Insubordination Cagney and Lacey

Morning, Christine!

Did you run the reservoir?

Cardiovascular fitness(!)

Thin thighs, firm muscles. The New Woman. I'm very impressed(!)

Think I could get into that?

I could try it.

Build up gradually.

-GASPS

-You could.

-Pardon?

-PANTING

-That's good.

Yeah. Well, maybe.

Oh, God!

Maybe not.

Marcus, wanna hear what Bon-Bon said to me last night? No!

-Lieutenant Samuels.

-Mmm-hh?

Captain Fuller.

-Captain.

-Good to see you again. 1973?

-Congratulations on making Captain.

-Look, I imagine this is a little difficult for you.

-When we were in it together ten years ago,

I was Sergeant, you were a patrolman, you took orders from me.

Now I take orders from YOU. That's it.

-Good. OK. So, no hard feelings?

-Why should there be hard feelings?

Deputy Inspector Norman fill you in?

I'll be reporting directly to the Commissioner.

He's concerned about efficiency at the precinct level. I'll be looking around,

talking to people, checking files.

It'll take me a couple of days. Meantime, we should discuss these liaison assignments with Narcotics.

-Got a copy of your detective roster I can look at?

-Yeah.

Who's available?

At the moment there's Cagney... and Lacey.

Christine Cagney, Mary Beth Lacey? No. I don't like putting women on Narcotics.

They can handle it.

-Experience has shown me that women don't work out in high pressure assignments.

-Not in MY experience.

There could be some danger, and I see that Lacey's got two kids. How about Aspramonte and Kazak?

Aspramonte is the father of FIVE kids.

All right, call them in. I'll brief them.

You've put on a few pounds since '73, Lieutenant.

-Yeah. It's...eh...desk work.

-There's a gym on 48th. I go every day. You outta check it out.

Cagney.

Lacey.

-Det. Lacey and Det. Cagney, this is Captain Fuller.

-Captain.

You're being assigned to temporary duty on a narcotics task force. It's big. Cocaine.

-You want us off our caseload?

-For the moment. Your narcotics liaison officer will contact you.

You'll be working under his command. No arrests will be made

without his knowledge and consent.

-Is that clear?

-Yes, sir.

-That's it. Thanks.

-Uh...

-this narcotics liaison officer, what's his name?

-14th precinct... you're assigned to Sergeant McKenna.

Is that Dorian McKenna?

-Right.

-Thank you.

-I don't like the idea of working with him.

-Why not?

-Come on!

-What? Can I have the ketchup?

Last year he left me with no back-up while he was off scoring cocaine.

-You made the collar, didn't you?

-Yeah. No thanks to you! You were busy chasing after HIM!

Then you bring him to MY apartment.

I'm not even gonna dignify your foggy memory of the events.

How do you want me to advise you? Don't tell Harvey.

-What has Harvey got to do with it?

-I'm not the one having the problem.

Don't pretend that you don't have a history with this man!

What Dorry and I were together is history.

We're cops, we're professionals. There's no reason why we can't work together.

-Do you trust him?

-What does that mean?

It means that Sgt. Dorian McKenna had a...

had a serious drug problem.

A lot of cops have problems.

Some drink, some beat their wives, some even put on pantyhose...

and cruise the West Village in their spare time!

I'm sure he must have cleaned up his act or they...they wouldn't have taken him back.

Certainly not on Narcotics.

Yeah.

So, do you wanna call him?

Could we just drop this?

You don't wanna talk about it? OK, we don't talk about it.

-Lieutenant, can I talk to you about that narcotics assignment?

-Talk!

I think you should use another team.

I've been through this with Fuller. You and Lacey are the two most available.

-Got a problem?

-It's the kind of assignment I've never been good at.

-What? Narcotics isn't new to you.

You know me, I'm no good working in teams.

Is that what it is, Cagney(?)

This is a police department.

It's just like the army - you get orders, you follow them. That's the way it works.

-If it's something personal...

-No.

-..I'll see...

-It isn't personal.

-Sure?

-Yeah.

Sorry I even brought it up. Goodnight!

OK. Goodnight.

Well, what do you think?

-Nice. You haven't worn that suit in two years.

-Haven't been to a funeral in two years.

-44, and he keels over.

-Did he have a heart condition?

-Eddie Bacchus? He jogged two miles a day,

weighed 165, not an ounce of fat on him. In the army, he held the obstacle course record.

-Was he married?

-He was too busy running! I hate this suit!

It is the suit of death.

-44-years-old.

-Harv, it happens. It was probably hereditary.

-Yeah(!)

-What time's your plane?

9am from Penn Station, I'm taking the train. I'll be back Friday.

-Friday?!

-An old army buddy checks out, the guys in the platoon get together and have a couple.

Oh, boy! You just can't figure it. Your number comes up, it comes up, right?

-Your number's not coming up for a long time.

-We got enough insurance?

-Harvey!

-Don't throw out my bowling trophies.

-What about that real ugly one?

-I swear I will come back from the grave and get you!

-Promise?

-Oooh! Ooooooooh!

-Cut it out!

Lt. Petrie, all this information is gonna be kept in the strictest confidence.

-How long have you been assigned to the 14th?

-3½ years.

-Your present partner is Victor Izbeki, right?

-Right. For the last year-and-a-half.

-How's that working out?

-Fine.

-Ever request a change of partners?

-No.

There are avenues of appeal above your commanding officer

-if you're dissatisfied with your assignments.

-I know.

How would you rate Lt. Samuels as a commanding officer on a scale of one to ten?

-I've got no problems with him.

-Five? Six?

-I don't feel comfortable putting a number on him.

-I'll put 5½.

-How about ten?

Ten.

Yeah. Ten.

I gotta take her round the city.

We're going to the Ice Follies! What can happen there... with my own cousin? First cousin!

Gotta go. There's an emergency.

Lieutenant?

The DA's office want to see you and Petrie about a case they want to file. Where IS Petrie?

-In the interview room.

-Who's he interviewing?

-He's BEING interviewed. Captain Fuller.

Good morning, sir.

Maybe not!

The Lieutenant got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Must be rough, having someone you used to command give you orders.

-There are 55 detectives involved in this operation.

-There IS a major cocaine problem in this city.

I know that. But you don't solve it by co-ordinating, you solve it by working.

-Co-ordinating's what they do down town.

-Clean up New York all by yourself?

-Maybe.

You can't get a decision made around here without checking with at least three other people.

-I've a feeling McKenna got in touch.

-He wants to see us at 3.30.

I can't. I have to help Michael with his reading after school.

-No problem. I'll co-ordinate with you tomorrow.

-Sure?

-Yeah.

-Same old Cagney, huh? John Wayne in a skirt.

-I didn't ask for this assignment!

-Then get out of it!

If I spot something, what do I do about the collar?

-You don't make the collar.

-No?

-We don't wanna blow that place in case the collar falls apart.

-The collar's not...

-Chris...

-I...

-Let ME run this operation.

-Yes, sir(!)

I'll be in the car across the street.

-Follow the perp out with your bag on your left shoulder. I'll take it from there.

-Right.

If you've got nothing, put your bag on your right shoulder.

But don't look at me, they may be watching you. Go to the subway, take it one stop,

meet me in the park at 72nd Street. Straight?

Chris.

Let's try to get along. We've got a job to do.

OK.

How's it goin', Jake? < Fine.

Scotch and water? Yeah. Something like that.

Hi.

Hi.

-Haven't seen YOU in here before.

-I used to come here all the time, before it became a gay bar.

This isn't a gay bar.

Really?

Could have fooled me!

-Anything?

-Nothing that I could spot.

About twenty people went in and out, but nobody left with anything.

-unless something was passed in the men's room.

-The bartender?

Typical bartender, polite and friendly, but not TOO friendly.

-Mixes a hell of a Martini!

-OK.

-We'll hit it again tomorrow, a little earlier in the day.

-OK.

-This time Lacey can do it.

There's a little Hungarian place on 73rd Street. Serves terrific goulash, if you wanna eat.

Thanks. But I've got dinner plans.

-Well, some other time.

-Sure.

You know, uh...

-We COULD try talking like normal people.

-Dorry, I...

-Chris...

-the last time we were together, I was so coked up...

-Dorry!

I don't wanna go through it again.

-It's different now.

-Right.

It IS different. So maybe we should leave things the way they are.

OK.

You're probably right. Winds up being easier this way, doesn't it?

Goodnight, Dorry.

-How drunk was he?

-3.30am, he calls to tell me he loves me.

-It's the thought that counts.

-Then he says he won't be home till the weekend.

-How come?

-"Eddie would have wanted it that way"!

No roll-call in the morning? No.

Do detectives keep their own hours?

Sort of. Sometimes we go to court in the morning or interview people before they go to work.

PHONE RINGS Excuse me. Izbeki. 14th.

Look, I can't talk to you now.

I'm up to my ears in work.

-Good morning, detectives.

-Morning.

-Morning.

-How's the assignment working out?

-We're just starting...

-Fine, sir. Fine.

-Good.

I want to talk to you upstairs. Let's say... Lacey at 11.

-Cagney at noon.

-Will it take long? We have a 2 o'clock appointment.

No. It shouldn't take more than an hour.

I wish he would go away.

You're not the only one.

What's it gonna be today?

Usual.

How much do I owe you?

Three and a quarter.

Keep the change.

Thank you. Have a nice day.

Let's go.

POLICE!

-Out of the way!

-POLICE!

Police!

Out of the way! Police!

25th Street.

So, I says to her, "Bon-bon,

"you COULD say thank you. I mean, I give up a Nicks game..."

If you want gratitude, consider older women. Older?

You know what Benjamin Franklin said on the subject? No.

He wrote a letter to a young man listing their advantages.

They're wiser, more discreet, not as jealous, they are learned in the arts of love,

and, most important of all, according to Franklin, they're grateful.

But... Think about it. There's a lot to be said for gratitude.

Sweetheart...!

Harv, somebody could be listening on this line. I'll see you tomorrow.

-I'm getting my Harv back.

-Yes?

He missed me, so he's coming home tomorrow, taking me for dinner.

-He's only been gone two days.

-Felt like two weeks. Anyway...see you in the morning.

Your purse!

-Will you sign out for me?

-Yes.

Hi, Greig! It's Chris. How are you?

What are you doing tonight? There's this new sushi place on 3rd. I thought...

Oh, yeah? No, no. It's fine.

I'll catch you later.

Bye.

Hiya, Pop! What do you say I buy you dinner tonight?

I forgot, it's poker. You got an extra seat?

Full house, huh? OK, Pop. I'll catch you later. Never draw to an inside straight.

Bye.

Wanna go to dinner?

Frank.

Bert.

-You never were very punctual.

-I got tied up at the station.

You work too hard. Sit down. The beer's still good here.

-Thanks for coming, Frank.

-Expect me to pass up a beer(?)

-Good to see you, kid.

-You're gotta be the last person in the world who calls me kid!

-You're still a baby-faced sergeant to me!

-You're looking good yourself.

-It's been a while.

-A year and a half. I figured things were going right.

-So, what's wrong?

-It shows, huh?

You still my rabbi, Frank?

The best Irish rabbi in the city.

I got a problem. I don't know how to handle it.

ANSWERING MACHINE: 'Hello. This is Dorry McKenna.

'I'm not home, but...'

So I caught him, with his hand right in the cookie jar.

-Big stuff?

-Nickels and dimes. A meal, a haircut, maybe a new pair of shoes.

-A lot of cops were walking round with paper bags then. The pay was lousy.

-Not MY cops.

-How did you handle it?

-I talked to him, told him to cut it out. He cleaned it up for a while.

-I found out he was back working Bedford Avenue. So I brought him up.

-He beat it?

I couldn't find anybody who'd testify against him.

-He requested a transfer. I didn't oppose it.

-So you figure he's got it in for you now.

-I don't know.

Tell me something, Frank. How...?

-How does a guy like that make Captain?

-Politics. He knows how to play the game.

You gotta play the game too.

-I'm no good at politics, Frank.

-You wanna stay a lieutenant forever?

All I ask is that I'm left to do my job.

You're a fossil, Bert. Aren't too many left like you. They're bringing in a new breed.

They got degrees, they write books, they programme computers...

So what? Frank, I can't take orders from a man I don't respect.

If you're gonna stand up against this guy, you better win.

Or you could be commanding a traffic squad...in the Harlem Tunnel.

-Hi.

-Hi.

I thought the guy might come back.

No plans tonight?

-No.

-How come?

Just happens.

He isn't gonna come within ten miles of this place now that he knows it's hot.

Well, I had nothing better lined up.

Wanna talk?

I'd like to know what happened.

-You wanted to keep it simple.

-Come on!

This is stupid, Dorry.

Talk to me.

I spent four months on a programme upstate, near Albany.

Three hours a day of group therapy, an hour of individual, ping-pong and volleyball in the afternoon,

TV at night and lights out at ten.

First, I fought it. I didn't wanna face it,

that I was a junkie.

But they broke me down eventually. They were very good at it.

Now...I'm trying to put it together again.

-Why did they put you back on Narcotics?

-I requested it.

I wanted to have the temptation right in front of me.

-You should be proud.

-Of what?

I didn't beat it. Nobody REALLY beats it.

-You're off coke.

-I'm still a junkie, Chris. Know what I do now? I work.

I'm a work junkie. 15 hours a day.

Look at me. What am I doing in a car at 10 o'clock at night, stalking out a dead end?

I got a better question.

-What are YOU doing here?

-I don't know.

-I'm a bad investment. It's day-to-day with me.

-Stay away.

-I've been trying to.

-It's no good, Chris. We'll kill each other just like we did before.

What about friends? I mean, maybe you could use somebody to talk to.

-I don't need a nurse!

-What is it that you need?

-I need to keep things simple, and you're not!

-Dorry...

-Look...

it's too complicated. Please go.

I'm sorry I came on to you before. I was wrong.

Cagney...

I want you to get out of here.

-Morning.

-You're sitting in my desk.

-I've been here since seven. I didn't think you'd mind.

I mind.

-Thank you.

-Mind if I close the door?

-No. Go ahead.

I've been talking to your detectives and looking over your files.

I'm afraid that there's a lot of work to be done here, Bert.

I think you've got some dead wood on your detective squad.

I'm gonna recommend that La Guardia be put out to pasture.

And your partnership assignments need to be re-examined.

I'm not sure you're getting maximum productivity. Split up Izbeki and Petrie.

Put each one with a rookie.

What are you doing? Something wrong?

-You look not so hot.

-Thank you(!) I didn't sleep much last night.

-Why not?

Why do I still care about him?

Which brings me to the women.

Cagney and Lacey. Split them up and they'll spend less time yakking.

-Now, about roll call...

-That's enough.

-I beg your pardon?

You haven't got the slightest understanding of these people. Get out.

I'm not sure I understand...

It's not complicated. I want you out of my precinct - RIGHT NOW!

-Bert...

-Don't call me Bert. You come in and try to dismantle my operation,

you tell me that one of the finest officers I've ever met is too old to do his job... I won't have it!

You know what you're doing?

I'm telling you that you don't know what you're talking about and I am prepared to back it up.

-I'm gonna fight you every step of the way!

-With what?

With my record! Take your recommendations and get out before I throw you out!!

Hey!

Hold it down! What's going on here? Get back to work!

-What about the dope?

-He says he's off.

-And you believe him?

-Yes.

-Oh, Chris. I think you're looking for trouble with this man.

-You've made yourself clear...

-I don't wanna see you get hurt.

-Thanks(!)

-I'm trying to help.

-He's an ex-junkie, he's got a lousy temper...

-No worse than mine!

-He's bossy...

-I'm not(?)

-I'm 37-years-old...

-38!

What if I want him?

-None of my business. You're a big girl.

-MARY BETH!

-What?

-You don't even know him. That stuff you said. You're talking about a man

you know nothing about, and it's not right!

He's really very...

-Well, you probably wouldn't know it by looking at him.

-What?

He has this way about him.

He walks into a room and he takes control without even trying.

-Are you in love with him?

-No! He just upsets me!

Makes me nervous.

I like that.

This "gentleman" has been looking for you.

-He says Sgt. McKenna gave him your card in case he couldn't be reached.

-He can't be reached?

-Thank you!

So, what can we do for you?

Sit down.

Maybe if we start with your name...

Benny.

Benny! Hey!

Benny.

So, what's on your mind?

You got 50 bucks on you?

-In cash?

-Petrie!

We tried calling Dorry, he's at a meeting, we left messages. We're gonna lose it in 7 minutes.

-I don't like it.

-He's Dorry's stoolie.

-He's a low-life.

-You expect a solid citizen(?)

No arrests without the approval of McKenna!

-If it's the right collar, they'll not throw it back.

-And if it's only liquor?

-We'll say we're kidding!

Buy everybody a drink.

-We're closed.

-We're police officers.

-What's up?

-We'd like to check your liquor licence.

-You made the collar without your commanding officer's approval?

-We couldn't reach him.

-4 kilos!

-A street value of ¼ million!

-A major dealer, two runners...

I don't care if you got Attila the Hun! Your orders were not to make an arrest without approval.

That's insubordination. You get an order from a superior officer, you obey it.

Bravo. That was very well put and to the point, wouldn't you say?

-Inspector.

-I would like to discuss that very subject with you.

-Sure.

"Foolish consistency > is the hobgoblin of little minds."

-What are you talking about?

-It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said that.

-It means the best are not always the most consistent.

-Samuels threw Fuller out.

-You're kidding!

-Insubordination is running rampant!

It was like High Noon. The lieutenant stood him down... like Gary Cooper...

-I won!

-You did not!

-The man can make it very difficult for you.

-He was out of line.

-You should have gone through me.

-I realise that. I lost my temper.

You'll be facing charges of insubordination and disrespect to a superior officer.

-What are my chances?

-A lot will depend on the evaluation from your people in his report.

If your detectives line up behind you, you may just get a reprimand.

-You brought him up in '73 for being on the take?

-How did you find that out?

-Small department.

-He beat it.

-So I heard. Well, maybe you'll beat it too.

-I'll keep you posted.

-Thanks.

-A little Italian place on 38th... It's where Harv proposed to me the second time.

-That's nice.

-Hope he hasn't been waiting too long.

-Only a couple of minutes late.

-Thanks for dropping me off.

I can't wait to see him.

Chris...

what I said about Dorry... I was just speaking my mind.

-What do

-I

-know about men? I found myself a good one and kept him.

There he is. Good old Harv.

Oh, look at him. He looks like he lost a couple of pounds.

Beer will do that for you(!)

-Do I look all right?

-For God's sake, he's your husband!

-I'll see you tomorrow.

Hey, stranger!

'Hello, this is Dorry McKenna. I'm not home right now, but if you want to leave a message,

'please leave one right after the beep. I'll call you back as soon as possible.'

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