[Fraser's office at the Consulate. Fraser, Thatcher and psychiatrist present. Administering a Rorschach test to Fraser.]

FRASER: A criminal.

DR: Good. Now this one?

FRASER: An officer of the law.

DR: I see. And this one?

FRASER: Justice

THATCHER: Justice? I see three moths. How do you get Justice from three moths?

FRASER: Well, I could be wrong, Sir, but I took these two swirls...

DR: Uh, there is no right or wrong, Constable, these are merely indicators of an internal state.

[Chainsaw in background, Fraser looks around]

FRASER: Do you hear that?

[Dr shakes head no]

THATCHER: Hear what?

FRASER: Ah, nothing.

DR: As I was saying, these tests were designed to help us assess the psychological profile of the individual members of the...

[Hammering in background, Fraser looks around office]

FRASER: You sure you don't hear that?

THATCHER: Hear what, Fraser?

FRASER: The chainsaw and the hammering. Carpentry, could be carpentry.

DR: Fascinating! And is this sound coming from close by or from far away?

FRASER: Quite close. Actually...I think it's coming from right here...

[Fraser opens closet door]

DR: Hmm. Perhaps we should be trying a little word association.

[Fraser and Kowalski in car.]

FRASER: Uh, chain saw.

KOWALSKI: Massacre.

FRASER: Closet.

KOWALSKI: What kind of question is that?

FRASER: It's nothing untoward. It's just that if I say 'closet' one person might say brooms and another person might say carpentry.

KOWALSKI: Yeah, and I might say 'hey, you're losing your mind, Fraser.'

FRASER: Well that question has been raised only recently. Ah, surveillance.

[pulling to a stop, both watch 2 people on the sidewalk/dock]

FRASER: I thought as much.

[Dief whines.]

KOWALSKI: Disgusting.

FRASER: What is?

KOWALSKI: Well kissing right out in the middle of the street like that. Flaunting it all over the place.

FRASER: I didn't realize you were so prudish.

KOWALSKI: Me? Hey, that's not it, I'll try anything. That's not the point.

FRASER: What is the point?

KOWALSKI: The point is we got laws in this city and I'm sworn to enforce them. And one of those laws bans lascivious acts. Thank you very much, Fraser. Page 118. And that, my friend, is definitely a lascivious act.

FRASER: You know, Ray, this is the 1890 Illinois Criminal Code.

KOWALSKI: Old laws are the best laws, Fraser. Look at that, look at...would you look at that?

FRASER: Hang on a second.

[Fraser adjusts rear view mirror to look at person behind them who is aiming a gun at the two on the sidewalk.]

KOWALSKI: What?

FRASER: Gun.

[Both jump out of car, Kowalski to knock the two they're watching to the ground, Fraser after the shooter. Gunshot. Tires screeching as shooter flees.]

STELLA: What the hell do you think you're doing?

KOWALSKI: Saving your life. I...

Orsini: I don't understand, why are you so upset? This man saved our lives, Stella. [Orsini shakes Kowalski's hand]

STELLA: Oh yeah, because he just happened to be driving by.

FRASER: Oh no, ma'am. Actually Det. Vecchio and I were on a routine surveillance. We were...apparently we were on the lookout, well we were on the lookout for lascivious acts, although I'm not sure what we witnessed would...

KOWALSKI: Shut up, Fraser.

FRASER: Understood.

KOWALSKI: This is my partner, Fraser, he's Canadian.

Stella & ORSINI: [in unison] Obviously.

KOWALSKI: This is Alderman Frank Orsini.

FRASER: A pleasure to meet you.

ORSINI: And you, thank you.

KOWALSKI: And this, uh, is my ex-wife Stella.

[Fade to opening credits]

[Reporters and police at scene]

ORSINI: And I want you all to know that I have every confidence in the police.

WELSH: Ah, I think that's enough, thank you.

Reporter: How is State's Attorney Kowalski involved in this matter?

ORSINI: Well, as the detective said, that's all we know at this time.

[Pan to Fraser & Kowalski in background with Huey and Dewey]

KOWALSKI: Why the circus?

FRASER: Well your ex-wife is involved in law enforcement, Ray. Naturally any attempt on her life would warrant extra effort.

DEWEY: Actually, it's the guy she's doing. Turns out he's some big shot politician.

KOWALSKI: Uh, what was that? Sorry, I missed that.

DEWEY: Uh, he's a politician. You know, City Alderman. He's, uh, he's looking to become mayor.

KOWALSKI: Uh, no, the part about my wife.

DEWEY: Oh, about the guy she's doing. Well, good looking guy, lots of cash, moves around the right circles. Actually, I don't think they're just friends. I'd get over it if I were you, you've been replaced.

KOWALSKI: Funny guy.

[Kowalski jumps Dewey, pins him to the hood of a police cruiser, Fraser & Huey separate them]

FRASER: Ray, Ray, Ray!

HUEY: Easy, easy. C'mon! I'd like you to meet my new partner, Tom Dewey.

FRASER: Ah, pleased to meet you. I'd imagine you're named after the famous prosecuting attorney and former Governor of New York Thomas Edmund Dewey.

DEWEY: No, actually I was named after my uncle. He sold fish.

FRASER: Ah.

DEWEY: Who are you?

FRASER: Constable Benton Fraser, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of my father and for reasons that really don't need exploring at this juncture have remained, attached as liaison to the Canadian Consulate.

HUEY: So what did you see?

KOWALSKI: Ah, it all happened pretty fast. It was a guy about 6' tall but his face was hooded so he could have...

FRASER: Actually, he was 6'3", wore black pants, black hooded sweatshirt, and drove a grey 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlas Cierra. Unfortunately I was unable to make out the license plate but I did notice he was driving on Firestone Steel Belted Radials with an all-weather tread.

DEWEY: You couldn't see the plate but you could see the tires?

KOWALSKI: Hey, just write it down!

FRASER: Well no I didn't actually see the tires but the street, I realize, has not been tended to by street cleaners lately and I was able to make out the tire track marks.

DEWEY: Is this guy for real?

HUEY: The jury's still out on that.

FRASER: Most importantly, I noticed that the right rear tire had a distinctive nick.

DEWEY: Oh, a nick...

[Welsh comes over]

WELSH: Uh, excuse me. Ray, Fraser...there's something I want to straighten out.

KOWALSKI: Yeah, you guys just get back to your donuts there.

WELSH: There is an issue I'd like to clear up, like uh...excuse me, Fraser.

[Fraser steps away]

WELSH: Your ex-wife. I don't think she believes you were out just passing by here.

KOWALSKI: Uh, she's paranoid.

WELSH: Good, good. Because I'd hate to think that one of my officers would be sick enough to be tailing his ex-wife on a date.

KOWALSKI: No sir, nobody would like to think that.

WELSH: Good, good, because Alderman Orsini would like to thank you guys personally. After that you can give him and Ms. Kowalski a ride home.

KOWALSKI: A ride home?

WELSH: You got a problem with that?

KOWALSKI: Uh, no problem, sir.

WELSH: Good, good, because until we find out who tried to kill him, you're going to be his personal bodyguard.

KOWALSKI: Oh, c'mon, find somebody else.

WELSH: Oh no, the alderman specifically requested you and Fraser. It seems you exhibited some kind of competence this evening.

KOWALSKI: Got it.

FRASER: Actually, Lieutenant, you see I have several outstanding issues...

WELSH: No, no, no, I already talked to Thatcher. She seems to think that due to your mental state it would be better if Turnbull stood guard. [walks off]

FRASER: My, my, my...uh, my...did she happen to elaborate on my...sir?

[int. of Kowalski's sedan. Fraser & Kowalski in front, Orsini & Stella in back with Dief between them]

STELLA: Uh, would your wolf be more comfortable if I sat in the middle?

FRASER: Well perhaps. He does ordinarily enjoy a window seat.

KOWALSKI: I think things are just fine the way they are.

ORSINI: You know I really appreciate what you two did for us back there, putting your life on the lines like that.

FRASER: Oh, it was nothing more than our duty.

ORSINI: A lot of Chicago cops wouldn't feel that way.

KOWALSKI: Actually most would. In fact a lot of guys would be a lot better at this bodyguarding stuff than we are.

ORSINI: I'm being shot at. I need someone I can trust, someone that's good. That's you. [patting Kowalski & Fraser on the shoulders]

STELLA: I think perhaps Ray's a little uncomfortable with the fact that we're seeing each other, Frank.

ORSINI: Oh, I highly doubt that, Stella.

KOWALSKI: You do?

ORSINI: Yeah, you're a practical man. You know one thing that politics has taught me is that the world is a matrix of practicality. If you approach any problem sensibly, and you discover that x=y you'll probably discover that y=x, and we're all adults. You're not married any longer and he's a professional, where's the problem?

KOWALSKI: No problem, x=y, that's...

ORSINI: Stella?

STELLA: Oh, no problem for me.

[pulls up to Orsini's house]

KOWALSKI: So this is where you live?

ORSINI: Weekdays. I have a place in the country for the weekend.

[Orsini kisses Stella. Dief growls]

KOWALSKI: Oh now you've gone and done it, the wolf's upset.

FRASER: Diefenbaker. Terribly sorry, but he tends to be overly protective of women.

ORSINI: Oh that's ok, I'm a little protective of Stella myself. [gets out of car] Well...

POLICE OFFICER: Good evening, Alderman.

ORSINI: Looks like I have plenty of company for tonight, I'll see you two guys at seven.

FRASER: Good night, sir.

ORSINI: [walks to house] How's it going, gents?

POLICE OFFICER: Mr. Orsini.

STELLA: What were you doing at the restaurant, Ray? Were you stalking me?

FRASER: Ma'am, I don't think stalking would be an accurate description...

STELLA: I'm sorry, I'm a little unclear as to how this is any of your business.

FRASER: Well, Ray is my partner and my friend and I'm very confident that his intentions were honorable.

STELLA: Well I'm glad you think that, but where I come from you don't driving around spying on your ex-wife when she's going out with another man.

FRASER: Well, you have a point, ma'am, but he did save your life at considerable risk to his own.

KOWALSKI: I'm sorry, Stella.

STELLA: What do you want, Ray?

[Ray thinks to self]

I want you. You know we were put on this planet to love one another. We can't throw that away, that's something that you know and...

KOWALSKI: I know.

STELLA: What do you want, Ray?

KOWALSKI: Uh, nothing.

STELLA: [sighs] I'm going to get a cab.

KOWALSKI: Look, Stella, I'm supposed to give you a ride home, aren't I?

STELLA: It's ok, I'll see you in the morning.

KOWALSKI: Stella! C'mon, c'mon, Stella! Stella! Ste... [bangs steering wheel repeatedly]

FRASER: You're acting very strangely tonight, Ray. I mean I don't mean this as a criticism, but...

KOWALSKI: Look, this is the first time she's been serious about a guy since we split up.

FRASER: How do you know that?

KOWALSKI: My mum. They're pals, they talk all the time, she tells her everything.

FRASER: You know, she is your *ex*-wife, you can't really interfere in her life. I mean, I can see how she would misunderstand that.

KOWALSKI: Look, I know that, but I, um...I worry about her. I...I think about her all the time.

FRASER: It must not be easy for you.

KOWALSKI: You have no idea. It just... [sigh]

[ext. 27th Precinct, Fraser & Kowalski inside at the computer]

FRASER: Ray, I thought the shooting incident was Huey and Duey's case; that we were merely assigned to bodyguard the Alderman.

KOWALSKI: Right, haven you ever heard of pre-emptive bodyguarding, Fraser? We put the shooter away; I don't have to watch him move in on Stella.

[banging on keyboard]

KOWALSKI: Uh, I hate this thing, it never does what I want! Just...

[Fraser clicks two keys]

KOWALSKI: Thanks.

FRASER: [reading from screen] 'Alderman threatened over development project.'

KOWALSKI: He's the guy pushing the Manor Point project.

FRASER: Manor Point?

KOWALSKI: Yeah, big time development--tearing up a lot of old housing, putting in yuppie shopping malls. That kind of stuff. The people are getting ticked off because they're getting turfed out. [sighing and banging on keyboard] Make it print.

[Fraser hits one key and turns to get printout]

KOWALSKI: Damon Reece. Head of the Manor Point, uh, Community Association. We'll start with him tomorrow.

FRASER: While we're bodyguarding?

KOWALSKI: We'll work it out. C'mon, Fraser! Got to get up early.

[next morning, Ray pulls up at Orsini's house with a screech]

POLICE OFFICER: Good morning, Vecchio.

KOWALSKI: So we wait here or go in or what?

FRASER: I think perhaps it's best if we wait here.

[taxi pulls up to curb]

FRASER: I thought we were driving him.

KOWALSKI: Yeah, here he comes.

[Orsini walks out of house followed by Stella]

KOWALSKI: Oh no. [rests head on steering wheel]

[cut to commercial]

KOWALSKI: I can not do this, Fraser. I can not.

FRASER: Of course you can, Ray.

[Fraser pats Kowalski on the back]

KOWALSKI: She spent the night with him.

FRASER: Well, now we don't know that. I mean that may be the case but on the other hand perhaps she just came by for a breakfast date.

KOWALSKI: A breakfast date?

FRASER: Well sure, people have luncheon dates, dinner dates, why not a breakfast date?

KOWALSKI: Because it's um...what's the word? Stupid.

FRASER: What's so stupid about that? I mean eating together is eating together. I don't see how the time of day is relevant.

KOWALSKI: It's relevant because people go on dates to get into bed, not out of them.

FRASER: That's an extremely narrow interpretation...

KOWALSKI: You know, Fraser, if I want to know how to track musk ox across the tundra, fine. But when it comes to the dating habits of the Stella, I happen to be an expert

FRASER: All I'm trying to say is...

KOWALSKI: Plus it would take an act of God to get her out of bed. I don't' think she drove an hour across town just to chomp cereal with muttonhead.

[Orsini walks to car, holds newspaper up to windshield with headline 'Attempted Murder Fails']

ORSINI: hahahaha If it's not too much problem, guys, I've got to get to work.

[Fraser opens car door, smacking Orsini in the process]

KOWALSKI: [under breath] Thanks, Fraser.

FRASER: Shh. I'm terribly sorry, sir. [opens rear door for Orsini]

ORSINI: No problem. [climbs into car doubled over, Kowalski has wicked grin on his face]

[ext. groundbreaking for Manor Point, Orsini on stage making speech to crowd]

ORSINI: Hello, friends. Today is a great day for the city of Chicago. Today is a great day for the people of Manor Point. Today we begin phase one of a project that epitomizes the vigor and the spirit of Chicago. A project [clapping]...A project that uses the strength of the free enterprise system for the good of everyone in the community...

DAMON: [yelling] What's good about throwing us out of our homes?

CROWD: Yeah!

KOWALSKI: That's our man Damon Reece.

ORSINI: I know you're worried, that for a lot of you this will mean a change and change can be frightening. But, change can also mean growth.

DAMON: That's crap!

ORSINI: No, no, this project includes provisions for low-cost housing...

DAMON: 500 units? You're displacing 5,000 people and putting in 500 units that maybe they can't even afford!

ORSINI: It's a start, my friend, it's a beginning and it's for you. It's for the people of Manor Point. It's for the children. I believe... I believe that this project will encourage growth. It will encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in this area that will lift everyone up.

DAMON: Lift up yuppie businessmen.

ORSINI: We've all got to stop shouting and start talking. We're all good people, we've all got good intentions. We've got to learn to work together, and if we do this project will be a beacon for the entire city. That's why I am glad to be here today for this ground breaking ceremony. Join me.

[clapping and boos mixed]

DAMON: No way am I helping you tear up my life. This is an attack on the community and everyone that lives here.

MENDLESON: Oh come on, nobody wants to...

KOWALSKI: [quietly to Fraser] These guys are gonna go.

[Fraser heads over to fight]

DAMON: Our homes are being torn down, we have every right to be here.

FRASER: Excuse me, gentlemen. Gentlemen, gentlemen, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to stop right there.

MENDLESON: Who are you?

FRASER: Constable Benton Fraser, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

DAMON: A Canadian. You ever hear of free speech up in Canada?

FRASER: Of course.

MENDLESON: So then would you please get out of the way and let us exercise it?

FRASER: Well I would like to, but I'm afraid this situation has the potential of going beyond the boundaries of civilized behavior.

[cut to Orsini]

ORSINI: I couldn't have done it without them.

[cut back to fight]

KOWALSKI: Hold it, hold it! Chicago PD! First guy that tries any free speech gets his head kicked in! You got that? Any takers? Now beat it! Go! Back off!

[crowd disperses]

FRASER: That was very effective, Ray, although I'm not sure that your methods are really in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution.

KOWALSKI: The Constitution is a piece of paper, a kick in the head is a jolt. OK, watch the pol. Fraser, um, say hypothetically, uh, something happens and you have to take a bullet for the guy...do me a favor, don't.

FRASER: You know, Ray, it's really nice to know you're so concerned for me.

KOWALSKI: I wasn't thinking about you, Fraser.

FRASER: Oh no, of course not.

[Kowalski runs after Reece]

KOWALSKI: Hey, Reece, hold up!

[Reece spins around]

KOWALSKI: Nervous, guy?

DAMON: What do you want?

KOWALSKI: I just want to ask you a couple of questions.

DAMON: Look, it was a peaceful, democratic process. You got nothing to hassle me about.

KOWALSKI: I'm not hassling you. Who's hassling you?

DAMON: Every cop Orsini tries to sic on me, that's who..

KOWALSKI: You don't like Orsini?

DAMON: I don't like what he's doing. We lost four blocks today. I plan to keep the rest. Man, what do you see here?

[Kowalski looks around]

KOWALSKI: A slum.

DAMON: A community, a neighborhood, homes, families. Four generations of my family live right here. Maybe it looks like a slum to you and Alderman Orsini over there, but it's home to a lot of people that love and care about it.

KOWALSKI: Look, hey, if this development deal is so bad, how come it's going through?

DAMON: Because people are scared. They don't know how to fight big city hall or big money.

KOWALSKI: Someone tried to fight city hall last night with a bullet--someone took a shot at Orsini.

DAMON: You're kidding?

KOWALSKI: You got any idea who that might be?

DAMON: If I knew, I'd tell you in a second. This stuff is killing us.

KOWALSKI: How?

DAMON: A death threat on an Alderman, a shooting. People don't want to get involved in that kind of stuff, it scares them off. We were just starting to build some momentum, now this.

[tires screech in background, shot of someone in car with liquor bottle in hand about to throw it, Kowalski jumps on Damon to cover him and knocks him to ground]

KOWALSKI: Get down!

[bottle thrown at Kowalski & Damon]

KOWALSKI: Are you all right?

DAMON: Yeah, thanks

DAMON: Did you get the license plate?

KOWALSKI: Yeah, I got the first three letters. That's all right, I can run that on the computer.

DAMON: Forget it, forget it--just some punks trying to scare me off. They won't be able to do it.

[cut to Kowalski returning to Fraser]

KOWALSKI: Any action?

[Fraser shakes head]

KOWALSKI: Yeah, well it's still early. They going to be long?

[Fraser cups hand to ear to hear Orsini and his men, who are off in the background]

FRASER: No, they're just wrapping up now.

KOWALSKI: C'mon! Don't tell me you can actually hear them.

FRASER: Yes, I can.

KOWALSKI: OK, what are they saying?

FRASER: Well, I'm trying not to eavesdrop.

KOWALSKI: No, is he going to ask Stella out… Like, he was on the phone…

FRASER: Ray, as a friend, you have got to come to grips with…

KOWALSKI: What, what, what? Give me a little information! You get to me… You had… You...

[both talking at once arguing over discussing what Fraser could hear. Jerry approaching]

JERRY: I'm Jerry, the alderman's assistant. I thought you might like to know the schedule. First, we go to a city council meeting, after that a committee meeting, and then a dinner date.

KOWALSKI: A dinner date? With who? Stella Kowalski?

JERRY: How'd you know that?

KOWALSKI: Umph. [walks off]

[cut to Orsini coming out of meeting, Kowalski & Fraser follow]

FRASER: Boy, that committee meeting was fascinating, Ray. To actually see the inner workings of a great democratic organization.

KOWALSKI: Fraser, that was a five hour talk about sewers.

FRASER: Well, yes, it was. But still, to see how the different interests achieve…

[Fraser & Kowalski talking at the same time]

KOWALSKI: It's all about graft, corruption, and greed…

FRASER: …and then to realize that this goes on day after day after day…

KOWALSKI: …idiotic blab. I mean there was more gas in there than in the entire city of Chicago sewer system…

FRASER: …I mean it was absolutely illuminating.

KOWALSKI: Illuminating?

FRASER: Yes, illuminating.

KOWALSKI: What's with you?

[cut to ext of courthouse, Stella leaving with client, Orsini joins them]

ORSINI: Hi

STELLA: Hi, there

[Orsini gives Stella a quick kiss, Kowalski pauses on the steps]

STELLA: Frank, this is Diane Weston, a witness in one of my cases.

ORSINI: Hi, Diane, pleasure to meet you.

DIANE It's nice to meet you, Alderman Orsini.

ORSINI: Can you join us for drinks?

DIANE No, I can't, but thanks.

[Diane starts to leave]

DWAYNE: Diane! Don't do this to me. We belong together, we gotta get back together. Diane, I'm not going to hurt you anymore.

[Stella comes over]

STELLA: Leave her alone.

DWAYNE: Please, stay out of this! This is between Diane and me.

STELLA: I said get away from her.

KOWALSKI: Hey, look you got a problem, pal? [glowering]

DWAYNE: I just want to talk to my wife.

DIANE Just stay away from me, Dwayne.

DWAYNE: You know what this is like, you're a man, you know how this feels!

KOWALSKI: No, I don't--you better leave before I jump bogart all over you.

[lawyer pulls Dwayne away]

KOWALSKI: Beat it.

[Stella turns to Diane]

STELLA: You alright?

DIANE I guess so.

STELLA: You need a ride home?

DIANE No, I'll be fine.

STELLA: Get her a cab?

KOWALSKI: Was I ever like that?

STELLA: No, you always knew the line. [to Orsini] Let's go.

[walking from courthouse]

STELLA: I'm prosecuting her husband for spousal abuse.

ORSINI: Really? She doesn't look the type.

KOWALSKI: The type? What, I don't get that. What, what, what type?

STELLA: *Ray*

KOWALSKI: I know I'm just the bodyguard ex-husband in this situation, but I'm allowed to have an opinion.

STELLA: You *always* have an opinion.

FRASER: And this one may be valid. After all, there is a general perception that abused women come from a certain stratum of…

STELLA: *Enough!* I know about abused women. I've spent a month convincing Diane to prosecute that creep. I don't need a lecture from a Chicago cop on the subject. Or a Mountie.

FRASER: Understood.

KOWALSKI: Not a great idea to get in an argument with Estella.

FRASER: Obviously.

[to Orsini, Fraser & Kowalski drop back again]

STELLA: Ground breaking go ok?

ORSINI: Oh, yeah, it went fine.

KOWALSKI: Except for the little protest by the folks getting thrown out of their homes.

STELLA: The project includes low-cost housing.

KOWALSKI: Yeah, for 500 maybe.

ORSINI: That's 500 units.

FRASER: Actually, I think it was 200 units. And I believe you were going to use something you call 'the spin' to make it seem as if there were more. I think spin is the correct word.

KOWALSKI: It's exactly the right word, Fraser.

FRASER: I inadvertently overheard some of your conversation.

STELLA: Frank, only 200? I thought you said five?

ORSINI: Two, five--who's counting? Where shall we eat tonight? How about the Oriole? I love what the light on the water there does to your eyes

KOWALSKI: I'm gonna puke.

[cut to moonlight dinner cruise, Fraser & Kowalski sitting at separate table, Kowalski facing Stella & Orsini, staring intently at Stella]

CHEF: Ah, Monsieur Orsini! A pleasure to have you here tonight.

ORSINI: The pleasure's all mine, Frederick.

FREDERICK: Anything you need, anything at all, just tell me.

ORSINI: I'm sure everything will be just perfect.

FRASER: The food here is excellent, Ray. You really should try some.

KOWALSKI: I gotta try it.

FRASER: That's the spirit. Now, I would recommend the shrimp cocktail…

[Kowalski gets up and walks over to Stella]

KOWALSKI: May I have this dance?

STELLA: No.

KOWALSKI: Forgotten how?

STELLA: I don't feel like it.

KOWALSKI: Scared?

STELLA: Don't be stupid.

ORSINI: Is there something going on that I, uh…

STELLA: No, I just don't feel like dancing.

KOWALSKI: Come on, you love to dance, Stella, it's…

ORSINI: You're making a big deal of this, Stella. Why?

STELLA: I'm not making a big deal out of anything, I don't want to dance.

ORSINI: It wouldn't bother me.

STELLA: Of course it wouldn't bother you. I wouldn't care if it did.

ORSINI: No, I meant…

STELLA: Come on, Ray.

KOWALSKI: Uh, Alderman, you got a little something in your teeth…

[Stella & Kowalski move to dance floor, Orsini covers mouth, "Brindis" by Vivaldi]

STELLA: Think you're smart, don't you?

KOWALSKI: Nah, you're the smart one, I'm just pretty.

[Kowalski closes eyes as they dance, goes into a dream-like state]

[shot of them dancing over the water, all alone]

[unspoken] KOWALSKI: This feels, I don't know

STELLA: Familiar.

KOWALSKI: Yeah, easy. It's always easy with you, like I don't weigh anything.

STELLA: Yeah.

[they kiss]

[ship's horn blows, Orsini breaks in, the dream is over]

ORSINI: Music's over, pal.

STELLA: It's over, Ray. Thanks for the dance.

[Orsini leads Stella back to their table, Kowalski is left standing alone on the dance floor, Fraser gives Kowalski the thumbs up]

FRASER: You're both excellent dancers.

KOWALSKI: Been doing it since we were kids.

[Fraser watches the sommalier opening bottle of champagne for Orsini and Stella]

FRASER: That's odd.

KOWALSKI: Why? A lot of kids dance.

FRASER: No, I mean the champagne. The protective metal mesh always opens counter-clockwise. This one opens clockwise.

[Fraser & Kowalski look at each other and then both jump up. Fraser grabs the bottle of champagne.]

FRASER: I'm sorry.

ORSINI: What are you doing?

FRASER: It's a bad year.

[Fraser runs towards the railing while Kowalski grabs Stella, puts her on the ground and lays on top of her]

FRASER: Excuse me, please…stand aside…

[Fraser throws the bottle overboard]

ORSINI: What do you think you're doing?

KOWALSKI: Bodyguarding.

ORSINI: Well you think you could do it a little farther away?

[bomb explodes, Fraser jumps overboard]

FRASER: Ahhhhhh!

ORSINI: You can get up now.

KOWALSKI: Soon.

[cut to commercial]

[Fraser, Kowaslki, Welsh & Frannie at the station, Fraser is splashing water all over the place as he walks in]

KOWALSKI: Fraser, tomorrow morning you're going to have green stuff growing in your eyebrows.

FRASER: Well, you may well be right, Ray. The quality of the water is appalling.

FRANNIE: You know, maybe a nice hot tub bath would be the thing. The reason I mention this is because we just got a new one at the house and it is perfect…

WELSH: Francesa. Why didn't you just wait for the divers, Constable?

FRASER: Well, I was worried that the current would carry away the evidence. As it was, I was only able to retrieve these things. Hmm, fascinating. This is not a standard detonation device. I believe it's a computer circuit board that's been adapted for it's nefarious purposes.

KOWALSKI: Nefarious, what, what…?

FRASER: Uh, demonic, evil, bad.

KOWALSKI: Yeah, right.

WELSH: Yeah.

FRASER: And this particular product appears to have been manufactured by the ADMT Computer Corporation. Here's a serial number I think will prove very interesting.

WELSH: How did this bottle get on the boat?

KOWALSKI: Dropped off by a courier.

FRASER: It was a special present for the Alderman.

WELSH: Anyone see the courier?

KOWALSKI: Yeah, but they can't remember what he looked like.

FRANNIE: Hey, why don't we get a couple of people in to look at some mug snaps.

KOWALSKI: Mug snaps? Francesca, it's mug shots, *mug shots.*

STELLA: Is this going to take much longer? I'm a little tired.

KOWALSKI: I'll give you a ride home.

STELLA: I'll go with Frank.

WELSH: Uh, no, I already sent him home with a blue and white to avoid further incidents.

[cut to Stella & Kowalski getting out of elevator at her apt building]

STELLA: Thanks for driving me home, Ray. It, uh, it shook me up a little.

KOWALSKI: A little? Scared the hell out of me.

STELLA: Yeah, me too.

[Stella starts to put her hand to Kowalski's cheek and pulls back]

STELLA: Well….good night.

KOWALSKI: I'll walk you to the door.

[Kowalski moves to catch up]

KOWALSKI: It's good to see you again.

STELLA: Yeah.

KOWALSKI: So, do you really like this guy?

STELLA: You know, he's nice. He's smart…he's charming…he's…

KOWALSKI: Hmm.

STELLA: What?

KOWALSKI: All of a sudden, I, uh…I, uh…don't know how to talk to you.

STELLA: It's not all of the sudden, Ray. It took years.

KOWALSKI: Yeah.

STELLA: Do you, uh... I mean, do you want to… [indicates coming inside]

KOWALSKI: Yeah, I do. But…like, I don't think that's a...that's a good idea, because we might… Look, it just seems like the wrong time.

STELLA: Yeah. Always is. Well, hey, maybe a breakfast date sometime. You know, you, me, eggs over easy?

KOWALSKI: That's, uh, kind of a dumb idea, Stella. It's like, uh… What?

STELLA: Nothing.

KOWALSKI: You ok?

STELLA: Never better.

[quick goodnight kiss]

STELLA: Good night.

[Stella goes inside and closes door]

KOWALSKI: Good…good night.

[Kowalski starts to knock but leaves, walking back down the hallway]

KOWALSKI: I suck.

[walks away, turning back and then going out for good. Cut to Fraser's office at the consulate. It's night, Fraser is in longjohns, Dief asleep on the floor, hammering in background. Fraser walks to office door and jerks it open to see if someone is outside, but no one's there. He walks over to office door. Chainsaw in background. Dief whines. Fraser opens closet door, nothing is in there that shouldn't be. Fraser walks back over to office door and pulls it open. Kowalski falls in.]

FRASER: How did you get in here?

[Kowalski holds up credit card]

KOWALSKI: Uh, don't leave home without it.

FRASER: It's four in the morning.

KOWALSKI: I know, but we've got some investigating to do.

FRASER: Listen, you didn't by any chance hear something strange, did you?

KOWALSKI: Like what?

FRASER: Chainsaws.

KOWALSKI: This is Chicago, Fraser, the only time people use chainsaws is when they're trying to get rid of a body.

FRASER: Right you are.

KOWALSKI: Look, I got the match on the plates of that guy who humped the bottle at me.

[Fraser walks to closet and opens the door]

FRASER: What do you see?

KOWALSKI: Nothing.

FRASER: Just checking. I'll get dressed.

KOWALSKI: I'll leave.

FRASER: [sigh]

[cut to Fraser & Kowalski in car]

KOWALSKI: This is his address.

FRASER: Yes, but I don't think we want to park, Ray.

KOWALSKI: Well how else are we going to question this Joe Mendleson character?

FRASER: Could try following his car.

KOWALSKI: Good, uh, thinking.

[they follow the car, pull in behind it as Mendleson gets out of the car]

KOWALSKI: That's the guy from the fight the other day.

FRASER: It makes sense. We know he had a reason to dislike Reece.

KOWALSKI: And look who's here. [watching James and Mendleson together]

[Fraser & Kowalski recline car seats as second car pulls up to get out of sight, bring seats back up after it passes]

FRASER: It's Orsini's assistant.

KOWALSKI: I'll bet Orsini hired the guy to harass Reece.

FRASER: That's pure speculation, Ray. Given your relationship with the Alderman think it's unlikely to be taken seriously by the higher-ups.

[James gets back in his car to leave, Fraser & Kowalski lower their car seats again to get out of sight.]

KOWALSKI: What relationship?

FRASER: Your, uh…thing. Your relationship.

[Car passes, seats are raised again]

KOWALSKI: This is great. This is greatness. I knew Orsini was dirty.

[Kowalski & Fraser get out of the car]

KOWALSKI: Boom, boom, boom, let's go pull this guy's chain, Fraser.

[Fraser looks at the car as they pass, inspecting the tires]

KOWALSKI: Come on, Fraser, we don't have time to go sniffing hubcaps.

FRASER: Firestone steel-belted radials with an all-weather tread. And a distinctive nick in the right rear tire.

KOWALSKI: What are you saying? You're saying this is the guy that shot at Orsini?

FRASER: Possibly.

KOWALSKI: But he works for Orsini.

FRASER: That's right.

KOWALSKI: Oh great. What, so we got the Alderman on attempted suicide?

FRASER: Inducement to suicide is still a crime in the state of Illinois.

KOWALSKI: They got the death penalty for that?

FRASER: Well, I don't imagine the death penalty would be effective deterrent for a potential suicide.

KOWALSKI: Right, you got a point there.

[cut to commercial]

[station house, Welsh in office on the phone, Ray at his desk]

WELSH: Yes, sir. [hangs up]

[Welsh knocks on his window to get Ray's attention]

WELSH: The third call from the Alderman, he wants to know where you are.

[Ray motions that he can't hear Welsh]

WELSH: That's the third call from the Alderman, he wants to know where you are.

[Ray walks to glass]

KOWALSKI: Oh, Fraser's got that covered like a blanket, he's all over it.

WELSH: Yeah, but apparently he feels he deserves at least one official member of this department.

[Ray's phone rings, he walks over to get it]

KOWALSKI: Hang on. Huey? You're on it?

[Ray signals to Welsh that Huey's on it. Welsh lowers his blinds. Cut to Welsh and Ray interviewing Mendleson]

MENDLESON: I didn't do anything.

KOWALSKI: Oh, he threw a bottle at me and Damon Reece, that's assaulting a police officer. And he attacked some protestors, so maybe we're thinking you're working for Orsini.

WELSH: See, now this is a crucial point for you here, because if you're working for the Alderman, we could consider you a small fish. A small fish that might be able to be thrown back into the water.

KOWALSKI: It's his word against yours and who's he going to believe?

MENDLESON: I want a lawyer.

KOWALSKI: Oh, oh, there's always the attempted murder of Orsini.

MENDLESON: No, no, no, I didn't try to kill anybody!

[Ray and Welsh laugh]

WELSH: Two detectives just executed a search warrant on your apartment. They found the gun.

MENDLESON: That was nothing. No, no, no, it was all nuthin'. It was just, you know, PR.

WELSH: PR? You do your PR work with a gun?

MENDLESON: Blanks, you know, it was…image thing, you know. It was Orsini's idea, you know, the threats, the shooting. It was all supposed to make Reece and his idiots look bad. You know, spin, PR, politics [snapping fingers]

WELSH: Uh huh. And what about the bomb?

MENDLESON: Hey, I had nothing to do with that! That was somebody...

KOWALSKI: Oh yeah.

MENDLESON: Hey, you got to believe me, man! Maybe Orsini set it up somehow, but that just wasn't me!

WELSH: What's in it for Orsini?

[Mendleson rubs fingers together to signify money]

WELSH: Hmm, moolah.

KOWALSKI: Cash

WELSH: (indistinct)

KOWALSKI: Coin.

WELSH: Dust.

[cut to Fraser following Orisini with two men down the sidewalk]

Man 1: You'll get it. We just need to grease a few more wheels.

Man 2: We better get it, we paid you plenty for that…

ORSINI: Ah ah, keep it down. That idiot behind us has ears like a bat.

[Fraser tips his hat to Man 2]

[cut to Stella and Diane leaving the courthouse]

DIANE I owe you so much.

STELLA: You're very welcome. Let's do lunch this week.

DIANE: OK, great.

STELLA: Take care, see you soon, bye bye. [to assistant] Can you set up an appointment for me for Judge Bishop early next week…

[Dwayne comes out of courthouse, Diane passes Orsini on the stairs]

DIANE: Mr. Orsini

ORSINI: Um…yeah [obviously can't remember who Diane is. Kowalski pulls up with lights and siren going, Fraser joins him.]

KOWALSKI: Orsini! I thought I'd find you here.

ORSINI: About time you showed.

KOWALSKI: Well, I hope you accept my apologies, it took me a little while to, uh, get the warrant.

ORSINI: Warrant?

KOWALSKI: For your arrest.

HUEY: If you'd just come along, sir.

[Huey & Dewey take Orsini away]

ORSINI: This is ridiculous, you can't take me away like this.

Dewey: Like this? Would you prefer handcuffs? Guns, perhaps?

ORSINI: I want to see a lawyer.

STELLA: What are the charges?

KOWALSKI: Fraud, conspiracy, trying to blow up a boat for starters.

[Man 1 & Man 2 start to walk away]

FRASER: Ah, gentlemen, excuse me, I think you can probably also help in this process. I believe you will be able to explain how you go the wheels so greasy.

Man 1: He was right, like a bat!

KOWALSKI: Fraser, it's how you grease the wheels.

FRASER: Oh, how you grease the wheel, that's right. How you grease the wheel. How you grease the wheel. Right, sorry.

[Fraser & Kowalski pull away with Man 1 & Man 2 in the back of the car. Int. of station hose]

KOWALSKI: Well, Fraser, I thought by busting Orsini, it would make me feel better, but…

FRASER: No, Ray, you're just experiencing PCS, Post Chase Syndrome. There's always an accompanying letdown.

KOWALSKI: Yeah, I know. I should have popped him in the head when I had a chance. Just...

[Welsh and Stella walk out of the interrogation room]

WELSH: They're all spilling their guts.

STELLA: The whole Manor Point Project's corrupt. And Frank's right in the middle of it.

KOWALSKI: Corrupt politician? What a surprise.

STELLA: It was to me, Ray

FRASER: As it should be. You know, Ray, a cynical acceptance of the betrayal of public trust, well that's the road to ruin in a democracy.

[Stella starts to leave]

KOWALSKI: You want a ride?

STELLA: Yes, I do.

FRASER: [at the same time] Yeah, thank you. Oh, sorry!

[Kowalski leaves with Stella]

FRASER: Well, I suppose a brisk walk in the night air will do me good.

WELSH: It's gotta be 20 blocks.

FRASER: I know, but if I go the long way I'll get some exercise.

[Frannie chases after Ray]

FRANNIE: Ray! Ray! *Ray!*

FRASER: Can I help you, Francesca?

FRANNIE: You want this? [hands over paper]

FRASER: What is it?

FRANNIE: I don't know, it's from some computer place, information on some serial numbers Ray sent them.

FRASER: It's the detonator from the bomb.

FRANNIE: Yeah, whatever.

FRASER: The main circuit board came from a prototype.

FRANNIE: So is that good?

FRASER: Well, there were only three prototypes made, they never left the factory. So it stands to reason that our bomber works at the factory. Do you think you can get me a list of all the employees?

FRANNIE: Yeah, sure, Frase.

FRASER: Thank you kindly. Leftenant, did Alderman Orsini actually confess to the bombing.

WELSH: No, he said he had nothing to do with it.

FRASER: I'm inclined to believe him.

WELSH: Because?

FRASER: Well, for one thing, if Ray and I hadn't intervened, he would have been vaporized.

WELSH: Perhaps he was counting on you to intervene.

FRASER: Perhaps, but unlikely. I think we're actually dealing with another bomber.

[cut to Kowalski & Stella walking down the hall to her apt]

KOWALSKI: Uh, maybe I should come in.

STELLA: I don't know, we're dangerous.

KOWALSKI: That's a fact.

STELLA: OK, for a few minutes.

[they walk past Dwayne in the hallway but don't recognize him since his back is turned.]

[cut back to station house]

Frannie: Hey, Frase, I go that list you wanted.

FRASER: Thank you kindly.

[Fraser looks at list]

FRASER: Oh dear.

[picks up the phone, phone rings in Stella's apt]

STELLA: Well, whoever it is can wait.

[Kowalski puts music on - "De Cara A La Pared" by Lhasa]

STELLA: Oh no, not that again. [laughs]

[Kowalski dances over to Stella]

KOWALSKI: Come on.

[Stella & Kowalski start dancing, his shoulder holster gets in the way]

STELLA: You need that?

[Kowalski pulls out gun and sets it on the end table, they continue to dance under the moonlight out on the balcony]

KOWALSKI: Just like the first night I met you. The most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

STELLA: I was 12.

KOWALSKI: And I wasn't wearing my glasses because I was too vain. Remember?

STELLA: Mm-hmm.

KOWALSKI: I could stay the night.

STELLA: You could.

KOWALSKI: It would be perfect.

STELLA: It would be a mistake. You could stay, we could make love and it would be great, like a thousand times before. But tomorrow we'd be right back where we were this morning. Maybe a couple more regrets.

KOWALSKI: I love you.

STELLA: I love you, too. Always will. But you know I'm right.

KOWALSKI: No, but it could be…

STELLA: I didn't say you couldn't stay.

KOWALSKI: Oh.

[they kiss, someone knocks on the door]

KOWALSKI: Ignore that.

STELLA: OK

[they continue kissing, cut to Fraser outside the door knocking]

FRASER: Ray, Stella, I hate to intrude, but I can hear the music, I know you're in there. [knocking] Ray!

[Kowalski pulls open the door]

KOWALSKI: Fraser, this is the wrong moment for a visit. In fact, of all the wrong moments for a visit, this is the wrongest.

FRASER: No, Ray, I know this is, believe me. It's just that if Stella's life were not at risk…

KOWALSKI: Come on in.

[Kowalski shuts door in FRASER:'s face]

FRASER: Ray.

[Kowalski pulls door back open]

KOWALSKI: Sorry, come on in.

FRASER: Dwyane Weston worked for ADMT Computers, which means that the bomb was intended for Stella.

KOWALSKI: They're picking up Weston?

FRASER: They're looking for him now.

KOWALSKI: So we should get Stella out of here before…

FRASER: My thoughts exactly.

[Kowalski starts to go get his gun as Fraser and Stella head for the door, but before he can get it, Dwayne enters]

DWAYNE: Get back, back inside, stay back.

STELLA: Ray!

KOWALSKI: Drop the gun.

DWAYNE: Shut up! If I have to kill you all…stay back! [places bomb on table]

KOWALSKI: What do you want?

DWAYNE: I want my wife back! She turned my wife against me, she ruined everything. Once she's gone, everything will be the way it used to be.

KOWALSKI: No, no, you can't erase it like that. The things that were said, the things that weren't said…when it's over, it's over. You got to accept that. And live with it. That's what you gotta…

DWYANE: Shut up!

KOWALSKI: No, you shut up! That's what…

[Fraser grabs Dwayne's arm and takes the gun, dropping Dwayne to the floor. Ray grabs his gun and puts it to Dwayne's chest]

KOWALSKI: Twitch, I shoot you. Go ahead, twitch.

STELLA: Ray, the bomb, the bomb, the bomb!

[Kowalski flips Dwayne to his back Fraser runs to the bomb]

KOWALSKI: Over! Hands behind your back, hands behind your back.

[Fraser takes bomb out to the balcony, watching the timer]

KOWALSKI: Fraser, what are you doing? Throw it!

FRASER: Although it's illegal, Ray, it's not uncommon to see frustrated fisherman resort to desperate measures to reach their daily limit.

KOWALSKI: What are you talking about?

FRASER: Well, apparently in this method of fishing, timing is everything.

KOWALSKI: What?

[Fraser watches timer count down to 3 seconds and then tosses it up and out into the air where it explodes without hurting the building or anyone in it]

[cut to police taking Dwayne out of apt in cuffs, Stella & Kowalski standing in doorway. Stella kisses Kowalski on the cheek and goes back inside.]

KOWALSKI: Maybe I should go home.

FRASER: Stella will be alright?

KOWALSKI: Yeah, she'll be just fine by herself.

[Kowalski & Fraser walk down hallway]

FRASER: Want to go get something to eat?

KOWALSKI: Nah, Fraser, I think I'd like to be alone.

FRASER: I understand. You know, Ray, what you said to Weston about not being able to go back, did you…did you mean that?

KOWALSKI: Uh…nah, I was lying.

FRASER: Because you had a gun pointed to your head?

KOWALSKI: Yeah.

[Fraser turns left down another hallway, Kowalski keeps going on his own]

FRASER: Well, you know, I understand, or as you might say, I overstand...

[Kowalski turns left down another hallway further down, Fraser realizes he's alone and steps back into the empty hallway and looks around for Kowalski]

FRASER: Huh.

[Fraser goes back the way he came. Fade out to commercial]

[Fraser's office. Fraser is standing at his closet door where he can hear someone singing. Thatcher walks in carrying a folder]

THATCHER: Fraser. The results are in--all in all, quite encouraging. Not surprisingly, my psychological profile was rock solid. Turnbull's mental state, however, was likened to a block of Swiss cheese, but that's hardly news.

FRASER: And me, sir?

THATCHER: Acceptable.

FRASER: Well, I'm relieved to hear that, sir. [singing in background] Um, you don't by any chance happen to hear somebody singing, do you?

[Thatcher turns and walks out without comment. Fraser looks at Dief]

FRASER: You know, there are times I wish you weren't deaf.

[Dief yips. Singing resumes, Fraser puts his ear to the closet door and opens it to find his father in an office behind the coats hanging in the closet]

FRASER Sr: Come on in. Shut the door, it's cold out there.

FRASER: In actual fact, it's 22 degrees Celsius.

FRASER Sr: What's that in real temperature?

FRASER: It's uh…how, how did…when….what is this?

FRASER Sr: It's my office! And I haven't been getting enough work done, either.

FRASER: I wasn't aware you had work.

FRASER Sr: Well, there you go, you haven't been listening.

[Thatcher hears muffled voices in Fraser's office and comes to investigate. No one is in the office. She walks over to the closet]

FRASER: (muffled) While you're here..

[Thatcher stands outside the closet]

FRASER: Did you ever have a partner that needed your help, but you…you didn't know how to help him?

FRASER Sr: Yeah, there was the time Clete Brokelmeyer got stuck down a 40-foot crevasse and I only had a 20-foot rope…that the kind of thing you talking about?

FRASER: No, no, I was thinking more along the lines of trouble with, uh, [cracks neck] a woman.

[Fraser Sr cracks neck, too]

FRASER Sr: All right. We threw Snuffy Briggs in a snowbank a couple of times to cool his ardor. First time it didn't work. Second time he got pneumonia and it took him out of circulation for a month.

FRASER: That's a great help, dad.

FRASER Sr: Good.

[Thatcher moves to closet as she listens to Fraser]

FRASER: You know, dad, on another subject, just...just what kind of…

[Thatcher opens door to see Fraser standing in a dark closet filled with coats, no office.]

FRASER: Perhaps the tests need some refining.

THATCHER: Perhaps.

[Cut to Ray's apt, same song by Lhasa playing as in Stella's apt before. Ray gets up from his chair to pace the floor. Alternating shots of him dancing by himself, with Stella, pacing and sitting on the arm of his chair hanging his head, kissing Stella and leaning against the window sill. Fade to credits.]