24

I'm Federal Agent Jack Bauer, and today is the longest day of my life.

24 (TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Kim: So, is she still giving you the cold shoulder? Jack: If by "she" you're referring to your mother, I'd appreciate if you called her by her name. Mom. And no, she's just busy. Kim: She's busy a lot.

24 (TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Vincent O'Brien: Hello? Jack: Vincent, Jack Bauer. You planning on seeing Kimberly tonight? Vincent O'Brien: No way, man. We broke up, you know that. Jack: I just wanted to make sure you knew that. Vincent: Snuck out on you, huh? Jack: Don't screw with me, Vincent. Vincent O'Brien: Chill, man. I don't know where she is. You've got my word. Jack: That's a real comfort, Vincent, knowing I've got your word.

24 (TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Nina: You're lying. Jack: Yes I am. But you're still going to have to trust me.

24 (TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jack: George. I need you to do me a favor. I need you to call your boss so I can get clearance on the identification of the source. George Mason: I thought we just agreed that it didn't matter. Jack: Yeah, but I still have to call Walsh and tell him I did everything I could. I would like to cover my own ass. George Mason: Jack, you're finally learning how to play the game.

24 (TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

You can look the other way once, and it's no big deal, except it makes it easier for you to compromise the next time, and pretty soon that's all you're doing; compromising, because that's the way you think things are done. You know those guys I busted? You think they were the bad guys? Because they weren't, they weren't bad guys, they were just like you and me. Except they compromised... Once.

24 (TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0