Homicide: Life Everlasting 11/15/ Rev. PINK

Disclaimer: The characters, plotlines, quotes, etc. included here are owned by Baltimore Pictures and Fatima Productions in association with NBC Studios, all rights reserved. Homicide was created by Paul Attanasio and based upon David Simon's book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. The following script is in no way a substitute for the movie itself, it's for educational purposes only. This script is not authorized or endorsed by Baltimore Pictures, Fatima Productions, or NBC. It was obtained and transcribed by Ramius and made available for your downloading enjoyment by Laurel Krahn at http://www.windowseat.org/homicide/scripts/.

HOMICIDE
LIFE EVERLASTING

Written by
James Yoshimura
Eric Overmyer
Tom Fontana

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS                                                                    FINAL DRAFT
Barry Levinson                                                                                          October 22, 1999
Ton Fontana
Jim Finnerty                                                                                               Rev. 11/8 blue
                                                                                                                  Rev. 11/15 pink
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Eric Overmyer

DIRECTOR
Jean De Segonzac

LIST OF REVISED PAGES

Revision Date Pages in revision

BLUE 8 November 99 Full Script

PINK 15 November 99 Full Script

PLEASE NOTE:

The action for “HOMICIDE: Life Everlasting” takes place over the course of one Day, ending that
Night.

All wardrobe, props, etc., should reflect the weather conditions of the Fall in Baltimore.

The following shots of “The Board” should be scheduled:

                     “HARDWICKE”       in      RED
                     “HARDWICKE”       in      BLACK
                     “RYLAND”               in      RED
                     “RYLAND”               in      BLUE

These names are to be written under Lewis’ name.

“GIARDELLO” in BLACK

This name is to be written under Hall’s name.

The following CHARACTER NAMES have been changed:

OFFICER FRANK KEANE          to          OFFICER JEFF WESTBY
DOCTOR SUNIL MEHTA            to          DOCTOR ROBERT WILLIAMS
NEWS ANCHOR                          to          DINA NAPOLI
UNIFORM                                     to          OFFICER JAY SALERNO

CAST

BEAU FELTON...............................................................................................................Daniel Baldwin
STANLEY BOLANDER..................................................................................................Ned Beatty
JOHN MUNCH...............................................................................................................Richard Belzer
FRANK PEMBLETON....................................................................................................Andre Braugher
MIKE KELLERMAN.......................................................................................................Reed Diamond
MIKE GIARDELLO.........................................................................................................Giancarlo Esposito
JULIANNA COX.............................................................................................................Michelle Forbes
STUART GHARTY..........................................................................................................Peter Gerety
MEGAN RUSSERT..........................................................................................................Isabella Hofmann
ED DANVERS..................................................................................................................Zeljko Ivanek
MELDRICK LEWIS.........................................................................................................Clark Johnson
AL GIARDELLO..............................................................................................................Yaphet Kotto
KAY HOWARD...............................................................................................................Melissa Leo
TERRI STIVERS...............................................................................................................Toni Lewis
RENE SHEPPARD...........................................................................................................Michael Michele
J.H. BRODIE.....................................................................................................................Max Perlich
STEVE CROSETTI...........................................................................................................Jon Polito
TIM BAYLISS..................................................................................................................Kyle Secor
PAUL FALSONE..............................................................................................................Jon Seda
LAURA BALLARD..........................................................................................................Callie Thorne

COLONEL GEORGE BARNFATHER............................................................................Clayton LeBouef
CAPTAIN ROGER GAFFNEY........................................................................................Walt MacPherson
DOCTOR GEORGE GRISCOM......................................................................................Austin Pendleton
DETECTIVE ROBERT HALL..........................................................................................Jason Priestly
QRT LIEUTENANT JASPER..........................................................................................Gary D’Addario

DOCTOR LAUSANNE...................................................................................................Herb Levinson
NAOMI............................................................................................................................Sharon Ziman
OFFICER JAY SALERNO..............................................................................................Jay Spadaro
DOCTOR SCHEINER.....................................................................................................Ralph Tabakin
OFFICER JEFF WESTBY...............................................................................................Granville Adams

ERIC THOMAS JAMES..................................................................................................Eamonn Walker
HOMELESS MAN...........................................................................................................Lanny Flaherty

DAWN DANIELS............................................................................................................Rhonda Overby
SHIRLEY DESASSY.......................................................................................................Elizabeth Berman
DOCTOR ELI DEVILBISS..............................................................................................Sean Whitesell
DOCTOR VICTOR EHRLICH........................................................................................Ed Begley Jr.
ROBERT GESSNER........................................................................................................
ROSINA GIARDELLO....................................................................................................Irma St.Paule
RICHARD GILROY.........................................................................................................John Badila
CARDINAL KEELER......................................................................................................As Himself
JOHN KOMEN...............................................................................................................Craig Wallace
HELEN LUCAITIS..........................................................................................................As Herself
BILLIE LOU MCCOY.....................................................................................................Ellen McElduff

KARL MILLER................................................................................................................Paul West
DINA NAPOLI................................................................................................................As Herself
ROBBIE ROBERTS.........................................................................................................Phillip Reid
NATHANIEL STEIGLER................................................................................................Mark Joy
BERNIE WEEKS............................................................................................................ Reg E. Cathey
DOCTOR ROBERT WILLIAMS.....................................................................................David Copeland Goodman

NEWS MANAGER.........................................................................................................Gradley Thoennes
NURSE............................................................................................................................Susan Lynn Ross
OLD WOMAN................................................................................................................Leeana Saunders
O.R. NURSE....................................................................................................................Adetoro Makinde
SKINHEAD.....................................................................................................................Matt Oney
WITNESS #1...................................................................................................................Richard DeAngelis
WITNESS #2...................................................................................................................Jarvis W. George

SETS

EXTERIORS                                                                                                               INTERIORS
African Revival                                                                                                                  African Revival
    Movement Building                                                                                                             Movement Building
Alley                                                                                                                                  Bolander Home
Baltimore                                                                                                                                   Kitchen
Canton Street                                                                                                                    Church Home & Hospital
Charles Street                                                                                                                            Chapel
Church Home & Hospital                                                                                                           Emergency Room
        Emergency Room                                                                                                               ER Entrance
Gunpowder Falls                                                                                                                        Hallway
Inner Harbor                                                                                                                              ICU
        Ampitheatre                                                                                                                                Corridor
Jimmy’s Restaurant                                                                                                                             Giardello’s Room
        Backdoor                                                                                                                           Nurses’ Station
Little Italy                                                                                                                                   Operating Room #4
        Alley                                                                                                                                  Operating Room #5
        Bocce Ball Court                                                                                                                Waiting Room
        Playground                                                                                                                  Desassy Apartment
        Sidestreet
Perry Hall
        James Home                                                                                                                Homicide Unit
Police Headquarters                                                                                                                     Coffee Room
        Balcony                                                                                                                                Lieutenant’s Office
        Roof                                                                                                                                     Interrogation Room #1
State Police Headquarters                                                                                                             Interrogation Room #2
Street                                                                                                                                            Observation Room
Thames Street                                                                                                                               Squad Room
WYAT                                                                                                                                James Home
                                                                                                                                                     Bedroom
                                                                                                                                                     Hallway
                                                                                                                                                     Kitchen
                                                                                                                                           Loyola College
                                                                                                                                                     Lecture Hall
                                                                                                                                           NYPD
                                                                                                                                                     Special Victim’s Unit
                                                                                                                                           Pembleton’s Toyota
                                                                                                                                           Police Headquarters
                                                                                                                                                     Garage
                                                                                                                                                      Lobby
                                                                                                                                                     Stairway
                                                                                                                                           Radio Station
                                                                                                                                                     Studio
                                                                                                                                                     Visiting Room
                                                                                                                                           Sand’s Lounge
                                                                                                                                           State Police Headquarters
                                                                                                                                                     Screening Room
                                                                                                                                           Swimming Pool
                                                                                                                                           The Waterfront Restaurant
                                                                                                                                           WYAT
                                                                                                                                                     News Manager’s Office
                                                                                                                                                     News Studio Set

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

1 EXT. BALTIMORE - DAY

Establishing. Eight a.m.

2 EXT. INNER HARBOR - DAY

          TV REPORTERS with film CREWS clusterfuck the area. BUSINESS
          EXECUTIVES grabbing coffee, MOTHERS with TODDLERS, SENIOR
          CITIZENS gawk, as a shiny Lincoln Town Car pulls up to curb.
          AL GIARDELLO exits the Car, followed by NATHANIEL STIEGLER,
          campaign manager. Other AIDES exit a Ford Van. The NEWS
          CREWS beeline for GIARDELLO as he heads for:

3 EXT. AMPITHEATRE/INNER HARBOR - DAY

          As GIARDELLO, STIEGLER, AIDES and NEWS CREWS approach, video
          floodlights flash on. CU on GIARDELLO caught in the glare.
          A CROWD engulfs him. Sings “Giardello for Mayor” flash into
          CAMERA. A moment when GIARDELLO is jostled. DAWN DANIELS,
          WYAT Reporter, followed by CAMERAMAN, shoves a mic at
          GIARDELLO.

DANIELS

                                                                        How’s it feel to be the favorite
                                                                        going into the last week of the
                                                                        campaign?

GIARDELLO

(smiling)
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

DANIELS

                                                                        The polls show you twelve points
                                                                        ahead of your opponent Robert Gessner.
                                                                        The fat lady has taken her curtain
                                                                        call, don’t you think?

GIARDELLO

                                                                        I learned one lesson in all my years
                                                                        running the Homicide Unit: Never
                                                                        assume anything.

A HOMELESS MAN, malevolent, red-rimmed eyes, pushes past
DANIELS and grabs GIARDELLO’s lapel.

HOMELESS MAN

Gimme a dollar. A dollar. For
something to eat.

GIARDELLO and HOMELESS MAN exchange a look. GIARDELLO smiles,
a flash of anxiety. STEIGLER calls to AIDE.

STEIGLER

Henry, take care of this.

          AIDE pulls HOMELESS MAN aside, as STIEGLER guides GIARDELLO
          toward a stage. HOMELESS MAN mumbles a curse. A UNIFORM
          shoves him further back into the CROWD. A CHANT from the
          CROWD: “Giardello. Giardello. Giardello.” DANIELS persists:

DANIELS

                                                                    Your recent statements that, if
                                                                    elected, you’d push to legalize drugs --
                                                                    Do you think this is the issue that
                                                                    has set your campaign apart from
                                                                    your rivals?

GIARDELLO

                                                                    I know this city. I know what drugs
                                                                    have done to this city. The murders
                                                                    and robberies and domestic problems.
                                                                    I believe that substance abuse is a
                                                                    health issue. Like drinking and
                                                                    smoking. Nicotine is more addictive
                                                                    than heroin or cocaine, but you don’t
                                                                    see the Marlboro Man being sent to
                                                                    Jessup on a three-to-five. I love
                                                                    this city. I want this city to be whole again.

DANIELS

But don’t you --

GIARDELLO

(his slogan)
Educate, don’t legislate.

STIEGLER

That’s all for now. Everyone please
step back.

           DANIELS and CAMERAMAN step back as GIARDELLO ascends the
           stage, where Mayor KURT SCHMOKE and other famous BALTIMOREONS
           wait. A huge CHEER from the CROWD as GIARDELLO steps to the
           microphone: “We Want Al, We Want Al, He’s Our Pal. We Want
           Al.” GIARDELLO tries to quiet the CROWD, but the CHEERING
           grows LOUDER. Tons of FLASHBULBS from PRESS and AUDIENCE
           are going off. As GIARDELLO smiles, a rapid dull REPEAT is
           alarmed. A BUZZ of concern and confusion. STIEGLER and the
           CELEBRITIES reflexively back away. GIARDELLO watches UNIFORMS
           and PLAINCLOTHES push through the CROWD, which is charged
           with fear, curious, looking around. Then, GIARDELLO slumps
           to his knees. His white shirt fills red with his blood.
           STIEGLER and AIDES reach to support GIARDELLO, who looks out
           at the CROWD, confused, in pain. He slumps forward. On
           STIEGLER, cradling GIARDELLO’S head,

CUT TO:

4 EXT. STREET - DAY

MELDRICK LEWIS and PAUL FALSONE pull up, exit Cavalier, walk
down littered sidewalk in devastated neighborhood.

FALSONE

                                                                    Meldrick, I’ll be your partner, any
                                                                    time, any place -- when it comes to
                                                                    a crime. But I’m not investing in
                                                                    your bar. No way.

LEWIS

                                                                    C’mon, you can see for yourself that
                                                                    The Waterfront is a money making
                                                                    operation, a veritable green machine.

FALSONE

Then why’re you so anxious to cut me
a slice?

LEWIS

                                                                    ‘Cause my other partners are all too
                                                                    silent. Munch’s living large in New
                                                                    York City. Bayliss went on a semi-
                                                                    permanent disappearing act.

FALSONE

Aah, what you need is someone to
help do all the work. No thanks.

THEY turn into:

5 EXT. ALLEY - DAY

They head toward a crack house.

LEWIS

                                                                    I’m simply asking that you consider
                                                                    my proposition, give the concept a
                                                                    few moments of serious thought.

A UNIFORM stands with his back to them.

FALSONE

Yo, Officer --

The UNIFORM turns, revealing himself to be MIKE GIARDELLO.

MIKE

Gentlemen.

FALSONE

                                                                    Mike Giardello, as I live and as I
                                                                    breathe. I heard that you traded
                                                                    the Bureau for a beat.

MIKE

Working on my detective shield.

LEWIS

Your dad’s making a whole lotta noise
in his run for City Hall.

MIKE

Yeah. Every time I open the front
door, it’s “Candid Camera” --

LEWIS

Alan Funt, a great American. I took
his passing very personally.

FALSONE

So, what’ve we got here?

MIKE

                                                                    Local dealer. Shot in the head.
                                                                    Looks like he’s been dead at least a
                                                                    day.

FALSONE

Does our dead head have a name?

MIKE

Joseph Hardwicke, a.k.a. Yin Yang.

LEWIS

Yeah, well, looks to me like he Yin’d
when he shoulda Yanged.

Officer JEFF WESTBY approaches.

WESTBY

Hey, Mike...

MIKE

Yeah?

WESTBY

Dispatch just radioed. They want
you Downtown pronto.

MIKE

What’s up?

WESTBY

Your father... He’s been shot.

MIKE stares at him, not comprehending. FALSONE turns to
LEWIS As SONG BEGINS,

CUT TO:

6 EXT. INNER HARBOR - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. Bedlam. Terror. SIRENS and SCREAMING.
          UNIFORMS clear a path. EMS wheel an unconscious GIARDELLO
          out on a gurney. As EMS works GIARDELLO’s chest,

CUT TO:

7 INT. LIEUTENANT’S OFFICE/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

SONG CONTINUES. CU on phone in hand. PULL BACK to REVEAL
STUART GHARTY. Shocked, HE puts down phone, exits into:

A8 INT. SQUAD ROOM/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

SONG CONTINUES. GHARTY tells LAURA BALLARD and TERRI STIVERS.
As THEY react,

CUT TO:

8 EXT. BACKDOOR/JIMMY’S RESTAURANT - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. Short order COOK smokes cigarette outside
          kitchen door. KAY HOWARD walks up, shows a warrant, spins
          COOK around, cuffs him. UNIFORM runs up, YELLING the news.
          As HOWARD reacts,

CUT TO:

9 EXT. INNER HARBOR - DAY

SONG CONTINUES. GIARDELLO is loaded into EMS Wagon. As
UNIFORMS push the NEWS CREWS away from Wagon doors,

CUT TO:

10 INT. SPECIAL VICTIM’S UNIT/NYPD - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. CU on copy of The New York Post being held.
          Cellphone RINGS. Newspaper comes down to REVEAL JOHN MUNCH,
          as he reaches for cellphone, answers it. As HE listens,

CUT TO:

11 EXT. CHARLES STREET - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. MIKE KELLERMAN sits in Car, secretly
          photographing a MAN kissing his MISTRESS. As KELLERMAN HEARS
          the NEWS on the car radio, puts down his camera,

CUT TO:

12 EXT. EMERGENCY ROOM/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

SONG CONTINUES. EMS Wagon ROARS to a halt. As TRIAGE TEAM
races with GIARDELLO into Emergency room,

CUT TO:

13 INT. KITCHEN/BOLANDER HOME - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. CU on eggs being fried up. As WE PULL BACK
          to REVEAL STANLEY BOLANDER, sipping a beer, watching the
          news bulletin on TV,

CUT TO:

14 EXT. GUNPOWDER FALLS - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. CU on a fly plopping onto the water from a
          long arching cast. Cellphone RINGS. As WE PULL BACK to
          REVEAL a pacific TIM BAYLISS answering the phone,

CUT TO:

15 INT. EMERGENCY ROOM/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. NURSES stabilize GIARDELLO, put him on IV’s.
          PULL BACK to REVEAL DOCTOR, who checks GIARDELLO’s vitals on
          a cardiac monitor. As HE eyes an attractive NURSE,

CUT TO:

16 INT. LECTURE HALL/LOYOLA COLLEGE - DAY

          SONG CONTINUES. A woodpaneled, two-hundred seat Lecture
          Hall. Six STUDENTS sit in the first row, looking terrified.
          PULL BACK to REVEAL FRANK PEMBLETON raving at his hostages.
          On the blackboard behind PEMBLETON is big chalk lettering
          “The Principles of Ethics.” Various quotes from Aquinas,
          Nietzsche and Camus. A PRIEST comes to the doorway, pauses,
          meek. PEMBLETON catches the PRIEST out of the corner of his
          eye. The PRIEST motions. PEMBLETON continues lecturing.
          The PRIEST motions again. PEMBLETON glares. The PRIEST
          motions imploringly, respectfully. PEMBLETON walks over.
          The PRIEST whispers into PEMBLETON’s good ear. On PEMBLETON,
          staring at him as if he were speaking Esperanto,

CUT TO:

17 EXT. EMERGENCY ROOM/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

          SONG ENDS. A Philadelphia rat-fuck of POLICE, PRESS and
          PARAMEDICS; Emergency Vehicles, Cop Cars, City Cars, Press
          Vans. HELEN LUCAITIS, Court TV Reporter, does live report:

LUCAITIS

                                                                    ....Mayoral candidate Al Giardello
                                                                    was making a campaign appearance
                                                                    early this morning when he was shot
                                                                    by an unidentified assailant...

Squad Car pulls up, MIKE leaps out.

LUCAITIS (cont.)

                                                                    ....Giardello was rushed here to Church
                                                                    Home and Hospital, where he is
                                                                    undergoing emergency surgery. His
                                                                    condition is listed as critical.
                                                                             (as MIKE walks past)
                                                                    Wait, here’s his son, Officer Michael
                                                                    Giardello, perhaps we can get a word --

LUCAITIS collars MIKE as he goes by, shoves microphone in
his face, runs alongside him as he motors for door.

LUCAITIS (cont.)

                                                                    Officer Giardello. Officer Giardello.
                                                                    Any news on your father? How do you
                                                                    feel?

MIKE

How do you think I feel? Get out of
my face --

He shoves her. As LUCAITIS falls down flat on her ass,

CUT TO:

18 INT. WAITING ROOM/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

On her knees, LUCAITIS continues her report:

LUCAITIS

                                                                    ....Officer Giardello, understandably
                                                                    distraught about this tragic turn of
                                                                    events. This is Helen Lucaitis,
                                                                    reporting live from church Home --

As LUCAITIS gets to her feet,

CUT TO:

20 INT. HALLWAY/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

BARNFATHER and STIEGLER intercept MIKE.

STIEGLER

                                                                    Mike, I just watched you body block
                                                                    Helen Lucaitis into the next time
                                                                    zone --

MIKE

How’s my father?

STIEGLER

I know you’re upset, but you gotta
keep your hands off the press --

MIKE

How’s my dad?

BARNFATHER

He was shot in the abdomen, maybe
more than once --

MIKE

Is he gonna make it?

STIEGLER

                                                                    They just started surgery. You’ll
                                                                    be the first to know, as soon as
                                                                    there’s any news, I promise you --

MIKE

                                                                    Who’s his doctor? I need to talk to
                                                                    somebody right now, whoever’s in
                                                                    charge.

STIEGLER

We’ve been working through the
communications director --

MIKE

I wanna talk to his doctor-doctor
not some spin doctor.

STIEGLER

Okay.

MIKE

How the hell could the shooter get
away?

THEY go into:

21 INT. WAITING ROOM/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

MIKE enters with BARNFATHER and STIEGLER.

MIKE (cont.)

Place should’ve been crawling with
cops.

STIEGLER

There was an appropriate amount of
security for a routine campaign stop.

MIKE

Then what happened, they were asleep?

BARNFATHER

We had no reason to expect any trouble --

MIKE

No reason? What about all the death
threats?

STIEGLER

                                                                    There’s been nothing out of the
                                                                    ordinary, nothing any person running
                                                                    for public office doesn’t encounter --

MIKE

How can you say that? Since he
announced his position on drugs --

BARNFATHER

We’ve taken the serious threats
seriously --

MIKE

Hate mail, faxes, anonymous phone
calls in the middle of the night --

BARNFATHER

The rest have been cranks --

MIKE

                                                                    Black nationalists, the Klan, red-
                                                                    neck law enforcement, even the drug
                                                                    dealers --

BARNFATHER

We’ve done everything possible.

MIKE

If you’d done everything, we wouldn’t
be standing here now.

They’ve been shouting. Now they stop and glare. Then:

STIEGLER

We’ll get somebody to come down and
brief you --

MIKE

Soon.

BARNFATHER and STIEGLER exit. MIKE looks over. A Man’s
sitting in the corner: BOLANDER. As MIKE crosses to payphone,

CUT TO:

22 INT. GARAGE/POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

FALSONE and LEWIS exit parked Cavalier.

FALSONE

Maybe we should go to the hospital.

LEWIS

                                                                    Gee wouldn’t want us sitting vigil.
                                                                    He’d want us to find the ebola
                                                                    who did this.

FALSONE

What about Joseph “Yin Yang”
Hardwicke?

LEWIS

Who?

FALSONE

Our day-old dead drug dealer.

LEWIS

Him? He’ll keep.

Beat-up Ford Explorer HONKS, as it pulls into space. They
turn to see BAYLISS, exiting Explorer.

FALSONE

Ho, look who’s back from oblivion.

BAYLISS

Catch Gee’s shooter?

LEWIS

Not yet. We were waiting on you.

BAYLISS

I’m here to help.

FALSONE

Sabbatical’s over?

BAYLISS

For now.

LEWIS

Weird.

BAYLISS

What?

LEWIS

                                                                    That day you cleaned out your desk
                                                                    and walked away. Didn’t even say
                                                                    goodbye.

BAYLISS

I had things to think about. Issues.

LEWIS

Bayliss, you always got issues.

FALSONE

Are we gonna stand here yapping?

THEY exit to:

23 EXT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

          TV NEWS CREWS YELL questions to BAYLISS, FALSONE and LEWIS
          as they head for entrance. A Toyota pulls up and parks in
          the middle of the street. PEMBLETON emerges.

BAYLISS

Frank...

As PEMBLETON stares up at Headquarters,

CUT TO:

24 INT. SQUAD ROOM/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

          Redball chaos. “The Aquarium” is crammed with potential
          WITNESSES. GHARTY stands in front of blackboard, on which
          are pasted Crime Scene photos. PULL BACK to REVEAL STIVERS,
          HOWARD, FALSONE, BALLARD, BAYLISS, PEMBLETON and LEWIS, as
          well as new DETECTIVES, including ROBERT HALL, twenties,
          handsome, peachfuzzed.

GHARTY

                                                                    Some of you came to homicide after
                                                                    Al Giardello left. Some of you worked
                                                                    alongside him, like Kay Howard, now
                                                                    in the fugitive squad, Tim Bayliss,
                                                                    who’s been on a leave of absence,
                                                                    and Frank Pembleton, who retired two
                                                                    years ago --

HALL

So you’re the almighty Pembleton...
We’ve all heard the stories.

PEMBLETON stares at HALL, says nothing, then turns to GHARTY.

PEMBLETON

Can we get on with this?

GHARTY

                                                                    Yup. A homeless man, who won’t tell
                                                                    us his name, grabbed Giardello just
                                                                    before the shooting.

FALSONE

We’ve swabbed his hands for gunpowder
residue. He’s clean.

HALL

                                                                    Soon as the uniforms bring him up,
                                                                    I’m gonna interview him, find out if
                                                                    he saw anything.

STIVERS

                                                                    We talked to everybody at the rally
                                                                    who stuck around and all the vendors.
                                                                    We’ve brought in a few witnesses for
                                                                     further questioning.

PEMBLETON

And this event was covered by the press,
right?

GHARTY

                                                                    Way ahead of you, Frank. We’ve
                                                                    already requested video footage from
                                                                    the local news stations. Stivers,
                                                                    Ballard, I need you to collect the
                                                                    cassettes.

STIVERS

Sure, Lieutenant.

BALLARD

Lots of witnesses. What about
suspects?

LEWIS

                                                                    Gee’s campaign for Mayor has knocked
                                                                    some noses outta joint, made him a
                                                                    few enemies.

HOWARD

Coupled with the ones he already
had.

UNIFORM escorts HOMELESS MAN into Interrogation Room #1.

HALL

I’m up.

GHARTY

                                                                    Alright. Howard, Bayliss -- I want
                                                                    you researching Gee’s past, get me
                                                                    everything on anybody he’s ever
                                                                    tangled with.

BAYLISS

How far back?

GHARTY

                                                                    To his rookie days, if you have to...
                                                                    Pembleton, Lewis, Falsone, make a
                                                                    list of people he’s pissed off along
                                                                    the campaign trail.

PEMBLETON

A list? I didn’t come here
to make lists --

GHARTY

We meet again in an hour.

GHARTY goes into his Office. PEMBLETON sighs. As the
DETECTIVES go in different directions,

CUT TO:

25 INT. WAITING ROOM/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

BOLANDER looks over at MIKE, who talks on payphone.

MIKE

                                                                    I don’t know, sis, they haven’t told
                                                                    me anything... Yeah, Theresa’s on
                                                                    the next plane in... Get here as
                                                                    soon as you can... I love you, too.

He hangs up, crosses to couch, sits next to BOLANDER.

BOLANDER

                                                                    I caught a bullet on the job myself,
                                                                    you know. A bullet in the brain.
                                                                            (offers hand)
                                                                    Stanley Bolander. Used to work for
                                                                    your dad.

MIKE

Thanks for coming.

BOLANDER

                                                                    I had to, didn’t I? When I got shot,
                                                                    your dad was -- I don’t know, what’s
                                                                    the word? Tenacious.

MIKE

Yeah, well, he is that.

BOLANDER

                                                                    Not that he sent me flowers or
                                                                    anything. But he was like a pit
                                                                    bull. Wouldn’t let go ‘til they
                                                                    found the bastard who did it.

ROSINA (o.c.)

Caro --

ROSINA GIARDELLO, eighties, enters. MIKE embraces her.

MIKE

Nonna --

ROSINA

Michael, this is terrible, terrible --

MIKE kisses her on both cheeks. BOLANDER crosses to water
fountain, as MEGAN RUSSERT gets off elevator.

RUSSERT

Stan.

BOLANDER

How are you, Megan?

RUSSERT

Good. I hear you retired.

BOLANDER

Yeah, now I play a little golf,
practice the cello --

RUSSERT

Retirement agrees with you. You got
that nice pink glow about you.

BOLANDER

                                                                    High blood pressure. I’m on a zero
                                                                    sodium diet. Zero. As in none. As
                                                                    in, I can’t even go down the ocean
                                                                    and take in the sea breeze. You
                                                                    know how bland life is without salt?

RUSSERT

I know about bland. I married a TV
executive.

As THEY sit down,

CUT TO:

26 INT. SQUAD ROOM/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

PEMBLETON sits with BAYLISS and LEWIS.

LEWIS

Okay, here’s a case of Gee’s from
nineteen eighty-two --

PEMBLETON groans, looks around the Room.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    Very blue.
                                                                            (yells to BAYLISS)
                                                                    You never said anything about the
                                                                    squad room being this blue.

BAYLISS

Sure I did.

PEMBLETON

Never. Not this shade.

BAYLISS

No, huh?

PEMBLETON

This is excessively blue. Azure.
Cobalt. Cerulean.

PEMBLETON crosses to “The Board,” shields his eyes from the
glare, takes out a pair of shades, puts them on.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    ‘Cept “The Board” -- All these open
                                                                    cases. Too much red. Hurts my eyes.
                                                                    I’m seeing spots.

BAYLISS’ POV: The name “Ryland” in Red on “The Board.”

PEMBLETON scans BAYLISS’ look.

PEMBLETON (cont.)

What.

BAYLISS

Nothing.

PEMBLETON

No, something. Who’s this Ryland?
And old case of yours?

LEWIS crosses by.

LEWIS

                                                                    That stone-cold sucker is mine, Frank.
                                                                    Luke Ryland snuffed two women over
                                                                    the Internet.

FLASHBACK --

On LUKE RYLAND murdering a VICTIM,

CUT TO:

BACK TO PRESENT --

LEWIS (cont.)

                                                                    But then, Balti-more being Balti-
                                                                    less, he got off on a technicality.
                                                                    Next day, Ryland’s laying curbside
                                                                    with the slug from a forty-four in
                                                                    the back of his head

FLASHBACK --

On LEWIS and SHEPPARD standing over Ryland’s BODY,

CUT TO:

BACK TO PRESENT --

PEMBLETON

You have no suspects?

LEWIS

                                                                    Nope, no clues of any kind. Whoever
                                                                    did the deed, knew how to execute an
                                                                    execution.

LEWIS walks off. PEMBLETON turns to BAYLISS.

PEMBLETON

And this sordid little tale makes
you jumpy because -- ?

BAYLISS

I’m not jumpy.

PEMBLETON

You’re jumpy. I know you.

BAYLISS

You don’t know me. Things change,
Frank, people change --

PEMBLETON looks over to Lieutenant’s Office.

PEMBLETON

And my “Box”... What’d they do to
my “Box”?

BAYLISS

Like I said.

PEMBLETON turns to Observation Room.

PEMBLETON

That kid still in there interviewing
the homeless man?

BAYLISS

I guess.

PEMBLETON

He’s taking way too much time.

BAYLISS

Yeah.

THEY cross to Observation Room, exit into:

27 INT. OBSERVATION ROOM/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

PEMBLETON and BAYLISS enter, see GHARTY observing. PEMBLETON
looks back and forth to each Interrogation Room.

PEMBLETON’s POV: In Interrogation Room #1, HALL hovers over
the HOMELESS MAN.

HALL (v.o.)

You got a name. I know you do.

HOMELESS MAN (v.o.)

Gimme a dollar

PEMBLETON looks into the Interrogation Room #2

HIS POV: Another DETECTIVE hovers over another WITNESS.
PEMBLETON turns back to Interrogation Room #1.

HALL (v.o.)

                                                                    I got a hundred eyeballs who say you
                                                                    assault Al Giardello. You saw who
                                                                    shot him, didn’t you?

HOMELESS MAN (v.o.)

I want a dollar. I gotta get
something to eat.

HALL SLAMS the back of the HOMELESS MAN’s chair, open-handed.
The HOMELESS MAN is startled.

HOMELESS MAN (v.o., cont.)

A measly little dollar. Is that so
much to ask?

PEMBLETON exhales disgust. HALL removes his jacket.

HALL (v.o.)

                                                                    That’s it, pal. I’m outta patience.
                                                                    I was gonna give you a number two
                                                                    beating, but you worked and worked
                                                                    and earned yourself a number one. I
                                                                    am gonna beat your balls off ‘til
                                                                    you tell me what I want to know.

BAYLISS turns to PEMBLETON.

BAYLISS

A new breed of detective.

PEMBLETON

Inbreed.

GHARTY

This does not reflect my command.

PEMBLETON

Really? I thought you were in charge,
here, Lieutenant Gharty.

GHARTY glares at PEMBLETON.

BAYLISS

You better go help your man

BAYLISS points: HALL is scuffling with the HOMELESS MAN.
GHARTY rushes into:

28 INT. INTERROGATION ROOM #1/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

YELLING and CURSING. HALL and GHARTY wrestle HOMELESS MAN
to the ground. HALL struggles to cuff HOMELESS MAN.

HALL

This is gonna cost you.

HALL hoists him up by the shirt collar. GHARTY breaks HALL’s
hold, eases HOMELESS MAN into a chair.

GHARTY

You okay, Mister?

HALL

He swung at me. Bastard swang at
me.

HOMELESS MAN bullrushes HALL. GHARTY restrains him.. More
CURSING and YELLING. BAYLISS and PEMBLETON enter.

HALL (cont.)

What’re you two doing in here?

HOMELESS MAN eyes PEMBLETON, who sits in a chair, smiles,
then sets dollar bill in front of HOMELESS MAN.

HOMELESS MAN

What’s this?

HALL

I’m in the middle of something --

PEMBLETON

A dollar. You asked for a dollar.

HOMELESS MAN

Yeah, I asked for a dollar.

PEMBLETON

I heard you.

HALL

                                                                    Look, I know you two guys are supposed
                                                                    to be legends, but this is my
                                                                    interview.

BAYLISS

Shut up.

HALL.

What? Excuse me?

BAYLISS

I said, shut the hell up.

BAYLISS eyefucks HALL, who looks to GHARTY, outraged. GHARTY
motions HALL to exit Room.

HALL

Me. Out?

GHARTY

Grab a coffee.

HALL

This ain’t right.

GHARTY

Grab me one, too. Milk, two sugars.

HALL storms out, BANGING the door open.

GHARTY (cont.)

                                                                    Feisty little guy, isn’t he?
                                                                            (re: Observation Room)
                                                                    I’ll be in there if you need me.

As GHARTY closes the door,

CUT TO:

29 EXT. CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

PRESS surround the Building, waiting.

30 INT. NURSES’ STATION/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

MIKE is in the face of a battle-as NURSE.

MIKE

Tell me what’s going on.

NURSE

Sir, I don’t know what’s going on.

MIKE

Find me someone who does, dammit.

RUSSERT puts her hand on MIKE’s shoulder.

RUSSERT

Mike...

MIKE

                                                                    It’s been hours and I can’t get any
                                                                    real information from anybody --
                                                                    Like what they’re doing or how bad
                                                                    it is or if he’s gonna live or die --

RUSSERT

                                                                    Relax. I’m sure the minute he’s out
                                                                    of surgery, they’ll be telling you
                                                                    exactly what they did and handing
                                                                    you the itemized bill...

MIKE

(exhales)
Yeah.

RUSSERT points to TV set, which is covering the Giardello
shooting, replaying clip of Mike and Lucaitis.

RUSSERT

                                                                    They’re replaying that clip of you
                                                                    pushing Helen Lucaitis ass over
                                                                    teakettle and cussing her out --

MIKE

Great --

RUSSERT

Made the national news. Al would be
proud...

MIKE changes channel to “Miss Sally’s Schoolyard”.

MIKE

You worked with my dad, right?

RUSSERT

                                                                    I’ve had the honor of being his equal,
                                                                    his boss and his underling. I know
                                                                    every side of the man...

MIKE

                                                                    I wish I did.
                                                                            (off her look)
                                                                    I used to be F.B.I. Liaison with the
                                                                    Department. I took the job to be
                                                                    closer to him, make amends, maybe
                                                                    put to rest all the anger and
                                                                    bitterness between us...

RUSSERT

But that didn’t happen?

MIKE

                                                                    If anything, working together made
                                                                    things worse. We were always stepping
                                                                    on each other’s toes. Then I had a
                                                                    little dust-up with my boss at the
                                                                    Bureau, so I quit. Started over as
                                                                    a Balto uniform, bottom of the totem
                                                                    pole... I don’t know if any of it
                                                                    made any difference to my dad. If
                                                                    he even noticed.

RUSSERT

Did you ever think to ask him?

MIKE

                                                                    We don’t have that kind of
                                                                    relationship. He’s my father, but...
                                                                    in a lot of ways, the man’s a stranger
                                                                    to me.

On RUSSERT, trying to comfort MIKE,

CUT TO:

31 INT. INTERROGATION ROOM #1/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

PEMBLETON and BAYLISS sit with HOMELESS MAN.

PEMBLETON

You wouldn’t hurt anyone, would you?

HOMELESS MAN

No.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    You wouldn’t hurt anyone because
                                                                    it’s not in you. I know this about
                                                                    you. Al Giardello wouldn’t hurt
                                                                    anyone either. It’s not in him.
                                                                    You and he, you have a lot in common.

HOMELESS MAN

That’s why I asked him for a dollar.
‘Cause I knew he’d understand.

HOMELESS MAN takes dollar in hand.

BAYLISS

What’s your name?

HOMELESS MAN

                                                                    I’d tell ya my name, but what’s it
                                                                    matter? You ain’t got an address,
                                                                    whaddya need a name for? Post office
                                                                    can’t find me. So why should it
                                                                    mean anything if I have a name?

PEMBLETON

                                                                    We don’t need to know your name.
                                                                    What we need to know is if you saw
                                                                    who hurt Al Giardello.

HOMELESS MAN

(to BAYLISS)
Got a dollar?

BAYLISS

A dollar?

HOMELESS MAN

Been jonesing for a Hershey bar.

PEMBLETON

I just gave you a dollar.

HOMELESS MAN

(re: BAYLISS)
I’m asking him.

PEMBLETON

What did you see at the Inner Harbor
today?

HOMELESS MAN

(to BAYLISS)
I’m a fiend for chocolate.

PEMBLETON stands, leans across the table.

PEMBLETON

Didn’t I just give you a dollar?

No response.

PEMBLETON (cont.)

Didn’t I?

HOMELESS MAN

Yeah.

PEMBLETON

So now you play me for the fool?

No response.

BAYLISS

If I give you a dollar, you’ll tell
us what you saw today?

PEMBLETON

                                                                            (to HOMELESS MAN)
                                                                    I’m the fool, huh? I give you a
                                                                    dollar and now, what?

BAYLISS takes out a dollar. PEMBLETON stops him:

PEMBLETON (cont.)

                                                                    Put that away.
                                                                            (to HOMELESS MAN)
                                                                    I’m here out of concern for a good
                                                                    person. Someone who means a lot to
                                                                    me, who means a lot to this city.
                                                                    And what, now you think this is some
                                                                    kind of deal where you’re going to
                                                                    use my concern to mooch money? ‘Cause
                                                                    you think you’re the key to the
                                                                    puzzle, you’re holding all the vital
                                                                    info? So, yeah, screw me?
                                                                            (points to BAYLISS)
                                                                    And screw him. And screw Al
                                                                    Giardello.
                                                                            (puts hand on chest)
                                                                    Do you think you mean anything to
                                                                    anyone? Anything to this city?

HOMELESS MAN

No.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    But I’m here. I’m extending you my
                                                                    kindness. I give you what you ask
                                                                    for, out of goodwill. And it’s not
                                                                    about the dollar. This is not the
                                                                    money. If you’d asked me for ten,
                                                                    I’d give you ten. A hundred, you’ve
                                                                    got it. I’m respecting you. But
                                                                    you sit here and piss on me? I will
                                                                    send you to hell, Mister I-don’t-
                                                                    have-a-name-so-feel-sorry-for-my-
                                                                    mooching-ass.

HOMELESS MAN

                                                                            (to BAYLISS)
                                                                    The guy I see is late forties, early
                                                                    fifties maybe. Of the Negro
                                                                    persuasion.

PEMBLETON glares at HOMELESS MAN.

BAYLISS

The shooter is Black? What’s he
look like? How big is he?

HOMELESS MAN

                                                                    A little taller than me. And he has
                                                                    grey sidewalls. His hair. You know,
                                                                    sideburns. And he’s got a gun.
                                                                            (to PEMBLETON)
                                                                    Don’t stare. You’re staring. That’s
                                                                    not polite, sir.

BAYLISS

You see this guy, Black, late forties,
fifties, with a gun.

HOMELESS MAN

Yuh. One of them black guns that
goes “pop-pop-pop” --

BAYLISS

An automatic.

HOMELESS MAN

If you say so.

BAYLISS

After this guy shoots Giardello,
what then? Where does he go?

HOMELESS MAN

I dunno.

BAYLISS

Whaddya mean, “I dunno”?

HOMELESS MAN

                                                                            (to PEMBLETON)
                                                                    You gotta stop with the evil eye,
                                                                    sir. It’s gonna screw up all your
                                                                    good blood with bile. And bile,
                                                                    it’s poison, y’know.

BAYLISS

                                                                    Okay, he shoots -- “pop-pop-pop.”
                                                                    Then what happens? What does he do
                                                                    then? Where does he go?

HOMELESS MAN

                                                                    I don’t know. He just disappears.
                                                                    Gets swallowed up by the crowd. I
                                                                    got scared, I was just trying to get
                                                                    outta there, and then the cops grabbed
                                                                    me up.
                                                                            (to BAYLISS)
                                                                    Can I have that other dollar now?

On PEMBLETON and BAYLISS, exchanging a look,

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

32 INT. HALLWAY/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

ROSINA and RUSSERT exit the Women’s Room. They are pursued
by DANIELS and her Cameraman, ERIC THOMAS JAMES.

DANIELS

Missus Giardello, any word on his
condition

ROSINA

(terrified)
No.

RUSSERT

Please step back --

DANIELS

Any ideas who shot him?

MIKE (o.c.)

Hey --

DANIELS turns to see MIKE charging toward her.

MIKE (cont.)

Leave her alone. You’re not supposed
to be up here anyway --

MIKE grabs the camera.

MIKE

Leave us the hell alone

JAMES heads down Hall to retrieve camera.

DANIELS

We’re just doing our job.

MIKE

That’s no excuse.

DANIELS and JAMES go. As MIKE puts his arm around his
GRANDMOTHER,

CUT TO:

33 EXT. WYAT - DAY

          Cavalier pulls up. STIVERS gets out driver’s side. BALLARD
          gets out as STIVERS looks into the backseat, piled with video
          cassettes, with logos from various local TV stations.

STIVERS

Last stop.

As SHE follows BALLARD into building,

CUT TO:

34 OMIT

35 INT. NEWS STUDIO SET/WYAT - DAY

          NEWS MANAGER walks with STIVERS and BALLARD as News Room
          Redballs Giardello shooting. They walk past News Anchor
          DINA NAPOLI on air:

NAPOLI

                                                                    Giardello is still in surgery at
                                                                    this hour... Meanwhile, police have
                                                                    intensified their investigation,
                                                                    interviewing literally hundreds of
                                                                    witnesses.

NEWS MANAGER

I’d like to give you the tape, but I
can’t.

BALLARD

Then we’ll get a subpoena --

NEWS MANAGER

You don’t understand. There was
some kinda technical glitch with our camera.

STIVERS

Glitch?

NEWS MANAGER

                                                                    We were the only station in town who
                                                                    didn’t get footage of the actual
                                                                    shooting. All I got is stuff leading
                                                                    up to the gun shots, then the camera
                                                                    dies. And believe me, I’m not happy,
                                                                    losing out on the biggest news event
                                                                    of the year.

STIVERS

Geez, I’m weeping for ya. Okay,
just give us what you’ve got.

On NEWS MANAGER, nodding,

CUT TO:

36 EXT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

BOLANDER and MUNCH walk to entrance, passing MEDIA.

MUNCH

You’re living in Saint Michael’s
now?

BOLANDER

Yep. Who’d wanna shoot Giardello?

MUNCH

I was under the impression you were
here in Balto.

BOLANDER

Nope.

MUNCH

                                                                    That you were just refusing to answer
                                                                    my calls out of some misdirected
                                                                    spite.

BOLANDER

I have never mis-whatever’d my spite.

MUNCH

I got married again.

BOLANDER

What’s that? Number four?

MUNCH

Yep.

BOLANDER

Geez...

MUNCH

We’re getting divorced.

BOLANDER

Geez, John...

MUNCH

This feels good. Me and you prowling
the streets of Baltimore again.

BOLANDER

                                                                    I have never prowled anywhere with
                                                                    you, awright? Don’t start agitating
                                                                    me, Munch.

On BOLANDER, entering ahead of MUNCH,

CUT TO:

37 INT. LIEUTENANT’S OFFICE/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

          PEMBLETON, BAYLISS, MUNCH, BOLANDER, FALSONE, HOWARD, STIVERS,
          BALLARD, LEWIS and GHARTY crowd around VCR, watching videotape
          of the shooting.

BOLANDER

Stop there.

GHARTY hits pause. BOLANDER looks closely at SCREEN.

PEMBLETON

What are you looking at, Stan?

BOLANDER

This guy, near the edge of the stage,
his body language, it ain’t right.

A moment of intense study on the stopped tape.

HOWARD

I can’t see anything.

BALLARD

You’re looking for a gun? This angle,
I can’t even see his hands.

HOWARD

What we need is to enhance the tape.

FALSONE

Yeah, send a copy to the State Police
Lab --

We HEAR the SOUND of the door opening. Captain ROGER GAFFNEY
enters. In b.g. of doorway, PICK UP HALL, pouty face.

GAFFNEY

Lieutenant.

GHARTY

Captain.

GAFFNEY

                                                                    My my my. Lookit this. Sergeant
                                                                    Howard, Frank Pembleton, Munch,
                                                                    Bayliss, even the Big Man -- All the
                                                                    ol’ boys and girls gathered again,
                                                                    everybody pal-sy, wal-sy.
                                                                            (to GHARTY)
                                                                    You interrupt one of my detectives
                                                                    in the course of interviewing a
                                                                    witness?

GHARTY looks through blinds, exchanges a look with HALL.

GHARTY

I was giving him some relief.

GAFFNEY

“Relief” my ass. You wanted to show
him who’s boss. That’s your game.

GHARTY

Sir --

GAFFNEY

                                                                    But now I’m gonna show you who’s
                                                                    boss. I order you to apologize to
                                                                    Detective Hall.

GHARTY

Apologize?

GAFFNEY

Hall --

HALL steps in. GAFFNEY turns to GHARTY.

GAFFNEY (cont.)

Go ahead.

GHARTY

I... apologize...

HALL

No problem.

HALL goes. GAFFNEY faces the GROUP.

GAFFNEY

Why the hell are all of you in here?

MUNCH

We came to see if we could help.

GAFFNEY

                                                                            (to GHARTY)
                                                                    This is your call? What are you,
                                                                    desperate?

BAYLISS

We came on our own.

GAFFNEY

                                                                    Truly noble. Get your ass in gear,
                                                                    Gharty. I want this Giardello
                                                                    shooting down today.

PEMBLETON

That’s what we all want, Gaffney.

GAFFNEY

This is police business. You’re not
a cop anymore, Frank, are you?

PEMBLETON

That’s correct.

GAFFNEY

Then get lost.

PEMBLETON

Yeah. Sure. Good.

BOLANDER

Me too, then.

GAFFNEY

                                                                    No, Bolander. You can stay. That’s
                                                                    the beauty of power, it’s arbitrary...
                                                                            (to GHARTY)
                                                                    I have a press conference, two
                                                                    o’clock. I better have startling
                                                                    new revelations to tell the media.

GAFFNEY exits

STIVERS

Somebody open a window.

LEWIS

Won’t do any good. Eau De Gaffney
lasts for days.

PEMBLETON starts to exit

GHARTY

Frank, hey.

PEMBLETON

No need to say anything.

GHARTY

We get anywhere, I’ll keep you posted.

PEMBLETON

Fine. Give me a holler.

PEMBLETON exits. BAYLISS follows. GHARTY turns to the
OTHERS.

GHARTY

‘Appreciate you being here.

MUNCH

It’s about Gee. Not you.

GHARTY

I know that. Where are we with the
possible suspects?

BOLANDER

                                                                    You shoot the President. You shoot
                                                                    the Pope. John Lennon, maybe, but a
                                                                    guy running for Mayor of Baltimore?
                                                                    Who’s crazy enough to do that?

On the GROUP, pondering the question,

CUT TO:

38 INT. STAIRWAY/POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

BAYLISS pursues PEMBLETON down stairs.

BAYLISS

You really just gonna leave, Frank?

PEMBLETON

Yeah. And you’re coming with me.

BAYLISS

Where?

PEMBLETON

If the bosses won’t let us investigate
officially, we’ll do one of our own.

BAYLISS

Unofficially.

PEMBLETON

A citizen’s brigade.

THEY exit building.

39 EXT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

PEMBLETON and BAYLISS walk briskly through MEDIA CIRCUS,
ignoring REPORTERS’ questions.

PEMBLETON (cont.)

What’s this semi-permanent leave of
absence you’re on?

BAYLISS

                                                                    Same as you, Frank. Got tired of
                                                                    the job, Homicide sucked the life
                                                                    outta me.

PEMBLETON

Really...

BAYLISS

Yup.

PEMBLETON

There’s no other reason?

BAYLISS

What other reason could there be?

PEMBLETON

I dunno. You tell me.

BAYLISS

Nothing to tell, Frank. Can we
concentrate on Gee?

PEMBLETON and BAYLISS cross street, reach Pembleton’s Toyota.

PEMBLETON

Okay. We’ll start with the Crime
Scene.

BAYLISS

I’m driving.

PEMBLETON

You ain’t driving my car.

BAYLISS

We’re taking your car?

PEMBLETON

                                                                    It’s the better car, Bayliss. I
                                                                    make forty-five grand a year teaching
                                                                    at Loyola.

BAYLISS

                                                                    Forty-five? And you can afford a
                                                                    car like that? What’re you, on the
                                                                    take?

PEMBLETON

On the pad? At Loyola?

As THEY get into the Car,

CUT TO:

40 INT. SQUAD ROOM/HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY

Redball chaos continues. GHARTY stands before MUNCH,
BOLANDER, STIVERS, HOWARD, FALSONE, BALLARD, LEWIS and HALL.

HOWARD

                                                                    We’ve got fifteen different
                                                                    descriptions of a possible shooter
                                                                    from twenty-five different witnesses.

STIVERS

                                                                    Some say he’s Black, some say White.
                                                                    Some say in his twenties, others in
                                                                    his sixties.

BALLARD

They all agree that the shooter’s a man,
right?

STIVERS

Actually, a couple of them think he
might’ve been a woman.

MUNCH

I say it’s a conspiracy.

OTHERS GROAN

MUNCH (cont.)

                                                                    The guy Gee’s running against for
                                                                    Mayor, what’s his name, Gessner.
                                                                    He’s about to get his ass kicked.
                                                                    Decides to take action. Hires an
                                                                    assassin. Like in “The Manchurian
                                                                    Candidate” --

BOLANDER

What’d I say about agitating, Munch?

HOWARD

I’m gonna check out the widow of
Raymond Desassy.

LEWIS

The guy Gee shot?

FALSONE

Gee shot someone?

HOWARD

Coupla, three years back. Kevin
Lugo, big shock radio personality --

FALSONE

Oh yeah, I remember, got whacked in
a Mount Washington parking lot.

HOWARD

                                                                    We get a tip Raymond Desassy’s
                                                                    the murderer. Gee and I go to the
                                                                    house, the suspect pulls a gun. Gee
                                                                    shoots him dead. Turns out our tip
                                                                    was Desassy’s best friend, who’d
                                                                    called it in as a practical joke.
                                                                    Desassy’s wife was pretty bitter
                                                                    about the whole thing.

GHARTY

Howard, Missus Desassy it is.

FALSONE

You need backup?

HOWARD

Sure.

GHARTY

                                                                    Stivers, you and Ballard take the
                                                                    video tapes to the State Lab, study
                                                                    every frame... Lewis, stop by the
                                                                    courthouse, grab Sheppard, go talk
                                                                    to Karl Miller.

LEWIS

The pride of the Aryan Nation?

GHARTY

                                                                    He’s been beating the drums trying
                                                                    to start a race war over Gee’s drug
                                                                    policy.
                                                                            (to BOLANDER)
                                                                    If you’re volunteering, how ‘bout
                                                                    calling on John Komen?

BOLANDER

Whatever you need, Lieutenant.

FALSONE

Who’s John Komen?

LEWIS

That mass suicide at the African
Revival Movement.

BOLANDER

Yeah yeah. I saw that on the news.

MUNCH

QRT storms the place and finds sixteen
bodies. Poison. Regular Jonestown.

GHARTY

                                                                    Komen has taken over as head honcho
                                                                    of the movement. “Course, he was
                                                                    the only one left. Last man standing.

FALSONE

And he blames Gee.

BOLANDER

So we go talk to him.

MUNCH

                                                                    I say a Black nationalist and two
                                                                    whiter-shades-of-pale detectives
                                                                    don’t exactly interface, you catch
                                                                    my drift?

GHARTY

                                                                    You got a problem with that, Munch,
                                                                    make it easy on yourself. There’s
                                                                    an Amtrak back to the Big Apple every
                                                                    hour.
                                                                            (to BOLANDER)
                                                                    Stan, you know where the African
                                                                    Revival Movement building is?

BOLANDER

If it’s in Balto, I’ll can find it.

GHARTY

                                                                    We’ve set up an eight-hundred number
                                                                    for tips. You all know that
                                                                    realistically we got forty-eight
                                                                    hours to catch this guy. After that,
                                                                    the odds get long and you know what
                                                                    hits the fan. Okay, let’s go. We’re
                                                                    a team. Let’s catch this bastard.

DETECTIVES move off. MUNCH leans into GHARTY.

MUNCH

You could’ve handled this better,
Stu-ie.

BOLANDER

You coming, Detective Munch?

MUNCH

Yeah, yeah. But I’m driving.

As MUNCH follows,

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

41 INT. PEMBLETON’S TOYOTA - DAY

PEMBLETON drives. BAYLISS rides shotgun.

BAYLISS

How was that for you, Frank? Being
back in the Squad Room.

PEMBLETON

Strange.

BAYLISS

So many things have changed.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    The color of the floors and the doors,
                                                                    maybe. But the room’s the same.
                                                                    The work’s the same.

BAYLISS

Yeah. I guess that’s never gonna be
different.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    What bothered me was not seeing Gee
                                                                    there. Charging outta his office,
                                                                    like a water buffalo... Y’know, the
                                                                    last conversation he and I had was
                                                                    standing over your hospital bed.
                                                                    After you took a bullet for me.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK --

On BAYLISS getting shot,

CUT TO:

BACK TO PRESENT --

PEMBLETON (cont.)

Did I ever thank you for that?

BAYLISS

No. Not in so many words.

PEMBLETON

Thank you.

BAYLISS

Prego.

PEMBLETON

“Prego”?

BAYLISS

It’s Italian

PEMBLETON

I know it’s Italian. Why Italian?

BAYLISS

I’m thinking of Gee.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    I was so angry at him. But I see
                                                                    now, it wasn’t him I was angry at.
                                                                    It was the whole bloody business.

BAYLISS

Yeah.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    I never spoke to him after that day.
                                                                    And now I may never get the chance
                                                                    to speak with him again.

BAYLISS

Let’s stop by the hospital.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    He’s in surgery. And besides, I can
                                                                    do more for the man being out on the
                                                                    street.

BAYLISS

He didn’t hate you. And he knew you
didn’t hate him --

PEMBLETON

I handed him my badge, Tim. He hated
that.

As THEY drive along,

CUT TO:

42 EXT. AFRICAN REVIVAL MOVEMENT BUILDING - DAY

Establishing.

43 INT. AFRICAN REVIVAL MOVEMENT BUILDING - DAY

BOLANDER and MUNCH sit across from JOHN KOMEN, forties,
greying temples.

BOLANDER

You’re not upset by the news about
Al Giardello.

KOMEN

                                                                    Upset, yes, but not surprised. He’s
                                                                    a Black man who spoke the truth.
                                                                    There’s a long tradition in this
                                                                    country of shooting Black men who
                                                                    speak the truth.

BOLANDER

We have a witness says the would-be
assassin was Black.

KOMEN

                                                                    A Black assassin? How convenient.
                                                                    The White man can always find a race
                                                                    traitor to do his dirty work.

MUNCH

                                                                    There are some who blame Al Giardello
                                                                    for what happened in this building
                                                                    three years ago. Some who say
                                                                    Giardello is responsible for those
                                                                    sixteen suicides.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK --

On GIARDELLO finding the BODIES of dead Members of the African
Revival Movement,

CUT TO:

BACK TO PRESENT --

KOMEN

You think I would want revenge?

BOLANDER

Maybe one of your followers.

KOMEN

                                                                    Which you see where? This Movement
                                                                    was destroyed that day. There is me
                                                                    and the janitor and two elderly
                                                                    couples who show up on Fridays for
                                                                    the food giveaway. The problem is:
                                                                    We don’t have any food to give away
                                                                    anymore. But they show up anyway.

MUNCH

So this morning, say eight-fifteen --

KOMEN

Was I at the Inner Harbor? No.

BOLANDER

You can verify your whereabouts?

KOMEN
I was here.

BOLANDER

Someone an back you on that?

KOMEN

Yes. They’ll tell you that I was at
this desk working.

MUNCH

What work? You say you don’t have
any following.

KOMEN

                                                                    The tide is turning. Soon. I’m
                                                                    going to be interviewed this week on
                                                                    the radio. “The Mark Steiner Show” --

BOLANDER

Steiner, huh? I like him.

KOMEN

                                                                    And I’m going to tell the world how
                                                                    Al Giardello was set up by the White
                                                                    banking establishment to run for
                                                                    Mayor, then shot by them.

BOLANDER

The banks shot Giardello.

KOMEN

                                                                    Giardello gets popular, he gets shot,
                                                                    he dies, the city riots, the city
                                                                    goes up in flames. The smoke clears,
                                                                    the banks come in and rebuild the
                                                                    neighborhood, shoving all the poor
                                                                    Blacks out to the collar counties.
                                                                    What’s behind Lexington Towers and
                                                                    Boston Homes being torn down? The
                                                                    land they’re on is too valuable.
                                                                    The banks and the developers want
                                                                    all that land near the Harbor. It’s
                                                                    worth hundreds of millions.

BOLANDER

The banks, huh?

MUNCH

                                                                    Actually, it makes sense, when you
                                                                    think about it. The banks, the
                                                                    multinationals, the real estate
                                                                    lobby...

On BOLANDER giving MUNCH a look,

CUT TO:

44 EXT. AMPITHEATRE/INNER HARBOR - DAY

Still a Crime Scene. Area of shooting taped off. PEMBLETON
and BAYLISS talk to WITNESS #1.

WITNESS #1

                                                                    So when are you gonna let me re-open
                                                                    my cart? I’m dying here. I’m losing
                                                                    a whole day’s receipts.
                                                                    I’ve told you and them other
                                                                    detectives ninety-nine times already,
                                                                    I didn’t see nothing.

PEMBLETON

And I’ve told you a hundred times,
you are lying.

WITNESS #1

Why would I lie?

BAYLISS

Because you’re afraid.

WITNESS #1

Me? I’m not afraid of nobody.

BAYLISS

Yes, you are. You’re frightened.
Of the man who shot Al Giardello.

PEMBLETON

                                                                    You’re afraid if he finds out that
                                                                    you ID’d him, he’ll come back, shoot
                                                                    you, too.

BAYLISS

Listen, if you know anything, tell
us. We’ll protect you.

WITNESS #1

                                                                    Oh yeah. How? This goes to trial,
                                                                    I gotta testify. The gunman gets
                                                                    off, I’m dead. No thanks. I got no
                                                                    reason to die for that goon Giardello.

PEMBLETON

Goon?

WITNESS #1

Legalizing drugs, that’s just insane.

BAYLISS

                                                                    You don’t tell us what you know, the
                                                                    gunman’s free, running around the
                                                                    streets. He hits his mark next time,
                                                                    he kills someone, that’s on you.

WITNESS #1

Guess what, I can carry that.

BAYLISS

(sighs)
Thanks for your time.

WITNESS #1

Hey, so when can I re-open?

As PEMBLETON kicks a garbage can,

CUT TO:

45 INT. WAITING ROOM/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

RUSSERT sits with ROSINA and MIKE, as J.H. BRODIE approaches.

BRODIE

Hiya.

RUSSERT

                                                                    Brodie. Mike, Missus Giardello,
                                                                    this is J.J. Brodie, he used to work
                                                                    with us in Homicide.

ROSINA

Hello. Thank you for coming.

BRODIE

                                                                    I was in D.C. for a film festival
                                                                    and I heard about the Lieutenant.
                                                                            (holds up stuffed
                                                                             giraffe)
                                                                    I bought him a giraffe. How’s he
                                                                    doing?

MIKE

                                                                    I can’t get anybody to tell me
                                                                    anything. I can’t even find out who
                                                                    I should be mad at for not telling
                                                                    me.

BRODIE

                                                                    I thought ER doctors were supposed
                                                                    to be so compassionate and caring
                                                                    and all that crapola.

MIKE

As far as I can tell, they don’t
give a tinker’s dam.

          COMMOTION at the elevators. REPORTERS, including DANIELS,
          YELLING questions at ROBERT GESSNER, forties, Redford-esque,
          stepping into view.

DANIELS

                                                                    Mister Gessner, how will today’s
                                                                    shooting affect balloting on Tuesday?
                                                                    Do you think Al Giardello will benefit
                                                                    from a sympathy vote? Will this put
                                                                    you even further behind at the polls?

GESSNER

                                                                    The polls be damned, Dawn, a man’s
                                                                    life is at stake. Al Giardello and
                                                                    I may disagree on many fundamental
                                                                    issues, but when a tragedy like this
                                                                    occurs it is essential to put aside
                                                                    our differences and bring the city
                                                                    together. I’m not here as a candidate
                                                                    for Mayor, I’m here as a concerned
                                                                    citizen, as a friend.

MIKE

(to RUSSERT)
My father hates this guy’s guts.

GESSNER approaches MIKE.

GESSNER

How are you holding up there, son?

MIKE

I’m alright.

GESSNER

Good man.

As GESSNER shakes MIKE’s hand, nodding grimly for the cameras,

CUT TO:

46 INT. DESASSY APARTMENT - DAY

HOWARD and FALSONE across from SHIRLEY DESASSY, thirty-five,
world weary, drunk.

DESASSY

                                                                    When I heard Giardello had taken a
                                                                    bullet, I’ll admit, I thought, “Well,
                                                                    that’s some damn justice for you”...

FLASHBACK --

As GIARDELLO shoots RAYMOND DESASSY,

CUT TO:

BACK TO PRESENT --

HOWARD

Where were you this morning, Missus
Desassy?

DESASSY

Me? Right here. Making love to
this bottle of Tanqueray.

HOWARD

You start drinking early in the
morning?

DESASSY

No.

FALSONE

No?

DESASSY

I don’t start early, ‘cause I don’t
stop the night before

FALSONE

Maybe you should get some help.

DESASSY

Maybe you oughta shove this bottle
where the sun don’t shine.

HOWARD

Anybody vouch for your whereabouts
this morning?

DESASSY

My next door neighbor. She was over
here, mooching a toot.

HOWARD rises. FALSONE follows suit.

HOWARD

We may need you for further
questioning...

DESASSY

                                                                    Ray and me, we was all each other
                                                                    had in the world. And you cops killed
                                                                    him. I hope that Giardello dies and
                                                                    goes straight to hell. I only wish
                                                                    I had shot the bastard.

As HOWARD and FALSONE exit,

CUT TO:

47 EXT. CANTON STREET - DAY

RENE SHEPPARD and LEWIS exit Cavalier, survey pleasant, leafy,
quaint Main Street, Baltimore County.

LEWIS

Huh.

SHEPPARD

                                                                    I have to admit, White supremacist,
                                                                    I was expecting something a little
                                                                    more South Baltimore --

LEWIS

House trailer, broken down rowhouse,
major appliances on the front porch --

SHEPPARD

Exactly. Not so --

LEWIS

Quaint.

SHEPPARD

Uh-huh. More --

LEWIS

White trash.

SHEPPARD

You said it, not me.

They stroll up sidewalk.

SHEPPARD (cont.)

You sure this is the right address?

LEWIS

‘Course I’m sure. Have I ever gotten
the wrong address? Don’t answer...

They stop in front of a Variety Store. LEWIS shrugs.
Puzzled, THEY go in:

48 OMIT

49 INT. WAITING ROOM/RADIO STATION - DAY

          LEWIS and SHEPPARD stop. In front of them, behind glass,
          KARL MILLER, thirties, well-groomed, David Duke-ish, sits at
          console, headphones on, in front of mic, listening to a
          caller. Their VOICES are audible over speakers:

CALLER (v.o.)

                                                                    Giardello got what he deserved.
                                                                    When the United States Government
                                                                    wages war on its own people and
                                                                    conspires with their enemies to
                                                                    legalize drugs, when the very identity
                                                                    of this country as a White Christian
                                                                    nation is in jeopardy --

MILLER looks up, sees SHEPPARD and LEWIS.

MILLER

                                                                    Terry, I couldn’t agree with you
                                                                    more. In the words of Thomas
                                                                    Jefferson -- which Timothy McVeigh
                                                                    wore on a tee-shirt -- the tree of
                                                                    liberty must be watered frequently
                                                                    with the blood of patriots and tyrants --

LEWIS holds up his badge and TAPS on the glass.

MILLER (cont.)

                                                                    Ladies and gentlemen, stay tuned.
                                                                    It looks like I’m about to interview
                                                                   two of Baltimore City’s finest.

SHEPPARD and LEWIS enter Studio, LEWIS points to “on air”
light. As MILLER reluctantly turns it off,

CUT TO:

50 INT. CHAPEL/CHURCH HOME & HOSPITAL - DAY

MIKE enters. CARDINAL KEELER is at the altar.

KEELER

Michael.

MIKE

Your Eminence.

KEELER

We’re all praying for your father.

MIKE

Thank you. I appreciate that.

KEELER

God bless you.

          KEELER exits. MIKE lights a candle at the altar, then pulls
          out his Rosary. As HE kneels and says his Rosary, praying
          with all his heart, <

Revision	Date	Pages in revision
BLUE	8 November 99	Full Script
PINK	15 November 99	Full Script