Original subtitles

Everybody makes choices.

That's the American way.

It's in the Constitution.

Every schlub has a vote.

You get up in the morning, you decide what to wear.

What to eat.

What to waste your money on.

You go with what you know, which usually ain't much.

But what if you knew what you knew before you actually knew it?

If that's confusing, so is getting tomorrow's paper today.

The point being, sometimes the choice is easy.

And sometimes you don't have one at all. Hold it!

Hey,

what's the problem?

What would you do if you got tomorrow's news today?

About eight.

It ought to be here by now.

Don't worry, it'll come.

I don't see anything.

That's because it never comes when you're looking.

What's the big deal about today, anyway?

I'll tell you the big deal. I lost another hundred bucks last night, and

it's your fault.

Mine? No one told you to bet on the Cubs. The Cubs stink. No one told me not

to, either.

No one who knew they'd blow a five-run lead in the ninth. I'm going broke

getting rich.

Come on, buddy, you gotta help me out here.

Besides, aren't you the least bit curious of where this thing comes from,

huh? How it gets here?

Of course I know.

So? When I find out, I'll tell you.

Terrific. That's perfect. You know that?

The greatest boon to mankind since non-taxable income. And who does it come

to? A guy who buys lottery tickets and doesn't cheat. A guy who's still washing

his own shirt.

What's wrong with that?

It's been a week since this thing's been coming to you, and what have you done?

Nothing.

Okay, okay. So you saved a few lives. You stopped that bank robbery, and

you... Rescue that trailer parked in the tornado.

But the question is, when are you going to do something for Gare?

Like what?

For starters, finding a new place to live. What's wrong with this place? It's

a dump.

All right, one day in the market, you could buy yourself a palace. A place

with a swimming pool, a yard, and a satellite dish. No, thanks.

All I'm saying is, do whatever you have to do.

But then, do something for yourself.

And while you're at it... Something out of it for, you know, me.

No, I don't think it works that way.

Why not?

Because it just doesn't work that... It's Friday. Don't you have to go to

work? No, it's company picnic.

Last year I got ptomaine poisoning. No way I'm going back.

Right on time. Right on schedule. A little miracle at our door. One might

even venture to say a gift.

So, uh, when do we open her up?

Not we, me and Marissa at breakfast.

Oh, great. I'll join you. I'm starving.

You're not invited.

All right, I'll tell you what. Give me the sports pages and I'll be on my way.

Nope. What about the front page?

Come on, just a peek at the front page.

Sorry.

Oh, great. The cat you give milk to, me you give nothing. Come on, Garrett, just

throw me a bone.

Give me the horoscope.

Or the funny pages. Shut the door when you leave.

How about the soap opera list? I can work with that.

The obituaries. I love the obits.

Here!

Hope it's sour.

Good morning.

Not today. Congestion.

Probably conventious or something.

Gary? Yeah.

Marsha?

Hi.

What are you doing here?

I heard this is where you lived.

I mean, now that you... Don't live with you.

Night? Oh, yeah.

How are you?

Well, you know, getting a divorce, but I think you knew that.

Anyway, I was, um, cleaning out the house. I'm... I'm moving, you know.

It's a little big now, and... Anyway, I just found something of yours.

Something you didn't throw out of the window?

This book, Lost Chicago, was up on the bookshelf behind some other books.

I've never seen that before in my life.

Well, it's got your name in it.

It's probably from an old girlfriend or something.

Here you are.

Thanks.

Guess I'm going to have to walk.

All this traffic, I'm not going to get a cab.

Want to watch where you're going?

Sorry, I didn't see you. Yeah, well, it's a city, pal.

Sidewalks, people.

I said I was sorry.

Start keeping your eyes open.

If you

get

sideswiped by a car, it's wrong.

Does it say what time?

Around one.

Someone calls 911, but the ambulance gets tied up in the traffic.

They radio back, but the call gets lost in the show. Right through the crack.

So before anyone realizes it, it's too late. She dies at Columbia General

Hospital of Internal Injury.

Amanda Bailey, age six.

So what are you going to do?

Do I have a choice?

Well, let's see. You could go to the movies instead, or buy some popcorn and

feed the pigeons.

You get a real kick out of this, don't you? Kind of. Don't you? No, I don't.

What would you rather be doing?

Have a life, a real life. Boring.

And a job. So get one. Oh, sure, I'll do that this afternoon when I have some

free time. You just won't give in to this, will you?

You know, Gary, there are so many people in this world that would be thrilled to

have an opportunity like yours.

Like who? Okay, here's the deal.

I just got off the phone with my bookie. He's willing to lay me three to one

odds, the Mets over the Cubs. What do you say?

Come on, just give me a hint.

I'll give half the money to charity.

Chuck, I'm not giving you the score.

Attaway. Mind your own rump. I'm also not going to let this paper run my life.

I may not be able to stop it from coming, but I can damn well choose what

it makes me do.

Oh, my God.

This is bad.

What, the traffic? The headline changed.

Gary, what is it?

This wasn't here before.

Yeah?

Well, it is now, big guy.

Global Airlines, flight 29, bound for Miami.

Went down in flames yesterday afternoon shortly after takeoff from Chicago.

The plane, filled with tourists on their way to the Florida sun, disappeared from

radar screens at exactly 2 o'clock, just seconds after lifting from the runway.

The passenger list included prominent businessmen, ordinary families, and at

least one child traveling alone, plus a flight crew of 12.

Airline officials suspect a flock of birds in the area may have followed the

engine. causing the jet to plunge from the sky.

By late afternoon, rescue workers were still combing the wreckage, desperately

searching for signs of life.

But little hope was held out for any of the nearly 200 souls on board.

So, Willoughby.

What? Have you made your choice?

What time did this thing happen?

Two o'clock. Good.

We can make the airport by then. And what do we do when we get there? You'll

think of something.

Thanks.

Holy cow, look at this.

Jeez, what's going on? Is the Pope in town?

Chuck, find us a cab, okay?

Move it!

What do I look like, a doorman?

Well, I wouldn't be surprised.

That's right, that's right. No, check there!

Who?

How come it's me that has to come up with the explanations?

Why don't they publish it in here?

Well... Then you wouldn't feel needed.

Hey, over here.

You owe me big, pal. Excuse me. What are you doing?

Hey. Columbia General.

What are you doing?

What's your problem? What's my problem? This is my cab.

I don't think so. I think it's his. Oh, I see. A comedian.

No, surgeon.

Oh, yeah?

Well, I wouldn't let you operate on my coccyx. Now, get out. I had it first.

Congratulations. What are you, a doorman?

All right. Look, Scott.

Two days.

Not for me.

It's for her, okay? When she's blind.

Funnies. A severe case.

Tell him to stay out. Hey!

Get out of the hat! Now!

Look,

we need this cap.

Why? Well, it's a matter of life and death, that's why.

Really?

Really.

Call an agent.

Columbia General, please. Hey!

Hey!

Whatever happened?

Chuck, I need a quarter.

Me? I'm out.

Forty million bucks in the lottery. You've got to take mine to a bit.

Here, I want it back.

This ought to be good. What are you going to tell them? There's birds on the

runway? Hey, why don't you ask them for tomorrow's cub scores while you're at

it? Well, that's helpful.

Tell them we're from the FAA and that we need to make a spot check, and that way

they've got to ground all the airplanes.

Just a thought.

Yes, I have some information about flight 29.

Three.

Circuits are busy.

Stupid machine.

I'm telling you, they never should have broken up my belt.

Okay, so what do we do now?

Excuse me, Detective Tagliati, please. Who?

Detective Tagliati. Her office is right down there. Not anymore.

What? Busted the foot patrol.

She swallowed some story by some nut who claimed he could see the future. Didn't

sit well with the boss.

If I

may, a suggestion.

Do not mention the paper.

He has to mention the paper. How else are they going to believe me?

An anonymous note tied to a rock.

Crude, but effective.

Brilliant. Thank you.

You there.

You want to lodge a complaint?

Yes, we are.

Who are you filing against?

Global Airlines.

They stole our luggage.

You mean they lost it? No, they stole it.

Grand theft luggage.

And what exactly do you want us to do about that?

Simple. Ground that two o'clock flight.

Those bags could be on it.

She's serious?

Some would think so, yes.

You guys figure it out, okay?

Forget that. This is an emergency.

Naturally. Look, I need to speak to the guy in charge.

No, you don't. Yes, I do. Believe me, you don't. Yes, I do. Listen, I got to

speak to him now.

Suit yourself.

Detective Crumlin.

What? There's someone here to see you.

You. What the hell is he doing here?

He has a problem.

What kind of problem?

There's a plane full of luggage.

Luggage? It's gonna crash.

When? Two o'clock.

That'll be two o'clock when? Today, tomorrow, a year from now? Detective, I

don't... Oh, you look.

You see this gray hair?

This is you.

Thanks to your little stunt last week, half of my staff is gone. Not now. And

now you want me to swallow some half-assed, crack-brained story about a

plane full of luggage? Yes.

Except there is no luggage.

So, what do you want me to do?

Take him out back and shoot him.

Proceed.

I hope he cuts himself shaving. Nice long, deep cut ear to ear.

I told you it was a waste of time. What are we going to do now?

Don't panic. We can still make it by two. How are we going to get there?

Simple. We'll hop on the out.

Wait, wait.

Hold it.

Stop.

What time's the next train?

Every five minutes.

When they're running on time.

What about today?

Could be up to a half hour.

This is crazy.

We're running around in circles. What the hell is going on?

You're killing the infrastructure.

Thanks. Maybe it's trying to tell you something.

It? The paper.

Like what? Like buy a helicopter. My feet are killing me. That's not what I

mean. I mean, maybe there's a way to stop that plane without actually being

there. Why don't you send him one of those telepathic brain waves? Oh, that's

brilliant. I thought so. You would think so. Oh, here comes another one. Now

let's go. All right, Gary. Come on now. Let's go.

on a train.

I can't.

Amanda?

Amanda?

What happened?

We were in an accident, honey.

Uh-oh.

Anyone hurt?

Well... It was a new bike.

My dad got it for me.

No, not exactly.

But you know me.

Kinda.

I got it.

She needs help.

Yeah, I can call 911. They'll be here right away. No, they won't. They're not

gonna make it here in time. What do you mean? It's 911.

Listen, she needs to get to a hospital now.

Me? I'm not moving her. She could be hurt. Listen, I don't have time to

explain. I gotta be somewhere. You gotta get her to the emergency room. Oh, no.

You're supposed to leave the victim right there. Don't you ever watch

Chicago Hope?

How are you feeling?

My arm hurts.

Uh-huh. Is that bad?

Nah.

Okay.

We'll have to see you back.

What time is it now?

Did you just ask me that? No, you're right. Now I'm asking again.

Eleven after one.

Good. We can still make it to the airport.

Yeah, and then what?

And then we stop the plane.

Uh-huh. And how are we going to do that? I don't know, but we're going to.

That's it? That's your plan? I don't know, but we're going to?

Great.

We need some help here.

We need some help.

You're telling me.

You know where you are?

Nothing.

Take her to registration.

Excuse

me,

she's been in an accident.

Name? Bailey Amanda Bailey.

Address? I don't know the address.

Are you the father?

No, listen, can we do this later? She needs to see someone right away.

How you doing, honey?

My arm hurts.

Well, we'll be sure and fix that. It's not just our arm. There's something more

serious than that.

You're a doctor?

No, I'm not.

Not the doctor, not the father. Listen, I know what's going on. If you could

just... Have a seat over there. If you could just... Someone will be with you

right away.

Right over here.

Don't worry.

I'm sure it's out.

Huh?

The hospital. Go fix that, please.

What? That way, they'll delay the flight in time that it takes to... Let me just

stop you right there, okay?

You're out of your mind.

Why? Why?

Newsflash. There's only one reason to give an airline a bomb threat. That is

when there's an actual bomb on the plane.

Otherwise, they tend to overreact.

Like put you in prison. Like forever.

I get it. Good. And that... Excuse me? You heard me.

It's okay to use a newspaper to cash in on a stock market... All right, you know

what? I resent that. You do, do you? Yes, I do.

Just because I have a halfway practical view of the universe.

And you still believe in the tooth fairy? Coward.

Why don't you go polish some crystal?

Capitalist pig.

I just don't understand why we have to do it. Because Gary can't be there and

we can't.

Attention, we have been advised there has been an unequaled power failure in

this area of the city.

I wish I could see Wrigley Field from here.

Excuse me. Can we get a doctor here? I'm sorry. We're doing the best we can.

You have to be somewhere, don't you?

What?

Someone else to save.

What makes you say that?

Amanda Bailey?

Dr. Raymond.

She was in an accident?

Hit and run. She was on a bicycle. Gina, where am I going to put her? Number

three. There's somebody in number three. Anywhere you can find her. Anyway, she

was on her bicycle. Is it your arm, did you? No, it's not her arm. There's

something else. I explained all this at the front desk. Well, if there's

something else there, we will find it. Look, maybe there's a doctor, someone I

can talk to. Somebody knows what's going on around here. Listen, I'm sorry, sir,

but I'm going to have to ask you to leave now. Ira, it says there that you

are not her father. Oh, no, I'm not leaving this room until... Listen, we

really need you out here.

Look, you have done everything you could. You've got her here. There's

nothing more you can do. Go on with your life.

And Gino, let's get started looking for this girl's folks.

Listen,

Phil, I gotta get going.

You'll come back.

Yeah, I promise.

I'll be brave.

Excuse me. We need to get to the airport.

Good luck, lady.

Power's out in this whole part of the city. Nothing's coming to stretch.

Then how are we supposed to get there?

Take a cab. Moving along.

Our tax dollars at work. Now what do we do?

Guess we gotta find Gary.

40 minutes? Andy, what dream are you living in?

Just driving a cab.

Where is she? You again? Where is she?

Do you know the little girl that was in seven? What happened? They moved her

till they find the parents. Moved her where? Beats me.

Did they look at her head? She's been examined.

Did they look at her head? Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't just go wondering.

Doctor. Sir.

Doctor.

Well, well.

Mr.

Life and Death, what brings you to our humble establishment?

Look, I'm sorry about the cab this morning, but I need your help. Now, you

got a little girl here who's not getting the right treatment. She's been

examined.

Then everything's been taken care of.

Everything hasn't been taken care of. They looked at her arm. They missed what

was wrong. And your medical training would be?

None. And that's why you're going to find her. Sorry, that's not my job.

You're a doctor.

Wrong. I'm a surgeon, not a detective, not a short-order cook.

If you need an appointment, please call my office. Otherwise, I'm doing surgery.

This is my appointment.

Something needs to be done, and you're going to do it.

You're right.

I will.

Don't you have anything better to do?

Thanks.

Here. What are you doing? Taking a nap?

What are you doing here?

Said in the paper she was in Columbia General Hospital. No, did you get to the

airport?

Did you stop the plane? Not even close. We couldn't get near the place. We tried

everything. It's like something didn't want us to get there.

Then it's still going down.

We couldn't get there.

Maybe we're not supposed to, but you can.

No, I got to get back in there. Look, Gary, there's a hundred and ninety. No,

I got to get back in there. There's a little girl there that trust me. I made

her a promise.

We have a problem.

Big guy, 12 o'clock.

Oh, no!

Oh, sick.

What the hell is going on here? My husband's sick. I'm sick.

I'm dying.

What's going on here?

My head. Stomach.

It hurts all over.

It's a virus. Did you see the movie Outbreak?

My faith is going to turn into putty. Get him out of here before he starts a

riot. Thank you.

Nurse, what do you want me to take him?

Tell someone to order him an upper and lower GI.

And give him a rectal.

What?

You've been on the links lately?

Shot a 71 at Bill Maher yesterday.

Excuse me, that's Dr.

Connolly's locker.

Oh, yeah, I know. He asked me to find something for him.

And what would that be?

Glass eye.

Amanda?

How you feeling?

Cold.

Come on, honey. We're going to go for a little ride.

Doctor, do you smell anything?

No, thanks.

Why don't you let us do that for you? Can't.

Incarcerated petunia.

I'll jerk down.

Okay,

another day, another dollar.

Turn the music off, will you? Let's get Mr. What's-his-name up. Okay,

let's talk. Listen, mister, you've got to get out of here right now. No, I said

we're going to talk.

This little girl's name is Amanda Bailey. She's six years old.

She doesn't like orange juice, but she'll drink it.

She can curl her tongue up and spit between her two front teeth.

Her favorite teacher is Miss Padelli, who teaches pottery at school.

She likes to get the clay on her fingertips.

You've got two options.

You can pretend this girl's just another name or you can save her life.

What's your choice?

You're a very persistent man, Mr. Life and Death.

Yes, I am.

You could go to jail for this.

Just look at the girl.

Not the chart.

Look at the girl.

And what would I be looking for?

It's called... I don't know what it's called.

You're unconscious and then you're okay. It's called a doma... Epidural hematoma.

That's it.

Let's get ahead of that.

Then prep her just in case.

Skip the paperwork. We need to move on now.

And don't let me hear she got left in some hallway.

Anything else?

They can get me to the airport in half an hour.

I'm a surgeon, not a taxi service.

It's important, huh?

Dr. Martin? We're going to radiology now.

We can come up now. Dr.

Garvin, please.

Right away.

All right, on three.

One, two, three.

Thank you.

This yours?

What's the date?

Today.

Take it down to the second floor.

Yes, sir.

Piece of cake.

Pretty close thing, though.

A few more minutes and we'd have had some explaining to do.

I sound like a bureaucrat, don't I?

Look, um... I won't pretend that I understand what's going on with you.

Something tells me I don't even want to know.

But I get the feeling that we're both in the same kind of business.

Saving lives.

Thing is, one of us hasn't been doing a job.

Not that I'm very good at saying thanks.

But there it is.

You saved more than one life today.

No.

No, I didn't.

But you tried.

And I failed.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

It's what you said.

This is what you had to do.

That makes it all right.

You're only one guy again. Forrest, that plane went down today and I should have

been there. Me. Not anyone else, but me. No, you shouldn't. Why?

Because you couldn't.

You can't do it all, Gary.

The world doesn't turn that way. Sometimes when you... Excuse me.

I'm looking for the recovery room.

It's down there.

Honey.

I got here as fast as I could.

Wait.

You should be waking up soon.

The doctor says she's going to be fine.

I heard they had trouble finding you.

I was almost in Miami.

I was on the runway when they radioed, halfway through my takeoff roll.

Ten seconds later and I would have been in the air.

Yes, I was lucky.

I'd never forgiven myself for not being here.

Dad.

What do you mean?

It's okay.

It's okay.

You know what? I think in the next scene that Sammy is going to find Carrie in

bed with Austin and leave him flat.

Anybody want to make a little wager? A little bet? Oh, I'm in it for ten.

Ten bucks? Why don't we make it twenty?

Okey-dokey. All right, 20 bucks. Good. Anybody else? You young lady down at the

end, you look like a gambling woman.

Where

is

it?

What?

The paper.

Shh.

Can't you see these ladies are dilating?

This man has zero sensitivity.

Here, come on now. You owe me. I bent over backwards for you.

Look. Like the man said,

I think it was me.

Everybody makes choices.

Hey, everybody, heavy!

No, I think I'll walk, thanks.

Some you make because you want to.

Say Abe Lincoln for president.

No-brainer.

Sorry, but I'll speak to you.

Mostly, though, it's a matter of guesswork.

Going with your gut.

I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Hobson, but I wanted to tell you I left that book on

your table. Found it in the trash downstairs.

Seemed too nice to throw there.

It's hard on the nerves.

Really, all you can do is give it a shot.

And hope to God.

It turns out right.