The Gage SYNDROME by SnookieBunnie "Morning, Johnny." "Mornin," yawned Johnny as he walked into the locker room. Roy took in his partner and chuckled. 'So, what's the DILEMMA this time? Too much MESSIN' AROUND on your vacation?" "No man...... it was just ONE OF THOSE DAYS... all week!" Johnny replied as he yawned again and took off his BOOTs and tossed them into the locker. "Hey Roy! Johnny! Geeez, what's wrong with you? INSOMNIA again, Johnny?" asked Marco as he PARADEd into the locker room. "No Marco. Can't you read the BODY LANGUAGE? Gage here has WOMEN PROBLEMs." Chet said as he slipped into the room and started to change. "So Johnny Boy, tell THE PROFESSOR of Love what's wrong. I'LL FIX IT.. I PROMISE! I know all about impressing the ladies. In fact......." "Chet..." warned Hank as he slipped in the doorway like MAGIC. "I see you have volunteered for latrine duty this whole shift." "Cap! Why should I get SADDLED with the latrine? I didn't do anything!" "Because you're a NUISANCE, you twit! And if you don't lay off of Gage, you will have latrine duty for the rest of the month!" "Sorry, Cap." groused Chet as he pinned on his badge and left the room. "Thanks, Cap," said Johnny as he yawned yet again and zipped up his pants. "So, Gage... a hot DINNER DATE keep you up ALL NIGHT LONG?" teased Cap with a gleam in his eye. "No, Cap.... just some trouble with the neighbors..... well... all the neighbors, actually. You know, to be HONEST, Cap, I'm GRATEFUL to be here... even if that means putting up with ole Chester B. I couldn't have taken one more minute of those FOOLS!" "Well, John, I don't care about the DETAILS. Just get dressed and make roll call. The chief is coming by later to drop off some PAPERWORK. Then he wants to wrap up some LOOSE ENDS on that incident last week with the BREAKDOWN in COMMUNICATIONS at the BRUSHFIRE. And I wouldn't be SURPRISEd if he looked around a bit, too." "Don't worry, Cap. Wešll make him feel RIGHT AT HOME." Marco replied as he headed for the bay. "Good enough... Oh, Johnny... I don't want to hear any more about your problems while the chief is here. Got it? Nothing. Zip. ZERO." "Yeah, Cap. No sweat." Johnny said as he eyed Roy. Roy had a NAGGING SUSPICION that Cap wouldn't hear any more about the neighborhood commotion, but he would have to suffer through the whole sorted mess. <<<<<< >>>>>> "Ok men, we have a full plate today," began Captain Stanley at roll call. "First of all, it is THAT TIME OF YEAR again... time for the chief's annual get together. THE BASH will be next Saturday at the LIMELIGHT Lounge. Second, the city's AUDIT was just completed and it was discovered that, due to a COMPUTER ERROR, some paychecks were made out for the wrong amount. According to the RULES OF ORDER, and to avoid the illusion of a RIP-OFF, refund checks will be issued later. Thirdly, we will have a TRAINEE for the next several shifts. His name is Randy Jarrett. He will ride with the squad this shift and next. Then, we will have Kevin Rudd. He will ride with the engine crew. Make them feel welcome." Hank took a deep breath. "Fourth. THE OLD ENGINE at 110's has to go in for service. From 10 to 11:30, they're NOT AVAILABLE-- we will be helping to cover their area. And finally.. a few notes from the chief's office... 1) you are asked to ignore the rumor that CAPT HOOKrader is retiring... it is GOSSIP and nothing more..... 2) all engine crews are reminded about the CPR and first aid recertification classes starting next month.... sign up dead line is next Thursday...... THE EXAM will be on the 22nd. If you are scheduled to work, SIMPLE ADJUSTMENTS will be made in schedules to accommodate that need... 3) volunteers... the chief needs some..... several members of 85's are s suffering from BOTULISM and several shifts need to be covered.. call 85's if interested in some overtime...... 4) the chief still needs DRIVERS for the kiddy parade and display at the mall this coming weekend." At the mention of drivers, everyone looked over at Johnny. Johnny, however, was too tired to catch the snickers of the QUARTET in line. Captain Stanley, however, did not miss the digs by the other four. "All right... that' enough. Besides, it's hardly a FAIR FIGHT...... Gage is almost asleep." "I'm not asleep, Cap. I'm just tired from the weeklong activities in the neighborhood. NO KIDDING, man! I swear there is some kind of INSANITY EPIDEMIC.... They're all nuts... all but Rachel, the STEWARDESS who lives across the street. But...." "Gage!" yelled Cap as he realized Johnny was getting a head of steam together for another of his tirades. "We really don't have time for this. THE BOTTOM LINE-- shut up, you twit. We have a lot to do, and we still have EQUIPMENT to check... so get busy! That's all." With that, the crews went to their vehicles and began the day's duties. "Man, there was no reason for Cap to get so grumpy at me. Can I help it if the schools were hit with a VIRUS and all the KIDS have missed 5 SCHOOL DAYS?!? Man, what's up with parents anyway? Can't they control their own kids? I mean, really, Roy! You wouldn't believe some of the stuff they do." "Oh? Wouldn't I? I have 2 kids you know? Besides, if you are so tired, why don't you relax and conserve your energy?" "Gee, thanks for the UNDERSTANDING, partner!" Johnny sulked. Roy sighed deeply. Johnny was a good friend and a great paramedic. He would do almost anything to help Roy out. But being friends and partners with Johnny Gage came with a price. It was days like this Roy wondered if Johnny wasn't a FUGITIVE from the neighborhood insane asylum himself. But Roy knew better than to fight it. Randy was due within the hour. So if Roy let Johnny complain now, maybe by then he would be over it and Randy could have a normal first day. "So, Junior, just what is your INVOLVEMENT in this neighborhood chaos?" Johnny eyed Roy. It was unusual for him to be so solicitous, but Johnny didn't care. He had an audience, and he was ready to roll. "Well, like I said, the kids have been driving me nuts! And the parents.... Geez! They aren't any better! Take the FOREIGN TRADE investor next door, and his wife. You know what she does? She's THE SMOKE EATER at the circus! Can you believe that? "Those poor kids! THE UNLIKELY HEIRS to what? A cigarette lighter?" Roy laughed despite himself. It was amazing how odd things seemed to just find Johnny. Roy found himself wondering who-- or what-- lived on the other side or Johnny. He was sure Johnny would fill him in on that tidbit of information before the end of the shift. "Anyway," continued Johnny, "these two have four kids, how I'll never know-they're never home, you know what I mean?" "So, I get up early.... was going to make up a bunch of snack food and watch THE GAME from last week. I got everything ready, turned on the TEEVEE and settled into the big chair. The MASCOT was out on the field doing some kind of cheer, and I was all ready for the start when all of a sudden I heard a bunch of screaming. Man! I jumped up and ran outside-- I thought someone was being killed. I ran around back and there they were--all four of them. In their yard, throwing and kicking different colored balls and screaming. Well, I yelled at them to stop it. Then Tim, he's the oldest, he says they can't... IT'S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME. And that was it! They went right back at it. Man, I wish I could have caught it ON CAMERA and showed it to Julie and Bobby, their parents. Let them see what their kids are really like." Johnny mumbled to himself as he vigorously polished the squad. Roy checked his watch and sighed. It had only been ten minutes, but it felt like ten hours! 'I wish I was like Johnny..... LIGHTER THAN AIR. MAN, that would be great! I could sneak out on him, and he would never know the difference. QUICKER THAN THE EYE-- Poof! I would be gone! Damn! JoAnne is too good of a cook!' "You know, Roy, all that screaming might not have been so bad, but the night before, there was this ALLEY CAT outside my window howling away, looking for a date or something. I barely got any sleep, and I was cranky." "Anyway, talking to the kids didn't do any good, so I thought I'd go back and watch the game, but on the way back, I ran into the FUZZ LADY-- Kat, the cop-she's great, Roy! We have a lot in common, except our schedules. We sat out front and talked for quite a bit. By the time she left for work, the kids were done screaming and, unfortunately, the game was over, so I thought I'd go and get a nap." "I swear, there was a conspiracy going on! I had just stretched out on the couch and began to relax when it started... the jam session. I tell you, I like music just as much as the next guy, but this..... this.... MUSICAL MANIA was too much. Every kid and their group was there jamming. Roy, I'm telling you, there is something wrong with the youth of America today. The so-called music, it was awful!" "And their names-- Geez. You know, one group actually thought they were honoring me and fireman everywhere with their band.... THE FIREHOUSE FIVE, PLUS ONE. You know who the plus one is? A dog! And it isn't even a Dalmatian!" Roy had to chuckle at that one. He was envisioning this dog sitting on a stool, singing, well, barking, into a microphone. His chuckle turned to a laugh as he further pictured Henry doing the singing. "So, what other kind of names are there?" Roy was surprised to hear himself ask. "Well, one is called THE FLOOR BRIGADE... at least that one makes sense. They play all of their music by using brooms and such things and pushing or hitting them on the floor. It's actually quite cool!" "Gee, there sure has been some INVENTIONS in music since I was a kid," replied Roy as he absentmindedly checked the air bottles. "You're telling me! This other group, COOK'S TOUR, well, as far as I'm concerned, they don't do anything but screech on the guitars and bang on the drums. Noise, that's all it was." "You know, I hate to be the HEAVYWEIGHT, but I called the super. That was too much!" Johnny said as he and Roy put the last of the rags and wax in the supply closet and headed for the kitchen for some coffee. "Well, you would have thought nothing else could happen, but you would be wrong! The two gear heads next door had their toys out...... a Harley and a supped up boat. They were out there the rest of the afternoon revving THE BOAT and the bike. By the end of the night, it was a regular old party!" "PROPINQUITY, Johnny! That's your problem!" said Chet as he and Henry listened from the couch. "Too much closeness with the neighbors. You need a place of your own-- some ISOLATION from civilization! Yeah! That's it, Gage," continued the Irishman as he shoved Henry off his lap and made his way over to his favorite pigeon, caught up in the excitement of his idea. "You know, you oughta move... get rid of all that stress..... it makes you too cranky anyway!" Chet was too engrossed in his idea to notice the growing agitation of Johnny. "Yeah, Gage ole Boy! You ought TO BUY... OR NOT TO BUY......" Chet trailed off, finally noticing the murderous look on Johnny's face. "Aaaahhh..... I think I'll go read THE GREAT CRASH DIET book Dr. Morton sent over the other shift," mumbled Chet as he trotted quickly past the young paramedic. "One of these days, Roy, that guy is going to go to far!" Marco looked up from the magazine he was reading. "Hey, Johnny, pick a flower." "What?" "It's a question in this romance quiz. Pick a flower?" "Daisy." "DAISY'S ? PICK another one-- think romance, Gage." "Marco, you've been hanging around Chet too long." complained Johnny. "No, really, Gage, these are questions to a romance survey made by some nurses." "Really? NURSES! WILD, man. What else?" Johnny inquired as he strode towards Marco. Roy, taking Johnny's TRANSITION of topics as his chance to escape, quietly got up from the table and left the room. "Wait, Roy!" shouted Johnny as he forgot about the nurses. "I haven't told you about the other neighbors, yet." "BACK UP, Johnny. That's about four neighbors already. Just how many do you have?" "Well.... I got upstairs and downstairs ones and then the ones on my floor.... and then the real ones outside... and then....." "Sorry I asked." "No, Roy, they are usually pretty cool people. They're just WEIRD. WEDNESDAY, for instance, Ron and Robert, THE TYCOONS downstairs. They're into some kind of major computer deal. COMPUTER TERROR is more like it if you ask me! I mean, THE PROMOTION for this deal, man, I don't get it! I admit I don't know much about computers, but I can't see what any of this SHOW BIZ stuff has to do with selling computers. I mean, Patti, they have her playing THE GIRL ON THE BALANCE BEAM. What does a balance beam have to do with computers? "Well, they were out in the quad practicing, so I watched. Those two goof balls had her tied up in some kind of harness, so I asked what it was for." "AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION, man, geez!" "So, I ask what he is trying to prevent. He says just watch. So I do. Patti does a couple of turns and then she does this great flip. I was getting ready to applaud, but all of a sudden, this guy, THE SCREENWRITER I think, shouts Now!" Then Patti starts to float off the beam screaming UPWARD AND ONWARD to the 'new generation of electronics'." Captain Stanley, who had walked into the dorm where Roy had tried to escape earlier, just shook his head at the last of Gage's tail. "You know, Gage, the FREQUENCY with which trouble seems to find you is amazing. But, if it is okay with you, I would like everyone in the day room. The chief has some notes to share about the brushfire, and he has some feedback about THE INSPECTION last week. So let's go. And Gage, I don't want t hear a peep out of you, got it?!?" "Yes, Cap!" <<<<<< >>>>>> The crew at station 51 was in a good mood, despite having been submitted to Johnny Gage's ramblings about the neighborhood FAMILY TIES. The chief had brought good news about the incident at the fire. It was some kind of technical glitch at the relay station and had been rectified. The station had also passed the inspection with flying colors. The chief was happy to find out that most of the crew would be at his party, too. Before leaving, the chief had one more bit of good news for the men. The chief had received a special request. Apparently, after the visit from Jason Channey several months ago, Jason has done nothing but speak highly of his experience and the men. His superiors were so taken, that they want to come and observe for themselves. So, at the first of the month, station 51 will again be honored with an ENGLISH VISITOR... well, two of them to be exact. The trainee, Randy, had arrived about 20 minutes ago, and Johnny was giving him the nickel tour. And Roy, well, Roy was enjoying the peace and quiet! Roy figured, though, that it was probably time to go and rescue Randy from his partner. Roy walked into the kitchen and found Johnny and Randy. "So, has Junior been behaving himself?" he asked the pair. Roy received a dirty look from Johnny. "Sorry, partner!" Randy wasn't sure what was going on, but he figured it was the station humor he had been warned about. "Well, if the tour is over, I'd like to call my wife.... let her know everything is fine." "Sure. The phone is over there on the wall." Just then, the klaxons sounded, dispatching the squad to an unknown type rescue. "HANG UP, Randy! We gotta go!" <<<<<< >>>>>> Johnny and Roy both eyed the young trainee. "Nervous, Randy?" "To be honest, yeah!" "Don't worry. We are here.... we won't let you do anything you aren't ready to do." responded Roy as he turned the corner onto 5th Avenue and began to search for the address of the call. "There!" Johnny said as he pointed to the right at a women and man out on the front lawn screaming and carrying on. "What the heck is all this about?" Randy asked. "Who knows, but remember, we are here to treat them..... and we will have to get them calmed down first. Be on your toes!" instructed Johnny as he and Randy jumped out the passenger door and grabbed the gear. Johnny approached the woman and tried to grab her arms to calm her down. "Ma'am..... Ma'am! Can you stop swinging your arms so I can see what's wrong!" Johnny implored. "Get away from me, you creep!" the woman shouted as she took another swing at Johnny and Randy who was trying to help. "You leave her alone!" the man suddenly shouted as he took two steps at the trio. But he didn't get very far before he stopped in his tracks and grabbed his chest and fell to his knees. "Johnny!" Roy shouted as he caught the man and eased him to the ground. Johnny, Randy and woman all looked towards Roy and the man. The woman immediately stopped her struggling and began to laugh. Johnny tentatively loosened his grip on the woman and handed her over to Randy. Johnny stepped over to Roy and began to get the vitals on the man as Roy set up the biophone. "Ma'am.... calm down. What is your name?" Randy asked the still laughing woman. "SEANCE." "Seance is your name, ma'am?" "Yeah! My parents had a strange sense of humor. They said I was conceived at a seance after a Rolling Stones concert!" "All right, Seance, what is his name?" "Mike. But don't worry about him!" she replied as she finally started to gain control of herself. "Johnny, his name is Mike." "Randy, try and find out what happened." "Seance, what happened to Mike? Do you know what is wrong with him?" "Nothing! Ever since THE CRASH, he has been a complete nut!" Roy and Johnny exchanged looks. "Pupils, equal and reactive; PRESSURE 165; pulse 88; respirations 12 and shallow." Johnny reported before walking over to Randy and the woman. "Ma'am, my name is Johnny, and I am a paramedic. I want to help Mike, but I need to know what happened. You said something about a crash?" "Yeah.... he was on a business trip about a month ago.... the plane he was in almost crashed, but it didn't. Ever since then he has been a nut!" "What do you mean a nut?" "He walks around the house saying this hurts and that won't work..... he's a... a... HYPOCHONDRI-CAP or whatever the heck it is! "A hypochondriac?" "Yeah, that's it! He pulls this all the time! He's all right! Just kick him one in the leg, he will get up!' "I don't think so ma'am. I don't know about the other times, but something is really wrong with him now. How about you... are you all right?" Johnny's words finally hit the woman and she fainted into Randy's arms. "Randy, take her vitals and check her over. I'll be right back." "Roy, how's he doing? She just fainted." "All set here..... just waiting for the ambulance to transport. Do you want to call her in?" "Might as well.... I'll let Randy do it." Johnny said as he pulled the bio-phone over to Randy. "Report your victims condition to Rampart." Johnny said as he handed the receiver to Randy. "Rampart, this is Squad 51... we have another victim here... female, approximately 40 years of age..... she fainted..... no apparent trauma..... pupils, equal and reactive, pulse 85, BP 120 over 85, respirations 18." "51, try some smelling salts..... and monitor the vitals and transport with the other victim." "10-4, Rampart." Randy acknowledged as he grabbed the smelling salts and started to revive the woman. "Good job, Kid." Johnny said as he went over to help Roy and the attendants load up Mike. <<<<<< >>>>>> As Johnny and Roy helped with Mike and Seance, Randy walked over to the nurses' station and got himself some coffee. "Hey, Randy!" greeted a happy Dix. "So, how is the first day going so far?" "Hi, Dix. I don't really know. So far, I had a tour of the station and just watched Johnny and Roy work on the victim while I just stood there. I didn't feel very HELPFUL." "Well, I do seem to recall hearing your voice on the bio-phone." "Yeah... but it was nothing..... she just fainted." "But you took care of her, right? Took her vitals and reported them... correctly, I might add....... you did your job." "Yeah, I guess so.... I guess it was just such a weird thing.... you know?" "What do you mean?" "Well, we pull up and this lady is swinging at us and stuff and calling us names...... I mean, I was prepared for a fire or a heart attack or broken leg even, but a.... a ... Seance!" Dixie couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry, Randy, I'm not laughing at you.... it's just that if you are expecting 'normal' things, you choose the wrong career. A lot of what you do in the field, and what we do here is.... well, unusual. People getting themselves into situations that they just can't get themselves out of.... so call you to help... there are bound to be some unusual ones in there some times." Dixie smiled at the young man. She had worked with him in his training, and she knew he was a good paramedic..... about as good as Johnny and Roy. He was just going through a period of adjustment. "Look, Randy, the first few hours are always THE HARD HOURS. It will get easier. And you know Johnny and Roy are there to back you up. They will be a few minutes, yet..... let's go split a piece of pie to go with that coffee. What do you say?" "Yeah, Dix. Thanks." "Besides..... I got some things I want to tell you." "Oh... really? What?" Randy asked as the sly Dixie led him to the bank of elevators. <<<<<< >>>>>> Roy backed the squad into the bay and the three men got out and headed to the kitchen. "So, Randy.... you haven't said much. What did you think of your first run?" "Well..... to be honest, I didn't think much of it." "Why?" inquired Roy as he poured three cups of hot coffee. "I don't know. It just doesn't seem like that is what I was trained for." "You did fine with the woman." "Oh, I know that, but I was expecting..... well.... a huge INFERNO or something, you know?" "Yeah, I remember that feeling.... but a lot of what we do is just like that... especially on the squad." "I know, Roy. While you and Johnny were in with the doctors, Dixie and I had a little talk. You know, that woman makes a lot of sense!" "She sure does! And you would be wise to listen to her, too!" Johnny teased. "Oh! I learned that one in class! But she did tell me something interesting.... she said I was suppose to ask Johnny about a SNAKE BITE?" "Oh Man! When will I ever live that one down?" Johnny lamented as he absentmindedly rubbed his right leg. "Live what down, Gage? You love life? Or the lack of!" "Chet!" "Oh, snappy come back, Johnny! How long did it take you to think of that one?" "Not as long as it took you to catch THE MOUSE, Chet!" "Mouse! Where?" shrieked Chet as he jumped up onto one of the chairs. "Oh.... very funny, Gage! I'm not afraid of a little mouse.... I just didn't want to hurt the poor little critter." "Face it, Chet, Johnny has you on this one." interjected Roy. "Gesh! What is it with you guys? I'm gonna go and hang some hose." Chet said as he sulked out of the room. "Go ahead!" Johnny replied, getting up and following Chet. "You might as well......." The rest of Johnny's torment was lost as the two headed out to the back of the station. "What is up with those two?" asked a confused Randy. "Oh... they're okay. I admit, those two would never win a Mister Congeniality ELECTION, but they are good friends... really! They just have a.... peculiar way of showing it!" "Hey, Roy, what is up with Chet and Johnny?" asked Marco as he came into the kitchen. "The two of them are outside..... hanging hose, but Chet looks like he wants to hang Johnny!" "That's odd, it's usually the other way around. So, Randy, how are my paramedics treating you?" "Just fine Captain Stanley." "You mean, you don't find them a bit nutty?" teased Marco. "Marco, you've been hanging around Chet too long!" "You're right, Roy. Let me go find that PEACE PIPE so we can make up!" "Let's not start that again!" "Sorry, Cap. I guess I'm just a bit wound up after that last run." "That's okay, Pal. Why don't you take some of that energy and go relieve Gage..... before something really does happen out there." "Sure, Cap, no problem." "Sorry for all of that, Randy. But that is part of living in a station house. Anyway, tell us, what do you like to do with your spare time?" "Well, my wife, Jean, is always teasing me that I have a GREEN THUMB because I like to spend time in our green house. In fact, she has said that she once thought about standing in a pot of soil to get my attention! But she doesn't really mind... it keeps me out of her kitchen... she fancies herself a pretty good chef. And she is, but now that I am done with my training, she has started school. The other night, I was subjected to an hour long lecture on INHERITANCE TAX. But she likes it and is happy, so that makes me happy." "You will have to introduce Jean to JoAnne. She could use a few cooking lessons!" "Roy! Those are fighting words!" "Only if you tell JoAnne, Cap!" "Don't worry, I won't." "What else do you like to do?" asked Mike, trying to switch the subject. "I like to work out, and I take pictures, too." "Oh, well, you will have to talk with Johnny. He is THE CAMERA BUG around here." "Really? I'll have to ask him about it." "Speaking of Gage, where is he?" Cap asked. "Probably still outside bugging Chet. I'll go get him. He is suppose to be making dinner anyway." Roy got up and started out the kitchen, but he didn't have to go far before the sounds of bickering told him that his partner and Chet were on there way back in. ".... that's the problem with you Gage. That is THE INDIRECT METHOD. You have to be more concise. Look at THE OLD ENGINE CRAM! I am the one who had to take care of those guys! I am the one who had to take care of the mouse! I am...." "The mouse? You were scared of the mouse!" Johnny said as he walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge and took out the hot dogs. "Aw, Gage! Not hot dogs again!" complained Chet. "Geez, Johnny, really! I think the whole station deserves an accommodation for their stomachs going ABOVE AND BEYOND NEARLY every time you cook!" "Well, if you don't like my hot dogs, Marco, then you can cook tonight!" "Thanks, Johnny, I think I will!" replied Marco as he walked over and took the hot dogs out of Johnny's hand and threw them back into the fridge. "Fine!" Johnny said as he turned around and stormed out of the kitchen. Only Roy saw the smirk on his partner's face as he realized that Johnny had just conned Marco into taking his turn at cooking! <<<<<< >>>>>> The men of Station 51 had just finished a wonderful meal prepared by Marco. The men all cleared the table as Captain Stanley went to get the cards. "So, Randy, how lucky are you at cards?" asked Chet as he put the last of the glasses in the sink. "Not too bad. Why?" "Oh... nothing really. We just play to see who does the dishes." "Oh.... and you think you can stick me with them?" "Only if you loose." answered Captain Stanley as he sat down and started to shuffle the cards. "This sounds interesting. What do we play?" asked Randy. "Just some five card stud." "Okay. What's wild?" "Nothing... except the DEALER'S WILD!" teased Marco as he glanced at his captain. "Just because I haven't had to do dishes for over 3 months is no reason to pick on your captain, pal!" "Sorry, Cap, but it is just odd... you never seem to loose." "What can I say, rank has its privileges." "Well, I think I am going to need more than privileges if I am going to keep my hands dry tonight." grumbled Roy. "Not me, Pally! I'm not doing any tonight!" Johnny said as he sat with a smug smile on his face. "I think I am with Johnny." Randy added. "Me, too." The men finished their hand of cards. As Roy feared, he came up the loser this time. Funny, Johnny seems to be having all the luck lately. Maybe it is fate paying him back for the rotten vacation. Chet went and turned on the tv. "What movie is on, Chet?" "Something called PUBLICITY HOUND." "I never heard of it." "I has a 3 star rating..... so it can't be that bad." "Just the same," Johnny said, "I think I'm going to hit the rack. I have some sleep to catch up on. See you in the morning, Partner." Johnny snickered as he waved at Roy who was up to his elbows in soap suds. "Yeah, thanks! Hey, Randy, you wouldn't want to get the full experience and help me out, would you?" "HA! Sorry, Roy, but, I think the movie sounds interesting!" <<<<<< >>>>>> Unfortunately, the klaxons sounded early for the paramedic trio at Station 51. They were called to aid in the delivery of a baby. Fortunately, all went well and when the men returned, B-shift was already waiting for them. "Man! What time is it?" Johnny asked as he came into the kitchen and noticed that the B-shift was all there. "Itšs after nine, Gage." Johnny looked at his watch. "9:05! WILD! I'm outta here!" Johnny wasted no time. He bolted to the locker room, grabbed his gear and ran to the Rover. He jumped in and hit the road. After the neighborhood mess, he wasn't going to take any chances. Within just two hours, Johnny passed the big red sign, WELCOME TO SANTA ROSA COUNTY. Johnny took a deep breath and inhaled the fresh country air. Yes, this weekend was going to be different. This weekend, Johnny Gage would relax and enjoy! THE END! author's comments: I would like to thank Kat for her friendship and for introducing me to E! fan-fic and for encouraging me to write. I would also like to thank Janet and Johnny's Green Pen for all the hard work in giving my stories a place to call home. |