21st Precinct 54-01-01 (026) Case of the Stairs

Summary

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Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct 54-01-01 (026): "Case of the Stairs"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: October 8, 2025
Original Airdate: January 1, 1954
Series: 21st Precinct

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Overview

This episode of 21st Precinct, titled "Case of the Stairs," presents a gripping, dramatized account of police work in 1950s New York City. The story centers around a violent assault on a teenage girl, the pursuit and arrest of her attacker, and the subsequent complications when the suspect is injured while in police custody. Through realistic dialogue and compelling performances, the episode explores themes of justice, abuse, police responsibility, and the moral complexities facing law enforcement.

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Key Discussion Points & Narrative Flow

1. The Call and Initial Response

Timestamp: 00:22 – 04:10

• The episode opens with a call to police regarding an assault at 388 East 75th Street.

• Captain Frank Kennelly and Patrolman Farrell respond to find an old man flagging them down. Entering the basement, they apprehend the attacker, Joe Packius, and discover the victim, a 16-year-old girl named Anita Truro.

• Packius is violent and aggressive upon arrest, threatening further harm.

  Packius (threatening, as he's restrained): "I'll kill her. You won't kill anybody, mister." (03:10)

2. The Victim and Family Testimony

Timestamp: 05:34 – 08:15

• The girl's mother, Mrs. Truro, is notified and rushes to comfort Anita, expressing both anguish and fear over Packius's ongoing harassment and threats.

• Mrs. Truro reveals that Packius had been stalking Anita for months, bringing whiskey, forcing his presence, and threatening retaliation if the police were involved.

  Mrs. Truro (anguished): "He wanted to kill me, Mom. Try to... I was scared. Anita would lock herself in the bathroom. We were all scared." (05:34)

• The ambulance arrives and Anita is taken to the hospital with her mother.

3. The Investigation and Interrogation

Timestamp: 08:45 – 10:27

• Captain Kennelly questions Packius, who claims he loves Anita and wishes to marry her. His drunken defense and lack of remorse draw the ire of the officers.

  Captain Kennelly (disgusted): "That's a fine way to show her you love her, isn't it? Almost killing her? You're no good. You're plain no good." (09:20)

• Packius is taken to the station for booking.

4. The Victim’s Condition and Station Events

Timestamp: 12:45 – 13:41

• Back at the station, the police are informed that Anita has two broken ribs and facial cuts but no life-threatening injuries.

• As Packius is being prepared for booking, an unexpected incident occurs: he falls down a flight of stairs under ambiguous circumstances, losing consciousness.

  Detective McLeish (when questioned): "He tripped. Fell down a whole flight of stairs." (13:31)

5. Internal Police Inquiry

Timestamp: 16:00 – 19:13

• Captain Kennelly and Lieutenant King investigate the fall, questioning officers about whether excessive force or foul play was involved.

• Tension arises regarding police conduct, with McLeish firmly denying having harmed Packius.

  Detective McLeish: "If anybody deserved to get thrown down those stairs, he did. But I didn't lay a hand on him." (15:38)

• Captain Kennelly reasserts the police's duty not to be judge, jury, or executioner.

  Captain Kennelly: "You're a cop, that's all. You're not the judge and jury. It's not up to you to see that he gets what's coming to him." (19:12)

6. Mrs. Truro’s Fears and the Nature of Retaliation

Timestamp: 21:17 – 23:00

• Kennelly and King visit Mrs. Truro at the hospital. She’s fearful not only of Packius, but also of possible retribution from his family.

  Mrs. Truro (frightened): "He's got brothers. He goes to jail, he'll send his brothers... I don't want anything more to do with him." (22:02)

• She also expresses reluctance to prosecute out of fear for further violence.

7. Confrontation with Packius in Hospital

Timestamp: 24:10 – 27:54

• After regaining consciousness, Packius claims he was injured due to city negligence, not police action, and states his intent to sue.

  Packius (defiant): "I'll get money. Look at that bushel basketful... The city has to pay for that, don't they?" (25:32)

• He refuses to provide a clear account of what happened, instead insisting he needs his lawyer.

8. Themes of Justice, Law, and Police Duty

Timestamp: 27:54 – 28:46

• The episode closes with Captain Kennelly reflecting on the dangers of police overstepping their authority, and reiterating the importance of due process.

  Captain Kennelly: "We told McLeish he shouldn't try to be judge and jury. You know something, man? Neither should we." (27:54)

• Life in the precinct resumes as another call comes in, emphasizing the relentless, cyclical nature of police work.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• "You're a cop, that's all. You're not the judge and jury." – Captain Kennelly (19:12)
• "He tripped. Fell down a whole flight of stairs." – Detective McLeish (13:31)
• "I'll get money... The city has to pay for that, don't they?" – Joe Packius (25:32)
• "That's not your job. Get that through your head." – Captain Kennelly, reminding McLeish of proper police conduct (19:13)
• "I told [the detective] I didn't want anything to do with it." – Mrs. Truro, reinforcing the cycle of fear and threat (22:25)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:22 — Police called to the scene; initial discovery of the crime.
• 05:34 — Mother comforts daughter, reveals months of harassment.
• 08:45 — Suspect interrogation by Captain Kennelly begins.
• 13:31 — Suspect falls down station stairs; investigation initiated.
• 19:12 — Captain Kennelly emphasizes the limits of police authority.
• 22:02 — Mrs. Truro expresses continued fear for her family's safety.
• 25:32 — Packius accuses city of negligence, seeks compensation.
• 27:54 — Reflection on the responsibilities and limits of police work.

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Tone and Style

The episode features concise, direct dialogue, reflective of the procedural style of police dramas. The tone is serious, with moments of emotionally charged exchanges, particularly from Mrs. Truro and Captain Kennelly. The script steers clear of sensationalism, focusing instead on the professional and moral challenges of police work.

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Summary for New Listeners

"Case of the Stairs" from 21st Precinct offers a compelling window into mid-century police procedure and the personal costs of crime and enforcement. The episode dramatizes the painful aftermath of an assault, the tension of police investigation under scrutiny, and the ever-present struggle to balance justice, duty, and compassion within the law. Anchored by a strong moral center, the story neither glorifies nor vilifies, but paints a nuanced picture of life's harsh realities in the city's precincts.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Savings vary Underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. What is the girl? Sixteen. Where is it? Yeah, he's 75th in the bait. You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct. The nerve center. A call is coming through. You will follow by transcription the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. All right. The officers are on the way over there now. You wait outside for them. Show them where it is. An ambulance, too. An ambulance is coming. All right. They'll be there right away. 21st Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know, if you asked them, that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I was working my night tour, 4pm to 8am it was a cold, windy night and I was on patrol in sector car number two with patrolman Edward Farrell as operator and myself as recorder. It was about 11:30pm and I had instructed Farrell to drive west on 75th street from First Avenue to Lexington and then returned to the station house where I was due to turn out the platoon for the late tour. At midnight, after we crossed First Avenue, there was no traffic in the block ahead of us and I saw no pedestrians. Cold weather keeps them off the streets. It's a good policeman. Our headlights cut a swath in the darkness as we cruise slowly in the long block towards Second Avenue. Captain, that old man down there. I think he wants us. Go ahead. Pull up. Yes, sir. Okay. Come on, pal. Right.

[A]

Police.

[B]

What's the trouble, punk?

[A]

Killing her.

[B]

Where?

[A]

In the basement there.

[B]

Let's go, pal.

[A]

Down there. What's the Step now.

[B]

I got my light. All right, hit the door. Get away from her.

[A]

Get away. Come here. I'll kill you.

[B]

Oh, still laugh, I mean. Get up against there. Get the nipples on him.

[A]

Let me get out of here.

[B]

Stay still, I said. Fine, I got him. Let me go. You've got enough trouble now, Mr. Tiller. You've got plenty more. He's all right now. All right, get those hands against the wall. Get them up there.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Okay, okay. Sit down on the floor. He said sit down on the floor. All right. Yeah. Don't kill her yet. I'll kill her. You won't kill anybody, mister. Watch it. Take a look at her.

[A]

No, don't.

[B]

It's all right. I'm a police officer.

[A]

He hit me. Oh, my side. He's kicking my side.

[B]

He's only a kid, pal. All right. How old are you?

[A]

Sixteen. My side. My side is killing my face.

[B]

All right, just take it easy. We'll get help. Watch him, pal. I'm going to call in for an ambulance. I got him set.

[A]

Everything okay?

[B]

Come on upstairs. Mom? Yeah, yeah, okay. You know that girl? Yeah, sure.

[A]

The Truro girl from my building.

[B]

This building?

[A]

No, the next building.

[B]

That one. Fourth floor is. You know him? No, I never seen him. She live with her folks?

[A]

Her folks?

[B]

Yes. All right. You go upstairs and tell him, okay? Yeah, yeah, tell him.

[A]

All right.

[B]

I go. Car 681 to Central. Okay. Car 681, proceed at 388 E. 75th St. In the basement. 3753. K. That's right. An assault case. Send an ambulance and assistance. K. Okay. 681, 21st Precinct. The address? 388 East 75th Street. Car 634-635- Signal 32. The ambulance is responding. Okay, 634-10-4. Car 635 within a few minutes in response to the radio signal. Inspector car number four and the sergeant's car were on the job when the call was heard on the radio monitor by the desk officer at the station house. He notified the 21st Squad and detectives James McCleath and Louis DeLuca hurried to the scene. As we waited for the arrival of the ambulance, the assailant, Joe Packias, sat on the floor in a corner of the basement with his back against the wall under the guard of Patrolman Farrell. The victim's mother had been summoned from the apartment. She tried to comfort the girl.

[A]

Anita. My baby. My baby. He wanted to kill me, Mom. Try to. Come on, baby.

[B]

Mrs. Truro? Don't touch her, please.

[A]

Where's the doctor? She's gone now.

[B]

The ambulance is on the way.

[A]

Where? Where is it?

[B]

Mrs. Truro, you better stand over here. No, it'd be better for her.

[A]

Come on, mom. Come on, baby.

[B]

Mrs. Truro?

[A]

Yes, all right.

[B]

The ambulance will be here right away, Sergeant. Yes, sir.

[A]

My poor baby.

[B]

Yes, sir. Captain, stay here with the girl. Yes, ma'. Am.

[A]

Is that the ambulance that Cyrus?

[B]

Yes, I'm sure it is. Let's go over here, Mr. Toro.

[A]

I don't like to leave her. I don't like to leave my baby.

[B]

How old is she?

[A]

Sixteen. Just sixteen. Will she die? She won't die.

[B]

No. I think she'll be all right.

[A]

Excuse me, Captain.

[B]

Oh, yes. Macleaf. This is the girl's mother, Mrs. Truro. Detective McLean. I'd like to ask you a few questions, Mrs. Truro.

[A]

Yeah, anything. That's the ambulance.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Good. Oh, my poor baby.

[B]

This fellow, this girl packet, he said he'd known her for a long time.

[A]

Oh, six months, maybe seven. But she don't want anything to do with him. He comes around to the house. He scares us off. He brings a bottle of whiskey. He sits down in the kitchen. He says he wants to marry us. He don't want anything to do with him. But we're scared.

[B]

And why didn't you call the police?

[A]

I said once I would. I said, get out or I call the police. He said. What would the police do to him? Nothing. He'd come back and tear up the house. So I didn't call. He'd come. Anita would lock herself in the bathroom. We were all scared.

[B]

Well, where was she tonight? Did she have a date with him?

[A]

Oh, no. She went to a girlfriend on First Avenue. We do her homework together. She's a good girl, Anita. She goes to school. She wants to learn. She wants to learn to go to business. All right, bring it in. They take her where? To a hospital.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What hospital? Could I go?

[B]

Yes, you can go. Tell me, what was he doing? Was he waiting for her on the street?

[A]

I guess. I don't know. I want to help.

[B]

Let's leave it to them, Mr. Toro. They know what they're doing. All right, Easy, easy. Put her on.

[A]

My baby. My poor baby.

[B]

All right, all right, take it out.

[A]

Come to the house, he said. Where is he? I said, out. He sat down with a bottle of whiskey for two, three hours. I was scared.

[B]

Now, watch the turn there.

[A]

Easy. All right, lift up with her. He said he'd kill her. He'd kill me. I was glad he went. Easy now.

[B]

Keep it high.

[A]

Can I go with Her. Can I, Sergeant? Yes, Sir.

[B]

See that Mrs. Truro gets over to the hospital. Yes, sir.

[A]

Wait. Wait for me.

[B]

You can talk to the mother later, can't you, McLeish? Oh, yes, sir. Right now I want to suck at that bum over there. All right, you men. Don't stand around here. Get back on patrol. How's he doing? Foul. All the steam's out of him, Captain. He's no stubborn. All right, you. Get on your feet.

[A]

Why?

[B]

Get on your feet. My Craze. Yes, Captain. What's your name? Pacquiao. No, Pakius. How do you spell that? P, A, K, U, S. Where do you live? East 81st Street. 8, 16. What do you do to justify your existence? What do you mean? Have you got a job? Yeah, I work. Where? Different places. Contractors. I'm a plasterer. How old are you? 27. 27, huh?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, you grow gray by the time you're through with this one, mister. I'll teach you to leave that family alone. I'll teach you to stay away from 16 year old girls. I want to marry her. I love her. That's a fine way to show her you love her, isn't it? Almost killing her? You're no good. You're plain no good. I was a little grown. That's a great excuse, isn't it? You get half on the bag and.

[A]

You think you own the world.

[B]

Well, I'll show you what you own. You don't own any part of it. You don't even own your own kind. Take it easy. He should be in the hospital, not her. That's enough, girl. When are you coming around here making trouble for that family? They told you they didn't want anything to do with you. I want her. I want to marry the girl. She won't speak to me. She won't see me. She's out with other guys. All right. I waited for her tonight to talk.

[A]

Just to talk.

[B]

When I saw her, she tried to go away. She wouldn't talk. Okay, sister. You don't talk. She'll do what I tell you. You threw her down in the cellar and you beat her up and you almost killed her. And she might die yet. It was a whiskey. I didn't mean it. 16 year old girl.

[A]

16.

[B]

I don't know. I don't care.

[A]

I want to marry.

[B]

She's a woman and you're a man, huh? Well, not in my book, mister.

[A]

In my book, you're enough.

[B]

A great big cipher. The suspect, Joe Packus, was taken to the station house in the custody of patrolman Farrell, the first officer on the scene, Detective mcle, rode with them in sector car number two. And I returned in the sergeant's car just in time to turn off the platoon for the late tour. At midnight at the station house, package was taken upstairs to the 21st squad, still in the custody of Patrolman Farrell. There he would be questioned further by detectives and on completion of the investigation, booked in on charges of felonious assault. As the senior officer on duty in the 6th Division during the night, I was called to the 25th Precinct where a three alarm fire in a loft building had caused the evacuation of two tenements. It was 2:20am when I returned to the 21st Precinct and walked into the muster room and around the desk to sign the blotter. Hello, Sergeant. Captain. Captain. Red Money. First briefing, Sergeant Collins. What about that Sorrow girl in the hospital, Red? How bad is she? Two broken ribs, Captain. Their face is pretty badly cut off. No internal injuries, I don't think. Lieutenant Gorman Eisman bringing in? He made that notification on York Avenue. He got hold of the brother. Okay. All right. Eisman. Did they dict that Gill Pack here yet, Red? No, sir, not yet. They still got him upstairs. What about Sal? He's still there. As soon as he's booked in, he'll get a couple of hours sleep before he has to go to court with him. That's a mean one, that guy. Captain. 16 year old girl. Yeah, I'll be in my office with him. Yes, sir. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Collins. Oh, Sergeant. Yeah. All right, you take your meal now. Right. Okay. Yes, sir. Captain. Sergeant, I'll tell you what I want you to. What's that? In the back room? Come on, Sergeant. Yes? Somebody fell down the steps. Yes, sir. That's what happened. Max, are you all right? Pack. What happened, Mack? He tripped. Fell down a whole flight of stairs. Did he pack? You? He fell. He's out like a light. What's going on? What's happened? Where were you? Pharaoh? You sure? Prisoner. Well, Captain. Second package, Captain. Come on, Sergeant, ring for an ambulance, will you? Yes, sir, right away, sir. Well, he's out. All right, all right. Sa where were you? Over. Taking him down to Bookham. He left his hat in the squadroom. I went back inside for it. You were alone with him, McLeod? That's right, Captain. Yes, sir. How'd he fall? I don't know. He tripped, I guess. Did he? On what, Captain? I didn't lay a hand on him. If anybody deserved to get thrown down those stairs, he did. But I didn't Lay a hand on him. We'll find out about that, McLeaf. We'll find out about that right away. You're listening to 21st Precinct, an actual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. Since 1910, the work output of each of us has more than doubled. In the same period, machine power has increased four and a half times, and the average annual income has gone from $2,400 a year to about $4,000 a year in equivalent purchasing power. In spite of all this, about 18 hours has been cut off. The average work week in the same period. Those facts are but a few in the great story of our American economic system, a story that adds up to this for all of us. The better we produce, the better we live. Now, back to 21st briefing and Captain Frank and I. Any unusual occurrence concerning a prisoner, injury, death, escape or attempted suicide is a grave matter. The commanding officer of the precinct concerned is required to make an immediate and thorough investigation and forward his report to the office of the Chief Inspector and the New York State Commissioner of Corrections. Joe Pacquias did not regain consciousness by the time the ambulance arrived. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital. In the meantime, I had instructed the desk officer, Lieutenant Gorman, to telephone Lieutenant Matt King, commander of the 21st Detective Squad, at his home and inform him of the incident. Lieutenant King was at the station house within 25 minutes and sat in my office as I questioned First Patrolman Farrell. Oh, sir, I didn't leave him for a minute, not since I brought him in. You got him into the station house about five minutes at 12. How come you didn't bring him downstairs to be booked until 25 after 2? Well, McLeith was conducting an investigation, Captain. Well, there wasn't much investigation that needed conducting, was there? You were an eyewitness to the assault. So was I. Yes, sir. And you had another witness, that old man that stopped you. Yes, sir. Did McLeish make any threats against us? You'll pack yourself in the squadron. No, sir. You just talk to him calmly. Well, not exactly calmly. Captain McLean didn't think much of the guy who did. Did either you or he use any violence in the squadron? No, sir. Well, then when you started downstairs to book him, what happened? Well, we came out of the squadron into the hall. I had packets by the arm. As soon as we got outside, McLeod said, his hat. We left his hat inside. Whose hat? Joe Patches. Didn't Pacquiao say anything about it? No, sir. I guess he forgot. So you went back for his hat? Yes, sir. That Was your prisoner foul? You weren't supposed to leave him. But it was just back in the squadron. We were out in the hall. I didn't really leave him, Captain. And when you came out with the hat, Pacquius was down at the bottom of the stairs? Yes, sir. You were in the squadron with Pacquias all the time between about midnight and 225? Yes, sir. Was it McClees? No, sir. Where'd he go? Well, when we first got there, he printed Pack. Yes. Then we went into your office, Lieutenant, and the police started to question him. He didn't touch him, you said? No. It's very easy, you know. If we murdered him. But he didn't touch him. Then about one o', clock, macleaf went out. Where'd he go? I don't know, Captain. He said he'd be back. We'd book him in when he got back. I just sat there with Packius until he came back about, oh, 10 minutes after 2. Any more questions, man? No, sir. All right, Sal, that's all. Yes, sir. You can go on home. Packius won't be going to court tomorrow. How is he, Captain? We're waiting to hear. Thank you very much. Valley. Captain. Tell McLeish to come in here. Captain. Well, Matt, Looks like a rough spot, doesn't it? Sure it turned out right. Yep. I'm kind of anxious to hear what Pack has to say. He was unconscious when they took him out of here. He was unconscious when they got him to the hospital. You might not get to hear what he has to say, eh, Captain? Doesn't look good for him, man. It was an awful wallop on the head he took. Come in. Yes, Captain. Oh, sit down over here. McLeod. Yes. Hello, Lieutenant McCleaves. Sit down. Yes. Well, you got yourself in a jam, huh? I'm not in any jam, Lieutenant. What do you call it? Excuse me. 21st place ain't. Captain Kennelly. Sergeant Collins. Captain. Lieutenant Gorman would like to talk to you. Okay, go ahead. Captain. Yes, Fred? The doctor down at Melville just called back. Yes? Now, Joe Peckus has a possible fractured skull. Possible? That's all I know. Well, they're making X rays now. Yeah. He didn't regain consciousness? No, sir. Not yet. All right, Brad. If you hear anything else, ring in here. Yes, sir. How is he, Captain? Possible fracas skull. I didn't push him down those stairs. He tripped. McLeese, I've been in command of this precinct two years. Every day, 24 hours a day, people go up and down those stairs. All kinds of people. Cops, Complainants, drunks, narcotics addicts, everything. In two years, the only man to fall down those stairs is somebody you've been holding back your temper on all night. Some cops about him. He fell and fractured his skull. I didn't lay a hand on him, Captain. And it happens just when you send the only possible witness back into the squadroom for a hat. Nobody around. Only you. He tripped and fell, Captain. I didn't touch him. You were itching through all night, though, weren't you, McLeish?

[A]

Well, who wouldn't?

[B]

I'm only human. A guy weighs almost 200 pounds and he's no good. He's not even near human. He beat a 16 year old girl. Within this far of killing her. And he would have killed her if the Captain and Feral didn't jump him. So what am I supposed to do? Love a guy like this like a brother? I want to see him get what's coming to him. Just the point. Exactly. You're a cop, that's all. You're not the judge and jury. It's not up to you to see that he gets what's coming to him. Your job is to bring him and the facts before the people who decide that not to set yourself up on a throne. Decide who's right and who's wrong. That's not your job. Get that through your head. Yes, sir. Did you throw him down the stairs? No, sir. He tripped and fell. Where'd you go about 1 o'? Clock? I went out for a meal, sir. Where else? You were gone over an hour. Roosevelt Hospital. Why? To interview the victim and her mother. Did you? I saw the mother, Captain. The victim was still in the treatment room. You didn't need the mother or the girl. You had two police officers and a mobile civilian as eyewitness. Yes, sir. There wasn't any doubt in your mind that on Farrell's testimony alone, Pacius would be held without bail for the grand jury, was there? No, sir. Well, then why did you have to go to the hospital at that point? I don't know, Captain. I thought I ought to get the girl's story. This was a felony case. Did you call the District Attorney? No, sir. Why not? Those are your instructions? Arthur. It looked open and shut to me. It looks open and shut to me too, McLeith. I've got the same feeling about it. After the interview with Detective McLeaf, Lieutenant King instructed him to return to his duties. At 3:30am Lieutenant King and I drove to Roosevelt Hospital, where we found the mother of the assault victim waiting in the corridor. Mrs. Truro told us her daughter was at last asleep and that she intended to wait at the hospital for any word about her condition. We said nothing of the injury to Joe Packy. As to the mother, in order to talk to her, we suggested that she have something to eat. She went with us to a nearby all night luncheonette. Do you want something else besides the soup? This is pool.

[A]

No, it's enough.

[B]

Just a soup. Some coffee?

[A]

No, nothing. Poor. The poor baby.

[B]

I don't understand how she happened to get involved with this guy. How did that happen?

[A]

Old girlfriend knew him. They met. He wanted to come to see her, to take her on dates and so forth. She didn't want to, didn't want anything to do with him. He used to come in the house breaking on those banks like a maniac. He's scared. Dear me, sit in a kitchen, holler. He wants to marry her. Pushed me around. I was scared of him.

[B]

Well, you don't have to worry about him anymore. I'm still scared, believe me. Mr. Trollo.

[A]

He's got brothers. He goes to jail, he'll send his brothers. They're just as bad. One came with him once to the house, just as bad. I don't want anything more to do with him. I move, I take a knee. It's just the two of us, that's all.

[B]

You'll be in jail.

[A]

No, that's worse. The brothers will find us. I don't want anything to do with sending him to jail. I told the detective that. I said to him before.

[B]

Detective McLeish.

[A]

Yes, Ms. Cleese. I told him I didn't want anything to do with it.

[B]

And what did he say?

[A]

He said not to be scared. I don't have to. He said, joe Pack. This would be fixed. Fixed good. Nobody would bother us, not anymore.

[B]

Fixed good, huh?

[A]

Yeah. I told him, don't fix him. When the brothers come around, they fix us. I told him maybe I ought to go back to the hospital. This is very nice, but maybe you need a wake up.

[B]

And where am I sending yourself as a girl?

[A]

Yeah. All right. Then we go, huh?

[B]

Yeah, I'm gonna ring in that order me another cup of coffee, will. All right, Captain. I'll be right back.

[A]

Very good soup for restaurant.

[B]

Hello? 21st Precinct. Sagging Collins. Captain Canale. Sergeant oh, yes, sir. Kwame wants to speak to you, Captain. He. He tried the hospital we left there. Put him on. Yes, sir. Captain Canale. Lieutenant Corey, Police precinct. Lieutenant Gorman. Yes, Red. Captain. I got a call from the Department of Correction. Man at the Prison ward in Bellevue. Nagius isn't dead? No, sir, far from it. He's regained consciousness. The doctor says if you want to talk to him for a few minutes, it'd be okay. No facial skull or concussion, just a bad bump. He's okay. We took Mrs. Toro back to Roosevelt and then drove downtown to Bellevue Hospital. We drove into the grounds at 30th street and Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive and parked the car. The prison ward on the second floor of I building is under supervision of the Department of Correction. Upstairs. We were admitted through the bar gates and directed to the room. Thank you very much, Silverman. Thank you. Who are you? We're police officers. I want to see my lawyer. It's the only one I want to see. You'll see your lawyer. Wise guys. That's all you are, a bunch of wise guys. Wise guys, huh? What does that make you? Beating up a 16 year old girl. A big hero. I want to see my lawyer. Tell us how you came to fall down the stairs. My lawyer. It's the only one I'll tell. I don't want nothing to do with you guys. You've got something to do with us. You've got plenty to do with us. Tell us about how you got hurt. Oh, it hit me. Hit me. See what it'll get you. Nobody's gonna hit you, laying here on my back. Hit me.

[A]

Go on. I'll get more.

[B]

Get more what? Money. That's what you'll get. Nothing but years, Jones. I'll get money. Look at that bushel basketful. Stupid city. I'll take em over the coast for that kind of treatment. What kind of treatment? Never mind. I'll take that up with my lawyer. What about slapping that girl around? What do you think your lawyer can do for that? Nothing. I ain't worried. I'll take only half the money I'm gonna sue for. And the city will be glad to get off the hook. I'll get off with nothing. I'll buy a car and I'll go to Florida. You've got great ambition, Joe. I guess we'll pin a medal on you too. I wouldn't be surprised. Talk to my lawyer about it. I got the city dead to rights. They can't do that to a guy and get away with it. You don't seem hurt so bad, Joan. Yeah, well, the pain's killing me. What makes you think you're entitled to sue the city? Those stairs from top to bottom. Look, the detective said you tried to break away from him and missed the top. Step. That's a lie. Well, what did happen? Oh, no. You take that up with my lawyer. But I wasn't trying to break away. Don't let him tell you I was. He's lying. I don't think so. I wasn't. I was walking down as quiet as you could. There was this thing sticking up. Caught the heel of my shoe. That's the city's fall, ain't it? I tripped and I went down. Down to the bottom. I looked at those stairs. Joe, that's not what happened. Tell us the truth now. I caught my heel. I caught it on the step. I fell. I tripped on something that was sticking up. I tripped and fell. The city has to pay for that, don't they? That detective wouldn't tell you what happened. He don't like me. He don't want me to collect. Doesn't he? Like he never beat up a woman. Big man. Get him to tell you the truth. We will, Joe. Come on, man. Yes. How long, Joe? Get him to tell you. Well, Big night, man. That's right. You know, I've got to admit it. I thought my police gave him at least a little help down those stairs, Captain. I was sure of it. Oh, thank you, boys. Got a line back? Yes. Cigarette? No, thanks much. Blind. We told McLeish he shouldn't try to be judge and jury. You know something, man? Neither should we. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Collins. What do you mean, robbed? Held up. Where is he? The what? Bar and Grill. Well, what's the address? Yeah. Did they have guns? How many men? How many? Or which way did they go? Were they in a car? What kind of a car? What kind?

[A]

What color?

[B]

And so it goes around the clock through the week, every day, every year, a police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merrygorome. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone. 21st Precinct. A transcribed factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. Everett Loan in the role of Captain Kennelly. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Bill Quinn, Louis Van Ruden, Phil Sterling, Joan Morgan, Barbara Weeks, Jack Orson and John Larkin. Written and directed by Stanley Niz. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Bob hall speaking.