04x05 - Human Resources

[bunniefuu]

(HAWK SCREECHES)

(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

(OPERATIC SINGING)

(TRILLS)

(SINGING CONTINUES)

Hey. (PANTING) You okay?

♪

What the hell are you doing here, man?

I really wish you hadn't seen that.

- (g*n CLICKS)
- (GASPS DEEPLY)

(g*nsh*t)

(CAWING)

(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)

James Dean. Steve McQueen.

Peter Fonda.

Dennis Hopper.

Now you.

- Martin?
- Clark.

- Clark.
- Myska.

- Myska.
- It's Czech.

Ah. My point is that today
you're not just buying a bike,

you're buying a legacy.

You know, when you roll up to your, uh,

- medical practice?
- Podiatry Group. Yeah.

Everyone in that parking lot
is gonna hear this kitten purr.

And you gotta admit, it's
in pristine condition.

Oh, it is beautiful. But is it safe?

Oh, in the right hands it's no more
dangerous than an exercise bike.

Really? Because my wife says

motorcycles are like ten times

more likely to be involved
in a fatal accident.

MATEO CHAVEZ: Thirty-five
times, actually.

That's why they call 'em donor-cycles.

- Donor-cycles?
- MATEO: Yeah. Like the organs,

when we're able to salvage them.

CLARK MYSKA: Oh, I see.

OWEN STRAND: Look, look, look.

The danger is what makes it sexy.

And makes you sexy on it.

You know, I think I have enough
danger in my life as it is.

What... getting rid of
bunions and plantar warts?

Thanks for your time.

Alright, Chavez, you're
on toilet duty for a week.

Why are you even selling the hog?

I thought you loved this thing.

No. A hog is specifically
for Harley-Davidson.

This is a Bobber.

Okay, then why are you
selling your Bobber?

Yeah, I thought you were,
like, full-on Fozzie now.

You mean Fonzie? Fozzie was a muppet.

Anyway, my chapter
on two wheels is over.

It lasted all of three weeks.

No, I'm just ready for a new challenge.

Oh, and I have someone else.

A potential buyer coming,
so shut your mouth.

Okay.

Now, that is a fine-lookin' machine.

Well...

I can safely say that you would
look smokin' hot on my Bobber.

- (LAUGHTER)
- MATEO: Ohh. (LAUGHS)

Captain Strand, I'm Asha Fulton,

your Department Advocate from the
Professional Standards Division

of AFD Internal Affairs.

I'm from HR.

Okay, let me explain my statement

about you being on my Bobber.

ASHA FULTON: Captain
Strand, I'm afraid I'm here

to investigate a recent complaint.

I'm going to need to speak
with you in your office.

So it's serious. Um, what
am I being accused of?

It's better we talk behind closed doors.

Alright. Let's get this over with.

BOY (OVER PHONE): I'm so dead.

- What's your name, sweetheart?
- BOY: Linus.

GRACE RYDER: Hi,
Linus. My name is Grace.

I'm gonna help you, okay?

Can you tell me what's
wrong? Are you hurt?

- LINUS: I'm stuck.
- GRACE: Okay.

- Stuck where, baby?
- LINUS: My tables. I can't... Argh!

Ladder , we have a minor
with a possible injury,

Clinton Place.

Linus, sweetheart, did you say
you were stuck under a table?

No. I'm stuck on my
multiplication tables.

It's for homework.

Oh! Okay.

Ladder , cancel that. We're good.

(KEY CLACKS)

Um, Linus, you know you're
only supposed to call - -

- if you have an emergency.
- But this is an emergency. It's due tomorrow.

Miss Olsen says if we don't turn
in our assignments every day,

we don't get to go to the pizza party.

I'm so close.

- Oh, okay.
- LINUS: Please help.

Well, I'm sorry. I didn't
realize how much was at stake.

Um, what question are you stuck on?

Seven times seven, seven times eight,

seven times nine...

I have to do all my sevens tonight.

Oh, come on, Linus. The sevens are easy.

LINUS: No, they're not.
They're impossible.

- GRACE: Not if you know the trick.
- There's a trick?

- Mm-hmm.
- LINUS: What trick?

Do you know the "Happy Birthday" song?

If you sing the answers to
the sevens times tables,

it sounds just like "Happy Birthday."

LINUS: That's not real.

GRACE: Okay. (SINGING) ♪ , , ♪

♪ , ♪

♪ , ♪

♪ and ♪

LINUS: That's awesome! Hang
on, I have to write these down.

Fifty-six. Sixty-three...

That's only up to nine.

Oh, my God. (LAUGHS)

♪ , , ... ♪

LINUS: Now, I'm never gonna forget them.

Can I ask you one more thing?

Yes. Oh, no. I don't have
a song for the eights, baby.

- I'm so sorry.
- Dang. Okay.

Thank you, Miss Grace.

Oh, you too, Linus. You take care.

SARA ORTIZ: I did not know
you were such a math whiz.

I should have you do my taxes.

Not a math whiz, just a math fan.

Bet you always got to go to
the pizza parties, didn't you?

- (SINGSONGY) Why, yes, I did.
- (LAUGHTER)

- - . What's your emergency?

ASHA: Captain Strand, it's been said

you foster a certain
culture here at the .

I'd like to think so.

Can you describe it for me?

Professional.

Diverse and, uh,

inclusion, equity,
belonging are core values.

You're welcome to walk
around my firehouse.

- See for yourself.
- ASHA: I have.

But we both know the has a
reputation for something else, too.

- Do we?
- A so-called "cowboy culture."

Yeah. Okay. I know
what this is about now.

- You do?
- Yeah. I also know who sent you.

And who would that be?

Pearce Risher, my old paramedic,

he, uh, he lodged a
complaint, didn't he?

Unfortunately, I can't
disclose that information.

Oh, well, I can disclose that
he's a disgruntled prima donna

whose, uh, departure was mutual.

- Both times he worked here?
- TOMMY VEGA: That's right.

Mm-hmm. Both times.

Were any words said when he left?

- On either occasion.
- Uh...

I may have called him a coward.

We called him that because
he was a coward, and a jerk.

And you can, you can write that down

in your little book if you want to.

Now, would you say name-calling

is common practice in this firehouse?

You must be talking about Lard Ass.

Lard Ass?

There was no body shaming.

The man's torso was stuck
in a drive-through window.

Cap got the brilliant idea

to slather the man's hindquarters

in rendered pig fat.

- Ergo...
- Lard Ass.

Do you happen to know
this man's actual name?

I would love to get a
statement from him, too.

No, but I'm sure you can get it

from the Texas State Prison system.

(SIGHS) He's in for m*rder.

Happened right in front of me.

Bam, bam.

I should have seen it coming.

If Cap hadn't tackled the guy,

it could have been a lot worse.

Do we know each other?

I don't think so.

And you're sure there's
been no other time

you've ever heard an insult or a slur

directed at someone in the field?

I will remind you, you may
be called to testify to this.

There may be one other one.

It's gonna sound a lot
worse without the context.

- Try me.
- He called the dude a woman-beater-cuck.

- Cuck?
- NANCY GILLIAN: As in a "cuckold."

It's like when a man's wife is,
like, is bangin' another dude.

ASHA: I know what a cuckold is.

Owen only said that to goad
the man into striking him

so that the cops would have
an excuse to arrest him.

Goaded. I see.

The guy was a total abuser, okay?

He was gonna hurt his wife and kids

and my dad stopped him.

I really wish it hadn't come to that.

He would never do something
stupid like that again.

Did he do something
stupid like that again?

Is there anything
else you wanna tell me?

Yes, there is, actually.

I've said my piece.

Captain Strand rebuilt this
firehouse from the studs up twice.

No, thank you.

He gets the best out of
every firefighter here.

No, ma'am, there is not.

So whatever he's done
this time, I assure you,

his intentions were good.

ASHA: I appreciate that. I do.

But this inquiry is
not into your captain.

No?

So, who's it about, then?

It's about you, firefighter.

♪

♪ Ah, wipe out ♪

I'm sorry. There must be
some sort of mistake here.

I'm-I'm like the poster child

for creating a healthy
workplace environment.

I moved to Austin to pursue a
healthy workplace environment.

- You really have no idea what this is about?
- No. Hand to God.

Do you recall the events
of Monday, January th,

the rescue of the mobile home?

Yes. I recall being lowered
from a chopper onto a house

that was being driven by a
deranged man down Highway

with his ex-wife
trapped screaming inside.

According to the IR, you were the lead

on extracting the wife from the home.

- Is that correct?
- Oh.

(LILA YELLS)

Is this about the skylight?

This is about what
happened after the skylight.

I'm here to rescue you!

I am not leaving this house!

I am standing my ground!

- (RUMBLING)
- (GASPS)

Specifically when you attempted
to harness Lila Geralds.

My rope work was sound.

I did all my checks. She was
properly clipped and clamped.

This is not about your rope work.

Do you remember what
you said on the radio

before you made egress
from the residence?

Uh, not word for word.

OWEN (OVER RADIO): Hey,
Marjan, what's the holdup?

Slight holdup being that
she's a crazy lady, Cap!

- Does that sound accurate?
- Could have been.

Can you tell me why you felt the
need to use language like that?

I had to compel her to move her butt.

She says you made her feel unsafe.

(SCOFFS) I made her feel unsafe?

We-we were hanging from a
helicopter with her husband

doing on the highway,
and I made her feel unsafe?

Are you aware that "crazy"
is considered a slur?

- Yes.
- ASHA: You know from your department manual

that we value the emotional
well-being of the public

as much as their physical well-being.

And we consider it the
duty of a firefighter

to protect both at all times
to the best of their abilities.

Jeopardizing either
is a serious offense.

So, how much trouble
am I looking at here?

- - , what's your emergency.

Miss Grace, is that you?

Uh, it's me, Linus. Are you okay?

LINUS (OVER PHONE):
Please, you have to help me.

I'm in so much trouble. It's all b*rned.

- What's all b*rned?
- LINUS: Mac and cheese.

I thought I did everything
just like my mom.

But then the oven started smoking.

- Okay. Is anything on fire?
- No, just smoke. But it's all gone now.

- I turned it off.
- Okay. Well, that's good.

But you shouldn't be
using the oven on your own.

- Did you burn yourself?
- No, just the casserole dish.

You have to help me clean this dish.

It was my great-grandma's.

My mom's gonna k*ll me if
she wakes up and sees this.

Linus, don't you have school today?

Mom has a headache so she said I could

stay home and watch Star Wars.

- She's taking a nap.
- Mm-hmm.

And does your mom take a
lot of naps during the day?

Lately, I guess.

When she gets her headaches.

LINUS' MOM: Linus, are you on the phone?

Who are you talking to?

Uh, - - .

LINUS' MOM: Why are you calling - - ?

LINUS: I b*rned your dish. I
didn't know how to clean it.

LINUS' MOM: That is not
something you call - - for.

(SLURRING SPEECH) You only
call - - in emergen-shees.

Darn it, Linus, they
can arrest you for that.

- Give me the phone. Hello?
- Mrs. McKinley.

Hi. This is, uh, Grace Ryder

from Austin Emergency Services.

Don't worry. I can assure you
nobody is getting arrested today.

I'm so sorry. My "fun" knows better.

He won't trouble you anymore.

No, that's okay. He's no trouble at all.

You have a good one, okay?

(QUIET SIGH)

She was asking me so many
questions I couldn't keep up.

I mean, I don't know if
I said the right answer.

I mean, God, I hope I
didn't say the wrong one.

You told the truth, and
that's all you can do.

I just hope I didn't get Cap in
more trouble than he's already in.

- MARJAN MARWANI: Cap's not in trouble.
- JUDD RYDER: He ain't?

Uh, yeah, no, um, nothing.

He's-he's clear.

- Oh!
- Told you.

Thank God.

Well, then, who got in trouble?

- PAUL STRICKLAND: Oh, no.
- JUDD: Aw, man.

- Wait, you?
- Marjan!

- Marj.
- Remember that lady

that we had to pull out
of the runaway house?

Yeah, of course.

You remember the moment
where I called her crazy?

- Yeah, on the radio.
- I guess that triggered her.

What? That's crazy!

I mean, ridiculous. That's ridiculous.

So what are we, uh, what are
we lookin' at punishment-wise?

She said they like to
keep their options elastic

until the IR board has
reviewed all the facts.

So, um, could be a slap on
the wrist or could be worse.

I mean, look, in hindsight, I had no
clinical evidence to call her that.

- So, yeah, maybe that was wrong.
- Marj... (SIGHS)

I guess it only makes
sense that this could ruin

everything I've ever
worked for in my career.

Like, if I wanted to be
more technically accurate,

I probably should have
called her a blubbering fool

or a suicidal moron or an inbred.

- I just...
- Marwani.

Put a clamp on it.

Rest of you, you're
officially back on shift.

So get your heads right.

A word, please?

Look, I think you
need to be very careful

about what you're saying right now.

I just don't want you to
dig yourself any deeper.

What, I'm not allowed to vent?

I just got a HR sucker punch.

It's not like the crew
are gonna turn me in.

No, no, I'm not worried about them.

I'm just saying, I
think you need to assume

that there are ears everywhere.

Look, I've been in
your exact same place.

I know what you're going through.

I've been in the crosshairs
of HR over something stupid.

Okay, well, that
wasn't my exact position

because I called the lady a mean name,

and you knocked out
the deputy fire chief.

Hm, let's not split hairs. He wasn't
the deputy fire chief when I hit him.

He was the deputy fire chief elect.

Ah, right. And I am
the one splitting hairs.

It's hard to have the sword
of Damocles over your head,

but the good news

is that they wanna see
us at headquarters today.

Today? H-how is that good news?

Because it means they're not
gonna draw this process out.

- (SIGHS DEEPLY)
- This is usually the last step.

Oh, my God, I just wanna
crawl into a hole and hide.

Why do you think I ran for the hills?

I'm just sayin'. I
got your back on this.

(BELL RINGING)

MAN (OVER RADIO): Public
assist. Public assist.

I need you to stand down on this one.

You're benching me? You're... Uh...

How is that having my back?

I don't want anybody in the field
whose head's in the rinse cycle.

Not good for anyone.

Have a chai. Relax.

Dress uniform. Five o'clock.

(SIREN WAILING)

(HORN BLARES)

MARJAN: Can I help you?

Oh, hi.

Uh, is Captain Strand around?

No, he's not.

This is his firehouse, though, right?

Yeah, but he's out with his
team on a call right now.

They left you behind?

Is there something I can help you with?

You're Firefox, right?

MARJAN: Uh, yeah.

MAN: Oh. I'm-I'm a big fan.

I started following you on Instagram

after the att*ck in the
state capitol last year.

That was you guys,
right, the, uh, the ?

Well, not just us, but
we were there, yeah.

Y'all always seem to
get the big ones, huh?

Judging by your Instagram.

Uh, you know, life downtown.
Never a dull moment.

Well, maybe sometimes a dull moment, eh?

(MARJAN CHUCKLES)

Must be pretty rewarding, huh?

Doing work that actually matters.

Helping people.

Yeah, it's not always
an action movie, though.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

I'm a veteran. Army.

Thank you for your service.

MAN: That's why I'm here, actually,
uh, to continue being of service.

Is there, like, uh, an application
I can fill out or something?

Uh, we don't really have applications,

but I can, I can get
you an interest card

- if you just hang back for a sec.
- That'll be great. Thank you.

MARJAN: Yeah.

(EXHALES)

This, uh, this has
all the websites on it.

It should help get you started.

Will do. Thank you. Appreciate it.

No worries.

Is there something else
I can help you with?

No. Thank you.

Alright. Good luck.

Maybe see you out there
on the field one day.

Oh, yeah, yeah. You just might, huh?

Hey, Sara. How's it going?

Hmm, city planner's k*lling me.

He wants the new budget by Friday.

And, no, we don't have
room for pizza parties.

Hmm. Well, you know, this room is called

- the break room for a reason.
- And yet you brought your laptop.

(SCOFFS) I did. Um...

There was something I want to
talk to you about, actually.

- SARA: Mm-hmm.
- Linus McKinley.

You know the boy who called
about his math homework?

- SARA: Mm-hmm.
- Well, he called again.

- What, he have a history quiz?
- (LAUGHS) No.

He b*rned some macaroni in
his great-grandmother's dish.

It was in the middle
of a school day, though,

and his mom was asleep in the next room.

I see.

So what do you think?

- Listen.
- (LAPTOP BEEPS)

LINUS' MOM (OVER LAPTOP):
- - ? Why are you calling - - ?

LINUS (OVER LAPTOP): I b*rned your
dish. I didn't know how to clean it.

LINUS' MOM: That is not
something you call - - for.

You only call - - in emergen-shees.

Darn it, Linus, they
can arrest you for that.

Give me the phone. Hello?

GRACE (OVER LAPTOP): Mrs. McKinley. Hi.

This is, uh, Grace Ryder from
Austin Emergency Services.

Don't worry. I can assure you
nobody is getting arrested today.

LINUS' MOM: I'm so sorry.
My "fun" knows better.

- He won't trouble you...
- (KEY CLACKS)

Did you hear that? She said,
"My 'fun' knows better."

Could've been a slip of the tongue.

Hmm. I think she's
slurring her words here.

And I pulled her file.

She got a DWI six years ago.

Was the kid in the car with her?

No, this was after the divorce.

So according to her
statement to law enforcement,

she, um, said he was at his father's.

What do you suggest we do?

I think we send a cruiser to the house.

Maybe just for a wellness check.

You could do that.

Is there any reason I wouldn't?

You may well be right. You usually are.

But if you're wrong and you
send a cop to that house,

if they find so much as a
pointy object outta place...

They'll call child services.

And once they're involved,
you're opening a Pandora's box.

This is your call to make, Grace.

You have my full support.

Whatever you decide.

- Thanks.
- SARA: Mm-hmm.

Why do I feel like I'm
going to my own funeral?

Just breathe, Marwani, you'll be fine.

They're totally gonna
suspend me, aren't they?

Look, in my experience
with these things,

it's best to just agree to
whatever they say and move on.

Hmm, that's funny. I remember you
doing the exact opposite last year.

Yeah, I learned my
lesson, and so should you.

- Oh, and also, don't do that.
- Do what?

The thing where you point
out the actual facts.

- They... they hate that.
- That is not a thing I do.

Yeah, it is, more than you think.

Okay, well, even if
I occasionally do it,

which I dispute, it's
only when I'm right.

They don't care who's right.

So, whatever they do, whatever they say,

whatever buttons they push,

you need to resist the urge
to say something snarky,

which we both know for you
is a potential growth area.

Is it, though?

So, j-just lock it up.

Locking it up, Cap.

(DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

They're ready for you.

"They're" ready for us?

OWEN: Hmm.

(EXHALES)

MITCH GERALDS: Just be
strong, Lila. I'm right here.

(DOOR CLOSES)

ASHA: Captain Strand.
Firefighter Marwani.

You remember Mitch and Lila Geralds?

Yeah, um, I thought
you two were divorced.

Oh, we've decided to reconcile.

If any good has come from the
distress my wife has endured,

- it's that we're back together.
- (SLIGHT CHUCKLE)

Oh, well, that's good.

Which is why we're not interested
in destroying your life.

The Geralds feel like we can
get this all resolved right here.

How is he not in jail?
How's he not in jail?

- ASHA: Uh, Captain Strand.
- No, he kidnapped his wife,

he illegally secured a home,

and drove it down two freeways

without yielding to law enforcement,

putting his wife, the
public, and my team at risk.

- How is he sitting in this room?
- They gave me a fine.

They gave you a fine.
Not even traffic school?

Oh, Captain Strand, that's
not why we're here, so.

That... that's right.
The reason we're here

is because of my inappropriate language.

It was unprofessional and unacceptable.

My job was to protect you,

not insult you, Mrs. Geralds.

What I said, calling you a crazy lady,

it was out of line and it was messed up.

And hurtful.

And hurtful.

And probably a little sexist.

That certainly wasn't my intent.

But I am so ashamed I said it.

I'm sorry. Truly, Mrs. Geralds.

That was beautiful.

Wasn't that beautiful?

- Very heartfelt.
- I could feel the sincerity.

- MARJAN: It's real.
- MITCH: Good.

You should do it just like that.

Do what?

What you just did. Apologize.

I just did.

Uh, the Geralds would like you

to publicly post your
apology on social media.

We understand you have
five million followers?

- Uh, Firefox, right?
- . million.

You wanna publicly shame her?

- She saved your life.
- I don't see where the shame is.

Unless she didn't mean it.

- I meant it.
- MITCH: Great. So just do it like that.

And, uh, make sure to tag our GoFundMe.

Your GoFundMe. For-for what?

We lost our house in this tragedy.

We're homeless now.

Yes, because this maniac drove
your house into an overpass.

Yeah, I feel like you
kinda herded me into that.

- I herded you? You were herded?
- Cap.

- Cap.
- Yeah.

Look, um, I don't really have a problem

making this apology public,
if that's what you want.

I'm just, I'm-I'm not
sure I feel comfortable

soliciting money from my followers.

That's up to you. But
if we're not a charity,

we'll probably have to
end up being plaintiffs.

LILA GERALDS: We sure
would like this to be over.

But it doesn't have to be.

♪

We're just simple folks
with simple dreams.

Of love, family, and
a roof over our heads.

But due to the reckless
actions of law enforcement

and the fire department,
we lost everything.

All we're asking for here

- is $ , ...
- I don't know, you guys,

I-I don't think I can get behind this.

Well, look, Marj, you don't
have to get behind it, okay?

- You just have to tag it.
- MATEO: It's true.

I mean, one click and it's done.

Tagging it is as good as endorsing

everything they're saying, and it's
just, it's too gross, I think...

I think I need to take a stand.

Hell, yeah, dude. Good for you.

Uh, no, not good for you.

And, Nancy, please do not encourage her.

She refuses to do this, and
she's facing suspension or worse.

You can't expect me to
hold my nose and sign off

- on something that I don't believe in.
- Oh really?

Because that is exactly what
you asked Cap to do last year,

when you drove out to him
in the middle of a blizzard.

Yeah, that's right. I mean,
you shamed him pretty good

into signing that apology
letter for punching Billy.

I mean, he signed it
and he wasn't even sorry.

(GRUNTS) That's the
whole point. I am sorry.

If this was a pure, untainted apology,

I would do it in a heartbeat.

Look, Marj, I get it.

It sucks.

But we need you in the .

Hell, all of Austin
needs you in the .

Not as much as people need Firefox.

You know, most of my
followers are young people.

They look up to me.

Do you have any idea how often
they stop me in the street

just to say thank you
for being who I am?

And if they watch me sign off on a lie,

what kind of example
does that set for them?

Yeah, but is it really better
than watching you get fired?

Honestly? I...

I don't know.

JUDD: Can you believe
Marjan got in trouble

for callin' a crazy lady crazy?

Hmm. That's a shame.

I would shudder to think about
what they would've done to me

and Garrity for half the stuff we
said to each other back in the day.

GRACE: Hmm. Yeah, no doubt about it.

- No doubt about what?
- GRACE: Huh?

- Huh?
- (CHARLIE COOS)

Oh, um, about what you
were saying just now.

Which was what, darling?

Oh, you were decrying the state

of PC culture run amok and whatnot.

And "whatnot."

- I didn't hear what you said.
- (BOTH CHUCKLE)

So maybe somebody else's gears
are grinding a little bit.

I mean, you've been
drying that same plate

for quite a spell now, Gracie.

- GRACE: Hmm.
- What's going on?

(CLICKS TONGUE)

- Well, there's this boy.
- JUDD: Mm-hmm.

GRACE: Sweet little boy.

He keeps calling in to - - ,

uh, for little stuff.

Help with his math homework
and-and cleaning the dishes.

- Hell, I should've thought of that.
- (CHUCKLES) Stop it.

I really think somethin'
might be going on at home.

Like somethin' bad, but if I'm wrong

and I send a cop over there,

then they could take
that boy from his mom.

- Scary.
- Yeah.

It is scary, but it's not
as scary as me being right

and then not doing anything.

And the not knowing is...

- That's what's bothering me.
- Well, it sounds like you need to find out.

You know, it does. It
does sound like that.

Thank you so much, my sweet husband.

How do you suggest I
go about doing that?

I imagine you have
this boy's address, yes?

- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm. Okay.

So why don't you go knock on
the door, find out for yourself?

And if you're wrong,
there's no harm, no foul.

- Oh, you mean now?
- Mm-hmm.

Well, what about Charlie?
It's past her bedtime.

Well, she sleeps better
in the car anyway.

Come on, mama.

Let's go.

Have I officially gone off
the deep end doing this?

Sweetheart, you are the best
in the world at what you do.

If ain't nothing goin'
on, then no big deal.

Okay.

I appreciate you saying
that. I needed to hear it.

- Alright, let's go.
- Oh, uh, no, not you.

- Y'all stay here, okay? I'll be back.
- Wait, what?

The last thing this boy needs

is a big, scary man
showing up on his porch.

- I'm a big, scary man?
- You are a little scary, Judd.

- Oh. (SIGHS)
- Just a little bit.

Stay here, okay? I'll be back.

(JUDD CLEARS THROAT)

You think I'm scary? Hmm?

(GRACE EXHALES)

LINUS: Is somebody out there?

Yeah. Hey, Linus. Um,
it's Grace from - - .

Miss Grace!

- Hi.
- LINUS: You're so pretty.

I thought you'd be old.

LINUS' MOM: Linus, where are you, baby?

- I'm at the door, Mom.
- LINUS' MOM: You should be "blushing" your teeth.

(BODY THUDS)

- LINUS: Mom!
- Ma'am?

- Ma'am, this is Grace Ryder from Austin Emergency.
- LINUS: Mom!

GRACE: Ma'am, is it okay
if I come in the house?

LINUS: Please, you have to help her!

Draw four, Mama.

Oh, that's cold.

You know what? You guys are little,

little crazy-eights
assassins, is what you are.

- (CELL PHONE RINGING)
- Oh.

Saved by the bell.

Hey, Gracie.

Hey, did you teach my
girls how to card shark

the last time you were here?

GRACE (OVER PHONE):
Tommy, I need your help.

Are you okay?

Listen, I'm with a woman.
She's a -something female.

She was stumbling and she
was slurring her words.

And she's unconscious now. Sharon?

- Sharon, I need you to wake up.
- TOMMY: Gracie, where are you?

I'm in her house. It's a
single-family residence in Crestview.

- Why aren't you calling - - ?
- GRACE: I did, but they're minutes out.

TOMMY: You said that...
that she was disoriented

and slurring her words.
Could it be an OD?

No. Her son said she
was clean and sober.

I don't see any alcohol
or paraphernalia around.

What else do you know
about her medical history?

I don't know anything. She's a stranger.

I know she's been have headaches.

- Sharon, I need you to wake up.
- Okay, Gracie.

Gracie, I need you to
stay with me, okay?

Tell me about her pupillary response.

- Her pupillary response?
- Yes. Are they contracting or dilating?

T, she's unconscious. I told you.

Okay. You-you can still
do it. It's no big deal.

It's not a big deal for you
because you're a paramedic.

I'm a dispatcher, and I
don't know what I'm doing.

- So I need you to walk me through it.
- Gracie,

I need you to take a deep breath.

Okay? I am right here with you.

Is she still breathing?

Yeah, she's breathing.

Now, I-I need you to take your phone

and turn on the flashlight function.

- Alright, it's on.
- TOMMY: Okay, good.

Take your fingers, lift
each one of her eyelids.

Shine the light. Tell me
what her pupils are doing.

GRACE: Alright, her right
eye contracted normally.

TOMMY: Alright, the left?

No, it's not contracting.

Okay, Gracie, she's having a stroke.

- Oh, God.
- TOMMY: It's okay. You got this.

- Can you get her into the car?
- I can. Judd is here.

But shouldn't we wait for the ambulance?

It's faster if y'all
take her there yourselves.

With a stroke, time is brain.

- (SHUDDERS)
- Gracie.

Can you do this?

Yeah. Yeah. We're on our way.

Grace, y'all get in the backseat,
I'm gonna lock her up in front.

GRACE: Okay.

Linus, come on, baby. You're with me.

Alright, let's go.

(ENGINE STARTS)

Hey, Linus.

- Do you like candy bars?
- Yeah.

Yeah? What's your favorite kind?

I like all of them, except
the kind with coconut.

Me, too. I hate the ones with coconut.

When I came in here, I
seen a vending machine

that looked like it had candy
bars about the size of your arm.

Wanna see if we go rustle one up?

Does that sound like
something you wanna do?

Let's go. Y'all want anything?

Mm-mmm. I'm okay, babe.

How are you holding up?

Ask me when his mama is out of surgery.

Before you got here, the doctor
said that all the headaches

that she'd been having up until now

were probably mini strokes...

- Oh.
- ... just leading up to the main event.

It's a good thing you
were there tonight.

It's a good thing you were there
tonight, Tommy, when I called you.

Anytime.

I'm sorry...

that I bit your head off tonight.

You did not bite my head off.

No. Well, okay.

Yes, just, but... you...
Just-just a little nibble.

That's all.

It's just, it's so different...

being on the other side of the call

when I got my headset in, and I just...

I'm in front of the screen, at least...

I-I feel some sense of...

- Control.
- Yeah.

But when it's just all
there in front of you,

- you feel completely...
- Out of control.

I don't know how you do it.

You know this,

I never walk into a
situation blind either.

I have a great dispatcher
who is prepping me

on what I'm up against.

Either way, I really do appreciate you.

Anytime.

And always.

- So, listen. (CLEARS THROAT)
- Hmm?

Are you gonna tell me what the hell

- you were doing at that woman's house?
- Oh, God.

I'm gonna tell you tomorrow, okay?

I promise. I promise.

I'm looking for Grace Ryder.

Is his mom gonna be okay?

We were able to remove the
clot and repair the artery.

What about brain damage?

DOCTOR: We were able
to restore blood flow

before there was any
permanent tissue destruction.

I'm confident she'll
make a full recovery.

- Thank God.
- DOCTOR: She's very lucky

you got her here in the golden hour.

If it had been minutes later,

it would have been a different story.

We're moving her to recovery now.

Her son should be able
to see her in a few hours.

Thank you, Doc.

How about that?

(CHUCKLES)

Hardwood's all original, exposed brick.

And just a stumble and
a bumble from th Street.

MAN: It's nice.

BUILDING MANAGER: It'll be a lot
better than nice when the reno is done.

You won't find anything
like it for $ , .

Not with its own parking space.

You married, Mr. Smith?

Yeah.

BUILDING MANAGER: Any kids?

Yeah, I have a son.

- He's six.
- (CELL PHONE RINGING)

Oh. I apologize.

Would you excuse me?

Hello? Yes. Mm-hmm.

Full disclosure, I'm showing it now.

But if it's still
available, I can do : .

Okay. See you then.

So what do you say?

Should I cancel my : ?

It's tempting, but I think $ ,
is a little too rich for my blood.

- But I appreciate your time.
- Uh, no worries.

Um, I'll show you out.

- - , what's your emergency?

My whole building's on fire.

- (SIREN WAILING)
- (HORN BLARES)

- Help!
- OWEN: Alright, Judd.

You swing the ladder up to the building.

Marwani, Strickland, you're going up.

Everybody else, put a supply line.

Hey, y'all be quick on your toes, too.

This looks like it's
gonna flashover any minute.

Cap, that is one hungry beast.

- Yeah, a little too hungry.
- JUDD: Yep.

WOMAN: Help! We need help over here!

MARJAN: Is there anyone else up there?

My neighbor, Blake. We can't get out!

(WOMAN SCREAMS)

Stay where you are. Stay where you are.

DISPATCHER (OVER RADIO): Engine
, I have a caller on the line

reporting additional flames on
the south end of the structure.

OFFICER (OVER RADIO):
We have closures going up

at South Avenue and st Street.

DISPATCHER: , be advised
backup units are en route.

OFFICER: EMS ,
tracking four minutes out.

(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

MARJAN: Ma'am!

WOMAN: We're back here!

- Blake, we have to go.
- No, I can't.

He won't let go, he's too scared.

PAUL: Okay. Ma'am, ma'am.

Why don't you come with me, okay?

I'll get you to the
ladder, and our friend

will take you the rest
of the way down. Alright?

MARJAN: Sir!

- I need you to come with me, okay?
- No, no, I can't.

MARJAN: The whole
building's about to go.

We have to evacuate now.

No, don't... No! Don't touch me.

MARJAN: Sir, I am ordering
you to let go and come with me.

I can't. I can't do
heights. I'd rather die.

OWEN (OVER RADIO):
Marwani, do you copy?

- MARJAN: Copy, Cap.
- What the hell's going on up there?

The whole place is about flashover.

MARJAN: It's just that the
occupant's being a little...

Um, the occupant has very strong
reservations about leaving.

Reservations? Have him
get the hell outta there!

MARJAN: Sir, look, I know you're afraid,

but I... I-I need you to be

- reasonable with me, please.
- No, just leave me.

PAUL: Hey, you. We ain't waitin'!

MARJAN: Ooh! (YELPS)

PAUL: Marjan, grab him. Let's go.

Marj, we gotta go now.

Well, unless you guys
have any questions,

I think that about sums it up.

I'll see you guys back
at the office, okay?

I'm gonna stick around,
type up my notes.

(KNOCKING)

Miss Fulton. You got a minute?

Uh, that's a bit presumptuous.

Well, look, um, I
apologize for the drop-in,

- but I really feel like this can't wait.
- I meant that you called me Miss.

How do you know it's not Missus?

Well, you wear a ring on
your right ring finger,

but your left pointer, and, um,
and another one on your right thumb,

but there's no metal where
the wedding band goes.

Are you able to look through
solid objects, firefighter?

No. I noticed in our first interview.

- I notice things.
- Huh.

Must come in handy in the field.

Yeah, from time to time.

Hey, did you go to Bishop
Cross in Round Rock?

No.

Texas A&M, maybe?

No.

God, it's k*lling me. I know
I know you from somewhere.

I bet I know what it is. Fox
did a segment on me last year,

after the blizzard.

I saved a local girl,
got trapped in the gym,

and the morning guy said I was the, uh,

"Hero on Fire and Ice." Which
is kinda dumb, but, uh...

Yeah, that's not it.

Okay. I'd love to stay in here

and throw darts at the
wall all day, but...

But you wanna talk about
your friend Marwani.

My best friend.

Look, I'm sorry, but I'm not at liberty

to discuss an investigation
of an ongoing complaint.

I don't wanna discuss that complaint.

- I'm here to file a new one.
- Oh?

PAUL: Yeah. What the department
is asking of Marjan...

demanding...

it's not an apology. It's extortion.

I think that's a slight exaggeration.

No, it is a money grab, pure and simple.

Marwani is the best firefighter
I have ever served with.

Going back to my probie days in Chicago.

And I can see by the look in your eye

that you know that this is some bull.

Well, you are observant,
firefighter. I will give you that.

I'm begging you.

Please. Do the right
thing and stop this.

Alright, I'm gonna put my
tablet down on the table here

while I check my phone.

And, um,

there's no telling what
such an observant fellow

like yourself might observe.

- What is this?
- ASHA: I'm sorry.

I am not at liberty to
discuss the confidential email

that I wrote to the AFD this morning.

PAUL: "Firefighter Marwani represents
every ideal the AFD stands for.

"It is my recommendation
that the department

deem her previous apology sufficient

and close the matter
without further reprimand."

Wait. You wrote this?

This is amazing.

I wouldn't get too excited.

My phone rang about five
minutes after I hit send.

The chief said they have no interest
in a lawsuit with the Geralds.

So Marwani does the public
mea culpa and tags the site

or they throw her to the wolves.

- Oh.
- Yeah. I'm truly sorry.

Well, I, um...

I appreciate you going to bat for her.

Please wish her luck,
whatever she decides.

I got it.

Were you in Mrs. Templeton's
sixth grade class?

Hidden Oaks.

Yeah.

- I knew I recognized you.
- Wait a minute, you were there?

In Chicago?

That's funny, 'cause I-I
don't remember an Asha.

It's my middle name. Do
you remember a Jasmine?

Who moved in seventh grade.

To Texas, where I started going by Asha.

Went through a little
identity thing as a tween.

Yeah, I get that.

But, wait, how-how the
heck did you recognize me?

Please. A smile like
that, you don't forget.

You haven't changed a bit.

Huh.

Hey, Firefox here.

You guys know I've always been about

making people feel
seen, heard, and safe.

Well, recently I let you guys down.

I screwed up.

In the heat of a dangerous situation,

I called a woman crazy.

Her name is Lila Geralds,

and she deserved so
much better than that.

So for that, Lila, I'm sorry.

I should never have called you crazy.

I should have called you
a greedy opportunist.

- Hmm. Nope.
- MARJAN: With the full blessing of the AFD,

Lila and her husband tried to coerce me

to cash in on you guys.

I can't work for a place

that forces me to
compromise my integrity.

That makes me feel unsafe
for being who I am.

And if I don't feel
safe, there is no way

of keeping you safe when
I am sent to save you.

So, effective immediately,

I hereby am resigning from the AFD.

Nope. You cannot post that.

I already did.

Marwani, you can't unring that bell.

I don't wanna unring it, Cap.

For the first time, I
froze up in the field.

Not because I was afraid of the danger,

but because I was
afraid of doing it wrong.

The people in those tribunals,
in their conference rooms,

they will never
understand what we do here.

- So you can't let them get to you.
- MARJAN: That's the problem.

They've already gotten to me.

Cap, you have to understand,

I would gladly walk into fire for you,

but I can't do it on eggshells.

Well, obviously you have to
do what you think is right.

But I am so mad at
you right now, Marwani.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

- And I think you're crazy.
- Hey.

But more than anything...

I'm so proud of you.

OWEN: I understand if
you wanna think about it.

Yeah, it's a work of art,

but it's also not exactly fuel-efficient

and the, uh, throttle sticks a little.

I already bought the
helmet and this cool jacket.

It is a sick jacket.

Alright, then, you
better treat her well.

She's very important to me.

I will, Cap.

I was talking to the bike.

Don't make me cry, Cap.

As long as I'm here,
your spot'll be safe.

- Captain Vega.
- TOMMY: Tommy.

And this isn't goodbye.

All who wander are not lost.

Me and Gracie will be praying for you.

- I'll be praying for you, too.
- JUDD: Yeah.

MARJAN: TK.

I promise no matter what happens,

I will be back for the wedding.

You better, 'cause
Carlos will hunt you down.

Hey, and I want you
to check in every day

about where you're going
and where you're staying.

Would you stop being such a dad?

But, seriously, you get
drowsy, you pull off the road.

- You understand?
- I will.

(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)

- I love you, Marj.
- Love you too, buddy.

(MARJAN SNIFFLES)

(CLEARS THROAT) Alright. (CHUCKLES)

Peace.

(ENGINE ROARS)

Talk about riding into the sunset.

Just when I thought she
couldn't be any more badass.

That's Marjan for you.

Maybe I need to buy another bike.