The Theft Store
CAGNEY & LACEY
written by John M. Riggle, Feb. 5, 1987
Cast
Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly
Bert Samuels (Al Waxman); Harvey Lacey (John Karlen);
Victor Isbecki (Martin Kove); Marcus Petrie (Carl Lumbly);
Al Carassa (Paul Mantee); Claudia Petrie (Vonetta Mc Gee);
Amanda Kostopolous (Pat Duncan); Jean Thomas (Cindy Cochran);
Esposito (Robert Hegyes)
Guest cast
Mr. Kostopolous; Mrs. Kostopolous; Buddy Kostopolous; Officer; Telephone (V.0.); Minister; Cameraman (photographer); Man; Aspromomte; Plante
Sets
Exteriors: Petrie home; a high school; a residence building; phone booth; Houston Intercontinental Airport; Street in front of residence building; warehouse; open air flea market; street in front of warehouse; Astroworld; Waterworld; NASA; La Guardia Airport; New York street; Marcus's car
Interiors: squadroom; Petrie living room; Lacey kitchen; airport; Kostopolous living room; church; church lobby; Marcus's living room; Samuel's office; vacant warehouse; NASA Visitor's Center; Houston Police Department burglary division; Houston Intercontinental Airport
CHRONOLOGY
Scenes 1-4 (Day); Scene 5 (Night); Scenes 6-27 (Day); Scene 28 (Night); Scenes 29-37 (Day); Scenes 38-39 (Night); Scenes 40-48 (Day)
ACT ONE
FADE IN
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Isbecki and Petrie.
PETRIE
How are the plans going for your wedding ?
ISBECKI
Fine. Amanda got a letter from her mother.
She's arranged for the preacher, the church,
and the reception.
PETRIE
How about the license ?
ISBECKI
We found out we can get a New York license
and still get married there, so we took our
blood tests and we'll pick up the license tomorrow.
PETRIE
That's cutting it pretty close, getting
the license on Friday and leaving on Sat.
ISBECKI
Yeah, but if anything goes wrong, we'll
just get a license in Houston.
PETRIE
How come you didn't tell anybody earlier ?
ISBECKI
Everybody would have ribbed me about it,
and how could we have a bachelor party
without Cagney and Lacey, they're my
friends too, you know.
PETRIE
I suppose you're right.
PETRIE'S PHONE RINGS.
PETRIE
Det. Petrie, 14th..... .Claudia. .. .Calm
down and tell me what happened.....
O.K., we'll be right there.
He hangs up the phone and gets up.
PETRIE
Come on, Victor. Claudia just got home
from teaching and found our house
has been burglarized.
Petrie grabs his fingerprint kit as Isbecki gets up. They start out the door and meet Coleman coming in.
ISBECKI
Coleman, get on the radio and get some
uniforms over to Marcus's house right away.
Somebody broke in.
They start out the door again and almost run over Cagney and Lacey coming in. Cagney and Lacey just do get out of the way, then stand looking.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-PETRIE HOME-DAY
Police cars with flashing lights are parked all over as Marcus and Victor arrive. They jump out of their car and run into the house.
INTERIOR-PETRIE LIVING ROOM-DAY
The room is a mess. Claudia and two uniform officers are standing in the middle of the room, making a list of the stolen items. Marcus and Victor have their badges hanging from the breast pockets of their coats so it isn't necessary for them to identify themselves.
CLAUDIA
Oh, Marcus! Just look at what they did
to our home.
OFFICER
You want to look around and see if you
can tell if anything is missing besides
what Mrs. Petrie told us about ?
Marcus and Claudia are in each other's arms. Marcus is looking around in obvious anger, while Claudia is afraid, angry, and confused.
MARCUS
I don't know anything offhand. It'll
probably take a few days to miss whatever
is gone. I see the TV, Stereo, and VCR
are gone, but you have that.
VICTOR
I remember your stereo. A Wilson-3000
wasn't it ?
MARCUS
Yeah.
VICTOR
I thought so. Don't I remember you getting
an engraving tool and marking your driver's
license number on everything ?
CLAUDIA
That's right, you did.
MARCUS
Yeah, NY-22795931. I put it on everything.
You thought I was wasting my time because
nobody would ever steal from a cop.
OFFICER
I'll pass this number on to the Pawn Shop
detail. I guess you can handle making out
your own burglary report.
ISBECKI
Yeah, we can handle it. I'll start by
checking for prints.
Victor opens his fingerprint kit.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
On Cagney and Lacey at their desks with Isbecki and Petrie standing.
CAGNEY
Too bad the only prints you could find
in your house were a juvenile's.
LACEY
The law protects them from us. But not
us from them.
ISBECKI
Yeah, it's really a burn.
PETRIE
Even if I had caught that punk inside
my house the only thing I could have
done was let him go.
CAGNEY
This is a disgusting conversation to
have the day Victor leaves on his vacation.
MARCUS
It sure is. Don't let my troubles interfere
with having a nice vacation, and enjoy
getting married.
LACEY
Amanda's a fine woman, Victor. The boys
talk about her all the time. Everybody
really likes her.
ISBECKI
I know. I don't understand why she
decided to marry me. I'm nobody special.
In fact, I don't feel like I'm much of
anybody at all. She's way too good for a
guy like me.
LACEY
Don't say that Victor. You're a nice guy too.
It just took you a long time to get lucky, that's all.
PETRIE
Those broads you used to go out with were
never any good. That's why you never married
any of them. You were just waiting for a good
one, that's all. I got lucky sooner. I found Claudia.
LACEY
And I found Harvey. Sooner or later I
expect Christine will find somebody too.
CAGNEY
WHAT!! ME!!??
LACEY
Yes you.
CAGNEY
Well, just when do you expect this miracle
to happen ?
LACEY
Who knows. Maybe today.
ISBECKI
Sure. Maybe today.
CAGNEY
Get out of here and go on your damn
vacation.
Isbecki and everyone leave, leaving Cagney sitting alone in an empty squadroom, looking frustrated and lonely.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-LACEY KITCHEN-NIGHT
The boys are in bed and Alice is asleep. Harv and Mary Beth are having coffee.
MARY BETH
Victor and Amanda finally left for
Houston today.
HARVEY
That's nice. I know they'll like being
married. I haven't forgotten what it was
like to come home to an empty apartment.
MARY BETH
I never did that. I lived with my mother,
Emily.
HARVEY
Where I lived they wouldn't let me have
any pets either. Oh, I could go see my folks
whenever I wanted but it wasn't the same
as having somebody special to come
home to, like a wife.
MARY BETH
Oh, Harv. That's nice. But I got bad
news too.
HARVEY
Like what ?
MARY BETH
Marcus's house was broken into today.
They took half of everything they owned.
HARVEY
That's terrible. Any idea who did it ?
MARY BETH
Sure, but he's a minor. We could tell by the
size of the fingerprints, so they woulda just
had to let him go.
HARVEY
I guess that means he won't get anything
back.
MARY BETH
Probably not.
HARVEY
Well, with his partner out of town, maybe
Marcus can work on it by himself and
somebody else can take his cases.
MARY BETH
He'll have time for that, all right. He's
on vacation too.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-A HIGH SCHOOL-DAY
ON the school. A bell is ringing inside, shortly, students begin coming out. After a few minutes, two boys come out together. WIDEN to show Marcus watching them. They walk off down the street with Marcus watching them, and following at a distance. They arrive at a building where one of them lives and enter. Marcus waits and watches.
FADE OUT
TIME CUT TO:
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-THE RESIDENCE BUILDING-DAY
MARCUS is still watching as a man arrives driving a van. The boys come out carrying various items, TV's, stereos, guns, etc. The man opens the side door of the van and the boys put the items inside. The man gives them small packages of drugs, and they reenter the building as the man drives away. Marcus writes down the license number of the van.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-A PAY TELEPHONE-DAY
MARCUS is on the phone.
MARCUS
New York, JVV-549.
TELEPHONE (VO)
New York, JVV-549 is stolen.
MARCUS
Thank you.
He hangs up. A BEAT while we see he is angry and disappointed.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN
HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT-DAY-ESTABLISHING
A plane is shown landing.
TINE CUT TO:
AIRPORT INTERIOR-DAY
Victor, Amanda, and Jean Thomas come down the passageway and meet Amanda's father, mother, and brother.
MRS. KOSTOPOLOUS
There they are. AMANDA! Over here!
MR. KOSTOPOLOUS(to Buddy Kostopolous)
All her life she's been deaf as a post,
and her mother still yells at her.
BUDDY
That's just mother. She'll never change.
MR.
I know. At least she hasn't so far.
Amanda, Victor, and Jean approach. Amanda and her mother hug and kiss. Then she hugs and kisses her father and brother.
AMANDA
(signing and speaking)
It's so good to see you all again.
MRS.
Welcome home. I wish you would stay
here for the rest of your life.
AMANDA
I'd like to mama, but this is my man,
Victor, and I have to live with him,
wherever he decides to live. And this
is my best friend, Jean Thomas.
They shake hands and hug all around, as appropriate.
AMANDA
And this is my brother, Buddy.
More hand shaking.
VICTOR
It's good to meet you all at last.
THOMAS
That goes for me too.
MRS.
We've looked forward to meeting both
of you, too.
MR.
Let's pick up your baggage and head
for home.
They start to walk off.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-KOSTOPOLOUS LIVING ROOM-DAY
The door opens and Mr. Kostopolous leads as they all enter. The ladies all head upstairs.
MR.
Come on is and sit down. Buddy'll get
your suitcases. We have everything all
arranged. Jean can sleep with Amanda
tonight, and Victor can take the spare
room. Tomorrow after the wedding,
you can switch around.
VICTOR
Sounds good to me.
MR.
So how do you like Houston, so far.
VICTOR
I thought it was a small town. Like maybe
30 to 50 thousand people, at most. But
it's a lot bigger.
MR.
It's over 3 million. Closer to 4, I think. It's
40 miles from north to south, and forty from
east to west. Unlike most of the cities up
north, it's not surrounded by suburbs, so
it's still growing.
VICTOR
One of our problems in New York is suburbs.
It makes all kinds of problems for the
Police Department with all the different
jurisdictions.
Mr.
They solved that problem here by just
having them all work with the Sheriff.
VICTOR
We have to do that in New York, too,
But then there's New Jersey, as well.
MR.
I suppose that's the way it's done
everywhere. Do you like to watch T.V. ?
VICTOR
Sure. What's on ?
MR.
There's a movie I want to see. Let me
check to see what Channel it's on.
He picks up the TV Guide.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-THE CHURCH-DAY
Deaf people get married, like anyone else, but the wedding is a bit different. Because of this I am including here a rather lengthy description of the wedding.
In a real wedding, the deaf will be seated in one area so they can see the interpreter. The lights are brighter than at a hearing wedding for the same reason. The church is built with several steps so the area for the altar is raised to be about 4 feet higher than the floor. This is so the parishioners can see the minister on Sunday. A real wedding takes well over an hour, but due to the time constraints of television I have had to severely abbreviate it. Nevertheless, I will give you a complete description of a real wedding here so you can understand the accommodations made for deaf people.
The guests have an hour or so before the wedding to enter and be seated. They are separated into hearing and deaf and seated by ushers. The bride's family and guests will be in one area, the groom's in another area . A seat is left vacant for the interpreter in the front pew. A small box shaped pedestal about a foot or so high is placed next to the rail for the interpreter to stand on.
The best man is the third of the attendants, usually three, and will be the one nearest the groom. During this music will usually be played. It may be a piano player or organist, with or without a soloist to sing.
Usually the music is taped. and the traditional song is "Oh promise Me". At the conclusion of this everyone will be in place. "The wedding march" from Lohengrin will start and the maids of honor will start up the aisle from the lobby. When the first one is about half way up the aisle, the second will start. When the second is half way, the bridesmaid will start. When the bridesmaid is half way, the bride will start. She will be on her fathers left, holding his left arm with her right arm and her flowers in her left arm.
The maids of honor and bridesmaid will take up their positions. When the bride and her father reach the steps they mount then and take their positions with the bride on the left, the father in the middle, and the groom on the right. The interpreter rises and takes up a position on the pedestal in front of the area where the deaf are seated, behind the groom's family. The minister delivers a prayer, speaking and signing. The minister and interpreter are hearing people and the interpreter signs for the deaf without watching the minister.
The minister asks who gives this woman in marriage. The father says "I do", joins the hands of the bride and groom, may kiss the bride on the cheek, then sits next to the mother of the bride. The bridesmaid comes forward and takes the flowers from the bride so she can have both hands free to sign. The bridesmaid returns to her position. The minister begins the ceremony.
At many weddings a boy and girl carrying pillows with the rings on them will follow the bride and her father down the aisle and take up positions at the top of the stairs on either side, the girl having the grooms ring, and the boy the brides. At others, the best man and bridesmaid will have the rings. The bride and groom step forward to form a triangle with the ministers with the podium in the middle. They part hands so they can sign. The bride, groom, minister, and interpreter will sign together the entire ceremony. Those who can speak will respond to the minister's questions by speaking and signing. Those who cannot speak will be spoken for by the interpreter. When the minister asks for it the rings the ring-bearers will step forward.
The minister will take the rings, hold them up, then place them on the podium so he can sign, and deliver a prayer to bless the rings, then hand them to the bride and groom. The bride holds the grooms ring in her right hand and presents her left hand. The groom places the ring half way on her finger, releases her hand, signs his vows, takes her hand and places the ring the rest of the way on. The bride then repeats this process with the groom's ring. At position 20 there may or may not be a stand with three candles. A large one in the middle and smaller ones on either side. The smaller ones have been lit by the mothers of the bride and groom. The bride and groom go to this stand and remove the smaller candles. they use them to light the larger one simultaneously. This is called the unity candle. It signifies the two becoming one. They may blow out the smaller candles before replacing them to show they are no longer two, or may leave them lit to show that they still retain their individuality. They return to their positions. The minister goes behind the altar and all are asked to join in the lords prayer. The minister returns, turns the bride and groom to face the guests, announces them as Mr. and Mrs.--- as he presents them.
They start down the aisle to the exit. When they are half way the best man and bridesmaid join arms and follow. The attendants and maids of honor do likewise. The last to leave is the minister, who retires through another door. The ushers then direct everyone out through a different door. The wedding party is at one side or the other in the lobby posing for the wedding pictures.
The guests exit through the door and assemble outside. When the bride and groom come out the bride throws her bouquet, the bride and groom come down the steps and the rice is thrown. Everyone then goes to the reception. It may or may not be held in a room adjoining the church, or at another location.
Obviously, there is no way to put all this in one act, which I have noted sometimes may be 20 minutes long on Cagney and Lacey. I am including it so you will be able to understand what I have done in writing the wedding scene.
CAMERA at eye level. The door opens and the minister enters from eleven, followed by the groom and party. They take their positions as the camera zooms in. The wedding march starts and the bride's party enters.
CUT TO:
CAMERA pans as the bride and her father mount the steps.
CUT TO:
MINISTER
Who gives this woman in marriage ?
MR.
Her mother and I do.
He joins their hands and sits down. They step forward.
MINISTER
Our father, who art in heaven, give us this
day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses as we for give those who
trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil, for. thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
(A beat) Dearly beloved, we are gathered
together here this day to witness the joining
in holy matrimony Victor and Amanda, an
honorable state, instituted by God. You Victor,
and you Amanda, having come to me signifying
your desire to be formally united in marriage,
and being assured that no legal, moral, or
religious barriers hinder this proper union,
I command you give heed to the questions
now asked you. (a beat) Victor, in taking the
woman to your left to be your lawful and
wedded wife, I require you to take the
following vow.
Victor starts signing now, and speaking.
MINISTER
I, Victor,
VICTOR
I Victor,
MINISTER
take thee, Amanda,
VICTOR
take thee, Amanda,
MINISTER
to be my lawful wedded wife,
VICTOR
to be my lawful wedded wife,
MINISTER
to love and cherish,
VICTOR
to love and cherish,
MINISTER
to honor and sustain,
VICTOR
to honor and sustain,
MINISTER
in sickness as in health,
VICTOR
in sickness and in health,
MINISTER
in poverty as in wealth,
VICTOR
in poverty as in wealth,
MINISTER
in good times and bad,
VICTOR
in good times and bad,
MINISTER
and to be true to you,
VICTOR
and to be true to you,
MINISTER
in all things,
VICTOR
in all things,
MINISTER
till death alone shall part us.
VICTOR
till death alone shall part us.
MINISTER
I, Amanda,
AMANDA
I, Amanda,
MINISTER
take thee, Victor,
AMANDA
take thee, Victor,
MINISTER
to be my lawful wedded husband,
AMANDA
to be my lawful wedded husband,
MINISTER
to love and cherish,
AMANDA
to love and cherish,
MINISTER
to honor and sustain,
AMANDA
to honor and sustain,
MINISTER
in sickness as in health,
AMANDA
in sickness as in health,
MINISTER
in poverty as in wealth,
AMANDA
in poverty as in wealth,
MINISTER
in good times and bad,
AMANDA
in good times and bad,
MINISTER
and to be true to you,
AMANDA
and to be true to you,
MINISTER
in all things,
AMANDA
in all things,
MINISTER
till death alone shall part us.
AMANDA
till death alone shall part us.
MINISTER
may we have the rings, please.
The best man and bridesmaid step forward and hand the rings to the minister. He takes them and hands the brides ring to Victor.
MINISTER
As a ceaseless reminder of this hour and
of the vows you have taken, place this ring
on the hand of your bride and repeat
after me: With this ring I thee wed,
Victor places the ring half way on her finger and speaks and signs.
VICTOR
With this ring I thee wed,
MINISTER
with loyal love I thee endow,
VICTOR
with loyal love I thee endow,
MINISTER
and all my worldly goods with thee I share,
VICTOR
and all my worldly goods with thee I share,
MINISTER
in the name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Ghost.
VICTOR
in the name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Ghost.
MINISTER
Amen.
VICTOR
Amen.
Victor puts the ring the rest of the way on. The minister hands the other ring to Amanda.
MINISTER
Place this ring on the hand of your groom
and repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed,
Amanda places the ring half way on Victor's finger and speaks and signs.
AMANDA
With this ring I thee wed,
MINISTER
with loyal love I thee endow,
AMANDA
with loyal love I thee endow,
MINISTER
and all my worldly goods with thee I share,
AMANDA
and all my worldly goods with thee I share,
MINISTER
in the name of the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Ghost.
AMANDA
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Ghost.
MINISTER
Amen.
AMANDA
Amen.
MINISTER
Having pledged your faith in, and love to,
each other, and having sealed your solemn
marital vows by giving and receiving rings,
MINISTER
(continuous)
acting in the authority vested in me by the
laws of this State, and looking to Heaven
for divine sanction, I now pronounce you
husband and wife in the presence of God
and these assembled witnesses. What God
has joined together, let no one put asunder.
You may kiss the bride.
They kiss as the minister moves around the groom to face the guests. The bride and groom face the guests.
CUT TO:
MINISTER
I have the honor to present to you
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Isbecki.
A BEAT
Victor and Amanda start down the aisle, followed by the bridesmaid and best man, arm in arm, followed by the attendants and maids of honor, arm in arm.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-THE CHURCH LOBBY-DAY
The wedding party is posing for the wedding pictures. we see the cameraman taking the picture.
CAMERAMAN
Smile. Say cheese. Money.
The flash bulb flashes.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-CHURCH-DAY
The guests are lined up and the bride and groom come out. The bride throws her flowers, then they come down the steps in a shower of rice. Everybody then walks down the sidewalk to the building next door and enters it for the reception.
CUT TO:
I NTERIOR-THE RECEPTION HALL-DAY
The wedding party enters with the guests and everybody sits down. The waiters start serving the dinner. A murmur of small talk fills the room. The bride and groom go to stand behind the table with the wedding cake. The cameraman takes more pictures as they cut the cake. We see people talking and signing about how nice the wedding was, and etc., the pieces of the cake are passed out on paper plates. No intelligible words are heard. After about two minutes, or so
FADE OUT
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-THE RESIDENCE BUILDING-DAY
ON Marcus sitting in his own car watching the building as a different van, but with the same man in it, pulls to a stop in front of the building. The boys come out and trade merchandise for drugs again.
CUT TO:
EXTERIOR-THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE
The driver drives off with the van. Marcus follows.
CUT TO:
EXTERIOR-ANOTHER RESIDENCE-DAY
The van stops and so does Marcus. Different boys come out and trade goods for drugs. The van leaves, Marcus follows.
CUT TO:
EXTERIOR-A WAREHOUSE-DAY
The driver of the van pulls up to a door and stops. He blows the horn. The door opens and he drives inside with Marcus watching.
FADE OUT
TIME CUT TO:
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-A WAREHOUSE-DAY
The door opens and the empty van backs out. The driver drives off down the street with Marcus following.
CUT TO:
EXTERIOR-NEW YORK STREET-DAY
The driver of the van parks it in a tow-away zone, gets out and enters the subway.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-NEW YORK STREET-DAY
ON Marcus on the phone in a phone booth.
TELEPHONE (VO)
Stolen just before noon.
MARCUS
Thank you.
He hangs up the phone.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-AN OPEN AIR FLEA MARKET-DAY
Victor and Amanda are wandering about, looking at the merchandise on sale.
VICTOR
They don't sell this kind of stuff for these
prices in New York. And it looks like
just about anything anybody might want
is for sale here.
AMANDA
This has been going on as long as I
can remember here.
Victor spots a stereo on one of the tables. He goes to it and looks at the back of it. There is a number engraved there. NY-22795931. It's a Wilson-3000.
VICTOR
How much for this one ?
MAN
That's an expensive one. It cost over
$350 new. I can let you have it for
$75 because I don't have speakers for it.
VICTOR
O.K. I'll take it.
He pays and takes it under his arm. He walks away with Amanda. When they are out of hearing range Amanda asks,
AMANDA
Why did you buy that ?
VICTOR
I think I recognize it. We'll call
Marcus later. Where did Jean and Buddy go?
AMANDA
Over there.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-MARCUS'S HOME-NIGHT-ESTABLISHING
INTERIOR-MARCUS'S HOUSE-NIGHT
CAMERA is in a dark living room. The phone is ringing. After several rings, Marcus turns on the light in another room. We see light streaming through a doorway. We hear the voice of Marcus as he answers the phone.
MARCUS(V.O.)
Hello ?
VICTOR (V.0. ON PHONE)
Marcus !! Wake up !! This is Victor.
MARCUS( V. 0. )
Victor ? Why are you calling me at
this time of night ? Where are you ?
VICTOR (V.0. on phone)
I'm in Houston. I need that number you
engraved on all your stuff that was stolen.
MARCUS (V.0.)
NY-22795931
VICTOR (V.0. on phone)
That's what I thought. Sit down. I have a
surprise for you. I recovered your stereo
here in Houston. It was for sale in a flea market.
A BEAT
MARCUS (V.0.)
In Houston ?
VICTOR (V.0.)
That's right.
MARCUS (V.0.)
That explains a lot to me. I'll explain it all to
you when you get back. Thanks a lot, and
enjoy your vacation.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
14TH PRECINCT SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Cagney and Lacey as Marcus strides purposefully across the squadroom and knocks on Samuels door. They look at him with puzzlement as he passes them and watch as he knocks. Samuels waves for him to enter.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR-SAMUELS OFFICE-DAY
Samuels is sitting at his desk doing paperwork as Petrie enters.
SAMUELS
You're supposed to be on vacation.
PETRIE
I am, but I got so mad about the kids who
broke into my house I just had to do
something about it.
SAMUELS
So what did you do ?
PETRIE
I watched the kids who did it. I saw them
burglarize other people's houses. I saw them
trade the stolen items to guys in stolen van
for drugs. The guys unloaded the vans at a
warehouse. Last night I got a call from
Victor in Houston. He found my stolen
stereo on sale in a flea market there.
SAMUELS
He found your stereo in Houston, Tx. ?
PETRIE
That's right.
SAMUELS
How did it get to Houston ?
PETRIE
That's the part I haven't found out yet.
I need help. I can't keep that warehouse
under surveillance alone 24 hours a day.
SAMUELS
I guess not. Any idea how many vans are
involved, or how they ship the stolen goods ?
PETRIE
I only saw one, but I'm sure there must be
more. And I never saw anything go out, only in.
SAMUELS
How big do you think this might be ?
PETRIE
I don't know, but it looks to be interstate,
and maybe international. It's just that they're
using our precinct for one of the terminal warehouses.
SAMUELS
Whatever is going on, it's too big for just us.
But nobody will do anything till we get more
information, that's certain. I'll set up 24 hour
surveillance on that warehouse and we'll go
from there.
MARCUS
Sounds good to me.
SAMUELS
Send Cagney in on your way out, you've
done enough. Go home and enjoy your
vacation. Your postman's holiday is over.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-A DIRTY SECOND FLOOR OF A VACANT WAREHOUSE-DAY
ON Cagney and Lacey as Carassa and Esposito approach.
CARASSA
How's it goin' ?
CAGNEY
Slow so far. We've been here six hours
and we haven't seen a thing.
ESPOSITO
It's only 2 P.M. School isn't out yet.
LACEY
This is only the first day, too.
CAGNEY
One thing you can be sure of. Tomorrow
I'm bringing a chair of some kind.
LACEY
Six hours on our feet was pretty miserable.
I'm bringing one too.
CARASSA
Looks like there's not even a box, or
old packing crate around.
ESPOSITO
Nothing but a filthy floor to sit on.
CAGNEY
At least you don't have to deal with
high heels.
CARASSA
And you don't have to deal with 250 lbs.
LACEY
Why are we standing here arguing ?
Let's go. Have fun.
They walk off.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-WAREHOUSE-DAY
ON Aspromonte and Plante. Cagney and Lacey arrive to take over the surveillance.
CAGNEY
Another day, another cup of stale coffee.
ASPROMONTE
Tell me about it. A solid week of watching
stolen vans unload stolen stuff and nothing
ever goes out of that place.
PLANTE
I got a hunch something is due to happen
today, so keep your eyes open.
LACEY
Plante, you and Aspromonte have had a lot
of patience to take the graveyard shift.
This whole thing has to end someday..
Marcus approaches
CAGNEY
Hello, Marcus.
MARCUS
Hi, everybody. I was thinking they almost
have to have some sort of shipping schedule.
LACEY
We noticed them getting mail. Maybe
that's how they know what to send where.
MARCUS
You mean you think they're sending the
stuff to more than one city to sell it ?
ASPROMONTE
Sounds good to me. Victor only found your
stereo in Houston. Where did the rest go ?
CAGNEY
This is getting bigger all the time. If this
place sends some to Houston and some to
someplace else, then they must be using
small trucks, or have more than one warehouse
like this in New York.
PLANTE
Well, it's time for us to go and leave it
up to you ladies.
Marcus looks out the window.
MARCUS
Hey!! Look at that!
They all go to look out the window.
CUT TO:
VIEW OUT THE WAREHOUSE WINDOW-DAY
A semi-truck is stopped in the street with the trailer backed by the warehouse door.
PLANTE
That's it. They're loading up. I knew
they were due.
ASPROMONTE
They must have just started. That truck
couldn't have been there more few minutes.
LACEY
They didn't stay long either. The driver is
gettin' in to go now.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR-WAREHOUSE-DAY
Marcus sprints away across the floor.
MARCUS
You all have things to do. I'm going to
follow that truck.
CAGNEY
YOU'RE STILL ON VACATION
Marcus exits the door.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-MARCUS'S CAR -LOOKING OVER MARCUS'S SHOULDER-DAY
The truck is visible through the windshield. A forklift is putting a pallet with a large box in the back of the truck. The driver closes the doors on the now full truck.
CLOSE on a notebook in Marcus's hands as he writes the address at the end of a list of addresses. The truck driver gets in as WIDEN to show the truck leaving.
FADE out
FADE IN
INTERIOR-MARCUS'S CAR LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD-DAY
Marcus stops his car as the truck is seen entering the tunnel to New Jersey.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-ASTROWORLD AMUSEMENT PARK-DAY
Amanda, Buddy, Victor, and Jean are coming off of a ride, laughing and obviously enjoying themselves. They walk about, talking about all the rides and etc.
AMANDA
I like that loop-the-loop ride best.
BUDDY
The Texas Cyclone is too rough for me. I
guess I'm just not tough enough for that one.
VICTOR
Who is ?
JEAN
Rodeo riders, I guess.
BUDDY
There's the boat ride through the
jungle. Mom and dad like that one best.
VICTOR
Yeah ? Well, lets try it.
They walk off.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-WATER WORLD-LATE AFTERNOON
They all have on swim suits and come sliding down the water slide, one after another, going into the water at the bottom, splashing and laughing, in the large pool at the bottom. Finally, they get out of the water.
BUDDY
It's about time to dry off and go to the
dome. The Astro's game with the Mets
will be starting soon.
VICTOR
Sounds good to me.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-THE ASTRODOME- NIGHT
ON the four of them in their seats in the crowd. Crowd noise. A ball game is in progress.
CUT TO:
ON the field as a ball game is in progress. After a minute or so,
FADE OUT
TIME CUT TO:
FADE IN
NASA-DAY-EXTERIOR
WIDE ON Amanda, Victor, and Jean, as Buddy takes pictures. The Saturn 5 moon rocket and others are on outdoor display for this purpose.
BUDDY
Say cheese.
He takes the picture.
VICTOR
This is one of the places I always
wanted to see.
JEAN
Me too.
AMANDA
Lots of people do. This is one of the few
places in America where Americans can
come and see their tax dollars at work.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-NASA VISITORS CENTER-DAY
ON all four in the room with the display of space suits.
VICTOR
How come they' got so many suits ?
BUDDY
Each one has to be made special for the
astronaut that will use it. Each one has
his name on it.
AMANDA
Except for the ones with her name on it.
FADE OUT
INTERIOR-AMANDA'S AND VICTOR' S BEDROOM-NIGHT
Amanda and Victor are in bed.
VICTOR
This is one vacation I'll never forget.
AMANDA
Oh. I hope not.
VICTOR
I mean, I got married to the most remarkable
woman in the world. I saw the most incredible
city in America. I have a family for the first
time in two years. And, I found Marcus's radio.
This could result in saving thousands of people
from getting robbed.
AMANDA
Once a policeman, always a policeman.
VICTOR
What can I say ?? That's what I am.
AMANDA
Yes, and I love you for it. You really
care about people.
VICTOR
I really care about you.
AMANDA
Not just me alone. Everybody. You really
care about all the good people in the world.
VICTOR
That's just my job.
AMANDA
No my sweetheart, that's you.
They hug and kiss.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN
INTERIOR-HOUSTON POLICE DEPT. BURGLARY DIVISION-DAY
ON Victor and Jean sitting in chairs by the desk of a Houston Detective.
DETECTIVE
There's nothing we can do. Nothing shows
on our hot sheet, just the one in New York.
We can't arrest anybody and get a conviction.
You know, we have openings here for officers.
Why don't you two put in applications ?
VICTOR
All I have in New York is friends. I have
family here now.
JEAN
I broke up with my boyfriend a couple of weeks
ago. I wouldn't want to be left behind with
my best friend here.
VICTOR
Lets do it.
JEAN
O.K. Lets.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INTERIOR-HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT-DAY
Amanda and Victor are leaving for New York.
P.A. SYSTEM (V.0.)
Columbia flight 223 now boarding for
a non-stop flight to New York at gate
14. All aboard, please.
VICTOR
That's us, Amanda.
AMANDA
O.K. Good bye mom, dad, Buddy.
MRS.
Have a nice flight to New York.
MR.
We'll all see you in December when we
come for Christmas.
BUDDY
I want to see New Years in Times Square.
VICTOR
It's just like you see it on TV.
BUDDY
Yeah, but it's just not the same as
being there.
They all shake hands and Victor and Amanda wave as they get on the plane.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT-DAY
A jet is seen taking off.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-LA GUARDIA AIRPORT-DAY
The New York skyline is shown as a plane is seen landing.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
EXTERIOR-14th PRECINCT-ESTABLISHING-DAY
INTERIOR-SQUADROOM-DAY
ON Cagney and Lacey at their desks as Isbecki enters and approaches Cagney with Marcus's stereo under his arm.
LACEY
Look who's back. Vacation over. So
how do you like being married ?
VICTOR
It's great. I have a family again, and I
met a lot of nice people in Houston, too.
Especially at the Houston police Dept.
They couldn't do anything about the guy
I recovered Marcus's stereo from because
it wasn't on the hot sheet there, only here.
Marcus enters.
PETRIE
What's that about my stereo ?
ISBECKI
Here it is. It only cost me $75.
PETRIE
Well, that's it All right.
CAGNEY
I know you took a postman's vacation.
What did you get done, Marcus.
PETRIE
I did a lot of looking and figuring
things out.
LACEY
Don't keep us in suspense. What did you
figure out ?
PETRIE
Dope smugglers bring in dope. They give
it to pushers. The pushers trade it to juveniles
for stolen goods. The stolen goods are on
our hot sheets, but not any others anywhere
else, so they ship them to other cities where
they are sold in flea markets, and second hand
stores. Everybody knows they sell stolen goods.
They call them "Theft stores". Everybody all
along the line makes a profit, except the victims
Whose property is stolen.
CAGNEY
That's. interstate, organized crime!!
PETRIE
That's it.
LACEY
So what can we do about it ?
PETRIE
I don't see anything we can do, except arrest
all the pushers we can, and maybe raid a few
warehouses. They also bring in goods stolen
in other cities and sell them here. But we can't
do anything about that because nothing is on
our hot sheets.
CAGNEY
There must be something more than that
that we can do.
PETRIE
I checked it out. There isn't. If we tried to
get a computer big enough to keep track of
all the stolen goods nationwide it would
cost millions. The payroll to do that by hand
would be billions, maybe trillions. It would
have to keep track of everything stolen in
the entire country.
ISBECKI
No way. It's just too big a job. We'll have
to give it to the FBI.
LACEY
If the law would just let us do something
about the juveniles.
CAGNEY
The law lets them get away with anything
till they reach 17. Sort of on-the-job training
for criminals.
ISBECKI
The law is so worried about their "tender
years". If only the law would let us stop
their training to be criminals in those years.
PETRIE
Some days it hardly pays to get out of
bed.
VICTOR
One more thing. While we were in Houston
we were offered jobs with the Houston Police
Department. Jean and I decided to accept.
LACEY
You're leaving us ?
VICTOR
Yeah.
CAGNEY
We'll miss you, Victor.
VICTOR
I know, but all I have here is friends. There
I got my wife's family. Jean broke up with
her boyfriend a month ago and she doesn't
want to lose her best friend. So we decided
to move to Houston.
LACEY
I think it's nice for you to have a family
again.
VICTOR
I'll miss all of you too. But it's
already decided.
PETRIE
What am I going to do for a partner ?
VICTOR
Come on. There's lots of good people
here. Samuels will give you the best one.
PETRIE
I guess you're right, but I'm used to working
with you. I feel like the rug has just been
pulled out from under my feet.
Cagney and Lacey get up and go to hug Isbecki.
CAGNEY
You're a good man, Victor. you'll be O.K.
anyplace you go.
LACEY
Don't forget us Victor.
They both kiss him.
Freeze frame.
THE END
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