A Simple Case

No matter how good any police department or police officer is, they cannot solve every case by putting someone in prison. "A simple case" is one of those. From the opening scene to the last line it is a simple case, but they don't find out till the end. I hope the audience doesn't either. This was a fun script to write.

CAGNEY AND LACEY

"A simple case.."

Written by John M. Riggle

First draft Nov. 15, 1986 Final draft Dec. 7, 1986

Starring Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly, with :

Bert Samuels (Al Waxman ); Harvey Lacey ( John Karlen); Marcus Petrie (Carl Lumbly); Officer Coleman (Harvey Atkin); Harvey Lacey Jr. (Tony LaTorre); Michael Lacey (Troy Slaten); David Keeler (Steven Macht) Al Carassa ( Paul Mantee); Claudia Petrie (Vonetta McGee); Esposito (Robert Hegyes)

Guest Cast: Vanetti; Milano; Loretto; Belini; Carlotti; Alfaro; Thomasso; TV Announcer; Man; 2nd Man; Amanda Kostopolous; Jamaican Officers (2); Customs inspector; Bustamonte

SETS

Exteriors: 14th precinct parking bay; Bustamonte's garage; Chris' building; cemetery; Amanda's brownstone; Petrie home; Hotel swimming pool; Beach house; Mansion lawn; Lacey home

CHRONOLOGY Scenes 1-2 (Day); Scenes 3-4 (Night); Scenes 5-8 (Day); Scenes 9-10 (Night); Scenes 14-19 (Day); Scenes 20-23 (Night); Scenes 24-25 (Day); Scene 26 (Night); Scenes 27-29 (Day); Scenes 30-32 (Night); Scenes 33-39 (Day)

ACT ONE

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-A MANSION-DAY -LONG SHOT

An elderly man, walking slowly with the. aid of a cane, is just moving from the front wheel of a car to the driver's door. He gets in the car. He takes a long look around at everything, then puts a key in the ignition. He turns the key. BOOM!! A powerful bomb goes off, blowing the car and man to bits. Nothing is left but a pile of smoking wreckage. After a few moments, six men with drawn pistols burst from the front door of the house. They see the car in the driveway, then scatter, looking for any possible assailant.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-SAME MANSION-SAME DAY

LONG SHOT. Cagney, Lacey, Isbecki, Petrie, Carassa, and Esposito are standing around in different places on the lawn. Each is talking to one of the six men from scene one.

CUT TO:

ISBECKI

Mr. Vanetti, where were you when the bomb went off ?

VANETTI

We were all six watching TV in the recreation room.

CUT TO:

PETRIE

What program was on, Mr. Milano ?

MILANO

That game show, "Dealers Choice".

CUT TO:

LACEY

Did Mr. Carlotti often go out alone, Mr. Loretto ?

LORETTO

Mr. Carlotti never went out alone, and he was an old man. He hadn't even driven a car in years. And, He had some dangerous enemies so he never even went out in the yard alone. He always sent us out to check for snipers first and we were with him at all times when he went out.

CUT TO:

CAGNEY

So why do you think he went out alone this time, Mr. Belini ?

BELINI

I can't explain it. It was something he never did.

CUT TO:

Well, Mr. Thomasso, This time he did.

THOMASSO

I guess so. But I swear, He never sent for us this time.

CUT TO:

LACEY

Do you suppose he just decided to gamble this one time, Mr. Loretto ?

LORETTO

He was an old man, over 75 years old. Old men don't gamble on anything but a sure thing.

CUT TO:

CABASSA

Maybe he didn't want to bother you with your favorite game show on TV, Mr. Alfaro.

ALFARO

The only reason we watch TV is to fill the time while we wait to be called, and that's not our favorite show anyway.

CUT TO:

ISBECKI

How do you suppose the bomb got in the car ?

VANETTI

I can't explain that either. Nobody could get out of here after planting a bomb because of the wall around the place. Broken glass imbedded in the top of a 20 foot high wall, and electrified wires on top as well. Nobody could have gotten over and left no sign in the short time they had. The only time that car has been off the estate was last week when I took it for a tune-up. I picked it up and drove it home, and it's been in the garage till I took it out and washed it today. When I finisher, I went in to watch TV. The show just came on and just as the first commercial ended, the bomb went off.

ISBECKI

I guess you know that makes you our prime suspect.

VANETTI

I'm not worried about what you guys think. I'm worried about what his business associates will think.

CUT TO:

ESPOSITO

Do you think Mr. Vanetti could have put the bomb in the car ?

THOMASSO

NO way. I was in the kitchen when he took the key from the rack by the kitchen door. He took the car out and washed it. Then he took it around the front to park it in the sun to dry. I was in the front room and saw him park it, get out, and come in the house. He didn't have any bomb, and even if he had had one, he had no chance to plant it in the car.

CUT TO:

LACEY

How do you suppose the killer knew Mr. Carlotti was going to use that car ? I saw other cars in the garage.

LORETTO

Mr. Carlotti never used that car. That car was only used by us to run errands for Mr. Carlotti.

Cagney approaches Lacey and Loretto.

LACEY

If the target wasn't Mr. Carlotti, then it must have been one of you. Who do you think it might have been ?

LORETTO

I can't imagine. We aren't important at all. We take care of the house and grounds. We act as servants and bodyguards. We run errands like grocery shopping, and so on. That's all.

CAGNEY

Looks like we have just about all we're going to get here.

CUT TO:

PETRIE

Who did the tune-up on the car ?

MILANO

An old friend of Mr. Carlotti, Bustamonte's Garage, on 126th Street. He's been doing all the work for Mr. Carlotti for thirty years or more.

CUT TO:

LACEY

I guess so. Maybe the bomb squad can find something when they examine the car.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-LACEY HOME-NIGHT~ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-LACEY BEDROOM-NIGHT

Harvey and Mary Beth are in bed. The TV is on and the news is in progress. ON TV. The TV shows a long shot of the Detectives questioning the six men. The TV cameras couldn't get on the grounds so they had to use a "cherry picker" to look over the wall. Mary Beth is clearly visible, as all the Detectives, and the wrecked car, but nothing they are saying can be heard.

ANNOUNCER (V.0.)

Gino "Boots" Carlotti, the reputed head of the Mafia in the Northeast area, was killed today by a powerful car bomb at his home. It exploded when he tried to start the motor. Parts of his body and parts of the car were scattered over the lawn in front of his residence. As usual in gangland style executions, no one was talking, not even the police.

A BEAT

The scene on the TV changes to the announcer.

CUT TO:

Harvey and Mary Beth. Lower volume on TV.

ANNOUNCER (V.0.)

And now for the weather, here's Andre.

The sound of the TV continues as Harvey and Mary Beth speak.

HARVEY

Congratulations, Babe. You're a big TV star now.

MARY BETH

Me and the whole precinct, I think.

HARVEY

It must have been a mess over there.

MARY BETH

It was. I'm glad I didn't have to clean it up.

HARVEY

Any idea who did it ?

MARY BETH

Like the TV said. Nobody's talking. Except to deny knowing anything about it.

HARVEY

So who do you think did it ?

MARY BETH

Probably some rival gangster. If any of the bodyguards were involved, it had to be all of them. They all tell the same story.

HARVEY

Any chance of solving the case ?

MARY BETH

Not much, I'm afraid. All those gangsters are very close mouthed. Tomorrow we'll talk to the mechanic who did the tune-up on the car last week. Then we have to read the report from the bomb squad. I don't think we'll get much though.

HARVEY

Those Mafia people have a way of sorting it all out. They settle things among themselves pretty well.

MARY BETH

That's a brutal way of saying it.

HARVEY

So what do you want from me ? I just tell it like it is.

MARY BETH

It's the way they do it that worries me.

HARVEY

So let 'em fight it out. Who cares if a bunch of mobsters go after each other ? I don't. I just want to stay out of the way, and I think you should too.

MARY BETH

It's not my job to stay out of the way, and I don't want to anyway. I want to put whoever did it in jail.

HARVEY

Then you better work fast, or you're likely be burying him instead, along with a bunch of others.

Mary Beth picks up the remote control and turns off the TV.

MARY BETH

That's a terrible prediction, Harv.

HARVEY

Those guys live in a world of their own. I don't think we'll ever understand it, and I really don't want to. I think to understand it, you have to be in it, and that's not for me, or for you, or the boys, or anybody I know, or anybody I want to know.

MARY BETH

I suppose you're right.

HARVEY

Of course I'm right. Goodnight, Babe.

Harvey turns out the light.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-DAY-ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-SQUAD ROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey as they enter.

CAGNEY

Well, I think Harvey is right. Nobody really cares how many gangsters kill each other.

LACEY

I care.

CAGNEY

After all they've done that's crazy.

LACEY

Thank you for calling me crazy.

CAGNEY

I didn't mean you're crazy. It's the idea of caring what happens to gangsters that's crazy.

LACEY

Now I've got crazy ideas.

CAGNEY

Mary Beth, those guys have no feelings at all for anybody. For anybody to have any feelings for them is a luxury nobody can afford.

LACEY

I think it's our job to care.

CAGNEY

It's our job to stop them, but we don't have to get emotionally involved.

COLEMAN enters and drops a report on Cagney's desk.

COLEMAN

Looks like they didn't even wait for the funeral this time. Big Joe Mancuso was gunned down on the street while you two were out to lunch.

CAGNEY

Already ? They sure didn't waste any time. Anybody else hurt ?

COLEMAN

Two bodyguards dead too. Nobody else.

LACEY

I guess we better not waste any time either. Let's go talk to Bustamonte.

CAGNEY

Yeah. Maybe the report will be in from the bomb squad when we get back.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-BUSTAMONTE' S GARAGE-DAY

Cagney and Lacey peer through the glass in the front door. The place is empty and a closed sign is on the inside of the window. A man approaches with a "For Rent" sign in his hand and starts to unlock the door.

CAGNEY

I'm Sgt. Cagney, 14th precinct, and this is Det. Lacey. Are you Mr. Bustamonte ?

MAN

No. I own the building. Mr. Bustamonte retired and moved to Jamaica.

LACEY

Do you have his address ? We'd like to drive out to see him.

MAN

Not Jamaica long Island. The country Jamaica. You know. The Island off the coast of Florida, or someplace.

CAGNEY

He left in a hurry, didn't he ?

MAN

No, he' s been planning it for years.

LACEY

Do you know anything about any of his customers, like Mr. Carlotti ?

MAN

Bustamonte was never in the rackets, but he did all the work on all those guys cars. Carlotti was one of his closest friends. That's why he was allowed to retire.

A BEAT

Cagney hands the man a notebook and pen.

CAGNEY

Put your name and phone number here so we can contact you if we need to.

The man takes the notebook and pen.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-AFTERNOON

ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks as Isbecki steps up.

ISBECKI

Everybody's made copies of their notes from yesterday and passed 'em out to everybody else except for you two. Yours are right there on your desks.

CAGNEY

O.K. Did the report come in from the bomb squad yet ?

ISBECKI

Coleman just put it in your in basket about a minute before you came in.

LACEY

I found it. It says the bomb was hooked up to a wire going to a switch operated by a key. That switch was concealed in the grill of the car. From there another wire went to the ignition. When the switch was off the bomb was inactive. It was safe to drive the car.

ISBECKI

I noticed that too. Anybody could have turned that switch on in about a second or so.

CAGNEY

So now we have the question of how did the bomber know when Carlotti was going to drive the car and not somebody else.

LACEY

If he hasn't already thrown away the key that might tell us who the bomber is.

ISBECKI

Marcus is out at Carlotti's now checking on that. He went alone because we figured we wouldn't find anything.

Cagney' a phone rings.

CAGNEY

Sgt. Cagney, 14th. .... Hello, Marcus. ....O.K., I'll tell everybody....Bye.

CAGNEY

No key.

She hangs up the photo.

ISBECKI

We didn't expect to find it. real long shot.

LACEY

I've had enough for today. Let's sleep on it and maybe we come up with some new ideas tomorrow.

Lacey gets up ad picks up her purse.

FADE OUT

A BEAT

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-CHRIS'S BUILDING-NIGHT-ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-CHRIS'S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT

ON Chris and David sitting on the couch with drinks.

CAGNEY

Did you ever have to defend a mobster ?

KEELER

No. They never call on a public defender. They get a lawyer as crooked as they are.

CAGNEY

So you admit lawyers are crooked ?

KEELER

Not ALL of them. Just the ones involved with the Mafia.

CAGNEY

Won't any lawyer do it, if they offer him enough money ?

KEELER

No. I know a lot of lawyers that wouldn't take that kind of money.

CAGNEY

So why do some do it ?

KEELER

I just told you. They're crooked.

CAGNEY

Couldn't they make just as much money honestly as they make dishonestly ?

KEELER

Sure, but they'd have to work harder. They'd have to build reputations, like Melvin Belli for example, in order to charge what they charge the hoodlums.

CAGNEY

So they take the easy way to the financial top.?

KEELER

That's it. They specialize in finding loopholes so people they know are guilty can stay out of Jail.

CAGNEY

Selling your integrity. A hell of a way to make a living.

KEELER

I've got a better way.

CAGNEY

Doesn't everybody ?

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-DAY

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey as they are just sitting down at their desks.

CAGNEY

That was a great lunch, Why didn't we ever eat there before ?

LACEY

I don't know, but I think I should have passed on that second piece of lemon meringue pie. I'm too full.

Coleman approaches with papers in his hand.

COLEMAN

They found another one over in Brooklyn this morning. Sam Generro. It was a nice bloody job. They cut his throat.

CAGNEY

Two in two days ? If they keep this up they won't have any pallbearers.

LACEY

That's one thing they'll never run out of.

COLEMAN

Even I'll volunteer for that duty.

CAGNEY

You would, Coleman.

COLEMAN

Why not ? The world would be a better place with them all planted.

LACEY

I don't want to hear any more of this.

Lacey heads for the Jane. After a few moments, Cagney follows and Coleman leaves.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-THE JANE-DAY

Lacey is in one of the booths and not visible as Cagney enters. Cagney looks all around.

CAGNEY

Come on, Mary Beth. We're talking about the garbage of the world here. They belong in some kind of sanitary land fill.

Silence.

CAGNEY

MARY BETH, YOU'VE GOT TO STOP CARING ABOUT THEM !!

A booth door bursts open and Mary Beth pops out.

LACEY

Somebody's got to care. Why not me ?

CAGNEY

We're talking about extortionists, usurers, drug smugglers, kiddie porn peddlers and racketeers, People who profit from selling ruined lives and death. How can you, or anybody else care about them ?

LACEY

They're still part of the human race.

CAGNEY

What race are their victims part of ?

Mary Beth paces back and forth a couple of times, shrugs and they both walk out.

FADE OUT

INTERIOR-AN APARTMENT BUILDING HALL-DAY

ON Isbecki as he approaches a door. He stops and knocks. A man opens it.

ISBECKI

Det. Isbecki, 14th precinct. You reported a burglary ?

2nd MAN

sure did. Come on in.

Isbecki enters.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-APARTMENT KITCHEN-DAY

2nd MAN

Somebody came in through that window. They cooked up a bunch of food, ate it, and left through the window. Nothing else was taken. And they left this note. It says, "Just hungry. Thanks".

ISBECKI

All he took was food ?

2nd MAN

Yeah, I guess so. But look at the mess he left for me to clean up.

ISBECKI

He ate the food, right ?

2nd MAN

I guess so.

ISBECKI

Then how can we catch him ? He's not gonna sell it, or take it to a pawnshop. He's not gonna wear it, share it with anybody.

2nd MAN

It's your job to catch him, not mine to tell you how. Just do it.

ISBECKI

I'm sorry. It's just impossible. It's a waste of time to even fill out a report. Take my advice. Just put in burglar bars and forget it. Be glad he didn't take anything but food.

FADE OUT

EXTERIOR- 14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-DAY-ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

All the detectives are present. Samuels is in the middle of the room. ON Samuels as he speaks. WIDE SHOT.

SAMUELS

CLOSE on Samuels.

SAMUELS

(continuous) Tomorrow is Carlotti's funeral. I want pictures of everybody who attends, and I want a positive I.D. on every one of them. I'm assigning Aspromonte, Wilson, Markham, and Davidson to take pictures of them. The rest of you are responsible for identifying them. I want every one of them tagged, and I won't accept any excuses. Knellman is breathing down my neck on this and I'm going to breath down yours, only hotter !l Do I make myself clear ??

He looks around and gets no response. He retires to his office.

CAGNEY

I'm glad we didn't draw that assignment. Half of them are likely to be dead before we get an I.D. on them.

LACEY

I suppose you're right, but I still feel bad about it.

CAGNEY

I guess it doesn't matter much how we feel. We can't take them into protective custody. We can't guard them night and day. All we can do is watch till one emerges to take over, then go after him. If we get lucky, we might get something on him.

LACEY

know. But it makes me feel so helpless.

CAGNEY

We all feel that way. So what else is new ?

ISBECKI approaches.

ISBECKI

Try this. I just came from investigating a burglary. Somebody broke in and cooked a bunch of the guy's food, ate it , and left. Nothing else was touched. And he left a thank you note.

LACEY

You made that up, Victor.

ISBECKI

No I didn't. But I did talk the guy out of making me file a report. Catching the guy that did it is impossible.

CAGNEY

I suppose so, but I'd like to meet him anyway. He's got some sense of humor.

LACEY

You shoulda made a report. That's one for the record.

CAGNEY

You gotta be kidding. This is Victor, the guy who always messes up a great story.

ISBECKI

O.K. Let's see you catch him.

LACEY

We didn't say we could catch him. Only that you should have made a report.

CAGNEY

Speaking of reports, are you ready for the big funeral this afternoon ?

ISBECKI

Sure. Are you ready to do the ID's.

CAGNEY

You bet we are. Just get us the pictures.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-CEMETERY-DAY

Aspromonte, Wilson, Markham, and Davidson have taken up positions in four different directions from the gravesite. They have cameras with telephoto lenses. They take pictures of everyone at the funeral. The CAMERA switches from one to another as the take pictures. CAMERA uses long shots to show the funeral in progress. The casket is a child's size and four of the bodyguards of Carlotti carry their boss to his final rest. The Priest does his thing and the casket is lowered.

FADE OUT

TIME CUT TO:

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey at Cagney's desk. They have an ident-i-kit and are matching the facial parts to the photos from the funeral. This produces a code of numbers. They enter the code in the computer and the computer reads out an identification of the person. Lacey has a picture in her hand and is looking at it.

LACEY

Look at this. There was so little left of him after that bomb and fire that they're burying him in a child's coffin.

CAGNEY

Yeah. Is that the last one ?

LACEY

Yeah. We got a positive I.D. on all but these four from the third row.

Lacey hands Cagney a picture.

CAGNEY

From their position in the third row, I'd say they aren't too important, but on the hand, nobody unimportant would go to this funeral.

LACEY

I wonder if they could be from out of town.

CAGNEY

Could be.

LACEY

Here's a photo of the car they came in. Maybe we can get something from the tag number.

Cagney enters the license number in the computer. The computer prints up the owner.

CAGNEY

Consolidated Auto Leasing. They are from out of town.

LACEY

Maybe they're trying to muscle in.

CAGNEY

Could be, but where did they come from ?

Cagney picks up the phone book.

CAGNEY

Maybe we can get a name......Here it is. Consolidated Auto Leasing, 739-6868.

Lacey dials the phone as Cagney gives her the number. After a few moments,

LACEY

This is Det. Lacey, 14th Precinct. We need the name of the person who rented a car from you today.....New York license number PVH 223......Thank you.

She hangs up the phone.

LACEY

Alfredo Alaniz, Bogota, Columbia.

CAGNEY

I guess he's not as unimportant as he seems.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-AMANDA' S BROWNSTONE-NIGHT-ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-AMANDA'S LIVING ROOM

(Amanda Kostopolous is Isbecki's deaf girlfriend from "SILENT SCREAM". Both of them speak and sign everything they say.)

ON Amanda and Victor sitting on the couch facing each other. There is a coffee table in front of them with cups. From time to time they sip coffee as they speak.

AMANDA

My mother thinks I'm making a mistake wanting to marry a policeman.

VICTOR

I guess I can understand that. It's not the most pleasant job in the world, and I guess you could find yourself a widow pretty unexpectedly.

AMANDA

But I checked the figures. It doesn't happen to policemen any more often than to anybody else.

VICTOR

We can go visit her when my vacation comes due.

AMANDA

I was hoping you would say that. I was thinking that would be a nice time to get married, too. I know my mother will like you when she meets you, and I want her there when we get married.

VICTOR

So you want to be a June bride.

AMANDA

Yes. It's always been one of my dreams since I was a little girl.

VICTOR

June's not so far off. I guess we can wait that long.

They kiss as FADE OUT

EXTERIOR-PETRIE HOME-NIGHT -ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-PETRIE KITCHEN-NIGHT

Supper is on the table and Marcus and Claudia are just finishing.

MARCUS

Another fine meal, as usual. My mother wrong when she told me I'd never get anything good to eat after we got married.

CLAUDIA

She just wanted to keep you home with her Lots. of mothers are like that. It's natural.

MARCUS

I guess so. But I was thinking about it because of that Guy Carlotti.

CLAUDIA

How does my cooking make you think of a mobster ?

MARCUS

It made me wonder what his mother told him. He never married, and had no children. I can't believe she raised him to be a mobster.

CLAUDIA

I can't imagine any mother raising her son to be a mobster. Some fathers, maybe, but not mothers.

MARCUS

I don't suppose we'll ever know what she wanted him to be. He turned out to be just a petty tyrant. Just like the petty tyrants that sometimes get control of some government of some little country. They all make as many people miserable as they can and make themselves rich. In the end they all come to a bad end, just like he did.

CLAUDIA

My mother always told me that a bad life is a one-way road to a bad end.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Isbecki and Petrie at their desks. Coleman approaches.

COLEMAN

I've got another report for you. The six bodyguards Carlotti had were just found at Carlotti's mansion. All dead.

PETRIE

I guess we can cross them off of our list of suspects in Carlotti's death.

ISBECKI

The list of suspects gets shorter, but the list of victims gets longer.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks as Coleman approaches.

COLEMAN

This is for you.

CAGNEY

What is it and where did it come from ?

Cagney takes the large envelope Coleman is holding out to her.

COLEMAN

The Coroner sent it over. It's Carlotti's things from his pockets and the crime scene. He had no next of kin so the coroner wants you to find who to give it to.

CAGNEY

Why me ?

COLEMAN

It's your case.

Coleman leaves as Cagney stares at the large brown envelope.

LACEY

So what are you going to do with that ?

Cagney pulls out a drawer of her desk, drops in the envelope, and shuts the drawer.

CAGNEY

File it till I figure out what else to do. We've got more important things to do than worry about that. So far we've got nine dead. One with a bomb, one with a knife, and seven with seven different guns. No telling when this blood bath will end, or how many more will go down.

LACEY

Looks like a hell of a gang war all right. Maybe as many as ten gangs all fighting each other. As fast as we pick a suspect, somebody eliminates him.

Isbecki and Petrie enter.

ISBECKI:

Who's keepin' score ?

LACEY

Keepin score ?

ISBECKI

You know, countin' dead hoods ?

CAGNEY

Mary Beth is doing that.

PETRIE

Then put down two more. Angelino and Poncelli. They blew 'em away up in Spanish Harlem about an hour ago.

LACEY

Oh boy. When is this gonna end.?

CAGNEY

When the survivors agree which one will take over as the new top man, I guess. Till then we bury 'em and file reports. Unless you've got a better idea.

LACEY

Well.....I don't have one yet, but maybe I can come up with something... In a couple of days or so.

PETRIE

At that rate, we'll know who won first.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

FADE IN

LACEY LIVING ROOM-EVENING

Harvey Jr. and Michael have brought home their report cards today. They are sitting on the couch with Mary Beth as she looks at them.

MARY BETH

This is the best you can do ?

HARVEY JR.

Mom, we got all A's.

MARY BETH

A minuses. Minuses. That's almost B's.

MICHAEL

Don't worry, Mom. Alice will get pluses.

MARY BETH

What are you talking here ?

HARVEY JR.

Our teachers always grade the boys lower than the girls.

MICHAEL

They say the girls need higher grades so they can get into college easier.

MARY BETH

I don't believe that. Shame on you for saying such a thing.

HARVEY JR.

Mom, remember that report I had to make on "Romeo and Juliet"?

MARY BETH

Yeah.

HARVEY JR.

I had to make one the next week on "Macbeth". Patti and I exchanged reports on "Macbeth". Then we copied them over in our own handwriting. I got B plus on both and she got A's.

MARY BETH

Maybe you did better on "Macbeth".

HARVEY JR.

No Mom. There was no difference. She got A's because she's a girl.

MICHAEL

It's the same at my school, Mom.

MARY BETH

I can't believe what you're tellin' me.

HARVEY JR.

It wasn't this way at our old schools. But that's the way it is here, so you might as well accept it. We have.

MARY BETH

I'll talk with your father when he gets home. Maybe we can do something about it.

MICHAEL

Don't do anything, Mom. You'll just make things worse.

HARVEY JR.

Yeah, Mom. Just leave it the way it is. We'll still graduate.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-DAY-ESTABLISHING

I NTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey as they enter.

LACEY

...so they say leave it alone. Don't do anything.

CAGNEY

They should know.

LACEY

But how can they learn about honesty if their teachers aren't?

CAGNEY

I don't think it's dishonesty. More like prejudice.

LACEY

Well I don't care if it's prejudice or dishonesty. They look the same to me.

CAGNEY

Well.... I guess they are pretty much the same, at that.

CARASSA approaches as they sit down at their desks.

CARASSA

Another one bit the dust last night.

LACEY

I can't believe how you people are acting. Like you're happy to see people die, or something.

CAGNEY

I thought we settled this before, Mary Beth. You've got to stop caring about that trash. The world is a better place without them.

LACEY

Christine, that sounds a lot like prejudice to me.

CARASSA

It's not the same, prejudice is without good reason. These people give everybody plenty of reason. The only respect they get or want is based on fear.

MARY BETH

They're still people.

CARASSA

That's debatable. Anyway, they're not afraid of us at all. The worst we're likely to do to them is put 'em in jail for a few days

MARY BETH

And for very good reason. Jail is where they belong. Not the cemetery.

CAGNEY

Give up, Al. I couldn't convince her either. So what are we going to do about Carlotti's killer ? He's the one who triggered all this orgy of murders.

CARASSA

Somehow, I get the feeling that mechanic Bustamonte is the key. But we can't extradite him from Jamaica on just a feeling. We need some kind of evidence.

CAGNEY

The one thing we have none of.

MARY BETH

If we can't get him here, maybe we can go there ?

CAGNEY

That's an idea. Now all we have to do is sell the idea to Samuels.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SAMUELS OFFICE-DAY

ON Samuels at his desk.

SAMUELS

You two want to go to Jamaica ???

CAGNEY

Yes sir. We think the solution to the Carlotti case is somehow connected with that retired mechanic, Bustamonte.

SAMUELS

So why do you need to go to Jamaica ? Can't you solve the case here ?

LACEY

He's the last one of Carlotti's associates still alive.

CAGNEY

All the ones at his funeral in the first two rows are gone. There's nobody else to talk to, or suspect of killing him.

LACEY

Even the third row is going fast. Its a race against time to see who gets to the killer first, us or them.

SAMUELS

If there's nobody else left to question, I guess Jamaica it is. But I can only give you the plane fare now. You'll have to bring back receipts and get reimbursed.

Samuels gives them a chit for two plane tickets.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-LACEY HOME-NIGHT-ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-LACEY BEDROOM-NIGHT

Harvey Jr. and Michael are sitting on the bed watching Mary Beth pack a suitcase.

HARVEY enters. He starts taking off his coat.

HARVEY

What's goin' on, Babe ?

HARVEY JR.

Mom's goin' to Jamaica.

HARVEY

So how come you need a suitcase to drive over there ? You got some kind of undercover assignment ?

MARY BETH

Not Jamaica Long Island, Jamaica the country. It's down by Cuba somewhere.

HARVEY

How come you gotta go way down there ?

MARY BETH

Christine and I have to interview a man named Bustamonte. He' s the last one of Carlotti's friends still alive. I already talked to Mrs. Davidson, next door. She'll help you with Alice. We'll only be gone a couple of days.

Harvey goes to the bureau and returns with her swimsuit.

HARVEY

Don't forget to take this, and don't worry about a thing. We can take care of things for a few days just fine. I understand it's summer down there the year round.

MARY BETH sits down on the bed.

MARY BETH

I wish we didn't have to go, but this may be the last chance we have to solve this case. I'll be worried about all of you till I get back. Don't tell me not to.

HARVEY

Well, maybe you can give us a call from there, if it'll make you feel better.

MARY BETH

Oh, Harvey, we can't afford a long distance call like that.

HARVEY

What route does your flight take ?

MARY BETH

We leave LaGuardia about midnight, and change planes in Miami. We come back the same way.

HARVEY

So call going and coming from Miami.

MARY BETH

I guess I can do that all right. Christine's picking me up around 10:30. We'll arrive in Jamaica around 7 in the morning so we'll have a layover in Miami and I can call. Let's have supper.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-MIAMI AIRPORT-NIGHT

Chris and Mary Beth are at a phone booth. Mary Beth is on the phone.

MARY BETH

Hello Harv....Yeah, we got to Miami OK.... She's right here.

CAGNEY

HI HARV.

MARY BETH

O.K...Harv says Hi...It was a nice flight. .... Yeah, nice and smooth....Everything all right there ?....Good....Good....This is expensive....O.K. Harv.... On the way back ....O.K. Bye Harv.

She hangs up the phone.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN

INTERIOR-KINGSTON JAMAICA AIRPORT-VERY EARLY MORNING

Cagney and Lacey are walking down a corridor from the plane to the customs area.

CAGNEY

We left New York on time, we arrived in Miami on time, we left Miami on time, and we arrived here on time. What do you think the odds are of that happening?

LACEY

Pretty high, I guess, and it probably won't happen on the way home. No way our luck could be that good.

They turn a corner and come to customs. They find a long line ahead of them, 25 to 30 people.

LACEY

Oh, would you look at this.

CAGNEY

There's a cop. I'm going to try something.

Cagney walks up to the Jamaican Officer and shows her badge and I.D.

CAGNEY

Excuse me. I'm Det. Sgt. Cagney and that's Det. Lacey, New York police Dept. We're here on official police business. Isn't there some way we can get through this customs inspection a little faster ?

OFFICER

Oh yes, of course. Come this way.

They follow him to an office. Inside is a man behind a desk.

OFFICER

Inspector, these are the police officers from New York City, here on official business.

INSPECTOR

Come in, come in. You would be Cagney and Lacey.

CAGNEY

I'm Cagney, this is Lacey.

INSPECTOR

I'm very pleased to meet you. Please sit down and tell me how we can help you.

They enter, shake hands, and sit down.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR -HOTEL SWIMMING POOL-DAY

Cagney and Lacey have their swimsuits on and are sitting on the edge of the pool, splashing their feet in the water.

CAGNEY

If we had come here on a vacation I could have enjoyed the last three days a lot more.

LACEY

I wish Harvey and the boys were here. I wonder how they're doing taking care of Alice, and I wonder how long it'll take me to get the house clean when I get back. I'm not really enjoying being here at all. I wish we could go home right now.

CAGNEY

I miss David, too, and I'm wondering how many more of those guys have been killed back home.

LACEY

I hate to even consider that.

A police officer approaches.

OFFICER

Ladies, we have found Mr. Bustamonte. If you will get dressed, we can go to see him now.

LACEY

We'll be ready in five minutes.

They get up and start for their rooms.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-A MODEST BEACH HOUSE-DAY

A police car pulls up and parks. Cagney, Lacey, and a Jamaica police officer get out and go to the door of the house. CLOSE. After knocking, an old man opens the door.

OFFICER

Mr. Bustamonte ?

BUSTAMONTE

Yes.

OFFICER

These are police officers from New York City. They have some questions they would like to ask you.

BUSTAMONTE

I was wondering when someone would come to see me. Come in, come in. They follow him into the house.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-BUSTAMONTE'S LIVING ROOM-DAY

Couch, end tables, chair, etc.

BUSTAMONTE

Sit down, sit down. I'll get you a drink if you like.

OFFICER

Nothing far me, thank you.

CAGNEY

I'm fine.

LACEY

Me too.

BUSTAMONTE

O.K. I guess you want to know about Gino Carlotti.

CAGNEY

Yes, that's what we came to ask you.

BUSTAMONTE

O.K. I tell you everything. Gino and I been friends for years. He told me to come here and tell everything when somebody come to ask.

CAGNEY

He wanted everything known ?

BUSTAMONTE

Yes. He say when you come to ask me that would mean everything would be over. About a month, or six weeks ago, he went to the Dr. because he don't feel so good. The Dr. say he have cancer. A bad kind. No cure. He had only a couple of months to live. He don't want to die in pain, so he come to me.

LACEY

How did he expect you to help him ?

BUSTAMONTE

He give me $100,000 to put a bomb in his car. He want me to put in a secret switch and give him the key. Switch is off, O.K. to drive car. Switch on, when you try to start car, BOOM.

CAGNEY

So Carlotti had the only key to that switch ?

BUSTAMONTE

Sure, sure. so tell me what happened.

LACEY

He used it, and blew himself up.

BUSTAMONTE

Yes, yes, go on.

CAGNEY

If he wanted to commit suicide, why did he use a bomb ? Why didn't he just get some dope and give himself an overdose ? Or he could have used a gun. He certainly had enough of them in the house.

BUSTAMONTE

He wanted it to look like murder so the strongest man would take over.

LACEY

So he wanted to set off a gang war ?

BUSTAMONTE

Sure. How else the strongest man gonna take over ?

CAGNEY

We've been having a gang war. Almost all the men at his funeral have been killed, including his six bodyguards, who were pallbearers at his funeral.

BUSTAMONTE

Even Angelino and Poncelli ?

LACEY

Yes.

BUSTAMONTE

He thought Angelino and Poncelli would get together and share leadership, since they were half-brothers.

CAGNEY

They were together when somebody killed them both.

A BEAT

Bustamonte's face clouds.

BUSTAMONTE

I give you my address. When you get back to New York, please write me a letter and tell me who won, but don't tell it to anybody else. I may have to disappear to stay alive.

LACEY

We can do that.

FADE OUT

TIME CUT TO:

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-DAY-ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney at her desk. Lacey is at her desk. Cagney has the envelope sent over by the coroner opened and the contents dumped out on her desk. She is holding up Carlotti's key ring by the key to the secret switch.

WIDEN as Cagney speaks.

CAGNEY

Here it is. It was here all along. A simple case of suicide.

LACEY

Yeah. I gotta write a letter to Mr. Bustamonte. I gotta tell him the Columbian took over.

CAGNEY

Looks like we're in for a cocaine snow storm.....So tell me, do you still care what happens to those people.?

LACEY

All the way back on the plane I thought about Carlotti. The viciousness, the brutality, the heartlessness, the cruelty of that man sends chills up and down my back. I guess I don't care any more, or at least not as much as I did. I hate him for that. I feel like I lost a part of my humanity, and it's his fault.

CAGNEY

Welcome to the club.

FREEZE FRAME

FADE OUT

THE END