Critics
In the day room of Station 51, FF/Paramedic John Gage snorted loudly. Roy DeSoto looked up from the sports page. The team of paramedics were alone since the engine was on a run.
"What?" Roy asked his easily agitated friend. He still held the newspaper, thinking he wouldn't be able to read the article since it appeared his partner was on a new rant.
"The paper is what? You know Roy, these reporters don't know crap about our jobs or what we do," Johnny shook his head. Thinking of all the people they had saved since they had become paramedics, and how they wouldn't have been able to function, even for all their critics.
"Well I'm sorry to say Johnny we can't give everyone ride alongs," Roy sighed, knowing how reporters and critics wanted the attention on them and not on the firefighters.
"Yeah, too bad we can't. Wonder if those dumb... anyway how'd they feel if they walked a mile in our shoes," Johnny stood up, put the paper down and went to get coffee. Holding up the pot, he refreshed Roy's, filled his, returned the pot and then sat down again.
"Hum, wonder if we can get Morton or any new intern a ride along, maybe they'd understand our jobs better," Johnny grinned, the wheels turning on how to improve their situation.
"Personally Johnny, I say screw them," Roy grinned.
"You say screw them?" Johnny was confused. "I don't understand Roy. Why you worked so hard to get the paramedics a reality in the first place."
"Johnny, face it, we'll never be able to please them no matter what we do. Even the people we rescue...sometimes aren't happy with us. So how the hell are we going to please those jerks who don't know... we'll you know." Roy blushed.
"Yeah, same with those anthros on the reservation. Just because they'd visit us every summer made them some sort of expert. Just like the so called newspaper reporters who wouldn't have a fricken clue on how to save anybody let alone themselves," Gage folded up the newspaper. "You know what Roy. I come to a decision."
Roy looked seriously at his partner. "Oh about what?"
"Well I decided I'm not going to let those jerk reporters or critics bother me anymore. 'Cause let's face it, they couldn't save anyone let alone themselves and all they do is Monday morning quarterbacking anyway."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Look at what that doctor said to me after his patient died, you know he almost made me quit the program," Roy shook his head, wondering what he might have given up if he had listened to the ignorant doctor.
"Yeah, I really don't think I could have handled a new partner and I don't think you'd a liked working in a brush fire station," Johnny gave a crooked grin.
"Glad I had a good friend talk me out of it," Roy grinned, thinking of how Johnny had been so upset.
Johnny grinned. "Yeah, you're lucky you have a good friend, pally." Gage patted Roy's shoulder.
Tones sounded ending their conversion
Squad 51, unknown type rescue, at 1301 Crenshaw Dr. Cross street Harrison, time out 14:25