March 8, 2022 • 26 mins
In the series Premiere, local news reporter Fred Heckman's life is turned upside down when he receives an unexpected call from a listener.
Starring: Jon Hamm, Joe Perrino, Dylan Baker, Carla Gugino and Becky Ann Baker
Directed by: Shawn Christensen
Written by: CD Carpenter
Sponsor: Ritual
Essential for Men Multivitamin
https://ritual.sjv.io/1rJmvB
Starring: Jon Hamm, Joe Perrino, Dylan Baker, Carla Gugino and Becky Ann Baker
Directed by: Shawn Christensen
Written by: CD Carpenter
Sponsor: Ritual
Essential for Men Multivitamin
https://ritual.sjv.io/1rJmvB
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:04):
American Hostage is an Amazon original andCriminal content production starring John Hamm, Carla
Guccino, Joe Perino, Dylan Baker, and Becky Ann Baker. Directed by
Sean Christiansen. This podcast is basedon a true story of a hostage crisis
that took place in Indianapolis in nineteenseventy seven. Listener discretion is advised.
(00:29):
Episode one, The Man with theGun. The seven second delay for live
television was introduced in nineteen seventy fiveby NBC so that Richard Pryor could host
Saturday Night Live without the network gettingfined for all of his obscenities. The
delay would also be useful, wediscovered if a man were to be shot
(00:51):
point blank in the head live onnational television. Fred Dues of the Days,
two Days, tell you what Annapolis? Nine one one? What's your
(01:23):
emergency? Yes? This the police? This is nine one one, dispatches
Lieutenant Collins. There, No,sir, he's not on disape with who
you got there? Who you gotthere or anked high enough to take this
call? I can help you,sir, if you can tell me what
you're Yes, you stand up?Do you think I don't do what?
You stupid s sir, all right, all right, I'm gonna tell you
(01:45):
now, and you're gonna listen good, and I don't repeat myself, so
you listen up now, you understand. Yes, I'm listening all right.
I've done a thing, a realserious statment, the kind of thing you
aren't used to hearing about. Ibet I've taken a prisoner and I've got
him. You're a wired shotgun valstrapped to the back of his head,
and they sain't no crank call.You understand me, yes, sir,
(02:06):
yes, sir, I understand.But you say you've got some of them
wired up a shot I've got areal deal, twelve games shotgun, wired
up to the back of his head, and anything happens to me, it
goes off, and if he moves, it goes off. And I gotta
so there's a hundred ways it goesoff and only one way it don't,
and that's keeping me alive. Andgood, you understand. I understand.
And they say't no crank call,Yes, sir, this is not a
(02:27):
crank. I don't ever have muchfor anyone to take, and these motherfuckers
find some way to take it all. And a mads Heale I swear to
God, he's almost as good asdead. He's never been closer to dead
and he is right now. Canyou please talk to me and lower the
gud How I am talking to you, sir? And I ain't lower your
gun? Tell me how many peopleyou've got with you? Just got one?
One's all I wanted. And thecall is who I got the some
(02:50):
of the bitch, sir, sir. Now I'm a mad, mean motherfucker
lady. I understand. I'm thereal deal. Yes, sir, I
understand the real deal. Sorry,I gotta bother you all like this,
but it ain't you. Please tellme where are you on twenty nine Canton
Street, Canton? He said,One twenty nine Canton Street on the fourth
floor and the Calls office. AndI'm gonna tell you again the way you
(03:12):
got this wired is you kill me. You kill him. My hand goes
back and my fingers go limp,and he's eating shocked and shells out at
the back of his head. Iswear to God, I understand. So
we're gonna send over some of ourfellows and see what we can do.
Well, please don't kill him,and we're sending police on their way.
Got damn fucking right Radio Indiana wiDC. For me, there are three
(03:46):
tenants of journalism. One don't makeit personal, two don't pick a side,
and three don't become the story.I broke all three of those in
the span of a single phone call. Good morning, I'm Fred Heckman.
Tuesday, Ebry eighth, nineteen seventyseven. A burst water man on Stanwood
Drive shuts down a hardware store anda family restaurant, and the Pacers see
(04:10):
a win against the Chicago Bulls asthey adapt to their first year in the
National Basketball League. We'll speak withSlick Leonard as the team prepares to face
off with the New York Knicks tomorrownight, and speaking of special occasions to
take, Gary Wilcox will be comingin to finish up this program while the
station kicks me out to celebrate mywedding anniversary. J. J. Hill
was nice enough to let me comein and keep my perfect attendance record,
(04:32):
and he's also nice enough to keepmy marriage afloat. So Barbara, Honey,
I'm coming home. We'll be rightback with Gary Wilcox. More news,
the weather, and sports from myself, Fred Heckman at the WIBC studio.
I hope you all have a terrificday, and I look forward to
talking with you tomorrow. W YBCNews editor Lou Bamer gave the seven o'clock
(05:08):
News, bringing for them a kindof order out of the chaos. Ronnie,
you know, I hear they maketies in different colors? Are you
doing? Garyny? Sleep serves usall still burns bright day? Okay?
(05:29):
What was I looking for? Igot that? Okay, Oh there is
you are out of here? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear you,
Jim. That was that was quitethe sign off, friend. Now
my wife's gonna ask where her proclamationof love is. Well, it's not
(05:49):
like she was listening. I'm sureshe would appreciate it. Well, I
think after thirty two years, she'sheard everything I have to say. Now,
you're a workaholic friend that takes atoll on other things. It's been
a slow year, it's been afast decade. You got Swede Savage,
the ABA Championship, you got ElvisFregan Pressley on the phone, and you're
(06:12):
going home to tell your wife Ilove you. You are my everything.
Nothing is more important than you.You hear me? Yeah, all right,
I'll see you to Mark to marketcom enrichment's been written save Minnesota Bastion
parent company, Paper Valley. WhenI started working at WIBC, America was
(06:38):
rapidly changing. I was doing storieson McCarthyism, the counterculture, the riots,
the oil crisis, Vietnam. Butby nineteen seventy seven, if you
tuned into WIBC and heard Fred Heckman, you didn't get the news. You've
got stories about leaky ceilings or lostkittens, maybe the occasional corporate misconduct.
(06:59):
I don't know if the news lostme or I lost the news, but
something was missing. Jim, Yes, come in and Pat, Jim,
did you hear about the thing?No, we got something developed in downtown,
something developing, like something big.It's I mean it's not small.
Well, whatever it is, keepit away from Fred. He's still in
(07:20):
the building. Something away from Fred. I mean it's a hostage situation down
he's going to find out Dick Hall, the mortgage guy. Yeah, that
guy's got a gun strapped to hishead. I sent Paul, I said
Tom, I sent every time fivemile radios. All right, Fred is
out this morning. He's gonna wantto chase his story. Just keep it
(07:43):
between us. Jim. It's kindof a thing. I mean, he's
gonna find out. Just don't tellhim. Let's just say, hypothetically I
bump into him. I don't care. Send him to me, all right,
A Dan, turn on Wish Ronnie, get Gary out here and wrap
him on the new copy Well eightfor commercial and then prep him on coffee.
(08:24):
Barb barb wow. I don't believeit. The last miracle of Jim
Hilliard. And before eight pm,I'll have to send him a fruit basket.
You'll think you're calling him a basketcase. Oh my, you look
terrific. You smell terrific. I'mtrying something new. Oh soap, No,
(08:52):
no, itch, you have tobe nice to me today. I'll
be nice if you're nice. Evidentlyyou made a bad riddle estate deal.
You're Did he come in with ashot? How did you know who's that?
I've heard ten different pronunciations today,Tony curtzystems something. I'm just letting
him wander around that side gun rightout in the open. I've never seen
anything like it. They say,what this guy wants him? Yeah,
(09:16):
I don't know it, manly,I don't know. They get any closer.
He's going to shoot that man's headoff. Isn't that Dick Hall's place?
Looks like it? Oh, I'llbe right back. Confirmation that police
haven't greef to give Tony Curtz policecruiser. God, they're giving him a
(09:37):
car? What they're giving him asquad car? They're gonna let him drive
around in one of their cruisers.That's what happened in New York. Right,
they drove that guy at the airport. Who is this guy? Caught
him there? Huh? I don'tknow where you're talking about the movie about
the bank robbery? Oh right,yeah, Jane, Jane, can you
(09:58):
get Jim on for me? Whatdo you mean he's out? I hear
him in the background. Jane,you're the worst liar. What's this thing
downtown? This hostage situation? It'sDick Hall. I mean we know this
guy. Do we have anyone onthis? Gary? Are you kidding me?
Okay? Thanks Jane. Richard Halljust burying into the cruiser with Richard
(10:24):
Hall in the driver's seat. Carinushas not lowered his gun. Funny looking
a little fellow, isn't he You'relike the troll or another storybook. Looks
like he was never taught to smile. Here. Wait, we're exchanging now.
You know I don't like waiting.Well, better be a pearl necklace.
Just open it. Oh honey,this yeah, this is tremendous.
(10:52):
You like it all right? Elgin'sbeen out of business for near ten years.
I know a guy. Honey,it's perfect. It's it's just absolutely
perfect. Came here, m allright your turn? Let me uh hold
on it. Uh, don't giveme that look. It exists, I
(11:13):
promise, and I get a wholeshow too. Hang on, I have
it. It's here. I knowit's somewhere and was allegedly barricaded into Damn,
it's in my desk. You canget it tomorrow. No, I
can get it right now. Fred, I'll be I'll be right back.
I won't be twenty minutes. Wegot uh what time of the reservations,
(11:35):
plenty of time. I'll be rightback. You look amazing. I'll be
right back. Well, I I'vebeen trouble with him my whole life.
All I ever wanted was the story, the big one, the one that
puts you on the map, theone that takes the country by storm and
(11:56):
hits the national zeitgeist, capturing America'sit's and minds. That was the dream,
my dream. And then one day, like a turbocharged V eight the
Indy five hundred, the dream finallyhit me. And all I can say
to that is be careful what youwish for now? Holding Grinchard Hall Hoptach
(12:31):
in his own apartment, which heplays his wire to blow. Jim,
we're holding Garry. Are okay?Gank you, Jim? Eventually we need
our news director Mark Gary can handleit, all right, Jim. If
I see him, I'm not gonnalie on. Oh God, he's coming
in. Oh Jesus, he's comingback in the door. I'm out of
(12:54):
im out, I'm at my handsclean. I'm not I'm not gonna lie
on. Jim. What's the story, Jim, it's it's it's nothing story,
Jim. What are you? Whatare you doing back? Why is
the entire IPD parked outside Esterhouse mortgage? Well, there there's a bit of
a story developing. But what kindof story? Jim? All right,
what do you want me to say? It is a bit of a situation,
Jim. That's a hostage crisis.Yeah, it's a bit of a
(13:18):
hostage crisis. When did this startearlier? This morning, some guy burst
into esterhouse with a shotgun and he'sholding Richard Hall as hostage. Jesus Christ,
he's got something he calls a deadman's line. What it's some kind
of murderous contraption that binds him toHall. The police shoot him and Hall
dies too, so he's basically handcuffedhimself to his hostage. I was just
(13:43):
about to call Chief Gallagher for confirmation. I'll call him what and No,
this is important, so is youranniversary. Don't be like that, so
I suggest either way, go home. We got Gary in prep right now.
Gary? Yeah, Gary, heavierguy, enviable hair. I think
you hired him, Gary, Areyou kidding? I'm here. I'm staying.
Gary can handle it. Bullshit.It's a hostage situation, not a
(14:05):
centenarian's birthday the nursing. Look.Look, I don't care if you stay
or go. Fred. You wantto stay here, that's on you.
Come on. You can't expect meto ignore a story like this. I
don't expect you to do anything,but as your friend, I advise you
to place your family first. I'llgo down to the scene, introduce the
story, and then zip right home. Fred. This job is a promise.
Now, it's a promise to theAmerican people that I'll be here for
(14:26):
them when a story breaks, toguide them through the noise and tell them
the truth. The only thing you'vepromised the American people is that you're going
home to your wife. But it'syour day off. We pay Gary to
cover the news. It happened onhis watch, Jim, why are you
even back here? Well, Barbara'sgift is in my office. Well that
sounds just a tad convenient, Fred, Oh, don't give me that.
(14:48):
Either way, I suggest you getthe gift and go home. Fucking Gary,
Are you kidding me? Fred?It could be over in five minutes
or it could be five days.Either way. I'm sure you'll be covering
it at some point. But Garyis down there, and that's the way
it is. You know, you'rea real asshole. Sometimes being an asshole
doesn't keep me up at night.It's fucking up the job that does.
(15:09):
Yeah, get whatever you headed into get and then get out of here.
Tell Gary not to get comfortable.All right, where did I put
it? Huh? All right?As a journalist, my code is simple.
(15:37):
Always take the call. A ringingphone doesn't sound the same to an
ordinary person as it does to ajournalist. If a phone rings in a
room with a reporter and they don'tpick it up, they're not a reporter.
Simple as that. You always takethe call. Fred Heckman, w
IBC. Yes, mister Heckman,say Sheila Smith with the Indiana Belle Telephone
(16:02):
Company. Yes, ma'am. Whatcan I do for you? Well,
I am calling because a man namedAnthony Curitzis has been attempting to ring into
the WIBC offices and he's been askingfor you, specifically Curitzus. He said,
yes, sir, keep the manon the news, Yes, ma'am.
(16:25):
Did he did? He say whathe wanted. He says that he
needs to talk to you because youwill understand all the goddamn shit I have
to say. That's a direct quote. I see, okay, And how
many calls has he made? Fourteenin the past hour? Fourteen? You
said, yes, sir, fourteen? I see, yeah, right,
(16:48):
Well, I'll tell you what.If you could give me that number,
I think I might be able totake him off your hands for you,
Miss Smith, of course. Okay, are you ready? It's five five
zero nine is one er and Ineed one? Thank you? Ma'am.
Thank you, sir. Would youlike me to tell him that you'll be
(17:08):
calling if he calls back? Uh? You know what, why don't you?
You can tell him that I havehis number? All right, all
right, have a good day,sir. You do the same. Oh
Christ, mm hmm, I don'tknow. I have none of that shit
(17:41):
anymore. You'll hear me, Iswear the Christ that there is just more
bullshit lawyer talk. I'll chuck hishead out the windows. So goddamn fast
work, and I will be askedfor autograph. Hello. Hello, this
is Fred Heckman with w IBC boshit. No, sir, this is Fred
Heckman. This is really Fred Heckman. Yes, is this mister Kurtzis Yes,
(18:06):
sir, Yes, sir, youcan. You can call me Tony,
sir. I called so many times. I thought I broke your phone.
That's what they've been telling. Yeah. I listened to you every morning,
sir, every morning, but Iwasn't able to today. Well that's
that's you know, that's very flattering, Tony. We tried to. It's
important to us that we do ourbest for our listeners. Well, now
(18:26):
it's your turn to listen, sir, Okay, you're gonna help me straighten
this shit out for me, misterHeckman. You know I trust you,
just man to man. I wantto say, I've been listening to you
from your twenty years and I reallyrespect you and how you distinguish yourself from
the other newscaster, so you knowthere's no fucking fluff with you, and
I respect that because I'm fucking sickand tired of listening to the radio and
here were nothing but fucking fluffing rodstart. I'm fucking sick of rodster rots
(18:48):
filled themselves. Okay, well,thank you for the compliment, Tony.
What is it that do you thinkI can do for you. I've been
talking to these dumb motherfuckers and copsand lawyers all day now and they just
can't keep up with me and theycan't get anything right. And I figure
out if I'm going to get outwhere I need to get out, I
have to invest my story in theproper fucking channels. And that means you,
(19:10):
mister Heckman. I see, Iwant an interview. I want to
give you an exclusive something live forall the people at home so they get
it and they fucking know just whathappened because I don't trust anyone else to
get it out. You know,I've been watching the news reports on the
TV all day and the things they'vebeen saying, so many things are bullshit,
and the record has got to beset straight right fucking quick. You
know, I've seen that they putmy mukshout on TV, and I don't
(19:33):
know where in the hell they gotthat. I don't think I ever looked
worse. But what they're doing rightnow is straight up character assassination. And
I need the record set straight rightnow. And you're that avenue, mister
Heckman. They trust you, andI trust you, and what you say
might as well be gospel. Soyou're gonna help me. I see you
want an interview, yes, butI'm going to tell you right now.
(19:56):
I don't like repeating myself, misterHeckman, like repeating myself, so don't
make me repeat myself. Tony.I think that I think I can understand
your perspective and that you might beworried about what everyone is saying about Satan,
what they're lying about, because it'sall lies. I've been maligned with
no defense whatsoever. Okay, ismister Hall with you? Yes? Sir,
(20:22):
Yes, sir, he is.I've got him here tied up to
the ass end of a twelve gage. And the way it works is I
go down. If those pigs shootme, then the gun goes off.
I got Dick calling a dead man'sline me to myself, and he goes
where I go. And that's thesame for heaven or hill. I see.
Can I talk to him? Why? Well, I'm a reporter,
(20:47):
Tony. I like to get thefull story, and that means I have
to check in on the other personinvolved in all this. Well, he's
not going to give you the properaccount. You can't trust to some of
them as far as you can throwhim. Well, it makes me feel
better to know that I've covered mybases. It seems to me that you're
someone who can understand why a manwould think it's important he do all of
(21:07):
his job and not just half ofit. Yeah, nope, that's right.
So if it's okay with you,I I'd like to speak with him.
Okay, here he isn't now.It's Fred Hickman from the radio.
He wants to talk to you,mister Heckman. I'm here. Everything he's
(21:30):
saying is true. He's gotten meall wired up. Don't tell you're a
son of a bitch. I'm ason of a bitch now, you know
I am playing mister Hickman. No, no, no, I don't think
you're playing, Tony. You seeyou seem like a very serious man.
Goddamn right, goddamn seriously as itgets now, I'm a mad, mean,
(21:52):
motherfucker baby, and I don't neverhave much frighten went to take and
these motherfuckers they find some way,they find some way to take it all
in the man as hell. Iswear to god, he's almost as good
as that. He's never been closerto the than he is. Right now,
Okay, okay, let's let's justhang on now, Tony, let's
let's you and me talk. Whydon't Why don't we talk? Okay,
(22:14):
you got me here on the phone. We just let's You're just gonna have
to give me a second adjust tothe situation. Can you can you do
that for me? Tony? Hey, I can do that. Look,
I just I've never done anything likethis before, So I I hope you
can find a way to be patientwith me. I've been patient with this
motherfucker for four years. I gotpatience for you, mister Kman. I
(22:36):
know you're not gonna do all thatpsycho mumbo jumbo horse shit they've been trying
to pull on me all day.Well, I'm gonna do my best to
get you what you need. Tony. I really appreciate that, sir.
I got a lot of respect foryou, mister Aikman. I really appreciate
just how upright you are and allthat. Well, thank you, Tony.
Now, when are we doing thisinterview? Well, Tony, I'll
tell you what I think we mightbe able to work thing. I'll need
(23:00):
to talk to my producer Jim toget everything squared up. You can be
a bit of a process to geteverything together. But I do want to
help Tony. Okay, let meask you something, mister Eckman, go
ahead. You know I'm a seriousman. I certainly do you think I'm
(23:23):
going to do it? And Idon't mean if I have the potential to
do it. I mean I wantto know if you know I'm gonna do
it. Well, Tony, Ithink you are mad enough about this that
to you it would make sense todo it now. I don't know exactly
what you're mad about yet, andI think that we can get to the
(23:47):
bottom of this without anyone getting hurt. So my answer to your question is
I don't know. I do knowthat I want to get to know you.
I want to hear your side ofall this, and that way,
it's a question we don't need toanswer, Tony. Tony, I like
(24:10):
you, mister Heckman, But ifyou don't have an answer for me about
that interview, in one hour,I'm blowing Dick Call's head off, and
I'm sending you the parts. Ohmy god, next time on American hostage.
(24:38):
What in the hell do you meanyou've already talked to him. Three
are Dick Hall's best shot at survival. You can't go down there. The
news says he's got his apartment buildingwire to blow the whole corporation. I
know how to ring up a shotgun, and I know how to ring up
a box. Not a single oneof your predecessors would have sat on this.
They're making yourself the story. Frandyou have a wife and family,
Fred, I'm sure do you knowyou're talking to me? Tony? Was
(25:03):
I always a part of your plan? Here? Call me soon, Fred,
Now leave me waiting out. Youare American Hostage is an Amazon Original
and criminal content production written by C. D. Carpenter, directed by Sean
(25:26):
Christiansen, produced by Adam Volerich andBrendan Hubbard. Executive produced by John Hamm,
Sean Christiansen and Gabriel Mason, starringJohn Hamm, Carla Gugino, Joe
Perino, and Dylan Baker, withadditional performances by Sean Christiansen, James O'Connor,
(25:47):
Christina Brucado, Robert Rowe. Sounddesigned by Brandon Jones, composed by
Darren Morsey, Editing by Thomas Beach, Sean Christiansen and Adam Voleriche. Recording
and engineering by Dave Williams, Mixing, mastering and additional editing by Nick Messidi.
I d Reads by Natalie Prass forAmazon Music. Executive producers are Morgan
(26:11):
Jones and Dave Easton. Senior produceris Eliza Mills. Special thanks to Jacob
Braunstein, Phil Sanchez, Chris Davis, Jack Parker, Marcellino, b Elpondo,
Stephanie Walknein, Blad Norman Vanessa Rebert, Sam Petherbridge, Cale Bittner,
(26:36):
Alice Zoe, Trevor McNeil ty,Jacobson, Rich Sherman Marshall, Louie w
IBC, Wish TV, and CreativeArtists Agency
American Hostage is an Amazon original andCriminal content production starring John Hamm, Carla
Guccino, Joe Perino, Dylan Baker, and Becky Ann Baker. Directed by
Sean Christiansen. This podcast is basedon a true story of a hostage crisis
that took place in Indianapolis in nineteenseventy seven. Listener discretion is advised.
(00:29):
Episode one, The Man with theGun. The seven second delay for live
television was introduced in nineteen seventy fiveby NBC so that Richard Pryor could host
Saturday Night Live without the network gettingfined for all of his obscenities. The
delay would also be useful, wediscovered if a man were to be shot
(00:51):
point blank in the head live onnational television. Fred Dues of the Days,
two Days, tell you what Annapolis? Nine one one? What's your
(01:23):
emergency? Yes? This the police? This is nine one one, dispatches
Lieutenant Collins. There, No,sir, he's not on disape with who
you got there? Who you gotthere or anked high enough to take this
call? I can help you,sir, if you can tell me what
you're Yes, you stand up?Do you think I don't do what?
You stupid s sir, all right, all right, I'm gonna tell you
(01:45):
now, and you're gonna listen good, and I don't repeat myself, so
you listen up now, you understand. Yes, I'm listening all right.
I've done a thing, a realserious statment, the kind of thing you
aren't used to hearing about. Ibet I've taken a prisoner and I've got
him. You're a wired shotgun valstrapped to the back of his head,
and they sain't no crank call.You understand me, yes, sir,
(02:06):
yes, sir, I understand.But you say you've got some of them
wired up a shot I've got areal deal, twelve games shotgun, wired
up to the back of his head, and anything happens to me, it
goes off, and if he moves, it goes off. And I gotta
so there's a hundred ways it goesoff and only one way it don't,
and that's keeping me alive. Andgood, you understand. I understand.
And they say't no crank call,Yes, sir, this is not a
(02:27):
crank. I don't ever have muchfor anyone to take, and these motherfuckers
find some way to take it all. And a mads Heale I swear to
God, he's almost as good asdead. He's never been closer to dead
and he is right now. Canyou please talk to me and lower the
gud How I am talking to you, sir? And I ain't lower your
gun? Tell me how many peopleyou've got with you? Just got one?
One's all I wanted. And thecall is who I got the some
(02:50):
of the bitch, sir, sir. Now I'm a mad, mean motherfucker
lady. I understand. I'm thereal deal. Yes, sir, I
understand the real deal. Sorry,I gotta bother you all like this,
but it ain't you. Please tellme where are you on twenty nine Canton
Street, Canton? He said,One twenty nine Canton Street on the fourth
floor and the Calls office. AndI'm gonna tell you again the way you
(03:12):
got this wired is you kill me. You kill him. My hand goes
back and my fingers go limp,and he's eating shocked and shells out at
the back of his head. Iswear to God, I understand. So
we're gonna send over some of ourfellows and see what we can do.
Well, please don't kill him,and we're sending police on their way.
Got damn fucking right Radio Indiana wiDC. For me, there are three
(03:46):
tenants of journalism. One don't makeit personal, two don't pick a side,
and three don't become the story.I broke all three of those in
the span of a single phone call. Good morning, I'm Fred Heckman.
Tuesday, Ebry eighth, nineteen seventyseven. A burst water man on Stanwood
Drive shuts down a hardware store anda family restaurant, and the Pacers see
(04:10):
a win against the Chicago Bulls asthey adapt to their first year in the
National Basketball League. We'll speak withSlick Leonard as the team prepares to face
off with the New York Knicks tomorrownight, and speaking of special occasions to
take, Gary Wilcox will be comingin to finish up this program while the
station kicks me out to celebrate mywedding anniversary. J. J. Hill
was nice enough to let me comein and keep my perfect attendance record,
(04:32):
and he's also nice enough to keepmy marriage afloat. So Barbara, Honey,
I'm coming home. We'll be rightback with Gary Wilcox. More news,
the weather, and sports from myself, Fred Heckman at the WIBC studio.
I hope you all have a terrificday, and I look forward to
talking with you tomorrow. W YBCNews editor Lou Bamer gave the seven o'clock
(05:08):
News, bringing for them a kindof order out of the chaos. Ronnie,
you know, I hear they maketies in different colors? Are you
doing? Garyny? Sleep serves usall still burns bright day? Okay?
(05:29):
What was I looking for? Igot that? Okay, Oh there is
you are out of here? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear you,
Jim. That was that was quitethe sign off, friend. Now
my wife's gonna ask where her proclamationof love is. Well, it's not
(05:49):
like she was listening. I'm sureshe would appreciate it. Well, I
think after thirty two years, she'sheard everything I have to say. Now,
you're a workaholic friend that takes atoll on other things. It's been
a slow year, it's been afast decade. You got Swede Savage,
the ABA Championship, you got ElvisFregan Pressley on the phone, and you're
(06:12):
going home to tell your wife Ilove you. You are my everything.
Nothing is more important than you.You hear me? Yeah, all right,
I'll see you to Mark to marketcom enrichment's been written save Minnesota Bastion
parent company, Paper Valley. WhenI started working at WIBC, America was
(06:38):
rapidly changing. I was doing storieson McCarthyism, the counterculture, the riots,
the oil crisis, Vietnam. Butby nineteen seventy seven, if you
tuned into WIBC and heard Fred Heckman, you didn't get the news. You've
got stories about leaky ceilings or lostkittens, maybe the occasional corporate misconduct.
(06:59):
I don't know if the news lostme or I lost the news, but
something was missing. Jim, Yes, come in and Pat, Jim,
did you hear about the thing?No, we got something developed in downtown,
something developing, like something big.It's I mean it's not small.
Well, whatever it is, keepit away from Fred. He's still in
(07:20):
the building. Something away from Fred. I mean it's a hostage situation down
he's going to find out Dick Hall, the mortgage guy. Yeah, that
guy's got a gun strapped to hishead. I sent Paul, I said
Tom, I sent every time fivemile radios. All right, Fred is
out this morning. He's gonna wantto chase his story. Just keep it
(07:43):
between us. Jim. It's kindof a thing. I mean, he's
gonna find out. Just don't tellhim. Let's just say, hypothetically I
bump into him. I don't care. Send him to me, all right,
A Dan, turn on Wish Ronnie, get Gary out here and wrap
him on the new copy Well eightfor commercial and then prep him on coffee.
(08:24):
Barb barb wow. I don't believeit. The last miracle of Jim
Hilliard. And before eight pm,I'll have to send him a fruit basket.
You'll think you're calling him a basketcase. Oh my, you look
terrific. You smell terrific. I'mtrying something new. Oh soap, No,
(08:52):
no, itch, you have tobe nice to me today. I'll
be nice if you're nice. Evidentlyyou made a bad riddle estate deal.
You're Did he come in with ashot? How did you know who's that?
I've heard ten different pronunciations today,Tony curtzystems something. I'm just letting
him wander around that side gun rightout in the open. I've never seen
anything like it. They say,what this guy wants him? Yeah,
(09:16):
I don't know it, manly,I don't know. They get any closer.
He's going to shoot that man's headoff. Isn't that Dick Hall's place?
Looks like it? Oh, I'llbe right back. Confirmation that police
haven't greef to give Tony Curtz policecruiser. God, they're giving him a
(09:37):
car? What they're giving him asquad car? They're gonna let him drive
around in one of their cruisers.That's what happened in New York. Right,
they drove that guy at the airport. Who is this guy? Caught
him there? Huh? I don'tknow where you're talking about the movie about
the bank robbery? Oh right,yeah, Jane, Jane, can you
(09:58):
get Jim on for me? Whatdo you mean he's out? I hear
him in the background. Jane,you're the worst liar. What's this thing
downtown? This hostage situation? It'sDick Hall. I mean we know this
guy. Do we have anyone onthis? Gary? Are you kidding me?
Okay? Thanks Jane. Richard Halljust burying into the cruiser with Richard
(10:24):
Hall in the driver's seat. Carinushas not lowered his gun. Funny looking
a little fellow, isn't he You'relike the troll or another storybook. Looks
like he was never taught to smile. Here. Wait, we're exchanging now.
You know I don't like waiting.Well, better be a pearl necklace.
Just open it. Oh honey,this yeah, this is tremendous.
(10:52):
You like it all right? Elgin'sbeen out of business for near ten years.
I know a guy. Honey,it's perfect. It's it's just absolutely
perfect. Came here, m allright your turn? Let me uh hold
on it. Uh, don't giveme that look. It exists, I
(11:13):
promise, and I get a wholeshow too. Hang on, I have
it. It's here. I knowit's somewhere and was allegedly barricaded into Damn,
it's in my desk. You canget it tomorrow. No, I
can get it right now. Fred, I'll be I'll be right back.
I won't be twenty minutes. Wegot uh what time of the reservations,
(11:35):
plenty of time. I'll be rightback. You look amazing. I'll be
right back. Well, I I'vebeen trouble with him my whole life.
All I ever wanted was the story, the big one, the one that
puts you on the map, theone that takes the country by storm and
(11:56):
hits the national zeitgeist, capturing America'sit's and minds. That was the dream,
my dream. And then one day, like a turbocharged V eight the
Indy five hundred, the dream finallyhit me. And all I can say
to that is be careful what youwish for now? Holding Grinchard Hall Hoptach
(12:31):
in his own apartment, which heplays his wire to blow. Jim,
we're holding Garry. Are okay?Gank you, Jim? Eventually we need
our news director Mark Gary can handleit, all right, Jim. If
I see him, I'm not gonnalie on. Oh God, he's coming
in. Oh Jesus, he's comingback in the door. I'm out of
(12:54):
im out, I'm at my handsclean. I'm not I'm not gonna lie
on. Jim. What's the story, Jim, it's it's it's nothing story,
Jim. What are you? Whatare you doing back? Why is
the entire IPD parked outside Esterhouse mortgage? Well, there there's a bit of
a story developing. But what kindof story? Jim? All right,
what do you want me to say? It is a bit of a situation,
Jim. That's a hostage crisis.Yeah, it's a bit of a
(13:18):
hostage crisis. When did this startearlier? This morning, some guy burst
into esterhouse with a shotgun and he'sholding Richard Hall as hostage. Jesus Christ,
he's got something he calls a deadman's line. What it's some kind
of murderous contraption that binds him toHall. The police shoot him and Hall
dies too, so he's basically handcuffedhimself to his hostage. I was just
(13:43):
about to call Chief Gallagher for confirmation. I'll call him what and No,
this is important, so is youranniversary. Don't be like that, so
I suggest either way, go home. We got Gary in prep right now.
Gary? Yeah, Gary, heavierguy, enviable hair. I think
you hired him, Gary, Areyou kidding? I'm here. I'm staying.
Gary can handle it. Bullshit.It's a hostage situation, not a
(14:05):
centenarian's birthday the nursing. Look.Look, I don't care if you stay
or go. Fred. You wantto stay here, that's on you.
Come on. You can't expect meto ignore a story like this. I
don't expect you to do anything,but as your friend, I advise you
to place your family first. I'llgo down to the scene, introduce the
story, and then zip right home. Fred. This job is a promise.
Now, it's a promise to theAmerican people that I'll be here for
(14:26):
them when a story breaks, toguide them through the noise and tell them
the truth. The only thing you'vepromised the American people is that you're going
home to your wife. But it'syour day off. We pay Gary to
cover the news. It happened onhis watch, Jim, why are you
even back here? Well, Barbara'sgift is in my office. Well that
sounds just a tad convenient, Fred, Oh, don't give me that.
(14:48):
Either way, I suggest you getthe gift and go home. Fucking Gary,
Are you kidding me? Fred?It could be over in five minutes
or it could be five days.Either way. I'm sure you'll be covering
it at some point. But Garyis down there, and that's the way
it is. You know, you'rea real asshole. Sometimes being an asshole
doesn't keep me up at night.It's fucking up the job that does.
(15:09):
Yeah, get whatever you headed into get and then get out of here.
Tell Gary not to get comfortable.All right, where did I put
it? Huh? All right?As a journalist, my code is simple.
(15:37):
Always take the call. A ringingphone doesn't sound the same to an
ordinary person as it does to ajournalist. If a phone rings in a
room with a reporter and they don'tpick it up, they're not a reporter.
Simple as that. You always takethe call. Fred Heckman, w
IBC. Yes, mister Heckman,say Sheila Smith with the Indiana Belle Telephone
(16:02):
Company. Yes, ma'am. Whatcan I do for you? Well,
I am calling because a man namedAnthony Curitzis has been attempting to ring into
the WIBC offices and he's been askingfor you, specifically Curitzus. He said,
yes, sir, keep the manon the news, Yes, ma'am.
(16:25):
Did he did? He say whathe wanted. He says that he
needs to talk to you because youwill understand all the goddamn shit I have
to say. That's a direct quote. I see, okay, And how
many calls has he made? Fourteenin the past hour? Fourteen? You
said, yes, sir, fourteen? I see, yeah, right,
(16:48):
Well, I'll tell you what.If you could give me that number,
I think I might be able totake him off your hands for you,
Miss Smith, of course. Okay, are you ready? It's five five
zero nine is one er and Ineed one? Thank you? Ma'am.
Thank you, sir. Would youlike me to tell him that you'll be
(17:08):
calling if he calls back? Uh? You know what, why don't you?
You can tell him that I havehis number? All right, all
right, have a good day,sir. You do the same. Oh
Christ, mm hmm, I don'tknow. I have none of that shit
(17:41):
anymore. You'll hear me, Iswear the Christ that there is just more
bullshit lawyer talk. I'll chuck hishead out the windows. So goddamn fast
work, and I will be askedfor autograph. Hello. Hello, this
is Fred Heckman with w IBC boshit. No, sir, this is Fred
Heckman. This is really Fred Heckman. Yes, is this mister Kurtzis Yes,
(18:06):
sir, Yes, sir, youcan. You can call me Tony,
sir. I called so many times. I thought I broke your phone.
That's what they've been telling. Yeah. I listened to you every morning,
sir, every morning, but Iwasn't able to today. Well that's
that's you know, that's very flattering, Tony. We tried to. It's
important to us that we do ourbest for our listeners. Well, now
(18:26):
it's your turn to listen, sir, Okay, you're gonna help me straighten
this shit out for me, misterHeckman. You know I trust you,
just man to man. I wantto say, I've been listening to you
from your twenty years and I reallyrespect you and how you distinguish yourself from
the other newscaster, so you knowthere's no fucking fluff with you, and
I respect that because I'm fucking sickand tired of listening to the radio and
here were nothing but fucking fluffing rodstart. I'm fucking sick of rodster rots
(18:48):
filled themselves. Okay, well,thank you for the compliment, Tony.
What is it that do you thinkI can do for you. I've been
talking to these dumb motherfuckers and copsand lawyers all day now and they just
can't keep up with me and theycan't get anything right. And I figure
out if I'm going to get outwhere I need to get out, I
have to invest my story in theproper fucking channels. And that means you,
(19:10):
mister Heckman. I see, Iwant an interview. I want to
give you an exclusive something live forall the people at home so they get
it and they fucking know just whathappened because I don't trust anyone else to
get it out. You know,I've been watching the news reports on the
TV all day and the things they'vebeen saying, so many things are bullshit,
and the record has got to beset straight right fucking quick. You
know, I've seen that they putmy mukshout on TV, and I don't
(19:33):
know where in the hell they gotthat. I don't think I ever looked
worse. But what they're doing rightnow is straight up character assassination. And
I need the record set straight rightnow. And you're that avenue, mister
Heckman. They trust you, andI trust you, and what you say
might as well be gospel. Soyou're gonna help me. I see you
want an interview, yes, butI'm going to tell you right now.
(19:56):
I don't like repeating myself, misterHeckman, like repeating myself, so don't
make me repeat myself. Tony.I think that I think I can understand
your perspective and that you might beworried about what everyone is saying about Satan,
what they're lying about, because it'sall lies. I've been maligned with
no defense whatsoever. Okay, ismister Hall with you? Yes? Sir,
(20:22):
Yes, sir, he is.I've got him here tied up to
the ass end of a twelve gage. And the way it works is I
go down. If those pigs shootme, then the gun goes off.
I got Dick calling a dead man'sline me to myself, and he goes
where I go. And that's thesame for heaven or hill. I see.
Can I talk to him? Why? Well, I'm a reporter,
(20:47):
Tony. I like to get thefull story, and that means I have
to check in on the other personinvolved in all this. Well, he's
not going to give you the properaccount. You can't trust to some of
them as far as you can throwhim. Well, it makes me feel
better to know that I've covered mybases. It seems to me that you're
someone who can understand why a manwould think it's important he do all of
(21:07):
his job and not just half ofit. Yeah, nope, that's right.
So if it's okay with you,I I'd like to speak with him.
Okay, here he isn't now.It's Fred Hickman from the radio.
He wants to talk to you,mister Heckman. I'm here. Everything he's
(21:30):
saying is true. He's gotten meall wired up. Don't tell you're a
son of a bitch. I'm ason of a bitch now, you know
I am playing mister Hickman. No, no, no, I don't think
you're playing, Tony. You seeyou seem like a very serious man.
Goddamn right, goddamn seriously as itgets now, I'm a mad, mean,
(21:52):
motherfucker baby, and I don't neverhave much frighten went to take and
these motherfuckers they find some way,they find some way to take it all
in the man as hell. Iswear to god, he's almost as good
as that. He's never been closerto the than he is. Right now,
Okay, okay, let's let's justhang on now, Tony, let's
let's you and me talk. Whydon't Why don't we talk? Okay,
(22:14):
you got me here on the phone. We just let's You're just gonna have
to give me a second adjust tothe situation. Can you can you do
that for me? Tony? Hey, I can do that. Look,
I just I've never done anything likethis before, So I I hope you
can find a way to be patientwith me. I've been patient with this
motherfucker for four years. I gotpatience for you, mister Kman. I
(22:36):
know you're not gonna do all thatpsycho mumbo jumbo horse shit they've been trying
to pull on me all day.Well, I'm gonna do my best to
get you what you need. Tony. I really appreciate that, sir.
I got a lot of respect foryou, mister Aikman. I really appreciate
just how upright you are and allthat. Well, thank you, Tony.
Now, when are we doing thisinterview? Well, Tony, I'll
tell you what I think we mightbe able to work thing. I'll need
(23:00):
to talk to my producer Jim toget everything squared up. You can be
a bit of a process to geteverything together. But I do want to
help Tony. Okay, let meask you something, mister Eckman, go
ahead. You know I'm a seriousman. I certainly do you think I'm
(23:23):
going to do it? And Idon't mean if I have the potential to
do it. I mean I wantto know if you know I'm gonna do
it. Well, Tony, Ithink you are mad enough about this that
to you it would make sense todo it now. I don't know exactly
what you're mad about yet, andI think that we can get to the
(23:47):
bottom of this without anyone getting hurt. So my answer to your question is
I don't know. I do knowthat I want to get to know you.
I want to hear your side ofall this, and that way,
it's a question we don't need toanswer, Tony. Tony, I like
(24:10):
you, mister Heckman, But ifyou don't have an answer for me about
that interview, in one hour,I'm blowing Dick Call's head off, and
I'm sending you the parts. Ohmy god, next time on American hostage.
(24:38):
What in the hell do you meanyou've already talked to him. Three
are Dick Hall's best shot at survival. You can't go down there. The
news says he's got his apartment buildingwire to blow the whole corporation. I
know how to ring up a shotgun, and I know how to ring up
a box. Not a single oneof your predecessors would have sat on this.
They're making yourself the story. Frandyou have a wife and family,
Fred, I'm sure do you knowyou're talking to me? Tony? Was
(25:03):
I always a part of your plan? Here? Call me soon, Fred,
Now leave me waiting out. Youare American Hostage is an Amazon Original
and criminal content production written by C. D. Carpenter, directed by Sean
(25:26):
Christiansen, produced by Adam Volerich andBrendan Hubbard. Executive produced by John Hamm,
Sean Christiansen and Gabriel Mason, starringJohn Hamm, Carla Gugino, Joe
Perino, and Dylan Baker, withadditional performances by Sean Christiansen, James O'Connor,
(25:47):
Christina Brucado, Robert Rowe. Sounddesigned by Brandon Jones, composed by
Darren Morsey, Editing by Thomas Beach, Sean Christiansen and Adam Voleriche. Recording
and engineering by Dave Williams, Mixing, mastering and additional editing by Nick Messidi.
I d Reads by Natalie Prass forAmazon Music. Executive producers are Morgan
(26:11):
Jones and Dave Easton. Senior produceris Eliza Mills. Special thanks to Jacob
Braunstein, Phil Sanchez, Chris Davis, Jack Parker, Marcellino, b Elpondo,
Stephanie Walknein, Blad Norman Vanessa Rebert, Sam Petherbridge, Cale Bittner,
(26:36):
Alice Zoe, Trevor McNeil ty,Jacobson, Rich Sherman Marshall, Louie w
IBC, Wish TV, and CreativeArtists Agency
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