Airport Minute Podcast

The Guerreros are discussing their future, while Inez fills sugar dispensers in her shabby coffee shop.

“The kids aren’t going to have to live with your sister anymore, and you’re going to have money, and a nice home, and — and clothes –” he continues.

“Dom,” says Inez, “Stop dreaming. Just hold onto the job.”

Dom Guerrero nods his head. “I’ll do it right, this time. I won’t mess it up.” Inez walks away to tend to some bread cooking on the stove.

“How are you going to get to Milwaukee?” asks Inez.

“The bus,” replies Dom, “That leaves in just a few minutes. I’ve got enough for that, and I can draw an advance on my salary tomorrow, but I will need something for a hotel room tonight, if you could let me have a few dollars –”

“Well, all I’ve got is a few dollars to put something on the rent,” says Inez. Dom nods his head, sadly understanding. Inez looks at him, and puts her hands on his hands.

“Dom,” says Inez.”The silverware is gone, my watch is gone. My mother’s ring: don’t pawn that.”

In this minute

Van Heflin as D. O. Guerrero

Inez Guerrero is working as a waitress in a shabby coffee shop, talking to her husband, who says he needs to be in Milwaukee tonight to start his new job tomorrow. Inez hopes it’s not another “hello – goodbye” job.

“I talked to Mister Williams himself, ” he explains. “$175 a week! Look, this is a 30-storey building, the job will last, oh, eight months at least.”

“I hope so,” says Inez. She puts down the tin of sugar. “This time, do me one favor, ” says Inez. “If your boss says two and two is six, agree with him.”

“Whatever way he wants to do anything,” says her husband, waving his hands, “that’s my way.”

“Just don’t lose your temper,” says Inez.

“… and Williams said that, after the job in Milwaukee, they’re going to build a new building in Detroit, and he even said they may subcontract the excavating to me!” says her husband.

“Be satisfied that you’re working,” says Inez.

“I am,” says her husband. “But you’ll see. Everything will be fine. It’s gonna be the way that it used to be.”

Inez looks at him, “Nothing’s the way it used to be. But I’m not complaining.”

“You never do,” says her husband. “How – how you could stick with me -”

” ‘For better or for worse,’ I meant what I said,” replies Inez.

“It’s gonna be better again, I promise,” says her husband. “No – I’ve got an idea”

In This Minute

Van Heflin as D.O. Guerrero

A man in a shabby apartment sits on a brass bed, with an open briefcase in his lap.  Next to him are three sticks of dynamite, a lantern battery, and electrical wire.

There is a block of wood inside the briefcase, with a spring-operated clothespin attached to the wood. Two cotter pins with wires leading from each side are attached at the contact points of the clothespin. There is a plastic square held by the clothespin’s pincers, and a short length of string leading outside the briefcase near the briefcase handle. The man tugs on the string, and the plastic square pulls free of the clothespin, bringing the cotter pins in contact with each other and completing the wires’ electrical circuit.

The man places the lantern battery inside the briefcase, and tears a piece of electrical tape off the roll…

Time passes. The same man, dressed in a hat and coat, and carrying a suitcase, walks along a snowy street past brownstone buildings.  He takes a short flight of stairs to a dimly-lit coffee shop, where a painted sign on the window says “OPEN 8AM to 10 PM” and “BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER SERVED.”

Inside the coffee shop, a jukebox plays. The coffee shop cook / waitress settles a bill with a customer. Meanwhile the man with the briefcase takes a seat at the counter.

The woman, Inez Guerrero, talks to the man with the briefcase. “I thought you said you were leaving tomorrow?”

“No,” replies the man, “I said I have to start work tomorrow. I’ve got to be in Milwaukee tonight, remember?”  Inez picks up a large tin of sugar and begins filling sugar dispensers for the coffee shop tables.

“This isn’t going to be one of those hello – ” begins Inez.

In This Minute

Van Heflin as D.O. Guerrero

Pete Mummert is a co-host of the Indiana Jones Minute podcast, a show that the AV Club once hailed as “not nearly as tedious as a thing like this could potentially be.” He lives with his wife and two cats in San Francisco, a town in which the term “snow desk” only rarely enters casual conversations.

Tanya is in the Customs inspection hall, talking to Customs Inspector Harry Standish. Standish has a favor to ask.

“My sister’s girl, Judy Barton,” says Standish, “is going to be on your Number Two flight to Rome tonight. Can you get her a window seat?”

“I’m sure of it,” answers Tanya.

“Good,” says Harry.  Tanya turns to leave, but Harry calls to her again. “With this weather, do you think it’ll get off on time?”

The scene shifts to the Trans Global Customer Support Center. A dozen women are seated at computer terminals. A woman on a phone says, “Trans Global Flight Two, the Golden Argosy, will depart on schedule.”

The scene shifts again to a man holding the receiver of a pay phone in a dingy tenement hallway. “Good. Fine. Thank you,” he says, hanging up the phone. The man walks back to his shabby apartment, and crosses the living room, grabbing a cigarette from an ashtray before walking into his bedroom. He stuffs a passport and plane tickets into a coat hanging on a hook, while the camera zooms in on several items laid out on his brass bed: a lantern battery, electrical tape, electrical wires — and three sticks of dynamite.

The man sits down on the bed, with an open briefcase in his lap.

In This Minute

Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston

Pete Mummert is a co-host of the Indiana Jones Minute podcast, a show that the AV Club once hailed as “not nearly as tedious as a thing like this could potentially be.” He lives with his wife and two cats in San Francisco, a town in which the term “snow desk” only rarely enters casual conversations.

Tanya is in the Customs inspection hall, at the request of Trans Global passenger Mrs. Harriet DuBarry Mossman, a woman wearing a fur coat and fur hat. Her tiny white poodle sits atop a pet shipping crate, while Customs officer Harry Standish inspects the poodle’s jewel-encrusted collar.

Harry finds a diamond bracelet taped inside the dog collar. “Sorry, Madam,” says Harry.

Standish walks over to the other Inspector and hands him the bracelet. “Check everything else,” says Harry. “very carefully. Inspect the linings of the bags and the cases. Make a list.”

Inspector Barrow nods, “Yes, sir.” Harry pets the poodle. “Sorry, fella,” says Harry.

Mrs. Mossman pleads with Inspector Barrow, “I’d like to change that declaration please, Officer — I beg of you! My husband will be -”

“Madam, why don’t you sit down?” suggests Inspector Barrow. “This might take quite some time.”

Harry walks away from the counter to stand next to Tanya. “When will they ever learn?” asks Harry. “The duty would have been about one tenth of what the fine is going to be.”

Tanya shakes her head. “You are amazing,” says Tanya. “I never would have suspected her.”

Harry says,” Well, after thirty years, you kind of know. First I look in their eyes — and then the luggage.”

Harry pauses. “Thanks for coming down,” he says, “now, may I ask you another favor?”

Tanya smiles. “If you want me to smuggle anything in, the answer is no!”

In This Minute

Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston

Pete Mummert is a co-host of the Indiana Jones Minute podcast, a show that the AV Club once hailed as “not nearly as tedious as a thing like this could potentially be.” He lives with his wife and two cats in San Francisco, a town in which the term “snow desk” only rarely enters casual conversations.

Tanya is in the Customs inspection hall, talking to Trans Global passenger Mrs. Harriet DuBarry Mossman, a woman wearing a fur coat and fur hat. Her tiny white poodle sits atop a pet shipping crate, while Customs officer Harry Standish stands behind the counter.

“Would you explain to this man that we’re no longer living in the Dark Ages?” asks Mrs. Mossman, pointing at Harry. “That, nowadays, stores in this country import clothes from France?” She turns to Harry. “If you’d bothered to look, you’d see the Bergdorf-Goodman labels.”

“Oh, I did bother to look, Madam, rather closely,” says Harry. “and I find the– the sewing of the labels isn’t up to Bergdorf’s usual standard.  They’re always very professional, very neat.”

“As you can see,” says Harry, pointing at a label,  “that’s a pretty sloppy job. But, I suppose everybody’s having trouble getting good help these days.”

“Especially the Customs Service,” replies Mrs. Mossman. Harry looks back at Mrs. Mossman.

The poodle whines and scratches at his jeweled collar. Harry walks over and asks the dog what’s bothering him. Harry examines the collar more closely.

Mrs. Mossman’s attitude changes. “Officer,” says Mrs. Mossman, “About the fur and the dresses – – perhaps I did make a mistake. I did buy them there, and there are some other things that I –”

Harry removes the dog’s collar.

In This Minute

Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston

Pete Mummert is a co-host of the Indiana Jones Minute podcast, a show that the AV Club once hailed as “not nearly as tedious as a thing like this could potentially be.” He lives with his wife and two cats in San Francisco, a town in which the term “snow desk” only rarely enters casual conversations.

Mel is talking to Tanya about his failing marriage, and how “he doesn’t like to fail.”

“I don’t know what to do about it,” says Mel.

“Maybe you love your wife more than you realize,” says Tanya.

“No, no,” replies Mel. “Not for a long time now. The only thing we’ve got left in common is the same address.”

Tanya steps closer to Mel. “I’m not pressing you, Mel, ” she says. She puts her hand on his shoulder. “I wouldn’t play that kind of game with you,” says Tanya. “But I think I’d better take that job in San Francisco.”

Just then, one of the TGA gate agents walks into Tanya’s office unannounced. “Excuse me, Mrs. Livingston, but Customs just called,” says the agent. “The chief would like you to come down. He says it’s rather important.”

“All right,” says Tanya. She grabs her notepad, takes a sidelong glance at Mel, and follows the agent out of the Executive Lounge.

“Seems that one of our passengers is demanding to speak to someone in authority from Trans Global,” says the agent as they head out of the office. Mel watches them leave.

The scene shifts to the Custom inspection room.

In This Minute

Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston

Pete Mummert is a co-host of the Indiana Jones Minute podcast, a show that the AV Club once hailed as “not nearly as tedious as a thing like this could potentially be.” He lives with his wife and two cats in San Francisco, a town in which the term “snow desk” only rarely enters casual conversations.

Mel stands behind Tanya, with his hands on her shoulders, in the Trans Global Executive Lounge. Tanya said TGA is pushing her for a transfer to San Francisco.

“It’s a beautiful city,” says Mel. “I’ll miss you.”

“Will you?” asks Tanya. “Enough not to let me go?” Mel drops his hands from her shoulders. Tanya turns around. “I’m sorry,” she says. “I had no right to say that. You’ve been honest with me from the beginning — no false hopes, no promises…”

“I’m not as honest as you think,” says Mel. “I said I invented excuses not to go home and that’s true — but I didn’t mention the real reason I needed to stay here.”

Mel walks behind the sofa and ponders his situation. “I tell myself I’ve got to try to hold things together — ‘for the sake of the children’ — but I’m not sure that’s true, or even kind. They know what’s going on, and it’s hurting them — especially Roberta.”

Mel continues, “And I think about my mother and father, and God knows they — they had their ups and downs, but somehow they — somehow they worked it out. I feel I ought to be able to do the same, or else I’ve failed. And I don’t like to f-”

In This Minute

Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel with the new name of the hotel written on a bedsheet and draped over the sign with the old name of the hotel, thank Peter. He’s a long-time veteran of the hospitality resort industry, and makes sure your hotel experience is something to rave about on TripAdvisor. When he’s not complaining about the size of the bath towels, he’s expounding on what’s wrong with movies. Mark and Jim have known Peter since high school, and he’s always been like this. Except for the bath towels part. That’s new.

Summary

Ada Quonset thanks Mel Bakersfeld for his kindness and leaves the Trans Global Executive Lounge.  Mel nods as she leaves and bursts out laughing.  Tanya shakes her head. “I don’t believe it!” she says. “I just don’t believe it!” Mel continues to laugh.

“And you were a big help,” says Tanya, ” giving her that VIP treatment! Deference, courtesy, sandwiches – – I’m surprised you didn’t break open a bottle of champagne!”

“Well, if there had been one around,” says Mel. “I would have! She’s deserves it – – she’s fabulous!”

Tanya shakes her head. “She just sat there, laughing at us!”

“Take it easy,” says Mel. “After all, there’s been stowaways ever since the Egyptians first sailed the Red Sea.”

“Mm-hmm,” says Tanya, “And when they caught ’em, they tossed them overboard! The airlines won’t do a thing about it and she knows it — crafty, little old biddy!”

“Oh come on now,” says Mel. “Relax. After all, she only stole a ride, not a plane.” Mel puts a hand on Tanya’s shoulder.

Tanya says, “I know! But – -” She pauses, as Mel now has two hands on her shoulders. “Mel… they’ve been pressuring me about that transfer to San Francisco. I think I’ll take it.  The pay is better, and… the change of climate’ll do me good.”  She smiles. “No snow,” she says.

“Yes,” says Mel, continuing to hold her shoulders.

In This Minute

Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel with the new name of the hotel written on a bedsheet and draped over the sign with the old name of the hotel, thank Peter. He’s a long-time veteran of the hospitality resort industry, and makes sure your hotel experience is something to rave about on TripAdvisor. When he’s not complaining about the size of the bath towels, he’s expounding on what’s wrong with movies. Mark and Jim have known Peter since high school, and he’s always been like this. Except for the bath towels part. That’s new.

Summary

Tanya is explaining to Mrs Quonset that she’s being sent back to Los Angeles on the next flight, as Mel looks on.

“Yes, my dear, ” says Ada, “I was afraid of that. Well, I would like a cup of tea first, so I’ll go now and you can tell me when you want me back.” She stands up from the sofa.

“Oh no,” says Tanya. “You’re not going anywhere alone!” Tanya turns to Peter Coakley.  “Mrs. Quonset will be on Flight 103. Stick with her every second until departure time. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“Yes, Ma’am, ” says Peter. “Uh, she’ll need a ticket.”

“Yes,” says Tanya. “That’ll be a change, won’t it? I’ll make out an order.”

“May I please have my tea now?” says Ada, impatiently. Tanya says yes, but can’t figure out where Ada is headed.

“Can’t I have it in the Commanders’ Club?” says Ada.

“Uh, no, Mrs. Quonset,” says Peter. “That’s for members only.”

“But I have a card,” says Ada, rummaging through her handbag. She produces a Trans Global card, and hands it to Tanya.

“This card says ‘Mrs. Henry Jackson,'” says Tanya.

“Yes,” says Ada. “Gertrude’s a friend of mine and she always lets me use it when I’m traveling.”

“Well, we’ll send it back to Gertrude with a very strong letter!” says Tanya, palming the card.

“We’ll go this way, Mrs. Quonset,” says Peter, steering Ada towards Tanya’s office. Ada says goodbye – – just to Mel.

Mel stands and bows to Ada. “Goodbye, Ma’am.”

Ada smiles at Mel and says, “You… have been very nice.”

In This Minute

Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston