The Death of Richie (1977 TV Movie)

Robby Benson: Richie Werner

Quotes 

• Brick : [after finding Richie passed out in an arcade]  Richie... what're you doing, man?

  Richie Werner : [slurred]  Reds.

  Brick : How many did you take?

  [Richie holds up nine fingers... Brick is horrified] 

  Brick : Nine? You took nine reds? What're you tryin' to do? Nobody does nine reds!

• George Werner : [George has played the tape of a phone call he recorded between Richie and Brick... he shuts it off]  You boys heard enough? Now that's just a sample! I have a few more of these cassettes!

  Peanuts : [indignant]  What're you gonna do with them?

  George Werner : [snatching hat from Peanuts' head and shoving it into his chest]  I should tell the police... and that would be the finish of anybody on parole.

  [he glares pointedly at a stricken Brick] 

  George Werner : But I think the fair thing to do is to call your parents.

  Peanuts : Don't call my folks! They got enough problems! Why are you doing this, anyway?

  George Werner : TO SAVE MY SON!

  Richie Werner : [smiling]  Don't look at me, guys.

  Mark : Okay, okay... go ahead, tell them! I mean, what do I care? They know all about it!

  George Werner : I don't think that's true!

  Brick : What if we promise to stop?

  George Werner : I wouldn't believe you. But in spite of that, I'm going to give you another chance. I won't call the police, I won't tell your parents. And in return, Richie isn't to see any one of you anymore... or talk to you on the phone.

  [boys pause, defeated] 

  George Werner : Okay, say your goodbyes.

  [all four go outside] 

• Carol Werner : [after Richie has stumbled home high on reds and pot, Carol turns to George]  What's wrong with him?

  George Werner : [disgusted]  Same thing as always.

  [walks down the hall to Richie's room, not seeing him, finds hidden panel in closet leading to cubbyhole where Richie is withdrawing... George grabs him and hauls him out] 

  Richie Werner : Go away! Go away! Leave me alone! STOP IT! STOP IT!

  [Richie runs out sobbing and into Carol's arms... she leads him out of the room while George destroys the cubbyhole's contents] 

• Carol Werner : [Carol has come into Richie's room on Christmas Eve to fetch him to socialize with his extended family... he's laying on his bed smoking a joint. Carol is shocked and dismayed]  Put that out. Put it out and get out there and say hello to Grandma and Grandpa.

  [Richie doesn't respond] 

  Carol Werner : Oh, please Richie... not tonight. It's Christmas Eve, please. Please get up and come with me.

  Richie Werner : [slurred]  I can't, Mom... I can't.

  [Carol slowly turns and leaves... she and George exchange guilty glances while the guests sing Christmas carols in the living room] 

• George Werner : [Richie stumbles out of his room, obviously stoned... George and Carol are watching from the dinner table]  That promise you and your buddies made me didn't last long, did it?

  Richie Werner : What we do is no business of yours.

  George Werner : Well, then I'll let the police handle it.

  [Richie tries to walk past George, who blocks him in] 

  Richie Werner : [snarling]  Get out of my way...

  George Werner : You're not going anywhere!

  Richie Werner : You better do what I tell you, man!

  [pats breast pocket of his jacket] 

  Richie Werner : I got a razor right here, you stand there and I'll use it!

  Carol Werner : [anguished]  Please! STOP IT! You know, Richie... if you hate us so much, everything we are, everything we believe, then why don't you just go away? Please... please, just go away!

  [breaks down in tears] 

  George Werner : [to Carol, putting his arm around her]  I'm sorry.

  [Richie leaves] 

• Richie Werner : [Richie has taken 'reds' to confront his father about his intervention of going to the police... George has retreated to the basement]  YOU! Did you tell those cops I use dope, huh? HUH?

  Carol Werner : [Richie throws bucket from basement steps in his father's direction]  Richie, stop it!

  Richie Werner : I asked you a question! I want an answer, huh?

  [picks up an awl and feigns jabs at George] 

  Richie Werner : Did you tell those cops I use dope? You answer me!

  Richie Werner : [George reaches behind himself to a pistol in his toolbox]  HUH? I got you now, you answer me!

  Richie Werner : [George produces gun and aims it at Richie]  A gun! Look at this, he's got a gun! Look at that! God! Shoot me!

  Carol Werner : [hysterical]  STOP IT!

  Richie Werner : Come on, use it! USE IT USE IT! SHOOT ME!

  Carol Werner : [screaming... George cocks the gun's hammer]  RICHIE, STOP IT!

  Richie Werner : SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME!

  [collapses from his drug-induced rage and drops awl... George kicks it away from him] 

  Carol Werner : RICHIE! RICHIE!

  [Richie stumbles upstairs... Carol turns to George] 

  Carol Werner : Oh my God! What are we going to do?

  George Werner : [calmly]  I don't know... I don't know.

  Richie Werner : [stumbles back downstairs with a knife in his hand]  Shoot me! SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME!

  Richie Werner : [George takes aim]  SHOOT ME! SHOOT MEEE! SHOOOOT MEEEE!

  [George fires gun, Richie screams]