- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: [arrives at the Police Station] Morning. Sorry I'm late. Oh good, Sarge not in yet then?
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [exiting his office] Yes I am Nicholson! Have been for some time!
- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: Sorry I'm late Sarge. The reason was...
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: Save it. Armed robbery yesterday in the Midlands. Wager snatch. Security guard's been shot. He's on the critical list. West Midlands Police think an Asfordly man may have been involved. James Arthur Sutton?
- PC Alf Ventress: Jimmy Sutton? He's still inside isn't he?
- PC Phil Bellamy: He got nine months for car theft.
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: Released last week apparently. It's not certain yet he was involved, but we've been asked as a matter of urgency to check on his whereabouts.
- Vernon Scripps: [calls to Tom and Phil whilst having a drink in the Aidensfield Arms] Hey lads! Nicked anyone for car tax lately?
- [laughs]
- PC Phil Bellamy: What's he so pleased about?
- Gina Ward: His latest venture. He's managing the Brass band.
- PC Phil Bellamy: He won't make much run in one of those. Money's all in pop groups today.
- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: I love Brass bands.
- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: I was wondering Alf, it's my Birthday tomorrow. It's my 21st actually. I was just wondering, if you fancied a pint. Perhaps a game of Dominoes or something?
- PC Alf Ventress: Tomorrow? Sorry Tom I can't. I wish I could.
- Jimmy Sutton: [concerned] The robbery was on the wireless, and on the telly.
- Terry Machin: [calmly] Well keep your head down then.
- Jimmy Sutton: [more concerned] A security guard's on the critical list. If he dies, it's murder!
- PC Mike Bradley: [on the radio] Delta Alpha 24 to control.
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [into the radio] Go ahead Mike.
- PC Mike Bradley: [on the radio] Ambulance required urgently on the road through Ashfordly Estate. Phil's been shot, Tom's been taken hostage by Machin and Sutton. They're in a stolen Ford Zefa.
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [into the radio] Understood Mike. We'll organize road blocks, assistance is on its way.
- [at the disused airfield, the firearmed officers have the area surrounded]
- Jimmy Sutton: [after loading the money onto the plane] It's no good sir, it's just the two seater and we both can't get on!
- Terry Machin: [calmly] Oh dear what a shame.
- Jimmy Sutton: [realizing] You've set this up! YOU'VE USED ME!
- Terry Machin: [points the gun at Jimmy] Good boy Jimmy!
- [the firearmed officers arrive and surround the disused airfield]
- Jimmy Sutton: Cops! We've had it!
- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: Give yourselves up!
- Terry Machin: [pointing a gun at Tom] Ah, as we've got you...
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [running forwards with Mike] What do they think they're doing charging in like that?
- Terry Machin: [holding Tom at gunpoint] GET BACK! OR HE GETS IT! I MEAN IT!
- Jimmy Sutton: They're gonna shoot us!
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [to the armed officers] GET THOSE GUNS DOWN!
- [Machin turns around to face Merton]
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: DO NOTHING TO RISK THE SAFETY OF MY OFFICER!
- Terry Machin: [holding Tom at gunpoint] Right this is your big moment. You tell your mates to stay put while we get on the plane.
- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: Don't worry about me! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY SERGEANT!
- Terry Machin: [to Tom] WHAT DID I TELL YA?
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: I can't risk his life. Especially in this light. IT'S ALRIGHT MACHIN! WE CAN SEE THE POSITION! WE'RE NOT GOING TO SHOOT!
- [the armed officers lower their guns]
- Jimmy Sutton: ALRIGHT LET'S GO!
- Terry Machin: Right, what did I tell ya? Get the money on board.
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: The plane's quite small. They'll release Tom once they're aboard. We'll let the Air Traffic Authorities deal with this once they're away.
- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: [seizes the gun Machin is holding] No! Don't shoot him!
- [Tom wrestles Machin away from the plane]
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [as Machin pushes Tom over] HOLD IT THERE MACHIN!
- Terry Machin: [points his gun at Merton] Don't even think about it!
- Probationary PC Tom Nicholson: [gets up and seizes the gun] DROP IT!
- [Machin wrestles Tom and shoots him]
- PC Mike Bradley: Tom...
- [Machin drops the gun and runs away. Merton runs over to Tom and Mike chases Machine]
- PC Mike Bradley: [shouts] MACHIN!
- [Mike slams Machin to the ground and arrests him]
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [checking Tom's neck pulse] Oh God no.
- [last lines]
- Sergeant Dennis Merton: [standing on a platform in the church at Tom's funeral] The first duty of a policeman, is the protection of life. Tom paid the ultimate price for carrying out that duty. His selfless action protected the lives of others, including my own. He was tragically struck down on the very day he came of age. That day Tom came of age in every sense. He proved himself a man, a man his colleages are fiercely proud and privillaged to have known. Tom took great pleasure in the music of Brass bands. Join together now, as they lead us in his favourite hymn.
- [the Brass band start playing "Amazing Grace" and the people of Aidensfield start singing]
- Dr. Tricia Summerbee: [sitting in a car with Mike watching a number of people board a coach outside the Aidensfield Arms] What's all this?
- PC Mike Bradley: The band are off to Morcom. Some big parade tomorrow. Are you sure you won't pop in? It's just uh, I've got to have a word with Gina.
- Dr. Tricia Summerbee: No I'm really tired. Enjoy your pint.
- PC Mike Bradley: Yeah.
- [they kiss]