THE ROOKIE
Season 4, Episode 22
"Day In The Hole"
EXT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - PARKING LOT
OFFICERS BRADFORD and CHEN are waiting for someone to arrive.
BRADFORD
Come on. We gotta get to work.
CHEN
She'll be here.
BRADFORD
Seriously. We gotta go.
CHEN
She'll be here.
Someone in a blue Mini Cooper speeds into the lot, narrowly missing another car.
DRIVER
Hey! Watch it!
CHEN
Oh.
It's TAMARA COLINS. She gets out of the car and shows it off.
TAMARA
Isn't she pretty? My first car.
CHEN
Uh...my car was your first car.
TAMARA
I mean, if we're including cars I've stolen, this is probably, like, my fifth.
BRADFORD
What?
TAMARA
Joke. The seized car auction was definitely the way to go. I got such a good deal.
CHEN
You are gonna take it to the mechanic, though, right? You never know what these cars have been through.
TAMARA
Yeah. Tim set me up with this guy.
CHEN
What? He did?
BRADFORD
Yeah.
CHEN
Oh, you have a heart after all.
BRADFORD
Oh, relax, okay? It was purely self-interest. You would be a total drag to ride with if she died in a fireball of mangled metal on the 405. (off TAMARA's look) Joke.
A dog rushes up to bark at TAMARA's car, pulling his police trainer with him.
TAMARA
What's going on?
Tim opens the back of the car and finds several bricks of drugs hidden under the floor.
TAMARA
I am not getting my new car back, am I?
EXT. DESERT ROAD, DAY - NOLAN'S TRUCK
NOLAN and BAILEY NUNE are on their way to his temporary assignment.
BAILEY
Why exactly do they call it "day in the hole"?
NOLAN
Because any day on the job, there are "holes" in staffing -- but typically, it's only for a day, and it's always within the county of Los Angeles.
BAILEY
But you pissed off your union president so badly, he catapulted you all the way to the border.
NOLAN
What can I say? I'm a bit of an overachiever. But we are making a vacation out of it with Elroy and Nell, because we're "roll with it" kind of people.
BAILEY
Damn right we are.
They pull up to a motel which looks deserted, except for one vehicle and ELROY BASSO, who waves at them.
ELROY
Hey!
NOLAN
Hey.
ELROY gives NOLAN a hug and doesn't quite know how to greet BAILEY.
ELROY
Welcome to this little oasis. Uh, where, I might add, uh... ...it seems like no one is minding the store.
NOLAN
Oh, I think they get like three visitors a year. So check-in's on the honor system, and housekeeping will be by in the morning to tidy up.
ELROY
Oh, that's a shame. I was really looking forward to ringing that little bell.
NELL FORESTER comes out of one of the rooms, delighted to see them, and hugs them in turn.
NELL
Oh, yay, you're here!
BAILEY
Hi!
NELL
Hi! So good to see you again! Hello. Well, you said this place was quaint, but I think it feels more in the "abandoned" category.
BAILEY
And haunted. Kidding. Or am I?
NELL
Do not tease me like that.
ELROY
Nell would kill to stay in a haunted motel.
NELL
I mean, my listeners would love it. I've got that murder podcast.
NOLAN
What? How do I not know about that?
NELL
I've mentioned it, like, a bunch of times.
NOLAN
Sorry.
BAILEY
You really should listen. It's super fun. Elroy does all the forensic analysis.
NOLAN
Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I bet -- Which -- Uh, which ones are we?
ELROY
Oh, you're in the corner suite -- "suite" is... Uh, I don't know. Y-You'll see.
They all cross the courtyard to NOLAN and BAILEY's room.
NOLAN
Oh. Well, this isn't too bad. It's surprisingly clean.
ELROY
I wouldn't be too sure about that. You want me to grab the black light from my trunk -- check for fluids?
NOLAN
Uh, no. We're good. We're good. We're -- Thank you, yeah. [ Vehicle approaching ] Oh. Hey.
A police car pulls into the courtyard and a local officer gets out. The others step outside to greet her.
OFFICER GABRIELLE NAVAR
Officer Nolan.
NOLAN
Yes. John. And, uh, this is Bailey. That's Nell. And over there is Elroy.
NELL
Hey.
GABRIELLE
Nice to meet you all. I'm Gabrielle. Uh, I know you've had a long ride, but I was told you were gonna be working with me while my boss is on vacation.
NOLAN
Uh, great. Let me just change my clothes, and, uh, we can hit the road. You can give me the lay of the land.
He ducks back into the room and NELL steps up to talk to GABRIELLE.
NELL
Um -- this motel wouldn't happen to be haunted, would it?
GABRIELLE
Uh...no, ma'am.
NELL
That's too bad. Any murders take place here? Big or small. Ooh! How about, like, just a hostage situation? Really giving me hostage vibes.
GABRIELLE
Uh, no.
ELROY
How about aliens?
GABRIELLE
(patiently) No.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - BULLPEN
CHEN is looking through DMV records as TAMARA looks on.
TAMARA
I don't understand. Somebody packed the car with half a million in heroin, and then lost it? How does that happen? You don't just forget where you parked your drug car.
CHEN
You might if you're high on the drugs that you're transporting. Okay, here we go. Previous owner of your car is Jake Butler. Multiple arrests for drugs and violence. Let's take a look at his mugshot. [ Scoffs ] What?
She looks at the screen, shocked.
TAMARA
What?
CHEN
Um... Oh.
TAMARA is also speechless at whatever she sees.
TAMARA
What the what?
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - BULLPEN
BRADFORD enters the bullpen to see a crowd of people surrounding CHEN at a desk, staring at her computer screen.
BRADFORD
What's going on?
All eyes turn to BRADFORD, but no one answers his question.
EXT. SIDEWALK, DAY
A man is strolling along with headphones on, bopping to a beat, when a police car blocks his way and he turns to find himself confronted by BRADFORD and CHEN.
CHEN
(to BRADFORD) It's even more uncanny in real life.
The camera circles round to reveal that the suspect is a dead ringer for TIM BRADFORD.
BUTLER
What the hell? Yo. Why you looking like me?
BRADFORD
Cuff him.
EXT. DESERT ROAD, DAY - PATROL CAR
NOLAN
So, how long have you been on the job?
GABRIELLE
Two months. I joined after getting my degree in criminology from UC Riverside. So far, I haven't really had a chance to use what I've learned.
NOLAN
Quiet town?
GABRIELLE
Imagine the vacuum of space, and then make it 10% quieter. You know, I looked you up. You've been involved in some really cool cases.
NOLAN
"Cool" is not the term I would use.
GABRIELLE
How would you describe them?
NOLAN
Intense.
They pull up to a building that looks like a diner.
NOLAN
I thought you were taking me to the police station.
GABRIELLE
Oh, this is the station -- offices and holding cells are in back.
NOLAN
Oh, is it a diner/police station? Or is it a police station/diner?
GABRIELLE
Depends on whether you're here to file a report or get some pie.
They go inside and are greeted by MARTINA SANCHEZ, the hostess.
SANCHEZ
Hey, Gabby. Is this him?
NOLAN
Yes, John Nolan.
SANCHEZ
I'm Martina Sanchez. Gabby says you're a big-deal LA cop. She's really hoping you'll teach her some things.
GABRIELLE
Ay. Martina.
SANCHEZ
What? We both know you're too shy to ask him yourself.
NOLAN
Well, I'm happy to impart any knowledge I can.
GABRIELLE
Thank you. Anything going on?
SANCHEZ
Mrs. Gonzales stopped by again. Her cactus is growing weird.
NOLAN
Weird, you say?
SANCHEZ
Wrong angle.
NOLAN
We'll get right on that.
SANCHEZ
Please do.
NOLAN and GABRIELLE go back to the police area, where the phone is ringing; GABRIELLE answers it.
GABRIELLE
Ooh, this is exciting. Phone only rings about twice a week here. (into the phone) Frontera Police Department. (a beat) We'll be right there.
NOLAN
Trouble?
GABRIELLE
Bar fight.
NOLAN
Well, big cities and small towns -- you can always count on someone to be drunk by 9:00 a.m.
GABRIELLE
Your first hour on the job, and you're already getting all the exciting stuff. You must be good luck.
NOLAN
Or bad.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - OBSERVATION ROOM
BRADFORD, LOPEZ, CHEN, and HARPER are all looking at JAKE BUTLER, who waits in the interrogation room on the other side of the mirror.
CHEN
Maybe you were separated at birth.
BRADFORD
He's a year older than me. And he was born in Florida. Plus, ah, he really doesn't look that much like me.
HARPER
Mm. The hell he doesn't.
LOPEZ
Not the brightest bulb, though.
CHEN
Oh. Oh, my God. It's -- It's Tim... and Dim.
The other women laugh and BRADFORD grimaces.
BRADFORD
Okay. Come on. Let's get this over with.
HARPER
(to CHEN) That's good.
BRADFORD and CHEN enter the interrogation room.
BUTLER
Yo, this is blowing my mind! It's like we're looking in a fun-house mirror of handsome.
BRADFORD
Sit down, Dim -- Jake. You need to focus.
BUTLER
Okay. (to CHEN) Have we met before?
CHEN
No. That, I'd remember.
BUTLER
Oh, you would.
Everyone sits. BRADFORD shows BUTLER an image on his cell phone.
BRADFORD
We found your car.
BUTLER
Dude, you found it? [ Chuckling ] Yo, thank you, thank you, man. I mean, some asshat stole it from me last week.
CHEN
Your car wasn't stolen -- it was towed. You parked in front of a hydrant.
BUTLER
Oops. My bad. So, where's the car now?
BRADFORD
In evidence. We found four kilos of black tar heroin inside of it.
BUTLER
What? Yo, that's crazy. I mean, it ain't mine.
BRADFORD
Your fingerprints are all over the bags. Which means this is decision time for you, Jake. You help us, we help you. Otherwise, it's back to prison.
BUTLER
Bruh, I thought that we had a bond.
CHEN
Where are the drugs from?
BUTLER
Mexico. I was hired to drive them across the border, but, you know, I hit up my girl's place when I got back in town -- you know what I'm saying? Anyway, I went back out, the car wasn't there. I've been freaking out ever since.
BRADFORD
All right. Who are you supposed to deliver the drugs to?
BUTLER
Roy Hajek. Got the job through a slinger we both know.
CHEN
Have you ever met Hajek or any of his crew?
BUTLER
No. Why?
CHEN and BRADFORD exchange a look.
EXT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - PARKING LOT
CHEN, LOPEZ, and BRADFORD are walking out with SERGEANT GREY.
CHEN
You know, they've never met. So Tim could go undercover as Dim, and -- and -- and we would arrest a major trafficker.
BRADFORD
Forget it.
CHEN
What? Come on, you totally pulled off playing the hitman.
GREY
I agree. It's too good of an opportunity to pass up.
BRADFORD
You just want to see me pretend to be Dim.
LOPEZ
Duh.
BRADFORD
Fine. I'll do it.
CHEN
Yes! Oh, okay, okay. So, uh, we got to dirty you up, and then -- and then we have to slick back your hair, 'cause, you know, that guy was, like, kind of greasy.
BRADFORD
You are enjoying this way too much.
CHEN
Ooh! And tattoos -- we got to get tattoos.
EXT. DESERT ROAD, DAY - PATROL CAR
NOLAN
When we get to the bar, don't park right out front.
GABRIELLE
Oh, but it's just the Benedict brothers. They fight every other day.
NOLAN
Doesn't matter. Always do things the right way. That way, when the danger is real, the moves are automatic.
GABRIELLE
Got it.
They arrive at the bar and go inside, where two men are grappling with each other.
NOLAN
You got this?
GABRIELLE
Yes, sir. Doug, Will, come on, knock it off. I said knock it off (WILL throws a bar stool, GABRIELLE ducks, and NOLAN catches it) -- now! -- Doug!
WILL has thrown DOUG over the bar, breaking glass in the process. NOLAN takes WILL's arm and GABRIELLE rushes over to the bar.
NOLAN
Okay, okay, okay.
GABRIELLE
Doug, are you okay?
DOUG rises from behind the bar, dazed. There's a shard of glass sticking out of his neck and he's bleeding.
DOUG
Yeah. Uh, but my neck kinda hurts.
NOLAN
No, no, don't touch that. -- Ugh.
INT. BAR, DAY
DOUG is sitting on a stool, still looking dazed. WILL is worried about his brother.
WILL
I'm so sorry, man. Oh, please don't die. Hey, you know what? Shouldn't we just pull this thing out?
BAILEY arrives to assess the damage to DOUG.
BAILEY
No, don't touch it.
NOLAN
Thank you for coming. Nearest hospital is an hour away.
ELROY and NELL stroll in and walk over to the bar.
ELROY
Good morning. Two margaritas, if you are able. (off NOLAN's look) What? We're on vacation.
NELL
Yeah, you want anything?
NOLAN
No.
BAILEY
I'm gonna need some tape to secure the glass so we can take him to the hospital.
GABRIELLE
I've got some in the shop.
NOLAN
(to BAILEY) But you don't have to take him.
BAILEY
Yes, I do. He's my patient now.
WILL
I got you, dude.
GABRIELLE
(stopping WILL) How much have you had to drink?
WILL
Not a drop. We just got here.
GABRIELLE
Okay. You're gonna take your brother and Bailey to the hospital. And then you're gonna pay Walt for all the damages you've done here.
WILL
Yes, ma'am. Okay. (to DOUG) Come on. Got you.
ELROY
Cheers.
NELL
Mm.
ELROY
This is a dump.
EXT. DESERT ROAD, DAY - PATROL CAR
NOLAN is looking at a text on his cell.
NOLAN
Uh, Bailey made it to the hospital. Doug is in surgery.
GABRIELLE
Thank God. Those two are idiots, but... they're not bad guys. (spotting a car on the side of the road) Tourists. They never plan for the heat.
They pull up to the truck, which is pulling a camper, and NOLAN recognizes the man with his head under the hood.
NOLAN
Pete?
PETE NOLAN turns and runs right past them, leaving his overheated truck and his grilfriend, CHASTITY, behind.
PETE
Whoa! It's gonna blow!
CHASTITY
Pete, get back here. It's just overheating.
PETE
Save yourself! -- God.
CHASTITY
John? Oh, my gosh, the answer to my prayers. Um...the car broke down.
NOLAN
Yeah. I can see that. He's still running. Pete! Stop! Come back!
PETE
Is it safe?!
NOLAN
Yes! I promise!
PETE
Really?!
NOLAN
Yeah, you're safe!
PETE
You sure?!
NOLAN gives up and turns to CHASTITY.
CHASTITY
I told him this was gonna happen, but he isn't happy unless the AC is blasting at 60.
NOLAN
Ah.
CHASTITY
Yeah. Hi. I'm Chastity.
NOLAN
Sorry. Where are my manners? This is Officer Navar. Officer Navar, this is Chastity. She's dating my brother Pete.
PETE
Half-brother.
NOLAN
Right, my half-brother Pete.
PETE
Whew!
GABRIELLE
I see this all the time. I got some coolant in the back, should get you going shortly.
CHASTITY
Thank you.
GABRIELLE goes to get the coolant and PETE, who has returned to the scene, turns to NOLAN.
PETE
Why do people run, dude? It sucks.
NOLAN
What are you doing here?
PETE
What do you mean? You invited me.
NOLAN
I absolutely did not.
PETE
Well, it was certainly implied. I mean, why do you think I got this Airstream, dude? It's so we didn't have to pay for a room.
NOLAN
I didn't even know you owned an Airstream.
PETE
I don't. Oh, my -- I feel like I'm gonna die.(to CHASTITY) Did you bring my inhaler?
CHASTITY
Yeah, of course I did. Do you need it right now?
PETE
Yeah, I do.
CHASTITY
You need it right now.
PETE
I do.
EXT., DOWNTOWN L.A., DAY - HI-RISE APARTMENT BUILDING
LOPEZ and a couple of sharpshooters are watching the apartment where their drug lord suspect lives. On the street, AARON THORSEN is in street clothes in a car, watching as the blue Mini Cooper pulls into the building's parking garage.
THORSEN
Friendly is on site.
CHEN and some other police personnel exit a DWP truck nearby, enter a service hallway, and start assembling their strike team. BRADFORD, as BUTLER, drives the Mini Cooper into the garage, where he's confronted three henchmen. One of them checks the contents of the car and another frisks BRADFORD.
BRADFORD
I got a piece on my left. I want it back.
WISCO
Let's go see the boss.
The Mini Cooper is driven away by one of the men, and BRADFORD follows WISCO to the elevator. THORSEN observes the car leaving the garage and reports to LOPEZ.
THORSEN
Trojan horse is away, and we are on the move.
LOPEZ
Copy that. All vehicles, stand by. Rescue one, status?
CHEN
Rescue one, we're ready in 60 seconds.
She and the strike team start up the stairwell. BRADFORD is escorted off the elevator and into a luxury penthouse, up another staircase and out onto a large terrace with a view of Los Angeles. LOPEZ sees him walk toward the man standing at the rail.
LOPEZ
Here we go. UC in sight. Rescue one, stand by.
WISCO
Boss, he's here.
HAJEK
You're a brave man. Disappearing with my dope, then showing up here like nothing happened.
BRADFORD
I was worried I caught a tail. I went to ground till I knew it was safe. Didn't want to jam you up.
HAJEK
Hear that, Wisco? He's looking out for me. Come here. What do you think of my view?
BRADFORD
It's dope. So, when do I get paid?
HAJEK
Once you convince me not to have Wisco throw you over the balcony.
CHEN
Get ready to breach.
LOPEZ
Anyone lays a hand on our UC, you put them down.
BRADFORD
Yo, you trying to scare me, it ain't working. We both know you're too smart to murder me where you live. Plus, I gots people who wouldn't take it too well. Safer for you to keep me on the payroll. Smarter, too.
HAJEK
You know... ...I heard you were a bit of a dumbass.
BRADFORD
[ Chuckling ] Yeah. Well, helps people underestimate me.
HAJEK
Wisco will give you your cash on the way out.
WISCO looks disappointed.
BRADFORD
Word.
HAJEK
Or... ...you could do another job for me and triple it.
BRADFORD
What kind of job?
HAJEK
Can't tell you that yet. But it's heavy. And wet. And tomorrow. Oh, and we'll need a driver, so... bring your old lady. I hear she's fast.
BRADFORD
Yeah, sometimes, too fast.
HAJEK
No such thing. We'll be in touch.
LOPEZ
Arrest team, stand down. We need to see how this new job plays out. Thorsen, what's the status of the package?
THORSEN
Still on the move. Want us to intercept them?
LOPEZ
Negative. Keep eyes on until the Drug Unit takes over surveillance.
THORSEN
Copy that.
EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY, EVENING
GABRIELLE is pulling over someone in an SUV.
NOLAN
Nice felony stop. Good distance, nice angle.
GABRIELLE
A wise man told me to do things the right way, every time. So when the danger's real, the moves are automatic. (to the other driver) Good evening, sir. Do you know why we pulled you over?
DARVILL
Well, I'm assuming it's because I was driving like a bat out of hell. I do apologize.
GABRIELLE
License and registration, please.
DARVILL
Yeah. Um, unfortunately, I don't have any of that. I was mugged a few hours ago, and, well, my car keys are the only thing that I got away with.
GABRIELLE
Where did this happen?
DARVILL
It was at a gas station about... 40 miles back? Yeah, I'm -- I'm -- Look. I'm still shaking.
GABRIELLE
Did you file a police report?
DARVILL
No, no. I was -- I was too scared.
DARVILL surreptitiously gets hold of a handgun, and NOLAN spots it.
NOLAN
Gun! Back out! Back out! Back out!
GABRIELLE
Drop your gun! Drop it.
Both cops have their weapons trained on DARVILL. GABRIELLE pulls him out of the car and cuffs him.
DARVILL
All right. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Look, I think there's just been a misunderstanding, all right? I thought you were connected with the guys that just robbed me.
NOLAN
(snaps) What were you thinking?
GABRIELLE
Me?
NOLAN
Yes. You didn't do a proper threat assessment, and then you put yourself in the line of fire. Mine and his.
INT. FRONTERA POLICE OFFICE, NIGHT
GABRIELLE is taking DARVILL's fingerprints.
GABRIELLE
I'm really, really sorry. I wasn't thinking.
NOLAN
It's not about thinking -- it's just about training. And, clearly, you haven't had enough.
DARVILL
Well, you can't blame her, can you? Look at this place.
NOLAN takes DARVILL's arm and locks him in the holding cell.
NOLAN
Run those prints. I want to know who he is and whether he's got any outstanding warrants.
GABRIELLE
I can't. It's past 7:00. The station only allows us access to the CJIS database during business hours. Budget cuts.
NOLAN
(to DARVILL) Looks like you're spending the night.
DARVILL
Oh, come on. Like I was telling you -- I was afraid for my life.
NOLAN
Yeah. You also told me your name was John Smith. So save it for the judge. (to GABRIELLE) Do you want me to take first shift?
GABRIELLE
No. You've got friends here. I can handle it. And I owe you for the screw-up.
NOLAN
All right. Call me if you need anything. And don't let him out of there for any reason.
DARVILL
What if I need to pee?
NOLAN
Hold it.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, NIGHT - HALLWAY
LOPEZ and CHEN are walking toward the observation room.
LOPEZ
So, I had Dim's girlfriend picked up.
CHEN
Okay. Wait. Why are you being weird?
LOPEZ
It's easier to show you.
They enter Observation, where HARPER and BRADFORD are waiting, watching the woman in interrogation, who looks just like CHEN.
CHEN
Oh, um... That is disturbing.
LOPEZ
Guess we know who's going undercover with Dim.
BRADFORD
Yeah -- Juicy.
CHEN
No.
BRADFORD
Mm-hmm. It's Juicy.
CHEN
I don't like that.
JUICY
Hello!?
EXT. MOTEL, NIGHT - POOL AREA
ELROY is poking a fire pit while the others gather around and in the makeshift swimming pool. NOLAN arrives in street clothes.
PETE
Hey! There he is!
NOLAN
Hey.
CHASTITY
Come join us!
NOLAN
Uh... maybe in a minute.
He goes over to sit next to the pool where BAILEY is soaking.
BAILEY
Hey, you okay?
NOLAN
Just a bit of a scary moment during a traffic stop. Gabrielle has some definite holes in her training.
BAILEY
Well, then, it's a good thing you came to town.
PETE
It's fate, bro. The universe is putting you exactly where you need to be.
NOLAN
Yeah, I don't know that I believe in all that stuff.
ELROY
Oh, I do. If fate hadn't put us together, then I never would've had the courage to ask Nell out.
NELL
Aww. And I never would've met the love of my life.
CHASTITY
And I would've never met Pete. You're like the Hook-up Whisperer.
NOLAN
I don't know that that analogy tracks...
PETE
Yeah, dude. You're like Tinder, dude.
CHASTITY
Oh!
PETE
Something to be proud of. Embrace your special gift. You bring people sexual gratification. That's awesome.
BAILEY
Amen to that.
NOLAN
Thank you.
PETE
Is it weird to suggest that we all go into our rooms and maybe do a little making out?
NOLAN
Yep.
PETE
All right. Figured.
NELL
But I am feeling a little bit tired.
ELROY
Oh, me too.
CHASTITY
Come on, let's go, baby.
PETE
Oh.
CHASTITY
Good night.
NOLAN
Good night.
BAILEY
Good night.
PETE
Oh, there's a cat in there now, but i-it's fine. He's our friend.
BAILEY
Shall we?
NOLAN
It's either that or watch the Airstream start a-rockin'. Here you go. (handing her a robe)
BAILEY
All right. Carry me.
NOLAN
Oh, thought you'd never ask. Come here. [ Laughs ]
INT. CHEN'S APARTMENT, NIGHT - LIVING AREA
BRADFORD
If we're gonna make this work, our back story's got to be air-tight.
CHEN
Agreed. Okay, so, um, how did Dim and Juicy meet?
BRADFORD
At a barbecue.
CHEN
Mm-hmm. That's lame.
BRADFORD
Really? You think you can do better?
CHEN
Watch me. Okay, so, um... you were on the run from the cops -- a bank robbery gone wrong. You ended up in my building -- frantic, looking for a place to hide, and [breathes deeply] -- and I opened the door for you. I lied to the cops for you. And -- Ooh. And it got me so hot that we hooked up while they were still searching the building.
BRADFORD
Okay. That -- That -- That's pretty good, actually.
CHEN
Thank you.
BRADFORD
Mm-hmm. So, look -- we -- we should -- we should probably, you know, talk about the elephant in the room.
CHEN
Mm.
BRADFORD
You know, 'cause, i-if we're gonna sell that we are, you know, actually boyfriend and girlfriend, then we might have to, uh... You know.
CHEN sees his discomfort and takes advantage of it by playing dumb.
CHEN
Have to -- Have to what?
BRADFORD
We might have to... Do you...
CHEN
Okay, okay. We might have to... PDA?
BRADFORD
[ Sighs ] You know what? Forget it.
CHEN
No. No. Okay. You're right. You -- Yeah, you're right. I mean, if we're gonna -- [laughs] if we're gonna have to kiss, it probably shouldn't be for the first time, right?
BRADFORD
That's what I'm saying. Right. Yeah.
CHEN
Should we maybe -- uh, should we stand?
BRADFORD
Yeah, I think we should stand.
They stand.
CHEN
Yeah, that's good. [ Clears throat ] Good.
BRADFORD
This is... Um...sure.
CHEN
[ Laughs ] No.
BRADFORD
We're professionals. Let's just get this done with.
CHEN
Whoa! Well, that's romantic.
BRADFORD
I'm not trying to be romantic.
CHEN
Well, you're succeeding. Sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. Okay, okay. Okay. Yeah. Hold on. Just -- Yes. Good.
BRADFORD
Take your time.
CHEN
Yep. I'm g-- I'm -- Mm-hmm. Yep. I -- Yes, I'm ready.
BRADFORD
Okay.
He gives her a light kiss on the lips. She looks underwhelmed.
CHEN
Okay. -- I'm s-- I'm sorry. Is that it?
BRADFORD
You know what? If -- If you're gonna criticize me --
CHEN grabs him and kisses him passionately. They're locked in an embrace when the door open and TAMARA comes in -- and they spring apart.
CHEN
Oh.
TAMARA
Oh. Ah. I...I should probably go.
CHEN
No. This is work. This is work.
BRADFORD
Yeah, yeah. W-We're -- We're going undercover, and it's --
CHEN
Yeah, it's --
TAMARA
I mean, hey, hey -- it's cool. I mean, you don't have to explain yourself. [ Chuckles ] I should probably go.
CHEN
No. No, no.
BRADFORD
I was just about to leave. You know what? I don't have anything. Um, I'll see you tomorrow.
CHEN
G-Good work tonight.
TAMARA
Bye.
BRADFORD
Great work, as well.
CHEN
Mm-hmm.
BRADFORD
Bye.
CHEN
Mm.
TAMARA
I'm gonna go to my room.
CHEN
Yeah, me too. Good.
BRADFORD pauses outside CHEN's door with a "what just happened?" expression.
INT. MOTEL, MORNING - NOLAN'S ROOM
NOLAN wakes up and sits up in bed. BAILEY stirs.
BAILEY
What's wrong?
NOLAN
Nothing. I'm just gonna go relieve my rookie. Go back to sleep.
BAILEY
Mm.
NOLAN gets dressed and goes outside, where ELROY seems to be doing some form of tai chi.
NOLAN
You're getting good.
ELROY
Thanks. Almost dying is a real motivator for learning how to defend yourself. Where are you going?
NOLAN
Ah, just down to the office to check on Gabrielle.
ELROY
Can I come?
NOLAN
Sure..
ELROY
All right, let me finish real quick. (makes one gesture) That was it. That was it.
NOLAN
Let's go.
EXT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - PARKING LOT
CHEN arrives at work and gets out of her car, to find BRADFORD waiting to talk to her.
BRADFORD
Hey.
CHEN
Hey. Uh...any contact from Hajek?
BRADFORD
No. Not yet. Listen, about --
CHEN
We should prob--
BRADFORD
Sorry.
CHEN
Oh, the -- Sorry, no.
BRADFORD
Go ahead.
CHEN
You go first.
BRADFORD
You s-- You sure?
CHEN
Mm-hmm.
BRADFORD
Okay. I-I just wanted to say... ...we need more work on our back story. Give it more depth. Key moments, you know?
CHEN
Yeah, we, uh, we could take the morning -- you know, while we're waiting for Hajek to call.
BRADFORD
That's great.
CHEN
Great.
BRADFORD
Okay.
CHEN
Yeah. [ Chuckles ]
They go into the station.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - GREY'S OFFICE
HARPER taps on the door frame and GREY looks over at her.
HARPER
Uh, you got a minute?
GREY
Sure. Everything okay?
HARPER
Yes, yes. But, um, my doctor wants me to start my maternity leave this week, so... You know, get off my feet, take it easy for the baby.
GREY
Of course. Whatever you need.
HARPER
[ Sighs ] Thank you.
GREY
Is there something else?
HARPER
No, uh... [ Sighs ] Yes. I need to talk to you about what comes after.
GREY
That sounds ominous.
HARPER
No, it - it's not at all. I just -- I-I-I've been thinking, and once this baby is born, I would like to stay with the detectives.
GREY
I figured as much. Nyla, you're an exemplary T.O., but at heart, you're a hunter. I assume you'd like to stay paired with Lopez?
HARPER
Yes, we work great together.
GREY
Okay. I'll tell Caradine and find a new T.O. for Thorsen.
HARPER
Thank you... for everything.
INT. FRONTERA DINER, DAY
NOLAN and ELROY arrive; the place is empty of customers and staff.
ELROY
I'm gonna make some coffee. You want some?
NOLAN
Yes, please. (to GABRIELLE) Morning.
GABRIELLE
Hey, I was just about to call you. I ran our suspect's prints the minute the system came online. He's seriously a bad guy.
NOLAN
Blair Darvill. Great name. (to DARVILL) I see why you'd want to keep it secret, though. Number one on the ATF's most wanted list. Weapons trafficking, attempted murder. They're gonna be pretty psyched when I call and tell them you're here.
DARVILL
Yeah. Here's the thing. When I didn't show up last night, my guys started looking for me. You should really let me go before they get here.
NOLAN
Nice try.
ELROY (from the main room)
Hey, John, could you come out here, uh, for a minute?
DARVILL
Too late.
NOLAN
Keep an eye on him.
He goes out to the diner to see that a man has arrived with a large black duffel bag.
ELROY
Mnh.
MAN WITH MONEY
LAPD. You're a long way from home.
NOLAN
How can I help you?
MAN WITH MONEY
Let's just say we can help each other. You have a friend of mine in custody. I am here to pay his bail.
He unzips the bag to show it's full of wads of cash.
ELROY
Oh, score.
NOLAN
Elroy.
ELROY
Sorry.
NOLAN
(to the MAN) That's not how bail works. He has to go in front of a judge first. But you already know that.
MAN WITH MONEY
I do. But sometimes cops play hard to get before they take a bribe.
NOLAN
Right. Well, I don't take bribes. Your friend's going away for a long time. And I'd bet that much money that there's an outstanding warrant or two for your arrest, so why don't you show me some ID?
MAN WITH MONEY
Are you sure you really want to play it like that?
He opens his jacket to show he has a gun, then looks out the window to see someone getting out of a car with a weapon.
MAN WITH MONEY
And there's more on the way -- arrival, imminent.
ELROY
Maybe -- and I'm just talking here -- we take the money. (suddenly losing confidence) Or just forget the money. Or we just let him have the guy.
NOLAN
They're not the only ones with guns.
ELROY
I do not have a gun.
MAN WITH MONEY
Last chance.
NOLAN
Right back at you.
The MAN exits the building, then makes a call on his cell.
MAN WITH MONEY
We're going to war. Take it down.
EXT. DESERT ROAD, DAY
There's a truck parked by the side of the road; a woman, who apparently received the phone call, nods to her partner, who takes a chainsaw to a pole nearby with hardware on it.
INT. DINER
BAILEY has called NOLAN.
BAILEY
Hey. Nell and Chastity are going antiquing, so I'm coming to have breakfast with you.
NOLAN
No. Don't come here. Where's Pete?
BAILEY
Sleeping. Why? What's wrong?
NOLAN
Ah, lots of guys, lots of guns. I need you to grab Pete, and I need you to get out of town.
BAILEY drives past the site where the pole is being cut down.
BAILEY
John, they're cutting down the cell tower. John, are you there?
Their call has been terminated.
NOLAN
Bailey? Bailey?
ELROY
What happened?
NOLAN
We're cut off.
GABRIELLE emerges from the police office.
GABRIELLE
What the hell is happening?
NOLAN
You need to open that gun safe.
GABRIELLE
I-I can't. The sheriff has the key.
ELROY
That would've been good to know before you decided to take a stand.
NOLAN
Okay, okay. New plan. Go get the prisoner.
ELROY
Yes.
GABRIELLE
Okay.
She goes to get DARVILL.
ELROY
You're giving him up.
NOLAN
No. We're gonna use him as a shield.
ELROY
I like my idea better.
Six thugs outside have gathered and are preparing their weapons. The MAN WITH THE MONEY gestures for them to begin, and they start firing at the diner.
NOLAN
Get down!
NOLAN and ELROY duck behind the counter and GABRIELLE dives to the floor in the police office.
GABRIELLE
Oh!
ELROY
Oh, oh! -- Oh, oh!
EXT. MOTEL, DAY
BAILEY pulls up, jumps out of the truck and runs into the courtyard, yelling for PETE, who is sacked out inside the Airstream.
BAILEY
Pete! Pete, wake up! Pete!
INT. DINER, DAY
The thugs pause to reload; GABRIELLE emerges from the police office with DARVILL in hand.
ELROY
Oh! Oh!
GABRIELLE
He's a feisty one.
NOLAN
Come on.
He pushes DARVILL ahead of him as he goes forward to negotiate with the thugs.
DARVILL
You know, you should probably just let me go. If you do it now, I can probably talk them into letting you live.
NOLAN
Forgive me if I don't trust you. (to the thugs) Hey! You shoot at us again, you kill your boss!
MAN WITH MONEY
You think that's gonna stop us? We'll just come in and get him. And we'll make it hurt.
NOLAN
You come in here, you won't walk back out.
DARVILL
All they have are handguns and limited ammo.
NOLAN
Okay, come on, come on. Enough talking. (hustling DARVILL back to the counter; to GABRIELLE) All right. Stick him in the kitchen. Hold him in there. And you plant yourself right next to him. It's the safest spot for you and Elroy. I'll cover left. You cover right. Elroy, you're spotter -- you call out trouble when you see it.
ELROY
Sounds like a -- a -- a lot of pressure.
ELROY rises to the occasion, yelling out targets as he covers his ears. The thugs put down their automatic weapons and use their handguns, trying to get inside the diner.
ELROY
Right! -- Left, left, left! -- It's so loud! -- Right! -- The left! -- Get to the right! -- Left!
It's a regular shooting gallery; at one point one of the thugs leaps over the counter and knocks NOLAN down.
Meanwhile, back at the motel, two thugs are stalking BAILEY, who ambushes one in the office and subdues him, knocking him out...while PETE sleeps on, and the other thug chases BAILEY through the courtyard.
At the diner, NOLAN has been disarmed and is being repeatedly shoved against the wall and throttled; he reaches over to ELROY, who hands him a plate. Breaking the plate on the thug's head seems to have little effect, but the second one enables NOLAN to get in a knockout punch.
ELROY is alone in some part of the kitchen area when a thug opens the door and comes in slowly. ELROY takes a deep breath and assumes one of his tai chi positions.
ELROY
Okay. Let's do this, big boy.
The thug pulls a knife.
ELROY
Aw, come on!
Cut back to the motel, where PETE is still sleeping and BAILEY is still fighting. She disarms the remaining thug and the two of them end up in the "pool".
Cut back to the diner, where NOLAN engages in hand-to-hand combat with each thug, then turns to see ELROY dispatching the man he's been fighting.
THUG
Ah!
NOLAN
Oh. [ Chuckles ] Nice. Holy... (noticing ELROY's bleeding mouth)
ELROY
What?
NOLAN
Nothing.
A thug with a gun rises from his daze and aims for NOLAN, but is shot down by GABRIELLE from the kitchen.
Back at the motel, BAILEY finally prevails in the pool fight, just as PETE emerges from the Airstream, oblivious to recent events.
PETE
What's going on? [ Yawning ] Is there, uh -- Is there any coffee?
NELL and CHASTITY come up, having returned from their antiquing trip, and survey the scene.
NELL
[ Chuckles ] This trip is gonna make one hell of a podcast.
CHASTITY
Oh, my God. Baby. Are you okay?
PETE
I'm okay.
CHASTITY
You're okay?
PETE
I'm okay.
CHASTITY
Oh, okay.
PETE
(to BAILEY) What happened to you guys?
INT. DINER, DAY
GABRIELLE and NOLAN are dragging the thugs into the holding room.
ELROY
Wait. Where's Captain Money Bag?
The MAN WITH MONEY emerges from behind a door and aims at GABRIELLE. NOLAN shoots him first.
GABRIELLE
Thanks.
NOLAN
Now we're even.
INT. DINER, DAY - LATER
GABRIELLE, ELROY, NOLAN, and BAILEY are standing in the dining room.
ELROY
You should've seen me -- I kicked his ass.
GABRIELLE
I was a little preoccupied saving Nolan.
NOLAN
Uh, well, I think we all saved each other. It's not a contest.
ELROY
Oh, it is a little bit of a contest, and I'm clearly the winner. All right, Bailey is clearly the winner, but I-I'm a close runner-up.
A CHP officer and EMTs enter the diner and look around.
CHP
Looks like a war zone in here.
ELROY
You should see the other guys.
CHP
Where are the other guys?
The other guys are all crammed into one holding cell in the police office.