Third Watch s02e15 Episode Script
Requiem for a Bantamweight
NARRATOR: Previously on Third Watch: What have you learned about me? Enough to know that you like to have fun.
You could tell that from Watching me eat eggs? - No.
- That I learned from you last night.
We don't really do anything out there.
We get there, scoop them up, take them to the hospital Where all the real work gets done.
We're middlemen.
We don't affect a damn thing.
BOBBY [IN VOICEOVER.]
: I guess my pop figured it'd toughen us up.
It certainly toughened my brother Matty up.
By the time he was 14, he was taking on beat cops two at a time.
Got in some good shots too.
Me, I didn't take to it.
Never been big on hitting other people.
I guess in some circles that makes me suspect.
But my friend Paulie he loved it.
Paulie lived on the third floor.
We were on four.
Our moms were tight.
I might have felt uncomfortable hitting him, but he had no compunction about beating the ever-living snot out of me.
See, Paulie was good, really good.
I wasn't so much a sparring partner as a human body bag.
Think this would have made me hate the guy.
But it was just the opposite.
I loved him.
He was simply the best friend I ever had.
We were inseparable.
It's hard to describe exactly why.
We just fit somehow.
Liked the same teams, watched the same TV shows.
I shared my homework with him.
And he shared the Penthouses he stole from his pop's dresser with me.
He even shared his sister with me.
I guess that sounds bad, but his little sister Gina was the first girl I ever made love to.
She was two years younger than us so I never paid much attention to her.
But in ninth grade she suddenly grew up and out.
Plaid skirts and white blouses still make my knees go weak.
Thought Paulie would, ve been pissed about me and his sister, but he was cool.
I guess it's because he could tell I cared about her, and I did.
We were together five years.
She ended up marrying this guy from Queens, Danny.
He's a plumbing contractor now.
They got three kid.
She broke my heart.
After Paulie cleaned up in Golden Gloves, he tried to turn pro.
But his ambitions ran into a lethal Puerto Rican bantamweight.
Paulie hung in there six rounds.
But after the third knockdown the ref mercifully stopped the fight and left Paulie a few brain cells to figure out a better way to make a living.
The only thing is he never did.
He sat on the stoop or hung out down at the corner.
It was like he didn't have other ideas about what to do.
And I guess that's probably because he did,t.
We drifted apart after that.
I was in college.
Gina and I broke up.
Last I heard he was working on and off at his pop's dry cleaners.
I still don't like to hit people.
But the workout stuck.
I jump some rope, work the bag.
People ask me to spar I tell them I'm recovering from my 9th concussion and a punch could kill me.
It usually does the trick.
As for Paulie, we lost touch.
Couple of missed birthdays, a phone call you forget to return.
Before you know it, can't remember the last time you saw an old friend, you know? I'd let Paulie slip out of my life.
But that was about to change.
BOBBY: Mommy? [SPEAKS IN SPANISH.]
THERESA: What? You should get another phone line so you can be online and use the phone at the same time.
The computer messes up my phone? [SIGHS.]
Mom you need to have another line so you can be on the Internet.
If you only have one phone gonna be busy When you're on the computer.
I just want to e-mail my sister.
All right, I'll call them myself, try to get them down here to do it.
I don't know why Rosa can't just pick up the phone.
Because it's cheaper.
You're always complaining about the bill.
And the computer, that's cheap? I'll take care of that stuff later.
I gotta go to work.
I'll come by tomorrow, get you registered and logged on, okay? Logged on? [SPEAKS IN SPANISH.]
- It's too complicated.
- It's gonna be fine, shorty.
Next, if we get through this, We'll get you an ATM card.
Oh-- I almost forgot.
Gina was by looking for you.
Gina Fuente? She was downstairs at her mother's.
She say what she wanted? She say she wanted to talk to you.
Why you smiling like that? Her marriage is fine.
I asked Connie.
Thinking how long it's been since I saw her.
I know what you been thinking, how long it's been since.
You leave her alone, you hear? She's got three kids and a good husband.
She's got a husband, Mom.
I'm not so sure about the good part.
Don't worry.
She's safe.
You wanna go out on Sunday? What? On Sunday, you wanna go to dinner, catch a movie? I have to work Sunday.
Hand me that.
I thought you worked Friday and Saturday.
Yeah, I do.
That'll make seven nights this Week that you work? Well, I have to make money.
We haven't been out in weeks.
What? I can't hear what you say When I'm in here.
I said that you have to work so much that I don't get to see enough of you.
Well, I have to pay the bills.
How would it be if I helped you with the bills? [TATIANA SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN.]
TATIANA: Stop talking to me When I'm in the shower.
- Can't hear what you say.
- Okay.
Okay.
Okay, I'm sorry.
[CHUCKLES.]
[CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
[HUMMING.]
[DOOR UNLOCKING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Ahh.
[IN RUSSIAN ACCENT.]
What's up? TATIANA: John, I'm sorry.
But you just keep talking and talking and I can't hear what you say.
I gotta get some sleep.
So you met Sergi? Yeah.
You know, I should have said something.
But I was thinking that you wouldn't want me.
What? If I had known that you Were seeing someone else? Yeah, I think that would have dampened my enthusiasm a little bit.
But I'm not seeing Sergi.
He's got keys.
Yeah, but he's not my lover, he's my son.
KIM: So she ditched you for a plumber? Sort of.
- Meaning what? - We weren't ready to get married.
So we decided it would be best to start seeing other people.
That her idea or yours? [KIM CHUCKLES.]
So you wanted to fool around.
Gave her that, "maybe we should start seeing other people" lie.
Figured you'd sleep with other girls While she waited for you.
But then, surprise, she meets another guy, falls in love, and lives happily ever after.
- It wasn't like that.
- Yeah, serves you right.
- We weren't ready to get married.
- Apparently she was, but you weren't.
Just drive.
So he kissed her on the mouth? I think they do that more in Eastern Europe.
I think they do that more in Greek dramas.
It was a friendly thing, Davis.
You didn't know about her having a son? - No.
- Well, that is suspicious, isn't it? Isn't it? Not telling you that she had a son? How old is he? I don't know, 18, maybe.
I thought you said she was in her 20s.
Okay, maybe she's 30.
Okay, 30.
So she was, what, The kid could be younger.
He could be the boyfriend pretending to be the son - While they plot to murder you.
- Watching Court TV again? She plies you with sex, you marry her .
.
then Boris fakes a mugging and beats you to death with a baseball bat.
- You just watch.
- First of all, his name is Sergi.
I don't think they'd pull that scheme on a cop.
You know once you get married she gets everything.
Oh, yeah, my fortune.
You didn't notice a guy living in the apartment? He doesn't live there.
He lives in Queens with her cousin.
- Better schools.
- I got a bad feeling about this.
Nobody asked you how you feel.
This woman is gonna ask you to marry her.
As soon as you sign that beneficiary form, it is sayonara, Sullivan.
Mark my words.
I didn't mind helping him out at first, but it's been three weeks.
He can't keep living on my sofa forever.
- Who? - Who? Ha-ha.
Have you been listening to a word I've been saying? - Yeah.
Here and there.
- Jimmy.
He's still on your sofa? Yeah.
He has got to figure out - What's going on with Brooke.
- Oh.
I thought they split up.
Well, they just decided if he came around again she was gonna shoot him.
I think he was hoping she would calm down, forgive him.
- Ah.
Coffee.
- I just got the last cup.
Whoa.
Did you start a fresh pot? - Beans are on the shelf.
- Why do you do that? - I always make the coffee.
- Unfortunately.
Ha-ha.
Where's the company? Got a call on the river.
It's gonna be cold out there by the water tonight.
Hey, you got a visitor.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Told her I didn't know when you'd be back.
She wanted to wait.
Okay, thanks.
Hey, tell Jimmy he's gotta get his own place.
KIM: Yeah, I know.
I should.
CARLOS: He's still staying at your place? [KIM SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
BOBBY: Can I help you? Hi, Gina.
Hi, Bobby.
Am I gonna get you in trouble coming by your work? No.
No.
It's pretty casual around here.
I gotta go if we get a call.
This is nice.
It's comfortable.
- Yeah, thanks.
- Mm-hm.
- So, what's going on? - Here, Bobby.
Here's your coffee.
It's instant.
[SNIFFS.]
Kim Zambrano, Gina Fuentes.
Gina Boward.
I've been married eight years.
- Kim's my partner.
- It's nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
- Oh, yeah? - Oh, yeah.
- Thank you.
- Sure.
Well, it was nice to put the face to the name.
So sorry.
She thinks she's my mother.
You two.
? Mm.
No.
Never? Uh.
So, what's up? It's Paulie.
Bobby, I think he's really in trouble.
[SIGHS.]
KIM: How long's it been since you last saw him? I don't know.
A few years.
A long time.
Why come to you? We used to be tight.
He have a problem When you guys were growing up? Liked to party.
So what? We all did.
Nice neighborhood.
If it's all the same to you, I'm gonna stay with the bus.
- Lock the doors.
- Yeah, you know it.
BOBBY: What happened to his place on 87th? He got evicted.
Gina.
You don't have to go in.
Stay out here if you want.
No.
I'm coming up.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
GINA: Elevator doesn't work.
BOBBY: what floor? - Five.
[KNOCKING.]
Paulie? [KNOCKING.]
- Paulie, it's Gina.
- You sure he's here? No.
But I've got the keys.
Paulie? BOBBY: It's freezing in here.
Paulie? GINA: Paulie? - Paulie? - Paul.
? Paulie? Oh, my God.
Paulie? Paulie? Bobby, do something.
Oh, my God.
Is he alive? Is he breathing? Kim, fifth floor, rear right.
I'm gonna need some help.
KIM [OVER RADIO.]
: On my way.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
How's he doing? I don't think he's too happy about the Narcan blowing his high.
He's lucky to be alive.
His sister is still in the lounge.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hm.
He's conscious.
So he's gonna be okay? Gina, how long's he been this bad? Last couple of years.
- You try to get him into a program? - He was in rehab last March.
He was going to meetings, got a job.
I never heard nothing about it from my mother.
I don't think my mom's told anybody.
You know how she is.
He just can't seem to beat it.
It's not easy.
What's wrong? I gotta get home.
Will they admit him to the hospital? Doubt it.
Probably just observe him in the ER.
- How long Will that take? - A few hours.
Gonna take him to your place? Get him back into rehab? David doesn't want him around the kids.
He's gonna be pissed as hell When he finds out about this.
David's not wrong.
There's a lot of history you don't know about, Bobby.
I'll talk to the doctor.
See if I can get him admitted for detox.
Okay? [ALARM BLARING.]
- I hate bogus alarm calls.
- Oh, God, it's cold.
Nobody's gonna steal anything in weather like this.
Eskimo cold, man.
Big-fur-hats-and-penguins cold.
How long they been over here? - Who? - Tatiana and her son.
I told you, I don't wanna talk about that.
They been here awhile? - Yeah, I guess.
- They U.
S.
citizens? - I don't know.
- You don't know? - That's right.
- What do you mean you don't know? - I mean I don't know.
- Then she could be illegal, then? - She has a job.
- Lots of illegals have jobs.
They come over to the country on a tourist visa, get paid under the table.
- She lied about having a kid.
- She didn't lie.
It just never came up.
That's a lie of omission.
That's even worse.
Excuse me, ma'am.
If you're saying that she's using me in order to stay in this country - get ready to walk back to the house.
- I'll come by, bang on the door.
I'll yell, "lmmigration.
" If she doesn't jump, you're cool.
All right, that's it.
You're walking.
I'm Walking? I got the keys.
- Then hurry up.
- I got the keys.
You're a big-ass baby.
You know that? Hey, doc.
How's he doing? - He's leaving.
- What? Yeah.
He's signed out AMA.
Listen.
The family needs some time to get him into a program.
Hoping you could keep him overnight.
- Medicine will never admit him.
- Buff him up down here.
- All night? - Hydrate him, give him some multi-vits.
And give the family a chance to get him into a program.
- It's a friend of yours? - We grew up together.
Better let him know he's not gonna live too long if he keeps this up.
All right, I'm on till 8.
I'll find a spot to park him until then.
But he's out the door when I am.
[PAULIE COUGHS.]
How are you feeling? Crappy I bet, huh? [SIGHS.]
Bobby.
And if you feel half as bad as you look, you ought to lay down.
I've been better.
[SNIFFS.]
Gina call you? Yeah.
Baby sister all up in my business again? Lucky she was.
You'd be dead.
Paulie Why don't you stay here tonight? You'll get a hot meal, Warm place to sleep.
I'm not hungry.
Why don't you let them get some fluids in you? I don't like hospitals.
You cooking heroin now? - Where's my coat? - You don't have a coat, Paulie.
We had to wrap you in blankets to get you here.
You got a sweater or something I could borrow to get home? I can give you a blanket.
PAULIE: All right.
- You need to be in rehab.
- I'm fine.
Shooting smack in an apartment roaches wouldn't live in.
The roaches like it just fine.
- They wouldn't let him stay? - Doesn't wanna stay.
Paulie, what are you doing? - Get off me.
- Paulie, please.
- Get out of the way.
- Please.
- Will you get out of the way? - Please, stay just one more night.
Get away from the door.
GINA: Paulie.
Gina.
GINA: Paulie, hold up.
Paulie, please wait.
Paulie, come on.
Let me help you.
Hey, you got any money? What are you gonna do? Walk home? KIM: Bobby, let him go.
BOBBY: No.
Paulie, come on.
I'll drive you.
Come on.
Come on, Paulie.
It's, like, 10 degrees out here.
Don't be an idiot.
Gina.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO.]
TATIANA: Sergi, turn that music down.
[INSISTENT BUZZING OF DOORBELL.]
- It's 4 in the morning.
PAULIE [OVER INTERCOM.]
: Bobby.
Who the hell is it? It's Paulie.
I'm sick.
[GRUNTS.]
[BUZZER SOUNDS.]
[PANTING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[THUD.]
Damn it.
Damn it, Paulie.
Damn.
I'm sick.
- What happened to your blanket? - I lost it.
Come on.
[GRUNTING.]
- I don't feel so good.
- Let me see your fingers.
You're suffering from hypothermia.
I don't think that's it.
Could be frostbite.
[PAULIE GROANING.]
BOBBY: Cramps? It's the withdrawal.
I'll make some coffee.
Something hot might help.
Oh, man.
What are you doing? Huh? - What are you doing? - Oh! - Bobby, please, I need one.
- No.
I need something.
You're a paramedic, man.
I'm sick.
You don't know how this feels, man.
I wanna get out.
I just need one to take the edge off.
Please? I don't wanna be like this.
I tried to kick methadone.
You just can't kick it clean, man.
You gotta get in a program.
- I know.
I know.
I promise.
I promise.
- Listen to me.
Look.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow we get into a program.
That's the deal.
Yeah.
- Yeah, what? - Yeah, I promise.
Oh, Jesus Christ.
- Just one? - That's the deal.
PAULIE: Mm.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Hi.
Hi.
So you didn't come over last night.
It was a tough day.
Yeah, that's about my son? No.
Yeah.
You know, I should have said something.
I'm sorry.
Okay.
Okay.
SULLY: Tatiana? That's a pretty big thing, you know, to not tell me.
- Yeah, I know.
- And it makes me afraid of what else there might be that you haven't told me.
Like what? Like, are you here legally? [SIGHS.]
I came to this country on a tourist visa three years ago.
So you're not legal? No, I'm not.
[SCOFFS THEN MUTTERS.]
John do you like me? Yeah.
I like you a lot.
I like you too.
Tatiana? [CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
[CLATTERING.]
What are you looking for? Filters for the coffee machine.
Right next to you on top of the refrigerator.
Want me to make some breakfast? I can make us some eggs.
No, thanks.
Just coffee.
BOBBY: Get some sleep? Some.
Taking you over to your sister's today.
She's gonna call those people over at that rehab clinic you were at last year.
Eastside.
Nice people.
She says they got methadone counseling, detox.
- You gotta do it, Paulie.
- Yeah, I know.
- You know? - I know.
[SNIFFS.]
You ever notice how when you need a cup of coffee really bad it just comes out slower? [COFFEE DRIPPING.]
You remember that summer When my dad came home early from Work Wanted to check on his flower pots on the roof? You and Gina were getting it on on top.
Yeah, I remember.
I had to, like, stop him in the hallway, you know just make up some, like, crazy story.
And I was screaming my ass off so you guys could hear us up top.
You got away by climbing down the fire escape buck naked.
My clothes were on the stairs.
I heard you and your pop's voice and bam! I was on that fire escape real quick, huh? What's--? What was that chick's name in AG? - Swanson.
- Swanson.
Right.
She's looking through her kitchen window and all she sees is this little hairy ass running by.
[LAUGHING.]
I can still hear her screaming.
[LAUGHS.]
Gina's, like, hiding behind the chimney, you know? Two hours.
Two hours.
[LAUGHS.]
Fun times.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Yeah.
Coffee's ready.
Yesterday you said the reason why you were working so hard Was because you needed the money.
- I always need money.
- Yeah.
What would happen if I helped you out? You know, just pitched in a couple of bucks.
You know? Here and there.
I mean, I'm always over here, eating your food and watching your cable.
You know? You know? You want to give me money? Are you upset? No.
But you seem upset.
I don't know if I wanna take your money.
Okay.
It was just an idea.
Maybe we should get married.
Married? We have fun together, don't we? [SULLY SIGHS.]
- Yeah.
- And it would be good for us.
For both of us.
We live together, we pay just one rent the phone, the cable, the utility.
What? That makes sense.
Do you love me? The sex is good and you make me laugh.
No, but do you love me? I mean, do you love me? I like you very much.
[SIGHS.]
I gotta go.
Now I make you angry.
Is this about you being legal? I mean, you know, you marry me and you become a citizen? You know, that would be nice.
Yeah, but that's not why.
You're a good man, decent and kind.
And I want to have another child.
And you would be a good father.
You have good job, benefits, pension.
[SIGHS.]
How romantic.
That would be good life for us, for our family.
Life is not Hollywood movie, John.
And I can do things for you in return.
I make a nice home and cook.
[SIGHS.]
Don't you want more than that? No.
No, I don't.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
- You gave him Vicodin? - I gave him one.
- What? - It's like feeding a stray cat.
He's gonna be back.
- Make you think of Matty? - What? Your friend Paulie.
- You hear anything from him? - No.
She seemed nice.
- Who? - Gina.
The love of your life.
She is nice.
Never should have let her go.
Ever think how different your life might have been if you had married her? You know, probably have some kids, a little house somewhere those little moppets calling you daddy instead of the flying plumber.
- What do we got? - Bumsicle.
Yeah.
Road-work guys found him.
- Still alive? BOSCO: Ha-ha.
Not even close.
KIM: Wow.
[KIM GRUNTS.]
Now I know why they call them stiffs.
- You guys radio in for the coroner? - We did already.
I think it's sad.
Don't you think it's sad? [CELL PHONE RINGING.]
- How long do you think he's been here? - Somebody's cell phone ringing? It's a hell of a way to go, out here all alone.
- Not me.
- Me either.
Bobby, I think it's you.
- Bobby? - Huh? - Your phone, I think it's ringing.
- Oh.
Hello? Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Slow down, Mom.
what? Okay.
Okay, Mom.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
- Bobby? What happened? - What? - Somebody just robbed my mom's house.
- She okay? - Kim, does she live in the precinct? KIM: Yeah.
Bosco, come on.
Let's help out, huh? This guy's not going anywhere.
[TAPPING, BOBBY SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
THERESA: I just came down to the market.
- I wasn't gone for an hour.
- What'd they take? They took the TV, my microwave the new computer that you bought me.
Anybody in the house When you got here? No.
No.
No.
I just came in and found it like this.
Why don't you sit down? You okay, Mrs.
Caffey? Well, how'd they get in? Fire escape? Can you tell me again What all is missing? They even took my alarm clock from the bed.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Have you had any burglaries in this building recently? No.
No.
- Not that I know of.
- You're sure you locked the door, right? No, I know I locked the door because it was still locked when I got back.
Does anybody else have keys to your apartment? Like a neighbor or friend? Only my son.
Bobby you still have my set of keys, don't you? What? [THERESA SPEAKS IN SPANISH.]
Mom, I gotta go back to work.
Yokas, you and Bosco take a report or something.
- Take good care of her for me? FAITH: Sure.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
I'll be back tonight, all right? [PANTING.]
Is that where you kept the keys? What? Paulie? But how would he know they're the keys to your mom's place? They have a tag on them that says, "Mom.
" Damn it! Hey, hey, hey.
It was only a couple of beers.
- More like a couple six-packs.
- DWI.
Found him headed downtown on 2nd Avenue.
- I got confused.
I'm from Connecticut.
- You went 15 blocks.
Didn't figure something was wrong? Cars coming toward you? SERGEANT: Sullivan, you got a visitor.
- All right.
Those are my cuffs.
TY: All right.
Woman out front.
She says she knows you.
Oh.
Ugly girl.
Yeah.
- Thanks, sarge.
- Here.
Who's that? That's Tatiana.
- That's Tatiana? - Yeah.
Oh, man, you're in trouble.
- Do the paperwork on the DWI.
- What, you're not gonna introduce us? - Hi.
- Hi.
What are you doing here? I want to see you.
No.
I'm Working.
Yeah, but that's gonna take one minute.
I was 15 When I had Sergi.
He was born with bad heart.
A "defeet".
Defect.
Yeah, a defect.
So he got older and it got worse.
And they had to put him in hospital.
He was 6 years old.
I was so frightened.
My husband was gone.
And I had no money to bribe the doctors.
So he was in the place in the hospital With those sick childrens who are poor.
There was not enough drugs and he was very bad.
He needed operation.
But they put him on that list.
A very long list.
He was in that hospital four months.
And three times I thought he was gonna die.
I had to bring him food and pay the nurse What little money I had so that he can get the drug he need.
Finally he got out.
And I promised him, never again.
I sell everything we have and we come here staying with my cousin.
And I saved that money for apartment for clothes for furniture for stereo, TV books for Sergi's school.
I made good life for us here.
I'm not bad person.
I don't love you now but maybe I'm coming to love you.
I don't know.
That's what I wanna say.
And I have to go to work.
[POUNDING ON DOOR.]
BOBBY: Paulie! Paulie! Open this door, you son of a bitch! Damn, Bobby.
Calm down.
He's not here.
He's probably pawned your mom's stuff and out getting high.
[PANTING.]
Son of a bitch! [GRUNTING.]
You son of a bitch! I take you into my home and you repay me by stealing from my mother, huh? - That's how you repay me? - It wasn't me! It wasn't you? Where's my mother's stuff? Where is it, Paulie? Did you sell it? Did you sell it for this? Did you sell it to buy this? Paulie? You sell it to buy this? - No, I didn't.
- No, you didn't? - This is more important to you now? - That's my stuff.
- This is more important to you? - Put my stuff back down on the table.
More important to you than your family and your best friend! Put it back down on the table! - Son of a bitch.
- That's my stuff! where are you going? - Give me my stuff back.
- What? Give me my stuff.
What are you gonna do? Shoot me now? Get away from the toilet.
- Give me the gun.
- I said, get out of the way.
Paulie, give me the gun-- KIM: Bobby! [GASPING.]
Oh, God! Bobby! Bobby! Paulie, just take it easy.
Paulie.
Paulie.
Okay.
Okay.
what? Okay.
What--? Paulie, please.
Paulie? Okay.
Okay.
[GASPING.]
Oh, my-- Bobby.
Bobby! Talk to me! Oh, my God.
Jesus, Bobby.
Oh, God! Bobby, look at me.
Bobby.
Bobby, you stay with me.
You hear me? Bobby? Bobby, I'm serious.
Look at me.
Stay with me.
We're gonna get through this, okay? Bobby.
Bobby, you stay with me.
You hear me? You stay with me.
Damn it.
You could tell that from Watching me eat eggs? - No.
- That I learned from you last night.
We don't really do anything out there.
We get there, scoop them up, take them to the hospital Where all the real work gets done.
We're middlemen.
We don't affect a damn thing.
BOBBY [IN VOICEOVER.]
: I guess my pop figured it'd toughen us up.
It certainly toughened my brother Matty up.
By the time he was 14, he was taking on beat cops two at a time.
Got in some good shots too.
Me, I didn't take to it.
Never been big on hitting other people.
I guess in some circles that makes me suspect.
But my friend Paulie he loved it.
Paulie lived on the third floor.
We were on four.
Our moms were tight.
I might have felt uncomfortable hitting him, but he had no compunction about beating the ever-living snot out of me.
See, Paulie was good, really good.
I wasn't so much a sparring partner as a human body bag.
Think this would have made me hate the guy.
But it was just the opposite.
I loved him.
He was simply the best friend I ever had.
We were inseparable.
It's hard to describe exactly why.
We just fit somehow.
Liked the same teams, watched the same TV shows.
I shared my homework with him.
And he shared the Penthouses he stole from his pop's dresser with me.
He even shared his sister with me.
I guess that sounds bad, but his little sister Gina was the first girl I ever made love to.
She was two years younger than us so I never paid much attention to her.
But in ninth grade she suddenly grew up and out.
Plaid skirts and white blouses still make my knees go weak.
Thought Paulie would, ve been pissed about me and his sister, but he was cool.
I guess it's because he could tell I cared about her, and I did.
We were together five years.
She ended up marrying this guy from Queens, Danny.
He's a plumbing contractor now.
They got three kid.
She broke my heart.
After Paulie cleaned up in Golden Gloves, he tried to turn pro.
But his ambitions ran into a lethal Puerto Rican bantamweight.
Paulie hung in there six rounds.
But after the third knockdown the ref mercifully stopped the fight and left Paulie a few brain cells to figure out a better way to make a living.
The only thing is he never did.
He sat on the stoop or hung out down at the corner.
It was like he didn't have other ideas about what to do.
And I guess that's probably because he did,t.
We drifted apart after that.
I was in college.
Gina and I broke up.
Last I heard he was working on and off at his pop's dry cleaners.
I still don't like to hit people.
But the workout stuck.
I jump some rope, work the bag.
People ask me to spar I tell them I'm recovering from my 9th concussion and a punch could kill me.
It usually does the trick.
As for Paulie, we lost touch.
Couple of missed birthdays, a phone call you forget to return.
Before you know it, can't remember the last time you saw an old friend, you know? I'd let Paulie slip out of my life.
But that was about to change.
BOBBY: Mommy? [SPEAKS IN SPANISH.]
THERESA: What? You should get another phone line so you can be online and use the phone at the same time.
The computer messes up my phone? [SIGHS.]
Mom you need to have another line so you can be on the Internet.
If you only have one phone gonna be busy When you're on the computer.
I just want to e-mail my sister.
All right, I'll call them myself, try to get them down here to do it.
I don't know why Rosa can't just pick up the phone.
Because it's cheaper.
You're always complaining about the bill.
And the computer, that's cheap? I'll take care of that stuff later.
I gotta go to work.
I'll come by tomorrow, get you registered and logged on, okay? Logged on? [SPEAKS IN SPANISH.]
- It's too complicated.
- It's gonna be fine, shorty.
Next, if we get through this, We'll get you an ATM card.
Oh-- I almost forgot.
Gina was by looking for you.
Gina Fuente? She was downstairs at her mother's.
She say what she wanted? She say she wanted to talk to you.
Why you smiling like that? Her marriage is fine.
I asked Connie.
Thinking how long it's been since I saw her.
I know what you been thinking, how long it's been since.
You leave her alone, you hear? She's got three kids and a good husband.
She's got a husband, Mom.
I'm not so sure about the good part.
Don't worry.
She's safe.
You wanna go out on Sunday? What? On Sunday, you wanna go to dinner, catch a movie? I have to work Sunday.
Hand me that.
I thought you worked Friday and Saturday.
Yeah, I do.
That'll make seven nights this Week that you work? Well, I have to make money.
We haven't been out in weeks.
What? I can't hear what you say When I'm in here.
I said that you have to work so much that I don't get to see enough of you.
Well, I have to pay the bills.
How would it be if I helped you with the bills? [TATIANA SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN.]
TATIANA: Stop talking to me When I'm in the shower.
- Can't hear what you say.
- Okay.
Okay.
Okay, I'm sorry.
[CHUCKLES.]
[CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
[HUMMING.]
[DOOR UNLOCKING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Ahh.
[IN RUSSIAN ACCENT.]
What's up? TATIANA: John, I'm sorry.
But you just keep talking and talking and I can't hear what you say.
I gotta get some sleep.
So you met Sergi? Yeah.
You know, I should have said something.
But I was thinking that you wouldn't want me.
What? If I had known that you Were seeing someone else? Yeah, I think that would have dampened my enthusiasm a little bit.
But I'm not seeing Sergi.
He's got keys.
Yeah, but he's not my lover, he's my son.
KIM: So she ditched you for a plumber? Sort of.
- Meaning what? - We weren't ready to get married.
So we decided it would be best to start seeing other people.
That her idea or yours? [KIM CHUCKLES.]
So you wanted to fool around.
Gave her that, "maybe we should start seeing other people" lie.
Figured you'd sleep with other girls While she waited for you.
But then, surprise, she meets another guy, falls in love, and lives happily ever after.
- It wasn't like that.
- Yeah, serves you right.
- We weren't ready to get married.
- Apparently she was, but you weren't.
Just drive.
So he kissed her on the mouth? I think they do that more in Eastern Europe.
I think they do that more in Greek dramas.
It was a friendly thing, Davis.
You didn't know about her having a son? - No.
- Well, that is suspicious, isn't it? Isn't it? Not telling you that she had a son? How old is he? I don't know, 18, maybe.
I thought you said she was in her 20s.
Okay, maybe she's 30.
Okay, 30.
So she was, what, The kid could be younger.
He could be the boyfriend pretending to be the son - While they plot to murder you.
- Watching Court TV again? She plies you with sex, you marry her .
.
then Boris fakes a mugging and beats you to death with a baseball bat.
- You just watch.
- First of all, his name is Sergi.
I don't think they'd pull that scheme on a cop.
You know once you get married she gets everything.
Oh, yeah, my fortune.
You didn't notice a guy living in the apartment? He doesn't live there.
He lives in Queens with her cousin.
- Better schools.
- I got a bad feeling about this.
Nobody asked you how you feel.
This woman is gonna ask you to marry her.
As soon as you sign that beneficiary form, it is sayonara, Sullivan.
Mark my words.
I didn't mind helping him out at first, but it's been three weeks.
He can't keep living on my sofa forever.
- Who? - Who? Ha-ha.
Have you been listening to a word I've been saying? - Yeah.
Here and there.
- Jimmy.
He's still on your sofa? Yeah.
He has got to figure out - What's going on with Brooke.
- Oh.
I thought they split up.
Well, they just decided if he came around again she was gonna shoot him.
I think he was hoping she would calm down, forgive him.
- Ah.
Coffee.
- I just got the last cup.
Whoa.
Did you start a fresh pot? - Beans are on the shelf.
- Why do you do that? - I always make the coffee.
- Unfortunately.
Ha-ha.
Where's the company? Got a call on the river.
It's gonna be cold out there by the water tonight.
Hey, you got a visitor.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Told her I didn't know when you'd be back.
She wanted to wait.
Okay, thanks.
Hey, tell Jimmy he's gotta get his own place.
KIM: Yeah, I know.
I should.
CARLOS: He's still staying at your place? [KIM SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
BOBBY: Can I help you? Hi, Gina.
Hi, Bobby.
Am I gonna get you in trouble coming by your work? No.
No.
It's pretty casual around here.
I gotta go if we get a call.
This is nice.
It's comfortable.
- Yeah, thanks.
- Mm-hm.
- So, what's going on? - Here, Bobby.
Here's your coffee.
It's instant.
[SNIFFS.]
Kim Zambrano, Gina Fuentes.
Gina Boward.
I've been married eight years.
- Kim's my partner.
- It's nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
- Oh, yeah? - Oh, yeah.
- Thank you.
- Sure.
Well, it was nice to put the face to the name.
So sorry.
She thinks she's my mother.
You two.
? Mm.
No.
Never? Uh.
So, what's up? It's Paulie.
Bobby, I think he's really in trouble.
[SIGHS.]
KIM: How long's it been since you last saw him? I don't know.
A few years.
A long time.
Why come to you? We used to be tight.
He have a problem When you guys were growing up? Liked to party.
So what? We all did.
Nice neighborhood.
If it's all the same to you, I'm gonna stay with the bus.
- Lock the doors.
- Yeah, you know it.
BOBBY: What happened to his place on 87th? He got evicted.
Gina.
You don't have to go in.
Stay out here if you want.
No.
I'm coming up.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
GINA: Elevator doesn't work.
BOBBY: what floor? - Five.
[KNOCKING.]
Paulie? [KNOCKING.]
- Paulie, it's Gina.
- You sure he's here? No.
But I've got the keys.
Paulie? BOBBY: It's freezing in here.
Paulie? GINA: Paulie? - Paulie? - Paul.
? Paulie? Oh, my God.
Paulie? Paulie? Bobby, do something.
Oh, my God.
Is he alive? Is he breathing? Kim, fifth floor, rear right.
I'm gonna need some help.
KIM [OVER RADIO.]
: On my way.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
How's he doing? I don't think he's too happy about the Narcan blowing his high.
He's lucky to be alive.
His sister is still in the lounge.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hm.
He's conscious.
So he's gonna be okay? Gina, how long's he been this bad? Last couple of years.
- You try to get him into a program? - He was in rehab last March.
He was going to meetings, got a job.
I never heard nothing about it from my mother.
I don't think my mom's told anybody.
You know how she is.
He just can't seem to beat it.
It's not easy.
What's wrong? I gotta get home.
Will they admit him to the hospital? Doubt it.
Probably just observe him in the ER.
- How long Will that take? - A few hours.
Gonna take him to your place? Get him back into rehab? David doesn't want him around the kids.
He's gonna be pissed as hell When he finds out about this.
David's not wrong.
There's a lot of history you don't know about, Bobby.
I'll talk to the doctor.
See if I can get him admitted for detox.
Okay? [ALARM BLARING.]
- I hate bogus alarm calls.
- Oh, God, it's cold.
Nobody's gonna steal anything in weather like this.
Eskimo cold, man.
Big-fur-hats-and-penguins cold.
How long they been over here? - Who? - Tatiana and her son.
I told you, I don't wanna talk about that.
They been here awhile? - Yeah, I guess.
- They U.
S.
citizens? - I don't know.
- You don't know? - That's right.
- What do you mean you don't know? - I mean I don't know.
- Then she could be illegal, then? - She has a job.
- Lots of illegals have jobs.
They come over to the country on a tourist visa, get paid under the table.
- She lied about having a kid.
- She didn't lie.
It just never came up.
That's a lie of omission.
That's even worse.
Excuse me, ma'am.
If you're saying that she's using me in order to stay in this country - get ready to walk back to the house.
- I'll come by, bang on the door.
I'll yell, "lmmigration.
" If she doesn't jump, you're cool.
All right, that's it.
You're walking.
I'm Walking? I got the keys.
- Then hurry up.
- I got the keys.
You're a big-ass baby.
You know that? Hey, doc.
How's he doing? - He's leaving.
- What? Yeah.
He's signed out AMA.
Listen.
The family needs some time to get him into a program.
Hoping you could keep him overnight.
- Medicine will never admit him.
- Buff him up down here.
- All night? - Hydrate him, give him some multi-vits.
And give the family a chance to get him into a program.
- It's a friend of yours? - We grew up together.
Better let him know he's not gonna live too long if he keeps this up.
All right, I'm on till 8.
I'll find a spot to park him until then.
But he's out the door when I am.
[PAULIE COUGHS.]
How are you feeling? Crappy I bet, huh? [SIGHS.]
Bobby.
And if you feel half as bad as you look, you ought to lay down.
I've been better.
[SNIFFS.]
Gina call you? Yeah.
Baby sister all up in my business again? Lucky she was.
You'd be dead.
Paulie Why don't you stay here tonight? You'll get a hot meal, Warm place to sleep.
I'm not hungry.
Why don't you let them get some fluids in you? I don't like hospitals.
You cooking heroin now? - Where's my coat? - You don't have a coat, Paulie.
We had to wrap you in blankets to get you here.
You got a sweater or something I could borrow to get home? I can give you a blanket.
PAULIE: All right.
- You need to be in rehab.
- I'm fine.
Shooting smack in an apartment roaches wouldn't live in.
The roaches like it just fine.
- They wouldn't let him stay? - Doesn't wanna stay.
Paulie, what are you doing? - Get off me.
- Paulie, please.
- Get out of the way.
- Please.
- Will you get out of the way? - Please, stay just one more night.
Get away from the door.
GINA: Paulie.
Gina.
GINA: Paulie, hold up.
Paulie, please wait.
Paulie, come on.
Let me help you.
Hey, you got any money? What are you gonna do? Walk home? KIM: Bobby, let him go.
BOBBY: No.
Paulie, come on.
I'll drive you.
Come on.
Come on, Paulie.
It's, like, 10 degrees out here.
Don't be an idiot.
Gina.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO.]
TATIANA: Sergi, turn that music down.
[INSISTENT BUZZING OF DOORBELL.]
- It's 4 in the morning.
PAULIE [OVER INTERCOM.]
: Bobby.
Who the hell is it? It's Paulie.
I'm sick.
[GRUNTS.]
[BUZZER SOUNDS.]
[PANTING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[THUD.]
Damn it.
Damn it, Paulie.
Damn.
I'm sick.
- What happened to your blanket? - I lost it.
Come on.
[GRUNTING.]
- I don't feel so good.
- Let me see your fingers.
You're suffering from hypothermia.
I don't think that's it.
Could be frostbite.
[PAULIE GROANING.]
BOBBY: Cramps? It's the withdrawal.
I'll make some coffee.
Something hot might help.
Oh, man.
What are you doing? Huh? - What are you doing? - Oh! - Bobby, please, I need one.
- No.
I need something.
You're a paramedic, man.
I'm sick.
You don't know how this feels, man.
I wanna get out.
I just need one to take the edge off.
Please? I don't wanna be like this.
I tried to kick methadone.
You just can't kick it clean, man.
You gotta get in a program.
- I know.
I know.
I promise.
I promise.
- Listen to me.
Look.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow we get into a program.
That's the deal.
Yeah.
- Yeah, what? - Yeah, I promise.
Oh, Jesus Christ.
- Just one? - That's the deal.
PAULIE: Mm.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Hi.
Hi.
So you didn't come over last night.
It was a tough day.
Yeah, that's about my son? No.
Yeah.
You know, I should have said something.
I'm sorry.
Okay.
Okay.
SULLY: Tatiana? That's a pretty big thing, you know, to not tell me.
- Yeah, I know.
- And it makes me afraid of what else there might be that you haven't told me.
Like what? Like, are you here legally? [SIGHS.]
I came to this country on a tourist visa three years ago.
So you're not legal? No, I'm not.
[SCOFFS THEN MUTTERS.]
John do you like me? Yeah.
I like you a lot.
I like you too.
Tatiana? [CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
[CLATTERING.]
What are you looking for? Filters for the coffee machine.
Right next to you on top of the refrigerator.
Want me to make some breakfast? I can make us some eggs.
No, thanks.
Just coffee.
BOBBY: Get some sleep? Some.
Taking you over to your sister's today.
She's gonna call those people over at that rehab clinic you were at last year.
Eastside.
Nice people.
She says they got methadone counseling, detox.
- You gotta do it, Paulie.
- Yeah, I know.
- You know? - I know.
[SNIFFS.]
You ever notice how when you need a cup of coffee really bad it just comes out slower? [COFFEE DRIPPING.]
You remember that summer When my dad came home early from Work Wanted to check on his flower pots on the roof? You and Gina were getting it on on top.
Yeah, I remember.
I had to, like, stop him in the hallway, you know just make up some, like, crazy story.
And I was screaming my ass off so you guys could hear us up top.
You got away by climbing down the fire escape buck naked.
My clothes were on the stairs.
I heard you and your pop's voice and bam! I was on that fire escape real quick, huh? What's--? What was that chick's name in AG? - Swanson.
- Swanson.
Right.
She's looking through her kitchen window and all she sees is this little hairy ass running by.
[LAUGHING.]
I can still hear her screaming.
[LAUGHS.]
Gina's, like, hiding behind the chimney, you know? Two hours.
Two hours.
[LAUGHS.]
Fun times.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Yeah.
Coffee's ready.
Yesterday you said the reason why you were working so hard Was because you needed the money.
- I always need money.
- Yeah.
What would happen if I helped you out? You know, just pitched in a couple of bucks.
You know? Here and there.
I mean, I'm always over here, eating your food and watching your cable.
You know? You know? You want to give me money? Are you upset? No.
But you seem upset.
I don't know if I wanna take your money.
Okay.
It was just an idea.
Maybe we should get married.
Married? We have fun together, don't we? [SULLY SIGHS.]
- Yeah.
- And it would be good for us.
For both of us.
We live together, we pay just one rent the phone, the cable, the utility.
What? That makes sense.
Do you love me? The sex is good and you make me laugh.
No, but do you love me? I mean, do you love me? I like you very much.
[SIGHS.]
I gotta go.
Now I make you angry.
Is this about you being legal? I mean, you know, you marry me and you become a citizen? You know, that would be nice.
Yeah, but that's not why.
You're a good man, decent and kind.
And I want to have another child.
And you would be a good father.
You have good job, benefits, pension.
[SIGHS.]
How romantic.
That would be good life for us, for our family.
Life is not Hollywood movie, John.
And I can do things for you in return.
I make a nice home and cook.
[SIGHS.]
Don't you want more than that? No.
No, I don't.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE.]
- You gave him Vicodin? - I gave him one.
- What? - It's like feeding a stray cat.
He's gonna be back.
- Make you think of Matty? - What? Your friend Paulie.
- You hear anything from him? - No.
She seemed nice.
- Who? - Gina.
The love of your life.
She is nice.
Never should have let her go.
Ever think how different your life might have been if you had married her? You know, probably have some kids, a little house somewhere those little moppets calling you daddy instead of the flying plumber.
- What do we got? - Bumsicle.
Yeah.
Road-work guys found him.
- Still alive? BOSCO: Ha-ha.
Not even close.
KIM: Wow.
[KIM GRUNTS.]
Now I know why they call them stiffs.
- You guys radio in for the coroner? - We did already.
I think it's sad.
Don't you think it's sad? [CELL PHONE RINGING.]
- How long do you think he's been here? - Somebody's cell phone ringing? It's a hell of a way to go, out here all alone.
- Not me.
- Me either.
Bobby, I think it's you.
- Bobby? - Huh? - Your phone, I think it's ringing.
- Oh.
Hello? Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Slow down, Mom.
what? Okay.
Okay, Mom.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
- Bobby? What happened? - What? - Somebody just robbed my mom's house.
- She okay? - Kim, does she live in the precinct? KIM: Yeah.
Bosco, come on.
Let's help out, huh? This guy's not going anywhere.
[TAPPING, BOBBY SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
THERESA: I just came down to the market.
- I wasn't gone for an hour.
- What'd they take? They took the TV, my microwave the new computer that you bought me.
Anybody in the house When you got here? No.
No.
No.
I just came in and found it like this.
Why don't you sit down? You okay, Mrs.
Caffey? Well, how'd they get in? Fire escape? Can you tell me again What all is missing? They even took my alarm clock from the bed.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Have you had any burglaries in this building recently? No.
No.
- Not that I know of.
- You're sure you locked the door, right? No, I know I locked the door because it was still locked when I got back.
Does anybody else have keys to your apartment? Like a neighbor or friend? Only my son.
Bobby you still have my set of keys, don't you? What? [THERESA SPEAKS IN SPANISH.]
Mom, I gotta go back to work.
Yokas, you and Bosco take a report or something.
- Take good care of her for me? FAITH: Sure.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH.]
I'll be back tonight, all right? [PANTING.]
Is that where you kept the keys? What? Paulie? But how would he know they're the keys to your mom's place? They have a tag on them that says, "Mom.
" Damn it! Hey, hey, hey.
It was only a couple of beers.
- More like a couple six-packs.
- DWI.
Found him headed downtown on 2nd Avenue.
- I got confused.
I'm from Connecticut.
- You went 15 blocks.
Didn't figure something was wrong? Cars coming toward you? SERGEANT: Sullivan, you got a visitor.
- All right.
Those are my cuffs.
TY: All right.
Woman out front.
She says she knows you.
Oh.
Ugly girl.
Yeah.
- Thanks, sarge.
- Here.
Who's that? That's Tatiana.
- That's Tatiana? - Yeah.
Oh, man, you're in trouble.
- Do the paperwork on the DWI.
- What, you're not gonna introduce us? - Hi.
- Hi.
What are you doing here? I want to see you.
No.
I'm Working.
Yeah, but that's gonna take one minute.
I was 15 When I had Sergi.
He was born with bad heart.
A "defeet".
Defect.
Yeah, a defect.
So he got older and it got worse.
And they had to put him in hospital.
He was 6 years old.
I was so frightened.
My husband was gone.
And I had no money to bribe the doctors.
So he was in the place in the hospital With those sick childrens who are poor.
There was not enough drugs and he was very bad.
He needed operation.
But they put him on that list.
A very long list.
He was in that hospital four months.
And three times I thought he was gonna die.
I had to bring him food and pay the nurse What little money I had so that he can get the drug he need.
Finally he got out.
And I promised him, never again.
I sell everything we have and we come here staying with my cousin.
And I saved that money for apartment for clothes for furniture for stereo, TV books for Sergi's school.
I made good life for us here.
I'm not bad person.
I don't love you now but maybe I'm coming to love you.
I don't know.
That's what I wanna say.
And I have to go to work.
[POUNDING ON DOOR.]
BOBBY: Paulie! Paulie! Open this door, you son of a bitch! Damn, Bobby.
Calm down.
He's not here.
He's probably pawned your mom's stuff and out getting high.
[PANTING.]
Son of a bitch! [GRUNTING.]
You son of a bitch! I take you into my home and you repay me by stealing from my mother, huh? - That's how you repay me? - It wasn't me! It wasn't you? Where's my mother's stuff? Where is it, Paulie? Did you sell it? Did you sell it for this? Did you sell it to buy this? Paulie? You sell it to buy this? - No, I didn't.
- No, you didn't? - This is more important to you now? - That's my stuff.
- This is more important to you? - Put my stuff back down on the table.
More important to you than your family and your best friend! Put it back down on the table! - Son of a bitch.
- That's my stuff! where are you going? - Give me my stuff back.
- What? Give me my stuff.
What are you gonna do? Shoot me now? Get away from the toilet.
- Give me the gun.
- I said, get out of the way.
Paulie, give me the gun-- KIM: Bobby! [GASPING.]
Oh, God! Bobby! Bobby! Paulie, just take it easy.
Paulie.
Paulie.
Okay.
Okay.
what? Okay.
What--? Paulie, please.
Paulie? Okay.
Okay.
[GASPING.]
Oh, my-- Bobby.
Bobby! Talk to me! Oh, my God.
Jesus, Bobby.
Oh, God! Bobby, look at me.
Bobby.
Bobby, you stay with me.
You hear me? Bobby? Bobby, I'm serious.
Look at me.
Stay with me.
We're gonna get through this, okay? Bobby.
Bobby, you stay with me.
You hear me? You stay with me.
Damn it.