The Rookies (TV Series)

A Bloody Shade of Blue (1972)

Michael Ontkean: Officer Willie Gillis

Quotes 

• Officer Terry Webster : [It's now nighttime. Officer Terry Webster is lying quietly in his hospital bed; both of his eyes have been bandaged following his recent eye surgery. Officer Willie Gillis, in regular street clothes, is there visiting him]  I've been finding out a lot of things... you know, all that stuff they say about blind people... hearing better... .sensing things.

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie is standing next to Terry's bed; Terry's face is turned toward the sound of his voice]  Is any of it true?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry shrugs his shoulders, sighs, then smiles weakly]  I don't know if I hear any better during the day. Sometimes, at night... sometimes... when it's hard to fall asleep, I hear people walking down the halls, cars out on the street. Seems like I hear more than I want to... then.

  [Terry's voice is very soft and starts shaking. He swallows hard, then takes a deep breath to calm himself. He's reflecting deeply on his sudden blindness and he is in a melancholy mood. He is grasping the can of beer that Willie brought him and holds it out to Willie] 

  Officer Terry Webster : Want a sip?

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie is looking intently at Terry and listening closely to what he's saying. He then shakes his head in answer to Terry's question]  No, no, that's... that's for you.

  [Terry nods and wraps his hands around the can. He turns his face away from Willie momentarily] 

  Officer Willie Gillis : I just wanted to... uh... tell you that... I'm sorry.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry turns his face toward Willie's voice. His voice is still very quiet as he is struggling to control his feelings]  Ah, man, nothing to be sorry for.

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie feels indirectly responsible for Terry getting shot at; he's adamant that Terry hear him out]  Listen, Terry, if it wasn't for me, none of this... would've happened.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry starts gesturing with his left hand to emphasize what he's saying. In his frustration, he is turning his head side to side across his pillow as he answers Willie]  Oh, don't, Willie, please. Don't start into the 'ifs'. It happened, that's all.

  [Terry turns his face away from Willie, swallows hard, and takes a deep breath, still trying hard to control his emotions. His voice is almost a whisper as he continues] 

  Officer Terry Webster : Look... if I get out of this with some problem seeing, I'm gonna need my friends. And I don't need anyone being my friend because they feel guilty for something that couldn't be helped. That's not friendship, it's penitence. It's not good to me, to you, or anyone else, you know?

  [By now, Terry's voice is very low, almost inaudible] 

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie is listening aptly to Terry's speech. He nods his head in agreement and smiles slightly]  Yeah. Ok, I hear you.

  [Terry nods pensively] 

  Officer Willie Gillis : How 'bout... uh... passing over some of that beer, huh?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry turns toward the sound of Willie's voice and hands the can to him]  You only brought one can?

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie accepts the can, then raises it to his mouth and takes a sip. He reaches down, picks up Terry's right hand and puts the can in it. He wraps his hand around Terry's]  It's all I could sneak in.

  [Terry smiles slightly] 

• Officer Terry Webster : [Terry is lying in his hospital bed, seemingly asleep. Willie is standing next to his bed and he reaches out to touch Terry's shoulder. Because both of his eyes are bandaged, Terry is unaware that someone is there]  Who is it?

  Officer Willie Gillis : It's me...

  Officer Terry Webster : Hey...

  [Terry smiles, then laughs softly] 

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie smiles, then reaches out to grasp both of Terry's hands]  I wasn't sure if you were asleep or not.

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry laughs again and shifts his position]  Neither was I... the way they keep me doped up, ya know?

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie looks intently at Terry]  Yeah... is it a lot of pain?

  Officer Terry Webster : Well, if I was a masochist, I'd be having one good time.

  [Terry smiles, then laughs wryly] 

  Officer Willie Gillis : Well, listen, maybe this will help a little bit

  [Willie reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a can of beer. He brings the can close to Terry so he can hear the pop top being pulled] 

  Officer Terry Webster : Ohhh, sweet music... sweet music... .yeah.

  [Terry smiles, then reaches out to accept the can from Willie. He makes an attempt to sit up; Willie intervenes] 

  Officer Willie Gillis : You want to be cranked up a bit?

  Officer Terry Webster : Yeah, 45 degree angle, the nurse said.

  [Terry begins sipping the beer as Willie walks over to the foot of the bed to crank it up] 

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie finishes cranking up Terry's bed. Terry continues drinking the beer and nodding his head]  How's that?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry is enjoying the beer]  Mmm-hmmm... .mmm-hmmmm.

  Officer Willie Gillis : [Willie walks back to Terry's side]  Anything you want from the place... anything you need?

  Officer Terry Webster : [Terry turns his face toward Willie. He gestures with the can of beer]  No... this will get me through.

  [Terry leans back pensively]