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"I got a fine example of how obstructed airways happen, too, Roy, right in my line of sight.." Chet said, in retort back, making runway guide motions right at his current source of verbal torment sitting across the table from him. "Peace you two.." Cap said, finally extricating himself from the recliner, leaving Chester happily diving into what was left on his tray. Captain Stanley saundered over to the bulletin board and snatched down the weekly rounds chart board. He was the only one still in a blue uniform. The gang was still in T-shirts and pullover pants-and-boots. "The weekly fire violation rounds list. Today, only one on the books." "Aww Cap, can't it wait until after breakfast? Turns my stomach learning about folks who like living in a fire hazard zone instead of following codes." Chet complained. "Shutup and chew.." Cap replied. "You're gonna hear this one. In fact, all of you might have an invested interest in this case." "Oh?" Roy grunted. "Yeah." Cap replied. "We have an excessive brush violation at ....213 East Morrow Drive..." All jaws stopped chewing when they remembered that the address belonged to one very very nice old man living in a very very creepy looking old house. Gage's mouth crooked open in regret. "Aww, Cap. We can't go handing out a fine to kindly ol Mr. Fajou.. I really like that guy. Wouldn't be nice of us to leave it tacked onto his front door like that to find once he gets outta the hospital.." he added sarcastically. Stanley snapped back defensively light. "You got any better ideas?" "Yeah..I do." Lopez said. "Come guys, we got nothing better to do this weekend, and I know that for a fact because there's no games in town. Why don't we just skip out on our normal routines and go over there to do a little weed control ourselves. It'd be easy for us. We're licensed to do a controlled burn." Both of Cap's eyebrows climbed up into his hairline. "Hey, that's a wonderful idea. We can all trade shifts mutually with Saturday's crew in trade for Friday and get this done for the old guy. I can have Eight's brush truck sent over for Stoker to use." There came a chorus of eager yes's and O.k.'s all around. Even another yip from Chester where he sat in the recliner near the licked clean dish tray. All heads turned. "Wow." Stoker remarked. "Maybe we found ourselves a new dish washer. Just look at Cap's tray. Clean as a whistle.." "Heh... Don't give him any bright ideas.." Cap said. "That's just a first morning privilege." he grumbled. "Wouldn't want him to pick up any really bad habits from us now would we..?" Chet made a show of licking BBQ off his plate by lapping it like a dog. "Very funny Kelly.." Cap said. "For that, you get latrine duty this morning.." "Awww, Cap.." "Aww, nothing. When you make Cap, you can find ways to delegate the more unpleasant firehouse duties in the least painful ways to your crew, too, just like I did.." he chipped up. "You're all heart.." Kelly mumbled. "What's that, Kelly. Didn't quite hear you? My other inferiorly ranked men are all laughing too hard." "I said, uh, you're so smart." Chet said, stirring his grits morosely. Then his eyes shot up in alarm. 'Uh, I don't mean "smart" as in sarcastic, Cap. At least not in, uh,, not in...that case..." he trailed off sheepishly, and escaped into the newspaper to hide from the moment in hot water. |
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"Let's hope not, Kelly. The hoses in the tower need to be reloaded.." Chet was a mouse behind the funnies section. Stoker and Marco's hands raised up. "Give it to us Cap. Only fair.."Mike said. "We got out of it last time due to a timely dumpster fire call." "Good men.. Kelly, did you see that? Lopez and Stoker actually volunteered to do one of the sweaty jobs." Cap said. "Yeah, well I don't see them lining up for the smelly one.." Chet groused. "Quit eating like a horse and maybe the bathrooms would smell a little better in the morning Chet.." Gage retorted. "Yeah, I had to use a half can of Lysol Disinfectant just to breathe earlier.." Marco quipped, joining Gage's bandwagon. "I can't help it.." Chet said. "I was born with an efficient colon. At least I don't let them loose while giggling at erotic dreams in my sleep like Marco over here." "I do not.." Marco protested vehemently. Gage sniggered. "Uh, is that in reply to part A or part B of Chet's previous sentence Marco. Your crewmates would really really like to know." Marco just glared. "You try working in a firehouse with a mama who stuffs YOU full of beans and enchiladas just before your twenty four hours on shifts, I'd say you'd be tooting them too." "I'll stick with the engine's horn thanks.." Mike said. Gage scored a point in the air for Stoker. "Ok, ok, that explains the gassier aspects of your nightly exploits. Now, tell us about your dreams, Marco Lopez.... Is she cute?" "I'm Catholic!" Marco protested. "I don't have to confess to you.." "You might as well.." Gage warned in jest. "I see a greaaattt moustache gripping handle there under your nose..." and he rose in his chair. "Cap!!" Marco squeaked. Johnny was already in his chair and chewing his last bite of food by the time Cap's eyebrow was fully cocked into the firing position. Hank settled out of his warning glare and continued chewing the piece of apple he had stolen from Roy's plate. "What? I see no problem here. Except for maybe a stack or two of too many dishes. Lopez. Dish detail." "Awww, Cap. I thought you were supposed to safeguard your men." Marco said. "I just did. Do you see Gage pinning you against the wall where he had Kelly squirming last night?" "No." "Good, then hop to it. Stoker was the one who cooked today. Gage, you got floor detail, a full wet mop job. DeSoto, vehicle buffing, chrome only. Looks like rain today." "Well what about you, Cap?" Lopez still singing, stung. "I have a new chore. I get to show Chester here where to go..."he grinned. And he hefted up his little charge and wandered out cooly into the yard. The guys all rose from the breakfast table and fell to. Johnny was grinning at Marco's still red face from Chet revealing out a night secret so boldly, but even he wouldn't poke a man when he was down. ::Well, not a fire fighting coworker at any rate, just a victim on a scene to learn a consciousness level. Heh.:: he thought. Then he said, "Say Roy.. Us going out this weekend to help ol' Mr. Fajou is really gonna be fun. I mean, Vince's got the keys to his place, right? Maybe we can even all go in and clean up his kitchen too for him." Roy angled his head skeptically as he helped Lopez grumpily stack plates as he carried each armload to the sink. "I don't know, Johnny. Most gourmet cooks don't like people messing with their kitchens." "Who's to say Mr. Fajou is a gourmet chef? Well, maybe a pastry baking one.." he admitted. "Still wouldn't hurt to do this good deed thing a notch or two better." he grinned cockeyed. Chet piped up. "Yeah, maybe we can learn what's finally in that basement of his and in all those other creepy rooms, man." Johnny waggled his head. "I don't think Mr. Fajou would appreciate us snooping around his house now would you?" he moaned caustic. "Gage, that place's an historic landmark.." "You mean a haunted one.." Stoker quipped from around the newspaper. Kelly went on as if he hadn't heard Mike interrupt him. "...Mr. Fajou probably gives movie tours to the studio kids he bakes for all the time. I mean uh, what's the difference if it's kids or firemen getting thrilled to death in there..?" "A big one, Chet Kelly. The poor guy deserves a little privacy in his own home.." he insisted. Kelly's eyes hit the table and his fidgetting fingers drumming there."Looks more like the old guy needs a friend or two Johnny.." Chet said. "We can always act scared and nervous when he gets back and gives us a tour for doing his yardwork this weekend." |
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Roy grinned, folding his arms over his shoulders. "There's that, Johnny. Come on, give in to a little curiosity..." "Nice sentiment Roy, aren't you Catholic too?" Gage said. "Doing a nice thing for somebody else isn't a sin.." he replied. Marco agreed firmly. "Look it up.." John shot both of them a disgusted look. |
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Then the alarm went off, for a full station call. ##Station 51, Engine 18, Truck 127. Battalion 14. Truck overturn with a chemical spill on the Pacific Coast Highway at Southbound mile marker 513. Multiple vehicular involvement.Truck overturn on the PCH at Southbound mile marker 513. Cross street Dungeness. PD reports approach with caution. Be advised. An unknown gas cloud has prompted start of evacuation action from the CHP. Timeout, 07:10. ## Cap's shoes came pelting by the kitchen door and he received the call as the men moved out. He handed off Chester B to Roy who left the bewildered young pup safely on the recliner. "Be good pal. See you when we get back." DeSoto told the little dog, rushing out. Cap acknowledged the run. "Station 51, 10-4. KMG 365.." The entire company rolled out....... ---------------------------------------- |
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******************************** From : "SM Fortis" <satchie51@hotmail.com> Subject : [EmergencyTheaterLive] The Restaurant Confessional Date : Wed, 27 Nov 2002 09:42:38 -0600 Grateful to be home in his own apartment, Kel stretched out on the couch. Despite Joe’s advice he wait awhile before scheduling another reconciliation attempt, Kel promptly contacted his father and made reservations for dinner that evening. Patience never had been his greatest virtue. His colleague was right in one respect. If Kel dictated the terms of the meeting and tried to keep the conversation on message, perhaps he would feel more in control of the situation. He was determined not to feel powerless in the presence of Brent Brackett again. Since his return home, Dixie called twice to make sure he was okay. To combat his growing anxiety, Kel occupied himself by spending most of the afternoon performing errands and browsing at a jazz record store Joe was always raving about. After purchasing a couple of albums, he glanced at his watch and headed back to his apartment. He was pleased to discover the patio door was already replaced. One unpleasant reminder of the previous evening’s events was now conveniently eradicated. Unfortunately, the stark white bandages wrapping his right hand and arm were still grim reminders of his angry outburst. Kel cringed at the memory of his senseless act. Placing his package on the table, he headed toward his bedroom and began rummaging through his closet for an appropriate suit. After a quick shower and shave, Kel changed clothes and left ahead of schedule. He thought if he arrived at the restaurant first, he would feel less intimidated by his father. He was resolved not to leave in humiliation again. The maitre d’ promptly greeted Kel and ushered him to his table. He briefly closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for the exchange that awaited him. Looking through the windows, Kel saw a spectacular sunset. Somehow the scene comforted and encouraged him. The advice of his friends was at the forefront of his mind right now. The sooner he could establish some common ground with his father, the sooner their fractured relationship could begin to heal. |
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