The Rookie

Alright. Last one.

As much as I like watching you load the truck,

I've got some studying I got to do.

And by studying, you mean...?

Mm, watching "Lady and the Tramp" with Abigail.

Oh! We do the, uh, whole spaghetti thing along with it.

Cute. So, what are you doing for your birthday tomorrow?

I'm tiling the bathroom.

Mm. That sounds sad.

No, it doesn't.

Besides, when you're the oldest rookie,

you really don't want anyone knowing

you're the older oldest rookie.

I mean, you just broke up with Jessica,

and nobody knows that it's your birthday tomorrow?

Yes, and that's the way I like it,

so do not tell Jackson and Lucy.

Promise me. You're a grown man.

You want to spend your birthday grouting,

that's, uh, your prerogative.

Yes, it is.

Oh. That's the boss. I got to go.

Alright. Love you. Love you, too. Bye.

Yes, sir. How can I help you?

Thanks for coming in on your day off. No problem.

I'm excited to get started on my special assignment.

It's not a special assignment. It's a mandatory callback.

Oh. I may have renamed that in my head.

What happened here?

It's a homicide -- and a brutal one.

At least two assailants, and the victim was a lawyer.

So lots of suspects.

One for now -- building's security guard.

He's in the wind.

Maynard Goetz. Want me to put out an APB?

It's already done. Just sit here and guard.

Any detectives come back, make them sign in.

Keep one boot in the tape.

Dispatch will call you as soon as detectives say

you can release the scene.

And when will that be?

Hour, two.

Coffee?

I haven't had a chance to make it.

So, no coffee?

Not yet. Sorry.

You know, Nolan kept me up all night

from this crime scene he was babysitting.

Look at this. Look.

Yeah, he was texting me, too.

We'll get stuck on one soon enough.

Class A's?

Yeah. Tim and I get our commendation today.

Oh, right, for helping that family last week.

Mm-hmm.

You know, it's -- it's crazy.

Like, a few weeks ago, I thought I was gonna get

bounced from the program,

and now I'm getting an award from the Deputy Chief.

It's pretty cool how quickly things can change.

I'm really happy for you, man.

Aww. Thanks.

Plus, Tim is gonna be in a really good mood today.

I know. I'm really happy for me, too.

Sorry.

Let me get this straight.

You're coming to me for an annual evaluation

that's not due until December?

I just wanted to get a jump on it.

Reason? It's personal.

I figured I'd spare you the details.

Detective, I hear you.

I really do.

But it's called a yearly review for a reason --

because that's when the Paperwork Gods expect it.

So, if you want me to file this thing ahead of schedule,

I need to know why.

Okay. Okay.

It's...for the judge.

I have a hearing next week for custody of Lila,

and a strong evaluation would go a long way.

Look, you came here untouchable.

Let me level with you.

While I'd fast-track reviews for most of my officers...

I'm not ready to do that for you.

Okay.

Wait.

I know you're trying hard with your daughter.

At the same time, I can't ignore

that you're still a wildcard on patrol.

So, if you want this eval,

you got to show me something different.

What do you mean?

Meaning...

we ride together.

You and me. And I evaluate you firsthand.

But know this -- I'm writing this evaluation

no matter what happens out there.

So, if you fall down today, the world will know.

It is a big deal. "Light of the City" award?

I thought you'd be happier.

I planned my emotional day around it.

I don't do this for the medals and plaques, Boot.

Yes, only lesser cops enjoy recognition.

Exactly.

Well, if it doesn't matter, turn it down.

It doesn't matter to me, but it does matter to the higher-ups.

Look, a good score on the sergeant's exam,

this award could help me rise through the list of candidates.

Fair enough.

Jackson's dedicated an entire shelf to his award?

He's building a cabinet from scratch.

He knows how to do that?

Nolan's helping him.

Oh.

Grace.

What's up?

You know, the usual.

Snatching life from the jaws of death?

Close. I just pulled four Legos out of a kid's nose.

Four? Amateur.

No commitment to the craft.

I mean, not like when we were kids. Right.

I never went to the hospital for anything less than seven.

Man on P.A.: Dr. Sawyer to ER.

Shoot. You know what? I got to go.

Dr. Sawyer to ER. I-I just --

I wanted to wish you a happy birthday.

Oh. Thank you.

Ga-- Uh, wait.

You remembered my birthday?

I got a Facebook alert.

My birthday's not on Facebook.

Huh.

That's weird.

Anyway, uh, lives, important things. I-I got to go.

Grace.

Yeah?

Thanks for calling.

You're welcome.

Right.

Oh, damn it.

Sorry. This is a crime scene.

Better be. Uh, bioremediation.

Beg your pardon? Crime scene cleaner.

Right.

You the log officer?

Yeah. Officer Nolan.

Um...crime scene's been processed,

but they haven't cleared it just yet.

I can have someone call you when they're ready.

I'll wait.

90% of the job's planning anyway.

You --

Thanks.

I would've thought 90% of the job would be scrubbing.

No.

No.

You go in with the wrong chemicals,

you can make things a hundred times worse.

The mix of body fluids and the -- the fabrics,

even the ambient humidity, it all makes a huge difference.

Oh.

Every job requires

a slightly different set of tools.

Very impressive.

And how does one get into bioremediation?

Always liked setting things right, I guess.

I walk into a tragedy.

When I walk out, everything is as it should be.

I-I know people think it's a weird job for weirdos.

No, no, no. I get it.

Your name again was...? Ellroy.

Ellroy. Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too, Officer Nolan.

Hmm.

You hungry?

Starving.

Half a sandwich?

Whew.

Well, it's a little early to become my first DUI,

but it's Hollywood.

Everyone's trying to be someone.

It's not a DUI yet.

Nope. But it will be in three, two...

one.

Control, 7-Adam-15.

Show us on a possible DUI, 6th and Beverly.

Morning, Miss.

Can I speak to you over on the sidewalk, please?

What? Why?

Uh, you just don't look like you should be driving.

Have you, uh, been drinking a little bit?

Got me there, but I-I wasn't gonna drive.

Oh, so you were just getting into your car because...?

Just grabbing my purse.

Mm-hmm. Your purse that's on your shoulder?

Ah!

It is! Yeah.

Uh, uh, I'm just gonna run a few tests