Mayor William Dudley (Discussing the hospital's dedication ceremony)
I hope you'll change your mind and join us up on the speakers' platform, Dr. Whitman.
FW Dr. Frank Whitman
No, no, I don't think so. Really.
Mayor William Dudley It would look better, you know, the head of a new hospital.
FW Dr. Frank Whitman
Well it may look better but I don't think it would sound better. I don't think you'd like what you'd be hearing.
Mayor William Dudley Well what's eating you now? You have a new job and the city has a beautiful new hospital.
FW Dr. Frank Whitman
That's right, some new hospital. You know, it looks real good on the outside. But thanks to your political favors here and there, see I'm stuck with a patch-up job!
Mayor William Dudley Well nothing is perfect. Everything is compromised. Now, if you're the mayor of a big city and you want to get things done, you have to learn to give and take.
FW Dr. Frank Whitman
Try talking to a surgeon about compromise during an open-heart operation, huh? (walks away)
Mayor William Dudley Dr. Whitman? (Whitman stops and turns around) When I call on you, I expect you to come up and speak.
FW Dr. Frank Whitman
Is that a challenge?
Mayor William Dudley If you'd like to put it that way.
FW Dr. Frank Whitman
Well you just do that Mr. Mayor. I look forward to it.
Mayor William Dudley How you doing?
JO John O'Brien
(weakly)
: Alright.
Mayor William Dudley I'm in a hell of mess on this one, Johnny. I pushed for that refinery.
JO John O'Brien
(weakly)
: That's the risk of politics; yesterday you're a hero and today you're a fool. Pretty simple to say the least.
Mayor William Dudley Come on, come on. I don't know what the hell to do. Can't get through on the phone to Risley or Abrams or anybody.
JO John O'Brien
(weakly)
: Well that's bad. But you can turn it around and make it good.
Mayor William Dudley Goddammit Johnny don't humor me! I don't know how to deal with this one. On top of it all you pick today to go and get a heart attack. Hey, Johnny...
JO John O'Brien
(weakly)
: Never...never admit...that you were wrong about the refinery.
Mayor William Dudley Now don't you go dying on me for Christ's sake, come on.
JO John O'Brien
(weakly)
: You'll be governor...you'll do it...bet you seven bucks you do it kid.
Mayor William Dudley (Outside the hospital where its evacuation is beginning)
You mind telling me what's going on with the ambulances and-
NA Nurse Andrea Harper
(cutting the mayor off)
Not a bit Mr. Mayor. You know it seems that there was some idiot who let them build a refinery right in the middle of the city and this is the result! You know I bet it was you. I really would like to hear you talk yourself out of this boo-boo!
Mayor William Dudley You mind telling me what's going on out here?
NA Nurse Andrea Harper
Doctor's orders. Dr. Whitman wants the rest of the hospital evacuated - in a hurry. You know you could do us both a favor Mr. Mayor and get yourself in one of those trucks. At least this'll keep you out of the governor's mansion.
Mayor William Dudley Don't take any bets on it.
NA Nurse Andrea Harper
WELL I AIN'T GONNA VOTE FOR YOU!
(During a 3-way live broadcast between the hospital, the TV station and the fire department's headquarters)
Mayor Dudley, can you hear me?
Mayor William Dudley Uh yes Ms. Grayson. I hear you very well.
Chief Risley, can you hear me? Can you not hear me Chief Risley?!
Yes, yes I do Ms. Grayson I apologize, but we have no time for formalities. (noticing labored breathing by the mayor on the TV) Mayor Dudley are you having difficulty breathing?
Mayor William Dudley Well, uh, yes as a matter of fact I am.
Mr. Mayor I'm afraid the hospital may be caught in a firestorm.
Chief Risley...does that mean that the people in the hospital are in danger of suffocating?
Mayor Dudley it's very important that everyone in the hospital get out of the area as quickly as possible!
Mayor William Dudley Chief Risley, let's get some helicopters out here.
With the winds changing so drastically it's impossible. However, we can try something else. (talking to a dispatcher) Get my son on the radio.
D Dispatcher
Company 27 to the Prince Street exit of the Brockhurst Hospital. Repeat: Company 27 to the Prince Street exit of the Brockhurst Hospital.
CH Captain Harrison Risley
We're about a mile south and proceeding directly.
Harrison, to get those people out of the hospital, we're gonna need a water tunnel.
CH Captain Harrison Risley
Roger. I'll report on arrival. We'll need backup and paramedics.
