The Rookies (TV Series)

Death at 6 A.M. (1974)

Bruce Fairbairn: Officer Chris Owens

Quotes 

• Officer Terry Webster : [Officer Chris Owens is asleep in his hospital bed. He's tossing around, experiencing a violent nightmare, reliving the terror of nearly being killed by several punks. He sits up suddenly, now wide- awake and shaking. The door opens and his partner, Officer Terry Webster, enters and speaks quietly]  Chris? You ok?

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris stares at Terry, then lies back stiffly. Terry sets down the suitcase he was carrying, then leans toward Chris, concern evident on his face]  Yeah.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry immediately notices how distraught Chris really is and he smiles sympathetically]  Bad dream?

  [Chris nods as Terry continues speaking, hoping to draw him out] 

  Officer Terry Webster : . I hear they're springing you tomorrow.

  Officer Chris Owens : Yeah... Looks like it.

  [Chris is haunted by what he experienced and he replies with no emotion, which Terry immediately picks up on] 

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry smiles as he places his hands on his hips. He's gazing down at Chris thoughtfully, hoping to snap him out of his melancholy mood]  Yeah. I got you a change of clothes. I'm having your uniform cleaned, so you won't come back looking like a slob.

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris runs his hand across his face, looking straight ahead. He finally whispers a reply]  Thanks.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry is still trying to get Chris to relax. He smiles slightly, as he looks at him intently]  Can I sit down and rest these weary bones for a few minutes?

  [Terry seats himself in a chair next to the bed] 

  Officer Chris Owens : Be my guest

  [Chris is still very upset and answers unemotionally] 

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry hasn't given up on trying to get Chris to open up and talk about what happened. He attempts to use humour to draw him out]  You know, you are a barrel of fun today. You are a ray of dreariness in my otherwise sunshiny life.

  [Terry grins at Chris, waiting for him to answer. He leans over and gently slaps his arm to get his attention] 

  Officer Terry Webster : Hey! You might want to talk about it sooner or later, so why not now?

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris faces toward the ceiling, clearly undecided of how to reply]  I don't know. I guess I'm just worried.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry is very concerned about Chris's mental well-being. He is keeping his voice and mannerism carefully neutral]  'Bout what?

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris is clearly unsure about himself. He looks away from Terry as he answers flatly]  That I might not be cut out for police work.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry is listening intently, then exhales sharply before speaking]  Ooh, ooh... That bad, huh?

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris nods uncertainly]  It's something stuck in my gut, Terry. I've never been scared like that before. I never knew I could be.

  [Chris gazes at Terry, his eyes doubtful] 

  Officer Terry Webster : It could happen to anybody.

  Officer Chris Owens : Maybe... maybe.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry leans forward and grasps Chris's arm to get his attention]  Hey... What makes you think you're so special? I mean, whether you're a rookie or a 20-year man... scared happens when you got the barrel of a shotgun shoved up your nose.

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris stares at Terry]  Not that scared... not that scared.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry leans toward Chris, his facial expression now serious]  You ever hear that expression... uh... 'losing heart'?

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris closes his eyes before answering]  No

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry stands up to emphasise his point]  Well, it sounds manic, but it's just the opposite. It happens mostly in undercover work... when a cop who had his identity tripped, right? Now, he gets worked over so bad, that sometimes he can't get back out on the street. 'Cuz something has gone out of him.

  [Terry stares meaningfully at Chris, driving home his point] 

  Officer Terry Webster : He's lost his heart.

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris had been listening intently to what Terry was telling him. He seems to realise what Terry's telling him makes sense]  Think that's what's happened to me? I've lost heart?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry smiles encouragingly at his partner, attempting to get him to relax, but also face reality]  There's one way to find out, isn't there?

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris sighs doubtfully then looks directly at Terry]  Get back on the job.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry nods and smiles slightly]  Yeah. But... with your head on straight.

  Officer Chris Owens : [Chris is still doubtful. He looks down, then back up at Terry]  That's the problem... I might never get my head on straight after what happened

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry smiles at Chris, carefully choosing his words before answering]  I think you'll make it...