolds.
Will--that's, uh, the name on the movie theater seat.
Oh, they had a big argument, right outside on the lawn.
Did it get physical? Almost, but Linda broke it up.
I had never seen Eric so angry before.
He said Will was going to pay.
Will didn't have a gold tooth, by any chance? No.
Will was just a little kid.
Sad, too.
He went missing not long after that.
Missing? I never saw either of them again.
Well, thanks for your help.
Thank you.
I'm suddenly not liking that chain of events-- Eric threatens Will, then Will disappears? What, you don't think Eric has something to do with it, do you? He did say, "you can't save me.
" Maybe he's right.
I know we've been at this for a while, but I'm still wired.
I feel like we're so close.
We are.
But, um, unfortunately, our job's just about done.
Well, once the police confirm your I.
D.
, they'll take over and reopen your assault case.
Look, if we could take it to the very end, believe me, we would.
I know you would.
You guys are pretty amazing-- just all the time that you put in to help people you don't even know.
Actually, by the time we finish a case, I do know them.
Hey, look, check out this tip.
This guy said that he rented a room to you, and he still has a box of your stuff.
No way! He even knows my name.
Come on.
Let's go.
Whoa, whoa, wait a second.
Wait, wait, wait.
Maybe we should have Detective Russell handle this.
I can't, Candace.
This could be the key to unlocking everything.
I have to go.
Whoa! Slow down, would ya? We're almost there.
Sorry.
My mind's totally spinning right now.
I just-- What do you think's in that box? Alex, hey.
What's up? You still with Eric? Yeah, we're downtown--got one last tip to follow up on.
All right.
Hold off on that.
I just found out something.
Before his assault, Eric got into a fight with his Foster brother.
Russell looked into the brother--Will Reynolds.
Candace, the kid was reported missing on the same day Eric was assaulted.
Really? So what does that mean? Well, it could mean a lot of things.
But what if Eric had something to do with Will's disappearance and almost got killed for it? Okay.
So what do I do? Just take him back to my place.
I'll meet you there with Russell.
And, Candace, be careful.
All right, I will.
Everything all right? Yeah, everything's fine.
Uh, but Alex needs us back at his place.
But the tip.
I'm sorry.
We're gonna have to come back.
Um, it sounded pretty important.
What did Alex just say? Look at you.
It's like you're suddenly afraid of me.
Afraid? Why would I be afraid? No.
'Cause you just found out something about me! What did I do? What did I do?! Eric, stop it! Wait! Don't go! Candace? Candace, are you here? Candace.
Alex.
Help me.
Okay.
Okay, stay with me.
Stay with me.
Yeah.
I need, uh, an ambulance at 126 Market Street, immediately! Hey, take good care of her.
Alex! Hey.
How is she? She's unconscious.
She just-- she just collapsed.
And the way she looked, I think she was overdosing on something.
Overdosing? I didn't even know she had a drug problem.
Of course she doesn't have a drug problem, Walter.
She was with Eric.
I'd just gotten finished telling her that he could be a possible suspect in the disappearance of his old Foster brother.
Maybe he overheard something.
I don't know.
You think Eric dosed her? I don't believe it.
Me, neither.
But, uh, he's missing in action, and that's not exactly helping his case right now.
Where would he run? He's got no one to turn to, no safe haven.
Wait.
Yes.
Yes, he does.
Where's he going? I don't know, but wherever it is, he's not going alone.
Ooh, "Crime Wave.
" Good movie.
You see Eric? I do.
Now I'm not packin', so watch my back, all right? Okay, okay.
Driver of the getaway car escaped, described as follows-- Steve Lacey, white male I'm with him.
Yeah, you're with the Wanna tell me what happened between you and Candace? I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Did you hurt her? It--it's that look she gave me, like I had done something bad.
Did you? I don't Hey You can tell me.
I've got this horrible feeling inside of me.
You know why? No, and that's the problem.
It's like every time I close my eyes It's like I'm floating with nothing to hold on to.
It's all right.
John Doe.
What did I do?! Eric! All I've wanted is to get my memory back And just return things to the way they used to be.
But what if I don't like who I was? What if I don't want to know? You can't save me.
Why don't you let us try? How's Miss Butler doing? She's stable.
She overdosed on heroin, but she responded quickly to the naloxone, and we've been monitoring her breathing.
I need to get a statement from her.
Is she awake? Yes, you can see her now.
Hey.
Heroin, Candace? I guess white wine wasn't enough.
Well, you know chardonnay is a gateway drug.
I feel like I just ran a marathon in heels.
Well, you chased the dragon, honey.
Maybe that's why.
Can you tell us anything about what happened, Candace? Yeah.
I, um, I was with Eric, and, uh, then Alex called, and I I I'm sorry.
My memory is There's a lot of that going around.
Eric sensed something.
Uh, he got angry, and he ran.
He ran? So when did he dose you with the heroin? What? No.
E-Eric didn't do this.
He didn't? Then--then who did? I don't know.
I-I-I followed him into the alleyway.
I saw him get away.
And then I-I felt this pinch in the back of my neck.
But, uh, what about that guy--Kevin Ratner-- the one who almost attacked me in his apartment? What if it was him? He can't be.
No, I arrested him on possession.
He's in lockup.
Who carries a syringe around filled with heroin? An addict who needs a quick fix on the go? Or someone who wanted to use it as a weapon, someone who wanted you out of the way.
Wait.
That makes sense.
The tip.
We were lured to that address.
They wanted Eric.
I hate leaving a movie before the end credits.
I'll buy you the DVD.
Hey, guys.
Whoa there, shadow dancer.
Excuse me Do you happen to be parked nearby? It's just, uh, my car battery died, and I got no cell phone.
I could really use a jump.
I'm sorry, man, but we really gotta be someplace.
Plus, I left my jumper cables in my other pants.
Take him, Alex! Go! Let's go, let's go! Aah! Stay here.
Don't move, okay? No matter what happens.
You saw him on the news, didn't you? Figuring it was only a matter of time before his memory came back, before he identified you as the man who assaulted him.
Just tell me one thing.
Why'd you do it? Ask Will Reynolds.
I lived with Will for three years, instantly, we became brothers.
My Foster mother kicked me out on my 18th birthday, but I still tried to look out for him.
"You can't save me.
" I heard Will was hanging out with some drug addict and was going to help him rob a liquor store.
I had to stop him.
No one ever put themselves on the line for me, but I just had to put myself on the line for him.
"You can't save me.
" Come on, guys.
Morning.
Morning.
So how you feeling? Okay.
Remembering everything.
Still a lot to process, I guess.
You gave me my name back, and--and A new start.
I'm grateful for that.
But? I don't know.
It's just My brother.
He just He seems like the only person that I really cared about.
And He's gone.
Yeah.
About that Is that Will? How did you find him? I didn't have to.
He found us.
They told me you were missing.
After what happened, I thought you were dead.
I thought I was next.
I-I-I didn't know what to do, so I-I just ran.
Look, I-I know that that night I said that-- that you couldn't save me.
But You did.
Aah! The vast pacific ocean How you doing? Uh, good.
Really good.
Um.
.
Just a little antsy, I guess.
Maybe I should get cable.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
No.
You were nice enough to let me stay here and let me recuperate, and I repay you by snooping.
It's okay.
Is it? I admit that, uh, that TV interview-- it did rattle me, all that talk about my daughter.
It was horrible.
No, no.
It was--it was good.
It was? Well, if I've learned anything in the past few days, it's that memories are a gift.
I've been keeping all my good memories of Lucy locked away in a box instead of telling people what a kind and wonderful person she is.
She's just like her father.
Help me.
Oh.
Best Chinese in Chi-town.
This volunteer work is gonna kill me.
Have you guys ever heard of salads? Well, you know what I always say.
If you're going down, go down in flames.
So we haven't gotten a new Doe from Russell in a while, so I pulled a couple cases off the network-- some doozies, too.
Trying to keep us sharp.
Give us your best shot.
Sorry I'm late.
Had an incident at the bar.
You okay? Much better than the guy who tried to paw me like I was a human life preserver.
So what happened? I elbowed him in the face.
Was such a teaching moment.
Nice.
Come on in! What's with the sudden formality? What'd you do, Tyler, forget your keys again? Oh, sorry.
Uh, you're not Tyler.
What can I do for you? Hello.
I'm looking for A-Alex Donovan.
You found him.
I hear you're the person to see.
I was hoping that you could help me find out the identity of a John Doe.
Sure, yeah.
That's, uh, that's what we do.
Who is it? Me.
Five years ago, I was beaten pretty bad.
Had nothing but the--the clothes on my back.
I was in a coma for four years and then went through months of rehab, physical therapy.
I just got released this morning.
Doctors say I have retrograde amnesia.
What kind is that? I can't remember anything from before the assault.
So you don't even know your name? I didn't even recognize my own face.
I would look at my own reflection a hundred times a day.
I never knew the person staring back at me.
I'm, like, trapped in the body of a stranger.
Whoa.
That's heavy.
Everyone's been calling me "John" since I woke up, which is fine, but without my real name, I-I don't exist.
We're, uh, we're happy to help.
We just never had a Doe who talks.
Well, we should first start with your clothes and then see if you have any identifying marks-- tattoos, scars.
Do you mind if we grab some photos? Whatever it takes.
Judging from his file, your John Doe is lucky to be alive.
Five years ago, his body was discovered in the parking lot of a liquor store near downtown.
When the responding medics arrived, they almost pronounced him D.
O.
A.
If you don't mind, sorry.
He suffered cranial trauma, broken ribs, a fractured leg, split kneecap and multiple lacerations.
Any witnesses? No, but the store owner did say he saw the Doe arguing with someone in the parking lot that same evening--Caucasian male with a gold tooth.
But the lead went nowhere.
Well, we know one thing for certain-- John definitely was put through the wringer.
Oh, my.
Maybe one more.
So what's been done so far to identify him? Everything possible.
His prints were sent to every known database-- Chicago P.
D.
, Military, FBI, even Witness Protection.
Nothing.
His D.
N.
A.
wasn't in the system.
His photo was also compared to all licensed drivers in the state using facial-recognition software, and again, nothing.
Did the hospital try and help, maybe by trying to determine his medical history? In fact, they did.
They looked for any possible diseases or allergies that could've had a corresponding medication.
So they could possibly get his information from the local pharmacy.
Right.
He's perfectly healthy.
Well, other than the whole "he has no idea who he is" thing.
No prior surgeries.
Meaning no possible implants with serial numbers.
A psychologist was even brought in to try and help him remember.
Really? Not one memory surfaced? Good luck.
Hmm.
Gentlemen.
Where's Maxine? She drove separately.
Said she had to make a stop on the way.
Well, I thought it would be helpful to take a look at the liquor store where the assault happened.
So this is the place? Visual cues can be helpful in triggering memories.
Maybe something will come to you.
So how'd the photo shoot go? Not great.
Unfortunately, there's nothing too out of the ordinary about him.
He had no tattoos.
Not even some lasered-off shame tattoos.
He did have some scarring on his forearms, though, possibly from cigarette burns.
He also had hard calluses on his fingertips, which means he probably played a stringed instrument of some sort.
Yeah, like a ukulele.
Or a guitar.
I got 'em myself.
So that's what those are from.
It's not much, but it does give us something to work with.
Well, you'd think a living Doe would be easier than a dead one.
Anything come to you? Sorry, nothing.
Nothing at all.
Hey, guys.
I just paid a little visit to a former client-- a local news anchor.
Guess what? He's agreed to interview John.
Me, on TV? Yes.
He's even arranging to have a hotline set up with a $5,000 reward for anyone with information.
That's great.
Nice job, Maxine.
Just, uh, one catch.
If we're gonna make the 6:00 broadcast, we have to leave now.
We'll, uh, we'll meet you there.
I'll take John with me.
Great.
Hey, you know, this is gonna be really good.
It's the best way to get your face out there to the public.
You okay? What's wrong? I don't know.
I Just how could it be possible? How could what be possible? That all these years, no one's ever come looking for me.
I must not have been loved by anyone.
Come on, John.
Don't start thinking that way.
Somebody's out there, and we're gonna find 'em.
Hey, John! Where are you going? John! John, what are you doing? You all right? I understand.
It's all past.
Where are you going? Get back in the car! What are you doing? Get in the car! John! Hey! Excuse me, sir! Excuse me! Hey! Excuse me.
Excuse me.
I'm so sorry about this.
He just ran in without paying.
You just ran in without paying.
We're sorry, but he's been the victim of a crime.
He's lost his memory.
Yeah, right.
That's the oldest one in the book.
No, seriously.
There must be something about this place he must recognize.
Have you ever seen him here before? Wait.
You know, I have.
The faces of all of our customers have been forever etched in my brain because that's how much I care.
They call it earning a living.
You may have heard of it somewhere.
I may have.
And I told you once It's all right.
I understand.
And it's all past.
And it's all past.
This seat.
I used to sit in this seat.
I used to sit in this seat! "Will.
" Did you write that? Nice view.
Am I here to admire it? Is that your name? I need your help.
Like old times.
You can't save me.
Save you? What do you mean? You can't save me.
There you are.
Hey.
Uh, where the heck were you? Long story.
We, uh, still good? I hope so.
Here they are, Dan.
This is Alex Donovan.
Thanks so much for doing this.
My pleasure.
And this must be John.
Everyone's been calling me John.
I have to say your story is incredible.
My producer has already contacted some other major market affiliates who have agreed to run the piece.
So this is going out nationally? Absolutely.
John, I know this is intimidating, but the more people who get to see you, the more leads it could generate.
I'll make it as painless as possible, I promise.
Now if I could just get you two into makeup Both of us? No, no, no.
This--this is John's story.
Oh.
I guess I was under the assumption that Okay, fine.
Great.
We're on in ten.
"My P.
O.
V.
," with your host--Dan Freeman Welcome back.
We continue now with the riveting story of one man's quest to find himself.
Beaten and left for dead in the parking lot of a local liquor store, he spent four years in a coma, only to wake up with no memory of his own name or face.
Our guest in the studio this evening-- the country's only living John Doe.
John Doe.
John Doe.
Beaten and left for dead.
John Doe.
The country's only living Um Thank you.
Thank you for having me.
And with him is Alex Donovan, former Chicago P.
D.
Police officer who now volunteers for The Forgotten Network-- a nationwide organization devoted to giving John and Jane Does back their identities.
How do you approach an investigation like this, Mr.
Donovan? Uh, well, obviously, this is a unique situation for us, but if we can determine his name, that'll be a big step in helping to rebuild his life prior to the assault.
Do you have any leads? Not many, but, um, we're hoping that the viewers will be able to help.
And we will have the contact information in a moment.
So, Alex, what made you decide to give up a career in the police department to become a volunteer? Well, by, uh Helping unidentified victims get back their names, we can give 'em a proper burial and, uh, give the families closure.
Your own daughter Lucy Donovan was kidnapped three years ago, and she has yet to be found.
Did that incident perhaps motivate you to help others who may have been looking for the closure you yourself haven't been able to obtain? I'm sorry, John.
J--Alex.
We're out.
Um Alex, would you just stop for a second and talk to me? Listen, I'm so sorry.
Forget about it, Maxine.
No, I can't.
Listen, if I had any idea-- Look, if anybody should apologize, it should be me.
I'm the one who jeopardized John Doe's chances.
Hey, guys, guess what? The tip line is on fire.
The station is forwarding all the tips to us, and over 40 people.
have responded.
Really kicked over a beehive full of crazies, too.
Yeah, uh, get this-- one woman thinks John is her reincarnated Jack Russell terrier.
I have had some memories where I catch a Frisbee in my mouth.
Another guy says he served with John in the cold war.
Any tips worth following up on? Uh, well, one guy says that he was John's fraternity brother.
I went to college? I feel smarter already.
Well, I see your tip, and I raise you.
I got a person here Says they know John, who works at a guitar store.
John has those calluses on his fingertips.
Exactly.
And here's the icing-- this shirt that we found on John when he was assaulted-- at first, it seemed like any shirt you find at a department store, right? But then I saw these-- Small holes in the fabric.
Where a nametag might've been pinned.
Uh, correct that-- was pinned.
Because I just looked up the store's Web site, and the employees wear the same shirt as a uniform.
Can I be as smart as you for just one day? All right, so good.
Um, Walter, Candace, you follow up on the tips first thing.
We'll, uh, we'll go from there.
John, do you have a place to stay? Yeah, thanks.
Uh, one of the nurses is letting me use her guest room until I get back on my feet.
Good.
Great job, everyone.
Uh, we got someplace to start from.
But, look, it's, uh, kind of getting late Alex? You want to talk about it? I'll see you tomorrow.
Good morning.
Can I help you? Yeah, uh, we're looking for, um Eric? My name's Eric? Mm, sorry.
Personal space.
No, it's okay.
Wait.
His name's not Will or William? I'm sure.
It's Eric-- just like Clapton.
I couldn't believe it when I saw you on the news.
I thought you had disappeared.
Did John, I mean, Eric-- did Eric work here? Work here? No, he was a customer.
Um, your uniform-- he was wearing the same type of shirt on the day he was assaulted.
Yeah, that.
Well What is it? He used to come into the store a lot, you know, test out the guitars.
He never bought anything, but he played so beautifully, I didn't mind.
I noticed that he seemed to wear the same thing a lot, so I gave him one of the shirts from the back.
Was he homeless? I didn't think so, but to be honest, even though we talked tons about all kinds of stuff, whenever his personal life came up, he always changed the subject.
You didn't happen to get Eric's last name, did you? Sorry.
He never mentioned it.
Go ahead.
Hi.
Uh, is Kevin Ratner here? He called in a tip about a John Doe.
Yeah, yeah, great.
That's me.
I did.
Oh, come in.
So, uh You two were fraternity brothers? Uh, totally, yeah.
U of C.
Haven't seen him in forever.
When I saw him on the TV, I was like, "what show is this?" But then, you know, when he was saying about what was happening and stuff, I was all, "well, I should tell them.
" Oh, his name's, uh, Allen.
Allen MacDonald.
Really? Uh, 'cause a colleague of mine just found out that his name was Eric.
Oh, sorry.
Did I say "Allen"? No, I meant "Eric.
" Eric MacDonald.
Which fraternity did you pledge again? Uh Alpha qaeda gamma.
Right.
Great.
Uh, well, thanks so much for the information.
What are you doing?! You're not going anywhere.
Look, I told you I know him.
What more do you want? Right.
.
Look, when we follow up on the tip, we'll get back to you.
I really need that reward money! Look, listen to me.
I know those are the drugs talking, okay? But if you don't back the hell away from me right now, I'm gonna reach into my purse, pull out my gun and shoot you.
Do you understand me? Russell.
Hey, it's Candace.
Feel like busting a guy on possession? Why are we here? It's a surprise, but I think you're gonna like it.
Hey.
Are you Darryl Diaz? I'm Alex.
Yes.
And this is Eric? Nice meeting you.
Mr.
Donovan explained your predicament.
Follow me.
Gen--genetic tree? Yea I took a shot in the dark and had Detective Russell send your D.
N.
A.
profile here.
They use D.
N.
A.
to trace genealogy.
People mail in a sample, pay for it, and then the company looks for familial matches in the database.
Where is he? A-a worldwide database, actually.
We currently have over 8 million samples at our disposal with our hlogroups building at a phenomenal pace.
I-I ran a paternal lineage test using the y-46 marker test to determine your haplotype, hoping to find your M.
R.
C.
A.
Right.
Sorry.
Um, I compared your D.
N.
A.
with others in our system to see if you had any matches on your father's side of the family, and I found one.
His name is Arlen Sullivan.
Address listed as public.
Carbon Hill.
That's close.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, thank you.
I can't believe this! I-I--yesterday, I literally had nothing, and today I have a name and a family.
Morning, officer.
Lights turn red for a reason.
Do I have to tell you how many pedestrians get killed in these intersections? No need.
Uh, I'm an ex-cop.
I guess I should probably know better.
Retired.
Alex Donovan.
All right.
Take care.
Come on.
Sumimasen.
Gomenasai.
What did you just say? Yoi ichinichi o.
What--what did I just say? You just spoke Japanese.
So he just started speaking Japanese? What did the cop say? Nothing.
He's Korean.
So what could this mean? Who knows? I read a story once about a woman who woke up from a coma, started talking with a German accent for no reason at all.
The brain is an endless puzzle.
Especially yours.
Let's think about this.
I mean, maybe Eric majored in Japanese in college, or lived in the country.
Or dated a Japanese girl.
He could've just been really into "Godzilla" flicks.
I got three letters for you-- c-I-a.
The guy's already mastered a foreign tongue, they always deprogram those guys after they get a burn notice, and what about the scars on his arms? Yeah.
Torture, junta, man with the football.
You still want to be as smart as him? Not everyone is a spy, Walter.
Not everyone isn't.
Well, we'll know something pretty soon.
The guys are about to meet Eric's family member.
Mr.
Sullivan? Yeah.
What do you want? My name's Alex Donovan.
I-I got your address from genetic tree.
I wanted to talk to you about a relative of yours.
So that thing really does work.
My fishin' buddy said he q-tipped his cheek, suddenly, he's a Choctaw Indian.
Supposed to get some big casino settlement.
Well, I, uh, I didn't bring any settlement, unfortunately, but maybe something better.
Who's that? Uh, we were hoping that you would recognize him.
That's Eric.
You're related.
Really? Never seen him before.
But that doesn't mean anything.
How so? Uh, Ssullivans breed like crazy.
Can't throw a rock without hitting one of 'em.
Why are you here? Well, I'm hoping to find my family.
Well uh, wait up.
Hold on a minute.
Yeah.
Yeah, I gotta say, you--you do kind of look like, uh, my Uncle Dale.
And, uh, he did have a son.
Can we meet him? Afraid not.
Uh, he's, uh, passed away.
What happened? Car accident.
Killed both Dale and his wife.
Uh, when was this? S-summer of '88? Kid couldn't have been more than a year old.
Well, I guess everybody was too tied up with their own to take you in.
Um you, uh You got put in Foster care.
I'm real sorry, son.
Come on.
Social services confirms that there was indeed an Eric Sullivan in Foster care.
Says he was born in 1987 and put into the system just after his 1st birthday.
We still need to confirm our Eric is this Eric.
Who were his Foster parents? Got a while? I mean, this kid is a prime example of how the system can fail.
He lived in 4 different homes until he aged out at 18.
Why so many? Three times a Foster parent was dismissed from service because of negligence.
I mean, one guy even put cigarettes out on him.
Well, that would explain the scars on his arm.
Were any of the parents Japanese? Eric speaks it.
Names don't reflect that.
I mean, we do have the name and last known address of his most recent Foster parent, however.
Linda Granger.
Good.
I'll pay her a visit.
If she identifies Eric, let me know so I can reopen the assault case.
If you're looking for Linda, I'm afraid you're out of luck.
Too many creditors coming by with their hands out, I guess.
She left about a month ago.
She owe you money, too? Uh, actually, no.
No, we wanted to ask her about a Foster kid that she had taken in.
Oh.
That's Eric Sullivan.
You know him? Used to.
Is he all right? Well, uh no.
He was badly hurt, and he's lost his memory.
We're trying to piece together his life, find out where he came from.
Mondai nai yo.
Nakani modorinasai.
Yotaught Eric Japanese, didn't you? Eric was different than the other boys and girls that came in and out of that house.
Most had a sadness about them, like they had accepted their fate.
But not him.
He was a sponge, wanted to absorb everything he could.
I called him my little kyouju.
"Professor.
" When's the last time that you saw him mm, many years ago.
He had already moved out, but he came by looking for one of his Foster brothers, um Will uh, Reynolds.
Will--that's, uh, the name on the movie theater seat.
Oh, they had a big argument, right outside on the lawn.
Did it get physical? Almost, but Linda broke it up.
I had never seen Eric so angry before.
He said Will was going to pay.
Will didn't have a gold tooth, by any chance? No.
Will was just a little kid.
Sad, too.
He went missing not long after that.
Missing? I never saw either of them again.
Well, thanks for your help.
Thank you.
I'm suddenly not liking that chain of events-- Eric threatens Will, then Will disappears? What, you don't think Eric has something to do with it, do you? He did say, "you can't save me.
" Maybe he's right.
I know we've been at this for a while, but I'm still wired.
I feel like we're so close.
We are.
But, um, unfortunately, our job's just about done.
Well, once the police confirm your I.
D.
, they'll take over and reopen your assault case.
Look, if we could take it to the very end, believe me, we would.
I know you would.
You guys are pretty amazing-- just all the time that you put in to help people you don't even know.
Actually, by the time we finish a case, I do know them.
Hey, look, check out this tip.
This guy said that he rented a room to you, and he still has a box of your stuff.
No way! He even knows my name.
Come on.
Let's go.
Whoa, whoa, wait a second.
Wait, wait, wait.
Maybe we should have Detective Russell handle this.
I can't, Candace.
This could be the key to unlocking everything.
I have to go.
Whoa! Slow down, would ya? We're almost there.
Sorry.
My mind's totally spinning right now.
I just-- What do you think's in that box? Alex, hey.
What's up? You still with Eric? Yeah, we're downtown--got one last tip to follow up on.
All right.
Hold off on that.
I just found out something.
Before his assault, Eric got into a fight with his Foster brother.
Russell looked into the brother--Will Reynolds.
Candace, the kid was reported missing on the same day Eric was assaulted.
Really? So what does that mean? Well, it could mean a lot of things.
But what if Eric had something to do with Will's disappearance and almost got killed for it? Okay.
So what do I do? Just take him back to my place.
I'll meet you there with Russell.
And, Candace, be careful.
All right, I will.
Everything all right? Yeah, everything's fine.
Uh, but Alex needs us back at his place.
But the tip.
I'm sorry.
We're gonna have to come back.
Um, it sounded pretty important.
What did Alex just say? Look at you.
It's like you're suddenly afraid of me.
Afraid? Why would I be afraid? No.
'Cause you just found out something about me! What did I do? What did I do?! Eric, stop it! Wait! Don't go! Candace? Candace, are you here? Candace.
Alex.
Help me.
Okay.
Okay, stay with me.
Stay with me.
Yeah.
I need, uh, an ambulance at 126 Market Street, immediately! Hey, take good care of her.
Alex! Hey.
How is she? She's unconscious.
She just-- she just collapsed.
And the way she looked, I think she was overdosing on something.
Overdosing? I didn't even know she had a drug problem.
Of course she doesn't have a drug problem, Walter.
She was with Eric.
I'd just gotten finished telling her that he could be a possible suspect in the disappearance of his old Foster brother.
Maybe he overheard something.
I don't know.
You think Eric dosed her? I don't believe it.
Me, neither.
But, uh, he's missing in action, and that's not exactly helping his case right now.
Where would he run? He's got no one to turn to, no safe haven.
Wait.
Yes.
Yes, he does.
Where's he going? I don't know, but wherever it is, he's not going alone.
Ooh, "Crime Wave.
" Good movie.
You see Eric? I do.
Now I'm not packin', so watch my back, all right? Okay, okay.
Driver of the getaway car escaped, described as follows-- Steve Lacey, white male I'm with him.
Yeah, you're with the Wanna tell me what happened between you and Candace? I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Did you hurt her? It--it's that look she gave me, like I had done something bad.
Did you? I don't Hey You can tell me.
I've got this horrible feeling inside of me.
You know why? No, and that's the problem.
It's like every time I close my eyes It's like I'm floating with nothing to hold on to.
It's all right.
John Doe.
What did I do?! Eric! All I've wanted is to get my memory back And just return things to the way they used to be.
But what if I don't like who I was? What if I don't want to know? You can't save me.
Why don't you let us try? How's Miss Butler doing? She's stable.
She overdosed on heroin, but she responded quickly to the naloxone, and we've been monitoring her breathing.
I need to get a statement from her.
Is she awake? Yes, you can see her now.
Hey.
Heroin, Candace? I guess white wine wasn't enough.
Well, you know chardonnay is a gateway drug.
I feel like I just ran a marathon in heels.
Well, you chased the dragon, honey.
Maybe that's why.
Can you tell us anything about what happened, Candace? Yeah.
I, um, I was with Eric, and, uh, then Alex called, and I I I'm sorry.
My memory is There's a lot of that going around.
Eric sensed something.
Uh, he got angry, and he ran.
He ran? So when did he dose you with the heroin? What? No.
E-Eric didn't do this.
He didn't? Then--then who did? I don't know.
I-I-I followed him into the alleyway.
I saw him get away.
And then I-I felt this pinch in the back of my neck.
But, uh, what about that guy--Kevin Ratner-- the one who almost attacked me in his apartment? What if it was him? He can't be.
No, I arrested him on possession.
He's in lockup.
Who carries a syringe around filled with heroin? An addict who needs a quick fix on the go? Or someone who wanted to use it as a weapon, someone who wanted you out of the way.
Wait.
That makes sense.
The tip.
We were lured to that address.
They wanted Eric.
I hate leaving a movie before the end credits.
I'll buy you the DVD.
Hey, guys.
Whoa there, shadow dancer.
Excuse me Do you happen to be parked nearby? It's just, uh, my car battery died, and I got no cell phone.
I could really use a jump.
I'm sorry, man, but we really gotta be someplace.
Plus, I left my jumper cables in my other pants.
Take him, Alex! Go! Let's go, let's go! Aah! Stay here.
Don't move, okay? No matter what happens.
You saw him on the news, didn't you? Figuring it was only a matter of time before his memory came back, before he identified you as the man who assaulted him.
Just tell me one thing.
Why'd you do it? Ask Will Reynolds.
I lived with Will for three years, instantly, we became brothers.
My Foster mother kicked me out on my 18th birthday, but I still tried to look out for him.
"You can't save me.
" I heard Will was hanging out with some drug addict and was going to help him rob a liquor store.
I had to stop him.
No one ever put themselves on the line for me, but I just had to put myself on the line for him.
"You can't save me.
" Come on, guys.
Morning.
Morning.
So how you feeling? Okay.
Remembering everything.
Still a lot to process, I guess.
You gave me my name back, and--and A new start.
I'm grateful for that.
But? I don't know.
It's just My brother.
He just He seems like the only person that I really cared about.
And He's gone.
Yeah.
About that Is that Will? How did you find him? I didn't have to.
He found us.
They told me you were missing.
After what happened, I thought you were dead.
I thought I was next.
I-I-I didn't know what to do, so I-I just ran.
Look, I-I know that that night I said that-- that you couldn't save me.
But You did.
Aah! The vast pacific ocean How you doing? Uh, good.
Really good.
Um.
.
Just a little antsy, I guess.
Maybe I should get cable.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
No.
You were nice enough to let me stay here and let me recuperate, and I repay you by snooping.
It's okay.
Is it? I admit that, uh, that TV interview-- it did rattle me, all that talk about my daughter.
It was horrible.
No, no.
It was--it was good.
It was? Well, if I've learned anything in the past few days, it's that memories are a gift.
I've been keeping all my good memories of Lucy locked away in a box instead of telling people what a kind and wonderful person she is.
She's just like her father.