Catch Me If You Can - MDT 2019

There he is!

That's him! Oh, he's not gonna be able to slip this time!

Oh shit, where I'll shoot?

Hold it right there! Break!

Freeze!

Stop where you are!

I'm gonna shoot! Whoa, that was close! You could have hurt somebody!

Break!

Come on, I'd rather take you alive than dead!

Can I at least make a statement first?

At the airport? No!

I'm sure all these people want to know why you're shooting at me! I think they should know who I am, what I did, and why I did it.

This is one of your tricks. Men, you're not going to make a fool out of me like you did in that hotel room in LA. You're not putting on a show for these people.

A show?

A show?

We need some lights.

What the hell is he doing? This direction.

Get cameras and the Franklin Abigail Jr. Orchestra.

Frank, what the hell are you doing? Frank, stop!

Get away from that kid!

My name is Frank William Abagnale Jr. This is my story.

Where is all this music coming from?

I was a millionaire twice over and half again by the time I was 21. I stole every nickel of it. I flew over 5 million miles as a Pan Am pilot, practiced medicine at a top Atlanta hospital, and worked as a prosecutor for the state of Louisiana, all under assumed names. Mr. Hanratty here thinks he knows all the facts, but only I know just how I did it, and I did it in style. Live in living color, let me take you for a ride. Yes, I'm live in living color. So sit back and let me be your TV guide.

You think your life is a TV special.

Honesty has never been one of my virtues.

Virtue has never been one of your virtues.

I've got a story I'd like to tell. But I'm gonna need help to tell it well. I've got a story about fame and money. And it's got more curves than Playboy Bunny. I wanna believe in not just survival, I wanna tell my story. Life in living color.

Life in living color.

Something special's up tonight. Yes, I'm life in living color. They live in black and white. Ladies and gentlemen, Frank Abagnale Jr., singers and dancers.

Enough, folks, listen. By the time this guy was 20 years old, he had stolen more than $1.8 million. He's a con man, plain and simple. Has been since the age of 16 when he bilked $20 grand from his father's mobile card just to buy presents for girls. When he got caught, his only excuse was, "I like girls." Now tell the folks how "I like girls" is "I want it" on 5 different continents. Poor Billy, moving from a New Orleans truly impressive life Thank you.

<LYRICS>I'm living color. It's not something you can buy me. Yes, I'm living color.

This won't fit in an artsy feed.</LYRICS> Ladies and gentlemen, my parents, Frank and Paula Abigail. My parents met in France, a little village called Montrechart, after the war. My dad was a GI, my mother was young and beautiful. Those people in the little French village, they were so happy to see us Americans they decided to put on a show for us. So they cram 200 GIs into a tiny social hall. The first person onto the stage, she's your mother. She starts to dance and the men are literally holding their breath. So I turned to my buddies and I said, "I am not leaving France without that woman." I always go into trouble when I dance with you. I could watch them dance all night.

Frank, come on. I interviewed both your parents. Don't try to sell me some sweet picture of domestic bliss.

With special guest appearance by Playmate of the Year, Cheryl Ann something.

Oh, I'm surprised you even remembered my first name. You know nothing! Shut up!

Cheryl Ann, Frank, enough.

I know the story and I'm taking it.

What are you making me get?

All right, Mr. Hanratty, I'll make you a deal. You let me finish, and I'll tell you everything. I'll even tell you how I passed the bar exam in New Orleans. We owe each other that much, don't you think, Mr. Hanratty?

Okay, you got a deal.

You're gonna love the call.

I'll leave it up to that Frank, or whatever you're calling yourself these days. Frank Taylor. Frank Williams. William Franklin Williams.

He knows that it's the clothes that make the man.

Should we do our bop jump?

Yes, we do our bop jump.

That's the song that's making you dance. Oh, I've got a story that's strange but true. I've got a story that's strange but true.

Fly with me for a bird's eye view.

So fly with me for a bird's eye view. I've got the world in my coop now. I've got the world at my feet.

I'll be your one-man Disneyland.

I'll be your one-man Disneyland.

Don't want me to gossip, I will tell my story. Life is living color.

Life is living color.

Keep it and turn me on.

Yes, I'm— Life is living color.

Your eyes and I'll be gone.

Yes, I'm— Life is living color.

Life is living color. Life is living color.

With your eyes Christmas Eve 1964, on the best street in New Rochelle, New York, the house everyone wanted and the family everyone wanted to be, the Abigail home. Yeah, you're right, everything is better in color. Yeah, how about that 13-inch screen, huh? It's like Hollywood is right here in our living room.

But so that I understand, You left this morning with $200 and a Cadillac, and you come home with a huge television and a used Ford.

Can I strike a bargain or what? I left those guys with their heads spinning.

I think I know the feeling.

Is that Abigail Magic? Come on, dance with me.

I think I have to now, don't you?

Something still goes for my family.

Tell me what you know.

I wouldn't be dancing if I didn't think I'm wrong. What did you tell them? People only know what you tell them, Frankie. It's all a dance. You swap the Caddy for the Ford, use that extra cash to pay the mortgage, use the mortgage to leverage the bank loan, use the loan to tide your business over until you can get the Caddy back. There's always another move you can make.

I'm finished with teaching the dance.

So you got the loan? That's great. Yeah, uh, I did not get the loan. Oh. You know what? It's just a technicality. They won't loan to anyone under the IRS investigation, so, uh, oh, yeah. Listen to me, you know the story. Two little mice, they fell into a bucket of cream. The first mouse, he gave up and drowned immediately. But that second mouse, he would not quit. He struggled so hard, he swam so hard, that he churned the cream Right into butter. And he climbed out. Who are we, huh? We're the second mouse. Damn straight we are. We're gonna be fine. You know what, as a matter of fact, we're gonna go downtown and buy you a Christmas present. A brand new Bottley 500 suit. Dad, that's too expensive. Brian gave. You know why the Yankees win all the time? It's not the Mick. It's not the Joe Pettitoni. It's the uniform. Those other teams, they stand there staring at the pinstripes mesmerized. Hell, they scared the daughters so much they left town. Mother walked into that dance hall in Montreux, Char.

What did she see?

Haze and champagne. Did she notice my brain or my college degree? Did what she saw— was the uniform? The dirt and debris. Yes, those ladies gave thanks to us visiting yanks whose pinstripes are all names. Ladies and gentlemen, the smartest man I know, the guy with all the moves, my father, Frank Abagnale Sr. When a pilot walks onto the plane, all the passengers smile and flex.

Smile and flex.

They know it's still time That party last night with the back-to-back jacks. Now what they see is the uniform, how it fits. It fits to the tee. Like that visiting team, that the Yankees will cream. The pinstripes are all that they see.

Yeah!

Yeah, if you want to be a someone, yeah, look good. Like a bomb, but don't judge by the COVID that's the first rule of love. I wanna watch they go straight to the top, 4 full cars dressed in 2 impressos. And son, you'll stroll in the front door, a key to no man's candy store. Yeah! Everybody loves my dad. Jack Barnes, the head of Chamber of Commerce, called him the most popular businessman in New Rochelle.

Why are you wearing your old school blazer? You go to public school now.

Only temporary. Sooner or later, Dad will get back on his feet, and I'll be back at St. Francis before you know it. The Flash isn't the Flash without his uniform.

My brave little soldier. You aren't afraid of anything.

You do what you have to.

Well, you do look handsome. Coming through.

Who wants to know?

The FBI?

Yeah, he looks like a substitute teacher or something.

Shouldn't you boys be in class?

Dip a sea boot! Mr. and Mrs. Abagnale, I would like to inform you that for the past week, Frank has been teaching Mrs. Blazer Scrunch class. Your son has been pretending to be a substitute teacher, lecturing the students, giving out homework. Your son held 3 teacher-parent conferences yesterday and planned a class field trip to a French wine factory. You have to forgive him. There's been so much change with losing the house.

Principal Owens, I, uh, I found this necklace on my way in from the outer office. Looks like it was yours. Uh, must have slipped off your neck My piece.

It was made for you, I'm pretty sure.

Well, Mr. Abigail. Frankie! A French fry factory. Life will be better than before.

Hi!

Is the principal in her office? I need to give her this note from my mother excusing me from 6th period.

You should fold it. It's more believable that way. No!

It really is a note from my mother.

What do you do when your mom hands you a note? You fold it up and you put it in your pocket.

Thanks! I'm Betty.

Frank.

Nice jacket.

The pinstripes are all that they see.

Mom, Dad, I met this girl.

Frankie, I do remember your father's friend, Jack White.

Frank? Nice to see ya. Paula, take care.

Are you hungry, Frankie? I can make you a sandwich. Frankie, you want to tell him, right?

No.

That's right, because there's nothing to tell. I'm going out for a few hours with some friends from the We'll have dinner together, right? Frankie? Oh, do you need some money for comic books? Here, $2.

200 soldiers in that tiny social hall, and you, you— I was 16 years old when I met your father.

I didn't know what I wanted. I wanted him.

You wanted him?

And I wanted to get out of France. And I wanted to have a child. It was a long time ago for you. One day you'll look at yourself and you won't be who you were.

There's no phone, there's no cable, there's no Steve McQueen. Help me make my great escape. How can I fly like a hero in the sky? Be a shooting star in the stratosphere? Where's the shadow?

Do you mind? No.

Where's that searchlight in the sky to point the way to go? —through some new path, disappear into the crowd. Though the future's dark, there's one thing crystal clear: that there's no home here. Son, listen to me.

We just need a name.

Your mother or your father? The principal pulls me out of class and drives me to the courthouse. Doesn't tell me why. I walk in and see my parents with their lawyers and the judge. It can get very expensive, parents fighting over their children.

Nobody's fighting, Frankie, look at me.

Nobody's fighting.

So many voices telling me to choose.

The court can decide these things, but it's better if the family does.

It's like a game where I'm their team, I'm the one who wins. Frankie, just give him a name and this is all gonna be over.

It's gonna be okay.

This kind of noise just makes me wanna shout.

Play nice with the soldier. Do what you have to do.

I'd like to buy a one-way ticket out.

Frankie, I'm stuck.

I got nowhere to move. I'm sorry. Rules of the road say don't look back.

Eyes straight ahead.

Don't jump the track. Try a new game. And pray that I can win. 'Cause I just don't feel at home in mine. So I'll slip now into someone else's skin. Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! See the maps from every book I've read. The worlds that I have lived inside my head. I thought the love I'd theirs could never die. If they could fade away, If you can get away, then so can I. First you see me, then you don't. Don't look for me, you know I won't even be there. So let the games begin. 'Cause I just don't feel that high. I'm just locked down into someone else's skin. Round trip is $5, one way is $3. You have $2. Okay, so I didn't really know what I was doing. I just knew I had to get out of here, and my instincts took over. So, maintain eye contact, keep talking, and take my money back from the ticket seller and make it disappear. Then spin some tale about meeting my grandmother in the city while asking for my change, even though he doesn't owe me any change. And though I keep talking, and in his confusion, he gives me $2 back, so now I have $4. Which is enough for my one-way ticket to Manhattan because I don't ever plan on coming back. Thank you, Mr.

Morton. Hold it!

Your ticket. Thank you. They wanted me to choose, so I chose the New Haven line, track 2, 10:15 to New York City. <LYRICS>I'm gonna run down the street, run out of town, gonna run from the home team</LYRICS> And when I'm flush and he's back on his feet, I'll pick him up and ride down Dizzy Street.

The perfect ride for all the years we've been resting our feet.

For all the years. He takes me to nowhere, not the places I want him.

'Cause I got lost, lost, lost now.

Someone else is here. Someone else is here.

Anywhere else he takes me.

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Big thanks to all our sponsors.

Now right back to the show.

In just a few short months, I soaked every branch of Chase Manhattan in New York and in the northern New Jersey area. And put rubber into about every hotel, gas station, and drag queen from here to Hoboken. I was the Johnny Appleseed of fraud.

I'm sorry, Mr. Taylor, but I can't cash a check this big without my manager's approval.

Say, Diane, I found this necklace out front, and I think it might be yours. Well, Mr.

Taylor, I don't think that that is my necklace.

It looks like it was made for you.

"Maybe I can make an exception for one of my most valued customers." "Thank you, Diane." Once my first 50 checks ran out, I bought a little printing press and made my own.

I was producing more rubber than a tire factory. Mr. Hanratty and his team, well, they were still trying to pick up my trail. And though I'm alive in living color, at the FBI the show's in black and white. So anyways, to make a long Long story short, we're having turkey for Christmas after all.

"I was just trying to expand your taste buds," she tells me. "They don't need no expanding," I tell her. Normal people don't eat goose. Tasty. The lower depths. It's all that Julia Child's fault. She puts them up to it. What was wrong with American food? You'd open a can of Can of tuna, chop up some onions and celery, add some mayo, mix them all together, and voilà, entrecôte. I hate public television.

Me too. All they do is talk. Who asked you, Agent Rob?

Did Agent Branson ask you? Did anyone in this building ask you? No, sir. Leave the kid alone. We're only having some fun with him, We always give the bookies a hard time. Remember how they razzed you? Yes, and it's an experience I see no reason to repeat. Look, we've got at least 3 or 4 major paper hangers working in the region, which means we gotta sort this all out, even if it means we drop dead at our desks and our fossilized bones are discovered under some archaeological dig in the 21st century. Come on, Hanratty, it's 4:45. It's Christmas Eve. Look, we do the job because it's the job, and as long as I'm Interim Second Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Bank Fraud and Forgery Subdivision, thank you very much, we damn well do the job till it's done, Christmas or no Christmas. Easy for you to say, Hanratty. Some of us still have lives. Whoa, whoa, Agent Branson. By the way, go home for lunch unannounced one of these days and see how that works out for you. Look, I know some days this job lacks a sense of humor, certain excitement quotient. He means every day, kid. Days where you can't get out from behind your desk because there's so much paperwork. Weeks without a lead in the case. Months of dead ends. Years of coming up empty-handed. Time will seem to stop. No one knows you're down here except him, the one you're after. Oh, he knows. He's why you plod on. Oh, that day you catch him, that day you slap those cuffs on him. This is interesting. This is very, very interesting. I know you think so, and that's the sad part. Wait a minute. He's changing You can fit MICR numbers on the check. What? MICR. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. Jiminy Christmas, Frank Taylor's got his hands on an MICR encoder. Same with Frank Taylor. Look, if you change a 02 to a 12, you get a check that was cashed in New York, gets rerouted all the way to San Francisco, and it's weeks before the bank knows it's a bad check. Do you know those numbers on the bottom of the check actually mean something? What? It means Frank Taylor and Frank Williams on the same person. Which means he can just sit in one place and pass bad checks for weeks and weeks. Which means there's thousands more of these out there. More bum checks than a Prague prison. Brandon, send out a field bulletin in the tri-state area. And you, Mr. Whatever-Your-Name-Is, I'm on you like a hobo on a ham sandwich.

Let's go. I always wanted to be good at something, and as it turns out, I was really good at passing bad checks. I was a crook, nothing more. Until one day, as I was walking past the Tudor Hotel on 42nd Street, And then one day, on the street, destiny came walking through those revolving doors.

Oh, I'm sorry. It's quite alright. Excuse me.

No, excuse me.

It's a little late to be checking out, isn't it? We all have evening flights. We all?

Oh no, excuse me, uh, who are y'all waiting for? The pilot!

Excuse me, I've been training as a pilot.

Is Pan Am hiring?

Why, you sweetie, here! I— no. Ah! No. Here it is! Talk to Jerry Taylor, VP of Personnel. Tell him Cindy sent you.

Thank you, Cindy. Tell me, is flying everything it's chalked up to be?

The only thing better than flying is a good long layover.

Cindy, Mindy, Lindy, Kelly, Shelly, Nellie, Sherry, Terry, Carrie, and Jane.

I'd like to call them the Jet Set. I'll sleep tonight on a perch in the sky. And tomorrow when I ride high, something carries me to a new love in the home. I'll explore nature with a brand new pet on my hip. The world's sky's the limit, time to play. I'll put down roots some other day. No need to be a lonely dove. The jet set is the only way.

You're the kid writing the article for the school paper? Yes, sir. Frank Black from Monroe High School. I want to know everything there is to know about being a Pan Am pilot. For instance, what does it mean when one pilot says to another pilot, "I've been on the same equipment all week, jumping puddles for the weak and weary"? Means they've been flying the same planes, short flights, mostly commuters. And, uh, what about those Pilot ID badges I see cogs wear. Every pilot has to have one with them at all times.

It's an airline personnel badge, which is from here, from Pan Am. Thank you for your time, sir.

Of course. Can I get a picture?

Uh, sure. Got it! Would you like new music and mystery? Each and every day, who's to say? Old music and mystery. Make a new friend, then fly away and wake up in Texas. Texas, where they treat their women right. And then try Hollywood, where the stars get lit out in broad daylight. Any city near or far feels twice as good as where you are. When you're sick of the status quo, the jet set is the only way to go.

My own parasailing badge. How cool is that? I'm the pilot on check. Oh, well, I get that a lot. I'm just a co-pilot. Why so nervous? Well, how would you feel if you lost your uniform the first week of the job?

I hear ya.

That'll be $143.97. Uh, can I write you a check? Uh, no checks, no cash, just the employee number.

Of course, it's 61043 5, right? I'll bill pay now. They'll take it out of your next paycheck. All the better.

Would you like a sleigh ride, a hayride? Kiddo, just stay home.

But if you want to get set, then get set.

In Grand Kansas, there's no place like home.

Have your coffee in Brazil. When real life gets you down, take a far-off one-way trip to Splittsville. 3 days before Calvary. A stewardess in strange cleats with you, not a replacement. The fire is burned like Henry's boat. And the jet set now stops. All day on the dance floor, so up and away so far.

Down to Italy on the Bella Femmina. Jump in a mountain.

We don't sound like Jose Bia. If your taste run cold, escape. Well, then we got a joint in Old Bombay.

So hang on tight, let's do Peru.

It's time to fly with Chicken Tucson. Pack up your suitcase and your worries at the gate. Come out and play, boy. Cruise the world to find your perfect playmate.

Things are better from up So buckle up, next stop is love.

From the ground to the ceiling, from low down into heaven. Oh, gotta dance and it's on, the only way to love. Nice uniform.

Don't I know you from somewhere?

Maybe. You were on the COVID of Seventeen a few years ago.

Oh, you're that model, Cheryl Ann something, in the plaza. Gee, you think I could get an autograph?

Sure, do you have a pen in your room? I think I do.

So, Captain—

Call me Frank. Frank, are you going to make me an offer? An offer for what?

A man like you could have anything he wants.

What's a night worth with me? Oh, oh, um, uh, I don't know, Sherilyn, uh, $300? $500? $1,000? How much do you want?

$1,000.

I have to cash a check.

You think a hotelist is going to cash a check at 3 AM?

They've done it for me before, to the cashier's check.

Make it out to me.

It's for $1,400. Well, you give me the check and I'll give you $400. Even better.

So, Henry, why on earth did you drag us out to Quantico? This guy's a pen and ink man. A paper hanger. He probably doesn't even carry a gun. We're getting closer to this guy, which means we gotta pick up on some skills we've lost sitting around drinking peppermint schnapps from your coffee cup. But we can't fix a locomotive.

One day he's in Dallas, the next he's all the way in Stuttgart, and then Rome, and then Barcelona.

He's gone global. The last bad text came in from— Liechtenstein? Where the hell is Liechtenstein? The Principality of Liechtenstein is a landlocked Alpine country in Western Europe, with Switzerland bordering to the west and the south, and Austria to the east. He's just He's just a forger, Hanratty. There's no way the Bureau's gonna give us travel money to lick him in Lake Sunshine. He's just a forger, just like Mickey Mantle is just a hitter. He's got my dander up and my interest peaked. That peak, the Q, it hasn't peaked in a long time. That peak, the K. He's not just playing the game, boys. He's making the rules. He's a true talent.

Come on, Hanratty, you wanna rest them a'hiya?

I see this guy in my dreams. I sleep. 60-ish, salt and pepper. He's tall. He's old school, a virtuoso. He's been honing his craft for years, but one day they always make a mistake. It's the overconfidence, or the wine, or the women. What on earth?

You know, if shooting targets is anything like shooting real people, it's very disappointing.

I didn't feel a thing. Doc Johnny, this job's not about shooting It's not about punching the clock to retirement or enjoying a cookie with a secretary on 3. It's about this one man, Frank Taylor, AKA Frank Williams, AKA William Franklin. He's out there toying with me, taunting me. He doesn't even know you exist. Oh, I will! Believe it, he will. Okay, okay, stay cool.

I will not stay cool.

I've never been cool and I don't intend on doing so now.

Cameron, were you always like this?

I've been like this as long as I can remember. The other kids want to play cops and robbers, I only want to play cops. It starts very early, but once the baby toys are gone, a kid on the playground, he has to choose which side he's on. If the bullies or the good guys, for there ain't no middle ground. Hoodlums try to blur the lines and twist the truth around. Well, they call themselves a winner, but they're self-deceiving fools, 'cause the game ain't worth the win if you're breaking all the rules. The law is laid upon us when as kids we first asked why. Our parents set the rules when, 'cause I said so,' they replied. And though I thought I hated them and screamed with the I'm like, the next time that I have the choice to do is I did what's right. No, I never snuck a drink. I never stole a pack of coot. 'Cause the game ain't worth the winning if you're breaking all the rules. Don't break the rules or else we're living in the wild, wild west. Don't break the rules, God's keeping score. You don't want to fail that test. Don't break the rules or you've slummed your nose right up the life for which I strive.

But those rules, those laws keep us alive.

Well, it started back with Moses when he led around— would you be precious?— people up the whaleback mountain to pick up God's daily tabernacle. He schlepped the gold outside, I cried, and begged on their behalf. Oh Lord! He almost dropped those tablets when he saw that golden calf. And we teach the Ten Commandments every Sunday in our schools, 'cause the game ain't worth the win if you're gonna bring it all. Get ready, I guess! The Constitution, boys, the Sonnets too, —complex. I found me a father spot, so they give fortune checks.

Now they see themselves robbing hood, stealing from the rich.

We'll go off with the hitch, 'cause the law ain't sure what for us. You can't give away those tools, 'cause the game ain't worth the winning if y'all bring it all. Don't break the rules, or else we're living in a wild, wild west. Don't break the rules, the guy's keeping his gun, and you don't want to You failed that test. Don't break the rules. Slum your notes, write up your life. Would I sign? But those rules are a lie. It was a lie. It was a lie. You steal somebody's money, leave his daughter or his wife. You don't think of repercussions as you tap dance through your life. Though you smile like you're a hero, you're an outlaw through and through. The odds are in my favor, man. Man, one day you're gonna lose. I'll catch you, son. I'll sneak into a movie. Run a red light.

Self-imposed.

You are the one.

That's all the same to me. You're either guilty or you're not. You are the one. What we wanted every time we built the Earth. The world would be in total chaos. It's already on the verge. And it's laws that keep us human.

'Cause without them we're just fuel. And the game ain't worth playing.

I said the game ain't worth playing.

Oh wow. The game ain't worth playing.

It's where breaking all the rules. Don't break the rules. Or else we're living in a wild All right, boys, back to work. Crime doesn't take a holiday.

Can't believe I just said that. Good morning, sir. Or you might Head space?

Uh, yes ma'am, I've been on the same equipment all week, jumping bubbles for about a week and weary.

Well, first class is full, but I've got the jump seat open. Come on aboard. Thank you. Be sure to watch out for that Skyway Man.

Skyway Man?

You are dangerous, kid.

Who on Earth taught you to shoot?

My daddy taught me to turn a mister to a missus from 100 yards. Pen ready? I'm going in. I'm gonna regret this, but look at this bulletin that just came in.

Skyway Man.

Skyway Man. All the airlines are after him. All the airlines are after him.

Posing as an airline pilot.

Posing as an airline pilot.

Flying all over the world.

Flying all over the world.

They don't know how he does it. The Skyway Man, like a superhero. Crazy world we live in. I'll have to keep a lookout for him.

Oh, would you like anything? Anything to drink before we take off?

Um, milk? Alright boys, we're gonna check every airport, hotel, motel, cafe, and commissary on the Atlantic seaboard.

We just became front page news.

This place, Frankie, it's something else. They got a guy handing out towels to the guy who gives you towels in the first place. I heard about it in Paris. I thought it would be just the place to take you when I got back to the States. My son, the Birdman. Where are you flying that plane tonight? Oh. Well, I don't really fly the plane. I'm more of a co-pilot. Where? Los Angeles. Hollywood. Yeah, look at us, Frankie, on top of the world. Um, Dad, I, I went by the store today.

I had to close the store for a while.

It's all about timing, Frank. The damn government knows it, so they hit you while you're down. But you know what? I wasn't going to I wasn't gonna let them take it from me, so I shut the doors myself.

I called their bluff.

Sooner or later, they're gonna forget about me. What's this? Let's open the store up, Tad. Pay back the feds. Get things back to the way they were. I can help out now. Ah, keep it. You got your own worries, Frankie. No, it's fine. There's a lot more where this came from, believe me. Frankie, it's fine. Take good care of yourself. But then Mom will see— Then what? It looks like I need your help. Double bourbon. Double bourbon. Your mom, she's a formidable woman, but I'm not letting her go without a fight. She saw they had the store back. 200. 200 GIs in that one social hall watching her dance. I didn't speak a word of French. 6 weeks later, she was my wife. She could be again. I don't know, Frankie. Dad, everything's different now. I got this great job and I have lots of money. I can have breakfast in Rome, lunch in Miami, and dinner in San Francisco. And here I thought you were just the co-pilot. Surprised, huh? Well, now it's my turn. Take a seat. Two little mice of great renown fell in some milk, and one proceeded to drown. The other one's still the toast of the town because he made butter out of cream. He looked around, deduced his plight, said, this is no way to spend a Saturday night. But he had the style to make things right, so he made butter out of cream. He kicked his legs up, he tossed and turned, so not to end up a ghost. He did the hokey pokey till the cream was churned, and baby, he walked right out and buttered his toast. Now he's On top, for goodness' sake. Yeah, he's the big cheese of Atlanalayze. He's living proof that pop, all it takes is a scheme. So if you land in the gutter, just make butter out of cream. Your turn, Dad. Ah, you're doing just fine by yourself. What? This is a duet. It's Frank and Gene. I can't do this solo. All right, there is one There was a cockroach in Brazil, got drunk at his local coffee mill. He thought his time was up until he made coffee out of pee. When he came to, he heard such a sound, and much to his shock, when he looked around, He had the scoop that was about to be proud, so he made coffee at his feet. He stomped to the south and he marched to the north. He had to race against fate. He did a raccoon garage out while the tears poured forth, and senior claims began to acrobolize. He held his breath, swam to the top, He borrowed beans from his mom and pop and opened up his own coffee shop out in Queens. And when it's light, we're almost off here. Just make coffee, that's the main thing. Take this one home, Dad. You know what? You got it, son. You got it. So when it comes to the likes of this, the bus and the mouse at the end of their wits. Then you'll keep it alive. Is that it what you dream? Salt and lemons for your stinka. The salt of a Santa Rama stream. Spice of a lemonade and drinka. And make butter out of cream. Just make butter out of cream. Make some butter out of trees. I get what you're saying, son.

I'll make butter out of trees.

So, Henry, why on earth did you drag us out to Quantico? Man, he's just a boy yet. Come on, tell me what to do. You left this room in a hurry. All right, gentlemen, impress me. A man's secrets are in his trash. Mr. Taylor, a real name unknown, left us a gold mine. The flash He likes comic books. He lives off junk food. He likes beautiful women. He's Hanrahan! Very funny. I'll make a note to laugh later. Francis, Rob, go pay attention to the guests. Dollar, go get every number on the license plates of every car in the lot. I'll process the room. Something doesn't jive here. A flash? Peanut butter? Maybe he's got a kid. All right, Mr. Taylor, I know you're in here somewhere. Some comic books, a Miss July, a matchbook from the plane, some chewing gum. A gun, a mismatched pair of shoes, a letter that wasn't mailed, a check without a name. Yeah, they'll be my guide, the man inside. Bobby pins, 2 baseball cards, some day-old Chinese food, 2 ticket stubs. The Red Sox always lose. Only Valentine's. It wasn't sent. I sent a set mood. Yeah, I'll take that ride with the man inside.

Anything?

Finnair stationery. As a pilot, my family flies for free. The two of you should come down to Los Angeles. Maybe then— Unfinished. The two of who? Who knows? But we know that he's going to Los Angeles, and so are we. Fantastic. That's the best idea he's had yet.

He could use a sun. If he were any more pale, we'd be transparent.

I've looked into so many lives, but never at my own. The trail I've made is such a damn cliché. The lonely wife, the house for sale. A million nights alone. Just wish you had the things you threw away. Like a front door key, a homecoming, the happy bride and groom. Then life kicks in and makes you pay your dues. You're by yourself in a single motel room that's been occupied by the man inside the closet.

The clue. He wrote 3 texts. They all cleared. I thought of having fun today.

I don't I don't want any trouble. There won't be any trouble, ma'am. I'll just take this check and be on my way.

Good, I don't want my customers harassed.

Wait, you mean he's still here? 2-0-1. I'll take the lead. You guys take the back. Dollar, take the other exit. Dollar, put that away. If you're good boys, I'll buy you all a good Schumer bar. You said there wouldn't be any trouble. Relax, ma'am.

We'll get one or two.

FBI!

FBI, come out with your hands over your head!

Guy's got an MICR encoder, can you believe that?

Put your hands where I can see them or I'll shoot!

You know, he's got over 200 checks here, a gallon of India Ink, drafting glue, and look, he even makes little payroll envelopes to dress himself in. Keep your hands on your Go ahead. Dude, relax, you're late. My name's Allen, Barry Allen, United States Secret Service. Your boy just tried to jump out the window. My partner has him in custody downstairs. What are you talking about? What, do you think the FBI are the only ones after this guy? He's been dabbling in government checks. We've been following a paper trail for months. We almost had him in New York and then near a motel outside D.C. near Dulles Airport. Hey, you mind taking that gun out of my face?

It's making me nervous. Let me see some identification.

Fine. Take my whole wallet.

You want my gun too? I didn't expect Secret Service on this.

Don't worry about it. What's your name anyway?

Hanratty. Carl Hanratty. Do you mind if I see an ID, Carl?

Can't be too careful these days. Huh, sure. Tough luck, Carl. 5 minutes earlier and you would have landed yourself a pretty good calling.

It's all good. 10 seconds later, you would have been shot. Hey, tell me something, what does he look like?

Well, he's a handsome son of a gun. Really?

I had him figured for an older guy.

Oh, he's pretty old. Oh, must be your age at least. I asked for that one. Hey, do me a favor. Sit tight while I get some of this evidence downstairs. I don't want people going through my crime scene. Sure. You know, when the kid comes in and starts making the bed. I hate it when that happens. Wait!

What? Your wallet.

Hang on to it until I come back for that. The rest of the stuff. I trust you. You shouldn't. That was a joke. Got me, Carl. Nice guy. We got him!

I love my job! I love it! Wait. Frank Taylor? Frank Williams? Frank Black? Frank— Frank— Where is he? Oh, she was right there!

I had him!

What are you talking about? I let him convince me he was some guy, Barry Allen from the Secret Service. Barry Allen? The Flash? What? Barry Allen's alter ego, The Flash. Oh, good grief. It's okay, Manratty. We all make mistakes.

It gets to the best of us. Not to me. Not to me.

Words are for the birds, but all I need is ho ho ho. Santa, hope you're in your sleigh. I'm guessing that Santa's coming. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Christmas is my favorite time of the year.

And ready Come on, it's Christmas Eve!

You're not gonna redeem yourself with the boys upstairs by having a miserable holiday. You're off! It's not Christmas Eve, it's Christmas. You want me to stay? No, go home. You got this. Merry Christmas, Henry. Special Agent Carl Henry, Merry Christmas. Hello, Carl.

Who is this? Merry Christmas. Barry Allen, Secret Service. What do you want? I wanted to apologize for what happened in LA. Screw you.

I'm sorry if I made a fool out of you. You're not sorry. You know, the truth is, I knew it was you. Maybe I didn't shoot, but I knew. People only know what you tell them. Then tell me something. How'd you know I wasn't going to look through your wallet?

I didn't.

You know, one way or another you're gonna get caught. Just like Vegas, the house always wins.

I didn't think I'd get you in. It's Christmas.

I thought you might have a family? No. No family.

Me neither.

Yeah, don't you love the yuletide fun? There's joy and cheer for everyone. I wait for Santa with a gun. Yes, Christmas is my favorite time of year.

Some sugar gloves I haven't kissed, but mistletoe I must I'm on St. Paul's most wanted list.

Yes, Christmas is my favorite time of year.

There's a home where you can go, and there's a lot That's full of love you used to know.

For me, it's true.

But kid, not you.

'Cause your family's here, and this is your school. If you call it a home.

So if tomorrow Santa's flown, the tree is down, and you're alone, I'll be right here, right by the phone. Yes, Christmas is my favorite time of year. Wait a minute. You didn't call to apologize, did you? What do you mean? You've got no one else to talk to. I have to go. Wait, Frank! Frank? I'm still here. Sooner or later, you'll be tired of running.

Sooner or later, you'll be tired of chasing me. No, I won't. Knock out my window. Why? Just do it.

I'll call you soon, but who knows when.

And Frank, I hope we meet again, like when you're serving 8 to 10.

He's a kick. All right, we know he's a kid.

We need to find out who's responsible for the kid. So we gotta check every missing student and runaway teen over the past 3 years.

I pulled a list from the mainframe.

We just gotta go to each and every address and ask to see a family photo. How long will that take? As long as it takes. Let's go, man.

Well, good luck with that. My career as a pilot was pretty much done, and I'd already run out every bank in the Northeast, so it was time to lay low, live off my savings. I moved to the Riverbend Apartments in Atlanta, Georgia. I really A really nice complex full of professionals. The perfect place to keep things quiet. Quiet! I was just here to keep a low profile. No more cons, no more high living, no more lies. So, Frank, what brings you to the Riverbend Complex? I thought it was just us doctors and nurses here. Oh, well, you know. I'm a doctor. What do you do? Surgery? What pieces? Pediatrics? It's not those little kids. You can have them. Listen, Frank, I'll find out if there's anything open down at Atlanta General. It'd be great to have you there. Oh, well, thank you.

I mean, what was I thinking?

Ladies and gentlemen, nurses.

Hey doctor, are you on call? I'm not feeling so well at all. Been thinking about you as I could not sleep a wink last night. I tossed and turned the whole night long. Kept feeling like something's wrong. I need a checkup. To make everything all right. So I can be disappointing and I need your absolute no. Yes, I need me a little TLC and I got to get some food. Let me tell you that I never listened, never did the things I should, but I'm ready to take doctors orders. I need something I never had, and I'm ready to take doctor's orders.

Then I followed. Ben Casey always made it look easy on television. I think what we have here is an extreme case of encephalomarginella. Do you concur, doctor? Yes, I concur. What do you recommend? Doctor! Let's not jump to any conclusions.

We'll run every test we can.

We'll find out what's ailing your son. After some checks and pilot's ID, the diploma was easy.

Harvard University? Very impressive, Dr. Connors. And you even brought in your diploma and a letter of recommendation from your last hospital, signed by Ace. And, Grady?

I should mention, the sight of blood kind of makes me— no, seriously.

The only thing we have open right now is an overnight ER supervisor, but it ain't the doctor of your qualifications. You'd primarily be overseeing residents and interns, so you really wouldn't get much patient contact. I take it. Okay, welcome aboard. I like playing doctor, it was my favorite game indoors. And I still like to play around, I'm ready to be completely yours. I need your M.O.D. Ooh, ooh, ooh, it's an emergency and I'm running. Running! Take doctor's orders. Doctor's orders! I need your answers. Ooh, ooh, ooh, hiding under the bus stop cone and I'm running. Running! Doctor's orders.

And there she was, in the middle of all those limesons. She was real. The minute I saw her, I knew. I just knew that she was the one. And it didn't hurt that she was the best nurse here. I needed the help.

Dr. Connors, MBA, Carter 65. Should we set it or get a surgical consult?

Oh, let's not jump to any conclusions, Nurse Strong. We'll run every test we can. Okay, Dr.

Connors, but there's a bone sticking out of his leg.

Oh, I, I, I can cure it, I can cure it, doctor! Just, just go, go! I'm hurting! Go, go! Wait, nurse, not you!

I know what they say about an apple a day being a strong girl, but if an apple a day keeps the doctor away, I'm gonna burn that orchard down! Maybe I'll stop until I'm healed. I got Blue Cross and I got Blue Shield and I'm not afraid! Take doctor's orders! Doctor's orders! Baby, you better holler, raise your hand, leave it to my Emmy to recuperate. And I'm Friday! Take doctor's orders! Talk about when there gets hell, the TV feeds can hide small breath. Doctor, you've got the kids all dead, and I'm Friday! Friday! Friday! Come on, let's rock steady! I'm Friday! Doctor's orders!

Dr. Connors! Dr. Connors! Oh, sorry, uh, I haven't been getting a lot of sleep at the apartment these days. Dr.

Connors, do you know which patient gets the O negative? O negative! O negative! Where's that O negative? Are you okay?

Um, I'm fine, it's just some bad tuna at the cafeteria. Is there anything I can do? You could have coffee with me.

But their coffee's worse than their tuna.

Oh. I've tried to make conversation with you 4 times a day for 11 days straight and you've barely even said hello.

I'm so sorry, Dr. Connors. Hello.

Hello? Goodbye. They're strong. I'm sorry, sir.

They don't like us to fraternize with the doctors.

Well, pretend I'm not a doctor. Pretend I'm a Pan Am pilot.

I don't think I could see you as a pilot. A playboy, maybe.

I'm not really into all that riverbed madness. It's just a part I play.

So you're not really a skirt-chasing party animal? You just want people to think you are? Well, yeah.

I mean, no.

Wait, I— You date Dr. Collins. You're very serious. I'm just trying to do a good job, sir. Me too.

I'm the youngest doctor here.

Aren't you awfully young?

I get that a lot.

I'm the youngest nurse here.

And the best nurse we have.

Oh, no one ever listens to me. They're all so confident and sure of themselves and tall.

Well, if you want them to pay attention to you, you have to act like you know what you're talking about. Pretend like you have confidence and pretty soon you will be. And act like you're not afraid and you won't be. Okay?

Hey, there's that smile. Dr. Connors, we've got a kitchen incident! Meat grinder, and we can't exactly find the hand! Trauma 1, all call surgery, go! See, there you go. Thank you, Dr. Connors. Okay, Frank. Oh.

Surgery.

Sooner or later, they always make a mistake. Sooner or later. Meanwhile, he was busy with Brenda, we were cracking this thing pretty quickly. So, uh, maybe this was my part of the show. Sort of a film noir kind of thing. It was hot, even for August. So hot my butt was sticking to the seat of the car like a fly on paper. My suit was its own personal sauna. But not as hot as the woman I was about to interview. She gave new meaning to the word femme fatale. Too bad she was Some poor kid's mother.

I haven't seen Frankie since he ran away. I hope you knew how to see today. I can't say it's a shock. What's that expression? Just to say he's a chip off the old block. But if you see Please pass on this plea. Tell him don't be displeased, Jack. Tell him that for me. If I could just look at a photo. I won't have a reason for you.

Oh, that's him! Heavens to Betsy, that's him! Class trip! Mr. Treasurer, is my Frankie in some sort of trouble? Ma'am, your son is in a great deal of trouble. Passing bad checks, forging government documents.

Half the kids his age are on dope, but you chase after Frankie because he made a nickel mistake. Tell me how much now.

So far, it's $1.4 million. Oh, it's possible. Unlikely, but possible.

It sounds like Frankie's group.

If you were hoping to raise a crook, you should be very proud.

My Frankie had a clever mind. He could spend hours on and on. I wouldn't have been surprised to find he changed his diaper on his arm. I have been there more. Well, c'est la vie. Don't be a stranger. Tell him that for me. How am I tied up with Peter's son? I'm to blame, is that what you're saying?

I don't do blame, ma'am. I just kept Your best guess.

Frankie was a result of a night of passion in a fourth-grade hotel in Normandy. Two adults who should have known better. Nobody wins, least of all Frankie. Though I tried, I couldn't hide when love had gone away. Children close their eyes, but still they see. I'm not a success, a new romance. Is it a crime to say I made a choice and chose what's best for me? How might I locate your son? Ask his father. He says Frankie writes him.

Where can I find his father?

Check the bars in town.

Okay then. Arrest that clown that says the best things in life are free. And then don't be a stranger, tell her that for me. One more round at the lost and found, that's if you got the dough. Happy hour. The car is suddenly last called. My eyes are dry.

I said goodbye so many years ago. The past is just a photo on the wall.

I guess to you I seem like a mark. Well, I'll just bide my time. In love or spare.

Even fading luck can still turn on a dime.

Oh, my leg hurts.

Anyone can once again be free.

It's a safe moon on me. Don't be a stranger.

Tell her that for me. Stranger, tell him that for me.

Oh, don't call me a stranger, tell him that for me.

Do you have any idea where your child is?

Oh yeah, sure. He's a pilot with Pan Am. Always in the air. What a life.

He's not a pilot anymore, Mr. Abigail. Never was.

You know what? I knew that. I just wanted to see what you knew. You expect a father to give up his own son, huh?

I do expect a father to do that. People get shot in my line of business. Real guns, real bullets. I'd like to take your kid in alive.

All right, Carl. I'll tell you the truth. Got a letter from him just today. He's joined up, over in service in Vietnam, serving his country. Can I see that letter? There's no return address, but he's in uniform right now, risking his life for you and for me. Not a bad way to leave his troubles behind, I'd say. I got out of the game at just the right time. The game? Ah, you know the game. Don't let them get the best of you. The big boys, the banks, the government. Just when they try and rob you blind, you gotta look out for yourself.

Is this what you taught your kid?

A man should go after what he wants in life.

A man should fight for what he wants in life.

He needs to face up to what he's done.

Mr. Abigail. Please. Frank. Frank! Your kid needs you now.

What can I do for my kid that he can't do better for himself, huh?

You can tell him to come in. You can tell him it's time to stop. You may be the only one who can. Oh, hell, Carl.

I think we're in some major trouble. You know, the kid used to see me as Frank Sinatra, the Pope, and JFK, all rolled into one. I couldn't live up to that. You know, I tried the best I could, and I told him I loved him.

Every day. Maybe you should have told him not to commit grand larceny.

That's the way of the world, Carl. Our fathers screw us up, so you know what? We turn around and we do the same thing right back to our kids. It's the eternal cycle. Well, until someone breaks it. Sure, I would have loved the hug, but hey, look at me. I came out just fine. And if I ever would cry—

I bet I can guess what happened next.

You know what? He smacked the tear right out of my eye. A lot of them. He told me, grow up, kid. You're no Peter Pan. Little boy, be a man.

Well, you want to do your kid better, don't you?

You got any kids, Carl? I do not. Then what the hell would you know about it? I bet your father was a prince.

Yeah, of darkness. Little man, grow some balls. He did. Oh, he did too. Every single morning, that motto rang throughout the halls. True story. On my 10th birthday, he showed me a Yeah. Then took me to the cornfield and said, "Okay, run." His sense of humor was lame. Like father, like son. Hey.

Lucky for me, so was his aim.

If he had sewn some needlepoint that hung on the walls, it would have said, "Little man, grow some balls." Ball games that I missed nights he came home pissed.

Well, I don't think about that any longer.

No one in the bleachers.

Fist fights with my teachers.

I'm living proof what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger. So, what do you say we break the losing streak? Come on, Frank, bring the kid in.

The kid's doing just fine. I would cut out. Serving his country, right?

You sure about that?

All right, we gotta let go. You can't hold on forever. Little men, little me, they come with no warranty. I tried to fix it, but who would have guessed? It's hard to say, but father doesn't always know best. Ain't that the truth? So Carl, when you have a kid, my ex said heaven forbid, do as I say, not as I did. Like dad after dad after dad after dad since the wholeness began. You do the best that you can.

Little boy, be a man.

Can I get you anything else?

Oh, hey, Phil, I need to get to Atlanta. And make sure he gets home, okay? Buddy, he is home. <LYRICS>I've looked into so many lives, never got this close.</LYRICS> The distance made it easier to see. I like to do the job at hand, and then it's adiós. But this case has got the best of me. An envelope with his address, a brand new set of tracks reading With no roads left to choose. There's no one else to save the day. It's time to face the facts. So I'll take that ride with that boy inside.

Brenda!

Brenda, it's okay, come on!

I want to, I just—

I'm not ready. It's okay, I didn't wait. I'd wait forever for you. Took you over a month to talk to me.

It's not like I don't like you.

Oh, it's fine, I love a challenge.

You could have any nurse here. You know girls from everywhere. You've been to Paris and Italy, and think of all the beautiful women there must be in Germany. Why me?

Because I love that you work hard and you're good at your job. I love that I can be myself with you. That you're totally honest, like I can ask you anything. Like, why did you leave New Orleans?

Oh, no reason. Well, I sort of ran away.

You ran away? Why would you do something like that?

I was engaged to be married. He was the son of my father's law partner, and he wasn't very nice to me. On the morning of my wedding day, I looked at myself in my dress and I realized I didn't want to marry him. So I left home, and I haven't been back since.

I'm glad you ran away. I would never hurt you.

But you're the Harvard graduate, world traveler, and I'm just ordinary.

Ordinary is beautiful. I don't need Paris. I don't need a big fancy restaurant or a huge orchestra. Well, maybe some orchestrations. All that stuff was what I found along the way while looking for you. I've seen the Seven Wonders, if you give or take a few. All that Southern wonders, well, they can't compare to you. I've been a lot of places, yes, I've traveled near and far. Now I know that home is where you are. Niagara Falls, a leaky faucet, what? Not a plumber. Autoface. And the pyramids are really just a dusty pile of bricks. The Taj Mahal, a fixer-upper. The Grand Canyon, just a hole. The Grand Canal in Venice, an Italian toilet bowl. I see the Seven Wonders in you. All them 7 wonders, well, can't compare to you. I've been a lot of places, I've traveled far. Now I know that home is where you are.

Aurora Borealis. It's just a bunch of rocks.

The brightest stars, the pits.

How about the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Looks like something of a moat. Mount Rushmore!

Someone climb up there and tell them it was a joke. Guess my traveling days are over.

Get a check, I'll pay the bills. Do you think you could go home again if you were engaged?

Frank, come on, don't tease me. We can go to your parents, tell them we're in love.

My father is very intimidating. He'll change your mind. No, I won't.

We can run away. We can't just run away.

You're the overnight ER supervisor.

The clock is ticking, Brenda. I can't. I don't want to be a doctor forever. I want to make a home with you. There's no need to roam, 'cause home is where you are.

There's no need to roam, 'cause home is where you are.

Yes, now I know that home is where you are.

Doctor, we're looking for a man who goes by the name of Frank Williams, Frank Taylor, Frank William Abigail, Frank Abigail Williams, and William Franklin Williams. That's a lot of names. How about, uh, Frank Myers, Maya Frank, uh, Robert Frank, William Roberts? Have you seen a man who looked like this?

Maybe, but that man's a pilot.

He is not the pilot. He looks like a pilot.

He is not the pilot.

So is he a doctor? Wait, you He's a doctor.

Are you asking me or are you telling me?

Did this man say he was a doctor?

Do you have any idea who you're looking for?

Frank William Abagnale Jr., AKA Frank Williams, Frank Taylor— Shut up, caller!

You know, we did come up with Frank Connors.

Frank Collins? Frank Connors. Wait, who's Frank Collins?

I have no idea, you tell me.

Frank Connors, look anything like this? Without the uniform.

Ran off with the nurse, ran to something, don't know where. Bad. Good doctor, always turn in his paperwork on time.

You let this man operate on patients?

Oh no, he just supervised the ER.

Have you ever looked, uh, grabbed into someone's body and just try to get an appendix and come out with something else?

Once or twice. Why? Let's go. Family is very important to us, Dr. Connors. You might say everything. Brenda's great-grandmother, Anna Mae Lulu Jean Abernathy, was married in the front parlor to her great-grandfather Dean called David Abraham Forte, that's F-O-R-T, which is French for strong, when old New Orleans families are so delicate. How else would you explain the Abraham? Brenda is our only child, and we are very particular about who she brings home. So is Brenda, Mother.

So, before Atlanta, you were in California?

Uh, yes, sir, the Death Valley Hospital for Children.

They have a children's hospital in Death Valley?

Yes, sir, right behind the Macy's. Well, go, Darnit, go! Bring that—

I think you rated one this time! What's the name of that foul, ratty little devil, cryboy? This one's one of them. You betcha! Dr.

Lawrence, you come from a large family. Please Yes, sir, call me Frank. But no, I'm an only child, and I want to have lots of kids. Family is the most important thing.

Frank, yes, sir, but now the make or break round. Don't lie to me now. Are you a Lutheran?

Why, yes, I am a Lutheran.

Well then, Frank, would you like I got secrets.

Unless you're not comfortable. Um, no, of course. Two mice fell into a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned, but that second mouse, he struggled so hard that he eventually turned that cream into butter. Just walked right out. Amen. Amen. Amen.

And Goldstar, that was just beautiful! Where did you learn to say a prayer like that? Little Cosby's on TV?

The First Lutheran Church of Death Valley.

So Frank, do you know what hospital you want to work at here in New Orleans?

Oh well, to be honest, sir, I was thinking about I was thinking about getting back into law.

Are you a doctor or a lawyer?

Well, I took the bar exam and passed in California and then practiced law for a year and decided why not try my hand at pediatrics? You are just full of surprises.

Yes, I am. Awfully young to be a lawyer, aren't you? I get that a lot.

Say it so loud, they don't believe he is a doctor and a lawyer.

Brenda, you really hit the jackpot with this one.

Where did you go to law school? Harvard? Yale? Columbia? Berkeley.

Berkeley? That's where Daddy went.

Oh, wow. Fantastic.

Tell me, Frank, was that snake Hollingsworth still teaching there when you went through Berkeley?

Hollingsworth? Yeah, grumpy old Hollandsworth. Wadsworth, let me tell you, meaner than ever.

And that dog of his. Tell me, Frank, what was the name of that little dog?

I'm sorry, sir, but the dog was dead when I got there. How unfortunate.

A doctor, a lawyer, a loonie, Lutheran. So what are you, Frank?

I think you're about to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage, and I have the right to know. Know what, sir? The truth.

What are you doing here? What is a man of your accomplishments doing with Brenda?

Brenda is the best girl I've ever known, sir.

But who are you, Frank? If you want my blessing, if you want my daughter, I'd like to hear the truth from you now.

The truth?

The truth.

The truth is, sir, I'm not a doctor. I'm not a lawyer. I'm nothing really. I'm just a kid who's in love. In love with your daughter? No.

I know what you are. You're a romantic. Oh, really?

Yes, you are!

Men like us are nothing without the women we love.

Well, well, Dargo Guggum, can I hug you? Nah! No, Dad!

No, Mommy! Is it 7:30 already? Is it time for Mitch?

Mitch? Who's Mitch? It's Miller!

It's a sing-along game!

Archie the dog would bark.

Archie began to spot inside a fairy tree.

Archie waved a dance of hope from out that firework to join the jamoree. Save some of that gumbo for me. And like a fly from a bowl, Louisiana. And Brenda, I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I wouldn't change a single one of them because they've all led me to you, Brenda Strong.

You marry me? Yes, Brent Connors, I will marry you.

I'll give a rebel yell to every Southern belle under our family tree. A string of satin lines, banners, let's combine. Horns summon easy harmony, trumpets begin to shout. To welcome artists proud. Hilltop is Yankee refuge. We're all so lush and overgrown. I know I'll never be alone.

With flags in pride, our family tree. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Hope has raised us all. You are swinging on a star. For them who need the love of trees. The trees that bear the ripest fruit are trees that have the deepest roots. Welcome to our family.

Welcome to our family. Welcome to our family tree.

Look out, old Frankie is home! Dad?

Frankie? What are you doing here, Frank? I came to see you. What are you doing dressed up like that? I, uh, I took a job. A government job. I'm beating them at their own game. Isn't it beautiful? You got a good lawyer? Well, I sort of am a lawyer now. Look at this letter. Look at this letter. The IRS sent it to me. They want more. They ate the cake, and now they want the crumbs. But you know what? I'm going to make them chase me. I'm going to make them chase me for the rest of their lives and for the rest of forever. I had an FBI agent come see me. Mr. Hanratty? You got their number, kid. United States government, champ. And they're running, running for the hills. Dad, I want it to stop. I'm settling down. No, no, you can't do that. They're never gonna catch you. I came to give you this. It's an invitation to an engagement party. Daddy, I'm getting married. Can you believe it? I'm getting married. It's two first-class tickets for you and Mom and the wedding. Why? Why would you do that? I'm changing my life and you won't have to worry about anything anymore. The house, the Cadillac, I'm getting it all back. Everything they took from us. And then Mom will see that— Your mother is remarried. To my friend, Jack Barnes. They got a house on Long Island. Why would she do that? Don't get married to Frankie. But why would she do that to us? There's no us anymore, Frankie. Look around. Listen to me, I'm your father. Then tell me to stop. I can't tell you to stop. Why would I do that? Because you're my father. You're on a winning streak, baby. You gotta ride it. Ride it. You're an Abagnale. Come on, sing along. Sing with me. They knew the key to life is that it's what you dream. We'll make some butter. Let's make some butter.

Well, well, Dr. Connors.

What do you want? I want it to be over, Carl. I, I'm settling down. I want to have a family.

You've stolen almost $2 million. You just expect us to call that a wedding present? This isn't something you can walk away from, Frank. You will be caught and you will go to jail. Go to prison.

Please let me stop, Carl, please.

You're just getting scared because I'm getting closer. I know you rented that car in Shreveport and that hotel in Lake Charles. You're getting scared and you're tired. I'm getting married, Carl.

I met the girl of my dreams. I want this to be over.

And does she know the truth about who you are?

She loves me for who I am.

A crook. Was about to be caught. Goodbye, Carl. Check all the Louisiana papers for the past 2 weeks. Look for an engagement notice. Frank Connors. But he could have changed his name by then. Chance, she knows him as Frank Connors. He loses the name, he loses the girl. Sooner or later, sooner or later, they always make a mistake.

Frank, where should I put They're checks and cake and gifts from Daddy's friends. What are you doing? Everyone's downstairs waiting to meet the groom-to-be.

Brenda, I have to go. What? Brenda, you love me, right? You love me no matter what, right?

Of course, Frank. What's going on?

Like, you love me whether I was sick, whether I was poor, whether I had a different name. Frank, where did you get all that money? Brenda, listen to me. What's the name, right? It doesn't matter. Like with you, my name's Frank Connors, but we all have our secrets. Sometimes when I travel, I just make Frank Taylor. That's my secret.

Frank, what are you talking about? Why are you saying all of this?

I don't want to lie to you anymore. I'm not a doctor. I'm not a lawyer. I never went to medical school. I'm not a Harvard graduate or a Berkeley graduate or a Lutheran. I ran away from home 2 years ago I'm 16. Frank, you're not a Lutheran.

You're gonna leave in 2 days and meet me at Miami International Airport.

You're gonna give this cash to a taxi driver and tell him to drive all throughout the night, okay? And you're not gonna tell anyone.

Frank, I can't do this.

I'll be too afraid. Yes, you can.

Remember what I told you? Act like you're not afraid and you won't be. Frank, please, of course Before you go, please just tell me your name.

My name is Frank William Abagnale Jr. I love you, Frank. I love you too. I have to go now. Frank! Shh! No time for goodbyes. I'll see you soon.

I don't think I can do this alone. Of course you can.

You have to. Brenda! Brenda!

Brenda! Where is he? He's gone. Where'd he go? Brenda, listen to me, sweetheart. People are after him in every state. You have to tell me where he is. I can't. Hangman, bring the guests to this room. Leave through the back. Don't go anywhere. Brenda, darling, if you love him, you'll do the right thing.

Young lady! That's the kind of second sight doesn't last too long. But when I was lost, I heard a voice that brought me healing. That's the kind of special hope he brought me with his song. People only saw the doctor, lawyer, Indian chief, but he was just a lonely little boy to me. With his sweet and gentle touch, he sure unlocked my soul. Oh, in return, I sure want help to set him free. Yeah, now I wanna see him fly, fly. I'll figure out a way to get him to fly, fly, fly. I didn't get to say goodbye, goodbye. You'll need to tell me why we met. Maybe it's because you'll fly back home to me one day. Gave me something. I've known cruel, cruel men with Christian names, talking letters, but this man without a name taught me how to feel. They only saw the magic tricks, the smoke and mirror. Was I the only one to ever see So now they wanna collect his precious wings and bring him down. But in his heart and soul, the kind of good they can't destroy. And now I wanna see him fly, fly. I'll figure out what might be there. Fly, fly, fly away. Goodbye. Maybe it's because I'm back home to me one day. Please do not leave me. Darling, find a highway for you and I, you and I. Then I'll sing fly, fly. I'll be your alibi, my baby. Fly, fly, fly away. We didn't get to say goodbye. Goodbye. Maybe it's because I'm leaving. Maybe it's because you're finally home to me. Maybe it's because you're finally home to me. —maybe it's because you'll fly back home to me one day. And I'll be waiting for you there. You will fly back home to me. That was close.

You could have hurt somebody.

Frank, come on.

I'd rather take you alive than dead. Can I at least make a statement first?

At the airport? No! You're not putting on a show for these people.

A show? Frank! Brenda! Brenda was a big mistake.

We followed her right to you.

Frank, I'm sorry. I tried.

It's okay, I understand. I love you, Frank.

Alright, get her out of here. Pop, get everyone out of here. Cameron, go! I got this. Just go. Sorry, Frank.

Time to give up. It's my happy ending. That's not true, Frank. Now it's time to say good night. We can stop pretending. Tell the spotlight then turn off the nightlight, 'cause the show is done now and it's time to leave the stage. Yeah, I won now. And the band has no more songs to play. It's a happy ending, so I'll say goodbye. Goodbye, you won't believe. Goodbye. There's no more magic up my sleeve. There's nothing left to act up here. I'll take my bag Now and disappear. No questions left for answering. There's only one word left to sing. Goodbye. It's a happy ending to the greatest show on earth. And now the curtain's descending. And I hope you got your money's worth for the softness shown now. 'Cause I'm gonna leave on time, so get my head in a row now. 'Cause there's nothing left inside my head, everything that's left to say's been said. Goodbye, goodbye to the whole song and dance, goodbye. Offstage, I'll stand up and I'll dance. The show is through, the part's been played. No standing in the weeds afraid. No violin or phony tears. The world is music to my ears. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye! I'm not afraid of stopping. This end could be my start. I wanna live a life, not just play a part. I'll walk into the sunset. I'll sail across the sea. The final word, the last you'll hear of me. Of me.

Goodbye.

Goodbye to every night alone. Goodbye. Goodbye to lies that I don't own. I'm tired of living on the stage, a life that's only on the page.

The empty laughs are in the past.

I've tried before, but here's the last goodbye.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.

I don't understand, you're still here.

Yeah, you're under arrest. It doesn't just end because you want it to. You don't get to do that.

My father, he's waiting for me up in the north. We're gonna move back to New Rochelle.

We're gonna— Dad is dead, Frank.

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you.

Grand Central Station, he fell down some stairs and broke his neck. No. The police report said he had been drinking.

No, you're lying to me. I don't lie. No, you don't get to say that. That's not how this ends. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Frank. Look, it's time for you to stop.

It's time for you to give up. What if I don't know how?

You don't have a choice.

I could run away. I could go right now! I know. But you won't.

How do you know? Because you're tired of running. Because you know it won't bring your father back.

I just wanted to help him get back up on his feet.

I know. Hey, Frank, you come with me. Pay your time, do your debt to society, and I'll get you out early.

You can come work at the Bureau. The FBI?

We're years behind on counterfeiting and forgery, and with all these credit cards and computers coming in, it's only going to get worse.

The FBI? Really? So you'll lock me up, get me out early, then pay me for what you locked me up for?

Yeah, that's what I said.

Would I get a badge? Even better, you'd get a life. Why are you helping me anyway?

Because I'm the only one who can.

Thanks for not giving up on me, Carl.

You're pretty cool. Thank you, Rob. No one's ever said that about me before.

So how do we end this? Your way.

Stop your sobbing, kid, before I shoot. Your nose is running on my only suit. And who'd have thought I'd share this dance with you?

Look like we stuck together, which is strange but true. Guess who? Coffee? No. The chase is done. I must admit, I gave you quite the rush. Mr. Tortoise, here's your rabbit stew. Looks like we're stuck together, which is strange but true.

Tell Mr. Ripley I believe it or not. The show is over and he's all that I got. Hard to believe it, but we're tying the knot today. That's okay, Frank, thank your public while you're still in your prime. Ooh, they won't be seeing you for quite a —time. And after you pay for your life and all crime, we'll see what good behavior can do. Until then, we're stuck together, which is strange but true. Tell me, Frank, how'd you do it? How did you cheat the Louisiana bar exam?

I didn't cheat. I studied.

No! I hate you! Mr.

Hanratty turned out to be just as good as his word.

Frank was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but was paroled after 7 for good behavior.

I set up my own private security company and paid back every bad check I ever passed.

And the bastard never paid me back! Not now, Cheryl Ann!

Let it go! Brenda married a real doctor and lived happily ever after.

Frank and I became good friends.

He even agreed to be the godfather to my kids.

True story. Watching me smile.

In fact, I think I'm going to break with tradition and tell J. Edgar Hoover, baby, I'm going fishing.

You even know how to fish? No. Oh, sounds fun. If you'd have read this, you would have said no way. I almost made it look like trying to Lots of folks that I miss every day. But now we're new as baby's debut. And now we're stuck together.

Oh yeah, we're stuck together. Oh yeah.

Let's make some butter out of cream.