Emergency! (1972–1979): Season 1, Episode 7 - Publicity Hound - full transcript

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Hey, Gage, you read
this morning's paper?

Does it look like
I've had the chance?

Your Irish stew boiled
over, remember?

Well, that's not all
that's been cooking.

Wouldn't you know
it, he did it again.

Who did what?

Mr. Wonderful. Tom Wheeler,
the world's greatest paramedic

from Station 110.

(Roy) Hmm.

"Paramedic rescues child."

You know, that's the third time this
month Wheeler's made the paper.



A child stuck in a tree,
that's great human interest.

Yeah.

The question is, how come
you guys never get written up?

Do you know what we were doing

at the same time he was making
that big spectacular rescue?

That's not the
point, Gage, my boy.

It's what you weren't doing.

You, uh, notice who wrote it.

Oh, none other than Carl Evans.

Mmm.

Evans must have
a thing for Wheeler.

You tell me which
makes a better news story.

A 20-foot tree

or a ZOO-foot
cracking tower with



a cardiac arrest
halfway down the inside?

I don't know, Johnny.

Give me a minute
to think about that.

[alarm ringing]

(dispatcher) Squad 51, meet
Engine 110 at the Station Dock.

Boating accident
with unknown injuries,

Squad 110 is not
available. Time out 9:10.

Squad 51, 10-4.

Not only does Wheeler
get another publicity,

we're taking all
of his calls now.

The victim won't care
whether it's Wheeler or us.

Maybe old news-nose
Evans will catch you in action.

Don't count on it.

We will watch out for you.

[ambulance siren wailing]

[siren wailing]

(John) Squad 51 at Station 110.

(dispatcher) Squad
51, time 9:15.

(Curtis) We've got a
schooner two miles out

coming back from Catalina.

From what we can get, one of
the crew has a bad head injury.

I'll get the splint box here.

Is there a boat on its way in?

They're becalmed and
the engine's conked out.

I've got a harbor
patrol boat standing by.

(John) Where's Wheeler?

(Curtis) They had a run,
uh, about five minutes

before we got the
call on this one.

Some kid injured.

Uh, her finger is stuck in
the handlebars on her bicycle.

Okay. Okay.

[siren wailing]

Uh, this is del
Rey Harbor Patrol

calling schooner Isabel.

Come in, Isabel.

(Andy) This is the
schooner Isabel. Over,

Isabel, we just
cleared the breakwater.

And we're steering
a heading of 180.

Can you give us your
approximate position? Over.

I'd like to, but this is the
first time I've been out.

Isabel, can you see land?

Yeah. We're pointing right at

a wide piece of bare land,

There are a bunch of
houses on each side of it.

LAX runway.

Scan left about 15 degrees.

[siren wailing]

Got it. Black
hull, it's a big one.

Isabel, we have you
sighted. Stand by.

(Andy) Make it quick,

I don't know how long
he's gonna last up there.

What did he mean by that?

Just what he said, take a look.

[siren continues wailing]

[siren blaring]

What happened?

Well, when the wind
died, Don, he's the skipper,

he wanted to drop the sails, they
were flopping around too much.

Anyway, the main halyard got
stuck up in that block up there,

and he went up to free it.

That's when he got it.

The, uh, gaff came swinging
down and caught him in the head.

You're not the
whole crew, are you?

Oh, I might as well be.
The other's below, seasick.

I tried to free him,
I got a piece of line

and tied him to the
rigging, the best I could.

Do you have any kind
of hoist chair aboard?

Yeah, I think he
called it a bosun's chair.

It's in the back cabin.

I'll go up and
check on the patient.

If we can get that
jammed block loose

and drop that sail,

we can use the
tackle to get him down.

I'll buy that.

We had three great
days at the isthmus.

It's hard to believe
it'd end up like this.

Three-man crew on
a 90-foot schooner,

two of them inexperienced,

no, it's not hard
to believe at all.

[seagulls cawing]

[groaning]

Get his head up here.

Right pupil slightly dilated.

Left pupil is all the way down.

We better hurry.

[panting] Okay.

Put this bosun's
chair around him.

Okay.

We're gonna need a neck splint.

Can you get me a neck
splint out of that black box?

Yeah, that's the one, and
the air pump along with it.

[seagulls cawing]

Okay.

Okay.

Here you are.

[metallic clinking]

Okay, I'll loosen this block.

Watch it!

[metallic clattering]

Okay, even it out.

Can you get off?

Yeah. But I'd
better ride it down.

Better let her down even.

He's in and out of coma.

Johnny has immobilized his head.

Once we get him down we
can hook a block to that boom.

It will hold the stokes to
get him into that rescue boat.

I was afraid for a second
there we'd be mopping you up.

Yeah. The same
thing crossed my mind.

[pulley squeaking]

[John panting]

(Roy) How is he doing?

Worse.

Respiration slow.
Pulse about 60.

He keeps drifting in and out.

Time's everything,

and he picks the middle of
the ocean to get clobbered.

I'll use this line
underneath his bosun's chair

as a foothold to carry
him on the way down.

Uh-uh. I'll do it.

Didn't anyone ever tell you
about the hazards of volunteering?

Tell me about it sometime.

(Roy) Okay, bring him down.

(John) Put that
stretcher right below us.

[seagulls cawing]

[sighs]

Lay him on his
side, face downward.

Isn't that kind of
uncomfortable for him?

Probably, but if we
keep him from aspirating

it'll save his life.

You mean it's that bad?
He's really hurt that bad?

Maybe I should've
let you ride down.

Yeah, tell me about it sometime.

We'll give him a thorough
examination on the way in.

Right now, time
is most important.

[man chattering on radio]

Where are you taking him?

Rampart Emergency.

What about us, the boat?

Well, a harbor
patrol will pick you up.

And my able crew.

That's what you medical
types call "aspirating?"

Oh, she'll survive.

But my partner, I'm not so sure.

[siren wailing]

(Roy) Rampart Base,
this is Rescue 51.

Rampart Base, this is Rescue 51,

Go ahead, 51.

Rampart, we have a male victim,

approximate age 25,

He's suffered a severe
blow on the head.

Vital signs are: blood pressure

140 over 70.

Pulse rate 55, respiration 8.

The left pupil is normal,

the right pupil
is slightly dilated.

Still reactive, however.

The patient is drifting
in and out of coma.

51, check for blood
or cerebral spinal fluid

in the nose and ears.

Rampart, negative on the fluid.

10-4, 51. Start a slow
drip, intravenous D5W.

Administer no other drugs
and get him in here fast.

10-4, ETA is
approximately 25 minutes.

25 minutes. Where are you?

Rescue 51, we are
approximately one mile

west of the Marina
del Rey breakwater.

10-4, 51. Do the best you can.

What those two don't get into.

And they have a patient with
increasing intracranial pressure

that just might need
every bit of that 25 minutes.

Okay, what's first?

Joe Early.

He's taking some
interns through the paces.

Get him in here, tell
him to bring his students,

they just might learn something.

Then have x-ray set
up a full skull series,

echoencephalogram
and carotid angiography.

We'll take him in
Emergency Treatment first.

Have them ready for
intubation, if necessary.

Where do I find you?

In my office.

That other problem hasn't
gone away yet, remember?

Oh, yeah.

Mr. J. P. Dumont.

The same.

(Dixie) Take it easy, Kell.

He's one very influential man.

Funny, I'm not impressed.

Kell, I'm serious.

He's still flinching at the way
you treated him yesterday.

That man can cause a lot of
trouble for you and the hospital.

What do you suggest I do,

bow, scrape, and
beg his forgiveness?

No, just be charming,
diplomatic, and warm.

Sorry, they didn't teach those
subjects in medical school.

Not subjects, Kell. Virtues.

Okay, I'll try.

Okay.

Morning, Mr. Dumont.

Oh, is it still morning?

You kept me waiting so long

I thought it must be
afternoon by now.

Sorry, I was busy
with my patients.

I'm not here for anything,
doctor, except an explanation

for your outrageous
conduct yesterday.

There seems to be a difference of
opinion about yesterday, Mr. Dumont.

As I recall, it was your attitude
that created the disturbance.

And I'm not here
to argue, Brackett,

you have two choices:

an apology and an explanation

to my associates who
were here with me yesterday

or the biggest malpractice
suit ever slapped on a doctor

in the history of medicine.

Let's get something straight.

There's nothing
to apologize for,

I gave you facts.

It's unfortunate that you chose to
bring the subject up in the presence

of your associates.

Now, wait a minute.
No, you wait a minute.

I don't know what it
is with you, Dumont.

You're either
stubborn or stupid,

if you can't face the fact
that your son is an epileptic.

He is not an epileptic! He is.

Look, there's nothing
to be ashamed of,

recognize it, live with it.

Learn to understand that it's
an illness like anything else.

You don't know that.

You're using it as an excuse

to cover up your
total incompetence.

My so-called total incompetence

pulled him thorough a
very dangerous situation.

Why don't you swallow some
of that false pride of yours?

Had you answered
me truthfully yesterday

your son would have never
undergone respiratory arrest.

Oh, that's it, Brackett.
Pass the buck.

Who gave him the drugs that
caused him to stop breathing?

Diazepam is routinely used
by doctors all over the world

to relieve convulsions
and seizures.

But first, we check
the patient's history,

which I did.

I asked you if your son was
subject to seizures. You asked...

I asked you if your son was taking
any medication like Diazepam.

You lied to me. Just a min...

Your son told me
himself this morning.

Five milligrams of diazepam

two hours before he was
brought in here seizing.

Sure he underwent
respiratory arrest.

That five, with the
dose I gave him,

would put anybody
into respiratory arrest.

The point is, Dumont,

I wouldn't have given
him one milligram

had you told me what
you knew to be the truth.

Had you not been ashamed
to admit in front of your friends

that your son is sick.

Are you quite through, Brackett?

Are you convinced, Dumont?

Yes, I'm convinced

that you're an incompetent,
completely unreliable,

liar of the greatest magnitude.

You'll hear from my attorney,

Doctor.

That boat skipper isn't
gonna be too happy

when he wakes up
and finds out he's bald.

Let's just hope he wakes up.

I understand you
have gone Navy on us.

Not by choice.

What's with him?

He was seasick.
He's still upset about it.

Yeah, we got stuck with
the job because Squad 110

was tied up on
another major case.

Something about, uh,

a kid with his fingers
stuck in a handlebar.

Oh, yeah, I heard about it.

Oh.

Yeah, I saw them on
the way to the cafeteria

with that, uh,
newsman. Carl Evans?

(woman on PA system)
Dr. Smith, administrator's office.

Has Dr. Early come in yet?

Yeah, they just finished
the skull series inside.

Thank you.

Come on.

The cafeteria?

I wouldn't miss it.

And to be quite honest, it
stumped me for a minute.

How do you get
a little girl's finger

out of a handlebar?

(Evans) I'm with
you. What happened?

I tried ice but, uh,

the suction was too
tight, so that didn't work.

You were really stuck,
weren't you, hon?

[woman chattering on PA system]

Hold it up.

Aren't you going to join
in on the festivities, Kirk?

It's not my bag, Gage,
but you know Tom.

Yeah, do I.

How is she?

Yeah, she broke her finger when it, uh,
first got stuck, but she'll be all right.

Good excuse to
get Carl down here

for a few pictures, right?

Come on, don't give me the heat.

He's the publicity freak.

Good shot. Go ahead.
What else happened?

Well, that's when
I had the big idea.

You see, we use this syringe
and cannula to start IVs.

Mmm-hmm.

So what I did was I
removed the needle

and then I inserted the cannula

in between the
handlebar and her finger.

Yeah, but what good did that do?

The best is yet to come.

You see, I used soap.

I mixed up a batch
of surgical soap,

then I hooked the
syringe to the cannula,

pushed the soap out between
the handlebar and her finger.

That's all. Her
finger popped out.

Hey, that's beautiful.

Pick Teresa up, will you?

Hold the handlebars,
too. Watch her finger.

All right. We'll get
another good shot.

All right, Teresa.
You all ready?

(Wheeler) Big girl.

(Evans) Let me see
your hand. Put it out there.

Let me see it. Come on. Come on.

Good girl. Oh,
it's a cute story.

Thanks very much,
Tom. See you later.

Anytime, Carl.

Good story, huh, Carl?

Oh, it's a real gasser.

Hey, how come you two
never get in on the good stuff?

Fate, I guess.

Uh, try this one on, Carl.

Wait a minute. Let
me get my book.

Go ahead.

Rescue on the high seas.

All right.

Skipper knocked
unconscious, aloft in the rigging

Mmm-hmm.

On a 90-foot cargo schooner

right out of the 18th century.

What's the skipper's name?

A fellow by the name
of, uh, Don Mathews.

Never heard of him.

Well, it's... it's the rescue
that's sensational, Carl.

There's no human interest.

Who can relate to a man
with a 90-foot schooner?

I'll see you fellows later. I gotta get
this stuff down to the desk. Take care.

That Carl's a
great guy, isn't he?

Yeah, top notch, real top notch.

Say, I want to thank you for
handling that boat rescue for me

I was kind of tied up here,

what with the accident
and pictures and all.

Yeah, we noticed.

You've been making the
papers quite a bit lately.

I'm getting to feel
like a real celebrity.

People are startin' to
recognize me these days.

You have a way
of falling into it.

Not at all, Gage.

It's what they call,
uh, "charisma."

Some of us have it...

[chuckling] And
some of us don't.

I don't know what to tell you.

(Brackett) As you
can see, Doctors,

the skull series
are all negative.

But the spinal tap, the
fluid was discolored.

That's right.

That's exactly why
we have to go further.

The point is, a negative x-ray

should never form the
basis for complacency.

Serious, even fatal
brain damage can exist

even in the absence
of an x-ray abnormality.

(Dixie) We're ready, Doctor.

This instrument is known
as an ultrasonoscope.

And this is the transmitter.

They're used in what we
call an echoencephalogram.

It's a device that
determines whether

there's been a shift
in midline structures.

Which would indicate a
space occupying lesions.

(Early) Exactly.

And diagnosed by a pulsed
beam of high-frequency sound

which is emitted
by this transmitter,

and echoes back to be recorded
on this oscillographic screen,

whenever a change of
density is encountered. Kell.

It's a simple procedure, that can
be carried out in a very short time,

without disturbing
the patient in any way.

Dr. Early will place the
transmitter at the patient's temple,

now watch the oscilloscope.

(Brackett) High spikes
are recorded on the left

and extreme right of the screen

by reflections from the
skull and temporal muscles,

midline structures
produce a smaller blip.

You see the same, Joe?

Deflection?

Check the other side.

(Brackett) Note the location
of the central blip now.

What do you think, Kell?

Let's get him into surgery fast.

A very nice job
of surgery, Doctor.

Thank you, sir.

To be perfectly frank,

I felt more like a
schoolteacher than a surgeon.

If they learned
something, it was worth it.

[woman chatters on PA system]

And what about you' We“?

You mean, did I learn something?

Not the surgery,

you could do that in your sleep.

I'm talking about
your bedside manner.

Oh, yes, that does
seem to be the subject

of considerable discussion
around here lately.

Except bedside manner
usually relates to the patient.

In this case it's
the patient's father.

You blew it, Kell,
you really blew it.

I was right, Joe.

Medically, morally,
and ethically right.

He chose the battleground.

Yes, and he's in a
position to buy and sell

that battleground,

and your job
right along with it.

If J. P. Dumont
could buy my job,

it's not worth much, is it?

It's worth plenty.

I'd hate to see you
anywhere but here.

His attorney called me.
He's a friend of mine.

And?

He's kind of in the middle.

He doesn't want
to lose a client,

but at the same time, he
knows what a hothead Dumont is.

I'll agree with that.

The whole point is, Kell,

this whole thing could
have been avoided.

Oh. How?

I know you. I know
you so well, Kell.

As a matter of fact,

you and Dumont
have a lot in common.

You're both hotheads.

There's a difference, Joe.

I'm right, he's wrong.

I don't care. Let him sue.

After it's over with, we
will see who's on top.

I'll stack that courtroom
with so many medical experts,

it'll take a month to
read the transcripts.

Oh? Since when have
you become so affluent

that you can afford
the expense of a trial,

not to mention the notoriety?

There's a thing called
principle involved here, too, Joe.

And so many people get
tromped on in the process,

the hospital, other
doctors, reputations.

It's not worth it, Kell.

You're not suggesting I
make that public apology

he wants, are you?

I'd like to talk to him, Kell.

I'd like to set the
record straight for you.

I tried that once
myself. He won't listen.

Will you give me the chance?

Charming, diplomatic, and warm.

Hmm?

Uh, it was something Dixie said.

Smart girl.

What do you say?

[sighing]

All right, Dr. Early.

Go ahead, turn on the charm.

Hey, where you going? It
doesn't have to be right this minute.

Yes, it does. He's
waiting for my call.

You mean, you... All I needed
was your permission. I've got it.

I'll have him here in an hour.

Like I said, you're
a very smart girl.

[woman chattering on PA system]

What was that all about?

Would you believe
a lesson in charm,

diplomacy and warmth

all mixed in with
a good con job?

No, I haven't.

He doesn't hang around
here much, you know?

Oh, I will.

I certainly wouldn't want
you to miss your big chance.

What was that all about?

Stars, stage, screen, and
Carl Evans' distorted idea

of what a good news story is.

Tom Wheeler.

The one and only.

Would you like to guess at

what that phone
call was all about?

He'll tell us, anyway.

He was scouting
around for Carl Evans.

Said he had a good
news story for him.

Sounds more like
he's rubbing it in.

Yeah, but he's
not getting to me.

He isn't, huh?

[scoffs] Doesn't
bother me in the least.

Then what're you
so uptight about?

I'm not uptight.

That jerk!

You know what his big
newsflash was this time?

Giving a glass of water
and a couple of aspirin

to, uh, Judi Siskind.

And you know
who Judi Siskind is?

You're going to tell us, right?

Remember the girl on
the boat, the seasick one?

Well, when the harbor
patrol got the schooner in,

there was old Flash
down there to meet it.

It turns out that the girl is the
daughter of Reginal Siskind,

you know, the owner and
publisher of the big ladies' magazine.

So?

So, nothing. It's just that

Wheeler thought he'd
like to get in on the story.

So Reginal brought
in his crack reporters

and did a whole
series on Wheeler.

The great paramedic, [sighs]

Consoling his daughter
after a harrowing experience

of seasickness at sea,

said it'd be a great
human interest story.

He was probably right.
She was a cute girl.

Is that all you have
to say about it?

[alarm blaring]

Yeah, well, there goes lunch.

(dispatcher) Squad 51,
Engine 87 with Station 43.

Structure fire.

18182 Gaviota Place.

18182 Gaviota Place.

Cross street, Ranch
Road. Time out 13:10.

[siren wailing]

We should be getting close.

But I don't see a header.

(dispatcher) 10-4, Engine 43.

All units responding
with Station 43, return,

Battalion 14, Engine
43 reports false alarm.

Returning all units.

[siren stops]

Squad 51.

They ought to find
out who turns in

those false alarms
and shoot them.

Or better yet, let them get
trapped in a burning building

while we're out responding
some place on a false alarm.

You agree?

With what? You
lost me three times.

[sighing]

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Stop, she's in trouble.

Stick to business, Johnny.

I will. I will.

Oh.

Gee, am I glad to see
you. I really need help.

Uh, is that the problem?

Oh, no. Not really.

It's Fargo that I'm worried
about. He's trapped.

[birds chirping]

(John) It's a horse.

(Penny) It's not just a horse.

Fargo is a Thoroughbred.

But he means much
more than that to me.

And I can't get him out.

(John) That's all
right. We'll get him out.

Mrs., uh... Mrs...?

Well, it's Miss.
Penny. Penny Fortas.

Hmm. Will you help me?

Why, sure we'll
help you. Now, wh...

Oh, this is my partner, Roy.

My name is John. Johnny Gage.

Well, I'm really
glad to meet you.

And thanks. I mean, I
didn't know what to do.

Oh, We... We understand.
Now, don't worry.

We'll do what we
can to get him out.

That is, unless we get a call.

Yeah. Yeah.

Well, listen. How'd
you get him down...

(Roy) Come on, let's go.

Uh, have any ideas?

Only one, so far.

He's not going to climb
out of there by himself.

Well, maybe we
could pull him out.

There's no footholds and
I'm afraid we'd injure him.

Well, what's the answer?

I mean, I'd hate to
disappoint the girl.

Yeah, I know.

But we can start with a shovel.

A shovel?

Can't you think of
anything easier?

Being that you so graciously
volunteered our services,

you can start digging.

[sighing]

Oh, swell.

We, uh...

[panting]

[horse nickering]

[dispatcher chattering]

How you doing, Johnny?

[panting]

I certainly
appreciate this, Roy.

Oh, no problem.

(dispatcher) Engine
236, return to quarters.

How did Fargo get
down there, anyway?

Oh, a bunch of hatred
kids spooked him

when the car backfired.

I'm just glad he wasn't hurt.

You could be hurt
a lot worse, too.

[horse nickering]

You're gonna have to get in to
the hospital for a tetanus shot

as soon as Fargo here
gets on firm ground.

[horse snuffing]

Oh, believe me, I want to get
out of here as bad as you do.

(John) Well,

I think that is just about it.

You do fine work, Johnny.

Yeah, appreciate it.

(dispatcher) Headquarters
2, your destination and ETA.

I've hooked the other end
on the bumper of the squad.

All right.

Wait a minute. What
do you want me to do?

Help the horse.

From which end?

Come on.

Come on, we're going to get
you out of here. Now come on.

Keep an eye on
him for me, will you?

Do you think it'll work?

If Fargo cooperates.

Oh, somebody
better hold his reigns.

I'll holler when
I'm ready, okay?

All right. Now
we're friends, right?

And no accidents.

Attaboy.

Attaboy.

Are you ready to go?

Okay, Roy.

All right, now, go.

Come on.

Come on.

[John hollering]

(John) Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa! Whoa!

Got him?

Yeah.

Oh, good boy. Good Fargo, yeah.

I can't thank you
enough, really.

Ah, it's no problem.
Glad to be of help.

You got some place
to put that horse?

You've to go to the
hospital for a shot.

Oh, I will, as soon as I
put Fargo in his corral.

Our place is about
half a mile up the road.

I can't thank you enough.

Oh, it's okay, it's all right.

I really mean it.

Thanks again, fellas.

[dispatcher chattering]

Remember today on the boat?

Yeah.

You started to say
something about volunteering.

I ain't gonna volunteer anymore.

(dispatcher) Battalion 9,
call Research and Planning.

So, you see, Mr. Dumont,

there's a lot more to this practice
of medicine than you might think.

Am I to conclude that
this tremendous strain

you're talking about,
excused his arrogance?

No, sir.

I'd certainly like you to
take it into consideration.

Perhaps all of us have
learned something from this,

including Dr. Brackett.

I doubt it.

The only thing I'm
convinced he's learned

is how to put up
a good thick wall

and hide behind it.

Sometimes we all have
that problem to some degree.

I think the answer lies in
understanding one another,

and tearing down that wall.

He's an excellent
doctor, Mr. Dumont,

and you, your reputation
as a fair and just man

in this community
is unquestioned.

Just think what dragging this
through courts would do to both of you.

And what about my son?

Do you realize what's
happened to him

because of Brackett's attitude?

I realize one very important
thing that's happened to your son

because of Dr. Brackett.

He's alive.

Hi, good to see you made it.

Uh, yes, I just got here.

We'll get you a shot
as soon as we can.

Johnny, Roy, what
do we have here?

Lacerated arm. She
needs a tetanus shot.

Okay. Why don't
you come on in here?

Thanks again, fellas.

That's okay.

Listen, do you have a ride home?

Uh, yes. My boyfriend
drove me down.

And he's waiting
for me right now.

Oh.

Maybe...

Stick to nurses.

Your batting average
is a little better.

[scoffing]

I delivered a baby.

Wheeler delivered
a baby. What a story.

What's such a big deal
about delivering a baby?

In the back of a pickup truck

in the middle of the
San Diego freeway?

[woman chattering on PA system]

The next thing, I had him
bring his wife down here.

You mean to tell me Dumont
actually still has a wife?

There you go again. Sorry.

I take it back.

Remember that promise, Kell.

From now on, I'm
Mr. Warm and Cuddly.

Just remember it.

I can't afford to make a
career of bailing you out.

You realize I spent over
three hours with that guy?

Must have been a backbreaker.

I couldn't have
stood three minutes.

You know, Joe, maybe
we should team up.

I'll cure them, and
you calm them.

Pass. I couldn't afford you.

What's it been? Two weeks
since we delivered that baby?

Where was Carl then?

Probably looking for
a human interest story.

(dispatcher) Engine 51,
Squad 51, Engine 125.

Construction accident.

Overland between
Kelmore and Northgate.

Overland between
Kelmore and Northgate.

Time out 15:20.

Squad 51, responding
from Rampart Emergency.

10-4, Squad 51,

Sounds like a big one.

There are no small accidents.

Not for the victims.

[siren wailing]

[siren blaring]

(foreman) She's
down there, all right.

I've seen her fall in.

A whole bunch of kids
were playing around here.

The little girl, no
more than 5 years old,

ran across the hole
and disappeared.

How deep is it? About 15 feet.

Kelly, get me alight, will you?

[dispatcher chattering]

Angle that light down a
little bit more in the hole.

Easy, that hole's shaky
enough to fill in by itself.

[crying]

(Roy) I can see her.

She's stuck down in the hole
with her arm over her head,

like this.

We could drop a line down.
Take a loop round her wrist.

It's worth a try.

[alarm beeps]

[dispatcher chattering]

All right, let me take
your place for a minute.

Okay, lower it down.

About another foot.

All right, easy.

See if you can wrap
that loop around her wrist.

[girl crying]

All right, all
right, tighten it up.

Okay.

All right, now. Let's
try to bring her up.

Oh, my baby, my
little Helena. My baby.

Oh!

Darn it.

It's not going to work.
Better bring that pump in.

This is the girl's
mother, Mrs. Diaz.

She could use some
encouragement.

I'll try. I'll try.

Helena.

We have to try something else.

She's just wedged in too tight.

The loop wouldn't hold.

Then we dig her out.

The way I see it, we put a
rescue shaft down right here,

we'll be far enough away from
the shoring hole not to disturb it.

Yeah, I'm with you. We'll
dig straight down across

then we can dig across.

Can you hear me, sweetheart?

I don't know. This
ground's awful loose.

I don't see we have
any other choice.

I don't, either.

You have an operator
for that? Yeah.

Sam, bring that
Gradeall over here.

You... You have
nothing to worry about.

There's a lot of people here,
and they are all going to help.

Is she... Is she going to die?

We're doing everything
we possible can, Mrs. Diaz.

Don't lose hope, she
needs to hear you.

She has to have your confidence.

Now, please, try
to talk to her again.

Okay.

Helenita.

Y-You know what we're going
to do in a little while, honey?

[dispatcher chattering]

I figure it'll take about
half an hour to dig 15 feet.

I hope we have that much time.

[speaking Spanish]

DeSoto?

Yeah?

It's exactly 12 feet
to the top of her head.

Well, we've started
the lateral hole at 13,

we should be right on.

Can you still hear her?

It's amazing but she
sounds pretty fair.

Well, we should be
through any time now.

Why don't you drop
that handy-talkie down?

Thanks.

[crying]

Okay.

[panting]

Let's tape it.

[groaning]

Okay.

Eight feet on the nose.

We should be only inches
from the shoring hole.

You better start
using your hands.

All right.

[groaning]

I'm through!

Wait a minute.

Shine that light over here.

[panting]

I don't feel her.

We missed her.

Well, put your arm
through the hole and hold it.

Cap, Squad 51.

We're through to the
hole, but she's not there.

(Roy) Check and see if
you can see Gage's hand.

DeSoto, you're a foot
and a half above her head.

She must've slipped down.

Well, we'll back off,
Cap, and angle down.

Johnny, we're too high.

We're gonna back off
and then angle down.

[speaking Spanish]

[crying] Oh, God!

[dispatcher chattering]

Captain, Tom Wheeler,
Squad 110. Sent over to assist.

Just hang loose, Wheeler,
we're getting close.

(Roy) Cap, we should
be in here anytime.

10-4.

(John) I'm getting close.

[John panting]

How long has it been?

About three hours.

It's going to be a
miracle if she hangs on.

Well, let's pray for one, then.

(Mrs. Diaz) Oh, God.

[crying]

(John) Hold it!

Roy, I got her.

[groaning]

[panting]

She looks okay.
She really looks okay.

Helena. How do
you feel, sweetheart?

[crying] I want my
mommy. I want my mommy.

Oh.

We've got her out.
She appears to be okay.

She keeps asking for mommy.

10-4.

[speaking Spanish]

Thank God.

Oh, God.

[grunting] Here we go.

(Roy) Grab her.

Watch her head. Watch her head.

[people cheering]

My little baby.

Oh, my baby. My baby. My baby.

[crying]

[both panting]

You know,

This is one time
I really don't care

if Wheeler does make the papers.

[sniffing]