The Park
Fictional piece by Kristy Hughes
Fan fiction by Kristy - based on the characters created by Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday.
THE PARK
(This story is set in the first season, '82-'83)
ACT I:
FADE IN:
INT. Cagney's loft, early morning. It's a weekday, the alarm clock rings loudly and Chris rolls over moaning to turn it off, eyes still closed.
(Someone else is in bed with her, but can't be seen for the comforter. His voice comes sleepily from beneath the sheet - Kevin Corrigan)
CORRIGAN
I HATE Mondays!
(Cagney sits up with a start)
CAGNEY
God, Corrigan! I forgot you were here
(Detective Kevin Corrigan, 12th Precinct - they're old friends. They were in the academy together.)
CORRIGAN
See what happens when you pick up men in bars
CAGNEY
Screw you, Kevin.
CORRIGAN
I'm pretty sure you already did.
(Chris hits him with her pillow and rolls out of bed.)
CAGNEY
WHAT was I thinking
(Kevin sits up. He's three years younger - very cute - dark hair, blue eyes - and Cagney can't help noticing again in spite of herself.)
CORRIGAN
You're going to hurt my feelings if your not careful, Cagney.
CAGNEY
I didn't know you were the sensitive type. I'll try to be more careful next… (stops herself)
CORRIGAN
Next TIME! That's what you were gonna say… See! You do like me. At least, a little.
CAGNEY
Maybe a little… (a small smile) on your good days.
CORRIGAN
This might be one of my good days, Chris. Why don't you come over here and find out?
CAGNEY
No! I've been late to work before because of you… I have to shower. If you promise to make coffee, I'll be nice and leave you some hot water.
(Kevin stands suddenly, dragging the blanket with him)
CORRIGAN
Or we could just shower together and get it over with. Conserve water
CAGNEY
(Smiles and pushes him back down on the bed) Just make the coffee
(She walks into the bathroom and closes the door. )
CUT TO:
INT. Lacey Apartment. Harvey and Mary Beth's bedroom.
(Harvey is just coming out of the bathroom in his robe, freshly showered, towel drying his hair. Mary Beth is in bed, half-dozing, enjoying the last few minutes of relaxation before getting ready for work, waking the boys, etc.)
HARVEY
Your turn, Mrs. Lacey.
LACEY
(Smiling sleepily) You certainly woke up in a good mood this morning.
HARVEY
(Noticing her smile) Looks like I put you in a good mood, too.
LACEY
Mmm-hmmmm. (Stretching) Why isn't today Sunday? I could stay in bed for hours.
HARVEY
Me, too, Babe. But I gotta get to work early. Get started on the remodeling job. I'm really looking forward to it.
LACEY
You love restoring old buildings.
HARVEY
(Nods) There's something about taking an old structure, like this Victorian over on 6th, and bringing out its former beauty. You gotta stop by and see it, Mary Beth. It's a real piece of work. It's not gonna be easy. But I want you to get a "before picture" in your mind so you can appreciate the "after" when the job's complete.
LACEY
Maybe Chris and I can swing by there on lunch one day this week.
HARVEY
You do that. I'd like for Chris to see it, too. I'll wake the boys. Don't you go back to sleep
LACEY
(rising reluctantly) I'm up, I'm up
CUT TO:
INT. Squad room - about an hour later.
(Paul LaGuardia at his desk reading the paper, Isbecki looking over his shoulder. Petrie is at his desk listening to their conversation. Samuels is in his office. Cagney and Lacey haven't made it in yet.)
LAGUARDIA
It's terrible. The third attack in two weeks.
PETRIE
The joggers?
LAGUARDIA
Yes. Three women beaten and raped.
ISBECKI
Says here the most recent victim is still in critical condition. She may not make it… What were they thinking? Women jogging alone in the park before sunrise
PETRIE
They were thinking they'd like to get in a little exercise before going to work. They have the right just like everyone else.
LAGUARDIA
It's the predators victimizing them that should have no rights.
ISBECKI
Everybody wants the scum locked up. But this isn't the first time something like this has happened. They should have been smarter.
PETRIE
You act like you think this was their fault, Victor.
ISBECKI
Not their FAULT. They just should have been more careful
Cagney and Lacey walk through the squad room doors at the same time and head for their desks.)
ISBECKI
(Spots them and heads toward Cagney)
And speaking of people who should be more careful … Did you have fun with Corrigan last night, Cagney?
CAGNEY
What?
ISBECKI
(Speaking to Cagney but more for the benefit of Petrie and the other guys within earshot.)
He was supposed to be watching the Knicks game with me and Minelli at Harrigan's but then Cagney came along and Kevin only had eyes for her… You even ditched your date for him, didn't you Cagney?
CAGNEY
I did not "ditch my date". John's a friend. He had to leave before the game was over.
ISBECKI
Admit it. He left because you and Kevin were having so much fun. Just like old times, huh?
CAGNEY
Mind your own business, Isbecki.
(Isbecki laughs and walks away. Mary Beth has been quietly listening and sipping the cup of coffee she just poured.)
LACEY
So… how is Kevin?
CAGNEY
(smiling) He's fine. We're just friends, Mary Beth.
LACEY
Uh-huh
CAGNEY
We … enjoy each other's company. So what?
LACEY
So, nothing. You're a grown woman.
CAGNEY
Right.
LACEY
So, how is he? Since the divorce, I mean.
CAGNEY
He's good. Doesn't like being alone all that much. Men are such babies.
LACEY
You're telling me. Harve, when he's sick, I just want to drop him off on Muriel's front porch.
CAGNEY
Think his Mom would appreciate that?
LACEY
She's the one that spoiled him. Let her deal with it
(Samuels emerges from his office.)
SAMUELS
Cagney, Lacey, LaGuardia … Petrie and Isbecki - I need to see you in my office, please.
(The detectives file in.)
Close the door, Petrie. … I just got a call from Inspector Marquette regarding the recent attacks on women jogging through Central Park. There's been a decision to set up a collaborative effort between several of the precincts in the area. Each one will stake out a different section of the park, using a female undercover officer as a jogger, to see if the perps can be lured out
(Cagney and Lacey look at each other. Samuels catches it)
And before you two get all excited, neither of you will be acting as bait. Uniforms have the honors this time. Detectives will be posted at various locations along the trail for surveillance. You'll be in radio contact with each other and the "jogger" will be wired. We start tomorrow morning, 4:00 AM. You'll all be on overtime.
LAGUARDIA
Have any of the victims provided a solid description of their attackers, Bert?
SAMUELS
That depends on what you call solid. The first victim was so traumatized she's just now beginning to talk - and she's very sketchy on the details. No physical descriptions and she's inconsistent on the number of men who attacked her. Three or four. The number seems to change each time she tries to give an account of what happened to her. The second woman - she talked from the very beginning, providing the best information we have. Three attackers, young white males - early twenties.
CAGNEY
That's it for the physical description?
SAMUELS
It was dark, Cagney. She did say she smelled liquor on them - no surprise there - and that at least two of them had multiple piercings - ears, nose, lips. They were armed with knives.
PETRIE
None of this helps narrow it down very much.
SAMUELS
It's all we got.
LACEY
Any update on the condition of the last victim, Lieutenant?
SAMUELS
Yeah. She died an hour ago.
FADE OUT (on the Detectives reactions)
ACT II:
INT. Squad room
(Cagney and Lacey at their desks, dealing with a mountain of paperwork. Cagney's filing. Lacey pulls a form she's just completed from her manual typewriter.)
LACEY
You ready to break for lunch?
CAGNEY
Whenever you are. I could use the fresh air.
LACEY
Let's go.
(Cagney files the folder she has in her hand and Lacey signs them both out. They head through the back door and out into the parking lot.)
LACEY
Mind if we grab sandwiches for lunch and take one by to Harve? He's working a job over on 6th and Broward.
CAGNEY
Fine with me.
(As they get in the car.)
That's an old part of town. What's going on over there?
LACEY
It's a restoration of one of the old homes. He wants me to come take a look at it so I can appreciate his handiwork when it's finished.
CAGNEY
He really loves his work doesn't he?
LACEY
It's what he always wanted to do.
(Farther down the road, the detective's car pulls up next to Sol's Deli. Chris and Mary Beth get out of the car. There are three booths inside the small deli. After ordering their lunches, Chris sees Kevin at one of the booths and walks over smiling, Lacey follows.)
CAGNEY
Hey, Kevin - out of your precinct aren't you
CORRIGAN
(Seems a little nervous. Surprised to see them.) Chris… Hi, Mary Beth. What are you two doing here?
LACEY
Just grabbing a quick bite for lunch. How've you been?
CORRIGAN
I'm doin' good, Mary Beth. How about you? How're Harve and the boys?
(Before she can answer a young woman approaches from behind. She see's Cagney first.)
RENEE
Chris?
CAGNEY
(Cagney's surprised.) Renee
RENEE
Mary Beth. It's been a long time. (Looks pointedly at Chris) Kevin tell you we're back together?
CAGNEY
No. He didn't.
RENEE
Well, practically. He just has to get the rest of his stuff moved back in.
LACEY
So, you two are getting remarried?
RENEE
We don't have to. The divorce papers never had a chance to go through.
CAGNEY
(Eyes locked on Kevin's) Well, I'm happy for you both. Mary Beth, we need to go
LACEY
Oh, right. Good seeing you
RENEE
Bye.
(Chris heads straight for the car. Lacey quickly pays for their order, grabs the bags and hurries out. As Mary Beth gets in)
CAGNEY
I don't want to talk about it, Mary Beth.
LACEY
I didn't SAY anything
(The drive in silence until they pull up to a run-down two-story Victorian with a wrap-around porch. Large trees shade the front yard. Some workers are sitting under the trees eating their lunches. A couple of young men, scruffy, tattooed and an older man, early 40s. Chris and Mary Beth get out of the car and Mary Beth speaks to the older man.)
LACEY
Hi, Dave. Harvey around here?
DAVE
He's in the kitchen, Mary Beth. At the back at the end of the main hall. (Noticing the bags from the deli) Mmmm. Sol's has the best corned beef in the city. Next time you're picking up Harvey's lunch let me know
LACEY
Sure thing. But your lunch doesn't look so bad. What'd Sheila pack for you today?
DAVE
Nothing special. Sheila's baloney and cheese ain't got nothing on Sol's corned beef
LACEY
(smiling) See ya later.
(Chris and Mary Beth walk up the creaking porch steps and onto the porch.)
CAGNEY
You sure this is safe?
LACEY
(Teasing) Come on. I don't think we're in a hard-hats only area.
(They make their way down the hall, dust and cobwebs everywhere. Harvey's in the kitchen looking over some plans. Smiles when he sees them come through the doorway.)
HARVEY
Babe! (kisses Mary Beth) Hi-ya, Chris. (gives her a quick hug)
CAGNEY
How ya doing, Harvey?
HARVEY
I'm great. What do you two think of this place?
LACEY
It's definitely a "before"
HARVEY
But you can see the beauty in it, right? This place has so much potential.
LACEY
Looks like a lot of work
HARVEY
It will be. But it's gonna be worth it.
CAGNEY
How much are the owner's going to have to pay for the makeover?
HARVEY
It won't come cheap. Estimates over $80,000 right now and that's conservative.
LACEY
Be nice to have that kind of money to drop on something like this.
HARVEY
They're not hurting for money, believe me. And this property was an inheritance.
CAGNEY
They planning to move in on completion of the job?
HARVEY
Not the couple that's paying for this. It's going to be a wedding present for their son and his new bride.
CAGNEY
Some present!
LACEY
I'll say
HARVEY
I'm telling you, it's gonna be beautiful. What do we got for lunch today?
LACEY
Sol's Deli - corned beef on rye for you
CAGNEY
Guard it with your life. There's a guy out front just about attacked Mary Beth for it.
HARVEY
(laughing) Must have been Dave.
LACEY
Yep. Somebody needs to tell Sheila he's sick of baloney and cheese. Here's chips and a soda … and we have to go. It took longer than I thought to get over here.
HARVEY
Wish you could stay. We'd have a picnic on the front porch.
CAGNEY
We'll pass, Harvey. That porch is more than a little shaky. I don't think my nerves could stand it.
HARVEY
And I thought cops were supposed to be tough
CAGNEY
(smiles) Tough not stupid… See ya later, Harve.
LACEY
(gives him a hug and kiss) Bye, sweetheart.
HARVEY
Thanks, Babe. I'll see you tonight. Chris - now that you've seen the place - you have to come check it out when the job's finished.
CAGNEY
I'll look forward to it, Harvey.
(They head out of the house.)
LACEY
Nice seein' ya, Dave.
DAVE
You, too, Mary Beth.
(Chris and Mary Beth hop back into the car and head for the station.)
CUT TO:
INT. Squad room:
(Samuels emerges from his office as the detectives work at their desks.)
SAMUELS
Cagney, Lacey … Petrie, Isbecki, LaGuardia. Wrap up what you're doing. Your shift's almost over and I want everyone out of here on time today. You're in early tomorrow and I want you alert. Go home and get some sleep.
LACEY
Yes, Lieutenant.
ISBECKI
No partying for you tonight, Cagney.
CAGNEY
Shut up, Isbecki.
(Everyone straightens their desks and gets ready to leave. Cagney's done before Lacey and goes to the locker room. When Lacey's finally done, she heads for the locker room, too, and finds Chris angrily brushing her hair. Chris sees Mary Beth in the mirror.)
CAGNEY
He's such a jerk!
LACEY
Isbecki? (knowing better)
CAGNEY
Kevin… I thought we were friends. How could he do that to me? How could he do it to Renee??
LACEY
(shrugs) I think you need to ask HIM.
CAGNEY
I don't even want to talk to him. It's not like I'm deeply hurt, you know. I'm just … pissed!
LACEY
Maybe he had too much to drink.
CAGNEY
That could explain last night for both of us. You know we've always been friends and there's always been this … attraction. It's not the first time we've been together.
LACEY
I know.
CAGNEY
(Slightly surprised by this but doesn't say anything.) But that was a long time ago, he was single then. And the booze may have played a role last night but that doesn't explain this morning.
LACEY
(curious) This morning?
CAGNEY
He was completely sober this morning when he tried to get me back into bed. Damn him!
LACEY
I don't know what to say to you here, Chris. He behaved badly, to say the least. If it's eating at you, maybe you should talk to him.
CAGNEY
I just want to go home, order a pizza and fall asleep in front of the TV, Mary Beth. I don't have time to think about him.
LACEY
You do what you have to. But don't let this get you all worked up - to the point you take it out on the rest of us.
CAGNEY
I won't. He's not worth the aggravation. See you tomorrow
(slams her locker and leaves abruptly)
LACEY
(not sure Chris will be able to let this go so quickly) Take it easy.
ACT III:
Central Park - 4:00 A.M.
(There are officers from several precincts covering different areas of the park. The five detectives from the 14th, Lt. Samuels and two uniformed officers are going over last minute details before getting into place for surveillance. One of the officers, Cindy Weitzman, in sweats and jogging shoes, appears nervous.)
SAMUELS
All three attacks took place just before sunrise - which will be approximately an hour and half from now. All of you keep your eyes open, including you, Weitzman, and stay in radio contact with each other. We're looking for three men, young, Caucasian. They move in quick and they're vicious. Anyone or anything looks funny - the least bit suspicious - get on it - don't wait around. You ready, Weitzman?
WEITZMAN
Yes, sir.
SAMUELS
All right, then. Let's go. Take your places.
(The detectives scatter, finding cover behind trees, bushes, spaced at intervals along the jogging trail. Officer Weitzman begins jogging at a relaxed pace, she may have to cover the same ground more than once or twice before sun-up.)
SAMUELS
(Into his radio) Everyone check your radios. (The detectives quietly say their names in turn and Officer Weitzman speaks into her hidden mic) Sounds good. Weitzman, we heard you loud and clear. You see anything unusual, let us know right away. Everything's gonna be fine.
WEITZMAN
Yes, Lieutenant.
(After an hour and a half or so the sun is coming up, the detectives are becoming cramped from their crouched positions and Weitzman is definitely tiring. Samuels gets the word from the commanding officer that all the detectives are being dismissed, heading back to their respective precincts. Samuels calls his people in.)
SAMUELS
That's it for today. Let's head back to the 14th.
(The detectives head for their cars. As Chris and Mary Beth head for theirs)
CAGNEY
This surveillance could go on forever, you know.
LACEY
It's the first day, give it time.
CAGNEY
I suppose.
LACEY
(Notices Weitzman going to ride with Petrie and Isbecki)
Cindy! Why don't you ride back to the station with us
WEITZMAN
Okay, Mary Beth. (To Petrie and Isbecki) I'll see you guys there.
(Chris drives, Mary Beth is in the passenger seat and Officer Weitzman is in the back)
LACEY
How are you doing? You looked a little shaken this morning
WEITZMAN
I was … AM. I hate this assignment.
CAGNEY
Undercover work's part of the job. Being a decoy isn't fun, but you'll get used to it.
WEITZMAN
I know. It's just THIS assignment, you know. The attacks have been so brutal. My sister-in-law was the victim of a sexual assault last year. It kind of hits home.
LACEY
I think this type of crime hits "home" for most women. It's too easy to imagine yourself in the victim's place.
CAGNEY
(Harshly) Not me. I don't believe it could ever happen to me. And I'm not willing to go there - even if it's only in my imagination.
(Lacey and Weitzman look at her for a second.)
You have to be aware of your surroundings. You can't just go mindlessly running in the park by yourself before dawn. In New York City?! It doesn't make sense. And I'd never be that (starts to say stupid) … I'd just never do it, that's all.
LACEY
Chris, it could happen to anybody. Do you think the women those creeps attacked - the one that DIED - do you really think they thought it would ever happen to them?
CAGNEY
(Shrugs) It didn't have to happen to them. If they'd been thinking straight. (sees Mary Beth's disbelieving look) I don't want to talk about it any more, Mary Beth.
(The three women ride in silence.)
CUT TO:
INT. Squad room. (mid-morning)
(Samuels has assembled the five detectives in his office)
SAMUELS
I've just been notified that there was another attack in the park last night.
CAGNEY
Last night?!? And the brass decided not to tell us until now?
SAMUELS
Calm down, Cagney. No one knew about it until an hour ago. An elderly couple walking through the park spotted the victim unconscious in the bushes and called it in.
LACEY
Any word on the condition of the victim, Lieutenant?
SAMUELS
She's pretty beat up, raped like the others. I think they're saying "serious" condition, but she's expected to improve.
ISBECKI
Are we sure it's the same guys?
SAMUELS
We have to assume so - for now. Maybe she'll talk later. If it is the same guys, they're smart enough to know they'll be caught if they don't vary the times of the attacks. So - I'm sending all of you home after lunch. Get what rest you can and meet back here this evening at 6:00 PM. We're taking the night watch. I'll have a different group assembled in time for morning surveillance. Get to work, Detectives. Clear up what's on your desks. You've got two hours.
PETRIE
Yes, sir.
(The detectives file out of his office and go to their respective desks working in silence. This case is beginning to get to all of them. Chris and Mary Beth are at their desks when Renee Corrigan walks in. She quickly approaches Cagney
RENEE
(She looks furious) Chris… Can I talk to you for a moment - alone??
(Cagney doesn't say anything, she just gets up and heads out to the parking lot with Renee following her. Lacey watches them leave. She's going to have a hard time concentrating on her work.)
CAGNEY
Yeah?
RENEE
Jimmy Tolbert's wife called me last night. Said Jimmy told her he saw you hanging all over Kevin at Harrigan's two nights ago.
CAGNEY
Renee
RENEE
(Near tears) Jimmy told her Kevin went HOME with you
CAGNEY
Look, Renee. I didn't know about you and Kevin. I thought the two of you were already DIVORCED. He didn't say anything to set me straight.
RENEE
Right
CAGNEY
It's the truth, Renee! I'm as pissed off at that son-of-a-bitch as you are!
RENEE
Pissed? I'M devastated… It's women like you that caused problems for me and Kevin in the first place.
CAGNEY
I didn't pursue him, Renee. It just happened.
RENEE
Bullshit! You've always had a thing for Kevin. I know the two of you slept together before we married.
CAGNEY
Before I knew about you. BEFORE you were engaged. There are lots of men out there, I don't have to go after the one's that are already taken.
RENEE
Just stay away from him, Chris. Do you understand me?
CAGNEY
You've got nothing to worry about, believe me.
(She storms back inside and slams the door, leaving Renee in the parking lot. Heads for the Jane instead of back to her desk. Mary Beth follows. Chris is half-sitting against the sink, gives Mary Beth a half-hearted smile when she comes through the door.)
She's furious with me.
LACEY
Do you blame her?
CAGNEY
You KNOW I never would have let Kevin come over if I'd known they were getting back together! If I'd known they weren't DIVORCED!
LACEY
I know that. Doesn't mean it's any easier for her.
CAGNEY
(Sighs) I know… I really hate him for doing this to me. I feel guilty and there's really no reason why I should. It wasn't my fault.
LACEY
You don't have to convince me.
CAGNEY
(pauses) Thanks, Mary Beth.
LACEY
For what?
CAGNEY
For believing me
(Mary Beth puts her arm and Chris' shoulder and squeezes. Chris gets up and both of them go back to their desks.)
CAGNEY
I'm leaving. Are you ready to go?
LACEY
I need another twenty minutes or so here.
CAGNEY
Okay. I'll see you tonight.
LACEY
See ya.
.
(Cagney walks out. She's stopped by Coleman.)
COLEMAN
Three messages, Cagney. All from Kevin Corrigan.
CAGNEY
Burn them for me, would you?
(He watches as she storms out.)
ACT IV
INT. 14th Precinct squad room. 5:45 PM
(Lacey is already at her desk. Cagney comes through the doors and signs in again.)
CAGNEY
You did go home, didn't you?
LACEY
Yeah. Got a couple hours rest before the boys got in from school and then all hell broke loose. They're at each other constantly these days. Harvey Jr.'s such a smart-mouth. I didn't know eleven was such a horrible age.
CAGNEY
How old's Michael now? Six?
LACEY
Seven. And believe me, seven's no picnic, either.
(Samuels comes into the squad room from the parking lot.)
SAMUELS
Cagney, Lacey - let's go. Everyone else is already out back.
CAGNEY
(Looking at Lacey) Am I late?
LACEY
No. Everybody else is early. I think the guys are anxious to get their hands on these creeps. They'll probably be ticked off if another precinct collars them first.
CAGNEY
Taking it a little too personally, aren't they?
LACEY
I think everyone is … except you, Christine.
(Lacey heads for the parking lot, Cagney watches and then follows.)
EXT. PARKING LOT
( LACEY 's already behind the wheel and Cagney hops in, slamming her door. They drive most of the way to the park in silence. Cagney finally speaks.)
CAGNEY
I'm really not such a hard case, Mary Beth.
LACEY
Could've fooled me.
CAGNEY
Why? Because of what I said to Weitzman this morning?
LACEY
Sometimes you act like nothing touches you. It's not healthy, Christine.
CAGNEY
Can we talk about this later, Mary Beth? We need to keep our minds focused on the job right now. I don't want to be thinking about some argument we had in the car on the way over.
LACEY
Who's arguing?
(Cagney smiles and shakes her head. Lacey ignores her.)
CUT TO:
The park. The Detectives are in place - farther apart than this morning to cover a larger area of the trail. It's almost dark and Weitzman has already begun jogging the path. Two hours go by - Weitzman rests on benches along the trail at regular intervals. She's tiring fast.
CAGNEY
(Hushed tones over the radio) Weitzman, are you okay?
I'll be fine.
CAGNEY
Lieutenant, I could take over. Jog the path myself for a while?
LACEY
Chris, you're not even wired.
SAMUELS
She was talking to me, Lacey. But you're right. Cagney, you can't do it without a wire.
WEITZMAN
I said I can handle it, Cagney. (sarcastically) But thanks for your concern.
(She gets up to jog again. It's completely dark now. Everyone's tired of maintaining their crouched positions and Cagney's particularly irritated.)
CAGNEY
I hate this. Waiting.
SAMUELS
Just do your job, Cagney, and quit complaining.
(Cagney stands upright, stretches and groans. She really is sick of this. Noticing her tennis shoe untied, she puts down her radio and puts her foot up on a stump to tie it. In an instant she's grabbed from behind. A hand clamps over her mouth before she can scream to alert the others. The man twists throwing her to the ground and landing on top of her. There are three of them. Cagney's terrified but tries to keep a clear head. Her gun is tucked into the waistband of her jeans, digging into her lower back from the suffocating weight of the man on top of her. There's no way she can get to it. She bites the hand covering her mouth, the man removes it from her face, shaking his hand in pain, then slaps her hard, causing her mouth to bleed a little - before she can make a sound, a man on the ground behind her is stuffing a wadded cloth in her mouth and tying a makeshift gag over it. It's dark, she can't see anything clearly. She can tell the guy on top of her has a gold stud in his nose and a ring in his lower lip. He grabs her shirt at the top and tears it open, popping the buttons off in one swift and violent movement. She's fighting as hard as she can. The one man - with the piercings - would have been enough of a challenge. She's no match for the combined strength of three men - and knows it. She jerks her head around until she's free of the gag and screams several times. Isbecki and Lacey are the closest to Cagney's location and hearing the screams - run in her direction. Beginning to panic as her attacker roughly pops the button on her jeans and unzips them, she fights even harder. He's trying to get a better hold of her and the other two attempt to grab her arms and legs when she manages to pull away slightly turning onto her stomach. Isbecki and Lacey, closely followed by Petrie round a curve in the trail just in time to see the man struggling to maintain his position on top of Cagney. He grabs her by the hair and slams her back down hard on her back, slapping her across the face once more as the Detectives come to a quick stop and take aim at him, Isbecki with a gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other.)
ISBECKI
FREEZE!!
LACEY
GET OFF HER NOW, CREEP!!
(One of the men runs away, with Samuels and LaGuardia in pursuit. Petrie and Weitzman grab the other man. The man on top of Cagney has been too hesitant to move. Victor moves quickly over to him and pulls him off, catching a quick glimpse of Cagney's torn clothes before he turns away, shoving the man hard into a tree to subdue him.)
ISBECKI
(roughly cuffing the man) You're gonna pay for this ass-hole.
(Lacey goes to Cagney who has pushed herself backwards a few feet after Victor pulled the guy off. Trying to pull herself back together, she's out of breath, embarrassed and mad as hell.)
LACEY
You okay, Chris?
(She's breathing hard and nods yes as she tries to cover herself.)
Victor, throw me your shirt.
(He's wearing an unbuttoned shirt over a tank-top. He quickly shrugs out of it, staying on top of the cuffed perp, and throws it to Lacey who sits by Cagney, holds it in front of her for cover as she shrugs out of her torn shirt and helps her into the sleeves of Isbecki's shirt - several sizes too big. Her hands are shaking as she stands to button it and she turns away having trouble buttoning her jeans. Samuels and LaGuardia are back
SAMUELS
The guy ran right into Roth and Davis son, from the 8th. We got all three of them. Cagney, are you all right?
(She's really shaken. Nods her head, almost imperceptibly. Lacey answers for her.)
LACEY
She'll be okay, sir.
SAMUELS
LACEY
Yes, sir.
(Samuels looks at Cagney once more and then turns to go, motioning for LaGuardia to come with him.)
LACEY
Chris?
(She looks at Lacey, seems to be a little stunned)
Come on.
(Lacey takes her by the arm and they head for the car. She opens the door for Cagney to get in the passenger side and shuts the door for her. They pull away.)
(Back at the station, walking in through the booking area. Cagney hasn't said a word during the ride back from the park. Her head is down as they walk into the brightly lit squad room. Lacey stops as a hand grabs Cagney's other arm, she violently jerks away and looks up. It's Kevin Corrigan.)
CORRIGAN
I came to see you about the other night, Chris. But when I got here Sgt. Coleman told me what went down at the park. Are you okay?
(Mary Beth watches. Chris doesn't say anything, just gives him a drop dead look and starts to walk away - he reaches out and grabs her arm again.)
Chris!
< p align=center>CAGNEY
(Spinning around and slapping him across the face as hard as she can - startling Mary Beth who shouts "Christine!")
Don't touch me!
CORRIGAN
(Hand to his face where he's been slapped, still not giving up calls after her)
Cagney!
(As she runs for the Jane)
LACEY
You picked a very bad time to try to talk to her, Kevin. Go home. Take care of your WIFE… (Lacey follows Cagney to the Jane. Kevin stands there in stunned silence for a second and turns to leave.)
(Lacey walks into the Jane. Cagney is bent over the sink, splashing her face with water. Mary Beth walks over to hand her paper towels when she's finished. Cagney smiles at her weakly and says a hoarse "thank you". Lacey just watches her for a minute waiting for her to speak. When Cagney doesn't seem able, Lacey starts)
LACEY
Some night, huh?
CAGNEY
(softly) Yeah, some night.
(Cagney's on the verge of tears and Lacey's not surprised to see it. Tears of compassion well up in Lacey's eyes. She moves to hug Cagney who doesn't stiffen this time, but allows herself to be hugged and returns the embrace. The tears immediately begin to flow. After a minute or so, she lifts her head from Lacey's shoulder and looks her in the eyes. Through tears she says)
It can happen to anybody.
(Lacey nods her understanding. She pulls Chris into a hug again. FREEZE FRAME.)
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