PS13A
Johnny was dressed in his uniform, leather jacket and had his saddlebags packed as he came out of his bedroom. He could see the DeSoto's just sat down for breakfast.
"Leaving so early?" Joanne placed the platters of pancakes and bacon the table. "Are you sure you wouldn't want some breakfast?" She smiled hopefully knowing her friend would feel better on a full stomach.
"Yeah Junior, you're gonna need some fortification for your first day on the job," Roy smiled but could see Johnny's indecision. So far Johnny hadn't told him his new station and he hadn't pressed him. Roy wondered if he had done the right thing; Johnny was grinning but he couldn't say it was genuine.
"Well I'll grab something on the way. First day and all," Johnny grinned hoping he fooled his friend.
"Sure, let me walk you out," Roy put an arm around Johnny as they headed out the door. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty. Shaking his friend's hand, DeSoto pressed the money into Gage's hand.
"Roy, man," Johnny shook his head. "You don't have to do this …"
"Johnny you're not going to get paid for a month and you have to buy in for meals. Just wouldn't look right, you know," Roy tempered his friend's confusion.
"Um, thanks again Roy. I'm goin' to pay you back, pally," Johnny took the money, knowing it was food out of his kids' mouths.
"See ya tomorrow," Roy waved as Johnny backed his cycle out to the street.
Johnny waved, "see ya pally."
Revving his cycle up Gage headed to his new station and his new future.
#######
Punching in the code made Johnny felt like he was going to prison and not a fire station. When did things get so damn complicated? When he screwed up, he reminded himself. In his heart he knew the bad call was a reason for the department to get rid of him. Gage shook his head; if he had kept his mouth shut, just like his friend warned him, he wouldn't be in this hell hole of a station. The problem was he could never keep his mouth shut, even growing up. Sighing, he found the engine and squad gone, giving him a chance to take an unofficial tour of his new station.
The station reminded him of 51, with the newer kitchen appliances and other features. Going back to the kitchen, he found the supplies and made a fresh pot of coffee. Pouring a cup he found a paper on the table he started reading, sat down on a chair and drank his coffee.
"So you're Gage?" An older man brought him out of his stupor. He was about Johnny's height, had dark brown hair with specks of gray, blue eyes, crow's feet, and a large, wide smile. He was in uniform.
'Um, yeah," Johnny stood up in his chair
"Don't worry ain't the cap, name's Jim Weaver," Jim offered his hand. "I'm the engineer."
"Nice to meet you," Johnny shook the man's hand hard. "The new paramedic."
"Yeah we all heard about you, kinda hard not to, you know," Weaver went to the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee. "It's not unusual for the squad and engine to be out this time of year."
"Time of year?" Gage was curious and what had he gotten himself into.
"Oh you'll learn soon enough; weather affects our calls a lot." Weaver's grin wasn't welcoming.
"Hey Jimbo," a young man, about his age came into the kitchen in his uniform. "See the old man is showing you around. Don't listen to him." The man's green eyes were on fire with a twisted grin on his face.
"Don't pay attention to the kid," Weaver snarled. "Don't know his nose from a hole in the ground."
"Yeah, sure Weaver, you know everything. Name's Harv Walton, I'm the damnest hose jockey around." The man snickered as he offered his hand. "The rest will be along shortly."
"Yeah if they aren't in jail already," Weaver snickered.
Gage frowned and noted the lack of friendship, let alone camaraderie among his shift mates.
Two men followed in, both in uniform. Neither looked happy.
"Hey," a Latino male approached him, "Manny Gonzalez, your partner." Manny grinned and went over to the coffee. "Sure smells good."
A black man came in, a large, burly man who looked like he ate nails and drank oil. His height and bulk made him a formidable picture and Johnny noted the sour expression his face.
"Hey George you made it," Weaver patted the man on his back. "So you stayed out a trouble."
"You touch me one more time Weaver and you'll really be in trouble," George growled and looked at Gage. "So looks like we got the bottom of the barrel, huh." He poured himself some coffee and had a permanent frown on his face.
Johnny stood up, his chair scratching on the floor and headed out of the tension filled dayroom. More then likely he would find the caption of this motley crew, Captain Jose Martin. Gage found him in the office, sitting at his desk shifting through paperwork.
"John Gage I take it," Martin stood up. "So the gang's all here."
"Yeah, they're all here," Gage volunteered.
"Don't worry Gage, you'll get used to it," Martin headed to the dayroom.
"Get used to what?" Johnny was curious.
"Oh working in hell, baby." Martin snickered and Gage stayed in the bay.
Roll call came and went as the men from his shift sized him up. From what he had heard every firefighter knew who he was. Whether they were on his side or not really didn't matter to him, much.
The cap called him into his office and sat him down.
"Okay Gage welcome to 118 and all the stories you've heard are true," Martin, grinned. "We are all this close," he held up his thumb and index finger in the usual small distance between them, "to getting our asses canned."
Johnny frowned.
"Oh it gets better Gage. Getting you was no picnic by any means. We don't need you; we all have problems of our own and you just add to the mix with your high and mighty attitude." Jose gave him a warning tone.
"Now wait a minute..." the paramedic opened his mouth.
"Let me finish, I know how much you love to talk," Martin snickered. "This is my station and you'll do exactly as I say and when I say it because your life will depend on it."
Gage nodded.
"And you'll do exactly what Manny says, too. WE," Martin emphasized, "Have been here a hell of a lot longer than you. Now I'm sure the department would be damn glad to have you seriously injured or killed on the job, but this is my watch and I'll be damned to lose anyone."
Johnny was shocked; someone had actually put into words why he was here in the first place.
"So you follow orders and we'll do just fine. You try to go into business for yourself and if you get killed it ain't my fault. Clear?" Martin rocked in his chair.
"Crystal." Johnny sighed.
"Good. Go with Gonzalez and meet the crew at the hospital. I'm sure they'll have lots to say to you too. Dismissed." The cap shooed him away.
Johnny did as he was told. He rode with Manny driving the squad to his new base station.
"Well we all heard about you Gage. You really put the paramedics on the map," the Latino snickered. "And not in a good way."
"You know the brass was using it as a way to get rid of me," Johnny came to his defense.
"Yeah sure, hell we even knew about you at St. Francis, you and DeSoto. Like you were some damn gods or something," Gonzalez grinned as they headed towards the hospital.
"Male Florence Nightingales," Johnny said under his breath.
"What you say Gage?" Manny glared at him. "You and your big mouth. So you'll be meeting the doctors and nurses at Mission. They don't take no shit from anybody and if you do something wrong they'll be on you so fast. Comprede?"
"Yes Manny I comprende," Gage snorted as they backed up to the ER entrance to the hospital. Johnny had watched the neighborhood driving in, graffiti and projects; yes everything he had heard was true.
Following his partner in he made note of the lack of smiles on any of the staff, any at least at Rampart smiled, well until it hit the fan and then everyone stayed away from him.
"So Gage this is Doc Fishburn," Manny introduced him to a severe looking doctor.
"John Gage," Fishburn said skeptically. His blond hair was peppered with gray hair; he had permanent frown lines and black, square glasses. The doc's eyes looked him over like a piece of rotten meat.
"Yeah Doc, nothing but best," Gonzalez snickered, "And this is Betsy Warren, don't cross her."
The woman had her hair pulled back, a serious frown on her face and green eyes which pierced his soul. "WE don't joke around here Gage, lives depend on us," she poked her finger into his chest. "IF you screw up, believe me, headquarters will know about it."
"Yes ma'am," Johnny felt like he was in third grade, he knew what the hell what he was doing.
"So I have a list of supplies," Manny said casually, "You know how it is this time of year."
Betsy said nothing as a gun shot victim was brought in.
"See ya later," Manny waved and Gage followed behind. Before they left the hospital he looked at his new partner. They were sitting in the squad." Okay Gage, this is how it goes. We don't go into any house or treat any victim until the cops arrive and that goes for every call. Same with the engine. We don't go into anyplace or treat any victim without a cop present. We don't do anyone any good if were dead."
"But what if…"
"What if they're dying? Bleeding out? NO fricken way to we leave the squad. The windows are always rolled up and everything is locked up tight. Compartments and squad. Only time it isn't is when we're in quarters. You do what I say when I say it or I'll get you written up," Manny grinned viciously.
"You'd do that?" Johnny was in shock.
"Hell yeah. Not like the department wants you here. We got the word, all of us before you came here. Hell, we'd be heroes if we did. Anything to get us off the short list," Manny grinned again as he gunned the engine.
Thank you for all your kind comments. This maybe my last posting for awhile as the holidays are here. Also I begin working my second job next month, tax preparer and damn good at it! Anyway, I can assure you I'm working on all my other stories and will post when I can and when my incredible beta can return them to me. So….
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année!
Feliz Navidad y Prospero ano nuevo!
Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Meri Kurisumasu soshite Akemashite Omedeto!
Nollaig faoi shean agus faoi shonas duit agus bliain nua faoi mhaise dhuit!
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!
Maligayang pasko at manigong bagong taon!
