Eric and Manager in “America's Most Wanted”

Eric

[to the manager of the Varsity] I'm Eric Camden. I'm Matt's father.

I'm not dropping the charges.

Eric

Just hear me out first.

Ok, but I'm not dropping the charges.

Eric

My son knows he was wrong. That's why he apologized. Matt's learned his lesson.

That's not the problem. The problem is that the rest of those kids haven't learned anything. I lose thousands of dollars every year. If I raise the prices of food to cover the losses, I have no customers. Kids shouldn't steal, and they should learn that if they do, there are consequences. If I let Matt off the hook, they'll think they can get away with anything.

Eric

This isn't about all those other kids. They didn't come in here and apologize to you. This is about my boy. He tried to do the right thing, and he's getting punished for it. What kind of message is that?

It says there are consequences if you break the law. That's a message I'd like to get out. You got a problem with that?

Eric

Yeah, I do. Isn't the law supposed to be about justice and mercy as well as punishment?

I guess we'll find out tomorrow in court, won't we?