Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 1, Episode 1 — Payback
Original Air Date September 20, 1999 Writer Dick Wolf Director Jean de Segonzac
CastDetective Elliot Stabler Chris Meloni Detective Olivia Benson Mariska Hargitay Captain Don Cragen Dann Florek Detective John Munch Richard Belzer Detective Brian Cassidy Dean Winters Detective Monique Jeffries Michelle Hurd
Guest StarsAnya Rugova Gordana Rashovich Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers Leslie Hendrix Mr. Dupree Mark Zimmerman Art Gallery Owner Ronald Guttman Serena Benson Elizabeth Ashley Mrs. Panacek Tina Benko ADA Abbie Carmichael Angie Harmon Jerry Kleinert Ned Eisenberg Marta Stevens Mili Avital Frank Bremmer P.J. Brown Taxi Driver Ramsey Faragallah Waitress Rebecca Prosecutor Angela Bullock Robert Stevens Mark Nelson Nicholas Stevens Bergman Victor Spicer Matt Skollar Aunt Jushari Irma St. Paule Ileana Jushari Sevanne Martin Policeman Daniel Bess Judge Elizabeth Masullo Judy Del Giudice Mr. Kloster Bill Driscoll Farley Vivian Nesbitt Detective Ken Briscoe Chris Orbach Kathy Stabler Isabel Gillies
(Scene opens with Benson and Stabler arriving at the crime scene. It's dark and raining.)
Stabler
Sex Crimes.Benson
Olivia Benson.Stabler
Elliot Stabler.Bremmer
Frank Bremmer, two-seven. A white male, mid-30s. Multiple stab wounds. $40 left in the cigar box. Hack license made out to Victor Spicer. 12 more dollars in the wallet — it was in his pants — no ID.Stabler
Okay, so it's not a robbery, but stabbings aren't necessarily sexual. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Is there a specific reason you called us out?Bremmer
Whoever did this sliced off his “cigar” and took it with 'em. Is that specific enough?(Stabler and Benson both look at the victim and then at each other.)
Benson
Works for me.
Opening Credits
(Camera follows Cassidy as he pushes open the doors of the squadroom.)
Cassidy
Sorry I'm late.Cragen
I just talked to Van Buren over at the two-seven. She wants copies of all our paperwork since they rolled on this. Where are we?Stabler
Autopsy this afternoon.Cragen
Yeah? Who's cutting?Benson
Rodgers.Jeffries
Doesn't sound like there's much doubt on the COD.Munch
Do you think your conclusional pole vaults are personality- or gender-driven?Jeffries
I don't know, John. What about “deductively logical”?Munch
Oh, really?Jeffries
Mm-hmm.Munch
I had what looked like a stabbing once, in Baltimore. Turns out some guy who was getting divorced drank drain cleaner, and when his soon-to-be unmarried widow discovered him dead — no alimony — she stabbed him 15 times out of pique.(Ken Briscoe walks into the squad room)
Briscoe
Captain?Cragen
What?Briscoe
Desk sergeant just got a call for a Sex Crimes detective at the 96th Street IRT.Cragen
Why?Briscoe
Some guy molesting a dead body.Cragen
Oh, that is just terrific... Who's up?Cassidy
Me and Munch.Cragen
Well listen, I think a dead molestee can be handled by one detective. Cassidy, you go. Munch, give Stabler and Benson the benefit of your vast puncture wound experience.Cassidy
Uh, sir, if the body's dead, is that considered a sex crime?Cragen
Just go. You know, investigate, interrogate, write up a DD5.Benson
(hands Munch some papers)
Why don't you follow up with the cab company? 'Cause the night guy didn't have a home address on the vic. I'll do the hack bureau.Munch
What about your erstwhile partner?Stabler
Oh, I'd love to, John, but my presence is required in court this morning.Cassidy
I read about it on the news — it's the city councilman, right?Stabler
“Wienie wagger”.
SUPREME COURT
PART 72
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Jerry Kleinert
Detective Stabler... you previously testified that when you first approached the defendant in the park, he was feeding the pigeons. Is that correct?Stabler
That's correct.Jerry Kleinert
And the zipper on Mr. Kloster's pants was closed?Stabler
At that time, yes.Jerry Kleinert
So, to your personal knowledge, Mr. Kloster's pants have never been unzipped in public?Stabler
Well, you got me there, counselor, 'cause he didn't flash me.Jerry Kleinert
Then why did you arrest him?Stabler
Because two women had stopped my car and told me the defendant had been exposing himself.Jerry Kleinert
So you arrested my client based solely on their uncorroborated accusations?Stabler
That and the fact that I've known both women for five years, yes.Jerry Kleinert
So you know them well?Stabler
Yes.Jerry Kleinert
Intimately?Stabler
Don't be ridiculous. We're neighbors.Jerry Kleinert
You're a member of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, is that correct?Stabler
Yes, it is.Jerry Kleinert
And this unit is referred to, in the police department, as the “Sex Crimes Unit”?Stabler
That's correct, yes.Jerry Kleinert
Are you obsessed with sex, Detective?Prosecutor
Objection.Judge Elizabeth Masullo
Sustained.Jerry Kleinert
This is an all-volunteer unit, isn't that correct?Stabler
Yes, it is.Jerry Kleinert
Could you tell the court why you volunteered?Stabler
I requested the assignment because sexually-based crimes are a major law enforcement problem.Jerry Kleinert
So you see yourself as the “Ken Starr” of the NYPD?Stabler
Hardly. I think sex should be one of the best parts of life, not the worst. I do see myself as the father of four children, none of whom I'd like exposed to Mr. Kloster's...shortcomings.Kloster
Shortcomings! Shortcomings?!!
(Stands, unzips his pants, and proceeds to expose himself to the courtroom.)
Shortcomings my ass, you putzhead!Judge Elizabeth Masullo
Order! Order!Kloster
Look at that! “Shortcomings,” huh? Take a look! Look at it!
(Stabler enters the squadroom. Benson is sharpening a pencil)
Benson
Hey, how'd it go?Stabler
He's in Bellevue.Benson
The jury came back that fast?Stabler
He waved his flag at 'em before they had a chance... Nobody saluted.Benson
Okay. Well, unfortunately, our homicide isn't gonna close as fast. We have a little problem.Stabler
Okay, shoot.Benson
I went down to the hack bureau. Our dead guy, Victor Spicer, his license was suspended when he got 11 months for assault.Stabler
And...Benson
He's still in Rikers.
(Cut to Cragen offering Benson and Stabler some licorice — they both refuse.)
Cragen
You can't trust the computers. They get backed up and don't input the releases.Benson
That's why I talked to the watch captain and had him check personally. Spicer's still there.Cragen
Why is this ours?
(He takes a bite of the licorice.)Stabler
The doer sliced off the vic's unit.(Shot of Cragen spitting the licorice out into his hand.)
Benson
I pulled Spicer's sheet — prostitution, soliciting, petty theft. He also managed to get two of his clients arrested — both married.Cragen
So he's scum — but he's not dead scum, so who's the stiff?Benson
Well, according to his hack license, he's Victor Spicer. There's no other ID on the body or in the cab.(Shot of Cragen examining the hack license with a magnifying glass. He then looks at Benson and Stabler through the magnifying glass.)
Stabler
(leans over and whispers to Benson)
Police work.(Cragen sees this and pulls out a pocket knife)
Cragen
The seam's uneven.
(He cuts open the plastic covering the license, revealing a picture of the real Victor Spicer under the picture of the victim.)
I would take a ride over to Rikers, and see if Mr. Spicer thinks he has any enemies.Benson
Okay.(The detectives turn and walk out of Cragen's office)
Cragen
Your welcome.
RIKERS ISLAND
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
(Scene opens with Victor Spicer being led into the Rikers interrogation room — Benson and Stabler are waiting for him)
Spicer
Going home maybe?Guard
Get in there!Spicer
Ooh, cops. Why?Stabler
You're looking awfully good there for a dead man, Victor.Spicer
Meaning?Stabler
Meaning somebody killed you in your cab last night.Spicer
Before or after I went dancing?Benson
Question — who'd want to cut your penis off?Spicer
Take a number.Stabler
The victim was using your license. He had a wife, a little kid.Spicer
Yeah?Stabler
Yeah.Spicer
So?Stabler
So, how about a name? We'll have you out clubbing for the weekend.Spicer
Yeah, I sold the license to a guy. Right before I went in — a hundred bucks. I don't know his name.Benson
Well, you're going to have to do better than that if you want us to help you out.Spicer
Yeah, yeah, it was on Broadway — right near the 125th Street El. That's right, that's right — the guy had the kid with him. I don't know — four, maybe five.Stabler
So you walk up to a guy on the street — on Broadway — in broad daylight, he gives you 100 bucks, you give him your hack license?Spicer
A foreign gentleman at a coffee shop I frequent set it up, okay?Benson
Names.Spicer
43rd and 11th — “Cabbie's Place.” I don't know his name.(Benson, looking clearly annoyed, throws down her pen and pushes away her notebook.)
Spicer
Oh, the guy — the guy — the guy on Broadway had groceries. He must have lived around there.(Spicer turns to Stabler.)
Spicer
Hey, you doing anything Saturday night?
(Blows a kiss at Stabler.)Stabler
Oh, I'd hurt you.
(Cut to Benson and Stabler pulling into a parking lot in front of “Cabbie's Place”.)
Benson
Patrol sergeants are distributing the vic pic in the two-three and the two-seven. They'll hit every apartment within 10 blocks of Sarabeth's.
(Both getting out of the car.)
This guy's wife must be going nuts, and Missing Persons won't even take the report for another two days.Stabler
Bigger question — who was supposed to get sliced and diced? Spicer or the mystery man?Benson
Spicer's the one who said “Take a number.”
(Inside “Cabbie's Place”.)
Waitress
BLT, down hash with eyes, burn it.Stabler
Could we talk to you for a minute?Waitress
I'm kind of busy here. Hack bureau?Stabler
Police.Waitress
Oh. What's up?Benson
Have you ever seen this guy?
(Shows her a copy of Spicer's hack license.)Waitress
Yeah, but he hasn't been in in months.Benson
Do you remember his name?Waitress
Umm, Victor.Benson
(holding up a picture of the victim)
What about this one? Has he been in?Waitress
Yeah, he's a regular, comes in about midnight. He was here last night.Stabler
Got a name for him?Waitress
Now that's weird — Victor.(Bell rings.)
Waitress
Excuse me.
(Turns to the kitchen)
Jesus, I said, “corny on pump.” This is rye.(Jesus swears in Spanish.)
Waitress
Do you know what it's like never hearing English?Benson
Hey listen, did you ever talk to “Victor number two”?Waitress
Almost every night for the last couple of months.Stabler
Oh, yeah? What about?Waitress
Traffic, weather, his kid — why?Benson
Somebody killed him in his cab last night.Waitress
This city sucks.
(Turns to the kitchen)
Can I have my sandwiches, please?
(Cut to Benson and Stabler leaving the diner.)
Benson
It's pretty easy to become a cab driver. If he had to buy a hack license, then he's probably here illegally.Stabler
No green card, no hack license —Taxi Driver
(running after Benson and Stabler)
Wait, wait! Peggy told me Victor was killed?Stabler
(Benson holds up both pictures)
Which Victor?Taxi Driver
(blows off picture of Victor Spicer)
Who would care about him?Benson
(holds up picture of victim)
You know his real name?Taxi Driver
Steven.Benson
What was his last name?Taxi Driver
I never asked. I just saw him last night.Stabler
What time?Taxi Driver
Around midnight, I guess. Yes, he was coming out as I was going in, and a couple of ladies hailed him.Benson
Could you identify them?Taxi Driver
It was very dark.Stabler
Did they see you?Taxi Driver
They must have — we were in the light. He was just crazy about his little boy. His wife is pregnant. They just found out.
(Cut to Munch knocking on the door to Cragen's office.)
Munch
Your dead taxi driver? Cab dispatcher finally called — said he got a call last week asking if Victor Spicer was one of their drivers and what time he worked.Stabler
Male or female?Munch
He wasn't sure. He said the voice was too high for a guy, and too deep for a woman.
(Reaches to pick up a Krispy Kreme donut)Cragen
(shot of him holding a half-eaten donut)
Aren't these fabulous?(Munch puts the donut back.)
Benson
Okay, you guys... this poor guy is butchered and mutilated and whoever did it thought they were killing that “disco queen” in Rikers.Cragen
Okay, Olivia — let's just say the vic had the misfortune of buying the wrong hack license, and Spicer's the target. Who wanted him dead?Munch
Whoever called the dispatcher.Stabler
Wow.(phone rings)
Benson
Nice. Good stuff. You keep that up.Cragen
Mm-hmm.
(Writing on a piece of paper)
Great.
(Hangs up the phone)
Uniform just got a hit on your vic, 687 West 123rd — a Steven Panacek.Stabler
Thanks.
(Pats Munch on the arm as he leaves Cragen's office)
Thanks.Munch
It never stops.
(Taps his head and turns to Cragen)
You know, they have more varieties than that.(Cragen throws a piece of paper at Munch, hitting him in the back, as he leaves the office.)
Policeman
Apartment 1B, but nobody's home.Stabler
Thanks a lot. Good job, guys.Benson
(Looks over and sees a woman with a bag of groceries walking with her son)
Hey, it's the kid in the picture.Stabler
You got the Victim Services cards?Benson
Yeah.Stabler
Mrs. Panacek?Mrs. Panacek
Yes?Stabler
Hi, I'm Detective Stabler, this is Detective Benson.Mrs. Panacek
What's happened to Steven?Benson
Mrs. Panacek —Mrs. Panacek
What — what, was he in an accident? I mean, what hospital is he in? Can I — ?
(Sees the looks on Benson and Stabler's faces and realizes what they are trying to tell her)
Oh, no. Oh God, no!
(Drops her groceries. Her knees are weak and she begins to fall, but Stabler catches her.)
Oh my God, no! Oh, God! Why? Why Steven?!
(Cut to Stabler sitting in a chair with Mrs. Panacek's son on his lap — the boy is reading a book aloud. Benson is sitting at the table and talking with Mrs. Panacek.)
Benson
He was here illegally, wasn't he?
(Shot of Mrs. Panacek quietly crying)
Mrs. Panacek...?Mrs. Panacek
What difference does that make now?Benson
Don't you want us to find out who did this?Mrs. Panacek
Yes.
(sobbing)Benson
What nationality was he?Mrs. Panacek
He was Czech.Benson
When were you married?Mrs. Panacek
Almost five years ago. Steven never applied for residency. He talked to an immigration lawyer, and he said they would deport him.Panacek's Son
(reading)
“With all of his strength, he burst into the haunted house.”
(reading continues)Benson
(handing Mrs. Panacek a card)
Talk to Victim Services. They can be very helpful.Mrs. Panacek
Thank you.Benson
I'm so sorry.Mrs. Panacek
Thank you.
(Mrs. Panacek's son runs over to her and gives her a hug)
Oh my baby, my baby.Stabler
(walks behind Mrs. Panacek and leans over to talk to her)
I'm so sorry for your loss.Mrs. Panacek
Thank you.
(Cut to the detectives in the squad room.)
Stabler
(On the phone)
That's great. Thanks a lot. Yep, bye.
(Hangs up the phone, turns to Cragen.)
That was the M.E. The stab wounds? 37 of 'em.Cragen
Wow.Stabler
It still reads “gay” to me.Jeffries
(Hands Stabler a piece of paper)
You got a fax.Cragen
Panacek's prints are clean here, right?Stabler
Yes.Cragen
So let's do this by the numbers. He's illegal, send a set to Interpol, too.Stabler
Forensics report.Cragen
What?Stabler
They found part of a fingernail in the front seat of the cab... with red nail polish on it.Benson
Dispatcher said it may have been a woman who called about Spicer.Cragen
Kind of undercuts your gay theory, huh?Stabler
Could be a he-she.Cragen
Didn't two of Spicer's married johns take a bust?Stabler
Yeah.Benson
Yeah, about six months ago — Vice was targeting the piers.Cragen
I'm sure their wives must have been thrilled.(Munch chuckles.)
Cragen
(turns to Munch)
What are you doing?Munch
Eavesdropping.Cragen
Good, you're up to speed. What do you say you go interrogate a husband?Munch
Anyone in particular?Stabler
(clearly amused, hands some papers to Munch)
Enjoy yourself.
DUPREE INVESTMENT GROUP
72 CEDAR STREET
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Mr. Dupree
I already paid my fine. Do you have any idea how many problems that arrest caused me? What are you doing here now?Munch
When you were arrested, you were with a male prostitute named Victor Spicer.Mr. Dupree
I know who Spicer is. I don't have anything to do with Spicer.Cassidy
Somebody tried to kill him last night.Mr. Dupree
What are you saying? You think it was me? I wouldn't go near that animal!Cassidy
Calm down.Munch
We just want to ask a few questions about your wife.Mr. Dupree
What is wrong with you people? You leave my wife out of this! Don't you go near her!
(pushes Munch; Cassidy grabs him and pushes him against the car)Cassidy
Whoa, hey, hey! Are you out of your mind, huh? You want to be arrested again?!Mr. Dupree
No, no!Cassidy
Then you answer my partner's questions.Mr. Dupree
(clutching his shoulder)
I got a bad rotator cuff.Munch
Just tell us where your wife was last night and we'll be out of here.Mr. Dupree
In her wheelchair.
(Munch and Cassidy look at each other)
She's a paraplegic. Why do you think I was in the back seat of a taxi when I was busted by the damn sex police?Munch
Good question — if it was a female prostitute.Mr. Dupree
(looks at Cassidy)
Oh, you enjoy this, do you?Cassidy
Yeah.Mr. Dupree
(looks at Munch)
Is this how you get your rocks off?Cassidy
Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Dupree.
(Cut to Benson and Stabler in the “Lip” art gallery)
Art Gallery Owner
Unfortunately, Spicer is a disgusting little piece of street meat, but he has an extraordinarily gifted orifice in the middle of his face.Stabler
Know anybody who would want to kill him?Art Gallery Owner
I'm sure there are a whole host of candidates.Benson
Like your wife, maybe?Art Gallery Owner
(laughs)
I know you'll find this hard to believe, Detectives, but I really have nothing to hide. My sexual predilections may not be known to the readers of “Page Six,” but they're certainly known to my friends, and my wife.Stabler
Just for the record, where was she last night?Art Gallery Owner
My wife?Stabler
Yes.Art Gallery Owner
You're joking.Benson
No, we're not.Art Gallery Owner
My wife's bisexual, but she prefers women.Stabler
Oh, how lucky for her.Art Gallery Owner
We have a very civilized relationship.Stabler
So you won't mind telling us where she was, say 1 a.m. this morning?Art Gallery Owner
At a restaurant — Elaine's — with me and four very good friends.
(snaps his fingers and motions for his assistant to get him something to write on)
Thank you.
(writing on the card)(Benson and Stabler look at each other)
Art Gallery Owner
Her name is Clarissa...
(hands Benson the card and looks her up and down)
and you should give her a call.(Benson takes the card and smiles)
(Cut to Munch, Cragen, and Cassidy eating lunch in Cragen's office.)
Munch
(pacing)
A military plane drops JFK's coffin into 9,000 feet of water three years after the assassination. You don't find that suggestive, perhaps even a tad bit disquieting?Cassidy
(clearly disinterested)
No.Munch
No? The Justice Department waits 33 years before they impart this tidbit on the American people, and then they say they did it because it wasn't evidence?! What are you sheep? Will you believe anything?!Cassidy
(sounds like a sheep's “baa)
Nah.Jeffries
(Jeffries enters)
Hey, you guys going to eat all this?
(points to the Chinese food on the table)Munch
Suppose we say yes?Jeffries
Suppose I'm just being polite?Munch
That'll be a first.Cassidy
It's cool — John doesn't eat vegetables.Jeffries
Yeah?
(looks at Munch)
The way I heard, that's not the only thing John never gets to — uh... eat.
(walks out, Chinese food in hand)Cassidy
Ouch.Cragen
Speaking of DOJ, you guys see the fax from the Feebs?Cassidy
Internet pedophilia?Cragen
Innocent Images squad. They're requesting anything we come across goes to Baltimore field office.Munch
No way. I'm never setting foot in the city of Baltimore again, as long as I'm on this mortal sphere.Cassidy
Why? You're rich, did your 20, got your pension and you're on the job here.Munch
I earned that pension with the sweat of my mind, while surrounded by intellectual insects. Not to mention the fact that I lost a wife after less than one night of connubial bliss to someone who was not only another detective, but a member of my own squad.(Stabler walks in, looking down at a piece of paper in his hand)
Munch
What's that?Stabler
(hands the paper to Cragen)
Take a look at that — fingerprint check on Panacek... I'd say that gives us a whole different kind of motive.Cragen
See if any of the victims are in the New York area. Your partner may not like this.Stabler
Why? It's a murder investigation.Cragen
Yeah, yeah, it is. Just don't let her forget we don't get to pick the vic.(Cassidy looks at Munch, confused about the content of the conversation)
Munch
(looking a little annoyed)
Are we missing some key piece of information here?Cragen & Stabler
Shut up, John!Stabler
It's not going to be a problem.Cragen
There can't be a problem, if she wants to be in this unit.Cassidy
(throws a fortune cookie to Munch)
There you go.Munch
(breaks open the cookie and reads the fortune aloud)
“You are admirable, for you remain firm, even when troubled by personal relationships.” Yeah, right. That's great.
(throws down the fortune)
(Cut to Stabler and Benson talking)
Stabler
Steven Panacek wasn't Steven Panacek.Benson
Okay, first he wasn't Victor Spicer, now he's not Steven Panacek. So who the hell was he?Stabler
Stefan Tanzic.Benson
Am I supposed to recognize the name?Stabler
He's a Serb — he's under indictment for war crimes.Benson
What did he do?Stabler
He commanded an ethnic cleansing unit.Benson
(getting upset)
He was a rapist?Stabler
Indicted, not convicted.Benson
How many women?Stabler
67.Benson
(very upset)
How many are still alive?Stabler
We got 15 — five here in the New York area.
OFFICE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Rodgers
I called you back because the shape of some of the wounds was bothering me, so I went back and made some additional measurements. Width of entry and depth of penetration varied over different parts of the body.Benson
(circling the body)
Can't that be accounted for by the fact that he was struggling?Rodgers
Some of them were made by a blade with a serrated edge, some of them were clean.
(looks at Benson, then at Stabler)
I hate to complicate your lives, but you're looking for more than one killer.
(Cut to the detectives knocking on Mrs. Panacek's door)
Mrs. Panacek
Have you found out something?Stabler
Can we come in?Mrs. Panacek
Yeah, of course.
(opens the door to allow the detectives to enter)Stabler
Mrs, Panacek, is your son home?Mrs. Panacek
No, no, he's at preschool.Benson
You lied to me yesterday.Mrs. Panacek
Excuse me?Benson
Your husband wasn't a Czech. He was a Serb.Mrs. Panacek
I — I really don't see what that has to do with anything...Benson
He was also under indictment as a war criminal.Mrs. Panacek
Look, that was just politics.Stabler
If you want to catch your husband's killers, we're going to need all of the information.Benson
This goes way beyond just politics, and I can see from your face that you know what he did.Mrs. Panacek
(clearly upset)
You don't know anything. Steven was a wonderful man. He was the greatest father I've ever seen.Benson
Let me ask you a question. What was it like sleeping with somebody, who raped dozens of defenseless, terrified women?Mrs. Panacek
(yelling)
My husband is dead!Benson
(yelling as Stabler steps in between the two)
And you know why!Mrs. Panacek
(yelling)
Just get out! Go, get out of my house!
(sobbing)
No!
(Cut to Benson and Stabler leaving Mrs. Panacek's building)
Stabler
Well, that's the dumbest move I've ever seen you make.Benson
She wasn't going to be of any help.Stabler
Well, no, not now.Benson
Not ever! She knew what he was!Stabler
If she drops a dime on you, you're out walking the beat. You just verbally harassed the wife of a murder victim.Benson
She lied to a police officer. If anything, she's guilty of obstruction.Stabler
You know, you're on very thin ice right now.Benson
How's that?Stabler
Cragen's already worried about your objectivity on this.Benson
Fine, let him take me off the case.Stabler
You don't want to do that.Benson
What is that supposed to mean?Stabler
It means you take yourself off this case, you're taking yourself out of the unit. “We don't get to pick the vic.” His words, not mine.Benson
I'm a good cop, Elliot.Stabler
Yeah, I know.
(Cut to next day, Aunt Jushari is showing Benson and Stabler to the back yard of Illeana Jushari's residence.)
Benson
(To Aunt Jushari)
Thank you.
(walking over to young woman seated with her back facing the camera)
Ileana Jushari.Ileana Jushari
(looks up)
Who is that?Stabler
(holding up badge)
We're police off —(Shot of Ileana Jushari's face. Her eyes have been scratched out, and there are scars on her face)
Benson
(Upset by what she sees, she gently pushes Stabler's hand down)
Did you know Stefan Tanzic?Ileana Jushari
(becomes very upset and frightened and starts to cry)
He is the one who did this to me!
(reaches up to her face)(Benson and Stabler look at each other)
Benson
(leans down to say something to Jushari)
I just want you to know, he's dead.Ileana Jushari
(a wave of relief sweeps across her face)
Allah Akbar!
(silently weeps)
(Cut to Stabler waiting while Benson throws up behind a building)
Stabler
(goes to open the car door for Benson)
Remember that Tom Hanks movie where he managed the girls' team? “There's no crying in baseball.”
(hands Benson a piece of gum)
Maybe I should talk to Cragen.Benson
Look, Ileana Jushari is physically incapable of killing that pig. So, who's next?
(puts the gum in her mouth and gets in the car)
(Cut to the Stevens' household)
Robert Stevens
Marta's my wife. Why do you want to talk to her?Benson
Can you tell us where she is?Robert Stevens
She works at Fellowes & Kinsolving. She's an architect. What's this about?Stabler
What time will you be expecting her about?Robert Stevens
It varies. She's working on a project.Stabler
(reaching into his coat for a card)
Well, I'll tell you what, why don't you have her give us a call when she gets in?Nicholas Stevens
Daddy, can I stop yet?Robert Stevens
(picks up his son)
Okay. Say hi.Nicholas Stevens
Hi.
(waves at the detectives)(Close-up of Nicholas reveals that he resembles Stefan Panacek more than Robert Stevens. Both Benson and Stabler see the resemblance)
Stabler
Hi.Benson
Hi.
(amazed at the resemblance, whispers)
Wow.Nicholas Stevens
(talking to his father)
Want to go to the park?Robert Stevens
In a minute.
(turns to detectives)
Is there anything else?Benson
Uh, Mr. Stevens, how long have you been married?Robert Stevens
(looks at Nicholas)
Go change your clothes, okay?
(puts Nicholas down and waits until he is out of earshot)
A little over a year — I'm Nicky's stepfather. My wife's first husband died.
(Cut to Stabler and Benson leaving the Stevens' building, obviously affected by what they have just seen.)
Benson
Stefan Tanzic's the father of that boy.Stabler
Yeah.
(seeing the look on Benson's face)
That doesn't change anything.Benson
I'm on the job, Elliot.Stabler
I knew you would be.(Benson seems to be handling this new information well, Stabler is happy.)
Stabler
(looks at his watch)
I got a conference with one of my daughter's teachers. You want me to drop you?Benson
Um, I'm just gonna walk this off.Stabler
Okay, see you.(Camera follows Benson as she starts walking, clearly more upset than she let on to her partner. She stops, thinking about something, and then makes a phone call.)
Benson
(on her cell phone)
Yeah, I need an address.
FELLOWES & KINSOLVING
712 EAST 56TH STREET
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
(Opens to Benson walking up the stairs, following another woman)
Woman
She's over there.
(points to a work space)Benson
Thank you.Woman
Mm-hmm.Benson
(walks over to the work space)
Marta Stevens?Marta Stevens
Yes?Benson
Detective Olivia Benson, New York City Police Department.Marta Stevens
(clearly nervous)
How can I help you?Benson
Just want to talk to you for a minute. Is there someplace more private?Marta Stevens
Yeah.(Marta leads Benson to an area on the other side of the room)
Marta Stevens
(turns to Benson)
What's this about?Benson
I just wanted to ask you a few questions. Would you mind letting me look at your hands, please?(Close-up of Marta's hands)
Benson
Can you flip them over please?
(looks up at Marta)
I think you know why I'm here.Marta Stevens
No, I have no idea.Benson
No idea?Marta Stevens
No.Benson
Stefan Tanzic was the father of your son.Marta Stevens
No, Robert is Nicky's father.Benson
And I'm sure a very good one... Where were you Tuesday night?Marta Stevens
(it is obvious that she is lying)
Right here. I have a presentation on Friday, why?Benson
How late were you here?Marta Stevens
Late — Very late — like, maybe 1:00.Benson
Was there anybody else here with you?Marta Stevens
No, I was the last to leave. Why are you asking me these questions?Benson
Stefan Tanzic was murdered Tuesday night.Marta Stevens
(clearly unaffected by the news)
Oh, I didn't know he was in New York.Benson
He was stabbed to death. His genitals were cut off.Marta Stevens
Yes, so?Benson
So, I can see that you're very affected by it.Marta Stevens
How would you feel if your next door neighbor raped you for three weeks and the government gave him a medal?Benson
Stefan Tanzic was your neighbor?Marta Stevens
We went to grammar school together. When Sarajevo became insane, I went to my cousins in the mountains. Tanzic was an officer in the Serb army. His unit came into the village, took all the men, old men, and all the boys over seven to the school and machine-gunned them. Then they took all the women and children and put them into trucks. Tanzic picked me out. He said I was “too pretty” to stay in the tents. That night, he raped me. He raped me every night for 23 days.Marta Stevens (cont')
Sometimes he was too drunk, so he did it with whatever was there — a wrench... a pistol... a broom handle. Every day he would handcuff me to his bed, and every night he would say that maybe when he's tired of me, he would shoot me instead of using me. So, I'm not sorry he's dead.(Shot of Benson, who is fighting back tears)
Marta Stevens
(softly)
Anything else?Benson
(choked up)
No, not at the moment. Thank you.(Shot of Marta, who is very upset about what just happened — she throws a writing instrument on the table and covers her face with her hand)
(Cut to Kathy and Elliot Stabler sitting in their daughter's classroom, talking with her teacher)
Kathy Stabler
I'm just a little concerned that she's still writing her letters backwards a lot of the time. Her sisters never went through that.Stabler
No.
(cell phone rings)
Excuse me.
(gets up and walks to the side of the classroom)
Stabler... Yeah, you know, now's not a good time... You what?
(getting upset)
What were you thinking? I thought you could handle this... Did she implicate herself?
(raising his voice)
Did you tell her she was a suspect?
(yelling)
I am upset!(shot of Kathy looking very annoyed with her husband's cell phone conversation)
Stabler
Fine — let's talk about it in the morning, okay?
(Cut to Benson and her mother, Serena Benson, discussing the case in a restaurant, waiter is pouring them some wine)
Benson
(to the waiter)
Thank you.Serena Benson
Do you think she killed him?Benson
(taking a sip of her wine)
There's not a doubt in my mind.Serena Benson
And... how do you feel about that?Benson
When that little boy came in, and I realized that Tanzic was the father, there was a part of me that wished I'd been in the cab with him.Serena Benson
I really wish you would consider getting out of that unit.Benson
Come on, Mother. Let's not tonight, please.Serena Benson
Do you think this is healthy for you?Benson
You were raped, for God sakes. Are you telling me that you don't understand why she did what she did?Serena Benson
Oh, I understand it. That does not mean that I condone it.Benson
Wait, are you saying that you wouldn't have done exactly the same thing if you'd had the chance?Serena Benson
Is that what you would have wanted me to do?Benson
Yes!Serena Benson
How old is that little boy?Benson
He's five.Serena Benson
Is he going to be better off with his mother in prison? Do you think you would have been better off with me in prison the whole time you were growing up?Benson
I hate him for what he did to you.Serena Benson
So do I — and if he hadn't, you would not be here.(Olivia tears up, her mother takes her hand, close-up of their hands, scene fades)
(Cut to the next morning — Stabler is asking Benson about her conversation with Marta Stevens)
Stabler
So you don't think she murdered him.
(he knows right off the bat that Benson is lying to him)Benson
(nervously playing with a pencil)
No, I don't think she murdered him.
(she is having a hard time looking Stabler in the eye)
She said she was in her office until around 1 — that's after he was killed.Stabler
And no one else was there?Benson
No one else was there.Stabler
And no one else was there — that is an anti-alibi.Benson
Elliot, I saw her hands. There are no broken fingernails.
(Stabler gives her a look that tells her that her line of BS isn't working on him)
Look, we know there are two killers, so... how are we going to find the other one?Stabler
(amused by Benson's little slip-up)
You mean the other one who also didn't do it? We got three other Tanzic victims to check out, so let's do that.
(Cut to Benson and Stabler walking out of a building)
Stabler
See, being in Europe — that's an alibi.Benson
(rolls her eyes)
Who's next?Stabler
(looks at his Palm Pilot)
Anya Rugova, owns a restaurant on the East Side — “Sarajevo.”
SARAJEVO RESTAURANT
1250 EAST 72ND STREET
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Anya Rugova
Yes?Stabler
Anya Rugova?Anya Rugova
Yes.Stabler
Hi, I'm Detective Stabler. This is Detective Benson. Did you know a man named Stefan Tanzic.Anya Rugova
Years ago, in Yugoslavia.Benson
How did you know him?Anya Rugova
He murdered my husband and my four-year-old grandson with a hatchet.Stabler
Would you mind telling us where you were Tuesday night?Anya Rugova
Why?Benson
Stefan Tanzic was murdered late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.Anya Rugova
Good.Stabler
Now, would you mind answering our question?Anya Rugova
I was right here. We closed around 1:00.
(A man hands Rugova a clipboard and she signs it with her right hand. While she is signing, Stabler notices her left hand, which is bandaged and her nails are painted red)
Anything else?Stabler
Yeah, how'd you hurt your hand?Anya Rugova
Kitchen accident.Benson
Do you know a Marta Stevens?Anya Rugova
(thinks for a second)
Stevens... No. I don't think I know anybody by that name. I must get back to work.
(Cut to Benson and Stabler walking out of the restaurant)
Stabler
You agree she knows Marta Stevens?Benson
She's not a very good liar. “I don't think I know her”?Stabler
Did you check out the bandage on that hand?Benson
Fine, it was her left hand. You heard what Rodgers said about the depth of the wounds — “tremendous force.” It's hard to stab that hard with your left hand.Stabler
Yeah, unless you're left-handed.Benson
You saw her sign the bill — she signed it with her right hand.Stabler
Yeah — you didn't check out that signature — it was like a five-year-old's. That woman is left-handed. And it doesn't matter, 'cause we're gonna get a DNA match on that fingernail.Benson
That fingernail could have been in the cab for a month.Stabler
For a month?Benson
Yeah.Stabler
Theory of the crime — you just stop me when you don't agree. One of them gets in the cab — my best is on Rugova — she recognizes Tanzic, he doesn't recognize her. She checks the name on the license, finds out when he works, calls Marta Stevens. They wait for him outside the coffee shop, get in his cab.(Benson looks annoyed)
Stabler
End of story, Olivia.
(Cut to pictures of Anya Rugova and Marta Stevens, being held side-by-side)
Taxi Driver
It could be them, but I told you, it was very dark where they crossed the street.Stabler
That's okay, just take a look at 'em. Take a look at 'em.Taxi Driver
I could look at these all day, but it wouldn't do any good. I am sorry.Stabler
You sure they saw you?Taxi Driver
Oh, yes, yes — that I am quite certain.Stabler
Thanks a lot. You've been a big help.(Benson and Stabler start walking back to their car)
Benson
We don't have a case.Stabler
Oh, yeah we do.Benson
There's no proof.Stabler
They don't know that.Benson
Elliot —Stabler
We're arresting 'em — Now.Benson
A first-year law student will have them out in 20 minutes.Stabler
Not if they confess.Benson
I'm not — !Stabler
Yes, you are.
(Cut to Benson and Stabler climbing the stairs to Stevens' workspace — Benson looks pretty ticked)
Benson
Would you please stand up, Mrs. Stevens?Marta Stevens
Wha — What's this about?Stabler
(handcuffing her)
Marta Stevens, you are under the arrest for the murder of Stefan Tanzic.(walking out of the building, Stabler is on his cell phone)
Stabler
We got the younger one in custody. Now send a car to meet us at 71st and 2nd Avenue.
(shot of Marta, sobbing, as Benson leads her to the car)
I want them transported separately. Yes, sir — we got a positive ID from the Sikh cab driver at the coffee shop.Benson
Watch your head.
(guides Marta's head into the car)Marta Stevens
(looks up at Benson, sobbing)
How can you do this?Benson
Please put your feet in the car.(Benson slams the car door, gives Stabler a really ticked off look, and walks off — presumably to get into the passenger seat)
(Cut to Anya Rugova's restaurant — siren blares — you see Cassidy and Munch pull up in their sedan)
Benson
(talking to Marta)
Listen to me. I know what a shock it must have been to see Tanzic in that cab. Don't talk to anybody without talking to your lawyer. No one, say nothing.Cassidy
Hey, you called for backup?Benson
Yeah.Munch
(walks up to Marta)
Ah, Miss “Slice-and-Dice”. Is the psychodrama over inside, or what?(camera focuses on Stabler inside talking with Anya Rugova)
Stabler
We also recovered a fingernail from the front seat. We're going to get a DNA match on that.Anya Rugova
Am I under arrest?Stabler
Yes, you are. You have the right to remain silent.Anya Rugova
(holds her hands up to stop Stabler)
May I call my lawyer?Stabler
By all means.(Rugova walks over to the phone, sees Marta Stevens, and stops. Suddenly, she grabs a knife off the table in front of her and holds it above her head. The customers all rush to get away from her — there is a lot of commotion)
Man #1
Knife!Man #2
Oh my God!Marta Stevens
No, no, no!Stabler
(pushing people out of the way)
Get back, get back! Drop the knife!Marta Stevens
No, no, no!Man #3
Somebody get the knife!Stabler
Put down the knife. Mrs. Rugova, please.Benson
Don't, don't.
(Rugova plunges the knife deep into her thigh)
Oh my God!Marta Stevens
No!(Stabler pushes a table out of the way to catch a faint Rugova, Benson rushes over to help)
Stabler
Call 911! 911 — get an ambulance!(Benson runs over to the phone; Stabler removes his belt and attempts to wrap a tourniquet around Rugova's leg)
Benson
This is Detective Olivia Benson, Sex Crimes. I need an ambulance now. We're at 72nd and 2nd Avenue. Now!
(hangs up the phone and goes to help Stabler)
How bad is it?Stabler
(still attempting to wrap the belt around Rugova's leg)
She got the femoral artery.Anya Rugova
Please... don't help me.(Benson attempts to quiet Rugova)
Stabler
She's bleeding out.Benson
Stay with us.(Rugova reaches up and grabs Stabler's coat. She pulls him down and whispers something into his ear before dying.)
(Cut to Marta, her lawyer, Abbie Carmichael, Benson, and Stabler in the interrogation room)
Marta Stevens
As soon as we heard his voice we recognized him.Abbie
And where were you at this point?Marta Stevens
I don't know. Somewhere downtown. I heard his voice and looked at Anya.
(groans)
I thought I was going to faint.Abbie
What happened then?Marta Stevens
I don't really remember. I started to feel hot all over. My head started to spin... and then Anya suddenly reached through the divider and stabbed him in the head.
(Makes a stabbing motion with her hand)
And then we were both stabbing him. And the car went up on the curb and we-we-we were out of the car and we pulled open the front doors and stabbed him more! And again, and again! I was seeing him taking his clothes off. I was feeling him pushing into me... forcing me —
(sobbing)Farley
I think you've got enough, don't you?(Abbie, looking upset, stops the tape recorder and cups her chin with her hand — looking at Benson and Stabler)
(Cut to Abbie, Benson, and Stabler walking out of the interrogation room and meeting up with Cragen)
Abbie
I've got to run it by Schiff, but I'm willing to take a plea on this one.Cragen
Man one?Abbie
I'll take man two and smile. Severe emotional distress. I sure as hell don't want to go to trial. All they've got to do is get Tanzic's war crimes indictment in, and her friend's suicide and she'll get a walk.Benson
How much time?Abbie
My guess, if they get the right judge, she'll get 18 months in a psychiatric facility.
(Marta is led out of the interrogation room and stops to look at the detectives — they look back at her)Cragen
(to Benson and Stabler)
You two all right with that?(Benson and Stabler look at each other)
Stabler
Yeah.Benson
Yeah.Cragen
Yeah.Abbie
Get her transported, I'll have her arraigned, minimal bail — she'll be home with her kid in time for dinner.Cragen
Thanks Abbie.
(looks at the detectives)
My office, now.(Benson looks at Stabler — he shrugs; they follow Cragen into his office)
Cragen
(closes the door)
It's nice — the game with the Sikh non-eyewitness? That's very good police work, but it sure as hell ain't man two.Benson
Well, we don't know —Cragen
Shut up!(Benson stops, looks startled)
Cragen
What about the call to the cab company asking when Spicer worked?Stabler
The dispatcher said he couldn't even tell whether it was a man or woman's voice. Whoever called could've been looking for the real Victor Spicer.Cragen
My ass. Let me ask you something, okay? I read the autopsy report. Now, do you really believe that those two ladies were walking around with five and seven-inch knives in their purses every day?!Benson
I think that we did the one thing that's going to allow me to sleep tonight.(Cragen angrily looks over at Benson; shot of Benson feeling pretty guilty, and shot of Stabler — surprised at what Benson just said)
Cragen
You just used your “Get-Out-of-Jail-Free” card on this case, Olivia. There's only one in the pack.
(opens the door to let the detectives out of his office)
(Cut to Benson, sitting at her desk, looking at Stabler)
Benson
She said something to you, didn't she?Stabler
“I just want to be with my family.”(Benson takes a minute to reflect on what she just heard, when the phone rings)
Benson
Special Victims Unit.(Scene fades, end credits)
Closing Credits
Transcribed By: Soccerwife
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