MOMENT OF TRUTH

MOMENT OF TRUTH

Moment of Truth Transcript


(Downtown at night)
(A woman is walking down the sidewalk and a man stops her. We see a hint of a police uniform.) Jack: Is everything all right, ma'am?

Woman: Oh, I'm glad to see you. Jack: (kills her)

(At crime scene)
(Carlos and Theresa arrive)

Carlos: Come on, Theresa. You've got to be kidding me. What do you mean by cute?

Theresa: I mean cute. Here, I'll put it in a sentence for you. Trent is cute.

Carlos: Cuter than me? (walks up to Detective Ryan) What have we got?

Detective Ryan: Pretty much the same m.o. as the other three. No signs of forced entry. There are no signs of sexual assault and nothing appears to be taken.

Theresa: You said pretty much the same m.o. What's different?

Detective Ryan: There was a note with the body. This case is getting very strange. It’s addressed to you, detective.

Carlos: To me? Dusted for fingerprints?

Detective Ryan: Yup, dusted it for prints and it came up empty.

Carlos: Dancing alone in the dark sea of death, watching and smiling as they draw their last breath, It says I'm pathetic and wants me in chains, and amidst his desire, the question remains, is the good detective up for the test or will it just prove that I'm the best.

Theresa: It's creepy.

(bar)

Carlos: (they walk in the door and to the bar) Theresa is the funniest, smartest, most beautiful woman I know. Why shouldn't I ask her out?

Trent: I don't know. Let's see. Cause number one she's your partner. Number two she carries a gun. And number three she knows how to use it.

Carlos: All good points.

Butch: And don't forget number four; she's way too good for you to begin with.

Carlos: Thanks, Butch.

Butch: Well, if your friends can't tell you; who can?

Trent: That's right.

Butch: So, how's that arm?

Trent: Ah, its fine. The bullet barely creased it. Another eighth of an inch to the left, it would have missed me entirely.

Butch: And another two inches to the right and we would all be dressed up in dark suits talking about what a great guy you were.

Carlos: You don't pull any punches, do you?

Butch: Well, if you're going to pull them, why throw them? You know, Trent, there's something I don't get. Why were you going after a heroin dealer to begin with? You're a PI, not a cop.

Trent: Well, the parents of one of his ex-clients filed a wrongful death suit and hired me to get some evidence but at the moment I seem to be in a dead end. Bo Bo seems to have completely disappeared from the face of the earth.

Butch: You know, you need to talk to an old boy named One Eyed Jackie. If anyone knows anything, it’s One Eyed Jackie. And don't be afraid to squeeze him if you have to. That old weasel owes me.

Carlos: Ya know, and not for nothing Butch, it seems just about everyone in Dallas owes you in one way or the other.

Butch: What can I say? I got a generous heart, I guess.

Man: Hey, Butch, I need another round over here.

Butch: Comin' right up!

Carlos: What do you think he means by that?

Trent: all right, back to Theresa.

Carlos: Uh, uh. Leave it alone. I'm not going to ask her out.

Trent: You think I could get her number? I'm kidding, I'm kidding!

Carlos: Don't go there.

(Thunder Karate)

Trent: (looks doubtfully at the shirikins) You sure?

Walker: Yep. If you're not going to use a gun, Trent, you're going to have to learn to use something. I want you to learn to use these so you can hit anything you're aiming for, preferably to wound. But if you have no option... (throws and hits picture's neck)

Trent: Ouch!

Walker: You try it.

Trent: Should I wound?

Walker: Why not? Visualize, then throw. (throws and hits the picture right below the crotch) Trent: I don't know if that wounded him but I did scare the hell out of him.

Walker: Let's try it again.

Trent: Okay.

(Police Station)

Theresa: So, this letter the killer sent you. What do you make of it?

Carlos: It’s a wacko with an ax to grind.

Theresa: Fair enough, but you?

Carlos: I've been thinking about that. This is from two weeks ago.

(watch the tape)

Carlos: This is my crime scene and if you're not out of here in five seconds or less, I'm placing all of you under arrest.

Reporter: why are you so hostile, detective?

Carlos: Why am I so hostile? In the building is the body of a young woman. A woman who's never going to hold her children again, a woman who's husband will never hold her in his arms again. And somewhere out there is some pathetic little loser desperate for attention and you're all about to turn him into the next media management. That's why I'm so hostile.

Theresa: Pathetic little loser, desperate for attention. Yeah, that might do it.

(phone rings)

Carlos: Detective Sandoval.

Jack: Do you like my little poem, detective?

Carlos: Actually, I prefer limericks.

Jack: So, got any leads?

Carlos: No, do you want to give me some?

Jack: What would be the sport in that? Come on, detective, you need to step up to the plate here.

Carlos: Step up to the plate. This isn't a game.

Jack: See, that's where you're wrong, detective. See, this is a game and you're playing whether you like it or not.

(opening credits) Song:
"Well you'll find the Sons of Thunder,underneath the Texas skies.And the spirit that was Thunder,is shining in their eyes.I hear Thunder,calling as it rolls.They're quick as Texas lightening.They've got Thunder in their souls(Thunder in their souls).I hear Thunder!"

(Ranger Station)

Walker: Is the FBI sending in a profiler?

Carlos: Yeah, tomorrow.

Walker: That's what I figured.

Carlos: Who needs a profiler when you've got a Texas Ranger? Look, I know you're leaving for Cornico tonight so uh, I need you to take a look.

Walker: This guy's got a big ego, he's gonna test you, Carlos. He's wants to prove he's smarter than you. You be careful.

Carlos: I will be careful, Walker. Thanks. (echo) You see, this is a game and you're playing.

(at a seedy bar)

Trent: Let me guess. One Eyed Jackie.

Jackie: Let me guess. Rocket Scientist.

Trent: I need to ask you some questions.

Jackie: Are you a cop?

Trent: Nope.

Jackie: Beat it.

Trent: Can't do that.

Jackie: Why sure. Get rid of him.

Trent: Guys, you don't want to do this! (fights the guys off) I'm a friend of Butch McMann. He says you owe him.

Jackie: You're a friend of Butch? Why didn't you say so in the first place? What do you need? Trent: I'm looking for Bo Bo Barnes.

Jackie: I'll have to make some calls. Let me tell you something. As far as I'm concerned picking up the phone and getting Bo Bo's getting squared with things for me and Butch. You tell him that.

Trent: I will.

Jackie: Tell him nice okay? Wouldn't want to upset him.

(outside warehouse)

Jackie: There's a swarm of them, including Bo Bo. And, Tommy Gunns, he's the man who shot you.

Trent: All right, thanks. Now you better get out of here.

Jackie: You tell Butch that I helped you, all right?

Trent: Yeah, yeah. I'll let him know.

(inside warehouse)
Bo Bo: Thirty five kilos of heroin be packin out of here in the morning. Any questions?

Trent: (loudspeaker) Yeah, I got one. How'd your mother ever come up with the name like Bo Bo? What was she expecting, a monkey?

Bo Bo: Find him and kill him. (a struggle)

(Restaurant at top of skyscraper)

Carlos: Theresa, I don't get it. I mean, your family has more money than Gates. You could do anything you wanted.

Theresa: Pretty much.

Carlos: You became a cop.

Theresa: That's all I ever wanted to be, as far back as I can remember .What about you?

Carlos: Uh, when I was twelve, my brother was killed by a drug dealer. And, uh, when I saw what it did to my mother, I never wanted anyone else to ever go through that.

Theresa: So you decided to become a cop?

Carlos: First, I applied to the super hero academy, but I didn't get in.

Theresa: Super hero academy, huh?

Carlos: Yeah. Had my own cape even.

Theresa: Well, their loss, our gain.

Waitress: Excuse me, Detective Kelly, there's a telephone call for you at the bar.

Theresa: I hope its not mother. She's been feeling under the weather lately.

Carlos: well, if it is, give her my best.

(Thunder Karate)

Trent: (practices throwing shirikins) Relax, visualize and throw. Uh, okay. (picks up another after he misses) Relax, visualize and throw. How come Walker makes this look so easy?

(Restaurant) (There is screaming)

Man: He's got a knife!

(Carlos runs out to the roof to discover Jack has Theresa, a knife to her throat)

Jack: Surprise!

Carlos: Drop it now!

Jack: Carlos, please! There's no need to escalate matters.

Carlos: Drop the knife now or I swear to God I'll blow your head off.

Jack: you know, Carlos, you're making things very difficult. I don't want to kill her, I really don't, but I have to.

Carlos: If you kill her, you've got nothing. There's gonna be nothing stopping me from blowing you straight to hell.

Jack: That's bright, very good, Carlos. You're thinking! Here's the problem. That only works if the hostage taker is afraid to die and here's a hint: I'm not.

Carlos: What do you want?

Jack: Just to talk.

Carlos: Put the knife down and we'll talk.

Jack: Come on, Carlos, come on. Always taking control of the situation. Here's the problem. You're not in control I am. Now put down your gun or I'll kill your partner. Carlos, please. If I wanted to kill her, she'd be dead. I don't want to kill her. Ya'll were having too much fun here. Like I said, I just wanted to talk. So now I'm going to count to three and either you drop your gun or I cut your pretty partner's throat. Its completely up to you. Ready? One, two. Okay, Carlos. Ya know, this really didn't have to happen. Three!

Carlos: Okay, I'm putting the gun down. All right? Now we'll talk.

Jack: Detective! What did they teach you in the academy? Basic procedure's manual, section six, paragraph three- Never lay down your gun in a hostage situation! Look, cause now I don't need the hostage!

(kills her)

Carlos: NO!!! Someone call an ambulance!

(fires and he jumps)

Jack: Yeah! (echo) You see, this is a game and you're playing.
(later)
Detective Ryan: According to the responding officer's report, you laid down your weapon. Carlos: That's right.

Detective Ryan: Detective, you're familiar with the standard procedures manual, aren't you? Carlos: I made the best call under the circumstances, all right? You weren't here; I was. Detective Ryan: Yeah, I'll give you that; I wasn't here. I'll bet Detective Kelly wishes I had been, huh?

Carlos: You smart little hack sonofa-

(another cop restrains Carlos)

Detective Ryan: Its okay, guys. Don't worry about it. Uh, I've heard about you, Sandoval. How you're a fast tracked, hot shot cop. Got friends in high places. Let me tell you something, peanut. If you ever lay your hands on me again, be prepared to go all the way.

(Police Station)

Carlos: You can't take me off the case.

Captain: Its gotten too personal, detective. And given the events of this afternoon...

Carlos: The events of this afternoon are exactly why you cannot take me off this case.

Captain: Its already been done, detective. I'm reassigning this case to Detective Ryan.

Detective Ryan: You should know I've requested a full investigation of the incident. In addition, I've asked that you be placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of the investigation. Captain: I'm sorry, Carlos.

Carlos: You leave me no other choice.

Captain: You are making a big mistake, son.

Carlos: He killed my partner, captain. I can't just let that go.

(bar)

Butch: (sees Carlos drinking and looking bummed and pulls up a chair) Let me ask you something, Carlos.

Carlos: What?

Butch: Why'd you turn in your shield?

Carlos: Because they took me off the case.

Butch: And you want to catch the guy who killed your partner?

Carlos: That's right.

Butch: And you think that's going to help you catch the killer? (looks pointedly at glass)

Carlos: I really thought I'd be a cop for the rest of my life.

Butch: Yup, and I thought I was going to be heavyweight champion of the world too but stuff happens. What marks a man is what he does about it.

(Thunder Karate)

Trent: Sorry about that, Butch. (narrowly misses him) I just can't seem to get the hang of this. Butch: Well, you're just trying too hard. That's all, Trent. Relax and visualize and throw. (throws star and hits target) I'm surprised Walker never told you that.

(Apartment)

(Trent knocks on the door and Carlos answers)

Trent: Butch came by the dojo and told me what happened. Are you all right?

Carlos: Yeah, I am.

Trent: Why didn't you call me?

Carlos: I needed some time to put things together.

Trent: (phone rings) I'll get it. Sandoval Residence.

Jack: Hey, let me talk to Carlos.

Trent: Who's this?

Jack: A friend.

Trent: (covers mouthpiece) I think it’s him. (Carlos grabs phone)

Carlos: What do you want?

Jack: I just wanted to see how you were doing. You had a hell of a day, huh? First, your partner gets killed right before your eyes and then you turn in your gun and shield. I mean, what does it feel like? What are your plans? Gone, just like that. Who's pathetic now, detective? Huh?

Trent: Want some help?

Carlos: Yeah, I do.
Carlos: How'd he know about me turning in my shield? And, when he talked about me leaving the force, it was almost like it was personal.

Trent: Maybe it was.

(Police Station)

Carlos: I think he's a cop, or an ex-cop. It all makes sense.

Detective Ryan: What, what? The, you're a lousy cop and you want to throw it into the whole department? Yeah, sure, swell.. That makes perfect sense. It also outlines how pathetic you are. Carlos: All right, listen to me.

Detective Ryan: No, no, no. You listen to me. You're not a cop anymore, Sandoval. And as far as I'm concerned, you don't get your private ticket either. So if I catch you jeoprodizing this investigation in anyway, I'm going to land on you with both feet and believe me, it won't be pleasant.

Carlos: Yeah.

(Marita's office)

Carlos: Marita, hey.

Marita: Hey, Carlos. I heard about what happened with Theresa and I 'm sorry.

Carlos: Yeah, me too. I need a favor. Marita, I understand if you can't do it.

Marita: It has to do with the guy who killed Theresa?

Carlos: Yeah. Marita: What do you need?

(Thunder Karate)

Trent: Relax, visualize and throw. (Carlos walks in)

Carlos: These are all the officers that were dismissed in north Texas in the past five years. Trent: wow. Well, for starters we go through and categorize reasons for dismissal and put anything involving violence, in particular violence against women in a separate file. And I know it’s a long shot but right now its our only shot.

Carlos: It’s not that. It’s just that, I hate to even think that this guy could've been a cop.

Trent: Yeah, me too.

(Carlos’ apartment)

Trent: Okay, these are all the officers dismissed with charges involving violence and these are dismissals, in specific, for violence against women.

Carlos: Now what?

Trent: Tomorrow we start knocking on some doors.

(go and visit people)

(apartment)

Carlos: That was a waste of time.

Trent: No. We knocked off a bunch of names and tomorrow we'll knock off more. If he's on the list, we'll find him.

Carlos: If he's on the list, then what? (phone rings) Hello?

Jack: Nice to have you back on the case, Carlos. But Carlos, I really admire your spirit.

Carlos: What do you want?

Jack: Have you checked your mail? I think you should! (hang up and check)

Carlos: Let's go!
(they run down stairs to the mailbox and pull out a letter.)
(back at room)

Carlos: A hidden clue, a nonsense verse, a hero's quest, a monster's curse. Sometimes he looks for me in darkest shadows I yearn to see, A look of fear that haunts her eyes, her hopeful plea before she dies. Hidden clue, uh, the poem doesn't make any sense.

Trent: Its not supposed to. He tells you right at the top, its a nonsense verse. Its an acronym. Carlos: what?

Trent: Read me the first letter of every verse. Carlos: S-M-I-T-H-A. Smith. He gave us a name.

(house – that night)

Ms. Smith: Yes?

Jack: Hi, Ms. Smith, are you okay?

Ms. Smith: Yeah.

Jack: I've got a report of a burglar in the area. Its okay, I've checked your property and the surrounding area and everything seems to be fine. I'm having trouble with my radio; I think its the battery. Is it all right if I came in and used your phone?

Ms. Smith: Oh, oh sure. (kills her)

(house – the next day)

Detective Ryan: (stops Trent and Carlos from walking up sidewalk) Nope! Wait! Uh, uh! This is a working crime scene. Leave now or I'll have you both arrested, all right.

Carlos: What's her name? What's her name?

Detective Ryan: What'd I just tell you?

Carlos: Was it Smith?

Detective Ryan: How'd you know?

(Carlos’ apartment)

Carlos: Five and five black birds and five little beds. As of zero hour Sunday, one will be dead. Two will be crying. One flies away and the game continues. Cause I still want to play.

Trent: Five and five black birds and five little beds. Zero hour Sunday, one, two. Its a telephone number! 555-0121. (Carlos dials the number)

Woman: Hello?

Carlos: My name is detective Carlos Sandoval and I don't want you to panic but you may be in great danger. I want you to leave your apartment right now...

Jack: Carlos! Ah, so close! And yet, so far!

Woman: No, please don't! No!

(Police Station)

Marita: I heard what had happened. That poor woman!

Carlos: We need some more information.

Jack: Excuse me. Aren't you Detective Carlos Sandoval?

Carlos: Yeah.

Jack: Whatcha doing here? I thought you left the force. Ah, oh shoot. Its none of my business. I'm sorry. what's wrong with me, running my mouth, asking your business.

Carlos: Its okay.

Jack: Man, you must think of me as a poor pathetic little loser, or so?

Carlos: No. Marita: You said you needed more information?

Trent: Yeah. echo: Its some poor pathetic little loser, desperate for attention...

Carlos: Its him!

Trent: You go that way! (chase through the streets and the man shoots at Carlos but instead hits a cab and the cab crashes)

Carlos (to cab passenger): Are you all right? Call 911!

(Carlos narrowly misses getting hit by a car and the cop sneaks up behind him by a dumpster and knocks him out, then smacks him with his gun) (echo)

Jack: You see, this is a game and you're playing whether you like it or not.

Jack: Nice try, Carlos but I'm not done yet.

(at the scene)

Trent: You all right, man?

Carlos: Yeah, I'm fine. He got away.

Trent: Maybe not. (run up the street)

(Police station)

Marita: Oh, God, Carlos! Your head!

Carlos: It was him. Marita: The killer? He's a cop?

Trent: We need to put a name to the face.

Marita: Well, all personnel files have the pictures.

Trent: Great. Carlos: Wait. He's not a cop. He never was. Pull up the files on everyone who was denied admission to the police academy in two years.

Carlos: That's him.

Trent: Yep.

Carlos: Jack Lasofsky. Denied admission to the academy due to concerns about his psychological stability.

Trent: And we got an address.

Detective Ryan: What are you two doing here? Oh, man, what happened to your face?

Carlos: I fell.

Detective Ryan: Uh, huh. Ms. Cortez, if I find out you've been aiding and abetting these two, er, civilians on police department time, the next report you'll write will be my day at the employment office.

Carlos: Ryan, you've got nothing to worry about. Ms. Cortez is a dedicated employee and she'd never do anything unless it was authorized.

Detective Ryan: Watch yourself, Ms. Cortez.

Marita: Yes, sir.

(at Jack's apartment)

Trent: Carlos, in here!

Carlos: (reading note)The game must now come to an end, with the death of your Mexican friend. But Carlos I'll give you one last chance to end this sick dance, come at once, come alone, to the bend. He's got Marita.

Trent: I'll call Ryan. Carlos: No, you heard the poem; I've gotta go alone.

Trent: What, are you crazy? Carlos: Its the only chance to save Marita.

Trent: How can you trust him?

Carlos: Its the whole thing; the dead woman, and Theresa, now Marita. Its about in proving he's better than me. If I go along with him, he'll play by the rules.

Trent: What's the bend?

Carlos: That's where we found the first body.

Trent: So he's come full circle.

Carlos: Yeah.

(at the bend)

Jack: Psychologically unsound. The department psychologist, the dried up, old witch. Psychologically unsound. Let me ask you, now you can be honest with me. Do I seem psychologically unsound to you?

Carlos: Don't move!

Jack: Carlos, welcome. You know, Ms. Cortez...

Carlos: Let her go.

Jack: Is it just me, or does it seem like deja vu all over again?

Carlos: No, this time it’s totally different because this time I'm going to count to three and then I'm going to blow your brains out all over this warehouse.

Jack: If you shoot me, I can still shoot her.

Carlos: Maybe. Maybe not.

Marita: Go ahead, Carlos. Just shoot him.

Jack: why would you want to take that chance?

Carlos: One... Merita: don't count, just shoot!

Carlos: Two...

(Trent throws star and hits Jack in the back of the hand. Carlos and Jack fight) Carlos: Get up! (fight some more)

Carlos: Come on! (fight once more)

Carlos: You okay?

Merita: How about you?

Carlos: I'm fine. Thanks.

Trent: For what?

Carlos: For letting me have him. By the way, that was a hell of a throw with the shirikin.

Trent: I was aiming for his throat. Ya know, we make a pretty good team.

Carlos: Yeah, we do.
(later)

Detective Ryan: Give me one reason why I shouldn't run you two in for obstructing an ongoing investigation.

Carlos: I dunno, because we caught the guy?

Merita: And for saving my life.

Detective Ryan: Luck.

Captain: Funny how luck and know how seem to go hand-in-hand. Congratulations, son.

Carlos: Thanks, sir.

Captain: Although I stand by my earlier decision to take you off this case and you're one real hard-headed sonofagun not to realize your value to this force and to people of Dallas. What I'm trying to say, Detective, is that I didn't process your resignation. Your gun and shield are in the top right hand drawer of my desk. I'd appreciate it if you came by my office and reclaimed them. Carlos: I appreciate it, Captain, I really do. But, uh, I gotta give that some thought.

(bar)

Butch: Well, I got something for you on the house for a job well done.

Trent: Thanks, Butch.

Carlos: Thanks.

Butch: So, you're going to take your shield back?

Carlos: I don't know. I mean, being a detective is a great job and that's all I ever wanted to do but...

Walker: I feel a 'but' there.

Carlos: Yeah, you're right, Walker. I mean, on the other hand, being private frees you up so you can handle things the way they should be handled.

Butch: Well, there's definitely truth in that.

Walker: Well, you two thought about becoming partners?

Trent: Partners?

Carlos: Well, it’s an interesting thought. I think Trent really needs me.

Trent: I need you?

Carlos: See?

Butch: Well, now listen. If ya'll are serious I got a perfect place for you to hang your shingle. A lot of space, a lot upstairs and the price is right.

Walker: Can't beat that. What do you say?

Trent: Sounds good!

(A few days later. Outside – looking up at new sign over office.) Butch: Well, fellas. How does it look? Walker: Looks good, Butch. Trent: Yeah, it sure does. Walker: I do have one question, guys. Who's gonna manage the office? Carlos: Manage the office? Butch: Yeah, do all the paperwork. Carlos: The paperwork? That'd be Trent. Trent: Trent? I'm going to do the paperwork? Carlos: See, I'm glad we got that covered. (song) and they're quick as Texas lightening, cause they've got Thunder in their souls.

Written by: Bob Gookin

Directed by: Bill Norton