Summary
Detective Story unfolds dramatically within the bustling confines of a detective squad room at a New York City precinct, capturing the tense pulse of a Sunday evening in August. The clock ticks from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., as the drama unfurls.
Act 1
In the opening act, a flurry of activity fills the precinct as detectives and staff handle the onslaught of arrests and the relentless rhythm of police work. Enter Charlie and Lewis, freshly apprehended for burglary, escorted into the room with an air of resigned defiance. Detective McLeod makes his entrance, escorting a young man named Arthur, accused of pilfering $480 from his employer. Despite Arthur's insistence that he's a first-time offender, the stolen money is long spent. Meanwhile, Joe Feinson, a familiar face in the precinct and a reporter ever on the prowl for a compelling scoop, lingers with hopeful anticipation.
The atmosphere thickens as Endicott Sims, a sharp-witted attorney, strides in, representing one Mr. Kurt Schneider. An arrest warrant hangs over Schneider, accused of clandestine abortions, though he professes to be merely a humble vegetable farmer from New Jersey. Sims later escorts Schneider to the station, cautioning the officers to tread carefully regarding his client's rights.
Alone in a dimly lit office, McLeod confronts Schneider, pressing him to confess to the illegal procedures. Yet, Schneider stands his ground, refusing to yield. McLeod reveals that a woman, Miss Harris, lies in a critical state in the hospital due to injuries from an abortion performed by Schneider. With the Harris girl naming Schneider as her provider, McLeod seeks her in-person verification to solidify his case. Just then, a call from the hospital shatters his plan—the Harris girl has succumbed to her injuries, leaving McLeod without the vital testimony.
Frustration boils over in McLeod, manifesting in violence as he shoves, slaps, and kicks Schneider, sending him sprawling to the floor. The commotion draws other detectives, who rush to witness the aftermath. As Schneider writhes in pain, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness, he utters a name—Tami Giacoppetti—before his world fades to black.
Act 2
The curtain rises again an hour later, with Schneider now in a hospital, being examined for injuries inflicted by McLeod. Lieutenant Monaghan reprimands McLeod for his aggressive assault, while Sims, ever the vigilant attorney, threatens charges of felonious assault if Schneider is found to be harmed.
In a hushed aside, Sims informs the lieutenant that McLeod's fervor against Schneider is fueled not by duty but by a personal vendetta. He hints at calling McLeod's wife, Mary, to shed light on the undercurrents driving McLeod. As McLeod immerses himself in other duties, the lieutenant discreetly contacts Mary, urging her to visit the station.
Amidst the unfolding drama, detectives uncover a trove of stolen goods hidden in Charlie's apartment. Delving into his criminal past, they discover a tapestry of convictions and prison stints, mocking him with the likelihood of a life sentence looming over his current deeds.
The precinct buzzes with tension as Mr. Pritchett, Arthur's employer, makes his entrance. Alongside him, Suzie Carmichael, a childhood friend of Arthur’s, steps forward, offering to repay the purloined funds. Pritchett is inclined to accept, but McLeod stands firm, branding Arthur a criminal deserving of prosecution.
Mary McLeod's arrival does not escape the lieutenant's notice. Intent on keeping her presence a secret from McLeod, he dispatches him on a task to unearth some dusty old case files. With McLeod safely out of the way, the lieutenant ushers Mary into his office and directly confronts her about any connection to Kurt Schneider. Mary denies any acquaintance with Schneider or knowledge of...
(This entire section contains 1183 words.)
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the allegations.
Yet, the plot thickens as Tami Giacoppetti is brought in, and a silent acknowledgment passes between him and Mary. The lieutenant delves deeper, asking Tami about Mary. Tami reveals an affair with Mary seven years prior, during which she became pregnant and vanished from his life. He recounts how, upon learning Schneider had performed an abortion on Mary, he sought retribution against Schneider, though Mary eluded his reach.
Mary swears McLeod remains oblivious to her past with Tami and the abortion. The lieutenant ponders aloud the implications: if McLeod is unaware of Mary's past with Schneider, his actions might be seen as detached from personal grievance. Conversely, knowing could paint a portrait of revenge-driven assault.
As McLeod returns, files in hand, he enters the lieutenant’s office to find Mary, Tami, and the lieutenant in conversation. Left alone, Mary confesses to McLeod, revealing the shadowy corners of her history—her pregnancy by Tami before meeting McLeod, and the subsequent abortion carried out by Schneider.
McLeod erupts in a storm of fury and disgust at Mary’s confession. The harsh words "whore" and "murderer" cut through the air as he casts judgment upon her. In her vulnerability, Mary acknowledges her past missteps with a heavy heart and pleads for his understanding. She implores him to see the world through her weary eyes and speak words of forgiveness, yet he remains cold, unyielding. Overcome with sorrow, Mary flees the office, tears streaming down her face.
Act 3
As the third act unfolds, an hour has slipped by. Mary steps into the lieutenant’s office at the police station, where McLeod broods. With determination in her voice, she informs him of her departure. Her belongings are packed, and a taxi awaits her escape. Desperately, McLeod pleads for her to stay, but she resolutely maintains that he can never forgive her past and she cannot endure life with such a shadow between them. Reluctantly, McLeod persuades her to dry her tears and return home, hoping to mend their shattered relationship by morning.
In the meantime, Sims arrives with urgency, demanding a word with McLeod about Schneider. McLeod, frustrated, realizes that without a witness, Schneider will once again evade justice for his illegal activities. Sims suggests that Mary could serve as the elusive witness they need against Schneider before leaving the station.
Mary reemerges from the washroom only to be met by McLeod's enduring bitterness. He cannot shake off the revulsion at the thought of her past with other men. Mary sees the truth in his eyes and knows he will never let go of her past transgressions. Firm in her resolve, she declares she is leaving for good, ensuring he will never lay eyes on her again. With that, she departs the station.
In a twist of fate, Charlie, one of the detainees from earlier that evening, seizes a moment of carelessness. A detective’s gun left casually upon a desk becomes his weapon. McLeod lunges forward, and in a flash, Charlie fires three shots into his abdomen. Chaos ensues as the other detectives disarm and subdue Charlie.
McLeod, gravely wounded and on the brink of death, makes a final plea. He commands Brody to release Arthur from his shackles, abandon the charges, and send him home. As life ebbs away, McLeod calls for a priest, whispering prayers of repentance to God. With his last breath, he departs this world, as Gallagher reaches out to the hospital to summon a priest to administer the Last Rites.
