CHiPs (1977–1983): Season 1, Episode 12 - Aweigh We Go - full transcript

While assigned to duty at a weigh station, Ponch and Jon go after a hijacked truck.

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[siren wailing]

[tires screeching]

[sirens wailing]

[wailing continues]

[sirens wailing]

Oh, my goodness.

- What is it?
- It's a boat.



- I know it's a boat.
- Oh, my God.

[sirens wailing]

Are you alright?

- Oh, my God.
- What is happening out--

What happened?
Oh, my god.

Ladies, are you alright?
Ma'am, you okay?

You okay?
Anybody hurt?

Sylvia, be quiet.
Shh.

I-I think I'm alright.

My hair. My dryer.
Oh, my goodness.

- Are you alright, ma'am?
- Yeah, I'm fine.

- Good God.
- Now, everybody's okay, right?

I think I have whiplash.

- Whiplash?
- Whiplash?



[female #1]
Well, when I jumped up.

[Ponch]
'No, ma'am. I think
you're gonna be alright.'

- Can I sue?
- Who?

LAPD nailed that sports car.
Is everybody okay?

Yeah.

- Did you call this in?
- Yeah.

Okay, uh, good.
I'll get the ladies' names.

Oh-Oh, me first.
I'm Esther, uh, eh..

- Esther. That's E-S-T-H-E-R.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

- E-S-T-H-E-R.
- Okay.

- Last name?
- M-A-N-N..

[male #1]
But-but it wasn't my fault.

Uh, excuse me, just a minute.
Listen, it wasn't his fault.

My partner and I saw it
and it was an accident.

N.

N.

I.

N.

G-M.

I'm sorry.
What's your name?

Oh, uh, Larson.
Sven Larson.

Sven Larson.

See, Mr. Lar..
Uh, Wordner.

Mr. Larson here,
uh, was actually

the victim of
a reckless driver.

'It wasn't his fault.'

I think I better
call my attorney.

My hair dryer
is still off

and my hair
is gonna frizzle.

Nice.
Oh, really nice.

Hardly has a ding on it.

- It's a beauty, huh?
- Yeah.

I didn't think you were
that interested in boats.

Are you kidding?

Last weekend, water skiing.

Lake Nacimiento.
Remember?

Na-ci-miento?

- I'm an expert, Jon.
- Yeah. An expert, huh?

Yeah, Virtuoso.

Woo-hoo, "Virtuoso?"

Hey, Jon, look.
It's for sale.

So?

"So?" Water-skiing.
You. Me.

What's this "You-me" stuff?

Me can't afford
this thing.

Hey, with all
the damage and all

we could probably
get it at a good price.

- A real bargain.
- Yeah.

Well, what do you think?

Uh, we'll discuss
it later, alright?

[female #1]
'My gosh. My grandchildren.'

[female #2]
'They're playing outside.'

[female #1]
'In the street?'

[speaking indistinctly]

Uh, looks like, uh

somebody missed their
port of call, huh, fellas?

Yeah.

Uh, sure is
a pretty boat.

I'd sure love
to have it.

Yeah. Well, uh,
I would really love it

if you guys would get going.

Webb and Fritz
will be here shortly.

They can take care of this.

So, uh, once again,
goodbye, fellas.

We're on our way, sarge.

[instrumental music]

[female #1]
My grandchildren.

[music continues]

[theme music]

[music continues]

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[horn honking]

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[horn honking]

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[engine starts]

Jon, you should've seen the
ladies I was with this weekend.

Real outdoor types.
Sailing, water-skiing, swimming.

Uh-huh.

Mm.

You know, usually
I have an inkling.

But I can't understand
why Getraer is calling us in.

What do you mean
"Inkling?"

You know, a feeling?
But this doesn't make sense.

Yeah, inkling.

I mean, like, uh,
it's been a righteous week.

Not a scratch
on my motor.

Not a tear in my uniform.
Huh?

That's right. Our activity's
been right up there

and all the cites we've
written have been right-on.

Plus, no court time.

Wait a minute.
I got it.

Maybe he wants to
give us a promotion.

- Promotion?
- Yeah.

[Getraer]
'Baker, Poncherello,
is that you?'

Oh, excuse me.

Uh..

That doesn't sound like
a voice who wants to promote.

Come on.

- Hi, sarge.
- Uh, hi, fellas.

Uh, you wanna hold on
just one minute, please?

Yeah. Uh, we have
a little problem.

'I have a special
assignment for ya.'

Uh, I want you guys to
go up to the Weigh Station

'at Valencia for commercial
vehicle orientation.'

- The scales.
- Scales.

- 'Yeah, for a week.'
- Thanks.

- A week?
- Yeah.

Uh, starting this morning.

This morning?

Yeah, um...
yeah, about that request--

The scales are boring.

Hey, tell me about it.
I know.

Okay. Fine.
Thanks, sir.

Yeah, I want you guys
to pay special attention

while you're up there,
'cause there's been a series

of truck hijackings
in the area.

Uh, everything from,
uh, prime rib

to, uh, color TV's
have been stolen.

'A lot of this
stolen merchandise

has been surfacing up north.'

Uh, I suppose,
they've been going through

the Weigh Station, huh?

Yup, well,
that's the possibility.

And we have to go
up there right now?

Uh, yeah.
There is a, uh, Sergeant Vogt

who's expecting you.

- Uh..
- Is that it?

That's it.

Oh, and, uh,
one more thing.

Uh, it takes more
than a righteous week

to, uh, get a promotion.

So, uh, keep on trucking,
huh, guys?

Come on, Ponch.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

I'll bet there's a hundred grand
worth of calculators in there.

Yeah, Vince, boss is
gonna be real pleased.

[grunts]

[engine revving]

[engine starting]

[engine revving]

Okay, Demick.

Now let's make
our delivery, huh?

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

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I got the number
right here in my pocket.

Look, Jon, if the price is
right, why don't we go for it?

Hey, come on,
it's not just the boat.

I mean, it's the trailer

the launching fees,
insurance, uh--

Hey, we'll share
expenses, huh?

What do you say?

Fifty-fifty?

Well, I mean, I never had
a partner that's an expert..

Oh, excuse me.
I mean, uh, virtuoso.

Come on.

Who's Baker,
and who's Poncherello?

Oh, guess who?

Ahem.

Hi, I'm Frank Poncherello,
but friends call me Ponch.

Okay.

Yeah.
I'm Jon Baker.

I'm Vogt. Welcome.

[Vogt]
'The TV allows us to monitor
our incoming traffic.'

Directly in front
of us are the scales.

The inside lane
is for loaded trucks.

The outside for empty rigs.

The gross weight
carried by each axle

cannot be over
20,000 pounds.

'The front steering axle shall
not exceed 12,500 pounds'

'except in livestock trucks
tow trucks, dump trucks'

buses, cranes,
concrete trucks

trucks with a fifth
wheel, and so on.

And then the weight
can be 20,000 pounds.

Now, here is where we

read the scales.

[Ponch]
'Boy, those are hard to read.'

Becomes easy...
with practice.

Oh.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

I still think we should have
a ski boat of our own, you know.

Lake Nacimiento.
Woo.

Hmm?

Yeah, maybe
you're right, Ponch.

At least we'd meet
some new girls, huh?

Oh, yeah.
Ha, ha.

Why don't you call the
guy and see how much he wants?

Hey, partner,
now you're saying something.

Got it right here.
Hoo-hoo.

[dialing number]

Sven? Old buddy?

This is, uh,
Frank Poncherello, remember?

With the CHP?

Oh, no.
No, there's nothing wrong.

Um, I was just interested
in buying your boat.

Oh. Oh.
I see.

Really?

Well, sorry to bother you.
Thank you.

He already sold it, huh?

Yep.
About an hour ago.

[sighs]

Some other highway
patrolman bought it.

Yeah, I bought it, alright.

Boy, she sure
is a beaut, sarge.

Yeah.
She sure is.

I got a lot of work to do on her
before she's shipshape.

But, you know,
that shouldn't be a problem.

Yeah but you're still gonna
have a lot of fun with it.

Yeah, you bet I am.

[mooing]

And now, the air brakes.

We hook up his brakes
to our system

and read 'em
on this gauge.

Hey, you.
Crawl under.

Right, sarge.

When the brakes are on,
check the clearance.

[male on radio]
Attention. A red two-axle
loaded with PVC

just passed the scales.

Hey, well, aren't
you gonna go after him?

I can't.
I'm strapped.

The supervisor must remain by
the scales while they're open.

Besides, we're short-handed.

- Hey, we'll go.
- Well..

Okay, but don't take all day.
We got lots of work here.

- Hoo-hoo.
- Yeah.

Come on, Ponch.

[sirens wailing]

Hey, what's the problem?
I wasn't speeding.

Yeah. You missed
the scales back there.

I've been driving since--

May I see your drivers license
and registration, please?

Oh, sure, officer.

[mumbling indistinctly]

There you go.
Thank you.

[indistinct chatter on radio]

Hey, mister,
your load is loose.

Huh? It can't be.
I cinched those straps myself.

Is that
"The Troubled World?"

[indistinct chatter on radio]

Listen, can you tell me,
did Carrie go back to Bob?

No, after Carrie
had the baby--

Baby?

But I thought
Bob couldn't..

No, the doctor was wrong.

- 'No.'
- 'Yeah.'

And Bob split with
that chick, Ann.

- The stewardess?
- Right.

But Judy got wind of this.

Don't tell me
she left her boyfriend?

Yeah. Well, you know,
right after that

her career went
right down the tubes.

- Oh, no. Really?
- Yeah.

Okay, Fred. You're getting
cited for two violations.

One for watching TV, which
is against the vehicle code

while you're driving.

The other one is
for missing the scales.

Well, they say good things
come in pairs. Ha-ha.

Well, I'll tell you what.
They could come in threes

if you don't follow us
back to the scales

and let us check
out your load.

Hey, w-wait
a minute, officers.

Now, I told you..

...I cinched
each and every one

of these straps
by myself.

Like I said, I cinched each
and every strap myself.

- Yeah, but, sir, you can't go--
- Look--

I know exactly what I'm doing.

All you got..
Whoa!

[dramatic music]

Ha. And I thought this
assignment was gonna be boring.

Yeah. I wonder if we can get
a bite to eat somewhere.

- Well, what do you think?
- Let's go.

[screaming]

[screaming]

Hey, what's
the matter, Ponch?

Oh, Getraer.
I just know he bought my boat.

What do you mean your boat?

Well, it could've been mine.
I mean ours.

What are you doing?

I'm gonna call him. I'm gonna
give him a piece of my mind.

Do you think that's wise?

Hey, this is not a CHP matter.
It's personal.

Don't worry.
I'll handle it with finesse.

Finesse? Virtuoso?
Inkling? Heh-heh.

[telephone ringing]

- Hey, Getraer here.
- 'Sarge, this is Ponch.'

Frank, uh..

How's everything going
up at the Weigh Station, huh?

Ah, well,
it's no playground up here.

Are you getting oriented
in commercial vehicles?

Oh, yeah.
Vogt is relentless.

Listen, not
to change the subject

but can I ask
you a question?

Yeah, sure.
Go ahead.

Did you or did you not buy

that ski boat
right out from under me?

- Out from under you?
- Yeah.

Honest, Frank. I didn't know
you were serious about boats.

Are you kidding?
Hey, I'm a fish.

And if I'm out of water too long
I have a problem breathing.

[Getraer]
'Really, Frank? I just didn't
know you were serious.'

Well, I just wanted to let
you know that I thought

that was a cheap shot.

Easy, Ponch, easy.
Let me talk to him.

Hello, sarge.
Yeah.

No, this is Jon.

Hey, he didn't mean it.
I mean, he was--

Yeah.

I know, right.

But, hey, money is hard
to come by these days

but I'm sure we can render it.

Oh, sure, of course.

'Alright, it's a deal.'

Okay.
I'll talk to you then.

What's a deal?

- Uh, you got a boat.
- I do?

We do.

You mean Getraer actually
sold us the boat?

Well, not exactly.
I mean, we're partners.

You know, a third each?

Partners? With Getraer?
You gotta be kidding, Jon.

Ponch, come on.
You can save money, okay?

Oh, man. That's like going
to the sea with Captain Bligh.

Well, what do you wanna do,
sell your share?

S-sell?
No way. Never.

Okay, then. We're partners,
the three of us. Come on.

[indistinct chatter]

Are you really
police officers?

No, Beverly, no.

That's okay.
Yeah, we really are.

Have you ever heard
of green slime?

No, Beverly. Don't.

Oh, that's okay.
That's okay.

Uh, no, I never heard
of green slime.

Then put out your hand.

Heh, heh.
Okay.

[laughing]

Oh, no.

[sighs]

[engines revving]

[indistinct chatter on radio]

[sirens wailing]

Okay, you just steered yourself
into jail. Now, get out.

[siren wailing]

[female on radio]
All westerly units,
for information on brush fire--

Okay, hot dog,
the race is over, and you lost.

Now turn around.

Frank, Frank

you wanna rub her down fore
and aft below the freeboard

before you put
the resin on, huh?

Do you mind repeating that?

Clean the boat.

I thought you said you worked
around boats a lot, huh?

Yeah, Ponch.
I thought you were the expert.

Remember, Lake Nacimiento?

No. Frank. Frank. Frank. Frank.
Below the freeboard.

Oh, yeah. Sorry.
Below the freeboard.

Yeah. Below.

[Jon]
'You hear anymore about
the hijacking, sarge?'

Uh. Yeah. There were a few more
rip-offs last week.

The hijackers seem to be
putting their emphasis

on those ocean
land-type containers.

They seem to be a pretty
professional bunch.

We can't seem to get a lead on
'em, so, keep your eyes peeled.

Okay.

Yeah. This is, uh...

gonna be a top-notch vessel
once we get her into shape.

She's got good lines.

A good sound bottom
and an engine that won't quit.

Ha, ha. Sounds like
Stella at dispatch. Ha.

Yeah. Look, once you get
those plugs changed

check out the points

and we'll see if
the bilge pump's hooked up.

Uh, aye, aye, captain.

Ah, captain.

Yeah, I like that.

It reminds me
of my navy days.

Yeah, but, uh..

you were only a third class
petty officer.

Yeah, well, uh,
my time was up

before they gave me
my promotion.

Uh-oh.

Hey, Frank.

- Yeah?
- Come here.

You said you worked
around fiberglass

and boats before, huh?

Yeah. Well, sort of.

Yeah, why don't you
patch this hole up, huh?

Oh, sure.
No problem.

But be careful.
That resin sets fast.

Yeah, I know.
I know.

[grunts]

Well..
how do they look?

Oh, they're gonna be fine.

Okay.
Let's, uh--

Let's have a look
at the bow, huh?

- Okay, sarge.
- Alright.

[grunts]

- Okay, it's hooked up.
- Good.

- Hey.
- Take it easy, will you?

- Oh, sorry, sarge.
- Yeah.

Now, uh..

Look, uh..

Get the engine
back together

and then we'll start
it up, alright?

[grunts]

Yeah, okay.

Captain.

[instrumental music]

Hey, Ralph,
that one's a good 3000 over.

Metro cargo to
inspection shed, lane 3.

- 'Ponch, here.'
- Yeah.

Uh, metro cargo
is 3000 over in the rear.

- Check it out, will you?
- Will do, sarge.

Come on, Baker.
We got a hot one.

Hi, may I see
your papers, please?

Computer equipment?

That's pretty expensive stuff

to be out of balance
by 3000 pounds.

You know, you bust an axle,
you could lose it all.

Guess we made a mistake
in hooking her up.

We're running behind schedule.
You know how it is.

Yeah, okay, but you're gonna
have to adjust that fifth wheel.

Do we have to
do it right here?

Hey, keep it down.
Anything you say, officer.

Okay, why don't you pull it over
there, and when we're done

we'll come over and check out
your brake and equipment list.

Okay.

[male #2 on radio]
'Blue balsam fruit rig'

'pull into lane 1
for inspection.'

We better go over the list
before they come back.

Yeah, we wouldn't want 'em to
think that we're just learning.

No.
Heh-heh.

Okay, we gotta check
their stop lamps

identification sign,
driver's log.

Hey, pal, can you come
here and give me a hand?

Thanks.

[dramatic music]

Emergency warning device,
air governor

and the low pressure
thing again--

- Speaking about lists--
- Oh, yeah?

We don't wanna
forget anything.

We got skis, trunks,
extra gas, suntan oil

ski rope, soda
and lip balm.

[male #2]
'Take it easy. Van's inspectors
are right behind us.'

Hey, where are those guys?

They're supposed to be
balancing the load.

[man groaning]

Come on.

[music continues]

- Hey, what happened to you?
- Somebody clobbered me.

My rig, w-where is it?

Hey, Jon.
The hijackers.

Yeah, those guys did
look a little hinky.

Let's go check it out.

- Are you sure you're okay?
- I'm alright.

Okay.
Come on, Ponch.

- What's going on?
- It's the hijackers.

Newhall, this is 15,
7 Mary 3.

[Newhall over radio]
'10-4, 7 Mary 3.'

Attention, all units

'be on the lookout for a stolen
blue tractor-trailer rig'

'identified as balsam fruit
co-op, heading north on I-5.'

Newhall, this is 78 Adam.

I have that balsam fruit
tractor-trailer in sight

exiting I-5 north at Klondike.

[dramatic music]

Newhall, 7 Mary 3 and 4

now in pursuit of stolen
balsam tractor-trailer

now exiting I-5 and proceeding
west on Klondike.

[Newhall over radio]
'10-4, 7 Mary 3.
Attention, all units'

7 Mary 3 and 4
are in pursuit

of stolen rig
at Klondike, west of I-5.

[music continues]

[sirens wailing]

[tires screeching]

[male #2]
'Hang on.'

[police siren wailing]

- Make a run for it.
- Where are we gonna run?

[Baker]
Hey, get out of the truck
and put your hands on your head.

Turn around.

Okay, back up.

Come on, back up.

Alright, that's good.
Get down on your knees.

Cross your legs.

Okay, Ponch.

- Put your right hand back.
- Put your right hand back.

[indistinct chatter on radio]

Officers, there's a car over the
bank with some people inside.

There's a car over the bank
with some people inside.

- Where at?
- Down here. Come on.

Okay. Take these, Hawkins.
We'll be with you.

[music continues]

[female #1]
'Help us, please.'

Please, hurry.
Help us.

'Help us, please.'

- 'Please hurry. Help us.'
- Calm yourself. Relax.

- 'Try and calm yourself.'
- Help us, please.

Oh, there's a little
baby in there too, Ponch.

We're gonna have to get
some rope or something.

- Okay.
- I got some in the camper.

Go get it.

- 'Help us, please.
- Let's take the chain.'

[Baker]
Easy, don't tug on that baby.
It's gonna go.

We'll be there
in a minute, ma'am.

Oh, no.

We're gonna have to go
down the side some way.

I'll go, Jon.

Alright, you're gonna have to go
down the side of the car.

Alright. I'll get
that kid outta there.

Please, please, hurry.

- Cover me, partner.
- Okay, Ponch.

You got it back there?

[music continues]

[creaking]

[female #1]
'Please, please, hurry.'

Please, hurry!

[indistinct chatter]

Wait a minute, Ponch.

Slow yourself
down in there.

[female #1]
'Please, hurry.
Help us.'

'Help us.'

What do we got?

We got a mother and a child
down there, I don't know.

Ponch is going on in.

Tell him to get the child out.
I'll get the sheriff's rescue.

Okay.

L.A. 78 S1

Roll one sheriff's
rescue unit to my location.

[woman on radio]
'10-4, 78 S1.'

[sobbing]

Please, help her.
Please.

Ma'am, hand me
the child, please.

- Hang on.
- Come on, little lady.

I got you.
It's gonna be alright.

Just hang on.

Give him a hand.
I'll take this.

- You got it?
- Yeah. I got it.

I'm gonna help
him a little.

Hang on, Ponch.

[creaking]

[rubble falling]

Okay, take it easy.

You're doing real well.

Okay, come on.

Put your arms around
my neck, alright?

That's a girl.

[creaking]

- Ouch.
- Hold on. That's a girl.

You're doing okay.
Here we go.

Ma'am, listen to me.

I want you to take this
and tie it around your waist.

I can't move.
I can't do it.

Yes, you can.
Look.

Everything's gonna be alright.

Just take this.
Tie it around you.

Just leave me here.
Just leave me alone.

Listen, I'm not gonna
leave you alone.

- Please just leave me here.
- You got a child up there.

- Think of your child.
- Please.

- Okay, sarge.
- Okay, Baker.

Alright.
Take it slow.

[sobbing]

No.
Just leave me here, please.

Loose chain.

Great.

I'm coming, Ponch.

Go slow.

Just leave me here.

Baker.

Please calm yourself. We'll get
you out. We'll get you out.

Please.

We need a little
more slack.

Here she comes.

[siren wailing]

What have you got?
Bring it in.

We got, we got three
of them out there.

That lady's giving
a little trouble.

- We'll get our gear and help.
- Be right back. Hold on.

She's a little hysterical.

Okay.

[equipment jingling]

Alright.

Okay.

I can't believe I panicked.

You're okay. You wanna
walk her down to the car?

Thank you. I'm sorry--

I'm sorry I gave you
such a hard time. I really--

Mommy. Mommy.

Oh!

Come on.
Mommy's okay.

It's alright.

It's alright.

[woman on radio]
'15 S6 just came through.
The runway's clear.'

Gentlemen..

it appears that
among other things

two of you have become very good
commercial vehicle officers.

Well,
we had a good teacher.

I was thinking that
maybe the two of you could

put in for permanent duty.
Work with me full time.

Uh, no thanks, sarge

but, uh, we'll stick
to the road.

Yeah, thanks a lot. But two
wheels are enough, you know.

Baker, uh, Poncherello--

Ponch.

[instrumental music]

Ah, thanks a lot, sarge.

[instrumental music]

[quacking]

[grunts]

Okay, sarge, we got it.

Sure glad you were
in the navy, sarge

because you did a great job
of fixing her up.

- She's in pristine condition.
- "Pristine?"

- Yeah, it looks terrific.
- Yeah, thanks, guys.

Oh, I gave her a name.

- You did?
- Yeah.

- What is it?
- Joe and friends. Good, huh?

Hey, unequivocal, sarge.
Unequivocal.

- Can we get this thing loaded?
- Get in, Frank. Start her up.

I'll cast off.

Oh, Frank.

[Baker]
'Just stuff something
in there, Ponch, come on.'

I'll get it. Don't worry, sarge.
I'll plug it up. Right now.

Hand the stuff out.
Hand it out. Come on.

Oh.

Skis, skis.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]