Original subtitles

NARRATOR: In the last episode of Hill Street Blues...

The black van file.

Still open and active.

"Dekker Avenue Merchants Association vows to fight crime."

You guys can't protect us, and we can't go on the way we are.

Those people are not cops.

Suppose they lock horns with, say, the Gypsy, or- or- or the Blood?

You're underestimating the power and the competency of these people.

Holden's lie detector is inconclusive.

We're turning him loose.

There isn't gonna be any trial. The evidence is purely circumstantial.

You don't spend enough time with your own son, and here you are,

trying to pull off the miracle of the century

-for some street kid you don't even know. -I do know him.

And I made him a promise.

Understand what? My own partner don't want me in his house?

Or maybe it's her. Maybe she just don't cotton to white boys.

She is white.

What's the charge, honey?

Lift up your sweater.

I think you must have some concealed weapons in there.

Harris.

-Ah! -Harris.

Harris!

(indistinct chattering)

All right. Next item is Item 10.

The welfare eagle flies today.

So let's put some extra attention on those check-cashing businesses.

Especially the ones just south of the projects.

Oh, thank you. That means high profile.

What is known as... Morgan!

(laughing)

What is known as getting out of the car and taking a look.

-(officers moaning) -Item 11.

This regards the Dekker Avenue Merchants Association.

-(chattering continues) -Now be reminded, as of Monday last,

said association is a fully sanctioned anticrime patrol.

This means they're accorded the right to carry department-style batons

and perform department-style arrests.

(loud indistinct chattering)

Hey, hey, hey!

No one's soliciting our opinions on this one.

Officer Bates.

Lucy! Good morning.

-(mouthing words) -(man imitating Ricky Ricardo) Lu-cy.

All right. Item 12.

The ex-shooting suspect Eddie Hoban.

Now, the office of the prosecution, in its infinite wisdom,

has seen fit to return Mr. Hoban to the streets.

Now, as aware as I am of the feelings on this one,

and as much as I empathize, it's hands off Eddie Hoban.

Unless he's up to his ears in a major felony, he does not exist.

-Is that understood? -(officers grumbling)

All right. The last item.

-As most of you know... -Let's let everybody go free.

...Officer Vern Harris was put to rest yesterday, with honors.

I have a note here from Mr. and Mrs. Harris.

(paper crumpling)

There'll be a special memorial service at St. Teresa's, Saturday morning at 10:00

for those of us wishing to pay a final tribute.

All right. That's it. Let's roll. And, hey!

-(chairs scraping against the floor) -Let's be careful out there.

Whoa, Santini. Hey, nice job on that warrants file.

-(no audible dialogue) -Reflects a real gift for organization.

You know, there's a Captain Barlow at Division

that runs a retreat for Catholic officers.

I could give him a call if you'd like. Just say the word.

(murmurs)

MAN: Okay.

(indistinct station chatter)

From the laundromat here down over to the grocery store--

Okay.

-Lieutenant, you need a hand? -I'll manage. Thanks.

-Hey. Hey, I know those two. -I know you do. You know it all.

You, uh, sense a little friction there, partner?

Yeah. They'll leave, soon as they get a taste of our coffee.

LARUE: If not, maybe we can talk Furillo

into getting them to take our place on this stakeout which is get--

Hey. Thought you'd given up on that action, lover.

(sighs)

A man has his responsibilities, Neal.

She wants me so bad it's eating her up inside.

-She just doesn't realize it yet. -Sure.

WOMAN (on radio): Dispatch. We have a 9-11.

-Armed robbery in progress. -(sirens whooping)

See Surplus Store, corner of People's Drive and 124th Street.

(theme music playing)

(phone ringing)

You expect me to carry yours out for you?

-Come on. We're running late. -We'll be late?

-That's right. -So what?

Renko, what are you gonna write your citations on,

-your gum wrappers? -No. I thought I'd write them on my elbow.

Let me tell you something,

I don't think I'm in the law-and-order mood today.

Well, I'll just bring an extra along in case you decide to change your mind,

or Esterhaus changes it for you.

-Hi. Fellas, have you got a minute? -No, we don't.

-Have a nice day. -Yes. What you want?

The prime suspect in your shooting was released earlier this week.

-Is that right? -I was wondering how you felt about that.

We don't feel anything about it, as a matter of fact.

-Come on, Renko. -No, no. Wait, wait, wait.

Now, let me ask you something. Look. Now, the lady asked us a legitimate question.

I think we owe her a legitimate answer, at least a stab at one.

Now, how do we feel about the subject in question

walking around out in the streets, free as you please?

Well, I cannot speak for my partner here, but, personally,

I'm tickled pink.

-I'm happier than a pig in-- -Come on. Let's go.

Now, wait a minute. I am not unsympathetic to your situation.

I can understand that you must be feeling a lot of anger right now.

Or a sense of injustice. Betrayal, even.

After all, the system that you have laid your life

on the line for, day after day, has in effect turned its back on you.

That's pretty good.

You say that so well you oughta interview yourself.

-Come on, Renko. -Y'all put me on television, right?

You gonna put me on television?

Okay. look, now I think that you oughta drive today.

-'Cause I have to do my nails. -I drove yesterday.

That's why you should drive today. Practice makes perfect.

What do you know about practice?

-(Renko chattering) -Hey, babe.

Don't blame yourself.

They're going through a really gnarly period.

Hell, I've been there myself.

You've been shot down for no reason?

(exhales) Narcotics operation.

The doctors gave me a 1-in-10 chance to live. I...

I find it kind of hard to talk about.

-Hey, cup of tea? -Um, well, actually--

-It'll do you good. Hey, it soothes-- -Excuse me, Miss Chase.

-See you a minute, J.D.? -Sure, Lieutenant. Excuse me, babe.

Are you on duty, or just in heat?

Uh, right. I'm on my way.

Yeah, I'll coordinate that with Division right away.

Neal. Division. Let's go.

(sighs)

-Captain. -Neal.

-Good morning, Frank. -Good morning, Captain.

-Ms. Chase. You're looking well-rested. -Thank you. But actually, I'm exhausted.

I've been up all night, covering Dekker Avenue with the merchants.

-So I hear. -That's right.

Nothing on the Hill slips by the captain, does it?

Yeah. More or less.

There hasn't been an incident on that street in 48 hours.

Can't you give those guys a break?

Those guys have gotten everything they've asked for.

Except for positive acknowledgment. They have feelings, too.

I've seen some incredibly shabby attitudes from your guys.

Attitudes are difficult to dictate.

You ought to know that better than anyone, Ms. Chase.

Very nice.

-(loud thud) -MAN: Is she okay?

-Is she all right? -MAN 2: Help her up.

MAN 3: Well, there's stuff all over the floor.

Sorry, lady. I'm really sorry.

-We take full responsibility. -Yeah.

-Are you all right? -Yes!

Other than looking like a perfect fool, I think I am.

Ray.

Would you instruct these gentlemen not to store

their law-enforcement weapons on the floor, please?

-Okay. -I'm really sorry about that.

Oh, never mind.

I knew it was gonna be one of those kind of days.

I had a four-inch run in my panty hose,

and then I got a $10 parking ticket.

And it's not even lunchtime yet.

-Who are those people? -Just a group of concerned citizens.

-(sighs) -I'll take care of the parking ticket.

You mean, fix it?

No. I mean pay it.

How are we coming with Hector?

Terrible. Nobody'll touch him.

I mean, they're either over-enrolled, or they're scared to death of him.

What about that boys' ranch in Arizona? I thought Harvey had an in.

-He gave it his best shot. -Excuse me.

But you see, with a record like Hector's,

he's gonna have to spend at least six months in Juvenile Hall

before the ranch is even gonna consider his application.

Am I hearing correctly?

Hector Ruiz?

Is this woman endeavoring to move that little sociopath onto a ranch?

I'm sorry, Frank,

but does this woman know that little ferret's record?

Yes, I believe she does, Howard. And this woman is Fay.

-Fay? -Fay.

-Fay. Oh, Fay, the little woman. -(chuckles)

-Former little woman. -Oh, it's been years.

-How are you? Nice to see you. -Nice to see you, Howard.

-Fay. -FAY: (laughs)

-Howard. -Well, friends still.

Excuse me, Fay. Francis, you're wanted at Division.

-Oh, right away, Phil. -Don't run out on me, Frank.

Division can wait.

I am deeply disturbed by what I'm hearing.

I was on that firing line both times, and I must say

I don't see how any right-thinking person could consider

anything but maximum security for that sawed-off little Hispanic.

Send him off to a ranch. Why not Waikiki Beach?

Judas! We are talking about legally diseased brains here.

I mean, these are mutated third-world genes.

A roach in the men's room has more redemptive tissue.

Howard, have you ever thought about this fear of foreigners,

this loathing for pigmentation you have,

that it might be related to some deeply-rooted sexual conflict?

Oh, just what we need, Henry.

GOLDBLUME: I've got your number. Leather sheets, camouflage pajamas.

You scream loud and clear next time you need emergency action

-to save your blintzes. -Tell 'em why you're not married.

Clear something up for me, Howard. Rumor in the squad room has it--

-It's an odd ship, Frank. -(both shouting)

Howard! Henry! Shut up!

(calmly) Into my office. Now.

(dispatcher on radio, indistinct)

Well, well, well. There goes the Dekker Avenue Rangers.

It's copacetic with me. Let 'em.

Hey, I know how you feel about the job, cowboy, but it'll pass.

(sighs) I don't care if it passes or not.

I'm just gonna have a good time. I'm gonna enjoy myself.

Oh, yeah, sure you are. You're having a great time.

A great time. Uh. Uh.

Pull over right here. It's my 11:00 appointment.

-HILL: You gotta be kidding. They're okay. -RENKO: Yeah, I know they're okay.

-That's why I'm taking them to lunch. -To lunch? Why lunch?

Why not?

Good morning, my beauties.

-Andy, we ain't done nothing. I swear. -(mouthing word)

(upbeat music playing)

-Charlene. -Come on, man. We got rent to pay.

You also gotta eat, don't ya?

Come here. Come here. Y'all come with me.

Come on now.

-Monsieur Hill? -Yeah?

Compliments of Monsieur Renko.

I don't want any part of this,

and you can return it to Monsieur Renko,

and tell him where he can put it.

Oui, Monsieur.

Andy, can we get outta here? I don't usually eat this early.

What, you nervous about people staring at us, darling?

Let me tell you something.

The only reason they're staring at us is because we're in uniform.

-(chuckling) -(laughing)

No, but seriously. Now, seriously, my beauties.

These people here have nothing on us.

Matter of fact, we probably have more of a right to be here than they do.

You see, we earned it.

We put our bodies on the line.

Now he's gonna talk to us about bodies.

-(laughing) -RENKO: No, no. I'm serious here.

I wanna tell you something.

In the last six months of my life,

I've done more thinking than at any other time in my 31 years.

And I spent two months of that time in a hospital,

flat on my back, all alone.

I had tubes running in and out my nose, you know.

I had fluid running in and out various parts of my body.

I wanna tell you, you talk about thick. You look at that sauce there.

Oh, Andy, I don't like hospital stories.

I'm just saying the fluid was as thick as this stuff in here.

-Andy. Andy, Andy. She means it. -Oh. I don't feel too, too good.

-Look, I know her. She's gonna barf. -Oh! Oh!

Aw, darling.

Get the other cop in here fast.

(uncomfortable chattering)

Now, what are you staring at, honey?

I think that's quite enough, Officer.

What do you mean "that's quite enough"?

-I mean, you are out of line. -I wanna tell you something, partner.

I paid just as much money as you did to sit here and eat this stuff.

And I got as much a right

-as you do to sit here and eat this stuff. -Come on, cowboy.

-I want that man's name. -Yes, sir.

-And his badge number. -Of course, sir.

-Everything's gonna be all right. -He's treating me like

some kind of second-class citizen. I'm an officer of the law.

-Let's get the ladies back to work. -My name is Renko, buddy. R-E-N-K-O.

Andrew, C.

Okay, thanks a lot.

Hey, what makes you so sure the chick's a cop groupie, huh?

Hey, man, she's got a vase on her nightstand with 30 bullets in it.

-You know, like mementos. -Mm-hmm?

Hey. What say, you guys? How's it going? How's things?

Look, man, you don't exist.

-Now, split. -Hey, wait a minute.

Hey, I could help you guys.

Hey, wait a minute. There are things going down, man.

Take a walk, Hoban.

-What do you mean take a walk? You kidding?

I know a lot. It wouldn't cost you hardly anything.

Um, uh, just a double saw for now, okay?

-Get your hand off the car, man. -Come on, man. I'm dead out here.

Everybody thinks I rolled over is why I was sprung.

Hey, you guys, give me a break, huh?

I didn't shoot those cops, man. I swear to God.

-I told you to get away from the car, man. -Hey, look, man,

-I was just trying-- -Get away from me too! Now move it!

All right. I'm just trying to do you a favor, you know?

Weird. You know, I almost feel sorry for the little creep.

-Yeah. I know what you mean. -(sighs)

Hey, what say we move it, babe, huh?

Coley and Lyle. They wanna go home.

-And as of now, we keeping them waiting. -Hey! Hey let me finish this, huh?

Oh.

(exhales) Liquor store stakeout.

Five hours on top of a cooler watching some dude punch his register.

You know, I've ruined three pair of pants on this gig.

Yeah, me too, lover. Me too. Come on, man. Let's go.

Hey.

-How's Jill? -You wanna drive the car, J.D.?

Actually, I'm, uh, kinda waiting on somebody.

I invited her to come along.

-Invited who? Who you talking about? -(horn honks)

Uh-uh. You know, lover,

-I have just about had it with you, man. -Hey, come on.

Think about it: me and her, thigh-to-thigh, up on top of that cooler.

-How could you pass on that? -Easy.

All I got to do is worry about somebody shooting at me.

Never happen.

My horoscope said today is an excellent day for social release.

(engine starts)

(upbeat music playing)

(no audible dialogue)

LARUE: Drop!

-How'd I do? -Good, Mr. Lem.

WASHINGTON: Bernard, your camera mount's punching a hole in my lung.

CHASE: What was the sergeant talking about this morning,

in roll call. I mean, about Eddie Hoban?

He shot down two cops, and he walked away from it.

Which makes the dude a leper.

(dispatcher on radio, indistinct)

It must be a hundred degrees up here.

Why don't you take off that hot sweater?

I'd love to, but I'm not wearing anything underneath.

Hey, that's okay. We're all business up here.

-We're used to that sort of thing. -WASHINGTON: Oh, man.

-You say something, babe? -Later, J.D.

Bernard, my man, we have got to get something straight here.

This little space here is for me to aim my weapon. You dig?

How am I supposed to get any coverage?

-(police radio continues) -Bernard, could you turn the radio up?

BERNARD: I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

J.D., it's bad enough up here, man, without all this, you know?

Hey, why don't you loosen up a little, man?

Hey, really, babe,

I'd hate to see a sweater that fine get ruined up here.

Would you give it a rest?

I'm not trying to put any kind of moves on you, ma'am.

(groans)

Oh, Howard.

Interesting little book here.

Your Kind, My Kind, Humankind.

Shimmerfeldt.

-You've heard of him perchance? -I can't say that I have.

I'm okay, Phil.

-Really. I'm okay. -I know that.

I'm okay. You're okay. We're okay.

Okay? Ahh!

-Okay. -(laughing)

Look at that. Strawberry jam in the trigger housing.

Judas H.!

Interesting passage here.

Shimmerfeldt says we don't really know what we're asking.

For instance, the common "Hi. How are ya?"

Are we asking after your state of being?

Or are we really asking: how am I in relationship to you?

Am I liked? Am I loved? Am I superfluous?

Oh, trenchant stuff.

Uh, sounds a little Adlerian by way of Jung.

Not bad for pop psychology.

Who turned you on to this?

Henry Goldblume.

If you don't mind my saying so, Howard,

I think you underestimate the man.

Let me say this about that, Phil.

He may be your kind. He may perhaps even be humankind.

But he is not, and will never be, my kind.

(metal clatters on floor)

(murmurs)

-Do something for you? -Uh... Um, I didn't mean to disturb you.

Go ahead, kid. Don't mind me.

I'm just setting up for a CPR class.

Dekker Avenue Merchants Association.

-Yeah, they're a real pain, aren't they? -Mm-hmm.

-But I can see where they're coming from. -Yeah, right. Me, too.

Sure.

Uh, Sergeant, do you mind if I ask you a question?

No. Ask away.

You know, I've noticed that, uh,

you really, uh, handle things.

You really seem to be tuned in, you know.

Like, uh, you really have your act together, emotionally speaking.

I guess you missed my act with Hunter upstairs, huh?

That guy.

I don't understand that guy.

I'm having trouble understanding a lot of things, lately.

You've been through a rough one, son.

-How do you do it? -How do you do it?

You do it. Sometimes you don't do it.

Uh, I don't know.

And- my- my dad's a cop.

My uncle's a cop. My two brothers on Long Island are cops.

There's never, ever been any question about me being a cop.

Till now?

Do you ever regret becoming a policeman?

Sometimes.

You know, in college, I minored in meteorology

and communications, with an eye towards being a TV weatherman.

You do look like that guy that does the weather on, what,

Channel 6 is it, huh?

-Cute. -Knock it off, Bates.

I mean it, Henry. I'll tell ya something.

You know, half the women I know

-rate this guy a ten on the Richter scale. -Lucy.

Wait a second, Sergeant. You do look like the guy.

Please, both of you, would you give me a break?

-Okay, okay. -Thank you very much.

Full moon out tonight, Henry.

WOMAN (on radio): Attention all units in the vicinity of the east projects.

Please assist the fire department in a four-alarm fire. Attention all units.

D'you hear that? They got a four-alarm fire in the east projects.

Think we'll be able to stop by the projects later?

Sure, babe. Anything you want.

-Turn it off, Bernard! -(radio off)

-How's it going, my good man? -Fine. May I help you, sir?

Sure. Give me a pint of that 2.98 vodka up on the shelf.

-I think I can use another one. -Another one?

Don't turn around, mister. Just--

-Drop! Police officers! Freeze it! -Police officers!

Drop it!

Turn around! Hands on the counter!

(siren wailing in distance)

(gasps)

-(indistinct chattering) -(siren wailing)

-HILL: Where's LaRue? -We heard someone got killed.

The suspect.

LaRue's okay. He's inside.

The lady here, she's still a little shaky, but she'll be okay.

(bell chiming)

(gasps)

Hooh.

(exhales) Hairy afternoon, huh?

Looks like the media got here before it began.

-That's what I call hairy. -Uh, yeah.

Uh, look, I was kinda wondering if, uh,

you guys would put out the word not to overcirculate that thing.

-Hey, I'll make it up to you. -Fine with me.

Bobby?

What happened to that tape that lady shot?

-No problem. Neal got it. -(screwing bottle cap)

Come on, guys. Look, I'm sorry. I thought it was a cold stakeout.

I thought nobody was gonna show up.

I thought nothing was gonna happen.

Want a little brace?

Bobby? Hey. Hey, Bobby.

(chattering on police radio)

-What's with him, man? -Nah, don't worry about him.

He's just got his shorts tacked on there too tight.

(both laughing)

You know, I've been thinking, maybe you and me oughta get together

and do some serious cruising sometime.

-Serious cruising sometime. -Mm-hmm.

Ooh!

(exhales)

(crowd chattering)

Now, what?

I said, what?

All right, man. You and me, right now.

-You got it! Don't-- -Don't go grabbing me!

Jesus! Look at all the people around here.

I'm gonna tell you something, Renko. I'm sick to death of you

raging around here like some big, overage baby!

Renko, I gotta tell you. You have lost me.

-No, no, no. -You wanna talk about it?

We're gonna deal with it right now!

I have listened to you. I have made excuses for you.

And I have turned the other way.

I have waited, and I have watched.

I have waited for you to change. And nothing's changing.

And I'm beginning to think that nothing is gonna change.

And I've had it!

You wanna be like John D. LaRue with a pint in your pocket?

Fine.

But you get yourself another partner!

'Cause I care about what I do.

Hey, babe, uh,

you wanna run a couple of those lines past me again?

I think I'm gonna need them on J.D.

Hey. Hey, Brenda. Hey, long time. What do ya say?

Hey, Brenda. Hey, what's up with you, man?

Hey, you owe me.

Hey, Marty. Hey, Marty. I've been trying to catch up with you, man.

Listen. I got a line into some guys uptown, man.

I mean, this stuff is just primo.

-You smell dead meat? -Oh, come on, Marty.

Hey, what they're saying about me is just not so, man.

You know me, Marty.

On your grave.

(engine starts)

This way.

Captain.

These people tried cashing this at Petrie's drugstore.

It's a stolen check. They had no matching identification.

Since we brought in the suspects and we got the evidence,

do we book them? Or do you?

You tried to pass a bad check?

Ray, would you see to it that the suspects are Mirandized

and escorted to Booking, please?

All right. Gentlemen, let's go.

ARCANIAN: Is this your collar or my collar?

Your collar, my collar, our collar.

LaRue, Washington. The captain would like to see you.

Yeah, we know.

Went down pretty good, Captain.

We had to down one guy, Captain, after he opened up fire on us.

-The other suspect is being booked now. -Okay. Good work.

It was really Neal who took the guy out, Captain.

-I thought you should know. -It's good of you to tell me that, J.D.

-I want the write-up on it right away. -Yes, sir.

Uh, J.D., a moment.

And if that other thing that happened out there

ever happens again, you're out! You hear me? You're out.

Yes, sir.

(phone rings)

-Yeah. -Furillo. This Hector situation,

it isn't going to happen from this end.

Skip Fitzgerald, he really tried.

So did I. So did my ex.

I know what you promised, Frank, and I know how you feel,

but there's absolutely nothing any of-- Wait a minute. Hold on.

Taxi!

Ta-- (whistles)

Look, Frank, he's going to have to sit it out in Juvenile Hall

for at least six months before they'll reconsider.

-I'm sorry. -I know you are.

I'm just trying to figure out what the hell to do about it.

I don't know, either.

Later, huh?

Oh! Hey, wait a minute! Wait a minute. That's my cab.

Look, I'm the one who called it. I'm sorry.

(sighs)

MAN: Hill Street, Sergeant Becker.

Sarge. Excuse me.

(gear ratchets, beeps)

-Thank you. -(chuckles)

Guess who's taking his woman out on her first stakeout?

Does the captain know about this?

-I went off the clock 20 minutes ago. -Aha!

Phony stakeout. Hmm.

You know, I took my wife on one of those a couple years back

just to punch up the old juices.

Worked so well, she couldn't wait to get home.

We had to check in to a motel.

It's not what you think it is. She's really interested in police work.

Oh, that goes without saying, Mick.

You know, if I had to do it all over again,

I used to work with, uh, a cabinetmaker when I was in school.

I used to build cabinets. I was really good with my hands.

I'll bring in some snapshots sometime.

-How old are you, son? 22, 23? -Nah. I'm 25.

-That old? -Yeah.

Santini, if you're asking me for some kind of answer,

I can't give it to you.

-I'm sorry. -(sighs) Okay.

All I can say is, look,

the closest my family ever came to a police department

was my Aunt Esther the Terrible.

When they found out I was in the academy, they went into mourning.

My wife, we were engaged at the time, broke it off.

They got over it, Santini.

ESTERHAUS: I don't agree. No, I don't agree.

The man is suggesting that group sex

is a valid expression of the nuclear community.

That strikes me as dangerously irresponsible.

Not to mention unsanitary in the extremis.

-(phone rings) -Where does it say that?

I don't know about this guy, Henry.

MAN: Sergeant Goldblume. Telephone.

I just said read it, Phil, not worship it. I don't agree with him either.

Line 2. Wouldn't give his name.

Detective Goldblume.

He's such a cute guy.

Where are you?

Stay there. I'm on my way.

I'm sorry I can't run the heater.

I know. They'd spot our exhaust smoke.

Right.

That's what I mean about stakeouts.

It's real easy to make a mistake out here.

For instance, you wash your car,

the sun reflects off the chrome, they make you.

That's how come your car's always so dirty.

Absolutely.

-I have goose bumps all over. -You're cold.

-Excited. -Deb, you gotta remember something.

These things can take weeks, months even.

But it's worth it, because the guy we're waiting on

is a very big dealer.

That's why it's so dangerous.

You mean, he'd shoot it out if he had to.

Are you kidding? No doubt whatsoever.

(shudders)

You wanna leave?

Is that him? That man lighting a cigarette?

No, that's not him.

Ah.

You see that guy over there in the dark cap and jacket?

Is that him?

-No, that's not him. That's my signalman. -(laughs)

That means it's off for tonight. Sorry.

We'll come back tomorrow, won't we?

Sure.

I'm hungry. You wanna get a cheeseburger or something?

No. I wanna go home.

Oh. I'm not crazy about the lock.

No dead bolt.

(door closes)

Please.

Kiss me hard, Mick.

Oh, Mick.

Harder.

-Grab my hair. -Why?

-I like your hair. -It likes you.

-Grab it. -I don't wanna grab it.

I want you to own me, Mick.

What's that supposed to mean?

It means I want you to be stronger with me, more forceful.

Like how?

Whoa. (moaning)

-I can't do that. -Why not?

(gasps)

-Because I love you. -Then show it.

I thought I was.

I'm not ashamed of what I need.

You're acting like I--

Don't look at me that way.

(indistinct chattering)

(woman yawning)

(thunder rumbling)

(indistinct chattering)

MAN: Hill Street Station, Lieutenant Williams.

(knocking)

Excuse me, Captain. You said that if I ever wanted to

come and talk to you, that I could.

-I can see you're busy though. -No, no. Come on in. Close the door.

Have a seat.

It's funny, you know. I've, uh,

I've never really been in here before.

You haven't missed a whole hell of a lot.

-(chuckles) -It's nice. You know?

Yeah, it's a regular penthouse.

What's cooking, Santini?

Uh, I was wondering if you'd mind

not partnering me up with anyone right away.

I just, I really don't think I'm gonna be very effective out there right now.

That's understandable.

There's no rush.

Uh, actually,

I was thinking maybe you'd recommend me for a leave of absence.

I, uh, I feel I just need a little time to get away to think about things.

Let me be real candid, Santini.

I think you have a lot of good qualities and abilities

that could probably get you far in the world.

But I think we both know you'd be lots happier in another line of work.

I'm not unfamiliar with your family.

-I know there's lots of tradition there. -Yeah.

But I don't think this is a line of work to be in

just because you don't wanna offend someone.

Maybe you oughta fire me.

You don't want that, Santini. And I couldn't do that anyway.

My spies tell me you're a talented cabinetmaker.

Go make cabinets.

-My dad is really gonna be mad at me. -That's all right.

It's all part of coming into your own.

So, what do I, will I give you my badge now or...

Phil will walk you through all the paperwork.

But, think about it a couple of days.

I really don't think I'm gonna have to think about it.

I feel better than I've felt in about two years.

That's what it's all about.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

(door closes)

-(mumbling) -(typing slowly)

Y'all got that hunt-and-peck method down pretty good there, don't ya?

Why don't you let me type? We'll be done before Christmas.

Suit yourself.

(sighs) You know what?

You know what your problem is?

Me.

You got that right.

Casey?

Tell the captain we're here.

(typewriter clattering)

Hoban.

(typing continues)

(police radio continues)

Eddie.

Same place.

I mean, you know how it goes, right?

I, uh- uh.

All of a sudden, it was- it was

bang.

And then, then it was over.

It was, uh- uh, it was over before you even know.

You know what- you know what I mean?

(Hoban's voice) And, you see, uh,

like it- and all of a sudden, um

FURILLO (on tape): It's okay, Eddie. Take your time.

HOBAN (on tape): They were, uh,

they were there. I mean, you know how that goes, right?

(scoffs, chuckles)

It's over, Bobby.

Yeah, it's over.

But you know, Captain, I think Eddie Hoban's confessed to a crime

he doesn't even remember doing.

And because of that, I may not sleep at night.

(cassette player clicks off)

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

But what I found there was hardly what I'd expected.

This precinct's captain is a soft-spoken,

but unmistakably tough, veteran of 17 years of police work,

the last two years of which have been spent on the Hill.

What two years on the Hill boils down to statistically

is 482 homicides, and literally thousands

of felony robberies, assaults, rape/assaults,

and more casual violence in an afternoon

than most of us will experience in a lifetime.

The job of the 238 men and women of Hill Street

is primarily to keep the lid on

one's sense of right and wrong,

good or bad, justice or injustice.

All these notions take a backseat to simple survival

from what's out there on the streets.

Here's some of what it was like:

Here are some of the people. The driver is Officer Renko.

-Sweetie. -His partner, Officer Hill.

We rolled early that morning-- (continues, indistinct)

-Thanks for meeting me. -Thank you.

You're a famous guy, pizza man.

Bartender, a club soda for my nephew.

-Is she killing us? -Surprisingly not.

CYNTHIA (on TV): This footage was shot while on patrol

with two young Hill Street officers named Harris and Santini.

Five days later, Officer Harris would die

during a routine investigation of robbery suspects.

A mere week after his partner's death,

Officer Santini would resign from the force.

The physical toll of such random acts of violence

is a simple matter of statistics.

The psychological effects upon the officers who must return daily--

She's going places, Frank. This is good stuff.

-CYNTHIA (on TV): The station house... -(pager beeping)

(sighs)

I'll be right back.

...not to mention the overwhelming number of criminal suspects

that strain its facilities 24 hours a day.

Far from offering a respite to its officers,

Hill Street Station literally assaults them

with a harsh, untempered focusing of the violence and despair

that flourishes just outside its walls.

When viewed from this perspective,

it's not too difficult to understand the siege mentality

and severe emotional stress apparent in so many of its officers.

-Yeah, Phil. -Bad situation, Francis.

The Dekker Avenue people tried mixing it up with the Gypsy Boys.

What happened?

We have one dead merchant.

Marone!

(TV continues)

Could I trouble you again, please? Thank you.

You're not gonna believe this one.

One of your Dekker Avenue merchants was killed.

They interrupted with a news bulletin.

Drug use is rampant, as is prostitution,

juvenile-gang warfare, and the terrible causes of it all.

Causes which are all too easily cited on a journalistic level.

(rain falling)

-How are you, Hector? -Surviving, bro. How about you?

Uh, not so good. You wanna sit down?

We are having trouble placing you.

They have waiting lists. You know that. And limited funding and...

(thunder rumbling)

Look, I gotta be straight with you, Hector. Your record scares 'em off.

They think I'm a scary dude now?

Well, let me tell you something, Frank.

You tell 'em they ain't seen nothing yet. All right? Nothing.

You listen up, young man. You may be a minor legally,

but you're a major-league offender who has shown

absolutely no inclination whatsoever to change.

Now, I and a lot of other people, including Ms. Davenport,

have busted their humps on your behalf.

And I want something in exchange.

What?

Six months. Six lousy months, man,

without you getting into any beefs,

and without alienating everyone who tries to help you.

Six months here, or wherever else they send you,

without running away and sticking up some supermarket.

Then, maybe,

maybe we got a shot.

Come on, Frank. Those places don't want me, man.

They're looking for some little nothin' who thinks that, uh,

that spitting in the subway's a big deal.

You know something, Hector? You may be absolutely right.

But how in the hell are we going to find that out

unless you meet me halfway, hm?

It's this place, man. If I can only get outta here, you know?

You people don't know what it's like in there.

I do know.

But, you're gonna have to stay in it, in order to get out of it.

Six months, Hector. What do you say?

I ain't making no promises.

But, uh,

I'll give it a try. All right, Frank?

I'll try.

Yeah, all right.

(theme music playing)