Instant Classics: Good Cop, Good Cop

Good Cop, Good Cop

By Michael O'Donoghue, Ken Finkleman & Bruce Wagner
OPEN ON:

EXT. L.A. STREETS-DAY

MONTAGE of police car-cherrytop flashing, SIREN WAILING-roaring down freeways,
skidding around corners, careening through intersections.

MUSIC: Jovial, deep-voiced Singer sings sunny SHOW THEME.

                    SINGER (Off Camera)
          Good Cop, Good Cop" is the game they play. One says "Hi, how
          are you?" and "Have a lovely day." The other wants to buy
          you lunch or even shine your shoes. When good cops get together, 
          you can never lose.

SUPER TITLE: Good Cop, Good Cop

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HOTEL-DAY

Police cars parked outside seedy welfare hotel. THEME ENDS as CAMERA PANS
UP to fourth floor.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY-DAY

A black cop and a white cop - JOHNSON and HAGGERTY -confer in a rundown,
fourth floor hallway. JULIO, a clearly-homicidal male suspect, slumps handcuffed
in the BACKGROUND, out of earshot.

                    HAGGERTY
          I'll got talk to him. You wait here.

Haggerty approaches the suspect, reading from his rap sheet.

                    HAGGERTY
          Let's see... Julio Garcia... nineteen years old... 
          This is your first arrest. No, I'm sorry, your thirty-first 
          arrest.
                    (looks up)
          Want a cigarette?

He nods. Haggerty places a cigarette in Julio's mouth and lights it.

                    HAGGERTY
          Listen, Julio, anybody can make thirty-one mistakes. 
          You play ball with me and I'll see you get a fair shake. But if 
          my partner gets his hands on you, he'll give you the shirt off 
          his back. Now what I'm saying is-

                    JOHNSON
                    (off camera)
          Haggerty, the Chief wants to talk to you, pronto.

                    HAGGERTY
          Be right there.
                   (to Julio)
          You think about what I said.

He leaves as Johnson enters.

                   JOHNSON
          Okay pal, you listen and listen good. You have two choices. You can either
          cooperate with us or-Oh my God! Did he forget to take the cuffs off you?!
          I swear, that man can be so insensitive at times!
          
He uncuffs Julio and examines his wrists.

                    JOHNSON
          I don't like the looks of this abrasion. I'm gonna run down to the drugstore
          and pick up some ointment.

Haggerty returns.

                    JOHNSON
                    (to Julio)
          See you in a second.

                    HAGGERTY
          Take your time. Julio and I have a lot to talk about, don't we, Julio?

Johnson leaves.

                    HAGGERTY
          Listen, son, I know what you're going through. You're young. You're scared.
          And you just shot a cop. Now if it was up to me, I'd let you walk. But my
          partner is insane. I've seen him take guys and buy them a whole new wardrobe.
          One time he- 

Johnson races in, gasping for breath.

                    JOHNSON
          I ran all the way.
                    (to Haggerty)
          Bradley asked if you could give him a hand with the body.

                    HAGGERTY
          Sure thing.

He leaves and Johnson begins rubbing ointment on Julio's wrists.

                    JOHNSON
          How's that? Better? Okay kid, no more games-how are you fixed for
          cash?

He takes out his own wallet.

                    JOHNSON
          Here's eighty, eighty-five, eighty-seven...
                    (giving Julio the money)
          Geez, I wish it could be more but...
                    (checking his watch)
          ...it's a little late to get to the bank. Hey, you know I think this Rolex
          would look better on you.

Johnson hands the watch to Julio who straps it on.

                   JOHNSON
          Now take my advice and get the hell out of here because if my partner comes
          back, he's liable to send you through college. Use the fire escape.

Julio saunters off.

                    JOHNSON
          Good luck!

Haggerty returns.

                    HAGGERTY
          Where's Julio?

                    JOHNSON
          I let him go.

                    HAGGERTY
          What?! Without returning his gun???
          He and Johnson start walking down the hall, away from CAMERA.

                    JOHNSON
          We could always mail it back.

                    HAGGERTY
          That's a little cold.

                    JOHNSON
          What if we sent along a nice basket of fruit?

                    HAGGERTY
         And maybe a cute card or something. You know, like Garfield the Cat?

                    JOHNSON
          I love Garfield.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOTEL-DAY

Johnson and Haggerty head for the car, all smiles, still engaged in banter.

MUSIC: REPRISE THEME.

                    SINGER (Off Camera)
          ...the other wants to buy you lunch or even shine your shoes...

They get in the car and drive off.

                    SINGER (Off Camera)
          ...when good cops get together, you can never lose.

FADE TO BLACK.
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