The Merry-Go-Round
This one is called "The merry-go-round". It was inspired by stories in the news about people stealing cars and only stripping certain parts off of them. When the Insurance company agreed to pay for the repairs they sold the same parts they stole to the insurance companies and they were put back on the same cars they were stolen from. A merry-go round for car parts. I think this one is pretty straightforward with no tricks like in "A time for rape" or "A simple case". But I wanted to lay some groundwork for other scripts to come later by bringing back some characters of my own invention. I think the connection with "Silent scream" is obvious. I hope you like it. It's not great, but it is novel. John.
CAGNEY AND LACEY
"The merry-go-round"
Written by
John M. Riggle
First draft,
Dec. 8, 1986
Final draft,
Dec. 21, 1986
Starring Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly; also starring:
Bert Samuels. (Al Waxman); Victor Isbecki (Martin Kove);
Marcus Petrie (Carl Lumbly); Claudia Petrie (Vonetta McGee);
Al Carassa (.Paul Mantee)
Guest cast
Jean Thomas. (Cindy Cochran); Amanda Kostopolous. (Pat Duncan);
Knellman (Michael Fairman); Michael Lacey. Troy Slaten); Robbins;
Officer (Auto pound); Officer (patrol); Man (thief); Man (Salvage yard #1);
Hanson; Quinn; Bobby Williams; Casey; Mr. Williams; Mrs. Williams;
Man (Salvage yard #2)
SETS
Interiors: 14th precinct squad room; car; detective's car; a police building; store front (front room); store front (rear room); Amanda's living room; Petrie bedroom; 12th precinct squad room; 12th precinct interrogation room; Lacey living room; Williams living room; SWAT van; The Jane; Samuel's office
Exteriors: 14th precinct (stock); gas station; auto pound yard; street; salvage yard #1; salvage yard #2; alley; a theater; Petrie home; street in front of store front; street in front of salvage yard #1
CHRONOLOGY
Scenes 1-20 (Day); Scene 21 (Night); Scenes 22-24 (Day); Scenes 25-26 (Night); Scenes 27-32 (Day); Scene 33 (Evening); Scenes 34-37 (Day)
ACT ONE
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-A GAS STATION-DAY
A man is just finishing putting gas in his car. He replaces the gas cap and hangs the hose on the pump. He goes inside to pay. Camera follows.
CUT TO:
EXTERIOR-SAME CAR AT THE PUMP
Another man gets in the car. The keys are in it. He starts the car as the man comes out from paying. He drives off.
MAN (ROBBINS)
HEY!! THAT'S MY CAR!!
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-DAY-ESTABLISHING
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Cagney at her desk with the man sitting in the chair beside her desk.
ROBBINS
When I came out, he was driving away
in my car.
CAGNEY
How did he get it started, Mr. Robbins ?
BOBBINS
I left the keys in it while I put in gas.
CAGNEY
So all he had to do was drive away.
Mr. Robbins, you gave your car away.
ROBBINS
NO I didn't. I didn't give him
permission to take my car.
CAGNEY
Same thing. You gave him the keys.
If we find your car, we'll let you know.
ROBBINS
That's it ? That's all you're gonna do ?
CAGNEY
No, Mr. Robbins, that's not all we're gonna
do. We'll enter it into the computer. Every
time the shift changes, the officers get a
printout from the computer of all the stolen
cars. They watch for the license plate on all
the cars they see. If you're lucky, they'll
find it in a few days. If not, you collect
from the insurance Co.
ROBBINS
But I aint worried about the car. It's the stuff
in it. My camera, my typewriter, my tax
records. I was on my way to the IRS for an audit.
CAGNEY
Sorry, Mr. Robbins. You lose. There's zero
chance you'll ever see any of those things again.
What he could sell, he already sold, and the rest
went in the trash immediately.
Robbins gets up and leaves, swearing under his breath.
LACEY
Weren't you a little hard on him ?
CAGNEY
I don't think so. Anybody who would
just let some thief drive off with his
car deserves to lose. Besides, he needs
to learn to take the keys whenever he
gets out of the car. The lesson will do
him good in the future.
LACEY
I suppose so. I go even further than
that myself. I lock the doors.
CAGNEY
This shouldn't be so hard to find, since
it's an unusual car to have stolen. He probably
just took it for a joy ride.
LACEY
It seems like we're getting more stolen
cars lately than we used to.
CAGNEY
I noticed that too. Mostly Pontiac fire birds,
Chevrolets Corvettes, Chevrolet Cameros,
and Oldsmobiles. I wonder why just those
few account for over half of all stolen cars ?
LACEY
I don't have any idea. You think we
should check with auto theft division?
CAGNEY
I'm planning to buy a new car. I
think that's a good idea.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-THE AUTO POUND YARD-DAY
Cagney, Lacey, and the officer in charge are walking past a row of cars.
OFFICER
You can see, these are the cars on
your list.
LACEY
What happened to them ?
OFFICER
These cars were stolen to be stripped.
They took the wheels, the seats, the
engines, the transmissions, the radios,
and some of the doors.
A BEAT
OFFICER (continuous)
The insurance Co. returns the car to the
owner. The owner then gets parts and
puts it back together again, and collects
the cost from the insurance Co. Many
times, these are the same parts stripped
off of the car to begin with.
CAGNEY
You buy back your own parts ??
OFFICER
In a lot of cases, yes. Then later, the whole
thing happens again to the same people.
LACEY
Why do they pick these same cars all
the time.?
OFFICER
It's the way they're built. Come
over here and I'll show you.
They all go to one of the cars without a door.
The officer points to the steering column where the gearshift is located.
OFFICER
This piece is nothing but a piece of junk.
You see how it's broken ? It only takes a
dollar screwdriver to steal this $12,000 car,
and it can be done in less than two minutes.
CAGNEY
Two minutes ?
OFFICER
That's right. An expert thief can do it in 15
seconds. you'd think a company that's made
cars for as many years as this one would
know how to make one better than this,
but I guess they don't.
LACEY
So how can we stop them ?
OFFICER
We've got two chances. Slim and none, and
Slim left town. At least till now. We've got a
new program starting in the auto theft division,
but I don't know the details. You'll have to
check with the division.
CAGNEY
How can you tell which parts come from
which car when you see them.
OFFICER
I understand that's a part of the new program.
LACEY
I guess that's our next stop.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-STREET-DAY
WIDE ANGLE on a man walking down the street. As he goes he tries the doors of the cars on Cagney's list. He finds one unlocked. He gets in and slides over to the driver's seat.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR-CAR
The man takes a screwdriver from his pocket and proceeds to break away the, plastic of the steering column. He pries up a bracket, freeing the shifter. He pries another bracket and the motor starts. He drives away down the street.
FADE OUT
NOTE: Total elapsed time for scenes & and 7 together; 2:50.
EXTERIOR-AN ALLEY WITH A BOX-SHAPED OPENING OFF OF THE
SIDE OF IT-DAY
In the opening is a five ton stake truck with a canvas coven in the truck is mounted an electric generator and air compressor, both powered by small gasoline engines. The man driving the stolen car pulls into the space by the truck. About ten or so men jump out of the rear of the truck and start stripping the car. The pieces of the car are loaded into the rear of the truck and the truck leaves in a matter of minutes with the parts and men in the rear.
TIME CUT TO:
EXTERIOR- FIRST SALVAGE YARD - DAY
The truck backs into the yard and the men begin unloading the parts from the rear of it. The parts are taken directly to the places where the other parts like them are stored. Seats with seats. Radios with radios, etc. A man from the salvage yard writes amounts to be paid on a piece of paper as he watches. When they are finished unloading parts from several stolen cars, he totals the amounts and pays them off.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-THE ALLEY-DAY
A blue and white patrol car has found the car in the alley and the officer is calling in the license number on his radio.
OFFICER
14-37
RADIO (V.0)
14-37, go ahead.
OFFICER
14-37, I think I have a stolen car here.
'86 Chevrolet Camero, license number
Peter, Bravo, Victory, 2-4-4.
RADIO (V.0.)
14-57, that's a 10-4, stolen from 44th
Street and 10th Avenue about 2 hours ago.
What's your 10-28 ?
OFFICER
The alley between 69th and 70th Streets
running between 12th and 13th Avenues.
RADIO (V.0.)
10-4. A wrecker is on the way.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-DETECTIVES CAR-ROLLING-DAY
Cagney driving, Lacey beside her.
CAGNEY
Put up the red light. I want to see this.
LACEY
Is that what you were gonna buy ?
Lacey puts the red light on the top of the car as Cagney turns on the siren and accelerates.
CAGNEY
It was, till we went to the auto pound.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-THE ALLEY-DAY
Chris and Mary Beth are just getting out of their car. They walk over to the stolen car and start to look at all the damage done by the thieves.
CAGNEY
How often do you patrol this alley,
officer ?
OFFICER
About every two and a half-hours.
LACEY
And this was stolen about two hours
ago ?
OFFICER
That's right.
CAGNEY
How long do you think it took for the
thieves to do this ?
OFFICER
It depends on how many of them there
were. It could have taken from 15
minutes to 45 minutes. Probably about
20 to 25 minutes average.
LACEY
All this in so little time ?
OFFICER
They all know what to do, and they
usually have air powered tools, with
an air compressor on the back of a truck.
They also use the truck to haul off the parts.
CAGNEY
Look at this, Mary Beth. The steering column
is damaged exactly like the ones at the
impound yard.
OFFICER
Yes, that's the way they steal them. It just
takes a cheap screwdriver. Even if we found
someone with a screwdriver, screwdrivers
aren't illegal.
LACEY
Suppose you saw someone doing this.
Couldn't you arrest them then ?
OFFICER
They can steal this car so fast with a
screwdriver it looks like the owner
starting it with a key.
CAGNEY
Do they ever dust these cars for
fingerprints ?
OFFICER
They used to try, but these cars are so
new when they're stolen that they still
have fingerprints from the people at
the factory all over them. There's no
way to tell one from another.
The tow truck arrives.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-A 2ND SALVAGE YARD-DAY
ON Chris and Mary Beth wandering about, looking at the piles and assortments of parts.
LACEY
I never realized there was so many
different parts.
CAGNEY
This place looks like some kind of maze.
How could. anybody find, or identify,
anything in here ?
A man who works there approaches.
MAN
Can I help you ladies ?
LACEY
How can you tell one part from another?
They all look alike to me.
MAN
It's easy after you work here a while. Those
seats are from GM cars. Those are Ford
transmissions. Those are Chrysler doors,
and so on. And each year is different as well.
What we do is label each part we take off
with the make, model, and year.
CAGNEY
Where did all these parts come from' ?
MAN
We get cars from various sources. Some
are wrecks. Some are bought from people
who don't want them anymore. Some are
from car dealers who had to take them in
trade and didn't want to sell them to anybody.
Some we buy from the city as abandoned
cars found on the street.
LACEY
Could some of them be stolen ?
MAN
Not a chance. we don't buy anything
without a title, except from the city or
state, or county. How come you're askin'
these questions ?
CAGNEY
I'm Det. Sgt. Cagney, and this is Det.
Lacey, N.Y.P.D.
MAN
I see, you're lookin' for somebody to bust.
Well you're out'a luck here. But I know
where you should go. I'll give you the names
and addresses. If we can put the crooks out
of business there'll be more business for
the honest people, like us.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks. In the background we can see Samuels office. Through the glass we can see Samuels and Knellman.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR-SAMUELS OFFICE-DAY
KNELLMAN
They found my new car about three hours
later. It was already stripped. Not much
left at all. Just a shell sitting in an alley.
Luckily, I was completely covered by
insurance before I even took delivery,
so I didn't lose any money, but I gotta
go get another car now.
SAMUELS
What can we do about these stolen
cars ?
KNELLMAN
Up till now, nothing. They work so fast
the cars are stolen, stripped and the parts
sold so fast we sometimes don't even
get the report till later.
SAMUELS
That's really fast.
KNELLMAN
Yes, so Auto Theft Div. has come up with
some kind of new plan to stop it. I want
you to send a couple of detectives over to check
it out and see if we can get involved some way.
SAMUELS
O.K. I'll send Cagney and Lacey.
KNELLMAN
I'd rather you'd send Esposito and Carassa.
Maybe we can set up some sort of sting
operation, and they'd be better than
Cagney and Lacey to run it.
SAMUELS
O.K. Esposito and Carassa it is.
FADE OUT
EXTERIOR-A POLICE BUILDING-DAY
A sign on the building announces "Auto theft division". Esposito and Carassa are entering the door.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR-THE BUILDING-DAY
Esposito and Carassa find themselves in a long hall. Various signs are hung above each door projecting into the hall. One of them reads "Watch Commander".
CARASSA
Looks like this is it.
They enter.
SGT. HANSON
What can I do for you ?
ESPOSITO
I'm Esposito and this is Carassa from the
14th. We were sent over to find out about
your new idea to catch car thieves.
HANSON
O.K. We're going to the new car dealers and
engraving the vehicle identification numbers
on a lot of the parts, like the doors, seats, radio,
wheels, and etc. We do this before the cars
are sold. Then when one of them is stolen we
can go looking for the parts in the salvage yards.
When we find some, we'll know who is buying
stolen parts. Then we watch to see who is
selling these stolen parts, and trace them back
to the thieves. This way we can get the whole
bunch at one time.
CARASSA
You're gonna mark the parts in the new car
dealers stock BEFORE they're sold ?
ESPOSITO
Are the buyers going to be told ?
HANSON
Yes, before they're sold, and no, the buyers
won't be told. But we'll have a special -
list of the car numbers we've marked and
their license numbers.
CARASSA
Maybe we can work together on this. Lt. Samuels
wants to set up a sting to buy parts.
HANSON
Sounds good to me. Any idea where it
will be located?
ESPOSITO
Not yet. Samuels will have to decide that and
sign the papers for the rent. I doubt he'll
want to keep it open for more than three months.
CARASSA
Then we'll have to set up the cameras,
move in some cover merchandise, etc.
HANSON
O.K. You can get the numbers from the
computer. I'll let you know the access
code as soon as we get it set up.
FADE OUT
TIME CUT TO:
FADE IN
INTERIOR-A LARGE STOREFRONT-DAY
There are alto parts all over on the floor and in racks. Carassa and Esposito are dressed as appropriate for workers in an auto parts store. These are all used parts, which have been obtained legally by the police. Each is marked and has a price affixed. These parts are for sale if anyone comes in to buy. Any parts brought in by anyone to sell go in the rear and are examined, but not sold.
CARASSA
Looks like we're all set. Merchandise
we know is legal in the front. Space in
the rear for incoming parts. The camera
is ready, and Cagney and Lacey are in
the rear with the recorder.
ESPOSITO
O.K. I'll unlock the door and we'll
get started.
FADE OUT
TIME CUT TO:
FADE IN
THE REAR OF THE STING STORE-DAY
Auto parts have started to accumulate.
CAGNEY
Looks like we'll have to start selling
this stuff, or haul it out of here.
LACEY
Would you believe all they've sold and
bought in only four days ?
CAGNEY
I wish somebody from Auto Theft would
show up to check for markings.
LACEY
We've sure got a lot of pictures of
real winners bringing in parts to sell.
CAGNEY
The longer I look at those parts the more
they look alike to me. Look at this seat.
It looks exactly like that one, except this
one is blue and that one is green. And
look at these radios. As alike as peas in
a pod. ---Except this one has a
number engraved on it.
LACEY
Let me see that.
CAGNEY
I wonder where they put the numbers on
these seats. Maybe we can find a match
on one of them. Help me turn this one
over. They have to be on the bottom someplace.
They turn over the seat and start checking the bottom.
LACEY
Doesn't seem to be anything here. Let's
check the other one.
They turn over the second seat and start looking it over.
CAGNEY
Bingo... Here's a number. Let's see if
it matches.
They hold the radio next to the seat.
LACEY
The same. Now all we gotta do is look at
the tape and see who brought these in.
They go to the tape machine and start rewinding the tape.
FADE OUT.
EXTERIOR-A THEATER-NIGHT
Amanda and Victor are coming out in the middle of a crowd. CAMERA follows as they walk down the street.
VICTOR
I liked the part where they jumped out
of the car and hid in the bushes to fool
the Russians while the car went over the cliff.
AMANDA
I liked the bedroom scene at the end.
007 is some hero.
VICTOR
Yeah, he is, but I still like the action
scenes best. I guess I'm an action kind of guy.
AMANDA
I know. That's what I like best about you.
Too many guys are just sort of lazy, they
don't do much of anything. Not you. You're
right in the middle of everything.
VICTOR
That's where all the fun is. Hey. How
about some coffee ?
AMANDA
I was thinking more like some nice wine,
and some munchies, like Brie cheese on crackers.
VICTOR
That's nice, but would you settle for
pretzels and beer ?
AMANDA
(laughing)
You're on.
They walk out of camera range, then,
FADE OUT
FADE IN
AMANDA'S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
The table has several beer cans and a bowl with just a few pretzels left in it. Amanda and Victor are sitting on the couch with their arms around each other.
AMANDA
Pretzels and beer turned out to be pretty
good. But I wonder if they're like
crackers in bed.
VICTOR
I don't know. I never tried either one
of them in bed.
AMANDA
My brother tried crackers. It was 0. K. for him.
It was my bed. I had to take the sheets and
blankets outside and shake them out before
I could sleep.
VICTOR
I bet you thanked him for that.
AMANDA
Yeah. With a pillow. The pillow fight made
so much noise our mother woke up. We
had to do the dishes for a week.
VICTOR
I was an only child. My mother and father
were only children too, and they're both
dead now. It'll be nice when we're married.
I can feel like a member of a family again.
AMANDA
We won't live with them. I guess we'll
have to make our own family.
VICTOR
I guess so.
AMANDA
We might as well start trying now.
VICTOR
You don't want to wait ?
AMANDA
No. I'm tired of being a virgin because
nobody ever got around to asking me.
We'll be married next week, so why wait?
VICTOR
If that's what you really want.
AMANDA
It's what I really want. Together.
FADE OUT
EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-DAY-ESTABLISHING
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Petrie at his desk, then widen to include Isbecki.
PETRIE
So Claudia decided to change to
lavender curtains in the bedroom.
ISBECKI
Sounds nice to me.
PETRIE
You don't know Claudia like I do.
First comes the curtains. Then they
don't go well with the walls, so they
have to be painted. Then the sheets,
and bedspread, and blankets don't
match. By the time she gets done
changing the curtains it'll cost at
least $500.
ISBECKI
I didn't know Claudia was like that.
PETRIE
Victor, they're ALL like that. Ask any
married man.
ISBECKI
I think I'll just wait till I get married
and find out for myself. I think half the
fun of being married is the surprises.
Anyway, I think you're just trying to
give me cold feet about ever getting married.
PETRIE
Would I do that to you ?
ISBECKI
Yeah, you would, so forget it.
SAMUELS approaches.
SAMUELS
Whatever it is, forget it. I want you two to
relieve Cagney and Lacey at the "sting store".
I want you there in thirty minutes, so you'll
have time to get coffee on the way. Get going.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-THE BACK ROOM AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE-AFTERNOON
Cagney and Lacey are editing tapes when Isbecki and Petrie enter.
ISBECKI
Samuels sent us over to relieve you.
LACEY
Why ? We're not due to be relieved
for another two hours.
PETRIE
He didn't say. Do you have some thing
else to do ?
CAGNEY
Not that we know of. We're editing tapes
and tagging evidence now. We should be
done with this in about an hour.
An officer from the Auto Theft Division enters.
OFFICER
What do you have for me ?
ISBECKI
We were wondering what was going on.
OFFICER
Nobody told you ?
PETRIE
No, just to be here to relieve Cagney
and Lacey.
OFFICER
We gotta truck comm' to pick up this
evidence and take it to a warehouse.
Then we want Cagney and Lacey to
look over our special mug books.
They got nuttin in em but car thieves.
CAGNEY
S o we're coming to the end of phase one ?
OFFICER
You got it, sister.
CAGNEY
Don't call me sis...well...sister officer
I guess.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-PETRIE HOME-NIGHT-ESTABLISHING
INTERIOR-PETRIE BEDROOM
MARCUS AND CLAUDIA in bed.
MARCUS
Looks like my hours are going to be
sort of erratic for a while. Knellman's
new car was stolen a few weeks ago
and he's got us all working on a sting
operation to round up some car thieves.
CLAUDIA
They got Knellman at last. I was wondering
when something like that would happen.
MARCUS
You were wondering ?
CLAUDIA
Yeah, three of the teachers at school had
theirs stolen in the last six months and
nothing was done. Except for getting back
stripped down pieces of junk.
MARCUS
Why didn't you tell me ?
CLAUDIA
What for ? It didn't happen in your
precinct.
MARCUS
Well, maybe I coulda made a few phone calls,
or something. It might have helped.
CLAUDIA
Marcus Petrie you know very well nothing
would help till somebody important gets
dumped on. Oh, I know you work hard,
and so do all the officers and detectives.
But somebody has to give the orders about
what to work on. That takes somebody
important, and they aren't going to do
it till they get the problem personally.
MARCUS
We do our best.
CLAUDIA
Oh, sweetheart, I know you do. But there's
just too many crimes, and not enough police.
Somebody has to assign priorities, and they
decide that sometimes when they get hurt,
not when strangers are hurt.
MARCUS
I suppose you're right.
CLAUDIA
Of course I am. Now lets go to sleep so I can
teach my class tomorrow and you'll be able
to outwit Isbecki in your daily contest of wits.
MARCUS
You know something ? Since Victor has
decided to marry Amanda, we don't have
those daily contests anymore. I just realized
I miss them. I'll have to have a talk with
him tomorrow.....Good night.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE STING STORE-DAY
On Marcus and Victor apparently working on the motor of a car with the hood raised.
MARCUS
VJX-994
VICTOR
He's already been here. Day before
yesterday.
MARCUS
Busy little bastard.
VICTOR
They all are. Looks like there's one thing
that never runs in short supply. Victims.
MARCUS
You can say that again.
VICTOR
Not now. I'll say it again tomorrow.
Marcus looks at him and grins.
MARCUS
Now that's more like the Victor I always
had for my partner.
VICTOR
What do you mean by that ?
MARCUS
Ever since you met Amanda your sense of
humor has been fading. You forgot how to
make wise cracks.
VICTOR
I didn't forget. I just didn't.... feel like it.
I've been feeling more, ...you know...serious.
MARCUS
I noticed. I like the old Victor better.
A BEAT
VICTOR
I guess I am changing some.
MARCUS
I've heard it said the only thing
certain in life is change. But
I wish you wouldn't.
VICTOR
I have to. It's .called progress.
MARCUS
Some progress I like, but some I could
do without.
VICTOR
Looks like another one. JGG-109.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks.
CAGNEY
Looks like this sting operation is just
about over. The hardest part for me was
watching them continue while we just
watched and waited.
LACEY
I know what you mean. I wanted to arrest
them the first day, but then they would have
stopped coming and we would have lost
most of them.
Lacey' a phone rings.
LACEY
Det. Lacey, l4th.......Michael ?
I see.....O.K., I'll be right there.
CAGNEY
What what what ???
LACEY
Michael's at the 12th. They said he's
been arrested for burglary of a motor
vehicle. I gotta go.
CAGNEY
I can't believe Michael would do anything
like that. I'm coming too.
FADE OUT
TIME CUT TO:
FADE IN
INTERIOR-12TH PRECINCT SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Quinn as Cagney and Lacey enter. Lacey speaks to another officer standing by a file cabinet with a drawer open.
LACEY
Det. Quinn ?
The officer says nothing, just indicates Quinn. Cagney and Lacey go to him.
LACEY
I'm Det. Lacey and this is Sgt. Cagney.
You called about my son, Michael ?
QUINN
Yes. He was brought in by a uniform officer.
The officer came on the scene and found a
man holding him. The man said he caught
him stealing from his car. We hoped you
might be able to get something out of him.
At any rate, he's a minor so all you have to
do is sign for him and you can take him
with you. Just sign here.
He hands her a form. She signs, and Quinn leads them down a corridor to a room.
QUINN
I wouldn't be too hard on the boy. After all,
it's just his word against Mr. Casey's. It's
all in the report I gave you.
Quinn unlocks the door.
LACEY
Thank you, Det. Quinn.
QUINN
It's O.K. Just take him with you.
Quinn walks away as Cagney and Lacey enter the room.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR-THE ROOM
Cagney and Lacey enter to find a boy sitting on a wooden chair by a table.
LACEY
You're not my Michael ? Who are you ?
WILLIAMS
I'm Bobby Williams. I go to school
with Michael.
CAGNEY
Why did you tell them you're Michael ?
WILLIAMS
I didn't want my parents to know.
They wouldn't believe me when I said all
I did was shut the man's car door as I
passed it.
LACEY
So what would they do ?
WILLIAMS
They'll just beat me good. All I did was try
to do somebody a favor.
CAGNEY
You were walking down the street, you saw
the car with the door open, so you just shut
it as you passed by ?
WILLIAMS
Yeah, that's all.
LACEY
Why should we believe you ?
WILLIAMS
Michael told me if I ever had a problem
with the law I should send for you. He always
says you find out the truth and I can trust
you. This is the only way I could think of
to get to talk to you.
CAGNEY
We can check it out, Mary Beth. If he's
telling the truth we can speak to his parents
so he doesn't get punished.
LACEY
And if he's not, I guess he'll get plenty of
punishment when the police bring him home.
FADE OUT
INTERIOR-AN APARTMENT LIVING ROOM-DAY
Cagney and Lacey are sitting on the couch. Mr. Casey in a chair.
CAGNEY
Mr. Casey, just what did you see the
boy take from your car ?
CASEY
I didn't see him take anything, but he
was getting ready to.
LACEY
Where was the boy when you first saw
him ?
CASEY
I saw him on the sidewalk by the car. He
had his hand on the door when I got there.
LACEY
You didn't see him in the car, or actually
taking anything from the car.
CASEY
I just told you. He was looking for something
to steal. All them kids do that. They're
nothing but a bunch of little punks.
CAGNEY
Why did you go to your car just then ?
CASEY
I was carrying in some stuff from the
car. I went back for the last load.
LACEY
Did you leave the car door open ?
CASEY
I don't remember. I might have.
CAGNEY
The boy said he saw the door open so he
did you a favor by closing it for you.
CASEY
I hope you don't believe that. Everybody
knows those kids never tell the truth.
Cagney and Lacey rise to leave.
LACEY
I think that's all, Mr. Casey.
CAGNEY
Thank you Mr. Casey. Maybe next time
you won't act so hastily. The boy might
have told the truth. Now we have to spend
several hours checking it out.
LACEY
We had to take time out from some very
important cases to check this out. Somewhere
there are some people who are having their
cars stolen because we aren't there, or a
store is being robbed.
CASEY
Well, maybe you can straighten out that kid
and a hundred people won't get ripped off.
CAGNEY
Goodbye, Mr. Casey.
As they leave,
FADE OUT
FADE IN
LACEY LIVING ROOM-LATE AFTERNOON
Michael and Harvey Jr. are watching TV as Mary Beth and Bobby Williams enter.
HARVEY JR.
Hi mom.
MICHAEL
Hi mom. Hi Bobby. What are you doin' here ?
BOBBY
I got arrested.
MICHAEL
You got arrested ? I can't believe that.
MARY BETH
What's your phone number so I can call
your mother ?
BOBBY
777-2943. But nobody will be home yet.
They both work.
MARY BETH
Oh....O.K....I'll take you home and talk
to them then. You boys go ahead and
have a nice visit.
On Mary Beth as she goes into the next room. She stops and listens. Stay on Mary Beth.
HARVEY JR. (VO)
How cone you got arrested ?
BOBBY (VO)
I was walkin' along, goin' to school,
and I saw this car with the door open.
Nobody was around, so as I went by,
I just reached out and shut it. The next
thing I know a man grabbed me and
started yelling about stealin' I tried to
tell him I didn't do nothin', but he wouldn't
listen. Then a police car came along, and he
had the policeman arrest me.
Michael (VO)
How come he wouldn't listen ?
HARVEY JR. (VO)
Get serious, Michael. Nobody listens
to kids.
MICHAEL (VO)
Mom and dad do.
HARVEY JR.(VO)
Only to us, because we're family.
BOBBY (VO)
Gee, it must be nice to have somebody
listen to you all the time.
MICHAEL (VO)
Mom listened to you, didn't she ?
BOBBY (VO)
Yeah.
HARVEY JR. (VO)
But don't forget this. Mom always checks
everything out, so never try to lie to our
mom about anything.
BOBBY (VO)
Michael already told me that, so I didn't.
Mary Beth smiles.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-WILLIAMS LIVING ROOM-EVENING
MARY BETH AND BOBBY are sitting on the couch together discussing school.
LACEY
Michael tells me the teacher always gives
the girls higher grades than the boys.
BOBBY
Yeah, she does. I'm always in trouble cause
my grades aren't higher, but they don't
believe that either.
LACEY
Oh....I see.....Well maybe I can help.
BOBBY
How ??
LACEY
I'll just tell them the truth. Sometimes
the truth sounds different when it comes
from a grown-up. And especially from a
police officer.
The door opens and Mr. and Mrs. Williams enter.
MR. WILLIAMS
What's goin on here ?? Who are you ?
LACEY
I'm Det. Lacey, N.Y.P.D. I brought
Bobby home today.
MRS. WILLIAMS
Why did you do that ? Is he in trouble ?
LACEY
Not at all. A man thought he might be trying
to steal something from his car, but I checked
it out and Bobby is completely innocent.
MR. WILLIAMS
Why would the man think that ?
LACEY
It turned out to be just a simple misunderstanding.
Bobby goes to school with my son Michael.
MRS. WILLIAMS
So that's why he called you ?
LACEY
Yes. By the way, Bobby tells me you don't
always believe him when he tells you the
truth, and you punish him when he doesn't
really deserve it.
MR. WILLIAMS
We do no such thing !!
MRS. WILLIAMS
How could you say such a thing, young man ?
LACEY
How about his grades at school ?
MR. WILLIAMS
We know he's smart enough to bring better
grades if he'd just try harder.
LACEY
No Mr. Williams. He really does his best.
My son tells me the teacher always gives
lower grades to the boys than the girls.
You're blaming him for something he
can't do anything about.
Lacey hugs Bobby..
LACEY
You folks have a fine boy here. When was
the last time you hugged him and told him
how much you love him ?
The Williams's just look at each other. Lacey rises to leave.
LACEY
I thought so. It's been about a week
since I hugged mine. That's too long.
I have to go home and do that right now.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT-ESTABLISHING-DAY
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
WIDE-ENTIRE ROOM. Samuels comes out of his office to the middle of the room.
SAMUELS
GIVE ME YOUR ATTENTION HERE.
They gather around to listen.
SAMUELS
(continuous)
Since we've all been working with Auto
Theft Division, they've decided to give us
a piece of the action in rounding up the
thieves. The swat team is going to work
with us so we'll have plenty of people
and heavy firepower if we need it. They
want two six-member teams from us.
Cagney, Lacey, Isbecki, Petrie, Carassa,
and Esposito will be on team one. O'Conner,
Aspromonte, Davidson, Pappas, Farrel, and
Robinson will be on team two. The rest of
you will hold down the fort till the raids are
over. Should be one or two days. Any questions?
CAGNEY
When do we start ?
SAMUELS
You just have time for a cup of coffee.
The door opens and members of the SWAT team enter.
THOMAS
Hi Cagney, Lacey, remember me ?
CAGNEY
Hey, look who's here.
LACEY
It's Jean Thomas. I forgot you were
with the SWAT team. How've you been ?
THOMAS
Just fine, thank you. I'm looking forward
to your boys first try at acting next week.
LACEY
They didn't tell me about that.
THOMAS
Oops. I guess I let the cat out of the bag.
They wanted it to be a surprise for you.
Don't let them know I told you.
ISBECKI
I knew all about it. Amanda told me.
LACEY
Well... I guess I better practice acting surprised.
I wouldn't want to get either one of you in trouble.
THOMAS
I'm looking forward to being the bridesmaid
at your wedding nest week. I'm looking forward
to seeing Houston, too.
PETRIE
Wedding ? You're getting married ?
ISBECKI
Yeah. When my vacation comes up next
month.
THOMAS
Oh, no. I did it again.
CAGNEY
So who's the unlucky woman that's getting
stuck with you ?
ISBECKI
Amanda, of course.
LACEY
The surprises just keep coming today.
I didn't even know you two were still
seeing each other.
PETRIE
I'm your partner. At least you could
have told me.
ISBECKI
Every time I tell anybody anything around
here I never hear the end of it.
LACEY
Not this time Victor. We're all happy
for the both of you. Aren't we Christine ?
....AREN'T WE CHRISTINE ?
CAGNEY
What ?...Oh...yeah. Happy.
Samuels approaches.
SAMUELS
All right, it's time to get this show
on the road. Move out.
FADE OUT
TIME CUT TO;
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-FIRST SALVAGE YARD-DAY-ESTABLISHING
INTERIOR-SWAT VAN-DAY
The SWAT TEAM vehicles are in position about two blocks apart. Officer Jean Thomas is in the front of the one with Cagney and Lacey. She is looking through binoculars at the front of the other Swat vehicle about two blocks away. She puts down her binoculars and signs in sign language, then picks up the binoculars and looks again.
CAGNEY
What are you doing ?
THOMAS
A lot of crooks, like thieves, and drug
dealers, have police scanner radios.
I'm here and Officer Tom Olive is in the
other vehicle. We communicate by signing
and when we move in the crooks don't
know what hit them.
LACEY
I was wondering why the SWAT team has
two people who can sign.
THOMAS
You should have asked. Feel free to
ask me anything like that.
CAGNEY
What are we waiting for now ?
THOMAS
A couple of undercover Officers are coming
with a pickup truck. They have some marked
stolen parts. They will go in and sell the parts.
When they come out, we hit 'em. There they are now.
CAGNEY
I can't see much. How are they doing it?
THOMAS
They back right into the yard, unload, then
start out. But they manage to conveniently
stall the motor right in the gate so nobody
can get out. Then we move in and just
round 'em up.
LACEY
But why do you need a bus for that ?
are there that many of them there ?
THOMAS
As soon as we get them rounded up the
truck will be moved and the bus will be
backed in. Then as fast as thieves come
to sell stolen parts we'll put them in the
bus as well. The reason we need so many
officers is to get the vehicles the thieves
are driving out of sight as soon as possible.
We'll park them a couple of blocks away
with guards till we can tow them to the
impound lot. OK, lets go.
The teams move in. Everything goes according to plan. Insert various cuts here of the teams moving in, arrests, the bus, thieves driving up and getting arrested, vehicles being driven off, guards watching vehicles, tow trucks, etc.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
THE JANE-DAY
LACEY
I feel pretty good with all those thieves
locked up.
CAGNEY
....... Good.
LACEY
You've been acting strange all day since
Jean let it slip about Isbecki getting married.
What's going on with you ?
CAGNEY
I was just thinking how everybody is married,
or getting married, except me. Oh, I'm happy
with my life. But sometimes I kind of wonder
what I might be missing. Maybe I'm not the
type for things like changing diapers, and
warming bottles. But then I think of all the
fun you and Harv have watching your children
grow up. Seeing all their successes. Helping
them with their failures. Oh, I know. You've
shared some of the good times with me, like
birthday parties, and like that. And Alice
Christine Lacey. You gave her my name. But
it's not the same as if she was my baby. It's
kind of like there's a hole in my life, and I
don't know what I want to do about it.
LACEY
That's why people get married, Christine. So
they can have children to fill up that hole. But
if you don't want to get married, you can adopt
a child, one that's already six or more years old
so you don't have to change diapers, or warm
bottles. They let single people adopt now, you know.
CAGNEY
I've thought about that. At my age that may be
the only way. But somehow it's not the same as
having your own. And I don't really know who I
would want to be the father, either. Even if I did
adopt a child, I'd want somebody special to share
those good times of growing up.
LACEY
Oh,,,,well,,,,I don't know what to tell you about
finding somebody as special as you seem to be
looking for. But I can tell you that the longer you
stay married, if nothing happens to change it, then
the more the years come to mean to you. To both
of you. The more special your partner in life
becomes to you. And the more precious life itself
becomes to you.
CAGNEY
I already figured that out from watching you
and Harv. I just don't know if it's for me.
And yet, I don't know if it's not for me.
Isbecki getting married makes me wonder
even more. It started me thinking again.
But I still can't come up with an answer for me.
Everybody else comes up with one for
themselves, but not me.
LACEY
I don't have any answer for you either. But
I can tell you this. Time only runs one way,
and yours is running out. You better find your
answer soon.
FREEZE FRAME
FADE OUT
THE END
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