The Rookies (TV Series)

A Test of Courage (1974)

Mark Edward Hall: Patrick

Quotes 

• Officer Terry Webster : [Terry and Patrick, Officer Johnny Dane's young son, are walking together at the edge of a pond. Terry is showing Patrick how to skip rocks over the water; he's using this time to figure out a way to help Patrick come to terms with his dad's new disability. Terry tosses out a rock, demonstrating how to skip it across the water]  ... Do it that far up... look.

  [Terry laughs. Patrick throws out a rock] 

  Officer Terry Webster : Not bad... uhhhh.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry and Patrick walk a bit more, tossing rocks into the water. Terry notices how depressed Patrick is. He squats down to look directly at Patrick, since he's very concerned about the young boy's sadness. Terry kneels on the ground and pulls Patrick into his arms]  You sulking? I don't think your daddy would want you to around sulking like this.

  Patrick : [Patrick looks intently at Terry, with questioning eyes]  Why doesn't he want to see me?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry isn't sure how to honestly answer Patrick's question. He hesitates briefly, then replies calmly, in terms Patrick can understand]  Well, it's not that he doesn't want to see you, it's just that he's been through a lot. And it's just that, uh... he needs a few days to be by himself and talk to the doctors at the hospital.

  Patrick : [Patrick's lips quiver]  What about?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry takes a deep breath before answering]  They're going to give him an artificial leg. You know what that is?

  Patrick : [Patrick looks directly at Terry]  Something to replace the one he lost?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry smiles at Patrick]  That's right... that's it... you got it. You know, when he... uh... gets fitted with this leg, he's gonna be able to walk again.

  [Patrick is staring intently at Terry, paying close attention to what he's telling him] 

  Officer Terry Webster : And he's gonna need your help and your mom's gonna need your help. And I think the best way you can help right now is to be up... and happy! Not down... .

  [Terry smiles encouragingly] 

  Officer Terry Webster : He loves you... and she loves you... and that should be a good feeling... huh?

  Patrick : [Patrick is trying to understand what Terry is telling him. He looks at Terry; he is fidgeting and his eyes are puzzled]  Will he be able to play ball with me?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry hesitates before answering, then looks directly at Patrick]  Not like he used to.

  Patrick : [There's a long silence as Patrick considers what Terry just told him]  Will you see him soon?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry nods slightly before replying]  Gonna try.

  Patrick : [Patrick is thinking deeply about what Terry just told him; he gazes at Terry with a grave expression]  When you see him, tell him I don't care about playing ball. I just want him to come home and be my dad.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry reaches out toward Patrick and places his hands on his shoulders]  OK. Come on.

  [Terry pulls Patrick to him, enveloping him in a big hug. Patrick gives a small smile; Terry gets to his feet, and they continue walking along the pond, skipping rocks into the water]