You never know where tomorrow's going to take you.
From the seats of power to a seat in the tattoo parlor.
It's all part of the package when you get tomorrow's newspaper, today.
Lloyd Cutler?
Hey, hey, you... - Ow!
What? - Sorry.
You used to ride with a gang in Wisconsin.
The marauders?
So? - You got to get out of here.
Says who? - Well, when you left,
you left with the head honcho's girlfriend, right?
What?
They're here.
Man!
Hey! Hey, get back here!
[Door opens]
You seen a dude named Lloyd?
He went out the back.
Ow! Moth?
What does that mean, Moth?
It's not finished. - Oh.
Looks good.
[Theme Song Playing]
What if you knew beyond a doubt what was going to happen tomorrow?
What would you do?
There is no easy answer, for a guy who gets tomorrow's news today.
[Theme Song Playing]
Hey, Gary. - Good morning. - Hello.
Leave Gary alone,
I'm not bothering him.
Anything good in the paper?
They're watching.
It's called the news, Henry.
What do you watch the news if you already know what's going to happen?
I don't know because sometimes...
Don't you have to be in school?
The bus comes in ten minutes.
The republics of Chesnia and LaVadnia are set to engage
in full-scale talks at the University of Illinois today
in the latest attempt and decades of ethnic strife.
Militant groups have threatened to disrupt the
proceedings and security is tight in the region.
So what happens at the peacetalks?
They fall apart.
Actually, they never begin because of the shape of the table, alright?
The shape of the table?
That's a stupid thing to have a war about.
Why don't you do something?
Look, because they don't like each other very much
and there's nothing I can do about that, alright?
But still... - Well, Henry,
I'm just a regular guy
who happens to gets tomorrows paper, okay? Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know,
but I can't save the world and if I tried, you know, I couldn't.
Why not? - Because world peace
is a little bit out of my league.
I mean, things like this, now that's something...
Oh, boy.
- Navy ammo explosion kills four -
That's something I can do something about.
Listen, I gotta go. You, uh...
You get to school. Yeah?
[TV news report playing]
Many observers belive this is the last chance,
before the conflict errupts in a full scale war in the region.
You don't understand, I already tried to call the embassies.
Isn't there anybody in the state department I can talk to?
Really? The state department has a website?
I'm looking for the ammunition storage area.
The ammunition dump.
Yes, sir. Do you have identification?
Driver's license right here. - No, sir. Military ID, sir.
No, well, I'm not in the military.
And you want the ammo dump?
You see, something's going to happen.
It's kind of complicated.
Yeah, one moment, sir.
Thanks. - Thank you.
Help you? - Hi.
Uh, I've lost my ticket. - But that's my uniform right over there.
No problem.
Lieutenant Nuiqi?
Yeah. Yeah.
How much is that? - Six bucks. Six dollars.
Sir! Excuse me, sir!
One moment, sir.
I hope I'm not out of line here, but...
I believe the Lieutenant's insignia is upside down.
Loose.
Huh. On your collar, sir.
Oh.
Thank you.
Carry on.
Please change the tables you are going to use for the peace talks.
They will have a big argument about the one you have now
They may not even get started having peace talks.
Your friend, Henry Paget
Hey. This is a strange question, but do we have any idea what shape of table
the University of Illinois is using for the Levantina-Chesnia talks?
Yeah, no. That's right. The table.
Could you find out?
Uh, excuse me.
Do you know where the ammo supply area is?
Uh, after these units, sir.
Good. Uh... Carry on.
What I liked about your action back there, Nuiqi.
No hesitation.
You took the initiative.
Command presence.
The kind of thing you can't be taught. Tell me something, Lieutenant.
How did you know it was going to blow?
Oh, well, uh... Well, uh...
Smell the cord, I thought so.
Reminds me of Subic Bay in '73.
Grab a chair, Lieutenant.
Tell me about yourself.
I'm a Lieutenant. - Aha.
Modest. I admire that an officer.
I assume you were in the Gulf.
Whose command?
Operation Fishman, sir.
Fishman? Never heard of it.
Well, that would be because it was, uh... - Oh.
I get it.
Classified?
Yes, sir. Exactly.
Need to know situation.
Excellent.
Tell me, Lieutenant.
Ah...
Are you single?
Yes, sir. - Outstanding.
The torpedoman's ball is tomorrow night.
You know the drill. Dress whites, Navy band.
I'd be honored if you'd escort my daughter.
Your daughter? - Of course. I can't order you to take her.
I can only make a request, but...
Let me remind you, Lieutenant,
that it is an admiral who's making that request.
So you're gonna stand her up?
Yeah, well, I was lucky to get away with this.
Do you have any idea what happened to someone impersonating an officer?
Firing squad.
What? - Yeah, that's in wartime.
In peacetime, you just get life in prison.
Really? - Oh, yeah, absolutely.
There's something I picked up when I was a pre-law major.
Oh, was it when I was a history major?
Oh, maybe I just saw it in the film.
Tensions are running high in La Votnia,
following the breakdown of peace talks today
Hey, what's up, big guy?
Peace talks.
They had to agree on the shape of the negotiating table.
Nobody listens.
Well, listens to who?
Someone who could help.
Ah, you mean like a politician?
I mean like anybody. Even a kid.
Yeah, well, those guys don't listen to anyone, not even themselves.
One the other hand, there has been reported.
Come in.
Can I see the paper?
No.
Just the peace talks?
No. - If you'd just show me the peace talks,
I'll never ask to see another story in the paper again.
I promise.
Oh, you promise?
Like the other times that you promised?
Look, don't get upset.
All right
Alright, the Chessnians walk out, right?
Yesterday it was La Votnia, and today it's the Chessnians.
Why?
Flowers.
What?
Flowers.
It says there was a red bouquet of flowers.
La Votnia and flags all red.
The Chessnian flag doesn't have any red in it, so they walked out.
I don't get it. I mean like, do they want the peace talks to fail?
I don't know. It would sort of seem that way. Look...
Okay, we had a deal.
Thanks.
Hey, Henry.
Well, you know, sometimes things in life, they just don't work out.
But don't let it get you down, huh?
Okay.
[Cat meows]
[sigh]
[Tense music]
Emily Harrigan, 18, Dotto of Rear Admiral Edward Harrigan,
commander of the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.
Was killed with an unidentified sailor last night in a single car accident.
On North Sheridan Road.
The car was traveling at a high rate of speed
when it struck the center divider and flipped.
Well, Erica.
Hmm?
Where's Marissa?
She's at a management seminar.
She said she checked with you first.
Yeah, she probably did that.
Well, listen, tell her I'm going to be out tonight, will you?
Sure. - Thanks.
Got a date?
Excuse me? - You know, a date,
dinner, movie, back in the cheek.
Something like that?
Really?
Yeah, it can happen, you know.
Not since I've been here.
Where you going?
I dance. I dance.
Really?
You just don't seem like the dancing type, that's all.
I happen to be a pretty good dancer.
Okay.
Have fun.
Well, of course I'm going to have fun. I'm going dancing.
That's what people do when they go dancing.
They have fun. What is wrong with everyone?
Here.
State.
The Parliament.
What's with you guys?
What do you think, Ace?
All right.
I'll take it.
[music]
Dude, how was school?
All right.
Can you turn on the news?
I could, but there is someone here to see you.
Me? - Yeah.
Yeah, I'm going to have to call you back. Thank you.
Mr. Jensen, meet Henry Padgets.
This is Henry Padget?
You're Henry Padget?
It depends.
How old are you?
Eight and a half.
Almost.
He didn't tell me he was eight years old.
You didn't ask.
Are you the same Henry Padget that's been emailing the State Department?
Maybe.
Why?
Hop up here.
Because, my friend, eight years old or not,
you've got the kind of insight.
that diplomatic careers are made of.
I do?
Nobody, not even the best
or the brightest that we have, could see the
red flowers flap coming, except for you, Henry.
Now, we are desperate for these peace talks to succeed.
We need stability in the region
and we're grasping at straws and that's why I'm here.
You're saying that, Henry is a straw.
Our Henry?
That's exactly what I'm saying.
My man.
Now, what we need is to get both parties to sit back down at the table.
Now, it would be my privilege,
to take the word of eight-year-old Henry Padget and tell the world.
that it took the wisdom of a child
to get two nations to make peace with each other.
Now, how does that sound?
Oh, Henry.
Oh, laid on me.
Can we just wait till tomorrow morning, like first thing?
Well, I'll tell you, tomorrow is going to be a little late.
So, just give me an idea, like the table or the flowers.
I'm a little empty right now, so...
I know, it's hard, but it's important, Henry, so think, okay?
Think, try.
Um, excuse me, uh, no, we've got a problem here.
We use Chicago rules.
Chicago rules?
Uh, yeah, we sit them down, we put the beers on the house,
and we tell them, you know, nobody's leaving here until we work everything out.
And it works?
Oh, yeah. They drink a lot of beer anyhow.
Ah, Chicago rules.
I don't care if Toby is. I am not going. - Emily, listen!
I'm not one of your sailors. You just can't order me around, Dad.
Emily, I've already made my choice.
Know what? just forget it. This is ridiculous.
I can't believe we're having this discussion.
Lieutenant, right on time. Come in.
All right.
I guess you heard the 16 inches.
Excuse me?
The shore bombardment, my daughter can fire for effect with the best of them.
Oh, no. I didn't hear a thing.
Oh, my wife died two years ago, Lieutenant.
Emily transferred to finish college here in Chicago.
She's been staying with me, which has been fine until recently.
All I can say is...
it's easier to command to flee in combat than...
I suppose we should get this over with.
Hi.
Hello.
You two don't know each other, do you?
No.
Uhm Gar... Lieutenant, nice to meet you. - Hi.
Hi. Hi. Ah, Daddy,Don't wait up for us.
Goodnight. -Thanks, Lieutenant.
Look, I don't know what your deal is,
but thank you for not saying anything about yesterday.
You're welcome. - So, that's that.
Have a good night. - Mr. Harrigan, if it...
Look, you got me out of the house
and my dad thinks you're great so,
let's just leave it at that, okay?
Well, don't you think that we should go to the...
Would you please be quiet?
Don't you think that we should just go to the dance?
Is that just for appearance sake?
No, I don't.
But I think you're making a mistake. The both of you.
Don't you start ordering me around now, too.
You could just stay on the base tonight because there could be a...
There could be an accident or something.
Oh, please. You sound just like my father.
Sir, I know you're an officer, but I really don't see any cause for any kind of worry.
That's it, isn't it?
That's how you found us yesterday. You were spying on us.
Look, lady, I don't have to spy on people.
I can't believe that my father would do something this low.
Oh, just come on, Eric. Let's just go.
Give me my... - Sir, give her a keys back.
You have no right to do that. - Sir!
Oh, no.
Break it up! Break it up!
As you were.
Are you okay, Lieutenant? What's going on here?
On patrol, sir.
We saw this individual assault the, uh, Lieutenant here.
Actually, Admiral... - No need to act the gentleman, Lieutenant.
Book him for assault and trespassing.
No, Daddy, you can't do that.
Well, Admiral, - Don't try to cover up for my daughter.
He's telling the truth, but you...
but you don't care about that, do you?
And you don't care about me at all, either.
God, I can't believe you.
Hey, I know I knew that LT through somewhere.
That's the guy from the tattoo parlor.
Well, here are the keys admiral... Uh, uh, thanks for her good night.
Lieutenant!
I needed the briefing.
It's not that he's an enlisted man that bothers me.
To the contrary.
Some of the best sailors I ever served with came in through the Haas pipe.
But I know I don't have to tell you that.
No, no. I, I mean... No, no, sir.
Ready for another? - Well, actually, you know, I really should be going.
And the world will keep on turning for a few more hours without us, Nuiqi.
Nope. What bothers me is this kid...
doesn't care about the Navy.
I like us, Lieutenant.
Just wants his electronics training three hots in a cot.
Well, this is not who I want my daughter to be with.
Well, they are just dating, sir. - Hmm.
She wants to get married.
I can tell you that would be very hard for me to take.
I, I suppose you've told her that.
Oh, she knows how I feel.
She is so headstrong.
I'll tell you one thing, though.
I am not going to lose her like this.
I, I, I don't, I don't mean to, to go beyond the line, sir.
Look, I, I know you lost your wife, sir, but you, you haven't lost Emily.
Because Emily, she, she, she's still here.
Look what we have here.
I think that LT needs a little company, huh?
Uh, had a few, Lieutenant?
What? Well, I was just actually going to the train.
Not so fast, sir.
You got a uniform.
Your hat.
My deposit.
We're going to need to ask you to walk a straight line, sir.
Now, sir.
To walk a straight line?
Who could tell?
Now, sir.
All right.
I'm afraid we're going to have to take you in public intoxication.
Now, now, wait a second. - You're not resisting, are you sir?
Well, no, I'm...
I suppose we can add conduct unbecoming to those charges.
Well, now, wait a second, fellas.
[Door Closed]
You hear something?
A Cat? What are you doing here?
Come on, kitty, get out of here.
How'd this get here?
You want a paper?
Nah, I already read the funnies.
Hold still, honey. Come on.
I wish Gary was here.
Must have been some date.
He had a date?
Uh, it's no mystery where he is this morning.
Please, not in front of Henry.
Oh, sorry.
This is so cool.
Secret peace talks here at McGinty's.
I can't wait to tell my friends.
Patrick, you can't tell your friends.
We signed an agreement, remember?
Oh, right. I guess that's why it's a secret.
I think it's a great idea. Get those guys away from the media.
It's all because of you and Henry.
Yes, sir. Everything's going fine here, sir.
Mr. Secretary. Sir, I realize we're out on a limb here,
but I believe it's a risk worth taking.
Understood. I won't let you down, sir.
I need a situation report on the security perimeter.
And I needed it five minutes ago. Thank you.
Wow. Security perimeter? That's a sound serious.
Well, we're controlling an eight-block area.
There's a lot of crazies out there.
We've kept it away from the media, but you can't be too careful.
I wish Gary was here.
What was I dreaming of today? Did you hear a cat?
There was a cat.
You didn't, by chance, see a paper, did you?
Security's got them both in that office.
Excuse me. Can I have that paper?
What paper is that, sir?
That paper right over there.
Want to see this paper?
You want to see this newspaper?
Very good, sir.
You can see that now, huh?
Gentlemen, the idea of getting away from the media
and meeting here today was inspired by Henry's
interest in seeing your two nations come together.
You are wise beyond your years, Henry.
I was about to say the same thing.
Yeah, I see it. What are you going to do about it?
[Grunting].
McKintees.
What's going on? - I don't know.
We did not agree to let Lovatnia determine the seating arrangement.
This needs to work.
Probably because I haven't taken their drink order yet.
Yo! You look like a beer guy to me.
Pilsner, please.
And you sir?
Absolute? - On rocks, please.
It's good.
Excuse me, please.
Patrick Quin. - Patrick, right.
You know what? I'm not so sure that drinking
is where we want to go with this right now.
Chicago rules, remember?
Yes, but I thought you just meant the atmosphere.
You know, since you're going to have something to drink,
maybe you'd like something to eat, too.
Try the buffalo wings. Our specialty?
Buffalo.. wings?
They're chicken wings. - Spicy. Very, very spicy.
Oh, Chezneans like hot food. One order, please.
Lovatnians love hot food. Two orders. Spiciest you got.
Okay. - Okay.
Coming up.
Well, okay. So, uh, then why don't we, um, get started, sit over here?
I will not change seating to accommodate Lovatnian superstition.
I cannot sit in this chair.
Then I cannot either.
It's a stupid chair. What's the big deal?
All right, I'll sit. - Good.
Hey, listen. I gotta get out of here.
I gotta get out of here right now.
Tell me about it.
Hey, I'm your superior officer, right?
Yes, sir. - Well, I'm giving you an order.
Get me out of here now.
Here we are, gentlemen.
Buffalo wings.
Round one.
Patrick, why don't you get a pitcher of ice water and some glasses? - Okay.
When we say extra spicy, we mean it.
Emily.
Aren't you a little old for that?
For what? - For silent treatment.
We should talk.
What's there to talk about?
[sighs].
Just, let me try to communicate here.
Why?
This is not easy for me to say.
I've been very self-centered.
I know it...
I may not show it, but...
Well, I'm very appreciative that you came back here
to live with me after your mother died.
I just want you to know that,
that I'm willing to change.
Yeah, I've heard that one before.
Just hear me out.
Why? You don't like Eric,
and you're never going to just because he's an enlisted man.
I know I said that... You haven't even tried to get to know him, Daddy.
He's bright, and he's funny, but that doesn't matter to you.
Emily. - I love him, Dad.
And he loves me, and there's nothing you can do about it.
You're too young to get married.
How old were you and Mom when you got married?
Times were different.
You see? You haven't changed.
And you're never going to change.
You made me so mad!
Where are you going, Emily?
I'm going to see Eric.
Hey, you musclehead freaks!
I'm talking to you wimps in there!
You can't treat us like this!
What was that, Macky?
You, uh...
You got a problem? - Yeah.
I'm sick and tired of you hiding behind that raiding on your sleeve.
Yeah?
Yeah. You were old, Navy.
We'd take this outside.
It's not a list like men.
Yeah, yeah... - Well, you want a piece of me, too?
Uh...
Hey.
Yeah, I do.
What's so funny?
Man to man, eh?
That's right. Man to man.
Man to man.
I hate to get blood on my uniform.
What now?
We beat him up.
It's your plan? - Hey, you got a better idea?
Look familiar?
That was you in the tattoo part?
Yeah. That was me.
Moth?
It's not finished.
What the hell?!
Emily.
Let's go! Come on, let's go. - Hey!
Stop that vehicle! - Hey, stop the car!
Stop the car! - Hey!
Stop the... bitch!
Come here, let's go!
Emily, what are you doing here? - I came to see you.
What are you doing here? - Lieutenant ordered me to escape. - What?
Listen, I've got somewhere I've got to get too fast.
Why? - Hey no, don't stop the car.
I've got to get over Lake Shore Drive now, you understand?
You know what, buddy? Take a cab.
Lives are at stake.
Listen, I don't have time to explain.
Look, give me one reason why I should help you.
Why should she help?
I'll explain later. - Emily, drive!
Oh, great. It's my dad.
Mickey?
Are you following that car? - Yes, sir.
Let's go!
You passed it. - Passed what?
You passed where I got to go. Turn around, would you please?
Fine.
I didn't know you could drive like that.
Neither did I.
Right up here on the left. Not this one, but the next one.
Okay.
Eric, where are you going? - To help.
Wait, to help with what?
I don't know. Here's you father! - There they are. Get them!
Hey! - Come on!
Freeze! Put your hands in the air!
Walk toward me. Very, slowly!
Put your hands behind your head!
Oh, my God!
Can you stop that? - Not over the city. It'd be a disaster.
What are you doing? - The manual override.
2-180. Get it out over the lake.
Second work?
I need a wind reading.
Roger that. East, southeast. Adjust five knots.
Aye, aye, sir.
[BEEPING]
I hope this works.
That's so long.
You trained on that weapon, sailor?
Negative, sir. What I read about it.
No sweat.
It's working. It's working.
Come on, come on.
You can stand down, sir.
Stand down? Hell, I think I'll sit down.
So, how are they doing?
Uh, they're doing good.
Jensen looks like he's in pain and he's not even eating.
When did I lose control over this?
I'm sorry. What's your name again?
Patrick. - Patrick, right.
I mean, look at this, Patrick.
You know? I take a little initiative and suddenly now my
entire career is riding on an order of buffalo wings.
McGinty's buffalo wings.
Do not forget.
Uh, uhm.
Great.
Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Nuiqi.
You are modest to a fault. Tell me, son,
how did you know all about... - Oh, uh, that's, uh... confidential, sir.
Even to Admiral?
Well, yes, sir. I'm, um, I'm afraid so.
Ah!
Good job up there, sailor. - Thank you, sir.
And I don't know how you got caught up in all this,
Emily, but it seems to me that you saved the day.
Well, like father, like daughter.
[Laughs]
I could never face losing you, Emily.
You never will, Daddy.
I promise.
Roger that!
Uh, Nuiqi.
Ah, Lieutenant.
If you're not busy this evening... - Oh, uh, well, sir, I think I, uh...
I need to give back to my superiors.
Say no more, Lieutenant.
Understood.
Yeah.
Thank you, sir.
My money is on the Chesnian because I think the Lovatnian,
he's gonna break.
[Laughs]
You know what? I think I've got something here.
A buffalo wing diplomacy.
[Laughs]
Gary, guess what? I've got to ride in a helicopter.
Henry, Vice President Gore's on the phone for you.
Cool.
Did I, uh, did I miss something? - Was that just Henry? Uh, yeah.
He's on the phone with the Vice President.
If I don't find a sitter by tonight,
I'm gonna have to cancel my date with the Under secretary of the State Department.
Not Jensen?
No way. His Boss. - All right, I'll help you out.
But you have to cover for me tomorrow
when I have tea with the Lovatnian Consulate, okay?
All right, deal. - Okay, cool.
Sorry, Gary, were you saying something?
Huh? - How was your date?
What? - Your date with the Admiral's daughter?
Oh, it was, uh... uh,
boring.
And I'm telling you I want the red tape to disappear.
I am personally recommending that Seaman Eric Van Owen
be accepted to the Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Come in.
Tell the Congressman that I will be expecting his endorsement.
Yes, Lieutenant?
You wanted to see me, sir?
I did.
Lieutenant Nuiki, reporting as ordered?
Nuiki?
You're not Nuiki.
I'm not.
[relaxing music playing]
Maybe one person can't change the world.
But one person can give it a nudge.
And you know, sometimes, that's enough.