How many times have I seen this?
More to the point, how many times have you?
I can't imagine what it's like
to have the power to move mountains...
...and yet, you have to stand by and watch this.
I get that everything happens for a reason.
And I get the mysterious ways
in which you move.
But I wonder if moments like this cause even you to doubt.
To question...
...us.
I used to wish I had your vision,
the ability to see the big picture.
But then to see things like this--
I wouldn't want it.
This deal we made-- I made--
sometimes I think I understand it.
Mom!
And what's next?
Another lost innocent.
Another death.
Mom!
Another funeral?
Yeah, sometimes I understand it.
And sometimes...
So the guy with the dark hair-- that's Brian Porter.
He's the one I'm worried about.
Green jacket?
Yeah.
-So, you think he's using? -Oh, yeah.
Look, because this is a private institution,
I just need your full discretion, you know?
I have a board to answer to, so...
lsn't that why you called me?
Yes. Okay, point taken.
Tell me about his parents.
Mom's out of the picture, and the dad is...
Let's just say he's trying
to insure that his son's future remains untarnished.
He won't listen to anyone.
So, how was it?
-Really sad. -Who sang?
Kaley and Sarah.
-Grades? -Excellent.
He's got to keep a three point five
to keep his scholarship, so... basketball point guard.
He's gonna go to college on it.
-So, good kid? -Yeah.
Good grades?
But he doesn't show up at his dead classmate's memorial.
Exactly. What do you think?
I'll let you know.
Way to use that full discretion.
Did, uh...
Did, uh, Principal Bill speak?
I don't know, Brian.
lf you're so interested, then why weren't you there?
Hey, guys. Sorry to interrupt.
Uh, my name is William.
School's brought me in to...
Well, to help you all with Diane's death, so...
We already met with a grief counselor.
Right, um, actually, I'm not a grief counselor.
I'm here because I know a lot about drugs
and about drug addicts.
Like, uh, "Scared Straight" stuff?
No, not really.
Um, really more to-to listen, I guess.
We're all good, bro.
All right. Cool.
Listen, um, I just want to remind you
that in-in situations like this, sometimes it's good
-to talk things out. -Why?
Sorry? What was that?
Nothing.
All right, well, listen,
if, uh... if you need anything at all,
just contact the principal.
She knows how to reach me.
Okay.
Anybody read the paper?
Yeah, me every morning-- horoscopes.
-Pisces, mystic of the water signs. -Sagittarius.
Supposed to get along real well with Pisces types, man.
Hey, what about you, Akani?
Scorpio. Hate everyone.
And everyone hates you.
I'm talking about the girl who OD'd last week
at the Jefferson Academy.
High-end private school in the Valley?
Heroin, right?
All over the news, man. Why? We on it?
Principal's an old friend. Asked me to come down,
put eyes on the place.
Worried about her kids, but there's one boy
in particular-- Brian Porter.
An All-Star point guard, and when I talked to him,
his pupils were pinned, he kept looking away.
I mean, the boy is definitely stoned.
He's nodding out, rubbing his nose.
lf he's still using while he's playing ball,
he's at risk of cardiac arrest.
His mom and dad divorced ten years ago.
His father's had sole custody ever since,
raising him on his own.
We grab him at school or at home?
We can't just pull the kid, Darnell.
Why? I've seen you grab plenty of addicts.
-What are you talking about, man? -Doesn't matter.
Addict or no addict, he's still a minor.
-We got to get the old man's permission. -Got it.
So everyone stay on point, all right, till I give the okay.
-All right? -Cool.
So how you doing?
I'm doing.
Did you hear from Ben yet?
Nope, not today.
Man, he is really trying to ice us out, huh?
What do you want me to say, William?
No, I'm just saying that, you know, he really...
he really knows how to take things to an extreme.
Clearly our kid.
Ah, well, see, that's-that's progress.
What is?
Well, last month, you would have said, "Clearly your kid."
I'm hanging up now.
Love you.
I know.
You Tom Porter?
Yeah.
-I'm sorry. You got a minute? -About?
Your son Brian.
Look, I was real clear with the other scouts.
You want to see him play,
go through the school, make an appointment.
Yeah, you know, I heard he's a great kid, but, uh,
actually, I'm not a scout.
-What are you, a cop? -No.
Well, what do you want with my kid?
You think maybe we can go somewhere and talk?
-No, I don't think so. -My name is
William Banks. I have a son about Brian's age,
-so, I know... -Why don't you get to it?
Mr. Porter, does Brian have a history of drug use
or alcohol abuse?
Who are you working for?
What school sent you?
You know how tired of this shit I am?
All you guys come through here and try to tear my kid
down so some other school passes on him.
Look, man, I'm not from any school, all right?
I'm here because I think that Brian might be using.
Stay away from here.
Mr. Porter?
Hey.
Are you a doctor?
No, I'm not a doctor,
but I do work with addicts.
lf you change your mind, here's my number.
I don't want your number,
and I don't want you around Brian.
I'm his father.
He's my son, and I know him better than anybody.
Better than anybody.
What's up, Pops?
How was practice?
Uh, Coach cut it short.
Doesn't want to burn us out too early in the pre-season.
So, how's school?
It's good, you know.
Real good.
You got any tests coming up?
Yeah, calculus.
Oh, calculus, man.
I'm lucky I know how to count to ten, you know?
Look at these hands, Brian.
I worked my whole life
just with them, and you know what it got me?
Just enough.
You, uh... you're going to have more.
More than...
You know what I mean?
Yeah, I know.
So just, you know,
you gotta keep your head down.
I always do.
And that girl.
Mia?
Yeah.
You don't have to worry.
We're, uh, we're not...
we're not too serious.
That's good 'cause, uh, there's gonna be a lot more,
and trust me, you don't want to be stupid
and knock up some girl now.
Like you did?
Watch it.
What I'm saying is you got a shot
at something here, don't mess it up.
All right?
Let's get some dinner, come on.
Actually, you know what, I'm not that hungry.
I'm kind of tired; I'm gonna get some sleep,
wake up early, get a pickup game, you know?
Well, in the gym,
not on the street.
I mean, that's amateur hour, right?
I mean, some hot dog on the street
step on your ankle, what does he care?
You're right.
Good night, Pops.
So, sending me to San Francisco
was not a way to get rid of me?
You were the best person for the job.
Bullshit.
Believe what you want, Akani.
I've always been straight with you.
Wow, must be nice.
What?
Oh, to be able to hide behind that.
Look, I don't want to get into this with you.
Don't want to or can't?
Oh, see?
I hate it when Mom and Dad are fighting.
Good, you guys are here.
All right, listen up-- this is the deal.
We need to tip this kid over,
grab his stuff, show it to his old man.
Maybe then, we'll get consent
-and make this thing right. -Maybe?
-What's the grab? -Don't know yet.
But I know when I was using,
I used to keep my stash in my pocket.
Yeah, I'm actually more of a tube sock guy myself.
Bra and panties.
Well, I'm assuming we can rule that out.
Dangerous to be carrying in school.
I mean, wouldn't this kid be afraid of getting caught?
Not if he's got scouts coming to his games.
Boy like that gets star privileges.
I can tell this is gonna be really exciting.
Let's see, we have a minor with no consent,
us with no idea where he keeps his drugs,
and, you know, to think my horoscope this morning
said that I was gonna have an uneventful day.
Maybe you should change your birthday.
Word.
I hear you, Ben, I do,
but we're all trying, we really are.
You really think Dad's trying?
Yes, I do.
Your father's life makes it difficuIt for him to...
I don't care about his life.
He doesn't give a crap about mine.
But he's still your father.
Your mother's worried sick about you, Ben.
You're one to talk.
Oh, it's easy to be brave on the phone, isn't it?
I'd say the same thing to your face.
Good, then, you know what, why don't you come home
-and show me? -I'm not coming home.
Look, you don't give a rat's ass about me, Ben,
-Don't blow up. -fine, but your mother and your sister,
they don't deserve this.
You got nothing to say?
I just think it's ironic
that you know what they deserve.
Look, I can only apologize to you so many times, Ben.
Maybe you should've thought
about what they deserve before you were off
doing whatever it was you wanted to do.
You gotta let it go, man.
It's gone.
William!
Come on, we raised him, we fed him,
we took care of him, and now he wants
-to live with my father? -I'm sorry-- "we"?
I don't need that kind of disrespect
every time I talk to him.
All you can think about is how he's disrespecting you.
You ever think
for one second, just one,
that you might be disrespecting him?
I want a new phone in the morning.
We were supposed to meet at Vivian's last night.
I waited for you for over two hours.
You didn't answer your cell...
Mia, please...
Please what?
Just get off my ass.
What did you say?
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it like that.
It's just...
you know, with the scouts coming
and finals...
and all the crap with my dad...
I'm sorry.
Swenton, how we looking?
Our boy holds onto that backpack
like a fat kid with a piece of cake.
Keeps the jacket, too.
15 bucks says it's in the jacket.
Now what?
Well, now we're gonna see how Brian acts
when he's being squeezed.
All right, gentlemen...
Where were you yesterday?
When? I was here.
No, I mean practice.
Bri, you're not the only one
trying to get recruited.
Maybe some school you turn down
offers to one of us, you know?
Yeah, sorry, man, my bad.
I was studying calculus, uh, with Mia all night.
This the P.A. system?
No...
May I have your attention please?
William...
This is William Banks.
Some of you on campus have met me already.
I have been asked by Principal Bill
to talk to you about drugs and drug addiction.
Due to recent tragic events here at the school,
there will be a series of random drug searches.
We will be looking both in your lockers and on your person.
We certainly appreciate your cooperation
as we come class to class
and immediately begin our search.
Thank you for your help.
Hey, turn up the heat, the guilty act guilty-- watch.
All right, if we can't do the three-two zone, then...
-Coach? -Yeah, Porter?
I gotta use the head.
All right, go on.
You can't cover everybody else.
Everyone needs to do their own job, all right?
Damn it, William, now I'm gonna have
to field 100 calls from irate parents
who want to know why I'm searching their kids' lockers.
It's... it's a private institution, William.
People pay a lot of money for privacy.
Look, Stephanie, privacy is one thing,
but a girl who ODs on your watch...
that's quite another.
What, you think I could have prevented her death?
I don't know, Stephanie.
But we can at least try to prevent this one.
Just let me do my job.
We'll find this kid's stash,
and we'll talk to his father.
Okay.
Guys, stay on him.
He's in the hallway now.
Hey, how you doing?
Watch that ball, come on, man.
Ladies.
Oh, wow, I think I just turned into that creepy older guy.
Heroin.
And hydromorphone.
Now, this stuff is powerful.
They use it on cancer patients for pain.
Your boy's got expensive tastes.
What's he doing with this
when it's heroin he wants?
lf you ain't got the money for a taxi,
you catch the bus, right?
The pills get him by between fixes.
It's kind of like an insurance, in case he can't score.
But here's the bigger problem:
mixing these with heroin,
that's a lethal combination.
Our boy keeps this up,
he's gonna be dead within a week.
Hydromorphone? Where'd he get these?
I thought scholarship kids
weren't supposed to have that kind of paper.
Well, these are prescription,
but he took a razor to the labels.
Well, wherever he's scoring from,
you can bet he's there now, taking care of business.
With no stash, Brian's gotta be sketching pretty bad.
Those pills, they're just a Band-Aid.
Attention, pottery class starts in...
Grandma?
Brian, it's been two weeks.
Where have you been?
Sorry, I've, uh, been busy.
How about a few details beyond "I've been busy"?
Okay, sorry.
It's all good.
You know, uh...
school's not too hard except for chem.
And, uh...
basketball's cool.
Me and my girl are real solid.
Remember I told you about Mia?
Oh, yes, she sounds very nice,
but tell me about your last game.
Again?
Since I can't see them, let me hear about them.
Make your grandmother happy, Brian.
Okay.
Um, okay, so we played against Buckley,
and it was amazing.
We were down two points.
We had one possession left, and the ball's under our basket.
How much time on the clock?
Four.
There's four seconds left
and, uh, the inbound pass goes to me at mid-court,
and then I take one dribble to square up.
And I shake off the defender,
and I get off the shot with less than a second left.
And you made it.
Yeah.
Yeah, Grandma, I made it.
And, um, everyone was real happy.
Everyone was telling me how proud they were of me.
But, um...
But l, uh...
I don't, I don't feel it.
I don't, I don't feel any of it.
I don't feel anything at all.
Grandma, I'm real sorry, I gotta go.
Brian, wait.
Brian?
I think we need to freak him.
He's still a minor, man.
-I mean, if we go rattle our cages now, then... -Not Brian.
His father. I gotta get him to hear me.
Which means?
I light a fire that only I can put out.
And what about Brian?
Since we took his soul, he's gonna
be wanting to go to church, right?
So, Swenton,
talk to all the dope boys from Venice to Playa.
-Akani and Darnell. -Yo.
See if you can get eyes on Tom Porter.
Let's go.
Yeah, this is William Banks.
I'd like to speak to Officer Tom Carey, please.
When I was gambling,
I had relationships with lots of women.
Then, I got correct, and I found a life.
Your point?
My point is, I'm thinking,
this job may get in the way of my happiness, Akani,
more than the things I did when I was straying.
Hey, it's going to take
a hell of a lot more than that, big boy.
This job has to become your happiness.
So what about Jeannie? Marriage and kids, family?
No. This job's got to become everything.
Well, maybe for you, but look at William.
It looks like he's making it work,
him and his wife.
Look closer.
That's him.
That's Brian's dad.
Look who's back.
Hey, uh, I need something.
I'm, uh, I'm not feeling good.
Show me the paper.
Here.
Thank you.
Okay.
Um, I need some foil, or a straw.
Why you wasting your time smoking it, man.
Be a man about it.
Pull over.
You need some help, baby?
Uh... I've never shot up before.
Well, come here.
Okay?
You feel all right?
What the hell's going on here?
Thanks.
You want to tell me what this is?
ls this your son's bag?
ls it?
It looks like it, it could be.
Open it up.
This why you had me arrested?
-I needed your attention. -This is bullshit.
-You think so? -Yeah.
What's it going to take, Tom?
You want your son to die
like that girl who OD'd last week at the school?
How many beers a night do you drink?
Huh? Enough to know when I'm done.
-Oh, really? -Yeah, really.
You see that? I got that when Brian was born.
It's his hand.
You know, and I used to not stop drinking, not ever.
But since Brian, if I start getting a little out of hand,
I-I-I see that and it reminds me, you know,
it's not worth it.
You understand?
I got two kids of my own.
So you know...
you'd do anything for your kid.
I made a choice to make my son's life mine,
and I never looked back, not once.
That's good.
So why don't you put him into rehab?
Now, listen to me-- I have a facility.
It's called Transitions.
I can get him help.
Like I told you, my son is fine.
What about the bag?
Man, you show me drugs in a bag that looks like my son's.
I don't even know you.
Why should I trust you?
What would I have to gain?
Huh? What would I have to gain by lying to you.
You know how many people are gunning for my kid?
My son was forced to take a paternity test
when he was 13 years old.
Some girl in his class-- seventh grade--
claimed she was pregnant with his kid.
Do you think she came up with that on her own?
Man, everyone knows he's going pro.
Everyone knows the money's going to start coming in;
they all want their piece.
I don't want your money, Tom.
I don't want any money at all. ln fact, you know what?
All I want to do is help him, that's it.
Oh, yeah, you people--
you all say you want to help,
then you do nothing but take and take and take.
"You people"?
So you've had help before.
What was it for?
I'm done.
Arrest me or let me go.
Cut him loose.
You got nothing better to do?
People like to say they'd take a bullet for someone.
But the truth is, our instincts won't allow it.
I mean, it goes against our very nature.
That is, until you have a child.
On the day your kid is born, you understand,
you'll go against your own instincts in a second,
only because you, you understand
that your need to protect that child
is much stronger than your own need
to survive.
I mean, if someone came to me and told me
that Ben was in the same situation,
I'd want to handle it by myself, too.
I'm asking Tom Porter to...
to go against everything he is.
And the problem is,
he thinks he's helping by taking a bullet for his kid.
So now what?
Well, we need to find someone who will help.
Like who?
What about his mother?
School record says her name is Mary Webb.
Even though his folks are divorced,
Dad is no help, maybe she is.
I'll make a search on every Mary Webb in Los Angeles.
We'll find her.
Thanks, D.
Akani, Swenton's got eyes on Brian.
Could use another pair.
-Got it. -Keep in touch, okay?
All right.
Hey.
What are you still doing here?
I live here.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, I've been rushing to get home
so that you can go do... whatever it is you do.
Go on. Get going.
No, I'm not going tonight, babe.
Why? What's the matter?
Because I'm worried that if Ben calls,
-you're gonna... -Make things worse.
No, look... I'll let it go right to voice mail, all right?
Now, go on, take some time for yourself.
Take care of yourself.
Okay.
Okay, but if Ben calls...
Right to voice mail.
Okay.
And say hi to the guy.
You know, whatever his name is.
How do you know there's only one?
Yeah?
Yeah, I just got a call from one of my contacts.
Says he saw a kid who looks like Brian
buying down here near 1 4th and Hill.
Damn.
It sounds like Brian is about to go pro.
What does that mean?
It's a shooting gallery.
You know the place?
Listen, uh, I need a minute to get a baby-sitter,
but I'll be on my way.
Thanks, Nicole. I know it was short notice.
Yeah, Lu needs to finish her spelling and get to bed.
Melissa should be home by 10:00.
Okay. Thanks.
So, I just paid a junkie $15 in quarters,
so no laundry for me next week,
but he said he saw Brian.
He did?
ln there.
Want me to go with you?
No.
ls this is a test? ls that what this is?
Mom?
Mom! Come on, Mom!
Mom!
Be back in a minute.
Holler if you need me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
-What's up, puto, huh? -Hey, hey, hey, it's cool,
it's cool, it's cool.
Hey, hey, remember me?
No.
Oh, shit, oh, sh--
What's up? Where you been?
What's up, dawg? What do you need?
Actually, I'm not here to score.
I'm looking for a good friend of mine,
so what I need is a, is a pass.
ls that cool?
Yeah.
Yeah, handle your business, but just remember
I'm still right here.
All right.
Hey.
Hey, Brian.
Wake up, son, let's go.
Here we go.
Yeah, all right.
Brian, listen to me, you're sick.
All right, I'm gonna help you,
get you well.
Go to hell, man!
Somebody help me, please!
I'm going to help you clear your mind, Brian,
get your thoughts straight, all right?
Just... please just leave me alone.
I can get you through this detox, Brian.
I know I can because I've kicked.
Get the hell out of my way!
-Brian, you okay? -He's not okay.
He was in a black hole downtown, shooting dope.
Listen to me, Tom, your son was shooting heroin.
All right? He's on a very powerful painkiller.
You take him out of here right now, you're gonna kill him.
I promise you that.
I am taking my boy out of here.
You don't have my consent for any of this.
Just let us help him, please.
We can work with you.
You got everything?
I'm calling the cops and I'm pressing charges.
You're going to jail, buddy, for a real long time.
Get the hell out of my way.
Where do you think you're going?
Brian? Brian!
I'm your father!
You been doing drugs? Huh?
Answer me.
I saw the music box, Brian.
Stop lying to me, tell me the truth.
Yeah, I'm using drugs! So what?
No, no, no.
This is not going to happen again.
I'm not going to let it.
Now, we just need to get away, we...
gotta get you better!
I don't want to get better!
This is all your fault.
Oh, Brian, that's not true.
lf you hadn't divorced her.
-Your mother was sick. -All she wanted was your love,
-and you left her. -No, I tried to get her help.
-None of these doctors could do it. -You took me away from her
and it broke her heart.
Brian, don't.
Don't, don't, don't, don't.
She loved me.
Yes, yes, she loved you, yes.
She loved me and you took me away and it killed her.
I took you away because she tried to hurt you, Brian.
You're lying.
Oh, God, I wish I was.
No, you're lying.
Mom was so upset and so sad because you took me away.
She was a junkie, Brian.
She was a drug addict.
Brian.
Good morning, ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you.
I'm looking for a Mary Webb.
Mary Webb is my daughter.
I'm Mary Ann Webb.
Who are you?
I'm a friend, Mrs. Webb.
This has always been one of my favorite photos of Ben.
First day of school.
You remember you took the photo?
I don't remember.
I was high.
I was always high.
I wasn't really there for him, was l?
No.
Yeah.
Yo, William.
Look, I didn't find a Mary Webb.
I found a Mary Ann Webb, Brian's grandmother.
Brian's grandmother?
Yeah, Brian's mother is dead.
She had this long history of drug use and depression.
She committed suicide, but here's the worst part.
The worst part is...
Brian found her.
Come on, Brian, come on.
Come on, man, stop.
Brian.
Brian... Brian.
Brian!
Brian...?
Hello.
Mr. Banks, it's Tom Porter.
Brian and I had an argument.
-I can't get through to him. -Yeah.
-Can you come? -I'm on my way.
Where is he?
He locked himself in his room.
Brian, open up.
Brian, open the door.
He-He's probably in there getting high.
He's not just getting high.
He's going to end up killing himself.
Oh, God.
Come on, come on, wake up-- hey, he's cold.
Come on, come on, Brian, wake up.
I need you to let him go, go call 911 now.
-Okay. -Do it now!
All right.
All right, Brian, here we go, okay.
All right, please don't do this.
Don't do this, God, please.
I need-- I-I-I-I, I need an ambulance at, uh, 4544...
Let's go, breathe.
Come on, Brian, breathe.
Breathe for me, Brian, let's go.
Come on, let's breathe.
Here we go.
Come on, Brian.
-They're on their way. -Breathe.
Oh!
Breathe for me, Brian.
Come on.
You...
This-- this makes no sense to me.
What is it you see?
How does this serve a purpose?
Another life?
Come on.
Why let us choose?
Why?
Come on.
Oh, God.
Open his airways.
Hey, son.
Wake up, son, wake up.
Hey, Brian, hey.
-All right. -All right.
All right, okay.
-Keep his head elevated. -Okay.
-Keep his head elevated. -You're okay.
-You gave us a scare there, kid.
You're going to be all right.
You're okay now.
You're okay.
Open your eyes, let's see.
All right, there you go, huh?
You had us nervous there for a minute, didn't you?
Okay.
You're going to be okay, huh?
It'll be okay.
All right?
Don't do that again.
Okay, yeah.
Yeah, okay.
Okay, all right.
I-I don't know how you do what you do and not...
What?
I don't know how you just let it slide off your back.
It doesn't destroy you, doesn't even--?
You don't question...?
It's my job, you know-- just a job.
Yeah, but...
But, uh... hmm... nothing.
Thank you, Willie.
Well, I'll be back, you know.
Why?
You think there's another kid already?
Well, there will be.
Always is, right?
Yeah.
I've got to pay you.
How do you...?
Do you want a check
or cash or how do you...?
Actually, uh, you know what?
I have a, I have a really, really smart 13-year-old girl.
She would love the Jefferson Academy.
Oh, wow, really?
Oh, that'd be... awesome.
You just say the word.
-Call me when she's ready and I'd love to have her. -Really?
-Yeah. -Okay.
Oh, that'd be great.
Wow, what about your son?
Hey, Ben.
l, um...
I'm sorry.
All right?
Please come home.