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09.19.2008

Originally aired 11.11.2005

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301: Settling the Score

Stories about the lengths we go to make things right, and about what money can and cannot fix.

Prologue.

Erin Einhorn grew up begging her mother to tell her all about the remarkable story of how she survived World War Two, thanks to a Polish woman named Honorata Skowronski, who risked her life. But her mother didn't like to talk about it. And somehow, her family didn't consider Honorata a hero. So Erin went to Poland, hoping to find the Skowronski family and reintroduce them to her mom, and figure out what happened.  Erin elaborates on this story in her book, The Pages In Between. (5 minutes)

Act One. One Good Deed.

Erin Einhorn's story continues. She tells what happens once she arrives in Poland. Things start well, with the kind of sweet, tearful reunion she hoped for. That is, until the family starts explaining that they need Erin's help to keep a 60-year-old promise that her grandfather made. Erin immediately agreed, but now after years of effort, thousands of dollars, and a trail of letters which uncovered a whole new side to the story, Erin is asking: How far do you go to repay this kind of debt? (33 minutes)

Song: "Everything I Own," Ken Boothe


Act Two. The Things That Money Can Buy.

Beau O'Reilly gets a chance to settle a 17-year-old score with the help of the Chicago police. (17 minutes)

Song: "Little Lion," Duchess




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