Copper s02e04 Episode Script

You choose to save others' lives at the expense of our own.
I conspired in the plot to burn New York City.
Major Morehouse has agreed to assist me in my search for your mother.
The only way I'd ever trust a fella like you is if you took out one of your own.
Find the no-good son of a bitch who stabbed that boy.
Morning, Miss Eva.
Where's Kevin? With Morehouse.
Okay, liven up this cemetery, huh? Kevin! Jesus H.
Christ, is this what the protestants call a honeymoon? Shut up! What's happened? Phinbar Byrnes, uh Yeah? What of him? He's, uh the kid's been stabbed.
Gutted like a carp.
When? They found his body a few hours ago.
The lads are in a rage.
He made this soft little noise when I stuck the blade in.
Oh, yeah.
And, oh, that look in their eyes when they realize the hour has come.
No one can ever believe it's true.
It's like they think "this has to be a mistake.
" Right, they do that, "can't be me that's actually dyin'.
" Which is too bad, because we share a bond the killer and the killed.
Here's to the gone ones.
Gone and, sadly, forgotten.
No witnesses, no leads! So we just stand here with our pricks in our hands?! Sorry, sir.
Took your sweet time getting here.
What do you know about young Byrnes? Did he have any enemies to speak of? You found him in bottle alley? Yeah, what of it? Billy Murphy lives near there.
Phinbar was trying to court his daughter.
Murphy's a fierce cophater.
Ah, Phinbar, you daft bastard.
You men, go with Corcoran.
Have a pleasant little chat with Mr.
Murphy.
And the rest of you, what the hell are you doin'?! I thought you might've worked up an appetite.
Coppers are crawlin' all over the Points.
Let's tuck in.
You can tell me about the departed Phinbar Byrnes, all the gorgeous and gory details.
Or you could leave us men to drink in peace.
You ever put your hand on me again, boy, I'll chop it off ya.
You're joking me.
Stay down, you prick! If it weren't for me, you two wouldn't know each other.
Go on, ya wee lass.
We'll ring a bell for ya when we need ya! The forger don't usually like meetin' people, but youse might just be the exception, lad.
My lady, may I have this dance? Why, yes, you may.
Ellen, that's mine.
Ellen! It's mine.
Ellen, please! You took this from Elizabeth Morehouse?! That's mine! Ow! Oh, you thief! You give me back that necklace.
You are the devil's child.
And you're a crazy old whore, Ellen! I will teach you how to behave.
What, you're going to kill me, like you did Maggie? How you wanna play this, Corky? Annie? How you wanna play this? You break down the door and we rush him.
Minogue and Shultz will go in the back.
Glynn, follow that girl in the blue dress.
- Bring her to me.
- But we've got a cop-killer.
Find her and bring her to me! - You ready? You ready? - Yeah.
Aah! Murphy! Don't move, Murphy! What the hell?! Mrs.
Morehouse.
I apologize.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
Mrs.
Sara Freeman is in the drawing room.
Would you ever quit tickling me, you gobshite? Just confess to what you done and we'll all be finished here, huh? Piss off, duchess.
Let him stand, boys, let him stand.
Why, Sara, hello.
Mrs.
Morehouse.
I don't wish to bother you during your honeymoon time, but you mentioned I should call today to get the rest of the payment.
Oh.
Yes, of course.
Sorry.
You looked an absolute beautiful bride.
And Mr.
Morehouse, his smile was proof as to how much he loves you.
Mrs.
Morehouse, are you not well? If the dress was No.
No, Sara, the dress was lovely, truly.
And I'm fine.
Just a stream of emotions that I'm not accustomed to.
Robert left after the ceremony.
He never came home.
Oh, no.
Oh, no! We have a dead cop.
Do you think we're ever going to just away? We know you threatened to kill him if he went near your daughter again.
Do you hear that? Leave her alone! She's nothing to do with this! Please don't hit my father anymore.
He's been here all night.
Fiona, keep your mouth shut! He ain't your man.
There's a new gang in the Points.
Shut up! They'll kill us both.
Men can sometimes act out of fear.
Or anger.
You could not have done anything to anger him so.
You are clearly a good woman.
I can disappoint myself, at times.
We all make mistakes and the lure of those places can be strong on a man in a moment of weakness.
If it were up to me, I would raze the entire sixth ward.
Push it into the harbor and be done with it.
I must steel myself, go down, and retrieve my husband.
I'm sorry.
My problem are not yours.
Please, let me get you your money.
Listen Mrs.
Morehouse, a letter for you.
From Robert? No, ma'am.
Is everything all right? Yes.
A spark of good news amidst the madness.
We've found the plantation to which your mother was sold.
Listen, copper, leave my daughter be.
She's just a lass.
Shut your trap.
I'll catch up.
Ellen, wh what happened in here? Please, Kevin, promise me that child will not be allowed in this house again.
Damn it, Ellen, this enmity between the two of you No.
Do not place me beside that brat.
Annie stole Elizabeth Morehouse's diamond necklace.
I only tried to get it from her and And what? What did you do to send her off? Because I saw her running.
Straight to hell, I hope.
How can you not see the truth before you? She is a devious little demon.
No, she's a child who doesn't know what she's doing.
What is this, Kevin? She is not our Maggie.
You will watch what you say.
Annie is a tramp! If you were half the man you believe yourself to be, you'd worry about your wife, not that little beast.
I shouldn't have hit you.
Ellen.
Art.
Art and commerce That is the intersection where we function, Mr.
Maguire.
Fair enough.
Occasionally, bloodletting is part of the equation.
You performed admirably.
The murder of a copper cuts to the very depths of society, the structure of civilization, a direct assault on public security.
Are you familiar with Schopenhauer? Is he the man that sells that good schnitzel down on the bowery? Schopenhauer said that the world is driven by dissatisfied will, and that, to be truly happy, one must eschew desire.
I find that most men are incapable of such strong will and that makes me happy.
And rich.
Works of art, designed to facilitate commerce.
I want the two of you to go to the South street dock at 6:00.
There'll be new printing plates coming off the Belle Larue out of Marseille.
O'Rourke will fill you in on the details.
Done deal.
C'mon, kid.
That's for you.
Yeah.
Elizabeth Morehouse to see you.
Oh, is she looking for a job? You won't catch anything.
I run a clean joint.
I'm looking for my husband, Robert Morehouse.
Major Robert Morehouse.
I know that he sometimes drinks here.
Didn't you two get married just yesterday? Yes.
Yesterday.
I've heard of the seven-year itch.
This must be a world record, then.
I have money, lots of it, earned by honest endeavor.
Surely not earned by you.
As if it matters.
I can pay you for any information.
Spend your husband's money on a pinkerton to shadow him.
Or, better, put it towards lessons on how to keep the man happy.
Wives are like whores, with a marriage certificate.
Robert isn't here.
He hasn't been in ages.
You'd best go.
I found her with a bunch of young'uns over on Dover.
Got a mean right hook, she does.
A real hellion.
I don't know what Ellen told you, but she's a liar.
Mrs.
Morehouse gave me that necklace.
She was drunk, so she won't remember, but she gave it to me outright, I swear.
Shut up, child.
You know, and when your Ellen accused me I said, shut up! The Murphy girl's talkin'.
I'll be waitin' for ya.
You see that? I asked if you saw that.
Right this minute, I'm supposed to be tracking a murderer, a murderer who killed one of my men.
Instead, I'm sitting here with you, wondering what it's going to take for you to stop your bullshit.
- You know, Kevin - I offered you a chance to grow up right in a good home.
Another chance, and another goddamn chance, and, all those times, you could've told me "go to hell," because you continue your ways.
You pushed too far this time, Annie.
I don't know if I can fix this.
To be honest, I don't know if I want to fix it.
I don't know why I do what I do.
Please, don't give up on me yet.
If you do, I will just die.
Really, in this world, you're the only one who cares about me, Kevin.
I'm gonna do my job.
You sit here and do not move and, when I come back, we'll return this necklace to Mrs.
Morehouse.
Glynn! Stay with the child.
I'm not a babysitter.
No, you're a goddamn patrolman and I'm a goddamn detective.
So? Pa told me not to talk, but this new gang is trouble.
What can you tell us about 'em? They're makin' fake money.
Counterfeiters.
No, not counting money, they're making fake cash and passing it off as real.
That's what "counter feiting" is, girly.
Darlin', do you know any of these counterf these men that are making the money? Did you hear your dad say any names? Listen up, now you tell us their names, or we'll send you to the sisters of perpetual sorrow and they'll lock you up for life.
I swear, I don't know their names.
I only know they're workin' out of some dive in the neighborhood.
Christ.
There are more dives in Five Points than fleas on a corkman.
Good day.
First, my condolences, gentlemen.
There's nothing harder for a copper than losing one of their own in the line of duty.
We have buried far too many heroes in this war.
Amen to that.
On the way here, I noticed all the drinking and gaming spots are still operating full-throttle, Captain.
Well, sure, uh This neighborhood is fueled on secrets and lies.
Somebody out there killed Officer Byrnes.
Others know who that cretin is.
Well, logically speaking Shut every saloon, every rum den, every gaming joint, every whorehouse, then post a $200 reward for the killer.
Sir, those establishments all pay us for protection.
You make people bleed money! It's the only way to force Five Points into giving up her secrets.
Keating says these new plates, even the banker Chase won't be able to spot the fakes.
What's wrong with the ones we've been usin'? Ah, certain imperfections are becoming known to the banks and their agents.
It's all cat-and-mouse, but Keating would do anything to protect this batch.
The finest detail ever seen.
No one's going to be able to tell the difference.
Seems like a pretty keen fellow, this Keating, a real brain, like.
Matthew, you are a smart man.
You must realize that this trip is impossible for you.
I made the trip out of the South before.
I can do so again.
No! What if I lose you and my mama? I'll ride down to Virginia, locate your mother, and bring her to New York using contacts from the old underground rail road.
I don't want to be alone.
Now, it's enough to know that she is still alive.
Matthew, truly, it's enough.
You know it's not.
We'll discuss this later, when you've had time to think it over.
Only a jackass would think he could make that trip safely.
Day after your nuptials, and, yet, you stand before me.
I can only take that to portend one thing you successfully inveigled your husband not to testify.
Oh, my lord, I'm going to be a free man.
To go home, have a clean shirt, a bath, a slice of chess pie I salivate at the thought.
And then, afterwards, ohh, something else I desire to taste.
No, sir, you are wrong.
You will not see home, you will not taste southern cuisine, and you certainly will not touch me.
Ohh, now's not the time to be stupid.
You ridiculous, self-absorbed man.
The world is cracked in two.
I refuse to continue to be part of this game of deception.
I will not involve my husband in my mistakes and you will not become free of this jail.
You and I will not see one another again.
I'll send word to Mr.
Robert Morehouse of your involvement.
I have already informed my husband.
You were foolish once.
Don't be again.
I will confess of your involvement in the plot.
Elizabeth! Detective Corcoran of the Metropolitan police! This shithole is officially being closed by the city.
Hey, we pay every Tuesday, copper.
Yeah? Well, apparently, not enough.
That means move it! Get out! Go on! We're going.
Having a wee party out there, are ya, Corky? Get up and get out.
Now.
Me and you had many a jar in places like this over the years, Kevin Patrick Corcoran.
I'm done with you.
Irish dead, am I? You've got nothin' on me.
I went before a judge and was freed by the State of New York.
Exonerated, I was.
Not by me, you weren't.
Detective, I only stepped out for a second, I swear, and the girl, Annie, she sneaked out of the precinct.
Officer Kelly said she jumped in a carriage, headed uptown.
I'll be back before you close the next dive down.
I'm only going to lie to the bosses so many times for you, Kevin.
That's it, lads, anywhere.
What's this? Should I expect a flotilla of pirate ships? My dear Miss Heissen, haven't you heard? There's a hunt on for a cop-killer.
The Metropolitan police are closing down your competition, hoping to jog someone's memory or conscience.
And you're letting me stay open? Who likes to drink at home? In exchange for what? Information.
General Donovan, a whore is like a lawyer or priest we betray no confidences.
This is about Detective Corcoran.
Why is he so obsessed with a young girl named Annie Reilly? Something untoward about him I should know? Of all the men I know, Kevin is the least likely to have such tastes.
What he does have is a righteous streak.
Trying to save her soul, maybe his own.
Righteousness can be a very useful thing.
Or not.
When the dust clears on this cop-killing, several of the places shut up will not be allowed to reopen and my guess is that the business will migrate here.
Many high-stakes games, big money from uptown.
To what do I owe such kindness? Let's just say you and I make great business partners.
The world is our oyster, my dearest Eva.
Take care.
Kevin.
I'm just here to talk.
Got a few questions.
Has Annie been around? Are you serious? You travel all this way to ask after the very girl you threatened my life over? I have no interest in any interactions with that character.
I heard the two of you got along famously at your wedding.
One makes appearances when necessary.
Besides, she had no power to ruin my special day.
"Special"? While your husband spends your honeymoon in a brothel.
Perhaps he was distraught that his so-called best man couldn't be bothered to show for his wedding.
What now, Kevin, will you hold a knife to my throat? Or have you devised a new, more brutish, affectation? Send word if Annie shows up.
How long will you follow her path before you realize you've lost her? I may not be able to save Annie Reilly, but, I won't let you ruin Robert Morehouse as well.
If you see my husband, please tell him his supper will be waiting promptly at 5:00.
Let me tell you this damn world is a bigger ball of wax than you'll ever know.
Do yourself a favor, Jake don't deny it.
Embrace the itch.
Embrace it, Jake.
Embrace I'll be needing to pack for travel to Virginia as soon as possible.
Please prepare my steamer trunk and have Adam secure me a ticket.
Right away, Mrs.
Morehouse.
Tell him what you told me.
The killer is Francis Maguire.
I heard him admit the murder meself.
I swear! He stabbed the boy.
He's part of a counterfeiting ring.
You heard him say it or you saw him do it?! Detective! Take some boys and pick Maguire up.
Don't let anyone know why.
Tell him we have back pay for him, or something.
I don't want him running off.
You believe this sack of shite? Maguire was one of us.
So was Phinbar Byrnes.
I felt it necessary to thank you in person.
An act, a gift, this grand I'm unsure how we can express our gratitude for what you've done.
Sara, Matthew, I appreciate you coming uptown to give thanks, but your trip was unnecessary.
Nevertheless, we will find some way to repay you for this miracle that you've bestowed upon us, perhaps when I return.
Where are you headed? Tomorrow morn, I'm headed to Virginia to bring Sara's mother to New York.
Excuse my candid speech, Dr.
Freeman, but I thought you were an educated man.
A negro trying to break into the south in the middle of this war is madness.
And I take no offense, Mrs.
Morehouse, but I vowed that I'd bring my wife's mother home and that is what I intend to do.
No, you will not.
I have booked my passage to Virginia.
I will personally go to the plantation and Shepherd Sara's mother to your door.
Mrs.
Morehouse, that would be so Not needed.
Caucasian or negro, you men seem willing to risk anything, be it your marriages or your lives, rather than suffer a bruise to your pride.
No.
No, my word is final.
I will travel South and you will stay in New York and treat your patients.
You see? I'm already packed to go.
Family is all we have, Matthew.
Do not risk destroying yours.
And please know this journey is something I must do, as much for myself as for you and Sara.
Deliver the plates to Keating, as discussed.
No stopping, whatsoever.
Aye.
'Til tomorrow.
Francis.
Did you do it? Please tell me that you didn't, Francis.
We have the forger's plates.
Tell me you didn't kill Phinbar.
You going someplace? Some contracting business.
Make sure this gets to Miss Heissen.
Off to examine a marble quarry in Tuckahoe, of all godforsaken places.
Captain said you wanted to see me.
Let me be straight, Kevin.
As a young man, I learned, to become a powerful leader, one must maintain the institutions to which people are accustomed.
Something goes wrong, someone gets out of hand, you deal with the problem immediately.
But, sometimes, when a thing is broke, not fixing it is best.
Some things only get more broke when you try to fix them.
I thought you said you were going to be straight.
Men in power cannot afford to let a single incident become a crusade.
Emotions overwhelm intellect and then, well, chaos.
I need men around me who are focused on the greater good.
Can I trust you to be one of those men? You can.
I thought as much.
I appreciate you coming down here and having this chat.
All right, off to Tuckahoe.
The desk sergeant said I'd find you here.
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead.
I do believe I have drunk myself sober a rare feat.
What happened last night? You don't remember? You were barely coherent.
I made something out about Elizabeth and Kennedy.
Petty jealousy.
She commented in passing that Kennedy was handsome.
I was envious and drunk.
It snowballed into a fool's argument.
I've never known you to be the envious type.
You've never known me married.
Can I trust that what happened will remain private? Of course.
I must go back and practice my groveling.
This married business is hard labor.
Has he left, Mr.
Donovan? Yep.
They've arrested the cop-killer.
Who? Oh, I don't know the name, just that they're bringing him in now.
Corky.
Enough.
Get him a doctor.
But, detective Now! Francis killed a copper.
I looked at him in his cell, beaten and bloodied, guilty, and all I thought of was you.
You and him.
I can't do this anymore, whatever this is.
I've tried, but I I can't get past what happened.
You and Maguire and Maggie.
All I wanted was for things to be the way they were before, but, it ain't never gonna happen that way.
You'll be taken care of, I'll see to that, but I need to go.
That's what you said when you left us the first time.
You are dismissed, Corporal.
Elizabeth? Elizabeth?! Have you seen Mrs.
Morehouse? She left an hour ago, sir.
- Left for where? - Why, Virginia, sir.
I'll draw you a bath, sir.
You look like you need this.
I've got a new girl.
I could use some expert appraisal.
What's her name? Lola.
She's practically a virgin.
Lola! This is Detective Kevin Corcoran.
He's a friend of mine.
I'll be sure to treat him as one.
I'm telling you, Mr.
Keating, Maguire can't be trusted.
We should slip someone in there and kill him before he blows the whole operation wide open.
Maybe, like.
I think our Mr.
Maguire is made of stronger stuff.
Am I right, Mr.
O'Rourke? I heard he took a real whuppin' and we're still here, standin', not a copper in sight.
And? Where are my plates, O'Rourke? Them bastard cops grabbed them, along with our man Maguire.
Then we shall do what must be done! First thing, sunrise, we storm the precinct and get back what's mine! Good morning to all! What in the good hell?! Where are my printing plates, Captain Sullivan? The druids, they took over the precinct.
Get the hell off the street! Go! Go! Go! Well, for some of us, madness is the only place in which to make our fortunes.
If I had another option, any other, I wouldn't ask you to go in.
And Matthew, at ease in there.
Any wounded children? Not yet.
He wants mayhem let's give him mayhem.