Big Sky (1997–1999): Season 1, Episode 17 - Mile Low Club - full transcript

(Mysterious music)

(Phone ringing)

- [Woman] Chris, Lucy.

- Luce.

When?

No, I'll tell him.

- [Man] Hi guys.

- [Woman] Hi.

- Got a sec?

- Yeah, what's up?

- There's something I gotta tell you.



Why don't we go into the office?

- What, can't you tell me here?

(Somber music)

- Stew's been killed.

(Somber music)

- How?

- He had to make a forced landing,

didn't see a fence.

Plane flipped.

- That makes two.

- Two what?

- Two of the guys I've trained with

have checked out in
the last six months.

- I'm sorry, jimbo.



- Yeah, when a plane goes up,

sometimes it's gonna
come down the wrong way.

That's physics.

(Somber music)

(Lighthearted theme music)

(Mysterious music)

- I've been waiting for you.

- G'day, stew.

I thought you were dead.

- Yeah, bummer.

- Why'd you go and do
a thing like that?

- Don't blame me.

Pretty stupid place to
put a fence, I reckon.

- So what can I do for you?

- How about a lift?

(Ominous music)

- [Jimbo] Where are we going?

- Heaven.

- Where abouts, the
pearly gates or what?

- The mile low club.

- The mile low club, where's that?

- Dead center, it's the top spot.

It's set up for pilots who
die in plane crashes.

- Sounds better than heart practice.

(Chuckling)

I'm gonna miss you, stewie.

- I wouldn't worry about it, mate.

You're next.

(Dramatic music)

- Lex.

Have you spoken to Anna yet?

- Yeah, she's picking
us up in half an hour.

- Great, I can't wait.

- Ooh, Lex.

I thought you and Scotty had it out

and you told him it wasn't on.

- We have, and it's not.

- Oh, so now he's taking you away.

- He's not taking me
away, I'm taking him.

He's never been gliding.

- Ooh, how very nice,

you're teaching him to glide.

- We're just going together.

- Oh, hello Lexie.

All alone for two days in a tent.

- Excuse me, two tents,
I'm sharing with Anna,

he's in the other one.

- Lex, your tunnel.

(Chuckling)

- And so we take off, right?

And this strange wind
like rattling the plane,

and there's weird noises,

and like the instruments
are going crazy, right?

So I lean over to him,

and I say, "where are we going?"

And he says, "heaven."

- Dead set.

- Yeah, it really put the
wind out of me because

I don't know.

I really don't know.

- What?

- Well, what do you reckon
I should've charged him?

I mean, I reckon I've had
lots of charters from hell,

but never one going the other way.

- So, how'd it end?

- What?

- Your dream, how'd it finish?

- Oh, I don't know, I woke up.

Hey, Chris.

Do you reckon maybe stew just,

I don't know, lost it?

Maybe just didn't have
what it took anymore?

- No, it was an accident.

Accidents happen, planes go down.

Sometimes there's no
explanation for it.

That's just the way it is.

(Ringing)

(Mysterious music)

Sorry for the delay.

- You're the pilot?

- Yeah.

- What star sign are you?

- Gemini.

- Oh my god.

- What, is that bad?

- Geminis can't
concentrate on anything.

- Don't worry, I'm a good pilot.

- You're my opposite sign,

we've got saturn hemisphere.

It's bad luck.

- It's okay, nothing's gonna happen.

- Oh, it said I should
beware of journeys.

We really shouldn't be doing this.

(Propellers whirring)

(Tense music)

- Charlie tango delta ready.

- Charlie tango delta, await
cessna bravo delta zulu,

then you're clear for takeoff.

You're next.

You're next.

- I'm sorry, what did you say?

- Charlie tango delta,
clear for takeoff.

(Dramatic music)

- Oh please, please, please be okay.

(Dramatic music)

- Charlie tango delta,
reporting takeoff.

- Charlie tango delta,
confirm operations normal.

- What's happening?

Something's wrong, isn't it?

- Right engine noise.

- [Man] Do you require services?

- No, no, no I'm okay.

- [Man] Charlie tango delta,
take next taxi wing left.

(Mysterious music)

- You all right?

- I knew something would
go wrong, I knew it.

A gemini of all people.

- What happened?

- I heard a noise.

- What sort of noise?

- Like a vibrating, the right engine.

It was...

- Did you lose power?

- No.

- That's weird.

I'll check it out.

- Okay.

- Well, you better get
echo whisky ready.

You gotta get these people to parkes.

- I can't, I can't Chris, I can't.

- Why not?

- 'Cause she freaked out,
she won't fly with me,

you gotta do it.

- There's no way man, I'm
scheduled for Aubrey.

- Look, she won't fly with me,

she says I'm bad luck.

Look, I can't, okay?

I just can't.

(Mysterious music)

(Lighthearted music)

- That's it.

Now hold the glider in
station behind the target.

Relax.

Just let it fly itself.

(Calming music)

- Oh man.

This is so strange.

There's so many instruments missing,

how am I supposed to
know what's going on?

- Scotty, trust the plane.

It's a glider, they glide.

- Okay, we're at 3,000.

It's time to release, yeah?

- It sure is.

Now pull the bar, and we're on our way.

(Chuckling)

- All right!

Oh, I'm gliding!

(Laughing)

(Calming music)

- [Lexie] Now can you feel
the right wing going up?

- Yeah.

- It's a thermal, now
turn right and center in.

What's your rate of climb?

- Eight knots.

- [Lexie] Eight knots,
fantastic, go for it!

(Laughing)

- [Scotty] All right!

- [Lexie] Yippy!

(Calming music)

(Plane flying overhead)

- Okay, jimbo.

What's the story?

- What do you mean what's the story?

- Ronnie says there's nothing
wrong with the aircraft.

- Well, maybe Ronnie
should look a bit harder.

- He has looked harder.

- [Jimbo] What are you suggesting?

- I'm not suggesting anything.

I'm asking you a question.

- Like I said, I was
there, I heard a noise.

(Laughing)

- That was so good!

That was like the best!

That was so good!

- I take it you're glad you came.

- Oh, what are you kidding?

That was the best, man,
it was totally excellent.

When I caught that thermal,

it was like it was just me flying,

and there wasn't even
a plane there at all.

- Yeah, you bet.

Who needs engines?

(Chuckling)

- Gonna go up by myself tomorrow.

- Oh, I thought you
liked gliding with me.

- Yeah, I do, all right?

I just wanna be able to do
it by myself, that's all.

Man...

(Laughing)

Thanks for inviting me along.

That was the best, I had the best day.

- You know, this is the first time

we've spent more than a
couple of hours together

outside of work.

- Why, you didn't think that we could?

- No, I'm just having a
really good time too.

I'm glad you're here.

(Chuckling)

- So, what time will I see
you guys in the morning?

Six, seven?

- Scotty, we're on holidays.

I've created a monster.

(Chuckling)

- See you at six then.

- Are you sure you guys
are gonna be all right

by yourselves?

- I'm sure we'll cope.

- Well, just remember, if you
get scared during the night,

I'm right over there.

- Get out!

(Chuckling)

- Night, girls.

- [Lexie] Night, Scotty.

- [Anna] Night, Scotty.

- [Scotty] You sure you're gonna
be all right by yourself?

- Night, Scotty.

(Drowned out music)

(Ominous music)

(Extinguisher spraying)

(Lighthearted music)

(Ominous music)

- Morning.

- [Scotty] Jimbo.

- What have I got today?

No more fruit loops
like yesterday I hope.

- Fruit loops?

- Chris, come on.

Remember, that woman who
wouldn't fly with my yesterday?

You know, statistically speaking,

plane travel is extremely safe.

You know, she's more
likely to get hit by a car

or fall down the stairs
and bump her head

than die in a plane crash.

- [Chris] I think you're being
a little unfair on her,

don't you?

- I'm just being rational.

In the history of aviation,

the incidents of plane crashes

forms an incredibly small percentage.

I'm right, aren't I?

- That's got nothing to do with it.

It's an irrational fear, it's a phobia.

We've all got it.

- Oh really, what's yours?

- Cockroaches.

- But they're harmless.

- Yeah, but I hate the
way they wave those...

- Yeah, but the point is,

is it's not gonna affect
your entire life, is it?

Can you imagine not being
able to fly in a plane?

How debilitating that would be?

- Why is she getting to you like this?

- She's not, she's not!

It's just people like
that don't make sense!

(Lighthearted music)

(Laughing)

- I was watching, you got
some great thermals.

- That is so amazing.

I'm telling you, it's better than...

- Go on.

- Yeah, lots of things.

(Laughing)

Kirstie.

Hey, kirstie!

- Hello!

- [Scotty] Hey!

- Hey!

What are you doing here?

- What do you think?

- Didn't know you're a glider.

- Well, I've just started.

- Oh, isn't it the greatest feeling?

(Clears throat)

- Oh, sorry, kirstie, this is Lexie.

- Oh.
- Hi.

- You two are obviously old friends.

- Yeah, you could say that.

- So, why'd you break up with her?

She seemed really nice.

- Well, I thought she'd broken
up with this other boy.

I'd rather not go into it.

Hey.

What's your stuff doing in there?

- Oh, Anna got a call from her dad,

and her brother's in some car accident,

and she had to go.

Is that all right?

- Well, she could've left you the tent.

- No, I told her to take it.

- So you're moving in with me?

- Well, it's only for one night,

I thought you wouldn't mind.

- Have I told you what a good time

I'm having here?

(Chuckling)

(Phone ringing)

- [Lauren] Has jimbo called in sick?

- No, has he?

- [Lauren] He's due to
take a flight to baron,

why hasn't he gone?

- Well, I saw him a minute ago,

he's on his way.

- [Lauren] Well, he hasn't,

the plane's still out there.

- Jimbo, what's going on?

You've got a plane waiting.

- I don't know.

- Go on, what is it?

- Bad luck comes in threes,

I'm next in line for the mile low club.

- The mile low club?

- I always knew I wasn't gonna die

in a plane crash, you know?

I don't know how, I just...

Somehow knew it.

You know, inside.

I knew it wasn't gonna happen to me.

And now...

I just lost it.

- Oh, don't worry about
it, you're just spooked.

We can fix that.

- You reckon?

- Yeah.

I'll come with ya.

All it takes is one flight.

Come on, let's go.

I guarantee you we won't crash.

(Plane flying overhead)

You don't have to do a thing.

All you gotta do is sit there,

I'll do the driving.

If we can get you up
there, we'll be fine.

- No, Chris, I can't, I can't.

- Jimbo.

This is the way to be, trust me.

(Ominous music)

- Just stop.

Would you stop, please?

Chris, would you stop the plane please?

- All right mate, you're doing fine.

- No, no really, just god, stop please.

I've really gotta get out.

Please, for god's sake,
I've gotta get out.

- Okay, I'm stopping.

Don't worry, we'll go back.

- Thanks.

I'm sorry.

- [Chris] It's okay, don't worry.

- [Jimbo] I'm sorry.

- It's all right.

(Tense music)

(Calming music)

Listen, jimbo.

I don't know much about this stuff,

but what I do know is
the more you brew,

the worse it gets.

- I'm not brooding.

- Yes, you are.

Why don't you just talk
about stew, get it out.

He was your friend for a long time,

it'll take a while to get over it.

- I'm not.

- Oh, you're not?

If you were, you'd be flying.

(Calming music)

- So...

- Hi.

- You enjoying the gliding?

- Yeah, yeah, you bet.

- That girl, Lexie, is
she your girlfriend?

- Lex, no, we work together at big sky.

- It's really good to see you again.

Look, I'm sorry about that mix up

at tiny's that night.

- Don't worry about it.

- No, I felt terrible.

Anyway, we've broken up again.

Did you hear?

- Nah, I didn't.

- Which tent are you in?

- The one down there, the green one.

- Are you sharing with her?

- Well, yeah, yeah,

but that doesn't mean anything.

I mean, she owns it,

but we're not on together in it,

it's just convenient, that's all.

- Get rid of her.

- I'm sorry?

- You heard.

Why don't you get rid of her tonight.

- He's been flying for years,

why all of a sudden?

- I think he took stew's
death pretty badly.

- Well, what are we gonna do about it?

(Phone ringing)

- I don't know.

But we better try something.

- Yeah, but what?

- I have no idea.

My problem with jimbo is
that I can't even begin

to understand how this
could happen to anyone.

I'm trying to understand,
I'm trying to be patient,

but part of me just
wants to yell at him

to snap out of it.

And I know he wishes he could.

And I don't like thinking
about him this way,

but you know, in some ways,

it'd been much easier
if he had a broken leg,

then we can see the problem,

then we'd know how long
it would take to fix.

- Maybe he should see someone

with a bit of expertise.

- Yeah.

But we'd never get
jimbo to see a shrink.

- So, what do we do?

Do we give him time off?

Do we find him something else to do?

- It's worth a try.

Anything's worth a try.

- Does this mean I've got the sack?

- Oh, don't be ridiculous,
of course not.

You're a good pilot, I
don't want to lose you.

But maybe you should think about

taking some time off.

- And do what?

Stay at home and go mad?

I'd rather keep coming to work.

- Okay then.

Why don't we find you a desk job

just to take the pressure off

until you feel you can fly again.

- Desk job, what does that mean?

Sweeping up around the place?

- Well, among other things.

- Lauren, I'm a pilot.

- No you're not.

Pilots fly planes.

You're not a pilot, not anymore.

- Lex!

Listen, I've been thinking,

are you sure you want to
be in the tent with me?

- What do you mean?

- Well, look I know
that I've come onto you

a bit in the past and...

- A bit?

(Laughing)

- Well, a lot and,

look, are you sure you
want to sleep with me?

- Scotty, do you mean sleep with you

or sleep in a tent with you?

- Both.

- Exactly what do you mean?

- Well, I mean, maybe it'd be better

if you slept somewhere else,

that way you wouldn't
have to worry about me.

- That's so sweet.

Look, I'm okay.

I'm happy to share a tent with you.

- Well, are you sure?

- Positive.

You're being so nice.

Such a change.

- Damn.

(Melancholic music)

- Chris.

(Melancholic music)

Nothing.

(Tense music)

(Crickets chirping)

- [Lexie] Scotty?

- Hm?

- [Lexie] You know something?

- What?

- [Lexie] I'm glad, you know,

nothing ever happened between us.

- I didn't think you ever wanted it to.

- I thought about it once or twice.

- Really?

- Yeah, but I'm glad it never did.

Because it would've
wrecked our friendship.

And it's really good, isn't it?

All this?

- Yeah.

- I mean, I think I've been a
bit hard on you in the past,

you know, I thought you
had a one track mind,

but here we are having
a really good time

just being friends.

- Yeah, right.

- Where ya going?

- I've gotta have a leak.

I'll be back soon.

(Crickets chirping)

- [Man] Hey!

What's going on?

- Kirstie!

Kirst, look it's me.

Look, it's no good, she wouldn't go!

We're gonna have to call it off.

Kirst!

- Sorry I'm late.

Hey, Scotty.

Wake up.

- What?

- Lexie!

- Kirstie!

What are you doing here?

- Where's Scotty?

(Screaming)

- Get out!

Hey!

Get out!

Hey, what do you want?

Get out!

- I'm sorry!
- Get out!

- I'm sorry!

Where's kirstie?

- She said something about
meeting some gorgeous guy.

- She said that?

- Looks like the wires got crossed.

- Yeah, hey, I'm sorry.

- That's okay.

You're welcome to wait
until she gets back.

- Yeah, thanks anyway,

but I better find out where she's gone.

- Aw, yeah, I've been going

to the nationals for years now.

Never win anything.

- Me neither.

It's funny we haven't met before.

Do you go in doubles or the singles?

- Doubles.

And it's not my regular
planner, I usually...

- Sorry.

- Where have you been?

- And I thought you were

just trying to be nice or something.

- I've been trying to find you.

- At the tent?

You didn't wake up Maxine, did you?

- Well, how was I supposed to know

someone else was gonna be there?

- Maxine?

Not Maxine Thompson?

- Yeah.

- Oh, she gave me my
first gliding lesson,

I haven't seen her for ages!

- [Maxine] Kirstie!

- Maxine!

Over here.

- [Maxine] A strange guy
came into our tent.

I just wanted to make sure you're okay.

- Hey, look!

- Strange?
- Hello!

- Lexie ciani, how are you?

- [Lexie] Oh, isn't it funny

the places you run into people?

(Laughing)

Maxine, I can't believe you're here.

- [Maxine] Move over, kirstie.

- [Lexie] Oh, just shove
all your stuff anywhere.

- [Maxine] Yeah, thanks.

Hey, you want me to bring over...

- [Kirstie] Hey.

I've brought a little bottle of scotch.

(Thunder rumbles)

(Propellers whirring)

- Oh, jimbo.

- Yo.

- You won't pick up my
dry cleaning, will ya?

It's at new claim, just down the road.

What's wrong with you?

- You're kidding.

I'm not your errand boy.

- Oh?

Well, what are you then?

- Look, don't worry about it, jimbo.

I've gotta go out, I'll do it for you.

- Shay.

Let him do it.

Yeah, now we doing these
schedules or not?

- What's wrong with you?

Why you being so horrible?

- Me?

He's the one with the problem.

- Do 'em yourself.

(Plane flying overhead)

(Tense music)

(Mysterious music)

(Suspenseful music)

- [Stew] Come on, come on, come on.

Take off, let's go.

- Not you again.

- Oh, it's nice to see you too, mate.

- You can't keep doing this, stew.

You can't keep hanging
around me all the time.

- What do you mean?

I'm your mate.

- Yeah, but you're dead,
you're decomposing.

- You're not looking so
hot yourself, buddy.

- Echo whisky Victor, you are
clear for visual departure.

Contact departure is airborne.

You are clear for takeoff.

- Echo whisky Victor.

I don't want to die, stew.

- Come on, mate.

You can't let me do this by myself.

You can't do that to me.

- I have to.

- But we used to do
everything together.

Hey, I wasn't ready either.

I had all these plans,

all this stuff I wanted to do.

This is all wrong, it's a big mistake.

- I know, I'm sorry,

but there's nothing I can do about it.

- I don't wanna leave everyone behind,

it's not fair.

- I never wanted you to go, stew,

but you have to.

- Jimbo!

You can't do this to me.

Please.

- Goodbye, stew.

(Lighthearted music)

Bye.

(Lighthearted music)

- I just thought I'd try, um...

I don't know.

- Aversion therapy.

- I thought if I could
make you feel bad enough

about giving up, you'd
give it another go.

- But don't you think that's like

a sort of facile, simplistic solution

to a deep seeded psychological problem?

- It worked, didn't it?

- Well, as a matter of fact,

I had a bit of a chat with stew,

that worked it out.

- You spoke to stew?

Oh, stew's ghost.

- Well, just spirit I guess,

if that's what you believe in, I know.

A psychologist would call it

a manifestation of my
subconscious I guess.

I wonder what part it was.

My head or my ego.

- Super ego.

- Thanks.

- No, your super ego is where
fear and anxiety comes from.

- Then why didn't you tell me that

rather than make me feel bad?

- Well, what do you
think, I'm a shrink?

- What, so that was all just an act?

- An act, nothing.

You're an idiot.

(Lighthearted theme music)