JACK MCCOY IS SPEAKING TO HIS STAFF AND THE POLICE.

Now, I know everyone here has been in my shoes. Evaluation time. You need some strong exposure. You need something to happen that makes you look good!

Ah, Jack, how much of a salary increase for you are we talking about here?

Well, let's just say, significant. OK?

So, how can we help? And, when our times come, can we work this same scheme again for each of us?

We'll see, ladies and gentlemen.

Yeah, but is this right? Should we even be doing this?

(on McCoy's behalf)

I'd like to say that Jack goes to bat for all of you - us - every day. We owe our livelihood to this man.

I think what Jack is really saying, via his direct, but skewed, verbalization pattern, is that he needs something slick - something flashy - to happen that appears to be as a result of his doing. And he needs it right now!

(looking at Jack)

Have I about got it right, McCoy?

I think that captures it pretty well.

Jack, as your boss, I have to turn a deaf ear to all of this. I cannot know what you and these people cook up to make you look better to me. So, I am going to leave the room.

ARTHUR BRANCH GETS UP AND GOES OUT OF THE ROOM.

So, let's open it up for suggestions from the floor.

What kind of flashy criminal-twarting action can it appear to be that I would be looked on as a hero for being involved with ending? Whew! That was a mouthful.

SYCHOPHANTIC LAUGHTER.

Jack, what are you looking for, more precisely? A police action or some legal involvement?

Maybe mostly police action, you know, shooting and punching, but also some back-end legal hard-ball.

You may be in luck. We got a huge gang of drug pushers we're about to "deal with", if you know what I mean. If we ramped up that action some and got Arthur to coincidentally be nearby when the cops knocked some skulls and the D.A.'s office backed us up, would that be something like you're talking about?

Now we're cookin'. Could we get some dogs involved, too? Just a few of those German shepherds?

I don't know about dogs ... We haven't had a lot of experience using them. I think we better forget the dogs.

Oh. Well, how about using some of those flat metal things, usually hand-held?

You mean shields?

Yeah, shields. Their use is always impressive.

Didn't we get rid of our shields years ago?

Shields are gone.

I was thinking, Jack. How about we get the National Guard involved? Tanks and stuff.

I want a big show, but hot that big, Lt. Not that staged.

Well, it was just an idea.

Ok, let's get back to the plan. Briscoe and Green, and that Ice-T guy can try to get some fake shields and descend on this gang of drug folks. Van Buren, you be sure to alert Branch that this is going down and that he should witness all of it.

Briscoe, you still have those brass knuckles you used to use?

Sure do.

Bring 'em. But only to plant on our perps.

Jamie, you and I will appear as soon as Arthur has found his way to the scene and we get the signal from Van Buren that he is in visual and hearing range.

Then we arrive and start reading them their Miranda rights.

This will be perfect! I oughtta net a huge raise. If it happens, drinks for everyone!

A KNOCK IS HEARD ON THE OFFICE DOOR. ARTHUR BRANCH REENTERS.

Ya'll done?

Check.

(whispering to all but Branch)

Remember the fake shields.