On the Street Cagney and Lacey

It's more complicated than the national debt. Somebody's going to clean up here.

-Mostly you.

-This is a specialised skill, like doctors and lawyers.

-I thought you guys had a court appearance?

-We finished. We got a conviction.

I wish you would not do that. I'm not having this baby for your amusement or profit.

Pregnant ladies get very irritable.

What month are YOU in, Coleman - the fourth(?)

We still have time to see those people on the Travis case.

Don't you want to leave that till tomorrow?

I told you I don't want special consideration!

No. I know you hate testifying and you must be tired...

You want to go home early, right?

-I'm going to the theatre, and I'd like to go with clean hair.

-David Keeler?

David Keeler. And he likes my golden highlights.

-So what does this David do?

-Where to start...?

-Christine!

-He's a dentist.

Dentist. That's nice.

I know... A man who has his hands in everybody's mouths all day.

He was born to it, Mary Beth.

Dentists are solid.

Actually, he has sexy teeth... He has a nice smile.

-Hospital - we got a beating victim there.

-Now?

-We're on our way, sir.

OK. 15 minutes to get there.

An hour tops for the interview, huh?

Mary Beth, the truth. Does my hair look bad?

It's my guess some John beat her up and dumped her.

-Who found her?

-We did. My partner's out canvassing for witnesses.

-How bad is she?

-She'll live. But the guy did a pretty good job.

Look at her. She's only a child.

-They go on the streets young.

-Yeah.

Doesn't mean I can get used to it.

-Think we should wake her up?

-No.

-We'll come back. Maybe we can get an ID off this stuff.

-Yeah.

-What kind of psychopath uses a child like that, then beats her up?

-Her John or her pimp.

-What's the matter?

-Nothing.

Would you believe this?

Cheerleaders have stuff like that.

-Norma Jean Baker?

-Marilyn Monroe. Yes, sir.

Her file says she's 23, Lieutenant. Not even close.

-She has an arrest for prostitution, three weeks ago.

-She also had this.

That's from a High School in Inglewood.

We're checking with New Jersey now for runaways.

We're also checking on Dominic Lucero, the guy who bailed her out.

-You know him?

-He's a pimp, right?

-We just had Lucero in here on something.

-Murder over at 22nd. They wanted to talk to him.

-He was picked up on that.

-That was a young hooker, too.

-Where were we when all this was going on?

-I don't know.

-Let's get out there, see what he's doing today.

-Yes, sir.

Lieutenant, I won't be back today.

-I've an appointment with the dentist.

-Oh.

-You want to stop and rest a minute?

-No, thank you, Christine.

-Sure?

-All I am is pregnant.

I walked the beat when I was carrying Michael.

Mr Lucero!

-Is Dominic Lucero here?

-No.

-I don't know where he is.

-You do KNOW him, right?

-Yeah. But he's not here.

-We're police officers. Can we ask you some questions?

-OK.

Well, I gotta leave pretty soon. I have an appointment.

-What's your name?

-Adriene Whicker.

How old are you? 18.

-I really got to leave in a few minutes, and I gotta get ready.

-How'd you know Lucero?

-I don't know him.

-You said you did!

Yeah, well... I thought you said something else.

Ever hear of a girl named Amy Turkleson?

How about Norma Jean Baker?

Nope.

About your age. Blonde, green eyes. Weighs 110 lbs.

She's just been beaten half to death.

-No. I don't know her.

-Somebody tried to kill her.

If you hang out with the same people, you could be in trouble.

I can't help you. I'm sorry. I gotta go.

-That was a waste of time.

-We could call the morgue right now, reserve a table for that one.

Sign me out. I'll grab a cab, and have time to wash my hair.

-That is the kind of thinking that is ruining American theatre.

-What is wrong with Neil Simon?

He is devoid of substance.

Oh, substance! Contemplating the navel while waiting for Godot?

-Something wrong with Beckett?

-No.

Samuel Beckett is the greatest...

-I'm sorry. I wasn't looking.

-I knew it.

-Let go of it!

-Christine...

-She stole this.

-I grabbed it to keep from falling.

-And I'm Mother Goose(!)

-It's my wallet. I'll handle it.

-Let the police do their work.

-Christine...

-Six wallets?

I'll give 'em back. Be quiet.

You'll only incriminate yourself. You can't use what she just said.

You didn't mirandize her.

And that might constitute illegal search.

-Illegal?

-Shall I give her back your wallet?

-Of course not.

-What, then?

How about backing off? I want a lawyer.

You got it.

She's got a dentist.

-You wouldn't have gone out with me if I told you I was a lawyer.

-A lawyer?!

-You two going together?

-You stay out of this. Try ASKING me next time.

This is never going to work for you.

Christine, this is my territory.

A cop and a lawyer won't cut it.

Not just any lawyer - an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer!

-It IS funny, Christine.

-Funny? Sgt Libun was FUNNY!

"We'd like to thank you for bringing in the perpetrator AND the lawyer."

-And what happened to the pickpocket?

-She walked. She gave David back his wallet.

-I would have liked to have seen it.

-Try next Thursday. You might see an encore.

-You're going out with him again?

-I'm going to an ACOU dinner.

-Oh!

I think I'll have cards made up that say "Hi, I'm a cop and don't tell me about the '68 convention."

Stephanie...

Hi, Stephanie. How are you feeling?

I'm Detective Lacey. This is Sgt Cagney.

What makes you think my name's Stephanie?

It's all right. Your parents are having you transferred.

-Who asked you to call my parents?

-Hey, wait a second. Don't do that.

Let go of me!

Mary Beth, call the nurse.

Now, stop it.

Stop it.

-Any other witnesses?

-Nobody will talk to us.

You've had days and you still haven't enough to bring Lucero in.

-The girl can give us a positive ID.

-I thought she was uncooperative?

-Well, she called us.

-Why the turn-around?

-That's what we're going to find out.

-Probably she feels safer at home.

-All right. Take the whole day.

-Yes, sir.

-Think we'll be back by six?

-Maybe seven.

Well, remind me to call Harve.

-It's the baby. Harvey's getting maternal.

-Harvey?

-Lacey's looking real good, don't you think, Marcus?

-Yeah.

She always looks good to me.

Naw, it's different.

She...she seems like she...glows.

-Glows?

-Yeah. She looks more like a...mother now.

Well, THAT I noticed.

Nice and...safe.

-Safe?

-Yeah.

See, there are dangerous females, the kind a man would die for...

Yes, I can imagine.

Then there are safe females you can count on...

-like mothers...

-Madonnas?

That singer? No. She's definitely in the dangerous category. No. What I mean is...

Take Claudia, for instance. A real pretty lady.

Not dangerous, she's nice and safe, right?

Actually, she's nice and dangerous.

Eat your heart out, Victor.

Stephanie will be down in a moment.

My husband wanted to be here, but he couldn't get away from the office.

I was just having an afternoon sherry. Could I offer you one?

We're on duty. Thank you.

How about a cup of coffee?

No, thanks. Not for me.

Oh, caffeine... I forgot. It's changed since I had the girls.

Yes. All the new theories.

Is Stephanie feeling better?

Yes, thank you. She should be able to go back to school soon.

-Oh, that's good.

-Yes.

-Is that Stephanie?

-No. That's her sister, Sally.

She's at Princeton.

-Princeton!

-Yes, my Ivy League daughter.

-I

-never finished college. I hoped to have two at Princeton.

Cute enough for you? It's very nice, dear.

Anything I like, she hates.

You want to talk to us?

-You guys want to know who beat me up?

-Yes.

Her father and I were wondering if she could testify on video,

without being in the courtroom.

-I'm sorry, ma'am. She'll have to be in court.

-We were hoping to avoid that.

But if it keeps that animal from attacking other children...

And drugging them, and selling them into white slavery!

Mrs Brandon, may I have that coffee you mentioned?

-Certainly.

-Thank you.

-You were kidnapped, Stephanie?

-Don't be a dunce.

That's what you told your mother?

According to her, I was so drugged, I didn't know what was happening. As if she was there, and I wasn't.

-Maybe she's having a tough time coping with this.

-She has a tough time coping - period!

Like remembering who is at Princeton

and who was thrown out of Drama Club for not getting a C average!

-You said you wanted to help us. You know who beat you up?

-No. I had my eyes closed.

Listen, kid. You want to smart-mouth your mother, OK.

But I didn't come here to take garbage off a 15-year-old punk.

You don't want to talk to us? Fine.

It was my pimp.

A guy named Dom Lucero.

He found out I was setting up as an independent.

-You know a girl named Amy Turkleson?

-Sure...

Dom killed her.

The same as he tried to do to me, in case you're interested.

Did you see him kill her?

Yeah.

-Excuse me?

-Yeah. I saw him.

Would you be willing to testify in court?

Why not? It might be fun to see my mother's face when she has to sit and listen for a change.

If one of our boys tried that smart-mouth talk, Harve would hang him out the window by his heels.

You don't talk to your mother... or anybody...like that.

Know what Harve brought home on Sunday? A new refrigerator.

-Nice, huh?

-He's a nice man.

It's white. 18.5 cubic feet. Got a lot of freezer space - a huge meat tray.

Harve got a deal from a buddy in the appliance business.

Tell you the truth, I kinda wanted California avocado -

that pretty yellow green, you know.

But white...well, it goes with everything.

Somebody better get that girl some help pretty fast.

Imagine what she's going to be like in a couple of years.

She sees a man take a human life, and uses it to push her mother's face in the dirt.

Maybe it's the only way she can get her attention.

Christine...

Right.

Right.

Oh, honey. Let me have one whiff, OK?

Maybe smelling it will wake me up.

I don't care what you say.

A 5am stakeout is above and beyond the call of duty.

-You're up by six every morning.

-That's different.

-Yeah?

-Because I'm a cop and you're a contractor?

-No. You're pregnant. I'm not.

I'm serious. What is Samuels thinking about?

Police work is dangerous enough in your condition.

First, we're doing this on our own.

And secondly, I had the same condition and the same job

a couple of years ago, remember?

And Michael and I came through with flying colours.

You're pushing 40 now.

Thirty eight. Mid thirties. Late middle.

Mary Beth, at your age there are more risks.

Harve, there are risks off the job. I could fall downstairs carrying the laundry.

Besides, we need the money.

-That's it! End of discussion?

-Yeah.

-Is this baby going to be as stubborn as you are?

-Stubborner. Look who his father is.

Be careful. Hey!

How did your dinner go?

It was an AOUC Police Brutality dinner.

I'd have been more popular if I'd had herpes.

Oh...

-You know what these people have?

-Law degrees?

They've got an information system set up.

Any arrest involving assault on a police officer - BOOM.

Someone from the ACOU shows up.

Yeah, I heard about that.

Great! Someone looking over your shoulder

-when you're trying to do your job.

-With some reason!

Don't get rational while my feet are freezing.

What's-his-name...used to go out and beat up some pusher, then say the other guy hit him first.

Glendenning. And he was kicked off the Force.

Who kicked him off? It wasn't us.

One creepo got himself a lawyer and made a stink. Am I right?

I am wrong! Where's my muffin?

-No blueberry.

-Aww...

-Sorry your dinner didn't go right.

The dessert was good.

That's Lucero!

-How'd he get in?

-Dammit! The back entrance.

-Let's go.

-Yeah. You take the front. I'll take the back.

You know I never mean to hurt you.

Come here.

The cops!

Police - halt!

Police, Lucero!

Don't...breathe!

-I didn't know you were cops.

-You've the right to remain silent.

-We got lots of maniacs here.

-Like the guy that beat up Stephanie Brandon?

-I'm telling you,

-I don't know any Stephanie Brandon.

-Get in there!

-Don't know Amy Turkleson either?

-Name rings no bells.

Probably never even heard of the word "pandering"?

Something to do with bears?

-Very funny! Let's see you laugh when you're booked for homicide.

-Christine!

What time did that happen? I see... Will you hold on, please?

Stephanie is gone.

She had a fight with her parents. This morning, they can't find her. Her mother's purse is missing.

-I called in all Mrs Brandon's card numbers, and sent out Stephanie's description.

-Mary Beth,

Lucero will be arraigned in one hour, then he'll be out on bail.

-We'll find her first.

-HE knows where to look for her.

Well, we'll follow Lucero.

Samuels won't approve a 24-hour tail.

Well, have you got a better idea?

It's 7.45... Is there anybody at the DMV?

-Parking ticket?

-You go with what you can get.

Mr Lucero. Sgt Cagney... Det Lacey.

These are our badges. We're police officers.

-Police officers.

-Police officers?

It's real nice to see you girls again.

-This your vehicle?

-You want my registration?

-Is this your vehicle, sir?

-Yes, it is my vehicle.

Our records show 43 unpaid traffic tickets.

Don't!

Hey, I was just going to show you the receipt.

Fine. Two fingers.

Two fingers?

That's right.

-Very slowly.

-Very slowly. You are cute.

Paid today.

Thought it would be a nice idea to take care of everything at once.

Hey, I'm sorry. I guess...

-maybe you could catch some jaywalkers.

-Adriene?

-How's your lip?

-I slipped.

Yeah, we saw. Does he let you keep anything?

No. Shut up! They're trying to get me.

Now, if you'll excuse us...

Just one minute. You don't mind if I check out your vehicle?

SMASH

-You've got a broken tail light.

-What?!

That's a violation.

You kicked that in! There's glass all over the place.

-According to the vehicle...

-What?!

That's it! Turn around.

Put your hands on the car, idiot!

It's a terrible thing, Lucero, assaulting a police officer.

Det Lacey, call for a backup.

Yes, Sergeant.

No, the celery and the onions first.

-I think you just don't understand.

-I understand perfectly!

First, you break the guy's light,

-then you beat him up.

-I did NOT beat him up.

-The swelling went down in ten minutes.

-Severity of injury is not the point.

-You do all that and then say he assaulted YOU.

-He did!

-Were you injured?

-Severity of injury is not the point!

-Besides, my partner is pregnant.

-People have rights, guaranteed by law. As a law officer,

you have a legal and ethical obligation to uphold those rights.

What about the rights of a 15-year-old girl? She has a right not to be murdered.

-Life is the first inalienable right.

-The Declaration of Independence.

Anyway, that girl - whatever her name was - is not under discussion.

Oh, that girl - Stephanie - is not important. It's only the murderers you're interested in.

-I'm interested in denial of rights, and that includes those of suspected murderers.

-Well, it shouldn't.

A person wants human rights, he should act like a human being.

Or... A person who kills other people is a bad person.

A bad person should not have the same rights as a good person.

That's the argument the Nazis used to send the Jews to the death camps.

-It's nothing like...

-It's the same.

It's exactly the same kind of thinking that got us Auschwitz.

-How come I hear about the holocaust from every Jewish lawyer I date?

-It shouldn't be forgotten.

It is exactly what we're talking about!

And I'm NOT Jewish. I'm Catholic, Lithuanian. I got you there, didn't I?

Hey, come on. I think that's ready for the chicken.

This is a nice intellectual exercise for you, isn't it?

You sit around on your rear end all day judging people. It's all abstract. Not like my job.

-I deal with criminals.

-What do you think I do?

-Sit around in an ivory tower,

while I'm putting my ass on the line. People like you... Where are you going?

-The bathroom.

-I'm not through yet.

-Cagney, face it. You lost.

So, let's eat. And then you can pay up.

Well, at least I don't have to lie about MY job to get a date, Dr Keeler.

TOILET FLUSHES

-She used the cash card here.

-Thirty six hours ago.

-You think she's working here?

-It would be convenient.

-Well, she said she was going in business for herself.

-But would she stick around the same area?

She's 15 years old, and not thinking about getting caught.

Maybe...

It's a nice day. A little sun on my face before winter.

Is it all over with David?

I don't particularly like being called a Nazi.

The man can't comprehend how important it is to save a person's life!

-It's your turn to talk.

-Huh?

I know you want me to tell you you were right, but I can't.

OK, we should have let him go!

We should have put him back on the streets to hunt down and kill that child(!)

-I'm not saying that.

-He's garbage!

-He doesn't care who he hurts, pregnant women...

-Lay off the pregnant women!

I'm saying we took him dirty and I think we both know it.

-What would you have done?

-I'd have got him for loitering, for littering in the street...

He'd have been out in 20 minutes!

He'd be out looking for Stephanie and you could be real virtuous at her funeral.

What you did was WRONG.

-When you're the boss you can call the shots.

-Yes, Sergeant(!)

Oh, I wish I'd bet money. Look.

I was just minding my own business... YOU propositioned me!

I'm Sergeant Cagney,

Detective Lacey. What's going on?

This gentleman...

I was solicited - that's what.

He made a citizens' arrest. My office is here.

< I pay a lot of money for a good address.

What kind of impression does this make -

streetwalkers in front of the building?

Will you press charges?

-Of course!

-Just step over here, sir.

Trash!

Eh...excuse me.

This lady is a witness in a murder case.

You want her, you got her. Butt out of this!

I'm doing you a favour.

-Keep your favours...

-Button it up!

-Go stick your nose somewhere else!

Fine, kid. Officer, you got her.

-I got money, let me bail out now. It'll save us a trip.

-Eh, Officer...

She's a minor. Take her to Juvenile Hall.

Hey!

Leave me alone. >

-Listen kid, I need you to get Lucero.

-Go to hell! You think I'm a stupid kid!

You ARE stupid to do this to yourself.

I make money and men WANT me.

Men want you?

Yeah.

Tough it out by yourself, then.

You take my advice, kid...

That armour you're carrying around gets real heavy later on.

Get her out of here.

Mrs Brandon? Good morning.

Detective Lacey, Sgt Cagney, this is my husband.

Pleased to meet you.

Er...Stephie's in Juvenile Hall, we could give you directions...

We know where she is, but...

Why don't you sit down? Please.

We were wondering if...

Stephanie could remain in police custody for a few more days...?

I don't understand.

We've...decided to have Stephanie committed to a mental institution

-for treatment...

-Mental institution?

-Her doctor recommended it.

-That's drastic.

This IS a drastic situation.

-Has anyone talked to Stephanie?

-I did, last night.

She IS a prostitute.

She enjoys it. That's...how disturbed she is.

Stephanie does need help, but there must be some other way.

Have you considered Family Therapy?

We tried that a year ago. Stephanie wouldn't say anything, so we finally gave up.

There are halfway houses where Stephanie could...

-Could live with prostitutes...

-FORMER prostitutes.

Alan?

We KNOW what we have to do and we assume you'll assist us by holding Stephanie.

Mrs Brandon, if you're not completely convinced about this, you can reconsider.

-This doesn't concern you!

-It does concern me, Mr Brandon.

There must be some other option besides just putting her away!

You're out of line, Detective!

We HAVE tried! We could have got her into Princeton if she'd listened.

We want what's best for Stephanie!

My wife used to be a happy woman...

I will not have her hurt!

< We have made the decision!

Stephanie NEEDS a controlled environment.

DOOR BANGS SHUT

Our daughter needs to be put away for her own protection.

Mr Brandon, please sit down.

-Are you OK?

-Perfect! Couldn't be better.

Without a witness we lose Lucero.

He's back on the street and Stephanie is in a funny farm!

God is in his Heaven and all is right with the world(!) Princeton, my butt!

-Shall we start on the Lefcourt witnesses?

-I couldn't care less.

OK, Christine. Let's go.

-We're going for a walk.

-We have 11 more cases!

-Call it lunch.

-I'm not hungry.

-Call it therapy.

Christine, the Brandons are very sad people. I feel sorry for them.

But maybe if Stephanie goes to that hospital, she'll get help.

You're right. I'm being silly.

You've got a 15-year-old you can't handle? Lock her up in a mental institution(!)

See what happens. What a good idea(!)

-Sarcasm is not my favourite thing.

-Then I'm not your favourite person.

-What's going on with you?

Why does something always have to be going on?

Christine, will you say ONE thing about what you feel?

-Feel about what?

-You and Stephanie.

Stephanie is out of the picture. You heard her parents. Lucero walks. End of story.

-I see. "I don't want to talk about it."

-Let's get a couch in here(!)

For me. One thing. Try "I care about what happens to Stephanie."

Try it.

-I CARE about what happens to Stephanie.

-And?

She's not a loser, Mary Beth.

Do you believe that?

I wouldn't nominate her for Miss Teen America.

She's got a black belt in mouth karate and she's arrogant.

But there's...there's more there.

What else?

Her brains aren't fried. She's got fight!

Even with a pimp like Lucero pushing drugs on her,

she's not going for it.

-I think that says something about her character.

-Not much.

-Look...

-I'm sorry.

OK, so she took up hooking. That's the bad news, but...

I think she'd like to have some control over her life!

I really think there's a kid there that's reachable. I believe that.

And you're the one to do that?

There was a moment yesterday... when she almost cracked.

And if...I'd said something,

or held out my hand, it could have happened.

But I didn't, because I was angry!

Her doctor's report is from a GP, not a psychiatrist!

I'm going to fight it.

-She's a minor.

-She has rights!

We can get a good attorney to help.

You know a good attorney?

OK. You know a good dentist?

What did you say?

I said "Hello, David. This is Christine Cagney."

-We can have Stephanie declared an emancipated minor.

-IF she agrees to go to the halfway house.

-And IF she testifies against Lucero, I have to convince her.

-I have faith, Christine.

-If she doesn't co-operate, I'll waste the little creep.

-Christine...

-I'll convince her.

-I believe you.

-No-one's as tough as that kid thinks she is.

-Except for you.

My name is Christine.