By Casey, Rookie Carol, Nancy the Nifty Lady, Lisa D, Fess, Mrs. S, Pat, Rick C, L.Knoll, Sheryl, Sue, Alice, Kathy, Starbuck, KC, and Laura.
The A-shift of station 51 would be on duty for Christmas this year. The guys were setting around the table trying to decide what they wanted to do. Their families would be joining them for dinner, each bringing their own special dishes. Roy and Johnny were put in charge of getting and decorating the tree, Mike was going to make candy, cookies, and Chet, and Marco would do the rest of the decorating. Captain Stanley had paper work to do. Now if only the alarms would remain quiet so that they could get on with the jobs at hand...
"..besides being more practical..." Johnny never got to finish. Roy stopped him in mid sentence.
"You don't understand. An artificial tree is so...artificial." Roy was amazed at how hardheaded Johnny was being over the tree. "A plastic tree looks plastic. And it doesn't have that fresh pine smell. It just wouldn't be Christmas-y." Johnny looked at his partner like he was from another planet.
"But Roy, why kill a tree only to have it sit in the room for a couple days and then throw it out on trash day? That's mean!"
"You know what your problem is, Johnny?" Roy looked his partner in the eye.
"No. Why don't you tell me?" Before either could reply, the tones sounded.
"Station 51, structure fire, Sun Mall, 5143 east Carson Blvd. Five, One, Four, Three East Carson Blvd. Cross Street Madison. Time out 0935." Captain Stanley wrote down the address and responded with,
"10-4, Station 51, KMG 365." Stanley handed the slip to Roy as he went to the engine.
~*~
Smoke billowed from the storefront. A crowd of displaced shoppers milled around the parking lot at a relatively safe distance. The department store Christmas window display burned orange-red with flames as it greedily devoured everything. This had the makings of a major disaster. Captain Stanley groaned silently, and reached for the mic.
"LA, Engine 51, on scene. Smoke and fire are showing from the structure. Please assign a second alarm." Hank put the mic back on it's perch and climbed down from the cab. "Chet, Marco! Grab an inch and a half and start in on the north end of the building." Chet and Marco, nodded, grabbed the hose, and made their way into the building. "Johnny, Roy, I want you two to make a quick search of the building and make sure it's vacant." The two paramedics, nodded and stopped long enough to pull on their air masks. They replaced their helmets before they entered the smoke-filled building. Roy took the lead with Johnny on his heels. At least a small measure of luck graced their search; the store had only been open since nine, and the number of shoppers had been reasonably small. They swept through the rows of showcases. The decorations of garland and tinsel sparkled eerily from the light of the flames, shrouded by the billows of thickening smoke. Suddenly, one of the 20-foot artificial trees exploded as the flames devoured it. Both paramedics flinched at the sound, and headed deeper into the store.
"Why aren't the sprinklers going?" Roy wondered out loud, as he encountered an over-laden display in his way. Johnny shrugged and then tapped Roy's shoulder.
"Hey Roy," he shouted through his mask. "I thought I heard someone over this way." Johnny pointed to his right. Roy nodded that he understood and they headed toward a bank of elevators as another decorated tree went up in flames. Johnny pressed his ear against the elevator door and listened.
"Fire department! Anybody in there?" Johnny shouted, pounding on the metal door. There wasn't a response. They moved to the next set of doors and repeated the question. Roy heard a muffled response.
"Johnny! They're in here!" Johnny joined his partner and using their forcible entry tools, they began to pry open the doors. As they used their tools on the elevator, they continued to hear the muffled screams of panicking shoppers.
"Please calm down," Johnny yelled. "There's no need to panic!" Finally Roy's forcible entry tool caught the door latch and the doors slid open. Five anxious people crammed their way out the door at the same time. They struggled for a moment between the doors because they couldn't all fit at once. But that did not stop them from trying. Their momentum threw them at the two stunned paramedics, knocking everyone down in a tangle of arms and legs.
An obese man of 300 pounds landed on top of Johnny. Fortunately, the man was still in a hurry to get out, so he quickly picked himself up and continued for the exit. Johnny, however, remained on the floor. Roy was freed when the last of the shoppers stood, running toward the exit. He rolled over onto his knees and put his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "You okay?"
"Wind.... knocked..... out.." Johnny wheezed. Both men heard a faint cry,
"Somebody help me… please." Roy turned his head around and noticed one elderly female remained in the elevator.
"We'll be right there ma'am! Are you hurt?" Roy asked speaking loudly enough to be heard over the hiss of air coming into his face mask.
"No, I'm fine," the woman said, "It's my husband…" On the floor lay an elderly gentleman, clutching his chest with one hand. "I think he is having a heart attack! Help us, please!"
"I'll get him," volunteered Roy. "You help her." "Okay," Johnny replied, as he stood up. "We'll take good care of your husband." He placed his hand under her elbow and helped her to her feet. Roy lifted the elderly gentleman up onto his shoulder and led the way out of the burning building.
"Cap!" he yelled as he trotted towards the squad. "We've got a victim!" He lay the elderly gentleman gently on the ground. Hank opened the squad's doors, grabbed the drug box and biophone, and set them down on the ground, where Roy needed it. He then returned to the squad for the heart monitor and defibrillator.
"I'll get the oxygen," Johnny let go of the woman's arm and retrieved the oxygen tank. He set up the biophone and contacted Rampart.
"Rampart this is County 51, do you read?"
"51 this is Rampart, we read you loud & clear," Dixie responded.
"Rampart we have a heart attack victim, approximate age, 71, suffering from chest pains. He was trapped in an elevator during a fire. Please stand by for vitals."
"10-4, 51, standing by," Dixie said. She picked up the PA microphone and made an announcement. "Dr. Early to the base station, Dr. Early to the base station."
~*~
Johnny turned to get the vitals from Roy when he heard his partner shout, "full arrest." Johnny charged the paddles while Roy began chest compressions. Johnny handed him the paddles. "400 watt seconds."
"Clear," Roy shouted. "No response." Johnny started chest compressions again. He began experiencing painful sensations in his chest. Roy defibrillated the victim again. There was still no response. Beads of sweat were beginning to break out across Johnny's forehead and it was becoming harder to take a deep breath. The resuscitation effort was beginning to take a toll on him.
He watched as Roy spoke with Rampart over the biophone and reached for something in the drug box. The pain in his chest intensified. "Man," he groaned, "that 300 pound man must had done more than knock the wind out of me," he told Roy. He glanced around seeing if there was anyone else to help. The only one nearby was the victim's wife. The rest of the crew had returned to the fire. Johnny stopped compressions again, grateful for the break, and hoping that the third time at defibrillating would be the charm. Concentrating on his breathing, he barely heard his partner announce, "sinus rhythm." Wrapping his arms around his chest, he let a moan escape his lips. Roy jerked his head up and looked at his partner. "You okay?"
"Yeah," said Johnny as he wiped the sweat off of his brow. "I must not have gotten my wind back." He pulled the BP cuff and stethoscope out of the drug box and wrapped the cuff around the elderly victim's arm. Roy checked the victim's respirations.
"BP 90 over 40, pulse is 60." Johnny announced, slightly out of breath. He pulled an IV catheter out of the box, and wrapped a tourniquet around the man's arm. Roy picked up the biophone and relayed the information to Rampart. He watched as Johnny unconsciously rubbed his chest before opening the package that contained the needle. "Rampart wants Lidocaine 75 milligrams, then a drip at 3 milligrams, oxygen, and transport." Johnny nodded.
"I'll have the IV in, in a minute." He skillfully inserted the line, then grabbed a syringe full of the medication from the drug box.
"Here's the drip." Roy handed the bag of Lidocaine to Johnny. He noticed John grimace as he reached over the victim. Suddenly, there was a tremendous explosion in the mall behind them. Both paramedics instinctively dove to protect their patient. A shower of confetti-like paper began to fall like a snowstorm around them. Roy lifted his head and stared in awe at the sight.
"What in the world?" He turned his eyes to his partner. Johnny hadn't moved. "Johnny?" When he didn't respond, Roy reached out his hand to lift him from the elderly patient. Johnny fell limply onto his side. Roy spoke in his HT.
"Engine 51, Squad 51!"
"Go ahead Squad 51," came Stanley's voice.
"Cap, Johnny's down and I need help!" Stanley frowned as he responded.
"10-4, Roy. I'll send someone right away." He waved and whistled at Marco. Marco turned his head, and looked at his Captain. "Lopez. Go help DeSoto," the Captain ordered. He nodded and headed over to the squad that was quickly being buried in the paper snow. If it weren't for the seriousness of the situation, the scene could almost be considered beautiful.
~*~
Johnny moaned and opened his eyes. White dots danced across his vision. "S…snow?" Johnny struggled to sit up, meeting resistance from his partner's arm.
"Stay still," Roy commanded. Staring at the winter wonderland, Johnny grabbed a handful, realizing it was nothing more than confetti. He tried to sit up again and this time he brushed his partner's arm aside. Sure his chest hurt somewhat, but he had no plan on spending this Christmas in a hospital.
"I'm fine, Roy. I just…had...the...wind…"
"knocked out of you, I know." Roy finished the statement for him, raising an eyebrow.
"Roy, I'm okay, honest." Shakily, he began brushing off the small pieces of paper clinging to his uniform. Marco rushed over, and looked at the senior paramedic.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Could you finish packing up our gear and drive the squad? Johnny will be riding with me in the ambulance." Roy simply stated. Johnny attempted to open his mouth but was cut off, as he directed the next remark toward him. "And when we get there, you will be checked out."
The ride to Rampart was mostly a silent one. Johnny sat on the side bench suppressing a groan each time the ambulance took a dip or a sharp turn. He looked up once and saw Roy watching him as he rubbed his hand across his chest, so he avoided Roy's eyes all together. "Roy," he said, "It's probably nothing more than a pulled muscle." Roy smirked, and shook his head. Johnny looked down at his chest. "With my luck, I'll get Morton, and he'll want to run every test in the book." He looked up at his partner. "I'll be lucky if I'm out of the hospital before the New Year."
"Don't worry," Roy reassured him.
"Do you realize that if I'm stuck in the hospital for that long," he grinned, maliciously, "that you'll be partnered with you-know-who?" Roy closed his eyes, and dropped his head.
"You'd better be careful of what you say…," Roy said, looking up menacingly. The ambulance pulled into Rampart's emergency bay. Johnny tried to hurry out of the back, but winced in pain as his feet hit the pavement. He spotted Dixie standing in the door. Maybe, if he interacted with her about the up-coming party, Roy would forget all about him, and they could get back to the station. Maybe she could offer a solution to their tree 'dilemma'. Roy would always listen to her.
"Hey, Dixie, what are you going to do for Christmas this year?"
"That all depends on you, Johnny." Dixie smiled, taking his arm, leading him down the hallway. "Roy, Dr. Brackett is waiting for you in three." She called to him over her shoulder. He nodded acknowledgment and wheeled his patient into the appropriate room.
"On me?" Johnny looked at her questioningly, "and what do you mean by that?" She smiled as she pushed the door open to treatment room two. Joe Early and Mike Morton each grabbed an arm. Before he had a chance to protest, they led him into the room. His mouth hung open as walked over to the exam table. "I'm fine, honest," he began, forcing a smile.
"That isn't what we heard, Johnny," stated Joe Early with a kind voice.
"But Doc, I only pulled a muscle," he argued, rubbing his chest.
"Gage, get on the table," ordered the young intern. John stared at him in total annoyance, then rolled his eyes, and hopped on the table. The action made him wince and grab his chest again. "That looked like it hurt," Morton observed, raising an eyebrow. "Do you think you can remove your shirt with out any help?"
"Man! I don't believe this!" the paramedic groaned as he unbuttoned his shirt.
"Johnny, if you're okay, then you have nothing to worry about." Dr. Early smiled warmly, and patted his shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah!" John sighed dramatically, before trying to pull his tee-shirt over his head. He stopped, groaned, and grabbed his chest again. Dr. Early smiled as he started to palpate Johnny's rib cage.
"Fine, hum?"
"Yeah," Johnny inhaled quickly and hissed through gritted teeth as pain shot through his chest.
"I'll call for a chest x-ray," said Dr. Morton, as he walked across the room to the phone.
"Better get some skull films, too."
"Now you think I need my head examined?" Everyone in the room stopped and stared at the young paramedic. "Don't even say it…" Johnny threatened. "That didn't come out right." Early looked at Morton.
"Roy said he had a brief loss of consciousness at the scene." He turned his attention back to the young man. "Even without an x-ray, I'm positive a couple of those ribs are broken. I only want to make sure everything else is in working order." Dr. Early put the ends of his stethoscope in his ears. "Breathe as deeply as you can."
"I didn't lose consciousness," protested Johnny in between short, pain-filled, breaths. "I was...catching my breath."
"Uh-huh," Dr. Morton said flatly. "Now be quiet and let my fine colleague listen to your lungs." Johnny grew impatient as they poked and prodded him. The irritated paramedic asked,
"Can I go now?" Dr. Early glanced at him for a moment, then at Morton.
"I don't think so, Johnny," he answered him.
"And why not?"
"I believe one of those ribs has punctured your lung. I'm surprised that you can breathe as well as you can."
"C'mon, Doc," protested Johnny. "It's almost Christmas! Roy and I have to get the tree for the station. I can't stick him with, Brice, of all people, on Christmas! He'll have my head!" Johnny braced his ribs as he coughed. He grimaced as the pain shot through his chest.
"Listen, Johnny," said Dr. Morton, "if you're a good little patient, maybe Santa Claus won't have to stick a chest tube in your stocking." He smiled at his little joke and stepped back as the x-ray machine was pushed into the room. "Let's see what Rudolph and his x-ray film has to say about all this, shall we?" The x-ray tech looked at Morton; confused. He looked down at his name tag. Yep, Frank was still emblazoned there. He closed his eyes, and shook his head. He knew better than to question a physician. The two doctors stepped out of the room. When the x-rays were finished, the technician wheeled his equipment from the treatment room.
"Why me?" Johnny wondered out loud, staring at the ceiling. He fidgeted for several more minutes, and then glanced over at the door. He expected someone to come in wanting blood, or to give him a shot of something-or-other. He debated getting up, but figured he'd get caught, and Dixie would read him the riot act. "This is ridiculous," he swung his feet over the side of the table, and struggled to sit up. His chest was beginning to hurt worse. The move made him a little dizzy, so he closed his eyes. He waited restlessly, and the feeling went away. He carefully got down from the exam table and walked toward the door. As he reached the door, it flew open and a huge machine propelled into him. Johnny grunted in pain, doubling over as the machine hit him in the chest. He lay on the floor, gasping for breath. The x-ray technician stopped pushing the machine and quickly ran to John's side.
"Don't move!" Johnny was writhing on the floor.
"Easy for you to say…" Johnny groaned. Dixie ran into the room, followed by Roy.
"What happened?" She asked.
"I was bringing the machine into the room," the flustered technician explained. "I didn't know he'd be on the other side of the door! He's supposed to have been on the exam table."
"I thought you were finished in here?" Dixie asked.
"One of the films didn't come out and they wanted another one. I'm so sorry. If I'd have known he would be on the other side of the door, I would have been more careful."
"It's okay, Johnny's known for his spontaneity." Dixie looked at Roy.
"Go get Dr. Early, Roy." Roy nodded and left the room. Johnny began gasping for breath. Dr. Early entered the treatment room and quickly listened to the young man's chest, frowning. Dr. Early looked at Dixie and Roy.
"I am going to have to insert a chest tube. His left lung has collapsed, and his right lung has shallow breath sounds." The five people managed to get Johnny onto the exam table and Dixie swabbed down his chest. She hands the chest tube to Dr. Early.
He deftly inserted the tube into the space that he had made between the injured paramedics' ribs, and everyone in the room heard the rush of air inflate his lung. "We'll be taking him up for surgery."
"Looks like Johnny will be spending the holiday's with us after all." Roy sighed heavily.
"He's going to be disappointed. This was to be his first Christmas at his ranch, he was planning on having everyone over to celebrate Christmas with a turkey dinner and music."
Dixie shook her head. "He told me that he was looking forward to going to midnight mass this year. He was supposed to singing a solo." She looked at Roy and realized that he didn't know. "Roy DeSoto you did not hear that from me." Looking first to his unconscious partner and then to Dixie he shook his head in disbelief.
"Really? I didn't know that Johnny could sing. And I'm his partner, I guess he does have a few secrets that he didn't want to impart with. Did he tell you what song he was to be singing?"
"He said it was called 'When A Child Is Born', but as I said before, you did not hear it from me."
"Heard what?" Morton asked as he entered the room.
"Um, nothing," Roy replied. Dixie busied herself with Johnny's tubing.
"What happened?" Before an explanation could be given, Marco strolled into the room.
"Roy, Cap called and wants us back at the…Madre de Dios!" He exclaimed upon seeing Johnny on the exam table. "What happened?"
"It's a long story, and I'll tell everyone at supper. Let's let the doctor work," Roy said, escorting Marco out of the treatment room. "What did Cap say?"
"That they're back from the fire and that Johnny's replacement is at the station." Marco paused for a moment. Roy tried not to show the disdain upon his face. "Brice." The two men said together. Great partnered with Brice on Christmas. He'll be a big help picking out the tree. That is, if he can find one perfect enough. "Is Johnny going to be all right?" Marco hadn't thought Gage was that badly injured, especially since he put up such a fuss about being checked out. Of course, Johnny always made a fuss over being checked out.
"I'm not sure." Roy looked back at the treatment room door. "I'll run in and check on him before we go." Roy opened the door and stepped inside.
"I'll wait in the squad." Marco called as the door closed behind the paramedic. Poor Johnny, to be stuck in the hospital during the holidays…and poor Roy, to be stuck with Brice. I wonder what Mr. Rulebook will think of the station's celebration. He'll probably say it's against protocol. Marco made his way back to the squad, trying to come up with a way to make Johnny's Christmas a little bit better. As he reached the sliding glass doors, an idea came to mind. He did an about face and rushed to the pay phone. He fished a dime from his pocket and dialed his cousin, Estelle. He briefly explained what had happened, and asked if she could help him out by getting some Christmas stuff together. He asked if she could bring it over to the station, with an extra assortment, for Johnny. The whole shift would drop it off at the hospital in the morning when they got off duty. Estelle was more than happy to help.
~*~
"Hey, Doc," Roy asked, as the door closed, "how is he?" Dr. Early gave the paramedic a forced smile.
"Well, I don't think he'll have to worry about a New Year's Eve date this year." Roy shook his head. A weak voice came from the exam table.
"Says who?" The two men turned to see Johnny try to force open his eyes. "If you think you're going to ruin my New Years Eve…"
"Now Johnny, relax. You'll be fine, no one is trying to ruin anything." The doctor put his stethoscope on his patient's chest. There was an audible rattle that could be heard anywhere in the room. "Dix, see what's taking so long on that OR, would you?" She nodded and left the room. A short time later, Roy watched as John was wheeled off to surgery. "We'll give you a call as soon as we have any news," Dr. Early promised, giving the worried paramedic a pat on the shoulder. "He'll be okay, Roy, don't worry about him." Roy took a deep breath and nodded his head. Dr. Early followed the gurney into the elevator.
~*~
"I simply don't see the logic in a fire station having a Christmas tree," Brice stated complacently, while looking out the passenger window as he and Roy drove to purchase the stations' tree. Roy sighed, not feeling up to a useless argument with his temporary partner. Merry Christmas to you too, Brice!
"Well, Cap told us to get a tree, so I guess you'll have to take this up with him."
"I guess I will," replied Brice, glancing briefly at Roy. Roy shook his head as he pulled the squad into a parking lot. "Christmas is nothing but commercialism... I fail to see the point," Brice commented sounding disgusted. Roy noticed a picture of Scrooge, holding a Christmas tree and Tiny Tim looking very happy, Tiny Tim's Christmas Tree's was what the sign read. A smile came to Roy's face as he mentally began to note the similarities between Craig Brice and Ebanezer Scrooge, and smiled. Roy looked at Craig and opened the squad door.
"Does this mean that you won't be picking out the tree with me then?" Brice looked at Roy with sheer annoyance.
"DeSoto, you know how I feel about this assignment. As far as I'm concerned, it is a waste of department personnel time and money. Just because Captain Stanley ordered me to take part in this, does not mean I have to take a huge part in it. So, long story short-you do whatever you want." Roy shrugged his shoulders.
"Suit yourself, Scrooge." Brice sneered and exited the vehicle on the passenger side. The two paramedics entered the freshly cut trees in Tiny Tim's Christmas Tree's. Roy breathed in the strong pine scent and anxiously maneuvered through the trees. He paused only slightly at each tree to give it a once over, grabbing the trunk, giving it a good shake, and setting it gently back on the ground. He was very please with the trees that he carefully inspected.
"Are you going to scrutinize every tree, DeSoto? We don't have all day!" Brice whined.
"Brice, picking out a tree is not a task to be taken lightly. You can't just grab the first tree you see. The perfect tree will grab you. You feel an immediate bond." Roy explained. Brice picked up a beautiful Douglas Fir. It was full and carried a strong scent of pine.
"This one is perfect," Brice said. "The branches are symmetrical, the trunk is well-proportioned, the needles are," he pulled his finger back quickly, "owe, sharp." He inspected his injured finger closely and saw a small drop of blood forming. He placed the finger in his mouth, suddenly realizing he was in public, pulling it out. "Albeit a little dry." Roy shook his head disapprovingly.
"No, no, Brice- that tree is too nice. That tree will have no problem finding a good home." Roy turned and continued walking through the maze of trees. Craig put the tree back in its stand, confused.
"You are kidding, right?" Roy was not listening. His gaze was intent on the meek little tree before him. It was tall, but skinny. There were plenty of spaces between the branches and the poor thing drooped slightly to the left. Brice studied the senior paramedic. "DeSoto, you can't seriously be thinking, what I think you're thinking... That tree is...."
"Perfect!" Roy finished. He walked purposely forward, pulled the weeping fir out of its stand, and brought it up the cashier, leaving a very dumbfounded Brice in his wake.
~*~
Marco's cousin, Estelle Martinez, guided her car to the rear parking lot of the station. Marco hurried out to greet her with a big grin on his face.
"Estelle! You made it!" The young Hispanic woman gave her cousin a brilliant smile as she exited the car. She wore her thick dark hair in two long braids, intertwined with colorful ribbons. Her undeniable beauty gave Marco a moment's pause. Maybe it wasn't safe inviting her to come to the station. "Wow, you look great today."
"Why thank, Marco, I thought I'd look good for your friends," she responded and gave him a quick hug. She reached back into the car for a plate of goodies. Marco blushed, as the hem of her mini-skirt slipped a little farther than she intended.
"Estelle, your dress," he cautioned, stepping up behind her.
"Sorry, I forget I'm wearing this silly little thing." She straightened up tugging at the short skirt.
"Do you need any help?" He asked. She looked over her shoulder at the back seat and said,
"I've got a container of punch and several bottles of ginger-ale, back there."
"I'll get them," and moved to collect the rest of the items. Estelle waited and they entered the station together. Mike was exiting the day room when he spotted the beautiful Estelle, and hurried over to help her with the 'heavy' platter of food.
"That looks awfully heavy, may I be of assistance?" he asked, grinning his most charming grin. Marco tried to warn Mike to stay away, but he paid no attention.
"Why thank you," Estelle said sweetly. "It was getting a tad heavy."
"Mike Stoker, my COUSIN, Estelle Martinez." Marco glared, warningly.
"Hi Mike! It's nice to meet you," Estelle oozed sultrily as she took his offered hand.
"Marco never said anything about having such a beautiful cousin," Mike responded warmly. "The way he talked they all looked like him." Estelle giggled like a schoolgirl. Mike laughed out loud, while Marco glared, menacingly. He cleared his throat heartily when the handshake had lingered a too long. Mike reluctantly released her hand and guided her into the day room.
"Aunt Maria is going to kill me," Marco whispered to himself as he followed them, shaking his head. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
Roy and Brice pulled into the station. Roy hopped out of the cab and pulled the tree off of the back of the squad. Cap emerged from his office to see the spindly tree Roy stood holding proudly in front of him. Chet trotted out of the kitchen and up to Cap's side.
"What's this?"
"What the heck is that?"
"A tree," Brice started, "at least that's what DeSoto keeps telling me." Chet couldn't help but laugh.
"It looks like Gage!" Cap poked Chet in the ribs in an attempt to shut him up, but it didn't work. "It's tall, skinny, and real spacey!" A smile slowly spread across Roy's face as he pictured Johnny covered with garland, lights, and tinsel.
"I guess you're right, Chet. All the more reason to give this poor thing a nice Christmas." He turned and started toward the day room when the phone in Captain Stanley's office started to ring. Hank excused himself from his men and walked into his office. He picked up the ringing phone.
"Station 51, Captain Stanley speaking." Hank's stomach did a flip-flop when he heard who was on the other end. "Oh hi, Chief… Fine, how are you? Yes, sir, it is the season. Really? Yes that is a shame. You heard what? So you're doing what? Oh no, sir, that's not a problem. Of course, sir, I mean if that's what you want. Okay, see you then, bye." Hank hung up the phone and nearly passed out. He regained his composure and strode back out into the day room where his men were still huddled around Roy's "GAGE" tree. Mike Stoker was just entering through the dorm with a box of Christmas lights and ornament s from the previous year.
"This was all I found, Roy. But I think it'll be plenty for that scrawny little thing."
"You'll see, Mike. It'll be great!" Roy defended. The talk stopped as the men noticed the haggard looking Captain Stanley.
"What's the matter, Cap? Is there something wrong?" Chet asked. Cap leaned against the wall and let his head fall back.
"We will be having a visitor for Christmas day, it seems." Cap said plainly.
"Who?" Marco asked.
"Chief McConnikee!"
"What?" Everyone shouted in unison. Mike Stoker dropped the box of Christmas decorations and a loud crash resounded. Hank continued.
"Yes, it seems that the chief is scheduled to work this Christmas. And somehow he got wind of us getting a nice home cooked Christmas dinner; compliments of Marco's cousin. He decided that our homey little station was as good a place as any, for celebrating the holiday." Hank looked defeated but he knew he had to keep a level head if the station was going to survive this crisis. Of course, the only one in a real panic was him. His heart felt like it was going to pound out of his chest. "This is what we have to do. Roy, I am putting you in charge of getting the inside of this station decorated appropriately. That includes making that" he looked with disdain at the weak little specimen, "tree look like a Christmas tree. Mike, you will be Roy's assistant, since I think you just broke every ornament from last year. Chet, you may as well dig through that box and start checking all the strings of lights to make sure they're all working properly..." Chet interjected.
"Cap! Why do I have to have the lights? I always get stuck with the lights! They are such a pain in the a…"
"KELLY!" Cap warned.
"Yes sir."
"As I was saying, Marco, I want you to help your cousin Estelle with the food preparations. And Brice, why don't you give Chet a hand with the lights and when your both finished, you can hang them up outside the station."
"Great," Chet muttered under his breath, "I can see it now. He'll have every light blinking in a succinct order and then use the rule book on how to hang them on external structures." Chet stopped in mid-stride, "oh God, I'm starting to sound like him." Hank clapped his hands.
"Okay, men. Let's get to it. Let's not forget Johnny. Dismissed."