INT. GUYS' QUARTERS � DAY
Jack is looking in the mirror, buttoning up his new SPD uniform. He pulls on the
sleeves, stretches out the collar. It's obvious he isn't very comfortable in it.
Kat enters.
KAT
Well, well, check out the rookie.
JACK
Go ahead, say it, I look completely ridiculous in
this thing.
KAT
I was going to say handsome. I take it you've
accepted Cruger's offer to join the Rangers.
JACK
No. I said I'd think about it.
KAT
A lot of people would be honored to be asked.
JACK
Yeah, well I'm not a lot of people.
(He takes off the jacket.)
I don't know what I was thinking. This just isn't
gonna work out.
KAT
How do you know? You haven't even given it a
chance.
He picks up the Academy Handbook and flips through the pages.
JACK
Okay, look at this thing. Rules, regulations,
protocol, chain of command. It's like they want
to turn me into some sort of mindless drone.
I'm not about that.
KAT
Granted, there are a lot of rules, but SPD's
main purpose is to protect and help people.
Are you "about" that?
JACK
Hey, Z and I have been helping people since
we were kids, and we never needed uniforms
to do it.
KAT
I don't think this is about rules and regulations.
I think you're scared.
JACK
Scared of what? Emperor Hornhead and his army
of robotic thugs? Yeah, right.
KAT
Sorry, my mistake, you're not scared... you're
just stupid.
JACK
Hey, that's kinda harsh.
Kat looks him straight in the eye.
KAT
Do you have any idea who we're dealing with
here? You talk about helping people, well, if we
don't stop Gruumm, there's not going to be
anyone left to help.
Jack thinks a moment. Kat's words have struck a chord.
JACK
He's that bad, huh?
She takes the jacket.
KAT
Yes, he's that bad. Funny, Cruger's judgement
in people is usually better than this. Good luck,
Jack.
She begins to leave.
JACK
Hold on. Maybe I didn't think it through...
KAT
... There's no room on this team for someone
who's not on board one hundred percent.
JACK
I am! I mean, I will be. Listen, I do want to help.
KAT
Are you sure?
JACK
Yeah. Plus...you're gonna need me.
KAT
Is that so?
JACK
Absolutely. The way I see it, you got Sky
who's so uptight he's gonna pop a vein, Bridge
who, although a very nice guy, let's face it, is
not the sharpest tool in the shed, Syd, whose
idea of danger is breaking a heel and my
sister... I won't even get started on her. Yeah,
you guys are in serious trouble. I don't think I
have a choice here.
He takes the jacket back from Kat and puts it on. Kat smiles.
JACK (cont.)
(looking in the mirror)
Are you sure I don't look like a total dork in this
thing?
KAT
Actually, I think it's a very good fit.