[click]
[panting]
[panting intensifies]
[servos whirring]
[♪ Cathy Rigby: "I Won't Grow Up" from Peter Pan]
-♪ Are you ready for today's lesson? ♪ -♪ Yes, sir! ♪
♪ Then listen to your father and repeat after me ♪
-♪ I won't grow up ♪ -♪ I won't grow up ♪
♪ I don't want to go to school ♪
-♪ I don't want to go to school ♪ -[shuddering]
-♪ Just to learn to be a parrot ♪ -♪ Just to learn to be a parrot ♪
-♪ And recite a silly rule ♪ -♪ And recite a silly rule ♪
-♪ If growing up means it would be ♪ -[screams]
-♪ Beneath my dignity to climb a tree ♪ -[whimpering]
-♪ I'll never grow up ♪ -[screams]
♪ Never grow up ♪♪
[alarm clock buzzing]
[♪ Dr. Dre featuring Anderson .Paak: "All in a Day's Work"]
♪ Sittin' 'bout a hundred stories up ♪
♪ Like what the fuck? ♪
♪ And I'm just lookin' at it all ♪
-♪ I want it all ♪ -♪ I'll be right here in Los Angeles ♪
♪ Lookin' like a villain layin' low ♪
♪ Nothing I can do but pack it all up ♪
♪ Goin' up, but, shit, I feel the love ♪
♪ Spotlight on me, and I'm feelin' so rare tonight ♪
♪ Ha, actin' a fool and feelin' alive...
Uh-uh-uh.
[chuckles]
Back away from that fridge.
[laughs]
-Happy birthday. -Aw.
Your daddy would be so proud of you.
-Thanks, Mom. -Kelvin!
Wish your mama a happy birthday before she go to work.
Happy birthday, Mom. Damn.
[laughs]
[buzzing]
All right. I got to go.
I love you.
[kisses]
Be safe.
♪ Best believe I'm in the building ♪
♪ Ha, I hear you motherfuckers talkin' and all that, but, uh ♪
♪ No, no, don't mention me at all ♪
♪ Yeah, comin' live and direct ♪
♪ And I know you feelin' some type of way about it, but, uh ♪
♪ Watch your mouth ♪
♪ I dare your ass to say something ♪♪
1227 East 35th Street.
Southeast corner. Single-family residence.
[Diaz] El Chato on Olympic.
Best breakfast burrito in the city, boss.
No food at a crime scene, and don't call me "boss."
I told you, compadre. I'll take hers.
Late night? I only ask because you're late.
You only ask 'cause you're an asshole.
You responding?
Call came in just before 6:30 a.m.
Victim is a Ms. Bernice Mott.
-Foster mother. -Who made the call?
One of the children. Malcolm, 16.
Where's Malcolm now?
Transporting him to PAB for questioning.
Only material.
-For now. -The other children?
DCFS has them downtown.
[McKinney] Captain.
Thanks.
No porch light or exterior lighting on,
closest streetlight is approximately 60 feet north.
[officer retching]
[McKinney] Good God.
[Davies] Main breaker tripped.
[suspenseful music playing]
No signs of forced entry in the front door.
Curtains pulled in the living room
and the dining room.
There are mold spores on the ceiling
and the walls.
[officers speaking indistinctly]
All that money from the state, she couldn't spring for a decent La-Z-Boy?
-Was it this hot when you got here? -[Davies] Worse.
Thermostat was cranked to 90.
There's a star-shaped clock on the wall in the dining room.
Stopped at 3:17.
Glass is cracked.
Sign of struggle?
[camera shutter clicks]
Glass door in the dining room has been shattered.
[Davies] Watch your step.
[camera shutter clicks]
The kids were in this bed when we got here.
♪ ♪
[gasping]
[clicks]
Dirty... dirty diapers,
broken toys.
Square imprint on the floor of the closet in the master.
Something was here.
It's been moved.
[sighs]
-[gasping] -[heart beating]
[Diaz] Detective?
[gasps]
You okay?
Yeah, fine.
Fine.
You're gonna want to come see this.
[jarring music playing]
[tape recorder clicks]
Cleaning supplies lined up along the hallway into the kitchen.
What the fuck?
[crunches]
-[gasps] -[Diaz] Shit.
[panting]
Victim's...
victim's right leg has been broken,
bent... backward.
Complex fractures implied.
Victim's neck has been broken.
Her head... twisted.
Multiple spinal fractures implied.
Ms. Mott's mouth is distended...
unnaturally so.
[panting]
[man on tape] Are you ready to release yourself from fear?
[Edmund] Imagine...
[man on tape] Imagine what might happen,
what might be available to you
-if fear was not an option. -If fear was not an option.
Are you ready?
Ready to relinquish doubt and befriend
-your most actualized self? -[muttering] Your most actualized self?
-Are you ready to rel-- -[tape player clicks]
[breathing deeply]
[slow exhale]
Are you scared?
Don't be.
[breathing deeply]
[ominous music playing]
[faint cheering]
[announcer] Who is everyone's favorite piggy?
That's right, it's Cheddar!
And here he comes right now!
[♪ Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock: "It Takes Two"]
-Hey, everybody. -[cheering]
Who's ready to party?
♪ It takes two to make a thing go right ♪
♪ It takes two to make it outta sight ♪
[breathing heavily]
-♪ Hit it ♪ -♪ I wanna rock right now ♪
♪ I'm Rob Base, and I came to get down ♪
♪ I'm not internationally known ♪
♪ But I'm known to rock the microphone ♪
♪ Because I get stupid, I mean outrageous ♪
♪ Stay away from me if you're contagious ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm the winner ♪
♪ No, I'm not the loser ♪
♪ To be an emcee is what ♪♪
-♪ Before I win this fight, sing ♪ -[♪ Bobby Brown: "My Prerogative"]
♪ Everybody's talkin'...
What the hell was that?
I was just trying something new.
You think corporate approved my script so that you could try something new?
It's called improv.
No, it's called a liability, dancing around like that.
You could kick some poor kid in the face, knock a molar loose.
Who's paying for it?
♪ It's my prerogative...
Exactly.
But the kids loved it.
[scoffs] A kid just tried to swallow a Skee-Ball.
They're not Siskel and Ebert.
Is that all?
I have an audition.
Ah, yeah. Good luck with that, Billy Dee.
♪ Ego trips is not my thing ♪
♪ All these strange relationships ♪
♪ Really gets me down ♪♪
[protesters shouting]
[Daryl Gates] ...that are being used across the nation in law enforcement.
This is an aberration.
This is something that should never have happened.
We had in place all of the procedures
that would keep it from happening.
Procedures fell down because of human error,
and we will deal with that human error.
Fuck that. Guy was a beast.
Yes, sirree, he was a big ol' boy.
I'm sorry.
Everything that happens in the police department reflects upon me.
I'm gonna need you to step back.
I don't escape, uh, any kind of responsibility...
Cuff me.
[Gates continues indistinctly]
[chuckles]
[busy chatter]
[Dawn] Lieutenant.
[sighs] I just came from East 35th.
Yeah, I heard it was brutal.
Yes, sir. I want this one.
Color me surprised.
I'm so glad that I have a fucking door so people can't just walk in.
The Mott murder, sir.
It's been decided.
You're it.
Great. Thank you.
Partnered with McKinney.
He's the lead.
Fuck.
Remember who gave you your last two promotions
and choose your next words carefully.
It's just... he has his own style.
There, you see? Diplomacy looks good on you, Reeve.
He closes too quick, sir.
Translation, he doesn't overinvest. He stays grounded.
What is that supposed to mean?
I got removed from Southside Slayer almost two years ago.
Isn't there some sort of statute of limitations on penance?
Unfortunately, I got a memory like an elephant when it comes to D-2s
physically assaulting a CI and blowing up an investigation.
I didn't blow up an investigation.
You didn't not blow up an investigation either.
Well, if you think that, then why assign me at all?
Well, unfortunately for me, you work hard and smart.
And you'll never let something like that happen again.
-Yes, sir. -[McKinney] Hello, Malcolm.
I'm Detective McKinney.
This is Detective Reeve.
Sorry to hear about what happened to your foster mom.
You must be shaken up.
We don't want to cause you any more grief.
All we want to know is what you saw.
Nothing.
Okay. Then, what you heard.
[Dawn] Malcolm, I know you didn't do that
to Ms. Mott.
I also know that you must have heard something.
[knuckles popping]
[trembling breath]
[McKinney] You're a big boy, Malcolm.
Did you play football?
I played.
Linebacker.
You?
Let me guess.
Full back?
Big and strong.
Now, you were a little kid in that house, weren't you?
Been with Ms. Mott since you were how old?
Three.
Three-year-old's not so big and strong.
I was called out to that house once or twice.
I was a patrol officer back then.
And I remember because I saw a few kids,
and those kids all looked real scared of Ms. Mott.
Now, were you scared of her?
-[cracking] -[trembling breath]
Not now, right, but you were.
Now, she ever hit you?
Sh-She's dead. Who the fuck cares?
-Malcolm. -How'd it go down, Malcolm?
Did you get some friends from the football team to help you?
Maybe get high on PCP?
Man, I don't care that she's dead, but I didn't fucking do it!
[breathing shakily]
Eyes here!
[shaky breaths]
Don't act all scared now.
Big tough guy, remember? Look at her!
[sobbing]
[cracking]
I don't know what happened.
Your tears aren't gonna help you now, Malcolm. You tell us.
Can I go back with my sister?
As soon as you tell us the truth.
-[crying] I don't know what happened. -[Dawn] Malcolm.
Malcolm, you have a right to an attorney.
Would you like a lawyer present while you speak to us?
-Yes, yes. Yes, ma'am. Yes, please. -Okay.
-Yes, please.
Please. I can't... Please.
[sobbing]
[casting assistant] Slate your name and role to the camera.
[Edmund] Hi. My name is Edmund Gaines,
and I'll be reading for the role of Pookie G.
[sharp breath]
Motherfuckers come into our hood,
they're gonna get this gat.
Straight to their motherfucking...
mofuckin'...
-mofuckin' nuts. -[casting director] All right, E-Edmund.
I'm gonna stop you right there.
Um, I want you to remember that Pookie G is a gangbanger, okay?
Hardened criminal. Rikers. The whole shebang.
Yeah, okay, sure.
Bit more street. Right?
This guy is tough, so, you know...
Let's, uh, let's just take it again from the top.
[clears throat]
Tiki, tiki, ta. Tiki, tiki, ta.
Whoo!
Motherfuckers come! Motherfuckers come...
[clears throat]
Motherfuckers come into our hood...
[cameraman snickering]
...they're gonna get this gat.
Straight to their motherfucking nuts.
[snickers]
I... I'll straight...
...straight fuck you up.
You fuck with me, homeboy.
[grunts softly]
[choir vocalizing]
[music stops abruptly]
[Rhonda] Hey, how'd it go in there?
I guess this one wasn't mine.
-But the next one will be, though. -I know that's right.
The universe don't quit on the ones who won't quit. [chuckles]
[chuckles softly]
I'm not an actor, but I do see a ton come through here,
and the ones who end up booking never stop.
One day the right role and you will meet.
I can feel it. [chuckles]
[soft chuckle]
Thank you.
For your son.
You remembered?
I remember everything.
Well, thank you. [chuckles]
He loves video games.
Bring him by the restaurant sometime.
I'll hook y'all up with some pizza and soda.
Lord knows that boy don't need any soda. [laughs]
But I may just take you up on that.
Thanks for the advice.
You're very welcome.
[ominous music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[whispering] I'll straight fuck you up,
you fuck with me, homeboy.
I'll straight fuck you up,
you fuck with me, homeboy.
I'll straight fuck you up...
...you fuck with me, homeboy.
I'll straight--
[groans softly]
[faint drumming]
Be right out.
[music playing faintly]
[Athena] Happy birthday, baby.
Something you want to tell me?
Oh, I almost forgot.
[Dawn] Anything else?
He remembered. That-That's nice, right?
Kelvin know his dad sent it?
No.
Hey, come on.
You guys were young when you got married,
and-and he still remembers.
So, the car?
I was gonna tell you.
I was. I just didn't want you to worry.
How much do I owe, Ma?
Uh, it's nothing like that.
There was a few trash cans behind the store,
and-and I was trying to rush home
and fix your birthday dinner and I hit the--
How are your hands?
-Ah, here we go. -I'm just asking a question.
I'm just telling you, they are fine.
I am fine.
[laughs] It's so beautiful, I don't even want to open it.
That's why Grandma get paid the big bucks, right, Gram?
Best gift wrapper in the store, ten years running.
-Mm-hmm. -Now, can your hands do that? Hmm?
Well, come on, Ma. Open it.
[inhales sharply] Okay.
Here we go.
Ma.
[laughs]
[gasps]
-Are you serious? -[chuckles] Oh, shit.
Ma, you look like a straight nerd.
-[Athena] Come on. -The hair! Ma!
I was trying out something new.
And that was the day I stopped cutting your hair.
-[Dawn] M'kay. -You know, y-your mama used to sit in her room
every day after school and play with them puzzles.
I couldn't get her to leave for nothing.
Hmm. Obviously, she didn't have friends.
Listen, you keep on talking,
I will turn that garage into a puzzle room.
-[Athena] Oh, look at that. -[Kelvin laughs]
-[Athena sighs] -[Dawn] Ma.
[Athena] So smart and imaginative.
And nosy. [chuckles]
She was always trying to figure out something.
Even then. My little detective.
Thanks, Ma.
Thank you.
I love you. All right, so...
But you don't love that picture, do you?
You know? It is beautiful. So beautiful...
No, put it...
You can put it in the front.
Yeah, great.
[laughter]
[tense music playing]
[jarring music playing]
[Rhonda] Edmund?
Edmund.
Hi.
[chuckles softly]
This is Kenny.
He's feeling a little shy right now.
Hey. Do... do, do you want some pepperoni pizza?
Yeah? All right. High-five it.
Oh, my goodness. Oh, my...
[gasps]
Do you have superpowers? Are you a superhero?
[laughs] You're really good with kids.
Well... Well, m-my parents, they, uh,
they both were teachers, so... I-I guess I learned it from them.
Well, his dad, my ex, I don't want to get into all that,
but, uh, he's not good with kids or feelings.
-Hmm. -But you are.
I-I think, uh... I think that's why I like acting.
I guess I'm just not good enough because I-I never get cast for anything.
-You have a big heart. -[groans]
You do, and a unique sensibility.
It's just... there's not enough roles for brothers like you.
It's either Gangbanger #1 or Drug Dealer #2.
[quietly] It's bullshit.
[normal voice] You know what?
I get all these scripts that come across my desk.
I'm gonna find something that you'd be good for.
Really? You-You'd do that for me?
Absolutely.
Okay. [chuckles]
Um... uh...
Here's my number.
Um, and if you, if you find something,
you-you're gonna call me?
Can we go over there?
Of course.
Oh, here.
You... should have mine, too.
[♪ Steve Miller Band: "Abracadabra"]
Come on. Come on.
Come on, buddy. Have fun.
[both laugh]
I'll race you. Come on. Let's go.
How high can you jump?
♪ Abra, abracadabra ♪
♪ I wanna reach out and grab ya ♪
♪ Abra, abracadabra ♪
♪ Abracadabra ♪
♪ Abra, abracadabra ♪
♪ I wanna reach out and grab ya ♪♪
[Dawn] How many times was Child Services called
to the Mott house this year, you think?
[DCFS rep] I don't have that information on me at the moment.
But this is the number to our downtown branch.
They'd be more than happy to assist you with any information.
I'll take it from here.
[caseworker] Why don't we take a look at some of the things that I brought
for us today?
Ninja Turtles, huh?
My boy used to love them.
He used to run around the house in his little blanket,
talking about "Cowabunga, dude!"
[chuckles] I think Raphael was his favorite.
Or was it Michelangelo? Hmm?
Donatello is the funniest.
Donatello? Okay. All right.
I need to brush up on my Ninja Turtles, clearly.
Well, I just wanted to check on you.
Talked to your brother yesterday.
He loves you very much.
Are you gonna take him?
No. Never. I would never do that.
He was very, very helpful.
He eats a lot.
[chuckles] Well, you are lucky to have him,
and he's lucky to have a little sister like you.
She's beautiful. What's her name?
Kiki.
Kiki? Hi, Kiki.
Ms. Bernice said I'm too old to play with dolls.
Can I tell you a secret?
When I was a little girl,
I had an imaginary friend that I used to play with all the time.
At least you can see Kiki.
I'm the weirdo that has to make a friend up.
That's weird.
[laughs]
Do me and my brother have to go back there?
Never again.
Good, because I didn't like it. It was bad.
How was it bad?
Ms. Bernice, she was mean.
Was Ms. Bernice mean to you or your brother this week?
She was scared.
What was Ms. Bernice scared of, you think?
Him.
[haunting music playing]
Did you know him?
The man Ms. Bernice was scared of?
She didn't want to fall asleep.
She didn't want us to fall asleep either.
[Bernice] He's in the house!
[overlapping noise]
[Malcolm] Stop it, please!
[Bernice] He's in the house!
-He's in the house! -Stop it, please!
-Please stop it! -He's in the house!
Please! Stop!
He's in the house! He's in the house!
He's in the--
-[cracking] -[Bernice screams]
-[thud] -He's in the...
-[cracking] -[screaming]
[thudding]
[cracking]
[Kia crying]
[chopping]
[metallic screeching]
-[cracking] -[Bernice screams]
Kel?
Be right out.
[panting]
[cartoon sound effects and chatter on TV]
[takes deep breath]
[maniacal laughter on TV]
[clock ticking]
[opens door]
[ominous music playing]
♪ ♪
[tape player clicks]
[Dawn] 1227 East 35th Street.
Southeast corner. Single-family residence.
No porch light or exterior lighting on,
closest streetlight is approximately 60 feet north.
No signs of forced entry in the front door.
Curtains pulled in the living room
and the dining room.
Sign of struggle?
[cracks]
Victim's neck...
[cracks]
...has been broken.
Her head, twisted.
[cracking]
Multiple spinal fractures implied.
[screams]
Victim's right leg...
-[snaps] -...is broken,
bent... backward.
Complex fractures implied.
[overlapping sounds on tape]
[clattering]
[distorted voice speaks indistinctly]
[tape hissing]
[stops, rewinds tape]
[Dawn] ...fractures implied.
[panting]
[distorted voice speaks indistinctly]
[tape hissing]
[Dawn panting]
[tape rewinds, stops]
[Dawn panting on tape]
[distorted voice speaks indistinctly]
[tape rewinds]
[tape hissing]
[distorted voice] Are you scared?
[jarring music playing]
[panting]
[dramatic music playing]
♪ ♪