Airport Minute Podcast

Paul Francis Sullivan, a.k.a. “Sully,” is the creator and host of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast (SullyBaseball.com). Every single day since October 24, 2012, he posts an original episode of comedic yet passionate takes, analysis and observations of the game he loves.

Peter and Ada arrive at the entrance to the ladies’ room so that Ada can lie down after one of her “spells.” Peter wants to know if he should call for a doctor.

“Oh no,” says Ada. “I’ve been enough trouble already. But don’t go away. You will stay here, like you did before, won’t you?”

“Oh certainly,” says Peter. “I’ll stay right here.”

Ada reaches for the ladies’ room door, then starts to sag and moan as she tries to open the door.

“Perhaps you’re right,” says Ada, as Peter catches her in his arms. “You’d better get a doctor.”

“Of course!” says Peter. “Right away.”

“But… don’t… worry,” moans Ada, looking at Peter. “I’ll be alright.”

“Alright,” says Peter, pointing at the restroom door. “Now, there’s an attendant in there, she’ll take care of you in the meantime. Now I won’t be a minute.”

Ada staggers into the ladies’ room, then turns around. “Thank you!” she says to Peter, and squeezes his hand before Peter closes the door. He runs off to fetch help.

The scene pauses for a moment, then the door slowly opens, with Ada peeking out of the restroom. She sees no sign of Peter, then briskly walks down the concourse toward Flight Two.

As she passes the flight insurance counter, D.O. Guerrero is explaining to the agent how his name is spelled.

The agent asks,”And what amount policy were you -”

In this minute

Helen Hayes as Ada Quonsett

Paul Francis Sullivan, a.k.a. “Sully,” is the creator and host of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast (SullyBaseball.com). Every single day since October 24, 2012, he posts an original episode of comedic yet passionate takes, analysis and observations of the game he loves.

Ada Quonsett was just telling Peter Coakley about how she and her late husband were going to travel to Rome, but he died before their trip. Peter expresses sympathy, then returns to his magazine.

Ada glances at him, then moans. When she gets no reaction, she moans louder. Peter turns toward her as she slumps in her chair.

“What’s wrong?” asks Peter.

“Oh dear,” says Ada. “Oh dear. I’m sorry.”

“What is it, Mrs. Quonsett?” asks Peter.

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I’m having one of my spells,” says Ada.

“I’ll get help,” says Peter. “I’ll call for a doctor!” says Peter, turning to leave. Ada lunges out and yanks him back to his seat, when resumes her “spell.”

“Oh, it’s — I’ll be alright,” says Ada. “I’ve had this… for years. It -it — it’ll pass. Oh dear – – if I could just lie down… for a little while… I saw a cot… in the ladies’ room a little while… ago…”

“I’ll help you,” says Peter. “Come on.” They get up and walk toward the ladies’ room. “Take it easy,” says Peter. “Are you sure you’re going to be alright? We can sit down along the way, if you’re not.”

As they pass the Travel Insurance counter, D.O. Guerrero enters through the Main Terminal doors. He heads toward the Insurance counter.

Meanwhile, Peter and Ada arrive at the entrance to the ladies’ room.

“You’ll be alright – – we’ll be there in a second,” says Peter.

“I’m much better,” says Ada. “Much better.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to call for the doctor?” asks Peter.

Vic is a licensed Professional Engineer, Home Inspector and soon to be one of the first to get an FAA Airman Certificate to fly his drone commercially under the new Part 107 rules.

Vic is a self-proclaimed geek who is an avid movie fan and loves action, comedies and Sci-Fi genres. He also loves to read Scientific American and Air & Space, and is into metal working/welding in his spare time (whatever that is!).

Mel’s just taken responsibility for an $8 million aircraft. He’s worried, but Patroni tells him to go get Joe the cigars Mel’s promised — for when he gets the 707 out of the snow.

Back at the terminal, the Trans Global shuttle bus has finally arrived.

“Your attention please,” says the Gate 33 gate agent, “Trans Global Airlines’ The Golden Argosy, Flight Two nonstop to Rome, is now ready for boarding. All passengers holding confirmed reservations, please proceed to Gate 33, Green Concourse D.” He repeats the announcement in Italian.

Ada Quonsett listens attentively while Peter Coakley reads a magazine.

“Oh, Rome, ” sighs Ada. “The Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel… the Catacombs. My dear late husband and I always planned to visit there. ‘See Rome and die,’ he always said. But he died, just when we were packing.”

“Aw gee, that’s too bad,” says Peter Coakley.

“Yes,” says Ada, “So near, and yet so–”

In this minute

George Kennedy as Joe Patroni

Josh Horowitz is the founder of one of the longest-running fan sites for the John Carpenter film Big Trouble in Little China, the Wing Kong Exchange (www.wingkong.net). He recently teamed up with movie guru Brett Stillo to co-host the weekly 5 minutes-at-a-time podcast “5 Minutes of Trouble” (5minutesoftrouble.com).

Mel and Patroni are discussing the next steps to get the stuck 707 out of the snow. Patroni is going to have to dig deeper and put lumber under the wheels. Because Captain Benson won’t use full throttle, Patroni has another plan for who’s going to be at the wheel.

“I’ll drive it out,” says Patroni.

“I’m not turning this ship over to anybody without authorization from our chief pilot,” says Benson.

“I’ve phoned Kettering, but there’s no answer,” says Mel.

“Then I guess we just sit here and wait until you get him, ” says Benson, leaning back in his seat.

“No, we don’t,” says Mel. “We haven’t got time. You’re not in the air now, Captain – – you’re stuck on the ground, my ground, and you’re blocking my primary runway.”

“I’m not using full power! It’s too risky,” says Benson.

“Then I’ll make the decision,” says Mel. “I’ll take the responsibility for the aircraft.  Mr. Patroni is licensed to taxi, he’ll take over.”  Benson ponders this for a moment, then shuts down the engines.  The pilot, engineer, and copilot get up to leave.

Benson pauses by the cockpit door for some parting words with Mel. “If he tears this ship apart,” says Benson, “I hope you’ve got eight million to pay for it.” Benson leaves. Mel prevents Joe from lunging after Benson.

“Joe,” says Mel, “My neck’s out about fourteen feet. Are you sure it’ll work?” Joe looks at Mel.

“Let’s put it this way,” says Joe, “You promised me a box of cigars if I pulled this off, right? Well, what are you standing around for?”

In this minute

Robert Patten as Captain Benson

James is an industrial design engineer living in Portland, Oregon. He claims to be the son of one of the co-hosts of the show, although Mark has hired an army of attorneys to refute the paternity. James grew up watching Airport almost weekly, and says that the film has shaped his frequent-flying career in seeking out fireplaces in Delta Sky Clubs. There’s apparently one in Memphis, for example.

Captain Benson is at the controls of stuck Flight 45’s 707. He’s not using full throttle, and it’s upsetting Joe Patroni.  The aircraft moves forward, slowly, its wheels sinking deeper into the snow. Benson idles the engines.

“You chickened out on me!” yells Patroni. “I told you I wanted all the power you’ve got!”

“Full throttle, this plane would be standing on its nose!” replies Benson.

“You might fly these things,” says Patroni, “but I take ’em apart and put ’em back together again. If you had any guts, we’d be on the runway by now!”

“You felt it vibrating?” asks Benson. “Another ten seconds, we’d have had structural damage.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to?” asks Patroni, “Some kid that fixes bicycles? I know every inch of the 707. Take the wings off of this and you could use it as a tank! This plane is built to withstand anything – – except a bad pilot!” Patroni points at Benson.

“Alright, hold it – hold it!” says Mel, standing behind Joe. “This kind of  talk will get us nowhere.”

Benson looks at Patroni, and says to Mel, “You might tell your mechanic that I’ve got over three million miles in the air!”

“And two and a half feet in the ground,” replies Patroni.

“Now, wait a – ” says Benson, but Mel cuts him off.

“Let’s stop wasting time,” says Mel. “What do we do now?” he asks Patroni.

“Now,” says Patroni, “we’ve got to dig a lot deeper. Put lumber under the wheels. But the next we try, since he’s afraid –”

In this minute

Dean Martin as Vernon Demerest

Josh Horowitz is the founder of one of the longest-running fan sites for the John Carpenter film Big Trouble in Little China, the Wing Kong Exchange (www.wingkong.net). He recently teamed up with movie guru Brett Stillo to co-host the weekly 5 minutes-at-a-time podcast “5 Minutes of Trouble” (5minutesoftrouble.com).

Vern and Gwen are seated at the rear of the First Class of an empty 707. Gwen is talking about dealing with her pregnancy. She’s thanked Vern for caring, as most men would have said “Tough luck.”

“Not this one,” says Vern.

Gwen sits on a seat rest and looks at Vern. “You know,” says Gwen, “I think you do love me a little. Makes it harder to decide — easier to bear.”

The other stewardesses enter through the forward hatch. Vern and Gwen get up and look busy. Gwen explains that the Captain fixed the air vent.

Meanwhile, back at stuck Trans Global 45, the MelMobile backs up next to a maintenance truck. The 707 has four engines running. In the cockpit, Patroni is yelling in Captain Benson’s ear.

“Full throttle!” yells Patroni. Benson ignores him, and keeps the engines at a lower speed than full throttle. The wheels barely move on the lumber roadway.

Patroni yells again, “All the way!” Captain Benson doesn’t move the throttle levers.

In this minute

Dean Martin as Vernon Demerest

Tom Taylor is the cohost of the Indiana Jones Minute and the Caddyshack Minute podcasts. He’s also the author of the novel In Memory of Todd Woods. He lives in Chicagoland wth his wife and son, and is so busy he has no friends, except for all you nice people!

Vern and Gwen are seated at the rear of the First Class of an empty 707. Vern is talking with Gwen about what to do, now that Gwen is pregnant. Gwen has qualms about Vern’s suggestion to go to Sweden for an abortion.

“I don’t want to sound mystical or anything,” says Gwen. “but I am carrying someone who’s part of us. I’m not so sure I want to lose it.”

“And if you have the baby,” says Vern, “then what?”

“Well, I suppose adoption would be the answer,” says Gwen. “They’re very careful nowadays. They find the right family. ” Vern nods his head.

“They’re very careful,” says Vern, “and all the arrangements are made beforehand – – and the records are kept secret, you know. And you’ll never see the baby.” Gwen ponders that for a while, then stands up from her seat.

“I suppose in time I’ll be sensible,” says Gwen, “but I’ve got to have time to think.” She pauses, and puts her hand on Vern’s shoulder.

“Vern,” says Gwen, “thank you for caring. Most men would have said, “So long, girl.”

In this minute

Dean Martin as Vernon Demerest

Tom Taylor is the cohost of the Indiana Jones Minute and the Caddyshack Minute podcasts. He’s also the author of the novel In Memory of Todd Woods. He lives in Chicagoland wth his wife and son, and is so busy he has no friends, except for all you nice people!

Vern and Gwen are seated at the rear of the First Class of an empty 707. Vern is talking with Gwen about what to do, now that Gwen is pregnant. Vern said he won’t let her go to “a butcher, two flights up, over a drug store.”

“I hear Sweden’s the best place,” says Vern. “Good doctors, good hospitals, medically safe…”

“Very quick, very simple,” says Gwen. “One minute, you have it; next minute, you don’t.”

“There’s no danger of complications,” says Vern.

“That is, no physical complications,” says Gwen. “I’m not so sure about the moral ones.” Vern looks at her.

“You have – – religious scruples?” asks Vern.

“No, no, ” says Gwen. “but the strangest thing happened to me today when the doctor told me. I mean, I’ve known other girls in the same situation — toss it off with bad jokes like,  ‘I’ve got a bun in the oven’ or  ‘Captain, we’ve got an extra passenger on board.’ I knew I’d react the same way: very modern, very sophisticated. But I certainly didn’t. I was suddenly filled with a sense of — wonder, and awe. I don’t – ”

In this minute

Dean Martin as Vernon Demerest

James is an industrial design engineer living in Portland, Oregon. He claims to be the son of one of the co-hosts of the show, although Mark has hired an army of attorneys to refute the paternity. James grew up watching Airport almost weekly, and says that the film has shaped his frequent-flying career in seeking out fireplaces in Delta Sky Clubs. There’s apparently one in Memphis, for example.

Vern and Gwen are seated at the rear of the First Class of an empty 707. Gwen mentions she tried to tell Vern something earlier.

“But we were in a hurry, and…” says Gwen.

“You’re sure?” asks Vern.

“Do you mean, am I sure I’m pregnant?” replies Gwen, “Or am I sure you’re the father?”

Vern stands up. “Come on, Gwen,” says Vern. “I didn’t mean -”

“The answer to both questions is yes,” says Gwen.

“Well, I wasn’t asking,” replies Vern.

“You had a perfect right to,” says Gwen. “I want you to know something, Vern: that there hasn’t been anyone else but you. You see, there couldn’t be. I happen to love you.” Vern looks around, not knowing what to say.

“I’m afraid I was careless,” says Gwen. “I stopped taking the pills, because they made me gain weight. So, instead of being plump, I’m pregnant.” Vern remains nervous.

“Stop twisting your wedding ring,” says Gwen. Vern drops his hands, guiltily. “I know you’ve got a wife,” says Gwen. “I know you can’t marry me. I knew it in the beginning. I won’t make things difficult for you. I’ll work it out myself.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” says Vern. “Gwen, you don’t think I’d walk out and ignore the whole thing. I’ll take care of you. I’ll make sure you don’t go some –”

In this minute

Dean Martin as Vernon Demerest

James is an industrial design engineer living in Portland, Oregon. He claims to be the son of one of the co-hosts of the show, although Mark has hired an army of attorneys to refute the paternity. James grew up watching Airport almost weekly, and says that the film has shaped his frequent-flying career in seeking out fireplaces in Delta Sky Clubs. There’s apparently one in Memphis, for example.

Inez Guerrero is talking to a Trans Global Customer Service agent on the phone, about flights to Rome.

“Our Golden Argosy, Flight Two – it departs at Ten PM,” says the agent, ” only tonight it’s delayed one hour, due to weather conditions.”

“Well, could you — it’s very important to me to find out if somebody is on that flight,” says Inez. “His name is D. O. Guerrero.”

“Well, I’m terribly sorry,” says the agent, “we’re not allowed to give out that information.”

“You don’t understand,” says Inez. “The person I’m asking about is my husband.”

“Well, I – I’m sorry,” replies the agent, “but it’s a company rule. Well… you might go out to the airport. If you can get there before they board the flight, you could see your husband if he’s there.”

“I see,” says Inez. “Well, that’s the only way, I suppose… Thank you. Thank you.”

“Thank you for calling Trans Global,” says the agent.

The scene wipes to Trans Global Flight 2, parked on the tarmac. The scene shifts again to the interior of the empty plane. Vern and Gwen are seated at the rear of First Class.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” asks Vern.

“I tried,” says Gwen.

In this minute

Burt Lancaster as Mel Bakersfeld