Partners Cagney and Lacey

-Look, 59.95.

-Where would you wear pink boots?

-That's not the point. They're on sale.

-I don't need pink boots.

-Dye them. Those ones are three years old.

-They were a present from Harv.

-That is nostalgia. We're talking bargains. Look!

-Cagney! Lacey!

-Morning, sir.

-Morning, Lieutenant.

-I've got a real sweetheart for you.

-This guy's knocked over four liquor stores in three months. Mirrored sunglasses.

-This came from the 8th?

-Now he seems to like us better.

-No ID.

One store owner who gave him static got a bullet in the gut.

-Charming(!)

-Who's always griping I only give them grounders? This guy is mean.

-Lieutenant, have you seen this?

-What?

"Weight inspection. Second notice." He threw the first one away, too.

"All officers are put on notice of inspection six weeks from above date.

"Any officer not conforming to height-weight standards will be placed on modified assignments

"until such time as said standards are adhered to." Look at his gut!

Liquor store robbery, 41st and 8th.

-'Suspect male Caucasian, six feet tall...'

-Come on, move it!

-I can't believe it.

-No wonder he picked downtown in broad daylight!

Pull over. Let's get out of here.

There he is!

Hold it! Police!

Easy, Chris.

On three.

Oh, my God!

Chrissie?

Christine, I gotta turn you over.

Can you hear me?

Let me see it. Let me see it, Chris.

OK. OK. You're gonna be all right.

I swear to you, you're gonna be OK.

I'm gonna get you off this roof, Chris.

I'm gonna get you off this roof.

Hang on there. Just hold it there.

-Any word yet?

-No, sir.

-What's taking them so long?

Don't worry. Christine will make it.

-Charlie, I'm sorry.

-We're cops. It goes with the territory. Tell her, Bert.

Christine Cagney. Any family members here? I'm Charles Cagney.

I'm Christine Cagney's father.

She's in ICU. She's OK? She's lost several units of blood.

-The bullet missed her heart and lung. She'll be here two weeks.

-Can we see her?

Tomorrow. I want to see her now. I just want to look at her.

-Second door on your left. Just the father.

-Oh, yeah.

Esposito? Emilio Esposito?

-Babe?

-Would you quit sneaking up on me? You could give a person a heart attack.

-Put that stuff down. Let's talk.

-I'm cleaning the fridge. Could you leave me in peace?

-No.

-When you're cleaning fridges at three in the morning, you need to talk.

-Harvey, stop!

Christine getting hurt was not your fault.

-You're a psychiatrist?

-Some things I know.

-I should've been there for her.

-You were.

-Behind her.

-Come on, babe.

-Don't come-on-babe me!

-You didn't let her down. Chris doesn't believe it.

-Now you read minds(!)

I've got a fridge to clean here.

Is that the soonest I can see her? I'll be there at seven o'clock. Tell her we all miss her.

She had a good night.

Anybody seen my case file?

I've got it. We didn't ask for this.

-You cannot do this to me!

-Easy.

-You cannot take me off this case.

Concentrate on your other cases.

-I want to locate the man that shot my partner.

-That's why you're off the case.

-Please, Lieutenant!

Christine was on him and I owe it to her.

-Lacey, you can't work the case alone.

-I could start the legwork. She'll be back in two weeks.

What'll happen if the guy hits again? Will you explain it to the victims' families?

Then give me another detective.

-You think I have detectives coming out of my ears?

-Please, Lieutenant!

All right, I'll think about it.

But not until you get out of here.

Now!

-How are you?

-How am

-I

-?

I'm fine.

-Did you tear my sweater?

-Yeah.

Did I say anything?

You said, "Mary Beth, I told you to get a new pair of boots."

See, my heel came off and I took that header down the stairs.

That's how come you hit that corner by yourself. I feel very bad.

I burned those lousy boots.

Something good comes out of everything.

It was an accident. Forget it.

-I couldn't sleep last night, Chris. I kept seeing that roof.

-Me, too.

Did you get a look at that guy?

I nailed him, I think, Mary Beth, in the leg.

He looked so familiar.

Leave it for now. Do you have much pain?

Only when I breathe.

I went by your place. I picked up a few things.

-I got, you know, cosmetics and toothpaste...nonsense.

-Thanks, Mary Beth.

I got a ton of messages here that came in last night.

-From who?

-Oh, a big group.

Eh...cops and civilians.

Mostly men.

-Charlie?

-Your dad?

He was here yesterday. He barged his way into ICU to see you.

I guess I wasn't a barrel of laughs. You know Charlie. He likes to have a good time.

Rest, all right? Rest and get strong and I'll come and see you in the morning.

I'm gonna get that bastard for you, Chris.

Doctor says you need two weeks.

I can't get to two weeks.

One week.

-I'll bet you a pair of pink boots.

-You're on.

Anybody thinks this is funny will be directing traffic in Sheep's Head Bay.

Hold that.

-You'll have to take drastic measures, Bert.

-Watch it, Coleman!

-Did I say anything?!

-I'm sorry to be late, sir.

-You've got something that's gonna take up a lot of your time now.

-Sir?

-Liquor store robberies.

-Liquor stores? Oh, yes, sir! Thank you, sir.

It's in my office.

Come on.

Hello. I'm Mary Beth Lacey.

Steve Bennett. Detective First Grade, temporarily your partner and the pleasure is all mine!

-Harvey, get up.

-Yes, I'm up. I'm up.

I'm up. I'm up. Good morning.

Your hair looks nice, Mary Beth.

-Did you do something different?

-No. No, same as usual.

-You got any cash? The boys need lunch money.

-In my wallet.

-I'll get it. I'm taking five dollars.

-What's all that gook on your eyes?

-Gook? It's mascara. I put that on every morning.

Your new partner, he's up for retirement. So, is he about 60?

-No, 46, 47. He's through, though, made his 20 years.

-Good for him.

-What does he look like?

-Nice-looking, very fit.

Is that a new outfit, babe?

I got this sweater from your mother three Christmases ago. The skirt I bought on sale last Labor Day.

-Well, you look very nice.

-Thank you very much.

-So, is he married?

-Divorced. Harvey, the man and I are working together. That's it.

-Did I say anything?

Give me a kiss, Harvey.

New perfume?

-One of our witnesses said the guy has an accent.

-Why don't you put the file away? It's our lunch break.

-No other witness mentions an accent.

-Half of them can't speak English.

This is bad for your digestion. Enjoy your lunch.

You know...

maybe you're gonna learn something working with me.

You gotta slow down a little bit or you're gonna burn yourself out.

Oh! Ah-hah!

-Home-made baklava. The best!

-No, thanks. I couldn't eat another thing.

-Just leave it for her.

You've got to taste this stuff. It's incredible.

-I really don't want any.

-At least try it.

Come on, one bite! You'll insult Dimitrius.

-Well?

-Delicious.

-Dimitrius!

-He's an artist.

-We gotta go. Excuse me!

May we have the check, please?

-No. Detective Bennett knows never a charge for New York's finest.

-That isn't necessary or lawful, sir.

Never argue with your host.

-Freebies make me uncomfortable.

-A couple of stuffed leaves and some baklava?

Not major corruption! I'll drive.

Let's go. Let's go.

Thank you(!)

Is it different working with a guy?

Yeah, it's different all right.

-How?

-He always assumes he's gonna drive.

You're not the world's best driver.

And when we're interviewing witnesses, they treat me like I'm his assistant.

-It's not his fault.

-All right.

It's his attitude I don't like.

-Yeah?

-All he cares about is lunch and getting home at five.

-I thought you liked getting home at five.

-This is different.

-You didn't realise how good you had it with me, did you?

I realised.

This is nice. From your dad?

No. Tom.

It's horrible. Who's Tom?

A securities analyst.

50 bucks, I bet.

Charlie hasn't called or anything.

-Did you try him?

-No answer.

Um...maybe something came up.

Maybe.

Two doughnuts and orange soda. Here. What? That's just refined carbohydrates.

Bacon and egg sandwich. Chocolate milk.

Yo! Pure cholesterol. Cream cheese on a bagel.

That's a cardiovascular time bomb. It looks like breakfast to me.

What is this? A squad room? Or a diner?!

If you see him, tell him to call his daughter.

-How are you on this bright day?

-Did you get me the witness statements?

-Oh, Detective Lacey!

You've got to slow down. You have to learn to enjoy life. Smell the flowers!

-Nice. Statements?

-First thing this morning. Scout's honour.

-That's for you.

-Why didn't I get it before?

I've just found it. A new night man took it.

-Mrs Carmen Garcia in the Bronx thinks she remembers something.

-Why can't she come here?

-She has a sick child and no telephone.

-There's always one.

Years ago, a senile old guy hauls me out to Far Rockaway three times.

-But he could never remember why he called me.

-Mrs Garcia isn't a senile old guy.

She "thinks" she remembers something. You want to go to the Bronx on that?

-That's what they pay us for.

-I've got plenty to do here.

-Maybe she's got something.

-It'll still be there in an hour. The traffic is heavy.

-You don't want to miss lunch?

-It beats a drive up to the Bronx.

-Come on!

Is she always such a hot dog?

Not a match made in heaven.

BABY CRIES

You never heard of peek-a-boo?

Do you have a gun? Uh-huh.

-Tell him not to get too comfortable.

-< He doesn't look too comfortable. Mary Beth is busting his chops.

-Really?

-Yes, the guy's dogging it. It's hard to believe.

He's been decorated four times. That guy Bennett? Yeah.

-Well, he's due to retire.

-That reminds me of my old sergeant, the guy who broke me in.

A week to his retirement, he answers a routine domestic disturbance call,

takes three shots to the chest and dies.

-We'd better go. I hope we cheered you up.

-Thanks for coming.

-Feel better!

-Yeah.

-I'll see you later.

-Isbecki, wait. Can I talk to you privately?

< Bye-bye, Victor.

-Shall I...lock the door?

-Victor, sit down!

I don't remember much. I was afraid. This man's face, with mirrors...

-it was like a horror picture.

-Mrs Garcia, you said you thought you remembered something.

-If you skip to that, we'd be out of your hair quicker.

-Take your time.

I dreamed about it. That's when I remembered.

I kept seeing his hand.

-The hand with the gun in it. There was something on his hand. A tattoo, I think.

-Words or a picture?

-A fish.

-Are you sure?

-Maybe a bird.

-Do you remember the colour?

-Black. Maybe dark blue.

It was hard to tell.

-If you had to guess, what would you say that tattoo was?

-A fish.

I think it was a fish with...

SHE SPEAKS IN SPANISH

-Fins.

-That's it! Fins.

Fins. With big fins.

Big fins. It's probably a '57 Chevvy(!)

-Not funny.

-Anybody ever tell you you take things too seriously?

-I take my job seriously. I take it seriously when people make fun of witnesses.

-Give me a break.

-You're acting like this slime ball is a jaywalker. He could've killed my partner.

-So, you're pushing hard.

Handle your guilt in your own time.

-You're making me crazy.

-I'm doing my job.

-I'm doing mine. I have a great place for lunch.

-'This is Central. Do you read me?'

-This is 312. Go ahead, dispatch.

'Liquor store at 3620 Wyre Street. Armed robbery and homicide.'

You wanna go?

SIREN WAILS

SHE MOUTHS

-What are you doing here?

-Mary Beth!

-I was looking all over for you!

-Ssh! Walk with me.

-Your doctor said you were only to walk round your room.

I've got an old lady for a doctor. How are you doing on our case?

-He hit another liquor store.

-And?

-One dead. But we've got a witness who remembers a tattoo.

-That's great. Did you have it checked out?

-There wasn't much to check. She was fuzzy on the details.

-How about a sketch artist?

-You're supposed to concentrate on getting well.

-Did you get a sketch artist?

-Christine!

-Mary Beth, I'm so bored here.

-You are crazy. You're a crazy person.

-You're a sick woman. You're supposed to be getting rest.

-Then you should help me.

-Rest!

-Hello.

-Hi, there.

-This is my partner.

-Yes, we've met.

-That's my other mother.

-Get back to your room, please.

I've got to go.

Bring me malted milk.

You have all your information. You don't need anything from me. OUT!

-Some friendly advice.

-What?

-Don't. He chewed me out twice in five minutes.

I think he's using rage as a food substitute.

-What?

-I know this is a bad time...

I have a mugged City councilman, a bomb scare and a chimpanzee loose.

-I'm supposed to handle that on a boiled egg and dry toast?!

-I'll come back later.

-Wait!

What about the liquor store case? I'm getting calls from City Hall.

-That's what I want to talk to you about, sir. I'm having trouble with Detective Bennett.

-What kind?

I think he's a little too quick to be sceptical of evidence.

That's an indictment? That sounds to me like a good cop, like yourself.

Do you know what makes your partnership with Cagney work?

The teams that make it are almost always made up of opposites.

-Cagney eggs you on, you slow her down.

-But with me and Bennett...

-Every good partnership needs a hot dog. With Cagney in hospital, YOU are it.

-Yes, sir.

Lacey, La Guardia tells me that Charlie hasn't been to the hospital to see Cagney.

-I called him but no answer.

-Is he tying one on?

-I don't know, sir.

-Surprise!

-Did you rob a hearse?

No, I've got a cousin in the business.

Voila!

-Great.

-If anybody finds out they're missing, I do not know you. Get them back as soon as you can.

-Don't worry.

-What about your end?

-What?

Oh.

Monica Brandt, RN. 555 4392. Are you sure she's the one?

-The redhead.

-With the legs.

-Huh!

-It's only because you're out of commission.

-Don't tell her I gave you that.

She'd never answer my call button again.

-What did Ballistics say?

-The bullets from all three victims are from the same weapon.

-But it's not a known gun. Anything from the hospitals on his leg injury?

-Nothing.

-And the eye witnesses?

-One couldn't make up his mind. The other four picked different pictures -

-two serving time, one deported, one deceased.

-And Mrs Garcia?

-She couldn't make it. Her kid is sick.

-Nobody else mentioned a tattoo.

-That figures.

-It doesn't mean there wasn't one. Let's run a computer check.

-On every fish we've got(?)

Taking armed robbery priors will narrow it down to...30,000 suspects. PHONE RINGS

-Detective Lacey.

-Mary Beth, I never forget a face.

So, Blevins is our man because three years ago he wore mirrored sunglasses, right?

James Ray "Sonny" Blevins - male Caucasian, 36, brown and brown, 5'11". That fits the description.

-Describes a lot of guys.

-Priors include possession narcotics, six armed robberies on liquor stores.

-That's some partner you've got. Psychic!

-Identifying marks - shark tattoo, back of the right hand.

She's not psychic. She's good.

Thank you, Jim.

Come on!

-You're his parole officer. Where is he?

-He split from here...months ago.

I haven't had the pleasure since. Why haven't you sworn out a warrant for his arrest?

It happens that I did. And I heard there are 300,000 outstanding warrants in the Big Apple.

-Is that right?

-Yes.

-So, you'll get Blevins somewhere round...1987(?)

-Today, if you tell us where he is.

-I don't have his address.

-Well, thanks a lot(!)

-Hey. Could you work with us here, please?

You gotta know something about him. Friends, hang-outs?

I don't know... Well, he's got a habit.

-I can tell you who his connection used to be. >

-That's a start.

Wait a second. We should at least coordinate this with Narcotics.

They'll never move the paperwork in time. Meanwhile, Blevins knocks off another liquor store.

-We need backup.

-All we're going to do is wait in the car outside his connection's apartment.

-If he shows up, we call uniforms for backup.

-I don't like it.

-You wouldn't like it if we had the National Guard for backup.

-What?!

I'm going to stake the place out tonight myself, with or without you.

I don't think it makes a difference. You're a poor excuse for a partner.

I'm going to the hospital. I'll take the train.

-You think I handled it wrong.

-I didn't say that.

-What would you have done?

-I'd have told him to get lost.

-That's what I told him.

I'm going on my own.

-You're kidding.

-No, I'm not kidding. That's what YOU'd do, isn't it?

Christine Cagney doesn't wait around for backup. She even solves cases from her hospital bed.

-Mary Beth!

-No, I'm killing myself to solve this and you got the only solid lead laying on your back.

-You got shot but I'm hurting, too!

-You think I don't know that?

I DO know. It happened to us and there's nothing I can do to fix it.

Do you want to be my partner?

-Yes.

-OK.

You fixed it.

-It's worse than being married, huh?

-How the hell would

-I

-know?!

-Sometimes you yell and it clears the air.

-The air's clear now.

Do your nails. I gotta go.

-Don't go out and try to prove anything tonight.

-Who, me?

When's the last time you saw him? ..OK. Thanks, Paddy.

-He was at Paddy's last night.

-If I know Charlie, he's hitting every bar on the West Side.

-What's the name of that cop bar near the Old Garden?

-McGinty's. Do you think he's there?

My guess is he's working his way right up 8th Avenue.

-How does anybody eat this garbage?

-Cottage cheese is protein. And the vegetables are roughage.

Paul, do you think one chilli dog would make a difference?

-Don't do it. Don't do it.

-Come on! One lousy chilli dog.

Bert, a chilli dog is suicide.

You scared me half to death.

How long have you been here?

Four hours twelve minutes.

I thought you could use some coffee.

Thanks.

Baklava?

No, thanks.

I...paid for it.

CHARLIE: The dying guy says to the freezer, "I don't want to antagonise anyone."

Hey, Mick, do it again, will you? I gotta go, Charlie. Where are you going?

-Bert!

-How are you doing, Charlie?

-What are you drinking?

-I didn't come here for a drink.

-One little nip won't hurt you.

-Charlie!

-What?

-Why haven't you been to see your daughter?

-She's really more your daughter now than mine, Bert.

-Garbage.

-Walking into that hospital room the other night, she had tubes coming out of her...

-My heart fell on the floor, Bert. I couldn't handle it.

-Getting loaded in a bar is a lousy way to face it.

I couldn't stand seeing her like that. She's my baby and she's hurt. And I can't make it go away.

-Ain't nothing I can do for her.

-You can go home and sober up.

And tomorrow, first thing, you put a smile on that dumb Irish mug of yours and go see your daughter!

That's our boy.

-Are you sure?

-How many junkies could there be in New York with sunglasses and a bad leg?

This is Bennett and Lacey. We need backup on 138th and Fletcher. '138th and Fletcher.' Ten-four.

Are you OK?

-Yeah, sure. Are you cold?

-I'm glad you're here.

It beats watching the Late Show.

-Damn it. He's leaving.

-He must've missed his connection.

Wait a second.

It's a busy night.

-They're picking up the cash.

-Uh-uh.

-We'll never catch them in this heap. Give me your hat.

-What?

-Cover me.

Hey, Sonny! Wait up, man!

Hey, stay cool. It's me. Sonny!

Who is that guy? He's a nerd.

Sonny...

I don't want to hurt you.

Don't do it, Sonny, or I'll take you out the game. Get your hands up. Don't breathe!

Get on the car!

What were YOU doing?

High-speed chases make me car sick.

Pat him down.

-What do you think?

-They're gorgeous.

-How did you con your doctor into letting you out on Friday?

-We negotiated.

-His teeth are perfect.

-I don't believe this.

-I've got this thing about teeth.

I've to come back for a check-up. Then I've got my scar.

-I figure, while the plastic surgeon's in the area what about...?

-Christine!

It's a thought.

-Is Samuels in a better mood?

-Worse. He lost three pounds, then the deadline was extended four weeks.

The Commissioner went to the Bahamas and put on six pounds.

I gotta go. I've got the Blevins' arraignment at noon.

-It was a good collar.

-You figured it out, Christine.

-But you nailed him.

-I was being exactly like you.

-So, you missed me.

-No! I don't want to see you at the precinct for a week.

-But...

-ONE week. Goodbye.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Can I come in?

I'm sorry I ain't been around. I...was kinda busy.

How are you feeling?

Fine.

-They say you're getting out the day after tomorrow.

-I'm a lousy patient.

-You always were.

When your mother would keep you home from school, you'd raise holy hell.

-Chrissie, I'm sorry.

-You don't have to be sorry. You were busy.

Did you hear the Yankees are looking for a new right-handed pitcher? I don't get it...

-They've got a guy...

-Charlie, give me those flowers. They're wilting.

Subtitles by Audrey Flynn BBC Scotland 1994