Monk, Season 5

[Monk is in session with Dr. Kroger; he hands Dr. Kroger a handout]

Dr. Charles Kroger:
"Police Announce Hiring Freeze".

Monk:
A hiring freeze, for the next four years! By then, I'll be too old to be reinstated! So, that's it: I'll never be a cop again!

Dr. Charles Kroger:
All right, Adrian. I am truly sorry. I know how much reinstatement means to you.

Monk:
Only everything! It was my reason for living. That's all. What do I do now?

Dr. Charles Kroger:
I think you go back to what you've been doing. Consulting.

Monk:
For how long? I haven't had a new client in weeks! The department hasn't renewed my contract!

Dr. Charles Kroger:
You know, Adrian, I think this is an opportunity for you to make a decision. A very important decision. Now, you can let this news completely depress you.

Monk:
Okay. Thank you.

Dr. Charles Kroger:
Or, you can look at this like an opportunity. A chance for you to reassess your life. Start over. Do something completely different.

Monk:
Different?

Dr. Charles Kroger:
Yeah...'different' can be good.

Monk:
[unconvinced] Different. Good...(whispers to self) Different? Good?

[pause]

Dr. Charles Kroger:
Adrian, it's not too late, you know Winston Churchill did not become prime minister until he was sixty!

Monk:
What are you talking about? I'll never become prime minister!

Dr. Charles Kroger:
No, no. I'm not saying--

Monk:
I don't even live in England; even if I did I, I'd be such a long shot-

Dr. Charles Kroger:
Adrian! It's just an example.

Monk:
What do I do now?