The Death of Richie (1977 TV Movie)
Ben Gazzara: George Werner
Photos
Quotes
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George Werner : [answering phone at home] Hello?
Principal : Mr. Werner?
George Werner : That's right.
Principal : [sternly] This is Jim Fischer, I'm the principal at the high school. Would you please come over and pick up your son?
George Werner : [concerned] What's the matter, is Richie sick or something?
Principal : So far this morning, he's threatened the study hall supervisor, was very abusive to me, and tried to attack the school nurse!
George Werner : [resignedly] I'll be right over.
[hangs up]
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George Werner : [George has played the tape of a phone call he recorded between Richie and Brick... he shuts it off] You boys heard enough? Now that's just a sample! I have a few more of these cassettes!
Peanuts : [indignant] What're you gonna do with them?
George Werner : [snatching hat from Peanuts' head and shoving it into his chest] I should tell the police... and that would be the finish of anybody on parole.
[he glares pointedly at a stricken Brick]
George Werner : But I think the fair thing to do is to call your parents.
Peanuts : Don't call my folks! They got enough problems! Why are you doing this, anyway?
George Werner : TO SAVE MY SON!
Richie Werner : [smiling] Don't look at me, guys.
Mark : Okay, okay... go ahead, tell them! I mean, what do I care? They know all about it!
George Werner : I don't think that's true!
Brick : What if we promise to stop?
George Werner : I wouldn't believe you. But in spite of that, I'm going to give you another chance. I won't call the police, I won't tell your parents. And in return, Richie isn't to see any one of you anymore... or talk to you on the phone.
[boys pause, defeated]
George Werner : Okay, say your goodbyes.
[all four go outside]
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Carol Werner : [after Richie has stumbled home high on reds and pot, Carol turns to George] What's wrong with him?
George Werner : [disgusted] Same thing as always.
[walks down the hall to Richie's room, not seeing him, finds hidden panel in closet leading to cubbyhole where Richie is withdrawing... George grabs him and hauls him out]
Richie Werner : Go away! Go away! Leave me alone! STOP IT! STOP IT!
[Richie runs out sobbing and into Carol's arms... she leads him out of the room while George destroys the cubbyhole's contents]
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George Werner : [Richie stumbles out of his room, obviously stoned... George and Carol are watching from the dinner table] That promise you and your buddies made me didn't last long, did it?
Richie Werner : What we do is no business of yours.
George Werner : Well, then I'll let the police handle it.
[Richie tries to walk past George, who blocks him in]
Richie Werner : [snarling] Get out of my way...
George Werner : You're not going anywhere!
Richie Werner : You better do what I tell you, man!
[pats breast pocket of his jacket]
Richie Werner : I got a razor right here, you stand there and I'll use it!
Carol Werner : [anguished] Please! STOP IT! You know, Richie... if you hate us so much, everything we are, everything we believe, then why don't you just go away? Please... please, just go away!
[breaks down in tears]
George Werner : [to Carol, putting his arm around her] I'm sorry.
[Richie leaves]
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Richie Werner : [Richie has taken 'reds' to confront his father about his intervention of going to the police... George has retreated to the basement] YOU! Did you tell those cops I use dope, huh? HUH?
Carol Werner : [Richie throws bucket from basement steps in his father's direction] Richie, stop it!
Richie Werner : I asked you a question! I want an answer, huh?
[picks up an awl and feigns jabs at George]
Richie Werner : Did you tell those cops I use dope? You answer me!
Richie Werner : [George reaches behind himself to a pistol in his toolbox] HUH? I got you now, you answer me!
Richie Werner : [George produces gun and aims it at Richie] A gun! Look at this, he's got a gun! Look at that! God! Shoot me!
Carol Werner : [hysterical] STOP IT!
Richie Werner : Come on, use it! USE IT USE IT! SHOOT ME!
Carol Werner : [screaming... George cocks the gun's hammer] RICHIE, STOP IT!
Richie Werner : SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME!
[collapses from his drug-induced rage and drops awl... George kicks it away from him]
Carol Werner : RICHIE! RICHIE!
[Richie stumbles upstairs... Carol turns to George]
Carol Werner : Oh my God! What are we going to do?
George Werner : [calmly] I don't know... I don't know.
Richie Werner : [stumbles back downstairs with a knife in his hand] Shoot me! SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME!
Richie Werner : [George takes aim] SHOOT ME! SHOOT MEEE! SHOOOOT MEEEE!
[George fires gun, Richie screams]