Mad City

Mr. Burns, any comment about your possible indictment?

I must get to the hospital. My wife's ill.

I'm very sorry. Perhaps you can empathize with the people...

...who have been wiped out of their entire life savings.

-What about them? -No comment.

-How many people you hurt? -No comment.

You know how many...

...senior citizens over the age of 65--?

Mr. Burns may have had no comment for KXBD...

...but he may be compelled to find his voice for the district attorney.

Inquiries made by this reporter prompted an investigation...

...into Ralph Burns and his role in the Foothill Federal Bank scandal.

-We're not using that. -It's an exclusive.

-It's conjecture. -It is not.

Let me have another crack at him. Tell him to answer my questions.

-Why? -You're not a judge. We're not a jury.

-You know him, right? -Yes, I know him.

-You play golf with him. -Occasionally.

His wife has cancer. He's under pressure. Leave him alone.

Wait. Three questions.

No, no and no.

He's a sleaze. He stole money.

He took the savings of senior citizens.

We say that the man has no comment and we finish the piece.

We don't ambush him at his work.

I don't want to ambush him. I just want to ask him one question.

You are relentless, you know that?!

You seem to forget we cover the news...

...of this area for the people of this area.

And we are not going anyplace. Are we going anyplace, Max?

-If they wanted me back in New York. ... -They don't.

You better come to terms with that. I did.

In the 11 months that I've been here, you've gone from a 3 share to a 9.

Excuse me!

Excuse me, people!

Whose week was it to kiss Max Brackett's ass for saving this station?!

The bank story might make you look like network.

No, not here. There's a line I won't cross.

-I'm not asking you to. -Yes, you are.

I am not. I'm saying you move the line, you get the story.

You going out to the museum?

Yes, trying to get it on at noon.

Mr. Brackett's taking that assignment.

The state has let off some people down there.

It's a great story. You'll relate to it.

-I must finish my edit. -I'll do it. What are friends for?

You really are an asshole.

-What am I? -A wonderful human being.

Why don't you go to the museum with Mr. Brackett.

You could run tape while you're there. Maybe we'll use it tonight.

She's an intern!

Then you can be her mentor. Teach her how to " move the line."

I'm gay.

Mr. Brackett...

Max.

Can I put a microphone on you?

We'll get the curator to tell us why the museum is facing drastic budget cuts.

And then we'll find a couple of locals to tell us...

...that without a museum, the city's a dog kennel.

Then, as a brilliant career move, you're taking me to lunch.

-You have to answer. -You're done.

Is that the answer?

You did it wrong.

It's much better on the lapel.

Can you help me? We're looking for the curator.

I know you. TV, right?

-Right. -You're the TV guy.

You're the museum guy.

No, I'm the guard.

-The museum has financial problems? -Tell me about it.

There were 2 of us. The other guy got laid off.

-Is that right? -You never know who'll be next.

Stick around. Maybe we'll get you to say that on camera.

Really?

Mrs. Banks' through there.

Right. We don't pay much.

More than I make here.

They're not the Mohawks, Mr. Brackett. The Miwoks are from northern California.

They have a very rich past.

We currently have on exhibition the largest display of Indian baskets...

...ever assembled by a museum of this size.

Some would say it's not responsible...

...to pour money into a dying institution.

Then let's close down the libraries, museums and symphonies.

If we do not learn from our past, we will be...

...doomed to relive it.

Yes, Mort.

I see dinosaurs.

The fear of today is that the museum might share the same fate.

That's right, Mort.

That is exactly the fear.

Very good. Thanks.

It's okay, Mort.

We're clear.

Good. You must've done this before.

Good heavens, no. I haven't.

I feel strongly about this museum. My great-grandfather founded it.

Right. I thank you for your time and wish you all the best.

Come on down from there.

In the next room we have a stuffed dodo. Come and take a look.

Give me the mike. Get some of this.

One's Cretaceous, the other's Jurassic.

I know. Come on, let's go.

Why are they together?

Want to go outside and get B-roll?

Where's the bathroom? I'll freshen up.

Get your cam ready. I'll do a stand-up for tonight's news.

Sorry.

Sorry.

I'm standing in front of the museum...

...where the past collided with the hardships of the present.

Actually, you're standing at the urinal at the museum and look who's here.

Your friend, dick.

A fine upstanding young man.

No, no longer young and no longer upstanding.

Tell me, dick, what's your comment on my situation?

Max, I think you should get packed.

I can't. I got screwed there.

That's more than you're getting here.

And as long as we're on the subject...

...I kind of have a little tickle...

...for that young camera girl working for you.

Really?

She's young enough to be my daughter. I know it. She's just right for me.

You shouldn't be here.

Mrs. Banks, you must listen to me.

I don't have to do any such thing.

-One minute. -I told you, there's nothing I can do.

I'd take a reduction, okay?

Do you have a hearing problem?

No, no hearing problem.

This is completely out of my hands.

You're wasting both of our times. You must leave now. Now.

Get out of here!

Right now!

Now will you listen?

Will you listen?

Are you?

Are you going to listen to me?

You must be kidding.

No, I'm not.

All right, hold up. Hold up.

Now just stay there, okay?

And hush up.

And don't be scared of the gun.

I got to talk to her.

I need 5 minutes with you, that's all.

I hope you're not pointing that at me.

Just be quiet.

Is this some kind of a joke?

Because it won't be so funny when the police arrive.

Shut up!

Give me the keys.

Come on.

Damn.

This way.

Quietly.

I hope we get to see some shooting.

Van two, this is Laurie.

Will you accept a collect call from Max Brackett?

Mr. Brack-- I mean, Max?

There's a man with a gun in here.

Where are you?

The museum.

Okay, I'm going to call the police.

Call Lou. We'll go live. The police we'll call when it's their turn.

I think I should call--

We have some real news going on here. Don't blow this.

Okay, I'll call Lou.

Lou, line 3. It's Laurie. It's urgent.

It's Brackett again. What do you got?

Gunman.

He's got a rifle and a canvas bag. I'm guessing more firepower.

He's holding 2 adults and some kids.

Laurie, how soon before you can power back up?

2 minutes.

That's too long.

Tell Dohlen to get ready to go live with Max. He's got a hostage situation.

Max, Mort's going to throw it to you. Listen to me.

There are kids involved here. We don't want any grandstanding.

Don't worry. We got good stuff here.

Keep the line open.

We're live.

We now go to Max Brackett, who is inside the Museum of Natural History...

...with a hostage situation.

Can you hear me?

Yes, I can. I am inside the men's room...

Mobilize every camera and audio crew you can get.

Most of them are children.

Do you know what his motives are?

I don't. But I can tell you that the gunman does seem agitated.

Can you escape?

Can you hear me?

Think about what you're doing.

Can you hear me, Max?

Does Jen know you're here?

I don't know how much longer I can--

-I want you to be calm. -No, you be calm.

I got 2 things to tell you.

I'm not listening to you as long as you're holding that stupid gun.