By
Disclaimer: I don't own the guys from Emergency so please don't sue me. I promise to put them back in one piece when I'm done with them. I don't own anything belonging to the DCFD or the United States Army. I'm just borrowing them so please don't sue me.
An interesting shift leads to interesting dreams through Chet's eyes.
Hey middle of the night thought catcher,
It's me good ol' Chester B. It's about 0530. What am I doing awake when the tones aren't going off? Long story! Before I get into that though let me throw my two cents in on everybody else. My, thought catcher, you certainly have been busy tonight. I wonder if Cap Stanley will grace you with his presence. Anyway, back to business. I promise the Phantom is still in bed. In order here we go…
Roy, hell yeah, I can see you pitching for big blue. Can I have tickets for the nights you're on the mound?
Johnny, note to the Phantom be wary of the pigeon. Honestly you can do it Johnny; believe me if you get the chance to run competitively we'll be there loud and proud!
Marco, my best friend, I know you're an extremely proud Mexican. I also know you're one helluva' soccer player. I sincerely hope your dream comes true, mi amigo. If it does you can bet we'll be making so much noise they'll hear us up here.
Mike, dude! I never would have guessed. That's awesome though! If you handle a jet anything like you handle big red you'll be an amazing pilot.
Okay comments over, now it's time to get to the real reason I am awake, my dream. To fully understand my dream you have to understand what yesterday was like for our shift. Enjoy the time warp to yesterday. I'll bring you back to the present to say good night.
*********************************************************************
The shift started out normal. Marco and I rode in together. We got dressed and the Phantom made quick work of his pigeon's locker. He was so gullible! Little did I know that was going to be the only spark of the morning. Mike made lunch - man that guy can cook!
Marco just got the last dish washed when the tones sound. Oy, it was gonna be one of them days. Sure enough, for the bulk of the afternoon, the engine, squad, or both were gone. I love to stay busy like anybody, but yikes! The call that stayed with me is the fourth of five runs in a row for Roy and Johnny. Man now I know why I am not a paramedic or a rescue man. I'd be too exhausted to move by the end of a shift.
The tones went off. I looked at Marco as we head for the bay. “These people today! Aye crambe!”
Marco sighed tiredly, “You hit the nail on the head.”
Sam's voice rang through the speaker, “Engine 51 with squad 51. Man down at the ice rink. 1567 Jackson, that's 1-5-6-7 Jackson cross street Cherry. Time out 1420.”
I heard Cap acknowledge the call; My mind however was already at the scene. I know that ice rink well. Hell, I was just there the night before the shift started for practice. None of the guys, not even Marco, know I love to play hockey, Ah well. They're all about to find out.
My mind really started to wander as Mike pulled Big Red out of the station. I was beginning to wonder if something that caught my ear yesterday was true. Were the Los Angeles Kings really practicing there today? Ah man, if they were this ‘man down' might get very ugly.
I didn't have much time to think. We were at the rink in about five minutes. Time to go to work!
*********************************************************************
The engine emptied as Roy and Johnny spilled out of the squad. No sooner we're they out then we were met by our informant. I was momentarily stunned to see that it was LA Kings Center Butch Goring. This wasn't going to be pretty!
“Butch.”
The guys are slightly stunned. Butch spoke quickly, “Sir?”
“What happened?”
“Marcel took a slap shot that bounced off the Hammer.”
My mind kicked in but I didn't say my first thought, ‘Ugliness!!!'
Instead I stayed professional and asked, “Did he wind up? Where'd it hit Hammer?”
“Yes. Right between the pads on the left knee.”
I grimaced as I turned to Roy and Johnny. “Guys, I know I don't usually say this, but you'll need splints, IVs, and a blanket.”
The boys were stunned, but quickly gathered the equipment. I never usually get this involved on rescue calls.
Not surprisingly Cap questioned me, “Chet, how do you know what the guys need?”
“I know the skill of the shooter Cap. Marcel Dionne has one of the nastiest slap shots in the National Hockey League.”
That was all Roy needed to hear, “Good enough for me. Let's go. Cap, get us an ambulance.”
“You got it.”
Marco and Mike helped Johnny and Roy lug the equipment in.
I looked over at Butch, “Butch, relax Dave is in good hands. Johnny and Roy are the best in the county.”
Butch seemed to relax just a bit, “Thanks uh…”
I smiled, “Firefighter Chet Kelly.”
Butch smiled, “Thanks Chet.”
“Anytime Butch. Just doing our job.”
***********************************************************************
We quickly made it to rink side. I could see Dave crumpled at center ice. This was gonna be interesting. “Hey Butch, can you get some of your boys to help us balance?”
One look at our shoes and Butch realized our problem. “Yeah one sec. How many of you guys are going out there?”
Cap answered, “Five. I have to go wait for the ambulance.”
“Okay.”
Cap left. Just then Dave started yelling in pain, “Ah god my knee!”
My heart really went out to him. Johnny quickly yelled out to him, “Hang in there a second sir. Help is coming.”
Butch turned toward the bench and yelled, “Bob, Gary, Ross, Larry, Bert! Need ya' for balance now!”
Seconds later the five requested guys were rink side. Slowly with the help of the players, we made our way across the ice. The guys seemed to be extremely worried about slipping. Me eh I was home.
As soon as I was on the ice I was comfortable, “I'm good Bob.”
“You're used to this ice.”
I smiled, “Very, I skate here anytime I can.” For a split second I saw looks of shock and surprise on the guys' faces. Guess I have some explaining to do. Ah well.
We got out to the Hammer. Mike, Marco and I backed off slightly to give Roy and Johnny room to work.
Marcel skated over, “I didn't mean it. I thought everybody was clear.”
Hammer looked up with pain on his face and said, “I know Marcel. It's okay, no hard feelings.”
Roy turned to me and asked, “Chet, can you get his history? Brackett will want it when we go in.”
“Sure.”
Johnny quickly grinned, “Thanks Chet. I think you're the only one of us who can move much with and risking a code I.”
I chuckled, “Not a problem Johnny. If ya need anything else just let me know.”
“Will do.”
***********************************************************************
Slowly I took off for the bench. I really wished I wasn't on duty so I could actually go skate. Almost on instinct I kept my feet to short strides.
Butch was walking next to me just in case and smiled “You really are comfortable out here.”
I smiled, “To be honest Butch I wish I wasn't on duty right now. If I wasn't I would definitely be here.”
“I bet.”
We made it over to the bench. I admit I was slightly star-struck, but I knew I had to stay professional. Butch looked up at the bench, “Coach.”
Kings coach Bob Pulford locked eyes with Butch, “Yeah Butch?”
Butch pointed to me, “This is firefighter Chet Kelly. He needs Hammer's info.”
“Sure.”
Just as Bob was about to give me the information Roy yelled, “Chet, we need ya to help get him off the ice.”
I quickly asked, “Butch, can you get the info and meet us?”
“Sure Chet.”
“Thanks.”
***********************************************************************
I turned around and headed back to the guys. The more time I was on the ice, the more I wished we didn't have to work. “Butch is going to meet us with info.”
Johnny spoke quickly, “Good.”
I saw they already had Dave in the stokes. I thought to myself, “Good thinking guys, it'll be a lot easier to move him.”
“Where do you want me guys?”
“Since you're the most stable one out here, at his feet.”
“Sure thing.”
I quickly moved into position. As I did I took a split second to look around. All of my shift mates were surrounding the stokes. Each one of them was flanked by a member of the Kings.
Roy took command, “Alright guys one smooth motion on my count. One.”
In one motion the five of us had Hammer off the ice. Slowly we made our way across the ice.
Hammer started asking for the Rocket who was to his right, “Marcel?”
“Yeah Hammer?”
“Make sure the boys finish practice. I want the Red Wings running scared.”
“No problem Hammer.”
“Thanks pal.”
We got to the edge of the ice. At the same time Cap came barreling in with the ambulance crew. Butch skated over with Dave's information and gave it to Roy.
“Talk about timing.”
Marco spoke up, “You know it.”
We helped get the Hammer loaded onto the stretcher. The Kings broke off as the station escorted Hammer out.
***********************************************************************
I wanted to say something to Hammer. I turned to the guys, “Hey Cap, I'll be right there.”
“Okay pal.”
I jogged over to where Johnny was helping Roy load Hammer into the ambulance, “One second Johnny.”
One look at my face and Johnny could tell I was being sincere, “Okay, but make it quick. Brackett wants him there now.”
“Sure thing.”
I jumped into the back of the ambulance. I wanted to make sure Hammer can see the sincerity in my eyes, “Hammer.”
Dave looked up at me as I continued, “You hang tough for us. I know you were a Broad Street Bully, put that force into this.”
I saw a look of determination on his face, “I will Chet.”
“Good.”
”Hey Chet, stay in touch.”
I smiled, “Sure. Johnny'll give you the station's information so you can do the same.”
“Sounds good.” One last glance at Hammer and I scrambled out. I didn't want to hold the guys up any more.
***********************************************************************
Okay welcome back to the present for now. I am going to cut through the rest of the day to my dream. It is getting late and I want to make sure I get this all written out before sleep reclaims me. It is my dream so please no comments from the peanut gallery. Enjoy!
Exhausted I close my eyes and let much needed rest take over. As I finally relax I start to dream. I opened my eyes and was not in the dorms anymore. Uh-oh where was my mind taking me now?
***********************************************************************
There was a chill in the air. I recognized it quickly; it's the chill from the inside of an ice rink. This was gonna be fun!
I looked down at what I was wearing to see if I could get a clue as to what I was doing. Imagine my surprise when I saw wearing a Los Angeles Kings uniform. Okay, now I know I'm dreaming. Ah well, time to have some fun!
Suddenly I heard Bob yell, “Phantom you're the right wing to Marcel and Butch. Move it!”
I thought, ‘Ah coach must have been talking to the guys and found out my nick name.'
I double-timed it over to Marcel and Butch. Forty-five minutes later morning skate is over.
Coach called us in for a meeting at center ice. We all took a knee. “Boys that was a damn good morning skate. If we bring half that energy to the game tonight Philly is toast.”
A loud cheer erupted from all of us. Coach gave us a second and then continued, “Boys, the puck drops tonight seven. Make sure you're here no later then five. I'll make sure the building is unlocked by three-thirty if you want to get here early. Any questions?”
Nobody says anything so coach said, “Okay see ya' tonight boys.”
We broke up.
***********************************************************************
I felt my pulse picking up even in my sleep. My brain skipped ahead a few hours. It was now the last two minutes of the Kings game against the Flyers.
It had been a brutal game. I wondered if I need to have Johnny and Roy check me out. Two minutes left. Lets send those east coast boys home.
My speed picked up. I dropped a few more hard blows against the boards.
The announcement over the loud speaker rang out, “Last minute of play in the third period.”
I heard the announcement and thought, ‘Right now the game is tied at one. If we want to send these guys home during regulation we got to move NOW!'
Then it happened…
I found myself with a wide-open shot in the slot. I raised my voice, “Marcel, E51 clear! I repeat E51 clear!”
Marcel quickly shot the puck my way. The confused Flyers didn't pick up on the call until I snapped off the shot. Ha! Up in the stands above everybody else I heard my guys going nuts.
I snapped off the shot and time seemed to slow. On instinct I moved in just in case there's a rebound.
Much to my amazement the puck went high and Bernie Parent went low. The buzzer for the goal and the game went off at the same time. We won 2-1. I was too stunned to move at first.
***********************************************************************
Marcel went and got the puck for me. He brought it over to me as the rest of the guys tackled me.
Butch grinned, “Hell yeah Chet.”
Marcel handed me the puck grinning from ear to ear, “Beautiful shot.”
I grinned broadly, “Thanks guys. Gimme one second and I'll be over.”
“Sure.”
I backed up from the rest of the Kings and search the crowd. It only took a few seconds to find the five smiling faces I am looking for. With tears of joy stinging in my eyes I snapped to attention and thrust the puck into the air. That really got the guys going nuts!
**********************************************************************
Back to the present now. It was at the point I woke up wide-awake. Now forty-five minutes later the adrenaline has worn off. I am going to head back to the dorm while my eyes are still opened enough to see where I am going.
Till we meet again
The Phantom Right Wing CK
Authors Note: Everything to do with the Los Angeles Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers belongs to the teams and the NHL