City on Fire

Herman Stover: Mr. Clark? Herman Stover. Mr. Clark: Oh yes, yes of course. Come in, Stover. (Herman sits down) Stover, we have an opening in Research. We'd like you to consider switching to that department. Herman Stover: Research? Mr. Clark: Interesting opportunities in that branch, you know? Herman Stover: 12 years in Maintenance, they promised me I'd make Foreman. Mr. Clark: Your aptitude test showed that you'd serve the company better in Research & Development. Herman Stover: (Herman stands up to leave) I-I belong in Maintenance. I don't know anything about "research" - I'm in Maintenance. Mr. Clark: I take this to mean that you won't accept the transfer? Herman Stover: I wanna be Foreman. Mr. Clark: The committee already decided on Kershaw. Herman Stover: Kershaw?! I ain't workin' for Kershaw! Mr. Clark: Very well. (writes up a notice of termination) You'll get the usual severance pay and one week's vacation. (hands paper to Herman) You can present this to the paymaster. Good luck

City on Fire (1979 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mayor William Dudley: I hope you'll change your mind and join us up on the speakers' platform, Dr. Whitman. Dr. Frank Whitman: No, no, I don't think so. Really. Mayor William Dudley: It would look better, you know, the head of a new hospital. Dr. Frank Whitman: Well it may look better but I don't think it would sound better. I don't think you'd like what you'd be hearing. Mayor William Dudley: Well what's eating you now? You have a new job and the city has a beautiful new hospital. Dr. Frank Whitman: That's right, some new hospital. You know, it looks real good on the outside. But thanks to your political favors here and there, see I'm stuck with a patch-up job! Mayor William Dudley: Well nothing is perfect. Everything is compromised. Now, if you're the mayor of a big city and you want to get things done, you have to learn to give and take. Dr. Frank Whitman: Try talking to a surgeon about compromise during an open-heart operation, huh? (walks away) Mayor William Dudley: Dr. Whitman? (

City on Fire (1979 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jimbo: What the hell was that? Maggie Grayson: What the fuck's going on? Jimbo: Holy shit! That was on the air! Maggie Grayson: Umm...

City on Fire (1979 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mayor William Dudley: How you doing? John O'Brien: (weakly): Alright. Mayor William Dudley: I'm in a hell of mess on this one, Johnny. I pushed for that refinery. John O'Brien: (weakly): That's the risk of politics; yesterday you're a hero and today you're a fool. Pretty simple to say the least. Mayor William Dudley: Come on, come on. I don't know what the hell to do. Can't get through on the phone to Risley or Abrams or anybody. John O'Brien: (weakly): Well that's bad. But you can turn it around and make it good. Mayor William Dudley: Goddammit Johnny don't humor me! I don't know how to deal with this one. On top of it all you pick today to go and get a heart attack. Hey, Johnny... John O'Brien: (weakly): Never...never admit...that you were wrong about the refinery. Mayor William Dudley: Now don't you go dying on me for Christ's sake, come on. John O'Brien: (weakly): You'll be governor...you'll do it...bet you seven bucks you do it kid.

City on Fire (1979 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mayor William Dudley: You mind telling me what's going on with the ambulances and- Nurse Andrea Harper: (cutting the mayor off) Not a bit Mr. Mayor. You know it seems that there was some idiot who let them build a refinery right in the middle of the city and this is the result! You know I bet it was you. I really would like to hear you talk yourself out of this boo-boo! Mayor William Dudley: You mind telling me what's going on out here? Nurse Andrea Harper: Doctor's orders. Dr. Whitman wants the rest of the hospital evacuated - in a hurry. You know you could do us both a favor Mr. Mayor and get yourself in one of those trucks. At least this'll keep you out of the governor's mansion. Mayor William Dudley: Don't take any bets on it. Nurse Andrea Harper: WELL I AIN'T GONNA VOTE FOR YOU!

City on Fire (1979 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Maggie Grayson: Mayor Dudley, can you hear me? Mayor William Dudley: Uh yes Ms. Grayson. I hear you very well. Maggie Grayson: Chief Risley, can you hear me? Can you not hear me Chief Risley?! Chief Albert Risley: Yes, yes I do Ms. Grayson I apologize, but we have no time for formalities. (noticing labored breathing by the mayor on the TV) Mayor Dudley are you having difficulty breathing? Mayor William Dudley: Well, uh, yes as a matter of fact I am. Chief Albert Risley: Mr. Mayor I'm afraid the hospital may be caught in a firestorm. Maggie Grayson: Chief Risley...does that mean that the people in the hospital are in danger of suffocating? Chief Albert Risley: Mayor Dudley it's very important that everyone in the hospital get out of the area as quickly as possible!

City on Fire (1979 film), CC BY-SA 4.0