Dominance
A/N: sorry if the spacing is too close together, it wouldn't let me format it the way I wanted to.
ACT ONE
FADE IN
INT. HOSPITAL EXAM ROOM-DAY-LATER
Benson is in the room with Cynthia and DR. GRAFF who has just finished the rape exam and is now examining the bruises on her face.
DR. GRAFF
These contusions don't need stitches but you will be sore for a few days. Make sure you put some ice on that later.
CYNTHIA
Alright.
DR. GRAFF
Have you had intercourse within the last forty eight hours Cynthia?
Cynthia shifts uncomfortably on the bed.
CYNTHIA
Yeah with my boyfriend this morning. Why?
BENSON
Because we'll have to distinguish between his DNA and the perpetrator's.
(beat)
Are you sure you didn't see him at all?
CYNTHIA
Yes, he shoved me in the room from behind. I never saw him.
BENSON
Is there anyone who would want to hurt you?
CYNTHIA
No, who would want to do something like this?
BENSON
Do you remember if he had a certain smell to him? Or any tattoos-
Cynthia's boyfriend, HANK MASTERS, enters the room before Benson can finish.
CYNTHIA
Hank!
Hank rushes over to her and embraces her.
HANK
Cinny! Are you alright baby? They told me what happened on the phone.
Cynthia begins to cry and clings onto Hank who sits on the bed next to her.
CYNTHIA
It was awful, he just pushed me in the door. I couldn't stop him...
HANK
It's alright baby, it's alright.
Hank finally acknowledges Benson standing in the room.
HANK (CONT'D)
And you are?
BENSON
Detective Benson, I was just getting Cynthia's statement.
HANK
You're gonna have to come back later.
BENSON
Sir we're also going to need-
HANK
(angrily)
Can't you see she's upset?
He gets up from the bed and opens the door.
HANK (CONT'D)
Please leave.
Benson doesn't put up a fight.
BENSON
Here's my card.
She hands him her card.
BENSON (CONT'D)
We're going to need to get her statement later and we'll also need to talk to you.
HANK
Fine. I'll call you when she's feeling up to it.
Benson exits the room with the rape kit.
INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY-DAY-CONTINUOUS
Benson enters the hallway where Stabler was waiting for her.
STABLER
Did you get her statement?
BENSON
I was trying to when her boyfriend kicked me out.
STABLER
So you didn't get anything?
BENSON
(pissy)
Just that he pushed her into the apartment from behind and she didn't see his face. That's all I had time to get.
Benson checks her phone.
STABLER
Why are you so tense?
BENSON
(checking phone)
This! This is why I'm tense!
STABLER
What?
BENSON
Three new text messages and a voicemail already it's not even one.
STABLER
You lost me.
BENSON
This guy Craig that I've gone out with a few times. He's constantly texting and calling me.
STABLER
So he likes you.
BENSON
I don't have time for this during the day.
STABLER
What's he saying?
BENSON
(reading from phone)
How's you day going? I can't wait to see you tonight. And a picture of a flower!
She shows Stabler the phone.
STABLER
(amused)
The nerve of him.
BENSON
You don't think that's a tad bit obsessive?
STABLER
Don't you think you're going a tad bit overboard here?
They exit the hospital.
INT. SVU SQUADROOM-DAY
Benson and Stabler are updating MUNCH, FIN, and CRAGEN on the case.
CRAGEN
Okay what do we know about our victim?
STABLER
Cynthia Wells age twenty one. She's a dogwalker wtih Take U Out dogwalking company.
He hangs her picture up on the bulletin board.
CRAGEN
Did you get a statement on the rape?
BENSON
Partial statement.
CRAGEN
Why partial?
BENSON
The boyfriend kicked me out before I could get a full one.
CRAGEN
Okay what do you have so far?
BENSON
She was shoved into the apartment after she opened the door, she never saw his face, he raped her in the bedroom.
FIN
Any suspects?
BENSON
None that the victim could think of.
CRAGEN
Make sure you get a full statement later.
STABLER
Why would any young girl be a dogwalker in the city? It's too dangerous.
MUNCH
I would think that the company checks everything out before they send the walkers out.
STABLER
Obviously not.
CRAGEN
So you're thinking?
STABLER
Could've been the owner of the apartment. Not a bad way to lure a young co-ed into your home.
MUNCH
It's too obvious, he'd have to know he'd get caught.
CRAGEN
Do we know who it is?
BENSON
Jackson Bainsley was on the dogwalker route sheet.
CRAGEN
Check him out.
(beat)
What else?
MUNCH
What about the dogwalking company?
STABLER
Take U Out dogwalking company has been in business for eight years owned and operated by Sam Rollins.
MUNCH
He's worth looking into, he'd know where she was all day and what kind of dog was waiting on the other side of the door.
STABLER
It was a little white puff ball.
MUNCH
See, he wouldn't risk it with a pit bull in the apartment.
CRAGEN
Okay Munch and Fin go talk to Mr. Rollins. Benson, Stabler go meet Mr. Bainsley and inform him of what happened in his apartment this morning.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING-DAY
Munch and Fin enter the office of SAM ROLLINS who is seated at his desk staring at his computer.
MUNCH
Mr. Rollins?
SAM ROLLINS
Yes, can I help you?
They flash their badges.
MUNCH
Detectives Munch and Tutuola from the Special Victim's Unit.
He gives them his full attention.
SAM ROLLINS
What can I do for you?
MUNCH
One of your dogwalkers, Cynthia Wells, was raped in one of your client's apartments this morning.
SAM ROLLINS
Oh my God. Which apartment?
FIN
Aren't you going to ask if she's alright?
SAM ROLLINS
Yes yes of course, how is she?
MUNCH
She's doing okay considering. How long has Cynthia worked for you?
SAM ROLLINS
About six months now.
MUNCH
Is she a good employee?
SAM ROLLINS
Yes very good. Great with the animals, always on time.
(beat)
Which apartment was she at when this happened?
FIN
(looking at his notes)
A Mr. Jackson Bainsley.
SAM ROLLINS
Oh dear, that was only her second stop of the day. I have to make some phone calls and get her route covered will you give me a few minutes.
MUNCH
That can wait, what can you tell us about Mr. Bainsley?
SAM ROLLINS
Uh he's a young guy, a lawyer I think. Always pays on time.
FIN
Anything else?
SAM ROLLINS
Well there was a small incident once, nothing major though.
FIN
What happened?
SAM ROLLINS
He was home once when I had a walker scheduled. He scared her half to death because he's never home when he has a walk scheduled. She said he made her feel very uncomfortable.
FIN
Did he do anything to her?
SAM ROLLINS
No he just stared her the whole time she was there.
(beat)
Is that all you need from me? I really have to get her route covered.
MUNCH
Just one more question, where were you this morning around ten?
SAM ROLLINS
Am I a suspect?
MUNCH
We just have to ask.
SAM ROLLINS
I've been here since nine.
MUNCH
Can anyone verify that?
SAM ROLLINS
The security guard might remember me coming in.
MUNCH
Okay, thank you for your time. We'll be in touch.
Munch and Fin exit the office and get into the elevator.
INT. ELEVATOR-DAY-CONTINUOUS
MUNCH
That guy gave me a weird feeling.
FIN
Who doesn't?
INT. LAW OFFICE LOBBY-DAY
Benson and Stabler approach a RECEPTIONIST at her desk.
STABLER
Hello we're looking for a Mr. Bainsley.
RECEPTIONIST
And you are?
They flash their badges.
BENSON
Benson, Stabler.
RECEPTIONIST
Third door on your right.
STABLER
Pretty swanky office.
They walk down the hall and into-
INT. LAW OFFICE-DAY-CONTINUOUS
They enter the office and find JACKSON BAINSLEY seated at his desk pouring over paperwork. They KNOCK at the open door and enter.
STABLER
Jackson Bainsley?
He looks up from his paperwork.
JACKSON BAINSLEY
Yes?
STABLER
I'm Detective Stabler and this is Detective Benson. We're with the Special Victim's Unit of the NYPD.
JACKSON BAINSLEY
Can I help you?
BENSON
Your dogwalker was attacked in your apartment this morning.
JACKSON BAINSLEY
(surprised)
Is she alright?
BENSON
She will be.
(beat)
Do you think of your building as being generally safe?
JACKSON BAINSLEY
Of course, I feel perfectly safe there.
STABLER
How about security?
JACKSON BAINSLEY
Well a stranger could get in if they came in behind someone, but that's true anywhere.
STABLER
How long have you been using a dog walking service?
JACKSON BAINSLEY
About a year, it's a great company.
(beat)
Is my dog okay?
STABLER
Yeah she's fine. Our crime scene techs were at your apartment for a few hours collecting evidence. They're done but its kind of a mess.
JACKSON BAINSLEY
That's alright, my cleaning lady comes tomorrow.
BENSON
Where were you this morning around ten?
JACKSON BAINSLEY
Right here, that's why I needed a dogwalker.
BENSON
Can anyone verify that?
JACKSON BAINSLEY
The receptionist and all of the other associates who were here with me.
BENSON
Thank you, we just have to ask.
JACKSON BAINSLEY
No problem, let me know if you need anything else.
STABLER
Will do, thank you.
They exit.
INT. SVU SQUADROOM-DAY
Cragen, Munch, Fin, Benson, and Stabler are adding photos to the white board.
BENSON
Jackson Bainsley owns the apartment and was at his office by nine this morning.
She places his picture on the board.
CRAGEN
Did you verify the alibi?
STABLER
Yeah the receptionist remembers him coming in and staying all morning.
CRAGEN
Next?
MUNCH
Sam Rollins, Take U Out owner. We can't verify his alibi and personally he gave me a wonky feeling.
Munch places his photo on the white board.
CRAGEN
How so?
MUNCH
He was more concerned with getting Cynthia's route covered than with what happened to her.
CRAGEN
What'd you think Fin?
FIN
I don't know if he'd rape her, he didn't have much to say about her. Maybe he was just an jackass.
CRAGEN
Do we have any other suspects?
FIN
I wouldn't rule out a stranger following her into the building.
Fin draws a stick figure with a question mark over his head on the board.
BENSON
I'm not ruling out the boyfriend.
STABLER
They had sex this morning why would he follow her and rape her?
BENSON
I don't know but he seemed kind of possessive.
STABLER
Liv.
BENSON
What?
He just looks at her and before they can get into a sparring match Cynthia and Hank walk into the squad room.
CYNTHIA
Detective Benson?
Benson turns around and walks towards her.
BENSON
Cynthia hi, let's go to the interview room and talk.
Benson begins to lead her away and Hank starts to follow. Stabler walks over and intercepts him.
STABLER
Hank why don't we talk over here.
HANK
I want to go with her.
STABLER
She'll be back in a few minutes I have to talk to you about something.
Hank watches Cynthia and Benson walk away and follows Elliot to his desk.
HANK
What about?
STABLER
We need you to give us a DNA sample.
HANK
What? Why?
STABLER
We need it to rule you out as a suspect since you had intercourse with Cynthia earlier this morning.
HANK
Oh alright.
STABLER
You just have to go down to our lab and they'll take a swab.
HANK
Okay no problem.
Cynthia and Olivia return from the interview room and Hank gets up to greet her.
HANK (CONT'D)
We all set?
BENSON
Yeah you can go. We'll call you if we need anything else.
Hank and Cynthia exit the squad.
STABLER
She give you anything else?
BENSON
Nope. Didn't see his face or any tattoos and he didn't say anything.
Munch approaches them holding a piece of paper.
MUNCH
Hey guys check this out. I just found out that one of the other owner of the apartment upstairs is a registered sex offender convicted for raping a teenage girl.
CRAGEN
Add his picture to the board.
END OF ACT ONE
