Southland (2009–2013): Season 1, Episode 6 - Westside - full transcript

Ben Sherman and his partner get the case in posh Bel Air of a robber who physically terrorized villa owner David Milliard and his daughter Daisy, an old acquaintance, who is surprised to see him on the force. Their friendship blossoms into a sexual affair, but that's against LAPD rules with a victim. By checking in on his mother, who often forgets the alarm, Ben discovers to his fury his scumbag father bought her home and is back in her life. Detective Russell Clarke moves out from his insanely jealous wife to a friend's security firm's client's guest house. The neighborhood suffers a wave of daring robberies, some of which and brutally bloody. All are traced to a cocaine-addicted jeweler and her dealer's ruthless colored gang. Officer John Cooper hides his back ache and is desperate for painkillers without prescription.

MAN:
Officer Ben Sherman knew that
it was against police policy

to get involved
with a victim.

But he did it anyway.

(humming tune)

Daddy, my car is ready.

Can I have a ride
to the dealer?

If you can wait
one hour, sweetheart.

Fine. I'll be in my room.

Just let me know
when you're ready, okay?
Okay.

(kissing sound)

(humming tune)



Hey!

Hey!

(screaming)

(muffled yelling)

First officer
secures the area,

takes down the
contact information

of every person on the
scene for the detectives.

Remember you're the
gatekeeper, all right?

It's your responsibility
to safeguard the evidence.

I don't care
who the hell it is.

Nobody gets in, unless
they have a legitimate purpose.

O.J. would be on death row if
those guys hadn't fucked it up.

(indistinct radio transmission)

I thought tempered glass
was shatterproof.



Not when you whack it
at full speed.

Check the perimeter.

Find out how
these guys got in.
Sure.

Nobody gets in unless
they have a legitimate purpose.

Go.

I was downstairs.
They taped me up.

I was terrified.

Daisy was upstairs.

I... I... I had no idea
what was happening.

Does your
insurance company

have the serial numbers and
photos on all the jewelry?

Most of it.

Honey, I'm just so happy

that you're all right.

You always keep
your garage door open?

What?

Your garage?

Oh, I usually
remember.

All the windows
and doors are secure.

Probably came right in
through the garage

and entered the house
through the laundry room.

Going to need the contact
information and the numbers
on your security company.

Also your insurance agent.

Daisy can get you
anything you need.

No, I'm going with you.

No, no, no, honey,
you stay here.

I need you to stay here and take
care of things, okay? Thank you.

(chuckles)

(pager chirping)

Let it go.

No, I got to answer it.
Let it go.

No, no, no, no.
I have to answer it.

I got to go.

Is it your mother?

Is she okay?

It's work.

Can you help
me out with this?

Another excuse to put
your hands on me.

There you go.

(sighs)

I swear Bel Air must have a
direct line to the police chief.

Security company numbers,
gardeners, maids, handymen.

Anybody who may have
had access to the house.

Oh.

Ben.

Daisy, hey.

This is... this is so weird.

That... that...
Why are you here?

I'm really glad
that it's you,

but this is...

You're a cop?

Yeah.

It's like...

You okay?
You okay?

Um...

This is--
this is crazy.

I mean, I thought
New York was scary.

Um, did you--
did you move to New York?

Yeah.
Really?

Five years ago.

My mom wanted
to move there

when she and my
dad split up.

I noticed you weren't around.

You did?

You, uh...

(chuckles)

You talk to Jenna?

Um, no.

No?

Turns out we didn't
have so much in common.

Me neither.

It took you long enough
to figure that one out.

What can I say, I'm loyal.

Another home invasion.

The suspects hit the place

when the father and
daughter were at home.

Pretty ballsy.

Any serious injuries?

Nothing life-threatening.

What's the problem?

Well, you called us in
on our day off.

I just kind of figured
it must have been a homicide.

That's what we're
trying to avoid.

We got to catch these guys
before things get out of hand.

So we can't get overtime
to work homicide cases,

but now suddenly there's money
to fund Bel Air break-ins.

Residents here don't feel safe.

And the residents in
South Central don't either.

But these residents
don't just bitch.

They invite the chief
of police over for cocktails.

How convenient
to have money.

(camera shutter clicking)

Detectives are here.

How are you doing
today, man?

Is it cool
if I take your picture?

It's all right.
Hey, thanks.

(noisy chatter)

Excuse me.

Hey, you're
that cop, right?

Yep.

You want to get high?

(scoffs)

No.

I don't want to get high.

You just bought something.

So you think I'd risk

a $90,000 a year job,
my pension

and my belief system for you?

Now get away from me
before I bring

a whole barrel of ass-whupping
down on your head.

armed with a box cutter.

Okay, I'd like to turn
the floor over now

to Detectives Adams
and Clarke.

Where's your partner?

Called in sick again.

LYDIA:
Good morning.

There have been a string
of home invasions
on the Westside.

Until now,
the suspects

have only hit
unoccupied residences.

That changed yesterday.

A father and daughter were
attacked and duct taped

in the 10000 block
of Bel Air Road.
(clearing throat)

There were
two male suspects--

the age and race unknown.

And there was no
vehicle identified.

It's a sophisticated crew.

They're targeting homes
and high-end jewelry--

Harry Winston,
Cartier, Bulgari,

among others.

So we need your help.

Check with your informants.

If you hear anything
about fencing,

or any other talk,
give us a call, all right?

Thanks.

And last but not
least this morning,

the department psychologist
Dr. Meryl Matthews.

Thank you.

Um, good morning.

I'm here to tell
you about a book

that is being made available

to members of the department.

It's called Looking Inward:

Spiritual Survival
For Law Enforcement.

This book deals
in very real terms

with the difficulties
that many officers face

at one time or another:

social isolation,
marital problems, addiction,

both substance
and sexual--

Anyway, I have given several
copies to your sergeant,

and I would highly recommend

that each one
of you take a look.

Thanks very much.

What are you thinking?
There might be gang ties?

When is it not?

Well, I don't think
it's gang-related.

I've worked in gangs
for two years.

Believe me, they're getting
smarter all the time.

Can't just be dumb luck that
every place they happen to hit

is a jewelry jackpot.

I don't know.

Isn't that a prerequisite
for living in this zip code?

You got a problem
with the west side?

'Cause I like it.
I think the air's cleaner.

And the people are whiter.

True that.

Hey, did you guys check out
the pawn shop detail yet?

No, that's our next stop.
Excuse me.

Yep.

See you.
See you guys.

(cell phone ringing)

Hello?

2,500 square feet
with-with beams

and-and wood and windows.

Tons of light. It's close
to your work and to mine.

We're not buying
a loft downtown, Tammy.

You said that we need
more space for kids.

You said it would be
a good time to buy.

Go to a window.

Why?

Just do it. Go to a window.

Are you in front of a window?

Yeah, I am next to an enormous,
beautiful window. Yes.

What do you see?
Do you see a school?

A supermarket?
Do you see a newsstand?

No, you do not.

You see homeless people,
junkies and concrete.

I hate where we live.

It's killing me creatively.

(laughing):
Creatively.

Tammy?

That Kimmy?

You looking at her
Facebook page?

Yeah. She's got over 100
so-called "friends."

Tell ya,
it's an abuse of the word.

Wait. You're Stacy from the OC?

I'm 16 and I love to party.

You're kidding me, right?

Sal, you can't spy
on her like this.

Like hell I can't.

You're pretending
to be somebody you're not.

Right, like this 17-year-old
kid named Dirk

actually drives a Porsche?

You're invading
her privacy.

You know what, Sammy?
When you've got a kid

that's Kimmy's age,
you can talk all you want.

Until then, leave me alone,
all right?

Legit jewelers here melt
the gold down, reset the gems.

Viola. New jewelry.

We know who's doing that
these days?

Nah, they usually
don't hang out a sign.

Well, how many jewelers

are there in the city?

Over 1,000.

Wear comfortable shoes.

DISPATCH:
10868, code six. Incident 3592.

So, you grew up
around here?

Bellagio and Stone Canyon.

Still got people there?

Just my mom.

She live alone?

Gonna stop by after watch.
Make sure she sets her alarm.

She's a little dippy that way.

We could stop by now.

Uh, yeah, that'd be great.
Okay.

She's going to ask you the
same questions I did, okay?

There's nothing to
be nervous about.

That's easy for you to say.

You're not living
out of a suitcase.

It'll be over soon.

And where are we
supposed to go?

The gangsters done
shot up our house.

Mrs. Johnson.

What?

Do you mind joining
me outside, please?

Thank you.

So, Janilla, do you know
why you're here today?

Yeah.

You want me to tell you what I
saw the day that boy got shot.

That's right.

Hi, Daisy.
Hi.

Thanks for agreeing

to see us again.
Sure.

Were you able to find
those insurance records?

Yeah. They're all right here.

Um, I'm not sure if you can see
this, but it's a necklace

my dad had made
for my 18th birthday.

Were there any recent purchases?

I don't know.

Um, I mean...

My dad likes watches.

Okay. Well,
that's a great start.

How's your father doing?

He's coming home
in a couple days.

It's so strange
being here without him.

Yeah. It's hard to feel safe
when you're alone.

But things will get better.

You'll be okay.

Thank you.

Her grandmother knows it's the
Marta Ruiz gang after her kid?

You want her to
testify or not?

I just think she has
a right to know

who's coming after her
grandchild, don't you?

Doesn't work that way
and you know it.

(chuckling)

Too late for me
to get adopted?

All right.

You want to come in?

Uh, no, I got a call
to make first.

(indistinct radio transmission)

Hey. I'm going to need you
to get me some more.

I can't, John.

You got to come through
for me, Laur.

Look, they are really starting
to crack down around here.

I could lose my job.

Just one last time.

I can't anymore, John.

I'm sorry.

BEN:
Mom, why is
the door open?

Wait, don't...
Mom?

(whispering)

Hi, sweetheart.

Hello, Ben.

What the hell
is he doing here?

I guess I won't be
getting any hugs, huh?

Leave.

Leave? I bought
this house.

I said get out.
Honey, honey,
please.

He has no right
to be here.

You're looking
very sharp.

Sweetheart, calm...
Get the hell
out of here.

You're going to blind
me with that badge.
Sweetheart.

Get out.
What?
Get out?

What are you gonna
do, pull your gun?
Get the fuck out.

Hey!
Oh, my God.
Oh, God.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.
I'm-I'm...fuck.

How much longer
do I have to wait?

It depends on how it goes
with the other witnesses.

I thought she was the only one.

No. She's their only
only eye witness.

I'm bored.

You just got to hang in there
a little while longer, okay?

What you're doing,
it's important, Janilla.

It's real important.

Okay.

That's my girl.

(imitates explosion)

I blew it up.

So you have no record
of recent sales

to any of these individuals,
right here?

Not that I recall.

Well, according to
Mr. Milliard's records,

he purchased a diamond necklace
from you within the last year.

Can we take a look
at your sales receipts?

Not without a warrant.

What, do you have
something to hide?

No. But in my business,
privacy is paramount.

Customers are buying
for their wives, girlfriends,

significant others.

I can't afford
to breach a confidence.

You, uh, want to talk
about what happened?

You're kidding, right?

You want to talk
about my problems.

Figure I'm going to keep you
from killing your old man.

And what were you doing
in that bathroom yesterday?

You're sweating, you're nervous,

you're practically jumping
out of your skin.

I've got a bad back, okay?

Go see a doctor.

Yeah. And get it reported
to the department?

Look, I experience pain
every once in a while, okay?

I'm not going to bitch

about it and I'm not going
to get desked over it.

It's not a big deal.

I'm dealing with it.

Why do you always
grab the keys?

What is that,
like a guy thing?

You drive.

I haven't in a week.

You want me to pull over?

No.

Hey, it's me.
Just thinking about you.

Give me a call when you
get a chance, okay?

Bye.

Going to be
another 45 minutes, tops.

Then she'll get you in. I just
spoke with the prosecutor.

Grandma, do you want anything?

You want something?
My treat.

Nah.
Here you go,
sweetheart.

Thank you.
Look at this.

Tammy won't stop sending
pictures of this loft downtown.

It's a lot of money, man.

No kidding, right?

It's ridiculous.
Look at this one.

(gunshots firing)

Down! Get down! Get down!

(sobbing)

So, you sold to Mrs. Milliard?

I did when she was
married to Mr. Milliard.

After they got divorced,
the jewelry buying stopped.

You ever sell
to these individuals here?

They got things stolen, too?

Look at the list,
please.

Doesn't look familiar.

I can check my records.

Could you?

Of course.
Thank you.

Excuse me. How much does
something like this go for?

$30,000.

That's Art Deco platinum,
diamonds and sapphires.

You shopping for
someone in particular?

No. Just curious.

So, how many employees
do you have?

Um, mostly it's just me,

I have two sales
associates and a setter.

Do they have access
to your customer database?

Honey, it's the
information age.

Everyone has access
to everything.

(doorbell rings)

This has got to end, kid.

Don't call me "kid."

So, I don't have
any rights?

I've forfeited
all rights as a father?

Mm-hmm.

Why so much anger?

Uh, you ruined her life once.
Remember?

Now you want
to do it again?

I just bring over
a little weed.

We have some laughs. We act
like a couple of teenagers.

I'm moved to tears.

My liver's shot.

You're unbelievable.

Is that supposed
to make me feel guilty?
No, no.

I just don't want you to
have to regret it later.

Good night.

(quietly):
Sam.

Car was stolen yesterday
in Echo Park.

Patrol unit found it
in the lot at Union Station.

Marta thinks she can do
a drive-by at the courthouse

and get away with it?
She'd try and whack

the freakin' president
to get her kid out of jail

Local newscasters
are all over this, man.

Sal's getting
20 calls an hour.

You'll have to call DCFS,
get her into foster care.

She needs to be
in protective custody.

Marta's not gonna stop till
one of her boys takes her out.

She will be safe
in state custody, okay?

They just tried to
kill her in front

of the fucking courthouse.

I'm not putting her
through the system.

She can stay with me.

You're not her
legal guardian.

I will be after I speak
with her grandmother.

Tammi? This is us.

Why do you live way out here?

(chuckles):
Now you sound
like my wife.

Um...

Did you tell her
about me?

I didn't, but I will--
and she'll be cool.

That's, uh, Richter.

Richter!

He's not supposed
to be up on the couch...

(laughs)

You cool with dogs?

Yeah.

Tammi!

Hey.

Is Jimmy there?

Look, just tell the scumbag

to come to the damn phone,
all right?

(panting)

No... (groans)

No. No, no, I don't
want to leave a message.

(exhales)

(shuts phone)

(drops phone to table)

(Velcro ripping)

(exhales)

(exhales)

(exhales)

Scheduled an appointment
with Dr. Milan for next week.

(exhales)

You want to do in-vitro again?

You know, we're
paying off the last one.

So you want to just give up?
No,

we tried it, Dina,
over and over again.

So what are you gonna do,

trade me in for someone
with fresher eggs?

I'm not a fool, Russell.

You're in love with
her, aren't you?

Who?
That teacher.

You've just got it
all figured out, huh?

Admit it.

Why?

So you can post it on your blog?

You need to leave, Russell.

What?

Leave.

Please. Just leave.

(knocking)

Hey.

Hey.

I found your address
in the phone book.

You think that's a good idea
for a police officer?

(chuckles): No, no.
I'll have to change that.

Come on in.

Thank you.

(laughs)

My house is
freaking me out.

Every time I close my eyes,
I see that guy with a gun.

Yeah.

Can I get you something?

Uh, water, coffee?

Yeah. Water
would be great.
Water?

Why did we
never hook up?

Uh... (exhales)

Because I was seeing
your best friend?

Oh, that.

(chuckles):
That.

(laughs)

Uh...

Did you always want
to be a cop,

even in high school?

Eh.

What about you, you...
you play the guitar?

Yep. Yeah, and I write music.

Yeah?
Yeah.

That's why I went to New York.

It didn't work out.

I'm glad you're back.

Yeah, me, too.

You look tired.

(laughs)
I mean, you
look great.

I haven't slept in...
two days, so...

All those noises at the house.

That's natural.

I'm exhausted.
Well, why don't
you crash here?

You take my bed.

I'll sleep on the couch.

Really?
Mm-hmm.

(laughs)
Thank you.

Okay, um...

Oh, I'm sorry,
it's, uh...

I wasn't expecting
company.

(chuckles)
Um, go ahead,
sit down.

Uh... make
yourself at home.

Okay.

Uh...

I'll be right there.

So... if you need
anything, just...

Okay?
Uh...

No.

Stay with me?

Please?

I don't want
to be alone.

LYDIA:
It's understandable,

considering the way
you've been acting lately.

Oh, okay, you got
a new boyfriend

and you're an expert
on relationships now.

(chuckles): You
really don't get it.

What don't I get, Lydia?

Russell, you can
stay here tonight,

but tomorrow, go home
and make it right.

No, it's over.

"It's over."

You can still come home
and apologize.

I'm not going back.

You're not staying
here forever.

No, I got it worked out.

Bobby, uh--
you know Bobby--

you know, he found
me a place, and...

it's a, uh, client
who wants on-site security,

so, uh, I'm just gonna stay
in the guy's guest house.

(opens bottle)

Can I have one
of your beers?

All right, how are we
gonna catch these guys?

Well, what do we
have so far?

Well... not much.

In order for them
not to stand out

in those neighborhoods,
they got to be driving...

some kind of commercial
van or truck.

LYDIA:
Right.

And they're only hitting
wealthy homes,

homes that are gated estates,
hidden from the street.

RUSSELL:
So how are they getting
in the gates?

LYDIA:
I guess they're using, what,

like some universal remote
or something?

RUSSELL:
Sure. They sell those
on the Internet.

They wear workman's clothes...

and masks and gloves.

And in the composer's house,

they went in
through the garage.

And in a few of the others,
they just pushed in the door.

LYDIA:
Right, and then that one,
they went in through

the second story--
they used a ladder.

So what are we talking,
three guys, at least?

One in the car,
one supporting the ladder,

and then one making the entry.
Okay. They know

what they're looking for.

High-end jewelry.
LYDIA:
Mm-hmm.

And they don't care
if there's anyone home.

(laughter)

Come on, clean 'em out.
Don't miss nothing.

(laughter in distance)

Excuse me, better
go check on the kids.

MAN:
We should all be
so fortunate.

And don't let her
drink all my wine.

Oh, right.

Hurry up.

Check the dresser.

For our anniversary, he had
my wedding ring reset.

Nice.

(whispering voices)

Hey!

(gunshot, gasps)

from the media,
from the mayor.

They want answers,
and you know what?

I want answers, too.

Look, we're gonna
solve this case,

but not because
we're getting spanked.

You wanted a homicide,
detective.

Now you got one.

(siren wailing in distance)

Where's the body?

(indistinct conversation)

What'd they
leave behind?

Left in a hurry.

Ladder's still
at the window.

Dusting for prints.

Recover any slugs?
Pulled a .45

out of the wall;
pierced the guy's heart.

Got another call--
they're dropping like flies.

Got another homicide
ten blocks away.

All right.

It's temporary, Tammi.

Really? So you're just
gonna move her in,
just like that?

Don't want to
ask me first?

You're the one who always
says how much you love kids.

Richter loves her.

Look at him.

Where's she gonna
go to school?

I don't know.
How's she gonna get there?

I... don't know.

Um... guess I'll drive her.

(quietly):
I am an outcast
here, Sammy.

Imagine how it's
gonna be for her.

Look, she's a good kid.

She needs a safe, stable place
to stay for a few days.

(sighs)

So, what do we have?

Female, white, 40's.

Slug to the back
of the neck.

Neighbor called it in.

Do we have a name?

Lana Schmidt.

You knew her?

Yeah,

that's one of the jewelers
we interviewed yesterday.

They also took the safe.

Any signs of a struggle
or injuries to her body?

Not that I can tell, but
there is a hole in her septum.

It's probably
from a cocaine problem.

A heavy
cocaine problem.

So, all our victims
purchased jewelry

from the deceased
within the last year.

Including Mr. Milliard?

Uh... yes.

That necklace for the daughter.

Jeweler must have
got in over her head

and started trading
customers for coke.

Mm-hmm. Wait,
right there.

That white van.

Six-Boy-2-8-9-David-6.

You really think these idiots

are stupid enough
to use their own van?

They were stupid enough
to drive into a garage

with a
security camera.
Yeah.

Here, I'll run it.

(men speaking Spanish
indistinctly)

RUSSELL:
You know, the tags are expired
on this thing.

The address
is probably no good.

The owner's
an 80-year-old woman, right?

Could be her grandson or nephew.

Yeah.

Or she's too old
to notice it's gone.

What's the address
again?

2926.
Should be right up here.

Bingo.

1-King-53, requesting assistance

at 2926 Euclid in Boyle Heights
with 187 suspects...

He's going, he's going!

1-King-53, we're in pursuit
of a white van 6-Boy-289-David-6

going southbound in the alley
west of Euclid,

off of Barano.

Oh!
(tires screeching)

Two other suspects on foot.

OFFICER (on radio):
209-Kelsey, in pursuit.

Requesting backup.
Northbound...

(engine starts)

(siren wailing)

Relax and enjoy the ride!

PILOT:
Okay, white van.
I got a white van.

Here he goes, here he goes.

AIR-11's over the pursuit.

Eastbound on Whittier,
coming up to the overpass.

I'm gonna lose him
over the overpass, guys.

(siren wailing)

PILOT:
And he's back now, westbound...

Suspect's continuing westbound
on Whittier.

PILOT:
There he goes, guys, right turn,
guys, right turn.

He's gonna be northbound
on Camulus.

DISPATCH:
We've got him northbound...

Back up! Back up! Go!

PILOT:
He's northbound
on the street Ormay.

(siren wailing)

PILOT:
Continuing eastbound
Barano Street past Evergreen.

He's moving.

He's not stopping.

He's not stopping.

Right.
Clear right.

PILOT:
Now, gentlemen,
coming up to Fresno

and it dead end's
here at Fresno.

He's slowing down, guys.

Get ready for a bail.
Get ready for a bail.

I got officers in foot pursuit.

It's gonna be southeastbound...

(grunting)

Stay down! Stay down!

I got a male black, wearing
black over black.

Stop fighting!

(yells)

Yeah, I'd say we got a Code 4.

Did you see that?

Get him up!
Let's go.

(suspect roars)

There's no loyalty
amongst thieves.

He folded before I had
my second cup of coffee.

What kind of deal
did you make?

I didn't have to make one.

He gave up his boys because they
left him holding the bag.

Hey Lydia, you remember
my witness, Janilla?

Yeah.

There was
a shooting yesterday

and her grandmother
took a bullet.

Is she okay?

Yeah.

Yeah, she's tough.

While she's
recuperating,

Sammy's kinda playing
daddy dearest.

She's living with you?

Yeah. I didn't
want to, you know,

let her go
through the system.

I know the feeling.

Anyway, I don't know how much
longer I can take care of her.

My wife's not too happy
with the arrangement.

I got it, Sammy.

If you get into any trouble,
just... give me a call.

You know, my mom's out of town
and I've got the space.

Thanks.

Hey, Mom, what
is it with you?

You left the door
open again.

I did?

Yeah, you did.

Geez, I'm sorry.
Will you relax?

There's a lot of bad people
out there, all right?

I see it every day.

How sad for you,
sweetheart.

You need to protect
yourself, Mom.

From what?

(sighs) You want me
to go into detail?

Why are you
seeing him again?

Why are you
letting him back?

Can we just hang out
and not argue?

Please?

Yeah, sure. You want
to smoke a joint?

For God's sakes, we did it
a couple of times.

So what?
You're so uptight.

I'm...
I'm "uptight"?

Yes, you are.

What kind of life can you have
if you close every door?

(doorbell rings)

Hey, stranger.
Hey.

I thought
I'd stop by

and maybe we could
go to dinner.

I can't.

Well, how about
tomorrow?

I don't think so.

What's going on?

Lydia, I don't think
this is going to work.

Look, I been wrestling
with this.

You know, I even went
to see my pastor and...

I tried, I just can't
get past the fact,

you know, that you lied.

You know, that you lied
about being a cop.

Are you serious?

Yeah, I mean...

how can you start a relationship
based on a lie?

Well, you knew that
before we slept together.

Did you tell your pastor that?

(scoffs)

(loud rock music playing)

Corona.

Sorry about last time.

I shoulda known coke
wasn't your thing.

It's pharmaceuticals, right?

Get out of here.

(knocking at door)