PRESCRIPTION: STEELE
by
ANNITA K. SMITH
and
SHARON M. DICKERSON

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. ALAN'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

Establishing an older brick building on a tree-lined street. Young men and women pass carrying books.

INT. ALAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

ALAN CARROLL, a young college student of about 19 years, lies on the floor of the apartment in front of a desk covered with papers and books. The room is lit only by the light of a study lamp on the desk behind him. We see a gloved hand with a hypodermic needle pulling away from Alan's arm. The hypo is left on the floor next to Alan. We follow a pair of shoes to the door and out.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Alan stirs, turns over and struggles to pull himself up to the desk. He reaches for a piece of paper. As he catches hold of it, he collapses, dragging the rest of the desk's contents off on top of him. He lies still.

CUT TO:

EXT. CENTURY CITY OFFICE BUILDING - DAY - (STOCK)

Establishing the Remington Steele Agency offices.

INT. LAURA'S OFFICE - DAY

LAURA is seated at her desk intently studying a large book. The title is in large letters and is visible to us - Classic Movie Facts and Trivia. She is reading intently.

ANOTHER ANGLE

REMINGTON comes through the door from his office. Laura quickly closes the book and hides it down behind the desk.

REMINGTON
Laura, I was wondering
(Notices her hiding something)
What have you got there?

LAURA
(Trying to sound casual and failing)
Oh, nothing.

REMINGTON
Come on, Laura, what have you got there?

Remington starts around the desk. Laura shoves the book in her bottom drawer and props her foot against it, smiling at Steele.

LAURA
Nothing important. Do you have anything planned for today?

REMINGTON
Me? Not a thing.
(Suspiciously)
Why?

LAURA
I saw an article in the paper this morning that
there's going to be a Jimmy Cagney film festival
downtown starting this afternoon.

REMINGTON
(Brightening)
Cagney? Why, Laura, I had no idea you were a Cagney fan.

LAURA
Oh, yes. Have been since I saw "Yankee Doodle
Randy" as a child.

REMINGTON
(Correcting)
Dandy.

LAURA
Yes, isn't it? Well, what do you say? Shall we
take in a couple of Cagney's best?

REMINGTON
Laura, I'm flabbergasted. What about the office?
What about work? What about the case?

LAURA
We're totally free today.

REMINGTON
What's the catch?

LAURA
No catch. It's just that we don't seem to share
many interests outside of our work. You're
always on to me about being a workaholic. This
is the first step toward a more relaxing lifestyle.

She steps up to him and wraps her arms around his neck.

LAURA
(Seductively)
What do you say, Mr. Steele? Care to take in a movie with me?

REMINGTON
What's playing this afternoon?

LAURA
"Yankee Doodle" and "White Hot."

REMINGTON
Uh, yes, definitely one of my favorites. James Cagney, Virginia...

LAURA
(getting closer)
Virginia Mayo, Warner Brothers, 1949.

Remington takes Laura into his arms.

REMINGTON
I'm impressed.

He is about to lower his lips to Laura's when they hear a commotion outside.

REMINGTON
Good Lord!

LAURA
What on earth?

They break the embrace as the door opens and in rushes JORDAN CARROLL, a young woman about Laura's age, followed by MILDRED.

JORDAN
Laura, I need your help.

MILDRED
I'm sorry, boss, I couldn't stop her.

LAURA
Jordan!

REMINGTON
It's alright, Mildred. Apparently Miss Holt is acquainted
with Miss - ?

LAURA
Jordan Carroll. We went to college together.
Jordan, what's wrong?

JORDAN
It's my brother. You remember Alan? He - he's dead.

LAURA
Oh, Jordan, I'm so sorry. What happened?

JORDAN
The police say he died of an overdose of cocaine, but that's impossible.
He wasn't into drugs, Laura. He wouldn't do that. Never!

LAURA
Let's go into Mr. Steele's office. It's more private in there.

Laura goes to Jordan's side and escorts her into Remington's office.

INT. REMINGTON'S OFFICE - DAY

Laura and Jordan sit on the sofa while Remington takes the chair.

JORDAN
They say he was stealing drugs from the pharmacy where he worked part
time. They think he was selling them on campus. Laura, there's no
way he was doing that.

REMINGTON
What do you think happened?

JORDAN
I just don't know. I can't understand it. I want you to find out.
I can't bring Alan back, but I can see that his name is cleared.
(Looking at Remington)
Will you help me?

REMINGTON
Of course we will.

JORDAN
He was going to Lawrence College. He had an apartment near campus.
This is the address.
(Handing him a piece of paper)
The pharmacy he worked for is just across the street from the college.

LAURA
What's the name of the pharmacy?

CUT TO:

TIGHT CLOSE UP ON SIGN "HAYMER'S PHARMACY"

JORDAN (V.O.)
Haymer's.

The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal:

EXT. HAYMER'S PHARMACY - DAY

We can see the store front of the modest-sized pharmacy. Displays and sale banners are evident in the windows. Camera continues to pull back to reveal the street in front of the building. Laura drives up in her Rabbit and parks in front of the store, gets out and heads inside.

INT. PHARMACY STORE - DAY

A bell on the door announces Laura's entrance. She stands just inside the door to get her bearings. A heavy-set woman about middle-aged sees her, smiles and walks toward her. This is LUCILLE HAYMER, wife of the pharmacy's owner.

LUCILLE
May I help you?

LAURA
I'm looking for the owner, Mr. Haymer?

LUCILLE
My husband is back in the store room. I'll get him.

She moves toward the back of the store. Laura absently examines a display of colognes. She sprays one in the air and takes a whiff. It smells awful. She puts it back on the display as VIRGIL HAYMER approaches. He is also middle-aged, short and heavy-set, balding and always appears to be very nervous.

HAYMER
I'm Virgil Haymer. My wife said you wanted to see me.
How can I help you?

LAURA
(Showing ID)
My name is Laura Holt. I'm with Remington Steele Investigations.
We've been hired to look into the circumstances surrounding
Alan Carroll's death.

HAYMER
Alan. Yes. Poor boy. I was so shocked to find out that
he was a drug user. He seemed like such a nice kid.

LAURA
Then you never suspected he was stealing drugs from your pharmacy?

HAYMER
No, never. I guess you can never tell.

LAURA
But you did know that drugs were missing?

HAYMER
Well, yes. We check our inventory regularly.

LAURA
Why didn't you report it to the police?

HAYMER
(Nervously playing with his wedding band)
It was such a small amount and I was hoping we could find out
what was going on without involving the authorities. A
pharmacy's business is built on trust, Miss Holt. The
adverse publicity could have hurt the store. I'm very
sorry now that I didn't call the police. Maybe they would
have found out about Alan's drug problem before he took
that overdose. Cocaine couldn't have come from my store,
but I feel very guilty about it.

LAURA

Mr. Haymer, is there any chance it wasn't

Alan who stole the drugs? Is there anyone

else in the store who could be a suspect?

HAYMER

I can't imagine who. There's just my wife, my

HAYMER (cont.)

assistant, who's been with me for five years,

and myself. I thought maybe it was someone

with the shipping company, but I've ruled them

out. The seals weren't disturbed on the cartons

and the count was correct as the shipment was

off-loaded. No, it had to be here in the store,

and Alan is the only other person who had access.

LAURA

He worked with the drugs?

HAYMER

No, but he was our stock-man and janitor.

He could've gotten hold of a key to the drug room.

LAURA

I see. Well, thank you for your time, Mr.

Haymer.

HAYMER

Certainly, Miss Holt. Anything I can do to

help.

Laura shakes his hand, turns and leaves. Haymer watches as she goes, then heads for the back of the store.

INT. HAYMER'S OFFICE - DAY

Haymer picks up phone and dials. He is so nervous he flubs the number the first time.

HAYMER

This is Haymer. We need to talk.

CUT TO:

EXT. LAWRENCE COLLEGE GROUNDS - DAY

LONG SHOT of Steele and two students walking up a campus sidewalk toward the camera. There is a bench in the foreground. When they reach this point, they will stop, stand and finish their conversation. These students are ROLAND and JEFF, friends of Alan's. Jeff's expression toward Remington shows he is in awe of the famous detective.

ROLAND

No way, Mr. Steele. Alan wasn't into the drug

scene. Oh, we've all smoked a little grass, but

Alan didn't even like that. He was planning to

be a doctor. He wanted to help people, not

hurt 'em.

REMINGTON

So you don't buy the theory he was dealing

on campus?

JEFF

Not in a million years.

REMINGTON

Had you noticed anything strange or different

about him lately?

JEFF

Well, yeah. He hadn't been the same since Brian

died.

REMINGTON

Brian?

ROLAND

Brian Christopher -- Alan's best friend.

Brian had a heart condition and died about

three weeks ago.

JEFF

Yeah. It really affected Alan. He just wasn't

the same after that. He was quiet. Kept to

himself more.

REMINGTON

And it was certain this Brian died of a heart

attack?

ROLAND

Yeah. We were all together when it happened.

He took his pills, but I guess this time was

just too rough. He was dead by the time the

ambulance arrived.

REMINGTON

Is there anyone else who was close to Alan?

Anyone who might be able to tell me something

more about the circumstances of his death?

ROLAND

Have you talked to Elaine? She was his girlfriend.

Elaine Kelly. They were really close. If anyone

could tell you more it would be Elaine.

JEFF

Yeah.

REMINGTON

Where can I find this Elaine?

ROLAND

She lives on campus in the women's main dorm.

REMINGTON

Thank you, fellows. You've been very

cooperative.

JEFF

Are you kidding? Anything we can do to help

you, Mr. Steele. I mean, you're the best.

REMINGTON

(A little embarrassed, but still enjoying every word)

Well, I suppose I do have a bit of a reputation.

JEFF

I'll say. Uh, Mr. Steele, I was just wondering.

I'm a psychology major and I'm president of

the Criminal Psychology Society on campus. I

know you've lectured to college groups before,

and I was hoping that, well, maybe you'd

consider speaking at one of our meetings.

It would impress the hell out of the faculty

advisor if I could tell them I'd gotten you to

address us.

REMINGTON

Well, I suppose I could find the time. After

all, it is my duty to share my vast experience

and expertise with the future criminologists of

the world.

JEFF

That would be fantastic!

REMINGTON

Yes, well, give my secretary, Miss Krebs, a call and

she can check my schedule and set up a time.

JEFF

I certainly will, Mr. Steele.

Remington walks out of the shot.

JEFF

I can't believe it!

Roland just shakes his head at his friend.

CUT TO:

EXT. CENTURY CITY OFFICE BUILDING - DAY - (STOCK)

Establishing the Remington Steele Agency's offices.

INT. RECEPTION AREA - DAY

Laura is sitting on the corner of Mildred's desk going over the contents of a file. Mildred is seated behind the desk.

LAURA

(Referring to file)

According to the police report, large quantities

of prescription drugs were found in Alan's apart-

ment and the autopsy report indicates he died

of a lethal injection of cocaine. There was a small

quantity of the coke left along with evidence that he

had injected himself. The overdose was assumed

accidental.

MILDRED

But you don't think so?

LAURA

I don't know, Mildred. We don't have anything

solid to go on yet, but Mr. Haymer was very

nervous. My instincts tell me he wasn't

telling me everything he knew. His

explanations just don't wash.

The phone rings.

MILDRED

(Answering)

Remington Steele Investigations. Oh, yes,

Mr. Steele... Yes, she's right here.

Laura takes the phone. INTERCUT as necessary with Remington standing by the limo (near the campus) using the car phone.

LAURA

Mr. Steele, have you come up with anything?

REMINGTON

Just that if Alan was selling drugs on campus he

must have been keeping it extremely quiet. As

far as I can tell, he had no reputation as a user,

much less a dealer.

LAURA

And I'm not very satisfied with Virgil Haymer's

story either. I think this case is going to take

a little more digging. What's your next move?

REMINGTON

I'm trying to track down Alan's girlfriend, Elaine

Kelly, and see if she can shed any more light on

things. By the way, have you considered that if

REMINGTON (cont.)

it wasn't an accidental overdose, it could have

been suicide?

LAURA

Why would you think that?

REMINGTON

His mates say Alan was strongly affected by

the recent death of his best friend. The young

man died of a heart attack.

LAURA

Maybe this girlfriend can tell you something.

I'm going to check with the coroner's office.

Keep in touch.

REMINGTON

Laura?

LAURA

Yes?

REMINGTON

Sorry about the Cagney festival. I was really

looking forward to it.

LAURA

Let's just consider it a postponement - not

a cancellation.

REMINGTON

Right, you are. I'll talk to you later.

Laura smiles to herself for a moment, then grabs her purse and heads out the door.

LAURA

See you, Mildred.

MILDRED

Good luck, Miss Holt.

EXT. CENTURY CITY OFFICE BUILDING - STREET LEVEL - DAY

As Laura drives away, a man in a car parked at the curb pulls out and follows her. We will learn this is REGAN, who works for Haymer. He is tall and well-muscled.

CUT TO:

TIGHT ON INTERIOR DOOR MARKED "CORONER"



BAILEY (V.O.)

There was only one needle mark on the body,

a fresh one.

INT. DR. BAILEY'S OFFICE - DAY

A small, very clinical-looking office. Metal desk against the wall and a lab-type counter on the other side of the room. Steel shelves of books line the back wall. Laura stands next to the counter while DR. BAILEY, middle-aged, but still handsome, refers to notes laid out on the counter top.

BAILEY

The cocaine found in the body and in the

apartment was very pure -- uncommon

for street variety. We found irritation

evident in the man's nose and bronchial tubes

that would tend to indicate he'd snorted

coke before. If this was his first time

injecting, it could explain why he O.D.'d,

especially with such a high quality.

LAURA

Dr. Bailey, are you certain this irritation was

drug related? It couldn't be from any other cause?

BAILEY

Oh, of course, if the young man's job put

him in contact with toxic fumes of some kind,

I would attribute it to that, but that's not

the case.

LAURA

So the physical evidence is purely circumstantial?

BAILEY

I suppose so, but taken all together, it makes

a very strong case.

Hold on Laura's look.

EXT. OUTSIDE CORONER'S OFFICE - STREET LEVEL - DAY

We see Regan in a phone booth talking to someone, but we cannot hear the conversation. In the b.g., Laura exits the building. Regan sees her and hangs up the phone. As she gets in her car and drives away, he jumps in his own car and follows.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGH RISE OFFICE BUILDING - DAY

Establishing the offices of Fairchild Pharmaceuticals.



HAYMER (V.O.)

Her name is Laura Holt. She's a private investigator.

INT. FAIRCHILD'S OFFICE - DAY

This is a large, expensively appointed office with a spectacular view of the city. Behind the massive desk sits LEONARD FAIRCHILD, president of Fairchild Pharmaceuticals. A name plate on his desk tells us this. Fairchild is tall, gray-haired, distinguished looking. Pacing nervously in front of the desk is Haymer.

HAYMER

She's been to the store and Regan followed her

to the coroner's office.

FAIRCHILD

It appears whoever hired her isn't satisfied

with the official explanation of Alan Carroll's

death.

HAYMER

The police were satisfied.

FAIRCHILD

But does this Holt woman accept that? It appears

not. If you had convinced her, she wouldn't

have gone to the coroner.

HAYMER

What could he tell her that wasn't in the

report? Carroll died from an overdose.

FAIRCHILD

I think Miss Holt's activities need to be care-

fully watched. Keep Regan on her. If she

appears to be getting close to anything, you'll

have to take care of it.

HAYMER

Me?

FAIRCHILD

It was your idea to kill Carroll -- your set up.

I don't need to remind you what it'll cost if

our operation is discovered. There are millions

of dollars at stake. If Holt learns anything

damaging, she'll have to be dealt with.

CAMERA HOLDS on Fairchild's evil smile.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. CENTURY CITY OFFICE BUILDING - DAY (STOCK)

Establishing the Remington Steele Agency's offices.

INT. REMINGTON'S OFFICE - DAY

Remington is leaning against the front of his desk as Laura paces in front of him.

LAURA

Okay, here's what we have. Alan Carroll died

of an injection of cocaine. Whether by his own

hand or someone else's is yet to be determined.

In either case, it was the first time he had

received the drug by injection. There is

evidence to suggest he had snorted it before,

but the irritation of the nasal membrane

could have been caused by his breathing some

kind of caustic fumes.

REMINGTON

Good Lord, Laura, you sound like a doctor.

LAURA

Sorry. Anyway, Haymer says Alan is the only

one who could have stolen the drugs from him.

REMINGTON

But he couldn't have stolen the cocaine from

the pharmacy. They don't stock it in powdered

form like that. He would have had to score it

from some other source.

LAURA

The police think he was stealing the drugs

to trade for cocaine. When I spoke to the

coroner, he said the stuff that killed Alan

was extremely pure.

REMINGTON

Alan could have unsuspectingly taken too large

a dosage and died, just as the police suspect

-- if he were a user. I talked to his teachers,

his fellow students, his friends; no one ever

saw him in a state that would indicate he was

on drugs. His closest friends swear he'd

never touched anything stronger than marijuana,

and that only a couple of times.

LAURA

What about the girlfriend? Elaine...

REMINGTON

...Kelly. I couldn't get near her. I went to the

dorm, but it's restricted to the residents except

for the lobby. I called her room, but when I

told her who I was, she hung up, then she

wouldn't answer.

LAURA

How strange. You'd think she'd want to help

clear Alan's name.

REMINGTON

You don't suppose she's afraid of something or

has something to hide?

LAURA

I don't know about Elaine Kelly, but I strongly

suspect Virgil Haymer is covering up something.

I just don't buy his story. If Alan is the only

one who could have taken the drugs, why

hadn't Haymer notified the police, or at the

very least, fired him.

REMINGTON

Then we still have two areas to investigate:

Elaine Kelly and Virgil Haymer. How would

you suggest we proceed, Miss Holt?

LAURA

Well, obviously we aren't getting anywhere

the direct way. So we'll have to approach things

more creatively.

REMINGTON

Undercover? How? The whole campus knows

I've been asking questions and Haymer's aware

of who you are.

LAURA

Yes, but Haymer hasn't seen you, and I haven't

been seen on campus.

REMINGTON

You're proposing we switch fronts?

(Nods)

It could work, except for one thing, Haymer

knows you work for Remington Steele Investigations.

He just might be on the lookout for Remington

Steele. I am rather high profile.

LAURA

That's a chance we'll just have to take,

Mr. Steele.

REMINGTON

We? Thank you for your concern, Miss Holt.

Laura moves closer to him.

LAURA

Now, Mr. Steele, would I let anything happen to

you? After all, we have some Cagney movies

to watch together.

REMINGTON

Why this sudden interest in Cagney? And

don't tell me you've been a closet fan all this

time.

LAURA

I just thought we could use a common ground of

communication.

REMINGTON

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought we had

been communicating pretty well.

LAURA

Let's talk about this later, shall we? We have a

case, remember?

REMINGTON

Ah, back to the old Laura - all business.

LAURA

Maybe not all.

Laura kisses him thoroughly. Then breaks away suddenly with a smile and heads for the door.

REMINGTON

Hey, where are you going?

LAURA

Back to school, Mr. Steele. Ta-ta.

She leaves Remington staring wonderingly after her. Mildred walks into the office noticing Remington's expression.

MILDRED

Anything I can do for you, boss?



REMINGTON

As a matter of fact there is, Mildred. Can

I borrow your car?

Off Mildred's look, we

CUT TO:

EXT. DORMITORY BUILDING - DAY

To establish the girl's dorm at Lawrence College.

INT. ELAINE'S DORM ROOM - DAY

CAMERA SHOT of the inside of the door. There is a knock. ELAINE KELLY, a pretty, petite eighteen-year-old with long dark hair, moves into frame to open the door, revealing Laura, make-up, clothes and hair done to make her appear college aged. She is carrying a suitcase in one hand and the movie book in the other.

ELAINE

Yes?

LAURA

Hi, I'm Laura Dickerson. I just transferred in and

housing assigned me to room here.

ELAINE

But I'm supposed to have a private room.

LAURA

Oh. I'm sorry. This is where they told me to come.

I don't want to cause a problem, but...

ELAINE

No, it's alright. I guess it doesn't really matter. I

may not be here much longer anyway. I'm Elaine

Kelly.

LAURA

(Stepping into the room)

Nice to meet you. You're leaving school?

ELAINE

I don't know yet.

(Pause)

You can use that bed and I'll clear out the drawers

on your side of the dresser.

Laura puts her suitcase and the book on the bed. Elaine notices the book.

ELAINE

Are you a film buff?

LAURA

(Smiling)

Not really. But this guy I know is, and

I thought it couldn't hurt to bone up a bit.

ELAINE

Yeah, it's always nice to have something in

common with your boyfriend.

(A troubled expression)

Make yourself at home. I think I'll go for

a walk.

Elaine leaves and Laura sits down on the side of her bed deep in thought.

CUT TO:

INT. HAYMER'S PHARMACY - DAY

Remington is wearing a white lab coat over worn blue jeans and an old t-shirt. His hair is mussed and he is wearing a fake mustache and glasses. He is dusting shelves and stacking baby powder on them as Haymer walks in. Haymer sees him and walks over to his wife.

HAYMER

Who the hell is that?

LUCILLE

Who?

(Following the direction Haymer is looking)

Oh, Sylvester.

HAYMER

Sylvester?

LUCILLE

Sylvester Newell. I hired him this afternoon to

replace Alan. Poor man, he just lost his job at

the paint factory and he has a wife and three

children to support.

HAYMER

We don't need strangers around here poking their

noses into our business and you know it.

LUCILLE

I also know we need someone to clean up and keep

the shelves stocked. Those duties seem to be beneath

you so I had to hire someone to do it. Besides,

look at him.

THEIR P.O.V. ON REMINGTON

He is fumbling with the powder containers.

LUCILLE

He's harmless enough.

He drops one container, powder going everywhere, as his glasses slide down his nose.

ON HAYMER

HAYMER

(Grimacing)

Alright, but keep him away from the drug room.

He heads for his office toward the back of the store.

CUT TO:

INT. ELAINE'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT

Laura is lying on her bed watching the small television on the night stand between the beds. The movie is "Public Enemy." Her movie book is lying open on the bed beside her and she is dividing her attention between the two. Elaine comes into the room.

LAURA

Hi! Hope you don't mind my using your TV.

ELAINE

(Very down)

No, not at all.

LAURA

Oh, by the way, your mother called and wants

you to call her back.

ELAINE

Great!

She sits on her bed and suddenly tears fill her eyes and she covers her face with her hands.

LAURA

Hey! Elaine, what's wrong?

Laura turns off the TV and moves to Elaine's side.

ELAINE

(Sobbing)

I can't, I just can't.

LAURA

Elaine, I know we hardly know each other, but

sometimes that makes it easier. I am a good

listener, if you want to talk.

ELAINE

I don't know. I just don't know what to do.

LAURA

Is this about your boyfriend? I heard some of

the other girls talking about the accident.

ELAINE

It was no accident!

LAURA

You think Alan committed suicide?

ELAINE

Of course not! He had everything to live for. We

had plans. We were going to get married.

LAURA

Listen, why don't you go splash some water on your

face and we'll go down to the student union and

get some coffee. Okay?

Elaine considers for a moment before replying.

ELAINE

(Nodding)

Okay.

Elaine gets up, wipes her cheeks and heads for the bathroom. Laura watches her with concern. Off her look we

CUT TO:

INT. STUDENT UNION COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT

Laura and Elaine are sitting at a table having coffee. Several nearby tables are occupied by students and Regan is at a table just behind them.

ELAINE

I can't talk to my parents. They just don't

understand. When they found out about Alan's

death, they called and wanted to know if I

was on drugs too. I told them Alan wasn't

a user, and they tried to act like they believed

me, but I know they didn't. I don't know what

I'm going to do. How can I tell them?

LAURA

Tell them what?

ELAINE

That - that I'm pregnant.

LAURA

Oh, Elaine.

ELAINE

We didn't plan it. We weren't going to get

married until after we graduated. I was on

the pill, but somehow I got pregnant anyway.

When I told Alan, he was upset at first, but

then he said everything would be alright.

We would get married right away and after

the initial shock, I know he wanted the baby

as much as I do. We were in love. We knew

everything would be okay, and it would have

been, except...

LAURA

You said Alan wasn't on drugs. What do you

think happened?

ELAINE

I'm not sure. Something had been bothering

him even before we found out about the baby.

I think it started when Brian died. They

were so close - ever since high school.

Brian had been through a lot of rough times

with his heart condition, but everyone thought

he was doing much better. Then he died. It

was so sudden. Alan just couldn't accept it.

LAURA

You think he could have been depressed about

Brian's death?

ELAINE

Not depressed - angry. And lately he hadn't

been feeling well. I told him he was working

too hard.

LAURA

Elaine, the night - the night it happened, had you

seen Alan?

ELAINE

The last time I saw him was that morning.

I'd spent the night at his apartment. He

said there was something he had to talk with

Mr. Haymer about. He was very serious. I

was supposed to meet him at his place at seven,

but he wasn't there. I finally left at ten

and went back to the dorm. The next morning,

they found him and the police said he'd shot

up with coke. They wouldn't listen to me.

ELAINE (cont.)

They twisted everything I said. When I told

them he had been sick, they said it was just

a sign of his drug use. They said he'd been

stealing drugs from Mr. Haymer. I even had

to go to the hospital to do a drug screening.

LAURA

You don't believe it was an accident or suicide,

what else could have happened?

ELAINE

(Hedging)

I - I don't know.

LAURA

Are you sure?

ELAINE

Alright, I think I know. He told me something

was wrong at the pharmacy. He used to like

Mr. Haymer, but the last few weeks, he said

things like Haymer didn't care about people -

all he cared about was the money he was

making. I thought Alan was going to quit his

job.

(Taking a deep breath)

I think he knew about something that was

going on at Haymer's and they killed him for it.

LAURA

But what could have been going on?

ELAINE

I don't know! That's the problem. Alan never

told me anything specific. I just don't know!

That's why the police wouldn't listen. And

then I got to thinking, if they killed Alan and

if they thought I knew anything about it, they

might try to kill me too. I was scared. Oh,

I shouldn't be saying this to you. You could

be one of them.

LAURA

Elaine, I promise you, I'm on your side.

Laura reaches into her purse and pulls out her ID.

LAURA

My real name is Laura Holt. I work for

Remington Steele Investigations. I'm an

LAURA (cont.)

old friend of Alan's sister. Jordan

hired us because she didn't believe Alan

was a drug user either.

ELAINE

(Horrified)

You work with that man who wanted to see me!

Oh, my God! I knew I shouldn't have said

anything.

LAURA

Elaine, I know you're scared, but the only way

you can stop being scared is to find out the

truth. If someone did murder Alan, don't you

want them punished? Don't you want Alan's

name cleared? If not for his sake, or his

sister's, or yours, then for his child's?

Elaine rests her left hand on her stomach as tears stream down her cheeks.

ELAINE

Yes, I do. I want them to pay and I want

everyone to know that Alan had nothing to do

with those drugs. Can you find them and

make them pay?

Laura reaches out and puts her hand over Elaine's where it rests on the table.

LAURA

We're going to try.

CUT TO:

INT. HAYMER'S PHARMACY - NIGHT

Remington is sweeping the floor and not looking the least bit happy. The phone rings and Lucille answers it.

LUCILLE

Haymer's Pharmacy. Can I help you? Yes.

Just a minute. Sylvester, it's for you.

REMINGTON

(Putting down the broom)

Thanks, Mrs. Haymer.

Remington takes the phone. Intercut as necessary with Laura in phone booth at the student union.

REMINGTON

Sylvester here... Oh, hello, Myrtle. How

are the little ones?

REMINGTON (cont.)

(To Lucille)

It's the missus.

Mrs. Haymer moves away and Remington lowers his voice.

REMINGTON

Anything happening at your end?

LAURA

I just had a long conversation with Elaine.

Alan was going to talk to Haymer about

something the day he was killed. I think that's

a little too coincidental to swallow. Have you

found out anything?

REMINGTON

(Sneezes)

Yes, I've discovered I'm allergic to dust!

LAURA

Anything more useful?

REMINGTON

Not yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open. Haymer

is a very nervous man and he's being very careful.

LAURA

Why don't you meet me outside the dorm tonight

when you get off work. We'll compare notes

then.

REMINGTON

Good. I should be done within a half hour. I've

just got a few boxes to restack in the back room.

LAURA

Manual labor getting you down?

REMINGTON

Now, Laura, have you ever known me to complain

about hard work?

LAURA

You don't really want me to answer that question,

do you? See you tonight.

Remington hangs up the phone, retrieves his broom and heads for the storage room.

INT. HAYMER'S PHARMACY STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT

Remington is adjusting boxes when something catches his attention.

REMINGTON'S P.O.V.

The door into the drug supply room is open and Haymer's assistant is working at a table. She appears to be scrawling away at a pill with a file or emery board. As Remington watches, she finishes with one and starts another. She wipes at her watering eyes and sneezes once. Haymer enters and Remington quickly turns his attention back to his boxes.

HAYMER

Sylvester, I want you to finish stacking those

boxes out of the way before you leave tonight.

REMINGTON

No problem, Mr. Haymer. Workin' on it

right now.

Remington watches discreetly as Haymer walks over to the drug supply room, says something we can't hear to the assistant, and closes the door before heading back to his office. Remington moans and grumbles as he finishes stacking the boxes.

INT. HAYMER'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Haymer's phone rings.

HAYMER

Haymer.

REGAN

(Filtered)

This is Regan. I thought you'd want to know.

That private eye dame is cozying up to Carroll's

girlfriend. Looked like some heavy conversation.

And I heard her tell her that Carroll was coming

to see you the day he died.

HAYMER

Damn it!

REGAN

(Filtered)

What do you want me to do?

HAYMER

Get rid of both of them. Make sure it looks

like an accident.

Haymer hangs up the phone and nervously plays with his wedding ring.

CUT TO:

INT. ELAINE'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT

Laura is sitting on the bed making notes on a yellow legal pad. Elaine, dressed in a terry robe and carrying a towel, heads for the bathroom. She pauses before going in.

ELAINE

Laura, I just want to thank you for what you're

trying to do. I'm sorry I was so much trouble

before.

LAURA

It's all right. I understand.

Elaine goes into the bathroom. In a moment, we hear the shower start to run. Laura studies what she's written for a moment then glances at her watch, sets down her pad and puts on her jacket. As she does, she notices the picture on Elaine's night stand. She picks it up for a better look.

CLOSE UP ON PICTURE

It's a picture of Elaine and Alan, smiling, happy.

ON LAURA

She studies the picture for a moment. Then as she replaces it, she notices a bottle of pills on the nightstand. She picks them up and examine them.

CLOSE UP ON LABEL

They are from Haymer's Pharmacy and the label says they are birth control pills. The date on them is two months ago.

ON LAURA

After studying the label, she slips the pills into her jacket pocket and heads for the door.

LAURA

Elaine, I'm going out for a while.

ELAINE

(Muffled)

Okay.

Laura goes out the door.

Laura has only taken a few steps down the hallway when a tremendous explosion rocks the building from the room behind her. The force knocks her to the floor, apparently unconscious.

CUT TO:

EXT. DORM - NIGHT

Remington is just driving up in Mildred's car (a four or five-year old compact) as girls pour from the dorm in various states of dress. A fire is raging on the third floor. He jumps out of the car and looks frantically for Laura. He runs up to one coughing girl.

REMINGTON

Laura Dickerson. Have you seen her? She rooms

with Elaine Kelly.

GIRL

(Shaking her head)

I think she and Elaine were in their room.

(Points toward windows where we can see smoke and flames pouring out)

Remington makes for the doorway and runs into the building.

INT. DORM STAIRWAY

Remington is racing up the stairs to the third floor.

CORRIDOR

Corridor is filled with smoke and scattered debris. Flames can be seen in the door at the far end. Remington fights to see through the smoke.

REMINGTON

Laura! Laura!

LAURA

(Coughing)

Here.

Remington sees her on the floor through the smoke. He gets to her and lifts her into his arms. By now the fire is raging all around them. He carries her toward the stairs and gets out of the corridor just as part of the ceiling collapses behind them.

EXT. DORM

Remington emerges from the smoke filled dorm entrance carrying Laura. By now, the fire department is arriving and firemen are rushing past him toward the structure. He carries her away from the building and lays her on the ground. They are both coughing. A fireman brings an oxygen tank to them and offers Laura the mask. She takes a couple of breaths, then passes the mask to Remington. He takes one deep breath and gives it back to Laura. Finally, she is able to speak.

LAURA

(Still coughing)

Elaine - in the room.

REMINGTON

Laura, it's too late. That whole end of the

corridor is an inferno.

Laura pushes herself up where she can see the building. She has a small cut on her forehead.

THEIR POV

Firemen are training their hoses on the third floor, but it's obvious no one could still be alive as the flames lick out of the windows.

ON LAURA AND REMINGTON

They stare at the sight before them. Remington's look is grim while Laura's expression is more horrified. Remington looks back at Laura and pulls her tight against him.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO



ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. DORM CORRIDOR - DAY

Laura is standing in the middle of the rubble-filled corridor staring into the remains of her and Elaine's room. There is a small bandage over the cut on her forehead. In b.g. Remington is further down the hall talking to one of the firemen. Remington waves his thanks to the fireman and steps up behind Laura, a concerned expression on his face.

REMINGTON

Are you all right?

Laura nods silently.

REMINGTON

The fire chief thinks it was the gas heater. It

just exploded and started the fire.

LAURA

The hell it did!

REMINGTON

I suggested he look further. As soon as everything

cools down a little more, he'll have his men in

there to investigate more thoroughly.

LAURA

She was a good person - a caring person. Just a

week ago, she had a wonderful life in front of her.

She and Alan were in love, they were planning to

get married. (a beat) And she was going to have

a baby.

REMINGTON

(surprised)

Alan's?



LAURA

Of course it was Alan's!

REMINGTON

I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it.

LAURA

(Turning toward him)

No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump down your

throat. It's just that -

REMINGTON

It's alright, I understand. You know and I know

this little explosion wasn't an accident. Haymer,

or whoever, has to be watching you and probably

thinks you were getting too close.

LAURA

So they blow up the dorm room to kill me or

Elaine, or both of us. But we don't really

have anything. Just suspicions.

REMINGTON

Maybe we're closer than we know. What else

did Elaine tell you?

LAURA

Enough to convince me that Alan was not on

drugs and he didn't commit suicide. He was

going to see Haymer about something the day

he died. Whatever that something was, I'd

be willing to bet that's what got him killed.

REMINGTON

Alan didn't tell Elaine what it was about?

LAURA

No. But I think it all started with Brian

Christopher's death.

REMINGTON

Roland and Jeff mentioned that. They said

Alan was very upset by it.

LAURA

Elaine said he was angry.

REMINGTON

But Christopher died of a heart attack - natural

causes.

LAURA

Maybe. I think I'll have Mildred do some check-

ing. Anything at Haymer's?

REMINGTON

Not so far. Except - well, I did see something

rather strange. Last night, just after I talked

to you, I saw Haymer's assistant pharmacist

busily scraping away at some tablets.

LAURA

Scraping? What the devil for?

REMINGTON

I don't know. I wouldn't have thought much

about it, but then Haymer came in and

said something to her and closed the door. I

got the feeling he was worried about me seeing

what she was doing.

LAURA

It seems the more we find out, the more

confusing the whole thing is.

REMINGTON

Why don't we clean up, get back to the

office and go over everything.

At that moment, two attendants come out of the dorm room carrying a stretcher containing a body bag. Laura and Remington step out of the way to let them pass. Laura's eyes follow the stretcher as it moves down the hall. Remington watches her reaction.

LAURA

I want them, Mr. Steele. This case has become

very personal.

REMINGTON

That could have been you, Laura. That makes it

personal to me, too.

With his arm around her shoulders, Remington leads Laura toward the staircase.

CUT TO:

INT. REMINGTON'S OFFICE - DAY

Laura and Remington have cleaned up and changed clothes. Remington is dressed in fresh Sylvester Newell garb minus the mustache and glasses. He is in the chair next to the sofa where Laura is sitting. There are cups of coffee in front of them both. Laura is reading through a stack of papers.

LAURA

Scratch that theory. According to this autopsy

LAURA (cont.)

report, Brian Christopher did die of natural

causes after suffering a coronary thrombosis.

There appears to be nothing sinister about it.

REMINGTON

Then that brings us back to square one. We

don't have anything until we find out what

Alan went to Haymer about.

LAURA

What about illegal drugs? Could Haymer be

buying stolen goods?

REMINGTON

(Shaking his head)

I don't think so. He has one supplier,

Fairchild Pharmaceuticals. I haven't

been able to get a look into the supply room

where they keep the drugs, though. I'll make

an extra effort to do so tonight.

(He gets up)

Speaking of which, I'd better show up at work

or Sylvester might lose his job.

LAURA

I'll go over these reports again. There has

to be something we're missing.

REMINGTON

Laura, be careful, okay? Someone out there tried

to kill you last night. I mean, I wouldn't want us

to miss seeing "Public Enemy" or "The Roaring

Twenties," which, by the way, also stars Humphrey

Bogart. Personally I think we had enough "White

Heat" last night.

LAURA

I agree. Don't worry, I'll be careful, but I'm not

about to let them scare me off this case. I've

had quite enough of people trying to blow me up

or burn me out. I'm tired of it.

Remington leans down and kisses her on the cheek.

REMINGTON

Just don't take chances, okay?

LAURA

I won't.

Remington leaves and Laura turns her attention back to the report in front of her. After a moment, she gets up and paces toward Remington's desk. Her jacket is lying over a chair in front of the desk. She pauses and takes Elaine's pills out of the pocket and stares at them for a minute. Then a "light bulb" goes off.

LAURA

Of course!

One more quick look at the report, then she grabs her purse and heads out the door.

CUT TO:

INT. STUDENT UNION COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Roland is sitting at a table in the coffee shop studying. Laura enters the coffee shop, looks around, says something to the cashier who points toward Roland. Laura moves toward him.

LAURA

Roland?

He nods.

LAURA

My name is Laura Holt. I work with Remington

Steele. I believe you spoke with Mr. Steele the

other day?

ROLAND

Oh, yeah. Have a seat?

LAURA

Thank you. You told Mr. Steele that everyone

was very surprised by Brian Christopher's death.

Especially Alan.

ROLAND

Uh, yeah, we were. He'd been fine for quite

a while. His doctor had given him a new

prescription to keep him from having problems.

LAURA

Do you think he could have missed his medication

the day he died?

ROLAND

(Shaking his head)

Not Brian. He'd been in and out of hospitals

most of his life. He hated it. He took his

pills first thing every morning. Been doing

it for years. I can't imagine he'd forget.

LAURA

Roland, do you know where he got that prescription

filled?

ROLAND

Sure. Haymer's. You know, where Alan worked?

It's right off campus and most of the students go

there.

LAURA

Do you happen to know the name of Brian's doctor?

ROLAND

McCurdy. She's on staff at UCLA

Medical Center.

LAURA

Thanks, Roland. You've been a great help.

Laura gets up and rushes away, leaving a wondering Roland staring after her. She heads for the phone booth in the coffee shop.

ON LAURA

She quickly dials the phone.

LAURA

(Effecting a nasal voice)

Hello, this is Myrtle Newell. Is Sylvester around?

REMINGTON

(Filtered)

Myrtle?

Intercut as necessary with pharmacy. Show Remington with Lucille retreating to a distance where she cannot hear the conversation.

LAURA

Listen, I think I may be onto something. I need

you to see if you can get into the pharmacy's

records and check on any prescriptions for

Brian Christopher. Try to find prescription

number 86-12794. Also, see if you can

get a look at Elaine's prescription for birth

control pills.

REMINGTON

Hold it a minute.

Remington pulls out a note pad and starts taking notes.

REMINGTON

86-12794. May I ask what we're looking for?

LAURA

I'm not certain right now, but I'm playing a

LAURA (cont.)

hunch. The police report said that when

they found Alan's body, he was clutching a

piece of paper. The only thing written on

it was BC and the number I just gave you.

REMINGTON

What makes you think it's a prescription

number?

LAURA

Because the number on Elaine's pill bottle is

86-24539. It's the same number of digits and

with the year of the prescription in front.

REMINGTON

(Writing)

You think there's something wrong with the

medicine?

LAURA

That's what I plan to find out.

REMINGTON

It may not be so easy getting to the records.

They're in Haymer's office. I might have

to come back after the store closes tonight.

LAURA

Whatever it takes. Did you say the name of

Haymer's supplier was Fairchild Pharmaceuticals?

REMINGTON

Yes. Why?

LAURA

I'm going to do a little more sticking my nose

into Mr. Haymer's business.

REMINGTON

All right, but remember - be careful. It's too

cute a nose to risk getting it chopped off. I'll

call if I come up with anything.

Laura hangs up the phone and leaves.

CUT TO:

INT. LOBBY OUTSIDE FAIRCHILD'S OFFICE - DAY

Laura steps up to the secretary's desk.

LAURA

My name is Laura Holt. I called earlier about

speaking with Mr. Fairchild.

SECRETARY

Just a moment.

She consults her appointment book on her desk, then picks up the phone.

SECRETARY

Mr. Fairchild? Miss Holt is here to speak with

you.

(Listens)

Yes, sir.

(To Laura)

Go right in, Miss Holt.

LAURA

Thank you.

She steps through the door.

INT. FAIRCHILD'S OFFICE

Fairchild rises from behind his desk and extends his hand to Laura.

FAIRCHILD

Miss Holt. My secretary told me when you

called earlier that you're a private detective.

I admit, I am intrigued. What can I do for you?

LAURA

I'm investigating the death of a student at

Lawrence College. He worked for one

of your customers, Virgil Haymer. He owns

the pharmacy near the campus. I understand

you are the primary supplier of prescription

medicines to Haymer's. I was wondering if I

could check your shipping records to the store.

FAIRCHILD

I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to provide that

information. Government regulations, you

know. They're confidential. I tell you what

I can do, however...

(Moving to his phone)

...I'll pull the files and take a look myself.

(Into the phone)

Stacey, would you bring me the shipping receipts

for the Haymer Pharmacy account?

(To Laura)

Can you tell me what you're looking for?

LAURA

Any drop in the volume of Haymer's orders.

Something that might indicate he was

receiving part of his supplies from another

source.

FAIRCHILD

I must say, while that might not be entirely

ethical on Haymer's part, it's certainly not

illegal.

LAURA

We're merely investigating at this time.

The secretary steps into the office and hands Fairchild a thick file folder. He looks through the first few sheets.

FAIRCHILD

Well, his orders don't seem to have decreased

in the last few shipments. This'll take a

little while to check out, though. Give me

a few hours and if I find anything out of the

ordinary, I'll let you know.

LAURA

Thank you, Mr. Fairchild.

(Handing him a card)

You can reach me at this number or leave

a message with my secretary.

FAIRCHILD

If you suspect Haymer of wrongdoing

I would suggest you contact the authorities.

LAURA

(Rising)

I plan to do just that. Thank you for your time.

Laura leaves and as soon as she is out the door, Fairchild picks up the phone and dials.

FAIRCHILD

I just had a very interesting visit from your

friend, Miss Holt. Meet me in the park across

the street from the store in half an hour.

CUT TO:

INT. HAYMER'S PHARMACY - DAY

Remington is arranging a display of vitamins when he sees Haymer leave. Looking around the store, he sees Mrs. Haymer is busy with a customer and another is waiting to be assisted. He walks toward the back of the store.

DOOR TO HAYMER'S OFFICE

Remington picks the lock and slips inside.

INT. HAYMER'S OFFICE

He looks around for a moment, then pulls out a card file drawer.

TIGHT ON CARD FILE

He locates the card with Brian Christopher's name on it. The prescription number is visible on the top of the card.

ON REMINGTON

He takes out a note pad and checks the number.

REMINGTON

(Reading from notes)

86-12794.

TIGHT ON CARD

We can see the number matches.

ON REMINGTON

He jots down the information from the card. Then he starts looking again.

REMINGTON

Kemper, Keith, Keller - Kelly. Elaine Kelly.

He writes down the information from this card too, then slides the drawer back in and starts to leave.

ANOTHER ANGLE

He catches sight of something on Haymer's desk. He picks up a few of the papers.

TIGHT ON INVOICE

We can see the Fairchild Pharmaceuticals logo on top and the date.

REMINGTON

Last week's shipments.

Quickly he copies down the lot numbers, then replaces the invoices and slips out of the office.

OUTSIDE HAYMER'S OFFICE

Remington takes a quick toward the front of the store.

REMINGTON'S P.O.V.

Mrs. Haymer is engaged in an argument with a lady who seems to want to return something.

ON REMINGTON

Moving back through the storage room, he makes his way to the drug supply room and picks the lock on that door and slips inside.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARK - DAY

Fairchild is sitting on a bench apparently reading a newspaper. (Paper should be folded so that front page is not visible.) Haymer walks into view and nervously sits at the other end of the bench.

HAYMER

All right, I'm here.

FAIRCHILD

I told you if Holt got too close you'd have

to deal with her.

HAYMER

I tried. Regan was supposed to get rid of

both her and the Kelly girl. It's not my

fault the bomb missed.

FAIRCHILD

I don't accept that.

HAYMER

Now wait a minute. Regan is your man -

he's just assigned to help me. I thought he

was capable.

FAIRCHILD

Yes, I put Regan at your disposal and I supplied

you with the cocaine you used on Carroll.

But I'm sick and tired of you trying to shift

the blame for your mistakes, Haymer. Carroll

was your fault - your responsibility. Your

handling of that situation was sloppy, but

it would have worked if Remington Steele

Investigations hadn't gotten involved. I was

willing to let you handle the complications

as you assured me you could. But now this

thing is threatening to blow up in our faces.

HAYMER

What do you want me to do?

FAIRCHILD

Holt is making noises about bringing in

the authorities.

HAYMER

We have to stop her.

FAIRCHILD

On the contrary, I advised her to do it.

HAYMER

(Turning toward Fairchild)

You what?

FAIRCHILD

Keep your voice down, you idiot. The only

way we're going to get these people off our

backs is to prove to them they're wrong.

HAYMER

How?

FAIRCHILD

Clear out your drug supply and clean up your

records - before the end of the day. It won't

take Holt much longer than that to persuade

the authorities to spring a surprise inspection

on you.

HAYMER

Inspection?

FAIRCHILD

Yes. And they're going to find a perfectly legitimate

neighborhood pharmacy. I want no evidence to

implicate Fairchild Pharmaceuticals. Once the

inspectors have checked you out and found nothing,

it will be twice as hard for Holt to prove anything.

Her investigation will be discredited.

HAYMER

You think that'll stop her?

FAIRCHILD

If not, then we'll be forced to use other

measures, but this time I plan to handle the

situation myself. I'll tolerate no more

problems from you, Haymer. You're only

one link in a huge chain. I won't have this

operation tumble down on top of me because

of the stupidity of one idiot.

Fairchild closes his paper, folds it (front page visible) and lays it beside him on the bench.



FAIRCHILD

Make sure everything is ready, Haymer. I'll

have a truck at your store within the hour to

pick up the shipments.

HAYMER

Alright.

Haymer is about to get up when he notices the newspaper.

TIGHT ON NEWSPAPER

The banner reveals that it is the Lawrence College Tribune. There is a large picture of Remington smiling up from the front page and next to it an article, the title of which is "Remington Steele to Address Criminal Psychology Society."

ON HAYMER AND FAIRCHILD

Haymer grabs up the paper and stares at the picture.

HAYMER

Oh my God!

FAIRCHILD

What is it?

HAYMER

This man - this says he's Remington Steele.

Fairchild looks at the picture.

FAIRCHILD

Yes. I've seen his picture in newspapers before.

Why?

HAYMER

I - I think this is. . . Wait! Have you got a pencil?

FAIRCHILD

What? Haymer, have you gone crazy?

HAYMER

Or a pen? Come on! Anything!

Fairchild pulls a pen from his coat pocket and hands it to the frantic Haymer.

TIGHT ON PICTURE

Haymer inks in a mustache and glasses on the picture.

HAYMER

It is! Oh, my God! It's Sylvester!

FAIRCHILD

Who the hell is Sylvester?

HAYMER

My wife hired him as the new stockman. He's

been in the store for two days! He's there

right now!

FAIRCHILD

Haymer, you moron! This is the last straw.

Fairchild jumps to his feet and heads off screen. Haymer follows.

CUT TO:

INT. DRUG SUPPLY ROOM

Meanwhile, back at the pharmacy, Remington is going through the contents of a carton. He pulls out a large bottle of pills and looks at the label.

TIGHT ON BOTTLE LABEL

The label identifies the type of pills (some long unpronounceable name) and an expiration date of 12/85.

ON REMINGTON

REMINGTON

December 1985?

He puts back the first bottle and pulls out another, then another, reading the dates.

REMINGTON

June of 85 ... October of 84? They're all

expired.

As he looks up in thought, he sees another box open on the work counter. He reaches in and pulls out a handful of bubble packs of pills.

CUT TO:

TIGHT ON BUBBLE PACK

The tablets themselves are stamped "Sample." He turns the pack over and the back is stamped "Sample - Not for Resale."

ON REMINGTON

Concentrating on what he is discovering. He closes the lid of the box and sees an address label.

TIGHT ON ADDRESS LABEL

The box was addressed to a Dr. Melvin Pickens in San Diego.

ON REMINGTON

He takes one of the bubble packs and slips it in his pocket. Then he closes the first box he checked and goes to the door. When he opens the door, he finds himself face to face with Haymer and Fairchild. Fairchild is holding a gun.

REMINGTON

(In character as Sylvester)

Whoa! Is this a robbery?

HAYMER

What were you doing in there?

REMINGTON

Just straightening up, Mr. Haymer.

Fairchild sees and points to the bulge in Remington's coat pocket (this is the white lab-type coat he has been wearing at the pharmacy). Haymer reaches in and pulls out the packet of pills.

FAIRCHILD

I believe we've caught another thief, Virgil.

REMINGTON

Please, sir. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. They

were for my wife. We already have three kids.

Can't afford to have any more and birth control

pills cost a fortune. You know that, sir. I didn't

think it would hurt since they were just samples.

FAIRCHILD

Very good. Very convincing. Unfortunately for you,

Mr. Steele, we aren't buying it.

REMINGTON

Who? My name's Newell.

Haymer holds the newspaper up, so Remington can see the doctored photograph.

HAYMER

I don't think so.

Haymer then reaches up and pulls the mustache off.

FAIRCHILD

(Motioning with gun)

Shall we?

They move toward the back of the store. Remington resignedly proceeds him. They leave through the back door.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. LAURA'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Laura has the phone to her ear. As Mildred walks into the room, Laura slams the receiver down.

LAURA

Damn it!

MILDRED

Miss Holt! What's the matter?

LAURA

Bureaucrats! I've been on the phone to agencies

all afternoon: the Food and Drug Administration,

the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Los

Angeles Police Vice Squad, the FBI. You

name it, I've talked to at least twenty different

people and it's all the same. Their hands are

tied. Without more concrete proof that something

illegal is going on, they can't even call for a

surprise inspection of the pharmacy.

MILDRED

Miss Holt, from personal experience I can tell

you, that's the way the government works!

LAURA

I guess I can't blame them. I'm not even sure

what's going on.

(A beat)

I wish Mr. Steele would call and tell us he

found something in Haymer's records.

MILDRED

He should be off work by now, shouldn't he?

LAURA

(Checking watch)

It certainly seems like it. He said if he couldn't

get to the records during the day, he might

have to check after closing.

MILDRED

Maybe you should call the store?

LAURA

I thought about it, but I don't dare. I could give

him away if I send someone to look for him.

Laura picks up the bottle of birth control pills off her desk.

LAURA

Maybe the authorities won't do anything,

but I know who will. Mildred, will you stay

here for Mr. Steele's call?

MILDRED

Sure, but where'll you be?

LAURA

(Heading for the door)

Hopefully getting the coroner's office on

our side.

Laura disappears, leaving Mildred to wonder what she meant. Off her look we:

CUT TO:

EXT. DR. BAILEY (CORONER'S) HOME - NIGHT

A modest house in a nice suburban neighborhood. There are no lights on inside. Laura steps up to the door and rings the doorbell. After a few moments, she rings again, waiting impatiently. A light comes on inside, then the porch light comes on and the door is opened to reveal Dr. Bailey in pajamas and robe, obviously just awakened.

BAILEY

Miss Holt? What the hell are you doing here

at this time of night?

LAURA

I apologize for the hour, Dr. Bailey, but I

need your help and time is of the essence.

Bailey considers for a moment, then opens the door wide for Laura.

BAILEY

(irritated)

Alright, come on in.

She does.

INT. DR. BAILEY'S HOME - NIGHT

Tastefully decorated living room, perhaps a bit cluttered.

BAILEY

Okay, Miss Holt, what is it that can't

wait until a decent hour?

LAURA

First, can you tell me if there is any

legitimate reason for a pharmacist to be

LAURA (cont.)

scraping or filing something off tablets?

BAILEY

(Taken aback)

No. At least nothing legal.

LAURA

Then how about illegal reasons?

BAILEY

Well, manufacturer's names are stamped on

tablets quite regularly, or the name of the

particular drug. If they're scraping the

name of the drug off, that would indicate

they're trying to pass a drug off as something

it isn't. Also, samples sent to doctors

are frequently stamped into the tablet as such.

It's patently illegal to resell these drugs.

LAURA

(Pacing)

So they could be trying to sell stolen

doctor's samples?

BAILEY

That would be my guess. Do you have

proof some pharmacy's doing this?

LAURA

No physical evidence, doctor, but Mr. Steele

observed the assistant at Haymer's scraping

something off a batch of pills.

BAILEY

You'd need more than that, I'm afraid.

LAURA

Doctor, scraping the word "sample" off a

tablet would reduce the dosage of that pill,

wouldn't it?

BAILEY

Certainly. In most cases, the difference

wouldn't be critical, but there are some

medicines that exact dosage is of the

utmost importance.

LAURA

Mr. Steele said the girl who was scraping

the tablets was coughing and sneezing from

breathing the dust. If someone were to

LAURA (cont.)

be engaged in such a task for a long period

of time, couldn't that result in the type of

irritation to the nasal passages that you

described in Alan Carroll's case?

BAILEY

Are you suggesting Haymer had the Carroll

boy scraping pills?

LAURA

I'm theorizing, doctor. How about it?

BAILEY

Depending on the type of medication

involved, it could have been the cause of

the irritation.

LAURA

Alan's girlfriend told me Alan had been sick

recently. She thought it was just exhaustion.

I think it was caused from inhaling the dust.

BAILEY

An interesting theory, but can you back any

of it up?

Laura pulls the bottle of Elaine's pills out of her purse and hands them to Bailey.

BAILEY

What's this?

LAURA

Birth control pills prescribed for Elaine Kelly.

They didn't work and she swore she was taking them

regularly. Don't birth control pills usually

come in bubble packs so the patient can

keep track of the day of the week as they

take them?

BAILEY

As a rule, yes.

He has opened the bottle and is looking at the pills.

BAILEY

I can tell you why these didn't work. Look

at the discoloration. These are well past

their expiration.

(Checks the label)

According to the label, Haymer dispensed them

two months ago.

LAURA

The bubble pack would have contained the

expiration date, wouldn't it?

BAILEY

Of course.

LAURA

Then to conceal the facts, Haymer removed

them from the pack and put them into the

bottle.

BAILEY

This is a very serious matter. Out-of-date

birth control pills are one thing, and quite

serious, but if Haymer is dispersing other

medicines for more serious conditions,

they could be lethal.

LAURA

For example, medicine for a heart condition?

BAILEY

Certainly. It would be criminal. Someone

could die.

LAURA

(Grimly)

I believe someone already has, doctor. Would

you consider this sufficient evidence to call

in the authorities?

BAILEY

I most certainly would.

LAURA

I'd advise you to do so - and right now, before

Haymer has a chance to clean house.

Bailey moves to his phone and begins to dial. Laura sighs in relief.

CUT TO:

EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Establishing warehouse belonging to Fairchild Pharmaceuticals.

INT. WAREHOUSE

The warehouse is filled with crates and cartons marked with Fairchild's logo. In an area of the large warehouse surrounded by such cartons, Regan is tying Remington to a chair as Haymer and Fairchild look on.

REMINGTON

May I ask what you plan to do with me?

FAIRCHILD

That decision will be made later, Mr. Steele,

but I suggest you make yourself as comfortable

as possible. You're going to be our guest

for a while.

A phone mounted on the far wall rings. Regan answers.

REGAN

Hello. Yes - Just a minute. It's for you,

Mr. Haymer.

Haymer moves to the phone and we can hear only the murmurs of the conversation in the b.g.

REMINGTON

You don't really believe you can get away with

this, do you?

FAIRCHILD

And just what do you think I'm getting away

with, Mr. Steele?

REMINGTON

Murder for one thing. Was it you or Haymer

who killed Alan Carroll? Or did you just let

your flunky there do it?

Regan scowls at Remington. Fairchild laughs.

FAIRCHILD

That was Virgil's play, I fear. I wouldn't want

to take credit for something I had nothing

to do with.

REMINGTON

I wouldn't say you had nothing to do with it.

You provided Haymer with the pure cocaine

he used to administer that overdose.

FAIRCHILD

Why me?

REMINGTON

Obvious. This is all your operation. Haymer is

just one little fish in a very big and dirty pond.

You supply the adulterated drugs at reduced

prices and pharmacists like Haymer pass them

on to their unsuspecting customers. These people

don't realize their medicine has either lost its potency

REMINGTON (cont.)

or worse, has become contaminated and deadly.

Nice and neat. At least it was until one of

those prescriptions killed Brian Christopher.

Alan Carroll started putting two and two together.

Haymer had Alan scrape the word "sample" off

pills stolen from doctor's offices and change the

packaging of others so the customers wouldn't know

they were expired and useless. It bothered him,

but he didn't do anything until his fiancé got pregnant

using pills filled by Haymer's Pharmacy.

Haymer has finished his phone call and rejoins Fairchild.

REMINGTON

What happened, Haymer? Did he threaten to

go to the police? Did he accuse you of being

responsible for Brian Christopher's death?

HAYMER

(Ignoring Remington,

speaking to Fairchild)

That was Lucille. The FBI is at the pharmacy

demanding to see the records and the drug

stock.

REMINGTON

Looks like your little enterprise is about to

be closed, Fairchild.

FAIRCHILD

(Smiling)

Don't bet on it, Steele. Your associate

paid me a visit this afternoon and told me

she was planning to go to the authorities.

I doubt they'll find a single pill that isn't

up to federal standards.

HAYMER

I have to go to the store.

FAIRCHILD

Fine. As soon as you've proven yourself

to the authorities, we'll decide what must

be done about Mr. Steele here and his

nosy associate.

(A beat)

Regan.

He motions to Regan and the three of them leave the area. Remington tugs at his bonds but it is no use.

CUT TO:

INT. DRUG ROOM - NIGHT

Federal agents are checking drugs from the cabinets and the cartons in the room. A man in a white coat is examining something under a microscope, while others are checking labels against shipping records.

HAYMER'S OFFICE

More agents are going through his records checking files.

MAIN STORAGE ROOM

Laura is on the phone. In the b.g. we can see Haymer, Dr. Bailey and an FBI AGENT talking. Haymer looks very satisfied with himself as Bailey moves toward Laura, a look of disgust on his face.

LAURA

(Into phone)

Nothing at all, Mildred?... No, I already

tried his apartment and the limo - nothing.

Let me know if you hear anything.

BAILEY

More trouble?

LAURA

I can't locate Mr. Steele, and frankly, I'm

getting worried. Any better luck here?

BAILEY

Afraid not. They can't find any out-of-date

or contaminated drugs on the premises and the

records are in perfect order. Too perfect, if

you ask me. Haymer is just too smug over

there, but I can't convince the FBI of anything.

LAURA

What about Elaine's prescription? Surely

that's evidence.

BAILEY

(Shaking his head)

According to Haymer, and his records confirm

it, he never filled a prescription for an Elaine

Kelly. He told the agent he figures Alan filled

it from some old stock that he was supposed

to have destroyed several months ago.

LAURA

But why go to the trouble of putting the pills

in a bottle with a Haymer's label?

BAILEY

To fool the girl. At least that's Haymer's

BAILEY (cont.)

reasoning and I'm afraid the agent is buying

it.

Laura turns in anger and storms up to where Haymer and the FBI agent are talking.

LAURA

You're not getting away with this, Haymer.

HAYMER

I'm sorry you think I've done something

wrong, Miss Holt, but I assure you, I haven't,

as these gentlemen can attest.

LAURA

Someone obviously tipped you off about the

raid and you cleaned house before the agents

arrived.

HAYMER

I have nothing to hide.

LAURA

Then where's Mr. Steele?

HAYMER

(Reacts, then quickly covers)

Your boss? I've never met the man.

LAURA

He was working here as your stockman, Sylvester,

and you know it! You've done something with

him, haven't you?

HAYMER

Sylvester left hours ago when his work was

done. I had no idea he was not who he said

he was.

Laura is getting madder by the minute and is obviously on the verge of physical violence when the FBI agent steps in.

FBI AGENT

Please, Miss. Do you have any proof

to your allegations?

HAYMER

Of course she doesn't. No more than the

other charges she's made against me.

(To Laura)

I'm tired of your slanderous accusations.

You'll be hearing from my attorney in

HAYMER (cont.)

the morning!

LAURA

How does it feel, Haymer?

HAYMER

What? Vindication? It feels marvelous.

LAURA

No, I was wondering how it feels to be a

murderer.

FBI AGENT

Miss Holt!

LAURA

(Undeterred)

You killed Brian Christopher with your altered

drugs and when Alan Carroll found out, you

murdered him. I know it and I'm going to

prove it. Does that make you nervous, Mr.

Haymer? I hope so.

Haymer stalks away. Laura turns to the FBI Agent.

LAURA

He's not going to get away with this.

FBI AGENT

We've been over every inch of this place

and there are no illegal, outdated or

stolen drugs.

LAURA

Mr. Steele saw Haymer's assistant scraping

the impressions off tablets.

FBI AGENT

Then we need Mr. Steele's statement to

that fact. Your telling us makes it only

hearsay. Even with his statement, unless

we have physical evidence, I can tell you

it wouldn't be enough to base a complaint on.

LAURA

I assure you, someone tipped him off.

(Considering)

And I think I know who it was!

Laura rushes out as the FBI agent looks at Dr. Bailey and shakes his head.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Fairchild walks around crates to where Remington is still tied to the chair, not as tightly as before. He has a small bottle of clear liquid and a hypodermic needle. Regan is with him.

FAIRCHILD

Well, Mr. Steele. Your wait is just about over.

Haymer just called and it appears your Miss

Holt's efforts were in vain. The FBI failed to

find any evidence of wrongdoing at Haymer's

Pharmacy.

Fairchild smiles an evil smile as he fills the hypo from the bottle. Remington watches, knowing what is about to happen.

REMINGTON

Don't you think my turning up dead will cause

the FBI to wonder about their findings?

FAIRCHILD

Not in the least. Your death'll be an

accident. This drug would effectively kill

you in a few hours, but long before that,

you'll lose consciousness. You won't

feel a thing when your car tumbles

down a ravine.

Remington struggles but Regan holds his arm easily as Fairchild injects him with the drug.

FAIRCHILD

There will, of course, be no trace of the

drug by the time they retrieve your body.

That is, if there's anything left to retrieve.

REMINGTON

Very comforting thought.

FAIRCHILD

Just relax, Mr. Steele. It will all soon be over.

Fairchild drops the vial and the hypo into his pocket. He motions to Regan and they both leave. Remington tries once again to strain against the ropes. They have begun to loosen, but not enough for him to escape.

EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Showing a side door into the warehouse. Laura moves into frame, proceeds to pick the lock and steps cautiously into the warehouse.

INT. WAREHOUSE

Just as Laura steps inside the door, we notice a utility box atop the door. A small red light is flashing. Laura does not see this.

ANOTHER AREA OF THE WAREHOUSE

Making her way through the warehouse, Laura sees Fairchild and Regan in a cramped office at the front of the building. She moves past them, searching among the crates and boxes until she locates Remington. He sees her, but she puts her finger to her lips to indicate he should remain quiet. She moves next to him and begins untying his arms.

LAURA

(Whispering)

Fairchild and his flunky are in an office toward

the front. The door is open. We'll have to

be quiet.

REMINGTON

(Whispering)

How did you find me?

LAURA

Somebody had to have tipped off Haymer about

the raid. Fairchild was the only one who knew

I was calling in the authorities.

With his ropes untied, Remington tries to stand up, but the drug is beginning to work and he is very weak and dizzy. Laura steadies him.

LAURA

(Very concerned)

Are you all right?

REMINGTON

Not exactly. Fairchild injected me with something.

He said it would prove lethal in a few hours.

LAURA

Do you know what it was?

REMINGTON

(Regaining his equilibrium)

No, but he has it on him.

ON FAIRCHILD AND REGAN

As they stand in the office, a noise in the warehouse alerts them. Regan runs ahead, Fairchild follows with his gun in his hand.

ON LAURA AND REMINGTON

Standing on either side of the opening in the crates. The chair has been knocked over on the floor. As Regan enters, Remington jumps him. As they struggle, Fairchild points his gun at Remington. Laura knocks a stack of crates over on him. Meanwhile, Remington gives Regan a kick which sends him crashing into a stack of boxes. Fairchild and Regan are both apparently unconscious. Laura reaches into Fairchild's pocket and pulls out the bottle and hypo, slipping them into her own pocket. Remington staggers, having apparently used up most of his remaining strength.

LAURA

Mr. Steele!

Laura catches him, pulling his arm over her shoulders and heading for the door. As they reach it, Laura has to stop for a moment as Remington stumbles against her.

REMINGTON

Laura, I don't think I'm going to be awake

much longer.

LAURA

You've got to try. We have to get you to a

hospital. Here, lean on me.

She takes his weight on again and they move out the door.

ON FAIRCHILD

He has regained consciousness and gets to his feet. Finding his gun, he takes off in the direction Laura and Remington went.

EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Laura is making for her car across the parking lot, still supporting most of Remington's weight as he struggles to stay conscious. In the b.g. we see Fairchild emerge from the warehouse. He fires at them just as Remington stumbles and the bullet passes over his head. Laura shoves Remington behind a forklift loaded with crates and dives for cover beside him. Fairchild fires again, but they are behind the boxes.

LAURA

I should have grabbed his gun.

(A beat)

Mr. Steele?

Remington does not respond and Laura sees he is unconscious. Fairchild is cautiously approaching, pointing the gun at the crates. Suddenly we can hear the sound of a siren. Fairchild stops to look around.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Two police cars, sirens and lights going, speed into the parking lot. The doors open on the first car and the two officers crouch behind their doors covering Fairchild.

POLICEMAN

Drop it, mister!

Fairchild considers for a moment, then does so, raising his hands to the top of his head. The officers approach and one begins to cuff him. Laura steps out from her hiding place.

LAURA

Officer!

She waves and the second policeman runs to where she is.

LAURA

There's another man in the warehouse.

We have to get my friend to a hospital.

He's been injected with some kind of poison.

POLICEMAN

Yes, ma'am.

(Yelling to others)

Hollis, there's one inside. Put them on

ice. I'm headed for the hospital with

these people.

He and Laura carry Remington to the police car as the two officers from the second police car head for the warehouse. Laura gets in the back seat with Remington, holding him in her arms as the car speeds away, sirens blaring.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

To establish the emergency entrance.

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT

Mildred sits in one of the chairs while Laura paces the floor. Both are obviously very worried.

MILDRED

Okay so you figured Fairchild was behind it all

because of Haymer's being tipped off. But

how did you know where they were holding

Mr. Steele?

LAURA

I remembered your printout on Fairchild

Pharmaceuticals mentioned the warehouse.

It was a long shot, but it paid off.

MILDRED

I don't understand how the police showed

up just in time.

LAURA

(Smiling)

When I went through that back door, I didn't

know it, but I set off a silent alarm.

The security people at Fairchild's main office

called the police.

MILDRED

So Fairchild's own people got him caught!

Kinda poetic, isn't it?

LAURA

Yes, and with the evidence the police found

in the warehouse, including Haymer's real

files, there's enough to shut him down for

good. The police said Haymer broke down

completely when they confronted him with

the evidence.

(Looking toward the hallway)

Why don't they tell us something about

Mr. Steele? It's been over an hour.

MILDRED

I'm sure he's going to be alright, Miss Holt.

As if in response to her wish, a DOCTOR steps into the waiting room.

DOCTOR

Miss Holt?

LAURA

Yes? Doctor, is he alright?

DOCTOR

(Nodding)

Yes. Luckily we had a supply of the antidote

to that particular drug on hand. It was close,

though. If you had arrived a few minutes later,

I'm afraid it would have been too late.

LAURA

(Shuddering)

Then he's going to be okay?

DOCTOR

Yep. He won't be feeling very well for a few

days and I think we should keep him in the

hospital for a day or so just to be on the safe side.

LAURA

Can I see him?

DOCTOR

He's still pretty groggy. He may even be

asleep.

LAURA

I won't disturb him.

DOCTOR

Alright, for a few minutes.

Laura looks toward Mildred who is dabbing her eyes, wet with tears of relief. The secretary smiles understandingly and nods at Laura, then Laura heads down the corridor.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM

Laura steps quietly through the door and walks up to the bed where Remington is apparently asleep. She looks down on his face.

LAURA'S P.O.V.

Remington's expression is very peaceful and almost childlike.

ON LAURA AND REMINGTON

Laura smiles lovingly at him, then reaches down to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead. As she does, Remington stirs and his eyes flutter open, focusing on Laura.

LAURA

Hello there. How do you feel?

REMINGTON

Believe me, Laura, you don't want to know.

(A beat)

Thank you.

LAURA

For what?

REMINGTON

For saving my life, of course.

LAURA

Just returning the favor. Remember the dorm?

REMINGTON

The doctor says I'll be out of it for a few days.

Guess we'll miss that Cagney festival altogether.

LAURA

That's alright. I'll rent every Cagney movie

out on video tape and we'll have our own festival.

REMINGTON

I may still be confined to bed.

(a beat)

Perhaps you could join me? Lying side by side.

The grippingly intense Cagney on the screen

REMINGTON (cont.)

before us.

Laura sits on the side of the bed.

LAURA

In movies like "Angels with Dirty Faces," "The

Mayor of Hell," "G-Men," "Kiss Tomorrow

Goodbye . . ."

REMINGTON

Laura! I never suspected you had such a taste

for gangsters and violence. What about

romantic films like "The Strawberry Blonde?"

LAURA

James Cagney, Olivia de Haviland, Rita Hayworth,

Warner Brothers, 1941.

REMINGTON

(Testing)

Or "The Bride Came C.O.D.?"

LAURA

(Concentrating)

James Cagney, Betty Davis, Warner Brothers,

. . .also 1941.

REMINGTON

(Impressed)

You have been studying.

LAURA

(Smiling)

Glad you noticed.

REMINGTON

You're very good, but I think maybe you need

further study with a master in the field.

LAURA

(Leaning closer)

You happen to know one?

REMINGTON

Quite well, actually. Has impeccable credentials.

Laura leans down and kisses him lightly.

LAURA

When do we start?

REMINGTON

No time like the present.

Their lips meet again. This time the kiss is deep. Remington's arms encircle Laura.

FREEZE FRAME

THE END