A Time for Rape
In this script I kept in mind that C and L is a drama. As such, it has to have dramatic elements, principally the interaction between the characters. I didn't want to go into gory details of crimes. I went into what is seldom, or poorly done, of the effects of the crimes on the families of the victims and their emotions, and the same for the police officers. I also recalled several crime novels using the puzzle of a murder committed in a locked room. I didn't want to use murder again, so I used rape, with the victim surviving. I defy everyone to solve the puzzle of how the crime was done till the last 4 pages, even though I carefully hid all the clues in the script.
Have fun. John.
CAGNEY AND LACEY
"A time for rape"
Written by
John M. Riggle
First draft Sep. 14, 1986; Second draft Oct. 8, 1986; Final draft Oct. 9, 19&6
CAGNEY AND LACEY
"A time for rape"
Regular Cast: Cagney (Sharon Gless); Lacey (Tyne Daly); Bert Samuels (Al Waxrnan); Harvey (John Karlen); Victor Isbecki (Martin Kove); Marcus (Carl Lumbly); Officer Coleman ( Harvey Atkin)
Guest cast: Dorine Ebner; Miss Lewis; Helen Bernard; Radio (V.0.);
David Keeler (Steven Macht); Henry Binks' Miss Bertelli'; Claudia Petrie;
Gino Bertelli; Bertelli (brother); Bertelli's boyfriend (nameless); Perpetrator (nameless)
Sets: Exteriors: 14th precinct parking bay; Interiors: Samuel's office; Squadroom; Apartment building; Ebner apartment; Apartment building; Detective's car;
Hospital room #1; Cagney's apartment; Keeler' s apartment; Lacey bedroom;
Hospital room #2 ; Keeler's apartment kitchen; Petrie kitchen; Lacey living room;
Apartment building; Bertelli apartment; Cagney's apartment bedroom; hallway #1; hallway #2; living room; hallway #3
CHRONOLOGY: Scenes 1 - 8 (Day); Scenes. 9 - 10 (Night); Scene 11 (Day); Scenes 12-14 (Night); Scenes 15-17 (Day); Scene 18 (Night); Scenes 19-21 (Day); Scenes 22-24 (Night); Scenes 25-29 (Day); Scenes 30-34 (Night); Scenes 35-36 (Day)
CAGNEY AND LACEY
"A TIME FOR RAPE"
ACT ONE
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT STATION-ESTABLISHING-A RAINY DAY
INTERIOR-SAMUELS OFFICE-DAY
Samuels is behind his desk. Cagney, Lacey, Isbecki, and Petrie are in front of it. On the desk is a litter of reports.
SAMUELS
I've been going over these reports from the
uniforms, and the back up reports the detectives
filed. Rainy days are usually low crime days,
so I had some time to kill. Take this report,
for example. Dorine Ebner. White female.
Assaulted and raped in her own bed. Unmarried.
Lives alone. Did not see the perp. Nothing
stolen from her apartment. Here's another one.
Susan King. Black female. Assaulted and raped
in her own bed. Unmarried. Lives alone. Did not
see the perp. Nothing stolen from her apartment.
Does anybody see a pattern here ?
PETRIE
How many do you have like that ?
SAMUELS
I haven't checked back very far,
just a couple of months. So far
I have fourteen. All identical
except for the victim's names,
ages, and races.
CAGNEY
How did he do so many without us
getting wise ?
SAMUELS
That's what I want to know. You all handled
at least one of these cases.
LACEY
We all had a shot at him ?
SAMUELS
That's right.
ISBECKI
Maybe we should take another look
at some of those cases.
SAMUELS
Maybe you better take another look at
all of them. Since you all had a shot I
don't see how I can do anything but assign
all four of you to it. Check the addresses
and divide them between you. Get going.
SQUADROOM
The door to Samuels office opens and the four of them come out. They go to the desks of Cagney and Lacey where they divide the cases.
CAGNEY
15th and 8th Ave. 39th and 2nd Ave.
16th and 3rd Ave. 26th and 6th Ave.
They're all over.
ISBECKI
How about if Marcus and I take all
of them north of 15th and you two
take the ones south of it.
LACEY
Sounds good to me.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY-DAY
Cagney and Lacey approach a door with dripping umbrellas. They knock and a woman opens the door shortly to the length of the security chain.
CAGNEY
Miss Ebner ?
EBNER
Yes.
CAGNEY
I'm Sgt. Cagney and this is Det. Lacey.
LACEY
May we come in ?
Ebner looks at their badges, then opens the door. They enter and she shows them to a couch.
INTERIOR-EFFICIENCY APARTMENT
CAGNEY
We're investigating your report of
being raped some time ago.
EBNER
I would just as soon forget it now,
since it's been so long.
LACEY
We have other similar cases, ma'm,
and any help you can give us will be
appreciated.
EBNER
What do you want to know ?
CAGNEY
How did he get in ?
EBNER
I don't know. I have a dead bolt lock on
the door, and the chain can't be taken off
from the outside without damaging something.
After it happened I checked and all the
windows were locked. I know I locked
the door and put the chain on before I went
to bed. Later the door was open.
LACEY
Could he have been hiding in the apartment ?
EBNER
This is a one room efficiency. It has only this
room and the bathroom. I took a shower before
I went to bed. There's just no place to hide.
CAGNEY
Can you give us any description at all
of the man ?
EBNER
I never saw him. I had all the lights out
and was sleeping. Somebody pulled my
hair and hit me very hard on the-side of
my head. When I woke up, I found the
door unlocked and called the police.
They called for an ambulance.
Paramedics came with the ambulance.
They said I had been knocked unconscious
and raped. They took me to the hospital
where the Dr. took some samples of,,,
you know. They kept me overnight for
observation and I came home the next day.
LACEY
And according to our report, nothing was
missing from your apartment.
EBNER
That's right. And he didn't leave any
fingerprints, or anything.
CAGNEY
May we look around a little before we
leave ?
EBNER
Of course. But you won't find anything.
I've already looked several times.
Lacey rises and goes to check the door. Cagney goes to check the two windows. They open onto a fire escape and one is partially filled by an air conditioner. Both are securely nailed shut and have burglar bars attached to the sashes.
CAGNEY
He didn't get in by breaking the glass ?
EBNER
No. But I got scared so I nailed the
windows closed after it happened.
CAGNEY
It's against the fire regulations to have
your windows to the fire escape nailed
shut this way. In case of fire you would
have no way out but the door.
Cagney turns to go and meets Lacey at the door.
LACEY
If we have any more questions we'll
come back later.
They leave.
FADE OUT
.
FADE IN
INTERIOR-ANOTHER APARTMENT BUILDING HALL-DAY
Again Cagney and Lacey approach a door with dripping umbrellas. The process at the door is repeated.
CAGNEY
Miss Lewis ?
LEWIS
Yes.
CAGNEY
I'm Sgt. Cagney and this is Det. Lacey.
May we come in, please.
LEWIS
What do you want ?
LACEY
We want to talk to you about the
rape...
LEWIS
(interrupts)
I don't want to. Go away.
Lewis shuts the door in their faces.
CAGNEY
That's the last one.
They leave.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-DETECTIVE"S CAR-ROLLING-RAINY DAY
Cagney is at the wheel. The windshield wipers are going.
LACEY
I'm not surprised that three of them wouldn't
talk to us. It's hard for a woman to talk
about that.
CAGNEY
It wouldn't be hard for me. I'd be
so mad I'd talk my head off about it.
The radio comes to life.
RADIO (V.0.)
Detectives 14-2.
Mary Beth picks up the microphone and presses the button.
LACEY
Detectives 14-2
RADIO (V. 0.)
Detectives 14-2, go to St. Mary's
hospital and interview a Helen Bernard.
LACEY
10-4.
She puts the microphone back.
CAGNEY
Do you suppose we've got another one ?
LACEY
Probably.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN
INTERIOR-HOSPITAL ROOM-DAY
Helen Bernard is just preparing to go home when Cagney and Lacey enter her room. She has a large bruise on the left side of her head.
CAGNEY
Well, you look to be in good shape.
Helen manages a weak smile.
BERNARD
The Dr. says I'll be all right.
LACEY
You like to tell us what happened ?
BERNARD
There's not much to tell. I came home
from a bar I like. My boyfriend and I just
broke up. I went to bed and sometime in
the night someone got into my apartment
and raped me.
By now she is breaking down into tears.
LACEY
(to Cagney)
The boyfriend ?
CAGNEY
Cagney turns to Bernard.
How did you and your boyfriend break
up ?
BERNARD
The usual. Another woman.
Cagney and Lacey look at each other.
CAGNEY
We'll drive you home.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT SQUADROOM-DAY
Cagney, Lacey, Isbecki, and Petrie are comparing notes.
CAGNEY
Looks like the same M.O. in every
case.
ISBECKI
What's got me is how does he get in ?
PETRIE
We didn't find any sign of forced entry,
and most of them have chains on the
doors that have to be unhooked from the
inside, or broken by force.
LACEY
They all said they had their windows
locked, and nothing taken.
CAGNEY
This is bizarre. It's like magic,
or something.
ISBECKI
That's an idea. Why don't we ask a
magician how he did it.
CAGNEY
Come on, Victor, get serious.
ISBECKI
I am serious, and besides, it was
your idea.
LACEY
Sounded like your idea to me too.
And it might be a good one.
Cagney looks disgustedly from one to another.
CAGNEY
That's all I can take for one day. I've been
rained on all day. I sweat myself half to
death inside that raincoat. I got half soaked
under that leaky umbrella. My feet are
freezing. And I've had victims slam doors
in my face. Now you all dump that garbage
on me. I'm going home.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN
INTERIOR-CAGNEY'S APT.-NIGHT
Cagney arrives home and when she walks in the door, she receives an unpleasant surprise. Her air conditioner is out and the apartment is hot and damp from the high humidity. Like a steam bath. She goes to the air conditioner and twists the knobs. It stays dead. She throws up her hands and scowls. She turns and goes to the phone. She dials a number. We hear the phone ringing signal.
DAVID (V.0.)
Hello ?
CHRIS( tiredly)
Hi David. This is Chris.
DAVID (V.0.)
Hi Chris. What's going on?
CHRIS
I'm sorry to bother you, but I have a
problem.
DAVID (V.0.)
What kind of problem ?
CHRIS
I just got home and my air conditioner has
died completely. It's hot as hell and with
all the rain it's like a steam bath in here.
DAVID (V.0.)
Bad news. You'll have a tough time
sleeping there tonight.
CHRIS
Did you figure that out all by yourself ?
DAVID (V.0.)
Sure did.
CHRIS
Then I guess you're alone tonight.
DAVID (V.0.)
You guess right.
CHRIS
So can I sleep over ?
DAVID (V.0.)
Mi casa es su casa.
CHRIS
I'll be right over.
Moving slowly, she hangs up the phone, goes to her closet and picks out her clothes for tomorrow, and leaves.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-DAVID'S APT.-NIGHT
ON the door. The buzzer sounds, and David walks from out of camera range into range and opens the door. Chris is there.
DAVID
(with an elaborate bow and sweep of
his hand)
Welcome to my hovel.
Chris puts her palms together by the right side of her jaw and tilts her head to the right. She smiles and says coquettishly,
CHRIS
Oh, thank you, kind sir.
Chris enters and sits on the couch, putting her things for tomorrow over the back of a chair. David goes to the refrigerator and comes back with glasses, already filled.
DAVID
Your favorite drink, madam.
CHRIS
The very thing I need.
David sits down.
DAVID
So how was your day.
CHRIS
Terrible. Samuels found fourteen rape cases
so he put Marcus and Victor on them with
me and Mary Beth. All day we've been
interviewing them, getting doors slammed
in our faces, and then I have to put up with
their smart remarks about magicians.
DAVID
What do magicians have to do with
rape cases ?
CHRIS
The doors and windows are locked from the
inside. They go to bed. In the middle of the
night the guy hits them up to the side of the
head, knocks them unconscious, rapes them
and leaves. When they come to, the door is
open. There's no place in the apartment for
the guy to hide, and no sign of forcible entry.
DAVID
So it's like he's a magician.
CHRIS
You got that right. Now they want to
get a magician to tell us how he did it, and
they've got the gall to say it's my idea.
Then when I got home I found out my air
conditioner has given up the ghost.
DAVID
Everybody and everything is ganging
up on poor Chris.
CHRIS
It seems that way. Except you. I'm sweating
all over except my feet are freezing.
DAVID
Well, hit the shower, and I'll wait
for you in bed.
CHRIS
Best offer I've had all day.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-14TH PRECINCT SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Isbecki and Marcus. They have a large map and pins with colored heads. They are putting in pins of one color for each of the fourteen rapes, with the same colored threads connecting them. Enter Cagney and Lacey.
CAGNEY
What's this thing and why is it on
my desk ?
ISBECKI
It's a map. We got the idea that maybe the
paths of all the victims might cross somewhere.
PETRIE
If they do, maybe that's where the rapist waits.
When he finds a victim, he follows her home.
LACEY
Sounds like it's worth a try.
CAGNEY
(sort of growling in disdain)
Ahhhhhh. This guy's too smart to
do something dumb like that.
PETRIE
Looks like you're right. Some of these victims
never even came close each other at any time.
ISBECKI
Check the pins with the paper tabs. All the
women live from 13th to 42nd streets, and
from 2nd to 9th Ave.
LACEY
That's the most densely populated area in
the whole U.S. At least a million other
people live there too.
CAGNEY
Including me.
PETRIE
Well, if we can't figure out how he gets in,
we thought maybe we could figure where
he might try the next time.
CAGNEY
I wish we could figure out how to
make him come to us.
ISBECKI
Set a trap, huh. Traps need bait.
We don't know how he picks his victims.
So how do we bait a trap ?
PETRIE
No matter which way we turn we end
up in a blind alley.
ISBECKI
I live in that area too, so if we can bait him,
maybe we can get him to try my apartment.
CAGNEY
Victor, you couldn't even bait a junkie
prostitute with a hand full of hundred dollar bills.
ISBECKI
I don't want a junkie prostitute.
I want a rapist.
A BEAT
CAGNEY
I'm sorry Victor. I didn't
realize you were so serious.
PETRIE
I think we're all serious about this
case.
LACEY
Yeah....Well....Where do we go from
here ?
A man has entered and stood near during this exchange.
BINKS
Perhaps I can help.
LACEY
You must be The Great Zimbini.
BINKS
Correct. But you can call me by my.
real name. Henry Binks.
LACEY
Mr. Binks is a professional escape
artist and magician.
CAGNEY
Won't you people ever quit with the
magician stuff. Next thing I know you'll
want to bring in a mind reader.
BINKS
Mrs. Lacey has already told me of your
problem. I've brought along something
to show you which may help. This is a
gaffed lock. It lacks and unlocks like any
other lock, but any key will work it. And
this small box has a gaffed panel. The
screws look like they hold it together,
but they have been cut off so they hold
nothing at all. He may have gotten in during
the day when he could be alone and gaffed
something. When he left, he put back the originals.
CAGNEY
I can't believe anybody would be dumb enough
to fall for a simple trick like that.
BINKS
Young lady, every magician since the first one
has depended on it. And we all make a very
good living because they do.
CAGNEY
There's got to be another answer. But
I suppose it's worth checking out.
LACEY
If he put everything back, how do we
check it out ?
PETRIE
Looks like we found another blind alley.
ISBECKI
I guess we go interview all of them again.
Let's trade victims. Maybe we'll come up
with something that way.
LACEY
Thank you Mr. Binks.
BINKS
You're very welcome.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
SAME HALLWAY AS IN SCENE 4-DAY
ISBECKI AND PETRIE approach the same door that Cagney and Lacey went to. They knock and Miss Ebner opens the door shortly to the length of the chain.
EBNER
Yes ?
ISBECKI
Miss Ebner, I'm Det. Isbecki, and This is
Det. Petrie. We'd like to do some more
examining of your apartment concerning
the incident of a few weeks ago.
EBNER
Well.....
They show their badges and even their I.D. cards. Reluctantly she opens the door.
EBNER
I suppose you can look if you like,
But I don't want to talk about it.
Marcus goes to the windows and begins examining the latches. Victor goes to the door and begins examining the lock and chain. Victor finds nothing, so he joins Marcus at the windows. Nothing is evident there either.
MARCUS
We didn't find anything, mam, but I
do have one question. Was that air
conditioner there when it happened ?
EBNER
Yes, it was.
VICTOR
Thank you. If we think of anything
else, we'll contact you later.
They leave and she carefully locks the door behind them.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
SAME HALLWAY AS IN SCENE 5-DAY
Marcus and Victor approach the same door that was closed in the face of Cagney and Lacey. They knock and the woman opens the door a crack.
LEWIS
Yes ?
MARCUS
Miss Lewis, I'm Det. Petrie, and this
is Det. Isbecki.
LEWIS
I already told the other two I don't want to
talk about it. Why won't you leave me alone?
ISBECKI
We didn't come to talk. We want to examine
the windows and the door of your apartment.
A BEAT
LEWIS
You just want to look ?
PETRIE
That's right.
A BEAT.
She opens the door and they enter. Again Marcus goes to the windows, and Victor takes the door. This apartment is almost identical to the first. After a careful examination, Marcus joins Victor at the door.
PETRIE
Just a few questions, main. Was that air
conditioner there when it happened ?
LEWIS
Yes, it was.
PETRIE
Is it new?
LEWIS
Yes.
ISBECKI
When did you get it?
LEWIS
Just before it happened, I think.
PETRIE
Thank you mam. That's all.
They leave and she locks the door.
FADE OUT
INTERIOR-DETECTIVES CAR-ROLLING-LATE AFTERNOON
ISBECKI
You've got some sort of idea, haven't
you ?
PETRIE
I think the rapes are somehow connected
with the air conditioners, but I can't figure how.
ISBECKI
A repairman or installer ?
PETRIE
I don't know. Something just seems to be
there, but we're missing it.. All of them had
some problem with the air conditioner.
They had it fixed or bought a new one
just before they were attacked.
ISBECKI
I guess we'll have to go over it all
again.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR- LACEY BEDROOM-NIGHT
Harvey and Mary Beth are in bed. The lights are subdued and Mary Beth is sitting. Harvey has been lying down and he rises up onto one elbow.
HARV
Something's bothering you, Mary Beth.
MARY BETH
It's OK. Don't worry about it. It's
just this rape case we're working on.
HARV
It must be an awfully tough case. I've
seldom seen a case bother you like this.
MARY BETH
It is. But that's not what's bothering me.
There's fourteen victims that we know
about, and no telling how many we don't
know about. In spite of that we haven't
got even one clue.
HARV
I can't believe anyone could do all
that and not leave even one clue.
Nobody's that perfect.
MARY BETH
This one seems to be. Petrie feels like it's
right there in front of us and somehow
we're overlooking it.
HARV
I've had that problem myself, sometimes.
It's called "can't see the forest for
the trees'' Tell me all about it and maybe
I can give you some ideas.
MARY BETH
You'd think it wouldn't bother them so much.
They never even see him. He just knocks them
unconscious and rapes them.
A BEAT
HARV
And ?
MARY BETH
That's all. Then they break up with their
boyfriends, and some can't even stand to
be hugged by their own fathers.
HARV
That bad, huh ?
MARY BETH
That bad.
HARV
What about fingerprints, footprints, hair
samples, and so on ?
MARY BETH
We don't have a thing.
HARV
Witnesses, or weapons ?
MARY BETH
Nothing at all.
HARV
Could some of them be lying ?
MARY BETH
It wasn't in the papers and they don't know
each other. But they all told identical stories.
HARV
I can't believe he left nothing at all
behind.
MARY BETH
He left two things. Semen and syphilis.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks. Lacey is writing, Cagney on the phone.
CAGNEY
Thank you, mam, I don't think we will
be bothering you again. (pause) O.K., goodbye.
Cagney hangs up the phone, and frowns.
LACEY
What do you have ?
CAGNEY
7 victims. 3 repair companies.
3 sales companies. 1 TV repairman.
What do you have ?
LACEY
The Same..7 victims, 5 repairmen, 2
installers.
Isbecki and Petrie enter.
MARCUS
Did you come up with anything ?
CAGNEY
Just garbage! But we have to agree with
you guys. The only connection they have
is a problem with the air conditioner,
except one. I can't understand that TV
repairman.
ISBECKI
The more we look at it, the less sense
it makes.
SAMUELS APPROACHES.
SAMUELS
Make it fifteen victims. I just got
this report from the uniforms.
CAGNEY (disgustedly)
Oh boy, just what we needed.
LACEY
I suppose we might as well all go.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-HOSPITAL ROOM-DAY
A young woman in the bed. The four detectives are gathered around. She has a large bruise on the left side of her head and her left eye is discolored.
CAGNEY
Please tell us what happened so we
can help.
BERTELLI
I don't know. My head hurts.
(A doctor then enters).
DOCTOR
Miss Bertelli has had a serious injury.
I have to insist that you leave at once.
CAGNEY
Dr., we have fourteen others just like her.
We have to have any information she can give us.
DOCTOR
Nevertheless, she can't talk to you
now. Perhaps tomorrow.
Cagney rips a page from her notebook and hands it to the Dr.
CAGNEY
Here are the numbers of the others.
You call them and tell them tomorrow!!
LACEY
We're all getting frustrated about
this case.
DOCTOR
I can certainly understand you are just
trying to do your job. But I have to
consider my patient first, That's my job.
LACEY
We'll come back later.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-DETECTIVES CAR-ROLLING-DAY
Lacey at the wheel.
LACEY
Is that the last one ?
CAGNEY
Yeah. All those companies and repairmen,
and not one could possibly be the one.
LACEY
While you were checking the men, I checked
the repair tickets on the ones that were repaired,
and the reason for failure on the ones where
they bought a new one.
CAGNEY
And ?
LACEY
I thought he might have picked his victim and
then sabotaged her air conditioner for some
reason. But they were all legitimate failures.
CAGNEY
I'm still sure there's some connection,
if only we could put our finger on it.
LACEY
Well, maybe we'll figure out something
tomorrow.
She pulls the car to the curb.
CAGNEY
Didn't I tell you ?
LACEY
Tell me what ?
CAGNEY
My air conditioner went out too. I've been
sleeping over at David's apartment till I get
the money for a new one. They're installing
it tomorrow.
LACEY
So you want me to drop you at David's ?
CAGNEY
You catch on fast.
The car pulls away from the curb.
FADE OUT
INTERIOR-DAVID'S APARTMENT-NIGHT
David and Chris are just finishing supper.
CHRIS
I'll sure be happy when they get my new
air conditioner installed so I can go home.
DAVID
I won't. I'll miss you.
CHRIS
No you won't. We'll get together
lots of times.
DAVID
It's not that. I'll miss having someone here
when I come home, or having someone come
in when I am waiting.
CHRIS
That's sweet, but I feel like I'm imposing on
you, just moving in and taking over. Pushing
you around in your on home. It isn't right,
but that's the kind of person I am.
DAVID
You didn't do anything I wasn't happy
to have you do. Just take a smell.
He sniffs strongly with his eyes closed and his nose elevated a bit.
DAVID
My apartment never smelled so good. And the
food has been a definite improvement over TV
Dinners. Did you ever try to have a conversation
with a TV, or a radio ?
CAGNEY
I never promised you I'd be great
company.
DAVID
No, but you beat talking to the walls, or my
mother's picture. I always knew what you were.
You're sometimes sort of rude, sometimes
sort of overbearing, and sometimes sort of
temperamental. But you're never stupid, or
mean, or cold, or hateful. I never have to
worry about coming home to find my most
valuable possessions sold to buy some
frivolous thing. I can respect you. The
strongest passion in your life is love of
your fellow human beings.
CHRIS
That's what it takes to be a cop.
DAVID
That's what it takes to be a real human being.
Sometimes it helps to have a little forgiveness
too, and you have that, as well.
CAGNEY
How did I get so lucky to find a
fink like you.
DAVID
Us finks have to stick together.
She throws her cloth napkin in his face, then kisses him.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-PETRIE KITCHEN-SUPPER TIME
Claudia has prepared a fine supper for Marcus. Steak, green beans, etc. Marcus has cut his meat, but he just sits with one piece on his fork, staring off into space. Claudia reaches over and shakes him by the shoulder.
CLAUDIA
Hey.
Marcus suddenly seems to come awake.
MARCUS
What ?
CLAUDIA
I've been talking to you and you haven't
answered, or even moved in the last five minutes.
MARCUS
Sorry about that.
CLAUDIA
Sorry my foot. You tell me
going on right now.
MARCUS
You don't want to know. It's too
ugly.
Claudia goes to the kitchen cabinets and comes back with a cast iron frying pan in her hand.
CLAUDI A
Marcus Petrie you tell me right now
or I'll crown you good.
Marcus stares at her for a beat.
MARCUS
It's a rape case.
Claudia sits down and puts the frying pan on the table.
CLAUDIA
It happens, sometimes. A. woman gets
raped.
MARCUS
It's fifteen women.
CLAUDIA
Oh my god. FIFTEEN ?
MARCUS
Yes. And we can't figure it out.
We have no clues at all.
CLAUDIA
Nothing at all ?? No description ?
No fingerprints No anything ?
MARCUS
No anything. We think it' s somehow
connected in some way with some problem
they have with their air conditioner, but we
can't even figure out how.
CLAUDIA
What must their husbands think ?
MARCUS
None of them are married.
A BEAT
CLAUDIA
I hear you saying some man is going around
raping unmarried women because they have
their air conditioner repaired.
MARCUS
Or they buy a new one. Except for
one. She had her TV repaired.
CLAUDIA
That makes no sense at all.
MARCUS
Somehow it has to.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-LACEY LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
Harvey is reading the newspaper and Mary Beth is knitting socks for baby Alice.
HARVEY
You're awfully quiet tonight.
MARY BETH
Yeah....Well....I just don't feel
like making a lot of noise.
HARVEY
You don't have to make a lot of noise
to talk to me.
MARY BETH
What do you want to talk about?
HARVEY
I don't know, anything, the boy's schoolwork,
cooking, what your doin', sex...
Mary Beth winces.
HARVEY
(continuous)
AHA!! I hit a nerve there.
MARY BETH
I don't want to talk about it.
HARVEY
So what do you want to do ? Suffer
in silence?
MARY BETH
Sounds good to me.
HARVEY
It's got something to do with work,
doesn't it.
MARY BETH
Yes.
HARVEY
Mary Beth, I try just as hard as I can to leave
all my work at work. Sometimes I just can't do it.
We're partners, Mary Beth. I owe it to you to
level with you at all times, and you owe it to me too.
She puts her knitting down in her lap.
MARY BETH
I don't hide anything from you Harv. It's just that
this case is a tough one, and I really need time
to think it out quietly. If I thought you could
help me in any way, I'd ask you to. Just let me
do my job in my own way.
A BEAT
HARVEY
O.K., but I'd like to see you look a
little more cheerful. How about a
movie and a pizza, like we used to do ?
MARY BETH
Not tonight. I'm sorry I'm so down.
I don't want to burden you with my problems.
HARVEY
What's a husband for, then?
MARY BETH
A husband is for loving, not hurting.
HARVEY
I guess that's what a wife's for, too.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
All four detectives are at their desks as three men enter.
FATHER
I wanna know what you bums are doin
about that punk that raped my daughter.
Chris turns to him.
CHRIS
Who the hell are you ?
FATHER
Gino Bertelli. MR. Bertelli to you.
CAGNEY
Well, I'm Det. Sgt. Cagney. Sgt. to
you.
BROTHER
Very funny. Now, what have you done
to catch that bum ??
ISBECKI
And who are you ??
BROTHER
I'm her brother, Gino Jr.
PETRIE
And you ?
BOYFRIEND
I'm her fiancé.
FATHER
Enough o' that. Who ya got locked up ?
CAGNEY
We're working on it.
BROTHER
So when ya figger on lockin him up ?
LACEY
When we catch him.
FATHER
Yer tellin us ya aint done nuttin yet ?
ISBECKI
We're doing everything we can, but it's
a tough case.
BOYFRIEND
Maybe tough for you, but not for us.
CAGNEY
Don't try taking the law in your
own hands!!
FATHER
The hands that can handle it best are the
hands that will have to do the job. You
do it or we will!!
They leave in great anger. With fire flying from her eyes, Chris heads for the Jane, followed by Mary Beth
CUT TO:
THE JANE
CAGNEY
Where do they get off with that
garbage ?
MARY BETH
They're emotionally involved Christine.
CAGNEY
And I suppose we're not ?
LACEY
Of course we are, but she's not family to us.
They feel like their whole family has been violated.
CAGNEY
Well I feel like I was violated for each one of those
fifteen, and I'm not going off the deep end. I don't
want to just "get" somebody for it.
LACEY
That's the difference. We're angry,
but they're blinded by love.
A BEAT
CAGNEY
But they're not helping. Now we have to
watch them and try to do our job at the same time.
LACEY
When we took this job nobody gave us any
guarantees as to how easy it would be. Nobody
promised us any help. They only promised us
pride if we did it right.
CAGNEY calms down some now.
CAGNEY
Yeah. The pride does feel pretty good.
So, let's go see if we can get some.
They leave.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN
INTERIOR-3ARD APARTMENT BUILDING CORRIDOR-DAY
Cagney knocks on a door and Miss Bertelli opens it.
CAGNEY
May we come in Miss Bertelli ?
BERTELLI
I guess so.
She opens the door and they go in.
CUT TO;
APARTMENT INTERIOR.
CAGNEY
We already know what happened, Miss Bertelli.
We just need to look around and ask a few questions.
Cagney goes to the windows and starts examining them while Lacey examines the door and chain.
LACEY
You're sure the door was locked and the chain
was in place when you went to bed ?
BERTELLI
Yes. I always check it the last thing.
CAGNEY
Have you had trouble with your air
conditioner in the last few weeks ?
Cagney is now picking up something from the floor by the bed.
BERTELLI
Yes. I had it fixed and they brought
it back the day before it happened.
LACEY
(to Chris)
What have you got there ?
CAGNEY
Looks like a little flake of rust.
LACEY
Where was it ?
CAGNEY
On the floor by the bed.
LACEY
The air conditioner isn't new.
Maybe it came from that.
CAGNEY
Maybe.
They all turn as a key is put in the door. It opens and the boyfriend enters.
BOYFRIEND
So you are on the job after all. Looks like our
little visit might have done some good.
CAGNEY
Your little visit had nothing to do
with anything.
BOYFRIEND
(sarcastically)
Oh, I'm sure it didn't.
LACEY
Mr. What-ever-your-name is, I seldom lose
my temper. But I'm about to lose it with you.
We work very hard to do our job and we don't
appreciate you're butting in, so butt out.
BOYFRIEND
So when can we expect some action?
CAGNEY
When it happens, it happens.
She turns to Miss Bertelli.
CAGNEY
We'll talk to you later, Miss Bertelli.
As they leave,
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-DETECTIVES CAR- ROLLING-DAY
LACEY DRIVING
CAGNEY
I wish there was some way we could jail those
three till we solve this case.
LACEY
So do I. But the law doesn't provide any way
for us to keep law abiding people in jail, even
if they do make our job harder.
CAGNEY
This case is already tough enough. We don't need
help from do-gooders like them.
The car pulls to the curb.
LACEY
See you in the morning.
Cagney looks around.
CAGNEY
Didn't I tell you ?
LACEY
Tell me what ?
CAGNEY
They installed my new air conditioner today.
I'm not sleeping here at David's apartment.
I'm back home again.
Mary Beth starts driving again.
LACEY (a bit peeved)
I don't remember you telling me
about that at all.
CAGNEY
I guess I forgot. It doesn't make any
difference though. You know now.
LACEY
You're right. This case has got us so turned
around we're almost arguing about things
that have no importance at all.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-CHRIS'S APARTMENT-NIGHT
The apartment is dark as the door opens. Chris is just a figure in the door as she reaches for the light switch. She turns on the light and enters to find the apartment pleasantly cool again. As she crosses the floor she leaves one shoe behind, then the other. She drops her purse on the couch and heads for the bedroom, unbuttoning her blouse as she goes. The camera stays behind in the living room. Shortly we hear the shower.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-CHRIS'S BEDROOM
Chris is sitting up in bed, her back propped up by pillows. She gets up and goes to turn off the TV, Then checks the door to see that the chain is in place and it is locked. She then checks the windows to see they are locked. She finds one is not locked. She locks it, then looks thoughtful, and unlocks it. The sash opens easily and quietly. Outside the window is a rusty fire escape. She reaches out and touches it. Flakes of rust come off on her fingers.
Insert a flashback of Chris with the rust flake in Miss Bertelli' s apartment.
Chris closes the window and goes to the couch. She takes her gun from her purse and goes to the phone. She dials. We hear the ringing signal.
ISBECKI (V.0.)
(sleepily)
Hello ?
CAGNEY
Victor, wake up. This is Chris. Get your
clothes on, bring your gun, and get over
to my apartment right now.
ISBECKI (V.0.)
What's up ?
CAGNEY
I'll tell you when you get here. Hurry.
Chris hangs up.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-CHRIS'S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
Chris is fully dressed, except for her shoes, when she opens the door for Isbecki.
ISBECKI
What's goin' on ?
CAGNEY
Just get your shoes off and come
with me.
Chris locks the door as Victor pulls off his shoes. She grabs his arm and pulls him to the bedroom as quickly as she can.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR-CHRIS"S BEDROOM
ISBECKI
I thought you'd never ask.
CAGNEY
I'm still not asking. Sit down.
Chris sets Victor down at her dressing table and starts fitting him with one of her wigs.
ISEECKI
What kind of kooky thing are you
up to.
CAGNEY
Mary Beth lives way over in Queens. Marcus
lives up in the Bronx. You and I live in Manhattan.
If we're lucky, we'll catch us a rapist tonight.
Get in the bed and pull the sheet up under your chin.
Victor does as she tells him. Chris turns out all the lights and waits in the closet, sitting on a chair. The hours pass slowly as they wait. Chris consults her watch several times. Insert close-ups of watch to show the passage of time. Finally, a dark figure appears on the fire escape outside the unlocked window. The sash is quietly raised and the person enters. Silently he crosses to the bed. Gently he places one knee on the edge of the bed and poises. He takes his homemade blackjack out of his pocket. Suddenly he grabs the hair of Victor, which is really a wig, and jerks, expecting a woman to be raised away from the bed. Instead, the wig comes off in his hand, and he topples over backward to fall on the floor. At that moment Chris jumps out of the closet and turns on the light. Victor throws off the sheet. The man on the floor is dressed in black. Shoes, pants, socks, shirt, gloves, and ski mask, all in black. He looks at the two guns in their hands.
ISBECKI
Well, well, well. Look at what we
have here.
CAGNEY
What do you suppose he had in mind
for me ?
ISBECKI
Nothing good, I'll bet.
Chris speaks to the man on the floor.
CAGNEY
Hello there. What do you suppose we
have in mind for you ?
MAN
Oh please. Just let me go. I wasn't
going to hurt you.
They show their badges.
CAGNEY
We won't hurt you. But I can't make any
promises for the other people where you're going.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOB-14TH PRECINCT PARKING BAY-ESTABLISHING-DAY
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM
ANGLE ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks.
LACEY
How did you get onto the guy ?
CAGNEY
It was the rust on Miss Bertelli's floor.
We thought it came from the air conditioner,
but it didn't. It came from the fire escape.
When I got ready for bed last night, I checked
the windows because I hadn't been home for
a week. I found one unlocked. I remembered
the rust, then I remembered that all the victims
apartments had windows that opened onto fire
escapes. The rest was easy.
PETRIE
It sounds so simple, now. But I still don't get
the connection with the air conditioners.
This guy is a wholesale grocery salesman.
ISBECKI
His customers are mom-and-pop stores. As he
goes around he watches for air conditioner or
TV repairman delivering heavy units alone.
He helps them, supposedly out of friendliness.
When he finds an apartment with a woman living
alone, with a window on the fire escape, he leaves
the window unlocked. If she doesn't find it, then
he gets in later. When he leaves, he locks the
window but leaves the door open.
LACEY
Just like the magician said.
CAGNEY
Will you never quit with that magician
garbage ?
LACEY
The magician told us it was a simple trick.
He made us think of repairmen, doors, door
locks, keys, chains, building supers, everywhere
but the window to the fire escape. Those
windows looked so secure when we got there.
All locked up so nice, and no sign of forcible
entry. Just a simple trick.
CAGNEY
Well....yeah....I guess it wasn't such a bad
idea to consult with a magician.... at least
this time. You all think it was my idea ?
PETRIE
You solved the case, didn't you ??
CAGNEY
Yeah....I guess I did at that.
FADE OUT
THE END
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