Between Midnight and Dawn

A big city is full of people,

and some people are full of crime.

We know a lot about the big crime experts,

the mastermind detectives,

the nation-wide, hard-hitting FBI.

But before they reach the scene of a crime,

there are generally some other guys who get there first.

The men in prowl cars,

the radio patrol.

Their best weapons are a radio set and four wheels.

Their battleground is every city street.

Sometimes they win,

sometimes they lose.

For their kind of enemy never rests or surrenders.

Our story begins where most radio call activity usually begins,

in the nerve centre of Headquarters,

the Communications Division.

"18, one-eight.

"4120 Crenten.

"4120 Crenten.

"See the woman. Keep the peace."

All units, stolen car, in the four column.

1-8 X-ray 4-6-6.

'48 Buick sedan, grey. Licence again, 1-8 X-ray 4-6-6.

Heavy evening so far.

Two disturbing-the-peace calls, and one drunk arrest.

I don't know whether I can stand it.

The night's still fresh. Don't give up yet.

Let's knock off and get a cup of coffee, huh, Dan?

How about covering the territory for a while?

Just out of curiosity.

Once, Daniel, I'd like to see you relax a little on duty.

I have to set a good example for you, Junior.

Don't forget I'm trying to make a policeman out of you someday.

Give me a flash when you figure I've made it, will ya?

13, one-three, 286 Tremont.

Possible 459 suspects. Code 2.

Two men at rear of garage, there now.

Looks like I spoke a little too soon.

13, Roger, 13, Roger.

That's Tremont. 286 should be halfway down the block.

Uh-huh.

There's a car down there. Maybe a lookout. Get set.

Set, buddy.

- (GASPS) - Get out.

You too.

I wouldn't do that.

- You heard him. - Come on.

What are you waitin' for? Get out.

What are you trying to blast the horn for?

Your boyfriends around here on a caper?

We ain't with any guys.

We were just sittin' there thinkin' of somethin' to do.

Yeah, well, sit in our car and do your thinking.

- Oh, but, Officer, we didn't... - All right, later, later. Come on, get in.

Come on.

Car 13.

On that 459 call to 286 Tremont Street.

Picked up two female suspects.

Investigating two male suspects.

Need another car. On Code 2.

13, Roger.

- I'll take a look in the front door, Pappy. - Watch your step.

You guys are crazy.

We weren't doin' nothin', and we ain't with no guys.

Your girlfriend seems kinda worried about something.

So she's afraid of cops.

So what's that prove?

I'll tell ya later.

- Hi, Dan. - Hey, Charlie.

You watch these girls, will ya?

Looks like their boyfriends are on a job around here.

Knock off, copper, I tell you you're crazy.

I don't see anything, but the night light's been turned off.

Eddie, you cover the front of the building.

Barnes and I'll go around the rear.

Ah, my hand!

My hand!

Get back up against the wall,

or you'll get the next one in the head!

Danny, he's comin' down your way!

Hey!

All right, you're lucky your brains aren't splattered all over the sidewalk.

- You all right, Rocky? - Yeah, fine, fine.

Huh. Couple of sophomores, huh?

Come on, get goin'.

13. 459 suspects in custody.

13, Alpha Receiving Hospital.

How old are you?

What's your name?

Come on, you heard him, what's your name?

His driver's license says Joe Nardy.

Book him that way until we run a make on his prints.

Oh, stop blubbering.

This cutie was wearin' a fancy hairpin tucked away in that bun.

They both claim they're seventeen. We'll take 'em to Juvenile.

Oh please, Officer!

Please, I've never been in trouble before!

My ma'll kill me! She'll kill me!

Well, you're in trouble now, sister. Should've thought of that

before you started running around with these hoodlums.

Are you going to put us in jail?

- Uh-huh. - Oh no! No, don't!

No, please, I don't wanna go to jail!

No, I didn't do anything!

I don't wanna go to jail!

101, assist 103 at 722 South Anaheim.

A major 415.

You know, I felt sorry for that kid,

the one that was doing all the blubbering.

She was really scared.

They're all scared the first time they're caught.

Another year, she'll be packing a shiv,

ready to stick it in somebody's gut if she has to.

Maybe your gut.

Still don't get this Jekyll and Hyde twist.

Purvis, the big-hearted nice-guy civilian.

Purvis the tough cop, mow 'em down, don't give 'em a second chance.

Wait till you've had your fill of the scum.

Slugging, knifing...

Shooting holes in decent people.

You'll toughen up, Junior.

Maybe. They can't all be wrong, all the way through.

You gotta look inside.

Maybe some of them rate a second chance.

I can read 'em from the outside.

And I haven't been wrong yet.

18, one-eight.

2416 Hall Street.

See the man. Keep the peace.

There she is, right on schedule at 10:31.

Here we go again.

14, call your station.

Ah, get those velvet tones, restful and lovin'.

That's what you said the first time you heard Tokyo Rose.

So I can't be wrong twice, can I?

I tell you, we've gotta find out who this girl is.

We don't have to find out anything.

You start hanging around Communications,

you'll find yourself walkin' a beat somewhere.

She's got a nice voice, and that's probably as far as it goes.

Unit on Frequency 4, will you repeat, please?

You know the trouble with you, Pappy?

You've got no imagination.

Till I see this girl myself, I won't believe that this voice

doesn't go with a real charmer.

13, one-three, 246 Union Street.

A 415.

See the man about unknown trouble.

13, Roger!

Take it easy, take it easy. What's the trouble, Romano?

What's the matter, you no smell a stinkin' bomb?

They threw a stink bomb right in through my beautiful window!

My customers, they have to... to get out!

- Who threw the bomb, Romano? - Oh, somebody, some, er...

Anybody know what she's talkin' about?

- She's telling him to shut up. - That's right.

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

Anyone here see who threw the bomb?

I see a man walk in, go in the back room with Romano.

And, right after, the bomb came through the window.

What'd the man look like?

Oh, I was eating, I pay no attention.

Uh-huh. Come on over here, Romano. I wanna have a little talk with you.

- (BOTH ARGUING IN ITALIAN) - Come on, break it up, will ya?

All right. Listen now, Romano. Don't be afraid. Tell the truth.

One of Garris' boys come around,

try to sell you their Western Linen Supply Service?

Garris? Nobody sellin' me nothin'. I see nobody!

Guy was standing behind you when he messed your kisser up like that, huh?

I run into the door when the bomb smash my window.

- Door, huh? - All right, Romano,

but you'll have to come down to the station, make a report about it.

We'll see you there in a few minutes.

I make a report, but I don't see who done it!

- Yeah, yeah. - (ARGUING IN ITALIAN)

- 13. Got another one, Pappy? - Yeah.

On that 415 on Union Street. Handled.

13, clear. KMA 367.

I don't know what the idea is of sending Romano down the station.

He won't make a complaint, we're licked.

He may get guts enough to identify the guy

when he sees him in custody in Headquarters.

And who are we gonna take into custody?

Playin' a hunch.

We're going to take a little ride over to Garris' Starlight Club.

Might be able to hang a rap on one of his boys.

Good deal, Pappy.

Garris' Lincoln hasn't been out.

The convertible's still hot.

I figured Quist would be our boy.

Give me a hand with the front seat, Danny.

Uh-huh.

That's a coincidence. Couple of stink bombs.

Hey, have you seen Quist around?

Oh, I think he's in the office. Right around the corner.