G is for The Galloping Greyhound

By

Lindasqd51

“Man Gage, how long is it going to take you to mop the floor?” Chet snickered and then continued. “Everyone else is done with their chores.”

Johnny just kept mopping the dayroom floor, “It will be done when it is done.”

“Now you’re a philosopher. Why not move a little faster...” Chet smiled and sarcastically added, “Mr. Galloping Greyhound?”

Johnny stopped mopping and looked at Chet. “Now Chet, don’t call me that.” Johnny slammed the mop into the bucket.

“Aww, sorry Gage, I forgot without a little rabbit to chase you can’t move to fast.” Chet snickered and left the dayroom.

Johnny slapped the mop on the floor and continued to mop. When Roy came in he heard Johnny mumbling under his breath.

“Johnny is there a problem,” Roy asked coming up behind Johnny.

Johnny spun around slapping the mop against Roy’s leg. Roy jumped. “Oh, sorry. But that Chet’s got me so mad.”

Roy examined his wet leg and said, “What did he do now?”

“He said I was taking too long. Called me Mr. Galloping Greyhound. I was just finishing up when he came in. I’m probably gonna spend the whole shift being called the ‘galloping greyhound’. This is all your fault.”

Roy shook his head and pointed to himself. “Me! What did I do? I just walked in here.”

Johnny finished the floor and put the mop back in the bucket. Then leaning on the mop he narrowed his eyes and answered Roy. “YOU were the one who told him I was nicknamed the galloping greyhound.”

Roy was about try to reason with Johnny when the tones went off.

It was a small factory fire. Another engine company responded with station 51. They fought the fire for a couple of hours. Roy and Johnny were kept busy first manning the hoses and then helping tired and over heated firefighters. Once the fire was out, clean up began.

“Chet sit still. I can’t wash out your eyes with you moving around,” Johnny said grabbing Chet’s chin.

“You got a hell of a bedside manner, you know that Gage.” Chet stopped fidgeting and let Johnny rinse his eyes.

“There that should do you,” Johnny said handing a towel to Chet.

“Yeah they feel better.” Chet grinned. “Well, Greyhound Gage I better get back work.”

Johnny was about to tell Chet off when they heard another firefighter yell a warning. Both Johnny and Chet turned and looked toward where the firefighter was yelling.

Marco was working on a piece of smoldering debris. He was running his hose over the pile. Marco couldn’t hear the warning about the facade above him coming loose.

It was a good fifty yards between Johnny and Marco. Chet watched in awe as Johnny took off. Johnny got to Marco in time to shove him out of the way of the collapsing facade. Johnny and Marco tumbled to the ground and avoided being hit by the debris.

Chet and Roy helped Johnny and Marco to their feet.

“You both okay?” Roy asked looking both men up and down.

Yeah, I’m fine,” Johnny answered then he turned to Marco, “How about you Marco?”
“I’m fine, thanks to you John,” Marco slapped Johnny on the shoulder. “Thanks.”

Johnny nodded, “Just glad you’re okay.” Johnny saw Chet standing there looking at him. “What Chet?”

Chet looked at Marco and Roy. “I just ---it’s just---well--thank God for the Galloping Greyhound.”