Stress Cagney and Lacey

Integrated amplifier with five-band equaliser, 100 watts per channel.

-Doesn't that sound fantastic?

-It sounds expensive.

It's on sale - 850 - 14th Street.

-850 for a stereo is expensive.

-It's state of the art, Mary Beth.

-Sign me in, will you?

-Yeah.

There must be 600 people downtown who do nothing but write memos.

One thing about the police department, they stay in touch.

Retirement plan, credit union, uniform inspection.

Listen to this - stress reduction encounter group. Do you love that?

-That's this week.

-What's the stress reduction encounter group?

It say right here - "It helps you deal with job-related stress."

Oh, well, thank you too much(!) I'd rather go skiing.

Do you have the paperwork on the Mendoza collar?

-They can't do this!

-Do what?

-It's mandatory.

Oh, I saw that. Apparently, it's a pilot programme they're developing citywide - all departments.

Well, I don't need someone telling me how to solve my problems.

Well, there have been studies done to indicate that sharing your feelings

is a very effective way of dealing with stress.

If I'm stressed out, I jog. Three miles, I'm spaghetti.

-Cagney! Lacey!

-Talking about your feelings can't hurt you, Christine.

-Morning, sir.

-Lieutenant, have you heard about this stress reduction group?

-Yeah. What about it?

-We don't have to attend that, do we?

-Yes, it's mandatory. It's a good idea, too, I think.

-You do?

-Oh, absolutely, Cagney.

They started a couple of years ago on a voluntary basis. I attended a few and found them very helpful.

Ah, there it is. Here, this is from downtown.

It seems we've got a problem here. Apparently, you two have piled up an inordinate amount of overtime.

-Oh, yeah. Are they impressed?

-They're worried. It's fouling up the accounting system.

What exactly are we supposed to do about this, sir? Take today off and a couple of three-day weekends.

Lieutenant, we have a very heavy caseload.

You're screwing up the computers, so get out of here - both of you.

-You mean, go home, sir?

-I don't care. Just sign out and disappear.

-Yes, sir.

-Couldn't we work and not put in for it? We're already here.

Cagney, what is wrong with a day off? Go to the park, the movies, New Jersey - I don't care,

-just as long as you're not here today. The department cannot afford to have you here.

-Yes. Thank you.

I don't understand this department sometimes.

I could think of worse things than a day off, Christine.

Compulsory days off, compulsory group therapy.

-So what are you going to do?

-Um, I don't know. Um... think I'll clean out the closets.

-I've been promising to do that for months.

-Why don't you come with me to the stereo sale?

-No, thanks.

Mary Beth, these sound systems can be very sexy.

Maybe spice up your marriage.

My marriage doesn't need spicing up, thank you.

Think of it, Mary Beth. Harvey comes home...

Johnny Mathis is on the stereo...

OOZING out 100 watts per channel...

you slip into something...casual...

and Johnny's voice melts down the last of Harvey's inhibitions.

You've been reading trashy books again, Christine.

It always worked for me.

No, no, take a look over here. Let me show you something.

-The frequency response on this little number is so awesome it'll curl your toes.

-Is that so?

-Yes, and I'll give you a good price.

-Like £850?

Babe, you look like an intelligent woman. Let me level with you.

(You wouldn't have wanted the stereo in that ad. It's a piece of junk.) ..I'm telling you. Trust me.

-How much is this one?

-Well, I don't have the exact numbers...

-Hey, you look like an intelligent man,

-take a guess.

-You'll want the ten-band equaliser, a cassette deck, at least 100 watts per channel.

You're maybe looking at 2,400 to 2,500 tops, out the door.

-You're asking people in here for an 850 ad and selling them something for 2,500.

-Babe, I told you,

we're sold out of that one. LOUD SCREAM

Hey, sweetheart, where are you going? It's a good...

-LOUD SHOUTS

-Police officer! Let me through!

Police officer! Hold it!

Oh, my God!

Somebody dial 911 for an ambulance. ..Sorry.

Hold it!

Police! Out of my way!

Police coming through! Hold it!

Look out! Police!

I said hold it right there. Drop that knife.

I said drop it.

Slide it over to me slowly.

Further.

Slowly.

-I hope this encounter group doesn't get touchy-feely.

-They do it in the nude in California.

Fortunately, this is New York.

-I do 100 push-ups every morning.

-You're a wonderful person(!)

Hey, little guy, are you lost? DOG WHIMPERS

Let's check you for ID.

-What's a dog doing here?

-It just wandered in.

-Who does he belong to?

-I don't know.

-He doesn't seem to have a collar.

-Call the pound - have him picked up.

The pound?! You know what they'll do to him. Let me find him a home.

I'd take him, but my building doesn't allow pets.

DOG WHIMPERS

Just make sure he's gone by the end of today.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. DOG BARKS

HE WHISTLES

Thank you. I can take it from here.

-Cool it.

-Need a hand, Cagney?

-No, thank you, Victor.

Right over here. Just move it, pal.

All right...have a seat.

-HE WHISTLES

-I said sit down!

Do your family know what you do for a living?

HE WHISTLES

Name?

HE WHISTLES

-I asked you your name.

-HE WHISTLES

I thought you said I had the right to remain silent?

I'm not asking for a biography, I just want your name and address.

How would you like to spend the rest of your life missing some major parts of your anatomy?

What did you say?

HE WHISTLES

-You threatening me?

-Oh, why I wouldn't do that to a police officer. That's illegal, isn't it?

D'you want to give me your name now or I'll throw you in the tank and we can do this tomorrow? Well?

HE WHISTLES

Charlie.

-Stokes.

-Spell it.

S...

T...O...

-..K...E...

-S.

HE WHISTLES

Stokes, Stokes, Stokes. Here it is. Darryl Stokes.

-He was arraigned yesterday afternoon. Bail set at 5,000.

-That's all?

-For a sleaze like that? Come on!

-You know how the game's played.

I asked the court to set bail at half a million, the defence says, "Send him home, cos he's such a nice guy,"

-and the judge comes up with something in between.

-I wouldn't call 5,000 somewhere in between.

-So the judge was in a hurry to play golf.

-Or you're not good at the game!

-Don't come in here...

-Feldberg, I need you to go into court and ask for higher bail.

5,000 is pretty standard for a case like this.

Did you look at his yellow sheet? Armed robbery, attempted rape!

-Yeah, no convictions - cases dropped before trial.

-Yeah, right. I talked to the investigating officers.

They think Stokes has been intimidating witnesses. Hell, he threatened me in the precinct.

All right, all right. How am I supposed to know that?

It makes me wonder, though - if you are so concerned about this case, how come you weren't at the arraignment?

Judge Komiski's chambers, please. I need to talk to his clerk.

So where were you?

My lieutenant sent me home.

I've been pulling too much overtime.

Huh, you're kidding!

Hello, Elliot. Todd Feldberg from the DA's office.

Listen, I need to petition for an increase in bail on a Darryl Stokes.

Yeah, I'll hold.

So what are you doing? Bucking for sergeant or are you just a glutton for work?

What was that? ..Oh, he's a lucky man.

Yeah, see you around, Elliot.

Well, Cagney, this conversation can now be classified as academic.

-I beg your pardon?

-Stokes posted an hour ago.

He's out of our hands until his court date.

You believe these statements?! News vendor says she didn't see anything.

Street worker says he saw nothing. This one's great(!) "What stabbing? I was reading my horoscope."

Got no witnesses. Mary Beth, if the victim had charged admission, he could have paid his hospital bill.

We have seven witnesses we haven't even talked to. You can ID Stokes.

-We've got a victim that can testify. We've got a case here.

-Mm-hm.

-I just hope the victim wants to press charges.

-Not everybody in New York doesn't want to get involved.

-No, just eight witnesses to a stabbing in daylight!

-Cynical. You go funny over the damnedest cases.

They tell me that you saved my life.

-That's good.

-How are you feeling?

I'm OK, I guess. The doctor says that next week, I should be out enjoying the swinging single's life.

-He didn't happen to say where you could find it, did he?

-Well...

-Mr Gelband, tell us what happened.

-There's not much to tell. This guy just pulled a knife and told me to give him my wallet.

-Did you?

-Hmm? Yeah, I didn't want any trouble.

-And then what?

Well, I only had 5 and the guy starts ranting and raving - the next thing I know...I'm stabbed.

-Mr Gelband, we'll need you to testify.

-All right. Whatever I can do to get this guy off the streets.

Well, sir, we certainly appreciate your attitude. You get some rest.

-We'll talk to you later.

-All right.

If Darryl Stokes tries to contact you or intimidate you in any way, I'd like you to call me immediately.

-What did I tell you? It's a dead-bang case.

-OK, you're right. Stop gloating.

We've broken down the squad into small groups who work closely together. You all know each other.

What you can't say out there you are free to say in here. There's no rank in this room.

What is important to know is that there's nothing wrong with talking about your problems...

there's nothing wrong with having problems. It doesn't make you any less of a person or any less a cop.

Now, for starters, why don't you tell me what a typical day in this precinct is like?

Well, it looks like attending this group is going to be more stressful than your job.

Who would like to start?

Bert, why don't you begin?

Well, my day is, um...

Well, usually, um... Well, I usually start my day...

I, I get a, a jelly doughnut, usually, from the little place across the street.

-That's, um, first.

-They have a good jelly doughnut there. Everything is very fresh - especially the custard.

-The custard is good, too.

-They have a good cherry tart. Oh, I'm sorry, it's not my turn to talk, right?

Mary Beth, that's OK. The idea is to talk when you have something to say.

Well...

..um...

that's all I really had to say.

-Anyone else have anything they'd like to talk about?

-I've got something I want to get off my chest.

Yes, Victor?

I think Barry Manilow is an underrated performer.

I mean, maybe he's not hip or highbrow...

..but he sings the songs the whole world sings.

-I used to like Vic Damone.

-Now there's a voice.

-I don't understand why you are so gung-ho about this group encounter thing.

-I wouldn't say I was gung-ho,

I just think it's a good idea. It's not healthy to keep our feelings all bottled up.

-I thought you shared your feelings with me.

-I do, Harv.

-Well, if you've got a problem, talk to me about it.

Honey, there's nothing wrong with talking about what I'm going through

-with people that are going through the same thing.

-Yeah, I guess.

-Just going to be talking about police work, right?

-I don't know if it'll only be about that.

-You going to be talking about me and the kids?

-That could come up, yeah.

-Oh, no, I don't want you talking about me in front of strangers.

-They're the people I work with.

There are certain things between a husband and a wife that should not be talked about with other people.

-Like what?

-What do you mean "Like what?"

-Like what?

-Like our sex life.

-Why would I want to talk to anybody about our sex life?

-But that's exactly my point!

SHE GIGGLES Well, what's so funny?

You think I should tell them about that Halloween party, remember?

-You dressed up like a frog. Remember when we got home?

-I was very tired.

Oh, you were too tired to change out of your costume, but not too tired to hop on my side of the bed, right?

SHE GIGGLES I don't think that's funny.

-Good night.

-Oh, Harv...

-Harv?

-What?

Ribbit.

Ribbit.

Ribbit.

Ribbit, ribbit.

I just got a call from the hospital. The nurse went into Martin Gelband's room this morning and...

-found him gone.

-Did anyone see him leave?

-No. Check his apartment. See what you can find.

I don't think we'll see Martin Gelband while Stokes is loose.

-Mary Beth, we don't have a witness.

-We have one very good witness - you.

-Marty came home about, um, 1am.

-Are you sure of the time?

-Oh, positive.

I was watching Wait Until Dark.

Richard Crenna and Jack Weston were trying to warn Audrey Hepburn about that maniac Alan Arkin.

-That's when I heard the noise in the hall.

-What noise?

-I tried to wake my husband. He was asleep on the couch.

I mean, it's like that every night.

I don't care what the movie - a spy movie, a tearjerker -

10 minutes into it, he's out cold.

-And about the noise, ma'am?

-Well, I knew Marty was in the hospital,

so I thought someone might be robbing his place. I looked in the peephole,

but it was only Marty walking into his apartment. They sure let them out of the hospital soon, don't they?

-Listen, Audrey Hepburn is blind in this picture...

-I remember the picture.

-Oh.

-About the noise?

It was just the slamming of the door. But by then, Audrey had already knifed Alan, so I figured I was safe.

-I walked to the door, keeping one eye on the TV, of course.

-Of course.

When I opened the door, Alan lunged at Audrey.

I let out such a scream that my husband fell off the couch!

I guess I scared Marty to death, cos he picked up his suitcase and left. You should have seen Audrey's face.

-Was he alone, Mrs Asinow?

-Who? BOTH: Mr Gelband.

Oh.

-He's scared. He is scared and he's running.

-Think Stokes got to him?

Who else? It's his MO, isn't it?

Stokes calls Gelband up at the hospital and says if he doesn't keep his mouth shut, he'll cut him up -

or words to that effect. Gelband runs. Stokes is a pretty scary guy.

-What do you mean?

-Well, he's 6'2", weighs about 200lb and he doesn't have a pleasant personality.

-Is there something you're not telling me here?

-No.

-He was mouthing off. He said some stuff to me.

-Like what?

-The usual garbage.

-Did this man threaten you?

-Mary Beth, you cannot take every threat seriously.

-You cannot...!

-I haven't got time for this argument.

This man is suspected of harassing witnesses. You're going to be protected, like it or not.

-Lieutenant...

-No discussion. You take the squad car, drop her home. I'll have two men outside her loft.

Happy to, sir.

Keys, please?

DOG BARKS

DOG WHIMPERS

RAIN POURS DOWN

HORN HONKS

PHONE RINGS

PHONE CONTINUES TO RING

Hello?

No, I'm sorry, there's no-one here by that name. ..Yeah, well, next time, use the phone book!

PHONE RINGS

Did you dial right?!

What?

Oh, Mark, I'm sorry.

No, I thought it was the wrong number.

Um, what?

Oh, um, it's just been sort of a rough day. ..Yeah.

When, tonight? ..Um...I'd love to, but... No, the place is a mess now,

and, um, I'm in the middle of redecorating. Yeah.

The truth is, Mark, I'm just... I'm not, um, up for company tonight.

Yeah, another time would be great.

OK, yeah.

OK. Bye.

THUNDER

No, ma'am. ..Well, when we hear from him, we'll certainly let you know.

OK. ..Thank you, Mrs Gelband.

Don't let the...

-dog in.

-We've just got off the phone to Martin Gelband's parents. They've not heard from him since Christmas.

-We're checking all transportation from the city.

-Not necessary. I got a call from the medical examiner.

Gelband's body was found in an alley this morning.

We've an APB out on Stokes. Homicide squad's handling the case. They'll let us know anything that they find.

I suggest you concentrate on making your case against Stokes stick.

If we can't tie this murder to Stokes, then all we've got to put him away with is your case.

I assure you, the DA is going to want a lot more than your testimony. What we need is more witnesses.

Uniforms have taken all the witness statements and nobody saw anything.

-Go on back out there. Somebody might change their minds.

-Yes, sir.

-Lieutenant...shouldn't somebody notify Gelband's parents?

-That's a good idea. You do that, Lacey.

Yes, sir.

DOG WHIMPERS

-Out.

-DOG WHIMPERS

Out!

Sitting is good, too.

DRILLING DROWNS SPEECH

Did you see the stabbing that happened here Tuesday, around 11.30?

-I said did you happen to see the stabbing...

-SHE COUGHS

-..that happened here Tuesday, around 11.30?

-No.

Oh.

Thank you.

A man is stabbed less than 30 feet away, now surely you remember hearing or seeing something?

Things like that happen all the time. I mind my own business.

I guess if it was you being robbed, you'd be singing another tune, huh?

-Do you want a paper?

-No! ..Thank you.

-What?

-Nothing. It's like it never happened. ..How about you?

It amazes me the effort people take to avoid getting involved.

We wouldn't be going through this at all if they hadn't let him out on bail in the first place.

One of the most stressful aspects of police work is the inability to turn the job off once you get home.

Let's talk about that tonight. Mark, do you want to start?

Um...some nights I get home...

and, um, I look at Lauren - that's my daughter -

and I get angry that she's going to grow up in the world I just left.

I almost want to quit and move to Colorado.

I know what you mean. The first time I had pictures taken of my daughter,

I called them mug shots. THEY LAUGH

-Coleman, I didn't even know you had a daughter.

-You never asked.

Her name's Betty.

She's retarded.

She goes to a special school.

-I'm s-sorry.

-No need to be.

She's a lot happier than a lot of kids I've seen.

VICTOR: I love to party. I hardly get invited any more.

People start smoking dope or something...

..I gotta leave.

-What am I going to do - bust my friends?

-I gave up going to parties a long time ago.

It's hard for me to be around people who aren't cops.

When my daughter was little, she wanted me to wear my uniform all the time - watching TV, on my day off.

When she was old enough to understand what a policeman does...

she didn't want me to wear the uniform at all.

MARK: Claudia tells everyone not to call when I'm working.

-It scares her to hear the phone ring when I'm not there. It's crazy, isn't it?

-Harv does the same thing.

We have this understanding that, um, if I'm on stakeout, late at night,

I never tell him when I'm coming home, you know, so he won't wait up all night - which he does, anyway.

Chris?

You've said very little since we began these sessions. Maybe you'd like to add something to this.

No, not really.

-No-one's going to force you to say anything if you don't want to.

-Fine.

Her and I are working on a very frustrating case right now. It...

Um, none of the witnesses want to get involved, um, and we think the suspect is, is watching Christine.

It's no big deal.

-That can be very frightening.

-It's a drag.

Every time I turn around, I've got somebody watching me - perp or cops.

It's doing a number on my social life.

Are you sure that's all you feel?

People who've experienced that often talk of feeling invaded...

even raped.

Well, not me. So don't worry...

because he's not going to touch me.

Because if he comes within three feet of me, I'll kill him.

I swear to you, I'll kill him.

Because nobody does that to me.

Nobody.

BANGING

-Freeze!

-It's me! Petrie!

Was it Stokes?

-Are you OK?

-I'm fine. Was it Stokes?

-Petrie...he's gone.

-Well, how the hell did he get past you, anyway?!

-I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too.

Come on, we'll walk you back down.

Hey, look at this. It looks like he's been here a while.

Do you want coffee or not?

Excuse me, Lieutenant, there's someone here to see you.

-Pal!

-DOG BARKS

-So this dog belongs to you, huh?

-Yep. Sit, Rock.

-You know, you could have lost him for good.

-He was outside the candy store when I went in to buy comics.

When I came out, he was gone.

If he was wearing dog tags, we could've called you. You make sure you get him a tag,

because this dog is your responsibility. He can't take care of himself. That's why he needs you.

Maybe next time, you won't be so lucky. Do you understand me?

-He should be wearing a collar, too. Does he have a collar?

-Uh-uh.

-Here.

-Thanks.

I don't suppose he has a leash.

..I didn't think so.

Here, take this one.

Thanks.

Matter of fact... why don't you take the whole bag?

There's a rubber ball in there and some, um - yeah, fire hydrant - and some dog treats.

-Thanks.

-Don't mention it.

You make sure you take good care of that dog. You got it?

Got it.

DOG BARKS

Homicide's report on Gelband turned up empty. There's nothing that ties Stokes to his murder.

-The guy knows how to play the game.

-All we've got is your testimony. If that doesn't go down, Stokes walks.

-Which is why last night's incident was stupid.

-He was on my roof -

-I had to do something.

-That's why I put Petrie and Isbecki on you.

-Well, I didn't feel like waiting to get carved up.

-So you prefer making yourself visible(?) Easy target, eh?

-Hey, I'm a cop.

-In this case, you're a witness.

Right now, Cagney, you're the only witness we've got. So remember that!

-What was that all about?

-It was nothing.

-Don't tell me "Nothing"!

-Stokes was on my roof last night and he got away, there's nothing more to tell.

-And you didn't call me?

-It was late.

-That never stopped you before.

-Mary Beth, I just don't want to make a big deal out of this.

The crazy was on your roof and you don't want to make a big deal? Thanks a lot, Christine(!)

-Isbecki and Petrie were there. They scared him away.

-Ooh(!)

So...how long are you going to keep up the strong and silent routine?

-Don't start with me.

-Don't tell me "Don't start", Christine!

Mary Beth, I know what you want to say to me. How I seem closed, and I should open up more and talk, right?

-Close.

-Well, not everybody deals with their problems the way you do.

I am not you. I do not need to talk about everything.

What I need is to stop making this case any bigger than it has already become. I am fine. I am really OK.

What I need is to find this guy and go back to leading a normal life. That's all.

OK?

Cagney, have you got plans for dinner tonight?

..So you'll have dinner with Lacey.

-Where did La Guardia get this one?

-1957 - in Greenpoint.

-We are talking long shot here.

-Mmm.

Oh, here they come.

Oh, was that good chilli, or what?

-I don't know, my taste buds are in shock.

-I told you to get the mild one. You still liked it, though, eh?

-I think it's the finest 2 chilli in New York. How did you find this place?

-Harv found it.

He can sniff out good food like nobody's business.

-Hey!

-Hey, you creep! Let go!

-Petrie, get on him!

-He's got my gun!

-Christine, you all right? Let me see. Oh, gee!

-I'm fine. I'm fine.

-Here, just a second.

-Damn it!

-Here, here, take this.

-Do you believe that?

-Louse. You sure you're OK?

-I'm OK. Let me wash it off.

-OK.

-Just take it easy. Get up...

-I'm fine.

-..slowly. OK. ..OK.

-Damn!

-OK, come here. Are you sure you're gonna be OK?

-I'm fine.

-Right, take it slow. I'm going to call it in.

-All right.

Hold it! Right there!

Put the knife down, Stokes. Lay it down.

Drop it!

You have the right to remain silent.

If you give up the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be held against you in a court.

You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, and so choose,

an attorney will be appointed for you, without charge, before questioning. Do you understand?

You should have been there! It was great! We set this guy up like you wouldn't believe!

-Christine and I came out. This guy tried for her pocket book, and he winds up hitting her!

-Really?

-Yes!

-That punch looked so good...

-He really hit me hard! Where did you get this guy?

From Vice - they make the best crooks.

But she was wonderful. No, you were.

She never batted an eye, she never gave it away. She was spectacular.

I didn't do anything. Honest. It was La Guardia. He thought it out. Let's hear it for La Guardia!

You should have seen the look on Stokes's face...when La Guardia came out of the stall!

He couldn't believe his eyes! A nice guy like me in the ladies room?

EVERYONE LAUGHS

-Sorry. I didn't really want to do this.

-That's OK.

I don't know. I guess, I'm just sort of glad it's over.

LAUGHTER

Go on.

Um...

I just kept seeing this face in my mind, you know, and I...just waited.

There was nothing else I could do except wait, and, um...

and I felt, um...

um...very helpless.

It's like I lost all sense of... that I had no control.

And he had taken that away from me.

You know, he had no right to invade my life the way he did.

Nobody...

nobody has that right.

It's my life.

It was...it was my life.

I hate...I hate, um...

um, feeling scared. And there wasn't anything I could do about it.

I just... I can't, I can't stop thinking about...about...

about it and about him, and...

I just hate him for that.

I, I just...I just want to, um...

..get the picture out of my mind. I need, I need to go on...

with my life.

Is that too much to ask?

Subtitles by Barrie Gilchrist BBC Broadcast 2004