The Towering Inferno

James Duncan: So, how was it? Doug Roberts: Good. James Duncan: You're gonna go ahead, huh? Doug Roberts: Full steam. James Duncan: Anything I can do to change your mind? Doug Roberts: Nope, no way. James Duncan: You know there's an old saying that, uh, 'No matter how hot it gets up there during the day, there's -' Doug Roberts: '-not a damn thing to do in the night', right? James Duncan: That's right. Now just what the hell are you gonna do at night in the middle of nowhere? Doug Roberts: Sleep like a winner. James Duncan: Doug, you're a city boy with a low threshold for boredom. You'll be back in two weeks. (The elevator arrives on the 65th floor) Can you come in the office for a minute? Doug Roberts: I got people waiting upstairs. James Duncan: Well what I wanted to tell you is that Senator Parker's flying in for the dedication tonight. And he's almost guaranteed the Urban Renewal contract. Now do you know what that means? Skyscrapers like this all over the country! You design 'em,

The Towering Inferno, CC BY-SA 4.0

Doug Roberts: Can I talk at all? Susan Franklin: No. It's my lunch hour. Doug Roberts: Well I'm not a cheeseburger, you know. Susan Franklin: You're better - all protein, no bread. All I need to go with you is about eight glasses of water. Doug Roberts: All I need to go with you is in that suitcase over there. Susan Franklin: What's in that suitcase over there? Doug Roberts: I got about $140 worth of vulgar underwear for ya. Susan Franklin: First things first. (Susan opens a door to a private room) Doug Roberts: That's nice. Susan Franklin: Years from now when they talk about this and they will, remember to tell them that it was my idea. Doug Roberts: Yeah, right.

The Towering Inferno, CC BY-SA 4.0

James Duncan: I know, I know. Callahan called me. Now just how bad is it? Doug Roberts: Depends on how good your imagination is. (Roberts drops the burned wire on Duncan's desk) Jesus Christ. Specs called for Conduit safety covering! James Duncan: How many fuse terminals did you check? Doug Roberts: How many do I have to? James Duncan: Yes? Duncan's Secretary: Mr. Bigelow's here, sir. James Duncan: Ok, send him in. Now Doug, one piece of scorched wire from a burned-out circuit breaker is hardly conclusive. Doug Roberts: Maybe not. But after that I'm worried about what other shocks we're in for! Dan Bigelow: Will, Doug, J.D., wait 'til you see this. (Bigelow opens a box containing golden scissors for the Tower's dedication but the men do not react) What happened? Somebody hang the wallpaper upside down? James Duncan: We have an equipment problem. Dan Bigelow: No problem in the Tower is there? Doug Roberts: Could be. James Duncan: Oh now come on Doug. You're just guessing! Doug Roberts:

The Towering Inferno, CC BY-SA 4.0

Roger Simmons: Hi Doug. Honey. Patty Duncan Simmons: Hello. Roger Simmons: What are you drinking these days? Doug Roberts: Nothing right now. Roger Simmons: Well, welcome back from the wilderness. To what do we owe the pleasure? Doug Roberts: Callahan was testing a backup generator. There was a power surge and a systems failure. Roger Simmons: How can that be? Doug Roberts: Well it can't be, theoretically. Unless you've been screwing around with the electrical specifications. Roger Simmons: That's being rather blunt, isn't it? Doug Roberts: You betcha. Roger Simmons: Well then you'll understand my being equally blunt. What the hell business is it of yours anyway? Doug Roberts: Well I'm just wondering what kind of kickbacks were involved. Roger Simmons: I don't have to take crap from you. Doug Roberts: Now listen. We had an electrical flare-up in the main utility room. It looked to me like some of that wiring wasn't exactly what I asked for. Roger Simmons: Every piece of wire I put in t

The Towering Inferno, CC BY-SA 4.0

Will Giddings: Did you find Simmons? Doug Roberts: Yeah, I found him...... Will Giddings: Well did he or didn’t he change your specs? Doug Roberts: He didn’t admit it, but two bucks will get you ten he did. Will Giddings: Payoffs and kickbacks, that’s the only way he could have swung it (assembles a pile of plans with the electrical specifications). Well, here you are. It's your original specs. Zone one only, but we gotta start somewhere. Doug Roberts: Son of a bitch gave us an impossible job.

The Towering Inferno, CC BY-SA 4.0

James Duncan: Where were you all day? Roger Simmons: I wasn't aware the leash was that tight. James Duncan: When I get the time I'll be asking you a few questions, and I expect some straight answers!

The Towering Inferno, CC BY-SA 4.0