Disclaimer: I don’t own the guys from Emergency so please don’t sue me. I promise to put them back in one piece when I’m done with them.

An interesting shift leads to interesting dreams as seen through Kel Brackett’s eyes.

A very sore good early morning journal,

First let me apologize for not writing in a while. Second, I will explain why I am so sore in just a few minutes. It has been an extremely long day so I am hoping I can stay awake along enough to tell you everything.  To give you a reference it is now 0100 and the tones go off at 0800. Coffee is going to be my best friend tomorrow!! Let me explain my day then I will explain my dream.

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I spent a shift with Station 51’s A shift. At least once a year, I tried to spend a shift in the field with different paramedic teams. I found it helped me to understand them just a little more. I looked forward to spending the day at 51’s. Roy and Johnny are one of the best teams we had.  Plus I consider both of them my friends.

Knowing the shift started at eight I arrived at the station at seven forty-five. As I got out of my car, bag in hand, I saw Roy and Johnny getting out of Johnny’s rover.

I smiled, “Morning fellas.”

Roy and Johnny smiled and said, “Morning doc.”

Johnny asked, “You ready for twenty-four hours of our version of insanity?”

I chuckled, “You bet.”

We all headed inside. The boys led me to the locker room. Johnny and Roy knew Chet Kelly, the shift’s resident joker, was already there. Johnny turned and said to me, “Stay here a minute, Kel.”

Concerned I stopped at the end of a row of lockers and asked, “Everything okay?”

Roy quickly answered, “Yeah doc.”

Johnny added, “Just don’t want you to become an early victim of the Phantom.”

I smiled, having heard many stories of Chet Kelly’s antics, “Thanks guys.”

Intrigued I watched as Roy opened his locker with no problem. Next to him, at the other end of the row from me, Johnny slowly opened his locker. All three of us were quite surprised when nothing happened.

Johnny smiled, “Yay. He must have actually listened.”

I asked, “Where do you want me?”

Roy tapped the locker on the other side of him. I quickly stowed my gear as the guys changed. Johnny spoke as he buttoned his shirt, “Knowing you were coming today, at the end of our last shift, Cap made Chet promise the Phantom would take today off.”

Roy smiled and added, “Knowing how Chet can prank the wrong person, I think Cap just wanted to make sure you don’t wind up in the line of fire.”

I chuckled, “Oh if I do, I learned a few things in med school.”

We laughed as the guys finish getting dressed. Just then 51’s quiet engineer Mike Stoker stuck his head in the door, “Hi doc. Roy, Johnny, roll call in five.”

“Hi Mike.”

Roy answered, “Okay.”

I looked forward to watching these guys in their natural work environment outside of the hospital. “After you.” I followed Roy and Johnny out to the bay.

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We stopped by the dayroom for some coffee before roll call. Engine 51’s crew Hank, Marco Mike and Chet met us. I smiled, “Morning guys.”

The group smiled, “Morning doc.”

Mike asked, “Doctor Brackett how do you like your coffee?”

I smiled, “Black, two sugars. Please guys call me Kel today.”

The group smiled. Mike gave me my coffee, “Thanks Mike.”

“You’re welcome Kel.”

Captain Hank Stanley spoke up, “Alright, we’re going to forego formal roll call this morning, since everybody is already in here.”

A shift cheered. Hank continued, “I’ll keep this short. Doctor Brackett will be spending this shift with us. Kel, I’ll get you a turnout jacket and helmet when I’m home.”

“Okay Hank.”

Hank looked at Mike, “Mike, Big Red needs some TLC. She had it rough last night.”

“I’ll get to it as soon as we’re done.”

Hank continued the orders for the day, “Okay. Johnny, Roy, check your supplies real well.”

“Will do.”

“Now for chores. Mike, Big Red. Roy dorms. Johnny, dayroom and mop the bay. Chet, by bad luck of the draw the latrine. Kel, question for you.”

“Yes?”

“How much spice can you handle in a meal?”

“A fair amount, but nothing to extreme.”

“Okay. Mike, you cook. Marco, you’ve got the kitchen. That’s it guys.”

We broke up after putting our empty coffee mugs in the sink.

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Welcome back to the present. I’d love to go into full detail of the shift, but I’ll do that another time. Suffice to say I have a new level of respect for all of the medics and fire crews. Since it is getting late, I am going to skip ahead to the call that led to my dream.

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It had been a fairly busy day for both the engine and the squad. Nothing too extreme, but enough to keep us on our toes. It was about half a hour after a delicious full fried chicken dinner. Wonder if Mike can cook at the hospital and still work for the department?

The klaxon rang out loudly yet again. Everybody sprang to their feet. Sam Lanier’s voice rang out after the tones, “Squad 51, man injured at the Lucky Star ranch. Informant will meet you at the lower gate. 1800 Ranch Lane. That’s 1-8-0-0 Ranch Lane, cross street Arrow Trail. Time out 1845.”

Johnny, Roy, and I sprinted out of the dayroom. Hank was on our heels to write out the call info. Roy jumped behind the wheel. I got in the passenger’s side and slid to the middle. Johnny quickly opened the bay door then dove in the passenger side. As he closed the door, Hank handed Roy the call info. Roy handed Johnny the info and tore out of the station lights and sirens going.

Johnny spoke quickly, “Roy, head for the fire break in the top of Devils canyon.”

“Okay.”

“Will was giving a group of city wanna be cowboys lessons today.”

Roy groaned, “Better get us a rig just in case. Doc, it’s a good thing you’re on this one.”

I bit back my comment. Johnny picked up the radio in the squad, “LA, squad 51.”

Sam Lanier came back, “Go 51.”

“LA, respond an ambulance to our call at 1800 Ranch lane.”

“10-4 51. LA clear 491.”

Johnny replaced the mic. “Partner, about halfway up is Ranch.”

I asked, “You’ve been up here before, Johnny?”

“Not on duty, but yes I have. The owner is a friend of mine.”

“Okay.”

I noticed the guys were quiet and went silent. I didn’t want to disturb anything that was natural to them. Of all the teams in the county, I trusted my life to Roy and Johnny more than anybody.

Roy made the turn onto Ranch. I could cut the sudden tension in the cab with a knife.

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Three-quarters of the way up the road we saw the informant waving at us. Johnny identified him quickly, “It’s Russ.”

Roy stopped next to the guy. Johnny got out after rolling the window on down. Russ dove in and replaced Johnny in the squad. Johnny was now on the running board. Roy took off.

Johnny stuck his head inside and asked, “Russ, what, who and how many?”

“Two down, one trapped on a horse. Will hit his thumb with the tack hammer. One of the city slickers, Toby, is trapped on Mustang who’s mad.”

Roy spoke up, “Russ, make sure Will ices his hand. We’ll get him after we get Toby.”

“You got it Roy.”

Johnny asked, “Who’s saddled?”

“Lightening and Thunder.”

“I’ll take Lightening.”

I spoke up then, “I’ll take Thunder.”

Johnny, Roy and Russ were stunned. Johnny looked over at me and spoke for all of them, “Doc, you ride?”

“Been a while, but yes.”

Russ asked, “Sir, who are you?”

I smiled tightly as the severity of the call hit me, “Doctor Kelly Brackett. I am the head of the emergency department at Rampart General. I am also the head of the county’s paramedic program. You can call me Kel though.”

“Hi Kel.”

Roy barreled through the open gate of the ranch. Johnny looked up and found our destination, “Up ahead.”

We all looked up and saw the cowboy in trouble. Johnny continued, “Russ, where are the horses?”

“Sitting at the edge of the barn ready to go.”

“Good.”

Roy pulled up close to the barn. He shut the squad off.

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Roy and Johnny shared one last look then Johnny took off. Russ and I piled out of the passengers’ side as Roy got out of the drivers’ side.  Russ and I took off after Johnny.

By the time we reached to the barn, Johnny was ready, “Doc, can you ride hard?”

Running on the adrenaline of the call I didn’t consider my age. BAD IDEA! “Yeah.”

“Good deal.”

I jumped on Thunder. Johnny took off. He stayed three steps in front of me, but I hung close. We both barged into where Mustang and Toby were.

Immediately Johnny took charge and yelled, “Doc, I’ll get Mustang. Then you get Toby.”

“Okay.”

Johnny didn’t miss a step and he was soon side by side with Mustang. I slowed my horse quite a bit. I heard Johnny talking to the horse in a language I didn’t understand. Note to self ask Johnny what language that was.  To my surprise after a few minutes the horse calmed down.

Johnny turned toward me and yelled, “Okay doc.”

I rode over to where Johnny was, “Toby, come here.”

Toby was shaken, “I...I can’t.”

“Toby, my name is Kel. Trust me my friend you can do this.”

I guess the tone of my voice convinced Toby. Slowly he moved from Mustang to my horse. I encouraged him, “That’s it Toby. Hang on one more minute and you’ll be out of here.”

Toby hung on to me. I took a nice calm ride over to where Roy is waiting. Johnny led both Mustang and Lightening over to Russ, who was sitting next to Roy.

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Johnny spoke up, “Watch the right arm.”

Roy and Johnny helped Toby off my horse. I dismounted ready to watch and help where needed.

Roy smiled and spoke calmly, “Hi Toby, my name is Roy Desoto. The guy that calmed your horse is down is John Gage. Both of us are LA County paramedics.”

“Hi.”

Johnny asked, “Mind if we look you over?”

“No. Go ahead.”

Roy got the oxygen started seeing Toby’s reaction. Then he took the vitals as Johnny splinted Toby’s arm. With the arm immobilized Johnny opened the IV box. Then he started to further check Toby out.

Roy turned to me, “Doc, vitals are: BP 125 over 85. Pulse is 75. Respiration is 16 with supplemental four liters. Eyes equal and reactive.”

Johnny stopped his examine and asked, “Russ, did you fall earlier?”

“Many times, usually to the right.”

“Thought so. Listen I am going to immobilize your right leg til they can get some x-rays of it at the hospital.”

“Okay.”

Without looking Johnny stuck his hand out and was rewarded with the immobilizer. Hearing Russ’s history and the vitals I knew some pain medication was going to be needed, “Roy, five milligrams MS Push. Piggy back it with D5W TKO.”

Anticipating my orders, Roy had the two IVs ready to go. Just then Will walked over and asked worriedly, “How’s it look boys?”

Johnny looked up and smiled, “All things considered not bad. The leg is just a precaution.”

“Good.”

Roy started Toby’s IVs, “Toby, you should be feeling a bit better in a few minutes.”

“Okay.”

Roy hung the IVs from the stand on the back of the oxygen tank.

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The boys turned their attention to Will.

Johnny asked, “Will, whatcha do?”

Will blushed slightly, “Swung and missed with the hammer. Instead of what I was aiming for, I got my thumb.”

We couldn’t help but grimace. Will continued, “I don’t think I did anything serious, but Russ wanted me to get it looked at while you’re here.”

Roy smiled and said, “Sure.”

I asked, “Will, do you mind if I take a look at it?”

Will turned to me and asked, “Question first sir. Who are you?”

Johnny smiled and answered for me, “Relax Will. This is my friend Doctor Kelly Brackett. We call him Kel. He’s the head of the emergency department at Rampart General.”

Will again blushed slightly, “Sorry Kel, I didn’t know.”

I smiled, “It’s okay Will, mind if I check your thumb?”

“Go for it.”

I checked Will’s thumb as the ambulance pulled up, “Will, I think you should come in so we can get some pictures. I don’t feel anything obvious.”

“Sure doc.”

Johnny turned to the ambulance attendants and yelled, “Malcolm, we need the stretcher propped up.”

Malcolm yelled back, “You got it Johnny.”

Roy turned to me, “Kel, you’re going to have to go with the squad. With Will having to go in; there won’t be enough room.”

“Okay Roy.”

Malcolm and the other attendant brought the gurney over and locked it into position.

Roy turned to Toby, “Alright Toby here we go.”

Toby was slightly groggy due to the medicine, “Lets do it.”

I stayed back and watched in awe. I was amazed to watch Johnny and Roy work together in the field. Without a sound they moved into position. Roy was at Toby’s feet. Johnny was behind his shoulder with both IV bags in his mouth. With a nod they moved Toby on to the gurney.

Will was surprised at how the guys worked and leaned over to me, “How did they do that?”

I smiled, “Will, I have no clue. They’ve been able to do that since Johnny was in training.”

We laughed.

Johnny stuffed the IV bags behind Toby’s shoulder and turned back to us, “Lets rock, Will.”

Roy spoke up, “I’ll radio LA and have them relay we’re coming in.”

“Good deal.”

Roy turned to me, “Doc, meet me in the squad.”

“Okay.”

With the equipment cleaned up. Roy helped Johnny get Toby and Will loaded. Once everybody was in Roy slammed the doors and slapped them twice. The ambulance took off with lights and sirens going.

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Roy sprinted back to the squad I was already in and ready to go, “Hang on doc.”

We took off with lights and sirens going. With his eyes on the road, Roy reached over and grabbed the radio, “LA, squad 51.”

Again Sam Lanier came back, “Go ahead 51.”

“LA, alert Rampart we are en route with two victims. Doctor Brackett has looked at both.”

“10-4 51. We’ll alert them now.”

“10-4 51 clear.”

“LA clear KMG 491.”

Roy replaced the radio. Again he never took his eyes off the road.

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Welcome back to the present. It is now 0120. After a quick update I am going to skip ahead to what woke me up, my dream. Toby is gonna be sore as all for a couple weeks. The good news is there is no permanent damage. Will is okay too. He just had a really bad bruise. Mike Morton treated and released him. Now to my dream.

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I fell asleep about 2030, before everybody else. Normally, I dream of Dixie. However, I didn’t want to risk embarrassing myself tonight. I still have to work with these guys!!

My eyes closed, but my brain didn’t shut off. My eyes snapped open, but I was not in the quiet of 51’s dorm. Instead I was on a ranch. I knew the call today went good. What am I doing here??

I smiled as the smells and sounds of the ranch hit me. Okay what ranch am I on? I looked up and my jaw dropped. The sign above my head says KB Farms Dreamin’ in LA Style. I…I own my own ranch!! How cool is that?

Suddenly I heard Johnny and Roy yell, “Lets go doc, Dixie just rang the chow bell.”

I looked down and smiled as I realized I was on a beautiful chestnut colored horse, “Lets go Speed Demon, mom has food.”

That’s all I had to say and I was off. I took a hard ride back to the guys. Not missing a stride the three of us took off at full speed. I borrowed the guys’ nicknames for each other when I named the horses they are riding. Johnny was on black horse named Junior. Roy was riding a tan horse named Pally.

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Regretfully, that’s where my dream was cut off. My aging muscles started screaming in protest from the day. Well they are finally relaxing and my eyes are drooping. While I can still see clearly I am going to head back to the dorm. Hopefully, my mind will take me back to the ranch.

Good night all. Til we meet again.

Doc Kel “The rancher” Brackett