This is the beginning of a series of episodes that bring Richie into conflict with his father George (Ben Gazzara), a stern man who loves his son, but has trouble expressing his feelings.

The movie's climax comes when George intervenes by informing the police of his son's activities in a desperate attempt to save his life.

Richie confronts his father in a drug-induced rage (from ingestion of what is referred to as "reds," usually slang for barbiturates[1]), threatening him with an awl.

George retrieves a revolver from his toolbox and aims it at Richie, but does not fire it, cocking the hammer back in an attempt to convince his son that he is not bluffing.

A blinding flash from the gun's barrel then morphs into a bouquet of flowers on a mahogany casket in the cemetery from the beginning, rejoining the service.

With love from all your friends.The movie ends with a brief written epilogue over a still shot of George placing a rose on Richie's casket, stating that a grand jury voted unanimously not to indict George Werner for the shooting death of his son, and that he lives as a free man.