The Pretender s03e15 Episode Script

- [Chattering.]
- [Horn Honks.]
[Honking Continues.]
All right.
Here we are.
[Laughs.]
Take it easy, Matthew.
See you.
Bye-bye.
- Bye, Joe.
Bye.
- [Woman.]
Let's get your backpack, honey.
- [Girl.]
Bye.
- Bye, Rachel.
- [Chattering.]
- Take it easy.
Have a good day.
Bye-bye.
- Jarod, I'm really sorry.
- Don't mention it, Ben.
A bus trip isn't a bus trip until somebody- - How did you put it? - Tosses their cookies.
- Cookies.
Right.
- [Man.]
Jarod, I can't figure it.
I'm barely seeing enough pennies to keep the lights on and then you show up out of nowhere, and you fix up this old bus and you're even taking the kids on field trips to the air force base.
It's better to give than to receive.
I read that someplace.
[Laughs.]
How'd your dad like the base, Ryan? Uh, Ryan's dad couldn't make it.
He was on a business trip.
But we got to hang out, didn't we? - Yeah.
- You're a godsend, Jarod.
Next thing I know, Ed McMahon'll be knocking on that door with one of those big cardboard checks.
- [Horn Honks.]
- Hey, Jarod, there's my mom.
- Who's Ed McMahon? - See you later.
- Oh, hey, Ryan.
- Yeah? - Here.
I got this for you.
- Cool.
Thanks.
- Maybe you'll fly one, one day.
- Yeah.
Mostly, thanks for kind of being my dad for the weekend.
- Sure.
[Chuckles.]
- [Woman.]
Hey, you.
Mom! - How was your trip, honey? - [Ryan.]
Fantastic.
- Yeah? - Mom, this is Jarod.
- Cindy Wells.
Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
- He's been talking about you all week.
- Look what he gave me.
- Wow.
- Can I stay up and show it to Dad - when he gets home tonight? - Uh, yeah, we'll see.
- All right, top gun, into the cockpit.
- Okay.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye, Jarod.
See you later.
Thanks a lot.
His dad really wanted to go with him but he's been away on business longer than usual and Ryan misses him a lot.
I can imagine.
- He's a great kid.
- Thanks.
- Nice to meet you.
Bye.
- You too.
[Chuckles.]
[Car Starts.]
[Horns Honking, Tires Squealing.]
[Horn Blaring.]
[Jarod.]
Cindy! Ryan! Somebody call 911! [Man Narrating.]
There are Pretenders among us.
[Jarod.]
I was taken from my family.
Thirty-six hours and he's already demonstrating more talent than any of our others.
How many people died because of what I thought up? Since I broke out, I've spent every moment searching for my past.
[Miss Parker.]
He's a Pretender- A genius who can become anyone that he wants to be.
- The Centre wants him alive.
- Preferably.
[Miss Parker.]
He defends the weak and abused.
Life's a gift.
- You a doctor? - I am today.
[Siren Wailing.]
[Woman On P.
A.
.]
Cardiology interns, please report to O.
R.
2.
- Cardiology interns- - My wife and son were brought in.
- Can you help me? - Are you Mr.
Wells? - Yes.
- My name is Jarod.
- I was at the accident scene.
- Where are they? - They're still in surgery.
- Oh, God.
I just got back in town.
My firm's been flying me all over.
- You're here now.
- Mr.
Wells? - I'm Ted Wells.
How's my family? - Your wife's gonna be just fine.
She suffered a concussion, a dislocated shoulder.
- My boy? - Your son sustained a severe abdominal trauma.
Both kidneys were damaged, one beyond repair.
We had to remove it.
The other one won't last long.
- He needs a kidney transplant.
- He won't survive without it.
We're looking at about a 48-hour window.
Okay, so- So what's next? Ryan goes on some sort of priority list or something, right? Normally.
Your son's blood carries a unique leukocytic compound.
It's a hereditary condition which makes finding a donor much more difficult.
- Your wife isn't a match.
- Well, then, I have to be, right? - You can put me on that table.
- Ryan's condition needs to be stabilized first.
And we need to do a blood workup on you to screen out any infectious agents.
Okay? I'll send a tech over to draw a sample.
I don't know what I'd do if I lost my family.
- Forgive me? - For? Being a neglectful brother.
Just because you were nowhere to be found when I was in the hospital- at death's door.
- You're too hard on yourself.
- Look, I know you're angry.
I don't blame you.
In fact, I got these for you.
Candied snails? - Yummy.
- Hey, those are hard to find.
No kidding.
Where have you been anyway? I've had three solid leads on Jarod in the last two weeks.
You've shown zero interest.
I do have other responsibilities.
Jarod is just one of them.
Excuse me, Mr.
Lyle.
The phone man's here to see you.
- I'll be right there.
- He says he has other appointments.
I said I'd be there.
Phone man? Big responsibilities.
Enjoy the snails.
[Trash Can Rattles.]
[Gasps.]
That's my good pillow.
You seem to be smiling a lot these days, Miss Parker.
- Sneaking in downwind- clever.
- Hard at work.
- Micromanaging? - A necessary evil considering your ongoing lack of success.
You're building to a point, I hope.
Your work has become unfocused.
Perhaps you're too distracted with personal affairs.
- Such as? - Such as- - Oh.
Sorry.
- Stay, Broots! Mr.
Raines was just slithering along, weren't you? Priorities, Miss Parker- priorities.
What is it, Broots? Well, I got this new satellite TV dish- 223 channels high-definition digital, right? - So I'm channel surfing in the shower- - Wait a minute.
You have a television in the bathroom? Don't you? Did you know that there's a 24-hour disaster channel? - Last night was train wrecks.
- Which is what this is becoming.
- Get to the point.
- Oh, no, no, wait, wait.
Please, look.
I'll just show you then, okay? [Woman.]
Money problems seem to be everywhere including this small suburban church.
"Donations are the only way we're able to survive" says Reverend Jack Collins of his Little White Chapel.
If you're interested in helping out Reverend Collins- That's sweet.
Send the change from my desk drawer as a donation.
Oh, no, no, no! Wait.
You missed it.
Right there.
Hallelujah.
- Look who's seen the light.
- [Chuckles.]
[Sirens Wailing.]
- Anything you want me to bring you, pal? - My airplane.
- Kind of like this one? - Jarod.
How you feeling, kiddo? Tired.
My side hurts.
[Sighs.]
Here.
I tell you what.
When you're feeling better we'll see about getting this thing airborne.
Honey, why don't you close your eyes for a bit? The doctor said you need to rest.
- Okay.
- [Jarod.]
Ted? Any word on the transplant yet? We're still waiting on the blood work.
- I was just gonna go try and find the lab.
- No.
I'll go check on it.
You stay with your family.
I don't know why you're so interested in all this but I really appreciate your help.
[Woman.]
I'm fully aware of what "stat"means but I'm a little shorthanded down here.
I understand.
I know, but my partner phoned in sick and the lab tech Dr.
Conti promised hasn't shown up yet.
Mm-hmm.
I know.
[Jarod.]
I am so sorry I'm late.
Oh.
He just walked in.
- Dr.
Conti gave me the wrong directions.
- [Groans.]
- Boy, you look like you could use a break.
- You have no idea.
Construction accident has E.
R.
Packed.
Everyone needs their results yesterday.
[Chuckling.]
Why don't you take a little break - and I'll start over here.
- Oh, how about I give you a hug.
- [Laughs.]
Have a good time.
- Okay.
[Jarod.]
Cindy? - Where's Ted? - Oh, uh- He went to go call my parents.
Did you find out what's taking the lab so long? Why don't we go talk in the hall? What's wrong? Is there a problem with the lab? Your husband isn't a donor match.
- That's impossible.
- Cindy- I need to know the truth.
Ted isn't Ryan's father, is he? It's something I always feared, but I didn't know for sure.
Look, I know this isn't easy for you but if you want to save your son's life I need to know who his father is, and I need to know now.
His name is Luther Ecksley.
I met him right around the time that Ted and I got together.
He was the total opposite ofTed.
He was dangerous and dark and- I had seen Ted on a date with another girl and I thought that being with someone like Luther was the best way to get back at him.
So you had a relationship with this man? It was a stupid fling.
I was young.
When I found out what kind of person Luther really was, I went back to Ted.
But you found out you were pregnant? And you never told him the truth? There were a thousand times that I wanted to.
And then a thousand times I stopped myself 'cause I was just too scared of losing him.
And the more time that passed, the more itjust didn't really seem to matter.
Ryan is Ted's son in all the ways that count.
I need to find this Luther.
Do you know where he is? [Sniffles.]
I don't have a clue.
You said he was trouble.
Maybe he has a police record.
- I'll start with that.
- Jarod? [Whispering.]
Please don't say anything to Ted.
Cindy, you can't keep this a secret much longer.
The doctors are bound to find the truth- just like I did.
[No Audible Dialogue.]
[Rock.]
[Chattering.]
What'll it be? I'm looking for someone- Luther Ecksley.
It's important.
Don't know the guy.
Does anyone know who Luther Ecksley is? [Groans.]
What do you want with Luther Ecksley, huh? I just want to talk to him.
- [Man.]
So start talking.
- [Jarod.]
You are not Luther.
I'm as close as you're gonna get.
Luther's rotting in a Mexican prison and he's gonna be for a long damn time.
[Groans.]
You ain't never gonna find Luther.
[Man Laughs.]
[Man Speaking Spanish On P.
A.
.]
Gracias.
Mr.
Ecksley, my name is Jarod.
Three years in this dump.
No visitors, no letters, no phone calls.
Now all of a sudden I got some humanitarian aid organization worried whether I'm being treated right or not.
- I'm not here on your behalf.
- Is that right? [Sighs.]
- I give up.
- His name is Ryan.
He's eight years old, and right now he's in a hospital in desperate need of a kidney transplant.
- Yeah? Why are you telling me? - He's your son, Mr.
Ecksley.
Go on.
He has a rare blood condition- inherited from you- which means you are the only person on this planet that can save his life.
- How? - I'm going to try to arrange for your temporary release.
You, uh, want me to donate a kidney? Your son's life depends on it.
[Sighs.]
This is a lot to think about.
There's no time to think, Luther.
Either you do this now, or he dies.
Who's the, uh- Who's the mother? Her name was Cindy Brenner.
I remember her.
Is she all right? She will be- if you do this.
Does the boy know about me? No.
And I can't guarantee you'll ever get to meet him.
We're running out of time, Luther.
Do you believe in redemption, Jarod? Maybe.
You have a lot to make up for.
This could be a start though, right? [Bell Ringing.]
[Miss Parker.]
Damn, Broots.
Looks like wejust missed the Sunday sermon.
[Organ.]
You ever go to church, Miss Parker? After the things I've seen and done I think church is the last place I should be.
Or maybe the first.
- Reverend Collins? - You can call meJack.
How can I help you? We're looking for this man.
He may have been helping out around here.
Helping out? Jarod's a damn angel.
You don't say.
Do you happen to know where he may have flown off to? You just missed him.
He packed his things and left early this morning.
Jarod was staying here? - Mm-hmm.
- Oh.
Hey, Max.
Several parishioners offered Jarod a place to stay but he said he didn't want to be any trouble.
Honestly, I had forgotten this basement was here tillJarod suggested it.
That's Jarod- always with an idea.
[Collins.]
He said he'd be back in a couple of days.
Actually, right now he's already passed the border.
- The border? - As in Mexico? Yeah.
He had a line on some old pews we could get cheap.
Money's always a little short around here.
As I always say, "Pray to the Lord, but buy a lottery ticket.
" Take your time.
Gotta go.
No rest for the wicked.
Well, looks like we're too late.
The place is clean.
Yes, it is.
Miss Parker? Wait.
Where you going? Don't mind us, Max.
[Broots.]
What do you got? A lottery ticket.
Leave it.
[Jarod's Voice.]
Warden, I don't think you understand.
A child's life depends on this decision.
Please think carefully.
Luther Ecksley was caught with 50 pounds of pure heroin.
Since he's been at my prison, he's assaulted five of my guards.
We both know he's not a saint but you didn't see his eyes when I told him he could save his son's life.
Maybe you feel that he's undergone some spiritual awakening but that man owes me and the people I answer to 25 years of his life.
- I am only asking for a temporary release.
- What if something went wrong? Huh? I don't have the jurisdiction to go after him.
There are risks, granted.
This boy's life is worth it, don't you think? I have a responsibility to my country, to its laws.
Are you hearing a word that I am saying? Ryan's life is in your hands.
[Sighs.]
I don't know if you can grasp the pressures of my situation.
You know, the men that ran this prison before I came were sadistic.
They treated those inmates like animals.
Many men died, and many more were tortured in unspeakable ways.
Those same sadistic men, they're waiting for me to make a mistake to put them back in power.
I won't allow that to happen.
- Where does that leave Ryan? - Contact your State Department.
Why don't you petition the proper channels? He doesn't have that kind of time.
Well, I'm sorry.
I still can't help you.
- Are those your children? - Yes.
And what if it was for one of them? As I said, I can't help you.
But if you're forced to resort to more extreme measures I'd understand.
- [Buzzes.]
- [Man.]
Yes, ma'am.
Take inmate Ecksley back to his cell.
He has the afternoon loading detail in the compound today.
- [Man.]
Sí, señora.
- Good-bye, Jarod.
Good luck.
- Hi, Cindy.
It's Jarod.
- Did you find Luther? I'm working on it.
How's Ryan? The doctors aren't telling me everything, but I know it's bad.
We're running out of time.
I can't lose him, Jarod.
I know, but you have to be strong.
Have you told your husband the truth about Luther? I tried.
I really tried.
I just- I don't wanna hurt him.
It's going to hurt him a lot worse if he finds out the truth from somebody else.
He loves you.
Trust in that.
The rest will take care of itself.
[Beeps.]
[Ted.]
You okay? Will you shut the door, honey? We need to have a talk.
[Broots.]
Ha.
Talk about a bad dude.
The mug shot you found is three years old.
The guy's name is Luther Ecksley.
He's doing 25 years in a Mexican prison.
Says here he was running drugs across the border until an anonymous source tipped off the Mexican police.
He's not a nice guy.
Why would Jarod be involved with someone like this? Let's ask Luther.
Thanks for kind of being my dad for the weekend.
Do you believe in redemption, Jarod? I can't lose him, Jarod.
If you were forced to resort to more extreme measures- - Redemption- - Thanks for kind of being my dad.
- I can't lose him.
- I'd understand.
[Clattering.]
[Speaking Spanish.]
[Speaking Spanish.]
[No Audible Dialogue.]
Do you want to get out of here? Hell, yes.
Redemption doesn't come easy.
[Speaking Spanish.]
[Horn Honking.]
Come on.
[Laughing.]
We did it.
I can't believe it.
I'm free! It's only temporary.
Don't you forget that.
You, uh, you got a plan to get me back to the States? Drive back roads on the way to Tijuana.
Try to blend in to tourist traffic.
I have a change of clothes for you in this car, and I made you a fake passport.
Thought of everything, didn't you? There's no room for mistakes, and no time.
[Groans.]
Appreciate you springing me there, Jarod.
The truth is, I could give a damn whether that kid lives or dies.
[Laughing.]
[Groans.]
Aw, damn it! [Broots.]
Miss Parker, it looks like they're locking down the whole prison.
- [Siren Blaring.]
- [Warden Speaking Spanish.]
[Spanish.]
How long do you think you can continue to hold us here? You've wasted an hour of my time already.
Nobody enters or leaves until we've completed a thorough search of this prison.
For all I know, you could be involved in this escape.
That's ridiculous.
I told you already- he did it.
You arrived in my office asking for Ecksley at the very moment that he was discovered missing.
For all I know, you could be part of a diversion.
An incredibly moronic one.
Why would we have stayed behind? Why was he found outside, hiding in a car? Oh, Broots- He's always hiding.
He's like a cockroach.
Turn on the light, he runs.
Broots, tell her.
[Stammering.]
It- She's right.
Roach city.
[Sighs.]
If you'll be patient a while longer- One of the guards we talked to overheard Jarod saying One of the guards we talked to overheard Jarod saying something about needing a kidney donor for a little boy.
Do you know what boy, or where? - That's the first I've heard of it.
- [Whispering.]
[Warden Speaking Spanish.]
- [Spanish.]
- Huh? - [Spanish.]
- Sit.
Hang on, baby.
[Whispering.]
Mommy loves you.
Ted.
- You didn't get Luther? - Not yet.
You told Ted the truth.
Yeah, I don't blame him for hating me.
I hate myself.
He doesn't hate you.
It's just going to take him some time to adjust.
Yesterday I woke up with this near-perfect life.
Now my son is dying and my husband- Cindy, you have to remain strong for Ryan.
Everything is going to work out- I know it is.
[Broots.]
I found them.
There are over a dozen emergency cases nationwide but only one is a young boy in need of a kidney.
- Where? - San Diego.
Get us back to San Diego, pronto.
[Blues.]
Hundred dollars on Earl.
[Cell Phone Ringing.]
- No, no, no, no.
- [Ringing Continues.]
This is Ray.
[Luther.]
Ray, my boy.
- How you doing? - Luther? The one and only.
I hear you're doing real good with my operation.
[Ray.]
Uh, I'm doing okay.
[Luther.]
Just okay, huh? I got some news that'll make your day.
See, I took a little vacation from my permanent vacation, Ray.
Surprise.
I'm out.
I'm back, and you're the first person I thought to call.
I can't wait to see you, buddy.
Ray? - Ray? You still there? - Well, yeah, I'm here.
Well, you and me gotta get together.
I need to see where we stand and what our next move should be.
How's, uh- How's midnight? - Mission Bay Hilton.
- Tonight? - Uh, what's the hurry? - Ray- Three years ago, some son of a bitch tipped off the Mexican police and got me locked away.
Now I'm guessing that same son of a bitch has my $10 million.
So you can understand why I'm a little impatient, can't you? Bring some old clothes, Ray.
When we find this bastard it is gonna get messy.
[Man.]
You look like you'vejust seen a ghost, Ray.
Whoa.
You just seem a little bit jumpy, Ray.
But I guess you would be, being a marked man, after all.
What the hell are you talking about? Was that Luther on the phone? What did he want? Tell you that he was back in town? - Wanted to fire up the old partnership? - What? He's setting you up, Ray.
But I guess that's only fair- payback.
After all, it was you that tipped off the federales and had your old buddy Luther arrested at the border.
Screw you.
I went down to Hermosillo.
I was at his trial every day, like a friend.
Or somebody who wanted to look like a friend.
Personally, I think it was overkill.
I'll bet you Luther thought the same thing.
You're out of your mind.
Am I? Look over my shoulder down the alley.
You see that car down there? That's Luther, and he's waiting for you.
He's playing you, Ray.
He knows you're gonna lead him to the money.
When you do, he's gonna blow your brains out.
Now you better do exactly what I tell you to do or you're never going to walk out of this alive.
[Grunts, Groans.]
[Gunshots.]
So now what? We're going to lead Luther to where you hid the money just like he expects.
This better work, man, or we're both dead.
Just keep driving.
Make sure you follow my plan.
Oh, this is crazy.
[Jarod.]
Find a good hiding place, Ray and when I make my move, you make yours.
Showtime.
[Luther.]
Ray? Give it up, Ray.
I know you're the one who stole my $ 10 million.
- [Clattering.]
- [Luther.]
Oh, I get it.
Wanna play a little hide-and-seek, huh? - [Clattering.]
- Ray? Might as well come out.
I ain't leaving without my money.
- Getting tired of this, Ray.
- Oh, Luther? Jarod? - Surprise.
- I saw Ray shoot you in the alley.
- That was part one of my plan.
- Oh, yeah? What's part two? - Ray.
- [Grunts.]
I tried to warn him.
Well, there's plenty of money for both of us.
Oh, yeah.
I'll take that, Ray.
What? This is my money.
I stole it fair and square.
I know a little church that deserves it a lot more than you do.
I should have shot you when I had the chance.
You're right.
Thanks.
[Jarod.]
Come on, Luther.
Wake up.
We've still got some work to do.
[Groans, Coughs.]
Disconcerting, isn't it? Waking up in pain, not knowing where you are.
That's how I felt in Mexico.
That's how your son feels in his hospital room.
What the hell are you doing? - Are you out of your mind? - Would you quit moving around? - You're gonna knock your I.
V.
Out.
- This isn't a hospital.
Well, it'll do- for what I need it for.
- You're not even a doctor! - Technically, you're right but I do enjoy that E.
R.
program.
- You can't do this! - Well, that's the beauty of it, Luther.
You see I can.
Nighty-night.
[Woman On P.
A.
.]
Dr.
Roberts, extension 15.
Dr.
Roberts, extension 15.
Cindy.
I just spoke to the nurse.
The kidney seems to be taking.
I think he's gonna be just fine.
I've gotta call my parents.
Jarod, thank you so much for everything that you have done.
Thank you.
- Your son's going to make it.
- My son? For nine years I've been living a lie- thinking I was someone I wasn't.
Were you? I see that boy's face when he looks at you.
The way he talks about you.
You don't understand.
I do.
Right now you're angry, and you're hurt, and you're confused.
But if you leave that boy without a father- if you walk away from him now- That's a wound that will never heal.
If there's ever anything I can do for you- [No Audible Dialogue.]
It's funny that you should mention that.
Gotten by us? We've been here the entire time.
Pipe down.
[Whispering.]
These people are afterJarod.
Excuse us, Mr.
And Mrs.
Wells? He was here, wasn't he? Jarod? Helped you? I don't know anyone named Jarod.
My wife and I are just waiting for our son to get out of surgery.
So if you'll excuse us, we'd like to be left alone.
[Broots.]
You know what I don't get? I checked the records here.
There's no Luther Ecksley.
Whatever happened to him? [Warden.]
What do you think, Dr.
Mendoza? Whoever did this certainly knew what they were doing.
Yes, he did.
Let's prepare to transfer the prisoner.
[Groans.]