- [first lines]
- [Detective Adam Flint is driving home after an investigation that lasted all night]
- Narrator: Standard form contract between We the People and one Adam Flint, police detective: In return for the take-home pay of 91 dollars 70 cents weekly, and such pensions as you may survive to enjoy, you do hereby agree to the following limitations on your life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness: If, let us say, on some early morning after an all-night burglary investigation you're en route home in your car, and you come upon some significant violation of the law, you will ignore fatigue and diligently perform your duty.
- [Detective Flint sees a sports car speed through an intersection, take a right turn, collide with a parked vehicle, and leave the scene of the accident. He begins pursuit of the vehicle, which continues as the narrator recites the "contract"]
- Narrator: You will, further, maintain at your command a detailed knowledge of all appropriate statutes, codes and ordinances, and rules of procedure and evidence, which you will be expected to apply on split-second notice and with an accuracy that will withstand the most learned courtroom dictate. As a police officer you further agree to take the most extraordinary risks on our behalf, exposing yourself constantly to physical danger and civil liability. Further, you will be expected to resist material and carnal temptations with the strength of a saint. And we further demand that you meet weakness, intolerance, lust, madness, prevarication, life and death with the judgement and the wisdom of a Solomon. In return for which, We the People, or at least a significant number of us, do promise to hold you in perpetual suspicion and low esteem. Said customary agreement between citizenry and officer to remain in force until said officer's illness, injury, retirement, or death doth end this contract.
- [last lines]
- [as Detective Flint is about to leave the courtroom, he walks past a witness who testified against him. She calls to him]
- Nancy Hooper: Adam.
- [He goes back to her, and as they look at each other, Adam's fiancé enters the courtroom]
- Libby Kingston: 'Scuse me. Mind having your post mortem later?
- [She shows Adam a picture of a silverware pattern]
- Libby Kingston: Do you like this pattern? It's on sale. We only have thirty minutes
- [She turns to Nancy]
- Libby Kingston: It's a third off and a year to pay.
- Nancy Hooper: I think you've found yourself a bargain, I'd grab it if I were you.
- [Nancy and Adam look at each other briefly, then Nancy departs]
- Det. Adam Flint: [looking at the silver pattern] I think it'll wear real well... real well.
- [Adam and Libby hug]