07x09 - Four Alarm Tony

[bunniefuu]

And if you want to keep
the batteries

in your smoke detector fresh,

you just change them every time
that you reset your clocks

for daylight savings time.

Oh! You see, Billy, how much--
Oh, no, sweetheart!

These are not toys.

Fire safety's
very important business.

That's why we have to act
grown-up here.

TONY: Geronimo! [CHUCKLES]

TONY: Whoa! Whoa!

We gotta get one of those
for the house!

Can we go up there?
No, no, I'm sorry.

The poles are closed.
[LAUGHS]

No, really, the-- the firemen
are changing up there.

Half of them are running around
in their skivvies.

MAN 1: Hey! Get her out of here!

MAN 2: Oh, sorry, lady.
But rules are rules.

MONA: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[MONA CHUCKLES]

I-- I was just doing
a bed check.

Mother, you are
embarrassing me!

Well, at least this year
I came down feet first.

Hey, skeeter,
how would you like to have

your picture taken
with a real fireman?

Gosh, would I!

Oh. Oh, but, uh, let's let
Billy go first. [CHUCKLES]

[CAMERA REEL ROLLING]

Last month Fireman Johnson
rescued three people

from a burning building.

Wow!
I'm sorry.

I don't mean
to keep staring.

But why do you
look so familiar?

Angela, the guy saves lives.
He's a hero.

You've probably seen him
on the news.

Or maybe it was
the fireman's calendar.

August '89.
You were holding
the hatchet!

I saw it in
mother's kitchen.

[CHUCKLES] Anyway,
I'd just like to say

that you guys are doing
a terrific job.

And if there's ever a fire
at our house,

we're calling you, huh?
[CHUCKLES] All right.

Thanks, thanks.

You know, I've been
watching you all morning,

and I like your enthusiasm.
Would you be interested

in joining
our volunteer program?

Me, a volunteer?
BAXTER: Yeah, yeah.

Me? Really? Me?

You already know
how to slide down the pole.

It's true, it's true,
but, uh, I don't know

I'm kind of busy, you know,
but I could juggle a few things.

Uh, Chief,
maybe I shouldn't.

Well, call me
if you change your mind.

Okay.

Okay, all right,
Billy.

Let's go find Mona.
We'll get some lunch.

Are you hungry?
BILLY: Yeah!

[LAUGHS] Okay.

Tony, are you hungry?

[♪♪♪]

♪ There's a time for love
And a time for living ♪

♪ Take a chance
And face the wind ♪

♪ An open road
And a road that's hidden ♪

♪ A brand-new life
Around the bend ♪

♪ There were times ♪

♪ I lost a dream or two ♪

♪ Found the trail ♪

♪ And at the end was you ♪

♪ There's a path you take
And a path not taken ♪

♪ The choice is up to you
My friend ♪

♪ Nights are long
But you might awaken ♪

♪ To a brand-new life
A brand-new life ♪

♪ A brand-new life
Around the bend ♪

[SIREN BLARING]

Fire truck.
Ambulance.

Fire truck.
Ambulance!

You're gonna need an ambulance
if you say it one more time.

Cop car.

Boy, that sounds like
it's getting closer.

I think it might
be next door.
Really?

Sounds like it's coming
from the kitchen.

No!
Hey! [CHUCKLES]

[SIREN CONTINUES BLARING]

I did it! I did it!
I passed the test.

I am now an official
volunteer fireman!

ANGELA: Oh!
Wow! A fireman!

Yay! [CHUCKLES]
[TONY AND ANGELA CHUCKLE]

Oh, congratulations!

Just remember, you have
to put your trucks away

when you're finished playing.
Oh, Mona. Mona.

I'm not playing, Mona.

Oh, hey, this is for you,
pal of mine, huh?

ANGELA: Oh!
All right.

Mona, after studying
for a whole month,

I'm not fooling around.
Let me tell you something.

Fighting fires
is serious business, huh?

Ooh, look what they gave me!
[CHUCKLES]

A badge. I got a badge.
ANGELA: Ooh!

Huh? Look at this!

And then I got-- Oh,
I got one of these lights

for the car,
you know, huh?

And, oh! A beeper.
A beeper.

The men can reach me anytime,
day or night.

What a concept.
Oh.

Please.

Come on, Jonathan,
let's go play fire truck.

[SIREN BLARING]

You couldn't become
a volunteer librarian?

[TONY GROANS]

Hi.
ANGELA: Hi.

What's with all that stuff?
This stuff is my equipment.

Sam, your dad is
a fireman.

You're gonna get hurt.

Well, thank you
for that vote of confidence.

[CHUCKLES] Dad, I don't mean
to be disrespectful,

but aren't you a little bit...

un-young to be doing this?

You mean old?

Uh, no, no. I--
Dad, I just don't understand

why you'd want to do this.

I think it's the pole.
It--

It's more than that.

Let me tell you guys
a little story.

[SAM SIGHS]
[TONY CLICKS TONGUE]

I'm nine years old, see?

And the-- and the house
down the street

catches on fire.

So, I run down there,
and I find myself

in the middle of flames
and smoke, and confusion.

It's like-- it's like
the whole world is burning.

Just then I hear somebody
yelling, "Help! Help!"

It's Mrs. Dibenedetto
from her fifth-floor window.

Okay? Suddenly she
disappears into the smoke.

I want to tell you
I was really scared.

I mean it was like nobody
on the street could breathe.

Just then, out of the smoke
and the flames...

comes a silhouette.

It's a man.

It was a fireman.

And he's got Mrs. Dibenedetto
in his arms.

See, she's crying, but the--
but the place,

everybody's cheering him on,
you know

and-- and as the fireman
passed me...

he says...

"Pretty hot in there, kid."

And that's why
I want to be a fireman.

Okay. [CHUCKLES]
Just, uh, do me a favor.

Be careful,
because you're still un-young.

[TONY CHUCKLES]
[ANGELA LAUGHS]

Oh, what-- what?
You think that's funny?

I just--
Why, you-- you're saying

I'm old, too? Well,
could an old fireman do this?

[SCREAMS] Tony!
[TONY GRUNTS]

Tony! Put me down!
-I'm sorry, ma'am.

You're coming with me.

Well, it's about time.

Hey, Angela. Thanks a lot
for dropping me off and...

let me ask you how--
how do I look?

Are-- are my creases straight?

Tony, your creases are fine
why are you so nervous?

Well, I-- I had this nightmare,
you know, there was this--

this building burning
and Fireman Johnson runs by,

as he's going in he says to me,
"Looks hot in there, kid.

Let's go."
But my feet wouldn't move.

What happened?
Well, then Abraham Lincoln

showed up and started selling

frozen yogurt,
so the dream took a left turn.

Um, maybe not,
I mean, you know,
Lincoln freed the sl*ves

and you wanna free the people
from the burning building

and the yogurt...

well, that could be
so many things.

The point is, Angela, um.

Do I have what it takes mentally
and physically.

I mean, do I have
the right stuff.

Tony, if anyone's got stuff
that's right it's you.

[LAUGHS] Thanks.

[GRUNTS] Angela,
I'm on duty here.

Okay. I'm going in.
Okay.

[LAUGHS]
[IMITATES SIREN]

Oh, hi. How you doing?

I'm Tony Micelli,
I'm the new volunteer fireman.

Oh, welcome. Doughnut?

[CHUCKLES] No.
No, I'm in training.

For what?

I'm a fireman.
[SCOFFS] Yeah, aren't we all?

Look who's here. The new guy.

Hey, I'm Sid. Life insurance.
Hey, Sid. How are you?

This here is Jake,
dry cleaning.

Arthur,
baby furniture.

And Clarence...

athletic equipment.

How you doing?

Well, hey, I'm-- I'm Tony,
housekeeping.

Welcome anyway.

Well, uh, isn't there something
we should be doing,

like, uh, washing the truck
or exercising

or bouncing quarters
off our beds?

[LAUGHS] Rookies.
They're so cute.

Relax, Micelli. We're not here
to set the world on fire.

We just back up the regulars
once or twice a week.

Mostly,
we get cats out of trees,

test fire hydrants,

and hang around here
and have a blast.

Well, haven't-- haven't you guys
ever fought a fire?

Oh, yeah, yeah. What was it,
uh, four, five years ago?

Five. It was that, uh,
vacant lot.

Luckily, we knocked it down
before it spread

to the adjacent, um...

vacant lot.

We were great that day.
Weren't we, guys?

Oh, the best.
Right.

Deal you in?
Oh.

No, no, no thanks. I'm, uh,

I'm gonna let the chief know
I'm here.

Okay, guys.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Come in.

Fireman Micelli,
reporting for duty, sir!

Well, relax, Micelli. You--
you're not in the army now.

Yes, sir.
So, welcome aboard.

Thank you, sir.
Have you met the guys?

Oh, yeah, I-- I met them.

Oh, do I sense a problem here,
Micelli?

Oh, no, no, sir.
It's-- it's nothing.

Come on now, son.
You can talk to me.

Let's turn that frown
upside down, huh?

Well, you-- you see, sir,
this-- this isn't exactly

what I thought it would be,
you know.

Well, son, you can't expect
to walk into

a four-alarmer right away.

I mean, a big part
of a fireman's job

is just to sit around and wait.

Well, I think you got
the right guys for that, sir.

Oh, I see what the problem is.

These guys don't exactly
look like Fireman Johnson.

They don't look like
Lyndon Johnson.

You come with me,
Micelli.

I want to show you
these guys in action.

Okay.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]
Lunch!

No. No. No! No,
it's not lunch.

We're having a surprise
stopwatch drill,

and it's starting now.
ARTHUR: Come on.

SID: Anybody seen my boots?

CLARENCE: All right,
I'm on the--

That's my hat.
That's my helmet.

So, um, what's their best time
for this so far?

Maybe these guys do need
some shaping up.

Say...

you think you could handle that,
son?

Me?
Yes, you.

I like your spirit.
I like the cut of your jib.

Thank you, sir.
I like yours, too.

You bet your life
I could handle 'em.

Are you kidding me?
You won't recognize them

when I'm finished with them.
I'll turn them into a mean,

lean, fire-fighting machine,
huh?

[TONY CHUCKLES, GRUNTS]

♪ Hey, they call me
The fireman ♪

♪ That's my name ♪

♪ Makin' my rounds
All over town ♪

♪ Puttin' out all the flames ♪

♪ Everybody'd like to have
What I got ♪

♪ I can cool 'em down
When they're smoldering hot ♪

♪ I'm a fireman ♪

♪ That's my name ♪

♪ They call me the fireman ♪

♪ That's my name ♪

♪ Makin' my rounds
All over town ♪

♪ Puttin' out all the flames ♪

♪ Everybody like to have
What I got ♪

♪ I can cool 'em down
When they're smoldering hot ♪

♪ I'm a fireman ♪

♪ That's my name ♪

We can't take it anymore, Chief.

CLARENCE: It's him or us.
It's him or us.

He's gotta go.
SID: This guy's a royal pain.

My life used to be so happy.

Now look at me.
The spark is gone.

[ALL CLAMOR]

Boys! Boys! Boys!
Now just give him

a little time to settle down,

and I guarantee you
he won't be so gung-h*.

Hey, guys...

meet Sparky.
Sparky, meet the guys.

Micelli, what's with the dog?

I noticed that morale was
sort of slipping around here.

And you know why, guys?

ARTHUR: Yeah.
CLARENCE: Uh-huh.

That's right we needed a mascot,

So I took all the money
from the cookie kitty

and the bad word jar
and I bought Sparky.

Sparky, say hello to the chief.

[BARKS]
TONY: Hey!

Good dog, this Sparky, ain't he?

Hey, by the way
he had a little accident

on the driveway,
so keep your boots on. [LAUGHS]

Micelli, could I have
a word with you

in my office?
[BARKS]

Alone?

All right, Chief. Hey,

hang onto him, Jake.
Good boy, Spark.

Oh! Oh!

All right have a seat there,
Micelli.

Yes, sir.

[CLEARS THROAT] Now,
there's a feeling around here

that maybe not all of us
are on the same wavelength.

I know exactly what
you're driving at, Chief.

Oh, you do?
Sure, sure.

You see us all working out,
and you want to join in.

And-- and may I say so, sir,
not a moment too soon

because, hey, even at your age
you must want to get rid

of those love handles, huh?
[CHUCKLES]

You've just helped me

make a very difficult decision,
Micelli.

I've decided to
let somebody go.

Oh, no, Chief, don't do that.
Don't do that. Look...

just tell me the name of the guy
who's not pulling his weight,

and I'll have a
talk with him.

Micelli.

I know him.

He's not going to
take this well.

[♪♪♪]

What is this?

Oh, you got one
of Tony's fire violations, too.

"Too many people in one room"?

It takes at least seven people
to play Twister.

[DOOR OPENS]

Please don't cite me.

These smoke detectors
are ready to go back up.

I don't care.

What's wrong?

I got fired.

Fired?

You were let go?

From a volunteer program?

[MONA LAUGHING]

That's like firing
a girl scout.

Letting a nun go.

Telling a candy striper,
"Hey, hit the bricks, kid."

Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

I realize, how much
this meant to you.

[LAUGHS]

Fired from a
volunteer program?

What a dweeb. [LAUGHS]

What happened?

They all turned on me, Angela.
Every one of them.

And all because I wanted it
to be the best,

darn volunteer fire department
in the world.

I know, but do you think
that perhaps it's possible

you went just a
teeny wee bit overboard?

Maybe a drop.

But they didn't have to
take away my badge,

my hat, my boots...

my dream.

I want to be Fireman Tony.
No, I do.

He's my Tony,
so I get to be Fireman Tony.

Kids, kids, why don't you go
play outside?

But we want to talk
to Fireman Tony.

Well, um...

kids, um.
Oh, no. It's all right, Angela.

Come on over, boys.
Come on over and gather 'round.

Atta boy. But, um...

let's-- let's not talk
about being a fireman.

Let's--
let's talk about dreams, huh?

What-- what do you kids
dream about being

when-- when
you're all grown up?

A fireman, like you.

Or an astronaut.
Yeah.

Well, those are all
fine dreams, boys.

Really fine dreams, and--
and who knows?

Maybe they'll come true.

On the other hand,

they could end up being crushed
like walnuts in a vise.

Obliterated, shattered.

Beaten to a bloody pulp.

They'll take everything from you
and leave you nothing!

Kids, how about some milk
and cookies?

It's a good life lesson.
Okay, you can be Tony.

No. You can be Tony.

You're not a fireman anymore,
are you?

I'm sorry, kid.

Another doughnut,
Clarence?

Why, thank you, Arthur.
I think I'll have two.

Now, that Micelli's not here.
Uh-huh. You said Micelli.

[SID AND ARTHUR CHUCKLE]

Excu-- excuse me.
SID: Whoa, whoa.

You see, I'm, uh,
I'm looking for Chief Baxter.

The chief's busy right now.
Um, can I help you?

Well, uh, I'm Angela Bower.
I'm a friend of Tony Micelli's.

SID: Oh.
JAKE: Oh.

Uh, Miss Bower,
maybe I can help you,

I'm Chief Baxter.
Oh, yes. Yes, hello.

Uh, the reason I'm here
is to ask you

to please give Tony
another chance.

ARTHUR: No!
CLARENCE: No way!

When hell freezes over.

JAKE: I'll be dead.
CLARENCE: Forget about it.

I don't think that would be
a very good idea, Miss Bower.

Oh, but, Chief,
Tony loves being a fireman.

See, he--
he's wanted to be a fireman

ever since he was a
kid in Brooklyn.

He saw this fireman
carry his neighbor--

FIREMEN: Mrs. Dibenedetto
out of a burning building.

Oh, okay. So, once in a while,
he gets on your nerves

but that's just
his boyish enthusiasm.

I have it, too,
but you don't see me

going off half-c*ck.

Come on.

Come on. Didn't you ever
have a dream?

A dream that was so pure,

that it stayed with you
for years and years?

Well, Tony did.

And his dream came true.

His only mistake was
pushing too hard to keep it.

And when he came home

and I saw that look
in his big brown eyes...

my-- my heart went out to him.

Tony had lost his dream.

And he was lost, too.

That was beautiful.

Really touching.
SID: Yeah.

Yeah. Whose deal is it?

[SID CLEARS THROAT]
Hey, guys, it's Micelli.

Oh, relax, guys. I'm--
I'm just here to talk to Angela.

Angela, Mona told me
you were here.

You didn't have to do this.
I can defend myself.

A leggy blonde never hurts.

[SIGHS] Look, guys,
I know I came on too strong.

I don't-- I don't blame you
for being upset

it's just that sometimes I get--

Oh, Clarence,
are you still eating doughnuts?

I mean-- And you
with the smoking, Jake, when--

There I go again, huh?

[CHUCKLES]
Now I'm annoying myself.

[FIRE ALARM BLARES]
What is that?

It's a fire.
Wow! A fire.

And they called us?
BAXTER: Come on, men, let's go.

Engine 27, ready to roll.

Ah, it's the Lexington hotel.
And it's a big one.

SID: Oh, where's my helmet?
Oh, here you go.

Thanks, Micelli.
Sure.

Come on, Micelli!

Thank you, Chief. Thank you!
Can I drive?

I'll-- I'll sit in the back.

It's a fire, Angela.
It's-- it's a fire.

Angela, it's a fire.

[TRUCK ENGINE REVVING]

[PANTS, LAUGHS]

[♪♪♪]

Here we go.
Oh, my sandwich.

[DOOR OPENS]

Quick. Quick. Turn on the TV.
There's a big fire downtown.

MAN ON TV:
Since most of Fairfield's

regular firefighter
are off battling

a major blaze
in neighboring Bridgeport,

all volunteer units
have been summoned.

See, this is
what I was afraid of.

I'm so glad
Dad's not a fireman anymore.

Uh...

[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY] Actually,
I helped reinstate him.

He was on his way downtown
to the fire when I left.

Oh, no.
Way to go, Mom.

MAN ON TV: Let's go to the scene

with action reporter
Laurie Lee.

Fire fighters are inside
the hotel now

searching for guests.

Several firemen
have been rushed
to the hospital

suffering from smoke
inhalation.

Why didn't he listen to me?
I begged him not to do this.

Honey, I-- I'm sure
he'll be fine.

Of course he will.

Your dad knows
how to handle himself.

Chief Baxter, I understand
your volunteer group

has really
distinguished itself.

Well, actually, it was mostly
the work of one man

whose superb
physical conditioning

allowed him to repeatedly climb
the seven flights,

bringing many to safety.

Hey, look, it's Tony!
Oh, thank God he's safe.

Would you put me down?

You've already taken
three victory laps

around the building.

Yes, yes ma'am.
Of course.

Sorry, ma'am. Yeah.
Fireman Micelli,

you certainly are
the man of the moment.

Well I-- I
just want to say

that I, uh,
I couldn't have done it

without my fellow hose warriors.
Sid, Arthur, Clarence, and Jake.

SID: Hey, atta boy! Hey!

Oh, and, uh, and I want
to say hi to Sam and Jonathan

and Angela and Mona.
I'm okay, guys.

And, Billy...

dreams do come true. [PANTING]

Fire-- Fireman Micelli,
can you sum up?

What were the conditions
like inside that hotel?

Pretty hot in there,
kid.

[♪♪♪]

TONY: Who's the Boss?
Will be back in a moment.
Stick around.

You actually carried
all those people

down seven flights of stairs?

Well, you know, Angela,

when you're in
peak physical condition,

as I am... [CHUCKLES]
...you can do anything.

Anything is possible.
Anything like this...

[GROANS]

Uh-oh.
Your back?

TONY: Yeah.

Wow. Twice in the same week.

[♪♪♪]

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]