THE ROOKIE
Season 3, Episode 10
"Man of Honor"
CHEN
All right, you guys!
WEST
Whoo!
NOLAN
You just finished your first day of Police Academy. How do you feel?
CHEN
Uh, like it might've been a bad idea.
WEST
Look, I personally don't mind doing it again tomorrow. How about you? Still feel like puking?
NOLAN
Uh, no. I did that when you were taking your extra lap, so now, I just feel a sense of achievement and an even greater sense that sticking, uh, close to you two is what's gonna get me across the finish line.
CHEN
Well, how about this, we will all get through together.
All for one, one for all. Oh! Pinkies!
WEST
Hey, well, I personally want to celebrate by doing another lap.
NOLAN
That guy serious?
CHEN
Mm-hmm.
WEST
Okay, ready?
NOLAN
Yep.
WEST
Go for it.
NOLAN
What? D-Did you say go?
WEST
Three, two, one, go.
NOLAN
Wait -- Oh, wait.
NOLAN
No one's saying I got my lights punched out, but --
WEST
Whoo!
NOLAN
...I'm just saying...maybe think twice before you take on Recruit Chen.
WEST
Do it! Go! Go! Make it! I'm on your side! I'm on your side!
NOLAN
Boom.
CHEN
Oh!
WEST
Ohh!
CHEN
No! Your flashlight's not on! Your flashlight is not on!
WEST
The winner. The loser.
CHEN
His flashlight wasn't on.
NOLAN
We can do it again.
WEST
A-ha. Calm down.
CHEN
What? Okay, first of all, just hold the mitts up.
WEST
Geez. All right. All right. [ Grunts ]
WEST
Disassemble. Ready? Three, two, one, go.
NOLAN
Once I catch my breath, I'm gonna come back in, and it's gonna be round two. I'm -- I'm gonna take a shot at the title.
NOLAN
And I'm arranging it nice, too.
Oh.
WEST
Oh! Another winner!
CHEN
Fudge!
WEST
How does it feel to be so defeated?
CHEN
I... Man, I gotta practice. Stop it.
WEST
Yeah.
NOLAN
Someone gotta practice.
WEST
Ooh!
CHEN
Cut. Cut.
NOLAN
Okay. All right, you guys, we ready?
CHEN
What?
NOLAN
First time in uniform. Everything except the badge. So, tell me, uh, why do you want to be a police officer, Recruit Chen?
CHEN
Oh, good question, Recruit Nolan.
NOLAN
That's me.
CHEN
Um... I guess I want to do something that matters.
WEST
Aw. That was a cute answer, but everyone will say that. So, can you do me a favor and dig deeper, please?
CHEN
Okay. Um, I guess -- I guess I've been adrift since college, trying on different hats and different personalities, and nothing's felt right, until -- until this. But I don't think the time spent trying to find myself was wasted. You know, everything I've done so far, the profound and the foolish, has prepared me to become a police officer so that I can protect those who need it the most and from those who would do them harm.
NOLAN
Uh, that's...unexpected and actually amazing. That was really well said.
CHEN
Thank you.
NOLAN
That was -- [ Groans ] I hope they don't ask me.
CAPTAIN ZOE ANDERSEN
Now, make no mistake -- you will be tested. You will see things no one should have to see, do things a person should never be asked to do. But what will get you through it all is character. When faced with the worst of humanity, you will need to be your best.
CHEN
Aww, I love that. Especially the Captain's speech. I miss her.
NOLAN
Yeah, me, too. She would be so proud of you two.
WEST
Of all of us. Look, just 30 more days and you'll be a P2, too. Also? As well?
CHEN
Okay, until then, don't speak to us when we're on duty.
NOLAN
Whoa.
WEST
Seriously, we can't be caught dead socializing with a lowly P1.
NOLAN
Somehow, I always knew this about you two.
NOLAN
Ben! Guys, it's Ben!
WEST
Hey!
CHEN
Hi!
NOLAN
Oh! Ben!
BEN
Oh, congratulations, buddy.
NOLAN
Oh, come, come. Come in, come in, come in. God, where have you been?
BEN
Where haven't I been? I mean, other than here. I spent six months traveling the world, meeting fascinating people.
CHEN
And by fascinating people, you mean attractive women?
WEST
Whom you dated?
BEN
No, not this time, Officer Chen and Officer West. And congrats to you two, by the way. No, I started my own global charitable foundation.
NOLAN
Wow.
BEN
But even saving the world couldn't keep me from coming home and celebrating my best friend becoming a glorious P2, whatever that is. Anyway, way to go, buddy.
NOLAN
Uh, stop. Actually, I haven't, um, moved on. Uh, since you've been gone, there's been a little... shifting.
BEN
Wait, so you three are still rookies?
NOLAN
Oh, not those two. They're good. Just me. Um, I, uh, have a 30-day extension for breaking the rules.
BEN
Well, in my business, breaking the rules is how you make your first million.
NOLAN
Uh, if only. But, I-I-I'm flattered. I'm so glad you're here. It's so great to see you. I just feel terrible that you came all the way to L.A. for me.
BEN
You know the foundation is centered here. I got plenty of work to do, including getting Henry squared away.
NOLAN
For what?
BEN
His -- His new gig. I-I-I thought he told you.
NOLAN
No, and he's already got a gig called being a college student, so...
BEN
Well, you know what? You should probably, uh, talk to him about that. Now, until then, I don't think there's any point in letting this go to waste. [ Cork pops ] Whoa! Congratulations, pal.
CHEN
There's got to be a ceremony or something to mark the rite of passage into P2, right?
WEST
When my dad moved up, he said the watch commander called him up
to the front of roll call and gave him a bottle of 30-year-old scotch.
CHEN
Ah. I'm not really a whiskey girl. Oh, God, I hope Sgt. Grey hasn't heard the stories about me and tequila. Honestly, I hope they give us something besides alcohol. Wait, they're gonna give us separate things, right? 'Cause I --
WEST
Okay, just slow down, okay? Don't ruin it by overthinking everything, okay? Just relax. Go with the flow.
CHEN
Right. Go with the flow.
WEST
Mm-hmm.
CHEN
Because we are P2s now.
WEST
Ooh. And we get to sit with the cool kids.
HARPER
Oh, hell no. Keep moving.
WEST
Okay.
CHEN
Man, that hurt in high school, and it still hurts now.
WEST
Well, we can't sit in the front row, 'cause the front row's for rookies. So...boom. Second row, baby.
CHEN
That's right. What-what.
NOLAN
Hey, nice. [ Cellphone ringing ] Hey.
HENRY
Hey, sorry I missed your call.
NOLAN
[ Whispering ] Oh, no problem. Um...
HENRY
Why are we whispering?
NOLAN
I think I have a second. So, uh, tell me what's going on. Ben said he gave you a job, but he wouldn't give me any details.
HENRY
Yeah. Uh, I've been meaning to talk to you about that.
NOLAN
Is it like a summer internship or something?
HENRY
No, it's a full-time job. I, uh, start next week.
NOLAN
How are you gonna manage that with college?
HENRY
I'm not. I'm dropping out.
GREY
Officer Nolan, you better be taking a 911 overflow call from Dispatch. Do you want to add another week to your 30-day extension? You're already the oldest rookie. Wanna become the longest-serving one?
NOLAN
No, sir. It won't happen again.
GREY
Good. Now, to the business of the day. Officer Chen, Officer West, you'll -- Where the hell are y'all going?
WEST
Oh. Uh, sir, we thought that maybe --
CHEN
Sir, it's our first day as P2s.
GREY
So, what? You want me to throw you a party, huh? [ Laughter ] Give you a gift? Give you flowers? What? What is the reward for moving up, Office Chen?
CHEN
Getting to do the job another day, sir?
GREY
Are you asking me or are you telling me?
CHEN
Doing the job, sir.
GREY
That's right. And today, you'll be riding together. I don't usually pair new P2s, but I thought you two could handle it. Don't make me regret it.
CHEN
Yes, sir.
WEST
Thank you, sir.
GREY
Sit down. Moving on. All PAS devices need software updates. Be sure to swap out your old ones...
CHEN
I'm guessing your dad lied.
WEST
Yeah, no kidding.
GREY
...before your shift.
NOLAN
Hey. Henry. Me again. Uh, call me, buddy. We need to talk. Okay. Talk to you soon. I can't believe he's doing this. I ju-- He loves school. He tells me that all the time. And he knows how I feel about having to drop out at his age.
HARPER
Go easy on him. I-It could be a great job.
NOLAN
[ Sighs ] How would you feel if Lila dropped out of second grade?
HARPER
Oh, my baby girl would never disappoint me like that. Hey, do you have any camping gear?
NOLAN
Yeah. Enough to take a two-week excursion down the Amazon. Why?
HARPER
I'm chaperoning an overnight camping trip for Lila's Girl Scout troop.
NOLAN
Wait, you don't like camping?
HARPER
No one does. But I have bigger problems. Alonzo is gonna be there.
NOLAN
The music class guy. What's the problem? I thought the two of you hit it off.
HARPER
We did. And he asked me out. But I had to cancel, and then we re-scheduled, but then he cancelled at the last minute.
NOLAN
And you think it was a revenge cancel?
HARPER
Feels like it. But the bottom line is I need to look good the next time I see him, and that is not gonna happen if I am covered in bug spray trying to set up a tent.
NOLAN
So, do you want to borrow the camping equipment or not?
HARPER
Yes.
CHEN
Another congratulations text?
WEST
Uh, from my cousin. Cop family. They're all taking me to dinner at Pacific Dining Car for baseball steaks tonight.
CHEN
Hmm.
WEST
Family tradition. Wanna come? My treat.
CHEN
Oh. Thanks. Um...actually, my parents are coming over for dinner tonight. I think they're coming around to me being a cop.
WEST
Uh, that's great.
CHEN
Yeah.
WEST
I'm hot. I'm sorry. Are you not hot?
CHEN
Yeah, but we can't turn on the A/C until after lunch, so...
WEST
Why not?
CHEN
Oh, my gosh, you're right. That's a Tim rule, and he's not here. It's just us... and we call the shots. Ha. Ooh!
WEST
Ooh!
CHEN
The sweet, sweet chill of independence.
WEST
Ooh. You know something Lopez never let me do?
CHEN
Hmm?
WEST
Yes! Bumping that bass of freedom, baby.
CHEN
Okay.
WEST
Ooh, ooh.
BRADFORD
Get up, Boot! "Quit" is a four-letter word. Do you hear me? Failure is not an option. Oh, come on, man. We're almost home. Who wants a steak? Huh? Come. [ Barks ]
BRADFORD receives a text from LOPEZ requesting assistance at what's revealed to be a wedding dress shop.
SUE
Can I help you?
BRADFORD
Is Angela Lopez here?
SUE
In the changing suite. She's gone through half of our tissue supply.
BRADFORD
Thanks. You okay? What happened?
LOPEZ
[ Sniffles ] This.
BRADFORD
You're going into labor?
LOPEZ
No, the baby's fine. I just -- Oh, I never imagined I'd have to pick a wedding dress based on its ability to hide my belly.
BRADFORD
Who said you have to hide your belly?
LOPEZ
My bridesmaids. They said this is the one that camouflages it best. So, I kicked them all out and texted you.
BRADFORD
You text me "911" on my day off to ask me if a dress makes you look fat?
LOPEZ
Does it?
BRADFORD
Yes. Because you're pregnant. Are you ashamed of your baby?
LOPEZ
Of course not.
BRADFORD
Okay, then who cares what your stupid friends think? Show off that baby belly. Wear what you feel confident in. [ Chuckles ] Hell, wear a white half-tee and let your gut hang out like my Uncle Elliot at my niece's christening.
LOPEZ
[ Chuckles ] He didn't.
BRADFORD
Oh, yeah. He even managed to get his gut in the holy water somehow. Anyway, what does your dream wedding dress look like?
LOPEZ
A V-neck dress with bell sleeves.
BRADFORD
Okay. So, we'll start there. I'll go talk to the lady and have her pull a few choices.
CHEN
Okay. It's our first call as P2s.
CARADINE
We got a triple homicide on the second floor.
WEST
Sir, what do you need us to do? Canvass the area?
CHEN
Track down potential witnesses?
CARADINE
No, I got a special job for you two. Guarding evidence. Follow me.
WEST
This is the evidence?
CARADINE
Our suspect may have helped himself to some snacks before taking off. We think this chocolate bar might be one of them. TID's stuck in traffic. Just keep it safe 'til they get here, Boots.
CHEN
Uh, with all due respect, sir, we're no longer Boots. We're P2s.
CARADINE
Don't let it melt.
DISPATCH
7-Adam-15, silent alarm, manually activated, 2-11 type at Copley Bank & Trust, 28700 Wilshire.
NOLAN
Control, we're on site at that possible 2-11. Hold for confirmation. ... Control, we have a confirmed 2-11 in progress. Send additional units and airship. Have them shut down about a block before they get here. Send a supervisor. Harper, I think I can get in close.
HARPER
Do it. I'll post up here. Stay behind cover. Let me know what you see. Don't make a move until I tell you.
GUNMAN
Come on, come on, come on, move it! Put the money in the bag! Fill it up! Faster! Come on!
NOLAN
Control, suspect is male, six-foot, black leather jacket, beige shirt, blue jeans, wearing a mask, I'm counting seven hostages, including two tellers and a guard.
GUNMAN
Come on!
NOLAN
Move! Move! Keep your hands up high! Do not fire. Two coming out. We got two hostages coming out.
NOLAN
Police! Drop that gun!
GUNMAN
Leave or I'll shoot her!
NOLAN
No. No, you won't! You're not gonna do that. We're gonna work this out right now.
GUNMAN
No, we can't! But you gotta let me leave with this bag or she dies!
NOLAN
You okay?
SECURITY GUARD
I'm okay.
NOLAN
Okay, look, clearly, everything's gotten out of control, so, uh, I find it's best in these situations to just slow everything down, so let's start with an introduction. I'm John Nolan. What's your name? Yeah. You're on camera right now. They are comparing your face to DMV records as we speak.
COOPER
It's Cooper.
NOLAN
Cooper. Okay, good. Cooper, first thing we need to deal with is the young woman you're terrorizing with that gun.
COOPER
Look, I let her go and you kill me.
NOLAN
No. No, not true. Right now, you have cover and concealment. So long as you stay behind that pillar, you're gonna be fine. Cooper, funny story -- this is not my first bank robbery. First one was before I was a cop, and that day, I had a whole bunch of problems on my mind, but as soon as the guns came out, I only cared about one thing, and that was making sure everybody got out of there alive, and I think, deep down, you want the same thing, Cooper.
COOPER
Look, I don't want to hurt anyone. But I don't have a choice, okay? My family --
NOLAN
I understand. I know your family would want you to survive this, too. So...let the girl go.
COOPER
Look, if I do, you gotta let me walk out of here.
NOLAN
Cooper, there's another dozen officers outside and more on the way.
COOPER
Look, none of this was supposed to happen.
NOLAN
I know. Yet here we are. Look, you just let her go, put the gun down, and it'll all be over.
COOPER
Go.
[ Woman whimpering ]
NOLAN
Good. Good, good, good, good. We're almost home. Now you just gotta put that gun down. Nice and easy. Great. Right there. Just put your gun down right there. No, don't! Drop it! Drop your gun! Drop it!
SECURITY GUARD
[ Clattering ] He had a gun! He was gonna shoot us!
NOLAN
He was giving up! One Code Four in the bank. Suspect is down. Gunshot wound to the chest. Unconscious, not breathing.
HARPER
You okay?
NOLAN
His gun was empty.
WEST
To the left. No, no. Too much, too much. Back to the right. Just a hair to your left.
CHEN
Come on, it's turning into chocolate sauce.
WEST
Yeah, look, we can't have our first day as full-fledged cops end in failure because we could not preserve crucial evidence.
CHEN
Well, unless you can get the sun to crank the temperature down, we're screwed.
WEST
Oh, sir, uh, these are the cooling aids to help protect the evidence.
CARADINE
I like the dedication, but we just found our suspect walking down La Brea, covered in the victims' blood. He immediately confessed.
WEST
Wait, so, this is just...
CARADINE
Garbage. Uh, do the city a favor and clean it up before you go.
DISPATCH
7-Adam-07, disturbance at 25616 Wilshire. Are you free to respond?
CHEN
Control, that's an affirmative.
WEST
All right. Let's just, uh, shake this off and rock the rest of the day. Can you grab the chocolate?
CHEN
Ew. Oh, my -- Ugh.
BRADFORD
You doing okay in there?
LOPEZ
You ever tried zipping up a dress with a bowling ball on your belly? It takes time, so quit rushing me.
BRADFORD
I am not rushing you. I'm prepared to stay here until you've tried on every single dress. Whoa.
LOPEZ
Really?
BRADFORD
Oh, yeah.
LOPEZ
I know. It's perfect. Thank you so much for doing this with me.
BRADFORD
Of course.
FAITH
Get your claws off my dress!
CHASTITY
"My dress?!" You put it back on the rack!
SUE
It's okay. Everything's gonna be fine. The police are on their way.
CHASTITY
Let go now!
BRADFORD
We're not getting involved unless someone loses a limb. Though I should probably film it for evidence.
WEST
Police. Lopez? What are you doing here?
LOPEZ
I'll give you three guesses.
CHEN
Are you helping her find a wedding dress?
BRADFORD
Well, right now, I'm watching you not do your job.
WEST
Look, ladies, you just need to settle down.
CHEN
Ma'am, you gotta let go of the dress right now, okay?
LOPEZ
They grow up so fast, don't they?
CHASTITY
...my dress! [ Dress rips ]
FAITH
I'm not leaving without this dress! Aah!
BRADFORD
Ooh, looking good, Officer Chen. Looking good.
NOLAN
It always feels a little callous to me -- using a death notification to question a loved one.
HARPER
It's actually when people tend to be the most forthcoming.And for all we know, Cooper's wife was supposed to be the getaway driver.
NOLAN
Well, the car's here. Man, a house like this. Why rob a bank? Why not just take out a second mortgage?
HARPER
Maybe he did and he just needed the cash right away.
NOLAN
For what?
HARPER
Property taxes?
NOLAN
I'm serious. This whole case is weird. Cooper said he didn't have a choice. What's that supposed to mean?
HARPER
Looks can be deceiving. I mean, people in this town drive around in cars they can't afford, flaunting wealth that they don't have. Maybe Cooper was just one of those people and he got desperate. What's the wife's name?
NOLAN
Alice Hicks.
HARPER
You hear that?
NOLAN
Yeah.
HARPER
LAPD. Open the door, please. ...Control, 7-Adam-15. No one is coming to the door. We are making entry to welfare check Cooper's wife.
NOLAN
Police! Anyone home? ... House is clear.
HARPER
Ice cream's been left out awhile.
NOLAN
That phone alarm's been going off since 7:00 a.m.
HARPER
Any sign of the wife or daughter?
NOLAN
Nothing.
HARPER
They might have gone voluntarily and left the phone behind to avoid being tracked.
NOLAN
Or they got caught up in whatever Cooper was doing, and they're in danger.
HARPER
Control, notify detectives. Our bank robber's wife and daughter are missing. This is a possible crime scene.
CARADINE
Thanks. We'll take it from here.
NOLAN
Hey. Any updates?
HARPER
Uh, just that Alice sent an e-mail to her daughter's school this morning excusing her from class.
NOLAN
Well, we need to know when that e-mail was sent, because if it went before the phone alarm went off --
HARPER
Nolan, I need you to take a breath. Okay, I know this case has gotten under your skin, but we've done our jobs. It's the detectives' case now, okay?
NOLAN
It just feels weird going home not knowing what happened.
HARPER
I know. I get it, but trust me, being able to clock out at the end of shift, it is a gift. Caradine, he will -- he will work this case hard, and we get to go home.
NOLAN
Uh, more accurately, you get to go to my house to pick up the camping gear.
HARPER
Mm.
NOLAN
So that you can spend the night in the great outdoors with a bunch of second graders. And a man who may or may not hate you 'cause you blew him off.
HARPER
You know, I feel like you enjoyed saying that just a little too much.
NOLAN
Did I smile? I was trying not to smile.
HARPER
I saw it.
NOLAN
Sorry. Guilty.
CHEN
Ooh. Someone looks handsome.
WEST
Thank you. Figured I better be photo-ready in case this makes the Christmas card.
Yeah.
WEST
What you, uh... cooking for your own celebration?
CHEN
Yeah, it's a special occasion. I'm making lotus root soup. It's my mom's favorite.
WEST
Okay.
CHEN
Mmm. Oh, my gosh. It's perfect.
VANESSA
Jackson.
WEST
Hi.
VANESSA
You still listening to that mindfulness podcast I sent you?
WEST
Every day, Mrs. Chen. Thanks for recommending it.
VANESSA
Oh, are you leaving?
CHEN
Uh, Jackson's family is taking him out to dinner to celebrate.
VANESSA
Oh. How lovely. [ Chuckles ] Congratulations.
WEST
Thank you. Bye, guys.
VANESSA
Bye-bye!
CHEN
Where's -- Where's Dad?
VANESSA
Oh, he's got his book club tonight.
CHEN
Well, that's fine. We can just have a girls' night celebrating.
VANESSA
Actually, I'm not here to celebrate. We need to talk about this whole police officer thing.
CHEN
What? Mom...
VANESSA
Look, you gave it a year, proved you could do it. Brava. It's time for you to do something meaningful with your life.
CHEN
"Something meaningful"?
VANESSA
Yeah. Go back to school. Get your master's. Have a profession.
CHEN
Being a cop is my profession.
VANESSA
As a paid bully for the city?
CHEN
Is that how you see me?
VANESSA
It's how a lot of people see you. Especially now. I want to be proud of you, instead of hoping people don't ask me what you do for a living.
CHEN
Mom, can you just support me? You know, you seem happy enough for Jackson. I-I don't get it.
VANESSA
Jackson is not my child. You are. Your father and I have been very patient, supporting you as you quit grad school, followed your passions, but now, it is time to get serious about your future.
CHEN
Being a police officer is my future. I love this job. I love it. [ Sighs ] I get to help people.
VANESSA
You want to help people? Become a doctor.
CHEN
Wow.
VANESSA
Sorry to be so blunt, but it needed to be said.
CHEN
Right.
VANESSA
Lucy.
CHEN
What?
VANESSA
[ Sighs ] Your father and I will always love you.
CHEN
Mm-hmm.
VANESSA
But you are risking your life for a thankless job, and we cannot be supportive of this any longer.
CHEN
Okay. Okay! Okay. I heard you the first time. If you're done expressing your disappointment, I would -- I would like some space, please. Can you just go?!
HARPER
Come on.
ALONZO
Hey. You need help with that?
HARPER
Alonzo. Hi. No. No, I'm fine. I got it. Where are Lila and the other girls?
ALONZO
Moonlight hike. I fake-pulled a hamstring so I could stay behind, man the fort.
HARPER
Maybe I should join them.
ALONZO
You wanna wander around in the woods at night? You're braver than me.
HARPER
Yeah...Uh, you know what? Maybe I will -- I will just make camp. [ Chuckles ] Okay, you know what? [ Chuckles ] I have no idea what I'm doing.
ALONZO
[ Laughs ] Neither did I. This is all my gear. [ Chuckles ] Look, I understand if you changed your mind about wanting to go out with me. I just don't want it to be weird between us.
HARPER
Wait. I didn't change my mind. You changed your mind.
ALONZO
You cancelled on me.
HARPER
Yeah, but then you revenge cancelled on me.
ALONZO
No. That was a regular cancel. And after that, you cancelled on me again.
HARPER
Oh, right. Yeah, I-I was stuck at a crime scene.
ALONZO
I was sure you hated me.
HARPER
No. No. I don't hate you at all.
ALONZO
Good. I don't hate you, either.
HARPER
Good. So, you still owe me a date, though.
ALONZO
S'mores and a beer work?
HARPER
Wow. Okay. Yeah. For now. But if this goes well, I require someplace with a wine list and indoor plumbing.
ALONZO
I can make that happen. [ Girls giggling and shouting ] Drink fast. Drink fast.
BEN
[ Sighs ] You know, if we're not there in 15, they're gonna give away our table.
NOLAN
Oh, I'm sure once the maitre d' sees that it's you, he'll just move us to the front of the line.
BEN
Listen, look, I never would have offered Henry a job if I knew you'd be this upset.
NOLAN
Well, of course I'm upset, Ben. He's throwing away his education.
BEN
A college degree isn't the silver bullet that it used to be. I mean... this is a phenomenal job for a kid his age. He's gonna get to travel the world, all right? Make connections, gain life experience.
NOLAN
Okay, how much is he gonna make?
BEN
Low six figures.
NOLAN
That's...more than I make. I don't want Henry just thinking that things in life are just gonna be handed to him.
BEN
Oh, like they were to me? This is a real job, John, and I didn't just give it to him. He had to come in and sell me on why he was the best candidate. And like it or not, that's the way the world works. People are given opportunities all the time because of who they know.
NOLAN
I wasn't.
BEN
Well, you say the word, and I'll set you up as head of my security right now. You'll be making triple what you do in LAPD.
NOLAN
Trip-- No. Ben, it's -- it's -- it's not about the money.
BEN
No. It's about you. I mean, you dropped out of school because Sarah got pregnant, and there's a part of you that resents it, right? This is just opening up old wounds.
NOLAN
You think I'm jealous of my kid because he's succeeding where I --
BEN
Failed?
NOLAN
Let's take a rain check for dinner. Um -- I don't -- I'm just -- I think I've lost my appetite.
LOPEZ
This is stupid. No matter what I pick, Patrice will overrule me.
BRADFORD
So don't let her. Look, my dad got drunk at my wedding and made Isabel cry, and then my uncle lost his dentures in the chocolate fountain.
LOPEZ
Same uncle as the baby tee?
BRADFORD
Yeah, although he wore a purple suit to the wedding. Look, my point is, there are a million things you can't control, so pick what you want.
LOPEZ
I want tres leches. But Patrice will blow a gasket if I pick an "ethnic" cake.
BRADFORD
You know what? Screw Patrice. All right, if she's got a problem with tres leches or anything else for that matter, she can answer to me.
LOPEZ
Really?
BRADFORD
Hell yeah.
LOPEZ
Tim Bradford --
BRADFORD
What are you doing? Sit back down.
LOPEZ
Will you be my Man of Honor?
BRADFORD
Your what? That's not a thing.
LOPEZ
Yes, it is. You're the only person who's made me feel like I can get through this wedding without losing my mind. Please? I need you.
BRADFORD
Fine. I will be your Man of Honor.
LOPEZ
Thank God. Your first official duty is to fire my old Maid of Honor, Gretchen.
BRADFORD
What?
NOLAN
Good morning!
HARPER
No. Don't.
NOLAN
Don't what?
HARPER
Don't say words to me. Beds were invented for a reason.
NOLAN
How awkward was it with Alonzo? Smiles? Do tell.
HARPER
We are going on a date tonight. So, until then, you and I are gonna find a nice, quiet spot to spend our shift, preferably behind a coffee shop with a clean bathroom.
NOLAN
No problem. Consider it done. First, though, we should probably stop at the Diamond District.
HARPER
Why would we do that? Nolan. What did you do?
NOLAN
I came into work early because I couldn't sleep. I just kept thinking about our bank robber's family -- his wife and daughter just disappearing like that. And I know we're supposed to end the shift and just move on, but I couldn't. So, I spoke to Sergeant Caradine --
HARPER
I'm sorry. You did what?
NOLAN
And you were right. Cooper and his wife were beyond broke -- two mortgages, tens of thousands in credit card debt. Alice had recently took a job at a jewelry store.
HARPER
In the Diamond District.
NOLAN
Caradine said it would be okay if we just dropped by there, talked to her boss, see if she tried to contact him, maybe asked for a loan. And good news -- right down the street, they set up the best coffee truck in town. It's a win-win.
NOLAN
Is that a yes?
WEST
Hey. You were up and out early.
CHEN
And you were home late. How was the celebration?
WEST
Awesome. Great food, good company, and a few too many shots.
CHEN
Mm.
WEST
Oh, check out what my folks gave me. Saint Michael, patron saint of cops.
CHEN
Mm. Is it too late for your parents to adopt me?
WEST
What? Trouble with the folks?
CHEN
No. They're just not as fun as yours. You ready to go?
WEST
Yes, ma'am. Day two on our own. Let's roll.
CHEN
Are you gonna say that every day?
WEST
What? "Let's roll"? You don't like it?
CHEN
Eh, you can do better.
WEST
Hmm.
BRADFORD
Hey, hey, I've been looking for you. So, listen, about last night --
LOPEZ
Don't you dare back out on me.
BRADFORD
Relax. I never go back on my word.
LOPEZ
Good. Because Gretchen will be here any second.
BRADFORD
And you don't think you should be the one to fire her?
LOPEZ
I would, but I'm working a case and I gotta get to the morgue.
GRETCHEN
I'm here to see Angela Lopez.
BRADFORD
Coward. Gretchen? Tim Bradford. We met before at Angela's niece's quinceañera.
GRETCHEN
Right. Hi.
BRADFORD
Hey. So, Angela asked me to meet with you.
GRETCHEN
Oh. We were supposed to talk about the strippers for the bachelorette party. Do you have a connection or something? Or, hear me out, you interested in making a little extra cash?
BRADFORD
What? No. No. [ Cellphone ringing ] Look, I-I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you this --
GRETCHEN
Ugh. Ignore. You were saying?
BRADFORD
You're fired. It's not you, it's Lopez.
GRETCHEN
Wait. Are you firing me from being my best friend's Maid of Honor?
BRADFORD
Yes. She wants me to take over, be her Man of Honor.
GRETCHEN
Thank God. [ Laughing ] This whole thing's been a nightmare. These... are "Patrice's Picks." Do not deviate from the approved list of vendors without Patrice's consent. There's a little anti-anxiety medication in the front pocket -- you're gonna need it. She gave it to me so I can always be on call. There's about a half a dozen messages that I haven't had the strength to listen to yet. Good luck.
NOLAN
All right. If you need me, I'll be just down the block.
HARPER
All I need is a quart of coffee and a glazed donut.
HARPER
Hey.
NOLAN
Hey, are you seeing this? There's a van -- just pulled up outside Alice's building. It says "Nonna Primo's Pizza" on the side. That same van was parked outside the bank yesterday.
HARPER
Yeah, I remember.
NOLAN
That cannot be a coincidence. What if Cooper was forced to rob that bank? Tell me if this tracks -- home invasion right after dinner. Cooper is getting his daughter some ice cream, bad guys break in looking for money.
HARPER
Only despite the McMansion, Cooper's beyond broke, but the bad guys have his wife and kid.
NOLAN
So he tells them he'll rob a bank for them.
HARPER
They hold the wife and kid as collateral, and then they drive Cooper to the bank in the pizza van.
NOLAN
To make sure he goes through with it. Only Cooper gets killed. ...That's Alice. Cooper couldn't make good on the money. They're gonna force her to steal from her job. You think the kid's in the van?
HARPER
Possibly. I'll call Grey, tell him what's going on and have additional units hold a perimeter.
NOLAN
Right.[ Whispering ] Hey.
ALICE
[ Gasps ] No.
NOLAN
Good. Come to me. My name's John. We're here to help you.
ALICE
They have my daughter.
NOLAN
I know. Is she in the van?
ALICE
No. They left her behind. And if I don't walk out of here in five minutes with a quarter million in diamonds, they're going to kill her.
[ Cellphone ringing ]
CHEN
Hey, what's up?
NOLAN
Hey, Lucy, I need you to help me find a little girl being held hostage. The mother is here with me now. The men that took them are forcing her to steal from her employer. She was blindfolded on the drive here, but she said the ride to the Diamond District took about 15 minutes.
ALICE
Closer to 10, I think.
CHEN
Well, that's still a big search grid.
ALICE
I-I-I know we took a freeway. I could hear it.
WEST
Uh, what direction was the sun coming from?
ALICE
I felt the sun on my face, so, um, ahead of us.
WEST
10 eastbound. We're en route.
CHEN
How long were you driving before you got on the freeway?
ALICE
Not long. Maybe a minute.
WEST
So nine minutes on the freeway, driving the speed limit.
CHEN
'Cause they couldn't risk being pulled over.
WEST
Right. So, at 65 miles per hour, going backwards from Spring Street, 11:00 in the morning, during moderate traffic. I'd say they got on at Crenshaw.
NOLAN
Can you remember any other details? Anything will help them find her.
ALICE
Potholes -- there were two back to back right after the first turn. Uh, they shook the car. The driver cursed.
WEST
When you took your first turn, was it a right or a left?
ALICE
A right. Uh -- uh, no. My body leaned right, so left. [Her cellphone rings] It's them.
NOLAN
Lucy, I need you to find that little girl fast, all right?
CHEN
We're on it.
NOLAN
All right. [to ALICE] I need you to answer that. Everything is going to be okay. Just be calm.
ALICE
How? They're gonna kill my baby. I can't be calm.
NOLAN
Then be angry.
ALICE
[into the phone] What?
KIDNAPPER
What's taking so long?
ALICE
I had to go to the bathroom and throw up because you terrified me.
KIDNAPPER
Get it together. If you're not back here in three minutes, I tell Charles to break your daughter's neck.
ALICE
They're not gonna find her in three minutes. What are we gonna do?
NOLAN
We'll get my partner to stall them for us. Hey, Harper, you wanna have some fun?
KIDNAPPER
There's a cop out here. Stay inside until she's gone.
ALICE
Okay. [ Cellphone beeps ]
CHEN
Okay. Thanks. [ Cellphone beeps ] Dispatch put out an alert to all units. We've got two candidates on the twin potholes. Closest one is right up here on Oakmont. - Right there. Two big-ass potholes.
WEST
Mom said they took a left onto this road just before they drove over them. Which means we take the next right.
CHEN
Slow down. This is a dead-end street. We don't want to spook them by rolling in. Let's pull over and park somewhere.
WEST
7-Adam-07, Code 6 at Oakmont and Arbor.
CHEN
She could be in any one of these houses.
WEST
Or none of them.
CHEN
Let's think positive. How do we find the right house without spooking them?
WEST
Use what we learned about criminal behavior. Number one -- they're secretive. Look, all the curtains are down on that gray house. The first thing you'd do if you were holding a hostage.
CHEN
Number two -- they're often messy.
WEST
Number three -- they don't spend their money wisely.
CHEN
Control, run the plate 2-David-David-Tom-4-5-6 and run out the RO.
CONTROL
Vehicle is registered to Charles Lindsey Snealing. He comes back clear and valid with a restraining order and a history of armed robbery.
WEST
Damn, we're good. [ Scoffs ]
TV ANNOUNCER
...careful he doesn't draw a card.
CHEN
Where's the girl?
CHEN
It's okay. You're safe now.
NOLAN
Harper, we got her.
HARPER
You have a nice day. Show me your hands!
NOLAN
Hands! Show me those hands!
HARPER
Open that door slow.
NOLAN
Out of the van now! Stop right here by the front.
HARPER
Close the door!
ALICE
Sweetheart. Oh. [ Sobbing ] Are you okay? They didn't hurt you?
GREY
Chen. West. Look, I know the transition from rookie to P2 isn't always...as satisfying as officers think it's going to be. No parties, no cupcakes, no 30-year-old bottles of scotch.
WEST
Dad told you, huh?
GREY
[ Laughs ] I can't believe you fell for it.
WEST
Me either, sir.
GREY
Did you become a cop for the attaboys, Officer West?
WEST
No, sir.
GREY
How about you, Chen? Why did you become a police officer?
CHEN
Because I wanted to do something meaningful with my life, sir.
GREY
And are you?
CHEN
Yeah. Absolutely.
GREY
That girl wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the work you did today. I'm putting you both up for the Distinguished Service Medal.
LOPEZ
What are you doing?
BRADFORD
Being your Man of Honor.
LOPEZ
Are those...
BRADFORD
The Patrice files? Yep. Look, the way I see it, I've got one job -- give you the wedding that you want. No more interlopers. No more drama.
LOPEZ
No more files and lists.
BRADFORD
Care to do the honors?
LOPEZ
Anyone tell you you're kind of amazing?
BRADFORD
All the time. - Oh. I forgot this.
LOPEZ
Oh.
BRADFORD
You know the lithium battery in that thing is gonna explode, right?
NOLAN
Where are you and Alonzo going for dinner?
HARPER
Uh, an Italian place on the Westside.
NOLAN
You don't sound very excited about it.
HARPER
N-No. I am. I just... It's my first date since Donovan...
NOLAN
Oh! I remember my first date after the big divorce. It was kind of a nightmare.
HARPER
What? Did you talk about your ex the whole time?
NOLAN
No. No. I fell asleep at the table before she arrived. It was the end of my first week at the Police Academy.
HARPER
[ Laughs ] When did you wake up?
NOLAN
Uh, after she'd eaten three courses and left me with the bill.
HARPER
Good for her. [ Chuckles ] I don't know. Should I just cancel?
NOLAN
What? No. Come on. Don't -- You're putting way too much pressure on it. Look, it's just food with a fellow human. If you don't like it, you never have to see him again. If you do like it, I'm gonna want all the details tomorrow.
CHEN
Hey, what's up?
WEST
I could tell you were hiding something about last night, so I called your mom, and she told me what she said to you. And I told her that if she didn't apologize, she's never stepping foot in this apartment again.
CHEN
[ Chuckles ] Jackson --
WEST
And this is from the West family, to remind you that there are people who are proud of what you've accomplished. Of who you are.
CHEN
Saint Michael.
WEST
Hey, it's no Distinguished Service Medal, but --
CHEN
No, it's -- it's better. Thank you so much.
WEST
Of course.
CHEN
Will you, um, help me?
WEST
I've never been good at these things. Let's see. [ Chuckles ] All right. As soon as I am done with this, I need you to pop on your shoes, because I am taking you for baseball steaks.
CHEN
What?! Wait, wait, can we have sushi?
WEST
Deal.
NOLAN
Hey.
BEN
Hey.
NOLAN
Wow. Nice digs. Is this what Henry's office is gonna look like?
BEN
Eh, it'll be a little smaller. Gotta give him something to work towards.
NOLAN
Listen, I want to apologize for last night.
BEN
Don't worry about it.
NOLAN
Eh, hear me out. Ben, you're my best friend, and you're the most generous person I know. You helped me get on my feet when I moved out here, and now you're helping my son figure out what he's gonna do with his life. And you've worked really hard to build your foundation. I know that. And I'm sorry I was dismissive.
BEN
Well, there's nothing to apologize for. Henry's your son. You want what's best for him.
NOLAN
I just don't know how to reconcile my desire for him to have a better life than I did and wanting him to understand the sacrifices I made to get him here. Does that make sense?
BEN
It does.
NOLAN
Hmm. He's a grown-up now. He's gonna make his own choices, even if I don't like what those choices are.
BEN
John, I'm gonna watch out for him, okay?
NOLAN
I know you will.
BEN
To college dropouts.
NOLAN
Actually, I went back to school to get my degree.
BEN
Mm? Good for you. Is your professor hot?
NOLAN
No comment.
BEN
Oh, that's a yes. Oh, come sit down. We need to talk. What are you studying?
NOLAN
Ethics.
BEN
Mm. Indeed. Was she ethical?
NOLAN
Yes.