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

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

'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

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

'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

FREEZE FRAME

FADE OUT

THE END