Terrorist by John M. Riggle

(from John) Hello again. "Silent Scream" was my first attempt at script writing. No doubt it could stand improvement. Here is the second. It was written while there was a lot in the TV news about terrorists. the main premise of the script was that they might think they could cause the downfall of the US by bombing banks and thus attacking out financial base. Everything went fine till I came to the end. I couldn't figure any way for Cagney and Lacey to catch the terrorist. This is what I came up with. I hope it comes as a surprise to you when you read it. John.

CAGNEY AND LACEY

"Terrorist"

Written by John M. Riggle

First draft, Sept. 4, 1986. Second draft, Sept. 9, 1986. Final draft, Oct. 7, 1986.

Cast

Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly

Bert Samuels (Al Waxman); Harvey Lacey (John Karlen); Victor Isbecki (Martin Kove); Marcus Petrie (Carl Lumbly); Officer Coleman (Harvey Atkin); Harvey Lacey, Jr (Tony LaTorre); Michael Lacey (Troy Slaten)

Guest cast.

Burglar; Customs Inspector; Claudia Petrie; Desk Clerk; Grocery Checker; Fireman; Dan Orlando; Bank Guard #1; Bank Guard #2; Bomb squad captain; Newsman (TV); Preacher #1; Preacher #2; Preacher #3; Robber #1; Robber #2; Uniformed officers; Motel Manager

Sets

Interiors: Customs; Warehouse; 14th precinct detention cells; 14th precinct hall and stairs; Motel Desk; Supermarket Check-out; Motel room; Petrie kitchen; Petrie living room; Bank #1 lobby; Bank #2 lobby; Bank #3 lobby; Bank #4 lobby; Bank #4 by vault; 14th precinct squad room; Hospital room; Hospital corridor; Bomb Disposal Captain's office; The Jane; Lacey Kitchen; Detectives car

Exteriors: Airport; Warehouse; 14th precinct parking; bay-night and day; Motel-night and day; Petrie dwelling; Bank #1; Bank #2; Bank #3; bank #4; Hospital; A police building

Chronology

Scenes 1-10 (Night); Scenes 11-31 (Day); Scenes 32-33 (Night); Scenes 34-38 (Day); Scene 39 (Night); Scenes 40-58 (Day)

ACT ONE

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-AIRPORT-JET PLANE LANDING-NIGHT-ESTABLISHING(STOCK)

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-WAREHOUSE-ESTABLISHING - NIGHT (STOCK)

CUT TO:

INTERIOR-WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Marcus and Victor are hiding in the warehouse. Victor suddenly turns on the light and he and Marcus have their guns pointed at a burglar.

MARCUS

FREEZE!! POLICE!!

The burglar ducks behind a crate and pulls a gun. He begins shooting wildly in the direction of Victor and Marcus. The CAMERA cuts back and forth between Marcus and Victor, and the burglar, as they shoot at each other. One of the bullets from the burglar's gun hits a brick wall and a chip flies off. The chip wounds Marcus slightly on his forehead. The burglar runs out of bullets and his gun clicks a few times.

BURGLAR

O.K. I give up.

VICTOR

Throw out your gun.

The gun flies out as Marcus puts a handkerchief to his forehead. Just a scratch, but it bleeds a bit. They cuff the burglar and Victor notices that Marcus is bleeding.

VICTOR

Hey, you're hit.

MARCUS

Just a scratch from a flying chip of brick. I'm O.K.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR - AIRPORT CUSTOMS - NIGHT

A man of obvious middle-eastern ancestry is passing through customs.

ANGLE on man.

CUSTOMS INSPECTOR

Do you have anything to declare, Mr. Ahmad?

MAN

(speaking with an accent)

No. Nothing.

The inspector closes the man's bag, hands him his passport, and allows him to pass.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - 14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-ESTABLISHING-NIGHT

INTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT DETENTION CELLS-NIGHT

Marcus and Victor put the burglar in a cell. They lock the door and start down the stairs.

CUT TO:

THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS

As Marcus and Victor reach the bottom of the stairs, Claudia rushes up and throws herself on Marcus.

CLAUDIA

(between tears)

I heard you were shot!!

MARCUS

It's only a scratch from a brick chip.

CLAUDIA

You could have been killed.

MARCUS

I wasn't. It's just a scratch

CUT TO:

SQUAD ROOM

They enter the squad room. Lacey shows up with a wet rag. She gives it to Claudia as Marcus and Victor sit down at their desks. Claudia proceeds to clean the blood from Marcus's face.

CLAUDIA

(with great concern) Oh. Oh. I remembered Newman and I guess I just imagined the worst.

MARCUS

It wasn't the same at all.

Claudia finishes cleaning up his face as Cagney shows up with a first-aid kit. Claudia puts a band-aid type bandage on Marcus's forehead, then smiles through her tears, kisses Marcus, then takes a look at him as she smiles as she wipes away her tears.

CLAUDIA

I'm so relieved that you're all right.

Victor has been watching all this.

VICTOR

I was getting shot at too, you know.

CLAUDIA

(turns to him) Yes, and I would have been broken hearted if you had.....you know... bought the farm. But you're not my husband. It's not the same.

CAGNEY

(mockingly) Poor Victor. Nobody cares about him as long as he doesn't die.

VICTOR

It won't do me any good if people only care after I'm dead. If you care at all, do it now.

LACEY

We all care for each other. It's just easier somehow, to say it about dead people.

A couple of beats.

VICTOR

Yeah.... .You' re right.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

MOTEL DESK- NIGHT

Man checks in, using a fictitious name

DESK CLERK

Room 11, Mr. Abramowitz.

MAN

Thank you.

He picks up his bag.

FADE OUT

INTERIOR - LACEY KITCHEN - NIGHT

Harvey, Harvey Jr., Michael, and Mary Beth are sitting around the kitchen table.

MARY BETH

Marcus and Victor had to shoot it out with a burglar tonight. Marcus was hit in the forehead by a little piece of flying brick. It just scratched him a little bit.

HARVEY

I'm sure glad it wasn't any worse than that.

MARY BETH

Me too. But it made me think. It could happen to me. I love being a Police Officer. Doing whatever I can to make the streets safe. But what would you do without a wife? And what would you boys do without a mother ? I need for you guys to tell me to go ahead.

She takes their hands and looks back and forth from one to another with a look of anguish on her face.

MICHAEL

If it wasn't for people like you we couldn't go to school.

HARVEY JR.

We couldn't do anything else, either, except stay home with guns to protect ourselves.

HARVEY

Somebody has to do it. At least we can be proud of what you do, and so can you. We don't ever have to tell anybody that you are "just" a house wife, or "just" a waitress, or "just" an anything.

The three guys get up and go to hug and kiss her.

MARY BETH

(through tears) I love you guys so much.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

SUPERMARKET CHECKOUT COUNTER - DAY

The man is buying items and is at the checkout counter.

CHECKER

$21.37, Sir.

He pays and gets his change as the sacker sacks up his purchases. He picks up the bag and starts out.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - MOTEL - ESTABLISHING - DAY

INTERIOR - MOTEL ROOM - DAY

CAMERA shows a "shoe box" with various things inside. Hands connect wires to a timer. CAMERA widens to show the man. He puts the lid on the box and picks up a newspaper. He begins cutting words out of the paper and laying them on a sheet of writing paper. When he finishes, he glues them down, puts the paper in an envelope, and seals

it.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - MARCUS' DWELLING - ESTABLISHING - DAY

INTERIOR - MARCUS' DWELLING - KITCHEN - DAY

CLAUDIA and MARCUS are just finishing breakfast. Marcus puts down his coffee cup.

CLAUDIA

Maybe if I had been there it wouldn't scare me so much. You're all I've got. I don't know what I'd do without you. I wish you'd get a safer job, like a bank teller, or something.

MARCUS

You knew I was a police Officer when you married me. I can't change now. I've put in too many years. Please don't ask me to quit.

CLAUDIA

I thought you did things like hand out speeding tickets, or parking tickets. I never thought you might get shot, or have to shoot somebody.

MARCUS

That's what police do, sometimes.

CLAUDIA

Not where I come from. They direct traffic. They help children and old people across the street. They investigate car accidents. Things like that.

MARCUS

Claudia, there are bad people out there. They rob, they steal, they murder. Somebody has to put them in jail.

CLAUDIA

But you don't have to. Let somebody else do it.

MARCUS

No Claudia. I have to do it. I can't leave it to somebody else. (he smiles) Especially not today. Friday's payday.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-BANK #1-ESTABLISHING - DAY

INTERIOR-BANK #1

Claudia is in line at a teller' s window. She is just picking up her things to leave. WIDEN to show the man at the customer service counter in the middle of the lobby. The man appears to be filling out a deposit slip. He places a box in the trashcan as Claudia passes him on her way out. He turns and follows her as she leaves the bank and walks down the sidewalk. He walks at the same speed as Claudia so that he remains about 20 to 30 feet behind her.

CUT TO:

EXTERIOR - BANK - DAY

ON CLAUDIA as she walks down the sidewalk with the man following her and the bank in the background. When they are about a hundred feet or so from the bank, the bomb goes off. Broken glass litters the sidewalk and showers passersby. Claudia ducks and squats on the sidewalk in surprise. She throws her hands on top of her head. The man calmly walks on, passes Claudia, and passes out of camera range.

CUT TO:

ON CLAUDIA'S FACE

She looks back at the bank with a look of amazement on her face as she squats on the sidewalk. Other people are looking as well, but only the man is not looking as we watch his back while he walks away.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE

.

ACT TWO

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - BANK#1 - A FEW MINUTES LATER

Ambulances, paramedics, live survivors being put in ambulances, bodies in body bags being put in hearses, uniformed police controlling the crowd, crying, shouting, "Keep back", "Over here", "Get that", "Watch it", etc. Firemen checking for fire. Cagney and Lacey arrive in their detective's car and hurry into the bank. They quickly hurry out again and go to stand on the curb.

CAMERA CLOSES on Cagney and Lacey.

CAGNEY

My God, Mary Beth. I've never seen anything like that.

LACEY

I think I'm going to be sick.

CAGNEY

No time for that now. Do it later.

LACEY

It must have been a bomb.

CAGNEY

Looks like a bomb. And it went off right in the middle of the crowd in the lobby.

Claudia approaches. She is still shaking and has a look of fear and worry and shock on her face. She walks timidly.

LACEY

Look who's here.

CAGNEY

Hello Claudia. What are you doing here?

CLAUDIA

I was...I was...I was in the bank,... depositing Marcus's.... paycheck.

LACEY

You're not hurt ?

CLAUDIA

No...I...got out just...before...the explosion.

Now the tears start.

CLAUDIA

(continued) I came out (sob) and started down (sob) the sidewalk, and (throws her hands in the air) BOOM !!

LACEY

Calm down, Claudia. Did you smell anything unusual in the bank, like gas ?

CLAUDIA

No. Nothing. Just people...going about their business. Nothing...unusual at all.

CAGNEY

Can you describe any of them ?

CLAUDIA

Just look at them.( indicates the crcw~) They looked just like that.

Lacey grabs a fireman going by.

LACEY

I'm Det. Lacey, 14th precinct. Was it a bomb ?

FIREMAN

Sure was.

LACEY

It must have been some bomb.

FIREMAN

I'd say about a fifteen pounder, or the equivalent.

LACEY

Dynamite?

FIREMAN

Most likely a homemade one.

Claudia is still shaking as the fireman leaves. Cagney puts her arm around Claudia's shoulders.

CAGNEY

Why don't you go on home. We'll talk to you later.

CLAUDIA

O.K. I don't know what else to do.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - 14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY - DAY - ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR - SQUAD ROOM

Angle on Cagney and Lacey at their desks. Chris rips a page off of her calendar.

CAGNEY

I like Monday. It's usually a low crime day.

LACEY

I can take it or leave it. But at least the weather is nice today.

CAGNEY

Yeah. And it's a nice day to lock up a "Mad Bomber".

LACEY

All we have to do is find one.

CAGNEY

I guess the best place to start is with ex-mental patients.

Coleman approaches with a man.

COLEMAN

This is Dan Orlando. He's a reporter for the TIMES.

CAGNEY

What can we do for you, Mr. Orlando?

ORLANDO

It's what I can do for you. It's about that bank bombing Sat.

He takes an envelope from his inside coat pocket. It is the letter the man was making in the motel room.

ORLANDO

I start early in the morning and this was on my desk when I came in at 5 A.M.

Cagney takes the paper from the envelope and reads it out loud.

CAGNEY

Banks are roots of capitalist society. Islamic jihad will destroy all. Allah be praised.

LACEY

(amazed) A HOLY WAR ? HERE ???

CAGNEY

That or someone trying to make us believe we've got one.

LACEY

I can't believe it. It must be a trick.

Cagney is looking at the envelope.

CAGNEY

I don't think so. Look at this envelope. On the back it says "Wilson Motor Inns".

LACEY

There must be hundreds of them, all over.

CAGNEY

This is the kind they put in the rooms.

LACEY

So? Anybody could rent a room.

CAGNEY

Yes, but if it was someone with a beef against that bank, or a mental case, he would be short of money. He wouldn't rent a motel room.

LACEY

And motels keep their rooms locked to keep out thieves and vagrants.

CAGNEY

Thank you Mr. Orlando. If you get another letter, please bring it to us unopened so we can check for fingerprints.

ORLANDO

I wouldn't have opened this one if I had known what was in it.

LACEY

Please don't print anything about this. Terrorists thrive on publicity and we don't want to help them. Just say we're working on it.

ORLANDO

You've got it.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR - MOTEL ROOM - DAY

The man puts the makings of a bomb in a shoebox. He picks up a letter he has made and puts it in an envelope. He seals the envelope and stamps it.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - HOSPITAL - DAY-ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR - HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

Cagney and Lacey are questioning the bank guard in his bed. He has a bandage on his head. He's holding his cap in his hands, showing the metal badge on it. The badge has a very noticeable dent in it. It is badly bent as well.

GUARD

I was looking down at the floor at a key ring, dropped by a woman customer, when the bomb went off. A piece of shrapnel hit right there. I was knocked out, but my badge saved my life.

LACEY

Lady Luck smiled on you.

CAGNEY

Did you see any unusual persons in the bank before the explosion?

GUARD

No. Everything seemed normal to me. Lots of people are in and out of the bank every day. Nobody special.

LACEY

We have reason to believe it may have been an Arab terrorist. Did anybody have one of those things on their head ?

GUARD

Two or three during the day. But they're all regular customers. They make deposits every day.

CAGNEY

Do you know if any of them might have had some problem with the bank ?

GUARD

Not them! They're all good accounts, AND, nobody has been fired from the bank in over five years, either.

LACEY

Thank you, sir. If we have any more questions we can come back later.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-A POLICE BUILDING - DAY

A sign on the building announces it is the N.Y.P.D. bomb disposal squad.

INTERIOR - BOMB DISPOSAL CAPTAIN'S OFFICE-DAY

Cagney and Lacey are sitting in front of the desk, the Capt. sitting behind

it.

CAGNEY

Did you determine what kind of bomb it was '?

CAPTAIN

Homemade. You could buy all the parts in any supermarket. It's the kind popular with terrorists in all parts of the world.

LACEY

We have a letter received by Mr. Orlando, a reporter for the Times. It looks like a terrorist might have sent it.

CAGNEY

You have some experience with "Mad Bombers". How do you think we should go about catching him ?

CAPTAIN

Mad bombers are insane and they do insane things. Most of them have records at mental hospitals. A terrorist, on the other hand, could be anybody. They are fanatics. We have few fanatics in this country. We know the identity of virtually all of them. If you have a terrorist to catch, he will in all probability be a foreigner who came through customs within the last two weeks. He probably checked into a motel under a fictitious name. He may be using a disguise. So you are looking for a person with no face, no description, no prints, no anything.

LACEY

Looks like we have to do it the hard way. Check all the mental hospitals to see who might be the one, then check with customs to see who else it might be, and all those motels.

CAPTAIN

That's the way it always is. And it takes lots of time. Time we usually can't spare.

CAGNEY

You mean he'll do it again ?

CAPTAIN

Once is never enough. He's likely got a schedule. Just hope you don't have a copycat to catch too.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - 14TH PRECINCT - ESTABLISHING - DAY

INTERIOR - 14th PRECINCT SQUAD ROOM

ON CAGNEY AND LACEY at their desks. ISBECKI approaches.

ISBECKI

So how you commin' with the bomber ?

CAGNEY

A Middle Eastern terrorist. No I.D., no description, no prints, no nothing. Just an M.O.

ISBECKI

So why don't you send a flyer to all the bank guards'. Tell 'em to watch for a suspicious acting person.

LACEY

What do you call suspicious acting ?

ISBECKI

Well, a man, with a box. He leaves the box in the trash.

CAGNEY

Probably a man. But we don't know for sure. The bomb in a box in the trash is right enough.

ISBECKI

That bank must have been a mess.

LACEY

When the bomb went off it tore the trash can to shreds. The pieces flew all over the bank like shrapnel.

CAGNEY

Only eleven people killed, but thirty-seven wounded in the hospital.

LACEY

How does this sound for a flyer ?

LACEY

(continuous) NOTICE! NOTICE! NOTICE! Be on the alert for a person of middle-eastern appearance with a box similar to a shoe box. The person will place the box in the trashcan near the middle of the lobby, then leave the bank. Try to apprehend the person but regard them as armed and dangerous. Evacuate the bank immediately. The box may contain a bomb.

ISBECKI

Sounds good to me.

CAGNEY

Let's get it out as soon as possible. We can get the armored car services to distribute it.

Samuels approaches from his office.

SAMUEL

I just got word that a TV news crew is on the way up. I want you to tell them we are looking for a "Mad Bomber?. Nothing else, O.K. ?

CAGNEY

I suppose so.

LACEY

Just what we needed. What next?

Samuels hurriedly retreats to his office as the news crew enters. The cameraman starts taking pictures.

NEWSMAN

This is Jim Evans at the 14th precinct. Could I have your name please ?

CAGNEY

Sgt. Cagney.

NEWSMAN

Sgt. Cagney, how are you coming with the bombing of the bank the day before yesterday ? Do you have any leads ?

CAGNEY

It looks like a mental case. We're checking the records of all the mental hospitals but it's too early to expect any results.

NEWSMAN

How long might it take to get some results ?

CAGNEY

From a few days up to a month or so. We have a lot of records to go over, not just in New York, but in all the surrounding states as well.

NEWSMAN

There you have it. A long and laborious job ahead for the police in identifying and apprehending this "Mad Bomber".

The cameraman stops and they prepare to leave.

NEWSMAN

Thanks, and good luck, Sgt. Cagney.

They hurry out. Mary Beth waits till they are gone before she speaks.

LACEY

I guess that should disappoint our terrorist.

CAGNEY

I hope so.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-BANK #2 - ESTABLISHING-DAY

INTERIOR - BANK #2 LOBBY

ON the man at the customer service desk. He puts the bomb in the trashcan and exits the bank.

CUT TO:

EXTERIOR-BANK #2

ON the man as he walks away from the bank. Behind him the bomb goes off and glass erupts all over passersby on the sidewalk.

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - MARCUS AND CLAUDIA' S DWELLING - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT-STOCK

INTERIOR - PETRIE LIVING ROOM-NIGHT

Marcus and Claudia are sitting on the couch. Coffee cups are on the table in front of the couch.

CLAUDIA

The other night when you were hurt in that shoot-out, I was so worried about you.

MARCUS

But you didn't need to. I wasn't really hurt.

CLAUDIA

I realize that now. But I was so scared at the time. I went to Newman's funeral, and I cried for him. I barely knew him, and I cried. All I could see in my imagination was a coffin with you in it.

MARCUS

I was worried about you too when Chris and Mary Beth told me you were at the bank when that bomb went off. Then they told me you had just gone out the door when it happened. Worrying didn't do any good. You were O.K.

CLAUDIA

I know. I wanted you to quit the Police Dept. and get a nice safe job like a bank teller. Then I went to the bank and almost got killed myself, and some of the tellers did. It made me mad, and it made me think. Then another bank was blown up today. Somebody has to do something about people who do things like that.

MARCUS

Chris and Mary Beth were assigned to that case.

CLAUDIA

Yes, but maybe next time it'll be you and Victor who get the case. I understand now. It's something you have to do. Victor needs his partner.

MARCUS

Yes. I have to.

They embrace and kiss.

CLAUDIA

I love you.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - HOSPITAL - DAY- ESTABLISHING-( STOCK)

INTERIOR - HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

ON Cagney and Lacey as they walk along. They pass a nurse going the other way, and turn a corner. The camera follows them as they go. Just around the corner they stop and push the down button for the elevator.

CAGNEY

It's a good thing there were less people in this bank.

LACEY

Only two killed and eleven hurt this time.

CAGNEY

And nobody saw anything unusual this time either.

LACEY

The flyers are due to be delivered tomorrow morning.

CAGNEY

I wish we could've got them out earlier.

LACEY

One bank Sat. Another Mon. And tomorrow is Wed. I hope we can get a line on him before he hits another one.

CAGNEY

I hate to even think about him doing it again. We need more time.

LACEY

Maybe we'll have something from customs when we get back.

The elevator arrives and they enter.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-ESTABLISHING-DAY

INTERIOR-SQUAD ROOM-DAY

ANGLE ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks. Orlando enters and hands Cagney a letter.

ORLANDO

I got another one today. Here it is, still sealed.

CAGNEY

Good. Maybe we can get some prints from this one.

She turns and calls out.

CAGNEY

COLEMAN !

Coleman approaches.

COLEMAN

What do you need?

CAGNEY

I need you to take this to the fingerprint man. See if he can get anything from the letter inside.

COLEMAN.

O.K.

Coleman leaves. As he goes out the TV crew arrives with three preachers.

ORLANDO

Looks like there's a leak at the Times. See ya later.

Ando starts out.

NEWSMAN

Well, Orlando, trying to scoop me ?

ORLANDO

Yes, but they don't have anything yet.

NEWSMAN

(with a knowing smile) If you say so.

Orlando leaves as the TV crew sets up to get Cagney and Lacey at their desks. The preachers get in position as well. Samuels sees this through the windows of his office and comes out to see what is going on.

SAMUELS

What kind of circus is this ??

NEWSMAN

Ah, Captain. This time the big gun shows up to talk with us.

SAMUELS

You already have our official statement. We have nothing to add at this time.

NEWSMAN

We think you may want to change your statement. We have information that you received a letter from a middle- eastern terrorist claiming he is responsible for the bombings. Your statement indicated you think he's a mental case.

SAMUELS

He is a mental case. We think he's pretending to be a terrorist as a red herring. Even if he is a terrorist, he's still a mental case. That's our statement. Goodbye.

1ST PREACHER

Not so fast. What about the letter the terrorist sent? We were shocked to hear of its anti-Christian hate.

2ND PREACHER

What do you intend to do about this murderous barbarian ?

SAMUELS

We think it's a fake. Just somebody trying to get publicity. The bomber didn't send it. We received it after the bombing. If the terrorist sent it we believe we would have received it before the bombing.

NEWSMAN

Is that what you really believe?

SAMUELS

That's our official position.

3RD PREACHER

Well, I'm not buying it.

SAMUELS

Good. When you get to be in command of this precinct you can do what you like! For now, goodbye.

Samuels turns and goes to his office. The newsman turns to Cagney.

NEWSMAN

And what do you have to add to that ?

CAGNEY

Nothing. Goodbye.

The newsman and the preachers leave. When they are gone, Samuels comes out of his office again.

SAMUELS

I hope we got away with that.

LACEY

It sounded good to me, sir, and it may be right.

SAMUELS

It may have just bought us a little time. This is a race against time. We don't know when or where this bomber may hit again. You two have to get hot on this before it blows up in our faces. Our time is running out fast.

Samuels leaves and Cagney and Lacey head for the Jane.

CUT TO:

THE JANE

CAGNEY

What does he expect from us ?? There's six million people out there and only one bomber. No description, no name, no address, no nothing. He works alone so there's nobody to tell us anything. Where do we start looking??

LACEY

All true. But he's out there to find. He's not a ghost.

CAGNEY

He might as well be.

A BEAT

LACEY

(looks around) One thing sure. He's not in here.

A knock sounds on the door. Coleman is outside.

COLEMAN

Cagney! Lacey! You in there ??

CAGNEY

(still angry) What do you want, Coleman ??

COLEMAN

Come get this stuff.

Cagney opens the door and Coleman starts handing her papers.

COLEMAN

The envelope. (pronounces it thee) The letter. The fingerprint report. The list from customs of middle-eastern people who came through customs in the last month.

CAGNEY

Great!! Let's get on with this Mary Beth.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR - LACEY KITCHEN - NIGHT

Harvey and Mary Beth are having coffee.

MARY BETH

All we have on this guy is a set of prints from a letter he sent, and a list of suspects from customs. 3000 possibles.

(

HARVEY

3000? Can't you narrow it down better than that ?

MARY BETH

We have a crew of uniforms working on locating them.

HARVEY

Sounds like it'll take a while.

MARY BETH

It will. We can eliminate those who went on to other cities, doctors, diplomats, and long time residents returning from trips.

HARVEY

How many will you have left after that ?

MARY BETH

At least 300.

HARVEY

And how long will it take to check all of them out ?

MARY BETH

A couple of weeks. Maybe longer.

HARVEY

The TV says he's setting off a bomb every other day. That's a lot of bombs before he's caught.

MARY BETH

(sadly) I know. Oh, Harv. We don't know any faster way. We don't kill people for religion in this country. We've got nobody in our records who might be a suspect. I wish somebody could explain these "Holy war" things to me. They seem so senseless.

HARVEY

We outgrew that stuff with the Salem witch trials. How could we understand it now after all these years. It' s just as senseless now as it was then.

MARY BETH

I guess Samuels is right. He's a mental case.

HARVEY

All fanatics are.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - BANK #3 - DAY - ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR - BANK LOBBY

ON the man at the customer service desk. He places a box in the trashcan and starts to leave the bank as the bank guard approaches, with the flyer in his hand.

GUARD

(loudly) Just a minute, sir.

The man pulls a gun, spins, and shoots the guard. Many people see his face. The guard is hit in the abdomen and the bullet goes through and hits his spine, paralyzing the guard from the waist down, The guard falls to the floor as the man runs from the bank.

GUARD

(yelling) Everybody get out of the bank! There's a bomb here!

People rush out, some screaming. The bank employees take cover. All becomes silent, except for the voice of the stricken guard.

GUARD

Our father, who art in heaven....

CUT TO:

EXTERIOR-BANK #3 -

The bomb goes off with similar results as the first two times.

END OF ACT THREE

.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN

INTERIOR - MOTEL ROOM - DAY

The man puts another bomb in a box, and lays a sealed letter on top of it. He then starts putting on a disguise. A large mustache, glasses, and a turban on his head to make himself look like a Siek from eastern India. He puts a small stone in his left shoe to insure a limp. He puts a gun in the waistband of his pants and conceals it with a sling on his left arm. He looks like he has been in an accident. He takes the box with the bomb and the letter, and leaves the motel room.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT SQUAD ROOM - DAY

ANGLE ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks.

LACEY

Did those new notices with the descriptions go out yet 2

CAGNEY

They went out this morning. I hope they do some good.

LACEY

The artists pictures should help. And if we're lucky maybe some detective from some precinct may find a desk clerk that recognizes him.

CAGNEY

What worries me is that he sets off a bomb every other day. The last one was day before yesterday, so he's due.

LACEY

I wish we could spot some sort of pattern so we could guess where the next one might be.

A BEAT

CAGNEY

The worst part of this job is informing the next of kin. I never found an easy way to do that. Or a good way. It's always hard. Always.

A BEAT

LACEY

It's never easy to inform people their loved ones are gone. No matter how many times do it, it never gets any easier, either.

CAGNEY

You got that right. We've had a bunch to inform this time. I just wish some of them were the family of the bomber.

LACEY

Even if he had blown himself up by accident, he would have probably have killed others at the same time.

CAGNEY

I suppose so. But maybe not so many.

COLEMAN approaches.

COLEMAN

We just got a radio call from some uniformed Officers. They have a positive I.D. on the bomber. They're at the "Wilson Motor Inn" on 54th Street and 10th Avenue.

CAGNEY and LACEY are already on their way out the door.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXTERIOR - MOTEL - DAY

CAGNEY AND LACEY arrive in their detectives car with the red light flashing on top. They stop short by the office and leap from their car. They meet two uniformed Officers.

CAGNEY

It took a little while to get the search warrant, but we finally got here.

OFFICER #1

He was out of the room when we got here and he hasn't returned yet, so the room is empty.

LACEY

Lets get in there fast.

While this conversation has been going on they have been hurrying to meet Officer #2 at the door of room 11, with the Manager.

Cagney shows him the search warrant.

CAGNEY

Here's the search warrant. Get that room open right now!!

The manager unlocks the door and stands aside. Cagney and Lacey rush inside.

CUT TO: MOTEL INTERIOR - DAY

CAGNEY AND LACEY check the room and find the man is out.

CAGNEY

Looks like he's not here.

An open suitcase is on the stand. Clothes are in the closet. On the table is paper, envelopes, and a pair of scissors. In the wastebasket is cut up newspapers which he used to get the words for the letters. In the drawers of the chest are the ingredients for making bombs. On the floor beside the chest are boxes about the size of shoe boxes. Cagney finds the boxes.

CAGNEY

Look at these boxes.

LACEY opens the drawers.

LACEY

Things for making bombs.

CAGNEY finds the newspapers.

CAGNEY

Newspapers. He used these to make the letters.

LACEY

I guess there's no doubt he's our bomber.

CAGNEY

Put everything back and lets get out of here. We can put a stakeout on the room and get him when he comes back.

They do so and leave, locking the door behind them.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR-DETECTIVES CAR - PARKED ACROSS THE STREET

Cagney and Lacey are sitting in their car watching room 11 The uniformed officers are waiting about two blocks away.

LACEY

How long has it been. Cagney looks at her watch.

CAGNEY

I can't believe it's only been about an hour.

LACEY

You want another cup of coffee ?

CAGNEY

I'm all coffeed out. One more cup and I'll be chasing my eyeballs as they float down the street.

LACEY

Me too.

A BEAT

FADE OUT

FADE IN INTERIOR - #4TH BANK - DAY

The man places the box in the trash can. As he turns to leave, six armed men wearing ski tasks rush into tie bank.

1ST ROBBER

THIS IS A HOLDUP !!!

One of the robbers quickly disarms the guard.

1ST ROBBER

EVERYBODY INTO THE VAULT !! MAKE IT FAST !!

They quickly herd everyone into the vault and close the door. They grab the money from the teller's drawers and head for the door.

CUT TO: EXTERIOR - 4TH BANK - DAY

The bomb goes off with similar results to the other three.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

I NTERIOR - DETECTIVES CAR - PARKED

The radio comes to life.

RADIO (V.0.)

Detectives 14 - 2.

Cagney picks up the microphone.

CAGNEY

14-2.

RADIO (V.O.)

A bank bombing has just been reported at 51st and 6th Ave.

CAGNEY

14 - 2 responding. Have the Uniforms in 14 - 68 take up cur position here.

RADIO ( V. O.)

10 - 4.

LACEY already has the motor started as Cagney puts the red spinner on the roof and starts the siren as they pull away from the curb.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR - 4TH BANK - DAY

The six robbers are lying on the floor covered with cloth, The customer service desk has been blown to bits. Several Uniformed Officers are searching the debris in the bank for survivors. Cagney and Lacey enter.

CAGNEY

How many dead this time ?

OFFICER

Just these six. They all seen to be robbers. We found their guns on the floor beside them and they all were wearing masks. They had sacks with money stuffed in them and the teller's drawers are empty.

LACEY

Where are all the other people ?

OFFICER

Those six are all we've found so far.

CAGNEY

They must be here someplace. The bank was open.

LACEY

You checked outside ?

OFFICER

Yes.

CAGNEY

And all the offices ?

OFFICER

Yes.

LACEY

The vault !!

OFFICER

It's closed.

CAGNEY

They must be inside it

LACEY

Let's get it open.

THEY ALL GO TO THE VAULT. The massive door is closed. No sound comes from inside because it is so massive. Cagney goes to it and listens with her ear to the door. She takes off her shoe and hammers on the door with the heel. Then she listens again. A faint tapping comes from inside.

CAGNEY

We've found them. Let's get this door open.

OFFICER

HOW ??

LACEY

We can call the main office of the bank.

By this time they are already on the way to a phone. The Officer left behind looks at the door. It has no handle. No knobs. No nothing. A clock dial is inset in the door and under it a window shows the word "Open".

CUT TO:

INTERIOR - ANOTHER PART OF THE SAME BANK - DAY

Cagney is standing beside a desk talking on a phone.

CAGNEY

We just push that button ?

A BEAT

CAGNEY

O.K. Bye.

She hangs up the phone

CAGNEY

There's a button on a post by the door. We just push it and an electric motor opens the door.

They hurry to the vault. The button is found and pushed. A motor whirrs and the door swings open. The people come out with words of relief.

Thank heavens. We've been in there over an hour. We heard the boom. What a mess. I have to call my husband.

CAGNEY (loudly)

Give me your attention, please. We have to interview every one of you before anyone leaves. Please line up over here and we'll go as fast as we can.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR - BANK LOBBY - DAY

Cagney has a line of people in front of her and to her right some 10 feet away is Lacey with a line in front of her. Each has a Uniformed Officer to help her. Lacey has come to the man with the turban.

LACEY

You came to exchange some currency ?

MAN

Yiss. I haff ondly forgdn money.

CUT TO: ON CAGNEY

She glances to her right and does a double take when she spots the butt of a gun concealed by the man's sling.

CUT TO: CLOSE-UP OF THE MAN FROM THE SIDE showing the gun behind the sling.

CUT TO: CLOSE-UP OF CAGNEY

CAGNEY

(to Officer) Come on.

CUT TO: ANGLE - ON LACEY AND THE MAN

Cagney and the Officer circle around behind the man so that Cagney, Lacey, and the two Uniformed officers helping them surround the man.

CAGNEY

Do you have a permit for that gun, sir ?

The man grabs for the gun and makes a break for the door. As he pulls it out the men officers grab him and wrestle him to the floor and disarm him. They cuff him, then pull him to his feet and look at him closely.

CAGNEY

Phony mustache.

She pulls it off.

LACEY

Pancake make - up.

She rubs her fingers across his cheek and looks at the color that rubs off on her fingers.

CAGNEY

Phony sling to hide a gun.

LACEY

Didn't the coroner recover a bullet from the dead guard ?

CAGNEY

Sure did. I'll take his gun to ballistics.

LACEY

And we have prints from the letter.

CAGNEY

Looks good. I think we have our bomber. (To the Uniformed Officers)

CAGNEY

(continuous) Read him his rights and lock him up. I get sick just looking at trash like him.

MAN

The Islamic Jihad will...

LACEY

(disgustedly)

Oh, shut up !!!

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INTERIOR - 14TH PRECINCT SQUAD ROOM - DAY

ANGLE ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks.

CAGNEY

You know, we owe a vote of thanks to those robbers.

LACEY

Yeah ?

CAGNEY

No telling how many lives they saved. Too bad they all died doing it.

LACEY

Looks like they became heroes in spite of themselves.

CAGNEY

Well, I don't think I'd go so far as to call them heroes.

LACEY

They gave their lives to save others. What else would you call them ?

CAGNEY

I'm not going to build any monuments to bank robbers, no matter what else they did.

LACEY

I suppose not. Still, we owe them thanks.

CAGNEY

If any of them had survived we could have thanked them before we put 'em in jail.

FADE OUT

THE END


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