24 (TV Series)

Day 2: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (2002)

Timothy Carhart: Eric Rayburn

Quotes 

• Eric Rayburn : [Referring to preventing the bomb from exploding in CTU]  sir we did everything we could

  President David Palmer : If only had Bauer called earlier, just a few minutes. We could've saved those people

  Eric Rayburn : Until we know more, I'd like to go over my evacuation plan for LA, it's on your desk

  President David Palmer : [Before leaving the conference room]  I'll call you when I'm ready to meet on it

  Eric Rayburn : Thank you sir

  Lynne Kresge : [Talking privately]  those people are dead because of you. I wanted to tell the President

  Eric Rayburn : But you didn't

  Lynne Kresge : Because of you. You made sure that I couldn't get through to him

  Eric Rayburn : As far as I know Bauer never called. You were the one who spoke to him

  Lynne Kresge : Are you blackmailing me?

  Eric Rayburn : I'm protecting the President. Whatever you know or whatever you think you know, I suggest you keep it to yourself

• Eric Rayburn : [after watching news coverage of the bombing at CTU]  as far as I'm concerned this tips in favor of the evacuation

  President David Palmer : I assume you've all read Eric's report recommending the evacuation of Los Angeles?

  Eric Rayburn : The CTU bombing is just the beginning: it's only a matter of time before the questions become rumors and the rumors set off a mass panic

  Lynne Kresge : Wouldn't the evacuation itself cause panic?

  Eric Rayburn : We can do this discreetly in stages. We've prepared "cover stories."

  Lynne Kresge : [Sarcastically]  that's a pretty tough sell for nine million people

  Eric Rayburn : General Preston assures me that the military can contain any civilian unrest

  Lynne Kresge : "Contain" rather sounds like a euphemism not to mention the Constitutional issues

  Eric Rayburn : I don't claim for this to be a Cakewalk

  Lynne Kresge : [Leans forward]  there's a practical issue that I don't see being addressed here

  Eric Rayburn : What's that?

  Lynne Kresge : Our intelligence is specific about this nuclear device being detonated sometime today. Now your report says it'll take at least one week for this evacuation

  Eric Rayburn : It's my job to protect as many citizens of the United States as I can. If I can get twenty percent of the population outside the blast radius, that's a win

  Lynne Kresge : We don't even know where the bomb is. Where do you suggest we begin this evacuation?

  Eric Rayburn : My staff has ranked ten high probability targeted areas...

  President David Palmer : [Interrupts him]  that's not good enough. Look I realize you've only had a short time to prepare this. But I have some real reservations

  Eric Rayburn : Bottom line Mr. President it protects you politically. If the bomb goes off...

  President David Palmer : [Interrupts him]  if the bomb goes off, we'll have more important concerns than my reelection

  President David Palmer : [to Lynn]  do you have anything else to add?

  Lynne Kresge : No Sir

  President David Palmer : [to his senior staff]  then we're done here: until we have reliable intelligence about where the bomb is located, there will be no evacuation

  President David Palmer : [to Lynn]  let General Davos know that I'm ready for him

  Lynne Kresge : Yes Sir

• President David Palmer : [Firing him]  you're out Eric: effective immediately

  Eric Rayburn : Sir, if this is about...

  President David Palmer : [Interrupts him]  you know exactly what this is about. You lied to me

  Eric Rayburn : Is that what Lynn told you?

  President David Palmer : Lynn didn't have to tell me anything

  Eric Rayburn : You can't dismiss me now Sir, not now. Not in the middle of a crisis. You need me here

  President David Palmer : I need someone I can trust

  Eric Rayburn : I made a decision you couldn't make

  President David Palmer : I'm the only one who could make it. Now twenty-seven people are dead

  Eric Rayburn : Collateral damage Sir. Regrettable but necessary so Jack Bauer can get to Joseph Wald

  President David Palmer : [Signaling to the Secret Service agent to enter the room]  get him out of here. Mr. Armus is waiting for him