Original subtitles

[music playing]

Sir, can I take your cup, please?

Thank you.

- Hi. - Hi.

Listen.

I-- I wanted to tell you how much I've

thoroughly enjoyed this flight.

I'm sure you did.

We're going to be down in a few minutes, OK?

Oh.

Listen, um, you live in Seattle, huh?

Not as far as you're concerned, sir.

Fasten your seat belt.

Listen.

I think on the-- I think on the way back, um,

we should find another airline.

We're here on business.

Remember that.

Here find out how they do it in the backwoods.

Huh.

Some backwoods.

Look at this-- Puget Sound.

Oh yeah?

[music playing]

I'll see it when we're down.

[music playing]

Skipper.

Skipper, Barney says he's got to run down

a part for the number one engine in order

to finish off the repairs.

He says it shouldn't take more than about an hour or so.

Barney knows what he's doing.

He's been on board almost as long as I have.

And it looks like he's going to sure outlast me.

Cap, she's still yours.

Huh.

Till the end of the week maybe anyhow.

Then I've got to start figuring what

to do with the rest of my life.

[music playing]

Anyway, with milk prices being what they are, and farm

subsidies and tax write offs, and et cetera,

you've got to figure that the dairy business has got

to be one gold plated future.

Besides that--

Hey, wait, please, Swede. Man.

Hey, hold it, will you?

I mean, you are boring me right out of my skull.

If I hear any more about the dairy business--

Rocky, with your range of intellectual interests,

anything that would bore you can't be all that bad.

I mean, let's face it--

The only person that I ever knew

that was a duller conversationalist than you,

in my entire life, was, um, that lady

CPA you used to date, Dolores.

Sweetheart.

Oh yeah.

Always talking about the tax advantages of,

um, getting married, having kids.

I mean, you know, like five or six of them.

Are you trying to tell me something, Rocky?

Because I-- - No.

[intercom beeping]

Aid two and medic one, Seattle Center, 5

Avenue North and Thomas Street.

Possible jumper on top of the Space Needle.

Aid two and medic one, Seattle Center.

5 Avenue North and Thomas Street.

Aid two and medic one, Seattle Center

5 Avenue North and Thomas Street.

[bells clanging]

[siren sounding]

[music playing]

ANNOUNCER: Attention please.

Passengers are arriving from Los Angeles at gate two.

Attention please.

Passengers are arriving from Los Angeles at gate two.

- Hi. - Hey.

Captain Michael Olson. - John Gage.

Roy DeSoto. Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you. - I got a car out front.

Should we get your bags? - Sure.

Hey, we're really impressed.

This place looks beautiful from the air.

Thank you.

Listen, um, how's the paramedic biz in Seattle?

Well, it's not as rough as LA, but I think

you'll find it interesting.

Well, that's what we're here for.

[music playing]

[siren sounding]

[music playing]

Whoa.

What is it that Orphan Annie said?

Leapin' lizards.

Yeah.

What's he doing up there?

He's a skydiver.

My partner and the police sergeant

are up there trying to talk him out of it.

He's got to be crazy-- loony.

Yeah.

And they'll probably put him in jail if he jumps.

You mean if he survives.

That's why we were called-- if.

Yeah.

There he goes!

I hope he didn't drink too much.

I don't feel like chasing him all over town.

Yeah, but he's drifting though.

Let's go.

[siren sounding]

I did it.

I did it!

Is that fantastic?

I did it!

All right!

I'm down!

I'm alive!

All right, super!

I did it.

600 feet, and I did it.

All right!

I'm down.

I'm fantastic.

I did it!

All right.

Are you OK?

OK?

OK?

I just did what no man has ever done before,

and you ask me if I'm OK?

I'm fantastic.

I'm wonderful.

I'm famous!

[laughing]

Sorry, friend.

You're not the first.

And I've got orders to take you in.

Yeah.

Well, um, I don't think I can go.

POLICEMAN: Why?

I, um-- I think I kind of broke my leg.

[grunting]

Frank, go get that traction splint, OK?

All right.

Just lay back right there.

Fine.

ROCKY MORROW: Oh, it's not so much that we're that much

better than other jurisdictions, so much

as we're probably just luckier. - Why?

Because your laws? - Partly.

The Washington law doesn't, um, tie our hands.

Now, for the most part, the physician

determines the drugs and the skills that the paramedics use.

So the law doesn't hold us back.

If the doc is satisfied that we have the necessary skills

and that we're qualified to use them in the field,

then we do it.

It's as simple as that.

That's why you don't send EKGs to the hospital with telemetry.

Partly.

We don't send continuous telemetry.

Also, we operate a resuscitation as standing orders

laid down by the physician.

Our men know how to read EKGs.

So there's no need to waste time and money

on a lot of fancy equipment.

And continuous telemetry capability

is just fancy equipment.

So, um, in short, what you're saying is

is that, um, your doctors trust you.

You bet.

Otherwise, they wouldn't certify us.

It's as simple as that.

[music playing]

- It's your skydiver? - Yeah.

How you doing?

Great.

Fantastic.

He's probably had a left femur fracture.

Right. Room three.

And no stunts in here, OK?

Hey, you will let the press in when they come?

You will, won't you?

I'm going to be in that book, the one with all the records.

Just tell them I'm down here.

He's going on record as having the lowest IQ of any

human being that's ever lived.

[laughing]

The price of fame, huh?

Well, I don't know about that.

But I do have the price of a cup of coffee.

Hm.

How about you, Swede?

Um, flat.

As usual. Come on.

Some day, when you're swimming in money and milk, and--

Why don't you just go move the rig?

Move the rig.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

I'll be back in time to pick up the check, though.

Good.

[music playing]

I'm going to have to get my coat out of here.

He does his best work in tight situations.

- Oh yeah? - Yeah.

He's still convinced this is a paid vacation.

You told me it was going to be a working vacation, eight on

and 16 off, right?

Want to take a little more time?

If you're lucky, it's only 10.

Are you ready?

This is Harborview.

It's a, um, teaching hospital associated with the University

of Washington Medical School. - Yeah?

It's where we train our paramedics.

- Need any help there? - No.

I'm fine. I'm fine.

Well, thanks for the company.

You owe me a dime.

You're You're going to have to catch me.

Hm, yeah.

Um, put them back to work, would you, Mike?

They're goofing off again.

OK.

Well, the big city paramedics have arrived.

Roy DeSoto and John Gage, Seattle's finest.

- Nick Halverston. - Rocky Morrow.

- Friends call me Swede. - Nice to meet you.

- John. - Nice to meet you.

OK.

I'm going to take them on a tour around the hospital.

[beeping]

They're after me again.

Portable 33, call headquarters.

Portable 33, call headquarters. Urgent.

Look.

Um, why don't you guys go ahead and start the tour,

and I'll just find you later? - You got it.

All right. Thanks.

Is he always that busy?

Only when he's in town.

[music playing]

WOMAN [ON INTERCOM]: Dr. Adams, dial four.

Doc.

WOMAN [ON INTERCOM]: Dr. Adams, dial four.

Like for you to meet John Gage, Roy DeSoto,

LA county paramedics. - Nice to meet you.

- How are you? - Hi.

I heard you were coming.

Olson had me lined up to give you the cook's tour.

Where is he? - He's on pressing business.

Ah.

Well, what do you think?

Great.

You tried it out?

Well, I put together dozens of them in Vietnam.

Worked over there.

Exactly.

What is it?

Exactly, it is a jerry rigged needle for thoracotomies.

Thoracostomy?

You're kidding.

You let-- you let your paramedics, um,

do thoracostomies in the field? - You have something against it?

No, no. I have nothing against it.

I mean, I know if you don't, um-- if you don't get air

to a victim, he may die on you.

But, um-- well frankly, Doc, we've been asking

for this for-- for years.

Well I'll tell you.

I have put these fellows through enough training.

And I'm satisfied they know how to use it and use it right.

So Rocky, Swede, a sterile one.

Be my guest.

Um, Doc, you can't get these in any medical supply houses?

It's just like anything else.

Nobody thought to produce them.

Chest tubes and pumps are in all the hospitals.

Nobody's seen fit to put those to use in the field.

But they do now?

With the doctor's OK.

And they're going to save a lot of lives.

Are you sure you wouldn't like to come to LA?

Ah, you don't need me.

Need to update your laws.

Well, the crisis is over.

What do you say we finish the tour?

All right.

We'll tie up with you guys later on back

at, um, headquarters.

Swede, I think you're telling us that we're overtime

on our tour and coffee break.

That means he wants to get them off on the right foot

is what it means.

- Bye, guys. - Oh, is that what he means?

WOMAN [ON INTERCOM]: Dr. Alberts--

See you later.

WOMAN [ON INTERCOM]: Dr. Alberts--

These guys are nice guys.

You've got to be kidding.

Come on.

[music playing]

How's it coming, Barney?

Oh.

Getting there, Cap. - Good.

That new part's going to work out, then?

Oh yeah. She's kind of like you and me.

She might need her teeth filled now and again,

but still put away a full meal, if you know what I mean.

Barney, um, I want you to know, I-- I--

Listen. It ain't over yet, Captain.

If it's all the same with you, I'd

just as soon not hear no swan song, if you know what I mean.

[clears throat]

You're a good friend, Barney.

And the best chief engineer on the Puget Sound.

Let's not forget about that.

That's true.

How's that new orderly working out?

Well, [clears throat] don't know bells from jacks.

But like all these young kids, they think they know

everything first time around.

Yeah.

I guess they all do.

OK.

You let me know when we're ready to be in service, huh?

Will do, Cap.

Hey!

If you'd done that like I told you in the first place--

Cool it. Cool it.

Look, I'll get the oil can OK?

Yeah.

Then we'll get on with the lesson.

[music playing]

To what do I owe this pleasure?

Your lunch.

You walked right by it in the kitchen this morning.

Well, maybe they're right.

It seems I am getting forgetful.

Don't you believe that, Gordon Trigg.

Be right down.

Hi.

Thank you, darling.

Oh.

It's OK.

But I don't see why you just didn't

come home for lunch since you're down here for repairs.

Oh, I don't know.

It's just, um-- I guess I don't feel right away

from the old boat, you know.

Yeah, Gordy.

I know.

But don't you think you ought to start getting used to it?

After all--

Well, yeah, but, um-- hey, why don't you come

up to the bridge for a while? You can sit with me while I eat.

Oh.

Well, I left the car parked down there.

Oh, don't worry about it.

That ferry won't be back for half an hour.

OK.

You got yourself a deal, Captain.

Way to go.

[music playing]

They'll be waiting for you upstairs.

Now remember, you guys are just visitors, so watch.

Don't do. That way, nobody sues us.

We stopped volunteering a long time ago.

OK. Enjoy your day.

Thanks.

Remember, you're going to be watching Seattle's finest.

Yeah. Keep saying that.

- I know. - But don't tell them.

All right. See you later.

Hey, can I give you a hand?

Here.

Thanks.

Look at the size of this engine.

I'm not going to carry your bag.

Look at this.

Hey! It's what I'm saying.

I'm going to dump this thing off, put it right here.

Look at this truck.

Look at that-- I'll bet this is a '66.

[alarm sounding]

MAN [ON INTERCOM]: Medic one, ladder one, to the Kingdome.

Wonder what those things are for.

Hey, we've been waiting for you guys.

Come on! - Are we rolling with you?

Yeah.

That's why you're here, isn't it?

Let's go!

[bell ringing]

Where do I put it?

[bell ringing]

[music playing]

MAN [ON INTERCOM]: Medic one and ladder one to the Kingdome.

Medic one, ladder one to the Kingdome.

[siren sounding]

Medic one, ladder one to the Kingdome.

We have an accident on the cable lift.

Extent of injuries unknown.

Enter on the north service gate.

[siren sounding]

Medic one OK.

[music playing]

You tried the remote override switch?

MAN: Again and again.

There's just no power left up there.

Roof's the only way I can see, Lieutenant.

OK.

Go ahead.

How exactly did this happen?

Well, Ernie was taking the elevator up to work

on the, um, video booth.

Um, the engine went.

Brake failed.

Darn thing dropped 30 feet before the safety kicked in.

Bounced old Ernie around like a rag doll.

- It did. - This is ladder one.

We're going to need more equipment and men down here.

Give us an engine company.

MAN [ON INTERCOM]: OK, ladder one.

OK, guys. We might not have enough line.

So let's get that aerial raised up.

I'll get a drug box.

MAN [ON INTERCOM]: Engine 10 to the Kingdome.

[bells ringing]

[siren sounding]

[music playing]

The patient's up there in the video booth.

Captain, you want to give us a hand

with some of these lines here?

[music playing]

How does he look?

Get the trauma doctor on the radio.

Tell him to stand by.

Have medic one stand by.

OK, medic one.

Medic one doctor, use radio for medic one.

Medic one doctor, use radio for medic one.

- I'll see what they have, OK? - Sure.

You stay real still now, Timmy, OK?

WOMAN [ON INTERCOM]: Dr. Hall, dial 6.

Dr. Hall, dial 6.

[music playing]

Subdural hematoma?

Yeah, maybe.

Pressure's bad and he's got a tension

pneumothorax on top of it. Let's get an IV going.

- Want me to help you set up? - Yeah.

He's got no color at all.

Medic one. Medic one, doctor.

All right. Go ahead, medic one.

We have a 30-year-old male, head injury,

probably subdural hematoma.

BP 100 over 70.

Pulse 120.

Respiration's very shallow.

Left pupil is dilated and very sluggish.

And there are no breath sounds on the left.

What's his level of consciousness?

Unconscious.

Very little pain response.

No response to voice stimuli.

We've started two IV routes and implemented plan A-2.

And Doc, we also have a left pneumothorax

and a possible hemothorax.

Has the trach shifted?

That's affirmative. We've got to ventilate him fast.

Request permission to intubate in

left chest pneumo thoracostomy.

OK.

You've got permission.

OK.

Let's go.

If I can help you, let me know.

All right.

Want to give me some O2 in a bag?

We heard you guys could intubate.

There's no better way.

Well, come on down to LA and convince our leaders of that.

Bag.

Bag.

Can I have a needle please, Roy?

Medic one, doctor.

Doc, he's starting to pink up.

Respiration's much better.

His, um, trachea is now aligned and he's moving air well.

OK.

We'll be ready for you as soon as you get here.

SWEDE: Medic one, OK.

Um, get trauma one ready stat.

We'll evaluate head and chest injuries first.

Homemade lifesavers.

How's it feel?

Man's still alive.

Feels awfully good.

[music playing]

At school, they call it a fisheye aggie.

He's going to be fine.

WOMAN [ON INTERCOM]: Dr. Vitale, 1875, Dr. Vitale--

PMI or angiogram?

Get the trauma team.

[music playing]

Betadine sponge on a stick, please.

Boy.

You mean you guys transport too?

You don't?

Well, it's just the way we got started.

You see, we carry a lot of physical rescue gear,

as well as medical gear.

We just don't have the room. - That's good.

But if you get into tradeoffs, I think I'd

rather transport if we have to.

And that way, we have our equipment

and supplies available in transit.

Yeah.

I-- I can see your point but, um, I tell you,

if we transported, we'd just be taken out of service too long.

See, you have to understand.

We're a-- we're a bit thin on the ground in LA.

How thin?

Well, our department covers 2,000 square miles

and two million people.

Thin enough?

Whew.

You've got only four rigs, right?

You take care of this whole city with just four rigs?

Well, we have, um, 500,000 people and 94 square miles.

So four medic units and seven aid units do just fine.

Huh.

Aid uits.

What are they?

It's kind of basic life support unit.

They roll on the calls that don't require

fancy training or equipment.

Sounds like you got a good triage system here.

You got it.

And it starts when the first call is made over

here to the dispatch center.

That's nice.

That's really nice.

Wait till you see the rest.

Come on.

What rest you talking about?

[music playing]

Hey Barney, you finished yet?

Just now, Cap.

Good.

What can I do you for?

Well, the home office called, and seems one

of those superferries on the Seattle to Bremerton run

is down for repairs.

They want us to move in and cover for her.

They do, do they?

Bremerton run, huh?

That was this old girl's prime run 50 years ago

when they first put her in the water.

Now they want her back, do they?

That's right.

We're heading for Seattle this evening

and making the Bremerton run day after tomorrow.

It's just for a couple of days.

Um, Cap, um, you know, if you've got to go, this is

the way to do it-- first class.

[music playing]

You know, Barney, you're absolutely right.

You order all the fuel decks topped off.

I'll do 'er, Cap.

First class?

First class.

Got to make a phone call.

[music playing]

Hey Maggie, start packing.

What for?

You're going to Seattle with me.

That's right.

We're making the Bremerton run day after tomorrow.

And I want to tell you at 8:00 tonight,

I'm treating my lovely wife to the finest dinner in Seattle.

Well, it's only for a couple of days, sweetie,

but we'll make the best of it, OK?

Yeah.

We'll live it up in the big city.

OK, honey.

You get a move on.

[music playing]

That number two valve there, I want her oiled up

and working like a slick cab.

She's been sticking a little bit on me lately.

And I want to use her on the Bremerton run.

Number two valve.

Number two valve.

So what's the big deal?

The big is trim.

We want to be able to trim the boat.

- Trim? - Trim.

You see, when the fuel gets low on one tank,

we open the valve and the ferry, um--

Hm.

Yeah, I can dig it.

We open this valve.

That pulls the gas out of number two,

and then the boat gets level. That it?

Not gas-- diesel.

These are diesel engines.

Ain't you learned nothing yet?

Diesel?

Diesel.

And diesel engines burn diesel fuel, not gasoline.

So what's the big difference?

I mean, it's all go power, man.

The big difference, man, is flashpoint.

You put gasoline in a diesel engine,

it will flat blow your head off.

Yeah?

You mean, like boom.

Yeah, like-- like boom.

No, no. The dispatcher's out sick.

Wait. Hold, please.

No. The dispatcher's out sick.

I'm just trying to cover for him.

I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just covering.

Hold.

[telephone ringing]

Yeah? OK.

Wait, wait, wait.

OK.

That's 2,500 gallons of number two diesel.

Got it.

[telephone ringing]

Wait?

[bell ringing]

The dispatcher's out sick.

I'm just trying to cover for him, OK?

What do you need?

OK.

OK.

Mhm.

Yeah. We'll get right on it.

OK. - So what you got?

Hold please.

Order here for the Klickitat.

Get right on it.

Yeah. What was that?

Klickitat.

What's that?

Hold please.

That's a ferry, stupid. - OK, OK.

So don't get mad at me. How am I supposed to know?

It's my first day. - OK.

I'm sorry.

It's just-- I mean, everything is going crazy here.

Look.

Just take her on down and fuel her up, OK?

She's at the ferry dock.

I could have figured that out for myself.

What was that now?

[music playing]

End of shift, gentlemen.

Let's change. John, you'll be staying with me.

Oh, listen. That's not really necessary.

We don't really have to, you know?

Hey. Wouldn't have it any other way.

All right.

And Roy, I got big plans for you.

Um, you like fishing?

No. Yeah.

I do. - Oh.

Good. Here.

Let's go.

John, you're going to love what I've got lined up for you.

Nurses?

How'd you guess?

I just took a wild stab in the dark.

You part of the crew here?

Yeah, sure am.

I run the engine room.

We're headed for Seattle, you know?

Yeah.

Well, no one was here when I pulled in,

so I went ahead and filled her anyway.

One of them only took 100, but the other one was really low.

Yeah.

I went out and grabbed a sandwich.

But you got it right anyway.

Has to do with the trim, you know?

Huh?

See, we balance between the tanks.

That keeps both trim.

Whatever.

[music playing]

Let's just kind of think of this as our first, um,

cruise ship voyage, shall we?

OK.

It's, um-- it's a vacation.

Yeah, except I'll be at the helm with you,

just like that first day 30 years ago.

[music playing]

Hi, Brian.

Hi, Maggie.

You all set?

- All set, Skipper. - Let's get out of here.

Yes, sir.

Engine room.

Turn 'em over, Barney.

We're on our way.

Will do, Cap.

[music playing]

JOHN GAGE: I don't believe this.

You said that Seattle had a lot of rain.

But nobody said anything about snow.

SWEDE: Snow?

This is just late afternoon frost.

[chuckles] JOHN GAGE: Yeah.

A late afternoon frost, yeah?

Hey Swede, this is a farm.

A dairy farm.

Ever milked a cow? - You've got to be kidding me.

I thought milk came from a faucet.

Dad, Dad, come quick!

It's Daisy.

What is it, Danny?

Where's your mother? - She's over there with her.

Please hurry.

We need help.

Everything's a crisis around here.

Um.

Hey, Swede?

Um, who's Daisy?

A beautiful, gorgeous lady.

You can't believe it.

Is she single?

Yeah.

[cow lowing]

How is she?

We're scared, aren't we, Mom?

It's a breach birth, Swede.

It's going to be really rough.

Did you call the vet?

He's out, not expected back for hours.

Is-- is she going to die, Dad?

Is Daisy going to die?

No, Danny, not if we have anything to do with it.

We could use your help, John.

Well, you got it.

- John, this is my wife, Nancy. - Hi.

Hi.

Um, we passed in the coffee room today.

That we did.

Welcome to Halverson's dairy farm.

Thank you very much.

Well, I guess, um, cows are the same as people, aren't they?

You'll do just fine, John.

Su-- sure.

Sure.

[music playing]

Beer?

Yeah.

John?

Beer.

Two drafts.

Coming right up.

So you live on a boat, huh?

Well, it's, um-- it's more than just a boat.

It's-- well, it's sort like a lifestyle, you know?

A place for sleeping and, um-- recreation.

Fishing?

Yeah, fishing.

Lots of fishing.

But have I got a great night for us tonight.

I mean, wait till you see 'em.

See 'em?

Yeah.

Yours is the blonde, and let me tell you, she is--

Rocky, I'm married.

Married?

I mean, but are you that married?

Yeah.

Guess I kind of blew your plans, huh?

Yeah.

Hey, wait.

Please tell me that, um, Gage is the one who's not married.

Gage is the one who's not married.

Look, then there's no problem.

The girls get here, have a little drink.

We go out to Swede's farm and, um-- well,

I mean, there's no reflection on you, Roy?

No, course not.

Yeah.

Dear old Captain Olson always did

have a weird sense of humor.

He's married too, huh?

Oh yeah, he's married.

Terrible thing.

There they are.

Come on.

See what I told you?

Well, um-- um-- no.

I think I'm going to stay here and just hold down the fort.

Um, you don't want to even, um, meet them?

Well, why don't you go over and you take--

I think it'd be a better idea if you take care of it.

I'll just--

You're married.

Um, John, please get the ladies anything that they

would like and, , two minutes.

Be right back.

Wait until you see Swede's farm.

- How'd you make out over there? - Fine.

Everything worked beautiful. - Good.

I was-- I'm sorry that I-- - No.

It's not that far, right out of town.

Swede's got, you know, horses, and the cattle are beautiful.

[cow grunting]

Any change?

Nothing.

Well, is there any more we can do?

Maybe praying.

[cow grunting]

Hey, it's going to be OK.

Why don't you go to the house and get some blankets?

OK.

[cow grunting]

Easy, girl.

Easy.

No lights on in the house.

Sure is pretty here.

Isn't it?

It's also cold.

Yeah, a little brisk tonight.

Hey Danny, what's the rush?

Excuse me, Uncle Rocky.

Yeah?

I have to get the blankets.

Who's Daisy?

It's their Holstein cow, the one that, um, puts out all

that above average milk.

No, but Swede's, um, got a lot of his savings

invested in her, though.

[cow grunting]

Hi.

Just in time.

Look, I want to trade DeSoto for Gage.

I mean, I've got two of the prettiest lined up for us.

Yeah?

Sounds real good, Rocky, but, um, we've got a problem.

What's wrong?

Breach birth.

You can use some help?

Sure.

Oh, but we hate to ruin your date, Rocky.

Oh, they'll wait. Never fear.

[cow grunting]

[music playing]