LATER. PENHALL and "BLOWFISH" are sitting outside the WILLIS' HOUSE eating fast food and looking through binoculars at the quiet HOUSE.
"BLOWFISH": So, what exactly are we looking for?
PENHALL: Anything, everything
"BLOWFISH": So this is like a real steak out. Like in the movies and stuff! How we gonna do it?
PENHALL: Do what?
"BLOWFISH": Smoke them out. Isn't that what they do on steak outs? That's what they do on Dragnet.
PENHALL: This isn't Dragnet, Sal
"BLOWFISH": So, then, what are we doing?
PENHALL: Waiting
"BLOWFISH": To smoke them out!
PENHALL: No, just waiting
"BLOWFISH": For Guffman?
PENHALL: For something
"BLOWFISH": Oh, I feel so enlightened, Penhall
PENHALL: What? There's no steak out secret, you just wait for something suspicious to happen and then, if it's suspicious enough we arrest them, or we just report back and hope the behavior helps
"BLOWFISH": So we're just gonna sit here?
PENHALL: Yep
"BLOWFISH": Here? All night?
PENHALL: Basically
"BLOWFISH": Man, being a cop blows
PENHALL: Sal, you're not a cop
"BLOWFISH": Well I'm on a steak out, right?
PENHALL: Yea, but only because Ioki didn't want to come
"BLOWFISH": Yeah, what is with that guy? He hasn't left that duplex this entire investigation
PENHALL: He's not really supposed to. He's supposed to be running the night watch.
"BLOWFISH": Then he could leave during the day
PENHALL: That's when he sleeps
"BLOWFISH": Ioki doesn't need to sleep, Ioki's amazing. He's Zen. He's, he's
PENHALL: Ioki?
"BLOWFISH": Yeah
(MARCIE WILLIS exits the HOUSE holding a large black trash bag. She looks around, then sneaks down the driveway and places the trash bag in the trash can)
PENHALL: Oh, we got something, hand me those binoculars!
("BLOWFISH" hands IOKI the binoculars. MARCIE looks over in their direction, PENHALL pushes himself and "BLOWFISH" down.)
"BLOWFISH": What the
PENHALL: Shh!
(MARCIE WILLIS turns back around and exits into the HOUSE. "BLOWFISH" goes to get out of the car, but PENHALL stops him.)
"BLOWFISH": Are you getting fresh with me, Penhall?
PENHALL: What?
"BLOWFISH": Well you can't seem to keep your hands off of me
PENHALL: You were trying to go outside
"BLOWFISH": Yeah, so? Isn't that what we're supposed to do! Suspicious behavior, trash can on public property where a trash bag was deposited under the cover of darkness! I may be new to this, Penhall, but I'm pretty sure this is the point of the steak out where we leave the vehicle!
PENHALL: Wait
"BLOWFISH": For what?
(The lights go off in the HOUSE)
PENHALL: That
(PENHALL exits the CAR, "BLOWFISH" rolls his eyes and does the same)
"BLOWFISH": Sure, now we can go.
LATER. PENHALL and "BLOWFISH" enter FULLER'S SIDE OF THE DUPLEX holding a large black trash bag. HANSON, LAMPTON, IOKI, COLE, FULLER, and HOFFS are all sitting around the dressed in pajamas and passing around a pitcher of coffee. There is obvious tension between HOFFS and LAMPTON, who are refusing to even make eye contact with one another
HANSON: Now he comes! Took your time, didn't ya, Penhall?
PENHALL: Would have been here sooner if someone had written down the directions like I asked
"BLOWFISH": I knew where we were going
PENHALL: Then why did we get lost?
"BLOWFISH": Because all these cookie-cutter development houses all look the same at night!
FULLER: Guys, guys, what's the big break you were talking about and called us all over here for?
PENHALL: This (holds up trash bag)
HANSON: Am I dreaming or did Penhall bring us garbage? (Looks at LAMPTON, who merely shrugs) I must be dreaming, Priss doesn't have a smartass comment.
HOFFS: Maybe that's for the best
LAMPTON: Maybe my comments can help people see their faults. And isn't that a good thing for everyone?
HOFFS: Not if the person didn't mean anything by what they said
LAMPTON: Then the person should have thought through their words
HOFFS: Maybe you just need to be less sensitive
LAMPTON: Me less sensitive! What about you!
PENHALL: Hello? Breaking evidence
COLE: (to PENHALL) Is this how all Police meetings are handled?
PENHALL: For this group, mostly. Just minus the arguing. This is a new side of our group ADD.
HOFFS: I'm so not overly sensitive! You're a bitch!
LAMPTON: So it finally comes out! Bambi thinks I'm a bitch.
FULLER: Hey, hey! Do I need to put you two in separate corners or are we going to be mature and have a police meeting here?
LAMPTON: Sorry, Captain
HOFFS: We were just discussing how to best communicate with your fellow man. Something not everyone can manage.
(LAMPTON goes to say something, but HANSON stops her by talking first)
HANSON: What's in the bag, Penhall?
(LAMTPON shoots him a look, but HANSON reaches his hand underneath the table and squeezes it gently with a short shake of his head. LAMPTON sighs, but stays quiet. No one else around the table notices the interaction between HANSON and LAMPTON.)
PENHALL: (Opening the bag) Sal and I managed to grab this little treasure out of the trashcan of Marcie and David Willis
COLE: I never liked them
IOKI: Yeah, but what is it?
"BLOWFISH": Oh, it's good
PENHALL: Really good
IOKI: Yes, but what is it?
(PENHALL pulls out crumbled pieces of paper.)
PENHALL: Evidence that Marcie and David Willis were sending some of the death threats towards Cole
COLE: Really? Dang, and I bought cookies from their daughter. A crap load too, I had the munchies. She probably was the top seller in her troop.
"BLOWFISH": Is it really appropriate for Cole to be in here while we're talking about the case?
HANSON: We need to protect him, first off, and you can't protect someone that you can't see, and second, we involve our janitor in cases, why not Cole?
"BLOWFISH": Hey, I'm a maintenance engineer
HANSON: Sorry, it's the middle of the night, it just slipped out
"BLOWFISH": I'll let it go. Just this once.
FULLER: Okay, guys, these letters are good, and they show intent, but it doesn't prove that they were the ones that threw the brick through the window.
HANSON: Priss and I can continue buddy up to them, see if we can join their group against Senator Matthews
FULLER: Good, good
HOFFS: And we can set up steak outs on other houses, including Cole's
FULLER: Done and done
COLE: Is there anything I can do?
FULLER: Listen to Penhall
COLE: All the time?
FULLER: Unfortunately
PENHALL: Hey!
HOFFS: It is true
HANSON: Ouch, man
"BLOWFISH": Low blow from the quasi-girlfriend
PENHALL and HOFFS: She's/I'm not my/his girlfriend
"BLOWFISH": I said quasi. Right? I said quasi?
HANSON: Quasi was said, therefore making Hoffs not actually your girlfriend, just kinda like your girlfriend
PENHALL: Well, she's not
HOFFS: We're both single. Completely single. Unattached.
LAMPTON: Whatever (HANSON shoots her a look, she continues on with her sentence carefully, not wanting to offend) I think we've got everything covered, right, Captain?
FULLER: I think we've down all that we can for tonight
LAMPTON: All right, then , I'm going back to bed.
HOFFS: Wouldn't want you to miss any sleep. I would hate to see you cranky.
(PENHALL shoots her a look, HOFFS mouths "what?")
LAMPTON: Actually I think we should all go to bed. I wouldn't want some of us to miss their beauty sleep. Otherwise I think there may be some damaged retinas tomorrow.
(HANSON nudges LAMPTON)
LAMPTON: What! She got to say something!
HANSON: Say good night, Gracie
LAMPTON: Good night Gracie
(HANSON and LAMPTON exit)
IOKI: We should probably get back too, Cole
PENHALL: Yeah, you've got school tomorrow
COLE: Thanks, Dad
PENHALL: Welcome, sport
(COLE and IOKI exit)
FULLER: I think they have all the right idea. Good night, everyone. Hate to actually sound like a dad, but don't stay up too late.
PENHALL: Sure thing, Captain
(FULLER exits)
(PENHALL and HOFFS stare at each other for a moment. HOFFS breaks the eye contact first.)
PENHALL: Jude
HOFFS: What?
PENHALL: Should we talked about what happened?
HOFFS: What's there to talk about? Nothing happened, Doug.
PENHALL: But we wanted something to happen
HOFFS: Doug
PENHALL: We should talk about this.
HOFFS: About what?
PENHALL: Us, Jude! I mean, is it that much of a surprise? We've only been dancing around it since we first met!
HOFFS: I know
PENHALL: And I like you. You know I like you. It's just never been the right time, y'know? And now seems like as good as time as any to start something
HOFFS: Doug
PENHALL: I just want to know where you stand. You know where I stand. You've always known.
HOFFS: I need time
PENHALL: I figured as much
HOFFS: It's not that I don't like you, Doug, it's just, well, its just complicated. You're Penhall and I'm Hoffs. I don't know if that can translate successfully, and I would want it to be successful, because you're my friend.
PENHALL: I know
HOFFS: Okay. Just, give me time.
PENHALL: (Sighs) Okay. Good night, Jude. (Kisses the top of her head)
HOFFS: Night, Doug
(PENHALL exits. HOFFS continues to sit in the KITCHEN, thinking.)
AT THE SAME TIME. OTHER SIDE OF THE DUPLEX, HANSON and LAMPTON are climbing back into bed for the evening.
LAMPTON: All I have to say was she started it
HANSON: Are these the kind of morals you're teaching your daughter?
LAMPTON: Do as I say, not as I do
HANSON: Monkey see, monkey do
LAMPTON: Are you calling Emma a monkey?
HANSON: A very cute little monkey
LAMPTON: Just like her mother, right?
HANSON: Well
LAMPTON: (Chuckles) Your impossible
HANSON: I'm impossible? You're the impossible one
LAMPTON: Whatever, I'm easy to get along with when you don't piss me off.
HANSON: Sure
LAMPTON: So how are we going to get Marcie and David to tell us about their little organization?
HANSON: Bring up politics?
LAMPTON: It's impolite to talk about religion and politics
HANSON: Since when have you been concerned about that?
LAMPTON: Good point. We'll bring it up. Maybe at our dinner we can have the TV on to the news, all the channels are still talking about Senator Matthews, and we can bring it up then
HANSON: If they don't first. I think these people are going to be chatty.
LAMPTON: Let's hope so
THE NEXT DAY. TUCKER'S HOUSE. KYLE and HOFFS are sitting in KYLE'S ROOM talking and doing a project for school.
KYLE: Can you believe Ms. Moss is making us do this stupid project?
HOFFS: She's a masochist, of course I believe she's making us do this project
KYLE: Good point
HOFFS: I bet Cole gets to do it with his personal bodyguard
KYLE: You're probably right. You never know what could happen if Cole were to interact with someone from class. They could try to staple him to death.
HOFFS: Glue him to a piece of paper
KYLE: Not do their part of the project!
(HOFFS and KYLE laugh)
HOFFS: But, seriously, what's with that kid? I know he's being threatened and all, but isn't a Police escort in school a little over the top? It's not like it's any of the students that are out to get him
KYLE: Well, I wouldn't say that. I know that there are some people, myself included, that wouldn't mind seeing his Cole-ness run scared.
HOFFS: Really?
KYLE: Yeah. Don't believe the smiles and charm, the guy's the devil. A serious case of self-love gone insane. He makes most narcissists look charitable.
HOFFS: Wow, that's bad
KYLE: We used to be best friends in elementary school, back when his dad was just the mayor. But as soon as his dad became a senator, it was out with the old and in with the new. And apparently I didn't fit the new look.
HOFFS: What a jerk
KYLE: Yeah, well, I'm over it.
HOFFS: Do you think anyone in school threw the brick at Cole's house?
KYLE: I'd like to shake the hand of whoever did. Finally Cole is getting a taste of his own medicine.
HOFFS: So you think it was someone in school?
KYLE: I don't know. Why do you care so much?
HOFFS: I don't know. This whole drama thing is new to me. The biggest news at my school was when Becky Johnson and Zach Collins broke up at lunchtime because Zach thought Becky was cheating on him with his best friend Eric, which turned out to be completely untrue, so they got back together the next day. Also at lunch.
KYLE: (Sarcastically) Wow. Intense.
HOFFS: Don't I know it
LATER. HANSON, LAMPTON, and IOKI'S side of the DUPLEX. LAMPTON and HANSON are sitting with MARCIE and DAVID WILLIS in the KITCHEN eating dinner and talking. In the corner, there is a small, hidden camera, which is relaying the feed to the other side of the duplex, where FULLER, HOFFS, IOKI, COLE, and PENHALL are watching the feed.
MARCIE: So, Priss, you cooked this? It's fantastic! We never eat like this at home. Neither David or myself are cooks.
DAVID: We burn hamburger helper. Who does that?
(CUT TO OTHER SIDE OF THE DUPLEX. Where IOKI, HOFFS, and FULLER are crowded around a small TV watching the live feed while eating popcorn.)
IOKI: Priss does that (HOFFS hits him) What? You two are in a fight.
FULLER: Wouldn't bring that up, Harry. Already made that mistake
HOFFS: Let's just watch the feed, guys, okay?
FULLER and IOKI: Yes, m'am
PENHALL: Ha, ha, you got in trouble
HOFFS: Doug
PENHALL: Sorry, Judy.
(CUT TO OTHER SIDE OF THE DUPLEX WITH HANSON, LAMPTON, and WILLIS')
LAMPTON: Oh, me and Tom made this together.
HANSON: And anyone can be a cook. With the proper fire protection and a lot of luck.
LAMPTON: Thanks, babe
HANSON: Anytime, sweetie
MARCIE: Oh, you two are so cute, always using those little pet names for each other.
DAVID: (Sarcastically) Yeah, gosh darn adorable. (to HANSON) Bet you can't wait for the end f the honeymoon phase, huh?
HANSON: Yeah, no. I'm enjoying the perks
LAMPTON: Tom!
HANSON: Hey, they're another married couple, babe. I think the jig is up on what happens in the bedroom.
LAMPTON: So, how 'bout them Yankees?
MARCIE: Good subject change, Priss
LAMPTON: It felt needed
DAVID: We'll finish this conversation later, right, man? Without the wives?
HANSON: Of course
(CUT TO FULLER, IOKI, and HOFFS)
HOFFS: Awkward
FULLER: It's just talk
IOKI: That's what you think
FULLER: What do you mean, Harry? There isn't any hanky-panky going on in that side of the duplex on the job is there?
IOKI: Hanky-panky?
FULLER: Just answer the question
IOKI: Not that I've seen, but always implied
HOFFS: Let's focus here, people
FULLER: What about Condor?
COLE: Who's Condor?
PENHALL: The boyfriend
IOKI: I'm not a girl, but I'd take Hanson over Condor any day
PENHALL: Sure, they're both attractive, though. It all depends on Lampton's taste. Hoffs, what would you say (pause) Oh, wait fight, would the roommate know?
IOKI: Is the roommate still talking to you?
PENHALL: Good point
FULLER: So, is Lampton with Condor or what?
PENHALL: Forget about Condor, Hanson's got himself a new little girlfriend himself.
HOFFS: What?
PENHALL: Yea, met her when one of the blind dates stood him up
COLE: This is better than cable
FULLER: (Motioning to feed) Oh, we've got a flyer!
(CUT TO LAMPTON, HANSON, MARCIE, and DAVID)
DAVID: So, are you two political at all?
LAMPTON: About the right issues, I would say
MARICE: Well, we don't mean to push anything on you. And no hard feelings if you disagree with our standpoint, I would never let it affect our friendship
HANSON: What is your standpoint?
(DAVID hands HANSON the flyer)
LAMPTON: What is it, babe?
HANSON: It's about Senator Matthews
MARICE: Terrible new legislation push, wouldn't you say?
LAMPTON: I can't believe people actually support him
DAVID: That's good to hear
MARICE: Would you be interested in joining our group?
(HANSON and LAMPTON exchange looks)
HANSON: Tell us more
(CUT TO IOKI, FULLER, PENHALL, HOFFS, and COLE)
PENHALL: All right, Ioks. We better head out to start our surveillance. I think the Hanson and Lampton show is winding down
IOKI: That's what you think
PENHALL: Cole, I want you staying here with Captain Fuller and Officer Hoffs tonight, all right?
COLE: Yeah, sure, whatever. (to HOFFS) I just can't get over the fact that you're a cop, Ju—I mean Officer Hoffs.
HOFFS: It's okay, Cole. You can still call me Judy. In fact, I think it might be better if you did. That way you won't have to worry about slipping up in school.
COLE: I know, but dang! You should like get an award or somethin'. I mean, I really thought you were my age.
HOFFS: It's my job to make you think that, Cole
PENHALL: Stop bugging Judy, Cole
HOFFS: He's not bugging me
PENHALL: So that vein popping out of your forehead is just your natural look, then?
HOFFS: Shut up, Penhall
PENHALL: (Playfully) Ouch! Fightin' words!
FULLER: Penhall are you and Ioki going to do work anytime soon or should I find two other officers?
IOKI: We're on it, Captain.
PENHALL: Sorry, Captain
FULLER: Go
PENHALL: On it!
(PENHALL and IOKI exit)
COLE: So, what do we do now?
FULLER: You're going to go and do your homework, Cole. Officer Hoffs and I are going to continue to watch the feed.
COLE: You guys are no fun
FULLER: Why? Did Hanson and Lampton let you jump off the walls at their place?
COLE: No! They did the same thing! God, you think that getting threatened, staying with cops, and otherwise being the central focus of a police investigation would get me something fun to do for a couple of days! But no!
HOFFS: Good night, Cole
(COLE exits to upstairs)
FULLER: How are things going at the school, anyways?
HOFFS: Cole isn't exactly well-liked, but I don't think the kids would be going this far
FULLER: You think?
HOFFS: (Pauses and thinks about her answer) Yeah
LATER. IOKI and PENHALL are sitting outside COLE'S HOUSE in PENHALL'S CAR. OFFICER GIBBS and CANNON can be seen directly in front of the HOUSE in their marked POLICE CAR. IOKI and PENHALL are eating fast food and looking around through binoculars.
PENHALL: So, Ioks, you seem a whole lot more chipper recently
IOKI: Whatda mean?
PENHALL: Nothin', man. Just noticed that you seemed to be a little irritable recently, I'm just glad to see you're back, y'know.
IOKI: No I don't know. I've been acting the same way the entire time.
PENHALL: Look, Ioks, I didn't mean anything by it. You just seem to be in a better mood. Maybe I'm just going crazy or somethin'
IOKI: Well, I've been acting the same, Penhall. Nothing's happened.
PENHALL: Whatever you say, Ioks.
SAME TIME. TUCKER HOUSE. HOFFS and KYLE are watching TV in the TUCKER'S LIVING ROOM.
KYLE: So you and your dad got into a fight?
HOFFS: Yeah, he thinks I'm spending too much time on the phone with my boyfriend and not enough time getting adjusted or whatever
KYLE: That sucks
HOFFS: I know. He won't get off my case about it either. I am meeting new people! I mean, I'm sitting here on your couch, aren't I?
KYLE: Damn straight, and it's not like you're meeting bad kids either. I mean, you could be sitting on Cole Matthew's couch right now. Although, I don't think you'd be sitting. And I don't think you'd still have your boyfriend afterwards.
HOFFS: (Chuckling) You really don't like Cole, do you?
KYLE: Do you?
HOFFS: I haven't made up my mind about him yet. I mean, it must be hard to be a Senator's son, especially right now
KYLE: Oh yeah, must be terrible living in that big house with all of that hired help. Real hardship. Must cry himself to sleep every night.
HOFFS: Well, I've just always believed that you should give people the benefit of the doubt.
KYLE: Well he kinda took all the doubt away when he dumped us for his new exclusive friends.
HOFFS: Well people sometimes say or do things that they don't mean. They're only reacting to the situation, y'know. (Pauses in thought, realizing the connection to her own life) but sometimes their reaction is uncalled for and that can kill a friendship too
KYLE: (Confused) You okay?
HOFFS: Yeah, whatda mean?
KYLE: It just felt like you weren't talking about me there for a second
HOFFS: It's always about you, Kyle
KYLE: Well I know that, I just wanted to make sure that you knew that.
HOFFS: You don't have to worry about a thing
SAME TIME. HANSON and LAMPTON'S SIDE OF THE DUPLEX. HANSON, LAMPTON, MARCIE, and DAVID are sitting around the KITCHEN TABLE looking through pamphlets and talking.
LAMPTON: So you two feel really strongly about Senator Matthew's new position?
MARCIE WILLIS: Extremely
HANSON: I hate to ask, but how far are you willing to go?
DAVID WILLIS: As far as we need too. He supposed to be representing us in the senate, but almost all of the people in the area are pro-life
LAMPTON: Wow, I can't believe he would do something like that
MARCIE WILLIS: We need to let him know how we feel. He's our senator. No matter how he feels, or what's in vogue to feel about issues like this, he has to remember that he's not there for himself. He's there to look out for our best interests
DAVID WILLIS: So we'll do whatever it takes for him to understand what exactly a statement like that means to us
LAMPTON: Whatever it takes?
DAVID WILLIS: Whatever
HANSON: Was it you that threw that brick through Cole's window?
SAME TIME. TUCKER HOUSE. HOFFS and KYLE are still sitting and watching TV. An advertisement for the local news program comes on, mentioning the SENATOR MATTHEWS SCANDAL and the recent attacks on COLE.
KYLE: Scandal? Seriously? Somebody threw a brick through his window! If somebody threw a brick in my window there wouldn't be a whole news story about it! Jesus!
HOFFS: Well he was just a minor note, his dad is the focus of the news story I think
KYLE: Seriously, are you defending him?
HOFFS: No, it's just—
KYLE: It was just a brick! I mean sure it had that message on it, but it wasn't like it was serious or anything!
HOFFS: Message?
KYLE: Yeah, y'know, the 'next time I won't miss' message!
HOFFS: Kyle
KYLE: What?
HOFFS: How did you know that the brick had a message on it?
(KYLE pauses and realizes what he has done)
KYLE: Why do you care so much, Judy? What are you some kind of cop?
(HOFFS pauses and pulls out her badge)
HOFFS: My name is Officer Judy Hoffs, I'm an undercover cop assigned to protect Cole Matthews
KYLE: No
HOFFS: I'm sorry, Kyle
KYLE: No
HOFFS: I'm going to have to take you in
(HOFFS stands up and removes hand cuffs. JACKIE TUCKER walks in.)
JACKIE TUCKER: Why, Judy, I didn't know you were here! How's your (notices handcuffs) what's going on here?
HOFFS: M'am, I'm Officer Judy Hoffs (flashing her badge). Your son was the one that threw the brick through Cole Matthew's window, so I'm going to have to take him to the Police Station with me for questioning.
JACKIE TUCKER: (In disbelief) What?
OUTSIDE MATTHEW'S HOUSE. PENHALL and IOKI are still watching the HOUSE. A GROUP sneaks up near to the HOUSE, but notices the cop car and begins to waver.
PENHALL: (On walkie-talkie) Gibbs and Cannon, I need you guys to scoot out of here for a minute. Run the lights, pretend there's an emergency.
GIBBS: (Over walkie-talkie) You serious, Penhall?
PENHALL: (On walkie-talkie) Dead. Just take off for about five minutes or so, then come back. We'll need your help.
GIBBS: (Over walkie-talkie) Whatever you say, boss
(GIBBS and CANNON'S car pretends to get a call and takes off, lights and sirens blaring down the road. THE GROUP sneaks their way over to the HOUSE and begin to destroy it—spray painting, breaking windows, toilet papering, etc. PENHALL and IOKI sneak out of the car and approach the GROUP. It's KYLE'S friends AUDREY, NATALIE, and CHARLIE.)
PENHALL: Freeze! Police!
(AUDREY, NATALIE, and CHARLIE stop what they're doing. CHARLIE looks to run, but then GIBBS and CANNON'S CAR reappears siren and lights blaring)
IOKI: Well this night certainly got a lot more interesting
PENHALL: To say the least
SAME TIME. HANSON and LAMPTON'S SIDE OF THE DUPLEX. MARCIE and DAVID WILLIS are sitting across from LAMPTON and HANSON at the KITCHEN TABLE.
MARCIE: No!
DAVID: Cole's not involved with his father's politics! Besides, we're trying to save children, not kill them. We'd be hypocrites if we did.
HANSON: Just wanted to know how far you meant
MARCIE: People always think we mean more then what we do. We've had to throw out certain group members for wanting to do more. You wouldn't believe the kinds of threat letters they'd bring with them to our meetings!
LAMPTON: Good. You had me worried there for a minute, Marcie.
JUMPSTREET CHAPEL. The CHAPEL is busy with activity, including "BLOWFISH" cleaning and CHIEF JOEY LOGAN sitting going through piles of paper work. HOFFS, KYLE, and JACKIE TUCKER enter.
HOFFS: Sal, is Fuller on his way?
"BLOWFISH": Yeah, with Penhall and Ioki in tail. Apparently there was some action at Cole's house tonight.
HOFFS: Really? Anything serious?
"BLOWFISH": I don't think so. Probably just some kids pulling a prank, but they have to be sure, y'know?
HOFFS: What about Lampton and Hanson? How'd things turn out for them?
"BLOWFISH": Not well. The Willis' have been cleared. Their little group hasn't, however. They're working on getting names.
HOFFS: All right, Mrs. Tucker, Kyle, I'm going to need you two to follow me. I'm going to need to take your statement, Kyle
JACKIE TUCKER: Oh my god. My son's a felon. They're gonna lock him up. Then he'll never get into college.
HOFFS: Mrs. Tucker, I'm sure you will have nothing to worry about. We just have to take a statement for purely administrative reasons. If Cole Matthews chooses to press charges, which I doubt that he will, your son will most likely receive probation and community service. I'm sure he'll be able to still attend college.
KYLE: I liked you better when you were trying to be a teenager
(PENHALL, IOKI, FULLER, AUDREY, NATALIE, and CHARLIE enter.)
JACKIE TUCKER: Oh my god, you're involved too! Of course you would be, Adam, if that's even your real name. I mean Judy's not actually your daughter, or a teenager for that matter, so of course you're a cop too! Who else is a cop? And why are all of my son's friends here! Oh my god, oh my god.
FULLER: (to PENHALL and IOKI) Guys, take the Three Amigos to interrogation one, Hoffs take Kyle to interrogation two. (to JACKIE TUCKER) Jackie, I'm going to need you to calm down.
(IOKI and PENHALL take AUDREY, NATALIE, and CHARLIE with them to INTERROGATION, and HOFFS follows with KYLE)
JACKIE TUCKER: Why should I calm down! My son's in a police station! And he's not on a tour!
FULLER: Jackie, my name's Adam Fuller. Your son's not in a lot of trouble, all right? We just need you to calm down for right now while we work all of this out.
(JOEY LOGAN approaches)
JOEY LOGAN: How's the case going, Adam?
FULLER: It's looking like just a case of a couple of teens playing pranks on each other
JOEY LOGAN: And the other matter?
FULLER: I still need a little bit more time
JOEY LOGAN: You're almost out of time, Adam
JACKIE TUCKER: I don't mean to be a pest
FULLER: Mrs. Tucker, have you met our Chief of Police, Joey Logan?
JACKIE TUCKER: No, no, I don't believe I have, but
FULLER: I'm sure Chief Logan would be glad to put some of your concerns to rest, wouldn't you, Chief Logan?
JOEY LOGAN: This isn't over, Adam
FULLER: I just need a little more time, Chief. I've got it narrowed to two officers.
JACKIE TUCKER: Chief?
JOEY LOGAN: Follow me this way, Mrs. Tucker, I'll be glad to answer any questions you still have. I believe Captain Fuller is needed elsewhere.
(JOEY LOGAN and JACKIE TUCKER walk off to FULLER'S OFFICE. FULLER looks at HANSON and LAMPTON'S desks, the decision on his mind.)
(LAMPTON, HANSON, and COLE enter)
HANSON: Hey, Captain, we got here as soon as we could
LAMPTON: Need any help?
FULLER: What did you say to the Willis'?
HANSON: Family emergency, had "Blowfish" fake a call
FULLER: Did you get names?
LAMPTON: Yeah, we were going to run background checks on them as soon as we could find someone else to watch over Cole
COLE: Really, I'm okay
FULLER: It's our job to protect you, Cole
"BLOWFISH": If you need someone to look after the kid, I'm not doing anything right now, I could hang out with the kid. You like poker, Cole?
COLE: Hell yeah
"BLOWFISH": Awesome
(COLE and "BLOWFISH" begin to walk away)
FULLER: Sal
"BLOWFISH": Yeah, Captain?
FULLER: Don't play for money
"BLOWFISH": I would never, Captain
FULLER: Sal
"BLOWFISH": Fine!
("BLOWFISH" and COLE walk over to the conference table and begin playing poker. Other PEOPLE slowly begin to join them. FULLER looks at HANSON and LAMPTON expectantly.)
HANSON: Yea, Captain?
FULLER: Go
LAMPTON: Where?
HANSON: Background checks, go, go, go
(HANSON and LAMPTON exit)
(FULLER sighs and looks back at HANSON and LAMPTON'S desks.)
(HOFFS enters)
HOFFS: Captain, I really don't think that Kyle is a security risk
FULLER: I know, Hoffs, but he did commit a crime
HOFFS: I know, Fuller, but isn't there something we can do, y'know, make sure the courts go easier on him. He's never done anything like this before, this was all some stupid teenage thing. You see, Cole and him used to be best friends
FULLER: (Cutting HOFFS off) Hoffs, Hoffs, I don't care. All you can do is write a recommendation to the courts to go lenient, I'm sure they'll listen if it's his first offense.
HOFFS: You okay, Captain?
FULLER: (With a hint of annoyance) I'm fine Hoffs, now go tell Jackie Tucker what's going on before she kills the Chief of Police
HOFFS: Okay, Captain
(IOKI and PENHALL enter)
PENHALL: Captain?
FULLER: Write a letter! That's all you can do!
PENHALL: Got it
(PENHALL and IOKI walk away)
IOKI: You mind taking care of this, Penhall? I've got to make some phone calls.
PENHALL: Sure thing, Ioks.
(IOKI exits as PENHALL walks over to the coffee machine)
PENHALL: (to coffee machine) Hello gorgeous
(HOFFS re-enters with JACKIE TUCKER in tow. PENHALL watches her as she helps escort JACKIE TUCKER to INTERROGATION to talk with KYLE.)
(HANSON and LAMPTON enter)
HANSON: Captain
FULLER: What is it now?
LAMPTON: We got a couple of red flags on some of the neighbors
FULLER: Which ones and how red?
HANSON: Extremely red
LAMPTON: Red enough to really piss off a bull
HANSON: Most of them just deal with simple protest arrests, y'know the ones where the group tried to bomb abortion clinics and whatnot
LAMPTON: But Jack and Danielle Krank have had a long history with the police department when it comes to overstepping your first amendment rights
FULLER: Set up surveillance on their house and on any other individuals you think might be involved
HANSON: I'll drive
(HANSON and LAMPTON begin to leave)
LAMPTON: We'll get Penhall and Hoffs to cover the Jones and Ioki and Sal can take the Stevensons. I want the big fish.
FULLER: No
(HANSON and LAMPTON stop suddenly and turn to face FULLER. PENHALL, IOKI, and HOFFS begin listening in, fearing that either LAMPTON or HANSON might be fired.)
HANSON: No, what, Captain?
FULLER: I want fresh officers on this. You all have been on the case too long. Go home.
LAMPTON: We've got this, Fuller. Don't worry about it.
FULLER: You don't have to worry about your jobs. Just go home. You haven't stopped working in over a week. I think it's time we let somebody else handle this case.
LAMPTON: But what about (motions to JOEY LOGAN) He's not going to like this at all.
FULLER; I'll take care of everything. Just go home. (to HOFFS, IOKI, and PENHALL) That goes for all of you. You've all done your jobs ten times over. Go home.
HANSON: All right, Captain. I'll see you tomorrow.
(HANSON exits)
HOFFS: Night, Captain
(HOFFS walks towards the exit)
HOFFS: (to PENHALL) Wanna get a bite to eat?
PENHALL: (Smiling) I'd love to. Night, Captain.
(PENHALL exits with HOFFS)
IOKI: See you tomorrow, Captain
(IOKI exits)
FULLER: You can leave, Priss. I'm sure Emma would love to see you.
LAMPTON: (Smiling) Thank-you, Captain. I know you're going to catch a lot of crap for this, Chief Logan really wants us to finish the job. He's going to try and use this against us (pause) but I know you won't let him. Thank-you.
FULLER: It's the job
LAMPTON: If it was just the job, you would have fired one of us by now. And I think we both know who's first on the chopping block. I mean, I've known this entire time. Why else do you think I would snap at my best friend for no real good reason? (Chuckles softly to herself) Not that I'll be admitting that to Hoffs anytime soon, but I think I can trust you with that little piece of information.
(LAMPTON gives FULLER a hug. FULLER seems surprised as first, but then gives in, reciprocating the hug.)
FULLER: I'm gonna fight this, Lampton.
LAMPTON: I know
(FULLER and LAMPTON release from the hug)
FULLER: I'm going to find a way to make sure everyone stays
LAMPTON: Not everything works out the way we want it to, Captain, I've learned that much. But it always works our for the best, y'know? Good night, Captain.
(LAMPTON exits)
(FULLER stands alone for a moment, looking from desk to desk. He finally settles on a picture of himself, HOFFS, PENHALL, IOKI, HANSON, and LAMPTON sitting on LAMPTON'S desk. With a new determination, he walks into his office, where JOEY LOGAN is sitting behind his desk.)
JOEY LOGAN: Adam
FULLER: No, my turn to talk, your turn to listen, Joey. You are not splitting up my team. Each and every officer on my staff is replaceable and I challenge you to find a closer-knit group of colleagues anywhere in this department. Hell, in this entire city! Now I know the budget is out of whack, and I know you think this program is worthless, but let me tell you something, I don't think it's worthless, my officers don't think it's worthless, and every time drugs or guns get taken out of school, those parents of those students sure as hell don't think it's worthless! So just think for a second about what you're trying to throw away here. Because without each and every single officer here, we could not do the job that we do! I mean these kids have been on the job nonstop for over a week and didn't even think twice about going out again tonight to take on another part of the case! Christ, Joey, these people have got lives, boyfriends, girlfriends, families, even! And you want to throw that away? That kind of commitment? That kind of dedication? You'll never find that anywhere else, under any other kind of leadership, in any other kind of environment. So, screw you if you still want to take my team apart.
(FULLER exits before JOEY LOGAN can respond)
END CREDITS.
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