"Conversions" written by Tom Fontana [The box.] Hill: Every person on the planet was raised to believe some version of the truth - about God, about morality, mortality, about the purpose of life. We usually call those beliefs 'religion'. And if, over the course of living, those beliefs break down, they prove themselves not to be true, we search for a new religion to follow, and we convert. Now, that conversion can be traumatic, not only for ourselves, our souls, but for those around us. [Em City. Quad.] McManus: Can I have your attention? Everybody's attention, please! In my on-going effort to improve the quality of your lives, I'm instituting a couple of new programs. Starting today, once a week we're gonna show you an instructional video for one half-hour of TV time. (the prisoners react) And attendance is mandatory. Murphy: Hey, hey, I want to hear silence! McManus: Over there is another idea of mine. (COs unveil cage.) Now, when you violate some rules, instead of sending you to the hole, we're going to stick you inside that cage, in full view of your adoring public. Any questions? Keller: Yeah, Mr. McManus, sir? How big is your penis? (The prisoners laugh.) McManus: Keller, you get the honour of being the first slug inside the cage. (Keller is led to the cage amid hooting and hollering.) Hoyt: Stupid faggot. McManus: All right, everybody else find a seat, here is the first video. Let 'er rip. TV (VO): Life's like a house: sure, you can paint it and decorate it alone, but then, only you'll appreciate it. Others won't, and don't you want them to? That's what community is for. [Solitary.] (White is released.) Supreme Allah: You outta here? White: Mm-hmm. Allah: Hey yo, you tell everybody in Emerald City that Supreme Allah's not done, you hear me? Tell 'em Supreme Allah's coming back, and he's coming back strong. CO: Quiet down, Ketchum. Allah: Let 'em know. [Em City. Unit Manager's office.] McManus: I got you out of solitary because you said you want to change. White: Mm-hmm. McManus: Well, I'm giving you that chance, Omar, and I'm gonna do whatever I can to help, but I need you off the drugs. White: Mm-hmm. McManus: You screw up again, I'll send you right back to solitary. Do you understand? White: Uh-huh. McManus: Okay. [Em City.] White: Shit, he called me a drug abuser, man. I ain't no drug abuser. I mean, truth be told, son, I treat my drugs better than most. (laughs) Now he want me to go to Rehab. Poet: Rehab is cool, man. You get to talk about yourself a lot. White: What you doing, 17 to life? By the time I get out this motherfucker there ain't gonna be shit to recover. [Em City. Quad.] TV announcer: Miguel Alvarez, a fugitive from the Oswald State Correctional Facility for the past six months, has been captured. Customs agents near (city) Arizona found Alvarez late last night as he tried to cross the border into Mexico. In other news - Guerra: Alvarez is coming back. Morales: So? Guerra: The motherfucker tried to kill me. Morales: Yeah, only because you tried to kill him. Or did I get the story wrong? You let it go, chico. [Processing.] Alvarez: How you doin', Glynn? You miss me? Glynn: No. Alvarez: Yeah, well, I almost made it. I almost made it into Mexico. Glynn: We would have found you there. Alvarez: I don't think so. You know, I would have made my way to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Columbia, go up the Andes through Chile, till I hit this little spot called 'Tierra del Fuego.' You know about Tierra del Fuego? Glynn: It's the end of the earth. Alvarez: S'right. You woulda gone that far to capture me? The end of the earth? Glynn: Probably not. Alvarez: Next time. Glynn: Take him to solitary. [Solitary.] (Alvarez is led to his cell.) Allah: What's up, man? CO: Keep moving. Alvarez: Who's that? CO: What's it matter? Alvarez: Just like to know the quality of criminal I'm neighboring with. CO: He's a wank job, just like you. (He shuts the door.) Alvarez: (looks around the cell) Shit. [Cafeteria.] Guerra: You put something in Alvarez's food. White: Like what? Guerra: I don't know, rat poison or something. Look, the point is, you kill him, Omar, I'll see you get all the fucking tits you need, huh? What do you say? White: No. Guerra: No? Why no? White: I just don't like you. Guerra: You don't like me. White: I can't put my finger on it. I don't know if it's the way you look, or your smell, your breath, the way you talk, I don't know what, you know, it's just something about you just rubs me the wrong way. Guerra: Yeah? Well, fuck you, nigger. (White takes a kitchen knife and stabs Guerra. COs drag him off.) [Solitary.] Allah: You back? White: Uh-huh. Allah: Fuck, nigger, that gotta be some kind of record or something. White: You Alvarez? Alvarez: Yeah. White: You owe me, dog. CO: Inside. [Bathroom.] (FB: Howell and Ryan doing the nasty.) Ryan: Claire? Howell: Yeah? Ryan: How much do you love me? Howell: Plenty. Ryan: Enough to do anything I ask? Howell: Yeah. Ryan: Thatta girl. [Em City. Quad.] Keller: Wait a minute, wait a minute. You fucked Howell? Ryan: Mm-hmm. Keller: You just don't drop a nugget like that without a few details, O'Reily. Ryan: We had sex maybe five times in the ladies' toilet off the interview room. Then she got weird. Keller: What do you mean weird? Weird like possessive weird? Ryan: Yeah. So when McManus came back and took over Em City and shipped her off to Unit J I was, to say the least, relieved. I haven't seen much of her since. Keller: My esteem for you has risen sixty-nine percent, but tell me, as one manipulative turd to another, now did you fuck Howell for the sex, or to get her to do some other kind of nasty? Ryan: Just the sex. Check. Keller: Fuck. [Hallway.] (Mineo escorts Ryan. They pass Howell.) Howell: Don't you be winking at me! Ryan: What? Mineo: Claire - Howell: The fucking bastard's winking at me! Take him to the Hole! Ryan: That's bullshit! Howell: Take him to the hole. Ryan: Mineo - Howell: Joe. Mineo: All right, all right. But you're filling out the paperwork. Ryan: Mineo. What? Fucking dyke! [The hole.] Howell: Ryan. Did you miss me? Ryan: Oh, Christ. [Infirmary.] Nurse: Dr. Nathan. Welcome back. Nathan: Thanks. It's good to be back. Sister Pete: Oh, no, I wanted to put these on your desk before you arrived. Nathan: Oh, Pete, hi. (they hug) Sister Pete: Wow, you look great. Nathan: Thanks. I feel great, you know, renewed. Ready to jump back into the job with both feet. Sister Pete: Listen, I've got six seconds before group, so let's meet later and review the current cases, okay? Bienvenita. Nathan: Gracias. Nurse: Dr. Nathan! We need you. Orderly: This guy took a shank to the face. The other guy wasn't as lucky. [Breakroom.] McManus: Cyril O'Reily. Nathan: Yeah, I heard what he did to that newsguy, Jack Eldridge, nearly beat him to death. Sister Pete: Cyril's condition is only getting worse. We can't find the right balance of medication. Nathan: Mm. I'd like to examine him. Can you arrange that, Tim? McManus: Sure. Sister Pete: Well, who's next? McManus: Uh, I think that's it. Sister Pete: Okay, I'm off to group. (she leaves) Nathan: See you. McManus: Bye. (to Nathan) How're you doing? Want to have some dinner? Nathan: Nah. McManus: Well, I really only mean dinner. Nathan: I know. Raincheck, okay? See you. (she leaves) McManus: See you. [Infirmary.] Nathan: Okay, good. Put your shirt on. Cyril: Dr. Nathan, where you been? Nathan: Uh, I took a few months off, a little vacation. Cyril: After you got raped. Nathan: Uh, yeah. Cyril: I wish I could have. Nathan: Could have what? Cyril: Taken a vacation after I got raped. It was okay, though. I had Ryan to help me. Nathan: Yeah, he's a very helpful guy. Cyril: I wish I could help him. He's sick. When he was in the hole, he got a cold. Nathan: (to CO) You can take him back. [Kitchen.] (Ryan coughs up a lung.) Pancamo: For Christ's sake, O'Reily, quit coughing on the food. You're gonna get the whole fucking prison sick. Ryan: Relax, man. I'm not contagious anymore. Pancamo: Sure. (Ryan spots Nathan leaving the cafeteria.) Ryan: On second thought, I'm not feeling so hot after all. I gotta go to the Infirmary. [Infirmary.] Nathan: Deep breath. Again. Yeah, you just sound congested. Give him a hit of albuturol, let's keep him overnight. Nurse: Follow me. [Staff locker room.] Howell: Welcome back. Nathan: Huh? Howell: Welcome back. Nathan: Oh, thanks, Claire. Howell: Just wanted you to know, I've been taking good care of Ryan O'Reily for you. Nathan: What do you mean? Howell: You know, giving him a helping hand. [Infirmary.] (Night. Ryan gets out of bed and goes to Dr. Nathan's office.) [Office.] CO: Get back in bed. Nathan: No, that's okay, Benny. I want to talk to him. But, stay nearby. (She and Ryan go to her desk and sit.) Are you feeling better? Ryan: Uh-huh. Nathan: (shows him gold shamrock necklace) Did you send me this? Ryan: Yes. Nathan: You killed him, didn't you? Keenan. Ryan: Yes. Nathan: You admit to murdering him, even though you know I could tell the warden that you confessed and you'd probably end up on Death Row? Ryan: Keenan raped you. He didn't deserve to breathe. If I have to die because of that, okay. Kill me. Nathan: Go to bed. Ryan: I love you. Nathan: Benny, Carl, we're finished. (Ryan is escorted out.) [Psych.] Nathan: I've hated Ryan O'Reily for so long, so deeply. He's responsible for the death of my husband. But, he did it out of love for me, and Keenan, too, all for me. He loves me more than Preston ever did. Ryan's love is enormous, overwhelming, unconditional, undying. Am I crazy to push him away, or - Sister Pete: Gloria, listen to yourself. His love is anything but unconditional, and often, anything but love. Now look, the feelings he has for you are dangerous. He is dangerous, and for you to encourage him, given that you don't share those feelings - Nathan: I do. I do share his feelings. God help me. I love Ryan O'Reily. [Infirmary.] (Ryan is escorted back to Em City. Nathan watches him go.) [The box.] Hill: When Christopher Columbus landed in the new world, a Catholic priest was right alongside him. From then on, the priests kept coming over to this continent, trying to convert the Indians. Trying to get 'em to kiss the crucifix, to stop smoking peyote, to cover up their nakedness. The Indians responded with great enthusiasm: They maimed, tortured and burned the priests, and then offered the bodies up to their own gods. [Em City. Quad.] (The prisoners are watching tv.) Beecher: What's this? Morales: James Devlin is about to get inaugurated for his second term as governor. Beecher: (to Murphy) Hey! Change the station? Hoyt: Won't do no good. This scumfuck's on every channel. Poet: Hey, we need to petition the warden to get us some cable up in here. Cyril: Augustus, he's got wheels like you. Hill: Will you look at that. Devlin (on tv): I do solemnly swear to execute the office of governor to the best of my ability, and to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of this state with equality and justice for all. [Warden's office.] Devlin (on tv): So help me god. (Glynn turns off tv as Sister Pete enters.) Sister Pete: Wishing you were up there? Glynn: Neil Bolan will make a great lieutenant governor. Sister Pete: That's not what I asked. Do you regret dropping out of the race? Glynn: Nope. Sister Pete: Good. (Busmalis enters.) Busmalis: Warden, Barry Levine on line two. Glynn: Who's Barry Levine? Busmalis: I don't know. Says he knows you. Glynn: Barry Levine? Busmalis: Wants to talk to you about the Warden's Conference? Glynn: Oh. You mean Barney Levin? Busmalis: Oh, maybe that's what he said. Glynn: Look, tell him I'll call him back later. And use the god-damn intercom! Busmalis: Yes, sir. (he leaves) Glynn: Man! Busmalis is driving me crazy - he's the worst assistant I ever had. He gets numbers wrong, he screws up appointments. I'm hosting the regional conference of the Warden's Association next week, and he has managed to mangle every detail. Sister Pete: So, get another prisoner to assist you. Glynn: Who? How many drug dealers can use Excel? Sister Pete: Hire someone from outside. Glynn: Everytime I do, they end up quitting. They get jumpy working here. I need to find somebody who's smart, funny, diplomatic, and fearless. Sister Pete: I may have the perfect person. A woman I met doing volunteer work at a homeless shelter. Her name is Floria Mills. [Reception.] Mills: I'm not late, am I? Glynn: No, you're, uh, right on time. Mills: Oh, my car broke down on the expressway. I don't know why they call that road expressway, 'cause the traffic moves like snails. Then I managed to hitch a ride with a trucker, only we got to talking, so we missed the exit ramp, and then he didn't want to come all the way up here. Turns out, he served four years for armed robbery, so I had to walk, which is why I must look like yesterday's gumbo. Here's my resume. Glynn: You always have this much energy? Mills: Actually, you caught me on one of my slow days. Sister Pete: Congratuations, Floria. Mills: For what? Sister Pete: You just got the job. (she leaves) Mills: I did? Glynn: Yes. (she screams) [Hallway.] Mills (on phone): I understand the warden's former assistant said we needed food for twenty, but he made a miscalculation, which I hope you'll help me correct. Now, Carl, nothing's impossible. The governor is going to be at the conference, and you know if he likes your catering, you'll be working state functions for years. Oh, thank you Carl, you're a sweetie. (She has been walking down the hallway, now enters the cafeteria, where the prisoners whistle and hoot at her. She seems unfazed, even appreciative of the attention.) [Warden's office.] (There is a knock at the door.) Glynn: Yeah? Mills: (enters) Well, if it's okay, I'm going home. Glynn: Sure. Good first day. Mills: Oh, thanks. I had fun. Glynn: Fun? Fun's not a word I'd associate with Oz. Mills: Warden, have you ever thought about redecorating? Glynn: Not really. Mills: Well, with your permission, I'd like make a few changes. Brighten things up, get new furniture. Glynn: Okay. Mills: Unless, of course, you think your wife would mind. I mean, I don't know the woman, but I know that there are some wives who take their husband's offices very personally, if you know what I mean. Glynn: Mary won't mind, Floria. At this point, she doesn't seem to care much about what I do. The fact is, this morning my wife and I decided to separate. Mills: Oh, Warden, I am so sorry. Glynn: She asked me to move out. Mills: Do you have somewhere to go? Glynn: No. I hadn't thought about it. Mills: Well, I'll, I'll, I'll call you a hotel. There's a Hyatt right over on Bartlett and Third. Glynn: Don't bother, I'm going to sleep on this couch tonight. Mills: Do you think that's wise? Glynn: This may sound odd, but sometimes the walls around Oz make me feel safe. I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I haven't told anybody else. Mills: Goodnight, warden. Glynn: Call me Leo. Mills: You go easy on that scotch, Leo. [Visitors room.] Busmalis: The warden fired me. No thank you, no pat on the back, just clear out your desk. Norma: Well, maybe it's all for the best. Busmalis: Best? I'm back mopping floors. Scooping up poop and piss and vomit. Norma: Do you think I love what I do? Answering Miss Sally's e-mail, forging her autograph on photos. I don't think it matters what we do, as long as we do our best. Busmalis: Oh, Norma. You have the best perspective on the world. These past few months, you coming to visit, they've meant everything to me. Norma: I'm glad, Agamemnon. I want you to be happy. Busmalis: When I'm with you, I'm delirious. I love you, Norma. (gets down on one knee) Will you marry me? Norma: (stunned) Yes. Busmalis: Oh, boy. (they kiss) [Em City. Rebadow-Busmalis pod.] Busmalis: I want you to be my best man. Rebadow: Have you thought this through? Marriage is a big step, a big committment. What kind of life can you two have together, you in here, her out there? Busmalis: I won't be in Oz for long. While you were in the hospital, I started digging another tunnel. (he pushes the bed to reveal the tunnel) You and me, old friend, we'll dance the (dance) at my wedding. [The box.] Hill: Saul was a soldier, riding his horse to Damascus, when all of a sudden he saw a huge cross in the sky. Instantly, he changed the first letter of his name to "P," becoming Paul. Why? I don't know. Most of us ain't that lucky, seeing a cross in the sky. For most of us, signs from God aren't quite that clear. [Library.] Arif: (reading) Put not God with other gods, for thou wilt sit despised and forsaken. Thy Lord has decreed that ye shall not serve other than Him, and - (Tidd enters.) Arif: What do you want? Tidd: I need to talk to Minister Said. Said: (to Arif) Continue. Arif: And kindness to one's parents, whether one, or both of them - Tidd: Minister, please. I want to become a Muslim. Said: Tidd, go away. Tidd: I know in the past that I've been fierce, hanging with Adebisi and stuff, but when I saw him bleeding, and you with that shank in your hand, I knew I had to change. (he kneels) I want to join you. Said: Get up. Tidd: Save me, Minister. Said: I said, get up! CO: Hey, hey! What's going on? Said: This man is harassing me. CO: You causin' trouble, Leroy? Tidd: No. CO: Then get your ass gone. (They leave.) Arif: You know I never liked Leroy Tidd; the man's done nothing but flex since he came in to Oz, but if his conversion is real - Said: It's not. Arif: How do you know for sure? Said: Now, you of all people, you're going to question my ability to judge others? You? Arif: No. Things are as you say they are. Said: Good. Now, I don't want no more talk about Leroy Tidd. [Group.] Tidd: I am a fiend, I'm also a liar, a thief, uh, I just want to turn my life backwards, you know what I mean? But, 'cause I've been hard, no-one fucking believes me. Sister Pete: We believe you, Leroy. Don't we? Hill: Oh, yeah. Ryan: I believe him. [Em City. Computer room.] Beecher: This guy, Leroy Tidd, I think he is genuinely sorry. I think he genuinely wants to change. Said: And you came to this conclusion how? Beecher: He was in Rehab today. Said: Many in Oz have used Rehab, have used Islam for their own agenda. Tidd is one of them. Beecher: You've embraced a lot of men far worse than him. Jefferson Keene, Poet, Adebisi - Said: No! Not Adebisi! Beecher: I see. Said: Oh, you see. You see what? Beecher: Tidd hung with Adebisi, and you feel guilty about having killed him. Said: No, I do not feel guilt! I did the right thing. I did what had to be done. Beecher: Jesus Christ. That's what I said about Andrew Schillinger and Hank Schillinger. Taking a life is acceptable as long as it's excusable, right? Said: Beecher, get away from me. [Cafeteria.] Robson: So he says, "Don't eat me, eat the nigger." (Other AB members laugh. Said and other Muslims turn around.) Robson: What's the matter? You don't think that was funny? Said: No. But you, you're a joke. (Robson pulls a shank; all hell breaks loose. Robson is restrained by COs and thrown in the Hole.) [The Hole.] Robson: Fucker! [Unit B.] Tidd: Hey, Schillinger, I want to talk to you. Schillinger: Somebody tell him that I don't talk to - what is the politically correct term? Junglebunnies. Tidd: Oh, you're gonna want to talk to me. I saw the dust-up between your pals and the Muslims, and I know Said's to blame for your boy Robson spending a few days down in the Hole. Now, what I'm offering is, to take care of Said. For the right amount of cash, of course. Schillinger: Will somebody tell him we can take care of Said ourselves? We don't need to sub-contract. Tidd: And will somebody tell him, I'm gonna get close to Said, close enough to cut his throat. [Visitor's Room.] Schillinger: Here, drink that. So, the doctor says everything's okay? Carrie: Yeah. We did a sonogram, you wanna see? Schillinger: Yeah. God. Carrie: Mr. Schillinger, I'm worried. It's been five months, we still haven't heard a word from Hank. Schillinger: It's like I told you, Carrie, he just loves to disappear for long periods of time. He's got the soul of a wanderer, just like his mother. He's gonna be here when that baby's born. In the meantime, I'll get you whatever you need. Carrie: You're positive Hank'll come back? Schillinger: I believe it with all my heart, and that's what you've gotta do, okay? You've gotta believe. [FB: Crime Scene.] Hill (VO): Prisoner number 00C966, Jeremiah Cloutier. Convicted December 27, 2000, embezzlement and petty larceny. Sentence, nine years. Up for parole in five. [Cafeteria.] Keller: He's one of them TV evangelists. Rebadow: One of them? Before the scandal, he was bigger than Falwell. Busmalis: He cured my sister of leprosy. Rebadow: Liar. Busmalis: Pneumonia? (Cloutier approaches the AB table.) Cloutier: Gentlemen. Mr. Schillinger? Schillinger: Yeah. Cloutier: I bring you greetings from Calvin Anderson. Schilliner: Oh, you know Cal? Cloutier: Oh, indeed I do. When you have some time, I'd like to talk to you. Schillinger: 'Bout what? Cloutier: Life. In general. Here, in Oz. Schillinger: My schedule's pretty clear. How about right now? [Children's Visiting room.] Beecher: (reading to Holly) Jack came down out of the beanstalk as fast as he could, and he ran, and he ran, till he got to his mother's house. Once there, he gave her the golden harp, and all the other treasure he'd brought back from the giant's castle. And they lived happily ever after. Cloutier (VO): Do you believe in Jesus Christ? [Library.] Schillinger: Yeah. Of course. Cloutier: That's good. I want to ask you another question, Vern. I'd like you to answer me honestly. Are you happy? Schillinger: Sure. Cloutier: Honestly? All your life, you've thought that your way was the right way, the best way, the only way. And yet, as a result, your wife is dead, one son dead, the other missing, and you are stuck in this miserable hellhole. How could any man be happy? Let the joy of Jesus Christ fill your heart. Let him who suffered take away your suffering. Open up to the Lord. Schillinger: Get your fucking hand off me. [Visiting room.] Beecher: So how's law school, Angus? Angus: I am in a constant state of chasing my own ass. Beecher: I remember that feeling. Angus: No. Not only do I have to become the perfect lawyer, I have to be an ideal husband and father. Beecher: Because I fucked it all up. Angus: Jesus, that's not what I meant. Beecher: That's the way mother and dad feel, especially since the kidnapping. Especially since I told them I was fucking another man. Angus: Toby, they're old-fashioned. You know this doesn't make any sense to them. Beecher: What, you think it makes sense to me? (Holly comes in, he hugs her. In the next room, he sees Keller making out with an ex - the blonde.) [Em City. Quad.] (The prisoners are watching "Up Your Ante".) Gordon Elliot (on tv): Let's play the game. The category is literature. William Shakespeare once referred to this act as "the beast with two backs." John Carpenter (on tv): I'm not real confident when it comes to Shakespeare, so I think I need a hint. Elliot: Robert? Robert Klein (on tv): Shakespeare, Shakespeare. Isn't that the guy that made it with Gwyneth Paltrow? Elliot: The beast with two backs. Beecher: Sex. Carpenter: Oh, sex. Keller: Beecher. That your little brother I saw you with in the visiting room? He's cute; he fool around? (Beecher gets up and pushes him out of the way. Keller sits down.) Klein: The last time I made it, my girlfriend fell asleep in the middle. [Cafeteria.] Cloutier: Evil Merodach, King of Babylon, in the year that he became King, released Jehoiakim from prison, and he spoke kindly to him. And Jehoiakim took off his prison clothes, and he took his meals with the king, all the days of his life. Prisoner: This is bullshit. Cloutier: Who said that? Well, come on loudmouth, have the courage to face me. (The prisoner stands up.) Prisoner: I said it, and it's true. Cloutier: Step forward. What is your name, my friend? Prisoner: Jim Burns. Cloutier: And why are you in Oz, Jim Burns? Burns: They say I murdered my brother, but I'm innocent. Cloutier: You see before you a sinner. You see before you a man possessed by demons. The demons of fear, and guilt, and hate. I say demons be gone. (he lays on hands) I cast thee out in the name of Jesus Christ the Savior. Demons be gone. Leave this man, sink back into the eternal fires of damnation, in the name of God I command it, in the name of God, be gone. (Burns falls to the floor.) Now you rise. Rise up, Jim Burns. You rise and praise the Lord. Praise him. Praise the Lord. Burns: Praise the Lord! (The prisoners cheer.) [Library.] Cloutier (reading): By mercy and truth inequity is purged, and by fear of the Lord men - Schillinger: May I? Cloutier: Please. Schillinger: I do want to be happy. [Unit B.] Robson: Come on, what's the scam? Schillinger: There is no scam. Robson: Are you serious about going through with this? Schillinger: It's been months since Beecher's kid died. I kept thinking he was planning something, some kind of way to retaliate, but he hasn't done anything. Robson: Yeah, but you and this prag, sitting together, in one of Sister Pete's interaction sessions? That's crazy. Schillinger: Why? I'm just sick of all this horseshit. I want to concentrate on the birth of my first grandchild. You know? I just want a little taste of happiness. Robson: Vern, you're starting to scare me. [Psych.] Sister Pete: Tobias, I believe that Schillinger is genuine in wanting to put this ugliness between you two to rest. Beecher: I tried to do that by finding his son Hank. What'd I get in return? My son's dead, my daughter's traumatized. Sister Pete: Yeah, but this time, for the first time, the need for reconciliation is coming from Schillinger. Beecher: So what? This could just be another one of his plans. Some sort of revenge. Sister Pete: You'll never know if we don't try. [FB: Crime scene.] Hill (VO): Prisoner number 01B784, Ronald Barlog. Convicted January 12, 2001, car theft. Sentence: thirteen years. Up for parole in six. [Holding.] Murphy: This is your sponsor, Tobias Beecher. He's gonna help you acclimate to your new life. Beecher, this is Ronald Barlog. Barlog: Ronnie. Beecher: Hey. Murphy: All right. Let's go, Ronnie. [Em City. Quad.] Barlog: Holy shit. Holy fucking shit, Keller, man. Keller: Look at this motherfucker. Hey man, how are you doing? (hugs Barlog) Barlog: How are you doin'? Keller: Real good, real good. Barlog: How long has it been? Keller: The last time I left you - Barlog: Come on. Keller: You were (something) for Leland - "I gotta meet Leland at the pier." Tell you what, man, why don't you get yourself settled, then we'll catch up. Barlog: Alright, cool. Cool. You winning? Keller: No, I'm getting my ass kicked. Beecher: He's cute. Does he like to fool around? [Beecher's pod.] Barlog: So I guess I'm on the bottom? Beecher: Unless you want to be on top. Barlog: No, no. I'm good with the bottom. Beecher: You knew Keller on the outside? Barlog: Oh yeah, yeah, we were, uh, we were partners for a while. Beecher: You two ever fuck? Barlog: What? Beecher: (laughs) If you need anything, you ask, okay? [FB: Crime scene.] Hill (VO): Prisoner number 01R289, Burr Redding. Convicted January 11, 2001. Murder in the first degree, seven counts of attempted murder. Sentence: life, without the possibility of parole. [Em City. Unit manager's office.] McManus: Ever since Adebisi died, the homeboys have been in complete disarray. Redding is just the guy to galvanize them. Said: And you would like me to - ? McManus: I would like us both to gain his confidence, make him a partner, instead of a foe. Said: I'll do what I can. (Redding enters.) McManus: Mr. Redding. I'm Tim McManus, this is Kareem Said. Said: Asalaam alaikim. Redding: You the cat that wasted Simon Adebisi. Said: Yes I am. Redding: Outstanding. I heard he was one mean motherfucker, which makes you even worse. Guess I'm gonna have to watch my step. Said: I killed Adebisi in self-defense. The court exonerated me. Redding: No doubt. But motives are less important than outcome. He's dead, and you're not. Said: (to McManus) May I go now? McManus: No. Burr, I think it's important that you grasp how things work around here. Redding: I grew up in the ghetto. Pops died when I was ten. I had to quit school, support my family by doing some of everything, from shining shoes to shooting crap. I went to Vietnam, where they taught me how to kill small children and women. I been in all kinds of penitentiaries, from Arizona to Alabama and back. And I say all this not out of pride or shame, I just want to make sure that you grasp that I already grasp how things work around here. May I go? McManus: Yes. [Em City. Quad.] Hill: Yo. Redding: Augustus. Hill: Oh man, I'm glad you're here, Burr. You know, man, I ain't glad you're here. (they go into Hill's pod) So, how's the wife? Redding: (Name) died, man. Ovaries went sour on her. Hill: Oh, man, I'm sorry to hear that. Redding: So lay the situation out for me. Who's the players around here? Which one of these brothers needs some talking to? Hill: Okay. First off, there's that dude. Poet. [Laundry room.] Redding: They say since Adebisi died, you've been running the homeboys. Poet: That's right, man. That's right. Redding: They also say you been doing a shit job. Poet: Look, old man, let me tell you something - Redding: You think "old man" bothers me? Boy, I done had a whole lotta men tougher than you that called me worse, didn't make it to old. My age is my honour and my strength. Poet: Shit. You think you can just come on up in here and take control? Redding: Some people are born leaders, others are not. A wise man knows his own limitations. You think on that. [Classroom.] Morales: We got a nice operation going. Pancamo: And we don't need you fucking things up. Morales: Chucky, relax. Now we value your friendship. We'd even be willing to cut you a slice. Redding: You're extremely generous. I'll get back to you. (he gets up to leave) Morales: Back to us? Pancamo: You take the deal now, or there is no fucking deal. Murphy: Pancamo, Morales, I told you dinks before this classroom was for classes, not your board of directors meetings. Come on, let's go. Let's go, move it! What are you waiting for, an engraved invitation there, Redding? Come on! [Em City. Quad.] Poet: Redding, man, you know them motherfuckers is plotting against you, man. Redding: Good, that's what I want them to do. Hill: You want 'em to kill you? Redding: I want 'em to try. [Em City. Quad.] TV announcer: Last night, a Chinese freighter ran around off the Jeb Island Sound. When the US Coast Guard went to evacuate the crew, they discovered thirty-six illegal aliens stowed on board. Until the State Department can determine the legal status of the refugees, the eighteen men, twelve women, and six children will be housed in various state buildings, including the Oswald Correctional Facility. [Staff meeting.] McManus: Leo, this is insane. The State's got forty other prisons. Put these men somewhere else. Glynn: I got a call from the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State asks for help, I'm not inclined to argue. McManus: What, are you looking for an appointment in the new administration? Glynn: Don't be snarky. Howell: My question is, where are we going to house them? We're on the brink of overcrowding as it is. Glynn: Well, since this is a temporary situation, I thought we might set up some cots in the common room of Emerald City. McManus: No way. I have only just re-established some order in there. You're not going to upset the apple cart. Glynn: This isn't a matter for discussion. We have an emergency, and everyone, including you, will bend. McManus: You mean, bend over. Sister Pete: Tim, I know from a practical side that this is a pain, but we cannot lose sight of the humanitarian issue. These men and their families fled repression in China, paying a sizable amount of money to book passage on this boat. And from what I read in the papers, the conditions were worse than slave ships. They sailed for months, they crashed, they got arrested, they're separated from their wives and their children, so if we must have them, let's at least embrace them. Murphy: (enters) Warden, this is Gou Liu Xio from the State Department. Glynn: Miss Gou. A pleasure. Gou: Thank you. We have the men in a bus outside. Glynn: Okay, well, let's get them to receiving and discharge. McManus: Tim McManus. They'll be staying in my unit, so, uh, anything I can do to make them more comfortable, you just let me know. Gou: Excellent. Come with me. [Processing.] McManus: I'm not going to lie to you and say that life will be easy. (Gou translates.) The prisoners in Oz are amongst the most violent criminals in the country. But we have added extra correctional officers to the unit, and they've all been instructed to watch over you. (to Gou) Do any of them speak English? Yixue: (stands) I do. McManus: Good. Then I'm gonna be relying on you to help keep communication going. Yixue: I am at your service. McManus: Thank you. All right, you all need to follow Officer Armstrong. Gongjin: (in Chinese) Yixue: This is America, Gongjin, speak English. Gongjin: Never volunteer. Yixue: We are in danger of being sent back to China. I will do everything I can to prove that I belong here. [Em City. Quad.] Murphy: These people are our guests and I expect you to treat them as such. If any harm comes to them, the repercussions will be severe. Now, they're gonna be arriving shortly, all right, and until they get familiar with their new surroundings, we're gonna put the rest of you in lockdown. (the prisoners react) Yeah, yeah, yeah, my heart's breaking. Lockdown, let's go. Move it. [Em City.] (The Chinese file in.) McManus: So, uh, are you staying in town tonight? Gou: Yes. McManus: Doing anything for dinner? Gou: Are you asking me out on a date? McManus: Oh, no, no - but we've both gotta eat. There's a little diner I know, very informal, where we could grab a quick bite. Nothing fancy. Elderly Man: (speaks Chinese) Yixue: Your grandfather is right. These are bad men. [Cafeteria.] Ryan: You got a problem with the cuisine, there, Hop Sing? Yixue: No, no. Ryan: Then move along. You're holding up my regular customers. Yixue: I wonder how (gives names of wife and son) are doing. Gongjin: (Wife) is tough, she'll look after (son). Yixue: But they put all the children in the orphanage. He's never been apart from us before. Pancamo: Hey, guys, this is my table. Yixue: You say, what? Pancamo: This is my table. Get your chink asses up and - (one of the paisans lifts one of the Chinese) Yixue: Oh, hey, no, no, no, stop. We sorry. (He instructs the others to stand.) Morales: (to Chucky) That's no way to treat these poor fellows. (to Yixue) You their leader? Yixue: Uh, no. Morales: But they listen to you. Yixue: Yes. Morales: That makes you their leader. You come and see me, we'll talk. [Em City. Quad.] Gongjin: Do not go. Yixue: How can I not go? He is a powerful man. We may need his help. Gongjin: I wish we had never got on that boat. I wish we were in (names city) right now. Yixue: Starving? You watched our crop burn in the hot sun. You watched your daughter die. I cannot do that. Gongjin: If they send us back? Yixue: I will not go. I would rather die here in America. [Em City. Morales' pod.] Yixue: (speaks in Chinese) Morales: (repeats it) What does that mean? Yixue: Um, "Chairman", like Mao. Morales: (laughs) I love that. (Chinese word) Morales. Yixue: In fact, it would be "Morales (Chinese word)". The family name is always first. Morales: See, now, that's what's fucked up about your side of the world. The names, the way you read, the funny alphabet. I mean, you people do everything backwards. Yixue: Or, you people do. Morales: Mr. Bien, the reason I asked to see you, is because I want to warn you. You see that man over there? (points to Redding) Yixue: Yes. Morales: Burr Redding is your enemy. He hates you and all your friends. Yixue: Why? We have done nothing to him. Morales: Well, he served in Vietnam. Yixue: We are Chinese. Morales: He don't know the difference. All he sees is your yellow skin. And he has vowed to kill each and every one of you. Yixue: I will go to him. I will reason with him. Morales: Does he look like a reasonable man? You must kill him. Not you, necessarily, but one of your men. Yixue: We are simple folk, farmer, factory worker. We left China to escape the killers, not to become one. Morales: Then from now on, I will call you "hombre muerto." Yixue: What is that? Morales: Dead man. [Em City. Unit Manager's office.] McManus: One of the Chinese came to me, telling me that you threatened him. Redding: What are you talking about? I haven't said two words to any of them. McManus: Well, I've got a lot more reason to believe him than you, so I'm gonna tell you something: Anything happens, anything at all, I'm gonna hold you personally responsible. Redding: That's bullshit! McManus: Regardless, that's the way it is. You steer clear, you understand? [Phone room.] Yixue: That's wonderful. Have you heard from (son)? Tell him that, that I love him, and (wife) I love you, too. Okay. (hangs up) (he goes out into Quad) Gongjin: How does she sound? Yixue: She misses me. She say (name) is bossing everyone around. (to Morales) Thank you for the phone call (Chairman). Morales: It's the least I can do. Murphy: Work detail! Yixue: What, what is that? Morales: Oh, we all have jobs to do. Yixue: Oh, I, I would like to work. Morales: Yeah? Yixue: I would. I, I want to do my part. Morales: Okay. Let me go talk to some people. Yixue: Okay. [Storage Room.] (Yixue is working. Morales and several latinos enter.) Morales: What's going on, Lucy? Yixue: (corrects pronunciation of his name) Morales: (repeats it) Sorry. Not that I'll need to know how to pronounce your name for much longer. (the men grab Yixue) Yixue: What is going on? Morales: Well, you see, (name), you've done everything I've needed you to do, and I'm grateful. There's just one last thing I must ask of you. Yixue: Wha-what's that? Morales: To die. Yixue: I thought we friends. Morales: We will mourn you forever. [Infirmary.] (Yixue is zipped into a coroner's bag.) [Em City. Quad.] (McManus walks across the quad, enters Redding's pod.) McManus: I warned you. Redding: What? McManus: Put him in the cage. Redding: What the fuck for? Murphy: Come on, let's go. Redding: What the fuck's going on? Murphy: Come on, move it! (he and two other COs take a struggling Redding to the cage) Get the fuck in there! Redding: (screams) Open up the god-damn door! Open it up! [The box.] Hill: Any convert, whether he goes from Communist to capitalist, or from six packs a day to smoke-free, ends up condemning his former practices. Because those beliefs didn't work for him, they can't work for anybody. His vision becomes narrow, blinded by the light. Whether he's transformed into a Hindu or joins AA, he becomes a fanatic. If you ask me, it's the fanatics who fuck up the world. It's the fanatics who think they've got God on their side. The rest of us, we don't need divine light. In the dark of night, all we want is enough light so that we don't stub our toe on the way to the toilet.