Bittersweet

Of all the scripts I wrote, this is probably the worst one. Having known several women who had been raped, and the effect that can have on a woman for the rest of her life, and knowing the extent some women will go to to exact revenge, I wrote this script inserting several "dream sequences" telling how a woman can have nightmares for years, maybe for life, concerning being raped. A dream sequence means that the edges of the picture all around the screen become blurred and sort of smoke filled. What I was trying to do was point out how terrible it really is for a woman to be raped. Somehow, it just doesn't seem to come out right. But here it is anyway. I hope you can make sense out of it and understand what I was trying to say with it. It's the only one I wrote where the perpetrator got away with it. Or did she? This was the most difficult story for me to write since I am a non-violent person, and this is the most violent story I have ever written. Which explains why it's not so good.

CAGNEY AND LACEY

"BITTERSWEET"

Written by John M. Riggle

First draft May 10, 1987; Final draft May 15, 1987

Cast:

Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly.

Coleman (Harvey Atkins ); Victor Isbecki (Martin Kove); David Keeler (Steven Nacht); Bert Samuels (Al Waxman); Marcus Petrie (Carl Lumbly); Harvey Lacey (John Karlen )

Guest cast

Woman (perp) ; Man (victim)/Prost ; Officer Bergstrom; owner (pizza parlor ) ; Willie Knox ; Dom Lucero; Man (Dying junkie) ; Farmer/ Henry Axlerod; Nurse; Proprietor (pawn shop) ; Man (on street) ; Receptionist

Sets

Interiors: Squadroom; Woman's apartment parole office; Office; Pizza parlor; Detective's car; Room in rooming house; Woman's bedroom; Cagney's loft; Slum building; Slum building (2nd floor); Room; Lacey bedroom; Car interior; Hospital room

Exterioirs: New York Street #1; New York Street #2; New York Street #3; New York Street #4; Parking Bay; House (dream sequence); Parking lot (dream sequence); Deserted woods; Country roadside; Hospital

Chronology

Scenes 1-10 (Day); Scene 11 (Night): Scenes 12-15 (Day); Scenes 16-16A (night); Scene 16B (Day): Scene 17 (Night); Scenes 18-24 (Day); Scenes 25-26 (Night); Scenes 27-29 (Day); Scene 30 (Night); Scenes 31-32 (Day); Scene 33 (Night); Scenes 34-46 (Day); Scene 47 (Night); Scene 48 (Day)

ACT ONE

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-NEW YORK STREET #1-Day

The camera is the perpetrator. The camera is looking down and we see a woman's dress, legs, and feet wearing shoes. The camera swings up and left. A man comes out of a doorway about thirty feet away and turns to walk down the sidewalk toward the perpetrator. The perpetrator steps away from the building where she has been leaning, waiting for the man, and faces him, blocking his way. He is about fifteen feet away from

her.

WOMAN

(V.0.)

Do you remember me ?

MAN

No, I don't believe so.

WOMAN

(V.0.)

Six years ago you used a gun to murder my husband, and my baby, and raped me, shot me, and left me for dead.

A look of recognition crosses the man's face. The woman perpetrator raises her right hand in front of the camera. She has a gun. The camera is looking right down the barrel over the sights as she points it at the man.

WOMAN

(V.0.)

Six years wasn't enough for what you did. Now I'm going to even the score.

MAN

NO. NO. Don't kill me.

He raises his hands in front of himself as she pulls the trigger, we see the gun jerk in her hand and see the smoke from the gun. The man clutches his chest, then falls to the ground. The woman approaches a few feet closer as the man gasps for breath. we still see the gun as before. She shoots him two more times and the gun jerks and smoke is seen each time. The man jerks, then is still.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-NEW YORK STREET -DAY

Cagney and Lacey are talking to a uniformed officer as the zipper is closed on the body bag.

CAGNEY

Did you find any witnesses when you arrived ?

OFFICER

We responded to the radio call and no one was here when we arrived. This crowd came up in response to our sirens.

LACEY

Nobody saw anything ?

OFFICER

It seems not.

CAGNEY

If you responded to a radio call then someone must have reported it.

OFFICER

That's right. The dispatcher said an anonymous woman called it in.

LACEY

Any I.D. on him, or money ?

OFFICER

He had a wallet with forty dollars, but no I.D. Maybe you can I.D. him from his prints. The Coroner can get them for you when he makes the autopsy.

CAGNEY

A typical New York side street. A hundred people could have seen it all and nobody wants to get involved.

LACEY

Somebody did. She called it in.

CAGNEY

Some involvement. A body on the sidewalk report. Anybody could have reported that. No information as to who killed him or why. The only thing we can be sure of is it wasn't robbery.

LACEY

We should get the coroner's report tomorrow. Maybe we can get something from that.

The turn and walk toward their detectives car.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROON-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks as Coleman approaches.

COLEMAN

Here's the coroner's report on your sidewalk stiff from yesterday. Three thirty-eight caliber slugs fired from more than six feet away.

CAGNEY

Any I.D. on him yet ?

COLEMAN

Anthony Prost. A career criminal. He just got out on parole two weeks ago. With his record he must have at least a hundred enemies who would like to see him dead. You might as well put this one in the unsolved file right now, unless you want to make a career of this one case.

LACEY

Did the coroner recover the fatal bullets ?

CAGNEY

This report says thirty-eight caliber fired from a Smith and Wesson revolver. Three shots. Fired from more than six feet. Only one weapon used.

COLEMAN

So it wasn't a group. Just one killer.

LACEY

I guess we might as well check out all his enemies, starting with anybody he might have stooled on.

CAGNEY

Lets get started.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-APARTMENT-LATE AFTERNOON

The door opens and a woman enters. We see her from the neck down only. At no time is her face shown. She crosses the tiny apartment and sits on the bed. She picks up a picture of a man in his twenties in her left hand and a baby in her right hand from the table next to the bed. She looks at them.

WOMAN

You can rest easy now, my darlings. It's finished at last.

The camera pulls back and shows the back of her, including her head as she replaces the pictures on the table, then puts her hands over her face and sobs.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks.

CAGNEY

Here's something. Might be important.

LACEY

Oh ?

CAGNEY

Prost was in prison for six years. A year or so before he went up his former partner in crime went up for burglary. Prost skipped town just before the police arrived to arrest him. He could have sent money to the lawyer to help pay for the defense, but he didn't. The partner always claimed Prost was the burglar and he was taking a fall for an ungrateful partner. He swore revenge.

LACEY

So what happened to the former partner when he got out ?

CAGNEY

The partner got out about six months ago. He had plenty of time to prepare to blow away Prost, and motive.

LACEY

Can we get an up to date address from his parole Officer ?

CAGNEY

We can try. It's the office on west 41st St. His name is Willie Knox.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-PAROLE OFFICE-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey at the desk. They show their badges to the receptionist.

CAGNEY

I'm Sgt. Cagney, and this is Det. Lacey. We want to see the parole officer handling Willie Knox.

RECEPTIONIST

That would be Mr. Bergstrom. Down the hall, fourth door on the left.

Cagney and Lacey walk don the hall, and enter the office.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-Office-DAY

Bergstrom is seated at his desk as they enter.

BERGSTROM

What can I do for you ladies ?

CAGNEY

Sgt. Cagney, Det. Lacey, l4th precinct. Do you have an address for Willie Knox ?

BERGSTROM

Sure.

Re opens a file cabinet and sorts through manila folders.

BERGSTROM

What's he done now ?

LACEY

We think he might have murdered his former partner.

BERGSTROM

Here it is. 929 East 61st Street. So far he's been a real straight arrow since he got out. He works at a pizza parlor on 61st street about a block from where he lives.

CAGNEY

Does he work days or nights ?

BERGSTROM

Nights.

LACEY

The shooting took place in the day. He could be the one.

BERGSTROM

I hope not, since he's been doing so well.

CAGNEY

I can't imagine a better cover than to make it look like you're completely rehabilitated.

LACEY

I guess we'll soon know if he is or not.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-PIZZA PARLOR-DAY

Business is going on as usual as Cagney and Lacey enter. The owner is waiting on the counter.

OWNER

What'll ya have here ?

CAGNEY

I'm Sgt. Cagney and this is Det. Lacey. We want to ask the owner a few questions.

OWNER

Hey, we get everything from approved sources. Whatever they got sick on, they didn't get it here.

LACEY

We want to know about one of your employees. Willie Knox.

OWNER

That's different. Sure, he works here. Never gives me any trouble at all. Comes to work every night on time. Works hard. Doesn't steal. Even pays for anything he eats, and I give that to the employees for free. I should be so lucky to have more like him.

CAGNEY

Did you know he's on parole ?

OWNER

Sure. That's why I hired him. The state pays half his wages while he's on parole. I get a great employee for half pay. Can't beat that deal.

LACEY

Do you have any idea what he does when he's not working ?

OWNER

He's a bookworm. He's working on his G.E.D. Then he plans to go to college.

CAGNEY

Do you know if he owns a gun ?

OWNER

If he does, I never heard of it.

LACEY

Do you know anybody else who might be able to tell us anything about him ?

OWNER

Did you try his P.O. ?

CAGNEY

He sent us here.

OWNER

How about his landlord ?

LACEY

We'll go there next. How about pals, or girlfriends.

OWNER

I don't know, but somehow I think maybe he turned gay in prison. It's just a hunch though.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-DETECTIVES CAR-ROLLING-DAY

CAGNEY

Turned gay in prison.

LACEY

I guess if your gonna do that, prison's the place to do it.

CAGNEY

Come on, Mary Beth. At least half the guys who do that are just plain vicious. The very kind that would blow away a former partner.

LACEY

I suppose so, but I want to talk to the landlord first.

CAGNEY

I think we should just lock him up on suspicion. Let him cool his heels in jail for a while.

LACEY

Well I don't think he did it. It's just too pat. He has too good a motive, too much opportunity, and too good an alibi.

CAGNEY

We haven't checked his alibi yet.

LACEY

You can be sure it'll be a good one.

CAGNEY

Or none at all.

LACEY

Right now, that's the best kind he could have.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-ROOMING HOUSE ROOM-DAY

Cagney, Lacey, and Knox are there.

KNOX

I just got up. What can I do for you Officers ?

CAGNEY

Where were you yesterday afternoon ?

KNOX

I went to a Movie. Since I work nights though, and I was up late this morning with some friends, I went to sleep in the movie. I can't tell you what it was about.

LACEY

What theater was it ?

KNOX

The Regent, on 59th St.

CAGNEY

You know you're not supposed to have a gun on parole, but I have to ask you anyway. Do you have a gun ?

KNOX

No, and I never had a gun at any time in my life. If I had had a gun when I got caught it would have been another ten years on my sentence. I keep far away from guns.

LACEY

We understand from your employer that you've been doing well since you got out. Do you have a girlfriend yet ?

KNOX

No. I gave up the idea of having a girlfriend. Who would want a guy with my record ? Another ex-con just like myself ? That's a violation of my parole. I've only got a year to go. I'll worry about a girlfriend later. Anyway, it was a girl that talked me into getting in trouble in the first place. I've already got a lifetime supply of trouble. I don't need any more.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

Cagney and Lacey enter talking and go to their desks and sit down.

CAGNEY

I guess you're right about Knox. It's just too pat. He could be the one anyway, but if he was he would have done a better job of getting an alibi than sleeping in a theater.

LACEY

So let's see who else we have.

CAGNEY

His record says he was high on heroin when he was killed. Maybe he owed money to some dealer.

LACEY

Could be. Who was dealing six years ago ?

CAGNEY

I think Isbecki and Petrie were working on something last week and they have the folder.

Cagney gets up and goes to Petrie's desk. Petrie and Isbecki are not there. She starts looking through the folders. After she looks at a few, Isbecki. arrives.

ISBECKI

What are you looking for ?

CAGNEY

The folder you and Marcus were using last week about dope dealers.

ISBECKI

It's on my desk. You got a dope case ?

CAGNEY

No. Murder. We think a dealer might be involved somehow.

ISBECKI

Very possible. They've been known to do such things. Here's the folder.

They go to Cagney's desk. She sits down and starts reading the file. Isbecki goes to Lacey's desk.

ISBECKI

What do you have ?

LACEY

I'm trying to see if any other parolees might have a grudge against him from before they went to jail. No luck so far.

ISBECKI

You might have to go to the prison to find out that one.

LACEY

I think you're right. There's not much here.

CAGNEY

Maybe I've got something. In order to get a shorter sentence Prost turned in his dealer. Turns out to be our old friend, Dom Lucero.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN

INTERIOR-WOMAN' S BEDROOM-NIGHT

The room is dark but light is coming in through the window. We can see the pictures of the man and baby on the table. The woman is sleeping. DISSOLVE to dream sequence. The camera is looking through the woman's eyes. She is in a park with her husband and baby. She is sitting on the grass watching her husband as he is playing baseball. The game ends and the husband approaches her at a trot. She rises as he gets there, they turn to leave. In front of them is Prost. Prost laughs. The woman screams. Sudden end of dream. CUT BACK to dark bedroom with the woman sleeping. She suddenly sits up in bed and screams.

FADE OUT

EXTERIOR-NEW YORK STREET #2-DAY

Cagney and Lacey approach Dom Lucero from the rear.

CAGNEY

Well, well, well. Look who's here.

Lucero turns from the prostitute he is talking to and faces Cagney and Lacey.

LUCERO

Don't tell me you have another girl beaten to death and you want to blame me. I did my two years for manslaughter and I don't operate that way any more.

LACEY

Do you still deal dope ?

LUCERO

No way. I just barely got away with that for a while, but I got turned in by one of my customers. I got out of dealing completely before I got caught. I have a habit of not getting caught.

CAGNEY

Except for us.

LUCERO

My one failure. But that's all in the past now.

LACEY

How about the customer who burned you ?

LUCERO

I don't even remember her name.

CAGNEY

It was a he. Anthony Prost.

LUCERO

Now that you mention it, I believe you're right.

LACEY

He burned you by turning you in, and he beat you because he owed you money.

LUCERO

Oh yeah. I remember him now.

CAGNEY

Motive enough for murder. He was blown away the day before yesterday.

LUCERO

Well, I didn't do it. All that old stuff is just water over the dam. I chalked it up to experience and moved on to something else.

LACEY

Yeah, like pimping, and beating women to death.

LUCERO

All in my past. I don't do any of that stuff any more. All I do now is hold the girl's money for them. I'm kind of like a banker. If they get arrested, I pay the fine and get them out, or put up the bail. That way they don't have to be worried about being robbed. They pay me for services rendered.

CAGNEY

So you're still pimping ?

LUCERO

No. This is for the independent girls. It's strictly legal.

LACEY

When was the last time you saw prost ?

LUCERO

Years ago. I forgot all about him till you mentioned him.

CAGNEY

Do you own a gun ?

LUCERO

Get serious. I wouldn't touch one for anything.

CAGNEY

Just where were you the day before yesterday ?

LUCERO

Right here, taking care of business. I'm here every day. I take no vacations and no days off. I got at least 30 people who see me every day.

LACEY

We'd like to talk to some of them.

LUCERO

Sure. Start with the man selling newspapers right there. I'll have some of the girls talk to you as soon as they show up. Just hang around a while.

Cagney and Lacey start toward the newsstand.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-DETECTIVE' S CAR-ROLLING-DAY

CAGNEY

I've got a feeling this could turn out to be a long investigation. we've been on the case two days and we've only checked out six possibles. We must have at least a hundred more to go.

LACEY

Some people live so quietly no one even knows they exist and then we come to one like Prost who makes so many waves it seems like the whole world would like to kill them.

CAGNEY

Feast or famine. Too many suspects or none. Why can't we get any simple cases any more ?

LACEY

I guess it's because the uniforms take care of them.

CAGNEY

I suppose so, still, it'd be nice to get an open and shut case once in a while.

LACEY

We do, sometimes, like the time you wanted some hot Chestnuts, so we stopped to get some from a street vendor. An armed robber came running out of a liquor store with his gun in one hand and the bag of money in the other. He ran right into our arms.

CAGNEY

I remember that. (laughs) It was really funny. It took him a while to figure out how he got caught. (more laughter from both) Then there was the car thief who had the bad luck to get two flat tires in front of the precinct station just as the owner came out after reporting his car stolen.

LACEY

He screamed "That's my car", We were right there when the thief tried to run.

LACEY

See. We get some easy ones sometimes.

CAGNEY

I guess we do at that.

They arrive and park at the precinct.

CUT TO:

EXTERIOR-PARKING BAY-DAY-ESTABLISHING

They get out of their car.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR -SQUADROOM-DAY

Cagney and Lacey enter.

ESPOSITO

You got a call from the Warden at the big house. He gave me a list of names. I left it on your desk.

LACEY

Good. Maybe we'll find something there.

She sits down at her desk and finds the list.

LACEY

Only three names ? Not much of a list.

ESPOSITO

Yeah. He said everybody else who hated Prost is still there. Who's prost ?

CAGNEY

Somebody blew him away on the sidewalk in broad daylight. No witnesses, of course, and the guy has so many enemies you wouldn't believe it.

ESPOSITO

One of those, huh ? I had one once. I worked on it on and off for six months before I finally gave up.

LACEY

It's a real rat's nest of confusion all right. We have at least a hundred suspects to check out. Most of them won't have an alibi, and all of them had motive and opportunity.

CAGNEY

It looks like our only hope might be to find the murder weapon, and tie it to one of them.

ESPOSITO

If the killer still has it, or if the killer threw it away and somebody finds it and turns it in.

LACEY

Pretty slim chance of that, I'm afraid.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-CAGNEY'S LOFT-NIGHT

Cagney and Keeler are having a candlelight dinner.

CAGNEY

Times like this always make me feel good. They take my mind off my work and help me relax.

KEELER

I was just thinking the same thing.

CAGNEY

Yeah ?

KEELER

Yeah. All day long I have to deal with other people's problems, and being with you makes me happy that I don't have their problems.

CAGNEY

Are you trying to tell me I'm not a problem ?

KEELER

No. I'm trying to tell you you're the cure for my problems. You make me forget the world outside.

CAGNEY

Our own private little world where we can both feel good.

KEELER

You got the picture.

CAGNEY

That's nice. It's just the way I feel. I can say anything to you and you don't get up tight about it. Trust. I think that's an important part of life.

KEELER

It's an important part of living. It's participating in life.

CAGNEY

I wonder why so many people can't do that ?

KEELER

I guess only those who studied philosophy, like us, can do it.

CAGNEY

I think nobody can really enjoy life if they don't participate.

KEELER

Some participate, some just observe, and others just let it slip away.

CAGNEY

Sometimes I feel like I'm selling my life in bits and pieces to the city of New York for a weekly paycheck.

KEELER

I guess we all do that. It's the price of living.

CAGNEY

Sell some so we can enjoy the rest. The rest is beautiful when you're with somebody you can trust with your heart and soul. Trust is a wonderful thing.

KEELER

That it is. That it is.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-BEDROOM-NIGHT

The woman is sleeping in the bed and we can see the pictures on the table in the light from the window.

DISOLVE TO:

DREAM SEQUENCE-DAY

The camera is looking through the woman's eyes. She is standing in front of an empty house with a "For Sale" sign in the yard. on that sign is another sign saying "Sold". The picture blurs to show the woman's eyes filling with tears. We hear her crying and sniffling. A hand with a Kleenex wipes the camera lens and the picture clears. She turns to go to her car. A tow-truck backs up to the front of her car. On the truck is a sign saying "Repo Service". The driver gets out and looks at her and laughs. It is Prost. She screams.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-BEDROOM-NIGHT

The woman sits up abruptly in the bed and screams. She puts her hands over her eyes and cries softly.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Petrie and Isbecki at their desks. Samuels approaches.

SAMUELS

Seen Cagney and Lacey today ?

PETRIE

Yes, they were here about an hour ago. I think they went out to see somebody about that sidewalk murder a few days ago.

ISBECKI

I think they said they had to go to Brooklyn, or Queens. I really didn't pay that much attention.

Samuels hands Isbecki a piece of paper.

SAMUELS

The Lt. at the 21st just called. He nave me this address. There's supposed to be somebody there who knows something about that case, but it has to be checked out right away. The person is leaving town. I can't wait for Cagney and Lacey to get back. You two drop whatever you're doin' and take care of it.

PETRIE

On our way.

They get up to leave.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-POLICE CAR-ROLLING -DAY

Isbecki driving, Petrie riding.

PETRIE

This address is right in the middle of needle park. Probably a shooting gallery.

ISBECKI

I noticed. So we have to interview a junkie who's leaving town.

PETRIE

Just how do you suppose a junkie held onto money long enough to buy a bus ticket ?

ISBECKI

Probably taking a one way trip in a body bag. A twenty dollar ticket to ride forever.

PETRIE

In the neighborhood where I grew up, nobody ever took that trip.

ISBECKI

Me too. Lucky us.

PETRIE

Lucky us.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-NEW YORK STREET #3-DAY

ISBECKI parks the car at the curb and they get out and go in. It is a typical New York slum street, filled with trashy people, garbage, and trash.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-SLUM BUILDING-DAY

Isbecki and Petrie enter. They climb some stairs to the second floor.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-SLUM BUILDING SECOND FLOOR-DAY

ISBECKI and PETRIE approach a door. They knock and the door just swings open.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-ROOM-DAY

Isbecki and Petrie enter. The room is mostly empty and bare, except for a pile of newspapers near one wall and prominent signs that a large number of people have been using the room for some time to shoot dope. Sticking out from under the newspapers is a hand. They go to it and lift the papers away. Under them is a man. He is unconscious. They try to rouse him.

ISBECKI

Hey man! Wake up!

Isbecki tries to raise the man and slaps him lightly on the cheek.

PETRIE

I'll go call for an ambulance.

He leaves. Isbecki starts artificial respiration.

ISBECKI

Hang in there, man, you can make it.

After a few minutes the man shows a few signs of life. His eyes open and he starts to speak.

MAN

Who ??

ISBECKI

I'm a cop. I found you here.

MAN

Ye.....

ISBECKI

Are you the one I'm supposed to see about the sidewalk shooting a few days ago ?

MAN

(weakly) Yeah.... I never saw.....anything.... like her.... She was so cold....just killed....him....and left.

The man passes out again as Petrie returns.

PETRIE

The Ambulance is on the way.

ISBECKI

They better hurry.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks as Isbecki and Petrie enter and go to them.

ISBECKI

Samuels sent us to check out a lead on your sidewalk stiff from the other day.

CAGNEY

Did you find anything ?

PETRIE

We found out you are barking up the wrong tree looking for the man that did it.

LACEY

We are ?

ISBECKI

I got a dying statement from a junkie who was an eyewitness. He said it was a woman who did it.

CAGNEY

A woman ?

ISBECKI

(READING FROM A NOTEBOOK) His exact words were, "I never saw anything like it. She was so cold. Just killed him and left."

CAGNEY

So what happened to the junkie ?

PETRIE

D.O.A. at Bellview. He didn't have time to give us a description either.

LACEY

So I guess we can cross off all the men from our list of suspects. That includes all the guys he met in prison.

CAGNEY

So what women could have hated him so much. A lover he dumped ? A junkie he ripped off ?

ISBECKI

Whoever it was, he must have really hurt her to make her hate him so much.

LACEY

A victim, maybe ?

CAGNEY

I guess our list of suspects is now narrowed down to about fifty, and we don't even know if it's complete.

PETRIE

It's better than square one.

FADE OUT

INTERIOR-LACEY BEDROOM-NIGHT

Harvey and Mary Beth are ready for bed. Harvey is drinking a cup of coffee and Mary Beth is brushing her hair.

HARVEY

I can't get over how good the boys are doing in school this year.

MARY BETH

Harvey Jr. might win a scholarship if he can keep it up one more year.

HARVEY

One more year. A long time in his life, but it's like the blink of an eye to us.

MARY BETH

What brought on that attitude in the middle of good news ?

HARVEY

I was thinking how much I wished I had. had the chance to go to college.

MARY BETH

I wish I could have gone too. Christine talks about things that happened to her when she was in college from time to time.

HARVEY

I bet she had a good time, and I bet it's one of the reasons she made Sgt.

MARY BETH

Could be. Her brother in California went to college too. They want Christine's Niece, Bridgett, to go. I hope she does.

HARVEY

Well, if I have anything to say about it, ALL ours will go.

MARY BETH comes and gets in bed.

MARY BETH

Fortunately, they're far enough apart in age so they won't all be going at the same time.

HARVEY

That'll make it easier to pay, all right. But I still hope they win scholarships.

MARY BETH

I do too. Then they won't have to walk girders, like you do, or face down criminals, like I do. Look how long it took us to afford this house. They can get better ones right away.

HARVEY

And start their own families, have children, and the dog we couldn't have.

MARY BETH

I don't know about a dog, but I hope the boys get good wives, and Alice gets a good husband.

HARVEY

The boys couldn't do better than I did in getting wives.

MARY BETH

That's sweet, Harvey, and Alice couldn't do better than I did.

They kiss.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-WOMAN' S BEDROOM-NIGHT

We can see the pictures on the table in the light from the window. The woman is sleeping.

DISSOLVE to dream sequence.

DREAM SEQUENCE-DAY

The camera looks out of the woman's eyes. She is carrying her baby in her arms and her husband is pushing the shopping cart with the bags of groceries as they leave the supermarket.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-LIQUOR STORE-DAY

An armed robber is just leaving with his loot and gun. He runs to his stolen car in the parking lot and tries to start it with no success. The man and the woman with the baby arrive and start putting their groceries in the car next to the one with the robber. The robber looks at them, gets out of his car with his loot in one hand and his gun in the other. It is Prost. He goes around his car and approaches the man, woman, and baby.

PROST

I need your car. Get in and drive.

CUT TO:

PARKING LOT-DAY

The camera is looking through the woman's eyes as she turns and sees Prost pointing his gun at them. She screams.

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-BEDROOM-NIGHT

The woman sits up in bed, covers her face and sobs.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

I

NTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey signing in.

LACEY

Harvey and I were talking about how well the boys are doing in school. If they keep on like this they might both get scholarships.

CAGNEY

My mother paid most of my way through Barnard. I did a lot of it in Paris. After my mother died I finished by working my way through as a fashion photographer.

LACEY

You never told me that before.

CAGNEY

I didn't ?

LACEY

No, you didn't.

CAGNEY

I thought I did. I told you I graduated from Barnard, I remember that.

LACEY

You told me that, but you never mentioned photography, or working your way through.

CAGNEY

Well, I did. Coffee ?

LACEY

Yeah. But I'll pass on doughnuts and sweet rolls.

They sit down at their desks. They pick up some reports left by Coleman in delivering the mail.

CAGNEY

Lets check out the latest garbage reports.

LACEY

Just looks like more of the same.

CAGNEY

I don't know why the department wastes money sending us this trash.

They both throw everything in the wastebaskets.

LACEY

Well, back to our list of suspects. Amy Brownell, Robbed by Prost. Jean Crockett, robbed and shot, paralyzed from the waist down, We can cross her off. The junkie said the woman walked away.

CAGNEY

Tomasina Crowley, moved to Maine. Karen Clinch, Deceased.

The voices fade away as;

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks.

CAGNEY

Looks like that's it, at last.

LACEY

Three hours and we still end up with a list as long as your arm. This guy must have been the most hated guy in the country.

CAGNEY

Make that North and South America. I'm beginning to think maybe this case is unsolvable.

LACEY

Still, we gotta try, but I'm starting to believe so too. I just can't believe a man could be shot in broad daylight, and we can't solve the case.

CAGNEY

All we've got so far for several days work is a dead witness who said a woman did it, a dead body, and three .38 bullets fired from a gun we can't find.

LACEY

And too many suspects. I'll bet at least half of them had motive AND opportunity.

CAGNEY

I feel like a puppy chasing it's tail.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN

INTERIOR-BEDROOM-NIGHT

We can see the pictures on the table in the light from the window. The woman is sleeping.

DISSOLVE to dream sequence.

EXTERIOR-PARKING LOT-DAY

We are looking through the eyes of a woman holding a baby in her arms. Her husband finishes putting the grocery bags in the car and closes the door. A man comes to the rear of their car and speaks.

PROST

I need your car. Get in and drive.

They turn to face him. He is pointing a gun at them. The woman screams.

PROST

Shut up and get in the damn car. Hurry.

They all get in the car. The husband. starts the motor. He backs out of the parking place and starts out of the parking lot with the man in the back seat with the gun to his head.

CUT TO:

CAR INTERIOR-ROLLING-DAY

Still looking through the woman's eyes.

HUSBAND

Where do you want to go ?

PROST

Just keep going right down the street. I'll tell you where to turn. And don't go too fast, or do anything else to attract attention. Got it ?

WOMAN

Why are you doing this ?

PROST

For a living, why else ?

A BEAT

PROST

Turn right at the next corner. Go through the tunnel.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-A DESERTED PLACE IN A WOODS-DAY

The car pulls to a stop. The husband and Prost get out of the near side and the woman with the baby get out of the far side.

CUT TO:

EXTERIOR-A DESERTED PLACE IN A WOODS-DAY

Looking through the woman's eyes.

PROST

Come around here.

The woman comes around the car.

PROST

Give the baby to him.

She does.

PROST

Step back.

She does. Prost starts shooting both the man and the baby. The woman screams as they fall to the ground. The woman screams and rushes to the fallen man and baby. Prost steps up and slaps her, then pulls her away. He shoots the man in the head and does the same for the baby. The woman is dizzy from the slap. He proceeds to rip off her clothes. The camera goes out of focus. The man is just a figure with no detail as he drops his pants. He pushes her to the ground on her back so she is looking up, then gets on top of her. He holds the gun to her head as he rapes her. The woman sees tree limbs above her and feels the shaking of the thrusts he is making. She is now going into psychological shock and is silent. She doesn't resist. He finally finishes, gets up, and pulls up his pants. He then shoots the woman in the chest. He gets in the car and drives away as the woman loses conciseness.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-A DESERTED PLACE IN A WOODS-DAY

Still looking through the woman's eyes. The car is gone and some time has passed. She regains consciousness and weakly rolls over. She crawls to her dead husband and baby. She checks them both and finds they are really dead. She sobs loudly. She struggles to her feet and begins going for help in her bloody clothes.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-A ROADSIDE BY THE FORREST-DAY

The woman(still looking through her eyes) staggers out of the woods and starts looking up and down the road for a car. One comes and she waves her arms in the air for help. The car stops and she gets in.

WOMAN

My husband and baby are dead and I'm shot. Please take me to any hospital.

She lapses into unconsciousness again.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

I

NTERIOR-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM-DAY

A man dressed like a farmer enters and shouts.

FARMER

Hey, I got a woman out here's been shot. I think she's in pretty bad shape Can somebody come and get her out of my car and help her ?

People come running with a Gurney. They go to his car and return with a woman on the Gurney, but we don't see her face. They rush her into the aid room and start on her immediately as a police Officer in uniform approaches the man. The officer speaks to him.

OFFICER

What is your name ?

FARMER

Henry Axlerod. I got a farm about fifteen miles from here. I was commin' into town and I found her along side the road.

OFFICER

Exactly where did you find her ?

FARMER

It was about......

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-HOSPITAL ROOM-DAY

We are looking through the eyes of the woman as she wakes and finds herself in intensive care with all kinds of wires and tubes attached to her going to medicine bags and machines.

A nurse approaches.

NURSE

Well, welcome back to the world of the living.

WOMAN

Am I going to live ?

NURSE

Sure you are.

WOMAN

Did the police find my husband and baby ?

NURSE

(sadly) Yes, they were both dead.

WOMAN

Now long have I been here ?

NURSE

Eight days.

WOMAN

Will I be able to go to their funeral ?

NURSE

They were buried three days ago. I'm sorry.

The woman cries.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

HOSPITAL EXTERIOR-DAY

Looking through the eyes of the woman as she walks out the front door of the hospital. A small park is across from the hospital. On a bench in the park the woman sees a man, woman, and baby in the woman's arms. As she watches, they kiss.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-PAWN SHOP-DAY

The proprietor comes forward.

PROPRIETOR

Can I help you ?

WOMAN

I want to buy a gun.

PROPRIETOR

Did you have anything special in mind ?

WOMAN

A medium sized handgun, please.

The proprietor removes one from a case.

PROPRIETOR

Here's a Colt .38 police special. A very reliable gun.

WOMAN

That'll do fine.

PROPRIETOR

O.K. Fill out these forms and you can pick it up in three days. That's the law.

WOMAN

I understand.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

NEW YORK STREET #4-DAY

Looking through the eyes of the woman walking down the sidewalk. A man approaches in the opposite direction. He smiles and holds his arms out toward her.

MAN

Hello, Darling, I've been looking for you.

CUT TO:

NEW YORK STREET-DAY

Close-up of the woman's purse. She puts her hand in and partially withdraws a gun.

CUT TO:

NEW YORK STREET-DAY

Looking through the woman's eyes, the man with his arms out walks past right next to her, and embraces a woman right behind her, as she turns to watch. The couple walk off together.

CUT TO:

NEW YORK STREET-DAY

CLOSE-UP of the woman' s purse. Her hand shakes visibly as she puts back the gun.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

WOMAN' S BEDROOM-NIGHT

Close-up as she writes in her diary.

WOMAN (V.0.)

Dear Diary. I hated that man Prost so much I killed him. Life has been Hell for me ever since that day. I still love my husband and baby. I'd like to get married again, but I can't stand to even shake hands with a man. I lost the house, car, and everything because I couldn't make enough money to keep up the payments. And the nightmares. I thought after I killed him they would go away, but they didn't. He ruined my life. Revenge was sweet, but bitter too. It didn't help me at all. Bittersweet revenge. That's all I have.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY

Samuels, Isbecki, Petrie, and Coleman, are standing by the desks of Cagney and Lacey, as they sit at their desks.

SAMUELS

You can't expect to solve every case. I've put plenty of them in the unsolved file myself. Everybody has.

PETRIE

Victor and I put one there last week.

ISBECKI

I think you're being too hard on yourself.

CAGNEY

I wish everybody would just go away and let us suck our sour grapes by ourselves.

LACEY

Speak for yourself, Christine. I was perfectly happy to file this case as soon as we found out what kind of person the victim was.

COLEMAN

Don't take it so hard. The world's a cleaner place with him buried.

CAGNEY

Of course it is. But it's the principle of the thing. I just hate to lose.

PETRIE

We all hate to lose. But even if you did solve the case, where would you find a jury that would convict anybody for killing him ?

SAMUELS

Face it Cagney. God was the jury this time.

THE END


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