Early Edition (1996) s01e02 Episode Script
The Choice
CHUCK: Everybody makes choices.
That's the American way.
It's in the Constitution.
Every shlub has a boat.
You get up in the morning, you decide what to wear.
What to eat.
What to waste your money on.
You go with what you know, which usually ain't much.
But what if you knew what you knew before you actually knew it? If that's confusing, so is getting tomorrow's paper today.
The point being, sometimes the choice is easy.
And sometimes you don't have one at all.
Hold it! Everybody just stay where you are now.
MAN: Move.
WOMAN: I got to get through.
MAN: Hey, what's the problem? (indistinct crowd chatter) (machine whirring) MAN: Excuse me, please, let me get by.
(engine sputtering) MAN: Hey.
(rope creaking) Oh! Oh! WOMAN: Oh! WOMAN: Get it to go! We don't have time! MAN: Yeah, all right.
Amazing.
WOMAN: Are you okay? Yeah.
(man laughing in distance) (theme music playing) CHUCK: What would you do if you got tomorrow's news today? CHUCK: What time is it? GARY: About 8:00.
It ought to be here by now.
GARY: Don't worry, it'll come.
I don't see anything.
That's because it never comes when you're looking.
What's the big deal about today, anyway? I'll tell you the big deal.
I lost another hundred bucks last night, and it's your fault.
Mine? Oh, no one told you to bet on the Cubs.
The Cubs stink.
No one told me not to, either.
No one who knew they'd blow a five-run lead in the ninth.
I'm going broke getting rich.
Come on, buddy.
You got to help me out here.
Besides, aren't you the least bit curious of where this thing comes from? Huh? How it gets here? Of course I am.
So? When I find out, I'll tell you.
Terrific.
That's perfect, you know that? Ah! The greatest boon to mankind since non-taxable income, and who does it come to? A guy who buys lottery tickets and doesn't cheat.
A guy who still washes his own shirts.
What's wrong with that? It's been a week since this thing's been coming to you, and what have you done with it? Nothing.
Okay, okay, so you saved a few lives.
You stopped that bank robbery, and you rescued that trailer park from the tornado.
But the question is, when are you gonna do something for Gare? Like what? For starters, finding a new place to live.
What's wrong with this place? It's a dump.
All right.
One day in the market, you could buy yourself a palace.
A place with a swimming pool, a yard and a satellite dish.
No, thanks.
Oh! All I'm saying is, do whatever you have to do, but then, do something for yourself.
And while you're at it, something out of it for, you know, me.
No.
I don't think it works that way.
Why not? Because it just doesn't work that It's Friday don't you have to go to work? No, it's company picnic.
Last year, I got ptomaine poisoning.
No way I'm going back.
(cat mewing) (paper thudding against door) (cat yowls) Yes! Right on time, right on schedule.
(meows) A little miracle at our door.
One might even venture to say, a gift.
So, uh, when do we open her up? Not we.
Me and Marissa at breakfast.
Oh, great.
I'll join you.
I'm starving.
You're not invited.
All right, I'll tell you what.
Give me the sports pages, and I'll be on my way.
Nope.
What about the front page? Come on, just a peek at the front page.
(cat yowls) Sorry.
Oh, great.
The cat, you give milk to.
Me, you give nothing.
Come on, Gare, just throw me a bone.
Give me the horoscope.
Or the funny pages.
Shut the door when you leave.
How about the soap opera listings? I can work with that.
(elevator bell dings) The obituaries? I love the obits.
Gare? (meows) Hope it's sour.
(meows) (elevator bell dings) Good morning.
Not today.
Congestion.
Must be conventions or something.
WOMAN: Gary? Marcia.
Hi.
(clears throat) What are you doing here? Well, I heard this is where you lived.
I mean, now that you Don't live with you.
It's nice.
Oh, yeah, it's So how are you? Oh, you know, getting a divorce, but I think you knew that.
Anyway, I was, um, cleaning out the house.
I'm I'm moving, you know.
It's a little big now, and Anyway, I just found something of yours.
Something you didn't throw out of the window? This book Lost Chicago.
It was up on the bookshelf behind some other books.
No, I've never seen that before in my life.
Well, it's got your name in it.
It's probably from an old girlfriend or something.
(laughs) Anyway, here you are.
Thanks.
Guess I'm gonna have to walk.
All this traffic, I'm not gonna get a cab.
(overlapping chatter) Hey, want to watch where you're going? Sorry.
I didn't see you.
Yeah, well, it's a city, pal.
Sidewalks, people.
I said I was sorry.
Try keeping your eyes open.
(horns honking) GARY: She gets sideswiped by a car, a hit-and-run.
Does it say what time? Around 1:00.
Someone calls 911, but the ambulance gets tied up in the traffic.
They radio back, but the call gets lost in the shuffle.
Right through the cracks.
So, before anyone realizes, it's too late.
She dies at Columbia General Hospital of internal injuries.
Amanda Bailey, age six.
So, what are you gonna do? What, do I have a choice? Well, let's see.
You could go to the movies instead or buy some popcorn and feed the pigeons.
You get a real kick out of this, don't you? Kind of.
Don't you? No, I don't.
What would you rather be doing? Have a life, a real life.
Boring.
And a job.
So get one.
Oh, sure.
I'll do that this afternoon when I have some free time.
You just won't give into this, will you? You know, Gary, there are so many people in this world that would be thrilled to have an opportunity like yours.
Yeah? Like who? Okay, here's the deal.
I just got off the phone with my bookie.
He's willing to lay me three-to-one odds, the Mets over the Cubs.
What do you say? Come on, just give me a hint.
I'll give half the money to charity.
Chuck, I'm not giving you the score.
That a way.
Mind your own rump.
I am also not gonna let this paper run my life.
I may not be able to stop it from coming, but I can damn well choose what it makes me do.
Oh, my God, this is bad.
What? The traffic? CHUCK: The headline changed.
Gary, what is it? This wasn't here before.
Yeah? Well, it is now, big guy.
"Global Airlines, Flight 29, bound for Miami, "went down in flames yesterday afternoon "shortly after takeoff from Chicago.
"The plane, filled with tourists on their way to the Florida sun, "disappeared from radar screens at exactly 2:00, "just seconds after lifting from the runway.
"The passenger list included prominent businessmen, "ordinary families, "and at least one child traveling alone, "plus a flight crew of 12.
(birds squawking) "Airline officials suspect a flock of birds in the area "may have fouled the engines, "causing the jet to plunge from the sky.
(birds screeching) "By late afternoon, "rescue workers were still combing the wreckage, "desperately searching for signs of life.
(indistinct radio communication) (siren blaring) "But little hope was held out for any of the nearly So, what'll it be? Huh? Have you made your choice? MARISSA: What time does this thing happen? Good.
We can make the airport by then.
And what do we do when we get there? You'll think of something.
Thanks.
(cars honking) Holy cow.
Look at this.
MAN: move your car.
Let's go.
Geez.
What's going on? Is the Pope in town? Chuck, find us a cab, okay? MAN: Move it! What do I look like, a doorman? Well, I wouldn't be surprised.
MAN: That's right, that's right Yo, taxi.
(whistling) Yo! How come it's me that has to come up with the explanations? Why don't they just publish it in here? Well, then you wouldn't feel needed.
CHUCK: Hey, over here.
You owe me big, pal.
I had to Excuse me.
What are you doing? Hey? Columbia General.
What are you doing? What's your problem? What's my problem? This is my cab.
I don't think so.
I think it's his.
(chuckles) I see.
A comedian.
No.
Surgeon.
Oh, yeah? Well, I wouldn't let you operate on my coccyx, now, get out.
I had it first.
Congratulations.
What are you, a doorman? All right, look, guy, the truth is, it's not for me, it's for her, okay? And she's Blind? Bunions.
A severe case.
Uh-huh.
Tell her to stay off her feet.
Hey! Get out of the hack, now! Chuck? Chuck! Look, we need this cab.
Why? Well, be it's a matter of life and death, that's why.
Really? Really.
Call an ambulance.
Hey! Columbia General, please.
CHUCK: Hey.
Hey! Whatever happened to common courtesy? I hope you cut yourself! (clamoring, horns honking) Chuck, I need a quarter.
Me? I'm out.
in the lottery, Yes, I need the number you got to take my two bits.
for Global Airlines, please.
Here.
I want it back.
This ought to be good.
What are you gonna tell them? There's birds on the runway? Hey, why don't you ask them for tomorrow's Cub scores while you're at it.
Oh, that's helpful.
Tell them we're from the FAA and that we need to make a spot check, and that way they got to ground all the airplanes.
Just a thought.
Welcome to Global Airlines.
Yes, I have some information Push one for general information.
about Flight 29.
Two for scheduling.
Three for operator assistance.
Three.
Three.
All circuits are busy.
Please try again.
The circuits are busy.
All circuits are busy Stupid machines! I'm telling you, they never should have broken up Ma Bell.
Please try again.
Okay, so what do we do now? We still have reason to, uh, question his credibility.
Yeah, what do you think? All right, I'll tell Excuse me.
Detective Tagliatti, please.
Who? Detective Tagliatti.
Her office is right down there.
Not anymore.
What? Busted to foot patrol.
She swallowed some story by some nut who claimed he could see the future.
Didn't sit well with the boss.
Psst! (whispering): Hey, Starsky.
Psst.
If I may, a suggestion, do not mention the paper.
He has to mention the paper.
How else are they gonna believe him? An anonymous note tied to a rock.
Crude, but effective.
Brilliant.
Thank you.
You there? You want to lodge a complaint? Uh Yes, we are.
We are? Who are you filing against? Uh, Global Airlines.
They stole our luggage.
You mean, they lost it? No.
They stole it.
Grand theft luggage.
And what exactly do you want us to do about that? Simple.
Ground that 2:00 flight.
Those bags could be on it.
Is she serious? CHUCK: Some would think so, yes.
Look.
You guys figure it out, okay? Look, forget that.
This is an emergency.
Naturally.
Look, all right, look.
I need to speak to the guy in charge.
No, you don't.
Yes, I do.
Believe me, you don't.
Yes, I do.
Listen.
I got to speak to him.
Now.
Suit yourself.
(clears throat) Uh, Detective Crumb? What? There's someone here to see you.
You.
What the hell is he doing here? He has a problem.
What kind of problem? There's a plane full of luggage.
Luggage? It's gonna crash.
When? That would be 2:00, when? Today? Tomorrow? A year from now? Look, Detective No.
You look! You see this gray hair? This is you.
Thanks to your little stunt last week, half of my staff is gone.
Not now! And now you want me to swallow some half-assed crab-brain story about a, a plane full of luggage? Yes.
Except there is no luggage.
OFFICER: So what do you want me to do? Take him out back and shoot him.
Proceed.
I hope he cuts himself shaving.
A nice, long, deep cut ear to ear.
I told you it was a waste of time.
What are we gonna do now? Don't panic.
We can still make it by 2:00.
How are we gonna get there? Simple.
We'll hop on the Alp.
Wait! Hold it! Stop! Oh! What time's your next train? Every five minutes.
When they're running on time.
What about today? Could be up to a half hour.
This is crazy.
We're running around in circles.
What the hell's going on? WOMAN: Decay in the infrastructure.
Thanks.
Maybe it's trying to tell you something.
It? The paper? Like what? Like, buy a helicopter; My feet are killing me.
That's not what I mean.
I mean maybe there's a way to stop that plane without actually being there.
CHUCK: Why don't you send him one of those telepathic brain waves? Oh, that's brilliant.
I thought so.
You would think so.
Oh, here comes another one, now, let's go.
About time.
CHUCK: All right, Gary, come on, now, let's go (light squeaking) CHUCK: Gare, what are you waiting for? Gare? Gare, get on the train.
I can't.
We have to go now.
Hey, hold it! Gary? Gary, what are you doing? Amanda! Amanda! Amanda! (tires squealing) No! No! (horn honking) MAN: What happened? Is she all right? WOMAN: Somebody do something.
Help her.
(car horns honking) (indistinct PA announcement) Amanda? Amanda? What happened? You were in an accident, honey.
Uh-oh.
Anyone hurt? Well It was a new bike.
My dad got it for me.
Do I know you? No, not exactly.
But you know me.
Kind of.
I got it.
She needs help.
Yeah.
I just called 911.
They'll be here right away.
No, they won't.
They're not gonna make it here in time.
What do you mean? It's 911.
Listen, she needs to get to a hospital now.
Me? I'm not moving her.
She could be hurt.
Listen, I don't have time to explain.
I got to be somewhere.
You got to get her to the emergency room.
Oh, no, you're supposed to leave the victim right there.
Don't you ever watch Chicago Hope? (bystanders murmuring in agreement) WOMAN: Leave her be.
Excuse me.
Hey! How you feeling, honey? My arm hurts.
Uh-huh.
Is that bad? Nah.
Truth? We'll have to see, okay? What time is it now? You just asked me that.
I know.
You're right.
Now I'm asking again.
Good.
We can still make it to the airport.
Yeah, and then what? And then we stop the plane.
Uh-huh.
And how are we gonna do that? I don't know, but we're gonna.
That's it? That's your plan? "I don't know, but we're gonna"? Great.
I need some help, here.
I need some help.
Hey, you're telling me.
Do you know where you are? The hospital.
You're gonna be just fine.
Take her to registration.
We need a med tech, here.
What is going on here today? Listen (overlapping chatter, PA announcement) Excuse me, she's been in an accident.
Name? Bailey.
Amanda Bailey.
Address? I don't know the address.
Are you the father? No, listen, can we do this later? She needs to see someone right away.
How're you doing, honey? My arm hurts.
Well, we'll be sure and fix that, hmm? It's not just her arm.
There's something more serious than that.
You're a doctor? No, I'm not.
Not the doctor, not the father.
Listen, I know what's going on.
If you could just Have a seat over there.
If you could just Someone will be with you right away.
Don't worry.
Things will work out.
Huh? It's a hospital.
They'll fix everything.
MARISSA: We'll say there's a bomb.
What? That way, they'll delay the flight in time that it takes to Let me just stop you right there, okay? You're out of your mind.
Why? Why? News flash.
There's only one reason to give an airline a bomb threat.
That is when there's an actual bomb on the plane.
Otherwise, they tend to over react.
Like, put you in prison, like, forever.
I get it.
Good.
No guts.
Excuse me? You heard me.
It's okay to use a newspaper to cash in on the stock market, but All right, you know what, I resent that.
You do, do you? Yes, I do.
Just because I have a halfway practical view of the universe Ha! And you, you still believe in the tooth fairy.
Coward.
Why don't you go polish some crystals? Capitalist pig.
I just don't understand why we have to do it.
Because, Gary can't be there, and we can.
(thudding) Oh, no.
MAN (over P.
A.
): Attention, we have been advised there has been an unexplained power failure in this area of the city.
I wish I could see Wrigley Field from here.
Attention, do not attempt to evacuate the train.
(baby crying) (indistinct chatter) Excuse me.
Can we get a doctor here? WOMAN: I'm sorry, we're doing the best we can.
You have to be somewhere, don't you? What? Someone else to save? What makes you say that? WOMAN: Amanda Bailey.
WOMAN (over P.
A.
): Dr.
Raymond, NICU She was in an accident? Hit and run.
She was on a bicycle.
Gino, where am I gonna put her? Three.
There's somebody in number three.
GINO: Anywhere you can find then.
Anyway, she was on her bicycle Hurt your arm, did you? No, it's not her arm.
There's something else.
I explained all this at the front desk.
Well, if there's something else there, we will find it.
Look, maybe there's a doctor, someone I could talk to? Somebody who knows what's going on around here.
Listen, I'm sorry, sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave now.
Ira.
It says there that you are not her father.
Oh, no, I'm not leaving this room until We really need you out here.
All right.
Look, you have done everything you could.
You got her here, there's nothing more you can do.
Go on with your life.
And, Gino, let's get started looking for this girl's folks.
AMANDA: Hey.
WOMAN (over P.
A.
): EKG technician to Six West Nurses' Station.
EKG technician to Six West Nurses' Station.
Listen, kiddo, I got to get going.
Promise you'll come back.
Yeah, I promise.
I'll be brave.
All right, you be brave.
I hope they made it.
Everybody off the train, please.
Okay, let's go.
Move it along.
Come on, folks.
Everybody off.
Move it along.
Move it along.
Excuse me.
Yes? We need to get to the airport.
Good luck, lady.
Power's out in this whole part of the city.
Nothing's coming this direction.
Then how are we supposed to get there? Take a cab.
Move it along.
Our tax dollars at work.
Now what do we do? Guess we got to find Gary.
Yeah.
DRIVER: Where to? Airport, I got 40 minutes.
(laughing): Hey, what dream you livin' in? Just drive the cab.
RADIO ANNOUNCER: power outages sporadically on the El.
And electrical lines are down on Grove Street between Scott Avenue and Tower Road.
"Hospital neglect"? (indistinct announcement over P.
A.
) Where is she? You again? Where is she? Gino, the little girl that was in seven, what happened? They moved her till they find the parents.
Moved her where? Beats me.
Did they look at her head? She's been examined.
Did they look at her head? Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't just go wandering around Doctor? Sir! Sir.
Doctor? Well, well.
Oh, boy.
Mr.
Life And Death, what brings you to our humble establishment? Look, I'm sorry about the cab this morning, but I need your help.
Now, you've got a little girl here who is not getting the right treatment.
She's been examined.
Then everything's been taken care of.
No, everything hasn't been taken care of.
They looked at her arm.
They missed what was wrong.
And your medical training would be? None.
That's why you're gonna find her.
Sorry, that's not my job.
You're a doctor.
Wrong, I'm a surgeon.
Not a detective, not a short order cook.
If you need an appointment, please call my office.
Otherwise, I'm due in surgery.
This is my appointment.
Something needs to be done, and you're gonna do it.
You're right.
I will.
Come on, guys, this isn't necessary.
Hey! Now, don't you have anything better to do? Thanks.
CHUCK: Gare, what are you doing? Taking a nap? What are you doing here? It said in the paper she was in Columbia General Hospital.
No, did you get to the airpor? Did you stop the plane? Not even close.
We couldn't get near the place.
We tried everything.
It's like something didn't want us to get there.
Then it's still going down.
We couldn't get there.
Maybe we're not supposed to, but you can.
No, I've got to get back in there.
Look, Gary, there's 190 No, I've got to get back in there.
There's a little girl in there that trusts me, and I made her a promise.
(indistinct announcement over PA) Straight.
Straight ahead.
All right, how am I doing? You're doing great.
Okay.
Uh-oh, I think we have a problem.
Big guy, 12:00.
Go! Oh, no! Help! Help! (Chuck continues moaning) I'm sick! What the hell is going on here? It's my husband, he's sick.
I'm sick.
Very sick.
I'm dying.
Don't push it.
(moaning) What's going on here? It's his, um stomach.
My head.
Uh, head.
Stomach.
It hurts.
All over, oh (Chuck moans) It's a virus! Did you see the movie Outbreak? My face is going to turn into putty.
Get him out of here before he starts a riot.
Thank you, nurse.
Nurse, where do you want me to take him? Tell someone to order him an upper and lower GI.
And give him a rectal.
What?! MAN: Been on the links lately? Shot a 71 at Belmar yesterday.
(shower running in distance) Hi.
Excuse me, that's Dr.
Connolley's locker.
Oh, yeah, I know.
He, uh, asked me to find something for him? And what would that be? His glass eye.
(woman talking in distance) (softly): Amanda? Amanda? You came back.
Yeah.
God Did you save the world? How you feeling? I'm cold.
Come on, honey, we're going to go for a little ride.
Doctor, you need some help with that? No, thanks.
Why don't you let us do that for you? Can't.
Incarcerated petunia.
What did he say? BP is 128/72.
The best things in life are free Heart rate is 89 I need money Okay, another day, another dollar.
Turn the music off, will you? Let's get Mr.
What's- His-Name to post-op.
Okay, let's talk.
Listen, Mister, you got to get out of here right now.
No, I said we're gonna talk.
This little girl's name is Amanda Bailey.
She is six-years-old.
She doesn't like orange juice, but she'll drink it.
She can curl her tongue up and spit between her two front teeth.
Her favorite teacher is Miss Padelli who teaches pottery at school.
She likes to get the clay on her fingertips.
You've got two options: You can pretend this girl's just another name, or you can save her life.
What's your choice? You're a very persistent man, Mr.
Life And Death.
Yes, I am.
You could go to jail for this.
Just look at the girl.
Not the chart.
Look at the girl.
And what would I be looking for? It's called I don't know what it's called, it's, uh you're unconscious and then you're okay.
It's called adoma, doma Epidural hematoma.
That's it.
Let's get a head CT stat, then prep her just in case.
Yes, Doctor, I'll call Radiology.
Skip the paperwork.
We need to move on this, now! And don't let me hear she got left in some hallway.
MAN: Bring the monitor down there to Radiology.
Anything else? Yeah, can you get me to the airport in a half an hour? I'm a surgeon, not a taxi service.
It's important, huh? Oh, yeah.
MAN: Doctor, she's going to Radiology now.
So is this.
(indistinct chattering) All right, on three.
One, two, three.
(indistinct chatter nearby) (birds squawking) (explosion) This yours? What's the date? Today.
No.
Take it down to the second floor, okay? Yes, sir.
Piece of cake.
Pretty close thing, though.
A few more minutes, and we'd have had some explaining to do.
I sound like a bureaucrat, don't I? Look, uh I won't pretend that I understand what's going on with you.
Something tells me I don't even want to know.
But I get the feeling that we're both in the same kind of business saving lives.
The thing is, one of us hasn't been doing his job.
Not that I'm very good at saying thanks.
But there it is.
You saved more than one life today.
No.
No, I didn't.
MARISSA: But you tried.
Yeah.
And I failed.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
It's what you said.
This is what you had to do.
And that makes it all right? You're only one guy, Gary.
Marissa, that plane went down today, and I should have been there me.
Not anyone else, but me.
No, you shouldn't.
Why? 'Cause you couldn't.
You can't do it all, Gary.
The world doesn't turn that way.
Sometimes, we Excuse me.
I'm looking for the recovery room.
It's down there.
Honey! I got here as fast I could.
Gary? Wait.
NURSE: She'll be waking up soon.
Doctor says she's going to be fine.
However, they had trouble finding you.
I was almost in Miami.
I was on the runway when they radioed me halfway through my takeoff roll.
Ten seconds later, and I would have been in the air.
Guess I was lucky.
I'd never have forgiven myself for not being here.
Mom.
Dad.
Hey, Amanda.
I broke my bike.
It's okay.
It's okay.
I'll get you a new bike.
FATHER: You're going to be fine.
MAN (on TV): Carrie.
WOMAN (on TV): I've been wanting to do that all morning, but you're so peaceful, I didn't have the heart.
MAN: You have my heart.
WOMAN: Lucky me.
So, what were you dreaming about that put such a big smile on your face? MAN: You and me.
WOMAN: Oh, yeah? You know what? I think, in the next scene, that Sammy is going find Carrie in bed with Austin and leave him flat.
Anybody want to make a little wager? A little bet? Oh, I'm in it for ten.
Ten bucks? Why don't we make it 20? Okey dokey.
All right.
20 bucks.
Good.
Anybody else? You, young lady, down at the end, you look like a gambling woman.
(over PA): Hospital anesthesiology to Four East.
Hospital anesthesiology to Four East.
Where is it? What? The paper.
Shh! Can't you see these ladies are dilating? This man has zero sensitivity.
Gare, come on, now.
You owe me.
I bent over backwards for you.
Look.
CHUCK: Like the man said I think it was me everybody makes choices.
Cab, mister? Hey, cabbie, bud? Cabbie? No, I think I'll walk, thanks.
Some you make because you want to.
Say Abe Lincoln for president.
No-brainer.
Sorry.
You lost again.
Yep.
(doorbells jingling) Mostly, though, it's a matter of guesswork.
Going with your gut.
(knock at door) (knocking) I'm sorry to bother you, Mr.
Hobson, but I wanted to tell you I left that book on your table.
Found it in the trash downstairs.
(voice fades) It's hard on the nerves.
Really, all you can do is give it a shot.
And hope to God it turns out right.
(meowing) (meowing)
That's the American way.
It's in the Constitution.
Every shlub has a boat.
You get up in the morning, you decide what to wear.
What to eat.
What to waste your money on.
You go with what you know, which usually ain't much.
But what if you knew what you knew before you actually knew it? If that's confusing, so is getting tomorrow's paper today.
The point being, sometimes the choice is easy.
And sometimes you don't have one at all.
Hold it! Everybody just stay where you are now.
MAN: Move.
WOMAN: I got to get through.
MAN: Hey, what's the problem? (indistinct crowd chatter) (machine whirring) MAN: Excuse me, please, let me get by.
(engine sputtering) MAN: Hey.
(rope creaking) Oh! Oh! WOMAN: Oh! WOMAN: Get it to go! We don't have time! MAN: Yeah, all right.
Amazing.
WOMAN: Are you okay? Yeah.
(man laughing in distance) (theme music playing) CHUCK: What would you do if you got tomorrow's news today? CHUCK: What time is it? GARY: About 8:00.
It ought to be here by now.
GARY: Don't worry, it'll come.
I don't see anything.
That's because it never comes when you're looking.
What's the big deal about today, anyway? I'll tell you the big deal.
I lost another hundred bucks last night, and it's your fault.
Mine? Oh, no one told you to bet on the Cubs.
The Cubs stink.
No one told me not to, either.
No one who knew they'd blow a five-run lead in the ninth.
I'm going broke getting rich.
Come on, buddy.
You got to help me out here.
Besides, aren't you the least bit curious of where this thing comes from? Huh? How it gets here? Of course I am.
So? When I find out, I'll tell you.
Terrific.
That's perfect, you know that? Ah! The greatest boon to mankind since non-taxable income, and who does it come to? A guy who buys lottery tickets and doesn't cheat.
A guy who still washes his own shirts.
What's wrong with that? It's been a week since this thing's been coming to you, and what have you done with it? Nothing.
Okay, okay, so you saved a few lives.
You stopped that bank robbery, and you rescued that trailer park from the tornado.
But the question is, when are you gonna do something for Gare? Like what? For starters, finding a new place to live.
What's wrong with this place? It's a dump.
All right.
One day in the market, you could buy yourself a palace.
A place with a swimming pool, a yard and a satellite dish.
No, thanks.
Oh! All I'm saying is, do whatever you have to do, but then, do something for yourself.
And while you're at it, something out of it for, you know, me.
No.
I don't think it works that way.
Why not? Because it just doesn't work that It's Friday don't you have to go to work? No, it's company picnic.
Last year, I got ptomaine poisoning.
No way I'm going back.
(cat mewing) (paper thudding against door) (cat yowls) Yes! Right on time, right on schedule.
(meows) A little miracle at our door.
One might even venture to say, a gift.
So, uh, when do we open her up? Not we.
Me and Marissa at breakfast.
Oh, great.
I'll join you.
I'm starving.
You're not invited.
All right, I'll tell you what.
Give me the sports pages, and I'll be on my way.
Nope.
What about the front page? Come on, just a peek at the front page.
(cat yowls) Sorry.
Oh, great.
The cat, you give milk to.
Me, you give nothing.
Come on, Gare, just throw me a bone.
Give me the horoscope.
Or the funny pages.
Shut the door when you leave.
How about the soap opera listings? I can work with that.
(elevator bell dings) The obituaries? I love the obits.
Gare? (meows) Hope it's sour.
(meows) (elevator bell dings) Good morning.
Not today.
Congestion.
Must be conventions or something.
WOMAN: Gary? Marcia.
Hi.
(clears throat) What are you doing here? Well, I heard this is where you lived.
I mean, now that you Don't live with you.
It's nice.
Oh, yeah, it's So how are you? Oh, you know, getting a divorce, but I think you knew that.
Anyway, I was, um, cleaning out the house.
I'm I'm moving, you know.
It's a little big now, and Anyway, I just found something of yours.
Something you didn't throw out of the window? This book Lost Chicago.
It was up on the bookshelf behind some other books.
No, I've never seen that before in my life.
Well, it's got your name in it.
It's probably from an old girlfriend or something.
(laughs) Anyway, here you are.
Thanks.
Guess I'm gonna have to walk.
All this traffic, I'm not gonna get a cab.
(overlapping chatter) Hey, want to watch where you're going? Sorry.
I didn't see you.
Yeah, well, it's a city, pal.
Sidewalks, people.
I said I was sorry.
Try keeping your eyes open.
(horns honking) GARY: She gets sideswiped by a car, a hit-and-run.
Does it say what time? Around 1:00.
Someone calls 911, but the ambulance gets tied up in the traffic.
They radio back, but the call gets lost in the shuffle.
Right through the cracks.
So, before anyone realizes, it's too late.
She dies at Columbia General Hospital of internal injuries.
Amanda Bailey, age six.
So, what are you gonna do? What, do I have a choice? Well, let's see.
You could go to the movies instead or buy some popcorn and feed the pigeons.
You get a real kick out of this, don't you? Kind of.
Don't you? No, I don't.
What would you rather be doing? Have a life, a real life.
Boring.
And a job.
So get one.
Oh, sure.
I'll do that this afternoon when I have some free time.
You just won't give into this, will you? You know, Gary, there are so many people in this world that would be thrilled to have an opportunity like yours.
Yeah? Like who? Okay, here's the deal.
I just got off the phone with my bookie.
He's willing to lay me three-to-one odds, the Mets over the Cubs.
What do you say? Come on, just give me a hint.
I'll give half the money to charity.
Chuck, I'm not giving you the score.
That a way.
Mind your own rump.
I am also not gonna let this paper run my life.
I may not be able to stop it from coming, but I can damn well choose what it makes me do.
Oh, my God, this is bad.
What? The traffic? CHUCK: The headline changed.
Gary, what is it? This wasn't here before.
Yeah? Well, it is now, big guy.
"Global Airlines, Flight 29, bound for Miami, "went down in flames yesterday afternoon "shortly after takeoff from Chicago.
"The plane, filled with tourists on their way to the Florida sun, "disappeared from radar screens at exactly 2:00, "just seconds after lifting from the runway.
"The passenger list included prominent businessmen, "ordinary families, "and at least one child traveling alone, "plus a flight crew of 12.
(birds squawking) "Airline officials suspect a flock of birds in the area "may have fouled the engines, "causing the jet to plunge from the sky.
(birds screeching) "By late afternoon, "rescue workers were still combing the wreckage, "desperately searching for signs of life.
(indistinct radio communication) (siren blaring) "But little hope was held out for any of the nearly So, what'll it be? Huh? Have you made your choice? MARISSA: What time does this thing happen? Good.
We can make the airport by then.
And what do we do when we get there? You'll think of something.
Thanks.
(cars honking) Holy cow.
Look at this.
MAN: move your car.
Let's go.
Geez.
What's going on? Is the Pope in town? Chuck, find us a cab, okay? MAN: Move it! What do I look like, a doorman? Well, I wouldn't be surprised.
MAN: That's right, that's right Yo, taxi.
(whistling) Yo! How come it's me that has to come up with the explanations? Why don't they just publish it in here? Well, then you wouldn't feel needed.
CHUCK: Hey, over here.
You owe me big, pal.
I had to Excuse me.
What are you doing? Hey? Columbia General.
What are you doing? What's your problem? What's my problem? This is my cab.
I don't think so.
I think it's his.
(chuckles) I see.
A comedian.
No.
Surgeon.
Oh, yeah? Well, I wouldn't let you operate on my coccyx, now, get out.
I had it first.
Congratulations.
What are you, a doorman? All right, look, guy, the truth is, it's not for me, it's for her, okay? And she's Blind? Bunions.
A severe case.
Uh-huh.
Tell her to stay off her feet.
Hey! Get out of the hack, now! Chuck? Chuck! Look, we need this cab.
Why? Well, be it's a matter of life and death, that's why.
Really? Really.
Call an ambulance.
Hey! Columbia General, please.
CHUCK: Hey.
Hey! Whatever happened to common courtesy? I hope you cut yourself! (clamoring, horns honking) Chuck, I need a quarter.
Me? I'm out.
in the lottery, Yes, I need the number you got to take my two bits.
for Global Airlines, please.
Here.
I want it back.
This ought to be good.
What are you gonna tell them? There's birds on the runway? Hey, why don't you ask them for tomorrow's Cub scores while you're at it.
Oh, that's helpful.
Tell them we're from the FAA and that we need to make a spot check, and that way they got to ground all the airplanes.
Just a thought.
Welcome to Global Airlines.
Yes, I have some information Push one for general information.
about Flight 29.
Two for scheduling.
Three for operator assistance.
Three.
Three.
All circuits are busy.
Please try again.
The circuits are busy.
All circuits are busy Stupid machines! I'm telling you, they never should have broken up Ma Bell.
Please try again.
Okay, so what do we do now? We still have reason to, uh, question his credibility.
Yeah, what do you think? All right, I'll tell Excuse me.
Detective Tagliatti, please.
Who? Detective Tagliatti.
Her office is right down there.
Not anymore.
What? Busted to foot patrol.
She swallowed some story by some nut who claimed he could see the future.
Didn't sit well with the boss.
Psst! (whispering): Hey, Starsky.
Psst.
If I may, a suggestion, do not mention the paper.
He has to mention the paper.
How else are they gonna believe him? An anonymous note tied to a rock.
Crude, but effective.
Brilliant.
Thank you.
You there? You want to lodge a complaint? Uh Yes, we are.
We are? Who are you filing against? Uh, Global Airlines.
They stole our luggage.
You mean, they lost it? No.
They stole it.
Grand theft luggage.
And what exactly do you want us to do about that? Simple.
Ground that 2:00 flight.
Those bags could be on it.
Is she serious? CHUCK: Some would think so, yes.
Look.
You guys figure it out, okay? Look, forget that.
This is an emergency.
Naturally.
Look, all right, look.
I need to speak to the guy in charge.
No, you don't.
Yes, I do.
Believe me, you don't.
Yes, I do.
Listen.
I got to speak to him.
Now.
Suit yourself.
(clears throat) Uh, Detective Crumb? What? There's someone here to see you.
You.
What the hell is he doing here? He has a problem.
What kind of problem? There's a plane full of luggage.
Luggage? It's gonna crash.
When? That would be 2:00, when? Today? Tomorrow? A year from now? Look, Detective No.
You look! You see this gray hair? This is you.
Thanks to your little stunt last week, half of my staff is gone.
Not now! And now you want me to swallow some half-assed crab-brain story about a, a plane full of luggage? Yes.
Except there is no luggage.
OFFICER: So what do you want me to do? Take him out back and shoot him.
Proceed.
I hope he cuts himself shaving.
A nice, long, deep cut ear to ear.
I told you it was a waste of time.
What are we gonna do now? Don't panic.
We can still make it by 2:00.
How are we gonna get there? Simple.
We'll hop on the Alp.
Wait! Hold it! Stop! Oh! What time's your next train? Every five minutes.
When they're running on time.
What about today? Could be up to a half hour.
This is crazy.
We're running around in circles.
What the hell's going on? WOMAN: Decay in the infrastructure.
Thanks.
Maybe it's trying to tell you something.
It? The paper? Like what? Like, buy a helicopter; My feet are killing me.
That's not what I mean.
I mean maybe there's a way to stop that plane without actually being there.
CHUCK: Why don't you send him one of those telepathic brain waves? Oh, that's brilliant.
I thought so.
You would think so.
Oh, here comes another one, now, let's go.
About time.
CHUCK: All right, Gary, come on, now, let's go (light squeaking) CHUCK: Gare, what are you waiting for? Gare? Gare, get on the train.
I can't.
We have to go now.
Hey, hold it! Gary? Gary, what are you doing? Amanda! Amanda! Amanda! (tires squealing) No! No! (horn honking) MAN: What happened? Is she all right? WOMAN: Somebody do something.
Help her.
(car horns honking) (indistinct PA announcement) Amanda? Amanda? What happened? You were in an accident, honey.
Uh-oh.
Anyone hurt? Well It was a new bike.
My dad got it for me.
Do I know you? No, not exactly.
But you know me.
Kind of.
I got it.
She needs help.
Yeah.
I just called 911.
They'll be here right away.
No, they won't.
They're not gonna make it here in time.
What do you mean? It's 911.
Listen, she needs to get to a hospital now.
Me? I'm not moving her.
She could be hurt.
Listen, I don't have time to explain.
I got to be somewhere.
You got to get her to the emergency room.
Oh, no, you're supposed to leave the victim right there.
Don't you ever watch Chicago Hope? (bystanders murmuring in agreement) WOMAN: Leave her be.
Excuse me.
Hey! How you feeling, honey? My arm hurts.
Uh-huh.
Is that bad? Nah.
Truth? We'll have to see, okay? What time is it now? You just asked me that.
I know.
You're right.
Now I'm asking again.
Good.
We can still make it to the airport.
Yeah, and then what? And then we stop the plane.
Uh-huh.
And how are we gonna do that? I don't know, but we're gonna.
That's it? That's your plan? "I don't know, but we're gonna"? Great.
I need some help, here.
I need some help.
Hey, you're telling me.
Do you know where you are? The hospital.
You're gonna be just fine.
Take her to registration.
We need a med tech, here.
What is going on here today? Listen (overlapping chatter, PA announcement) Excuse me, she's been in an accident.
Name? Bailey.
Amanda Bailey.
Address? I don't know the address.
Are you the father? No, listen, can we do this later? She needs to see someone right away.
How're you doing, honey? My arm hurts.
Well, we'll be sure and fix that, hmm? It's not just her arm.
There's something more serious than that.
You're a doctor? No, I'm not.
Not the doctor, not the father.
Listen, I know what's going on.
If you could just Have a seat over there.
If you could just Someone will be with you right away.
Don't worry.
Things will work out.
Huh? It's a hospital.
They'll fix everything.
MARISSA: We'll say there's a bomb.
What? That way, they'll delay the flight in time that it takes to Let me just stop you right there, okay? You're out of your mind.
Why? Why? News flash.
There's only one reason to give an airline a bomb threat.
That is when there's an actual bomb on the plane.
Otherwise, they tend to over react.
Like, put you in prison, like, forever.
I get it.
Good.
No guts.
Excuse me? You heard me.
It's okay to use a newspaper to cash in on the stock market, but All right, you know what, I resent that.
You do, do you? Yes, I do.
Just because I have a halfway practical view of the universe Ha! And you, you still believe in the tooth fairy.
Coward.
Why don't you go polish some crystals? Capitalist pig.
I just don't understand why we have to do it.
Because, Gary can't be there, and we can.
(thudding) Oh, no.
MAN (over P.
A.
): Attention, we have been advised there has been an unexplained power failure in this area of the city.
I wish I could see Wrigley Field from here.
Attention, do not attempt to evacuate the train.
(baby crying) (indistinct chatter) Excuse me.
Can we get a doctor here? WOMAN: I'm sorry, we're doing the best we can.
You have to be somewhere, don't you? What? Someone else to save? What makes you say that? WOMAN: Amanda Bailey.
WOMAN (over P.
A.
): Dr.
Raymond, NICU She was in an accident? Hit and run.
She was on a bicycle.
Gino, where am I gonna put her? Three.
There's somebody in number three.
GINO: Anywhere you can find then.
Anyway, she was on her bicycle Hurt your arm, did you? No, it's not her arm.
There's something else.
I explained all this at the front desk.
Well, if there's something else there, we will find it.
Look, maybe there's a doctor, someone I could talk to? Somebody who knows what's going on around here.
Listen, I'm sorry, sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave now.
Ira.
It says there that you are not her father.
Oh, no, I'm not leaving this room until We really need you out here.
All right.
Look, you have done everything you could.
You got her here, there's nothing more you can do.
Go on with your life.
And, Gino, let's get started looking for this girl's folks.
AMANDA: Hey.
WOMAN (over P.
A.
): EKG technician to Six West Nurses' Station.
EKG technician to Six West Nurses' Station.
Listen, kiddo, I got to get going.
Promise you'll come back.
Yeah, I promise.
I'll be brave.
All right, you be brave.
I hope they made it.
Everybody off the train, please.
Okay, let's go.
Move it along.
Come on, folks.
Everybody off.
Move it along.
Move it along.
Excuse me.
Yes? We need to get to the airport.
Good luck, lady.
Power's out in this whole part of the city.
Nothing's coming this direction.
Then how are we supposed to get there? Take a cab.
Move it along.
Our tax dollars at work.
Now what do we do? Guess we got to find Gary.
Yeah.
DRIVER: Where to? Airport, I got 40 minutes.
(laughing): Hey, what dream you livin' in? Just drive the cab.
RADIO ANNOUNCER: power outages sporadically on the El.
And electrical lines are down on Grove Street between Scott Avenue and Tower Road.
"Hospital neglect"? (indistinct announcement over P.
A.
) Where is she? You again? Where is she? Gino, the little girl that was in seven, what happened? They moved her till they find the parents.
Moved her where? Beats me.
Did they look at her head? She's been examined.
Did they look at her head? Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't just go wandering around Doctor? Sir! Sir.
Doctor? Well, well.
Oh, boy.
Mr.
Life And Death, what brings you to our humble establishment? Look, I'm sorry about the cab this morning, but I need your help.
Now, you've got a little girl here who is not getting the right treatment.
She's been examined.
Then everything's been taken care of.
No, everything hasn't been taken care of.
They looked at her arm.
They missed what was wrong.
And your medical training would be? None.
That's why you're gonna find her.
Sorry, that's not my job.
You're a doctor.
Wrong, I'm a surgeon.
Not a detective, not a short order cook.
If you need an appointment, please call my office.
Otherwise, I'm due in surgery.
This is my appointment.
Something needs to be done, and you're gonna do it.
You're right.
I will.
Come on, guys, this isn't necessary.
Hey! Now, don't you have anything better to do? Thanks.
CHUCK: Gare, what are you doing? Taking a nap? What are you doing here? It said in the paper she was in Columbia General Hospital.
No, did you get to the airpor? Did you stop the plane? Not even close.
We couldn't get near the place.
We tried everything.
It's like something didn't want us to get there.
Then it's still going down.
We couldn't get there.
Maybe we're not supposed to, but you can.
No, I've got to get back in there.
Look, Gary, there's 190 No, I've got to get back in there.
There's a little girl in there that trusts me, and I made her a promise.
(indistinct announcement over PA) Straight.
Straight ahead.
All right, how am I doing? You're doing great.
Okay.
Uh-oh, I think we have a problem.
Big guy, 12:00.
Go! Oh, no! Help! Help! (Chuck continues moaning) I'm sick! What the hell is going on here? It's my husband, he's sick.
I'm sick.
Very sick.
I'm dying.
Don't push it.
(moaning) What's going on here? It's his, um stomach.
My head.
Uh, head.
Stomach.
It hurts.
All over, oh (Chuck moans) It's a virus! Did you see the movie Outbreak? My face is going to turn into putty.
Get him out of here before he starts a riot.
Thank you, nurse.
Nurse, where do you want me to take him? Tell someone to order him an upper and lower GI.
And give him a rectal.
What?! MAN: Been on the links lately? Shot a 71 at Belmar yesterday.
(shower running in distance) Hi.
Excuse me, that's Dr.
Connolley's locker.
Oh, yeah, I know.
He, uh, asked me to find something for him? And what would that be? His glass eye.
(woman talking in distance) (softly): Amanda? Amanda? You came back.
Yeah.
God Did you save the world? How you feeling? I'm cold.
Come on, honey, we're going to go for a little ride.
Doctor, you need some help with that? No, thanks.
Why don't you let us do that for you? Can't.
Incarcerated petunia.
What did he say? BP is 128/72.
The best things in life are free Heart rate is 89 I need money Okay, another day, another dollar.
Turn the music off, will you? Let's get Mr.
What's- His-Name to post-op.
Okay, let's talk.
Listen, Mister, you got to get out of here right now.
No, I said we're gonna talk.
This little girl's name is Amanda Bailey.
She is six-years-old.
She doesn't like orange juice, but she'll drink it.
She can curl her tongue up and spit between her two front teeth.
Her favorite teacher is Miss Padelli who teaches pottery at school.
She likes to get the clay on her fingertips.
You've got two options: You can pretend this girl's just another name, or you can save her life.
What's your choice? You're a very persistent man, Mr.
Life And Death.
Yes, I am.
You could go to jail for this.
Just look at the girl.
Not the chart.
Look at the girl.
And what would I be looking for? It's called I don't know what it's called, it's, uh you're unconscious and then you're okay.
It's called adoma, doma Epidural hematoma.
That's it.
Let's get a head CT stat, then prep her just in case.
Yes, Doctor, I'll call Radiology.
Skip the paperwork.
We need to move on this, now! And don't let me hear she got left in some hallway.
MAN: Bring the monitor down there to Radiology.
Anything else? Yeah, can you get me to the airport in a half an hour? I'm a surgeon, not a taxi service.
It's important, huh? Oh, yeah.
MAN: Doctor, she's going to Radiology now.
So is this.
(indistinct chattering) All right, on three.
One, two, three.
(indistinct chatter nearby) (birds squawking) (explosion) This yours? What's the date? Today.
No.
Take it down to the second floor, okay? Yes, sir.
Piece of cake.
Pretty close thing, though.
A few more minutes, and we'd have had some explaining to do.
I sound like a bureaucrat, don't I? Look, uh I won't pretend that I understand what's going on with you.
Something tells me I don't even want to know.
But I get the feeling that we're both in the same kind of business saving lives.
The thing is, one of us hasn't been doing his job.
Not that I'm very good at saying thanks.
But there it is.
You saved more than one life today.
No.
No, I didn't.
MARISSA: But you tried.
Yeah.
And I failed.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
It's what you said.
This is what you had to do.
And that makes it all right? You're only one guy, Gary.
Marissa, that plane went down today, and I should have been there me.
Not anyone else, but me.
No, you shouldn't.
Why? 'Cause you couldn't.
You can't do it all, Gary.
The world doesn't turn that way.
Sometimes, we Excuse me.
I'm looking for the recovery room.
It's down there.
Honey! I got here as fast I could.
Gary? Wait.
NURSE: She'll be waking up soon.
Doctor says she's going to be fine.
However, they had trouble finding you.
I was almost in Miami.
I was on the runway when they radioed me halfway through my takeoff roll.
Ten seconds later, and I would have been in the air.
Guess I was lucky.
I'd never have forgiven myself for not being here.
Mom.
Dad.
Hey, Amanda.
I broke my bike.
It's okay.
It's okay.
I'll get you a new bike.
FATHER: You're going to be fine.
MAN (on TV): Carrie.
WOMAN (on TV): I've been wanting to do that all morning, but you're so peaceful, I didn't have the heart.
MAN: You have my heart.
WOMAN: Lucky me.
So, what were you dreaming about that put such a big smile on your face? MAN: You and me.
WOMAN: Oh, yeah? You know what? I think, in the next scene, that Sammy is going find Carrie in bed with Austin and leave him flat.
Anybody want to make a little wager? A little bet? Oh, I'm in it for ten.
Ten bucks? Why don't we make it 20? Okey dokey.
All right.
20 bucks.
Good.
Anybody else? You, young lady, down at the end, you look like a gambling woman.
(over PA): Hospital anesthesiology to Four East.
Hospital anesthesiology to Four East.
Where is it? What? The paper.
Shh! Can't you see these ladies are dilating? This man has zero sensitivity.
Gare, come on, now.
You owe me.
I bent over backwards for you.
Look.
CHUCK: Like the man said I think it was me everybody makes choices.
Cab, mister? Hey, cabbie, bud? Cabbie? No, I think I'll walk, thanks.
Some you make because you want to.
Say Abe Lincoln for president.
No-brainer.
Sorry.
You lost again.
Yep.
(doorbells jingling) Mostly, though, it's a matter of guesswork.
Going with your gut.
(knock at door) (knocking) I'm sorry to bother you, Mr.
Hobson, but I wanted to tell you I left that book on your table.
Found it in the trash downstairs.
(voice fades) It's hard on the nerves.
Really, all you can do is give it a shot.
And hope to God it turns out right.
(meowing) (meowing)