Episode 8
Twists and Turns
Windy Warning
Detective Frank Cooper gets the call: funnel clouds spotted over Springfield.
"Looks like it's going to be a long night," he says. "We need all units at the ready! Oh, and call Cedars and let Rick Bauer know." An officer follows Frank's orders. Frank then grabs his cell phone and dials Blake's number.
"Get to a safe place," he tells her. We've got potentially dangerous storms brewing."
His colleague, Detective AC Mallet, arrives. "The phones are ringing like crazy, Frank. We've got everything from car accidents to stranded pedestrians thanks to the storm."
"Let's hit the streets," Frank tells him. "We can't be of any help sitting around in a darkened police station."
A Whirlwind
Meanwhile, the staff of Towers has instructed its patrons to head calmly downstairs to the lobby. The wind blows furiously, and Beth is frightened. Edmund takes her hand. Just as they pass by a window, it crashes; shards of glass shoot at them. Beth screams, Edmund grabs her, and they run toward the stairs.
"Are you alright?" he asks breathlessly as they enter the lobby.
"I think so. Just some little cuts," she replies.
"Here," he hands her his handkerchief. "You're bleeding. It's not bad, though." She thanks him, and they crouch together on the floor and wait.
Sound the Alarms
All of Springfield is on high alert.
The Lewis brothers instruct their crews to leave their sites and seek shelter.
Buzz Cooper, alone inside Company, steps inside the walk-in pantry…just in case.
Ed Bauer and his nephew, Alan-Michael Spaulding, head down into the Bauer basement.
Dr. Rick Bauer quickly tends to those who are injured as a result of the storm.
Mindy Bauer and Jonathan Randall, still trapped in the elevator, are unaware of the storms urgency. They stand silently in the dark, both feeling unsettled…for various reasons.
Detectives Cooper and Mallet, patrolling the streets, witness what they hoped they wouldn't.
"Is that..." Mallet begins.
"Yes!" Frank responds, "I'll radio the station." He does, and informs the officer on duty that a tornado has indeed touched down in Springfield.
Mayoral Musings
Mayor Delores Wolfe sits inside the basement of the Springfield courthouse. She prays for the safety of Springfield citizens, then begins the silently rant about the injustice of it all.
Just when we get rid of the syndicate – when things start looking up for the city – we've got a potential natural disaster to contend with!
Delores is confident, however, that no matter what happens, she is capable of helping the city recover – if it comes to that. Tornado warnings are issued all of the time, she thinks, and sometimes don't even amount to much. But sometimes they do. Should that happen to Springfield, Heaven forbid, Doris knows she must be on her game to help the city recoup. Election time, after all, is just around the corner.
Blown Away
And, just as quickly as it came, the storm died down. The city sustained minor damage..a few broken windows, and some shingles will need to be replaced. The lights popped back on, revealing everyone to be a bit shaken, but not broken.
Edmund helps Beth up to her feet. She sees the elevator door open and her friend, Mindy exits with Jonathan Randall close behind her. Beth hugs them both as Edmund watches. Jonathan turns to Edmund.
"Hello, Uncle," he says sarcastically.
"Jonathan. Good to see you safe," Edmund replies tersely.
Mindy studies Beth's cut face and tells her they must get to Cedars immediately. She takes Beth by the arm, but Beth stops her before they can proceed.
"Thank you, Edmund," Beth whispers.
"Anytime," he says.
The two women walk away. Jonathan, staring at Edmund, merely says, "you better watch out."
"And I could offer you the same warning. I saw you looking a bit lovelorn there with Mrs. Bauer."
With that, Jonathan stomps away.