Original subtitles

Southwest 444, flying 180...

Uh, maintain 5,000...

Maintain 5,000. Proceed number 6, uh, 43...

2330, climb and maintain 16-1-6,000.

Continental 901, eight miles from the outer marker. Turn left heading zero-8-zero.

Maintain 2,000 till intercepting the localizer cleared ILS Runway 4, right approach.

TWA 732, runway zero 4, right. Newark altimeter is 2-niner-niner-2.

- Continental 525, turn left heading 1-4-zero. Maintain 6. - Maintain 5,000, 220 knots.

Learjet 64.64, contact 515 4.76. Have a nice day.

Please let that mean you're finished.

- Yes! - Oh, ho ho ho!

Grazie. Grazie. Danke schoen. Prego. We're here all week.

Boston center now, 1-3-5-point 1.

Ed, tower wants them out faster. They're backin' up.

I've only got so much room. My airspace is finite.

- Hey, everybody. Ed's goin' down the pipes. - I'm not goin' down the pipes.

Yeah, you are. It happens every time you use the word "finite."

American 427, depart VOR. Heading 2-1-zero.

Traffic 5 o'clock above you. No, correction, below you.

- No, no, I was right before. - Correction, below you. Blow me...

Hey, Nick, any chance you taking Allegheny 2629?

Allegheny 2629. Sure. I got room for the whole fleet.

- You don't have to take that, Zone, you got a full load. - Let him take it, Leo. Teamwork!

Don't be a pain in the ass, Pat.

Get off the rubber! Off the rubber!

Allegheny 2629, reduce speed to 180 knots.

- Altimeter 2-niner-niner-2. - 180, 2629.

KLM 3729, traffic 2 o'clock, 3 miles east-southeast bound.

Level at 3,000 feet, an Econojet. I'm putting him ahead of you.

- Caution, wake turbulence. - Got him in sight, 3729.

Thanks. Tell you what. Turn 20 degrees to the left.

- I wanna keep you on the ILS. - Okay.

Four out of five dentists surveyed recommend

sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum.

Sugarless gum, sugarless gum, sugarless gum, sugarless...

Gum, gum, gum. Incom... gum...

Continental 962, heavy, turn left heading 1-4-zero.

140, continental 962.

American 7736, contact Newark tower, 118.3. Take care. Thanks.

You do good work. American 7736.

They're gonna have to build planes faster to keep me interested, Leo.

- I'll be damned. - Continental 428, descend and maintain 5,000.

6 to 5. Continental 428.

Continental 961, go direct to Robbinsville at this time, please.

- To Robbinsville, continental 961. - He shoots. He scores.

It's sleek, it's crisp.

Is that crisp vectoring or what?

I got 'em lined up like Rockettes.

- Hey, you guys think Tina's lookin' good lately? - Tina? She's too muscular.

- We see her everyday. - It'd be like sex with your wife.

Extra crispy makes me feel sick.

If he gets extra crispy, I'll take 'em.

I want a side of berries and a slice of melon.

- A side of white toast for me. - Wheat toast, no butter.

- Whatever toast you got is fine. - Oh... oh, okay.

Um, I got to start again.

Oh, no, no, no. Not to worry there, Kim.

Everybody loses the picture sometimes.

Take the weight off those lovely getaway sticks.

Hey, don't worry. He's bailed us out too.

- Oh, okay. - She was gonna sit right here.

Order up.

Two eggs easy, not runny, extra crisp bacon, browns and wheat light.

One 3-egg ham and cheddar, no onion, cottage fries, bacon and rye, and a 3-egg sunny, runny,

tall buttermilk and ham, pigs, browns, double order white...

And side berries, melon.

Move it! People are hungry. Strive for greatness, men.

I'm a restaurant critic for the Times.

Pardon me. Would you ladies like to join us till something opens up?

Thank you, no. We'll wait.

Please, my mother would be ashamed of me sitting while ladies stand.

Do this for Mother. She's gonna have a heart attack if I tell her about this thing.

I think it would be okay.

- Hi. - Hey, how you doin'?

- Good. - Come on, uh, part the Red Sea.

- Yeah, yeah, absolutely. - Thank you.

- Have a seat, please. - Thank you.

- You're welcome. - Barry, Ron, Ed. I'm Nick...

- And you are? - Karen.

- Hi, Karen, nice to meet you. - I'm Beverly.

- Hi, Beverly. How are ya? - How ya doin'?

- Thank you. - Good. Now, you're welcome.

- I'm married.

You were just about to throw yourselves at him, right?

So, do you guys work together or something?

Yeah, we're in the aviation industry.

- Pilots? - Yeah. How can you tell?

I drive a plane. - Duh.

What are they doin'? What are they doin'? What are they doin'? Karen?

No, you're safe. You're safe.

- We're air traffic controllers. - Ohh.

So you work in a tower somewhere?

Uh, no. We work in a big building here on the island.

A TRACON.

- A what? - A terminal radar approach control.

- Kind of in stereo there. - It's nowhere near an airport.

We funnel every plane in or out of New York's finite airspace.

As soon as your plane leaves the ground, tower turns you over to us.

- Seven thousand a day. - More planes closer together than any place on earth.

- Kennedy, Newark, La Guardia. It's true. - Wow. It sounds pretty tough.

- It is. - Oh, I don't know what the big deal is.

I mean, it seems to me like you guys just sit around all day

talkin' on the radio... on the ground.

No, ma'am, it's a lot more complicated than just that.

- Yeah, it's complicated. - This job can be a bit stressful some...

Don't say it's... it's... it's stressful!

- Hey, baby. - Hey, honey.

- You hungry? - No, we got breakfast at Ted's.

- Oh. Lipstick. - Where you goin'?

Little Nicky's teacher wants to talk to me about his attention span.

- What about it? - Apparently he doesn't have one.

How do I look? Do I look, uh, parental and concerned?

Mmm. you look great.

That sounds serious. Maybe I should go with you.

No, that's okay, Nick. I can handle this.

- I want you to stay and get some sleep. - Sleep is boring.

- I worry about you. - Well, do you have to go right away?

Why?

Oh. Oh, that feels good.

Yeah? Will you at least hurry back?

- From what? - The attention thing.

Right. Save it, honey.

There's a... a... a... casserole in the, uh, uh, the fridge.

Fridge.

- Be fast. - It'll be like it never happened.

Okay. Oh, God, Nicky.

We need one of those little chairs, you know, the things that the old people have.

Yes, I'll be right there. I'm s...

I'm sorry, Sister Beatrice.

Yes, I... I understand. I'm sorry.

Yes, I'm very sorry.

Yeah, bye-bye.

Oh, I hate conferences like this.

You know, what's always unsaid is that you're a failure as a parent.

Come on, Connie. She's a nun. They're very unhappy people.

Don't worry. I'll help him with his homework. It'll be okay.

- Oh, honey, you're only able to do that when you work days. - So, he'll be a third smarter.

You work days twelve days a month, honey. It's not a third.

Well, like what? 12 into 31. It's like, I don't know, under half.

- Honey, I've got my art class tonight. - What are you talkin' about?

The adult extension class. Drawing the human form. I told you.

- Oh, the, um... - You know, I just, uh...

I need to feel a... a little more...

I need to, you know, have a... a... a life of the mind.

Hmm. are there gonna be a lot of bare-assed guys there?

No. They're not coming till week three.

- That's what you're doin' it for. - Do you... I don't know.

Do you think it's a... a bad idea?

No, no, I think all that stuff is good.

Whatever makes you happy, you know?

- You're happy, aren't you, Connie? - Hmm?

Yeah. Sure.

What a funny old question.

This is the radar to show us all the planes in the sky over the New York area.

Kennedy, La Guardia, and Newark

are all within 20 miles of each other.

- Seven thousand flights... - Ah, jeez.

- What are you doing? - Let it go, Zone.

Okay, guys. Right up here. There we go.

Cute kids, Pat. They all yours?

Could be. You know, when I was young I laid my share of pipe.

Uh, these are the scopes,

and each one of these blips is an airplane.

- Pat, Pat, do you mind stepping off the rubber? - Right. Okay.

Did you youngsters know that an air traffic controller

is responsible for more lives in a single shift

than a surgeon is in his entire life?

It looks like a computer game.

Well, this is no game, young man, I'll tell you that.

- If you make a mistake here, there's no reset button. - Don't touch me, Pat.

I hear air traffic controllers have the highest rates of clinical depression,

nervous breakdowns, heart attacks, and alcoholism of any profession.

- Don't forget suicide, kid. - Suicide too.

Timmy always does a lot of research for our field trips.

Um, he's been online since he was four.

- Pat? - Yes, Ed.

- Take them somewhere else. - Right.

Okay, kids. This way. Here we go. This way.

You know, controlling air traffic is much like conducting a big symphony orchestra.

Mr. Feeney was using a metaphor to express his feelings. Can you all say "metaphor"?

That wasn't a metaphor. That was a simile. "Laying pipe" is a metaphor.

Ronnie! I got a departure, he didn't tag up. I'm not talking to him. He's gone NORDO.

- What was the last thing you gave him? - 28 and 8. Didn't acknowledge.

- Climbin' to 8, where? I don't see him. - Hold departures for me.

- I don't see him! - Turn him!

- I don't even see his prime! Where is he? - He's right there.

- Turn him.

- I'm not seein' him! - Turn him. Turn him!

- He's right there. - He's got no data block.

- Is there... Is there gonna be a crash? - Oh, Christ...

- Get these kids out of here. Now. - Come on, kids.

Econojet 2166, traffic at your 2 o'clock. Do you see him?

That's a negative on the visual. My TCAS is goin' crazy.

Correction, I see him! He's headed right at me!

Econojet 2166, immediate left turn heading zero-7-zero, expedite.

Immediate, roger.

They're in pieces.

Econojet 2166, left turn expedited.

- I told you to turn him! - Go, Ronnie. Go, Ronnie.

- Go, Ronnie. Go, Ronnie.

- Go, Ronnie. - Knock it off!

- Nick, plug in. - Bug off!

- Ooh! Oh! - Why you so upset, Ron? You didn't kill anybody.

There was no squawk. That wasn't my fault.

We all saw. Everything's gonna be all right.

- There's a Jetlink and, um... - I got the picture.

There was... yeah, well, there was no squawk.

We're waiting for you here in hell, Ronnie.

How about a big wet one, huh? Kiss it. Kiss it.

- There was no ident. No squawk. - Oh, there was no ident.

- No squawk. It wasn't my fault! - Get back to your scope.

- Don't talk about what you can't handle. - Let's go downstairs.

Now, you're done, you're through.

Econojet 2166, reduce speed to 1-7-0 knots.

- Aah!

-Hey, you jerk, do you mind if we use the street too?

It looks like I wet my pants. Fuck.

That's what I'm talkin' about.

Continental 1250, turn left heading 1-3-zero.

Yo, continental's lined up. Jetlink's in fourth.

Christ, Vestali, this looks like a parrot cage. You're practically molting.

- Tweet, tweet. See ya.

- Oh, come on! - Sorry.

Jetlink 3596, reduce speed to 190 knots, please. Fly heading zero-9-zero.

- Traffic at 3 o'clock, 4 miles. - Hell of a lot of dinks out here for a weekday.

Hey, Ma, let's take the plane out for a spin, fly up close to them big old jets.

Sparta air 753 lookin' for Newark approach.

Hey, Sparta 753. Hey, is this Jethro?

- Yee-haw. - How's my favorite redneck?

Falzone, are you mockin' me, son?

Well, I thought I would, Jethro, before you run out of cornpone

- or whatever you're using for fuel these days. - Now, hell, now,

we wouldn't waste good moonshine to fly one of these shit-boxes.

Now, you gonna give me directions, or am I supposed to find New York by the smell?

Well, all right. Sparta 753, turn left heading zero-7-zero.

Maintain 2,000 till established localizer. Cleared ILS. Runway 4, left approach.

ILS. Runway 4, left. Hey, let's have dinner sometime, control.

I'd like to see if you're as ugly as you sound.

Great, Jethro, I'll try to find a restaurant where we don't have to wear shoes.

Now, do you have your pig with ya or are ya sleepin' alone?

Everybody, can I, uh, have your attention, please?

Everybody, just turn off your scopes.

It's a...

Th-this is the new man. This is, uh, Russell Bell.

Russell comes highly recommended. He's worked uh, Albuquerque, Denver, Phoenix.

- So, he's wanted in three states. - They're a...

They're a motley-looking group, Bell, but they do the impossible.

They make... They make me look good. Hey, guys, settin' up a tailgate

for the Giants game next weekend.

Unh! Meadowlands, huh? Who's in?

Who's up for it, huh? It's...

Oh, you guys are all business. Okay, let's get, uh, Russell checked out,

uh, ASAP, huh? It's...

Welcome aboard, Bell. Come on. Get you started on your paperwork.

- What the hell was that? - Hey, who cares as long as he makes the cut.

That is one man closer to my gettin' out of here.

Closer to a quiet little tower job in upstate New York,

seeing a psychiatrist with big tits.

At least we know when he's here that, uh, he won't be breaking into our homes.

U.S. Air 732, turn left heading 1-6-zero. Maintain 2,000.

I don't know. I think he looks kind of interes... ting.

Ooh! Ooh!

Oh, you'd like to bring him down your main runway for a touch and go, Tina?

- Go die. - Oh, yeah.

- Like a big whole-grain muffin? That kind of interesting? - Hangin' left today, Ed?

Jetlink 2946, your company traffic's at 3 o'clock.

- Why don't you slow down to 1-8-zero. - I am at 180.

Uh, correction, 1-6-0.

You know, I think I heard of this guy.

I got a buddy in Denver who...

who told me about this weird quiet guy

who was, like the best controller he'd ever seen.

I don't care how good he was in the sticks.

Until you hit level five, living is easy.

Well, if this is the same guy, I also heard he's kind of crazy.

He supposedly stood on a runway and let a 747 fly right over his head.

What the hell for?

He wanted to understand what wake turbulence felt like.

- That's bullshit. - That's bogus, man.

We have to allow five miles between planes for wake turbulence,

and this guy stands right under one?

Hey, I heard it from two different places.

- That would have killed him. - Yeah, well, you've seen him.

You sure it didn't?

Hey, Russell.

You've met Ron Hewitt, our very own Emily Post.

Let's go, Smiley.

Hey. Nick Falzone. Friends call me "the Zone."

Shake it like you mean it.

So, uh, listen. Me and some of the guys

are gonna go out after work for a few drinks, couple of pops, a few laughs.

You want to join us?

You don't say much, do you?

Trudy, hit us up again, will you?

Bring us, uh, seven shots, will you?

Russell, word is you're a good controller.

What's the most planes you had to handle at one time, huh?

- Enough so that I didn't have time to count. Why? - I don't know.

Our washout rate's a mere 50 percent.

We always wonder if a new controller's gonna go wacko when he gets cornered.

You know, you will get cornered here.

Don't unpack.

I just move the blips around so they don't hit each other, and then I go home.

I used to feel that way, but then I remembered they were human beings.

- Kinda dampened the whole thing. Want a shot? - Nobody told me that.

- No? - One more round, and I'm cutting you guys off.

-Hey, they surprise you with a pee-pee test tomorrow,

you're blowing it without my help.

Hey, Russell, we... we heard this story.

They say you stood on a runway in New Mexico

and let a 747 part your hair with wake turbulence.

- That happen? - No.

- That's what we thought. - No, that was in Arizona.

- You really did that? - Yeah.

Whew.

- Why? - I guess my life was a little short on excitement.

-Of course, all that's changed tonight.

- Why don't I get the tip? - No. That's all right. We'll flip for it, huh?

Nope, nope, nope, nope. Look quick. You ready?

- Oh, can't we flip? - No, everybody take a match.

Come on, I hate this. Why do we always do this?

- You got it? - What do we do?

- Strike it on the count of three. - Wait, wait, wait.

- I'm gonna count. One, two, three. - Oh, we're gonna do...

First person to drop the match pays the tip.

Whoa, wait. Mine's burning faster. Look at that. Mine's burning faster.

Another conspiracy.

See that? Look. It's burning faster than yours. Shit.

All right, everyone. We finally get to see if Ron owns a wallet.

I own a wallet. That's not fair. Cheap Chinese matches.

I have a different brand. Guys, Ron's paying.

Game's over, guys. Come on.

Guys, what are you doing?

Ow!

I guess that's it.

Okay.

Okay.

I guess I'd better get out of here.

Jesus. What was that all about?

Nothin'.

- We're still on tonight, right? - Oh, absolutely.

- Hey, Tommy, Dr. Freeze is back. - Freeze?

- Hey, Tina, guess what. - What?

- Dr. Freeze has returned. - I'm coming.

- Ahhhh... - Hey, hey, hey. Dr. Freeze is back.

Freeze. He's been working with a new therapist.

Five dollars says he gets to the scopes.

- Hey, guys. - Yeah?

Dr. Freeze is back to try it one more time.

- Who's Freeze? - He's this guy who froze up on the scopes so bad,

they had to take him out of here in a big ice-cream bag.

It's a big sky. lots of room.

They won't hit. Lots of room.

- It's a big sky.

Lots of room. They won't hit.

Lots of room.

- There he is, hey! - Morning, doc!

- Whoa.

Ohh!

Ohh...

- Lots of planes waiting out there, doc. - Ohh...

-Come on, doc. You're almost there. You can do it.

- Come on, baby. Come on, baby. - Lots of sky.

- That's it, that's it. - United 2417...

- Climb to 4,000... - On approach!

- You got it. It's yours. - I'm back, Jake. Yeah.

- Practice, doc. - One, two...

- I don't know, sir. - Lots of sky!

- Good-bye! - Come on!

- I had the door. - You had the doorway.

- He never got into the doorway. - Door, doorway... what's the difference?

Look, she's a good two inches from the actual door.

No, look, look. From there to there...

- Whoa, whoa. - Whoa, hey, not to worry there, doc.

- How's it going? - I got to the door.

- Way to go! - Hey, that's your best since you went down.

Aww... yeah. I got hypnosis to thank.

- Yeah, yeah. Good to see you. - You, too.

- Come back soon. - Yeah.

Where you been? You were supposed to be here an hour ago.

US Air 2166, turn left, heading 120, altimeter, 2-niner-niner-2.

I'm up to my ass in airplanes right... now.

It looks frightening, doesn't it?

Continental 2591, contact tower 118.3. Take care. Thanks.

2591.

- Brought your chair with you. - Yeah.

Is that a... good luck charm?

Thought you were busy.

Continental 2735, 5 miles in behind, company heavy, caution wake turbulence,

contact tower 118.3. Take care, thanks.

Got you. 2735. Good day.

Okay, chief. Slide on in.

Let's get you all saddled up there.

Delta's due for an immediate right turn. Three in trail, got a Jetlink coming...

Yeah, I got it. I got the picture.

Delta 532, turn left, heading, 140, maintain 4,000.

- 140 on the heading? - Yeah, that'll put you right up his butt.

Delta 532, right up his butt.

Jetlink 3601, fly south, heading, 180.

- Jetlink, 180. - Eagle 4912, descend to 4,000.

5 to 4.4,000.

Bell, are you aware you got two airplanes headed towards one another?

- Yes, I'm aware. - You gonna get ready to turn one of 'em?

As soon as I put that Jetlink between 'em.

Great. You want to get your picture in the papers your first day on finals?

I don't blow him by, everybody loses their connections.

- Delta 532, slow to 160. - Delta 532...

Continental 2478, slow to 140.

Jetlink 3594, increase your speed to 230 knots.

- Did you say 2-3-0? - That's right, Jetlink. I need it now.

- Speed 230... - Come on, come on. Pedal faster.

Continental 2478, you have traffic at your 10 o'clock.

I've got him in sight. Continental 2478.

Delta 532, verify visual contact with 2 o'clock traffic.

That's affirmative, approach. He's kind of hard to miss right now.

- Uh-oh. - Oh, caca.

- What's the problem? - Nothing.

Chief here almost put three planes together, that's all.

They had visual.

Now there's this little matter of these two planes going nose to nose.

- Continental 2478,

turn right, heading 060, slow to 140.

060, continental 2478.

- Delta 532, slow to 160. - 160.

- Continental 2478, descend to 3,000. - 2478.

Delta 532, make a hard left turn, heading zero-niner-zero.

It's too steep a turn.

I'm gonna kiss my own tail on that one, my friend.

Delta, make the turn, or I'll spin you.

You'll land nice and easy some time before Christmas.

Left, heading 090.

Delta 532. Scary, but I must say, good job.

- Thank you very much. - Good job.

Nice talking to you, Bell.

Uh, you, too, Nick.

- Yeah, man. - Nick. Come on in.

Come on, boy. Come on in. Jeez.

Take a seat, pal. Have a seat. Go ahead.

You know, I called the traffic manager in Denver about Russell, okay?

He sent me this. Watch this.

Now watch it again. I've watched it a dozen times.

- This is funny stuff. - Play that again.

Okay, watch.

Do you believe that?

- Wow. - Patty, Patty, you know he's a fucking cowboy.

You know that, right? He is.

You know, it's funny you should say that.

They also told me he's part Cree Indian.

He's a half-breed. He doesn't fit in either world.

I'm telling you, there's an aluminum shower in that guy's future.

Nick, Nick, Nick, you know passenger safety, of course,

- is one of our highest priorities. - Right, right, right.

Keeping them alive is a very close second to keeping them on time.

- I know the drill. - Watch it, Falzone.

I know he brings 'em in steep and tight,

but those airlines are not gonna be on the phone

on my ass about delays while he's on the scopes, okay?

He pushes tin.

So, uh, you gonna sign off on him or what?

- Hey, everybody else likes him. I like him too. - Everybody loves him.

- What's not to like? - That's it exactly.

Ask all your buddies down there, all those... those guys down there.

But let me tell you something, Pat Sajak...

I say the guy's a loose cannon.

Takes one to know one, Nicky.

Oh, come on, you guys, take a doggie.

You're killing me with the burgers. I'm gonna run out.

- Damn it!

Now, I left a note to use alternate climb-outs today.

- Who's on departure? - I don't know. It's probably Harrison.

Harrison. Asshole!

I'll make sure every 747 leaving New York tomorrow night blows shingles off his roof!

Well, at least it drowns out Falzone.

Would you believe he's never had a lesson, hon?

More beef, Todd?

My grandmother used to make sweaters all the time.

You remind me of my grandmother.

- Oh, thank you very much. - There's yours.

No, I don't mean it badly, hon. I want you to make me one, actually.

Would you make me one?

- Thank you, sweetie. - You're welcome.

- A red one? - If you want.

Barry started gnashing his teeth while he sleeps.

Oh. Ed used to do that until he got this jaw clamp.

- Does it work? - Very well.

- He's already gone through three of them. - Huh.

- Is it expensive? - It's worth it.

You round up all these disgruntled postal workers, right,

and you turn them into an elite fighting force.

Discipline would be a tall order. I'm not saying it wouldn't,

I'm not saying it wouldn't, but it would be perfect for kamikaze missions.

You know what I'm saying?

Barry?

Hi. Uh, welcome. I am, uh, Ed Clabes.

- My party. You're... - She'd make you pay for it.

- Oh, hi! Yeah, we're expecting you. - A real nice job.

- Hi, how you doing? I'm Crystal. - Ugh, someone give me a beer.

Just put 'em back in them holsters, boys. That's Russell's wife.

Russell's got a wife?

- You invited Russell? - Yeah. I told Julie about him.

She said he sounded interesting. Is there a problem, Nick?

No, no, no. We usually just all get liquored up alone,

and, you know, it's a tight-knit group, but whatever, man.

You know, it might upset our delicate balance, but it's your thing.

What the hell is she doing with Russell?

- He's got her parents tied up in the basement. - Hello.

Hey, Russell. How are you?

- Nice to see you. - We're just talking about you. How you doing?

- Zoner, get the man a beer. - Sure. Coming up.

- I don't drink. - He doesn't drink.

- Um... - How about...

- I met your wife. - Very nice lady. Very nice lady.

Why don't I show you around? Would that...

- Okay. - Okay. All right. I'm gonna show him around.

- Let's go, man. Hey, thanks so much for coming by. - Glad you worked that one out.

Hey, you guys. She's coming this way.

- Act like you could give a shit. - Relax, buddy.

- Hi. Nick Falzone. - Hi.

- Maybe your husband mentioned me. - Yeah, right. Uh...

- This is, uh, Barry and Ron. - Of course. Could I have a vodka tonic, please?

Sure, sure. Let me get that for you. Can you just move there?

- Okay, I'll move. - It's a perfect accompaniment for burnt steak.

- Honey, give me a refill. - Hey, muffin.

Hello. I'm Connie Falzone. I just met your husband.

- I'm Crystal. Hi, nice to meet you. - Oh, hi.

- Have you met my husband Nick? - Uh, no, no, no.

- Let's try that again. I'm Nick Falzone. - Here he is.

I'll be here all week. Nice to meet you.

So, Mary, do you, uh, have children?

- No, I don't. - You don't?

- There... no, please, come and sit down. - Jeez Louise. Whoo!

- She does a nice job for us, though. - She does a fine job.

- Great job. - My god.

- Oh, no!

- Whoo! - Aww...

All right. Game. Game. All right, guys.

Free-throw contest. Free-throw contest.

- I'll start. - Okay.

Why don't you guys get a room? We're having a free-throw contest.

Oh, come on.

- One! - Very nice. Very nice.

- Gimme it.

Oh, Mary, you probably know what it's like.

You ask where he wants to go for dinner, and he goes ballistic.

"I make 800 decisions a day. Maybe you could

- make one tonight?" - Yeah. God forbid you make the wrong one.

Well, because you know what, they're never wrong.

Well, you know, they can't afford to be wrong.

There's that Connie. Always sticking up for her husband.

Yeah. Don't forget. Connie's a first.

- Yeah. - And, Mary, what number are you?

I'm sorry. What number what?

Which Mrs. Bell? Well, Tanya's the second, Crystal's the second...

I'm a third. Linda, I think, is a fourth, right?

And when we worked at O'Hare, my best friend was a fifth.

Or maybe that's what she put away every night.

It's not that funny. She was an alcoholic.

Seventeen!

New record for the Zone! Whoo-hoo!

Okay, come on. Shh. shh.

Aww...

Too bad. Too bad.

But, ladies and gentlemen, world record, 17, Nick Falzone.

I attribute it to natural talent. Anybody want to go through the motions? Anybody?

I'll go.

Russell Bell.

You guys, what's important to me is that Ed came home

with over 100 grand last year, and he

- barely even finished high school. Okay? - That's true.

Even after we put money away for the kids' college

and Ed's upcoming breakdown, it's still a pretty good chunk of change.

Yeah. It's well-done.

Excuse me.

Oh. By the way, I'm a first.

- Well, she's not gonna be the last. - You think they're real?

- Oh, not a chance! - If they are, we'll have to kill her.

Nine!

- Hi. - Hi.

Hey, what you trying to do, take my job?

Sorry, Barry. You the bartender here?

Nick! Nick.

- Nick. Third time. - Nick.

- Eleven! - What can I get you?

I'll make you a tropical drink, all right?

You'll feel like the trade winds came in and blew away all your problems.

Oh? What makes you think I have problems?

- Everybody's got problems, Mary. Don't they? - Oh.

Is this the biggest glass you have?

Well, I could go try to find a bucket for you if you like.

- Fifteen!

Nice talking to you.

- Sixteen.

- Oh, 17!

Shh, shh, shh.

That is 18! That is a new record!

I want to go home now.

Ed, we're gonna get out of here.

Hey, Russell, I'll give you your wings tomorrow.

- Yeah, okay. - Bell!

- 100 bucks says you can't hit it from there. - Nick, come on.

All right. 50 cents. You said 100.

- I did say 100. - You don't have to do that, Russell. That's...

- He's a gambling man. - Come on, man.

You can do a three-point shot.

Aww! Oh!

You were very close.

Close enough, Russell. We'll call it even.

You either make it, or you don't.

- See you. - Yeah, all right. Thanks. Nice, uh...

Yeah. See you Monday.

Uh, oh, okay. Uh, I'm gonna shoot.

I'm gonna shoot. Ready?

- Did you have a good time, sweetheart? - Yeah. Yeah, I did.

- Did you? - Yeah.

Good.

What did you think of the Bells?

I don't know. They're all right, I guess.

Yeah. She's a little standoffish, but I...

You know, I think she's a bit of a, you know, saucemonster, if you ask me.

- I think she's insecure. - Maybe.

I mean, she's very, uh, very pretty.

- You're prettier. - Oh, gee. Huh!

- I don't think so. - No, you are.

Anybody says any different, I'll chop him into ground beef.

- Will you? - Yeah.

- You're my guy. - I know how to talk, right?

Yeah. Not bad.

What do you think of him? He's weird, isn't he?

- Yeah. - Yeah.

He's, uh...

He's sort of, um...

interesting.

Eagle 4912, do not exceed 150 knots.

- If unable, advise. I'll have to give you another spin. - Coming in too fast.

Jetlink 3889, increase to 190. I want more room for the traffic behind.

Thanks, northwest 3518. Descend and maintain 2,000.

- I have a hole. I need another plane. - Let's not get piggy.

- We can't get them all down at once. - Where's the hole?

Here. I slowed a United. Can you get me another one or what?

- You got it. - Yeah, go ahead.

Jetlink 3601, 744, cleared ILS. Runway 4, right approach.

Clear for approach on 4-right.

Continental 1783, descend and maintain 5,000.

I got two more heavies. Want me to hold one?

- Give them to me! - They're yours.

Continental 1698, company traffic, 12 o'clock 3 miles.

- Have him in sight? - Had him a minute ago. Will look.

Keep searching. Follow the localizer. Inbound speed, 160.

Now, 1698.

- Go easy, Zone. - I want another airplane!

- Where you gonna put him? - I'm gonna shoot him by the United.

- Got to slow that 747. - I don't have to slow anybody down here.

- 747's with Russell. - United 3426, you have traffic

a mile and a half off your 3 o'clock.

That must be the Continental at 5, heading, 141.

Maintain 3,000. Turn left, heading, 1-2-zero. What's bob got?

- Make that a hold. - What's he doing with that Delta?

- You want the Delta? - I want the Delta. I want the Continental...

- Kennedy just rerouted a JAL heavy... - I got it.

Come on, Nick. You don't have space for a heavy.

- So what? - I got a hole, Leo, but I got to take it now.

Where? Where's the hole? Show me the hole.

Behind the Delta. Can't give him a full 5, he'll bounce around,

but I'll get him down.

- He's got no hole. - It's not a big hole, but it's a hole.

Gentlemen, please. Russell, bring the Japan in. After that, I'm telling center to slow 'em.

- This is getting nuts. - It wasn't a hole.

- Yes, it was. - It was not.

- Yes, it was. - It wasn't a hole.

- Check your Econo coming in. - Well, obviously it was. He's in it.

- All right, ladies. - It's a hole.

Can we direct some traffic here?

- Hey. - Hey.

- You want to come with me? - Where?

Doughnut fix.

- Yeah. - Let's do it.

- It don't get any greener.

Get out of the road! Now!

Son of a bitch!

Oh, good. It's open.

- Yeah. - I want a croissant.

- This is doughnut. Croissants are bread. - Croissants are pastry.

No, they're not. Pastry's sweet.

Not all of it.

They don't have croissants.

- Mrs. Bell? - Oh.

God, please take me now.

- Is there anything I can do? - No, I'm fine.

Is this man bothering you? Hey, what did you say to her?

Go away. Move it. Go battle evil on aisle 12.

- You have no idea how much I hate this. - What?

A woman crying. Nothing makes men feel more superior.

- I don't feel superior. I cry all the time. - You do?

Oh, famous for it. I may never have cried at the supermarket,

but it wouldn't surprise me if I did... I cry at everything.

Old movies, old songs, weddings... I cried like a baby at my own.

Where's Russell tonight?

- Gone. - He's gone where?

I don't know.

Sometimes he just takes off on his motorcycle and says he'll see me tomorrow.

I understand.

No, you don't understand. That's not it.

Men are not the only reason women cry.

Well, he's nuts going off and leaving you, I know that.

Oh, that's just Russell. It's just something he does.

All right? Okay? And this is what I have come to do,

is discuss my marriage in a supermarket with a perfect fucking stranger.

Good-bye, Mr. Falzone.

- Mrs. Bell. - Oh, god. What?

Listen, I know this great...

I'm talking great Italian restaurant.

- It is a family-owned joint,

neighborhood joint. The best things aren't even on the menu.

- Are you asking me out? - No! No, I'm not asking you out.

My wife has an art class. You know, and the thing is,

I hate eating alone in restaurants.

As a pure humanitarian gesture, I think we should get some food in you

before you start hitting that vodka.

Whatever I order will be on me.

That's all right. We'll get you a bib.

Tell me something, Mr. Falzone.

Are there people who find you charming?

Well, they pretend because I try so hard.

- He's fantastic, yes? - Yeah.

Here you go.

Come on. See? That's a nice smile.

Is that the first time you used it?

You know, I'm really not as big a bitch as you think I am.

I've formed absolutely no opinion of you.

Bravo!

So, who are you? What do you, you know,

I don't know. What do you like to do? What are you good at?

Do you work? Uh, yeah. Yeah, I do. I'm... I'm a social worker.

Is that right?

Yeah. I mean, I took some classes, but...

I can't even get volunteer work here, though.

- Mm-hm. - Apparently nobody in New York needs any help.

Nah. We're all doing fine.

Cheers.

It's better than the frozen food section.

Well, you know, I never get drunk. I drink a lot, you know.

I drink, and I drink. I got the constitution of a walrus, but...

Here, do that thing. Put your hand up there.

Yeah, see? That's... See, that's definitely your evil side.

- Uh... - It's an angel.

- You just like the evil one. - That one is the bad one.

It's got a nice Dorothy Hamill vibe going over there.

So, besides, you know, getting tattoos, what do you do,

really, what are your hobbies? Everybody's good at something. I mean...

- I read. - You like to read.

- Uh. - You like fiction, romance stuff?

- Sure. - That's fun.

Uh-huh. Tons of fun.

- Um, I grow things. - Pardon me?

I grow things.

Flowers and stuff? And plants, usually. Some flowers, yeah.

- Just... - Yeah? That's nice.

You want to know something?

The reason I was crying in the supermarket...

was because I lost a plant today.

My fuchsia hybrida voodoo died this morning.

Yeah. Well...

I carried that damn plant on my lap all over the country.

- You did? - It was like a pet.

I'd just take it into every bedroom

and just put it next to the bed and wherever we were,

it'd just make everything feel real cozy and familiar.

- I see. - Yeah.

Oh, what, you think I'm crazy?

I think you're a very intelligent woman

who finds herself in a new city...

who is lonely and a little scared.

- I love my husband. - I love my wife.

Here you go. My best barbaresco.

God... damn it, I'm in love with you!

Oh, and I'm in love with you, too, Nick.

Enzo, when you love somebody, it's no good.

He's gonna go sing now, see?

Thanks for eating with me. Making sure I didn't eat alone.

Thank you.

- I hope you had a good time. - I did.

- Good. - I did.

Hey, you gonna be all right getting home and everything?

You know, you've had a lot of wine.

Want me to follow you, make sure you get in all right?

- No, I'll be fine. - You're going home to an empty house.

- No Russell, no... fuchsia hybrida voodoo. - Hey, you remembered.

It's kind of my job, listening and remembering things.

- Yeah, I'll be fine. - Okay.

Then I guess this is good night.

- Good night. See you around. - Yeah.

Whoa!

I've just realized I've had quite a bit of wine.

- I think you should follow me home. - Okay.

Well, good night.

- Oh...

I'm so sorry...

What?

I wasn't talking to you.

- Who were you talking to?

God, I guess.

Oh.

Do we go directly from afterglow to shame? Eh?

Russell's not gonna come in here and burst in on us, is he?

No. He's usually gone all night.

Why do you know? Where does he go?

- I don't know. - I mean, well, don't you ever ask him?

You're really interested in Russell, you know that?

No. No. Hey, what do you mean?

Can I ask you something... personal?

Oof...

Whatever we do, let's not get personal tonight.

Have you ever done this before?

Wow. That is a truly horrible question.

This is the first time I've ever cheated on him, yeah.

I don't know why I did it. I just didn't want to be alone tonight,

and Russell's...

He keeps to himself a lot.

What timeisit anyway?

Hey, I better, uh... I better get going here.

It's getting... kinda late, you know.

I mean, I got my wife coming back from art class,

and I don't know if...

- Bye. - Right.

Yeah. So...

Mary, if we don't talk or anything,

don't take that as a... a reflection on you or anything.

You strike me as, uh, someone who might take this... Ow!

Who might take, you know, all that stuff personally.

You know? And I wouldn't want you to think...

- Mr. Falzone. - Nick, Nick. Call me Nick.

Fine. What are the fewest number of words you can use to get out that door?

Oh, I see. Very few.

I just, you know, want you to know that I didn't ever plan on sleeping with you,

but it... it was strange, and I enjoyed it, and...

I'll see you around.

- Hey, baby. - Hey. Hey, no, no. Wait a minute.

Come here. I want to show you something.

Ready? Come here.

- Did it in class tonight. - JFK?

- You could tell? - Looks just like him.

- Yeah? - Uh-huh.

You know, I... I feel like I know him.

- Yeah. We all do. - Yeah.

That's an original Falzone. We got to hang it up somewhere, right?

- Yeah. - I'm beat. I'm gonna hit the shower.

Hey, uh, guess what.

I... I had a hot date tonight. I want to tell you about it.

- Oh, you did, huh? With who? - Yeah.

Listen to this. I run into Mary Bell at the supermarket.

- You know, Russell's wife, all right? - Yeah.

She's crying. I guess she'd had, like, a nervous breakdown,

her plant had died or something, some craziness, right?

- Yeah. - So I took her to Enzo's.

- Enzo's? - Mm-hmm.

Oh. That was... that was nice of you.

Well, I guess Russell had split town on her,

and she was, like, having a nervous breakdown.

She's a sweet kid. So I just sobered her up a bit, you know?

Oh, hon, it was, you know... it was real nice of you to buy her dinner.

- Yeah. Well, I didn't... - I should call her.

Mm-hmm.

- Hey, Eddie. - Hey.

Listen, man, have you seen, uh, Russell around anywhere?

Uh... I think he was here a minute ago.

- Yeah? How did he seem? - What do you mean?

How did he seem?

I don't know. Uh, I'll tell you what.

I'll give him a complete physical the next time I run into him.

- Hello? - Hey, honey. How you doing?

Great. Nick... Nicky, what's up?

Hey, listen, you want to have dinner tonight with me, alone?

You know, relax a little together?

Sure. Okay.

- At Enzo's? - No. Someplace else.

- Oh. Where? - I don't know. You pick.

No, you always hate the pl... Wh-What's wrong with Enzo's?

Did you have a bad experience with Mary Bell?

No, no, it was great. I mean, it would've been better with you.

- I mean... I mean Enzo's would've been... Yeah. - Right.

- Enzo's. - Mm-hmm.

They always treat us better when we're both there anyway, right?

I hadn't noticed that.

- Right. Enzo's it is. - Okay.

- I love you. - I love you, too.

- What's that racket? - Enzo's getting good, huh?

Come here.

- Mr. and Mrs. Falzone. - Hi. How are you?

- May I take your coats? - Fine. Thanks.

- Mr. and Mrs. Falzone, welcome! - Oh, hi, Sara.

- It's so good to see you. - Okay.

- It's Russ. - Let me show you to your table.

- Do you want to go somewhere else? - It's Russell.

Yeah, I know. I saw him.

- Don't worry

Is there another table, maybe by the window?

- Oh, I'm sorry. We're full tonight. - Okay.

- Shh!

- Honey, maybe we should ask them to join us. - Who?

- The Bells. - No, no, no. That's not gonna happen.

Why not? Honey, they're sort of acquaintances...

Because this was supposed to be a romantic dinner, wasn't it?

We're in that mode.

Your husband has a beautiful voice.

Hi, Mary.

- Hi. - Nice to see you.

Bruschetta. Bruschetta.

- Nick, my friend. - Enzo.

- Ah, and Connie. - Hi, Enzo.

This place is filled with beautiful women tonight.

- Mm-hm. - I understand you and Russell,

- you work together? - Yeah.

- He's an interesting guy, huh? - Sure.

- And a beautiful voice, too. - Mm-hm.

- Thank you. - I'll be back to tell you the specials.

- Would you like... - With little Nicky with the ADD thing,

the doctor's saying... I mean, how serious is it? Do we need to put him on Ritalin?

- You know? Will he grow out of it or... - No... yeah, he will.

I mean, we've done all the allergy tests, and I, you know... honey?

He's not allergic to chocolate. He's not allergic to wheat.

So I... I think he should be okay.

I'm thinking maybe some sort of relaxation... Summer camp. You know, he's always been...

'Cause, you know, he's really focused on the ice.

I mean, last Saturday, he got cross-checked in the first period, right?

He remembered. Third period, he zeroed right in

on that little punk and damn near took his head off.

He got in a 5-minute major.

Very focused, very determined tough individual.

Little man in a big man's shoes. You know what I'm saying?

- Honey, are you okay? - I guess their kid plays hockey.

- Do you play sports, Russell? - I used to bowl when I was an alcoholic.

Did it help?

- This is ridiculous. - What is?

Would you like to join us?

Well, not in a drink, but...

Honey? I'd really appreciate it.

- Why not?

To tell you the truth, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

It was a great way to grow up,

and there was no electricity or, you know,

really running water or anything like that.

My grandfather was raised on a reservation, of course, in Oklahoma... where else...

- And, uh... - Do they have alcohol there?

Is that where the problem began, do you think?

- It must have been hard for you, socially. - Oh, not at all.

We do. We drink a lot. Well, I don't, but the guys at work do.

I... I think it's more a spiritual thing for me.

- Was that a problem for you at school? - What, liquor?

- Because I know... No. Being Indian. - Half.

Oh, I'm sorry. Nick said you were Cree.

Oh, no, don't apologize. I'm just saying... I'm half.

- Yeah, my dad's Irish. - Right.

- Your mom's... - My... My mom's Choctaw.

- Choctop. - Mm. Choctaw, not choctop.

- Oh, I thought you said choctop. - That's okay.

My grandmother's Italian, and... and that's hard, you know.

- They came over here in the fifties. - It's hard to be Italian?

No, I mean, I love it, you know. I mean, I don't speak it or anything,

but it was hard for them, I think, you know, being... the acceptance.

Tastes like chicken, but it isn't.

They say that about crocodile, I think.

My dear friends, we've had an abundance of requests for another song.

-Russell, would you be so kind as to do another for us?

First of all, don't ever call me at work again.

Second, don't ever go back to Sorrento's again.

- Do you understand? - Fine.

Now what do you need to see me about?

- I told Russell. - You told him what?

About us.

You... Why did you do that?

Why would you do something like that?

What, are you... what, are you fuckin' nuts?

Why would you do that? Tell me why you do... Are you sick?

Last night was a major moment in our marriage.

We reached this level of honesty that we'd never reached before,

and he shared something with me that was unbelievably personal.

- What?! - Like I'm gonna tell you.

Anyway, it was important that I share something with him in return.

You know I gotta work with this guy? We work together.

I know. It's okay. He's not upset.

Yeah, right!

He's all right about it, believe me.

Bullshit!

Do you understand? It's never all right.

I'm a man. He's a man. Trust me.

It's never all right, ever. Ever!

He was actually moved that I was so honest with him.

Oh, Jesus.

- That man is constantly surprising me. - Maybe it's all for the best.

You know, I mean, assuming Russell doesn't shoot me, you know, the eyes.

I'm gonna change. Because I haven't been the best husband in the world. I know that.

I acted on the occasional wrong impulse, you know?

- I've taken the detour, and that's not right. - I'm way too sober for this.

Listen, Bell. I just want to say something. Then you do whatever you have to do.

But psychologically, I must be losing my mind.

I mean, to do that to another controller,

I mean, I think that's inexcusable.

I mean, it was 99 percent alcohol, but you don't want to hear that.

I don't even want to hear... I don't even want to say it.

I don't even want to say that. Whatever we have to do

to make it right, I want to make it right.

So if you want to take a swing at me...

I want you to know I wouldn't swing back.

Come on.

- It's okay. - Have a seat.

Sit with me.

It's okay. Sit with me.

When I was a little boy, my grandfather told me,

"If you ever want to sleep at night, don't marry a young, beautiful woman."

Well, I did.

I'm a 40-year-old man and I married a beautiful 19-year-old girl.

- Uh-huh. - I've learned to accept certain things.

I know the dangers of it.

I've also been on the other side.

I've been the one following the little pink panties down the hallway.

It's torturous. We're men. We can't help it.

It's not fair.

We have a huge burden on us.

Jesus, you're being incredible about this, Bell.

I mean, amazing.

- Really. - You're married to a really beautiful woman yourself.

You should understand.

- Connie? - Yeah, Connie.

I mean, she's gorgeous. My God, she's gorgeous.

You must go crazy when men gawk at her.

- Mm-hm. - If this happened to you,

if you were in this situation, you'd understand.

You might not like it, but you'd understand.

- I don't think I would. - You might be surprised.

- I really don't think I would. - Human beings can tolerate a lot of pain.

You never know till it happens.

- Oh, hi there. - How you doing?

Fine. Nick invited me for lunch.

- Well, it's a beautiful day for it. - Mmm.

Hey, with your complexion, you must get a great tan.

Now, me. I spend ten minutes outside, they do skin grafts.

Where did you learn to sing like that?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Your singing. It was beautiful. Where did you...

My father. He was a professional singer, among other things.

- Then what are you listening to? - French tapes.

You're learning French?

Yeah. I like to learn new things.

Yeah, me, too.

- You speak it? - French? Me? No. No.

I've always wanted to learn though.

You know, they say it's the language of love.

Well, I'm not sure how much I love it.

But, uh...

That is nice.

Yeah.

Listen, if you're really interested,

I'll loan you these when I'm finished.

Yeah, sure, that might be fun.

What might be fun, sweetheart?

- Hi. - Hey.

Hi, baby.

Bye.

Hey.

Hi, Russ.

Au revoir.

- What might be fun, sweetheart? - Hmm?

- What might be fun? - Oh, Russell,

he-he's got, uh, French tapes he's going to loan me.

- Be able to, you know... - Hey, what's with this Russell stuff?

You barely even know the guy. You call him Russell?

Yeah, I know him. What's your problem with him?

I don't have a problem with him. I mean, I think he's a lowlife,

but that's his problem, right? It's not mine.

- I don't like what he said about you. - What'd he say?

- Well, he said you were attractive. - Really?

- Uh-huh. - Did he use the word "attractive"?

Yes, he did.

What was... What was the, uh, context of...

- The context... the context was I don't remember. - Right.

Uh, that was the context. Look, I got 30 minutes.

I don't want to spend it talking about Russell Bell, all right?

Okay, we'll talk about what you want to talk about.

Does he address you as Connie or Mrs. Falzone?

No, honey. It's "babycakes."

Hey, Tommy Boy, how you doin'?

I haven't seen you in about 10,000 years.

No kidding, Zone. How you been?

Good, man. What are you doing here?

- Oh, filling in tonight. - Who you filling in for?

Bell.

- Well, where did he have to go tonight? - How would I know?

He just called me to switch. I switched.

- Well, is he sick? - No, he sounded good.

Hello, this is the Falzone residence.

We're not in at the moment. But if you leave your name and your number,

we'll call you back. Bye-bye.

Nick, how do you turn this thing off?

Connie, are you there? Are you screening?

Don't screen. Pick up.

Nicky. Connie.

Okay, sweetheart. Talk to you later. Bye.

Bonjour.

Welcome to tonight's muscle queen contest.

Three of the most-achieved young ladies

whose mission it is to tone the whole body, not just the big parts.

I don't know, I mean I think she's screwing around with Russell.

- Connie and Russell Bell? - Yeah.

- No, no, no. Okay, what have you got? - I got nothing concrete.

- Oh, come on! - But I got a gut feeling.

What do you... come on. Connie's crazy about you.

Besides, only scum would screw around with another controller's wife.

- That's the unwritten rule. - There are exceptions to every rule.

Come on. Russell's not that low. Don't worry. What's wrong with you?

And now our first contestant, miss Tina Leary.

Yeah!

I did something stupid.

- What'd you do? - Like really stupid.

- I ran into Mary Bell at the supermarket. - Uh-huh.

She was upset over a plant, a hibiscus. She was a mess.

Forget about the plant. You know how she looks.

Okay. I felt sorry for her. I took her out to dinner, okay?

We had a little too much to drink, one thing led to...

Okay, wait. You bopped Mary Bell?

Did you?

Just once.

Whoa, man.

It's horrible doing that with another controller's wife. I broke the unwritten rule.

At least you have the decency to be disgusted with your own behavior.

That's something, isn't it? That's something. That counts for something.

Yeah. That'll teach Russell to take on more planes than you.

- You know, we just lost our heads. - Shh...

- I think he's trying... - Okay, okay.

- I think he's trying... - Nick, whoa, whoa, whoa.

You're starting to worry me.

You're starting to worry me, Nick.

This job can get to people, Nick, right?

Sometimes this job gets to people.

The universe tends towards chaos.

- What? - It does, It does. The universe tends towards chaos.

It's like we're the last line of defense against chaos... in the sky.

It can be... It can be too much of a burden. You know?

It can be more than the human mind...

Yeah, I know what you mean. I got it.

Yeah. Okay.

You're not screwing my wife, are you, Nick?

- What are you talking about? - You're so crazy.

Hey, Tina! Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! Oh, baby, you look so good!

Connie?

What's going on?

Everything okay? Hey, buddy.

You... you... you run along now, Teresa. I need to talk to Daddy now.

Hey, Dr. T.

- What is it? - Sit down, Nick.

I've been explaining to the kids what it means that...

Daddy... won't be around any more.

Hey...

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, Connie. Wait a minute.

Connie... Connie...

Do you even want to hear my side of this?

What's your side of my father dying?

It...

It's a terrible shock.

- He's been sick for three years, N-Nick. - Still you're never prepared.

They can, um... Don't worry. They can stay with, um...

uh, Laura and, uh, Kevin.

But I got to leave tomorrow. So, um, I've left... three casseroles in the fridge.

Why do you assume I'm not going?

Oh, honey, you never take time off...

I'll take time off.

Okay? I'll take time off.

- You sure? - Yes.

Hey, I got these for you.

Oh.

Are you okay?

Oh, yeah, yeah. I mean no, no.

Yeah. Ohh.

Oh, my daddy's gone.

- Was that French? - What?

Did you say goodbye in French?

- Yes, I did. - That's lovely, Connie.

I'll never forget the first night I met him.

He was a wonderful man.

He took me aside and he said

he always thought no man would be good enough for his daughter.

Then he met me and he was sure of it.

He said, "If you're not good enough for my daughter, then no one is."

- You know, he had a sense of humor. - Yeah.

You know, like it or not, he spoke his mind. He wasn't devious.

He didn't sneak around and say things behind your back.

He didn't ride around on a motorcycle.

Uh...

I didn't realize you knew French.

I've been listening to tapes for weeks.

Ahh, tapes.

Russell Bell, he... loaned them to me.

- That was considerate of him. - What is it with you?

At this... time.

Honey, it's like you don't trust me any more.

What are you talking about?

Nick...

I read that when a person does not...

trust another person...

it is actually because they themselves...

They themselves what?

They themselves what?

Are you trying to turn this around so it's about me?

Is it, Nick?

Is this about you?

What are you talking about?

You look me in the eye...

and tell me you've never cheated on me.

- Oh. - Come on.

You want me to...

I'm... I'm gonna be sick.

I'm going to be sick.

This is not okay, Nick!

- You are an asshole! - Ow, ow, Connie.

- Capital A-S-H... - Connie! Ow, stop hitting me.

Asshole!

Ladies and gentlemen, the captain here.

In just a few moments, we'll be commencing our descent.

I'm going to ask the cabin crew to complete our prelanding procedures.

-Connie, I know it's too early to ask you

to forgive me, but do you think you could possibly

someday imagine starting to think about it?

I just want you to know that if the situation were reversed,

I think in my heart I could forgive you.

- There's nothing to forgive. - What do you mean?

Want to know why? Because I did it too.

Russell et moi. We did the deed.

The grand of freaky freak.

We went all over the house.

We went upside-down. We went sideways.

We should've worn helmets.

- What's going on?

- Didn't mean a thing. - No, no, no. This plane.

I called the TRACON with our flight number.

They're supposed to be bringing us straight in.

Uh, ladies and gentlemen, we've just been informed

that there's a little traffic ahead of us at the airport.

They've asked us to delay our landing for a few minutes.

It shouldn't be long. We'll keep you advised.

Guess I get to spend some quality time with my husband.

Who's on approach right now?

Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the "fasten seat belt" sign.

We seem to be experiencing a few bumps. It should be over shortly.

Russell!

This is crazy.

They don't even fit me any more.

- Where are you going? - I need a drink of water.

Sir, the "fasten seat belt" sign is on. You need to sit down.

Miss, I'm a new York air traffic controller. I don't want to alarm you,

but I think this plane could be in danger, ma'am.

- This is not a threat, is it? - Not from me.

The man controlling this plane could be under emotional strain.

- Captain's fine. - Oh, you think the captain's controlling this plane?

That would scare me. I'm not talking about that.

I'm going to have to insist you return to your seat right now.

I understand. I just need to talk to the captain for 20 seconds.

- Sir, sit down! - Just 20 seconds.

- Right now! - Okay.

All right. I will.

- Captain! Captain! - You are not allowed in there!

- Captain! - Sir... you... you...

- You'll remain in your seat... - This plane is being put in intentionally bad...

- This plane is being put... - You'll be subject to arrest.

Listen, the controller on the ground has lost his mind.

- To arrest! - No water, huh?

They only had sparkling. I wanted flat.

Maybe you should've asked her a little bit more nicely.

I was very polite. I have to go to the washroom.

Ugh, you can't drink the stuff in the washroom!

I'm going to ask the flight crew to buckle in.

A little turbulence.

Captain? Captain!

Listen to me! I have... I have the proper...

I have the proper identification.

-I'm an air traffic controller! I have proper ID!

What do you think this is, a video card? There's an emotionally unstable man

on the ground controlling this plane!

I've got to talk to the captain! He's trying to hurt me.

Ladies and gentlemen, you'll be happy to know

that we've just been cleared to land.

Will you please just give the man a drink of water?

- Sit down! - I'll get it myself.

Thank you very much for your patience,

and thanks for flying Dynajet.

In spots, it's very slow moving, folks.

We're looking at the white stuff being with us at least until tonight's rush hour.

Accumulation in Central Park is already five and a half inches. There's plenty more to come.

We're gonna have to find an alternate route in tonight.

There's somebody on the scopes

who's about to go on mental health leave.

Weather advisory. Airport conditions,

one and a half inches of snow on all runways.

Snow is hardpack. Runways cleared for three landings only

before replowing necessary. Tower advises visual range

of one quarter mile at 2,000 feet closing to 500 feet.

Iraqi 732...

Morton.

Repeat, please.

Who is this? How...

Hey, Falzone.

Were you on approach last night, around 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning?

Come on!

- Hey, hey, hey! - All right! All right!

- What are you doing? - Were you on?

- Wrong answer? - Come on! Hey!

- Falzone, stand back! - Leo, we got to talk!

Yeah, we got to talk. There's a bomb in the building.

- What did he say? - A... a what?

We just got a call. There's a bomb in the building.

- Well, that's a hoax. - It came in on the secure line.

Oh. I just wet myself.

- No. That was me. - Hell, that's, uh, that's smart.

You take out this facility and you close down the whole sky.

Well, the guy said it's good to go at exactly 1100.

- What do we do? - Well, we got to clear the building.

We're getting all nonessential people out right now.

We're stopping all takeoffs, and central flow's being told to hold all incoming flights.

All we got to do is land or reroute

every plane in our airspace within the next...

twenty-six minutes.

- What? - All right, listen to me. Listen.

I know I can't ask any of you to stay,

but I need two volunteers to handle approach.

I think we can make it. It'll be fun.

Lot of these guys are coming in with close to zero visibility.

I... Ed, I'm sorry. The human body has a finite capacity for handling stress.

I don't mind losing my health on the scopes,

but, yeah, I'd like to keep my ass, thank you very much.

I'm fresh. I'll stay.

- Good man. - I'll stay.

- Not him! - Why not?

We'll talk about it later, Leo! Just let Barry do it.

I'm fine, Leo.

I like Russell's idea better.

Russell's on. Everybody else, come on, clear.

Move away from the building. Do not move your car.

Please get behind the yellow tape.

Move away from the building, please.

Move away from the building.

Hold those people back. Move! Move! Move back!

Here! Here's the bomb squad. Go cover that. I'm gonna get some answers.

Get back!

Excuse me, sir. I'm sorry. Can you tell me if any controllers are in the building?

We got two in there.

- Can you identify them, please? - Time to get back.

Come on! Are you rolling? Okay.

We have just been informed that there are two controllers

that remain inside the threatened facility,

who are frantically and very courageously

guiding whatever planes remain aloft to safety.

No, I can't take any more unless a fuel emergency.

Pull Delta out of the hold, please. I can take him now.

Northwest 2442, Newark altimeter's 28-niner-1.

3861 x-ray, you have traffic below you at 4,000.

Hey, greaseball, why don't you spill the beans? What the fuck's wrong with you?

Eagle 49, traffic you're following is eastbound.

Proceed directly to the outer marker ILS. Runway 4 left.

Fuck you, Russell!

Turn, northwest. Final now. You can go to 3.

He's in the turn. I see Jetlink. You go to 2, I'll stay at 3.

- What exactly is it you think I did, smart-ass? - Save it for the hearing!

I am personally gonna see to it that you go down in flames!

- Oh, you kiss my ass! - Negative, United! That was not to you. Not to you!

- What is it? - Hope you're enjoying this,

'cause this is your last session on the scopes.

- What? - You're too...

- Will you take that thing off? - Give me my feather!

- Give me my fucking feather! - No. Can't have it.

Continental 1361, you're clear for approach at 4 right.

- That's all the room you're gonna get! - You don't need this any more, Russell!

- Give me my feather! - Your luck's run out, you hear me?

-Why are you obsessed with taking my...

You Riverdance motherfucker! You...

I said give me my feather!

-It's mine! Mine! You can't have it!

...297 climbing to 630.

- Here we go 10-7725... - Shit!

Jesus Christ!

- Switch over to the main speaker. - 140, our heading.

Still at 140... uh, correction, we're at 138...

- I'm clear. - Yeah, me, too.

- Gotta go! Get out!

- Get out now! - Give me my feather!

I don't want to talk about your feather.

Sparta Air 7-5-3, checking in.

Newark approach, Sparta 7-5-3.

Sparta 7-5-3, checking in. Anybody there?

Sparta air 7-5-3...

It's Jethro. Sparta 7-5-3.

Sparta 7-5-3, do you read?

Sparta 7-5-3, this is Newark approach. Sparta 7-5-3, if you read, squawk ident.

- He'll miss the localizer at that angle. - He's below minimum.

- Try guard frequency. Go. - Sparta 7-5-3, this is Newark on 121.5.

- Sparta 7-5-3, - Newark approach.

- Sparta 7-5-3... - Sparta operations, this Newark approach.

Flight 7-5-3 has radio failure. Can you plug me through?

Shit, well how 'bout a company frequency?

Thanks, anyway. Communications are down.

Russell! What the...

I'm gonna try the center.

Center approach, Sparta 7-5-3 descending below minimum.

Needs a turn and a climb. We can't reach him on any frequency.

If you can get to him, climb him to 2,000. Thanks.

Godspeed, son.

Sparta 7-5-3. I am not receiving. Y'all get your asses fired again?

Come on, Nick! Get out of there!

- Get out of there! - Get down, Nick! Get down!

- Get down, Nick! - It's gonna blow!

What the... aah!

- Get out of here!

All right! All right!

- Where's Russell, huh? - What are you talking about? He came out before I did.

- No, he didn't. - Yes, operator, listen to me carefully.

I need you to connect me with Sparta Airlines base operations in Greensboro, South Carolina.

Hello?

The pilot?

Who shall I say is calling?

Sparta air 7-5-3, ILS. Runway 4, left.

Everybody, get down under cover.

Stay down! Get behind the vehicle!

Get back, people. Down. Down and away.

Look, it's Russell.

Please, everyone, stay back behind the line!

Russell, Russell, are you okay?

After an exhaustive search of the building, no bomb was found.

The call was just a dangerous hoax.

But that hoax put many lives at risk in the sky

and in the air traffic control facility.

While the other controllers ran for their lives in panic, one man stayed behind...

- Huh? - ...to guide the planes to safety.

Russell Bell, what made you stay in the building as time was running out?

It's my job.

That shit!

New York has identified its newest hero, as is clear...

Perfect.

...from the children of public school 384.

- Come on. Come on.

-Kids and I are going to, uh, Felicia's for a while.

Come on. Come on. Come on, this is crazy.

Come on, come on, come on, Connie.

I've left some casseroles in the fridge for you.

Connie, Connie, enough's enough. Put the suitcases away, okay?

- No, I've... I've lost you, Nick. - No, no, I'm right here.

Now, I want you to know that this is not...

It's not all about the, uh, the... the cheating, okay?

You know... I think that's messed you up more than it has me.

- Come on, put the suitcase down, sweetie. - We used to be...

Please?

We used to be so much in love, Nick.

You know, and anything less than that, I don't know, it just feels like nothing.

Do... do you understand what I'm s-saying?

Yes, but you're making a big mistake.

I... do you understand, Nick, what I'm say...

No! And you don't either! Ow. Mother...

Why do I bother, you know?

You're gonna leave?

Connie!

Is there anything even in those suitcases? Connie?

You know I'm gonna make this up to you, don't you? You know I will.

- And you all work with Russell Bell? - Oh, I'm right there.

- Can you tell us something about him? - Hey, Nick.

Nick, I said something good about you, but they cut it out.

Hey, sweetie.

- I'll have a double tequila. - Nick, Russell's gone.

He took off with that... that crazy wife.

He just lit out.

United 3451, turn left heading 0-6-0. Expedite!

Mother...!

- What's the matter, Nick? - This TWA got in my airspace somehow.

He's got a data block. You must have accepted the handoff.

No, he was supposed to be at 5,000 feet, and he was descending.

- Tommy, sit down for Nick. - Yeah.

- Come on, Zone. Let's go. - I don't need him to sit in.

You know the drill. Let's go downstairs, have a cup of coffee.

Oh, it had to be an operational error, man.

- You had a deal, Nick.

Yesterday he lands a zillion planes.

Today he takes the only two in the sky and almost puts them together. I mean, that's funny.

I'm going to work. Guys, I had a deal. So, you've slapped my wrists.

Now, just do the paperwork and let me get back to work.

Nick, why don't you take today off?

- Go home, play with the wife. - Yeah. Just make sure it's your wife.

What?

- Who's ready? - I am.

You with me? Now, this guy's a go-around. His landing gear didn't go green.

Also, focus here on US Air 4844 and United 2417. Okay, buddy, you're on.

- Are you all right?

Nick, are you on that? Are you on that?

US Air 4844, descend immediately 3,000.

- What's going on with you, Nick? - Turn right heading 1-2-0.

- What's going on? - Turn right heading 2-2-0 further right.

-Resequencing for runway 0-4, right.

- You want to pull the tapes? - Forget it, Leo. There's nothing to hear.

Nick, I want you to go home.

- Home? - You had two deals in one shift.

You're only allowed three in two and a half years, and then I gotta yank you.

Go home, Nick. You're dangerous right now.

Just get some rest, Zone.

It's a slow day. We can handle it.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, I'll come back, uh, in the morning.

Nick, come back when you're ready.

Yeah.

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo.

Nick?

Hey. Front door's open.

- Hey, Barry. - Whew. Place looks great.

Hey, come on. Have a seat.

See? Look at that. That's an endurance contest.

See? Straight knockout competition.

They burn themselves with the hot sand and... and the cactus

and the magnifying glass right on the nipples, right?

But see, there's no set order to the torture.

There's no set order, but, uh, that doesn't matter

because apparently, you know, it just...

It's who's gonna fall first? That's all it is.

That's either a point or a demerit system, but it's... that's what... it's all...

What else can it be?

I think it's good you're taking a little time off.

You look great. You were getting a little tense there.

- And that day you kicked Russell in the butt. - Uh.

- It's good we can laugh about that now, huh? - Laugh at what?

When you kicked Russell in the butt.

He put my plane in a thunderstorm.

Oh, no. Nick, Nick. Is that what you think?

Nick, he may have put you through a few bumps that night,

but he had a medical emergency on ASR approach.

He had to spin seven planes. The guy had a heart attack.

Russell had to get him down right away.

Yeah, he did a hell of a job.

Leo, it's Nick.

Yeah. Great, great.

Leo, do you have any idea where Russell went?

Where did he go?

Yes, operator. I'm trying to trace a friend who just moved to Colorado.

The name is Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Bell. Yes, Bell.

Meadow creek, Colorado?

No, I just need the address.

Hey, you caught one.

Let me take a look at that mother.

Hey, he's a big one. You caught Moby Dick. Good work there, Russell.

Why'd you let him go? He wasn't big enough for you or what?

He knows I caught him and I know I caught him.

Oh.

- Don't quit on my account. - It's too cold anyway.

The fish are gonna stop feeding.

I called your house and Mary said you'd be out here.

She sounds good.

Oh, she wanted me to give you this message.

"See? I told you Colorado wasn't far enough."

- That's what she said.

Let me ask you something, Nick. What are you doing here?

Hey, do I need a reason to see my good buddy, Russell?

My life is shit.

Connie left me.

She's my high school sweetheart.

Fifteen years. I never forgot an anniversary,

never forgot her birthday, just a couple wedding vows,

and, uh, I miss the hell out of her.

I had 2 deals in one day, in a half-hour.

One more, and I'm gone. All the way gone.

I keep trying to figure this thing out, you know, 'cause, uh,

before you came along, I was the Zone...

I was the best. You know, everybody thought I was the best,

including me most of the time, and, uh...

I could always keep my shit together, you know, no matter what happened.

You know, control things, stay in control and, uh...

I've lost it.

You know, I've lost the reality of my reality, and, uh...

I want my wife back.

I want me back, and...

I know I got one person to blame for where I am... me.

Maybe not.

We both played this stupid game.

And it seems like this stupid game helped my marriage and hurt yours.

- That's true. - There is a way out of this mess that you're in,

but you can't think your way out of it.

Thought is your enemy.

I know, I know, I... I... got... I gotta think less.

- I had that thought actually. - You have to let go.

Let go.

- Let go of what? - Let go of you.

- Uh-huh. - I mean, think about it. What have you done for you lately?

- I'm having trouble following you there, Russell. - You have to jump in.

- Jump in back on the scopes? - No, in the water.

Mm-hmm. The, uh...

- The river? - Yes. Jump in the river.

Yeah. H-hey, it's too cold for the fish, right?

Now see, you're thinking.

Now, if you jumped in when I told you, you'd be out now.

- You get what I'm saying? - Just tell me what the point of it is.

- Just jump in the goddamn river. - I will if you just tell me wh...

- Jump in the goddamn river! - You want me to go in the river?

- Jump in the goddamn river! - In that river?

- Jump in the river! - Okay, I'm going in here now.

- Good! - And it's cold!

- Jump in! - And what does this have to do with my life, huh?

Cause you need to cleanse yourself of your sins, and be born again!

That kind of thing.

Oh, bullshit, man!

Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit! Bullshit!

I didn't come 2,000 miles for acute hypothermia

and some Sunday school lesson...

- Okay. - Out of a fucking fortune cookie.

- Fine. Forget it. - You want me to go in, I'll go in, okay?

- No, it's too late. - That's it. It's official.

The results are in. You're nuts, Riverdance.

I always suspected it, and now I know.

Why'd you quit?

Doesn't seem your style.

I left New York because I was afraid of one of two things,

either I was gonna kill you, or I was gonna kill a plane full of Japanese.

Well, at least I got to you.

You sure got to me. Good luck, Bell.

You want your life back?

- Do you really want your life back? - What's it look like?

- Come on. - Great. Fine.

Anything's better than that.

Where we going?

Well, let me just put it this way,

you'll wish like hell you'd jumped in the river.

All right. Well, uh, what do I do? I... should I... should I brace myself?

- Should I relax? Should I lean in? - It's a 747 coming at you.

- Huh? - You could wiggle your ears and clap for Tinkerbell

and it wouldn't make any difference.

- Don't you get it? - Okay. I think so.

The attempt to hold on to sanity too tight is insane.

What?

To gain control you gotta lose control, right?

- I can't hear you.

Whoa!

Aah!

What was that you were saying?

Thank you.

Ooh.

Hey, how's it going, Zone?

So you gonna stay around with us for a while today, Nick?

Hey, that's very good news. Carry on.

He's here.

- Good to have you back. - Hey, Nick, you look good.

- The rest did you some good, huh? - Hey, Nick, how are you?

- Hey, man, how you doing? - Good to see you guys.

Yeah, you guys look good. All right.

- What the fuck? - Yeah.

- What do you want to do? - Hey, where do you want me, Leo?

Where do you want to be?

Whew. Approach looks fun.

- Okay.

- Kick some ass, man. - Rock 'n' roll.

- Tear 'em up, Zone. - Lock and load.

Canadian 1160, reduce to 180. Traffic your 11 o'clock.

3 miles at 4,000.

- Hi, Pete. - Hey, Zone.

- What's cooking? - You got these three in trail.

The heavy needs a turn at 10,

and the overflow's closed, so you got a full plate.

Mm-hmm. mm-hmm.

- One too many cups of coffee.

- Sure. - Stay with it, Nick.

Come on, you can do it. I know it.

- What's my name? - I don't know what you're talking about, Nick.

Barry, what's my name?

Come on, Nick.

- No Fly Zone. - No Fly Zone. Not bad.

Where's your money?

- I had you getting to the headset. - And then?

Anybody got me making it?

- Nobody had me making it? - Tina?

Yeah. Uh,

I was out five bucks when you left your car.

- Were you? - I had you making it.

- Thanks, Ed. - I was the last one in.

Today's your payday.

Continental 2653, turn right.

Correction.

Turn left.

Heading 2-8... make that 2-6-zero.

Traffic's at your 12... make that traffic at your one o'clock.

That's my boy! Mwah!

And... Nick, I won!

American 393, welcome to my sky.

Descend and maintain 4,000.

US Air 2994, turn right, heading zero-1-zero to join the localizer.

No, w-with Felicia, you know, in Wisconsin.

Uh, but, you know, it's all behind me now,

and, um, I'm on my way back to, uh, to New York,

to... to pick up my things and start my new life.

- Ah. - You know, it's like I've been...

I've been released from prison, you know, I am...

I'm free, and, um, I'm... I'm independent, and...

I'm... I'm facing the future alone.

I'm... well, I mean, I have the kids. I'm exhilarated.

Anyway, tell me... tell me about you. It's...

Steve and I are on our honeymoon.

- You are? - Yes.

- That's fantastic... - Mrs. Falzone,

the captain would like to see you in the cockpit.

- He would? - Yes.

Oh, um, would you...

Now, just take a seat.

- We just wanted you to hear this. - Oh.

Control, could you repeat those directions?

Midwest 269, descend and maintain 3,000 heading 160

if passenger Connie Falzone will have dinner with her husband tonight.

Oh, jeez.

Otherwise, you're 23rd in line for landing.

- What the hell is going on here? - We gotta talk, Connie.

Here. Just press the button, Connie.

I'm not gonna fight with you, Nick.

I wake up in an empty house,

and I hear you and the kids.

I know you're not there, but I hear you anyway.

I can't work, I can't concentrate, I can't sleep.

I look at the scopes and all I see is your face.

Uh, approach, could you confirm our heading?

Not until I finish talking to this young woman. Connie, I want you to have dinner with me.

Nick, I'm not... No.

Lunch at Enzo's Thursday.

Come on, lunch at Enzo's, Thursday.

Coffee?

- I can't Thursday. - F-Friday?

- I don't know. - That's good. "I don't know" is good.

- That's fine. - I've... I've never heard him talk like this before.

He sounds like he needs you.

Connie, please, just coffee on Friday.

Will you give it a chance?

- Ohh.

Thank you, Captain. Runway 4 left cleared ILS. Approach.

Contact tower 118.3. Take care. Thanks.

Connie, sweetheart, you know, I've been thinking about this a lot. A lot.

My mind... the mind, it's like a broken computer, you know?

I mean, you take it out of the box...

- Nick, would you just quit with the talking? - But what can you do?

It's God's joke. Sometimes it just takes a good beating...

You're losing me. Honey, you're losing me.

I've had a good beating, and... and I think I'm ready.

- Nick, just quit with the talking, okay? - Okay, okay, you're right.

I know. Okay.