Dragnet: The Big Squealer

Dragon. Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a juvenile detail. You get a report that a teenage boy has been found in a downtown alley.

He's in critical condition. Your job? Check it out. It was Wednesday, November 16th, and it was cool in Los Angeles. We were working the day, watch out a juvenile detail. My partner's Frank Smith, the boss's captain powers.

My name's Friday. We're on our way into the office, and it was 9.17pm, and we got the second floor of Georgia Street, juvenile, the squad room. I don't know, Joe. What? You see a kid like that start wondering.

Yeah. 15 years old, trying to hold up a liquor store. Kind of worries a guy. What do you mean? About your own kids. How they going to turn out? Oh, most of them turn out, OK?

Yeah, you can't help worrying, though. Well, you're a father. Maybe you're a better off, Joe, not having the worries. You really believe that? I guess so. Why don't you stop down and marry me off?

Oh, say that reminds me. You know the Phillips lived down the street from us? I don't think I do. They were over for dinner the same night you were. You know, last summer time Fay made pride chicken?

Remember? I remember the chicken. Go ahead. You're going to spend Christmas with us aren't you? Christmas. Fay told me to be sure in her mind. It's only a month or so long. That's soon. Yeah.

Can we count on you? Yeah, if we're not working. I'll let Faino. What's this got to do with the thoughts? Mm, nothing. Mm-hmm. It's got nothing to do with him, Joe. Why are you so darn suspicious?